Hammered

West Ham 1 Everton 2

2009-11-08T14:41:00.009Z

Zola brought back Parker and dropped Noble for Jimenez. Hines and Spector replaced the injured Cole and Ilunga.

West Ham started by far the brighter side. They dominated the first twenty minutes without creating many clear cut chances. Their best chance came in the 7th minute when Faubert fired in a low cross from the right wing. Franco got to the ball first but his glancing shot from six yards missed far right.

West Ham's only other chance in the first half hour was an effort from wide left and close to the byline from 9 yrds which was straight at the keeper. In the 26th minute West Ham failed to clear the ball on the edge of the box. Cahill won the ball and passed the ball to Saha who shot first time from the edge of the area straight into the bottom left hand corner of the goal. Everton therefore scored with their first shot of the game.

After the goal Everton sat back even more. West Ham struggled to find any space in the final third and only managed to create chances from a couple of freekicks. However Jimez shot one straight at the wall and Da Costa fired the other well wide from 30 yards.

Everton did push forward a bit in the last minutes of the half and Saha headed a corner wide from 9 yards and Cahill shot wide from the same distance.

Stanilas came on at the start of the second half for Collison. The passage of play in the second half followed the same pattern as the first. West Ham dominated possession and territory but never really looked like they could open up the defence.

In the 61st minute the ball fell to Stanislas on the edge of the area and his shot flew just wide left. Then, just as in the first half, Everton scored with their first real attack. Gosling shot from 8 yards to the left of the goal. Green saved the shot but the ball rebounded back to Gosling who then scored with his second attempt.

West Ham however responded immediately. Diamanti played a long ball forward to Stanislas in the area. Staislas chipped Howard and Hibbert running back could only smash the ball into the net in trying to stop the ball on the line.

After that Diamanti drove West Ham forward and West Ham created a number of opportunities to equalise. In the 71st minute Diamanti broke in from the right wing and tried a curling shot from the edge of the area, which just missed the top left of the goal. In the 74th minute Parker played Hines into the box and his toe-poked effort just missed wide left. A minute later and from around the penalty spot Hines then shot wide right.

In the third minute of extra time Parker dinked a nice little ball into the path of Stanislas but from three yards out and under pressure he couldn't get anything on the ball.

West Ham certainly missed Cole's fire power up front and will be disappointed to have lost to two sucker punches from a largely defensive Everton side.

West Ham in the Sundays

2009-11-08T12:07:00.002Z

The News of the World say West Ham will make a £4 million bid for Newcastle's Andy Carroll in January.

They also say Nigel Quashie has been told to not turn up for training, that his contract will not be bought out and that the club are just waiting for his contract to run out in the summer.

The paper also claim that Sunderland will try to buy Green in January.

Finally the NoW say that the Intermarket Group have now entered into the first stage of due diligence and will decide in a fortnight whether to make a firm bid for West Ham. Gold and Sullivan however are waiting to see what West Ham are ordered to pay Alan Curbishley before considering a bid.

The Mail report that Intermarket have also held talks with the Olympic organisers about West Ham moving into the Olympics stadium in 2012.

The Sunday Mirror claim that West Ham have already opened talks with Valon Behrami about offering him a new contract even though he has only just started the second year of a five year contract. They say that Jack Collison is also poised to sign a new five year contract.

Ashton to Hang Up Boots

2009-11-07T01:15:00.002Z

The Daily Mail say that Dean Ashton is poised to announce his retirement from football. They say Ashton has been been told "by two world-renowned ankle specialists his chances of making a full recovery are not good."

The paper claims that West Ham has been told that Ashton's injury problems originate from his injury whilst on England duty. However any claims against the FA may be difficult as Ashton has made 31 appearances since that injury.

West Ham 2 Aston Villa 1

2009-11-04T19:41:00.010Z

Zola dropped Tomkins and Spector for this game, bringing in Da Costa and Faubert. Parker also returned after his suspension.

West Ham started the game brightly and camped themselves in and around the Villa penalty area in the opening couple of minutes. Unfortunately the only effort West Ham managed in this period was a long range effort from Cole that flew high and wide.

In the 7th minute Ilunga pulled up with a hamstring injury and was replaced by Spector. In the 15th minute West Ham's best chance of the half from free play was created by Noble on the edge of the penalty area. Noble made room for himself, shot and forced a save from Friedel.

After about 20 minutes Villa started to look the more dominant team. Their best chance in the half came from Petrov who hit a powerful volley from 25 yrds. Green, was already moving one way when the ball took a deflection about seven yards in front of him and Green had to change direction and pull off an amazing save, tipping the ball over the bar.

When Carlton Cole was forced off (possibly with a hamstring injury) in the 31st minute it looked like it was going to be another one of those nights for West Ham. Villa began to dominate the game even more but Cole's replacement Hines did manage to worry Villa a little with his pace. In the 44th minute Dunne was forced to lunge in on Hines in the box. He won the ball but there were calls from West Ham for a penalty.

This incident may have played on the referee's mind when in injury time Franco played Hines into the box. Beye did well to get back and win the ball, only to see the ref give West Ham a penalty. From the spot Noble shot the ball high into the net to Friedel's right.

Three minutes into the second half Da Costa climbed astonishingly about 5 feet higher than Collins to win a header in the West Ham area and clear the ball. Amazingly the ref decided that heading the ball was a penalty offence. From the penalty spot Young shot to the bottom right of the goal but Green diving to his left saved the shot.

West Ham's celebrations didn't last long however as three minutes later Young cut in from the left wing and from about 5 yards outside the corner of the penalty area curled an amazing shot into the top right of the West Ham goal.

After the goal West Ham rallied superbly and it is was mostly one way traffic for the rest of the half. Collison, Franco and Hines twice both had good efforts on goal. Villa's only effort on goal came in the 90th minute when Young forced a save from Green from 20 yards.

In the 84th minute Beye was sent off for a a foul on Spector (second yellow). West Ham then pushed on even more. Noble forced a great save from Friedel with a blistering 35 yards effort and Hines came close with three efforts on goal. In the second minute of injury time Parker dribbled into the box, poked a good ball forward to Hines. Hines then did superbly to dig the ball out from under his feet onto his right foot and then grab the winner from 7 yards.

Let's just hope that Cole isn't out of action for too long.

West Ham vs Aston Villa

2009-11-04T01:41:00.000Z

A win today would see West Ham climb out of the relegation places. A win for Villa will see them climb into the top four.

Scott Parker returns from suspension to replace the suspended Kovac. For Villa Craig Gardner is out with a groin injury and Carlos Cuellar is suspended. Stiliyan Petrov (shin) and James Milner (calf) both face late fitness tests. This means that, as well as the returning Collins, Reo-Coker might just get a game (but I doubt it).

Villa are unbeaten in the last four league games. They are also unbeaten in the last six games against West Ham. West Ham have not won a game in nine league outings. Not unsurprisingly then Sky predict a 1-2 loss for West Ham.

Curbishley 1 West Ham 0

2009-11-03T17:54:00.002Z

Alan Curbishley has won his case of constructive dismissal against West Ham. A tribunal will now decide on the level of compensation. For reference, Kevin Keegan won £2million in damages plus £1.5million in legal costs against Newcastle.

Curbishley said today,

"I am obviously delighted with this result. I very much enjoyed my time at West Ham and never wanted to leave, but on joining the club I insisted that my contract contained a clause confirming that I would have final say on the selection of players to be transferred to and from the club."

"The club completely ignored my contract when selling Anton Ferdinand, and when George McCartney was then sold, the club having given me assurances that no players would be leaving the club after the sale of Anton Ferdinand, I had no alternative but to resign.

"My authority and integrity were undermined and my position was made untenable. I now wish to put this entire matter behind me."

Upson 'For Sale' Sign Goes Up

2009-11-01T00:47:00.003Z

According to The Daily Mirror West Ham are looking to sell Matthew Upson for £15 million in January. With Upson's contract due to run out in 18 months the Mirror say that West Ham privately see the sale of Upson as good business.

The Mirror also claim that West Ham nearly sold Upson to Liverpool on transfer deadline day but Liverpool wouldn't match West Ham's asking price.

The News of the World agree that Upson will be sold. However they say he will be sold for £10 million, with Liverpool being the likely buyers. They say West Ham will then buy Moroccan striker Marouane Chamakh for £6 million.

The News of the World also claim that the American backed consortium headed by Jim Bowe held formal meetings with the club's Icelandic based owners on Thursday and have instructed Rothschild to oversee their buyout bid. If the bid is successful they say West Ham won't have to sell Upson.

A 'source' revealed to the paper,

"At first West Ham did not respond to the interest but they have now been satisfied by the consortium's proof of funds. There was a satisfactory meeting on Thursday and matters should now move forward quite quickly.

"Within the next couple of weeks, it will become clear about the true state of West Ham's finances and whether or not the consortium will continue with their offer. If they are satisfied that 100 million is the right price then they will continue. If not they will walk away.

"Should they continue with the takeover then they are ready to allocate funds of up to £30 million for new players in the January transfer window."

The Daily Mail claim that David Gold has been approached by three clubs but not by West Ham.

Sunderland 2 West Ham 2

2009-10-31T15:26:00.006Z

The only change for West Ham was Kovac in for the suspended Parker. Of the two teams Sunderland started the brighter and the more hungry. In the 5th minute Bent had a golden opportunity and had an almost open goal from 8 yards but headed wide of the right hand post. In the 11th minute Da Silva had a 25 yards effort, after the West Ham defence sat back and no-one came out to close him down. His effort just missed wide of the right hand post.

After ten minutes West Ham started to come into the game. Noble and Cole both forced saves from the keeper from the edge of the penalty area. In the 30th minute West Ham broke forward, pulled back the ball from the byline for Franco who slotted home from three yards. Six minutes later and it was 2-0 as Collison played a brilliant ball into Cole's path running into the area for Cole to score from about the penalty spot.

Straight from the restart Cole broke forward and was fouled as he almost went clear. The ref didn't give the obvious foul and Sunderland then broke up field quickly, Kovac won the ball cleanly on the edge of the West Ham area but the ref this time for some reason did give a foul. From the freekick Reid beat Green to make it 2-1.

If that wasn't enough excitement in the 45th minute Jones pushed Ilunga in the face and was sent off. Ilunga was also booked, presumably for putting his face in the way of Jones' hands.

One minute into the second half Noble won a corner. His corner was then headed goalwards by Franco from six yards but Gordon saved. A minute after that Green saved well diving full stretch to his right from Bent. From the resulting corner Green then made a brilliant save from a Turner header from 6 yards. A minute after that Bent blasted over from 8 yards when it looked easier to score.

In the 53rd minute Cole fired across the goal from ten yards, just missing wide of the left hand post. In the 59th minute Cana went in with two feet on Cole and should have been given a straight red, the ref didn't even give him a second yellow. A minute after that Cole was booked for wearing the claret and blue of West Ham (at least there didn't seem to be any other reason for the booking).

In the 65th minute Cana hit the post with a header from a corner. Da Silva then headed the rebound goalwards and Green managed to scramble a save. In the 67th minute Diamanti was brought on for Behrami. In the 72nd minute Franco made way for Hines.

The changes didn't make any difference to West Ham's poor second half performance. In the 76th minute a bent cross was deflected up and over Green and Richardson had an easy tap in at the far post. After that Hines had two good chances but shot wide. Diamanti had a chance that missed by about a yard. For Sunderland Bent had two good chances but missed with both.

In the 86th minute Kovac ran into a Sunderland player and got a second yellow. Neither of his cards was deserved but he found himself sent off. In the 89th minute Noble had an effort cleared off the line. In the 90th minute Bent headed wide yet again.

Despite one of the worst refereeing performances ever West Ham have to be hugely disappointed by another really poor second half performance. This is the second time this season we have gone into the second half of a game in the lead facing ten men and thrown the win away.

Sunderland vs West Ham - Live Streaming

2009-10-31T14:57:00.001Z

IraqGoals seems to be the only link working (for now).

BBC Radio London are providing live radio commentary.

Dyer Out Again

2009-10-31T02:19:00.002Z

It seems that Sky were correct when they said this morning that Dyer won't feature in today's game. It appears that Dyer has pulled another hamstring (in the other leg from the one he has just recovered from). He now faces another two to three weeks out injured.

There is still no news on Dean Ashton and in Dean's case I fear no news is bad news. Rumours that Ashton's career is over and that West Ham are in the process of negotiations with the insurers don't seem to be going away.

Sunderland vs West Ham - The Preview

2009-10-30T11:32:00.003Z

For Sunderland George McCartney, Frazier Campbell and Darren Bent all face late fitness tests. Bolo Zenden and centre-back John Mensah are both definitely out. For West Ham Scott Parker is suspended. Despite rumours that Dyer might make the bench for this game Sky are reporting that he is still out injured.

West Ham have won seven out of the last nine games against Sunderland but Sunderland go into this game having won their last four games at home in the league and have only lost at home to Chelsea this season.

Lawro thinks that Zola can use last week's comeback against Arsenal to encourage West Ham this week. He still doesn't see us getting a result though.

Lawro predicts a 0-0 draw

Sky predict a 2-0 West Ham loss

West Ham Trial for Togo Keeper

2009-10-29T23:25:00.002Z

Sky Sports claim that Togo international goalkeeper Cedric Mensah is in talks about undergoing a trial at West Ham. Mensah has been playing for French side Paris FC but according to Sky they have been told by the player he is to have a trial at the Boleyn.

Gold to Bid £40 million for West Ham

2009-10-29T10:27:00.003Z

The Star report that David Gold will up his bid for West Ham next week. They say he will offer to buy West Ham for £40 million.

As this is about a third of what the West Ham owners want for the club the bid seems destined to fail. Gold has been leaking to the media that he will then turn his attentions to buying Charlton or Crystal Palace.

Carr Testimonial Confirmed

2009-10-28T11:59:00.002Z

West Ham have announced that Tony Carr's testimonial match will be on Wednesday 5th May 2010. The game will feature a West Ham side vs an Academy All-Star XI, featuring players that owe much of their early development to Tony Carr.

Carr said, "I am pleased we have been able to name a date. I am really looking forward to it and hopefully we will have a big turnout on the night. It should be a great occasion."

West Ham After Cassano - Or Not

2009-10-27T12:13:00.003Z

The Daily Mail today strangely claim that West Ham want to buy Sampdoria striker Antonio Cassano and then go on to list why the club don't really want to sign the player.

The reasons being they have been told they can't buy him, he costs £14.5m, the player is settled at the Genoa club and Cassano's performances have propelled Sampdoria to second in the league.

I hear we can't buy Lionel Messi either.

West Ham 2 Arsenal 2

2009-10-25T17:07:00.004Z

West Ham looked to be coping fairly well for the first fifteen minutes. Arsenal hadn't really created much until, for the umpteenth time this season, West Ham handed the opposition the game on a plate. Sagna's cross into the box from the right wing, looked to be an easy ball to clear. However Green flapped at the cross weakly and the ball landed at Van Persie's feet six yards out, for an easy tap into an open goal.

In the 36th minute Arsenal won a corner and Gallas raised to meet the cross between Cole and Tompkins to head over from three yards.

So two defensive mistakes meant the game was effectively over for West Ham before half-time. Except it wasn't!

In the second half Arsenal looked to be fairly comfortable until Diamanti and Hines were brought on for Noble and Franco. There introduction to the game added some much needed urgency to the West Ham side.

Diamanti had a couple of sighters early on, shooting high and wide from 30 yards and then from 25 yards. West Ham then won a free-kick 25 yards out. Diamanti curled the ball around the wall and forced Mannone to dive to his right. The keeper could only block the shot with his fist and the ball rebounded back to Cole, who headed home from five yards.

Within a couple of minutes of the goal Parker dribbled into the area. He seemed to be brought down but the ref didn't give the penalty. However three minutes after, in the 78th minute, Cole was brought down by Song in the box and this time the penalty was given. Diamanti smashed the penalty to the right of the goal and beat the diving Mannone, who guessed right but couldn't reach the ball.

West Ham then looked to be on the front foot and looked like they might go on and win the game. However in the 84th minute Parker was fouled by Fabregas and the ref decided to send Parker off - no-one seemed to have any idea why.

After that both sides had chances to win the game. The best chance fell to Van Persie in the 90th minute but his header from three yards was saved by Green with his feet.

West Ham will probably be asking themselves what might have been, if only they hadn't given the opposition a two goal start. However this was a great fight back by West Ham and hopefully this will kick-start our season.

Come on you Irons!

West Ham Seek Fresh Investment

2009-10-25T01:07:00.001+01:00

The Telegraph say that West Ham's owner's Straumar will next week appoint Rothschild and Standard Bank to seek new investment into the club. The paper say that the investor will take a stake and may, eventually, want to acquire overall control of the club in a change of ownership.

The Telegraph say the owners have also renegotiated the terms of a loan facility at the club, thought to be around £30 million and are preparing to make fresh investment in the club themselves.

It isn't clear if West Ham actually have any investors already lined up but it does seem like the owners are trying to ensure that Gianfranco Zola does have some transfer money to spend in January.

The News of the World, who seem to have close ties with the Intermarket Group, say that unless the group are invited to go through due diligence within a fortnight they will withdraw their offer for the club.

In other news The News of the World report that Calum Davenport has been told that his leg injuries should not threaten his career. However they say he will not be returning this season.

West Ham vs Arsenal - The Predictions

2009-10-24T12:06:00.001+01:00

According to The Daily Mirror Arsene Wenger is the manager that Zola most admires and he wants West Ham to emulate Arsenal's style of play. Whilst Arsenal and West Ham do both play a passing style of game I would say the major difference (in style) at the moment is the pace in both teams.

Arsenal pass the ball with speed and with movement off the ball. West Ham play a more ponderous passing style, often to the extent of letting defences regroup and get men behind the ball before venturing into the danger areas in front of the opponent's goal.

The return of Valon Behrami should help West Ham in this department. He is one player in the West Ham side who does continually show movement off the ball. Dyer could also feature in this game, having returned to full training this week. Dyer's pace could play a key role in unlocking defences, if only he can stay fit for a number of games.

Lawro says that West Ham are meeting an Arsenal team in a good run of form and in good spirits. Surprisingly he says that West Ham have a growing injury list, when in fact it looks like Zola finally has some competition for places. It's hard however to disagree with his prediction that West Ham will struggle in this game.

Lawro predicts a 0-2 loss for West Ham

Sky argue that Parker may struggle to get back into the first team. They say Zola was pleased with the performance against Stoke, despite the loss and may stick with the same team. However, whatever team West Ham field, Sky don't give them much hope.

Sky predict a 1-3 West Ham loss

Intermarket to Name Investors

2009-10-23T11:58:00.003+01:00

The Guardian reports that the Intermarket Group claim it will have proof of funds from investors in place today. The paper says that the company has so far been frustrated by the lack of dialogue with Andrew Bernhardt, the West Ham chairman, who has been impossible to raise since contact was made last Friday.

Sources within West Ham say that the club are frustrated by Intermarket's desire to negotiate through the media rather than directly with the current owners.

US Consortium Want Quick Sell

2009-10-19T15:53:00.002+01:00

Paul McCarthy, of the News of the World, has spoken to Sky News about yesterday's story in the newspaper concerning a US backed approach to buy West Ham. He says that the consortium are looking to move quickly in purchasing the club.

"They will have further talks this week. The people involved will come in from New York and speak to West Ham. They want to get it done quickly, they want to get it done within two weeks", said McCarthy.

"They'll ask for a 28-day lockdown which means that they can look at the books and examine the financial situation. Then they will attempt to put together a takeover if the figures match their expectations.

"We know that they're absolutely at the forefront of takeover talks and are in a strong position; they've got money from New York and London. James Bowe is very experienced at these kind of things and he's been brought in specifically as a figurehead for the consortium

"We'll see what happens, but I think that within two weeks there'll be some news."

West Ham Play Down US Bid

2009-10-19T02:02:00.002+01:00

According to The Independent West Ham "are treating with caution" the pledge from the Intermarket Group that they want to buy the club.

The Independent says West Ham were surprised by the interview in yesterday's News of the World having only had "the briefest of contact with the Intermarket Group." The Independent say West Ham first spoke to the group's spokesperson, Jim Bowe, on Friday and see them "as only a potential bidder along with five others who have also expressed an interest in the club over the last six months."

At Last a Realistic Bid for West Ham?

2009-10-18T13:29:00.002+01:00

The News of the World has news today of what may finally be a realistic bid for West Ham. The bid is from an American consortium made up of wealthy West Ham fans and led by Intermarket Group chief executive and Wall Street mogul, Jim Bowe.

The NoW say the bid is for £100 million and that they "began negotiations on Friday night and are confident of landing the club in time to hand boss Gianfranco Zola a substantial budget for the January transfer window."

Bowe said,

"We are not interested in just taking on the debt, or securing a percentage. We want to get West Ham back on track for the upper echelons of the Premier League.

"We want what the fans want and there is no restriction on us as to how we achieve that aim. We are in the early stages of our discussions with the club. But we are optimistic that we can develop a proposal that will benefit all parties. The best deal is the deal where everyone feels that they've won.

"The consortium comprises West Ham supporters who have made serious money in the City, the United States and elsewhere and who see the potential in the club, its fanbase, academy and playing staff.

"The people involved have the money required, and, more importantly, the right sentiments. They have no interest in interfering with the playing side of things, but they will make money available in the January transfer window.

"They also possess the expertise to see West Ham restructured and organised in a way that will help the club realise its potential. Fortune has been hiding for too long."

Stoke 2 West Ham 1

2009-10-17T15:02:00.005+01:00

Jimenez and Hines were dropped to the bench. Kovac came in for the suspended Parker and Collison and Behrami were given starts. Franco was named as a sub.

Stoke started the brighter of the two sides and set out their stall early on with a number of Delap long throws into the box in the first seven minutes. In the eleventh minute Fuller back-heeled the ball to Etherington in the West Ham penalty area. Etherington got a touch to the ball just before Faubert dived in and brought the ex-Hammer down. The ref gave the penalty and Beattie scored from the spot.

Within a minute of the restart Etherington fired a shot that was deflected wide by Tomkins. After that however West Ham responded well and dragged themselves back into the game.

West Ham's first effort on goal came in the 16th minute from a cross which Cole headed goalwards forcing Sorenson to tip over for the corner.

In the 20th minute Diamanti had a long range effort which flew over from 30 yards. In the 29th minute Diamanti won and took a free-kick. The kick beat the wall but was straight at Sorenson in goal. In the 33rd minute West Ham won a corner and Upson headed Noble's cross home from six yards after Sorenson came, flapped and missed. Within a couple of minutes of the game restarting Cole forced Sorenson to make a save.

West Ham started the second half brightly. In the opening minutes of the half Cole had a shot blocked and Diamanti forced a save from Sorenson. Stoke came back strongly however and in the 53rd minute Beattie shot just high and wide and then in the 55th minute Shawcross headed a corner at goal. Faubert and Upson combined to block it on the line, Shawcross followed up but put the rebound just wide.

In the 69th minute Diamanti lost the ball and Fuller piled forward and shot at goal. Green palmed Fuller's shot away and Beattie was the first to the rebound to give the home team the lead again.

Within a couple of minutes of the game restarting Huth landed a punch on Upson, forcing Upson off the pitch. Unfortunately the officials completely missed the punch and Huth was saved a certain sending off and West Ham denied a certain penalty. In the 74th minute Etherington headed wide from six yards.

In the 76th minute Hines was brought on for Diamanti. A couple of minutes later and Stanislas was brought on for Kovac. In the 88th minute Franco was brought on for Collison. Despite the substitutions West Ham never really looked like scoring and Stoke looked more likely on the break.

A slightly better performance for West Ham still sees them losing. In their defence there were two clear penalties in this match, Stoke's was given and West Ham's wasn't. Huth would also have been sent off for his punch had it been seen. Do you get the feeling it's going to be that kind of season for West Ham?

Stoke vs West Ham - Radio Commentary

2009-10-17T14:58:00.001+01:00

There doesn't seem to be any live video streams of today's game. The best I could find is this radio commentary.

BBC

Stoke vs West Ham - The Previews

2009-10-16T17:07:00.002+01:00

Scott Parker is suspended for West Ham but Collison and Behrami could be in contention for starts. West Ham have never lost at the Britannia Stadium and Stoke have not beaten West Ham since 2003. However that doesn't stop the pundits from predicting a loss for West Ham.

Lawro says that The Britannia Stadium is a fortress and you can't see, apart from Cole, where West Ham's goals are going to come from. You've got to agree with Lawro about the goals comment but Stoke have actually lost half of their games (two) at home this season.

Lawro predicts a 2-1 West ham loss

Sky predict a 3-1 loss for West Ham