WHUFC.com
Despite it being a 'good moment' for West Ham United, Valon Behrami is
aiming even higher
12.01.2009
Valon Behrami admitted to having mixed emotions after West Ham United fought
out an entertaining 2-2 Premier League draw at Newcastle United.
The Switzerland midfielder was his usual effervescent self as the Hammers
recovered from a goal down to lead 2-1, only for Andy Carroll's 78th-minute
header to deny them a second consecutive away victory. Afterwards, Behrami
said he and his team-mates had ultimately been left disappointed not to
secure three points at St James' Park.
"It was a strange game because we lost the first half one-nil and won the
second half two-one. I think the emotion I felt when the game was finished
was disappointment because we could have won the game. If we had won, we
would have been in a very, very good position. I think we showed the right
mentality but we should not be happy with this result."
Michael Owen had given the Magpies a 19th-minute lead before Gianfranco
Zola's side struck back through superbly taken goals from Craig Bellamy and
Carlton Cole - the fourth consecutive match in which the 25-year-old had
scored. However, Carroll's late intervention denied the visitors a point.
While in the past West Ham United might have been happy with a point on
Tyneside, the Hammers went north on a run of five away matches undefeated
and full of confidence. As a result, the 23-year-old admitted he and his
team-mates felt they had missed an opportunity to win at Newcastle for the
first time since 1998.
"I think this is a good moment for us. Everybody gave their all to get the
result. Maybe we would have been happier with this point earlier in the
season but we had a lot of opportunities to close the game so we are little
bit disappointed. We have to carry on doing what we are doing and we'll be
OK.
"In the first half we were thinking if we could draw it would be OK but
after half-time we wanted the three points. We had the chances to win the
game. We have to improve."
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Walker to stay with Colchester
WHUFC.com
Jimmy Walker has agreed to extend his loan deal with Colchester United for a
further month
12.01.2009
Jimmy Walker has extended his loan spell at Colchester United for an
additional month.
The 35-year-old goalkeeper will now stay with the League One side until the
middle of February and could feature in tonight's game with MK Dons at
stadium:mk.
Walker has made six appearances so far for Paul Lambert's side, helping them
to four wins in that time. The Us currently sit eleventh in the League One
table, ten points off a play-off place.
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Zola excited for the future
WHUFC.com
A chance to go five matches unbeaten and move up the league standngs will
fire Gianfranco Zola this week
12.01.2009
Gianfranco Zola has already turned his thoughts back to the training ground
and another busy week ahead of the visit of Fulham this Sunday.
After a 2-2 draw at Newcastle United at the weekend, a home win in front of
the Sky cameras next Sunday could move the club into a lofty eighth position
and the manager will be pushing his team to match the form shown of late.
"The quality the players are producing right now is quite high," said Zola.
"If you look at the first 15 minutes of the second half against Newcastle,
we were excellent.
"Obviously you can't pretend to be able to play like in those first 15
minutes [at St James' Park] throughout the game - it is impossible. But, I
think we can still improve in certain things. We are working hard, we are
improving every week as a team and as individuals. We are getting to where
we want but we can still do more."
That Zola's team is playing with freedom is emphasised by the form of the
"on fire" Carlton Cole and Craig Bellamy. The former has scored in each of
his last four games in all competitions while the latter has four goals from
his last three away outings. The manager is delighted to see such scoring
streaks but, in encouraging his men to express themselves further, is eager
to also see a defensive focus.
"Sometimes we get carried away by the enthusiasm of going forward and
scoring that sometimes we concede something [at the back]. But trust me this
team can play even better. I can tell you we can produce the football like
we did in the first 15 minutes of the second half at Newcastle for even
longer. I have confidence in my players.
"They were determined to win, they wanted to win. In the end, I had to keep
some of them from running forward. It is positive though, it means they want
to win. They are determined to improve, they are willing to do everything to
get the team to a high level. It is a fantastic thing for a manager to see."
Other positives at the weekend were the successful returns to action for
Lucas Neill, Matthew Upson, Valon Behrami and Scott Parker - while the likes
of Jonathan Spector, James Tomkins, Julien Faubert, Walter Lopez, Kieron
Dyer, Freddie Sears and Diego Tristan are all itching to get involved. Some
will play for the reserves at Aston Villa on Tuesday with the aim of facing
Fulham
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ex-footballer sentenced for fight
BBC.co.uk
Former footballer Frank McAvennie has been given a four-month suspended jail
sentence for fighting outside a bar in the Isle of Man. McAvennie, 48, of
Newcastle, head-butted a man outside the Aperitivo wine bar in Douglas, in
July last year. The former Scotland, Celtic and West Ham United striker was
on the island to take part in a Manchester United versus Liverpool legends
charity match. McAvennie admitted affray, at a hearing at The High Bailiffs'
Court in Douglas. The court heard McAvennie asked security guards to remove
local man Ian Moffitt, 23, from the bar as he felt threatened by him.
Mr Moffitt and McAvennie were involved in an altercation earlier in the day
and met again in the bar. Sgt John Manley told the court the two men then
clashed on the street "first with words, then pushing each other and
throwing ineffectual punches" before McAvennie head-butted Mr Moffitt.
Jerry Carter, defending, said the former sports star, who is now a football
agent, had not intended violence and was provoked. He said: "These are not
the actions of someone who was out looking for trouble, but someone who felt
he was on the horns of a dilemma and was trying to deal with it."
'Regret and remorse'
High Bailiff Michael Moyle sentenced McAvennie to four months in prison,
suspended for a period of two years, ordered him to pay court costs of
£113.70. Passing sentence, Mr Moyle, said: "I know people may say things
that rile you or upset you due to your status as a footballer, and I'm
afraid that's the price you have to pay for fame. "I'm sentencing you to
four months with a suspension of two years. "I'm not ordering you to be
expelled from the island because it's clear you have shown regret and
remorse and you feel you have let your associates down and want to make
recompense."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Boa Morte unaware of Tigers interest
Hammers wide man denies Hull City contact
Last updated: 12th January 2009
SSN
West Ham midfielder Luis Boa Morte is unaware of reported interest from Hull
City, according to his agent. The Portuguese wide man has been strongly
linked with a switch to the KC Stadium in the January transfer window,
having struggled for regular football at Upton Park. Tigers boss Phil Brown
is in the market for a left-sided player and has conceded his admiration for
the 31-year-old. Both clubs, however, are insistent that no agreement has
been reached. Amadeu Paixao, the former Portugal international's agent,
said: "We have read in the newspapers that Hull are interested but we don't
know anything about it. This club we do not know. "Nobody has contacted us
to allow Hull to talk to us, nothing has been said to us."
The Hammers are thought to be keen to offload some of their fringe players
to reduce both the wage bill and size of Gianfranco Zola's squad.
Boa Morte, who moved to West Ham in a £5million switch from Fulham in 2007,
would not appear to be keen to quit the East End. Paixao added: "He has
never mentioned that he wants to leave West Ham. He has a house near the
training ground, a wife and two kids. He is very happy there."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers reject new Bellamy bid
City have improved offer for striker turned down
Last updated: 12th January 2009
SSN
West Ham have rejected an improved offer for striker Craig Bellamy from
Premier League rivals Manchester City. Sky Sports News chief news reporter
Bryan Swanson understands City's second bid was for £9million. But Hammers
chief executive Scott Duxbury maintains the club do not need to sell their
best players during the winter transfer window. City boss Mark Hughes
confirmed on Thursday that an initial bid for Bellamy and Hammers team-mate
Scott Parker had been turned down. The Eastlands club, backed by the
financial muscle of owners the Abu Dhabi United Group, have since returned
with an enhanced package for the Wales international. But the Upton Park
club are determined to retain the services of their star striker and have
again rebuffed the approach from the North West. Bellamy was on target for
West Ham in their 2-2 draw at Newcastle on Saturday and is an integral
member of Gianfranco Zola's plans. Hughes has money to spend in the transfer
window and has already bolstered his squad with the arrival of full-back
Wayne Bridge from Chelsea. Blackburn striker Roque Santa Cruz is also a
confirmed target for City, but Rovers are unwilling to part with the
Paraguay international.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Walker extends Us stay
Veteran goalkeeper stays for another month
Last updated: 12th January 2009
SSN
Veteran goalkeeper Jimmy Walker has extended his loan stay with Colchester
for an additional month. The 35-year-old's initial spell from West Ham
expired on Saturday, but the League One club have agreed an extension until
the middle of February. Walker will now be available for Monday night's
League One clash with MK Dons, which can be seen live on Sky Sports 1 and
HD1. The former Walsall man made six appearances during his first month with
the Us, helping the club to victories over Leyton Orient, Brighton, Leeds
and Northampton. With Rob Green established as the No.1 at Upton Park and
Jan Lastuvka and Marek Stech available as back-up, Gianfranco Zola was happy
to let the shot-stopper depart.
After the MK Dons clash, Walker will be available for the games against
Cheltenham, Bristol Rovers, Northampton, Carlisle, Millwall and Stockport.
Paul Lambert's side are currently 11th in the League One table, 10 points
adrift of the play-off places.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
No time for bad Egg
Pardew reflects on his difficult final few months at West Ham
Last updated: 11th January 2009
SSN
Alan Pardew told Goals on Sunday that he had no respect for former West Ham
chairman Eggert Magnusson and that his exit was the best thing to ever
happen to the club. Pardew managed West Ham from 2003 until 2006 and enjoyed
some notable successes during his time at Upton Park, including taking the
club to the Premier League via the play-offs in 2005 and guiding them to the
FA Cup Final in 2006. But following a takeover by an Icelandic consortium,
led by Magnusson at the start of the 2006/07 season, Pardew left the club
and he now admits he had "no relationship" with the Icelandic businessman.
Pardew told Goals on Sunday that Magnusson had unrealistic expectations and
ideas about transfer policy and his subsequent departure was a good thing
for West Ham. He said: "The big problem of course at West Ham was when
Eggert came in, who I had no respect for and no relationship with. "That was
never going to end or start well. "He never showed me much respect to be
honest. He kept wanting to buy eight different positions, but the first time
I spoke to him I said I didn't really need that many. "He wanted to buy the
world. I thought he was a bit naive and the best thing to happen to West Ham
is that he's no longer there. "I just feel at that time he was not really
understanding how it worked."
Pardew said the takeover, which took place during the club's second season
back in the Premier League, unsettled everybody at the club and was one of
the reasons why they flirted with relegation that year. "In our second year
in the Premiership, which is always a tricky year, we had a takeover and it
really caused havoc to be honest. "It unsettles you. Everybody becomes wary
of their position. Is the manager still going to be here? Are the players
and the staff going to change? Everyone gets a little bit nervous. "I've had
three takeovers in my managerial career, which isn't particularly long. The
first part of the West Ham takeover was slightly contrived because Carlos
Tevez and Javier Mascherano were involved."
The signings of Tevez and Mascherano have certainly caused plenty of
controversy and Pardew admitted that their arrivals caused problems for him
in terms of team selection. He said he wanted to sign players in other
positions, but was unable to do so because of the takeover, and felt the
arrival of Tevez and Mascherano complicated things further at the club. He
continued: "Up until that point we hadn't signed anybody in that window and
I was getting very concerned. There were two or three positions I really
wanted to fill. "The board were obviously wanting the club to be taken over
and I was not aware of some of the conversations that were going on at that
time. "At the end of the window I was told there was a chance of getting
these two world-class players, but not in the positions I particularly
wanted to fill if I'm totally honest. "But I wasn't going to turn down the
opportunity to manage two players I'd watched in the World Cup that summer.
I was going to bring them in. "We didn't actually fill the positions I
wanted to. We had a weakness in the squad that unfortunately came out to
play massively as the season progressed. "Those two players were absolutely
outstanding but Tevez hadn't played for eight months because of a ban and a
problem at his former club and they were both not quite ready. "We tried to
introduce them, I think there was a bit of animosity and we had takeovers.
It was a very complicated situation. "They weren't expecting to play. I have
to say they were both brilliant professionals in their time at West Ham.
"But every time I introduced them unfortunately nothing really worked for us
and it didn't kick on, which was a shame. "Tevez did show, especially
towards the end, what he was all about. He played a big, big part in saving
them from relegation."
The controversy over the legality of those signings refuses to die down and
this week the FA and the Premier League revealed they are to launch a fresh
inquiry into the affair. Pardew says he was not party to the contract
negotiations, but feels the situation should have been dealt with by now. He
added: "That's a nonsense because that was dealt with. In all honesty it
should be dead and buried now. "It all sounds so ridiculous. Something went
on there that no-one really has got to the bottom of and this money
situation which is supposed to be transferred from West Ham to Sheffield
United, how are they going to agree on that? "I've not been party to the
contract situation that was there. I always felt that as part of West Ham,
which I was at that time, I had some responsibility for that. "But I wasn't
party to those decisions and I'm still not. I still haven't seen those
contracts so I wouldn't know in all honesty."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Marseille ready to buy West Ham star
Monday 12 January 2009 - 15:20:44
http://footylatest.com
Olympique Marseille appear to be poise to sign West Ham's Julien Faubert,
after the player had expressed his will to move back to the French Ligue 1.
The 25 year old winger started his career with Cannes in 2002, appearing in
45 league games, before he switched to Bordeaux in 2004. He was also capped
internationally once in 2006. Having played 96 league games for Le
Girondins, Faubert switched sides in 2007 joining the Hammers, and has
played in 25 EPL games for them since. The Frenchman announced: "I am happy
that Olympique are interested in me. My dream is to play again for my
national team and play the World Cup and I think that playing in France
could help me"
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Could you forgive West Ham fans for thinking there is some sort of curse?
Posted by: TF90M , on Mon 12 Jan 2009
Footballfancast.com
West Ham United. Three times winners of the FA Cup and former holders of the
European Cup Winners Cup. According to their fans they even won the World
Cup with their players Martin Peters, Geoff Hurst and of course the late,
great Bobby Moore playing key roles in England's 'sixty-six' success. Many
more legendary players have since donned the famous claret and blue strip...
Bonds, Brooking and Di Canio to name just a few.
Recently dubbed a 'feeder club', the West Ham Academy has produced such
young English talent as Rio Ferdinand, Michael Carrick, Frank Lampard, Joe
Cole and Jermain Defoe. Relegated in 2003, Championship football beckoned
for West Ham and additionally those Premiership clubs capable of flexing
financial muscle circled their star players, worsening the fall for the
London side. Despite quickly bouncing back and finishing runners-up to
Liverpool in a pulsating FA Cup Final, ever since injuries, transfer
regulations and financial problems have continuously struck blows to the
club. Though what is this curse that continually hits West Ham United?
Fighting for their survival once again during the 2006-07 season, this time
the Hammers survived with Argentinean Carlos Tevez hailed as the saviour.
Tevez popped up to score the Irons' winner against Manchester United - his
employers now - on the last day of the season saving West Ham and instead
condemning Sheffield United to the dreaded drop. However after a substantial
investigation, West Ham were found to have breached Premier League rules
when they signed Tévez and fellow Argentine Javier Mascherano from
Corinthians. Their punishment extended to a £5.5 million fine, though to
Sheffield United's dismay, West Ham escaped without a points deduction. With
the case still being disputed, the Yorkshire club are seeking £30 million
from the Hammers to compensate for money lost when they were relegated from
the Premier League. With a full trial scheduled for this year, it appears
likely West Ham will be summoned to pay a large sum of money for 'damages'.
With this payout looming on the horizon, the credit crunch couldn't have
come at a worst time. Having already lost their shirt sponsors XL, after the
travel company went bust, West Ham's financial situation is in crisis with
Chairman Björgólfur Guðmundsson losing his investments in the Icelandic
bank, Landbanksi, after it entered adminstration. Speaking publicly about
the situation following the Icelandic bank collapse, Guðmundsson, a keen
football fan, said that he would be listening to any offers made by other
companies around the world to buy West Ham United Football Club.
Many cited that the financial woes for West Ham were initiated by previous
Chairman Eggert Magnússon, who overindulged in the summer of 2007 when the
team agreed sky-high wages for some players who then didn´t live up to
expectations. The purchases included Kieron Dyer, Craig Bellamy, Freddie
Ljungberg and Julien Faubert. All who have since also been sidelined for
long periods of time due to sustaining injuries. Dyer broke his leg, Bellamy
underwent operations on his knee and groin, Ljungberg suffered various ankle
problems and Faubert ruptured his Achilles tendon during a pre-season
friendly.
Whilst Ljungberg has since departed and Bellamy searches for an exit,
Faubert has become a first team regular. Dyer's return from his 17 month
lay-off was delayed until last week due to the flu, though as the forgotten
man of English football perhaps manager Gianfranco Zola can inspire him and
the rest of the squad to play such silky football the Italian used to
produce week in week out. With Zola's men sitting in mid-table, it will be
the former Chelsea man's task to keep the players focused on the pitch and
not the boardroom where many financial dealings will need to be made.
Either West Ham are incredibly unlucky, or the numerous injuries inflicted
and financial problems are the result of a magical curse cast on the Upton
Park team. A Hammers fan commenting on an internet forum sums up the
supporters view perfectly, "Who was it that put the curse on West Ham? Was
it a disgruntled fan? Alan Pardew? or Titi Camara? Perhaps it was you!"
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
McLeish confirms Davenport interest
Published: 12/01/2009
Itv.com
Birmingham manager Alex McLeish had revealed Blues approached West Ham over
a possible deal for centre-back Calum Davenport before his move to Bolton
collapsed last week. And he has not ruled out bringing the 26-year-old to St
Andrew's as he looks to bolster the club's promotion charge. "I will have to
pose the question to (managing director) Karren Brady, she had been talking
with West Ham United and we left our proposal with them," McLeish told the
Birmingham Mail. "Whether they now come back to us, that's a possibility."
Birmingham have already been busy in the January transfer market having
sealed loan deals for wingers Scott Sinclair and Hameur Bouazza and
midfielder Lee Bowyer. Midfielders Keith Fahey and Robin Shroot have also
been signed on permanent deals.
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BREAKING NEWS: West Ham Reject Improved Bellamy Bid From Manchester City
Goal.com
Manchester City will have to up their bid if they are to lure Craig Bellamy
away from Upton Park during the January window...
West Ham United have turned down an improved bid from Manchester City,
according to Sky Sports News. The fee is yet to be disclosed by either club,
although a figure of £9 million has been reported. Tottenham were the first
club to act in the winter window but had a £6 million bid rebuffed. Hammers
chiefs are remaining rigid in their stance as they do not want to allow
their best players an exit from the Boleyn Ground.
Craig Bellamy recently got himself on the scoresheet as he found the net in
the 29th minute during the 2-2 draw against Newcastle United last Saturday.
Manchester City could be the Welsh international's eighth club after spells
at Norwich; Coventry; Newcastle; Celtic (loan); Blackburn Rovers; Liverpool:
and West Ham. In terms of dedicated articles written about a specific
player, Craig Bellamy's exodus has been the most popular West Ham related
transfer story, with 32 stories printed by the newspaper press since the
close of the summer window to date.
Alan Dawson, Goal.com
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham reject new bid from Manchester City as they step up fight to keep
striker Bellamy
By Laura Williamson
Last updated at 1:01 PM on 12th January 2009
Daily Mail
West Ham have rejected an improved bid from Manchester City for Craig
Bellamy, according to reports. City have already had a double bid for
Bellamy and Scott Parker turned down by the Hammers, who seem determined to
hold on to their key players. Eastlands boss Mark Hughes is believed to have
tabled a £9.5million offer for the Wales striker. Last week Gianfranco Zola
said the Wales striker was one of the players he regarded as 'untouchable',
calling Bellamy 'the perfect professional' and admitting he would be very
difficult to replace. The striker repaid his manager's faith by scoring the
Hammers' first goal in their 2-2 draw away at Newcastle on Saturday.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
James Collins loving life with the Hammers now the good times are back
By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 10:40 AM on 12th January 2009
Daily Mail
James Collins is confident West Ham's luck has finally changed on the pitch
– even if they face trouble off it. The defender recovered from a torrid
first half at the hands of Michael Owen at Newcastle on Saturday to help the
Hammers earn a 2-2 draw. The result came after a week which saw West Ham the
subject of a new investigation over the Carlos Tevez affair and more
transfer speculation over key men such as Craig Bellamy and Scott Parker.
But Collins is only focusing on matters on the pitch and said: 'The luck has
changed for us. We had a bit of a bad run a couple of months ago. We just
couldn't get the results to match the way we were playing because we were
performing really well. 'Hopefully, that's long in the past now. We've had
some good results of late and I'd like to think we can continue to climb the
League and progress in the FA Cup.' West Ham were unlucky not to win and go
into Sunday's London derby against Fulham bristling with confidence. 'If we
had come out with three points nobody could have said a word about it
because the performance we put on was excellent,' said Hammers manager
Gianfranco Zola.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ask Dr Stupid
Just Like My Dreams
Martin Samuel began his first day of work over at the Mail this morning and
he has already commenced the arduous process of sucking out the anti-West
Ham venom that has poisoned that publication for so long. You never know,
the football segment of the sports section might actually become the first
semi-palatable part of the newspaper ever. It's not a bad start...
With the announcement of a second Premier League investigation, some think
the Carlos Tevez affair is getting stupid. Not quite. The day Lord
Griffiths, 85, decided he could predict and measure in points the precise
impact an individual player had on the football season, it got stupid.
When his panel processed the views expressed in a match report written by
the chief football writer of The Daily Telegraph as if it were fact, not
opinion, stupidity was pretty high on the agenda, too.
Indeed, at the moment when an independent committee first hit West Ham
United with the biggest fine in the history of the Premier League, then
announced they would have done something far worse had only they got their
backsides in gear earlier, the Tevez inquiry pretty much decked common sense
with a flying head-butt.
So to have a further investigation based on the meaning of an oral cuddle
between Scott Duxbury, the West Ham chief executive, and Kia Joorabchian,
owner of Tevez, cannot be classed simply as stupid.
It is post-stupid, in the way some TV shows are described as post-modern
when concerned with ironic self-reference and absurdity.
Indeed, one such post-modern cartoon, the wonderful Ren and Stimpy, made by
Canadian animator John Kricfalusi, actually contained a segment entitled Ask
Dr Stupid, with foolish logic that pre-empted the Tevez inquiry by a good 15
years.
Yet, somehow even a psychotic chihuahua and his idiot fat Manx cat
accomplice never got quite as stupid as this lot.
In keeping with the positive vibe, the same paper suggests Gianfranco Zola
is expected to sign Paraguayans Nelson Amarilla and Juan Aguilar at the end
of their trial. Amarilla, 20, a defender, and Juan Aguilar, 19, a
midfielder, play for Guarani in Paraguay but have had a week of training in
east London. According to the article, the West Ham manager said the club
had yet to make a decision but he thought the Hammers would want them both
to stay. "The project is to make a team capable of a high level," he said.
"We cannot compete by spending £200million so we have to do it through
getting young players. Not all the time we will be looking abroad. We have
good young English players here like Freddie Sears and Mark Noble and we are
trying to improve them.' Fair enough, the quote does not exactly corroborate
the story but who am I to quibble? May the Boleyn reverberate to exuberant
galopas.
Elsewhere Alan Pardew revealed yesterday that he had little or no respect
for former West Ham chairman Eggert Magnusson and that his exit was the best
thing to ever happen to the club. Following a takeover by an Icelandic
consortium, led by Magnusson at the start of the 2006/07 season, Pardew left
the club and now admits he had "no relationship" with the Icelandic
businessman. Speaking on Goals On Sunday he said Magnusson had unrealistic
expectations and ideas about transfer policy and his subsequent departure
was a good thing for West Ham.
"The big problem of course at West Ham was when Eggert came in, who I had no
respect for and no relationship with," he said. "That was never going to end
or start well. He never showed me much respect to be honest. He kept wanting
to buy eight different positions, but the first time I spoke to him I said I
didn't really need that many. He wanted to buy the world. I thought he was a
bit naive and the best thing to happen to West Ham is that he's no longer
there. I just feel at that time he was not really understanding how it
worked."
Pardew said the takeover, which took place during the club's second season
back in the Premier League, unsettled everybody at the club and was one of
the reasons why they flirted with relegation that year. He recalled: "In our
second year in the Premiership, which is always a tricky year, we had a
takeover and it really caused havoc to be honest. It unsettles you.
Everybody becomes wary of their position. Is the manager still going to be
here? Are the players and the staff going to change? Everyone gets a little
bit nervous. I've had three takeovers in my managerial career, which isn't
particularly long. The first part of the West Ham takeover was slightly
contrived because Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano were involved."
The signings of Tevez and Mascherano have certainly caused plenty of
controversy and Pardew admitted that their arrivals caused problems for him
in terms of team selection. He insisted he wanted to sign players in other
positions, but was unable to do so because of the takeover, and felt the
arrival of Tevez and Mascherano complicated things further at the club. He
continued: "Up until that point we hadn't signed anybody in that window and
I was getting very concerned. There were two or three positions I really
wanted to fill. The board were obviously wanting the club to be taken over
and I was not aware of some of the conversations that were going on at that
time. At the end of the window I was told there was a chance of getting
these two world-class players, but not in the positions I particularly
wanted to fill if I'm totally honest. But I wasn't going to turn down the
opportunity to manage two players I'd watched in the World Cup that summer.
I was going to bring them in. We didn't actually fill the positions I wanted
to. We had a weakness in the squad that unfortunately came out to play
massively as the season progressed. Those two players were absolutely
outstanding but Tevez hadn't played for eight months because of a ban and a
problem at his former club and they were both not quite ready. We tried to
introduce them, I think there was a bit of animosity and we had takeovers.
It was a very complicated situation. They weren't expecting to play. I have
to say they were both brilliant professionals in their time at West Ham. But
every time I introduced them unfortunately nothing really worked for us and
it didn't kick on, which was a shame. Tevez did show, especially towards the
end, what he was all about. He played a big, big part in saving them from
relegation."
The controversy over the legality of those signings refuses to die down and
this week the FA and the Premier League revealed they are to launch a fresh
inquiry into the affair. Pardew says he was not party to the contract
negotiations, but feels the situation should have been dealt with by now. He
added: "That's a nonsense because that was dealt with. In all honesty it
should be dead and buried now. It all sounds so ridiculous. Something went
on there that no-one really has got to the bottom of and this money
situation which is supposed to be transferred from West Ham to Sheffield
United, how are they going to agree on that? I've not been party to the
contract situation that was there. I always felt that as part of West Ham,
which I was at that time, I had some responsibility for that. But I wasn't
party to those decisions and I'm still not. I still haven't seen those
contracts so I wouldn't know in all honesty."
On a separate note, and with the world's attention focused on the bloody
conflict in Gaza, it was inevitable that some United related footballer
somewhere would dip his toe into the maelstrom with something other than the
usual bland "let's all pray for peace" schtick. On this occasion it was not
Di Canio or Pa(i)ntsil, but former Hammers sulk-meister Frédéric Kanouté. On
Wednesday, while celebrating a goal against Deportivo La Coruña, he lifted
his jersey to reveal a T-shirt that read "Palestine". Note, observes
Gabriele Marcotti, it didn't read "May my Palestinian brothers drive the
Israelis into the sea" or "Hamas: More Rockets Please" or even just "Free
Palestine". Simply "Palestine". Despite receiving support from Raphael
Schultz, Israel's ambassador to Spain, who said that he did not consider
Kanouté's "gesture as an incitement to violence", the former Hamas (see what
I did there?) striker was fined just under £3,000. Then again, the Spanish
FA had little choice: regulations state that "revealing messages of a
religious or political nature on the pitch is strictly prohibited during the
time of play."
Talking of controversial figures, the Times are reporting Frank McAvennie
has been given a four-month suspended jail sentence after he admitted
fighting outside a bar on the Isle of Man. The ex-Celtic and United striker
head-butted a man outside the Aperitivo wine bar in Loch Promenade, Douglas,
on July 4. The High Bailiffs' Court in Douglas heard that McAvennie asked
security guards to remove local man Ian Moffitt, 23, from the bar as he felt
threatened by him. Sergeant John Manley told the court the two men then
clashed on the street "first with words, then pushing each other and
throwing ineffectual punches" before McAvennie head-butted Mr Moffitt. Ah,
you can take the boy out of Glasgow, but...
McAvennie was on the island to take part in a Manchester United versus
Liverpool legends charity match at the Bowl sports stadium, but missed the
game following his arrest. McAvennie's advocate, Jerry Carter, said the
footballer had not intended violence and was provoked. "The defendant called
security staff to have Mr Moffitt removed, and has accepted that he
over-reacted and used too much force but he clearly felt he was threatened
at the time," he said. "These are not the actions of someone who was out
looking for trouble, but someone who felt he was on the horns of a dilemma
and was trying to deal with it." Michael Moyle, the High Bailiff, sentenced
McAvennie to four months in prison, suspended for a period of two years. He
also ordered him to pay court costs of £113.70, but said he was not to be
permanently excluded from the island.
Back to the current team and midfielder Luis Boa Morte is reportedly unaware
of interest from Hull City, according to his agent. The Portuguese attacker
has been strongly linked with a switch to the KC Stadium in the January
transfer window, having struggled for regular football at Upton Park. Tigers
boss Phil Brown is in the market for a left-sided player and has conceded
his admiration for the 31-year-old. Both clubs, however, are insistent that
no agreement has been reached. Amadeu Paixao, the former Portugal
international's agent, said: "We have read in the newspapers that Hull are
interested but we don't know anything about it. This club we do not know.
Nobody has contacted us to allow Hull to talk to us, nothing has been said
to us."
The Hammers are thought to be keen to offload some of their fringe players
to reduce both the wage bill and size of Gianfranco Zola's squad. Boa Morte,
who moved to West Ham in a £5million switch from Fulham in 2007, would not
appear to be keen to quit the East End. Paixao added: "He has never
mentioned that he wants to leave West Ham. He has a house near the training
ground, a wife and two kids. He is very happy there." Not to mention his
vociferous 30,000 strong fan club that turn up to encourage him every other
week.
Similarly content is Valon Behrami, who admitted to having mixed emotions
after West Ham United fought out an entertaining 2-2 Premier League draw at
Newcastle United. Speaking on the official site, Behrami said he and his
team-mates had ultimately been left disappointed not to secure three points
at St James' Park. "It was a strange game because we lost the first half
one-nil and won the second half two-one. I think the emotion I felt when the
game was finished was disappointment because we could have won the game. If
we had won, we would have been in a very, very good position. I think we
showed the right mentality but we should not be happy with this result."
While in the past West Ham United might have been happy with a point on
Tyneside, the Hammers went north on a run of five away matches undefeated
and full of confidence. As a result, the 23-year-old admitted he and his
team-mates felt they had missed an opportunity to win at Newcastle for the
first time since 1998. "I think this is a good moment for us. Everybody gave
their all to get the result. Maybe we would have been happier with this
point earlier in the season but we had a lot of opportunities to close the
game so we are little bit disappointed. We have to carry on doing what we
are doing and we'll be OK. In the first half we were thinking if we could
draw it would be OK but after half-time we wanted the three points. We had
the chances to win the game. We have to improve."
Finally, as I write this, Sky Sports News are reporting the club have
rejected a renewed offer for Craig Bellamy from Manchester City.
Reassuringly, chief news reporter Bryan Swanson understands City's second
bid was for £9million but Hammers chief executive Scott Duxbury still
maintains the club do not need to sell their best players during the winter
transfer window. Given that numerous reports in the media this morning have
variously estimated the players value to be between £10 and £15, that hardly
seems over generous from the Abu Dhabi United Group. Isn't there a striker
in Seville who would be a cheaper, fitter, equally moody but slightly more
politically sympathetic option? And in the meantime, in the words of Phill
Jupitus, if somebody could please close that window, there's a terrible
draught blowing round Upton Park...
Posted by Trilby at 09:57
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Hammers spurn second Bellamy bid
ManchesterEveningNews.co.uk
12/ 1/2009
WEST Ham have turned down an improved Manchester City bid for striker Craig
Bellamy. The Hammers are believed to have spurned a £9million deal for the
Wales international, after refusing the Blues' initial bid last week - when
they also would not entertain an attempt to sign midfielder Scott Parker.
Hammers' chief exexcutive Scott Duxbury has reaffirmed that the club does
not have to sell its best players, and backed his words by turning down
City's latest attempt to reinforce their squad ahead of the January 31
transfer deadline. Bellamy scored for West Ham at Newcastle on Saturday, two
days after City boss Mark Hughes confirmed the Blues' interest in the
player.
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Boa Morte keen to stay at West Ham as agent denies links with Hull
By Sportsmail Reporter Last updated at 12:54 PM on 12th January 2009
Daily Mail
Hull remain keen on signing Luis Boa Morte from West Ham, even though the
Portuguese midfielder's agent has claimed he is not aware of any interest.
Both clubs last week dismissed reports they had agreed a fee for the former
Arsenal, Southampton and Fulham player but Hull boss Phil Brown has since
admitted he is keen on recruiting the 31-year-old. Brown is looking to add a
left-sided player, and is also keen on Wigan's Kevin Kilbane, but Boa Morte
has not been informed of any approach. Amadeu Paixao, the former Portugal
international's agent, said: "We have read in the newspapers that Hull are
interested but we don't know anything about it. Nobody has contacted us to
allow Hull to talk to us, nothing has been said to us."
The Hammers are thought to be keen to offload some of their fringe players
to reduce both the wage bill and, for practical reasons, the size of
Gianfranco Zola's squad. Boa Morte, who moved to Upton Park for £5million
from Fulham in summer 2007, has struggled to earn a regular starting place
during his time at the club. It remains to be seen, however, how the recent
departures of Matthew Etherington and Lee Bowyer - to Stoke and Birmingham
respectively, the latter on loan - affect his status. Paixao added: "He has
never mentioned that he wants to leave West Ham. He has a house near the
training ground, a wife and two kids. He is very happy there."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Former West Ham and Celtic star Frank McAvennie spared jail for head-butting
man in fight
By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 1:01 PM on 12th January 2009
Daily Mail
Former Scotland striker Frank McAvennie was given a four-month suspended
jail sentence after he admitted fighting outside a bar on the Isle of Man.
The ex-Celtic and West Ham player head-butted a man outside the Aperitivo
wine bar in Loch Promenade, Douglas, on July 4. The High Bailiffs' Court in
Douglas heard that McAvennie asked security guards to remove local man Ian
Moffitt, 23, from the bar as he felt threatened by him. Sergeant John Manley
told the court that the two men then clashed on the street 'first with
words, then pushing each other and throwing ineffectual punches' before
McAvennie head-butted Mr Moffitt. McAvennie was on the island to take part
in a 'legends' charity match at the Bowl sports stadium, but missed the game
following his arrest. McAvennie's advocate, Jerry Carter, said the
footballer had not intended violence and was provoked. He said: 'The
defendant called security staff to have Mr Moffitt removed, and has accepted
that he over-reacted and used too much force but he clearly felt he was
threatened at the time. 'These are not the actions of someone who was out
looking for trouble, but someone who felt he was on the horns of a dilemma
and was trying to deal with it.' High Bailiff Michael Moyle sentenced
McAvennie to four months in prison, suspended for a period of two years,
ordered him to pay court costs of £113.70 and said he was not to be
permanently excluded from the island.The court heard that Mr Moffitt and
McAvennie were involved in an altercation earlier in the day and met again
in the bar at around 11.30pm. Glasgow-born McAvennie, 48, who now lives in
Newcastle and works as a football agent, tried to employ his usual 'coping
strategy' when faced with difficult fans, but was unable to walk away. Mr
Carter told the court: 'The defendant was a striker with Celtic and West Ham
United, and he was the leading goalscorer in the Premiership at one stage,
and that comes with certain problems. 'Over the years he has had to develop
a coping strategy. He has no previous convictions for assault and I would
ask Your Worship to accept that his strategy is simply not to get involved.'
Passing sentence for affray, Mr Moyle, said: 'I know people may say things
that rile you or upset you due to your status as a footballer, and I'm
afraid that's the price you have to pay for fame. 'It is somewhat ironic
that you used to be a striker: Mr Moffitt might take the view that you still
are. 'I'm sentencing you to four months with a suspension of two years. That
means if you do not commit any more crime in the Isle of Man you will hear
no more about it. 'I'm simply saying if you keep your nose clean there's no
danger of you going to prison. I'm not ordering you to be expelled from the
island because it's clear you have shown regret and remorse and you feel you
have let your associates down and want to make recompense.'
Speaking outside court, McAvennie said he hoped to return to the island to
participate in future charity matches. McAvennie pleaded not guilty to a
separate charge of causing disorder in licensed premises on the same
evening, but no evidence was produced in court relating to the incident. Mr
Moffitt was also charged in connection with the incident at an earlier
hearing in the same court. He pleaded guilty to affray on December 23 and
was sentenced to a four- month prison term, suspended for two years and
subject to a supervision order.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Boa Morte 'unaware' of Hull interest
Teamtalk
Luis Boa Morte's agent has claimed the West Ham midfielder has not been made
aware of any interest in him from Hull City boss Phil Brown. Both clubs last
week dismissed reports they had agreed a fee for the former Arsenal,
Southampton and Fulham player but Brown has since admitted he is keen on
recruiting the 31-year-old. Brown is looking to add a left-sided player, and
is also keen on Wigan's Kevin Kilbane, but Boa Morte has not been informed
of any approach. Amadeu Paixao, the former Portugal international's agent,
said: "We have read in the newspapers that Hull are interested but we don't
know anything about it. This club we do not know. "Nobody has contacted us
to allow Hull to talk to us, nothing has been said to us."
Boa Morte, who moved to Upton Park in a £5million move from Fulham in summer
2007, has struggled to earn a regular starting place during his time at the
club. It remains to be seen, however, how the recent departures of Matthew
Etherington and Lee Bowyer - to Stoke and Birmingham respectively, the
latter on loan - affect his status. Paixao added: "He has never mentioned
that he wants to leave West Ham. He has a house near the training ground, a
wife and two kids. He is very happy there."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Gentleman John Paintsil
West Ham Till I Die
An extract from a new book by Craig Murray, former UK Ambassador to
Uzbekhistan…
In December 2008 I found myself sitting next to Baroness Amos on an airport
bus heading for the plane to Accra. Once on board she moved to Business
class while due to overbooking I was downgraded to Economy Plus. I shared
this fate with John Paintsil, the Fulham and Ghana wing-back. We sat
together and I must say he is delightful. He was flying back for two days
mid-season to take his sick father to hospital. He was extremely polite and
unassuming, helped other passengers with their luggage, put up with my
conversation about football, and was evidently devoted to his wife and
children. At the end of the flight I saw him search through the cabin to
find one of the British Airways Unicef envelopes to make a donation, while
not drawing anyone else's attention to his gift. We hear a great deal about
the terrible behaviour of Premier League footballers. But I am sure there
are other John Paintsils.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
McAvennie spared jail over bar brawl
TeamTalk
Frank McAvennie has been given a four-month suspended jail sentence after
admitting to fighting outside a bar on the Isle of Man. The former Celtic
and West Ham player head-butted a man outside the Aperitivo wine bar in Loch
Promenade, Douglas, on the evening of July 4. The High Bailiffs' Court in
Douglas heard that McAvennie asked security guards to remove local man Ian
Moffitt, 23, from the bar as he felt threatened by him. Sergeant John Manley
told the court the two men then clashed on the street "first with words,
then pushing each other and throwing ineffectual punches" before McAvennie
head-butted Mr Moffitt. McAvennie was on the island to take part in a
Manchester United versus Liverpool legends charity match at the Bowl sports
stadium, but missed the game following his arrest. McAvennie's advocate,
Jerry Carter, said the footballer had not intended violence and was
provoked. He said: "The defendant called security staff to have Mr Moffitt
removed, and has accepted that he over-reacted and used too much force but
he clearly felt he was threatened at the time. "These are not the actions of
someone who was out looking for trouble, but someone who felt he was on the
horns of a dilemma and was trying to deal with it." High Bailiff Michael
Moyle sentenced McAvennie to four months in prison, suspended for a period
of two years, ordered him to pay court costs of £113.70 and said he was not
to be permanently excluded from the island.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Brown plans transfer raid with Boa Morte top target
Yorkshirepost.co.uk
Published Date: 12 January 2009
By Richard Sutcliffe
PHIL BROWN wants to sign West Ham United's Luis Boa Morte after admitting
for the first time that Hull City are embroiled in a relegation fight.
The Tigers' alarming slump in form continued with a 2-0 defeat at Everton, a
result that means the Yorkshire club have collected just seven points from a
possible 36. City are still eighth but are looking more and more vulnerable
with each passingADVERTISEMENTweek due to the sides near the bottom picking
up vital points. It means Brown is facing the most testing time of his
reign at the KC Stadium as he tries to restore belief to a squad that have
lost their last four league games. The Hull chief believes possible
salvation lies in the transfer market with a couple of new arrivals in the
January window likely to lift spirits and boost competition for places. It
was revealed before the trip to Goodison Park that Kevin Kilbane was on his
list of targets but that Wigan Athletic would have to lower their valuation,
which is believed to be £1m, if a deal was going to be struck.
Sources in the Lancashire town have suggested a compromise will be struck
with the Republic of Ireland international midfielder likely to sign for ity
this week. Brown is determined to bolster his attacking options this month
following Dean Windass's departure on loan to Oldham Athletic and confirmed
after the defeat to Everton that Boa Morte was a target. The
Portuguese-born former international has a proven Premier League pedigree
and has played 18 times for the Hammers this season, the most recent coming
from the bench in Saturday's 2-2 draw at Newcastle United. It is understood,
however, that manager Gianfranco Zola is willing to let Boa Morte follow
Matthew Etherington, another of the east London club's fringe players who
last week joined Stoke City for £3m, out of Upton Park in order to cut the
wage bill sufficiently to hold on to the likes of Craig Bellamy, Scott
Parker and Matthew Upson.
Tigers manager Brown said: "The transfer window was always going to be a
time for us to shuffle the pack. I am hoping to make a couple of additions
in the next week and one will be a striker."
Asked if one of his targets was former Arsenal and Southampton man Boa
Morte, Brown replied: "Yes. But I don't know if we will get him or not."
City's defeat at Everton means the 13-point advantage they held over the
bottom three at the start of November has been cut dramatically by the
club's subsequent poor run of form. Before the defeat on Merseyside Brown
had emphasised that his players were still looking up the table and not down
it. However, after his side's third away reverse of the season, the City
manager admitted: "I think 14 teams in the division are in a relegation
battle. The only teams excluded are the top six."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham may be hard up, but without Craig Bellamy they will be worthless
The Mirror
By Stan Collymore 12/01/2009
West Ham's Craig Bellamy and Carlton Cole are a big threat - as they proved
at Newcastle, extending their unbeaten run to four games. If the Upton Park
club can keep their stars together they can look forward to a top 10 finish.
But if the likes of Bellamy, Matthew Upson or Scott Parker go then they will
struggle and could be haunted by the spectre of relegation. Surely Hammers'
Icelandic owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson, who wants to sell the club, must
realise his asset will be hugely devalued in the summer by flogging stars
now.
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Callum Davenport on his way to St Andrews?
Vital Football
Alex McLeish revealed that Blues had approached West Ham over a possible
deal for defender Calum Davenport last week. The enquiry was made before the
player`s move to Bolton fell through and the Blues boss has not ruled out
the possibility of the 26 year old coming to St Andrews.
'I will have to pose the question to Karren, she had been talking with West
Ham United and we left our proposal with them,' said the Blues boss
'Whether they now come back to us, that's a possibility.'
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