WHUFC.com
All the early team news and background for Sunday afternoon's derby trip
across London
30.04.2010
Fulham v West Ham United
Barclays Premier League
Craven Cottage
Sunday 2 May 2010
3pm
Referee: Andre Marriner
• West Ham United make the short journey to UEFA Europa League finalists
Fulham looking to make it three wins out of four games and continue the
strong end to the Barclays Premier League campaign. Fulham won through to
their first European final in front of the watching Gianfranco Zola on
Thursday.
• An away win - which would be the first since the opening day - would take
the Hammers to within six points of their hosts, who sit in 12th place and
can at best hope for a ninth-placed finish this campaign - equal to last
year's best-ever showing in the Barclays Premier League.
• West Ham United are looking to make it 13 Barclays Premier League matches
unbeaten against Fulham.
• The last time the Hammers lost to Fulham was a 3-0 home defeat in an FA
Cup fifth-round replay in February 2004.
• The Hammers have not lost at Craven Cottage in all competitions since a
League Cup tie in the 1974/75 season, the year West Ham beat Fulham 1-0 in
the FA Cup final - a run of nine matches unbeaten.
• After a turbulent season, Zola will be targeting a 14th-place finish at
best to go with the ninth place achieved in his first campaign.
• Zola's side crucially moved six points clear of the drop zone with last
weekend's 3-2 home win against Wigan Athletic, meaning Hull City can only
catch them with a huge goal difference swing of 23 in their favour -
provided they win two from two and the Hammers do not pick up another point.
• Fulham manager Roy Hodgson is being tipped to win the coach of the year
award. The 62-year-old began his coaching career in 1976 with Swedish side
Halmstads, eight years before Zola, 43, made his playing debut with USD
Nuorese Calcio in his native Sardinia.
• Fulham's last home league victory over West Ham was 44 years ago, a 4-2
victory at Craven Cottage just three months after a Bobby Moore-inspired
England won the FIFA World Cup in 1966.
• The last meeting at Craven Cottage was Zola's first away league game in
charge of the Hammers on 27 September 2009. Two goals from Carlton Cole and
Matthew Etherington just before half-time put the Hammers in the driving
seat before Danny Murphy made for a nervy finish with a second-half penalty.
Fulham: Schwarzer, Paintsil, Hughes, Hangeland, Konchesky, Gera, Murphy,
Bullard, Davies, Andrew Johnson (sent off 45), Zamora
Subs not used: Zuberbuhler, Seol, Nevland, Dempsey, Andreasen, Kallio, Baird
Goal: Murphy 59 pen
West Ham United: Green, Faubert, Neill, Upson, Ilunga, Behrami, Parker (Boa
Morte 89), Noble, Etherington (Mullins 80), Cole, Di Michele (Bellamy 74)
Subs not used: Lastuvka, Lopez, Davenport, Sears
Goals: Cole 43, Etherington 45
Last time out
Saturday 24 April 2010
Barclays Premier League
West Ham United 3-2 Wigan Athletic
West Ham United: Green, Upson, Spector, Da Costa, Parker, Kovac, Noble
(Daprela 89), Behrami, Faubert, Cole, Ilan (Franco 71)
Subs not used: Kurucz, Gabbidon, Diamanti, Stanislas, McCarthy
Goals: Ilan 31, Kovac 45, Parker 77
Thursday 29 April 2010
UEFA Europa League
Fulham 2-1 Hamburger SV
Fulham: Schwarzer, Konchesky, Hangeland, Paintsil (Nevland 75), Hughes,
Etuhu, Duff, Murphy, Gera, Davies, Zamora (Dempsey 58)
Subs not used: Zuberbuhler, Greening, Riise, Dikgacoi, Smalling
Goals: Davies 69, Gera 76
Last meeting
The teams last met on Sunday 4 October 2009, when a last-gasp equaliser from
Junior Stanislas earned the Hammers a 2-2 draw, having seen Carlton Cole put
them in front in the 16th minute.
West Ham: Green, Upson, Ilunga, Tomkins, Parker (Behrami 71), Noble,
Jimenez, Faubert, Cole, Diamanti, Hines (Stanislas 72)
Subs not used: Kurucz, Spector, Da Costa, Payne, Nouble
Goals: Cole 16, Stanislas 90
Fulham: Schwarzer, Konchesky, Hangeland, Paintsil, Hughes, Murphy, Gera,
Dempsey (Riise 84), Dikgacoi (sent off 41), Kamara (Eddie Johnson 82),
Andrew Johnson (Baird, 45 )
Subs not used: Zuberbuhler, Nevland, Greening,
Goals: Murphy 47 pen, Gera 57
Head to head (last six meetings, league unless stated)
4 October 2009 - West Ham United 2-2 Fulham
18 January 2009 - West Ham United 3-1 Fulham
27 September 2008 - Fulham 1-2 West Ham United
23 February 2008 - Fulham 0-1 West Ham United
12 January 2008 - West Ham United 2-1 Fulham
13 January 2007 - West Ham United 3-3 Fulham
Overall record v Fulham (all competitions) W 36, D 19, L 27
Next up
• West Ham United will welcome Manchester City on the final day of the
top-flight season next Sunday when Fulham travel to Arsenal. However,
Hodgson's men also have to play at home against Stoke City this coming
Wednesday. The 2009/10 UEFA Europa League final against Atletico Madrid will
take place in Hamburg on 12 May.
Referee
• Sunday's referee is Andre Marriner.
• He was the man in the middle for the Barclays Asia Trophy defeat by
Tottenham Hotspur in Beijing on 29 July.
• He also took charge of the 3-2 defeat by Liverpool on 19 September, the
2-2 draw with Sunderland on 31 October, when Radoslav Kovac and Kenwyne
Jones were both sent off, and the 3-1 defeat by Bolton Wanderers on Tuesday
15 December. He then refereed the Hammers in the 1-1 draw at Portsmouth on
26 January and the 1-0 home defeat by Stoke City on 26 March.
• In six Marriner-officiated matches this season, including that summer date
with Spurs, the Hammers have yet to win.
• He has taken charge of four Fulham matches this campaign. They include
home and away defeats by Chelsea, a 2-0 home win against Hull City and a
goalless draw away to Liverpool. That 0-0 at Anfield was the most recent,
coming on 11 April.
• Marriner began refereeing in 1992. The official joined the Select Group of
officials in 2005 and is now on the list of FIFA international referees.
West Ham United
• Alessandro Diamanti will be celebrating his 27th birthday on Sunday.
• Carlton Cole, with nine goals to date this campaign, has still never
scored two goals in a game for West Ham.
• Robert Green is on a run of 124 consecutive starts in the Barclays Premier
League.
• Alessandro Diamanti's eight goals in all competitions put him just one
behind top scorer Carlton Cole.
• In terms of attacking ambition, Diamanti leads the Hammers statistics in
terms of shots (81), shots on target (44), shots off target (37) and assists
(4).
• Valon Behrami has gone 38 fouls without a yellow card, the most in the
Barclays Premier League.
• West Ham have scored 44 goals this season in the league with 15 different
players on target. Carlton Cole leads the way (nine), with Alessandro
Diamanti (seven), Guille Franco and Ilan (four), Matthew Upson (three) next
in line. Jack Collison, Mark Noble, Junior Stanislas, Manuel da Costa,
Radoslav Kovac and Scott Parker have each scored twice. Finally, the
departed Luis Jimenez, Zavon Hines, Valon Behrami and Julien Faubert have
also registered. An own-goal from Everton's Tony Hibbert completes the
tally.
• No team has been awarded more penalties than West Ham in the top flight
this season, with nine awarded to the Hammers and seven converted.
Fulham
• No Fulham player has featured in every one of their 35 league games this
season, Mark Schwarzer has played in all but one.
• Former Hammers striker Bobby Zamora has scored eight times in the Barclays
Premier League this season to be the club's top scorer, and has another
eleven in cup competitions.
• Zamora also leads his team with assists (six) while Clint Dempsey actually
has had more shots than any other player in the team with 86.
• Fulham have only lost at home in the league to four teams this season -
Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa.
Team news
• Luis Boa Morte, after missing the whole season to date with an anterior
cruciate ligament injury suffered on 24 July, is back in contention for a
place in the midfield. Boa Morte has now got three reserve-team appearances
under his belt.
• James Tomkins is also fit again after a foot injury and will join Danny
Gabbidon in trying to get past Manuel da Costa and into the team alongside
Matt Upson.
• Ilan has shaken off the knock that forced his substitution against Wigan a
week ago. Benni McCarthy also played 45 minutes for the reserves in midweek.
• Herita Ilunga (tendon injury) and Kieron Dyer (hamstring) are both unable
to return to the squad. It remains to be seen if they will figure again this
season.
• Zavon Hines will not play again this season with a knee injury, while Jack
Collison will also not feature any more this campaign with his own knee
problem.
• Fulham could make a number of changes with Zamora unlikely to be risked
after feeling an achilles injury again in the midweek European tie that
forced him off. Clint Dempsey, Chris Baird, Nicky Shorey, Stefano Okaka and
Manchester United-bound Chris Smalling could all come into the starting
lineup.
• Andy Johnson, sent off in this fixture last year, is out with a knee
injury.
Old boys
• Luis Boa Morte made 250 appearances for Fulham in all competitions between
July 2000 and January 2007, scoring 54 goals. Boa Morte scored 18 goals as
the Cottagers secured promotion to the Premier League in 2000/01. He was
voted the club's player of the season in 2004/05.
• Three Fulham players could turn out against their former club this
afternoon. Striker Bobby Zamora scored 40 goals in 152 league and cup
appearances for West Ham United between February 2004 and July 2008.
Full-back John Pantsil played 24 matches for the Hammers between August 2006
and July 2008. Left-back Paul Konchesky made 70 appearances for West Ham
between July 2005 and July 2007, scoring one of only two goals for the club
in the 2006 FA Cup final.
• Bobby Moore MBE played for both West Ham United and Fulham during his
glittering career. Moore made 544 appearances for the Hammers before moving
to Craven Cottage for £25,000 in 1974. England's World Cup-winning captain
remained at Fulham for three years, making a further 124 appearances and
facing his former side in the 1975 FA Cup final, which West Ham won 2-0.
• Among the other players who have represented both sides are Jan Lastuvka,
Jimmy Bullard, Ian Pearce, Rufus Brevett, George Carter, Brian Dear, Tony
Gale, Ron Greenwood, Jon Harley, Fred Harrison, Jack Hebden and George
Horler.
General information
• For ticket information, click here. For details on getting to Craven
Cottage, click here
• Sunday's weather forecast is for heavy rain with temperatures around the
11C mark.
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Zola aims for big finish
WHUFC.com
Gianfranco Zola wants his players to finish the Barclays Premier League
season with two victories
30.04.2010
Gianfranco Zola is thinking only of going for two wins out of two starting
with a win at Fulham on Sunday in order to finish an eventful Barclays
Premier League season on a high.
The West Ham United manager was delighted to see safety all but secured with
last weekend's 3-2 defeat of Wigan Athletic but will not be celebrating just
yet. Similarly no discussions will take place about plans for next season
until after the 9 May home fixture with Manchester City. "Everybody is much
more relieved. I knew that we were going to stay up. I knew it would have
been difficult because of all the things going on. I was 100 per cent
convinced that this club would stay up. I never had a doubt about that.
"Despite everything, the players, the staff and the supporters have stayed
close and we thought very hard. We fought also against the difficulties that
were around us. So that is the very good thing about it. That is really what
makes a big difference. "We have been through many things. Everybody was
expecting us to do more but, considering all the situations, at the end of
the day when I look at my players I will say 'Well done'. It wasn't easy.
There were a lot of things not working very well. Despite that we stuck
together and we fought all together." "One thing is to be relaxed. Another
thing is to be sloppy. We are more relaxed because we can play and we can
train. Now we are training with a little more freedom but still working
hard. "We have 34 points and we have the possibility to pass other teams
that are in front of us and teams that they have been saying have done such
a good job. When they speak a bout West Ham they say it has been a terrible
year."There are teams a point in front of us and they say it has been a
terrific year. We will see. Maybe if we pass them they will be talking
differently."
He also found time to praise his opposite number on Sunday, with Roy Hodgson
having just steered Fulham to the UEFA Europa League final next month. Zola
was at Craven Cottage on Thursday night to see them win through with a 2-1
defeat of Hamburger SV. "He has done a brilliant job. I watched them and
they were really good considering the team he has got. Roy has done very
well. I was really impressed. Personally I voted for him to be manager of
the year. "I am not an envious person. I appreciate and I admire what he has
done because he has achieved a big result with his team. I just respect what
he has done and I will tell him Sunday when I see him. "Fulham have been
working hard, they have a good manager. They have had a very good
atmosphere. All of these things create a perfect recipe to have success."
Fulham may well rest players after their midweek exertions, while Zola could
have the fit-again James Tomkins and Luis Boa Morte back in contention. He
agreed with the view that it may not be a bid time to be making the short
journey from east to west London. "It is maybe a good time to play them.
"They have just won a very important game and hopefully on Sunday they will
rest players. At the same time we will be playing with a little more
freedom. We are not tense like we were before so it is a perfect time to
play this game. "You can put this season in different ways. We have been
struggling as much as the teams below us. We have been lucky and we have
been good to fight against the end and never give up. "Before we played
Everton, not many people had the opinion that we could have done what we
have done. It is a matter of opinion. Considering all that has been going
on, this team has done to still be Premier League."
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MK date for Hammers
WHUFC.com
West Ham United will travel to MK Dons for a pre-season friendly on
Wednesday 28 July
30.04.2010
West Ham United are happy to announce the first of their pre-season
friendlies ahead of the 2010/11 season. With Barclays Premier League status
all but assured barring a mathematical miracle, the club is already making
plans for the new campaign. With that in mind, the Hammers will make the
short trip up the M1 to take on League One outfit MK Dons on Wednesday 28
July, with kick-off at 7.30pm. The Dons are currently managed by former West
Ham midfielder Paul Ince, but the Academy graduate has already announced
that he will be leaving stadium:mk at the end of the season. This summer's
meeting will constitute the club's second trip to the Buckinghamshire new
town, having gone down to a 3-2 defeat in July 2007. The match saw Freddie
Ljungberg make his debut for the Hammers, while Hogan Ephraim and Matthew
Upson scored the visitors' goals.
Tickets for the 28 July fixture will be priced at £10 for adults, £6 for
OAPS and disabled supporters (with the career admitted free of charge), £1
for Under-16s, with Under-7s being admitted for free. The club will announce
a number of other pre-season fixtures over the next few weeks. Keep a close
eye on whufc.com for updates.
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Junior hoping for Fulham call
WHUFC.com
Junior Stanislas is itching to be involved in Sunday's Barclays Premier
League fixture at Fulham
30.04.2010
Junior Stanislas is hoping to be given the chance to turn in a second
match-winning performance against Fulham in the space of five days. The
England Under-21 midfielder was in scintillating form in Tuesday's 3-2
Barclays Premier Reserve League over the Cottagers at the Boleyn Ground,
scoring one fine goal and coming close to scoring at least two more. That
performance was witnessed by manager Gianfranco Zola and first-team coach
Steve Clarke, and Stanislas is hopeful his display will earn him a start in
Sunday's Barclays Premier League date with the UEFA Europa League finalists
at Craven Cottage. The 20-year-old also insisted that he and his team-mates
are determined to finish a largely disappointing campaign on a high note by
securing what would be just the second away win of 2009/10. "I'm hoping to
play, but obviously you have to be performing on a daily basis in training.
Reserve games, it obviously helps if you can play well, so hopefully I'll
get a chance. "It's obviously been lively at Chadwell Heath, but even if
we'd lost on Saturday, as it was when we've lost previously, we've been down
on the day but always been normal and tried to improve immediately. It's
been upbeat this week, but we've never let our heads drop. "We know we're a
lot better than being just outside the relegation zone. We should be in the
top half of the table. Hopefully, next year will be a lot better. "I don't
think you ever switch off and go out on your summer break and forget about
everything. You're always trying to better yourself and the team, so
hopefully next year we'll be better."
One player who has stood tall throughout the season is England midfielder
Scott Parker, and Stanislas was quick to praise the massive influence of the
Hammers No8. "The man is an unbelievable player. He's obviously got bags of
ability, his energy, his drive and his determination get the other lads
really on it. He's good to have around. "You definitely need to up your game
[when you're on the pitch with him] because he's a massive character, a
massive player and a massive part of the team. If you see him diving around
making challenges and working hard, then you want to do the same as well.
"He just does that naturally and expects everyone else to do the same - it's
just normal."
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Parker the April ace
WHUFC.com
Guess who? Scott Parker was the star man according to whufc.com users in the
past four weeks
30.04.2010
Scott Parker has once again taken the accolade for SBOBET Player of the
Month - despite playing just twice in April. The midfield maestro was
impressive away to Everton at the start of the month, when the Hammers
battled back to earn a 2-2 draw. He was then even better when at the heart
of the team in the 3-2 win against Wigan Athletic last Saturday. He was
suspended for the matches against Liverpool and Sunderland. Parker has now
won the coveted prize, voted by whufc.com users, on four separate occasions
this season - with the three previous occasions being November, December and
March. The other winners this season have been Julien Faubert, Zavon Hines,
Carlton Cole, James Tomkins and Alessandro Diamanti.
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West Ham boss Zola 'surprised' by Dorrans bid
BBC.co.uk
West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola has revealed he was not told the club had
made a bid for West Bromwich Albion midfielder Graham Dorrans. The Hammers
had a £4m offer for Dorrans rejected on Tuesday and co-owner David Gold said
they may try a second bid. But Zola, whose future at Upton Park appears
uncertain, admitted: "Dorrans is a good player but I didn't know the club
was interested in him. "I just found out in the newspaper and it was quite a
surprise."
Zola added: "I don't know what I would have done if he had been signed. It
is not a nice situation. "And if I was Mark Noble or Robert Green or Valon
Behrami I wouldn't be very pleased to hear that (I had been put up for
sale). I didn't know. "I have been surprised so many times this year - so I
am not surprised that I am surprised."
However, Gold insisted Zola was involved in the decision to make a move for
the Scotland midfielder. "Everyone was involved in the decision making.
Nobody is precluded from it," said the 73-year-old. "A second bid is
possible. He is one of the players we are looking at. "We'll have to wait
and see what happens on that. The player is a favourite of mine. "He is a
young British player who we like but having said that, sometimes deals don't
work out and you have to move on."
West Ham are planning a summer of rebuilding with Gold promising to "push
the boat out" on "quality" players. Co-owner David Sullivan said on Tuesday
that West Ham would consider offers for all their players apart from captain
Scott Parker - something Zola also claimed he was not made aware of. "If I
was Mark Noble or Rob Green or Valon Behrami I wouldn't be very pleased to
listen to that," said the Italian. "I didn't know that it was something like
this but it's ok. We have been through so many things we are going to get
through this as well."
Gold said on Thursday Sullivan's comments had been misinterpreted and
assured worried fans he wanted the Hammers' best players to stay at the
club. After struggling to avoid relegation this season Zola's position at
West Ham has been questioned. The Hammers effectively secured their Premier
League safety on Saturday with a 3-2 victory over Wigan but several
managers, including Martin Jol, Steve McClaren and Mark Hughes, have been
linked with Zola's job.
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Fulham v West Ham
BBC.co.uk
Barclays Premier League
Venue: Craven Cottage Date: Sunday, 2 May 2010 Kick-off: 1500 BST
Coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio 5 live, local radio & highlights on
Match of the Day 2
TEAM NEWS
Fulham are unlikely to risk top scorer Bobby Zamora after he required a
pain-killing injury to play against Hamburg. Roy Hodgson will again rotate
his squad with Clint Dempsey, Chris Baird, Nicky Shorey and Stefano Okaka
all expected to start for the west London side.
West Ham could be boosted by the return of James Tomkins and Fulham old boy
Luis Boa Morte after long spells out. The Hammers are still without several
players, with Kieron Dyer among those who will miss the rest of the season.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Fulham
Doubtful: Zamora (Achilles)
Injured: A Johnson (knee)
West Ham
Doubtful: Boa Morte (fitness)
Injured: Collison & Hines (both knee), Dyer (hamstring), Ilunga (calf)
MATCH PREVIEW
Thirty five years ago almost to the day these two London clubs were doing
battle in the FA Cup final. Now it's a first European final that has Fulham
fans licking their lips after a sensational 14-match run in the inaugural
Europa League.
It's been a wonderful journey that I'm really proud of. The team have
produced better football than we're entitled to ask of them
Fulham manager Roy Hodgson
Having disposed of Hamburg at the semi-final stage, Fulham return to the
German city on 12 May for a showdown against Atletico Madrid, conquerors of
Liverpool. Roy Hodgson's side were the first English side to enter European
competition this season, and 10 months on they are now the country's last
hope of European glory.
Officially, visitors West Ham still require a point to be mathematically
certain of a place in next season's Premier League, something Gianfranco
Zola will be keen for his players to achieve against a weakened Fulham side.
All somewhat ironic considering the Hammers officially complained to the
Premier League over Fulham's team selection for their trip to Hull in March.
West Ham co-owner David Gold said at the time that Fulham had put out "their
ladies team", comments he now admits were uttered in "haste and passion".
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
• West Ham are unbeaten in 12 Premier League matches against Fulham, and are
yet to lose at Craven Cottage since the west London side returned to the top
flight in 2001.
• Fulham's last home league victory over West Ham was 44 years ago, a 4-2
victory at Craven Cottage just three months after England won the World Cup
in 1966.
• West Ham needed a last-minute Junior Stanislas equaliser earlier this
season at Upton Park to rescue a point in a 2-2 draw. Carlton Cole had
initially fired them ahead.
• Roy Hodgson's men have won just one of their last eight league matches.
• Fulham have scored just 10 goals in their last 15 league games. They have
failed to score in nine of those games.
• Only Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa have left Craven
Cottage with all three points so far this season.
• Fulham have gone 11 London derbies without victory, since a 2-1 win at
home to Tottenham in November 2008.
West Ham
• The Hammers are without an away win since the opening day of the season,
when they were 2-1 winners at Wolves.
• It's two wins in their last three matches for West Ham but on their
travels it's a different story, losing four of their last five games.
• Gianfranco Zola's side have conceded 62 goals this campaign, the most they
have let in during a Premier League season.
LEADING GOALSCORERS
Fulham
Zamora: 19 goals (8 league); Duff: 9 goals (6 league)
West Ham
Cole: 9 goals (9 league); Diamanti: 8 goals (7 league)
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Andre Marriner
Assistant referees: Ceri Richards & Adam Watts
Fourth official: Lee Probert
LAST LEAGUE MATCH LINE-UPS
Fulham (L1-2 v Everton, a): Schwarzer, Pantsil, Smalling, Baird, Shorey,
Dempsey, Dikgacoi, Greening, Riise, Okaka (Stoor 89), Nevland (Elm 78). Subs
Not Used: Zuberbuhler, Kelly, Teymourian, Briggs, Buchtmann.
West Ham (W3-2 v Wigan, h): Green, Faubert, da Costa, Upson, Spector,
Behrami, Parker, Kovac, Noble (Daprela 90), Ilan (Franco 71), Cole. Subs Not
Used: Kurucz, Gabbidon, McCarthy, Diamanti, Stanislas.
MOST RECENT MEETING
West Ham 2-2 Fulham (4 October 2009)
Fulham scorers: Murphy pen 47, Gera 57
West Ham scorers: Cole 16, Stanislas 90+2
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The KUMB.com Q&A: Tony Carr
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 30th April 2010
By: Staff Writer
Earlier this week KUMB.com sat down with the man dubbed 'Mr West Ham' for a
chat ahead of next week's testimonial match.
Tony Carr has been on the books at West Ham United since signing an
apprenticeship in the late 1960s as a player, although it is for his
considerable work behind the scenes that he is better known.
Since being appointed as part-time youth coach in 1973, Carr has mentored
scores of young players who went on to enjoy careers as professional
footballers - and none more notable than those who will lead England's bid
for the World Cup in South Africa this summer.
Of Fabio Capello's preferred line-up, Carr's products include Glen Johnson,
John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, Michael Carrick, Frank Lampard, Jermain Defoe
(and possibly Joe Cole) - a staggering array of talent that is worth around
£175million in today's transfer market.
As for his contribution to West Ham, the sale of Carr products - Joe Cole
and Glen Johnson - to Chelsea in 2003 is credited as the reason the club
were able to avoid administration during that difficult summer. Three years
earlier Rio Ferdinand and Frank Lampard raised a record-breaking £31million
when sold to Leeds and Chelsea respectively within the space of six months.
Meanwhile Carr continues to provide fresh blood to the first team; Zavon
Hines, Jack Collison, Fabio Daprela, Jordan Spence, Bondz N'Gala, James
Tomkins, Josh Payne, Junior Stanislas, Freddie Sears and Frank Nouble have
all tasted first team experience this season alone.
In our exclusive interview, part one of which you can read here, Tony talks
about:
* How his playing career was destroyed by a broken leg
* How he was offered a lifeline by John Lyall
* Working under nine of West Ham's twelve managers - and his favourites
* Harry Redknapp's influence on the youth recruitment programme
* The Billy Bonds/Harry Redknapp fall-out
* John Lyall's departure
* Lou Macari's arrival - and swift departure
* Applying to become first team manager - and being turned down
* Turning down job offers from elsewhere
* His eventual retirement
* His favourite players - and those he most regrets releasing
* Why he's anti-season long loans
* Life under the new owners
On Wednesday, 5th May, Carr's considerable contribution is being recognised
with a testimonial, sponsored by Ricoh Altodigital, at which many of those
players whose careers started with him at Chadwell Heath, home of the
world-famous Academy, will feature.
In addition to players such as Frank Lampard, Rio Ferdinand and Joe Cole
other luminary figures in West Ham's history - such as Paolo Di Canio, who
is set to make his much anticipated return in claret and blue - will appear
(those unable to play for various reasons are set to be presented to the
crowd at half time).
Tickets for the game are available by visiting the West Ham United online
box office or by calling the Boleyn Ground ticket office on 0871 222 2700.
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Tony Carr: Part One
Filed: Friday, 30th April 2010
By: Staff Writer
KUMB.com
Tony Carr is having a hectic day at Chadwell Heath, the home of the
world-famous West Ham United Academy.
With less than a week to go before his much-deserved - and much delayed -
testimonial at the Boleyn Ground the club's Youth Academy Director is busy
organising interviews (like this one), TV slots and undergoing various other
tasks like arranging insurance for those players due to feature on Wednesday
night. No mean feat when you're expecting players worth in the hundreds of
millions to appear.
Despite all this, the man dubbed 'Mr. West Ham' still managed to squeeze
KUMB.com in for what proved to me one of the most open, revealing and
complete interviews that Tony has ever given. The interview, split into
three parts will be published over the course of the next few days; firing
the questions on behalf of KUMB.com and its readers were Gordon Thrower and
Graeme Howlett.
KUMB.com: Tony - who were your idols as a boy?
Tony Carr: When I first started supporting West Ham - because that was
always my team - my family lived on a big council estate where everybody was
West Ham. Well, a couple of Arsenal but mostly West Ham. The first team I
can ever remember supporting was like John Dick, Mike Bryce, Muzzy (Malcolm
Musgrove] that era...
KUMB: So we're talking late 50s?
TC: Yeah, when I was a youngster. On a Saturday you used to get the old
football paper and my granddad was one of the sellers outside the ground, he
used to sell the football papers. So on a Saturday night, he always used to
bring the football paper home. I didn't go to games when I was very young
but when I started going they were the players when I was there.
KUMB: Who did you go with back then?
TC: I used to go with my brother; my dad followed football but never used to
go to the games. So I used to go with friends and when I was 11-years-old I
started to go regularly myself; this was around the start of the 1960s. Then
there was young Bobby [Moore] coming through, I can remember him making his
debut, I believe - Wolves I think? Your usual idols, Johnny Dick, David
Dunmore, Mike Grice - they were the first team I knew.
KUMB: So when did you start playing yourself?
TC: Well we always played together as kids in the street and in our
playground - we used to have a little playground on our estate where we
played football, or we used to go over Viccy [Victoria] Park on a Sunday and
play, just put coats down and have a little match - get a dozen kids and go
and have a match. You taught yourself the game really.
There was a little green where we always used to play football and the old
caretaker always used to kick us off, so we used to wait for him to go
around the corner and then go back on the green again! Typical kids. But
that's how I learnt the game really, I didn't start playing in a team until
I went to secondary school which was St Paul's Way school in Bow. Then I
started playing for Senrab, I got picked up by them.
KUMB: This must have been when they just started?
TC: Yeah, they'd just started. Then West Ham asked me to go training, I was
13. I'd also started playing for East London schools under 14s and they said
'come down training'. I played up front and scored a few goals for East
London and got invited to Tuesday and Thursday evening training over at
Upton Park in the winter and over here [Chadwell Heath] in the summer for a
couple of months.
KUMB: Who was running the kids then, Tony?
TC: Well the guy who was doing it part time in the evenings was John Lyall,
I think he was part-time then but he'd already started. I don't remember
anyone else; Bill Landsdown did the seniors but I don't seem to remember too
many others. Jimmy Barrett used to do a little bit as well.
KUMB: So this was pretty much right after John had given up playing?
TC: Yeah, just after - that was 63/64 when he hurt his knee; I remember the
date because of the FA Cup win. I started training around the same time and
used to do a little bit of coaching so it was obviously just after he packed
up playing. I didn't realise that at the time, I didn't know the history.
KUMB: So this is when the bond between you and John formed?
TC: Yeah, John had known me from a schoolboy. Then I had a very good year in
my last year at school, we won the English schools trophy for East London
and West Ham wanted to sign me as an apprentice. Obviously it was a
no-brainer, so I signed.
KUMB: Can you remember what they were paying you at the time?
TC: Yeah, it was £6 a week. I can remember being a little bit disappointed
because I thought 'footballers earn more than that a week, don't they?' -
forgetting that I'd got to do an apprenticeship first! So that's how it
started, I had my time there, signed professional in 68/69 and then had a
couple of years playing in the youth team and reserves and then not really
being able to get any better. Looking back now I probably wasn't good enough
to go much further.
KUMB: You've been quite honest about that in the past, in previous
interviews you've said that you weren't quite up to standard?
TC: No, I didn't think I was. There was Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters and
you thought... And then they brought Clyde Best in and Clyde went more or
less straight into the team. And I thought 'well, I'm not going to get in,
I'm not ever going to get a chance'.
KUMB: Do you think it was a genuine case of you weren't actually good enough
- or was it a case of you might be good enough but didn't think you were in
that company?
TC: Yeah, I think it might have been a little bit of that. And when you're
that age - certainly myself, not sure of yourself, not with the brash
confidence you might need to push your way into the team, I didn't really
have that at that time. So I went to Barnet and played for Barnet for a year
and then got a job coaching in the schools. The beauty of that was while we
were here [West Ham] as apprentices Ron Greenwood encouraged us to do our
coaching badges which I did. I quite enjoyed it and I took to it, I felt
quite comfortable in that role.
I used to do a little bit in the schools in the afternoon so when I got a
free transfer I got a couple of offers from abroad - one from South Africa,
one from Australia - I had a chance to go to the North East with Hartlepool
but again, being a bit of a homely kid I didn't have the confidence to go up
there - especially in those days when you didn't have the transport links
you have today, you didn't travel the country to that great length whereas
now you travel the world. So I chose to go part time with Barnet which
looking back, was the wrong thing I did.
They'd just sold a centre forward called Billy Meadows, he'd played for
Hereford against Mooro and roughed Mooro up. He was like rough and tumble,
all action, smash people around - and I wasn't physically built for that, I
was quite quick, I liked the ball in behind. I was more a
runner-off-the-ball really. I didn't really settle there and it didn't work
out well for me.
KUMB: How did that come about? Did you know someone at Barnet?
TC: No, not really - it was just the fact that there weren't a great many
offers coming in and Barnet came in and said 'we've seen you playing in the
reserves and we need a centre forward, we've lost Billy Meadows and we think
you could fill the role'. They made me feel wanted and I thought 'well I've
got nothing to lose, let's go for it'. I then got a job working in schools,
coaching football.
Barnet gave me part time what I was earning at West Ham anyway - when I left
West Ham I was earning £14 a week and they gave me £14 a week plus £5
appearance money if I was in the first team. Then I got the job in the
schools so I was earning twice the amount of money I would have done if I'd
stayed at West Ham. I can remember coming back and talking to some of the
lads, they asked how much I was earning and they said 'you're earning more
than us!' - and they're still playing for West Ham! Barnet was part time and
the schools full time.
Anyway, it didn't work out very well and I spent the summer again trying to
get a club. I went for trials at a couple of clubs that didn't work out,
then a mate of mine who ran Leyton said to me 'do you fancy a game for us?'
so I had a couple of games for him - and I broke my leg. That was the last
thing [I needed] - I was non-contract so had no fallback, no insurance or
anything. I still had the job in the schools fortunately so I had an income,
but I didn't know what to do.
The leg took a long time to heal, it was a quite straightforward broken
tibia but it just wouldn't knit. They kept putting it back in plaster and it
took the best part of all the next season [to heal] really, so I was without
a club. Then I got a phone call out of the blue from John Lyall and he said
'I've heard you've been injured and you're struggling, we've got a vacancy
for a part time coach as Johnny Dick's just left', who was a legend at West
Ham.
The part time position was with the schoolboys that came in on Tuesday and
Thursday evenings. He said 'the role's Tuesday and Thursday nights and take
a team on Saturday. The only proviso is that we're going to run a team on
Sunday under the guise of Poplar Boys Club because we've got two young
players that we really fancy and we want them to play in a team'. He said
'that's Alan Curbishley and Paul Brush. Could you run that team as well?'
So I said 'yeah, I'll do that'. He said 'if you don't take to it or want to
go back into the game at least you'll get fit and we'll try and help you'.
Well that was in 1973, and I've been here ever since.
KUMB: You were only 23 at the time...
TC: I started young, but fortunately I'd done all my coaching badges and was
an A Licensed coach, or Full Badge as they called it. I was one of the
youngest guys to get it at that point. So that set me in good stead and I
had a season or two here and thought 'I like this', I really enjoyed it - so
I just stuck with it. I missed playing but I kept saying to myself 'Tony,
you'd never have been good enough to play at the top so try and make a
career out of this'. I had one voice saying 'you should be playing' and
another voice saying 'well look, you've got a gift for coaching - do it.
That's a career.'
KUMB: It must have been tough because you had talent, whether you say you
were good enough or not?
TC: Well lots of kids fall by the wayside, we know only the best 2-5% go all
the way and make a good career out of it so I've got no complaints, it was a
fantastic experience at a golden era for the club. Training out here with
the likes of Bobby Moore and Geoff Hurst and sort of saying that you knew
them is something quite magical, I must admit. I feel quite proud to be able
to say it today that I was in their company.
To be fair, in the long term it's worked out ok for me. I've had a career 37
years long in the professional game working for a club I love and as you
know as diehard West Ham fans we've definitely had our ups and downs, it's
not been an easy ride has it! Least of all this season.
KUMB: Is it nine managers you've worked under from Ron downwards?
TC: We've had 12 in our existence and I think I've worked for nine of them,
which is quite unique really!
KUMB: At what point did you start to get involved with the administration,
the selection of players? Presumably you came in just coaching.
TC: Yes, obviously I wasn't in charge at that point and the system we had
when I was first here [differed]. Wally St Pier was still here because he
didn't have his testimonial until 1975 after the Fulham FA Cup win. The
system was quite antiquated at that time. Ronnie wasn't involved in players
coming in, Wally St Pier and Wilf Chitty, they did that. To be fair we were
getting trumped a little bit by a lot of the bigger clubs because they'd
developed their system. They were becoming a bit more organised than we
were, and I have to say that, at this point.
Wally? He couldn't drive a car, went everywhere on the bus or train, he
would rely on people giving him a lift - so how's he going to get to
matches? 'You've got to get over to so and so' ... 'How am I going to get
there mate?' - that was his favourite! So Wally retired and I think the
club... I was only part time; I was coming in, doing my bit then going home.
Then Eddie Bailey came in as Chief Representative - that was his official
title as it was Wally St Pier's title - Chief Representative. But that meant
he was scouting for the first team, senior players and youth.
When I got the job full time in 1980 after Wally had been retired a few
years and Eddie had been in charge I had a good first year and we won the FA
Youth Cup. You know, when Paul Allen won an FA Cup medal before winning an
FA Youth Cup medal which is quite unique and I don't think has ever happened
since! So I started to have more of a voice, because I was here every day
and I was full time I could start to have an opinion and give an opinion.
I said to John [Lyall] one day 'I think we need a scout purely for youth
because Eddie's working for you, he's working for us and there's a
compromise there. The game's developing and we need to get our scouts out in
the field and be more aggressive'. Well Eddie and John took a little bit of
umbrage to that, that I'd spoken out, so Eddie said, 'right, we better have
a meeting' in Eddie's poshest Cockney! So we sat in the meeting in John's
old office in the pavilion, there [points to the main building]. 'What's
this Youth Development Officer business then?'
So I said, 'well Eddie, you're doing too much. You're scouting for John,
trying to find players for John then you're trying to filter players into
the system at 13, 14'. I said, 'your brief's too wide, I think we need to be
more specific. You do the seniors and we'll bring someone in who does the
youth. Someone responsible for developing and scouting, a system finding the
best kids'. So I won the day and we brought in a guy that used to work for
the gas board, a guy named Len Hurford who had been a part time scout for
us. We worked with Len for two or three years but Len didn't enjoy it, he
had a lot of ideas and wasn't getting a lot of support from above.
Then they changed the Tuesday and Thursday nights and called it the Centre
of Excellence as you could open an FA Centre of Excellence if you had
certain criteria, certain coaches. You didn't get any funding, but what they
were trying to do is raise standards throughout the game. That's when they
gave me the title of Director of the Centre of Excellence, as everyone had
to have one. So I then started getting all hands on and to develop the role.
After Len Hurford we had a little interim period where we were not doing
particularly well, a barren time. That was in the mid 80s, after Incey and
[Stuart] Slater. There were probably four or five years when the youth
system recruitment side wasn't very good, we were still being dragged into
the modern era. So we appointed Jimmy Hampson. Harry [Redknapp] had come in
and said, 'your youth system is a shambles, you haven't produced anyone for
five years and you should do, because there's players out there and it's
just because you haven't got people out there doing the job'.
So Jimmy came in with a brief: be more aggressive, get scouts in, get out
amongst the local kids and let's get our fair share. Myself and Jimmy have
been working together ever since and I think we've made a decent job of it
since that point. We're still working basically to the same format.
KUMB: So you would credit Harry for that?
TC: I think we were aware of it but Harry helped to kick the decision makers
to say 'come on, we've got to improve our budget, we need someone full
time'. Not give him 15 grand a year, a couple of tickets and he's alright or
whatever the going rate was at the time. You've got to give them a decent
wage, a decent budget and let them go and get some scouts - and I think
Harry pushed that. Because Harry said it - and said it quite publically -
the Board went, 'oh well, go ahead and do it then', as they'd got dragged
into it.
So Harry was the catalyst behind it I think, but we were aware of it. The
wheels were in motion but obviously I wasn't a decision maker and I could
only say my little bit. I think the single factor in our favour was that we
got more aggressive, we weren't afraid to upset people. In the past with
Wally St Pier and Ron Greenwood you did it properly, nice and polite and if
they're in there first you just walk away...
KUMB: Which brings to mind the Bobby Ferguson/Gordon Banks story...
TC: Exactly. Ron wouldn't want to upset anybody. So we said don't worry
about upsetting anybody, they've been upsetting us for years! You know; as
long as you're not running old ladies over, don't worry about it! So we
started to get a little bit more aggressive in that department - and we
started to get our fair share of players.
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Zola fires back as war of words esculates
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 30th April 2010
By: Staff Writer
West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola has reacted with bemusement to the club's
apparent bid for West Bromwich Albion midfielder Graham Dorrans, claiming
that he had no idea an offer was set to be made.
It was revealed earlier this week that a £4million bid for the Scottish
midfielder has been rejected by Albion, who recently confirmed their return
to the Premier League. However Zola - who both David Gold and David Sullivan
have suggested this week is considering resigning from his post - confirmed
today that he had not been involved in the procedure.
When asked if he had been consulted about the bid for Dorrans, Zola said:
"No, I just found out in the newspaper, which was quite a surprise. I know
he's a good player, I know he's had a very good season but i didn't know the
club was interested in him. The point is that I didn't know anything about
it. He's a good player but I'm not prepared to say whether he's in my
interests for the next year."
Last weekend, following the win over Wigan which all but assured West Ham of
their Premier League status next season joint Chairman David Gold hinted
that all may not be well with Zola himself, telling Sky Sports that "Franco
might be telling us it's time for a change". On Wednesday fellow joint
chairman David Sullivan told the Daily Telegraph "he did indicate he might
resign at the end of the season" and that "In interviews he has not
committed his future to the club beyond the end of the season".
But Zola has refused to be drawn on the issue, preferring instead to keep
his own counsel. When asked today whether he was set to leave the club at
the end of the season, the Italian replied: "I said that I would talk about
my future at the end of the season and the season is not over yet. I'm not
prepared to talk about my future until then."
But he was rather more forthcoming when replying to Sullivan's recent
comment regarding putting the entire squad bar Scott Parker up for sale.
"Well if I was Mark Noble, if I was Robert Green or Valon Behrami, I
wouldn't be very pleased to listen to that," he said. "So what can I make of
that? It's not pleasant, you don't want to hear that - but that's the way it
goes."
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Zola in dark over Dorrans bid
Hammers boss claims he knew nothing about player sales either
By Ben Collins Last updated: 30th April 2010
SSN
West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola has claimed he knew nothing about the
club's transfer dealings until reading about it in the newspapers. Zola will
not confirm his plans for the summer until the end of the season and is set
for talks with joint-owners David Gold and David Sullivan to clarify his
position after what appears to be their latest attempt to undermine him. The
Italian boss was stunned to learn that the Hammers had lodged a £4million
bid for the West Brom and Scotland midfielder Graham Dorrans. And Zola, who
was appointed by the previous owners in September 2008, was equally
surprised when Sullivan revealed that every member of the squad had been put
up for sale apart from star midfielder Scott Parker, who is set to be named
the club's player of the year for the second straight season. "I just found
out in the newspapers. It was quite a surprise," said Zola. "I know he
(Dorrans) is a good player and had a very good season but I didn't know the
club was interested in him. "He is a good player but I am not prepared to
say at the moment whether he would be in my interests for next year. "If I
was Mark Noble or Robert Green or Valon Behrami, I wouldn't be very pleased
to hear that (I had been put up for sale). I didn't know. "It is not
pleasant. You don't like it but this is the way it goes. "I have been
surprised so many times this year - so I am not surprised that I am
surprised."
Gold and Sullivan took charge of the Hammers in January, saving them from
the prospect of entering administration, but their relationship with Zola
has not always been healthy.
Sullivan publicly accused the team of being "pathetic" and "shambolic"
following the 3-1 defeat by Wolves in March, while the club made an official
complaint about Fulham playing a much-changed side against Hull the
following weekend - something Zola did not agree with and which Gold now
admits was wrong. The Italian tactician has since steered the Hammers to
the brink of Premier League survival and Gold has said he would like to see
Zola continue as manager, although they will have talks in the summer.
"At the end of the season, when I talk to them, they will let me know what
their regime will be," Zola added. "David Gold has always been supportive
and he has stayed close to us. It is good. He is always here before the
matches and that is something I appreciate. "Regarding my future, it is
something that will have to be discussed at the end of the season when I
will have a meeting with the owners."
Parker made it clear Zola has the backing of the players as they celebrated
his winner in Saturday's 3-2 victory against Wigan. "That togetherness was
one of the reasons I was always convinced we were going to stay up," said
Zola. "Despite everything, the players and managerial staff and supporters
stayed close and we have fought very hard. "The team has been through so
many difficult situations and achieved their task. We have fought against
the difficulties that were around us. "We know we didn't do brilliantly.
Everyone was expecting us to do more but when you consider the situation I
will look at my players and say 'Well done'. "It wasn't easy. There were a
lot of things that weren't working very well but we stuck together."
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Palermo link pleases Behrami
Midfielder happy to stay at West Ham despite interest from Italy
By Simone Bargellini Last updated: 30th April 2010
SSN
Valon Behrami's agent respects the fact that West Ham do not want to sell
the midfielder, but admits the interest of Palermo is flattering. The
Italian side, currently competing for fourth place in Serie A, were linked
with a move for the Switzerland international in January. They have since
admitted they are keen on Behrami and his representative Alessandro Beltrami
has met with Palermo sporting director Walter Sabatini. Beltrami insists the
discussions centred around a topic other than Behrami, because he is aware
that West Ham want to keep the player. The versatile 25-year-old has
established himself as a key figure at Upton Park and Beltrami maintains
that he is still happy with the London club. I came to see Walter for other
reasons," the agent told palermo24.net. "At this moment it is hard to talk
about Behrami. West Ham have said the player is unsellable and we take note.
"The player is fine and is linked to the fans, team-mates and coach Zola.
"The interest of Palermo for Behrami fills us with pride because Palermo is
an important club and there is a president who loves football. "But the
player is non-transferable and I understand West Ham because he is an
important player."
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Fulham v West Ham preview
Both sides go into derby clash on a high
Last updated: 30th April 2010
SSN
Fulham entertain West Ham in what should be a hotly-contested London derby
on Sunday. Both sides go into the tie on a high after the Cottagers reached
their first-ever European final with Thursday's 2-1 victory over Hamburg,
while Gianfranco Zola's side are now safe. The Hammers ensured their
survival in the top flight for another season after a 3-2 victory over Wigan
last time. Although third-from-bottom Hull City could end up on the same
number of points as Zola's side, the Hammers' vastly superior goal
difference will keep them up. The Italian boss will be demanding no let-up
against the Cottagers as he seeks to end the season on a high. It has been a
turbulent season for the Hammers both on and off the field and Zola will
want to try and win to build momentum for next term. The Cottagers, in stark
contrast, have enjoyed a settled season, which was capped when they reached
the Europa League final on Thursday. But Roy Hodgson's side have not won
domestically in three top-flight outings and the Fulham boss will be looking
to reverse this trend, with the 12th-placed Cottagers just one point behind
10th-placed Sunderland, having played a game less.
Team news
With their Europa League commitments, Hodgson recently rung the changes when
his side faced Everton and Hull and he could be tempted to do the same after
Thursday night's memorable victory. But with the final against Atletico
Madrid not until 12th May, Hodgson may keep faith with his heroes as he
seeks to finish as high up the Premier League table as possible with the
cash rewards that this brings. The Cottagers are set to be without leading
scorer Bobby Zamora after the striker passed a late fitness test on his
Achilles injury but then limped out of the victory over Hamburg. He was
replaced by Clint Dempsey in the 57th minute at Craven Cottage and the
American could start in his place on Sunday. The fit again John Pantsil
returned to the side at right-back in Thursday's memorable victory for the
suspended Chris Baird. Baird is available again and comes back into
contention, as do Stefano Okaka and Nicky Shorey, who were both ineligible
for selection on Thursday.
For the Hammers, influential midfielder Scott Parker returned in last
Saturday's 3-2 victory over Wigan following a two-match suspension and
netted the all-important winner which kept Zola's side up. With safety now
assured, Junior Stanislas is hoping to join him in midfield after a top
performance in the reserves' victory over Fulham on Tuesday when he scored
in the 3-2 win and almost added two more. Fellow midfielders Kieron Dyer
(hamstring) and Jack Collison (knee) and defenders Herita Ilunga (knee) and
James Tomkins (ankle) missed the Wigan clash.
Possible XIs
Fulham: Schwarzer, Pantsil, Hughes, Hangeland, Konchesky, Murphy, Davies,
Etuhu, Duff, Gera, Dempsey.
West Ham: Green, Faubert, Upson, Da Costa, Spector, Behrami, Parker, Noble,
Kovac, Cole, Ilan.
Skysports.com prediction: 2-2
One to Watch: Scott Parker
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Zola is close to exit Dorr
The Sun
By CHARLIE WYETT
Published: Today
GIANFRANCO ZOLA took another step towards the West Ham exit last night by
revealing his disbelief that the club's owners bid for a player without his
knowledge. Co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold had a £4million offer
turned down for West Brom star Graham Dorrans, with Zola admitting he only
learned about it in a newspaper. The Italian is under increasing pressure to
resign as he is clearly being undermined. And Zola is also angry that
Sullivan has put all of the club's players up for sale - apart from
midfielder Scott Parker. The Hammers gaffer, whose team face Fulham at
Craven Cottage tomorrow, insists he will decide whether to stay at the end
of the season. Asked about the Dorrans bid, he said: "It is not nice, is it?
"I just found out in the newspaper. It was quite surprising. I know he is a
good player and has played regularly this season. "But I did not know the
club was interested. The point is, I didn't know anything about it, whether
I am interested in him or not. "I've been surprised so many times so I'm not
surprised I'm surprised!"
As for Sullivan admitting most of the club's players could leave, Zola
added: "If I was Mark Noble, Robert Green or Valon Behrami, I would not be
pleased to listen to that. "It's not pleas-ant to find out. That's the way
it goes. Despite everything, the players, staff and supporters have stayed
close. We have fought very hard against difficulties. That is a very good
thing. "I will talk about my future at the end of the season and the season
has not finished yet."
You get the impression that West Ham want Zola to walk away rather than be
forced to sack him. And the former Chelsea ace admits he is incredibly
relieved now the club is safe from the drop. He said: "I knew it would be
difficult but I was 100 per cent convinced the club would stay up. "I would
not have forgiven myself if I could not have kept the club up. I have become
stronger. It has not been easy, trust me. It has not been easy at all. But
my managerial skills have gone up. "It has been a very, very difficult and
tiring season. "I recover very quickly from my difficult moments but I will
talk about that at the end of the season."
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Zola takes swipe at club owners
The Sun
GIANFRANCO ZOLA put himself back on a collision course with West Ham owners
David Sullivan and David Gold by slamming their public transfer dealings.
The Italian was stunned to learn the club had made a £4million bid for West
Brom's Graham Dorrans, admitting he had never even spoken about the
midfielder. And he was just as shocked when Sullivan claimed he would
consider offers for ANY player except Scott Parker. Zola, who is expected to
leave the club this summer, said: "I just found out in the newspapers. It
was quite a surprise. "I know Dorrans is a good player and had a very good
season but I didn't know the club was interested in him. "He is a good
player but I am not prepared to say at the moment whether he would be in my
interests for next year. "If I was Mark Noble or Robert Green or Valon
Behrami I wouldn't be very pleased to hear I'd been put up for sale. I
didn't know. "It is not pleasant. You don't like it but this is the way it
goes. "I have been surprised so many times this year — so I am not surprised
that I am surprised."
There has been a frosty relationship between Zola and his bosses since Gold
and Sullivan took control of the club in January and his future looks
increasingly uncertain. After West Ham effectively secured their Premier
League survival with victory over Wigan last weekend, Gold said he would
like to see Zola continue. Zola simply said he will discuss his future with
the owners at the end of the season, but added: "David Gold has always been
supportive and he has stayed close to us. It is good. "He is always here
before the matches and that is something I appreciate." With West Ham in
dire financial straits, they can barely afford to sack Zola and pay up his
contract. But Gold this week hinted the former Chelsea star may be ready to
quit and take a break from football after a difficult season. And several
names have already been linked with the job, including Steve McClaren, Avram
Grant and even a return for former manager Alan Curbishley.
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Schalke eye £6 million Green
The Sun
By CHARLIE WYETT
Published: Today
WEST HAM keeper Rob Green is a £6million summer target for German side
Schalke. The Bundesliga outfit are looking for a new No 1 as Manuel Neuer is
being chased by Bayern Munich and Manchester United. England international
Green, 30, looks set to leave the Hammers after co-owner David Sullivan said
everyone except Scott Parker was up for sale. Schalke have watched Green
over the last month but could have some rivals for his signature if he
enjoys a good World Cup.
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Zola heading for West Ham exit door after being undermined by owners
Published 23:00 30/04/10 By Marc Isaacs
The Mirror
Gianfranco Zola looks certain to leave West Ham during the summer after
again being undermined by owners David Gold and David Sullivan. Zola was
left fuming at comments by Sullivan that the whole squad would be put up for
sale during the summer except Scott Parker. The West Ham boss is angry that
his players were not given more credit for keeping the club up. Zola said:
"If I was Mark Noble, Robert Green or Valon Behrami, I wouldn't be pleased
to hear that. We have been through so much and this is not necessary." To
make matters even worse, Zola knew nothing about the club's £4million bid
for West Brom midfielder Graham Dorrans. Zola added: "It was quite a
surprise. I know he is a good player and had a very good season, but I
didn't know the club was interested in him."
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Mariner trying to persuade N'Gala to commit to Argyle
This Is Plymouth
HEAD COACH Paul Mariner is still trying to convince centre-back Bondz N'Gala
to sign for Argyle on a permanent basis. N'Gala has played eight games for
the Pilgrims since signing on loan from Premier League club West Ham United
in March, and has put in some impressive performances. He and Reda Johnson
have formed a promising partnership in the centre of defence. N'Gala, 21, is
being released by West Ham this summer and talks about a full-time move to
Argyle have been taking place over recent weeks — but without resolution, as
yet. Mariner said: "His contract is there to be signed but until he puts pen
to paper it's not done. "I spoke to him again yesterday morning and told him
exactly what I feel about him. I think he has done exceptionally well for a
young player." Argyle have also offered new contracts to goalkeeper Romain
Larrieu, winger Yannick Bolasie and utility player Karl Duguid (pictured
below). All three are set to be in the Pilgrims' squad for the season-ending
game against Peterborough United tomorrow. But whether all — or some of them
— will still be at Home Park next term is far from certain. What does seem
certain, though, is that defender David McNamee and midfielder Yoann Folly
will be released by the Pilgrims this summer. Both are out of contract and
have not been offered new deals.
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Zola is Not Surprised to be Surprised, as the Time Comes to Take Stock!
"I have been surprised so many times this year – so I am not surprised that
I am surprised."
GF Zola (At Friday's Fulham Pre-Match Press Conference)
West Ham Till I Die
On Thursday I posed the question, 'who is calling the shots on transfer
policy.' Yesterday's revelations shed significant light on that very
pertinent question. At the Friday pre-match conference, Zola confirmed that
he had not been involved in the decision to bid for WBA's Scottish play
maker, Graham Dorrans!
He stated that:
"I just found out in the newspapers. It was quite a surprise. I know he is a
good player and had a very good season but I didn't know the club was
interested in him. He is a good player but I am not prepared to say at the
moment whether he would be in my interests for next year."
It was also made clear that Zola had not been consulted about the recent
public statement that the club will listen to offers for all of the current
squad, apart from Scott Parker. In referring to the statement he asserted
that:
"If I was Mark Noble or Robert Green or Valon Behrami I wouldn't be very
pleased to hear that. I didn't know. It is not pleasant. You don't like it
but this is the way it goes."
Yes, that does appear to be the way that it is going! The line of
demarcation between the executive and team management of the club appears
to have broken down. The question now is whether this is just a product of
Zola's possible exit in the summer? Or, more substantially, is this the
way that club's transfer policy will be conducted in the foreseeable future,
with the owners deciding on sales and potential transfer targets? If the
latter scenario is the case, what alternative manager is going to be happy
to be dictated to about something as fundamental as transfer policy?
To be honest, I can understand the owner's sense of urgency in restructuring
the playing squad. With Newcastle, WBA and possibly Notts Forest coming up
from the Championship, there will be no obvious 'cannon fodder' next season.
However, it needs to be progressed the right way, by promoting morale at the
club and building upon the strengths of the current first team squad.
It does not bode well when the appointed manager/coach of a football club
does not have effective control of team affairs. A board should concentrate
upon the executive management and development of the club, establish
transfer budgets, negotiate player terms, set year-on-year
objectives/performance targets and oversee them. While the role of the
coach is to manage team affairs, oversee training, tactics and selection,
assess the squad, identify transfer targets and be responsible for player
discipline and on-pitch performance.
The effective coach/manager must be given the space to run team affairs,
whilst being accountable for player discipline and on-pitch performance. If
playing objectives/targets are not achieved then that is when the board
intervenes, offering support, but also ultimately having recourse to
changing the team management.
I am a lifelong supporter of West Ham Utd FC and I will accept it if
managerial changes need to be made for the good of the club. But it needs
to be positive change that improves us, not just change for its own sake!
There is much to admire about Zola and I have consistently willed him to
succeed. I also acknowledge the extreme difficulties that he has faced and
the fact that he has been the victim of a dire set of circumstances. My
instincts are that we should retain Zola and give him a proper opportunity
to excel, but is that now possible in the aftermath of recent developments
at the club.?
Perhaps, as a club, we need to take stock of our overall situation.
Arguably, the key pre-requisites of footballing achievement are enlightened
leadership, stability and consistency. It requires the board of a club to
get the key decisions right and stand by them, giving support and
demonstrating patience as necessary. Clubs constantly in flux, with a rapid
and increasingly desperate turnover of managers usually only go one way,
into decline. It speaks volumes about our recent club history that we have
now had 7 managers since 1989, more than in the previous 90 years or so!
Do not get me wrong, I am not overly traditionalist in outlook. Nor am I
blind to West Ham's historical faults as a club. As admirable as our
traditions are, they have been accompanied by conservatism, a lack of
ambition and an amateurish mentality that has meant that we have spurned
golden opportunities to join the giants of English football.
As such, if we are to prosper in future, we need to make the right decision
on our team management and give the necessary control, time and resources to
make it pay dividends! Moreover, we must retain and build upon the
positives of our history and traditions such as our playing philosophy and
commitment to youth development; whilst simultaneously developing a new
professionalism and, hard headed, winning mentality!
Only then can our club finally aspire to achieve its true potential.
SJ. Chandos.
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Gianfranco Zola reveals he knew nothing about West Ham player sell-off
Gianfranco Zola's growing sense of anger at the behaviour of West Ham United
co-chairman David Sullivan was laid bare on Friday when the manager declared
he knew nothing about his squad being put up for sale or bids being made for
new players.
Telegraph.co.uk
By Jason Burt
Published: 11:28PM BST 30 Apr 2010
Gianfranco Zola is bemused by the goings on at Upton Park. "If I was Mark
Noble or Robert Green or Valon Behrami I wouldn't be very pleased to hear
that," Zola said of Sullivan's announcement that every player, bar Scott
Parker, can go this summer. "What can I make of that? I didn't know. We have
been through so many things and we will go through this as well." Parker
excluded from West Ham fire sale Zola reiterated that his own future would
be decided "at the end of the season" at a meeting he has scheduled with
Sullivan and co-chairman David Gold, but it is clear his position has become
increasingly untenable. There are strong suggestions that Sullivan and Gold
are split as to whether or not they should retain the manager, with Gold
remaining supportive. "They will let me know their regime," Zola added.
Portsmouth manager Avram Grant, who is lobbying for the job, is emerging as
the favourite to take over, especially as West Ham are already interested in
signing players such as Kevin-Prince Boateng and Jamie O'Hara.
West Ham have bid £4 million for West Bromwich Albion midfielder Graham
Dorrans, but Zola says he found out about the offer "in the newspapers". "It
was quite a surprise," he added. "I know he is a good player and had a very
good season but I didn't know the club was interested in him."
Clearly irritated, he added: "I don't know what I would have done if he had
been signed. I haven't been contacted but this is part of what will happen
at the end of the season after I speak to the owners. I cannot talk about a
hypothetical situation. It is not nice, is it?" Asked whether he was alarmed
to hear it first in the media, Zola said: "I have been surprised so many
times this year. So I am not surprised that I am surprised." That includes
reading that his players are for sale? "It is not pleasant, for sure," the
Italian added. "You don't like it but this is the way it goes." It would,
certainly, add to the sense that the manager has been undermined. He
sidestepped this, but commented on the co-chairmen: "I haven't spoken to
them [about his future]. Some time ago we said we'd talk at the end of the
season. That is what we are going to be doing. Regarding what they say in
the press, it's their responsibility for what is the best thing to say."
Yet Zola hinted at a difference of opinion between Sullivan and Gold. It is
thought Gold is concerned at how the supporters will react should the
manager be sacked and also that he has, in trying circumstances, kept the
team up. "At least I appreciate he [Gold] comes over here and talks and
tries to be supportive," said Zola, who dismissed Gold's suggestion that he
might need a "sabbatical". "I know it has been a very difficult and tiring
season but I recover very quickly from my difficult moments," he said. There
is, also, a sense of relief at West Ham, who face Fulham on Sunday, now that
the fear of relegation has been banished. "I would not have forgiven myself
if we didn't do that," Zola added. He can leave without that stain and
continue his managerial career.
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Juventus Tracking West Ham United's Valon Behrami - Report
The Old Lady are hot on the trail of the 25-year-old..
By Adam Scime
Apr 30, 2010 5:12:00 PM
Goal.com
Juventus are interested in versatile West Ham United player Valon Behrami,
according to tuttojuve.com. The Serie A giants are looking to reinforce
their squad for next season after a disastrous campaign and have targeted
the full-back position as an area that needs improvement. At right-back,
neither Zdenek Grygera, Martin Caceres, or Jonathan Zebina have impressed
consistently and the Hammers player could be in the starting XI next season.
The Switzerland international already has plenty of experience in Italy,
playing for Genoa, Hellas Verona, and Lazio before moving to England in
2008. The player suffered a massive dip in the Castrol Rankings from
November, but has started to rebound back up to his usual standards as of
February. Behrami has made 26 appearances in the Premier League in the
2009-10 campaign.
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Gianfranco Zola fumes at West Ham owners over club's transfer policy
Zola admits he knew nothing about Graham Dorrans bid
'I am not surprised that I am surprised,' says Italian
guardian.co.uk, Friday 30 April 2010 16.16 BST
The West Ham United manager, Gianfranco Zola, admitted today that he first
heard about his club's £4m bid for West Bromwich Albion's Graham Dorrans
when he read about it in the newspapers, and hit out at the joint owners
David Sullivan and David Gold for undermining his position by briefing the
media about transfer dealings before informing him.
Zola will not confirm his plans for the summer until the end of the season,
but his relationship with the West Ham ownership appears to have passed the
point of no return.
The Italian was stunned to learn that West Ham had lodged a bid for the
Scotland midfielder, someone he had never even spoken about. Zola was
equally surprised when Sullivan revealed in an interview that every member
of the Hammers squad had been put up for sale, bar Scott Parker.
"I just found out in the newspapers. It was quite a surprise," he said. "I
know he [Dorrans] is a good player and had a very good season but I didn't
know the club was interested in him. He is a good player but I am not
prepared to say at the moment whether he would be in my interests for next
year.
"If I was Mark Noble or Robert Green or Valon Behrami I wouldn't be very
pleased to hear that [they had been put up for sale]. I didn't know. It is
not pleasant. You don't like it but this is the way it goes.
"I have been surprised so many times this year – so I am not surprised that
I am surprised."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham fitness coach Antonio Pintus set for Juventus as Gianfranco Zola's
exit looms
There has been another significant sign that Gianfranco Zola's time at West
Ham is drawing to a close with the decision of the club's fitness coach,
Antonio Pintus, to accept a similar role at Juventus.
Telegraph.co.uk
By Jason Burt
Published: 9:42AM BST 30 Apr 2010
Pintus and Steve Clarke were part of a coaching triumvirate at West Ham,
although it is he, rather than the Scot, who is closest to Zola. Pintus has
now told friends that he thinks it's best to move on and that he expects
Zola to do so too. The trio worked together at Chelsea and Zola stipulated,
when taking the West Ham job, that fellow Italian Pintus – who has also
previously been employed by Juve – be recruited along with Clarke. It
remains to be seen if Pintus will be joined at the Italian club by Rafael
Benítez. Gold: Zola deserves another chance Meanwhile another one of the
complaints voiced by new owners - who remain adamant they have an open mind
over Zola's future - about their manager is that he does not go to watch his
team's opponents often enough and relies on others to do his scouting for
him.
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