WHUFC.com
US-born playmaker Sebastian Lletget has signed his first professional
contract with West Ham United
03.09.2010
When young players sign their first professional contracts, it is often said
they have come a long way. That is certainly true in the case of Sebastian
Lletget, who celebrated his 18th birthday by formally joining West Ham
United on Friday. A talented attacking midfielder with eye-catching ball
skills, Lletget was first spotted by the Hammers playing for Santa Clara
Sporting SC - Sporting Clube de Portugal's US academy based near the city of
San Jose, California - at the age of 13. Following a successful trial,
Lletget has been training with West Ham on and off for the past
four-and-a-half years. "I started playing at a club back in San Francisco
called Sporting as Sporting Lisbon had brought their academy over to the
United States," the US U17 international explained. "It's a very competitive
club, so that was my best chance of ever being seen by a European scout.
"One day, I went to training as always and one of my coaches, Carlos Brasil,
had a friend called Mike Leigh who was a scout for West Ham. I played a game
against an older team and did really well in front of him. "He said 'OK' and
invited me over to England. I came over when I was 13 and trained with the
youth team because the Under-16s were not in. I had a great training session
so they asked me to play that afternoon and I scored a goal with my first
touch! "After that game, I've been visiting and training with the club ever
since. I have now signed my professional contract."
While Santa Clara Sporting SC has sent players to professional clubs in
Portugal, Lletget is the first to join an English side. While he may be
5,400 miles from home, but the young playmaker has not forgotten his
American roots, and he aims to follow in the footsteps of his two heroes -
former Manchester City midfielder and US captain Claudio Reyna and current
Villarreal CF and Italy striker Giuseppe Rossi. "The American style of play
is very different than the style of play in any other country. Spain, for
example, is known for the technical side, whereas Americans are known for
their athleticism. "For me, though, my favourite player was the US
midfielder Claudio Reyna, because he brought a different style to the game
and I can relate to that. "With my Italian heritage, Giuseppe Rossi is the
player I look up to most because he has come from a similar background to
me, and is also a similar-type player. It's my aim to make a name for myself
like he has. "My heart is in America, though, so if the chance ever arose to
play for the United States, I'd love that."
Nearly five years after he first trained with the Hammers, Lletget was
joined by father Francisco, mother Sara Murruni and sisters Valeria and
Vanessa as he signed his first contract at the Boleyn Ground. While the
coaching staff and his fellow players have been impressed by Lletget's
talents, the need for international clearance has precluded the youngster
from performing in front of the club's supporters. "I am an attacking
midfielder who plays in the hole. I love to play football and I think I have
good vision, good ball control and I like to pass the ball. I think those
are my strongest suits. I like to express myself.
"In the upcoming season, I really want to get established and comfortable
and play for the reserves then maybe I'll get spotted by the manager. Now I
have signed, I don't want to rush things and put extra pressure on myself.
I'm just going to take it step-by-step, day-by-day."
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Sunderland cup date set
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's Carling Cup third-round tie at Sunderland will take place
on Tuesday 21 September
03.09.2010
West Ham United's Carling Cup third-round visit to Sunderland will take
place on Tuesday 21 September, kick-off 7.45pm. Tickets for the Hammers'
trip to the Stadium of Light are priced at just £10 for Adults and £5 for
Over-65s and Under-16s. West Ham's allocation of 2,200 tickets is on sale to
season ticket holders with Academy members able to purchase theirs from 9am
on Monday 13 September. Any remaining tickets will go on general sale from
9am on Tuesday 14 September. Eight wheelchair bays and five ambulant or
visually impaired tickets are also on sale, priced at £10 for Adults and £5
for Over-65s and Under-16s, including a carer.
Coach travel will depart the Boleyn Ground at 10.30am, priced at £31 Adults
and £29 Concessions for season ticket holders and Academy members or £35
Adults and £31 Over-65s and Under-16s for non-members. The Hammers won
through to face their Barclays Premier League rivals with a 1-0 defeat of
League Two new boys Oxford United at the Boleyn Ground, while Sunderland
defeated League One side Colchester United 2-0 on Wearside. Since then, the
Black Cats have splashed out £13m on Ghana's FIFA World Cup striker Asamoah
Gyan from French club Stade Rennais. West Ham and Sunderland have met twice
before in the League Cup, coming through on both occasions. Alvin Martin and
David Cross scored in a 2-1 fourth-round replay victory at the Boleyn Ground
in November 1979 following a 1-1 draw at Roker Park. The two sides met in
the second round in 1988/89, with the Hammers winning 5-1 on aggregate.
West Ham reached this stage of the competition last season before being
knocked out by the same scoreline over 120 minutes away to Bolton Wanderers.
The 2010/11 final will be held at Wembley Stadium on 27 February 2011. The
Hammers have reached the League Cup final twice in their history, losing out
on both occasions. West Bromwich Albion ran out 5-3 aggregate winners in
1965/66, while Liverpool earned a 2-1 replay victory at Villa Park in
1980/81 after the initial game at finished 1-1 at Wembley. Sunderland
reached the League Cup final in 1984/85, losing 1-0 to Norwich City at
Wembley.
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Behrami to 'give everything'
WHUFC.com
On his way back from injury and going nowhere, Valon Behrami is ready to
give everything this sason
03.09.2010
Valon Behrami has pledged to show West Ham United fans that he is fully
committed to the cause after a difficult summer. The Switzerland midfielder
was linked with a move back to Italy, with his young family based in Rome.
However, a deal did not materialise ahead of the transfer window closing
this week and Behrami is only thinking now of succeeding in his third season
in London. The 25-year-old especially wants to repay the supporters who have
appreciated his whole-hearted approach since he first signed from S.S. Lazio
two years ago. "After the transfer window was closed," he said. "Everything
was OK for me. I am concentrating 100 per cent to give this club good
results. There is nothing more in my head. "In the last three weeks, the
manager and the chairman have both helped me a lot because they understood
the situation. Of course in football, there is the business side as well. We
didn't find the right solution for the club and for me. "I now just want to
try to help everyone here, the people who have helped me with a difficult
moment [in my life]. Now we as a team are in a difficult moment and I give
everything. "I feel that the fans understand my situation and they will help
me like they did in my first two years at West Ham. And they will also do
that for the third year. They know I try to give 100 per cent, sometimes it
was good, sometimes not - but if we are all together I feel we can do
something good this year."
Behrami was particularly eager to recognise that the supporters had stood by
him during a hugely difficult time when recovering from a serious knee
injury suffered in March 2009. "This club has given me a lot of things and
helped me when I was injured. I never want it to look like I want to leave
because it is difficult. The club knows I had a personal private problem in
my life. I tried to go back to Italy to solve this problem. We didn't find
the right solution and I am happy to stay here. "I never tried to move to
any other club in England or Germany or wherever. I am here and I will give
100 per cent for this club and the supporters."
Behrami's situation has been complicated by ongoing injury niggles -
especially last season - but he has worked extremely hard in recent weeks
with the club's medical staff to make a playing return. He has not gone on
international duty in a bid to get back and help the club's cause - perhaps
even starting with Chelsea on Saturday week. "It is good for me to stay here
and work hard. The big thing was we worked on in this last month was about
my problems of last season. Sometimes I was in, sometimes out and I want to
forget. I don't want that to happen again. I just want to play and that is
why it was good this last month to work hard. I feel good and ready for the
new season. "After my bad injury, I didn't feel like before. This was very
frustrating. Now after this month I am happy about my condition and waiting
to start my season. "We are in a situation which is difficult we know but it
is just the fourth game in the season. Still a lot of games to play. We have
to play but not worry about the situation. "We have to play to give
everything. We have nothing to lose against Chelsea. Sometimes when we have
this kind of game, this team reacts very well. Especially when we play at
our home our fans help us and they expect us to give everything."
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The Ball and Parky
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 3rd September 2010
By: Staff Writer
News of some important up-and-coming events in the Bobby Moore Fund for
Cancer Research's calendar...
Bobby Moore Fund Sports Ball
Date: 25th September 2010
Venue: Hurlingham Club
Tickets: See below.
Join us for the Bobby Moore Fund Sports Ball on the 25th September 2010 at
The Hurlingham Club, Fulham.
Join Stephanie Moore MBE and celebrities from the world of sport and
entertainment at the annual Bobby Moore Fund Sports Ball which will be held
on a late summer's evening at the prestigious Hurlingham Club in London.
Television presenter Gaby Roslin and comedian and actor Omid Djalili will be
our celebrity MCs for the evening's entertainment, which includes:
• Champagne reception
• Exclusive entertainment including music and dance
• A gourmet 3 course dinner with wine
• The opportunity to win some fabulous prizes
• An exciting money-can't-buy auction
The fundraising total for last year's event was over £154,000 – a fantastic
success – and this year we hope to raise even more.
We have five tables left, each costing £1,750 for ten people, and one great
Champion sponsor package left at £,5,000, this includes branding
opportunities and a prime-positioned table for ten with complimentary
champagne.
To book your tickets or for further information about sponsorship, please
call Louise Knapton on 0207 438 5210 or email her at
louise.knapton@cancer.org.uk. We look forward to welcoming you to the event!
Parky; The One Man Show
Date: 1 November 2010
Venue: Cadogan Hall
Tickets: £50, £45, £40, VIP ticket: £100 (VIP post-concert reception with
Sir Michael and stars).
Fresh from a sell out tour of Australia and New Zealand, Parky; The One Man
Show is a personal insight into Sir Michael Parkinson CBE's fifty-year
broadcasting career. Taking place at Cadogan Hall in Sloane Square on the
1st November, this event will look back on his legendary career. Parky has
interviewed more than 3,000 of the world's most famous people. Now, the
renowned broadcaster will share his greatest moments, live on stage,
supported by clip highlights from his career including long lost footage.
The Bobby Moore Fund is delighted that Sir Michael Parkinson CBE has chosen
to stage a special one-off production of the show in London this year in aid
of the Fund. For anyone who read and enjoyed 'Parky', Sir Michael's
autobiography of 2008, you should expect the same humour, warmth and
inimitable knack for story-telling.
"I am delighted to be supporting the Bobby Moore Fund through this
performance. I knew Bobby well and his tragic death from bowel cancer at
such a young age was a great loss to us all. The money raised from the One
Man Show will help tackle this terrible disease so please show your
support," said Sir Michael Parkinson.
Tickets are now on sale and available from Cadogan Hall. To book online
please visit www.cadoganhall.com or call the Cadogan box office, Monday to
Saturday from 10am to 8pm on 020 7730 4500.
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London footballers club together to run 10k
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 3rd September 2010
By: Staff Writer
The Hammers are challenging men and women in London to help tackle cancer by
entering Cancer Research UK's Run 10k. Players from West Ham United are
urging men and women to enter into the team spirit by signing up for the
charity event, which takes place at Victoria Park on October 17th. Every two
minutes someone is diagnosed with cancer in the UK and around 27,000 people
in London are told they have the disease every year. A spokesperson for
West Ham United said: "We hope that we can help to get the ball rolling by
encouraging men and women in London to enter Cancer Research UK's Run 10k.
We want everyone to pull together as a team and help raise money for Cancer
Research UK's life-saving research."
Cancer survival rates have doubled since the 1970s and Cancer Research UK's
work has been at the heart of that progress. Thousands of mums, dads,
brothers, sisters, sons and daughters across London are alive today because
of this research. Kirsty Wilde, London Events Manager for Cancer Research
UK, said: "We hope hundreds of people will feel inspired by the Hammers to
enter Run 10k in London. It's a great opportunity to have fun, get fit and
raise money to beat cancer. We are encouraging men and women of all running
abilities to take part. Although the distance might sound like a challenge,
lots of people can achieve it with a little bit of training."
She continued: "By taking part in Run 10k, and supporting Cancer Research
UK's crucial work, people in London could make a big difference to cancer
patients here on their doorstep. So our message to local people is: raise
it, run it, beat it!"
Cancer Research UK's Run 10k, supported by Tesco, is a series of 20
fundraising events which will take place throughout the UK this autumn.
Cancer Research UK is hoping that 50,000 men and women will come together to
raise over £5 million to help fund the charity's life saving work. Run 10k
will take place in Victoria Park for the second time on Sunday, October
17th. Last year, nearly 3,000 men and women took part and helped raise
around £240,000. In 2010, Cancer Research UK is encouraging over 4,000
participants to enter and hit a fundraising target of £326,250. Everyone
has a different reason for entering Run 10k. Many are new to running and are
trying to get fit whilst others take part to beat their personal best time.
Some use the event as a focus while they are coping with cancer treatment or
coming to terms with the loss of a loved one. Whatever the reason, everyone
crosses the finish line with a huge sense of achievement knowing how far
they have gone to help beat cancer. "Despite improvements in treatment,
cancer causes one in four of all deaths in the UK," Added Wilde. "We want to
change that. Cancer Research UK aims to save many more lives over the next
ten years. That's why we are asking men and women in London to Run 10k, to
raise money for vital research and help beat cancer."
Cancer Research UK spent nearly £154 million last year in London on some of
the UK's leading scientific and clinical research. London is the home to one
of the new Cancer Research UK Centres, which will draw together world class
research and areas of medical expertise to provide the best possible results
for cancer patients nationwide.
The UCL (University College London) Cancer Research UK Centre will help set
the pace for national and international progress in research into the
biology and treatment of blood cancers, sarcomas, brain cancer, ovarian
cancer, head and neck cancer and lung cancer. To enter Cancer Research UK's
Run 10k visit www.run10k.org. For further information about Cancer Research
UK's work or to find out how to support the charity, please call 020 7121
6699 or visit www.cancerresearchuk.org.
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Sullivan's loan moan
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 3rd September 2010
By: Staff Writer
David Sullivan has called for a review of the loan system in the wake of the
closure of the summer transfer window. West Ham United's co-Chairman hit out
at rules that state Premier League clubs may loan a maximum of two players
domestically - although there is no limit to the number of foreign players
who can join on loan. "It is possible that we might need to discuss ways of
changing the loan system. It is madness the English clubs are penalised,
compared to foreign clubs, when you can only loan two players even from
Championship or Premier League clubs," he told Soccernet. "You are free to
loan as many as you want from foreign clubs and it doesn't make sense. This
is something that I have put forward but I don't think many, if any of the
clubs, have voted for it. Maybe the times have now changed sufficiently for
clubs to re-think it. "Of course most players won't stand for it, so this
has to be universal, so they cannot play one club off against another. Their
only redress if they don't like it, is to go abroad or not come to the
Premier League."
Sullivan admitted that whilst not in favour of placing an upper limit on
wages he was keen to see legislation introduced that would protect clubs
from financial difficulty in the event of relegation from the Premier
League. "Its a free market, so I don't advocate a salary cap of any
description, and clubs will get round any formula you might bring in as a
percentage of turn over and so on," he added. "But relegation carries such a
heavy financial liability for any Premier League club, that something
drastic needs to be done to ensure the clubs survival if they go down, and
halving players wages is something that we all need to look at again.
West Ham chose to sign just one domestic-based player on loan during the
summer - Tal Ben Haim from relegated Portsmouth - despite having agreed a
fee for a second, striker Felipe Caicedo of Manchester City. The 21-year-old
instead joined newly-promoted Levante (of La Liga) on transfer deadline day.
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Vagient Valon rues missed opportunity
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 3rd September 2010
By: Staff Writer
Valon Behrami has revealed his disappointment after his proposed transfer
window move to Roma fell through. The Albanian-born Swiss international was
one of a number of players with whom the club were prepared to do business
during the summer as Avram grant sought to make sweeping changes to his
squad. However a proposed to Roma - which had been mooted since the
beginning of the summer - failed to materialise, much to the chagrin of the
25-year-old midfielder who has been absent thus far this seaon with a
mystery injury. "I am disappointed the deal failed to go through - that is
for certain, " he said. ""Avram Grant gave me his permission to speak with
Roma. But he also said he needs me, with West Ham bottom of the table.
"[Still], I'm sure I'll still get to play for them [Roma]."
Behrami was signed from Lazio during Alan Curbishley's tenure in a £5million
deal two summers ago, since when his agent has been constantly hawking him
around to interested parites - mainly in Italy. Following an excellent start
to his Hammers career Behrami - who remains contracted to West Ham for
another three years - suffered an horrendous cruciate injury during the 1-0
win over Manchester City in March 2009 which kept him out of action for a
further six months. However his form since has been patchy at best, and it
was rumoured that his absence from this season's opening four games was due
more to a lack of willingness to play than injury, which was the official
line.
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Behrami laments Hammers stay
Swiss player unsettled by failed Roma deal
Last updated: 3rd September 2010
SSN
West Ham winger Valon Behrami admits he is disappointed to still be at Upton
Park this season. The Switzerland international, who joined the Hammers two
years ago from Italian club Lazio, held talks with Roma during the transfer
window. However, the Serie A outfit were unable to sell players to raise
their funds, and the proposed move for 25-year-old Behrami fell through. The
Hammers have endured a disappointing start to their Premier League campaign
and are currently sitting at the bottom of the table following three defeats
from their opening three games. And while admitting his frustration over the
collapsed Roma switch, Behrami expects to be part of manager Avram Grant's
plans this term. "I am disappointed the deal failed to go through - that is
for certain," said Behrami in The Sun. "Avram Grant gave me his permission
to speak with Roma. "But he also said he needs me, with West Ham bottom of
the table. I'm sure I'll still get to play for them."
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Karren Brady's Football Diary
The Sun
KARREN BRADY - First lady of football
Saturday, August 28
BEFORE our game at United, I go to Kutchenhaus in Manchester, a trendy new
kitchen store with the kids - football isn't all glamour, I'd like you to
know - when I bump into one of my favourite players, Fabrice Muamba. Once of
Blues but now a Bolton star, Fab tells them: "You're mum was good to me",
which, I have to admit, wasn't always true of all players all the time. Well
this is obviously the kitchen shop to be seen at. Stephen Ireland was there
the day before, Man U beat us 3-0 and my daughter, who knows nothing about
football says: "They're not bad, mum. I think they'll have a good season."
Yes. they probably will! We do, though, have another ref who appears to be
under Fergie's spell. It's hard even winning a goal kick.
Fergie Blair tip
Sunday, August 29
BROWSING a pre-publication copy of Tony Blair's memoir, I see even ex-PMs
love to name-drop. Who? Why Sir Alex Ferguson, of course. Blair says he
asked Sir Alex what he would do if his best player (Gordon Brown, in this
case) won't do what you want him to? Bin him, Fergie replies, possibly
thinking of Paul McGrath and Jaap Stam. Blair didn't take his advice but
wishes, I suspect, he had. Good riddance to Javier Mascherano. If it's true
he refused to play for Liverpool there's nothing between him and the
Pakistani cricketers who were also revealed today as allegedly cheating the
people who pay to watch them.
Scott free plea
Monday, August 30
THE madhouse is up and running for 36 hours as clubs bid to beat the
fast-looming transfer deadline. The trade being done is generally small
change and often controlled by the banks, who see themselves ahead of the
fans in the people-to-please league. We're chasing a right-back - a
tantalising process similar to a house-buying chain in that when one deal
crashes, the dominoes behind all fall down. One of the principles I have to
keep in mind is not selling Scott Parker followed by another that stresses
we hold on to Carlton Cole if humanly possible.
These are in-a-state agents
Tuesday, August 31
CALLS from agents, chairmen, managers, banks. Never have so many achieved so
little for so much. There must be a better way. I give up on a deal for a
major Premier League player. "It's too late," I tell his agent, "the
deadline's 6pm." "6pm? I thought it was midnight." And, I ask you, who says
agents are thick?
Olymping into the season
Wednesday, September 1
OFF to the Olympic Stadium with bank representatives. I spend more time with
bankers than my husband but neither of us will regret it if West Ham move in
after the Games. Then the League tell us we must register two injured
players under the 25-player rule. This is ridiculous. Man City leave out fit
players, we register the injured.
Brand new addition's in for a Hammering
Thursday, September 2
IT may be she wants publicity for her new album but US singer Katy Perry is
said to be telling boyfriend Russell Brand - not the most obvious candidate
for obedience - that if they have a son he will not be named after a Hammer.
Shame on you Katy, we've had a fine bunch of names here. May I offer Billy
Ronnie Johnny Harry Teddy Brand. At least he won't be Ricky van Wolfswinkel,
who Newcastle were said to be chasing. A whole new meaning to 'keeping the
wolf from the door'.
Cap it off time
Friday, September 3
MY Premier League director friend tells me that if England get less than
three points in the upcoming two European Championship qualifiers, it will
be arrivederci Fabio Capello. One thing, I suggest, that might save him is a
lack of a ready-made successor. As ever, in their eagerness to be seen to be
ahead of the game, the FA have committed themselves to an English manager
when Capello goes in two years' time. What - shock, cor blimey Guv - if
England were to win their first European title in 2012? Would Capello still
be ordered to pack his Prada bags and head back to his palazzo? Something
similar happened to Bobby Robson who, having been told he would be surplus
to requirements after the 1990 World Cup, led England to the semi-finals
where they lost on penalties. How we'd have loved him to stay. His
replacement was the best English candidate at the time and was soon and
properly transmuted by The Sun into a Turnip. More than this, is there an
Englishman handy who isn't Steve McClaren? I don't think the powers-that-be
could live with Harry Redknapp which leaves... (you fill in the name and
good luck!)
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West Ham not laughing at 'jokers' Roma
Published 16:35 03/09/10 By EuroSpy
The Mirror
Valon Behrami has been left 'disappointed' that he could not complete a
transfer deadline day move to Roma. The Swiss international was given
permission to speak to the Serie A giants by West Ham, but the two clubs
failed to reach an agreement over the price, with Roma believed to have
favoured a loan arrangement while the Hammers were holding out for a fee.
Behrami said: "(Avram) Grant gave me permission to talk to Roma, and I'm
very disappointed that the deal did not have a good outcome. "The idea of
Roma taking me on loan was considered a joke."
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Thomas Hitzlsperger, Valon Behrami and Carlton Cole
West Ham Till I Die
Talking of variables that need to go our way, there is bad news on one of
the factors that I flagged up. It has been reported that Thomas
Hitzlsperger could be out injured for a further two to three weeks. That is
disappointing, become it had been assumed that he would be involved in some
form (if only on the bench) in the forthcoming match against Chelski.
Lets hope that the report is wrong or, alternatively, that his injury
problem does not drag on too far in to the season. I have seen Hitzlsperger
play in pre-season and there is no doubt that he brings an authority to the
midfield. Mark Noble, in particular, combines very well with him and they,
along with the admirable Scott Parker, can form a very effective midfield
unit.
However, that news does makes me glad that Valon Behrami's proposed move to
Roma did not go through. If it had, Kovac would have been the virtually the
sole cover for Parker and Noble. Instead, we now have another option in
Behrami. Also, after selling Diamanti and Daprela for relatively low fees,
I am glad that we stuck by our guns in our valuation of Behrami. I get the
impression that Roma were 'trying it on' with their loan request, and
subsequent transfer bids, and it did not work to their advantage! To sell a
player like Valon Behrami for £2-3m is not good business.
I must admit that Behrami is a player that I like. I value his all action,
industrious approach and commitment He is 'Mr perpetual motion' on a
football pitch, the engine never stops running. Unfortunately, last season
he never seemed to get back to the same levels, after returning from the
unfortunate knee and ankle injuries picked up against Man City in the final
match of 2008-09. He then proceeded to compound a largely indifferent
season at club level, with a pretty disastrous World Cup campaign. I
really empathised with him over that harsh sending off in the WC Finals.
Still, new season, new start! It is always very difficult when a player's
family is unsettled, but he has no option but to accept that he is going
nowhere, at least until January, and respond positively. He needs to play
well, if only to put himself in the shop window for a move back to Serie A
in the winter transfer window. One hopes that he will settle down and get
back to the level of performance that he attained in his first season at
Upton Park. He has all the tools to play in a defensive midfield role and,
if match fit, he should be given a start against Chelski. Arguably, his
display in the corresponding home fixture last season was his stand out
performance of 2009-10.
It was certainly interesting the way that the media spun his comments about
staying. Whilst some led with a negative line about him being suprised at
still being at West Ham, others emphasised his positive commitment to play
well and do a good job for the team. My view is that while he remains a
West Ham player he should get the full support and encouragement of the
supporters. But in return he needs to show his commitment to the cause and
put in some good displays.
Finally, it was good to see younger players like Cahill, Johnson and Young
get their opportunities for England against Bulgaria. The enforced absence
of some of the 'fixtures' in the international side has obviously freed
things up and pointed the way forward. It must be frustrating for Carlton
Cole, though, to be in yet another England squad and not figure in the final
selection. It is difficult with Rooney ahead of him, but all he can do is
play well for West Ham and hope that he eventually gets his chance.
SJ. Chandos.
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No Leeds deal for ex-West Ham defender Davenport
03.09.10 | tribalfootball.com
Leeds United have decided against offering triallist Calum Davenport a
contract. Davenport, 27, has been out of the game since a violent family
dispute, which ended with him being stabbed in the legs, almost wrecked his
career. He was released by West Ham United last season.
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West Ham youngster Moncur reveals tips from Dad
03.09.10 | tribalfootball.com
George Moncur is delighted with his progress at West Ham United. The son of
former Hammers and Tottenham midfielder John Moncur, George is a regular
with the U18s and has tasted reserve-team action. "I have enjoyed [the
summer]," Moncur told WHUTV about his fast-track progress. "It has been
really good. I have liked stepping up and trying to cement my place in the
reserves. "I believe in my ability and if I carry on doing the good things I
should step up but we will see how it goes. My dad tells all the time to
keep working hard, keep doing the good things, and keeping the ball."
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