Wednesday, January 19

Daily WHUFC News - II 19th January 2011

Carr up for cup tonight
WHUFC.com
The FA Youth Cup returns this evening at the Boleyn Ground with the visit of
Manchester United
19.01.2011

Tony Carr is up for the challenge of taking on Manchester United in
tonight's mouth-watering FA Youth Cup tie at the Boleyn Ground. The
Under-18s warmed up for the fourth-round fixture with a training session on
the Upton Park pitch on Tuesday, and Carr said his players could not wait
for the game to start. The Hammers, who last won this competition in 1999
with the likes of Joe Cole and Michael Carrick, won through to this stage
with a 5-0 defeat of Aldershot Town while the Red Devils were 3-2 winners
against Portsmouth. Carr is expecting a stiffer test this time around.
"Manchester United go through reputation," he told WHUTV. "They are one of
the biggest clubs in the country and they have a proud tradition of
producing youth players like ourselves.
"You must give them the utmost respect. It will be an open attacking game I
am sure and we are looking forward to it. We have great respect for them and
their reputation."

With the pitches at Little Heath waterlogged, Carr and his team were given
permission to train at the stadium on Tuesday. It was a useful exercise, not
just in getting a chance to swap Astroturf for grass but also to get more
precious practice time on the big stage of the Boleyn. "The weather has made
it difficult, with all the water laying around making the pitches heavy and
waterlogged. Training at Upton Park has been a boost to the boys and allowed
us to get used to the pitch which we don't use that often. It is maybe a
little bit of an advantage to have trained on it the day before the game and
it was a fantastic boost.
"Our needs have to be measured against the needs of the first team but they
are away this weekend. It made it easier for us. If we couldn't have trained
there, we would have had to train on Astroturf again. We did that on Monday
so to do it for two days running would not have been ideal."

Carr's youngsters spent last week in Abu Dhabi on an all-expenses paid trip
courtesy of their hosts. The Hammers were 3-1 winners against Hamburger SV
in their first match before losing to local club Baniyas FC in the final.
"It came after our two week winter break and it was great to get this
opportunity. It got us back to into the swing of playing again with warm
weather. The temperatures were in the 70s. It was nice to have sunshine,
blue skies and grass to play on. "It was a great experience and a great
opportunity to get some training in before the FA Youth Cup. We have players
in form and hopefully we can take that into the Man United game."

The Hammers have lifted the FA Youth Cup on three previous occasions - 1963,
1981 and 1999. United have won the competition a record nine times, with
their most recent success coming in 2003.

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Specs eyes Everton repeat
WHUFC.com
Jonathan Spector is aiming for a repeat of last season's battling
performance at Goodison Park
19.01.2011

Jonathan Spector is hoping lightning can strike twice and a trip to Everton
will serve as the catalyst to West Ham United achieving Barclays Premier
League survival. On Easter Sunday 2010, the Hammers travelled to Goodison
Park on a run of six consecutive league defeats. When Yakubu put Everton
ahead with five minutes remaining, West Ham looked on course for a seventh
straight loss, only for Ilan to dive to head home Julien Faubert's cross
with just three minutes to go. Having escaped defeat at Everton, West Ham
would pick up seven points from their final five matches to stay up. Spector
was playing at left-back that afternoon in April last year and, although he
is now lining up in a different position in central midfield, the American
is eyeing a repeat performance. "The aim is to go there and get a result.
Obviously a point is OK but we go there looking for a win. That's what our
focus will be on. "We've had some pretty good results and are aiming to turn
our season around. Hopefully, this game will act as a boost and do the same
as happened last season and will serve as the catalyst to help us climb the
table. "The reverse fixture in December is a game we felt we should have won
but we ended up with a draw. Hopefully we can go up there and get a win."

While Spector is naturally looking forward rather than into the past, the
United States international admitted the Hammers had been second-best
against Arsenal on Saturday. However, the American refused to blame the
club's absent midfielders - Scott Parker, Thomas Hitzlsperger, Jack Collison
and Valon Behrami were all out injured, while Mark Noble was forced off with
a calf injury early in the first half. Spector lined up alongside Radoslav
Kovac and Luis Boa Morte in the centre of midfield, and the 24-year-old
backed his experienced colleagues to rise to the challenge between now and
the season's end.
"Certainly it was a disappointing result as we wanted to build on the recent
results we've had at home. We had a couple of great nights over the previous
week and would have liked to have pushed on but it didn't happen. "It was a
tough game. You know they're going to have a lot of the ball because they're
very good at keeping it, passing it and moving it around. We made it
difficult for ourselves by not keeping it. They [Kovac and Boa Morte] are
international players, so it's not a case of us not having experience in
there. They've played for their countries and certainly have the ability."

While Kovac and Boa Morte have spent the majority of their professional
careers in central midfield, Spector himself has recently moved forward from
his previous position in defence to patrol the middle of the park. The
switch has led to important goals against Manchester United and Barnsley and
some buccaneering runs in support of the attack, but the Chicago native
admitted he still has a lot to learn about his new role. "I'm still getting
used to it, but I'm getting more and more comfortable in that role with
every game. I'm delighted to be playing and hopefully I'll be able to
continue in there and learn the position more and more."

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Bendtner move talk dismissed
Dane not interested in speculation
By Richard Torgerson Last updated: 19th January 2011
SSN

Nicolas Bendtner is not interested in speculation that Arsenal have put a
price on his head, amid speculation West Ham are looking to sign him.
Reports have suggested that Arsenal are ready to do business on the
23-year-old Danish international with a price tag of £15million being
reported. But the player's father Thomas, who is also his agent, insists
that his son is not interested in such reports. "That's not interesting," he
told Ekstrabladet. "If Arsenal want to sell and have set a price, then
that's up to them. "That's nothing that we have been involved in. "I can
only say that this is nothing of interest to us."

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Ba still hopeful
Want-away Hoffenheim star still hopes for English switch
By Graeme Bailey - Follow me on Twitter @graemebailey Last updated: 19th
January 2011
SSN

Demba Ba has told Sky Sports that he is still confident he can secure a move
to the Premier League. The Senegalese international saw a move to Stoke City
collapse after he failed a medical last week. Stoke remain keen on a
potential loan deal, whilst West Ham are also still believed to be
interested. Ba was surprised he failed his medical at The Britannia Stadium.
"Unfortunately they didn't want to take a risk, it wasn't that much but they
were a little afraid and they just said it wasn't going to happen," Ba told
Sky Sports News. "I was really surprised and I thought I would pass the
medical easily as I played all the games in the first half of the season,
but this is football."

Ba says there are other clubs looking to sign him. "I know my club
Hoffenheim are dealing with clubs in the Premier League and I am just
waiting to see now but I know I can play for the rest of my career without
much of a problem," he said.

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Monaco eyeing Ilunga
Hammers full-back desperate for first-team football
Last updated: 19th January 2011

West Ham full back Herita Ilunga is reportedly attracting interest from
Monaco in a potential loan deal. The Congolese international joined the
Hammers from Toulouse in 2008 on loan and established himself as an
important player in Gianfranco Zola's first team before completing a full
transfer in 2009.
However, coupled with injury and falling out of favour under Avram Grant,
the 28-year-old has seen first-team opportunities become more limited, and
now wants to find regular football again. 2004 Champions League finalists
Monaco are struggling in Ligue 1 this season, as well as suffering from a
short supply of left-backs after losing Vincent Muratori and Djimi Traore to
injury.

Fighting
Ilunga has now insisted that he is desperate to find regular football again,
with the arrival of former England international Wayne Bridge at Upton Park
likely to hinder his chances even more, and is fully aware of the interest
in him. "I heard the news about Monaco in the papers," he said. "My job is
to play every day and I am fighting for that, every player wants to play."

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Bendtner brushes off transfer talk as Arsenal striker has no interest in
West Ham move
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER Last updated at 11:17 AM on 19th January 2011
Daily Mail

Nicklas Bendtner is not interested in speculation linking the Arsenal
striker to Premier League strugglers West Ham. Bendtner has found his
opportunities limited this season and reports suggested the Gunners were
ready to business for around £15million. Upton Park has been touted as a
possible destination for the 23-year-old Dane but Bendtner's father Thomas,
who acts as his son's agent, said: 'That's not interesting. If Arsenal want
to sell and have set a price, then that's up to them. 'That's nothing that
we have been involved in. I can only say that this is nothing of interest to
us.' Bendtner, who arrived in north London in 2005 and had a loan spell with
Birmingham, has started just one Premier League game this season.

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Take a chance on me! Stoke target Demba Ba insists he can cut it in the
Premier League despite failed medical
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER Last updated at 11:24 AM on 19th January 2011
Daily Mail

Stoke target Demba Ba remains confident he can still clinch a move to the
Britannia Stadium despite a deal collapsing last week over a failed medical.
Tony Pulis is still interested in Ba and revealed earlier this week he
would still push to sign the Hoffenheim striker if medical reports were more
promising.
An initial loan deal has also been mooted as a way of getting the Senegal
international to the Potters. And Ba insists his medical issue is just a
small one, meaning he could yet sign for Stoke, but also warned that other
Premier League clubs are interested in his services. West Ham have also
expressed interest in the front-man. Ba said: 'Unfortunately they didn't
want to take a risk, it wasn't that much but they were a little afraid and
they just said it wasn't going to happen,' Ba told Sky Sports News. 'I was
really surprised and I thought I would pass the medical easily as I played
all the games in the first half of the season, but this is football.' He
added: 'I know my club Hoffenheim are dealing with clubs in the Premier
League and I am just waiting to see now but I know I can play for the rest
of my career without much of a problem.'

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Homesick Behrami set to leave
January 19, 2011
ESPN
By Harry Harris, Football Correspondent

West Ham midfielder Valon Behrami has told the club that he is homesick and
feels he needs to move away from the club in January. Behrami joined West
Ham from Lazio in July 2008, but his family have failed to settle in London
and he has often found himself on the sidelines due to injury. Fiorentina
have been linked with a move for the Swiss international, but have only
offered around 2 million euros and the Hammers are holding out for more. A
West Ham source told ESPNsoccernet: "The player says he is homesick. We have
a real problem as the player really does miss his wife and child who
couldn't settle in London and have returned home to Italy. He has also been
injured. We have only 25 players to name in our squad and, if he continues
to be injured then it's not worth keeping him, so he might now be sold.
However, we are looking for a bigger offer. "The offer so far is only 2
million euros. It's been reported at £10 million but that is not the case."

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Transformed Hammer Spector is holding it all together
Newham Recorder
Dave Evans, West Ham correspondent
Wednesday, 19 January, 2011
11:45 AM

With Scott Parker and Mark Noble struggling with injuries, United States
international Jonathan Spector has stepped up to the plate for West Ham.
WITH recent knocks for Scott Parker and Mark Noble and the long-term
injuries of Thomas Hitzlsperger and Jack Collison, West Ham have certainly
been struggling to cope in midfield. But one of the few plus points to
emerge has been the transformation of United States international defender
Jonathan Spector from a back-up defender, to a very useful dribbling,
goalscoring midfield man. Spector was certainly up against it on Saturday.
With Parker missing and Noble limping off he proved to be the sole attacking
midfielder, but the 24-year-old felt he gained some important experience
from the game. "I'm still getting used to it and learning the midfield role,
but I'm growing more and more into it with each and every game," admitted
Spector. "It's an honour to be playing in there and hopefully I'll be able
to continue there and learn the position more and more."

From looking at him, it would seem that he is learning from the likes of
Parker. He won the ball in midfield when he managed to get near it and he
even got in another shot as he looked to add to his three cup goals this
term, but he admitted that it was a difficult afternoon. "It was a tough
game," he said. "We knew that they were going to have a lot of the ball.
They're very good at keeping it, passing it and moving it around and they
made it very difficult for us."

The emergence of Spector, Freddie Sears and Zavon Hines into the starting
line-up have given West Ham a real boost in recent weeks and they have
slowly begun to turn round the team's fortunes, but Arsenal simply proved to
be too strong for them on the day. "It was a disappointing result," said the
United States international. "We wanted to kick on from the results we've
had here recently. We've had some great nights over the last week or so and
we would have liked to have pushed on, but it didn't happen today."

It didn't, but perhaps it was to be expected against a team vying for the
Premier League title and with no injury problems to talk about. Next
weekend's game against Everton gives the Hammers a better chance of a
positive result and Spector is confident that they can do just that. "We
played them at home recently and it's a game we felt we should have won, so
hopefully we'll be able to go there and get a win," said Spector. "We've had
some good results and moments where it looked like it was going to turn our
season around. Hopefully this game can be the same as last season and be the
catalyst we need to push on and climb the table."

This season has been far from easy, but if we are looking for positives, and
surely we must be, then the emergence of Spector as a capable midfielder has
got to be one of them. He may get plenty more chances this season to show
exactly how good he can be.

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Monaco make £1.5million move for West Ham defender
TalksPort
By Declan Taylor
Wednesday, January 19

Monaco are to bid £1.5m for West Ham defender Herita Ilunga, according to
French newspaper L'Equipe. Left-back Ilunga has missed much of the season
through injury and will face a fight to get his first-team place back
following the arrival of Wayne Bridge. Now Ligue Un strugglers Monaco want
to take the former Toulouse defender back to France and have already been in
touch with West Ham about doing a deal. According to reports, the clubs will
meet before the weekend to discuss the price with Monaco ready to stump up
£1.5m for his services.

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Behrami waits on Viola
West Ham midfielder unsure of future
By Simone Bargellini Last updated: 19th January 2011
SSN

West Ham midfielder Valon Behrami has admitted he remains in the dark over a
proposed switch to Fiorentina. The Italian club are interested in signing
Behrami before the transfer window shuts, with sporting director Pantaleo
Corvino admitting earlier this week that he 'fitted their requirements'.
Behrami is also keen for a deal to be pushed through and cannot understand
why negotiations appear to have stalled. While he is frustrated with the
lack of developments, the Switzerland international maintains that he has no
problem with Hammers manager Avram Grant and is still hopeful that something
might be agreed.

Far from certain

"Will I come to Florence? Good question," Behrami told Corriere Fiorentina.
"At the moment my arrival in Florence is far from certain. "I am a little
bitter, because I understand very little of this situation. It seemed all
done and then... "Avram Grant? I have a good relationship with him, the
brake on my move to Florence is not down to him because he understood my
feelings." Behrami added: "I confess that I did everything to come to
Florence. Tomorrow is another day, let's see what happens."

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'Bitter' Behrami wants Viola move
Wednesday 19th January 2011 14:17

West Ham midfielder Valon Behrami admits he does not know whether his move
from the Hammers to Fiorentina will materialise. The 25-year-old midfielder
has not played for the Irons since the 5-0 defeat at Newcastle on January 5,
having been in and out of the side because of injury. It appeared the Swiss
international, who arrived at Upton Park from Lazio in a £5million deal
during July 2008, was all set for a transfer back to Italy as Fiorentina
sporting director Pantaleo Corvino admitted he "fitted their requirements".
However, the deal appears to have stalled and Behrami feels he has been left
in limbo.
"Will I come to Florence? Good question. At the moment my arrival in
Florence is far from certain," Behrami told Italian newspaper Corriere
Fiorentina.
"I am a little bitter, because I understand very little of this situation.
It seemed all done and then... "I did everything to come to Florence.
Tomorrow is another day, let's see what happens."

Behrami maintains the proposed move does not mean there is any rift with
Hammers boss Avram Grant, who earlier this week finally received the public
backing of the Upton Park board after intense speculation about his future.
The midfielder said: "I have a good relationship with Avram Grant. "The
brake on my move to Florence is not down to him because he understood my
feelings."

Meanwhile, the Hammers have also been linked with a move for Arsenal striker
Nicklas Bendtner, but the player's father and agent Thomas maintains the
Denmark striker would have "no interest" in joining the Premier League
strugglers. The Irons remain rooted to the foot of the table following
their 3-0 home defeat by Arsenal, and head to Everton on Saturday looking to
reduce the two-point gap to safety.

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London 2012 Olympics: we must not let slip another opportunity to provide a
lasting legacy
Telegraph.co.uk
By Sir Craig Reedie, IOC board member 7:30AM GMT 19 Jan 2011

Over the next few days sport in the UK faces a moment of truth. The Olympic
Stadium will know its future and the decision goes well beyond which
football club become tenants. Promises were made in the winning of the 2012
Olympic Games and it is important that these promises are honoured.
The history of Olympic bids is full of unfulfilled promises, an indication
of the importance of commitments made. In future, if British sport wishes to
host major events, it is vital that proper facilities exist and equally
that, as bidders, we are liked and above all trusted. One could argue that
problems started in the early 1990s, when the Government's declared
intention to create a national stadium for football, athletics and rugby
league was hi-jacked by football into a national football stadium at
Wembley. At that time the Olympic world, led by Juan Antonio Samaranch,
could not quite believe that the opportunity to copy the new flexible Stade
de France had been ignored. The Wembley saga, with associated delays and
financial issues, proved to be a blessing in disguise as it made the British
Olympic Association's choice between east and west London for an Olympic bid
an easy one.

With the enthusiastic support of the new Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone,
the major Olympic developments would be in the deprived wastelands of east
London. The original plan provided for a suitable sized stadium post-Games
in the Olympic Park, allowing London to re-develop Crystal Palace. Olympic
bids involve much more than facilities. The embarrassment of the abandoned
World Athletics Championships bid at Picketts Lock in 2001 and the
unacceptable excuses made to the International Association of Athletics
Federations had further reduced Britain's credibility. That the London
Olympic bid could recover from a history of uncertainty and unreliability
reflects well on its strategy and personnel. Commitments had to be made to
convince the International Olympic Committee that there would be a
comprehensive sporting legacy in addition to the physical legacies in the
proposed new Olympic Park. That London was very badly off for sports
facilities led to a proper venue strategy, providing post-Games uses for the
main aquatics centre (very badly needed), the velodrome (an addition to an
existing cycling centre), a flexible community and events use for the
handball arena, a hockey centre, a regional tennis centre and, perhaps most
important in Olympic eyes, a reduced main stadium with an athletics track.

Let there be no doubt — a track in the stadium was promised. Those who gave
the undertakings, Tessa Jowell in the official presentation, Seb Coe and
myself, over many months of lobbying, worked hard to overcome the indecision
and confusion of the past. The original stadium legacy plan of a 25,000
capacity venue for community and event use, with a track, now appears to
have additional options. The Olympic Park Legacy Company has the possibility
of conversion to a larger 60,000 stadium as the home of a major football
club. The costs of conversion appear to vary but retention of the track is
now at the heart of the debate.

Needless confusion has re-emerged. West Ham are committed to retaining the
track along with an adjacent warm-up track for community use. There is the
additional commitment of Newham Council, which will invest to ensure that
there is constant community use. That football and an athletics track can
co-exist can be seen in stadia all around the world. The Olympic Stadium in
Rome — home to the 1960 Olympic Games and the centre of a possible bid for
the 2020 Games — is used by Roma and Lazio on alternate Sundays as an
example of sensible facility use.

London, the most celebrated of Olympic cities, must surely have an interest
in a stadium that can cater for one of its football clubs and for Diamond
League or other major athletics events? London should aspire to host
European or World Championships as a new generation of young British
athletes mature and come to the fore. The option exists of occasional use
for concerts or other sports events. Since winning in Singapore in 2005, the
2012 project has seen the transformation by the Olympic Delivery Authority
of a depressing part of London into a potentially vibrant and attractive
place to stay — and all on time and within the original cost estimate. The
Organising Committee has enjoyed constant high levels of public support as
it raises the funds to run the Games. Some two million ticket registrations
and 250,000 volunteer applications indicate an enthusiasm for the Games that
is greatly encouraging.

The catalyst for all of this is sport. It was sport which provided the
vision for the Olympic Park whose development will continue for the next 50
years or more as a wonderful asset to the city. It is sport and the prospect
of hosting the Olympic Games that enthuses London and millions of people all
round the country. It would be shameful if, yet again, we lost the
opportunity to leave a proper sports legacy. This sports legacy will place
at the centre of a "new London" a stadium with modern design providing a
home for football, athletics and the communities it serves and will hold out
the prospect of hosting other major events. This opportunity will not recur.
Members of the International Olympic Committee will watch our decisions with
interest. After all, they know what we promised. Sir Craig Reedie is a
member of the International Olympic Committee's executive board and was
chairman of the British Olympic Association when it instituted the London
2012 Olympic bid.

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Daily WHUFC News - 19th January 2011

Yet more of a circus
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 18th January 2011
By: Paul Walker

You couldn't make it up…sadly though at West Ham you don't have to, because
every day seems to bring more shambolic nonsense. Martin O'Neill says no, so
a board who were intent on sacking Avram Grant weeks ago because results
were so bad, end up with a half-hearted commitment to the manager.
Half-hearted because it came on the end of a brief, terse, club statement
supporting Karren Brady and threatening to uncover the mole at Chadwell
Heath who leaked even more allegations about our part-time vice chairman to
the media. And there's the threat of legal action against the Mirror.
Strange that our leaders seem more concerned with discovering the mole at
the training ground rather than finding out which muppet it was who leaked
the O'Neill story not only to Sky but also the national media - because they
all had the story - on Saturday morning.

That wrecked any chance of O'Neill taking the job, the last thing he wanted
was for folk to think he'd been talking to the board while Grant was still
employed. The unwritten no-no of the managerial industry. Saturday's farce
clearly upset the players, left a 32,000 crowd confused and concerned, and a
manager hung out to dry. Players don't need many reasons to blame others for
a bad performance, and that is just what we got. A much-weakened side
totally outplayed in front of a TV audience.

Maybe that performance convinced O'Neill he was making a mistake. Who knows?

Neill is notorious for being very careful and not wanting to take risks that
would damage his career CV. He's had countless job opportunities over the
years, Liverpool as well as Leeds, and pulled away from them. Just why he'd
take on West Ham - despite a reported £3m bonus for avoiding the drop - is
anyone's guess.

Now the board are threatening legal action over the allegations that texts
were sent to players regarding Grant's future. Martin Lipton wrote that in
the Mirror and Matt Lawton in the Mail, although the Mail carefully avoided
putting a name to the texts in print. It's a lot easier to show which mobile
sent messages than it is to prove who actually pressed the keys! I would
describe Lipton and Lawton as respected former colleagues of mine, who are
not prone to making things up. And you can bet the Mirror 'legalled' the
story carefully.

What is needed now is for Brady to prove she was not responsible for
anything, and to also distance herself from suggestions she was involved in
Saturday's debacle, in some way. She may well be totally innocent, but fans
need to see her credibility restored, and quickly before her position
becomes untenable.

Now we are left with a squad, dysfunctional at best, angry with the way
their manager has been treated. Sadly, in all this, there's not been a
twitter of how badly us fans are being treated, but nobody seems to care
about the paying customers who have loved our club all their lives, and how
let-down we feel by this circus.

And while I'm on the subject, I really don't want to see a mid-range agent
like Barry Silkman - who seems to have so much say in what happens over
transfers - being sought out by Sky as some sort of club spokesman while
he's at the races. Silkman, I believe, is an associate of the people who
handle Grant's career, who in turn are close to the Chelsea hierarchy and
Roman Abramovic. As Grant has said of late: 'don't worry about me, I'll be
OK'. Too right he will be, whatever happens at the Boleyn.

Grant now has public sympathy, as well as the media's. And our fans feel
likewise as they see another manager being treated in the same way as Zola
was.
So now, a manager many felt should have been sacked in November for poor
results, has won the fight for the high morale ground even if he has only
won three of our last 16 league games and picked up 15 points from the last
48. Scoring just a goal a game on average. That is why he was going to be
sacked in the first place, but our rulers cannot even get that right. He was
for the chop, it should have been done quickly not the painful way we have
been witnessing.

And even more worrying is that there are rumours now that Grant has been put
under intense pressure by the club of late, almost inviting him to quit.
That may or may not be true, but we are left with a manager who on current
form is taking us down, cup results should not mask this situation. The
board may be right, any many would agree in their assessment. But they have
embarrassed the fans and turned the club into a laughing stock trying to
achieve their objective. As I said, you can't make it up.

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Sullivan - Let's get behind Grant
Manager finally gets the backing of West Ham owners
Last updated: 18th January 2011
SSN

West Ham co-owner David Sullivan has thrown his support behind beleaguered
boss Avram Grant. Grant had been expected to be replaced at the weekend by
Martin O'Neill but he declined the chance to manage the East London team. It
was widely expected that the Israeli would be sacked due to the poor league
form of the Hammers, who have been bottom of the table for most of the
season. However, it now appears the Israeli will now be left at the helm at
Upton Park with their co-owner now calling for a united front.

Support

"The entire board is 100 per cent behind Avram," Sullivan told ESPN. "He is
a really decent person who deserves our support. "West Ham United is a club
that does the right thing and the right thing at this time is to support the
manager. "We will do all we can to bring in players over the next 12 days
and, once we have achieved that, we hope it will keep us up." "I urge all
the supporters to rally behind the club at this difficult time."

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My family begged me to walk
The Sun
By SHAUN CUSTIS and MARK IRWIN
Published: Today

AVRAM GRANT'S family begged him to quit West Ham before they were beaten by
Arsenal on Saturday. The Hammers chief had a heart-to-heart with his
devastated wife and kids as news broke of the club's pursuit of Martin
O'Neill to be their boss. Grant was angry and confused by the constant
speculation coming out of Upton Park that he was about to get sacked - no
matter how they fared against the Gunners. It proved the final straw for his
worried family, who tried to persuade the Israeli to protect his dignity and
health by resigning after the match. Grant, who only took over in the
summer, spent the 3-0 defeat going over in his mind what he would say to the
players after the game. And he made the symbolic gesture of throwing his
Hammers scarf into the crowd at the end. But he could not go through with it
- and last night was shocked as anyone to hear a statement from club owners
David Sullivan and David Gold pledging 100 per cent support. A close pal of
Grant said: "Avram's family wanted him to walk, mainly as they feared for
his health because of the pressure and back-stabbing. "They felt he should
get out for his own sake. "Every day he'd been dealing with stories that he
was about to be sacked and the owners were looking at other managers to
replace him. "To hear these stories on the morning of a game was too much
for everyone. But in the end he couldn't do it. "The players made a big
difference, despite losing. When Avram went back to the dressing room and
heard them still backing and supporting him, he felt reassured."

Grant met Sullivan and Gold yesterday for talks and to plot transfer policy.
He was told he will not be sacked this season with co-owner Sullivan
laughably declaring: "We're a club that does the right thing." Stunned
players were left wondering what was going on as board members pretended
there had not been any moves to replace Grant with former Aston Villa boss
O'Neill. Sullivan insisted: "The board is 100 per cent behind Avram. He's a
decent person who deserves our support. "We'll do all we can to bring in new
players." Spurs striker Robbie Keane and Aston Villa hitman John Carew are
targets.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Why the only people deserving of sympathy from sorry West Ham farce are the
ever-suffering fans
By Steve Stammers
Published 07:01 19/01/11
The Mirror

If there is any sympathy left for West Ham after the embarrassment of this
season, then it should be reserved for those who have the genuine love for
the club in their heart: the supporters. They have had to suffer the whole
gamut of emotions. From two men - Davids Gold and Sullivan - came the
assurance that they are true fans of the club, that they know what the club
is about, that they are aware of its history and tradition. They talked
about their pride in securing control at Upton Park. Sullivan even cried
during a radio interview. In fact, their ignorance concerning West Ham and
its supporters has been cruelly exposed from Day One.

Remember that first match against Blackburn when the crowd were treated to
the medley of Blitz-era tunes? 'Run Rabbit Run' was one of the ditties that
had those in claret and blue looking at each other as if they were victims
of some terrible spoof. There was also the brief life-span of the PA man
calling '...Bubbles' the anthem of Essex and East London. It isn't, never
will be and such a claim was soon abandoned. And now comes this latest
fiasco concerning the future of Avram Grant. Under the two greatest managers
the club ever had - Ron Greenwood and John Lyall - such rumour-mongering
would not have been allowed or tolerated. It just wouldn't have happened.

"Sources".

"Insiders".

Such words never used to exist at West Ham during the Greenwood-Lyall years.
And yet still the fans turn up in their tens of thousands and rarely, if
ever, do the team get grief during the match from The Bobby Moore Stand, The
Trevor Brooking end or the Chicken Run, where the real die-hards gather. On
the final whistle, it could be different. Reaction to defeat can be swift
and clearly audible. But last Saturday, even after they had been
comprehensively dismantled by Arsenal, the volume of support was as if the
Premier League's top spot had been achieved, not the position at the other
end of the table.

Such support demands respect.

Such support deserves better than to be kept in the dark about who is
managing the team.

Such support deserves more than to be patronised and fed spin.

There have been enough genuine stars at West Ham over the years for the fans
to relish. They know a player - they don't need to be told. It is impossible
to attract NEW fans to West Ham. Gimmicks won't win them over. Attacking
football, more home-growns with the club in their DNA, like Mark Noble, and
a hierarchy they can respect. That'll do. No more spin, no more insiders and
no more sources. No more boardroom intrigue. West Ham fans have suffered
enough this season. Last week's fiasco may have just been the final straw
for some of them. And no amount of e-mails or East End knees-up medleys will
tempt them back. Only football, honesty and commitment will do that. The
qualities that were the legacy of Greenwood and Lyall.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham Keane to help Grant
Published 23:00 18/01/11 By Darren Lewis
The Mirror

West Ham are proving their "commitment" to Avram Grant by stepping up their
bid to land Robbie Keane from Spurs. Co-owner David Sullivan insisted
yesterday the Hammers hierarchy backed the manager, despite the club having
actively tried to replace Grant with Martin O'Neill. Sullivan said: "The
entire board is 100 per cent behind Avram. We will do all we can to bring in
players over the next 12 days and, once we have achieved that, we hope it
will keep us up." The east Londoners have made a move for Republic of
Ireland striker Keane, who has made just 13 appearances for his club this
season. They are set to raise the £8million needed to buy Keane by selling
wing-back Valon Behrami and are understood to have accepted £10m from
­Fiorentina. West Ham are also tracking Hoffenheim striker Demba Ba, 25,
with the German club poised to land Liverpool's Ryan Babel as a £7m
replacement.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham board 'are behind Grant 100%'
Published 16:47 18/01/11 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror

Co-owner David Sullivan today insisted the entire West Ham board were "100%"
behind Avram Grant, despite the club having actively tried to replace him as
manager. The Hammers were forced into an embarrassing climbdown this morning
as they finally decided to give Grant a formal vote of confidence after
reportedly being snubbed in their efforts to lure Martin O'Neill to Upton
Park. Grant had appeared on the brink of the sack at the weekend, amid
claims former Aston Villa and Celtic boss O'Neill had been lined up to
succeed him. But the Israeli now finds himself in an extraordinary position
of strength, having been publicly endorsed as the man to save the Hammers
from Barclays Premier League relegation. "The entire board is 100% behind
Avram. He is a really decent person who deserves our support," said
Sullivan. "West Ham United is a club that does the right thing, and the
right thing at this time is to support the manager. "We will do all we can
to bring in players over the next 12 days and, once we have achieved that,
we hope it will keep us up. "I urge all supporters to rally behind the club
at this difficult time."

However, Sullivan's backing is only likely to end speculation about Grant's
position in the short-term. The contradictory anonymous briefings which have
emanated from Upton Park of late - some of which the club are investigating
- suggest a real split on the board over whether to sack Grant, who was only
appointed in the summer. The club have been bottom of the Premier League for
virtually the entire season but their form has improved dramatically of late
and they are also within touching distance of the Carling Cup final. The
upturn in fortunes failed to spark any public board backing for Grant and he
went into Saturday's game with Arsenal seemingly a dead man walking. But
O'Neill was reportedly turned off by the whole Upton Park soap opera,
handing Grant a reprieve.

Today's statement should appease supporters to a certain extent after they
urged the Hammers board to either back or sack Grant, with former West Ham
captain Julian Dicks warning the club earlier this week that they were in
danger of turning into a "laughing stock" by not providing clarity over
Grant's position. He had already been allowed to bring in Wayne Bridge on
loan from Manchester City and is set to make more signings before the
transfer window closes. That could include Paris St Germain striker Peguy
Luyindula, who has refused to rule out a January switch to Upton Park. The
31-year-old, who has been used 17 times as a substitute in league action by
PSG this season, admitted he would be tempted by a move, telling Le
Parisien: "To say otherwise would be wrong. West Ham is London, and I have
half my family in London. In football, nothing is impossible. "If a club
offers something that PSG cannot refuse.... I will leave it with my agent. I
feel good in Paris, the next six months can be wonderful and I think I have
a part to play in that. "There may be something really good at the end."

PSG sit second in Ligue 1 and Luyindula, whose most prolific season saw him
score 16 goals in 37 league games for Lyon in 2003-04, insists he will not
rock the boat or agitate for a move. "People who are interested in signing
me should contact the club," he added. "They should discuss it with PSG. I
could shoot my mouth off and create a showdown, but this is not my state of
mind. But there are discussions to have."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Back Avram Grant now? He should have been axed as West Ham boss in
November...
By MATT LAWLESS
Last updated at 6:24 PM on 18th January 2011
Daily Mail

West Ham should have sacked Avram Grant in November. November 20 to be
precise. The Hammers had been well and truly humbled - humiliated even - at
Anfield by a Liverpool side struggling under then-boss Roy Hodgson. Grant
stood on the touchline, wearing what has become an all-too-familiar grave
expression, lost for answers as his team sunk without a trace. He suffered a
torrent of abuse from the away supporters – most of whom who left at
half-time, disillusioned with what was truly a woeful performance. Their
fury was not fuelled by a lack of three points. After all, most of them, if
any, had not been treated to a victory over the Reds on Merseyside in 47
years. Instead, it was the dishevelled display they witnessed, one far from
the traditions of the club they follow. No fight, no spirit, no hope.
'That's why we're going down,' they chanted as Victor Obinna blazed their
best – and only – chance of the game high and wide over the bar.

The result left West Ham bottom of the table, a position they have cemented
for most of the campaign - just one win from a possible 13 games at that
stage. Unacceptable, on the back of three draws, all of which against sides
they should have soundly beaten. It began at the beginning of the month
against Birmingham at St Andrew's. After losing in the dying moments of
their previous game against Arsenal, some would say undeservedly, the
Hammers produced a stunning (yes, in the context of their season) 60 minutes
of football to take a 2-0 lead.

Here comes the turnaround: the first of nine points targeted by the club's
owners to steer the club up the table and away from danger. But, no - it
wasn't to be. A two-goal lead dramatically squandered and only a point
gained. Lacklustre home draws against newly-promoted West Bromwich Albion
and Blackpool would follow at Upton Park before Grant was subjected to the
first of many 'You're getting sacked in the morning' cries at Anfield.
Sacked in the morning? Sacked in an hour? How wrong the fans were once more
as they repeated the protests last weekend against Arsenal before most
walked out early. Again.
To be fair, even Grant appeared to accept his much-maligned fate, flinging
his so-called 'lucky' scarf into the crowd after yet another abject
performance in the 3-0 defeat to the Gunners. Most deemed it as a parting
gesture after hearing rumours of Martin O'Neill, Martin Jol and Sam
Allardyce all supposedly waiting outside the gates of the Boleyn before
kick-off, and later intensifying after the final whistle.

But O'Neill said no, Allardyce wasn't keen and Jol was nowhere to be seen,
leaving the Hammers board to break a four-day silence and finally back the
beleaguered Israeli as the man to lead their fight for survival. A 'laughing
stock' was the description club legend Julian Dicks offered on Monday. He's
not wrong either. The East End club have become the Barclays Premier
League's whipping boys both on and off the field and deservedly so. A brief
spell over Christmas and a fine Carling Cup run (that puts them on the brink
of their first Wembley cup final in 30 years) aside, West Ham have simply
been awful.
With the exception of Scott Parker, Mark Noble and Robert Green, the players
have cowered behind their under-fire manager in a succession of shocking
performances.

Carlton Cole bore testament to that, in fact. On November 20. He publicly
questioned Grant's tactics and admitted how poorly they had played. It was
on that day that Grant should have gone. A clear signal that the dressing
room was lost on him as was the 5-0 defeat at Newcastle and Saturday's
comprehensive loss to Arsenal. The club's owners David Gold and David
Sullivan dithered on the issue and have subsequently been tarnished by their
failed pursuit of O'Neill. Indeed, a pursuit that was in the best interests
of the club. Three months ago. Sullivan has called for the club to be united
and get behind Grant. That is, I fear, too little, too late as they tumble
towards the abyss.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Tony Cottee Column: I knew my former boss O'Neill would not join West Ham
Tony Cottee, East London Advertiser Columnist
Tuesday, 18 January, 2011
14:15 PM

AS soon as the news was leaked on Saturday morning saying West Ham were in
for Martin O'Neill I knew he would not be joining as manager. I played under
Martin for three years at Leicester and know the type of person he is. Being
linked to a job which is already filled by a fellow manager is the last
thing he would want to read. It's a missed opportunity for West Ham. He is a
great motivator of players, very passionate and an overall brilliant
manager. There is no doubt we went about things the wrong way and the whole
situation has been badly managed and been a PR disaster. If you are not
happy sack the manager and then bring someone in, but we didn't and ended up
being in no mans land and it is something we have to learn from. There is
someone in that board room who has leaked this information and should hang
their head in shame. We need to go back to the old days when West Ham was a
closed shop
I have said from the start I don't believe Avram Grant is the right man to
be in charge of the club, but you must feel sorry for him, because he has
faced the media and been put under a lot of pressure when he shouldn't have.
I believe under Grant we are only going in one direction and I am very
concerned we won't be able to get out of this mess we are in.

Tony Cottee was talking to Matt Diner

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Exclusive – Martin: 'West Ham should never have got rid of Zola'
TalkSPort
By Alex Varney
Tuesday, January 18

West Ham legend Alvin Martin has told talkSPORT his former club are paying
the price for axing Gianfranco Zola too early. Zola was sacked last summer
after the Hammers finished 17th in the Premier League but there have been no
signs of improvement this term under his replacement Avram Grant. Grant is
now clinging to his job at Upton Park, but Martin believes the club's
co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold should never have put themselves in
this position as Zola deserved more time. "If there's one criticism of the
decisions that have been made since they [Sullivan and Gold] arrived it's
perhaps they got rid of Zola too early," he told Hawksbee and Jacobs. "I
know there was a divided opinion about Zola, whether he was a little soft,
etc. But what I would say is while I think they flirted with relegation last
year it looked like the players were playing for him. "And I just felt that
when you actually make the decision to get rid of a manager like that you
have to be 100 per cent certain. "Now I have to ask myself would Zola have
performed any less in terms of quality than the manager they've got in now.
Would he have been bottom? We don't know. "What I am saying is, coming up to
Christmas, if Zola had been in the bottom three I think the owners then
could have played that card and said 'right ,we're going to make a change'.
And that would have put them in a much stronger position than they are now."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham to Attempt to Land Liverpool's Joe Cole Via Loan Deal
by Nick Coman on Tue, Jan 18, 2011 at 11:06AM 11
Nesn.com

West Ham owners David Gold and David Sullivan have had quite the Tuesday,
both backing Avram Grant as long-term manager and suggesting that the club
would pursue one of its former prodigies, Liverpool's Joe Cole. The Hammers
tried to land Cole last summer before he chose to join Roy Hodgson at
Anfield, and, though he hasn't been in the best of form for Liverpool,
ownership at Upton Park is still interested in bringing in their former
youth player.
"It's a very long shot, but we are willing to have a go," said a West Ham
source, according to ESPN. Cole scored 10 goals for West Ham's first team
from 1998-2003. He has one goal in 11 league appearances this season at
Anfield. With Liverpool in an expensive pursuit of striker Luis Suarez, the
team may be willing to shed wages in order to accommodate the potentially
incoming star. Still, it does not seem as though Hammers management expects
their bid to go through.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Bridge joins list of West Ham debut disasters
Newham Recorder
Dave Evans, West Ham correspondent
Tuesday, 18 January, 2011
17:40 PM

West Ham's latest recruit, Wayne Bridge, suffered the debut from hell
against Theo Walcott and Arsenal at Upton Park on Saturday night. So how
does it measure against some of the great debut disasters?

GLENN KEELEY made his Everton debut in the Merseyside derby back in 1982. He
fouled Kenny Dalglish, was sent off and never played for the club again.
Arsenal's Jason Crowe was sent off after just 33 seconds of his debut, while
Tottenham's Gilberto gave away a goal against PSV Eindhoven was roundly
booed and then substituted at half time. Remember Jonathan Woodgate? His
debut for Real Madrid saw him score an own goal and then get sent off.
So perhaps on reflection, Wayne Bridge's disastrous first game for the
Hammers against Arsenal on Saturday evening was not quite as bad as we all
thought. In reality, the 30-year-old left back had not started a competitive
game since mid-December and when in your first game back you find yourself
up against Theo Walcott, it is never going to be a walk in the park. It was
anything but. All three goals were down to mistakes from the England
international, who had more rust in his legs than a 1977 Ford Cortina. First
he was caught in his area as the ball went to Walcott on the right, and he
gave him all the time in the world to cross for the opening goal. Next he
played Robin van Persie onside and then when the Dutch striker pulled the
ball back, he completely misjudged it and allowed Walcott to make it 2-0.
Lastly he made a pointless challenge on Walcott in the area and conceded a
penalty which allowed the Gunners to complete their easy victory. In
between, he showed signs of his class, but the match was to prove even more
frustating for the Manchester City defender as he hobbled off with two
minutes to go. Hardly the ideal first game, but Bridge knows that things can
only get better. "It was a difficult game for me really," said Bridge with
something of an understatement. "Theo is really quick and that was my first
90 minutes for a while. I've not played too many this season, so I had a
little bit of cramp at the end, but I didn't feel too bad for the first 60."

Bridge comes in with the reputation as a reliable full back, but also as a
player who spends too much time sitting on the bench. He has made the
decision to come to Upton Park and play some first-team football, though he
could not have wished for a harder first match. "It was difficult," he
admitted. "Arsenal are a great team and keep the ball well, so most of the
time we were running around chasing after the ball. "We had a few chances
and if we'd put one away it might have been a different story."

Yes, it might have given Arsenal the incentive to score more goals. Bridge
will certainly be buckling down now in readiness for Saturday's trip to
Everton as well as the Carling Cup semi-final with Birmingham. "I try not to
look too far ahead," he said. "We have got Everton this weekend and I just
want to win, but we've also got a chance of winning a medal in the Carling
Cup and that would be great." Graham Gooch was a spectator on Saturday. On
his Ashes debut he got a pair. He didn't do too badly after that and Bridge
will be hoping for the same.

OTHER WEST HAM DEBUT DISASTERS

Matty Holmes

Newcastle United (a) 29/08/92

MATTY HOLMES was unfortunate to get caught up in the Kevin Keegan revival at
St James' Park when he made his debut for the Hammers. Julian Dicks was sent
off for elbowing Franz Carr and West Ham were comfortably beaten 2-0. For
Matty Holmes, he was forced off with what looked like concussion, but turned
out to be a broken jaw!

Jeroen Boere

Newcastle United (a) 25/09/93

THE late Dutch striker made an inauspicious start to his career at West Ham.
He made his debut at Newcastle United, coming on as a substitute after Andy
Cole had given the Magpies the lead. However, when Cole made it 2-0, Boere
clashed with Kevin Scott and Barry Venison and was promptly sent off.
He went on to make 29 appearances in claret and blue, scoring seven goals.

Tony Cottee

Liverpool (a) 10/09/94

TONY COTTEE'S second debut for the Hammers did not prove to be as rewarding
as his first when he scored against Tottenham Hotspur. Playing at Liverpool
on his return, he was sent off after 55 minutes for a two-footed lunge at
Hammer to be Rob Jones. It wasn't all bad though, West Ham got a rare 0-0
draw at Anfield.

Scott Minto

Sheffield Wed (a) 16/01/99

YOU wouldn't have thought Minto's debut at home to Sheffield Wednesday held
too many demons, it proved to be a nightmare day. The full back and the rest
of West Ham's beleaguered troops found themselves on the end of a 4-0 defeat
at Upton Park as Benito Carbone ran them ragged all afternoon.

Tomas Repka

Middlesbrough (a) 15/08/01

WHEN you consider the start he made at West Ham, it is amazing that Tomas
Repka became so popular. On his debut at Middlesbrough he was given his
marching orders with 10 minutes to go as West Ham crashed 2-0. He was sent
off again at Blackburn before the month was out.

AND THERE'S MORE

ROB JONES debut proved to be his only game as the trip to Finland to play
Jokerit in the Inter-Toto Cup convinced him he had to retire. Sasa Ilic's
debut was a 4-0 home defeat by Everton, while Mauricio Taricco played 27
minutes against Millwall before being forced off with an injury and he then
promptly retired from the game.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
McCarthy lands QPR trial
South Africa international looks to kick-start career with move
Last updated: 18th January 2011
SSN

Benni McCarthy is hoping to end his West Ham nightmare with a move to
Championship leaders QPR. The 33-year-old played in a behind-closed-doors
match for Rangers reserves against Tottenham. Spurs fielded a strong line up
that included Robbie Keane, Jamie O'Hara and Jonathan Woodgate. McCarthy
managed to score as the Hoops' second string were thumped 9-2 to give Neil
Warnock something to think about. Warnock is looking to reinforce his attack
after strikers Jamie Mackie and Patrick Agyemangboth suffered broken legs.
McCarthy joined the Hammers last January from Blackburn Rovers for
£2.5million but he has yet to open his account for the club. He has made
just 13 appearances for West Ham, with 10 of those coming as a substitute.
And McCarthy's on-going weight problems have been a problem during his time
at Upton Park.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Benni McCarthy linked with QPR after goalscoring outing with Hoops
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 1:57 AM on 19th January 2011
Daily Mail

West Ham striker Benni McCarthy will hold talks with Neil Warnock today
after playing for QPR in a behind-closed-doors match against Tottenham on
Tuesday. McCarthy, 33, scored but QPR lost 9-2 to a strong Spurs side.
Warnock has also agreed a loan move for Newcastle winger Wayne Routledge and
is in talks over a move for Millwall defender Danny Shittu. Meanwhile, West
Ham will rival Stoke for Hoffenheim's Demba Ba.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
The three key players deciding West Ham's managerial future
By Sandy Macaskill 3:32PM GMT 18 Jan 2011
Telegraph.co.uk

With West Ham's board under scrutiny following an apparent U-turn on Avram
Grant, Telegraph Sport profiles the three figures calling the shots at Upton
Park.

David Sullivan

The power behind West Ham is co-chairman David Sullivan, a pornographer with
a penchant for Sgt. Pepper-style military overcoats. The multi-millionaire,
whose estimated fortune is £600m and is known for "sex and soccer", began
his career at Gerald Ronson's petrol stations. According to the Sunday Times
he controlled half of the adult magazine market by the mid-1970s. Despite
being a life-long West Ham supporter, Sullivan bought Birmingham City, which
was in administration, in 1993 with business partners David and Ralph Gold.
They sold the club to Hong Kong businessman Carson Yeung in winter 2009 for
£81.5 million. The 61 year-old, who graduated in Economics from Queen Mary
College, University of London, has come into contact with police on more
than one occasion. He was convicted for living off immoral earnings and,
later arrested by the City of London Police amid a corruption investigation
into allegations of fraud in football. He and Gold acquired 50 percent of
West Ham in January last year, giving them operational and commercial
control.

David Gold

The sign hanging over the entrance to David Gold's Surrey mansion which
warns guests to beware of gunfire gives a revealing insight into this
charismatic 74 year-old multi-millionaire with a fondness for flying
helicopters. He made his fortune in the pornographic industry alongside
Sullivan, and is now co-chairman of West Ham. Gold, whose daughter
Jacqueline is chief executive of Ann Summers, launched the downmarket Sunday
Sport newspaper in 1986 with brother Ralph and business partner Sullivan,
but his passion is for football. A member of the FA Council, Gold spent half
a million on the oldest existing FA Cup, which is now kept in his drawing
room, to prevent it being bought by overseas buyers. He originally moved
into football as a shareholder at West Ham, but bought Birmingham City with
Sullivan in 1993.
Gold, a West Ham supporter since childhood, recently admitted that they
"literally didn't know what we were doing" when they moved to St Andrew's,
but he prides himself on having only sacked one manager, Barry Fry. He is
Avram Grant's chief supporter on the board, and has lobbied repeatedly on
behalf of the Israeli.

Karren Brady

West Ham's managing director Karren Brady might now be best known for
appearing at Sir Alan Sugar's side on the BBC's The Apprentice, but the
businesswoman was responsible for persuading Sullivan to purchase Birmingham
City. Sullivan appointed her managing director, making her the first woman
on the board of a football league club. She was just 23 at the time. The 41
year-old, married to Paul Peschisolido, the Burton Albion manager, began her
career at advertising agency Saatchi & Saatchi, where she did work for
Sullivan before becoming a director of his company at the age of 20. In 2008
she was arrested along with Sullivan as part of the City of London police's
investigation into corruption in football. It was confirmed in August last
year that no action would be taken. It is not the only time she has courted
controversy in football. Her column for The Sun newspaper damaged her
relationship with Birmingham manager Alex McLeish after she mocked his
recruitment policy. After being appointed to the board of West Ham last
January, she used the column to plege that "we will hang in the Tower of
London" before West Ham suffer financial problems again. Drove the attempt
to recruit Martin O'Neill.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Henry Winter: West Ham hierarchy could not have handled the Avram Grant
situation any worse if they tried
Telegraph.co.uk
By Henry Winter 7:25AM GMT 19 Jan 2011

Can a lame duck learn how to fly again? Can Avram Grant possibly hope to
inspire his players now that he appears to have been so undermined by his
employers? Can a board have handled a situation worse?

So many questions cling to the loveless marriage of Grant and the Upton Park
board, the decree nisi now seemingly delayed until the summer. So many
questions need answering for the benefit of the supporters of West Ham, the
real lifeblood of the club who will remain involved long after Grant, David
Gold, David Sullivan and Karren Brady have gone.

All the no-smoke-without-fire headlines need explaining. All the flirtation
with Martin O'Neill requires clarification. So many questions. Above all,
Gold, Sullivan and Brady must discuss how on earth they have allowed a
doomsday scenario to develop. West Ham's on-field fortunes, and therefore
their off-field fortunes, are in the hands of an individual who will never
win Manager of the Year but may get voted Man of the Year for his dignity
under intense pressure.

The board stand guilty of indecisiveness and incompetence over Grant. Then
again, they have sanctioned the paying of a reported £90,000-a-week in wages
to Wayne Bridge, who is hardly Leighton Baines, let alone Ashley Cole.

A fly-on-the-wall documentary-maker would have a sure-fire Bafta award
winner on their hands if they could film breakfast chez Brady, particularly
if conversation turned to the treatment of managers by their employers.
Brady's husband, Paul Peschisolido, is manager of Burton Albion. When the
sun finally sets on Grant's tortured time at Upton Park, the reaction of the
League Managers Association will be fascinating. Even if Grant's skills are
not particularly widely regarded, the anger felt within the managerial
community about the constant speculation over this decent man is
substantial.

When West Ham journey to Goodison Park this weekend Grant could have an
interesting chat with Everton's esteemed manager, David Moyes, who has twice
called for a managerial transfer window, so giving the dug-out dwellers a
rare sense of security. Strangely, Grant has seen his position weakened but
his reputation enhanced. The wave of sympathy flowing towards him would
breach the Thames Barrier. Grant has cut a figure of remarkable calm amid
the storm, refraining from reacting however much he may have wanted to rage
against the machinations.

When Grant threw his claret-and-blue scarf to supporters after the Arsenal
defeat it was a moment of real poignancy, bequeathing an enduring image.
It was a classy, human touch, seemingly a farewell gesture. Now that O'Neill
has turned West Ham down, Grant might get the scarf back. But not the job
security he craves.

Grant took training yesterday after the board issued a statement brimming
with all the levity of an edict from the Kremlin circa 1950. "The club are
committed to retaining Avram Grant as manager," read a missive hardly
gushing with warmth. Given football's glorious unpredictability, the next
few weeks could be the stuff of Hollywood B-movies, Avram metamorphising
into Cary Grant, the beleaguered coach embarking on an against-all-odds
journey to trophy and redemption.

If West Ham protect their first-leg lead at St Andrew's next week, Grant
will have booked Sullivan, Gold and Brady a place in the Royal Box at
Wembley.
Of course, their old club, Birmingham City, could wreck that dream. Twice
over. Birmingham have to visit Upton Park in the league and even a cursory
glance at the fixture list should coax sweat-beads on to the foreheads of
West Ham fans.

As well as home tests against Birmingham and Liverpool, West Ham face trips
to Bloomfield Road and the Hawthorns as well as Goodison. The team's fate
will be decided in April, a month of manifold hazards. West Ham must travel
to the Reebok, Stamford Bridge and Eastlands while Manchester United and
Aston Villa visit Upton Park. This could be a month where only two points
are gathered. West Ham look doomed. The fans' reaction to Grant will be
enlightening. They will pity him over recent events but will want to see
signs of effort from his team. If West Ham bow out of the Carling Cup and
Premier League without a fight, Grant's briefly-revived standing will slump
again. If the club do not bring in some new talent, refreshing the squad,
the mood could turn ugly.

Amid all the inevitable mud-slinging at West Ham, who are a "laughing stock"
in Julian Dicks's typically uncompromising appraisal, one important
footballing truism needs acknowledging. There is a difference between the
board and the club. Just because Gold, Sullivan and Brady have behaved
poorly towards their most important employee does not mean the long-standing
perception of West Ham is sullied.

Dominating Upton Park are two huge banners of Bobby Moore and Trevor
Brooking in their playing pomp, exuding sporting nobility. West Ham will
always be the club of Moore, Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters, of Brooking and
more recently of Scott Parker and Mark Noble, Robert Green and Matthew
Upson. Decent people. Gold, Sullivan and Brady now have work to do to be
considered fit and proper people to run West Ham United.

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West Ham manager Avram Grant eyes Arsenal's Nicklas Bendtner to help with
relegation battle
Telegraph.,co.uk
By Jason Burt, Deputy Football Correspondent 7:25AM GMT 19 Jan 2011
Jason's Twitter

West Ham want to sign Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner – but have balked at
the £15 million asking price – after dramatically ditching their plans to
replace Avram Grant as manager. Grant is now expected to remain in charge
until the end of the season at least following Martin O'Neill's decision not
to succeed him at Upton Park. However, he will have to repair his strained
relationship with vice-chairman Karren Brady after West Ham issued a denial
on Tuesday that she had texted players to ask their opinion of the manager.
The club want to sign three players to bolster their squad and are hoping to
quickly move on from the fiasco over Grant's future, and O'Neill's
prevarication over whether to take the job on. The saga has not only damaged
West Ham's reputation but also their chances of avoiding relegation. Having
finally made the decision to retain Grant, who was resigned to leaving
before Saturday's game away to Everton, the club will hope they can move on
quickly and save their season.

On Tuesday night West Ham co-chairman David Sullivan was in defiant mood,
telling Telegraph Sport: "We are a decent club, Avram is a decent person and
one who deserves our support. "We have always supported our managers over an
18-year period [at Birmingham City and West Ham] and I feel it's vital that
every WHU supporter rallies behind the club for the last 15 games. "If we
all pull together we can still survive, though I accept that the task ahead
is not an easy one."

West Ham have agonised over Grant's future for weeks and were always unsure
whether O'Neill would accept the post. Other candidates, including Sam
Allardyce and Martin Jol, were considered. However, it is understood there
was a verbal agreement with O'Neill after salaries and backroom staff had
been discussed. But there was a change of heart from O'Neill. It is thought
that the former Aston Villa manager felt everything was too rushed and was
unsure whether the team were good enough to avoid relegation. He was also
concerned by the way in which it was reported on Saturday that he was
definitely taking the job. The club will now push ahead with plans to
improve the squad in the final two weeks of the January transfer window,
although they are hamstrung by a lack of finance. That situation may improve
slightly with the expected departure of midfielder Valon Behrami.

West Ham will now consider making a loan bid for Bendtner, although Arsenal
have indicated they would prefer to sell. Arsène Wenger may permit the Dane
to go out on loan but only towards the end of the transfer window. The
dilemma West Ham now face is do they wait and see what happens or, with only
two domestic loans allowed, and one already taken up by Wayne Bridge, do
they go for a different target now? There has been a tentative inquiry to
bring Joe Cole back to the club from Liverpool. The chances of securing the
midfielder, who earns in excess of £80,000-a-week at Anfield, are rated at
no more than 10 per cent. West Ham were hopeful that Robbie Keane would
eventually decide to join them from Tottenham, despite his wage demands and
the stipulation that he wants a £1 million bonus if the club avoid
relegation, but the chances of that deal going through have faded.

West Ham issued a statement yesterday morning to confirm that Grant was
staying although there was also a vow to "identify the source" of
allegations about internal strife at the club and the role played by Brady.
Her relationship with Grant has been difficult. First they had a public spat
over the collapse of Steve Sidwell's move to Upton Park and relations were
made worse by yesterday's claims about her alleged texts to players. This
was furiously denied by West Ham, who have also started legal proceedings
over what they claimed were "unhelpful and untrue comments" about Brady. A
club statement added: "Karren has worked tirelessly to improve all aspects
of the club's operation."

Given the distasteful way in which Grant's predecessor, Gianfranco Zola,
left the club, West Ham are in the middle of firefighting another public
relations own goal while the team sit at the bottom of the Premier League.
There is a groundswell of sympathy for Grant even though many at the club
feel that the Israeli is not only fortunate to be the manager, but has done
little to demonstrate that he has the ability to steer West Ham to safety.
The mistake West Ham made was to appoint a poor manager in the first place
and one who has gathered just four league wins all season. That mistake has
been compounded by the way he has been treated. West Ham may turn to a plan
they considered before Christmas and appoint another coach to work alongside
Grant. A number of high-profile names, including Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and
Paolo Di Canio, have been under consideration.

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