By Laurent Picard - Created on 7 Jun 2007
Franck Queudrue is reportedly ready to leave Fulham as he is not a fan of
new manager Lawrie Sanchez's style of play. The Frenchman only joined
Fulham last summer but the sacking of Chris Coleman towards the end of the
season has led him to weigh up his options. Queudrue claims he feels uneasy
playing the direct style favoured by Sanchez, and as a result is now open to
offers from other clubs. "We can't say that the club had a good season,"
Queudrue told Football365.fr. "Regarding our squad, we could have done
better. "I left Middlesbrough because I felt it was the right moment for me.
I experienced everything with them and didn't want to play like it was a
routine. "Then Fulham contacted me and Chris Coleman's speech seduced me. He
wanted to rebuild the club. I love that kind of challenge. "Lawrie Sanchez
is totally different. He is an expert in direct football. I respect it but
it isn't for me. "We talked about it together. I haven't made a transfer
request, but I will study the possibilities. A departure is possible."
The former Lens defender is open to a return to France, although Premiership
interest may yet surface in the 2006 Uefa Cup finalist. "I have to meet my
agent. Before joining Fulham, there was a little something with Liverpool,"
Queudrue added. "We will see. The same with West Ham. "People often talk
about me going to Marseille. I don't think I am unaffordable for French
clubs."
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Parker makes up with Curbishley - Telegraph
By Mark Isaacs
Last Updated: 1:19am BST 08/06/2007
Scott Parker has settled his differences with Alan Curbishley and believes
that his £7 million transfer from Newcastle to West Ham can help him to
regain his place in the England squad. The pair had a major disagreement
when Parker left Charlton in controversial circumstances back in January
2004 to sign for Chelsea for £10 million. Curbishley, then manager at the
Valley, was against the midfielder leaving, but Parker defied his wishes and
made the move across London. "The fallout with Alan is water under the
bridge," Parker said. "These things happen and when I look back it showed
how much the manager thought of me. "We were going places when I was at
Charlton and there were obvious frustrations that I left. But there's no
doubting that under Curbs I played the best football of my career." Parker's
last appearance for England was the 2-0 defeat by Croatia in October. But he
is confident that he can force his way back into the reckoning for the
crucial European Championship qualifiers next season. "The new England
manager has come in and likes me as a player," Parker added. "I hope I can
go out there and really push on in an England sense." Curbishley still has
painful memories of Parker's departure from Charlton, but said it was the
timing that infuriated him the most. "I was disappointed, we were fourth in
the League and probably had the best team Charlton have had," he said. "It
was bad timing for everybody, but I sent Scott a letter straight after the
transfer expressing how much I appreciated what he did for me and the club."
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'Fantastic' Owen inspires Ashton - TeamTalk
West Ham striker Dean Ashton has taken inspiration from Michael Owen's
successful return and is ready to "prove" himself again. Ashton was 24 hours
away from making his England debut last summer when he suffered a broken
ankle in training which eventually ruled him out for the whole season. The
23-year-old has still not completed a full season in the Premiership after
successive January moves to Norwich and then to West Ham. Although his
exploits in helping the Hammers reach the 2006 FA Cup final caught the eye
of England head coach Steve McClaren, Ashton admits he is back to square one
again. "You can't describe how difficult it has been - it was just horrible.
It was everything you have dreamed of and next minute it has gone," he said.
"I've got to prove myself again and prove that I'm not a forgotten man and
that I'm the same player I was. "Michael Owen looks fantastic. He doesn't
look like he has had the injury he has had. "I think that is credit to him
and John Green who I am working with now. "I can definitely say that by the
start of the season I will easily be the fittest I have ever been and the
strongest I have ever been and I am excited by how I will feel."
McClaren and his assistant Terry Venables kept in touch with Ashton
throughout the year, which lifted his spirits when times got tough. Ashton's
first target is to get back playing but could England's friendly against
Germany on August 22 be a realistic goal? "I think it is just a case of just
getting myself fit. If I feel fit, I think my football won't be a problem,"
he said. "My brain hasn't got tired or hurt. That is going to be just the
same. It will take time to get accustomed to the games again but I think
after a few games I will feel good. "I would always want to get back to
being involved with England as soon as I ever could. The main thing is to
get back right and if that comes, then fantastic."
Peter Crouch will be suspended for England's next Euro 2008 qualifier,
against Israel at Wembley in September. "There are plenty of strikers who
will be fit and raring to go but if I am in Steve McClaren's plans then
brilliant," said Ashton. "But I know I have got to prove to everyone again
that I am a good player."
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Ashton: My injury nightmare - The Sun
By PAT SHEEHAN
June 08, 2007
DEAN ASHTON feared his career was over following the freak injury he picked
up on international duty. The West Ham striker, 23, missed the whole of last
season after breaking his ankle as England prepared for the friendly with
Greece in August. He needed two operations to repair the damage but his
initial hopes of making a return in January were dashed when the area became
swollen with scar-tissue problems. Ashton said: "At your low points, you
think you are never going to play again and that is a horrible feeling.
"Anyone who tells you they don't feel like that when they have gone through
a long layoff would be lying. "But the next day you don't feel like that and
you have just got to get on with what you have got to do. It is just a long
grind. "There were many low points. Some days I was fine. Other days it just
wasn't nice. You can't describe how difficult it has been — it was
horrible."
Ashton smacked six goals in 16 games for the Hammers within five months of a
£7.25million move from Norwich in January last year. He was then rewarded
with his first international call-up by England chief Steve McClaren. But
his nightmare began when he made a challenge in training. Ashton, who helped
launch a £7.5m sponsorship deal with holiday airline XL.com at Upton Park,
said: "It was everything you have dreamed of and the next minute it's gone.
"It was hard to take but I felt I dealt with it as well as I could. "Coming
to the games was very difficult because you had people asking when I would
be back and I wasn't sure. "The worse thing is to watch football when you
are injured. "There is no real remedy for keeping up your spirit. "Steve
McClaren rang me and so did Terry Venables to see how I was doing. "That
gave me a lift but, other than that, it was just one of those things you
have to deal with on your own and believe you will come back." Ashton added:
"I can definitely say that, by the start of the season, I will easily be the
fittest and strongest I've ever been — that really excites me."
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The Kia witness: Joorabchian may take stand for Sheffield United at Tevez
hearing - This Is London
08.06.07
Sheffield United are preparing to spring a massive surprise on the Premier
League and West Ham after requesting that Carlos Tevez's owners MSI give
evidence on their behalf. United chairman Kevin McCabe has asked Kia
Joorabchian, Tevez's closest adviser, to help with their bitter legal fight.
McCabe believes Joorabchian can help provide the evidence they hope will
keep them in the Premier League. Joorabchian's legal advisers are discussing
the possibility that he might appear in person — or at least give written
evidence — at the Premier League's unprecedented arbitration panel, which
sits on June 18 in London. His appearance could have a devastating impact on
the defence put forward from Upton Park. Sheffield United, who are refusing
to accept relegation, are believed to be encouraged by his positive
response.
Joorabchian was unavailable for comment yesterday, but has previously told
Sportsmail: "West Ham have unilaterally terminated the (Tevez) agreement and
I have left it in the hands of my lawyer, Graham Shear, to deal with the
matter."
The panel is examining whether Premier League rules were followed and
whether the independent commission acted correctly in deciding against a
points deduction for West Ham over irregularities in the signings of Tevez
and Javier Mascherano. Sheffield United are confident and are withholding
new manager Bryan Robson's transfer budget while the matter remains
unresolved.
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Curbishley will bring out the best in me, insists new Hammer Parker - This
Is London
07.06.07
Scott Parker is hoping he can rediscover his best form after linking up with
Alan Curbishley again at West Ham. Curbishley was critical of Parker when he
opted to join Chelsea in a £10million deal after spending seven successful
years with him at Charlton. But Parker still jumped at the chance to team up
with Curbishley again and has signed a five-year deal with the Hammers.
Parker, who joined Newcastle in a £6.5m deal in 2005 after first-team
opportunities were limited at Stamford Bridge, said: "I think, when I look
back, that it (Curbishley's criticism) showed what the manager thought of
me. "There is no doubting that under Curbs it was the best football that I
have played in my career."
Now Parker is hopeful that he can revive his fortunes at Upton Park with
Curbishley undergoing a summer rebuilding job backed by chairman Eggert
Magnusson's millions. "I think there is a foundation at the club. We are
heading the right way and hopefully we can really push on now," he added.
Curbishley admitted Parker could be a potential captain for West Ham,
although he reported no update on the future of current skipper Nigel
Reo-Coker, who has been the subject of a £7million bid from Aston Villa. "He
could be in the make-up, no disrespect to Nigel," said the Hammers boss. "We
will cross that bridge when we come to it."
On Reo-Coker, he added: "He is away with the (England) under-21s at the
moment with two of our other boys. "I have heard nothing in respect of any
activity. There are lots of rumours about our club at the moment. We can't
go around answering it all. It has been indicated but, as of now, he is
still a West Ham player."
Parker was captain at Newcastle, and Curbishley said: "Scott brings so many
qualities one of them and one of them is leadership, he was captain at
Newcastle. He played for me at Charlton as a young boy. "He has lots of
qualities, including his energy and enthusiasm which are going to endear him
to West Ham fans. He can score goals, he can make goals, he sees the pass.
When we had the chance to sign Scott, we went for it. We are pleased it went
through and we got our man. "It's been a bit busy. The transfer window is
open so there's an opportunity for people to do business. We are trying to
bring players in. We've got one today and hopefully we have got one coming
back (Dean Ashton)."
Parker left Charlton under a cloud following his £10million move to Chelsea,
and Curbishley admitted: "I was a little bit disappointed - we were fourth
in the league and it was the best team Charlton had had. "I sent Scott a
letter straight after expressing how much I appreciated what he had done for
the club. At the time I was speaking for everyone on behalf of Charlton,
saying it was something we didn't want to happen and something we didn't
need to happen."
Meanwhile Magnusson remains hopeful Carlos Tevez will stay at the club next
season and beyond. Despite the Hammers being fined £5.5million for the
illegal registration of Tevez and his fellow Argentinian international
Javier Mascherano, the striker's scintillating form helped the east London
club survive relegation and ensured his popularity with the fans. Some of
Europe's leading clubs are reported to be interested in signing Tevez, but
Magnusson said: "It's very simple. Carlos Tevez has a contract at this club
for the next three years. "He is a great player, a great lad. Everybody
loves him around the club."
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Reo-Coker still waiting for news on Villa link - icBirmingham
Jun 8 2007
NIGEL Reo-Coker is still waiting to hear whether he will be given permission
to speak to Aston Villa about a £7million move from West Ham. The Hammers
and England Under-21 captain handed in a transfer request last month after
helping the club avoid relegation from the Premiership. West Ham are still
considering this week's initial bid from Villa for Reo-Coker, who cost them
£500,000 from Wimbledon in January 2004. "A bid has been made and it's up to
the businessmen to come to some sort of arrangement," Reo-Coker said. "If
I'm given permission to go and speak, I'm given permission. But I've no
control." The 23-year-old midfielder insists handing in a transfer request
was a "difficult decision". "It's not something that any player will do
lightly," he said. "It's a very difficult decision. I've handed in a
transfer request because I don't believe my future is at West Ham." Whether
or not the Villa bid is accepted, it appears only a matter of time before
Reo-Coker leaves Upton Park. He was linked with a move to Arsenal in January
amid rumours he was unsettled at West Ham. Those stories upset Hammers'
supporters, some of whom jeered their skipper during the side's poor start
to the season. On Reo-Coker's future at the club, Curbishley added: "He is
away with the (England) Under-21s at the moment with two of our other boys.
"I have heard nothing in respect of any activity. There are lots of rumours
about our club at the moment. We can't go around answering it all. It has
been indicated but, as of now, he is still a West Ham player."
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Spurs rival Villa for West Ham's Harewood
tribalfooball.com - June 07, 2007
Tottenham have joined the race for West Ham United striker Marlon Harewood.
The forward has been told by Alan Curbishley he can leave for about
£4million.
Harewood, who netted the semi-final winner to take the Hammers to the 2006
FA Cup Final, has also attracted interest from Aston Villa, Portsmouth and
Wigan.
But Spurs boss Martin Jol has added the 27-year-old to his shopping list as
he seeks a forward to replace the outgoing Mido.
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WEST HAM REUNITED
£7m Parker and Curbs bury the hatchet
Neil Mcleman 08/06/2007
SCOTT PARKER insisted his bust-up with Alan Curbishley was "water under the
bridge" after he rejoined his former Charlton boss at West Ham yesterday.
Curbishley had claimed the England midfielder's £10million transfer to
Chelsea "left a bad taste in the mouth" after hitting out at Parker's
behaviour in January 2004. But yesterday the two men, who first met when
the player was a schoolboy at The Valley, happily renewed the working
relationship which Parker claimed brought out the best of his talents. "The
little fall-out with Alan is water under the bridge," said Parker, 26, who
joined for £7m from Newcastle. "These things happen and when I look back it
showed how much the manager thought of me. "We were going places when I was
at Charlton and there were obviously frustrations that I left. There's no
doubting that under Curbs I played the best football of my career. But if
you go around holding grudges in football, then you don't get anywhere. "I
have known Curbs since day one in my football career. I was at Charlton when
I was nine. He brought me up, he disciplined me and taught me all the stuff
as a young boy. I'm looking forward to playing under him again. I have come
in at the beginning of something and I am hoping that by the end of it we
are a real force."
Curbishley also said he had long buried the hatchet with Parker. "I was
disappointed, we were fourth in the League and probably had the best team
Charlton have had," he said. "Chelsea came in, it was bad timing for
everybody, but I sent Scott a letter straight after the transfer expressing
how much I appreciated what he did for me and the club. I met him soon after
that and there's never been a problem since. At the time I was speaking on
behalf of everyone at Charlton. It was something we didn't want to happen
and something we didn't need. But these things do happen. "It was a great
opportunity for Scott and, in the end, it was the haggling over the transfer
fee that was more to do with the fallout. When he came back one time and
scored at The Valley, I thought he was going to give me the finger, but he
didn't!"
Chairman Eggert Magnusson welcomed Parker - and took a swipe at the
departing captain Nigel Reo-Coker. "The signing symbolises the club's
ambitions," he said. "We need grown-up men at this club to move to the next
level."
West Ham yesterday announced a £7.5m three-year sponsorship deal with travel
company XL Leisure Group. "The XL deal says a lot about the financial muscle
of West Ham," the chairman said. "Slowly but surely we are now moving
towards becoming one of the top six clubs in the country." On Carlos Tevez,
Magnusson added: "He has a contract with us for the next three years and I
am hopeful he will be here next season."
Other unexpected player/boss reunions:
Rob Hulse & Bryan Robson: Robbo offloaded the striker to Leeds while at West
Brom - then inherited him when he became Sheffield Utd boss. Paul Konchesky
& Alan Curbishley: Sold to West Ham by Curbs in 2005, the ex-Charlton man
has barely played since Curbishley replaced Alan Pardew
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West Ham chairman: Parker signing shows ambition
tribalfooball.com - June 07, 2007
West Ham chairman Eggert Magnusson believes they've fired a warning at
Premiership rivals with the £7 million capture of Newcastle captain Scott
Parker.
"The signing of Scott Parker symbolises the club's ambitions going forward.
I am delighted we have signed Scott because he is a great player and a great
man. We need grown-up men at this club to move to the next level," Magnusson
said "This is the biggest sponsorship in West Ham's history. The deal says a
lot about the financial muscle of West Ham. "Slowly but surely we are now
moving towards becoming one of the top six clubs in the country." Magnusson
would like to add three more "quality players" to the squad while keeping
hold of Carlos Tevez, but admitted West Ham's new-found wealth has made
transfer negotiations difficult. "At the moment we are finding that clubs
are inflating their prices because everybody thinks we have a lot of money,"
he said.
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West Ham boss: Benayoun will sign deal
tribalfooball.com - June 07, 2007
West Ham United boss Alan Curbishley is confident Yossi Benayoun will sign
his new £50,000-a-week contract. Yossi phoned up yesterday to reiterate that
he is coming here tomorrow to sign it," said Curbishley. "He is a terrific
player and one who wants to be here. It is not a bad commitment, five years.
It is the same as Scotty (Parker) and we are delighted."
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Parker: No grudge with West Ham boss Curbishley
tribalfooball.com - June 07, 2007
New West Ham signing Scott Parker insists he never held a grudge against
manager Alan Curbishley after their blow-up at Charlton Athletic. "If you go
around holding grudges in football, then you don't get anywhere," said
Parker. "These things happen and when I look back it showed how much the
manager thought of me as a player. "I have known Curbs since day one in my
football career and there's no doubting that under Curbs I played the best
football of my career. "I was at Charlton when I was nine. He brought me up
and I suppose the player I am today in some ways has to reflect on Alan.
"He disciplined me and taught me all the stuff as a young boy. I'm looking
forward to playing under him again. "When I heard Newcastle were willing to
sell me I had to weigh up my options. After speaking to Alan and the
chairman I knew this is a club that really want to go places and I want to
be a part of that. "I have come in at the beginning of something and I am
hoping that by the end of it we are a real force. If we can bring in some
more signings we can really push on."
Curbishley made the first conciliatory move after Parker completed his
switch to Stamford Bridge, sending him a letter of gratitude for his efforts
during seven years at Charlton. "I was disappointed. We were fourth in the
league and probably had the best team Charlton have had. It was bad timing
for everybody," Curbishley recalled.
"I sent Scott a letter straight after the transfer expressing how much I
appreciated what he did for me and the club. There's never been a problem
since. "When he scored against Charlton at The Valley I thought he was going
to give me the finger or something, but he didn't!"
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West Ham kid Spence handed pro terms
tribalfooball.com - June 07, 2007
West Ham will hand pro forms to England U17 captain Jordan Spence next
month. Spence has followed in the footsteps of another former Ridgeway
Rovers youth player, David Beckham, in successfully making the step up from
park pitches.
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West Ham ready to double Bellamy's Liverpool wages
tribalfooball.com - June 07, 2007
West Ham United are ready to double Craig Bellamy's Liverpool wages to bring
him to Upton Park.The Daily Mail says West Ham boss Alan Curbishley has a
high regard for Bellamy and is ready to see off competition from Aston Villa
and Blackburn by offering terms of £70,000 a week.
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West Ham's Ashton: I thought career was over
tribalfooball.com - June 07, 2007
West Ham United striker Dean Ashton admits he feared his career was over as
he attempted to recover from knee surgery last season. The England striker,
23, missed the whole of last season after breaking his ankle as England
prepared for the friendly with Greece in August. He needed two operations to
repair the damage but his initial hopes of making a return in January were
dashed when the area became swollen with scar-tissue problems. Ashton said:
"At your low points, you think you are never going to play again and that is
a horrible feeling. "Anyone who tells you they don't feel like that when
they have gone through a long layoff would be lying. "But the next day you
don't feel like that and you have just got to get on with what you have got
to do. It is just a long grind. "There were many low points. Some days I was
fine. Other days it just wasn't nice. You can't describe how difficult it
has been - it was horrible." Ashton added: "I can definitely say that, by
the start of the season, I will easily be the fittest and strongest I've
ever been - that really excites me."
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West Ham chairman: Everyone keen to see Ashton back
tribalfooball.com - June 07, 2007
West Ham United chairman Eggert Magnusson admits the club is excited by the
prospect if having a fully fit Dean Ashton available next season. At Scott
Parker's signing ceremony yesterday, Magnusson said: "We want players that
can push us forward and improve us. We've got one in Scott and hopefully
we've got one coming back in Dean Ashton. "Both Scott and Dean should be
focused on forcing their way back into the England squad because they have
both had a taste of it and need to get back in there."
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Wigan move for West Ham keeper Carroll
tribalfooball.com - June 07, 2007
Wigan Athletic boss Chris Hutchings is chasing freed West Ham United
goalkeeper Roy Carroll. The Latics need cover for Chris Kirkland after John
Filan was released.
Hutchings said: "We are looking to bring another keeper in. We need
competition all over the park." Carroll, 29, played 170 times in a four year
spell at Wigan before moving to Man United in 2001. He joined West Ham in
2005 but has since fallen behind Robert Green in the pecking order.
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