Thursday, November 18

Daily WHUFC News - 18th November 2010

Aldershot test in Youth Cup
WHUFC.com
Tony Carr now knows who his side will face to get their 2010/11 FA Youth Cup
campaign started
17.11.2010

West Ham United will play host to Aldershot Town in the FA Youth Cup third
round. Last week's draw originally pitted the Hammers against the winner of
a second-round meeting between Aldershot and AFC Wimbldeon, with the Shots
running out 3-0 winners away from home on Wednesday night. Aldershot had won
3-2 at Cirencester Town in the first round. whufc.com will confirm the time
and date of next month's third-round fixture as soon as confirmed - with the
tie set to be played at the Boleyn Ground. West Ham have won the FA Youth
Cup on three previous occasions, lifting the trophy in 1963, 1981 and 1999.
The Hammers, who were the first club drawn out of the hat, reached the fifth
round last season, defeating Plymouth Argyle and Queens Park Rangers before
being defeated by Newcastle United at the Boleyn Ground. In this year's
competition, holders Chelsea begin their defence with a trip to Sunderland,
while 2010 runners-up Aston Villa visit Bristol Rovers.

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Barrera aiming high at Anfield
WHUFC.com
Summer signing Pablo Barrera is confident things will turn around for the
Hammers
17.11.2010

Pablo Barrera is more than optimistic about this Saturday's trip to
Liverpool and believes it is just a matter of time before good performances
turn into victories for West Ham United. The Mexican international is
relishing the prospect of playing at Anfield for the first time but is more
concerned with helping the Hammers to end a run of seven top-flight games
without a win - even if they are also on a sequence of just two defeats in
eleven matches in all competitions. It is always a tough task at the Reds,
not least with the club's last away win at Liverpool coming in September
1963. "I am very excited about playing at Anfield," said Barrera. "It will
be a very difficult match but we need to start winning. The team is playing
well despite being frustrated by the results in the recent matches. We have
a great chance to get something from Liverpool."

Looking to Blackpool last Saturday, the 23-year-old who represented Mexico
in the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, remained frustrated about the
draw. It could have all been different had the Hammers taken one of the many
opportunities that fell Barrera and his team-mates' way. "Against Blackpool
we should have won the match. In general the team played very well. We
created a lot of chances, but we didn't score. "We just need to keep working
to come out from this period, because I believe that we've got quality in
the squad to do it. Of course mentally we are not in our best moment because
we have not been winning. However, the team is playing well, so we just need
a little bit extra to turn draws into wins."

Barrera signed a four-year contract with the Hammers back in July. The
skilful winger then made his Barclays Premier League debut away to Aston
Villa on the first day of the season and is improving with every top-flight
appearance, having made three starts and six substitute appearances.
"Blackpool was definitely one of my better performances. Step by step I am
getting used to English football. The Premier League requires players to
have a very good physical condition but that's something that I will reach
by working hard. "But I am feeling better match after match. I came here to
do things well and to help the team, so that's something I am really focused
on."

Barrera is up for the challenge of playing in the Premier League and is
delighted by this new stage of his career and life, after making his name
for club and country back in his homeland. "Some of the matches are more
complicated for me because there is no space to play from the wings, so we
have to play from the centre and try long passes. Each match is different
but this experience has been great for me. "It is beautiful to have a chance
to play in the best league in the world and for a club like West Ham."

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Vic to stay?
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 17th November 2010
By: Staff Writer

David Gold has confirmed that West Ham are keen to sign on-loan striker
Victor Obinna on a permanent contract. Co-owner Gold, speaking to the Daily
Star revealed that the club had investigated the possibility of retaining
the services of the Nigerian striker beyound the end of the current season,
when his loan spell ends. "We don't have an option to buy Victor at the end
of his loan deal," he said, "but we have spoken to Inter and we do have an
understanding with them. "We have been impressed with Victor. Hopefully we
can do some business because he is a player we want to keep. Of course, that
would depend on which league we are playing in next season, but we are
confident we can get out of the position we are in."

Obinna - whose only goal for United came in the 3-1 Carling Cup win against
Stoke last month - has been a reasonable success since joining on a
season-long loan from Inter, despite officially being the Premier League's
most profligate striker (36 shots, 0 goals).

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Lions line up Nouble loan
Last updated: 17th November 2010
SSN

Skysports.com understands Millwall are lining up a loan move for West Ham
striker Frank Nouble. Millwall boss Kenny Jackett has been scouring the loan
market to bolster his attacking options after seeing Neil Harris and Theo
Robinsonpick up injuries. The Lions are now hoping to bring in England Under
21 international Nouble to help provide cover on a short-term basis. Nouble
has only recently returned to Upton Park after being recalled from a loan
spell at Swansea where he was due to stay until just before Christmas.
Millwall have now enquired about taking the 19-year-old on loan and are
waiting on Hammers boss Avram Grant to give the green light for the switch.

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Grant won't walk away
Hammers boss vows to get things right
By Chris Burton Last updated: 17th November 2010
SSN

Avram Grant has vowed to keep plugging away at West Ham, insisting he has no
intention of quitting. The Hammers have won just once in the Premier League
so far this season, leaving them bottom of the table. Grant, though, has
consistently praised the efforts of his players and is confident the
perilous situation can be resolved. He has also been given the backing of
his board, with vice-chairman Karren Brady having announced that he will be
given time to get things right. Grant has every intention of repaying that
faith and is adamant that he will never walk away from the Upton Park post.

Strange situation

"I don't speak about myself, but I think what we are doing, with all due
respect, is a good job," the Israeli said in the Newham Recorder when asked
he if he was the right man for the job. "I think we need to continue with
the way we are playing and the wins will come. I have no intention of giving
up."
Grant insists West Ham's lowly standing is not a fair reflection on the
quality he has within his ranks and believes results will come sooner rather
than later. "I think this is a very strange situation, because with one win
in 13, you could have said the football is not good and everything is not
good," he explained. "But the players have developed 70 per cent and they
are better month to month, so I don't know what to say to you because this
is a fact."

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Prem eyes on Williams
Swans defender attracting interest
Last updated: 17th November 2010
SSN

Skysports.com understands Swansea defender Ashley Williams is a target for a
number of Premier League clubs. Williams is one of the most sought-after
defenders in the country after impressing for club and country over the last
few seasons. The 26-year-old captained Wales in the recent Euro 2012
qualifiers against Bulgaria and Switzerland and he was named Club Player of
the Year in the Football Association of Wales' annual awards last month.
The former Stockport man broke a club record for an outfield player for
consecutive appearances when he made his 107th appearance earlier this month
in the win over Cardiff. Williams is regarded as one of the best talents
outside England's top flight and his performances for Swansea have attracted
attention from several interested clubs. A number of teams were linked with
a move for his services during the summer transfer window, but Swansea
managed to keep hold of the talented centre-back. However, West Ham, Wolves
and West Bromhave all maintained a watching brief on Williams and could
rekindle their interest when the transfer window reopens in January. Swansea
would be loathe to lose Williams as they battle for promotion from the
Championship, but they could find themselves fending off bids for the
defender in the New Year.

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Hammers keen to keep Obinna
Gold confident of striking a deal with Inter
Last updated: 17th November 2010
SSN

West Ham co-owner David Gold has confirmed the club are keen on landing
Victor Obinna on a permanent basis. Although the Nigerian marksman is yet to
score his first Premier League goal the club have been impressed with his
displays. West Ham do not have an agreement to sign Obinna come the end of
the season, although Gold has confirmed the club have been in close contact
with the Italian giants and believes they have an understanding. The Hammers
are confident the club will turn around their flagging season and stay up
ahead of thrashing out terms to keep the 23-year-old at Upton Park.

Understanding

"We don't have an option to buy Victor at the end of his loan deal," he told
the Daily Star. "But we have spoken to Inter and we do have an understanding
with them. "We have been impressed with Victor. Hopefully we can do some
business because he is a player we want to keep. "Of course, that would
depend on which league we are playing in next season, but we are confident
we can get out of the position we are in."

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West Ham defender Manuel Da Costa out until New Year after aggravating ankle
injury
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 12:50 AM on 18th November 2010
Daily Mail

West Ham defender Manuel Da Costa has been sidelined for a further 10 weeks
after aggravating an ankle injury that has kept him out of the club's last
three Premier League matches. The news comes as a major blow to under-fire
manager Avram Grant ahead of Saturday's difficult trip to Anfield against
Liverpool. The Hammers are rooted to the bottom of the Premier League with
just one win all season and Grant has faced calls from some sections of the
club's unhappy supporters to quit. Da Costa missed the successive league
draws against Birmingham, West Bromwich Albion and Blackpool after suffering
the injury during the 1-0 defeat to Arsenal last month. Danny Gabbidon will
continue his central defensive partnership with captain Matthew Upson.
But the pair have both encountered injury problems themselves this season
leaving Grant with on-loan Tal Ben Haim, youngsters James Tomkins and
Winston Reid in reserve.

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West Ham want to seal £2.5m permanent deal for on-loan forward Victor Obinna
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 11:20 AM on 17th November 2010
Daily Mail

West Ham are eyeing a £2.5m permanent move for loan signing Victor Obinna.
The Nigeria striker has scores two Carling Cup goals since his arrival on a
season-long loan from Inter Milan in the summer - but has yet to open his
Premier League account for the rock-bottom Hammers. But the Upton Park club
are keen on a permanent switch for Obinna and have held initial talks with
the San Siro club with regards to a summer move. Hammers co-owner David Gold
told the Daily Star: 'We don't have an option to buy Victor at the end of
his loan deal. 'But we have spoken to Inter and we do have an understanding
with them. 'We've been impressed with Victor. Hopefully we can do some
business because he is a player we want to keep. 'Of course, that would
depend on which league we are playing in next season, but we are confident
we can get out of the position we are in.'

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