Daily WHUFC News - 12th August 2012

West Ham United statement
WHUFC.com
West Ham United have issued a statement relating to agents' fees
10.08.2012

West Ham United would like to clarify the club's position on agents' fees after stories in the media on Friday. Following the club's relegation to the npower Championship at the end of the 2010/11season, the Board decided on a clear strategy to attack the new season with ambitious and exciting singings capable of firing West Ham United back to the Barclays Premier League at the first attempt. The Board and manager Sam Allardyce quickly set about recruiting high-quality Premier League players, who possessed the quality to return the club to the top tier of English football and then stay on once they were promoted. The likes of captain Kevin Nolan, signed for an undisclosed transfer fee, Matt Taylor, Joey O'Brien and George McCartney were all recruited from the top division to aid the promotion push. The associated costs of recruiting Premier League players does mean that occasionally agents' fees do have to be paid out, although West Ham continue to campaign for a cap on such payments.

Although the club will always strive to keep these fees to a minimum, the reality is that agents are a part of the modern game and when high-quality signings are made, such costs have to be factored into the deal. The fees that West Ham United committed to pay last season would not stand out at a Premier League side, which was how the club viewed itself last season.

Attacking the Championship with high-profile signings was an ambitious strategy, but ultimately it was one that proved correct with the Hammers securing promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

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Four receive international call-ups
WHUFC.com
Four West Ham United players have been called-up by their respective nations
10.08.2012

Four West Ham United players have been called-up by their respective countries for international duty in August. Jack Collison, Joey O'Brien and new signings James Collins and Raphael Spiegel will all be involved for their nations ahead of the new Barclays Premier League season. Collison and Collins have been called-up by Wales manager Chris Coleman for their international friendly meeting with Bosnia-Herzegovina at Parc Y Scarlets in Llanelli on Wednesday 15 August. The fixture will serve as a warm-up for Wales' 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, which begins at home to Belgium and away in Serbia in September.

O'Brien has been recalled to the Ireland squad for the first time in four years. The defender, who has three previous caps, will join up with the squad ahead of their friendly against Serbia in Belgrade on 15 August. O'Brien has not played for Ireland for almost six years so will be looking to catch manager Giovanni Trapattoni's eye ahead of their first FIFA World Cup qualifier with Kazakhstan on 7 September.

Finally, goalkeeper Spiegel will join up with the Switzerland Under-20 squad for a training camp in Magglingen between 13-15 August.

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Hammers swoop for Diarra
WHUFC.com
West Ham United are delighted to announce the signing of France midfielder Alou Diarra
10.08.2012

West Ham United are delighted to announce the signing of France international midfielder Alou Diarra. The 2006 FIFA World Cup runner-up and 2012 UEFA European Championship star has joined the Hammers on a three-year contract from Olympique Marseille for an undisclosed fee. Capped 44 times, the 31-year-old has enjoyed a fine playing career, winning the French title twice, appearing in the UEFA Champions League nearly 30 times and captaining his country. Born in the northern Paris suburb of Villepinte, the 6'3 tall defensive midfielder is known for his outstanding physical attributes and leadership abilities.

Diarra said: "I am very happy to be here at West Ham - everything is signed now which is good and I am excited to be here at this club and to be playing for them in the Premier League. "I know a lot about West Ham as a club and when I knew they were interested in signing me, I was very happy and knew it would be a good choice for me. "We are a Premier League club and I know of players who were here before like Paolo Di Canio and Scott Parker, but of the players now in the team, I know Guy [Demel], Mo [Diame] and of course, Modibo Maiga, who played in the French league last year. "The club has just been promoted and I am looking forward to a good challenge with the team ahead. I see this as my chance in the Premier League to do well with West Ham. I hope that my experience can help and the fans will see me give my all in the matches."

After coming through the ranks at Ligue 2 club CS Louhans-Cuiseaux, Diarra was snapped up by Bayern Munich at the age of 19, spending the next two seasons learning his trade in the German giants' reserve team alongside future internationals Owen Hargreaves, Philipp Lahm and Bastian Schweinsteiger. After signing for Liverpool in 2002, Diarra enjoyed successful loan spells with French clubs Le Havre, Bastia and Lens before joining the latter on a permanent basis in 2005. The 2005/06 season proved something of a breakthrough campaign for Diarra, who made ten European appearances as Lens reached the last-32 of the UEFA Cup. That impressive form saw Ligue 1 champions Olympique Lyonnais move to take him to the Stade Gerland in the summer of 2006. Before his move to Lyon, however, Diarra helped France to reach the 2006 FIFA World Cup final. Having made his debut in a FIFA World Cup qualifier against Republic of Ireland in Paris in October 2004, he appeared twice in Germany, including a substitute appearance in the final defeat by Italy. Diarra won the Ligue 1 title with Lyon in 2007, but after making just 15 league appearances, he joined Bordeaux. There, he would make more than 150 appearances over four seasons, winning the title again in 2009 and three other domestic trophies. After captaining France in their group-stage meeting with host nation South Africa at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, he joined Marseille a year ago, helping the club to win the French League Cup in April 2012. Diarra appeared at his third major tournament with France, starting all three group matches, including the 1-1 draw with England.

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Dev Squad comeback comes up short
WHUFC.com
Dagenham and Redbridge proved too strong for the Development Squad in a pre-season fixture on Saturday
11.08.2012

A spirited second half fightback wasn't enough for the Development Squad as they lost 6-3 against a strong Dagenham and Redbridge side. The Hammers went behind in the third minute when Jake Larkins was unable to keep out Dwight Gayle's point-blank header, and despite reacting well it was soon two as Gayle caught them on the break and finished well. Ian Hendon's side were to endure more bad luck before the halfway stage as the home side got their third when Gale's tame shot took a wicked deflection rendering Larkins helpless. The tide turned in the second half and the Hammers reduced the deficit after just one minute when Rob Hall was brought down and captain Jordan Spence hammered the spot-kick home. Hall took centre-stage once more just two minutes later, drifting in from the right before bending a delicious ball inside the far post to make it 3-2.

On another day the Hammers would have completed their comeback and gone on to win and they almost equalised when Kenzer Lee's header was somehow tipped over as the away side continued to press. Despite the Hammers' pressure, it was Dagenham's day as they struck twice on the counter-attack in quick succession - the goals coming from Billy Bingham and Jake Reed. Sam Williams added a sixth before Jordan Spence converted from the spot for the second time before Sam Baldock and Frederic Piquionne were denied opportunities to further reduce the deficit.

Hendon accepted that his side should have shown more focus, particularly in the first half, but praised the effort of lone striker Paul McCallum. "It was men against boys today, which is not necessarily a criticism as Dagenham are a very experienced, well-drilled side," said Hendon. "That said, we didn't dominate the midfield like we needed to and support Paul who showed a superb work-rate. He battled well against two big centre-halves and deserves a lot of credit."

Hendon also believes that positives can be taken in defeat. The Development Squad host Reading to begin their Barclays Under-21 Premier League campaign at Rush Green Stadium on Friday at 7pm, and he believes this result could provide the focus they need. "We arrange these games with fitness and preparation being our main focus. Now we need to work hard to improve for Friday. They're all good players, but when it's tough like Saturday and we're up against it they need to show for the ball and want it more. That way we will create more and control the game."

Hendon bemoaned his side's lack of luck as the Daggers scored two goals from cruel deflections either side of the half-time break. "I've seen a lot of positive signs in the past few games that suggest we have turned a corner. We have looked stronger, sharper and fitter. Maybe today is one of those days where things just haven't gone our way. We started the second half very well, got back into it, and then they scored via a deflection for the second time. "We can count ourselves very unlucky."

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Improved performance pleases Big Sam
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce was happy with West Ham United's sharpness as they drew 1-1 with SC Braga
11.08.2012

Sam Allardyce was impressed with the response he witnessed from his West Ham United side during their 1-1 draw with SC Braga. The West Ham United manager saw a close-range Winston Reid effort secure a well-deserved draw on Friday evening as the Hammers wrapped up their pre-season campaign. The home side had taken the lead in the 34th minute when Lima converted a hotly-disputed penalty after James Collins was adjudged to have handballed. "I think it was a very good game to play in," Big Sam told West Ham TV. "Braga as a team will be in or around the top three or four teams in Portugal. They will be playing in Europe so it was a good test for the lads both technically and physically. "It was an unfortunate penalty against us when the ball hit James Collins and then his hand but that is what you get when you're away in Europe sometimes. It was a good performance overall and it was good to see Momo play for us and for Tonks to get a good run out after coming back from the Olympics."

The Hammers' goal was straight from the training ground as Matt Taylor floated a corner into the box, the retuning Olympian James Tomkins nodded it down and Winston Reid was on hand to prod the ball home from three yards out. Although there were perhaps only 200 Hammers fans in the ground, their delight to see an 89th-minute leveller ahead of the start of the Barclays Premier League season was there for all to hear.

George Moncur did have a brilliant chance to win the match right at the death, but, after being put through one-on-one by Mark Noble, his shot into the far corner was brilliantly saved by Quim in the Braga goal. Quim had a busy night and another fine stop from a Modibo Maiga header kept the Champions League qualifiers in the game as the Hammers' pre-season preparations stepped up a couple of notches.

"It was a very sound, solid performance overall and a good end to the game which showed our fitness is coming on, which is what we want. It's nice to see us score from a set play. A Matt Taylor ball in and James Tomkins knocked it down and it was finished by Reidy. "We should have scored a late winner when young George Moncur went through but sadly he didn't put that one in the back of the net. It was a great counter-attack started by Mark Noble but in Moncur on a one-on-one. The lad is hugely is hugely disappointed he's not stuck it away."

Big Sam's thoughts will immediately turn to defeating Aston Villa in the first game of the new Premier League season. There is limited availability on tickets for the game so fans are advised to move quickly. Click here for more information.

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West Ham sign Alou Diarra for £2m from Marseille
BBC.co.uk

West Ham have completed the signing of French midfielder Alou Diarra from Marseille for a fee reported to be £2m. Diarra, 31, signed a three-year deal at Upton Park on Friday after completing his transfer from the French side. The midfielder, who spent three years at Liverpool but did not make a first-team appearance, played all four of France's games at Euro 2012. Diarra said: "I am excited to be here at this club and to be playing for them in the Premier League."

He added: "I know a lot about West Ham as a club. When I knew they were interested in signing me, I was very happy and knew it would be a good choice for me.
"We are a Premier League club and I know of players who were here before like Paolo Di Canio and Scott Parker, but of the players now in the team, I know Guy [Demel], Mo [Diame] and of course, Modibo Maiga, who played in the French league last year."

Diarra, with 44 international caps, has played the majority of his career in France. But his Marseille future was placed in doubt when he reported back from Euro 2012 six days late, an infraction for which he was fined. West Ham have already paid Aston Villa £2.5m for James Collins this summer and brought in Mali striker Maiga, who completed a £4.7m transfer from French club Sochaux last month,- as Sam Allardyce rebuilds his promotion-winning squad.

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Jarvis wants out
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 12th August 2012
By: Staff Writer

Wolverhapton Wanderes manager Stale Solbakken confirmed last night that West Ham transfer target Matt Jarvis had handed in a transfer request. The Championship club claimed earlier in the week that the Hammers has made a £9million bid for the once-capped English international - an offer that was flatly rejected. However the winger signalled his intention to leave Molineux yesterday when he handed in a transfer request - a move confirmed by Solbakken. "He wants to leave but it has to be right for Wolves," said the Norweigan coach. "At the end of the day, I am not making the final decision. We are a little unsettled at the moment and everything is not fine but we have to fight through this."

Jarvis, who moved to Wolves from Gillingham for £600,000 back in 2007 missed Wolves' match with Aldershot yesterday although Solbakken insisted that the 26-year-old was ill. "This is a true story and you can believe it or not," he said, "but he is actually sick. He is a good guy in a stressful situation at the moment."
Jarvis' sole appearance for England thus far came against Ghana in a 2011 friendly.

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SC Braga 1 West Ham Utd 1
KUMb.com
Filed: Friday, 10th August 2012
By: Staff Writer

Winston Reid's last-gasp equaliser earned West Ham a share of the spoils in their final match of pre-season in Portugal tonight. A goal behind to a first half penalty, the New Zealander struck in the final minute of normal time to earn Sam Allardyce's side a draw which was the very least they deserved for a spirited effort in what proved to be a lively encounter. West Ham featured four of their eight summer signings in tonight's starting XI; Jussi Jaaskelainen, James Collins, Momo Diame and Modibo Maiga all featured in a 4-3-3 formation with Carlton Cole spearheading at attack with Maiga and Ricardo Vaz Te either side.

Meanwhile James Tomkins reverted to the defensive midfield role that he was occasionally employed in during the 2011/12 campaign, with Collins and Reid forming the central defensive unit immediately behind him. After a decent start, in which West Ham arguably produced their best football of pre-season, it was the hosts who took the lead 11 minutes before the break. The returning James Collins appeared to be penalised for hand-ball after Custodio Castro's effort had been saved by Jaaskelainen and Lima - aka Rodrigo Jose Lima dos Santos - sent the Finnish 'keeper the wrong way from 12 yards to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.

Having re-appeared for the second half with a number of new faces and a new kit (their second strip) Braga threatened to score a second but West Ham stood strong. The home side appeared to have achieved their aim with just five minutes remaining when sub Baiano found the net, however he was adjudged - correctly - to be offside. It was to prove the turning point in the game as just four minutes later West Ham grabbed what had appeared to be an unlikely equaliser. Having forced a corner on the right, substitute Matt Taylor swung in a deep cross which was headed back into the mix by James Tomkins, stationed at the far post.

Winston Reid was first to react and the Kiwi poked the ball over the goal line from three yards out despite the close attention of a number of Braga defenders to level the scores. With Braga pushing on looking to restore their lead, United could have been celebrating an unlikely win had youngster George Moncur looked up and squared the ball when United broke on the counter attack in the second minute of added-on time. With three players completely unmarked, the son of former Hammers midfielder John Moncur opted instead to shoot and his effort was pushed aside by Braga 'keeper Quim.

West Ham Utd: Jaaskelainen, Demel (Potts 79), Reid, Collins (O'Neil 74), O'Brien, Tomkins, Diame (Moncur 84), Noble, Vaz Te, Maiga, Cole (Taylor 71).
Sub not used: Henderson.

SC Braga: Quim, Mossoro, Barbosa, Lima, Elderson, Salino, Vinicius, Custodio, Alan, Douglao, Viana.
Subs: Beto, Nuno Coelho, Amorim, Luis Alberto, Micael, Baiano, Ismaily, Djamal, Carlao.

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Diarra signs three-year deal
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 10th August 2012
By: Staff Writer

West Ham have completed the signing of French international Alou Diarra. As revealed here on KUMB late on Wednesday evening, the 31-year-old flew into London yesterday in order to undergo a two-part medical which was finally completed earlier this morning. Just a few minutes ago it was confirmed by West Ham United that the former Marseille player has completed his move to the Boleyn Ground, siging a three-year deal with the Hammers. And although the fee is undisclosed, reports suggest that West Ham paid in the region of £2million to sign Diarra from the Ligue 1 outfit.

Speaking via whufc.com, he said: "I am very happy to be here at West Ham. Everything is signed now and I am excited to be playing for them in the Premier League. I know a lot about West Ham as a club and when I knew they were interested in signing me, I was very happy and knew it would be a good choice.
"Of the players in the team, I know Guy [Demel], Mo [Diame] and Modibo Maiga, who played in the French league last year. I am looking forward to a good challenge with the team; I hope that my experience can help and the fans will see me give my all in the matches."

A defensive midfielder who can also be utilised in the centre of defence, Diarra first moved to England 2002 when he was signed by Gerard Houllier, a fellow Frenchman, for Liverpool in 2002 (from Bayern Munich). However he failed to make a single appearance for the Merseyside club and spent the three years contracted to the club on loan at Le Havre, Bastia and Lens - who he eventually joined on a permanent basis in 2005. The 6'3" Frenchman's most successful years followed thereafter as he moved to Lyon in 2006 - where he picked up a league-winners medal - and then on to Bordeaux in 2007 where he spent the next four years. It was during this stage in his career that he captained his country at the 2010 World Cup Finals, in their opening game of the tournament against hosts South Africa. Linked with clubs such as Manchester City in the past, Diarra moved to current club Marseille in July 2011 for €5million. He becomes West Ham's eighth signing of pre-season.

Pre-season signings: the story so far

May
21st: Stephen Henderson (Portsmouth, nominal fee)

June
14th: Jussi Jaaskelainen (Bolton, nominal fee)
20th: Momo Diame (Wigan, free transfer)

July
1st: George McCartney (Sunderland, nominal fee)
18th: Modibo Maiga (Sochaux, £4.5million)
23rd: Raphael Spiegler (Grasshoppers, nominal fee)

August
1st: James Collins (Aston Villa, £2million)
10th: Alou Diarra (Marseille, £2million)

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Jarvis asks for move
Wolves winger hands in transfer request
Last Updated: August 11, 2012 11:54am
SSN

Sky Sports understands that Wolverhampton Wanderers winger Matt Jarvis has handed in a transfer request at Molineux. The 26-year-old has become the second player this week to officially make a request to leave, following on from Sunderland target Steven Fletcher. Jarvis has been the subject of rejected bids from West Ham, whilst Stoke and Fulham have also been linked with his services. Now the Middlesbrough-born winger has made his position clear and he wants to be back in the Premier League next season. Jarvis has one eye on his international prospects, having already gained one England cap last year.

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Diarra happy with Hammers switch
Frenchman looking forward to Premier League challenge
By Subhankar Mondal. Last Updated: August 10, 2012 4:21pm
SSN

French midfielder Alou Diarra is delighted to join West Ham United and is looking forward to playing in the Premier League. The 31-year-old signed for the Hammers from Marseille on Friday on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee. Diarra, a France international, is overjoyed with the move and hopes to make a major impact on West Ham's 2012/13 season. "I am very happy to be here at West Ham - everything is signed now which is good and I am excited to be here at this club and to be playing for them in the Premier League," he told the club's official website. "I know a lot about West Ham as a club and when I knew they were interested in signing me, I was very happy and knew it would be a good choice for me.

Challenge

"We are a Premier League club and I know of players who were here before like Paolo Di Canio and Scott Parker, but of the players now in the team, I know Guy [Demel], Mo [Diame] and of course, Modibo Maiga, who played in the French league last year. "The club has just been promoted and I am looking forward to a good challenge with the team ahead. "I see this as my chance in the Premier League to do well with West Ham. I hope that my experience can help and the fans will see me give my all in the matches."

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The German Ideology - Theses on Sam Allardyce's Football Management
By S J Chandos
West Ham Till I Die

Sam Allardyce gave an interesting interview to the German media prior to the pre-season match with Dynamo Dresden. In it, Allardyce was asked about the difference between the English Premier League and the German first tier. I will not summarise his comparative analysis, but what was of particular interest was his comments on the complexity of being a coach in the EPL. Sam Allardyce observed that one of the defining features was the multiplicity of different formations employed by clubs and the need to adjust your own formation and tactics accordingly. He suggested that on different weeks you can face formations such as 4-4-2, 4-3-3, 4-5-1 or 4-2-3-1 and made the point that one side has even started playing three defenders at the back.

The reason that I found it interesting is because it exposed the erroneous assumption that Sam Allardyce is structuring his squad to adopt one monocasual formation or style of play. The assumption becoming common coinage is that Allardyce is structuring his squad to just adopt a sole 4-3-3/4-5-1 formation. There have even been Chinese whispers that Allardyce's approach is all about power and direct play and that ball players like Mark Noble will not fit in to it. We also often hear the lament, what is the point of having he likes of Maynard or a potential new signing Matt Jarvis in the squad, because they do not fit in to Allardyce's formation. Underpinning this observation, once again, is the assumption that West Ham will only play one system next season. Another comment sometimes heard is, what is our chosen first team line up? As if it is still the 1970s when teams had a first XI and a reserve team and, to slightly adapt Rudyard Kipling's famous phrase, 'rarely shall the twain meet.'

Modern football is a squad game. Surely, Allardyce's intention is to build a squad with the capacity and ability to play different formations. Arguably, it is wrong to suppose that we will play the same way regardless of the quality of the opposition or tactics/formation that they deploy? Allardyce himself has often stated that there is a prevalent distorted view of what he is all about as a coach. At the core of this view is that he has a one-dimensional tactical approach based upon the infamous 'long ball.' Yet last season I only remember one sustained ariel bombardment and that was the exciting 3-3 home draw with Birmingham City. And in that match he changed tactics, to Plan B, in the second half, precisely because Plan A was not working and we were losing 1-3. Obviously he was right on that occasion because it snatched a draw from the jaws of defeat!

And yes, we are now a physically imposing side and we have worked on our set plays, but what's wrong with that? Surely that is just a way of adding 'another string to our bow' and ensuring that we can score goals and win matches utilising all possible options open to us. After all it was not exactly as if we did not need to improve in those areas. How many times over the decades have West Ham teams been physically intimidated out of matches? How bad have we traditionally been at set pieces over the years (whether taking or defending them!)? Lets see if the old 'pushovers' tag is still applied to us next season under Allardyce. I think a few PL managers next season might be in for a bit of a shock.

The manager wants to play passing football, wherever possible, that is quite clear from his prior comments. But he will either mix it up or play a more direct style if it increases our chances of winning by: dictating play, dominating the opposition and exploiting their defensive weaknesses. The great Ron Greenwood did not have that philosophy, he was a purist, who thought the style of play was just as important as the result. His ideal was to play open, attacking football and always win the right way. But Allardyce is not an exponent of Greenwood's purist ideals, he is arguably a pragmatist and to him the three points is always the 'bottom line.' Hence, his constant emphasis upon 'winning football matches' and the 'West Ham Way' being about doing exactly that. The conflict between manager and the fans lies in the fact that the head of most Hammers supporters would probably accept Allardyce's rationale, but their hearts and the senses lie with the Academy/Greenwood tradition.

I believe that Allardyce's objectives are obviously to improve the quality of the squad, as well as its strength in depth. It also means having different types of players so that he can change tactics to secure results . That should not be an amazing revelation, but the nature of debate amongst fans convinces me that it is a point that still needs to be laboured. At times next season he will play 4-4-2, on others 4-3-3 and others still (especially away from home at places like Emirates and Old Trafford) he might deploy a solid 4-5-1 or 4-4-1-1. And of course he will switch tactics, using the substitutes bench, as necessary. I also believe that it will not be all about negative football and grinding out results next season. Allardyce knows that West Ham fans love to be entertained and he will do his best to satisfy their demands. Fortunately, next season other PL teams will approach matches against us with the objective of winning. There will not be as many packed midfields and attempts to grind out of results as we witnessed last season. This will open up plenty of possibilities for the Hammers to pass the ball, attack and entertain.

I wonder if there is a part of Sam Allardyce that wants to use next season to lay the myth, once and for all, about his so-called long ball tactics? After all, we did play some excellent football on occasions last season, such as the demolition of Notts Forest (away), Brighton (home), Blackpool (away), Barnsley (away) and Cardiff City (home in the 2nd leg play-off semi-final). Although the myth is still often repeated that we only played a direct style last season. Even though the evidence clearly proves otherwise.

The answer to the above question is probably yes, as long as it wins football matches! Because it is Allardyce's apparent pragmatism and desire to win that is ultimately in the driving seat and they will be the final determinant of how we set up and the tactics that we deploy. Surely that is the key to understanding Sam Allardyce's management? Not often repeated cliches about one-dimensional football and long ball tactics!

SJ. Chandos.

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Wolves Reject £9m Hammers Bid for Matt Jarvis!
By S J Chandos
West Ham Till I Die

Well, Wolves must be in a good financial position to be able to reject a £9m package for their winger, Matt Jarvis. Usually relegated teams tend to sacrifice one or two stars to fund the rebuilding of their squad. Last season we lost Scott Parker and Demba Ba in similar circumstances. It can obviously weaken a side in the short-term, but the other side of the coin is that it provides an injection of cash to bring in other players. In our case, we only generated a c.£5m fee for Parker, although both his and Ba's transfers did free up significant money on the wage bill.

Of course, it could be that Wolves are playing a cagey game of rejecting an initial bid, in the anticipation that improved offers ill follow. They may even hope that the final fee will be inflated by an auction with other clubs entering the frame. Alternatively, Wolves might genuinely see Jarvis as crucial to their promotion push this season. A £9m fee if a very good offer and Wolves must have thought twice before rejecting it. Jarvis is a very good winger, but will the Hammers hierarchy be tempted to up their bid to £10m, the valuation that Wolves seem to have put on the player?

Elsewhere, the official site has announced that a new international signing is at an advanced stage and should be announced later this afternoon. The probablity that is going to be French international Alou Diarra. Diarra should be a good and experienced signing, it gives us another defensive midfield option, besides Mo Diame, and extra cover at centre back. It has been a very frustrating summer so far, but you get the sense that Sam Allardyce is slowly assembling the players that he needs for this summer's PL campaign. Yes, there are still notable question marks over certain positions, but the fact is that a lot of business will undoubtedly take place in the period 18-31 August 2012. And it usually takes one or two big deals to set off a chain reaction of other deals.

We may feel certain frustrations at West Ham, but it should also be remembered that the market as a whole has been fairly quiet so far this summer. There will undoubtedly be a flurry of transfer activity before the window closes. It is not ideal to leave it late, but that is the nature of the beast that is the football transfer window.

Anyway, our additions are very important to our chances next season, no doubt about that. But I am also hopeful that we will benefit from the 'Swansea and Norwich effect' next season. That is having a highly motivated core of established players, who impress with their commitment, application and togetherness. Why not, contrary to what some 'doom and gloomers' would have us believe we do have some very good players, other players who are hungry to do well and some very promising youngsters who could positively impact this season. It is a optimistic scenerio, but why write off our chances before we have even kicked off the campaign. Critical anaylsis is right and proper, but striking your colours this early is not only absurd, it is quite frankly defeatist.

Personally, I want to see us sign another right-back, a creative midfielder, a striker and a winger. That's four players as a minimum. There are question marks over our keepers, the left back position and whether we have enough width on both flanks. But I would go with McCartney/Taylor/Potts up to the 31 August 2012 and make an emergency deal for a left-back if there are problems. I think that they will stick with our current keepers and we can only hope that they perform. But you know there comes a point where you have to trust in certain players, use your ability as a coach and make the very best of what you have. I do not know how the remainder of our transfer business will go, but there is bound to be an element of that when the window closes.

It must be quite nerve wrecking for a manager if he has missed certain transfer targets and he starts the season hoping that he has done enough in the transfer market. But that is what they are paid for and they invariably pay 'the price' (if you can call a multi-million pound pay-off that) with the sack if they get it wrong. Somehow, I really do not see Sam Allardyce getting it wrong. His PL track record is a very good indicator of that; as is his proven ability to get the very best out of his players. I know that not all fans are convinced of his syle of football, but it is an asset to have manager of his experience at the helm. Neither Southampton nor Reading have a similar assurance! And that could prove a crucial factor in deciding the outcome of this coming season.

SJ. Chandos.

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We Need More Strength In Depth, Especially In Defence
By Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die

With the start of the season less than a week away, I guess now is as good a time as any to evaluate how the pre-season has gone and where we still need to strengthen the squad over the next week or three. Results wise we haven't exactly pulled up any trees. Indeed, results seem to have got worse, after an encouraging start. But it's not results that count in friendlies, it's performances. I haven't been to any of the games, but from what I have read, we have looked very shaky defensively. And it seems to me that defence is where we really need to strengthen our squad. We seem to have an abundance of midfielders and strikers, with more on the way imminently, but despite the arrival of James Collins, I think we need a top class central defender. Let's go through the squad, position by position...

GOALKEEPER

Jussi Jaaskelainen
Stephen Henderson
Raphael Spiegel
Jack Larkins

All the indications are that Jussi will be Number One. That makes me nervous. No one can tell me this is an advancement on last season when we had an England international goalie. I'd like to see us pick up a proven international goalkeeper, but I just don't see it happening. A good goalkeeper can be worth 10 points a season. A bad one can get you relegated.

CENTRAL DEFENCE

James Tomkins
Winston Reid
James Collins

Three specialist central defenders is not enough. It should be acknowledged that McCartney, Demel and Diarra can all play there if needed, but we certainly need at least one more specialist.

FULL BACKS

George McCartney
Dan Potts
Joey O'Brien
Guy Demel
Jordan Spence

I'm not as worried as some about our lack of depth at left and right back. Matt Taylor plays comfortably at left back too, and James Tomkins can cover right back. I'm not convinced by Demel yet, but O'Brien has never let us down, although he is prone to injury. Faubert was always useful to have as a backup, although he was always better going forward than defending.

CENTRAL MIDFIELD

Alou Diarra
Mark Noble
Jack Collison
Kevin Nolan
Mo Diame

Five into three won't go, so it will be interesting to see who Sam Allardyce picks to play in the centre. This is the one area of the pitch where I feel comfortable with what we have.

WIDE MIDFIELD

Matt Taylor
Gary O'Neil
Ricardo Vaz Te

Rumour is that Matt Jarvis from Wolves is close to signing. He was left out of the Wolves squad today, so draw your own conclusions. But £10 million? I'm not so sure, but it might be tasty with him on one wing and Vaz Te on the other. Maiga can also play wide left. There are also renewed rumours about Yossi Benayoun making a return, now that Ravel Morrison has mysteriously gone out on loan.

STRIKERS

Carlton Cole
Nicky Maynard
Rob Hall
Sam Baldock
Freddie Piquionne
Modibo Maiga
Rob Hall

We can safely assume Piquionne isn't going to play much of a part and it seems that Sam Baldock will soon be on his way. If Wolves have any sense, they will make him part of the Jarvis deal. I'd like to see an out and out goalscorer brought in (which rules out Andy Carroll), but all seems quiet on that front at the moment.

All in all we have a squad of only 21 senior players. We need another four, I reckon. But from the players listed on the club website already, this would be my first choice starting eleven...

Henderson, Tomkins, Collins, McCartney, O'Brien, Noble, Nolan, Diame, Vaz Te, Diarra, Cole

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Hammers seal Alou coup
The Sun
Published: 10th August 2012

WEST HAM have completed the signing of France star Alou Diarra on a three-year contract. The battling midfielder, who starred against England at Euro 2012, has left Marseille for the Premier League new boys in a £2millon deal. Diarra, 31, has 44 caps for France and has previously had a spell in England with Liverpool between 2002-2005, although he failed to make an appearance for the Reds. Diarra said: "I am very happy to be here at West Ham - everything is signed now which is good and I am excited to be here at this club and to be playing for them in the Premier League. "I know a lot about West Ham as a club and when I knew they were interested in signing me, I was very happy and knew it would be a good choice for me. "We are a Premier League club and I know of players who were here before like Paolo Di Canio and Scott Parker. "But of the players now in the team, I know Guy Demel, Mo Diame and of course, Modibo Maiga, who played in the French league last year. "The club has just been promoted and I am looking forward to a good challenge with the team ahead. "I see this as my chance in the Premier League to do well with West Ham. "I hope that my experience can help and the fans will see me give my all in the matches."

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Get me out of here! Matt Jarvis hands in a transfer request to force through West Ham move
The Mirror

Matt Jarvis has handed in a transfer request - to force through his move to West Ham United. Wolves winger Jarvis has made the move after the Championship club knocked back a £9m bid from Sam Allardyce. Jarvis wants to stay in the Premier League and is also wanted by Fulham, who have had a £5m bid rejected. The ambitious Hammers are ready to pay £6m up front with another £3m in add-ons for the England winger. But Wolves are sticking to their £10m valuation of the player they signed for £700,000 from Gillingham. Wolves boss Stale Solbakken confirmed the Hammers offer,saying: "Bids are coming in for Jarvis and so far they have been turned down. "Players have a valuation and that goes for everyone in the whole world. "So far the valuation for Jarvis is bigger than the offers we have received."

Jarvis is the second player in a week to slap in an official transfer request, following the lead of Steven Fletcher, after Wolves rejected a £12m offer from Sunderland for the striker.

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WEST HAM ALERTED TO ADRIEN SILVA AVAILABILITY
Daily Star
12th August 2012 By Daily Star Reporter

WEST Ham have been alerted by the news that contract talks between Sporting Lisbon and midfielder Adrien Silva have collapsed. Hammers boss Sam Allardyce has the player, 23, on his radar. Silva's agent Jim Michel Gabriel said: "The player will not extend his contract with Sporting." Sporting will listen to offers of around £2milion, but Allardyce could trim that knowing the player can leave.

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West Ham told to cough up £10m for Jarvis after Wolves turn down lower offer
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
PUBLISHED: 22:30, 10 August 2012 | UPDATED: 22:30, 10 August 2012
Daily Mail

West Ham will have to offer £10million to land Wolves winger Matt Jarvis. The Hammers' bid of £6m plus £3m in add-ons for Jarvis, 26, was rejected on Friday.
Wolves want the majority of the money paid up-front and it is understood they would accept a restructured offer. Their chief executive Jez Moxey said: 'We have received a bid for Matt Jarvis but, as we have said, no player will leave until our valuation is met.'

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