WHUFC.com
Fans heading to the Lakeside and Stadium stores this weekend can get their hands on the home shirt again
04.12.2008
West Ham United can confirm the relaunch of the 2008/09 home shirt.
The adult home shirt will also be on sale from the club's Lakeside and Stadium stores from Saturday 6 December. The adult shirt will be priced at £30 and feature the logo of new sponsors SBOBET, while the kids' shirt will be £25 featuring the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK logo.
All 2008/09 home shirts can also be ordered today from the online whufc.com Megastore, click here for more information.
Fans who have already purchased the 2008/09 home shirt will be able to bring the shirt to either store and get the new logo applied free of charge from Wednesday 10 December.
whufc.com will have further information when available regarding the 2008/09 away shirt, with the intention being to relaunch this from Saturday 13 December.
West Ham United this week announced a shirt-sponsorship agreement with the Isle of Man licensed and regulated SBOBET until the end of the 2009/10 season that will also mean increased exposure for the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK.
The partnership with the online sports bookmakers will see the SBOBET logo worn by the first team - replacing the squad numbers used since 20 September. The new-look kit will be seen for the first time when West Ham United play Tottenham Hotspur at the Boleyn Ground on Monday 8 December.
The Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK (Registered Charity No. 1089464) logo is to be carried on all kit worn by the club's academy sides as well as on child replica strips.
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West Ham v Tottenham
PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: Upton Park Date: Monday, 8 December Kick-off: 2000 GMT
Coverage: Full commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live; Updates on BBC Sport website & highlights on MOTD2
BBC.co.uk
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Team news to follow later.
BIG-MATCH FACTS
Harry Redknapp takes his new Tottenham charges to West Ham, hoping they will retain a 100% record for him. The 61 year old has won every Premier League game at Upton Park as an opposing manager since leaving the Hammers, where he was in charge for seven years from August 1994 to May 2001. Portsmouth won there 2-4 in March 2006, 1-2 on Boxing Day 2006 and 0-1 on 8 April this year.
Spurs, who are on course to retain the Carling Cup, need a victory to draw level with West Ham on points, but they're yet to win a London Premier League derby this season.
Gianfranco Zola's Hammers have followed a six-match winless run, with five points out of nine, a three game spell in which as many clean sheets have been kept.
They're seldon short on goals when these clubs meet. Spurs won 4-0 at White Hart Lane last March, and who could forget their dramatic clash at Upton Park 12 months earlier. The Hammers were leading 2-0 at half time and 3-2 with five minutes remaining, but contrived to lose by the odd goal in seven.
Both clubs need a confidence boosting performance, as each have a tough fixture after this; West Ham are away to Chelsea and Spurs, home to Manchester United.
Distance between the clubs: 12 miles (19 kilometres)
Tottenham are making the shortest journey of any Premier League club in this round of matches.
CLUB FORM
WEST HAM UNITED
Club stats
Going into the weekend: 13th 18 points
Best & Worst categories in 2008-09 Premier League
(all statistics are ahead of this weekend's round of Premier League fixtures)
1. Won one of the last nine Premier League matches; 0-1, away to Sunderland on 23 November.
2. Not conceded in 273 minutes (four hours 33 minutes) of Premier League football since Louis Saha wrapped up a 3-1 home win for Everton on 8 November.
3. Failed to score in five of eight top-flight matches, and netted just one goal in each of the other three games.
4. On the longest current run of any Premier League side of nine matches since scoring more than one goal in a game; the 1-2 away win over Fulham on 27 September being the most recent.
5. Four points down on this same stage last season, when they were in the top-half.
6. Picked up just one point out of 12 at home since beating Newcastle 3-1 on 20 September; the point came from a goalless draw with Portsmouth in the most recent fixture at Upton Park on 15 November.
7. Gained points from only one of their last four London Premier League derbies, two of which were this season; those points courtesy of the 1-2 victory at Craven Cottage nine weeks ago.
Fixtures
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TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Club stats
Going into the weekend: 16th 15 points
Best & Worst categories in 2008-09 Premier League
(all statistics are ahead of this weekend's round of Premier League fixtures)
1. Won eight of 11 matches since Harry Redknapp first took his place in the dig out.
2. Won four of the last seven Premier League outings, but lost two of the most recent three.
3. Last Sunday's 0-1 home defeat to Everton was the first time in eight league games in which they failed to score.
4. Averaging a point a game, but three points up on this same stage last season.
5. Conceded the opening goal in an unmatched 11 Premier League games, but won just two of those matches (home to Liverpool, and away to Manchester City).
6. Drawn two and lost one of their three London Premier League derbies this season, and only won one of the last six; the victory being 4-0, home to West Ham on 9 March.
7. Not won in seven away capital clashes; drawn four and lost three since winning 0-2 against Charlton at the Valley on 7 May 2007 - their only maximum in nine such matches.
Fixtures
KEY PLAYER NOTES
WEST HAM UNITED
Squad profiles
Robert GREEN is the only remaining player to have been on the field for every minute of every one of West Ham's Premier League matches this season.
Valon BEHRAMI's winner against Sunderland on 23 November is West Ham's only goal in three games.
Lee BOWYER is a double shy of 50 career Premier League goals (Leeds, Newcastle and West Ham).
If selected:-
Calum DAVENPORT will be facing a former club. The 25 year old defender made 20 appearances (15 in the league) and scored one league goal for Spurs between August 2004 and his move to Upton Park in January 2007.
Matthew ETHERINGTON will also be facing former team mates. The 27 year old midfielder made 51 appearances (45 in the league) and scored two goals (one league) for Tottenham between December 1999 and August 2003.
If on the field from the outset:-
Matthew UPSON will be making his 200th career league start (Arsenal, Nottingham Forest, Crystal Palace, Reading, Birmingham and West Ham).
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TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Squad profiles
Heurelho GOMES is the only remaining player to have been on the field for every minute of every one of Tottenham's Premier League matches this season.
If on the field from the outset:-
Ledley KING will be making his 250th club career start - all in a Tottenham jersey.
Vedran CORLUKA will be making his 50th Premier League start (Manchester City and Tottenham).
HEAD TO HEAD
Tottenham are unbeaten in four Premier League matches against West Ham; they've won three and drawn one since the Hammers' 2-1 home win on 7 May 2006 when Carl Fletcher and Yossi Benayoun ensured a winning end to the campaign for the Upton Park club.
There's only been two goalless draws in the last 88 league meetings between these clubs.
Home and away
League (inc PL): West Ham 39 wins, Spurs 44, Draws 29
Prem: West Ham 9 wins, Spurs 11, Draws 6
at West Ham only
League (inc PL): West Ham 25 wins, Spurs 16, Draws 15
Prem: West Ham 6 wins, Spurs 4, Draws 3
LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME
West Ham United 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur
24 November 2007 - Ref: Mike Riley
West Ham scorer: Cole 20
Spurs scorer: Dawson 67
REFEREE
Chris Foy (St Helens, Merseyside)
Premier League referees' table
Chris Foy's 2008-09 Premier League card count
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Giovinco wants Juve stay
Youngster happy to stay in Turin, despite West Ham interest
Last updated: 4th December 2008
SSN
Juventus midfielder Sebastian Giovinco has ruled himself out of a possible loan move to West Ham. Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola has made no secret of his admiration for the player, leading to speculation he could make a switch. But the player's agent recently discounted a move to London and Giovinco himself says he is not looking to leave Juve, despite the fact that he has made just two Serie A starts this season. The 21-year-old told the club's official website: "Even if I'm not playing much, I have no intention of moving nor, above all, leaving. Juventus are the most important club in the world and being here is the most you can ask for. "I'm from Turin, I've grown up at this club and wearing the first team shirt is a dream come true. "At the moment I'm only thinking about the league and the Champions League, two objectives to aim for. My dream is winning with Juventus, as an important player."
Giovinco returned to Juve in the summer after a successful loan deal at Empoli and recently signed a two-year contract extension which will keep him in Turin until 2013.
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Fahey out to repay McLeish
Midfielder not keen to head out on trial to prove his worth
Last updated: 4th December 2008
SSN
Keith Fahey is eager to repay Birmingham City boss Alex McLeish after admitting he turned down the chance to go on trial at other clubs. Irish midfielder Fahey has signed a pre-contract agreement to join Blues on a three-and-a-half year deal from St Patrick's Athletic in January. The former Aston Villa youngster had also been wanted by Premier League duo Sunderland and West Ham United, in addition to SPL champions Celtic. However, the 25-year-old was not keen to go on trial and is happy that Championship side Birmingham were prepared to take a gamble.
"Birmingham were the only club to come in with a bid," Fahey told Sky Sports News. "I respect the manager for taking a chance on me and I'm going over there to repay him. "About Celtic, West Ham and Sunderland, I think their scouts watched me and were impressed with me, but they wanted me to go over on trial, which I wasn't really interested in because if you don't do well you can lose a lot of face. "It's good when a manager comes in and puts his money where his mouth is without saying we want to look at you first. "He's taken a big chance on me and now I'm hungry to repay him."
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Ilunga: West Ham are just a 'second-rate' stepping stone
By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 1:02 AM on 05th December 2008
Daily Mail
Herita Ilunga has revealed he plans to use West Ham as a stepping-stone to a bigger club. The left back has apadted relatively well to life in the Barclays Premier League after arriving at Upton Park on a season-long loan from Toulouse in September. But while the 26-year-old insists he is happy with the Hammers, the Congo international sensationally revealed he has already set his sights higher. 'Without being derogatory, West Ham are a second-rate club,' the defender declared. 'Let's not kid ourselves - we are not an Arsenal, Manchester United or Chelsea. 'But West Ham have values and history, they have developed Joe Cole and Frank Lampard, and they are a club where people know their football. 'So once I have proved myself in a team such this, I can hope to make the step up to another club. 'I will either stay at West Ham or else join another English club. 'I am really keen to continue my adventure in England.'
The former St Etienne star revealed that he has been delighted by Gianfranco Zola's arrival as boss. 'We had been going through hell as an attacking force, and the lads said Zola could help us,' he added. 'He is very close to the players, he takes part in training, and he is very impressive. 'Him being here is enormous for us, and it is a pleasure to have him as our coach.'
Although he has settled quickly on the pitch, off it Ilunga admits that he has struggled to steer his right-hand drive car around London. 'My wheel arches have taken a battering,' he joked. 'Luckily my satnav has worked well in London - the roads are seldom empty, so it has helped me avoid problems.'
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West Ham's Behrami Not Returning To Italy
Goal.com
West Ham United's Valon Behrami has no intentions of returning to Italy, according to the latest reports. West Ham United's Valon Behrami joined the club during the summer from Lazio for a fee of £5 million that will see him play for the London-based outfit for the next five years. The Yugoslav-born-Swiss midfielder has had a solid start to life in England, and managed to score his first goal for the Hammers two weeks ago, in a 1-0 win away to Sunderland. The former Lazio man has been linked with a return to Italy recently, however according to leaks from Tuttomercatoweb, this will not be the case, as the player has only just purchased a house in England and, contrary to what has been said, he is content with life in London. In addition to this, his girlfriend is soon to give birth to their first child, making any potential move to the likes of Roma or Fiorentina even more unlikely.
Adrian Del Monte
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West Ham United A 'Second-Rate' Club - Herita Ilunga
Goal.com
West Ham left-back Herita Ilunga has branded the club as 'second-rate', affirming that he will use it as a route to bigger and better things...
West Ham United left-back Herita Ilunga is making headlines in today's British tobloids for branding the East-London based outfit as a 'second-rate' football team.
The Daily Mail reports that Ilunga stated: "Without being derogatory, West Ham are a second-rate club. "Let's not kid ourselves, we are not an Arsenal, Manchester United or Chelsea. "But West Ham have values and history. They have developed Joe Cole and Frank Lampard, and they are a club where people know their football."
The 26-year-old went on to reveal his plans to use his spell with the Irons as an opportunity to impress the so-called 'bigger' clubs. "Once I have proved myself in a team such this, I can hope to make the step up to another club," he said. "I will either stay at West Ham or else join another English club, I am really keen to continue my adventure in England." The Democratic Republic of Congo international is currently enjoying a season-long loan with the Hammers after which time the club have the option of making his move from French club Toulouse permanent.
Ricky Brooks, Goal.com
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West Ham Tracking Fiorentina's Pazzini
Goal.com
West Ham United have become the latest club to express their interest in Fiorentina's Giampaolo Pazzini. Prior to the commencement of the season, Fiorentina's Giampaolo Pazzini had made 96 appearances for the club, and had scored on 24 occasions. He was one of the key players in the Viola line-up, since his move to the club in 2005. This term however, his opportunities have been limited, mainly due to the outstanding form of the club's new signing Alberto Gilardino, and the Romanian international Adrian Mutu. Pazzini is becoming increasingly discontent with his current situation is Florence, and is desperate for a move away from the club in January.
The player has been strongly linked to several clubs in Italy in recent times, however now he has an English club on his trail, as West Ham United have made it clear that they would be willing to spend €8 million on the hitman. The West Ham manager, Gianfranco Zola is a strong admirer of the 24-year-old, according to Tuttomercatoweb, as the manager is looking at bringing in Pazzini and Palermo's Roberto Guana. It was reported late last night that Palermo, Sampdoria, Bologna and Torino were the frontrunners for the signature of Pazzini, who is all but certain to leave the Viola in January.
Adrian Del Monte
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Hammers Are Just Second Rate
The Sun
By VIC HOLLY
Published: Today
HERITA ILUNGA plans to use 'second-rate' West Ham as a stepping-stone to a bigger club. The Congo left-back, 26, has been a success since arriving at Upton Park on a season-long loan from French side Toulouse. But he has already set his sights higher. Ilunga said: "Without being derogatory, West Ham are a second-rate club.
"Let's not kid ourselves — we are not an Arsenal, Manchester United or Chelsea. "Once I have proved myself in a team such this, I can hope to make the step up to another club. "I am keen to continue my adventure in England."
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West Ham to hang on to Matthew Upson
West Ham intend to resist interest in England centre-back Matthew Upson during the January transfer window, but it is understood that they would be prepared to listen to offers for Dean Ashton.
Telegraph
By Jeremy Wilson
Last Updated: 11:24PM GMT 04 Dec 2008
Arsenal are believed to be among the clubs interested in Upson, who has started each of England's last three matches, but West Ham remain adamant that the financial difficulties of owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson will not force unwanted player sales next month. Upson is regarded as integral to manager Gianfranco Zola's long-term plans, though the Italian is preparing to significantly reduce the size of the squad over the next six weeks. Ashton has played just 33 league games in almost three years since arriving from Norwich and will be out until the new year following ankle surgery. Tottenham were interested in the England forward during the summer and West Ham would carefully consider any substantial offer. The club have raised £18.8 million since July through selling John Pantsil, George McCartney, Anton Ferdinand and Bobby Zamora and will aim to further reduce their wage bill by selling players who have failed to make a recent impact. Danny Gabbidon, Hayden Mullins, Nigel Quashie, Calum Davenport, James Collins, Jonathan Spector, Lee Bowyer and Luis Boa Morte are all potentially available. However, the West Ham hierarchy continue to stress that the club are firewalled against Gudmundsson's difficulties following the economic crisis in Iceland.
Gudmundsson was forced to stand down as chairman of Landsbanki after Iceland's second-largest bank was nationalised while West Ham's holding company, Hansa, have begun the process of preparing for administration. "There is no debt within West Ham from Hansa or vice-versa," vice-chairman Asgeir Fridgeirsson said. "There is no money going from the club to the owner. It is firewalled. We are not going to sell players in order to settle debts of Hansa." Gudmundsson has announced a review of his assets, including his position at West Ham. West Ham have already attracted the interest of several major foreign investors and would cost about £150 million, though any potential buyer would surely want reassurances about Sheffield United's compensation claim of more than £30 million over the Carlos Tevez affair.
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Zola Can Be Our Best Striker - Ilunga
Setanta.co.uk
West Ham left back Herita Ilunga has seriously hinted that his coach Gianfranco Zola would solve The Hammers' efficiency problems if he returned to action. African talent Ilunga understands Zola is still amazing when the time to kick a ball comes, and he wishes his boss was his team-mate. The defender said about being coached by Zola: "That is immense, a pleasure to have such a coach. We arrived at the same time. I am lucky that he trusted me since day one."
He added in his personal blog: "He is involved in the games at training and honestly he is impressive. Honestly, he could play. It is incredible. "We discussed it with other players and believe the coach could help us solve our offensive problems if he played with us. He is immense."
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'Atom Ant' Giovinco has no intention of leaving Juventus for West Ham
By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 5:24 PM on 04th December 2008
Daily Mail
West Ham target Sebastian Giovinco has no intention of joining Gianfranco Zola at Upton Park. The Italian Under 21 international has made just two Serie A appearances this season, but insists he is happy with life at Juventus. The highly rated attacking midfielder - nicknamed Atom Ant - admitted he would rather sit on the bench than move to West Ham. 'Even if I'm not playing much, I have no intention of moving nor, above all, leaving,' he told the Juventus club website. 'Juventus are the most important club in the world and being here is the most you can ask for. I'm from Turin, I've grown up at this club and wearing the first-team shirt is a dream come true. 'At the moment I'm only thinking about the league and the Champions League, two objectives to aim for. My dream is winning with Juventus, as an important player.' Giovinco, who returned to Juve in the summer after a successful loan deal at Empoli, recently signed a two-year contract extension which will keep him in Turin until 2013.
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Giovinco cool on West Ham link
Thursday, 4 December 2008
Independent.co.uk Web
Sebastian Giovinco has ruled himself out of a move to West Ham by insisting he is happy to stay at Juventus, even if only to sit on the bench. The 21-year-old attacking midfielder has caught the eye of Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola, who previously worked with the youngster at Italy Under-21 level. Zola has spoken of Giovinco's ability in glowing terms in recent weeks, but conceded Juve would be unwilling to part with the player. Giovinco has no intention of leaving Turin, despite having made just two Serie A starts this season. "Even if I'm not playing much, I have no intention of moving nor, above all, leaving," he told club website www.juventus.it. "Juventus are the most important club in the world and being here is the most you can ask for. I'm from Turin, I've grown up at this club and wearing the first team shirt is a dream come true. "At the moment I'm only thinking about the league and the Champions League, two objectives to aim for. My dream is winning with Juventus, as an important player."
Giovinco, who returned to Juve in the summer after a successful loan deal at Empoli, recently signed a two-year contract extension which will keep him in Turin until 2013.
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Defender Tomkins' instant decision when Rams came calling for a loan
Friday, December 05, 2008, 07:30
Derbyshire Evening Telegraph
JAMES Tomkins has revealed he had no hesitation in joining Derby County on loan from West Ham United. The 19-year-old defender arrived at Pride Park on an initial month-long deal last Thursday, just ahead of the emergency loan deadline. Without a first-team appearance for the Hammers this season, it was seen as a chance for the youngster to get some games under his belt following his six Premier League outings last season. "I got a phone call on the Wednesday evening from West Ham to say they were recommending that I go out on loan," explained Tomkins. "My first thought was 'where am I going?' but when I found out it was Derby, it was brilliant because they are such a big club. "It's just brilliant to be here. "I would jump at the chance to come here every time. It is a great club and needs to go up the league now."
After a baptism of fire in the 3-0 defeat at Burnley last weekend, when the Rams were three goals down inside the opening 23 minutes, Tomkins came back strongly to help Paul Jewell's men to a 1-0 victory away to Stoke City on Tuesday night – and a place in the semi-finals of the Carling Cup. Next up is Crystal Palace, who visit Pride Park in the Championship tomorrow. "We have worked a lot on team shape in training and all the lads have really helped me settle in, which is important," said the England under-19 international. "I think I've settled in quite quickly and I'm just looking forward to the next few games now. "Derby County are a very big club and the facilities are spot on. It's important now that they push on up the league. "We've got through to the semi-finals of the Carling Cup but our next game is Crystal Palace in the league and we need to concentrate on that. "We can't afford to put in a good performance and follow it up with a bad performance, so it's important to take this performance into the next game and I'm sure we will."
Tomkins paid tribute to centre-back partner Darren Powell, who only recently joined the club himself following injuries to Martin Albrechtsen and Dean Leacock. "Darren is a very experienced player and he helps me a lot," he said. "He is very talkative during games and, as a young lad coming in, that is brilliant. "It keeps you on your toes and all the lads have helped me settle in well."
Before his move to Derby, Tomkins was enjoying learning more about his trade under the guidance of West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola. "I have got a lot of respect for Zola because of the player he was," he said. "He is a good coach and, technically, he is unbelievable. He could still play now. "The training I have had with him has also given me more experience which will help me at Derby."
Tomkins added: "I have got high expectations of myself. I played a handful of games in the Premier League last season. "It may only be a little bit of experience but it is still good experience which will help me coming into a Championship team. I am loving the experience of getting more games here at Derby."
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Spurs and Villa on Ashton alert after cash-strapped Hammers run out of patience
By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 10:40 AM on 04th December 2008
Daily Mail
West Ham are prepared to cash in on injury-hit striker Dean Ashton in the January transfer window. The 24-year-old has been out of action since September after suffering an ankle injury in Gianfranco Zola's first training session in charge. Ashton underwent surgery and will not return until the new year but his poor injury record has not quelled the interest of several Premier League clubs, reports the Mirror. Spurs reportedly had a £15m offer rejected last summer and Aston Villa have also been linked with the striker, who only signed a new five-year contract in June. The Hammers are desperate to raise funds following the cash crisis being suffered by their Icelandic owners and an impending legal battle with Sheffield United over the Carlos Tevez affair. The Hammers are also prepared to offload include Nigel Quashie, Lee Bowyer, Luis Boa Morte, Calum Davenport, Danny Gabbidon and Jonathan Spector.
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Spurs, Villa head queue for West Ham striker Ashton
05.12.08 | tribalfootball.com
Aston Villa and Tottenham head the queue of clubs watching Dean Ashton's situation at West Ham. West Ham are prepared to cash in on injury-hit striker Ashton in the January transfer window. And the Daily Mail says Spurs reportedly had a £15m offer rejected last summer and Aston Villa have also been linked with the striker, who only signed a new five-year contract in June.
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Bad call for Palace: Jordan rues missing out on Carrick, Ashton and Cahill
By Raoul Simons Last updated at 2:19 PM on 04th December 2008
Daily Mail
Palace agreed fee with West Ham for Michael Carrick but the midfielder wasn't interested in the move
Every club has a tale of the one that got away - players nearly signed for a snip who went on to be Premier League stars - and Crystal Palace are no different.
Chairman Simon Jordan told FourFourTwo: 'I agreed a deal for Michael Carrick while he was at West Ham but he wouldn't even return Iain Dowie's calls. 'But I can understand that [now], because I wouldn't return Iain Dowie's calls either.'
Jordan, who fought a bitter legal battle with former manager Dowie, also recalled Palace trying to sign Tim Cahill from Millwall and Dean Ashton from Crewe but failed with the latter because, he admits, 'Dario Gradi doesn't like me.'
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Dyer eyes comeback date
East London Advertiser
04 December 2008
KIERON DYER hopes to return to Premier League action by Christmas after the West Ham midfielder was cleared to play in a behind-closed-doors friendly this week.
Dyer has endured 15 months on the sidelines following a career-threatening injury in a Carling Cup tie against Bristol Rovers in August 2007. The 29-year-old broke his leg in two places just two games into his West Ham career following a £6m switch from Newcastle. But Dyer is now approaching full fitness and is confident that he is approaching the end of his injury nightmare. He said: "I'm not going to be thrown straight back into the first team, but ideally I will have three or four preparation games and then be ready, perhaps for the Christmas period. "It will be great to get that first game under my belt. Every day I feel sharper and I do believe now I need to make up for lost time."
Former England international Dyer had been lined up for a comeback in West Ham's pre-season friendly at former club Ipswich, but a setback consigned him to a further three months on the treatment table. Now he is eager to prove his worth to new Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola. "With the amount of football I've missed, I feel I have a good five years left in me," he said.
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Green: Settled side is behind defensive turnaround
East London Advertiser
04 December 2008
By JONATHAN CLEGG
ROBERT GREEN credits West Ham's defensive turnaround to Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola's decision to stick with a settled back four. Green helped the club record a third successive clean sheet at Liverpool on Monday night as the Hammers avoided defeat at Anfield for the first time in nine years. West Ham have now gone more than 270 minutes without conceding a goal - a stunning statistic given their defensive struggles this year. Before last month's goalless draw against Portsmouth, the Hammers had failed to keep a clean sheet in 26 Premier League matches. Now they have three in a row. West Ham have started with the same back four of Lucas Neill, Matthew Upson, James Collins and Herita Ilunga for the past five matches and Green believes that consistency in team selection has helped the club overcome their defensive frailties.. He said: "You know what people can do and you know each other's qualities. It's the same with anything - partnerships up front work the same as partnerships at the back. "Last season, if you look at it, there weren't many changes and our record spoke for itself. "The season before that when we had the run towards the end, the back four didn't change and that's a recipe for success."
Green has also played a key role in West Ham's defensive resurgence. The 28-year-old was in top form at Anfield, pulling off fine saves from former team-mate Yossi Benayoun and Dirk Kuyt. Green's display of brilliance ensured the Reds were unable to make the breakthrough that would have sent them three points clear at the top of the table, but the former Norwich goalkeeper says the entire team should take credit for keeping Liverpool at bay. "To come to Anfield and do so well is obviously pleasing. The lads put everything in and ran themselves off the pitch at the end of the game," Green said. "It was a tremendous effort. When a clean sheet comes away from home in the Premier League, you take it."
Green's focus on shutting out the opposition hints at a change in approach from the free-flowing, attacking football that Zola promised when he arrived at Upton Park in September. He believes the Italian is starting to realise that a more pragmatic gameplan is sometimes required if the Hammers are to preserve their Premier League status. "I think we're learning as fast as he is that if you don't concede goals, you're not going to lose games," added Green. "Some people say it would be nice to come to Anfield and play wonderful attacking football and lose 4-3 but we've come and dug in and put our bodies on the line. You can't ask for any more.
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Sears hails youth chief Carr after signing new deal
East London Advertiser
04 December 2008
By JONATHAN CLEGG
HAMMERS hotshot Freddie Sears has paid tribute to academy chief Tony Carr after signing a new long-term contract at Upton Park. Sears, who celebrated his 19th birthday last week, has committed his future to West Ham after penning a new five-year deal that will keep him at the club until 2013. The England Under-19 striker burst into the national spotlight this year with a match-winning debut against Blackburn in February. With Upton Park legends Trevor Brooking, Geoff Hurst and Billy Bonds in attendance, the homegrown youngster served notice of his star potential by scoring the winner within six minutes of appearing as a substitute. The forward's memorable debut added a new chapter to the club's storied history of nurturing young talent and after agreeing his new deal last week, Sears praised academy boss Carr for overseeing his rapid rise. "I owe a big debt to academy director Tony Carr," said Sears, who scored 25 goals in 24 youth and reserve matches last year. "Tony has had a big influence on me and it's good for youngsters like me who have come through the academy to learn from someone as experienced and knowledgeable as him."
With his long-term future now finalised, Sears has promised Hammers fans that the best is yet to come after vowing to transfer his prolific form at youth and reserve level to the club's first team. The striker, who has failed to score in 17 Premier League appearances since his stunning introduction to top-flight football, is determined to repay his boyhood club for their faith in him. He said: "I'm looking forward to concentrating on football now. "It's nice to know the club wants you here, for that long as well. I am enjoying my football and all that I've been doing and hopefully I can now show there is more to come. "Last year was getting in and around the team and now I'm looking to keep building on that - getting more chances of playing week-in, week-out and showing people what I can do. "Now to be part of the team itself is great and something I am determined to continue."
Hammers chief executive Scott Duxbury expressed his delight at coming to an agreement with Sears, who has followed in the footsteps of fellow forwards Dean Ashton and Carlton Cole by signing a new contract this year. And Duxbury has tipped the youngster to spearhead a new generation of academy graduates at Upton Park. "Our philosophy is about developing homegrown players in the academy and then integrating them into the first team," Duxbury said. "Freddie has achieved that and we are looking forward to him playing his part in a bright future for West Ham.
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Young Hammer impresses Orient boss Ling
10:50am Thursday 4th December 2008
Guardian Series
ORIENT boss Martin Ling has praised on-loan West Ham defender Jordan Spence after the teenager impressed on his full debut in the FA Cup win at Bradford on Saturday. The youngster stepped into fill the void left by Tamika Mkandawire, after the former Hereford man failed a late fitness test and could certainly feature again at Northampton this weekend. He said: "We wont know until the end of the week if Tam has a chance of playing on Saturday, because he hasn't been able to train the early part of the week with his thigh. "He is a big player so we will hope to have him back and he has certainly been a big part of the equation why we have been doing well lately. "But I was also pleased with young Jordan because he came in and did very well on his first senior start. He coped with the situation admirably and I have no worries about using him in the future. "The lad does however know that he will probably be sitting on the bench most weeks, but he also knows that if I need to use him like on Saturday he will get his chance of first team football here as well."
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West Ham show lack of sensitivity to winger
December 4th, 2008 · The Spolier
Last night, West Ham announced a new shirt sponsorship deal with SBOBET.com, said to be worth around £2m for 18 months. The good news for Hammers fans is that the club will happily exchange the current shirt for the updated one free of charge.
The news probably won't go down so well with Matthew Etherington - donning the logo of a betting company probably isn't the most healthy option for a recovering gambling addict.
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New shirt sponsors announced
Newham Recorder
04 December 2008
WEST HAM UNITED have announced a long-awaited shirt sponsorship deal with Isle of Man based bookmakers SBOBET. The partnership with the online betting company will see the logo worn by the first team-replacing the squad numbers used since late September - and will also be featured on all adult replica strips. The Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK logo will be worn on all kit worn by the club's academy sides as well as on child replica strips. West Ham United CEO Scott Duxbury said: "This is a great deal for West Ham United and I am looking forward to a successful partnership with SBOBET. "Finding a new shirt sponsor usually takes up to six months but a lot of effort and hard work has gone into this process. I would also like to thank the fans for their understanding and patience during this time
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Keeper Green will get England reward
10:15am Thursday 4th December 2008
Echo
GIANFRANCO Zola has told goalkeeper Robert Green his improvement in form will win him an England recall. West Ham manager Zola witnessed a stunning performance from Green in Monday's 0-0 draw at Liverpool, which lifted the Hammers to 13th in the Premier League table. It also produced their third consecutive clean sheet. Zola said: "I have told Robert that if he continues to perform the way he is, he will be back in the England squad. "The England manager Fabio Capello knows what is the right thing to do, and Green knows he must continue to perform every week like he is now, and then he will be rewarded. "I am delighted with Robert. He is looking very comfortable now. He was getting some stick but now he is getting the rewards he deserves. "He is working very hard during the week and I am very pleased with him."
West Ham are unbeaten in three games and Zola said: "My ideas are starting to produce results. "When I first arrived I wanted to improve the way we played, to be more offensive. But we discovered that we needed to improve in defence, and that is what we are trying to do. "Our objective is to keep clean sheets and to score more goals. We will be working on that. "The team is responding to what my staff and I are saying. They are keen to react and follow what we want, and that gives us hope for the future. "My players are going through a good spell, we must not lose this momentum. Things had not been going well but things are now improving on our side of things, we must keep it going."
l The Football Association will not take any formal action against Liverpool after their players wore T-shirts carrying a message of support for a fan who was jailed for the attempted murder of a Bulgarian waiter in 2005. Liverpool players wore the T-shirts in the warm-up for the Premier League match against West Ham on Monday.
Michael Shields was sentenced to 15 years in prison after being convicted of the attempted murder of Martin Georgiev in Bulgaria on a holiday taken after seeing his side win the Champions League final in Istanbul.
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