WHUFC.com
The coming season could be one to remember for Freddie Sears after a great
goal in Denmark
21.07.2011
Freddie Sears is relishing the start of the npower Championship season after
grabbing his first goal of the summer. The homegrown Hammer put the seal on
a fine team display at Danish champions FC Kobenhavn on Wednesday night with
a well-taken late winner. Sears is looking to add to his tally in the three
remaining pre-season fixtures - starting with Wycombe Wanderers this
Saturday - before the big kick-off on 7 August. Speaking to West Ham TV,
Sears said: "It is getting to the stage where the games are getting more
important. The winning mentality does help. It was a great result to come to
Copenhagen and win."
Of his goal, which you can see right now on West Ham TV along with all the
other pre-season action, he added: "It kind of just opened up. I remember
getting the ball from Cristian [Montano]. That was it and I was through on
goal and slotted it past the keeper. It is always nice to score."
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Allardyce looking to loan market
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 21st July 2011
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce has revealed that he will be looking to take players on loan
from the Premier League in order to boost numbers. Allardyce, speaking after
last night's encouraging 1-0 win in Copenhagen confirmed that he was still
keen to bring in several new faces before the transfer deadline, including
loan players from Premier League clubs. Although Matt Taylor looks set to
become Allardyce's third signing of pre-season the West Ham boss insists
that he needs at least five more players for his squad to be of sufficient
depth to cope with the rigours of a 50+ game season. "We need to add to and
build that squad because 13 first team squad players have left West Ham
already," Allardyce told Danish TV. "That's a large number of players to
lose - obviously that's down to the financial scenario we faced. "We need
to bring in some players from other clubs, from the Premier League - if we
can get them on loan, particularly - and up the strength and depth of the
squad. "I think the first eleven or twelve players are certainly good
enough but in this league of 46 games - a long season - we need at least 20
outfield players and three goalkeepers. So out into the market as quick as
we can; we're progressing quite nicely at the moment."
Allardyce also revealed that he had used the trip to speak with retired
midfielder Michael Johansen, a FIFA-licenced agent who used to play for
Allardyce at Bolton Wanderers. "I was with Michael last night - Michael
being an agent, as everybody knows," he confirmed. "We were talking at great
length about the players that might be available although I'm not going to
disclose publically who they might be - that might put the price up too
much!"
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Squad watch: pre-season update
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 21st July 2011
By: Staff Writer
James Tomkins has leapt to the top of the pre-season 'pitch minutes' table
following a full 90 minutes aginst Copenhagen in Denmark last night.
22-year-old Tomkins played a major role in keeping the Danes at bay last
night as West Ham recorded their first win of pre-season against the
Champions League qualifiers. Only three players - Cristian Montano, Jordan
Brown and Jordan Spence - have played in all four West Ham XI/first team
pre-season fixtures.
Pre-season player watch: Pitch Minutes
Last position and number of appearances in brackets. Matches played: Young
Boys 2 West Ham Utd 1; FC Basel 2 West Ham Utd 1; Bishops Stortford 0 West
Ham Utd 3; Copenhagen 0 West Ham Utd 1.
1. (7) James Tomkins (3) 225
2. (1) Cristian Montano (4) 211
3. (7) Freddie Piquionne (3) 205
4. (12) Winston Reid (3) 197
5. (3) Jordan Brown (4) 182
6. (14) Herita Ilunga (3) 180
7. (2) Marek Stech (2) 180
8. (3) Jordan Spence (4) 172
9. (14) Luis Boa Morte (3) 166
10. (7) Freddie Sears (3) 165
11. (14) Julien Faubert (3) 160
12 (5) Robert Hall (3) 147
13. (6) Olly Lee (3) 135
14. (7) George Moncur (2) 135
14. (18) Ruud Boffin (2) 135
14. (23) Mark Noble (2) 135
14. (23) Jack Collison (2) 135
18. (12) Frank Nouble (3) 127
19. (14) Joey O'Brien (3) 120
20 (11) Junior Stanislas (2) 118
21. (23) Scott Parker (2) 105
21. (23) Kevin Nolan (2) 105
23. (18) Jose Hernani (1) 90
23. (18) Callum McNaughton (1) 90
25. (21) Seb Lletget (1) 78
26. (22) Abdoulaye Faye (2) 77
27. (-) Robert Green (1) 45
27. (23) Ahmed Abdulla (1) 45
29. (28) Sergio Sanchez (1) 28
29. (28) Callum Driver (1) 28
29. (28) Matthew Fry (1) 28
29. (28) Paul McCallum (1) 28
33. (32) Carlton Cole (1) 13
Unused: Pablo Barrera, Peter Kurucz, Zavon Hines (currently out of
contract), Gary O'Neil (injured).
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Southampton want Boa Morte back - 10 years on
Published 22:59 21/07/11 By Alan Nixon - EXCLUSIVE
The Mirror
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce is ready to send flying winger Luis Boa Morte
back to Southampton in a £750,000 deal - if the Portuguese veteran will go.
Former Arsenal star Boa Morte is on big wages at Hammers and is taking some
persuading to quit to join their Championship rivals, as he thinks he could
still make it in the top flight. The 33-year-old has been on the verge of
leaving West Ham a couple of times in recent years but held on and is now
halfway through a two-year contract.
Saints are hoping to convince him a return to the south coast is his best
move - a decade after he quit the club having spent just one season on their
books following his Arsenal exit. Boss Nigel Adkins wants a quick answer as
he is also trying to agree a fee with Huddersfield for his alternative
target, Andy Roberts.
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Hendon happy to help Hess
Last Updated: 21/07/11 at 16:58 Post Comment
Football365
Former Gillingham assistant manager Ian Hendon will be more than happy to
send West Ham players on loan to Priestfield. Hendon, who is the new
development coach at Upton Park, wants to help out Gills boss Andy
Hessenthaler, a man he credits for helping to restore his passion for the
game. "Andy brought a team over to West Ham for a closed-doors game the
other day," Hendon told BBC Radio Kent. "I wouldn't hesitate in putting
players Gillingham's way. "I came to Gillingham, worked with Andy - who I
not only respect as a manager but as a friend - and I've gone there and been
revitalised. I look forward to training and matches now.
"I had a great working relationship with Andy and Nicky Southall - who I'm
sure is going to relish his opportunity and step up to the plate now I've
gone. "I know Gillingham are in good hands."
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npower Football League clubs vote to reduce number of subs in matchday squad
from seven to five
3:39pm Thursday 21st July 2011
Guardian Series
Football League clubs have today voted to reduce the number of substitutes
named for npower Football League matches from seven to five. The decision
will come into effect next season after the vote was taken at an EGM at
Leicester City's King Power Stadium. Managers will still be allowed to name
seven replacements for FA Cup and Carling Cup matches and five in the
Johnstone's Paint Trophy. A Football League spokesman said: "This was felt
to be a sensible and prudent step given the financial challenges facing many
football clubs and the commitment made earlier this summer to adopt UEFA's
Financial Fair Play framework."
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Thought this one would raise a few laughs - PeterR
George Maluleka wants Benni McCarthy at Ajax Cape Town
'Benni McCarthy still oozes class'
Posted: 2011-07-21 15:59
"Benni McCarthy still oozes class" – That's the observation from Ajax Cape
Town players after the former Bafana Bafana striker's first training session
with the club today. McCarthy is back in the country after spending a few
weeks on holiday in the United States and is currently on the lookout for
new team after parting ways with West Ham United a few months ago. Ajax
midfielder George Maluleka was one of the players excited after training
with McCarthy at Ikamva today. "He is looking sharp and physically still
good," Maluleke tells KickOff.com. "We had light training, but he still has
class and don't think the touch will go away any time soon." The Urban
Warriors have yet to make a formal approach for the former FC Porto and
Blackburn Rovers star, and Maluleka is hoping something materializes soon.
"I am not the only one inspired by the presence of McCarthy at training; the
whole team is. It will be great honour to play alongside him."
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Fleet To Face Hammers In Friendly
BlueSquareFootball.com
Ebbsfleet United have added West Ham to their pre-season fixtures and the
Hammers will be sending a team on Friday July 29th. The fixture against the
West Ham XI resulted from discussions between Fleet boss Liam Daish and Ian
Hendon, the former Gillingham assistant manager who recently joined the
Irons in a development team coaching role at the Boleyn Ground. Ebbsfleet
have been progressing well in their pre-season games so far with victories
over Canterbury City, Leyton Orient, and Thurrock, and were only denied
another win over Dagenham & Redbridge by the visitors' last-minute equaliser
at Stonebridge Road on Tuesday night.
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Taylor flies back for West Ham medical
London24
Dave Evans, West Ham Correspondent
Thursday, July 21, 2011
11:34 AM
Bolton midfielder Matt Taylor will have a medical at Upton Park after flying
back from his club's pre-season tour. West Ham look set to secure the
signing of Bolton midfielder Matt Taylor after he flew home from Wanderers
pre-season tour of the United States. The 29-year-old will have a medical at
Upton Park, before discussing personal terms on what is likely to be an
initial £2.2million move to the Hammers. Taylor, who cost Bolton £3.5m from
Portsmouth when he signed in January 2008, can play on the left of
midfielder or as an attacking wing back and West Ham fans may well remember
the thundering free kick he hit at the Reebok in 2009 which beat Robert
Green with ease. Taylor has made 139 appearances for Bolton, scoring 23
goals, but his place came under threat last season from Bulgarian wing man
Martin Petrov and he spent much of the campaign on the bench. The
Oxford-born midfielder is keen to live down south and with just one year
left on his contract, Bolton were happy to listen to offers for the player
as they look to improve their own squad. Another former Bolton player in
Joey O'Brien is also vying for a contract at Upton Park, though the arrival
of Taylor may well hinder his chances. The 25-year-old, who spent part of
last season at Sheffield Wednesday, is currently on trial at West Ham and
came on as a second-half substitute in the 1-0 friendly win in Copenhagen on
Wednesday night.
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Scott Parker off Aston Villa wish-list as focus turns to Charles N'Zogbia
Metro.co.uk
Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish has dropped his interest in West Ham
skipper Scott Parker and Spurs right-back Alan Hutton after admitting he
will make just one more big-money signing this summer. Villa's one signing
is expected to be either Wigan's Charles N'Zogbia or Aiden McGeady from
Spartak Moscow. Goalkeeper Shay Given completed his move to Villa Park
earlier this week, but Villa fans have had to watch Ashley Young, Stuart
Downing, Nigel Reo-Coker and Brad Friedel all leave the club this summer.
Villa have already made a £10million bid for N'Zogbia, but Wigan are
believed to be holding out for around £12million for the former Newcastle
striker. Earlier this month, Wigan owner Dave Whelan confirmed the club were
resigned to losing the forward saying: 'We have to sell Charles N'Zogbia
because he's on the last year of his contract. 'We can't keep him if a big
club comes for him, and he does deserve a big club because he's that kind of
quality player.' With Villa dropping their interest in Parker, it now
appears to be a straight fight between Chelsea and Spurs for the 30-year-old
midfielder.
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Hammers close in on Matt Taylor transfer
Ken Dyer
21 Jul 2011
Evening Standard
West Ham are expected to complete the £2.2million signing of Matt Taylor
from Bolton within the next 48 hours. The midfielder, 29, is due to undergo
a medical in London tomorrow. Taylor lost his place in Bolton's first team
last season and has just one year left on his contract. West Brom have
failed with a £1.25m bid for goalkeeper Robert Green, a sum described by a
Hammers insider today as "an insult". Green had stitches after gashing his
shin in a 1-0 win at FC Copenhagen last night. Scott Parker, another man
expected to leave, also played in the match in which Freddie Sears scored.
Also in West Ham's squad last night was former Bolton player Joey O'Brien,
who is a free agent, but there was no place for another trialist, Brazilian
Hernani da Rosa.
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