Results tagged “Premier League”

Arsenal and England player Theo Walcott is winging his way into Canary Wharf next month.

Walcott, 22, will be signing copies of his autobiography Theo: Growing Up Fast at Waterstone's in Jubilee Place mall on November 17.

Just over three years ago Alan Curbishley resigned as manager of West Ham United and he's still waiting to make a comeback to football.

It's not for want of offers, but any new job, he says, "has to hit me between the eyes", which narrows down the options.

West Ham striker Carlton Cole is convinced the Irons have what it takes to bounce straight back into the Premier League - and he's not worried about his England prospects.

The Hammers start the new season at home to Cardiff this Sunday, and Cole said they are ready for the challenge.

Carlton Cole looks set to leave West Ham and join Stoke City after the two clubs agreed a fee for the England striker.

Cole, 27, has yet to agree personal terms but the Irons have accepted Stoke's £4million bid for the player, which could increase to £6million based on appearances.

Sam Allardyce is set to be unveiled as the new West Ham manager this week.

The 56-year-old former Bolton and Blackburn boss will take over the Upton Park hotseat vacated by Avram Grant, who was sacked following the Irons relegation from the Premier League last season.

West Ham bowed out of the Premier League with a whimper but thoughts at the club have already turned to mounting a promotion bid next season.

Sources at the club have indicated that a successor to sacked manager Avram Grant will be appointed within the next week, with Chris Hughton the bookies favourite.

No doubt there are many West Ham fans scratching their (hungover) heads this morning over quite how their club slipped so tamely out of the Premier League.

Yesterday's 3-2 defeat at Wigan sealed the Irons relegation from the top flight after a six year stay, and saw manager Avram Grant promptly sacked.

West Ham need to approach every game between now and the end of the season as if it was a cup final.

That's the view of full-back Lars Jacobsen, who is convinced the Hammers' showed their fighting qualities in last Sunday's 3-2 FA Cup fourth round win over Nottingham Forest.

West Ham captain Matthew Upson has admitted it would be a "huge achievement" for the Irons to avoid relegation from the Premier League this season.

The Hammers stayed rooted to the foot of the table despite last Saturday's 2-2 draw at Everton, and Upson - who is enduring his third relegation dogfight since joining the club in January 2007 - said this is the most difficult one of the lot.

West Ham manager Avram Grant branded Frederic Piquionne's sending off at Everton as a "joke" as his side were held to a draw that did little to ease their perilous league position.

The Irons boss was left fuming after the striker was shown a second yellow card for celebrating his 84th minute goal with the travelling fans.

Where do West Ham go from here?

After a chaotic week or so, mainly with the speculation surrounding manager Avram Grant's future, the Irons have to get their minds back on picking up important points in the Premier League.

New signing Wayne Bridge could make his West Ham debut in tomorrow evening's clash against Arsenal.

The loan signing from Manchester City is likely to take the problem left-back berth against the Gunners, as Avram Grant looks to shore up his leaky defence.

West Ham's excellent cup record this season continued as they enjoyed a relatively comfortable passage through to the fourth round of the FA Cup against Barnsley.

Goals from Jon Spector and Frederic Piquionne saw the Irons progress at the Boleyn on Saturday, but did little to quell the speculation over the future of manager Avram Grant.

West Ham found themselves back on the bottom of the Premier League after their recent good run came crashing to a halt at St James's Park.

Leon Best hit a hat-trick as the hapless Hammers were thrashed 5-0 by Newcastle, and it could have been worse had the home side converted all their chances.

More of the same will be Avram Grant's instruction to his players when they go in search of more Premier League points at Newcastle tonight.

The Irons have enjoyed a four match unbeaten run, getting the new year off to the best possible start with a convincing 2-0 win over Wolves last Saturday.

West Ham face a make-or-break Christmas and New Year programme.

Tradition dictates that the team bottom of the Premier League at Christmas are doomed to relegation, but the Irons have been handed the perfect opportunity to make up ground on their rivals, with all three opponents over the period lying in the bottom seven.

Making your debut for a new club is always a nerve-wracking moment for any player but when you get thrown in at the last minute you could be excused for dropping a clanger or two.

But West Ham goalkeeper Ruud Boffin enjoyed a fine first appearance for the Irons when he played against Blackburn last Saturday, despite only finding out he was playing 24 hours before.

It's a make-or-break weekend for Avram Grant if reports are to be believed that he will lose his job if West Ham lose this game.

The Irons travel to Ewood Park looking for their first away win of the season, and even bringing home all three points tomorrow might not be enough to save the manager's job.

The stands at Upton Park were rapidly emptying long before James Tomkins headed home a late consolation goal for West Ham on Saturday.

The recent improved mood around the club was blown away in the face of a devastating display from Manchester City, that all-but consigns the Irons to the dreaded bottom-at-Christmas slot.

Alan Curbishley is ready for another crack at Premier League management - and he knows there could be some job vacancies coming up.

The former West Ham and Charlton manager has been out of management since leaving Upton Park in September 2008, but this is the time of year when clubs start ditching managers.