Daily WHUFC News - 19th September 2012

Collins committed to defensive cause
WHUFC.com
James Collins was pleased to play his part in another shut-out against Norwich City
18.09.2012

James Collins believes West Ham United are beginning to state their intentions for this season after a solid point away from home at Norwich City on Saturday.
Another strong defensive display resulted in Collins and his team-mates picking up their third clean sheet in four Barclays Premier League games. The No19 put in his usual all-action display and was understandably pleased to notch up another clean sheet, both for his fellow defenders and the rest of the team. "The manager has said to us about the importance of keeping clean sheets, because it always gives you a chance of winning any game," Collins said. "We have been working on that and apart from the match at Swansea, we have been on target. "Against Norwich we had chances, so did they and people watching will probably wonder how it stayed 0-0. There were lots of opportunities for us both, but no one could stick the ball in the back of the net, so I suppose you could say a draw was a fair result. For us it was another clean sheet and a point to take home."

Collins and central defensive partner Winston Reid were impressive once again, with the latter named Man of the Match for his efforts. For Collins, though, the point was a chance to bounce back from the difficult afternoon at Swansea City three weeks earlier. "We were bitterly disappointed that day in Swansea, me personally as well. Individual mistakes cost us but since then we have been spot on and long may it continue. "It was a hard match against Norwich as there was a quick tempo throughout the game, but that is part of our plan - to put teams on the back foot as soon as we can and we did that again. Unfortunately, we couldn't get the goal we wanted but on another day we will."

Collins had words of praise for all of his team-mates but especially goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen, who played his part in making sure a point at least was going back to east London. "I felt as a team we gave a strong performance - we stood firm to them and the basis of our performances has been in trying to keep clean sheets.
"Jussi made some great saves. He is right up there with the best keepers I have played with, he talks well on the pitch and in the dressing room. He has played in the Premier League for longer than I can remember now. "His experience meant that for some of the shots, he already knew which way they were going to go and that is great for helping us boys in front of him."

The Wales international, who returned to West Ham from Aston Villa in the summer, was also confident that a decision to award Norwich a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area - instead of a spot kick - was correct, with his tackle on Andrew Surman falling just outside the box. "I was pretty confident it was outside the area but fair play to the referee, he made a great decision. We saw it again and the ref said before making a decision he looked at where the marks were on the pitch, from me sliding in to making the tackle. They were outside the box, so he made the right decision."

As a team that has just been promoted, Collins knows that it is important to get as many points as possible early on. It is an ambition that manager Sam Allardyce and his coaching staff have drilled into the players since the first day of pre-season. "During pre-season, we were talking about getting off to a good start, taking it on from last season when the boys got promoted at Wembley and finishing the season well. "We haven't come back up to this league just to stay up. If we can, we want to do more. I think we have shown that in our performances already that we have it in us to finish as high as we can."

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The Big Interview - Jussi Jaaskelainen
WHUFC.com
Jussi Jaaskelainen talks precious points, clean sheets and his reunion with Big Sam
17.09.2012

Jussi Jaaskelainen is no stranger to the Barclays Premier League, but the West Ham United goalkeeper has further staked his claim as top-flight great after an impressive start to the 2012/13 season. After ending 14 years with Bolton Wanderers, Jaaskelainen joined West Ham and has instantly established himself as Big Sam's No1, keeping three clean sheets in four league starts. Speaking after the 0-0 draw at Norwich City, the former Finland international was delighted to have added another one to his growing collection.

Jussi, that's another game, another clean sheet and another point on the board. You must be delighted with the start both you and the club have made?

JJ - "It has been a very good start to the season. You can see we are continuing to build together as a team and to have kept three clean sheets in four games is obviously a very good start. But to come away from home against a good side in Norwich with another clean sheet and another point is very pleasing."

You haven't been tested as much as you could have been this season, particularly against Fulham, but on Saturday you really proved your worth to the team with a number of impressive stops?

JJ - "Sometimes you have to be there to help out the team in certain situations and on Saturday I was able to do just that. The biggest disappointment for us was to not get a goal in the first half and that maybe in the second half our attacking play didn't have the same quality it could have."

You are 37-years-old now, so do you still get the same buzz when you hear the fans leaving the game saying 'Jasskelainen really helped our side earn a point today' and so on?

JJ - "To me it doesn't matter what people say, it is all about the involvement. I have a new challenge this season at a new club after being at the same one for 14 years playing week in week out. So now I hope to get into that same rhythm again and keep picking up clean sheets and points along the way."

West Ham United were without a first-choice goalkeeper when you arrived. Has that helped you settle, knowing that the club need you?

JJ - "For me it is always the same wherever you are. I try to work hard throughout the week to make sure I am ready for the game on Saturday. It helps that I have played in the Premier League before and I already know Sam (Allardyce) and his backroom staff. I really like the way they look after their players and hopefully I can repay them by keeping my performance levels at the same heights they have been so far this season. As a goalkeeper it is all about consistency."

Is being second-choice goalkeeper a difficult and frustrating position to be in, or is it more about remaining focused and taking your chance when called upon?

JJ - "Yes, but that is the way it is. Last season I was injured over the Christmas period so the manager had to put his trust in another goalkeeper, but that is what football is like. I was lucky enough to play for 14 years week in week out but I also had times in my career where I was on the bench. When this happened I made sure I kept working hard to ensure that when I got my chance I was ready and I took it."

Winston Reid narrowly beat you to the Man of the Match award on Saturday, which was a controversial decision wasn't it?!

JJ - "It doesn't matter! I would take a clean sheet over man of the match every week of the season.. Winston is a very good player and he has started the season well. The whole team is also defending well and we still have the likes of Tonks (James Tomkins) ready to come in and impress. We have very good strength in depth, I know Sam likes to bring in quality players and you can see the squad is very good, hopefully we will all stay fit and if we don't the players who don't start every game need to ensure they're ready to step in."

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Fifty shades of grey: a homage to old Hammers
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 16th September 2012
By: Rich Hobday

The Fifty Shades Trilogy - Fifty Shades of Grey, Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Freed - has sold over 40 million copies worldwide, in 37 countries – mainly to undersexed, under-satisfied mums.

That is either 40 million wives with more exciting sex lives or 40 million disappointed wives, who realise their beer-bellied partners are no match for the Fifty Shades hero called Christian. It's created a new genre of literary works – branded 'Mummy Porn' – whetting a newly found appetite for sex, bondage and fetish amongst women of a certain age. Increasing sales at Mr Gold's Anne Summers empire in the process?

Maybe we should thank Fifty Shades for helping to pay Andy Carroll's wages. In the interests of research I borrowed a Fifty Shades book from one of said undersexed mums (not my wife) but excitement was minimal. I get more excited by West Ham United and our very own hero called Christian - Christian Dailly.

Of course, unlike Fifty Shades, we have more than one hero to worship. West Ham provides more excitement and passion than any of the 969 pages of the trilogy. There is, however, similarity between Fifty Shades and the Hammers - in the words of one literary critic: "Fifty Shades will excite you, obsess you, possess you, and stay with you forever". No better way of describing West Ham United.

Like the trilogy's hero Christian Grey, West Ham hold a power over us – they excite, yet disappoint. They make us laugh, they make us cry. West Ham is simply our life. Whatever they do, however badly they treat us – we love them and we come back for more.

Like 40 million people, my brief encounter with Fifty Shades stirred something inside me. It fired my passion. A passion to create a new trilogy. To pay homage to West Ham heroes and villains - the cause of our pain, heartache and tears. The reason for our being.

Read a nostalgic review of our oldest players in "Fifty Shades of Grey", a salute to legendary centre midfielders in "Fifty Shades Parker" and a spit in the direction of those overpaid Hammers in "Fifty Shades Greed"...

"You'll never win anything with kids" - Alan Hansen, August 1995
"You need experience when the chips are down" John Lyall, August 1989

Every successful team needs a mix of youth and experience; young and old. But how old is too old? 35 is the age we consider moving from the blistering pace of league football to the sedentary stroll of the local vets league. The pitches set against a backdrop of rolling countryside. The teams against a backdrop of rolling subs, rolling stomachs, and rolling joints.

But many 'vets' have excelled for West Ham over the years, including in the Premier League – the best league in the world. They may have grey hair, but they have guile. They may lack pace but they play with grace. From Teddy Sheringham to Les Sealey we have had some vintage claret, who just got better with age. From front to back, West Ham's golden oldies have excelled – keepers, defenders, midfielders and strikers – leaving youngsters in their wake.

My top 10 'vets' defy age and have pushed their bodies to the brink, for the cause of West Ham United.

The day after West Ham's promotion in 1993, back pages were full of West Hams golden oldies – David Speedie and Clive Allen. Both scored. Both were old. Both were past their best. But they were mere babes at 33 and 32 respectively. They had nothing on perhaps the best veteran, Billy Bonds – the most capped Hammer, the original captain brave heart.

A career of 793 games, spanning 21 seasons, saw Bonzo play into his 42nd year. He was still marauding like a bearded pirate, covering every inch of grass, tackling, blocking and battling to the end. No-one was fitter, no-one more passionate and having retired once, he came back for another two seasons, such was his importance and dedication to the club.

He eventually hung up his boots in 1988, still leading the long distance runs in training, still with a fire in his belly – Bonzo was the mount Everest of old players – the top man, a number one, top of the heap. His desire, his hunger, his passion, puts to shame the little effort of many who've worn the beloved claret and blue, before and since. He is the benchmark to which all over 35's should aspire.

Goalkeepers are deemed to be mad. They are also angry. But they seem to improve with age. Even now, Brad Friedel, at 41, is holding down the number one spot at Tottenham, showing quick reactions and agility unbefitting someone of his age. We have seen our very own Les Sealey (39) Shaka Hislop (37) and Ludek Miklosko (35) keep goal with distinction – a mantle handed over to our most recent number one, Jussi Jaaskelainen, who at 37 still seems sharp.

Shaka, Ludo and Les have a special place in the hearts of Hammers. Although Sealey only played four times, his presence was formidable both on and off the pitch. His debut was up front against Arsenal, as a substitute where he snarled, moaned and kicked his way into our hearts. On or off the pitch Sealey spent all game scowling and kicking out in frustration. He wanted perfection. That passion is what West Ham is all about.

Les was a one off and sorely missed. Ludo is a legend. 315 games and the longest goal kick in the world ensured his place as a crowd favourite. How Big Sam would love his long kicks onto Carroll's head. Ludo's name still rings round Upton Park in honour…. his name is Ludek Miklosko; He comes from near Moscow...

At the back we have been blessed with Alvin Martin (37), Nigel Winterburn (37) and Stuart Pearce (39). Alvin is one of the all time greats at West Ham – a hero, legend, an icon. I grew up watching the Hammers of the 1980s, whose players have a special place in my heart. From the FA Cup winning team of 1980 to the Boys of '86, these are true West Ham legends - Brooking; Bonds; Lampard; Stewart – Martin; Gale; Cottee; McAvennie. Over 3700 West Ham games between them.

Alvin Martin, aged 37 was better than most of the centre backs since, collectively. For me he was simply the best. Pearce played with passion, commitment and anger rarely seen. His legs the size of tree trunks, his face red with rage. He famously played on with a broken leg, not letting that small knock keep him off the pitch. He scared players into playing better. You dare not say no to Stuart Pearce - perhaps the reason he was simultaneously, manager of England U21's, Caretaker of the full England team and GB Team manager. No-one dare say no.

If Pearce was the ultimate hard man, Winterburn I'm afraid was not. Undoubtedly a great full back, but a fighter ? No. His Arsenal spat with Paolo Di Canio was brilliant. Nigel tried to incite Paolo but shit himself as it looked like Di Canio would smash him in the face. You wouldn't want Nigel on your side in a fight, but you would want him on your side on the pitch. Winterburn still had what it took and showed at 37, in 82 games, he was still a class act for the Hammers.

In midfield we have seen the silky John Moncur aged 36, still running and tackling all over the pitch. No game went by without the Moncur turn. Nothing looks better – Mark Noble obviously thinks so. Moncs played for nine seasons, 176 games, 884 Moncur turns, and three sendings off. Latterly, the cheeky chap Moncs, turned to religion, but I'm sure he misses the terrace chants of "He's here he's there; He's every-f*cking-where..."

Up front we have witnessed international strikers playing into their early forties. Teddy Sheringham still had the best football brain on display as he became the oldest outfield player in Dec 2006, against Man City. A natural goal scorer and play maker, Teddy could link up midfield and attack like no other. In his one season in the Championship he scored 20 goals and created many more for Marlon Harewood and Bobby Zamora, in our promotion season.

His age didn't affect his never-existing pace – but his brain was the quickest around. He stood head and shoulders above the Championship plodders and journeyman, and was a joy to watch. He could guide the ball with head or chest into the path of our attacking midfielders. He obviously loved using the chest – a skill he fine tuned when dating Jordon. His touch and ability to cushion the ball continued in the FA Cup Final, when in May 2006, Sheringham became the third oldest player to appear in an a final, at 40 years and 41 days old. He remained a West Ham player until after his 41st birthday.

Teddy was the coolest at the club on the ball, and the coolest in the clubs. Flings with Nicola Smith (Mandy Smith's sister), and a string of Page 3 models, showed he never took his eye off the goal. He even bagged Miss GB, Daneille Lloyd, when he was on the judging panel. Anyone who can play Premiership football and bag Page 3 models in their 40s is simply a legend.

Ian Wright enjoyed a brief spell with West Ham and although past his best still added bite and speed up front. For me he is worth a place in my top 10 simply for getting sent off against Leeds, and smashing the shit out of the ref's dressing room.

Others who didn't make my top 10 "Shades of Grey" included Rob Lee, a real silver fox, Bernard Lama the talented but erratic 'keeper and Les Ferdinand, who made 14 appearances for us as we were relegated in 2003. Lee Chapman looked over 40 for much of his career, and had a lack of speed to match – but he was only 34 when he left West Ham, so can't be included. Maybe he needs to visit his wife's surgeon for some facial age reduction treatment.

I would also have loved to include Peter Shilton, who signed for West Ham aged 47 in 1996 – but he never made an appearance, despite being named as a substitute several times.

Between them, these top 10 ageing Hammers played over 2,100 times for West Ham, scoring 134 goals. Grey-haired heroes stand up – if you can – and take a bow.

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The twelfth man
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 18th September 2012
By: Staff Writer

Sam Allardyce is still mulling over offering a contract to former Lyon defender John Mensah, according to reports. As previously reported here on KUMB.com, Mensah - who is a free agent having been released by the French club this summer - recently spent time on trial with the Hammers at Chadwell Heath. And although West Ham are yet to make the Ghanaian a concrete offer fresh reports suggest that the 29-year-old could yet become the manager's 12th signing of a busy summer.
Allardyce's summer spending spree began back in May when he signed goalkeeper Stephen Henderson from Portsmouth. That was followed by the arrival of Jussi Jaaskelainen and Momo Diame in June. July saw three more players added to the roster with George McCartney, Modibo Maiga and Raphael Spiegler arriving in London. And last month James Collins, Alou Diarra, record signing Matt Jarvis and Andy Carroll took Allardyce's quota of new faces to 11. Meanwhile is it also reported that free agents Mikael Silvestre and Anthony Vanden Borre, who have also spent time with West Ham recently, will not be offered contracts.

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West Ham linked with 'money laundering' row
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 18th September 2012
By: Staff Writer

West Ham are at the centre of a new third-party row involving former loan striker Brian Montenegro. Last August the club announced that they had taken the teenage striker on a season-long loan from Uruguayan club Deportivo Maldonado. However it has now been revealed that the young striker, now 19, never actually played for the club. According to a report published by Bloomberg, West Ham were one of three European clubs duped within the last 18 months as a result of unauthorised player trading - a system designed to greatly reduce tax burdens on South American football clubs. According to lawyer Rodrigo Garcia, Montenegro is said to have been part of an elaborate scheme whereby Uruguayan clubs traded player's registrations which enables them to reduce the level of tax owed from 20 to five per cent.
Juventus, who paid Deportivo Maldonado €500,000 to take Marcelo Estigarribia on loan - and Porto, who signed Alex Sandro for €9.6million - have also been cited by the report, which insists that FIFA were aware of the situation but, according to one source, choose to "turn a deaf ear" to it.

The Argentinian tax agency claimed in a recent report that the arrangements, which involve "offshore companies" could be used for money laundering purposes. There is no suggestion that West Ham United are either involved with or aware of such practices. "Montenegro, who turned 18 in June, has joined the Hammers on a season-long loan from Uruguay-based Club Deportivo Maldonado," announced the club's website on 29th August 2011. However since leaving east London following the culmination of his year-long stay in the UK, the player has returned to Paraguayan club Tacuary - for whom he played between 2006 and 2011 - the club from whom Deportivo Maldonado obtained his registration.

The loan fee West Ham paid for Montenegro has never been disclosed. West Ham were fined £5.5million by the Premier League in April 2007 over the deal which saw Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano arrive in east London after the club were found guilty of faling to disclose the full documentation relating to the transfers. Two years later United reached an out-of-court settlement with Sheffield United after an independent tribunal chaired by Lord Griffiths found that Tevez's influence had cost the Blades their top flight status. The settlement cost West Ham in the region of £25million.

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Still the Academy of Football?
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 15th September 2012
By: Robert Watson

West Ham has been deemed as the Academy of Football in past times when we produced brilliant youth players such as Frank Lampard, Michael Carrick, Jermaine Defoe, Glen Johnson, Rio and Anton Ferdinand, Joe Cole plus more. Most of these players have gone onto play for world-class teams (of course including West Ham). Just imagine if we still had these players now. But in recent years, the youth system hasn't produced that class of players.

First of all, let's look at the positives of the youth system. Tony Carr (MBE) has been at the forefront of our Academy since 1973 and I'd like to say what a marvellous job he's done spotting/finding probably the best youth players; he is up there with the best in the world as youth directors go. He was rightly awarded a testimonial in 2010 where many of his ex-youth players showed up for a game which also included Paolo Di Canio and then West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola ( hich I was lucky enough to watch).

West Ham have recently been granted Elite Player Performance Plan Category 1 which will definitely help improve our Academy.

Now onto the players we have produced who are regular first teamers at the club at present. The main two who spring to mind are Mark Noble and James Tomkins; both homegrown boys who have been with West Ham pretty much all of their careers. They always give their all for the team and are 100 per cent committed in everything they do; they bleed claret and blue. This can also be said of Watford-born Jack Collison, who is similar to Tomkins and Noble in having joined the Academy when he was also very young (16) albeit via Cambridge United.

All three are regulars in the first team squad now (injury permitting) and enjoyed a brilliant season in the Championship. Although Jack only came back for the last few games, he played a crucial part in our play-off semi final victory against Cardiff. Noble and Tomkins enjoyed one of their best seasons at the club whilst Noble has started off superbly in the 2012/13 campaign, especially against Fulham.

In my opinion that was one of his best ever performances for West Ham; he was simply unplayable. Tomkins has had to be happy with a place on the bench because of how well Winston Reid and James Collins have played, but when he has featured he's looked solid. When he came on against Fulham he defended very well against a difficult opponent in Dimitar Berbatov.

All three have been great players for us and I hope they stay at West Ham for the whole of their careers. Tomkins and Noble have represented England at Under 21 level and Collison is a Welsh international. The Board now need to give Noble a new long term contract as we really do not want to see him go!

Apart from those three players however there haven't really been any youth players who have succeeded in the first team for a prolonged period. There was a spell when the likes of Junior Stanislas and Zavon Hines enjoyed a run in for the first team under Zola but when Sam Allardyce came in were quickly sold to Burnley.

For me, that was the right decision as they didn't really shine. Hines scored one goal at Turf Moor and now is at Bradford City whilst Stanislas was just too lightweight and never really performed on the wing, his skills seemed to get him nowhere. I believe Allardyce made the right choice selling those two players.

The summer transfer window saw us release both Frank Nouble (bought from Chelsea) and Cristian Montano, both of whom I was fairly disappointed in seeing leave. I watched Nouble in a few development/reserve games and he was the stand-out player. He failed to many many first team appearances but when he got his one and only start in the Championship he grabbed a goal against Derby (away).

Meanwhile Montano had a few loan spells in which he impressed and he looked to be a good player, another with a bit of flair and pace down the wing. However I've got to trust Allardyce's judgement, and wish both of those players all the best in their careers.

Lastly, we sold Freddie Sears to Colchester. Sears is a West Ham fan through and through but he never really did cut it after scoring the winner against Blackburn on his debut back in 2008. Perhaps the pressure got to him but he never really lived up to the expectation. I never rated him; maybe it was because he was often played out wide instead of in his favoured central striking position. But whenever he ran at a player he never seemed to have a chance; his skill or pace just never seemed to work. I also wish Sears all the best in his career at Colchester and any future clubs.

Players need game time and most of these players didn't get it at West Ham. Maybe this is a factor why they were sold/released? I believe Stanislas said outright that the fact he didn't get any game time was the reason he moved, or is it just the fact the youth we're producing isn't good enough?

At the moment we seem to have some bright young players coming through including the likes of Jordan Spence, Danny Potts and Rob Hall - all three of whom have played for the first team. From what I've seen, they all look to be definite stars for us in the future!

But onto that burning question: are we still THE Academy of Football? I'd probably have to say no; the talent we've produced recently hasn't been up there with the talents we've produced in the past not equal to the likes of Southampton who've produced Gareth Bale, Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain etc. But there's no doubt we're still producing half decent players - even if they're not quite the same quality as those we have in the past.

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Jussi - I'll repay Big Sam
Veteran keeper delighted with newly-promoted West Ham's start
Last Updated: September 18, 2012 2:15pm
SSN

West Ham goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen admits he wants to repay Sam Allardyce for giving him the chance to play regular Premier League football again. Jaaskelainen, 37, agreed to join the newly-promoted Hammers when his contract at relegated Bolton Wanderers expired during the summer. The ex-Finland international made over 500 appearances for the Trotters after arriving from VPS Vassa in 1997. But he found himself relegated to the bench last season after losing his place to Adam Bogdan in the New Year. And Allardyce, who bossed Jaaskelainen at the Reebok Stadium, quickly moved to sign the experienced keeper to replace England international Robert Green as his No.1. Jaaskelainen has been magnificent as the Hammers have kept three clean sheets in their opening four Premier League matches - and he has no intention of letting his standards slip.

Consistency

"I try to work hard throughout the week to make sure I am ready for the game on Saturday," he told West Ham's official website. "It helps that I have played in the Premier League before and I already know Sam (Allardyce) and his backroom staff. "I really like the way they look after their players and hopefully I can repay them by keeping my performance levels at the same heights they have been so far this season. "As a goalkeeper it is all about consistency." On West Ham's start, he added: "You can see we are continuing to build together as a team and to have kept three clean sheets in four games is obviously a very good start."

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Let's Pay Tribute To Our Defenders
West Ham Till I Die

I doubt many of us would have put much money on three clean sheets in our first four games. But that's what has happened, and we ought to pay tribute to the players who have achieved such a great defensive start. OK, we had the blip against Swansea, but two of the three goals conceded there were errors which just wouldn't normally happen. I think Winston Reid's form has been a revelation. When you think of how he performed in his first season with us, you'd think he was a different player. And in some ways he is. He's a young player who has matured and has learned from his mistakes. James Collins was simply awesome against Villa and has the potential to be one of our players of the season. Guy Demel has looked more confident with every game he plays and Joey O'Brien has done well filling in at left back. But perhaps some praise is owed to Jussi Jaaskelainen too. I've said before that I don't think he was the goalkeeping signing we should have made, but three clean sheets tell their own story. That's not to say he has inspired total confidence - he hasn't. But apart from his howler at Swansea he hasn't really put a foot wrong.

I just hope I can write a similar post in four games' time!

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West Ham Were Interested in Dimitar Berbatov!
West Ham Till I Die

Sam Allardyce has recently confirmed that the club were, indeed, keen to sign Dimitar Berbatov in the summer transfer window. Apparently, although the player left Man Utd for a modest £5m fee, the player's personal terms were too rich for West Ham's blood. Whereas, Fulham were better able to utilise the sizeable fees from departing players to finance the deal and salary package.

Berbatov, although 32 years of age, is undeniably still a talented player. But would he have fitted in to Allardyce's plans at West Ham? Moreover, he may be renowned as a top class forward, but he is not noted for his industry and preparedness to roll his sleeves up and graft for the cause. So, have we lost out on an important player or one who would not necessarily have 'fitted in' or who may have gone missing in difficult matches when the going got tough?

Elsewhere, West Ham recently took three 'free agent' defenders on trial. Two of those have had unsuccessful at trial, but the third, John Mensah, is still with the club and awaiting a final decision. Personally, I have a feeling that we will sign Mensah on, at least, at short-term deal. This is extra defensive assurance, but will be prove to be a good deal for the club, given Mensah's recent less an impressive fitness record?

Finally, it would appear that West Ham's name has emerged, as an innocent party, in reports of an alleged tax avoidance practice, and possible money laundering scam, operating in South America. It would appear that South American clubs are trading the registration of players and loaning them on to European clubs to reduce their tax liabilities. West Ham and Porto have both been named as European clubs who innocently loaned players under these circumstances. And of course, in West Ham's case, the player in question was Brian Montenegro-Martinez, the teenage winger/striker who was with us on loan last season, did very well for the Development Squad and then pomptly disappeared in May, without barely a mention! BMM was apparently loaned to us by Deportivo Maldonado, but has apparently since returned to his Paraguayan club, Tacuary FC!

There is no suggestion whatsoever that West Ham were involved in the practice/scam or had any knowledge of it. So, it is not another Tevez third party interest situation. However, it does demonstrate once again how complicated player ownership can be in South America and how careful British clubs need to be when purchasing or loaning players from there.

SJ. Chandos.

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Powell to use West Ham target or ex-Arsenal youngster at left back
London 24
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
5:56 PM

Charlton manager Chris Powell is confident his side can cope without injured defender Rhoys Wiggins. Left back Wiggins is expected to be out for around two months after suffering a fractured foot in the Addicks' 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace on Friday. Powell moved 21-year-old right back and alleged West Ham target Chris Solly to left back against Palace, with summer signing Lawrie Wilson slotting in on the right. Powell says he could also call on former Arsenal youngster Cedric Evina to fill in for Wiggins. "Sadly, Rhoys is going to miss six to eight weeks, and that's a shame because he was a key player for us last year," Powell told Charlton's official website. "We know that we have to get on without him and hopefully he will come back fighting fit. "I moved Chris Solly across to left back on Friday - he will play in any position that I ask him to and won't bat an eyelid, and will be absolutely first class because that's the sort of player he is. "That gave a chance to Lawrie Wilson, who I felt grew into the game against Palace, and of course I've got young [Cedric] Evina who has been around and played a few games last season."

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West Ham couldn't afford pricey Dimitar Berbatov, admits Big Sam
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce has revealed the club tried to sign Dimitar Berbatov from Manchester United last month but could not match Fulham's offer for the veteran striker.
Metro.co.uk

The 32-year-old was desperate for regular match time after falling down the pecking order at Old Trafford and sealed his return to London on transfer deadline day.
A move to Serie A side Fiorentina was initially on the cards but the Bulgarian bailed on them at the last minute to pen a two-year-deal with Fulham. Former club Tottenham made a last ditch enquiry into his services and Allardyce has now confirmed West Ham were also interested, but money proved to be a stumbling block.
'We couldn't afford him. The problem was the transfer fee and the size of the salary was out of our domain this season in terms of our budget,' Allardyce revealed.
'Fulham created their own transfer funds. They knew Clint Dempsey was moving on, and one or two others, and that gave them the opportunity to go big.'
The move prompted West Ham to eventually opt for a loan deal for Liverpool's Andy Carroll, who could be set for an early return from injury this weekend.
Berbatov opened his Fulham account at the weekend with a brace against West Brom.

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Guy Demel showing his international quality for West Ham
Here Is The City
by Dan Coombs
@hitcdancoombs

West Ham signed Guy Demel last August, and after an injury-hit first season, supporters are finally seeing his true worth. Guy Demel is a player who is highly regarded, or at least he was prior to his move to West Ham. The Hammer surprised everybody by snapping him up last August, a player who many Premier League clubs would have been glad to sign, nevermind one in the Championship. Sam Allardyce is renowned for his pull in the transfer market, and the acquistion of Demel was proof that he still had it, even in English football's second tier. He was included in our 'best deals of deadline day', and finally it looks like he is showing his quality.
For the Ivory Coast international had a bad start at West Ham, in fact it wasn't really much of a start at all, with injury preventing him from making a first team start until November, and then he was ruled out between December and April. He made 10 appearances in total, seven in the league, and three in the play-offs, including a start in the play-off final win over Blackpool at Wembley. His end of season performances were enough to persuade Sam Allardyce he was worth pursuing with, and after a full pre-season, he has come back in full health. He has been a real bonus for the Hammers this campaign, playing a key role at right-back in the Hammers keeping three clean sheets in four games. Demel also played in the play-off semi-final against Cardiff where his side kept clean sheets in both matches, before winning the final 2-1. Which means in his last seven appearances, the club have conceded in just two. It is a fine record, which is down not just to him, but the full defensive unit. What's more is that this season the tough tackler has only given away two fouls in his four matches. It should be no surprise to see Demel proving his worth, he is a player who has played at the very highest level, in the World Cup in 2010 where he infamously clashed with Cristiano Ronaldo. The 31-year-old has also featured in the Champions league for Hamburg, where he played for a decade, previously with Borussia Dortmund. One word of warning to the Hammers is that Demel signed on a two year deal, meaning it will expire next summer. West Ham do have an option to extend it by a further year, and based on his showings and fitness so far this season they would be wise to do so.

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