West Ham's Robert Green looks back on 2008 and ahead to FA Cup

West Ham and England Goalkeeper Robert Green looks back on 2008 (with thanks to Simon from the Wharf).
Thoughts on 2008?
“Blimey that’s a hard one. I think we spent most of it in 10th and we finished today in 10th, so that’s something to go by. It’s been another season of change, hasn’t it. Last year was dominated by stuff going on upstairs, this year has been dominated by stuff going on inbetween the pitch and upstairs, so there’s that change. It’s one where hopefully looking to the future it’s going to be on a more positive fold and we’ll just have to see how it pans out.
“On the pitch we have had a mix of performances and it’s just finding that consistency I feel. It was kind of summed up in today’s game. A lot of endeavour, a lot of hard work, a lot of people trying to find that bit of quality and when we do we’re a good side.”

Frustrating?
“I would say frustrating but it takes that bit of extra something to make that step up to the next level, that bit of consistency that maybe 12 teams are looking for. It’s one of those things.”

The last two weeks have been massive haven’t they?
“yeah. It’s changed the face of the season all of a sudden. We’re finishing the year in 10th and on the up, literally, and we can go away now and look forward to a cup game where we have come off two big wins for us and we’re looking at something that at the start of the Christmas period everyone was dreading what was coming, and now we’ve got a little bit of breathing space and two points off Hull who have supposedly had a magnificent start to the season. A work in progress.”

Transfer speculation. How do you deal with that?
“It’s never changed really. I’ve always said playing for West Ham in the most exciting league in the world, what more motivation do you need? You don’t want to go out and have a bad game. I love playing for West Ham and if you look at the team, whoever is put out there, everyone wants to play well for West Ham. There are not many unhappy faces, if any, in the camp and it’s one we keep reiterating.”

Fears of mass sales?
“It’s completely out of our control. These things happen in life. We’ve been assured, the senior players, that there won’t be a whole fire sale from the Chief Executive and we’ll just have to see at the end of January if that happens or not.
“What can you do? Hopefully keep playing well enough to keep playing for West Ham. I want to play for West Ham and the lads do too. There are things beyond our control, stuff that goes on but it’s not really down to us as players.”

Relishing Barnsley game?“Yeah, it’s going to be a welcome change. Maybe a chance for the lads to go out and play with a bit of freedom. You look at today’s game and it’s not something you’d describe as a fun game to play in, or watch, by any stretch of the imagination, or have relatives come to the game, or manage.
“It’s one of those horrible fixtures and thankfully we’ve come out of it and won so we can go into next week with the pressure on us but a game we are looking to win and one where we can play some good football.”

Dream to play in the FA Cup.
“I’m getting a little bit older now and each year goes by without winning anything, it’s a year gone with another bit of silverware gone. The FA Cup is one of those chances you have. If you go and draw home games then you give yourself a chance. Hopefully next Saturday we’ll still be there and in with a chance, because the older you get the chances get fewer and fewer.”

Barnsley showed what can be done last season.
“Absolutely. We won’t be taking it any lighter because it’s Barnsley and it just highlights what the FA Cup can do. We’ve just got to get our heads down when we’re back into training and take it as seriously as any other game.”

Honest James Collins takes the blame for Stoke goal

James Collins.
How hard was that game today? It seemed to be a real struggle in the first half.
“Yes, the first half was not nice. We knew exactly what they were going to do and we didn’t really deal with is as well as we would have liked. But second half we got to grips with it and I think we came out with the right result.”

Another early goal conceded today.
“Yeah, it was my fault, my man for the goal. I’d like to blame it on being a bit rusty but it was just poor play from me really, I lost my man. Luckily the boys dug me out of the hole and we got the result.”

Two wins from three over Christmas must be pleasing.
“Yeah. Obviously we said if you put a run of wins together it would put us up the league and that’s put us up to 10th today. We’ve got a bit of a break off the league next week so we’re in a good spot going into the next game.”

What did the manager say to you all at half-time. It was much better performance in the second half.
“Deep down we all knew we weren’t performing. We were getting forward and not really creating anything so we knew not to go out in the second half and start playing a long ball game. We knew if we kept it on the floor we’d eventually create chances and get the goals and luckily that’s what we did.”

FA Cup next week. Looking forward to that?
“Yes. It’s a different challenge. Playing a lower league team but we obviously want to keep the winning streak going. I’m sure the gaffer is going to put out his strongest team to keep that run going and like you said everyone is looking forward to it and hopefully we’ll get another win.”

What’s been the change in the last couple of games?
“I don’t know. I think we’ve always been playing well but the luck might have turned and now we’re getting the breaks. Like Diego scoring today, that’s come off him and I don’t think he knew it hit him. A couple of weeks ago that probably would have gone wide but hopefully that’s the change now and we can build on these two wins and kick on.”

Does it show that sometimes it’s good to keep faith in the manager.
“With the gaffer I don’t think it was a case of keeping the faith. Everyone knows he’s a fantastic manager and a fantastic motivator. He’s a great man. The football we’re trying to play, we knew it would come good eventually and in the last two games it has.”

Against Barnsley you’re going to be the team to be shot at.
“yeah. Exactly. It’s not going to be an easy game. They are going to be looking at us, 10th in the league, and it would be a big scalp for them. It will be a tough game so hopefully we can keep the winning streak going.”

Craig Bellamy is very important.
“Yes, he’s been on fire the last couple of weeks. The couple of weeks before he hadn’t scored but he got his two [against Portsmouth] and hopefully he’ll be firing on all cylinders now.”
Danger he might lose it with all the speculation about him?
“No, he’s a fantastic player. He’s a top professional. He goes out every game and tries to score goals. The weeks before it wasn’t happening for him but hopefully something’s changed for him now and he can kick on from the two he scored against Portsmouth.”

You keen for him to stay?
“Of course. Any player like Craig Bellamy is quality and you want to hang onto them if you want to kick on as a football club. I’m sure everyone around the place will say the same. He’s a good lad to have around and he’s a fantastic player.”

Zola's Christmas wishes come true

Gianfranco Zola is not known for being bad but he must have been a very, very good boy this year after Christmas delivered his side six points and a place in the top half of the table.
When Zola was writing his festive wish list just a week ago his team were one point and one place above the relegation zone with all the talk of a fire-sale at the ‘crisis’ club.
West Ham’s financial concerns will not go away but the manager had his old bounce back and said after the Stoke win that he had been assured by the club’s hierarchy that the owner’s money worries would not affect him.
The truth of that remains to be seen when the transfer window opens tomorrow but a crisis doesn’t look as much like a crisis when you are sitting just three points off the European places.
And unlike other ‘crisis’ clubs it appears as though all the playing staff and coaches are pulling in the same direction whatever happens in the boardroom.
Twice over the festive period the Hammers had to come from behind to win - with Sunday’s 2-1 victory over Stoke City coming courtesy of Carlton Cole’s equaliser and Diego Tristan‘s late deflection.After the game Zola was keen to point out the resilience shown by his players.
He said: “It tells you a lot about the attitude of the players and the willingness to succeed.
“It is very important. “It has been difficult. Confidence here at home was low and. we fell behind after a few minutes against a team that especially when they are winning are very difficult to break down.
“To come back and win is a big, big turning point for us. I am pleased for the players, for everybody.
“We are very committed to the cause of West Ham.
"The manager was particularly pleased for striker Cole - whose goalscoring record has been questioned by some parts of the media - after he added to his goal against Portsmouth by grabbing the first against Stoke and seeing his late shot deflected in for the second.
When asked if he had thought about leaving the big striker out Zola said he had faith the goals would come and said Cole gives much more to the team than just goals.
He said: “He is a player that I know even if he doesn't score he gives something to the team.
"He has always been like that. I just wanted him to keep working and scoring.
"I am pleased for him.”

Harry Redknapp descends further in my estimations

I used to love 'Arry. I always said - even at the time in the face of much opposition - that West Ham were mad to get rid of him.
Talk that he had 'taken the club as far as he could' looked pretty bloody stupid when they ended up in the Championship just a few short years after Redknappp had taken them into Europe.
But i have to be honest and say i really don't like him anymore. I feel let down. Not because he is at Spurs but because he thinks we are stupid.
After his Spurs side beat West Ham 2-1 at Upton Park last month I watched Redknapp sit in the press room and bare-faced say he was 'more West Ham than anyone'.
I've got it on tape for goodness sake.
So what does Mr West Ham do next - he tries to mug his old club for one of their best players and then when he is re-buffed he decides to tell the world's press in order to unsettle the player and try to force the situation.
This is Our 'Arry after West Ham told him where to stick his measly offer for Craig Bellamy: "I like Craig Bellamy.
"It apparently came out an offer was turned down so I don't know where we go from here."
I know where you can go 'Arry.
Amazing that it 'apparently' came out eh!

West Ham owner to sell

Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson is reportedly putting the feelers out to see what he might be offered for West Ham.
The owner has reportedly signed non-disclosure agreements with "five to 10 parties" who will now be able to look at the club's books.
Vice chairman Ausgier Fridgeirsson told BBC Sport: "This is part of the ongoing process of Mr Gudmundsson reviewing his assets. But he does not need to sell West Ham and still might not do."
Fridgeirsson said West Ham were talking to potential buyers in order to establish the club's market value.
Once this is done, Gudmundsson will decide whether or not to sell.
The agreements fall short of due diligence, which would give prospective buyers full access to the club's accounts.
Several of the interested parties have put in opening bids for West Ham but these have fallen well short of the amount Gudmundsson would want.
According to court documents in Iceland filed by his holding company, Hansa, the 67-year-old values West Ham at £250m.

Only one point after Cole's scuffed shot - but you've got to be happy

Okay, so a draw at Stamford Bridge - particularly coming off the back of the defeat to Spurs - has to be seen as a good result.

It's not like Chelsea weren't up for it - they could've gone top of the league.

The Blues have scored four goals against West Ham four times in the last four years - so 1-1 away is a result - right?

Well yes and no really. I don't want to sound unhappy with the draw but did you see Carlton Cole's scuffed effort at the end?

Honestly, I think almost anyone else in the West Ham team would've put that one away - perhaps with the exception of Robert Green....and Luis Boa Morte.

Overall though you've got to be happy.

Chelsea are certainly not the side they once were at home but at one point Joe Cole passed to Michael Ballack, who found Frank Lampard, who sprayed it wide to Deco who crossed for Nicolas Anelka (later joined by Didier Drogba).
West Ham had Calum Davenport and Jack Collison playing from the start.

Gianfranco Zola hopes his side’s well-earned point at Stamford Bridge will lift some of the pressure ahead of Saturday's visit of high-flying Aston Villa.
Zola’s return to the club where he is revered above all others had looked like a daunting trip following the home defeat to Spurs.
However, Chelsea are not the unstoppable force they once were at Stamford Bridge and Craig Bellamy’s first goal for the club since August put the Hammers into a shock first-half lead.
Ever-respectful, Hammers manager Zola remained seated despite seeing his side go in front on 34-mniutes.
“Inside, I was very happy for our goal, especially for Bellamy because he needed it,” said the managers.
“He has been working hard, playing well.
“That goal I'm sure will help.
“It was like I scored, I'm very happy for him. I had to pay some respect to these people; I like to respect people who have given me so much.
“This performance will help build our confidence and maybe at home we will have more confidence, freedom and less pressure,” added Zola.
“This point and performance have been vital.”
Chelsea equalised five minutes into the second half through Nicolas Anelka but the Hammers could have taken all three points if Carlton Cole’s 91st minute effort had escaped the clutches of a diving Petr Cech.
“I think it was a fair result and very important for us especially after last week's performance against Tottenham,” said Zola.
“That was a big shock for us. We lost a big game and everybody was down and nervous in the week.
“But we made it very difficult for Chelsea.”
Hammers midfielder, and former Chelsea player Scott Parker agreed.
“We went a goal up early on and we expected to be put under pressure but we were solid and put in a good shift,” said Parker.
“I think we deserved a point.”
The point lifts West Ham one clear of the drop zone with a huge game coming up against Villa.
Martin O’Neill’s side are chasing Champion’s League football and Zola knows it will not be easy.

West Ham administration fears

A friend of mine who works for a 'city bank' just texted my cousin to say West Ham will go into administration today.
I hope not but I don't know enough about the finances of the club to say for certain.
I do know that the club is wholly owned by Bjorgulfor Gudmundsson and a company he set up.
I also know that Gudmundsson's right-hand man West Ham Vice Chairman Asgeir Fridgeirsson said that the administration of that company, HANSA, would not affect the club.
I've always said that I doubted whether Gudmundsson would still own West Ham at the end of the season and I still believe he will have to sell - the problem is who will buy?
There are said to be people interested but surely they will hold out until Gudmundsson is desperate or the administrators force his hand.
I can understand the club not wanting to fan the flames of this story but I think they need to say something.

'Don't panic' says Zola after Spurs defeat

Gianfranco Zola has promised not to panic despite the team dropping to 16th in the league - just three points above the relegation zone with a tough trip to Chelsea up next.
The Hammers manager says his players will regroup and work harder following the disappointing 2-0 defeat to local rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
Zola, whose side had a goal ruled out for a foul when the scores were 0-0, said: "We knew the first goal would be important - as this game was always going to be tight.
"I don't know if the goal should have been disallowed or not but I do know we should have had a penalty when their player handballed it to stop Carlton Cole from scoring.
"But I can't kill the referee - he's a human being and they make mistakes."
Zola had a word for the Upton Park fans who were disappointed with the result.
He said: "It was a big game for the fans so I understand their frustration but we will work even harder to improve the situation.
"We won't panic - we have faith."
West Ham fans could be forgiven for not welcoming former manager Harry Redknapp back to Upton Park with open arms - he has won every Premier League game at his old club since leaving the Hammers in 2001.
Redknapp, who was West Ham manager for seven years, managed to keep his 100% record going with his new Tottenham Hotspur charges on a cold December night.
An uninspiring game settled by a downward header from the inspirational Spurs skipper Ledley King on 67 minutes and sealed by a long range drive from Jamie O'Hara in the 89th minute.
O'Hara's goal came less than ten seconds after substitute David di Michele somehow failed to score from inside the Spurs six-yard box.
It was not the result the majority of the 34,277 inside Upton Park had come looking for.
Gianfranco Zola's Hammers had followed a six-match winless run with five points out of the last nine available - a three game spell in which as many clean sheets had been kept.
To be fair both defences had looked solid until the Hammers back four was caught flat-footed as King rose to head home - the ball hitting the floor before bouncing high into the net beyond the despairing dive of Robert Green.
The result means West Ham have now won only one of their last ten Premier League fixtures and sees them drop below Spurs in the league on goal difference.

Ashton and Upson will not leave West Ham in January sales

Gianfranco Zola has issued a 'hands off' warning to Premiership managers who may be expecting an Upton Park fire sale this January.

The Italian moved to quash rumours that the Hammers would be shipping out their star players in a bid to raise cash for troubled owner Bjorgulfor Gudmundsson.

He admitted West Ham's huge squad was likely to be trimmmed but pledged to hang on to his stars.

"We will consider selling some of them but we are not going to sell the best players," he said. "Ashton and Upson are among the best players we have."
He added: "This club wants to progress so we are not going to sell our best players.

"This is what I am told by the club and I trust the club 100%.
"Right now we don't need to bring anyone in.
"When everyone is back there will be many, so maybe some players will go away to play."

Upson praises Zola's principles

Matthew Upson praised manager Gianfranco Zola for sticking to his principles and hailed last night’s ‘massive’ result against Liverpool.
The England centre back put in a man-of-the-match performance in the 0-0 draw at Anfield and helped the team to their third successive clean sheet – following a 27-game run without one.
Zola’s Hammers very nearly ended an even longer run – with the post and a number of poor offside decisions blocking their path to the club’s first win at Anfield since 1963.
The result will have eased some of the pressure on the new manager and Upson said it was no less than the Italian deserved.“He has stuck to his beliefs,” said Upson.
“He’s had a bit of pressure to change it but he has stuck to what he believes in.
“He’s got us more drilled, not just as a defence but as a whole team and maybe he’s beginning to get his just rewards for that.
”Upson was also pleased with the shut out against the league leaders.He said: “It’s a massive result in the scheme of things.
“It’s another clean sheet and perhaps at the end of it we could’ve nicked something but it’s a good resilient performance.
“It’s something we’ve based the last three games on. Keeping clean sheets is a good start but we also looked dangerous on the break as well.
”Wales striker and former Liverpool player Craig Bellamy came within the width of the post of helping the Hammers to their first win at Anfield since Martin Peters and Geoff Hurst helped them to a 2-1 win.
Bellamy said afterwards: “We need points obviously at the moment.
“We tried to make it as frustrating as we could for them by getting men behind the ball but we also tried to attack as well when we had the opportunity and we did have one or two decent opportunities as well.”

Four out - one in?

Four West Ham players left the club on loan today as Gianfranco Zola looks to get more of his squad playing competititive football.

Young centre back James Tomkins, 19, has joined Derby County for a one month, 21-year-old left winger Kyel Reid goes to Blackpool, having recently had loan spells with Barnsley and Crystal Palace, goalkeeper Jimmy Walker, 35, will go to Colchester until the start of the New Year and big prospect Junior Stanislas, 19, joins Southend United for six weeks.

It will be iteresting to see how all the Hammers performin competititive games - but especially Stanislas - as he is yet to play for the fiorst team unlike the others.

He is also very highly-regarded by many at the club so his performances at Roots Hall will be under close scrutiny.

Despite all the departures from Chadwell Heath it appears one face - hotly tipped to be heading to the East End - will not be ariving any time soon.

Italy under-21 star Sebastian Giovinco - currently playing at Juventus - is a good friend of Hammers manager Zola and is in regular contact with the fromer Italy under-21 coach.

However, Giovinco's agent said today the 'Atomic Ant' has not discussed leaving Juve for West Ham or anywhere else.

Gudmundsson 'urged' to sell...but by who?

The Daily Mail is reporting today that West Ham United owner Bjorgofur Gudmundsson is being urged to sell the club because if he has to pay Sheffield United £30m it could tip his finances over the edge.

Okay... it does seem as though Gudmundsson will be selling the club one day soonish because of all the troubles in his native Iceland affecting his other business interests - but could the Daily Mail please point out who it is they have spoken to who is urging this sale.....no?

What? Not even in the 14 paragraphs about West Ham's owner being 'urged to sell'? Surely there must be some mention of where these 'urges' are coming from, no?

It seems not. Good work Matt Lawton at the Mail. And you can't blame the subs because it's in your intro!

Busy week for Carlton Cole

West Ham striker Carlton Cole has had a busy week. A court appearance on a charge of drink driving - followed by crossing the t's and dotting the i's on a new five-year deal at Upton Park.

The 25-year-old has pledged his future to West Ham until 2013 and hopes to push on and become a big hit for the team.

He said: "I am very pleased to sign. It is nice that I can just focus on playing good football for the club. I know now I am here for quite a while so it is time to knuckle down.

"The manager has 100 per cent faith in me and I have got 100 per cent faith in him and our team as well.

"It is good that I have got this opportunity to show West Ham supporters, and prove to myself, that I can be a big part of the prospects to come. We are playing some good football, the results are starting to turn in our favour and the only way is up from now.

"Hopefully the manager can get the team where he wants us to be and I reckon we will do really well."

James Collins in tunnel after Portsmouth

James Collins.

Well played today. A clean sheet at last.

“Yeah, we’ve been under a bit of pressure to get a clean sheet and luckily for us we did today.”

What did the manager say to you this week – he said last week he was looking for solutions.

“It helps if you keep a clean sheet for starters. Obviously we’ve done that but we couldn’t find that cutting edge to get a goal today. But I’m sure that will come, that bit of luck in front of goal and we’ll start picking up points.”

You were out for a while but are you happy with your form since you’ve returned?

“Yeah, I’m playing alright. Obviously I’m not happy with the results we’ve been getting. I’ve been out for a long time and I’m still trying to find my feet. But like I said it was our first clean sheet and hopefully there will be many more to come.”

Peter Crouch – hard to play against?

“Yeah, it’s always tough. He’s such a big lad you can’t always win your headers but I thought we defended reasonably well and we’re pleased to have kept a clean sheet.”

Tough run of games coming up. How do you see that panning out?

“We’ll take the positives from today and use it as a springboard to kick on. We got our first clean sheet. We can go to Sunderland next week and build on that.”

Mood in the camp?

“We’ve not been happy. We’ve been disappointed with the way the results have been going but the gaffer said it himself, we have been playing quite good football, so as long as we keep doing that and defending well I’m sure we can keep picking up points.”

Wales.

“We’ve got Denmark away on Wednesday. I’m going down to meet up tomorrow and hopefully another game under my belt.”

James Collins in tunnel after Portsmouth

James Collins.

Well played today. A clean sheet at last.

“Yeah, we’ve been under a bit of pressure to get a clean sheet and luckily for us we did today.”

What did the manager say to you this week – he said last week he was looking for solutions.

“It helps if you keep a clean sheet for starters. Obviously we’ve done that but we couldn’t find that cutting edge to get a goal today. But I’m sure that will come, that bit of luck in front of goal and we’ll start picking up points.”

You were out for a while but are you happy with your form since you’ve returned?

“Yeah, I’m playing alright. Obviously I’m not happy with the results we’ve been getting. I’ve been out for a long time and I’m still trying to find my feet. But like I said it was our first clean sheet and hopefully there will be many more to come.”

Peter Crouch – hard to play against?

“Yeah, it’s always tough. He’s such a big lad you can’t always win your headers but I thought we defended reasonably well and we’re pleased to have kept a clean sheet.”

Tough run of games coming up. How do you see that panning out?

“We’ll take the positives from today and use it as a springboard to kick on. We got our first clean sheet. We can go to Sunderland next week and build on that.”

Mood in the camp?

“We’ve not been happy. We’ve been disappointed with the way the results have been going but the gaffer said it himself, we have been playing quite good football, so as long as we keep doing that and defending well I’m sure we can keep picking up points.”

Wales.

“We’ve got Denmark away on Wednesday. I’m going down to meet up tomorrow and hopefully another game under my belt.”

Clean sheet but no England call for excellent Green

Rob Green in the tunnel after two excellent saves against Portsmouth helped West Ham to their first clean sheet in 25 games.

Clean sheet at last.

“Yeah, delighted. I’ve been pretty sick of people reminding us we haven’t kept a clean sheet for god knows how long. It’s just good to get the monkey off my back. It’s something to build on towards next week.
“For a keeper it’s the same as a striker with goals, clean sheets. If you don’t let any goals in you think, along with your defence, and the other lads, you’ve done half the job.”

Has it been difficult, like last week’s result?

“Yeah, it’s difficult to take sometimes. I was getting sick of letting goals in, But through no real lack of effort from anybody or things like that, sometimes it harder to take when you get unfortunate goals going in against you but it was far too long in waiting. In that respect it was something we wanted and something we’ve been working towards and it’s just pleasing to get it.”

Three greats saves today off Jermain Defoe. That must have been satisfying with Capello watching.

“It’s just satisfying to make saves in front of anyone. On your own with Ludo training at whatever time when we’re out there on our own it’s satisfying to make saves. That’s part and parcel of being a keeper. It’s something you want to do. You know in the Premier League if you keep a clean sheet, you know the other side’s going to have chances probably. It’s not often other than the big teams playing at home it’s going to be so one-sided you’re just going to be standing around and do nothing. It’s part of the job, but it’s just pleasing to do my job.”

Training with Defoe for England does that give you an advantage – eg the one tipped over the bar.

“No, not at all. You just know to keep him off his right foot, because he’s got dynamite in his boots and he’s just got such quick feet it’s very difficult for the lads, defenders in front of you to get blocks in because he’s so sharp in and around the box. For that he’s one of the best there is. He’s very difficult to counter. For the last challenge he had Matt Upson who knew the best he could do was force him wide onto his left foot. It’s a team effort. He did his part and limited what chance he could have. It’s very difficult because these guys are good.”

England squad – heard anything?

“No.”

If you are in, how pleased would you be?

“I was in for Khazakstan. It was the first time for a long time, I can’t rember how long to be honest. If it comes along, it comes along. I’ve always said it’s motivation enough here to play for West Ham. I’ve just got to keep driving, keep plugging away and doing what you think is right. Working hard, saying the same old thing and doing the same old stuff. It’s the ugly side that hopefully will get you a chance.”

Footnote - Green was omitted from the squad despite pulling off a string of saves against Portsmouth with England manager Fabio Capello in the Upton Park stands watching.

Collison hoping for repeat performance

West Ham youngster Jack Collison is hoping his goal-scoring substitute appearance in the defeat to Everton combined with his good showing away at Middlesbrough will encourage Gianfranco Zola to give him a start in Saturday's crucial match with Portsmouth.

Tony Adams' side come to Upton Park on Saturday and Collison - who scored his first goal for the club against Everton - is hoping to play a big part.

He said: "Obviously (I was) a little bit disappointed not to start (against Everton), but I think if you look at who he brought in - Scott Parker and Lee Bowyer – they are both very experienced players and I think that is what you need at times like this."

WHEN YOU CAME ON YOU IMPRESSED AGAIN

"That’s what I’m trying to do. Any minutes on the pitch is a bonus, and anytime I get on there I’m going to try and do my best for the team, and try and cement a place."

DIFFICULT RUN AT THE MOMENT

"We are going through a sticky patch, but the boys have faith in what the manager is trying to do.

"He is trying to get us playing nice football and I think if we can perform in the way we are the results are eventually going to come and we can get ourselves out of the position we are in."

Zola worried after Everton defeat

“What can I say? It’s very difficult to explain. It’s not the first time that we are spoiling a good job in the last 10 minutes. It’s something that concerns me very much right now, obviously, and to give a solution or explanation right now is very difficult because it’s something that has to be looked very carefully, in a very deep way. The only thing I can say right now is we need to find a solution because it is a pity that in the last 10 minutes we spoil 80 minutes of a very good job, and I’m not only talking about today. We are going to be looking for solutions during the week but right now I don’t have any solutions.”
What did you say to the players?
“We are in a situation in which we have to choose two ways. One way I would choose is just to react because I don’t think they deserve to be going out on the pitch with the head down. They have to react, they don’t have to accept that. Everybody, including me. I’m the first. Maybe I have to give something more because it’s a pity.
“The Premier League is so punishing you can’t afford to drop your attention down for even a minute.”

"We have to look into it. We don’t have to let panic, we don’t have to allow bad thoughts to come into our mind. We have to look for the good things we are doing, we are doing very good for 80 minutes, we have to make sure we do it for 95 minutes. That’s what I am pointing out.
"We have to look at what we are doing well and we have extend it until the end. That’s what I’m focusing on during the week.”

Positive is the youngsters.
“I’m pleased, very pleased. Freddie Sears has played very well, especially in the first 45 minutes. Obviously he’s very young, his physique needs to improve (inaudible). Jack Collison was very impressive today. He came on in the first half and did a great job and on top of that he scored a fantastic goal.
“That is very good for me, for the morale of thge players. So a positive thing to look at.”

Negative was injury to Upson. What’s situation?“He just got a dead leg. It shouldn’t be too bad. He felt it was pulling a little bit and in order not to cause too much damage he came off.”

" I’ve had so many difficult moments in my career and I’ve never really let myself down and I’m going to do the same. It’s the only way I know how to react. So I’m going to be looking for solutions, looking for things to improve.
“Maybe I need to change something. I will try to find something good for the team. Maybe I’m not doing enough. But I’m going to be reacting, that’s for sure.”
What more do you think you can do?
“You asking me questions that right now I cannot answer. I’m going to be working on them during the week. I’ve got a fantastic staff I work with and we’re going to be finding solutions.

"It’s very easy to look a lot at those 10 minutes and forget about the rest of the previous 80. I’m going to be looking into that and finding solutions, but I’m going to be also pointing out some good things that happened.”

No clean sheets for 26 games. Defence needs work?
“Yeah, thank you, I know (laughs). I know, I know. As I said we have to find solutions. Obviously we have to work on something and defence might be one of the things.
“You might say, because for 80 minutes they defended very well, so it might be a physical situation. It might be, I don’t know, something mental because in the last 10 minutes they let the tension close and you lose a little bit of your composure.
“I can’t say right now. It’s something we obviously need to improve and I’m going to be looking to do that.”

Do you feel you as a manager made mistakes today – Parker looked tired.
“I noticed that but there were no indications for me, Parker is a very important player for this team and so I was thinking of taking him off, but on the other hand I didn’t have any (sense) they were coming on top of us so suddenly.
“Obviously if we lost another game probably I got my responsibilities, and I take that and I’m going to be looking into that. I’m gonna be honest with myself if I done something wrong, I’ll tell the players.”

Clarke, lots of experience will prove crucial.
“Steve Clarke has been crucial since the start, so yes we’re going to be working together. We work together as a team, Steve Clarke and all the others, and we’re going to be carrying on working with that.”
You look like you are really worried.
“Obviously, more than worried I’m disappointed and sorry because I don’t think my players deserved this. As I said, I take my responsibilities and maybe I have to improve something.”

Player quotes after 3-1 defeat to Everton

LEE BOWYER

YOU WERE BY FAR THE BETTER TEAM FOR 75 MINUTES OF THAT MATCH WEREN’T YOU?

I don’t think it was hard to see that we were dominating that game. I think you could even say for 80 minutes, but once we went into that last 10 minutes they had a bit of pressure but we should have seen it out really.

HOW DIFFICULT WAS IT FOR YOU TO HAVE TO CHANGE POSITIONS DURING THE GAME?

It was okay. I don’t think me and Scott are destined to play together! I think Scott has been here for two seasons now, and we haven’t been able to play together, either he’s been injured or I’ve been injured, so this was our first chance today, and then we changed the way we played so I went on the right and we still didn’t really get the chance to play together.

I’ve played on the right before, so it was okay for me really, whatever is best for the team.

YOU REALLY NEEDED TO GET THAT SECOND GOAL

Once we got the goal, obviously they were going to have to press to get the equaliser, we was going to hit them on the break with the pace we had up front with Craig and Freddie.

We always thought we were going to be a threat but obviously they nicked the goal and it went downhill from there.

SO LONG SINCE YOU KEPT A CLEAN SHEET, IS THAT PLAYING ON THE MINDS OF THE PLAYERS?

I wouldn’t say it plays on our minds. Obviously we are not happy with that stat, because it isn’t good enough and I think every player in the squad will hold their hands up and say it isn’t good enough.

To go that long without a clean sheet is not good. You should be able to win games 1-0 and today should have been a 1-0 result at least.

IT’S NOT AS THOUGH YOU ARE A TEAM IN THE BOTTOM THREE WHO MIGHT HAVE A RECORD LIKE THAT

Yes, it is a strange thing to have, but it is not a good thing because it means you need to score two or three to win a game, and that is not easy in this league.

We know we have got to pull things together, get tight as a team and hopefully build from there.

HOW IS THE CONFIDENCE, HAVING NOT WON FOR SIX GAMES NOW?

I think if you looked at the way we played today for 80 minutes, I don’t think our confidence is low. Middlesbrough we should have won, and today we should have won, so I don’t think it is our confidence.

Last week it was a free kick and it crept through the wall, so it is not like teams are outplaying us. Today we outplayed them, but we were just unfortunate not to get the three points.

SOME TEAMS WOULD HAVE TAKEN OFF A STRIKER AND SHUT UP SHOP ON 75 MINUTES, DOESN’T SEEM TO BE THE MANAGER’S WAY

I don’t think like that, I thought we could have nicked another one. They were the ones who were chasing the game, so by them pressing forward we was going to nick one on the break, and it happened a couple of times we broke them, but it never fell for us at the right time.

I think the way we are playing at the moment is exciting, and as a player it is enjoyable.

FITNESS

My fitness is getting better with each game. Obviously I missed a lot of last season, and then came back and did my hamstring this season, but I played the Arsenal and Man U game and got my fitness up a bit (laughs).

I missed the Boro game, because three in one week would have been too much.

ENJOYABLE PLAYING BUT YOU DO NEED A RESULT

Obviously you don’t like losing, but the football we are playing is good. We are moving the ball well and the movement off the ball is good and we’ve all got options.
We haven’t had that for a while, so as an attacking player I’m enjoying it and I think a lot of other players are.

HAVE YOU SEEN AN ANGRY SIDE TO ZOLA YET?

I don’t think all managers need to be angry. People used to say Sven Goran Eriksson was never angry. You don’t need to shout and holler to get the best out of your players. Some you can’t shout at because they don’t take it so well, so I think what he is doing at the moment is good and exciting for the club.

Look out World Obama's a Hammer

"Sorry Mr President...it's terrible news... I'm afraid our man on the ground has just called in to say...Luis Boa Morte is starting up front!"


At the start of the year it was revealed that Barack Obama - the future president of the United States and probably the most powerful man in the world - is a West Ham fan.


Mr Obama - who has family in the south east of England was even at a game at Upton Park about five years ago whilst on a visit to his family.

Never likely to miss out on an opportunity for some good press these days, West Ham have even made an official statement on the matter.

"We are very proud of what Barack Obama has achieved and respect what he has done," West Ham director Mike Lee told BBC Sport.
"We plan to send him a letter of congratulations and invite him to come to game at Upton Park the next time he is in London."

Obama's own spokesman said: “Obama is a big sports nut and loves his soccer.
“He never really followed it, though, until he was told all about the passion of West Ham fans by some of his English relatives.
"He’s always keen to find out how his adopted club are getting on.”

West Ham in CRISIS....

I got this from a Spurs supporting 'friend' this morning.

West Ham in crisis: Fresh turmoil at Upton Park as owner's parent firm faces meltdown
It's a link to a Daily Mail story about a 'Crisis' at Upton Park.

It seems Spurs and Newcastle are no longer in crisis, Arsenal are not not quite there, so it's back to West Ham - as any Fleet Street hack will tell you there must be at least one 'crisis club' in the Premier League at all times.

The friend who sent me this bombshell is a journalist himself - so i'm surprised he can't see how much real story there is in it - but i think being a Spurs fan he has given up looking at the league table and is concentrating on the share-price index instead.

The story seems to be that West Ham's owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson may consider selling the club he owns if someone offers him the right price....because things are tough out there at the moment and he has lost money in the credit crunch. Hmmm, okay.

I own a car, it's a big car, in the credit crunch I might condiser selling it if someone offered me good money for it.
Am I in the midst of a 'car crisis' ?

And if I do sell my car - is that bad news for the car?

One person reportedly showing an interest in buying West Ham is Indian billionaire Anil Ambani - reportedly the World's sixth richest man.
Other reports suggest Zabeel Investments, the Dubai-based company which had looked like buying Charlton Athletic, is also monitoring things at Upton Park.

Would either of these be better or worse owners than Mr Gudmundsson - who knows?
At least one of them - and possibly both - would certainly be richer.

Tristan plays first 45 for WH

Former Spanish international Diego Tristan played his first 45 minutes for West Ham last night in the Reserves' 2-0 defeat to Spurs.

Tristan was on the bench for Saturday's draw with Middlesbrough and may be in line for a start against Everton this weekend.

The 32-year-old played in the 'Carlton Cole' role last night - in the middle of a three man attack.

Gianfranco Zola doesn't hide the fact this is his preferred way of playing and Cole had been progressing well in the role until his red card against Arsenal ruled him out for three games.

Tristan is likely to be flanked by Craig Bellamy and David Di Michele or Matthew Etherington as the Hammers go seeking their first win in five games.

Zola gives youth a chance

West Ham United manager Gianfranco Zola called upon the services of two of the club's rising stars this weekend as his injury-plagued first team travelled to Middlesbrough.
Zola handed starts to Freddie Sears and Welsh international midfielder Jack Collison.
Both played well in the 1-1 draw and Collison could have sntached all three points at the end but was denied by a point-blank save by the Boro 'keeper.
It bodes well that Zola - who was Italy's under-21 manager when approached about the West Ham job - is willing to give youth its chance.
West Ham have a number of promising youngsters on their books - some like Sears and centre-back James Tomkins - have been in and around the first team for some time.
Others, like Junior Stanislas are knocking down the manager's door making a case for first team consideration.
Stanislas - an England under-19 international striker - scored in West Ham reserves' 1-0 win over Arsenal recently and a source at the club told me he expects the youngster to play some part in the first team this season.

My Kingdom for a clean sheet...

West Ham have not kept a clean sheet all this season and well back into last - more than 20 games now.
Even when Alan Curbishley sent out some of the most cautious West Ham line ups I’ve ever seen and even with magnificent England internationals Robert Green and Matthew Upson in the side West Ham were unable to stop the opposition scoring.
Gianfranco Zola has now arrived and his philosophy is to 'take 'em on' play football and see who scores the most.
The problem is we still haven't worked out how to stop the other team from getting at least one goal every time we step on to the pitch.
This is a MAJOR problem.If you allow home teams - like Middlesbrough on Saturday - a goal it means you will have to score two away goals to win a match.
Two away goals in the Premiership is a tough ask.
And if you give the big sides - like Man U and Arsenal - a one goal head start you are always going to struggle - scoring two goals against either of them is unlikely no matter who you are.
West Ham - Zola - Clarke - whoever- need a clean sheet on Saturday almost as much as they need a win.
A nil-nil draw after a five hour trip to the North East would not normally have me smiling but this weekend I’d bite your hand off for a clean sheet.
Anyone else?

West Ham are going to miss Carlton Cole...honest.

At the start of the season i probably didn't imagine myself writing this but West ham are really going to miss Carlton Cole for the next three games.
The big centre forward is central - in more ways than one to - to the way Gianfranco Zola sets up his team and the role he plays is not easily filled by anyone else.
Ashton is out injured and Sears, Bellamy and Di Michele are all too small in stature to play the holding role up top.
So Zola may turn to recent signing Diego Tristan for a shock start at Old Trafford on Wednesday.
The only other option would appear to be a new formation.

Craig Bellamy quotes in tunnel after Arsenal game

Craig Bellamy showing his relief at being back playing - but also (quite worryingly) expressing some concern about the role he is being asked to play.

I wonder how long before this is blown out of all proportion in the nationals.

Craig Bellamy quotes

WAS A 2-0 DEFEAT A BIT HARSH ON WEST HAM?

Maybe we were a bit unfortunate, but they are an outstanding outfit who keep the ball very well.

You have to work very hard against them and sometimes you think you might be over the worst of it and then you look at Adebayor coming on.

It is a different level, you know, it is very difficult for a lot of teams in the Premier League against Arsenal, and we are no different, like I said, a player like Adebayor coming on is not the greatest sight you want to see, but credit to him and credit to Arsenal, they got the three points

TALK US THROUGH YOUR BIG CHANCE

I thought I had done it really, and he stuck out a leg. It was a good save, and sometimes you forget about keeper’s using their legs. He’s done me there, he’s done very well, he left me a gap which I thought I hit.

You never think it is in until it actually hits the net, but I thought I had done enough, but it was a good save in the end.

DOES THIS FORMATION SUIT YOUR GAME?

It is a completely different game and formation to the one I have made a career from basically. On the shoulder of the last man is the way that I play the game, so this is a completely different scenario.

It is a test for me, but at the end of the day I want to work hard for the team and try and be successful that way.

ARE YOU ENJOYING THE WAY IT IS WORKING?

Look mate, I’ve been out for a year. It is my first home game for a year so there is nothing that can upset me at the moment, I’m just happy to be playing.

I’m disappointed that we lost but it is nice to look forward to playing another game on Wednesday, and to keep being involved. I’ll go home, think about this game tonight, and then come in tomorrow and prepare for another game on Wednesday, and that is something that I haven’t been able to do for a long time.

HOW FIT ARE YOU?

I feel all right. Of course you need games. It was great to be involved in this game today, because it was a real high tempo match. They bring a lot of quality to it and you are chasing the ball a lot, you have to do a lot of running, so for me hopefully I will certainly improve a lot from having this sort of game.

WON’T BE EASY GOING TO MANCHESTER UNITED ON WEDNESDAY

No. It is a perfect game to come up next (laughs sarcastically). Look, you’ve got to play these teams, we are not going to go there to just see it out, but we are still trying to get over the Arsenal game at the moment.

It seems the only London team 'Arry Redknapp doesn't support is West Ham!

Hold on. Wait a minute. I was as shocked and disappointed as any West Ham fan when i was awoken in the middle of the night to a text message from a Spurs friend telling me they had sacked Ramos and appointed Ol' 'Arry the 'Ammer.
But nothing could've prepared me for the stomach churning interview West ham legend Redknapp gave this morning.
In which, the former Hammers player and long time manager said: "I followed Tottenham as a boy."
What?
Surely not.
Harry mate, I thought you were claret and blue through and through.
So I thought I'd do some digging and see if Harry had ever declared his allegiance to Spurs before - maybe when he was playing for the Hammers, or managing the Hammers - surely if he was such a die hard Spurs fan he would've told someone before.
So like any good journalist on the hunt for something I started with a Google search "Harry Redknapp supported as a boy".
And do you know what - it turns out Redknapp was not always a Hammer. He did have a different allegiance when he was a child as his Wikipedia listing shows.
Harry, it turns out, was a GUNNER.
"I was a big Arsenal fan as a kid", said Harry in a 2008 interview... I bet he didn't bring that up in his interview for the White Hart Lane job.
Speaking of which - I wonder why Harry didn't bring his number two with him from Portsmouth - a certain Tony Adams?
Any ideas?