WHUFC.com
The Hammers will be fired up for Saturday's showdown, make sure you are
there
31.12.2010
Wolverhampton Wanderers are the New Year's visitors to the Boleyn Ground and
fans can pay on the day. The Ticket Office will be open from 10.30am for
supporters to make sure of their seat. Demand is expected to be high with
the Hammers aiming to make it four matches unbeaten - so anyone coming along
should allow plenty of time. With normal stand tickets going fast, the club
also has a range of fantastic corporate hospitality packages for the 1
January fixture between two form teams fighting for their Barclays Premier
League lives. Give the Box Office a call now to find out more.
One stand-out offer is a family of four - two adults and two under-16s - can
see the match for a total of just £75. Demand is high for this offer so
anyone interested will need to move fast.
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Skipper thanks the fans
WHUFC.com
The captain has praised the passionate Hammers faithful for their backing in
2010
31.12.2010
Matthew Upson has paid tribute to the supporters for their unrelenting
backing home and away in 2010. The captain, who has formed an impressive
partnership with James Tomkins at the heart of the defence in recent weeks,
offered thanks on behalf of the team and knew the New Year would begin with
similar passionate support against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday. "The
fans have been a constant all year," he told whufc.com. "We haven't given
them too much to shout about but their support is always valued. It has been
a major part of us getting some good results both home and away lately. "For
a thousand fans to make the trip up to Blackburn when the country had come
to a standstill because of the weather conditions was remarkable. Let's hope
our form can continue to improve and we can reward them for their efforts."
Upson was confident the team would move up the Barclays Premier League
standings early in 2011 and said no one was yet thinking about the huge
Carling Cup semi-final against Birmingham City. All know exactly what is
required and expected from the Hammers faithful. "As long our attitude is
right and we give 100 per cent, the fans are happy," he added. "They want to
see quality for sure but first and foremost they want to see us giving
everything for the club. I can assure you that we are doing that. We just
want to wish everyone a happy New Year and thanks for their support. "I am
not thinking about the cup and the possibility of Wembley at the moment. We
are just thinking about the league. The games are coming thick and fast that
you can't really think beyond the game in front of you. Whatever game
presents itself next that is what I am focused on and I think that goes for
all of us."
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Wolves match preview
WHUFC.com
All the early team news and background for Saturday's massive match at the
Boleyn
31.12.2010
West Ham United v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Barclays Premier League
Boleyn Ground
Saturday 1 January 2011
Kick-off: 3pm
Referee: Lee Probert
FULL COVERAGE ON WHUTV I TEXT COMMENTARY, TABLES AND SCORES
iPHONE APP I TWITTER I FACEBOOK I PODCAST
Introduction
• West Ham United welcome Wolverhampton Wanderers as the Barclays Premier
League's bottom club but on the back of a run of two 1-1 draws either side
of a 3-1 win at Fulham on Boxing Day. The sequence began at Blackburn Rovers
a fortnight ago before last Tuesday's home match with Everton. Wolves are
just one place and one point better off but head to east London after a 1-0
win at Liverpool on Wednesday night.
• Both teams will take great heart from recent form and know that they are
within striking distance of Aston Villa in 15th place. The Hammers have a
superior goal difference to the Midlands club and are just three points
adrift.
• Last season's fixture at the Boleyn Ground was twice re-arranged. It was
originally due to be played on 10 January 2010 before being beaten by
adverse weather conditions in east London. It was then rescheduled for
Tuesday 2 February 2010 only for Wolves' FA Cup commitments at the time to
lead to a second postponement until 23 March 2010.
• Wolves will take heart from that previous encounter at the Boleyn Ground
when they won 3-1 in the middle of a six-match league losing run for the
Hammers. Guille Franco's last-gasp consolation was all the Hammers had to
show for a disappointing defeat that saw Kevin Doyle (28), Ronald Zubar (58)
and Matt Jarvis (61) score for the visitors.
• This will be the sides' fourth encounter in the Premier League but they
have met 58 times before. West Ham hold the upper hand with 26 wins. Wolves
have emerged victorious on 18 occasions.
• Avram Grant and Mick McCarthy are both former international managers.
Grant was in charge of Israel between 2002 and 2006, while McCarthy had
previously had the helm of the Republic of Ireland between 1996 and 2002.
• West Ham United have twice won 5-0 against Wolves at home - on 17 December
1960 and on 7 September 1964. Wolves' best showing at the Boleyn Ground was
a 4-1 triumph on 20 August 1962.
• West Ham have lost their last six matches on New Year's Day.
Last time out
Tuesday 28 December 2010
Barclays Premier League
West Ham United 1-1 Everton
West Ham United: Green, Upson, Ilunga (Spector 34), Faubert, Tomkins,
Parker, Kovac, Boa Morte, Piquionne (Cole 56), Obinna (Hines 86), Sears
Subs not used: Boffin, Reid, Barrera, Stanislas
Goal: Hibbert og 16
Wednesday 29 December 2010
Barclays Premier League
Liverpool 0-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolves: Hennessey, Foley, Stearman, Berra, Elokobi, Zubar, Jarvis (Edwards
89), Ward (Fletcher 78), Milijas, Hunt, Ebanks-Blake
Subs not used: Hahnemann, Bent, Jones, Mujangi Bia, Batth
Goal: Ward 56
Last meeting
The sides met on Saturday 16 October 2010 at Molineux when a harsh late
handball decision against Frederic Piquionne cost the Hammers all three
points. Matt Jarvis had put the home side in front on ten minutes following
a goalmouth scramble before Mark Noble levelled from the spot on 53 minutes.
Piquionne then ran through in the final seconds of the match and slotted in
to the net after controlling the ball on his chest. The referee Mark
Clattenburg, though, blew for an apparent handball.
Wolves: Hahnemann, Foley, Berra, Craddock (Stearman 5) , Mancienne, Edwards
(Ebanks-Blake 88), Jarvis, Jones, Ward, Fletcher (Van Damme 67), Doyle
Subs not used: Hennessey, Bent, Elokobi, Milijas
West Ham: Green, Gabbidon, Jacobsen, Ben Haim, Da Costa, Parker, Noble, Dyer
(Cole 77), Boa Morte, Piquionne, Obinna
Subs not used: Stech, Behrami, Ilunga, Faubert, Tomkins, McCarthy
Head to head
Last six meetings (all league unless stated)
16 October 2010 - Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-1 West Ham United
23 March 2010 - West Ham United 1-3 Wolverhampton Wanderers
15 August 2009 - Wolverhampton Wanderers 0-2 West Ham United
15 January 2005 - Wolverhampton Wanderers 4-2 West Ham United
2 October 2004 - West Ham United 1-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers
25 January 2004 - Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-3 West Ham United (FA Cup)
Overall record v Wolves - W 26, D 14, L18
Ten-year 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)
Wolverhampton Wanderers
2009/10 Premier League 15th (38 points)
2008/09 Championship 1st (90 points - promoted to Premier League)
2007/08 Championship 7th (70 points)
2006/07 Championship 5th (76 points)
2005/06 Championship 7th (67 points)
2004/05 Championship 9th (66 points)
2003/04 Premier League 20th (33 points)
2002/03 Division One 5th (76 points - promoted to Premier League via
play-offs)
2001/02 Division One 3rd (86 points)
2000/01 Division One 12th (55 points)
Referee
• Saturday's referee will be Lee Probert, fresh from his officiating duties
for the 2-2 draw between Wigan Athletic and Arsenal at the DW Stadium on
Wednesday.
• Aged 37, Probert has been a Premier League referee since summer 2007.
• Born in Gloucestershire, Probert made his way through the local leagues
before joining the Football Conference list, being promoted to the Football
League list of referees in 2003.
• Probert took charge of the Hammers' 3-0 defeat at Liverpool on 20
November. Probert's last appointment for a Hammers' fixture at the Boleyn
Ground was the 2-1 home defeat by Bolton Wanderers on 6 March this year.
• He has refereed two Wolves matches this season. The 2-1 opening-day home
win against Stoke City and the 2-0 defeat at Chelsea on 23 October.
Team news
West Ham United
• Manager Avram Grant is definitely without Thomas Hitzlsperger (thigh),
Jack Collison (knee) and Manuel da Costa (ankle). None are expected to
return before February at the earliest. Goalkeeper Peter Kurucz (knee) is
not expected to play at all this season.
• Herita Ilunga, Kieron Dyer (thigh) and Benni McCarthy (calf) are suffering
with muscle problems that will keep them out.
• Mark Noble has returned to training after the hip injury he suffered at
Liverpool on Saturday 20 November. Lars Jacobsen is also hoping to return
soon having been kept out with a troublesome heel since the Wigan Athletic
match on 27 November.
• Valon Behrami was also last seen against Wigan but has recovered from a
hip problem. The manager could decide to recall Danny Gabbidon and Tal Ben
Haim after both were rested in midweek against Everton.
• Matt Fry remains at League One high-fliers Charlton Athletic on a
temporary basis but is due back this month.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
• Kevin Doyle and Jody Craddock could be sidelined again with thigh problems
while Michael Mancienne and Karl Henry also missed the Liverpool game with
knee issues. Steven Mouyokolo (back) was another to miss out.
• Michael Kightly has not played for over 13 months and has just undergone a
second knee operation. Striker Sam Vokes, who had been on loan at Bristol
City, has a hamstring injury.
Background
West Ham United
• No West Ham United player has started every game this season.
• West Ham have yet to score in the first ten minutes of a Barclays Premier
League game this season - the quickest strike being Carlton Cole's
12th-minute goal against Newcastle United.
• Danny Gabbidon has the quickest card in the division this season, earning
a caution just 85 seconds into the Fulham home game.
• Scott Parker's threat of a one-match ban for five yellow cards has
disappeared after he made it to the end of 2010 on four cautions. The
disciplinary rules now state that a two-match ban will follow for any player
picking up ten yellow cards.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
• Wolves have won just one of the last seven matches at the Boleyn Ground -
last season's 3-1 success.
• Wolves have never won back-to-back away games in the Barclays Premier
League.
Old boys
• Carlton Cole spent two months on loan at Wolves at the end of 2003, where
he made seven appearances, scoring one goal.
• First-team coach Kevin Keen played 42 times for Wolves after leaving West
Ham in 1993.
• Others who have played for both clubs include Jeremie Aliadiere, Edward
Anderson, Frank Burrill, Henri Camara, Robert 'Dickie' Deacon, Tommy Dunn,
Noel Dwyer, Joe Gallagher, Bobby Gould, Harry Hooper, Tudor Martin, Shaun
Newton, Nigel Quashie and Dick Richards.
Next up
• The Hammers head to Newcastle United on Wednesday night while Wolves
welcome Chelsea on the same evening.
General information
• For ticket information, click here.
• Saturday afternoon's forecast in east London is for an overcast day with
some rain. Temperatures are set to peak around the 6C mark.
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Parker targets happy New Year
WHUFC.com
Scott Parker is determined to kick-off 2011 with victory over Wolverhampton
Wanderers
30.12.2010
Scott Parker knows that victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on New Year's
Day would give West Ham United's Barclays Premier League survival hopes a
huge boost. The Hammers and Wolves both enter this Saturday's match inside
the bottom three and the two-time Hammer of the Year believes it is vital
the hosts collect a three-point haul against Mick McCarthy's men. "I think
that's exactly what it is - must win. There's no hiding the fact that we go
into this game and we have to see it that we have to win this game. If we're
going to get out of it, we're going to have to beat the teams around us and
clearly Wolves are a team we need to take three points from. "It's always
good when you're picking up points, winning games and getting draws here and
there. The Premier League is difficult, as we've seen, and anyone can beat
anyone on their day so it's going to be a difficult game but one we're
looking forward to and one we feel we can take three points from. "I said a
couple of weeks ago that every single game is going to be crucial for us
this season. No matter what game it is, it's a game we need to win and a big
game for us."
While Parker knows the weekend fixture is important, he pointed to West
Ham's recent run of three unbeaten matches - including two away from home -
as reason for optimism. "I think we came into the Christmas period with
winnable games and, when you look at it, we've picked up four points and
we're undefeated going into today's game. If we can pick up a win then we'll
have taken seven points and that will be a really good Christmas. "I don't
know if the pressure has eased because this is such a difficult league and
everyone has been picking up points. We just need to stay along with it and
pick up some results, which I think we can definitely do. "We went to
Blackburn and got a result and we went to Fulham and scored three goals. On
Tuesday, playing just hours after the Fulham game against an Everton side
who were much fresher than us, we looked solid and picked up a result which
was very pleasing."
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West Ham v Wolverhampton
BBC.co.uk
Barclays Premier League
Venue: Upton Park Date: Saturday, 1 January Kick-off: 1500 GMT
Coverage: Highlights on Match of the Day; listen on BBC Radio 5 live and
local radio; text commentary on BBC Sport website and mobiles
TEAM NEWS
West Ham boss Avram Grant is expected to recall a number of players rested
against Everton, including striker Carlton Cole and defender Tal Ben Haim.
Valon Behrami should return after a month out with a hip injury, but the
game may come too soon for Mark Noble.
Wolves boss Mick McCarthy is not expected to make too many changes following
Wednesday's impressive victory over Liverpool. Kevin Doyle and Jody Craddock
are back in training but will miss this match.
West Ham
Doubtful: Behrami & Noble (both hip)
Injured: Collison, Edgar & Kurucz (all knee), Da Costa (ankle), Dyer &
Hitzlsperger (both thigh), Ilunga (muscle problem), Jacobsen (heel),
McCarthy (calf)
Wolves
Injured: Craddock (hip/thigh), Doyle (thigh), Guedioura (broken leg), Henry,
Kightly & Mancienne (all knee), Mouyokolo (back)
MATCH PREVIEW
Only once in Premier League history has the team propping up the table on 1
January managed to survive relegation, but West Ham enter the new year in
high spirits following a yuletide yield of five points from three games that
has transformed the mood at the Upton Park club. Victory over Wolves on
Saturday could lift the Hammers out of the relegation zone for the first
time this season, but Mick McCarthy's men enjoyed their own festive fillip
when they beat Liverpool at Anfield on Wednesday and will travel to Upton
Park brimming with confidence. Wolves' record in East London is poor, but a
stunning 3-1 victory over the Hammers in March was crucial in their fight
for top-flight survival last season, and a similar result here could prove
equally significant.
The omens certainly look good for the Midlands club - the Hammers have lost
their last six Premier League matches on New Year's Day.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
• Wolves have won only one of their last seven league visits to Upton Park -
3-1 last season on 23 March.
• Their last meeting was a 1-1 draw at Molineux in October.
606: DEBATE
Have your say on this match
West Ham
• West Ham had the worst record of any Premier League club in 2010, with
only 34 points from 38 games.
• They have picked up 10 points at home this season - only Blackpool (8)
have fewer in the division and they have played four fewer home matches.
• The club begin the New Year in bottom place in the division. West Brom are
the only side in Premier League history to avoid relegation after being
bottom on 1 January.
• The Hammers have lost their last six Premier League matches on New Year's
Day, failing to score in the last three. Their only ever victory on 1
January was 1-0 at Everton in 1994.
Wolves
• Wednesday's 1-0 win at Anfield ended a run of 11 league matches away from
home without victory. Mick McCarthy's men have the worst away record in the
league this term, having picked up just four points on their travels.
• Wolves are looking to win back-to-back Premier League matches within a
single campaign for the first time in 13 months, since winning at home to
Bolton and at Tottenham in December 2009.
• They have never won back-to-back games away from home in the Premier
League.
LEADING GOALSCORERS
West Ham
Piquionne: 6 goals (5 league); Parker: 6 goals (4 league)
Wolves
Fletcher: 5 goals (4 league); Ebanks-Blake: 4 goals (4 league)
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Lee Probert
Assistant referees: Mike Mullarkey & David Richardson
Fourth official: Kevin Friend
LAST LEAGUE MATCH LINE-UPS
West Ham (D1-1 v Everton, h): Green; Faubert, Tomkins, Upson, Ilunga
(Spector 34), Sears, Parker, Kovac, Boa Morte, Obinna (Hines 85), Piquionne
(Cole 56). Subs not used: Boffin, Reid, Barrera, Stanislas.
Wolves (W1-0 v Liverpool, a): Hennessey; Zubar, Stearman, Berra, Elokobi,
Foley, Milijas, Hunt, Jarvis (Edwards 89), Ward (Fletcher 78), Ebanks-Blake.
Subs not used: Hahnemann, David Jones, Bent, Mujangi Bia, Batth.
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West Ham United v Wolverhampton Wanderers
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 31st December 2010
By: Preview Percy
Another Christmas has passed and yet again Santa forgot to bring Preview
Percy a Scalextric. So he's taking it out on us......
Next we entertain Wolverhampton Wanderers in a 3.00pm kick-off at the
Boleyn, the latest in a series of "must wins". It appears that the tubes
will be running on Saturday which will make a pleasant change – and might be
worth considering if there's a chance of you being over the limit from the
night before.
After the midweek matches the visitors lie in 19th place, one spot and one
point above us with a game in hand, resulting from the postponement of their
match at West Brom (the highest ground above sea level in the league, trivia
fans). That they are off the bottom came as a result of their 1-0 victory at
Anfield the other night. It has to be said that, well as Wolves played in
that one, Liverpool were appalling. In fact the last time I saw a
performance that bad was, er, when we played Wolves at home last season!
Current form shows the visitors having won three and lost three of their
last six, the record going LWLWLW. Apart from the the win at the Merseyside
Library, they've notched up wins at home to Sunderland (3-2) and at home to
Birmingham (1-0). The three defeats came at home to Wigan (1-2) and away at
Blackburn (0-3) and Blackpool (1-2).
Up at Anfield they lined up with a sort of 4-4-1-1 which involved Sylvan
Ebanks-Blake as the lone striker. Now even the most ardent of Wolves fan
wouldn't consider SEB (to save my typing) as being of top class Premiership
standard. Despite putting them away for fun in the second tier he has found
goals hard to come by – only finding the net twice last season in 26 league
& cup appearances. He has doubled that tally this season, getting more
starts thanks to the injury-hit season of the more useful Kevin Doyle. Doyle
missed December having picked up a thigh injury and is a doubt for this one.
Their other option up front is ex-Burnley striker Steven Fletcher. SEB seems
to be the preferred option with Fletcher (who, also with four goals, is
joint leading goalscorer) making cameo appearances from the bench.
Anfield saw a return to the starting line up of winger Matt Jarvis. Jarvis
started the season on the right hand side of midfield but can and often does
do a similar job on the left depending on availability. If he starts this
one he could be one to keep an eye on.
Earlier on this season Wolves picked up loads of headlines for some of their
tackling. Skipper Karl Henry in particular picked up some not entirely
undeserved flak for one or two of his less subtle interceptions. He'll
definitely miss this one with a knee ligament injury. Otherwise one wouldn't
expect the ray of sunshine that is Mick McCarthy to make too many changes to
the side that won at Anfield. Just don't try to wish him a "Happy New Year".
Our own cheery chappie Avram Grant made a number of changes for the Everton
match, some, as ever, prompted by injury issues and others seemingly in an
attempt to prove that we have a squad big enough to cope with a brand new
squad rotation policy. (Our previous squad rotation policy had always
consisted of replacing those players too injured to walk with those who can
hobble about for an hour or so).
Changes will be afoot in the back four. Ilunga managed a mere half-hour
against Everton, once more highlighting the paucity of resources in the
full-back slots. There's been no news of Jacobsen's heel injury since a
fitness test failure at Blackburn. Ben-Haim may come in for Ilunga –
possibly for the last time if rumours of his return to Pompey in order to
free up a loan place are true. In the middle, though there's been no
official comment, I was just a bit concerned to see Tomkins hobble away from
the Boleyn after the Everton match. Hopefully it's nothing serious as I
thought he had a fine game against. Gabbidon may be on standby.
In midfield I mentioned a few weeks ago that it was possible that we had
seen the last of Behrami and, though he was down to play against Blackburn,
his failure to recover from his hip problem makes it even less likely that
we will see him in the claret and blue again as he looks forward to Serie A.
Stanislas, rested for Everton, may come back into contention for a start
whilst I'd expect Sears to start again on the right hand side.
Up front much will depend on how Piquionne is after the Everton match. He
hobbled off to be replaced by Carlton Cole against the Toffees. Cole's
omission against Everton came as some surprise following his two
"poacher-style" goals against Fulham. I would have thought that we'd have
preferred to keep milking such form while it lasted, and as he missed that
sitter on Tuesday evening I couldn't help but wonder if the result might
have been different had Cole been on the pitch for an hour rather than the
few minutes that was actually the case. If all are fit then who starts will
depend on who is in Grant's good books at the moment. I suspect that
Piquionne will be the one to start of the bench, especially if his knock
raises any doubts as to his starting status.
I get rather annoyed with this rubbish about being bottom at Christmas in
the Premiership. Like the recent twaddle spoken about nobody getting more
than 5 goals in a Premiership match, it panders to the Sky-pushed notion
that before the Premiership (and therefore by implication before Sky) there
was no football. In actual fact a quick look at the stats suggest that about
a third of all sides that were bottom on Christmas Day went on to survive –
not great odds admittedly but significantly better than those punted about
by the "Year Zero" mob at Murdoch Towers.
Since the capitulation against Man City we've not done too badly. The point
up at Blackburn was creditable enough though it took a slightly fortunate
deflection at the Cottage to kick start victory against Fulham. Whilst we
were worth the three points in the end, until Etuhu chipped in with his inch
perfect pass to Cole it was pretty ropey stuff. The point against Everton
was about right I thought so five out of nine represented reasonable return.
Wolves? Well the Liverpool result will have an undoubted confidence boosting
effect. However, as well as they played, the LWLWLW record suggests a touch
of the Jekyll & Hydes – especially when you consider that the previous
result was a home defeat to Wigan. It has to be said that Liverpool were an
embarrassment the other night and an early goal on Saturday will go a long
way to puncturing that balloon. And they do have a tendency to concede
early.
So the battle this weekend will pitch (recent) consistency against
inconsistency. This is not a match for which any particular result leaps out
as being more likely than the others. So I'm just going to have to go with
gut instinct which says to me that we'll take the three points with a 3-1
win – a result that could see us reach the dizzy heights of 15th place.
Enjoy the game and happy new year!
Last season: lost 1-3 Possibly the worst performance of last season. Please
don't make me revisit it.
Danger man: Ebanks-Blake though limited in ability Liverpool made him look
like world-beater the other night and confidence counts for so much.
Referee: Lee Probert for some reason the usual sources haven't listed a ref
for this one. I'm informed that it's Probert, who presided over our trip to
Anfield in November. If it's not address your complaints to refworld.com –
they're the perfect ones after all.
Daft fact of the week: There used to be a mediaeval superstition that, on
New Year's Day, a farmer would stick a flat cake on the horns of a cow. The
farmer and his workers would then sing a song and dance about the cow until
the cake was thrown off. If the cake landed in front of the cow it signified
a year of great prosperity to come. If it landed behind, tough times were
ahead. Similar scenes can be seen to this day every Friday night in
Wolverhampton, where such antics are locally referred to as "a cracking
night out".
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West Ham v Wolves preview
Battle to get out of bottom three
Last updated: 31st December 2010
SSN
Skysports.com prediction: 2-1
SkyBet odds:West Ham evens Draw 12/5 Wolves 11/4
One to Watch: Carlton Cole
The Premier League's bottom two clash on New Year's Day with both West Ham
and Wolves looking to climb out of the drop zone. In what is an archetypal
six-point clash, Avram Grant hosts Mick McCarthy looking to continue their
current run of three games without defeat. Whilst West Ham have been stuck
in the bottom three all season, Wolves dropped into the relegation places in
October - but maximum points for either would see them climb out as both
Aston Villa and Wigan do not play until Sunday. Although West Ham are on an
unbeaten run, they have not won at home for over a month and the Upton Park
faithful will be anxiously looking for a win. Wolves claimed a huge win at
Liverpool last time out and now have back-to-back victories in their sights,
and they will still have the memory of their last visit to Upton Park in
their minds as they won 3-1 in East London in March.
Team news
West Ham boss Grant made a host of changes for their draw with Everton,
despite winning at Fulham the match before. Grant shuffled his side,
seemingly, with the Wolves game in his sights, which could see a number of
players recalled. First in line will be Carlton Cole, who grabbed his first
ever Premier League brace at Craven Cottage, and he looks set to be restored
to the starting line-up. Herita Ilunga is set to miss out after limping off
against Everton after being handed a rare chance to impress and Tal Ben Haim
is likely to return in his place. Whilst West Ham could see a number of
changes, Wolves boss Mick McCarthy is unlikely to be tinkering too much.
Kevin Doyle, Jody Craddock and Michael Mancienne could all be in contention
following injury, whilst David Jones and Steven Fletcher are also hoping for
recalls.
Possible starting XIs:
West Ham: Green, Gabbidon, Ben-Haim, Upson, Tomkins, Parker, Kovac,
Stanislas, Piquionne, Cole, Sears
Wolves: Hennessey, Foley, Stearman, Berra, Elokobi, Zubar, Jarvis, Stephen
Ward,Milijas, Hunt, Ebanks-Blake
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Harry Keane on Robbie stay
Striker could have future at Spurs
Last updated: 31st December 2010
SSN
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp insists he is in no hurry to see Robbie Keane
leave the club. A clutch of Premier League clubs are understood to be
willing to take Keane on loan for the rest of the season. It has been
reported that West Ham are leading the chase, but Aston Villa, Birmingham,
Newcastle and his former club Wolves were are also keen. However, Redknapp
insists that Spurs will not be letting him leave on loan and he could very
well remain at White Hart Lane. "We are not mad keen [on letting anyone
leave], Robbie's name keeps coming up, but he is not for loan and if he
wants to then he wants to move permanently," Redknapp told Sky Sports News.
"And it will have to be a good club for him, he is a top player still and he
will not just go anywhere and he may as well stay here and fight for his
place. "I still think he could play a big part for us, he has fantastic
ability and appetite for the game, so we will wait and see but there is
nothing happening with anyone else."
Redknapp did admit that Spurs could make a move to bring in a player in
January, but only if the deal benefited his side. "I think if the right
player is there, we have said that all along, if we felt somebody could make
a difference to the team we would be interested, but that is difficult to
find and it is not a great time," he said. "If anyone has somebody who is
top class they don't want to sell at this stage of the season, it is very
difficult to improve your squad. "We don't need to panic buy, we have a good
squad, good players and unless it is someone who will make a difference then
we won't bother."
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Parker - Wolves a must-win
Hammers midfielder wants to start 2011 with three points
Last updated: 30th December 2010
SSN
Scott Parker admits West Ham United's bottom-of-the-table clash with Wolves
on New Year's Day has to be labelled as a 'must-win'. The Hammers had
briefly climbed off the bottom of the Premier League table after winning at
Fulham on Boxing Day and then drawing at home with Everton. However, Wolves'
shock win at Liverpool on Wednesday evening dumped West Ham back to the foot
of the standings ahead of Saturday's meeting between the relegation rivals
at Upton Park. Parker has been pleased by the Hammers' Christmas form and is
determined to pick up three points to start 2011 in the best possible
fashion.
Got to win
Asked if it was too soon to tag Saturday's game as must-win, star midfielder
Parker said: "No, I don't think so. I think that's exactly what it is,
really. "There's no hiding the fact we go into the Wolves game and we've got
to look at it like we've got to win. "They're down there with us and, if
we're going to get out of it, we're going to have to beat the teams around
us. "Certainly, Wolves are a team which we need to go and try to get three
points from."
He added: "I think we obviously came into the Christmas period with winnable
games. We're undefeated, four points, going into the Wolves game.
"Hopefully, we can go and pick up three points on Saturday and that leaves
us with seven. So that'll be a good Christmas for us." West Ham are looking
to become only the second club to avoid Premier League relegation having
been bottom of the table at Christmas. And Parker accepts the current
revival must become a full-blown resurgence if they are to pull off the
great escape achieved by West Brom in 2005. "Every single week and every
single game is going to be crucial for us this season," he said. "That's the
way it's going to be - every single game, no matter what it is, will be a
game that we need to win."
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Hammers make Ba bid
Hoffenheim striker could head to Upton Park on loan
Last updated: 30th December 2010
SSN
Sky Sports News understands West Ham United have made an offer to sign
Hoffenheim striker Demba Ba on loan. Hammers boss Avram Grant is determined
to improve his squad in the January transfer window and co-owner David Gold
says the club have 15 targets. Among the options for the Premier League's
bottom club is Ba, who has scored six goals in 17 appearances for Hoffenheim
this season. It is understood that West Ham have submitted an official
written offer to the German club to sign Ba on loan with a view to a
permanent deal at the end of the season. The Senegal international is also
attracting interest from across Europe, but the 25-year-old is believed to
prefer a move to England. Ba joined Hoffenheim in 2007 and has played a key
role in helping the club to become established in the Bundesliga.
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Hammers eye Keane loan bid
The Sun
Published: Today
WEST HAM are trying to tempt Spurs into a loan deal for Robbie Keane. Upton
Park boss Avram Grant has been told Tottenham want a permanent move for the
30-year-old striker who they value at £5million. West Ham hope the North
Londoners will change their minds - and cover Keane's £65,000-a-week wages
until the end of the season. But, so far, the two clubs have failed to agree
on a fee for the loan. Grant is already set to bring in Aston Villa
midfielder Steve Sidwell until the end of the season and is desperate to add
some experience to his forward line. But Newcastle are also watching Keane's
situation and are keen on bagging the Irishman.
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Forest and Hammers in fight for Hammill
Published 23:00 30/12/10 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror
Billy Davies is ready for a £500,000 scrap with West Ham for Barnsley
midfielder Adam Hammill. Forest boss Davies has matched the Hammers" bid for
highly-rated Hammill, who has an escape clause at Oakwell. The former
Liverpool trainee has emerged as one of the Championship's most wanted
players after joining Barnsley last summer. And Davies will take on Avram
Grant in a fight to sign the 22-year-old in the January transfer window.
Forest - who face Barnsley tomorrow - are preparing to back Davies with
substantial funds in the New Year to build a squad capable of promotion. He
said: "We need to freshen up. We need to keep things moving forward. "The
list is in the hands of the board, we will wait to see what is going on.
"Speed is crucial, we need to get it done as soon as possible and not leave
it to the last week of the January window.' Davies is also confident of
landing Scunthorpe winger Martyn Woolford in a £400,000 deal. Woolford, 25,
is out of contract in the summer and will be offered a move to the City
Ground.
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Hammers move for Owen - Exclusive
Published 23:00 30/12/10 By John Cross
The Mirror
Avram Grant is putting together an ambitious plan to sign Michael Owen in
January. Under-pressure West Ham boss Grant is desperate to strengthen his
strike force and Owen is top of the club's list of targets. Grant also
likes Everton's out-of-favour Yakubu and had two bids knocked back in the
summer but wants to try again. Upton Park joint owner David Gold has already
promised to make vast improvements to the squad and they are ready to
bankroll a spectacular signing if it means getting the club out of trouble.
West Ham have already had an ambitious attempt to sign Emmanuel Adebayor
knocked back despite offering to pay £100,000-a-week towards his wages if
Manchester City let him out on loan. That was knocked back but West Ham are
keen on former England and Real Madrid striker Owen, 31, who has struggled
to hold down a place at Manchester United. United boss Sir Alex Ferguson
insists Owen is still in his plans but West Ham want to test their resolve
with the striker only having six months left on his current deal.
West Ham favour a loan move for Owen but if they stay up that may change.
Grant is also a big fan of Yakubu but Everton's valuation of around £8m
scared West Ham off in the summer. But with Yakubu out of the team, that may
have changed and Grant took an opportunity on Tuesday to talk to the
Nigerian when the clubs met at Upton Park on Tuesday. West Ham are also one
of the clubs who have enquired about taking David Beckham on loan from LA
Galaxy for two months. Tottenham, West Ham, Sunderland, Newcastle, Everton
and Blackpool have also asked to be kept in the loop about developments.
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West Ham need a Great Escape act NOT Wolves, claims McCarthy
Published 22:45 31/12/10 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror
Mick McCarthy has cranked up the pressure ahead of today's survival showdown
by insisting it's Avram Grant who has to perform a Harry Houdini escape act.
Wolves boss McCarthy is chomping on cigars in his survival mission and
reckons the Hammers are the team facing a tougher task to stay up.
McCarthy's battlers clambered off the bottom of the Premier League after
their shock win at Liverpool on Wednesday. Their 1-0 victory ensured West
Ham will begin 2011 propping up the table before this afternoon's crunch
encounter. Only West Brom have ever escaped the drop from such a perilous
position at Christmas - but McCarthy believes it's West Ham and not Wolves
who will have to secure the greater Great Escape. He said: `They used to say
that if you were bottom at Christmas, you would be relegated. Well we
weren't bottom at Christmas. "So it's West Ham who have got to do the Great
Escape. I've got the big cigar on! "We still know that the clubs from 18 to
20 go down, and we have to get out of it. The result at Liverpool gives us
more belief and they'll be a few bums squeaking elsewhere. "I enjoyed
Thursday morning more than Monday morning after we'd lost to Wigan but I'm
loving the Premier League challenge. "We like proving people wrong but I'd
rather we were in the top six with people saying we were a great side - and
we were proving them right."
McCarthy's job prospects appear safer than his opposite number, although
Grant has eased the pressure with a three-match unbeaten run. Grant's good
work could count for nothing if he loses against Wolves - who stunned the
Hammers in March last season with a 3-1 win in London. But McCarthy has
taken a swipe at Premier League owners for putting bosses under unnecessary
pressure. He added: `I don't feel sorry for anyone because we are all in
highly privileged positions and get paid very well. "I just wish people
would have a bit more class and, if it isn't going right, come and shake
hands. Don't give managers so many jobs to save themselves. That's not a
comment about West Ham - it's across the board. "If they did do that with
Avram, it has worked because they have been superb. But you are like a dead
man walking. "You need the support of your bosses and ours is a good
relationship. They get a lot of hard graft from me and I get a lot of
support from them. "There's no pressure from my bosses and the job's hard
enough without anyone accentuating that you are in the bottom three."
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Piquionne out for revenge on Wolves after wrongly disallowed goal
Published 22:30 31/12/10 By Neil McLeman
The Mirror
Frederic Piquionne wants revenge on Wolves today after being wrongly denied
a late winner at Molineaux. The France striker was booked for his protests
back in October when Mark Clattenburg disallowed his goal for handball.
Replays showed the West Ham striker had controlled the ball with his upper
chest.
Piquionne scored his first Hammers goal three days later at Sunderland and
now has six this season. But the former Pompey striker admitted he is still
angry about the decision. "I remember that game," said the 32-year-old. "The
ball hit my chest and not my hand, but the goal was not allowed. We would
have won the game had it been given. It was never handball - it hit my
shoulder. "We need to win this game against Wolves. We need to go on to the
pitch and play to our maximum and take the three points."
Former Wolves midfielder Kevin Keen, now the first-team coach at Upton Park,
reckons Carlton Cole holds the key to survival this season. The England
striker, who spent two months on loan at Molineaux in 2003, scored his first
Premier League double in front of the Sky cameras at Fulham and is set to
start today. "Carlton is a very, very good player," Keen said. "On his day
he is more or less unplayable and we just need to keep getting that out of
him. We need him to be on his TV form and he'll be OK!" Keen added: "It's a
massive game. The supporters have got a role to play. I heard Roy Hodgson
moaning about the Liverpool fans but our fans can play a big part by getting
behind us."
After West Ham lost 3-1 at home to Wolves in March, furious co-owner David
Sullivan sent an open letter to fans branding the display as "pathetic" and
"a shambles". The defeat during a six-game losing streak and sealed the fate
of previous manager Gianfranco Zola at the end of the season. But Avram
Grant has now picked up five points in his last three games and his side
could finally climb out of the bottom three with a win today. West Ham have
lost their last six matches on New Year's Day. Co-chairman David Gold said:
"I would say the bookies will have to redo their sums if we beat Wolves. If
we win against Wolves you've got to say that's not the performance of a
relegation side."
West Ham are interested in two players in the Bundesliga: Hanover defender
Christian Schulz and Hoffenheim striker Demba Ba.
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'The players at West Ham don't work hard enough'
Julian Dicks, Tony Cottee and Ray Stewart on what has gone wrong at West Ham
and whether things can be turned around
Interviews by Jamie Jackson
guardian.co.uk, Friday 31 December 2010 19.14 GMT
Julian Dicks
The players don't work hard enough. I watched them on Tuesday against
Everton [which ended 1-1] and in the first half they did OK, but then they
didn't get close enough to Everton to stop them playing. If you're
struggling you need people who are going to put themselves about, make
tackles and pressurise the other team. Only Scotty Parker does this on a
consistent basis. They've got England internationals – Rob Green, Matthew
Upson, Parker and Carlton Cole – and some other good players, Frédéric
Piquionne, Victor Obinna. But it is no good if they're not willing to work
hard. You can't have one player carrying the team. Everybody has to bust
their bollocks to win the game. I know the West Ham supporters. If they see
everybody work as hard as Parker and they get beat, they'll hold their hands
up and say: 'Fair enough.' Is this problem down to the manager or the
players? The manager can tell you but if you're not willing to do it then
you're not going to do it.
Tony Cottee
David Gold and David Sullivan buying the club in January was a good move.
It's fair to say they rescued the club. The reason being that if they hadn't
the club would have gone into administration, lost nine points, and then
would have definitely been relegated. They went close with 35 points anyway
[last season]. Gianfranco Zola went because I think the owners wanted to get
their own manager in pretty much straight away. So when the team only
finished on 35 points which normally gets you relegated – it certainly will
this season – then they felt they need to make a change. But I don't think
the club has progressed since Avram Grant was appointed [in June]. Under
Zola it was acknowledged that we played good football and the players were
certainly behind the manager in terms of his philosophy and beliefs.
Unfortunately, since the [new] manager was appointed we've been in the
bottom three all season.
Great, we're in a [League] Cup semi-final [against Birmingham City], I'm
looking forward to that, all the fans are. But the Premier League survival
is key and I'm certainly not confident that we'll stay up.
Ray Stewart
The year's not been great, really. Respect to David Sullivan and David Gold
as I'm sure they're hurting inside as things are not going well. With the
backbone of Green, Upson, Parker and Cole the team should be doing better
than they are. Lately they've had a few results and I'm hopeful they can
come clear as I'd hate to see them in the Championship again. The supporters
have been fantastic. Avram Grant has been getting abuse but not colossal
stick. I'm sure he is a lovely guy but I don't know if he is a motivator for
the club. There seems to be no motivation there – Wally Downes [the
defensive coach] has come in recently and done a bit more than Avram's done
all season, to be fair. I just don't think there is any togetherness there
at the moment.
Wolves is a massive game. Mick McCarthy might be in the relegation zone with
his team [too] but he's motivated, positive and energetic on the sidelines.
I'm sure Avram Grant is positive but he just doesn't show it to the people.
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West Ham target loan moves for Robbie Keane and Wayne Bridge
Newcastle United and Birmingham also eye Keane
Bridge deal dependent on Ben Haim loan renewal
Jamie Jackson
guardian.co.uk, Friday 31 December 2010 19.51 GMT
Robbie Keane, who is out of favour at Tottenham, is a loan target for West
Ham in the January transfer window. Photograph: Michael Regan/Getty Images
West Ham United have placed Robbie Keane and Wayne Bridge high on their list
of targets with the January transfer window due to open at midnight. If the
pair sign it would be on loan deals from Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester
City, their respective clubs.
David Gold, co-owner of the Premier League's bottom team, said the club are
focusing on 15 players and hope to bring in at least three of these. West
Ham face competition for Keane, who is also interesting Newcastle United and
Birmingham City, while any deal for Bridge may be dependent on whether Tal
Ben Haim's loan deal is renewed.
The view at Upton Park is that, with only two loan deals per season allowed
from other Premier League clubs, there may be room for only one defender,
with Grant potentially employing the other to secure a striker, such as
Keane, or to strengthen another area of the team.
Grant said this week that West Ham were in talks with Portsmouth to renew
Ben Haim's deal until the close of the season. He told the Jewish Chronicle:
"We very much want Tal to stay. We have a problem over his contract with
Portsmouth but he is good for us, and if they agree we want to loan him
until the end of the season."
Ben Haim reportedly earns £38,000 a week, wages that Portsmouth, who are
still financially stricken, would be keen to ease but with West Ham lacking
a specialist left-back a move for Bridge may be preferable for Grant.
The club hope imminently to announce that they have finally signed the Aston
Villa midfielder Steve Sidwell, and there is also interest in Demba Ba, the
25-year-old Hoffenheim and Senegal striker, and the Monaco forward Dieumerci
Mbokani, who has scored eight times in 14 appearances for DR Congo.
The club are reluctant to sell any of their better players, who include
Robert Green, Matthew Upson, Scott Parker and Carlton Cole, though they
would listen to the right offer – Parker apart, who is not for sale.
Valon Behrami, who wants to move back to Italy, could leave for around £3m,
with Juventus and Roma the most likely destination for the midfielder.
Before today's relegation showdown with Wolves at Upton Park, Upson hailed
the club's support. The central defender said: "The fans have been a
constant all year. We haven't given them too much to shout about but their
support is always valued. It has been a major part of us getting some good
results both home and away lately.
"For a thousand fans to make the trip up to Blackburn [Rovers] when the
country had come to a standstill because of the weather conditions was
remarkable. Let's hope our form can continue to improve and we can reward
them for their efforts.
"The games are coming [so] thick and fast that you can't really think beyond
the game in front of you. Whatever game presents itself next, that is what I
am focused on and I think that goes for all of us."
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Fulham and West Ham head the chase for Grasshoppers' Veroljub Salatic
By JOHN EDWARDS
Last updated at 1:02 AM on 1st January 2011
Daily Mail
West Ham and Fulham are leading the chase for Grasshoppers' former
Switzerland under-21 midfielder Veroljub Salatic, who is heading for a
cut-price move to the Barclays Premier League after deciding against
renewing a contract that expires at the end of the season. Wolves are also
keen on the 25-year old, who headed to London yesterday to talk to
interested parties.
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