Wednesday, January 14

Daily WHUFC News - II 14th January 2009

Dyer pleased with performance
WHUFC.com
Alex Dyer was happy with the reserve team's goalless draw at league leaders
Aston Villa on Tuesday
14.01.2009

Alex Dyer was delighted with his reserve-team's resilient showing after a
tight defensive display helped earn a 0-0 draw at league leaders Aston
Villa.

The 18-year-old goalkeeper Marek Stech was one of the main reasons the
Hammers left the Midlands with a point, although the five defenders in front
of him also contributed in a big way. The Czech Under-21 stopper made a
string of superb saves to deny the home side, who had offered plenty of
invention going forward at Hinckley United's Marston's Stadium.

Time and again, Villa found their attacks halted by the brilliance of Stech
and defenders James Tomkins, Bondz N'Gala, Jordan Spence, Walter Lopez and
Jonathan Spector - who played as part of a five-man back line in the first
half. Despite having to reshuffle after the break when Lopez was forced to
leave the field with a slight groin stain, United stood firm.

The performance of his defenders was just one of many plusses for Dyer, who
saw his namesake Kieron play another 70 minutes to continue his steady
progress in recovering from injury while Diego Tristan also got another 90
minutes under his belt.

"It was a great point for West Ham," the reserve-team manager said. "The
boys worked hard again and there were lots of positives. Kieron getting
another 60 or 70 minutes, Diego Tristan getting 90 minutes and Jonathan
Spector coming back and playing really well again. Obviously Marek in goal
was excellent tonight so overall I thought we did well."

Dyer's side have a proud 100 per cent record at home this season, but
Tuesday night's point was their first on the road so far. No doubt they will
be trying to close the gap on Villa at the top next Tuesday, when they play
host to Fulham at Bishop's Stortford.

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Zola in tapping-up storm?
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 14th January 2009
By: Staff Writer

The Hammers could face charges of 'tapping up' Manchester City striker
Valeri Bojinov after the player claimed he had spoken with Gianfranco Zola
about a possible move to East London. The 22-year-old Bulgarian
international signed for City in August 2007 but has seen his career in
Manchester wrecked by injury. A long-running achilles injury has restricted
Bojinov to just three appearances for the club since signing in a
£5.75million switch from Juventus. But now, according to the player,
Gianfranco Zola has been in touch with regard to taking him to West Ham -
something, that if true, would appear to flout Premier League rules with
regards to appraoching players from member clubs. "Two days ago, Zola called
me on my mobile and told me that he wants me at West Ham," Bojinov is
reported to have told the Bulgarian press, according to the Manchester
Evening News. "I answered that I feel great in Manchester and don't want to
leave the team. I'm happy the City management values me. The only thing I
want is to be healthy again, so that I can prove myself. "Mark Hughes told
me that Zola wants me but City made it perfectly clear that they don't want
to sell me."
Bojinov has been mentioned in dispatches as a possible makeweight in a
potential deal to take Craig Bellamy to City, where he would reunite with
former Blackburn boss and fellow Welshman Mark Hughes. However City appear
to be determined to hold on to a player that, despite his horrendous injury
problems, they believe can still make an impact in the Premier League.

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Roeder fired - again
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 14th January 2009
By: Staff Writer

Former Hammers boss Glenn Roeder has been sacked by Norwich City after a run
of poor results.

Roeder, who managed West Ham between 2001 and 2003 received his marching
order this morning following Norwich's FA Cup exit at the hands of Charlton,
who had gone 18 games without a win prior to last night.

Despite being the only English manager to take two different teams to top
seven finishes in the Premier League Norwich become the fourth club to fire
Roeder, who had previously enjoyed spells with Gillingham, Watford, West Ham
and Newcastle.

His spell at West Ham, which began promisingly with a seventh place finish -
the club's fifth best ever in the top flight - ended when he was sacked
three games into the 2003/04 season, just weeks after he collapsed during
West Ham's 1-0 win over Middlesbrough in April 2003.

His career has been dogged by bad luck, having taken over his last four
clubs just as they began to experience severe financial problems. His
critics, whilst on the whole agreeing that he has solid coaching credentials
argue that he was never cut out for management. Indeed, given today's news
it is difficult to see a way back for the former Newcastle defender.

Glenn Roeder - managerial record

Gillingham (1992-93)

Having saved the Gills from relegation to non-league football by virtue of
winning their final game of the 1991/92 season he was poached by Division
One (now The Championship) club Watford.

Watford (1993-96)

Roeder built a good side during his time at Vicarage Road and narrowly
missed out on the play-offs in his second season in charge. However huge
financial problems led to the Hornets selling some of their best players and
Roeder was sacked the following season with the club in danger of being
relegated.

West Ham United (2001-03)

Roeder, backed financially by the Hammers board achieved a seventh place
finish in his first season at West Ham. But having been granted a transfer
budget of precisely nothing the following season his side went six months
without a home win and despite much improved form in the second half of the
season were relegated on a record 42 points. Roeder was fired three games
inot the 2003/04 season.

Newcastle United (2006-07)

Roeder, having initially been appointed as a coach replaced the sacked
Graeme Souness and rescued the Magpies' season, taking them from the lower
reaches of the Premiership table to a respectable seventh place finish. They
qualified for Europe the following summer via the Intertoto Cup -
Newcastle's only trophy since 1969 - but Roeder was fired in the 06/06
season following a disappointing run of results brought on by an injury
crisis (and despite achieving a win rate of 45%, a figure bettered by just
Bobby Robson at St James Park in the last 20 years).

Norwich City (2007-09)

Roeder was appointed as successor to former Hammers assistant managwer Peter
Grant two months into the 07/08 season with the Canaries four points adrift
at the bottom of the Championship. A 13-match unbeaten run saw them to the
verge of the play-offs but City's form dropped and they ended the season
just outside of the relegation zone. Having been forced to release a virtual
entire first team Norwich struggled this season, and defeat at home to
basement boys Charlton last night led to Roeder receiving his marching
orders for the fourth time in his career.

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City say no to Bojinov swap
Striker will not be involved in swap deal for Bellamy or Parker
By Elliot Ball Last updated: 14th January 2009
SSN

Manchester City will not allow Valeri Bojinov to leave for West Ham as a
makeweight in any deal for Craig Bellamy or Scott Parker. Sky Sports News
chief news reporter Bryan Swanson revealed City's second bid of £9million
for Bellamy was turned down on Sunday. In the latest twist in the ongoing
dialogue between the two clubs, it has emerged that Upton Park boss
Gianfranco Zola has been in touch personally with Bulgaria international
Bojinov. But the injured striker says boss Mark Hughes has reassured him
that he will not be leaving Eastlands in January. "Two days ago, Zola called
me on my mobile and told me that he wants me in West Ham," Bojinov told
Bulgarian media. "I answered that I feel great in Manchester City and don't
want to leave the team. I'm happy the City management values me. The only
thing I want is to be healthy again, so that I can prove myself. "Mark
Hughes told me that Zola wants me but City made it perfectly clear that they
don't want to sell me."
Bojinov, who has been out of the side since he ruptured his Achilles in the
warm-up for the opening game of the season at Villa Park, is expected to be
back in training with the first-team squad in the next month.

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Fulham star looking forward to West Ham clash
3:20pm Wednesday 14th January 2009
Echo
By Simon Fitzjohn »

Fulham defender John Pantsil insists it will be business as usual when the
Cottagers visit Upton Park on Sunday, despite him being a former West Ham
fan favourite. Pantsil has produced a series of all-action displays since
his summer switch across London, part of an impressive backline that has
driven Fulham's promising opening to the Premier League campaign. And the
Ghana international has vowed that that will continue. Pantsil said: "For me
playing West Ham is normal - it is still just football. "Obviously I played
for West Ham but that makes no difference to me. "I play for Fulham - that
is who I represent. "I will be very happy to see the West Ham fans as I love
them so much. "They were really behind me when I was there and they gave me
a lot of support. "But when the game starts I will be trying my hardest to
get the points for Fulham."
Roy Hodgson's men will be looking to extend their unbeaten record to 11
games when they travel to the Hammers. And Pantsil reckons it is the spirit
that Hodgson has fostered that is driving the club forward. He added: "The
manager keeps everybody focussed. "We play as a team and that is working
very well for us - when you start to play as individuals then you have
problems. "We all respect each other and we will always be there for each
other. "We are united. "The team is like a family and we all consider each
other as brothers. "I do not think anything can go wrong for us."
Fulham's move up the table has raised eyebrows across the nation, with the
Londoners on the fringes of the European places. And the right-back is
confident they have what it takes to succeed. Pantsil added: "We know where
we want to be come the end of the season. "Our target is to finish in the
top half of the table, and we certainly think we can finish in the top ten -
no doubt about that."

Fulham's next three matches: Jan 18 West Ham (a), 24 Kettering Town (FAC,
a), 27 Sunderland (a)

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Davenport move is in the balance
BedfordToday.co.uk
Published Date: 14 January 2009

Bedford-born centre-half Calum Davenport's proposed move to Bolton Wanderers
from West Ham United looks to have fallen through. The 26-year-old England
U21 international, who has also played for Spurs, had reportedly looked set
for a switch to the Reebok Stadium after falling down the pecking order at
Upton Park. But negotiations seem to have stalled for the player, who last
season coached Gloucester Arms to D&V Millward Cup glory.

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Roeder Sacked by Norwich
West Ham Till I Die

Glen Roeder has just lost his job as manager of Norwich City. I got a lot of
flack from Norwich fans when I wrote in my Eastern Daily Press column that
the club would come to regret his appointment. The insults which Norwich
fans left on this blog had to be seen to be believed. Since then, I have had
a trickle of emails telling me I was right all along. Last Saturday, this is
what I wrote in my latest EDP column…

Back when Glenn Roeder was appointed manager of Norwich City I issued some
dire warnings about his abilities and the likelihood that he would get off
to a great start but then the troubles would really start. The abuse I got
via email and my blog from Norwich City fans was breathtaking. My downbeat
predictions came as a result of my own experience of Mr Roeder when he
managed my club West Ham. Since then, I have had a trickle of emails from
Norwich fans all saying the same thing: "I was one of those who slagged you
off when you wrote bad things about Glenn Roeder, but I now realize you are
right." It was Enoch Powell who said that all political careers end in
failure. The same could be said of football managers. There are very few who
have the wisdom and self knowledge to get out at the top. Most are sacked in
after appalling failure. In Roeder's case he has left every club he has
managed in a far worse position than when he took over. At Norwich he has
totally reformed the team and despite bringing in some good players has been
unable to get the most out of them. I have just read the autobiography of
former Arsenal and England player Kenny Sansom, who was Roeder's number two
at Watford. Any football club director who reads that chapter would never
give Roeder a job in football again. At the time of writing, Norwich lie a
precarious two points above the relegation trap door. The directors now have
a big judgement call to make. Do they give him until the end of the season
or do they risk things getting worse? I know which way my decision would
fall.

Call me Mystic Meg, if you like. Did I see a cab for Mr Curbishley heading
up the A11?

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Faubert. My Agent is in talks with....
Setanta.co.uk
by Laurent Picard , 14 January 2009

West Ham midfielder Julien Faubert says his agent is in talks with possible
suitors. Former Bordeaux star Faubert has grown frustrated by his lack of
action with The Hammers, and he is seriously thinking of a January move away
from Upton Park. The one-time France international has revealed that his
representative is holding talks with a number of clubs that are interested
in his services. Faubert has also claimed that his boss Gianfranco Zola has
told him he relies on him, but the midfielder is disgusted not to have
appeared against Newcastle. Faubert told French radio station RMC: "Zola has
said he relies on me, but I don't see anything coming. I didn't play against
Newcastle and I don't know what he is up to.
"Right now my agent is discussing with clubs. Playing for a club such as
Lyon is my priority to re-launch my international career. "But the problem
is that my selling price is very high."

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MORTE'S HULL OF A MOVE
The Daily Star

HULL will sign Luis Boa Morte from West Ham in the next 24 hours after
agreeing a £2m fee for the Portuguese star. The forward travelled to the KC
Stadium last night to undergo a medical and discuss personal terms with the
Tigers. The cash-strapped Hammers have decided to cut their losses on the
former Fulham player who cost them £5m from Craven Cottage in 2007 but has
failed to shine at Upton Park. He becomes boss Phil Brown's first signing of
the transfer window and the 31-year-old is expected to be followed by
Wigan's Kevin Kilbane once a fee is agreed. Boa Morte is not expected to
feature in tonight's FA Cup third-round replay at Newcastle. But Brown said:
"We've made progress. The clubs have agreed terms on Luis Boa Morte and
we're trying to agree terms on Kevin Kilbane."

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Feeling Blue?
Newham Recorder
14 January 2009

MONEYBAGS Manchester City will test the resolve of the West Ham United board
for a third time this week as they prepare another bid for Welsh
international Craig Bellamy, writes DAVE EVANS. After an initial joint offer
for Bellamy and midfielder Scott Parker was turned down flat, City stepped
up the pressure with a reputed £9.2million bid for the Welsh skipper which
was rejected earlier this week. But under-pressure City boss Mark Hughes is
determined to land the 29-year-old striker, who he coached at both Blackburn
Rovers and Wales, and he is set to come back with a bid of around
£12million. The Hammers have been consistent in their statements, claiming
they do not want to, and do not have to sell their best players, but with
the club set to face another inquiry into the Carlos Tevez affair later this
year and cash-strapped owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson looking to release funds
from the assets he has left, a £12million bid may be difficult to turn down.
One bid that was always likely to be accepted was the one that seems set to
send Luis Boa Morte to Hull City. The Tigers had an offer of around
£1.5million accepted for the 32-year-old former Portuguese international
winger, and if he can agree personal terms, he will be set for the KC
Stadium. Boa Morte never found his old Fulham form in his two years at Upton
Park, playing some 66 games, but scoring just one goal. He became a subject
for the West Ham boo-boys and though he always gave 100 per cent, it was
clear that his best days were long since gone. Manager Gianfranco Zola may
well have been happy to see Boa Morte on his way, but he will certainly not
be keen to see his better players leaving in January. "Obviously it would be
disappointing if this team was broken up," he said. "It has grown up through
very difficult and bad times, but it has put a lot of problems behind it.
"The players have been fantastic. Having been a footballer, I know that it's
not easy to concentrate and perform when you have so many rumours flying
around."
If that is true, then West Ham fans are in for a treat when the rumours stop
and Bellamy, who has six goals to his name this season, can concentrate on
his football! Whether that benefits the Hammers or Manchester City, remains
to be seen.

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Matt's your lot!
Newham Recorder
14 January 2009

IT WAS one of the greatest moments in West Ham's recent history, writes DAVE
EVANS. May 30, 2005, just before the hour mark in the play-off final against
Preston North End at the Millennium Stadium and Matty Etherington received
the ball on the left flank. He darted forward, his low cross evaded two
Preston defenders and Bobby Zamora pounced to shoot West Ham ahead and back
into the Premier League. So last week's departure of the nippy little winger
to Stoke City in a £2million deal, took a little piece of that history away
from Upton Park, and left many fans thinking about what might have been for
a man who was the club's longest serving player until last week.
Etherington, who arrived as part of the deal that took Freddie Kanoute to
Spurs, had already had success with West Ham before that Preston game,
helping the Hammers to the play-off final the previous season, where they
missed out against Crystal Palace.
Along the way he collected the Hammer of the Year and Hammers News player of
the year awards and a bright career and maybe international honours seemed a
possibility. But in the end the overriding feeling after the departure of
the 27-year-old, is one of a wasted talent. His 195 appearances in claret
and blue yielded just 18 goals - two of them this season - but at the moment
when he should be at the top of his game, he is having to rebuild his
career. Etherington's demise was two-fold. First, he found himself missing
too many games through niggly injuries, and second, and perhaps more
importantly, his off the field problems seemed to seriously affect his
ability to concentrate fully on the game. It must be hard enough trying to
give everything in the Premier League as it is, but when you are worrying
about how much you owe the bookies, or how much you are down in a card
school, then it must be almost impossible to put in consistently decent
performances. Etherington has tried to fight his gambling problems, and he
may well conquer them in the future, but it was always going to be difficult
to do that while he stayed at West Ham and therefore a move may well be just
what he needs.
A fee of just £2million shows just how far the winger has struggled over the
last couple of seasons, but West Ham fans will remember him as the player
who played in the FA Cup Final against Liverpool, who played in Europe for
the club, who claimed the Hammer of the Year award in 2004, and most of all,
for crossing the ball for Zamora to fire West Ham back into the Premier
League. He made his Stoke debut against Liverpool on Satur-day evening and
was given the man of the match award in a 0-0 draw. Hammers fans will
certainly wish him well, though not when West Ham make the trip to the
Britannia Stadium in May. Another May match-winning cross from the wing man
would be more than the Hammers' fan could bear.

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Brum deal as Bowyer is off
Newham Recorder
14 January 2009

LEE BOWYER'S loan move to Birmingham could herald the possibility of three
permanent moves from West Ham to St Andrew's. The 32-year-old midfielder,
who played his last game in claret and blue in the home defeat by Aston
Villa last month, has until the end of the end of the season to impress
Birmingham manager Alex McLeish enough to earn a permanent contract. And
before the January transfer window is out, the Blues may well have added
loan signing Nigel Quashie and defender Calum Davenport to their permanent
squad. Quashie, who last played for West Ham in April 2007, has played 10
games for promotion-chasing Birmingham and will be looking for a full-time
contract when his loan deal runs out in a couple of week's time. Davenport,
meanwhile, had been interesting Birmingham before the defender seemed to
have sealed a deal with Bolton Wanderers, but with that falling through,
City may well come back into the equation.
For Bowyer though, his second spell at West Ham, was almost as frustrating
as the first, when a niggly injury meant he could not find the form to
prevent the Hammers from being relegated back in the 2002-03 season. This
time round injuries have left him on the sidelines for long periods and his
hopes of forming a central midfield partnership with Scott Parker were
constantly dashed. He played 50 times for the Hammers during this spell,
scoring five goals, but even if things don't work out at Birmingham City, it
is almost certain that he will be surplus to requirements at Upton Park in
the summer. Bowyer missed out on his debut for the Blues on Saturday as
their match with Blackpool at Bloomfield Road was postponed.

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Knives are out for Hammers again
Newham Recorder
14 January 2009

CARLOS TEVEZ may have given a lot of joy to a lot of West Ham fans with that
dramatic winner at Old Trafford to ensure Premier League survival, but there
must be few Hammers fans left who think his arrival was a good thing.
Already fined £5.5million for misleading the Premier League over his
registration, West Ham will also probably have to pay millions in
compensation to Sheffield United over their relegation after an independent
panel ruled in the Blades' favour. And now the club faces the prospect of a
further hefty fine and even a points deduction for next season after it was
announced that a new inquiry would be held jointly by the FA and the Premier
League. The motives for this latest action seem a little unclear. The events
happened in 2006 and 2007 and the Hammers already seemed to have been
punished twice for their misdemeanours.
But it seems that a power struggle between the FA and the Premier League is
about to explode and West Ham have been caught in the middle.
The latest allegations concern Hammers' actions after the £5.5million fine
was imposed on the club. They guaranteed the Premier League that their
illegal third party contracts with Kia Joorabchian's MSI company had been
torn up allowing Tevez to play the last three matches of the season, but the
Iranian businessman's lawyer - Graham Shear - suggested to the most recent
hearing into the case, that West Ham chief executive Scott Duxbury had
verbally assured him that the contract was still in place. The chairman of
that panel - Lord Griffith - summed up the position: "If the Premier League
had known what Mr Duxbury was saying to Mr Joorabchian's solicitor following
the commission decision, we are confident that the Premier League would have
suspended Mr Tevez's registration as a West Ham player."
The word of one man against another seems the flimsiest of evidence on which
to condemn West Ham, but nevertheless it is that statement that has prompted
this latest inquiry. A statement from the club read: "West Ham United will
co-operate fully with the joint inquiry convened by the FA and Premier
League. "We have acted in good faith throughout the various inquiries and
investigations into this matter and fulfilled the undertakings to the
Premier League following the initial penalty. "We have nothing to hide and
will ensure that this is once again reflected in our evidence to the FA and
the Premier League."
However faithfully they have acted in the past, and that is a matter of some
considerable debate, it seems that this is not going to go away until
everyone has had their pound of flesh. Fulham and Wigan are waiting in the
wings for their own day in court, while like a boxer on the ropes, West Ham
continue to take the punches and insist that all is well, when their legs
are wobbling underneath them. Remember Tevez scoring that goal on the last
day of the season? Who wishes they didn't?

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Valon: 'It felt like a defeat'
Newham Recorder
14 January 2009

WEST HAM'S Swiss midfielder Valon Behrami returned to the first team at
Newcastle on Saturday with yet another accomplished display, but he was
still unhappy with the result. "I think the emotion I felt when the game was
finished was disappointment because we could have won the game," said
Behrami, who was rested for the FA Cup victory over Barnsley. "If we had
won, we would have been in a very, very good position. I think we showed the
right mentality, but we should not be happy with this result." That sort of
attitude is a far cry from the gloom of earlier in the season when nothing
seemed to be going right for the Hammers away from home. The 23-year-old
accepted that expectation has changed since those times: "Maybe we would
have been happier with this point earlier in the season, but we had the
opportunities to close the game out, so we are a little bit disappointed,"
he said.
* MEANWHILE, West Ham have been forced to change two more of their Premier
League fixtures. Their home clash with Manchester City, scheduled for
Saturday, February 28, has been put back 24 hours to Sunday, March 1 as City
are playing in the UEFA Cup the previous Thursday.
The game will kick off at 12.30pm, as the Carling Cup Final is being played
later that afternoon. The fixture change means that the trip to Bolton has
now been put back 24 hours to Wednesday, March 4, with a 7.45pm kick off.

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Sunday's big match preview
Newham Recorder
14 January 2009

ONE TO WATCH: Clint Dempsey.
West Ham United v Fulham
Sunday, January 18, 1.30pm
Upton Park

SOME OLD acquaintances you loathe and detest and never want to see again -
Jermain Defoe and Frank Lampard for instance. But it is likely to be a very
different scenario on Sunday when some old friends make the journey across
London to Upton Park. Bobby Zamora, a Hammers fan who took the club back
into the Premier League with his winner in the play-off final, will no doubt
receive a hero's welcome - as long as he doesn't score! While John Pantsil
became a cult hero at Upton Park with his eccentric antics on the field and
his ability to keep trying when his lack of talent let him down. Add to that
Paul Konchesky and former Academy boy Jimmy Bullard and there looks to be
plenty of spice for Sunday's London derby clash. Roy Hodgson has been at
Craven Cottage for just over a year now and in that time seems to have
turned them from something of a shambles under Law-rie Sanchez, to a
well-organised team capable of holding their own in the Premier League.
After initially splashing out on Scandinavian players, he opted for
personnel with more Premier League experience in the summer, bringing in
Zamora, Pantsil, Dickson Etuhu and Andy Johnson for a combined £18.3million.
It has certainly done the trick. They are currently on a 10-match unbeaten
run which includes wins over Newcastle, Spurs, Middlesbrough and Sheffield
Wednesday in the FA Cup as well as draws against Liverpool, Aston Villa,
Man-chester City, Stoke, Spurs and Chelsea.
The emphasis on the team has meant that there have been no outstanding
players in the Fulham ranks. Johnson, who was sent off at the Cottage
against the Hammers back in September, has six goals to his name, while
Clint Dempsey has impressed with four, but Zamora has struggled to find the
net, having managed just the one. History though suggests that West Ham may
have the upper hand in this clash. They competed the double over the
Cottagers last year and have already won there this season. In fact they
have a seven-match unbeaten run against the west Londoners that they will be
keen to improve. It all points to a close game, but if West Ham can continue
their recent run of fine displays, especially with their strikers in top
form, then they should nick it.

Probable team: Schwarzer, Pantsil, Hangeland, Hughes, Konchesky, Davies,
Bullard, Murphy, Dempsey, Johnson, Zamora.

Prediction: West Ham 2 Fulham 1

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Daily WHUFC News - 14th January 2009

Stanislas set for big night
WHUFC.com
Gianfranco Zola is looking forward to seeing Junior Stanislas take on
Chelsea in the FA Cup this evening
13.01.2009

Junior Stanislas will get the chance to shine on a big stage on Wednesday
night when his loan club Southend United take on Chelsea live on TV.

The young winger has been impressive with the Essex outfit - scoring three
goals in six games - and, with the FA Cup third-round replay at Roots Hall
being broadcast across the country, it is a chance to underline his
potential to a wider audience. The England Under-19 international is just
starting out but will relish the chance to again take on some of the world's
top talent after the 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge on 3 January.

Gianfranco Zola will be among those watching and the manager is excited for
his young charge, who can perform effectively in an advanced role on either
wing. That said, he is mindful not to expect too much too soon from a good
prospect still learning his trade. Zola said: "It is a big match for him
this week and I really hope he can do well. It will be tough but it is an
experience that could take him to a different level."

Stanislas established himself last season as a regular in the West Ham
United reserve side alongside James Tomkins, Jack Collison and Freddie Sears
and also made his name as a set-piece specialist. He took that on at the
start of this season and a key moment came when he struck a superb volley in
front of Zola to help the second string to a 1-0 defeat of Arsenal back in
October.

The loan to Southend followed soon after for the 19-year-old south Londoner,
who has been at the Boleyn Ground since he was eleven, and his manager
believes the loan experience is doing him the world of good. "It is great
for him. I know he is doing very well over there. It is a good experience
and I am sure it will help him to grow as a footballer. We are very pleased
with how he is getting on so far."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Stech heroics deny Villa
WHUFC.com
Young Czech goalkeeper Marek Stech produced a stunning display for Alex
Dyer's reserves
13.01.2009

Aston Villa Reserves 0-0 West Ham United Reserves

Marek Stech enjoyed the best performance of his West Ham United career to
earn the Hammers a hard-fought goalless Barclays Premier Reserve League
South draw at Aston Villa on Tuesday evening.

The Czech Republic Under-19 international goalkeeper, named in Gianfranco
Zola's Premier League matchday squad for the first time at Newcastle United
on Saturday, produced a series of stunning saves to keep the Villans at bay.
The youngster, who turns 19 on 28 January, was equal to everything the home
side threw at him at Hinckley United's neat Marston's Stadium.

United manager Alex Dyer named an experienced side containing four full
internationals in Kieron Dyer, Diego Tristan, Jonathan Spector and Walter
Lopez against a youthful Villa lineup. Under-19 internationals Stech, Jordan
Spence and Freddie Sears were also involved from the start, while Josh Payne
was back in central midfield following his successful loan spell at League
One outfit Cheltenham Town.

Table-toppers Villa were the better side for long periods, with Scotland
Under-21 International Barry Bannan pulling the strings in central midfield.
Accordingly, it was the 19-year-old Glaswegian who had the game's first
clear chance on four minutes, forcing Stech into an acrobatic save with a
rising shot from 20 yards. The talented playmaker was also heavily involved
in a 16th-minute move that ended with Dominik Hofbauer shooting straight at
the Czech goalkeeper.

At the other end, Tristan came close to giving the visitors the lead on
three occasions before the break. First, on ten minutes, the Spaniard ended
a lightning quick counterattack involving Stech, Tony Stokes and Dyer by
forcing Taylor to scramble behind his fiercely hit long-range strike. Then,
a minute either side of Hofbauer's chance, the 32-year-old flicked Lopez's
right-wing corner narrowly over at the near post and forced Taylor into
another smart stop from distance.

The hosts, whose neat interplay in and around the Hammers penalty area
caught the eye, thought they had taken the lead on 22 minutes. Sam Williams
buried the loose ball after Stech had superbly pushed aside Tobias
Mikaelsson's rasping shot, only to be denied by the assistant referee's
offside flag. Villa went close twice more before the break, with the lively
Marc Albrighton floating a speculative chip over the crossbar before Stech
again did well to hold on to Andreas Weimann's low shot.

Dyer made a change in both personnel and shape at half-time, replacing
Uruguayan wing-back Lopez with striker Jack Jeffrey and reverting to a 4-3-3
formation. The alterations nearly paid dividends four minutes into the
second period when Stokes was teed up by Tristan, but Taylor was equal to
his well-struck shot from just outside the penalty area.

Stech produced another superb save on 53 minutes, diving full-length to tip
Albrighton's deflected shot around the post as Villa upped the pressure
again. The hosts came close again 20 minutes later, but the goalkeeper was
out smartly to deny Hofbauer.

England attacker Dyer, who continued his comeback after 16 months out with a
broken leg with a lively showing, was replaced by Holmar Eyjolfsson with 15
minutes remaining, while Stokes also made way for Tom Harvey. But the
changes failed to halt Villa's charge. Thankfully, Stech continued to
produce outstanding save after outstanding save to deny the home side
victory.

The Czech Republic Under-19 international had to be at his very best 14
minutes from time, keeping Villa at bay twice in the space of less than 30
seconds, tipping Williams' powerful header over before gratefully clutching
Shane Lowry's powerful effort to his chest. Tomkins then produced a fine
last-ditch block to deny Weimann.

The evening ended on a sour note for the Hammers as Payne was carried off on
a stretcher with a leg injury late on, forcing United to play out the final
eight minutes with just ten men.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Reserves 0-0 Aston Villa FT
WHUFC.com
West Ham United reserves earn a credible 0-0 draw at league leaders Aston
Villa on Tuesday night
13.01.2009

Barclays Premier Reserve League South
The Marston's Stadium
Tuesday 13 January
Kick-off: 7pm

Final score: Aston Villa 0-0 West Ham United

FULL TIME - Yes it is. A fantastic defensive display from Alex Dyer's men
keeps the league leaders at bay on their home pitch. The clean sheet largely
down to the superb performance of Marek Stech, who arguably had his finest
game in a West Ham United shirt.

90 min - Two minutes of added time. Is it going to be honours even here?

89 min - We nearly do! Another brilliant tackle from Tomkins denies Weimann,
but the No6 concedes a corner in the process. It is swung in but headed just
wide of Stech's near post.

88 min - Are we going to see a dramatic winner here tonight?

84 min - Great header clear by Tomkins. The young centre back has been at
the heart of resilient United rearguard tonight and if they can keep the
score as it is it would be a good result to take back to London.

83 min - The United No11 is unable to continue and is carried off to a loud
round of applause from both sets of fans.

82 min - A break in the game as Payne receives treatment allows all here to
catch their breath. It has been an entertaining encounter with plenty of
goalmouth action.

79 min - Villa make their first change as Mikaelsson departs for James
Collins - who should not be mistaken for the United defender of the same
name!

76 min - More heriocs from Stech. First he tips away a header from Sam
Williams for a corner. Straight away he thwarts the home side again by
catching Lowry's header.

75 min - Dyer makes his last two changes. Homar Eyjolfsson comes on for
Dyer, who has shown some neat touches. The other change sees Tom Harvey
replace Stokes.

72 min - Stech makes two more great saves to keep Villa at bay. The No1 has
been immense this evening.

70 min - Rayner makes the first booking of the match and it goes to Lowry
who hauled back Sears as he tricked his way past him.

68 min - The game is really coming to life now and another great tackle,
this time from N'Gala, stops Albrighton from crossing.

66 min - Josh Payne has the Hammers' best effort of the match. The ball sat
up perfectly for the No11 and he smashed a sweet volley that Taylor had to
dive well to collect.

61 min - Spector, who has had a sound game so far, makes a crucial tackle on
Albrighton in the area. The American international had to time his tackle on
the the Villa No7, who has proved to be a tricky customer in the opening
hour.

58 min - United are attacking the end of the stadium with no stand, although
four hardy souls and one steward have managed to squeeze in.

53 min - Stech has to make his first save of the half and what a stop it is.
N'Gala makes a great tackle to deny the tricky Albrighton, but the ball
clips his foot and loops high into the air. Stech manages to reach back and
just tip the ball behind for a corner. Great football all round.

49 min - The new formation seems to have had a positive impact as United
launch the first attack of the half. Sears breaks forward and passes to
Jeffrey, who then feeds to Tristan. He turns well but it is crowded out but
still manages to lay the ball to Stokes, who stings the hands of Taylor.

47 min - Spector has moved to left back with Jeffrey joining Sears and
Tristan up front.

46 min - Alex Dyer makes his first change of the game at the break. Lopez
makes way for striker Jack Jeffrey, with the team switching to a more
familiar 4-3-3 formation. Villa get us underway again.

45 min - The half time whistle goes as the teams finish the opening period
goalless, although both teams have had chances. This young Villa team have
looked dangerous but have yet to really trouble Stech. At the other end,
Tristan and Sears have both had a couple of moments of brilliance. Will the
second half bring us goals?

44 min - Sears is fouled 25 yards from goal as United attempt to go into the
break ahead. Lopez curls it in but it is cleared. There will be one minute
of added time.

40 min - Kieron Dyer leads a charge out from a defence to set up another
Hammers attack. At the other end another offside flag denies Villa.

37 min - Lowry is involved again, this time with Tristan. Once more Miss
Rayner has to have a word with the players.

34 min - Stech saves down low from Andreas Weimann. The Czech Under-21
international has looked solid thus far.

33 min - Villa, the league leaders, threaten once more. Marc Albrighton
tries his luck from 25 yards but it flies well over.

30 min - Alex Dyer is standing on the touchline with his hands in his
pockets, giving advice to his side

28 min - Spence and Shane Lowry are involved in a tangle on the halfway
line. Both players are given a talking to by Rayner.

25 min - The visitors win another corner. A short routine sets up captain
Tony Stokes but his drive is blocked in the area

22 min - The home side think they have taken the lead. A shot from the edge
of the area is palmed away superbly by Stech only for it to be turned in by
Sam Williams. However, the assistant on the far side flags for offside to
stop their celebrations in their tracks

20 min - There is a good turn out in the Midlands tonight. A few hundred
fans have turned out, representing both teams. One lucky supporter even got
his shirt signed by Sears before the game

18 min - So close! Tristan leaves his marker for dead and rifles in a superb
effort from 25 yards which Taylor does well to hold

16 min - Stech shows safe hands to gather a driven shot from Dominik
Hofbauer safely

15 min - Tristan's battling wins a corner on the right for the Hammers.
Lopez swings it in and the Spanish striker nearly converts it with a neat
header, but it goes just over

13 min - Our referee this evening is Amy Rayner.

10 min - Villa win the first corner but it is easily gathered by Stech, His
throw out sets up the counter attack which ends up with Tristan testing
former Arsenal stopper Stuart Taylor from 25 yards. A good start to the game
from both teams.

8 min - Sears fires in the first effort in for United after a nice move that
came about from Dyer's dummy.

7 min - The two men tasked with providing width to the team from a wing back
position are Walter Lopez and Jordan Spence

5 min - The home side have the first shot as Barry Bannan tests Marek Stech
from distance

3 min - Alex Dyer has taken advantage of the strong options available to him
in defence by switching to a 5-3-2 formation with three central defenders -
Jonathan Spector, James Tomkins and Bondz N'Gala.

2 min - The visitors have started well and a clever flick from Sears nearly
puts Kieron Dyer clear

1 min - Freddie Sears and Diego Tristan kick off

We approaching kick-off at The Marston's Stadium as the players finish their
warm-up and head back down the tunnel for the final preperations before we
get underway. Alex Dyer has named a strong starting XI with seven players
who have featured for the first team.

Aston Villa: Taylor, Lichaj, Lowry, Roome, Clark, Hofbauer, Albrighton,
Weimann, Bannan, Williams, Mikaelsson
Subs: Bevan, Collins, Bradley, Grocott, Blythe

West Ham United: Stech, Spence, N'Gala, Tomkins, Lopez, Dyer, Spector,
Stokes, Payne, Sears, Tristan
Subs: Loveday, O'Neill, Eyjolfsson, Harvey, Jeffery

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Fired up for Fulham
WHUFC.com
Fans wanting to see if the Hammers can go five matches unbeaten should snap
up their tickets today
14.01.2009

West Ham United are on a roll and supporters should act quickly if they want
to see whether Gianfranco Zola's team can extend their unbeaten run after
four games without defeat.

This weekend's Barclays Premier League fixture sees in-form Fulham make the
short journey from west to east London to face West Ham United at the Boleyn
Ground on Sunday. Kick-off is at 1.30pm.

The free-scoring hosts go into the capital clash having enjoyed good fortune
against Sunday's opposition in recent seasons, not least with wins in the
last three contests between the sides. The latest in that run was a 2-1
victory earlier this season and, with Fulham riding high in the table,
everything is pointing to a thrilling derby encounter.

Tickets are available online by clicking here, by calling 0871 222 2700 and
selecting option one or in person at the Boleyn Ground ticket office.

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Calling all overseas fans
WHUFC.com
Members of overseas fan clubs have the chance to feature in the matchday
programme
12.01.2009

West Ham United are looking for members of official overseas supporters
clubs to appear in the matchday programme.

Each issue will look at a different supporters club from around the globe,
including information about how the club was formed, where it is based and
what kind of activities are organised for memembers.

If you and your supporters club want to shout about just how much you love
West Ham United, please email fanatic@westhamunited.co.uk. Make sure your
include the official club name, location, number of members, where you meet,
the club's West Ham United highlights, recent photos, contact details and a
brief paragraph about the club from the chairman or organiser.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
On this day: 14 January
WHUFC.com
French defender Marc Keller and an away win at Villa Park are the focus
today
14.01.2009

Anniversary

Marc Keller
Date of birth: 14 January 1968
Clubs: Mulhouse, Strasbourg, Karlsruhe, West Ham United, Portsmouth,
Blackburn Rovers

Capped six times by France with one goal, Marc Keller was a classy
contributor during his time at the Boleyn Ground.

Harry Redknapp snapped the wing back up on a free transfer from German
Bundesliga club Karlsrushe in July 1998.

Comfortable on either flank, Keller was an attacking-minded defender with
habit of scoring great goals. Perhaps his big break came when he scored the
only goal of the game for his country against England in the Tournoi De
France in June 1997, which came in the summer between two successful season
with Karlrushe.

His form there was enough to persuade Redknapp to bring Keller in to
supplement his existing wide men - Andy Impey and Stan Lazaridis. His
attacking play soon caught the eye and he established himself in the United
starting XI, making 22 apearances in the 1998/99 season and scoring five
goals in the process, including one against Middlesbrough on the last day of
the campaigin in a 4-0 home win.

Keller played less often the season after, being used mainly in the League
and FA Cups, before making his final appearance for the Hammers in a League
Cup game at Walsall in September 2000. He was then loaned to Portsmouth the
following month, where he made three appearances, before moving to Blackburn
on a free transfer in January 2001.

After playing, Keller became director of football at former club RC
Strasborg, leading them into the UEFA Cup in 2005.

Other anniversaries

Clive Clarke (1980)

Classic match

Aston Villa 1-2 West Ham United
Premier League
14 January 2006

A crowd of 36,700 fans were at Aston Villa's Villa Park home as West Ham
United ended a run of three straight defeats.

The omens were not good to begin with, though, as Lee Hendrie headed Villa
in front from Jlloyd Samuel's cross. Alan Pardew's men rallied after the
break and got level when Bobby Zamora headed home Paul Konchesky's free kick
six minutes after the restart. Then, on the hour mark, referee Phil Dowd
ruled that Mark Delaney had blocked Hayden Mullins' shot with his arm in the
area and Marlon Harewood stepped up to send Tomas Sorenson the wrong way
from the penalty spot.

The win completed 'the double' for the east Londoners over Villa that
season, following the 4-0 win at the Boleyn Ground in September.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hull target Boa Morte and Kilbane
BBC.co.uk

Hull City manager Phil Brown has said he is hopeful of completing the
signings of Luis Boa Morte and Kevin Kilbane by the end of the week.
A fee has been agreed with West Ham for Boa Morte, while the Tigers are
close to agreeing terms for Wigan's Kilbane. "We have made progress, things
are ongoing," Brown said. "The clubs have agreed terms on Luis Boa Morte and
we are trying to agree terms on Kevin Kilbane, on a personal front as well."

After a bright start to their debut season in the Premier League, which
included victory at Arsenal, Hull are currently on a run of just one win in
12 games. With his side currently eighth in the table, and just seven points
above the relegation zone, Brown is keen to strengthen his squad during the
transfer window to ensure they consolidate their place in the top flight. He
is hoping to tie up the deals for 31-year-old Boa Morte and Kilbane, also
31, before Saturday's return clash with Arsenal and has not ruled out
further signings in January.
Speaking ahead of Hull's FA Cup third round replay with Newcastle on
Wednesday, Brown added: "They can't play any part in the Newcastle game but
hopefully by Thursday or Friday they will bear some fruit. "We said at the
start of the season we wanted to flood the place with Premier League quality
and both those players have it in abundance. To get that quality of player
in to Hull City would be great for the football club. "I would like in an
ideal world maybe three or four players in and three or four out - but it is
not an ideal world. "If there are some players out there you can get hold of
and they will strengthen the situation, it is always good to go and get hold
of them. "To freshen the place up wouldn't be a bad thing. We are looking to
bring a striker in and we are looking to bring another defender in."
Boa Morte has struggled to hold down a regular first team place at West Ham
since his £5m move from Fulham in 2007 and has managed just one goal in 66
appearances at Upton Park. Republic of Ireland international Kilbane joined
Wigan after spending three years at Everton but has slipped down the pecking
order at the JJB Stadium, featuring in 11 of Wigan's 20 Premier League games
this season. Both players would offer Brown more options on the left side of
midfield, with Peter Halmosi the club's only-recognised left-footed
midfielder.

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Nige to Newcy link quashed
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 14th January 2009
By: Staff Writer

Newcastle United manager Joe Kinnear has denied reports linking him with a
move for West Ham United's out-of-favour Nigel Quashie.
Tuesday's Daily Mirror claimed that the cash-strapped North East club were
looking to sign the former West Brom midfielder in a deal worth around
£500,000. However that suggestion was laughed off by Kinnear, who told
reporters: "There has been talk about us signing Nigel Quashie but there is
no truth in it whatsoever, so you can kick that into touch."
Quashie recently returned to West Ham following a three month loan deal with
Birmingham City. Despite enjoying a relatively successful spell with the
Championship club City opted not to take the 30-year-old on permanently,
choosing instead to take Quashie's United team mate Lee Bowyer on loan for
the remainder of the season.
Nunhead-born Quashie began his career with QPR where he spent three years
before moving to Nottingham Forest in a £2.5m deal. He was rescued from a
relegated Forest squad by Portsmouth in 2000 - for whom he became something
of a crowd favourite - where he spent five years before moving to bitter
rivals Southampton along with former manager Harry Redknapp. Quashie's bad
luck continued as the Saints were relegated later that season yet once again
he was rescued by a Premiership side - West Bromwich Albion, who also ended
up losing their Premiership status. Alan Curbishley made the experienced
midfielder his second signing a week into the 2007 January transfer window
when he paid WBA £1.5m (rising to £1.75m) for his services. However Quashie
made just eight appearances in a claret and blue shirt before sustaining an
injury that was to keep him out of action for the next 18 months,
effectively ending his career at the Boleyn.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers Target City Striker
Setanta.co.uk
by Tom Adams , 14 January 2009

Manchester City striker Valeri Bojinov has reportedly claimed that West Ham
manager Gianfranco Zola has sounded him out regarding a January move to
Upton Park. The Bulgaria international, 22, joined City in the summer of
2007 but two serious injuries have prevented him from making any kind of
impact on the first team with his contribution so far limited to three
league appearances and one European run-out. Bojinov has not appeared in The
Premier League this season after rupturing his Achilles tendon during the
warm-up for the opening game of the season against Aston Villa but is
nearing a return to training. City boss Mark Hughes has failed with multiple
offers for West Ham striker Craig Bellamy and it appears that The Hammers
have shown their own interest in a player who arrived from Italy with an
impressive reputation following spells with Lecce, Juventus and Fiorentina.
But Bojinov has stated that he is not ready to leave Eastlands and is still
determined to prove himself following his fitness struggles with City. "Two
days ago, Zola called me on my mobile and told me that he wants me in West
Ham," Bojinov told the Bulgarian press, as reported by the Manchester
Evening News. "I answered that I feel great in Manchester City and don't
want to leave the team. I'm happy the City management values me. The only
thing I want is to be healthy again, so that I can prove myself. "Mark
Hughes told me that Zola wants me but City made it perfectly clear that they
don't want to sell me."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Liverpool eye West Ham's Herita Ilunga
Liverpool have been linked with a move for West Ham left-back Herita Ilunga.

By Telegraph staff
Last Updated: 10:02AM GMT 14 Jan 2009

The 26-year-old Congo international is currently on a season-long loan at
Upton Park from French club Toulouse. At the end of the campaign, West Ham
hope to make the switch permanent in a £3 million deal. However, Rafael
Benitez has been impressed with how Ilunga has adapted to the pace and
physicality of the Premier League. So much so that the Spaniard is
reportedly ready to enquire over the terms of Ilung's contract and the
possibility of signing him. Ilunga would provide much-needed cover on the
left side of defence, with Benitez less than convinced by £7m summer signing
Andrea Dossena. The Mirror even claims that the former Udinese defender
could return to Serie A in the January transfer window. Meanwhile, Liverpool
are ready to offer 35-year-old Sami Hyypia another 12-month contract amid
growing concerns that Daniel Agger will move to AC Milan. The Mail claims
talks between Liverpool and Agger's agent have stalled over a request for
double-your-money terms of around £60,000 a week. Agger's contract runs out
at the end of next season.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Blues to block Bojinov swap deal
Chris Bailey
14/ 1/2009
ManchesterEveningNews.co.uk

CITY will not allow Valeri Bojinov to leave for West Ham as a makeweight in
any deal for Craig Bellamy or Scott Parker. In the latest twist in the
ongoing dialogue between the two clubs, it has emerged that Upton Park boss
Gianfranco Zola has been in touch personaly with injured Bulgarian
international Bojinov. So far, despite two attempts and reaching a bid of
£9.5m, City have not been able to persuade the Hammers to part company with
Welsh international Bellamy. "Two days ago, Zola called me on my mobile and
told me that he wants me in West Ham," Bojinov told a media outlet in his
native Bulgaria. "I answered that I feel great in Manchester City and don't
want to leave the team. I'm happy the City management values me. The only
thing I want is to be healthy again, so that I can prove myself. "Mark
Hughes told me that Zola wants me but City made it perfectly clear that they
don't want to sell me."
Bojinov, who has been out of the side since he ruptured his Achilles in the
warm-up for the opening game of the season at Villa Park, is expected to be
back in training with the first team squad in the next month. Michael
Johnson has also been whispered as part of a deal that could see players
swap clubs as well as a fee going to the cash-strapped London side. However,
the Blues may temporarily now switch focus away from a striker to seek more
midfielders after Didi Hamann injured a toe so severely that he could miss
three months. There is better news, however, of Robinho, who should be fit
to face Wigan on Saturday and of Shaun Wright-Phillips, who is pushing hard
to feature against Steve Bruce's side after a hamstring problem.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Manchester City increase Craig Bellamy offer
The Mirror
By Football Spy 14/01/2009

Manchester City made a new £10million bid for Craig Bellamy last night - as
Blues boss Mark Hughes edged closer to signing his old Wales and Blackburn
pal from West Ham. City made their third offer in a fortnight although the
Hammers want nearer £15m. If they land Bellamy City may promise not to chase
other Hammers, Scott Parker and Matt Upson.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Birmingham City target £3m defender
Jan 14 2009
Sunday Mercury

Birmingham could move for West Ham's Calum Davenport after his £3m move to
Bolton collapsed says the Daily Mail. Trash Talk says: After watching Blues
v Wolves last night I can honestly say that Blues should get some defenders
in sharpish.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Liverpool exclusive: Rafa Benitez plots Herita Ilunga swoop
The Mirror
Excluisve by Alan Nixon 14/01/2009

Rafa Benitez is ready to make a cheeky move for West Ham left-back Herita
Ilunga. Congo international Ilunga, 26, is on a season-long loan at Upton
Park with a view to a permanent £3million move from French club Toulouse.
But Liverpool have made enquiries over the terms of his contract and whether
they could sign him from under West Ham's noses. Benitez has not been
impressed by £7m summer signing Andrea Dossena and the former Udinese
left-back could return to Italy during the transfer window. The Hammers' bid
to offload flop Luis Boa Morte stumbled last night after the winger failed
to agree personal terms with Hull who had struck a £1.5m deal with the
Londoners.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
A Litany Of Woes
Just Like My Dreams


"I will not be as those who spend the day in complaining of headache, and
the night in drinking the wine that gives it" Goethe

Was there ever a Premier League club with so far-fetched a litany of woes as
West Ham United? ponders football finance expert David Conn in this
morning's Guardian. In his column on the paper's SportBlog, he writes:

The old East End family club must concentrate on improving performances on
the pitch — if only to take their minds off the Icelandic banking meltdown,
which has hammered the owner's fortune and led to West Ham being for sale in
an uninviting market, the compensation claim in the Tevez saga, which
Sheffield United are understood still to put at £50m, and another Premier
League and Football Association inquiry focusing on West Ham's conduct when
they fielded the over-performing Argentinian in the final three games of
2006-07.

To these agonies can be added the looming threat, if West Ham are found to
have breached the rules when they retained Tevez, that points could be
deducted. Although the end of the inquiry is months away, an FA spokesman
confirmed that a points deduction was one of the available sanctions . West
Ham, on top of everything else, can barely contemplate relegation.

The club would argue that, even if they are found culpable — a possibility
they reject — points deduction would amount to double punishment because
Lord Griffiths has already ruled against them over their retention of Tevez.
In his arbitration ruling Griffiths said West Ham breached the undertaking
they gave to the Premier League in April 2007 that they would cancel their
contract with Tevez's "owners". Instead Griffiths agreed that the club's
chief executive, Scott Duxbury, had a series of "oral cuddles" in which he
reassured the owners, two offshore companies represented by Kia Joorabchian,
that they would, despite what Duxbury had promised the Premier League, still
retain the rights to the player.
Of course, West Ham are already being sanctioned for that, forced to
compensate Sheffield United for the cost of relegation. The Blades are
understood to have finalised a financial inventory detailing their losses,
to which West Ham have until the end of the month to respond. They dispute
the figure of £50m, noting the increased income from Premier League status
is mostly swallowed up by higher player wages. Griffiths will decide in
March, barring delays.

West Ham say they have "nothing to hide" and that they "acted in good faith"
— attitudes, notes Conn, which would have served them well from the off. He
argues had they come clean to the Premier League about the "third party
ownership" when they signed Tevez and Javier Mascherano in August 2006, none
of this scandal would have unfolded. Yet the club's conduct seems to have
been skewed, throughout, by 'trying to be a little too cute'. Paul Aldridge,
then the club's chief executive, informed Richard Scudamore, the Premier
League's chief executive, there were no documents relevant to the players'
registrations which he had not shown the league. Records reveal the third
party contracts came to light when Mascherano moved to Liverpool in January
2007, because they showed the Premier League everything. Scudamore fumed
that West Ham had misled him; and disciplinary proceedings began.

For Conn, the maddening aspect of this for West Ham is that, if Aldridge and
Duxbury, then the club's legal director, had shown Scudamore the
arrangements, they were likely to have been asked for only minor
alterations. The Premier League allowed Mascherano's third party "ownership"
to continue when he went to Liverpool, insisting only that the loan be for a
fixed period and that the "owners" did not retain any rights during the
loan. When Tevez eventually moved to Manchester United, a fixed period was
again insisted on; Tevez remains a loan player at Old Trafford and under the
"ownership" of Joorabchian's investors. Conn continues:

Yet West Ham chose not to disclose the contracts at all. Even after being
charged they argued their innocence, until shortly before the hearing, when
they pleaded guilty. Aldridge was outraged that he was denounced as a liar
in the judgment without an opportunity to state his case. He maintained he
acted on advice that third party contracts were not relevant to Tevez's
registration. West Ham, guilty, were handed their record £5.5m fine in April
2007, yet continued to attract more trouble. They were given three options:
relinquish Tevez; keep him and negotiate a different arrangement with
Joorabchian; or rip up the ownership contract and keep him. They chose to
say they had ripped it up, although few understood how they could keep Tevez
for free.

It was then, according to Graham Shear, Joorabchian's lawyer, that Duxbury
gave the "oral cuddles," telling Joorabchian that the contract was not
really torn up, and that the "owners" retained their rights. Tevez stayed,
played magnificently, West Ham stayed up and the Blades went down roaring at
the injustice. West Ham deny the "oral cuddles" testimony, arguing they did
rip up the contract. They point to the fact Joorabchian sued in summer 2007
for Tevez to be released, and ultimately paid West Ham £2m — a process
intimately supervised by the Premier League. Griffiths, though, accepted
Shear's view of events. The forthcoming FA and Premier League inquiry will
examine exactly the same evidence.

Faced with all this, observes Conn, West Ham are maintaining their brave
front. The owner, Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson, has been battered by Iceland's
economic collapse but Asgeir Fridgeirsson, West Ham's vice-chairman, insists
the club is safe. The holding company, Hansa, has been granted a moratorium
on paying its creditors and must report back to an Icelandic court on 6
March to show progress in selling the club. Fridgeirsson, though, now says
the club need not necessarily be sold. "If the market does not appreciate
the value of the club, we will not sell," he said. Fridgeirsson emphasised
that Gudmundsson was not taking money out of the club to service the needs
of Hansa or any other debts, and that the manager, Gianfranco Zola, and
Duxbury do not need to have a fire sale. West Ham have refused to sell Scott
Parker or Craig Bellamy for below a handsome price.

"The club has to balance its books, which is normal practice in any
business," said Fridgeirsson. "However, the idea is not to sell players and
go into a downward spiral." He acknowledged the final pay-out to Sheffield
United was "a question mark over the club's valuation" but said West Ham
would not be forced into insolvency. Fridgeirsson said there were still
parties interested in buying the club. The final word goes to Conn...


West Ham fans can only hope that this defiant talk, of stability in a sea of
troubles, is the truth, not just wishful thinking by beleaguered directors
blowing pretty bubbles in the air.

Amusingly, the fall-out from the Carlos Tevez affair has led to a further
protest from Sheffield United, this time over Sky Sports' coverage of the
saga on their Goals on Sunday programme last weekend. Co-presenter Ian
Payne's said the latest investigation — into West Ham's conduct after their
£5million fine — was due to Sheffield United and West Ham still fighting
over what legal action could or could not be taken. This apparently so
infuriated the Sheffield United board that they immediately complained to
programme producer Adam Chenery about Payne's comments, which were described
as nonsensical.

This comes after Payne and Chenery's predecessors on the show, Clare
Tomlinson and Nigel Dean, were replaced after former Hammers goalkeeper
Stephen Bywater was allowed to spell out the C-word on air without a
reprimand (see video below!). Sky Sports would not comment on the latest
set-to apart from confirming the complaint from Bramall Lane.

On the transfer front, the Telegraph is carrying an article about how
Manchester City's January spending spree is heading for anti-climax. Backed
by the oil billions of Abu Dhabi and linked with a host of football's
biggest names, the transfer window was supposed to see City reveal
themselves as the game's new powerhouse. Yet the club's negotiating
position, insiders admit, has been weakened considerably by their very
public takeover by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan. West Ham are said to
be one of several clubs holding out for top dollar for their star men, safe
in the knowledge that inflated fees will not scare away Hughes and chief
executive Garry Cook. The price mentioned in the piece is £12 million for
Craig Bellamy and the same for Scott Parker, while it is understood that
Blackburn are asking for more than £18 million for Santa Cruz. In effect,
City's wealth will force them to pay £15 million extra to two clubs in dire
need of cash to swell their coffers.

The Telegraph concludes that the deals for Bellamy, Parker and Santa Cruz,
currently at an impasse, are still likely to be completed before the window
closes. West Ham and Blackburn are, essentially, employing the same
technique as the one used by Tottenham to make sure Manchester United paid
the full asking price for Dimitar Berbatov. A small piece in the Times
states City are expected to agree a deal to sign Bellamy for about £12
million this week after preparing an improved bid for the Wales forward last
night. It also suggests Mark Hughes has given up hope of signing Scott
Parker. A snippet in the Independent reveals Bellamy's representatives met
West Ham yesterday and are understood to have said that at the age of 29 he
should not be held back by a valuation of £15m, the figure at which the
Hammers are reportedly ready to sell.

The Mail claims Birmingham are in talks with the club to sign defender Calum
Davenport, whose £3million switch to Bolton is off. West Ham have already
loaned midfielders Nigel Quashie and Lee Bowyer to Birmingham this season.
Speaking of Quashie, Newcastle United manager Joe Kinnear has denied reports
linking him with a move for the much maligned midfielder. Yesterday's Mirror
printed a story claiming that the cash-strapped North East club were looking
to sign the former West Brom midfielder in a deal worth around £500,000.
However that suggestion was laughed off by Kinnear, who informed reporters:
"There has been talk about us signing Nigel Quashie but there is no truth in
it whatsoever, so you can kick that into touch."

Posted by Trilby at 00:32

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Bellamy's future could decide West Ham's fate
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 14th January 2009
By: Thomas Rooney

There is often a moment during a season that will help shape the rest of it.
Whether that be a last minute equaliser, a player returning from injury or a
crucial refereeing decision. This time around, it is my opinion that whether
Craig Bellamy is still a West Ham player come February will be crucial.

Of course there will be other moments that influence West Ham's position at
the end of the season, but should Bellamy remain at the club, the football
odds are far more likely to favour Gianfranco Zola's men avoiding the drop.

It wouldn't just be the loss of Bellamy's undoubted ability though. The sale
of Bellamy would send out negative messages to the rest of the Premier
League about where West Ham are right now. It would also leave the other
sellable players in the squad questioning their future. Why should they stay
if the club aren't ambitious enough to hold onto their best striker?

Overall, it is fair to say that I view the future as Bellamy as hugely
important. He must stay at the club, for so many reasons. So, what are the
chances of this happening? What is the latest with regards to his future?

Well, it is being reported that West Ham have turned down the latest
Manchester City bid for the player, a bid that is thought to have been far
more substantial than their original offer. Two things are certain as a
result of this - Manchester City are desperate to sign Bellamy and West Ham
are desperate to keep hold of him.

It is always an interesting battle when this sort of situation comes about,
but many would expect the club with the endless transfer budget to get their
way eventually. West Ham's chief executive Scott Duxbury has insisted that
no players have to be sold this month though and it appears the he and the
rest of the board are aware of how important Bellamy is to Zola's cause.

The former Liverpool striker has netted four times in his last four league
games and is arguably playing some of the best football of his career to
date. Unfortunately for West Ham though, this has occurred in the build up
to the January transfer window. This, combined with the fact that Mark
Hughes - Bellamy's former manager with Blackburn and Wales - has millions to
spend, means that it doesn't look great for West Ham.

However, everyone at the club will be aware of what a positive signal it
would be should they continue to snub interest in Bellamy. It would reassure
the fans that the financial situation isn't all that bad and that their
determination to hold onto their best players is as highly charged as it
should be.

That's why the future of Bellamy could be so influential in the way West Ham
fair during the second half of the season. Should he leave the club,
football betting would expect the Hammers to have a poor start to February
and therefore find themselves deep in relegation mire. Should he stay, it
could result in a much different outcome.

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