It's great to see Mark Noble selected for the England under-21s and I've got
a feeling he's going to enjoy it because he's still relatively fresh after
only making an impact and getting into the first team in the last quarter of
the season. Undoubtedly he has a bright future ahead of him and he was
under-used by Alan Pardew. I think Alan Curbishley recognised his talent
immediately and, alongside Carlos Tevez, they were the two main reasons why
West Ham turned the season around and accomplished the great escape. Mark
brought enthusiasm into the side and a competitiveness that was missing on
many occasions. Not only did he play well but he raised the performances of
others around him. Rob Green has also been called into the England squad
this week for the B team game against Albania. It was a bit of a mystery to
me why he wasn't in the Hammers first team on several occasions this season.
I am in a privileged position working for Sky and, of all the Premiership
teams I've seen this season, Rob has been one of the best and most
consistent goalkeepers. Not only that but he was playing under difficult
circumstances in a side that was fighting against relegation. I hope he gets
his chance again on the international stage. I feel that he is a keeper with
a really bright future. The only worrying thing about him is that, for a
goalkeeper, his interviews seem to be a little too articulate. Most of the
goalkeepers I've met in my career are mad and thick as two short planks! So
I will now dub Rob the thinking man's goalkeeper….
With the summer underway there are sure to be a few changes at Upton Park. I
believe Alan Curbishley is on holiday at the moment, but while he is
enjoying his time off with his wife I bet his mind is racing with thoughts
of who he's going to bring in and who he's going to release this summer.
There will be exciting times for all the fans as they try to guess who the
Club is going to sign. The names that have been mentioned in the Premiership
suggest we will be buying at the top end of the market and that is great
news. It is a luxury that Alan hasn't been able to enjoy much in his
managerial career. What he will be planning to do is start next season where
we left off - on a winning run. He will be aiming to get us up the table and
secure in the Premiership as soon as possible. Then we can kick on from
there. Next week I will be reviewing the season - but not all in one go as
there won't be enough room on the website! I will be breaking the season
down into three parts so I'll begin by looking back over the beginning of
the season: join me then.
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Behind the Scenes: Steve Rigby - WHUFC
24/05/2007 10:32
After 27 years at the Club, West Ham United kitman Eddie Gilham left some
tough boots to fill when he retired at the end of last season. But Steve
Rigby is prepared to step into them and usher in a new era as the next
Hammers kitman. "It's been good so far, it seems a really nice place to
work," he said "All the people are decent, I just want to get the season
started now really. I'm waiting for all the new kit to come in and then it's
all systems go. "It's quite odd timing that Eddie's going and we're leaving
Reebok and I'm coming in with Umbro. So it's a fresh start all round."
Steve and Eddie have been close friends for many years. "He's been a mentor
and a guru to me," said Steve. "Any problems I've ever had, I've given him a
buzz or nipped over and seen him. We've always been in touch and hopefully I
can carry on where he left off. "I knew him from my days when I was at
Leyton Orient and we kept in touch for about nine years now. I've known him
a long time. I'm really excited about taking over from him. "He's always
someone I've looked up to. As a kit man at Orient I knew one day Eddie was
going to retire and I was always looking at whether the prospect would come
up. Now, with Eddie going and with Curbs coming in, it worked out perfectly
really."
Having joined from Charlton, Steve is also close to Hammers boss Alan
Curbishley. "He's a top man," said Steve. "The Club have got the right man
for the job. He's laid-back, happy-go-lucky. I've got a lot of time for him
and I'm sure he'll do really well. "I was only at Charlton with him for a
year and a half. He took me there from Orient so he must have liked what I
did and had a lot of trust in me to bring me in. As soon as he made the
phone call to see if I was interested it was always going to happen. It was
excellent. "When I said yes to the job seven weeks ago it looked like
Charlton was the team that was going to stay up and West Ham would be going
down, so I'd fully accepted the fact that it looked like we'd be going to
Scunthorpe next season! But it's fantastic how it's turned out - I'm really
pleased. "I know a few of the players already and they know me so it helps
being a familiar face. Hopefully to settle in it should be ok and fingers
crossed we have a really good season, it's a good laugh and everyone gets
on."
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Bent plays down Hammers link - KUMB
Filed: Thursday, 24th May 2007
By: Matthew O'Greel
Charlton striker Darren Bent has distanced himself from rumours linking him
with a summer move to West Ham United. Bent was a target of United's in the
January transfer window although Charlton refused to sanction the sale of
the player whilst still in with a chance of avoiding relegation. But since
the Addicks dropped through the trap door earlier this month Bent has been
linked with a string of clubs; Tottenham and Liverpool have, along with the
Hammers, been mooted as possible destinations for the 23-year-old part time
England forward. But Bent denied that he was set to leave - immediately -
when talking on Charlton's website this evening. "You hear this, that and
the other," he said. "As soon as Alan [Curbishley] got the West Ham job
there were stories - and then lots of speculation during January - but
nothing's happening to my knowledge. "I'm just going to go away and get
myself 100 per cent fit for next season and take it from there. "In terms of
my situation I've not heard anything and I haven't spoken to the manager or
the chairman. But when you are young you want to play in the best league in
the country - and that's the Premiership."
Curbishley took Bent to Charlton from Ipswich in a £3m deal two years ago.
His fee now is likely to be around four times that should be, as expected,
leave the Valley.
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Collins hopes for Tevez stay - Sky
By Mark Buckingham - Created on 24 May 2007
James Collins is hoping West Ham United can persuade Carlos Tevez to stay at
Upton Park. Tevez played a major role in keeping The Hammers in the
Premiership following his controversial move from Corinthians last August.
His team-mate Collins admits the players never discussed the transfer, which
has now resulted in an arbitration panel being set up following complaints
about the £5.5million fine meted out to the club. Instead, Collins is hoping
the fuss will die down and that Tevez can be talked into staying with West
Ham next season. The Argentine has suggested he needs to join a major
European club, but Wales international Collins feels it would be a travesty
if the striker left the Premiership. "None of the players ever thought about
the situation with Carlos," said Collins. "The funny thing is no-one was
talking about how Carlos came to the club when he was not playing or scoring
goals. "As soon as he started scoring, people started having an opinion
about him. "We were just happy to have him in our team as he is a
world-class player and a fantastic professional. "It would be great for West
Ham and English football if he is still in the Premiership next season. "I
am sure we will do our best to keep hold of him."
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Fulham join Tevez row - Telegraph
By David Bond
Last Updated: 1:31am BST 25/05/2007
The Premier League's under-fire chief executive Richard Scudamore faced
searching new questions over the Carlos Tevez affair last night as Fulham
weighed in behind Sheffield United's bid to avoid relegation. In a letter
sent to Scudamore yesterday from Fulham's director and legal advisor Stuart
Benson, the club warn the League they will seek a judicial review unless
they can prove an independent commission followed correct procedure in
failing to dock West Ham points for breaking third-party ownership rules.
The hard-hitting letter, a copy of which has been obtained by the Daily
Telegraph, goes on to ask the following questions:
Whether the League would consider postponing next week's annual summer
meeting until after an arbitration hearing considers Sheffield United's
request to re-examine the commission's decision.
Whether Fulham could join Sheffield as a party in the arbitration.
Whether the commission's reasoning was "flawed" because it took into account
what Fulham consider to be "irrelevant factors" but ignored what they
believe to be "relevant factors".
This refers to the decision to fine West Ham £5.5 million and not deduct
points being partly based on concerns not to punish supporters and the fact
it was almost the end of the season, making docking points an even more
severe punishment. But the biggest threat to the League is that Fulham have
officially placed Scudamore on "notice of judicial review". The League were
last night preparing a response. Sources indicated they will not postpone
next week's meeting and Fulham will not join the arbitration process.
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The League's Letter to The Blades - WestHamfc.blogspot
Somebody on the Blades Mad board has posted the letter Sheffield United
received from the Premier League. Basically it lays out in detail why
Sheffield United have no case. Here is part of a summary towards the end of
the letter,
"Given the complexities around this, we would ask you to step back from the
detail and consider the matter in more general terms:
1. Tevez has been properly registered to play for West Ham United since 31
August 2006. The Board, under our Rules, is charged with the authority to
determine this.
2. He continues to be registered with West Ham United.
3. This is a case without precedent and certainly cannot be compared with
Clubs who have played unregistered players or players ineligible through
suspension.
4. On 26 April West Ham United admitted to breaches of Rules B13 and U18 –
for which they have been fined in accordance with our Rules.
5. The offending third party agreement has been terminated by West Ham
United and therefore they are not continuing to be in breach."
The League also point towards part of the commission's judgement,
"The judgement also made comments about the Commission's view of the
enforceability of the third party contracts in question. West Ham United
argued that they were not enforceable, the Commission was minded to agree,
but West Ham United could not use this as a defence as they had acted as if
they were enforceable in the first place ... had the Club in time made
disclosure of the third party contracts to the FAPL, then, in all
probability, contracts could have been entered into which would not have
offended the rules"."
In other words Tevez's agents could not legally influence West Ham anyway.
If West Ham told the League about the wording of the contracts they could
have been reworded so that they did not break the rules. Basically The
Premier League seems to feel that West Ham's breach of the rules was a
technicality that could easily have been avoided and that any third party
interference in the club could never have happened anyway. When looked at
this way it seems that a £5.5 million fine was very steep punishment. In the
end despite the accusations by certain chairmen and journalists that West
Ham are cheats and should be deducted points West Ham have actually been
severely punished for a technical breach of a little known rule. It would be
nice if those who have jumped all over West Ham could actually stand back
and ask themselves what advantage West Ham stood to gain from allowing a
third party the right to withdraw its best players in the January transfer
window. West Ham were found guilty of allowing a third party the right to
adversely affect the club's performance and were subsequently fined £5.5
million. Case over.
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Bent cool on West Ham move talk - TeamTalk
Charlton striker Darren Bent has played down speculation he is set to join
London rivals West Ham in a big-money move this summer. The Addicks forward
has been widely tipped to leave The Valley following the club's relegation
from the Premiership and Hammers boss Alan Curbishley has been linked with a
bid for the player. Curbishley brought Bent to Charlton from Ipswich in the
summer of 2005, but the 23-year-old insists he has had no contact with his
former boss about a move to Upton Park. He told Charlton's official website:
"You hear this, that and the other. As soon as Alan got the West Ham job
there were stories and then there was lots of speculation during January but
nothing's happening to my knowledge. "I'm just going to go away and get
myself 100 per cent fit for next season and take it from there."
Tottenham and Liverpool are also thought to be monitoring the situation,
while Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is apparently keen to take Bent on a
season-long loan at the Emirates Stadium.
But Bent insists he has not discussed his future with Addicks boss Alan
Pardew and although he is keen to play in the Premiership, he would not rule
out spending a season in the Championship with Charlton. He added: "In terms
of my situation I've not heard anything and I haven't spoken to the manager
or the chairman. "Obviously the club feels two more strikers are needed and
it gives the manager food for thought. "I don't think it's all about me.
Charlton have done a lot for me; I love the club and I love the fans, who
have been brilliant with me. "Of course when you are young you want to play
in the best league in the country and that's the Premiership, so I'm
disappointed we went down this season. But I've got no doubt whatsoever that
we can return straight away next year."
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Collins hoping for Tevez stay - TeamTalk
James Collins is preparing for a return to international duty with Wales but
West Ham team-mate Carlos Tevez remains firmly in his thoughts. The
23-year-old defender insists the controversy surrounding the Argentina
striker was never an issue in the dressing room at Upton Park. West Ham were
fined £5.5million by an independent commission for having third-party
agreements connected with Tevez and Javier Mascherano, now with Liverpool,
after signing them last summer. An arbitration panel has now been set up
following pressure, particularly from Sheffield United, who were relegated
on the final day and challenged that ruling which saw the Hammers escape a
points deduction. Collins maintains the players just got on with their jobs
and ignored the furore. Speaking ahead of the friendly against New Zealand
at Wrexham on Saturday, he said: "None of the players ever thought about the
situation with Carlos. "The funny thing is no-one was talking about how
Carlos came to the club when he was not playing or scoring goals. "As soon
as he started scoring, people started having an opinion about him. "We were
just happy to have him in our team as he is a world class player and a
fantastic professional. "It would be great for West Ham and English football
if he is still in the Premiership next season. "I am sure we will do our
best to keep hold of him."
The irony for Sheffield United was that Tevez scored the winner in the last
game against Manchester United at Old Trafford to keep the Hammers in the
top flight. Collins said: "Carlos is a big game player and performs on the
big stage, so it was fitting for him to score at United. "We knew it was
going to be a tough game but it was in our hands. We were playing well,
keeping clean sheets and scoring goals. "We defended well and Carlos took
his goal superbly. "There is a talented squad here and a lot of
international players. Not one of the boys thought we were doomed. "Even
late in the season we still believed we could do it and our luck changed at
Blackburn, where we got two goals that perhaps we shouldn't have. "It was
hard on Sheffield United in the end of course but the players don't know
enough about the (registration) situation to comment."
Wales are using the friendly at the Racecourse as a warm-up to the Euro 2008
qualifier against the Czech Republic a week on Saturday. Collins said: "It
is good to get away after the pressure we were under at West Ham. "Playing
New Zealand is a big game for Welsh football despite what some people might
think. "It is a chance to get our fitness levels up and gain some confidence
going into the Czech Republic game. "It is also a massive experience for the
younger lads and we are determined to get a victory."
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More of today's football stories - The Sun
May 25, 2007
ENGLAND new-boy Nicky Shorey is a £5million target for West Ham. Reading's
Romford-born left-back, 26, will make his B international debut against
Albania tonight. A Royals spokesman said: "You cannot make a decision until
an offer comes in but our main players are contracted." Meanwhile, Yossi
Benayoun, 27, has held crisis talks with the Hammers. The midfielder was
dropped for two months this season but has been offered a new five-year
deal. His agent Ronen Katzav said: "If he decides not to stay we will look
at other clubs' interests."
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----
FULHAM and Wigan have demanded Sheffield United should have a seat at next
week's Premier League AGM. United were relegated but the Gang of Four — the
Cottagers, the Latics, the Blades and Charlton — insist West Ham should have
gone down instead. The Hammers avoided a points deduction despite breaching
regulations while signing Argies Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano. Now a
letter by Fulham director Stuart Benson reveals two top lawyers have advised
the clubs "there are obvious flaws in the Independent Commission's
reasoning."
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Masch backing pal Tev - The Sun
By ERIC BEAUCHAMP
May 25, 2007
JAVIER MASCHERANO insists Carlos Tevez can be Anfield's "barbarian".
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is considering a £30million bid for West Ham
striker Tevez, 23, after losing the Champions League final. And former
Hammer Mascherano insists Tevez would go on a scoring rampage if the Argie
pals are reunited. Reds midfielder Mascherano, 22, said: "It's possible he
will come. I would love to have him by my side as a player and a friend.
"After managing to keep West Ham in the Premiership, he has a lot of
possibilities to move to a big club in Europe. "When we talk we avoid
discussing moves but I know he's talking about a probable move to Liverpool.
He would be a barbarian!" Tevez is back in Argentina waiting for his future
to be sorted out but has made it clear he wants to sign for "one of Europe's
biggest clubs". He has also been impressed by the way Benitez coaxed
Mascherano back to top form after he was discarded by West Ham in January.
But Benitez faces competition for Tevez's signature as Chelsea, Real Madrid
and Inter Milan are also keen on him.
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Fulham maintain Tévez offensive - Times
Gary Jacob
The "Gang of Four" have asked whether Sheffield United will be able to
attend the meeting of Barclays Premiership clubs that begins on Thursday.
United were relegated from the top flight but are contesting the decision
not to deduct points from West Ham United for breaching FA Premier League
rules in the transfer of Carlos Tévez. West Ham stayed up after finishing
three points above the Yorkshire team.
The Premier League will today announce the three-man arbitration panel that
will consider whether the original disciplinary process was carried out
correctly, but it will not sit before the Premiership clubs meet for two
days next week.
Fulham, who with Wigan Athletic, Sheffield United and Charlton Athletic make
up the "Gang of Four", have renewed their attack on the League in letters
seen by The Times.
"If the Premier League are seeking to exclude either of these clubs [West
Ham and Sheffield United], on what basis will it do so in light that a
deduction of points from West Ham or differently constituted commission
might result in that club being relegated rather than Sheffield?" Fulham
wrote.
They have asked for detailed information about the decision taken by the
independent commission to fine West Ham £5.5 million and about the
eligibility of Tévez for the last three matches of the season.
Fulham have also asked the League whether it offered advice about what the
appropriate penalty should be, for a transcript of the hearing, and whether
penalties imposed for similar breaches were considered.
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Fulham pledge support for Blades over Tevez
Jeremy Wilson
Friday May 25, 2007
The Guardian
Fulham have signalled their willingness to support Sheffield United formally
when an arbitration panel meets to investigate the Premier League's decision
to allow Carlos Tevez to continue playing for West Ham United this season.
In a letter seen by the Guardian, the Fulham director Stuart Benson has
written to the Premier League's chief executive, Richard Scudamore,
outlining his backing for the Blades and his queries about the decision
merely to fine and not deduct points from the east London club for their
rule breach. "This club wholeheartedly supports Sheffield United," he said,
adding that his club were "minded" to become an additional party to the
forthcoming arbitration.
In a fresh twist, Fulham are threatening further action by informing the
Premier League that they intend to "revisit" with leading counsel an
application for judicial review in light of the outcome of the arbitration
and what appears to be a continuing refusal by the Premier League to conduct
a "further investigation as requested in the letter of May 4 from ourselves,
Wigan, Sheffield United and Charlton".
Benson says that legal experts have been advised of flaws in the independent
commission's reasoning process. "These flaws can be categorised under two
familiar headings: taking account of irrelevant factors and failing to take
account of relevant factors," he said. Among the irrelevant factors are the
timing of the points penalty that could have been imposed, and the impact on
supporters and players.
Fulham also want to know if the arbitration will take place before the AGM
of the Premier League next Thursday. Wigan have also written to Scudamore
pledging their support for Sheffield United. A letter to Scudamore from the
Wigan secretary, Stuart Hayton, said: "We are still not satisfied with the
explanations you have supplied in this respect."
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CURBS' BID NOT A SHORE THING - The Mirror
25/05/2007
ENGLAND'S Nicky Shorey is a £5million target for his boyhood heroes West
Ham. Romford-born Shorey, 26, is top of the shopping list for Hammers boss
Alan Curbishley after helping Reading to their highest league finish ever.
But Reading will fight to hang on to their left-back (right), who makes his
England B debut against Albania tonight. Royals director of football Nicky
Hammond said: "Players will go from us this summer but we are not planning
to lose anyone we don't want to. It is not our plan to lose key players.
"You cannot make a final decision until an offer comes in but our main
players are contracted."
Shorey started 37 of Reading's 38 league games as they finished eighth in
their first Premiership season - and narrowly missed out on a place in the
PFA team of the year. Meanwhile, West Ham keeper Robert Green has had to
ditch his summer break to join up with the England B squad. Green, 27,
admitted: "I did have a nice holiday lined up - but this is an offer you
can't turn down. "Hopefully, it's recognition of a good run of form which
I've had and which the club's had."
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West Ham go for £5M Reading fullback Shorey
tribalfooball.com - May 24, 2007
West Ham United are planning a £5 million bid for Reading fullback Nicky
Shorey. Reading's Romford-born left-back, 26, will make his B international
debut against Albania tonight. A Royals spokesman said: "You cannot make a
decision until an offer comes in but our main players are contracted."
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Benayoun still to commit to West Ham
tribalfooball.com - May 24, 2007
Yossi Benayoun is still to agree to stay with West Ham United. The Israel
international is believed to have been offered an improved contract, but his
agent Ronen Katzav said: "If he decides not to stay we will look at other
clubs' interests."
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Barnsley back in for West Ham's Reid
tribalfooball.com - May 24, 2007
Barnsley are set to land West Ham United youngster Kyel Reid. The Times says
Reid is keen to return to Barnsley after a successful loan spell this
season.
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