Filed: Monday, 13th August 2007
By: Matthew O'Greel
George McCartney has been named in the Northern Ireland squad for the first
time in two years. Left-back McCartney has been out of contention since
falling out with former Ireland manager Lawrie Sanchez in 2005. However with
Sanchez - now at Fulham - since replaced by former Norwich manager Nigel
Worthington, McCartney has been welcomed into the squad once again.
McCartney is one of just six Premiership-based players named in the squad,
which consists mainly of players from the Football League. The Irish take on
Liechtenstein in Belfast on Wednesday, 22nd August.
Also included is former Hammer Roy Carroll, who joined Rangers on a free in
the summer.
Northern Ireland squad: Taylor (Birmingham), Carroll (Rangers), Mannus
(Linfield); Duff (Burnley), Baird (Fulham), McAuley (Leicester), Craigan
(Motherwell), Evans (Manchester United), Capaldi (Cardiff City), McCartney
(West Ham); Johnson (Birmingham), Gillespie (Sheffield United), Davis
(Fulham), Clingan (Nottingham Forest), Brunt (Sheffield Wednesday), Jones
(Burnley), McCann (Barnsley); Feeney (Cardiff), Healy (Fulham), Lafferty
(Burnley), Sproule (Bristol City).
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Solano: it's a London thing - KUMB
Filed: Monday, 13th August 2007
By: Matthew O'Greel
Newcastle's Nobby Solano has set his sights on a move to West Ham - despite
interest from abroad. The 32-year-old winger, who recently stated his desire
to move to The Boleyn confirmed that he had received offers from Spain but
would only consider a move to the capital. "There is a big decision to be
made in the next couple of days and, in a way, I am glad it is all out of my
hands," he said. "It is up to West Ham and Newcastle to decide what happens.
The reason I want to go to London is because my wife and two children have
moved there. "Yes, there are teams in Spain interested in me, but I won't
go. The only reason I will leave Newcastle is to go to London." Solano could
yet join Kieron Dyer at Upton Park, despite the plug being pulled on the
deal when Newcastle demanded an extra £2million for the player - despite
terms having already been agreed.
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Irons in striker talks - KUMB
Filed: Sunday, 12th August 2007
By: Matthew O'Greel
Eggert Magnusson has confirmed that West Ham are in talks with Barcelona
striker Eidur Gudjohnsen. Magnusson, talking to Icelandic website visir.is
last night revealed that the Hammers are involved in negotiations to bring
the former Bolton and Chelsea forward back to England. "Talks are ongoing,"
said Magnusson, when questioned by an Icelandic journalist following
yesterday's 2-0 defeat against Manchester City over the move to bring
Iceland's favourite son to East London. But contradicting earlier reports
that suggested a fee of around £8m has been agreed for the 28-year-old
striker, he added: "We have not had an offer accepted by Barcelona - the
papers are wrong. What is happening right now is that we are in talks with
Eidur and his agent. "That's how things stand at this moment in time."
Gudjohnsen has been declared surplus to requirements at the Nou Camp just 14
months after moving to Barcelona from Chelsea in a deal worth £8m, following
the recent arrival of Thierry Henry from Arsenal.
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Solano eyes West Ham move - SSN
Peruvian ready to leave
By Lewis Rutledge Last updated: 13th August 2007
Nolberto Solano has revealed that he could secure a switch to West Ham in
the next couple of days. The versatile Peruvian is eager to move to London
to be closer to his family, but admits it will be up to the two clubs to
decide. Solano has also attracted interest from Spain but insists he will
happily stay at St James' Park if he cannot go to the capital. "It is up to
West Ham and Newcastle to decide what happens," Solano told the Newcastle
Chronicle. "The reason I want to go to London is because my wife and two
children have moved there. "Yes, there are teams in Spain interested in me,
but I won't go. The only reason I will leave Newcastle is to go to London.
"It hasn't been an easy decision, but this is part of life. "I know I am a
professional footballer, but sometimes you have to put your family first -
and that's what I am doing."
Solano has been at Newcastle since 1998, though he did have an 18-month
spell at Aston Villa, and he believes the club has a bright future under Sam
Allardyce. "Sam Allardyce is a great man - I have spoken to him and he said
he will not stop me if I need to go," he explained. "But he has also told me
that if I want to stay then it will not be a problem. "And if nothing comes
from West Ham or London I will stay and be a part of this team because I
feel that something big is starting to happen here. "Being at Newcastle
United is the best thing that has ever happened to me, and I would love them
to win something whether I am here or not."
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Tevez never wanted to quit - SSN
Lure of Old Trafford move too much
By Mark Buckingham Last updated: 14th August 2007
Carlos Tevez insists quitting never crossed his mind as he waited to
complete his move to Manchester United. The Argentine has been the focus of
controversy since moving to England 12 months ago when he signed for West
Ham, along with compatriot Javier Mascherano. West Ham were fined
£5.5million regarding third-party ownership before Sheffield United launched
a High Court challenge in a bid to be reinstated to the Premier League.
There was then a delay in his adviser Kia Joorabchian reaching a settlement
deal with West Ham before Tevez was eventually given clearance by the
Premier League to join the champions. Having been presented as a United
player on Monday, Tevez admits he was always aware of the situation while on
Copa America duty, and never considered walking away from the game. "It is
impossible not to know what was going on during the summer," said Tevez. "I
started to realise - because each game passed in the Copa America and still
the matter was not resolved. "But I never felt I would be forced out of the
game.
"It hurt me to leave West Ham anyway, but the lure of Manchester United was
just too much."
Tevez is due to make his United debut against Portsmouth on Wednesday, when
he will fill in for the injured Wayne Rooney. He added: "It is a big blow to
lose Wayne. He is a great player and he will be very difficult to replace.
"But at a big club like Manchester United you hope to have a number of
players who can slot in. "Now I need to write my own piece of history at the
club and do everything I can to help Manchester United be successful."
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Fred: Sven will silence critics - The Sun
By CHARLIE WYETT
August 14, 2007
FREDDIE LJUNGBERG has tipped Sven Goran Eriksson to become a massive hit at
Manchester City. Fellow Swede Ljungberg was in the West Ham side beaten 2-0
by City on Eriksson's return to club management on Saturday. And the former
Arsenal midfielder, 30, said: "Sven could do very, very well. When he became
England manager, he didn't like not seeing players on a day-to-day basis.
"He likes his players to be together, to be happy and he is very good at
improving team morale. "He has signed some good players, he has done well at
club level and has won most things. He is a great coach." Hammers keeper
Robert Green added: "He'll do very well. Tactically, he got it spot on
against us."
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McCARTNEY LAMENTS COLD SHOULDER - Sporting Life
By Ken Gaunt, PA Sport
West Ham defender George McCartney has blamed former manager Lawrie Sanchez
for his two-year absence from the Northern Ireland squad. McCartney fell out
of favour with Sanchez when he was in charge and last played for the
province 26 months ago, with the Fulham boss questioning the player's
attitude.
Now, though, he has been picked in new manager Nigel Worthington's first
squad and is likely to face Liechtenstein in a Euro 2008 qualifier on August
22 because Aaron Hughes is out injured. McCartney is still hurt at what
happened under Sanchez. "I have always wanted to play for Northern Ireland,"
he told BBC Radio Ulster. "But there were some strange goings-on with Lawrie
that kept me from playing for my country. "I have always been proud to put
on the shirt."
McCartney is, however, expecting a mixed reception from the fans at Windsor
Park a week on Wednesday. He said: "I know some of them will welcome me back
and others will be a bit hesitant. "But I hope by the time the Liechtenstein
game comes around the fans will push everyone on towards qualifying."
Worthington got word that McCarthy was keen to return and is delighted to
have him back on board. "I spoke with George a few weeks ago and I know he
was thrilled to get the call," said the former Norwich boss. "We do not have
a great number of players to call on, being a small nation. "So it is useful
for me that we can bring in George who has a lot of Premier League
experience. His knowledge and experience will help the group."
Worthington will monitor the fitness of Manchester United defender Jonny
Evans and Birmingham midfielder Damien Johnson. Evans has an ankle injury,
while Johnson has been troubled with a hamstring strain. Both are rated
50-50. Worthington cannot wait for kick-off. "I am looking forward to the
challenge because it is a new experience and different to club management,"
he said. "We have some good young talent, and that is pleasing. "However, we
cannot afford to dismiss Liechtenstein out of hand. That would be foolish.
We will need to be fully committed."
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Ashton's England role hope - The Mirror
EXCLUSIVE
By Darren Lewis 14/08/2007
Dean Ashton has told England boss Steve McClaren: "I can be your new No.l
striker." With Wayne Rooney sidelined, the £7million West Ham forward has
every chance of leading the attack in the friendly with Germany on August
22. Ashton's appearance against Manchester City on Saturday was his first
after more than a year out with a broken ankle, an injury that robbed him of
an England debut against Greece. "One of my targets is to get back to where
I was in the England squad and making a start for my country is a massive
dream of mine, especially after the year I have had," he said. "I want to be
the main striker for England. That's my goal. The plan is to play well for
West Ham, score goals and put it into Steve McClaren's mind that I'm there
and hopefully playing well enough to give him a hard decision. Then
hopefully I will get a call."
Michael Owen is a doubt for the Germany visit to Wembley and McClaren flew
back from a trip to see David Beckham in the US to watch Ashton at Upton
Park. Ashton added: "I'm absolutely desperate to get back into the England
squad. I know I'm not as quick as some of the lads, but I'm different. I'm
big, but I think I use my size to my advantage. "If you look at the Premier
League there aren't really players like me any more. There's no big striker
who can hold the ball up, run in behind and link up play. That's where I'd
like to think I could do a job for England."
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EGG TRIES ONE LAST TIME TO GET EIDUR - The Mirror
EXCLUSIVE FOOTBALL SPY
By Alan Nixon 14/08/2007
West Ham are offering Eidur Gudjohnsen a record £80,000 a week - but want an
answer from the Barcelona striker today. The Hammers have sent officials and
an agent to Spain to persuade the ex-Chelsea star to join them - and to drop
his £100,000-a-week demands. Gudjohnsen, 28, is holding out for a massive
pay-day, despite Barca showing him the door and being willing to accept
£6.7million from Hammers, or indeed any other club. West Ham have spent
heavily under Icelandic owner Eggert Magnusson, but this would be a
mind-boggling piece of business because of Gudjohnsen's personal terms.
Magnusson has won the signing races for Scott Parker and Craig Bellamy
because of his spending power, but fellow Icelander Gudjohnsen is the
biggest catch of the lot because of his staggering pay demands. The forward
and his father, who is also his agent, are holding out for the six-figure
weekly pay packet - yet their willingness to discuss the deal has given
Hammers encouragement that they will take a drop in wages. But West Ham need
an answer immediately as they have other options and will cross him off
their list if he hesitates. Hammers are keeping their interest in
Newcastle's Kieron Dyer alive, while Middlesbrough's Yakubu is also on their
wish-list. Gudjohnsen would be one of the catches of the summer because of
his top-flight CV and age. However the wages that have scared off all the
other bidders, including the Premier League's Everton and Boro, are still
the final hurdle.
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Noble: West Ham dressing room was silent
tribalfooball.com - August 13, 2007
Mark Noble admits the West Ham dressing room was silent after their defeat
at home to Manchester City. Noble, watched by England coach Steve McClaren,
was overrun by City's midfield in the first half while Lee Bowyer, looking a
shadow of the player he was with Charlton and Leeds, was substituted at
half-time.
"There was just silence in the dressing room afterwards because we knew we
hadn't performed," said Noble. "It was such a big disappointment because
everyone was looking forward to this season so much. We have to keep things
in some kind of perspective though. It's only the first game of the season.
Last season we won that and look what happened afterwards."
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Derby boss: West Ham have competition for Barnes
tribalfooball.com - August 13, 2007
Derby boss Billy Davies says West Ham face competition for midfielder Giles
Barnes. Davies has confirmed Derby have received improved offers for Barnes
- and not only from West Ham. Derby do not want to sell the 19-year-old and
say the bids fall well short of their valuation of the player. "At the
moment they are miles away for us to even consider any move taking place,"
said Davies, who sees Barnes' future at Pride Park. "Roll on the end of
August and hopefully Giles will be with us for the remainder of this season
and beyond because I feel his development must continue at Derby."
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Solano prepared to stay with Newcastle
tribalfooball.com - August 13, 2007
Newcastle United midfielder Nobby Solano says he's happy to stay at St
James' Park should a move to West Ham not come off. "Sam Allardyce is a
great man - I have spoken to him and he said he will not stop me if I need
to go," he told the Evening Chronicle. "But he has also told me that if I
want to stay then it will not be a problem. "And if nothing comes from West
Ham or London I will stay and be a part of this team because I feel that
something big is starting to happen here. "Being at Newcastle United is the
best thing that has ever happened to me, and I would love them to win
something whether I am here or not."
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West Ham looking at new stadium site - eufootball.biz
England - 14 August, 2007
English West Ham are in talks with the London Development Agency about a new
stadium for 2011. Previously, the club made a GBP 100 million try for the
Olympic stadium after the 2012 Games. But that was denied. The new site is
opposite West Ham underground station.
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