Wolves match preview
WHUFC.com
All the early team news and background for Tuesday night's home match with
Wolves
22.03.2010
Barclays Premier League
West Ham United v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Boleyn Ground
Tuesday 23 March 2010
8pm
Referee: Phil Dowd
• West Ham United will look to arrest a run of four straight defeats -
including reverses against the top-flight's top three on the road - when
they welcome Wolverhampton Wanderers for a vital Barclays Premier League
match on Tuesday night.
• Mick McCarthy's side have not lost in their last two matches on the road
at Burnley [a 2-1 win] and Aston Villa [a 2-2 draw] this month. They will
hope to make it a claret and blue treble at the Boleyn Ground.
• The match was originally due to be played on 10 January before being
beaten by adverse weather conditions in east London. It was then rescheduled
for Tuesday 2 February only for Wolves' FA Cup commitments at the time to
lead to a second postponement.
• A home win would move 17th-placed West Ham six points clear of the drop
zone with a far superior goal difference to the clubs in the bottom three.
They would also leapfrog Wolves, who are currently one point and one place
above the Hammers.
• West Ham have still not won away this season since a 2-0 success at
Molineux on the opening day. Before losing 2-1 at home to Bolton Wanderers
on 6 March, they had gone five matches unbeaten at home.
• Wolves have been unchanged for the last six home matches, a luxury only
open to Gianfranco Zola once this season back in August and the matches
against Tottenham Hotspur (home) and Blackburn Rovers (away).
• The hosts have enjoyed a good run of form against the Midlanders, with
four wins and just one defeat in their last six meetings. They have not lost
at home to Wolves since a 2-1 defeat in March 1978 - the only time in the
Midlanders' last 15 trips to the Boleyn.
• This will be the sides' second encounter in the Premier League but they
have met 56 times before. West Ham hold the upper hand with 26 wins. Wolves
have emerged victorious on 17 occasions.
Last time out
Saturday 20 March 2010
Barclays Premier League
Arsenal 2-0 West Ham United
West Ham United: Green, Upson, Spector, Tomkins, Daprela, Kovac (Noble 70),
Behrami, Stanislas, Franco (Cole 57), Diamanti, Mido (McCarthy 75)
Subs not used: Stech, Spence, Ilunga, Ilan
Saturday 20 March 2010
Barclays Premier League
Aston Villa 2-2 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolves: Hahnemann, Foley, Berra, Craddock, Zubar, Henry, Jarvis (Iwelumo
89), David Jones, Stephan Ward (Mancienne 64), Guedioura (Elokobi 45), Doyle
Subs not used: Hennessey, Keogh, Ebanks-Blake, Milijas
Goals: Craddock 23, Milner 38 og
Last meeting
The teams last met at Molineux on 15 August 2009 when goals in each half
from Mark Noble and Matthew Upson ensured a 2-0 away win for the Hammers.
The teams that day were -
West Ham United: Green, Faubert, Upson, Collins, Ilunga (Spector 65),
Parker, Noble, Collison, Dyer (Stanislas 73), Jimenez, Cole (Nouble 90)
Subs not used: Kurucz, Gabbidon, Spector, Payne, Hines
Wolverhampton Wanderers: Hennessey, Foley (Vokes 75), Mancienne (Stearman
67), Craddock, Ward, Halford, Henry, Milijas (Edwards 80), Jarvis,
Ebanks-Blake, Keogh
Subs not used: Hahnemann, Elokobi, Surman, Jones
Head to head
Last six meetings (league unless stated)
15 August 2009 - Wolverhampton Wanderers 0-2 West Ham United
15 January 2005 - Wolverhampton Wanderers 4-2 West Ham United
2 October 2004 - West Ham United 1-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers
25 January 2004 - Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-3 West Ham United (FA Cup)
6 March 1993 - West Ham United 3-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers
4 October 1992 - Wolverhampton Wanderers 0-0 West Ham United
Next up
• West Ham United have another vital home game on Saturday against Stoke
City, click here for ticket news. Wolves' own survival fight will see them
welcome high-flying Everton.
Referee
• Tuesday's referee is Phil Dowd, who was the original appointment when the
match was first due to be played on 10 January.
• Dowd began refereeing in 1984. He was promoted to the Barclays Premier
League list of referees in 2001. This is his ninth season as a top-flight
referee.
• He was the fourth official at the 2006 FA Cup final between West Ham
United and Liverpool at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.
• Dowd took charge of five West Ham matches last season, most notably the
3-1 home victory over Newcastle United on 20 September, Gianfranco Zola's
first match as Hammers manager. Dowd was also the man in the middle for the
home matches against Arsenal, Fulham and Manchester United and the
penultimate game of the season away at Everton.
• Tuesday's game will be Dowd's third Hammers game of the season after
refereeing the goalless draw with Blackburn Rovers on 29 August and the 2-2
draw with Fulham on 4 October.
• Dowd has not taken charge of one match involving Wolves this season,
despite officiating in 30 different games.
West Ham United
• Before Alessandro Diamanti missed at the Emirates on Saturday, the Hammers
had scored all seven of the penalties they have been awarded this season, a
Premier League high.
• Diamanti's eight goals in all competitions has left him just one behind
top scorer Carlton Cole.
• Hammer of the Year holder Scott Parker has won more free-kicks (53) than
any other player in claret and blue.
• West Ham have scored 37 goals this season in the league with 15 different
players on target. Carlton Cole leads the way (nine), with Alessandro
Diamanti (seven) and Guille Franco and Matthew Upson (three) next in line.
Jack Collison, Mark Noble, Junior Stanislas (two each), Ilan, Manuel da
Costa, the departed Luis Jimenez, Zavon Hines, Radoslav Kovac, Valon
Behrami, Julien Faubert and Scott Parker have also registered. An own-goal
from Everton's Tony Hibbert completes the tally.
• Parker has been cautioned nine times this season and Faubert, Franco,
Kovac and Noble five each. Cole and Collison are on four yellow cards, but
will not be suspended if they receive a fifth as the FA disciplinary
deadline has passed. Should any player reach ten cautions before the second
Sunday in April, they will receive a two-mach suspension.
• Only Robert Green has played in every league game for the club this
season. He is on a run of 117 successive league starts.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
• Wolves have scored just 25 goals this season, the lowest tally in the top
flight.
• They have only won two matches in their last dozen.
• Kevin Doyle with six goals is their top scorer, with defender Jody
Craddock the surprise name pushing him hard with five strikes.
Team news
• Gianfranco Zola could recall weekend substitutes Mark Noble, Benni
McCarthy and Carlton Cole into his starting lineup. He is also monitoring
the return to fitness of Julien Faubert, Herita Ilunga, Danny Gabbidon,
Scott Parker and Kieron Dyer - with at least one or two of that quartet
hoping to figure on the bench.
• Luis Boa Morte is edging nearer to his own full training comeback after
missing the whole season to date with a cruciate knee ligament injury
suffered last July.
• Manuel da Costa will miss out as he serves the final game of a three-match
suspension for his red card in the reserves last month.
• Zavon Hines will not play again this season with a knee injury.
• Wolves have enjoyed a consistent run of team selection and only Michael
Kightly is out with ankle and knee problems.
Old boys
• Carlton Cole spent two months on loan at Wolves at the end of 2003, where
he made seven appearances, scoring one goal.
• First-team coach Kevin Keen played 42 times for Wolves after leaving West
Ham in 1993.
Others who have played for both clubs include Jeremie Aliadiere, Edward
Anderson, Frank Burrill, Henri Camara, Robert 'Dickie' Deacon, Tommy Dunn,
Noel Dwyer, Joe Gallagher, Bobby Gould, Harry Hooper, Tudor Martin, Shaun
Newton, Nigel Quashie and Dick Richards.
General information
Tickets for the match are now on general sale. For ticket information, click
here. For details on getting to the Boleyn Ground, click here
Weather: Tuesday night's forecast is for a cloudy evening. The top
temperature will be 8C.
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Zola wary but ready
WHUFC.com
Tuesday night promises to be a battle at the Boleyn but Gianfranco Zola is
confident for the challenge
22.03.2010
Gianfranco Zola is well aware of the challenge posed by Wolverhampton
Wanderers on Tuesday but is more than confident his men will be up for a
"massive game". The manager would gladly take a repeat of the 2-0 win for
the Hammers when the sides met back on the opening day of the season at
Molineux. To help, he should have a number of key players back in contention
as well as the support of 30,000 plus fans urging the team on to take a
major step towards survival. Julien Faubert, Kieron Dyer and Scott Parker
may come into Zola's thinking along with weekend substitutes Mark Noble,
Benni McCarthy and Carlton Cole. Wolves themselves will arrive full of
confidence. A 1-1 draw at Aston Villa on Saturday lifted them a point above
West Ham, who in turn could move six points clear of the drop zone come
Wednesday morning with victory. Zola, who has another major home match
against Stoke City this weekend, said: "The table could look very different
for us on Saturday night but we have to keep our mind on the job in hand.
Once again, the fan support will be massive and we have to take advantage of
being at home. We are all very positive and will give everything we can. "We
cannot dwell on the weekend. We must think only of what we need to do
against Wolves and then we can look to what we need to do on Saturday here
against Stoke City. "This is a massive game - a true six-pointer - and
Wolves will be up for it as we are. They are in good form and got an
excellent result at Aston Villa at the weekend. They can battle but they can
also play good football. "We know it is an important game but we have to
keep on the same line for all eight fixtures we have left to play. We have
to prepare and be ready in the right way but also keep calm and avoid doing
silly things. There are plenty of points left to win. "We will need to be at
our best to get the result but we know what the potential prize is at the
end of this week."
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Arsenal 0-2 Reserves FT
WHUFC.com
Davide Ferrari and Terry Dixon are on target in an impressive victory for
Alex Dyer's side at Underhill
22.03.2010
Arsenal reserves v West Ham United reserves
Barclays Premier Reserve League South
Underhill, Barnet FC
Monday 22 March 2010
Kick-off: 7pm
Full-time score - Arsenal reserves 0-2 West Ham United reserves
94 mins - The full-time whistle is blown. Dyer will be delighted with his
team's application tonight. They've worked their socks off and scored two
good goals. Plenty of positives and a semblance of revenge for Saturday's
Premier League defeat by the same opposition. Be sure to visit WHUTV
tomorrow for highlights and exclusive reaction from tonight's game.
93 mins - Kurucz is there again! He makes a fantastic reflex save to tip
Miguel's shot over the bar. From the resulting corner, Dixon hacks clear.
92 mins - Full marks to the Hammers tonight. A lot of the lads in dark blue
have played very well. Kurucz, who is wearing grey, saves well again from
Barazite's header.
91 mins - We're going to have a minimum of three added minutes. Arsenal keep
passing, but they're not scoring...
89 mins - Henderson and Ozyakup combine to set up another shooting chance
for Barazite, but he drives his shot well wide from 25 yards. The break
gives Dyer the chance to replace Wearen with Kearns.
88 mins - We're going to see Danny Kearns at the next break in play.
86 mins - Interesting effort from Frimpong, whose bicycle kick hits the roof
of the stand. A third change for Arsenal is made, with Nicos Yennaris on for
Fimpong.
85 mins - Wearen is back into the action, just in time to see Kurucz make
another fine save to deny Barazite. The Dutchman had got in behind
McNaughton and really should have finished Coquelin's pass.
83 mins - The game is being played almost exclusively inside the West Ham
half. The Hammers threaten to break through Dixon, but Eastmond gets in a
vital challenge. A slight break in play as Wearen receives some running
repairs for what looks like a stiff back. The Irishman has done a lot of
running tonight. He's going to be OK to continue.
82 mins - That's Watt's last contribution, He is the man replaced by Angha.
81 mins - The substitute, Martin Angha, is waiting to make his entrance, but
the ball won't go out of play. Watt tries to get in behind Sanchez, but his
balance lets him down and Kurucz collects. Seconds later, Ozyakup crosses
and Watt heads wide at the far post, but it would not have counted. The No11
was offside.
79 mins - Arsenal are going make a second change here, but not before
Coquelin receives some attention after Wearen fell on top of him.
77 mins - West Ham concede a corner. Henderson's initial delivery is
half-cleared by Wearen, but the ball finds its way back to the No10. He
whips it in left-footed, but it skips wide of the far post.
76 mins - McNaughton has slotted in as the left of the three centre-backs,
with Brown moving out to left wing-back.
75 mins - Good work again from Kurucz, who is out quickly to acrobatically
snatch the ball away from in front of Barazite. West Ham are going to make
their first change here. Ferrari is replaced by Callum McNaughton.
74 mins - Dixon wins the ball back and feeds Wearen, who is tripped by
Frimpong inside the centre circle. A chance for the Hammers to alleviate
some pressure.
73 mins - Both sets of fans are getting a bit excited, exchanging banter in
the stand. It's all good-natured stuff.
71 mins - Evina crosses and Watt slides in at the near post, but Spence is
there to clear.
70 mins - Freeman is replaced by Oguzhan Ozyakup for the final 20 minutes or
so.
69 mins - What a save! Kurucz hasn't had a lot to do so far, but he is
obviously fully focused on the game as he flings himself to his left to keep
out Barazite's snap-shot. The chance had come after West Ham failed to clear
an Arsenal corner.
68 mins - Evina crosses and, guess who? Yes, Sanchez slides in to clear
again. Arsenal are really upping the pressure on the Hammers here. It may be
a matter of fitness now.
67 mins - Good positioning from Sanchez there as he clears Frimpong's cross
from inside his own six-yard box. Seconds later, he is there again to hack
Evina's cross clear.
65 mins - Evina crosses from left-back, but Frimpong can't get enough on his
header and the ball skims wide again. A win tonight would take West Ham
above Portsmouth into fifth place, while Arsenal would remain second in the
table.
64 mins - Nearly deja-vu all over again for Fabianski, who dives to his
right to collect Abdulla's cross, only to allow the ball to slip from his
grasp. Luckily for the goalkeeper, Miquel was there to clean up the danger.
61 mins - Watt turns on the jets to burst past Lee, but his cross is headed
behind by Sanchez. Henderson crosses and Barazite heads over the top.
59 mins - Sergio Sanchez will not want to see that again! He slips over and
allows the ball to bounce past him to Henderson. Wearen tries to challenge.
The No10 gets his shot away, but it is wide of the far post.
57 mins - Arsenal come close to halving the deficit with a marvellous goal.
Henderson finds Coquelin, who tricks his way inside Ferrari with a drop of
the shoulder before rolling the ball to Barazite 25 yards from goal. The
Dutch youngster takes a touch before curling a shot over Kurucz, but it
bounces back off the crossbar to safety.
56 mins - Spence brings the ball clear before challenging Frimpong, who
doesn't like the defender's tackle. The referee waves the Arsenal midfielder
away and tells him to get on with the game.
55 mins - Dixon's tail is up. He pulls Ferrari's long pass out of the air
with his toe, but is crowded out before the supporting cast can climb the
hill to join him.
54 mins - The visiting fans among the small crowd loved that goal, as you
might expect. I would suggest even the home supporters sitting around me
were a trifle impressed, too.
52 mins - GOAL! That was a fantastic goal. Abdulla launches an inch-perfect
pass over the Gunners back-four to Dixon. The forward lets the ball bounce
before lashing a low shot past Fabianski first-time. The Pole got a hand to
the ball, but he couldn't keep it out. Fine pass, and an even better finish.
50 mins - Good work from Wearen to win the ball back in midfield. Abdulla
lays it off to Payne, but his first-time pass for Dixon is overhit and flies
out for a goal-kick. Dixon was in plenty of space there.
49 mins - Payne fouls Watt about 30 yards from goal. The forward curls the
ball in and Spence heads clear. He has been a rock so far, has the captain.
48 mins - West Ham haven't climbed the hill out of their own half yet since
the break. Arsenal are knocking the ball around confidently, and Ferrari is
forced into a rushed clearance under pressure from Barazite.
46 mins - Brown is immediately put under pressure and plays the ball back to
Kurucz, who boots it into the stand.
Here come the Hammers, led by captain Spence. No changes for either side at
the interval. West Ham will kick-off, shooting up the slope, courtesy of
Dixon and Abdulla.
Arsenal are out first after the break, just in time to watch West Ham sub
Filip Modelski launch a shot that nearly clears the net behind the goal -
and it's a very big net.
Half-time score - Arsenal reserves 0-1 West Ham United reserves
47 mins - After 70 seconds of added time, the referee blows for half-time.
46 mins - A clear shooting chance for Barazite as the game enters added
time. Freeman finds him in space the wrong side of Brown, but he skies his
shot into the net behind the goal.
45 mins - Payne concedes a free-kick, which Arsenal take quickly to Freeman,
but Spence is there to challenge.
43 mins - West Ham are frustrating the home side here. Barrett picks up the
ball from Dixon in midfield before being pulled to the ground. Payne lofts
the ball into the penalty area, where Fabianski is out bravely to catch. He
gets a whack on the head, but he's OK to continue.
41 mins - A crunching tackle from Payne sees the ball fly to Dixon, who runs
at last defender Miquel before losing his footing. That was a half-chance.
39 mins - Arsenal break up the hill and win a corner. Barazite crosses high
and Eastmond heads it harmlessly wide of the far post. He was unmarked,
though, which manager Dyer will be concerned about.
38 mins - Close to a second for West Ham. Wearen's loose touch falls to
Barrett 18 yards out. He hits his shot first-time, but it flies just past
the angle of post and crossbar via a deflection off Cruise. The corner again
comes to nothing.
36 mins - Wearen plays in Sanchez, who challenges Tom Cruise and the ball
rolls out for a corner. The delivery is poor, however, and Arsenal hack the
ball clear at the near post.
35 mins - A loose header from Brown falls to Barazite in the box. He falls
to the ground, but no serious appeals are made for a penalty.
34 mins - Left-back Evina plays a ball between Lee and Sanchez for
Henderson, but the No10's cross is weak and floats straight into Kurucz's
hands. Still plenty of passing but no end-product from Arsenal. Captain
Spence and his two fellow centre-backs are working hard to close any gaps.
31 mins - Modelski and Kearns have a run up and down the touchline. I don't
blame them, as it's a bit cold. It's quite a still night, now, though, as
the wind and rain have abated. Lee tries to loft a ball over the back four
for Abdulla to chase, but he is offside.
29 mins - Payne clips the ball in and Abdulla heads it wide of the far post.
It wouldn't have counted, though, as the assistant referee had raised his
flag for offside.
28 mins - Payne concedes a free-kick inside the Arsenal half. It is taken
quickly, but Barrett works hard to charge down Miquel's clearance before
West Ham win a free-kick deep inside the Gunners half. Payne to take...
26 mins - Freeman runs at Sanchez before crossing left-footed, but it's too
strong for the unmarked Nacer Barazite. Arsenal force a corner off Brown,
but Kurucz is there to claim the high ball.
25 mins - Kurucz makes his first save of the night, and it's a comfortable
one. Payne gives the ball away and it is worked to Henderson, who shoots low
from 25 yards. The ball bounces harmlessly through into the Hungarian's
arms.
23 mins - Beautiful football again from the Gunners, this time down the
right. Unfortunately for the hosts, Francis Coquelin's cross is too strong
and there is no-one in a red and white shirt to apply a finishing touch.
20 mins - Evina and Henderson combine well down the Arsenal left, but
Ferrari is there to head the ball clear at the far post before Dixon wins a
throw-in. Twenty minutes and manager Dyer will be delighted with the way his
side have started here.
18 mins - This game could be being played in a room with a ceiling as high
as the crossbar. The ball is being passed around neatly by both sets of
players. Wearen show good strength to find Dixon on the edge of the penalty
area. The Irishman tries to turn Ignasi Miguel, but the defender just does
enough to clear the danger in time.
16 mins - Arsenal are still seeing more of the ball, but a couple of good
sliding challenges on the edge of the penalty area from Lee and Sanchez keep
the Gunners at arm's length.
14 mins - West Ham are working really hard all over the pitch to contain
Arsenal, and it's working to good effect so far. Arsenal are playing some
nice stuff in midfield, but they're not hurting the visitors in the final
third.
11 mins - Arsenal try to hit back immediately and force Spence to head
behind for a corner. Two young stewards race to retrieve the ball before
Henderson curls the corner too deep and out for a goal kick.
9 mins - GOAL! Ferrari bags his first goal for West Ham, picking up the ball
from Dixon's pass inside the box before lashing a left-foot shot across
Fabianski and into the far corner. He celebrates by pointing to the sky with
both hands. Good finish and a great start for the Hammers.
8 mins - It should come as no surprise, but Arsenal's youngsters all look
extremely comfortable in possession. The Gunners preach their pass-and-move
style at all levels of the club, and it shows. It is West Ham who create the
first chance, though. A super move involving Payne, Wearen and Lee sees the
ball worked to Abdulla. He tries to slide in Barrett, but Dixon intercepts
and spreads play wide to Ferrari. The Italian's cross eludes the Arsenal
defence and bounces across to Lee, whose shot bobbles wide of the far post.
6 mins - The rain has stopped as Spence is clipped by Watt as the pair chase
a through ball from Conor Henderson.
5 mins - Abdulla is chasing hard to close down the Arsenal defenders. He
will be keen to impress tonight, having played alongside many of his
opponents during his time as a schoolboy with the north London club.
3 mins - Nice football from Olly Lee and Ahmed Abdulla looks to set Nicky
Barrett away, but the referee pulls play back for a trip on Abdulla. Shame,
because the midfielder might have been away there.
2 mins - After keeping the ball for the opening 90 seconds, the Gunners
concede a throw-in deep inside the West Ham half.
1 min - Arsenal have early control of possession, but it's all inside their
own half so far.
6.59pm - Arsenal's Sanchez Watt and Luke Freeman get us underway a minute
early...
6.57pm - Here are the two teams... Looks like West Ham are going to kick
down the slope in the opening 45 minutes. Captain Jordan Spence is in the
centre circle ready to complete the formalities with opposite number Craig
Eastmond.
6.55pm - Must give a bit of praise to the DJ here. He has played some proper
tunes during the build-up to tonight's game. The Lightning Seeds' 'The Life
of Riley' is the final song to be played before the teams emerge from the
tunnel. For those of a certain age, the song was the theme for Match of the
Day's Goal of the Month competition. Top class.
6.52pm - Big drama here at Underhill. Arsenal have made a change to their
advertised team. No16 is now no longer Rhys Murphy, but Martin Angha.
6.50pm - The two sets of players are heading for their dressing rooms,
having completed their warm-up exercises. Substitute Danny Kearns and George
Moncur, who is not involved in the matchday 16, are the last two outfield
players to leave the pitch. Deniz Mehmet, the Turkey U18 goalkeeper, is
still out there in the rain being put through his paces by goalkeeper coach
Jerome John.
6.45pm - Well, spring didn't last long, did it? It's cold and miserable here
in Barnet this evening. The adverse weather conditions mean there is not
much of a crowd here to watch West Ham's second string attempt to gain
revenge for Saturday's first-team defeat at the Emirates. At least the heavy
rain that has been pouring down on this part of north London for the past
hour or two has relented somewhat. For those who haven't visited Underhill,
it is a unique stadium, complete with a sloping pitch. Should make for an
interesting evening...
Good evening and welcome to a wet and windy Underhill stadium in Barnet.
Alex Dyer has named a young side for West Ham United's Barclays Premier
Reserve League South trip to Arsenal.
Of Dyer's starting XI, only goalkeeper Peter Kurucz and midfielder Josh
Payne have first-team experience, while five scholars have been named in a
youthful lineup.
In a change from the club's usual shape, captain Jordan Spence will form a
back-three alongside scholars Sergio Sanchez and Jordan Brown, with Olly Lee
and Davide Ferrari providing the width as wing-backs.
Payne will be joined by scholars Eoin Wearen and Nicky Barrett in midfield,
with Republic of Ireland Under-21 international Terry Dixon partnering
former Arsenal schoolboy Ahmed Abdulla in attack.
For Arsenal, Poland goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski will make his first
appearance since his two mistakes handed FC Porto a 2-1 first-leg advantage
in the Gunners' UEFA Champions League first knockout stage tie.
Arsenal reserves: Fabianski, Coquelin, Evina, Cruise, Miquel, Barazite,
Eastmond, Frimpong (Yennaris 86), Henderson, Freeman (Ozyakup 70), Watt
(Angha 82)
Subs: Shea, Boateng
West Ham United reserves: Kurucz, Spence, Sanchez, Brown, Lee, Wearen
(Kearns 89), Payne, Barrett, Ferrari (McNaughton 75), Abdulla, Dixon
Subs: Mehmet, Subuola, Modelski
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Mido eager for goal
WHUFC.com
The latest player to talk to WHUTV, the striker has spoken of the
determination ahead of a big week
22.03.2010
Mido was singled out for praise by Gianfranco Zola for his tireless efforts
at Arsenal but has already turned his full focus to Tuesday's test. Rather
than dwell on a hard-working display at the Emirates Stadium, the Egyptian
forward spoke instead of his eagerness to get off the mark for the Hammers -
something he has yet to do since his January loan move from Middlesbrough,
via Zamalek SC in his homeland. The pivotal visit of Wolverhampton Wanderers
offers him the perfect chance. "For strikers sometimes you just need a goal
to get more confidence," the 27-year-old said. "That is what I need now. I
have been working hard to get fit and I feel much better than when I first
came. We have to only think about the next couple of games. "We have had a
difficult run and I don't think many teams would have got results from the
last three games at Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal. The next two
[including Stoke City's visit on Saturday] are different. They are must-win
and we have to do that."
Mido has begun the last two matches and will battle with Carlton Cole, Benni
McCarthy, Guille Franco and Ilan for a third straight start. Regardless of
who is selected he said the togetherness in the squad was clear to see at
Chadwell Heath. "We are just looking forward to the next couple of games. We
know it is crucial for us, crucial for the club and crucial for the fans. We
just want to win."
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West Ham v Wolverhampton
BBC.co.uk
Tuesday, 23 March 2010
Premier League
Venue: Upton Park Date: Tuesday, 23 March 2010 Kick-off: 2000 GMT
Coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio 5 live, local radio & live on Sky
Sports 2
TEAM NEWS
West Ham captain Scott Parker should return from a leg problem for Tuesday's
relegation tussle against Wolves. Striker Carlton Cole could start after
successive appearances as a substitute, while Herita Ilunga and Mark Noble
may also be promoted from the bench.
Wolves manager Mick McCarthy is expected to name an unchanged side for the
seventh successive match. He has no injury concerns following Saturday's
spirited 2-2 draw at Aston Villa.
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West Ham
Suspended: Da Costa (one match) Doubtful: Faubert (hamstring)
Injured: Boa Morte & Hines (both knee)
Wolves
Injured: Kightly (ankle/knee)
MATCH PREVIEW
Having played the Premier League's top three sides during a run of four
consecutive defeats, West Ham will probably be relieved to take their
chances with Wolves. The Hammers have not lost this fixture at home for 32
years, when Kate Bush was top of the charts with Wuthering Heights. However,
it's a while since the current side were hitting the high notes. Manager
Gianfranco Zola was encouraged by his side's first-half performance at
Arsenal on Saturday, but it was not enough to prevent another defeat. West
Ham are now sitting uncomfortably just above the relegation zone, a point
and a place below Tuesday's visitors.
Wolves have emerged unbeaten from their last two away matches, at Burnley
and Villa, so another trip to a side in claret and blue will not daunt them.
Wolves were given warning of how difficult it would be to survive in the
Premier League when they lost at home to West Ham on the opening day of the
season. They have faced up to the challenge; now West Ham need to do the
same.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
• West Ham are unbeaten at home in their last six matches against Wolves
(W4, D2).
• Wolves' only win in their last 15 visits to Upton Park was a 2-1
top-flight success in March 1978.
606: DEBATE
Have your say on this match
West Ham
• The Hammers have lost their last four league matches, conceding 11 goals
in the process.
• The defeat to Bolton in their last home game ended a five-match unbeaten
run at Upton Park.
• They last came from behind to win a league match in December 2008, beating
Stoke 2-1.
Wolves
• Wolves have taken four points from their last two matches, both away.
• They have only won two of their last 12 games.
• They have scored the fewest goals in the league (25), despite managing
four in the last two matches.
LEADING GOALSCORERS
West Ham
Cole: 9 goals (9 league); Diamanti: 8 goals (7 league)
Wolves
Doyle: 6 goals (6 league); Craddock: 5 goals (5 league)
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Phil Dowd
Assistant referees: Mark Scholes & Martin Yerby
Fourth official: Stuart Attwell
LAST LEAGUE MATCH LINE-UPS
West Ham (L0-2 v Arsenal, a): Green; Spector, Tomkins, Upson, Daprela,
Diamanti, Kovac (Noble 70), Behrami, Stanislas, Mido (McCarthy 75), Franco
(Cole 57). Subs not used: Stech, Ilan, Ilunga, Spence.
Wolves (D2-2 v Aston Villa, a): Hahnemann; Zubar, Craddock, Berra, Ward
(Mancienne 64), Foley, Guedioura (Elokobi 46), Henry, D Jones, Jarvis
(Iwelumo 89), Doyle. Subs not used: Hennessey, Ebanks-Blake, Keogh, Milijas.
MOST RECENT MEETING
Wolves 0-2 West Ham (15 August 2009)
West Ham scorers: Noble 22, Upson 69
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Zola eyes 'six-pointer'
Hammers boss hoping for victory over relegation rivals Wolves
By James Riach Last updated: 22nd March 2010
SSN
West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola has described his side's game against
Wolves on Tuesday night as a six-pointer. A win for the Hammers at Upton
Park would see them go above Wolves in the Premier League table, as the
battle to avoid relegation looks set to take another turn. Both clubs
currently occupy positions outside the bottom three, but could easily slip
into the drop zone by the end of the season. Wolves picked up a valuable
away point at Aston Villa at the weekend, while West Ham failed to overcome
10-man Arsenal, and Zola realises the magnitude of Tuesday's clash. "The
Wolves game will be massive, a six-pointer," he said. "We have to face the
match with focus and concentration, but without doing silly things. "I would
have been enjoying it a bit more if we were in a different position, but
that is football. You still like the competitive side of it.
"The team is not in a very good position, but I am enjoying finding ways to
get the best of my players in difficult conditions. "Wolves are very
dangerous. I watched the Villa game and they looked quite strong. "They can
defend very well and in Kevin Doyle, they have a very dangerous player on
the counter-attack. "So, yes, we will play an attacking (game)."
The Italian tactician knows there is still a long road to be taken before
the campaign draws to a close in May. However, he is not one to be worrying
about other teams' fixtures and possible points permutations. "You do look
at the fixture list of all the teams around you, but you cannot really work
that way because you never know what will happen," he added. "On Saturday, I
am sure there were not many people expecting Portsmouth to beat Hull or for
Wolves to get a point at Aston Villa. "You have to work out how to get your
own points first, and then maybe look at the others."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
McCarthy backs Zola approach
Wolves boss feels Hammers chief was right to protect key players
Last updated: 22nd March 2010
SSN
Mick McCarthy insists he has no problem with West Ham United manager
Gianfranco Zola leaving out key players against Arsenal. West Ham host
McCarthy's Wolves side on Tuesday night and warmed up for the relegation
clash with a 2-0 defeat at title-chasing Arsenal. Zola left Scott Parker out
of his plans for that game as a precaution, while influential duo Mark Noble
and Carlton Cole only appeared as second-half substitutes. However, McCarthy
has no quarrel with Zola's decision to ensure his more important players are
fit to start against Wolves, claiming the Italian would be 'off his rocker'
to do otherwise. McCarthy fielded a weakened team at Manchester United
earlier this season - a decision which saw Wolves hit with a suspended
£25,000 fine - and he has no complaints with Zola's approach. "It didn't
bother me at all," said McCarthy on Sky Sports News. "He'd got lads on the
bench and probably rested them. "He looked at Arsenal and thought 'that's a
tough one, our best chance of getting points is against Wolves'. It didn't
bother me one iota. "I had to take a bit of heat, I took the heat off Tiger
(Woods), John (Terry) took the heat off me and then it will be somebody
else. "It doesn't matter to me. I watched the team play against Arsenal and
they had a good side out. "He (Zola) would be mad if he thought he couldn't
maximise his opportunity of beating us, he'd be off his rocker."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Time for battle
'Hammers must scrap to beat drop'
Last updated: 22nd March 2010
SSN
West Ham must add steel to their silk if they are to avoid relegation this
season. That is the verdict of Hammers legend Alvin Martin, who told Sky
Sports News that the club's footballing credentials may not be enough to get
them out of trouble. Gianfranco Zola's side were easy on the eye in defeat
to Arsenal at the weekend but never managed to exert any real pressure on
opponents who were a man down for the whole of the second half. And former
centre-half Martin, who was no stranger to a tackle during his 19 years at
the Boleyn Ground, believes a bit of battle is the order of the day ahead of
the relegation run-in. He said: "Everybody knows about the philosophy of
football here; everybody wants to get the ball down and play, but there's a
time when you've got to battle. "Against Hull recently (a 3-0 home win in
February) they were agressive and in their faces, and that's exactly what
they've got to do in the next few games. "The pretty football will take care
of itself, but what they've got to do first and foremost is show commitment
and endeavour."
And what's good enough for the champions, says Martin, should be good enough
for West Ham. "I was at Manchester United's game against Liverpool and some
of the biggest cheers of the day were for people putting their foot in and
making challenges," he said. "Darren Fletcher was fantastic for them. "So
it's not just about playing pretty football, it's about being ready for the
battle. You need individuals, but it's about being together, looking at the
man next to you and being able to rely on him."
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Green - Hard work paying off
Keeper hoping to go to South Africa
Last updated: 22nd March 2010
SSN
Robert Green believes all the hard work he has been putting in has boosted
his chances of going to the World Cup as England's No.1 keeper. The West Ham
custodian is in pole position to be Fabio Capello's first-choice in South
Africa after starting the last friendly against Egypt. Green has been one of
West Ham's shining lights in a difficult campaign and believes he has
improved since the turn of the year. "I feel like since Christmas I have had
a real turnaround," Green told Sky Sports News. "I looked at myself and
tried to improve myself in those small details and hopefully feeling better
and I feel better for it and want to improve from it. "I am looking at the
squad as soon as it is announced along with everyone else to see if I am in
it and that's the way it should be. "You do not take it for granted."
Green is confident England can enjoy a successful campaign in South Africa
and should be among the contenders to win the World Cup. "It is going to be
a tough one," added Green. "If you get through the group stage it is one-way
off games and stranger things have happened. "You are looking at a few teams
to really make a difference and looking at who are the stronger nations and
you would like to think we are up there." Green has also backed Capello's
decision to invite injured star David Beckham to the finals despite the
midfielder being ruled out with a torn Achilles tendon. The keeper believes
Beckham's experience would prove invaluable to the rest of the squad in
South Africa. "He is a good guy and he's a good guy to talk to and to have
about the place even if it is on a non-football level," noted Green.
"Whatever has happened in England football in the last ten years he's been
there and bought the t-shirt, so we can really use him in terms of his
experience."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
We are Zo wound up
The Sun
By GRAHAM HILL
Published: Today
MICK McCARTHY has warned Gianfranco Zola: My players won't like being seen
as a soft touch. West Ham boss Zola left out Carlton Cole, Scott Parker and
Mark Noble at Arsenal on Saturday. Parker was sidelined by a leg injury but
Zola named both Noble and Cole among his subs for Hammers' 2-0 defeat. But
the Wolves chief said ahead of tonight's clash at Upton Park: "Was Carlton
Cole rested so he can play against us? What about Parker and Noble? Were
they fit? "I've no doubt they will be on the pitch against us. I don't have
a problem with it - but if I was a player, I'd be snapping and snarling if
anyone targeted us as a victory. "I would see it as a personal slight and it
would wind me up. "But good luck to them. Zola would be mad if he thought he
couldn't maximise his opportunity of beating us - he would be off his rocker
if he didn't do it. "West Ham probably saw it was Arsenal, rested the lads
on the bench, thought it was a tough one and their best chance of getting
points is against Wolves."
McCarthy controversially made 10 changes for his side's midweek trip to
Manchester United back in December. He admitted: "I saw West Ham's team on
Match of the Day on Saturday and was amused. "But I don't care about people
slaughtering me for doing what I did, it doesn't matter to me. "It's a huge
match, more so for West Ham, it's their home game, it's all been planned to
beat us. But anyone who thinks we're a soft touch might have to change their
opinion. We're confident and feeling good about ourselves.
"If we win this it'll put a dent in West Ham but real daylight between us
and Burnley and Hull. But if we don't lose it would still be a hell of a
point for us."
Wolves' trip to Upton Park was postponed back in January after a forecast of
heavy snow, which turned out to be wrong. West Ham also had key injuries at
the time and McCarthy added: "I've had all the conspiracy theories thrown at
me about that. "We had the worst weekend of snow forecast to come in - and
it didn't. It was a beautiful day with no snow in sight and our game was
called off. "Maybe they thought this would be our third successive game away
from home. But we're playing well away! "Maybe that weekend we had off
benefited us."
Hammers are on a run of four straight defeats while Wolves have moved four
points clear of the relegation zone with a win at Burnley and a draw at
Aston Villa in their last two games. McCarthy, who could name an unchanged
line-up for the seventh game in a row tonight, added: "If I had been offered
four points from those two games, I'd have taken them. "But the pressure is
still on us because we are not safe. "We don't want to suddenly breathe a
sigh of relief because we have got four points from two away games and think
that is it we can relax now. "The players have earned the right to have a
spring in their step. "But the Premier League has that habit of taking the
spring out of your step very quickly if you don't manage it properly."
LIKELY LINE-UPS - West Ham: Green, Spector, Tomkins, Upson, Deprela,
Stanislas, Parker, Behrami, Diamanti, Cole, Mido.
Wolves: Hahnemann, Zubar, Craddock, Berra, Ward, Foley, Henry, Jones,
Guedioura, Jarvis, Doyle.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Baggies eye Davenport
The Sun
WEST BROM are considering a move for ex-West Ham centre-back Calum
Davenport. Davenport, 27, is a free agent after being released by the
Hammers last month. Albion could help with his rehab after Davenport had
surgery to both legs following a knife attack last year.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Franco : do not panic lads
The Sun
By CHARLIE WYETT
Published: 22 Mar 2010
GIANFRANCO ZOLA has told his players not to panic in tonight's relegation
crunch with Wolves. West Ham have lost four Prem games on the spin and
although boss Zola admits the clash is huge, he insists it will not decide
their fate. He said: "The Wolves game will be massive, a six-pointer. We
have to face the match with focus and concentration but without doing silly
things. "This will be a very important match but we also have games after.
Yes, I want to underline the importance of Wolves but it is not the last
game of the season. "You do look at the fixture list of all the teams around
you but you cannot really work that way as you never know what will happen.
"I'm sure not many were expecting Portsmouth to beat Hull or for Wolves to
get a point at Aston Villa. "You have to work out how to get your points
first, then maybe look at the others."
Star midfielder Scott Parker and striker Carlton Cole will return to the
starting line-up after missing Saturday's 2-0 loss at Arsenal. And Zola
admits it is difficult to enjoy being down at the bottom. He added: "I would
have been enjoying it a bit more if we were in a different position but that
is football. You still like the competitive side of it. "The team is not in
a very good position but I am enjoying finding ways to get the best out of
my players in difficult conditions."
West Ham co-owner David Sullivan will reward fans attending the Wolves clash
with a gift... a clap-banner. He is determined to make Upton Park a fortress
and knows the importance of getting a victory over Wolves, who sit just one
place above the Hammers in the table. Shirt sponsors SBOBET have backed a
giveaway of 30,000 clap-banners. They are inflatable tubes that can be
folded to smash together. The claret and blue clap-banners feature the words
'Come on you Irons' and will be available to every home fan in their seat.
Sullivan is pleading with them to make it a deafening atmosphere for the
Wolves players. He said: "To our most loyal 34,000 fans, I'd like to say a
special 'Thank you'. "We rely on the fans the most - especially those who
have forked out for season tickets and memberships. "We are so proud of them
all and will never take them for granted. "We hope to give every fan a free
gift to put some more fun into the match experience for everyone. "We need
to make as much noise as we can to make this a stadium that away teams
fear."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham's potential shift in transfer policy a worry for Gianfranco Zola
Gary Jacob
The Times
Gianfranco Zola fears for the future of West Ham United's famed "Academy"
with the club looking to bring in experienced players instead of developing
its youth talent. The chance to nurture promising youngsters was paramount
to Zola when he joined the club in 2008, but the Italian expressed concern
last night that his job specification could change this summer. The West Ham
manager fears that the threat of relegation this year has led several
figures at the club to believe that the future model should be based on
having more experienced players in the squad. That could hinder the
development of players such as, Jack Collison, James Tomkins and Junior
Stanislas, who have established themselves in the senior side in the past
year.
Since a change in the club's ownership in January, David Sullivan, the
co-chairman, has said that he will oversee transfers, which resulted in the
departure of Gianluca Nani as technical director. The club have since been
linked with Liam Ridgewell and Sebastian Larsson, more experienced players
at Birmingham City, where Sullivan was the co-owner.
Some have tipped Tomkins, the defender, to follow other teenagers developed
at "The Academy" who have gone on to play for England, such as, Rio
Ferdinand, Frank Lampard, Michael Carrick, Joe Cole and Jermain Defoe. "I
like the work to be done that way, developing players, very much so," Zola
said. "Whether in the future that policy will change I don't know, we will
see. We will have to discuss later on this season. Right now we have more
important matters." Namely, staying up.
West Ham have slipped to one place and three points above the relegation
zone after four consecutive defeats. Survival in the Barclays Premier League
probably rests on consecutive home matches against Wolverhampton Wanderers
tonight and Stoke City on Saturday. "We have matches that are all
six-pointers," Zola said. "We are playing matches against teams that are
more or less at our level and a similar positions to us. The games will
determine a lot."
The change in ownership brought some financial stability to the club, but
not to Zola's position as manager. Mark Hughes, linked with the post in
January, is highly regarded by Sullivan. "I don't spend much time worrying
about my future," Zola said. "My focus is on making sure I give 100 per cent
and then, as the Italians say, 'Que sera, sera.' It does not depend on me. I
can try hard and try to do a good job, and maybe the situations are not
correct and things don't go very well. In that case, I cannot do anything.
Wolves will be very dangerous."
Mick McCarthy's side have been organised and determined in picking up four
points from their past away matches, against Burnley and Aston Villa. Wolves
are one point above West Ham, who won the reverse fixture on the opening day
of the season. "They will be expected to beat us, the pressure is on them,"
McCarthy said. "You can all do the maths. If we win this, it will put a real
dent in West Ham and it would certainly put some real daylight between us
and Burnley and Hull. "What would it do to us psychologically? What would it
do to the rest of them psychologically? If we don't lose, it would be a hell
of a result for us. It is a huge game, but more so for West Ham."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Zola warns Hammers ahead of 'massive' relegation scrap
Published 23:00 22/03/10 By John Cross
The Mirror
Gianfranco Zola has warned West Ham cannot afford to lose tonight's
"massive" relegation scrap with Wolves. The West Ham boss is under
increasing pressure at Upton Park after three successive defeats have left
his team hovering just one place above the drop zone. Wolves have overtaken
the Hammers in the fight for survival and another setback would leave Zola's
future in serious jeopardy. The Italian admits that he has been left shocked
by West Ham's slide into relegation danger and has warned they cannot afford
any more slip-ups. Zola said: "The Wolves game will be massive, a
six-pointer. This will be a very important match. "Yes, I want to underline
the importance of Wolves. We have to face the match with focus and
concentration, but without doing silly things. "You do look at the fixture
list of all the teams around you, but you cannot really work that way
because you never know what will happen - I am sure there were not many
people expecting Portsmouth to beat Hull or for Wolves to get a point at
Aston Villa. You have to work out how to get your own points first, and then
maybe look at the others."
Zola has found himself under increasing pressure since David Gold and David
Sullivan took over at Upton Park. Former Manchester City boss Mark Hughes is
a manager much admired by Sullivan and Gold and Zola is under no illusion
that results must improve - or else. But Zola says that, despite the extra
pressure and dangers of relegation, he is still enjoying the job. Zola said:
"I would have been enjoying it a bit more if we were in a different
position, but that is football. "You still like the competitive side of it.
The team is not in a very good position, but I am enjoying finding ways to
get the best of my players in difficult conditions."
Zola is also insistent that he will stick to his footballing principles as
he promised to attack Wolves tonight. England striker Carlton Cole, who came
off the bench in Saturday's defeat at Arsenal, could start, while Scott
Parker may also return. But Zola knows the Hammers must combine those
attacking instincts with a tighter rearguard. He added: "Even if you are
trying to score all the time, you have to keep the balance. "You cannot
think just about going forward. You need to keep a balance behind. "Wolves
are very dangerous. I watched the Villa game and they looked quite strong.
They can defend very well and, in Doyle, they have a very dangerous player
on the counter attack. "So, yes we will play an attacking game on Tuesday,
but we will keep an eye at the back as well."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham 'insult' will inspire my Wolves to victory at Upton Park, says
manager Mick McCarthy
By Ian Edwards
Last updated at 9:49 PM on 22nd March 2010
Daily Mail
Mick McCarthy has psyched up his Wolves team by claiming West Ham have
'insulted' them ahead of Tuesday's relegation showdown at Upton Park.
McCarthy believes Gianfranco Zola left key trio Scott Parker, Mark Noble and
Carlton Cole out of his starting line-up for Saturday's defeat at Arsenal in
order to ensure they are fresh for the Wolves game. The Wolves boss, who was
punished by the Premier League for resting senior players at Manchester
United in December, says Zola's decision to 'target' the Wolves game is a
'slight' upon his team. 'I would take it as a personal slight on me that
they have targeted us, and I hope the players do,' said McCarthy. 'But
anybody who thinks we're a soft touch has maybe had to revise their opinion
slightly.'
Wolves incurred a suspended fine of £25,000 when McCarthy, having seen his
team pull off a 1-0 victory at Tottenham, rested 10 players four nights
later at Old Trafford, a game they lost 3-0. McCarthy shrugged off
criticism, insisting there was a big injury risk after the effort put in at
Spurs and the following Sunday Wolves beat Burnley 2-0 at home to move out
of the bottom three. But he says he doesn't think Zola should receive a
similar punishment this time. 'Good luck to them. They probably looked at
Arsenal as a tough one and thought their best chance of getting points was
against us. 'I have no doubt those three (Cole, Parker and Noble) will play
against us. I looked at Match of the Day with mild amusement when I saw West
Ham's team (at Arsenal). But I don't have a problem with it. You do what's
best for your club.' Zola is under intense pressure after four successive
defeats and knows his job will be in the balance if West Ham do not improve
against Wolves or in their next clash at home to Stoke City on Saturday.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Arsenal appeal against Thomas Vermaelen's sending off against West Ham
Arsenal have challenged the controversial sending-off on Saturday of Thomas
Vermaelen, gambling that there is a justifiable case for wrongful dismissal
amid the possibility that the Football Association could increase the ban.
Telegraph.co.uk
By Jeremy Wilson
Published: 7:00PM GMT 22 Mar 2010
Arsenal have appealed against the red card shown to defender Thomas
Vermaelen in Saturday's match against West
Vermaelen received an automatic one-match suspension for a straight red card
in the 2-0 win against West Ham, despite minimal contact in his challenge
with Guillermo Franco. Arsenal will argue that the incident did not warrant
a sending-off, particularly as it was highly debatable whether Franco had
even been presented with an obvious goalscoring opportunity. There is,
however, the risk that the FA regulatory commission may deem the appeal to
be frivolous and increase the suspension. That could mean Vermaelen also
missing the home match against Wolverhampton Wanderers on April 3.
Sport on television As it is, the unavailability of Vermaelen against
Birmingham City this Saturday would present a considerable dilemma given
that Arsenal will face Barcelona on the following Wednesday. Sol Campbell
would struggle to play two matches in such a short space of time while
William Gallas is injured, leaving Mikael Silvestre and Alex Song as the
only other options. The appeal over Vermaelen will be held today.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
McCarthy insists the pressure is on West Ham
ESPN
March 22, 2010
Wolves manager Mick McCarthy has turned the pressure up on West Ham ahead of
Tuesday night's crucial Premier League clash at Upton Park. West Ham trail
Wolves by a point after losing their last four games. McCarthy believes the
heat is on Gianfranco Zola's side and feels victory would have a real impact
on Wolves' survival hopes. McCarthy said: "It is their home game and they
will be expected to beat us. In this fixture the pressure is on them. You
can all do the maths. If we win this it will put a real dent in West Ham and
it would certainly put some real daylight between us and Burnley and Hull.
"What would it do to us psychologically? What would it do to the rest of
them psychologically? If we don't lose it would be a hell of a result for
us. It is a huge game but more so for West Ham.But it won't be easy, that's
for sure."
McCarthy expects West Ham to have targeted this game as key in their bid to
stay up but that does not alarm the former Sunderland boss. He added: "That
would wind me up if I was going there as a player. I would take it is a
personal slight on me that they think they could target us as a victory.
Anyone who thinks that we are a soft touch has maybe had to change their
opinion. "When we were beaten by West Ham on the opening day of the season
there was a lot of hollering and hooting going on that we were destined for
the drop and they were destined for bigger and better things. It is amazing
how, with eight games to play, we are all in the mix for the drop. "So there
is a damn sight more pressure on them now than there was 30 games ago.''
Wolves head to London in positive mood after moving four points clear of the
relegation zone with a win at Burnley and a draw at Aston Villa in their
last two games. McCarthy continued: "We are playing well away from home. If
I had been offered four points from those two games I would have taken them
and having got them we are going to West Ham feeling confident and feeling
good about ourselves. "But the pressure is still on us because we are not
safe with the points that we have got. We don't want to suddenly breathe a
sigh of relief because we have got four points from two away games and think
that is it we can relax now. We want to kick on and pick up more points. "I
have looked at the fixtures that we have all got, four or five games ago.
But as to how many points we need, we need more than three others. The only
way we can make things go our way is with our results because with eight
games to go it can turn around so quickly. "But the players have earned the
right to have a spring in their step. It is through their performances. But
the Premier League has that disturbing habit of taking the spring out of
your step very quickly if you don't manage it properly.''
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