England midfielder Scott Parker is back in the swing of things with West Ham
United and has high hopes
13.03.2008
Scott Parker is determined to show the West Ham United supporters what he is
capable of after returning to fitness.
After ten weeks out of action, Parker returned to the starting lineup for
last Sunday's derby match at Tottenham Hotspur. Despite the manner of the
defeat, he put in a strong showing for the 75 minutes that he was on the
pitch. It was the culmination of more than two months' hard work back at
Chadwell Heath. "It felt OK, my knee felt fine," he told whufc.com. "I'm
going to be a bit short, that's part and parcel of it, but I feel that I'm
going in the right direction."
Having made 32 league and cup starts in his first season for Newcastle
United in 2005/06 and followed that up with 41 appearances in the last
campaign, the 27-year-old midfielder arrived at the Boleyn Ground last
summer with high hopes of quickly establishing himself in the West Ham
United ranks. However, he has been frustrated by two unrelated knee
injuries, the second of which came after Cristiano Ronaldo fell on him
during the defeat of Manchester United on 29 December.
Parker added that he was "very disappointed by the result" but has already
turned his attention to the visit of Blackburn Rovers this Saturday.
"Personally I was pleased I came through the game without any scares and I
look forward to the next one. It's going to be a tough game, there's no
doubting that. We've come out of a tough run and confidence may be a little
bit low on our side, Blackburn have been doing really well, but we're at
home and I fully expect us to go and win the game."
The three-times capped international, who began his career with Charlton
Athletic and played 145 times for the south London club before joining
Chelsea for an 18-month spell, is relishing the chance to focus on the
matches ahead after more than two months out of the picture. "When you come
to a new club you want to come in and do well and I've not been able to do
that," Parker said. "My main aim's just been to get into the team and try
and get a steady run of games."
Parker had been doing that before the New Year, with a run of eight straight
matches including a memorable winner away to Middlesbrough on the last
Saturday before Christmas. With nine games to play, he could yet make more
significant contributions to the cause. "I've been out for such a long time
and it is difficult that when you're coming back you try and get fit in the
reserves. I'm running out of time now and the season's coming to an end.
It's not a problem, I need to play and get in there and try and do my best
for everyone and myself really."
While on the sidelines, Parker has been impressed by the strength in depth
with the squad and the performance overall - even with the difficulties of
the last week. "For us, it's been such a good season in terms of injuries
and how we've coped. We've done really well defensively, and we defend as a
team. It's been a bit of shock to us all that we've been on the end of a few
4-0s, albeit two of them being in the top four - but still, we'd expect to
do better than that. It's been disappointing.
"[Sunday] wasn't the best of results and we've not had the best of times of
late. Three bad results, albeit at times on Sunday I thought we played quite
well. But results are key and that's what people go on. 4-0 says it all
really. We've had a little blip. The last week or so has been very
disappointing for us all but we've got a big game at the weekend against
Blackburn where we need to get three points."
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Potts the marathon man - WHUFC
Former favourite Steve Potts is getting in shape to run in aid of the
charity Children with Leukaemia.
12.03.2008
Steve Potts spent 17 years in the first team at West Ham United and is going
to have to show similar fortitude when he runs this year's London Marathon
in aid of Children with Leukaemia.
The loyal defender played 506 league and cup games for the club after making
his debut against Queens Park Rangers on New Year's Day 1985. His 17 years
in the first-team reckoning at the Boleyn Ground stand him in ninth place in
the club's all-time appearance charts. The versatile performer was voted
Hammer of the Year back in 1993 and is hoping to get similar backing from
supporters for his efforts for a very worthy cause on Sunday 13 April.
"I went to watch last year's race and the atmosphere really inspired me to
want to have a go myself," said the man known as Pottsy, as he prepares to
pound the capital's roads in the hope that he can raise the pounds for such
a deserving cause. "After starting in January, I've got my running - if you
can call it that - up to 14 miles, which is a lot further than I ever had to
run when I was training at West Ham United. In those days we'd come back for
pre-season training and do four or five miles to blow out the cobwebs before
getting on with the short, sharp drills.
"Leukaemia is a terrible illness and I've seen how it affects children, who
have to endure painful chemotherapy, hair loss and all the other horrible
side-effects. It's three-and-a-half years of treatment, which is very
daunting and it's a very long road to recovery. This is now a great
opportunity for me to try and do my little bit to raise some money to help
these kids and, ultimately, to try and find a cure.
"According to my training programme, I've still got to get myself up to 20
miles and, although people keep saying to me that I'll be fine because I
used to play, since I retired five years ago, I've gradually worked my way
down from joining a gym and going three times per week to just a little jog
around the block every now and then.
"I've never done anything like this before and although I'm really looking
forward to it, I'm also dreading it, too!" continued the 40-year-old, who
already knows all about those streets of London after passing the
'Knowledge' and qualifying as a fully-fledged London taxi driver last
August.
"Since I got my badge, I've picked up quite a few of our fans. Some start
talking football straight away, others do a double-take and there are even a
few who don't recognise me - one punter even asked me which team I support!
- which says a lot about the impression I made at the club," laughs the
ever-likeable Steve with all the modesty that epitomised his distinguished
career.
For many, the highlight of his time at the Boleyn Ground was his solitary
strike from those 506 honest outings in the claret and blue. After
registering in a memorable 7-1 home win against Hull City in October 1990,
Pottsy has set his sights on another more important goal. "I want to raise
as much money for Children with Leukaemia as I possibly can," he concluded.
"And hopefully, the generosity of the West Ham United supporters can help me
to achieve that."
To make a donation, please visit: www.bmycharity.com/pottsy or send
donations to: Steve Potts, London Marathon c/o Children with Leukaemia, 51
Great Ormond Street, London, WC1N 3JQ. Cheques should be made payable to
'Children with Leukaemia'.
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Kearns on European duty - WHUFC
Promising young midfielder Daniel Kearns will further his development with
three international qualifiers
13.03.2008
Daniel Kearns will be heading back to Northern Ireland next week to
represent his country in a vital series of European U17 Championship
qualifiers.
The midfielder has been named in his country's squad for the elite round
Group 5 mini-tournament being hosted by the Northern Irish and also
featuring Slovenia, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland start against
Scotland on Monday, take on Slovenia two days later and finish up against
Wales on Saturday week. The winners will make it through to the eight-nation
UEFA finals to be played in Turkey between 4-16 May 2008.
Hailing from Belfast, Kearns joined West Ham United last summer and has
quickly established himself in the Under-18 side despite being one of the
younger members of Tony Carr's squad. Citing Joe Cole as his favourite
all-time Hammers player, Kearns has shown himself to be a creative provider
and also has an eye for goal. That was demonstrated most notably in last
month's 2-0 away win against Arsenal when he broke the deadlock with a fine
shot after cutting in from the left flank.
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Bilic cools Premier League links - BBC
Croatia coach Slaven Bilic has dismissed speculation he could quit his post
to manage in the Premier League. Bilic is reportedly a target for a number
of clubs, including West Ham, where he was a player during 1996-97. He told
BBC Radio 5 Live: "I am flattered to see in the papers that there are some
clubs interested in me. "But on the other hand it gets on my nerves because
I have my job to do, and I am not thinking of leaving it. I am 100% focused
on my job with Croatia." Last November, the former Hammers and Everton
defender told BBC One's Football Focus that he dreams of being a club
manager in the Premier League. But he insisted he was not thinking about it
at that time and, after guiding his team to the Euro 2008 finals, he does
not appear to be ready to change his mind yet. "I will never enjoy a job as
much as I enjoy being in charge of Croatia, and I am very proud," he added.
Bilic also revealed he has been in touch with Arsenal's Croatian striker
Eduardo, who is recovering from a broken leg suffered in a challenge with
Birmingham's Martin Taylor last month. "Eduardo is ok, although he is badly
injured," said Bilic. "I was with him last Friday and he is improving well
but still it is early days. "But he is convinced - he is so strong in his
head, he is a great character and a great guy - and I am convinced that he
will come back better than he was."
Bilic also reiterated his belief that Taylor's challenge was badly timed
rather than malicious and rejected Fifa president Sepp Blatter's recent
claims that football can be too aggressive. "Tackling is a very important
part of the game," said Bilic. "Football is a very physical game, and it has
to be. "I agree that we have to protect players from serious injury, like
Eduardo's, but if tackling was stopped, football would be the loser."
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Joe returns - KUMB
Filed: Wednesday, 12th March 2008
By: Staff Writer
Joe Widdowson has returned from his spell on loan with Rotherham United.
Full-back Widdowson spent a month on loan with the Millers, making three
appearances for the League Two promotion chasers. The 18-year-old played in
the 1-0 home defeat against Accrington and games at Shrewsbury and Bury
(which finished 1-1 and 0-3 respectively). Rotherham boss Mark Robins had
wanted to extend the young full-back's stay but was unable to do so due to a
transfer embargo being in place.
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Hammers linked with bid for Bayern forward Toni - Daily Mail
Last updated at 12:30pm on 12th March 2008
West Ham have been linked with a summer swoop for Bayern Munich's
30-year-old Italian striker Luca Toni, who has played for 10 clubs in 13
years.
Meanwhile promising Hammers striker Freddie Sears, 18, has signed a new
two-and-a-half-year deal. Boss Alan Curbishley said: "He is different to
what we have available at the moment. He is Craig Bellamy-like, he is quick,
he wants to get behind defenders and he goes about his business quietly."
Curbishley revealed West Ham's recent troubles have left him having
sleepless nights - but maintains it is not all doom and gloom at Upton Park.
"West Ham have had an average league position of 13th. This year expectation
levels have been lifted and I understand that. All we have been guilty of is
standing still," he said. "We spent because we were in a desperate position,
but no sooner had we survived, then I read that last summer people we were
expecting us to reach the European place. "Despite losing our last three
games, we have netted 61 points in total from our last 38 matches overall.
"I know seasons do not run like this, but it shouldn't go unnoticed what we
have achieved. I am not looking for excuses, but I do think the criticism
and speculation is out of hand. "Anyone who is realistic will be looking at
West Ham in 10th position in the Premier League and know it is not all doom
and gloom."
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West Ham United to Play in 2008 MLS All-Star Game - epltalk.com
March 12th, 2008 By The Gaffer
West Ham United will play in the MLS All-Star Game this summer, according to
a newspaper report. The game will take place in Toronto and is scheduled for
July 28, 2008 at the BMO Field. This will be the first time West Ham has
played in the MLS All-Star Game. In previous years, fellow Premier League
teams (and cross-town rivals) have played: Chelsea (2006) and Fulham (2005).
The news, as reported by The Toronto Star newspaper, will be a welcome
delight for fans of Premier League clubs in North America. Last summer,
Everton, Aston Villa and Chelsea toured the continent. This summer, in
addition to West Ham United, plans are that Liverpool and Derby County will
also play matches in the United States and possibly Canada. Despite the
Hammers coming to Canada, the news may come as a disappointment to some
football fans as Liverpool was rumored to be considering playing the match
instead.
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Bilic: No plans to manage Hammers - TeamTalk
Slaven Bilic insists he has no plans to quit his role as Croatia coach in
order to take up the manager's job at West Ham or any other club. The
39-year-old former Hammers and Everton centre-back has been linked with Alan
Curbishley's post at Upton Park, with the East End outfit currently in the
midst of a worrying slump in the Premier League. However, Bilic insists his
current task - leading Croatia to glory at Euro 2008 - is the only thing on
his mind. Bilic said: "I will never enjoy a job as much as I enjoy being in
charge of Croatia, and I am very proud." He added to BBC Sport: "I am
flattered to see in the papers that there are some clubs interested in me.
"But on the other hand it gets on my nerves because I have my job to do, and
I'm not thinking of leaving it. I'm 100% focused on my job with Croatia."
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Nani's friend Mancini eyes Premier League Job since mysteriously leaving
Inter Milan - CmonYuIrons
Roberto Mancini a close friend of West Hams future Technical Director has
mysteriously quit his job managing Inter Milan last night, after the
champions league game with Liverpool, opening the door for Mourinho, to now
take the vacant position at Inter. Mancini has said on many occasions that
his ultimate career move would be to manage a Premier League team. His close
and influential friend Gianluca Nani whom also will be leaving for the
Premier League at Upton Park in the Summer to start his new career as
Technical Director. Mancini will have 2 or 3 probable jobs to chose from in
the Premier league in the summer and a managerial vacancy at West Ham may be
one of them. Mancini has stated in the past that he could never see himself
coaching either Juventus or Milan, and with Roma also an unlikely option, it
seems that his next destination Is the EPL. Maybe there is some good news to
come regarding Mancini & Nani.
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Slaven Bilic quiet on West Ham link - Telegraph
By Jeremy Wilson
Last Updated: 1:04am GMT 13/03/2008
Slaven Bilic has done little to dim the spotlight on West Ham manager Alan
Curbishley after describing himself as "flattered" to be linked with jobs in
England after this summer's Euro 2008 tournament. The Croatia coach has won
admirers for his work at international level, particularly the way he
oversaw England's European Championship demise, and yesterday he would not
say whether or not he has been contacted by any interested clubs.
The West Ham board have issued a statement declaring their "full support"
for Curbishley following poor recent results, which have included three
successive 4-0 defeats, and Bilic says his only focus has been to prepare
for the forthcoming European Championship. "Of course I am flattered - I
read it in the papers about some clubs," Bilic said. "On the other hand, it
is getting on my nerves because I have my job to do, my job is with Croatia.
"I think it would be stupid [to look beyond the Euros]. In football, you
have to enjoy it, be ready for any situation, but you can't plan it. "Money
is important for everyone. But the first thing will be sixth sense, what I
really feel and the ambition of the potential clubs or the national team. "I
am not saying that I'm going to leave, I'm really enjoying it big time. I
have never enjoyed my job like I am enjoying my job with Croatia. I don't
really look to move."
Bilic spent last Friday in London with Eduardo and says he has been
encouraged by the Arsenal forward's positive frame of mind. "He is injured,
badly injured," he said, "but he is so strong in his head - he has a great
character and he's a great guy. I am convinced and he is convinced that he
will be back better than he was but it will take time."
Bilic also reiterated his belief that Birmingham's Martin Taylor did not
intentionally hurt Eduardo, and is cautious about supporting some of the
calls for a further crackdown on tackling. "I think football is a physical
game and it has to be," he said. "To stop tackling, for me, football will
lose. It has got to be a man's sport, a tough sport, a physical sport. I
agree, the tackle from Taylor, it was a bad challenge but a late challenge.
I think he really didn't mean it and Eduardo thinks the same. Week after
week you have the same tackles."
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West Ham to Wear Nike Kits 2008/09? - CmonYuIrons
The giant sports firm Nike took over Umbro UK for £285Million, which could
mean West Ham, Birmingham City, Blackburn Rovers, Everton, Sunderland and
Wigan, could all be wearing Nike Kits next season. The England kit was the
main income for Umbro, but in the Mclaren era, sales plummeted, and shares
in Umbro fell to £1.20 a share, Nike came in and offered a takeover at £1.95
a share and Umbro accepted. The Company still produces sportswear in
Cheshire, whether the Label Umbro will phased out is unknown, but Nike as a
major sportswear firm will sooner or later prefer the Swoosh to the Diamond
on their products.
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West Ham to face MLS all-stars - TheStar.com
Mar 13, 2008 04:30 AM
Major League Soccer has finally settled on an opponent for its all-star game
in Toronto this summer, and the Star has learned it will be English Premier
League's West Ham United. The game, which marks the second time in three
years the MLS all-stars will face an English team, takes place July 24. MLS
first drifted away from the traditional intra-league all-star game format in
2001, when its all-stars played the U.S. national team. Since then, all but
one all-star game has featured a team of MLS standouts against a team from
overseas. Last summer, the MLS all-stars defeated Celtic in Denver, and in
2006 Scarborough's Dwayne De Rosario scored the only goal in the MLS
all-stars' 1-0 win over Chelsea. The league announced last year that Toronto
would host the 2008 all-star game, and the deal with West Ham, currently in
10th place in the 20-team Premier League, ends rumours linking teams like
Liverpool and Newcastle.
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Curbs still has much to prove, says Potts - Guardian Series
By Daniel Barden
FORMER West Ham favourite Steve Potts believes that Alan Curbishley has yet
to prove himself as the man to take the club forward - but should be given
more time to show what he can do. Curbishley's future as Irons boss looks to
be on thin ice following a string of poor performances and three 4-0
drubbings in quick succession. But Potts - who made 505 appearances in a
17-year career with the east Londoners - reckons an injury-ravaged squad has
made it impossible to judge the 50-year-old so far. "On the whole, he has
been unfortunate with injuries," said Potts. "He signed all these players
and if everyone was fit it looks like an exciting squad. "Kieron Dyer and
Craig Bellamy, in particular, are players who would add a lot of pace and
change the complete dynamics of the team. "Not being able to play them, or
put out his best side, must really be frustrating Curbishley. "At Charlton
he did a very good job. When he did leave they started to struggle and from
that point of view he's got a good track record. "But it's been difficult to
judge him at West Ham - only time will tell how good he can be for the
club."
However, the American-born defender added: "By the same token, all clubs get
injuries. "As soon as things start going wrong it is how you respond and
lately it hasn't been good. "They've come up against three very good teams
but it is the manner of the performances and the results that has put the
club in the spotlight that little bit more. "It's been difficult to judge
Alan - only time will tell how good he can be for West Ham"
"Nowadays, managers are under so much pressure to get things right - three
bad results and all of a sudden his job is under threat." Curbishley has had
to endure torrents of abuse from sections of the crowd, who have voiced
their displeasure at the team's seeming lack of attacking determination in
the dour displays against Chelsea, Liverpool and Spurs. But Potts' best
advice ahead of their next fixture - against Blackburn at Upton Park on
Saturday - is to get the crowd back on side by going at it from the off.
"Sometimes when results go like that, it can get even harder at home," he
said. "Instead of the crowd turning up and really getting behind the team,
they start to wonder how its going to go. "The best thing West Ham can do is
put recent results behind them, pull together and go out there with a
positive attitude."
Although the Irons' season appears all-but over with nine game to play,
Potts insists it is vital the team see the campaign through in a positive
manner.
He said: "Up to a few weeks ago I was thinking how high can they go - it
looked like being a really good season, even the possibility of getting into
Europe.
"It hasn't quite worked out like that but it's important to finish the
season well and go into next year on a good note." Steve Potts is running
in the Flora London Marathon on April 13 in aid of Children with Leukemia.
To donate visit bmycharity.com/pottsy
8:39am today
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Blades resurrect Premier fight over Tevez affair - thestar.co.uk
James Shield
SHEFFIELD United could resurrect their call to be reinstated to the Premier
League when the final details of their long-running legal war with West Ham
following the 'Carlos Tevez Affair' are made public.
United's campaign for justice following the most controversial episode in
English football's recent history was given fresh impetus earlier this month
when Kia Joorabchian, the agent at the heart of the dispute, confirmed his
intention to issue a £7.1m court action against the London club.
United have refused to comment on this latest twist, preferring instead to
focus on ensuring their on-going arbitration process with West Ham reaches a
satisfactory conclusion.
Although it has been suggested that the best United can hope for is
financial compensation, with a figure of around £20m being raised in some
quarters, The Star understands that there is nothing to prevent them
demanding their membership of the FAPL is restored.
The case concerns the issue of outlawed third party agreements and whether
West Ham, who were found guilty of breaking them following an FAPL
investigation, gained an unfair advantage over United by playing Tevez, who
has since been transferred to Manchester United, during last season's battle
to avoid relegation.
Having elected to fine West Ham rather than impose a points deduction, the
FAPL deemed Tevez's revised contract meant he was subsequently available for
selection and United slipped into the Championship on the final day of the
campaign.
But United dispute Tevez was ever eligible to play and their determination
to press ahead indicates they have been advised their claim is not without
merit.
Speaking at the time, Joorabchian, who has previously accused the FAPL's
initial investigation of lacking "transparency", said: "It's time the whole
truth came out. There were agreements in place, I know it and they know it
and it might have been in conversations but they were in front of witnesses,
in front of lawyers - and they write everything down."
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Ferdinand: Tomkins must wait for West Ham chance
tribalfooball.com - March 12, 2008
Anton Ferdinand says West Ham teammate James Tomkins, the 18-year-old
defender, needs to be patient while he waits for his debut.
"He has got a great attitude and has not looked out of place training with
the first team," Ferdinand said.
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