Premier lyga.

Šeštadienį startavusiame 14-tame “Premier” lygos (Anglija) ture didesnių staigmenų neužfiksuota.

“Manchester United” išvykoje 4:1 sutriuškino “Portsmouth” ekipą, o komandos puolėjas Wayne’as Rooney varžovams “padovanojo” 3 įvarčius.

Turo rezultatai:

“Blackburn” 0:0 “Stoke”;

“Fulham” (75 min. D.Duff) 1:1 “Bolton” (35 min.  I.Klasničius);

“Manchester City” (45 min. S.Phillips) 1:1 “Hull” (82 min. J.Bullard (iš 11 m. baudinio)

“Portsmouth” 1:4 “Manchester United” 25′ [0 - 1] (W.Rooney (iš 11 metrų baudinio),48 min. W.Rooney, 54 min. W.Rooney (iš 11 m. baudinio), 87 min. R.Giggsas);

“West Ham” (18 min.J.Collison,33 min. J.Stanislas,43 min. C.Cole (iš 11 m. baudinio),51 min.  G.Franco,64 min. L.Jimenez’as (iš 11 m. baudinio) 5:3 “Burnley” (68 min. S.Fletcheris, 74 min. S.Fletcheris, 90 min. C.Eagles);

“Wigan” (76 min. H.Rodallega)1:0 “Sunderland”.

Inilah hasil liga Inggris untuk pertandingan pekan ke 14 atau tanggal 28 november 2009. Ini dia hasilnya.

28 november

jam 22:00 wib

BLACKBURN R. vs STOKE CITY
0-0

FULHAM vs BOLTON WANDERERN
1-1

MANCHESTER CITY vs HULL CITY
1-1

PORTSMOUNT vs MANCHESTER UTD
1-4

WEST HAM UNITED
vs BURNLEY
5-3

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs SUNDERLAND
1-0

jangan lupa untuk menonton satu laga lagi di TVONE

jam 00:30 wib

ASTON VILLA vs TOTTENHAM HOTSPURT

watch West Ham United vs Burnley – EPL Soccer online live stream TV sport 11/28, 28 Nov 2009. This Sport Games Starting time will be at 10:00 ET(US) or 16:00 CET (Europe). We will update the link several hours/minutes before the scheduled starting time. The live stream feed provided from free video tv hosting sites like ustream, justin tv, p2p, sopcast, tvu, tvants, uusee, etc. You can watch online Sport Live TV stream channel on November, 28 2009. The sport tv we cover here is NHL, NBA, KHL, NFL, AHL, NCAA, MLB, AHL, MLS, Soccer, EPL, Champion, UEFA, FIFA, U20, U17,  Football, Hockey, Basketball, SERIE A, NASCAR, F1, GP and others. If there is any of free tv hosting that airs these sport tv channel, we will update the link for you. Dont Miss to watch live sport tv between West Ham United vs Burnley – EPL Soccer online . Please click on below link to watch, online, free, live, stream, sport, tv, at 11/28 2009, West Ham United vs Burnley – EPL Soccer.

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There are thousands collections of Live internet TV hosting sites and video feeds. You can Watch Live streaming TV Stations or channels from many source. But to search and point your intended channels sometimes is very difficult since one site can offer thousand of free TV sport channel in just one day.  So Here, we provide summary of links that will provide free live streaming TV sports. In this site We focus on the  Baseball, Basketball, Hockey, soccer and other more spesific segment. Most watch free TV stations we cover for  Sport here are from, USA & Canada and some other popular sports in Europe and arround the world. Check out our featured free tv sport online live stream today 28 November 2009 (11/28) for West Ham United vs Burnley – EPL Soccer.  We will find the links from ustream, justin tv, p2p, sopcast, tvu, tvants, uusee, etc. So don’t need to worry about miss one of our favorite TV sport game match, we can now catch them online, usually just 24 hours later it will be stored in the hosting site, it depends on their policy. You can easily select and click to watch West Ham United vs Burnley – EPL Soccer and others sport channel online stream here.

There are some good games on tap this weekend. The biggest one is probably the Arsenal/Chelsea match Sunday afternoon. Both squads have been playing well and winning. Arsenal is eight points back from first place Chelsea, but is definitely capable of knocking off the leaders. On Saturday, fourth place Tottenham plays away to fifth place Aston Villa in a game that could have major top four implications. And of course, there’s the Merseyside derby between Liverpool and Everton, which is always a hard fought match.

Saturday, November 28
Blackburn vs. Stoke – 8:30 p.m. ET/Setanta (Delayed)
Fulham vs. Bolton – 5 p.m. ET/Setanta (Delayed)
Manchester City vs. Hull – 9:55 a.m. ET/Setanta (Live)
Portsmouth vs. Manchester United – 9:45 a.m. ET/ESPN2 (Live)
West Ham vs. Burnley – 10 a.m. ET/Fox Soccer (Live)
Wigan vs. Sunderland – 7 p.m. ET/Fox Soccer (Delayed)
Aston Villa vs. Tottenham – 12:30 p.m. ET/Fox Soccer (Live)

Sunday, November 29
Wolves vs. Birmingham – 7 p.m. ET/Fox Soccer (Delayed)
Everton vs. Liverpool – 8:25 a.m. ET/Setanta (Live)
Arsenal vs. Chelsea – 11 a.m. ET/Fox Soccer (Live)

This week it’s West Ham’s turn! The team from Newham in the Eastern parts of London plays their home matches at Boleyn Ground in Upton Park. West Ham United is also known as the Hammers and the Irons. Robert Green, their keeper, has been an important player at West Ham for the last three years and this man is also very good at saving penalty kicks.

Last season, West Ham came 9th on the table. For the 2009/2010 season, the Hammers haven’t been off to a very good start and are now in 17th place. This season, West Ham has bought these new players: Jimenez, Kurucz, Ilunga, Faubert and Davenport. Do you think the team’s new members will get the team higher up the table?

Gianfranco Zola is their manager and he came to the club September last year. Zola was a legendary football player at Chelsea between 1996 and 2003. In 2003, Zola was voted as the best Chelsea player ever, by Chelsea fans.

West Ham is playing Burnley tomorrow at Boleyn Ground in Upton Park. Who do you think will score the first goal?

Buy Premier League tickets here
If you’re going to London in December, check out these Christmas markets

Do you want to read more about your favourite team? Burnley, Portsmouth, Birmingham, Hull City, Fulham, Bolton, Manchester United, Chelsea, Wigan, Blackburn, Manchester City, Everton, Wolverhampton, Aston Villa and Liverpool.

- Hanne -

If you don’t know who Tony Carr is then you should be ashamed of yourself…….

If England have any success in July then fans have Mr Carr to thank for any role John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard, Michael Carrick, Joe Cole, Jermaine Defoe or Glen Johnson play.

Feel thoroughly chastised? Well you should, not many people are aware of the great work Carr has done for West Ham and England. West Ham are known as The Acadamy and have a reputation for bringing through talent. Much of this success can be attributed to Carr.

Tony Carr has been the Director of Youth Development at West Ham for an unbroken 36 years. West Ham have only had 12 managers in their history, unbelieveably, Carr has worked under 9 of them.

West Ham United Academy Players- 1973-2009

As you can see, an impressive array. There are a few names on there that will surprise even the most devoted football fan.

Carr has been aided in his task over the years by Chief Scout Jimmy Hampson, who is considered among the best talent scouts in the UK.

Most modern clubs scour the globe for young talent. Wenger at Arsenal is a prime case. Shipping in outstanding talent from abroad when what he’s got on his doorstep is more then good enough.

 Carr said: “With the odd exception, such as Michael Carrick, virtually all our players have come from east London and the Essex area.”

The West Ham youth academy director is being rewarded for his service with a testimonial, normally a privilege reserved for players and managers. The testimonial will feature the West Ham first team against a team of former academy players. Its scheduled for May 5th at Upton Park.

It will be interesting to see Ince and Lampard pull on a claret and blue shirt again. Not exactly Boleyn ground favourites those two….

In editorialul “Football Made In UK” semnat pentru <Fotbal Vest>, punand cap la cap o serie de stiri provenind in doar cateva zile din diverse tabere, ce mi-au ridicat mingea la fileu sa intreb daca nu cumva convocarile devin pe zi ce trece un deranj tot mai pagubos, am constatat cum conflictul cluburi – selectionate nationale s-a ascutit la varf ca lupta de clasa in fotbalul in varianta globalizata.  

Ambitia si visul sublim al oricarui fotbalist de a imbraca tricoul reprezentativei tarii sale n-au palit nicidecum dar, in functie de circumstante, unii jucatori isi reevalueaza tot mai atent lista prioritatilor.

Iar in lumina ghinionului lui Robin Van Persie de a se accidenta destul de serios in minutul 10 al recentului joc amical Italia – Olanda, intr-o toamna in care “tunarul zburator” fusese mai dezinvolt si prolific ca niciodata in rolul sau majorat in angrenajul lui Wenger, s-ar putea gasi fotbalisti din natiuni mai putin capabile sa sclipeasca pe scena mondiala ori din nationale redutabile in ale caror echipe n-ar fi destul de buni sa incapa, intrebandu-se daca mandria de a fi convocat nu e cumva eclipsata de “deranjul” ce implica o asemenea responsabilitate.

Asemenea dubii nici c-ar fi existat sa zicem acum un deceniu. Dar de cand recompensele au explodat in fotbalul de club, ce ofera nenumarate posibilitati de afirmare, si gandul de a sunta o convocare ce s-ar putea solda cu o accidentare punand in pericol o cariera si asa nu foarte lunga s-a infiripat in planurile unora. La putine zile distanta, doi jucatori din lotul lui Manchester City, club cumparat anul trecut de bogatasi arabi, si-au exprimat indoielile in privinta continuitatii lor pe scena fotbalului la nivelul selectionatelor nationale.

Craig Bellamy, un plimbaret in fotbalul de club, s-a intrebat in public daca mai are rost sa se chinuie la capitania Tarii Galilor intr-o increcare de accedere la un turneu final neconcretizata peste ani de compatriotul sau Ryan Giggs. Desi n-a smuls deloc aplauze, galezul a fost inteles de exemplu de Allan McInally, fost international scotian, ce a opinat ca pentru unii fotbalisti in varianta globalizata a jocului, ajunsi la o anumita varsta si cu sacii de galbeni incarcati in caruta, dorinta de a continua in paralel la echipa nationala a capatat o nuanta mai opaca.

Avantaj Ashley Williams, un fundas oarecare ce nici nu si-ar fi imaginat acum un an si jumatate, la debutul in nationala Tarii Galilor, ca va deveni capitan al “Dragonilor”, si nici atat in urma cu 6 ani, cand nu evolua la divizionara secunda Swansea City, ci la amatoarea Hednesford Town, in paralel cu slujba cu jumatate de norma ca ospatar. Foarte improbabila o asemenea ascensiune intr-o nationala de calibru si s-ar putea crede ca orice Van Persie si-ar dori mai ales un triumf global cu reprezentativa sa pe cai mari, insa o alta voce a venit sa infirme aceasta supozitie.

Poate ca Tevez, celalalt recrut al lui City punand la indoiala dorinta de a mai juca pentru tara sa,  a aruncat castana tocmai pentru a-l sensibiliza pe Maradona sa-l ia in considerare pentru FIFA 2010 World Cup, dar iesirea sa ar putea fi intr-adevar onesta. Spunand ca s-a saturat de fotbal, inclusiv de cel de club, si ca si-ar dori sa-si intoarca fata spre viata de familie, Carlos a subliniat ca argentinienii de lot nu s-au menajat nici pe departe cand a fost vorba sa “dea totul” pentru echipa nationala.  

Cei doi i s-ar putea asadar alatura in exil septarului lui City, Stephen Ireland, ale carui minciuni legate de decesul bunicilor sale, strecurate managerului Steve Staunton in speranta de a-si scurta sederea la lot si a-si vizita prietena dar dezvaluite ca atare de mass-media, au dus la ruptura mijlocasului de lotul national al Irlandei. Ireland, pe urmele altui mijlocas ajuns la cutite cu reprezentativa verde, candva al ei capitan Roy Keane. Ulterior, in campania abia incheiata, Trapattoni si Liam Brady au incercat sa-l scoata pe Ireland din cochilia ce si-o armase in urma excluderii sale din lot dar, cu toate ca pe alocuri septarul cochetase cu ideea revenirii, antrenorul n-a fost convins ca mijlocasul ar dori cu ardoare sa imbrace din nou tricoul verde. De fapt, in cazul lui Ireland, totul s-a rostogolit spre un deznodamant previzibil, odata ce a intrat in conflict cu selectionerul Brian Kerr, la nationala sub 18 ani, si a trebuit sa dea din nou ochii cu acesta la preluarea reprezentativei de seniori. Ireland a trebuit sa astepte instalarea lui Staunton pentru a fi din nou convocat… 

Iar cam pe cand Van Persie gemea in Pescara, un rival in fotbalul de club era déjà inapoi in Londra, cu o potentiala sedere pe tusa de cateva saptamani. Frank Lampard doar a facut deplasarea la Doha, pentru remarcabilul amical Anglia – Brazilia organizat insa in inedita gazduire din lumea araba, dar nici nu s-a mai pregatit pentru alinierea in fata sud-americanilor, lasata pe umerii a doar doi potentiali titulari, Barry si Rooney, ingrosand in schimb infirmeria lui Ancelotti. Sir Alex Ferguson si-o freca pe de-o parte mainile pentru necazul italianului si-al lui Wenger, dar va atrage probabil pe de alta parte atentia la vorbele sale, mereu in disonanta cu “nevoile” selectionerilor de lot. Frecusurile lui Fergie cu Sven sunt binecunoscute si n-au mirat pe nimeni deciziile unor Scholes ori Neville de a spune pas pentru Albion. Miza era prea mare in Premier League si Champions League.

Iar pe cand Van Persie calatorea spre “Cizma”, nebanuind ce-l asteapta, din sanul lui West Ham United razbatea vestea ca Dean Ashton, cumparat de club la inceputul anului 2006 pe o suma record de peste 7 milioane lire sterline, e in prag sa-si agate ghetele in cui. La 25 de ani. Masivul varf chiar marcase pentru “Ciocanari” in memorabilul 3-3 al finalei de Cupa Angliei cu Liverpool, din 2006, dar trei luni mai tarziu, la chiar primul antrenament al convocarii sale in premiera la lotul national, isi rupea glezna. Un an pe tusa si o recidiva, coincidenta stranie, la prima sedinta a visiniu-albastrilor sub bagheta lui Gianfranco Zola. A trecut un an si Ashton, un potential varf pentru Albion, tot nu vede luminita de la capatul tunelului. Totul i se trage insa de la acea convocare in premiera, o onoare cu doua taisuri.

De la alt club, in acelasi timp, un comunicat de presa raspandea vestea retragerii din fotbal a unui jucator lovit de accidentari. La 26 ani, John Kennedy a aruncat prosopul dupa un deceniu petrecut la Celtic Park, drama sa conturandu-se in minutul 18 al meciului sau de debut pentru Scotia, in 31 martie 2004, cand era faultat de Vio Ganea intr-un amical castigat de Romania cu 2-1. Fundasul era monitorizat la vremea respectiva chiar de AC Milan, o postura onoranta tinand cont de numele de calibru ce au consolidat peste ani defensiva rosso-nerilor, insa John n-a mai vazut luminile rampei internationale pana in februarie 2007, la un joc de Champions League tocmai cu… milanezii, la care a luat loc pe banca de rezerve, revenind dupa ani pierduti prin sali de recuperare. Paguba era insa produsa si genunchiul i-a dat ulterior din nou in primire. Federatia a despagubit-o pe Celtic dar un alt club si-a vazut un potential lider irosit sub flamura steagului national.

Asa cum corporatiile preiau tot mai mult rolul statelor, estompand granitele, si fotbalul de club castiga teren pe zi ce trece, in detrimentul nationalelor, ghinion ca al vedetei Van Persie ori al “sperantei” Ashton dand apa la moara carcotasilor.

Iar scurtcircuitele lui Van Persie, Lampard, Bellamy, Tevez, Ashton ori Kennedy au venit in cascada intr-o saptamana fotbalistica indoliata de tragedia lui Robert Enke. Un om ce a intors spatele vietii cu 4 zile inaintea jocului Germania – Chile, la care nu fusese convocat. 

Sunderland

Steve Bruce and every Sunderland fan must be pleased with the start of the season. To put everything into perspective Sunderland avoided relegation last season on the last day.

Sunderland have a good squad and depth in all of the key areas. Obviously Darren Bent has been the star so far and got a deserved England call up. I think that the man who has impressed me the most is Cana. His huge experience has really given the team a maturity that they were lacking last year. Watch out for his arm gestures next game; whenever a colleague has the ball he points to where it should be played.

In January I think that Bruce should look to sign another striker, one happy not to get a regular game but can come in and do a job. If Bent gets injured then I feel Sunderland are a bit light on striking power. Jones has not been scoring enough in the last 12 months and Campbell is just ‘potential’ at the moment.

Maybe Benjani on loan from Man City?

Tottenham

My favourite quote from Harry Redknapp his season was (and I paraphrase) ‘we’ll score loads of goals and win most of the time but occasionally get thumped because of the way we play’.

Essentially that is what has happened so far this season. Spurs are winning most of the games and aside from the performances against Sunderland, Man Utd and Arsenal Spurs have dominated the matches they have been involved in.

They should be a challenge for anyone on paper and, like Harry says, will win most of their games.  

West Ham

Tough times at Upton Park this season. I think that the squad has some good players (Upson, Green, Parker and Cole) and some good young players (Noble, Tomkins and Collinson). However, the rest of the squad is of a quality which is border line between Championship and Premier League.

When on form, e.g. Ilunga second half of last season, the players are more than capable. If the players are not on form then the lack of base quality will become more evident. It’ll be tough for Zola this season and I foresee a relegation battle.

The key as to what to do in January is not who to buy but keeping all of the players named above.

Wigan

I don’t really know what to say about Wigan. Having only seen them a few times and their form being so inconsistent it is difficult to provide any constructive or quality comment.

The only aspect of Wigan’s play that I would like to pick up on is reverse positioning of N’Zogbia and whoever is on the right of midfield. By having each player come on to their stronger foot the idea is that the ball will be used better closer to the goal, i.e. in the central channel. This seems to work against the bigger teams, those that do not load the midfield when the play Wigan. Against teams against whom points are expected to be won then it seems that by cutting inside each player gets crowded out.

I would have thought that Roberto Martinez could use this ploy sparingly rather than every week (from what I can see anyway).

Wolves

I am one of few impartial football fans that likes Mick McCarthy. This season is going to be a tough one for him and followers of Wolves. I have written before about what I think Wolves need to do in order to survive and having watched the game against Arsenal I still believe what in what I wrote http://thoughtsonfootball.wordpress.com/2009/10/24/kightly-the-key-to-wolves-survival-this-season/

Wolves need to start using their forward thinking players more intelligently in order to create the type of match which they dominate.

After another international break, the Premier League is back in action this weekend. The injured stars of Liverpool will also be back on the pitch this weekend (thank goodness). The injured Reds were: Steven Gerrard, David Ngog, Daniel Agger, Glen Johnson, Fabio Aurelio, Albert Riera, Fernando Torres and Yossi Benayoun. Torres is the only one still out, so yay for that international break. Man City is one point up on Liverpool in the table, so it’s a must-win game for Liverpool if they want to work their way back into the top four. The Reds have only won one game since Sept. 26 so they need to start winning now to get things back on track.

Saturday, November 21
Liverpool vs. Manchester City – 7:30 a.m. ET/ESPN2 (Live)
Birmingham vs. Fulham – 8:30 p.m. ET/Setanta (Delayed)
Burnley vs. Aston Villa – 5 p.m. ET/Setanta (Delayed)
Chelsea vs. Wolves – 9:30 a.m. ET/Setanta (Live)
Hull vs. West Ham – 7 p.m. ET/Fox Soccer (Delayed)
Sunderland vs. Arsenal – 10 a.m. ET/Fox Soccer (Live)
Manchester United vs. Everton – 12:30 p.m. ET/Fox Soccer (Live)

Sunday, November 22
Bolton vs. Blackburn – 8:25 a.m. ET/Setanta (Live)
Tottenham vs. Wigan – 5 p.m. ET/Fox Soccer (Delayed)
Stoke vs. Portsmouth – 11 a.m. ET/Fox Soccer (Live)

WHU tracking the mercurial Argentine playmaker Diego Buonanotte

A number of Premier League clubs are reportedly tracking the mercurial Argentine playmaker Diego Buonanotte in regards to a January move but may face competition from around Europe for the diminutive starlet. At just 5 ft 2, the South American star may be small in stature but he is regarded as a very big talent.

Buonanotte currently plies his trade for River Plate in his homeland and alongside former team-mate Radamel Falcao (now at Porto) was expected to move to Europe last summer. The player is nicknamed ‘El Enano’ which translates at ‘the Dwarf’ which is unsurprising given his size but despite his physique, the attacking player’s talent has shone through including at last summer’s Toulon Tournament.

The 21-year-old can play as an attacking midfielder, on either wing or up front and has shown an eye for goal. Buonanotte finished top scorer in Toulon after scoring 4 goals as Argentina finished 3rd. He scored against Eqypt, France and a goal in each of his games against Holland. He was also named Player of the Tournament which will only drew more attention to his talents.

The offensive star was born in Teodelina in the Santa Fe Province and came through the River Plate ranks making his debut as a 17-year-old as a replacement for current Real Madrid star Gonzalo Higuain. He scored his first senior goal in his following appearance but it was the 2007/08 season when Buonanotte established himself a real star. That season he scored an impressive 11 goals in 25 league appearances (21 starts). Under the guidance of River Plate’s Technical Director and legendary figure Daniel Passarella he was given the confidence he needed to believe in his quality. He soon became a fan’s favourite after a dazzling display against hated rivals Boca Juniors as well as two goals against Olimpio that secured the 2008 Clausura (closing) Championship.

Ok we like rumours but lets be realistic. We didn’t have a pot to piss in during the summer when most deals are made so I expect nothing different come Jan UNLESS we have new owners that is….

The EPL returns with something of a bang this Saturday, offering up a number of key clashes that could have major implications at both ends of the table come season’s end.

First up on Saturday, sixth-placed Manchester City visit seventh-placed Liverpool as both sides attempt to end a poor recent run of form and force their way back into the top four. Second-placed Arsenal, meanwhile, face a tricky trip to big improvers Sunderland, Manchester United host Everton and leaders Chelsea will be confident of retaining top spot as they welcome struggling Wolves to Stamford Bridge.

Elsewhere, Burnley will be aiming to claim another home scalp when they tackle Aston Villa, Hull lock horns with fellow-strugglers West Ham and Birmingham take on Fulham in a game that many punters will be eyeing as a sure-fire draw.

Sunday sees three fixtures, starting with a return to the Reebok Stadium for Sam Allardyce as his Blackburn side face Bolton. Tottenham then take on inconsistent Wigan hoping to cement their place in the top four, before rock-bottom Portsmouth head to the Potteries for a clash with a Stoke side currently occupying the dizzy heights of ninth place.

Found this list online, here, and thought it was interesting. Good for Spurs and Villa fans at least.

The list is correct as of 17/11/09.

Top 20 Teams For Producing England Internationals (all time):

1. Aston Villa – 68
2. Tottenham – 62
3. Everton – 59
4. Liverpool – 58
5. Man United – 57
6. Arsenal – 54
7. Blackburn – 48
8= Man City, West Brom – 42
10= Chelsea, Sheff Wed – 41
12. Nottingham Forest – 37
13. Derby – 36
14= Sheffield United, West Ham – 35
16= Newcastle, Wolves 33
18. Leeds – 30
19. Middlesbrough – 29
20= Bolton / Southampton – 26

Irgendwann ist ach mir mal Nikes Kampagne über den Weg gelaufen und auch mir fiel Valons eigenwilliges Victory-V auf. Allerdings hab ich mich bei dem schelmischen Gesicht nicht lange gewundert und geschlossen, dass das nur Absicht sein kann und er das so meint – mit wiederum nicht sichtbarem Augenzwinkern.

Im zweiten Motiv fehlt aber die Zweideutigkeit. Behrami ist zwar Schweizer, aber aktuell bei West Ham, der Fotograf ist Schotte. Zweitmöglicher Schluss: Nike wollte die Debatte.

Ich glaube die Lads haben sich einen Spaß erlaubt.

"This hurts my hands."

Big hearted football star Dean Ashton delivered a welcome boost to employers West Ham last night when the retiring football ace announced he would stage a much-needed testimonial for his faithful club in recognition of their  ‘years of loyal service’ and to help ease the crippling debt at Upton Park.

Ashton, who has pocketed somewhere in the region of £50,000 a week in wages for the last two years, said on his personal website:-

“For too long I have been injured and sat on the sidelines watching in agony as the club I loved lurched from one crisis to the next. Not only could I not help the club on the pitch but I was a millstone around their neck off it. However now that I can longer maintain the pretence that I can play again I feel it is only fair that I try to give something back other than my wages – so I am happy to announce that I will stage a testimonial at my Country Pile in aid of West Ham United. Hopefully I can now take my place in the stands my executive box and cheer West Ham onto better times with a clear conscience.”

The testimonial, Ashtonstock ‘09, will give wealthy fans the opportunity to watch the legendary hit man in action for a full day – watching the lumbering forward as he goes through his daily chores - shooting geese on his palatial grounds, looking at brochures for exotic beach homes – and for one lucky punter – being allowed to touch one of the cars in his vintage collection.

The timing of this generous announcement couldn’t of come at a better time for the Hammer’s, after it was confirmed that the club would not be receiving any insurance payout following Ashton’s early retirement. Paper’s filed showed they had laughably only insured Ashton against Third Party Fire and Theft and had somewhat curiously listed him as an M Reg Metallic Blue Ford Fiesta.

No Doubt this latest oversight will fall squarely at the feet of Scott Duxbury which only adds to what is shaping up as a tricky next few weeks for the West Ham Chief Executive. On the 24th he is in court to answer allegations that he had propositioned a youth player at the club’s training ground to borrow Dean Ashton for an afternoon and to then set fire to him at an abandoned car park. Then at the beginning of December the grades for his beloved ‘project’ are due to be published, where if rumours are to be believed it will be given a firm fail as apparently “the last 30 pages of the manifesto is made up entirely of images cut out from an Argos Catalogue”.

Tickets for the Testimonial ‘Event’ go on general sale soon – so stay tuned to Crab Football for any updates.

Copyright 2009 Crab Football. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. This is fictional. Except for the bit about a Ford Fiesta.

Craig Levein, Gary McAllister, Jim Jeffries, John Collins, Walter Smith … 

Just some of the names that are being mentioned for the Scotland manager’s job vacated yesterday by George Burley. Like or loathe the former Ipswich manager, he’s gone after an extremely disappointing spell that consisted of only 14 games and three wins. Our disastrous qualifying campaign has to be forgotten and the focus of the Tartan Army has now moved to who will take on the sizeable task of getting us to a major tournament for the first time since World Cup 98.

The search for Burley's successor has began

But there’s one name who has not been mentioned amongst the possible successors for the role. This man has been coaching at the highest level for the last five years. He’s won the Premiership, went to the latter stages of the Champions League and worked with players such as Frank Lampard and Alan Shearer. As a player he can count the FA Cup and the Cup Winners Cup among the many honours that he won. And fear not those who booed Berti, because he’s not a foreigner either. 

The man I’m referring to is current West Ham first team coach Steve Clarke. Jose Mourinho’s former assistant has forged a reputation as one of the best tacticians in the world and was an integral part of the Chelsea team that won two Premiership titles. Clarke is the type of manager we need – someone who is tough but can still stroke the ego’s of the modern footballer. He is amiable with the press and certainly seems to know what he is talking about when put in front of a camera. Most importantly though, he is a proud Scot who always gave his all for club and country.

Clarke is currently first team coach at West Ham

So why hasn’t he been mentioned as a candidate for the job? To be honest, I have no idea. In terms of experience he may never have actually been a manager, but arguably has a more successful track record than any of the others listed above bar Smith. With things not going that well at Upton Park, I imagine Clarke would be interested in the job and that West Ham would not stand in the way of him managing his country. The former Chelsea right back has been away from Scottish football since 1987 and this is probably why he is not being considered by the SFA. This may be a factor as he is unlikely to have a great knowledge of the SPL, but I think that both these barriers could be avoided through the selection of an experienced assistant manager or technical director. Someone like Craig Brown or even current Under-19 manager Archie Gemmill would be able to help Clarke settle in to the job.

Clarke won 9 caps

So I challenge you Gordon Smith. If you want to prove yourself as being capable of being at the helm of Scottish football, then at least give Steve Clarke a call. He is a far more exciting and interesting prospect than some of those who have put themselves forward for the job, and may actually be able to offer a different perspective on how to revamp our game. Oh and one other thing – if you’re not going to listen to me, at least promise you won’t give the job to John Barnes.

So in the currant financial position we are in at the moment, the inability to pay 7-8million for Chamakah, selling Collins to finance Diamond, directors taking pay cuts to fund Franco……

We would turn down 20million quid for Cole!? That’s impressive, load of old bollocks but impressive none the less.

What’s wrong with this title? ‘On Loan Starlet Interview Makes Interesting Reading!’???

Well, as a reader rightly pointed out, ’starlet’ is a word used for females but Chandross uses it here in describing Freddie Sears!

Crystal Palace loanee Freddie Sears is desperate to extend his stay at Selhurst Park

Anyone a West Ham fan? No? That’s what I thought, hasn’t stopped them from launching a nice little eMag called Claret and Blue, issue 1 is live online now!

Published on the very reliable and cool-as-hell eDition platform Claret and Blue is a nice simple magazine. It’s not the most sophisticated of eMags and the design gets a little “loose”, but it works, has good content, good interactivity and it’s entertaining. What more could one desire?

Go on… check it out… even your a Arsenal fan… click on the pic above or below:

And now, the end is near… well, not all that near, as it happened. There were still a good 10 miles to go on the Capital Ring as a I hopped off the 108 at Stratford High Street. All around, the changes to E15 as 2012 approaches were apparent, as builders worked on creating approaches to the Olympic Park and developers continued making the place look unrecognisable from what it was a decade ago. From here, the walkway follows the Greenway for a couple of miles – quite literally, walking on top of a sewer. Part of Joseph Bazalgette’s Victorian scheme to rid London of pongs and disease, the Northern Outfall Sewer runs from Hackney Wick to Beckton. The Capital Ring sticks with it for most of the way.

It’s not thrilling stuff, to be fair. The first section is surrounded by Olympic Park works, as work takes place to upgrade the walkway towards West Ham station in time for 2012. It passes the ornate former Abbey Mills Pumping Station – another part of Bazalgette’s grand plan. A clear view down to the Millennium Dome and Canary Wharf reminds you which side of London you’re in. Passing over the District Line and London, Tilbury and Southend rail line, by a park and a cemetery, the pathway becomes more peaceful. Neighbourhood cats prowl through the bushes, while all around, the Plaistow rooftops stretch out.

Finally, it’s off the Greenway, through some residential streets, over the A13, and into Beckton District Park, covered in autumn leaves. I’d expected a grim, modern, featureless open space, but in most parts it’s actually anything but that. The park’s older than it looks – dating back to 1903, a couple of decades after the creation of Beckton, named after the governor of the Gas Light and Coke Company, Simon Adams Beck, whose works dominated this area for decades. The park alternates between little bits of woodland, grassy mounds and formal gardens like the walk featuring examples of trees from aroud the world. The Capital Ring takes a twisting route through the park, with Tate & Lyle’s huge Silvertown plant coming into view.

But it’s the great roars which start to dominate again, from the dual carriageway running north of the Royal Docks, and from London City Airport, whose planes make this walk a noisy one. The business customers who use the flights from here don’t have to come home to the housing estates which are dotted around Beckton.

The Capital Ring passes by New Beckton Park – padlocked for reasons best known to Newham Council – through some housing, and to Cyprus Docklands Light Railway station. Built in 1881, the Cyprus estate was named after Britain’s capture of the Mediterranean island. Bit it’s more a more recent building project that snatches the attention if you take a short diversion through the DLR station – the student accommodation at the University of East London’s Docklands campus, a series of cylindrical buildings which face the Royal Albert Dock. They also overlook London City Airport’s runway – perfect for plane-spotters, but I hope those student halls have good soundproofing.

Then it’s the grimmest part of the walk yet – past a boarded-up pub, over a nightmare-to-cross roundabout, just at the point where the Capital Ring signs dry up. Thanks, Newham. The map in my 2001 guide to the walk indicated a walk towards the river, but here the route appears to cross the dramatic Sir Steve Redgrave Bridge over the Royal Albert Dock, past King George V Dock, past the old work site for the DLR’s extension to Woolwich, ending up in a dull housing development at Gallions Point – stubbornly titled Galleons Point. Here, though, the path finally reaches the river, with a view across to Thamesmead and Woolwich, the water lapping up on a grassy bank below.

The path continues in front of some flats, a couple of signs pointing out that this is private property and only Galleons Point residents are allowed on the adjacent grass. Nice. You have to press a button on a gate to be allowed out. From here, it’s along a narrow, dilapadated riverside park to Royal Victoria Gardens. Opened in 1851 as Woolwich Pleasure Gardens, its fairgrounds were initially popular, but it later fell into disrepair and became a haunt for prostitutes. It reopened in 1890 under its current name, but suffered from wartime damage and today looks, like most of North Woolwich, like it’s seen better days. This small area had been part of Kent since the Norman Conquest, and was part of the old borough of Woolwich until 1965, when it became part of Newham. As far as I know, no trace of it being run from south of the river remains nowadays.

North Woolwich was always run-down, but it looks more down-at-heel than ever now, with Pier Road eerily quiet. Its pride and joy, the old station museum, a terrific but underpromoted little gem, was opened by the Queen Mother in 1984, but quietly shut its doors in January 2009. It’s now boarded up and vandalised. This huge building was the first North Woolwich railway station – the second, which replaced it in the late 1970s, also lies derelict and boarded up next door; superseded in 2006 by the Docklands Light Railway extension to nearby King George V and across to Woolwich. A heritage railway group had wanted to take on the old stations and the rusting remains of this leg of the North London Line – part of which is earmarked for eventual reuse as part of Crossrail – but their plans appear to have come to nothing.

Perhaps the DLR’s extension to Woolwich, which opened in January, had contributed to North Woolwich looking like a ghost town – plenty of people had always travelled from south of the river to use the North London Line, and later the DLR. Now they can just travel direct without walking down these streets. After all, the railway had always been an important part of North Woolwich’s history. It first opened here in 1847, long before the arrival of the docks, with a ferry service to “South Woolwich”, which didn’t get its own trains for another couple of years. The ferry to the south bank was killed off by the Woolwich Free Ferry, but the north pier stayed in use for excursions until World War II. Its remains are still there, opposite the old station.

After all this thought – and stopping to chat to a man who was waiting to photograph a bus – it was down into the Woolwich Foot Tunnel. The lifts were out of service, and chicanes have been placed inside the tunnel by Greenwich Council in a vain, aggravating attempt to deter cyclists from riding through the long, damp passageway. At Woolwich itself – the official start/end of the Capital Ring – the path runs through the car park of an ambulance station, through the traffic jam at the Woolwich Ferry (which has been operating a one boat service for some time), and then onto the Thames Path, past the smart flats at Mast Quay – built on stilts in case of flooding – and alongside Woolwich Dockyard Estate, where the path looked sad and neglected. The long-closed aquatic centre still looked as gloomy as ever.

The riverside path stops abruptly short of the Thames Barrier, denying Capital Ring users the chance to see London’s best-known flood defence close up. Instead, it’s through isolated housing at King Henry’s Wharf – a housing development built in anticipation of the Greenwich Waterfront Transit, axed by Boris earlier this year – and past some industrial units, and into Charlton. Where it started to rain. I’d gone 77 dry miles on the Capital Ring. The final one wouldn’t be so lucky.

But Maryon Park and Maryon Wilson Park – the former best-known for its starring role in Blow-Up, the latter much loved for its wonderful childrens’ zoo – seemed at their best in the gloomy conditions. Once part of a highwaymens’ hideout called Hanging Wood, both parks feature steep hills and huge trees. Clambering up a sharp incline in Maryon Park, leaves flying down from the trees, I was pleased I’d saved one of the Capital Ring’s best-kept secrets until last. The stands at The Valley come into view at Maryon Wilson Park, where – for the final time – I gazed back at the London Eye and the City. It’d been a long way…

Finally, it was out of Maryon Wilson Park, across the road, and into Charlton Park, where the football pitches and semis on Canberra Road came into view again.

A squirrel formed the welcoming committee as I reached the back of Charlton House, turned around to see if anyone was looking, and touched the sign post to mark the completion of my walk. Eleven separate walks and 78 miles later, my Capital Ring journey was all over. Ahead of me stretched the path back around to Shooters Hill, Eltham, Grove Park, Beckenham, Streatham, Wimbledon, Richmond, Isleworth… and the rest. Behind me stretched another path. With aching feet and fading light, it was time to go home.

Here’s all my Capital Ring posts on one page.

International breaks… What can I say about them? Of course England qualifiers are important, I haven’t missed a qualifier in four years. But international friendlies? England Brazil…. in Quatar!?  Come on!

These high-profile friendlies have been negatively labelled media spectacles in the past but my biggest gripe is how the break will disrupt West Ham.

West Ham have been playing well over the last couple of weeks. We beat Villa and had a blinder against Arsenal. Anyone who saw the Everton game knows we totally wiped the floor with them. My point is we’re building up steam. An unfortunate result such as that against Everton will weigh on players minds. What we really need is to get stuck into Hull as soon as possible. Except we’ve got a week and a half to sit on our arses and think about how unlucky we were!

From a spectators view it’s the middle of the season! I shouldn’t have to wait two weeks to see my team play! I spent all summer twiddling my thumbs, I want West Ham action now!

I will watch the game on Saturday. Who can resist the mouth-watering lure of England vs Brazil. The very idea is pure football porn! But, let’s be honest, how often do these games live up to their billing? Especially as it looks like England will be fielding a second string side.

Second string England… Jermaine Jenas. God I hate Jermaine Jenas.

Yes, if England have any chance of winning a major tournament we need to be able to beat top teams. But if we only field a second string side what’s the point!?

This all boils down to the fact that I’m a West Ham fan first and an England fan second. I care about England but I LOVE West Ham.

Of course my unpatriotic rant has nothing to do with Dean Ashton having to retire due to an injury picked up on England duty! It could have happened at anytime.. (grumble grumble, sodding Wright-Phillips, grumble)

My favourite footballing moment? David Beckham against Greece? England Germany 5.1? Beating Argentina World Cup 2002? Nope. For me it has to be the 2005/2006 FA Cup final. The jubilation followed by the utter gut-wrenching heartache. If one more person tells me how the stewards had already attached claret and blue ribbons to the cup, I’m likely to pop them in the mouth…..

Warning..

The following clip has been known to make a grown man weep……. (me)

Em negrito – o jogador e o time que pretende contratá-lo
Em itálico – a posição e o time atual do atleta

A fonte do boato está linkada no nome do jogador

DEMOROU!

Barcelona – Rooney (A-Manchester United) - Talvez encontrasse dificuldade para encaixar seu estilo de jogo com Messi e Ibrahimovic no time, mas os 3 são ótimos e se entenderiam com o tempo.

Liverpool – Carlton Cole (A-West Ham) - O time precisa fazer contratações urgentemente e uma nova opção de velocidade para o setor ofensivo seria ótima.

Manchester City – Yaya Touré (V-Barcelona) - Faria uma dupla excelente com Gareth Barry no meio-campo do time inglês.

Manchester United – Jovetic (A-Fiorentina) - Talvez não chegaria para ser titular, mas o montenegrino fez um ótimo começo de temporada na Itália e já merece a chance de jogar em um clube maior.

TANTO FAZ…

Barcelona – Gregory Van der Wiel (LD-Ajax) - Não dá mais pra jogar com Puyol improvisado quando Dani Alves está fora do time. O elenco dos catalões precisa melhorar e esse seria um bom começo.

Manchester United – Di María (M-Benfica) - O argentino ainda é irregular, mas tem velocidade e habilidade para dar trabalho até no Campeonato Inglês.

CAI FORA!

Inter de Milão – Guti (V-Real Madrid) - Os Nerazzurri têm pelo menos 6 jogadores melhores. Ou seja, não precisa dele nem pra compôr o elenco.

Juventus – Zabaleta (LD-Manchester City) - Só os torcedores do time inglês vão comemorar se esse negócio realmente acontecer.

Manchester City – Ronaldinho Gaúcho (A-Milan) – O brasileiro ainda está se recuperando na Itália e o time não precisa de mais um atacante que jogue aberto pelas pontas.

NÃO ENXERGAM?

Rodallega (A – Wigan) – Já foi comparado a Drogba e, apesar do exagero evidente, tem características parecidas com as do marfinense. O colombiano pode ser uma boa opção para times grandes.

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