Wednesday, June 11

Daily WHUFC News - 11th June 2014

On this day - 11 June
WHUFc.com
Guillermo Franco and David James were both in international action on this
date in history
11.06.2014

Anniversary (1)
South Africa 1-1 Mexico
FIFA World Cup finals Group A
11 June 2010, Soccer City, Johannesburg, South Africa
Five West Ham United players went to the FIFA World Cup finals in South
Africa in 2010 - Robert Green, Matthew Upson, Valon Behrami, Jonathan
Spector and Guillermo Franco. South Africa opened the eagerly-anticipated
tournament by hosting Franco's Mexico at Soccer City in Johannesburg on
Friday 11 June 2010, with the Hammers No10 wearing the No9 for the Central
Americans. Siphiwe Tshabalala belted the host nation into the lead ten
minutes after half-time before Franco was withdrawn with 17 minutes
remaining. Six minutes later, Rafael Marquez equalised for Mexico and the
game ended in a 1-1 draw. Mexico were eliminated in the Round of 16 by
Argentina - the country of Franco's birth. The striker made 23 appearances
for West Ham during the 2009/10 season, scoring five goals.

Anniversary (2)
England 2-1 Slovakia
2004 UEFA European Championship Group 7 qualifier
11 June 2003, Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough
West Ham United had links to both sides when England hosted Slovakia at
Middlesbrough's Riverside Stadium in a 2004 UEFA European Championship
qualifier on this day in 2003. Hammers goalkeeper David James lined-up
between the sticks for the home side, while Academy graduate Frank Lampard
and future West Ham defender Matthew Upson were also in the England starting
XI. Vladimir Labant, the left-back who had recently departed the Boleyn
Ground to return to former club Sparta Prague, started for the Slovaks but
lasted only 39 minutes before being replaced. Before Labant's departure,
Vladimir Janocko fired Slovakia into a shock lead against Sven-Goran
Eriksson's side. After half-time, however, it was a different story as
Michael Owen converted a penalty before heading the winner for England with
17 minutes remaining on his 50th appearance for his country. England would
go on to qualify for EURO 2004 by finishing unbeaten and top of Group 7
ahead of runners-up Turkey.

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The Big Interview - Martin Allen
WHUFC.com
Martin Allen recollects his special moments in the claret and blue of West
Ham United
10.06.2014

West Ham United will always feel like home for Martin Allen. 'Mad Dog'
played 190 league games for the Hammers in a six-year spell between
1989-1995, becoming a popular figure at the Boleyn Ground with his
whole-hearted displays. He was back in E13 recently to play in a charity
match for Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital and we took the
opportunity to catch up. Martin Allen, a familiar and welcome face at the
Boleyn Ground, it's always nice to see you back - and you were back for a
great cause with the game for Great Ormond Street recently...

MA: "It's a charity which everyone supports and I was lucky to be invited
when you see some of the names in the dressing room!"

The fans look forward to seeing you - they hold you in high esteem and you
had a special relationship with them, didn't you?

MA: "I think so. It is always nice to come back. [They remember me for}
Messing about a little on the pitch, probably being naughty most of the
time. I was the quickest player to 51 [disciplinary] points, which is my
claim to fame - my cousin Clive got 51 goals and I got 51 points! The
supporters have a good sense of humour I think.

Your family's from this neck of the woods. There's something particular
about east London isn't there? When you go around the world, if you ask
someone who the archetypal Londoner is, it would be someone from this
part...

MA: "Yes, without a shadow of doubt. Like my family, a lot have moved out to
Dagenham, Romford, Basildon and the likes. I was the throwback because we
moved to Reading when my dad signed for them when he was young. Even though
I was brought up in Reading, there's always been this special part of
travelling back around here, as has been well documented. When I got that
phone call from Lou Macari to come and sign, it was magical.

When you think back to your time here, you mention the cards and the
disciplinary points, but there were some other fond memories as well. What
sticks out as your favourite time?

MA: "You don't forget the goals, that long shot at Highbury in front of all
the West Ham supporters in the Clock End was special. Some of the goals
here, the cup nights, the volley against Wimbledon. The whole experience
really, I was lucky in my life to have the ability to play here. I had to
work hard as I wasn't the most natural of gifted footballers, but to make
the most of my ability to play for West Ham was really very special.
"I'll never forget my first game against Plymouth, driving along the road
from East Ham and thinking this is so much bigger than what I'd been used to
at QPR. It was a completely different atmosphere. The characters in the
Chicken Run - the howling from the terraces. Even now I can be anywhere and
someone would literally start howling. Not many people have got that in
their life! That's all come from here, I get called Mad Dog wherever I go
and that's come from the Chicken Run."

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WEST HAM CHASE PORTUGUESE U21 LEFT BACK
By Sean Whetstone 10 Jun 2014 at 17:55
West Ham Till I Die

The fourth transfer target for the Left back position has emerged as 20 year
old Raphaël Guerreiro. He joins a list of four Left backs which include Urby
Emanuelson Martin Olssen and Timothee Kolodziejczak as potential transfers.

He made his first-team debut for the Ligue 2 club Caen in the 2012–13 season
for whom he made 38 appearances scoring one goal before joining Ligue 1
Lorient on a four-year deal for whom he has made 21 appearances. Although
born in France, Guerreiro accepted the call to represent the Portugal
National Under-21 Team earning 2 caps, He made his debut against Sweden on
21 March 2013. He is thought to be valued around 3.5 million euros.

Earlier this year Guerreiro emerged as a possible target for Liverpool with
some inside the game claiming he has the potential to be one of the best
left backs in the world.

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SHOULD WE BE GLAD WE HAVE NO PLAYERS AT THE WORLD CUP?
By Tony Hanna 10 Jun 2014 at 13:06
West Ham Till I Die

I have seen some comments and also read an article recently where some are
condemning West Ham for not having any players at this years World Cup. So,
I thought it best to have a look back at previous tournaments and see what
has transpired since the halcyon days of Moore, Hurst and Peters.

Since we won the World Cup in 1966, England have failed to qualify three
times. Those years were 1974, 1978 and 1994 and West Ham did not have any
players representing any other countries playing in those tournaments.
Trevor Brooking (England) and Van Der Elst (Belgium) played in the 1982
World Cup finals and Alvin Martin (England) and Frank McAvennie (Scotland)
both played in the 1986 tournament in Mexico. It is a real shame that
Brooking was past his prime, aged 33 when he got his one and only game in a
World Cup finals match. He came on as second half substitute for just 26
minutes against the hosts Spain in Madrid. In 1990, 1998 and 2006 we only
had four representatives in total. Ludek Miklosko for the Czech's in 1990,
Rio Ferdinand for England and Bernard Lama for France in 1998 followed by
Shaka Hislop for Trinidad and Tobago in 2006. In fact we have only had 15
players from West Ham play in the World Cup finals since 1974 – that is
fifteen players in the eleven times the event has been held over the past
forty years. So, the fact that we have no players from West Ham at this
years Finals is not exactly earth shattering stuff.

OK, so let's have a look at the two times we have sent a large contingent.
Those years were 2002 and 2010. In 2002 we sent the largest contingent of
English West Ham players since 1966. David James, Trevor Sinclair and Joe
Cole all went to South Korea and England were beaten in the quarter finals
by the eventual winners Brazil. In 2010 we had four players leave from the
Boleyn to go and play in South Africa. Robert Green and Matthew Upson of
England were joined by Jonathan Spector (USA) and Behrami (Switzerland).

Make of it what you will, but those last two aforementioned World Cup years
where we had a total of seven representatives, what happened to West Ham the
following season? Yep, that's right, we were relegated both times! The three
previous times we have sent no one we had respectable seasons including
winning the FA Cup in 1975. Now I am not saying that sending players to a
World Cup is detrimental to the club's following season, but it will mean we
should have a completely fresh squad when it comes to the start of
pre-season training later this year.

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REID HOLDS OUT FOR MEGA PAY RISE
By Sean Whetstone 10 Jun 2014 at 08:27
West Ham Till I Die

Winston Reid's representatives are said to be holding out for a 5 year £75k
per week deal for their client.

The centre back joined West Ham in August 2010 on a three year contract for
a fee believed to be around £3m. This deal was later extended by two years
which will take him up to August 2015.His transfer fee was the subject of a
dispute between West Ham United and his former club FC Midtjylland as West
Ham withheld the fee to bring to UEFA's attention fees owing to them from
the sale of Alessandro Diamanti to Brescia.

He has made 93 appearances for West Ham scoring five goals against
opposition including against Milwall and Spurs. If the deal is agreed it
would make Reid the second highest earner in the club after Andy Carroll who
is though to earn £80k per week.

A 5 year deal would cost almost £20m in wages including agent fees, If he
was sold this summer he could raise around £6m

According to a club source the negotiations are 'complicated with many
variables' but if a top six club come in for him I am doubtful we can hold
on to him. To date no official enquiries or bids have been received for the
centre back although both Liverpool and Arsenal are claimed to be
interested.

In other news it appears West Ham are moving closer to signing another
centre back as a possible ready made replacement. The Hammers are said to be
a lot closer to making Cheikhou Kouyate their second signing of the transfer
window. Anderlecht and West Ham can not agree a price on an outright
purchase so the deal could take the form of a loan deal with first option to
buy at the end of the season. Although Valencia made a bid for the defender
he is understood to have his heart set on the Premier League. Arsenal
scouted him and were though to be interested but that has not materialised.

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West Ham target Manchester City defender Micah Richards
Jun 11, 2014 03:28 By Chris Richards
The 25-year-old right back has been offered a new deal at City but he has
not yet signed on the dotted line
The Mirror

West Ham are reportedly chasing Manchester City defender Micah Richards. The
Hammers are eyeing the England international, 25, as they look to strengthen
their squad over the summer. Richards has been offered a contract extension
at City. However, according to the Daily Mail, the Birmingham-born right
back has shown a reluctance to sign on the dotted line given his lack of
playing time this season. Richards is also an £8million summer target for
ambitious Hull.
Last month, he hinted he could quit the Etihad after 11 years. After City
won the Premier League title, Richards wrote on Twitter: "I'm proud for the
boys, gutted I didn't qualify for an actual medal but it's a great day for
the club. "We'll see what happens now. "I'll take the summer to think over
things. "I've been here 11 years, I've enjoyed every minute. "I don't know
what the future holds. "I just want to thank everyone here for what they've
done for me so far.
"I'm sure a lot of people hope I stay – but when games are limited sometimes
you have to do what's best for your career."

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