WHUFC.com
Carlton Cole wants to build on his Boxing Day brace by firing West Ham
United up the standings
27.12.2010
Carlton Cole is firing on all cylinders and determined to do everything in
his power to maintain West Ham United's Barclays Premier League status.
Cole's Boxing Day brace - his first in league football - saw the Hammers
climb off the bottom of the table courtesy of a 3-1 victory at Fulham. The
No9 was on hand to poke Dickson Etuhu's wayward touch past Mark Schwarzer
for the equaliser before scoring West Ham's match-clinching third with 17
minutes remaining. The two-goal hero put the success at Craven Cottage down
to a combination of clinical finishing and sheer hard work and
determination. "It's a much-needed result for us," Cole told WHUTV. "The
lads all pulled in the same direction. You saw the spirit when we went a
goal down. We didn't get disappointed. We didn't let it affect us and that's
what we really needed - everyone to pull in the same direction and that's
what we did. "I always knew this would be a period which might define our
season. I knew we were going to get something at Fulham - I just had that
feeling. These things do happen. Everything went our way. "The boys worked
really hard. We left everything on that pitch and fair play to all my
team-mates because everyone did the right thing to get the result and that's
what we needed."
Cole's goals took his tally to six in his last six appearances against the
Cottagers but, with just five strikes to his name this season, the
27-year-old is eager to hit the target far more often over the coming
months. "I don't know [why I score so often against Fulham]. It's crazy but
that's the way the game is and hopefully it can kick-start my season and I
can get among the goals a bit more because my goals are really needed at the
moment."
Cole has now scored four times in his last three starts in claret and blue,
having also netted a pair in the 4-0 Carling Cup quarter-final victory over
Manchester United. The England forward puts his recent upturn in form down
to finally getting over the hamstring and knee injuries that blighted his
2009/10 campaign. "My body is top-notch again. I feel strong and I feel
powerful. I did have to recover from my injury and it took ages mentally and
physically. I think, right now, I'm on key and I've got no excuses - I've
got to play well as the club really needs me to pull my weight and that's
what I need to do."
Feeling positive in body and mind, Cole believes West Ham can build on their
first away league victory in 28 attempts by ending 2010 on a high when
Everton come to visit on Tuesday evening. "The fans are happy that we got an
away win because it's massive for our confidence and we now want to take
that forward."
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West Ham v Everton
BBC.co.uk
Barclays Premier League
Venue: Upton Park Date: Tuesday, 28 December Kick-off: 1730 GMT
Coverage: Watch live on Sky Sports 1 and highlights on Wednesday's Match of
the Day; listen on BBC Radio 5 live and local radio; text commentary on
TEAM NEWS
West Ham boss Avram Grant must decide whether to change a winning team after
injures and suspensions forced him into five changes on Boxing Day.
Luis Boa Morte is back from a one-game ban, while Valon Behrami, Pablo
Barrera and Benni McCarthy face fitness tests.
Everton can call upon Mikel Arteta after suspension, but Victor Anichebe
serves a one-match ban. Phil Jagielka and Johnny Heitinga are expected to
overcome knocks, with Steven Pienaar also back in contention.
MATCH PREVIEW
Upton Park has been a lucky ground for Everton in recent years - the Toffees
have won on each of their last three visits. Broken water pipes put paid to
Everton's Boxing Day clash at home to Birmingham, disappointing for the
club's players and supporters alike, who were bursting to keep their
mini-revival going after the Toffees' win at Manchester City last week.
However, with fixtures coming thick and fast at this time of year, Everton's
thoughts have quickly turned to bursting West Ham's bubble.
The Hammers are buoyant after recording their first away win in 16 months,
at Fulham, on Boxing Day. Manager Avram Grant was reportedly given the three
festive games to save his job. Now, having secured victory, he will be keen
for the club to maintain that momentum and start climbing away from trouble.
Grant knows his side will probably never have a better chance to do so. This
game is followed by another home match against bottom club Wolves on New
Year's Day. The Hammers are just six points away from mid-table, and with
four points from their last two games there is optimism that the club may
have finally turned the corner.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
• West Ham have won 22 of 57 home league games against Everton. However, the
visitors are just two wins behind the Hammers' total.
• The Toffees have won over half (16) of 30 Premier League matches between
the two sides. West Ham have recorded only six wins.
• Everton are unbeaten in their last six league matches against West Ham.
Their only defeat in the last nine was a 1-0 loss at Upton Park in April
2007.
• The Hammers have won only two of their last 10 home league games - 3-1
against Wigan last month, and 1-0 verses Tottenham during September.
• West Ham have scored in all but one of nine league games at Upton Park
this term, a goalless draw against Blackpool last month.
• It's the first time since early October that West Ham have not been bottom
of the table at the conclusion of a round of Premier League fixtures.
Everton
• The Toffees have drawn six of their last 10 league fixtures.
• Despite their erratic form this season, Everton have not been beaten on
their travels in seven matches since August.
• David Moyes's side have managed only four top-flight wins this season, but
have lost only five of their last 29 league matches.
LAST LEAGUE MATCH LINE-UPS
West Ham (W3-1 v Fulham, a): Green, Ben-Haim, Upson, Tomkins, Gabbidon,
Sears, Parker, Kovac, Stanislas, Cole, Piquionne (Nouble 89). Subs not used:
Boffin, Reid, Barrera, Spector, Ilunga, Obinna.
Everton (W2-1 v Man City, a): Howard, Neville, Jagielka (Hibbert 79),
Distin, Baines, Coleman (Saha 76), Rodwell, Fellaini, Osman (Bilyaletdinov
75), Cahill, Anichebe. Subs not used: Mucha, Beckford, Gueye, Yakubu.
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Fortress required
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 27th December 2010
By: Staff Writer
West Ham are looking forward to five home games within the space of 19 days
that will go some way to determining the outcome of the club's 2010/11
season.
A glut of seasonal fixtures - plus United's involvement in both the FA and
Carling cup competitions - have ensured Avram Grant's side can look forward
to five appearances at the Boleyn Ground during the remainder of December
and the first half of January 2011.
Sandwiched inbetween those fixtures is just the one away trip - to
Newcastle, on Wednesday 5th January - meaning that the Hammers will play on
average every three days for the next three weeks.
Having opened the Christmas campaign with four points from a possible six at
Blackburn and Fulham, hopes are high that Grant's rejuvenated side can
continue their recent good form with a winning performance against Everton
at the Boleyn tomorrow (28th).
That game is followed four days later by the visit of bottom-of-the-table
Wolves (Tuesday, Jan 1st) before the Hammers travel to the north east for
the Newcastle fixture (Wednesday, Jan 5th). Three days later Barnsley are
the visitors in the FA Cup third round (Saturday, Jan 8th).
The first leg of the Carling Cup semi final is scheduled to take place three
days later when Birmingham visit the Boleyn Ground (Tuesday, Jan 11th)
before Arsenal make the short trip across the capital for a Premier League
fixture the following weekend (Saturday, Jan 15th).
With the Hammers now just two points from 17th place in the Premier League,
a couple of wins during that period could play a major part in propelling
the club towards safety. Avram Grant, speaking after the Hammers had secured
their first away win in the league for 16 months at Fulham said:
"I am really impressed with the attitude and the fighting spirit we have
seen in the last few games. The players are very happy, they know the
feeling and they want to taste it again. That is very important.
"We are only at halfway stage, we have half the league in front of us. It
will be a long battle but we have a long-term vision and I have always said
you cannot change things for the better in one day."
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Grant turns to youth
Hammers boss reveals 'vision' for the future
Last updated: 27th December 2010
SSN
West Ham boss Avram Grant was happy that Boxing Day's win at Fulham not only
boosted Premier League survival chances but also showed bright signs for the
future. The previously rock-bottom Hammers moved level on points with their
hosts at Craven Cottage after fighting back from a goal down to win 3-1 in
the London derby. Grant included in his side the 21-year-old Freddie Sears,
who was making his first Premier League start since March 2009 after being
recalled early from a loan spell at Scunthorpe. And the Hammers boss plans
to carry on looking to youth as he attempts to build a positive future for
the club. "We want to continue the direction of the club with young
players," said Grant, whose side host Everton on Tuesday. "We played with
three players under 21 and even one came on as a sub for the last three
minutes. "We are very pleased that we won but we also continued with our
vision."
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West Ham v Everton preview
Watch West Ham v Everton live on SS1 & HD1 from 5.15pm on Tuesday
Last updated: 27th December 2010
SSN
PREDICTIONS:
Skysports.com prediction: 1-1
SKY BET odds: West Ham 15/8, Draw 12/5, Everton 11/8
One to Watch: Carlton Cole
Having clambered off the foot of the table, West Ham will be keen to
maintain that momentum against Everton on Tuesday. Victory over Fulham on
Sunday took the Hammers off the bottom and helped breathe new life into
their survival bid. It is, however, important that they build on that
success if they are to steer a route to safety. Just three wins in their
last 21 Premier League games tells its own story and that form must be
improved sooner rather than later. Avram Grant can at least take heart from
the fact that his players continue to give themselves a chance, with
Blackpool the only side to have stopped the Hammers from scoring at Upton
Park this season. Everton, though, have enjoyed facing West Ham in the
Premier League and will head to the capital without fear.
The Toffees have avoided defeat in the last six meetings between the two
sides and have lost only two of 15 encounters in the East End. In fact,
David Moyes' men have taken maximum points from their last three visits to
Upton Park and have beaten the Hammers more times (16) than any other top
flight opponent. They are yet to hit top gear this season, with only one win
taken from their last eight games, but they have been difficult to beat and
will still be setting their sights on a European push.
Team news
Grant will give fitness tests to several players before deciding on West
Ham's starting line-up. Ten first-team regulars were not able to start or
were suspended for Sunday's 3-1 win at Fulham, with Valon Behrami, Victor
Obinna, Pablo Barrera, Mark Noble, Kieron Dyer and Benni McCarthy all
playing no part at Craven Cottage. Luis Boa Morte returns from a ban but
Jack Collison, Manual Da Costa and Thomas Hitzlsperger are all definitely
out. Everton are hopeful Phil Jagielka will be fit for the midweek
encounter. The England defender has had extra time to recover from the thigh
strain suffered at Manchester City last week after the postponement of a
Boxing Day date with Birmingham.
John Heitinga, who was also rated doubtful to face Alex McLeish's side, is
hoping to overcome a knee injury. Midfielder Steven Pienaar (groin) is back
in contention and Mikel Arteta returns from suspension but Victor Anichebe
is banned. Leon Osman has been ill but is expected to feature.
Possible starting XIs
West Ham: Green, Ben-Haim, Tomkins, Upson, Gabbidon, Sears, Behrami, Parker,
Obinna, Piquionne, Cole.
Everton: Howard, Neville, Distin, Jagielka, Baines, Osman, Arteta, Rodwell,
Pienaar, Cahill, Saha.
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Gold not considering sacking
Hammers co-owner now sets sights on escaping drop zone
Last updated: 27th December 2010
SSN
West Ham co-owner David Gold insists the victory over relegation rivals
Fulham did not save Avram Grant's job because the manager's future was not
an issue. The Hammers battled back from a goal down to record a vitally
important 3-1 win at Craven Cottage on Boxing Day and move level on points
with their hosts. Victory on the banks of The Thames lifted West Ham off the
bottom of the table and eased sack speculation away from Grant and onto
Fulham counterpart Mark Hughes. But former Birmingham supremo Gold, who has
a history of backing managers, is adamant that he and business partner David
Sullivan have never had plans to axe the ex-Chelsea and Portsmouth boss.
Desperate
Asked if the win had saved Grant's job, Gold said in the Daily Mirror ahead
of Tuesday's home match against Everton: "No, because I don't think that was
the issue. We are working with Avram. We are desperate to get out of the
bottom three. We have to get out of the relegation zone and I think he took
us a step towards that goal." The co-chairman added: "It was a great result.
We had been at the bottom of the table since the beginning of the season and
I must tell you it is one of the worst places to be in football. "If you are
at the bottom of the Conference, nobody knows. But the Premier League table
is there for everyone to see and it is awful. "Now we are off the bottom but
the job is not done. But it is three points away from home for the first
time in 15 months and it is a great relief."
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Hammers Av the Advantage
The Sun
Published: 27 Dec 2010
AVRAM GRANT believes the emotional high of West Ham's win over Fulham will
trump any physical advantage Everton may have in tomorrow's clash.
Hammers boss Grant accepts the visitors will be "more fresh" than his side
after their game against Birmingham yesterday was postponed. But West Ham go
into tomorrow's match in east London having hauled themselves off the foot
of the table courtesy of a 3-1 Boxing Day success at fellow strugglers
Fulham. Grant said: "Sometimes, when you win, it's also better than good
training, so there's a psychological side. "Maybe we can use the
psychological side and continue with winning. "We have the character also to
play two games in three days. "I can assure you that nobody that will play
Tuesday will be tired."
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Houllier gets a Piq-me-up
The Sun
By ANTONY KASTRINAKIS
Published: Today
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FREDERIC PIQUIONNE has rocked West Ham by refusing to rule out a January
move to Aston Villa. Villa boss Gerard Houllier has shown an interest in the
Hammers hitman. And Piquionne, 32, told French radio yesterday: "Why not go
to Villa? "Gerard Houllier is a well-known manager in France and in England.
I read there was interest but nothing concrete. "I'm not losing my head but
I'm not closing the door on anything. There has been no contact but we'll
see. "I feel good here, things are going relatively well at the moment. I'm
there to help the team climb up the table." Boss Avram Grant fears this
evening's opponents Everton will be in better shape than his own players
after their home game against Birmingham was cancelled. He said: "Everton
didn't play on Boxing Day so they will be more fresh than us but we have the
character to play two games in three days."
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Grant hoping for first teamers' return against Everton
Published 10:20 27/12/10 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror
Avram Grant will give fitness tests to several players before deciding on
West Ham's line-up for tomorrow's Premier League game against Everton.
Ten first-team regulars were not able to start or were suspended for
yesterday's 3-1 win at Fulham, with Valon Behrami, Victor Obinna, Pablo
Barrera, Mark Noble, Kieron Dyer and Benni McCarthy all playing no part at
Craven Cottage. Luis Boa Morte returns from a ban but Jack Collison, Manual
Da Costa and Thomas Hitzlsperger are all definitely out.
Provisional squad: Green, Ben Haim, Tomkins, Upson, Gabbidon, Barrera,
Stanislas, Kovac, Ilunga, Parker, Behrami, Dyer, McCarthy, Nouble, Spector,
Boa Morte, Cole, Obinna, Piquionne, Sears, Reid, Faubert, Boffin.
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Piquionne opens the door to potential Villa switch
Published 23:00 27/12/10 By Neil McLeman
The Mirror
Frederic Piquionne has refused to rule out a move away from West Ham in the
January transfer window. The France international striker, who signed a
three-year contract after joining for £1m in the summer from Lyon, scored
his fifth goal of the season at Fulham. But the 32-year-old has been linked
with joining his fellow Frenchman at Gerard Houllier at Aston Villa. And
when asked by French radio if the move would interest him, Piquionne
replied: "Why not? He is a very well renowned coach in France and in
England. I have read there is some interest but there has been nothing
concrete. I am not worried about it. "I think I have the legs to continue to
play at a high level. I am not closing the door on anything. We will see. I
am happy at West Ham and it is going relatively well for now. I am here to
help the team climb the table. I leave my agents to deal with the transfer
window." West Ham can free up another loan signing by completing the
permanent transfer of Tal Ben Haim next month when his loan deal from
Portsmouth expires. The Upton Park club will complete the loan signing of
Steve Sidwell from Villa on January 1 but are restricted to only two loan
signings in England. Manchester City's Wayne Bridge, who worked with Avram
Grant at Chelsea, remains a loan target signing for West Ham along with
Monaco's Congo striker Dieumerci Mbokani.
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City ready to let Bridge join Hammers - if the price is right
Published 23:00 27/12/10 By Alan Nixon
The Mirror
Manchester City are ready to let Wayne Bridge join West Ham – if the
survival fighters come up with a deal. The clubs are trying to thrash out
figures on a loan, or even a permanent low-fee transfer. Bridge has slipped
out of Roberto Mancini's side and the former Chelsea star is available as
part of a massive cull on wages ordered by the Arab rulers at Eastlands.
Hammers hope City will subsidise a loan arrangement for Bridge – who is on
around £90,000 a week. But there are no special City deals any longer like
the one which eased Craig Bellamy's switch to Cardiff. So West Ham must come
up with Bridge's wages in full for the rest of the season, or find a way of
taking him permanently and risking having his huge salary on their payroll
if they go down. Avram Grant is also closing in on another signing –
Hoffenheim's £6million-rated Senegal striker Demba Ba. Hammers want to bring
in the powerful target man who was heading for Aston Villa as Gerard
Houllier's big-money buy for the transfer window until the move went cold
last week.
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Sears calls on Hammers to show their Iron in fight for survival
Published 23:00 27/12/10 By Neil McLeman
The Mirror
Freddie Sears has called on West Ham to battle like Scunthorpe to fight
clear of the drop zone. The England U21 striker returned from loan at the
Iron to help the Irons to their first away win of the season at Fulham. Now
boosted by moving off the bottom of the Premier League for the first time
since October, Avram Grant's side host Everton this evening before Wolves
visit on New Year's Day. And former Hammers trainee Sears is convinced they
can pull clear of relegation danger by showing the same fighting spirit in
the unpredictable Premier League. "We'll definitely need that," said the
21-year-old. "Everyone beats everyone at the minute and there are not many
teams that cant be beaten. You'd put Manchester United and Chelsea in those
categories but now we have to go everywhere and be confident and try to get
a couple of wins. "They are some great players here and they should be well
up the table. Now is the time to kick on."
Sears, who "scored" an infamous ghost goal on loan Crystal Paace last
season, started this campaign at Upton Park before moving to the
relegation-threatened Championship club in October. His loan spell at
Glanford Park was cut short just before Christmas and he started against
Fulham after Kieron Dyer picked up another injury. Now the Hornchurch-born
striker wants a chance to play regular football at Upton Park. "As a West
Ham fan it's hard to see the club where they are," he admitted. "I am
shocked. Obviously I was here at the start of the season and we started well
in pre-season. We got to the start of the season and it didn't quite happen
for us. We won a couple of games but we were losing more than we were
winning. You look at the players around - Scott Parker, the Matty Upsons and
the Coleys - if everyone plays like they did against Fulham we won't be down
there for much longer."
After his first Premier League double, Carlton Cole called on his team-mates
to now pull the club clear of the bottom three. "We haven't got time, that
is our problem, and every game counts now," said the England striker. "This
is a massive platform. I've said to some of my team-mates that things can
change in the Christmas period, if we win two or three we will be
challenging to get up the table."
Grant added: "We knew we didn't deserve to be bottom but also we knew that
we needed to do your job and change it. I am sure it will give us a lift.
"I am sure this will not be the last away win this season. We are only at
halfway stage. We have half the league in front of us." And the Israeli
manager reckoned Everton's advantage of not playing on Boxing Day will be
cancelled out by his team's victory. "Of course we must continue in our next
games against Everton and Wolves," he continued. "Our target was to win two
of the three games but now we have won our first I want more. Everton didn't
play today and will be more fresh than us but we have the character to play
two games in three days. Sometimes it's better to win a game than to have a
good training session. No-one who plays on Tuesday will be tired."
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Avram Grant hints at bright future for West Ham's younger players
Avram Grant claims West Ham's win at Fulham proves the club have a bright
future beyond this season's survival battle.
Telegraph.co.uk
By Telegraph staff and agencies 4:31AM GMT 27 Dec 2010
West Ham ended their 27-game wait for a Barclays Premier League away victory
yesterday, a 3-1 success at Craven Cottage which took them off the foot of
the table as they look to become only the second club to stay up after being
bottom at Christmas. The win was achieved despite the absence of 10
first-team players through injury and suspension, with manager Grant forced
to put his faith in youth. ''We want to continue the direction of the club
with young players,'' said Grant, whose team yesterday included 21-year-old
Freddie Sears, making his first Premier League start since March 2009 after
being recalled early from a loan spell at Scunthorpe. ''We played with three
players under 21 and one even came on as a sub for the last three minutes.
We are very pleased that we won but we also continued with our vision.''
The win eased the pressure on Grant, amid widespread reports he was going to
lose his job if he failed to record a victory over the festive period. The
former Chelsea boss refuses to contemplate the implications taking the club
off the bottom of the table would have for him personally. But he believes
it will be a huge psychological boost for his players. He added: ''We don't
deserve to be on the bottom. Deserving does not mean you take points, so we
need to do our job and part of it is to win a first away game against a team
that's not easy to play here and I'm sure that it will give us a lift.''
All the pressure on Grant transferred to opposite number Mark Hughes
yesterday, with the result seeing Fulham sucked into the drop zone, level on
points with their opponents. Hughes plans to sign a goalscorer when the
transfer window opens on Saturday, with star striker Bobby Zamora still more
than a month away from fitness. ''I think the vast majority of the fans
understand the problems we've got at the moment, in terms of the lack of
cutting edge,'' he said Fulham should have added to Aaron Hughes' first goal
for more than six years yesterday and were made to pay when Carlton Cole and
Frederic Piquionne put West Ham ahead before Cole sealed the points. Hughes
said: ''In the end, it was really, really frustrating and disappointing for
us because obviously it was a key game for us and one we felt we could've
got maximum points out of. ''Certainly, given the way we started, that
looked on the cards. But, unfortunately, it wasn't to be.''
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Hammers look to Cole and Co to help carry burden of escaping drop
By Mark Fleming
Tuesday, 28 December 2010
Independent.co.uk
West Ham United, off the bottom of the Premier League for the first time
since October, take on Everton today determined to make their Boxing Day
victory at Fulham the start of their climb out of trouble.
Two clinically taken goals by Carlton Cole made the difference at Craven
Cottage, along with a surprise return for Freddie Sears, who was recalled
early from his loan spell at Scunthorpe United.
Both Cole and Sears made the most of the opportunities presented to them in
west London, and they are optimistic that the squad as a whole can seize the
chance to become only the second team in the 18-year history of the Premier
League to avoid relegation having spent Christmas at the bottom of the
table.
Cole said: "We haven't got time, that is our problem, and every game counts
now. This is a massive platform. I've said to some of my team-mates that
things can change in the Christmas period, if we win two or three we will be
challenging to get up the table."
Midfielder Sears has returned to the club he has supported all his life
determined to help their recovery. "As a West Ham fan it's hard to see the
club where they are," he said. "I want West Ham to do well and to see them
not doing as well as they should be is difficult. They are some great
players here and they should be well up the table. Now is the time to kick
on."
The outstanding contributions at Craven Cottage of Cole, Sears, and Matthew
Upson in defence lifted some of the burden of responsibility from the
shoulders of Scott Parker, who at times this season has been the sole
glimmer of light in a struggling team. Parker's performance at Fulham did
not stand out, which speaks volumes for the way the rest of the team played.
In recent weeks it is a message that has been drummed into the squad by the
manager, Avram Grant: that they cannot rely on Parker to dig them out of
trouble every week.
The West Ham coach Wally Downes said: "We sat the whole squad down and
explained to them that we had 10 games in 30 days, including cup games.
There are about 22 of them that we're going to be using over the next 10
games so as much as Scott Parker is important to us, we need all of them to
perform at the highest level."
Everton have Steven Pienaar and Mikel Arteta back from injury and suspension
respectively.
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Now is the time to kick on, says West Ham's Freddie Sears
Big players must 'kick on' says forward Freddie Sears
Everton match first in Hammers' crucial run of fixtures
David Hytner
guardian.co.uk, Monday 27 December 2010 22.31 GMT
Freddie Sears, back from a loan spell at Scunthorpe, believes West Ham
'should be well up the table'. Photograph: Christopher Lee/Getty Images
Like every West Ham United fan, Freddie Sears has found it hard to look at
the Premier League table this season. The forward, who was recalled to Upton
Park last week from his loan at Scunthorpe United, cannot understand how
talented players in the claret and blue have gone missing.
However, as he savoured the 3-1 win at Fulham, the club's first on the road
in the Premier League in 28 attempts, Sears was convinced of one thing: if
West Ham's big players, chief among them Carlton Cole, could build on their
performance at Craven Cottage on Boxing Day the club would pull clear of
relegation trouble.
"As a West Ham fan, it's hard to see the club where they are," Sears said.
"I want West Ham to do well and to see them not doing as well as they should
be is difficult. There are some great players here and they should be well
up the table.
"You look at the players around – Scottie [Parker], the Matty Upsons and the
Coleys [Carlton Cole] – if everyone plays like they did against Fulham we
won't be down there for much longer. Now is the time to kick on. We have an
away win, which we haven't had for a while, and now we can kick on."
Cole scored twice at Fulham and he led the line with power and intelligence.
He has been held back by injury and inconsistency this season but his talent
has the capacity to tantalise.
"Coley's a very good player," Sears said. "The last couple of weeks he
hasn't been his greatest, and he'll tell you that himself. But now he's
sharp in training and the two goals he got against Manchester United [in the
Carling Cup quarter-final] plus the ones against Fulham will help him
massively."
Sears moved to Scunthorpe United in the middle of October, trading one
relegation struggle for another in the Championship. He started in all of
Scunthorpe's nine matches while he was there and the spell further fired his
determination.
"We'll definitely need to battle at West Ham like we did at Scunthorpe.
Everyone beats everyone at the minute in the Premier League and there are
not many teams that can't be beaten. You'd put Man U and Chelsea in those
categories. Now, we have to go everywhere and be confident, and try to get a
couple of wins.
"Personally, I'd love to stay at the club. I'm a West Ham fan and I live
around the corner. I'd love to stay and try to lift them up the league.
We'll see what happens."
West Ham entertain Everton tomorrow before they face Wolverhampton Wanderers
(home) and Newcastle United (away). It appears to be a defining sequence of
fixtures and the manager, Avram Grant, is keen to build momentum.
Everton's home game against Birmingham on Boxing Day was postponed, leaving
them fresher, but Grant is unconcerned. "Nobody will play on Tuesday with
tiredness," he said, with a nod towards the tonic of victory at Fulham.
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West Ham can beat fatigue and defeat Everton, says Avram Grant after Fulham
win
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 4:53 PM on 27th December 2010
Daily Mail
Avram Grant is confident the emotional high of West Ham's win over Fulham
will trump any physical advantage Everton may have in Tuesday's Barclays
Premier League clash at Upton Park. Hammers boss Grant accepts the visitors
will be 'more fresh' than his side after their game against Birmingham on
Boxing Day was postponed due to the frozen and burst pipes at Goodison Park.
But West Ham go into Tuesday's match in east London having hauled themselves
off the foot of the table courtesy of a 3-1 Boxing Day success at fellow
strugglers Fulham. There was also the added boost of it being their first
league victory away from home since the opening day of last season - 28
matches earlier - as well as the fact it was achieved after they fell
behind.
'Sometimes, when you win, it's also better than good training, so there's a
psychological side,' said Grant, who nevertheless admitted he would rather
Everton had played on Boxing Day. 'I would have preferred that they had
played and we had come with an equal situation. Maybe we can use the
psychological side and continue with winning. 'We have the character also
to play two games in three days.'
Grant, who was reportedly going to be sacked if he failed to record a win
over the festive period, added: 'I can assure you that nobody that will play
Tuesday will be tired.' Finding 18 fit players could be the biggest problem
for the Hammers, who were without 10 first teamers at Craven Cottage on
Sunday. Valon Behrami, Victor Obinna, Pablo Barrera, Mark Noble, Kieron Dyer
and Benni McCarthy played no part against Fulham, while Luis Boa Morte was
suspended. Boa Morte will return on Tuesday and there will be several
fitness tests ahead of the game, in which Grant will definitely remain
without Jack Collison, Manuel Da Costa and Thomas Hitzlsperger. 'We need to
wait and see who from the players who were a little bit injured can play
Tuesday,' Grant said, revealing he was forced to put loan star Obinna on the
bench at Fulham. 'Obinna didn't train in the last three weeks. Because of
the situation, we didn't have any players. I'm happy that we didn't need to
use him. We will see about Tuesday.' Grant knows the fragile confidence
gained from yesterday's result could be shattered by a resurgent Everton,
who won at Manchester City in their last outing. 'Everton is a very good
team, with very good players,' said Grant. 'They played fantastic in the
last game against Man City.' If West Ham are going to survive, they will
need to learn how to put together back-to-back league wins, something they
have not managed since Grant took charge. 'We spoke about this a lot of
times, how to do this,' said the former Chelsea boss, who revealed he had
targeted two victories from the club's three festive fixtures against
Fulham, Everton and new basement side Wolves.
The latter game on New Year's Day is arguably more crucial than Tuesday's
match, with it being against another team fighting against relegation. Both
that and the Everton game are at Upton Park, where the Hammers have won two
of their last three in all competitions. Grant said: 'We played against Man
United; we won against them in the Carling Cup; we won against Wigan; we
lost against Manchester City. We are better at home than before.'
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West Ham to snap up defender Luke Young from Aston Villa in January transfer
window
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 11:20 AM on 27th December 2010
Daily Mail
West Ham will sign Luke Young in January to help shore up a leaky defence.
The former England man has been first-choice right back at Aston Villa this
season, but Gerard Houllier is ready to let him go for a nominal fee.
Versatile Young is likely to play at left back when he joins the London
club. Meanwhile West Ham co-owner David Gold believes the club's fortunes
will now change for the better after agreeing a deal to sign Steve Sidwell
from Aston Villa.
The midfielder is set to join in the New Year as the Hammers look to bolster
their squad in a bid to avoid relegation. The Hammers claimed a crucial
victory at Fulham on Boxing Day to climb off the bottom of the Premier
League. Manager Avram Grant insisted afterwards that the win, which was
achieved despite the absence of 10 first-team players through injury and
suspension, proves the club have a bright future beyond this season's
survival battle. 'We want to continue the direction of the club with young
players,' said Grant, whose team included 21-year-old Freddie Sears, making
his first Premier League start since March 2009 after being recalled early
from a loan spell at Scunthorpe. 'We played with three players under 21 and
even one came on as a sub for the last three minutes. We are very pleased
that we won but we also continued with our vision.'
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Exclusive - Downes: West Ham can't just rely on Scott Parker
TalkSport
By Nick Rostron-Pike
Monday, December 27
Wally Downes has told the West Ham squad that they can't rely on Scott
Parker's influence in every game. Speaking to the Alan Brazil Sports
Breakfast show, the West Ham defensive coach said that although the former
Chelsea midfielder is important to the team, he is just one of 11 players on
the field at anytime. He said: "We sat the whole squad down and explained to
them that we had ten games in 30 days, including cup games. "There are about
22 of them that we're going to be using over the next ten games so as much
as Scott Parker is important to us we need all of them to perform at the
highest level. "We have explained to them how important the whole support
squad is as well as just the first XI and anytime a sub has come on they've
been brilliant. "They know they're going to play their part over the next
couple of weeks.
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