May 31st, 2011 - 2:56 am by S J Chandos
West Ham Till I Die
A steady flow of media reports have consistently asserted that Sam Allardyce
will be appointed to the Hammers managerial vacancy this week. This view
appears to be reinforced by comments from Allardyce himself, who has
confirmed that he will take up the post after a short family holiday.
Whilst, in contrast, the silence from the club is noteworthy.
Yet, there is also a recent report, in the Sunday Express, that suggests
that the board are actually split on the appointment. It has been reported
that David Sullivan favours, the newly sacked Cardiff City manager, Dave
Jones, David Gold strongly supports Allardyce's appointment and Karen Brady
wants another, improved offer to try to secure Martin O'Neill's services.
If this is true then it would appear that Allardyce is the compromise
candidate, around which the whole board will unite.
Negotiations with Sam Allardyce are certainly at an advanced stage and,
barring a sudden, dramatic twist, it appears that he will be appointed.
Negotiations have apparently progressed well and it has been suggested that
in addition to a c.£1m annual salary, and further c£1m bonus for achieving
promotion, Allardyce has also secured agreement on apppointing his chosen
N0. 2 and back room staff. We can only speculate what the consequences of
this will be for the likes of Kevin Keen ad Steve Lomas?
There was almost universal agreement that this appointment was a key
decision and that it was vital that the board got it right. Otherwise,
there could be dire consequences for the future of the club. In appointing
Allardyce, the rationale of the board is presumably that he is the best bet
to achieve automatic promotion next season and stay in the PL thereafter.
In doing so, they are obviously prepared to resist the inevitable supporter
backlash that will follow. If they are wise, they will have made it clear
to Allardyce that fans expectations at West Ham are different to those he
may have experienced at Bolton and Blackburn. As such, as well as bringing
discipline, organisation, hard work and high tech methods to the table, his
West Ham team will also have to play a passing, attacking game.
Certainly, if as been suggested, Sam Allardyce wishes to use the West Ham
post as a platform to strengthen his case as a possible successor to Fabio
Capello, as England Coach, he needs to demonstrate to the FA that he can
build a team with tactical sophistication and flair, as well as organisation
and graft. Who knows it could all work out rather neatly if Allardyce meets
expectations and then moves on to boss the national team. Especially, if
the great entertainer, Paulo Di Canio, has successfuly served his
apprenticeship at Swindon Town by that time.
Personally, find it difficult to accept this appointment. I would have
preferred Chris Hughton or, the highly promising, Paul Lambert. But we are
where we find ourselves and, after the disasterous season we have just had,
I recognise that strong leadership is required to put the serious problems
right and secure promotion in a single season. Regardless, I will be there
next season (home and away). West Ham are my club and the appointment of
Sam Allardyce will not change that one jot! If I do not like developments
at the club and the footballing fayre served up then I will make my
opposition clear at Upton Park, on WHTID and through other appropriate
channels and platforms. And I would strongly urge my fellow supporters to
do likewise.
I may currently be an unhappy and apprehsensive Hammer, but I remain an
Hammer all the same and will always continue to be so. COYI!
SJ. Chandos.
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Toon set to raise the Ba
Published: Today
The Sun
NEWCASTLE look set to beat Sunderland and Everton in the race to sign
wantaway West Ham striker Demba Ba. Ba, 26, is ready to quit Upton Park on a
free after the Hammers' relegation to the Championship. And his availability
has sparked a scramble for his signature among Premier League clubs. But
Newcastle, still seeking a replacement for Andy Carroll, head the chasing
pack for the Sengalese star who hit seven goals for West Ham since joining
from Hoffenheim in January. Toon boss Alan Pardew will be able to dwarf any
West Ham terms and offer top-flight football.
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Freddie's ready for the fight
Published: Today
The Sun
WEST HAM striker Freddie Sears has pledged his future to the club despite
their relegation to the Championship. Sears, 21, managed to fight his way
back into the first team last term after a loan spell at Scunthorpe. And the
England Under-21 star said: "As a West Ham fan, I want to stay and play for
the club. "Hopefully we can keep a good core of players together here and
have a real go next season."
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QPR, Norwich and West Ham target will leave Posh, says Fergie Jnr
Published 11:15 30/05/11 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror
Darren Ferguson is resigned to losing promotion hero Craig Mackail-Smith
after the striker played a key role in Peterborough's 3-0 npower League One
play-off final win over Huddersfield yesterday. Ferguson steered Posh to
their third promotion in four seasons with a comprehensive victory at Old
Trafford after late goals from Tommy Rowe, Mackail-Smith and skipper Grant
McCann. Yet Mackail-Smith, 27, looks set to leave London Road this summer
after hitting his 35th goal of the season, with Barclays Premier League new
boys QPR and Norwich and relegated West Ham all thought to be interested. A
switch to the big time would cap a remarkable rise for the highly-rated
frontman, who made his international debut for Scotland in March, just four
years after he was turning out in the Conference for Dagenham.
Ferguson said: "You would have to say the odds are stacked with him probably
leaving. "We would have to get the right money for him but everyone would
wish him all the best. "He's earned the chance to go and play at a higher
level. "We need other players and we have to try and establish ourselves in
the Championship now."
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Ba linked with Hammers exit
5:14pm Monday 30th May 2011
Guardian Series
WEST HAM striker Demba Ba is being targeted by Everton boss David Moyes,
according to reports. The Daily Mirror claims Moyes is an admirer of the
Hammers hitman, but the wage demands of the Senegalese player could prove a
major stumbling block. It is understood Ba will demand a sizeable signing-on
fee and top-end wages should the Toffees come in for him, as he looks set to
depart the relegated Irons this summer. Newcastle and Sunderland are also
thought to be interested in the striker.
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