Da Costa called by Portugal
WHUFC.com
Young defender Manuel da Costa has been called up for the U23 friendly
against Northern Ireland
05.10.2010
Manuel da Costa has been rewarded for his excellent form with West Ham
United with a call-up for the Portugal Under-23 national team. The
23-year-old will link up with his country this Saturday ahead of the
International Challenge Trophy against Northern Ireland on 12 October at the
Municipal Stadium in Cartaxo. Da Costa came into the Hammers side four
matches ago and has helped Avram Grant's men to remain unbeaten since -
forming a strong partnership with Matthew Upson. News of the talented
centre-back's form has had a positive impact in Portugal. His last
appearance came with a B-team game in April 2009 and this opportunity could
help him to impress new national-team coach Paulo Bento. The former Sporting
Clube de Portugal manager has just taken charge of the national team with
the aim of rescuing their UEFA Euro 2012 campaign after a slow start.
Although yet to win a senior cap, Da Costa was called up twice for the UEFA
Euro 2008 qualifying matches in October 2006 and March 2007.
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Reserves win at Reds
WHUFC.com
Freddie Sears and Jordan Spence caught the eye in a win at Liverpool secured
by Benni McCarthy
05.10.2010
Benni McCarthy scored the only goal and Freddie Sears shone as West Ham
United reserves maintained their outstanding start to the new Barclays
Premier Reserve League season. The South Africa striker converted from the
spot with ten minutes to go after a Reds' handball in the penalty area. It
was McCarthy's second goal in as many games but even more encouraging was
that it was his second successive 90 minutes in a week. He could figure
again in next Monday's friendly at Dagenham and Redbridge in aid of Lee
Goodwin. McCarthy had been a threat all night, but his partner Sears was the
most potent performer on view. The No10 was a non-stop runner at Prenton
Park - whether through the middle or pulling out to either flank - and had
the Reds rearguard worried all night.
Alex Dyer had headed north with a very young team, unlike the previous
victories this season. Stronger sides had already won 1-0 at Everton and 2-0
at home to Wigan Athletic, meaning the reserves have yet to concede a goal
in 270 minutes of play. It was not for the want of trying from Liverpool
tonight, though, with Ryan Babel leading the line. The Dutch international
forward was well marshalled by Jordan Spence and Sergio Sanchez, while
Dyer's midfield of Olly Lee, Eoin Wearen, George Moncur and Ahmed Abdulla
were tireless in the centre of the park. Liverpool also had players who
stood out - notably Nathan Eccleston and Spanish starlet Dani Pacheco in
attack. It was Pacheco who went closest for the home side at the home of
Tranmere Rovers, lashing in a volley midway through the second half that
clipped Ruud Boffin's crossbar. The Hammers' best moments from open play all
came through Sears although in truth Brad Jones, the Australian
international, like Boffin had a relatively quiet night.
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Liverpool 0-1 Reserves
WHUFC.com
All the text updates from Prenton Park as the reserves made it three wins in
a row
05.10.2010
Barclays Premier Reserve League
Liverpool reserves v West Ham United reserves
Prenton Park
Kick-off: 7pm
Final score - 0-1
That's it. All over and it is three wins from three for Alex Dyer's side.
What a professional performance from his young side, although it was the
experienced Benni McCarthy who grabbed the winner with his late penalty.
94min - The referee is letting them play an extra minute. Irwin flashes a
header just wide. That was close.
93min - Fearless tackle by Spence on Spearing sees him clear the danger. The
Hammers captain is down clutching his left knee after a brave challenge.
92min - A minute to go...
91min - We are playing three minutes of added time. Flanagan and Abdulla
exchange words. This match means a lot to both sides.
90min - We are into added time and Boffin calms things with an assured take
from a lofted Liverpool ball forward. Hodgson has seen enough and is on his
way home.
89min - Can the Hammers hold on? They have not conceded a goal in their two
wins from two games this season and might make it three tonight.
86min - Spence does well again to snuff out any danger. The captain is
growing in stature this season.
84min - The Reds are desperate for a way back into this. Dyer will be
delighted with the way his men soaked up the pressure before getting the
goal.
82min - Irwin tries a long-ranger that flies high and wide. Liverpool are
frustrated.
81min - Eccleston counters quickly from the restart. His deep cross is
headed behind for a corner by the rightly cautious Brown. Amoo meets the
corner with his head but could not guide it on target.
79min - GOAL! - McCarthy scores! Benni took the ball with some purpose and
no one was arguing. He took a couple of strides and then lashed it down the
middle past the helpless Jones.
78min - Sears runs with four Reds defenders in pursuit. He supplies
McCarthy, who draws the challenge and wins a corner. Penalty!! Jack Robinson
handles. Sears will take this, surely?
77min - Neat turn and pass from Sears. He feeds McCarthy, who supplies
Moncur. The No8 shifts on to his left and shoots but Liverpool block.
76min - Well done Brown. He crowds out Amoo on the flank and forces him to
kick it behind for a goal-kick. The Hammers have been very organised.
75min - The game is a little bit scrappy now. Tired legs may mean a few more
substitutions. Dyer has a very young bench to choose from but they will
certainly be eager to impress, if given the chance.
73min - Brown clears the danger after a ricochet nearly lets Liverpool in.
Babel looks like he might get the full 90 minutes tonight in front of the
watching Hodgson. The Hammers have denied him so far.
72min - Eccleston gets a half-chance after Liverpool do well up the left
wing.
71min - McCarthy was unlucky there. Modelski crosses and just as the No9 was
about to head in for the opening goal, Stephen Darby rises to clear.
70min - Terrific play again sees five Hammers involved before a ball into
the home side's penalty area is cleared. Dyer's men may believe they can
snatch all three points here.
69min - The Reds cannot handle Sears. McCarthy flicks on and Coady is
nowhere as Sears nips in behind. The No10 is forced wide and he feeds it
back to McCarthy who shoots over the bar.
68min - Amoo's shot is deflected by Spence and Boffin struggles to gather it
at the second attempt. Liverpool had worked the opening well, with Babel
involved.
65min - When I say Sears is having a good game, that is something of an
understatement. He streams forward from his own half in a run that takes him
past two men and to the edge of the area. Coady fouls him and earns a yellow
card. From the free-kick, McCarthy smashes for goal but the ball hits John
Flanagan in the wall and is cleared.
64min - Well done skipper Spence. He stops Babel from getting to the ball
then dances his way past two before launching the ball away.
63min - Sam Cowler is warming up but Boffin may be OK to continue.
62min - Boffin is unhappy with his ankle. He is getting treatment now.
Goalkeeping coach David Coles has made the trip up north and will be anxious
over his young Belgian shot-stopper.
61min - Spearing tries his luck but again the Hammers block. After a
clearance upfield, the ball comes back and then Amoo has a go. Wild shot and
no danger for Boffin.
59min - Sears nips in after a defensive mix-up. He rounds Jones well but his
touch is then a tad too heavy and he is unable to knock the ball at the
goal. It runs out for a goal-kick. Sears is having a fine game.
58min - McCarthy should have scored. Lee fizzes it low across the box and
the South Africa striker does well to connect but cannot divert it
goalwards. The move came after a great run inside from Sears, who then
released Moncur.
57min - Pacheco clips the top of the crossbar with a lofted effort after
just beating Moncur to the ball. The Barcelona product, still only 19, is a
threat from a central position now behind Babel.
55min - Sears drops deep to retain possession. He feeds Modelski but his
cross is blocked. It is a bit hit and miss for the Hammers going forward at
the moment. A quick Liverpool counter is then ended by a superb Wearen track
back and tackle.
53min - Eccleston wins a corner off Sanchez. After a retaken flag-kick,
Moncur clears the danger.
52min - Amoo does well on Liverpool's right wing. He crosses low for
Eccleston, who turns Spence and then shoots low. Boffin watches it run wide
but it was a dangerous moment.
49min - The Hammers are doing well this half. Already Brown and Modelski
have got forward well up the flanks. Dyer has clearly told his men to
believe they can get something from this game with a bit of adventure.
47min - McCarthy and Sears have already shown up well in this second half,
with surges into the Reds penalty area.
46min - David Amoo is on for Liverpool with Thomas Ince making way. The
youngster has already played in the UEFA Europa League for the Reds this
season. No changes for the Hammers.
45min - There goes the half-time whistle. Dyer will be very pleased with his
men, particularly the lively Sears - who has had little to feed on but made
things happen whenever he has had the ball.
45min - Coady does well to block after McCarthy had beat him and managed to
cross. The South Africa striker is showing nimble feet this evening.
45min - We are playing two minutes of added time.
44min - Abdulla is going to the side after treatment. We may have a few
extra minutes because of the previous stoppage in play over the referee's
injury.
42min - McCarthy is enjoying this and twists and turns on the touchline
before playing in a cross. No one is there. Eccleston is then shown the
yellow card for a lunge on Abdulla.
41min - Jordan Brown gets forward for the first time from left-back.
McCarthy's delightful back-heel flick picks him out but the Reds regroup and
clear the danger.
40min - Patient passing play from the visitors ends with Wearen's long-range
ball forward. Dyer's men are certainly trying to find a way through but have
had less of the ball. Spence is then required to block Babel's shot after a
quick Liverpool break.
38min - A good block from Sanchez denies Irwin a shooting opportunity. Then
Abdulla does well to deny Ince. The Hammers are working over-time to stop
the home side moving forward.
36min - Dyer will be very pleased with how his young side have fared
tonight. They have dealt with the early Reds pressure and slowly worked
their way into the match.
34min - This is the Hammers' best spell with No10 Sears at the heart of
things. He is working hard all along the front line. McCarthy is finding his
range and goes close with a header from Abdulla's corner.
32min - Outstanding play from Sears. He was set free down the right by
Wearen's raking pass. He easily twists and turns his defender before
bursting up the byline into the box. Liverpool clear for a corner and then
Jones fumbles the set-piece. A quick Liverpool counter breaks down.
31min - Once again Pacheco is crowded out. The left winger is trying to
break through but finds a white shirt in the way every time.
30min - Modelski nicks the ball away from Eccleston as the Reds thought they
were about to launch another go on goal. The home side are a little bit
frustrated.
29min - Roy Hodgson is among those in the crowd. He will be watching Babel
closely, no doubt.
28min - Ince screws one wide with his left foot after Irwin picked him out
well.
26min - Both Babel and McCarthy are having to come deep in this game looking
for the ball. Both men would prefer to be 20 or 30 yards further forward but
this is a close contest with space at a premium.
25min - Pacheco is looking lively but the Hammers are standing firm at the
back. The visitors are on the back-foot more often than not at the moment.
24min - George Moncur is penalised for a foul in midfield. The referee tried
to play advantage but brought the play back after the attack broke down.
22min - Liverpool carve a way through and Eccleston should score but Sergio
Sanchez is able to clear the danger. From the corner, Irwin hits a
first-time volley but Boffin is down well.
20min - Modelski is cautioned after a tug back on Pacheco as he got the
better of the young right-back with some neat skill.
19min - McCarthy sets Sears away again on the left and the young forward
lashes in a near-post shot. It is easily saved by Jones, though.
17min - Wearen gives away another free-kick on the Liverpool left. Pacheco
takes again and once more finds Babel. Again the Dutchman cannot direct his
header on target. Jordan Spence then does well to clear the danger.
16min - Nathan Eccleston is at the heart of a lot of Liverpool's play up the
left. The Hammers are closing down well though and refuse to make it easy
for their hosts.
15min - We have had a hold up in play here as the referee has a knock. The
fourth official is going to run the line with one of the assistants stepping
into the middle.
11min - A lovely move forward involving Sears and McCarthy sees Filip
Modelski advance up the right. His ball into the centre is good but Abdulla
cannot control and the move breaks down.
10min - Irwin blazes over after a good build-up play by the Reds up their
right wing. A quick Hammers counter sees McCarthy win a flick-on but Sears
cannot connect.
9min - Daniel Pacheco fires in a free-kick after Eoin Wearen's foul. Babel
rises to meet it but the header is high and wide.
8min - As ever, Alex Dyer is proving vocal on the sidelines. He has really
got this young squad motivated this season.
7min - Brilliant play up the left wing from Freddie Sears sees him shift the
ball 40 yards before winning a corner off Conor Coady. Liverpool are able to
clear the resulting effort from Abdulla.
6min - The Hammers refuse to let the Reds settle and are quick into the
tackle. Babel and Jay Spearing feel the full force of some weighty
challenges.
5min - It is a cagey opening but Liverpool are perhaps the more adventurous
as you would expect on 'home' ground.
4min - The Hammers finally show and after a good passing move, Olly Lee
fires in a deflected shot from distance. Brad Jones - the Australian
international - is able to collect with ease.
3min - Ryan Babel - the star man on show for the Reds - shows good footwork
in midfield before being stopped unfairly by Abdulla. Free-kick to Liverpool
but the Reds use it just to keep possession.
2min - Thomas Ince has a good early chance after being fed by Steve Irwin.
Ruud Boffin is able to collect comfortably.
1min - Freddie Sears and Ahmed Abdulla get us uner way.
Benni McCarthy and Ryan Babel are the two stand-out names on view as West
Ham United reserves take on Liverpool reserves on Merseyside this evening.
whufc.com will have live text updates from the Prenton Park home of Tranmere
Rovers, with the Hammers aiming to make it three games unbeaten in the
Barclays Premier Reserve League. Alex Dyer's side have also yet to concede a
goal this season, although have a very young squad on view with five players
on the bench who are yet to figure for the second string. It promises to be
a tricky evening against John McMahon's Reds, who as well as Dutch
international forward Babel also boast Paul Ince's son Thomas in their
midfield.
Lineups
West Ham United: Boffin, Modelski, Brown, Wearen, Sanchez, Spence, Lee,
Moncur, McCarthy, Sears, Abdulla
Subs: Cowler, Craig, Lleget, Fanimo, Subuola
Liverpool: Jones, Flanagan, Robinson, Darby, Coady, Irwin, Spearing, Ince
(Amoo 46), Pacheco, Eccleston, Babel.
Subs: Hansen, Roberts, Bruna, Suso
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Green in, Gabbs out
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 4th October 2010
By: Staff Writer
Robert Green has been recalled to the England squad. West Ham United's
number one - who was humiliated by England manager Fabio Capello following
his mistake against the USA at the World Cup Finals in South Africa by being
dropped from the team and then the entire squad - is the Hammers' only
representative in the squad to face Montenegro next week.
Srtiker Carlton Cole - recalled for the last squad - has been dropped from
the 22 having been benched by Avram Grant in recent weeks following a poor
start to the campaign.
Meanwhile Scott Parker - who has carried his excellent form of last season
into the 2010/11 campaign - is yet again overlooked in favour of players
such as Tom Huddlestone, who Parker dominated during last week's 1-0 win
over Tottenham.
In other news, Danny Gabbidon has announced his retirement from
international football having made 43 appearances for his country. The
31-year-old Welsh defender, who had been named in Bryan Flynn's latest squad
called it an 'honour and a privilege' to have captained his country. He gave
no reason for the decision.
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That was the week that was
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 30th September 2010
By: Tim Keen
Six games, four points and nineteenth place. There has been considerable
discussion as to whether we as fans should be pleased with this return.
The points tally compares favourably with last season's equivalent fixtures,
but the league position looks coldly familiar; we are still amongst the
favourites to go down. So are we doing well or not? Are we about to storm up
the table or stay slumped in the relegation zone?
It has certainly been a good week for the Hammers. Four points from two
tough fixtures and an excellent away win at Sunderland in the League Cup
sandwiched in between. The added bonus of a home tie in the next round
should not be overlooked either, possibly another sign of our changing luck?
It could just be the week that turns our season. The performances have been
impressive. They have shown the right mixture of spirit, organisation mixed
with attacking enterprise that was missing last season. It has been a week
that has seen players other than Scott Parker step up and be counted and
make real contributions to the team. It no longer appears to be Scotty
against the world.
There have been some real causes for optimism. The deadline day signing of
Lars Jacobsen- met with such disapproval by many- appears to have been a
good signing. The full back has added solidity to the right back slot which
had previously been lacking. Whilst unspectacular, the Dane seems to have
the ability to perform confidently at this level; if we're honest it's just
good to have an actual right back at the club!
For the first time this season, we were also able to name an unchanged back
four, continuity at the back is imperative if we are to keep clean sheets.
Perhaps a more significant development on Saturday was the dropping of
Carlton Cole. Whether fans feel this was harsh on a man who has carried the
goal-scoring burden through some tough times or deserved- he has been
lacking goals and has looked out of form this season- it did at least
suggest that we have options. Cole may come straight back in to the starting
line up in a forward three, but it will have hopefully sent out a message to
the team that no player is 'undroppable' and everyone will have to perform
to stay in the team. We don't have a wealth of options in all positions, but
the message will still have hit home.
Avram Grant showed faith in Victor Obinna and Frederic Piquionne after their
excellent performance together at Sunderland and was rewarded. Obinna has
been a bit of a revelation. He is positive when he receives the ball and his
pace and eye for goal have really shone since he made his debut vs. Chelsea.
Piquionne performs exactly as Grant wants; he knew what he was getting when
he signed the 31-year-old from former club Portsmouth. He holds the ball up
well, makes intelligent runs for the team, but still has the skill to run at
defenders and he looks dangerous in front of goal.
It seemed a tad premature to release Guillermo Franco in the summer,
Piquionne though has similar attributes to the Mexican and has the mobility
to boot. There has also been a positive start to the season for Mark Noble.
He now seems to have a more defined role within the team and seems more
comfortable in that role. Like Jacobsen there is a no frills approach to
Noble's game and perhaps this is the year that he may push on after
stagnating somewhat, particularly during last year's struggle.
That struggle and the early season deficiencies should not be forgotten
though. There are suspect areas within the team. Matthew Upson has looked
shaky all season. Rob Green took the brunt of the criticism for the comedy
goal against Chelsea but it was Upson who panicked and looked the more at
fault. Upson has been removed from the England setup and it would be like a
new signing if he could start performing consistently again at this level.
The left back position is still a problem. Herita Illunga has not looked the
same player since he secured a permanent deal and we lack cover in this area
after the sale of Fabio Daprela. Tal Ben-Haim and Danny Gabbidon will do
their best and with their additional height may add some steal to the
backline, but as has been seen with Lars Jacobsen on the right, there really
is no substitute for a man who knows his position. Playing centre halves at
full back is not ideal and limits the attacking options on that flank.
Rob Green had a superb game on Saturday, but it was only a week ago he was
coming in for harsh criticism, even after the draw at Stoke. Green seems in
upbeat mood and eager to prove his critics wrong, his form this season
though has been questionable. Despite the saves versus Spurs, you get the
feeling his confidence is probably only one more high profile error away
from shattering.
It has been a great seven days. Our first points of the season, an excellent
victory in the League Cup and a home draw in the next round too. However,
just as we should not have got carried away with our disappointing start to
the season, 'Sack Grant' and 'We're going down' were extreme reactions to
performances which, Aston Villa aside, were not too bad, so we should not go
too far the other way and think that the club is out of the relegation woods
after our first league win.
There are real signs of progression and Grant is keen to highlight the
continuous development of the squad. The manager has remained calm during
his spell under pressure. While the press have been calling for his head, he
has pointed out that while results have been bad, the performances have been
improving. He seems in touch with reality as well, 'there is no deserve in
football' has been uttered on numerous occasions. He appears a man who does
not over celebrate the good times, or hit rock bottom when things are
against him.
The process (not the project) is far from complete though. There are bound
to be setbacks and disappointments this season, one good week does not make
a season. West Ham have always had the ability to pull a performance and
result such as Saturday's out of the hat and just as capable of
disappointing when the supposed smaller teams come to town. A victory over
S**rs could easily be followed by a real grind and a bad result against
Fulham. It's really important that we as fans don't forget that even if we
do struggle against Fulham or any of our opponents in the coming weeks, this
team does look capable of producing top performances which could not be said
last season.
We can't afford for the win over S**rs to be the only highlight of our
season. The campaign has a long way to run and it would not be West Ham
without a few ups and downs to fray the nerves and test the durability of
finger nails. While we all hope that this week is the beginning of an upturn
in results and performances and we must savour such a sweet victory, we as
fans need to be careful for it not to raise expectations beyond what is the
reality; that we are still a club in debt, we are still in the relegation
zone and there is work to be done. It sure is great to beat S**rs though.
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Spurs bid is minus track
Tottenham would make Olympic Stadium more football-friendly
By Ben Collins Last updated: 5th October 2010
SSN
Tottenham's bid to move into the Olympic Stadium would not include an
athletics track remaining at the London venue. The sport and entertainment
company, AEG, which runs the 02 arena in Greenwich has joined forces with
Spurs in a surprise last-minute attempt to be tenant after the 2012 Games.
West Ham have long made it clear they wish to move into the venue in
Stratford, east London, and their bid is being backed by Newham Council.
But while they intend to keep the track, Tottenham and AEG wish to convert
the stadium into a more football-friendly venue.
Crime
"I think it is a crime if you sacrifice having a perfect football stadium
for convincing yourself you are going to do a track and field event every 10
years," said AEG president and chief executive Timothy Leiweke, who is
meeting Tottenham executives during a whistle-stop visit to London. "It
makes sense long term. The government and everyone needs to make a decision
to ensure that it is usable. "You make that stadium the best football
stadium in the country for Tottenham because if you do that then you are
going to make it the best stadium for the next 30 years."
London 2012 promised the International Olympic Committee (IOC) when it won
the right to host the Games that an athletics track, capable of staging
major events, would be part of the legacy of staging the Games. However, AEG
Europe chief executive David Campbell reckons the issue is not a deal
breaker.
Experience
He claims that the wording of the invite for expressions of interest in the
stadium by the Olympic Park Legacy Company (OPLC), which will decide the
venue's future, does not oblige bidders to retain a running track. "It is
about fan experience which is absolutely a part of what we do," said
Campbell.
"It is great for the fans and for the artists - be it in football or
basketball or concerts. If you get a Premier football team you cannot have a
running track around the stadium."
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Olympic Stadium now first choice for Tottenham
Club may ditch plans to rebuild White Hart Lane
Running track would be removed from east London site
Owen Gibson
guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 5 October 2010 20.55 BST
The prospect of Tottenham Hotspur abandoning plans to rebuild White Hart
Lane and moving instead to the Olympic Stadium moved a significant step
closer yesterday when the club's corporate partners revealed plans to ditch
the running track after the 2012 Games and spoke openly about outflanking
West Ham's rival bid.
AEG, the US sports and entertainment company that turned the Millennium Dome
from national embarrassment to a huge success story as the O2 Arena, was
bullish about its chances of securing the stadium and claimed its
partnership with Spurs was the only one that could fulfil the Stratford
stadium's commercial potential.
The Olympic Stadium option has previously been talked of as a "back-up plan"
for Spurs but it is understood that the idea is now under serious
consideration as an alternative to rebuilding White Hart Lane.
Tim Leiweke, the president of AEG, said: "We've been pretty selective on the
projects we get involved in here and, when we do, we haven't had many
stumbles."
AEG Europe's chief executive, David Campbell, added that Tottenham's fan
base made it a more viable option than West Ham. "They have got 35,000
people on a paid-for waiting list. They can fill 60,000 seats. Can West Ham?
I don't know but I don't feel as confident as I do about Tottenham."
Spurs are increasingly pursuing a twin-track approach to enlarging their
stadium and boosting their revenues despite last week gaining planning
permission to rebuild White Hart Lane, amid fears that extra demands from
Transport for London, Haringey council and English Heritage will increase
the final bill. According to the latest estimates, additions to the final
cost of building a 56,250-seat stadium adjacent to the club's current home
have taken it to more than £400m. At the same time, Spurs have been forced
to reduce the number of residential units planned to be built to help fund
the scheme from 500 to 200.
AEG's proposal to remove the running track will reopen a bitter debate about
the Olympic Stadium's legacy. The London organising committee chairman, Lord
Coe, has been adamant that it must remain, given the legacy promises made to
the International Olympic Committee, and West Ham's joint bid with Newham
council proposes to retain it.
But AEG said yesterday that it has studied the terms of the Olympic Park
Legacy Company's criteria carefully and is convinced it would consider
proposals that do not include a running track.
"Seb [Coe] and I go back a long way," Leiweke told the Guardian. "We chose
to support the London bid and picked a fight with the mayor of New York in
doing so. Seb knows we're great for the legacy and invested in other sports
here. We will also continue to respect the reason they brought the Olympics
here in the first place. But to sacrifice the environment of the anchor
tenant for one event a year or every five years, we've got to take a step
back and ask whether we're not better off putting our resources in bringing
back other types of Olympic sport."
The argument over the future of the stadium goes back to shortly after the
bid was won in 2005. The previous Olympics minister Tessa Jowell resolved to
keep it as a 25,000 seat athletics venue, reduced from its 80,000 Games-time
capacity.
But the debate was re-opened when the wisdom of reducing the capacity was
questioned and the Olympic Park Legacy Company took on responsibility for
the post-Games use of the venues. It is estimated that it would cost at
least £150m to convert the Olympic Stadium, which is being built without
merchandising and hospitality facilities as part of the minimalist design.
There will also have to be comprehensive changes to the floodlights and
roof, which at present only covers a third of the stadium.
As last Thursday's deadline passed for expressions of interest in the
Olympic Stadium, Spurs were granted planning permission by the local
government to build a new stadium adjacent to White Hart Lane.
"We're not crazy. We wouldn't do things that we thought wouldn't be
worthwhile in the end," said Campbell. "We don't back losers so I don't
think we will be backing a loser." He said the proven track record of the O2
Arena would help convince the Olympic Park Legacy Company that it was the
right choice. "We went into a big white elephant and made it work for the
government and work for us," said Campbell. "We hope we can do the same
here. We can make it commercially viable."
Leiweke's enthusiasm is driven by his belief London is "the greatest city on
the face of the earth" and he predicted the Olympics would give the city a
20-year golden period when "the economy will thrive based on every business
in the world saying they want to be part of London".
West Ham still believe they are favourites to move into the stadium after
the 2012 Olympics and their owner David Sullivan claimed last night that
awarding the stadium to Tottenham could cause a violent reaction locally.
"It would be such a slap in the face to east London," he told the Daily
Mail. "If it happens, there will be real problems that could easily lead to
civil unrest. I think there could be riots, such is the ill feeling between
West Ham and Spurs and I know the police feel the same."
West Ham's plans, which retain the athletics track, and have a strong
community element, have been welcomed by Coe and UK Athletics. The OPLC is
scheduled to come up with a final shortlist by November before anointing a
preferred bidder in December and reaching a "settled position" next March.
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Shilton: Green will be forever haunted
Wednesday 6th October 2010 6:56
TeamTalk
Peter Shilton has warned Robert Green he will be haunted by his World Cup
howler for his entire life - even if he redeems himself for England. Monday
saw Fabio Capello select Green for the first time this season as the Italian
named his squad for Tuesday's European Championship qualifier against
Montenegro.
The 30-year-old West Ham goalkeeper was axed in the wake of his blunder that
cost England victory in their World Cup opener against the United States.
"He was pretty consistent and then had that worst moment of his career and
it will live with him forever," Shilton said. "But at least he's back in the
squad and maybe he'll get an opportunity in future to repay that error and
let England fans forget it."
Shilton, who won a record 125 England caps during his glittering career
between the posts, believes Green deserves his recall and should never have
been dropped in the first place after the US game. "He couldn't do any more:
he went out, he apologised after the game, he stood up, he didn't hide,"
Shilton said.
"I thought he should maybe have played in the next match. "Wayne Rooney, for
example, never had a kick in that match and yet he started the next match.
"That's the nature of goalkeeping; I thought maybe Capello could've shown a
bit more loyalty to him. "But it was a World Cup and he didn't want to take
a chance. "Poor Robert must've gone through that situation thinking, 'I'm
never going to play for England again'. "So it's nice to see him get back in
the squad and it's also an opportunity for him to stay in. "And, who knows?
If he gets an opportunity, maybe he can redeem what happened."
Green's absence from the squad has seen Joe Hart establish himself as
England's undisputed number one but Shilton warned the Manchester City
keeper he can afford to make no more than one mistake in the next year if he
wants to remain so. He said: "He's going to make mistakes but he hasn't got
to make too many. "He's got to make one every year or one every 18 months,
not one every two or three games, which is what let down the previous
goalkeepers."
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West ham have to wait two weeks for Wolves clash
8:49am Tuesday 5th October 2010
Guardian Series
IT is not nice being bottom of the table. And West Ham will have to wait a
little longer than usual to be able to do something about it. The
international break this weekend has probably come at the wrong time for the
Hammers. Despite their position propping up the rest, they are now unbeaten
in four games in all competitions. However, a point in the 1-1 draw with
Fulham at Upton Park on Saturday was not enough to keep them from slipping
back to last spot. Not that boss Avram Grant is too bothered. "The position
is not important at this stage of the season," he said. "One win can move
you forward five or six places. Of course, we don't want to be bottom, but
what is important is that we continue to improve." And Grant insisted: "We
are improving in many things."
Though the performance against Fulham was not the best of the season, it was
important West Ham got something from the game to keep their recent unbeaten
spell going. It means all five of their Premier League points to date have
come from the last three games. Clint Dempsey put the Cottagers in front,
but a goal early in the second half from the on-form Frederic Piquionne was
enough for a point, even if Fulham looked the likelier to grab a winner in
what was a very open game of football.
West Ham are not now in action until they travel to Wolverhampton Wanderers
on October 16. At least they know a win will definitely take them off the
bottom, as Wolves are the side that sit directly above them on goal
difference.
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