Less than a year after taking control of the club, Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson is beefing up the management at West Ham to provide the structure needed to take on the challenge of building a new, larger ground for the club. That project is considered key to making good on Gudmundsson's goal of regular European football for West Ham. The changes include Eggert Magnusson relinquishing his executive duties, although he will retain his ownership stake and remain as non-executive chairman of the club. The move was foreshadowed, I think, when Gudmundsson gave his first interview to the English press two weeks ago in the Observer. Gudmundsson noted that Magnusson was important, but mostly as a public face. Now, this first phase of their ownership is over, and Magnusson will step back from the forefront.
A former spokesman for the 2012 London Olympic committee is thought to be a possible hire. West Ham tried to convince the organizing committee to build the Olympic stadium in such a way that West Ham could occupy it as their ground after the games, but the club were turned down and now are seeking to build their own ground of about 60,000 seats near the West Ham tube stop.
The Digger column in the Guardian reported that the London subsidiary of Gudmundsson's Landsbanki brokered the sale this week of a 6% interest in Arsenal's holding company to Alisher Usmanov, a Russian who increased his stake in the holding company to 21% with the purchase. Gudmundsson has many contacts in Russia, having founded a brewery that he later sold to Heineken for $400 million, the Digger wrote. Gudmundsson also was fighting fraud charges in Iceland at the time; he was eventually convicted on five minor bookeeping offenses.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
McCartney fined by IFA
The Irish Football Association fined West Ham defender George McCartney and Sheffield United winger Kevin Gillespie undisclosed amounts for their fracas last week. The Northern Ireland teammates tussled just before the flight carrying their side home from a Euro 2008 qualifier in Iceland took off for London. The fines will be donated to charity.
Monday, September 17, 2007
A brief burst, but shaky defending
It was frustrating to watch the closing minutes of Arsenal's second-half destruction of Tottenham on Saturday knowing that West Ham and Middlesborough had already kicked off. The Gunners were well on their way to a 3-1 victory at White Hart Lane, but Fox Soccer Channel was committed to showing the entire match and then switching to the Hammers-'Boro clash. It was even more frustrating watching their studio hosts blather about the game while it was going on. The game was on a flat-panel screen mounted behind the hosts as they spoke aimlessly about the prospects for the two teams. At the very least, they could have put the game up on the screen while the studio hosts were talking.
As it turns out, I probably didn't miss much that I wanted to see. Not because the teams were still scoreless when FSC finally allowed us to watch around the 32nd minute, but because 'Boro apparently had much the better of the play, from what I read. However, the Hammers put on a second-half blitz, keyed by Carlton Cole, Lee Bowyer, Matthew Etherington and Dean Ashton, to win 3-0. It helped that 'Boro couldn't nail the many chances that West Ham allowed. Sanli Tuncay, an early substitute replacing an injured Jeremie Aliadiere, misfired on several good chances, although keeper Robert Green also held him at bay with a terriffic save. Cole, who came on after Craig Bellamy suffered a groin injury, found Bowyer sprinting into the area and deftly served him for the first goal, and he also provided the (mishit) cross that Luke Young directed into the net for an own goal a few minutes later. Cole narrowly missed scoring late, although by that time, the focus was on Ashton. He scored his first league goal this term -- and his first in a senior game since the 2006 FA Cup final -- on a cross from Etherington. Watching with friends at the Globe, I thought that Cole got a touch on the cross, but I watched the replays a few times at home, and it looks like he did not get to the ball. In any case, Cole's play was a key to the three-goal spurt in barely 15 minutes. Only the report in the Guardian had much to say about Cole's play.
Freddie Ljungberg came on for Ashton, marking Ljungberg's first action since the opening week against Manchester City. Etherington's play could make it more difficult for Ljungberg to get a game. Scott Parker remained on the sidelines. James Collins paired with Matthew Upson at centre-half, rather than Anton Ferdinand, but I did not hear or read anything about why Ferdinand didn't play. I also have not read any update on Bellamy's condition.
As it turns out, I probably didn't miss much that I wanted to see. Not because the teams were still scoreless when FSC finally allowed us to watch around the 32nd minute, but because 'Boro apparently had much the better of the play, from what I read. However, the Hammers put on a second-half blitz, keyed by Carlton Cole, Lee Bowyer, Matthew Etherington and Dean Ashton, to win 3-0. It helped that 'Boro couldn't nail the many chances that West Ham allowed. Sanli Tuncay, an early substitute replacing an injured Jeremie Aliadiere, misfired on several good chances, although keeper Robert Green also held him at bay with a terriffic save. Cole, who came on after Craig Bellamy suffered a groin injury, found Bowyer sprinting into the area and deftly served him for the first goal, and he also provided the (mishit) cross that Luke Young directed into the net for an own goal a few minutes later. Cole narrowly missed scoring late, although by that time, the focus was on Ashton. He scored his first league goal this term -- and his first in a senior game since the 2006 FA Cup final -- on a cross from Etherington. Watching with friends at the Globe, I thought that Cole got a touch on the cross, but I watched the replays a few times at home, and it looks like he did not get to the ball. In any case, Cole's play was a key to the three-goal spurt in barely 15 minutes. Only the report in the Guardian had much to say about Cole's play.
Freddie Ljungberg came on for Ashton, marking Ljungberg's first action since the opening week against Manchester City. Etherington's play could make it more difficult for Ljungberg to get a game. Scott Parker remained on the sidelines. James Collins paired with Matthew Upson at centre-half, rather than Anton Ferdinand, but I did not hear or read anything about why Ferdinand didn't play. I also have not read any update on Bellamy's condition.
Newcastle stumbles
Derby County won their first league match this term with a 1-0 victory Monday over West Ham's next opponent, Newcastle United, at Pride Park. New signing Kenny Miller struck from well outside the penalty area in the 39th minute to account for the scoring. The BBC recap indicated that Newcastle could have been rewarded two penalties in the match, but added that Derby County in general had the better of the play and deserved the points. Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce seemed to blame his side's heavy participation in internationals last week for the sluggish performance.
The match against Newcastle Sunday on Tyneside represents a step up in class for West Ham's schedule. Three of the next five matches are against teams currently in the top half of the table, with Sunderland and Portsmouth sitting 14th and 15th. Arsenal, currently top of the table, visits Upton Park on Sept. 29 and then West Ham is away to their kit twins, Aston Villa, on Oct. 6. Newcastle had a chance to leap above West Ham in the table, but instead slipped to 10th with the loss in the East Midlands. West Ham are sixth. I mentioned to a friend who supports Manchester City, who are second, that it was nice to see some different names near the top, but really, other than City, it's the usual four at the top. Wigan are sitting ninth, which is also a change after the club fought relegation nearly all of last term. Of course, it's very early in the campaign.
The match against Newcastle Sunday on Tyneside represents a step up in class for West Ham's schedule. Three of the next five matches are against teams currently in the top half of the table, with Sunderland and Portsmouth sitting 14th and 15th. Arsenal, currently top of the table, visits Upton Park on Sept. 29 and then West Ham is away to their kit twins, Aston Villa, on Oct. 6. Newcastle had a chance to leap above West Ham in the table, but instead slipped to 10th with the loss in the East Midlands. West Ham are sixth. I mentioned to a friend who supports Manchester City, who are second, that it was nice to see some different names near the top, but really, other than City, it's the usual four at the top. Wigan are sitting ninth, which is also a change after the club fought relegation nearly all of last term. Of course, it's very early in the campaign.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
More Bad Boy Inc. fodder
West Ham defender George McCartney just wants to fit in, I guess. While on international duty this week with Northern Ireland, McCartney added to his club's burgeoning reputation as Bad Boys Inc., as the Guardian's The Fiver football email calls the Hammers. McCartney and winger Keith Gillespie tussled on the team's flight back from Iceland after the Northern Ireland side lost 2-1 to Iceland on an own goal by Gillespie. The Belfast Telegraph reported that the dispute was over a passport -- I can't figure out what that could possibly mean. The United Kingdom is not part of the Schengen Agreement that allows travel across many European borders without a passport, so both players needed to bring their passports along. Did one player leave his back at the hotel, necessitating a delay? Who knows.
McCartney rejoined the Northern Ireland side after about two years away. The Belfast Telegraph said the exile came from McCartney's refusal to play for former national manager Lawrie Sanchez, who is now the head man at Fulham. Gillespie, meanwhile, is the most experienced player on the national team, earning his 57th cap in Wednesday's match. Another interesting twist to this story is that Gillespie plays for Sheffield United. McCartney's refusal to play under Sanchez and his club both could have added fuel to whatever dispute developed between the two.
McCartney joins three of his club teammates in having notable disputes with teammates. Lee Bowyer and Kieron Dyer, famously, were sent off while teammates at Newcastle two years ago. Bowyer struck the first blow on Dyer, who responded in kind. They say that they long ago patched things up. Craig Bellamy was accused of attacking John Arne Riise in February as the then Liverpool teammates were part of a night out during a training camp in Portugal. Bellamy was accused of hitting Riise's legs with a golf club, according to news accounts. That incident is part of why Bellamy is a Hammer today, I'm sure.
Bowyer, too, is infamous for his acquittal on criminal charges in a beating near a nightclub that involved one of his teammates when he played for Leeds United. I knew that he had played for Leeds, and I knew that the club has had a checkered history of late, but I learned a lot more about Bowyer and especially the club in a feature story in the September issue of FourFourTwo. I'm guessing that for fans who have been following the sport during this period, there wasn't a ton of new information, but I was fascinated by the narrative of Leeds United's fall from Champions League semifinalist to relegation to League One in the space of six years. I'm interested enough to read a good book on it, if one has been written.
McCartney rejoined the Northern Ireland side after about two years away. The Belfast Telegraph said the exile came from McCartney's refusal to play for former national manager Lawrie Sanchez, who is now the head man at Fulham. Gillespie, meanwhile, is the most experienced player on the national team, earning his 57th cap in Wednesday's match. Another interesting twist to this story is that Gillespie plays for Sheffield United. McCartney's refusal to play under Sanchez and his club both could have added fuel to whatever dispute developed between the two.
McCartney joins three of his club teammates in having notable disputes with teammates. Lee Bowyer and Kieron Dyer, famously, were sent off while teammates at Newcastle two years ago. Bowyer struck the first blow on Dyer, who responded in kind. They say that they long ago patched things up. Craig Bellamy was accused of attacking John Arne Riise in February as the then Liverpool teammates were part of a night out during a training camp in Portugal. Bellamy was accused of hitting Riise's legs with a golf club, according to news accounts. That incident is part of why Bellamy is a Hammer today, I'm sure.
Bowyer, too, is infamous for his acquittal on criminal charges in a beating near a nightclub that involved one of his teammates when he played for Leeds United. I knew that he had played for Leeds, and I knew that the club has had a checkered history of late, but I learned a lot more about Bowyer and especially the club in a feature story in the September issue of FourFourTwo. I'm guessing that for fans who have been following the sport during this period, there wasn't a ton of new information, but I was fascinated by the narrative of Leeds United's fall from Champions League semifinalist to relegation to League One in the space of six years. I'm interested enough to read a good book on it, if one has been written.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Bellamy gets good run in
West Ham striker Craig Bellamy missed Saturday's Euro 2008 qualifier for Wales against Germany, as his wife and baby daughter remained in the hospital after the little girl's recent birth. The fairer Bellamys left the hospital in time for Craiggers to score twice and help force an own goal by Slovakia in a 5-2 Wales victory in Trnava, Slovakia, Wednesday night. Wales manager John Toshack called Bellamy's performance scintillating in his first match as captain of the Wales side. The starting XI also featured two West Ham backliners -- Danny Gabbidon and James Collins.
The Welsh would pretty much need a miracle to qualify for the finals. They sit tied for fourth, with Slovakia and Cyprus, in Group D, having played eight of 12 group matches. Even if they managed to win all four of the remaining matches -- three of them on the road, including a visit to group leader Germany -- they would be on 22 points, just two more than the second-place team, the Czech Republic, have accumulated through nine matches.
England beat Russia 3-0 at Wembley and Scotland pulled off a 1-0 upset of France in Paris. Scotland sits atop its group, ahead of both World Cup finalists from a year ago, Italy and France. England now needs a win and two draws to guarantee qualification for the finals next summer. What will the critics say and write now? I'm just glad that I can look forward to Premiership action again on Saturday.
The Welsh would pretty much need a miracle to qualify for the finals. They sit tied for fourth, with Slovakia and Cyprus, in Group D, having played eight of 12 group matches. Even if they managed to win all four of the remaining matches -- three of them on the road, including a visit to group leader Germany -- they would be on 22 points, just two more than the second-place team, the Czech Republic, have accumulated through nine matches.
England beat Russia 3-0 at Wembley and Scotland pulled off a 1-0 upset of France in Paris. Scotland sits atop its group, ahead of both World Cup finalists from a year ago, Italy and France. England now needs a win and two draws to guarantee qualification for the finals next summer. What will the critics say and write now? I'm just glad that I can look forward to Premiership action again on Saturday.
Thursday, September 6, 2007
The long wait
I will be glad when this week of international play is done and even more glad when West Ham take the field at the Boleyn Ground against Middlesborough. I understand that England have underachieved and are in danger of missing out on the finals of Euro 2008. But I've had enough of the complaining about the team's performance in the national newspapers. I can see why England had to go to "Second-Choice" Steve McLaren as the manager. What manager secure in his club job would want the England position?
The only thing for West Ham to do is tend to their injured players and hope that key players such as Welsh striker Craig Bellamy don't add to the injury woes during international play. The side was bolstered at the very end of the summer transfer window with the permanent signing of Newcastle midfielder Nolberto Solano, a Peruvian, and the signing on loan from Wigan Athletic of Senegalese striker Henri Camara. Solano, who will turn 33 in December, had wanted a move to the London area to be closer to his family, much like the former Newcastle player whose injury necessitated his purchase -- Kieron Dyer. Camara, 30, was apparently surplus to requirements at Wigan, perhaps not clicking with new manager Christopher Hutchings.
It will be quite interesting to see the new signings and some of the injured players back in the squad. It's starting to get a bit crowded in the midfield, if Scott Parker and Freddie Ljungberg return to fitness, but if there are too many healthy at once, that will be a new and better problem to have. There's always the January transfer window to relieve the pressure, too, especially if Julien Faubert looks ready to return around that time.
One last bit of news to catch up on: West Ham drew home to Plymouth Argyle of the Championship. The Pilgrims, from England's southwest coast, advanced to the third round with a 2-0 win home to League One's Doncaster Rovers.
The only thing for West Ham to do is tend to their injured players and hope that key players such as Welsh striker Craig Bellamy don't add to the injury woes during international play. The side was bolstered at the very end of the summer transfer window with the permanent signing of Newcastle midfielder Nolberto Solano, a Peruvian, and the signing on loan from Wigan Athletic of Senegalese striker Henri Camara. Solano, who will turn 33 in December, had wanted a move to the London area to be closer to his family, much like the former Newcastle player whose injury necessitated his purchase -- Kieron Dyer. Camara, 30, was apparently surplus to requirements at Wigan, perhaps not clicking with new manager Christopher Hutchings.
It will be quite interesting to see the new signings and some of the injured players back in the squad. It's starting to get a bit crowded in the midfield, if Scott Parker and Freddie Ljungberg return to fitness, but if there are too many healthy at once, that will be a new and better problem to have. There's always the January transfer window to relieve the pressure, too, especially if Julien Faubert looks ready to return around that time.
One last bit of news to catch up on: West Ham drew home to Plymouth Argyle of the Championship. The Pilgrims, from England's southwest coast, advanced to the third round with a 2-0 win home to League One's Doncaster Rovers.
If only I'd seen it...
I don't have much that I can say about Saturday's 3-0 win away to Reading, except that I wish I had been able to watch it. TMG and I were in St. Louis for the Illinois-Missouri (American) football game that day. I thought that I had a bar lined up to watch the match, but there was some confusion about what hour the bar would open on Saturday. Their website said 10 a.m. -- or shortly after halftime -- but an email to the bar brought the reply that they would be open for the early games. I should have replied to that email to clarify the exact time that they would open. Because I hadn't, we decided to skip it, as we were in for a long day as it was without getting up two hours early only to find the bar shuttered.
The match accounts indicate that West Ham used its pace all day to frustrate Reading, counterattacking quickly. On two occasions, I read, West Ham scored off corner kicks taken by Reading. Most of the match accounts that I read centered around the 6-0 defeat that West Ham suffered away to Reading on New Year's Day. I'm glad that that result is well behind West Ham now.
The match accounts indicate that West Ham used its pace all day to frustrate Reading, counterattacking quickly. On two occasions, I read, West Ham scored off corner kicks taken by Reading. Most of the match accounts that I read centered around the 6-0 defeat that West Ham suffered away to Reading on New Year's Day. I'm glad that that result is well behind West Ham now.
Interview with Big G
The Observer won the first interview with an English newspaper for Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson, the man who owns 95% of West Ham United plc. Eggert Magnusson is the public face, but Gudmundsson has the deep pockets. Gudmundsson and Magnusson came together after Magnusson left the UEFA board and let it be known that he was interested in keeping his hand in football. The article details some interesting episodes in Gudmundsson's life -- one of which makes it clear that he had had the life experience to endure last term's trials and tribulations -- and provides an answer to the criticism of foreign owners in the Premier League: Icelanders such as Gudmundsson and Magnusson are practically English, the banker says.
Good follow-up
The Independent had a fine story at the outset of the summer transfer window about the anxiety that many players face when they are out of contract and looking for a new club. Earlier this week, the paper followed-up with Rhys Weston and found his destination: Walsall, a Midlands club that won promotion straight back to League One last season.
What did he expect?
This is old now, but I still want to point it out. Yossi Benayoun's agent said the midfielder is disappointed that he is not featuring more for Liverpool and that he may have to switch to a "medium-sized team" if the situation doesn't change. Oh, really?
Everyone is aware that Liverpool have a huge squad and rotate a lot of players other than the stalwarts such as Steven Gerrard and, new this season, Fernando Torres. Unless you are a superstar, if you expect to start in nearly every match, Liverpool isn't the team to join. It's just a necessity for a squad that expects to advance deep into three competitions (Champions League, Carling Cup, FA Cup) in addition to the Premiership.
If playing time was such a key concern for Benayoun, he should have signed the contract that was on offer from West Ham.
Everyone is aware that Liverpool have a huge squad and rotate a lot of players other than the stalwarts such as Steven Gerrard and, new this season, Fernando Torres. Unless you are a superstar, if you expect to start in nearly every match, Liverpool isn't the team to join. It's just a necessity for a squad that expects to advance deep into three competitions (Champions League, Carling Cup, FA Cup) in addition to the Premiership.
If playing time was such a key concern for Benayoun, he should have signed the contract that was on offer from West Ham.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)