Tévez targets West Ham upturn
Monday, October 23, 2006
Article summary
Eliminated from the UEFA Cup and struggling in the Premiership, West Ham United FC will look to Carlos Tévez to impress as they take a new road to Europe.
Article body
When West Ham United FC unveiled the surprise signings of Javier Mascherano and Carlos Tévez at the start of last month, expectancy at the east London club hit the roof.
Takeover talk
Having finished ninth in the previous Premiership season, their first in the top flight in three years, and been within a minute of FA Cup glory before succumbing to a shoot-out defeat by Liverpool FC, West Ham were tipped to at least enjoy another fine campaign. Then Argentina stars Mascherano and Tévez turned up amid media talk of €150m takeovers. West Ham fans, used to mid-table mediocrity and occasional cup cheer, began to dream of challenging the élite.
Major importance
The duo's first starts came in the first leg of their UEFA Cup first-round match against US Città di Palermo on 14 September. The Hammers lost 1-0 and it was to be the first match of a seven-game run of defeats in all competitions that has seen West Ham fail to even register a goal, and slip to second bottom in the Premiership. Consequently, a usually mundane League Cup trip to Chesterfield FC, from the third tier of English football, has assumed real importance.
'Big boost'
Both midfielder Mascherano and forward Tévez, still looking for form and fitness, could well start tonight against the northern club, who had fewer than 4,000 fans for their last home game, as West Ham manager Alan Pardew looks for a much-needed victory. "We need to get a goal and a win because we would then be able to build on that and see just where we could go from there. That would give everyone such a big boost,” Pardew said. “Although certain players can reach levels above where they are at the moment, there's definitely sufficient quality.”
Worthy prize
Although the League Cup is England’s third trophy behind the league and FA Cup, it is a major competition with a UEFA Cup berth awarded to the winners. Like West Ham and the other clubs who began the season in Europe, the holders Manchester United FC join at this third-round stage and are in action on Wednesday at Crewe Alexandra FC. On the same night, Chelsea FC travel to Blackburn Rovers FC and Liverpool FC receive Reading FC in two of four all-Premiership ties. Arsenal FC go to first division West Bromwich Albion FC tonight.
