Friday, November 12

Daily WHUFC News - 12th November 2010

Parker's defence strategy
WHUFC.com
Scott Parker recognises the need to stop conceding soft goals to turn
performances into points
12.11.2010

Scott Parker is well aware that West Ham United need to tighten up as a team
if they are to turn solid performances into positive results. Four times
this season, the Hammers have gone ahead in a Barclays Premier League
fixture. The haul from those four games has been just three points -
gathered from draws at Stoke City and Birmingham City and at home to West
Bromwich Albion on Wednesday evening. "I think at the moment that's us
really [the performance in drawing 2-2 with West Brom]," said Parker. "We
went behind, then we got back in the game, we were in the lead and then we
let a sloppy goal in. You don't mind goals going in that are 40-yard
screamers but when someone gets free three yards out from the goal then you
mind it. That's just the way it is at the moment. "Everyone, as a team, just
needs to be more defensive-minded. When we get into a winning position, we
need to see out the game. At the moment we are struggling to do that. "Over
the last few weeks we've picked up some good results. Obviously if we can
turn the draws into wins, we are close but, when you are in the position
that we are in the moment, things seems to go in the other way instead of
going in your favour.
"On Wednesday we were to blame because we should win and the same against
Birmingham as well. We've got to keep digging in and hopefully we will get
the results."

Looking forward to the weekend, West Ham - who have lost just twice in ten
matches - face a Blackpool side who have done well in the Premier League,
but have allowed more goals against than any other side. The Tangerines have
conceded 26 times in 12 matches to West Ham's 22, suggesting a goal-fest
could be in order on Saturday. "It's a big game," added Parker. "I think
every game we play at home is going to be a very big game, as it will be
away from home. We need to go in now and we need to take the three points to
move up in the table. "We have to be confident and we have to believe that
we are trying to do things, and hopefully we are to turn around the corner
with results. Like I said, if we could turn the draws into wins, it would be
massive for us."

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'We need to make it a fortress'
WHUFC.com
Kieron Dyer believes West Ham United's home form needs to improve if the
club is to climb the league table
11.11.2010

Kieron Dyer says West Ham United need to turn the Boleyn Ground into a
'fortress' if they are to climb the Barclays Premier League table. The
Hammers' home league form has been indifferent so far this term, with a
victory over Tottenham Hotspur being overshadowed by defeats by Bolton
Wanderers, Chelsea and Newcastle United and draws with Fulham and West
Bromwich Albion. Wednesday's 2-2 draw with West Brom left Dyer feeling down
but not out. With Blackpool and Wigan Athletic next to visit the East End,
the midfielder knows West Ham need to make home advantage count sooner
rather than later. "I honestly think that our better performances are away
from home," the No7 admitted. "Look at how we played at Birmingham except
for those ten minutes and Wolves in the second half. The players played with
no fear and expressed themselves. "Individually I feel fine playing at home,
I am a confident player. But it does affect some players and that is
something they've got to deal with because if we are going to stay in the
Premier League we going to make this place a fortress. "We are going to give
the fans something this year to shout about and we are going to have to be
big characters. Because again, as soon we went one up we nearly got the
third goal but then we kind of went into our shells.."

Dyer, who completed his first 90 minutes for the club since August 2007, won
the penalty that enabled Frederic Piquionne to put West Ham 2-1 up against
the Baggies, only for Pablo Ibanez to head in a late equalier. "In the first
half we started slow, West Bromwich are a confident team and they were
passing the ball well and when they went 1-0 up, they could have been 'Here
we go' but thanks to Scott Parker again we got into it. "Into the second
half we came out of the blocks really well and we went 2-1 up and nearly got
a third and were thinking 'We're going to get three points' and then again
one cross, one goal. We have got to stop making these mistakes or this is
going to cost us dearly."

Looking ahead to Saturday's visit of Blackpool, Dyer is aware of the threat
posed by the newly-promoted clubs. Having already failed to beat Newcastle
and West Brom, the Hammers cannot afford to slip up a third time against a
team of Premier League new boys, but the player knows it will not be easy.
"They lost at Aston Villa but they scored two goals. So, they are coming
here and they're going to give it a go - I've told the lads that. They're
going to have a good go at us and we've got to be 100 per cent confident and
match their desire because this is a 'must win' game now. "We said
Birmingham was a 'must win' game, but against Blackpool we need three points
otherwise people will start saying we might be doomed. So, we need to come
out and be big characters and give the fans something to cheer about."

One major positive for Dyer was his ability to come through the full 90
minutes unscathed for the first time in more than three years. "It was a
massive stepping stone. I didn't have much energy for the last 20 minutes -
I was running on empty. There were no signs of my hamstrings and to get 90
minutes under my belt will help me to get 100 per cent match-fit. When I get
there, I will help this team massively and the sooner I get there, the
better for all concerned."

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Di Matteo on... West Ham Utd
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 11th November 2010
By: Staff Writer

Proving the old adage that two people can see the same game entirely
differently, Roberto Di Matteo reflects on Albion's 2-2 draw with West Ham
at the Boleyn Ground last night...

I thought you were well worth at least a point tonight?

I agree with you, I think we did well tonight. It's a difficult ground to
come to, Upton Park, they're very passionate supporters here but we
controlled the game quite well.

We gave them an early Christmas present just before half time as we're
generous people and we put them back into the game. In the second half it
almost turned in their favour but we managed to get an equaliser - a
deserved one, I think. We feel a little bit disappointed because of the way
the game went and maybe we could have got a bit more out of it, but I will
take a point away from home.

What did you make of the two penalties?

I think the referee had a very good game tonight. I thought he handled the
pressure very well, he controlled the game nicely, the key decisions he
probably got right and you couldn't really see him -that's important as he
wasn't the main focus of the game.

Quite brave for referees to give penalties for holding at corners? You don't
often see it.

I think it was too obvious not to see that one. I agree that there's a bit
of pushing and pulling at every corner but that was a bit too obvious.

You don't have any complaints about West Ham's penalty?

I think he was in a good position, the referee, when he gave West Ham a
penalty. I'd like to see it again but he was in a good position so...

Do you think West Ham could have had a couple of players sent off? Boa Morte
a second yellow and Gabbidon near the end?

You know I like games to be played 11 versus 11 for the spectacle. We had a
game ruined at Blackpool and you don't like to see. Obviously if it's an
obvious one then yes, he needs to show the red card but otherwise, if
possible, they need to try and keep players on the pitch becasue it makes
the game a much better game.

How important was it to end that run of two back-to-back defeats?

I think it was very important for us not to go three defeats in a row, it
was important we stopped that after two defeats. We got a good performance
out tonight as well and that's important. Every time we perform we get a
point or three from the game.

How's Chris Brunt been playing? Does he play like that every game?

He's superb, isn't he. He gives quantity and quality. Since I signed for
West Brom he has been outstanding for me. He's improved and he's becoming
better and better.

You've had some good performances this season, how important is it to have a
balanced squad and not get carried away?

But that's the Barclays Premier League and we know that. We know that, I
think it's maybe people outside our club that get carried away. But we know
that it's a difficult, difficult season. We are new in the Premier League
and we are still trying to learn. We need to manage games better, when we're
1-0 ahead with four minutes until half time we need to get that lead into
half time as that gives you a huge advantage. We need to improve. We need to
learn, improve game by game, try to improve and get better.

Avram was ranting and raving on the touchline, can you understand why the
pressure's getting to him?

Look, we're all under pressure mate! If you don't want to be under pressure,
don't be a football manager.

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Grant won't change style
Hammers boss confident second win is on the horizon
Last updated: 11th November 2010
SSN

Avram Grant insists he has no plans to change West Ham United's style as he
looks to guide his team off the foot of the Premier League table. The
Hammers have won just once in 12 games this season and let a lead slip to
draw 2-2 at home with West Bromwich Albion on Wednesday night. Co-owner
David Sullivan has challenged the squad to pick up seven points from a
four-game spell which started with last Saturday's 2-2 draw at Birmingham
City.
Blackpool and Liverpool are next on the horizon for Grant's side and the
Israeli believes West Ham are getting in a position to record a second
league win of the campaign.

Playing well

"We are very close to it - when the first win comes, we will win more and we
are playing football to win games," said Grant. "We keep our style of
football. It is not going like we want, but we are playing well and that is
what frustrates us more than anything. "The fans understand, they want more
points, but no-one more than myself and the players and staff want them.
"Everybody can see we play good games of football. From my experience, if we
continue like this then the points will come."

Goals from Scott Parker and Frederic Piquionne had given West Ham the lead
against West Brom after Peter Odemwingiehad earlier put the visitors in
front from the penalty spot. Pablo Ibanez's header ensured the game finished
all-square and Grant offered a mixed response to the result. Grant
continued: "The reaction after they scored was good to get to 2-1 and then
we had a great chance to make it 3-1 and dominated the game. "But we will,
of course, analyse the game and see what we can do better. "The way we have
conceded goals is something we need to think about."

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Grant offers Blackpool backing
Pulis also defends Holloway's decision to rotate his squad
By Chris Burton Last updated: 11th November 2010
SSN

West Ham boss Avram Grant claims he has no issue with Blackpool's decision
to make sweeping changes to their starting XI in midweek. The Seasiders'
manager Ian Holloway made 10 alterations to his side for a trip to Aston
Villa on Wednesday night. Blackpool did slip to a 3-2 defeat at Villa
Park,but only a last-gasp winner from James Collins left them empty-handed.
Their performance suggests Holloway was right to ring the changes, with the
fresh legs drafted in helping to put up a fight. However, the Premier League
set a precedent last year when they handed Wolves a suspended £25,000 fine
after Mick McCarthy made 10 changes to his team for a meeting with
Manchester United.

Quit threat

Holloway insists the side he fielded against Villa was not under-strength
and has vowed to quit his post should he face similar action from the
authorities.
Grant, whose West Ham side currently prop up the Premier League table,
insists he has no problem with squad rotation and is happy that Blackpool
did not act out of turn. His own plans have been severely hampered by
injuries this term and he believes it is important to be able to mix and
match over the course of a gruelling campaign. "They did what they had to do
for that [match]," the former Chelsea and Portsmouth manager said ahead of
West Ham's game with Blackpool on Saturday. "Also they have a bigger squad
than us, and without injuries, so they could do it."

Unlucky

Stoke boss Tony Pulis has also defended Holloway's selection, insisting
managers have every right to choose whoever they want. He said: "I don't
have a problem at all. I think it should be left to the manager of the
football club to decide what team they pick, and nobody else. "Knowing Ian,
and I've known him since he was 14, whatever team he picks he will expect to
go out and have a go. "I think they did that last night, they were very
unlucky not to get something out of the game. "Who is to say the other 10
players he left out would have done as well as the 10 that played?"

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Dyer fears doom and gloom
Midfielder acknowledges that Blackpool clash is 'must-win'
Last updated: 11th November 2010
SSN

Kieron Dyer recognises that sceptics will be ready to write off West Ham's
chances of Premier League survival if they lose to Blackpool on Saturday.
Ahead of the visit of Ian Holloway's 2009/10 Championship play-off winners,
Avram Grant'sHammers sit bottom of the top flight and four points from
safety. West Ham have thrown away leads to draw their last two matches
against Birmingham and West Brom, respectively, to add to the doom and
gloom. And injury-prone Dyer, whose 90-minute outing against West Brom
marked a first full game for the club since joining from Newcastle in a
£6million deal during August 2007, accepts that things will only get murkier
if Blackpool are not defeated. "We said Birmingham was a 'must win' game,
but against Blackpool we need three points otherwise people will start
saying we might be doomed," said the midfielder.

Desire

"Blackpool are going to come here and have a right go at us. We have to be
confident and match their desire. It is all about playing with no fear. "I
am a confident player and I don't let things affect me, but you can see that
some players are affected. "Again, as soon as we went ahead we nearly got
the third goal, but then we kind of went into our shells. "You could sense
it was just a matter of time that they were going to score and it can't be
like that. "As soon as we get in front the attitude is to protect what we
have.

Mistakes

"We have got to stop making these mistakes or this is going to cost us
dearly." Former England international Dyer was pleased to be able to get a
full match under his belt against the Baggies. "It was a massive stepping
stone. I didn't have much energy for the last 20 minutes - I was running on
empty," he said. "There were no signs of my hamstrings and to get 90 minutes
under my belt will help me to get 100 per cent match-fit."

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We could be in Dyer trouble
The Sun
Published: 11 Nov 2010

KIERON DYER admits West Ham could be doomed if they fail to beat Blackpool
on Saturday. The Hammers currently prop up the Premier League table after
winning just once in 12 games. Avram Grant's men are four points adrift of
safety and Dyer insists the Hammers must begin picking up victories
immediately. The midfielder said: "Against Blackpool we need three points or
people will start saying we might be doomed. "Blackpool are going to come to
Upton Park and have a right go at us, so we have to be confident and match
their desire. "It is all about playing with no fear. I am a confident player
and I don't let things affect me, but you can see that some players are
affected. "We have got to stop making mistakes or it is going to cost us
dearly.
"If we are going to stay in the Premier League, we are going to have to make
Upton Park a fortress."

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Parker: We must end this mess
The Sun
By MARK IRWIN
Published: Today

WEST HAM star Scott Parker fears time is running out fast for the
rock-bottom club to meet chairman David Sullivan's ambitious target. The
Hammers midfielder is growing increasingly anxious at his team's precarious
position in the Premier League basement. And he warns that Avram Grant's men
will continue to struggle until they learn how to protect a lead. Parker
insisted: "The whole team needs to be more defensive-minded. "When we get
into a winning position we need to see the game out and we are struggling to
do that. "It's one thing to concede from a 40-yard screamer or when a player
beats four defenders and curls one in to the top corner. "But when an
opponent gets a free header three yards from goal - like West Brom's
equaliser on Wednesday night - that is just not acceptable. "We can't keep
on allowing sloppy goals like these if we are going to turn draws into
wins."

Sullivan last week demanded a minimum of seven points from Hammers' next
four games, warning: If we don't achieve that goal, we know we have a real
problem and that we have to shuffle the pack."

But Saturday's 2-2 stalemate with Birmingham was followed by another 2-2
draw in midweek. Grant's men threw away a 2-0 lead at St Andrews and they
were 2-1 up on Wednesday night only for Baggies' Pablo Ibanez to rock Upton
Park by heading the visitors' 71st-minute equaliser. That means Hammers must
now win both their next two matches - at home to Blackpool tomorrow and at
Liverpool next weekend - to hit Sullivan's target. Parker, who scored
Hammers' sensational opener in Wednesday's draw, said: "We are trying our
hardest to meet the targets the chairman wants. "But it is easier said than
done. "We should have won our last two games and it's our own fault that we
didn't. "Now we have a massive game coming up against Blackpool at the
weekend and every home game from now on is going to be hugely important."

Hammers are four points adrift of safety at the bottom of the table with
just one Premier League win. But Parker added: "It is important to keep
believing we can turn the corner and get out of this position. We have had
some good performances lately and I think we are very close to turning
things around.
"But we have to start winning at Upton Park and move up the table as quickly
as possible."

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Avram Grant shows the strain as he runs out of excuses for West Ham
Manager says injuries have hindered team's prospects
Blackpool match a must-win game for Hammers
David Hytner
guardian.co.uk, Thursday 11 November 2010 22.30 GMT

It is sometimes difficult to tell whether Avram Grant is piling on the
jet-black deadpan humour or if he is truly the most downbeat character in
football. Either way, the West Ham United manager's response to a question
about Blackpool, who visit Upton Park on Saturday in a match of tremendous
significance to his future employment prospects, was revealing.

Grant had just overseen a 2-2 home draw with another newly promoted club,
West Bromwich Albion, and he was asked what he made of the decision by the
Blackpool manager, Ian Holloway, to make 10 changes to his team for the away
game at Aston Villa, which they narrowly lost in the last minute. It was put
to him that Holloway might have been prioritising the visit to the East End,
as he confronted a congested spell of fixtures.

"They did what is good for them," Grant replied. "Also, they have a bigger
squad than us at this moment, without injuries, so they could do this."

Grant might have had a point. Against West Brom, he was without seven and a
half of his players (Victor Obinna was fit enough only to play as a
substitute). The long-term casualties Thomas Hitzlsperger, Jack Collison and
Zavon Hines, none of whom has kicked a ball this season, were supplemented
by Tal Ben-Haim, Manuel da Costa, Valon Behrami and Mark Noble. Behrami and
Noble, in particular, were big misses. "We needed to use even Kieron Dyer,"
Grant added, as though for emphasis.

Yet it was still unsettling to hear the manager of West Ham, one of London's
most established clubs, complain that Blackpool could boast greater strength
in depth. Grant has regularly attempted to convince people that the glass is
half-empty at his clubs. He did it each week at Portsmouth, while even at
Chelsea he said that there were problems. It ought to be noted that things
were utterly awful at Portsmouth and West Ham fans might not appreciate the
reference.

Grant's ruse is designed to dampen expectation levels, to take the pressure
off the players and allow them to embrace the liberation and express
themselves. But if Grant is struggling to instil confidence into his players
by whatever means, nobody will buy an attempt to paint West Ham as plucky
underdogs at home to Blackpool, even if they currently prop up the division.

It was unfortunate for Grant that Hitzlsperger, his main summer acquisition,
suffered such a serious thigh problem, which will keep him out until well
into the new year but injuries, in general, are part and parcel of the game.
Grant is carrying only slightly more than a handful and, of them, how many
would get into the club's best XI?

West Ham simply have to beat Blackpool. Moreover, the supporting cast around
the captain, Scott Parker, have to push their chests out and assume
responsibility. It might gall a section of the Upton Park crowd that Carlton
Cole feels that he is ready to face Blackpool. This is the same player who
held his hamstring in the 76th minute against West Brom and walked off
slowly. The announcement of his withdrawal was cheered. It is a big game for
the striker.

The club's mental fragility has been shown in several ways, not least their
inability to hold on to leads. They have forfeited nine points in the
Premier League this season after ceding the initiative in four matches, the
most recent one being against West Brom on Wednesday night. Two-one up
thanks in large measure to Parker, they allowed the West Brom centre-half
Pablo Ibáñez to ghost in unmarked to head home from close range.

"When someone is getting a free header three yards out from goal, it is not
acceptable," Parker said. "That is the way it is at the moment. We need to
be more defensive-minded and when we get into a winning position, we need to
see out the game because we are struggling to do that."

Grant said: "We are not a team that can drop back and defend with eight or
nine players," and he suggested that getting on to the front foot with the
squad's attack-minded players was the best form of defence. Yet with the
chips down, as they are undoubtedly are at present, and tension permeating
the dressing room, the temptation is not to show for the ball.

Grant appeared to be showing the strain against West Brom. He ranted and
raged on the touchline, his targets taking in the officials and some of his
own players, principally the striker Frédéric Piquionne.

Parker was asked whether Grant's histrionics inspired the players. Cue a
pregnant pause. "To be honest, when you are out there, you don't really
notice that," he said.

The pressure will intensify again at three o'clock on Saturday.

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Wasteful Endeavours!
West Ham Till I Die

Watching West Ham is becoming a 'Ground Hog Day' experience. The same
events keep conspiring to deny us the points that we need. First, there is
the indifferent start to the match, when will we fly out of the blocks from
the first whistle? Then the suicidal defending, with Boa Morte and Illunga
(on this occasion) costing us victory. The magnificent efforts of Scott
Parker give us hope of victory, only for wastefulness in front of goal to
prevent us exploiting our periods of domination. If Piquionne takes his
pivotal goal scoring opportunity at 2-1 up, we take the points. But he
contrives to screw his shot wide! The opposition rally and we just about
draw a match that we should have won. Then to cap it all, in the post-match
interview, Avram Grant bemoans our luck/the refereeing decisions and asserts
that everything will come good in the end.

It may very well come good, but the fact is that the wastefulness of the
side is continually undermining our efforts to scramble out of the
relegation zone. It is perfectly possible to do it, but it requires the
team to show the consistency and ruthlessness to put together a run of two
or three back-to-back wins. Can they do it? Yes, but the suicidal
defending must stop and we have to put teams away when we have them on the
ropes. That is easier said than done, but they have got to stop this
sloppiness and defeat the graft and commitment of Blackpool on Saturday.

There is nothing more to be said about Boa Morte's moment of madness, only
he knows what he thought he was going to achieve by pushing over a player
in the penalty box, at a set peice? He is an experienced player and there
is just no excuse for his actions, none whatsoever. Boa Morte is far from
my favorite player, but I do recognise the qualities that he can bring to
the team. He is one of those that need to stand up and be counted, not
make silly, hot headed mistakes. While, the question should also be asked,
what on earth has happened to Herita Illunga? Two seasons ago he was a
great find, an outstanding performer at left-back. A player that the likes
of Liverpool and Villa jealously coveted. Now he appears to be a mere
shadow of that exciting discovery. He has defended poorly and shown none of
his previous threat going forward. His failure to defend his zone on the
left hand side of the box was the principal reason for the unchallenged
header, at the far post, for WBA's equaliser.

What is the solution? A shuffling of the pack and sorting it out on the
training pitch? Da Costa is missed and must return when fit.
Alternatively, perhaps it is time for Tomkins to return to centre-half, so
that Gabbidon can then move over to left-back? The other option is play a
youngster like Spence, but it is probably asking too much for an
inexperience defender to take on that weight of responsibility, in these
difficult circumstances. Noble's loss has been a big blow, the sooner that
he recovers and returns the better. Lets hope that his rich vein of form
survives his enforced absence. How we need his commitment, distribution and
ability to deliver at set pieces.

We also missed Behrami on Wednesday. Against Birmingham City he looked like
he was back to something approaching his best. And we need his industry and
drive. There is a misconception abroad that Behrami cannot finish, that was
exposed with the quality of his strike to put us 0-2 up against Brum. He
frequently played wing-back for Lazio and used to get forward and score his
share. He can do it, and he is one of the midfielders that we need to
weigh in with his quota of goals. Lets hope that he is fit on Saturday and
can partner Parker in central midfield. The other question is do we stick
with Boa Morte or try another option like Junior Stanislas? Stanislas can
offer something different going forward, but is less likely to shore up
midfield by tackling back. It is a case of opportunity cost in that
respect! But I do ike Junior as a player and now would be the ideal time
for him to deliver the goods for the first team.

If Cole misses the Blackpool match, then Piquionne will need to lead the
attack. He has shown that he can do it this season, so that is not too much
of a worry. What we really also need now is for Benni McCarthy to
rediscover his form. Even at 32, he is potentially the best finisher that
we have. We perhaps forget that he is a Champions League pedigree striker
and a former winner of the competition. Did he arrive at West Ham too late?
Having regained his fitness, lets hope that he can turn back the clock to
make a contribution from the bench. Alternatively, Frank Nouble is back at
the club and available for the substitutes bench. I rate Nouble, he
definitely has the tools to eventually succeed at West Ham, but does he have
enough experience at this juncture? Promoting a young, hungry striker to
the bench could be a good move?

Obinna must start against Blackpool. Although sometimes erratic, the
Nigerian international undoubtedly adds extra class and pace to our forward
line. He has also shown a good understanding in combining with Piquionne.
While keeping Dyer fit and playing could be vital a vital factor. For all
his fragility, he is a genuinely class forward, with the ability to create
in the final third. He demonstrated that again in the WBA match and he
could provide the extra skill to undo Blackpool at the back.

I would leave Freddie Sears to apply himself at Scunthorpe Utd for the time
being. He is doing well there and could play himself back in to contention
for the Hammers. He burst upon the first team scene with that winning goal
against Blackburn Rovers and we all hoped that we had another Tony Cottee on
our hands. Since, he has not quite fulfilled that early promise, but I have
certainly not written him off yet. Sears could still make the grade,
actually proving to be a late developer, rather than the youth team wonder
boy that we had anticipated. We need to keep a watching brief on him at
Scunthorpe and bring him back when he demonstrates signs of greater
maturity, strength and ability to finish in the final third.

Talking of keeping a watching brief, we must hope that Hines and Collison
can get back in to first team contention sooner rather than later. Whilst
Hitzlsperger's injury has been one of the biggest disappointments of the
season. He could have made a massive contribution and could still do so in
the New Year. That is a trio of players out that could make a real
difference to our cause. We need a reversal of fortune in that respect and
their return to fitness.

The sloppy display against WBA, and the wasteful loss of a further two
points, has piled even more pressure on the Blackpool match. Blackpool are
playing on adrenalin, commitment and graft at the moment, they are getting
results (a la Hull City in the first half of their first PL season) that are
unlikely on paper. However, football is not played on paper and we all know
that fight, commitment and determination can move mountains on a football
pitch, for a time anyway! But the wheels will come off Blackpool's wagon at
some point this season, that is a certainty. The question is can we match
their graft and make our greater class tell? It is not a matter of if we
can do it, we must do it, its as straightforward as that! Lets bring the
Championship pretenders down to earth with a bump at Upton Park.

Sticking my neck out somewhat, 3-1 to West Ham. COYI!

SJ. Chandos.

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Thursday, November 11

Daily WHUFC News - 11th November 2010

Grant praise for Parker
WHUFC.com
The manager was pleased once again with Scott Parker, while Kieron Dyer also
got a worthy mention
11.11.2010

Avram Grant hailed Scott Parker as a shining light as he looked to regroup
from Wednesday's 2-2 draw with West Bromwich Albion before Saturday's date
with Blackpool. The manager saw his midfield supremo - who has played every
minute of the club's 15 league and cup games this season - kick-start a
second-half revival with a sublime 25-yarder just before half-time. "You
don't see many goals like that," said Grant. "Scott deserves it for the way
he works and it was an unbelievable goal. He is having a great season. He
always tries to do the right thing. Scott is in great shape."

Parker's precision finish levelled the scores after Peter Odemwingie's
spot-kick five minutes before and paved the way for Frederic Piquionne to
join Parker on five goals this season with his penalty soon after the
interval, before West Brom were able to come back into it and ensure a 2-2
draw through Pablo Ibanez. "The players were not so patient in the first
half," said Grant. "West Brom were defending with a lot of men behind the
ball. We needed to be quicker and sharper. We did that in the second half.
"The reaction after they scored the first goal was good. We got to one-one,
then went two-one up and had a great chance to make it three-one. Instead we
conceded ourselves, so we are obviously disappointed by that."

Having seen a similar scenario play out at Birmingham City at the weekend in
terms of performance and point, the manager said there would be no let-up in
the search for more from Blackpool. "I want to take points, not because
anybody else wants to take them. I want to take points because I want to
take points, because I think we deserve to take points. We need to get a win
and we are very close to it. "I think when the first win comes we will win
more games, because we are playing football the right way."

Aside from Parker's usual superb display, another positive was Kieron Dyer's
first 90 minutes in claret and blue since 25 August 2008 and only his third
full match for the club, with the manager saying he did "a good job" - not
least in winning that Piquionne penalty. Dyer came into the side with Valon
Behrami having developed a hip problem late in training on Tuesday and
Victor Obinna not fit enough to start with a muscle issue. Carlton Cole also
limped off feeling his hamstring, but it is thought the striker could be fit
to face Blackpool. Whoever lines up will need to learn from the experiences
so far, with the manager preferring to focus on the team's needs rather than
individuals. "We reacted well to going one-nil down and continued playing.
We are not a team that can drop back and defend with eight or nine players.
We continue playing and conceded a goal. "All the time you can point the
finger at someone but we prefer to win like a team and lose like a team. We
will analyse the team and see what we can do better. "We did everything we
could but unfortunately we didn't do it for the supporters. It will be a
similar game on Saturday. Blackpool are a good team and we need to want it
more than them. The spirit is still good."

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Hammers held by Baggies
WHUFC.com
Avram Grant's side were denied a precious home win in a keenly-fought
contest on Wednesday
10.11.2010

West Ham United were forced to settle for a second successive 2-2 draw as
West Bromwich Albion battled back on a freezing night at the Boleyn.
The Hammers had thrown away a two-goal advantage last Saturday at Birmingham
City and it was a similar story on Wednesday as Baggies defender Pablo
Ibanez wiped out the second-half advantage given by Frederic Piquionne's
penalty. Scott Parker had previously levelled just before the interval with
a stunning strike after Peter Odemwingie had started the scoring with a
spot-kick of his own. West Ham bossed the first 20 minutes without having
anything to show for their possession. After a couple of wayward West Brom
efforts from long range, Carlton Cole registered the Hammers' first notable
attempt - shooting wide of Scott Carson's right-hand post. It was to be
fully another ten minutes before the next - this time Cole heading just over
from Barrera's corner. With the temperature dropping by the minute on a
clear night in east London, there was very little to warm the Hammers fans.
The Baggies seemed content to hit on the break and quickly regrouped behind
the ball whenever they lost possession. That was until Chris Brunt fired in
a free-kick that tested Green and led to a corner and the chance to throw
men forward. A good ball in saw Luis Boa Morte bundle over Steven Reid in
the area. The referee Mike Dean paused for a moment before pointing to the
spot but there was no hesitation from Odemwingie as he blasted beyond Green.
Five minutes later, Parker saved the day again with his fifth goal of a
remarkable season so far. Cole did well before touching back to the No8, who
ran on to the ball and smashed it beyond Carson and into the top corner. Boa
Morte could then have sent the Hammers into the interval in the lead,
jinking his way into the penalty area before firing goalwards. Carson did
superbly well to palm it away. The West Brom keeper had no chance four
minutes after the break when Piquionne fired in from the spot after a
surging Kieron Dyer run was unfairly halted by Gabriel Tamas. It was an
clinical contribution from Dyer, who was to complete a rare 90 minutes
having come into the side for the injured Valon Behrami. The Hammers were in
front and Grant was determined to hang on to the lead. Perhaps mindful of
his earlier caution in conceding the West Brom penalty, the manager
sacrificed Boa Morte for Radoslav Kovac. The attacking intent was still
there as on the hour mark, Barrera seized on a loose ball, surged goalwards
before feeding Dyer. He flicked it on to Piquionne and the French forward's
shot only just went wide. It was much, much better from the home side and
the crowd were responding. Roberto Di Matteo made a change himself on 66
minutes, replacing Graham Dorrans with Simon Cox. It paved the way for a
West Brom fightback that culminated in Brunt sending in a superb cross on 71
minutes for the unmarked Pablo Ibanez to easily head beyond Green.
The visitors were back on top and Kovac joined Boa Morte in the book for a
frustrated foul before Green gratefully seized on a loose ball as the
Baggies piled on more pressure. Di Matteo replaced Jerome Thomas with Giles
Barnes on 75 minutes as hamstring victim Cole also made way for Victor
Obinna.
The match fizzled out from there with Danny Gabbidon also cautioned for a
tug back on Barnes, as Benni McCarthy entered for a brief cameo - Barrera
making way. With news of a closure at Upton Park station, it was to be a
disappointing end to the evening, with Saturday's already vital visit of
Blackpool only increasing in importance.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham 2 - 2 West Brom
BBC.co.uk
Frederic Piquionne's penalty put West Ham ahead just after half-time
By Julian Shea

West Ham failed to hold on to a lead for the second game running as they
were held to a draw by West Brom and remain rooted to the foot of the table.
A tepid first half came alive as Peter Odemwingie's penalty gave West Brom a
brief lead, before Scott Parker's thunderbolt of a shot levelled things.
Frederic Piquionne's penalty put West Ham ahead before Pablo Ibanez headed
the visitors level. West Brom piled on the pressure late on but both sides
seemed happy to draw. Coming into the game, the two sides could not have had
more contrasting seasons so far - West Ham enduring their worst-ever start
to a Premier League campaign, while the visitors enjoyed their best-ever -
but they seemed evenly matched early on. Neither side seemed to have the
conviction and courage to impose themselves on the game, despite the lack of
threat posed by the opposition, and this made for a forgettable early period
with few chances. What action there was in the first half came in the last
15 minutes. Carlton Cole was West Ham's top scorer last season with 10
goals, but has only managed two in his last 26 games. He came within inches
of breaking the deadlock on the half-hour when he headed just over from
Pablo Barrera's corner from the right, but when the first goal came, it was
at the other end.

Matthew Upson deflected an Odemwingie shot behind for West Brom's second
corner of the night, and in the resulting penalty-box jostling, Luis Boa
Morte needlessly shoved Steven Reid to the ground, and referee Mike Dean
pointed straight to the spot. Odemwingie put the ball to Robert Green's left
to give his side the lead, but it was only a short-lived advantage. Cole
easily dispossessed Paul Scharner just outside the penalty area, played a
one-two with Kieron Dyer and when Schaner blocked Cole's attempted shot,
Parker charged in and unleashed a superb first-time shot high into the top
corner for an equaliser on his 100th appearance for the club. Shortly after
the restart, West Ham went into the lead when Gabriel Tamas barged over Dyer
in the penalty area, and Piquionne thumped the ball home. This inspired the
home side and their fans, and Piquionne had a great chance to make it 3-1
when Barrera and Dyer set him up for a great chance, only for the Frenchman
to drag the ball just wide of the far post. Faced with the prospect of just
their second win of the season and moving off the bottom of the table, West
Ham opted to try and play it safe rather than stay on the front foot, and
they were soon made to pay for the decision. After they failed to clear a
corner, Chris Brunt sent over a looping cross from the left, which was met
by the head of the unmarked Ibanez. With time running out, West Ham's nerves
showed and West Brom had more chances to snatch a late win as they had a
succession of late corners, and the final whistle was greeted with obvious
frustration by the home fans.

West Ham manager Avram Grant: "We deserved to win, especially in the second
half we dominated. "We wanted to start quickly but they defend with a lot
behind the ball so we had to be patient, it was hard for us to create
chances. "The spirit of team is very good, it's more frustrating that we're
bottom of the league but the spirit is good. "We're trying to play positive
football, we keep doing what we need to do and we don't win - we don't like
it but at the end of the day, the wins will come."

West Brom manager Roberto di Matteo: "It was very important for us not to
have three defeats in a row, and to get a good performance out.
"People outside the club may get carried away, but we are new in the Premier
League and still learning. "We need to manage games better, to get that lead
into half-time but we are improving and will get better."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Cole faces anxious wait
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 11th November 2010
By: Staff Writer

Carlton Cole will find out later today the extent of the injury that caused
him to be substituted in last night's 2-2 draw with West Bromwich Albion.
The West Ham and England striker pulled up with 15 minutes left on the clock
with what Avram Grant later revealed is a suspected hamstring injury. If
scans prove the worst Cole could be out for around a month, the worst
possible news for manager Grant who is already struggling to come to terms
with losing key squad members such as Tomas Hitzlsperger, Jack Collison and
Mark Noble already this season.
Speaking immediately after last night's draw with Albion that keeps United
rooted to the bottom of the Premier League, Grant confirmed the news,
saying: "I didn't see him [Cole] but I think it's a hamstring." Grant also
revealed that Valon Behrami missed the game after sustaining a knock in the
final pre-match training session on Tuesday.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Grant on... West Bromwich Albion
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 11th November 2010
By: Staff Writer

Avram Grant shares his thoughts on another positive performance - and
disappointing result...

Avram: more points dropped.

Yeah.

When you got the second did you think you would go on and win the game?

Yes, the reaction after they scored the goal was good - we went 1-1, 2-1, a
great chance to make it 3-1 with Freddie in front of the goal; we dominated
the game. We played quick in the second half unlike the first half so of
course I thought that we were going to win this game. But a corner against
us and we conceded a goal. Disappointing.

You seemed very unhappy with the officials tonight?

I don't want to... I don't want to speak about referees.

When you scored you threw your water bottle. Was that at the assistant
referee?

[laughs] No! Of course not.

Towards him?

No, no.

Why did you throw the bottle?

I don't know, I threw it on the floor because noone came to take it. I don't
remember why, but of course not.

You seemed quite unhappy with Freddie after you'd just scored; what were you
saying to him?

I said what I needed to say - and in the second half he played much
better...

You said in the programme that you think the team's too nice; is this still
the case?

Look, we've conceded four goals in the last two games and not one was from
open play. The first goal from a direct ball, the second against Birmingham
from a set-piece; today a penalty - even though I don't think it was a
penalty - then a corner. So it's something that we need to think about.

Can you beat Blackpool and Liverpool to get the amount of points that your
co-owner wants you to get?

I want to take points not because anyone else wants to take points but
because I think we deserve to take points, I think, if you watch many of our
games. I don't want to say the word 'deserve' because there is no deserve,
we need to take it and I think we are very close to it. I think once the
first win comes we will win more games because we are playing the football
to win games.

It's not easy because we've had a lot of injuries. Today we were without
[Valon] Behrami who was maybe our best player in our last game, he got
injured in the last minute of training yesterday. Obinna was injured, Mark
Noble is injured but we are keeping our style of football. Sometimes, it's
not going like we want - like much of the first half - but if you see the
whole package, we are playing well. This is what frustrates us more than
anything.

Were you unhappy with the penalty awarded against you?

I don't want to speak about referees today. I think everybody can judge for
themselves.

Do you think the fans understand - you talk about how close you are?

As far as I know they understand it very much. Of course they want more
points, but there is nobody who wants to take points more than me, my
players and my staff. But I think everybody is seeing good games of football
and from my experience of football if we continue to play like this, the
points will come.

What happened to Carlton Cole? Was it his hamstring?

I think so; I didn't see him. I will see him after I've spoken with you but
I think it's a hamstring, yes.

Is that the first penalty you've seen given this season for holding like
that? In the area? It's quite rare?

I didn't think he [Boa Morte] held him but again, today I'd prefer not to
speak about decisions of referees.

Did he [Mike Dean] threaten to send you off at the start of the second half?

No, why?

You seemed to be talking to him and he seemed to be pointing at the stand.

No, no. We talked - very politely - to each other, it was not something
exceptional! I told him what I thought, he told me what he thought and
that's all.

The fourth time this season that you've been in a winning position and lost
it - is there a fundamental problem with the players?

No... Look, every time we've conceded a goal it's because something
happened. In the past we didn't react well, now we react very well to going
1-0 [behind] and we continue playing. We're not a team that can drop back
and defend with eight, nine players. We continued playing and conceded a
goal.

All the time we concede goals you can point the finger at someone, but we
prefer to stay together and win as a team and lose as a team. After the game
of course we analyse the game and see what we can do better.

Blackpool made ten changes for their game aginst Villa tonight; are you
unhappy about that?

They did what's good for them. Also they have a bigger squad than us at the
moment due to injuries so they could do it. We even needed to use Kieron
Dyer today and he's not trained so much. Valon was injured and Obinna wasn't
ready to play more than he did, but we needed to use him and he was good.

Scott Parker was immense again in the middle of the park. Are you worried
that without him you'd be in real trouble?

Scott is very good for us, especially because of the injuries - he always
plays without someone else in midfield! It's not so easy sometimes because
we want to create more stability - also in defence because we have to change
all the time.

Of course we are very happy he scored because he's playing all the games and
he's doing well for us. His goal today may well be the goal of the year so
we don't want to think about other possibilities!

When are you meeting the owners next?

I speak with them every day almost, sometimes every two or three days. Thank
you.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Grant bemoans ref luck
Israeli upset by penalty call in stalemate
By Danny Wright Last updated: 10th November 2010
SSN

Avram Grant bemoaned his side's luck with refereeing decisions after his
West Ham team were held to a frustrating 2-2 draw against West Brom.
The Hammers came from behind to lead 2-1 at Upton Park but were denied a
crucial win when Pablo Ibanez popped up to head in an equaliser for Albion.
But a penalty awarded against the hosts - for a foul on Steven Reid by Luis
Boa Morte - that put the Baggies in front was the issue on the lips of Grant
after the clash. The Israeli berated referee Mike Dean during the remainder
of the first half after Peter Odemwingie converted and confronted the
official at the break as well. And although he would not criticise Dean
directly, the manager revealed his frustration at decisions throughout the
campaign that he feels have gone against his side. "I had enough to speak
about with the decisions of the referee," Grant told Sky Sports when asked
about the award of West Brom's spot-kick. "I think there was a decision that
was against us and maybe not the right decision, not even one decision in
our favour. "But I prefer to concentrate on football and today not to speak
about the decision of the referee - even if I don't agree with him. "I don't
want to speak about this, I'm sorry. I want to speak about football. I think
what has happened with referees this year with us is not so fair."

Scott Parker dragged his team level with a 30-yard showstopper and Grant's
players led, with a penalty of their own, shortly after the restart.
Frederic Piquionne slotted in from 12 yards after Gabriel Tamas sent Kieron
Dyer tumbling but Ibanez ensured the Hammers prop up the Premier League on
Wednesday night. Grant felt his team could have taken all three points from
the clash, adding: "The game was leaning to one direction after the 1-0 and
it was great from the players. "We went 2-1 up and had big, big chance to
make it 3-1. Then from a cross we conceded a goal so we're very
disappointed.
"The players wanted to win the game very much and West Brom defended with a
lot of players behind the ball so we needed to be quicker and sharper.
"We didn't do it but in the second half we played well."

Grant added: "We would win the game. We had two good chances to win the game
but our final pass was not so good. We did everything to win the game -
unfortunately we didn't do it." Carlton Cole limped off in an injury blow
ahead of their crucial clash with Blackpool on Saturday and the state of his
hamstring problem remains unclear. Grant instead focused on the heroics of
Parker, who gave his team purpose after a low-key start to the encounter.
"It was a fantastic goal," said Grant. "Scott is in a good shape and the
goal was good. I think the penalty before this we played good, quick at
times and unfortunately we haven't won."

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Hammers held by Baggies
Hosts throw away lead as Albion rally for point
By Danny Wright Last updated: 10th November 2010
SSN

Man of the Match: Scott Parker wins this one by a mile. The midfielder was
at the heart of everything good about the Hammers.

Shot of the Match: Parker takes this accolade as well. His stunning strike
hauled the home side level and left Scott Carson with no chance.

Moment of the Match: Bottom club West Ham showed their frailties as Pablo
Ibanez headed home Albion's equaliser unmarked.

Talking points: Are Avram Grant's team in for a dogfight this season? And
will West Brom be joining them in the lower reaches?

West Ham remain rooted to the foot of the Premier League after being held to
a frustrating 2-2 home draw against West Brom. A dull game was tempered only
by the occasional foray forward from the Baggies, who looked threatening
with Peter Odemwingie spearheading the front-line. The in-form striker
netted when Luis Boa Mortetangled with Steven Reid in the box. Referee Mike
Dean pointed the spot for the foul and Odemwingie sent Robert Green the
wrong way with a cool spot-kick to put the visitors ahead on 38 minutes. An
irate Avram Grant berated Dean as the play continued but he did not have to
wait long for his team to draw level as Scott Parker seized on a loose ball
to crash a stunning 30-yard strike into the top corner after Carlton Cole's
persistence had dispossessed a dithering Paul Scharner. Grant celebrated by
hurling his water bottle down the touchline and the Israeli could thank the
official for a fortunate decision in his team's favour five minutes after
the turnaround when Gabriel Tamas was adjudged to have sent Kieron Dyer
tumbling. The push was a soft one but Frederic Piquionne made the most of
the opportunity with a fine spot-kick, only for poor defending to allow
Pablo Ibanez to nod home a leveller for Albion as he ghosted in to meet
Chris Brunt's inviting centre with 19 minutes left.

Took the initiative

Dyer, in for the injured Valon Behrami, looked lively during the opening
exchanges as the home side took the initiative. However, the Baggies also
passed the ball around crisply and Odemwingie sent in a low, angled effort
from the edge of the penalty area which Hammers goalkeeper Green gathered.
West Brom broke quickly after defending a corner and had men over as Jerome
Thomas charged down the middle. However, the midfielder elected to shoot,
but could only fire a tame 20-yard effort straight at Green. West Ham
continued to have plenty of possession but failed to find a telling pass
with which to open up the visitors' defence. Cole headed a corner just over
the crossbar but there were still too many stray passes from the home side -
with Hammers fans growing increasingly frustrated. Green was alert to punch
away Brunt's curling free-kick from the right, with the follow-up shot
deflected behind. From the resulting corner West Brom were awarded a penalty
when referee Dean spotted Boa Morte had bundled over Reid in a crowded
penalty area.

Boa Morte was shown the yellow card, before Odemwingie sent Green the wrong
way to give the Baggies the lead after 38 minutes. Upton Park was left in
stunned silence, but replays showed the referee was spot-on. The home side
looked to get themselves on level terms before the break, but again lacked a
decisive pass in the final third. However, out of the blue, midfielder
Parker smashed a 25-yard effort into the top-left corner as the Boleyn
Ground erupted.
Danny Gabbidon's close-range header was held by Scott Carson, who then saved
from Boa Morte at his near post as the Hammers continued to press. Boa
Morte was somewhat fortunate to escape a second booking when he went in late
on Graham Dorrans, but received only a stern talking to. The referee then
pointed to the spot again in the 50th minute, this time in West Ham's favour
as Dyer dashed into the right side of the penalty area and was barged over
by Gabriel Tamas.

Impact
With regular penalty taker Mark Noble out injured, Piquionne stepped up to
fire the Hammers into the lead. The home fans were in uproar as Parker was
left in a heap in front of the advertising boards following a sliding
challenge by Thomas which went unpunished. It was almost 3-1 when Mexico
winger Pablo Barrera dashed down the left before feeding Dyer on the penalty
arc, and his clever first-time flick released Piquionne on the overlap.
However, the Frenchman's angled drive flew inches wide of the far post. West
Brom substitute Simon Cox then almost had an immediate impact when he
drilled a 25-yard effort just wide. Green then plucked Odemwingie's snapshot
out of the air as the visitors looked for an equaliser. It was 2-2 after 71
minutes when Brunt delivered a lovely deep cross from the left which was met
by Ibanez at the far post, who powered a header back into the opposite
corner. The hosts sent on Victor Obinna and Benni McCarthy as they pressed
for a winner, yet despite a couple of half-chances, West Brom held out for a
point. West Ham, though, need a win against Blackpool on Saturday if they
are to climb clear of trouble.

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West Ham 2-2 West Brom: Daily Mirror match report
Published 23:00 10/11/10 By Neil McLeman
The Mirror

West Ham must beat Blackpool and Liverpool to achieve chairman David
Sullivan's target of points this month after throwing away another lead last
night.
Avram Grant's side remain rooted to the bottom of the Premier League
following Pablo Ibanez's late equaliser for West Brom. Not even several
rants at referee Mike Dean by the usually mild-mannered Grant could inspire
his team to only their second win of the season. Before the weekend draw at
Birmingham, Sullivan had called for his Hammers to secure seven points from
their next four games or they would face a "massive problem". Now after two
points from the first two games, Grant's side face a must-win home game to
Blackpool on Saturday before a trip to Anfield. Even in mid November, time
is running out for the Israeli manager. His excuses for another defeat
cannot last forever. I think when the first win comes we will win more
games, because we are playing football to win the games," Grant claimed.
"Sometimes it's not going how we want, like in the first half but if you
look at the package we are playing well and this is what frustrates us more
than anything. "Everyone that see our games see good games. From my
experience in football if we continue like this the points will come."

It is the fourth time the profligate Hammers have thrown away a lead this
season at the cost of nine points after letting slip a 2-0 lead at
Birmingham on Saturday. Apart from Kieron Dyer completing his first ever 90
minutes for the club, the only consolation last night was moving one point
closer to Wolves.
West Brom arrived only 50 minutes before kickoff because traffic chaos of an
accident on the nearby A13 - and the start of the first half was equally
slow going in front of a flat crowd. The game sprung to life after 37
minutes when Dean awarded West Ham a spot kick when Luis Boa Morte grappled
with Steven Reid in the box. The Wirral official allowed a Stewart Downing
goal for Villa from an offside position on the opening day of the season and
furious Grant made it clear he would relegate Dean given half the chance.
After Boa Morte was booked, Peter Odemwingie sent Robert Green the wrong way
from the spot for his fourth goal of the campaign. But the Baggies' lead
lasted only five minutes. Latching onto a loose ball 25 yards out, Scott
Parker crashed an unstoppable shot into the top corner to mark his 100th
Hammers appearance in style with his fifth goal of the campaign.

Grant, who furiously threw his water bottle down the touchline after the
equaliser, waited on the touchline at the half-time interval to give Dean a
finger-wagging lecture. "I don't want to speak today about the referee -
everybody can judge by himself," he said. "We talked very politely to each
other. It was not something exceptional. I told him what I think and he told
me what he thinks, that's all. For the second half he played much better."

Within four minutes of the restart, Dean levelled the penalty score by
penalising Gabriel Tamas for pushing over Dyer in the box. Piquionne
converted from the spot for his fifth goal of the season. Roberto Di Matteo
was a lot calmer about Dean's performance. "He had a very good game and
handled the pressure well," the Italian claimed.."He got the key decisions
right. I could not see him so he was not the main focus on the game."

Instead, West Ham should be focusing on the lamentable defending which
allowed Ibanez to head home unmarked at the far post from Chris Brunt's
71st-minute cross. Already in London this season, the Baggies have lost 6-0
at Chelsea and beaten Arsenal. This was somewhere in between although it
helped to keep 11 players on the pitch. "It was important for us to stop the
rot after two defeats," said Di Matteo. "It was a good performance but we
need to manage games better. Four mintues from half time we were in the
lead. We need to improve."

As for Grant's position, he added: "We are all under pressure. If you don't
want to be under pressure don't be a manager."

West Ham (4-3-3): Green 7; Jacobsen 7, Gabbidon 6, Upson 7, Ilunga 6; Dyer
6, Parker 8, Boa Morte 5 (Kovac, 54,5); Piquionne 8, Cole 7 (Obinna, 76,4),
Barrera 6 (McCarthy, 88, 2).

West Brom (4-2-3-1): Carson 7; Reid 7, Ibanez 6, Tamas 5, Cech 6; Scharner
7, Dorrans 6 (Cox, 67); Brunt 7, Morrison 6, Thomas 7 (Barnes, 75,4);
Odemwingie 7 (Fortune, 88, 2)

Hero: Scott Parker. Another towering performance in midfield

Villain: Luis Boa Morte. Subbed to avoid a red card after giving away
first-half penalty

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AVRAM GRANT'S SPOT OF AGGRO
Daily Star
11th November 2010 By Paul Brown
West Ham 2, West Brom 2

WEST HAM boss Avram Grant lost the plot in a tale of two penalties at Upton
Park. Peter Odemwingie fired West Brom in front from the spot after a soft
foul by Luis Boa Morte on Steven Reid. Scott Parker equalised with a 30-yard
blockbuster, but Grant was still so enraged he hurled a water bottle towards
the assistant referee. He also confronted referee Mike Dean angrily at half
time – and the official gave the Hammers a penalty straight after the break.
Again it was soft, as Gabriel Tamas was adjudged to have fouled Kieron Dyer.
Frederic Piquionne buried it to give West Ham the lead. Grant claimed the
Hammers had turned a corner with Saturday's draw at Birmingham – despite
blowing a two-goal lead. But they were right back to square one when
Odemwingie fired the Baggies in front from the penalty spot in the 38th
minute after Boa Morte bundled over Reid at a Chris Brunt corner. It looked
soft, but referee Dean pointed to the spot and Odemwingie kept his cool to
send Rob Green the wrong way.
But the lead lasted just five minutes, as Parker hit a screamer past Scott
Carson to silence the away fans. The ball broke to him when Paul Scharner
tackled Carlton Cole and Parker let fly with a right-foot shot which ripped
past Carson into the top corner. Still fuming at the penalty decision, Grant
celebrated by hurling a water bottle down the touchline. Danny Gabbidon
then had a header from a Pablo Barrera corner saved by Carson and the keeper
was also called into action to stop a goalbound snapshot from Boa Morte.
Grant had complained about Dean in the run-up to the fixture after the
official gave a controversial goal against the Hammers in their defeat to
Aston Villa on the opening day of the season. But Dean did him a favour by
pointing to the spot again in the 48th minute and Piquionne put his side in
front. The Hammers held on until the 71st minute, when Brunt's cross found
Pablo Ibanez and he buried his header to grab a point for Roberto Di
Matteo's side.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Grant rages at referee over West Brom penalty
West Ham United 2 West Bromwich Albion 2
Independent
By Mike McGrath at Upton Park
Thursday, 11 November 2010

West Ham United threw away a chance to move off the foot of the Premier
League table last night, amid more complaints from Avram Grant over key
refereeing decisions going against his team. The West Ham manager was upset
with Mike Dean awarding West Bromwich Albion a penalty to open the scoring
at Upton Park and expressed it by hurling a water bottle down the touchline
when Scott Parker levelled shortly after. "I threw it on the floor because
nobody came to take it," explained Grant. After Frédéric Piquionne scored a
spot-kick himself to establish a lead, Grant's frustration turned to his
defenders after they failed to mark Pablo Ibañez and the defender earned a
share of the spoils.

Grant highlighted the character of his team for forcing their way back into
the game but they would have been celebrating a second league win of the
season had Dean not awarded a penalty for Luis Boa Morte holding Steven Reid
while defending a corner. It led to Peter Odemwingie breaking the deadlock
from the spot in the 38th minute. "I don't think he held him," said Grant.

Excluding this game, Grant believes his side have been denied "four or five"
points as a result of poor decisions from referees. He feels his side do not
put pressure on referees like other teams do, and have suffered as a
consequence. That could not be said for Grant himself, who confronted Dean
at half-time, although the manager added: "We talked very politely to each
other. It was not something exceptional. I told him what I think and he told
me what he thinks, that's all."

Following Odemwingie's opener, Parker levelled with a 30-yard drive after
Carlton Cole had won the ball in West Bromwich territory.

Piquionne's penalty came after Kieron Dyer had been knocked off balance in
the area by Gabriel Tamas, but West Brom levelled when Chris Brunt crossed
for Ibañez.

West ham's co-owner David Sullivan had set a target of seven points from
four games and, halfway through the run of matches, Grant has just two
draws. Grant, who had Cole suffer a hamstring injury in the second half,
insisted: "I want to take points, not because anybody else wants to take
them. I want to take points because I want to take points, because I think
we deserve to take points.

"I don't want to say the word deserve, because there is no deserve. We need
to take it and we are very close to it. I think when the first win comes we
will win more games, because we are playing football to win the games.

"We have had a lot of injuries and it is not easy. We keep our style of
football, it is not going like we want, but we are playing well and that is
what frustrates us more than anything. If we continue like this, then the
points will come."

Roberto Di Matteo, the West Brom manager, was pleased to record a draw after
back-to-back defeats but felt his side should have gone into the break
ahead. He said: "I agree we were worth more than one point. We gave them an
early Christmas present before half-time, as we are generous people, and got
them back into the game."

Di Matteo praised the referee, adding: "He has a very good game. He handled
the pressure well, controlled the game nicely and got the key decisions
right. I could not see him, so he was not the main focus on the game. I
agree there was pushing and pulling at every corner but the penalty for us
was obvious."

West Ham United (4-3-3): Green; Jacobsen, Upson, Gabbidon, Ilunga; Dyer,
Parker, Boa Morte (Kovac, 53); Barrera (McCarthy, 88), Piquionne, Cole
(Obinna,75). Substitutes not used Stech (gk), Reid, Tomkins, Spector.

West Bromwich Albion (4-1-4-1): Carson; Reid, Ibanez, Cech, Tamas; Scharner;
Brunt, Morrison, Dorrans (Cox, 67), Thomas (Barnes, 75); Odemwingie 8
(Fortune 88). Substitutes not used Myhill (gk), Tchoyi, Shorey, Zuiverloon.

Referee M Dean (Wirral)

Man of the match Parker

Attendance 33,023

Match rating 6/10

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West Ham United 2 West Bromwich Albion 2: match report
Read a full match report of the Premier League game between West Ham United
and West Bromwich Albion at Upton Park on Wednesday Nov 10 2010.
Telegraph.co.uk
By John Ley 6:30AM GMT 11 Nov 2010

Time and excuses are running out for West Ham United after they squandered a
lead for the fourth time this season, and with it the chance to move off the
foot of the Premier League for the first time in almost six weeks. A week
ago, co-owner David Sullivan targeted seven points from four crucial games.
But the chances of avoiding relegation are reducing with each game,
particularly after West Ham threw away the lead for the second time in five
days.
Avram Grant bemoaned another refereeing decision, Mike Dean's award of a
penalty before half-time, and injuries for West Ham's problems, but until he
instils an ability to hold onto leads, West Ham will be staring at the path
to the Championship rather than mid-table safety.

Shortly before the interval referee Mike Dean rightly awarded West Bromwich
Albion a penalty, much to the frustration – and confusion – of the West Ham
players, when Luis Boa Morte held Stephen Reid in the build-up to a corner.
Dean booked Boa Morte and made it clear just why he had pointed to the spot.
Peter Odemwingie converted the kick but, just five minutes later, West Ham
were level, thanks to a special goal from Scott Parker, who found the top
corner from 25 yards.

Grant hurled a water bottle to the ground in anger rather than delight
before offering words to a confused Frederic Piquionne. Later he explained
it saying only: "I said what I had to say. He played better in the second
half." Within five minutes of the second half Dean awarded an almost
identical penalty to West Ham. Kieron Dyer was barged off the ball by
Gabriel Tamas and Piquionne brought a smile back to the face of his manager
by converting the kick.
Piquionne wasted the chance to extend the lead in the 62nd minute when he
raced onto Dyer's long ball but sent the effort wide when he should have
scored.

It was to prove costly; nine minutes later, from Chris Brunt's long cross,
Ibánez took advantage of slack marking to head a 71st-minute equaliser.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Brom's Pablo Ibáñez keeps West Ham nailed to the bottom
Guardian report

West Ham United 2
Parker 43, Piquionne (pen) 50
West Brom 2
Odemwingie (pen) 38, Pablo 71
David Hytner at Upton Park
The Guardian, Thursday 11 November 2010


All that was missing for Scott Parker was the red cape with the large letter
'S'. Sadly for the West Ham captain, though, the deficiencies in those
around him once again made for foot-stamping frustration.

Parker marked his 100th game for the club with a stunning equaliser, which
propelled his team back into this vital match. But, after Frédéric Piquionne
had put the home side in charge, they contrived to let it slip. Pablo
Ibáñez's header gave West Brom a deserved point and sent West Ham into
another bout of soul-searching.

Parker's goal triggered a purple patch for his team either side of the
interval. But for almost all of the first half and also the fag end of the
match Avram Grant's team lacked conviction, direction and options in
possession, despite Parker's efforts.

West Ham have dropped nine points from winning positions this season, a
reflection of their fragility but, more worryingly for Grant, they are
struggling to reach the points target set by the co-owner David Sullivan
before the trip to Birmingham City last Saturday, which also ended in a 2-2
draw. Sullivan had demanded at least seven points from four fixtures – the
two to come are Blackpool at home and Liverpool away.

It is frightening to think of what might happen if West Ham cannot beat
Blackpool on Saturday. But then again, this match had also assumed the
status of must-win. Grant bemoaned a miss by Piquionne to make the scoreline
3-1 but his claim that "we dominated the game" was outlandish. In the first
half it was West Brom who looked the more likely scorers and they were
presented with the opportunity to do so when Luis Boa Morte bundled over
Steven Reid inside the area. No team likes to concede a penalty for such
grappling and, initially, nobody could quite believe that Mike Dean had
pointed to the spot. Certainly Grant could not and he raged at the referee
at half-time. Peter Odemwingie's conversion was nerveless, in contrast to
the mood in the stands.

West Ham desperately needed inspiration and, as ever and out of nothing, it
was Parker who provided it. After West Brom had dallied at the back and
Carlton Cole had won the ball, it broke to Parker and he arrowed a
first-time right-footed beauty from 25 yards into the far top corner. It
failed to raise a smile from Grant, who threw his water bottle in the
direction of the assistant referee.

West Ham were a different team after Parker's moment of magic and they
enjoyed Dean levelling things up when he penalised Gabriel Tamas for a barge
at Kieron Dyer. Piquionne lashed the penalty home and, when the striker
flashed a shot just wide of the far post, West Ham looked to have the game
in their grip but it is never wise to make such pronouncements. Back came
West Brom. They hinted at the equaliser before they scored it when the
outstanding Chris Brunt's cross was headed home by the unmarked Ibáñez.


The home crowd gave vent to their irritation when Cole felt his hamstring
and limped off. They cheered the announcement of his withdrawal – he should
be fine for Blackpool – and the full-time whistle was greeted by boos. Grant
maintains that his team is "playing football" and "the results will come".
These are fraught times for the Hammers.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham handed boost in the race to land Olympic stadium after London 2012
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 12:34 AM on 11th November 2010
Daily Mail

West Ham were given a boost yesterday in their bid to take over the new
London Olympic stadium after the 2012 Games. Lord Moynihan, chairman of the
British Olympic Association, said the country must not betray the commitment
it made to the IOC to keep an athletics track on the site. And the West Ham/
Newham council consortium is the only one of the three bids to have publicly
stated they would keep the track at the stadium in east London.

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Wednesday, November 10

Daily WHUFC News - 10th November 2010

West Brom preview
WHUFC.com
All the early team news and background for Wednesday night's home match
against West Brom
09.11.2010

WEST HAM UNITED v WEST BROMWICH ALBION
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
WEDNESDAY 10 NOVEMBER 2010
KICK-OFF: 7.45PM

Introduction

• West Ham United take on Midlands opposition for the third time this season
looking to build on Saturday's match at Birmingham City. The Hammers drew
2-2 at St. Andrews and could have won but for a late penalty shout being
denied. Previously, Avram Grant's men were also unlucky at Wolverhampton
Wanderers on 16 October, drawing 1-1 but seeing Frederic Piquionne denied a
last-gasp winner because of a wrong handball decision.
• This is the 75th league meeting between the two sides. West Brom have won
33, West Ham have won 30 and there have been eleven draws.
• West Brom have not scored on their previous two visits to the Boleyn
Ground and are looking for a first win in east London since 2002 when Jason
Roberts scored the only goal.
• West Ham's biggest home win against West Brom was a 6-1 success on 16
April 1965, while the Baggies' best performance at the Boleyn Ground was a
5-1 triumph on 7 November 1931
• Two of Nigeria's FIFA World Cup strikers could be going head to head with
the Hammers' Victor Obinna and the Baggies' Peter Odemwingie likely to be on
view.

Team news

West Ham United
• Manager Avram Grant is definitely without Thomas Hitzlsperger (thigh) and
Jack Collison (knee). Collison is hoping to return around the turn of the
year, Hitzlsperger has a February comeback date having had surgery on his
torn muscle.
• Mark Noble was ruled out for a month after having his appendix removed a
week ago last Monday. Tal Ben Haim has been sidelined with a foot injury
while Junior Stanislas is battling to overcome a groin problem.
• Robert Green and Scott Parker will both hope to maintain their
ever-present records this season in the Barclays Premier League. Green is on
a run of 137 consecutive league starts for the club.
• Manu da Costa has been working hard to overcome an ankle injury that kept
him out of the Birmingham match.
• Julien Faubert will serve the second match of a three-game suspension for
his red card in the reserves at Arsenal last month.
West Bromwich Albion
• West Brom are without DR Congo midfielder Youssuf Mulumbu, after his red
card at the weekend. Gonzalo Jara will be serving the second game of his
two-match suspension following his dismissal at Blackpool a week ago.
• Jonas Olsson is out with an injured achilles, while there are doubts over
Nicky Shorey (ankle), Steven Reid (achilles) and James Morrison (knee)

Last time out

West Ham United
• West Ham United were pegged back to a 2-2 draw by by Birmingham City on
Saturday. Goals early in the second half from Frederic Piquionne and Valon
Behrami put the Hammers in a commanding position, only for Cameron Jerome
and Liam Ridgewell to earn the Blues a point.
6 November 2010
Barclays Premier League
Birmingham City 2-2 West Ham United
West Ham United: Green, Gabbidon, Jacobsen, Upson, Ilunga, Parker, Behrami,
Boa Morte (Dyer 83), Piquionne, Cole, Obinna (Kovac 89)
Subs not used: Stech, Reid, Tomkins, Barrera, McCarthy
West Bromwich Albion
• West Brom were beaten at home by big-spending Manchester City on Sunday.
Mario Balotelli's two goals in quick succession midway through the first
half settled the contest. To make matters worse for the Baggies, Youssuf
Mulumbu was sent off in the closing stages
7 November 2010
Barclays Premier League
West Bromwich Albion 0-2 Manchester City
West Bromwich Albion: Carson, Ibanez, Cech (Barnes 60) , Tamas, Shorey,
Thomas, Scharner (Miller 81) , Brunt, Mulumbu (sent off 82), Fortune
(Odemwingie 60), Cox
Subs not used: Myhill, Dorrans, Reid, Tchoyi

Last meeting

West Ham United were held to a goalless draw in a tense relegation battle at
the Boleyn back on 16 March 2009. The point would eventually help the
Hammers to beat the drop but West Brom were to be relegated at the end of
the season.
West Ham United: Green, Neill, Tomkins, Upson (Spector 29), Ilunga, Noble
(Boa Morte 82), Kovac, Parker, Savio (Stanislas 68) , Di Michele, Sears
Subs not used: Lastuvka, Lopez, Tristan, Payne
West Bromwich Albion: Carson, Zuiverloon, Martis, Olsson, Robinson, Morrison
(Teixeira 88), Koren, Dorrans, Greening, Brunt (Simpson 80), Fortune (Moore
80)
Subs not used: Kiely, Hoefkens, Cech, Bednar

Head to head
Last six meetings (Premier League unless stated)
16 March 2009 West Ham United 0-0 West Bromwich Albion
13 September 2008 West Bromwich Albion 3-2 West Ham United
1 May 2006 West Bromwich Albion 0-1 West Ham United
5 November 2005 West Ham United 1-0 West Bromwich Albion
6 December 2003 (Championship) West Bromwich Albion 1-1 West Ham United
8 November 2003 (Championship) West Ham United 3-4 West Bromwich Albion

Overall record v West Bromwich Albion (all competitions) W 35 D 17 L 37

Ten-year league records

West Ham United
2009/10 Premier League 17th (35 points)
2008/09 Premier League 9th (51 points)
2007/08 Premier League 10th (49 points)
2006/07 Premier League 15th (41 points)
2005/06 Premier League 9th (55 points)
2004/05 Championship 6th (73 points - promoted to Premier League via
play-offs)
2003/04 Championship 4th (74 points)
2002/03 Premier League 18th (42 points - relegated to Championship)
2001/02 Premier League 7th (53 points)
2000/01 Premier League 15th (42 points)

West Bromwich Albion
2009/10 Championship 2nd (91 points, promoted to Premier League)
2008/09 Premier League 20th (32 points, relegated to Championship)
2007/08 Championship 1st (81 points, promoted to Premier League)
2006/07 Championship 4th (76 points)
2005/06 Premier League 19th (30 points, relegated to Championship)
2004/05 Premier League17th (34 points)
2003/04 Championship 2nd (86 points, promoted to Premier League)
2002/03 Premier League 19th (26 points, relegated to Championship)
2001/02 Championship 2nd (89 points, promoted to Premier League)
2000/01 Championship 6th (74 points)

Background
West Ham United
• Scott Parker and Freddie Piquionne are West Ham's leading scorers this
season with four goals. Parker has scored twice each in the Barclays Premier
League and the Carling Cup, while Piquionne has three in the top-flight and
one in the cup.
• Danny Gabbidon's yellow card against Fulham on 2 October was the quickest
caution given to a top-flight player this season. It came after just one
minute and 25 seconds.
• The Hammers ended a run of eleven games without scoring more than once in
a Barclays Premier League contest at Birmingham on Saturday - the longest
run in the top-flight. It is 22 games since the Hammers won by more than one
goal.
• West Ham have now gone 24 league games without an away win and 23 matches
since winning by more than one goal at home or away.

West Bromwich Albion
• Scott Carson and Chris Brunt are the only players who can make it a dozen
starts this season - and maintain an ever-present place in the Baggies first
eleven. Youssuf Mulumbu was on eleven starts but is suspended after his red
card at home to Manchester City on Saturday
• West Brom have two players in the Barclays Premier League top ten assists
table - with Chris Brunt on six and Jerome Thomas on four.
• Peter Odemwingie is the club's leading league scorer with three goals to
his name since his summer arrival.
• The Baggies are on a run of 43 matches since being involved in a goalless
draw, 13 ahead of their nearest rival Stoke City.
Referee
• Wednesday's referee is Mike Dean, who took charge of the Hammers'
opening-day 3-0 defeat at Aston Villa.
• Dean began refereeing in 1985, starting out his career in senior football
in the Northern Premier League.

• In 2004, Dean took charge of his first international match, a friendly
between the Netherlands and Republic of Ireland at Amsterdam Arena. That
same year, he took control of the FA Community Shield between Arsenal and
Manchester United.

• In May 2006, he refereed the Championship play-off final between Leeds
United and Watford at the Millennium Stadium. In 2008, he was the
man-in-the-middle for the FA Cup final between Portsmouth and Cardiff City
at Wembley Stadium.

Old boys
• West Ham defender Danny Gabbidon started his career with West Brom, making
27 league and cup appearances between August 1998 and September 2000.
• Among the other players who have represented both clubs are David Cross,
Gary Strodder, Tommy Green, Vincent Hayes, Geoff Hurst, Thomas Kinsell,
Tudor Martin, Nigel Quashie and Chippy Simmons

Next up
• Avram Grant's side welcome Blackpool to the Boleyn Ground on Saturday 13
November for a 3pm kick-off.
• West Brom travel to Everton on Saturday, with kick-off at 3pm.

Travel information
• For directions to the Boleyn Ground, click here.

General information

• For ticket information, click here
• The weather forecast for Wednesday night is for a chilly evening, with
temperatures around the 5C mark.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Points the point for Grant
WHUFC.com
Tonight's showdown with West Bromwich Albion is all that is occupying the
manager
10.11.2010

Avram Grant has said he is fully focused on the task at hand - getting more
points starting tonight and guiding West Ham United up the Barclays Premier
League table. While much of the pre-match debate before the visit of West
Bromwich Albion has been on the issue of controversial calls, the manager
was eager to just get on with two big home fixtures in four days. "It
doesn't matter about referees or not," he said. "We need points and that is
what I am concentrating on. In life I don't think about what happened
before."

Grant knows his team face a tough test against the Baggies, and has been
impressed with the "very good" way they play football on their return to the
top flight. Equally, he has been happy that his own side have kept to their
attacking instincts and is looking to them to maintain the "style of
football we want to keep" while adding points to the performances. Injuries
to Manu da Costa and Mark Noble have complicated matters in recent days but
the manager has been impressed with the players that have come into the
side. Kieron Dyer is one of those and Grant hinted that the pacy midfielder
could be involved on Wednesday night. "He's better, so we will see," he
said. "He has a good chance to play. It's good because this season we have
been suffering lot injuries especially with players that were in a good
shape like Thomas Hitzlsperger or Mark Noble. Da Costa is another example as
well. "We need points. But if anyone thinks that someone needs to remind us
and the players that we need to take points then they are wrong. We have a
squad that can handle this and we will do it. "I don't think we deserve to
be on the bottom. But we are on the bottom of the league and we are trying
to find the right way to take the points. If you saw our [drawn] games you
could not complain if we had won them. But the fact is we have seven points
and we need points. If we continue to do what we have until now then we will
get them."

Grant acknowledged his team allowed a two-goal lead to slip on Saturday at
Birmingham City but backed his players to learn from that - as they had from
other setbacks this campaign. "You did not see us do the same things twice.
If we have made a mistake, we have improved. We are improving slowly but
improving. "We deserve more points. But the word 'deserve' is not in the
dictionary."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Pay on day for West Brom
WHUFC.com
Carlton Cole is up for Wednesday night, make sure you are there to show your
support
09.11.2010

Fans coming along to the big Barclays Premier League encounter with West
Bromwich Albion on Wednesday night will be able to pay on the day. Cash
turnstiles will be open for the West Stand Upper from 6.15pm, while fans can
also purchase tickets online and over the phone for collection from the
Ticket Office in advance of the 7.45pm kick-off. It promises to be another
special night under the lights at the Boleyn, with the team hoping to repeat
the result in the last home game - when they roared to a 3-1 win against
Stoke City a fortnight ago. With demand expected to be high, fans are
advised to get to the stadium early. Supporters should also note that this
match will not be televised, as previously advertised.

Carlton Cole is hoping he and his team-mates can repay the supporters' loyal
backing against the Baggies, and has pledged to do his best to follow his
man of the match display for the Hammers at the weekend. The England striker
may only have one goal to his name this season, having bided his time behind
Frederic Piquionne and Victor Obinna, but was superb on Saturday in the 2-2
draw at Birmingham City. "We are confident and we are playing at home," said
Cole. "We've got the fans behind us as well to help us try to get the win we
deserve. I felt really good against Birmingham and now I want to get out
there now against West Brom and build on that. "The confidence is there. We
don't deserve to be at the bottom at the moment but we are where we are. If
we keep working hard, things will pan out well for us. We need to start
turning draws into wins, and it is up to all of us to put it right. We know
what we have to do for the fans."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Noble delight at fan award
WHUFC.com
The fans have voted Mark Noble as the latest winner of the SBOBET player of
the month
09.11.2010

Mark Noble has been voted the SBOBET player of the month for October 2010.
The midfielder was terrific last month, notably keeping his nerve to score
from the penalty spot in the 1-1 draw at Wolverhampton Wanderers and then
inspiring a fightback at home to Stoke City in the Carling Cup. Noble made
the two extra-time goals that took the Hammers through to the quarter-final
with Manchester United. Noble earned 41 per cent of the fan vote, with Scott
Parker his closest rival on 29 per cent. He follows Kieron Dyer and Manuel
da Costa, who took the awards for August and September respectively. The
award was a great boost to the 23-year-old, who was back at Chadwell Heath
this week to start light fitness work after having his appendix removed a
week ago. "Obviously I want to thank the fans for voting for me," Noble told
whufc.com. "It means a lot and whenever it is something like this from the
fans, it is great to have - but we are all working hard as a team together.
"The backing of the fans is important and they have been fantastic for us in
every game this season. We want them to know we are all doing our best to
turn results around so we can move up the table."

Noble will have a watching brief for the next two home games but is aiming
to be back in action sooner rather than later. "Although I won't be able to
play a part against West Brom and Blackpool this week, I will be like
everyone else in supporting the lads. "If we can play like we have been
doing lately, there is no reason why we can't pick up points in these games.
"I am feeling fine after the operation. I have been resting up but I am now
looking forward to getting back playing and I will be ready to do my bit for
the team as soon as I can."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Parker on the offensive
Hammers midfielder hopeful club can build on Birmingham draw
By James Dall Last updated: 9th November 2010
SSN

Scott Parker was encouraged by West Ham United's attacking showing against
Birmingham at the weekend. The Hammers took a two-goal lead at St Andrews
only to relinquish their advantage as the Blues fought back to claim a
point. West Ham are currently bottom of the Premier League table and are
next in action on Wednesday versus West Brom. Parker is hopeful his side can
build on their performance in the Midlands as they look to turn their season
around. "I enjoyed [the way we attacked]," Parker said.

Threat

"It was good. I thought we looked a threat on the break on Saturday and
every time we went forward we looked like we could score. "That was the case
in the first half and second half, so that was pleasing." He added: "We
wanted to win the game and we came away with a draw. Probably we'll look
back and think it was a good point. "We deserved to win the game and it's
our fault because at 2-0 up we shouldn't have lost the lead. "We have to win
games like this. We need to learn from this and just keep going. Saturday
wasn't meant to be but we're looking forward to Wednesday now."

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ISG could Hammer bid
The Sun
Published: Today

THE company behind Wembley's premium seats system is the third bidder
wanting to take over the running of the London Olympic stadium after the
2012 Games. International Stadia Group are taking on rival bids involving
two football clubs, according to Estates Gazette. West Ham/Newham council
and Tottenham/AEG are also bidding to take over the stadium but the identity
of the third bidder has been a mystery until now. ISG has also been involved
in stadium projects in Brazil, Galatasaray's Turk Telekom Arena in Istanbul
and the Swebank Arena in Stockholm.

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I Av to get away from the bottom
The Sun
By ROSS GREGORY
Published: Today

AVRAM GRANT is confident he can soon say goodbye to the drop zone for the
first time in a year. The West Ham boss took over at crisis club Portsmouth
12 months ago but could not save them from the drop. And at the moment the
Hammers are rock bottom of the Premier League with just one win in 11
attempts. But winnable home games against West Brom tonight and Blackpool on
Saturday are looming and Grant is desperate for a change of luck. He said:
"We want to be out of the bottom three by Saturday evening. That is our
target. "It was not a nice experience last year and even this year I knew it
would be a difficult season. But I don't think we deserve to be on the
bottom. "If you saw our games you could not complain if we had won them."

Baggies boss Roberto di Matteo has defended their disciplinary record and
insisted: "We're not a dirty team." Albion have had three players sent off
in their last two games — Gonzalo Jara and Pablo Ibanez in the defeat at
Blackpool and Youssuf Mulumbu in Sunday's 2-0 reverse against Manchester
City. The Ibanez decision was wiped out on appeal and Mulumbu collected a
second yellow card after failing to realise he had been booked. But Di
Matteo said: "We're not a dirty team at all. Jara's was a bad one, but all I
ask my players to be is competitive."

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Sears hoping to end Iron goal fears
Tuesday 9th November 2010 16:22
TeamTalk

On-loan Scunthorpe striker Freddie Sears has set his sights on putting an
end to his personal drought in front of goal. The 21-year-old forward, on
loan from Premier League West Ham, has had to wait nearly two years to find
the back of the net at first-team level since his Hammers debut against
Blackburn in March 2008. The former England Under-21 international is
confident that staying with the Iron will help him to rediscover the
prolific touch he showed in his teens. "I would be lying if I said it wasn't
frustrating, as a striker I always want to score goals." he told the
Scunthorpe Telegraph. "As long as I keep working hard and hitting the target
then I am sure they will start to go in. Manager Ian Baraclough has
confirmed he has already started talks on extending the loan, Sears adding:
"I would be happy to stay here at Scunthorpe for the rest of this season."

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London 2012: Third bidder emerges in race to take over Olympic stadium
International Stadia Group (ISG), a stadium management and financing
operation founded by sports management giants IMG, has emerged as a
potential tenant of the London Olympic stadium.
Telegraph.co.uk
By Paul Kelso 7:25PM GMT 09 Nov 2010

The group, which has worked on a number of high-profile projects including
the new Wembley and the failed Donnington Park debenture scheme, was
reported to be the third candidate bidding to take on the 2012 stadium in
competition with bids from Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham. Estates Gazette
reported yesterday that ISG, which specialises in planning debentures and
other funding solutions for stadium building, had submitted a bid and made a
presentation to the Olympic Park Legacy Company last Friday. Contacted twice
on Tuesday, ISG said that no-one was available to answer queries from the
media, and chief executive Andrew Hampel did not return an email asking for
comment.

ISG's interest in the Olympic Stadium would mark a departure from its
previous projects, which have largely involved providing funding solutions
for stadiums based on market research. They came up with the Wembley funding
package under which premium seats in the Club Wembley and Corinthian
sections of the ground underwrote the borrowing for construction costs. At
Wembley the company claim this delivered £600million of revenue from just
20% of the seating. Most recently ISG was hired to manage the sale of the
premium seating at the remodelled Landsdowne Road in Dublin, now called the
Aviva Stadium. It is thought ISG may plan to run the Olympic Stadium without
an anchor football tenant, and would seek to attract regular events such as
the NFL's international round or eventually a London franchise to the arena.


West Ham have also held talks with the NFL about hosting matches but any
talks about NFL expansion are on hold while a new collective bargaining
agreement with the players union is thrashed out. ISG's potential
involvement emerged as the Olympic Delivery Authority revealed its latest
budget forecasts for the Olympic project, which show a small reduction in
the forecast final cost of the project. The final cost is now estimated at
£7.232billion, down £29million on the last quarterly forecast. The ODA also
revealed that overall savings of £750million mean that £500million of
contingency has been repurposed to cover additional security and venue
management costs, and that a surplus of £500million is currently forecast to
be repaid to the Treasury after the Games, Some £7million has been saved by
scrapping a planned fabric "wrap" around the main stadium. The wrap was
originally hailed as the stadium's unique selling point, with designers
insisting it would conceal the functional design of the largely temporary
seating and would come alive with projections and light shows. After it
emerged that the wrap was not necessary to control wind speeds in the
stadium, however, it was decided to scrap it as savings were sought for the
Comprehensive Spending Review. The London 2012 organising committee is now
trying to find sponsors willing to take on the cost of the wrap, which would
effectively see them gain naming rights over the arena.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham manager Avram Grant is more concerned with injury problems than
pressure surrounding his position
Avram Grant insists he is more concerned about West Ham's problems on the
pitch rather than growing speculation about his future at the club.
Telegraph.co.uk
By John Ley 10:30PM GMT 09 Nov 2010

Grant, who leads out West Ham against West Bromwich Albion on Wednesday, has
been at the foot of the Premier League for all but three weeks since
returning to management almost a year ago, having presided over Portsmouth's
relegation last season. Grant was warned by co-owner David Sullivan, before
Saturday's 2-2 draw at Birmingham – after they led 2-0 – that he wanted
seven points from the next four games. Now the manager needs six from games
at home to Albion and Blackpool and at Liverpool, so Wednesday's match
becomes crucial. "David didn't say anything to me, but you don't need to put
pressure on me to take points because I want to take points all the time,"
Grant said. "We share the same vision. We know the difficulties and we know
where the team is. The problem I concentrate on is the problem on the pitch,
off the pitch there is no problem and I don't want to point the finger at
anyone else except me."

Grant admitted that, in addition to the absence of Mark Noble, recovering
from an appendix operation, and Julien Faubert, suspended after receiving a
red card against Arsenal's reserves, there were "four players now with the
medical department."

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WEST BROM'S GRAHAM DORRANS: WEST HAM ISN'T TO BLAME FOR POOR FORM
West Brom's Graham Dorrans says West Ham's pursuit of him isn't to blame for
his poor form
Wednesday November 10,2010
By Daily Express Reporter

GRAHAM Dorrans does not believe West Ham's public pursuit of him in the
summer is to blame for his poor Premier League form. Midfield man Dorrans
was West Brom's player of the year last season, but has admitted he is still
yet to fire in the top flight. The Hammers made three bids for Scotland
international Dorrans, but not even an offer of £4million could tempt the
Baggies to sell. Dorrans went on to sign a bumper new contract at the
Hawthorns and is expected to start at Upton Park tonight. But he says
Hammers' desperate attempts to sign him aren't the reason for his under-par
performances. He said: "West Ham was never a problem. I always set my stall
out to come back here and start the season. "I signed my new contract and I
am happy here. But I know I've not been at my best. I've missed a few games,
other players have come in and done really well and the team have got good
results when they have been in. "It has been tough to get back into the side
but I'll have to work hard in training and take my chances when they come
along. I can't really put my finger on the reasons for it. I just need to
get back to the form I was in last season."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
WEST HAM V WEST BROM: AVRAM GRANT WILL TAKE BLAME FOR HAMMERS SLUMP
West Ham boss Avram Grant could pay the ultimate price if his side are
beaten by West Brom
Wednesday November 10,2010
By Matt Law

AVRAM Grant has accepted he must take the blame for West Ham's slump to the
bottom of the table and could pay the ultimate price if his side are beaten
by West Brom tonight. Hammers co-owner David Sullivan set Grant the target
of taking at least seven points from four games before the draw at
Birmingham, which leaves him searching for six points from games against
West Brom, Blackpool and Liverpool. But a defeat at the hands of promoted
West Brom at Upton Park could seal Grant's fate, as Sullivan and David Gold
want to see proof the club's plight can be turned around.

Former West Ham boss Alan Pardew was considered as a candidate before Grant
was appointed and is available again after being sacked by Southampton.
Grant, though, insists he does not need telling just how desperate the
situation is becoming and can cope with the pressure of trying to save his
position. "My job is to be guilty," said Grant. "The problem I concentrate
on is the problem on the pitch and I don't want to point the finger at
anyone else except me. "It was the same with the Israel national team, the
same at Chelsea, the same at Portsmouth and it is still the same here. It is
our job – you cannot change it. Did you see any club without pressure? There
is no football without pressure. "I had the same questions three years ago
when I was at a top team and six years ago when I was in the national team.
But I don't think pressure is a bad word. "I was a few months without
pressure and I didn't know what to do with myself. Of course there is
negative pressure but if you take it as a positive it can push you to think
more and do more.

"If you think that someone needs to remind me and the players that we need
to take points, then you are wrong. David Sullivan didn't say anything to
me. I will speak to him. But I don't think David or anybody else saying we
need to take points will change anything because that's what we want to do.
"The situation is that we are bottom of the league but I don't see from any
of the 10 teams above us who has played better. Now we need points and that
is what I am concentrating on. Our target is to be off the bottom by
Saturday evening."

Grant's predecessor, Gianfranco Zola, found life impossible under Sullivan
and Gold, and was eventually sacked. But Grant claims his relationship with
the West Ham co-owners is good. "David Sullivan is a nice guy and we have a
regular dialogue," said Grant. "Until now the owners have not caused me any
problems, they are trying to help and trying to support. That's most
important. "I think I do have their backing because we share the same vision
and we know where the team is." Grant has now been the manager of the
Premier League's bottom club for all but three weeks in a period just less
than a year, having become Portsmouth manager on November 26, 2009. At
Pompey, Grant was in an almost impossible situation because of the club's
financial crisis.
He does not have the same off-the-field problems at West Ham but has
stressed that money must be spent to make improvements. "Before Portsmouth,
I was all my life used to other things," said Grant. "It was not a nice
experience last year. Even this year, I know we are going to face a
difficult season, but I don't think we deserve to be on the bottom. "With
money alone you cannot succeed, but without money also you cannot succeed. "

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Parker says attack is the way for Hammers to battle out of trouble
By Matt Somerford
Wednesday, 10 November 2010
Independent.co.uk

Scott Parker believes attack could be the best policy if West Ham United are
to drag themselves off the foot of the Premier League table. The Hammers
have managed just one win this season to prop up the table with seven points
after 11 games.

Their nine league goals is also the second-lowest total in the Premier
League this term, but midfielder Parker thinks the Upton Park strikers can
inspire a rise up the table after an improved performance in Saturday's 2-2
draw at Birmingham City. His manager, Avram Grant, employed a three-pronged
attack at St Andrew's, with Carlton Cole returning to the line-up alongside
the new arrivals Frédéric Piquionne and Victor Obinna.

It looked a winning move when goals from Piquionne and Valon Behrami fired
the Hammers 2-0 ahead, only for the hosts to battle back for a draw. Parker
admitted that represented points lost for his side, but found enough
encouragement in their attacking play to suggest they can put their
early-season malaise behind them when West Bromwich visit east London
tonight.

"I enjoyed [the way we attacked]," Parker said yesterday. "It was good. I
thought we looked a threat on the break on Saturday and every time we went
forward we looked like we could score. That was the case in the first half
and second half, so that was pleasing. We wanted to win the game and we came
away with a draw.

"Probably we'll look back and think it was a good point. We deserved to win
the game and it's our fault because at 2-0 up we shouldn't have lost the
lead. We need to learn from this and just keep going. Saturday wasn't meant
to be but we're looking forward to Wednesday."

The West Ham captain, Matthew Upson, returned from a hamstring injury for
the draw at Birmingham – a match he said underlined the Hammers'
inconsistency this season. The England defender has told his team-mates
that, before they can climb out of trouble, they need to accept that their
performances so far have warranted their lowly position.

"I think some of our performances have been a mixed bag in the same game,
with good and bad that has just cost us in little areas," Upson said. "We've
made bad choices and we've been punished heavily this season. We need to get
back on a winning streak and a couple of wins will change everything. The
brutality of the Premier League is that, if you make the wrong choice,
you'll pay for it. We can't say we're not a 'bottom of the table club',
because the facts speak for themselves and we are. The table doesn't lie and
the points we have don't lie."

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West Ham United v West Bromwich Albion: match preview
Read a full match preview of the Premier League game between West Ham United
and West Bromwich Albion at Upton Park on Wednesday Nov 10 2010, kick-off
19:45 GMT.
By John Ley 6:00AM GMT 10 Nov 2010

Wednesday, November 10
West Ham United v West Bromwich Albion
Upton Park
Kick-off: 19.45 GMT
TV: Highlights, BBC1 Match of the Day.

West Ham (Probable, 4-2-3-1): Green; Jacobsen, Upson, Gabbidon, Ilunga;
Behrami, Piquionne, Parker, Boa Morte, Obinna; Cole.
WBA (Probable, 4-4-2): Carson; Shorey, Tamas, Pablo, Cech; Dorrans,
Scharner; Brunt, Cox, Thomas; Fortune.
Referee: Mike Dean. Matches: 9. R1 Y29.

This is a crucial game for West Ham. After the 2-2 draw at Birmingham, they
have the chance to win for the first time in the league in six games.
At home they have won just once and lost three, but they beat Stoke, in
extra time, in the Carling Cup in what was their last Upton Park game and
return in upbeat mood. Albion lost 2-1 at Blackpool in their last away game
but there were mitigating circumstances with the Baggies reduced to nine men
before half time. One of those red carded, Pablo Ibanez, had the decision
overturned and is available. Albion are already with the banned Gonzalo Jara
and now miss Youssuf Mulumbu after the midfielder was sent off in Sunday's
2-0 defeat by Manchester City. Graham Dorrans could be his replacement.
Nicky Shorey is battling to overcome an ankle knock sustained against City
but Steven Reid (Achilles) and James Morrison (knee) should be fit. West Ham
are also without a player through suspension, with Julien Faubert serving
the second game of a three-match ban. And Mark Noble is still missing as he
recovers from an operation to remove his appendix, so they could be
unchanged.

Last season: N/A.
Stat of the game: No fewer than 13 of Albion's 15 points have been won in
games when they have conceded first.
Betting tip: West Ham are due a win. Cole to get the first goal comes in at
11-2.

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