08/08/2007 08:32
Goals from Zavon Hines, Carlton Cole and Hogan Ephraim earned a West Ham
United reserve team a 3-1 friendly against Thurrock FC on Tuesday night.
Young forward Hines struck an opener in the 12th minute, while Cole restored
his team's advantage nine minutes later after Thurrock had hit a quick-fire
equaliser through Che Stadhardt. Ephraim rounded off an impressive display
with the third goal - a superb free-kick in the 81st minute. Kevin Keen's
reserve team kick-off their FA Premier Reserve League South campaign against
Aston Villa on August 29.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Green in action at launch of Creating Chances - WHUFC
08/08/2007 10:48
West Ham United goalkeeper Robert Green was in attendance yesterday as The
Premier League launched its Creating Chances initiative - a showcase of the
huge amount of positive work that top-flight football does in the community,
and for good causes and charities.
Twenty players from across the League came together to highlight this work,
and show precisely how the Premier League and their clubs are more committed
to this side of the game than ever.
In new research, Deloitte demonstrates the Premier League and its 20 clubs
will invest an estimated £122 million next season in community projects,
charities and other good causes, representing an increase of over 50% since
Deloitte's last assessment in 2003.
The core element of Creating Chances is a new initiative called 'Places for
Players', which will involve 200 Premier League players supporting a number
of charities and good causes in September, raising awareness of and funds
for the work that these organisations do. Over 400 good causes will benefit
either by players getting involved in their work or from a £2,000 cash
donation direct from the Premier League.
Another great opportunity for fans, introduced as part of Creating Chances,
is Your Shot. Your Shot will see each Barclays Premier League club offer one
of their most deserving fans the opportunity to win a unique,
once-in-a-lifetime match day experience.
Also, there is Premier League All Stars, a 7-a-side knockout competition to
be played during the Creating Chances week of action in September. 60 lucky
fans will win the opportunity to play with Premier League legends and
celebrities in teams representing all 20 Barclays Premier League clubs.
Ravanelli, Merson, Wilkins and Gullit are back in training and more big
names from the worlds of football and showbiz are to come.
The teams will play in official kits and compete for a £300,000 prize fund
which will be donated to charities of the clubs' choice.
Richard Scudamore, Chief Executive of the Premier League, said: "Community
engagement is now woven into the fabric of football and the size and scope
of that commitment today really is something of which the Premier League,
our clubs and the players can be extremely proud.
"Creating Chances is a means of showcasing all of the work that takes place
right across the League on a daily basis and will help to further strengthen
the relationship we have with countless charities, good causes and our
fans."
James Purnell, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, also
attended the launch and said: "Football clubs have a unique position in
their communities. They are now helping to raise standards of education,
working with police to cut crime and anti-social behaviour and also
re-investing millions of pounds into football facilities for the public.
"I am pleased that Government can play a part in Creating Chances, and help
highlight this important side to the Premier League's business."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Man Utd set to wrap up Tevez deal - BBC
Manchester United are hoping to complete the signing of striker Carlos Tevez
in the next 24 hours. Tevez's agent Kia Joorabchian has now paid West Ham a
£2m settlement, meaning the 23-year-old has been formally released from his
contract. United have put forward their proposed two-year loan deal for the
Argentina striker to the Premier League. The League's lawyers are now
looking through the details of the signing before rubber-stamping the deal.
However, the League approved a similar deal allowing Javier Mascherano to
join Liverpool, so there are not expected to be any further hold-ups with
Tevez's move.
The champions kick off their league campaign against Reading at Old Trafford
on Sunday. Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore said on Tuesday
that the Tevez saga had been "unbelievable". "What made this an unbelievable
story was an unbelievable series of events," he told BBC Radio Five Live.
"West Ham were all-but relegated at Christmas and then Tevez scored a few
goals right at the end of the season and they were able to escape. "It's
unscripted drama and one of the things that makes football so interesting
but it other ways it looks like a road crash in how some of the events
appear."
Last week's agreement between West Ham and Joorabchian ended the threat of
High Court action. The proposed transfer had stalled over who will be paid
the transfer fee. The Premier League and West Ham said the Hammers should
receive the fee but companies MSI and Just Sports Inc, which belong to
Joorabchian, said they owned the striker's economic rights.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Roeder fires warning to Curbs - SSN
Roeder expects West Ham improvement
By Lewis Rutledge Last updated: 8th August 2007
Former West Ham manager Glenn Roeder has warned Alan Curbishley that he will
have to cope with the weight of expectation this season. Curbishley was
appointed Hammers boss midway last December but only guided the club to
Premier League survival on the final day of the season. A number of new
players have arrived at Upton Park over the summer and Roeder believes the
supporters deserve an improved performance. But Roeder, who managed West Ham
from 2001 to 2003, believes the current side is good enough to challenge for
Europe. "They've spent a lot of money, with some interesting buys to say the
least, so expectation levels from the fans will go up," Roeder told Sky
Sports News. "They will not expect West Ham to be fighting a relegation
battle.
"They will expect West Ham to be in the top half of the table all year and
fighting for a Uefa Cup spot. "They now have a squad that is capable of
doing that and the fans have the manager they have wanted for a long time."
Roeder, who was in charge at Newcastle until May, has been linked with the
role of sporting director at Arsenal.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Gudjohnsen Set To Reject West Ham Approach - gola.com
Big-spending West Ham are on the verge of a move for Barcelona striker Eidur
Gudjohnsen. However, the player is said to be uninterested...
Eidur Gudjohnsen is reportedly set to turn down a 13.5 million euro switch
from Barcelona to West Ham United. The Icelandic forward found first team
action hard to come by last season as he faced competition from Eto'o,
Ronaldinho, Messi and Giuly. Giuly is gone, but Thierry Henry has arrived
and, with Bojan and dos Santos making a real claim for first team action,
the Iceland international may find his prospects extremely limited. While
his club would thus jump at the chance to receive such a hefty transfer fee
for the player, it's thought that Eidur's own preferred course of action is
to remain in Catalonia and fight for his place. The 28 year old arrived at
the Nou Camp from Chelsea in 2006.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Team form guide: West Ham - Daily Mail
Last updated at 14:10pm on 8th August 2007
MANAGER: Alan Curbishley (Appointed December 2006)
LAST SEASON: 15th
MAIN ARRIVALS: Scott Parker (Newcastle, £7m); Julien Faubert (Bordeaux,
£6.1m); Craig Bellamy (Liverpool, £7.5m); Freddie Ljungberg (Arsenal,
£3.5m); Richard Wright (free).
MAIN DEPARTURES: Nigel Reo-Coker (Aston Villa, £8.5m); Yossi Benayoun
(Liverpool, £5m); Tyrone Mears (Derby, £1m), Paul Konchesky (Fulham, £2m);
Marlon Harewood (Aston Villa, £4m); Shaun Newton (Leicester, free).
Released: Teddy Sheringham, Roy Carroll.
CAPTAIN: To be confirmed.
TOP SCORER: Bobby Zamora 11.
FANS' PLAYER-OF-THE-YEAR: Carlos Tevez.
LAST MAJOR TROPHY: 1980, FA Cup.
DID YOU KNOW? Alan Curbishley is West Ham's 12th manager — no other English
club have had so few.
TICKETS: £39-61 (children £14); 0870 112 2700, whufc.com
CLUB MASCOTS: Herbie the Hammer and Bubbles the Bear.
LADBROKES FLUTTER: To qualify for Europe — 4/1
VERDICT: Tevez's departure is the bad news, Dean Ashton's return is the
good. Top 10 will be an encouraging return given Alan Curbishley's work so
far.
THIS SEASON: 12th.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Noble given chance to make early impact for Hammers - Daily Mail
Last updated at 14:10pm on 8th August 2007
Mark Noble is set for a starting place when West Ham kick off their season
this weekend against visiting Manchester City. New midfielder Scott Parker,
signed from Newcastle, has a knee injury that could keep him out for the
first two games of the new season. Skipper Lucas Neill is also out.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers line up bid for Reading's Shorey - Daily Mail
Last updated at 10:19am on 8th August 2007
West Ham are hoping to sign England defender Nicky Shorey after Lucas Neill
was ruled out for a month with a knee injury. Manager Alan Curbishley has
switched his focus to Reading's Shorey after the deal to sign Kieron Dyer
from Newcastle fell through. The left back, who has refused to sign a new
contract at the club, said this week that he remained "fully committed to
Reading". Shorey, 26, said: "It would be wrong to start talking about going
to a big club."
But Reading manager Steve Coppell has said he is resigned to the fact that
Shorey, who has two years left on his contract, will not sign a new deal.
West Ham, meanwhile, have received the agreed £2m from Kia Joorabchian,
which paves the way for Carlos Tevez to tie up his loan deal at Manchester
United.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Big Spenders at West Ham? Just Slack Journalism - westhammad.co.uk
Story by Barney French 8 August 2007
According to German website Transfermarkt, West Ham United are 14th lowest
spenders in the Premier League summer window. Alan Curbishley had recently
called for the media to report a more balanced view, but the Hammers
continue to be put under a barrage of accusations of inflating transfer
prices and hiking up wage demands. The league table is revealing,
particularly for Niall Quinn who recently spoke out against the spending
policies of Portsmouth and West Ham United. Interestingly, Sunderland have
spent significantly more money than both clubs. Sven Goran Eriksson
continues to spend money like it is going out of fashion and perennial big
spenders Tottenham Hotspur have kept the money flowing out of White Hart
Lane with yet more aquisitions.
The league table in full (figures are in Euros):
1) Tottenham Hotspur -61.575.000
2) Manchester United -54.650.000
3) Manchester City -51.150.000
4) Sunderland -40.950.000
5) Liverpool -33.300.000
6) Portsmouth -30.900.000
7) Fulham -22.000.000
8) Chelsea -21.000.000
9) Newcastle United -20.800.000
10) Middlesbrough -13.750.000
11) Everton -12.000.000
12) Derby County -10.275.000
13) Birmingham City -8.800.000
14) West Ham United -7.000.000
15) Aston Villa -6.100.000
16) Blackburn Rovers -5.525.000
17) Bolton Wanderers -5.234.000
18) Reading FC -1.300.000
19) Wigan Athletic +425.000
20) Arsenal +14.175.000
(Source:http://www.transfermarkt.de)
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Neill down with knee injury - news.com.au
August 08, 2007 12:00am
WEST Ham's Australian captain Lucas Neill is undergoing tests today after
suffering a knee injury during a training session. A West Ham spokeswoman
said the right-back would undergo a series of scans, with the results
expected to be known later today. "He did take a knock in training, but we
don't yet know the extent of his injuries," she said. The Daily Express
newspaper reported that Neill had been advised to rest for at least 10 days,
meaning he is likely to miss the start of the English Premier League this
weekend. But the club's spokeswoman said it was unclear exactly how Neill
was injured or how long he could be out for. Neill, who joined West Ham in
January, has only recently returned to England after Australia's Asian Cup
quarter-final exit. News of his injury comes after his Socceroos teammate
and star Everton midfielder Tim Cahill injured his foot during a 2-2
friendly draw against Werder Bremen last week. Cahill has been undergoing a
series of x-rays to determine the extent of a foot injury which could
sideline him for the start of the Premier League season.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Who Should Replace Lucas Neill? -West Ham Till I Die
What a shattering blow it is for Lucas Neill to be ruled out for a month.
There are four players who could come in at right back to cover for him…
Jonathan Spector
John Pantsil
Anton Ferdinand
Danny Gabbidon
Spector is probably the favourite as that was his normal position last
season. Ferdinand started off his career there, but always looked to be a
fish out of water there. There are rumours that Curbishley sees Gabbidon
playing there, but my choice would be John Pantsil. He's never really been
given the chance to show what he can do but whenever he has played he has
always impressed me, particularly going forward. I've read he has played
particularly well in pre-season too.
If Scott Parker had been fit, I would expect him to take over as Captain,
but what about this for an idea? Give it to my favourite player Mark Noble!
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Not again! - Newham Recorder
08 August 2007
WEST HAM'S Premier League preparations have been dealt a savage blow with
the news that captain Lucas Neill could be out for at least a month after a
training ground collision, writes DAVE EVANS. The news comes almost exactly
12 months after the devastating injury to Dean Ashton that was to rule him
out for the whole season - an injury that also occu rred on the training
ground!Neill injured his knee after a block tackle sent him sprawling and he
will definitely miss Saturday's curtain-raiser against Manchester City at
Upton Park. Manager Alan Curbishley must now decide between Jonathan
Spector, John Pantsil or Christian Dailly to fill Neill's boots, though he
may even consider playing a centre back like Anton Ferdinand or Danny
Gabbidon in the right back slot.
The injury puts a dampener on the return of striker Dean Ashton after an
agonising 12 months on the sidelines. Ashton showed what Hammers' fans have
been missing when he came off the bench to thump in the winner against Roma
last Saturday and he is hoping that it will be enough to earn him a starting
spot. Manager Alan Curbishley is playing his cards close to his chest: "He
wants to be playing obviously," said the boss, "but with Bellamy and Zamora
there as well he has got some competition, and I've got something to think
about now."
The inclusion of Ashton will be a huge tonic for West Ham fans who will be
missing last season's hero Carlos Tevez following his move to Manchester
United.
But Ashton himself is delighted with the new players that have arrived at
Upton Park "I've been impressed with everyone that's come to the club," he
insisted. "We're buying at the top end of the market now, bringing in
players of the highest quality."
Scott Parker is rated as only 50/50 for the season's curtain-raiser with Lee
Bowyer set to partner Mark Noble in midfield, while Luis Boa Morte has
recovered fully from the knock that forced him off against Roma.Matty Upson
and Anton Ferdinand are set to secure the centre back berths, while Freddie
Ljungberg will play on the right. Manchester City are likely to be something
of an unknown quantity with a new boss and so many new players, but West Ham
will be confident of the three points. A full house is expected at Upton
Park and with the sun shining and Ashton back in claret and blue there can
surely only be one result. Expect West Ham to start with a real bang.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Dean's keen on new start
08 August 2007
WEST HAM striker Dean Ashton has vowed to make the fans forget about the
departed Carlos Tevez by causing havoc among the Premiership defences this
season, starting with Manchester City on Saturday at Upton Park. The
23-year-old former Norwich City man came off the bench to blast a superb
winning goal against Italian outfit Roma on Saturday and then said: "It
would be very sad if the fans just carried on singing about Tevez and not
about the other players in the team. "We want to put the Tevez saga behind
us and start a new season and get the fans excited about that."
Ashton certainly did that on Saturday. He came on to a standing ovation from
a crowd of over 26,000 and could have had a hat-trick against a team that
finished second in Serie A last season. The striker was delighted with his
goal: "It seems a very long time since I scored at Upton Park," he said. "It
was nice to get a goal and also to get another 45 minutes under my belt and
get a bit more confidence. "Just to be out there and playing again makes all
the hard work I've put in worthwhile."
Ashton's goal saw him beat his marker with a stunning stepover, before
blasting the ball through the legs of the Roma goalkeeper and make it 2-1 to
West Ham. Manager Alan Curbishley described Ashton's return as like signing
a new player and the new slimline, bleach-blond marksman certainly looks
like a new man. "I've probably put on a bit of muscle, but I've lost a lot
of fat at the same time," explained Ashton. "It's not about how big I am or
how heavy I am, it's about how I transfer that on to the pitch into speed
and endurance. "My legs feel great, I don't feel sore and that is a credit
to the work I've done."
Pre-season goals against Leyton Orient, Norwich City and now Roma suggest
that Ashton will make a big impression this season and the player thinks
that he has a big part to play. "I think everyone wants a fresh start and to
do well," he explained. "There is an extra buzz and it feels like a decent
place to be." But what about that hair?! "I'm obviously on the last chance
sallon on my hair," he smiled. "I thought I may as well do something for a
bit of a change.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hot Totti and co crash to the Ash - Newham Recorder
08 August 2007
West Ham Utd 2 AS Roma 1
DEAN ASHTON capped a classy second half cameo by hitting the winner as West
Ham came from a goal behind to prevail over Roma in this tempestuous
friendly on Saturday, writes LUKE WILSON. The striker provided further
justification of just why the club had shelled out a then record fee for his
signature as he displayed the type of form that had seen him receive an
England call-up before injury ruled him out for last season in its entirety.
Prior to Ashton's half time introduction, the Hammers had been in danger of
being totally outclassed by a Roma side brimming with style that underlined
why they were Serie A runners-up last term. With Francesco Totti pulling the
creative strings, Roma exuded panache and it was the skipper who started the
move which culminated in former Barcelona star Ludovic Giuly curling home
the 13th minute deadlock-breaker from the edge of the box. Although that
goal arrived somewhat against the run of play, on the evidence of the
ensuing half hour's play, the hosts will have felt a little relieved that
their half time deficit was not greater.
Mauro Esposito came closest to adding to the Romans' tally after Christian
Panucci had ghosted past Matty Upson and played in Giuly whose inch-perfect
cross was bicycle kicked on to the Hammers bar by the experienced winger.
The game had more the feel of a European tie to it as the ferocity of some
of the tackling epitomised and at times, tempers reached boiling point with
Giuly lucky not have seen red for lashing out at Lee Bowyer for one of a
series of late tackles from both sides. In between the flying boots, Rodrigo
Taddei was twice denied a second Roma goal by Hammers keeper Rob Green and
Esposito spurned a glaring opportunity having got on the end of one of many
defence-splitting passes from the mercurial Totti, rounded Green, but
somehow missed the target.
The Hammers looked at sixes and sevens in defence and their constant
relinquishing of possession must have caused Curbishley much concern, but
having gone in at the break just a goal down, the Hammers boss made the
tactical switch that swung the game in his side's favour. Ashton received
rapturous applause from the Hammers faithful as he emerged from the tunnel
to replace Bobby Zamora whose involvement had been very much peripheral. The
former Norwich marksman saw more action in the first five minutes of the
second period than Zamora had in his entire 45, making an immediate impact
with one blocked shot, another just wide and a third finger-tipped over by
Roma keeper Gianluca Curci. Italian sides, as we all know, are inherently
adept at counter attacking and Giuly should have caught the Hammers out when
he raced on to a sublime Alberto Aquilani through-ball but like Esposito
before him, was unable to finish when faced with an open goal. That miss
proved to be decisive as just a minute later, West Ham were level when
George McCartney rose highest to head home Freddie Ljungberg's whipped
corner. Before Roma had time to recover, Ashton provided the killer blow as
his step-over outfoxed Phillipe Mexes before he raced into the box and fired
through the legs of Curci for what proved to be the decisive goal. Ashton
nearly doubled his personal tally when he was sent through by sub Carlton
Cole but this time, Curci was equal to his effort. Nevertheless, West Ham's
Ashton-inspired second half revival saw them secure a morale-boosting win
ahead of the big kick-off and their boss was pleased with his troops'
exertions. "If you look at the game, we were playing against top opposition
who at times showed what a good side they were, with some terrific players,"
admitted Curbishley. "We took the decision before the game that we weren't
going to change the way we were going about it to accommodate them. "The
Italian sides all play in a similar way with someone playing in the hole. We
decided not to do anything about it and we couldn't get going in the first
half. "In the second half, we decided to do something about it and actually
got going. The reason I did that was because I wanted to give everyone a
game in their normal positions and get something out of it but in the end we
had to change, we matched up with them and got a bit more out of it."
West Ham: Green (Wright 46), Neill, Ferdinand (Gabbidon 86), Upson,
McCartney, Ljungberg (Pantsil 74), Bowyer (Cole 86), Noble, Boa Morte
(Etherington 28), Zamora (Ashton 46), Bellamy (Mullins 78). Subs not used:
Spector, Collins, Walker, Davenport, Reid.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
McCartney wings in for unlikely goal - Newham Recorder
08 August 2007
ASK a West Ham fan where he thinks the club still need to strengthen before
the start of the season and chances are the left back slot will get a
mention.
Paul Konchesky's departure to Fulham in the summer and the Hammers link with
Reading's Nicky Shorey have put current incumbent George McCartney under
intense pressure. But the quietly-spoken 26-year-old Irishman is doing
everything he can to hold on to the left back slot - and that included
scoring a cracker against Roma on Saturday! "I was surprised that it
actually went in, normally they fly over the bar," admitted McCartney, who
made 25 appearances for the Hammers last term. "Freddie (Ljungberg) put in
great set-pieces all day and I was lucky to be in the right place at the
right time. "The last goal I got was for Northern Ireland and I've been at
West Ham for nearly a year now so it's nice to get my first goal - I hope
it's the first of many but I wouldn't hold my breath!" McCartney is
certainly raring to go for the new season and confident about the team's
chances.
"The manager has brought in a lot of new players and it always takes a few
games to gel together but over the last two or three games you can tell
things are working out," he said. "As the pre-season has gone on we've got
better with each game and you could tell in the second half against Roma
that we've put in a lot of hard work and that it's paying off."
The former Sunderland full back, who fell out with former Northern Ireland
manager Lawrie Sanchez during his time as national coach, could well be in
line to add to his 19 caps if he can keep his place in the West Ham team. He
showed a steady improvement throughout last season after taking Konchesky's
place in the team and manager Alan Curbishley would have no qualms about
putting him back in again this time round - especially if he is going to
score goals like the one on Saturday!
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
End of all the Argie bargie! - Newham Recorder
08 August 2007
WEST HAM chairman Eggert Magnusson has confessed to being distressed by the
Carlos Tevez saga which finally ended on Friday after over two months of
bitter wrangling, writes DAVE EVANS. The Hammers finally accepted a
settlement of £2million from Iranian businessman Kia Joorabchian for the
Argentinian's registration, allowing him to join Manchester United. But
Magnusson feels that the whole sorry tale has unfairly portrayed his club.
"It does hurt me because the club has been dragged into this in a negative
way by some of my colleagues," he said. "West Ham has been dragged down and
I don't think this is correct."
The battle seemed set for the High Court when Joorabchian turned down the
possibility of the issue being decided by the Commision of Arbitration for
Sport, but that seemed to prompt a final thrashing out of an agreement to
suit all involved parties - including perhaps the most difficult party to
satisfy in the embarrased Premier League. Magnusson continued: "Us being
dragged down has hurt me most because what a few people decide should not be
a burden to the whole club. "The other sad thing is that Tevez got caught in
the middle. He's a great lad, so enthusiastic about football and success and
I would have loved to have seen him again in a West Ham shirt. "I really
tried to make that possible but he had ambitions to play in the Champions
League."
Tevez made 29 appearances in claret and blue and despite not scoring in his
first 20, his goal against Spurs at Upton Park was the catalyst to a
stunning run both for him and for the club as they avoided relegation on the
final day at Old Trafford against champions Manchester United. The little
South American finished with just seven goals to his name, but became a cult
hero at Upton Park and won the Hammer of the Year trophy by a landslide. For
manager Alan Curbishley, he had resigned himself to losing the player a long
time ago. "I planned without him really and just got on with it," revealed
the manager. "I just planned with the players I've got at the club and I
took the decision soon after the Old Trafford game that because it would be
sorted out by other people, I'd just let them get on with it."
Curbishley, though, was full of praise for the player himself: "All I can
say is thanks for what he did. I don't believe he was the only player here
last year but obviously he had a good season and I'm sure he's going to get
a rapturous reception when he comes back," he said. "I'm disappointed that
he didn't want to come back to us because there was an opportunity and we
tried, but he decided that his future was elsewhere once Manchester United
came in for him."
The West Ham boss is another who feels that the club's reputaion has taken a
battering in recent weeks and months. "I just felt that every day we were on
the back pages and it would be nice if we were there for football and the
games we're playing in."
And so the Argentinian saga seems to have finally come to an end - give or
take another desperate lawsuit from Sheffield United. From the moment that
Tevez and Javier Mascherano were introduced to the amazed media on transfer
deadline day last August there seemed to be something not quite right about
the whole thing. The players never settled in, manager Alan Pardew found it
impossible to incorporate them in the team and in the end, it contributed to
him losing his job at the end of November. Curbishley soon shipped
Mascherano off to Liverpool and a Champions League final appearance, while
the move seemed to kick-start the Premier League inquiry and West Ham's
eventual controversial £5.5million fine. It was only when the manager found
the best way to utitlise Tevez in the team that their form began to turn,
culminating in that dramatic last day win at the champions - courtesy, of
course, of Tevez's final goal for the club.
In truth, there was only one way the Tevez saga was ever likely to end, and
that was with his departure from Upton Park. West Ham may have negotiated a
£2million pay-off to release his registration documents and allow him to
join Manchester United, but considering it is merely a fraction of his true
worth it seems churlish to call it a good result for the club. Not only have
they lost a magnificent player who helped them to survive in the Premiership
last season, they have also lost a huge amount of their repuation as one of
the good guys in British football. There was a time when football supporters
up and down the land would herald the Hammers as their 'second club'. That
may well be a thing of the past as some of the mud thrown by the likes of
Sheffield United, Wigan and Joorabchian sticks. So would West Ham go through
it all again? No chance!
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers set to knock on Barnes door - Daily Mail
Last updated at 09:39am on 8th August 2007
The Hammers have already had a £2.5million bid for the attacking midfielder
rejected and Rams boss Billy Davies has insisted the teenager will not be
allowed to leave for less than £5m. Barnes was expected to join Spurs in the
January transfer window but the deal failed to materialise. There was
renewed speculation he would move to White Hart lane at the end of the
season but Barnes pledged his future to his hometown club when they were
promoted to the Premier League by beating West Brom in the play-off final.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment