Zola’s: Attack Plan v Arsenal
Oct 25, 2008 West Ham News
Gianfranco Zola’s West Ham United take on Arsenal in the Premier League at Upton Park on Sunday.
His plan to play offensive will not change, he said this about Arsene Wenger:
“He is one of the managers I admire the most … he is one of the managers I look up to. I like the way he manages the team and the way his team play. In England, Arsenal probably belongs to the top three or four teams and they are a very young team and can only get better and better and can achieve a lot.“We are going to try to attack. If you sit and wait they will find a way to beat you anyway as they are very good. The danger can come from so many players. What teams like Arsenal don’t like is when someone tries to hit them back. We will try to play our game and see if they are better than us. Simple as that.”
The Hammers go into this clash with Arsenal hoping to get back to winning ways after defeat in their last two matches against Hull City and Bolton Wanderers. West Ham are currently 8th in the Premiership, but have not won since a 2-1 victory against Fulham at Craven Cottage in September.
Arsene Wenger’s team will go into this London derby full of confidence, having beaten Everton 3-1 last weekend at the Emirates Stadium and humbling Fenerbahce 5-2 in the Champions League on Tuesday. Wenger will want his side to come away with all three points in what has been a tricky tie for the Gunners in recent times.
Zola will be without striker Dean Ashton (trigonum syndrome) as well as defenders Jonathan Spector (thigh) and Danny Gabbidon (groin), with long-term absentee Kieron Dyer (broken leg) also to miss the visit of Arsenal.
Arsenal are set to welcome back defenders Kolo Toure and William Gallas, who have both recovered from injury, while Bacary Sagna (ankle) is not quite ready to return against the East London side. Eduardo (broken leg) and Tomas Rosicky (hamstring) are still on the side lines at the Emirates, though Eduardo should resume full training soon.
West Ham United:: (from) Green, Neill, Ilunga, Lopez, Parker, Bellamy, Cole, Boa Morte, Upson, Collins, Faubert, Behrami, Stokes, Walker, Lastuvka, Tristan, Davenport, Reid, Bowyer, Tomkins, Collison, Di Michele, Sears, Stech, Eyjolfsson, Hines, Jeffrey, Widdowson
Arsenal: (from) Almunia, Clichy, Gallas, Toure, Djourou, Fabregas, Walcott, Denilson, Diaby, Ramsey, Nasri, Adebayor, van Persie, Bendtner, Eboue, Vela, Wilshere, Song, Silvestre, Fabianski, Mannone, Bischoff, Coquelin, Gibbs, Hoyte, Lansbury, Merida, Ogogo, Randall, Simpson, Frimpong.
A game West Ham need to win at home or Zola may face some critiscism from the fans and press as West Ham will slowly slide futher down the league.
COYI Prediction League: West Ham 2-1 Arsenal
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Tags: Bolton Wanderers, craven cottage, dean ashton, East London, Fenerbahce, Fulham, Gianfranco Zola, Groin, gunners, hammers, hull city, Jonathan Spector, Kieron Dyer Broken Leg, premier league, Team Play, Toure, upton park, West Ham United, William Gallas, Winning Ways
Fire Sale: Upson £5m - Parker £3m - Ashton £7.5m to Tottenham
Oct 15, 2008 West Ham News
I Know, its hilarious, and only idiots would even consider these sort of prices for 3 of West Ham United star players.
Who could these idiots be your wondering? Its Tottenham fans! who seem to think because of West Ham’s plight we will be selling off our star players Mathew Upson (England International) for £5m This Website quoted:
Many in the game believe Matthew Upson would jump at the chance to play for Spurs, despite having to battle for places with club skipper Ledley King, Carling Cup hero Jonathan Woodgate and impressive youngster Michael Dawson. The defender played for Birmingham before joining West Ham in a £6mil deal, which could still rise to £7.5mil depending on club appearances.
Scott Parker £3m this Website Quoted:
Scott Parker would almost certainly make the small trip across London to join the Spurs after being a childhood fan. And after seeing Tom Huddlestone, Luka Modric and Jermaine Jenas all struggle in the middle of the park for Tottenham, he would surely be given a chance at Spurs.
Dean Ashton £7.5m, This Website Quoted:
Less clear is Dean Ashton’s possible future. Spurs have been crying out for a striker this season, with neither Darren Bent or Roman Pavlyuchenko performing well. However Ashton is injury-prone; thus, Spurs would probably refrain from offering him the money he is currently on at Upton Park.
All i can think of is these Spurs fans are crying out for some kind of importance and ok maybe the press we have been having lately is not all rosey but at least its not how sad it is to be the worst club in the Premier League.
Maybe the Spurs fans should read THIS and then THIS
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Tags: 5m, Carling Cup, Club Appearances, dean ashton, England International, Fire Sale, Jermaine Jenas, Jonathan Woodgate, Luka Modric, Matthew Upson, Michael Dawson, Plight, Rosey, Scott Parker, Spurs, Star Players, striker, Tom Huddlestone, upton park, West Ham United, Youngster
An ideal Replacement
Oct 11, 2008 West Ham News
Gianfranco Zola has not given up hope on Diego Tristan playing permanently for West Ham, his trial with the Hammers has been extended with a view to prove Tristan’s fitness.
West Ham are looking for a replacement for Dean Ashton until Jan next year who is injured with an ankle injury.
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Tags: Ankle Injury, Dean, dean ashton, Fitness, Gianfranco Zola, hammers, Ideal, West Ham
West Ham Vs Bolton: Live Streaming and Team News
Oct 5, 2008 Bolton, Gianfranco Zola, West Ham News
West Ham have won both their games under new manager Gianfranco Zola. The former Chelsea player will try to extend the run when they host Bolton.
A win today will see West Ham go into 1st place, well at least for 90 minutes until Chelsea and Liverpool finish.
West Ham news: Craig Bellamy is pushing for a starting place in the first XI, although it is likely Zola will stick to Cole and Di Michele up front. Dean Ashton is still out with an injury, as is Kieron Dyer. Zola’s concerns will mainly be the defence, conceding a goal in almost every match lately.
Bolton news: Gary Megson who spoke highly of both Zola and his predecessor Curbishley will try to win the game at Upton Park as he has lanuched a health programme at the Reebok Stadium. Matt Taylor will be back in contention despite not having played any reserve game. According to Megson, Matthew Taylor is the fittest player they have. The manager admitted Bolton have had problems winning away but will try to collect at least one point against the Londoners.
West Ham United still have the best home record in the Barclays Premier League with three wins from three and secured their first away win of the season at Craven Cottage last Saturday. Bolton, meanwhile, have the worst away record in the league - losing all three away from the Reebok Stadium.
Our bet: 3-1.
Kick-off 13:30
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Tags: Barclays, Barclays Premier League, Bet, Bolton, Chelsea Player, Contention, craig bellamy, craven cottage, Dean, dean ashton, Gary Megson, Gianfranco Zola, kieron dyer, Last Saturday, LIVE FOOTBALL, Liverpool, Londoners, Match, Matt Taylor, Matthew Taylor, Michele, Predecessor, Prediction League, Reebok Stadium, Reserve Game, Team News, upton park, West Ham, West Ham United
Wage reduction for Sick Notes
Oct 1, 2008 West Ham News
It is sometimes inevitable that a player gets injured in the course of his duty playing for his club and a long term injury to a player can damage a clubs standings in its league, this is why new clauses may come into players contracts when signing for team.
For instance Dean Ashton, Craig Bellamy, Kieron Dyer, all 3 have spent many months out injured and in some cases they are old injuries from their past clubs coming back to haunt them.
The SPL board wishes to place injured stars on a reduced wage for a set period of time, and, should they still be unavailable once that has elapsed, they will
find themselves on sick pay rather than their full weekly wage which is
what currently happens.
Sick Pay is common for the likes of us in the public that feign illness or injury even if this happens whilst working, so why should it not be common for players.
Brining this clause into a contract will obviously have the players union ranting and raving but it will save clubs probably millions each year and also give the club the option of brining in another player to temporary fill the injured players place.
In the case of Dean Ashton, i feel we are pretty well covered but what happens if Cole falls ill or gets injured?
In the case of Craig Bellamy who without doubt is great player but is getting very close to be playing more games for wales than he has for West Ham United.
Kieron Dyer another good player and i am sure is raring to get back to full time football and when he does it will take another good few months to gain his confidence back as it did with Ashton.
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Tags: Clauses, Confidence, Contracts, craig bellamy, Dean, dean ashton, Doubt, Full Time, kieron dyer, Period Of Time, Playing Games, Sick Notes, Sick Pay, Time Football, wales, West Ham United
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
Nani sets up Ashtons new Striking Partner
Aug 20, 2008 Transfer Rumours, Transfers, West Ham News
If all goes well, Dean Ashton could get a new striking partner.
Chilean international Sebastian Pinto AKA The Tank plays for Brazilian club Santos, Pinto has been invited by Gianluca Nani for trials with West Ham in the hope of securing a deal worth £5m.
Nani has been watching Pinto for some time now after hearing from Scouts that he could have great potential playing for West Ham.
Originally he was going to be a replacement if Ashton decided to leave the Hammers (READ HERE), but now it seems that after the Ashton injury scare last Saturday we would need a quality striker to either be on standby or play alongside Ashton.
Pinto has falling out of favour with his Club manager and is said to be looking forward to coming to England.
The deal will need the blessing of Curbs to be finalised.
This post was submitted by Mike DiAntoni.
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Tags: Aston, curbs, Dean, dean ashton, england, Falling Out Of Favour, hammers, Last Saturday, Partner, Pinto, Scare, Sebastian, striker, Tank, West Ham
A New Era for West Ham United
Aug 18, 2008 Featured Article, West Ham News
It is great news to hear that Dean Ashton should be fit for the game against Man City, The official WHUFC website have said that he had little more than cramp.
But more to what this post is really about, there seems to be something strange about this season and the build up to it, We have made very little in the way of signings, the supporters have been very frustrated more than we have been for years after a decent finish to a season like last season, BG has shown very little interest in the club to what he usually does, BG brought in Gianluca Nani in June to improve the quality of signings to which I haven’t seen any unless we are to believe that Berhami is Nani’s trump card for this season.
Am i worried? am i concerned? the answer is no, for once i think we are making the right moves to secure a better future for our club, and lets be realistic, we are a mediocre club that wants to be better and like any business we have to take one step at a time, this is why i think this could be a new era for us Hammers.
Showboat Larry stick your Grammar up your Khyber Pass you DWEEB. 
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Great week for Olivia2008 with a total of 40 points on week 1
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Tags: Better Future, BG, Cramp, Dean, dean ashton, Fit, Game, Game City, Grammar, Great News, Khyber Pass, Kiber, Man City, nani, New Era, Step At A Time, Trump Card, Week 1, West Ham, West Ham United, whufc, Wit
West Ham v Wigan - Like New Signings!
Alan Curbishley will be feeling the presure today as the West Ham start their season opener against Wigan
Curbishley and Manchester City’s Mark Hughes are the favourites in the Premier League sack-race, with Curbishley’s position coming under scrutiny amid financial uncertainty at Upton Park.
The Hammers’ board expected more than a 10th-placed finish last season after Curbishley splashed out £22.5million on Craig Bellamy, Kieron Dyer, Julien Faubert and Freddie Ljungberg last summer.
But captain Lucas Neill has urged for patience from the West Ham board given the injury woes that hampered their hopes of a European push last term.
“I think he’s been a victim of a board that’s come in, given him a lot of money and wanted success immediately,” said Neill.
“Time stood still for us for a year because everyone we tried to bring in, in terms of knowledge and experience, was injured. That’s not his fault.
“I think he’s got to be judged on what happens from now. You can’t just buy success in one season, it takes time.
“Somebody’s got to be the favourite to get the sack first and unfortunately it’s him because of the demand at West Ham for success.
“But the odds on him going will soon change if we stick two or three quick wins together.
“There’s a determination to go where we wanted to go last season before it went wrong,” he added.
“You want your biggest weapons out there because you know at any stage of the game Kieron Dyer or Craig Bellamy’s pace could get you a goal.
“I think there’s been less activity in the market this summer because we’re yet to see our transfers from last year play their part.
“Having them back, alongside Dean Ashton and Scott Parker, will be like new signings.”
Bellamy will miss the first month of
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Tags: Alan Curbishley, Anton Ferdinand, craig bellamy, dean ashton, Financial Uncertainty, freddie ljungberg, Injury Woes, Julien Faubert, kieron dyer, lucas neill, Manchester City, Mark Hughes, New Signings, Quick Wins, Sack Race, Scott Parker, Season Opener, upton park, West Ham, Westham, Wigan
Nani eyes South American Super Striker
Aug 10, 2008 Prediction League, Transfer Rumours, Transfers, West Ham News
Gianluca Nani is keeping an eye on Chilean Super-Striker Sebastian Pinto and 
is willing to pay the £5m asking price from Brazilian club Santos according to The People.
The deal will only happen if Dean Ashton decides to leave, which really looks unlikely, as he just signed a 5 year deal with the Hammers worth £13m, but contracts in football mean nothing anymore, if a player wants to leave then more than likely the club will allow the move to happen if the fee is suitable, and in Ashtons case, rumours have it that a couple of clubs are willing to pay a heavy transfer fee.
Pinto (The Tank) would definitley be a suitable
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Tags: 5m, Asking Price, Contracts, curbs, Dean, dean ashton, gianluca nani, People, Pinto, Prediction League, premier league, Sebastian, striker, Suitable Replacement, Tank, West Ham
