Daily WHUFC News - II 11th January 2011

Carling Cup semi-final preview
WHUFC.com
All the early team news and background for the big Tuesday night tie.
11.01.2011

Carling Cup semi-final first leg
West Ham United v Birmingham City
Tuesday 11 January 2011
7.45pm
Referee: Phil Dowd

WHUTV - LIVE AUDIO COMMENTARY
• West Ham United welcome Birmingham City looking to win the two-legged tie
and secure a place at Wembley for the first time in 30 years since the 1981
League Cup final. The second leg will be played at St Andrew's on Wednesday
26 January.
• This will be the second meeting of the clubs this season after the 2-2
draw at Birmingham on 6 November, with the Hammers throwing away a two-goal
lead in that Barclays Premier League tie. After the Blues battled back to
square the contest, Lars Jacobsen - cup-tied tonight - was denied a strong
penalty shout.
• Tickets are pay on the day with the turnstiles open from 6.15pm. Click
here for more information.
• Freddie Piquionne scored both goals for Avram Grant's Portsmouth last
season as they won 2-0 at home in the FA Cup against the Blues on 6 March
2010. That came three days before Piquionne and Grant were 2-1 losers in a
Barclays Premier League encounter between the same clubs, also played at
Fratton Park.
• The last Boleyn Ground encounter saw West Ham United win 2-0 against
Birmingham in a tense midweek encounter back on 10 February 2010, with
Alessandro Diamanti's free-kick on the stroke of half-time easing the
Hammers' relegation nerves. Carlton Cole added a second on 67 minutes to
wrap up the win.

West Ham United: Green, Upson, Ilunga (Spector 45), Tomkins, Parker (Noble
86), Kovac, Behrami, Faubert, Cole, Diamanti, Mido (Ilan 66)
Subs not used: Stech, Da Costa, Collison, Stanislas

Birmingham City: Hart, Ridgewell, Carr, Dann, Gardner, Johnson, Bowyer
(Madera 77), Fahey (McFadden 67), Ferguson, Jerome, Phillips
Subs not used: Taylor, Larsson, Vignal, Parnaby, Jervis

• The Hammers have never won this trophy, having lost the 1966 and 1981
finals. Birmingham lost the 2001 final on penalties to Liverpool but were
victors over two legs against rivals Aston Villa in the 1963 edition.
• The record win in this competition was achieved by the Hammers with a 10-0
success against Bury in the second round, second-leg match on 25 October
1983. Liverpool also won by this margin against Fulham in second round,
first-leg match in the same season on 23 September 1983.
• West Ham have been defeated just once in the last eight games with
Birmingham, with four victories in that run.
• Stern John's double in a 2-1 victory in October 2002 is the last time the
Midlands club won at the Boleyn Ground.

Team news
• Danny Gabbidon, Matthew Upson, Scott Parker, Freddie Sears and Freddie
Piquionne could all return to the starting lineup after sitting out
Saturday's win against Barnsley.
• 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 (hamstring), Kieron Dyer (thigh), Benni McCarthy (calf) and
Junior Stanislas are suffering with muscle problems that will keep them out.
• Lars Jacobsen is cup-tied but is back in full training having been kept
out with a troublesome heel since the Wigan Athletic match on 27 November.
Fellow defender Matt Fry has extended his loan at Charlton Athletic for
another month, although is cup-tied for the Hammers in the FA Cup.
• Tal Ben Haim has returned to Portsmouth after his loan spell.
• Birmingham are still without James McFadden, with the Scotland attacker's
knee ligament injury set to keep him out until February.
• Lee Bowyer is in the middle of a three-match suspension and cannot face
his former club.

Referee
• Tuesday's referee is Phil Dowd, who began refereeing in 1984. He was
promoted to the Barclays Premier League list of referees in 2001. This is
his tenth season as a top-flight referee.
• He was the fourth official at the 2006 FA Cup final between West Ham
United and Liverpool at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.
• He took charge of the Hammers 3-1 home defeat by Manchester City on 11
November, having been the man in the middle for the Blues 2-0 home defeat by
Everton on 2 October.

Last time out
FA Cup third round
Saturday 8 January 2011
West Ham United 2-0 Barnsley
West Ham: Green, Spector, Faubert, Reid, Tomkins, Noble, Boa Morte, Barrera,
Obinna (Parker 76), Hines (Edgar 89), Nouble (Piquionne 83)
Subs not used: Boffin, Upson, Spence, Sears
Goals: Spector 29, Piquionne 90

FA Cup third round
Saturday 8 January 2011
Millwall 1-4 Birmingham City
Birmingham: Taylor, Murphy, Dann, Parnaby, Jiranek, Gardner, Beausejour,
Mutch, Hleb (Fahey 61), Derbyshire (Jerome 70), Zigic (Phillips 70)
Subs not used: Doyle, Johnson, Larsson, Madera

Background
• West Ham United and Birmingham meet for the second time this season. On 6
November, Freddie Piquionne (48) and Valon Behrami (58) put the Hammers into
a commanding position before Victor Obinna saw Ben Foster push his effort on
to the bar. The Blues came back into it with goals from Cameron Jerome (64)
and former Academy product Liam Ridgewell (73). Referee Michael Oliver
turned down late appeals for a West Ham penalty after Lars Jacobsen was
fouled.
Birmingham: Foster, Ridgewell, Carr, Dann, Johnson, Fahey (Gardner 59),
Larsson, Ferguson, Hleb (Beausejour 59), Jerome (Bowyer 89), Zigic
Subs not used: Doyle, Parnaby, Derbyshire, Phillips
West Ham: Green, Gabbidon, Jacobsen, Upson, Ilunga, Parker, Behrami, Boa
Morte (Dyer 83), Piquionne, Cole, Obinna (Kovac 89)
Subs not used: Stech, Reid, Tomkins, Barrera, McCarthy

Last six meetings (Premier League unless stated)
6 November 2010 - Birmingham City 2-2 West Ham United
10 February 2010 - West Ham United 2-0 Birmingham City
12 December 2009 - Birmingham City 1-0 West Ham United
9 February 2008 - West Ham United 1-1 Birmingham City
18 August 2007 - Birmingham City 0-1 West Ham United
13 February 2006 - West Ham United 3-0 Birmingham City

Overall record v Birmingham City (all competitions) W 31 D 20 L 38
Ten-year League Cup record
West Ham United
2009/10 Third round (lost 3-1 after extra time at Bolton Wanderers)
2008/09 Third round (lost 1-0 at Watford)
2007/08 Quarter-final (lost 2-1 v Everton)
2006/07 Third round (lost 2-1 at Chesterfield)
2005/06 Third round (lost 1-0 at Bolton Wanderers)
2004/05 Third round (lost 1-0 at Chelsea)
2003/04 Third round (lost 1-0 after extra time at Tottenham Hotspur)
2002/03 Third round (lost 1-0 v Oldham Athletic)
2001/02 Second round (lost 6-5 on penalties following 0-0 draw at Reading)
2000/01 Fourth round (lost 2-1 v Sheffield Wednesday)

Birmingham City
2009/10 Third round (lost 2-0 v Sunderland)
2008/09 Second round (Lost 2-0 v Southampton)
2007/08 Third round (lost 3-0 v Blackburn)
2006/07 Fourth round (lost 1-0 v Liverpool)
2005/06 Quarter-final (lost 1-0 v Manchester United)
2004/05 Third round (lost 1-0 at Fulham)
2003/04 Second round (lost 1-0 at Blackpool)
2002/03 Second round (lost 2-0 at Preston)
2001/02 Third round (lost 6-0 at Manchester City)
2000/01 Final (lost 5-4 on penalties following 1-1 draw with Liverpool)

Old boys

• Matthew Upson played 128 games for the Midlands side during a four-year
stay from 2003 to 2007 before joining the Hammers. The former Birmingham
captain scored five goals during his time at St. Andrews.
• Lee Bowyer made 60 appearances for West Ham United in two spells. The
first saw him play eleven games in a six-month spell before a move to
Newcastle United in 2003. The midfielder returned to the Boleyn Ground in
2006 for a three-year stay, which saw him play 49 times, scoring five goals.
• Liam Ridgewell started off life in the West Ham United Academy before
moving to Aston Villa in February 2001.
• Among the other players who have represented both clubs are Alan
Curbishley, Jimmy Bloomfield, Kenny J Brown, Julian Dicks, Eamonn Dolan,
Harry Hooper, David Kelly, Stan Lazaridis, Mike Newell and Sam Small.

General information
For ticket information, click here. For details on getting to the Boleyn
Ground, click here.
Weather

The forecast is for showers with temperatures in east London peaking at
around 5C on Tuesday night.
Travel information
West Ham United supporters attending the Barclays Premier League visit of
Arsenal on Saturday 15 January should take note of the following important
travel information.
The following public transport services will be affected on Saturday 15
January -
•The London Underground District line will be closed between Tower Hill and
Upminster. However, between 3pm and 9.30pm, this closure will be reduced to
no service between Tower Hill and Upney eastbound and between Barking and
Tower Hill westbound. Replacement buses will operate.
•The London Underground Hammersmith and City line will be closed between
Liverpool Street and Barking.
•The London Underground Central line will be closed between Holborn and
White City.
•The London Underground Metropolitan line will be closed between Moorgate
and Aldgate.
•Due to planned engineering work, the c2c line will be closed between
Fenchurch Street and Barking. All trains will divert to Liverpool Street.
Train services will be unable to call at West Ham, Limehouse or Fenchurch
Street. Trains diverting to Liverpool Street will additionally call at
Stratford.
•National Express East Anglia services will run to a normal Saturday
timetable.

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POTD4BC
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 11th January 2011
By: Staff Writer

Good news for ticket-less supporters wishing to attend tonight's Carling Cup
semi final first leg clash with Birmingham...

With somewhere between 3,000-5,000 tickets left unsold for tonight's
encounter, the club have taken the welcome decision to allow fans to pay on
the door for the second successive game. Although most of the remaining
tickets are in the higher price bracket there are still a number of singles
available around the ground - good news for anyone deciding late on to go to
the game, which is scheduled to kick off at 7:45pm. The turnstiles will be
open from 6:15pm, with fans urged by the club to take their places as soon
as possible (sensible advice in this case, given the congestion pay
turnstiles can cause).

Birmingham have failed to sell their full allocation, with around 500
tickets set to be returned by City.

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West Ham v Birmingham preview
Hammers entertain Blues in first leg of Carling Cup semis
Last updated: 11th January 2011
SSN

West Ham entertain Birmingham City in the first leg of their Carling Cup
semi-final on Tuesday with a place in the Wembley final up for grabs. Both
teams have endured difficult Premier League campaigns to date, although they
will be going all out in a bid to feature in the showpiece final. The
Hammers come into the game on the back of a 2-0 success over Barnsley in the
FA Cup while Birmingham got the better of in-form Millwall with a
comfortable 4-1 win at The Den. West Ham were runners-up to Liverpool in the
2006 FA Cup final in Cardiff, but it has been 30 years since they last
played at Wembley having drawn with the Reds in the 1981 League Cup final.
City are one step away from reaching their first final for a decade and
manager Alex McLeishis not underestimating the importance of finishing off
the job having come so far.

West Ham news

Carlton Cole looks set to return to the West Ham team having been rested by
manager Avram Grant for their cup success over the Tykes. Centre-back
Matthew Upson and forward Freddie Sears should also return after being
unused substitutes against the South Yorkshire side. German midfielder
Thomas Hitzlsperger has returned to training after a long-term thigh problem
and he could be back in action by mid-February, but Kieron Dyer (thigh)
remains out.

Birmingham news
Blues manager McLeish has no fresh injury concerns although he remains
without veteran midfielder Lee Bowyer who completes a three-match ban.
He, like Grant, rested a host of regulars in the FA Cup so the likes of Ben
Foster, Stephen Carr, Roger Johnson, Liam Ridgewell and Barry Ferguson will
all return. Swedish winger Sebastian Larsson is included in the squad
despite being given permission to speak to Newcastle over a possible move.
Striker Matt Derbyshire will be hoping his two goals at Millwall will
bolster his chances of starting alongside Cameron Jerome against Avram
Grant's troops.

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Hammers medical for Bridge
City full-back closing in on loan move to Upton Park
Last updated: 11th January 2011
SSN

Sky Sports News sources understand Wayne Bridge is to have a medical at West
Ham United ahead of a loan move to Upton Park. The full-back is set to leave
Manchester Cityand skysports.com revealed on Monday that Bridge would decide
within 48 hours whether to join West Ham or Aston Villa. The England
international has two opportunities to secure regular first-team football
and it appears the former Chelsea defender is edging towards a return to the
capital. It is understood that the 30-year-old will be put through a medical
before finalising his switch to the Hammers in time to be available for
Saturday's Premier League game against Arsenal. Bridge will be a welcome
addition to the West Ham squad as manager Avram Grant seeks to lift the club
off the bottom of the table. The move will also give Bridge the chance to
play regularly after starting only one Premier League game for City this
season.
He has made a total of 57 appearances for the club since joining City in a
£12million deal from Chelsea two years ago.

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Viola hope for Behrami deal
Italians not giving up on bid for Hammers midfielder
Last updated: 11th January 2011
SSN

Fiorentina remain hopeful of agreeing a deal to bring West Ham United
midfielder Valon Behrami back to Serie A. Skysports.com revealed on Monday
that Fiorentina's initial offer for the Switzerland international had been
rejected by the Hammers. However, the Viola's club administrator Sandro
Mencucci has confirmed a deal is still in the pipeline and they hope to
secure Behrami's signature. "We are hopeful," said Mencucci to Rai 3 when
asked about his club's interest in Behrami. "But until he is in Florence and
he has signed, we cannot be sure." Behrami joined West Ham from Lazio in
2008 and has previously played for Genoa and Verona in Italian football. The
25-year-old has made 63 appearances for the Hammers, scoring five goals, but
has featured only seven times in the Premier League this season.

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Behrami set for Italian Job
The Sun
Published: Today

WEST HAM midfielder Valon Behrami is wanted by Italian side Fiorentina. The
Swiss star, 25, has been the subject of interest from a number of Serie A
clubs. Behrami is keen to return to Italy, where he played for Lazio for
three years before moving to the Hammers in 2008. And Fiorentina have not
given up hope of landing him during the transfer window. Fiorentina club
administrator Sandro Mencucci said: "We are hopeful. "But until he is in
Florence and he has signed, we cannot be sure." Behrami is under contract
with the Premier League outfit until June 2013.

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Wayne Bridge close to West Ham United loan deal
Left-back to have medical ahead of loan transfer
Bridge likely to join until the end of the season
Jamie Jackson
guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 11 January 2011 13.03 GMT

Wayne Bridge is due to take a medical at West Ham United with a view to the
Manchester City left-back signing until the end of the season on loan.
Avram Grant, the West Ham manager, has limited options at left back, with
his only specialist, Hérita Ilunga, out with a leg injury and the central
defenders, Danny Gabidon, who is currently injured, Tal Ben Haim and
Jonathan Spector, plus Luis Boa Morte, a midfielder, among those he has had
to employ in the position. Ben Haim's future at Upton Park is unclear as his
current loan deal from Portsmouth has now expired although the clubs are in
negotiation to extend it. West Ham meet Birmingham City in the Carling Cup
semi-final first leg tonight with Carlton Cole expected to start only on the
bench due to his ongoing knee problems. The striker was not in the 18-man
squad for the 2-0 defeat of Barnsley in the FA Cup third round on Saturday
and has not been able to take a full part in training so far this week.

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West Ham beat Aston Villa to Bridge loan signing
TalkSport
By Alex Varney
Tuesday, January 11

West Ham have won the race to sign Wayne Bridge on loan from Manchester City
for the rest of the season. The ex-England full-back has chosen to join the
Hammers instead of Aston Villa and will undergo a medical at Upton Park
today. West Ham, who are currently bottom of the table, have reportedly
agreed to pay the 30-year-old's £90,000 a week wages in full. Bridge could
go straight into Avram Grant's side for the clash with Arsenal on Saturday
if he completes his switch.

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Fiorentina hopeful over Valon Behrami as West Ham demand £4.5m to sell
unsettled Swiss star
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 10:56 AM on 11th January 2011
Daily Mail

Fiorentina have not given up hope of signing Valon Behrami from West Ham,
despite having a £3.3million bid for the Switzerland midfielder rebuffed.
The Hammers are holding out for a £4.5m offer to their meet their valuation
of the 25-year-old Upton Park favourite who is unsettled in London with
two-and-a-half years left to run on his contract with the Premier League
club. Behrami is keen to return to Italy where he spent three years with
Lazio before joining West Ham in 2008 and has also been linked with Serie A
side Roma. Behrami played three years at Lazio before moving to the Hammers
in the summer of 2008. But Fiorentina club administrator Sandro Mencucci to
Italian TV station Rai 3: 'We are hopeful. 'But until he is in Florence and
he has signed, we cannot be sure.'

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Bridge Medical and D Day For O'Neill?
West Ham Till I Die

According to the Daily Telegraph Avram Grant has only a 20% chance of saving
his job, with his future being decided by the end of tomorrow. Will his
replacement be Martin O'Neill, as predicted here the other day? Well, I have
conflicting intelligence on that. The original source now says he has been
put off by the way Karren Brady handled the Sidwell non-transfer, but a
second source tells me that O'Neill is meeting members of the board this
morning and that it will be decided one way or the other by kick off this
evening. He reckons discussions have been ongoing for at least four weeks.

Meanwhile, a £3 million bid for Valon Behrami from Fiorentina has been
rejected. I should think so too. We've sold enough players on the cheap in
recent times and Behrami must be worth at least £6 million.

It is also said that Wayne Bridge is having a medical at Upton Park this
morning.

And Matthew Upson won't commit to a new contract until he sees if West Ham
survive a relegation battle. Nice.

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Matthew Upson wants another Manchester United mauling as West Ham skipper
eyes Wembley
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER Last updated at 9:54 AM on 11th January 2011
Daily Mail

Matthew Upson has called on his West Ham team-mates to conjure up the same
spirit which beat Manchester United as they look to take a step closer to
Wembley in the first leg of their Carling Cup semi-final against Birmingham
at Upton Park. The Irons may be fighting for survival after slipping back
to the foot of the table, but Avram Grant's men have the chance to put their
Barclays Premier League battles to one side when the Blues travel to east
London.
Upson, who played for Birmingham from 2003 to 2007, believes if his
team-mates can produce the same form which saw them knock United out with a
4-0 thrashing at the Boleyn Ground on November 30, then there is no reason
why they cannot start to dream of a first Wembley appearance in 30 years.
'Not only was it a great result, but it gave a boost to the whole club in
every department,' the West Ham captain said. 'With the way that things are
right now, it would be a welcome relief to achieve something in the cup and
making the final would be a top achievement. 'We need to look back at that
Manchester United game. Our attitude was right, we did not let them settle
and it is important especially at home that we set off with an aggressive
attitude. 'If we do that we can upset people and get on top and a result.'

Upson has been linked with a move away from Upton Park, although the England
international is putting all thoughts of his own future and potential new
deal with West Ham on hold until the summer. 'Nothing has been done and we
will just see how it plays out this season,' he said. 'The club are in
quite a difficult position in terms of assessing where to head in the
summer. 'Obviously a lot depends on their Premier League status and other
issues. You can't possibly say what will happen. 'We spoke but it is in a
position that is on hold and we will see how it plays out.'

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Mancini confirms Bridge medical
Defender close to loan switch
Last updated: 11th January 2011
SSN

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has confirmed Wayne Bridge is
undergoing a medical at West Ham. As revealed by Sky Sports News earlier on
Tuesday West Ham are closing in on a loan move for Bridge. Bridge is looking
to leave City after dropping down the pecking order at Eastlands. Aston
Villa were hoping to sign the full-back, but it appears West Ham are set to
win the race for the former Chelsea man with the left-back in London for a
medical.
"Bridge, I think today, is in London for a medical," said Mancini. Bridge
has made a total of 57 appearances for the club since joining City in a
£12million deal from Chelsea two years ago.

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Daily WHUFC News - 11th January 2011

Grant steeled for semi-final
WHUFC.com
An upbeat Avram Grant said the squad were fired up for Tuesday's
mouth-watering Carling Cup tie
10.01.2011

Avram Grant was savouring the prospect of the club's semi-final date with
Birmingham City at his pre-match press conference on Monday. The manager
revealed the club were closing on some transfer targets and that the players
were all fired up for the chance to get to Wembley.

Avram on focusing only on the Carling Cup challenge...

"We are here because of the semi-final. It has been 30 years since West Ham
were at Wembley [for the 1981 League Cup final] and this is a big game for
us. That is what is important for me now. We have some problems with injured
players, so we will know later on the squad. "Tomorrow is a big game and we
have had some good results in the last six matches, so we want to continue
with this and succeed in the first leg, although nothing will be decided
tomorrow. I am dealing with the problems on the pitch, and we have done that
well. We still have some, so I am trying to deal only with this. "The
results in the last few weeks show we are doing well, they can always be
better, but we have been doing well.

Avram on transfer targets...

"I don't want to speak about players who are not here. We are close, but
cannot tell you at the moment because anything can happen in the
negotiations. We want to close the deal first. "We are trying to do it as
soon as possible, because we have many games in January. On the field it is
very encouraging. If we can make the squad a bit stronger, that will be
good. A few of the players are coming back from injury, so that will also be
helpful for us.

Avram on what a final would mean...

"Getting to Wembley would be very important for the club. I have been there
twice in the past couple of years and enjoyed it very much. "We have done
well in the Carling Cup until now, the win over Manchester United was the
only game they have lost this season and it was great for us. We want to be
at Wembley, but it will be difficult. "When you have a short squad it is a
lot of pressure on a small group of players, both physically and mentally.
There are many games in a short time, but we will deal with them. When you
come to a semi-final there is no priority, we want to get to Wembley."We
want to do well in the league and to succeed. We have come to a good
position now in the league and so we can do it. A few of the players had to
play in the FA Cup tie, and the Academy lads did well. We want to continue
with this. The squad are all excited. I don't know any footballer who would
not want to be in a semi-final.

Avram on Birmingham and whether the tie will have extra significance...

"It is very important to them. When you leave a club, you have some
emotions, but you want a good result against them. It is important for
everybody here. It is also important for Birmingham, it is a big, big tie.
"We are not one of the top teams, so for us and Birmingham it is a big game.
From the motivation point, it is easier - when you know if you win, you are
at Wembley, you do not have to say anything to the players. You need to get
a good result at home to finish away. We will try to score and go with an
advantage for the second game."

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Got an announcement to make?
WHUFC.com
If you have a birthday, wedding or any other event to celebrate, why not
mark it in the matchday programme?
10.01.2011

Have you got a birthday, wedding, anniversary or other special occasion to
announce in West Ham United's official matchday programme? If so, and you
would like to be featured in the editions for the Barclays Premier League
visit of Arsenal or the FA Cup fourth-round meeting with Nottingham Forest,
please email a short message and a photograph - as an attachment in jpeg
format - to programme@westhamunited.co.uk Alternatively, for future matches,
send your messages and photographs to Matchday Programme, West Ham United
FC, Boleyn Ground, Green Street, Upton Park, London, E13 9AZ. As a general
rule, due to print deadlines, supporters should send their messages at least
two weeks before the fixture they wish to be included in the programme for.
Please note that the club often receives more requests than it is possible
to include, but that every effort is made to include as many messages as
possible.

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Embattled West Ham boss Avram Grant keeps Cup focus
BBC.co.uk

Carling Cup semi-final, first leg
Venue: Upton Park Date: Tuesday, 11 January Kick-off: 1945 GMT
Coverage: Watch live on BBC Two, BBC HD and the BBC Sport website, with
highlights on The League Cup Show on Wednesday; listen on BBC Radio 5 live
and BBC local radio; text commentary on the BBC Sport website and mobiles

West Ham manager Avram Grant has ignored further speculation over his future
to concentrate on his side's Carling Cup semi-final with Birmingham.
The Hammers, who host the Blues in Tuesday's first leg at 1945 GMT live on
BBC Two, have been linked with a move for ex-Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce.
Grant said: "I have answered about this a thousand times. We are here
because of a semi-final, a big game. "My position is clear. I am the manager
and will do my best for the club."

Monday's Sun newspaper claims that West Ham have lost faith in Grant and
that the Premier League's bottom club are set to hand a six-month contract
to Allardyce, who was sacked as Blackburn manager in December. The Hammers
have also been mentioned as a possible destination for former Aston Villa
manager Martin O'Neill, with the club reportedly due to have a board meeting
on Wednesday to discuss Grant's future. But with West Ham on the brink of a
first Wembley final since 1981, Grant - who also hit out at director Karren
Brady for discussing Steve Sidwell's aborted move to Upton Park in her
newspaper column - says Tuesday's first leg against Birmingham is the only
matter occupying his thoughts. "I am dealing with the problems on the pitch,
and we have done that well. We still have some, so I am trying to deal only
with this," the Israeli added. "The results in the last few weeks show we
are doing well. They can always be better, but we have been doing well and
that is what we are concerned about. "I have nothing to say about [the board
meeting] because nobody has said anything to me about it. I don't need to
answer about things which are in the paper. "We have a game on Tuesday and
that is what is important to me. If there is any personal issue, I speak to
the person. I don't have to deal with it in the media. I have not done it
before and don't need to do it now."

Brady used her Sun column on Saturday to explain why West Ham had pulled out
of a move for Sidwell, who moved from Aston Villa to Fulham instead.
"With 13 midfielders and most of the injured players about to return, we
couldn't promise him regular first-team football and he'd hardly be in a
better position than at Villa Park," said Brady. The public nature of the
statement angered Grant, who followed up by saying he was more interested in
his dealings with the club's co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan, who
used to own Birmingham. "I didn't read the column so I don't know what she
said. Maybe I will have a column in a newspaper and say what I think," said
Grant. "All the things I have to say to the people at the club I say to them
directly. We [Grant and Brady] don't have a problem but I speak with the
owners. I'm dealing with the owners and that is the most important thing."

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish says his focus is trying to put a smile on the
faces of their supporters as they aim to reach a first cup final since 2001,
with the Blues also struggling in the Premier League. "It is a big challenge
for us," said the Scot. "The fans are craving a bit of success at this club
and we will do our very best to put a smile on their faces. "We will be
facing our former owners and football throws up these quirky challenges. We
will hopefully put one over on our old bosses. "For me it would be nice to
be the manager of a club in a major English final. I've had a lot of success
in Scotland in cup finals, both as a player and as a manager [at Aberdeen
and Rangers], and it would be nice to get to an English cup final." "We have
the capability to win at West Ham, but we will try and be tactically right
for the game and, if that means we come back with a draw or a narrow win,
then so be it. "But we certainly won't be parking the bus in front of our
goal."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Upson puts future on hold
Defender likely to wait until the end of the season to hold talks
Last updated: 11th January 2011
SSN

Matthew Upson is happy to put his long-term future at West Ham United on
hold as the club battle to stay in the Premier League. The England
defender's contract expires at the end of the season and no agreement has
been reached regarding an extension at Upton Park. The 31-year-old has made
over 130 appearances for the Hammers since joining from Birmingham City four
years ago and has been linked with a move to rival clubs. However, Upson is
in no rush to resolve the situation and believes West Ham's position at the
end of the campaign will likely dictate his future.

Difficult position

"Nothing has been done and we will just see how it plays out this season,"
said Upson. "The club are in quite a difficult position in terms of
assessing where to head in the summer. "Obviously a lot depends on their
Premier League status and other issues. You can't possibly say what will
happen. "We spoke but it is in a position that is on hold and we will see
how it plays out." Meanwhile, Upson wants West Ham to replicate the
performance from the 4-0 thrashing of Manchester United in the previous
round when the club take on former club Birmingham in the Carling Cup
semi-finals on Tuesday night.

Relief
He added: "Not only was it a great result, but it gave a boost to the whole
club in every department. "With the way that things are right now, it would
be a welcome relief to achieve something in the cup and making the final
would be a top achievement. "We need to look back at that Manchester United
game. Our attitude was right, we did not let them settle and it is important
especially at home that we set off with an aggressive attitude. "If we do
that we can upset people and get on top and a result."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Grant quiet over future
Hammers boss focused on Carling Cup clash
Last updated: 10th January 2011
SSN

West Ham manager Avram Grant has dodged questions over his future ahead of
the club's Carling Cup semi-final with Birmingham. Grant has been under
pressure all season despite only being appointed in the summer with constant
speculation he will be axed following a below-par campaign. The Hammers
progressed in the FA Cup at the weekend, but they suffered a heavy 5-0
defeat to Newcastle in their last league outing. The Israeli tactician was
again asked about his future ahead of the first leg of their Blues clash,
something he found particularly annoying. "I think I've answered this a
thousand times, we are here because of the semi-final," he said on Sky
Sports News. "It's been 30 years since West Ham have been at Wembley. It's a
big game for us. That's most important for me now."

Board meeting

The club's board are set to convene later this week and Grant has no reason
to believe his position will be discussed. "I have nothing to say about
this. No one's said anything about this to me," he continued. "I don't need
to answer about things in the paper. I say again there's a game tomorrow and
that's what's important to me."

It has been suggested that internal sources have been undermining Grant's
side's stability, and he is happy dealing with things away from the public
eye.
"If there was any personnel issue I'll speak with the person myself. I don't
have any intention to do this in the media," he added. "I've not done it
before and I don't need to do it now. Especially as we have a game tomorrow,
it's a big game. "Over the last six games we've had good results, except the
one result. We want to continue with this."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Avram: Fergie is my knight nurse
The Sun
By PAT SHEEHAN
Published: Today

AVRAM GRANT has been boosted by Alex Ferguson as he fights to save his job.
The West Ham boss is the bookies' favourite to be the next Premier League
manager sacked. The prospect is more than likely if his side comes a cropper
against Birmingham in their Carling Cup semi-final at Upton Park tonight.
Yet the Israeli revealed how messages from Manchester United chief Fergie
have helped ease the enormous strain he is working under. Grant said: "I've
spoken to Alex many times and he's given me some very good advice, which I'm
using all the time. "Alex is great because he was in a position where he was
almost on the way out at United and then everyone knows what he did after
that. "When you take a job as a manager in football, you don't think
everything will be good. "You know there are good days and bad days and you
need to deal with this. "Here at West Ham it's a bit strange but I wanted
this challenge."

Grant feels his position has been undermined since he was refused final
permission to sign Steve Sidwell, even though contracts and personal terms
were agreed with the Aston Villa midfielder, who eventually joined Fulham.
Grant said: "I discuss who I want with the owners and also we think about
the financial situation. "I understand their problems and they understand
mine. "I cannot say there are no difficulties - but difficulties never
stopped me doing my job. I'll do it unless I think I cannot do it and then I
will take a decision. "Let me tell you that I have never left a club in the
middle of the season. In two years I will be 40 years in football and I have
never left early. "You always have your personal issues and I understand.
But the team and club is more important than me. I can only deal with what I
can control."

Grant's future is expected to be discussed at tomorrow's board meeting at
which owners David Sullivan and David Gold will be present. But Grant is
adamant his only thoughts are building a big lead over Brum to take into the
semi-final second leg at St Andrew's in a fortnight. As the Hammers chase
their first Wembley final since 1981, Grant said: "The owners are doing
everything they think will help the team succeed. "Coming into a semi-final,
they are as excited as anyone, maybe more so. "Pressure can push you to
achieve. I don't want to be in a situation where the pressure controls me."

Meanwhile, skipper Matthew Upson admits his Hammers future is still up in
the air. The England international defender is out of contract in the summer
and knows there is a chance the owners could try to sell him this month.
Upson, 31, said: "Nothing has been done on the contract and we will just
have to see how it plays out this season. "The club are in a difficult
position in terms of assessing where to head because a lot depends on our
league status. "With the way things are, making the Carling Cup final would
be a top achievement."

p.sheehan@the-sun.co.uk

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Grant blasts sack reports
The Sun
Published: 10 Jan 2011

DEFIANT West Ham manager Avram Grant has brushed aside reports that the axe
is set to fall on him at a board meeting later this week. Under-fire Grant
said ahead of tomorrow's Carling Cup semi-final with Birmingham: "Nobody has
said anything to me about this. I don't need to answer about things in the
paper. "We have a game tomorrow and that is what is important to me. If
there is any personal issue, I speak to the person. I don't have to deal
with it in the media. I have not done it before and don't need to do it
now."

A recent upturn in results was marred by last week's 5-0 defeat at
Newcastle, while Grant continues to find his own position making the
headlines. And while he was unimpressed that director Karren Brady revealed
in her newspaper column why the club had pulled the plug on signing Steve
Sidwell, the Israeli is not about to be distracted by reports of off-field
issues at Upton Park. He said: "I have answered this a thousand times. "We
are here because of the semi-final, it has been 30 years since West Ham were
at Wembley, and this is a big game for us. That is what is important for me
now. "I am dealing with the problems on the pitch, and we have done that
well. We still have some, so I am trying to deal only with this. "The
results in the last few weeks show we are doing well, they can always be
better, but we have been doing well. That is what we are concerned about.
"My position is very clear. I am the manager and need to do the best for the
club."

However, Grant is well aware the two-legged semi-final has extra
significance for West Ham owners David Gold and David Sullivan, who used to
own Birmingham. He said: "It is very important to them. When you leave a
club, you have some emotions, but you want a good result against them. "It
is important for everybody here, and also for Birmingham. It is a big, big
tie. "I have been to Wembley twice in the past couple of years and enjoyed
it very much. We have done well in the Carling Cup until now, the win over
Manchester United was the only game they have lost this season and it was
great for us. "We want to be at Wembley, but it will be difficult. The squad
are all excited. I don't know any footballer who would not want to be in a
semi-final. "From the motivation point, it is easier. When you know if you
win, you are at Wembley, you do not have to say anything to the players."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Big Eck tells West Ham boss: Control your woman!
Published 23:00 10/01/11 By James Nursey
The Mirror

Alex McLeish has told Avram Grant he had no problem with Karren Brady – once
he got her to stop publicly discussing his team. Brum boss McLeish knows
West Ham owners David Sullivan and David Gold and vice-chairman Brady well
from their stint St Andrews. Grant has just clashed with Brady over her
public claims she put a block on signing Steve Sidwell. McLeish complained
Brady's remarks were undermining Brum's promotion push in 2008-2009. But the
Ex-Scotland boss said yesterday: "She made an apology and that was great.
She agreed not to write or say any more when I asked her not to. "You need
communication – we worked well together." McLeish insisted his side will not
be negative tonight. He said: "I am not going to go to park the bus. You
hope you can put West Ham out of sight in the first game but I suspect
that's easier said than done."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Grant calls for Carling Cup magic - but may still disappear from Hammers
Published 23:00 10/01/11 By Neil McLeman
The Mirror

Avram Grant will attempt to conjure another bit of cup magic tonight -
before discovering if he will be made to disappear. The West Ham manager
goes into the first leg of the Carling Cup semi-final with Birmingham with
the club's board still split over his future. The Hammers are bottom of the
Premier League after picking up only 20 points in their first 22 games. And
Grant has criticised vice-chairman Karren Brady for publicly undermining him
before his position is discussed at a board meeting tomorrow. But the former
Chelsea and Portsmouth manager has never lost a semi-final in English
football as he seeks to send West Ham back to Wembley for the first time in
30 years. And yesterday he launched a defiant defence of his record - and
compared his situation with Sir Alex Ferguson before he saved his job at
Manchester United in 1990. "My position is very clear - I am the manager and
need to do the best for the club," he said. "The only thing you can do is
focus on your job and do your job. You don't have control of the other
things. "There is a big, big challenge at this club. I did not take over
Barcelona."

Ferguson was famously close to the sack before Mark Robins, now the Barnsley
boss who lost at Upton Park on Saturday, scored a winner in the FA Cup third
round. Manchester United went on to win the competition - and the rest is
history. "I've spoken to Alex from time to time and he gave me very, very
good advice," Grant continued. "I'm using it all the time. Alex is great
because he was in the position where he was almost on the way out and then
everyone knows what he did. You cannot even describe what he's done and the
way he's done it."

Grant led Chelsea to the finals of the Carling Cup and Champions League in
2008 and then Portsmouth to the FA Cup final in 2009 - and lost all three.
Pompey beat Birmingham, the club formerly owned by Davids Gold and Sullivan,
in the quarter-finals. But at Stamford Bridge, Grant's position was also
under constant scrutiny after succeeding Jose Mourinho. "The only thing that
is the same is that I concentrated on my job there and here," he insisted.
"Because also at Chelsea there were rumours from the first minute that I
came in but I decided then, as I decided now, to concentrate on my job
because I ask this from the players. And I think the result in Chelsea was
not so bad because of this."

The 5-0 defeat at Newcastle is West Ham's only defeat in their last six but
West Ham have still sounded out Sam Allardyce and Martin O'Neill about
taking Grant's job. Speaking about the uncertainty over his future, the
Israeli said: "You have to deal with this all my life so this part of
things. At here at West Ham in these days it is a little bit strange because
we are in a good two or three weeks. This is the best period of the team.
"And I have never left a club in the middle of the year. Two years I will be
40 years in football and I have never left early."

West Ham, who played three finals at Cardiff, last played at Wembley at the
1981 League Cup final against Liverpool. "I think to win for West Ham will
be a big big success," he said.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham must tame the "beast" Zigic - says Tomkins
Published 23:00 10/01/11 By Neil McLeman
The Mirror

James Tomkins has claimed West Ham must tame "beast" Nikola Zigic to take a
first-leg lead in the Carling Cup semi-final. The Blues fought back from 2-0
down to force a draw in the Premier League clash between the clubs in
November. And defender Tomkins said 6 ft 8 in Serbian striker Zigic offers a
massive threat. "They have pace and ability," he said. "They are technically
good players. It is important to take what we did well in that game. We went
2-0 up and it was two points dropped. We have to take the positives out of
it. "They went very direct. Zigic is a beast. Sometimes the second ball is
important. If he wins the ball, he wins the ball. Then it is all about the
second ball." And the England U21 centre-back insisted the players were
unaffected by the continuing uncertainty around the future of Avram Grant.
"What happens there (about the manager) is nothing to do with us," he said.
"We have to deal with what we can on the field and whatever happens outside
that happens."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Upson won't sign new deal at Hammers
Published 23:00 10/01/11 By Football Spy
The Mirror

Matthew Upson has admitted he will not sign a new deal at West Ham. The
defender is out of contract and available on a free transfer this summer.
"Nothing has been done and we will just see how it plays out this season,"
he said. "Obviously a lot depends on the club's Premier League status. "You
can't possibly say what will happen. "We spoke, but it is a position that is
on hold and we will see how it plays out."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Cole set for West Ham return against Birmingham
Published 15:53 10/01/11 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror

Carlton Cole looks set to return to the West Ham team for tomorrow's Carling
Cup semi-final, first leg against Birmingham. The England striker was one of
several first-team players rested for the FA Cup win over Barnsley, so Scott
Parker, centre-back Matthew Upson and forward Freddie Sears should also
return. Thomas Hitzlsperger has returned to training after a long-term thigh
problem and he could be back in action by mid-February, but Kieron Dyer
(thigh) remains out.

Provisional squad: Green, Faubert, Upson, Tomkins, Gabbidon, Sears, Parker,
Noble, Boa-Morte, Cole, Piquionne, Obinna, Hines, Edgar, Nouble, Behrami,
Spence, Reid, Boffin.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Is Wheater Worth a Gamble?
West Ham Till I Die

There were reports yesterday that the £2m move of David Wheater to Bolton
has broken down. Boro are looking to cash in on Wheater, who is out of
contract in the summer. A £2.5-3m bid could probably clinch a deal.

Wheater is a young centre half that had an emerging reputation two or three
years ago, even breaking in to Fabio Capello's England squad. He
subsequently showed admirable loyalty in sticking with his home town club
when they were relegated from the PL. However, his game has clearly
suffered, as Boro have struggled to mount a credible promotion challenge in
the Championship.

He is still only 23 and could be secured for a very reasonable fee and wages
package. Would it be worth a gamble to provide us with extra strength in
depth in central defence? Especially in view of Da Costa's long term injury
absence, Tal Ben Haim's apparent return to Pompey and, in the longer term,
Upson's impending exit on a Bosman this summer. That is providing that the
player can be persuaded: (a) to move south and (b) that, if he joined West
Ham's cause, he would not end up back in the Championship next season. Or
should we show faith in our own centre-half prospects like Spence and Fry
coming through?

Elsewhere, there are reports that West Ham are one of three clubs
(Birmingham City and Blackburn Rovers being the others) competing for the
signature of Argentinian rising star, Pablo Mouche. The 23 year old Boca
Juniors striker is apparently a friend of ex-Hammer Carlito Tevez. And has
allegedly set his sights on a move to the PL. If this is true, then the
attractions of old London town should shade it over Brum and Blackburn. Who
knows, perhaps Tevez will put in a good word on our behalf? After all,
being introduced to English football via Upton Park did not exactly do his
PL career any harm, did it?

Another deal that the club are being linked with is a bid for Odense
striker, Peter Utaka; while the rumours concerning deals for Demba Ba and
Robbie Keane still persist. Of the three above deals, Keane is obviously
the tried and tested PL option. The other two represent an element of risk
that they will quickly take to the PL and make a positive impact in the
impending, end of season, relegation battle.

Apparently, the ball is completely in Wayne Bridge's court as to whether he
joins us or Aston Villa on loan for the remainder of the season. Again, the
London factor should help sway the player? Lets hope so, and then lets buy
Luke Young, as well, and that's our full-back issues resolved. I like
Jacobsen at right-back, but can we rely on his fitness in the second half of
the season?

There is also the question of who, if anyone, leaves in the transfer window?
As I have said previously, the West Ham board may have to bite the bullet
and retain some players on a non-playing basis, to accommodate new arrivals
in the 25 man squad. Then the big 'sort out' can happen in the summer,
after we have hopefully achieved PL survival . It is not good economics to
do it that way, but needs must !

One story that also persists, is that QPR are looking to take Benni McCarthy
on loan to help them win promotion. Well, they are probably the one club in
the Championship with the financial means to pay his wages (or at least a
large proportion of them). It questionable whether the player would be
willing and motivated to join QPR's promotion push, but it has got to be
better than kicking his heels in the Hammers reserves! While, West Ham have
allgedly rejected a £3m bid from Florentina for Valon Behrami. This is the
latest of a number of unsatisfactory Serie A bids for the former Lazio wing
back/midfielder. Personally, I would prefer to see Behrami stay and make a
contribution to our survival bid and then see what bids come in the summer.
The alternative view is that the player is unsettled and it is best to
sanction a reasonable deal. We shall see?

Would two incoming striker deals see an exit for Carlton Cole? Possibly,
but any outgoing deal is likely to wait until the summer. I suppose it all
depends on the club's confidence in its new acquisitions (if they happen?)
and any offers that are received for Cole in January?

There was an interesting report in The Sunday People that there is allegedly
a clause in Grant's contract that the compensation payable, if dismissed by
the club, reduces dramatically if we are in the bottom three by 1 January
2011. It would be curious if the manager agreed to the insertion of such a
clause in to his contract in the summer, but who knows? Similarly
surprisingly, some Sunday papers reported that Chelski might re-engage
Avram Grant, as their Director of Football, if dismissed by West Ham.

Finally, it was enlightening to see Karen Brady's comments in her Sun column
about the reasons for the collapse of the Sidwell deal. It was equally
interesting to read Grant's reported comments about newspaper columns and
insiders! Is the writing finally on the wall for Mr Grant? I suppose much
depends on whether the board can land a viable alternative candidate either
on a permanent or, incentivised, shot-term deal?

Enjoy the 1st Leg Carling Cup Semi-Final against Birmingham City. We would
ideally like a solid 2-0 or 3-0 result to take to St Andrews in a fortnight.
We are more than capable of doing a job on Brum, but it all depends which
West Ham turns up, the team that so impressively disposed of Sunderland,
Stoke City and Man Utd, in earlier rounds, or the absolute shambles that we
saw at St James Park?

Lets hope that it is the former over the latter! That will set up an
interesting cup final against the gooners, who are likely to soundly beat
Ipswich Town, in the other semi-final, in the absence of a massive upset.
From West Ham's perspective, can we overcome our historical hoodoo in the
former League Cup competition? Who can forget the debacles against Luton
Town and Oldham in previous eras? Or is it our time to lay all those bad
memories to rest and finally win the highly elusive trophy?

SJ. Chandos.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham set to seal loan deal for Manchester City left-back Wayne Bridge
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 1:56 AM on 11th January 2011
Daily Mail

Wayne Bridge is set to join West Ham on loan after they agreed to pay his
£90,000 a week Manchester City wages in full for the rest of the season.
The former Chelsea and England left back, 30, is expected to have a medical
at Upton Park today after turning down a similar offer from Aston Villa
because he wanted to return to London.
Meanwhile, the Hammers have turned down Fiorentina's initial £3m bid for
Valon Behrami. The Switzerland midfielder, 25, who made his return from a
hip injury in the 5-0 thrashing at Newcastle, is understood to have held
talks with the Italian club last week.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham v Birmingham City: Avram Grant faces up to possibility of Carling
Cup semi-final swansong
By Jason Burt 11:00PM GMT 10 Jan 2011

Avram Grant's future as manager of West Ham United will be resolved before
the home game against Arsenal in the Premier League on Saturday. It means
Tuesday night's Carling Cup semi-final first leg at Upton Park against
Birmingham City may well be Grant's last game in charge. Indeed, it appears
Grant's best chance of holding on to his job is if the club fail to attract
one of the two managers it is understood have been identified as possible
replacements. Grant did not help his cause by publicly criticising West Ham
vice-chairman Karren Brady for comments she made in her newspaper column
last Saturday over the collapse of Steve Sidwell's transfer from Aston
Villa. Grant went on to accuse sources from within the club of creating
instability, which has caused some surprise at West Ham considering the
backing he has received throughout this season, amid calls for him to go,
and the opportunity he was given after he quit Portsmouth. The 5-0 defeat
away to Newcastle United, however, does appear to have drained support for
Grant after an encouraging run over Christmas.

It is understood he has little more than a "20 per cent" chance of keeping
his job, according to club sources. If West Ham cannot find a replacement,
they may have to stick with the 55-year-old Israeli, which might be
unsatisfactory for club and manager. For Grant it means he goes into Tuesday
night's game knowing he may not be around for the second leg in two weeks'
time and on Monday he drew a parallel between the "strange days" at West Ham
and his brief stint in charge of Chelsea. "There were rumours from the first
minute that I came in [at Chelsea] but I decided then, as I decided now, to
concentrate on my job because I ask this from the players," he said. Given
the bizarre circumstances under which he was employed as Jose Mourinho's
successor and the questionable record he has achieved since then — at
Chelsea, Portsmouth and now West Ham — it could be argued that Grant is
fortunate to be a Premier League manager. However he claimed on Monday that
he had received support from his peers, including Manchester United manager
Sir Alex Ferguson.

"I've spoken to Alex from time to time and he gave me very, very good
advice," he said. "I'm using it all the time. Alex is great because he was
in the position where he was almost on the way out and then everyone knows
what he did. You cannot even describe what he's done and the way he's done
it."
While questioning whether Grant should continue, West Ham are, at the same
time, attempting to bolster their squad and may hear on Tuesday whether
Wayne Bridge has agreed to join them ahead of Aston Villa on loan. There is
still hope a deal can be agreed to acquire Tottenham's Robbie Keane and
another striker. "There is a big, big challenge at this club. I did not
receive Barcelona," Grant said. "You know the situation in the last year
here. We need to deal with this. We had more problems during this season.
But the challenge is still the same. "I cannot say there are no
difficulties. But difficulties never stopped me doing my job. I will do it
unless I think I cannot do it and then I will take a decision. But even with
this, I will tell it to the people who need to know."

West Ham will welcome all the directors and executives from Birmingham who
want to attend the game and there will be no retribution for the ban imposed
on David Gold earlier this season. The West Ham co-chairman — and former
co-owner of Birmingham — was prevented from attending the league game at St
Andrew's because of remarks he made about the new regime. "We will be facing
our former owners and football throws up these quirky challenges," said
Birmingham manager Alex McLeish. "We will hopefully put one over on our old
bosses."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Deserted Grant still game for a laugh ahead of West Ham's semi-final date
with Birmingham
By MATT BARLOW Last updated at 7:39 AM on 11th January 2011
Daily Mail

Avram Grant appears to be losing friends fast at West Ham but his arid sense
of humour has yet to desert him. As the Hammers manager prepared for
Tuesday's Carling Cup semi-final first leg against Birmingham, amid rumours
that the club's owners had lost faith in him, he was asked if he had
received a message from the boardroom. 'Lose by as many as you can,' he
said. Then his shoulders shook and he started to laugh. 'No, no,' the
Israeli added. 'The owners are doing everything they think will help the
team succeed. Coming into a semi-final, they are excited like everybody
else, maybe more.' Grant's record in semi-finals in England is played
three, won three - although his sides have gone on to lose the finals - and
perhaps West Ham owners David Sullivan and David Gold are waiting to see if
he can make it four out of four before wielding the axe. 'Sometimes a
semi-final is more exciting than the final,' said Grant. 'For West Ham to be
in the final, their first at Wembley in 30 years, I would be very happy. I
think everybody around would be.'

Despite this, the owners appear to be running short of patience and have
already started the search for a replacement, with Martin O'Neill and Sam
Allardyce high on the wish list. Grant knows he can do little but plough on
and consider the advice of Sir Alex Ferguson, who, 20 years ago this month,
was seemingly on his way out as Manchester United manager after three years
without a trophy. Legend has it Mark Robins scored the goal which saved
Fergie, against Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup. United went on to win the
trophy and have not stopped winning since. Grant said: 'I've spoken to Alex
from time to time and he gave me good advice. I'm using it all the time.
'Alex is great because he was in the position where he was almost on the way
out and then everyone knows what he did after that.'

Taking West Ham to their first Wembley final since 1981 might not save
Grant's job in the long term, but it would be sweet for him. Beating
Birmingham, the club sold by Sullivan and Gold before they bought the
Hammers, would boost his boardroom standing, too. 'I can only deal with
things I can control,' said Grant. 'In two years I will be 40 years in
football and I have never left a club in the middle of the year.' Grant
wants an advantage from tonight's game at Upton Park to take into the second
leg at St Andrew's and Alex McLeish expects a spirited display from the
Hammers. 'We hope we can put West Ham out of sight in the first game but I
suspect that will be easier said than done,' said the Birmingham manager.
'We have a strategy to take a favourable result back. We have to believe we
can win both legs. 'This is a fresh challenge for the players and another
test of their mental toughness. Winning games like this shows you have it in
you to be a big-occasion player.' Or a big-occasion manager.

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Daily WHUFC News - II 10th January 2011

Bridging the gap?
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 10th January 2011
By: Staff Writer

Manchester City defender Wayne Bridge could be set to sign for West Ham later this week. The former England international, now 30, is set to leave Man City during the current transfer window after admitting that his career at Eastlands is all but over. The battle to win his signature is said to be down to two clubs - West Ham and fellow strugglers Aston Villa - both of whom have met the player for informal discussions. Bridge is said to be set to make a decision on his future within the next day or two.

Elsewhere Valon Behrami is said to have been the subject of a bid from Serie A outfit Fiorentina - a bid that was instantly rejected. The Italians are likely to return with an improved bid later this week.

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Gameiro too costly for Los Che
Spaniards refuse to match Lorient's asking price for striker
By Patrick Haond Last updated: 10th January 2011
SSN

Valencia president Manuel Llorente is pessimistic regarding the club's chances of landing Kevin Gameiro. The Lorient striker is currently drawing attention from across Europe, with numerous clubs reported to be monitoring his availability. Spanish giants Valencia were keen to steal a march on their rivals and wrap up a deal early on in the winter window. However, those plans have been scuppered by Lorient's demands for their prized asset. With the asking price for the 23-year-old set at €12million (£10m), Llorente admits there is little chance of Los Che being able to prise the Frenchman away from his homeland.

Madness

He said in L'Equipe: "We will not conclude (this deal) now or for some time because the negotiations are going slowly. "The problem is that Lorient will not lower their price to less than 12million euros. That is pure madness. "If you look at the difference between what they want and what we are offering (quoted as €7m), which is very reasonable, there is a 40 per cent difference."

Gameiro, who has scored eight times in 17 Ligue 1 appearances for Lorient this season, is also reported to be interesting Bordeaux and Lille, while West Ham have been linked with an approach in the recent past.

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Bridge set to decide
Villa or West Ham for England man
Last updated: 10th January 2011
SSN

Wayne Bridge will decide whether to join Aston Villa or West Ham in the next 48 hours, skysports.com understands. The England international is surplus to requirements at Manchester City and they are ready to let him leave on loan. Both Villa and West Ham are ready to match his sizeable wages at Eastlands, leaving the two clubs battling it out for his signature. Avram Grant and Gerard Houllier have held talks with the player in order to persuade him to join their respective causes. Now Bridge is set to make a decision on his future, with both teams hopeful of sealing his signature on a deal for the rest of the season.

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Hammers reject Behrami offer
Fiorentina bid rejected
By Graeme Bailey - Follow me on Twitter @graemebailey Last updated: 10th January 2011
SSN

West Ham have turned down Fiorentina's initial bid for Valon Behrami, skysports.com understands. The Switzerland international is understood to have held talks with the Florence outfit last week and appeared close to sealing a return to Italy. Behrami arrived at West Ham in 2008 from Lazio, but he has not made the expected impact during his time in England. The 25-year-old had looked set to finalise a deal, but West Ham and Fiorentina have failed to come to an agreement. Fiorentina lodged their formal offer at the beginning of last week and had hoped to seal the deal over the weekend, but the Hammers have now decided their demands have not been met. The deal is not believed to be totally dead, but it remains to be seen whether Fiorentina will up their offer or if West Ham drop their demands.

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Avram Grant is finally found out
Martin Samuel

At some point this week, it is likely Avram Grant will be sacked as manager of West Ham United and so will end one of the most puzzling careers in the history of English football. Grant had scant pedigree for the Premier League when he arrived, and will have little more when he leaves. He has been employed almost exclusively through connections, and if the owners of West Ham thought his contacts book counted for more than his managerial acumen, they have paid a heavy price for their cynicism.

West Ham was always going to be the job that found out Grant. At Chelsea, he merely maintained Jose Mourinho's team — John Terry says the players just continued what they had been doing under the previous manager until Luis Felipe Scolari arrived — and Portsmouth were in such a state when he got there that mere maintenance was regarded as achievement.

Grant would have taken Portsmouth down anyway, even without the points deduction for entering administration, but hardship acted as another smokescreen, obscuring judgment. At West Ham, however, he was exposed. The club had financial issues but had a nucleus of decent players, and did not expect to be fighting relegation. Instead, Grant has set up camp at the bottom of the League with a homing pigeon's instinct. Without the safety net of Mourinho's methods or the handy shield of destitution, he has been revealed as an over-promoted, uninspiring figure, over here for who he knows, not what he knows. His little black book, however, has only ever helped one man. On the field, where it matters, Grant is just an empty Rolodex.

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David Beckham camp call Karren Brady claims 'laughable'
BBC.co.uk
By Dan Roan

A spokesman for David Beckham has told BBC Sport it is "laughable" to suggest the deal with Tottenham is a ploy to help Spurs move to the Olympic Stadium. West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady commented about the Los Angeles Galaxy star's tie-up in her newspaper column. Brady wrote on Saturday: "They may feel he [Beckham] could help their rival bid to ours for the Olympic Stadium." But former England captain Beckham's spokesman retorted: "We would never get involved in anything like that." Both London clubs have been named as the preferred bidders to move into the Olympic Stadium in Stratford, with the Olympic Park Legacy Company (OPLC) due to make a decision before March. West Ham had also wanted to take Beckham on loan from the Major League Soccer side, with the midfielder set to return to the Premier League while it is the off-season in the United States.

Explaining the reason behind her comment, Brady added: "The link is this: LA Galaxy is owned by Philip Anschutz - whose company AEG is Tottenham's partner in their stadium bid. "I admire Beckham as a football champion and I'd hate to see him being used as puppet for AEG." Beckham has agreed to train with the north London club until 10 February, but sources close to him have admitted the prospect of the 35-year-old actually playing for them during the course of his short-term move hang in the balance. Talks between Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy and AEG chief executive Tim Leiweke will continue on Monday regarding the length of Beckham's stay and what proportion of his wages Spurs will pay. One sticking point is that Spurs want the former Manchester United man until mid-March, meaning Beckham would miss all of LA Galaxy's pre-season. However, Beckham will undergo a medical at Tottenham on Monday and it is believed that once he starts training, that could help the deal progress one way or other.

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West Ham v Birmingham
BBC.co.uk
Carling Cup semi-final, first leg
Venue: Upton Park Date: Tuesday, 11 January Kick-off: 1945 GMT
Coverage: Watch live on BBC Two and highlights on The League Cup Show; listen on BBC Radio 5 live and BBC local radio; text commentary on the BBC

TEAM NEWS
West Ham manager Avram Grant will reshuffle his pack having made eight changes for Saturday's FA Cup third round win over Barnsley. Scott Parker, Matthew Upson, Carlton Cole and Frederic Piquionne are among those expected to return.

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish rested seven first-teamers for Blues' win at Millwall and is likely to once again make sweeping changes. Matt Derbyshire could be in contention following his brace at the New Den.

MATCH PREVIEW
Major honours have been a rare commodity for both these clubs, but they meet on Tuesday hoping to reawaken memories of happier times following bitterly disappointing starts to the season. It's 31 years since West Ham United's last significant piece of silverware, the 1980 FA Cup triumph over Arsenal in the days of Brooking and Bonds. Avram Grant is the latest manager charged with bringing the good times back to Upton Park, but his six-month tenure in East London has been nothing short of a disaster.

The club are rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table with Grant's grip on the managerial reins seemingly hanging by a thread. The Israeli survived a reported three-match ultimatum at Christmas, but last week's 5-0 humiliation at Newcastle appears to have pushed the beleaguered boss to the brink and speculation is rife that his six-month tenure in East London will be brought to a swift end should the Hammers fail to progress in this competition.
Birmingham have also endured a season of frustration having struggled to build on last season's ninth-place Premier League finish. Goals remain manager Alex McLeish's primary concern, with £6m striker Nikola Zigic proving an expensive flop and last season's top scorer Cameron Jerome struggling to replicate that form.

The Midlands club have a fond relationship with this competition, and their 1963 League Cup triumph over fierce rivals Aston Villa remains their only major honour. The closest they have come to silverware since was in 2001, when Trevor Francis's Blues side suffered penalty heartbreak against Liverpool in what was then known as the Worthington Cup.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head
• This is the 90th competitive meeting of these clubs. West Ham have won 31 of the previous 89, Birmingham 38, with 20 draws.
• The Hammers have lost only one of their last eight games against Birmingham, winning four of those matches.
• Blues have not won at Upton Park since a 2-1 victory in October 2002. Stern John scored both Birmingham's goals that day.
• The 1966 and 1981 runners-up are making an eighth appearance in the semi-finals, and their first since 1989/90.
• They have lost five of their previous seven semi-final ties: 1964, 1967, 1972, 1989 and 1990.
• Their overall semi-final record is P16 W6 D2 L8 (including two replays in 1972).
• Their record at Upton Park in League Cup semi-finals is mixed: W3, D1, L3. Their two appearances in the final both came after victories in the home leg of their semi-final.

Birmingham
• Birmingham's 1963 League Cup triumph is the only major trophy in the club's history.
• The closest they have come to winning more silverware ended in disappointment when a Liverpool side managed by Gerard Houllier beat them on penalties in 2001.
• They are playing in the semi-finals for the fifth time, and their first in 10 years since finishing runners-up in 2001.
• Their two semi-final losses were in 1967 and 1996. Their overall semi-final record is W2, D1, L5.
• They have never won a semi-final away leg in this competition, losing three in a row since managing a draw at Bury in 1963.
• Their last League Cup semi-final match was a 4-1 home victory over Ipswich in 2001, which ended a run of five successive defeats at this stage of the competition.

LEADING GOALSCORERS

West Ham
Piquionne: 7 goals (1 in League Cup); Parker: 6 goals (2 in League Cup)

Birmingham
Gardner: 5 goals (1 in League Cup); Jerome: 4 goals (0 in League Cup); Zigic: 4 goals (2 in League Cup)

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Phil Dowd
Assistant referees: Darren Cann & Simon Long
Fourth official: Mike Jones

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Clarke appointed
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 10th January 2011
By: Staff Writer

Former Hammers assistant manager Steve Clarke has been named as Liverpool's new number two. The 47-year-old coach was, as expected, confirmed as Kenny Dalgish's deputy this morning following the weekend re-shuffle at Anfield in which Roy Hodgson - who had only been at the club for six months - was fired following a string of poor results. Clarke's switch from Chelsea to West Ham in September 2008 was seen as something as a coup for United at the time. Current Real Madrid boss, Jose Mourinho, had credited the Scot for playing a major role in Chelsea's success and it was hoped that his introduction would help ease relative newcomer Gianfranco Zola into the manager's role. However Clarke was to become a victim of the new regime in the summer of 2010 when he officially agreed to leave by 'mutual consent' - a matter of days after Zola had been fired (by Karren Brady). Dalglish, speaking about the appointment earlier today said: "Steve is a great addition to our backroom team and I'm delighted we've been able to bring him into the club. "
Clarke - who effectively replaces former Fulham coach Mike Kelly at Anfield - had been out of work since leaving West Ham in the summer.

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Under fire Av turns to Carling
The Sun
Published: Today

AVRAM GRANT is plotting his escape route from the Upton Park last-chance saloon. The vultures are circling over gaffer Grant with West Ham rooted to the foot of the table. Good vibes are in short supply at the Boleyn Ground — yet Grant is just two games away from delivering a cup final. The Hammers play Birmingham in the first leg of their Carling Cup semi-final tomorrow. And Grant is hoping he can blast a path to Wembley to save his skin. He said: "It is important that we get an advantage against Birmingham. It will be a tough game. "They are not easy to play against but they will think the same about us. It will be a game of a lot of emotion."

The Eastenders had a sensational win over holders Manchester United in the quarter-finals. And Grant added: "A semi-final in any competition is a big game. "You are just two games from the final. It is exciting and especially the way we have got to this point is something special. "We've had a tough route so we deserve to be here. "The quarter-final win against Man United is a game that no one will forget. We want to have this experience again. "It was great when I saw the faces of the fans after beating them. "Getting to the semi-finals is good but the final would be better. The players are ready."

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Blues battling for Mouche
Blackburn and West Ham also want Argentine
By Graeme Bailey - Follow me on Twitter @graemebailey Last updated: 10th January 2011
SSN

Blackburn and West Ham are rivalling Birmingham for the signature of Argentine starlet Pablo Mouche, skysports.com understands. The Boca Juniors ace looks set to make a move to Europe during this transfer window and talks are progressing with a number of clubs interested. However, it is believed that the 23-year-old forward is good friends with Carlos Tevez,which has seen him give England as his preferred destination. Birmingham have long been aware of the player and had hoped to seal deal for him at the beginning of the month, however, now there is rival interest from both Blackburn and West Ham. There is still strong interest emanating from Spain, Germany and Italy, which could yet scupper any of the English deals, but his British representative Barry McIntosh is confident a deal will be done. "Pablo wants to come to England, that is the main point at the moment," McIntosh told skysports.com. "There is interest from all over Europe, which is not surprising as he is a special talent."

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Sears for Newcastle?
West Ham Till I Die

I suspect this is a lot of tosh, but Newcastle are said to be bidding £5 million for, er, Freddie Sears. OK, he's done very well for us since his return from being on loan to Scunthorpe, but £5 million? You'd have to say that was a more than fair price for a player who's only scored two goals. Would you let him go if you were West Ham?

It's good to see Steve Clarke back in gainful employment as Kenny Dalglish's number two. I'm sure all West Ham fans will wish him well.

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Mouche to choose from for Argentine whizzkid
Author: Andrew Allen
Posted on:10 January 2011 - 13:58
Sport.co.uk

Argentine striker Pablo Mouche has emerged as a January transfer window target for a trio of Premier League clubs with Blackburn Rovers, West Ham United and Birmingham City all thought to be interested in signing the 23-year-old. A close friend of Manchester City captain Carlos Tevez, the Boca Juniors star is thought to prefer a move to England despite similarly strong interest from clubs in Spain, Germany and Italy. Shooting to prominence in Buenos Aires, following a string of lively performances, the under-20 international has secured himself a reputation as a versatile operator in the final third of the pitch. British agent Barry McIntosh, who represents Mouche's interest on this side of the Atlantic, told Sky Sports that a move was very much on the cards.
"Pablo wants to come to England, that is the main point at the moment," McIntosh told skysports.com. "There is interest from all over Europe, which is not surprising as he is a special talent."

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Bridge heading for troubled waters?
Author: Andrew Allen
Posted on:10 January 2011 - 14:15
Sport.co.uk

Manchester City full-back Wayne Bridge looks set to decide between relegation threatened West Ham United and Aston Villa as he attempts to secure first team football away from Eastlands. The former England international has lost his place under Roberto Mancini to Serbian star Alexander Kolarov and is thought to want to secure a permanent move but will most likely settle for a loan deal in the coming days. At 30-years-old the Southampton protégé still has much to offer the Premier League and is understood to have been contacted by both Avram Grant and Gerard Houllier.

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Cole set to return
Virgin Media

Carlton Cole looks set to return to the West Ham team for Tuesday's Carling Cup semi-final first leg against Birmingham. The England striker was one of several first-team players rested for the FA Cup win over Barnsley, so Scott Parker, centre-back Matthew Upson and forward Freddie Sears should also return. Thomas Hitzlsperger has returned to training after a long-term thigh problem and he could be back in action by mid-February, but Kieron Dyer (thigh) remains out.

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Daily WHUFC News - 10th January 2011

Manager on Monday
WHUFC.com
Another big cup tie is the main concern for Avram Grant and his in-form
Hammers at the start of the week
10.01.2011

Avram Grant is up for the battle with Birmingham City on Tuesday night. The
manager, who had his players back in early on Sunday to prepare, stands on
the brink of guiding the club to a first League Cup final since 1981, with a
tricky two-legged tie against their Midlands rivals standing in the way. The
first leg is at home before the Hammers travel to the Blues for the return
on Wednesday 26 January. Morale was boosted with the Hammers making it three
wins and two draws from six games with Saturday's 2-0 home success against
Barnsley in the FA Cup. "This recent period has been the best of our
season," said Grant. "We slipped up at Newcastle [last Wednesday] but we
have had some good results over the past few weeks and played good
football."

The prize for the Barnsley win - secured through Jonathan Spector and
Frederic Piquionne goals - was a date with Nottingham Forest on fourth-round
weekend on 29/30 January but Grant is more immediately looking to the
Carling Cup tie on Tuesday - and only after that will he worry about
Saturday's visit of high-fliers Arsenal in the Barclays Premier League. A
good night under the lights could act as a spark for the London derby. "It
is important that we get an advantage against Birmingham. It will be a tough
game. They are not easy to play against but they will think the same about
us. It will be a game of a lot of emotion."

Grant could recall the likes of Danny Gabbidon, Matthew Upson, Scott Parker,
Freddie Sears, Carlton Cole and Piquionne to his starting lineup but was
delighted to see man of the match Mark Noble get a welcome 90 minutes under
his belt. Lars Jacobsen is cup-tied so Julien Faubert may continue at
right-back, although Winston Reid did himself no harm with a solid turn at
centre-back on Saturday. "I am looking forward to it," added Grant. "A
semi-final in any competition is a big game. You are just two games from the
final. It is exciting and especially the way we have got to this point is
something special. We've had a tough route so we deserve to be here. "The
quarter-final win against Man United is a game that no one will forget. We
want to have this experience again. It was great when I saw the faces of the
fans after beating them. Getting to the semi-finals is good but the final
would be better. The players are ready."

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Noble needs to play
WHUFC.com
The only way to wipe out the Newcastle United defeat is to keep on playing -
and winning - says Mark Noble
10.01.2011

Mark Noble has spoken of the determination in the Hammers ranks to keep on
erasing the memory of Newcastle United - with the next opportunity being the
small matter of the Carling Cup semi-finals. The club's longest-serving
player featured in that 5-0 defeat last Wednesday and never wants to go
through a similar experience again. He lined up once more on Saturday and
voted man of the match in the 2-0 FA Cup triumph against Barnsley. Noble
will hope to keep his place against Birmingham City in Tuesday's tie, eager
to do is bit to remind that the Magpies mauling was a one-off. "What
happened [at Newcastle] was horrible," Noble said. "It was horrible to be
involved with but we needed to put that in the back of our minds. Saturday
could have been a massive banana skin but we came through it. We should have
scored more goals in the first half and their keeper was pulling off all
sorts of saves but in the end we managed to get into the next round. "I
thought we dominated the first half and played really well. When you are
one-nil up in the cup, the opposition have still got a chance. We needed to
freshen it up in the second half and we got our second goal and put it to
bed. "I needed to play again. I was out for nearly eight weeks and I thought
I could just come back and play at Newcastle. I was wrong. I felt terrible.
I said to the manager I needed to get 90 minutes under my belt."

So to Birmingham and the midfielder said the message from the manager was to
play with freedom. "He is a positive person and he tries to instill that in
us to go out and play. It has not been going the best for us but we turned
it around over Christmas. Two wins can take us up to eleventh and we have a
run of games in February against teams around us. "A club like this should
not be in this position, with the players we have got and the fan-base. But
we are and we have to dig ourselves out of it again. If we can do that then
hopefully we will have some firm building blocks for next season."

League concerns aside, Noble admitted that the thought of representing his
boyhood club at Wembley was firmly in the back of his mind. "A semi-final
gives you something to look forward to. We want to beat Birmingham over two
legs and be at Wembley. That is our aim. It would be fantastic. "

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Specs the cup king
WHUFC.com
Jonathan Spector was delighted to help the Hammers begin an important week
with a victory
08.01.2011

Jonathan Spector was delighted to help West Ham United bounce back from a
disappointing midweek by firing the Hammers through to the FA Cup fourth
round. The American netted his third knockout goal of the season to set
Avram Grant's side on the way to a 2-0 third-round victory over Championship
challengers Barnsley. Aside from the personal glory of netting West Ham's
opening goal at the Boleyn Ground, Spector said the win was vital following
Wednesday's horror-show at Newcastle United. "All the goals have come in the
cups! It was a great victory for us, especially after such a disappointing
game at Newcastle," he told WHUTV. "After something like that, the best
thing we could do was come back to Upton Park and get a win and that's
exactly what we did. It was a good result and we're happy to be in the next
round."

Both before and after Spector opened the scoring on 29 minutes, the home
side missed a host of opportunities to score, with Barnsley goalkeeper Luke
Steele performing heroics to keep his side in the game. After half-time, the
Tykes were more threatening, with Adam Hammill's delfected shot hitting the
crossbar before substitute Frederic Piquionne finally killed Barnsley off
with a 94th-minute blast from the edge of the penalty area. "Sometimes these
games can be more difficult because the other team is really up for it,
coming to a great stadium like this with our renowned support. I'm sure they
were excited to be here for this game. "We obviously wanted to put the game
to bed earlier and the second goal came later than we'd have liked."

With the Hammers safely through to round four and a home date with
Nottingham Forest, Spector and his team-mates' attentions will turn to
Tuesday's Carling Cup semi-final first-leg meeting with Birmingham City at
the Boleyn Ground. "Hopefully I'll start but we'll see. We'll be looking to
get a good result here on Tuesday night and then to going there and getting
another good result. "Hopefully we can get off on the right foot in the
semi-final. A clean sheet is always a key in a home and away fixture. A win
and a clean sheet would be great."

Looking even further forward, the Hammers play host to Arsenal in the
Barclays Premier League next Saturday evening, with everybody at the club -
Spector naturally included - desperate to climb off the bottom of the table.
"I think we're up for every game. Results didn't really go our way in the
week and we're disappointed about that and obviously our last game. "At the
same time, we're only a couple of points off 14th or something like that, so
we know a couple more wins and we'll move up the table."

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Hammers drawn with Forest
WHUFC.com
Nottingham Forest will provide the opposition for West Ham United in the FA
Cup fourth round
09.01.2011

West Ham United have been drawn against Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup
fourth round. The tie will be played on the weekend of 29/30 January 2011.
It will evoke memories of the 1990/91 semi-final when the Hammers were
beaten 4-0 by Brian Clough's Forest at Villa Park, with Tony Gale harshly
sent-off.
The clubs last met in this competition in the 2002/03 third round, with the
Hammers winning 3-2 at home. The Hammers reached this year's fourth round
after Saturday's 2-0 defeat of Barnsley at the Boleyn Ground, with goals
from Jonathan Spector and Frederic Piquionne.

Sunday afternoon's draw was conducted at FA headquarters at Wembley.

Fourth-round draw

Sheffield Wednesday v Wycombe/Hereford
West Ham v Nottingham Forest
Aston Villa v Blackburn
Stevenage v Reading
Notts County v Leicester/Man City
Doncaster/Wolves v Stoke/Cardiff
Birmingham v Coventry
Burnley v Burton
Swansea v Leyton Orient
Southampton v Manchester United
Everton v Chelsea
Fulham v Tottenham
Arsenal/Leeds v Huddersfield
Bolton v Wigan
Watford v Brighton
Torquay United v Crawley Town/Derby

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West Ham boss Grant angered by Karren Brady's comments
BBC.co.uk

West Ham boss Avram Grant has hit out at director Karren Brady for
discussing midfielder Steve Sidwell's aborted move to Upton Park in her
newspaper column. Sidwell had passed a medical and agreed terms before his
move from Aston Villa stalled, and he joined Fulham instead. "We (Grant and
Brady) don't have a problem, but I speak with the owners. I'm dealing with
the owners and that is the most important," said Grant. "Maybe I will have a
column in a newspaper and say what I think."

West Ham lie bottom of the Premier League with their mini-revival having
been halted in its tracks last week by a 5-0 thrashing at Newcastle. A 2-0
win over Barnsley on Saturday in the FA Cup third round earned Grant a brief
respite, but he faces a potentially make-or-break week. The Hammers' next
match is on Tuesday, when they play the first leg of the Carling Cup
semi-final against Birmingham - the former club of Brady and joint Hammers
owners David Sullivan and David Gold. Grant's position has long been the
subject of speculation, which grew more intense after the Newcastle game,
and the usually mild-mannered Israeli made it clear he did not feel he was
getting the support he needed from within Upton Park. "When the rumours are
coming from inside the club it doesn't create much stability," he said "Of
course I know where the rumours come from and I know there's people trying
to hurt the club but if I put my energy on this it's no good. "Sometimes
there's situations you don't like you just have to deal with. I want to put
my energy on the team and the players. I can solve it but not now."

The high point of Grant's time in charge so far was the 4-0 thrashing of
Manchester United in the previous round of the Carling Cup, but he says
there is more work still to be done. "When I saw the faces of the fans after
beating Manchester United it was great," he added. "A semi-final is good but
a final is better."

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Forest next...
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 9th January 2011
By: Staff Writer No.2

United have been drawn at home to Nottingham Forest in the next round of the
FA Cup. Forest came from behind to beat Preston 2-1 in the third round
courtesy of a last minute goal from Luke Chambers.They currently lie in 7th
place in the Championship, two points behind Watford over whom they have a
game in hand. The 4th round is due to be played over the weekend of
29th-30th January.

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Grant slams insider critics
Hammers boss disappointed with in-house issues
By Chris Burton Last updated: 9th January 2011
SSN

Avram Grant has blasted those West Ham officials he believes are trying to
destabilise the club. The Hammers boss has come in for mounting criticism
this season after enduring a tough start to his Upton Park reign. With
results having failed to live up to expectations, the Israeli has found his
position continuously called into question. Reports suggesting he faced the
axe resurfaced again in midweek following a 5-0 drubbing away at Newcastle.
It was claimed in some quarters that Grant was to be sacked immediately or
at least after a board meeting on Wednesday. Such a decision has not been
taken, though, and the former Portsmouth and Chelsea boss remains at the
helm.

Grant insists he never had any doubts over his future, but has questioned
the logic behind Karren Brady's decision to discuss the inside workings of
the club in a newspaper column - with the Hammers director having lifted the
lid on the reasons behind the decision to pull out of a deal for Steve
Sidwell.
He said: "I didn't read the column so I don't know what she said. Maybe I
will have a column in a newspaper and say what I think.

Energy

"All the things I have to say to the people at the club I say to them
directly. "We (Grant and Brady) don't have a problem but I speak with the
owners. I'm dealing with the owners and that is the most important." Grant
continued: "When the rumours are coming from inside the club it doesn't
create much stability. "Of course I know where the rumours come from and I
know there's people trying to hurt the club but if I put my energy on this
it's no good.
"Sometimes there's situations you don't like you just have to deal with. "I
want to put my energy on the team and the players. I can solve it but not
now."

The hammering at St James' Park saw West Ham tumble back to the foot of the
table but, having picked up eight points over the course of a productive
festive period, Grant is confident the cub can still steer a route to
Premier League safety. "Last period was the best of our season, we've had
some good results over the past few weeks and played good football. We
slipped up at Newcastle but we had a good game yesterday," he said in the
wake of a 2-0 victory over Barnsley in the FA Cup third round on Saturday.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Grant to have Sidwell say
Boss admits friction between board after transfer collapse
By Jamie Casey Last updated: 9th January 2011
SSN

Avram Grant suggests his relationship with the West Ham board is strained
following the collapse of Steve Sidwell's transfer. The former Aston Villa
midfielder was due to sign for the Hammers having agreed terms and passed a
medical, only for the board to pull the plug on the deal. It is thought they
felt the transfer was unnecessary upon the return to fitness of Mark Noble,
with vice-chairman Karren Bradyinforming Grant of the intervention. Sidwell
subsequently joined relegation rivals Fulham, much to the frustration of
Grant, who claims he will vent his feelings on the matter later this week.
"I can say one thing - it is the last time I will ever speak about a player
signing for us before he has officially signed," Grant told The News of the
World. "Karren has told me the reasons why the deal has not happened but I
will have my say this week."

Good run

The Israeli saw his side defeat Barnsley 2-0 in the FA Cup on Saturday,
taking their good run to three wins and two draws two in their last six
outings.
However, they remain bottom of the Premier League and, with Birmingham
visiting Upton Park on Tuesday, Grant concedes the club are still in a lot
of trouble. "We have problems on and off the field," he admitted. "We knew
it would be a difficult season. "We had a difficult season but are two
points from 14th in the Premier League. We have only had two or three games
where we have not played well."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers give Sam six months
The Sun
By ANDREW DILLON
Published: Today

WEST HAM are ready to give Sam Allardyce a six-month trial to save them from
relegation. The Hammers want a replacement for Avram Grant as the season
reaches crisis point. The Upton Park board has lost faith in boss Grant with
the team nailed to the foot of the Premier League with only 16 games to go.
The dramatic SOS to Big Sam has emerged after first choice Martin O'Neill
told pals he is reluctant to take over. Allardyce was sacked by Blackburn
last month but was described by England boss Fabio Capello as one of the
successes of this season along with Spurs manager Harry Redknapp. But West
Ham are also wary of Hammers fans' reaction to how his direct style of
football will go down at the so-called Academy. The plan for a six-month
'suck it and see' contract could suit all parties and give Allardyce a
chance to win over supporters by keeping West Ham in the Premier League. The
club's top brass are split over the managerial options but must make a
decision soon with less than half the season to go. An insider said: "The
club has been very supportive of the manager but there's a real worry things
will not improve sufficiently. "Grant has a 20 per cent chance of keeping
his job but sacking a manager now is a tough call."

Fans have voted with their feet on Grant's position and reputation as a
successful cup coach. There are still 5,000 tickets left unsold for
tomorrow's Carling Cup semi-final home leg against joint-chairmen David Gold
and David Sullivan's old club Birmingham.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham and Fulham battling for Robbie Keane
Published 11:42 09/01/11 By Dean Jones
The Mirror

Robbie Keane is being granted his chance to remain in London as West Ham and
Fulham battle to sign him. Talks with Birmingham about a £7million transfer
have gone cold and Blues have now agreed a fee for Rangers' front man Kenny
Miller. Republic of Ireland international Keane, 30, is now set for a switch
across the capital and that suits him because he does not want to move
house. Fulham are interested but the forward would have to take a 30 per
cent cut on his current £65,000-a-week wages. The Hammers are willing to pay
a salary close to his current one.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham close to finalising £7m permanent deal for Ba
Published 11:44 09/01/11 By Alan Nixon
The Mirror

West Ham are making a £7m bid for bad-boy striker Demba Ba from German side
Hoffenheim this week. The Senegalese international striker has been to
London twice in recent weeks as he pushes for the move. The
relegation-haunted club are willing to pay the cash in three installments
and negotiations are 'close' according to both sides. Ba's arrival is sure
to spark interest in Carlton Cole – the pair are similar in style and size.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Chelsea offer Avram Grant 'director of football' escape route
Published 11:03 09/01/11 By Alan Nixon
The Mirror

Roman Abramovich will ­offer Avram Grant a stunning return to Chelsea – as
director of football – if he is sacked by West Ham this week. Stamford
Bridge's Russian ruler is still a huge fan of Grant, the man who led his
club to the Champions League final in 2008. Israeli Grant fell out with
Abramovich when he was sacked just days after Chelsea's penalty shoot-out
heartbreak in Moscow but the pair quickly patched up their differences and
could work together again. The Hammers have run out of patience with Grant
after last week's 5-0 drubbing at Newcastle which left them bottom of the
Premier League. And his fate is likely to be sealed at a board meeting
scheduled for Wednesday. But Grant could be back in work in the Premier
League within days thanks to Abramovich, who is putting together a new team
behind the scenes to run the club the way he wants. Grant's return to
Stamford Bridge would be unlikely to concern manager Carlo Ancelotti, who
has soldiered on despite the sacking of his No.2 Ray Wilkins. The Italian is
likely to stay in charge for the rest of the season despite a disastrous
recent run which has put the club's Champions League future in jeopardy.
People Sport revealed that Abramovich ended Frank Arnesen's spell as
director of football because he wants to have a more hands-on ­approach and
use his list of contacts to land players.

Abramovich wants Chelsea to copy Barcelona's blueprint of discovering young
players and grooming them, ­using men he trusts to find the best emerging
talent around. Grant, a long-term ally of Abramovich, first cropped up in
Britain at Portsmouth, but soon moved to Chelsea where he became manager
following the departure of Jose Mourinho. Now the door has dramatically
swung open for a Grant return, ­although he will fight hard to keep his grip
on the West Ham job.

Grant is seen as ideal for the Chelsea post as he shares many of the same
agent friends and contacts as Abramovich. Under-pressure Grant has been a
dead man walking at West Ham for two months. People Sport first revealed
that Hammers had been sounding out alternative managers BEFORE the Wigan
'must win' fixture at the end of November (which Hammers won 3-1). And
Grant's position at West Ham is under bigger threat now that the New Year
has arrived. People Sport understands that Grant's contract states if the
Hammers are in the bottom three any time after January 1, compensation due
to the manager should he be sacked will be minimal. Ancelotti admitted
yesterday that he would not have been shocked if Abramovich had sacked him
during Chelsea's dire run of two wins in 11 games. The Italian, whose side
host Ipswich in the FA Cup today, said: "I wouldn't have been surprised
because this is football – for some people it's a ­surprise that I'm still
here. "It has been a long time since we had a good result and I don't know
how many coaches would be able to go through these results without being
dismissed. "The owner has supported my job and I feel this because I have
spoken with him. In two or three weeks we must be over these problems. We
can't stay like this until the end of the season. "We have to finish this
run before the Champions League starts again, ­otherwise I don't know what
will ­happen."

Former Chelsea boss Mourinho once claimed that nine of his players were
'untouchable', but that isn't the case under Ancelotti. The Italian added:
"There are no untouchable players. If I think they deserve to play, they
play."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham considering six-month 'keep us up' deal for Allardyce
Published 11:21 09/01/11 By Steve Bates
The Mirror

West Ham are considering following Liverpool's lead – by offering Sam
Allardyce a six-month stint to save them from relegation. The Mersey men
yesterday asked Kop idol Kenny Dalglish to put out Anfield fires and now
Hammers see Allardyce as perfect for a similar role at Upton Park. Fireman
Sam, sacked by Blackburn, is a free agent after agreeing a £2.5million
compensation package with Rovers' Indian owners. Allardyce rejected the
chance to take over at Burnley last week but a trouble-shooting role at
Hammers could tempt him back even if he is looking for a more permanent
post. Hammers would first have to part company with current boss Avram
Grant, whose future will be decided at a board meeting on Wednesday. Former
Bolton and Newcastle boss Allardyce has told friends he would consider an
approach from the Hammers. Qatar have shown interest in making him national
boss, just as People Sport exclusively revealed, and although he's ready to
a step back into management he wants the right role...as Burnley discovered.
Allardyce is back in England after a break in Dubai and will be at Old
Trafford today as a studio guest for ITV's coverage of the Manchester United
v Liverpool FA Cup tie.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Vinny's Barnsley Report
Vinny - Sun Jan 9 2011
West Ham Online

FA Cup 3rd Round
West Ham United 2 Barnsley 0

A relatively comfortable victory saw West Ham overcome Championship side
Barnsley to progress to the next round of the FA Cup.

No matter what the score was to be in this game it was not going to banish
the memory of the previous Wednesday at Newcastle when the side put in such
a dismal performance I think it made many fans completely lose faith in
manager Avram Grant with rumours of him being dismissed rife throughout the
remainder of the week.

I am firmly in the camp that wishes to see Grant removed simply because it
is obviously not working. I have nothing again the man and I am sure he is
trying his best but he like Gianfranco Zola cannot get the best out of the
players he has. Can any manager do this I am not sure as we have players who
simply do not care. I am not suggesting that they go out there and do not
try but their desire to play for West Ham is simply not there and we need a
mass clear out urgently.

This was a typical cup game against lower league opposition as in you are
damned if you do and damned if you don't. We have always struggled against
small teams and all remember many of the embarrassments over the years. We
may not have played very well in the first half but just go back to the
League Cup game at home to Oxford United where we were poor throughout and
only a last minute goal won us the game. We are no in a League Cup Semi
Final and close to making it to Wembley.

These games are all about getting through and that we did in what I thought
was an easier task than expected. Barnsley didn't really give us a game and
although they had that chance in injury time which smacked off the bar they
didn't test Robert Green and at half time we should have been five or six
goals to the good.

Only three players who started against Newcastle were in the starting line
up for this match. Robert Green (who was given this Captains armband), Mark
Noble and James Tomkins were the only survivors from what was one of the
worst West Ham displays in modern time and there have been many.

In defence Julien Faubert started at right back with Winston Reid in the
centre with Tomkins. There was a surprise at left back as Luis Boa Morte
took up this position. This just went to show the total lack of another
viable option in a position that we must look to sort out during this
transfer window.

In midfield Pablo Barrera started on the right with striker Zavon Hines
starting on the left wing. Jonathan Spector played in the centre of midfield
alongside Noble.

Up front saw Victor Obinna take his place alongside Frank Nouble who was a
surprise starter.

The game took a few minutes for either side to get going but it was clear
even from the early stages that were going to be able to find space as
Barnsley were very open and Obinna was dropping deep to receive the ball
with plenty of room to run into.

On the seven minute mark we should have taken the lead after a glorious
opportunity was squandered. Obinna played the ball through to Nouble who did
well to cut it back for Hines who with only the keeper to beat saw his shot
saved by Luke Steele in the Barnsley goal.

Another chance presented itself a moment later when Mark Noble threaded a
good ball through to Nouble who had made a good run but his shot also was
saved by Steele and away for a corner.

The chances kept on coming and it was once again Mark Noble pulling all the
strings as he played a wonderful pass over the top for Obinna to let the
ball drop over his shoulder and hit a first time left foot volley which went
agonisingly wide. From where I was sitting I was sure this was about to go
in and although you can argue that from there he should have scored it was
not an easy chance.

At this point we were all over Barnsley and it seemed to be looking like a
matter of time before we would break the deadlock as Nouble forced the
Barnsley keeper into yet another save.

The only effort Barnsley were able to muster was when O'Connor hit a shot
from long range which went wide and did not trouble Robert Green.

A goal really should have come when a fantastic cross from Boa Morte saw
Barrera steal in past the defender but his header went wide when it looked
easier to score.

I was a little concerned at this point that it was going to be one of those
days but am also of the opinion that if you keep creating chances a goal
will come and that it did just before the half hour mark.

In a way it was a fortunate goal and not a well worked move like most of our
chances had been so far but the finish was all that mattered. It was Mark
Noble who made a burst forward and attempted to hit a side foot shot at goal
but the ball was deflected into the path of Jonathan Spector who his low
right footed shot past Steele to make it 1-0.

This was the third goal Spector had scored this season with all three goals
coming in Cup competitions.

Although we remained on top Barnsley should have been level with ten minutes
remaining of the first half when a lack of concentration from James Tomkins
let Goran Lovre get through and with only Green to beat the midfield hit a
lazy shot which was easily stopped by the West Ham keeper. This was one of
the two shots Barnsley had on target throughout the game.

Two minutes later we should have had a penalty, or at least I was convinced
we should have had a penalty. Having not seen the incident again I cannot
confirm but from where I was sitting it was surely a foul.

A ball into the area saw Victor Obinna get to the ball before the keeper and
with this the keeper could only take Obinna out but the ref only gave a
corner kick with the West Ham players incensed.

With four minutes remaining of the half you had to ask yourself how we had
not made it 2-0 as a double chance presented itself which left many fans
including myself scratching our heads to how this did not result in a goal.

It was Mark Noble yet again who lofted a sublime pass over the top for
Barrera who crossed for Zavon Hines to have the simple task of scoring from
a few yards out but Steele somehow stopped the ball from going over the line
but the chance was still there as it came back to Hines but somehow his shot
was again stopped on the line and cleared. Both these shots took place
within the six yard box and one of them should have been converted.

The only disappointment of the first half is that we had not scored more
goals because we had totally dominated the game and produced a display which
I was very happy with. We took the game to Barnsley and looked so far the
better team.

The second half was a different kettle of fish altogether because despite
Barnsley not having any great chances of note (that chance in injury time
aside) we were pretty dire. All the good work we had put in during the first
half seemed to had been forgotten as we struggled our way through the half.

This was down to a mixture of Barnsley upping their game (because they had
been poor in the first half) and us happy to sit back and soak up
possession. Whilst the final score suggests this did work it was not very
entertaining to watch and only caused frustration amongst the fans who are
already at odds with the players and management.

One of the main talking points of the second half was after 56 minutes when
Barnsley's Andy Hammill was fouled in the area by Tomkins who had slid in. I
thought straight away that it was a penalty and was surprised that the
referee waved away Barnsley protests.

Barnsley were on top at this moment in time but could create nothing to
trouble our goal. We had stopped playing and our passing game had gone out
the window with even Noble giving the ball away cheaply. The crowd were
starting to get anxious and 'Grant Out' chants could be heard from sections
of the ground.

Whilst Barnsley were playing much better it was us who still created the
better chances and Frank Nouble should have put the game to bed when he was
played though on goal but he scuffed in left foot shot wide in Carlton
Cole-like fashion.

With fifteen minutes remaining and the game drifting Victor Obinna was taken
off with Scott Parker coming on. Whilst I would have taken off Barrera
instead Obinna had done little throughout the game with his eagerness to
shoot from outside the area being his only style of play. Obinna is still
get to score with any of these shots that he attempts and is a selfish
frustrating player who is all bark and no bite in my opinion.

Frank Nouble was taken off with seven minutes of normal time remaining.
Coming on in his place was Frederique Piquionne.

With the ninety minutes up it was the Barnsley keeper Steele who again
pulled off a double save to keep the score at one as he first saved from
Barrera and then from Hines in what another great chance to increase our
lead.

That was to be the last contribution from Hines who was taken off and
replaced by Anthony Edgar who just moments after coming on was played in by
Parker but his finish was very poor as he dragged his shot wide.

With the four minutes of added time just about up there was to be that heart
stopping moment when Barnsley came ever so close to equalising when the much
admired Andy Hammill hit a shot which was deflected, looped into the area
and crashed off the cross bar.

As the Barnsley players were getting over their disappointment we broke with
pace as three players raced forward but Frederique Piquionne didn't need any
of them as he beat his man and hit an unstoppable left foot shot past the
keeper to make it 2-0.

Whilst the way we scored was cruel on Barnsley when you look at how many
chances we created through the game (13 attempts on target to Barnsley's 2)
we dissevered the win.

It was a lacklustre second half display but I'm just concerned about us
being in the next round of a cup competition I want to win - and that we
are.

Player Reviews

Robert Green
Hardly had to make a save all day long. His kicking and all round
distribution of the ball was better and claimed everything he had to in the
air.

Julien Faubert
Not a display that inspires me as Faubert showed how bad he is at passing
the ball for yet another game. I sometimes wonder what he is looking at when
he plays these passes out of defence which are almost like shots.

James Tomkins
After his nightmare at Newcastle Tomkins didn't have it easy throughout this
game and had to be alert. Overall he was decent but did make a mistake in
the first half which should have lead to a Barnsley goal and was very lucky
not to give away a penalty in the second half.

Winston Reid
Very strong in the air and won just about every header which he challenged
for. An encouraging display from a player whose West Ham career has not got
going.

Luis Boa Morte
Playing in a position I haven't seen him play before. He certainly isn't
afraid to make a tackle and apart from a few astray passes in the second
half he did well in this role. Whether we should keep him there for the
Birmingham game is another matter.

Pablo Barrera
This boy just doesn't do enough for me to think he is ready for Premiership
football. There are times when he shows a nice burst of skill and pace but
most of the time he is easy to read an experienced defenders will get the
better of him. Should have scored in the first half but was shocking in the
second.

Jonathan Spector
He and Noble were our best players and looked a cut above the rest. Spector
kept running as he always does and worked hard to get a tackle in. Scored
another cup goal and surely we can all see that despite Spector not being
that great he is a better option in centre midfield than Radoslav Kovac.

Mark Noble
Was the best player on the pitch in the first half and although his second
half display was not as good he still put in a good performance. He was
pulling all the strings and some of his passing in the first half was
fantastic.

Zavon Hines
Missed three great chances to score and really should have converted one of
them. Quite clearly not a left winger and struggled to make an impact.

Victor Obinna
Oh its Obinna on the ball, what he going to do? Hit another shot from
outside the area which is charged down? Whilst I don't think Piquionne and
Cole are great they look more likely to score than this fella. I like
everyone am eager to see one of these shots fly into the back of the net but
we are in January now and Obinna is just frustration and in my opinion
taking up one of the loan positions which we might use to bring in a striker
who scores goals.

Frank Nouble
His movement was something Carlton Cole should have looked at because he did
really well in the first half and dragged defenders wide as he looked like a
striker who was actually interested. He should have scored in the second
half but this was good display from the youngster.

Subs Used

Scott Parker (on for Obinna 76 mins)
Came on to give us another body in midfield to try and stop Barnsley from
having so much space and time on the ball. This clearly worked as Barnsley
were not as effective when Parker came on.

Fredrique Piquionne (on for Nouble 83 mins
I have hated Piquionne over the last few weeks and his attitude has
disgusted me. But as for this game he came on with just a few minutes
remaining and took his goal really well. Hopefully this is the end of his
strop.

Anthony Edgar (on for Hines 92 mins)
Could have made a big impact when he was played in by Parker but
unfortunately his finish was poor.

Subs Not Used: Boffin, Sears, Upson, Spence

Bookings: None

Man Of The Match: Mark Noble

Barnsley: Steele, Hassell, Shackell, Foster, Hill, Trippier (O'Brien 69),
Arismendi (Colace 77), Hammill, Doyle, Lovre (Butterfield 56), O'Connor
Subs: Preece, Neumann, Gray, Bennett

Attendance: 24,881

Overall

Maybe I am just a sentimentalist but I love the FA Cup and every season I
dream of West Ham winning it. Just because we are struggling in the league
does not change this and I want (unrealistically) for us to win the FA Cup,
League Cup and stay in the Premiership. I don't want much then….

Yes we were not great in the second half but with only three players who are
likely to start the next game playing this was a much changed team with
plenty of youngsters who did a decent job. Another tie against lower league
opposition at Upton Park will do me fine.

Next Game - Birmingham City (H) League Cup Semi Final 1st Leg

Forget that Avram Grant may be a shit manager, forget that many of our
players do not care about the club and forget that we are bottom of the
league because this is the biggest match of our season and our biggest game
in years. I have the cup fever and might be a bit delirious but I am so up
for this game West Ham better not disappoint me.

The rumours are still going around that Avram Grant will be dismissed soon
with many different names being touted as the next West Ham manager. Whilst
I would love it all to work out for Grant I cannot see it happening and
believe it just a matter of time and yet another poor result until he is
removed from his position.

If Gold & Sullivan are thinking about doing it they need to do it now.

The View From Avram

"I am very pleased with the team, They were very good, especially in the
first half and if we had taken 20 per cent of our chances the score would
have been high. I am pleased overall to be in the next round and that we
could give a chance to some new players."

The young players showed good movement and created strong chances. We played
in a quick way, the way I like with good passing. It was also important to
get Mark a full 90 minutes as he hadn't played a full game for a long time."

"We have a programme and a plan for this club. I am sure we will stick to
this even in good and bad times. West Ham will be a strong Premier League
club but you need to go step by step and give young players a chance. Of
course they need to have quality and this is also why the experienced
players are positive for us."

"I am looking for another run to Wembley. These games are tough and we have
done well to win. I remember when I was at Chelsea we played at Barnsley and
the pitch was not so good. My staff wanted to play because they thought it
was an easy game but we lost.

"We knew today would not be easy either but we did the job. I have been at
Wembley before and it would be nice to do well in the FA Cup again."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
GEORDIES TO ADD £5 MILLION HAMMER TO FIREPOWER
Date: 9th January 2011 at 12:11 pm
Transfer Tavern

Newcastle United have became shock suitors of West Hams wonderkid Freddie
Sears. After the Magpies shock FA Cup loss at Stevenage last night, Alan
Pardew has highlighted the need to add more firepower for occasions when
Andy Carroll and Shola Ameobi aren't in the side. Sears, 21, has recently
been recalled from a loan at Scunthorpe to aid the Hammers relegation
battle. His instant impact with a goal against Wolverhampton on New Years
Day and all round positive play earned rave reviews. Avram Grant will surely
not want to lose another exciting prospect from 'the academy' but, will his
hands be tied by West Hams owners. It is believed a fee of around £5 million
would be enough to sit down and talk with the England under 21 international
and his representatives.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Avram Grant's future on knife-edge as he turns on detractors at West Ham
Telegraph.co.uk
By Ben Findon and Jason Burt 5:16PM GMT 09 Jan 2011

Avram Grant, the West Ham manager who knows his Upton Park future is on a
knife-edge, has accused internal sources of propelling rumours that have
undermined the stability of his struggling side Grant is preparing his team
for Tuesday night's home Carling Cup semi-final first leg against Birmingham
and Saturday's league visit from Arsenal in the widespread expectation that
he will not see out the week as manager. He said: "When the rumours are
coming from inside the club it doesn't create much stability. This is the
main problem, we need to create stability. Of course I know where the
rumours come from and I know there's people trying to hurt the club.
"Rumours are part of the job but people need to understand more what we are
dealing with this season. All the things I have to say to the people at the
club, I say to them directly."

A 5-0 midweek humiliation at Newcastle pushed Grant to the brink, but a
heavily rotated West Ham side avoided any mishaps when goals from Jonathan
Spector and Frederic Piquionne saw off Barnsley 2-0 in Saturday's low-key FA
Cup match at Upton Park. "If you don't have stability, you can't do your job
the same. A club should be like a family," Grant said. "Sometimes there's
situations you don't like that you just have to deal with."

West Ham have had a formal bid to sign Robbie Keane rejected by Tottenham
Hotspur but have not given up hope of acquiring the 30-year-old striker.
The Premier League's bottom club offered £1 million in loan fees to take
Keane until the end of the season. In addition there was a promise to pay a
further £6 million to sign Keane on a permanent three-year deal should West
Ham avoid relegation. West Ham have also agreed to pay Keane the same
£65,000-a-week wages that he receives at Spurs. Although Keane is desperate
to leave White Hart Lane, Spurs are adamant that they want to do a permanent
deal this month rather than a loan with an option to buy. West Ham are also
waiting to hear whether Wayne Bridge will join them ahead of Aston Villa on
loan until the end of the season.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Wayne Bridge Deal Is Nearly Done
West Ham Till I Die

I bring good news. I think. I am told the Wayne Bridge deal is as good as
done. If so, that means it's one down two to go. I do wonder, however, at
what cost this deal has been reached. Surely we can't be paying him the £90k
a week Citeh have been paying him? Didn't we go there once before with a
certain Icelandic chairman?

Avram Grant is also mouthing off to all and sundry about how he is being
treated. He's more or less accusing a certain person at the club (you don't
need to read too far between the lines to work out to whom he is referring)
of undermining him in the Telegraph. Big tactical error on his part. There's
only going to be one winner of this particular game and I can assure you it
isn't going to be him.

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West Ham in £2.5m battle to sign Odense striker Peter Utaka
Last updated at 7:42 AM on 10th January 2011
Daily Mail

West Ham are hastily trying to put together a bid for £2.5million-rated
Odense striker Peter Utaka to ward off interest from other clubs. The
26-year-old striker, the brother of Portsmouth forward John, is also being
watched by Fulham. West Ham are in talks with Hoffenheim in a bid to sign
unsettled striker Demba Ba.

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