WHUFC.com
The manager may have seen his side go five games unbeaten but could have had
more to celebrate
16.10.2010
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The oft-used phrase 'a game of two halves' was never better summed up by
Saturday's 1-1 draw at Molineux - when only a seemingly harsh late decision
denied Avram Grant's men all three points. The Hammers arrived full of
confidence after a four-match unbeaten run and, despite the setback of
losing skipper Matthew Upson before kick-off with a neck spasm, were quick
out of the blocks. Kieron Dyer - back in the side for the jet-lagged Pablo
Barrera - led a lively opening spell but Wolves soon found their footing and
took command of the first half - scoring deservedly through Matt Jarvis on
just ten minutes. Everything changed after the break, however, with Avram
Grant sorting out his reorganised rearguard - featuring Tal Ben Haim at
left-back and Danny Gabbidon switched to centre-half - and seeing his
midfield and forwards suddenly find their rhythm. "It was a totally
different game," said Grant. "We started the game very well for the first
five or ten minutes and created some possibilities to score goals but then
they became better than us, they scored a goal, they passed the ball well
and were very energetic.
"Wolves were the better team in the first half but then we were better in
the second half. We played better, we created chances and could easily have
won the game. "At half-time we spoke about changing things tactically so
that Wolves could not dominate the game. It was an away game and we spoke
about the need to show character and spirit. We've had problems in the past
but this is the second game that we have come back from being a goal behind.
That shows good character."
Parity was secured in the 53rd minute when Victor Obinna burst into the box
before being upended. Mark Noble dispatched the penalty with aplomb and from
then on it was all about the visitors. Frederic Piquionne smashed a superb
effort against the bar, Carlton Cole twice went close and on a couple of
occasions, some penetrative play was only just thwarted. Most notably,
Piquionne was denied a clear goal for a handball decision that never was
right at the death. Although frustrated on a day when the club honoured the
late Malcolm Allison by wearing black armbands, Grant was sanguine about the
setback. "We scored and had another one in the last minute but the referee
decided that it was not a goal.
"Afterwards, I looked at it [on the television monitor] in the tunnel and
saw that it was a goal. Ten minutes before that, he gave us a foul, when one
of our players was in front of the goal. "In my opinion, Mark Clattenberg is
one of the best referees in the game but they are human beings and they make
mistakes. Unfortunately, it was against us and it cost us two points. "It's
not the first time that's happened. The first goal at Aston Villa, at
Manchester United and against Bolton Wanderers the referees made mistakes
but I must say that Mark is a very good referee. "In the very last minute it
could also have been very sweet for us. It was clear that the ball hit his
chest. Frederic Piquionne said that the ball was not even close to his
hand."
Although the Hammers are on their best run since April 2009 and just a win
from mid-table in a congested championship, they remain bottom of the league
and without a league victory on the road for 13 months. Grant is aware but
not wary. "The away win will come. Today we won but then the referee decided
not! If we can play like this in the away games then a win will come at the
end of the day."
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Fulham foil U18s
WHUFC.com
The youth team suffered a disappointing 4-0 FA Premier Academy League defeat
on Saturday
16.10.2010
West Ham United Under-18s suffered a disappointing 4-0 FA Premier Academy
League defeat by Fulham on Saturday. The Hammers were two goals down by
half-time at Little Heath, with the Cottagers adding two more after the
break. Academy Director Tony Carr said his young players would have to learn
from their mistakes if they want to put an end to their losing run at
Charlton Athletic on 30 October. "We had our moments in the game - we should
have had a penalty and the referee apologised to me afterwards for
disallowing a goal for offside that he should have allowed," said Carr. "The
main problem we have is that we are letting in goals far too easily. We
started OK and could have scored, but then we conceded. We looked like
getting back into the game and then we conceded a second goal. Every time
you concede a goal, it's back to square one. "Our recent results suggest we
are not getting the level of performance from the players that is required.
They are not showing the form that attracted us to them in the first place."
While recent results may not have been good, Carr urged the club's
supporters not to be too concerned. "I have always said that performances
and not results are the most important thing at youth level. Our job is to
produce players for the first team in the future. "Even if you are winning
every game, it doesn't necessarily mean you are a fantastic team full of
fantastic players. It is important not to get carried away with results,
whether they are positive or negative. "It happens in football and we have
got to get on with it. We now have a two-week break before we play again at
Charlton and we will work long and hard to solve the problems we have been
having. "We have been conceding goals too easily and it is giving us a
mountain to climb every week. It is making things difficult and we have to
make sure we defend better in future, both individually and as a team."
West Ham United U18s: Cowler, Young, Driver, Craig, Sanchez, Hall, Wearen
(Purdy 89), Moncur, Vose (Powell 85), Tombides, Subuola (Lletget 70)
Subs not used: Wootton, Potts
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Wolverhampton 1 - 1 West Ham
BBC.co.uk
Noble's spot kick earned West Ham a valuable point
By Mike Lawrence
Mark Noble scored a second-half penalty as West Ham took a share of the
spoils from fellow strugglers Wolves. Matthew Jarvis volleyed home after a
weak punch by West Ham goalkeeper Rob Green to put the hosts ahead. Noble
then equalised from the spot after Kevin Foley brought down Hammers striker
Victor Obinna in the box. Frederic Piquionne thought he had scored the
winner for West Ham with the last kick of the game but his effort was
disallowed for handball. Wolves had to make an early change when Jody
Craddock fell awkwardly after jumping for the ball and had to be replaced by
Richard Stearman. But the change failed to put the home side off their
stride and they were ahead on 10 minutes through Jarvis. After good build-up
play, David Jones put the ball out to Stephen Ward on the left. His cross
was punched away weakly by Green, falling perfectly for Jarvis to fire home.
The goal gave the home side confidence and they dominated the remainder of
the first half as they looked to bring to an end a run of four defeats.
Green was soon called upon again and did well to block a long-range effort
from Jones and the England goalkeeper also did well to block Stearman on the
line after he had been put through by Stephen Fletcher.
West Ham, without Matthew Upson, were having to soak up a wave of pressure
as Wolves were happy to push players forward and they were grateful to Tal
Ben-Haim when he turned a dangerous Kevin Doyle cross behind for a corner.
West Ham's attacks were rare and on one rare foray forward Obinna threaded a
ball through the centre only for Kieron Dyer and Piquionne to collide with
each other on the edge of the box. There was little immediately after the
restart to suggest the second half would be any different and yet on 53
minutes the Hammers were level. Foley brought down Obinna inside the area
and the well-placed referee Mark Clattenburg pointed to the spot, Noble
making no mistake as he thumped home high into the middle of Marcus
Hahnemann's net. It was now West Ham's turn to play with a spring in their
step and Piquionne almost put them ahead with a long-range screamer which
rattled the Wolves crossbar. But the Hammers' efforts were almost undone
when another punched clearance from Green fell to Jones but his strike was
blocked by Manuel da Costa.
West Ham have not won on the road since this corresponding fixture on the
opening day of last season and Piquionne thought he was going to be the hero
by putting the ball in the back of the net with the last kick of the game.
However the Frenchman was judged to have handled the ball and instead got a
yellow card for his efforts.
Wolves' manager Mick McCarthy: "We completely dominated the first half and
should have been more in front to be honest. I knew West Ham would be better
in the second half but I think they've been gifted a penalty. "The two of
them have come together and I think he [Obinna] is looking to go down. I
think he [referee Mark Clattenburg] has bought it and it's probably
indicative of the run we've been on that it was given against us. "We've got
off the five points and ended that losing run and sometimes you just have to
wipe your gob and get on with it."
West Ham manager Avram Grant: "We are very disappointed but we have many
positives to take. We scored two goals, one of them was given and the other
the referee decided wasn't a goal. "Mark [Clattenburg] is a very good
referee but he's also a human being. He made a mistake. It's not the first
time this has happened to us this season. Of course it was a goal. "We are
improving a lot. We are working on the mental side of things and the
character within in the team is getting better."
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Grant on der Hammer blow
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 15th October 2010
By: Staff Writer
Avram Grant has confirmed that midfielder Tomas Hitzlsperger will be out of
action until well into the new year. West Ham's manager, speaking ahead of
tomorrow's trip to Wolves confirmed reports suggesting that the German
international - who is yet to make a competitive start for United - will be
out of action for up to four months. "He was very good in pre-season until
he got injured three days before the start, Grant said earlier today. "He
was a major part of our team, but we have not had him until now. We know he
is important and he will do things that are good for us. "For the moment the
doctors say four months before he's back - around February - but we need to
wait and see."
Hitzlsperger joined the Hammers back in June and impressed initially with
strong performances on the club's tour of Germany and Austria. However he
was ruled out of the start of the season after sustaining a knock later in
pre-season - and then suffered a second set-back having been recalled to the
German international squad, an injury that is likely to keep him out of
action until next February.
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Wolves 1 West Ham Utd 1
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 16th October 2010
By: Staff Writer
West Ham extended their unbeaten run to five games courtesy of a 1-1 draw at
Molineux this afternoon - but should really have been celebrating a win.
With the game entering the fourth minute of added time Frederic Piquionne
completed a clever move to score what appeared to be the game's winning
goal. However referee Mark Clattenburg saw differently and ruled out the
Frenchman's effort for handball - despite his contact with the ball quite
clearly being with his chest. If ever there was a game of two halves, then
this was it. For as bad as West Ham were in a first half in which the home
side created a stack of goalscoring opportunities Wolves were equally inept
after the break and, in the end, lucky to escape with a point for their
efforts. Despite controlling the game for much of the opening 45 minutes
Mick McCarthy's side managed to find the net on just one occasion, thanks
largely to the efforts of Robert Green in the United goal. However Green
wasn't looking so impressive on nine minutes when he failed to deal with a
cross that allowed Matt Jarvis to turn the ball into the empty net.
Fortunately that soon changed as the former England 'keeper made two
exquisite saves later in the half to ensure his side retained a fighting
chance after the break. With the necessary tactical adjustments made by
Avram Grant and his team at the break, the Hammers set about their task with
a far greater hunger and were back on level terms just eight minutes after
the restart. Mark Noble fired home West Ham's sixth league goal of the
season - five of which have arrived from set pieces - to restore parity and
give United the psychological advantage going into the final third of the
game.
As time wore on so the chances piled up for Grant's reinvigorated side.
Frederic Piquionne's fierce 56th minute effort that crashed against the
crossbar was merely an indication of what was to follow. Victor Obinna,
quieter than in recent weeks but still dangerous saw an effort blocked by
what appeared to be Michael Mancienne's arm. Carlton Cole, on as a 77th
minute sub for the tiring (yet excellent) Kieron Dyer fluffed a sitter
having done the hard work weaving his way through a retreating Wanderers
defence shortly after Dyer himself had seen an effort cleared off the line.
A winning goal seemed inevitable at that stage as the Hammers pushed on,
although Green still had to be alert as gaps were inevitably left. Wolves,
who came into this game on the back of four successive defeats appeared
spent by their first-half efforts and rarely took advantage - so much so
that for much of the second half they reverted to a 451 formation designed
to protect a fragile point.
That much they managed to achieve - but only thanks to the intervention of
referee Clattenburg, who, having already denied Obinna a goalscoring
opportunity in the 89th minute when opting instead to pull play back for an
earlier foul on Luis Boa Morte denied Piquionne by penalising him for a
hand-ball that only he appeared to notice - at least, that's what the
bemusement on the faces of all those around him (in both gold and claret and
blue) suggested.
The point leaves West Ham bottom of the Premier League with six points from
eight matches played - the same figures as today's opponents who sit a place
above by virtue of a superior goal difference.
Next up for West Ham is the visit of newly-promoted Newcastle next weekend.
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Hammers hold wasteful Wolves
Noble penalty pegs back hosts in entertaining draw
By Jamie Casey Last updated: 16th October 2010
SSN
Man of the match: As ever, Scott Parker ran himself into the ground for West
Ham's cause and he was unfazed by Jelle Van Damme's tough tackling.
Goal of the match: Matt Jarvis showed lovely technique when executing his
volley for the opener, taking full advantage of sloppy keeping by Rob Green.
Save of the match: Moments after the opener, Green had to tip wide a
long-range effort as Wolves went in search of an immediate second.
Moment of the match: Frederic Piquionne was adjudged to have handled the
ball before stabbing in what would have been a winner for West Ham in injury
time.
Talking points: What changes does McCarthy need to make to stop his side
conceding a lead? Five of West Ham's six goals have come from set-pieces
this term, is this a problem?
West Ham came from behind to secure a 1-1 draw at Wolves, meaning both sides
remain rooted to the foot of the Premier League table. The hosts recovered
from an early setback in losing stand-in skipper Jody Craddock to injury to
take the lead on 10 minutes courtesy of a Matthew Jarvis volley.
The hosts were worthy of their lead at the break but failed to build on
their first-half pressure, with West Ham offering little in attack despite
seeing a reasonable amount of the ball. The tides turned after the restart,
however, as the Hammers emerged with greater urgency and were rewarded with
a penalty when Kevin Foley tripped up Victor Obinna. Mark Noble duly
dispatched the penalty in style with 53 minutes on the clock and the
visitors remained the better side for the majority of the second half.
Frederic Piquionne thought he'd won the game for West Ham deep in stoppage
time, but his effort was ruled out for handball by referee Mark Clattenburg.
A point each means Wolves remain in 19th place in the table with West Ham
below them at the bottom of the pile. Both sides went into the match knowing
a win would lift them out of the relegation zone and it was the hosts,
without a win in six league fixtures, who made the more positive start.
Captain
Craddock - named captain in place of the suspended Karl Henry - had to come
off only five minutes into the game, with Richard Stearman introduced as a
substitute and Christophe Berra taking the skipper's armband. David Edwards
saw a shot deflect wide soon after though, and Green could only punch the
resulting corner to David Jones, whose effort was off target. Moments later
Green fisted the ball away again from Stephen Ward's cross, and this time
Jarvis was able to capitalise, volleying home to put Wolves in front. The
England goalkeeper, whose form has fluctuated this season, then did much
better to tip away a strike from Jones. Wanderers looked as if they had a
second goal in them and it might have come if a home shirt had been on the
end of Kevin Doyle's ball across the box, but instead it was Tal Ben Haim
who diverted it behind for a corner. Steven Fletcher headed the ball back
into the danger zone where Green managed to beat the rising Stearman. Manuel
Da Costa then made what could have been a costly error by slipping on the
edge of his own area, but having picked up possession, Wolves were unable to
make the most of it, with Jarvis' shot rebounding off Danny Gabbidon and
leaving the Hammers defender on the turf.
Second half
Having struggled to make an impression in the opening period, West Ham were
given a lifeline at the start of the second half when Kevin Foley bundled
over Victor Obinna in the box and Clattenburg pointed to the spot. Noble
stepped up and drew things level with a confident conversion that sent
Hahnemann the wrong way. Within seconds Wolves were back on the attack and
Green made another wild-looking punch, Jones drilling the ball back towards
goal but seeing the attempt blocked. The visitors then almost turned the
game on its head as Piquionne rifled against the crossbar. At the other end
Jarvis appealed in vain for handball after his cross hit Lars Jacobsen and
Stearman headed a corner wide. Play switched again and Kieron Dyer twisted
and turned in the box before unleashing a strike which fell to Obinna, whose
shot was also diverted away. Wolves boss Mick McCarthy withdrew Fletcher for
Jelle Van Damme, while Avram Grant brought Carlton Cole into the fray for
West Ham in place of Dyer. Cole was not quite quick enough to latch onto a
neat pass from Noble soon after and then lost control of the ball as he
advanced on goal with a little under five minutes remaining. McCarthy threw
on another striker in Sylvan Ebanks-Blake but it was Piquionne who had the
ball in the net at the death, only for Clattenburg to disallow the effort
for handball and show the striker a yellow card.
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Grant rues ref 'mistake'
Hammers boss felt 'goal' should have stood but accepts fate
By Jamie Casey Last updated: 16th October 2010
SSN
West Ham boss Avram Grant refused to criticise Mark Clattenburg despite
claiming the referee made a crucial 'mistake' late on in their draw with
Wolves.
Frederic Piquionne had the ball in the net in the last minute of stoppage
time of the 1-1 draw at Molineux on Saturday, only to be penalised for
handball.
The striker was adjudged to have used his arm rather than his chest, before
stabbing past the onrushing Marcus Hahnemann in Wolves' goal. Grant rates
Clattenburg highly and felt he had a solid performance, only to somewhat
undo his good work with a decision against his side deep in added time. "We
started the game really well, for ten minutes we dominated then they scored
and they were better than us for the rest of the first half," Grant told Sky
Sports. "The second half was much better. We dominated the half and scored
two goals, one the referee decided it was not a goal. "Mark is a very good
referee, I must say, but also he's a human being, he made a mistake, it
happens and unfortunately it has happened against us. "Of course it was a
goal, but it happens."
Bottom
A Mark Noble penalty cancelled out Matthew Jarvis' opener in a classic tale
of two halves between the Premier League's bottom two clubs. West Ham remain
bottom of the table but their second-half display has given Grant a boost
and he feels his side are improving both mentally and physically as the
season progresses. "We are improving a lot," he said. "We are working on the
mental things very hard and when you see the result here we are happy.
"On one side, we say okay we are happy, because we were 1-0 down but I think
we played the second half to win and we deserved to."
Hammers defender Matthew Upson suffered a setback in the build up to the
game, withdrawing from the squad with a back complaint, but Grant is yet to
reveal the extent of the injury. He said of Upson: "He had a back problem
and a neck problem, he couldn't move his neck. It was a last moment thing,
but the defence played well."
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Wolves 1 West Ham 1
The Sun
Published: 16 Oct 2010
ROBERT GREEN had Mark Noble to thank as his World Cup hangover continued.
Green, who was ridiculed for his summer blunder against USA, gifted Matt
Jarvis the opener after failing to deal with a routine cross from Stephen
Ward. But Noble rescued his team-mate when he converted a second-half
penalty to nick a point. The Hammers thought they had won it in injury time
but referee Mark Clattenburg ruled out Freddie Piquionne's finish for
handball. A point apiece does not help either side, with Wolves sitting just
a place above rock-bottom West Ham. And Hammers boss Avram Grant admitted he
was unhappy with the referee for chalking off his striker's late effort. He
said: "All of us have seen it now on the television and we saw that it was a
goal. "Mark, in my opinion, is one of the best referees. He is a very good
referee and they are human beings who make mistakes, but unfortunately it
was against us and it cost us two points. "It is not the first time it has
happened to us. It happened in the first game against Aston Villa, the first
goal against Manchester United, the first goal against Bolton #151; all
mistakes of the referee. "Mark is a very good and I feel sorry about him,
but more about myself."
Wolves boss Mick McCarthy, whose team stay 19th, thought Clattenburg had
been harsh on Kevin Foley to give the penalty - but correct to rule out
Piquionne's strike. He added: "At the time I couldn't have told you what I
thought about the penalty, but I have seen it since and I think it is very
harsh on Foles. "I have seen the last one and I thought it was a handball at
the time. I appealed for a handball because he seemed to put himself down to
do it.
"I haven't seen as a good a replay for that as I did for the penalty. I
think it is a real soft penalty, I really do."
McCarthy's men suffered an early setback when Jody Craddock was forced off,
replaced by Richard Stearman. But the change did not affect the hosts and
they took the lead when Green failed to deal with Stephen Ward's cross and
gifted the ball straight to Jarvis, who volleyed home. Green made amends
with a good save to divert David Jones' effort away from goal before
Stearman headed too high. Kevin Doyle sent an inviting ball across goal but
Tal Ben Haim was well positioned to turn the ball behind. Hammers defender
Manuel Da Costa slipped on the edge of his own box but Doyle was crowded out
before Jarvis' shot rebounded off Danny Gabbidon. Having struggled to make
an impression in the opening period, West Ham were given a lifeline at the
start of the second half when Foley bundled over Victor Obinna in the box
and ref Clattenburg pointed to the spot. Noble stepped up and drew things
level with a confident conversion that sent Marcus Hahnemann the wrong way.
Within seconds Wolves were back on the attack and Green made another
wild-looking punch, Jones drilled the ball back towards goal but his attempt
was blocked. The visitors then almost turned the game on its head as
Piquionne rifled against the crossbar. At the other end Jarvis appealed in
vain for handball after his cross hit Lars Jacobsen and Stearman headed a
corner wide.
Play switched again and Kieron Dyer twisted and turned in the box before
unleashing a strike which fell to Obinna, whose shot was also diverted away.
McCarthy withdrew Steven Fletcher for Jelle Van Damme, while Avram Grant
brought Carlton Cole into the fray for West Ham in place of Dyer. Cole was
not quite quick enough to latch onto a neat pass from Noble soon after and
then lost control of the ball as he advanced on goal with a little under
five minutes remaining. McCarthy threw on another striker in Sylvan
Ebanks-Blake but it was Piquionne who had the ball in the net at the death,
only for Clattenburg to disallow the effort for an apparent handball.
Wolves: Hahnemann, Foley, Craddock (Stearman 5), Berra, Ward, Edwards
(Ebanks-Blake 87), Mancienne, David Jones, Jarvis, Fletcher (Van Damme 67),
Doyle. Subs Not Used: Hennessey, Elokobi, Bent, Milijas.
Goals: Jarvis 10.
West Ham: Green, Jacobsen, Ben-Haim, da Costa, Gabbidon, Dyer (Cole 77),
Parker, Noble, Boa Morte, Piquionne, Obinna. Subs Not Used: Stech, Tomkins,
McCarthy, Faubert, Behrami, Ilunga. Booked: Piquionne.
Goals: Noble 53 pen.
Att: 28,582
Ref: Mark Clattenburg (Tyne & Wear).
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Local Boys top Hitz parade
The Sun
By MIKE McGRATH
Published: 16 Oct 2010
HAMMERS boss Avram Grant has thanked his two Cockneys after losing German
Thomas Hitzlsperger to a long-term thigh injury. Grant had high hopes for
Hitzlsperger but SunSport revealed this week the midfielder will be out
until at least February. Luckily, Grant has local lads Scott Parker and Mark
Noble in central midfield and the Hammers are starting to get results. The
pair have played in the club's last three league matches - and Grant's men
have been unbeaten. He said: "From my experience having local players is
very good. "Sometimes you have players who come from elsewhere and they have
more commitment but these two are good local positive players. "They have
done very well and are getting better each game. "Hitzlsperger cannot play
for four months, he hasn't played a game for us but he was very good during
pre-season. "He was a major part of our team at the start of the season -
but we don't have him and just have to get on with it."
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Dyer warning backs Murphy
The Sun
By TONY LITTLE
Published: 16 Oct 2010
KIERON DYER has backed Danny Murphy for hitting out at the Premier League
bully boys. And the accident-prone midfielder is praying he does not suffer
another career-threatening injury at Wolves today. Murphy caused uproar when
he said that the managers of Wolves, Stoke and Blackburn send out teams to
kick their opponents off the park. Dyer, 31, knows more than most the pain
which can be inflicted on a player after he suffered a double leg break in a
Carling Cup tie at Bristol Rovers back in August 2007. The West Ham
midfielder reveals he still has nightmare memories of the challenge by the
Pirates' Joe Jacobson and has refused to watch a replay of the incident
which kept him on the sidelines for 17 months. Dyer is well aware of the
negative criticism which Wolves have received and was taken aback by Karl
Henry's shocking challenge on Wigan's Jordi Gomez two weeks ago. Henry is
suspended for today's Molineux clash. Dyer said: "I see where Danny was
coming from and I do grimace when I see a challenge like that. "I still
haven't seen a replay of when I broke my leg and whenever I see a bad tackle
I prefer to look away. "I had my leg broken by a very bad tackle and I
obviously don't like players going in hard. "But I don't think players go in
to hurt their opponents. They are just going in hard and sometimes players
are too skilful and get in there first. "That is when broken legs can happen
and you can get a bad injury. "It is part and parcel of football and it is
never going to change."
Despite the injury hell which has affected Dyer during his career, the
former Newcastle midfielder is adamant that his dark days are behind him and
he is determined to get his career back on track this season. Dyer, who has
already made five appearances for West Ham this season, added: "We managed
to identify what the problem was with my hamstring. "There was a large piece
of scar tissue in my hamstring which was over 10cm and it had to be broken
down. "Every time I came back from my hamstring problem I would have the
same problem and break down. "At times it was excruciating but we seem to
have got to the bottom of it."
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Wolves 1-1 West Ham: Noble penalty ensures game of two halves finishes all
square
Published 17:05 16/10/10 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror
The Barclays Premier League basement battle between Wolves and West Ham
ended all square at Molineux after Mark Noble's penalty salvaged a point for
the visitors. Wanderers took the lead in the 10th minute thanks to Matt
Jarvis, who volleyed home after Robert Green had failed to clear a cross.
But Noble made no mistake from the spot in the 53rd minute, lashing the ball
past Marcus Hahnemann. A point each means Wolves remain in 19th place in the
table with West Ham below them at the bottom of the pile. Both sides went
into the match knowing a win would lift them out of the relegation zone and
it was the hosts, without a win in six league fixtures, who made the more
positive start. There was an initial setback when Jody Craddock - named
captain in place of the suspended Karl Henry - had to come off only five
minutes into the game, with Richard Stearman introduced as a substitute and
Christophe Berra taking the skipper's armband. David Edwards saw a shot
deflect wide soon after though, and Green could only punch the resulting
corner to David Jones, whose effort was off target. Moments later Green
fisted the ball away again from Stephen Ward's cross, and this time Jarvis
was able to capitalise, volleying home to put Wolves in front. The England
goalkeeper, whose form has fluctuated this season, then did much better to
tip away a strike from Jones.
Wanderers looked as if they had a second goal in them and it might have come
if a golden shirt had been on the end of Kevin Doyle's ball across the box,
but instead it was Tal Ben Haim who diverted it behind for a corner. Steven
Fletcher headed the ball back into the danger zone where Green managed to
beat the rising Stearman. Manuel Da Costa then made what could have been a
costly error by slipping on the edge of his own area, but having picked up
possession, Wolves were unable to make the most of it, with Jarvis' shot
rebounding off Danny Gabbidon and leaving the Hammers defender on the turf.
Having struggled to make an impression in the opening period, West Ham were
given a lifeline at the start of the second half when Kevin Foley bundled
over Victor Obinna in the box and referee Mark Clattenburg pointed to the
spot. Noble stepped up and drew things level with a confident conversion
that sent Hahnemann the wrong way. Within seconds Wolves were back on the
attack and Green made another wild-looking punch, Jones drilling the ball
back towards goal but seeing the attempt blocked. The visitors then almost
turned the game on its head as Frederic Piquionne rifled against the
crossbar.
At the other end Jarvis appealed in vain for handball after his cross hit
Lars Jacobsen and Stearman headed a corner wide. Play switched again and
Kieron Dyer twisted and turned in the box before unleashing a strike which
fell to Obinna, whose shot was also diverted away. Wolves boss Mick McCarthy
withdrew Fletcher for Jelle Van Damme, while Avram Grant brought Carlton
Cole into the fray for West Ham in place of Dyer. Cole was not quite quick
enough to latch onto a neat pass from Noble soon after and then lost control
of the ball as he advanced on goal with a little under five minutes
remaining.
McCarthy threw on another striker in Sylvan Ebanks-Blake but it was
Piquionne who had the ball in the net at the death, only for Clattenburg to
disallow the effort for handball and show the striker a yellow card.
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Wolves 1 West Ham 1: Mark Noble penalty saves Hammers in basement battle
By MARK RYAN
Last updated at 12:40 AM on 17th October 2010
Daily Mail
When your team has not won away from home for 22 matches, you become carried
away by just the faintest whiff of victory. 'Today we won, but the referee
decided not,' said Avram Grant when asked where those elusive three points
are going to come from on the Hammers Roadshow. He was referring to Freddie
Piquionne's last gasp surge and strike, which might have ended West Ham's
misery. The last time they won a Premier League match away from Upton Park
was the opening day of last season - at Molineux. And suddenly there was
Piquionne, all ready to celebrate, until he realised referee Mark
Clattenburg had penalised him for hand-ball. 'It was his chest, not even
close to his hand,' insisted Grant. Some thought it was his arm, including
the man in the middle. And it is worth pointing out that West Ham's
second-half penalty award, converted by the uninhibited Mark Noble, was so
ridiculously soft that most officials would not have given it. 'It was a
penalty,' said Grant firmly, even though Kevin Foley had at worst jostled
Victor Obinna. But this was the game according to Grant; and in his mind a
win is a win, even when it isn't. The trouble is, the Hammers players seem
to regard an away win as something almost mythical, not within the reach of
mere mortals. So Wolves halted their own four-match losing run in the
League, largely thanks to another horrible mistake from Robert Green. In
the 10th minute, Matt Jarvis won back a ball that should have been hoofed to
safety by Noble or Manuel Da Costa.
Stephen Ward overlapped down the left and David Jones found him. Though
Ward's cross was testing, a more proficient goalkeeper would still have
punched to safety. But Green flapped and palmed his attempted clearance back
towards Jarvis. The man who had created the danger in the first place
gratefully volleyed home the opener. To Green's credit, he did soon turned
a looping drive from Jones round the post, but he offered the same player a
gift in the second half only for Kevin Doyle to block his team-mate's shot.
Wolves manager Mick McCarthy disagreed with Grant on the penalty, describing
it as 'harsh', though he claimed he had not 'seen a good enough replay' of
the last-minute drama.
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