WHUFC.com
All the early team news and background for Saturday's Barclays Premier
League home opener
20.08.2010
Barclays Premier League
West Ham United v Bolton Wanderers
Boleyn Ground
Saturday 21 August 2010
Kick-off: 3pm
Referee: Andre Marriner
Introduction
• West Ham United kick off the 2010/11 home campaign with the visit of
Bolton Wanderers, with neither team yet to score this season. The game will
be Avram Grant's first competitive fixture in charge of the club at the
stadium after he became the club's 13th manager on 3 June 2010. It is also a
Kids for a Quid fixture, meaning children can get in for just £1.
• West Ham will be glad to return home after making it more than a year
without an away win with last weekend's 3-0 defeat at Aston Villa. Bolton
began with a goalless draw at home to Fulham, their first clean sheet in
nine top-flight matches.
• The Hammers have not won in the last six matches against Bolton Wanderers.
• The Hammers played seven matches during the summer, winning the first five
and drawing the last two - the last of those fixtures against RC Deportivo
La Coruna in the SBOBET Cup actually culminating with a 5-3 shoot-out win
for the Hammers.
• In pre-season, Avram Grant's men secured victories over League One outfit
Peterborough United (2-1), German side VfL Borussia Monchengladbach (2-0),
Greek champions Panathinaikos (1-0), League One outfit MK Dons (2-0),
Championship club Ipswich Town (1-0) before a draw at Southend United (1-1).
The final summer contest was that Deportivo date when Pablo Barrera struck
the winning penalty after Rob Green had made a save.
• Saturday's fixture could see Hammers home league debuts for Pablo Barrera,
Frederic Piquionne, Tal Ben Haim and Winston Reid. Barrera and Piquionne
both featured off the bench at the Boleyn in the Deportivo game but Ben
Haim, who had a 60-minute run-out for the reserves on Tuesday, and Reid, who
started at Villa, have not played at the stadium for the Hammers.
• West Ham finished 17th last season with just 35 points, while Bolton fared
little better - just four points and three places better off in 14th
position.
• West Ham are seeking to end a run of six consecutive defeats at the hands
of the Trotters. In all, the Hammers have failed to beat Bolton in seven
matches - a run stretching back to the 3-1 home league win at the Boleyn
Ground on 5 May 2007, when Carlos Tevez netted twice and Mark Noble once.
New Sheffield United manager Gary Speed scored Bolton's goal.
• Bolton beat West Ham three times last season, winning 3-1 on the first two
occasions. The first came in the Carling Cup third round on 22 September,
followed by a Premier League success on 15 December. The most recent loss
was the 2-1 home defeat on 6 March.
• Carlton Cole was West Ham's leading scorer last season with ten top-flight
goals. Kevin Davies has scored on four of his last five starts against West
Ham.
• Robert Green topped the appearance charts for the last campaign, playing
every minute of every Premier League game. He has now played 127 consecutive
top-flight matches. He started the last 12 games of the 2006/07 campaign and
every one of the 38 games in each of the last three campaigns.
• West Ham's biggest home win over Bolton Wanderers occurred in the shape of
a 6-0 victory on 13 February 1926.
• Avram Grant took charge of Portsmouth in a 2-2 away league draw at Bolton
on 24 April 2010.
• West Ham United will once again be giving their support to the England
2018 campaign by endorsing 'Back the Bid' week ahead of the FIFA Inspection
Team's arrival in England next week. The club will help raise the Bid
profile before Saturday's match against Bolton Wanderers as the England 2018
team step up their campaign with a series of events and campaigns.
Last meeting
• The last meeting between the two sides was that 6 March 2010 fixture at
the Boleyn Ground.
The lineups were:
West Ham United: Green, Upson, Spector, Tomkins, Parker, Kovac (Stanislas
76) , Behrami, Faubert (Dyer 47), Cole, Franco (Mido 67), Diamanti
Subs not used: Stech, Daprela, Da Costa, Ilan
Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Knight, Robinson, Steinsson, Ricketts, Cohen (sent off
71), Muamba, Wilshere (Taylor 78), Chung-Yong Lee, Kevin Davies, Elmander
(Gardner 75)
Subs not used: Al Habsi, A O'Brien, Riga, Weiss, Klasnic
• This is the 55th league meeting between the two sides. Bolton have won 28,
West Ham have won 18 and there have been eight draws.
Head to head
Last six meetings: (Premier League unless stated)
6 March 2010 - West Ham United 1-2 Bolton Wanderers
15 December 2009 - Bolton Wanderers 3-1 West Ham United
22 September 2009 - Bolton Wanderers 3-1 West Ham United (League Cup third
round)
21 February 2009 - Bolton Wanderers 2-1 West Ham United
5 October 2008 - West Ham United 1-3 Bolton Wanderers
12 April 2008 - Bolton Wanderers 1-0 West Ham United
Overall record v Bolton Wanderers (all competitions) W 22 D 10 L 33
Last time out
14 August 2010
Barclays Premier League
Aston Villa 3-0 West Ham United
West Ham: Green, Upson, Ilunga, Faubert, Reid, Tomkins (Diamanti 73),
Parker, Kovac (Piquionne 45), Noble, Boa Morte (Barrera 45), Cole
Subs not used: Stech, Gabbidon, Spector, Sears
14 August 2010
Barclays Premier League
Bolton Wanderers 0-0 Fulham
Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Knight, Cahill, Robinson, Steinsson, Petrov (M Davies
86), Holden, Muamba (Taylor 86), Chung-Yong Lee, Kevin Davies, Elmander
(Klasnic 89)
Subs not used: Bogdan, Blake, A O'Brien, Bogdan, Ricketts,
West Ham United
• Avram Grant's West Ham United will be aiming to continue the form shown in
pre-sason, which has seen them defeat League One new boys Peterborough
United (2-1) at London Road, German Bundesliga challengers VfL Borussia
Monchengladbach (2-0) in Ruhpolding, Greek double winners Panathinaikos
(1-0) in the Austrian town of Kitzbuhel, MK Dons (2-0) at stadium:mk and
Ipswich Town (1-0) at Portman Road. The away schedule was completed by the
1-1 draw at Southend before the goalless draw against RC Deportivo La Coruna
and subsequent 5-3 penalty shoot-out win.
Bolton
• Bolton manager Owen Coyle took a side to the Boleyn Ground twice last
season, having been in charge of Burnley when the Clarets were beaten 5-3 on
28 November before the Bolton win in March 2010.
• The Trotters acquired Manchester City winger Martin Petrov, Burnley
midfielder Robbie Blake and Real Madrid left-back Marcos Alonso in the
summer.
• Bolton also signed striker Tom Eaves from Oldham earlier this month but
the crucial business has been to re-sign striker Ivan Klasnic permanently
from FC Nantes Atlantique after his successful loan summer and secure
England Under-21 midfielder Fabrice Muamba on a long-term contract.
Team news
• West Ham United manager Avram Grant will again be without Thomas
Hitzlsperger after he picked up a thigh injury on Germany duty just before
the club season started.
• Peter Kurucz has joined Jack Collison and Zavon Hines on the long-term
injured list after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament on 14 August.
• Kieron Dyer, Tal Ben Haim, Junior Stanislas, Freddie Sears and Frank
Nouble all featured in a 2-1 win for the reserves against Crystal Palace on
Tuesday. Benni McCarthy has also trained all week as has Manuel da Costa,
who missed out at Villa with a slight ankle knock.
• For Bolton, only Joey O'Brien's knee problem and Gavin McCann's foot are
causing injury headaches.
Old boys
• Tal Ben Haim joined Bolton in summer 2004 from Maccabi Tel-Aviv and spent
three seasons at the Reebok Stadium playing 88 league games and scoring his
only goal in English football. He moved to Chelsea in July 2007.
• Among those players who have represented both clubs are Frank Costello,
George Eccles, Thomas Kinsell and William Yenson. Anthony Barness was loaned
to West Ham in January 2004 but returned without playing a game inside 24
hours.
Referee
• Saturday's referee will be Andre Marriner.
• He was the man in the middle for the Barclays Asia Trophy defeat by
Tottenham Hotspur in Beijing on 29 July 2009.
• In seven Marriner-officiated matches last season, including that summer
date with Spurs, the Hammers failed to win a single game.
• Marriner refereed the 3-1 away defeat by Bolton Wanderers on Tuesday 15
December last season.
• He began refereeing in 1992. The official joined the Select Group of
officials in 2005 and is now on the list of FIFA international referees.
• This season he took charge of the FA Community Shield that saw Manchester
United beat Chelsea 3-1 at Wembley before last weekend's goalless draw
between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City.
General information
• The weather forecast on Saturday afternoon is for an overcast day with
temperatures set to peak at around 24C.
• Tickets are still available, with the club running a 'Kids for a Quid'
offer. Click here for more information.
Next up
• West Ham welcome Oxford United in the Carling Cup second round on Tuesday
night and then travel to Manchester United for a top-flight fixture on
Saturday evening. For details of how to purchase tickets for the Oxford
match - priced at £5 for kids and £10 for adults, click here.
• Bolton will go to Southampton in Tuesday cup action before welcoming
Birmingham City in the league next Sunday.
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Home comfort for Grant
WHUFC.com
The manager is looking forward to savouring the atmosphere at the Boleyn
Ground on Saturday
21.08.2010
Avram Grant is relishing seeing a packed stadium this afternoon as he takes
charge of his first competitive match at the Boleyn Ground. The manager was
grateful to fans for the backing they have given to him so far and expects
his squad to rise to the occasion against Bolton Wanderers. "We had a home
game two weeks ago and the supporters were great. "They were also great in
the last game against Aston Villa. The supporters are good and we will try
our best to make them happy. The reception was good. The most important
thing is that they are behind the team like they were last week."
Grant was also delighted with Carlton Cole's commitment to the cause as
underlined this week by the England striker. "It's good when any players
shows loyalty to the team and to the supporters. The supporters pay money to
watch the team and we need to give them respect. "I like very much the way
Carlton did this and I like it also that he stays with us. It's the right
decision because this is a good club - a club with ambition. We want to do
the right thing. This is the reason we went to a programme for next season
as well as this season and I'm happy the players want to be part of this."
The manager also praised those behind the scenes doing their bit to keep
West Ham United moving forward. "I must say, everyone in the club is trying
to do their best. They are also dealing with the financial problem. "I would
be more happy with a few more million to spend but I know the situation.
When you know the situation it is easier to deal with it, last year [at
Portsmouth] we didn't know the situation. Every hour was different every day
and it was very difficult. "In West Ham it is a big, big challenge. I enjoy
it because I like the tradition of the football here and we will do our
best. Also in the future I think we will have more money to spend. "The
owners are trying to do the best for the team. You must know that if the
owners did not buy West Ham then West ham could have been bankrupt. They try
to help the team and it's great for West Ham they are trying to do their
best. They told me that if we pass this year there will be more money. "We
need to take the club to the next level."
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Avram on Friday
WHUFC.com
Avram Grant has spoken ahead of Saturday's Barclays Premier League visit of
Bolton Wanderers
20.08.2010
West Ham United manager Avram Grant has conducted his pre-match press
conference ahead of Saturday's opening home Barclays Premier League fixture
of the season against Bolton Wanderers. The new boss is expecting an
entertaining yet testing game from Owen Coyle's team. Meanwhile, Grant also
offered his views on the transfer window, Benni McCarthy and players using
iPods in the hours before matches.
Avram on his first competitive game in charge at the Boleyn Ground...
"I think it's exciting. The challenge at West Ham is exciting and is the
reason I came here. We want to take the club - not just the team because the
club is the most important thing - forward. "Everybody likes to play at home
in front of their supporters and they were great in the last game [at Aston
Villa]. I must say that, even though we didn't play so well, the fans sang
until the last minute. We will try our best to help them to support us all
through the season."
Avram on Bolton Wanderers...
"It's very simple. We didn't win at Aston Villa and we didn't play well but
it belongs to the past. We are looking forward to the rest of the season.
Tomorrow we have a game at home against a very, very good team. I think
Bolton have changed their style over the past year but of course we want to
win.
"The record [of six consecutive defeats by Bolton] belongs to the past and I
hope it will remain as a statistic. They are a very good team. They play
good football and don't play like they did before. They are trying to be
different and they are doing very well. They were very impressive last
year."
Avram on team news...
"Thomas Hitzlsperger and Valon Behrami are probably not fit."
Avram on matches against Manchester United and Chelsea coming up...
"We always only think about the next game, not what is happening after. Of
course we don't have easy fixtures but we cannot change it and will try to
take it as a challenge. It is a big challenge for us."
Avram on the transfer window...
"I hope we will be busy because we want the squad to be stronger. We came
here to make the new season and the next seasons better than before, so to
do this we need players because we don't have a few players for some
positions and we need competition. We'll try to do it.
"But, the resources of the club and the financial situation is not so good
so we have to think about this also."
Avram on loan signings...
"We didn't take any players only on loan - we only took them on loan with an
option [to buy]. We don't want to think about West Ham only for the next
year. It won't be an easy year but we believe it will be a good year. We
don't want to take players for loan because we don't want to only think
about the next season."
Avram on transfer speculation...
"Many players are being linked to many clubs, including many being linked to
West Ham, but we don't want to speak about any player before we did
something."
Avram on important players staying...
"I cannot guarantee to you that the squad you see today will all stay.
Ninety per cent of them will stay and Matthew Upson is in that 90 per cent
who will stay here. We like him, he's good for us and a good captain and he
will stay. Scott Parker will play tomorrow and will be in West Ham in the
next years."
Avram on Benni McCarthy
"I'm not a nutritionist, I'm only a manager! He lost the kilo of weight this
week and is on the right way. I expect him to be fit as soon as he can be.
He's a good player and the important thing is that he is trying and I expect
him to try harder next week.
"I think and I hope our target for his return is after the international
break."
Avram on players using iPods
"I think they can do whatever they want if they feel it will make them more
prepared for the game. To listen to music before the game in dead time
before the game, because everything is prepared in the week before, is OK.
If they feel good with the music for me it's OK. I have an iPod but I'm not
listening to music before the game!"
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Pay on the day for Bolton
WHUFC.com
It is not too late to get your tickets for the Barclays Premier League home
opener
20.08.2010
Fans are reminded that tickets will be on sale on the day for the big home
kick-off against Bolton Wanderers - with the club operating the popular Kids
for a Quid scheme. The Ticket Office will be open from 9am through to
kick-off on Saturday, with the cash turnstiles open from 1.30pm. Due to the
large crowd expected, supporters without tickets are advised to arrive at
the stadium in plenty of time. Manager Avram Grant is delighted that more
and more youngsters are being encouraged to come along and watch the Hammers
play. As well as youngsters being able to get in for £1 against Bolton, it
is just £5 for kids and £10 for adults in the Carling Cup against Oxford
United on Tuesday night. "It is fantastic what the club are doing to get
more families along," he said. "We need to have a new generation coming to
watch, and we as a squad need to entertain and excite them into coming back
again."
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Kids for a Quid cheers Cole
WHUFC.com
The England striker has praised the club's ticket promotions for Bolton and
Oxford
20.08.2010
Carlton Cole is delighted that Saturday's match against Bolton Wanderers
will be a family affair. The club has made entry for the Barclays Premier
League home opener just a £1 for all children, helping to create a great
atmosphere for Cole and his team-mates. The England striker believed such
initiatives - and the fantastic £5 for kids, £10 for adults offer for Oxford
on Tuesday - were vital for the future of the club. "It is good to encourage
the kids to come along," he said. "We want more coming to matches. We need
to encourage them more and this is a great way of doing it. £1 and £5 is not
that much you know for kids to come to the games. I think it is quality.
"The kids are the next generation of West Ham fans and we want to keep them
keen and wanting to come and watch us play. Obviously we have got to be
doing the performances on the pitch for it to be attractive enough to come
and watch us.
"There are a lot of passionate fans and they know about the history, but it
is good to get the kids aware of that and have them come and see the match
on Saturday. I used to go and watch my local team Brentford. It wasn't that
much money back then and we need to help parents be able to bring them."
On the Bolton match, Cole said the result more than performance was what
mattered - but he would be striving to deliver both after four goals in six
pre-season matches. "It might be a scruffy match because we need to get the
right result that we want. We are at home and I don't care how we win, as
long as we get the three points. "We need all the fans to get behind us.
Obviously last week [at Aston Villa] wasn't a good enough showing. It was
the first game of the season and there is no need to panic. We are going to
set things right."
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West Ham v Bolton
BBC.co.uk
Barclays Premier League
Venue: Upton Park Date: Saturday, 21 August Kick-off: 1500 BST
Coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio 5 live, local radio, Final Score &
highlights on Match of the Day
TEAM NEWS
West Ham manager Avram Grant must consider whether to hand Pablo Barrera and
Frederic Piquionne their first West Ham starts. Midfield pair Thomas
Hitzlsperger and Valon Behrami are both unavailable, while Benni McCarthy
remains unfit.
Bolton's squad was given a clean bill of health after Saturday's goalless
draw with Fulham. Long-term injury victims Joey O'Brien and the
out-of-contract Gavin McCann remain their only absentees.
West Ham
Injured: Collison, Hines & Kurucz (all knee), Hitzlsperger (thigh), McCarthy
(fitness)
Bolton
Injured: McCann (ankle), J O'Brien (knee)
MATCH PREVIEW
New owners, a new manager and a new season, but it was the same old West Ham
on display at Aston Villa last weekend. West Ham have got a fantastic squad
of players, and a big squad of players, so they could chop and change and
bring more quality in... The Hammers registered just a single shot on target
against Villa as they slumped to a 3-0 defeat. It was a dreadful start to
the new job for Avram Grant, whose side were thoroughly outplayed in a
disjointed and nervy display.
Next up is Bolton, who are chasing a sixth successive victory over the
Hammers. Wanderers began their season with a goalless draw against another
London club, Fulham. Although manager Owen Coyle will have been disappointed
with his side's lack of cutting edge, he will have been delighted with a
first clean sheet of the season, something that took 21 games to achieve
last term.
West Ham's last seven Premier League victories all came at Upton Park. Given
that their next two league games are against Manchester United and
Chelsea, they will be desperate to get their season up and running here.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
• West Ham haven't beaten Bolton since the 2006-07 season.
• Upton Park gave Owen Coyle his first away win as Bolton manager, a 2-1
triumph in March.
• Bolton captain Kevin Davies has hit the target in four of his last five
starts against West Ham.
• West Ham's last seven victories all came at Upton Park.
• If fit, Thomas Hitzlsperger's West Ham debut will be his 100th Premier
League appearance. His previous 99 matches came for Aston Villa between 2000
to 2005.
Bolton
• Bolton's goalless draw against Fulham was their first clean sheet in nine
games.
• Wanderers will be looking to extend their unbeaten start to the season to
two games for the first time since 2006.
LEADING GOALSCORERS
West Ham Yet to score
Bolton Yet to score
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Andre Marriner
Assistant referees: Ron Ganfield & Scott Ledger
Fourth official: Gavin Ward
LAST LEAGUE MATCH LINE-UPS
West Ham (L0-3 v Aston Villa, a): Green, Reid, Tomkins (Diamanti 72), Upson,
Ilunga, Faubert, Parker, Kovac (Piquionne 46), Noble, Boa Morte (Barrera
46), Cole.
Subs Not Used: Stech, Gabbidon, Spector, Sears.
Bolton (D0-0 v Fulham, h): Jaaskelainen, Steinsson, Cahill, Knight,
Robinson, Lee, Muamba (Mark Davies 86), Holden, Petrov (Taylor 86), Kevin
Davies, Elmander (Klasnic 90).
Subs Not Used: Bogdan, Ricketts, Blake, Andrew O'Brien.
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Boleyn protest planned
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 19th August 2010
By: Staff Writer
Porters from the world-famous Billingsgate Market will be campaigning at the
Boleyn Ground this weekend against plans that threaten their livelyhood.
Plans by the City of London corporation to revoke porters' licenses by
removing an 1876 bye-law are at the centre of the storm. The market, which
can be traced back to the early 1300s, has been a hotbed of Hammers support
since the club's inception over 100 years ago. Steven Moore, speaking on
behalf of the campaigners, said: "The market porters are normal, hard
working men whos jobs are under attack. We will be at the Boleyn Ground this
Saturday where we will have at least 15 porters - some in traditional dress
- asking for people to sign our petition [against the corporation's plans].
"A lot of the porters who work there are not only West Ham fans but still
live in the east end of London. We all feel it's an attack on another
historical and traditional job that's been part of the east end for
hundereds of years."
The porters' campaign is being backed by former London mayor Ken
Livingstone, who added: The fish porters at Billingsgate are the heart of
the market, they make it the vibrant and efficient business it is. The City
of London Corporation must reconsider their plans which I believe will
damage this important market."
Should the corporation's plans go through, anyone will be allowed to work as
a porter at the market regardless of experience.
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Grant confident of Upson stay
Hammers boss reckons skipper will remain at Upton Park
By Ben Collins Last updated: 20th August 2010
SSN
Avram Grant is confident captain Matthew Upson will stay at West Ham this
season. Upson is out of contract next summer and the Hammers are mindful
that the England defender could leave on a free transfer. Co-chairman David
Gold admitted on Friday that they would probably have to accept any bid over
£6million, which would give Grant's transfer kitty a much-needed boost
before the transfer window closes. But the Hammers have already staved off
interest from Tottenham in Scott Parker this summer and Grant believes he
and Upson are crucial to the club's plans for the future. "Ninety per cent
of the squad will stay and Matthew Upson is in that 90% who will stay here,"
he said. "We like him, he's good for us and a good captain, and he will
stay. "Scott Parker will play tomorrow (against Bolton) and will be at West
Ham in the years to come. We came here to make the new season and the next
seasons better than before. "I hope we will be busy (before the transfer
window closes) because we want the squad to be stronger. "To do this we need
players because we don't have a few players for some positions. We will try
to do it. "The resources of the club and the financial situation are not so
good, so we have to think about that also. "The challenge at West Ham is
exciting and it is the reason I came here. We want to take the club
forward."
Grant will take charge of his first home game on Saturday, aiming to bounce
back from the 3-0 opening-day defeat at Aston Villa. The new boss is also
hoping to halt a run that has seen Bolton win each of their last six
meetings with the Hammers. "We didn't win at Aston Villa and we didn't play
well but that belongs in the past," he added. "The record against Bolton
belongs in the past too. "They are a very good team. They play good football
and don't play like they did before. "They are trying to be different and
they are doing very well. They were very impressive last year. But, of
course, we want to win."
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Grant hits back at Cotterill
Hammers boss denies exploitation claims
Last updated: 20th August 2010
SSN
West Ham manager Avram Grant has denied claims from Portsmouth boss Steve
Cotterill that he is trying to exploit his former club. Grant was coach of
Pompey last season and despite leading them to an FA Cup final, could not
help them avoid relegation from the Premier League. The Israeli tactician
has since taken the reins at West Ham and has been followed by former
Fratton Park coaches Paul Groves and David Coles. Cotterill claims his
analyst may also be on his way to Upton Park, but Grant has hit back at the
accusation he is putting his former club further into trouble. "I don't know
what Steve is talking about to be honest with you because he doesn't know
the facts," he said. "The fact is the players we took were out of contract,
they didn't belong to Portsmouth and I don't even want to discuss with him
through the papers. "Everybody knows Portsmouth is very special to me. It's
a club I love very much and I want to do the best for them and try to help
them even now. "I think Steve needs to ask his management and his owners
what has happened because I don't think he knows what happened."
Cotterill also suggested that the Hammers are trying to launch an attempt to
capture Pompey defender Marc Wilson, but this is something Grant refutes.
"Nobody made a bid for Marc Wilson and not any other players of Portsmouth.
Many Portsmouth players wanted to come here with me," he added. "I think we
need to support this club (Portsmouth) and I personally tried to do this. I
hope Steve will concentrate on the football and know what to do." Regarding
West Ham's future activity in the transfer market, Grant remarked: "I hope
we will be busy because we want the squad to be stronger. We need players
because we don't have a few players for a few positions. "But the resources
of the club, the financial situation is not so good so we need to think
about this also."
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Knight - Hammers fans will turn
Trotters target three points at Upton Park
Last updated: 20th August 2010
SSN
Bolton defender Zat Knight is hoping West Ham supporters turn on their team
when his side visit Upton Park on Saturday. The Trotters travel to their
Premier League rivals looking to continue their impressive record at the
Hammers, where they have lost just twice in the past decade. Knight believes
the home supporters will become restless should his side gain control of the
affair and the 29-year-old hopes it will reap the desired reward. Knight
told the club's official website: "The crowd will get behind them but their
fans demand a lot. If we can play our type of football, press them and get
them on the back foot, then hopefully we can make the crowd turn. "Maybe
then one or two of their players' heads will drop and we can capitalise by
getting one or two goals. West Ham will obviously want to do better than
they did last week as they made a poor start against Villa. "For us we want
to do better than our draw against Fulham last weekend and I don't see why
we can't come away with the points we want. "Although we believe it was a
good performance against Fulham you always want to better yourself. If we do
that against West Ham then we believe we'll come out on top."
Bolton's last visit to the Boleyn Ground saw manager Owen Coyle pick up his
first away win in charge of the club, a 2-1 triumph in March which helped
Wanderers on their way to securing Premier League survival. The Reebok
outfit opened this campaign with a 0-0 draw against Fulham and Knight
heralded his team-mates' defensive display, saying repeat performances and
clean sheets will see his team enjoy a good season. "It was a good start to
the season for us against Fulham, every player did their bit," added Knight.
"We kept a clean sheet - last season we didn't do that until the second half
of the season, so that was pleasing. "It would have been nice to win our
first game of the season. It wasn't meant to be but it's a great platform to
carry on. Pre-season went well and we have two players in every position so
the boys know they have to play well to keep the shirt."
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West Ham v Bolton preview
Both sides search for morale-boosting first win of campaign
By Steve Pass Last updated: 20th August 2010
SSN
PREDICTIONS:
Skysports.com prediction: 2-0
One to Watch: Frederic Piquionne
SKY BET odds: West Ham 5/4 Draw 9/4 Bolton 9/4
MATCH FACTS
Bolton have won the last six meetings with West Ham in all competitions -
Bolton 9/4 to win the matchBET NOW
Kevin Davies has scored eight goals in his last 10 appearances against West
Ham in all competitions - Davies 5/2 to score anytimeBET NOW
The Hammers have never failed to score against Bolton at home in the Premier
League (nine games) - West Ham 13/8 to score exactly one goalBET NOW
West Ham take on Bolton on Saturday with both sides looking for their first
win - and goal - of the campaign. Avram Grant's reign as Hammers boss began
on a losing note as his side slumped to a 3-0 reverse at Aston Villa in last
weekend's season opener. Bolton also lacked a cutting edge as the Trotters
could not break down a determined Fulhamoutfit in a goalless stalemate at
the Reebok. But recent history is on Bolton's side, with Owen Coyle's outfit
travelling to Upton Park hoping to complete their third successive league
victory at the ground. They have lost there just twice in the last decade
and the ground gave Coyle his first away win as Bolton manager, a 2-1
triumph in March. Grant may ring the changes after the loss at Villa, where
Winston Reid was the only one of his summer signings to start. The Hammers
boss threw on fellow new-boys Pablo Barrera and Frederic Piquionne for Luis
Boa Morte and Radoslav Kovac at half-time and may be tempted to hand the
pair starts this time, while another newcomer, Tal Ben Haim, may also come
into the reckoning.
But injured midfield pair Thomas Hitzlsperger and Valon Behrami are out, as
is overweight South African striker Benni McCarthy, who is getting closer to
consideration after losing one kilogram in the last week.Crowd favourite
Jack Collison (knee) remains a long-term absentee. For the Trotters, Coyle
may be tempted to stick to the same line-up which drew with the Cottagers
last time after his side played well without reward. The Bolton boss threw
on Ivan Klasnic, Mark Davies and Matt Taylor - a reported target for the
Hammers - as late substitutes and the trio may again find themselves on the
bench.
Gavin McCann and Joey O'Brien, who were suffering from ankle and knee
injuries, missed out against the Cottagers but may now come back into the
reckoning.
Possible starting XIs:
West Ham: Green, Tomkins, Upson, Ilunga, Faubert, Reid, Parker, Noble,
Barrera, Cole, Piquionne.
Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Robinson, Knight, Steinsson, Cahill, Muamba, Holden,
Lee, K Davies, Elmander, Petrov.
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Shrink turned me into a monster
The Sun
By PAT SHEEHAN
Published: Today
THE MONSTER wearing the West Ham No 9 shirt is also known as Carlton Cole.
His career was put back on track by former boss Gianfranco Zola but secret
sessions with a sports shrink changed the hitman into a beast and made him
an England squad regular. Cole, 26, will spearhead the Hammers' attack at
Upton Park today against a Bolton side who have beaten them six times in a
row. He revealed: "I played with Zola at Chelsea, he knew what I could do
from our time at Stamford Bridge and he wanted to see that coming back in
me. "There were little things, the finer details of my game, my body
language, being up for a game, the way I approached the game before
kick-off. "Games are won and lost before the kick-off. I saw a sports
psychologist called Daniel Abrahams and it was the turning point in my
career. "He told me 'Be a monster on the pitch'. He helped give me the
freedom to go out there and express myself. "For instance, I had never
scored a goal like I did against Tottenham last season. But goals like that
are in me, raw power and the talent I have.
"I just turned around and hit the ball, I didn't think too much, those are
the kind of things I am working on to take me to the next level. "Sometimes,
players think too much. You have to go with the flow, back your gut
instincts and your heart. "I use my routines through the week and will
probably carry them on through my whole life. "I'm still in contact with
Daniel. We talk every now and then and he keeps me ticking over."
One of the things West Ham must do is hit the ground running as after
beating Wolves on the opening day last season, they went 10 league games
before their next victory. It was that sort of bad form that sucked the
Hammers into the bitter season-long relegation battle that cost Zola his job
when David Sullivan and David Gold took control of the debt-stricken club.
Ahead of the Bolton game - which kids can see for a quid - Cole said:
"Uncertainty does affect things. If things are not steady and you don't know
what's coming or going, it does play on getting a result. Sullivan and Gold
have said many times they are not selling the best players and that's what
we want to hear."
Cole is the first Premier League player to have his own mobile phone app
where he talks about life on and off the pitch. He missed three months of
last season with a knee injury but still finished as West Ham's 10-goal top
scorer. Cole added: "Psychologically and physically, it was massive with
that injury. On top of that, I came back too early, probably two or three
months. "It never helps to return too early. Over the summer I've rested,
done my rehab and I'm close to where I was before my injury. This season we
can finish top 10 as we're better than at least 12 other teams. If I stay
injury free I can get at least 15 goals."
That kind of confidence had a queue of clubs making enquiries for Cole over
the summer as they tried to take advantage of West Ham's financial woes.
But he admitted: "Manager Avram Grant has told me I'm not going anywhere and
that's gospel for me. "I signed a new contract 18 months ago. I'll be 30
when it ends so why not finish my career here?"
Carlton Cole's World is available to download free at Apple stores.
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Karren Brady's football diary
The Sun
Published: Today
THE first lady of football gives her thoughts on West Ham, agents and
Manchester City massive spending.
Saturday August 14
I WOULD like to offer heartfelt thanks to the fat Villa fan who so kindly
tells me: "West Ham are so bad they make us look good." Just what I need
after our 3-0 defeat - I don't think.This guy bends my ear on subjects
ranging from the poor and the undeserving to Emile Heskey. He's one of
several people who opened his wallet to the extent of £7,500-a-season to buy
a boardroom hospitality place at Villa. This sounds a lot until you realise
it's about a 10th of the weekly wage James Milner cannot live on. Anyway,
I've had enough of his rudeness and when I'm asked if I want to hang up my
coat, I tell the waitress: "No, but you can get rid of the excess baggage
behind me." It sounds a bit snobbish, I know, but I long for the sanctuary
of a proper boardroom with tinkling tea-cups and chat about the England team
and a place where people could not buy their way in.
Sunday August 15
THOMAS HITZLSPERGER returned from last week's Germany match with a
two-centimetre tear in his thigh. The cure, I'm advised, could be horse
placenta therapy at a Belgrade clinic. I'm dubious so I run a check and it
involves massaging the placenta into skin around the damaged area. It seems
Robin van Persie, Yossi Benayoun and Frank Lampard were tempted although one
famous player went along and left in disgust at the state of the premises. I
won't say it's a con as healing can work in mysterious ways (it didn't for
those players). But I think horse manure would work just as well. And no one
would go near them to make a tackle.
Monday August 16
THE family is all aboard a 20-foot sombrero at Drayton Manor park when I
read a text from Spurs chairman Daniel Levy: "We must talk." So we do,
later.
He says he didn't expect my criticism in SunSport about his club's pursuit
of Scott Parker, certainly not from one of his closest friends in football.
We make up, though we don't kiss. So to tonight and Ryan Giggs' goal in Man
United's home win against Newcastle. The black-stubbled Welshman has been
pondering his future and rather fancies managing at Old Trafford. My view is
that he'd be better employed with a five-blade razor on his throat than
eventually occupying his boss's throne. In the modern age, only Kenny
Dalglish at Liverpool ever managed that transition. Experience tells me
Blackburn Rovers supporters should be wary of promises that a new owner will
spend enormous sums on buying players. I can think of half-a-dozen cases
where the promises turn out to be dead words.
Tuesday August 17
BAD day at the office. We are trying to buy a young player who the manager
believes should be given the chance to prove he is Premier League material.
Along comes the agent with a demand that he should be paid £800,000 or no
go, lady. I'm switched on like a million-watt light, furious that this
object should want more for himself than we were paying for the player. For
a moment I want to switch off my laptop, pick up my bag and walk out of the
game.
Agents range from decent - I can name about three I've met in 17 years - to
bad, but he is the grossest and I tell him so. On principle I just can not,
and will not do the deal. Last season agents took £12.7million out of the
League and I can understand how Karl Oyston feels when he announces later
today he's quitting as Blackpool chairman over excesses in the Premier
League.
Wednesday August 18
STROLLING down Wimpole Street on the way to see my lawyer when a door flies
open and out comes a Premier League chairman. It's 'fancy meeting you' when
the door swings open again. "You've forgotten your receipt," an assistant
says. "The doctor says the botox around your right eye will soon settle
down." This time the thing that flies open is my mouth. "I'll maim you if
you ever breathe my name on this," he says. How sweet. Trust me, I never
gossip!
Thursday August 19
ROBERTO MANCINI is playing casino football, throwing vast sums on to the
pitch and hoping the gamble pays off. The Milner purchase brings his total
spending this summer to more than £100million, not counting the annual wage
bill which is close to that sum again. By my calculation, this is enough
money to finance 6,000 council jobs with the City of Manchester and spent on
emptying the bins and mending the roads. But I hope the gamble pays off and
they don't struggle again to make the top four. I guess talk earlier this
year of a salary cap is on the permanent back burner!
Friday August 20
'KIDS for a quid' was an idea we had many moons ago at St Andrew's to
encourage youngsters to come to football, and now we're reintroducing the
idea for tomorrow's visit of Bolton. Sometimes it seems football is losing
touch with the real world but we're not a play-thing of sheikhs and
investment bankers, we're a traditional club supported by generations of
East End families. So there'll be a high-pitched element in the introduction
to the new manager and new players. And on Tuesday, when the prices for the
Carling Cup tie with Oxford United will be the lowest in 15 years - £10 for
adults and £5 for young people.
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Hammers keep Upson spark
The Sun
Published: 20 Aug 2010
AVRAM GRANT says that captain Matthew Upson will remain at West Ham this
season. The Irons boss is hoping to add some new faces to his squad before
the September 1 transfer deadline but is aware that the club has to sell
some players to raise funds. Upson and midfielder Scott Parker were thought
to be the most vulnerable to big-money bids. But Grant said: "Ninety per
cent of the squad will stay and Matthew Upson is in that 90% who will stay
here.
"We like him, he's good for us and a good captain and he will stay. "Scott
Parker will play tomorrow [against Bolton] and will be at West Ham in the
years to come. "We came here to make the new season and the next seasons
better than before."
Grant isn't ruling out the possibility of keeping his big stars and still
doing a few more deals before the transfer window closes. "I hope we will be
busy because we want the squad to be stronger," he said. "To do this we need
players because we don't have a few players for some positions. We will try
to do it. "The resources of the club and the financial situation is not so
good, so we have to think about that also. "The challenge at West Ham is
exciting and it is the reason I came here. We want to take the club
forward."
Last weekend's season opener saw the Hammers slump to a 3-0 defeat at Aston
Villa. Grant said: "We didn't win at Aston Villa and we didn't play well but
that belongs in the past. The [poor] record against Bolton belongs in the
past too. "They are a very good team. They play good football and don't play
like they did before. "They are trying to be different and they are doing
very well. They were very impressive last year. "But of course we want to
win."
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Grant blasts Cotterill over Pompey raid claims
Published 23:00 20/08/10
By MirrorFootball
Avram Grant has blasted Steve Cotterill for claiming that "he's tearing
Portsmouth apart'". The West Ham manager has taken two members of Pompey's
backroom staff to Upton Park – first-team coach Paul Groves and goalkeeping
coach David Coles – as well as Frederic Piquionne and Tal Ben Haim. Grant
was linked with a move for Pompey midfielder Marc Wilson earlier this week,
something that infuriated Cotterill. But Grant insists he still has
Portsmouth's interests at heart and has told Cotterill to call him if he has
a problem. "Steve needs to think about his team now and not deal with things
he does not understand," said Grant. "I told him he can call me any time but
he decided to speak through the papers. "I think it is not proper behaviour.
When I have an issue with Alex Ferguson or Arsene Wenger, I call them. I
don't think it is fair that he is saying things that are not true. There has
been no bid for Marc Wilson or any other player. "I still speak to
Portsmouth and want to help them in any way I can."
Bolton boss Owen Coyle is convinced midfielder Fabrice Muamba can score more
goals. Muamba signed a new four-year deal over the summer but has scored
just three goals in 167 first-team appearances. Coyle said: "He has improved
no end since January. "We keep driving him on and I still believe we can get
more goals from him. He's up for every challenge in front of him."
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Hammers fail to land City striker
Published 23:00 20/08/10 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror
West Ham's bid for beefy Manchester City striker Felipe Caicedo has
collapsed over personal terms. The Ecuador international, 21, was due to
join Hammers after wage talks and even went through a medical, but the
loan-with-a-view transfer broke down right at the last minute.
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West Ham eye move for former Portsmouth loanee Anthony Vanden Borre
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER Last updated at 5:19 PM on 20th August 2010
Daily Mail
West Ham are interested in signing former Portsmouth loanee Anthony Vanden
Borre. The Belgium international was expected to re-sign with the
Championship club but declined their last offer and now looks set for a
reunion with Avram Grant at Upton Park. Vanden Borre played 25 times during
his season-long loan from Genoa and it is understood the Italian club are
prepared to off-load the 22-year-old. According to skysports.com, Cologne
are also interested in Vanden Borre, but it is believed that he would prefer
to stay in the Premier League. Grant has added just two new faces this
summer following the arrivals of Tal Ben Haim and Frederic Piquionne and is
keen to bolster his options before the transfer window closes at the end of
the month.
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Everton, West Ham and Spurs on alert after heart defect puts Remy's
Marseille move in doubt
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER Last updated at 12:06 AM on 21st August 2010
Daily Mail
Everton, West Ham and Tottenham were back on alert after Loic Remy's
£12million move to Marseille was called into question after the discovery of
a heart problem. Remy, 23, passed a medical and signed a five-year deal but
the defect showed up on scans later. Marseille doctor Christophe Baudot
said: 'He will not play for us as long as there are any doubts.'Mohamed
Diame of Wigan is allowed to play in the Premier League despite a heart
condition.
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West Ham make £2.5m move for Villa defender Luke Young
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER Last updated at 1:18 AM on 21st August 2010
Daily Mail
West Ham are ready to bid £2.5m for Aston Villa right back Luke Young.
Manager Avram Grant hopes to convince the defender to join the Hammers.
Young, 31, should have moved to Liverpool last month but it fell through
despite a fee being agreed. He is keen on a return to London. Grant has
also explored the possibility of signing Genoa's Anthony Vanden Borre, who
he had at Portsmouth last season, on loan. But a permanent deal would allow
West Ham the option of bringing in a striker on loan, with Felipe Caicedo
from Manchester City still a possibility.
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