WHUFC.com
All of the early team news and stats ahead of the Boxing Day game at the
Boleyn Ground
24.12.2009
Barclays Premier League
West Ham United v Portsmouth
Boleyn Ground
Saturday 26 December
1pm
Referee: Lee Probert
• West Ham United play host to Portsmouth in their second consecutive home
match. Gianfranco Zola's side will be looking to build on their impressive
display in the 1-1 draw with Chelsea last time out in the final home fixture
of 2009.
• The teams last met on a memorable afternoon on Boxing Day last year when
West Ham United left Fratton Park with a 4-1 victory. That started a rich
vein of form that saw the club climb to finish ninth in the Barclays Premier
League table.
• The Hammers will be looking to continue their improving home form. In
their last seven matches in east London, the Hammers have won two and drawn
three with the narrow defeat by Everton and the loss to Manchester United
the only blotches on their Boleyn Ground copy book in that time.
• The point against Chelsea meant it was Saturday's visitors and not the
hosts that go into Christmas bottom. West Ham United are 19th in the table
with 15 points but a win could potentially move the club up to 15th in the
table and within three points of tenth place. Portsmouth are a point and
place below with the same goal difference of minus nine.
• This will be the 33rd meeting between the two clubs. West Ham United have
12 wins with five draws.
Last time out
Sunday 20 December
Barclays Premier League
West Ham United 1-1 Chelsea
West Ham United: Green, Faubert, Gabbidon (Tomkins 19), Upson, Ilunga,
Collison, Kovac, Parker, Noble, Diamanti, Franco
Subs not used: Stech, Spector, da Costa, Jimenez, Stanislas, Nouble
Goal: Diamanti 45 (pen)
Saturday 19 December
Barclays Premier League
Portsmouth 2-0 Liverpool
Portsmouth: Begovic, Finnan, Ben-Haim, Belhadj, Hreidarsson, Kaboul, Brown,
Boateng (Mullins 89), O'Hara, Yebda, Piquionne (Kanu 89)
Subs not used: Utaka, Hughes, Wilson, Dindane, Ashdown,
Goals: Belhadj 33, Piquionne 82
Last meeting
• The two sides last met at Fratton Park on Boxing Day last year when a
Craig Bellamy brace helped the Hammers to a superb 4-1 victory. The teams
that day were -
West Ham United: Green, Neill (Faubert 46), Davenport, Upson, Ilunga,
Collison, Noble (Boa Morte 73), Parker, Behrami, Bellamy, Cole (Tristan 87)
Subs not used: Lastuvka, Collins, Mullins, Di Michele
Goals: Collison 20, Cole 67, Bellamy 70, 83
Portsmouth: James, Wilson, Campbell, Distin, Belhadj, Little (Armand Traore
71), Davis, Hughes, Kranjcar, Defoe (Kanu 73), Crouch
Subs: Ashdown, Pamarot, Hreidarsson, Diop, Nugent
Goal: Belhadj 8
Head to head
(Last six meetings, league unless stated)
26 December 2008 - Portsmouth 1-4 West Ham United
15 November 2008 - West Ham United 0-0 Portsmouth
8 April 2008 - West Ham United 0-1 Portsmouth
27 October 2007 - Portsmouth 0-0 West Ham United
26 December 2006 - West Ham United 1-2 Portsmouth
14 October 2006 - Portsmouth 2-0 West Ham United
Overall record v Portsmouth (all competitions): W 12, D 5, L 14
Next up
• West Ham United travel to north London two days after Boxing Day for a
match with local rivals Tottenham Hotspur. Portsmouth play host to Arsenal
on 30 December at 7.45pm.
Referee
• Saturday's referee is Lee Probert.
• It will be Probert's first West Ham United game for 14 months after he
took charge of the 3-2 loss to West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns last
September. The Hammers were guided by Kevin Keen that day following the
appointment of Gianfranco Zola as manager the previous day.
• He began refereeing in 1986, in leagues local to Bristol, and later in the
Football Conference South. He was promoted to the assistant referees' list
of the Football League in 1998, and made the step up to full referee in the
League five years later.
West Ham United
• West Ham have never beaten Portsmouth at Upton Park in the Premier League
with one draw and three defeats.
• This is the third time in four years that the Hammers have met Portsmouth
on Boxing Day, including last year when the visitors ran out 4-1 winners at
Fratton Park - their first win over the south coast side since 1993.
• Hanging on to leads is crucial if the club are to pick up their second
away win of the campaign. Three times they have failed to convert a two-goal
lead into a win so far this season.
• The Hammers have lost six of their seven games when they have been level
at half-time.
• At Christmas last season, West Ham were 17th. An impressive second-half
run saw them climb the table to finish in ninth place.
• West Ham have scored 26 goals this season with ten different scorers
registering. Carlton Cole leads the way (seven), with Alessandro Diamanti
(four) and Guille Franco (three) next in line. Jack Collison (two), Matthew
Upson (two), Junior Stanislas (two), Manuel da Costa, Mark Noble, Luis
Jimenez and Zavon Hines have also registered.
• Cole is West Ham's top scorer this season with seven goals in 13 league
games. The England striker has scored 14 goals in 25 Premier League games
since Boxing Day 2008.
• Only Robert Green has played in every league game for the club this
season. He is on a run of 106 successive league appearances.
• If selected, Matthew Upson will be making his 300 club career appearance.
• Scott Parker has been booked seven times this season, while Julien
Faubert, Cole, Mark Noble and Guille Franco are each on four yellow cards.
• No side have been awarded more penalties than West Ham (six) this season,
whereas only Burnley (six) have conceded as many penalties as Portsmouth.
Portsmouth
• Portsmouth are looking for back-to-back Premier League wins for the first
time in 14 months.
• Avram Grant's side have lost eleven of the 12 games in which they have
conceded the opening goal this season.
• If they win, Portsmouth could climb out of the relegation zone for the
first time since the opening round of Premier League matches.
Team news
• Both managers have plenty of time to assess their options. Carlton Cole,
Kieron Dyer, Danny Gabbidon, Zavon Hines, Luis Boa Morte and Calum Davenport
are all definitely unavailable.
• Valon Behrami could return after training with the team all week, although
he faces stiff competition for a place after the impressive display against
league leaders Chelsea.
• Cole is making good progress from his knee injury and is aiming for a
January return.
• Dyer is likely to be out for two to three weeks with a hamstring problem
suffered at Bolton Wanderers on 15 December.
• Gabbidon is missing with the hamstring injury picked against Chelesa.
• Hines will be absent for some time because of a knee problem but it is
still too soon to know how long he will be sidelined.
• Boa Morte (knee) and Davenport (leg) remain long-term absentees.
• Portsmouth have no new fresh injury worries so could start with the same
team that beat Liverpool.
• Former Hammers David James is likely to miss out again with a calf strain,
although has been training. Asmir Begovic is set to deputise for the veteran
goalkeeper once more should he fail to make it.
Old boys
• Hayden Mullins will return to the Boleyn Ground for the first time since
his J26 January 2009 switch to the south coast for an undisclosed fee. He
signed for West Ham from Crystal Palace for £800,000 in October 2003 and had
been the longest-serving first-team player at the Boleyn Ground. The
midfielder, 30, played 178 league games for the club, scoring four goals.
• David James moved to West Ham United for £3.5m on 11 July 2001, signing a
four year contract. He played 102 times for the Hammers before signing for
Manchester City on 14 January 2004.
• Other players to have played for both teams include: Greg Campbell, Lee
Chapman, Jermain Defoe, Bill Ford, Hayden Foxe, Shaka Hislop, Billy James,
Glen Johnson, Bill Joyce, Alex McDonald, Nicky Morgan, Sebastien Schemmel,
Peter Shearing, Teddy Sheringham, Roy Smith, Stephen Smith, Pavel Srnicek,
Alan Stephenson, Ron Tindall, Svetoslav Todorov, Charlie Whitchurch.
General information
For ticket information, click here. For details on getting to the Boleyn
Ground, click here
Weather: The forecast is for a bright day with slight cloud and a top
temperature of around 8C.
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Herita a happy Hammer
WHUFC.com
The visit of Portsmouth will reunite a more than content Herita Ilunga with
a familar face
24.12.2009
Herita Ilunga is relishing the prospect of taking on an old friend when West
Ham United welcome Portsmouth to east London on Boxing Day. Frederic
Piquionne will be leading the visitors' attack and was twice a former
team-mate of the Hammers left-back. The pair were together at Stade Rennais,
before linking up at Saint-Etienne. During that latter spell, Ilunga was
voted player of the year and, unsurprisingly to the Boleyn Ground faithful,
a firm favourite with supporters. He said: "I knew Frederic at Rennes, where
we were together with the reserves. We teamed up again at St Etienne where
we were together two years. He is a good forward. "
Ilunga was pleased to play his part in an encouraging team display against
Chelsea last Sunday after admitting he has found the stop-start nature of
this season frustrating. "It's been difficult for me, " the 27-year-old
said. "The season started badly with a fractured jaw and then I got a
hamstring problem against Aston Villa. But I'm not making excuses,
football's like that - you have to accept it."
A steady presence in the Hammers ranks, Ilunga has had strong backing from
the fans, who have understood the difficulties he has faced this season.
"They're the best fans in England," he said, particularly mindful in return
of the hassles many face when travelling to away games. "It can't be easy
for them but even when we are losing they keep getting behind us and
singing."
With DR Congo not involved in January's CAF African Cup of Nations or the
2010 FIFA World Cup, Ilunga will himself have a supporting role this summer.
He said he has high hopes for his new adopted country in the summer finals.
"I am a supporter of England. I play in this wonderful league in this great
country so I really hope they do well. London is a lovely city and I am
really happy to be here. It's a wonderful opportunity. I love this place. I
like variety and you can find everything you want here."
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A Claret and Blue Christmas
WHUFC.com
The West Ham United players spread some Christmas cheer by visiting sick
children in hospitals
24.12.2009
The West Ham United squad was divided this week with the players dispatched
in different directions across a very wintry east London and south Essex. It
was time for the club's annual Christmas holiday visit but, rather than pick
one deserving location, this time it was decided to reach many more needy
kids by splitting up and covering three in the Hammers heartland - Richard
House Children's Hospice in Beckton, King George hospital in Goodmayes and
Basildon Hospital. Cars loaded with West Ham goodie bags and
specially-bought presents headed out with the players but the main aim was
to bring some festive cheer to those facing a difficult Christmas. The
squad, backed by the club, paid out of their own pockets, but the most
precious gift was that of their time. Crucially, there was also support for
those who give their lives to caring for others - whether staff or families.
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West Ham v Portsmouth
BBc.co.uk
Saturday, 26 December 2009
Premier League
West Ham v Portsmouth 13:00
Venue: Upton Park Date: Saturday, 26 December 2009 Kick-off: 1300 GMT
Coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio 5 Live, local radio, Final Score &
highlights on Match of the Day
TEAM NEWS
West Ham could start with the same side that finished against Chelsea last
week, with James Tompkins continuing to cover for the injured Danny
Gabbidon. Valeron Behrami is back in the squad after a knee injury, though
may have to be content with a place on the bench.
Portsmouth have no fresh injury concerns and could name the same team who
defeated Liverpool a week ago. Goalkeeper David James is still nursing a
calf strain, with Asmir Begovic again set to deputise for the veteran
keeper.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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West Ham
Suspended: None Doubtful: None
Injured: Boa Morte, Cole & Hines (all knee), Davenport (thigh), Dyer &
Gabbidon (both hamstring)
Portsmouth
Suspended: None Doubtful: James (calf)
Injured: None
MATCH PREVIEW
West Ham's crucial point against Premier League leaders Chelsea last weekend
handed opponents Portsmouth the unwanted gift of being bottom of the table
at Christmas. History suggests that Pompey now have only a one in 18 chance
of survival come the end of the season.
People have been saying that if you are bottom at Christmas you are going
to go down... We are still right in there and the people in the dressing
room believe we can get out of it. We don't listen to what others are saying
Portsmouth midfielder Jamie O'Hara
Since the Premier League began in 1992 all bar one club that spent Christmas
at the foot of the table has gone on to be relegated. The exception to the
rule are West Brom, who incidentally beat Pompey on the final day five
seasons ago to stay up.
Two wins from five league games under new boss Avram Grant has given Pompey
fans genuine belief that the club can buck the trend and stay up. His
arrival has coincided with a change in formation, with Algerian Nadir
Belhadj one of the men to have benefited.
His goalscoring performance against Liverpool last Saturday was his first
start for the club since September. He also neutralised the impact of Glen
Johnson, something that would not have escaped the attentions of Fabio
Capello ahead of England's meeting with Algeria in the World Cup next June.
However, Belhadj is one of four Pompey players bound for the Africa Cup of
Nations after this fixture. Hassan Yebda, Aruna Dindane and veteran Kanu are
all likely to be absent until early February, and with a transfer embargo
still hanging over the club, it could prove to be a tricky start to 2010.
The West Ham camp have been in high spirits after their resilient efforts
against Chelsea. Midfielder Mark Noble revealed an out-of-the-blue heartfelt
speech from manager Gianfranco Zola was behind the performance, adding that
the players are united in their efforts for their boss, having let him down
in recent matches.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
• West Ham have never beaten Portsmouth at Upton Park in the Premier League
(D1, L3).
• This is the third time in four years that these two teams have met on
Boxing Day, including last year when the Hammers ran out 4-1 winners at
Fratton Park.
• No side have been awarded more penalties than West Ham (6) this season,
whereas only Burnley (6) have conceded as many penalties as Portsmouth.
West Ham
• Alessandro Diamanti has scored two goals in his last two games. He is the
only West Ham player to have scored in 385 minutes of Premier League
football.
• Three of the last five goals scored by the Hammers have come form the
penalty spot, and they are without a clean sheet in 15 league games.
• Two of West Ham's three league victories this term have come against
newly-promoted sides. Their only win against an established Premier League
club was at home to Aston Villa in early November.
• If selected, Matthew Upson will be making his 300 club career appearance.
Portsmouth
• Since Avram Grant took charge, Portsmouth have scored in all five Premier
League games, with Frederic Piquionne finding the net in each of his last
two matches.
• Portsmouth are looking for back-to-back league wins for the first time in
14 months - since beating Tottenham (h) and Stoke City (h) last season.
• Pompey have lost 11 of the 12 games in which they have conceded the
opening goal this season.
• Depending on other results over the festive weekend, Portsmouth could
climb out of the relegation zone for the first time since the opening round
of Premier League matches.
LEADING GOALSCORERS
West Ham
Cole: 7 goals (7 league); Diamanti: 4 goals (4 league)
Portsmouth
Piquionne: 6 goals (3 league); Dindane: 5 goals (4 league)
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Lee Probert
Assistant referees: Darren Cann & Nick Kinseley
Fourth official: Keith Hill
LAST LEAGUE MATCH LINE-UPS
West Ham (D1-1 v Chelsea, h): Green, Faubert, Gabbidon (Tomkins 19), Upson,
Ilunga, Noble, Kovac, Parker, Collison, Franco, Diamanti.
Subs Not Used: Stech, Jimenez, Spector, Da Costa, Nouble, Stanislas.
Portsmouth (W2-0 v Liverpool, h): Begovic, Finnan, Kaboul, Ben-Haim,
Hreidarsson, Yebda, Brown, O'Hara, Belhadj, Boateng (Mullins 89), Piquionne
(Kanu 90).
Subs Not Used: Ashdown, Utaka, Hughes, Dindane, Wilson.
MOST RECENT MEETING
Portsmouth 1-4 West Ham (26 December 2008)
Portsmouth scorer: Belhadj 8
West Ham scorers: Collison 20, Cole 67, Bellamy 70, 83
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Sell Upson at your peril
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 24th December 2009
By: Staff Writer
Gianfranco Zola is in danger of falling foul of his employers after
questioning the potential sale of Matthew Upson. The 30-year-old centre
half, who is currently lined up to be one of three West Ham players to
feature for England at next summer's World Cup finals in South Africa has
refused to sign an extension to his current contract which expires in 18
months' time. The club's owners CB Holdings have apparently insisted that
further player sales are made during next month's transfer window despite
having previously claimed that the club is now self-sustaining. Favourite
for the chop, almost by default, is club captain Upson.
Zola however understandably fails to agree with that assessment - and admits
that should Upson, his only remaning top-class defender, become the latest
victim of CB Holdings' year-long fire-sale that his team will have even less
chance of avoiding the drop come May. You know, we want to keep the best
players," he told reporters assembled for the Portsmouth pre-match press
conference. "I don't know what's going to happen next month. "The only thing
I know for sure is that before then we have three games coming up that are
very, very important and I want to focus on them. That's the main thing, the
rest is out of my control. "The first step is to get through this game on
Saturday, which is vital, and let's do it all together and then we'll see
what happens."
Upson, who has been linked with Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool amongst
others in recent weeks - has made it clear that he sees his future away from
the Boleyn. However West Ham - or rather owners CB Holdings - could just as
easily wait until the summer to sell, should Upson remain unmoved Of course,
any eventual transfer fee is likely to be far less in the summer which has
presumably led to the notion that Upson is expendable - but relegation from
the Premier League, a much more likely scenario without the club captain,
would cost the club much, much more.
A fire sale by any other name: who's been flogged in 2009
Matthew Etherington: The first to go this year. Stoke coughed up around £3m
to take him to the Brittania where he has impressed in an improving Stoke
team.
Craig Bellamy: Sold to Man City for around £12m amidst rumours of him being
a trouble maker. Rumours which were later refuted.
Hayden Mullins: Flogged to Portsmouth last January. Replaced by Radoslav
Kovac who has been half the player Mullins was.
David Di Michele: Made 34 appearances for Zola last season but still moved
on in the summer. Striker-less West Ham now set to recall Freddie Sears from
Crystal Palace.
Lucas Neill: Offered a far inferior deal to that he was on and told the club
to poke it. Now playing for Everton.
Lee Bowyer: released on a free transfer in June. Scored the winning goal
against his old club in the recent defeat at Birmingham.
Savio Nsereko: Nani's very own Nigel Quashie. Nobody will ever know how much
West Ham lost on this extremely questionable deal.
James Collins: Flogged to Aston Villa on summer transfer deadline day for
£5m.
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Get your boots on Zola
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 23rd December 2009
By: Staff Writer
Gianfranco Zola has been left in the farcical situation of having no fit
first team strikers available after Guillermo Franco was ruled out of the
Boxing Day clash with Portsmouth.
Mexican striker Franco, who took a knock during the second half against
Chelsea last weekend is understood to have sustained the injury during
training on Wednesday and was immediately ruled out of this wekeend's clash
with the league's bottom club, according to the Independent.
With rookie Zavon Hines and Carlton Cole already injured - and Dean Ashton
having recently retired - Zola is left with teenager Frank Nouble as his
only direct replacement, although Italian Alessandro Diamanti has plenty of
experience as a withdrawn striker and could be asked to fill in.
Franco, who has proved a decent acquisition since joining the club on a free
transfer in September is also set to miss the trip to Tottenham on Monday
but should be back in time to face Arsenal in the third round of the FA Cup
the following weekend.
Meanwhile Carlton Cole continues to push for a mid-January return whilst
Zavon Hines could be out for several months should a longstanding injury
necessitate urgent treatment. West Ham are set to recall Freddie Sears,
without a senior goal in 18 months at either Premier League or Championship
level from his loan spell at Crytsla Palace to ease the crisis.
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West Ham v Pompey preview
Hammers host relegation rivals Pompey in relegation six-pointer
Last updated: 24th December 2009
SSN
PREDICTIONS:
Skysports.com prediction: 0-3
SKY BET odds: West Ham 6/5, Draw 9/4, Portsmouth 23/10
One to Watch: Kevin-Prince Boateng
The Premier League's bottom two meet at Upton Park on Boxing Day as West Ham
host relegation rivals Portsmouth. While Gianfranco Zola's Hammers continue
to toil, Pompey are a side on the up after a dramatic upturn in their home
form. Avram Grant's side deservedly beat Liverpool last time out while West
Ham battled bravely in holding league leaders Chelsea. This is a fixture
neither side can afford to lose as it is against a direct rival while the
odds are already against Portsmouth as they are bottom at Christmas.
West Brom remain the only side to have been bottom over the festive period
after staging an unlikely second half of the season comeback and retain
their top-flight status in the 2004/05 campaign.
Zola faces a striker crisis for the visit of Grant's troops as Italian
forward Alessandro Diamanti is his only recognised goalscorer. Guillermo
Franco picked up an injury in training on Wednesday and is set for a short
spell on the sidelines. With Dean Ashton retired and Carlton Cole, Kieron
Dyer and Zavon Hines sidelined through injury, 18 year old Frank Nouble and
ex-Spurs youth team starlet Terry Dixon are his only two options. The
Italian will also be without experienced defender Danny Gabbidon after he
picked up a hamstring injury. The defender lasted just 19 minutes of the 1-1
draw against Chelsea last time out and it looks as though he will be on the
sidelines until the early part of the New Year.
James Tomkins who replaced Gabbidon on Sunday is likely to keep his place in
the side and will partner Matthew Upson who returned against Chelsea and has
shown no ill effects from his hamstring problems. Valon Behrami is closing
in on a return to fitness following a knee injury and although the game
against Pompey could come too soon for him, he could play a part in the
festive period.
Grant could have England international David James back for their crucial
game against fellow strugglers West Ham. The vastly-experienced shot-stopper
has trained this week but is still nursing a calf injury. Second choice
keeper Asmir Begovic will continue to cover between the sticks if he fails
to make it. Manager Grant has no further injury worries, although Kanu,
Hassan Yebda, Nadir Belhadj and Aruna Dindane could all play their last game
before joining up with their national sides for the African Cup of Nations.
Belhadj should keep his place in the side after a lively display against the
Reds last time out that included scoring the opening goal of the game at
Fratton Park.
Possible starting XIs
West Ham: Green, Ilunga, Tomkins, Upson, Spector, Parker, Noble, Kovac,
Faubert, Nouble, Diamanti
Pompey: James, Finnan, Kaboul, Ben-Haim, Hreidarsson, Belhadj, Brown,
Boateng, O'Hara, Yebda, Piquionne
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Zola uncertain over sales
Hammers boss admits decision on sales may be out of his hands
Last updated: 23rd December 2009
SSN
West Ham United manager Gianfranco Zola does not know if his best players
will be sold from beneath him in the January transfer window. Endless
speculation regarding the Hammers' current financial predicament has
suggested that Rob Green, Matthew Upson, Scott Parker and Carlton Cole could
feature in a fundraising exercise. Zola is desperate to keep that spine of
his squad together but the Italian does not know what January will bring and
admits a final decision may be out of his hands. "You know, we want to keep
the best players. I don't know what's going to happen next month," said
Zola. "The only thing I know for sure is that before then we have three
games coming up that are very, very important and I want to focus on them.
That's the main thing, the rest is out of my control." The Hammers tackle
Portsmouth, the only side below them in the Premier League, on Boxing Day
and that fixture is the immediate focus for Zola. "The first step is get
through this game on Saturday which is vital and let's do it all together
and then we'll see what happens (in January)," added the Hammers boss. "I
can only focus on the game and make sure everything goes well on the pitch.
If we keep the same spirit we have against Chelsea I think we are going to
go through everything, that is my personal belief."
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Gianfranco Zola consigned to losing West Ham stars in January transfer
window
West Ham's current financial predicament has led to suggestions that England
quartet Rob Green, Matthew Upson, Scott Parker and Carlton Cole may have to
be sold in January's transfer window.
Telegraph.co.uk
By Telegraph staff
Published: 9:00AM GMT 24 Dec 2009
Zola is desperate to keep that spine of his squad together but the Italian
does not know what January will bring - and he admits a final decision may
ultimately be out of his hands. Former Birmingham City owners David Sullivan
and David Gold are understood to have tabled a £50 million takeover bid -
around half of what the club think the east London side are worth. and Gold
are reportedly also ready to give manager Zola some £20 million for
transfers during the January window to bolster a struggling squad but West
Ham's leading shareholder CB Holding has said they are in no hurry to sell.
"You know, we want to keep the best players. I don't know what's going to
happen next month," said Zola. "The only thing I know for sure is that
before then we have three games coming up that are very, very important and
I want to focus on them. That's the main thing, the rest is out of my
control."
The Hammers tackle Portsmouth, the only side below them in the league, on
Boxing Day followed by high-flying Tottenham on December 28 and Arsenal in
the FA Cup on January 3. West Ham may be in 19th place but they head into
the Portsmouth game on the back of a 1-1 home draw with league leaders
Chelsea. "The first step is get through this game on Saturday which is vital
and let's do it all together and then we'll see what happens (in January),"
Zola added. "I can only focus on the game and make sure everything goes well
on the pitch. If we keep the same spirit we have against Chelsea I think we
are going to go through everything, that is my personal belief."
Defender Danny Gabbidon will miss the Portsmouth game with a hamstring
injury but Zola has midfielder Valon Behrami back in contention.
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