Behind the Scenes with the Head Groundsman - WHUFC
01/06/2007 11:13
The season may be over, but there's no rest for West Ham United Head Groundsman Dougie Robertson and his team as they work tirelessly to get all the pitches perfect again in time for August. "We're starting work on the pitch at Upton Park hopefully on Monday, weather depending. It should take about seven or eight days to do. "There are going to be a lot of changes but they won't be seen. It's all underground work. Weather depending, it should all be working within a couple of weeks. "The training ground pitches are now completed, we're just waiting on the grass growing. There's building work starting on Monday to do internal changes at the training ground, which we're involved in. "The drainage work has been done at the training ground. The Little Heath ones were fully stripped off, re-sanded and the drainage work was done. We've just done the reseeding, which should be through by the middle of next week and we start cutting a week later."
Dougie and his team are used to working tirelessly behind the scenes, and he described a typical week's work for the ground staff during the season. "We'll be at the training ground Monday morning to set up for training and find out what the team's movements are that week and if they're training at the stadium at any point. "We'll go from there to Little Heath to set up a game and find out the training schedule for that week for the youth team. Then we're at the stadium two or three times a week with Danny, setting up ready for the game. We'll be here majority of the day on Friday, doing the final preparations. "If it was a game on Saturday, we'd be cutting the pitch on the Saturday at about six in the morning and then we'd continue watering it through the course of the day. It would depend on how Alan Curbishley wanted it. "The hours are quite long. Now we have the lighting units we have to bring them back into the stadium, depending on the time of year, or back onto the concourse. "On a night game, we'd be looking at getting out between 12 and one in the morning from being in at half-six/seven in the morning and back in at 7 the next day."
But for Dougie, who is in his tenth year at Upton Park, being in the top five pitches in the League last season and seeing the Hammers ensure Premier League status was reward enough.
"Everyone found that little bit extra when things weren't going so well on the pitch," he said. "When things were asked they were done straight away, rather than at the next available slot. I'd like to think we helped in some way."
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Hammers agree Parker price - Sky
By Andrew Scurr - Created on 1 Jun 2007
West Ham United have agreed an undisclosed fee with Newcastle United for Scott Parker. The midfielder has been allowed to move on by new Magpies boss Sam Allardyce who is believed to be targeting Joey Barton as Parker's replacement. Parker will once again link up with Alan Curbishley at West Ham, with the pair having previously worked together at Charlton. The 26-year-old left The Addicks in January 2004 in a £10million move to Chelsea, but he failed to make a real impression at Stamford Bridge. Parker joined Newcastle last summer but his time in the North East lasted just one season as he is now heading back to London. The Hammers are believed to be paying in the region of £8.5million for Parker's services and have fended off late interest from Tottenham. Parker will likely be Nigel Reo-Coker's replacement at Upton Park after the West Ham captain handed in a transfer request last week.
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Reo-Coker doesn't feel wanted - Sky
By Andrew Scurr - Created on 1 Jun 2007
Nigel Reo-Coker claims he has felt unwanted at West Ham since January and that is the reason for him handing in a transfer request. Skysports.com revealed this week that the Hammers captain had asked for a transfer having become disillusioned with life at Upton Park. Speaking exclusively to Sky Sports News, Reo-Coker explained the reasons behind his decision to quit the club where he spent the past four seasons. "My personal feeling is I'm not wanted at West Ham United regardless of what's printed in the papers and what's been said," he said. "I just don't feel wanted and it's the way that I've been feeling for a very long time, since January. "It's disappointing and heartbreaking just to see that I'm not wanted." He added: "It will be sad (to leave), very sad. It's not a nice way to leave a club, I don't think any player wants to leave a club under these circumstances."
Aston Villa, Newcastle and Tottenham are believed to be keen on the 23-year-old England Under 21 midfielder, with the former thought to be favourites for his signature. However, Reo-Coker is not thinking about his future destination until after this month's European Under 21 championship. "There's no progress, I don't know where my future lies right now," he added. "All I'm just trying to do is prepare myself for the Under 21s. "I honestly don't pay any attention to that (speculation) at the moment. "At the end of the day if a club wants me they can contact West Ham United and they'll deal with that side of it."
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Levante reject Riga offer - Sky
By Francisco Acedo - Created on 1 Jun 2007
Levante have rejected an offer for winger Riga Mustapha. Five Premiership clubs watched the Ghana-born wide-man in action at the weekend as he scored two in a win over Racing Santander. Manchester City, Wigan, West Ham, Portsmouth and Middlesbrough all watched Mustapha and one of them is now believed to have lodged an offer. Spanish reports say Middlesbrough, via an agent working on their behalf, lodged a €2million (£1.3million) bid - although it remains to be seen which club indeed made a firm approach. One thing which is clear is that the offer was not acceptable. "The offer is insufficient," president Pedro Villarroel told the Valencian. Reports suggest Levante want €4million (£2.7million) before they would consider letting Mustapha leave.
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The First Of The Many For West Ham - West Ham Fans.org
Submitted by Neville Nixon on 1 June, 2007 - 15:09.
The arrival of Scott Parker at West Ham from Newcastle heralds the beginning of the Magnusson and Curbishley revolution, while not maybe fitting into the truly world class of players promised, his addition is a good indication that Hammers are really going to give it a go next season. In case it had escaped the notice of those wearing claret and blue spectacles, the club narrowly avoided relegation from the top flight, and despite the excitement of the successful campaign to stay up, another season on the same lines would probably see the coronary attack rate go up all over the east end and surrounding neighbourhoods amongst players, management, owners and fans alike. Stability has got to be the order of the day, there are those who questioned Alan Curbishley's ability to keep the club afloat and he has proved them wrong, whether he has the ability to take the Hammers into the Champion's league is debatable, but no one can doubt his ability to keep the club in a comfortable position while the deep rooted changes that are required can be carried out.
Of course the next major signing is of a player who is already on the club's books, well at least in legal parlance, Carlitos Tevez. Forget Craig Bellamy et al, Egget Magnusson is determined to keep his man, the Hammers chairman has a habit of 'opening up' to Icelandic publications, not that he is anywhere near as closed as his predecessor, and in one of these interviews recently stated that he saw "keeping hold of his star striker as a challenge that could lay down a marker to other clubs and for the future of West Ham". What a guy, what a chairman. Chelska, Spuds, Gooners, you are all horribly saddled with unstructured debt, your boys are going to take a hell of a beating, much sooner than later. - Ed
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Reo-Coker: It's heartbreaking I'm not wanted at West Ham - Daily Mail
Last updated at 15:56pm on 1st June 2007
West Ham captain Nigel Reo-Coker has told of the "hurt" and "heartbreak" which has prompted him to hand in a transfer request. The 23-year-old England Under 21 international midfielder has decided on a move after he was not given the right assurances over his future by the Barclays Premiership club's board. The Hammers midfield lacked quality and grit for much of last season and the team needed an end of season flourish to preserve their top flight status. And Reo-Coker said today: "I don't think I have been supported at the club. "There has been a lot of negative press which was very hurtful - I was proud to be at West Ham regardless of what was in the press. "I thought I should be with the club and I enjoyed my time there, so it's very disappointing and heartbreaking to see I'm not wanted there." The player's advisor Tony Finnigan, said earlier this week he is hopeful the player's future will be decided in the next few weeks.
But Reo-Coker, linked with moves to Tottenham and Newcastle, said on Sky Sports News today: "There's no progress - I don't know where my future lies. "Until I know something it's all about the England Under 21s, preparing mentally and physically for this summer's tournament (the European Championships). "I don't pay attention to the clubs I am being linked with. "It's just about being professional and concentrating on the Under 21s. I've always been a team player and that's one of the things I believe in. "It's very sad, to leave a club under these circumstances - but it's part of football and part of life."
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West Ham United; Season Review 2006/07 - SquareFootball
Stephen Orford
01/06/2007 15:05:00.
"Arguments still rage about whether Tevez should ever have graced the Upton Park pitch."
West Ham United's shocking 2006/07 campaign ended with a last day reprieve, when victory at Manchester United saved the Hammers from what had looked an inevitable relegation.
The 1-0 Old Trafford success was brought courtesy of a Carlos Tevez goal, and was the second time that the east London side had beaten United in the year when Sir Alex Ferguson's men regained the Premiership crown. Tevez's contribution, particularly in the run-in towards the end of the season, was colossal and controversial in equal measures. The Argentine striker scored only seven league goals in all, but many of them came in the months of March and April when desperate times called for desperate measures. He almost single-handedly inspired the Hammers to a run of seven wins from their last nine games, saving their Premiership bacon when all looked lost. Yet arguments still rage about whether Tevez should ever have graced the Upton Park pitch. Representatives of relegated Sheffield United aswell as other lower placed sides such as Wigan Athletic and Fulham still insist that the club should have been deducted points after admitting that they had broke Premier League rules on third party ownership of players. Furthermore, those clubs maintain that Tevez's subsequent eligibility remains unproven.
In August, Tevez had been placed at West Ham by the mysterious Iranian Kia Joorabchian along with fellow Argentine international Javier Mascherano as talk of a takeover gathered pace. In the event the club was bought by Icelandic biscuit baron Eggert Magnusson shortly after, and it was he who was left to deal with the eventual fallout from the unusual arrangement.
Joorabchian still claims that it is he and not the club who owns the registration of Tevez (Mascherano moved on to Liverpool after failing to win a regular starting slot). Despite the administrative cock-up, Tevez was allowed to play on by the Premier League who fined the club £5.5million. That decision was to prove West Ham's saviour in the end, though we may still hear more on the subject from those who feel wronged by the Premier League's decision.
Setting aside the legal wrangling, West Ham's escape is nothing short of miraculous when one considers their plight in early March. A 2-0 and then a 3-2 lead was blown in a 4-3 loss at home to Tottenham, and with Arsenal and Chelsea still on the fixture list it seemed that there was no hope for survival. Yet Arsenal were seen off thanks to a Bobby Zamora goal, while Blackburn Rovers fell in yet more controversial circumstances when both West Ham goals looked to have been as a result of generous refereeing decisions.
Middlesbrough, Everton, Wigan Athletic and Bolton Wanderers were also dispatched, with even the 3-0 reverse at Sheffield United and the 4-1 home drubbing by Chelsea failing to pull the plug on the Hammers' top-flight stay. It was a truly remarkable run, but it still needed Wigan Athletic's 2-1 win at Sheffield United to ensure Premiership football at Upton Park next season. Cue the legal arguments.
It had all started so bleakly for the Hammers, with manager Alan Pardew replaced by Alan Curbishley at Christmas. Pardew had overseen a dreadful start to the season, that despite being the man responsible for last season's terrific run to the FA Cup final and top-half league finish. The arrivals of Tevez and Mascherano seemed to upset the jellied eel cart, with the former Reading manager often refusing flatly to include the Argentine duo in the starting line-up. A 4-0 defeat by Bolton Wanderers on December 9 proved the last straw for Pardew, who in a bizarre twist went on to take up Curbishley's old post at The Valley.
Curbishley spent big in the January window, bringing in the likes of Luis Boa Morte, Lucas Neill and Matthew Upson in an attempt to turn things around. Yet injuries to all three at various stages of the run-in looked to have scuppered his efforts until that late, devastating, Tevez-inspired run. When West Ham United were thumped 6-0 by Reading on New Year's Day you could have got very long odds on a revival, and perhaps even longer by the time of Tottenham's late show at Upton Park in March.
Turning to the cups, Pardew's side were massively outplayed by Italian side Palermo in their first UEFA Cup assignment. They went down in both legs, suffering a 1-0 home defeat before a 3-0 pasting in Italy. Nor could they replicate last year's heroics in the FA Cup, bowing out at the fourth round stage after a 1-0 home defeat by Watford. That followed the indignity of defeat to giant-killing Chesterfield in the Carling Cup, with the Saltergate side having already put Manchester City out of the competition.
Having secured their top-flight status for next term then, West Ham are now expected to push on following Magnusson's multi-million pound investment. The club are close to a deal to sign Newcastle United skipper Scott Parker at the time of writing, and Manchester City's troubled but talented midfielder Joey Barton could follow. With Mascherano gone the future of Tevez remains unclear. The 22-year-old has been linked with all of the top four Premiership clubs, aswell as various sides in Spain in Italy over the last few months. He is unlikely to remain at West Ham, but the money is there to secure a reasonable replacement. Charlton's Darren Bent has been strongly linked with a reunion with his old manager after the Addicks failed to beat the drop.
West Ham's 2006/07 campaign shows how far the mighty can fall, and that you can never rest on your laurels in the Premiership. Yet thanks to the miracles of Tevez, they seem in a strong position to finally build on their successes of a year ago.
By Stephen Orford
June 1 2007
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Mears poised for Rams move - Clubcall
20070601 13:12
Billy Davies has confirmed that Derby are close to wrapping up the permanent transfer of Tyrone Mears from West Ham United. The 24-year-old moved to the Rams on loan in January and played a key role in the club's promotion to the Premiership. Mears cost the Hammers £1million when he joined them from Preston North End last summer and the Premiership outfit are likely to demand the same fee from Derby. "Tyrone is a young player who has plenty of potential, as we saw in the play-off final, and we are now trying to tie up the deal," manager Davies told the Derby Evening Telegraph. "He is raw at times, he makes mistakes and his concentration level can dip.
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Boa Morte: I'll prove worth at West Ham
tribalfooball.com - June 01, 2007
Luis Boa Morte says he is staying with West Ham United. "I am with West Ham, I have a contract and I am going to stay there," said the Portugal international winger. "It's been a difficult year, after the World Cup I failed to recover properly and that affected my form. "Now I want to rest, make the most of this summer break and then build towards having a big season in the Premiership."
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Hammers get Parker, now for Barton - Daily Mail
Last updated at 12:52pm on 1st June 2007
West Ham are lining up an all-new English central-midfield as it emerged they are in talks to sign Manchester City's bad boy Joey Barton having today landed Scott Parker from Newcastle for an undisclosed fee. The Hammers are prepared to meet the controversial Barton's £5.5million release clause and aim to pair him alongside former Charlton star Parker, who it is thought has cost about £7m. Newcastle hoped to use the money from the Parker sale to sign Barton, but may now switch their attention to West Ham's Nigel Reo-Coker. England international Parker travelled to London to meet with West Ham officials and pave the way to becoming Alan Curbishley's first signing of the summer. Never before have West Ham been in a position where they can tempt leading Premiership players to Upton Park with healthy salaries. But, as one source put it, money has ceased to be an issue since Eggert Magnusson's consortium took over the club.
Curbishley has been given significant funds - thought to be in excess of £40million - to ensure there is no repeat of last season's relegation battle and to spearhead a challenge for Europe.
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West Ham complete Parker deal - ViewLondon.co.uk
West Ham United appear to be on the verge of completing their capture of Newcastle captain Scott Parker after the clubs reportedly agreed a fee. Although the price is undisclosed, rumours suggest it is likely to be more than the £6.5 million the Magpies paid for his services from Chelsea but less than the £10 million the Blues paid Charlton for him in the summer of 2004. Newcastle United manager Sam Allardyce has risked making an enemy of some sections of the St James' Park crowd by selling Parker, who is widely considered to be the club's most consistent performer. However, the former Bolton boss is keen to stamp his authority on his new post and an exodus of the current crop of players who managed only a 14th-place finish in the Premiership last season always seemed likely. Parker's move back to London will also see him reunited with former manager Alan Curbishley, who was the Charlton boss throughout the 26-year-old's stay at the Valley. In securing the England international's services, West Ham have pipped rivals Tottenham Hotspur who were also believed to be in the running to sign him.
Several players are already being linked with a move to the north-east as a direct replacement for Parker, including West Ham's own captain Nigel Reo-Coker and former Manchester City skipper Joey Barton. Both players seem set to leave their respective clubs in the summer after ongoing disputes.
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Reo-Coker eyeing Magpies switch - TeamTalk
West Ham midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker would relish a move to Newcastle, according to his agent Tony Finnegan. The midfielder is apparently desperate to leave the Upton Park club and submitted a transfer request last week. He has been linked with a number of Premiership clubs since and with Scott Parker close to leaving Newcastle for the Hammers in an £8million deal, boss Sam Allardyce reportedly sees Reo-Coker as the ideal replacement. The 23-year-old would cost around £8million and Finnegan told the Sun: "Sam Allardyce knows how to get in contact with Nigel and we would welcome a call. "If Sam said he wanted to speak, Nigel would be on the train in a shot. It would be very interesting to see what his plans are for Newcastle."
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Premier League give West Ham their support - WHO
North Bank - Fri Jun 1 2007
The Premier League yesterday gave West Ham some backing over their fight with arbitration. Fulham demanded their own arbitration into the West Ham case of fielding Tevez and Mascherano, but with one abstention only Wigan backed Fulham as Charlton and Sheffield United are already relegated. I do miss Dave Whelan's outbursts and in the process making a mug of himself.
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£1m deal to keep Mears is so close - TheRams.co.uk
Derby County are close to completing the signing of Tyrone Mears from West Ham United. Mears has been on loan since January and the deal for the 24-year-old defender was always likely to become permanent. He joined West Ham in a £1m move from Preston North End last summer and could cost the Rams a similar fee. "Tyrone is a young player who has plenty of potential, as we saw in the play-off final, and we are now trying to tie up the deal," said manager Billy Davies. "He is raw at times, he makes mistakes and his concentration level can dip. "But with the athleticism and pace he possesses, the tackles he is capable of making and the way he can get forward, I think he is a player who, given time and support, can be a very good right-back."
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Hammers agree Parker deal - metro.co.uk
Friday, June 1, 2007
West Ham have agreed an undisclosed fee with Newcastle for midfielder Scott Parker. The England international was captain at St James' Park under Glenn Roeder last season, but the London-born midfielder is thought to have wanted a return to the capital and has been allowed to leave by new Magpies manager Sam Allardyce. Parker's move to West Ham will reunite him with former Charlton boss Alan Curbishley. The 26-year-old began his career under Curbishley at The Valley before moving to Chelsea in 2004. He moved on to Newcastle two years ago. His arrival at Upton Park will clear the way for the West Ham captain, Nigel Reo-Coker to leave the club. The midfielder handed in a transfer request last week after talks over a new contract broke down.
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Parker plumps for West Ham
Midfielder reunited with former manager at Upton Park
Staff and agencies
Friday June 1, 2007
Guardian Unlimited
Scott Parker has signed for West Ham from Newcastle United for an undisclosed fee believed to be in the region of £7m. The move will reunite the former Magpies captain with Alan Curbishley, who he first played for at Charlton. It is understood that the prospect of teaming up with his former manager was a major factor in the midfielder's decision to opt for the East End club ahead of Tottenham Hotspur, who were also interested in securing his signature.
An England international with three caps to his name, Parker took over as Newcastle skipper in the wake of Alan Shearer's retirement in the summer of 2006, a year after moving to Tyneside for £6.5m following a frustrating spell at Chelsea. Having been signed from Charlton for £10m, Parker seldom figured in Jose Mourinho's side because of a foot injury. Parker is Curbishley's first signing of the summer, but is unlikely to be last given that the West Ham boss has been given a significant warchest to ensure there is no repeat of the club's dangerous flirtation with relegation last season. Parker is seen as a direct replacement for Hammers captain Nigel Reo-Coker, who is expected to leave Upton Park any day now, with Aston Villa leading the chase for his signature.
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West Ham want both Parker, Barton in new-look midfield
tribalfooball.com - June 01, 2007
West Ham United are rivaling Newcastle for Manchester City midfielder Joey Barton. The Daily Mail says Hammers boss Alan Curbishley will move for Barton once he wraps up the signing of Toon captain Scott Parker. Curbs wants to pair Barton and Parker in a new-look midfield next season
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Palace player-coaching offer for West Ham's Sheringham
tribalfooball.com - June 01, 2007
Crystal Palace are closing in on a deal for West Ham United veteran Teddy Sheringham. Palace hope to convince Sheringham to choose Selhurst Park by offering the striker a part-time coaching role.
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Blades stay away from Premier AGM - The Star Sheffield
SHEFFIELD United are not expected to attend the Premier League AGM as they concentrate their efforts on overturning their relegation to the Championship. The meeting marks the end of United's membership of the FAPL, with chief executive Richard Scudamore announcing he will forcibly revoke their card following the club's decision to declare legal war on his organisation's failure to deduct West Ham points for a serious breach of transfer regulations. Earlier this month, United had threatened not to resign from the competition until June 18's arbitration hearing into the matter delivers its verdict. But, despite enjoying the backing of Wigan, Fulham, Charlton and Middlesbrough, officials at Bramall Lane have opted to confine their protest to matters of protocol in order to protect their moral position ahead of what could turn out to be one of the most tumultuous summers in the history of English football.
Arguing that the FAPL's "irrational" display of leniency towards West Ham ultimately cost his side a top-flight place next term, United's plc chairman, Kevin McCabe, has vowed to pursue the matter to the High Court if necessary but is expected to delay a direct confrontation by refusing to travel tomorrow. "I don't think we will be going," a United source told The Star. Brussels based property developer McCabe, who will return to England to oversee United's preparations for arbitration, has been outspoken in his criticism of the FAPL. But, barring a late change of heart, he will allow others to do his bidding inside the AGM while he concentrates on picking holes in the argument that West Ham have been adequately punished. Matthew Kilgallon has missed the cut for the England squad for the European Under-21 Championships this summer. Ahmed Fathi has been selected for Egypt's African Nations qualifiers against Mauritania and Burundi, while Luton Shelton is expected to represent Jamaica when they entertain Chile in Kingston next week.
31 May 2007
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Premier League a cartel with handful of rich clubs in control - the Star Sheffield
The legal complexities of this are beyond my understanding – but there were articles in the press in January saying that West Ham faced a 'certain points deduction' for the illegal registration of the Argentinians, and the dismay of the press, together with radio and TV correspondents when the verdict was announced in April. It must also be remembered that West Ham were taken over late in 2006, and no doubt clauses were put into the agreement indemnifying the new owners against any litigation charges – so the £5.5million fine may well end up being paid by the previous owners and the club will end up with no punishment at all!
It seems that the Premier League is fast becoming a cartel, with a handful of rich clubs in control and a dozen clubs there just to make up the numbers. The League officials just kowtow to the rich clubs – they need to be reminded that they are the custodians of a professional game with a long history and if they are not prepared to look after the interests of all clubs then they should go.
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Barton AND Parker - Vital Football
While it comes as no surprise that the Scott Parker deal to West Ham is all but 'signed, sealed and delivered`. This morning`s paper talk has a surprising twist in that Alan Curbishley`s spending is set to continue with a move for Joey Barton. Obviously this is the Daily Star talking, so it`s about as reliable as my dementia-suffering great-aunt Mavis, but nevertheless - how much are the Hammers going to spend this summer?! Already this morning they`ve been linked to Cahill, Darren Bent and Barton to go with their £8m or so splashed out on Parker. The joys of a rich benefactor…
Anyway we`re still pegged that it`s Willy McKay trying to force ours and Villa`s hands early doors so he can have a nice summer holiday in the Caribbean.
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Newcastle feel in pole position for Viduka - Daily Mail
Last updated at 15:05pm on 1st June 2007
Newcastle are increasingly confident of persuading Middlesbrough striker Mark Viduka to make the short trip to Tyneside rather than renewing his contract at Boro or opting for a new start at either West Ham or Portsmouth. The 31-year-old is yet to give Boro boss Gareth Southgate an answer and the Teessiders insist negotiations are ongoing. But insiders at St James' believe they have edged to the front of the queue as they attempt to secure a positive conclusion to a year-long pursuit. Should that prove to be the case, only time will tell whether or not Bolton defender Tal Ben Haim joins him on Tyneside with Allardyce's successor at the Reebok Stadium, Sammy Lee, insisting he has not given up hope of retaining the services of the out-of-contract Israel international.
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