Sheffield Utd Reap What They Sow

It is being reported that Barnsley FC have decided to take legal action against Sheffield United for the injury sustained by Iain Hume after a shocking foul by Sheffield's Chris Morgan. Hulme fractured his skull in the tackle and has consequently missed much of this season.

Patrick Cryne, Barnsley owner, said in the Yorkshire Post,

"We are looking at the legal hurdles in the way of seeking to recover damages from Sheffield United. Our action will not be dependent on whether we are relegated.

"Our argument is, simply, that we paid a lot of money for Iain Hume in transfer fee and wages and we have lost his services through a violent, reckless, or intentional act. His loss to Barnsley FC had a serious impact on our season."

This is almost the inevitable outcome of Sheffield United's attempts to ruin the beautiful game over the last two seasons and there will be very few people in football who will sympathise with the Sheffield club.

West Ham Doctors Save Spector's Life

Jonathan Spector has revelaed that the West Ham physios saved his life after he clashed of heads with Tal Ben Haim during game with Sunderland. When Spector's head hit the ground he swallowed his tongue,

“Ges and George the physio did a really good job and helped me get some oxygen into my lungs.

They were not able to pull my tongue out again as I'd clenched my jaw so they ended up putting a tube through my nose and down my throat to help me get the oxygen that way. That was the best solution. I was fortunate that it happened here where we have qualified and good medical staff."

Clarke Could be West Ham Manager

Steve Clarke has followed Gianfranco Zola in signing a new four year contract with West Ham and, in an interesting development, could be managing West Ham for some games next season.

According to The Daily Express if West Ham qualify for Europe next season then Gianfranco Zola cannot sit on the bench or be in the dressing room. Zola does not have the required Pro Licence and West Ham have agreed with the Premier League, FA and UEFA to put Steve Clarke’s name down as their head coach, as part of the application process necessary to register the club as eligible for European competition.

The Express say that the arrangement has even been included in Steve Clarke's new contract.

Di Michele Wants to Stay at West Ham

Di Michele says that he is satisfied with his performance this season and would like to stay at West Ham next season.

"It's has been a good season for me," he told whufc.com. "Maybe I should have scored a few more goals but I'm very satisfied because I played much more games than I expected. I'm also surprised how well I settled down in London. My wife and my children as well, we couldn't have asked more. I love life here.

"As I have already said many times I'd love to stay at West Ham for a few more years. I feel good at this club and I really hope Torino will let me stay here. But in football you never know what can happen and at this stage my desire can't make the difference. It's up to the two teams to find an agreement."


Frank Lampard and John Terry could both play in a testimonial match for West Ham Academy Director Tony Carr. Michael Carrick, Joe Cole and Rio Ferdinand are also reported to have pledged to play a part.

Carr told The Sun,

“Frank and John Terry have both agreed in principle to play. It speaks volumes about Frank that he is prepared to do that for me after everything that’s been going on.”

Manager on Monday

Gianfranco Zola has been talking about his desire to compete for the Premier League title,

"We want to be, in a few years time, competing with the top four, the top five. That is the project and we have started this year. It is just the beginning. We have a lot of enthusiasm and we trust what we are doing. We will see what happens.

"One thing is for sure, it is a good thing not only on the pitch but off the pitch. I work very well with Scott Duxbury and Gianluca Nani and we are going to try everything to be successful.

"I like what I am doing so it was easy to sign here for another four years. They have treated me very well and they just look after me and my staff. It was an easy decision."

"The next stage is we will be trying to improve the squad. We know we have to improve the team so we are going to try. Don't be surprised if there will be a few signings and hopefully when they come they will take the level of the team even higher.

"I will be a better manager next season. It is my first season and I am just starting. I am not presumptuous to say I know everything about the game. There are so many things I need to learn and I am very much willing to learn … I am pleased to make mistakes because you get better only through those mistakes."

Zola Signs, Clarke to Follow

The West Ham official website has confirmed that Gianfranco Zola has signed a new four year contract with West Ham. Steve Clarke is likely to follow by signing 'in the next few hours' and with the club set to confirm his signature early next week.

Zola said, on his new contract,

"I am delighted to have signed the contract. I'm very pleased and grateful for the club for looking after me. We have a project that we are taking forward with the coaching staff and with Gianluca Nani and Scott Duxbury. We are very much working together and we believe very much in the project we are working on. We are going to try everything we can to make it happen."

West Ham 0 Chelsea 1

West Ham started with Dyer and Noble in midfield and, perhaps understandably, it took the two of them a while to get on the same wavelength and for much of the first half they were wasteful in possession.

Chelsea dominated much of the first twenty minutes. However it was West Ham who created the best early chance, when a good chipped pass from Lucas Neill from deep on the right played Tristan into the box. However Tristan was unable to control the ball and the move came to nothing. Chelsea then immediately counter attacked and the move ended with Malouda firing across the goalmouth from wide left of the six yard box. The ball just missed the right hand post as it went wide.

In the 19th minute, the best chance of the half fell to Dyer when he was played clean through by Tristan. However Dyer shot rather tamely from nine yards and it was a far too easy save for Cech in goal. Chelsea had a good chance in the 23rd minute when Lampard met a Malouda cross at the near post six yards out but he shot wide of the left hand post.

Apart from the Lampard effort Chelsea were restricted to long shots by the West Ham defence. West Ham actually had the ball cleared off the line in the 41st minute when Upson won a header from a corner and Tristan just managed to flick the ball goalwards only for Mikel to clear the ball off the line.


Straight after the restart West Ham had a good chance to take the lead when Stanislas passed to Tristan on the edge of the box. However Tristan dallied on the ball and by the time he shot the defence had recovered enough to block the shot. In the 54th minute it was Chelsea who actually took the lead. Lampard crossed the ball from the left inside the penalty area to the far post where Kalou had time to chest the ball down and score form five yards.

Straight from the restart West Ham attacked and Dyer shot from 15 yards forcing Cech to save at full stretch, pushing the ball wide. That was the last significant involvement for Dyer as in the 60th minute Kovac replaced him and Sears was brought on for Di Michele.

In the 64th minute Bellitti played Anelka free but Green came out well to save the shot low down. Forty seconds later and Cole cut in from the left and shot from out wide, hitting the crossbar with his effort.

In the 69th minute Tristan played a back heel for Illunga running into the box. Kalou pulled back Illunga for a clear penalty for West Ham. Unfortunately Noble's penalty was saved at full stretch by Cech diving to his left.

After that West Ham never really looked like getting back into the game. The team have not picked up many points in the last few games but have performed well considering the number of injuries to the squad. All we really need is a little quality up front to put away a few of the chances we are creating.

Zola & Clarke Agree New Deals

According to the BBC Gianfranco Zola and Steve Clarke have both agreed new four year contracts with West Ham. The contracts will be signed after today's game. The BBC say that the signings have been confirmed by West Ham.

The BBC claim that Zola will be on a £1.6m-a-year contract, while Clarke will become the Premier League's highest paid number two with a £1m wage packet.

West Ham vs Chelsea - Live Streams

Live Footy have streams for SopCast, TVUPlayer, UUSee and TVAnts. All four streams should have English commentary.

FSi have streams for all the major formats (including a couple of Flash player streams).

MyP2P.eu also have links to streams for all the major formats.

Full radio commentary is on BBC London 94.9, DAB & online.

West Ham vs Chelsea - The Predictions

The official West Ham site says that West Ham hope to have the fit-again Radoslav Kovac available and Jonathan Spector. Scott Parker is sidelined with the groin injury that has ruled him out of West Ham's last three matches. Listening to Steve Clarke it sounds like West Ham are struggling to get eleven players fit for the game,

"We should have Kovac back. It's been a strange week, we've been training with nine, ten or eleven players. We actually had 13 players training this morning so we should be OK for a team!"

Chelsea will be without Ricardo Carvalho due to a hamstring strain.


Lawro says that it will be a big result for West Ham not to be beaten. However, despite saying he doesn't think Chelsea will put out a team of kids (due to their upcoming Champions League game), I assume Lawro thinks they will be fielding a wakened side because for the first time in weeks he doesn't think we will be beaten tomorrow.

Lawro is predicting a 1-1 draw for West Ham


Sky also think that Chelsea may look to rest players on Saturday. However they presumably think West Ham's injury hit squad won't be good enough for even Chelsea's second string, as Sky predict we will lose.

Sky predict a 1-2 loss for West Ham


Setanta say that this could be a good time for West Ham to meet Chelsea. Chelsea don't have a realistic hope of catching Man Utd and with a big game against Barcelona coming up Hiddink could opt to pick a side with Tuesday in mind.

Setanta predict a 2-2 draw

Clarke in West Ham Contract Talks

West Ham coach Steve Clarke has confirmed that he is in contract talks with West Ham, although there is no rush to come to any deal,

"We have had good discussions but I have only just arrived and already they are talking about extending so it means we have done something right.

Discussions are ongoing but it will be sorted when it is sorted. There is no great rush to do anything. I signed here for almost three years and I will have two years left come the summer, so there is no rush. There is no rush on my side or the side of the club."

Olympic Stadium Move Still Not Ruled Out

According to the Newham Express West Ham have not ruled out an eventual move to the Olympic Stadium, especially if the political mood changes over the legacy of the games. The paper claim that West Ham have also not ruled out the site close to West Ham station, despite the reported problems over the listed gas containers on the site.

There is even a reported third, unnamed, site that the club have their eye on. However because of the possible takeover of the club and the economic climate thoughts about moving stadium are definitely on the back-burner at the moment.

West Ham Trial Zino

The Mirror say that West Ham are giving a trial to Israeli Lotam Zino of Racing Santander.

West Ham reserves lost 1-0 against Portsmouth reserves yesterday. Theofanis Gekas got the only goal of the game.

West Ham Still in the Transfer Market

West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola insists that despite the financial difficulties faced by the club's owner West Ham will still be in the market for new players during the summer,

"We are looking for top-line players this summer. We are not big spenders, but we will spend our money wisely and work hard to make it happen.

"We are building up a good reputation among players because we try to play good football and there's a good atmosphere and that could be an attractive thing for good players to come here. I wouldn't be surprised to see a top player come and play for West Ham in the summer. There is a good platform here to build up something important for the future."


According to The Daily Mirror one of those players could be Inter Milan striker Mario Balotelli. The paper claim that West Ham tried to sign the player in January but were sent packing. However Balotelli was the subject of racist chanting at the weekend and may now be fed up with Italian football.

Faubert Faux-Pas

Julien Faubert didn't turn up for training at Real Madrid yesterday and will be fined by the Spanish club. It seems Faubert is getting even more frustrated at his lack of first team opportunities at Real Madrid than he was at West Ham.

Any transfer money that West Ham were hoping to raise by Faubert's sale in the summer appears to be dwindling by the day.

Cold Water Poured on Straumur Deal

The BBC say that contrary to recent reports it is very unlikely that Icelandic bank Straumur will take over West Ham. The BBC say that Straumur is itself restructuring at the moment and at an effective business standstill.

The BBC then say that a 'football industry expert' has told them "It is only one of the options potentially on [the club's] agenda." (Eh, so it isn't unlikely then?)

The only other option for the present owner, Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson, seems to be to sell the club. It was reported at the weekend that two potential bidders, from the Middle East and Far East, have expressed an interest in buying the club.

West Ham Keen on Matthew Bates

According to The Mirror West Ham are among a number of clubs interested in Boro's Matthew Bates, who is out of contract in the summer.


Setanta say that Zola is 'ready' to sign a new contract with West Ham and that when he does that may help Matthew Upson to decide to commit his future to the club. Sky are also saying that Zola will sign a new contract 'in the next few weeks'.

West Ham in the Sunday Papers

The News of the World say that Carlton Cole hopes to back in training in two weeks. West Ham are hopeful Cole will be available for the last few matches of the season. The paper say that Dean Ashton has also almost recovered and West Ham will accept offers of £7.5 million for the player in the summer (which kind of contradicts what Gianfranco Zola said himself last week, that having Ashton back will be like a new signing for him).

The News of the World also claim that West Ham are chasing FC Schalke striker Kevin Kuranyi and that Portsmouth and Sunderland are after West Ham's James Collins, both clubs think he's worth around £4 million.


The Mail claim that there are two potential £80 million buyers for West Ham, neither of whom have moved to due diligence but The Mail know they are both waiting for the optimum time to pounce (at the end of the season).


The People say that Gianfranco Zola will try to resign Yossi Benayoun in the summer.

The Mirror say that West Ham are set to lead the chase for Ukranian international Oleksandr Aliyev.

Aston Villa vs West Ham - Live Streaming

With West Ham's injury problems I'm not feeling overly confident about this game. Fulham and Sp#rs both have easy games this weekend, so we could find ourselves in ninth position by tomorrow evening.

LiveFooty have three streams of today's game. They have a SopCast stream, a UUSee stream and a TVAnts stream.

FSiCrew have a lot of streams for today's game in all the major streaming formats.

MyP2P.eu also have streams for most of the major streaming formats.

There is live radio commentary of today's game on BBC London 94.9 FM & DAB.

New Owners Promise to Finance Training Ground

The Telegraph say that a formal announcement that Straumur, the Icelandic bank, will take a 75 per cent stake in West Ham, could be made in three weeks time.

They say that Straumur has committed to raise the £5million West Ham need, on top of the £1.5million spent on acquiring the land, to develop a new training complex at Rush Green in Romford, Essex.

The new owners have also agreed that West Ham can spend whatever money they raise through player sales on developing the squad and that the club will continue as a self-financing operation.

The bank will also not sell the club immediately. They realise in the current economic climate they may not get the best return and are prepared to wait for the economy to recover.

Aston Villa vs West Ham - The Predictions

Gabriel Agbonlahor is a major doubt for Villa after suffering a hamstring injury against Everton last week. Emile Heskey however could return. Heskey was injured in the same England game as Carlton Cole who is still out for West Ham.

The official West Ham site says Zola will 'hope' to welcome back Kovac from a thigh injury and that Parker's fitness will be assessed today. Spector is still ruled out after suffering concussion against Sunderland.


Lawro says that despite Villa's recent poor form they should be good enough to beat a West Ham team down to the bare bones.

Lawro predicts a 2-0 West Ham loss


Sky say that Villa have not won in their last seven games in the Premier League. They say both teams will be eager to win. Villa are desperate to beat Everton to fifth place in the league and West Ham are battling for seventh. However Sky think Villa will have enough to beat West Ham.

Sky predicts a 2-0 West Ham loss

Setanta predict a 2-0 West Ham loss

Banks to Take Over West Ham

Iain Dale broke this story on his West Ham Till I Die blog a week ago now. It seems that the mainstream press have just woken up to the story.

The Guardian says that West Ham will soon be taken over by a consortium of international banks. Icelandic government-appointed officials running the stricken investment bank Straumur are set to take control as they seek to recover the money lost in the collapse of that nation's economy. The paper says that the banks will form a new board, with Gudmundsson making way.

The Guardian believe that there will be no fresh investment for Gianfranco Zola to buy players and any summer spending will have to come from cash generated by sales. They claim there is also likely to be pressure on the club to make further cut backs.

Iain Dale's source said that a sale of the club was unlikely within the next 18–24 months and that Straumur creditors were happy to continue to operate the club whilst they look for the best price.

Collins on Tomkins

West Ham have been invited to participate in the Asia Trophy this summer in Beijing. Chelsea and Hull have also been asked to take part.

However KUMB report that West Ham's participation is dependent on whether the club qualify for Europe or not. If West Ham qualify for the Europa Cup they will be playing in the third qualifying round in the same week as the Asian Trophy is set to be contested.


Defender James Collins says that if it wasn't for Spector's injury James Tomkins would have kept him out of the West Ham first team.

"I've been here for four years and as soon as I came in, everyone was talking about Tomka and when I've been out he's been fantastic.

If Specs (Jonathan Spector) had been available at Spurs I'd have been on the bench as he's performed so well. Unfortunately for Jon, he's got injured but it's given me a chance to get back into the team. Tomka is a fantastic player and he's got a really bright future in front of him."

Upson in Demand

The Daily Mirror are reporting that Arsenal are keen on signing West Ham defender Matthew Upson.

It has been widely reported this week that Upson is keen to play for a team involved in European competition and that West Ham will respect the player's wishes if they fail to qualify for next season’s Europa League.

There are doubts however over whether Upson will qualify for the non-English work permit required for playing at Highbury.

Ilunga Signs for West Ham

Herita Ilunga has signed a permanent contract with West Ham until July 2013. West Ham will pay an undisclosed fee to French club Toulouse.

Ilunga said, on making his stay at West Ham permanent,

"It is a great joy for me to have signed permanently for a club that believed in me and gave me the opportunity to play in the Premier League. My goal is to keep developing as a player here, working for the manager and his staff. I am very happy to be here and there is a great atmosphere with my team-mates.

"The fans here are incredible because they are always behind the team. Sometimes they help us to get the victories but even when we lose they are always there for us. They have played an important part this season and we hope to give them a special present at the end of this season by qualifying for Europe."

West Ham Chase Cavani

According to The Daily Telegraph West Ham are "watching the progress of Palermo striker Edinson Cavani ahead of the summer transfer window."

The paper say that West Ham were interested in the player last summer and that interest has resurfaced. Cavani is aware of the interest in him from other clubs,

"I know that several foreign teams, but also Italian ones, are following me.

"But honestly, I am not in a hurry to change clubs. I am in Palermo. We still have great things to do together. I'm under contract until June 2012."


Kumb are reporting that Steve Clarke is about to follow Gianfranco Zola's lead by signing a new contract with West Ham.

Upson Future With West Ham in Doubt?

This is London claim that Matthew Upson 'has yet to commit his future beyond the end of the season.' They say that Upson wants to play in Europe and that 'it is understood the club would not stand in the way of him moving on if the they fail to secure a Europa Cup berth.'

To back up this speculation This is London say that Upson 'has yet to commit his future beyond the end of the season.' My understanding was that Upson signed a four-and-a-half-year contract with West Ham in January 2007, which would suggest his future is committed.

West Ham News on Monday

A number of newspapers have now reported on the story in yesterday's Star that Gianfranco Zola has agreed a new four-year deal with West Ham. It is reported that Steve Clarke will also be offered a similar extension.


The Express have had a look at the West Ham website and report that Matthew Upson is desperate for West Ham to clinch a Euro spot. They say that having tasted Champions League action with Arsenal, Matthew Upson is keen for a return to Europe.

"I have personal aspirations that I want to achieve," said Upson. "To play against the best players in the world can only help you. It’s about testing yourself."


On the official West Ham website Zola counters Harry Redknapp's claim that the current youngsters at West Ham aren't as good as the ones 'he' developed at the club.

"We will see in time," said Zola. "I believe that when Rio [Ferdinand], [Frank] Lampard or Joe Cole were coming through, they were just promising. Then they improved. It is just down to my players. If they work hard everyday and keep the right attitude, they can do that.

"I believe that everybody owns their own destiny. When I started there were a few that said I wouldn't become a player but they didn't know my attitude and my mentality. I believe my players have the same attitude and they can become important players."


Elsewhere a number of football websites are reporting that Zola is confident that West Ham will renew Lucas Neill's contract.

"I know the club are dealing with that and Lucas knows my opinion about that so now it is down to Lucas and the club to find a solution and I believe they are working with that," said the Italian.

Zola Signs New West Ham Deal

The People say that Gianfranco Zola has signed a new four-year deal with West Ham. They claim the new deal will double Zola's salary to more than £1.5million. The People also say that West Ham will announce the news this week after Steve Clarke and other members of the backroom staff have also agreed renewed terms.

The News of the World say that Lee Bowyer is ready to consider making his loan deal to Birmingham permanent. However in the quote they give Bowyer doesn't sound over enthused about the prospect,

"Obviously, any decision will be made in the summer. I'll have to consider my options. I am looking to do what I joined Birmingham for and that is to help them get into the Premier League. I still feel I have a lot to give. I am still getting box to box, and the more games I have played for Birmingham the better I feel I have become."

The Daily Star say that Newcastle are closely monitoring Lucas Neill's contract talks at West Ham. The Star don't say however whether Neill wants to play in the Championship.

Sp#rs 1 West Ham 0

T#ottenham, at home, with a side that cost over £100 million more than a patched up team of West Ham players, many of them playing out of position, struggled to get a win. In the first half Sp#rs had the better of the possession but West Ham coped well in defence and managed to create a couple of half decent chances themselves.

Green was twice forced into saves in the first half. On the half hour mark Huddlestone shot from just outside the area and Green did well to dive and save the ball to his right. A minute later and Green was forced into another save when Keane shot from just outside the penalty area.

In the 26th minute Noble played an intelligent chip over the defence into the area for Boa-Morte but Gomez was able to climb over Boa-Morte to get the ball away. In the 34th minute Noble floated a freekick into the penalty area, the ball was cleared to Di-Michele, wide left of the goal, who volleyed the ball first time forcing Gomez into a save. In the 36th minute Di Michele had the opportunity to play Stanislas clear, who was unmarked to his left, but decided to shoot from outside the area instead. His shot was easliy blocked by the defence.


Seven minutes into the second half and Di Michele should have scored for West Ham. A punt up field by Green eluded Woodgate and Di Michele was clean through on goal seven yards out. Unfortunately Di Michele shot weakly straight at Gomez. In the 64th minute Pavlyuchenko turned Collins and scored from seven yards.

Sp#rs didn't create much more after that, although they had a good chance to extend the lead when West Ham were pushing forward late on. Sp#rs broke and Green did well to save at Lennon's feet, the ball bounced out to Keane on the edge of the area and Collins did well to clear off the line.

Late on Di Michele had a couple of more chances to get an equaliser. In the 87th minute he shot from ten yards but the shot was saved by Gomez. In the 91st minute Di Michele turned the Sp#rs defence three times but eventually his shot was blocked.

In the end a very weakened West Ham side were probably unlucky to lose against the home side. With Parker, Kovac, Collison, Behrami, Cole and Ashton fit we would have probably beaten this bunch by three or four clear goals ;)

Sp#rs vs West Ham - Live Streaming

Surprisingly there doesn't seem to be too many streams of today's game.

LiveFooty TV have a SopCast link for this game and a Flash based link.

FSi have a couple of links to browser based streams.

Full radio commentary is on BBC London 94.9 FM; DAB & BBC London online.

Sp#rs vs West Ham - the Predictions

Wilson Palacios is suspended for Sp~rs. Aaron Lennon failed to train on Thursday due to a groin strain, but should be fit. For West Ham midfielders Scott Parker and Radoslav Kovac will both have late fitness tests.


Lawro says that "West Ham, under Gianfranco Zola and Steve Clarke, is probably one of the stories of the season ... they are now European candidates." Therefore he thinks West Ham will lose tomorrow. As ever with Lawro - go figure.

Lawro predicts a 2-0 West Ham loss

Setanta say that West Ham don't have a good record at White Hart Lane, "where they have not won a league game in almost ten years, and they have scored just six goals in their last ten league visits there. With Carlton Cole out injured that record may not be set to change at this time of asking."

Setanta predict a 2-1 West Ham loss

Sky say that Sp#rs have been in 'brilliant' form lately. West Ham are without a number of established first-team players, consequently Sky are predicting a narrow loss for the Irons.

Sky predict a 2-1 West Ham loss

Junior Signs New Deal

Junior Stanislas became the third young Hammer, after Noble and Tomkins, to commit his future to West Ham. Stanilas, who scored his opening goal for the club last Saturday, has signed a new contract until summer 2013.

Stanilas said of the new deal,

"It's good to have signed. I've been working hard and doing well on the training ground so the new contract is obviously a bonus. It's a great show of faith and I've just got to keep working hard. I'm learning still on the pitch but this is a reward for how I've been doing."

West Ham News

The Mirror have rehashed the story that the rest of the media had a few days ago, namely that Kovac was among a number of Czech players to have taken part in a late night drinking session.

The Sun report Gianfranco Zola as defending new West Ham signing Savio. Zola has backed Savio to be a star of the future.

According to The Mail West Ham will get around £200,000 in compensation from the FA for the injury to Carlton Cole.

Financially Adjusted League

Chelsea are winning the transfer spending adjusted league for the 2008/9 season. West Ham are currently lying in third place. Unsurprisingly Man City are over 60 points adrift at the bottom of the league and Sp#rs are third from bottom.

Teams are deducted 1 point for every £1 million net loss made in their transfer dealings for the season.

Teams are rewarded 1 point for every £1 million net earned in their transfer dealings for the season.

82 Chelsea
70 Portsmouth
63 West Ham
61 Everton
58 Liverpool
43 Arsenal
43 Bolton
41 Wigan
40 Blackburn
38 Man Utd
30 Fulham
26 Middlesbrough
21 Aston Villa
21 Hull
21 Newcastle
20 Sunderland
19 Stoke
18 Tottenham
18 West Brom
-45 Man City

Transfer spending for the season has been calculated from figures at soccerbase. All errors & bad sums are mine.

Noble & Tomkins Sign New West Ham Deals

Mark Noble and James Tomkins have both signed new contracts with West Ham. Both players have signed deals that should keep them at the club until summer 2013.

Noble said, of his new deal,

"It's fantastic that the club have shown their belief in me. We're trying to go forward and push on and we're in a great position at the minute. We've got an important game on Saturday against Spurs and we've got to keep the run going. It's been a great season and we've been doing well.

"The new manager has come in and some of the football at times has been unbelievable and I think people have noticed that. I'm just delighted to have signed and hopefully we can push on and try to get that European place."

Tomkins said,

"It's really great to have signed for this great club so I'm just delighted to get it all sorted. I've come in at a time when we're pushing for a European place and I'm really enjoying my football. I feel I'm getting better with each game, I have become more mature and going on loan did me a lot of good."

West Ham Want Compensation for Cole

Most of the papers are running with the story that West Ham are claiming compensation from the Football Association following Carlton Cole's groin injury while on England duty.


On the official West Ham website James Tomkins thanks everyone from his parents to his West Ham United team-mates to Academy director Tony Carr after scoring his first senior goal for the Hammers. Tomkins says the goal is a reward no just for himself but also the many people who have invested time and effort in his football career since he joined West Ham at the age of eight.

"My Mum and Dad were at the game and it was obviously a moment that I need to thank them a lot for. Over the years they have taken me to training and my goal was for them."

"You can see the challenge from the players that have come through at the club, these massive players like [Michael] Carrick, [Joe] Cole and [Rio] Ferdinand. They are brilliant players and Tony Carr has a lot to do with it. He manages the youth team. A lot of the staff are brilliant in terms of boosting your confidence and giving you your chance here."

Parker And Kovac Back for Sp#rs

Gianfranco Zola claims that Scott Parker and Radoslav Kovac should both be fit for next Saturday's game against T#ttenham,

"Hopefully Radoslav Kovac will be ready and hopefully it will be the same for Scott Parker. They are important players for me. If they are back it will make a difference."

It also looks like Jonathan Spector should be available after suffering concussion in Saturday's game against Sunderland,

"He lost consciousness and his short memory," Zola said. "But he is fine now. He doesn't remember me, which is a good thing."

The West Ham official website are now saying that Spector will be out of West Ham's next two games. The site says,

"Spector will spend this week at home recovering as is standard with all injuries of this nature before returning next week to Chadwell Heath for light work. He will miss out on the away matches at Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa over the next two weekends but could return for the home game against Chelsea on Saturday 25 April."

West Ham in the Sunday Papers

The People say that speculation linking Stephen Appiah with a summer move to West Ham is growing. The 28-year-old midfielder is currently without a club following his release from Fenerbahce in 2008 and concerns have been raised about his fitness.

The News of the World say it is unlikely that Julien Faubert will stay at Real Madrid. The player, on loan from West Ham, has played less than an hour's worth of football for the Spanish club, despite injuries to two of their other wingers.

On the West Ham oficial site Zola says that the 2-0 victory against Sunderland yesterday is his best ever victory at the club.

West Ham 2 Sunderland 0

It was a very even first half in terms of possession and chances on goal but West Ham edged it purely on quality of finishing.

Sunderland had a few good long range efforts on goal. As early as the eighth minute Leadbitter came close, just missing wide of the left-hand post, from 25 yards. In the 20th minute it was Malbranque's chance to shoot from just outside the box. His effort just missing wide of the right-hand post.

Before scoring West Ham came close from a Di Michele shot from the edge of the area which flew just right of the goal in the 22nd minute. With half-time approaching, in the 42nd minute West Ham hit Sunderland on the break. Green found Di Michele, who flicked the ball onto Boa Morte. Boa Morte then passed the ball across the six yard box, where Stanislas ran onto the ball to score his first goal for West Ham from just inside the six yard box.


Six minutes into the second half. Di Michele played a nice ball from the half way line to Tristan, whose shot from 25 yards forced the keeper into a save. From the resulting corner Noble found Tomkins who, from just about the penalty spot, headed home West Ham's second.

In the 59th minute West Ham won a free kick just outside and to the right of the Sunderland area. Noble crossed the free-kick to the far post, where Upson rose and headed across the goal. The ball looked like it might creep in but was just saved by the keeper. From the resulting corner Tomkins again headed towards goal but his header was blocked by the keeper. The ball bounced out to Boa Morte, just outside the box, who fired the ball low back towards the goal, forcing another save from the keeper.

In the 68th minute Spector collided with a Sunderland player. The two players banged heads and Spector also seemed to land awkwardly on his shoulder. Spector's injury held up the game for six minutes before he was finally stretchered off with concussion. Collins came on for the injured American.

In the 78th minute Bardsley managed a shot on goal from outside the area. The ball flew straight at Green who spilled the ball but luckily had enough time to recover. In the 81st minute Dyer came on for Di Michele. A minute later and, after some good play from West Ham, a Boa Morte shot from just outside the box was deflected wide of the goal, where Dyer spun and shot from a couple of yards in from the touchline, wide left of the goal. His shot was deflected wide for a corner.

In the 89th minute West Ham broke down the left. The ball came to Tristan who ran with the ball towards the area. He ignored two West Ham players in space to his left before trying a chipped shot from just outside the area. His shot just flew over the bar before landing on the net. Stanislas was then replaced by Lopez.


After netting the second goal West Ham never really looked in trouble. What a day for West Ham's Academy and Tony Carr's boys

West Ham vs Sunderland - Streaming

Not many links around today. There doesn't seem to be any radio commentary and there only seem to be a couple of streams of the match.

LiveFooty have a link to a TVUPlayer feed of today's game.

Fsi have links to a TVUPlayer feed and to an Octoshape feed.

West Ham vs Sunderland - The Predictions

West Ham go into this game trying to extend their unbeaten run in the league to five games. Sunderland have not won in five.

Sunderland's Cisse was arrested in the early hours of Monday morning after an incident outside a Newcastle lap-dancing club but manager Ricky Sbragia says he will play. However Sunderland cannot play defender Calum Davenport as he is on loan from West Ham. Ex-Hammer George McCartney is a doubt for the game after suffering a calf injury in Northern Ireland's win over Slovenia on Wednesday.

West Ham will miss Carlton Cole up front but should see some action from Kieron Dyer. Because of Dyer's long absence through injury, however, it is unlikely that he will start. West Ham also benefit from the return to fitness of Collins and Savio.


Lawro says that "West Ham are getting short on players, but we're starting to see what a very good job Gianfranco Zola and Steve Clark are doing, especially on the training ground, which I've heard is innovative and enjoyable." Despite the loss of Carlton Cole and West Ham's recent problems in front of goal Lawro also sees West Ham getting two goals.

Lawro predicts a 2-1 win for West Ham


Sky are not impressed with Sunderland's recent form. The side have claimed just two points from the last 15 on offer. Sky say David Di Michele is the player to watch.

Sky predict a 2-0 West Ham win


Setanta say that Robert Green is the rock on which West Ham's success has been built this season and that the form of both teams bodes badly for Sunderland.

Setanta predict a 1-0 West Ham win

Cole Out for Six Weeks

The West Ham official website has confirmed that Carlton Cole will be out for six weeks. Cole's groin injury does not need surgery and he should be back for the last couple of games in West Ham's season.

Collins Back for West Ham

James Collins has now got two games under his belt playing for Wales. Collins played a full 90 minutes in Wales' defeats to Finland and Germany and safely seems to be back to full fitness.

Matthew Upson however was absent from the England squad last night. I haven't heard any rumours that he is injured but it does seem strange that Capello didn't even name him on the bench, after he has been his first choice replacement for Ferdinand and Terry.

Dyer Back for West Ham

Kieron Dyer insists he has returned to full fitness. Dyer had a few minutes of playing time in West Ham's 1-1 draw at Blackburn and played in a behind doors friendly against Chelsea.

"The friendly game against Chelsea in particular was very pleasing, because I played 60 minutes and didn't feel any problems afterwards. I had no aches or pains at all, which was a great sign for me," Dyer says on the West Ham official website.

"Before, after games, I would be throwing ice on my shins because they would be throbbing, but now for the first time, that didn't happen and it feels good.

"When I came back earlier in the year (against Barnsley in the FA Cup) I could hardly move for the next couple of days, but I didn't get that this time around.

"I feel so much better now. In the Chelsea game I did a lot of running and it's the fittest I have felt for a long time. It showed my legs are, finally after what has been a very long lay-off, getting used to the workload again."

"These things happen in football and I honestly believe I can bring some more pace to the side. If I can get a few more run-outs before the end of the season, then next season will hopefully be the one were everyone will see the real me."