WHUFC.com
Jack Collison is desperate to fire West Ham United back to the Premier
League at the first attempt
23.05.2011
For the past nine months, Jack Collison has felt like a West Ham United
supporter, kicking every ball and making every tackle from his seat in the
stands. The No10 was ruled out for much of the 2010/11 campaign with a
serious knee injury before returning for the final three matches of a
campaign that ultimately ended in the disappointment of relegation Now,
Collison has vowed to repay his fellow supporters by helping the Hammers to
bounce back to the Premier League at the first attempt. "It's very
important. It's a great club and a massive club with great traditions and if
you look at the support on Sunday, I don't think many clubs would have had
that amount of fans turn up and be so great even after being relegated the
week before. They sang their hearts out, even at 3-0 down. "They were still
cheering when they could quite easily have got on our backs and given us
some abuse - and it would have been fully deserved, really. "Once again they
were great. A club like West Ham doesn't deserve this, so hopefully we can
bounce back next season and get back in the big time where we belong."
While Collison is naturally frustrated at the club's predicament and
unwanted new status as a member of the Championship, the midfielder is
understandably happy just to be back on the pitch again after more than a
year out of action. "I've said on many occasions that I felt like a fan and
I know how it feels to support West Ham. It's been great to get back to
being a footballer and doing what I love, but it's just disappointing that
things have happened this way. "If I'm honest with you, I'm just happy to be
playing football and doing the job I love every day. Twelve months ago, I
was sat at home at my Mum's on a CPM (Continuous Passive Motion) machine so
if you'd have said I'd be back playing in front of 30,000 people on the
pitch a year later, I'd have bit your hand off. "For me personally, I'm just
delighted to be back playing but disappointed at the same time that this
season has gone the way it has. We've just got to bounce back."
Collison himself, just 22, and a host of other Academy graduates are
expected to play an important role in West Ham's promotion bid next term.
While dropping down a division is clearly not what anybody at the club
wanted, the Wales international knows his fellow youngsters will be chomping
at the bit to fire their club back to the big time. "It's all experience and
I know a lot of the young players are relishing the opportunity. It's a
massive club and the people should be working hard to play for the claret
and blue. We've got great traditions. "Obviously it hasn't been a great
season, but the people above will have a busy summer and will be eager to
bounce back."
While he and his fellow graduates are expected to stay, the futures of the
likes of England midfielder and Hammer of the Year Scott Parker and Robert
Green are less certain. Should Parker depart, Collison is aware that he and
his fellow midfielders will need to step up and fill the void left by their
inspirational No8. "We'll see what happens. They are big boots to fill.
Scotty Parker has been unbelievable and it's been a pleasure for players
like myself and the other young players to watch him day-in, day-out in
training and the intensity he attacks everything with is quite amazing.
"Obviously a lot of clubs are going to be interested in Scotty now and I
don't think any West Ham fan can say anything bad about him. He's worked his
heart out all season and, at times, has done unbelievable things. "I
remember the Wigan [home] game. He was ill all week, turned up on the
weekend, scored a goal and was absolutely unbelievable. He could hardly move
on the Friday, so things like that will always live with me and it's been a
pleasure to play with Scotty. Football is a very interesting game, isn't it?
I've only been in it a short time and I've been at West Ham for five or six
years now and I've seen a lot of players come and go. It's just something
you've got to live with. "I've said before that West Ham is a massive club
and it's important that we bounce straight back up and get back where we
belong in the Premier League, because that's what the fans deserve."
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By Eck! Hammers dodge a bullet
KUMb.com
Filed: Monday, 23rd May 2011
By: Staff Writer
Alex McLeish - manager of relegated Birmingham City - is set to remain at St
Andrews, accoring to reports. McLeish - who led his team to Carling Cup
success earlier in the season and who is highly-rated by West Ham's board -
saw City relegated yesterday in one of the most extraordinary final days in
the top flight for some years.
The former Scottish international had been hotly tipped to succeed Avram
Grant at West Ham, much to the chagrin of disappointed Hammers fans
concerned at the possibility of the club hiring another manager with a
recent relegation on his CV. However that is extremely unlikely to happen
now with Birmingham announcing this lunchtime that McLeish will remain aat
St Andrews next term. Another potential target who can also be crossed off
the list is QPR boss Neil Warnock. The former Sheffield United boss, who
threatened to sue West Ham in the wake of the Lord Griffiths ruling over
Carlos Tevez is et to lead Rangers into the Premier League next season. That
news was confirmed by QPR owner Bernie Ecclestone, who said: "He's staying –
100%. We've never discussed anything about him leaving. He's never wanted to
leave and we don't want to get rid of him. He's absolutely taking the club
into the Premier League."
With the Premier League campaign now over, West Ham will step up their
efforts to find the club's 14th full-time manager. Kevin Keen used the
Sunderland post-match press conference - which you may read here -to push
his case, although he is unlikely to be amongst the top tier of likely
cadidates.
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Season ticket cuts confirmed
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 23rd May 2011
By: Staff Writer
Season ticket prices are being reduced by 10 per cent for the 2011/12
season. With West Ham set for a season in the Championship - at least - the
board have taken the decision to cut costs by 10 per cent across the board.
Additionally, those renewing on or before 5th July will receive an
additional discount of £20. All of which means that adult season tickets for
next season start from £515, whilst under 16s prices start at just £76.50.
The news was confirmed by the club in yesterday's match day programme. "West
Ham United supporters are to be rewarded for their unstinting loyalty with a
ten per cent reduction for the 2011/12 season," the confirmation read. The
club are also taking corporate bookings for the forthcoming campaign.
Further details can be found on the club's website at whufc.com.
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Hitz set to stay?
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 23rd May 2011
By: Staff Writer
Thomas Hitzlsperger is currently mulling over a new contract offer - with
hopes high that the German international will stay at West Ham. KUMB.com
understands that the 29-year-old has been offered a new contract to remain
with the club in the Championship next season. Hitzlsperger is one of two
senior players - along with Demba Ba - to have been offered a new deal in
the past few days. Having joined the Irons in June of last year Hitzlsperger
had to wait until the end of January before making his competitive debut,
having been injured whilst on international duty for Germany last August.
The Munich-born midfielder is understood to be giving the contract offer
serious consideration, with that recent injury very much in his mind. Having
stuck by him during his long spell on the sidelines, Hitzlsperger is said to
feel he owes the club at least one full season. 'Der Hammer' , as he is
affectionately known moved to east London on a free transfer last summer
having been released by Lazio. Since joining West Ham he has made 13
appearances in a ll competitions, scoring two goals.
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West Ham turn focus to Championship
By Ben Rumsby, PA
Monday, 23 May 2011
The Independent
Caretaker manager Kevin Keen admitted West Ham must learn to adapt quickly
to the rigours of the npower Championship if they are to stand any chance of
bouncing back to the Barclays Premier League at the first attempt. The
Hammers went down with a whimper yesterday after losing their final game of
the season 3-0 against Sunderland. A summer clearout is expected at Upton
Park regardless of who is appointed as Avram Grant's successor, meaning it
is essential the club makes the right moves in the transfer market before
the window closes. Keen, who refused to give up hope of being handed the
reins full-time, said: "It will be a tough, tough season in the
Championship. "It's more physical than the Premier League - but not as much
as it used to be - and there are more games. "We have fantastic young
players here and if we can keep hold of them, we have a fantastic base to
build from and we can play the kind of football our fans believe in."
Keen was realistic about his chances of leading that revival, saying: "If
I'm up against Martin O'Neill, Steve McClaren, Sam Allardyce, Neil Warnock,
then it's going to be a tough ask. "Because those boys have got a lot of
experience, they've got a better record than my losses of two and wins of
nil in the Premier League. "So, it's up to the owners. "I'm sure whichever
way they go, they'll make the right decision."
And despite fluffing his audition for the job, the former West Ham winger
insisted he was up to the challenge. He said: "Some people say I'm too nice
to manage. Always a nice boy, played football in a nice way." Asked if he
could be nasty as well, he added: "Yes, I effing can. Spread the word. "I
love the club. I played for them for nine years. It's in my blood. "I feel I
can really take the club on and contribute. If you ask the players if they
want me to take the job, I think you'd get an affirmative answer from the
majority of the players."
In stark contrast to West Ham, Sunderland ended the season on a real high,
putting a miserable three months behind them to snatch a top-10 spot.
Perhaps more importantly, they finished above north-east rivals Newcastle,
who blew a 3-0 lead to draw with West Brom. Manager Steve Bruce knows all
about relegation, having suffered it with Birmingham while West Ham's
current owners David Gold and David Sullivan were at the helm. His advice to
his former bosses was: "You have to have a manager who has been there and
done it. "And you have to get rid of the players that will not stay. "But
you have to be careful that you don't strip it - that you have enough to get
that balance right."
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Robert Green set to lead Hammers exodus
Ken Dyer
23 May 2011
Evening Standard
West Ham goalkeeper Rob Green is expected to be the first player sold by the
club following their relegation from the Premier League. The England star
will hold talks with Aston Villa this week with a view to a £4million move
to the Midlands. Scott Parker will follow Green out of the Upton Park exit
door, with Tottenham the favourites to sign the Footballer of the Year. West
Ham, though, will want at least £10m for the 30-year-old midfielder, who has
been linked with several other top clubs, including Arsenal. But facing up
to life away from the Premier League, co-owner David Sullivan today insisted
there will be no fire sale of players. He said: "We have had no bids yet for
any players but we'll probably only sell three and, when they are gone,
that's it. "If we don't get a realistic price, whoever the player is and if
he is under contract, then he'll start next season playing for West Ham."
Club captain Matthew Upson, who wasn't included in caretaker manager Kevin
Keen's squad for the match against Sunderland, is at the end of his contract
and expected to go. There is also uncertainty over the futures of both Demba
Ba, who was signed from German Bundesliga club Hoffenheim in January, and
Thomas Hitzlsperger, who joined on a free transfer from Lazio last summer.
The pair are thought to have escape clauses in their contracts in the event
of relegation but the club's hierarchy would like to keep both players. Keen
made Hitzlsperger captain for the match against Sunderland and the Germany
international is known to feel some loyalty towards the club, particularly
after missing the first six months of the season with a thigh injury.
Striker Carlton Cole also missed the 3-0 defeat against Sunderland with a
neck injury and could be the third player to be sold, with Newcastle manager
Alan Pardew keen to take him to Tyneside as a replacement for Andy Carroll.
Sullivan, co-chairman David Gold and vice chair Karren Brady, meanwhile, are
continuing to work their way through the list of potential candidates for
the vacant manager's job. Martin O'Neill remains top of that list but
another name who has emerged as a front-runner is Birmingham manager Alex
McLeish, whose future at St Andrew's is increasingly uncertain after the
Carling Cup winners were relegated following a 2-1 defeat at Tottenham
yesterday. McLeish worked under Gold and Sullivan at Birmingham and the
co-owners still have a high regard for the Scot. Ian Holloway, whose
Blackpool's team also went down on a dramatic final day of the Premier
League, could become a strong contender should there be a parting of the
ways at Bloomfield Road
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