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We considered carlos this summer

Arca enjoying midfield role

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Yak was struggling (Sky)

O'Neil to repay Boro (Sky)

Shawky please with Boro move (Sky)

Middlesbrough kids lift England hopes (the Times)

Southgate explains Yak exit (BBC)

Dave up Downings St (TeamTalk)

Shawky predicts impact (TeamTalk)

Vassell rumour (Mail)

Hull go for Davies (TF)

Porritt eyes Spanish move

[Powlay]

Flapper in no hurry over conract - Satanta

Middlesbrough approached PEroni before we signed Mido - Setanta

Juninho - "middlesbrough right to cash in on YAk" - TF

'Gate happy with the transfer campaign - TF

Flapper has a knee injury - TF

Flappers injury scare

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West Ham v Middlesbrough

Upton Park
Saturday, 15 September
Kick-off: 1500 BST
Coverage on the BBC Sport website, BBC Radio Five Live & highlights on Match of the Day. Featured game on Score and Final Score.



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Team news to follow later.



BIG-MATCH FACTS
West Ham and Middlesbrough lie adjacent to each other in mid table, and have each picked up seven points out of the last nine (win, draw, win).

The Londoners have been shown fewer yellow cards in Premier League competition than any other club (four); the Teessiders have been shown more than any other (16).

The Hammers have lost only one of nine home Premiership meetings with Middlesbrough, and have won the last five.


CLUB FORM
WEST HAM UNITED


Club stats
Fixtures
1. Began the season with a 0-2 home defeat to Manchester City, but have not lost in four league and cup games since.

2. Won three and drawn one of the last four in all competitions.

3. Won six of the last eight Premier League matches.

4. Failed to score in one of the last nine league matches; the 0-2 home defeat by Manchester City on 11 August.

5. Won 10 of their 25 Premier League matches under Alan Curbishley, losing 11 of them.

6. Yet to register a home win this season; one draw and one defeat so far.

7. The next two league fixtures are away to Newcastle, and home to Arsenal.

MIDDLESBROUGH


Club stats
Fixtures
1. Scored two goals in each of their last three Premier League matches.

2. Failed to score in one of the last nine league games; the 1-0 away defeat by Wigan on 15 August.

3. Looking for a third consecutive victory in London, after picking up six points out of six from matches at Fulham; 1-3 on 13 May and 1-2 on 18 August.

4. Victory would be their second maximum away from home this season, and equal the total of league victories achieved in the whole of last season.

5. Failed to score in six of the last nine Premier League games away from home.

6. Following this is the north-east derby, home to Sunderland, then a third round Carling Cup tie, away to Tottenham.


KEY PLAYER NOTES
WEST HAM UNITED


Craig BELLLAMY is West Ham's top scorer with three goals.

The Hammers' top Premier League marksman is Matthew ETHERINGTON, with two.

Dean ASHTON, who has not scored since the 2006 FA Cup final, needs a double to bring his career total of club goals to 100 (Crewe, Norwich and West Ham).

If he plays:-

Danny GABBIDON will be making his 50th league start for the Hammers.

MIDDLESBROUGH


MIDO and Stewart DOWNING are Middlesbrough's joint top scorers, with two Premier League goals each.

If he plays:-

Andrew DAVIES will be making his 50th appearance for the Teessiders.

If on the field from the outset:-

Lee CATTERMOLE will be making his 50th start in a Middlesbrough shirt.


HEAD TO HEAD
West Ham gave their hopes of avoiding the drop a real shot in the arm with a 2-0 victory in last season's equivalent fixture, building on a second minute opener from Bobby Zamora.

Middlesbrough's only Premier League victory in nine visits to Upton Park was 0-1 on 29 April 2000, through a Brian Deane penalty.

Home and away
League (inc PL): West Ham 20 wins, Middlesbro 22, Draws 10
Prem: West Ham 7 wins, Middlesbro 9, Draws 2

at West Ham only
League (inc PL): West Ham 15 wins, Middlesbro 7, Draws 4
Prem: West Ham 7 wins, Middlesbro 1, Draws 1


LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME
West Ham United 2-0 Middlesbrough
31 March 2007 - Ref: Mark Halsey
West Ham scorers: Zamora 2, Tevez 45


REFEREE
Steve Bennett (Orpington, Kent)

Premiership referees' table
Steve Bennett's 2007-08 Premiership card count

[Powlay]

Schwarzer rejects 1 year deal - Sky

O'Neil ready for Boro bow - Sky

Samba style at the Riverside - Football365

Southgate promises goals - F365

Schwarzer fit for hammers game - Teamtalk

Triple boost for southgate - football uk

Pistone snubbed by Boro - Setanta

Competition everywhere - TF

[BoroPhil]

I feel like finding some links just to keep you company.

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DO IT!

haha so anyway this weekend?

I think we can beat them happy hammers...2-1 to us against the west haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaam

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Johnno Joins Hornets On Loan
ENGLAND U21 winger Adam Johnson has today joined Championship promotion chasers Watford after agreeing a three-month loan deal.

The tricky left-sided player should be available to go into the squad for the Hornets' game against Southampton at Vicarage Road on Sunday.

Johnson, who turned 20 earlier in the summer, made his Boro debut in a UEFA Cup tie against Sporting Lisbon in the 2004/05 season and has impressed whenever he has come into the team, making 18 starts and 20 substitute appearances.

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However, he has been used mainly as a substitute this season and with England's Stewart Downing ahead of him in the pecking order and increased competition for places even on the bench, the loan spell should be an ideal chance to grab first team experience.

Sunderland-born Johnson played five games on loan at Leeds United last season.

[BoroPhil]

i reckon we've got a decent chance, but can't see us winning esp as they haven't had a home win and are prob due won. 2-2.

[BoroPhil]

bit surprised about that last one. what if stewie gets injured?