WHUFC.com
Homegrown midfielder Ronnie Boyce and a win at Walsall are today's focus
06.01.2012
Ronnie Boyce
Born: 6 January 1943, East Ham, England
Club: West Ham United
East Ham-born Ronnie Boyce played 339 games in a 12-year career with West Ham United - his one and only club. 'Boycie' is probably best remembered for his brace of goals in the 1964 FA Cup semi-final win over Manchester United, followed up by the winning goal against Preston North End at Wembley. A year later, Boyce was celebrating at the Twin Towers again as West Ham United won the European Cup Winners' Cup against TSV Munich 1860. Widely regarded as the heartbeat of both those cup winning teams, Boyce earned the nickname 'Ticker'.
After retiring from playing, he served under John Lyall - where he played a key role in the FA Cup successes 1975 and 1980 - and Billy Bonds as first-team coach and took charge of one first team game as caretaker manager in February 1990. He then succeeded Eddie Baily as chief scout in September 1991, a position he held for the next four years.
Other anniversaries
David Di Michele (1976), Ilie Dumitrescu (1969), Dave Swindlehurst (1956)
Classic match
Walsall 2-3 West Ham United
FA Cup third round
6 January 2001
Two goals from Freddie Kanoute add to Frank Lampard's sixth-minute opener to help West Ham United through to the fourth round of the FA Cup in front of 9,402 fans at the Bescot Stadium. It was to be a memorable cup run with the Hammers going to Old Trafford 22 days later and knocking Premier League champions Manchester United out. Paolo Di Canio famously won the battle of minds against Fabien Barthez to seal the victory with just 14 minutes left on the clock. United would go on to beat Sunderland away in the fifth round before finally losing 3-2 to Tottenham Hotspur at the next stage.
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Watford match moved
WHUFC.com
Supporters should note another fixture change for the Hammers with the visit of Watford
05.01.2012
West Ham United can confirm the npower Championship home match against Watford has been moved back 24 hours to Wednesday 7 March. The match at the Boleyn Ground will kick-off at 7.45pm. It was originally due to be played on Tuesday 6 March. The Watford fixture change has been made as a result of the Cardiff City away match from the previous weekend being selected for live broadcast on BBC television at 1pm on Sunday 4 March. Sam Allardyce's men enjoyed their best win of the season away to Watford back on Tuesday 16 August, with James Tomkins, Joey O'Brien, Carlton Cole and Scott Parker scoring in a 4-0 victory at Vicarage Road. For all the latest information on ticketing for upcoming first-team games, including the visit of leaders Southampton on Tuesday 14 February, click here.
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Driver heads for Burton
WHUFC.com
Callum Driver has joined League One club Burton Albion on loan until 31 January
05.01.2012
First-year professional Callum Driver has joined League One club Burton Albion on loan until 31 January. The versatile full-back has been a regular starter for the development squad this season, making 18 appearances for Ian Hendon's side, and has been involved in a number of provisional first-team squads in recent weeks.
The 19-year-old, who joined the club at the age of 12 and signed his first professional contract in July 2011, was travelled to both the home npower Championship game against Barnsley and the New Year's Eve trip to Derby County.
Driver could make his Football League debut for the Brewers in their League Two clash with Accrington Stanley at the Pirelli Stadium on Friday evening. He could also appear in away fixtures at Plymouth Argyle and Bradford City and the home game with Oxford this month.
Driver joins Cristian Montano (Dagenham & Redbridge), Jordan Spence (Bristol City), Peter Kurucz (Rochdale) and Pablo Barrera (Real Zaragoza), while both Herita Ilunga (Doncaster Rovers) and Callum McNaughton (AFC Wimbledon) are back at Chadwell Heath this week.
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Noble's cause for optimism
WHUFC.com
Mark Noble believes victory over Coventry City can serve as a catalyst for a positive run of results
05.01.2012
Mark Noble believes he and his colleagues can push on from their perfect start to 2012 and end the season as champions. Monday's 1-0 victory against Coventry City capped a memorable three days for Noble, who also wore the skipper's armband for the first time in a competitive fixture in the New Year's Eve fixture at Derby County in the absence of the suspended Kevin Nolan - a proud moment despite the fact West Ham suffered a 2-1 defeat. "It was my first competitive match as captain and it was nice honour after all the hard work I've put in over the years," the Hammers No16 told West Ham TV. "We didn't get the result we needed but we came back stronger on Monday and got the three points we needed. With the other teams losing as well, it was a good day for us. "Promotion was my aim from the moment we got relegated. I thought to myself with the manager and players that we've brought in that the only option is promotion. We still need to achieve that.
"If the fans stick by us and we keep playing the way we did on Monday and getting three points and we all believe then we can achieve it."
The Canning Town-born favourite was delighted that the victory moved the club level with leaders Southampton. A disappointing December that saw the Hammers pick up just four points from five matches had resulted in Sam Allardyce's side dropping out of the top two for the first time since 15 October. However, Noble's outstanding performance helped West Ham return to winning ways courtesy of a success that was more convincing than the final scoreline suggests. "We controlled the game from start to finish," he said - a statement supported by statistics that showed West Ham had 22 attempts on goal to Coventry's seven and eleven corners to the Sky Blues' six. "A couple of results we have had lately have not been the best, but we're not going to go through the season being fantastic in every game. Hopefully we have got over our little blip now during which we had a lot of injuries and we got the three points we needed."
On Monday, West Ham laid seige to the Coventry goal, only to find goalkeeper Joe Murphy in inspired form. The Irishman did superbly to repel efforts from James Tomkins, Jack Collison and Sam Baldock, but was powerless to stop Kevin Nolan's 66th-minute header. Noble said he had never given up hope that the Hammers would break through, despite Murphy's heroics. "I kept saying to the boys 'Keep believing because it will come. If we keep doing the right things, passing it, getting it wide and getting crosses in, it will definitely come'. Thankfully it did in the end and we managed to achieve what we wanted."
The homegrown midfielder also thanked the Boleyn Ground crowd for keeping faith in their team. While the breakthrough took more than an hour to arrive, Noble said the supporters had not allowed their frustrations to have a negative effect on the players. "Listen, we hear every moan and groan! We probably hear it a lot louder than everyone else because it is centred in on us. "They stuck with us and didn't get frustrated and that's why we got our goal. I think sometimes the fans know and appreciate how much it spurs us on to do everything - to win the ball and score goals - if they do stick with us. "That's what happened on Monday and that's what we need to happen for the rest of the season."
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On This Day - 5 January
WHUFC.com
Steve Walford and an FA Cup victory over Port Vale are today's subjects
05.01.2012
Anniversary
Steve Walford
Born: 5 January 1958, Highgate, England
Former clubs: Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Norwich City, West Ham United, Huddersfield Town, Gillingham, West Bromwich Albion, Lai Sun (Hong Kong), Wycombe Wanderers, Wealdstone
North London-born Steve Walford played for both Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal but made his name in four years at West Ham United after signing from Norwich City in 1983. He played 146 times for the club, scoring four goals. Most memorable was his 33 games in the 1985/86 season with the left-back more than playing his part in the best league campaign in the club's history.
Walford has gone from strength to strength since hanging up his boots. Having played under Martin O'Neill at Wycombe Wanderers, Walford has followed him wherever he has gone in management. Now at Sunderland, the first-team coach is enjoying plenty of success as part of O'Neill's coaching set-up at the Stadium of Light.
Classic match
West Ham United 4-1 Port Vale
FA Cup third round
5 January 1985
A Paul Goddard hat-trick helped West Ham United through to the fourth round of the FA Cup in front of 11,452 spectators at the Boleyn Ground. Alan Dickens got the other goal. The Hammers would progress through the fourth and fifth rounds, getting past Norwich City and Wimbledon respectively, before coming unstuck against eventual winners Manchester United in the sixth round.
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Jonjo thinks big in 2012
WHUFC.com
The Bobby Moore Fund will benefit from another charity walk by Hammers-mad Jonjo Heuerman
05.01.2012
It may be a New Year but Jonjo Heuerman is at it again. The plucky ten-year-old is still raising vital funds and awareness for the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK and is in training for another charity walk. He is going to repeat his 2011 feat and walk from Wembley Stadium to Upton Park in memory of his Nan and Bobby Moore, both of whom died from bowel cancer. Jonjo has raised more than £37,000 and is looking to push that figure on with his next trek across town - which will be bigger and better, judging by the huge interest. He will be starting at the Bobby Moore statue at the national stadium on 23 February and finish at the Boleyn Ground centre-circle against Crystal Palace on 25 February. In a message to supporters, he said: "I really want lots of people to walk with me and there are lots of supporters travelling to walk with me from around Europe. I hope you can walk a little bit with me too it will be really kind."
The Hammers-mad fan, and his sister Megan, got a lift before Christmas when they visited the West Ham United training ground, meeting Sam Allardyce and the first-team squad including Sam Baldock (pictured) Big Sam took a particular interest in his charitable work, while Joint-Chairman David Gold has pledged to meet the youngster when he completes his walk. To find out much more about Jonjo, including how you can get involved with his various activities, visit his website at www.fornannyandbobby.moonfruit.com
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Reading winger Jimmy Kebe offered new contract
BBC.co.uk
Page last updated at 13:29 GMT, Thursday, 5 January 2012
Reading manager Brian McDermott says the club have offered winger Jimmy Kebe a new two-and-a-half-year deal. Kebe, 27, has played 20 times for the Royals this term but is out of contract at the end of the season. The Mali-born international has been linked with a January move to both West Ham and Leicester but McDermott is hopeful he will decide to stay. "I spoke to Jimmy on Tuesday and I want him to stay, we made him an offer," McDermott told BBC Radio Berkshire. The Reading boss added: "Jimmy now has to digest the offer."
Reading signed Kebe in January 2008 from Lens while he has also had loan spells at Chateauroux and Boulogne. Kebe, who has not made it into the Mali squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations finals, has played 158 times for the Championship side, scoring 24 times. McDermott added: "I've also spoken to the board and they have said he is going nowhere and that is where we are at this moment in time. "It is a two-and-a-half-year-deal that we have offered him."
Kebe is free to talk to other interested clubs now as the January transfer window is open and he is in the final year of his deal, while he could also leave Reading for nothing at the end of the season. It is a dilemma McDermott says the club have to consider. "The board have said they are not looking to sell him," he added. "I understand how it works and if he decided to see out his contract then that is up to him and if he decides to sign a new contract then we will be delighted."
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Burton Albion sign West Ham's Callum Driver on loan
BBC.co.uk
Page last updated at 11:56 GMT, Thursday, 5 January 2012
Burton Albion have signed West Ham defender Callum Driver on a one-month loan, subject to official confirmation. The 19-year-old signed his first professional contract in July 2011 and is a regular in the reserve side, but is yet to make his first-team debut. Boss Paul Peschisolido said he needed cover for the suspended Andy Corbett. "He'll do a great job. He's an energetic lad, he gets up and down and he's got quality. He's a typical West Ham player," Peschisolido said. "We have had success in the past at bringing in young lads and giving them their debut in the Football League. "We are sitting in an excellent position; a better position than anyone had given us at this stage of the season."
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Callum on the verge
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 5th January 2012
By: Staff Writer
Callum McNaughton is set to move to AFC Wimbledon on a permanent basis having been told he has no future at West Ham. McNaughton is understood to be one of a handful of development squad players told earlier this week that their contracts are not being renewed in the summer. As a result, McNaughton has entered talks with the Dons - with whom he spent the first half of the season on loan - with regards to a pemanent switch. Dons boss Terry Brown (no, not that one!) told the Hounslow Chronicle: "We're in discussions with West Ham at the moment. I see Callum having a long-term future with us. He's in the first team now at 20, and I can only see him getting better."
McNaughton, whose one first team appearance against Aldershot in the Carling Cup earlier this season ended in misery after he was sent off for a professional foul, had been keen to remain at West Ham. As recently as last March he was looking forward to extending his existing contract. "Ultimately I want to play here - there's no question about it," he told whufc.com. "I'm trying to what is best for me so that I can prove myself to the coaches in training day-in, day-out and in the games.
"Everything that comes along, I'll take the decision that is best for me to reach my goal of playing first-team football here."
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A Marked man
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 5th January 2012
By: Staff Writer
Local media are this afternoon linking West Ham with a move for Barnet winger Mark Marshall. The Hammers are said to be one of three clubs casting an eye over the 24-year-old by today's edition of the Hendon & Finchley Times. Fellow Championship clubs Leeds United and Portsmouth are also credited with being interested in the player, who is out of contract at the end of the current season. "I would expect a lot of interest in Mark this month as his performances over the last 18 months have been very good," Marshall's 'advisor', Saif Rubie, said. "Two clubs saw bids rejected for him in the summer and I know a lot of clubs are watching him and weighing up moves for him this month. "Mark is out of contract in the summer and if he doesn't leave in January he will see out his contract and leave in the summer."
The Jamaican-born Marshall spent four plays playing non league football - for Yeovil, Carshalton, Grays and Eastleigh - before landing a two year deal with Swindon Town, the club currently managed by former Hammer Paolo Di Canio. Having barely featured at the Country Ground - Marshall made just 19 appearances, most of them from the bench during his two-year stay there - he was released on a free at the end of the 2009/10 season and snapped up by Barnet that same summer.
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Jordan plans go tits-up
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 5th January 2012
By: Staff Writer
Huddersfield boss Lee Clark insists that star striker Jordan Rhodes will not be sold during the current transfer window. Clark, speaking this morning in the wake of renewed interest from West Ham United in the 21-year-old Scottish international maintained that Rhodes would remain with the Terriers - regardless of the fee offered. "I don't know if the lad's taken any notice of it [the speculation] but he's getting better and better with each game," Clark told SSN. "His overall game has been superb, not just the goals. His hold up play, his movement, his use of team mates - he made a fantastic goal at Notts County for Gary Roberts. "I believe that if he's seeing the speculation - which he probably is - I'd think it would give him a boost - and why not? A young player, when you see clubs from the Premier League who've got top quality managers being interested in you it can only give you confidence. Jordan's using it in the right way and we're benefitting from it as a team.
"Keep it going I say to Jordan because I know, he knows, the owner knows, everybody inside the football club knows that come February 1st he'll [still] be our player. So if we're getting the benefits because he's full of confidence, then all well and good."
West Ham made enquiries into Rhodes' availablility last week. It has been claimed elsewhere that the club have made two seperate bids for the Oldham-born forward.
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Hammers chase Fergie
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 5th January 2012
By: Staff Writer
West Ham are interested in taking Newcastle's 20-year-old full back Shane Ferguson on loan, say reports from the North East. According to the Evening Chronicle, the Hammers have approached Newcastle with regards to taking the young Northern Irish interntional for the remainder of the current campaign. Ferguson joined Newcastle as a trainee in 2007 after spells with Derry City and Gaelic football outfit Derry GAA. Two years later he signed a three year contract and made his first team debut for the Magpies in a 3-2 Carling Cup win against Accrington Stanley in August 2010. He made a total of nine appearances for Newcastle last season including seven Premier League appearances. This season he has featured just twice so far, once in the Carling Cup and once in the league.
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Tomkins: no transfer request
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 5th January 2012
By: Staff Writer
Reports that James Tomkins has handed in a transfer request are wide of the mark, KUMB.com has learned. The Daily Star claimed this morning that JOHN Tomkins (since amended to James) had asked to leave in the wake of interest from Newcastle, who are managed by former Hammers boss Alan Pardew. "Newcastle's hopes of landing the defender received a huge boost yesterday when he told West Ham he wants to quit," read the story. However it was revealed this morning via the KUMB.com forums that the Star's story was complete nonsense and that the young central defender had made no such request.
* Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew made no reference to a purported £4million bid for Tomkins in a press conference this morning.
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Gone for a Burton
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 5th January 2012
By: Staff Writer
Young defender Callum Driver has joined Burton Albion on a month's loan. The 19-year-old full back has joined the Brewers until the start of February having been snapped up by Albion boss Paul Peschisolido, husband of West Ham United's vice chair Karren Brady. Talking via Burton's website, Peschisolido said: "With Andy Corbett out it was important that we brought somebody in and I'm sure he'll do a great job for us. He's an energetic lad, he gets up and down and he's got quality. He's a typical West Ham player. "It's his first attempt in the league but we've had some joy in the past with giving people league debuts." Driver signed his first pro contract with West Ham back in July of this year, having been with the club since the age of 12. He has made the bench for the first team on just the one occasion, when West Ham beat Barnsley 1-0 last month.
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Gold won't rule out departures
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 5th January 2012
By: Staff Writer
David Gold has admitted that West Ham could lose one or two of the club's most cherished players during the transfer window. The co-Chairman, speaking to whufc.com admitted that whilst he wanted to keep the best players at the club, if any wish to leave there is very little he or partner David Sullivan can do to prevent it. "We want to keep our best players, we've got a very tough four months to go," he said. "But it's very difficult for a Chairman of a football club to say 'that's definitely not going to happen'. "No supporter wants to lose any of their good players and we want to keep our best players as our focus is 100 per cent on promotion - and you don't gain promotion if you start selling your best players."
One player strongly linked with a move away from the Boleyn this transfer window is young central defender James Tomkins, who is said to be interesting Premier League clubs Newcastle and Tottenham. The former are reported to have had a £4million bid rejected this morning. However according to Gold the 22-year-old, who has become one of the club's prize assets this season is definitely unavailable. Tweeting yesterday, Gold said: "James is not for sale; promotion remains our priority."
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New live TV date
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 5th January 2012
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United's Championship meeting with Cardiff City has been delayed by 24 hours to allow for live TV coverage. The Hammers had been scheduled to visit the Bluebirds' new Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday, 3rd March. However with the game having been selected for live broadcast Sky TV, the fixture will now take place the following day, Sunday 4th March; kick off at 1:00pm. With supporters heading to Wales for the game likely to be ordered to collect tickets away from the ground - in a tit-for-tat response to the Met's decision to 'kettle' Cardiff supporters travelling to east London for the corresponding fixture earlier in the season - travelling to the game looks as if it will be fraught with difficulty. West Ham will travel to the Principality seeking revenge for the shock 1-0 home defeat back in August when City beat West Ham on the opening day of the season thanks to Kenny Miller's 90th minute goal.
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Gold rules out Tomkins exit
Hammers unwilling to sell star defender
Last Updated: January 5, 2012 2:42pm
SSN
West Ham co-owner David Gold insists defender James Tomkins is not for sale amid reports of a £4million bid from Newcastle United. The Hammers have are believed to have already rebuffed £2.5m and £3m offers for the 22-year-old, along with shunning the latest approach. Gold has labelled the talented youngster as a 'quality' player and someone who is 'not for sale'. Striker Carlton Cole has also been linked with a move elsewhere, but Gold remains intent of keeping their key personnel.
Not for sale
"Let me say that as far as James Tomkins is concerned, he is a West Ham player through and through," Gold told London24. "He has come through the Academy, he is loved by the fans, he has fought his way up, even since we have been here, and he has now come to the forefront and is a quality player. "We want to keep James Tomkins, we really do want to keep him. I think it is fair to say he is not for sale." Gold added on Cole: "We don't want to lose any of our players. "It is very difficult for a chairman of a football club to turn round and say this is definitely not going to happen. "No supporter wants to lose any of its good players and we want to keep our best players because our focus is 100 per cent on promotion and you don't gain promotion if you start selling. "So I can promise you that we will do everything we can to keep our best players."
Finance
Gold insists, along with co-owner David Sullivan, that they will personally finance any new signings made in January,as they do not want to burden the club with more debt. "If we can, we are looking to strengthen the squad," he said. "But what I keep telling everybody, the minute you announce you are looking for anybody, it makes it difficult to negotiate. "Sufficient to say that David Sullivan, Sam and myself are all looking to strengthen the squad, but we have to be patient. All new acquisitions will have to be paid for by David Sullivan and myself. "It is not our intention to burden the club with further debt. It is important that we reduce debt or hold it to its current level."
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Clubs eye Marshall move
Leeds, West Ham and Portsmouth keen on winger
By Pete O'Rourke - Follow me: @skysportspeteo. Last Updated: January 5, 2012 11:20am
SSN
Skysports.com understands Barnet star Mark Marshall is being chased by a host of clubs in this month's transfer window. The 24-year-old has been an impressive performer for Barnet since joining from Swindon Town in the summer of 2010. Charlton and Bournemouth both saw bids rejected for Marshall in the summer transfer window and Barnet are facing another fight to fend off interest in the flying winger. Portsmouth, Leeds and West Ham are all thought to be keeping tabs on Marshall as they look to bolster their attacking options this month. Marshall's current deal expires in the summer and Barnet could decide to cash in on him rather than risk losing him for nothing at the end of the season. Marshall's adviser, Saif Rubie, has admitted there is a lot of interest in his client and that a move could be on the cards this month. "I would expect a lot of interest in Mark this month as his performances over the last 18 months have been very good," Rubie told skysports.com. "Two clubs saw bids rejected for him in the summer and I know a lot of clubs are watching him and weighing up moves for him this month. "Mark is out of contract in the summer and if he doesn't leave in January he will see out his contract and leave in the summer."
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McNaughton returns to Hammers
Last Updated: January 5, 2012 2:03pm
SSN
Callum McNaughton is back with West Ham following the end of his loan spell at League Two side AFC Wimbledon. The 20-year-old centre-half had been at Kingsmeadow since September, making 16 appearances for Terry Brown's side. The Hammers did not give McNaughton permission to play in the FA Cup, meaning he is available to manager Sam Allardyce for this weekend's third-round tie at Sheffield Wednesday. McNaughton's one appearance for his parent club came in the Carling Cup in August, when he was sent off as West Ham crashed out 2-1 against Aldershot.
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Callum drives into Burton
Last Updated: January 5, 2012 12:36pm
SSN
League Two outfit Burton Albion have confirmed the signing of West Ham United defender Callum Driver on a month's loan. Albion boss Paul Peschisolido was keen to bring in a right-back ahead of the visit of Accrington on Friday night after parting company with Kevin Amankwaah and losing the services of Andy Corbett. Amankwaah was not offered a new deal at the end of his three-month contract last week and Corbett, who is suspended for the Stanley game after being sent off during the home defeat to Hereford over the Bank Holiday, is the only other specialist player in that position at the Pirelli Stadium. Driver signed his first professional contract with West Ham in the summer and the 19-year-old has been a regular member of the Hammers' reserve side. He was an unused substitute for first team against Barnsley last month. "With Andy Corbett out, it was important that we brought somebody in and I'm sure he'll do a great job for us. He's an energetic lad, he gets up and down and he's got quality. He's a typical West Ham player," said Peschisolido. "It's his first attempt in the league but we've had some joy in the past with giving people debuts."
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Hammers plan double swoop
Allardyce keen to bring in 'quality' forward and defender
Last Updated: January 5, 2012 11:09am
SSN
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce is keen to bolster his squad by signing a striker and a defender in the January transfer window. The Hammers start 2012 only behind Championship leaders Southampton on goal difference as they target an immediate return to the Premier League. Allardyce has already seen approaches for Huddersfield striker Jordan Rhodes and Cardiff midfielder Peter Whittingham knocked back and has been linked with Reading winger Jimmy Kebe. "In an ideal world, I will bring in two new players this month - a forward and a defender - because we only have five subs and we have to rotate the squad," the Upton Park boss said.
Pressed the button
"Two quality players would be great. Maybe we will go for a wide player as well. "We have already started the process of bidding but without any success at the moment, either permanent or loan deals. The co-owners Mr Sullivan and Mr Gold have pressed the button on a lot of potential deals already. "I can't be more pleased with the way they have supported me. More goals is what we are after but we haven't managed to clinch one yet. "I am optimistic for 2012. My hope is we can get the players in the squad fit and have a full squad to choose from. That would give me the opportunity to pick the best XI for each game rather than just who is available."
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Corluka Signs Tomorrow?
January 5th, 2012 - 11:00 pm by Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die
According to the Twitter feed of Adzman89, Spurs defender Vedran Coluka is having a medical at Upton Park tomorrow and will sign a permanent deal for a fee of only £1.8 million. If true, this has to be good news. He is still only 26 and is an established Croatian international. Let's hope Adzman89′s insider, known as Clunge, is right. I should point out that Harry Redknapp flat out ruled out Corluka's sale in the papers today.
UPDATE: Further news via the same source. It appears that Kevin Davies is refusing to sign a new contract at Bolton and is selling his house. Also, we are rumoured to have tabled a £900k bid for Reading's Jimmy Kebe. I wonder how gruntled Jack Collson will be by that news.
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Tony Cottee Column: It's time for Piquionne to go
London24
Tony Cottee, London24 West Ham columnist
Thursday, January 5, 2012
12:00 PM
I think that every West Ham fan breathed a sigh of relief when the Hammers managed to beat Coventry on Monday, and it gave everyone a much-needed boost after what had been not the greatest festive period for the club. Most fans would have taken a point at Birmingham City on Boxing Day before the game due in part to their unbeaten home record, but it was the manner in which West Ham drew. Creating that many chances and not killing the opposition off came back to haunt the Hammers when Birmingham equalised. That draw was then followed up on New Year's Eve by a terrible first 10 minutes at Derby, but West Ham bounced back with three vital points against Coventry. It wasn't the prettiest of games, but I didn't expect it to be, as all that was important was those points. What made the victory even better was that Southampton and Middlesbrough both lost, meaning that we went back into second place, level on points with the Saints.
Once again it was the captain Kevin Nolan that popped up with the all-important goal, his seventh of the season, and it was the perfect answer to those that have been criticising his form this season. I will admit that Kevin hasn't been playing at his best so far, but the best thing for him to do is to keep working hard and banging in the goals and I am sure that his form will improve. We created a lot of chances against Coventry and just couldn't seem to put them away, but I am not that worried as at least we are creating them. It's not like we are fashioning just two opportunities and coming away with a 1-0 win. Having said that, I do think that we need to bring in another striker to the club.
For me, Carlton Cole and Sam Baldock should be the first-choice partnership to lead the line and the more they play together the more they will understand each other and score more goals. However, if the forward line keeps changing then the strikers do not get settled and find it hard to build match fitness, so I hope that Sam Allardyce now sticks with those two. If proven goalscorers are available this month then the club should look at them, but I would like to see Sam Baldock become the number one striker at West Ham. Having said that, the more options you have, the stronger your squad becomes.
Allardyce has been rather critical of John Carew and Freddie Piquionne recently and I can understand why as they haven't really performed well this season. Carew came to the club without a pre-season under his belt, so was always behind the rest of the squad. He linked up well with Baldock for a few games but then he got injured and that has hampered him. I would like to see him stay at the club as he is a good option to use from the bench as he can cause a lot of damage in the final moments of a game.
However, I think that it really is the time for Piquionne to move on. He has had many chances this season and in the Premier League and he hasn't been good enough. On his day, he can be a good player, but he just hasn't done it consistently enough and I would be all for selling him in the transfer window. With the likelihood that a couple of players will join the club this month, I don't want to see any of our best talents leave. James Tomkins has been linked with a couple of clubs and he is an outstanding defender. However, I am fed up of seeing West Ham sell their best players, it has to stop. Unless we get a ridiculous offer from someone, then we just shouldn't sell him, although I would not be opposed to seeing some of our fringe players head for the exit. This weekend, the Hammers head to Hillsborough to face Sheffield Wednesday in the FA Cup, and I think it will be a tough game with both teams going for promotion in their respective leagues.
I think that Allardyce may change a few things around selection wise, and can see West Ham having to settle for a replay, which would suit me just fine, as it would mean I could make a trip to Upton Park to watch the game!
Tony Cottee was talking to Nathaniel John
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West Ham eyeing move for Fulham striker
By talkSPORT
Thursday, January 5, 2012
West Ham are keeping tabs on Andy Johnson's stuttering contract negotiations at Fulham. Johnson, 30, is out of contract in the summer and has failed to agree a new deal at Craven Cottage. Fulham are only willing to offer him a one-year extension, after he suffered an injury ravaged spell at the club, but the forward is looking for at least a two-year deal. The former Everton striker is a target for QPR and Blackburn and is likely to want to remain in the top-flight. But Hammers boss Sam Alardyce has already persuaded Kevin Nolan to drop down to the Championship and he could repeat the feat with Johnson, especially with his side joint-top of the table. Allardyce has been critical of his side's inefficiency in front of goal in recent weeks and he is keen to bolster his frontline ahead of the business end of the season. Huddersfield have rejected a £4m bid for Jordan Rhodes, who is thought to be Allardyce's number one strike target, but Johnson's situation is being monitored as he could be available for as little as £1.5m.
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West Ham warn Newcastle off defender after rejecting third bid
By talkSPORT
Thursday, January 5, 2012
West Ham have turned down a THIRD bid from Newcastle for highly-rated defender James Tomkins and insist he has not put in a formal transfer request. Tomkins has been strongly linked with a move to the north east club and Alan Pardew is hoping to beat Tottenham to the race for his signature. Newcastle have already seen two bids turned down but have now come back with a £4m offer for the former England Under-21 defender. But West Ham are refusing to cash in on their star defender and believe he has a major role to play for them as they look to gain promotion straight back into the top-flight. Reports had suggested that Tomkins had put in a transfer request, but the east London club have been quick to play down those rumours and insists he is staying at the club. Tomkins has been outstanding for the club this season and played a major role in helping them cement their position in the top two in the Championship.
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West Ham snub fresh £4m Newcastle offer for Tomkins
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 10:43 PM on 5th January 2012
Daily Mail
Newcastle have had an improved £4million bid for West Ham defender James Tomkins rejected. Manager Alan Pardew is eager to bolster his defence with Steven Taylor out for most of the season. However, West Ham co-owner David Gold insists Tomkins is not for sale. He said: 'We want to keep James Tomkins, we really do want to keep him. I think it is fair to say he is not for sale.' West Ham manager Sam Allardyce wants to retain Tomkins and bring in at least two players during the transfer window.
Huddersfield's Jordan Rhodes remains a priority and he has enquired about Tottenham's Sebastien Bassong while West Ham have also matched Leicester's offer for Reading winger Jimmy Kebe. Allardyce said: 'Two quality players would be great.'
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JAMES TOMKINS BID FAILS
The Star
WEST HAM have laughed off Newcastle's bid to sign James Tomkins for £4m. Toon boss Alan Pardew tabled a third offer for the defender, 22, on Wednesday. But the Hammers rejected the bid, labelling it nowhere near enough to tempt them to sell. Ex-Upton Park boss Pardew wants a new centre back after Steven Taylor was ruled out for the rest of the season with an Achilles injury. Tottenham are also eyeing former England Under-21 defender Tomkins. But, despite the top- flight interest, he has told Hammers boss Sam Allardyce he is happy to stay and help the Upton Park club secure an instant Premier League return.
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