WHUFC.com
First-team coach Kevin Keen is looking forward to returning to former club
Stoke City on Saturday
01.05.2009
For Kevin Keen, Saturday's Premier League trip to Stoke City will be a
particularly special occasion.
West Ham United's first-team coach spent five-and-a-half years with the
Potters between October 1994 and September 2000, making 201 league and cup
appearances and scoring 12 goals.
While he is now fully focused on the Hammers' pursuit of a place in next
season's UEFA Europa League, which will be boosted greatly by a fifth away
victory of the season this weekend, Keen has been delighted by his former
club's progress under Tony Pulis following their promotion to the Premier
League last term.
Stoke have lost just three of the 17 league matches they have played at the
Britannia Stadium this season, and Keen is acutely aware of the
cauldron-like atmosphere that will await West Ham in the Potteries this
weekend.
"It'll be nice to go back to Stoke. It's my first time back. I think Tony
Pulis has done a fantastic job. The crowd and the vocal support that they
will have on Saturday will be immense and it will be interesting to see if
our away support can match it.
"It's going to be a tough game. They are strong and have got a method that
works for them and good luck to them. Hopefully we can counter that and try
and play our stuff and come away with a win, but it's going to be tough.
"I'm hoping, and it's not very often, maybe about five per cent of the time
you go there, that it might be a nice day on Saturday. Certainly if it was
any time between October and March, the weather would have been windy and
rainy but I've been told it might be quite nice on Saturday, which should be
good."
One Stoke player Keen knows extremely well is Matthew Etherington. A fellow
left-winger, the coach is a big admirer of the 27-year-old's qualities.
Etherington made 195 appearances for West Ham between August 2003 and
January 2009, scoring 18 goals, before leaving for Stoke in early January.
"I know Matty very well. He is one of a number of good footballers they have
at the club alongside people like James Beattie, Liam Lawrence and the boy
Glenn Whelan that they bought from Sheffield Wednesday.
"Matty was a super little player for us. Alan Pardew signed him and he was a
great, attacking winger in the West Ham tradition. There are similarities
between us, but he might have been a little bit quicker than me and I might
have scored a few more goals! He's a good lad and has done really well since
he's gone up there and he'll be wanting to put one over us and he hasn't
scored there yet, so he'll be wanting to get his first goal."
While Etherington will be eager to get one over his former club, Keen has
been working closely with manager Gianfranco Zola and fellow first-team
coach Steve Clarke to neutralise the threat posed by the wideman and his
Stoke team-mates.
While they have been concentrating on securing a vital victory over Pulis'
side this week, Zola and Clarke have pledged their futures to the club by
signing long-term contracts until 2013. The pair's decision to commit
themselves to West Ham has delighted Keen, who is clearly relishing the
opportunity to work alongside two coaches who believe in playing football
the 'West Ham way'.
"It's brilliant [that Zola and Clarke have signed new contracts]. I really
do feel that the club is going places and I think the supporters can feel
that. The type of football we're playing at the moment harks back to what
West Ham is all about - your Alan Devonshires, your Trevor Brookings, your
Billy Bonds, your Bobby Moores. Certainly I think it harks back to those
traditional principles of playing quick, fast, skilful football with spirit,
bite and intensity."
Returning the compliments, the last word should go to Zola. The manager
stressed that Keen was an integral part to everything the club had achieved
this season. "Kevin has been very important. I like his attitude and he has
been positive all the tiem and the players they feel that. They can
recognise people like that. He has been very good and he helps me a lot."
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Etherington earns praise
WHUFC.com
The manager has spoken about Matthew Etherington ahead of the weekend match
against his new club
01.05.2009
Gianfranco Zola has praised Matthew Etherington ahead of West Ham United's
weekend trip to face the winger's new employers Stoke City.
The 27-year-old Etherington made 195 appearances for West Ham between August
2003 and January 2009, scoring 18 goals. He joined the Potters on 8 January,
having moved to the Boleyn Ground from Tottenham Hotspur five-and-a-half
years previously.
As has been the case for many former players this season, Etherington is set
to get a good reception from the travelling Hammers support in recognition
of his loyal service that included the Hammer of the Year award at the end
of his first campaign. However, after a stop-start first half of the season,
Zola said the transfer window move was the best for all parties, especially
as he could not guarantee first-team football.
"I think he needed to go," Zola said. "He needed to have a new experience
away from here. It is simple as that. He did very well for me, especially at
the beginning. Then he got injured and he had a few problems but he is a
good player and I am not surprised he has done well for Stoke."
Etherington was equally positive about his former manager. "He has shown he
can be a top manager, he's done a brilliant job," the winger said. "When he
first came in they weren't sure whether they'd be in a relegation battle or
end up where they are now, so he's done really well."
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Parker working hard
WHUFC.com
Gianfranco Zola has offered words of encouragement to Scott Parker as he
battles back to fitness
01.05.2009
Gianfranco Zola has said Scott Parker is working hard in a bid to figure
again this season as the midfielder continues to receive treatment for a
groin injury.
The 28-year-old has been one of the club's most consistent performers this
season but has not played since the 1-1 draw at Blackburn Rovers on 21
March. Zola said: "I don't know if he will play again this season to be
honest. He is working very hard on his fitness so that he can play again
this season.
"The problem is he has a chronic inflammation in the groin and this has
caused him problems. I had the same problem he has now many years ago. It is
tough because one day you feel OK and the day after you feel bad. Then maybe
in five or six days it might be better.
"I am not worried and I am sure he will get over this. I'm just a bit
disappointed as he's one of our key players and obviously to be missing him
at this part of the season is no good for us."
Zola offered encouragement to the England international who has made 52
appearances in claret and blue since arriving at the club in summer 2007.
"Once I sorted it out I never had problems again. I gave Scott all my
knowledge about it, but everyone is taking care of him. You have to be
patient and keep working."
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All smiles for Stoke
WHUFC.com
Confidence and optimism is high throughout the squad before the trip to take
on Stoke City this Saturday
30.04.2009
Gianfranco Zola leads his West Ham United side to Stoke City on Saturday in
positive mood.
The week began well with the news that Zola had put pen to paper on a
four-year contract and, on Tuesday, first-team coach Steve Clarke joined him
by extending his stay for the same period.
Then, a day later, there was the welcome sight of Jack Collison returning to
full training with the first team, followed by the encouraging news that
striker Carlton Cole could be joining them next week. James Collins and
Scott Parker are also working hard but are set to miss out once more this
weekend.
Zola said: "We have more or less the same squad as last week. Jack Collison
is back in training and is doing very well. I don't think he is going to be
available this week but it is nice to have him back. The squad should be the
same squad as we had last week."
The trip to the Britannia Stadium sees the Hammers aiming for the victory
that could propel them back into seventh spot in the standings. Being in
such a lofty position and having the chance of UEFA Europa League
qualification with four games to go has left the manager on a high.
"I am a positive person. There were some moments when things have gone very
well so I was dreaming of something like that but I wasn't expecting that. I
believe we are doing a good job, we are working hard every day and when you
work like that it pays off.
"This club has got good potential to be a top club and we are working very
hard to make it happen. In football things change very quickly but one thing
is for sure is that we are going to be working on how we can improve this
team every day."
The manager said he never lost his focus - even during the lean spell at the
turn of the year that was definitively ended by the 2-1 home win against
Stoke back on 28 December. "It was a tough time that time but it has been
very important for me. You need to go through those difficult moments if you
want to improve.
"Not for a second I doubted my idea of football. I either succeed with this
idea of football or I don't succeed and I do something else. Trust me it has
been very important because I got much better in that period."
The positive progress prompted the club to offer new contracts to him and
Clarke, and the manager reiterated his happiness at the Boleyn Ground. "It
was a very good opportunity for me," he said. "The club looked after me and
my staff so it was an easy decision really because this year we just started
something that needs to be completed.
"To have a deal with the club for four years will give me more time to plan
the things and to work better. I am delighted Steve has signed. He has been
a vital part of the work that is being done over here and to have him on my
side is good. My staff has been the secret really and in difficult times
they have always been on my side and helping me and it has been great
teamwork."
That collective spirit will be in evidence this weekend at Stoke, when the
manager expects his team to bounce back from the narrow defeat by Chelsea.
"We have been playing the same team now for quite a long time and some
people will start to get tired so it is understandable. Never mind - it was
a good opportunity, we didn't take it and we are going to try this week."
He will not underestimate Stoke despite their newcomer status in the
Barclays Premier League. "There was a point in which I looked at them and I
saw them struggling a little bit but they have done exceptionally well,
especially when they played at home and they won most of their games. I
believe Tony Pulis has done a great job so all my respect to him and the
team.
"We are prepared for [their style] and it is going to be that kind of game.
It is a different way of playing football and that is a good thing about
this game. You can play different styles and still get results and make your
supporters happy. For us it is a good test. We have been through the
situation a few times already and we'll see how we can cope with that."
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Stoke v West Ham
PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: Britannia Stadium Date: Saturday, 2 May Kick-off: 1500 BST
Coverage: Full commentary on BBC Radio Stoke DAB, BBC London 94.9FM & BBC
London online; Score updates on Final Score, BBC Sport website and BBC Radio
5 Live; live text commentary on BBC Sport website; Highlights on Match of
the Day
BBC.co.uk
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----
Striker James Beattie faces a late fitness test on his injured thigh and
could return for Stoke. Full-back Andy Wilkinson remains doubtful with a
back problem while Amdy Faye, Danny Higginbotham, Mamady Sidibe and Salif
Diao are all ruled out.
West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola has no fresh injury worries. Jack Collison
(knee) is back in full training and Carlton Cole (groin) is undergoing a
rehabilitation programme but neither will be ready.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----
Stoke (from): Sorensen, Wilkinson, Griffin, Shawcross, Abdoulaye Faye,
Davies, Dickinson, Lawrence, Delap, Whelan, Etherington, Fuller, Beattie,
Simonsen, Cresswell, Pugh, Kelly, Olofinjana, Tonge, Sonko, Camara, Cort.
West Ham (from): Green, Neill, Illunga, Upson, Tomkins, Dyer, Boa Morte,
Noble, Stanislas, Di Michele, Tristan, Lastuvka, Lopez, Savio, Kovac,
Spector, Sears, Payne, Hines.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----
Stoke City manager Tony Pulis told BBC Radio Stoke: "The results over the
weekend have been very kind to us. If we had won against Fulham, we would be
sitting pretty now. "We have a responsibility to do our best in the next
four games, but we want to get it sorted by the time we go to Arsenal on the
final day of the season. "We're sold out already, and the fans will
recognise how tough this game against West Ham will be."
West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola: "We are prepared for their style and it is
going to be that kind of game. "It is a different way of playing football
and that is a good thing about this game. You can play different styles and
still get results and make your supporters happy. "For us it is a good test.
We have been through the situation a few times already and we'll see how we
can cope with that."
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Zola looking forward to summer reshuffle
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 1st May 2009
By: Staff Writer
Gianfranco Zola had admitted that he will be looking to introduce a few new
faces to the club in the summer.
Zola joined the Hammers a week after the close of the 2008 summer transfer
window and reveals that he is looking forward to a potential summer
reshuffle - and also the possibilty of having funds at his disposal.
"The next stage is that we will try to improve the squad," he said. "We
started this year, it is just the beginning, but we have a lot of enthusiasm
and we trust what we are doing. It is a good team not only on the pitch, but
off the pitch. [But] we know that we need to improve the team so we are
going to try. Don't be surprised if there will be a few signings; hopefully
the players that come in will take us to an even higher level.
"My ambition is to be competing with the top four or five in a few years
time. This club has got good potential to be a top club and we are working
very hard to make it happen. In football things change very quickly but one
thing is for sure is that we are going to be working on how we can improve
this team every day.
And with regard to the new four-year deal he (and number two Steve Clarke)
signed with the Hammers last weekeed, he adds: "It will give me more time to
plan the things and to work better. I am delighted Steve has signed. He has
been a vital part of the work that is being done over here and to have him
on my side is good. My staff has been the secret really and in difficult
times they have always been on my side; it has been great teamwork."
Zola's senior signings
Herita Ilunga (loan with view to permanent deal, now confirmed): 35
appearances (35 starts); 3 yellow cards; 2 goals.
Walter Lopez (free transfer): 5 appearances (1 start, 4 as sub); 0 yellow
cards, 0 goals.
David Di Michele (loan with view to permanent deal): 30 appearances (22
starts, 8 as sub); 4 yellow cards, 4 goals.
Diego Tristan (free transfer): 13 appearances (5 starts, 8 as sub); 2 goals.
Savio Nsereko (£5m+bonuses): 11 appearances (1 start, 10 as sub); 2 yellow
cards, 0 goals.
Radoslav Kovac (loan with view to permanent £4m deal): 6 appearances (5
starts, 1 as sub); 1 yellow card; 0 goals.
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More injury woe for Zola
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 1st May 2009
By: Staff Writer
Gianfranco Zola is once again set to be without both Jack Collison and
Carlton Cole for this weekend's trip to Stoke.
Cole, who had pinpointed a return this weekend as recently as a fortnight
ago is still not considered fit enough to play this weekend despite having
returned to training following recovery from a groin injury. The story is
the same for youngster Collison, who has been out of action since the
beginning of March having fallen awkwardly at Wigan.
"We have more or less the same squad as last week, said Zola. "Jack is back
in training and is doing very well. I don't think he is going to be
available this week but it is nice to have him back.
"The squad should be the same squad as we had last week. For us it is a good
test. We have been through the situation a few times already and we'll see
how we can cope with that."
Meanwhile former Hammer Matthew Etherington, sold to Stoke in the winter
transfer window praised Zola for the impact he has made since succeeding
Alan Curbishley last September.
"He has shown he can be a top manager, he's done a brilliant job,
"Etherington told Radio Stoke. "When he first came in they weren't sure
whether they'd be in a relegation battle or end up where they are now, so
he's done really well.
"I don't think any West Ham fan would have expected what they've done this
season. They've got a nice balance there with Steve Clarke as coach. I've
got very fond memories of the place, but it's about me putting a performance
in, and getting the three points.
"It wasn't a case that I wasn't in his plans. I sat down with him, and it
was just time for me to move on, and I know I've made the right move. I
never fell out with the club, I like to think I repaid them and helped them
to get into the Premier League. I might get a few boos, and if I do, then so
be it."
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Zola sweating on Parker return
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 1st May 2009
By: Staff Writer
Gianfranco Zola admits that Scott Parker could be out of action for the rest
of the season.
Zola, talking ahead of tomorrow's trip to Stoke has been without the
services of the 28-year-old midfielder since the 1-1 draw at Blackburn on
21st March.
Having initially hoped to return within a fortnight Parker has seen his
groin problem exacerbated to the point where it could wreck the remainder of
his season.
"I don't know if he will play again this season to be honest," Zola said.
"He is working very hard on his fitness so that he can play again this
season but it is unsure whether he can.
"The problem is he has a chronic inflammation in the groin and this has
caused him problems, it is as simple as that.
"I have had the same problem he has now many years ago. It is tough because
one day you feel okay and the day after you feel bad. Then maybe in five or
six days it might be better. I am not worried and I am sure he will get over
this.
"I'm just a bit disappointed as he's one of our key players and obviously to
be missing him at this part of the season is no good for us."
Parker has made 32 appearnces for the Hammers this season, receiving eight
yellow cards and scoring just one goal (in the 2-1 defeat at Bolton).
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Spector praise for staff
American swallowed tongue in head clash
By Chris Quinn Last updated: 1st May 2009
SSN
Jonathan Spector has praised West Ham's medical staff after suffering a
serious injury against Sunderland. The American right-back went in for a
header with the Black Cats' Tal Ben-Haim and suffered an immediate
concussion in the incident. Spector has praised the Hammers' medical officer
Ges Steinbergs and physio George Cooper for reacting fast after he swallowed
his tongue. "I don't remember the incident itself," Spector told the club's
official website. "I went up for a header and there was a clash of heads
with one of the Sunderland players. "There was nothing in it, just two
players going for the ball and I came off worse than he did."
Spector revealed the staff's quick-thinking helped him get some oxygen back
into his lungs at a crucial time. "I suffered concussion before I hit the
ground and then landed awkwardly where I got a shoulder problem. "I also
swallowed my tongue as I bit it on impact. I wasn't getting any oxygen so I
started having a bit of a fit. "Ges and George did a really good job of
helping me get some oxygen back in my lungs. "They were not able to pull my
tongue out as I had clenched my jaw, so they ended up putting a tube through
my nose and down my throat to help me get the oxygen that way. "I was
fortunate it happened here where we have good and qualified medical staff.
"I spent a night in hospital for observation. Once I started getting the
oxygen everything was fine. Once I came to, I tried to rip everything off me
but I wasn't aware of my surroundings and I don't remember it."
Spector also reserved praise for team-mate Matthew Upson, after the
centre-half helped to calm him down as he began to panic. "It was actually
Matt who came over and talked to me and calmed me down a bit. "My first
memory is of being in the ambulance with Ges. They explained what happened
and from then on I was okay. "My folks saw it on television and were
concerned but Ges spoke to them while I was in hospital and explained
everything."
The former Manchester United youngster has admitted his frustration at the
injury as he was just getting back into the team after a hip injury ruled
him out of the first six months of the campaign. "It's been a difficult
season what with getting injured at the end of last season and missing the
first half of this season with a hip problem. "I was fit and getting a run
of games in the side and then this happens. "It's just a minor setback
though."
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Stoke v West Ham preview
Beattie vying to return; no new concerns for Zola
By Rob Carragher Last updated: 1st May 2009
SSN
PREDICTIONS:
Skysports.com prediction: Stoke 1 West Ham 1
Sky Bet odds: Stoke 5/4 Draw 12/5 West Ham 21/10
One to Watch: James Beattie
Stoke will have their sights set on passing the 40-point mark when they
welcome West Ham to the Britannia Stadium on Saturday. A win for the
Potters, combined with a loss for both Newcastle and Middlesbrough, will
ensure the club's Premier League status for next season. Meanwhile,
opponents West Ham will be desperate to get their Europa League ambitions
back on track after surrendering seventh place to Fulham last week. The
Hammers now trail their fellow Londoners by two points, but with Fulham
facing a tough game against Chelsea in the capital, Gianfranco Zola's side
will be keen to take advantage of any dropped points. However, they could
hardly wish for a more daunting trip than to the Potteries, with Stoke
currently unbeaten in seven home league games and boasting the seventh best
home record in the Premier League.
Stoke are hoping to welcome back striker James Beattie for the clash,
although the 31-year-old faces a late fitness test on the thigh injury that
kept him sidelined against Fulham last weekend. Defender Danny Pugh will
almost certainly play after recovering from the ankle scare that saw him
substituted late on in that game, but Andy Wilkinson remains a doubt with a
back problem. Winger Matthew Etherington is likely to retain his place in
the Potters side to face his former club where he spent six years until his
departure in January. Otherwise, long-term casualties Amdy Faye, Danny
Higginbotham, Mamady Sidibe and Salif Diao are all unavailable for
selection.
West Ham have the luxury of being able to choose from a similar squad to
that which lost out narrowly to Chelsea last weekend. Scott Parker is still
missing after boss Gianfranco Zola admitted that he was not sure if the
midfielder would feature again this season, however there are no new injury
worries. Jack Collison is back in training after suffering a dislocated
kneecap in March, but is not yet match-fit, while Kieron Dyer could keep his
place in the starting line-up after making his first start in nearly two
years against Chelsea.
Possible starting XIs:
Stoke: Sorensen, Kelly, Shawcross, Abdoulaye Faye, Pugh, Lawrence, Whelan,
Delap, Etherington, Fuller, Beattie.
West Ham: Green, Neill, Tomkins, Upson, Ilunga, Boa Morte, Noble, Stanislas,
Dyer, Tristan, Di Michele.
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