04/09/2007 16:39
Reading Reserves 1 West Ham United Reserves 1
A stunning strike from Carlton Cole earned West Ham United's reserves a
deserved point away at Reading last night. Kevin Keen's side had gone
behind in the first half, when Reading's James Henry scored from a wide
free-kick but with eight minutes to go Cole, who had come on as a substitute
at half-time, struck the ball from long range to fire it into the top corner
of the net and earn the Hammers a share of the spoils. The game saw Dean
Ashton get 90 minutes under his belt, as well as Christian Dailly, who
played his first game since fracturing his foot. Jimmy Walker, John Pantsil
and Luis Boa Morte also played.
Reading also had a strong side out, featuring Dave Kitson, Leroy Lita and a
debut for Liam Rosenior. Lita had a couple of early chances but found Walker
in no mood to let him past, while Kitson hit his effort against the post. At
the other end, Ashton make a good run into the box but could not get any
contact on the final ball and young striker Zavon Hines went close to
scoring, but his header was saved by the keeper. After 26 minutes, the
deadlock was broken, when Henry struck home from the free-kick to give the
Royals the lead. Kevin Keen brought on Cole for Zavon Hines at the start of
the second half and the Hammers pushed forward in search of an equaliser,
while Walker made three good saves to deny the Royals another chance to
score. With 82 minutes on the clock, Hammers got a deserved goal as Cole
picked up the ball 35-yards out and hit home with a magnificent strike.
West Ham United: Walker, Pantsil, Dailly, N'Gala, Miller, Reid, Stokes,
Collison, Boa-Morte, Ashton, Hines.
Subs: Blackmore, Cole (Hines), Jeffrey, Hales, Blackwell
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Plymouth tickets on sale to season ticket holders - WHUFC
05/09/2007 09:39
West Ham United are pleased to be able to confirm selling arrangements and
match ticket prices for the Carling Cup 3rd Round fixture against Plymouth
Argyle to take place on the confirmed date of Wednesday 26th September -
7:45pm Kick-Off.
Match ticket prices have been reduced for all supporters, with Season Ticket
Holders (Adult/Senior/Young Adult) booking during their priority period
receiving a 20% discount from Standard Tickets.
Selling dates for the Carling Cup Tie are as follows:
Tickets for the match will go on sale to Season Ticket Holders from 9:00am
on Wednesday 5th September.
Club Members can apply for tickets from 8:00am on Tuesday 11th September.
Any remaining tickets will go on General Sale from 9:00am on Tuesday 18th
September onwards.
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Keen delighted with reserve performance - WHUFC
05/09/2007 11:23
Kevin Keen was delighted to see his reserve side pick up the first point of
the new season and gave credit to the Hammers' players for the way in which
they dug in to get a result. West Ham came from behind to draw 1-1 with
Reading and Keen was more than impressed with the effort put in by both
senior and youth stars. "It was a superb game and I think a draw was
probably the right result, because Reading edged it in the first half, got
the goal and were on top," he said. "But we had been creating chances
ourselves and then I felt we just got better in the second half and it
showed. "We got a goal back late on, but if one of the other opportunities
had gone in before that, we might have nicked it."
It was Carlton Cole's stunning strike that saw Hammers share the points. "It
was a belter," Kev added. "He (Cole) picked the ball up about 35-yards out
and just hit it beautifully. "It was one of those that you watch go right
through and nestle in the top corner of the net. Great stuff."
Dean Ashton played a full 90 minutes as did Christian Dailly and other
first-team players Luis Boa Morte, John Pantsil and Jimmy Walker all made
the most of the international break to get some match action. "I was really
pleased with the attitude of the senior boys. For the likes of Deano and
Christian, the most important thing was them getting 90 minutes and coming
through that ok. "Jimmy made a few fantastic saves for us and the other boys
also really played their part and I was delighted with them", said Kev. He
also had praise for the younger members of the team who showed no fear
playing against some of Reading's first-team players. "Ashley Miller, Bondz
N'Gala, all of them were up against the likes of Dave Kitson and Leroy Lita
and not only coped with them well, but showed great enthusiasm. "They did
very well against players more senior to them in terms of experience and
showed they could play their game just as well beside them. "All in all, we
were happy with the way we played and it was nice to pick up the first
point!"
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Dyer upbeat over break - SSN
Midfielder looks to come back stronger
By Graeme Bailey Last updated: 5th September 2007
Kieron Dyer says he is trying to stay positive after breaking his leg last
month. The England midfielder suffered a double fracture at Bristol Rovers
last month, just his second game for West Ham since his £6million move from
Newcastle. "I've been trying to stay as positive as I can," he told West
Ham's website. "The physios and the specialist were really pleased with how
the operation went and said there is no reason why I shouldn't make a full
recovery. "I am just focusing on that for now and getting some rest before I
hopefully beginning my rehab and treatment some time next week. "They don't
really give exact time scales with this type of injury because some people
heal a lot quicker than others and there can be complications when you have
screws put in so you just have to play it by ear really, but as I said I am
staying positive and just focusing on being back and playing for West Ham
sooner rather than later."
Dyer is determined to bounce back from his latest injury, better than ever.
"As I said before, the doctors were delighted with how the operation went
and if there are any consolations to this, they did explain to me that the
best place to break your leg is in the middle of the shin because there are
usually more complications when it is closer to the ankle, like what
happened to Dean Ashton, but my break has happened in a much safer place,"
he said.
"If you look at a player like Djibril Cisse, who used to play for Liverpool,
he had exactly the same injury as me and he has obviously come back and made
a full recovery, which holds me in good stead as I plan to do exactly the
same and be back playing for West Ham and England."
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Home comforts will come - Ferdinand - TeamTalk
Anton Ferdinand has promised West Ham fans that home comforts will come next
after five away wins in a row. The Hammers avenged a six-goal humiliation at
Reading by beating the Royals 3-0 on their own patch on Saturday, adding to
previous successes at Bristol Rovers and Birmingham plus the tail-end
victories at Wigan and Manchester United last term. Centre-back Ferdinand,
in outstanding form at the Madejski Stadium, said: "A lot of teams are
coming to Upton Park now and sitting back because they know we are an
attack-minded team. So it can prove quite difficult for us to break them
down." West Ham have taken just one point from their opening two home games
- a 2-0 defeat by Manchester City and a 1-1 draw with Wigan. And Ferdinand
admitted: "We are looking better away from home because we are being allowed
to play a bit more and catch teams on the break which suits our game as
there is a lot of pace in the team. "But we are confident the home form will
come starting with Middlesbrough (a week on Saturday) and the away form will
continue as it is which should hopefully see us where we want to be in the
table," he told the club's official website.
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Parker faces struggle to regain West Ham place - Daily mail
Last updated at 12:45pm on 5th September 2007
Injured West Ham midfielder Scott Parker has been warned he faces a battle
to get into the team. Boss Alan Curbishley said: "Hayden Mullins has seen me
sign players and yet managed to stay in the team. "He's stepped up to the
plate and has the shirt now."
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West Ham insulted by striker; - Sportigo
Wed, Sep 5, 07 13:05
Mark Apostolou
West Ham fans may not be too bothered at the snipe aimed at them by ex-West
Brom Striker Diomansy Kamara who is convinced that he made the right
decision to join Fulham instead of the Hammers in July. Without being
disrespectful I am sure that if he actually had the choice between the two
clubs then he would have picked the east London side. I am sure that offer
was never made, at least not to the Senegalese international's liking.
Diomansy said: "West Ham wanted me a lot, but the Fulham project is
different." If 'different' means, more difficult, then I agree with him.
Whilst I have no doubt that Kamara will make an impact at Craven Cottage, it
is unlikely to live up to that great overhead kick he embarrassed Spurs with
on Saturday. This, I think will be the pinnacle of a season that will be
lucky to yield 10 Premier League goals. I would personally rate Craig
Bellamy, Dean Ashton, Carlton Cole and even Bobby Zamora higher than Kamara.
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Matt's finish lays ghost of last term - Newham Recorder
05 September 2007
OF ALL the players who suffered last season, perhaps Matty Etherington
suffered the most, writes DAVE EVANS. He lost confidence on the field and
eventually lost his place in the team; he lost money in the infamous club
poker schools and lost some of his dignity when he was forced to seek help
outside the game.
But it is a new, positive Etherington that has burst back on to the scene
this season and after two goals against Reading on Saturday, it seems that
the swashbuckling winger who took the Hammer of the Year award in 2004 has
been reborn. The 26-year-old former Spurs man seems to have learned the hard
lessons of last season. "You get to a time in your career when things don't
go right and last year was one of those for me," he confessed. "I let myself
down and I realise that and I held my hands up and dealt with it. That's
behind me now and I'm looking forward and today's a great step forward for
me."
West Ham's tactics away from home seemed to suit Etherington perfectly and
he could have had three or even four goals on Saturday. "I think we've got a
lot of pace in the side now with Bellamy, who was brilliant today and we can
play teams on the break," he said. "It was nice to get on the scoresheet.
The manager keeps saying to me that I should get more goals and I realise
that. "Obviously last year wasn't the best for me and I realise that and am
big enough to hold my hands up."
Etherington showed at Birmingham and again on Saturday that he has the pace
and guile to cut defences to ribbons and he could have had more than the two
goals he managed on Saturday. "I should have had a hat-trick to be honest,"
he admitted. "I had another chance one-on-one that I didn't score and that
was disappointing. "To get two is very good for confidence and I'll make
sure I maintain this form now and get a consistency to my game and do well
for West Ham - that's the main thing - and to keep my place in the team."
Alan Curbishley praised the winger: "He has worked very hard in pre-season.
Luis Boa Morte came in last season and put his nose out of joint and there
was a bit of a tussle between them, but he has come in and done well."
Competition may have played a part, but if you have gone through what
Etherington did last season and come out the other side, then perhaps you
would realise just what a privilege it is to play professional football and
to play it for West Ham!
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Curbs: 'Bellamy's even better than I thought' - Newham Recorder
05 September 2007
THERE were certainly some fans who were sceptical about the £7.5million
arrival of Craig Bellamy from Liverpool in the summer. But after three goals
in his last two games those doubters have disappeared and been replaced by a
new horde of admirers for the Welsh international captain. It took Bellamy
just eight minutes to set West Ham on their way on Saturday, but he may not
have even played according to manager Alan Curbishley. "Craig had to have a
fitness test on his groin and if he was unfit I would've played Carlton
Cole," revealed the boss, who moved quickly in the summer to sign him. "Once
I knew he was available we worked hard to get him on. I promised him that
we'd be getting other players in and I told him that his career could
lift-off here at West Ham and, in fact, he's turned out to be a better
player than I thought he was. "He's a talented player who is so dangerous on
the break."
Bellamy has had his controversial moments off the field in his past, but
Curbishley has emphasised exactly what sort of profile he is looking for
from the 28-year-old striker. "I've told Craig that he needs to be
remembered for his football and if he does well here, the fans will lap him
up," he insisted. West Ham fans are already taking him to their hearts as
they watch his all-action style, and if the goals keep going in, he could
soon become yet another Hammers legend.
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Cole grabs leveller - Newham Recorder
05 September 2007
Reading 1 West Ham United 1
CARLTON COLE scored a 35-yard screamer and Dean Ashton played the entire 90
minutes as West Ham reserves grabbed a draw at Reading on Tuesday night.
Also included in the West Ham line-up were John Pantsil, Jimmy Walker, Luis
Boa Morte and Christian Dailly who was making his first appearance since
breaking his foot. Reading included new signing Liam Rosenior as well as
strikers Leroy Lita and Dave Kitson in their ranks, and they looked the
stronger in the early stages. Lita was twice denied by Walker, while Kitson
hit the post, but on 26 minutes the Royals did take the lead thanks to a
James Henry free kick.
Ashton made a couple of storming runs into the box only to be thwarted,
while Zavon Hines forced a good save from the keeper, but it was Cole,
brought on as a second half substitute who was to save a point for the
Hammers. The striker, who had impressed when coming on at the Madejski
Stadium on Saturday, struck with eight minutes left when he blasted in a
long-ranger.
West Ham: Walker, Pantsil, Dailly, N'Gala, Miller, Reid, Stokes, Collison,
Boa Morte, Ashton, Hines (Cole). Subs: Blackmore, Jeffrey, Hales, Blackwell.
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Penalty save was Green's first ever - Newham Recorder
05 September 2007
ROB GREEN may have played almost 300 games as a professional with Norwich
City and West Ham United, but when he dived full length to keep out Kevin
Doyle's spot kick, it was incredibly the first time he had managed it in his
career, writes DAVE EVANS. And perhaps the reason he finally made his first
penalty save had little to do with going the right way, if you can believe
what the modest Green said after Saturday's match. "I sustained a dead leg
in the first half on my right leg and so I couldn't dive to my right and had
to dive to my left," revealed the 27-year-old keeper, who has been
overlooked once again for England's squad for their forthcoming
internationals. "It was nice to finally save one. I did manage to save one
against Southampton, but it got re-taken!"
That penalty save finally ended any real hopes that Reading had of coming
back into the game, but there was still time for Green to make a brilliant
stop from Kalifa Cisse at the death. Saturday's victory helped to lay the
ghost of last season's 6-0 humiliation at Reading to rest, and that
certainly pleased the West Ham keeper. "It's a good hoodoo to put to rest,"
he said. "I think the last three games, I've played here I've conceded 11
goals and ruptured my groin. "It's not been the happiest hunting ground so
to put that to bed and come here and win and win well is good." He
continued: "It was eventful and I think in all, although Reading had a lot
of pressure, we could have had a 6-0 win ourselves if we had taken our
chances and been a bit more clinical."
He was right of course, but as manager Alan Curbishley said after the match,
to be able to beat teams on the break, you have to have a solid defence and
a dependable goalkeeper and West Ham seem to have found that combination.
"When the team is performing well it helps everybody perform well," he
explained. "Three months earlier, I was in the worst form of my career
because I was letting in sixes and fours, so in that respect, it's great
playing in a team that's got good players and can play well, and it's a
fantastic time for us."
West Ham fans never had any doubts about the keeper who cost the club just
£2million when he signed from Norwich City in the summer of 2006. Green has
been a vital part of a team that so far this season, have looked superb away
from Upton Park, but shaky back at headquarters. The goalkeeper accepts that
they need to improve their home form, but he is fully aware of the
differences between playing at home and away. "It's difficult because it's a
completely different type of game," he said. "When you play at home, teams
are happy to sit off and will say 'come and beat us' and will attack you on
the break. "We knew how Reading would play. We knew that they'd hit the
channels and win throw-ons and corners a lot like Birmingham did when we
went up there. We knew the pace of the lads when we did break would hurt
them" he said. "It's a very different game when you play at home. It's a
fantastic place to play but it can also be a very difficult one when teams
attack you."
It may have been at the start of this year but there seemed that a huge
passage of time had passed between New Year's Day and last Saturday. Back on
January 1, West Ham were destroyed and Green was dropped. This time round
revenge was oh so sweet. "It puts it to bed," insisted Green. "It was quite
nice that 30 seconds after their crowd were singing 6-0 we scored - that
summed up the game I think."
Didn't it just.
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Double signing on deadline day - Newham Recorder
05 September 2007
AFTER all the rumours and hype, there was no arrival of Nicky Shorey or
Adriano at Upton Park. Nor for that matter were Eidur Gudjohnsen and Stephen
Appiah beating down Eggert Magnusson's door. West Ham did manage to do some
business on deadline day, but their two signings seemed to smack of stop
gaps and cover players rather than stars that would walk into the first
team. With so many injuries inflicting the Hammers squad, it was perhaps not
surprising that manager Alan Curbishley felt he had to act accordingly.
"Craig Bellamy had a fitness test on his groin while Bobby Zamora had a
swollen knee after the Bristol Rovers game and we had to do something on
deadline day," confessed the boss. "Eggert and Scott Duxbury worked ever so
hard to bring two players in."
On the face of it, both players look like useful additions to the squad.
Nolberto Solano, the 32-year-old Peruvian international winger, will provide
much-needed cover on the right hand side and with a record of 41 goals in
just over 200 appearances for Newcastle in two spells, he will add firepower
to the West Ham midfield. Meanwhile, Curbishley signed up Wigan striker
Henri Camara on loan just four minutes before the end of the transfer
window. The 30-year-old Senegalese international cost Wigan £3million from
Wolves, but despite 18 goals in 56 appearances, he has dropped down the
pecking order at the JJB.
Curbishley said: "I spoke to the players at 1am. We weren't sure whether it
was going to happen but suddenly it all went through. We had to bring some
players in and we're delighted. "Nolberto Solano can play right midfield and
right back, while Henri Camara has always been a bit of a threat whenever
he's played against us."
Both players are already cup-tied for West Ham's home Carling Cup clash with
Plymouth Argyle which will take place on Wednesday September 26.
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Our snapper Steve has a big night out - Newham Recorder
05 September 2007
NORMALLY Steve Bacon is the man behind the camera - but last week the tables
were turned when he found himself making the headlines. For four decades
Steve has been taking photos in his role as Recorder snapper and West Ham
club photographer. And a whole host of big names turned up to pay tribute to
him at a special dinner held in his honour. Former Hammers stars Tony Gale
and Tony Cottee hosted the evening at Dagenham & Redbridge Football Club as
former players turned up in their droves. Ray Stewart travelled down from
Scotland to be there, while Frank McAvennie drove from Newcastle after
missing his flight! Other ex-Ham-mers Alan Devonshire and Paul Brush were
also in attendance and all took their turn on the microphone and recalled
their favourite 'Steve Bacon moments'. Arthur Edwards, The Sun's famous
Royal photographer, who gave Steve his first job in the business, also
delayed his holiday to make a special appearance and pay tribute to his
former employee. While Gale, who was as composed behind the microphone as he
was on the pitch, explained: "All the special guests wanted to be there as
soon as they heard about the dinner. "Crowds sing about him, he's had a
burger named after him, there really is only one Stevie Bacon," he smiled.
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Blow Bubbles, Not Our Hopes - footballingworld.com
September 5th,
By Danny Wake
Ambition is a characteristic every team must possess if it is to be
successful. Very often, the ambition of a football club originates from its
backbone, the fans; and it is up to the chairman to match these ambitions by
spending their many millions on the best talent available. However, with
ambition comes another trait, called greed, which is ambiguous in terms of
usefulness – it can push those involved to achieve as much as possible, but
can also be detrimental if personal greed comes in the way.
The latter could often be brought on by over-ambition, in football terms
thinking that the club is bigger than it actually is. Perhaps this applies
to West Ham United, where most of the fans consider the club a sleeping
giant. There is no doubting the club's potential; it has a huge fan base and
tickets are regularly sold out at Upton Park. The stadium itself, though in
need of development, rivals most in terms of its size, and the noise
generated by the fans is always electric as soon as "Bubbles" rings across
the ground. There is no question that in a few years time, West Ham United
could become a global name.
However, in recent times there seems to be a distinct unease amongst some
Hammers fans in the ground. For instance, at the Wigan game, while most were
as noisy and as rowdy as ever, a growing minority of fans found it in
themselves to complain rather than chant, to moan rather than sing, to boo
rather than cheer.
There were three incidents in particular during the 1-1 draw. First was the
jeering at Alan Curbishley to bring on Dean Ashton right from the start.
Despite Ashton's patent ability, surely it cannot help the on-field players
if a large chunk of the noise is directed towards one who is running up and
down the sidelines. The fans weren't considering the impact it was having on
the players filling the forward positions, in particular Bobby Zamora, who
clearly looked affected by this and endured a relatively poor game. We
forget that Zamora was one of our best players towards the end of last
season, finishing our top goal scorer, so perhaps we should get behind him
rather than encouraging the manager to take him off. Curbishley himself
might even feel under more pressure than is necessary as a result. He is the
manager, the fans are not – so let him do his job.
Some fans are under the illusion that the club should be challenging for
Europe, seemingly disregarding the recent past
The second was the reaction before the introduction of Lee Bowyer and more
noticeably Luis Boa Morte. Both were booed before they had even touched the
ball, which was ridiculous. Granted they both played poorly in the first
game of the season against Manchester City, but the league spans over ten
months and 38 matches. Boa Morte was another player to pick up his game in
last season's grand finale, and in fact scored against Wigan last year.
Moreover, both substitutions were inevitable – Bellamy was injured while
Bowyer is more of an attacking player than Mullins is, and they both had the
last laugh with Boa Morte providing the assist for Bowyer's equalising goal.
Thirdly, the number of people who left following Wigan's goal was
astounding, especially bearing in mind there were still 15 minutes
remaining. Up to that stage, West Ham were dominating, and leaving after
conceding a goal cannot help the team's cause.
These factors all seem to suggest over-ambition at the club. Last year West
Ham narrowly survived, and were lucky to escape a points deduction. Three
years ago the club clinched promotion from the Championship. Now some fans
are under the illusion that the club should be challenging for Europe and
are upset about the lack of big-name signings, seemingly disregarding the
recent past.
As a chorus of boos echoes across Upton Park, confidence diminishes and
negativity surrounds the team, hindering rather than helping the club's
strive for success. Let us have realistic ambitions, and let a chorus of
bubbles burst the pessimism.
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