WHUFC.com
A long battle back from injury for Simon Webster and a win over Aston Villa are today's focus
20.01.2009
Anniversary
Simon Webster
Date of birth: 20 January 1964
Clubs: Tottenham Hotspur, Exeter City, Norwich City, Huddersfield Town, Sheffield United, Charlton Athletic, West Ham United, Oldham Athletic and Derby County.
Webster was a commanding central defender who made just five appearances in three years with the club. After signing from Charlton Athletic for £525,000, he had to wait 16 months for his debut.
This was not down to his form, however, but the incredible bad luck of suffering a serious broken leg in pre-season training in July 1993 - just 14 days after signing for the club. It was the second time the Leicestershire-born player had to recover from a broken leg after sustaining one in his time with Sheffield United.
Webster battled back to fitness but suffered a further setback when his ankle had to be plastered again at the beginning of the 1994/95 season. He made use of his time out of the game, gaining an A-level in Human biology with a view to a career in physiotherapy when his playing days were over.
To aid his recovery, a loan move to Oldham Athletic followed and he was central to them turning their season around. Indeed, four wins from his first five matches helped the Latics move away from relegation danger.
The long wait was eventually over after 22 months as Webster made his West Ham United first-team debut as a substitute in 2-0 home win over Blackburn Rovers in April 1995. He went on to appear in the final five matches of the 1994/95 season as a sub, including an imperious display in the legendary 1-1 draw with Manchester United at the Boleyn Ground that denied the Red Devils the title.
Despite showing immense courage and bravery in battling back from his injuries, Webster was forced to retire from playing in November 1996. But, ever the fighter, he went on to complete his training as a physiotherapist and in 2000 was appointed one of the part-time physios at the West Ham United academy before gaining promotion to first-team physio in 2003.
Classic match
West Ham United 2-0 Aston Villa
First Division
20 January 1962
20,000 fans were in the Boleyn Ground to watch West Ham United secure a comfortable 2-0 win over Aston Villa.
United started strongly and never looked back as Phil Woosnam headed in a Tony Scott free-kick with just two minutes on the clock. Phil Dick - fourth in club's all-time leading scorers list - added a second 16 minutes later after Villa goalkeeper Nigel Sims came for - and missed - a Malcolm Musgrove centre.
The win would help the Hammers to a respectable eighth-placed finish that season, ironically level on points with the Villains who finished one place above them on goal difference.
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Upson praises United front
WHUFC.com
Matthew Upson is impressed with the togetherness in the West Ham United squad after four wins in five
20.01.2009
Matthew Upson was back in training with his West Ham United colleagues on Tuesday after being buoyed by the resilience demonstrated in Sunday's 3-1 win over Fulham.
For the second week in a row, the Hammers secured a positive result despite conceding first and Upson said that showed the unity within in the group. After going a goal behind at Newcastle United and battling back to a 2-2 draw, the Hammers again found themselves pegged back as Paul Konchesky fired in a 30 yard strike to level Sunday's derby. However, a penalty from Mark Noble and a fine Carlton Cole goal in the second half paved the way for victory.
"I thought we were really impressive and we picked up well," Upson said. "It was good to see the players coming together and picking up a nice run so I'm really pleased. We've shown some good belief and we're sticking to what we believe in and the players and the manager have to take a lot of credit for that."
The England international is delighted to see the drills and exercises that Gianfranco Zola and his coaching team have introduced in training bearing fruit on the pitch. "Our behaviour in training, our attitude in training and the sessions that we do all add up to our performances at the weekend. When those sessions are executed properly you reap the rewards for it. I think we have done that over the past few months and we are starting to play more consistently.
"When a new manager comes in it takes time for everyone to adapt to his style and his culture that he has bought to the club. Not only are we now getting more points but we are playing in quite an entertaining fashion, we're trying to pass the ball and the fundamentals we are trying to do are right. Everyone believes in it and we're starting to get a few more points which is nice to see."
Upson was impressed by how well Cole and his strike partner David Di Michele - who had opened the scoring - performed together. He said: "David was very sharp on the first goal and read the mistake by [John] Pantsil very well and Carlton is on a good goalscoring run, so it was good to see. The strike force has to take it's fair share of goal responsibilities and you can't argue that they are not doing that at the moment."
Despite the excellent run in the league, which has lifted the side to eighth in the Barclays Premier League and just two points off seventh-placed Wigan Athletic, this Saturday sees a very different challenge in the shape of an FA Cup fourth round tie at Hartlepool United. For the 29-year-old Upson, it is just a case maintaining the same mental belief that has served him and the team so well in recent weeks.
"It will be a tough game and they are going to throw everything at us. We've just got keep the focus on winning. It's a nice habit and something you don't want to break so every game you go into, whether it's Hartlepool away or Arsenal away, you've got to have the same mentality and the same winning attitude and take it from there."
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Reserves ready for Fulham
WHUFC.com
Alex Dyer has an experienced team at his disposal for tonight's visit of Fulham to the Boleyn Ground
20.01.2009
Alex Dyer has called on his West Ham United reserve team to complete a hat-trick of victories for the club in tonight's Barclays Premier Reserve League South fixture against Fulham at the Boleyn Ground tonight.
The Hammers first team recorded a 3-1 success against the Cottagers on Saturday, while Tony Carr's Under-18s beat Southampton 4-1, and Dyer wants a strong-looking reserve side to complete a win-treble this evening. With full internationals Kieron Dyer, Jonathan Spector, Luis Boa Morte and Walter Lopez, as well as Hayden Mullins, James Tomkins and Freddie Sears all at his disposal, the coach is in positive mood.
"The lads played well last week [drawing 0-0 at leaders Aston Villa] and tonight I've got quite a strong side out and am hoping to carry on the good work. With the first team and youth team both winning at the weekend it would be nice to carry on that sequence."
Dyer also believes his players will be keen to catch manager Gianfranco Zola's eye ahead of Saturday's FA Cup fourth round tie at League One Hartlepool United.
"I'm hoping the senior lads will come out and put a good performance in and give the gaffer a problem."
Above all, however, the coach is keen to see the winning mentality that is so clearly evident in the first team replicated in his reserve side. The Hammers second-string have won all four of their home league matches so far this season, and Dyer is understandably keen to see that perfect run extended to five this evening.
"It would be nice to win again. Reserve team football is one of those things that, sometimes in the past, the lads would come out and go through the motions. Now, we're trying to get that winning mentality right through the club. It's the same with the reserve team.
"Even though I want them to get what they can out of the game - meaning people like Kieron Dyer getting their fitness levels up - at the same time I want us to win. For the younger lads, especially, it's good for them to go home happy having won the game. It shows they have all had the right attitude towards it."
Kick-off at the Boleyn Ground this evening is at 7pm. Admission is free for season ticket holders, £3 for adults and £1 for under-16s and OAPs.
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Tuesday latest
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 20th January 2009
By: Staff Writer
The freshest rumours from the media regarding possible ins and outs this January transfer window...
Ins...
As reported in KUMB.com's main news section, the Hammers are hot on the trail of both Pablo Daniel Osvaldo and Savio Nsereko with Mario Balotelli, as previously mentioned on these pages, also being eyed.
Meanwhile one Italian newspaper carries a story today listing the four players most likely to join the Hammers, which includes the three aforementioned youngsters plus Palermo's Edison Cavani, another of Gianfranco's former Italian under-21s.
...and outs
Newcastle are once again being linked with full-back and club captain Lucas Neill. Neill, whose contract expires this summer has admitted privately that he would like to extend his stay in East London but the Magpies are said by the Daily Mail to be reconsidering a £2million offer, despite being criticised by Gianfranco Zola last weekend for having spoken with Neill's agent sans permission.
French Champions Lyon are yet again being linked with West Ham's want-away winger Julien Faubert. The former Bordeaux player, who joined United in a £6million deal two years ago has recently singalled his dissatisfaction at life in England and is thought to be keen to return to his homeland. Lyon 'advisor' Bernard Lacombe told Le 10 Sport last night that "Faubert is a player that is capable of getting our attention," - whatever that means exactly.
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New deal for Parker
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 20th January 2009
By: Staff Writer
Scott Parker is set to be rewarded for staying at West Ham by being offered a new contract. Parker was the subject of a bid from Manchester City at the start of the month but the offer, thought to be worth around £7.5million, was flatly rejected by the Hammers. The midfielder, unlike former team mate Craig Bellamy who joined Man City yesterday having made it clear he wished to leave West Ham, had signalled his desire to open talks with City but stepped down after it was made clear that United wished to retain his services. And it is for that show of loyalty to his current employers that he is set to be rewarded with an improved contract, with talks due to commence later this week. Parker joined West Ham in the summer of 2007 in a £7million switch from Newcastle. Since then he had become a firm fixture in the United midfield whilst also briefly regaining his England spot having been called up recently by Fabio Capello.
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Two on their way?
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 20th January 2009
By: Staff Writer
West Ham are set to make firm offers for two strikers in the wake of Craig Bellamy's departure to Manchester City. Bellamy completed a move to Manchester City yesterday and, as promised, Zola looks set to receive the bulk of that transfer fee - thought to be in the region of £12million - to spend on replacing the Welsh striker. United's two main targets appear to be Fiorentina's Daniel Pablo Osvaldo and Brescia's Savio Nsereko, with one source particularly close to the club suggesting that the Hammers are willing to spend up to £10million on 19-year-old German striker Nsereko. Osvaldo, a native Argentinian who has played for the Italian under-21s is available for around £7million but West Ham will look to take him on loan with view to a permanent deal at the end of the season. Another young striker linked with the Hammers recently is Milan's Mario Balotelli, although he is currently considered to be a 'Plan B' in the event that United fail to land Nsereko or Osvaldo. Further news is expected later in the week.
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Duxbury - Spurs can go whistle
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 20th January 2009
By: Staff Writer
West Ham CEO Scott Duxbury has told supporters that if he has his way, no more United players will end up at local rivals Tottenham. Duxbury, talking to the Independent revealed the club's new hard-line approach in the wake of Craig Bellamy's departure to Manchester yesterday.
Tottenham had been linked with Bellamy and made three firm bids but all were rejected by the Hammers who refused to allow Bellamy to join the relegation candidates, despite the striker having indicated a preference to remain in London. "I'll go on record and say I want to avoid selling any of our best players to Tottenham ever again," said Duxbury. "Why should I? They are our local rivals. It would be a slap in the face for our fans. I want to finish above Tottenham. "We did it last year and want to do it this year and every single year. It's nothing against Tottenham."
Current Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp was accused last week of 'tapping up' Bellamy, after rumours of a meeting between the two last week were posted on the web. It is thought that Redknapp's complete disregard for protocol in terms of transfer dealings has hardened West Ham's resolve. The former Hammers manager flatly denied all charges at the weekend despite having been investigated by the FA back in 2006 for the same offence, and having told the Daily Telegraph last year that "it happens all the time". More recently Middlesbrough condemned Redknapp after the Teesiders accused him of attempting to unsettle left winger Stewart Downing - another target that the former Bournemouth, West Ham, Southampton and Portsmouth manager has missed out on this month as he desperately struggles to keep his current club in the Premier League.
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Lyon consider Faubert option
French champions waiting for Fred to find a club
By Patrick Haond Last updated: 20th January 2009
SSN
French champions Lyon have hinted at an interest in signing West Ham United midfielder Julien Faubert. The former Bordeaux man has recently suggested he is keen to return to French football to boost his national team prospects. He has been linked with Nantes and Paris St Germain, while Faubert has claimed he would relish the chance to join Lyon. The Ligue 1 leaders are looking to strengthen their right-hand side and special advisor Bernard Lacombe concedes Faubert is one option being considered. "Fauber is a player that is capable of getting our attention," Lacombe told Le 10 Sport. "But we have several trails. The right full-back position is our priority."
Lacombe also confirmed there has yet to be any movement regarding the situation of Fred, who claimed last week he was wanted by Stoke City.
The Brazilian striker has been linked with a move to Palmeiras and Lyon are waiting for any offers to take Fred on a free transfer. "The Fred situation doesn't improve," added Lacombe. "We haven't had any offer from Palmeiras. They can't invest money on a free transfer. "Fred is free! Fred just has to find a club."
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Lyon Confirm Faubert Interest
Setanta.co.uk
by Laurent Picard , 20 January 2009
Ligue 1's reigning champions Lyon have confirmed that West Ham's Julien Faubert is an option for them. OL are facing an injury crisis at right back and at right midfield, with defenders Francois Clerc and Anthony Reveillere both out and attacker Sidney Govou sidelined until the end of the season. Faubert, who does not appear to be part of Gianfranco Zola's plans, previously declared he would be happy to return to his homeland in order to boost his chances of being recalled by France. Lyon's special advisor Bernard Lacombe has confirmed that former Bordeaux star Faubert is an option for Les Gones. Lacombe told Le 10 Sport: "Faubert is a player that is capable of getting our attention. "But we have several trails. The right full back position is our priority."
Palmeiras are yet to make an offer for Brazil international Fred, who is also targeted by Stoke, and Lacombe has said the striker can go for free.
He added: "The Fred situation doesn't improve. We haven't had any offer from Palmeiras. They can't invest money on a free transfer. Fred is free! Fred just has to find a club."
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Hammers Eye Up Bellamy Replacement
Setanta.co.uk
by Tom Kell , 20 January 2009
Fiorentina striker Pablo Daniel Osvaldo could yet move to West Ham this month should Bologna's interest fail to materialise. The spotlight has been solely focused on the Upton Park exit door so far this transfer window but it seems that Gianfranco Zola has also been training his sights on making additions to a resurgent Hammers squad. Italy Under-21 international Osvaldo was the subject of conflicting reports on Monday when the player's agent Dario Decoud said that his client had joined West Ham while other stories said that a £5 million move to Bologna was in fact on the cards. Decoud has now attempted to clear up any confusion. "The player has not signed for Bologna yet - we will have a meeting today," Decoud told Tuttomercatoweb on Tuesday morning. "Fiorentina and Bologna had discussions yesterday, but they have yet to reach an agreement. "It is not true that West Ham want to sign him on loan, but they could still secure a permanent transfer. "Osvaldo has no preference - he just wants to play regular football."
A striker is sure to be Zola's priority before the transfer window comes to a close after long-term injury to Dean Asthon and Craig Bellamy's departure to Manchester City left him with limited options.
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Osvaldo agent sets record straight Tuesday 20 January, 2009
Channel4.com
The future of Fiorentina striker Pablo Daniel Osvaldo is a mystery as his agent denies conflicting reports that he has signed for West Ham and Bologna. Italy Under-21 international Osvaldo has become frustrated by a lack of first-team football for Fiorentina and asked to leave last month.
Yesterday, the player's agent Dario Decoud seemed to tell Radio Blu that Osvaldo would be joining West Ham, but there were also stories stating that he had agreed a £5m move to Bologna. "The player has not signed for Bologna yet - we will have a meeting today," Decoud told Tuttomercatoweb this morning. "Fiorentina and Bologna had discussions yesterday, but they have yet to reach an agreement. "It is not true that West Ham want to sign him on loan, but they could still secure a permanent transfer. "Osvaldo has no preference - he just wants to play regular football."
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Carlton Cole's recent upturn in form is down to one thing only: Gianfranco Zola
By Dan Silver, Mirror.co.uk 20/01/2009
Talking of ideological dinosaurs, how enlightening to see Alan Curbishley back on our screens before the West Ham v Fulham game on Sky.
When discussion turned to the near miraculous upturn in form of Carlton Cole (a man, incidentally, who will forever be known at Upton Park as CFC, and not because he arrived from Chelsea Football Club…), good old 'Curbs' was completely clueless when asked to explain it. Andy Gray, sensing a fellow member of the old boy network was floundering, gamely offered the old standby that Cole's form was a result of having a run in the team. Curbishley didn't even have the wits to accept that plastic olive branch, though, explaining in that terminally bemusedly tone of his that he too gave the striker a stretch of games while manager of West Ham, but that Cole still couldn't hit Fern Britton's bum with an elephant gun.
Now I'm no Bill Shankly, but I'd like to offer up the following explanation for this seemingly ever-so-puzzling mystery: Perhaps Carlton Cole's upturn in form has something to do with Gianfranco Zola's recent admission that he has been giving the striker extensive, personal tuition in the art of playing football. Something the striker clearly wasn't getting from his previous manager. Still, there's no school like the old school, eh?
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West Ham seek loan deal for Inter Milan striker Balotelli
20.01.09 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United boss Gianfranco Zola is chasing Inter Milan striker Mario Balotelli. The Mirror says the highly-rated 19-year-old is frustrated at not getting regular first-team football under Jose Mourinho at the San Siro. That has alerted West Ham although several other clubs are also courting his services. Mourinho is not keen to sell the talented teenager as wants cover for main striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic as Inter chase a Serie A and Champions League double.
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Definitely One Of My Top 10 Quotes Of The Year
By Sam H ⋅ January 20, 2009 ⋅
The West Ham Process
OK, so I do have a list of my top ten quotes of the year…and yes, it can be divided into subcategories. To be honest with you however, these finer details are neither here nor there when you hear your Chief Executive come out with a comment like this:
"I'll go on record and say I want to avoid selling any of our best players to Tottenham ever again. I don't want to. Why should I? They are our local rivals. It would be a slap in the face for our fans. I want to finish above Tottenham. We did it last year and want to do it this year and every single year. It's nothing against Tottenham."
Now, I know we all had our issues with Duxbury in the summer. And I also know that he could possibly be completely to blame for the Tevez affair getting as out of hand as it has done…but surely this statement (as reported by the Independant) has gone a long way to helping us to forgive some of his less than impressive actions? He is also on record for saying that "It may be that some players are allowed to leave but no one will be going unless the manager thinks it is in the best interests of his team and it is right for the club."
How true has that so far turned out to be?
In reference to that quote, we have reportedly made an offer of £10m for the young German fella' who goes by the name of Savio Nsereko. It does seem like a lot of money for a 19 year old and he had better be absolute mustard. But for me it is so pleasing to see that funds from the Bellamy sale walk-out have been made available to Zola. If this goes through then it is undoubtably a massive gamble, but if this guy is as good as he is being made out to be, then we can quite happily wave goodbye to Bellamy knowing that we have an exciting prospect waiting in the wings. Can only be considered a step forward.
COYI!!!
Sam
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LYON PONDER FAUBERT SWOOP
Posted 20/01/09 11:35EmailPrintSave
Football365
French champions Lyon have hinted at an interest in signing West Ham midfielder Julien Faubert. The former Bordeaux man has recently suggested he is keen to return to French football to boost his national-team prospects. He has been linked with Nantes and Paris St Germain, while Faubert has claimed he would relish the chance to join Lyon. The Ligue 1 leaders are looking to strengthen their right-hand side and special advisor Bernard Lacombe concedes Faubert is one option being considered. "Faubert is a player that is capable of getting our attention," Lacombe told Le 10 Sport. "But we have several trails. The right full-back position is our priority."
Lacombe also confirmed there has yet to be any movement regarding the situation of Fred, who claimed last week he was wanted by Stoke.
The Brazilian striker has been linked with a move to Palmeiras and Lyon are waiting for any offers to take Fred on a free transfer. "The Fred situation doesn't improve," added Lacombe. "We haven't had any offer from Palmeiras. They can't invest money on a free transfer. "Fred is free! Fred just has to find a club."
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West Ham open talks with Fiorentina for Osvaldo
20.01.09 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United have opened talks with Fiorentina for striker Pablo Daniel Osvaldo. The Times says Osvaldo has been given permission to leave Fiorentina and the striker would prefer to move to England rather than Bologna, the Serie A club who have tabled a £5.5 million bid. The 23-year-old played under Gianfranco Zola, the West Ham manager, for the Italy Under-21 team.
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Savio Nsereko's agent in talks with West Ham
20.01.09 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United are moving for Brescia striker Savio Nsereko. The Times says Nsereko, 19, who scored twice for Brescia against Pisa in Serie B on Saturday, is wanted by several Italian clubs, including Napoli and Roma. Brescia value the forward, who was born in Uganda but has German citizenship, at £7 million, but they would prefer that he helps them to win promotion. His agent was at Upton Park to watch West Ham's 3-1 victory over Fulham on Sunday.
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Hammers chief Duxbury may live to regret Spurs jibe
Last updated at 9:53 AM on 20th January 2009
Daily Mail
Scott Duxbury has finally declared that West Ham are no longer a feeder club for Tottenham in a swipe at their London rivals. But the chief executive may live to regret his popularity-boosting outburst if his club fall off the precipice they seem to be nearing. Duxbury appears to have launched his rant because of Spurs' suspected tapping-up of Craig Bellamy, whose arrogant antics have been blamed firmly on Tottenham within Upton Park (senselessly excusing the striker for his pathetic behaviour).
And the dig was undisguised. He said: 'I want to avoid selling any of our best players to Tottenham ever again. They are our local rivals. It would be a slap in the face for our fans. I want to finish above Tottenham. We did it last year and want to do it this year and every single year.'
His rider that 'it's nothing against Tottenham,' is actually quite amusing and the rant will strike a chord with supporters hurt by the transfers of Michael Carrick and Jermain Defoe to White Hart Lane in recent years. But Duxbury, that genius of football administration who is knee deep in the Carlos Tevez Saga, may regret the outburst later. West Ham are for sale and, whatever they say about the club's future, their owner's losses in the economic crisis have been huge and the club could be facing a points deduction and massive compensation payout for the Tevez saga.
Carrick and Defoe, like Joe Cole and Glen Johnson when they left for Chelsea, were sold to balance the books when West Ham were beggars not choosers. If they were to find themselves in the position again Duxbury would take Spurs' money if he could get it and the heaps of humble pie would be included for free.
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Who Will Replace Bellamy?
West Ham Till I Die
We seem to be linked with every Italian striker in existence in this morning's papers. To be honest I haven't heard of any of them. The two front runners appear to Osvaldo from Fiorentina and Nsereko from Brescia, who was voted best player in the recent under 19 European Championships.
We are also being linked with Joe Ledley from Cardiff. My view is that we are only likely to sign one player during this transfer window and
that needs to be a striker to play alongside Cole. I'd love it if we could find a British born replacement for Bellamy but try as I might I can't
think of one … apart from a certain Frederick Sears of this parish.
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West Ham eye Brescia's Savio Nsereko
West Ham could be quick to bolster their strike options, after losing Craig Bellamy, following reports that the club are set to sign Savio Nsereko from Brescia in a £10 million deal.
Telegraph
By Richard Bright
Last Updated: 10:23AM GMT 20 Jan 2009
German-born Savio is currently plying his trade in Serie B in Italy but is highly regarded by West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola and Gianluca Nani, the club's technical director, who was at Brescia before moving to Upton Park. Two weeks ago, Savio's agent Patrick Bastianelli declared that the striker was being eyed by a host of clubs around the continent. He said: "We cannot forget that he was named the best player of the U19 European Championships, which Germany won by defeating Italy in the final. "He would clearly love to join Napoli, but I cannot deny that Genoa and Roma are also in the race. "Furthermore, West Ham sporting directo Gianluca Nani knows full well Savio's qualities, since he worked with Brescia, and we talked about the lad a week ago, as (Gianfranco) Zola would like to bring him to London."
West Ham are also understood to be in talks with Fiorentina to take 23-year-old Daniel Pablo Osvaldo on loan until the end of the season. The former Italian U21 international could then be purchased for around £7m in the summer. West Ham have been seeking a striker ever since Craig Bellamy stormed out of the training ground last Friday and refused to participate in training after the club denied him permission to talk to Tottenham. On Monday, the Welsh striker moved to Manchester City for £14m.
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Hartlepool United: West Ham chance thrills Porter
SunderlandEcho.com
Published Date: 20 January 2009
Joel Porter says Hartlepool United are ready to enjoy their moment in the spotlight. All eyes will be on Victoria Park on Saturday as Pools face arguably the biggest cup game in the club's history against West Ham for the televised FA Cup fourth round tie. Porter said: "To play West Ham at home in front of probably a full house against Premier League players is what you want. "We can enjoy the week, enjoy the training and enjoy the media because we will get a fair bit of that. "It's something different for the lads."
The Premier League lads are used to the media being around all the time. "This is our chance to enjoy it and with the game being live on TV, it means friends and family can watch."
The tie represents a particularly satisfying moment for Porter who swapped his native Australia for the chance to pit his wits against the Premier League elite. Porter, who leads the Pools goalscoring charts with 15, arrived at the Vic in November 2003 after ill-fated trials at Sunderland, Wigan and Barnsley, and had high hopes of progressing up the football pyramid. While a series of long-term injuries effectively put paid to Porter's hopes of playing at a higher level, the 30-year-old now has the chances to test his evident ability against the likes of England international Matthew Upson. "When I first came over, I came hoping to play in the Premier League or even the Championship against the best players to see how good I was," said Porter. "It will be a fantastic opportunity not just for me but for the rest of the lads. "Coming up against the likes of Upson and Scott Parker is going to be awesome and that's what the FA Cup is all about. "We think we've got a chance of winning so you can only go out there and give your all."
Pools are able to go into the game in a relaxed mood after Friday's 2-0 home victory over Northampton Town left Turner's side 10 points above the drop zone. Porter, who scored both goals against Northampton, is quick to stress that the league remains Pools' priority and three points has provided the players with a boost. He said: "We have got to be realistic and think of where the club is going to be next year. We are not going to win the FA Cup. "Hopefully by winning on Friday night it will help to keep us away from the bottom half zone. "We got the three points we needed and put a bit of breathing space between ourselves and Northampton and a few of the other teams below us. "We needed the three points league-wise. We hadn't won in three league games since the Southend game which was before Christmas. "We needed that to settle ourselves and get up to the top half of the table rather than the bottom half."
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Pablo Osvaldo: Zola to Replace Bellamy with Argentine Serie A Hitman
New Football Pools
Reports suggest West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola will make a £7m move for Fiorentina's 23-year-old Argentine striker Pablo Osvaldo now Craig Bellamy's transfer to Man City has been finalized. The player has struggled to break into the Fiorentina first team and is seemingly deemed surplus to requirements at the club. Zola confirmed he is on the look out for a replacement for the Welsh striker. He told the Daily Mirror, "If he [Bellamy] is sold I will have money to spend on a replacement. "We are looking for someone to bring in just in case and it is important that the situation is dealt with as soon as possible. "There are only two weeks left of the transfer window and we have to get on with building a squad here. I need to know where I have to go next."
Osvaldo began his career in his homeland for Huracan who were playing in the Argentine 2nd Division. He scored 11 goals in his only season for the club (33 appearances) before moving to Atalanta in Italy. The striker made just 3 substitute appearances in Serie B (1 goal) before joining Lecce for the 2006/07 season as part of a co-ownership deal with Atalanta. Osvaldo enjoyed a decent scoring season for the Serie B side with 8 goals in 31 League appearances (20 starts). Atalanta then regaining the full ownership of the player and promptly sold him to Fiorentina in the summer of 2007.
The young striker scored 5 League goals in 13 appearances (7 starts) in his first season for the Viola including the winner against the club's major rivals Juventus. Osvaldo was promptly sent-off for his goal celebration which mimicked the celebration of club legend and fellow Argentine Gabriel Batistuta. His most important goal came in a 1-0 in over Torino in May 2008 which led to qualification for the Champions League as the club finished 2 points clear of AC Milan.
This season Osvaldo has yet to score a League goal after 8 appearances (2 starts) so it's widely expected he'll leave Florence. Despite being born in Buenos Aires, Osvaldo accepted an invite from Pierluigi Casiraghi to play for the Italian U21 side and scored in the final of the 2008 Toulon tournament which Italy beat Chile.
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Quashie heads back to West Ham from Birmingham City
Jan 20 2009 by Andy Walker, Birmingham Post
Nigel Quashie's dream of securing a permanent move to Birmingham City has remained unfulfilled after Alex McLeish opted to not renew the midfielder's deal. The West Ham United midfielder had spent three consecutive emergency one-month loan spells at St Andrew's in a bid to return to full fitness whilst boosting Birmingham's options. Blues manager McLeish would have had to have retained Quashie until at least the end of the season having used up the player's 93-day emergency loan allocation. However, following the arrival of Quashie's colleague from Upton Park, Lee Bowyer, on a temporary arrangement, McLeish no longer required the former Scotland international's services. That news would have come as a bitter blow to Quashie who expressed his strong desire to remain at St Andrew's to The Post last month. The former West Bromwich Albion player's arrangement with Birmingham had not only helped rebuild his fitness following a serious ankle injury, it had also helped ease the pain of losing his mother Caroline to cancer last year and allowed Quashie to be closer to his girlfriend and young son who live in the city. Last month Quashie, 30, told the Birmingham Post: ""I wouldn't hesitate to come to Birmingham because I think it will be a new start for me, especially with everything I've been through. "Birmingham would be brilliant for me, I've really enjoyed it. "If I could sign here, then I would sign here, no hesitation. "I owe Birmingham a lot just for giving me an opportunity to put difficult things aside. "I wouldn't even blink at it, I would go straight away. "I'm really happy with how things are going and I wouldn't change anything, if I could come to Birmingham then I'd come straight away. Playing for Birmingham is what I want to do."
It may have been what he wanted to do but it isn't going to happen as Quashie now finds himself back at a West Ham team who are desperate to cash-in on their out-of-favour squad members. Quashie, who failed to make Birmingham's squad of 16 for Saturday's 1-1 draw with Cardiff City despite being eligible, made 11 appearances for McLeish's side with his last start coming during last week's FA Cup third-round defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers. McLeish's decision to send Quashie back to East London comes as no surprise as the Scotsman has recently boosted his stock of midfielders following the acquisition of Bowyer, Hameur Bouazza, Scott Sinclair, Keith Fahey and Robin Shroot during the January transfer window. The Tunisian midfielder Mehdi Nafti looks set to be the next victim of Birmingham's increased competition in the centre of the park with the former Racing Santander player already believed to be in talks with a new club.
Meanwhile Stephen Kelly's return to Birmingham's starting line-up on Saturday has also coincided with a call-up to Giovanni Trapattoni's Republic of Ireland squad for the World Cup qualifying match against Georgia on Feburary 11. The right-back, who was the target of a rejected bid from Fulham during the summer, made his first appearance in a Birmingham shirt for almost four months against Wolverhampton Wanderers last week having been sidelined with a groin injury.
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Faubert expected to seal a move to Lyon?
Aboutaball.co.uk
Reports from French sports-paper L'Equipe have indicated that Lyon are expected to make a move for West Ham's right sided midfielder today. The current French champions have been linked with Faubert as they look to reinforce their options down the right.
Faubert is widely expected to make a move away from Upton Park during the window after stating his desire to leave East London. A fall-out with Hammers manager Gianfranco Zola after he was left on the bench for the 2-2 draw against Newcastle appears to have been the catalyst for the disquiet.
Faubert's time with West Ham has been anything but a success after his £6.5 million move 18 months ago from Bordeaux. On the verge of the national side, Faubert was widely tipped to be a success, but a serious injury ruined his first season in the Premiership. The arrival of Swiss international Valon Behrami in the summer for the right wing position, and the continuing presence of Lucas Neill at right back has meant that first team chances for Faubert have been limited.
Lyon are looking desperately for some extra options down their right side following long term injuries to their two main right-backs Clerc and Reveillere. Lyon have resorted to various players to fill the gap, but are now believed to be interested in ending Faubert's Premiership nightmare by bringing him back to Ligue 1.
Posted by Walter Townsend on Tuesday, 20th January 2009
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Report: West Ham United Want Inter Milan Forward#
Goal.com
Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola is keen to add young Inter Milan star Mario Balotelli to his squad. West Ham United are eyeing a move for Inter Milan forward Mario Balotelli, according to a report in British tabloid The Daily Mirror. The Hammers yesterday sold star striker Craig Bellamy to Manchester City for a fee in the region of £14 million and it is thought that Zola will be given funds to find a replacement. 18-year-old Balotelli has been identified as the man to fill the void in the Irons' attack. The pair are familiar with each other as Zola coached the 6ft 2in forward during his spell with the Italian under-21 side. Although Balotelli is highly regarded in Italy, he has failed to stamp his mark on the Inter starting eleven, playing from the outset of just four Serie A fixtures this season. While the striker is thought to be unhappy at his lack of playing time, Il Biscione head coach Jose Mourinho is believed to be reluctant to let him leave as he regards him as cover for Zlatan Ibrahimovich.
Ricky Brooks, Goal.com
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Noble: Bellamy's a bargain buy
Sport.co.uk
Author: Andrew Allen
Posted on: 20 January 2009 - 8:06 AM
Mark Noble reckons moneybags Manchester City are getting themselves an absolute bargain with the signing of West Ham striker Craig Bellamy. Bellamy joined Mark Hughes' side following a bust-up with Hammers officials last weekend and while Noble believes City will be getting their hands on one of the top forwards in the Premier League, he freely admits Bellamy will be sorely missed at Upton Park.
"We're going to miss him," said Noble. "He will be a great asset. He's a fantastic player, he scores goals and he works hard for the team. For all that's written and said about him, he one of the best professionals I've ever worked with.
"He's so fired up and wants to win every game, and I can't see anything wrong with that. He says what he thinks and I don't think that's a bad thing. I know a load of players like that.
Bellamy was left out of the West Ham side which beat Fulham at the weekend with the home fans venting their anger at the Wales international.
But Noble believes Bellamy has been a great asset to the club and does not have any problems with his team-mate moving on.
Noble added: "I spoke to Craig on Saturday night and he asked me to wish the boys good luck from him. He wishes the club the best. Everyone knows he likes West Ham - you could see that from his performances.
"He never chucked it in, he scored goals for us and gave 100 per cent every game. It's a late stage of his career and I just wish him the best for the next few years."
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