By JAMES CLARKManager Gianfranco Zola is 2 for 2 in Premier League matches (the Carling Cup loss to Watford notwithstanding!), but even more so than the results, it's the type of football we are playing that's winning new converts and reinforcing the convictions of the old guard of supporters. Click to continue reading...

West Ham will fight the Sheffield United independent ruling against them every step of the way and new manager Gianfranco Zola will not have to cash in on any of the club's star names. There were fears Zola may have to sell key assets such as goalkeeper Robert Green, midfielder Scott Parker and striker Dean Ashton [. Click to continue reading...

By JAMES CLARKAll reports out of England indicate that ex-Chelsea striker and Italian international Gianfranco Zola (pictured above top, twice) will be named as West Ham's first foreign manager within days, if not hours. There has been a subtle uproar amongst Hammers supporters -- mainly due to Zola's Chelsea connectons, but also as we try to get over the fact that Europe's manager du jour, Croatia's Slaven Bilic, won't be returning to his one-time Upton Park home. Click to continue reading...

West Ham should have Mark Noble, Scott Parker, Matthew Etherington and Lucas Neill back in the squad for tomorrow's clash with Blackburn, while Craig Bellamy could also make a shock return to action. The Wales forward has been missing for three weeks with a hamstring injury but is said to have impressed on his return to [. Click to continue reading...

By JAMES CLARKWhen you think about what West Ham needs to do in order to stay in the Premiership -- and, let's face it, with Curbs as manager and the credit crunch putting paid to the Icelandic-owners consortium's ability to compete financially -- finishing anywhere from 17th and above MUST! Click to continue reading...

It was supposed to be a pre-season friendly match between England's Southampton and West Hampton United. But it turned ugly when Southampton's Michael Svensson (R) clashed with West Ham's Scott Parker in the St. Mary's Stadium - August 1, 2008. The flames were easily extinguished by fellow team members and the game ended peacefully with [. Click to continue reading...

America's Major League Soccer All Star XI defeated West Ham United 3-2 in a preseason friendly. Dean Ashton was the standout performer of the match as he notched both of West Ham's goals. Carlton Cole partnered Ashton up top and was largely ineffective throughout the match, stressing the need for a healthy Craig Bellamy. Click to continue reading...

By JAMES CLARKAn occasional Pardew's Guardian feature leading up to the August 16th kickoff ...1) Will Mark Noble fulfill his potential in the heart of West Ham's midfield? The local East Londoner (pictured above, top) is one of the gems of Tony Carr's famed Youth Academy, and Hammers supporters warm to him even more than most because he was born and bred as one of them. Click to continue reading...

Aston Villa are on the verge of taking in poor Chelsea reject Steve Sidwell. Having proved all the doubters right, sitting on the Stamford Bridge bench all season, the ginger dynamo is finally making moves towards trying to be a footballer once again, a la Scott Parker. Villa have apparently had an offer of £4. Click to continue reading...

The Hammers are about as mid-table as you can get in the Premier League this season, despite splurging a load of cash on transfers last summer and during the January transfer window. While it's clear that they have been unfortunate with injuries, perhaps they should have considered that the likes of Craig Bellamy, Scott Parker [. Click to continue reading...

West Ham United midfielder Scott Parker hasn't played any football since December and there were reports suggesting that the former Chelsea midfielder was out for the rest of the season. But Sky Sports has quoted West Ham manager Alan Curbishley as saying that Parker is to return to full fitness sometime next month. Click to continue reading...

Nothing appears to be going right for West Ham United midfielder Scott Parker. The former Chelsea and Newcastle United player has been saddled with a string of injuries so far this season and appears to have buckled down under them. Goal.com reports that Parker would now be out of action for at least six weeks [. Click to continue reading...

The Times recently published "the Top 50 stats of 2007″ compiled by their resident statto brainbox Bill Edgar - and the number one footballing statistic was how similar Lee Bowyer and Scott Parker are. Edgar writes: "Both are London-born midfield players who have gained only brief recognition by England; both began their careers [. Click to continue reading...

Nigel Reo-Coker will sign a four-year contract when he finally completes his move to Aston Villa from West Ham in an £8million deal.The clubs have agreed on a compromise fee after Villa made an initial £7million offer while the Hammers were looking for £8-9million for a player who cost them £500,000 when he joined from Wimbledon three and a half years ago.

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