WHUFC.com
Alex Dyer's reserves play host to Portsmouth at Bishop's Stortford on
Wednesday evening
20.01.2010
West Ham United will be looking to get back to winning ways when Portsmouth
visit Bishop's Stortford in the Barclays Premier Reserve League South on
Wednesday evening.
Alex Dyer's side lost 4-2 to Arsenal at the Boleyn Ground in what was their
first game of 2010 last week. Freddie Sears netted two penalties in that
match and he is expected to start again against the south coast side. The
20-year-old could be joined in the starting XI by several other first-team
squad members in need of match time with West Ham United having a game-free
weekend approaching, meaning the likes of Manuel da Costa, Fabio Daprela and
Junior Stanislas could all be involved. Portsmouth won the reverse fixture
3-0 at Havant and Waterlooville FC in September. Gael Nlundulu scored early
on before Frederic Piquionne added a brace to wrap up all three points for
Pompey. Kick-off at Woodside Park is 7pm, with tickets available on the
night. Admission is £3 for adults and £1 for children, with season ticket
holders admitted free of charge. The club's official website will have live
text updates on whufc.com from 6.45pm.
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Nouble going for goal
WHUFC.com
Young striker Frank Nouble is determined to net his first goal for West Ham
United
20.01.2010
Having made his first Barclays Premier League start for West Ham United,
Frank Nouble is now determined to net his maiden goal for the club. The
18-year-old put in a hugely promising performance playing as a lone striker
in last Sunday's goalless draw at Aston Villa, troubling international
centre-backs Richard Dunne and James Collins with his pace, power and
ability to run with the ball. Nouble's display would have caught the eye of
the millions of television viewers watching the match live, along with the
35,000-plus supporters inside Villa Park. The only thing missing from the
England Under-19 man's afternoon was a goal, but he insisted it will not be
long before his name is on the scoresheet. "I was delighted to make my first
Premier League start," he said. "I was happy when I got told I was playing
before the game and I just tried to work hard and get a goal. "It's
definitely time for me to score. I've got two games under my belt now and
there should be goals coming in the third and fourth!"
Having made his full debut for the Hammers against Arsenal's William Gallas
and Thomas Vermaelen in the FA Cup third round, the south London-born
forward has enjoyed a baptism of fire in first-team football. However, with
the attributes he possesses, Nouble has been far from daunted by the
challenge. "Playing against Dunne and Collins was hard physically and was a
test. I thought I showed that I was hard to handle as well, so it was good.
I knew that, running wise, I can trouble most defenders. Physically, I'm
getting there. I tried to use my pace as we played counter-attacking
football and it worked."
Nouble's role against Martin O'Neill's side was similar to that played by
another former Chelsea trainee, Carlton Cole, and Mexico international
Guille Franco this season. The youngster is keen to learn from both, as well
as manager Gianfranco Zola, who he has been enjoying one-on-one coaching
sessions with in recent weeks. "I'm happy with the way things are going. I
was happy to get my second start and hopefully I can keep putting in the
performances. When Coley and Franco come back it's also good because I can
watch and learn from the best as well. "Coming from last year when I was
playing in the reserves and stuff like that, playing in the Premier League
on Sky is a bit different. I'm delighted and chuffed for what the manager
has done for me. He gives me tips, little small stuff that strikers do. He
was a two-footed striker so it's easy for me to watch and learn from what he
does. Experience is something Nouble is keen to acquire, whether it be in
learning how to play his position or in wearing suitable footwear, having
had trouble keeping his balance on the greasy Villa Park pitch. "My studs
weren't as long as they should have been, so a couple of times I slipped in
crucial positions. Most of the game it was OK, though, and I'll make sure I
don't make the same mistake again!"
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Sullivan looking to Silky skills
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 20th January 2010
By: Staff Writer
Football agent Barry Silkman has been charged with hunting down new recruits
as Gianfranco Zola looks to enhance his squad ahead of the January 31st
transfer deadline.
Stepney-born Silkman - who represented Middlesbrough's Joseph-Desire Job
when the striker almost clinched a move to West Ham four years ago - is a
long-term friend of new Hammers chief David Sullivan and revealed today that
he had already spoken with him about potential transfer targets. "David
Sullivan is a great guy," Silkman told Sky Sports this morning. "I've known
him for around 15 years. I know the situation with David and how they [West
Ham] need to work, and you've got to do the best deal you can for them.
"They're willing to do deals now where if they loan the player, the player
does well for them and they retain their Premier League status, then there's
going to be another one, two, three year contract waiting for them. "It's
just a question of trying to get the right deals, because finance in
football at the moment is very difficult - it's no different to the rest of
us."
Following last night's discussions between the new owners and the management
team, Gianfranco Zola is understood have been given a transfer war chest of
around £8million with which to bring in at least three players. Right-back
and striker are considered to be the two most critical positions, although
Zola will also be looking to strengthen at centre half, having lost Lucas
Neill and James Collins since the end of last season.
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I'm Dave and so is my mate
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 20th January 2010
By: Staff Writer
West Ham's new owners David Sullivan and David Gold were introduced to the
first team squad during a visit to Chadwell Heath this morning. The two
businessmen checked into United's training complex for the first time since
winning the race to sign the club on Monday and officially greeted their new
employees. A relaxed Gold - who, along with his partner, met the management
team of Gianfranco Zola and Steve Clarke last night in a meeting that Gold
described as 'very pleasant' - told reporters: "These guys probably haven't
seen owners and directors for ever. It's time to bring everybody together,
make sure that everybody understands that we're all in this together. "At
the moment everything is positive. We don't want to look at any
negativities. There's a concern of a lack of morale around the place - I
felt it yesterday at the football club - and our job now is to make sure
that dissipates and we all become very positive. "I am a believer of unity
and bringing people together, and ensuring that we're all singing from the
same hymn sheet. That's why we're here today, to achieve that."
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Gold admits McCarthy interest
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 20th January 2010
By: Staff Writer
David Gold has admitted that West Ham are looking to sign Blackburn's Benni
McCarthy. The striker almost joined West Ham back in August 2005 but saw the
move collapse at the last minute after Porto, his club at the time, pulled
the plug on a deal worth around £6million. This time, McCarthy, now 32,
would be available for around a sixth of that - and according to new Hammers
owner David Gold, is a deal the club are seriously considering. "I think he
would be a good acquisition if that could be achieved," Gold told Sky Sports
this morning. "It's possible. "But all strikers that are available as we
speak are possible. It's a question of 'can we do business?'"
McCarthy, speaking back in September 2005 told of his disappointment at
being denied a move to the Boleyn Ground. "You can imagine my frustration
when told at the last minute that the deal was off," he said. "I passed a
medical and I was sure I was signing for West Ham. "But I can't change what
has happened and I will just have to play for Porto until my contract with
them ends."
McCarthy finally got his move to the Pemiership a year later when he signed
for Blackburn in a £2.5million deal. Since then he has made 108 appearances
for the Rovers, netting on 37 occasions. Despite maintaining a decent
goal-to-game ratio, Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce has indicated that the
South African can leave the club. Turkish club Galatasaray - who signed
ex-Hammer Lucas Neill from Everton last week - are also said to be
interested.
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Chase on for O'Connor
Irish ace attracting interest
Last updated: 20th January 2010
SSN
Skysports.com understands a host of clubs are chasing Scunthorpe United
midfielder Michael O'Connor. O'Connor has been a stand-out performer for
Scunthorpe this season following his arrival from Crewe. The all-action
midfielder has been attracting admiring glances from a number of teams with
O'Connor enhancing his growing reputation with a superb goal and
man-of-the-match display in last weekend's draw against Cardiff. Premier
League duo West Ham and Hull are believed to be keeping tabs on O'Connor's
progress, while Championship hopefuls Newcastle are also monitoring his
situation. The Northern Ireland international has established himself as a
key member of Nigel Adkins' side since his arrival and they would be
reluctant to lose him, but they could struggle to reject a sizeable offer
for his services should any of his suitors firm up their interest in the
22-year-old
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West Ham Olympic plan must overcome hurdles
Matthew Beard, Sports News Correspondent
20.01.10
Evening Standard
West Ham's new owners have many hurdles to clear if the club are to move
into the Olympic stadium after the London Games in 2012. After announcing a
£50million takeover yesterday, David Gold and David Sullivan mapped out
their vision for the Hammers with a ground switch to Stratford and a dream
of Champions League football causing the biggest stir. While the pair have a
seven-year plan for West Ham to mix it with Europe's elite on the pitch, the
ground issue is more pressing with just two years until the Games. And it is
clear today that while the Hammers seem to provide the tailor-made solution
to finding a long-term use for the £537m stadium, the reality of swapping
the 35,000-capacity Upton Park for a gleaming new home just a few miles down
the road is far more complicated. Little more than two years ago talks
between former Hammers owner Eggert Magnusson and the Olympic Delivery
Authority broke down at a relatively early stage. The club baulked at an
estimated £100m bill to convert the venue from the temporary 80,000-seat
capacity to around 50,000 after the Games. They also objected to the ODA
stipulations that the freehold for the taxpayer-funded venue remained with
Government and the mayor. City Hall and Government insisted that the running
track - unpopular with English clubs - remained around the pitch to honour a
pledge made by Lord Coe during the bid to the International Olympic
Committee. Olympics chiefs stress the intimacy of the Games venue and say
the uppermost seats are closer to the pitch than Wembley but football bosses
still believe that a running track between fans and the action kills the
atmosphere. As a further obstacle, the owners of the £1.4billion Westfield
shopping centre soon to open next to the stadium have been quietly lobbying
against a football club whose rowdy fans may deter weekend shoppers. Before
West Ham bowed out, Tottenham quickly opted to develop their own site rather
than move to the Olympic stadium, deterred by the cost and the risk of
moving away from their fan base. Other Olympic stadium refuseniks are known
to include Leyton Orient and rugby clubs Wasps and Saracens. However since
Magnusson's failed bid, the political will to find an anchor tenant to
prevent the stadium from becoming another Olympic white elephant has
intensified. London mayor Boris Johnson wants the venue to host World Cup
matches in the event of a successful bid for the 2018 finals.
Sullivan said yesterday that the club would rent the ground rather than buy
it but costs remains the main stumbling block to the Hammers' hopes.
Olympics minister Tessa Jowell may be able to find enough within the
stadium's existing budget, which covers post-2012 conversion, to subsidise
the cost to West Ham of moving home. However, it has never been publically
revealed how much has been set aside to convert the ground and this figure
could be the key if the Hammers are to realise their ambition.
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Hammers in Benni link
1:24pm Wednesday 20th January 2010
WEST Ham have declared an interest in trying to sign Benni McCarthy from
Blackburn Rovers. However, no deal is likely unless the Hammers offer more
than a reported £1.5m for the South African striker. West Ham joint owner
David Gold has admitted McCarthy would interest the Londoners.
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New owners eye attacking reinforcements
ESPN
January 20, 2010
West Ham chairman David Sullivan has pledged to help land two new strikers
to bolster Gianfranco Zola's squad before the transfer window closes.
Sullivan, a life-long Irons fan, has, along with business partner David
Gold, a former youth team player at Upton Park, acquired 50% of the Premier
League outfit in a deal which values the club at £105 million and gives the
duo operational and commercial control. The pair have met with Zola and
assistant manager Steve Clarke to discuss the way forward and Sullivan will
look to free up as much funds as possible, believed to be around £8 million,
after pledging no players needed to be sold. ''I was hugely impressed with
Gianfranco and Steve,'' Sullivan said in the London Evening Standard. ''It
is so great to meet a man who wants to work with us and make the team
better. He has a 'can-do' attitude, but with a pragmatic approach.
''Gianfranco is a really nice guy. I believe he can be a great manager. We
agreed we need at least one striker by the Portsmouth match and the second
by the end of the window.''
Blackburn's Benni McCarthy, 32, almost joined West Ham from Porto five years
ago, and has been linked with a switch to east London. Hammers co-owner
David Gold said: ''He would be a good acquisition, if that could be
achieved. It's possible, but all strikers that are available as we speak are
possible 'It is a question of 'can we do business?''' Sullivan intends to
deal with transfers himself, leaving the future of technical director
Gianluca Nani unclear. ''We are fully behind the manager, but I do not want
to go into all staff,'' Sullivan said. ''There may be some changes at some
level, we are going to look at all sorts of things. We do not rush into
decisions.'' Sullivan added: ''There has to be some savings here. This is a
club haemorrhaging money. There may have to be economies, and there is no
point saying otherwise. To put things in perspective, I will be earning
nothing, David will be earning nothing. ''We are personally paying Karren's
wages for the next 12 months so she is not a burden to the club at all. We
are not coming here with baggage which will cost the club money, we are all
going to make a contribution at zero cost to the club.''
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How Sullivan and Gold can make their seven-year pitch work at West Ham
West Ham's new owners have talked of the club's troubles, but Champions
League talk shows they have plenty of ambition
Guardian.co.uk
Bar-room chat for West Ham supporters revelling in David Gold's and David
Sullivan's arrival as co-owners will centre on the latter's bullish
assertion that playing in the Champions League is now the ultimate ambition.
"We have a seven-year plan to get them into the Champions League and turn
them into a big club and over the seven-year period we do plan to spend a
lot of money," Sullivan said yesterday, although details of this masterplan
were not forthcoming. And Hammers aficionados may recall this was also a
promise of Eggert Magnusson and Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson, when the Icelandic
duo took control of the club in the autumn of 2006. Yesterday Sullivan and
Gold were scathing about the pair, blaming much of the club's current
malaise – they claim there are debts of £110m and rising – on the
over-priced, overpaid footballers signed during that regime.
They have a point, of course. "Egghead", as Sullivan delighted in calling
the former biscuit tycoon, was frighteningly out of his depth – it seems
faintly ridiculous he was allowed to wreak such havoc by Gudmundsson, who
had been a successful enough businessman to feature strongly in the Forbes
Rich List before Iceland went bust.
But while the great dream lasted they did at least back the stated ambition
with Champions League wages (even Lucas Neill was signed on £60,000 a week)
and performers including Craig Bellamy, Kieron Dyer and Freddie Ljungberg,
who brought actual experience of the competition to east London. Yet
throwing a skip-full of money at the European dream ultimately proved
unworkable. And now Sullivan and Gold have strode in to Upton Park to inform
fans they can make it happen, by 2017.
How? Despite their prevalent theme so far being the crippling debt, while
also offering an impression that there is scant finance for Gianfranco Zola
to invest in the squad, Sullivan made that promise to "spend lots of money"
to chase entry into Europe's premier club competition.
Sullivan and Gold's main strategy for raising the funds required to sign
their own Champions League performers appears to be to corral Air Asia and
Lotus F1 boss Tony Fernandes – and other rich fans – to come on board, plus
a move to the Olympic Stadium once the 2012 games are over, so increasing
gate revenue from the Boleyn Ground's 31,892 capacity to 50,000.
While it is not clear who would pick up the £100m tab for converting the
stadium (if West Ham were to be given the green light to move three miles
across Newham) beyond this is the more pressing, short-term issue: can Zola
keep the team clear of the relegation trap-door while Sullivan and Gold stem
the club's financial incontinence? The pair said yesterday that they plan to
be at West Ham until they die. If they take their beloved club into the
Champions League for the first time they are sure to join Bobby Moore, Geoff
Hurst and Martin Peters as bubble-blowing immortals.
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Hammers target McCarthy
Gold hints at move for Rovers ace
Last updated: 20th January 2010
SSN
Sky Sports News understands West Ham are hoping to sign Blackburn striker
Benni McCarthy to bolster their attacking options. The Hammers are keen to
add to their forward ranks with the club short of options in attack and
McCarthy is the latest name on their radar McCarthy's future at Blackburn
has been the subject of intense speculation for some time with the player
failing to hold down a regular spot in the side under Sam Allardyce. The
32-year-old is thought to be keen on a move away from Ewood Park as he
searches for regular first-team action to boost his chances of playing in
this summer's World Cup with South Africa. West Ham joint-chairman David
Gold has admitted McCarthy is one of their targets to bring to Upton Park
before the close of the transfer window. Asked about the club's interest in
McCarthy, Gold told Sky Sports News: "Yeah I think that he would be a good
acquisition if that can be achieved. "It is possible but all strikers that
are available as we speak are possible. "It is a question of can we do
business."
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West Ham chasing two new strikers, says new chairman David Sullivan
Sullivan speaking after meeting manager Gianfranco Zola
Benni McCarthy 'would be good', says co-owner David Gold
Press Association
guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 20 January 2010 15.52 GMT
West Ham United's chairman David Sullivan has pledged to help secure two new
strikers to bolster Gianfranco Zola's squad before the transfer window
closes. Sullivan and business partner David Gold, who acquired 50% of the
club in a deal which gives them operational and commercial control, met Zola
and assistant manager Steve Clarke yesterday to discuss the future. Sullivan
will look to free up a sum believed to be around £8m, and has said no
players need to be sold. "I was hugely impressed with Gianfranco and Steve,"
Sullivan told the London Evening Standard. "It is so great to meet a man who
wants to work with us and make the team better. He has a 'can-do' attitude,
but with a pragmatic approach. He's a really nice guy. I believe he can be a
great manager. We agreed we need at least one striker by the Portsmouth
match and the second by the end of the window."
Blackburn's Benni McCarthy, 32, almost joined West Ham from Porto five years
ago, and has been linked with a switch to east London. Co-owner David Gold
said: "He would be a good acquisition, if that could be achieved. It's
possible, but all strikers that are available as we speak are possible."
There had been speculation that the likes of centre-back Matthew Upson,
goalkeeper Robert Green, striker Carlton Cole and midfielder Scott Parker
would have to be sold off to help balance the books. But Sullivan said the
pressure to sell was gone. "Matthew is the captain and his return to the
team in recent weeks has coincided with improved performances," said
Sullivan. "And we all agreed that Scott, despite a lot of interest, is going
nowhere. He is a wonderful player, the heartbeat of the team. Despite the
difficult times, he has always been up for the challenge, always fighting
for the badge."
Sullivan intends to deal with transfers himself, leaving the future of
technical director Gianluca Nani unclear. The arrival of Karren Brady as
vice-chairman completes the Birmingham City connection at Upton Park, but
her salary will be met by Sullivan and Gold rather than the club. The duo
will themselves not take a wage as the new regime look to cut costs and
reduce the enormous debt levels, which are owed to both banks and other
clubs, including settlements to Sheffield United over the Carlos Tevez
affair and former manager Alan Curbishley. "We are fully behind the manager,
but I do not want to go into all staff," Sullivan said. "There may be some
changes at some level, we are going to look at all sorts of things. We do
not rush into decisions. There has to be some savings here. This is a club
haemorrhaging money. There may have to be economies, and there is no point
saying otherwise. To put things in perspective, I will be earning nothing,
David will be earning nothing. "We are personally paying Karren's wages for
the next 12 months so she is not a burden to the club at all. We are not
coming here with baggage which will cost the club money, we are all going to
make a contribution at zero cost to the club."
Sullivan openly admits buying West Ham made no business sense, but believes
the future can be bright. "We are inheriting liabilities and are going to
have to work through them. Every stone you turn is a negative to the
cash-flow of the club. We are taking over an incredibly bad situation.
However, we will sort it out because we are good at it."
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Hammer time for Benni McCarthy as new West Ham owners eye two front-line
reinforcements
By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 4:11 PM on 20th January 2010
Daily Mail
West Ham chairman David Sullivan wants Blackburn forward Benni McCarthy at
Upton Park as part of a pledge to land two new strikers to bolster
Gianfranco Zola's squad before the transfer window closes. Sullivan, a
life-long Irons fan, has, along with business partner David Gold, a former
youth team player at Upton Park, acquired 50% of the Barclays Premier League
outfit in a deal which values the club at £105million and gives the duo
operational and commercial control. McCarthy, 32, almost joined West Ham
from Porto five years ago, and has been linked with a switch to east London.
Hammers co-owner David Gold said: 'He would be a good acquisition, if that
could be achieved. It's possible, but all strikers that are available as we
speak are possible.' Gold added on Sky Sports News: 'It is a question of
'can we do business?'' The new owners met on Wednesday with Zola and
assistant manager Steve Clarke to discuss the way forwards. 'I was hugely
impressed with Gianfranco and Steve,' Sullivan said in the London Evening
Standard. 'It is so great to meet a man who wants to work with us and make
the team better. 'He has a 'can-do' attitude, but with a pragmatic approach.
Gianfranco is a really nice guy. I believe he can be a great manager. 'We
agreed we need at least one striker by the Portsmouth match and the second
by the end of the window.' Sullivan will look to free up as much funds as
possible, believed to be around £8m, after pledging no players needed to be
sold. There had been speculation the likes of centre-back Matthew Upson,
goalkeeper Robert Green and striker Carlton Cole, as well as midfielder
Scott Parker, would have to be sold off to help balance the books.
Sullivan revealed West Ham had been under pressure to bring in some £8m
during the current window, and more by the summer, a scenario which now was
no longer on the horizon due to their takeover. 'Matthew is the captain and
his return to the team in recent weeks has coincided with improved
performances,' said Sullivan, who is also likely to be on the lookout for
some defensive cover this month. 'We all agreed that Scott, despite a lot of
interest, is going nowhere. He is a wonderful player, the heartbeat of the
team. Despite the difficult times, he has always been up for the challenge,
always fighting for the badge.' Sullivan intends to deal with transfers
himself, leaving the future of technical director Gianluca Nani unclear. The
arrival of Karren Brady as vice-chairman completes the Birmingham connection
at Upton Park, but her salary will be met by Sullivan and Gold rather than
the club. Indeed the duo will themselves not take a wage as the new regime
look to cut costs and reduce the enormous debt levels, which are owed to
both banks and other clubs, including settlements to Sheffield United over
the Carlos Tevez affair and former manager Alan Curbishley. 'We are fully
behind the manager, but I do not want to go into all staff,' Sullivan said.
'There may be some changes at some level, we are going to look at all sorts
of things. We do not rush into decisions.'
Sullivan added: 'There has to be some savings here. This is a club
haemorrhaging money. There may have to be economies, and there is no point
saying otherwise. To put things in perspective, I will be earning nothing,
David will be earning nothing. We are personally paying Karren's wages for
the next 12 months so she is not a burden to the club at all. 'We are not
coming here with baggage which will cost the club money, we are all going to
make a contribution at zero cost to the club.' Sullivan openly admits buying
West Ham made no business sense, but believes now with fans in the
boardroom, the future can be bright. The new owners have an option to buy
the remaining 50% from Icelandic bank Straumur in the next four years, but
hope other wealthy supporters, including Lotus F1 supremo Tony Fernandes,
whose rival takeover bid was unsuccessful, can provide more investment.
'Unfortunately we are inheriting these liabilities, and are going to have to
work through them,' Sullivan said. 'Every stone you turn is a negative to
the cash-flow of the club. 'We are taking over an incredibly bad situation.
However, we will sort it out abecause we are good at it.'
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