Daily WHUFC News - 29th July 2012

Academy granted Category One status
WHUFC.com
West Ham United have been awarded Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP) Category One status
28.07.2012

West Ham United are delighted to announce that the club has been awarded Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP) Category One status. The Hammers have been placed in the highest tier of Academies in English football following a successful audit by independent assessors earlier this year. Proposed by the Premier League, the EPPP is a new system aimed at improving all areas of youth football provision, including coaching, education, child welfare and medical care, with the aim of giving young players a greater opportunity to be coached and developed into homegrown stars of the future. Vice-Chairman Karren Brady and Academy Director Tony Carr MBE spearheaded West Ham's EPPP strategy, with the Board investing more than £1m in helping the Academy of Football to gain Category One status.
The process of gaining Category One status has seen a huge amount of hard work done by the Vice-Chairman, Carr and his staff. The Academy has grown with the addition of a significant number of full and part-time coaching and medical staff. The facilities used by the Academy have also been improved, with a stadium pitch and three training pitches developed at Rush Green and the installation of a new gymnasium and classrooms at both Little Heath and Rush Green. Off the pitch, the club has forged a full-time partnership with Sir Paul Grant, the headteacher at the Robert Clack School of Science in Dagenham, whose superb team of teachers will look after all the Academy's educational needs. These needs include full-time education provision for young footballers in years ten and eleven, and hybrid provision for teenagers who visit the Academy on day-release programmes during the school year.

West Ham United Joint-Chairman David Gold said: "We are pleased that the independent auditors have seen fit to award West Ham United the top-rated Category One Academy status. "Having played for the Academy as a youngster and then followed West Ham United for my whole life I know only too well how important it is to the club. So from the moment the new EPPP system was confirmed, it was our Board's absolute priority to make sure our Academy maintained its world-renowned reputation as one of the best in the business. "The Board were quick to provide Tony Carr and his team with the appropriate funding for the additional resource and facilities they required. I would like to thank Tony and his team of staff, who all worked hard to ensure we achieved our collective aim. "We will not be resting on our laurels now though, as we will be continuing to invest and grow our Academy even further."

Academy Director Tony Carr said: "I'm absolutely thrilled that we have been awarded Category One status for the 2012/13 season, which is a culmination of months of hard work by a huge team of people. I would to thank all of my staff at the Academy who have put in countless late nights to make sure we achieved the top standing. "I must also pay tribute to the Board, who have demonstrated their unwavering commitment to West Ham United's Academy by providing the necessary funding for the upgrades to our facilities and staff at Chadwell Heath and Little Heath. This award will ensure the steady stream of talent we have coming through from our Academy will continue and we can go on to produce more and more world-class players for West Ham United."

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Jussi staying positive
WHUFC.com
Jussi Jaaskelainen is feeling the benefit of a tough week of training and matches in Germany
28.07.2012

Despite losing by three goals to nil, West Ham United goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen said there were still a lot of positives to take from the friendly defeat to Dynamo Dresden on Friday. While the Hammers stopper was not able to keep a clean sheet, he still had an impressive evening with some important saves including one from Dresden's Idir Quali late in the second half. but in addition to a promising solo night for the Finland international, there were other positives to take on a general note, with more match action for players returning from injury including club captain Kevin Nolan and defender Joey O'Brien. "Yes, it was disappointing to lose and to concede the goals that we did," he said. "But having said that, it was good to play here in front of a big crowd and there was a good atmosphere for a pre-season friendly. It was very good to play in front of such a crowd for a game like this."

The Finnish stopper was the chosen request of German television media to give his views on the game afterwards and to speak about the Hammers' week in Germany. Despite playing over 500 games for Bolton Wanderers in the Premier League at some of the best stadiums in the world, Jaaskelainen was still in awe of the vocal home support. "We are enjoying it here in Germany and have been working all week and while the results do not matter so much, we still want to win. We will continue to work hard on our fitness, on our game."

The Hammers face Energie Cottbus on Sunday in the final match of three-game German tour. Jaaskelainen feels that the game will provide another chance for the player's fitness to improve and to work on playing together before the new campaign begins on 18 August. "We have another friendly game here before we leave for home again.so that will be another good workout for us and we are looking forward to that."

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Taylor targets winning end
WHUFC.com
Matt Taylor is looking for a West Ham win when they face FC Energie Cottbus on Sunday afternoon
28.07.2012

Matt Taylor is hoping West Ham United can sign off their German tour with a win against FC Energie Cottbus. The Hammers were well beaten by a lively Dynamo Dresden side in Friday night's fixture after they impressed with a 3-0 win in their opening game against Rot-Weiss Erfurt. The 3-0 defeat in front of a full Glucksgas Stadion on Friday has left Taylor hoping for a winning performance at the Stadion der Freundschaft asWest Ham wrap up their tour on Sunday. "It was important in the run up to the start of the season that we play games like that. There were 30,000 fans in there so we knew it was going to be a wonderful atmosphere. It was a chance for the guys to play a tough game against some good opposition. "Now we go on to Sunday for what promises to be another tough game against quality opposition."

Regardless of Sunday's result, one thing for certain is that Taylor and his team-mates have enjoyed their time in Dresden and the superb hospitality they have been afforded by their hosts. "The town is beautiful and on Thursday we had an afternoon to ourselves. We went for a bike ride on Thursday morning and it was beautiful and some of the scenery was fantastic. That's as much of the city as we've seen as we're been working so hard. "

Upon the Hammers return to the UK, there will be under three weeks to go until the big Barclays Premier League kick-off against Aston Villa. Taylor knows that the step-up from npower Championship football last season will be tough, but is confident the Hammers can emulate the likes of Swansea City and Norwich City, who both caught the eye after being promoted to the top tier last season. "It's difficult to say what position we will finish in the league. What we want first and foremost is stability in the Premier League. It's going to be a difficult season for us and I would be foolish to sit here and state we're going to finish 8th or 9th because anything can happen in football. "What I do know is that the manager will assemble a squad that is good enough to compete week-in, week out. We've seen in the previous season from the teams that have just been promoted have given a great account of themselves. We want to try and emulate that."

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Dev Squad defeated at Welling United
WHUFC.com
Ian Hendon's side dominated their latest pre-season fixture, only to be undone by a set-play goal
29.07.2012

Ian Hendon was pleased with the performance of his youthful Development Squad, despite their 1-0 defeat at Blue Square Bet South side Welling United on Saturday.
The Hammers dominated large parts of the game but were undone in the 58th minute when Danny McGuire headed home from Jack Obersteller's corner. Speaking post-match, Hendon felt that while the scoreline was not what he had hoped for, positives could be drawn with the players' fitness levels continuing to improve ahead of the Professional Development League campaign. "Our main aim in pre-season is to get the players prepared, and that's what games today are all about," said Hendon. "We have had a good workout today, and a lot of the lads have got another 90 minutes under their belt."

Hendon was also without a number of his regular players, but praised the impact of the youngsters who took their places. "We're missing a number of players, but the ones that came in can hold their heads high. They've had a go and, to be fair, we were playing without a recognised striker. "Leo Chambers played very well, with Frazer Shaw and Kieren Sadlier also featuring upfront, so we essentially had 16 and 17-year-olds playing against men which was always going to be tough."

With players such as Rob Hall and Blair Turgott linking up with the first team, Hendon was also able to field a number of trialists and scholars, revealing he will make an imminent decision on where their futures lay. "It will be good to get the squad gathered next week as five of them have been away with the first team. "That's obviously where I want them to be, but if they're not I want to get my squad back together to prepare for our upcoming league campaign. "We've got another good look at the trialists so decisions will be made on what I've seen today."

Hendon did however voice his displeasure at the way in which his side conceded, stating that despite their age, his players need to obtain a higher level of focus.
"We have to be disappointed with the goal we conceded because that's two games on the spin now we've conceded from a set play. "We were in the ascendancy and then were suddenly hit by a sucker punch. That said, we could and perhaps should have prevented the corner, and from it we have to do better. "The lads have to start sensing danger a little bit quicker, making sure they organise themselves and don't allow the free header like they did today."

The Development Squad round off their pre-season with three away games against npower League Two opposition in AFC Wimbledon, Northampton Town and Dagenham and Redbridge. And Hendon admitted that his side will need to step it up when they face a higher caliber of opposition. "We've got three very difficult games coming now. I watched a lot of League Two games last year and we're going to be playing against teams that are very well organised and have experienced professionals within. "Going into the latter stages of pre-season it becomes more about the performance than fitness, so we need to make sure we get ourselves together and up our game."

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U18s edged out at Everton
WHUFC.com
Nick Haycock's team were narrowly beaten 1-0 at Everton in their third pre-season fixture on Saturday afternoon
28.07.2012

West Ham United Under-18s were edged out 1-0 at Everton in their latest pre-season fixture on Saturday. Nick Haycock's squad were up early for the journey to Merseyside, but shrugged off any travel weariness to produce a determined and decent display against the Toffees, only to lose out to a late goal. With many scholars involved in the Development Squad fixture at Welling United, Haycock took a 22-strong squad that contained only three second-year scholars and no fewer than 19 first-year scholars, schoolboys and trialists. With those circumstances in mind, the Under-18s coach was proud of his players' performance at Everton's Finch Farm training ground. "We lost 1-0 in what was a very tight game of football with very few chances," said Haycock, who picked out Josh Cullen and Kieran Bywater for special praise. "It was a great workout in terms of fitness and defensive shape. "We took a young squad with only three Under-18 players and a mixture of first years and Under-16 and Under-15 players! Certain boys needed a certain amount of minutes and came through with no injuries. We made eleven changes with 60 minutes gone to ensure all 22 players had a game, which is when we conceded. "We have worked hard for three weeks on the shape and fitness of the team and during the next three weeks we will be stepping up the preparation. The boys will be working on their speed and ability to open up teams up with their attacking play."

After three domestic pre-season matches, Haycock takes his team to the continent on Thursday for what promises to be a competitive tournament. "We go to Belgium on Thursday to play in the Eurofoot Under-19 Tournament, which is a 12-team competition where we are split into two groups of six. We play Cercle Brugge, FC Nordsjaeland AA Gent , SC Anderlecht and Hadjuk Split. "The games are played in two 25-minute halves with a squad of 18 players. All the boys will be rotated again, ensuring all get the minutes they need. If we qualify in the top two we play in a semi-final against first or second in the other group. We aim to try and win the tournament but, more importantly, we are to establish our patterns of play and enjoy giving the boys experience of travelling away from home, playing against foreign opposition using different styles and systems and getting away from the training ground to break the pre-season up! "On our return we have a team-building day with the Royal Marines to demonstrate to the boys what an elite environment is, followed by an away game at Manchester City on Saturday 11 August."

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Dynamo Dresden 3-0 West Ham United FT
All the action as it happened as West Ham United lose out to Dynamo Dresden
WHUFC.com
28.07.2012

Rot-Weiss Erfurt v West Ham United
Pre-season match
Glucksgas Stadion
Friday 27 July 2012
Kick-off: 8.30pm


Final score: Dynamo Dresden 3-0 West Ham United

Full time - And that is it.The referee blows the whistle right on 90 minutes and the Hammers suffer defeat in Dresden. That was a tough evening for the Hammers but the tough workout will set them in good stead for the slighty cooler climates of east London. West Ham are next in action on Sunday when they face Energie Cottbus.
88 mins - So close! Maiga could have marked his debut with a fine header then. O'Neil ran down the right and crossed the ball in but the Mali International could not keep his header down.
83 mins - GOAL! Dresden make it 3-0 as Cuneyt Koz is totally unmarked from a corner and is able to plant a low header in at the near post and park Noble's feet.
77 mins - The Hammers have definitely been better this half and have kept working hard on a really hot night out there. Even though it has now gone 10 it must still be 25 degrees in the City. I'm hot just from typing these notes so I do not want to think how tough it is for the players.
74 mins - Another great save by Jaaskelainen as he comes out to make himself big as Ouali bursts into the box again and fires in a shot with his left foot.
72 mins - And here comes Maiga from the touchline so we will be seeing him for the first time tonight. He comes on for Cole.
66 mins - The Hammers look like Modibo Maiga is warming up on the far side. Could he be brought on for his Hammers debut tonight?
63 mins - Good goalkeeping from Jaaskelainen there as he dives wide to his right to keep out a curling shot from Ouali. The No7 had turned Demel and was through on goal and that could prove to be an important save as I think it would have been all over at 3-0.
62 mins - Another great chance for the Hammers as Cole feeds Taylor. He plays a low cross in from the left behind the defender to Vaz Te but his shot is saved by the 'keeper. The flag is also raised for offside so it would not have counted anyway.
60 mins - Better from West Ham now as O'Neil feeds Vaz Te. His whipped cross is good but Cole cannot quite get enough on it to get it goalwards.
57 mins - Taylor so nearly pulls one back as his driven shot from all of 30 yards clips the top of the crossbar before going out. Great strike by the No14.
56mins - Big Sam makes his second change as Nicky Maynard comes on for Nolan. That should give the Hammers a bit more clout going forward.
51 mins - GOAL! The home side make it 2-0 as Hasan Pepic doubles their lead. After a bit of confusion at the back between Reid, Mohsni and Jaaskelainen, the ball breaks to Pepic and he has the simple task of prodding into an empty net.
49 mins - Straight up the other end and half-time sub Idir Ouali nearly finds the bottom left-hand corner of the Hammers' net but thankfully it flies safely wide.
48 mins - West Ham win a free-kick after Vaz Te is felled. Taylor takes it but it's too close to Kirsten, who comes out and gathers cleanly.
46 mins - The Hammers get us underway for the second half. One change made by Big Sam at half time sees Bilal Mohsni come on for O'Brien, who has looked solid in the centre of defence in the past 120 minute in Germany.

45 mins - Half-time. Well that was an entertaining first half with chances at both ends but is Dresden who have taken their chance. I'm sure Big Sam will have something to say in the dressing room at half time so I can see West Ham getting back into this in the second period.
43 mins - I was going to earlier but I did not get a chance but we should pay credit to the 200 or so West Ham fans who have the trip to Dresden. With the combination of this game, some fine German beer and lovely sunshine it could be quite a weekend for the away fans.
42 mins - Better from West Ham there. They strung about 10 passes together there but once again the final ball is lacking and Nolan this time gives it away.
40 mins - It looks like Neil McDonald is not happy with what he is seeing so he comes up to the edge of his technical area to bellow some instructions at Matt Taylor.
37 mins - Good chance there for Mickael Pote as Trojan's cross-shot finds the No10 three yards out but he cannot quite steer his header under the crossbar.
36 mins - Good goalkeeping from Jaaskelainen then as he comes out to claim a cross with real bravery.
33 mins - Matt Taylor and Koch have had a little coming together and the referee has to step in to keep the peace. The Hammers break up the other end of the pitch but McCartney's cross cannot pick out a claret and blue shirt.
30 min - The home side are come forward once more but Vujadin Savic's cross is far too strong. Meanwhile, behind the goal at the other end, the Dresden fans are all still singing like mad. Considering this is a friendly you have to say the home support has been superb thus far.
23 min - The Hammers have had some good chances up until then but sadly they could not convert them. Cole and Vaz Te have both not put good chances away. Cole headed over while Vaz Te's shot was tipped over by Kirsten.
21 min - Well all I can say is sorry. We have had some technical troubles over here in Germany but I'm glad to say we're back online. The bad news is Dresden have just taken the lead. Robert Koch has just volleyed in a sweet strike that left Jaaskelainen with no chance.

7pm - Good evening and welcome to the impressive surroundings of the Glucksgas Stadion for West Ham United's second game of their pre-season tour of Germany.

We have the West Ham United team and, as expected, Sam Allardyce has named a strong starting XI with ten changes from the 3-0 win against Rot-Weiss Erfurt on Wednesday. Jussi Jaaskelainen returns in goal with Guy Demel at right back, Winston Reid partnering Joey O'Brien, the sole survivor from the previous game, in the middle with George McCartney at left-back. The three in midfield are Mark Noble, Kevin Nolan and Gary O'Neil with Ricardo Vaz Te, Matt Taylor and Carlton Cole up front.

West Ham United: Jaaskelainen, Demel, O'Brien, Reid, McCartney, Noble, O'Neil, Nolan, Vaz Te, Taylor, Cole
Subs: Henderson, Driver, Spence, Potts, Lamey, Mohsni, Moncur, Kazim-Richards, Hall, Turgott, Maynard, Baldock, Maiga

Dynamo Dresden: Kirsten, Savic, Gueye, Bregerie, Trojan, Fort, Pote, Losilla, Papadopoulos, Koch, Schuppan
Subs: Fromlowitz, Jungwirth, Ouali, Pepic, Koz, Subasic, Thoelke, Solga, Franke, Leistner, Fiel

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West Ham agree fee to sign Ivan Ramis from Real Mallorca
BBC.co.uk

West Ham have reached an agreement for the transfer of Real Mallorca defender Ivan Ramis to Upton Park. According to the Spanish club, the 27-year-old can have a medical with West Ham although no fee has been mentioned. A statement on Real Mallorca's official website read: "Mallorca and West Ham have reached an agreement for the transfer of Ivan Ramis. "The defender has the permission of the club to have a medical with what will be his new team." Ramis had been linked with a number of English clubs but West Ham look set to win the race for his signature. The Spanish side also confirmed in their statement that they will "achieve the economic objective for which they have been working for over recent weeks."

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Ramis is a Hammer
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 28th July 2012
By: Staff Writer

Real Mallorca centre half Ivan Ramis is on his way to England to undergo a medical ahead of a move to West Ham United. The Spanish club confirmed this evening that the two clubs have agreed a deal for the 27-year-old said to be worth €6million (Approximately £4.7million). A statement released on rcdmallorca.es tonight read: "RCD Mallorca and West Ham have reached an agreement for the transfer of Ivan Ramis. The defender has the permission of the Club to pass the medical examination with his new team. "Ramis is seeking a new challenge in the Premier League. After eight years in the first team at RCD Mallorca and two more in the reserves, has become one of the most important players in the team. "All club employees and fans wish the best luck to Ivan as he begins this latest stage of his career."

Ramis, who has represented his country at under 19, under 21 and under 23 level without ever winning a full cap was a product of the Mallorca youth system and has spent his entire professional career at the Iberostar Stadium. He was hotly tipped to be set to join Wigan Athletic last week but West Ham are understood to have jumped in to sign the player as the Latics dallied. Previously linked with both Sunderland and Aston Villa, Ramis also rejected a move to Everton two years ago after a deal had been agreed between the Toffees and his former club.

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Dynamo Dresden 3 West Ham Utd 0
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 27th July 2012
By: Staff Writer

The frailty of West Ham's squad was exposed for all to see here in the Glücksgas Stadium as Sam Allardyce's side were well beaten. Goals from Koch, Pepic and Koz condemned United to a third defeat of pre-season following the reversals against Austria Wien and Oxford United. Missing players such as James Tomkins, Momo Diame and Jack Collison, West Ham's defensive weaknesses were creully exposed by the home side who were up against a central defensive pairing of Winston Reid and Joey O'Brien. It took just over a quarter-of-an-hour for Dresden to break the deadlock when Robert Koch, left criminally unmarked by Matt Taylor, volleyed home from close range. And although West Ham - who had missed two great chances prior to the first goal being scored - held on until the break a second goal was always on the cards. Just six minutes after the restart it arrived through Hasan Pepic who had a simple task of converting from inside the six-yard box as confusion reigned amongst the Hammers' defence; triallist Bilel Mohsni, introduced at half time for O'Brien being caught at sixes and sevens.

Shortly after Modibo Maiga had been introduced for his first appearance in a claret and blue shirt - and following a delightful Matt Taylor effort that hit the crossbar - the Germans made it 3-0 when Cuneyt Koz took advantage of some more dreadful marking to convert a corner from virtually under the crossbar. And that was how it stayed until the end, giving manager Allardyce plenty of food for thought as he weighs up his options ahead of the new Premier League camapign which begins in less than a month's time.

West Ham Utd: Jaaskelainen, Demel, O'Brien, Reid, McCartney, Noble, O'Neil, Nolan, Vaz Te, Taylor, Cole.
Subs: Henderson, Driver, Spence, Potts, Lamey, Mohsni, Moncur, Kazim-Richards, Hall, Turgott, Maynard, Baldock, Maiga.

Dynamo Dresden: Kirsten, Savic, Gueye, Bregerie, Trojan, Fort, Pote, Losilla, Papadopoulos, Koch, Schuppan.
Subs: Fromlowitz, Jungwirth, Ouali, Pepic, Koz, Subasic, Thoelke, Solga, Franke, Leistner, Fiel

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TC 'thrilled'
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 28th July 2012
By: Staff Writer

Tony Carr has thanked the board for their support in West Ham's bid to achieve Elite Player Performance Plan category one status. As revealed exclusively here on KUMB.com last month, West Ham United have been placed in the highest Academy category - meaning that Carr and his team at Chadwell Heath can continue their stirling work. "I'm absolutely thrilled that we have been awarded Category One status for the 2012/13 season, which is a culmination of months of hard work by a huge team of people," Carr told whufc.com. "I would to thank all of my staff at the Academy who have put in countless late nights to make sure we achieved the top standing. "I must also pay tribute to the Board, who have demonstrated their unwavering commitment to West Ham United's Academy by providing the necessary funding for the upgrades to our facilities and staff at Chadwell Heath and Little Heath. "This award will ensure the steady stream of talent we have coming through from our Academy will continue and we can go on to produce more and more world-class players for West Ham United."

David Gold, whose financial backing was instrumental in the club gaining Category One status added: "We are pleased that the independent auditors have seen fit to award West Ham United the top-rated status. I know only too well how important it is to the club. "From the moment the new EPPP system was confirmed, it was our Board's absolute priority to make sure our Academy maintained its world-renowned reputation as one of the best in the business. I would like to thank Tony and his team of staff, who all worked hard to ensure we achieved our collective aim. "We will not be resting on our laurels now though, as we will be continuing to invest and grow our Academy even further."

The Premier League-driven scheme, which begins this coming season introduces a four-tier system which, critics argue, will increase the power of the country's elite clubs by ensuring that Football League clubs receive just a fraction of the fees they can currently command for promising youngsters. Category One clubs such as West Ham - aka 'Super Academies' - will be able to offer young players vastly suprior training programs whereas those clubs at the bottom of the scale - Category Four Academies - will only be able to take on players released by other teams.

Meanwhile selling clubs will now only receive between £12,500 and £40,000 for ever year a player has trained with them between the ages of 12 and 16 - whilst the existing '90-minute rule' - a rule that states a player must live within an hour-and-a-half of the club with whom he trains - will also be abolished.

The EPPP was ratified - reluctantly - by the 72 Football League clubs in October 2011 after the Premier League threatened to withhold a £5million annual youth development payment should its plans be rejected.

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Rodgers offers Carroll hope
Liverpool youngsters please their manager with improved displays
Last Updated: July 28, 2012 10:44pm
SSN

Brendan Rodgers has played down talk of Andy Carroll leaving Liverpool and says he has no knowledge of any bids for the player. The striker has been heavily tipped to leave Anfield this summer and has been the subject of reported interest from West Ham United. Sky Sports revealed on Friday the Hammers had offered to take the former Newcastle striker on a season-long loan with a view to a £17million switch. However, Rodgers appears to have given the £35m man some hope
"Not that I am aware of," Rodgers told Liverpool's official website when asked if there had been any offers for Carroll after using the England international as a substitute in Saturday's pre-season friendly against Tottenham in the USA.

Written

"Obviously, I'll know more when we get back. There has been a lot written about Andy, but you saw today he's happy to be here and he's worked very well since he's been here. "The reality is he's still a Liverpool player, he can fit into how I want to play, and he's happy here. "I'm certainly not wishing to push him out of the door." Liverpool completed their tour of America with a goalless draw against Tottenham. The tour has given new Anfield chief Rodgers an opportunity to see some of the younger players in his first-team squad, such as Raheem Sterling, Jonjo Shelvey, Adam Morgan, Peter Gulacsi, Jack Robinson and Dani Pacheco.

Talent

And he has been impressed with their performances, as he said: "I have been really, really pleased with them. "That was one of the key things today - the development of the youngsters and how they've taken on the concept. "If you look at Raheem Sterling over the last two weeks, he came as a young boy, 17 years old, and he only knew how to beat a defender - but if you look at today's game, he understood when to press and when to be inside. "He was playing against an experienced player in Sebastien Bassong and he actually gave him a hard time. "That's brilliant for me because it shows he's taken it on board. He's thinking about the game. If he does that, and you add that to his talent, he's going to be a very, very good player for the future."

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Hammers medical for Ramis
Allardyce wins race for Mallorca defender
Last Updated: July 28, 2012 10:47pm
SSN

West Ham United appear to have won the race to sign Real Mallorca defender Ivan Ramis after agreeing a deal with the Spanish club. The 27-year-old is heading to Upton Park for a medical after Mallorca announced they had agreed terms over his transfer. Ramis had been linked with a number of clubs in England, and it looks likely that Premier League newcomers West Ham are poised to beat off the competition. A statement on Mallorca's official website read: "Mallorca and West Ham have reached an agreement for the transfer of Ivan Ramis. "The Mallorcan defender has the permission of the club to have a medical with what will be his new team." Wigan Athletic, Everton, Sunderland, Aston Villa and Celtic had all been linked with Ramis. If the move is finalised, Ramis would become West Ham's sixth signing of an already busy summer for manager Sam Allardyce.

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Confirmation - Ivan Ramis to Sign for The Hammers!
By S J Chandos
West Ham Till I Die

Real Mallorca have confirmed that centre back Ivan Ramis is due to arrive in London soon to undergo a medical ahead of a move to the Hammers. The Spanish club this evening confirmed on their club website that a deal has been agreed for the 27-year-old worth approximately £4.7million. A statement released on their website this evening states:

'RCD Mallorca and West Ham have reached an agreement for the transfer of Ivan Ramis. The defender has the permission of the Club to pass the medical examination with his new team. Ramis is seeking a new challenge in the Premier League. After eight years in the first team at RCD Mallorca and two more in the reserves, has become one of the most important players in the team. All club employees and fans wish the best luck to Ivan as he begins this latest stage of his career.'

Ramis came through the Real Mallorca youth system and has spent his entire career to date with the club. Ramis previously rejected a move to Wigan and two seasons ago also declined a possible move to Everton. He has also been capped by Spain at every level up to U-23s, but he has not yet won a full cap for his country.

Centre-back reinforcements for Tomkins and Reid at long last it would seem! What's next, a right-back perhaps?

SJ.Chandos.

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Spanish steal: Real Mallorca defender Ivan Ramis joins West Ham over Wigan
The Mirror

Real Mallorca have announced they have reached an agreement with West Ham for the transfer of defender Ivan Ramis to the Premier League newcomers. The 27-year-old Ramis had been linked with a number of English clubs but West Ham look poised to make him their latest summer signing. A statement on www.rcdmallorca.es read: "Mallorca and West Ham have reached an agreement for the transfer of Ivan Ramis. The Mallorcan defender has the permission of the club to have a medical with what will be his new team." Mallorca did not mention any fee for Ramis but said they will "achieve the economic objective for which they have been working for over recent weeks." Mallorca-born Ramis came up through the youth ranks at his local club and, aside from a spell on loan at Real Valladolid in 2005/06, has spent the last eight seasons with the senior team. Ramis announced earlier this month his desire to join a Premier League team and he has received support from Mallorca in his bid to move to England. The Spanish club added in their statement: "From the board led by Jaume Cladera and Lorenzo Serra Ferrer, the coaching staff directed by Joaquin Caparros, all his team-mates in the changing room, employees of the club and everyone associated with Real Mallorca want to wish Ivan the best of luck in this new stage of his career that he will begin."

If Ramis completes his move to West Ham he will join a host of new faces at Upton Park this summer, with manager Sam Allardyce having already brought in goalkeepers Jussi Jaaskelainen, Stephen Henderson and Raphael Spiegel, midfielder Mohamed Diame and forward Modibo Maiga.

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WEST HAM LEAD CHASE FOR WOLVES WINGER MATT JARVIS
Express.co.uk
Sunday July 29,2012
By Daily Express Reporter

WEST HAM lead the chase for Wolves winger Matt Jarvis but the £10m price tag is a stumbling block.

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GOLD-EN FUTURE FOR HAMMERS
Daily Star
29th July 2012 By Harry Pratt

DAVID GOLD has revealed his vision for West Ham – to turn them into a 'top-four' Premier League powerhouse. Do not worry – the Hammers joint-owner has not gone completely bonkers. He insists there is no mad rush for Sam Allardyce's newly-promoted side to scale such lofty heights. Gold is happy to set his sights a little lower by targeting top-flight consolidation – and a domestic cup triumph . Having steered the club back into the big time via the League One Play Off Final, Gold and fellow West Ham supremo David Sullivan are ready for part two of their master plan. Gold, 75, in charge at Upton Park since January 2010, said: "I would like to establish West Ham as a major force in the Premier League. "What level that takes us to only time will tell. Does it take us all the way into the top six or the top four? We will have to see. But that is my ambition. "Right now, I am realistic enough to know we need to stabilise the football club, bring back the pride – which I think is coming – and to ensure it is sound and strong in the Premier League. "And – on a personal level – I'd like to win the FA Cup. In fact, either of the domestic cups would be a success."

If those dreams are to come to fruition, Gold knows the club's controversial bid to uproot from Upton Park and re-locate at the Olympic Stadium is essential. He said: "I don't want to leave the ground. As a fan, my history, my life, it all started around the Boleyn. "But this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity which we must explore to the end – and wait for the outcome of the process. I am told that should be in September. Then all of us fans and all the principals at the club must decide where we go from there. Sometimes you have to be brave in life and grasp the nettle."

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Mourinho opens the door for West Ham target to leave Real Madrid
By talkSPORT | Saturday, July 28, 2012

Jose Mourinho has left the door open for Kaka to leave Real Madrid after refusing to give the Brazilian playmaker any assurances about his future. Kaka has been linked with a shock move to Premier League new boys West Ham as they ambitiously prepare to return to the top-flight of English football with moves for big-name stars including Andy Carroll and Luc Castaignos. And Mourinho has admitted it is possible the 30-year-old former AC Milan star could depart the Bernabeu this summer, giving Sam Allardyce hope of completing a shock move. "I don't know what will happen with his future and neither does he, but between us there are no doubts because he knows what I think and the market is open until August 31," Mourinho told Marca. "Anything can happen. He could be a Real Madrid player next season and if he stays I would be delighted because we have a great relationship and he offers us things."

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