WHUFC.com
Chadwell Heath promises to be a busy place this week as preparations are
made for Chelsea
04.09.2010
Avram Grant has been putting his players through their paces again at the
start of a busy week that will culminate in Saturday's showdown with
Chelsea.
Nearly all the squad were reporting back to Chadwell Heath early this week,
including new signings Victor Obinna and Ruud Boffin, who have been handed
the No33 and No31 shirts respectively. Those players missing included fellow
new recruit Lars Jacobsen, who has been given No37, Matthew Upson, Pablo
Barrera and Carlton Cole, with international commitments still to fulfil.
Robert Green was among those in action again, having had a successful minor
procedure last week that caused him to miss a few days. Winston Reid and
Valon Behrami also appear to be over respective issues while Thomas
Hitzlsperger has stepped up his comeback from a thigh problem and is doing
running drills. Head of Sports Science and Sports Medicine Andy Rolls has
updated whufc.com on the general squad situation in terms of fitness for the
four long-term injuries - namely Jack Collison, Zavon Hines, Peter Kurucz
and Anthony Edgar. "Jack is working hard and progressing well in building up
the muscle bulk in his knee very well," he said. "He is doing long hours in
the gym and, even if it is sometimes a bit laborious, he is approaching his
rehabilitation very positively. "Zavon is doing strength work as he recovers
from his knee injury and is also progressing well. "Peter has undergone
anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery, spending a night in
hospital. It went very well. Peter is now regaining full strength and
movement and has begun light strengthening exercises. He will be assessed by
his surgeon again in six weeks.
"Unfortunately, Anthony Edgar sustained a serious knee injury in a
reserve-team friendly at Queens Park Rangers on 24 August. Anthony underwent
surgery earlier this week."
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Moncur moving up
WHUFC.com
Academy midfielder George Moncur has signed his first professional contract
with West Ham United
06.09.2010
George Moncur has moved a step closer to following in his famous father's
footsteps by signing his first professional contract with West Ham United.
The all-action midfielder and son of former Hammers star John Moncur has
been rewarded for his promise, commitment and ability with a three-year
deal.
The younger Moncur, who only turned 17 in August, has made rapid strides in
the past year, establishing himself as a regular in Academy Director Tony
Carr's Under-18 side and forcing his way into Alex Dyer's reserve team.
While his first professional contract has put a huge smile on Moncur's face,
the teenager knows neither his Dad nor his coaches will let him rest on his
laurels. "I am very pleased. I've started off the season well and I'll try
and carry that on now I've got my contract," he told whufc.com "I found out
a couple of weeks ago when Alex Dyer had a word with me after training. I
told my Dad and he was really happy and told me to work hard and keep doing
well.
"It helps so much to have a Dad who has been through the same experiences
himself. He tells me lots and I've just got to take it all on board and
listen to what he says."
Moncur has made rapid progress through the Academy ranks since moving to
Little Heath from London rivals Tottenham Hotspur at the age of 13. A big
fan of Arsenal and Spain star Cesc Fabregas, the youngster is a
multi-talented midfield player blessed with good vision, a fine passing
range and an eye for goal.
While he is blessed with a wide variety of attributes, Moncur himself
recognises the need to knuckle down and make the most of his ability.
"I've got to just keep working hard. I want to be a regular in the reserve
team this season and keep progressing. I love it at West Ham and I just want
to keep doing well for the club." "I'm just grateful that Tony and Alex have
had the confidence in me and recognised my ability. Now it's up to me to
repay them."
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Dyer takes August prize
WHUFC.com
The SBOBET player of the month for August was overwhelmingly won by
midfielder Kieron Dyer
06.09.2010
Kieron Dyer has been voted the SBOBET player of the month for August. The
midfielder was the overwhelming winner with 42 per cent of the vote, beating
Scott Parker into second place with 24 per cent. Mark Noble was third on 18
per cent. It is the first time Dyer has claimed the monthly prize, which was
last won by Manuel da Costa for his performances in May at the end of last
season. Dyer was the overwhelming choice after his startling return to form
and fitness, and has been unlucky not to score in his last two league
run-outs against Bolton Wanderers and Manchester United. The No7 has been
quick to thank the medical staff who have helped him return to action, but
was also eager to acknowledge the strong support he has received from the
Hammers faithful in the early matches this season. "We were losing 2-0 to
Bolton when I came off and they gave me a standing ovation and that meant a
lot to me," he said. "Again, even though we were losing 3-0 they were
out-singing the Man United fans and pretending to celebrate a goal being
scored. That's just how they are - they are a different gear and my message
to them is 'We will start winning eventually and we'll get up that league
table'."
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International loss for Ilunga
WHUFC.com
Hammers left-back Herita Ilunga's hopes of reaching the 2012 Africa Cup of
Nations have been dented
06.09.2010
Herita Ilunga's DR Congo began their 2012 CAF Africa Cup of Nations quest
with a disappointing home defeat by Senegal on Sunday. The Leopards lost 4-2
in Kinshasha, but were actually 3-0 down by the 19th minute with Mame Nianga
and Senegalese captain Mahamdou Niang scoring twice. Pataou Kabangu reduced
the deficit just before half-time but Niang completed his hat-trick after
the break before Kabangu struck a late consolation second. It was a
difficult day for the Congolese, under new coach Robert Nourazert, in a
match played in temperatures approaching 40 degree heat. Group E favourites
Cameroon had won 3-1 against Mauritius the day before, meaning Ilunga's side
face a difficult battle to keep pace with their more illustrious rivals. DR
Congo are next in action next month when they travel to Yaounde to face
Cameroon.
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Lars looking forward
WHUFC.com
West Ham United will feel the benefit should Lars Jacobsen get off to a
winning UEFA Euro 2012 start
07.09.2010
Lars Jacobsen will be back in action for Denmark tonight to kick-start their
UEFA Euro 2012 campaign but will be eager to return to club duties as a new
Hammer. The deadline-day signing from Blackburn Rovers is fully focused on
the task at hand, namely a home match with Iceland that will set the tone
for hopes of making it to another major finals. Jacobsen was part of a
Danish side that played three games at the 2010 FIFA World Cup but failed as
a squad, like many, to meet expectation. "We are playing at home against
Iceland and most people expect us to win, we expect that ourselves,"
Jacobson told whufc.com. "It is important to get off to a good start. We
really want to put three points on the board, it is very important for us."
Jacobsen was keen to stress that a good showing was also "important for me"
before Saturday's date with Chelsea, adding: "I have only played one Carling
Cup match since the season started and was on the bench for the Premier
League matches. It is a good opportunity to get a full 90 minutes to help me
for what I need to do with West Ham."
The right-back became available in the last fortnight of the transfer
window, with Rovers clearly over-stocked in that position and the Danish
defender eager to start afresh. He said swapping Blackburn for the Boleyn
would give him the opportunity to return to playing the sort of "passing
football that suits me really well".
He explained that the direct style employed at Ewood was effective but not
always conducive to the way he had been schooled at the all-conquering FC
Copenhagen back home and in Europe, as well as in dozens of matches for the
national team. "That was what I was used to, keeping the ball on the ground
and playing out from the back. Of course you cannot be naïve, especially in
the Premier League and there are many different styles. The way West Ham
play is how I want to play and get the most out of my ability."
Of the frenetic activity a week ago that led to this new outlook, he
admitted it had "been a bit weird" signing in such whirlwind fashion and
then immediately going on international duty. He is not complaining, though,
as he is thinking long-term for his wife and young son and is eager for the
chance to truly settle at a club in England "I had been aware of the
interest for a couple of weeks, but it all came down to the last day [of the
transfer window]. I am just happy and delighted to have signed and looking
forward to play for West Ham. It is a bonus as well to get the opportunity
to live in such a great city as London
"West Ham excited me. My first priority was to stay in England. I am happy
here and so are my family. I could have gone to another country but I
preferred to stay in the Premier League and West Ham have given me that
opportunity. It would be nice to be here a long time."
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Petrovic first on WHUTV
WHUFC.com
The assistant manager remains in upbeat mood in the first few months of his
time at West Ham United
07.09.2010
Zeljko Petrovic has given his first interview to WHUTV and spoken about his
happiness and pride at being at West Ham United. The assistant manager
joined the club just before the new season with the aim of supporting Avram
Grant and his coaching staff with his considerable experience on and off the
pitch. The 44-year-old describes "football as my life" and is in no doubt
that there is quality in the ranks at Chadwell Heath. "We have a good team,
we have a good squad and they are good professionals," he said. "They have a
fantastic attitude but it is important for us all to believe. This club
needs to survive one year and then from next year make a step forward. This
is what I hear from Avram and he is right."
Petrovic also said luck had not been on the team's side in the opening
fixtures but reiterated that belief was necessary to turn the corner. He had
no doubt that better times would be around the corner for a club that has
long loomed large in his consciousness. "I am very happy and proud to be
here at West Ham. It is a big name in Europe with a fantastic Academy. It is
very famous club. It is very easy to be a coach or manager here because
everyone here helps you for success and for the club. "You can be the best
coach in the world but when the kit men, or the kitchen staff are not
together to form one team you don't have success. Everybody here and at the
stadium is together at West Ham. We have to all help the manager to achieve
his targets. I am here in my role to support the manager to achieve this."
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Moncur inks Hammers deal
Youngster follows in his father's footsteps
Last updated: 6th September 2010
SSN
West Ham youngster George Moncur has signed his first professional contract
with the club. Mocur follows in the footsteps of his father, former Hammers
star John Moncur, by signing a deal with West Ham and the 17-year-old has
been rewarded for his displays for the under 18s and Alex Dyer's reserve
team with a two-year deal. The teenager was delighted to win a professional
contract and he admits he has learned a lot from his father. "I found out a
couple of weeks ago when Alex Dyer had a word with me after training,"
Moncur told the club's official website. "I told my Dad and he was really
happy and told me to work hard and keep doing well. "It helps so much to
have a dad who has been through the same experiences himself. He tells me
lots and I've just got to take it all on board and listen to what he says."
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Behrami committed to Hammers
Swiss ace wanted move for personal reasons
Last updated: 6th September 2010
SSN
Valon Behrami insists he remains committed to the club despite seeing a move
to Italy fall through. The Swiss ace was strongly linked with a switch to
Italy during the transfer window, but any move failed to materialise.
Behrami admits he only wanted to leave Upton Park because of personal
problems, but has now vowed to give his all for the club with the transfer
window now being closed. "I 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 first two years at West Ham. And they will
also do that for the third year," Behrami told the club's official website.
"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. I
give everything. "I feel that the fans understand my situation and they will
help me like they did in my "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."
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Jack hits the road to recovery
Author: Jonny Abrams
Posted on:06 September 2010 - 16:16
Sport.co.uk
West Ham United starlet Jack Collison hopes to be back in first team
contention at Upton Park by the beginning of 2011, asserting strongly that
he cannot wait to make his Irons return. Appearing as a guest on Sky Sports
programme Soccer AM, the 22 year-old Wales midfielder talked optimistically
about his recovery from a long-standing knee problem, as well as what he's
been up to during his protracted absence from the Hammers squad. Collison,
who also spoke of his disappointment at the firing of Gianfranco Zola at the
end of last summer, hasn't appeared in a West Ham jersey since February and
his return to the fold would represent a major boost for Avram Grant's
struggling side. He said: "I'm hoping to be back around Christmas time. I
had an operation about four months ago to stabilise my kneecap and to have a
bit of a tidy up. "I did it properly at Wigan , tried to play on and had a
little trouble with it, and eventually it came to this. "But fingers
crossed, it's gone really well so far. I should be back around Christmas and
I'm looking forward to getting back into the action. "It was nice to get it
sorted out - now I'm confident on it and rehab has gone really well. I just
can't wait to get back out on the pitch. "Luckily my mum looked after me. I
moved back in with her, which was nice. I managed to get quite good at FIFA
and watched a lot of DVDs! "I just tried to get through it as quick as I
could, to be honest. Obviously [I've been out for] a long time but I want to
come back and play. "I had a little bit of work on the cartilage and, in one
of the knee operations, they stabbed little holes in it and made a new scar
- so it was quite complicated stuff. "But the machine [I was using]
smoothes out the scar and makes it alright."
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WEST HAM'S TRANSFER POLICY CONTINUES TO BEMUSE
Date: 6th September 2010 at 4:45 pm | Written by Jack Howlett
Football Fancast
When a player leaves a football club the views of fans are inevitably
polarised. For some he had more to offer while others will point to possible
replacements or the financial benefits. This scenario occurred at the tail
end of the transfer window at Upton Park when both Alessandro Diamanti and
Fabio Daprela were sold to Serie A yoyo team, Brescia. The inconsistent
Italian drew differing opinions from the supporters but the transfer of a
young, promising defender who had impressed in a handful of appearances was
met with utter bemusement. For the east London club this is far from a new
problem as former players seemingly go from strength to strength.
Signed from Zurich based Grasshoppers last summer for £1 million, the
Hammers sold Daprela last week for an undisclosed fee. The Swiss player who
had a spell at Juventus as a youngster was highly rated. At just 19-years
old the left-back was more authoritative when deputising for the injured
Herita Ilunga than Jonathan Spector. He made his senior debut in the FA Cup
third round tie against Arsenal earlier this year, giving an assured
performance which showed his defensive and attacking capabilities. He
impressed once more against Arsenal in the league, relishing the physical
side of the contest and rampaging down the left flank.
Diamanti was another of last summer's recruits, having been plucked newly
promoted Serie A side Livorno. The brazen forward asserted his influence
over penalties and all set pieces without hesitation. In doing so he
illustrated his technical skill and from open play he was highly exciting to
watch. In an arduous season that excitement did at times turn to
exasperation when his tricks and long range efforts brought no reward. Yet
for his inconsistency, he was hugely popular in some quarters and could
undoubtedly change the course of a game with a piece of unexpected
ingenuity. To the dismay of many, the club's second highest scorer of last
season was sold at a loss of £4 million.
West Ham have had a reputation as a selling club in recent times but there
was an inescapability about the eventual departures of exceptional talents
such as Frank Lampard, Rio Ferdinand and Michael Carrick. Barring Craig
Bellamy's switch to Manchester City, the club has not faced that concerted
pressure to sell in the past few years. But players have consistently been
sold at the wrong time. Paul Konchesky, now of Liverpool, was a reliable
full-back who practised the basics. Defensive duties were paramount but his
powerful left foot could have a telling impact, especially when he scored
against his new employers in the 2006 FA Cup final. A disagreement with Alan
Curbishley meant he was forced out in the summer of 2007.
Konchesky prospered at Craven Cottage where he was joined the following year
by Bobby Zamora. Having been deemed surplus to requirements, it would now be
challenging to find a fan who would not welcome him back to the Boleyn. Few
supporters would have expected to see Konchesky, Zamora and John Pantsil in
European action within a couple of years. Matthew Etherington is yet another
who left the club despite having a huge amount to offer. Signed in January
2009 for £2 million he was in imperious form for Stoke last season.
Invariably their man of the match, he showed energy, excellent wing play and
varied his delivery into the box.
The list arguably continues as the club has even missed previous captain
Lucas Neill who had leadership qualities and an aggressive, combative streak
to his game. The club's insistence on holding on to its core of Robert
Green, Matthew Upson, Scott Parker and Carlton Cole has been to the
detriment of their transfer policy. Parker may rightly be considered
untouchable but the relentless focus on this England quartet has distracted
from arguments about the overall strength and balance of the team. The
departure of Diamanti and Daprela may be evidence of this but with six new
arrivals, it is time for the club to demonstrate that the balance of the
squad has been addressed.
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Like father like son! George Moncur signs first professional contract with
West Ham
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 9:43 PM on 6th September 2010
Daily Mail
West Ham starlet George Moncur has signed his first professional contract
with the club. Moncur follows in the footsteps of his father John, by
signing a deal with West Ham and the 17-year-old has been given a two-year
deal. Midfielder Moncur told his club's official website: 'I found out a
couple of weeks ago when Alex Dyer had a word with me after training. 'I
told my dad and he was really happy and told me to work hard and keep doing
well. 'It helps so much to have a dad who has been through the same
experiences himself. He tells me lots and I've just got to take it all on
board and listen to what he says.'
Avram Grant's West Ham have had a terrible start to the season, and next
face the daunting task of taking on leaders Chelsea this weekend. Crewe and
Chelsea have agreed to extend the loan of goalkeeper Rhys Taylor until the
end of the season. The 20-year-old joined the League Two club on an initial
two-month deal as cover for Steve Phillips, who is recovering from shoulder
surgery. That deal was due to expire on Wednesday. Coventry City are set to
wrap up deals for Marlon King, 30, and Bolton's Danny Ward this week.
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AVRAM GRANT MAY MISS WEST HAM CRUNCH MATCH FOR YOM KIPPUR
The Star
7th September 2010 By James Masters
AVRAM GRANT may miss the game which could decide his West Ham future because
of a religious festival. Grant faces having to choose between sitting in the
dug-out for the club's vital clash with Stoke a week on Saturday or
observing the Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur. The Hammers boss is a devout
follower of the religion and would be required to observe a strict 25-hour
fast from working, eating and even drinking water. But this year that would
mean him missing the game at the Britannia Stadium – a match which the
Hammers may need to win to keep Grant in the Upton Park hot seat. The
55-year-old has watched his new side lose all three of their league games
and faces former club Chelsea at Upton Park this weekend.
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