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.”