Friday, November 19

Daily WHUFC News - 19th November 2010

Lletget called-up
WHUFC.com
Sebastian Lletget is in the United States U20 squad for the upcoming Torneos
de las Americas
18.11.2010

Sebastian Lletget has been included in the United States Under-20 squad for
the upcoming Torneo de las Americas. The 18-year-old is one of 20 youngsters
included by head coach Thomas Rongen for a tournament that will the US take
on Colombia and Mexico in Kennasaw, Georgia, on 26 and 28 November
respectively. Lletget, who recently signed his first professional contract
with West Ham United, is looking forward to joining his compatriots for what
promises to be a competitive event. "I'm definitely really looking forward
to it, especially as it'll be the first time I have been back home in the
States for five months. It'll be good to get back in the swing of things
with the other players. "We have a great group of players and the coach has
been great. I know him very well and I'm really excited. "It's just three
teams - the USA, Colombia and Mexico - and each team plays each other once
and the one with the best record wins. "It should be a lot of fun. There
will be a lot of people coming to watch so it should be a good atmosphere."

Lletget is one of two English-based players included in Rongen's squad
alongside Ipswich Town goalkeeper Cody Cropper, while players have also been
called up from clubs in Croatia, Germany, Israel and Mexico. *Jonathan
Spector helped the United States senior team to a 1-0 win over South Africa
in the Nelson Mandela Challenge on Wednesday. The Hammers full-back was a
half-time substitute for Jonathan Bornstein at Greenpoint Stadium in Cape
Town, with the Americans' winner arriving five minutes from time courtesy of
17-year-old debutant Juan Agudelo.

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Defender facing lengthy lay-off
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 18th November 2010
By: Staff Writer

Manuel Da Costa is likely to be out of action until the new year with an
ankle problem. The Portuguese centre half - who was arrested recently
following a fracas at Faces nightclub - has missed West Ham's last three
games after exacerbating an ongoing ankle problem and is set to be sidelined
until the start of 2011. The news is another major blow to under-pressure
boss Avram Grant, who is already without the likes of Jack Collison and
Tomas Hitzlsperger, although another long-term injury - Zavon Hines - could
be back in contention soon after resuming training. 21-year-old Hines has
been out of action since West Ham's 4-0 home defeat to Manchester United a
year ago next month but returned on Monday when he made a brief appearance
during the reserves' goalless draw at Aston Villa. "I'm very pleased," he
told whufc.com. "It's been a long time, so I was just eager to go. I feel
sharp, it's just my fitness that needs to get up a bit before I push on but
physically and mentally I'm ready to go. "I've been back in training for
four or five weeks now so I'm hoping to play in the next reserve game, get a
bit longer and try to push into the first-team squad."

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Barrera targets Reds scalp
West Ham winger confident of victory at Anfield
Last updated: 18th November 2010
SSN

Pablo Barrera has urged West Ham to turn draws into victories, starting
against Liverpool this weekend. The Hammers have only won a single game in
the Premier League this season but they have also proved difficult to beat
since losing their first four games. Barrera believes there are some
positives to take from a nine-match run with just two defeats, although he
is now desperate to climb off the foot of the table. The Mexico winger
insists West Ham are capable of going to Anfield on Saturday and picking up
three points. "It will be a very difficult match, but we need to start
winning," said the 23-year-old.
"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."

Barrera was encouraged by West Ham's performance in the goalless draw
against Blackpool last time out, when he came on as a substitute for the
injured Kieron Dyer inside 20 minutes. "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," he told the club's official website. "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."

Adjusting

Barrera caught the eye at the World Cup with Mexico but has struggled to
establish himself as a regular starter since moving to Upton Park later in
the summer. He admits it has taken time to adjust to the demands of the
Premier League but feels he is improving and hopes to make more of an
impact.
"Step by step I am getting used to English football," he said. "The Premier
League requires players to have a very good physical condition, but that's
something that I will reach by working hard. "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. "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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Faubert - We have let fans down
West Ham defender unhappy with displays
Last updated: 18th November 2010
SSN

Julien Faubert admits that West Ham have let down their fans this season.
The Hammers only just avoided relegation under Gianfranco Zola last term,
before he was replaced by Avram Grant in the summer. But the club are again
struggling at the foot of the Premier League table with just one win from
their opening 13 games this season. And the French full-back admits that the
club's supporters deserve better. "West Ham is a historic club, full of
passion, which has seen great players like Bobby Moore," he said.

Sacrifice

"The supporters follow the club from generation to generation. "Compared to
Chelsea or Fulham, here (at West Ham) it is a working class area. "The fans
work hard to pay for their season tickets, they sacrifice a lot of things to
be able to see their team. "It is true that in these last two seasons, we
can say that we have not really lived up to their expectations. "They are
not happy and we can understand it because they pay to see a show. But there
is never animosity. That is really appreciated."

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Lakic happy with Kaiserslautern
Croatian striker linked with West Ham switch
By Thomas Zocher Last updated: 18th November 2010
SSN

Croatian striker Srdan Lakic has insisted he is more than happy at
Kaiserslautern after he was linked with a move to West Ham. English reports
claimed that Lakic was far from happy with life with the Red Devils and was
refusing to sign a new deal. However, he now insists that talks are going
well, with his current deal due to expire in 2011. "I am in good contact
with Stefan Kuntz(general manager of Kaiserslautern)," said Lakic. "I enjoy
being a player of this club and we have achieved much since I came here.

Obvious

"It is pretty much obvious I will not quit for some place overnight. I am
not thinking about what might happen to me or the club if we get relegated.
"I am enjoying scoring goals as I have changed my style of playing over the
years. I am working hard and I knew I am able to score on any level, if I
keep on working. "I think I can still develop further as a player, I am not
at the end of it right now. "Every player is wanting to play at
international level, why shouldn't we qualify for a European club
competition with Kaiserslautern in the future? "Still we actually have that
job to do, keeping the club in the Bundesliga. We are fully focused on
that."

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Barrera's Iron Will
The Sun
By ROSS GREGORY
Published: Today

PABLO BARRERA reckons the West Ham revival starts this Saturday at Anfield.
The Irons boast just one win in 13 Premier League games and are rooted to
the bottom of the table. But Mexican winger Barrera is hopeful of a result
at Liverpool - even though the Hammers have not won there for 47 years.
He said: "The team is playing well despite being frustrated by results in
recent matches. "We have a great chance to get something from Liverpool. We
need to keep working to come out from this period - we've got quality in the
squad to do it."

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Pablo wants to Hammer Reds
The Sun
Published: 18 Nov 2010

PABLO BARRERA is tipping West Ham to drag themselves off the foot of the
Premier League table by upsetting Liverpool at Anfield. The Hammers have won
just once in 13 games but Barrera believes they will ease the pressure on
under-fire boss Avram Grant with a much-needed three points on Saturday.
Barrera, 23, said: "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. "We just need to keep working to come out from this period
because I believe 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, who joined the Hammers in a £4million deal from Mexico City Pumas
in July, has impressed during the nine appearances he has made so far this
season. And the Mexican insists there is more to come as he continues to
adapt to life in the Premier League. He added: "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 I will reach by working
hard. "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. "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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Hammers chase pay-rebel striker
Published 23:00 17/11/10 By John Cross
The Mirror

West Ham boss Avram Grant wants to strengthen his strike force with a
bargain move for Croatian striker Srdan Lakic. Lakic, 27, has refused to
sign a new deal with Kaiserslautern and the German club may cut their losses
and sell in January rather than lose him for nothing next summer. Grant
wants to improve his forward options and has been alerted to the former
Croatian under-21 striker along with Real Zaragoza and Malaga. Lakic wants
to leave Germany and Kaiserslautern want around £2m which may appeal to West
Ham.

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