WHUFC.com
All the action as it happened as the team finished the pre-season training camp with a draw in Slovenia
23.07.2009
Pre-season friendly
West Ham United v ND Mura 05
Fazanerija, Murska Sobota
Thursday 23 July
Kick-off: 6pm (5pm UK time)
The referee brings the game to a close and the Mura players rush to get the shirts off the back of their opponents' backs. The Hammers players seem tired and well they might after 10 days of solid grafting in the searing heat. The fantastic sight of Danny Gabbidon and Scott Parker on the pitch alongside the returning James Tomkins and Mark Noble will no doubt give Gianfranco Zola plenty of reason for optimism as he gathers his thoughts ahead of the trip to China for the Barclays Asia Trophy.
Full time
90 min - Unless something special happens in the dying seconds it does not look like we will get a goal here tonight, but there are plenty of positives for the Hammers to build on before they set off for China on Sunday.
89 min - More good defending from the Hammers as N'Gala makes a superb headed clearance from underneath his own crossbar. The Newham-born defender has had some encouraging moments tonight.
87 min - Great defending from Tomkins at one end of the pitch to shepherd the ball out before a smart passing move sees Noble force a corner at the other. Stanislas takes it, Cole flicks it on but somehow it evades everyone.
85 min - Jimenez is clattered into by Pregej Marko and the players have a brief head-to-head discussion, which the referee quickly rushes in to calm down. Moments later, the West Ham No17 slides in on the same player and is shown a yellow card.
81 min - That is what we like to see! Parker welcomes the new substitute to the match as he strongly, but fairly, takes the ball from him. It is good to see the Hammer of the Year back in action.
80 min - One more change from Mura as Kmetec Marko makes way for Kulcar Kristjan.
79 min - A dangerous cross from Spence on the right is beaten away by Bostjan and then seconds later, Stanislas fires in a wicked right-footed shot that the Mura No1 does well to beat away.
75 min - The shadows are getting longer here, but the sun continues to beat down. The West Ham players should be used to it now after ten days of training in the scorching sun. I saw a weather forecast for China earlier and there are torrential downpours predicted for when the Hammers arrive on Monday. Let us hope they can adapt to those conditions just as easily.
74 min - Two more changes as Bohar Damjan and Kokol Vladimir enter the fray. Darjan and Bozic Marko make way.
70 min - An ambitious overhead kick from Tomkins threatens to loop in but Bostjan gets back to gather it safely. After threatening early in the half, Mura are being pinned back by this new-look Hammers team.
69 min - Parker gets involved in a tangle on the edge of Mura penalty area and the referee awards a free-kick. Jimenez takes it but blasts it straight into the wall. The rebound falls back to the Chilean but his volley flied straight into the wall again.
67 min - Parker has taken the armband and is playing in the centre of midfield with Noble and Collison. Cole will be supported by Stanislas and Jimenez in attack.
65 min - I think that should be most of the changes over from both teams now so hopefully the game can settle and we can now have a 25-minute mini-game with these two new teams.
61 min - Zola responds by making five changes himself. James Collins, Jimenez, Collison, Noble and Cole come on with Grasser, Lee, Edgar, Savio and Hines making way.
60 min - More substitutions to report. Ristic Goran is taken off for Pregelj and the superbly named Bingo Klement leaves the field to be replaced by Janza Jernej.
58 min - Great defending from Tomkins, who just uses his strength to usher Kmetec Marko off the ball. The West Ham No5 has made a solid start to his pre-season in the 13 minutes he has been on the pitch.
56 min - Mura make a change with Flisar Mitja coming on for Aleksandar up front.
55 min - The penalty does not seem to have affected Kurucz as seconds later he rushes from his goal to superbly tackle Darjan with his legs.
54 min - Penalty to Mura. Kurucz rushes from his line and catches Kmetec Marko. The same player steps up to take it.... and blazes it over the bar! A real let off for the Hammers there.
49 min - Kurucz is called straight into action as Kmetec Marko plays in his strike partner, Markovic Aleksandar in the penalty area. The angle is tight, but Kurucz makes himself big and beats the ball away with both hands. Good goalkeeping from the 21-year-old there.
47 min - Three changes to report at the break and I am pleased to report that Parker is getting his first run-out of the season. Parker is joined on the field by Kurucz and Tomkins, with Green, Gabbidon and Payne making way.
46 min - Hines and Edgar get us going in the second half.
Half time - The referee blows up for half time and the players jog off for their refreshments. Noble, Jack Collison, Parker and Carlton Cole run straight out to the middle to warm up so it looks like we will have changes at the interval.
45 min - Last minute of the half and one change I can see happening is young goalkeeper Peter Kurucz getting a run out. The Hungarian stopper, who signed permanently in the summer, is warming up on the touchline.
43 min - Those two chances seem to have given the visitors a lift and it is all one way traffic. Only a perfectly-timed tackle thwarts Hines on the far side of the pitch, just as the No9 looked to cut in on goal.
40 min - More West Ham pressure as Edgar is brought down right on the edge of the Mura penalty area. Stanislas, who seems to have been moulded into something of a set-piece specialist, drills it along the floor but Bozic Marko is there to hack it clear.
39 min - Corner to West Ham after Drahno Mihal tackles Hines. Stanislas hits the flag-kick in deep and Spence rises highest to head goalwards only to see his effort hacked off the line Darjan. The best chance of the match so far.
36 min - Another shot on goal from Mura that is does not bother Green. N'Gala got up well to head a long ball clear only for Slavic Darjan to pick up the loose ball and fire it back at goal from 30 yards. Like several other efforts we have seen this half, though, it flies high into the fence behind the West Ham goal.
34 min - If the other games on this tour are anything to go by then we can expect to see plenty of changes in the second half. Hopefully, Scott Parker, Mark Noble and James Tomkins will get their first taste of pre-season action, while Luis Jimenez will get a chance to build on his promising debut yesterday.
32 min - The same player gets another effort in on goal, this time with his head but again it does not really trouble Green as the England international takes a simple catch.
28 min - N'Gala and Gabbidon are worthy of a mention here. The central defenders have had a solid game together so far and Green has not had a save to make. Kmetec Marko tries to rectify that with a 40-yard effort that sails well over.
27 min - Back to the action on the pitch and the game has settled now. Mura seem really fired up for the game, as you might expect, but West Ham are sticking to their patient passing style and will not be rushed.
24 min - Mura have some very vocal support here at the Fazanerija, with one particular section in the stand behind Green's goal being particularly vocal. It might not be all football related, though, as they have a banner in front of them that says something about a protest in Slovenian. If only I had brushed up on my Slovenian a bit more before the game I could tell you what they are shouting about.
21 min - Bozic Marko takes it but Olly Lee in the wall does his job and the ball bounces to safety. Seconds later, Hines latches onto a through-ball and just as he takes it round Kamnik Bostjan, the 'keeper brings him down. The referee takes a few seconds to make his mind up and rules no penalty. I would like to see that one again.
20 min - Free-kick to Mura right on the edge of the West Ham penalty area. Spence was penalised for blocking Kmetec Marko, which seemed a bit harsh to me.
17 min - Lovely move from the Hammers sees them create the game's first clear opening. Savio turned Kljajic Ziga inside-out and then cut the ball back to Stanislas, who tries a cheeky back-heel that skids just wide of the post.
15 min - Green is captain for this evening's game and just as I write this he shows a lovely touch to control and clear a back-pass as Kmetec Marco closes him down.
12 min - Positive run forward and shot by Stanislas, who looked lively against in the Hammers' first game of the tour against Flavia Solva. The winger picked up the ball up in a deep position before beating Filipovic for pace and blasting over the bar.
9 min - Some nice work from Savio to trick his way past his marker on this near touchline. The German Under-20 international has started the game on the right wing with Stanislas and Edgar on the left.
8 min - Just to update you on the 'Bubbles' front, we managed to find a copy of the song just before kick-off and it was played out over the PA. I am not too sure the locals knew exactly what was happening, but it was good to hear nonetheless.
6 min - It looks as though Gianfranco Zola has sent his side out to play a 4-3-3 with Jordan Spence and Georg Grasser at full back, Lee, Payne and Stanislas in the middle and Savio, Zavon Hines and Edgar up front.
4 min - Stanislas curls it in from the right-hand side of the area but Olly Lee and Anthony Edgar cannot quite connect with it. Mind you, the goalkeeper did his best to spill the easy catch so the Hammers should take note.
3 min - First foul of the day goes to West Ham and they gain a free-kick 25 yards out.
1 min - We are underway at the Fazanerija and West Ham United get on the attack straight away.
5.59pm Before kick-off we will have a minute's silence for Mura goalkeeper Ales Ajlec, whose mother died yesterday.
5.55pm We have the teams at last and, as expected, West Ham United start with a youthful side with plenty of experience on the bench. Only Green and Junior Stanislas start again after appearing yesterday against Bursaspor.
5.46pm The Mura players are on the pitch as well now and the band are having a breather. Just 15 minutes until kick-off and we are still waiting for final confirmation of the teams...
5.43pm James Tomkins and Jack Collison have now joined the other players on the pitch to warm up. Could that mean we will be seeing Tomkins for the first time this pre-season tonight?
5.40pm You get the feeling that this really is quite a big occasion for Mura. We are told they are expecting a sell-out crowd here tonight and a brass band, complete with majorettes, is entertaining the crowd in the main stand.
5.35pm The stadium announcer has just been in to ask if West Ham have a famous song that he can play for us before kick-off. It was a tough call but I mentioned there may be a certain song called Bubbles that the fans will enjoy and we are all frantically trying to obtain a copy in time for kick-off for him. If we do manage to source one, there are several UK Hammers fans here that will appreciate it. Certainly some of the faces that are here tonight were at the Bursaspor game last night and have made the short trip into Slovenia.
5.30pm There is quite a relaxed atmosphere here in Murska Sobata as the music booms out of the PA and the sun beats down. Luis Jimenez, Valon Behrami and Luis Boa Morte are all sitting at the side of the pitch chatting while James Collins, Savio and Josh Payne do some pretty impressive keep-ups near the centre circle. I must say that Savio has got some fancy moves in his repertoire.
5.25pm A local bike dealer has obviously seen an opportunity for some publicity and has placed two rather expensive looking motorbikes in front of the main stand and the players have all been taking it in turns to pose atop the machines. Mark Noble probably looked the best as he put his shades on to cut a good Terminator-style pose that even Arnie would be proud of.
5.15pm To give you a bit of background on what has been going in Austria today, the players had a light training session before lunch at 12. Then it was back to their rooms for a rest and to pack up their belongings ready for the flight back to England. A light pre-match meal followed at 3pm before the coach set off for the 20 minute drive across the Austrian border and into Slovenia.
5pm Good evening from the Fazanerija Stadium in Slovenia. Please note that kick-off has now been moved to 6pm local time or 5pm for those of you following in London. The West Ham United players are out warming up with Kevin Keen on the left-hand side of the pitch, while Ludo Miklosko puts the three goalkeepers through their paces. We are still awaiting team news and, as we have come to expect on the tour so far, this may not be with us until 15 minutes before kick-off. Looking at the players warming up for the Hammers it could well be a young team tonight after most of the senior players got at least 45 minutes in the 1-1 draw with Bursaspor last night. Danny Gabbidon is out there, as are James Collins and Robert Green but it looks like they could be the only 'senior' players we see tonight. Of course we will bring you news on that as soon as we get it.
West Ham United: Green, Spence, N'Gala, Gabbidon, Grasser, Savio, Lee, Payne, Stanislas, Hines, Edgar
Subs: Kurucz, Tomkins, Collins, Parker, Noble, Collison, Boa Morte, Jimenez, Cole
ND Mura: Bostjan, Ivan, Mihal, Klement, Blagus Goran, Ristic Goran, Darjan, Marko, Ziga, Aleksandar, Kmetec Marko
Subs: Filip, Jernej, Mitja, Pregelj Marko, Matic, Damjan, Kristjan, Vladamir
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Spence speaks sense
WHUFC.com
A tough pre-season may take its toll but Jordan Spence knows the value will be felt when August rolls around
24.07.2009
Jordan Spence has relished being involved in the thick of the action as West Ham United completed their pre-season training camp.
The 18-year-old defender was one of a handful of youngsters given the opportunity to join the first-team squad for the trip and made the most of the opportunity. His most recent outing on Thursday night saw him play at right-back as the Hammers drew 0-0 at Slovenian outfit ND Mura 05.
Spence said: "It was a good game and another opportunity for us all to get a run-out. With the game against Werder Bremem [last Saturday] being cancelled it was imperative that in these other games we get that we do well.
"It would have been nice to win the game but it was important to get some minutes under players' belts and to increase the quality and the intensity. We've been worked really hard and I know a lot of the boys are a lot fitter. We are quite tired as we have been worked hard the last 12 days but it has been good and it will stand us in good stead for what is to come."
Spence, who is with the Hammers this summer rather than the England squad at the UEFA European Under-19 Championship, said he had enjoyed playing at right-back - a position he has filled previously for the reserves, as well as during his loan at Leyton Orient last season and with the Young Lions. He is more used to centre-back but is just happy to be getting the chance to play.
"It's good experience," he said. "I like to say I can do a job in either position. As to where the manager tells me to play, I'm not going to say no to either and I'm going to go out there to try to give the best account of myself, for the team. So whether it's right-back, centre-half or up front, I'll go and do it."
It remains to be seen whether Spence will be with the 24-man squad that travels to China for next week's Barclays Asia Trophy in Beijing but he is determined regardless to keep up the good work done so far under the watchful eye of fitness coach Antonio Pintus.
"When the new manager came in last season, he emphasised that if we can get our fitness levels up then that is within our control and it can have a big influence on the games.
"I had a feeling that with Antonio there could be some difficult sessions but to be fair, a lot of them have been with the ball. It has been tough but it has been enjoyable. When you have done a hard session you come away and it's done and it's another one under your belt."
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Dyer on WHUTV
WHUFC.com
Kieron Dyer spoke to WHUTV after grabbing his first goal for West Ham United this week
23.07.2009
Kieron Dyer was a happy man following West Ham United's 1-1 draw against Bursaspor on Wednesday, having netted a goal and come through another game in his first pre-season in two years.
The England midfielder scored early in the first half as West Ham put their Turkish opponents under pressure in the searing heat in Bad Radkersburg. Although Bursaspor equalised to take a share of the spoils early in the second half, Dyer said it was another good test for the team.
Speaking to WHUTV Dyer, said: "Considering we did a double training session on Tuesday and a training session in the morning before the match, with the heat, I think you would expect us to be more tired. The training has been hard, but good. A credit to how hard we have been working was the performance the lads gave in those hot conditions.
"It went well for us. In the second half obviously, they came back a bit stronger. But they are a good Turkish side and were no pushovers. It was a good match for us with a lot of positives."
While the aim of the warm-up games is get the players fit and ready for the new season ahead, Dyer was delighted to get on the scoresheet as well as getting more valuable match time under his belt.
"It was great to score, but to be honest, I am so happy to be getting so many games in pre-season. It's the first one I have had in quite a while. I feel I am getting stronger and sharper with every game I play.
"Having a pre-season, especially one like this where we have worked really hard, gives you a base. Fingers crossed I get a few more matches in and will be able to achieve the main target of being in top condition come 15 August, when the season starts."
The midfielder is particularly relishing the prospect of a partnership with Scott Parker. "He won Hammer of the Year last season, that's how important he is to our team. Hopefully he can play a part in the last game and then get some more match action under his belt again when we go to Asia."
After a couple of days rest, the team will fly out to Beijing for the Barclays Asia Trophy on Sunday, and Dyer believes it will be a good step-up in their pre-season preparations.
"It's good we are going there and taking part in the tournament. There will be a couple of real good competitive games for us, the sort we can perhaps expect in the Premier League. So we will be looking forward to that."
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Clarke calls for big finish
WHUFC.com
Steve Clarke wants West Ham United to end their Austrian training camp with a win on Thursday
23.07.2009
Steve Clarke has urged his West Ham United players to end their Austrian training camp on a high with victory over Slovenian side ND Mura 05 on Thursday.
The match, which kicks off at 6pm local time at the Fazanerija stadium in Murska Sobota, will be the squad's final commitment before they fly back to England.
West Ham United drew 1-1 with Turkish Super Lig outfit Bursaspor on Wednesday evening, with Kieron Dyer scoring the Hammers' goal. First-team coach Clarke was pleased with the display in what was a competitive encounter, but expects Thursday's clash to be no less of a challenge for a much-changed West Ham side.
Speaking to WHUTV, he said: "Most of those who weren't involved in the match against Bursaspor will be involved in tonight's game.
"We are up against a Slovenian side, which on paper is a slightly easier test, but in reality, no game is easy and the players will look to be ready for the challenge that brings. The idea was to finish with two matches and then we have a couple of days off before travelling to China (for the Barclays Asia Trophy on Sunday).
Reflecting on Wednesday's game, Clarke was delighted to see Dyer get on the scoresheet for the first time in a West Ham shirt.
"I thought it was a good workout for us, it was very hot out there but I thought we started very well and certainly controlled the game in the first half," he said.
"In the second half, changes were made and that automatically means the game doesn't have the same level of intensity. The big plus was no injuries and while we can be a little disappointed with the goal we let in, it's something we can keep working on
"It was good to see Kieron score. He has been working hard, as have all the players here. He likes to get forward and join in the attack. It was a great lay-off from Coley and a great finish from Kieron."
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Cole impresses Bursaspor
WHUFC.com
Bursaspor captain Omer Erdogan was impressed with Carlton Cole's performance on Wednesday night
23.07.2009
Bursaspor captain Omer Erdogan had the unenviable task of marking Carlton Cole in his side's 1-1 draw with West Ham United on Wednesday evening and was impressed by what he saw.
Cole put in a typically bullish performance as he lead the line in a 45-mintute run out for the Hammers and Omer admitted afterwards that he found that the 25-year-old England striker hard to handle.
"I think Carlton Cole is a very good player. I played against him in the defence in the first half and he is very strong and very fast. He is a quality player," Omer said.
Both sides went into the match on the back of some intensive work during their respective pre-season training camps in Austrian sunshine. After all of their efforts on the training pitch, the 32-year-old Omer, who can operate in defence or midfield, believes the match provided the perfect platform for both sets of players to gain match sharpness.
"Neither team was 100 per cent but it was a good friendly game before the season. We were tired as we had been training hard before and this is the first game we played against a Premier League team.
"The match started good for West Ham and they scored early and then we played better. I think West Ham changed more players in the second half and then we controlled the game a bit more. I think the draw was the fair result for both teams."
Kieron Dyer opened the scoring for West Ham after just three minutes, only for Turgay Bahadir to equalise for the Turkish Super Lig outfit after half-time.
West Ham United conclude their pre-season tour with a game in Slovenia against ND Nura 05 on Thursdaya fternoon. whufc.com will have live text updates from the game, which kicks-off at 4.30pm UK time.
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Green keen on China trip
WHUFC.com
He may have only been back in training for a few days, but Robert Green is excited about heading to China
23.07.2009
Robert Green is looking forward to heading to China with less than a week until West Ham United meet Tottenham Hotspur in the opening match of the Barclays Asia Trophy.
The England goalkeeper signed off for the summer last month with two appearances for Fabio Capello's team in the FIFA World Cup wins against Kazakhstan and Andorra but returned to full training last weekend. Green joined up with the rest of the West Ham squad at their pre-season camp in Austria and played his first match of the summer in Wednesday's 1-1 friendly draw against Turkish side Bursaspor.
That 45-minute run-out came exactly seven days before the 2009/10 draws into sharp focus with the high-profile match against old rivals Spurs at the Workers Stadium in the Chinese capital. Green cannot wait to see what Beijing is all about at first hand. "I have never been," he said. "It will be an interesting trip and hopefully we will get a chance to see some of the city.
"Beijing sounds like an amazing place and an experience and if we can take some positive things from it then great."
Although Green is looking forward to seeing what China has to offer, he is also well aware of the task in hand on 29 July - defeating Tottenham to earn a spot in Friday week's final against either Hull City or local side Beijing Guoan. The derby encounter will take place more than 5,000 miles from London, but there will be plenty riding on the fixture.
"The draw was kind to us," the 29-year-old, who is on an unbroken run of 88 consecutive Barclays Premier League appearances, said with a wry smile. "But I am sure everyone will be finding their feet by then. It won't be quite the same atmosphere at Upton Park and so in that respect it will be good to play and just good to get out there. We have had four weeks off and the guys have come back fit and ready to go."
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Prem quartet pursue Poulsen
Foursome chase £6m-rated Juve midfielder, with a deal imminent
By Peter Fraser Last updated: 23rd July 2009
SSN
The UK-based agent mandated by Juventus to sell Christian Poulsen has revealed to skysports.com that four Premier League clubs are chasing the midfielder. Denmark international Poulsen is surplus to requirements at Stadio Olimpico and the Serie A giants are hoping to sell for €7million (£6m) in order to finance a move for Barcelona defender Martin Caceres. Fulham, Tottenham and Portsmouth have all been linked with the defence-minded 29-year-old, while West Ham have also been credited with an interest ahead of the new season. Lee Anderson, the representative working on behalf of Juventus in England, has confirmed that a quartet of anonymous Premier League clubs have made approaches and a deal could be struck by the start of next week. He told skysports.com on Thursday: "We have had expressions of interest from four southern-based clubs in England. "We are having a meeting tonight and things could be wrapped up by Monday."
Poulsen has two years remaining on his current Juventus deal, but he is said to be willing to leave in order to secure first-team football ahead of the World Cup. There could also be a scenario which sees Poulsen leave Juventus on a season-long loan with an option for any potential new club to make the deal permanent in the future
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London calling: Chelsea old boy Eidur Gudjohnsen keen on swapping Barcelona for West Ham
By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 11:42 AM on 23rd July 2009
Daily Mail
Eidur Gudjohnsen has revealed he is tempted by a return to London as West Ham wait in the wings. The former Chelsea striker has fallen down the pecking order at Barcelona and is set to leave the Nou Camp this summer. Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola played with Gudjohnsen during their time together at Stamford Bridge. And the Italian is now lining up a move to bring Gudjohnsen to Upton Park. 'My future is a little bit uncertain,' he told The Mirror. 'I can't confirm if I am staying or leaving. I think it is a matter of time and only time will tell what will happen. 'Whether I move depends on a lot of things, but my decision will be only sporting, nothing else. I'm not at a stage where I've spoken to any other club. 'I had a great time in England and lived there for eight years so it comes natural to be back. I had a very successful spell at Chelsea.' Meanwhile, Julien Faubert could be the latest player to leave West Ham.
The France winger, who had a loan spell at Real Madrid last season, could be offered a similar deal at Schalke.
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West Ham reunion with Gianfranco Zola interests Eidur Gudjohnsen
Barcelona forward Eidur Gudjohnsen is considering a return to the Premier League with West Ham where he would be reunited with former Chelsea colleague Gianfranco Zola, now the manager at Upton Park.
Telegraph
By Telegraph staff
Published: 12:49PM BST 23 Jul 2009
Gudjohnsen has been continually linked with a move to East London and the opportunity to work with a manager whom he spent a successful three years with at Stamford Bridge. Gudjohnsen left Chelsea for Barcelona where he won the Spanish title, domestic cup and Champions League, though he has never been able to pin down a regular place in the Catalan club's first team. Premier League Transfer Talk "My future is a little bit uncertain. I can't confirm if I am staying or leaving. I think it is a matter of time and only time will tell what will happen," Gudjohnsen told the Mirror newspaper. "Whether I move depends on a lot of things, but my decision will be only sporting, nothing else. I'm not at a stage where I've spoken to any other club." "I had a great time in England and lived here for eight years so it comes natural to be back. I had a very successful spell at Chelsea." Meanwhile, Bundesliga club Schalke 04 have expressed an interest in West Ham's French winger Julien Faubert, who enjoyed an unexpected loan spell last season with Real Madrid. Zola is willing to let Faubert leave and the Germans are proposing a loan deal with a view to a permanent contract for a player who cost West Ham £6.1 million back in July 2007.
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Dyer and Jiminez impress for Hammers
5:48pm Thursday 23rd July 2009
Guardian Series
West Ham 1 Bursaspor 1
(Friendly)
KIERON DYER grabbed his first goal for West Ham in last night's draw in Austria during a game which also saw a debut for summer signing Luis Jiminez. England midfielder Dyer put the Hammers ahead in Bad Rakersburg after just three minutes and continued to impress during his hour-long outing, showing plenty of signs that he is returning to form in time for the new season. He collected a superb pass from defender James Collins and finished coolly. Jiminez was also on show for the first time, and he showed glimpses of the skill that has caught the eye of Gianfranco Zola during his 80 minute stint. Bursaspor's Turgay Bahadir levelled nine minutes after the break before Zola rung the changes, with Savio, Zavon Hines, Marek Stech, Josh Payne, Bonz N'Gala, Jordan Spence, Oliver Lee and Georg Grasser all getting run-outs.
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Spurs and West Ham lead chase for Juventus midfielder Christian Poulsen
By Sportsmail Reporter Last updated at 12:20 AM on 24th July 2009
Daily Mail
Fulham, West Ham, Tottenham and Portsmouth are in talks over a possible deal for Juventus midfielder Christian Poulsen. The 29-year-old Dane is available for £6million but the clubs are exploring the possibility of a loan. Lee Anderson, the representative working on behalf of Juventus in England, said: 'We have had expressions of interest from four southern-based clubs in England. 'We are having a meeting tonight and things could be wrapped up by Monday.'
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Dean Ashton faces axe at West Ham after Gianfranceo Zola fitness fears
The Mirror
By Darren Lewis 24/07/2009
Dean Ashton faces an uncertain future at West Ham after his boss Gianfranco Zola axed him from the club's preseason plans. Hammers chiefs were unhappy with the England striker's fitness when he reported back for training and left him out of their 10-day trip to Austria - despite taking other injured players. Mirror Sport understands Ashton will also be frozen out of the club's forthcoming trip to China, where they will play Spurs and Hull or Beijing. Senior figures at Upton Park are frustrated at
Ashton's inability to even train and it is understood Zola is planning for the new season without the £7million man. Ashton - who has had an ankle injury since last season - has made just 46 appearances for West Ham in four seasons and is on £70,000 a week. He signed a new five-year deal at Upton Park last season yet has never played for Zola or even trained since September last year. Zola is stepping up his efforts to bring in Eidur Gudjohnsen because Ashton's injury problems mean Carlton Cole and Luis Jimenez are the Hammers' only experienced frontmen. Stoke are keen on Ashton, 25, and could now renew their attempts to sign him.
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Lucas Neill set to reveal playing futureJuly 24, 2009 - 5:44PM
News.com.smh.au
Socceroos captain Lucas Neill is reportedly close to deciding where his playing future lies. The former West Ham captain has reportedly refused to take a pay cut to re-sign with the Hammers and now looks likely to leave the London club. He has been strongly linked in the English press with a move to Turkish club Galatasaray, where he would join up with Australia teammate Harry Kewell. Paddy Dominguez, of Neill's management company Inspire Sports, said there were also other "very big clubs" in the market for the 31-year-old defender. "We are hoping in and around the next 48 hours that Lucas will make a decision," Dominguez told The Age. "There are a couple of very big clubs who have also shown interest." Neill recently resumed talks with West Ham with the hope of staying under Gianfranco Zola after his contract expired at the end of the season. But reports in England suggest he has been unable to agree to a contract and will leave on a free transfer.
As well as Galatasaray, his former club Blackburn and cashed-up Manchester City have been mentioned as other possible destinations. With the start of the European season only three weeks away, Neill, and fellow off-contract Australian Mark Viduka, need to sort out their futures quickly. Viduka is believed to be keen to remain in England after Newcastle were relegated from the Premier League and has been linked to Hull City and Portsmouth.
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Gianfranco Zola dilemma over Dean Ashton's future
Evening Standard
24.07.09
Dean Ashton's future at West Ham is in fresh doubt after speculation increased that he will be sold in this transfer window. The 26-year-old striker, a target for Stoke and Sunderland, was left out of the club's trip to Austria and Slovenia. Boss Gianfranco Zola must now decide whether to include him for next week's Barclays Asia Trophy in China. A youthful Hammers team drew 0-0 last night with ND Mura in Slovenia.
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Ashton & Neill: It's Decision Time
West Ham Till I Die
The Dean Ashton spin machine has been cranked up a gear in the last 24 hours. According to both the Standard and the Mirror he has been "left out" of the club's pre season tour to Austria and will be "frozen out" of the club's forthcoming trip to China.
Rubbish. His agent is doing him no favours by talking to newspapers in these terms.
Zola wanted Ashton on the trip to Austria even if he couldn't play, as he regarded it as an important bonding session for the players. The club also wants him to go to China on Sunday. Any suggestion that he has been frozen out is ludicrous.
But if the club were losing patience with Ashton it would be entirely understandable. According to Rob Shepherd on TalkSport this morning, the player has shunned the club's treatment regime, preferring to take advice from his own medical team.
The reappearance of an ankle injury doesn't seem to have put off Stoke City though, although they will no doubt be using it hack down the price. Ashton has made it clear to various people that he wants out, yet no one seems to know why. The club has stuck by him through thick and thin, has payed him £65k a week to sit on a treatment table and yet he seems to think that loyalty is a one way street.
I know for a fact that Zola very much saw him as part of his plans. But he's never seen him play and has never had him available for selection. It would not therefore be surprising if Zola treated his departure with a massive shrug of the shoulders.
I never thought I would see the day when I would say that I wanted to see the back of Dean Ashton. He's one of the few natural goalscorers the club has had over the last few years. But he's costing us upwards of £3 million a year in wages. If a player doesn't want to play for the club we should sell him - but not at any price. Stoke must be made to pay the going rate for a player with the kind of goalscoring record Ashton has.
And now onto Lucas Neill. His agent says his player will make the decision within the next 48 hours. I'd say: too late. The club has offered him terms, and from what I understand that same offer is still on the table and hasn't been improved. If Neill was going to accept it, he should have done so at the beginning of the month. he didn't. He cannot now expect to waltz into pre season training half way through and resume his captaincy of the club. That role has now passed to Matthew Upson and must stay with him.
We have three players who can play at right back in Gabbidon (who has done well in Austria), Spector, Behrami and Spence.
The club is concentrating on getting in at least one striker rather than looking at defenders. Gudjohnsen, Bojan and Mancini are all still distinct possibilities, with Gudjohnsen the favourite to sign first.
The next week should be quite an exciting one, with at least one player coming in and the club leaving on Sunday for the tour to China.
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West Ham hung out to dry as the pound sign remains king
Posted by: GUEST BLOGGER , on Thu 23 Jul 2009
West Ham Football Fancast
Football FanCast guest columnist Dean McCann feels that West Ham are being left hung out to dry by Lucas Neill.
I suppose we should have known better, I mean after all he did arrive at West Ham after turning down the possibility of Champions League football at Liverpool, that Lucas Neill is dictated by the pound sign. I suppose there was a little part of me that thought that after our turnaround of fortunes and the bright future we seemingly had under Zola that the Australian will see Upton Park as the place to be and commit himself to the club for the rest of his career. Unfortunately he is refusing to take a pay cut and subsequently Zola probably now has to go out and look for a replacement.
It still amazes me that in a world where footballers are multi millionaires that they still hanker for the most money as it's their only incentive. Footballers bang on that they have a short career blah, blah, but the vast majority have accumulated enough money to retire for two lifetimes; it is simply pure greed on the player's part and yet another sorry chapter in the way football is going into decline.
I guess too many we have made a rod for our own back here and in many ways our current financial plight is evidence of the mismanagement of the previous regime, where high wages were the order of the day. Neill must have surely realised that we are in no position to pay him what he was on before given the financial turmoil we are in. It seems to me that the player is using us as some sort of insurance policy, in case he didn't get a higher offer elsewhere but now Galatasaray have reportedly tempting him away we are left high and dry with the season merely three weeks away. It is disgraceful the way we have been treated, but should we have expected any different.
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