Zola will he beat the Jinx
Sep 20, 2008 West Ham News
West Ham United manager Gianfranco Zola is hoping he will be luckier than his predecessor when it comes to injuries.
The Italian takes charge of a team for the first time today when the Hammers play host to Newcastle United.
Alan Curbishley, who walked out on the club earlier in the month after the sale of players without his full backing, often had to make do without experienced players through lack of fitness
Striker Dean Ashton has already been ruled out of tomorrow’s clash and fellow forward Craig Bellamy is unlikely to feature either but Zola, who has brought in a new fitness coach, was confident he would fare better.
He said: “I know that at this club there have been a lot of injuries and we have been very unlucky. We have been working hard trying to improve this and with a bit of luck it will.
“I don’t know the training system they had before and I don’t want to say we had loads of injuries because of that. When Alan was here he did a great job and I hope I can carry on from that job.”
Zola watched last week’s 3-2 defeat at West Brom from the stands before taking charge on Monday and revealed he intended to sharpen up the Hammers in all areas.
He said: “Obviously you also have to keep a balance. The idea is to get to the point where we play offensive football as much as possible. But we also have to work on the defence.
“We are trying to look at things defensively but also passing the ball.”
The Hammers finished 10th under Curbishley last term and Zola made it clear he expected better come May.
He said: “We need to improve on last season. That is our main target although I have just stepped into the job and I have to work on the team, so I can’t say what the possibilities are.
“But I am sure that if the players carry on working as they have been, with spirit and attitude, then we can do a good job.”
One area Zola has no plans to revamp concerns the players’ diets.
He said: “I went to the canteen and I enjoyed the food very much so I don’t want to change that part.
“I haven’t had pie and mash yet but I hope I can have a big dish of it after Newcastle. They are very professional here in that way. The food is okay.”
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Tags: Alan Curbishley, Attitude, Canteen, Clash, craig bellamy, dean ashton, Diets, Fitness Coach, Gianfranco Zola, Good Job, Jinx, New Fitness, Newcastle United, Possibilities, Predecessor, striker, Target, Time Today, Time Tomorrow, West Brom, West Ham United
Keen: Spoilt For Choice!
Sep 11, 2008 Gianfranco Zola, Injuries, Kevin Keen, Matches, New Manager, WBA, West Ham News
Kevin Keen
Kevin Keen is spoilt for choice and will have 23 players to choose from on Saturday when he takes on WBA at the Hawthorns.
Alan Curbishley’s only dream was to have a fully fit squad but Keen is the man to fulfill that dream.
Just six players remain unavailable for selection with three of them - James Collins, James Tomkins and Jack Collison - close to first-team comebacks.
Craig Bellamy is 100% fit now and will more than likely feature in this Saturdays game.
Zola, is to take over the squad on Monday and lets hope from then on we may see a dazzling new kind of West Ham team playing quality fast moving football.
This post was submitted by Mike DiAntoni - Using Write for COYI.
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Tags: Alan Curbishley, craig bellamy, Fit, Hawthorns, james tomkins, Keen, Saturdays Game, Wba, West Ham, Zola
Thank You Chelsea!
Sep 9, 2008 Gianfranco Zola, New Manager, Talks, West Ham News
When West Ham United’s players report for training Thursday, they will have a new mentor. Their previous coach, Alan Curbishley, quit last week, claiming the club’s Icelandic owners and Italian sporting director kept him out of the loop when buying and selling players.
Curbishley is a local man reared on the traditions of West Ham in London’s dockland. The Hammers’ kindergarten shaped fine young professionals - Curbishley himself, and before him Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst, and subsequently Trevor Brooking and Frank Lampard. The club’s ethos was the closest London gets to Brazil. The ball is played on the turf, and moved with a sense of artistry, not merely clubbed into the air the way an English football used to be.
If West Ham’s new coach is the man we all expect to be announced Thursday, some of that romance has a chance of being revived. Gianfranco Zola is back in town. He is in contention for the coaching role at West Ham, although the club had been sifting through 30 applicants and narrowing down the search to such candidates as Slaven Bilic, currently the Croatian national coach, Roberto Donadoni, recently fired by Italy, and Michael Laudrup, the Dane who is heading for Moscow as the new Spartak coach.
Why would Zola, once a fabulous player but with no practical experience in club team management, head that list?
Because West Ham’s decision makers have talked to him, twice. And because once you are in Zola’s company, you feel a zest for life, for his beloved sport, for the challenge of taking size and stature out of the equation.
Of all the players who came to England over the past decade, Zola, at 1.66 meters, a shade over 5-foot-5, would be the smallest. Of all the foreigners who influenced the English, who inspired a fresh passion for the craft, I would place Zola at the top. He gave work ethic a good name. I struggle to recall one match in which he played for Chelsea and did not leave a mark on the performance, a smile on the face of the game.
Born in Sardinia in July 1966, the month Bobby Moore led England to World Cup triumph, Zola is a product of his own personality and his unremitting desire to make physical force irrelevant. He learned tricks as an apprentice to Diego Maradona down in Naples; he was ushered out of Italy by the intransigence of Carlo Ancelotti when, as coach to Parma, that Italian had a rigid team structure that considered Zola too small, too unpredictable, too free-spirited. Ancelotti has since learned to relax the reins sufficiently for many triumphs at AC Milan.
Zola was chosen, at 30, by Chelsea’s manager then, Ruud Gullit. The giant Gullit and the manikin Zola opened the door for floods of overseas players by the way they showed the English that there are so many ways to the end product.
Yes, they won matches, and trophies. None sticks in my memory more than the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1998, when Chelsea beat VfB Stuttgart in Stockholm. Zola probably should not have played. He had a two-centimeter tear in an abdominal muscle, but begged to sit on the bench in case he was needed. He was, and barely 22 seconds after being summoned to leave his seat, he darted as quick as a lizard between the Stuttgart defenders.
Zola tricked men with his subtle imagination, then scored with real venom. “It wasn’t planned,” he told us afterward.
“In the moment, I used my positive strength and I got a reward for passion, also for the work that not only I but the masseur Mimmo Pezza did together in Rimini,”
where he trained to make the final.
“I thank this man for a beautiful moment which will be in my heart for as long as I can remember,”
he said.
No one can be sure Zola’s rare qualities will translate from playing to management. But it promises to be an engaging experiment.
This post was submitted by The Herald Tribune.
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Tags: Alan Curbishley, Artistry, Beloved Sport, bilic, Bobby Moore Geoff Hurst, Decision Makers, English Football, Frank Lampard, Michael Laudrup, National Coach, Practical Experience, Sifting Through, Spartak, Stature, Team Management, Trevor Brooking, West Ham United, Work Ethic, Young Professionals, Zest For Life, Zola
(Video) Watch out West Ham - A Tornado is about to hit Upton Park
Sep 6, 2008 West Ham News
I found an article in one of the Arsenal Blogs and it definitely has a ring of truth about why Stephen Appiah AKA The Tornado is West Ham bound and not Arsenal.
Excerpt from the Blog 7amkickoff
After reviewing the films,
I can say with 100% certainty that I want Stephen Appiah on this Arsenal team but I have to wonder, if Arsene was in for Appiah why hasn’t it been done already? It’s not like the fact that Appiah was a free agent was news to anyone but me. So, if Arsene had wanted to bring him in, I have to think he would have done so already.
I’m afraid that this whole linking of him to Arsenal is just his agent trying to get the lad a bigger payday. He has absolutely been to London for a physical with the Hammers and there is believed to be a deal on the table, waiting for him to sign it. Certainly the departure of Alan Curbishley and the rumors that Fascist and hot head Paolo di Canio may be coming in to replace him could have given Appiah pause but I’m still sceptical that the guy is waiting around to sign for us. It just strikes me as odd that Arsenal bid on both Inler and Alonso and were reportedly willing to put out £14m for Alonso, but then suddenly are like “oh YEAH! Appiah! I totally forgot! Thank God he was just lying around surplus to everyone’s requirements. You know what, though? Let’s wait until AFTER the transfer window closes because what we’d much rather do is pay £15m for Inler than take Appiah on a free. Because, like Man City, Arsenal love wasting money!”
Even Arsenal fans are not stupid enough to think Appiah is on Wenger’s hit list.
Now watch the Video
Stephen Appiah - Funny bloopers are a click away
This post was submitted by BigFrank.
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Tags: 14m, 15m, Alan Curbishley, Alonso, Arsenal Fans, blogs, di canio, Excerpt From, Films, Free Agent, Funny Bloopers, hammers, Hot Head, Lad, Man City, Paolo Di Canio, Ring Of Truth, Stephen Appiah, Tornado, upton park, Video Bloopers, Wenger, Wenger Watch, West Ham
Exclusive! 14:31pm - Donadoni talks at Upton Park
Sep 5, 2008 New Manager, West Ham News
Donadoni
West Ham United yesterday held interviews with Roberto Donadoni and John Collins and were scheduling meetings with others on the seven-strong shortlist to become their new manager – including Gianfranco Zola and Roberto Mancini – in the next two days. The club hope to make an announcement on who will succeed Alan Curbishley by the end of next week.
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Tags: Airpot, Alan Curbishley, Caption, Gianfranco Zola, Interviews, Job, latest news, London Airport, London City, London City Airport, Manager Updates, People, Roberto Donadoni, roberto mancini, Shortlist, Talksport Radio, upton park, West Ham, West Ham United
Talks planned with New Manager
Sep 5, 2008 West Ham News
Roberto Mancini
After Slaven Bilic making it very obvious he will not be taking over as manager of West Ham (not yet anyway) the board have turned their attention to who could only be the manager we need.
According to C4 News, The West Ham board are setting up an interview with Roberto Mancini in the hope the great Italian manager will take the vacant post left behind by Alan Curbishley,
Mancini is a long time personal friend of Gianluca Nani and Fabio Capello which could be a big bonus in securing Mancini at a London club.
With luck the West Ham board may also bring in Paolo Di Canio as assistant manager and also interpreter as Mancini speaks very little English.
Mancini is a very stubborn manager that has a temper to match his managing skills, players are made to prove worthy of playing to get a start in the 1st team, he is also used to having a sporting director in his clubs and would welcome the help from Nani in finding quality players in the January Transfer window.
This post was submitted by Mike DiAntoni.
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Tags: Alan Curbishley, bilic, Bonus, di canio, Fabio Capello, gianluca nani, Interpreter, Left Behind, London Club, Long Time, New Id, Paolo Di Canio, Personal Friend, Quality Players, roberto mancini, Temper, West Ham
ALAN CURBISHLEY LEAVES WEST HAM - LIVE CHAT-
Sep 3, 2008 Columbus Crew, Talks, West Ham News
UPDATE
Curbishley has resigned from West Ham. Why would he do this? constant criticism from fans and players, he has constantly stood his ground and said he will carry on to make the club a success, but after the end of the summer transfer window and the fact he had no control over his team, he decided to call it a day.
Original Post
No Room at West Ham for Traitors
Most West Ham fans could never ever think of betraying the club we love and be jealous of any other club.
Man City, New owners with money coming from bottomless pockets, buying players at incredible amounts of money and with promises from their owners there is more big signings to come, now stop and think! you cant buy success, it has to be earned by hard work and players who wear the badge with pride and not thinking of the pay cheque for £150,000 at the end of the month.
Many West Ham fans showing anger and jealousy that we did not do the same as Man City some even going to the extent of saying they are losing their love for the club, a football club is a business and any business that has suffered as much as West Ham have needs to be run with strict rules and management.
Myself and i dare say thousands of other Hammers fans could never even think about losing our feelings for West Ham, the true fans would be tested to the limit with anger and frustration but still bleed claret and blue, our children and our children’s children will carry on where we leave off and will still show the same passion for a club that never fails to disappoint and makes grown men cry.
My son in law is a Liverpool fan, but are his children Liverpool fans? the answer is quite obvious, they are West Ham fans with passion.
Don’t be jealous of Man City, Chelsea or these clubs, look at Real Madrid and how much they spent and ask, ” When did they last win some silverware?”
Be proud to be a Hammers supporter through thick and thin and if your not then support another club because there is no room here at West Ham for you!
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Tags: Alan Curbishley, Anger, chelsea, Cheque, Club Love, Extent, Feelings, Football Club, Frustration, Jealousy, Live Chat, Liverpool Fan, love, Man City, passion, Pockets, Pride, Promises, Real Madrid, Silverware, Strict Rules, Traitors, True Fans, West Ham Fans
The Answer is NO! - A new trend hits the Premier League
Aug 30, 2008 West Ham News
How many times have Premier League clubs lost their players due to international duty?
Players that are paid by their clubs to perform and win when they are needed.
Alan Curbishley amongst other managers are beginning to stand up for the club they manage and have told the internationals the players represent the answer is NO!
Craig Bellamy at 1 point seemed to be playing more for Wales then what he did for West Ham, (Slightly exaggerated) but the truth is he has just started playing for West Ham, Alan Curbishley according to Media is standing his ground and refusing to let Bellamy play for Wales, and rightly so.
West Ham lost Ashton for a year due to international duty and West Ham suffered because of it, it is only in the last 3 months that Ashton has mentally and physically made himself back into the perfect striker.
I think Curbs is right to say NO to Wales, Bellamy is not at the right match fitness for some 2 bob country to take advantage of.
This post was submitted by Joe J.
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Tags: Alan Curbishley, ashton, craig bellamy, curbs, Fitness, Internationals, Lost, Match, New Trend, Perfect Striker, Premier League Clubs, Truth, wales, West Ham
West Ham United 4 - 1 Blackburn Rovers: (Video Highlights) Making Mince of Ince and Making Mugs of Us!
Aug 30, 2008 Blackburn, Matches, West Ham News
West Ham v Blackburn
Today was a day to be proud of wearing the shirt of Claret and Blue, West Ham starting off with an early lead by Calum Davenport scoring in the 12 minute, and then Santa Cruz hobbling after a misplaced tackle in the 18th minute, all of a sudden Blackburn look on edge and struggled to keep up with the pace of Parker and Noble in midfield.
In the 20th Minute a pass from my player of the day Julian Faubert to Noble catches Ashton by surprise and also Samba who left back kicks the ball against Ashton’s inside leg to score, but the goal is classed as an OG much to the disappointment of Deano.
22 minutes gone and West Ham make the sad mistake of being slack in defence, instead of doing what Rio used to do and kick the ball as far as Stanstead Airport Davenport tries to kick the ball back into play, as a result Jason Roberts scores a fine goal sliding past the right side of Robert Green to make a well deserved score of 2-1.
Much of the game went from side to side on a very even keel with West Ham looking the least to score another goal, but when Bellamy arrived with an excellent exchange of players by Curbs you actually knew there would be more goals, and more goals there was, Bellamy in extra time and then Cole putting the icing on the cake to finish West Ham off into 3rd place in the League, Well that was until Arsenal played later.
It was good to see BG and his wife at the game today showing some loyalty and support.
A fantastic result for West Ham, and hats off to Curbs for producing what he promised with a fairly fit squad.
Hence.. do we really need Stephen Appiah?
MOTM Julian Faubert,
For those of you joined Footyhost.com and watched the match in uninterrupted quality, Footyhost.com sent their appreciation.
This post was submitted by Joe J.
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Tags: Alan Curbishley, ashton, Calum Davenport, claret, curbs, Disappointment, Even Keel, Extra Time, Jason Roberts, Julian, League Winner, Man Utd, Midfield, Motm, Mugs, Paul Ince, Prediction League, Robert Green, Samba, Slack, Spending Money, Stanstead Airport, Stephen Appiah, Tendencies, West Ham United
Curbishley Backtracks on Craig Bellamy
Aug 28, 2008 Injuries, West Ham News
Alan Curbishley has decided to allow Craig Bellamy to play for Wales… just 24 hours after telling Wales to forget about their skipper playing in next week’s World Cup qualifiers.
Curbishley said Bellamy was will not be eligible due to his fitness to take John Toshack’s team into its opening match against Azerbaijan and was shocked that Toshack had named the Hammers striker in the Welsh squad.
But Curbishley backtracked on that tough talking yesterday when he hinted Wales could have Bellamy provided they were “sensible” about it.
Curbishley said there was even a chance hamstring injury victim Bellamy would be back in action for West Ham against Blackburn this weekend … a week ahead of schedule.
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Tags: Alan Curbishley, Azerbaijan, Backtracks, craig bellamy, Fitness, Hamstring Injury, Injury Victim, John Toshack, Match, Skipper, striker, wales, Welsh, West Ham, World Cup Qualifiers
