WHUFC.com
Radoslav Kovac was in the thick of the action on his first full day of
training with his new team-mates
05.02.2009
There is a fresh face on the Chadwell Heath training pitches this week with
Radoslav Kovac settling into life at West Ham United.
The new No14 took part in a lively session that underlined the mood in the
camp after eight games unbeaten and the prospect of the champions Manchester
United to come on Sunday. In freezing conditions and with snow covering much
of the ground, the squad worked hard under the watchful eye of fitness coach
Antonio Pintus, before tactical training with Gianfranco Zola, Steve Clarke
and Kevin Keen.
Having just left Spartak Moscow, where he was captain, Kovac was well used
to the chilly conditions. Among those also joining the regular first-teamers
were Academy graduates Bondz N'Gala, Junior Stanislas and Zavon Hines, all
eager to follow the likes of Mark Noble, Jack Collison, James Tomkins and
Freddie Sears in catching the manager's eye.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Capello: secret pie and mash fan?
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 4th February 2009
By: Staff Writer
England manager Fabio Capello has watched West Ham United more than any
other club bar Chelsea this season. The national coach, who will name his
squad for the forthcoming friendly with Spain later this week has seen the
Hammers live on no less than seven occasions since the 2008/09 season kicked
off back in August last year, just once less than he has watched the West
London side.
Arsenal (6 times), Man Utd (5), Tottenham (5) and Fulham (5) are the other
clubs most watched by Capello this season - whilst West Brom, Stoke,
Sunderland, Hull and - rather surprisingly - Everton are yet to count the
Italian coach amongst their number at all this term.
United's England hopefuls for the Spanish friendly - which takes place in
Seville a week today - include Matthew Upson, Scott Parker and Robert Green,
all of whom have been selected previously by Capello plus Carlton Cole, who
has been in prolific form of late with five goals in his last six league
games.
On his five visits to the Boleyn Ground this season Capello has proved to be
something of a lucky charm for West Ham, as he has seen Gianfranco Zola's
side lose just the once; the 1-0 defeat against Aston Villa last December.
The other home matches he has taken in so far this season were the games
against Wigan (2-1), Newcastle (3-1), Portsmouth (0-0) and Fulham (3-1).
Away from home Capello has seen United face Man City (0-3) and Fulham (2-0).
With all that in mind, don't be surprised to see the England boss at the
Boleyn again this weekend, when West Ham take on the other United from
Manchester.
The Italian job, part one: Fabio's favourite grounds
1. Boleyn Ground: 5 visits
1. Stamford Bridge: 5 visits
3. Ashburton Grove: 4 visits
3. Craven Cottage: 4 visits
5. JJB Stadium: 3 visits
The Italian job, part two: Fabio's Premier League appearances
August 2008
West Ham United v Wigan Athletic
Chelsea v Portsmouth
Fulham v Arsenal
Wigan Athletic v Chelsea
Manchester City v West Ham United
Portsmouth v Manchester United
Arsenal v Newcastle United
Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur
September
West Ham United v Newcastle United
Chelsea v Manchester United
Fulham v West Ham United
Portsmouth v Tottenham Hotspur
October
Wigan Athletic v Middlesbrough
Blackburn Rovers v Manchester United
Chelsea v Aston Villa
Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur
November
Bolton Wanderers v Manchester City
Arsenal v Manchester United
Fulham v Newcastle United
Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool
West Ham United v Portsmouth
Chelsea v Arsenal
December
Fulham v Manchester City
West Ham United v Aston Villa
January 2009
Arsenal v Bolton Wanderers
Wigan Athletic v Tottenham Hotspur
Manchester United v Chelsea
Blackburn Rovers v Newcastle United
West Ham United v Fulham
Aston Villa v Wigan Athletic
February
Liverpool v Chelsea
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers snub Dalla Bona
Nani rules out Dalla Bona deal
By Nadia Carminati Last updated: 4th February 2009
SSN
West Ham sporting director Gianluca Nani has said the club have no interest
in signing Samuele Dalla Bona. The news comes after the 27-year-old was
linked with a move to Upton Park where he had hoped to reunite with former
Chelsea recruit Gianfranco Zola. Dalla Bona, who is now out of contract
after annulling his deal with Napoli, had hoped to secure a move to the
Premier League after figuring in training exercises with the London club.
Nani, though, says the Hammers have all the players they need and that the
Italian midfielder does not figure in the club's plans going forward. "It is
true that Dalla Bona asked if he could train with us but we have not offered
him a contract with the club," said Nani. "From a technical point of view -
he doesn't enter into our plans. "If he remains in London it will only be to
continue training with us," he added.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Herita is in for Longer
The Sun
By ANDREW DILLON
Published: Today
WEST HAM'S Herita Ilunga has snubbed Liverpool to sign a four-year contract
at Upton Park. The Hammers will pay Toulouse £2million when the Congo
left-back's loan runs out in May. Ilunga's impressive performances had
alerted Kop boss Rafa Benitez. But West Ham chief Gianfranco Zola said: "We
really wanted to keep Ilunga. He has done fantastically well." Matthew
Upson, keeper Robert Green and Scott Parker are also expected to sign new
contracts. And former Chelsea midfielder Sam Dalla Bona, 27, revealed he has
spoken to Zola about a deal after quitting Napoli.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Waiting For A Chance
Just Like My Dreams
West Ham United's new signing Radoslav Kovac may have to wait for his chance
to break into the Hammers' starting line-up, but assistant boss Steve Clarke
is convinced that he will be a good addition for the club. The 29-year-old
Czech Republic international signed on a loan deal to the end of the season
with a view to a permanent transfer, and the former Chelsea coach insisted
that Kovac is just what they were looking for. "He is a good signing for us
because he can play in the midfield where we are a little bit short just
now," Clarke told the Newham Recorder. "He can also play at the back and he
is a very experienced player, a Czech Republic international, who passes the
ball well, which is the way we like to play."
Kovac is a statuesque six foot plus midfielder with experience of playing
for his country at the 2006 World Cup and the 2008 European Championships.
He has also made 14 Champions League appearances for his parent club Spartak
Moscow. "He is not a forward-going player, he is more defensive, but he
gives us good balance to the squad, and we have lost a few players in the
window, so it is nice to bring one in," said Clarke.
The midfielder will have to work on his match fitness however. The Russian
league has reached its close season and Kovac has not played since before
Christmas. "It has been the close season in Russia, so we will have a look
at him this week and assess him, but I'm sure it won't take him long,"
explained Clarke. "I haven't seen him in training, but I saw him the day he
signed and he looks in good shape physically."
The player himself was keen to experience the Premier League. "I was happy
in Moscow, but England is a new call," said Kovac. "I will be 30 soon and
after four years in Russia, I want to revive my career and there is nothing
better than the Premier League. Moreover, West Ham are a famous club, they
are playing at the top of the table, competing for a place in Europe."
So where is Kovac likely to fit into the team? "Ideally he is a central
midfield player just sitting in front shielding the defence, but he has to
get past Scottie Parker first," insisted the assistant manager. "He knows he
is coming into a team that is doing very well, so he will have to be patient
and wait for his chance."
West Ham will hope that he fits in as well as the Hammers' other new
signing. Savio played only a few minutes against Hull City last Wednesday,
but came on for 20 minutes at the Emirates and showed some useful touches to
suggest that he could make an impression at Upton Park. "He's settled in
okay," said Clarke. "I think you can see he is not the tallest or the
biggest, so he will find the intensity and power of the Premier League a bit
of a shock. But I thought when he came on he was bright and lively, good on
the ball and showed he is not afraid as he got stuck into a few tackles - he
will be okay for us."
While Gianfranco Zola and Clarke run the rule over the new recruits, Alan
Curbishley has been expressing his reservations about the dwindling squad
number at Upton Park. The Hammers held on to most of their top stars despite
constant speculation that the current financial climate would force
big-money sales, but the wage bill was still heavily reduced, with nine
members of the first-team squad leaving. Craig Bellamy, Matthew Etherington
and Hayden Mullins were sold for a total of £17million, while Lee Bowyer,
Julien Faubert, Calum Davenport, Nigel Quashie, Kyel Reid and Jimmy Walker
have been loaned out.
Curbishley, who quit the club earlier in the season after disputing player
sales, believes West Ham may regret allowing so many players to leave Upton
Park in the January transfer window if they suffer injuries. Speaking to Sky
Sports News, he said: "I don't think they could have let any more players
go. Quite a lot of the fringe players have left and I think it's left them a
little bit short. They seem to be having the luck I never had regarding
injuries, they have a settled side and they are playing well. But a few
injuries here and there can change all that."
Chief executive Scott Duxbury revealed the Hammers had been hoping to add
more players to the squad before Monday's deadline. Panathinaikos defender
Bryce Moon and Dinamo Bucharest's Sergiu Homei were both linked with moves
to Upton Park, but Duxbury revealed: "We'd been looking at a couple of the
manager's targets but a deal couldn't be concluded."
With regards to Homei, there appears to be a sense of unfinished business.
Reports emerging on the continent yesterday suggested the problem surrounds
the issue of a work permit, with the player having already signed the
relevant paperwork. It would have been a loan deal with a view to a
permanent transfer in the summer for a fee just under £1million and there is
still hope the deal can be revisited.
Elsewhere, the Mail reports tonight Sam Dalla Bona has failed in a bid to
revive his career at West Ham, who have said they are not interested in
signing him. The article states that the 27-year-old former Chelsea
midfielder is without a club after being released by Napoli but had hoped
West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola would give him a trial.
Dalla Bona - who made 55 appearances for Chelsea between 1999 and 2002 - was
approached by Serie B side Triestina on transfer deadline day, but was known
to favour a return to the Premier League. Only yesterday the player
confirmed that he had discussed the possibility of linking up with Zola. "In
the last hours of the transfer window, Triestina did approach me, but I have
another idea in mind," he told Gazzetta dello Sport. "I spoke with Zola and
I asked him about the possibility of training with West Ham because free
agents have until March to find a new club. Zola told me he will ask the
officials. I wait for an answer."
Posted by Trilby at 17:31
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
No West Ham interest in Dalla Bona
05.02.09 | Andrew Slevison
West Ham have no interest in signing Sam Dalla Bona according to the club's
sporting directory Gianluca Nani. Dalla Bona is currently out of contract
with Napoli and it was rumoured he may land at Upton Park but it seems that
is now unlikely to happen. The 27-year old former Chelsea man has been
training with the Hammers but Nani said if he remains in London it will only
be for training. "It is true that Dalla Bona asked if he could train with us
but we have not offered him a contract with the club," said Nani. "From a
technical point of view - he doesn't enter into our plans. "If he remains in
London it will only be to continue training with us," he added.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Dalla Bona fails in a bid to revive his career at West Ham
By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 1:40 AM on 05th February 2009
Daily Mail
Sam Dalla Bona has failed in a bid to revive his career at West Ham, who
have said they are not interested in signing him. The 27-year-old former
Chelsea midfielder is without a club after being released by Napoli but had
hoped West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola would give him a trial. Dalla Bona - who
made 55 appearances for Chelsea between 1999 and 2002 - was approached by
Serie B side Triestina on transfer deadline day, but was known to favour a
return to the Premier League.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Globetrotter Savio is on a path to the top
East London Advertiser
04 February 2009
By JONATHAN CLEGG
Savio Nsereko is still just a teenager, yet his arrival at West Ham marks
the latest step in an epic journey that has taken in four countries in two
different continents. The 19-year-old's route to Upton Park began in Uganda,
taking in stops in Germany and Italy and culminating in his switch to the
Hammers last week for a fee that could rise to £9m. It is a modern-day
odyssey and West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola is in no doubt that the forward's
travels have set him on the path to the pinnacle of world football. "He's a
strong boy and he's mature because he has seen a lot," Zola says. "He's got
great potential - he can become a really top player. Because of where he has
come from, he's very adaptable and he's very willing to learn."
Savio has had to adapt from an early age. As a two-year-old, his family left
Uganda for Germany, where Savio's raw skills were first spotted by scouts
from 1860 Munich. The youngster spent seven years at the club, progressing
through the youth set-up and generating rave reviews among the coaching
staff. But the buzz surrounding the 15-year-old drew him to the attention of
Gianluca Nani, then Brescia's technical director, and soon Savio was on the
move again. He signed for the Serie B club in the summer of 2005, aged 16,
but struggled to settle during his early months in Italy after leaving his
family behind in Munich. "When I went to Bresica, my family remained in
Germany and at the beginning, it was a bit [difficult] because I was alone
and very young," Savio says. "But Brescia was like a family and after some
time I felt very good there."
As Savio began to feel more comfortable in Italy, so his talent began to
emerge. The forward made his first-team bow as a 16-year-old and gained a
regular starting berth a year later. But suitably for the globe-trotting
teenager, it was in another new country that Savio cemented his reputation
as a future star. At the European Under-19 championships in the Czech
Republic last year, Savio starred as Germany lifted the title, earning
plaudits as the tournament's most outstanding player from UEFA technical
observer Roy Millar. "He can go inside on his right foot to make you a goal,
or can go wide left and get in behind defenders," Millar says. "For me, he
was the best player in the tournament."
Savio's stellar displays convinced Nani to sign the forward for a second
time and the Italian finalised his switch to Upton Park last week. As Savio
settles into life in a different country for the fourth time, West Ham will
hope his career maintains its current course to the top.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Clarke praise for West Ham's window shopping
East London Advertiser
04 February 2009
By JONATHAN CLEGG
West Ham assistant boss Steve Clarke believes the club's dealings in the
January transfer window have strengthened the squad as the Hammers bid to
achieve European qualification in the final months of the season. The club
completed their second major signing of the window last week as Czech
international Radoslav Kovac moved to Upton Park on a six-month loan from
Spartak Moscow. Promising teenager Savio Nsereko also joined the club in a
possible record deal, while Craig Bellamy's £14m switch to Manchester City
was the only significant departure. And Clarke believes the double additions
of Kovac and Savio will improve the in-form Hammers, who are challenging for
Europe after extending their unbeaten record to eight matches with a
goalless draw at Arsenal last weekend. "Kovac is a good signing for us
because he can play in the midfield, he can play at the back [and] he is an
experienced player, a Czech Republic international, who passes the ball
well," Clarke said. "He is not a forward going player, he is more defensive,
but he gives us good balance to the squad. "Savio has settled in okay - I
thought when he came on [at Arsenal] he was bright and lively, good on the
ball and showed he is not afraid and got stuck into a few tackles. "From
where we were in October, to where we are now, there has been a significant
progress at the club. "I think you can see now that we have a team which
knows what they are doing and is working hard for each other, and you get
your rewards."
The Hammers failed to land a pair of deadline-day targets after the club was
unable to agree personal terms with Panathinaikos defender Bryce Moon or
Dinamo Bucharest full-back Sergiu Homei, but promising goalkeeper Peter
Kurucz has joined the club on loan from Ujpest FC, according to the
Hungarian club. West Ham have also decided to take up the option to sign
defender Herita Ilunga to a long-term contract when his loan from Toulouse
expires at the end of the season.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ilunga resists Liverpool interest to commit to West Ham
05.02.09 | tribalfootball.com
Herita Ilunga is committing his long-term future to West Ham United. The Sun
says Ilunga has snubbed Liverpool to sign a four-year contract at Upton
Park. The Hammers will pay Toulouse £2million when the DR Congo left-back's
loan runs out in May. Ilunga's impressive performances had alerted Kop boss
Rafa Benitez.
But West Ham chief Gianfranco Zola said: "We really wanted to keep Ilunga.
He has done fantastically well."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Gudmundsson again attending West Ham games
05.02.09 | tribalfootball.com
Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson is again attending West Ham United games at Upton
Park. The Daily Mail says Gudmundsson is watching games again at Upton Park
for the first time since his business empire in Iceland went into meltdown,
sparking speculation that he would have to sell the Premier League club in a
hurry. However, the immediate financial pressures on Gudmundsson have eased
following support from the Icelandic government, as has the need to quickly
dispose of West Ham, where the owner feels confident enough to show his face
again.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham keeper Green: Savio looks the business
05.02.09 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United goalkeeper Robert Green believes new signing Savio Nsereko
can have a big future at Upton Park. After their draw at Arsenal, Green
told whufc.com: "Everyone was working hard and when Savio came on he was
working hard and chasing. "I'm sure it's a bit different from Brescia as
running out at the Emirates is a bit different from playing in Serie B. I'm
sure he knows he's still got a lot to learn but he's very young and I think
he knows he's not the finished product just yet."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Please donate to my run for charity
http://www.justgiving.com/peter-robinson
http://www.justgiving.com/peter-robinson1
Thank You so much to those who have already contributed
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment