29/08/2007 22:17
West Ham United's reserves were unlucky to lose out in the first game of the season at home to Aston Villa. Kyel Reid's blistering shot levelled the scoring but Villa snatched a late winner in the 89th minute.
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Hammers table £15m bid - KUMB
Filed: Wednesday, 29th August 2007
By: Matthew O'Greel
West Ham are reported to have made a bid of £15million for Inter's Brazilian striker Adriano. It was claimed by SkySports last night (Tuesday) that West Ham's audacious bid to land the 25-year-old out of favour international had failed after a loan deal was refused. But Italian TV claim tonight that the Hammers have made a cash bid of €22m (approximately £15m) for Adriano, who has refused to leave Milan unless a permanent deal is agreed. The report stated further that the striker is expected to make a decision sometime within the next 24 hours. Despite the current speculation Adriano has been included in the Inter side which faces Barcelona at the Nou Camp later this evening. Kick-off, for those interested in taking a look, is at 9pm GMT.
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Hammers target Mancini - SSN
By Peter O'Rourke Last updated: 29th August 2007
West Ham are set to make a move for Roma's Mancini, skysports.com understand. The talented Brazilian has emerged as a target for Alan Curbishley - after Kieron Dyer broke his leg, joining long-term injury victim Julien Faubert on the sidelines. Both Lyon and Liverpool have strongly linked with moves for Mancini over the summer - but Roma have always insisted they had no plans on letting the talented forward leave. However, West Ham - who have huge financial clout through their Icelandic backers - are ready to make a move which they hope will be enough to land their man. The Hammers are set to make a number of moves ahead of the transfer window on Friday and they will be hopeful of making Mancini one of them.
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West Ham Fans, it's time for your 2007 Wake Up Call. - West Ham Online
Ged - Wed Aug 29 2007
So the 2007/2008 season is finally underway and as has happened in the last two seasons, we've picked up 4 points from the opening three games. Obviously it's far too early to draw meaningful comparisons - the 2005/06 season having been an absolute storming triumph - FA Cup Final in our first season back and our lowest league position all season being 9th - a first, I believe in Hammers history; the 2006/07 season seeing absolutely mixed fortunes that even Nostradamus would have struggled to foresee.
Naturally everyone wants to put last season as far behind us as possible and to "push on" from the successes of the previous season, even allowing for the fact that our survival last season required us to deliver Champions League form to achieve it.
And why not? With the turmoil of last season all but over now, our new owner making money available to make the sort of signings that only a few seasons ago we would have thought unlikely, many have very high expectations of what the future holds for the our beloved club. Surely, OUR time has arrived? Surely we can consider ourselves serious top 6 contenders? Surely talk of signing world beaters isn't so unrealistic? Surely?
Not so fast.
Some people are either very selective in their memories or plain unrealistic.
Last season, we survived by the skin of our teeth. Remember?
"Our Saviour", Alan Pardew, went and got himself crucified mid season; our erstwhile chairman demonstrated his poor credentials to the last, and beyond; our name was dragged through the footballing mud as Kevin McCabe and Dave Whelan played to a media happy to be told what the issues were surrounding the Carlos Tevez affair, rather than look at the actual facts and that campaign has run well into this transfer window and apparently, could run on further as Sheffield United continue in their crusade to get compensation for the effects of relegation. It matters not that their original case has been dismissed already, there can be no doubting that by these issues remaining in the press are likely to be influencing how we are perceived as a club.
So, taking all these things into consideration, I'm mildly surprised to see and hear the confusion and disappointment espoused by many fellow hammers that we are not attracting top flight players (even though the ones we are attracting, on the whole, could be considered better than those departing).
Within the football world I imagine we are still perceived as a club in turmoil. We're still picking up the pieces. Who's going to break ranks first and take a risk by joining us? I don't expect to learn the answer to that one until January at the earliest, but of course we live in hope.
So what, that we have money?
Since our return to the premiership, several clubs have attracted serious investors, not least of all Manchester United and Liverpool, not to mention Newcastle, Manchester City and Aston Villa, however, we're still a newly promoted side, who escaped relegation by the skin of our teeth in what many perceive to be questionable circumstances.
And we haven't actually won anything in 25 years. All the money in the world won't change that.
I firmly believe that Eggert Magnusson has every intention of trying to make us regular contenders for Europe however even since he took over the playing field has changed significantly, the opposition strengthened and the goal posts moved.
What some people seem to fail to appreciate is that we're now in a position where having rich owners is the minimum you'll now need to be top 10 regulars, let alone competing for the Champions League.
As I've said in the last few months, I'm not overly convinced by our current manager, however, in view of the foregoing, I don't think it would be unreasonable to surmise that Magnusson has brought Curbishley in as an experienced and, given the timing, readily available, premiership manager, who kept an under resourced team around mid table for several season, and that as a club in turmoil he might be the man to be able to rebuild what appeared to be a previously stable foundation.
I don't expect great things this season. I hope for a decent cup run perhaps, a top 12 finish maybe, but most of all, I expect most of the troubles that have dogged us in the last 12 months to fade away and leaving us in uncontroversial circumstances with a good name and image and able to really push on in the manner we would have liked to have done last season. But these things don't go away over night.
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Kieron Dyer injury fires West Ham fury - Telegraph
By Jeremy Wilson
Last Updated: 2:00am BST 30/08/2007
West Ham yesterday made no attempt to conceal their anger at the challenge by Bristol Rovers defender Joe Jacobson which broke Kieron Dyer's right leg in two places. Although the Football Association have confirmed there is no case for further action against Jacobson, the West Ham players were united in condemning the tackle. "Kieron got away from him and the player had a needless lash out at him," said Hayden Mullins. "It's a bit of common sense - if Kieron is getting away from the lad, I don't see the need to hack at him. As professional players, you cannot condone that sort of act."
Lee Bowyer, who famously clashed with Dyer when they were team-mates at Newcastle United, added: "Obviously the fella has not meant to break his leg but I don't think it was a very nice tackle."
Bristol Rovers, though, believe that any suggestion of intent by Jacobson has been exaggerated. Rovers team-mate Richard Walker said: "I'm sure he [Jacobson] will write him a letter or give him a phone call to wish him all the best, and once everyone has seen it on TV they will know it was a complete accident. West Ham are trying to make more of it than it is but there was definitely no intent there from what I saw.
"It was an accidental clash. Obviously it was a bad injury for him and he must be the unluckiest man in football but it is one of those things that happen all the time. They just crossed paths and it was a free-kick incident. There was no intent there."
West Ham were yesterday unable to give any clear indication of when Dyer might return to fitness. A club statement described Jacobson's tackle as "late" and added: "Kieron was rushed straight to hospital where it was confirmed he had fractured the tibia and fibula of his right leg. It is too early to say how long the player will be out for as this will become clearer once the first stage of surgery is completed."
Bowyer said any past problems with Dyer were long forgotten. "Me and Kieron get on well, we have a laugh and there is no problem," he said. "I was delighted when he signed and sad this has happened to him. I mean that from the bottom of my heart. I like Kieron as a person and always have. What happened at Newcastle was heat of the moment, it wasn't personal, we got on before and still do now."
The club have made offers for the Inter Milan striker Adriano and Reading left-back Nicky Shorey, but they accept time is now running out. Deputy chief executive Scott Duxbury travelled to Milan and held talks with Adriano this week and, although the club have not ruled out making an outright offer to buy the Brazilian permanently, any transfer appears unlikely before the end of the month.
West Ham will today formally respond to the legal action brought against them by Sheffield United in respect of the Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano signings.
The case is not expected to be heard by an FA arbitration panel until the New Year. The case may hinge on a document regarding an amended third-party agreement which Sheffield United suspect was withheld by the club's new owners.
West Ham deny withholding any relevant documents.
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The Importance of Being Noel - West Ham Till I Die
August 30th, 2007
An anecdote from a reader from the Man City game…
A mate of mine was waiting (with his son) to meet Curbs after the game v City. He'd been invited, naturallly. There in the car park (and he has a pic to prove this) was Noel Gallagher on his mobile. Several kids spot him and surround him at which point Noel says to his caller "I'm being surrounded by f****** West Ham fans"..the self-same fans (deliberately) start calling "Liam, can you sign this please…Liam can you write in my programme " etc…at which point he hangs up his phone and shouts…"I'm not f****** Liam…I'm f****** Noel!"
Never liked him.
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Rams fear new Barnes bid - The Sun
By MARTIN BLACKBURN
August 30, 2007
DERBY fear Kieron Dyer's horror injury will spark a fresh approach from West Ham for teenage midfielder Giles Barnes. The Hammers made a move for the Barking-born whizkid earlier this month — but were told he was not for sale. Rams boss Billy Davies values Barnes, 19, at £5million-plus and is desperate to keep the youngster at Pride Park to boost his club's chances of staying in the Premier League. But Alan Curbishley needs to sign a replacement for Dyer, who broke a leg at Bristol Rovers on Tuesday night. And the West Ham chief could weigh in with another cheeky bid for Barnes before the transfer window shuts at midnight tomorrow. Meanwhile, West Ham target Adriano is wanted by Middlesbrough after the Inter Milan striker snubbed a move to the East End.
Riverside boss Gareth Southgate approached the Brazilian's advisors having finally sold Yakubu to Everton yesterday. Adriano, 25, is being offered around a host of Premier League clubs after falling out with boss Roberto Mancini at the San Siro. Inter want Adriano to go on loan for a season and return to Italy next year. But the striker is keen to quit the club for good — which will suit Southgate. He has already missed out on PSV's Ivory Coast hitman Arouna Kone and Brazilian Afonso Alves from Heerenveen.
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Hammers step up £5m hunt for Barnes - The Independent
By Jason Burt
Published: 30 August 2007
West Ham United are to re-double their efforts to sign Giles Barnes before tomorrow's transfer window deadline but may have to pay more than £5m for the talented 19-year-old midfielder.
The Premier League club are also hopeful of securing Nicky Shorey although they will have to offer £6m after a £5m bid was yesterday rejected by Reading. The 26-year-old has told the Royals he wants to leave and has no intention of signing a new contract.
However, West Ham's chances of securing Adriano are fading fast despite agreeing to pay a transfer fee of up to £15m for the Brazilian striker rather than a one-year loan deal as was initially proposed.
West Ham are also willing to meet his wage demands but believe their prospects have been harmed because of a dispute between Adriano and his club, Internazionale, although it also appears that the player has now rejected the move.
It may be a deal that West Ham return to in January, as with their continued interest in Eidur Gudjohnsen. But there are also suggestions that Inter are less keen to let Adriano go because Alvaro Recoba, another striker deemed surplus to requirements, is close to agreeing a move to Torino.
Inter had tried to do a deal with Arsenal – with the Italian club wanting to take midfielder Mathieu Flamini in return but the proposal was dismissed by Arsène Wenger. Manchester City, however, do remain interested in Adriano.
West Ham have contacted Derby County again to inquire about Barnes, despite having at least two previous bids, of £2.5m and £4m, rejected. The player has missed the start of the season through injury but is now believed to be close to fitness.
The double fracture to Kieron Dyer's right leg, which will see him out of action for at least six months, has not influenced the interest in Barnes despite Julien Faubert, another right-sided player, also suffering from a long-term injury.
Derby, meanwhile, are still hopeful of signing Celtic's Kenny Miller for £2.5m, while a deal is set to be agreed with the Monaco striker Mohammed Kallon, who is available on a free transfer, as they attempt to boost their striking options.
It is unlikely they will be joined by David Nugent after the Portsmouth striker, who has been told he can leave by manager Harry Redknapp despite joining for £6m only a few weeks ago, insisted that he wanted to stay at Fratton Park.
Redknapp confirmed that Derby had made an inquiry for Nugent. After Tuesday's League Cup victory over Leeds United, Redknapp said: "It's down to what David wants to do. I brought him in here and like him but it's no secret Derby would like to buy him. His old manager [Billy Davies] fancies him so we'll have to wait and see. They have been in for him. If David wants to go, he can go. If I have to raise some money for a top player, it's down to who I get an offer for."
Redknapp had hoped to use the money to sign another striker himself. However, his attempts to land a number of targets, including Bolton's Nicolas Anelka, have also been rebuffed.
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Neill backs Rovers defender over Dyer tackle - The Times
Gary Jacob
Joe Jacobson, the Bristol Rovers defender, has found an unlikely ally in Lucas Neill after being heavily criticised by West Ham United for a tackle that led to Kieron Dyer breaking a leg. Neill, the West Ham captain, said that he believed that it was an innocuous challenge, despite Jacobson being condemned by Alan Curbishley and confronted by Craig Bellamy, the forward, in the tunnel after the Carling Cup second-round tie on Tuesday.
Dyer, who was making his first start for the club, will be out for many months after he fractured his tibia and fibula early in the 2-1 victory when Jacobson stretched out in a tackle. Curbishley, the West Ham manager, accused Jacobson of deliberately "lashing out" at Dyer. Mike Jones, the referee, awarded a free kick but took no further action.
"It wasn't an overly aggressive challenge or full of malice but it was a foul," Neill said. "Everyone is devastated that it has happened to the poor lad [Dyer]. We really feel for him. We're all going to go and visit him and hope that he has a speedy recovery.
"It's the scariest time for a footballer and no one likes to see it. He's only been here a couple of weeks and after all the activity that went on trying to get him as well. He was starting to look really good, he was hungry, he was determined to do well and he was looking sharp in training. He has great experience, both internationally and domestically, and it's a big loss."
West Ham will increase efforts to sign another midfield player, after also losing Julien Faubert for most of the season. The winger ruptured his Achilles tendon in July, only 16 days after arriving at Upton Park from Bordeaux.
Jacobson declined to comment yesterday, on the advice of his club, but it is believed that he feels that he did nothing untoward. Only Hayden Mullins, the opposing midfield player, remonstrated with Jacobson at the time of the incident.
"I told him there was no need for the tackle and for a fellow professional to break another's leg in that way was totally reckless," Mullins said. "Jacobson said it was just a collision but I'm sure I saw him hack out for a needless reason when Kieron was getting away from him and that's what incensed me. It's a horrible one."
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Socceroos stars named for MCG friendly - smh.com.au
Email Print Normal font Large font August 30, 2007 - 1:34PM
World Cup stars Lucas Neill, Mark Schwarzer, Mark Bresciano and Vince Grella have been named to return home for the Socceroos' match against Argentina at the MCG next month. Coach Graham Arnold named a 21-man squad for the friendly international against the South American giants on September 11.
Only four A-League players are included in the squad as a Socceroos foreign legion minus Harry Kewell and Mark Viduka makes the trek down under. Germany-based striker Josh Kennedy, who made a huge impact in the opening match of the 2006 World Cup against Japan, will make his Socceroos return after missing all of last season with injury. For Bresciano the game will mark a special return to his home town following a frustrating few weeks hoping for a transfer from Italian club Palermo to English Premier League club Manchester City. "It'll be a very big game, especially against the team we are playing (Argentina), who are a world class team," Bresciano said. "I think this game will pull every soccer fan in Melbourne, or even in Australia actually, as everyone would love to come and watch Argentina and our own nation play against each other. "This is the start of our (2010) World Cup campaign as there are only a couple of games until we get under way in February." Arnold said the team faced a massive challenge against the No.2-ranked team in world football.
"The challenge that we will face taking on Argentina is one that our players are looking forward to," Arnold said. "It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for some of the players to come up against some of the best players in the world and to test themselves at this level."
Socceroos squad:
Mark Bresciano (Palermo, Italy), Vincenzo Grella (Torino, Italy), Mark Schwarzer (Middlesbrough, England), Nick Carle (Genclerbirligi, Turkey), Josip Skoko (Wigan, England), Michael Beauchamp (Nuremburg, Germany), Luke Wilkshire (Twente, Holland), Josh Kennedy (Nuremburg, Germany), Brett Holman (NEC Nijmegen, Holland), Carl Valeri (Grosseto, Italy), David Carney (Sheffield United, England), Archie Thompson (Melbourne Victory, Australia), Jason Culina (PSV Eindhoven, Holland), Michael Thwaite (Wisla Krakow, Poland), Scott McDonald (Celtic, Scotland), Clint Bolton (Sydney FC, Australia), Alex Brosque (Sydney FC, Australia), Patrick Kisnorbo (Leicester City, England), Simon Colosimo (Perth Glory, Australia), Lucas Neill (West Ham, England), Dean Heffernan (Central Coast Mariners, Australia)
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Upton Park hits crock bottom! - The Mirror
30/08/2007
West Ham's transfer curse under Alan Curbishley:
Nigel Quashie (£1.5m): Out since early March with foot injury.
Matthew Upson (£6m): Strained calf 30 minutes into his debut, played 11 minutes on his comeback and missed rest of season. Has started (and finished) all three league games this season.
Calum Davenport (£3m): made six appearances last season and is out with a hernia
AdvertisementLucas Neill (£1.5m): Injured ankle on debut to keep him out for a month, then knee ligaments in pre season.
Julien Faubert (£6.1m): Ruptured Achilles in pre-season.
Scott Parker (£7m): injured knee in pre-season, yet to play.
Freddie Ljungberg (£3m): has not played since loss to Man City on opening day after a groin injury.
Kieron Dyer (£6m): Set for six months out.
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Fulham want Zamora - Daily Mail
Last updated at 06:30am on 30th August 2007
Fulham manager Lawrie Sanchez is weighing up a move for West Ham striker Bobby Zamora after being rebuffed in his efforts to land Jason Roberts from Blackburn Rovers. Sanchez is also trying to sign Portsmouth veteran Dejan Stefanovic. Sanchez needs a replacement for Zat Knight after his move to Aston Villa.
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Hammers make Mancini overture - Daily Mail
Last updated at 08:21am on 30th August 2007
The Hammers had already been robbed of summer signings Freddie Ljungberg, Scott Parker and Julien Faubert through injury before Kieron Dyer's horror injury at Bristol Rovers and manager Alan Curbishley will again be looking to strengthen his squad. But he vowed to play a strong side in the next round of the Carling Cup. He said: "Although you sometimes end up wondering why, I sent out a strong side for this game and it won't make me think twice the next time because we see the League Cup as a competition we can do well in. "I said to the players before the game that you have had Middlesbrough and Bolton get to finals and Wigan as well. "It is an opportunity to get into Europe so we will attack it. I do feel at the moment that luck is against us but we will just have to push on to the Reading game at the weekend." Curbishley had hoped to give Dean Ashton his first start since the 2006 FA Cup final but the striker, who had suffered a broken ankle a year ago, remained in London as his partner had gone into labour. That meant giving Bellamy a game despite a groin problem and Curbishley was naturally relieved when the Welshman not only came through unscathed but won the tie with a well-taken first-half double.
He said: "Craig came off on Saturday with a niggling injury and I wondered whether I was doing the right thing by playing him but he got a couple of goals and he is really pleased with himself."
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HAMMERS MOVE IN FOR ANOTHER INJURED PLAYER - Football365
West Ham are back in for Giles Barnes after Kieron Dyer was ruled out for up to nine months.
The Hammers have previously had two bids for the Derby winger rejected this summer. Barnes hasn't played this season because of injury. Clearly, this makes him the perfect candidate for a move to West Ham.
'West Ham have contacted Derby County again to inquire about Barnes, despite having at least two previous bids, of £2.5m and £4m, rejected,' claims The Independent. 'The Premier League club are also hopeful of securing Nicky Shorey although they will have to offer £6m after a £5m bid was yesterday rejected by Reading. The 26-year-old has told the Royals he wants to leave and has no intention of signing a new contract.'
As for Adriano, it's believed that he has rejected a move to Upton Park.
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Derby brace for new West Ham bid for Barnes
tribalfooball.com - August 29, 2007
Derby County are bracing themselves for a new bid from West Ham for midfielder Giles Barnes. The Hammers made a move for the Barking-born whizkid earlier this month - but were told he was not for sale. Rams boss Billy Davies values Barnes, 19, at £5million-plus and is desperate to keep the youngster at Pride Park to boost his club's chances of staying in the Premier League. But Alan Curbishley needs to sign a replacement for Dyer, who broke a leg at Bristol Rovers on Tuesday night. And the West Ham chief could weigh in with another cheeky bid for Barnes before the transfer window shuts at midnight tomorrow.
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West Ham seek to rumble Mancini's Roma talks
tribalfooball.com - August 29, 2007
West Ham United are expressed interest in Roma winger Amantino Mancini. Aware that Mancini's agent, Gilmar Veloz, is in Europe for contract talks with Roma this week, West Ham have made contact about bringing the Brazilian to London. The Hammers have turned to Mancini after seeing Kieron Dyer suffer a double leg fracture in Carling Cup action this week.
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Walker raps West Ham over Dyer claims
tribalfooball.com - August 29, 2007
Bristol Rovers striker Richard Walker is unhappy with the way West Ham have blamed teammate Joe Jacobson for Kieron Dyer's broken-leg injury.
He said: "I'm sure he will write him a letter or give him a phone call to wish him all the best and once everyone has seen it on telly they will know it was a complete accident. "West Ham are trying to make more of it than it is but there was definitely no intent there from what I saw. "It was an accidental clash. Obviously it was a bad injury for him and he must be the unluckiest man in football but it is one of those things that happen all the time. "They just crossed paths and it was a free-kick incident. A couple of the lads said they heard a crack and obviously it wasn't looking good but there was no intent there at all."
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Fulham turn to West Ham striker Zamora
tribalfooball.com - August 29, 2007
Fulham are moving for West Ham striker Bobby Zamora. Cottagers boss Chris Coleman is turning to Zamora after being rebuffed over a bid for Blackburn Rovers forward Jason Roberts.
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Wigan rival Rangers for West Ham's McCartney
tribalfooball.com - August 29, 2007
Wigan Athletic are joining Rangers in their interest for West Ham left-back George McCartney. The Latics have asked West Ham about a price for McCartney, while manager Chris Hutchings also hopes to land Celta Vigo wing-back Diego Placente on a free transfer.
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West Ham's Pantsil on way to Panathinaikos
tribalfooball.com - August 29, 2007
West Ham United fullback John Pantsil is set to get a move away. The Ghana international is in talks with Panathinaikos about a loan move to Greece.
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