David Beckham will come up against England team-mate Dean Ashton in the MLS
All-Star Game
10.07.2008
West Ham United are set to face England midfielder David Beckham when the
club plays the Major League Soccer All-Stars in Toronto on Thursday 24 July.
The LA Galaxy player was among the eleven names voted into the First XI
following a poll of fans, players, media and coaches/general managers.
Beckham was second in the combined voting behind US star striker and
club-mate Landon Donovan, while the next most popular was the veteran
Chicago Fire and Mexico playmaker Cuauhtemoc Blanco. The match, which kicks
off at midnight London time, will be broadcast live in England via Setanta
Sports.
The New England Revolution, who are the MLS's form team, have three players
in the lineup - namely goalkeeper Matt Reis, defender Michael Parkhurst and
midfielder Shalrie Joseph. The defence also features Kansas City Wizards
defender Jimmy Conrad and Columbus Crew's Frankie Hejduk, who will be
taking on West Ham United four days earlier in a friendly on Sunday 20 July.
Joining Beckham, Blanco and Joseph in midfield are Chivas USA midfielder
Sacha Kljestan and Columbus midfielder Robbie Rogers. Up front alongside
Donovan is the FC Dallas forward Kenny Cooper, who with eight goals has
three fewer than current league top scorer Donovan on eleven.
The First XI is reflective of Major League Soccer's diverse player pool.
Ranging in age from 21 (Robbie Rogers) to 35 (Cuauhtémoc Blanco), this group
brings an array of experience both domestically and abroad. Three players
born outside of the United States and Canada are among the eleven, each
having captained their respective country's national team - Beckham (102
caps with England), Blanco (97 caps with Mexico), and Joseph (Grenada).
On 15 July, Revolution head coach Steve Nicol and his staff will select five
additional All-Stars, who will join two Commissioner selections to complete
the 18-man MLS squad. Nicol earned the honor of coaching the MLS side by
leading his team to the highest points per game average in the league
through games on 29 June. The First XI is not necessarily the starting
lineup. Nicol will select the starters based on player availability and
tactical considerations
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Reserve team fixtures confirmed - WHUFC
Kevin Keen's men will get started on 15 September with a tricky away trip to
west London rivals Chelsea
10.07.2008
The reserve team fixtures for the 2008/09 season have been announced with
the club again set to play at Bishop's Stortford.
The 2007/08 campaign was a successful one under Kevin Keen's guidance for
the first time with the side challenging for the Barclays Premier Reserve
League South title until the last game. Although ultimately finishing four
points behind champions Aston Villa, it was a successful season that saw the
reserve squad help the Academy to produce three players - namely James
Tomkins, captain Jack Collison and Freddie Sears - for the first team. It
was also where Dean Ashton demonstrated his return to fitness before a
strong finish to the campaign.
Speaking about his season as reserve-team skipper, Collison said: "To
captain the reserves was a great honour. I have really enjoyed captaining
them and it helped improve me as a player and also off the pitch as well
with the added responsibility. I am a player who thrives off that
responsibility."
2008/09 fixtures (please note all fixtures subject to change)
Monday 15 September - Chelsea (A)
Tuesday 30 September - West Bromwich Albion (H)
Tuesday 7 October - Fulham (A)
Tuesday 21 October - Arsenal (H)
Monday 3 November - Tottenham Hotspur (A)
Tuesday 25 November - Portsmouth (H)
Wednesday 3 December - Stoke City (A)
Tuesday 16 December - Chelsea (H)
Monday 5 January - Aston Villa (A)
Tuesday 20 January - Fulham (H)
Monday 16 February - West Bromwich Albion (A)
Tuesday 24 February - Tottenham Hotspur (H)
Monday 9 March - Arsenal (A)
Tuesday 17 March - Aston Villa (H)
Tuesday 7 April - Stoke City (H)
Tuesday 21 April - Portsmouth (A)
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MLS XI named - KUMB
Filed: Thursday, 10th July 2008
By: Staff Writer
The first batch of MLS AllStars to face West Ham later this month has been
announced in Toronto. The team, drawn from the votes of supporters, coaches
and the media was topped by former England captain David Beckham. The full
list is as follows; the remaing nseven players to complete the squad will be
announced soon.
Goalkeeper: Matt Reis (New England Revolution)
Defence: Jimmy Conrad (Kansas City Wizards), Frankie Hejduk (Columbus Crew),
Michael Parkhurst (New England Revolution)
Midfield: David Beckham (Los Angeles Galaxy), Cuauhtémoc Blanco (Chicago
Fire), Shalrie Joseph (New England Revolution), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA),
Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew)
Strikers: Kenny Cooper (FC Dallas), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy)
West Ham play the MLS All Stars on Thursday, 24th July; the game, being
broadcast live by Setanta, kicks off at midnight GMT.
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McCartney a happy Hammer - SSN
Defender cools Sunderland link
Last updated: 10th July 2008
George McCartney has played down reports linking him with a return to
Sunderland, saying he is happy at West Ham. West Ham are reported to have
turned down a bid in the region of £4.5million from Sunderland for the
Northern Ireland international. McCartney was one of West Ham's most
consistent performers last season and his performances caught the attention
of Black Cats boss Roy Keane, who is keen to lure him back to Wearside. The
27-year-old arrived at Upton Park from Sunderland in 2006 in a swap deal
with Clive Clarke and he quickly established himself in East London.
McCartney admits he is flattered to be linked with a return to Sunderland,
but insists he is more than content to stay at Upton Park. "I would like to
stay at West Ham," McCartney told the Belfast Telegraph. "I have no desire
to leave. When clubs show an interest in you it is flattering but I have
enjoyed my time at West Ham and I have played in every league game for them
since February last year. But it's really up to the two clubs and what West
Ham want to see happen. If they choose to sell me then it's up to both clubs
to agree a fee and we'll see if that happens but I have no desire to move."
"I haven't really given the thought of going back to Sunderland much
consideration because I am still a West Ham player. "I had a lot of good
times there but it was time for me to move on and I embarked on a new
challenge. In football you never say never but at the minute I can't say
that will happen to me."
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Galatasaray still in the hunt for Hammers defender Neill - Daily Mail
By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 10:44 PM on 10th July 2008
Galatasaray are pressing ahead in their £4m chase for Lucas Neill — despite
initial resistance from the player. The Turkish side, who signed Harry
Kewell last week, are aware that West Ham want to cut their budget and
believe they can strike a deal. With Bobby Zamora and John Pantsil destined
for Fulham, Neill's departure could free up vital funds. However,
Sunderland's £4.5m bid for George McCartney has been rejected. McCartney,
27, said: 'I would like to stay at West Ham. I have no desire to leave.
'When clubs show an interest in you it is flattering but it's really up to
the two clubs and what West Ham want to see happen. If they choose to sell
me then it's up to both clubs to agree a fee and we'll see if that happens
but I have no desire to move.'
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Galatasaray chase Aussie Lucas Neill - news.com.au
July 11, 2008 08:01am
TURKISH club Galatasaray, who signed Harry Kewell last week, are now on the
track of Australian defender Lucas Neill. The club first approached Premier
League club West Ham United about Neill last week amid reports the Hammers
want to cut their wage bill. And although Neill, who is captain of West Ham,
said he did not want to go to Turkey, Galatasaray are pushing on with their
bid and have offered about $9 million, according to reports in Britain.
Neill, 30, who joined the Hammers from Blackburn Rovers in early 2007, is
one of the top earners at Upton Park. And with manager Alan Curbishley under
pressure to cut costs, $9 million could be too tempting to turn down.
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McCartney may make quick return
Simon Williams
The Guardian, Friday July 11, 2008
George McCartney, the West Ham full-back, says he wants to stay at Upton
Park despite the chance of a return to his former club Sunderland.
Sunderland had a £4.5m offer turned down by West Ham earlier this week but
the view at the Stadium of Light is that they will still be able to get the
27-year-old provided West Ham manage to sign Nicky Shorey from Reading.
McCartney acknowledges that he could be sold if Shorey arrives but the
Northern Ireland international is keen to remain at the club he joined from
Sunderland two years ago for £1m. He said: "I would like to stay at West
Ham. I have no desire to leave. When clubs show an interest in you it is
flattering but I have enjoyed my time at West Ham and I have played in every
league game for them since February last year. But it's really up to the two
clubs to decide what will happen."
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Holding The Pail - Just Like My Dreams
You can only milk a cow so long, then you're left holding the pail. Here is
this morning's not altogether nourishing collection of exiguous transfer
window gossip...
Despite declarations of contentment from George McCartney and Lucas Neill,
it seems the media are every bit as keen as the interested clubs to see West
Ham United's fullbacks sold. The Guardian insist Sunderland are preparing to
make an improved offer to re-sign McCartney after the club turned down £4.5
million for the Irishman. The Times posit that Alan Curbishley is already
searching for another left back and has made an approach to Leicester City
regarding Joe Mattock, the England Under-21 player.
McCartney, 27, made his debut for Sunderland in 2000 and went on to make 157
appearances for the Black Cats in all competitions, before joining West Ham
United two years ago in a player-plus-cash deal which saw Clive Clarke and
£600,000 come to Wearside. Roy Keane has made signing a left-back one of his
priorities this summer after being forced to use versatile centre-back Danny
Collins in that role for virtually the whole of last season.
Sources on Wearside are claiming the chances of McCartney moving hinge
solely on the Hammers securing a replacement. If United can persuade
relegated Reading to part with England full-back Nicky Shorey, McCartney
could be allowed to leave. West Ham could not convince Reading to sell
Shorey with a bid of £5 million last summer, but the fact that the Royals
are now facing up to life in the Championship may change things – although
Reading have already warned that the 27-year-old will not be allowed to
leave on the cheap. Reading director of football Nicky Hammond said
recently: "People are working on the assumption that Nicky Shorey will move
on during the summer. But it simply has not gone that far. Nobody has made
us an offer for the player and even if they do, it does not mean he will
go." West Ham would also likely face competition for Shorey, with Portsmouth
among the clubs thought to be keen.
On a similar note, the Mail report that Galatasaray are pressing ahead in
their £4million pursuit of Lucas Neill — despite initial resistance from the
player. The article states that the Turkish side, who signed Harry Kewell
last week, are aware that West Ham United want to cut their budget and
believe they can strike a deal. They suggest that with Bobby Zamora and John
Pantsil destined for Fulham, Neill's departure could free up more vital
funds.
In other news, West Ham United keep getting mentioned in dispatches
regarding Everton striker Andy Johnson. In the latest effort by the Mirror
it is claimed we are still the preferred destination for the player but look
likely to miss out in the ensuing transfer scramble through an inability to
raise sufficient funds. Several other media outlets have contented
themselves with cold rehashes of the Valon Behrami 'snub', while more
enterprising speculation has linked the club with USA defender Oguchi
'Gooch' Onyewu and Venezuelan winger Juan Arango.
Finally, no one else seems to be picking up the Balint Bajner story that I
posted earlier but I am told the player was actually training with the first
team squad yesterday. Also present was veteran defender Stephen Carr, now a
free agent following his release from Newcastle United. Don't shoot the
messenger.
Posted by Trilby at 00:14
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A New Striker Arrives? - Just Like My Dreams
West Ham United have swooped to sign Hungarian striker Balint Bajner,
according to The Sun. The 17-year-old was on trial at Upton Park in April
and impressed by bagging two goals in a friendly. Bajner arrives via
Romanian second division side CF Liberty Oradea, where he is reputed to be
highly-rated by the coaching staff. If confirmed, Bajner would be the second
teenager to sign for the Hammers in a week after Iceland Under-21 defender
Holmar Orn Eyjolfsson, also 17, arrived from HK Kopavogur last Friday.
Bajner could face Irons and England U-19 duo James Tomkins and Freddie Sears
when he features for Hungary in the UEFA U-19 Championships, which start in
the Czech Republic next week. Hungary coach Tibor Sisa certainly anticipates
big things from the talented frontman. Sisa said: "Balint is a very good
young player who is heading for the top. He is technically gifted and
developing well. In spring his club sent him over to England for a trial. He
did well then and I am sure he will be a success."
It is unclear at this stage what role Gianluca Nani has played in this
latest capture, but if confirmed, it does underline the club's new manifesto
of recruiting exciting young prospects from the global market. It is in this
spirit that the talented youngster would be seen as one for the future, as
oppose to a direct replacement for the soon departing Bobby Zamora.
Elsewhere, George McCartney insists he has no intention of returning to
Sunderland, despite talk of a £4.5 million offer from The Black Cats. The
Northern Ireland international swapped the North East for the East End of
London in the summer of 2006 and in his two seasons at Upton Park has become
one of the club's most dependable performers. Such was his form last season,
the 27-year-old was even linked with a shock move to Italian giants Milan as
well as Rangers of The SPL.
It is rumoured that Sunderland manager Roy Keane has now tabled a £4.5
million bid for the left back but he insists he is not looking to leave The
Hammers at present. "I would like to stay at West Ham,"McCartney told the
Belfast Telegraph. "I have no desire to leave. When clubs show an interest
in you it is flattering but I have enjoyed my time at West Ham and I have
played in every league game for them since February last year. But it's
really up to the two clubs and what West Ham want to see happen. If they
choose to sell me then it's up to both clubs to agree a fee and we'll see if
that happens but I have no desire to move. I haven't really given the
thought of going back to Sunderland much consideration because I am still a
West Ham player. I had a lot of good times there but it was time for me to
move on and I embarked on a new challenge. In football you never say never
but at the minute I can't say that will happen to me."
West Ham United reserve goalkeeper Richard Wright is expected to leave the
Hammers though, with Championship side Ipswich Town- the club where the
former England International started his career- the likely destination.
30-year-old Wright spent seven years at Portman Road making 240 appearances
for the Tractor Boys, before a £6million transfer to Arsenal in 2001.
However, despite earning his two England caps while being with the Gunners,
he failed to make the number one spot his own at Highbury and was sold to
Everton a year later. Wright spent five years at Goodison Park, but a stream
of injuries saw him lose out to former Manchester United keeper Tim Howard
for the number one jersey. He moved to West Ham United last season, but has
failed to make a single appearance for the Irons while playing second fiddle
to Robert Green, with Wright being loaned out to Southampton for the latter
part of last season. Reports suggest that Ipswich manager Jim Magilton will
complete a £500,000 deal for the former Portman Road favourite within the
next two weeks.
Posted by Trilby at 18:42
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Compensation or no compensation? - SheffieldUtdMad.co.uk
By Jamie Furniss Thursday, 10th July 2008
The hearing on the case involving Sheffield United's relegation from the
Premier League will he solved in September...
The case has now been going on for a year while Kevin McCabe and United
officials are fighting a way of being awarded compensation after the fiasco
involving the illegal deal which West Ham made with Argentinean Carlos Tevez
and Javier Mascherano who now plays for Liverpool. Blades Chairman Kevin
McCabe said: "It's down to the panel to make their award which should be
September. The formal arbitration hearing was concluded last month but
there'll be one more day at the end of July for further oral submissions."
On the final day of season 2006/2007 Tevez secured West Ham's fate when he
slotted the ball past Van Der Sar at Old Trafford to see the Hammers survive
and subsequently sent the Blades down. Options in the arbitration last year
was to replace the Blades in the top flight and send the Hammers down,
compensation or/and West Ham to be docked points. Neither happened as a
£5.5m fine was the punishment. That punishment isn't enough from the Blades
side of things so the fight for compensation continues.
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