All Ba none
DEMBA BA has gone the long way round from Watford to West Ham.
The Hornets were just one of six clubs to have rejected the Hammers' impressive new striker who is driven to make it in the Premier League.
Ba, 25, said: "I had a good time at Watford, that was why I wanted to come back.
"That was my first taste of English football and it has stuck in my head ever since."
Senegal international Ba has scored two goals in two starts and leads the forward line for Avram Grant at home to Liverpool on Sunday.
It marks the end of a huge road trip for the determined £6million hitman who has been turned down more times than your duvet at home.
Barnsley, Swansea, Stoke, Auxerre and Lyon all declined his services.
But now he gets his big chance in the middle of a relegation battle.
Paris-born Ba, who trekked around Europe's football outposts from the ages of 16-20, added: "I was rejected from Watford and then a few years later I'm playing against Liverpool in the Premier League. It feels good.
"When I want something I will do everything I can to have it. And that doesn't just go for football - that goes for my life.
"I was brought up to have respect for each person you meet in life.
"I know if I don't fight I'm not going to make it because people are not going to give it to me.
"And the best place for me to show the fight is on the football pitch.
the mirror
Lomas returns to West Ham as reserves manager
Steve Lomas is heading back to West Ham – as reserve team boss.
The former Hammers skipper beat several other ex-players to the prestige post following a spell in charge at non-League St Neots Town.
Lomas, 37, left Upton Park in 2005 and jumped at the chance of a comeback.
welcome home shaggy
the mail
Demba Ba: Pressure to stay up? I don't feel it after my troubles
Sitting next to him at the club's training ground, it was not difficult to see why Demba Ba has been heralded as the man who can save West Ham from relegation.
At 6ft 3in and built like a tank, the Paris-born Senegalese striker has the physical attributes to deal with the bruising nature of Barclays Premier League football.
Avram Grant has likened Ba to Didier Drogba. He is strong, powerful and quick with a knack of hitting the back of the net. Two goals on his first West Ham start against West Bromwich Albion earlier this month backed up the manager's claims.
'Am I the new Didier Drogba? No. I'm Demba Ba!' he says. 'I'm not somebody else. I have so much respect for Drogba. For me he is like an idol. I love Drogba, I love the way he is on the pitch. It was the same with Thierry Henry at Arsenal.
'But I'm not looking at them when I'm playing, I just want to be Demba Ba - nobody else.'
Confident words for someone who is three games into his career in England. But speaking to the 25-year-old, you sense that he always knew the Premier League was his destiny.
To say he was relaxed is an understatement. Dressed in trendy jeans and a chunky knitted jumper, you would not have known Ba was the man Hammers fans were pinning their survival hopes on.
But once you discover the struggles behind his quest to make the grade as a professional, you understand why maybe, just maybe, West Ham have found a striker with the bottle to drag them out of trouble.
The sinking feeling of rejection was something Ba had become accustomed to as a teenager. He was told 'Thanks, but no thanks' after trials with Watford, Barnsley, Swansea, Lyon and Auxerre.
He finally got his big break with French fourth division side FC Rouen, where 22 goals in 26 games earned him a move to Belgian side Mouscron before German club Hoffenheim paid €2.75million (£1.26m) for him in 2007.
'If there is pressure on me to keep West Ham up then I don't feel it because at the end of the day, football is a game,' explains Ba. 'There are far worse things in life than fighting relegation. There was more pressure on me when I was looking for a club.
'I didn't know where my life was going, that was real pressure. I've had so many trials in the past that didn't work out but I still wanted to make it as a footballer.
'I was between 16 and 19 at the time, but for me it wasn't tough. Many people maybe couldn't handle it but if you want something you have to go and get it.
'I don't fear rejection, I know what I'm able to do and knew if I didn't fight, I wouldn't make it. People were not going to give it to me for free.'
But Ba's dream of Premier League football so nearly did not happen. Hoffenheim's refusal to sanction his departure in January led to him going on strike to force through a move.
Enlarge Demba Ba factfile
It worked and he insists he has no regrets, saying: 'People don't know what happened in January. All I can say is I made my choice that I wanted to go. I had the chance to come to England but again it was difficult. When people don't give you respect, why should you still work with them?'
Instead of playing against Liverpool on Sunday, Ba could easily have been lining up for Stoke against West Bromwich a day later.
Playing for Mouscron against SV Roeselare in 2006, Ba turned sharply and injured his left knee, leaving him with a problem that has plagued his career.
He missed the end of last season with Hoffenheim when the injury flared up and a £7.1m move to Stoke collapsed last month after a medical flagged up the problem.
Sportsmail understands West Ham only agreed to sign Ba after structuring a deal that will see the Hammers pay Hoffenheim based on the number of games he plays. The very mention of a problematic knee was the trigger for Ba, just for a moment, to depart from his cool exterior.
He insisted: 'I don't know why we are still talking about it. The knee is fine. I had surgery and the rehab didn't go as well as it should. So it's completely normal the knee isn't 100 per cent. But I can play football, I know how to manage it.'
But now he has fulfilled his Premier League dream could he stick it out with the Hammers in the Championship? His answer was far from convincing.
'We have to look at the next couple of weeks before looking at the next couple of years,' he said. 'I'm not thinking about relegation. I'm only thinking about winning games.'
the mail
How I was nailed by the Hammer! Thomas Hitzlsperger, the new enforcer in West Ham's midfield
I remember Thomas Hitzlsperger from a mark he left on the top of my right foot during a routine Liverpool training session one afternoon.
He was late, very late. I can recall cursing him and swearing in his direction. He was a young teenager on trial, eager to please, and he had made an impact initially because he kept the ball - a useful skill for a midfielder.
He had been invited to join the first team and I remember his close control, his neat passing and, of course, his screamer of a shot with his left foot.
Hammer time: Hitzlsperger opened his account for West Ham, with a stunning long-range strike against Burnley in the FA Cup
Hammer time: Hitzlsperger opened his account for West Ham, with a stunning long-range strike against Burnley in the FA Cup
They are qualities that have since earned him 52 caps for Germany, the armband of the national team and the nickname 'Der Hammer'.
He will be well liked at Upton Park and a good partner for Scott Parker. Having missed the season up until now, his long-range goal against Burnley in the FA Cup announced his arrival in the first team and it will feel like a new signing for Avram Grant.
I know how much Avram was excited by the signing of Hitzlsperger from Lazio in the summer and how much West Ham have missed him, following an injury collected on international duty in pre-season.
I've followed his career since that tackle on me, especially at Aston Villa, when he scored some excellent long-range goals.
West Ham were busy in the transfer window and not everything has gone their way with the injuries to Robbie Keane and Matthew Upson.
But Hitzlsperger is some good news, along with Demba Ba. Both urgently need to make an impact if West Ham are to escape.
the mail
West Ham threaten to sue the FA over Ashton compensation bill
West Ham co-chairman David Sullivan has warned the Football Association he is ready to launch legal action in the bitter fight for compensation over retired striker Dean Ashton.
Ashton‘s career was cut short in December 2009 during what should have been his prime at 26 after the one-time England star was forced to concede defeat in his long-standing battle with an ankle injury.
The problem was picked up on international duty in August 2006 during a training ground incident with Shaun Wright-Phillips.
Although Ashton returned from a long absence and eventually made his England debut in 2008 against Trinidad & Tobago, he never fully recovered from the knock.
The former Norwich forward, West Ham’s record signing when he arrived from Carrow Road in 2006, recently settled a private compensation claim with the FA over the matter.
But West Ham are yet to receive anything since the player’s retirement and Sullivan has now warned he is ready to pursue the matter in the courts.
‘We will have to issue a writ shortly, but it’s the last thing I want to do because I don’t believe people in football should be suing each other,’ Sullivan told The Guardian.
‘For West Ham to get nothing is appalling. Years after the injury and several years after the retirement, they have never offered us a penny. That can’t be right.’
Accusing the FA of not honouring their commitments, Sullivan added: ‘You would think the FA would be honourable and say we accept that he retired as a result of the injury he got training with England.
‘He battled on and played games subsequently but was never the same and, ultimately, the ankle broke down. It’s poor of the FA not to honour their commitments.
‘Their insurance company are trying to argue that because he played 30 games after the injury, even though he retired as a result of the injury, they’re not liable.
’But it’s not like he retired because of anything else other than the ankle, which was smashed to bits because of [Shaun] Wright-Phillips.
‘It was an accident and these things happen, but the FA should pick up the bill.’
the mail
The Firing Line: 'Av that! Avram Grant stumbles upon winning formula in Thomas Hitzlsperger
In one of the rare moments so far this season, West Ham’s win over Burnley on Monday night brought an unfamiliar sight in bringing a smile or two from Avram Grant.
A 5-1 win should be enough to make any winning manager show some positive emotion, but one suspects Grant was grinning for different reasons.
Thomas Hitzlsperger was signed last summer and after spending the whole season injured made an instant impact in the FA Cup match, scoring once and setting up another.
Grant has had to wait a long time to unleash his secret weapon but the German could be the key man to help steer the Hammers away from relegation trouble.
Elsewhere, old habits die hard for Roy Hodgson who after an unconvincing spell at Liverpool in the first-half of the season has carried on where he left off at West Brom.
Loan signing Carlos Vela bailed him out against Wolves but he does not have a lot of time to turn things around.
Each week we bring you our latest chart of the managers under pressure, and those on Easy Street.
Here’s Sportsmail’s sack-race rankings - otherwise known as the Firing Line.
1
Avram Grant
West Ham - Avram Grant
Has done well in the cups but it’s the Premier League that is the bread and butter stuff. Liverpool at home next will test whether it’s all just cup fever at Upton Park. NON-MOVER
2
Alex McLeish
Birmingham City - Alex McLeish
The Carling Cup final could be a double-edged sword for McLeish. A win will finally get him into the owners good books, defeat and they might send him to the stocks. NON-MOVER
3
Wigan Athletic's manager Roberto Martinez
Wigan - Roberto Martinez
No easy return to action with Manchester United next. The Red Devils have won all 12 meetings between the sides but the law of averages has to kick in Wigan's favour at some point. NON-MOVER
4
MICK McCARTHY
Wolves - Mick McCarthy
Needs to get a positive reaction from his team after conceding a late equaliser at West Brom. It may just prove to be the pivotal moment in Wolves’ battle against the drop. NON-MOVER
Carlo Ancelotti
5
Chelsea - Carlo Ancelotti
Defeat to Manchester United on Tuesday and in reality it’s just the Champions League left. But as long as they stay in Europe, Ancelotti remains in Roman Abramovich’s good books. UP ONE
6
Houllier
Aston Villa - Gerard Houllier
Villa have stuttered in recent weeks and have not won in the Premier League for a month. They are still in danger of getting relegated and Houllier is not quite out of the woods yet. DOWN ONE
7
Steve Kean
Blackburn - Steve Kean
The achilles heel of Kean’s reign so far has been form on the road. Rovers have lost all their away games in 2011 and it’s putting too much pressure on them to deliver at Ewood Park. NON- MOVER
8
Steve Bruce
Sunderland - Steve Bruce
Spotted on a beach in Barbados at the weekend. Judging by his team’s record of three straight defeats, they have been there for a good few weeks. Everton away next. NON-MOVER
9
Roberto Mancini
Man City - Roberto Mancini
In reality the treble is still on for Roberto Mancini. City are progressing nicely in the cups and despite the recent derby defeat cannot be ruled out of the Premier League. NON-MOVER
10
Mark Hughes
Fulham - Mark Hughes
All that good work done beating Tottenham in the FA Cup was wasted after crashing out against Bolton the following round. Time to focus on securing Premier League survival. NON-MOVER
11
Newcastle: Alan Pardew
Newcastle - Alan Pardew
Probably disappointed with the break last weekend after some cracking recent performances against Arsenal and Birmingham. Will hope his side have lost no momentum. UP ONE
12
David Moyes
Everton - David Moyes
The Toffees have not had much to shout about this season, but the dramatic win over Chelsea in the FA Cup shows that Moyes can still produce an ace from up his sleeve. DOWN ONE
13
Tony Pulis
Stoke City - Tony Pulis
Often knocked for making Stoke play a direct style, Pulis shows a strong backbone by ignoring his critics and continuing to make his side very difficult to play against. NON-MOVER
14
West Brom: Roy Hodgson
West Bromwich - Roy Hodgson
Survived his first game…just. Not an entirely convincing performance in the Black Country derby, and the Baggies boss will need to improve on Monday night away to Stoke. UP ONE
15
Owen Coyle
Bolton - Owen Coyle
Their league form may have fallen by the wayside but Bolton are within touching distance of Wembley after a fine win at Fulham in the FA Cup. Europe may still beckon after all. DOWN ONE
Harry Redknapp
16
Tottenham - Harry Redknapp
Now we know why he was so desperate to sign a striker. Spurs were toothless in front of goal at Blackpool and will struggle to secure a Champions League spot on that showing. NON-MOVER
17
Ian Holloway
Blackpool - Ian Holloway
Crisis, what crisis? Blackpool are not in free-fall after all following the fine lesson they gave Tottenham in counter-attacking. Will the confidence still be there for Wolves next? NON-MOVER
18
Liverpool: Kenny Dalglish
Liverpool - Kenny Dalglish
Will smell blood after Tottenham’s defeat at Bloomfield Road and will still believe his side can steal a Champions League spot. On course to land fairy tale European trophy. NON-MOVER
19
Arsene Wenger
Arsenal - Arsene Wenger
As well as closing in on the top of the table, Arsenal look set to end their six year wait for a trophy when they contest the Carling Cup final on Sunday. Life is looking rosy under Wenger again. NON-MOVER
20
Sir Alex Ferguson
Man United - Sir Alex Ferguson
United have not looked at their best all season but they are still on for a repeat of their unique treble. Wigan and Chelsea in four days will test his squad to the max. NON-MOVER
team talk
Megson rules out Hammers swoop
Sheffield Wednesday manager Gary Megson admits it is unlikely the struggling Owls will bring Benni McCarthy or Henrita Ilunga to Hillsborough.
The Owls held talks about bringing in the West Ham pair who are not included in the Hammers' 25-man Premier League squad.
But Megson told BBC Radio Sheffield: "To be perfectly honest I don't think it is going to happen, certainly in Benni McCarthy's case.
"Whether anything changes with Ilunga's case - we will have to wait and see."
talk sport
Parker wants Olympic Stadium run-out for West Ham
West Ham midfielder Scott Parker admits he would love to play for the club at the Olympic Stadium.
Parker will be 33 when the club move from Upton Park into their new 60,000 venue, but hopes he can still be part of the team when they make their move across east London.
The Olympic Park Legacy Committee announced West Ham as their preferred bidder last week and the news came as a major boost to the club who are struggling to retain their top flight status.
But despite their woeful position in the league, Parker is already looking ahead and knows it will be a historic day when West Ham play their first game at the Olympic Stadium.
Parker said: “It would be great to play at the stadium. Of course, you want to be playing at the best grounds and having been around the Olympic Stadium myself, it is going to be something special I am sure.
“First and foremost it is a great decision for the club – there has been a lot of work behind the scenes to get this and so that has been rewarded.
“It can only be a good thing for the club as it looks to build on for the future.”
sorry it is late them bastards had me up most of the night and i woke up well late i should have been in work half hour ago
-2°C
