Match Review – Peterborough 0 – 2 West Ham

Another impressive performance saw West Ham United come out the victores in the pre season fixture away to Peterborough.

Prior to the game it was expected that West Ham would name a half strength team, but in the end, boss Alan Curbishley ended up playing an almost full strength starting 11.  Valon Behrami made his debut for West Ham, Anton Ferdinand and Matt Upson partnered each other in the centre back positions, Craig Bellamy was back up front, and the fiesty centre midfield pairing of Scott Parker and Mark Noble was re-ignited. Peterborough also put out a close to full strength team, with just new signing, Sergio Torres missing out.

The game began brightly with West Ham showing that they were not going to take it easy on Peterborough, Mark Noble and Valon Behrami seemed to be going for every 50-50 ball. The early pressure from West Ham took it’s tole on Peterborough, as Scott Parker played a lovely through ball for Craig Bellamy, who used his pace to sprint clear of the back line, round the keeper and slot home into an empty net. West Ham went one up after just three minutes.

Newly promoted League 1 side, Peterborough, didn’t let that put them down, as they went looking for an equaliser. Exciting striker Aaron Mclean went agonisingly close with an over head kick, but his superb effort was tipped wide magnificantly by Robert Green.  The game turned into a midfield battle with both teams cancelling eachother out, but West Ham seemed to be comfortable. Valon Behrami, who was starting at right back, seemed to have a fantastic understanding with right midfielder Julien Faubert, as they both linked up fantasticaly on the right side.

As half time drew to a close, Craig Bellamy raced clear of the Peterborough defence again, he seemed to have come from nowhere, but he remained calmed and lobbed the ball over Joe Lewis. The goal came just moments before half time, so West Ham went into the break with a two nil lead.

The second half never really got going as both teams made changes throughout the half, which meant that it was stop start occassion.

They were moments of excitement, mostly coming from West Ham. Valon Behrami made a storming run from right back, all the way into the penalty area, but screwing his shot wide. Teen striker Freddie Sears also went close, but he seemed to be caught in two minds, whether to shoot, or cross. Valon Behrami come off just after the hour mark, and he recieved a fantastic reception from the travelling West Ham fans, and also from his team mates. Behrami, truly, put on a remarkable performance.

Up and coming goalkeeper, Marek Stech came on for West Ham in the second half, and he made a fantastic save low down to his near post. The game fizzled out in the end, and West Ham came out as deserved winner, in a 2-0 victory.

Goalscorers – Bellamy x2

West Ham after Mattock?

Joe Mattock - West Ham Target?

The latest transfer rumours hovering over Upton Park, are that Leicester City Left full back, Joe Mattock is being targeted by Alan Curbishley. West Ham relied solidly on George McCartney last season for the left back position, but bringing in Joe Mattock would add healthy competition to the left side.

Youngster Joe Widdowson has impressed at left back so far this pre-season, but it is not believed he is yet ready for Premier League football. Mattock, 18, burst onto the scene last season, with some outstanding performances for Leicester, his performances earned him a call up to the England Under-21’s, which has taken the most of, as he looks to make the left back position for England, his own.  

The rumoured transfer fee is of £2 million, but if West Ham would like Mattock’s signature, they would have to face of strong competition from both Everton and Aston Villa.

Peterborough United v West Ham United – Match Preview

West Ham return from their American tour, and face a tricky test away to prmoted League 1 side, Peterborough United.

Having only just returned from their American Tour, Alan Curbishley is expected to name a “half first team-half reserve team” starting line up for the trip to London Road. Darren Ferguson is set to name a full strength starting line up, as his side prepare themselves for the up and coming League 1 season.

West Ham playing Peterborough in a pre-season friendly seems to be becoming a reoccuring thing. West Ham have played Peterborough twice already in recent years, with West Ham winning one, and drawing one.

There is no doubt what all West Ham fans are wanting to see at this pre-season fixture. The appearence of new signing, Valon Behrami. As Valon was unable to participate in the American tour, it is likely he will feature at some stage in the game versus Peterborough. Other new signing, Holmar Orn Eyjolfsson is also likely to take some part in the match. Peterborough United fans may get to see some other big name players such as, Craig Bellamy, Mark Noble, Matt Upson and Freddie Ljungberg, none of these players played in the MLS game, so all could feature in the Peterborough fixture. The three rising sensations, James Tomkins, Freddie Sears and Zavon Hines could all also play in the match.

My Prediction : 2-1 to West Ham

Watch out for my report on either wednesday or Thursday.

Shortlist for Player Spotlight – July

Player of the Month Shortlist:

Dean Ashton – Goals in all the pre season games to date, and with a couple more left of July, could he get more?
Kyel Reid – Grabbed himself a couple of goals, he has impressed.
Craig Bellamy – Getting amongst the goals, and grabbing a few assists too.
Scott Parker – Dogged displays so far.
Rob Green – Made a few wonderful saves, to deny the opposition.
Joe Widdowson – Playing for the first time for West Ham, certainly does not look out of place.

Disappointment of the Month

Callum Davenport – Looked at sixes and sevens for the game against the MLS, can he improve?
Lucas Neill – Has picked up where he left off last season, being awful
Luis Boa Morte – Hard working versus the MLS, but lacked quality and a final product.

Simply comment on who you think has been the best player of the month, and who has been the worst. Votes will close at the end of July, and the top voted player for each section will have an article written about the performances for the month of July.

*Confirmed* Valon Behrami

Swiss international, Valon Behrami has joined the club on a five year deal, from Italian outfit, Lazio. Behrami has been linked with the club ever since the European Championships ended. Earlier this week, West Ham confirmed they had signed the versatile Swiss for £5 million.

Valon can play right back or in midfield, and his pace and trickery is sure too boost West Ham’s squad. Behrami has been given the number 21 shirt, and it is likely that he will be part of the squad that faces Peterborough United on Tuesday.

Valon Behrami Signs for West Ham

Give your Ratings!

Give your ratings out of ten for each player that played versus the MLS Allstar team

Just Copy and Paste the following list, and give your rating out of ten.

Robert Green, Joe Widdowson, Calum Davenport, Anton Ferdinand, Lucas Neill, Matthew Etherington, Scott PArker, Hayden Mullins, Julien Faubert, Carlton Cole, Dean Ashton, Luis Boa Morte, Kyel Reid, Junior Stanislas, Tony Stokes

MLS Allstars 3 – 2 West Ham

A thrilling and competitive game ended in a much deserved victory for the MLS Allstars.

The BMO Arena, Toronto, Canada, set the scene for the highly anticipated friendly. West Ham set out with a basic 4-4-2 formation, with an almost full strength team. The MLS side picked a team, which caused a fair bit of controversy, with American sensation Landon Donovan only getting a place on the bench, and Juan Pablo Angel also only getting a place on the bench. The MLS supporters certainly got their feelings across, by chanting for the players to come on throughout the first half.

The match began slowly, with both sides getting to know eachothers tactics, and style of play. Young Joe Widdowson was dealing well with the threat of David Beckham, and Julien Faubert was making some good attacks on the right hand side.

The MLS like to hold this fixture against Premier League teams, as they see English football as attractive, stylish football. But there was certainly nothing stylish about the opening goal! A long ball was played up field by the West Ham backline, Carlton Cole rose well to flick it on, Ashton ran through on goal, and slotted the ball home on the half volley. The few West Ham fans that were at the match celebrated the goal, but just one minute later they were jeering the MLS’ equaliser! Directly from kick off, Beckham played a ball forward to Blanco, who neatly back heeled it through to Gomez, who ran into the box, and slotted home neatly from 16 yards. The atmosphere really was one of a carnival. The fans were just enjoying the event, not really caring about the scoreline. So after a slow start the game had finally come to life in the 25th minute. As the first half wore on, it seemed like the MLS would take the lead, and on the stroke of half time, veteran striker, Blanco, truned the west ham defence inside and out, and curled the ball into the top right hand corner, a truly delightful goal. The half time whistle was shortly blown after this goal.

The carnival atmosphere continue throughout half time, where the beer-fuelled fans, where singing and dancing along, to the music from half time entertainer, Estelle!

Half time saw multiple changes, most notiably, Donovan coming on for the Allstars, and Boa Morte coming on for West Ham. All these MLS players are 18 games into their season, and their fitness advantage certainly showed in the second half. The MLS Allstars were running West Ham ragged, but they just couldn’t find the third goal to kill West Ham off. David Beckham missed a guilt edge chance, the ball was cut back to him on the edge of the area, but he drilled the ball well wide. Beckham also went close on the hour mark. He had a free kick, perfect angle and distnce from goal, it seemed destined that he would curl it home. Once it left his foot the crowd thought it was in, but it went wide by a whisker!

 

Joe Widdowson Tackles David Beckham

The MLS side’s inability to take their chances took it’s tole on them, when Dean Ashton scored with around 35 minutes left. The goal came from nothing, the MLS side where in total control. West Ham just played the ball up field to Ashton, “Deano” was roughly 30 yards from goal, he had a shot, and his luck paid off. It took a crule double deflection, taking the ‘keeper out of the equation. West Ham had got a fortunate equaliser.

But once again West Ham didnt concentrate once scoring, the MLS went up the other end, Dwayne De Rosario, took the ball away from goal whilst inside the penalty area, and West Ham captain, Lucas Neill, stupidly slided in, and ultimatly giving away a penalty. De Rosatio, got himself up to take the penalty, and he smashed it home expertly. The penalty struck the underside of the bar, bounced off the line, the off the underside of the bar again, and then eventually dropping into the net! Ex Villa hitman had the chance to secure the match shortly after the penatly, he drilled home superbly from a tight angle, but it was wrongly disallowed for being offside.

The result wasn’t important for West Ham, it was raising the fitness levels, but it the final minute of the game West Ham had the chance to secure a point. Great build up play from Kyel Reid and Carlton Cole, managed to free up Luis Boa Morte in the penalty area, but the Portugese man somehow manager to put his one on one effort wide.

The full time whistle went and the Allstars won the game 3-2.

Goals: Ashton x2, Gomez, Blanco, De Rosario
Line-up’s:

West Ham – Green, Widdowson, Ferdinand, Davenport, Neill, Etherington, Mullins, Parker, Faubert, Cole, Ashton. Subs On: Boa Morte, Reid, Stanislas, Collison, Stokes.

MLS Allstars -  Reis, Bornstein, Hejduk, Conrad , Mastroeni, Beckham, Gomez, Joseph, Toja, Blanco, Cooper. Subs On: Onstad, Angel, Donovan, Brenna, De Rosario, Buddle.

West Ham Change Their Ways?

West Ham have always been known for blooding their youth through, and giving British Talent a chance, but lately, this has seemed to have changed.

Towards the end of the 07/08 Barclays Premier League Season, West Ham announced Gianluca Nani as the new Technical Director. This is the first technical director West Ham have ever had, so this was an early indication that things were due to change.

During the current transfer window, Nani has been busy at work. With his influence, and knowledge of European football, West Ham bought in 3 very talented, foreign, footballers.

First that arrived, was Icelandic teen center back, Holmar Orn Eyjolfsson. According to the reports, Holmar turned down a tempting offer from German Giants, Bayern Munich.

Next to arrive was Hungarian teen striker Balint Bajner. Bajner has enjoyed a growing reputation in the lower leagues of Romania, and his glowing reports earned him a place at West Ham.

The third player to arrive was Swiss Winger, Valon Behrami. Valon is well recognised throughout European football, and is a massive coup, for a club like West Ham. Nani’s reputation in Italy, was most definatly a key attribute, for Valon to join the Hammers.

So that’s the transfers in so far, all foreign, all young, all bursting with talent. This certainly is a change for West Ham, but is it a good or bad change? Leave your views.

MLS All Star Team V West Ham United

In just a few hours hours West Ham United will be participating in the highly regarded friendly versus the best players currently playing in the MLS.

The MLS All Star Team will be consisting of England superstar, David Beckham, his highly thought of club teammate, Landon Donovan, and ex Aston Villa hitman, Juan Pablo Angel.

West Ham are set to name a close to full strength starting eleven for the game, with just a couple of first team regulars missing out. Boss Alan Curbishley is looking to give some youngsters a chance though. The most interesting selection could be, teen left back, Joe Widdowson. It is believed Widdowson will play some part of the game, and that would mean he would be defending against, none other than David Beckham!

New signing, Valon Behrami, has not travelled out to America for the match, he is still is still resting from the European Championships, but it is believed he will take some part in West Ham friendly away to Peterborough next week.

Catch all the action live for this prestigious match, tonight, at midnight, on Setanta Sports 1.

Watch out for my report tomorrow.