Injury-hit hammers rise to the challenge

By Simon Hayes on November 1, 2007 12:00 AM |

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WHAT more has Robert Green got to do before he is picked for England?
The West Ham keeper's 94th-minute penalty save against Portsmouth after a sterling performance once again underlined his credentials as a contender for the national side.
With Paul Robinson seemingly intent on chucking away his first-team place it is bewildering that Green is not given a chance.

Hammers boss Alan Curbishley says 'Greeny' is in the frame, though, and praised his star performance in Saturday's (October 27) 0-0 draw.
He said: "He's been playing terrifically well for us all season and before the last squad I spoke to Steve McLaren, because he was talking to me about Dean Ashton and one or two other people at the club, and Greeny got a mention.
"The bottom line is they are fully aware of him and the message to Robert Green is keep going and let's see what happens. You can't do anything else than that.
"It was a terrific performance. Obviously the penalty save will get the headlines but he made two saves in the first 10 minutes which were equally important."
West Ham's injury problems are allowing one or two squad players the chance to shine and with a long list of injuries Curbishley recognises there has to be a flexible approach.
"Perhaps the injury situation is going to dictate the way we play. Team selection is not going to be too cohesive," he said after the Portsmouth game.
"Carlton Cole played well today. I'd like to think he won a few people over today, especially West Ham fans.
"We can't take anything away from the players who have been out there."
Curbishley added: "A lot of them have been impact injuries and you can't legislate for them. We've got Davenport and Collins out, Ashton and Zamora, now Bellamy. And Faubert, Parker, Dyer, Ljungberg.
"The treatment room is quite full but it has given the squad an opportunity and the people who are playing are going out and doing it for us so long may that continue."
* Hammers' injury woes grew worse after Tuesday's (October 30) 2-1 Carling Cup win at Coventry. Hayden Mullins stayed off at half-time and Anton Ferdinand didn't last the whole game. Cole impressed again by scoring a winner in the third minute of added time, and Curbishley said: "Coley's worked ever so hard and deserved his goal.
"I hope it gives him more confidence because we play next at Upton Park and I hope he carries on.
"He has had to wait for his chance and he is now grabbing it. He is there, he has got a chance."
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