Sam Allardyce: An apology
Posted: Tue 08 Jan 2013
http://www.rovers.co.uk/
During the summer of 2011, Mr Steve Kean was this Club's manager and
accompanied the players of Blackburn Rovers on a pre-season tour of the Far
East.
Whilst in Hong Kong, Mr Kean was in a bar and falsely alleged that Sam
Allardyce, our previous manager, was sacked by us because he was a crook.
This is completely false and we apologise to Mr Allardyce for the
embarrassment and distress caused to him by Mr Kean.
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Reid scoops SBOBET award
WHUFC.com
Winston Reid has been voted SBOBET Player of the Month for December by West
Ham United supporters.
08.01.2013
Winston Reid has been voted as December's SBOBET Player of the Month by
users of whufc.com. The New Zealand international defender, who gained 52.5%
of the vote, put in some sterling performances at the heart of the West Ham
United defence during five matches home and away last month, which began
with the 3-1 Barclays Premier League win over Chelsea at the Boleyn Ground.
During December, Reid also helped Hammers to a clean sheet away at West
Bromwich Albion and has played his part in helping the team achieve a good
position - eleventh - in the league table as the New Year began. Reid
received his award from SBOBET representative Russell Grant, ahead of
Saturday's FA Cup tie with Manchester United. Carlton Cole was in second
place with 26.6% of the votes, after starting the month with a strike
against his old club Chelsea and then following up with a number of gutsy
displays up front. The previous month's winner for November, Jussi
Jaaskelainen, was in third place with 11% of the votes, after some solid
performances between the posts for the Hammers, and one of Reid's defensive
partners, James Collins, was in third place with 5% of the votes. Joey
O'Brien once again took a share of the votes, coming in fourth place with
4.1%.
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The Big Interview - Dan Potts
WHUFC.com
The teenage left-back returned to action with a fine display against
Manchester United on Saturday
08.01.2013
On New Year's Day, Dan Potts was part of the Colchester United side beaten
3-0 at Crawley Town in npower League One - the U's fifth defeat in
succession.
Five days later, the 18-year-old had been recalled from his loan spell at
the Essex club and drafted into West Ham United's starting line-up for the
FA Cup with Budweiser third-round visit of Manchester United. Some might
have expected the left-back to be low on confidence or nervous at the
prospect of facing the Barclays Premier League leaders, but Potts was made
of sterner stuff, producing an assured and impressive performance in the
thrilling 2-2 draw.
Crawley away to Manchester United at home - that's some difference and you
must be proud of the way you performed on your return to the team?
DP - "Obviously it was a massive game against a massive team. I got the
recall from my loan at Colchester and there were little rumours about the
team in the lead up to the game and I didn't really think I'd be starting
until about two hours before kick-off. It sank in and I went and got ready
to play against one of the best teams in Europe."
If you were nervous, it certainly didn't show, because you looked
comfortable out there?
DP - "With those sort of games against those teams, you cannot afford to be
off your game and nervous at all - you have to be fully committed and
positive and that's how I like to be and definitely thought I was.
Everything I did, I was positive around it."
What do you think you did well out there against Manchester United?
DP - "It was a great experience playing against Manchester United but that
is where I want to be playing. I took it with both hands and wanted to
impress. I thought the lads, on the night, were terrific and I can't fault
anyone's work ethic. We scored two good goals - it was just a shame we were
playing against world-class opposition and it showed right at the end when
Robin van Persie has plucked the ball out of the air and smashed it into the
bottom corner. When
you are playing against these sorts of teams, that's what you're going to be
up against. It was vital that we stayed mentally switched on through out the
whole
game because one bit of magic like that and the ball was in the back of our
net."
Presumably you would love to be involved in the replay at Old Trafford?
DP - "The replay is there now, but the only thing I am thinking about is the
fact we didn't win the game on Saturday - especially towards the end. I am
still proud of the performance but we had one foot in the next round. The
crowd were terrific - I've never heard anything like it - so it's just a
shame one bit of magic denied us. We've got a replay and we're still in the
tie, so we'll take the positives out of it."
You were nine-years-old last time Joe Cole pulled on a West Ham United
shirt, so how was it to share a pitch with him?
DP - "I spoke to him when he came in and he's obviously been at the club
before and made his debut alongside my Dad, so he said that's how he knows
he is getting on a bit! He's a great player and he showed that on Saturday.
He made two great assists and it's great to have around the place."
Just lastly, how did your loan spell at Colchester go, as the team's results
have not been too good recently?
DP - "We did have a bad run of form, but the main thing for me was to go out
on loan and get some games under my belt and get playing time. At my age,
it's especially important to play first-team football, wherever that is. You
want to be playing so I was just pleased to go there. The gaffer there was
great to me and I got those games under my belt. It was tough but it was a
great experience."
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Blackburn apologise to Sam Allardyce over Steve Kean claims
BBc.co.uk
Blackburn have apologised to former manager Sam Allardyce over alleged
comments by his successor Steve Kean. The West Ham manager is taking legal
action over claims made during a pre-season tour of Hong Kong in 2011. "Mr
Kean was in a bar and falsely alleged that Sam Allardyce was sacked because
he was a crook," Blackburn said in a statement. "This is completely false
and we apologise to Mr Allardyce for the embarrassment and distress caused."
The matter came to light after a video was uploaded to YouTube in the
summer. It appeared to show Kean making unguarded remarks about Allardyce to
supporters. Allardyce instructed solicitors to take legal action against
both Blackburn and Kean. The case was filed at the High Court in London on
12 July.
Kean's representatives SEM Group said a settlement had now been reached, but
the terms were confidential. SEM added that Kean would also be making a
public statement on the matter. A spokesman for Allardyce said: "The
settlement is confidential and we have all signed to that effect. Therefore,
we are unable to comment." Speaking after West Ham's 2-2 FA Cup third-round
draw with Manchester United on Saturday, Allardyce had said he was close to
an agreement over his damages claim. Kean replaced Allardyce as Blackburn
boss in December 2010, but stepped down in September following the club's
relegation to the Championship after claiming he had been forced to resign.
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West Ham linked with Cameroon defender
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 8th January 2013
By: Staff Writer
West Ham are being linked with a move for Cameroon international Gaëtan
Bong. The 24-year-old left back, who currently plays for Valenciennes in
Ligue 1 has already held talks with representatives of West Ham, according
to reports in France tonight with view to a permanent move. Bong started his
pro career in France with Metz in 2006 before being loaned out to Ligue 2
side ours for the 2008/09 season. Upon his return to Les Grenats the
defender was snapped up by Valenciennes with whom he has spent the last
three years. The 6' defender, who was born in Sakbayeme, Cameroon has made
10 appearances for his country, and is also said to have interested
Liverpool. West Ham are also interested in signing Blackburn's Martin
Olsson, for whom they are understood to have made a concrete bid.
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Blackburn: 'Sorry Sam'
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 8th January 2013
By: Staff Writer No.2
Championship side Blackburn Rovers have apologised to Sam Allardyce for
comments made by their former manager Steve Kean. The apology appeared on
the Rovers official website and follows comments made by Kean to supporters
in a Hong Kong bar during a pre-season tour. The conversation was captured
on mobile phone video and subsequently appeared on the internet, prompting
legal action from the Irons' boss.
The full apology reads:
"During the summer of 2011, Mr Steve Kean was this Club's manager and
accompanied the players of Blackburn Rovers on a pre-season tour of the Far
East.
Whilst in Hong Kong, Mr Kean was in a bar and falsely alleged that Sam
Allardyce, our previous manager, was sacked by us because he was a crook.
This is completely false and we apologise to Mr Allardyce for the
embarrassment and distress caused to him by Mr Kean."
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Rob Hall has extended his loan stay with Birmingham by a further month
Last Updated: January 8, 2013 3:44pm
SSN
Rob Hall has extended his loan stay with Championship side Birmingham by a
further month. The West Ham winger will now remain at St Andrew's until at
least Saturday February 16, although his parent club do have the option of a
recall clause. Hall joined Blues in November and has been an instant hit
with both manager Lee Clark and the club's fans. The England Under-19
international has made a total of eight appearances to date.
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Turgott agrees to Bantams stay
Last Updated: January 8, 2013 2:39pm
SSN
West Ham have agreed to extend teenage winger Blair Turgott's loan spell at
Bradford for another month. Turgott, who arrived at Valley Parade at the end
of November, was scheduled to return to his parent club after last
Saturday's league defeat at Barnet. However, the 18-year-old, who has made
three starts for the Bantams and four appearances off the substitutes'
bench, will now stay until February 3. Subject to Football League clearance
he is expected to be included in Phil Parkinson's squad for Tuesday night's
Capital One Cup semi-final first-leg clash at home to Aston Villa.
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Is Danny Simpson a Target?
By S J Chandos
West Ham Till I Die
There have been sugestions today that West Ham might bid for Newcastle Utd
right-back, Danny Simpson. There has been conjecture that Simpson could be
looking for a move in the aftermath of the Toon's signing of French
international, Mathieu Debuchy. Reports state that West Ham are favourites
to land Simpson, although there will be compeitition for his signature from
QPR and Fulham.
How accurate are these reports? Well, Simpson is a player known to Sam
Allardyce from his time at the managerial helm of St James Park (or whatever
it is called these days?). Allardyce was linked with a move for Simpson last
season and it is a rumour that may have substance. On the other side of the
equation, Allardyce appears satisfied with his cover at right-back, as
provided by Demel and O'Brien. As such, it is probable that he will use any
available resources to strengthen cover at left-back, a position where only
young Danny Potts is currently available for selection. Having said that,
could it be that Allardyce likes the idea of pairing Simpson and Olsson in a
new, pacy, full-back partnership? We shall see?
The latest reports suggest that Wellington Paulista was undergoing a medical
today, ahead of a six month loan move, with the option of a permanent 3 year
deal in the summer. Paulista will be a unknown quanity to a lot of Hammers
fans. Apparently, he has scored 19 goals this season and can operate either
as a central striker or out wide. If he does as well as our last Brazilian
loanee then he will be well worth the six month loan deal. However, would it
not be wonderful if we could unearth a real diamond of a striker! Stranger
things have happened, I suppose. The key question is how he will cope with
the physicality, and high paced action, of the PL and how long it will take
him to acclimatize? But if he brings a bit of Brazilian magic to our forward
line, I doubt that there will be many complaints.
Regardless, it looks like we will enter the 2nd half of trhe season with a
strengthened squad. That bodes well and, hopefully, we will clinch a very
creditable top 10 finish as a result of the business done in January.
By way of a post-script, while Danny Potts has returned to the squad, his
fellow U-21 loanees, Hall, McCallum and Turgott have extended their loan
deals with their respective Championship/football league clubs. Robert Hall
is due stay with Birmingham City until 19th February, although there is
provision for an emergency re-call should circumstances at Upton Park
necessitate it. Interestingly, Hall is benefiting from regular first team
football and is receiving good reviews on Brum fans websites. That is
exactly what you to see from a young loanee and, hopefully, Hall will get
one or two PL games in, towards the end of the season, on his return. Then
it is full steam ahead for regular PL football next season!
SJ. Chandos.
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Sorry business: Blackburn Rovers apologise to Sam Allardyce over false
allegations made by former boss Steve Kean
The Mirror
8 Jan 2013 12:28
Steve Kean's Blackburn Rovers career acquired a sorry footnote today, as his
former employers issued a public apology to West Ham manager Sam Allardyce.
Kean resigned from his position as Blackburn Rovers manager last September -
claiming he was forced to go - but the apology relates to false allegations
Kean made against Allardyce in 2011, which were filmed and posted on
YouTube. According to a Press Association report, the club have acted
following legal moves by Big Sam regarding false allegations made by Kean in
conversation with fans in 2011 - a video of which is still available to see
on YouTube. The PA report states: Blackburn have issued an apology to former
manager Sam Allardyce over false allegations made against the West Ham boss
by his Ewood Park successor Steve Kean. During Rovers' 2011 pre-season tour
of the Far East, Kean was filmed talking to fans and making allegations
about Allardyce. The video was posted on YouTube.
Kean served under Allardyce as first-team coach before the taking over in
the wake of the 58-year-old's surprise sacking in December 2010. Allardyce
initiated legal proceedings against Kean and Blackburn over the remarks and
reached an out-of-court settlement last week. Today, Rovers issued a
statement on their official website under the headline "Sam Allardyce: An
apology". It read: "During the summer of 2011, Mr Steve Kean was this club's
manager and accompanied the players of Blackburn Rovers on a pre-season tour
of the Far East." The statement went on to say that Kean was filmed in a bar
making false allegations about Allardyce, adding: "We apologise to Mr
Allardyce for the embarrassment and distress caused to him by Mr Kean."
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Could Sam Allardyce Complete a Double Raid on Rovers?
By S J Chandos
West Ham Till I Die
As I have previously reported, West Ham have submitted an initial £2m bid
for Blackburn Rover's Martin Olsson. This has apparently been rejected and
West Ham are in the process of making a second, improved offer for the
Swedish left-back's services. It remains to be seen whether this will meet
Blackburn's evaluation of the player or, indeed, if they will sell in the
current transfer window. But the keeness of the player himself to return to
PL football could ultimately be a decisive factor. The danger now is that we
could potentially be guzumped by another club coming in with a higher bid.
Time will tell !
However, there are other reports this morning that West Ham are also
interested in acquiring goal keeper, Paul Robinson, from the championshp
club. Details are vague, but it is thought that Rovers are keen to get
Robinson off their wage bill. So keen, that it has been suggested that they
may actually consider terminating Robinson's current contract, by mutual
consent, to allow him to join the Hammers as a free agent. Even if that
'free agent' aspect of the story is inaccurate, that is still the
possibility that Rovers may allow Robinson to move to East London for a
nominal fee.
So, could Sam Allardyce engineer a double raid on his former club to sign
both Olsson and Robinson? The need for a new left-back is well documented,
but it is also the case that the recruitment of a third keeper could be a
priority. At present, we only have two keepers, the highly experienced Jussi
and the young Swiss prospect, Raphael Speigel. There is a third keeper on
the books in the shape of Henderson, but he is currently on loan at Ipswich
Town. Could it be the case that Allardyce will take the opportunity to sign
Robinson, in the current window, and then move Henderson on permanently?
If the story is true, then Robinson will probably do a good job for us.
Personally, I would prefer to sign Butland from Birmingham City. Needless to
say, that could prove to be a lot more difficult, with potential competition
from some top clubs, and a whole lot more expensive in terms of the transfer
fee. It would, however, be powerful statement of ambition by the club; and
an effective long-term solution for the goal keeping position!
SJ. Chandos.
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Hammers and Hull fight for Rovers' Robbo
Published: 08th January 2013
The Sun
WEST HAM and Hull are in a fight for Blackburn keeper Paul Robinson. Robbo,
33, is a free agent in the summer but can leave this month. The Tigers have
landed on-loan duo Robbie Brady and David Meyler on permanent deals. Winger
Brady cost £2million from Manchester United while Meyler left Sunderland for
£1.5m.
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QPR and West Ham set to miss out on Beckham when former England captain
decides future next week
By SAMI MOKBEL
PUBLISHED: 22:28, 8 January 2013 | UPDATED: 22:28, 8 January 2013
Daily Mail
David Beckham will make the eagerly anticipated decision on his football
future after crucial talks next week. Beckham will hold a series of crunch
meetings with his advisers from Monday, with the 37-year-old making a
definitive decision concerning his next move. Beckham's representatives are
compiling a dossier from the offers that Beckham has received in recent
weeks. Clubs from England, Europe, China, Australia and the Middle East have
all expressed an interest in Beckham following his decision to leave LA
Galaxy last mont h. The option of retiring from professional football is not
being considered at the moment, though that could be explored if none of the
options excite his interest. Queens Park Rangers and West Ham are both keen
on Beckham - but it is thought highly unlikely that he will join a London
club.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Wednesday, January 9
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