Friday, August 26

Daily WHUFC News - 26th August 2011

Barrera loaned out
WHUFC.com
Mexico winger Pablo Barrera has joined Spanish club Real Zaragoza on a
season-long loan
25.08.2011

West Ham United have allowed Pablo Barrera to join Real Zaragoza on a
season-long loan. The 24-year-old has been loaned out after struggling to
adapt to life in London since arriving from Mexico because of language
difficulties and personal reasons. He started the 2-1 defeat by Aldershot
Town on Wednesday night, before travelling to Spain on Thursday for a
medical. Barrera joined the Hammers from Club Universidad Nacional in July
2010. He made 21 appearances last season and then appeared in the 2-0
pre-season victory over Zaragoza. His sole competitive appearance this
campaign before the Aldershot tie was as a substitute in the opening-day
defeat by Cardiff City. Zaragoza and former Mexico manager Javier Aguirre
could hand Barrera his debut in the club's home meeting with Real Madrid CF
on Sunday evening.

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Collison set for Parker duel
WHUFC.com
Wales midfielder Jack Collison may make his UEFA European Championship bow
in September
25.08.2011

Jack Collison could be lining up against Scott Parker at Wembley next month
after being named in the Wales squad for their two forthcoming UEFA EURO
2012 qualifiers. The Hammers midfielder is in a 24-man selection for the
matches against Montenegro and England on 2 and 6 September respectively.
The first match will be played in Cardiff before the glamour home nations
meeting at the national stadium four days later. Collison, 22, has ten caps
to his name but has yet to appear in a competitive international. England
have still to name their squad but Parker - watched by manager Fabio Capello
last Sunday - is expected to be involved, along with Robert Green. Gary
Speed's Wales are bottom of qualifying Group G, and have lost all four of
their matches to date. England are joint-top on eleven points but are above
Montenegro thanks to a superior goal difference. Capello's team take on
Bulgaria in Sofia on 2 September before heading home to welcome Wales four
days later.

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George looks to Sunday
WHUFC.com
George McCartney is targeting league success following Wednesday's Carling
Cup exit
25.08.2011

George McCartney admitted his second West Ham United debut had not exactly
gone to plan. The defender, who spent two seasons with the club between 2006
and 2008, was handed his bow in Wednesday's 2-1 Carling Cup first-round
defeat by Aldershot Town. He has joined on a season-long loan from
Sunderland The 30-year-old began the tie against the League Two side in his
usual position of left-back, only to be forced into the centre of defence
when debutant Callum McNaughton was sent-off for a professional foul two
minutes after half-time. Despite being reduced to ten men, McCartney
insisted a West Ham side that also contained Kevin Nolan, Winston Reid,
Julien Faubert and substitutes Herita Ilunga and Matt Taylor should have
been strong enough to maintain the lead given to them by Junior Stanislas'
first-half goal. Instead, The Shots fired back with two goals in the final
13 minutes to steal a place in the second round. "It's very disappointing,
especially going 1-0 up," he told West Ham TV. "Before the game, everybody
probably expected us to win and win comfortably by three or four goals, but
Aldershot like any other lower-league team, came and gave it their all.
"Once we had a man sent-off, they were pretty much on top of us and got the
two goals. "I think in the first half there wasn't really much in it. I
didn't think either side was creating much or many chances, but when you go
1-0 up you try to see the game out. "In the second half, you could say that
the sending-off has changed the game, but we should be experienced enough to
see the game out. If not, we should have got to extra time and penalties at
least."
McCartney looked strong on what was just his second outing since re-joining
the Hammers earlier this month. However, he knows only more game-time will
help him to regain full match-fitness. "It was OK. Obviously, aside from the
reserve game last week, this was the first game I've played in a month or
so. It's all about getting my fitness and match-sharpness back and the only
way to do that is to play more games, so hopefully I'll get them and I'll
feel better and enjoy winning next time."

The former Northern Ireland international's first West Ham debut ended in an
infamous 2-1 League Cup defeat at Chesterfield in October 2006. That season
ended with an unforgettable great escape from relegation, and McCartney is
hoping for a similarly successful end to the current campaign climaxing in
promotion back to the Premier League. That quest will continue when the
Hammers head to Nottingham Forest in the npower Championship on Sunday - a
match the Belfast-born player would love to be involved in if selected by
manager Sam Allardyce. "The team that was sent out was sent out to win the
game, so everyone is very disappointed. We should have won the game but we
didn't. "Now we've just got to forget about it and fully concentrate on the
league. "I think it's obviously up to the manager, but the only way to get
fitness is to play more games. It will be down to the manager what the team
is, but as long as I stay fit and do my best in training every day, it'll be
up to him whether he selects me or not."

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Portsmouth is Kids for a Quid
WHUFC.com
The club has another great offer for young fans to mark the return to school
next month
25.08.2011

The first Saturday 3pm home match of the season is fast approaching and the
club is delighted to once again offer a Kids for a Quid promotion. It may be
a case of 'Back to School' for young Hammers everywhere, but why not give
them a treat by bringing them along to the Boleyn Ground to see the visit of
Portsmouth?
The npower Championship match promises to be a high-profile encounter with
both clubs looking to get back to the Premier League. It will be the first
opportunity for Sam Allardyce's final squad post-transfer window to be in
action. This Kids for a Quid match is the latest 'supporting our supporters'
gesture at West Ham United with prices slashed in the cup competitions and
other great offers passed on to season ticket holders and members.

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Dons await fresh Baldock bid
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 25th August 2011
By: Staff Writer

MK Dons boss Karl Robinson has confirmed that his club have rejected a bid
for striker Sam Baldock, adding that he expects further bids within the next
24 hours.
It was revealed yesterday that West Ham's bid - thought to be worth around
£1.5million - for a player watched twice in recent weeks by Sam Allardyce
had been rejected by the Dons. Today Robinson spoke for the first time about
the interest in his in-form striker, whilst admitting that it will be very
difficult to hang on 22-year-old Baldock for whom an earlier bid, thought to
have been from Peterborough, had already been rejected. "We've had another
offer," Robinson told a pre-match press conference. "I don't want to name
the other club, and the club deserves the respect to not be named. It's the
second bid we've had this summer and we just need to see where we go from
here. "We don't know what's going to happen, we don't know what's round the
corner and we will see how that unfolds. We have a valuation on Sam that we
feel the player deserves. He's been a remarkable servant for the football
club during his time here; he is one of ours that's come through the system.

"We have had an offer, an official offer - [but] I believe that will be the
first of many. We'll see what unfolds but sometimes the clubs that we're
talking about are remarkable football clubs and sometimes it's money that
you can't reject. "I'd be disappointed to lose him but we will see what the
next 24 hours brings for the football club and Sam Baldock."

However Robinson admitted that should his club receive an offer that matches
their valuation, they would not stand in Bladock's way should he wish to
move. "I would be disappointed if he went but we're a club that is very
proud of our tradition in relation to letting players move on and do other
things," he added. "Some people have criticised that but I think that
should be applauded because it gives the opportunity for boys to perform on
a platform and better their career."

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West Ham hopeful in Baldock race
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 26th August 2011
By: Staff Writer

West Ham United and Southampton are said to be fighting it out to secure the
services of MK Dons striker Sam Baldock. Both clubs, currently residing in
the higher echelons of the Championship, are said to have made acceptable
offers for the in-form 22-year-old striker who has also been watched by
Reading. Hammers boss Sam Allardyce has seen Baldock in action twice and
placed a bid thought to be worth around £1.5million earlier this week. That
bid was rejected before it was reported that the Saints had come in with an
eleventh hour £2million offer, that was duly accepted. United are understood
to have since matched Southampton's offer and the decision over which to
accept is reported to have been left with the player, who some sources (of
varying credibility) have suggested would prefer a move to London.
However one local media source in Milton Keynes claimed that Baldock was
heading to Southampton for talks last night (Wednesday).

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Levy under scrutiny again
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 26th August 2011
By: Staff Writer

Police have requested a copy of the letter received by West Ham from
Tottenham Hotspur in which it is claimed the north London club offered to
drop legal action in return for West Ham doing likewise.

Earlier this week, Chairman Daniel Levy and his team - who are not supported
by the vast majority of Tottenham supporters in their bid to move to east
London - won the right to a judicial review of the Olympic Stadium bidding
process.

Whilst West Ham were playing Aldershot in the Carling Cup last night the
club hit back with a statement, posted on whufc.com, sensationally alleging
that Tottenham had offered to cancel the planned review in return for United
dropping their own case against the corporate investors employed by Spurs.

The as-yet-unknown intelligence agency, acting at the behest of Hotspur
officials, are said to have illegally gained banking and phone records of
employees of both West Ham and the Olympic Park Legacy Company earlier this
year and were already subject to a police investigation.

Having been made aware of West Ham's statement, the Met contacted United in
order to request a copy of the document in question, which was duly
provided. Scotland Yard refused to comment further when asked for an update
on Wednesday evening.

Although the specific details of the document remain a secret it could lead
to serious ramifications for Levy, who is reported to have asked the
Government for legal indemnity from any future action pertaining to the
Stratford issue as a sweetener in the deal to redevelop a new stadium in
Haringay, close to their current White Hart Lane ground.

It is understood that should those facing potential charges over the theft
of personal and confidential information be found guilty, custodial
sentences are almost certain to follow. Quite how far up the chain of
command that would extend exactly is unknown, but Chairman Levy will no
doubt be sleeping a little uncomfortably tonight having failed with his
latest scheme.

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Buenas noches, Barrera
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 25th August 2011
By: Staff Writer

Pablo Barrera has finally clinched a move to Spain following months of
speculation. The Mexican winger arrived at West Ham with huge promise on the
back of a successful 2010 World Cup. However his time in England has proved
to be a disaster, with the 24-year-old failing to show any signs of
repeating the form that persuaded United to pay his former club UNAM
£4million for his services last year. Barrera will join Spanish club Real
Zaragoza, who played West Ham at the Boleyn Ground last month in a
pre-season friendly (the Hammers winning 2-0). Although news of his
departure has since been confirmed by West Ham United, the game was given
away earlier today when a picture was posted by West Ham's number 12 on his
Twitter feed showing him in the Spanish city. A later Tweet simply stated
"On the road to Zaragoza". "Aver si adivinan donde estoy?"

The deal is said to be a season-long loan with an option to make the deal
permanent, should Barrera's time with Blanquillos prove to be a success. In
other transfer news, Lee Clayton of the Daily Mail reports that Scott Parker
is close to sealing a move to Tottenham. The deal is said to be cash up
front plus additional bonus payments and players, presumably on loan.

Barrera at West Ham: stats

2010/11: Played 21 (PL14, CC4, FAC3), Starts 13, Sub 8, Goals 0.
2011/12: Played 2 (NPC1, CC1), Starts 1, Sub 1, Goals 0.

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Dons reject Baldock offer
Last Updated: August 25, 2011 8:28pm
SSN

Boss Karl Robinson has confirmed that MK Dons have rejected an estimated
£1.5million bid for striker Sam Baldock from West Ham. Hammers boss Sam
Allardyce has made no secret of his interest in Baldock, having watched him
score a hat-trick against Chesterfield last weekend before seeing the
22-year-old add to his tally with a terrific 20-yard strike in the Carling
Cup at Norwich on Tuesday night. Robinson admitted that an approach had been
made, but remained tight-lipped on which club had made the bid. "We have had
an offer - an official offer. I believe that will be the first of many,"
Robinson told the club's official website. "We'll see what unfolds but
sometimes it's money that you can't reject. I'd be disappointed to lose him
but we will see what the next 24 hours brings. We will do our business in a
sensible and respectful way. "The chairman has been very good, we have a
valuation on Sam that we feel the player deserves. He's been a remarkable
servant for the club during his time here. He is one of ours he's come
through the system. "I would be disappointed if he went but we're a club
that is very proud of our tradition in relation to letting players move on
and do other things, it's a club that doesn't stand in the way of anybody."

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Clarets chasing Stanislas
Howe eyes second Hammers raid
By Pete O'Rourke - Follow me: @skysportspeteo. Last Updated:
August 25, 2011 3:27pm
SSN

Skysports.com understands Burnley are eyeing a move West Ham attacker Junior
Stanislas. Having already raided West Ham for Zavon Hines this summer
Clarets boss Eddie Howe is now hoping to strike a deal for Stanislas. Howe
is looking for reinforcements before the close of the transfer window after
losing Martin Paterson and recent signing Danny Ings to injury. Stanislas
has found himself down the pecking order at West Ham this season, with the
winger marking his first start of the season with a goal in Wednesday's
Carling Cup defeat to Aldershot. The 21-year-old could be tempted to move in
search of regular first-team football if he does not figure in Sam
Allardyce's plans, and Howe is hoping to lure him to Turf Moor.

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West Ham pass dossier to police in Olympic Stadium row
By ANDREW DILLON
Published: Today
The Sun

WEST HAM have handed a document to police which they believe will boost
their battle with Tottenham over the Olympic Stadium. The Hammers claim
their rivals offered to drop their legal challenge into the stadium's future
if the East London outfit abandoned a criminal probe into a private
investigator alleged to have worked for Spurs. Tottenham have won a judicial
review into plans to let West Ham take over the 80,000-seater arena after
the 2012 Games. Upton Park top brass claim their confidential emails have
been illegally accessed by a private investigator they believe to be on
Tottenham's payroll. The two clubs are at loggerheads in an increasingly
bitter row over who should get the stadium in 2014. The Met's Economic and
Specialist Crimes Unit is investigating. Spurs declined to comment.

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West Ham plot move for Papa Bouba Diop
Published: Today
The Sun

WEST HAM are mulling over a move for former Fulham midfielder Papa Bouba
Diop. Diop, 33, is a free agent after being released by AEK Athens and would
welcome a move back to England. The Senegal star has been training with the
Hammers and his experience and versatility will appeal to boss Sam
Allardyce, who is keen to strengthen his squad. MK Dons striker Sam Baldock
will decide today whether to join Hammers or Southampton for £1.4million.
West Ham winger Pablo Barrera has joined Real Zaragoza on loan for a year.

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Hammers loan out Barrera to Zaragoza after Mexican 'struggles to adapt to
London life'
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 7:56 AM on 26th August 2011
Daily Mail

West Ham winger Pablo Barrera has joined Primera Division side Real Zaragoza
on a season-long loan. The Mexico winger travelled to Spain on Friday for a
medical, with the West Ham website explaining the player had been loaned out
'after struggling to adapt to life to London since his arrival from Mexico
because of language and personal reasons'. The 24-year-old, who joined the
Championship club in July 2010 from Nacional, started the Hammers' Carling
Cup defeat by Aldershot on Wednesday night. Barrera's only previous
appearance this season was a substitute in the opening-day defeat by
Cardiff.

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