Curbs targets top ten finish - KUMB
Filed: Sunday, 29th July 2007
By: Matthew O'Greel
Alan Curbishley has told KUMB.com that he is aiming for a top ten finish next season. With expectations high following a spate of recent signings and rumours of more to follow, Curbishley has revealed that European qualification - as suggested by some - would be an unexpected bonus rather than a target. Yet given good progress in 07/08, he admitted that a top six finish would be in his sights the following year. Talking to Colin Wells and Gary Jones for KUMB.com during the recent visit to Austria, Curbishley said: "We've got players that are good enough for us to have a solid season. If we have a solid season that makes us a little bit more attractive for next year and people start to know about us. "We've got to get that. There's a lot of negativity around us and we've got to spin that around by what we do on the pitch. Hopefully we'll do that this year. "It's a proper expectation level for us and if we do a little bit better then fine, if we do a little bit worse than that, that's disappointing."
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Alan Curbishley: Part Two - KUMB
Filed: Sunday, 29th July 2007
By: Gary Jones and Colin Wells
Alan Curbishley took time out from the recent pre-season tour of Austria to talk to Gary Jones and Colin Wells. In the second part of our exclusive three-part interview, Curbs talks to KUMB.com about his summer recruits, the club's media perception and his expectations for the coming season ...
KUMB.com: On transfers Alan – do you work out a list of targets with Eggert?
Alan Curbishley: Yeah. I have nothing to do with the finances - Scott Duxbury deals with transfers and [when signing a player] if we get him, we get him. If he's too expensive, or if they think it's getting out of hand then they'll call me into it and we'll have a discussion.
It's totally different to what I did at Charlton – there I did the lot, and I don't feel that that's my brief at the moment. So much goes into a transfer – it doesn't happen in a day, it can take weeks - Bellamy took two weeks, and it goes on …
KUMB: And why is that – because of the player's agent, or different circumstances?
AC: They don't need to haggle over a price because we pose the price first. When the club are saying 'no' then it becomes difficult as transfers are protracted now.
KUMB: Why do you think that is?
AC: Because it's so hard to get a player. You know, you let a player go and you've got to get that cover in straight away or …
KUMB: Is it because of the transfer windows?
AC: No. It's so difficult to get a player - a lot of clubs are just saying 'no' and they don't want a deal. Not just to us but to everybody; there's not been a lot of transfers at all [this summer].
KUMB: Do you find that at the moment that the same clubs are going for the same type of players?
AC: Yeah, but that's always the same. The newly promoted clubs will go for players that have just been relegated or players that have done well at other teams in the lower end of it because they can attract them and they can pay the fees and wages. It's all relative.
There are a lot of people, as I said last week, that would like us not just to walk before we could crawl but run before we can crawl - and there's a big difference in expectation levels.
If you look at it our biggest fee has been £7.5million - we've took more in. Other clubs have paid more in fees and wages to players than we could so it isn't an OK Corale, it isn't like …
KUMB: … the Leeds situation?
AC: No. We're not irresponsible, during this window we've taken as much as we've spent. Obviously Christmas was different - we were in trouble and if you care to look at the players we brought in I'm looking at the right age, I'm looking at the right experience, and the right characters for us. At the moment we've just replaced people, but there's still another five weeks to go to see if we can bring someone else in.
KUMB: The expectation levels are high - my son has gone through a number of threads on KUMB and it's a common theme. What's a realistic aim for next year Alan?
AC: Top ten. I think that mid-table for us is where we should be - not forgetting what happened to us last year. But we've got players that are good enough for us to have a solid season.
If we have a solid season that makes us a little bit more attractive for next year and people start to know about us. We've got to get that. There's a lot of negativity around us, there was a lot of negativity all last year and most of the press was negative. We've got to spin that around by what we do on the pitch and hopefully we'll do that this year. That's not being negative, top ten's a decent position …
KUMB: I'd be well pleased with that.
AC: I think a lot of people will look at that and go 'ooh, that's negative' – but it's not, it's a proper expectation level for us and if we do a little bit better then fine, if we do a little bit worse than that, that's disappointing. You know, if you finish mid-table and turn three draws into three wins you're around Europe. From being in Europe to being in the relegation battle is only 12 points [or so].
KUMB: Yeah, it's a fine line.
AC: You know, if we end up having the season where we gather six to eight points more than we did last year, and instead of finishing fifth from bottom we finish mid-table ... But I asked Eggert for assurance that if it goes belly up he would be backing it - and he assured me he was, and he assured all the staff at Upton Park through that run that he was in a big meeting. He announced [his plans], and they're not short term.
KUMB: Has he got a good business plan?
AC: Yeah. I think he's a little bit misunderstood, he needs to get out around the supporter's clubs. I think he needs to get out and express himself a bit more but he's not here for the quick fix - he wants to build a club.
KUMB: He's a football man as well …
AC: He's got more football knowledge than most people give him credit for, and he's been around football all his life.
KUMB: He was on UEFA's Executive Committee, of course.
AC: Yeah, and he knows players and he's got a lot of contacts. You know, I asked him two things – 'if it goes wrong are you going to back it?' and 'is it a long term plan with solid foundations?' I reminded him that West Ham have yo-yo'd the last ten years …
KUMB: Yeah we know that!
AC: They've yo-yo'd, you know. Charlton were like that but every year we just got a little bit stronger. We're not talking about Tottenham but in the last four to five years you can see what they've managed to do - they've stabilised themselves and then they've gone for the best young talent. They've bought well and that's gradually improved them. West Ham have been too much like that.
Someone told me recently how they got two tickets for the Cup Final for a friend. They came to the game and they said it was the best day, even though they lost. They said, 'I can say I was there', because it was a celebration, you know.
When you think of West Ham it is highs and lows - and when they get a high they do get high! The story I got was that there were so many limousines and whatever turning up at the Millennium that you couldn't believe it - it was just unbelievable. They were making a day of it and they enjoyed themselves. When West Ham fans enjoy themselves they enjoy themselves - and when there are down, they're down.
I had some Charlton fans come in for the run-in and they've not heard a noise. They said the noise and the atmosphere at Upton Park for the Everton and Bolton games was unbelievable. All I've said to the players - especially the ones coming in – is that if you give the fans something to get behind they'll get behind it and if you're not giving them anything then they'll let you know.
I don't see a problem with that and I did say that when I was getting heavily criticised. It's when [the media] were criticising things that happen every day on the training ground and when they were fabricating, sensationalising things - that was when it was getting out of hand. But you know, I had no problem with the criticism I was getting.
KUMB: But on that point Alan, and as you know, at the Charlton game there were a lot of West Ham fans singing 'there's only one Alan Pardew'. Did that bother you?
AC: Well, no - it was a lot of friction between fans.
KUMB: We found it very disrespectful, you know. What are your thoughts on that?
AC: It's difficult to say because I done fifteen years at Charlton and I think the Charlton fans wanted to give me a good reception, but they couldn't because the game was so important.
KUMB: Well, it was a big game …
AC: Well, we got walloped and the obvious thing is to do that. As I said earlier in the interview Alan Pardew done great for West Ham, he turned it around. You know, the signings he had to make, he had to sell big and buy small if you like.
KUMB: He got a good core of young players in from other clubs.
AC: Yeah, but sometimes that's easier to work. When you can only shop at a certain supermarket it's easier than perhaps when you're being given some money to spend and your market may be different areas. But that's what I said after the Bolton game; I didn't think that anything was going to happen at West Ham. I don't think the fans did and I don't think Pards did but these things happen, you know. It's difficult, but it was obvious things were going on that I had no control of and I just felt 'well I can't do anything about this.'
KUMB: What is it like working in a situation where money is no object compared to your previous managerial role at Charlton?
AC: Well, I think that's wrong because if you look at what we've done, as I said, Bellamy is the biggest price at £7.5million, which [is less than we received] for Nigel Reo-Coker. There's lots of talk about what we're supposed to have done and what we're supposed to be doing. As for the wages people are purporting that we're paying – well, if we were paying those wages we would have had whoever we wanted coming in to the club.
KUMB: Does that include people like Darren Bent?
AC: Yeah, we would have had whoever. It's just that they've latched onto something - I've read somewhere that we were offering someone £85,000 a week, but we hadn't even spoke to Everton about anything. You know, it's just something to write. But it is different to Charlton.
KUMB: Because of the status of West Ham United?
AC: I think because Eggert's come in and because we've got big backers and lots of money. But once again, Bellamy is the biggest fee £7.5million, Parker's the next one at £7 million; Faubert and Upson at £6million. At Christmas, when we obviously had to do things to change it around, the fees we were paying then we thought would be normal this year because of the extra money coming in - and we've been proved right. But we're happy with what we've done.
We've lost out on players because other clubs have paid them more, so if it was a question of money then we would have won it. But I think we're being sensible, we know what we're trying to do.
KUMB: On those signings – Craig Bellamy?
I think Bellamy's got a lot to prove. I've said it to him, 'you've got a reputation which I think is not quite right but the only way you'll turn that around is by becoming a hero at Upton Park so they talk about you about your football as opposed to anything else'.
If you care to look at him, I think there was only one bust-up and that was at Newcastle. If you look at his record, it's quite clear. Norwich, young up-and-coming player, they sold him; Coventry got relegated so they had to sell him; Newcastle, Bobby Robson bought him and with another manager it didn't work out. He then goes to Celtic and does fantastic at Blackburn.
Liverpool activated the get out clause, he then goes to Liverpool, has a year and there are no rows there. He's had no fights there, no discrepancies or anything. I've done my background into it. They've changed, they've gone and bought different players - and he's left.
I said, 'if you come to us the West Ham fans will love you if you do what you do. They don't want to hear anything else, they just want you to do what's right'. So he comes I think a little bit angry and hungry.
Parker does too because he played for England eight months ago. I'm saying to him, 'you've got to get back to what you were doing at Charlton. You played like two men to get away, now you've got to play like two men to get back in the England squad'. He is a different character completely.
KUMB: The ultimate professional?
AC: Totally, he sets the tempo in training.
KUMB: They looked good in training, I mean, all of them are up for it.
AC: I think Faubert has every ingredient you want from a wide player. It's unfortunate what has happened to him. But I count Upson as a massive new signing, I think in the 30 minutes he played you could see he was a player, Ashton's like a new signing - when he gets himself 100% right - and Gabbidon too.
My first game was Man U and we had fitness tests for Ferdinand and Collins the day before. They both said they were fit. Next game Collins was out and Christian Dailly went in with Ferdinand. Then we brought Gabbidon back, he lasted a couple of games and then him and Collins were both injured in the same game against Fulham. We lost Tevez that game as well so things were going on which people completely forgot about - but we were getting smashed in every which way.
KUMB: Was there a fitness issue with the players?
AC: I can only talk about what is happening now, and I think that they've attacked the pre-season. We got to the summer and I thought it was the right time to have a change around. Pardew wanted some of these people, I wanted some of mine and I felt that the summer was the only time to do it.
The six months I had working with other people's staff and other people's players wasn't a bed of roses, I must admit - but I got on with it. I just felt that we had to get through it and then when we got to the summer it would sort itself out. So there's been a bit of a turnaround now.
KUMB: So this is your team now?
AC: It's my backroom staff - and I feel all the players here today want to be here.
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Big Sam: Dyer will go - Sky
By Alex Dunn - Created on 29 Jul 2007
Sam Allardyce remains adamant in his view that Kieron Dyer will leave Newcastle, despite the midfielder's bright cameo in Sunday's 2-0 victory over Juventus.
The England international wants to move on from the North East club for personal reasons, in news that has reportedly alerted West Ham, Tottenham and Manchester City. Dyer's introduction from the substitutes' bench in the second half caught the eye but Allardyce remains steadfast in his assessment of the situation. "He played very well. But I don't think we can (keep him) for the reasons I gave on Thursday," said Allardyce. "The only way I can see to resolve this is for Kieron to move closer to his family. "Nobody has come in with the right money yet. Nobody has offered anything like the money we want. "If they don't come in (with the right offer) then all I can do is sit down with Kieron and see if there's something else we can do. "We used him for 45 minutes today because we were short of numbers."
While Dyer's days at St James' Park appear to be numbered, Albert Luque, previously an expensive flop, looks to have been handed a reprieve. It looked almost certain that the Spanish forward would be shown the exit door, having failed to replicate anything like his best form since moving to the club from Deportivo La Coruna but under Allardyce, thus far, he has put in an impressive pre-season. "Hopefully, if he can stay fit he could play a part."
Luque scored the game's opening goal from the penalty spot, before being replaced on the half hour mark, but Allardyce has been reassured the injury is not serious. "The only negative thing today was Albert coming off. But he assures me it's just a tightening (of the muscle)," the former Bolton chief concluded.
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West Ham propose Carlos Tevez peace deal - Telegraph
By Rob Stewart
Last Updated: 1:50am BST 30/07/2007
Carlos Tevez could be a Manchester United player in the next 48 hours if his owners and the Premier League agree to a peace deal proposed by West Ham.
With the Argentinian striker's move to United on hold until the row over who owns him is settled, it emerged yesterday that West Ham have now tabled a proposal under which they would receive a fee from Tevez's owners. While Kia Joorabchian, Tevez's agent and part owner, and United believe it is wrong that West Ham should receive any fee for a player they do not legally own, they know that it may be the only way to ensure his move to Old Trafford goes through in time for the club's opening game of the season against Reading in two weeks. Although Joorabchian last week launched a £30 million High Court action against West Ham, his lawyer, Graham Shear, confirmed yesterday that he would consider a settlement which allows the player to start the new Premiership season with United. A court case would take months to resolve and with West Ham chairman Eggert Magnusson resigned to losing Tevez, there is now a willingness on both sides to find a solution.
At the end of last week West Ham's lawyers proposed a settlement which would see the club paid as little as £1 million, stopping the legal action brought by Joorabchian for terminating the controversial third-party agreements setting out his economic rights over the player in April. West Ham have so far refused to release Tevez's registration, arguing that they have a contract with the player until 2010 and that the third-party agreements are unenforceable by law. They are backed by the Premier League, who only allowed Tevez to continue playing for West Ham at the end of last season after the club ripped up the agreements.
West Ham and the League believe that the only way that the row can be resolved is if Joorabchian agrees to pay the club in acknowledgment of their contractual rights over the player. The League's chairman, Sir David Richards, held talks with West Ham officials last week and will hold further discussions on the possible peace deal today with chief executive Richard Scudamore. West Ham sources indicated, however, that they would be prepared to fight on in the High Court if Joorabchian refused to pay them a settlement.
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Join the Iain Dale Fantasy Football League - West Ham Till I Die
July 28th, 2007
How do you fancy having a bit of football fun and joining my Fantasy Football League? I'll put up a prize of £100 worth of books and CDs for the winner.To enter a team (there's no charge!) click http://fantasy.premierleague.com/ . When you've registered your details, follow the instructions to select your team.
When you've done that you need to join the Iain Dale League by typing this code 496137-92054 into the relevant box. You need to register before the season starts on 11 August. Last year there were 152 teams entered (via my political blog). Let's see if we can beat that this year.
I've chosen the following players in my team…Green (West Ham), Shorey (Reading), Neill (West Ham), Woodgate (Middlesbrough), Ferdinand (Man U), Bentley (Blackburn), Petrov (Aston Villa), Nolan (Bolton), Noble (West Ham), Drogba (Chelsea), Rooney (Man U) Subs: Niemei (Fulham), Richards (Man c), Reo Coker (Aston Villa), Berbatov (Spurs).
I've also got a second team - Iain Dale's Rejects, a team consisting entirely of ex Hammers (which I have shamefully included Carlos Tevez in…)
David James, John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, Paul Konchesky (Fulham), Frank :ampard (Chelsea), Michael Carrick (Man U), Joe Cole (Chlesea), Yossi Benayoun (Liverpool), Jermain Defoe (Spurs), Carlos Tevez (?) Subs: Stephen Bywater (Derby), Tynrone Mears (Derby), Kieron Richardson (Sunderland), Marlon Harewoood (Aston Villa)
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Curbs defends market moves - TeamTalk
West Ham manager Alan Curbishley believes the club have been unfairly blamed for inflated prices in the transfer market this summer. The Hammers have been busy shoppers in the close season, with 11 comings and goings at Upton Park so far. However, four of those deals have involved fees of over £6million, and some figures in the game - such as Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn - believe the spending has spiralled out of control. However, Curbishley said: "I don't quite understand the criticism that gets levelled at us from the likes of Niall Quinn and people. "It's always 'money-bags West Ham' but if you care to analyse it, (Craig) Bellamy at £7.5million isn't a bad deal. (Scott) Parker at £7million isn't bad. I don't think we've done too badly. "We've spent £22million but we've taken £21million in and everyone seems to forget that
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You can have Tevez for £6m - The Sun
By MARK IRWIN
July 30, 2007
WEST HAM have told Kia Joorabchian he can have Carlos Tevez for £6million. That is the minimum the Premier League will allow Hammers to be paid for Tevez's registration. But Joorabchian looks sure to reject West Ham's proposal and press ahead with his High Court action. That could take months and wreck Manchester United's hopes of landing the Argie striker before the transfer window shuts on August 31. The Premier League have told the Hammers' lawyers that selling Tevez for less than £5.5m would lead to new disciplinary charges. That was the sum West Ham were fined for breaking league rules over third-party ownership. Joorabchian claims the club should get only the £100,000 stipulated in his original deal — even though that was torn up and declared illegal by the league. Tevez is contracted until 2010 with West Ham, who also hold his player registration. Joorabchian owns the star's economic rights and is insisting he gets any transfer fee. He and his MSI company are suing the club for breach of contract and go to the High Court tomorrow. But Hammers chairman Eggert Magnusson hopes a deal can still be made to allow Tevez to join United this week. Joorabchian, though, is set to take his chance in court — even at the risk of leaving Tevez in limbo until the transfer market reopens in January.
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West Ham To Up The Ante For Shorey -West Ham Fans.org
Submitted by Neville Nixon on 29 July, 2007 - 20:43.
In keeping with Hammers aggressive transfer policy. Alan Curbishley has decided to test the resolve of Nicky Shorey and his club Reading. The player who recently made his full England International debut was rumored to be putting pen to paper on a new four year deal that would be worth £25,000 per week, but Shorey could well be tempted by a considerably better offer from West Ham.
A £5 million buy out clause in his current contract means that the left back's transfer could be completed as early as next Wednesday if he wanted to make the move.
Curbs has as usual been tight lipped about his transfer targets, but club sources suggest that he is happy that tabloid Kieran Dyer rumours are deflecting coverage from that of his next real target, and that is Shorey. With only George McCartney as a recognised left back following the sale of Paul Konchesky to Fulham, there is an obvious and urgent need to add cover, if the Shorey deal doesn't go through then Curbs will switch his attention to Leyton Baines.
Now when in the last 30 years have West Ham fans been able to look forward to a season with such anticipation? The Chairman has embarked on a re-building program that puts even the move to buy the then most expensive goal keeper in the world, Phil Parkes, to shade.
How many new faces do you think will arrive before the transfer window closes? One thing that is for sure, Carlos Tevez will become a Manc probably before the end of the week, perhaps Hammers can negotiate a 'gentlemans agreement' to make sure that he doesn't play against the team next season Oh sorry, that would be against Premier and FA rules wouldn't it? - Ed
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Dropping down a level will allow highly desirable Defoe to achieve his enduring goals - footballingworld.com
July 22nd, 2007
User rating: 3.3/5 (23 votes)
Despite not making the England World Cup squad last year and subsequently falling behind Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov at Tottenham, Jermain Defoe is a highly desirable acquisition. In 29 starts last campaign, the former West Ham striker netted an impressive 18 times and his potency in front of goal has attracted interest from across the Premier League.
Just 24, Defoe is adamant that he can make a success of himself at White Hart Lane, "If I was going to leave I would have gone by now." However, will another season as third-choice forward keep him content? He must swiftly decide whether he wishes to further his England career and personal development, as opportunities to front Spurs' attack under Martin Jol will be scarce. Defoe's fantastic return in 2006/7 – his second best in Tottenham colours – was testimony to his predatory instincts, and it is evident that he is equipped to be a regular starter.
The imminent prospect of being Spurs' fourth-choice striker must surely trigger thoughts of moving away
At Spurs, though, there are two better options. Keane and Berbatov have formed a lethal partnership and scored 45 goals between them, plus 22 assists, as Jol's side finished fifth again and progressed into the latter stages of the FA and Uefa Cups. A year ago, Defoe was being linked with a move to Manchester United, but their interest cooled considerably following league glory and the introduction of Carlos Tévez has seemingly ended any hope of a transfer in the near future. Now, Portsmouth and Manchester City are the leading contenders for his signature for a reported £12m fee. Both clubs are expected to make the Uefa Cup in 2008 and Defoe could exploit a move to one of them, where he would be a certain starter, to gain promotion to one of the big four teams.
Defoe's natural talent has yet to be fulfilled but leading the line at a club where there are fewer expectations could prove a turning point in what has been a stop-start career thus far. A move to Tottenham when only 21 may have hindered his progress rather an abetted it and comparisons have been made with newest signing Darren Bent. Whereas Defoe has been on the periphery over the last few years, Bent shone at Ipswich and then Charlton, playing continuously and scoring with regularity. He moves to North London as a more mature player – he is 23 – than Defoe was, and could soon overtake the £7m 2004 signing in the pecking order. Defoe, of course, left Charlton in his teens in a controversial move to the Hammers in order to play in the top flight.
Now, though, he has reached a crossroads. He insists he enjoys the competition at his current employers and is happy to fight for his place, but the imminent prospect of being Spurs' fourth-choice striker must surely trigger thoughts of moving away. West Ham and Aston Villa have also declared an interest, and all four clubs chasing him have the wherewithal to pay the high transfer fee demanded. Bent's arrival means Jol is able to dispense with diminutive forward, but ultimately it is down to Defoe: does he have the drive to leave a thriving club and try his fortunes at one of four European pretenders? His England career is in the balance while Tottenham struggle to find room for his capabilities. Therefore, dropping down a level but playing first fiddle looks necessary if Defoe is to head the national side's front line and achieve his lasting ambition of lifting trophies with one of England's elite teams in the future.
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Rapt Neill embraces Hammer captaincy - news.com.au
Article from: Sunday Herald
July 29, 2007 12:00am
LUCAS Neill believes his installation as West Ham's new captain gives him the chance to prove his devotion to Upton Park. Neill, 29, was criticised after his January decision to walk out on Blackburn and turn down the chance of European glory with Liverpool for a reported $165,000 a week salary with the relegation-strugglers. To make matters worse, the defender was injured in his first match for the Hammers and missed three of the next four games as the club looked like sliding into the Championship until a miraculous late escape. But manager Alan Curbishley, who attacked the rich-kid culture among top players when he took over at Upton Park, has named Neill to replace Nigel Reo-Coker as skipper, after the midfielder left under a cloud for Aston Villa. "I only learned about this an hour after coming back from Asia this morning, when the boss asked me if I was ready to train and that he was about to announce me as the new captain," Neill said. "It is a big honour, and although I don't feel I really have anything to prove to anybody I want to show to myself and West Ham just how much it means to me. "Some of the things that were said when I first signed hurt me a bit and I feel I've already vindicated myself a little.
"But the reason I joined West Ham was that it was made very clear to me that I was going to be an important part of the team. "A lot of huge names -- like Bobby Moore -- have captained West Ham in the past . . . I'm still millions of miles away from that, but I'm going to do the job a best I can and I'm looking forward to it."
Having escaped relegation on the final day of the season, West Ham has had to deal with the dispute over Carlos Tevez, but Neill stressed the rest of the squad was simply looking forward to the new season with high expectations. "We have enough leaders in the squad to achieve much better things this time," he said. "A lot of us new guys had no control over the bad start West Ham made to last season. "Hopefully we can start as well as we finished last term and get to 40 points as quickly as possible. "It will be my job to oversee what looks like being a very lively dressing room and that is healthy."
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West Ham boss Curbishley eager to see Tevez issue over
tribalfooball.com - July 29, 2007
West Ham boss Alan Curbishley admits he's eager to see Carlos Tevez's proposed move to Manchester United cleared up. Tevez's agent Kia Joorabchian has reportedly claimed the £30million transfer may get resolved within the next seven days, but the West Ham boss is not so sure. But Curbishley said: "It will be nice to get the season started and the whole thing over. I still don't know what's going to happen and I've got an open mind about it."
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West Ham's Bowyer: I can play with Dyer
tribalfooball.com - July 29, 2007
Lee Bowyer insists he'd welcome former Newcastle teammate Kieron Dyer to West Ham. Few will forget the brawl in April 2005, when Bowyer and Dyer were sent off for fighting each other during a 3-0 defeat by Aston Villa. Both apologised and Bowyer insists he would relish the chance to play alongside Dyer once again if West Ham win the race to sign the England star. Bowyer told the Sunday Mirror: "We are fine. It was a crazy moment and I've spoken about it before.
"Kieron is a good player - he is versatile and can play anywhere across the midfield or up front. If he comes here he will be good for the squad."
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Ljungberg: West Ham a sleeping giant
tribalfooball.com - July 29, 2007
Freddie Ljungberg is convinced West Ham chairman Eggert Magnusson is capable of awaking the "sleeping giant". The former Arsenal midfielder said: "There were a lot of clubs after me in the summer, but after speaking to Mr Magnusson I know West Ham are a sleeping giant. "Magnusson really wants to go for it. You can see it in his eyes - he wants to make West Ham a top club in England and he's not scared to buy players. He wanted me to help him build this team and I wanted to be part of it. "For me to leave Arsenal it had to be something really special. But the way he approached me and told me what he wants to do with this club made up my mind. It is going to be great."
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Bowyer: I want to finish career with West Ham
tribalfooball.com - July 29, 2007
Lee Bowyer insists his move to West Ham United has made him a reformed character. The former Newcastle and Leeds midfielder told the Sunday Mirror: "I have made mistakes, like everybody else. I am just trying to keep myself to myself and get on with things. "I don't like to make excuses for things that have happened in the past. I made those mistakes, but having my family around helps. I want to concentrate on doing the right things for West Ham. I am home now and at the place where I hope to finish my career. "I was up north for 10 years and it is a long time to be away from your family. I went at a young age and it is time for me to put things right from the last time I was here. "I like to think Lee Bowyer will be a player to watch out for this season."
Although Bowyer has his heart set on regaining his best form, he has ruled out a return to the England set-up, saying: "I don't really look at the England situation any more and I feel my time has gone. "I'd rather concentrate on club football."
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