Web Digest [ West Ham United ] - 15th February 2008

Collins keeping the faith - WHUFC
James Collins is still in good spirits despite the disappointment of his
knee-ligament injury
14.02.2008

James Collins is targeting as quick a return as possible from his serious
knee injury with surgery due next week before he begins on the road to
recovery.

The Wales defender suffered damage to the anterior cruciate ligament in his
right knee during a reserve-team outing at Portsmouth on 23 January - just
as he was approaching full fitness and a return to regular first-team
action. West Ham United head physiotherapist George Cooper is optimistic
that Collins could yet return to play some part in pre-season training this
summer.

"He has got a 75 per cent tear of his anterior cruciate ligament and that
was diagnosed under arthroscopy which has made planning the operation much
easier," he said. "There is going to be no surprises when they go inside the
knee. They know what is going on in there." While it is difficult to predict
yet when Collins will be ready to return, the hope is that he could resume
training in six months.

Of the unfortunate injury itself, which came about when a Portsmouth player
went over under pressure on the halfway line and landed on top of Collins'
right knee, Cooper said: "The guy's fallen on him. It was a committed tackle
which he does four or five times a day in training. It looked innocuous
compared to the whole-hearted challenges he usually makes."

Speaking to the official matchday programme, Collins is ready to begin the
"hard work" as soon as the operation is carried out. He added: "I think the
minimum time I will be out is six months so that is what I am aiming
towards. It is weird because I am not in any pain or anything. I can bend my
knee no problem and even run already, which is what I am finding it hard to
get my head round as I can do all that but I can't play football.

"However, I understand making any sort of tackle and kicking the ball, I
would be in trouble so I just have to take my time, do as I am told by the
physios and that way I will suffer no setbacks." Pledging to continue
"supporting the boys every week", Collins said the strong team spirit at the
club would help him cope with the lay-off. "This is the first long-term
injury I have picked up so it is going to be tough to deal with, but
everyone around me is really supportive, which always helps."

Meanwhile, Cooper said he was pleased with the prospects for Calum
Davenport, who is also targeting a summer return after suffering a fracture
to one of the vertebrae in his neck on 19 January during the first match of
a loan at Watford. Cooper said: "I have to complement Watford for the
impeccable way they handled it. Calum was lucky to have such a good team
around him when it happened." Cooper said the initial "loss of power and
pins and needles" Davenport felt was due to swelling. "That has now
disappeared and he is expected to make a full recovery."

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Millers sign young Hammer on loan - BBC

Teenage left-back Joe Widdowson has joined League Two side Rotherham on a
month's loan from West Ham. Widdowson, 18, completed the loan move after
featuring for Rotherham's reserve team in a match against Leeds. He could
make his Millers debut in their match against Wycombe Wanderers this
weekend. Widdowson spent a short spell training with League One club
Carlisle United late last year and has been a key player for West Ham's
Under-18 team.

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We're not loaded anymore - KUMB
Filed: Thursday, 14th February 2008
By: Staff Writer

West Ham United have slipped outside of the Top 20 in football's rich list -
despite being owned by a billionaire. The Hammers, who were listed in 19th
place in the 2005/06 list with a turnover of £60.1m slipped outside of the
World's rich list this year. Two of the teams that suffred a similar fate in
last year's list, Valencia and Celtic, are back in this year's list which
also saw Glasgow Rangers, Manchester City and Benfica slip outside the top
20. Topping the list for the third successive year are Real Madrid, whilst
six English clubs - Man Utd (2nd), Chelsea (4th), Arsenal (5th), Liverpool
(8th), Tottenham (11th) and Newcastle (14th) - make the top 20. West Ham's
re-emergence into the Deloitte's list last year followed four years in the
wilderness and was boosted by the FA Cup Final appearance against Liverpool.

Deloitte's Football Rich List 06/07
(last year's position in brackets, income in Euros)

1 (1) Real Madrid 351.8
2 (4) Manchester United 315.4
3 (2) FC Barcelona 291.1
4 (6) Chelsea 284.4
5 (9) Arsenal 264.2
6 (5) AC Milan 227.7
7 (8) FC Bayern Munich 223.7
8 (10) Liverpool 202.1
9 (7) Inter 195.4
10 (12) A.S. Roma 157.7
11 (15) Tottenham Hotspur 153.6
12 (-) Juventus 145.5
13 (11) Lyon 141.5
14 (13) Newcastle United 129.4
15 (16) SV Hamburg 121.3
16 (14) Schalke 04 114.5
17 (-) Celtic 111.8
18 (-) Valencia 107.8
19 (-) Marseille 99.7
20 (-) Bremen 97.0

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Hell, Sid? - KUMB
Filed: Thursday, 14th February 2008
By: Staff Writer

West Ham United are being linked with a move for Chelsea outcast Steve
Sidwell. The Daily Mirror - never the most reliable of sources - are
claiming that the Hammers are prepared to pay around £5m for the former
Reading midfielder, who joined Chelsea on a free transfer last summer.
Sidwell has barely featured for Chelsea's first team this season, and was
left out of their Champions League squad prompting him to announce his
desire to find a new club.
He was linked with a move to relegation-threatened Sunderland during the
transfer window but that move failed to materialise. The former Reading
captain was previously linked with a move to East London back in 2004 and
2005 when Alan Pardew - who had overseen the young Sidwell's career - was
manager of West Ham.

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Widdy Miller - KUMB
Filed: Thursday, 14th February 2008
By: Staff Writer

Youth team full-back Joe Widdowson has joined League Two outfit Rotherham
United on a month's loan. The left-sided defender made his debut for the
Millers last night in their 3-0 reserve team defeat against Leeds United at
Millmoor. The 18-year-old is expected to be named in this weekend's first
team squad to face Wycombe Wanderers, who are currently one place behind
Rotherham in League Two in sixth place. Widdowson's spell with Rotherham is
his second on loan already this season; he previously spent a month with
Carlisle United last November/December. Carlisle boss John Ward had wanted
to take Widdowson back to Brunton Park in January for a second loan spell
but that failed to materialise.

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Hammers tour in the Can? - KUMB
Filed: Thursday, 14th February 2008
By: Staff Writer

West Ham are one of three Premier League teams being linked with a
money-spinning pre-season tour of North America. Canadian outfit Vancouver
Whitecaps announced yesterday that they had agreed to play a 'top ten'
Premier League side this summer in either Burnaby's Swangard Stadium or BC
Place Stadium. Whitecaps Club President and former manger of the Canadian
national team, Bob Lenarduzzi, said: "We can't be specific at the moment.
All I can say at this time is the team is currently in the top half of the
English Premier League standings. "If the draw is big enough, we would
consider going into BC Place."
The Whitecaps play in the USL First Division, an 11-team league consisting
of nine American sides and two Candian. The standard of football is similar
to the Football League Two (or Division 4 to those of our readers above 30).
West Ham United announced last May that they had opened an academy in the
USA, whilst Eggert Magnusson hinted late last year, prior to his departure
from the club that the Hammers were investigating the possibility of playing
at least one 'home' Premier League fixture in North America.

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Sidwell to make move to West Ham - blueandwhitearmy
By Paul Griffiths - 14/02/2008 22:55

According to reports, Chelsea midfielder Steve Sidwell will make a move away
from Stamford Bridge and Chelsea to move to Upton Park to join West Ham
during the next summer transfer window for a sum that is said to be in the
region of £5m. Sidwell has struggled to make an impression since his move
from Reading last summer.
He was said to be shattered when Avram Grant omitted him from Chelsea's
squad for the knock-out stages of the Champions League, a decision that is
said to have made the midfielder's mind up about leaving Stamford Bridge as
soon as he can. Sidwell has found life hard with a plethora of big name
stars ahead of him in the Chelsea midfield pecking-order. He had hoped to
cement his place firmly in the squad when Michael Essien and Obi John Mikel
midfield but he was left out of contention for last Sunday's game against
Liverpool with Obi coming into the squad after he returned from Africa.
West Ham manager Alan Curbishley is keen to sign Sidwell and is prepared to
match the £5m per year wage deal he currently enjoys at Stamford Bridge.
However, West Ham will face stiff opposition from Sidwell's former side
Reading with manager Steve Coppell hoping to persuade him to make a return
to The Madejski Stadium.

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Liverpool, Man City and West Ham wait as Newcastle decide on Owen future!?!
- Talking Soccer

Newcastle United boss Kevin Keegan will have to splash out £20 million if he
wants to keep Michael Owen at the club. Keegan is expected to splash the
cash this summer but could find himself £20 million out of pocket before he
has even begun. The Mirror are reporting that the club do not want to risk
losing Michael owen, who cost a whopping £16 million from Real Madrid, for
nothing with the players contract having just 1 year remaining to run.
Owen will demand a four year deal worth £5 million per season to remain at
St James Park and with Liverpool, Manchester City and West Ham all waiting
in the wings, the Toon will have little choice but to give the player what
he wants.

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Hammers skipper contemplates missed opportunities
By Guardian-series

LUCAS Neill believes that West Ham's recent poor results could have
scuppered the club's bid to claim a UEFA Cup spot this season. The Irons
were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw with struggling Birmingham at Upton Park
on Saturday, which followed a 1-0 defeat at relegation-threatened Wigan. But
the Hammers skipper reckons they needed all six points to stay in touch with
seventh-placed Manchester City - instead they find themselves trailing by
seven points. "We have obviously lost ground - we lost points and what
should have been a really exciting month is starting to look a little bit
anti-climatic now," Neill told WHUTV. "It is definately two games that we
were going to look back at the end of the season and think we should have
possibly got maximum points." The Irons can still get back in the hunt for
Europe with a victory over Fulham in their next match. And Neill (pictured)
has urged his team mates to look on the club's achievements of last season
as inspiration. He said: "As we all know, last year we won seven out of nine
games so all is not lost yet.
"We are all very disappointed but we also had a good chat about what we are
going to do here on in."

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Shorey stalls on new Royals deal - TeamTalk

Reading defender Nicky Shorey has put contract negotiations at the Madejski
Stadium on hold until the end of the season. Shorey, who is under contract
with the Royals until 2009, is believed to be the target of the Premier
League's top four as well as West Ham, and Reading are keen to tie the
full-back to a long-term deal. However, Shorey has decided to put
negotiations on hold until the summer and it is thought the England
international is waiting to see if Reading avoid relegation this season
before making a decision upon his future. Reading director of football Nick
Hammond does, however, remain confident that positive negotiations will take
place in the summer. "In all honesty I think we will look again in the
summer and see what the situation is then. He still has a year on his
contract to run after this season," Hammond told the Reading Evening Post.
"You'd need to speak to him in that respect," added Hammond when asked if he
thought Shorey was waiting to see if Reading maintain their top flight
status. "I think he'd already made the decision (about whether he wanted to
sign a new deal) at the start of this season and there's no reason why that
has changed. "The important thing now is that he performs well up until the
summer and then we will speak again."

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Transfer speculation: Steve Sidwell to West Ham United (£5 million) -
squarefootball.net

Steve Sidwell to Chelsea was always one of those deals that most fans looked
at and thought- "how many games will you play? " The answer turned out to be
quite a few but only when there's a lot of players missing. Avram Grant's
decison to take Sidwell off the Champions League squad list made the
ex-Reading man's position crystal clear. There's every chance Chelsea will
sign even more midfield talent in the summer and Sidwell is never going to
be a regular. The Mirror says that West Ham will offer the midfielder a way
out in the summer but there's bound to be other clubs on the case. The
number of internationals that the 'Big 4' can pile up in their squads should
give some players pause for thought about moves to the elite clubs but with
the riches on offer- and the chance to win something- it's hard to turn them
down.

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West Ham coach: Zamora can be best in Premiership
tribalfooball.com - February 14, 2008

West Ham United reserves boss Kevin Keen is convinced Bobby Zamora can
fulfil his potential at Upton Park. Fit-again Zamora struck a hat-trick in
this week's 4-4 draw with Birmingham City and Keen told WHUTV: "Bobby is an
outstanding athlete. In my opinion he is one of the best forwards in the
Premier League when he is fit and I have told him that on many occasions. We
have just got to be a bit careful as to when we bring him back.
"We haven't got a game this weekend and then we play Fulham away but he
could be a real diamond to have in the run-in for Curbs and Mervyn. He can
really turn games, he can score goals - I don't want to speak too highly of
him because he is a big enough character anyway."

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West Ham's Etherington reflects on gambling successes
tribalfootball.com - February 14, 2008

West Ham United winger Matthew Etherington admits he still looks fondly on
some of his gambling successes. Etherington may have needed rehab for
gambling addiction, but the West Ham winger has fond memories of bashing the
bookies. Asked by the Racing Post for his best betting moment, Etherington
said: "Backing Westmead Hawk to win the Greyhound Derby both times. The
first year he won it I had £5,000 each-way at 25-1."
With winnings on that scale (payout: £166,250), imagine how much he may have
lost before checking into the Sporting Chance clinic last year.

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West Ham's Collins targets next season return
tribalfootball.com - February 14, 2008

West Ham defender James Collins hopes to return early next season after
suffering a knee ligament injury last month. "I can run and bend, but I need
to get my head around that I can't play football because of making tackles,"
the Wales defender said.

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Zamora: Faubert can be West Ham success
tribalfooball.com - February 14, 2008

Bobby Zamora says West Ham teammate Julien Faubert can make a big impact at
Upton Park. "He is in exactly the same situation as me," Zamora told the
club's official website after hitting a hat-trick for the reserves this
week. "He has had a few bits and pieces since coming back. He has been sub
for the first team but for him to get another 90 minutes is the main thing.
He put in a few brilliant balls and made my job a lot easier."

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West Ham's Collison backed for more senior action
tribalfootball.com - February 14, 2008

West Ham United reserves coach Kevin Keen is hopeful of Jack Collison
winning more first team chances this season. He told WHUTV: "It has been a
good year for Jack, he's made his senior debut, he's got into the Wales
Under-21 squad, he's managed to score a few goals and played a lot of games
in the reserves. He is very hard-working, grafting midfield player who can
nick a goal. I hope that between now and the end of the season we might get
to see him a couple of times in the first team. We will have to wait and
see."

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West Ham physio: Davenport will make full recovery
tribalfooball.com - February 14, 2008

West Ham United head physiotherapist George Cooper says defender Calum
Davenport will make a full recovery after breaking his neck while on-loan at
Watford. Cooper told whufc.com: "I have to complement Watford for the
impeccable way they handled it. Calum was lucky to have such a good team
around him when it happened." Cooper said the initial "loss of power and
pins and needles" Davenport felt was due to swelling. "That has now
disappeared and he is expected to make a full recovery."

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Chelsea's Sidwell wants West Ham move
tribalfootball.com - February 14, 2008

Chelsea midfielder Steve Sidwell is set to join West Ham United in the
summer. The Mirror says the former Reading star has had enough of Chelsea
after being axed from their Champions League squad in a snub that marked his
card about the future. Hammers boss Alan Curbishley has been put on alert
and is willing to match his lucrative £3m-a-year contract. Sidwell featured
in Avram Grant's side when they were without their Africa Cup of Nations
stars, but has since been quietly offered around. Sunderland, Blackburn and
Bolton were all interested - but Sidwell's future is at Upton Park.

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Etherington's Derby delight - Daily Mail
Last updated at 11:32am on 14th February 2008

Matthew Etherington may have needed rehab for gambling addiction, but the
West Ham winger has fond memories of bashing the bookies. Asked by the
Racing Post for his best betting moment, Etherington said: "Backing Westmead
Hawk to win the Greyhound Derby both times. The first year he won it I had
£5,000 each-way at 25-1." With winnings on that scale (payout: £166,250),
imagine how much he may have lost before checking into the Sporting Chance
clinic last year.

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Web Digest [ West Ham United ] - 14th February 2008

Kevin keen on Bobby - WHUFC
Reserve-team manager Kevin Keen has spoken highly of Bobby Zamora's
all-round midweek contribution
14.02.2008

Kevin Keen has praised "outstanding athlete" Bobby Zamora on WHUTV after his
startling return to competitive action this week.

The reserve-team manager was delighted to be able to name Zamora in his
lineup to face Birmingham City on Tuesday night and even more pleased to see
him notch a second-half hat-trick. "He has been out a long while and it is
good he is back," Keen told WHUTV about the striker's performance in his
first competitive game since 28 August which will have no doubt impressed
manager Alan Curbishley and assistant Mervyn Day.

Keen added: "Bobby is an outstanding athlete. In my opinion he is one of the
best forwards in the Premier League when he is fit and I have told him that
on many occasions. We have just got to be a bit careful as to when we bring
him back. We haven't got a game this weekend and then we play Fulham away
but he could be a real diamond to have in the run-in for Curbs and Mervyn.
He can really turn games, he can score goals - I don't want to speak too
highly of him because he is a big enough character anyway."

The former Hammers midfielder admitted his side had not shown any glimpses
of the second half showing to come when they walked off level pegging at 1-1
on Tuesday. "We came in at half-time a little bit disappointed because we
felt there was a little bit of composure, class and quality lacking in our
play. We tweaked it a little bit and brought Junior [Stanislas] on and I
thought he made a big difference. We played a little bit through midfield
and obviously the three goals from Bobby made it all worthwhile."

Also, noteworthy was the display of Julien Faubert and Jack Collison, with
the former making two of Zamora's goals and also one for the latter, who yet
again showed maturity beyond his 19 years as reserve-team captain. Keen
said: "If you look at Julien's performance, he made three of the four goals
which is not bad going.

"It has been a good year for Jack, he's made his senior debut, he's got into
the Wales Under-21 squad, he's managed to score a few goals and played a lot
of games in the reserves. He is very hard-working, grafting midfield player
who can nick a goal. I hope that between now and the end of the season we
might get to see him a couple of times in the first team. We will have to
wait and see."

Attacking midfielder Stanislas was only named on the bench after Luis Boa
Morte withdrew late on as his wife was giving birth. Despite having trained
fully earlier in the day, Keen felt Stanislas could provide the necessary
spark behind Zamora. "I just felt at half-time we needed a little bit of
quality on the ball. He gave us that - he played half and hour and then I
tugged him off because he had trained in the morning. He did very well."

There was also encouragement for young defenders Jordan Spence and Bondz
N'Gala, with Spence showing some attacking instincts at right-back and
N'Gala imperious alongside James Tomkins in the centre. The final word of
praise though were dedicated to Zamora with Keen urging all to check out his
treble on WHUTV. "If you look at the four goals on the internet they are
high quality goals, that in itself made it worthwhile."

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Neill expects luck to turn - WHUFC
Lucas Neill has spoken of his disappointment at the weekend's result but has
high hopes going forward
13.02.2008

Lucas Neill has told WHUTV West Ham United will be able to put the weekend
setback against Birmingham City behind them and get back to winning ways.

The club captain was involved in the penalty decision that allowed James
McFadden to cancel out Freddie Ljungberg's early goal and ensure the 1-1
draw that meant a point apiece. As McFadden spun past Neill, referee Mark
Clattenburg believed the skipper had impeded the Scottish forward's progress
and pointed to the spot. "It was frustrating for us and frustrating for the
fans," said Neill on WHUTV. "Some said it was a penalty, others said it
wasn't. I am disappointed to be involved.

"The game was almost too easy for the first 15 minutes. We opened them up a
few times and had a few half-chances. We were guilty of what we have been
doing a lot lately which is not punishing teams when we have been dominant.
Although the penalty was soft at the other end it took the wind out of our
sails. It was disappointing that we couldn't get another goal to take the
lead again."

While reflecting on the harsh decision, Neill said the luck would no doubt
go for the team in future. "We will get a chance, a decision that will go
our way in the next couple of weeks that probably people will think we don't
deserve and it will probably even itself out. "It could have been prevented
but we also should have been 2-0 up by then. As it was it was brought them a
bit of belief, a bit of life and gave them the opportunity to hold on to
something. We couldn't rise above it."

Neill sees the weekend draw and the previous 1-0 defeat at Wigan Athletic as
five lost points and, with no game now until Saturday week, is well aware
that things have not gone quite to plan in February. "We have obviously lost
ground, we lost points and what should have been a really exciting month is
starting to look a little bit anti-climactic now. It is definitely two games
that we are going to look back at the end of the season and think we should
have possibly got maximum points."

That said, West Ham United can still possibly move up to ninth spot with a
victory against Fulham next time out and close on the top six or seven -
especially as Neill's former club Blackburn Rovers were defeated 2-0 at
Arsenal on Monday night. "We are all very disappointed but also we had a
good chat about what we are going to do here on in. As we all know last year
we won seven out of nine games so all is not lost yet."

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Form and fitness cheers Zamora - WHUFC
Bobby Zamora was pleased to get three goals but even happier to take another
step forward with his fitness
13.02.2008

Bobby Zamora showed he is closing on a first-team return with a well-taken
hat-trick in a terrific display for the reserves against Birmingham City on
Tuesday night.

The 27-year-old striker has been out since 28 August with a persistent knee
injury that has required many long hours at Chadwell Heath on the road to
recovery. Always among the first to arrive early in the morning at the
training ground, Zamora's hard work with the club's medical staff was put to
the test with a full 90 minutes at the Boleyn Ground. It came after a
behind-closed-doors friendly against Queen's Park Rangers last week in which
he also scored.

"It has been a while," a delighted Zamora said. "To get a full 90 minutes
and score a hat-trick against a good team is nice, having got 65 minutes
last week. They had a lot of pros playing, so to do well was good. We worked
hard and thankfully I scored a few goals," said Zamora, before joking that
the referee would not give him the match ball despite his hat-trick feat. He
also had a word for the fans who were "right behind me", adding: "It was
nice to give them something to cheer, thanks to them for coming out."

It was a cagey first half at the Boleyn Ground, with Zamora involved in the
build-up play to captain Jack Collison's equaliser just before half-time.
The second 45 saw Kevin Keen put Zamora in a lone striking role with the
likes of Kyel Reid and Julien Faubert given licence to get forward at will
along the flanks. It paid dividends. "They had some good players out there
and passed the ball well but we were able to change things around in the
second half and come up right against them," Zamora explained.

All three of Zamora's goals were different. The first on 58 minutes saw neat
control, a quick turn and a blasted effort into the net. The second was a
cute flick from Faubert's low cross to the near post and the third was a
powerful but precise header from another cross by the flying Frenchman on
the right wing. Faubert also came through the full 90 minutes and Zamora
said his team-mate performed "brilliantly".

"He is in exactly the same situation as me," the forward added. "He has had
a few bits and pieces since coming back. He has been sub for the first team
but for him to get another 90 minutes is the main thing. He put in a few
brilliant balls and made my job a lot easier." While naturally delighted
with the goals, Zamora stressed the "main thing was to get the fitness".

He added: "It has been a long time. I don't want to go into the first team
not fully fit and that is the main thing. I don't want to go out and not do
the team justice and not do myself justice really. Making sure I am fit
enough is important. I want to take it slowly, I don't want to break down. I
want to make sure I am 100 per cent before I go back and try and fight for
my place in the first team."

Zamora may well figure next Wednesday when the reserves are again at home,
although at Bishop's Stortford, against Fulham - three days before the
senior sides meet at Craven Cottage. Although rightly cautious about when he
will return, he is still hoping to have his say in first-team affairs before
the end of the season. "It would be nice to make an impact in the first team
for the run-in," he said. "We haven't got it too bad. March is going to be
quite hard but there are plenty of games that are winnable. We have got to
try and push on and do as well as we can."

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Widdowson begins Rotherham spell - WHUFC
Joe Widdowson has left the Boleyn Ground on a month's loan at League Two
outfit Rotherham United
14.02.2008

Promising young left-back Joe Widdowson has begun a one-month loan at League
Two side Rotherham United.

The Academy product travelled up to Millmoor on Tuesday and signed in time
to make his Millers debut in a reserve-team match against Leeds United on
Wednesday. It was to be a difficult first game with a strong visiting side
winning 3-0. Widdowson has been signed by promotion-chasing Rotherham as
cover for their injured defender Stephen Brogan, who broke his leg last
Saturday.

The 18-year-old had previously spent a week with Carlisle United before
Christmas and returned to the Boleyn Ground to re-establish himself in the
youth-team set-up. Notably he helped the U18s beat Arsenal earlier this
month in a 2-0 victory having also earned praise from Kevin Keen for a
strong display at reserve-team level in the 0-0 home draw against Chelsea in
January. Widdowson could make his Rotherham debut away to Wycombe Wanderers
this Saturday.

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West Ham drop out of rich list - BBC
Real top Man Utd in rich league

Manchester United have moved from fourth to second in the list of the
world's richest clubs, as Real Madrid stayed top for the third straight
year. Deloitte's Football Money League, which is based on revenues generated
during 2006/7, was headed by United for eight years until the Spaniards
deposed them.
Chelsea are fourth in Deloitte's table, even though the Blues regularly make
huge losses. Arsenal are fifth. In all, there are seven British clubs in the
top 20 positions. However, three of the four clubs that dropped out of the
list were also British - Manchester City, Rangers, and West Ham United. The
list shows that the game's riches continue to be monopolised by the same
group of clubs, with only one change in the top 10 from the previous season.
Juventus dropped out because they played in the second-tier of Italian
football in 2006/07, their place in the top 10 going to Italian rivals Roma.

WORLD'S WEALTHIEST CLUBS BY REVENUE
1) Real Madrid: £236.2m
2) Man Utd: £212.1m
3) Barcelona: £195.3m
4) Chelsea: £190.5m
5) Arsenal: £177.6m
6) AC Milan: £153m
7) Bayern Munich: £150.3m
8) Liverpool: £133.9m
9) Inter Milan: £131.3m
10) AS Roma: £106.1m
Source: Deloitte: 2006/7

Deloitte's figures take into account income from ticket sales, merchandising
and broadcasting contracts but do not include transfer revenues and does not
calculate profitability. Between them, the collective revenue of the top 20
clubs - which are all European - grew by 11% to £2.5bn in 2006/07, the
highest rate of growth since 2002/03. Real Madrid retained its crown as the
world's wealthiest club, in terms of sales, in a season when it clinched the
Spanish championship under Fabio Capello, and with David Beckham in the
team. Its revenues rose to £236.2m from £202m the year before.

Manchester United moved into second place, leapfrogging Barcelona and
Juventus, thanks to a season in which they won the Premier League and
reached both the Champions League semi-final and FA Cup final. Real saw a
20% increase to take their total revenue, though Manchester United's revenue
grew even more quickly, up from £167.8m to £212m. Dan Jones, of Deloitte's
sports business group, said: "With the new Premier League television deals
now online for the 2007/08 season, Manchester United have the opportunity to
significantly close the gap on Real. "A successful Champions League run may
even see them challenge again for the number one position."

Deloitte says the new TV money could help more English clubs into the top 20
in a year's time. Meanwhile, Arsenal, helped by increased revenues at their
new Emirates Stadium, jumped from ninth place to fifth, while Chelsea's move
up to fourth spot means England are the first country to have three clubs in
the top five. The other British clubs to make it into the list were
Liverpool (8), Tottenham Hotspur (11), Newcastle United (14), and Celtic
(17).

Harry Philp, director of sports finance and advisory firm Hermes Sports
Partners, said: "The top seven or eight clubs tend to usually be the same,
and generally drawn from the big English, Spanish and Italian clubs. "Real
Madrid will have been helped by the very lucrative TV deal that they have,
and the fact that their stadium is pretty much sold out for every game.
"Manchester United have been helped by their success on the field but also
by ticket price increases. "They have also done a lot of renegotiation of
much of its financial arrangements. "Arsenal have clearly benefited from the
move to the Emirates."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
A Bad-ri day at the office - KUMB
Filed: Wednesday, 13th February 2008
By: Staff Writer

Police are treating as suspicious the death of one of Kia Joorabchian's
alleged backers in his recent takeover bid for West Ham United. 52-year-old
Georgian tycoon Badri Patarkatsishvili collapsed and died from a suspected
heart attack in Leatherhead, Surrey yesterday. However Police have referred
the death of Mr Patarkatsishvili, who had previously revealed that he
thought he was the target of an assassination plot, to their Major Crimes
Investigations Unit. Joorabchian has claimed at the time of his takeover bid
that the Georgian, who was living in England in exile having been charged
with plotting a coup in his home country was not involved with his bid to
purchase West Ham United. However multi-millionaire Patarkatsishvili, when
questioned at the time refused to deny any involvement with Joorabchian. "We
have invested in a wonderful football club in Brazil, Corinthians and I have
a couple of football investments I am reluctant to mention; they are in the
process of being finalised," he said in August 2005. "Money has a wonderful
habit of flowing where it feels comfortable. I invest in these clubs with
friends."
Boris Berezovsky, another who was linked with the Hammers bid said today:
"The death of Badri Patarkatsishvili is a terrible tragedy. I have lost my
closest friend. This is a huge loss for all of his family and friends."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Slow, nice and easy - KUMB
Filed: Wednesday, 13th February 2008
By: Staff Writer

Bobby Zamora says that he is looking forward to a first team return - but
doesn't want to rush it. The 27-year-old striker has been out of action
since last August but scored a second half hat-trick against Birmingham's
reserves at The Boleyn Ground last night. Having had his first full 90
minutes in six months behind him, Zamora says that he is looking forward to
getting back to first team action. However he issists that he won't make
himself available for selection until he is sure that he is ready to do so.
"It has been a long time," he told whufc.com. "I don't want to go into the
first team and not do myself or the team justice. "Making sure I am fit
enough is important. I want to take it slowly, I don't want to break down. I
want to make sure I am 100 per cent before I go back and try and fight for
my place."
Despite his desire to regain full fitness - with his next opportunity likely
to come against Fulham next week when the reserve teams meet - Zamora feels
that he still has a part to play in this season. "It would be nice to make
an impact in the first team for the run-in," he added. "We have got to try
and push on and do as well as we can."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Carr's hope for Sears - KUMB
Filed: Wednesday, 13th February 2008
By: Staff Writer

Tony Carr says he is hopeful that under-18s starlet Fred Sears can make the
grade at first team level. Sears - who was relegated to the bench for the
reserves' 4-1 win over Birmingham last night in order to accommodate the
returning Bobby Zamora - has scored eight times in his last five games for
the youth team and is having an exceptional season, having also represented
England at the same level. Carr - who has nurtured the likes of Joe Cole,
Rio Ferdinand and Michael Carrick in the past - says that he is hopeful that
Sears can follow in such illustrious footsteps, although was keen to keep a
lid on expectations in the wake of elevated praise from certain quarters in
recent weeks. "I have been in football for too long to hang my hat fully on
players," Carr told whufc.com. "You hope and you bring them along the right
paths but they have to take the opportunities when they come along.
"Freddie's doing that at the moment with us, he has been playing well in
training and in performances for the reserves but certainly for next season
and beyond he has got to replicate that form with us and carry it through to
more senior football. "He is training with the first team on a regular basis
now and working with the senior players is doing him a lot of good.
Obviously he is one that we hope can push on and reproduce his form at a
more senior level. That is the key.
"We have had many a great youth player that can't make that step and Fred
has to show that he can replicate his form in the reserves and then at a
higher level in the future."
The famous Hammers Academy that produced a string of young stars in the late
90s has been relative quiet in recent years, with just Anton Ferdinand and
Mark Noble emerging since the turn of the century to secure a long-term
future in the first team squad. However Sears is just one of a number of
talents in perhaps the best crop of youngsters to emerge from Chadwell Heath
since the famous Cole/Ferdinand/Carrick/Defoe quartet; the likes of Junior
Stanislas, Jack Collison and James Tomkins are also expected to push for
inclusion in the frst team squad within the next 12 to 18 months.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Neill - All is not lost - SSN
Defender has sights set on a place in Europe
By Peter Fraser Last updated: 13th February 2008

West Ham defender Lucas Neill insists 'all is not lost' in the Hammers'
pursuit of a place in Europe next season. The Hammers lost ground on their
rivals for a place in the Uefa Cup at the weekend as they were held 1-1 at
home to struggling Birmingham as Neill was adjudged to have fouled James
McFadden in the 18-yard area to gift the Blues a penalty equaliser.
Meanwhile, Everton, Aston Villa and Manchester City all recorded victories
to leave West Ham sitting in 10th spot and seven points off their rivals for
a place in the Premier League's top seven. Neill admits it was frustrating
to be held by Birmingham and the Australian international feels the Hammers
must start to 'punish' their opponents. It was frustrating for us and
frustrating for the fans," Neill told West Ham's official website. "Some
said it was a penalty, others said it wasn't. I am disappointed to be
involved. The game was almost too easy for the first 15 minutes. "We were
guilty of what we have been doing a lot lately which is not punishing teams
when we have been dominant."
However, with ninth place Blackburn losing 2-0 to Arsenal on Monday, Neill
insists that the Hammers have not yet given up hope of European football
next term. And Neill is hoping for a repeat performance of last season's
strong finish which saw the Hammers narrowly avoid relegation following a
run of seven wins from nine games. "We have obviously lost ground, we lost
points and what should have been a really exciting month for us is now
starting to look a little bit anti-climatic," Neill added. "We are all very
disappointed but also we had a good chat about what we are going to do here
on in. "As we all know last year we won seven out of nine games so all is
not lost yet."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Zamora back with a bang - SSN
Hammers hit-man bags a hat-trick on return
By Joe Drabble Last updated: 13th February 2008

Bobby Zamora gave West Ham boss Alan Curbishley a timely fitness reminder
after netting a hat-trick in the reserves' win over Birmingham on Tuesday
night. The former Tottenham striker has been out of action since 28th August
with a persistent knee injury, but could now be closing in on a first-team
return "It has been a while," Zamora told the club's official website. "To
get a full 90 minutes and score a hat-trick against a good team is nice,
having got 65 minutes last week. "We worked hard and thankfully I scored a
few goals. "It was nice to give the fans something to cheer, thanks to them
for coming out."
The fixture provided more good news for Curbishley after new recruit Julien
Faubert also came through 90 minutes with what Zamora described as a
'brilliant' performance. "He is in exactly the same situation as me," Zamora
added. "He has had a few bits and pieces since coming back, but for him to
get another 90 minutes is the main thing. "He put in a few brilliant balls
and made my job a lot easier."
Zamora admitted that although he was pleased with the goals, his ultimate
aim is to make sure he gets back to 100 per cent fitness before he looks any
further ahead. "It has been a long time. I don't want to go into the first
team not fully fit and that is the main thing. "I don't want to go out and
not do the team justice and not do myself justice really. I want to take it
slowly, I don't want to break down. "I want to make sure I am 100 per cent
before I go back and try and fight for my place in the first team."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Steve Sidwell to quit Chelsea for London rivals West Ham - The Mirror
14/02/2008

Steve Sidwell will quit Chelsea at the end of the season - and sign for West
Ham in a shock £5million deal. Midfield dynamo Sidwell joined the Stamford
Bridge jet set on a free transfer only last summer. But the former Reading
star has had enough of Chelsea after being axed from their Champions League
squad in a snub that marked his card about the future. Hammers boss Alan
Curbishley has been put on alert and is willing to match his lucrative
£3m-a-year contract. Sidwell featured in Avram Grant's side when they were
without their Africa Cup of Nations stars, but has since been quietly
offered around.
Sunderland, Blackburn and Bolton were all interested - but Sidwell's future
is at Upton Park.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Neill refuses to drop Europe bid for West Ham
tribalfooball.com - February 13, 2008

West Ham defender Lucas Neill insists 'all is not lost' in the Hammers'
pursuit of a place in Europe next season. Neill admits it was frustrating to
be held by Birmingham last weekend and the Australian international feels
the Hammers must start to 'punish' their opponents. It was frustrating for
us and frustrating for the fans," Neill told West Ham's official website. .
"Some said it was a penalty, others said it wasn't. I am disappointed to be
involved. The game was almost too easy for the first 15 minutes. "We were
guilty of what we have been doing a lot lately which is not punishing teams
when we have been dominant." And Neill is hoping for a repeat performance of
last season's strong finish which saw the Hammers narrowly avoid relegation
following a run of seven wins from nine games. "We have obviously lost
ground, we lost points and what should have been a really exciting month for
us is now starting to look a little bit anti-climatic," Neill added. "We are
all very disappointed but also we had a good chat about what we are going to
do here on in.
"As we all know last year we won seven out of nine games so all is not lost
yet."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Zamora delighted with West Ham hat-trick
tribalfooball.com - February 13, 2008

Fit-again Bobby Zamora was delighted with his hat-trick scored in West Ham's
4-4 reserve-team draw with Birmingham City. "It has been a while," a pleased
Zamora told whufc.com. "To get a full 90 minutes and score a hat-trick
against a good team is nice, having got 65 minutes last week. They had a lot
of pros playing, so to do well was good. We worked hard and thankfully I
scored a few goals."
He added: "It has been a long time. I don't want to go into the first team
not fully fit and that is the main thing. I don't want to go out and not do
the team justice and not do myself justice really. Making sure I am fit
enough is important. I want to take it slowly, I don't want to break down. I
want to make sure I am 100 per cent before I go back and try and fight for
my place in the first team."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Web Digest [ West Ham United ] - 13th February 2008

Zamora proves the hat-trick hero - WHUFC
Bobby Zamora showed he is on the way back with a superbly-taken treble for
the reserves on Tuesday night
12.02.2008

West Ham United reserves 4-1 Birmingham City reserves

Bobby Zamora scored a hat-trick as West Ham United came from behind to
record an emphatic victory at the Boleyn Ground on Tuesday night.

Having notched a goal in a friendly game against Queen's Park Rangers last
week, Zamora showed he is getting back towards full fitness with a
finely-taken treble in an all-action performance over 90 minutes. All three
goals came in the final half-hour of the contest after reserve-team captain
Jack Collison had cancelled out Stefan Milojevic's opener just before
half-time.

Kevin Keen had a strong squad to choose from, with Jimmy Walker in goal,
Jonathan Spector at left-back and Julien Faubert on the right-side of
midfield. It was Zamora who had most of the attention however, on his first
proper outing since a Carling Cup game away to Bristol Rovers on 28 August.
Birmingham also had five first-teamers on view - including Dutch U21
attacker Daniel De Ridder and Argentinian sensation Mauro Zarate.

The first half was a cagey affair on a bitterly cold evening, with Zamora
showing up well alongside young forward Zavon Hines. It was Birmingham who
had the early efforts, however, with both De Ridder and Zarate testing
Walker early on. In the 14th minute, inventive play from Zamora saw Faubert
cut in from the right only to be denied by a last-ditch block as he made
inroads.

The home side's first real effort came on 18 minutes when Spector found
himself unmarked in the centre of goal, only for his header to go straight
at Colin Doyle. It was the 26th minute before Zamora first tried his luck.
His dipping half-volley from 30 yards had the crowd willing it goalwards but
it sailed just past Doyle's left-hand post at the last moment.

Both teams continued to press forward with Zarate and Zamora the focal
points for their respective sides. That said, Birmingham's best chance of
the half came from the unlikely source of defender Jared Wilson, who had
nipped in behind the Hammers defence. His shot was saved well by Walker
although the resulting corner was to prove costly. From it, Milojevic was
allowed to head goalwards and his effort crashed against the post and beyond
Walker, who had little chance from close range.

Collison soon drew the hosts level two minutes before half-time. A sweeping
move involving Zamora and Faubert finished with the France winger sliding in
Collison to fire low under Doyle's body from a tight angle. With Hines off
for Junior Stanislas in the second half, it was all West Ham United from
then on with Keen switching the formation to a 4-5-1 that featured Zamora in
the lone striker's role.

First, Faubert hit the post after Stanislas saw virtually his first touch
force a great save from Doyle. Then Collison headed over from right-back
Jordan Spence's fine cross. After that James Tomkins, impressive alongside
Bondz N'Gala, tried his luck with a header and then Spector tricked his way
into the penalty area and unleashed a shot that was blocked at the last
moment. A second goal was coming and, in the 58th minute, Zamora did well to
hold off two defenders before swivelling on the spot and firing firmly
beyond Doyle.

He had his second seven minutes later, thanks to Faubert's second assist of
the night. The 24-year-old sped along the right and sent in a whipped cross
to the near post that Zamora flicked with great skill beyond Doyle. Aside
from an 82nd-minute rasping shot from Schmitz, the home team were able to
defend with relative comfort after taking the two-goal initiative but the
crowd were willing Zamora to get his hat-trick.

It duly came in added time. Faubert, who was outstanding along with captain
Collison, made it a hat-trick of assists with another superb cross from the
right. This time he lofted it for Zamora to rise and power a header beyond
the despairing Doyle. His third goal earned the biggest cheer of the night
and suggested that the fans' favourite is not too far away from a first-team
return.

West Ham United: Jimmy Walker, Jordan Spence, James Tomkins, Bondz N'Gala,
Jonathan Spector, Julien Faubert, Tony Stokes, Jack Collison, Kyel Reid,
Bobby Zamora, Zavon Hines (Junior Stanislas 46, Lee Hales 82)
Subs (from): Adam Street, Lorcan Fitzgerald, Freddie Sears, Jack Jeffery

Birmingham City: Colin Doyle, Stuart Parnaby, David Joyce, Rafael Schmitz,
Jared Wilson, Jordon Mutch, Daniel De Ridder, Mitchell McPike, Stefan
Milojevic (James O'Brien 67), Mauro Zarate, Semih Aydilek (Jake Jarvis 77)
Subs: Dean Lyness, Sean Hunt, Jacob Rowe

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Reserves 4-1 Birmingham City FT - WHUFC
A Bobby Zamora hat-trick stood out on his return to reserve-team action at
the Boleyn Ground
12.02.2008

Barclays Premier Reserve League 7pm
Referee: N Kinseley
FINAL SCORE - 4-1

90min - GOAL! Hat-trick for Zamora. Faubert does brilliantly again to pick
out the No9 and his header is perfectly placed into the corner. The
Birmingham defence were nowhere and Doyle couldn't get near it.

90min - We are playing two minutes of added time

89min - Collison takes a whack in the face. The captain has led by example
this evening.

87min - Tomkins blocks a shot from Mutch. Birmingham are desperately looking
for a goal back but the home defence has stood firm this half.

85min - Spence does well to clear after Birmingham pressure on the left
wing. The young defender has done well at full-back tonight.

82min - Lee Hales is on for substitute Stanislas. Soon afterwards, Walker
does well to hold a rasping shot from Schmitz.

81min - Faubert crosses again from the right but this time Doyle claims.

79min - Spence fizzes in a lovely cross from the right that just eludes
Zamora. That pass was perfectly weighted.

77min - Jake Jarvis is about to come on for Birmingham's Semih Aydilek.

75min - We have started again. Stokes again goes over after a challenge by
Zarate. Zamora does well to hold off Schmitz and get the Hammers attack
going again.

72min - The game has become a bit scrappy. Stokes is on the floor getting
treatment after a heavy landing following a header.

67min - James O'Brien is on for Birmingham goalscorer Milojevic. At the
moment it looks like Zamora could get his hat-trick sooner rather than
later.

65min - GOAL! - Zamora gets his second and what a good team goal it was.
Faubert sped along the right, whipped the ball into the near post and Zamora
flicked the ball effortlessly beyond Doyle. Check that one out later on
WHUTV!

62min - Zamora has done well in the lone striker's role, despite the
attentions of Rafael Schmitz, who has played plenty of first-team football
this season.

60min - Collison surges forward after tidy approach play involving Reid. He
always looks for goal when picking up possession in central midfield.

58min - GOAL! - Zamora scores a great goal on his reserve-team comeback.
Despite the close attention of two defenders, he showed good close control
before swivelling on the spot and smashing the ball past Doyle. A huge cheer
greeted that strike.

56min - Reid does brilliantly on the left before feeding the overlapping
Spector. The American tries a trick and finds himself inside the penalty
area with the goal at his mercy. His fierce shot is blocked on its way
through.

55min - Stanislas has looked lively since coming on and he wins a corner
after a surge up the right. From the resulting corner, Faubert picks out
Tomkins but he cannot direct his header on target.

52min - De Ridder plays in a free-kick from the left. Stokes flings himself
at the ball and gets the ball away. Mutch then fires in a shot that Walkers
palms to safety.

50min - Faubert shows great bravery to win a 50-50 challenge. He then feeds
Zamora but Birmingham get the danger away.

49min - Semih Aydilek wins a free-kick on the left. De Ridder takes it and
Walker is unable to claim the cross. The move breaks down when Zarate's shot
trickles wide.

48min - Collison heads over the goal, this time from Spence's cross. It is
all West Ham United now.

47min - Faubert hits the post but did well to get to the ball on the edge of
the area. The chance came about after Stanislas forced a good save from
Doyle after Reid's deep cross. Faubert's corner is then headed wide by Tony
Stokes.

46min - Birmingham get the second half under way. Kevin Keen has brought on
Junior Stanislas for Zavon Hines. It looks like the Hammers will play a
4-5-1 formation with Zamora as the lone target man.

HALF-TIME - 1-1

45min - We are playing one minute of added time.

44min - Faubert does brilliantly to clear in the right-back position. Reid
races away and sets Zamora free but Birmingham are able to get the danger
away. On a quick counterattack, De Ridder's cross just drifts over the
crossbar.

43min - GOAL! - Collison scores from the right side of the penalty area with
a low drilled shot beneath Doyle's body. The move owed much to the attacking
invention of Zamora and Faubert, who combined beautifully.

42min - Stokes is fouled by Mutch. West Ham United are a bit unlucky to be
behind in a match that has shown plenty of competitive edge.

39min - GOAL! - Stefan Milojevic puts Birmingham in front with a close-range
header that Walker could do little about. The ball went in off the post.

38min - Jared Wilson bursts forward from the back and gets a shot on goal
from close range. A superb save from Walker denies him and the ball is
cleared for a corner.

36min - Zarate is growing in confidence. He is proving a strong test for the
home defenders.

35min - Zarate runs from his own half, before feeding De Ridder on the
right. His ball into the box looks dangerous until Collison comes back to
clear and set the Hammers away again. The move finishes with Hines failing
to connect properly with a swerving ball.

33min - Reid plays a ball into Doyle's hands from the left after strong play
again involving Zamora. This time he linked up with Collison, who is
starting to get hold of midfield.

30min - Spence wins a corner after bright approach play from Zamora and
Faubert. The young defender showed real attacking verve to get forward on
the right. The corner comes to nothing.

29min - England youth international Jordon Mutch gets the chance to shoot
from distance but the ball bobbles wide. Walker was never worried.

28min - Ex-Middlesbrough defender Stuart Parnaby combines with De Ridder on
the right but the resulting cross goes straight into Walker's hands.

27min - As Bubbles out around the Dr Martens Lower, Hines heads for goal
from Faubert's cross but again Doyle is able to save with relative ease.

26min - After good control with his chest, Zamora has a go from 30 yards
with a half-volley but his shot flies wide. The crowd enjoyed that.

25min - Tomkins and N'Gala are looking assured at the back. Jordan Spence,
another homegrown talent, is at right-back.

24min - Faubert races away across the penalty area but last-ditch defending
stops the French winger in his tracks.

23min - Just to outdo Zarate, Freddie Sears comes out to warm up sporting a
pair of bright red boots. The striker has 20 goals for the Under-18s this
season in just 15 matches and will hope to get a chance tonight.

21min - Collison strides forward and tries his luck from range. The shot
drifts wide however, and never troubled Doyle.

20min - Zarate is wearing bright orange boots, just in case you were
interested.

18min - Spector rises for a free header on the edge of the six-yard box from
Reid's corner but sends it straight into Doyle's clutches. The best chance
of the game so far for either side.

17min - Zamora shows neat footwork in the Birmingham half. The No9 is
starting to find his feet. Kyel Reid then wins a corner after bright play on
the left wing.

15min - Spector does well to tidy up just as Dutch U21 star De Ridder
threatened on the right. The American international shows composure to play
the ball forward for Zamora, who starts another attack. Birmingham then win
a free-kick but Tomkins is able to head clear.

14min - Inventive play from Zamora sets Julien Faubert away but he is
crowded out just before he can make inroads on goal.

12min - James Tomkins lofts the ball forward for Zamora but this time the
referee spots an infringement.

10min - Spector launches a free-kick towards Zamora in the penalty area but
Doyle, who played for the first team against the Hammers back in August,
again comes to claim. A speculative effort from Mitchell McPike at the other
end clears Walker's crossbar.

8min - West Ham United are playing the ball around with confidence at the
back but have yet to mount a serious foray forward. Jonathan Spector tries
to get something going from left-back but his ball forward runs through to
Doyle.

6min - Birmingham are awarded a throw-in deep in Hammers' territory. Bondz
N'Gala was surprised by the decision but it does not matter as the
Birmingham attack comes to nothing.

4min - It is already a keenly-fought contest with a number of strong
challenges. Birmingham get another chance on goal with Argentinian wonderkid
Mauro Zarate chipping goalwards but Walker saved with ease. The goalkeeper
was never troubled.

2min - Collison concedes a free-kick 30 yards from goal. Daniel De Ridder
takes but the ball goes straight through to Jimmy Walker, who claims
comfortably. The keeper sets the home team away on a quick counterattack
that finishes with Hines playing a lofted ball into the hands of Colin
Doyle.

1min - Zavon Hines and Bobby Zamora get us under way. West Ham United are
kicking towards the Centenary Stand.

KICK-OFF

6.59pm - Jack Collison leads out the West Ham United side to good applause
from the home support.

6.35pm - Both teams are out on the pitch warming up on what promise to be a
freezing but clear night at the Boleyn Ground. Goalkeeping coach Ludek
Miklosko is putting Jimmy Walker and Adam Street through their paces in
front of the Bobby Moore Stand while conditioning coach Alex Dyer works with
the rest of Kevin Keen's squad. A decent crowd is starting to assemble in
the Dr Martens Lower, meanwhile.

6pm - Bobby Zamora makes a welcome reserve-team return, while there is also
the chance for Julien Faubert to his claims. In-form youth striker Freddie
Sears is on the bench. Birmingham include senior players Colin Doyle, Stuart
Parnaby, Rafael Schmitz, Daniel De Ridder, a Dutch Under-21 star, and
Argentinian sensation Mauro Zarate. The visitors also have Semih Aydilek,
recruited from Eintracht Frankfurt, in attack.

Lineups

West Ham United: Jimmy Walker, Jordan Spence, James Tomkins, Bondz N'Gala,
Jonathan Spector, Julien Faubert, Tony Stokes, Jack Collison, Kyel Reid,
Bobby Zamora, Zavon Hines (Junior Stanislas 46, Lee Hales 82)
Subs (from): Adam Street, Lorcan Fitzgerald, Freddie Sears, Jack Jeffery

Birmingham City: Colin Doyle, Stuart Parnaby, David Joyce, Rafael Schmitz,
Jared Wilson, Jordon Mutch, Daniel De Ridder, Mitchell McPike, Stefan
Milojevic (James O'Brien 67), Mauro Zarate, Semih Aydilek (Jake Jarvis 77)
Subs: Dean Lyness, Sean Hunt, Jacob Rowe

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Trials for promising youngsters - WHUFC
Boys in reception years 1, 2 and 3 are being invited to attend trials for
outfield players and goalkeepers
12.02.2008

West Ham United are staging trials for the pre-Academy Centres for outfield
players and goalkeepers at Mile End Stadium on 20 February.

The free trials will take place from 10am-12pm on Wednesday week and are for
boys in reception years 1, 2 and 3. Those attending the stadium in
Rhodeswell Road, Poplar, E14 are asked to bring football boots, shinguards
and drinks with the format being fun small-sided games on grass.

All coaches have been fully checked by the Police and Criminal Records
Bureau and hold up to date first-aid certificates. To enter your child,
please download the attached form and return to Jim Hampsheir, West Ham
United, Saville Road, Chadwell Heath, Romford, Essex, RM6 6DT.

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Bowyer red card cleared on appeal - BBC

West Ham have won their appeal against the red card shown to midfielder Lee
Bowyer in Saturday's Premier League match with Birmingham. Referee Mark
Clattenburg issued a straight red to Bowyer for an alleged two-footed
challenge on Blues captain Damien Johnson. But the Football Association
reversed the decision and the three-match suspension has been withdrawn. The
case was heard by the FA at Soho Square on Tuesday. West Ham manager Alan
Curbishley said after the 1-1 draw at Upton Park that he had asked
Clattenburg to reconsider his decision.

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Zamora the scorer - KUMB
Filed: Wednesday, 13th February 2008
By: Staff Writer

Bobby Zamora signalled his return to action tonight with a hat-trick for the
reserves. Zamora, back in action for the first time since last August
grabbed three of West Ham's four goals in a 4-1 drubbing of Birmingham
reserves at Upton Park tonight. City - who had won the corresponding fixture
3-1 earlier in the season - opened the scoring on a chilly East End evening
through Stefan Milojevic on 39 minutes. However their lead was short-lived
as midfielder (and captain for the evening) Jack Collison restored parity
for the Hammers four minutes later with a crisp drive from the edge of the
penalty box.
Zamora notched his first of the night on 58 minutes after losing two City
defenders and firing home past City keeper Colin Doyle to put the Hammers
ahead. Just seven minutes later he doubled his personal tally for the
evening after converting a Julien Faubert cross. The win - and the
27-year-old's hat-trick - were completed in the final minute when the two
combined again, this time Zamora finishing with his head. You can find more
details from the game - including player ratings - on the KUMB.com forum
thread here.

West Ham United: Walker, Spence, Tomkins, N'Gala, Spector, Faubert, Stokes,
Collison, Reid, Zamora, Hines (Stanislas 46, Hales 82)
Subs not used: Street, Fitzgerald, Sears, Jeffery.

Birmingham City: Doyle, Parnaby, Joyce, Schmitz, Wilson, Mutch, De Ridder,
McPike, Milojevic (O'Brien 67), Zarate, Aydilek (Jarvis 77).
Subs not used: Lyness, Hunt, Rowe.

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Reprieve for Bow - KUMB
Filed: Tuesday, 12th February 2008
By: Matthew O'Greel

Lee Bowyer has had his red card from Saturday's 1-1 draw with Birmingham
rescinded. The FA agreed to withdraw the caution given by match offical Mark
Clattenburg for a challenge on Birmingham's Damien Johnson in the closing
stages of Saturday's game, after the Hammers lodged an appeal. Bowyer - who
had faced an instant three match ban - is now eligible once again for the
trip to Fulham on 23rd February.

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Bowyer cleared by FA - SSN
Hammers midfielder avoids three-match ban
Last updated: 12th February 2008

West Ham United midfielder Lee Bowyer has won his appeal against a
three-match suspension. Bowyer was sent off during Saturday's 1-1 draw with
Birmingham City at Upton Park following a challenge on Damien Johnson. The
Hammers appealed against referee Mark Clattenburg's decision to show a red
card for the tackle on the Birmingham skipper. An FA disciplinary commission
hearing on Tuesday upheld Bowyer's appeal, freeing the midfielder from a
ban. Hammers boss Alan Curbishley had been hopeful the red card would be
rescinded after admitting his squad 'could do without' a suspension. If
Bowyer had failed with his appeal, the former Leeds man would have missed
the upcoming London derbies against Fulham, Chelsea and Tottenham.

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Ljungberg calls on the Hammers to play patient football
By Guardian-series

FREDDIE Ljungberg scored his first West Ham goal on Saturday but immediately
told his team mates to learn the art of patience. The 30-year-old capped a
bright start for the Irons by opening the scoring after seven minute against
Birmingham, only to see James McFadden equalise for the Blues soon after
from the penalty spot. The Hammers struggled to break down a resilient Blues
team from then on - despite dominating for large periods of the match - and,
as such, looked to adopt a more direct style of play. But the midfielder
believes the team need to be patient in possession for the entire 90
minutes.
"It was a great start to the game and it's nice to score a goal - but we're
disappointed we didn't win the game," Ljungberg said. "Sometimes our style
doesn't suit my game. We spoke about it after the game - even if we are
drawing or losing, we have to keep on playing. "In the first half we played
some really good football and could have scored some more goals. Even in the
second half we created some chances. "But we have to work on playing
football the whole game, even if we don't get the result."
Despite his dissatisfaction at the result, Ljungberg (pictured) revealed his
contentment at his own form. The Swedish captain has been in fine form for
the club in recent weeks and looks to have put an injury-plagued start to
his Upton Park career behind him. "Personally I have felt great for the last
one or two months," he said. "It helps to be injury free for a couple of
weeks and to train."

6:01pm Tuesday 12th February 2008

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FA overturns sending-off to put Lee Bowyer in the clear - The Times
Gary Jacob

Alan Curbishley, the West Ham United manager, has been boosted by Lee
Bowyer's successful appeal against suspension and the likely return of Scott
Parker to training next week. The FA disciplinary commission has overturned
the dismissal of Bowyer, the midfield player, for a tackle on Damien Johnson
two minutes from the end of West Ham's 1-1 draw with Birmingham City on
Saturday.

Mark Clattenburg, the referee, gave Bowyer a straight red card, which would
have meant the player being banned for matches against Fulham, Chelsea and
Tottenham Hotspur. The FA has decided that the tackle was not worthy even of
a yellow card.

The Professional Game Match Officials Limited, the refereeing body, will
discuss the incident with Clattenburg to establish how he reached his
decision. The official may have had one eye on Hayden Mullins, the West Ham
midfield player, and David Murphy, the Birmingham defender, lunging at each
other in an incident that immediately preceded Bowyer's challenge.

Curbishley has also welcomed the news that Parker should return to training
next week, when the first-team players reconvene from a week off. The
midfield player has been out of action since suffering a knee injury against
Manchester United at the end of December, the third time this season that he
has been sidelined for an extended period with the problem.

Parker first suffered the injury during a pre-season tour to Austria. In
only his second match after returning, he limped off at half-time in the 1-0
defeat at home to Arsenal in September after a recurrence of the problem. He
was out for two months, even though a scan revealed that medial ligament
damage was not serious.

Curbishley hopes to have Bobby Zamora in contention for the away match
against Fulham a week on Saturday. The forward scored a hat-trick in a 4-1
victory in a reserve team match against Birmingham last night.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Red Hot Zamora Fueled By Fabulous Faubert - westhammad.co.uk
Story by Barney French Wednesday, 13th February 2008

Bobby Zamora continued his return to first team action in emphatic fashion
tonight by scoring a superb hat-trick. Hammers' fans will also be pleased to
hear of the invention and guile of Julien Faubert, who notched himself three
assists as West Ham reserves beat Birmingham reserves 4-1 at Upton Park on
Tuesday evening. Faubert and Zamora combined excellently for the Hammers'
first goal - the french winger crossing low for Jack Collison to get in a
low shot from a tight angle. Zamora's goals came when Kevin Keen opted to
play a 4-5-1 system in the second 45, after pairing him with Zavon Hines in
the first period. On 58, Zamora found himself in an advanced position and
holding off the attentions of two defenders the Hammers striker turned on a
sixpence and fired past the goalkeeper. His second was a product of Faubert,
the winger's pacey charge along the right resulting in a fine cross which
the 27 year old striker flicked beyond the young Birmingham keeper. And to
cap off an excellent night's work, it was Faubert once again who crossed in
a glorious ball from the right for Zamora to rise and head home in the dying
seconds.

Hammers:
Walker, Spence, Tomkins, N'Gala, Spector, Faubert, Stokes, Collison, Reid,
Zamora, Hines (Stanislas 46, Hales 82)

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West Ham, Blackburn target Farfan coy on PSV future
tribalfooball.com - February 12, 2008

PSV Eindhoven striker Jefferson Farfan insists he isn't thinking about
leaving in the summer. Blackburn Rovers and West Ham are chasing the Peru
international, who says: "I am not preoccupied with a transfer. "When
something starts it will first be discussed between the clubs. It's not an
issue for me. A transfer is not something which comes from the player alone,
the clubs also have their say."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Rotherham chasing West Ham defender Widdowson
tribalfooball.com - February 12, 2008

West Ham defender Joe Widdowson is interesting Rotherham United. Millers
boss Mark Robins needs defensive cover after Stephen Brogan had a pin put in
a broken leg, and 19-year-old Widdowson is viewed as an ideal short-term
replacement.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham academy chief: Sears ready for next step
tribalfootball.com - February 12, 2008

West Ham academy chief Tony Carr says England U19 striker Freddie Sears is
ready to play regularly with the club's reserve-team.

"At our level now, Freddie is scoring an absolute minimum of one a game,"
Carr told whufc.com. "He is scoring lots and lots of goals and he is having
a good season. He is training with the first team on a regular basis now and
working with the senior players is doing him a lot of good. Obviously he is
one that we hope can push on and reproduce his form at a more senior level.
That is the key. We have had many a great youth player that can't make that
step and Fred has to show that he can replicate his form in the reserves and
then at a higher level in the future.

"I have been in football for too long to hang my hat fully on players. You
hope and you bring them along the right paths but they have to take the
opportunities when they come along. Freddie's doing that at the moment with
us, he has been playing well in training and in performances for the
reserves but certainly for next season and beyond he has got to replicate
that form with us and carry it through to more senior football."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Zamora thumps home West Ham hat-trick
tribalfooball.com - February 12, 2008

Bobby Zamora continued his comeback at West Ham with a hat-trick for the
reserves in their 4-4 draw against Birmingham City last night.
Having notched a goal in a friendly game against Queen's Park Rangers last
week, Zamora showed he is getting back towards full fitness with a
finely-taken treble in an all-action performance over 90 minutes. All three
goals came in the final half-hour of the contest after reserve-team captain
Jack Collison had cancelled out Stefan Milojevic's opener just before
half-time.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Bellamy out for season at West Ham
tribalfootball.com - February 12, 2008

West Ham United will be forced to plan for the rest of the season without
Craig Bellamy as the striker has been told he needs two operations, reports
The Guardian. The loss of Bellamy, who requires surgery on his knee and
groin, is another setback for West Ham's boss, Alan Curbishley. It is
another cruel blow for Bellamy who has managed only nine appearances for the
Hammers since a £7.5m move from Liverpool last July because of injury, a
move he made chiefly because he wanted to play regular first-team football.
The Welshman has regularly suffered with knee problems and needed a
career-saving operation by the renowned American surgeon, Dr Richard
Steadman, to repair ligament damage when he was at Newcastle in 2003. The
injury is not believed to be that serious this time, although it will be the
source of considerable frustration for the player. The 28-year-old had only
recently returned from a four-month lay off with an abdominal injury but was
left out of the squad against Birmingham and is expected to have his first
operation this week.

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Web Item - WHUFC Bowyer appeal successful

Bowyer appeal successful - WHUFC
The FA have rescinded the red card shown to Lee Bowyer in Saturday's game
against Birmingham City
12.02.2008

Lee Bowyer will be eligible to play when West Ham United go to Fulham on 23
February after his weekend dismissal was overturned following a successful
appeal. The midfielder's case was considered by a special hearing at
Football Association headquarters in London on Tuesday afternoon. The club
had appealed against referee Mark Clattenburg's decision to show Bowyer a
straight red card in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Birmingham City following an
88th-minute challenge involving visiting captain Damien Johnson.

Web Digest [ West Ham United ] - 12th February 2008

Green reveals all about gloves - WHUFC
Robert Green showed good humour about his England aspirations with a pair of
specially stitched gloves
11.02.2008

Robert Green has revealed he was sending himself up with having England's
No6 stitched into his gloves in Saturday's game against Birmingham City.

The shot-stopper, who was watched for the first time by new England manager
Fabio Capello, revealed his glove manufacturer came up with the idea of
"having a laugh on my behalf". Fans have been chanting England's No6 this
season in response to Green finding himself down the international pecking
order despite his good form.

Green, who has pledged to "keep playing well and hope" about his
national-team aspirations, added: "[The glovemaker] has been to games, heard
the banter with the crowd and thought that it would be quite funny to have
England's No6 stitched on my gloves. If you can't laugh at yourself, who can
you laugh at? It is not having a go at anybody. It is not against anyone. If
it is anyone, it is against myself."

Saturday's 1-1 draw saw Green largely untroubled, with the keeper only
beaten by James McFadden's 16th-minute spot-kick. It was the first time he
has seen a spot-kick go past him in five attempts this season but he felt
the penalty was harshly awarded against Lucas Neill. The club captain had
been penalised for a foul on McFadden eight minutes after Freddie Ljungberg
had opened the scoring.

"The bounce has done both players but there is minimal contact," Green said.
"The ref said he wrapped around him, but I never saw that. It was
disappointing as it took the winds out of our sails. We started lively and
brightly and looked like we could have scored more. After a decent start, it
put us back to square one.

"They made it difficult for us. It was not pretty. But we have spoken about
teams coming here and making it difficult for us, especially teams in the
lower half. The games v Bolton, Reading and other teams that we have played
here and not won. Sometimes you need special players in those situation, and
as well as the guys are doing, sometimes we need that little bit extra."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Appeal lodged over Bowyer - WHUFC
The FA will meet on Tuesday to consider West Ham United's appeal against Lee
Bowyer's dismissal
11.02.2008

West Ham United have lodged an appeal against Lee Bowyer's dismissal in
Saturday's 1-1 draw with Birmingham City on Saturday.

The midfielder was shown a straight red card following an 88th-minute
challenge involving visiting captain Damien Johnson. The case will be heard
from 1pm at the Football Association's headquarters in Soho Square, London
on Tuesday.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers challenge Bowyer red card - BBC

West Ham have appealed against the red card shown to Lee Bowyer in
Saturday's Premier League match with Birmingham. Referee Mark Clattenburg
issued a straight red to the midfielder for an alleged two-footed challenge
on Blues captain Damien Johnson. Hammers boss Alan Curbishley said after the
1-1 draw: "We have asked the referee to look at it, and we think he will.
Hopefully he will overturn it." The case will now be heard by the Football
Association on Tuesday.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Third time lucky? - KUMB
Filed: Monday, 11th February 2008
By: Matthew O'Greel

Craig Bellamy is set to undergo surgery again later this week, according to
the morning's Times. It was revealed here on KUMB.com last week that Bellamy
had suffered a new injury blow following the friendly against QPR on
February 4th, in which the Welsh striker played just over an hour.
Alan Curbishley confirmed last week that Bellamy was 'a bit sore' although
there was no further information from the club to confirm the situation.
However it now appears that the 28-year-old will require surgery on both his
groin and knee in order to cure the problems that have plagued him all
season, with the first op set to take place later this week. Bellamy, who
signed from Liverpool last summer for £7.5 million has made just nine
appearances for United's first team since moving to London. He has had
surgery twice already this season; his first op, to cure an abdominal strain
took place in September whilst a second op occured at the end of last year.
Speaking ahead of the second op back in December, Alan Curbishley said:
"We have to decide whether to continue with the route we are going down
which, if it is successful, will result in a shorter route. "We may have to
go down the surgery route which will be a longer one. If that is the case I
can't put a time-frame on it."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Bowyer date set - KUMB
Filed: Monday, 11th February 2008
By: Matthew O'Greel

West Ham United will find out tomorrow if their appeal against Lee Bowyer's
red card on Saturday will be upheld. The FA will hear Bowyer's case at Soho
Square tomorrow lunchtime (Tuesday), with a result expected later in the
day. The Hammers midfielder was dismissed in the 88th minute of Saturday's
1-1 draw with Birmingham for an alleged two-footed tackle which referee Mark
Clattenburg referee deemed to be dangerous. Curbishley - like nearly
everyone else in the Boleyn Ground - was baffled by the decision and
revealed in Saturday's post-match press conference that the club intended to
appeal.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Upson: under pressure - KUMB
Filed: Monday, 11th February 2008
By: Matthew O'Greel

Matthew Upson is looking forward to keeping his place in the England team
that faces France in Paris next month. The Hammers defender made his first
appearance for England in three years last Wednesday, his eighth cap in all.
New England boss Fabio Capello was at Upton Park on Saturday to check up on
Upson, as well as a number of other possible candidates for his next squad.
Upson, as always, gave an assured performance - and talking to whufc.com,
revealed that he was enjoying the new-found pressure being part of the
England team brings. "Part and parcel of being in an international team is
having the spotlight on you every week," he said. "It's another aspect to
cope with and you have to be mentally strong. "It's happened to me a bit
sooner than I'd thought, it's just a sign of how far I've come in the last
six months really. I've got myself fit and on a good run of form - and it
was a fantastic opportunity for me."
With regard to the two days spent with the England camp last week, he added:
"I enjoyed every minute; everything had a real structure to it. The
discipline was there, a real emphasis on training, the high intensity. I
learnt a lot in the training sessions. The trip was a complete success for
me because I improved and learnt a lot."
On the game itself, Upson revealed that he was proud as punch to represent
his country. "The stadium is magnificent as is the whole occasion of playing
for England," he said. "There's no better feeling than walking out of the
tunnel and signing the anthem and being part of the game. "It's the
pinnacle of your career and something I'm hungry to do agan and again. It's
now a case of maintaining what I'm doing and improving the areas I need to
and hopefully maintain my place in the squad."

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Curbs calls for patience - SSN
West Ham boss defends Ashton
By Peter Fraser Last updated: 11th February 2008

West Ham manager Alan Curbishley has urged frustrated supporters to 'be
patient' as Dean Ashton eases his way back to full fitness. Ashton suffered
a broken ankle during England training after receiving his first senior
international call-up for the friendly with Greece in August 2006 and the
24-year-old has yet to fully recover. The striker has come under criticism
from Hammers fans for his lacklustre performances over recent weeks and the
substitution of Carlton Cole, instead of Ashton, in Saturday's 1-1 draw with
Birmingham was met with disapproval at Upton Park. Curbishley, though, is
asking the West Ham faithful to support Ashton, who earned rave reviews for
the Hammers as he terrorised the Liverpool defence in a narrow penalty
shoot-out defeat in the 2006 FA Cup final. "The fans have been impatient for
the past couple of weeks," Curbishley told The Sun. "At home especially, the
expectation level has changed a little bit but I would say to them, 'you
have got to be patient'. "They can all see the situation isn't 100 per cent
and we're all working hard at it. "I had to bring a forward off (against
Birmingham). If a chance fell to us I wanted it to be to Ashton. "I don't
know if the fans are frustrated because they know what he's capable of -
you'll have to ask them. "He had the injury and it took him a year to
recover from it. He had another setback once he got himself going and I
think you can see that he has a bit to do. "He needs a goal and so does
Carlton Cole - confidence is a massive thing."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers appeal Bowyer red - SSN
Curbishley keen to have late dismissal overturned
By Rob Parrish Last updated: 11th February 2008

West Ham have appealed against Lee Bowyer's late dismissal in the 1-1 draw
with Birmingham at Upton Park on Saturday. The former Leeds midfielder was
shown a straight red card by referee Mark Clattenburg for what he felt was a
two-footed challenge on Blues captain Damien Johnson. Hammers manager Alan
Curbishley revealed his unhappiness with the decision after the game and the
club lodged their appeal to the Football Association on Monday morning. The
case will now be heard at Soho Square at 1pm on Tuesday. Curbishley said at
the weekend: "We have asked Mark to look at it, and we think he will.
Hopefully he will overturn it. "When it happened I did not think it was that
serious, but on the spot, the referee sees it differently. "I think Johnson
has come in and both of his feet have connected with the ball, so I don't
know if Bowyer has gone above it. We will have to wait and see. "If he is
suspended, it is a bit tough and we could do with a suspension least of all
with the injuries we have got."

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Micky Smith - KUMB
Filed: Monday, 11th February 2008
By: Matthew O'Greel

Author Micky Smith has passed away after a long illness. Smith, a long-term
West Ham United supporter grew up in Mile End before moving to Australia in
the mid 1970s to start a new life. Since the mid-1990s he penned a series
of books - including 'For The Claret and Blue' - based upon his and others
experiences of being a West Ham supporter in the 1960s/1970s. Micky was also
a long-term member of KUMB's mailing list, although illness and failing
eyesight severely restricted his appearances in recent years. KUMB.com
would like to offer our sincere condolences to Micky's wife Annette.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers to fight Bowyer dismissal
Monday February 11, 2008
guardian.co.uk

West Ham have appealed against the red card shown to midfielder Lee Bowyer
in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Birmingham City at Upton Park. Referee Mark
Clattenburg issued a straight red to Bowyer for an alleged two-footed
challenge on the Birmingham captain Damien Johnson in the 88th minute.
The West Ham manager Alan Curbishley admitted after the game that he was
unhappy with the decision. "Hopefully he [Clattenburg] will overturn it,"
said Curbishley. "When it happened I did not think it was that serious, but
on the spot the referee sees it differently. I think Johnson has come in and
both of his feet have connected with the ball, so I don't know if Bowyer has
gone above it. We will have to wait and see. "If he is suspended, it is a
bit tough and we could do with a suspension least of all with the injuries
we have got." Bowyer's case will be heard at Soho Square at 1pm on Tuesday.
The Hammers have had a season-long injury crisis, with Bobby Zamora, Kieron
Dyer, Craig Bellamy and Scott Parker all still sidelined. Summer signing
Julien Faubert came on as a substitute on Saturday, having played in a
practice game last week, but Bellamy's fitness is to be assessed after the
striker said he was still feeling his abdominal strain after last Monday's
friendly.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Curbs: Parker three weeks away
by Joseph Caron Dawe, 11 February 2008

Scot Parker could return to action for West Ham in as little as three weeks'
time, Hammers boss Alan Curbishley has claimed. Following recent speculation
the East London club were covering up the true extent of a knee injury,
which some reports speculated would rule the former Newcastle and Chelsea
midfielder out for the rest of the season, Curbishley says the 27-year-old
is aiming for a comeback at the start of March. Parker is about three weeks
away, contrary to opinions. He's in full running and doing as well as we
think he should be doing," said Curbishley. Parker has been out of action
since December 29 when he sustained the injury in The Hammers' 2-1 win over
Manchester United.

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Surgery could rule Craig Bellamy out for season - The Times
Striker to have first of two operations this week
George Caulkin

West Ham United have suffered another significant injury blow with the news
that Craig Bellamy requires surgery and could miss the rest of the season.
The Wales forward is to undergo two procedures on a knee and his groin,
robbing Alan Curbishley of a formidable presence in attack and undermining
further the club's challenge for European football.

Bellamy has made only seven league starts for West Ham after his £7.5
million transfer from Liverpool in the summer and his possible
unavailability for the remainder of the campaign represents another setback
for Curbishley. The manager's stint at Upton Park has been marked by a long
series of medical mishaps, leaving him routinely unable to name his
first-choice team.

While Curbishley will be heartened by the prospect of Kieron Dyer
unexpectedly returning ahead of schedule from the broken leg that he
suffered against Bristol Rovers in a Carling Cup tie in August, Bellamy's
absence is a desperate blow. West Ham already have Nigel Quashie, Calum
Davenport, James Collins, Scott Parker, Nolberto Solano and Dyer on the
treatment table.

Bellamy moved to London in the expectation of playing first-team football
more regularly than he did at Anfield, but that has not been fulfilled. The
28-year-old is not a stranger to injury, having suffered from a number of
serious knee problems. In 2003, during his ill-fated time at Newcastle
United, he travelled to the United States to be operated on by Dr Richard
Steadman, a move that he subsequently admitted saved his career. He returned
only recently from a long-term absence with an abdominal injury.

Bellamy is expected to have surgery for the first time this week, more than
three months after he was first operated on in Germany. Laser surgery
appeared to have cleared up his problem, but the forward suffered a
recurrence and was out until ten days ago, when he appeared as a substitute
against Wigan Athletic. He played in a friendly match two days later, but
felt uncomfortable despite scoring.

Better news is that Dyer may now be available for selection. The midfield
player has not ruled out some involvement when Newcastle United, his former
club, travel to Upton Park at the end of April. In turn, that may give him
scope to be selected for England's close-season friendly internationals.

Curbishley must feel that Upton Park has been the setting for Casualty this
season, but very soon West Ham may be screening a television programme on
alternative remedies. Fredrik Ljungberg performs yoga before matches to
alleviate persistent niggles, Matthew Upson uses torn-up pages from a
telephone directory to solve his calf problem and now the England defender
is seeing a sports psychologist to clear his head during matches.

Upson felt that psychology was the type of thing that Tiger Woods or Lewis
Hamilton employed, but not football players. His preparation now begins two
days before a match, when he tunes into thinking only about positive things
and runs over the match in his mind.

"That is an important factor for players, to be able to visualise what they
are going to do before they do it," Upson said. "I am mentally preparing
myself for the games and knowing that even if some days you go in and you
don't feel great at the start of a game, it is a case of mentally adapting
and making sure you put in a good performance. If I start to have a poor
spell you can get back on track and turn things around."

Curbishley has appealed against the red card shown to Lee Bowyer during the
1-1 draw with Birmingham City on Saturday. The midfield player was dismissed
for a two-footed challenge on Damien Johnson two minutes from time. The FA
will consider the appeal today.

Missing in action

Dec 1998 (Norwich City): Two months out; injures knee.

July 1999 (Norwich): Nine months out; injures knee.

Sep 2000 (Wales): Two-match ban; sent off against Belarus.

Feb 2002 (Newcastle United): Two months out; knee injury, tendinitis.

Aug 2002 (Newcastle): One month out; recovers from knee surgery.

Sep 2002 (Newcastle): Three-match ban; head-butts Dynamo Kiev player.

Oct 2002 (Newcastle): One month out; hamstring injury.

Nov 2002 (Newcastle): Three-match ban; hits Inter Milan player, dismissed.

Oct 2003 (Newcastle): Three months out; knee surgery.

Apr 2004 (Newcastle): One month out; hamstring injury.

Aug 2005 (Blackburn Rovers): One month out; thigh injury.

Dec 2005 (Blackburn): One month out; hamstring injury.

Oct 2006 (Liverpool): One month out; calf injury.

Oct 2007 (West Ham United): Three months out; abdominal injury.

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Surgery sidelines Craig Bellamy for two weeks - the Times
Gary Jacob

Craig Bellamy has had an operation on his groin and is expected to be out
for about two weeks. The West Ham United forward visited Dr Ulrike
Muschaweck in Munich yesterday, the surgeon who operated on Michael Owen
last week, and was scheduled to return to London last night.

Bellamy has missed the past three matches since limping off during the 3-0
victory over Middlesbrough nearly three weeks ago. There were fears that he
would be out for longer, but Muschaweck said that the type of operation he
had would mean that he could return after the international break, which
begins next week.

"He has got the minimal repair technique, which allows a quick return to
full activity; within eight to 12 days he should be back to full activity
without any restriction," Muschaweck said. "The operation technique has been
the same which I carried out on Michael Owen."

Bellamy is expected to withdraw from the Wales squad to play Cyprus and San
Marino in European Championship qualifying matches on October 13 and 17.

"We will be very happy if Craig is back in eight to 12 days," Mervyn Day,
the West Ham assistant manager, said. The forward had been in outstanding
form, scoring three times in his last two matches for West Ham before the
injury and two goals for Wales away to Slovakia. His loss leaves West Ham
with three fit forwards for the match against Aston Villa tomorrow, when
they will be pitted against two former players, Nigel Reo-Coker and Marlon
Harewood.

Bobby Zamora, the West Ham forward. is out for another three weeks after a
knee operation and Dean Ash-ton will probably be partnered by Hen-ri Camara
in attack. "The people who have come in have done really well for us," Day
said. "We've played some of the top four teams and it's disappointing not to
be able to put out your strongest team. We're looking forward to the game
against Villa and we're hopeful that we can get a result."

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Bellamy out for rest of season but Dyer recovery softens blow to West Ham
Simon Williams and Paul Weaver
Tuesday February 12, 2008
The Guardian

West Ham United will be forced to plan for the rest of the season without
Craig Bellamy as the striker has been told he needs two operations but the
Hammers could unexpectedly have Kieron Dyer back before May.
The loss of Bellamy, who requires surgery on his knee and groin, is another
setback for West Ham's manager, Alan Curbishley. The club had hoped to
challenge for a European place this season after investing heavily in the
summer but Curbishley has rarely been able to pick a full- strength side
because of a crippling injury list. Saturday's 1-1 home draw against
Birmingham City left West Ham seven points behind Aston Villa in sixth place
with an inferior goal difference.

It is another cruel blow for Bellamy who has managed only nine appearances
for the Hammers since a £7.5m move from Liverpool last July because of
injury, a move he made chiefly because he wanted to play regular first-team
football. The return of Dyer has come sooner than expected after the
midfielder broke his leg in a Carling Cup game with Bristol Rovers on August
28.
Dyer, a £6m signing from Newcastle United a fortnight before the ill-fated
clash at the Memorial Ground, is running at West Ham's training ground and
confident he will add to his three appearances for the club before the end
of the season. Sources at Upton Park have suggested he could be involved
when his former club visit east London on April 26.

It is typical of West Ham's luck this season that the good news about Dyer's
recovery has been tempered by Bellamy's misfortune. The Welshman has
regularly suffered with knee problems and needed a career-saving operation
by the renowned American surgeon, Dr Richard Steadman, to repair ligament
damage when he was at Newcastle in 2003.

The injury is not believed to be that serious this time, although it will be
the source of considerable frustration for the player. The 28-year-old had
only recently returned from a four-month lay off with an abdominal injury
but was left out of the squad against Birmingham and is expected to have his
first operation this week.

Bellamy's West Ham team-mate Matthew Upson has revealed that a sports
psychologist had helped him become one of the most consistent players this
season. The England defender is the only West Ham player to have played in
every minute of every Premier League game and he was rewarded for the
quality of his performances when Fabio Capello named him in his first
England XI last week.

"I use someone who I speak to a lot about my performance and we analyse
everything - my behaviour, my training during the week, everything," he
said. "It is now starting to pay off. Mentality is something that, as a
young player, I didn't pay too much attention to because you just don't. It
is a massive part of the game, just as important as physical training, if
not more important."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Matthew Upson says working with a psychologist has turned his career around
- The Mirror
By John Cross 12/02/2008

West Ham defender Matthew Upson last night revealed how sessions with a
sports psychologist have turned his career around. Upson, 28, was the
surprise inclusion in Fabio Capello's first England lineup last week - and
he puts his success down to mental preparation. He said: "I now use someone
who I speak to a lot about my performance and we analyse everything; my
behaviour, my training during the week. It is starting to pay off. "It is a
case of finding the time to sit down and think positively about what you are
doing at the weekend. It is important to visualise what you are going to
do."

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West Ham 1-1 Birmingham: Dean Ashton fails to shine as Fabio Capello watches
on - the Mirror
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
By John Cross 11/02/2008

Dean Ashton left Upton Park in his new West Ham whistle - but probably won't
be getting measured up for an England suit any time soon. West Ham boss Alan
Curbishley has taken a leaf out of England's hardline manager Fabio
Capello's book by insisting that all of his players smarten up their act and
turn up to games wearing club suits. Ashton was left upset at his omission
from Capello's first squad but cannot have too many complaints after his
performance in front of the watching England boss on Saturday. The Hammers
striker is still struggling for form and fitness. It has even reached a
point where the West Ham fans who used to idolise him are losing patience
with his slow recovery and the groans are gradually turning into boos. Mind
you, West Ham's fans did jeer a lot during a frustrating afternoon. They
did not like Curbishley's rather negative substitutions when they were
trying to chase the win and they made their feelings plain at the final
whistle. Ashton is still West Ham's sixgoal top scorer and yet there is no
escaping the fact that he still looks heavy and doesn't carry the same
threat as when he first burst on to the scene. It is clearly a big
frustration for Curbishley who is already without injured strikers Craig
Bellamy and Bobby Zamora and the partnership between Ashton and Carlton Cole
simply did not work against Birmingham. "Deano had the injury and it took a
year to recover from it," said Curbishley. "He had another set-back once he
got himself going and I think you can see that he has a bit to do.
"The way we've handled it, we've given him as much football as we can. He
needs a goal and so does Carlton Cole, confidence is a massive thing. "We've
not had a falling out and for the life of me I think most people who have
been watching us this season will agree I've done well on team selection and
what I've tried to do. "Dean's done well to get where he is after a big
injury. He's worked ever so hard at it. I've got one or two players who are
not quite happy with what they produced and we just have to roll up our
sleeves and get on with it. Deano just has to keep going. The fans have been
impatient with us for the past couple of weeks. Here especially the
expectation level has changed a little bit but I would say to them 'you have
got to be patient.' "They can all see the situation isn't 100 per cent and
we're all working hard at it."
West Ham started brightly and took full advantage of Birmingham's slack
defending as George McCartney's long throw was flicked on by Cole and
Ljungberg hooked home at the far post after just seven minutes. That should
have been the cue for West Ham to go on and win but Birmingham's livewire
forward James McFadden - the best player on the pitch - won and converted a
16th-minute penalty after Lucas Neill's clumsy foul. But West Ham could not
get out of first gear while McFadden's work rate meant Birmingham were
always a threat. Hammers midfielder Lee Bowyer was sent off in the 88th
minute for a foul on Damien Johnson when, in fact, Hayden Mullins' crude
two-footed challenge on David Murphy moments before looked more like a red
card. Blues boss Alex McLeish said: "McFadden did really well, he's got a
great touch and creativity. But what I was really pleased about was when we
were thinking about changing the guys near the end when they looked tired,
McFadden was still chasing lost causes."

Attendance: 34,884
Man Of The Match: McFadden
TEAMS AND RATINGS

West Ham: Green 7, Neill 6, Ferdinand 6, Upson 7, McCartney 7, Ljungberg 8,
Bowyer 6, Mullins 7, Etherington 7 (Camara 83), Ashton 6 (Spector 90), Cole
6 (Faubert 62, 5).

Birmingham: Maik Taylor 7, Kelly 5, Martin Taylor 6, Ridgewell 7, Murphy 7,
Larsson 6, Muamba 7, Johnson 6, McSheffrey 6 (Parnaby 87), Forssell 6
(Jerome 76), McFadden 8.

Ref: Mark Clattenburg

The Anorak says ...

Lee Bowyer has been sent off seven times during his professional career.

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Hammers keeper Robert Green pokes fun at England job - The Mirror
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
By John Cross 11/02/2008

West Ham keeper Robert Green had a laugh at his own England snub - in front
of Fabio Capello. Green had "England's No.6" stitched on to his gloves for
Saturday's draw with Birmingham which was watched by Capello, although that
was the first time the England boss has watched the Hammers No.1.
Green, left out of the England squad again last week, said: "The
manufacturer was having a laugh on my behalf. He went to a game and heard
the banter with the crowd and thought it would be quite funny to have
England No.6 stitched on my gloves! "If you can't laugh at yourself, who can
you laugh at? "It is not having a go at anybody. If it is anyone, it is
against myself. "I am not sure the other players knew what was going on!
"The crowd are shouting England's No.1, I say No.6, so for the moment I am
closer!"

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Curbishley denies holding back Ashton's ambitions - Daily Mail
Last updated at 11:07am on 11th February 2008

Alan Curbishley has hit back at criticism that he has hindered the
international ambitions of West Ham striker Dean Ashton. England coach Fabio
Capello was at Upton Park to see Ashton struggle in a 1-1 draw with
Birmingham but Curbishley defended his strategy of easing his striker back
to fitness after almost two seasons disrupted by injury. Franco Baldini,
Capello's right-hand man, talked with Ashton following a recent West Ham
match and assured the former Norwich frontman that he is in their plans.
Ashton, who badly broke an ankle training with England back in August 2006,
has suffered some niggling injuries since and Capello will have seen against
Birmingham that he is still way off his best form. Ashton and Curbishley
were reported to have disagreed about the best way back, with the striker
wanting to play in every game while his manager favoured a more cautious
approach. "We haven't had a falling-out," said Curbishley. "But most of the
people who have watched us this season would agree, I think, that I've done
well by Dean. "I don't think I have done such a bad job in terms of bringing
him back and easing him in. I think you can see Dean has a bit to do and I
believe the way we've handled it, giving him as much football as we can, has
been the right way."
Ashton is unlikely to play in England's match against France. Curbishley
said: "We're working hard at it and I don't see what else I can do." West
Ham took an early lead through Freddie Ljungberg but Birmingham equalised
with a James McFadden spot-kick after Lucas Neill was ruled to have pushed
him.
Referee Mark Clattenburg will look at Lee Bowyer's harsh sending-off again.

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Cole expresses Ashton concerns - Setanta
by Ben Blackmore, 11 February 2008

Carlton Cole has admitted he is struggling to play alongside Dean Ashton in
West Ham's attack. After Saturday's draw with Birmingham, the duo have now
failed to fire for four consecutive games, the last two of which both
players have started. Ashton came under particular fire from supporters and
setantasports.com reporters alike for his lacklustre display in the 1-1
draw, and Cole admits work needs to be done. "We will be looking at the
ProZone stats and the videos to see how we can work better together," he
explained in The Daily Star. "We need to look at our movement as sometimes
we find ourselves in the same position and the communication is not up to
scratch. "We will start on the relationship on Monday. We have not actually
looked at it before."
Alan Curbishley has expressed his own fears that the strike pairing cannot
work, but he rubbished reports of a bust-up between himself and Ashton,
claiming the England man just needs to work harder. "The last few games –
apart from Liverpool – we've paired the two of them together, but they're
very similar players," said a concerned Curbishley. "Deano just has to keep
going. It's difficult getting fit in the first team, but there has been no
other way.
"I think you can see that he has a bit to do. We have not had a falling out
and I think most people who have been watching us this season will agree
I've done well on team selection and what I've tried to do."

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