By Robin Hackett Last updated: 8th August 2007
Following the false dawn at the start of last season, there will be mixed
feelings at West Ham as the Magnusson era looks set to finally begin in
earnest.
The signings of Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano had looked to be the
icing on the cake for Alan Pardew's FA Cup finalists, and his young, hungry
squad were expected to challenge for a top-six spot as well as making a
decent bid for the Uefa Cup. None of that happened. The deal for Tevez and
Mascherano was shrouded in confusion and both players, lacking the fitness
for the Premier League, took time to settle in to English football. But,
whatever distractions the Argentinians provided, there were other problems
at the club. Dean Ashton sustained a long-term injury, new signings Lee
Bowyer and Carlton Cole failed to make an impact, young stars like Nigel
Reo-Coker and Anton Ferdinand could not live up to their performances of the
previous season, and West Ham found themselves in a relegation scrap.
When Eggert Magnusson took over in December, his immediate task was to stop
the rot. He soon replaced Pardew with Alan Curbishley, and the former
Charlton boss immediately began spending, bringing in the likes of Lucas
Neill from Blackburn, Matthew Upson from Birmingham and Luis Boa Morte from
Fulham, while Mascherano was shipped out to Liverpool.
WEST HAM 2007/08
Predicted Position: 11th
Star Man: Dean Ashton - It's impossible to tell what difference a fit Dean
Ashton could have made last season, but the talented striker will be
hungrier than ever to prove his importance after a year on the sidelines.
One To Watch: Mark Noble - The young midfielder played a significant role in
the club's relegation escape last season and will be hoping to firmly
establish himself in the first team this season.
Manager: Alan Curbishley - Having had the time and money to build his own
squad, Curbishley will expect a substantial improvement on last season.
INS: Scott Parker (Newcastle), Julien Faubert (Bordeaux), Richard Wright
(Everton), Craig Bellamy (Liverpool), Fredrik Ljungberg (Arsenal)
OUTS: Tyrone Mears (Derby), Nigel Reo-Coker (Aston Villa), Shaun Newton
(Leicester), Yossi Benayoun (Liverpool), Paul Konchesky (Fulham), Marlon
Harewood (Aston Villa)
Best signing: Scott Parker
Sky Bet Odds: 500-1
Likely top scorer: Craig Bellamy
Possible best XI (Green, Neill, Ferdinand, Upson, McCartney, Faubert,
Parker, Ljungberg, Boa Morte, Ashton, Bellamy)
Spearheaded by Tevez, the revolution began very late in the day and, in the
last game of the season, the club escaped relegation with victory at
Manchester United. Since then, of course, the Tevez controversies have
continued, and the player has subsequently left the club for the champions.
But Curbishley has been given the funds to rebuild the squad, bringing in
high-profile stars while shipping out many of those deemed to have
underperformed last year.
Scott Parker has come in from Newcastle to replace Reo-Coker at the
heartbeat of the midfield following the latter's £8.5m move to Aston Villa.
Curbishley knows Parker well from their together at Charlton, where the
England man was involved in everything from defence to attack, and he may
well return to that all-action role at Upton Park.
The signing of Fredrik Ljungberg from Arsenal, too, will provide a midfield
boost. There may be a feeling that the 30-year-old's best days are behind
him, but a change of scenery could be all it takes to reignite the form of a
midfielder who, just five years ago, was among the best in the game.
Julien Faubert was another major signing, arriving from Bordeaux in a £6.1m
move. The once-capped France international reportedly turned his back on
Rangers to move to Upton Park in a switch that his national coach, Raymond
Domenech, described as 'unspeakably stupid'. The merits of moving to a club
outside the chosen few notwithstanding, it speaks volumes of the player's
quality that his national coach deems a nouveau riche Premier League side
unworthy of his talents. Sadly, the winger picked up a long-term injury that
will rule him out of the first half of the season. Given that, it will
chiefly be Ljungberg's task to add creativity to the midfield, particularly
given the departure of Yossi Benayoun to Liverpool.
But the most substantial changes so far have come up front. Ashton has
returned from injury, while Teddy Sheringham went to Colchester and Marlon
Harewood joined Reo-Coker at Villa. Yet the biggest news is the arrival of
Craig Bellamy from Liverpool: the Wales striker will, more than anyone else,
be expected to fill the void left by Tevez.
Bellamy will be looking to prove himself once more after failing to
capitalise on an opportunity that he termed 'a lifelong dream come true'
last summer. There is little doubt surrounding Bellamy's talent, but he has
only thrived in the past when all the conditions have been right: to what
extent West Ham will be able to provide those conditions remains to be seen.
Goalkeeper Richard Wright has joined on a free transfer from Everton, while
Roy Carroll made the move north of the border to Rangers. Wright has never
been able to make good on his early potential at Ipswich, and he perhaps hit
rock bottom when Everton boss David Moyes chose to recall Iain Turner from
Sheffield Wednesday rather than field him against Manchester United in
April. Nonetheless, he has ability, Curbishley insists he is 'dedicated,
hungry and also a little bit angry', and he is expected only to deputise for
Robert Green.
There have been three more departures: Tyrone Mears to Derby, Paul Konchesky
to Fulham and Shaun Newton to Leicester. That may force Curbishley to enter
the market for a defender, but, with Upson and Neill having arrived in
January, he may consider his options sufficient, although a replacement
left-back should be a priority if not.
The squad may continue to change, but the foundations look to be in place.
Yet, while lessons will have been learnt from last season and there will be
no room for complacency, the new players could take time to gel and only
time will tell if the Tevez saga will prove a distraction once more.
Competition at the top of the table is fierce, and a European spot may well
be beyond West Ham this year, but a healthy top-half finish could and should
be the aim.
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New Season: New Beginning - West Ham Online
Billy Blagg, West Ham United Correspondent
New Season: New Beginning. At least that is what the blurb on the West Ham
membership letters would have us believe. Is it likely? Can West Ham really
become a Premiership force without resorting to court cases, melodrama, soap
opera story lines and last minute escapades?
Our new Chairman would have us believe so - and wouldn't it be great if he
was right? The gypsy curse is lifted and we march on into the 21st Century
with a steely look in our eyes and a team full of niggling, nasty characters
that the rest of the country despise, as we clog our way into Europe.
Sound unlikely? Perhaps, But then a lot of unlikely things have happened to
West Ham since the start of the Millennium and it's amazing to think that
the last five seasons have seen nerve-shredding endings to the campaign for
the Irons, starting with the hideous relegation under Glenn Roeder in 2003,
the following season's Play-off loss to Crystal Palace, the astonshing run
to the same final in 2005, the subsequent wonder of the 2006 Cup Final and
the greatest escape at the end of last term.
I've got more thoughts on what we can expect from the 2007-08 season
shortly, few of them relevant and most of them certainly wrong - but hey! -
it's never stopped me before! So join the Blagger here whenever you can and
feel free to email me with your thoughts and predictions.
New Beginning? Let's see...
August 7th: Sheffield Utd are relegated!
It's official! I got an email from the editor of Soccernet this very
morning. The Blades logo has been moved from the Premier League section to
the Championship area and this means that Sheffield United are now
officially down.
...still, I'm glad Boromir died in the first part of the trilogy, aren't
you?
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Hammers happy to wait for Shorey and Gudjohnsen - Daily Mail
Last updated at 23:27pm on 8th August 2007
West Ham are prepared to play the waiting game for Reading defender Nicky
Shorey. The 26-year-old England full back's boss, Steve Coppell, is
unwilling to listen to offers until he can bring in a replacement. West Ham
also hope to sign Eidur Gudjohnsen before the end of the month after
agreeing a £6.7million fee with Barcelona for the former Chelsea striker.
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West Ham step up chase for Shorey and Gudjohnsen - The Independent
By Jason Burt
Published: 09 August 2007
West Ham United are hoping to sign a striker and left-back – and have
identified Eidur Gudjohnsen and Nicky Shorey as their number one targets.
However they may have to wait until January to land the two as they have
been told by their respective clubs, Barcelona and Reading, that they do not
want to sell in this summer's transfer window, which closes on 31 August.
It appears that West Ham will wait, especially for Gudjohnsen, whose
transfer has become a long-term project for his fellow Icelander and the
West Ham chairman, Eggert Magnusson. However it may still prove a difficult
task to sign the striker who, although keen to return to England if he
leaves Barça, has also attracted interest from several other clubs.
In addition Gudjohnsen has still not been told that he is surplus to
requirements at Barça even though the arrival of Thierry Henry is expected
to limit his first-team opportunities. West Ham will hope that if the former
Chelsea player does not feature at the start of La Liga season he may decide
his future lies elsewhere. The transfer fee – expected to be in the region
of £6.8m – and wages will not be a bar to West Ham.
The move for Shorey is also on hold. West Ham made a £5m approach for the
left-back but were rebuffed by Reading, but it is understood that Shorey is
keen to move to Upton Park and has also rejected a new, £20,000-a-week
contract at Reading.
Shorey has two years left on his present deal which may influence whether or
not the club decides to cash in on him now.
West Ham are expected to return to the negotiations before the end of this
month and offer a player plus cash deal especially as Reading, who have
shown an interest in midfielder Hayden Mullins, will want to sort out
replacement for Shorey should he leave.
Having sold Paul Konchesky to Fulham, the West Ham manager, Alan Curbishley,
is pleased with the form of his current first-choice left-back George
McCartney while Danny Gabbidon, although a central defender, can also fill
in for the position. So Curbishley is in no hurry to buy although he has
identified Shorey as the right kind of player – at 26 and an England
international – be be a fine addition to his squad.
Reading have made an inquiry about the Arsenal right-back Justin Hoyte
although they are understood to face competition from Aston Villa. The
England under-21 international may be allowed to leave the Emirates Stadium
following the signing of Bakary Sagna and is expected to cost £2.5m. Reading
are also keen on signing the Czech international Jan Koller who has said
that he wants to leave Monaco.
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West Ham won't give up on Reading's Shorey
tribalfooball.com - August 08, 2007
West Ham United refuse to give up on landing Reading fullback Nicky Shorey.
The Daily Mail says the Hammers are prepared to play the waiting game for
Shorey. The 26-year-old England full back's boss, Steve Coppell, is
unwilling to listen to offers until he can bring in a replacement.
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Walker agrees new West Ham deal
tribalfooball.com - August 08, 2007
Veteran goalkeeper Jimmy Walker has signed a new deal with West Ham. The Sun
says Walker has penned a new one-year contract at Upton Park.
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West Ham agree Gudjohnsen fee with Barcelona
tribalfooball.com - August 08, 2007
West Ham United are set for talks with Barcelona striker Eidur Gudjohnsen.
The Daily Mail says the Hammers hope to sign Gudjohnsen before the end of
the month after agreeing a £6.7million fee with Barcelona for the former
Chelsea striker.
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West Ham confident of Shorey deal - lep.co.uk
West Ham are confident of securing the signing of Reading defender Nicky
Shorey, according to reports. The Reading defender has stated his desire to
stay at the club, although manager Steve Coppell is privately resigned to
losing his starlet to West Ham United after he rejected a new £20,000 a week
contract, according to the Sun. West Ham have already bid £5million for the
26-year-old, but it is reported that Reading are holding out for £8million.
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Curbs clueless on City - The Mirror
09/08/2007
West HAM boss Alan Curbishley admits he hasn't a clue what Manchester City's
team will be on Saturday - and he reckons Sven Goran Eriksson doesn't know
either. New City boss Eriksson has shelled out £35million on eight signings,
including £8.8m on Italian forward Rolando Bianchi from Reggina and £8m on
Shakhtar Donetsk's Brazilian midfielder Elano. His squad is now 29 strong -
with more to come. AdvertisementCurbishley (right), who has spent £23.6m
himself so far this summer, believes even former England boss Eriksson
cannot be 100 per cent sure of his first XI after buying players he had only
seen on video. Curbishley said: "There are all sorts of things going on at
City - lots of players coming in. "When the fixtures came out, I thought
'great' - I like to be at home in the first game. Now it'll be a difficult
weekend for everyone. I'm not sure what Sven's team will be - and perhaps he
isn't either."
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West Ham United Team Preview; The road to redemption starts here? -
aboutaball.co.uk
In: Fredrik Ljungberg (Arsenal), Richard Wright (Everton), Julien Faubert
(Bordeaux), Scott Parker (Newcastle United), Craig Bellamy (Liverpool)
Out: Marlon Harewood (Aston Villa), Paul Konchesky (Fulham), Yossi Benayoun
(Liverpool), Roy Carroll (Rangers), Shaun Newton (Leicester City), Nigel
Reo-Coker (Aston Villa), Teddy Sheringham (Colchester), Tyrone Mears (Derby
County)
After avoiding relegation on the final day of the season West Ham have lived
to fight another day in the Premiership but after all the shenanigans and
fuss over whether they should even be taking part in this seasons
Premiership they have a lot of bridges to build. West Ham were once many of
the neutrals favourites and even as recently as 2005/06 when they got to the
final of the FA Cup final and played their part in easily the best final in
the last 15 years winning over many more fans with their exciting style
their reputation has been tarnished by their part in misleading the
authorities. Consequently they have a lot of unhappy football fans to win
over.
West Ham looked to be headed towards the Championship by Christmas last
season and those observers uncertain of their fate made up their minds after
the 3-4 defeat to Spurs, certain that The Hammers were headed for the
trapdoor. Curbishly though miraculously turned the situation round aided and
abetted in no small part by the very player at the centre of all the
controversy; Tevez.
Whatever your opinion of the punishment meted out to West Ham by the Premier
League for their complicity in the decidedly dubious transfer of Tevez most
couldn't help but be impressed by the way that United clawed their way from
a seemingly hopeless position. Despite the major overhaul of the squad that
has taken place this summer Curbishly will be hoping to maintain the
momentum that saw West Win 7 of their final 10 league matches last season.
The arrivals this season at West Ham are all direct replacements for
departed players and despite the fact that some transfer fees haven't been
disclosed I wouldn't be at all surprised if West Ham have made a profit in
their dealings this summer. In to replace Sheringham, who amazingly
continues his career at Colchester, is Ljungberg, who will be under pressure
to show that the reason Arsenal released him was wrong. Benayoun's departure
will be compensated for by Faubert, although the unlucky Frenchman has been
ruled out for the first half of the season after suffering a severe injury
in training. Bellamy will be replacing the departed Marlon Harewood and
finally for £7 million Scott Parker will come in for Reo-Coker who joins
Harewood at Aston Villa. The only player who hasn't been directly replaced
is Konchesky who made the trip across London to Fulham but Matthew Upson
comes into the squad after being injured for nearly the full 8 months he has
been with West Ham.
Another new arrival of sorts will be Dean Ashton who after a whole season
out after arriving from Norwich City for £8.5 is fit and ready to go. Having
Ashton in the team will give West Ham a physical presence in the team and
the pace of Craig Bellamy should compliment Ashton's quality.
The truth is last season the squad should never have been dragged into such
a relegation scrap but presumably unsettled because of the arrivals and then
later by the furore that surrounded them none of the players achieved the
sort of form they had the season before. The puzzling thing about West Ham's
season last year was that they were capable of beating top 4 teams, Arsenal
and Manchester United both lost at Upton Park yet they were also thrashed
6-0 by Reading. Rumours that several of the players had got a little to big
for their station were underlined by such topsy-turvy results and Curbishly
will have to dispel that notion and quickly . A good start will be crucial
and the fixture list has been kind to West Ham with games against Manchester
City, Birmingham, Wigan and Reading to start off with, although Curbishly
will have to make sure that his team starts picking up results against the
teams they will be competing. They don't play a top 4 team until the end of
September, which depending on the success of Curbishly on stamping out such
high self-opinions of the players may be a good thing or it may not be.
The squad now bears the hallmark of Curbishly on it and he will be looking
for an improved performance collectively. After such a traumatic season it
is difficult to set exact expectations although one feels that given the
quality in the squad West Ham should be at least capable of achieving a top
half finish. However, first priority has to be to gain the mythical 40
points total before looking to kick on and improve from there. The team
still posses the sort of quality to produce a good cup run and a UEFA Cup
spot may not be entirely out of the question.
Posted by Walter Townsend on Wednesday, 8th August 2007
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