WHUFC.com
Academy Player of the Year Dylan Tombides is aiming to continue his
development over the summer
25.05.2011
It has been quite a season for Dylan Tombides. The first-year scholar, who
only turned 17 in March, has made his mark at reserve-team level, was
included in first-team squad for Sunday's Barclays Premier League visit of
Sunderland and is now looking forward to representing Australia at the FIFA
U17 World Cup. The Perth-born striker capped a memorable 2010/11 by being
named as the Academy Player of the Year - sponsored by Hermex International
Limited - by Academy Director Tony Carr. "It's been a great season," said
Tombides. "I'm very happy with my development so far. It's all about getting
a chance and taking it and I think I've done that well this season. "A lot
of hard work has gone in behind the scenes. I spend a lot of time in the gym
and when I get home I'm really tired. It's all about going to bed and
getting some good sleep and coming back the next morning ready to go. "It
does make a big difference, I feel. I might stay around and do a little
extra that could make me a bit quicker or a bit stronger. That's what gets
you a little bit further in your life. "I am very surprised. My Dad has
noticed a big difference in my strength and it's good to know that the hard
work is paying off."
In a season of many highlights, Tombides picked out the FA Youth Cup
fourth-round meeting with Manchester United, the brace he scored in a 3-2
Barclays Premier Reserve League win over Arsenal and being named in the
first-team squad for the FA Cup fifth-round visit of Burnley as his standout
moments. "It was nice to walk out at Upton Park in the FA Youth Cup against
Manchester United. It was a shame we went out when we did because I don't
think we deserved to lose that game. "Every game I play is always a
highlight, but the one I'd probably take is scoring two against Arsenal
reserves. A lot of first-team players played so it was another good
experience for me."
"Being in the squad against Burnley was a very big thing for me. It was bit
disappointing not to be in the final squad for the game, but it was still
nice to be there and part of all of it. Being considered for that event was
a proud moment for me. "Training for the first team was both exciting and
nerve-wracking. Once you get into it, you're up and running but at first
you're just hoping you can get through the session without making youself
look like a bit of a mug! "The coaching staff and players are very nice and
kind to you, so it was good to train with them. "I just went out there and
did the best I could. If I fitted in then great, but I know I still have
things to work on."
The modest Tombides was quick to praise the influence on his career made by
Academy Director Carr and his supportive parents Jim and Tracylee. "Tony has
been a very good coach for me - you've only got to see the players who have
come through the Academy. I've only played under him for a season so far,
but you can see I have come a long way under his eye, which is a testament
to him. "My family and friends have always been encouraging me, too. I'm
very thankful to them because they're always around to help me out and
without them I wouldn't be where I am today."
Looking forward, Tombides, who netted nine goals in 32 appearances this
season, is eager to continue making his mark for both club and country. "I'm
very happy with what I've been gifted, but it's up to me what I do with it.
I can't just think 'I've made it'. I've still got a long way to go and to
work very hard. "I'll obviously start with the youth team next season, but
as soon as I progress I'll be very happy. At the same time, my progression
means younger players will get a chance in the youth team, which will be
very good for them and will help the club as a whole."
Tombides will enjoy a very short break before returning to training to keep
himself fit ahead of the FIFA U17 World Cup, which begins in Mexico on 18
June. While Australia are considered outsiders, the young Hammer is
confident they will give a good account of themselves. "It's a big
tournament and I'm really looking forward to it. No matter how far we go,
it'll be a great event and a good experience for us. "We have got a lot of
things to work on, but I'm confident we'll do all right. We won't be rolled
over. Australians don't lie down. We'll always fight to the end and that
might get us the last-minute goal that could take us through."
The way his season has gone, you can bet Tombides will be the player who
scores it.
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Wearen wins with Ireland
WHUFC.com
Hammers youngster Eoin Wearen got off to a good start in UEFA U19 EURO
qualifying
25.05.2011
Eoin Wearen helped the Republic of Ireland make a winning start to their
UEFA European Under-19 Championship Elite round qualifying campaign. The
Irish were 1-0 winners against mini-tournament hosts Poland in Koszalin,
meaning they have taken a surprise hold on Group 4. Hammers midfielder
Wearen was a 66th-minute substitute, and came up against former Academy
right-back Filip Modelski, who has been released by the club. Ireland are
next in action on Friday against Ukraine before a Sunday showdown with Italy
that could prove pivotal. The group winners will go forward to the
eight-nation finals in Romania, to be played between 20 July and 1 August.
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Jack back for Wales
WHUFC.com
Jack Collison and Danny Gabbidon could both be in action for their country
tonight
25.05.2011
Jack Collison is set to make his long-awaited return for Wales this evening
against Scotland in Dublin. The Hammers midfielder played in the final three
matches of the Barclays Premier League season after a 14-month absence with
a knee injury. His last international appearance came in the 1-0 defeat by
Sweden in March 2010.
Collison could get more valuable minutes under his belt tonight and on
Friday when Gary Speed's men take on Northern Ireland in the Irish capital.
However, caution will be the watchword for the Wales manager when it comes
to fielding the 22-year-old. "He will be a big boost for us," said Speed.
"Jack played his first games for West Ham and I am so pleased for him to be
back involved in the fold. We are going to have to manage him obviously. We
have a duty to look after him. Jack's welfare is the most important thing."
Collison, and compatriot Danny Gabbidon, are not the only Hammers on
international duty. Club-mate Robert Green was a late call-up for the
England squad alongside Scott Parker for the UEFA EURO 2012 qualifier with
Switzerland on Saturday week. whufc.com will have full details of all the
club's internationals over the coming fortnight.
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Academy pair right at home
WHUFC.com
Sebastian Lletget and Cristian Montano are enjoying life at West Ham
United's Academy House
25.05.2011
Young professionals Sebastian Lletget and Cristian Montano have spoken about
the benefits of living in the West Ham United Academy House. American
Lletget and Colombian Montano have both been with the Hammers since the age
of 16, spending much of their time living in the club's digs. There, the
youngsters share accommodation with many of their team-mates, urging each
other on and helping to foster a fantastic team spirit. Speaking to West Ham
TV, the pair spoke glowingly of the facilities at the Academy House, as well
as the support and care afforded them by resident hosts Bob and Val Rayson.
"I'm from San Francisco in California and I've been here for a year and a
half now and I really enjoy it," said Lletget. "The boys in the house are
pretty respectful of my privacy and generally really nice.
"I think it's a very big thing for any person that their surroundings are
comfortable and the house really does that for you. Bob and Val are also
here to look after us, which is good. "I think we've given up too much and
sacrificed almost everything to be here, so I think it would be foolish to
get involved in that other stuff like going out late and drinking."
Montano moved to London as a youngster, but said the Academy House offered
him a perfect base from which to pursue his dream of playing for the
Hammers.
The 19-year-old admitted that rules in the house were fairly strict, but
agreed with Lletget that the sacrifices were worth making. "The house is
good because it keeps you away from a lot of things you or trouble you might
be included in if you were living outside the house," said Montano. "You're
also live with many of the players you train with and see them day to day,
which helps you forge a spirit. "Bob and Val look after us well and we have
a curfew as well, so we have a daily routine and times when we have to be in
certain places, or else there would be consequences. "We don't know what the
consequences would be because none of us have been in trouble. We all do
what we're told to do."
The pair also talked positively about the care afforded them by the Raysons,
who have run the Academy House since it opened in 1998, the wide range of
facilities available to them and the benefits of speaking Spanish.
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Martin O'Neill back on West Ham's radar after settling Aston Villa issues
Metro.co.uk
Martin O'Neill says he is keen to return to management after reaching a
settlement with Aston Villa, meaning a switch to West Ham could be back on
the cards.
O'Neill was linked with Hammers job in January, only for the Upton Park
chiefs to decide to keep the faith with Avram Grant after a botched attempt
at replacing him.
However, the former Leicester boss has now been touted again as a prime
candidate for the West Ham dug-out, after Steve McClaren ruled himself out
of the running.
The 59-year-old left Villa in August last year but the Premier League
Managers' Arbitration Tribunal was needed to settle the terms of his
departure. In a statement, O'Neill said: 'It's taken a long time but I'm
pleased all issues have been amicably finalised. I'm now looking forward to
the future and getting back into football management.' The Northern Irishman
is currently fourth favourite with the bookies behind Dave Jones, Chris
Hughton, and Sam Allardyce.
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West Ham striker commits himself to the club for next season
East London Advertiser
Matt Diner
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
9:00 AM
West Ham striker Freddie Sears has committed himself to the club for next
season despite their relegation. Championship-bound Hammers are set to lose
the likes of Matthew Upson, Robert Green and Scott Parker over the summer,
but it looks likes academy graduate Sears (pictured right) is set to stay at
Upton Park. "Yeah I want to stay, I've expressed to stay. I want to stay and
get a couple of games next season. You don't know what's round the corner,"
he told the Advertiser. "Definitely as a West Ham fan I want to play for the
club. Relegation might give me a better opportunity to play for the club I
want to play for week in week out. There is probably more of an opportunity
in the Championship than the Premiership. "It could go one of two ways, I
could play every game of the season or the new manager could come in and
bring in new players. But hopefully we can keep some of the young boys and
have a real go next year."
Sears has faith that he and his fellow graduates can step up next year and
push the Hammers back into the Premier League at the first attempt and
admitted they will have to do so without some of their better-known players.
"We should try and keep as many players as we can, but its going to be
hard," he said. "The more senior players will probably move on to be honest,
but hopefully we can keep a good core of players and have a real go next
season. "You look at the boys they have brought through over the years. Tony
Carr has done a great job and he is still bringing through the boys and when
they make the step up it's not hard. "They are ready, they've had two years
in the academy and a scholarship with Tony Carr. "It makes you more hungry
coming through the academy to get on the pitch and do well."
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Robert Green returns for England
25 May 2011
Evening Standard
England coach Fabio Capello was able to breathe a sigh of relief last night
when Robert Green returned to the international fold. Following Ben Foster's
decision to stand down from England duty indefinitely, there had also been a
question mark about Green's commitment to the Three Lions cause. Having
excused himself from next month's Euro 2012 qualifier with Switzerland
partly due to the impending birth of his first child but also because of the
stresses of West Ham's battle to avoid the drop, Capello had opted not to
push Green before naming his squad on Monday afternoon. However, the Italian
had named his squad without knowing Fulham's David Stockdale was due to get
married 24 hours before the Swiss encounter on June 4. Although Stockdale
had assured Capello he would report for duty, the position was nowhere near
ideal, so the England coach approached Green, whose wife has given birth and
West Ham's fate is now sealed. Had the stopper, who has not played for his
country since making that abysmal error against the United States in last
summer's World Cup, said no, Capello would have been in trouble. As it was,
Green agreed and will report for duty with the remainder of his team-mates
next Monday. It does smack of a lack of communication surrounding Capello,
who will be meeting Rio Ferdinand for the first time since handing the
captaincy back to John Terry. However, the final outcome has at least been
favourable, with Green providing competition for Joe Hart and Scott Carson,
ahead of a game England need to win to retain control over their own destiny
in what seems to be a straight qualification fight with Montenegro
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Tigers dismiss Pearson link
Hull focused on strengthening squad following West Ham rumours
Last Updated: May 25, 2011 8:40am
SSN
Hull City insist there has been no contact from West Ham United after
manager Nigel Pearson was linked with the Upton Park vacancy. The Hammers
are searching for a new boss after ditching Avram Grant following the club's
relegation from the Premier League. Cardiff City manager Dave Jones is
understood to be the No.1 choice, but Tigers chief Pearson is also rumoured
to be on the short-list. Pearson has impressed in recent seasons, firstly at
Leicester City and now at the KC Stadium after leading Hull to 11th in the
Championship this season. However, the Tigers' head of football operations
Adam Pearson has brushed off the speculation linking his namesake with the
West Ham job. "There's been no contact from West Ham whatsoever," Adam
Pearson told the Hull Daily Mail. "All we have heard is the speculation in
the media but there's nothing more to it than that. "Our only focus is on
squad strengthening and making sure we're fully prepared for next season."
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EXCLUSIVE: Cardiff manager Dave Jones on the West Ham job
Matt Diner
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
12:06 PM
East London Advertiser
Cardiff manager Dave Jones has denied he has spoken to anyone at West Ham
about becoming the club's new manager. The 54-year-old is the bookies'
favourite to succeed Avram Grant at the helm, but today told the East London
Advertiser that neither he nor the club have contacted each other. "I have
not had any contact with them over the job," Jones said. "I'm not prepared
to say anything about the vacancy. I'm still employed by Cardiff City
Football Club and only thinking of them." Jones, who is on a rolling
contract at the south Wales club, has been in charge since 2005 but has so
far failed to push the club into the Premier League. "I will be sitting down
with the board at Cardiff and discussing my future with them soon," he
added.
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Sam Allardyce tops Hammers' list
Ken Dyer
25 May 2011
Evening Standard
Sam Allardyce was today emerging as the new favourite to become West Ham
manager. Allardyce, 57, was always on West Ham's list of potential
candidates, along with Martin O'Neill and Norwich boss Paul Lambert.
Allardyce has been out of work since December, when he was sacked by
Blackburn, but he still commands a great deal of respect within the English
game as one of the best and most innovative managers. O'Neill remains in the
frame for the Upton Park job but may prefer to wait for an opportunity in
the Premier League, while Lambert now looks likely to stay at Carrow Road.
It is understood, though, that West Ham's co-owners David Gold and David
Sullivan are still some way away from making a final decision as they
consider other candidates, including Dave Jones, should he leave Cardiff,
Watford's Malky Mackay, former Hammers manager Alan Curbishley and Hull's
Nigel Pearson. The club hope to make an appointment within two weeks so that
the new man can begin the process of re-shaping the playing squad in
preparation for life in the Championship
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West Ham have not approached Dave Jones insists David Gold
PA
Wednesday, 25 May 2011
The Independent
West Ham co-owner David Gold maintains the club have not approached Cardiff
manager Dave Jones about the managerial vacancy at Upton Park. The Irons
sacked Avram Grant after they were relegated from the Barclays Premier
League. Reports had suggested they would now move for Jones, with the
Bluebirds having lost in the npower Championship play-offs. However, Gold
said on Twitter: "Despite what you may have read in the papers, we have not
spoken to Dave Jones."
The 54-year-old former Wolves boss also appeared to rule himself out of the
running. Quoted in the East London Advertiser, Jones said: "I have not had
any contact with them over the job. "I am not prepared to say anything about
the vacancy. "I am still employed by Cardiff City and only thinking of them.
"I will be sitting down with the board at Cardiff and discussing my future
with them soon." Former West Ham defender Chris Hughton, axed by Newcastle
earlier in the season, is reported to be on the shortlist, as well as
ex-Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce.
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Martin O'Neill linked with West Ham job
Dominic Walsh, 25 May 2011
SportsNewsIreland.com
Martin O'Neill could be in line to take over as the new manager of West Ham,
after revealing that he has finally agreed a settlement with Aston Villa.
O'Neill was previously linked with Hammers job last January, only for club
bosses to decide to give Avram Grant more time in the position. However,now
that the side have been relegated and Grant axed, O'Neill is once again a
front-runner for the role. The 59-year-old left Aston Villa in August last
year but the Premier League Managers' Arbitration Tribunal was needed to
settle the terms of his departure. In a statement, O'Neill said: 'It's taken
a long time but I'm pleased all issues have been amicably finalised. I'm now
looking forward to the future and getting back into football management.'
The Northern Irishman is currently fourth favourite for the job, behind Dave
Jones, Chris Hughton, and Sam Allardyce.
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Jones - No Hammers talks
Bluebirds chief to discuss future with Cardiff board
By Pete O'Rourke - Follow me on Twitter @skysportspeteo. Last
Updated: May 25, 2011 1:51pm
SSN
Cardiff boss Dave Jones insists he has not spoken to anyone at West Ham
about the managerial vacancy at Upton Park. Jones has emerged as the
bookmakers' favourite to succeed Avram Grant at West Ham as the club look to
make an immediate return to the Premier League next season. Former
Southampton manager Jones insists neither he or Cardiff have been contacted
by West Ham about the job.
No contact
"I have not had any contact with them over the job," Jones told the East
London Advertiser. "I'm not prepared to say anything about the vacancy. I'm
still employed by Cardiff City Football Club and only thinking of them."
Jones, who is on a rolling contract at the south Wales club, has revealed he
will be holding talks with Cardiff's board about his future in the next few
days. "I will be sitting down with the board at Cardiff and discussing my
future with them soon," he added. West Ham co-owner David Gold insists the
club have not approached Jones about taking over at Upton Park. Gold said on
Twitter: "Despite what you may have read in the papers, we have not spoken
to Dave Jones."
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Alan Devonshire sets Braintree Town target
BBC.co.uk
New Braintree Town manager Alan Devonshire has set the team a 50-point
target in the Blue Square Bet Premier next season. Devonshire was appointed
manager of the Essex side on Monday, after leaving his role as boss of
Hampton & Richmond. He told BBC Essex: "We're part-time, but we're going to
enjoy it and have a right old go." "We're looking for 50 points as quickly
as possible, if we can get there in February then fantastic." Braintree will
be in the top-flight of the non-league game for the first time in their
history next season. Previous manager Rod Stringer resigned from the role
less than a fortnight after the club won the Blue Square Bet South title, in
a dispute over the budget for the 2011/12 campaign. Stringer claimed the
final nail in the coffin in his departure was down to fact he was not
promised a reliable car for travelling to rivals' grounds. Devonshire
insisted that would not be a problem for him as he does not drive. He said:
"I had a two-hour lesson and didn't really like it so I decided to not
bother driving. "I've never drove, it doesn't bother me. I get around, I get
to watch lots of games, so it's not a drawback in any way." Devonshire,
whose playing career included a 14-year stay at West Ham, added: "I don't
really want to change anything, I don't think I need to. It's down to the
players if they want to stay." "I just want to make the players better, that
is my ambition."
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