Looks like Bramble in. Martin OâNeill believes Titus Bramble can still become a top-class defender, as he is set to give the former Wigan man his first Premier League start of the season. With Carlos Cuellar missing due to a hamstring problem the 31 year old will get the opportunity to step up ahead of a tough away fixture at Upton Park. Bramble was regarded a decade ago as one of Englandâs best prospects but after a tough spell at Newcastle, the former England under 21 international has become synonymous with defensive errors and somewhat unfairly a joke figure among Premier League fans. Speaking to the Northern Echo OâNeill said, âUntil I got here I didnât quite realise how much potential he has. âI remember Sir Bobby Robson speaking about him years ago. Sir Bobby would wax lyrical about this young kid and I can see why. I can see those things with Titus, but his major problem is staying fit. I just hope he can remain injury-free because if he can, not only will he be challenging for a place in the team, heâs very capable of stepping in and making the centre-half position his own.
TEAM NEWS West Ham striker Andy Carroll is back in light training but is not ready to return from a hamstring injury. Boss Sam Allardyce will use Carlton Cole and Modibo Maiga in his absence, while midfielder Jack Collison remains sidelined by an ongoing knee problem. Sunderland winger Adam Johnson is likely to miss out as he is making a slow recovery from a thigh injury. Carlos Cuellar is absent with a hamstring strain, and Phil Bardsley and Wes Brown are still short of fitness. MATCH PREVIEW This fixture proves how quickly football clubs evolve. In the 16 months since they last met, both have changed their managers and their playing personnel has altered so dramatically that only three of the 22 players who started in May 2011 are also likely to start this time - and all three are Sunderland employees. LAWRO'S PREDICTION Mark Lawrenson Football Analyst "Even without Andy Carroll, West Ham will be a handful but Martin O'Neill's teams always have fighting qualities - Liverpool seriously outplayed his Sunderland side last week but, even with all the chances they created, they could not get that decisive goal." Read Lawro's full prediction and score The Hammers have even faced a season in the Championship in the meantime and, stung by their demotion, have invested in experience to ensure they don't suffer that fate again. In Sam Allardyce, they not only hired a manager who fulfilled their first target of an immediate return to the Premier League but who also knows what it takes to keep them there. Having guided Bolton to four top-eight finishes in his last four years in charge there, it was perhaps unsurprising that he has hired a number of ex-Wanderers at Upton Park. Jussi Jaaskelainen has already kept three clean sheets, Kevin Nolan has followed last season's 13 goals with two more, Ricardo Vaz Te hit the winning goal in the play-off final among the 12 he's scored in 2012, and defender Joey O'Brien has clocked up almost 40 appearances and forced his way back into the Republic of Ireland squad. Victory against Sunderland will take them into double figures after five games, something it took them 15 games to achieve two years ago. The visitors arrive seeking their first win since March; their 11-game winless run represents Martin O'Neill's worst as a top-flight boss. Eight draws in that time at least proves their solidity. MATCH FACTS Head-to-head Sunderland have won once in five attempts at Upton Park in the Premier League. That came in the last meeting between the two clubs, a 3-0 win in May 2011. In 82 matches between the two clubs across all competitions, West Ham have the edge with 32 wins to Sunderland's 30. West Ham They have lost just twice in their past 25 games. The Hammers have kept three clean sheets from four Premier League matches so far this season. Sam Allardyce's team have only lost once at Upton Park this year, a 4-2 defeat by Reading in March. James Collins will be playing in the 150th Premier League game of his career. Sunderland Sunderland are winless in their last 11 league matches, equalling Martin O'Neill's longest run without a victory as manager in the division. They have drawn eight of those 11 matches. Steven Fletcher has scored three goals in his first two league games for Sunderland - no other player has scored for the club this season in the Premier League.
WEST HAM v Sunderland: Carroll not fully fit with Cole and Maiga battling to start instead By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER PUBLISHED: 11:03, 21 September 2012 | UPDATED: 11:03, 21 September 2012 Comments (0) Share West Ham's on-loan striker Andy Carroll has returned to light training after a hamstring injury, but will not be in contention for Saturday's Barclays Premier League clash against Sunderland. Carlton Cole and Mali forward Modibo Maiga will be looking to lead the attack for the Hammers, who have no fresh injury concerns. Keeping his place? Carlton Cole (left) started in the 0-0 draw at Norwich Midfielder Matt Jarvis, signed from Wolves, could make his home debut after a substitute appearance in last week's goalless draw at Norwich, but Jack Collison (knee) remains sidelined. Provisional Squad: Jaaskelainen, Demel, O'Brien, Reid, Collins, Noble, Diame, Taylor, Maiga, Nolan, Cole, Jarvis, Vaz Te, Benayoun, McCartney, Diarra, Tomkins, Henderson.
Adam Johnson an injury doubt Date: 21st September 2012 at 9:47 am Written by James Lowson | Comments (0) Adam Johnson is once again a fitness doubt for Sunderland, with Martin O’Neill unsure on whether the England winger will play a part against West Ham. The 25 year old wasn’t risked in Sunderland’s 1-1 draw with Liverpool, he is still recovering from the thigh injury which forced his withdrawal from the England squad. O’Neill told the Sunderland Echo, “Adam was touch and go for last week and I’m afraid he’ll be touch and go this week. “The up-side is that he’s had a further week to recover but it is one of those where you leave it to the last minute and see how he is.” Ahead of the trip to Upton Park the Black Cats have already been dealt a major blow with centre back Carlos Cuellar ruled out with a hamstring injury. The former Aston Villa man was taken off at half-time due to the injury against Liverpool and is ruled out tomorrow as Sunderland search for their first Premier League win of the season.
how much potential he has?!!!! He is 31 ffs not 19 and I would be gutted if we offered him a new contract.
He'll pick Bramble cause he's a big lump and he'll want him to try and combat the physical threat of Carlton Cole etc. we need Brown back ASAP cause it looks like Carlos could be out upto 7 weeks!
Can STILL become a top class defender? He's 31 for crying out loud. I think it's his concentration that's at fault, not his talent. Better get his head on straight if he wants a new contract.
agreed, his distribution is poor as well, everytime he gets it he always hoofs it long, now we are going for quality over quantity and have done so in the final third we need defenders who can play it out and not hoof it long and bypass our best players
Looks like we are having another injury hit season like a couple of seasons ago!, i reckon it will be close but we have to beat promoted teams, and all our away games are tough untill December.
I trust MO to make the right decisions,but he is wrong with his take on Bramble...he is shi*e.We must get rid of him..he is a liability!!
Spot on. On his day he looks world class, then just seems to switch off and suddenly realises he was supposed to be playing football.
Strange reaction this. Take away all the off the field stuff (which I might remind everyone he was proved not guilty for) and you have one of the best defenders at the club. Everyone was very happy with his performances when he first came here. If he can get back to that form he might get us out of a hole while Cuellar is injured. I would rather see Killgallon play myself but I am not the manager.
He ballsed up last week marra. OK so he hasn't played in a while but haway. Tight Arse can't keep his concentration, that's been a problem all his career.
WEST HAM V SUNDERLAND: TOP 10 PREMATCH FACTS Date: 21st September 2012 at 5:00 pm | Filed under: Premiership,Sunderland,West Ham | Author: Escapini West Ham fought to a 0-0 draw against Norwich despite managing to create a number of chances on John Ruddy’s goal. Although Carlton Cole, Kevin Nolan and others managed to carve out opportunities, the Hammers are still searching for their first points away from home this season. - Midfielder Mark Noble continues to compile an impressive series of hard-working performances for West Ham this season. He once again ran harder than any other player involved in the match against Norwich with 6.93 miles, the fifth highest of a single player in a single match so far this season. - So far this season Mark Noble has covered the second highest total distance in the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index with 26.95 miles in the first four games. West Ham are also second overall for distance covered as a squad with 244.76 miles, second only to fellow newly promoted side Southampton. Noble’s teammates have evidently also been recognising his value to this Hammers squad. He’s received the ball of the 172 times so far this season, the largest amount of any West Ham player according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. - Winston Reid recorded the fastest speed of any Premier League player so far this season when the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index clocked him running at 23.38mph. Ricardo Vaz Te also recorded 23.14 miles per hour in the game, the third highest speed recorded so far this season - Defensive midfielder Mohamed Diame will be hoping to put in a more disciplined display against Sunderland than the one he turned in against Norwich. He committed 5 fouls, more than any other player from either side. - Sunderland were largely successful in the efforts to frustrate Liverpool as they earned a deserved 1-1 draw. Another goal from Steven Fletcher continued his good form since arriving at the Stadium of Light and overall Martin O’Neill will have been pleased with his side’s shape and discipline. - Steven Fletcher is enjoying a remarkable start to his career at the Stadium of Light. He’s had 3 shots on target since joining the Black Cats, all 3 of which have been goals. Fletcher could well do with some more support from his teammates in attack though. Only Jack Colback can equal his 3 shots on target for the team this season. - Combative midfielder Lee Cattermole was covered the greatest amount of ground for Sunderland against Liverpool at the weekend, running for 5.97 miles. - Defender Jack Colback continues to build on his impressive opening performances for Martin O’Neill’s side his season after the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index registered him as being his side’s fastest player against Liverpool, recording him at 20.98mph. - John O’Shea has shown this season what a solid buy he had the potential to be when he arrived from Man Utd. He’s conceded only one foul and made 15 interceptions this campaign. Read more at http://www.footballtransfertavern.c...and-top-10-prematch-facts#GUu5iEWEle1M8ZfC.99
O'Neill optimistic for Irons test O'Neill: Takes his side to West Ham Martin O'Neill expects a tough test against West Ham at Upton Park but believes his Sunderland side is growing in confidence. The Black Cats' trip to east London will be their third away fixture in four games, but while they are unbeaten after draws against Arsenal and Swansea on the road and Liverpool last weekend at the Stadium of Light, O'Neill's men are yet to get their first victory on the board. The Sunderland boss knows Sam Allardyce's West Ham will provide a stern physical test, with his teams renown for a robust playing style and reliance on long-ball tactics and the set-piece. "They've got off to a very good start and they will be pleased with that," O'Neill said. "They have obviously got points on the board and they mean a great deal to any football club, but it will be tough. Knowing the manager as I do, those difficulties will be for us on Saturday and I think it will be a really difficult game for us. "West Ham got up last season and that's not an easy league to get out of. They did very, very well. "You would always back Sam to have taken the team up and with him at the helm I don't think there will be any danger of the team going back down again. He's proved his worth over the years." Allardyce has often received criticism for the style of play he brings to clubs, but O'Neill dismissed the negative attitude to the route-one approach, especially when it can be so effective. He said: "There was a game played on Monday night between Everton and Newcastle which was a very exciting game and both teams used that tactic at times. "It still led to exciting football. There are different ways of playing the game. Not everyone can play like Barcelona although we would all love to be able to do that. "I see even Real Madrid deciding to go long when they were under pressure and needing to get a goal. Everyone is in the results business and if you feel that's what can get you a result and it's a legitimate tactic then why not use it?" O'Neill approaches the game with winger Adam Johnson struggling to shrug off a thigh problem and defender Carlos Cueller having picked up a hamstring injury, while Craig Gardner looks set to continue his makeshift role in the Sunderland defence in the absence of Phil Bardsley. Despite this, the Black Cats boss believes his players are growing in belief and confidence. "I don't consider West Ham to be a newly-promoted team, although that's exactly what they are," O'Neill said. "I always think of them as a big-league team and it is difficult to go there at any time. "The players are getting more confidence about their game. Against Liverpool, particularly in the first half, we matched them, broke on them very strongly and scored a great goal. "These things give a team confidence both individually and collectively. "Craig's favourite position is midfield but he has adjusted to right-back very well. He's come up against a few difficult opponents in the past couple of weeks and he's coming out of it very well. "Not only that, when he's got forward he got the goal for us on Saturday. He's essentially a midfield player who is filling in until Phil Bardsley comes back and he's happy to do so." But O'Neill admits there is one West Ham player who he would prefer not to face - striker Andy Carroll. The forward joined the club from Liverpool on loan in the summer and impressed on his debut against Fulham before leaving the pitch in the second half after he picked up an injury. "He's a great acquisition for West Ham United," O'Neill said. "He had a hamstring problem but they reckon he's making really good progress. If he will be fit for the weekend I just don't know but if he is we will just have to deal with it. "He's a very good player and because of that I would prefer for him not to be playing."
Would agree with this - if he liked him that much he would have offered him a new contract by now. I would rather see Killa given a go.
He's not exactly going to say "he's ****e" in the papers though is he. He's simply trying to give the guy some confidence to play well to our benefit as we are short on centre-halves to say the least. He has the physicality to deal with their bully-boys up front so let's just wait and se, eh. If he turns it around (he should have 4 good years left) fair play to him. If he doesn't he'll be shown the door
