WHUFC.com
Marek Stech is aiming to lead Czech Republic to a second UEFA European U21
Championship title
10.06.2011
Marek Stech is eager to emulate his hero Petr Cech by leading Czech Republic
to UEFA European Under-21 Championship glory. The young West Ham United
goalkeeper has long idolised the Chelsea stopper, who helped the Czechs to
win the tournament for the first and only time in their history in 2002.
Nine years on and Stech is in his country's squad for this summer's
competition, which kicks-off in Denmark on Saturday 11 June. The Czechs
begin their Group B challenge by facing Ukraine on Sunday before taking on
Spain on Wednesday 15 June and England on Sunday 19 June, with all three
fixtures being held at the Viborg Stadium in Viborg.
The giant 21-year-old knows he and his compatriots face a tough challenge to
reach the semi-finals, let alone follow in Cech's footsteps, but he is
confident the Czech squad can make their mark. "We've got Spain, Ukraine and
England so it's a pretty hard group," Stech, who made three impressive
Carling Cup appearances last season, told whufc.com "Hopefully I'll be
playing and I'm looking forward to it. Obviously I'm sad that West Ham got
relegated and that we didn't have the best season, but I'm really looking
forward to the European Championship. "I hope we can get through the group.
It's a hard group, but anything can happen so hopefully we can qualify for
the semi-finals."
The Czech Republic senior side failed to qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup
and currently trail Spain by six points in 2012 UEFA European Championship
qualifying Group I, so Stech is hoping the U21s can bring some success to
what is a proud footballing nation. "We have had a good run. We've won 15 or
16 games and drawn only two and haven't lost which is obviously good. "It'll
be hard to keep that run going, but we need to stick together and do the
best that we can do and hopefully we can get out of the group. "As
Under-21s, we have always been lucky and hopefully we'll be lucky in this
tournament as well."
The Czechs' final group fixture sees them take on England in a potentially
vital match, and also throws up the possibility of Stech coming face to face
with West Ham team-mate James Tomkins - a prospect which excites the
goalkeeper. "I'm looking forward to seeing Tonks. It'll be great if we're
both playing as there will be some good competition between us if we play
against each other."
Looking forward to next season, Stech intends to make his name at the club
which brought him to England at the age of 16. "I've been at West Ham for
five years and the last season was a little bit up and down, but I might get
more chances to play now we have been relegated," he admitted. "I've got two
years left on my contract so hopefully everything will be fine, I'll come
back after the European Championship for pre-season and look forward to next
season. "I'm 21 but I played a few games last season and got some
experience. Hopefully I'll get some games in pre-season. I'm feeling good,
so we'll see what happens when I come back after the European Championship."
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Barrera helps Mexico into quarters
WHUFC.com
Pablo Barrera was on form again as Mexico beat Cuba 5-0 to reach the
CONCACAF Gold Cup last-eight
10.06.2011
Pablo Barrera provided an assist as Mexico defeated Cuba 5-0 to reach the
quarter-finals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup in the United States. Making his
second start of the tournament, the West Ham United winger was again in good
form as El Tri scored four second-half goals to overwhelm their opponents in
Charlotte, North Carolina. Barrera provided the pass for Tottenham Hotspur's
Giovani Dos Santos to make the score 2-0 shortly after the hour-mark, while
Manchester United striker Javier 'Chicarito' Hernandez followed up a
hat-trick in the opening Group A victory over El Salvador with two more
goals. Dos Santos added a second himself, while CF Monterrey striker Jesus
De Nigris, who replaced Barrera after 62 minutes, was also on target.
FIve-times winners and defending champions Mexico are now top of Group A and
guaranteed a place in the quarter-finals ahead of their final group-stage
fixture against Costa Rica in Chicago on Sunday.
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Transfer latest: 10 June
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 10th June 2011
By: Matthew Hagland
KUMB issues a warm welcome to newest recruit Matthew Hagland who will be
keeping a close eye on the transfer market throughout the summer, bringing
you all the latest rumours and gossip from West Ham and the wider
footballing community.
West Ham United
First signing?
It is thought that West Ham are hoping to land their first new signing of
the summer within 24 hours. The player in question is understood to be an
experienced defender well know to Sam Allardyce and is just one of two
players West Ham are hoping to seal within the next few days. Abdoulaye
Faye, recently released by Stoke City is hotly tipped to be one of the two.
Kevin Nolan
Rumours have been rife regarding a move for the Liverpool-born midfielder,
with claims that a £3 million pound bid has been turned down; ex-Hammers
boss Pardew is said to be holding out for a fee in the region of £6 million.
Nolan scored 29 goals in the last two seasons and has experienced the fight
for promotion twice, with both Bolton and Newcastle. This could be the first
quality signing of many under the reign of Allardyce and signals his intent.
Alan Smith
The rumours about Alan Smith seem to be nearly dead and buried, with only
Leeds actually going on record as saying they want their former striker
back. Smith's glory days are long gone and his goalscoring seems to have
dried up, as he has failed to score in the last three seasons. Would it be
worth taking a chance? With his injury record, lack of a recent scoring
record and wages said to be 'stratospheric' by Leeds owner Ken Bates it
seems very unlikely when funds could be used on purchasing a striker with a
proven track record.
Zavon Hines
Zavon has turned down a new contract. Sam Allardyce told Sky Sports: "That
doesn't mean that is the end of the matter and he will leave the club. As
far as I am aware talks are still ongoing and he could stay." It is
understood the 22-year-old striker would like to keep his options open and
has stalled on making any long term commitment to his childhood club.
Jack Collison
The Welsh international was this week the subject of purported interest from
Stoke City earlier this week. However it is understood that Collison has now
confirmed that he intends to remain at West Ham next season.
Kane Ferdinand
The 18-year-old central midfielder is cousin to Rio and Anton and is
currently plying his trade with League two outfit Southend United where he
has made 22 appearances and scored two goals. Club scouts have reportedly
been to watch him on several occasions and he could be subject to a £750,000
bid if Allardyce sees him as a future player for West Ham. With Allardyce's
desire for a British core of players, Ferdinand could fit the bill nicely.
Scott Parker
Parker is widely expected to leave West Ham so he has the best chance
possible of retaining his England place, with Liverpool, Aston Villa and
Tottenham all interested in the holding midfielder. After spending four
seasons with the Hammers he has gained admiration and respect from the
footballing world - but also critics from within having only recently signed
a new four-year contract. The three time Hammer of the Year has told the
Telegraph his future is out of his hands and he has not set himself a
deadline to decide whether he will stay or leave. Would the funds gained be
better invested in other players, with a fee between £8-£12million expected?
Demba Ba
The Senegalese hit man scored seven goals in 12 games since arriving in east
London in January. However Ba is thought to be of the opinion that he needs
to ply his trade in the Premier League and with a free transfer clause in
his contract, he looks set for a move. He has said he will decide his future
when he gets back from holiday; whether this is simply to keep the fans
onside remain to be seen.
Matthew Upson
Matthew Upson has left West Ham (as confirmed by Sam Allardyce on the 1st
June) after he turned down numerous contract offers. With Big Sam seemingly
uninterested in the England defender, it looks like Upson's future rests
elsewhere. QPR and Wolves have already been cited as the two clubs
considered most likely to grab his signature.
Thomas Hitzlsperger
The midfielder is deciding whether he should stay at Upton Park, as he
believes he owes West Ham at least one full season. With a reported
double-your-money contract being offered, he could well see fit to remain
Der Hammer. After only making 11 appearances due to an injury received
whilst on international duty, many thought his season was over but he
returned and made a number of commendable performances - and showed he still
possesses a sledgehammer of a left foot. It would be a coup to keep the 6ft
German.
Championship round up
*Birmingham have signed 27-year-old Chris Burke on a free trasnfer after he
failed to agree terms with Cardiff. Sticking with City, Marlon King has
agreed personal terms after turning down a new deal at Coventry. Birmingham
have agreed to a £15,000-a-week deal for the controversial striker.
* Reading's Shane long is reportedly a transfer target for Everton's David
Moyes.
* Nottingham Forrest are lining up a move for Fulham ace Jonathan Greening.
* Ipswich town have made an offer to Cardiff for 11-goal Michael Chopra.
* Cardiff have announced that they will have selected their new manager by
next week with Hughton, Di Matteo and Mackay all in the running for the
Bluebirds hot seat.
Top transfers in the footballing world
* Alexis Sanchez has signalled his intent to leave Udinese and has stated he
would prefer a move to Barcelona over all the interested clubs.
* Carlos Tevez has told the press that club owner Sheik Mansour has
permitted him to leave, with Real Madrid and Inter Milan eyeing the
Argentinean striker. But the decision could be reversed if Manchester City
fail to sign Alexis Sanchez from Udinese. It is reported that only an offer
in excess of £40 million would be accepted for the City star.
* Aston Villa are bracing themselves for a bid from Premier League giants
Manchester United for their star winger Ashley Young with a reported £15
million bid set to be made. Recent reports are saying that England regular
is being offered a £130,000 a week contract to leave Villa Park.
* Sunderland confirmed earlier in the week via their official website that
they had accepted a sizeable offer for young England international Jordan
Henderson. Niall Quinn said: "Jordan is a credit to himself, his family and
Sunderland's Academy - and everyone here wishes him the very best for the
future." Liverpool have now completed the deal for Henderson with the fee
reported to be close to £20 million.
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Stoke and Napoli fight it out for former Hammer
By talkSPORT
Friday, June 10
Stoke and Napoli are locked in a battle to sign former West Ham forward
Victor Obinna. Obinna, 24, has left the east London club following their
relegation into the Championship. The Nigeria international failed to secure
a regular first-team place at Upton Park following his season-long loan from
Inter Milan and is keen to get his career back on track. Tony Pulis is
looking to strengthen his squad during the summer and was impressed with the
performances of Obinna when he featured in the Premier League last season.
But he faces stiff competition from Napoli who have also been strongly
linked with the talented forward and the two clubs will battle it out to
clinch his signature over the next few weeks.
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Behrami: Hammers owners upset the players with their comments
By talkSPORT
Friday, June 10
West Ham owners David Gold and David Sullivan have been warned against
speaking out in the press by the club's former midfielder Valon Behrami.
Gold and Sullivan have regularly courted controversy with their public
statements, particularly when Gianfranco Zola was manager. And Behrami, who
joined Fiorentina in the January transfer window, admits the owners'
statements had an effect on the players. And he has warned them to beware of
the consequences if they continue to do the same under Sam Allardyce in the
Championship next season. "I wasn't used to owners speaking all the time,
no," said Behrami, who was at West Ham for two-and-a-half years. "But they
put their money in, so they can do whatever they want. I respect what they
say. "But then what can happen is the team gets upset and down. They have to
see how the players react."
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Newcastle are winning the Ba brawl
Published 23:00 10/06/11 By Simon Bird
The Mirror
Newcastle are set to land Demba Ba in a bargain deal next week. The
French-born Senegal star is quitting West Ham on a free and Newcastle
believe they are close to sealing a deal for the big striker. Alan Pardew
was back at his desk this week and completed the signing of Yohan Cabaye
last night in a £5million switch from Lille.
Ba, 26, scored seven goals in 12 games for the Hammers' relegation-bound
side and Newcastle can more than match his wages as they look to replace
Andy Carroll with a new focal-point striker. He also had a good goal ration
in Germany for Hoffenheim bagging 37 in 97 games. France midfielder Cabaye
flew to Tyneside to sign before returning to his holiday and will return for
pre-season training in early July.
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Dyce roll for Jack
By ANDREW DILLON
Published: Today
The Sun
SAM ALLARDYCE has stepped into the growing tug of war over West Ham
midfielder Jack Collison. The new Hammers boss wants face-to-face talks with
the Wales midfielder, 22, when he returns from holiday next week. Collison,
who has two years on his deal, was due to meet vice-chairman Karren Brady on
Thursday to discuss his future. But Allardyce has now intervened in a bid to
outline his rebuilding plans for the Championship club, which centre around
the academy product. Stoke are one of several clubs interested in Collison,
fit again after a year out with a knee injury. Allardyce has been told to
double his bid for Newcastle midfielder Kevin Nolan after offering
£1.5million up front plus extra on appearances. He also wants Blackpool
striker DJ Campbell.
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Spector weighs up Germany switch
TalkSPORT
Friday, June 10
Jonathan Spector admits he is considering a move to Hannover 96 and could
leave West Ham during the summer. Spector is out of contract with the east
London club, but new manager Sam Allardyce is desperate to keep him at Upton
Park and has offered him a new deal. The American international became a
first-team regular last season following injuries to Thomas Hitzlsperger and
Mark Noble and was converted into a central midfield player. But with the
club suffering relegation into the Championship, Spector is keen to keep
playing at the highest level. Hannover 96 have been monitoring his progress
and Spector says he is strongly considering a move into the Bundesliga.
Spector said: "The club (West Ham) offered me a new contract so at this
point I'm just weighing up my options. "[West Ham] is a fantastic club and
London is a great city but I'm not there for the city, I'm there for soccer.
"At this stage in my career it's important to go somewhere where I'm going
to play and get a good opportunity. "I'm certainly open to [moving to
another country], and at this point I'm not ruling anything out. "I just
want to see what my options are and take it from there. If it's a better
opportunity for me in Germany than in England then it's something I'll
certainly take up."
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