29/08/2007 22:17
A Kyel Reid 25-yard scorcher was almost enough to secure a point for West
Ham United's reserves, until Aston Villa snatched a late winner on Wednesday
night. The reserves kicked off the new season playing at the Woodside
ground, home of Bishop's Stortford FC, under Kevin Keen and nearly took a
share of the spoils. A young team, aided by first teamers Jimmy Walker in
goal and John Pantsil in defence, started brightly and created several
chances in the first 20 minutes. Jack Collison and Freddie Sears were both
lively in and around the box and Pantsil saw an effort blocked as he tried a
low shot. Aston Villa then pushed forward, Mikaelsson tried his luck with a
rebound strike after Walker had saved, but the ball went wide. Reid then
linked up well with Jack Collison, but the final ball was just too long for
him to latch on to. It remained 0-0 at half time and Keen made a change as
the second half began, Ashley Miller coming on for Lorcan Fitzgerald. Walker
was alert to two Villa chances early on in the half, before another change
was made to the Hammers side, with Junior Stanislas replacing Freddie Sears.
Half chances fell to both sides and Walker made a double save before Villa
made the breakthrough. Hogg jumped up high enough to see the ball hit the
underside of the crossbar and then into the back of the net. But the Hammers
responded well and were soon on level terms. Reid picked up the ball and
sent a blistering shot from 25-yards past the Villa keeper. Two goals in
four minutes had opened the game up and West Ham nearly took the lead, as
Reid sent in a pinpoint cross only for Junior Stanislas' effort to bounce
off the post with inches to spare. With the game looking like a stale-mate,
Villa pounced to take all three points as Lowry hit the winner in the 89th
minute. For goalscorer Reid, there was disappointment the Hammers could not
get something from the game. Speaking afterwards, the young midfielder said:
"I was pleased with the goal. They took the lead but we got back soon after
and that was good. "It was a shame we couldn't get the point, but it's only
the first game and I think we showed there is a lot to come from us."
by Laura Burkin
West Ham United: Walker, Pantsil, Fitzgerald, Blackwell, N'Gala, Stokes,
Hales, Collison, Jeffery, Sears, Reid
Subs: Blackmore, Stanislas (Sears), Miller (Fitzgerald), O'Neill, Hunt,
Harvey
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Keen pleased with reserve performance - WHUFC
30/08/2007 10:16
Kevin Keen was pleased with the attitude of his players even though Aston
Villa grabbed a late winner at Woodside. West Ham United's reserve team
manager said he was delighted at the way his team responded when Villa took
the lead, getting themselves back into the game. "I think that was the
biggest positive for me certainly, the reaction we had to their goal, said
Kevin. "Villa scoring was disappointing, but we continued forward, creating
two or three opportunities and then Kyel scored a wonderful strike. So this
was all a big plus for me. "I thought we were going to do enough for a point
but what let us down a little, was dealing with their set-pieces, we
struggled a bit and it undone us in the end. "We had a very young team out
there, which is no excuse as they did as well, but Villa was much bigger
than us physically and it worked to their advantage here." Kevin said that
as the games happen he hopes to see more quality shine through in the
Hammers' play. "Villa probably had a fraction more quality than us. But
there was some good performances out there. Our senior players all got 90
minutes under their belts, Johnny Pantsil ran and ran all night. "I have
told Kyel that I expect that and more from him, and for players like Freddie
Sears, playing for the reserves is a big step up from youth football and
while he and some of the other lads are small in size, they have wonderful
ability and touch, and that is what we need to bring to the fore." He added:
"We didn't get anything here, but created chances so we know we can get
results. We are up against Reading next week. It will be a tough one, as
they won the league last year, but we will go there and see what we can do."
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Curbs reflects on injuries - WHUFC
30/08/2007 11:45
Alan Curbishley today reflected on the unfortunate injuries that have hit
the Hammers in recent weeks. "We've been very unlucky," he admitted. "We've
lost Faubert, Dyer and Parker practically before they've even kicked a ball.
But that's what the squad is there for and we have to get on with it." With
Kieron Dyer suffering a fractured leg, Curbs insists others will step up to
the plate in his absence. "Lee Bowyer played on the right on Tuesday, he
came on and scored against Wigan," he said. "We've got players who can play
there, it's just that the players we brought in were brought in to play
specifically in that position.
"It's a long term injury to Kieron and it's desperately disappointing," he
added. "We played well in the first half against Bristol Rovers. "Then we
found out the extent of the injury at half-time and the dressing room went
completely quiet. It shows how much we all felt for him and as a result it
was a difficult second half. "It wasn't a malicious challenge. The player
lashed out and it went horribly wrong. I spoke to Lennie Lawrence after the
game, he said the kid had no intention but it just went wrong. "I spoke to
Kieron last night and left him in a good mood. He knows he has to battle
back but he is more than capable of doing that. "Right now, I don't think
Freddie Ljungberg and Scott Parker are too far away from being fit. If they
aren't back for Saturday then we have the international break to get them
fit in time for the Middlesbrough game."
With speculation surrounding the Hammers and the transfer window about to
close, Curbs admitted: "It's very tight now so it's extremely difficult to
do any business. "We are getting linked to players. I try not to talk about
players with other clubs because they are with other clubs and you have to
respect that.
"It's all about timing and it's a pressurised situation coming to the end of
the window. Clubs are reluctant to let their players go so there won't be
much business done."
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Mullins: Madejski Memories will spur us on - WHUFC
30/08/2007 13:48
Hayden Mullins insists the Hammers will use the memory of last season's 6-0
defeat at the Madejski Stadium to secure victory against Reading there on
Saturday. "It was one of the worst games I've been involved in," he
admitted. "We were going through a bad run at that time and it was one of
the manager's earliest games. "It was a horrible one to be involved in but
it's one which we're going to use to fuel us this Saturday. "We know it's
going to be a very tough game. We're not underestimating this game at all.
"We know it's going to be a very difficult game for us but it's one where we
feel we can get three points."
Hayden has started in the last three matches against Birmingham, Wigan and
Bristol Rovers and is enjoying being back in action. "I'm pleased with my
form and pleased with the ways things are going," he said. "There have been
injuries to some of the lads. That's why I feel that I'm in there. It's just
a case of trying to play well and stay fit. "That's what you're a pro for;
to play in the first team, to play in front of people and to show them how
you can play. I'm enjoying every minute at the moment. We need a couple more
wins in the league and everything will be fine."
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Sears called up for England - WHUFC
30/08/2007 15:11
West Ham United's young striker Freddie Sears has been called up for the
England Under-19's in September. Freddie, who was the Hammer's top scorer
last season in the youth team, will join the squad for a friendly against
Belarus, on September 11. The call-up came as a huge delight to Freddie, who
had made playing for his country as one of his targets this season. Freddie
said: "I got a telephone call the other week that I was on stand-by, so I
was pleased about that. "But then I received another call this week that I
would be going with the squad, so I was delighted." The match will be played
at Meadow Lane, home to Notts County FC, and Freddie is looking forward to
training and being involved with the international set-up. "One of my aims
this season, apart from trying to score more goals, was to be selected to
play for England, so I was really pleased to get the call," he said. "I am
excited as it will be a totally different experience for me. But I also know
I have to make the most of it. "The other boys here at West Ham who have
played for their countries already have been giving me some tips. One of the
main ones was do your best and hopefully you will be called back again." It
will also be a proud moment for the Sears family, when Freddie joins up with
the England squad. "They are all quite excited for me," admits Freddie "My
family will be cheering me on for sure if I get to play.
"I am also proud to be representing West Ham on the international stage. If
I get a chance to play then that will be great, if not, I am happy to be
part of the squad and hopefully I can go on from there."
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Coppell slams 'derisory' bid - KUMB
Filed: Thursday, 30th August 2007
By: Matthew O'Greel
Reading manager Steve Coppell has called West Ham United's £4m offer for
full-back Nicky Shorey 'derisory'. Coppell, speaking this morning confirmed
that the Hammers had made an official approach for the 26-year-old
full-back, who recently made his first international appearances. "There's a
certain amount of activity going on behing the scenes, so something may
happen," Coppell told the club website. "I can't deny West Ham have made an
offer [for Shorey], but I look at the price of players and I consider the
offer they made as being derisory, not serious. "It's an offer made to put
the whole issue in the public domain, an invitation to cause unrest in a
way. I long for the days when we used to do business by phone, you talk
about it, a deal's not accepted and nobody knows.
"I think the player is happy at Reading, but speculation about your future
is bound to be unsettling. I hope he's playing for us on Saturday, let's
see."
The Hammers are expected to make an improved offer ahead of tomorrow's
deadline. Meanwhile the only left-back currently at the club, Geroge
McCartney, is expected to make a full recovery from a midweek injury scare
in time to face Reading on Saturday afternoon.
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Transfer deadline latest - KUMB
Filed: Thursday, 30th August 2007
By: Matthew O'Greel
West Ham are set to step up their attempts to sign Nicky Shorey and Giles
Barnes ahead of the transfer deadline, according to reports. The Hammers
have already seen a bid for Barnes rejected by the Rams but are likely to
make a fresh attempt to sign the player following the horrific injury
sustained by Kieron Dyer on Tuesday night. Meanwhile Nicky Shorey is likely
to be the subject of a second transfer deadline bid later today, with some
sources claiming that Reading have rejected a £5m offer. Elsewhere it has
been suggested that a deal has already been agreed between the two parties,
but with the Royals unwilling to part company with the England defender
until a replacement has been found. Additionally, the Hammers have been
linked with Roma's Brazilian winger Mancini - who SkySports 'understand'
will be the subject of a deadline day approach from United. Meanwhile, there
is no fresh news this morning on the Adriano situation, although that is
looking less likely with the player last night expressing a preference to
remain in Italy. Finally, it has just been revealed that Nikolas Anelka has
signed a new contract with Bolton, ending any rumours linking him with a
move to the East End.
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Bowyer rues Dyer 'nightmare' - SSN
Team-mate horrified by leg fracture
By Robin Hackett Last updated: 30th August 2007
West Ham midfielder Lee Bowyer has described Kieron Dyer's latest injury as
a 'nightmare'. Dyer suffered a fractured leg in a challenge with Joe
Jacobson during his side's 2-1 victory over Bristol Rovers in the Carling
Cup on Tuesday night, on just his third appearance for West Ham. And Bowyer,
who played alongside Dyer at Newcastle, was the first player to tend to the
midfielder following the injury. "It was a nightmare," he told the club's
official website. "I was standing right there. "Kieron came straight towards
me and I thought he was going to pass me the ball because he took a touch
and it came my way. "But the fella went in after and it looked like a slash
to me. I said that to the referee. I heard a crack, but I was hoping it was
just his shin pad. "Obviously it wasn't and it's a big loss for us. We're
just not having much luck at the moment with Julien (Faubert) and his
Achilles and Kieron being another new signing with his leg, both on the
right side. "I've played with him before so I know how he plays and I
thought he did well against Birmingham and again on Saturday against Wigan.
Hopefully he gets better sooner rather than later."
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Duo hope to feature for Hammers - Daily Mail
Last updated at 14:01pm on 30th August 2007
West Ham defender George McCartney hopes to be fit for the trip to Reading
this weekend, despite limping out of Tuesday's 2-1 Carling Cup win over
Bristol Rovers with a calf injury. The Hammers midfielder Scott Parker, who
is yet to play this season, also hopes to feature on Saturday after ruling
himself out of last week's draw against Wigan, following a setback in
training.
NEXT FIVE GAMES: Saturday: v Reading (a); 15 Sept: v Middlesbrough (h); 23
Sept: v Newcastle (a); 26 Sept (tbc): Carling Cup 3rd rnd; 29 Sept: v
Arsenal (h).
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West Ham and Spurs want Joe Cole - Sportigo
Thu, Aug 30, 07 12:31
Mark Apostolou
West Ham have been linked with their former player, who enjoyed five good
years at Upton Park (Daily Mail). Personally I think this would be a pretty
shocking move. Would Hammers fans welcome him back with open arms? Let me
know how that would go down at the Boleyn.
Would an even more shocking move be to Spurs (only in chat-rooms and message
boards this one)? Or could the impish winger help to ease Martin Jol's
much-talked-about left-wing problems?
Although Cole is a right-footed player, he can also play on the left and
would surely be a good addition to any squad - not just Tottenham's. It
seems that now Shaun Wright-Phillips is back in the picture, Jose will
struggle to keep all his world-class players happy and hence the daily
speculation about who will leave the Bridge. Would Spurs fans be excited
about this prospect?
Sticking with Tottenham, hugely-talented Tom Huddlestone is being lined up
by Blackburn as a potential new signing (The Sun). Although in his fourth
season as a pro, the former Derby youngster is amazingly still only 20 and I
am not surprised that Mark Hughes is an admirer. But he is not likely to
prise the midfielder from Jol and Spurs, who clearly see him as a big part
of their long-term plan as he is contracted to the club for a good few years
yet.
It appears that Alessandro Faiolhe Amantino, or Mancini as he is better
know, could be heading for the Premier League. Roma's free-scoring winger
appears to be on the way out of the Eternal City and has been linked with
moves to England. Apparently Liverpool and Lyon have already had bids turned
down and Roma don't want to sell - but West Ham have such financial clout
that they think they can sign the Brazilian international (Skysports.com).
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is also said to be keen on Mancini (various).
However, I am not sure that all of these clubs are really tempted. Liverpool
have a midfield that is already bursting at the seams and they do not need
an expensive addition to their ever-growing squad. It has been quoted that
Mancini like his wages high, very high - so tread carefully, chairman. As
for West Ham, they are linked with every professional footballer on the
planet at present, so if they fail in their bids for Adriano and Joe Cole,
they could splash the cash on the 27-year-old. But I wouldn't recommend it.
Would Spurs or West Ham fans like to comment on a potential Joe Cole move?
Mancini interest Liverpool and Arsenal fans? Post a comment or write an
article for Sportingo
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Reading blast 'derisory' Hammers bid for Shorey - Daily Mail
Last updated at 13:26pm on 30th August 2007
Reading have confirmed they have rejected a £4million offer from West Ham
for England left-back Nicky Shorey. Royals boss Steve Coppell described the
offer as "nigh on derisory" and insisted the 26-year-old was still on course
to play against the Hammers on Saturday rather than for them. He said: "I
cannot deny there was a written offer made. Given the price of players today
we thought it was nigh on a derisory offer. We turned it down immediately
and we have had no contact since." Shorey has recovered from a knee injury
picked up on England duty earlier in the month and is set to go straight
back into the side.
One man who is on his way out of the Madejski Stadium is defender Sam Sodje
who has agreed to spend the rest of the season on loan at Charlton.
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Are Spurs fans really the most fickle, and are West Ham's the most loyal? -
Sportigo
Thu, Aug 30, 07 11:36
Mark Apostolou
'In my experience all clubs have annoying, fickle fans. No one club appears
to have a monopoly on those who cry and moan at the least bit of
frustration' It is a claim that has long been associated with Tottenham
supporters that their fans are the most fickle, the quickest to jump the
gun, the most likely to kick up a stink after a few bad performances. But is
it a fair assumption?
I was as shocked as most when after just two games of the new season I was
noticing posts and articles demanding that current boss Martin Jol should be
sacked. Was this evidence to prove all those tired clichés about Spurs fans
being fickle were in fact correct?
There are many stereotypes associated with football fans; that Liverpool's
are the most fanatical; that West Ham's are the most loyal and that half of
Chelsea's following only decided to follow the action at Stamford Bridge
once things started to go in the right direction under, first, Claudio
Ranieri and then Jose Mourinho.
In my experience all clubs have annoying, fickle fans. No one club appears
to have a monopoly on those who cry and moan at the least bit of
frustration. I guess it's part and parcel of the game. Some people get so
used to relative success, they take it for granted and then whine when a
string of bad results occur. True fans, i.e. 90% of those who turn up on a
wet and windy midweek Carling Cup tie away at Yeovil or Scunthorpe, learn to
take the more frequent rough with the pockets of smooth.
It's understandable and totally justified if, after a prolonged period of
time, a fan decides that he can take no more and stands up and starts
chanting for the manager's head. One thing I can't stand are those at games
who, after 20 seconds and one misplaced pass (and believe me, where I go
misplaced passes are not in short supply) suddenly throw down their
programme and produce a tirade of abuse. It really angers me further when
that self same fan then erupts in platitudes when the exact same player then
puts the ball in the back of the net. These are fans with less consistency
than the team they claim to love.
That isn't to say that I don't shout and scream and launch into foul-mouthed
abuse. I regularly come away from a game reaching for throat lozenges to
sooth my irritated vocal chords, and a match day programme that looks like
its been gripped by a man who is dangling from a suspension bridge. To me,
however, It makes no sense to barrage players within minutes, and managers
within weeks of the new season.
I know that the majority of season ticket holders at White Hart Lane are
sticking by Martin Jol. I know that, just like any club, they have their
inbred morons, and their very-little-knowledge types who only take the time
to come down on match days when the opposition contains a star or two.
I am sure that, deep down, even their biggest enemies, be they Hammers,
Gooners or Chelsea boys, respect Spurs true followers as much as their own -
not that this stops them from questioning their parentage and exchanging
insults and gesticulating which, let's face it, is what being a football fan
is all about.
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West Ham Target Five Players But Who Will Arrive - West Ham Fans.org
Submitted by Neville Nixon on 30 August, 2007 - 11:20.
West Ham have stepped up their efforts to sign much needed reinforcements
before the transfer window closes tomorrow. Adriano from Inter Milan, Shorey
from Reading, Mancini from Roma, Appiah from Fenerbache and Barnes from
Derby are all actively being pursued by West Ham as the club attempt to make
a mark in the transfer market during the remaining 36 hours. Even before
Kieron Dyer's terrible injury, fans were in agreement that new faces were
still required, top of the list being a striker, a combative midfielder and
additional left back made up the general wish list. With Hammers financial
clout the deals for Shorey and Barnes should be a formality, Appiah is
another transfer that still has a bit of mileage in it, but the two
Brazilians Adriano and Mancini may be a couple of signings too far! With 'Le
Sulk' having just signed a new deal with Bolton available strikers of a
decent quality are even thinner on the ground, there is always Peter Crouch
who despite stating in public that he understood and supported Rafa
Benitez's rotation policy privately is looking for a move that would see him
play more games, at £12 Million he will not be cheap, but a much better
prospect than El Hadji Diouf would be from Bolton! - Ed
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Hammers in final bid to prise Barnes - Daily Mail
Last updated at 11:59am on 30th August 2007
West Ham are poised to make one final attempt at persuading Derby to part
with teenager Giles Barnes. Derby have already rejected their bid of
£2.5million for the 19-year-old, who is the nephew of former Hammers player
Bobby Barnes. West Ham may now increase their offer, with less than 48
hours to go before the transfer window closes. They have also had a bid of
about £5m for left-back Nicky Shorey turned down by Reading.
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Hammers offer Mullins in Shorey deal - Maidenhead Advertiser
10:51am Thu 30th August :: Written by Sport
The transfer tug of war over Nicky Shorey continues, with West Ham
reportedly offering Hayden Mullins as part of a £6m player-plus-cash deal
for the Reading star. Reports coming out of the Madejski Stadim suggest
that the Royals have turned down a £5m bid for the England international but
it seems the Hammers are determined to get their man. West Ham boss Alan
Curbishley has until midnight on Friday to tie up any deal but reports
suggest he is confident of tying up a move for the England full back before
Saturday's trip to Reading.
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Curbs offers Mullins in Shorey deal - the Mirror
30/08/2007
West Ham boss Alan Curbishley last night offered Hayden Mullins as part of a
£6m player-plus-cash deal for Reading left back Nicky Shorey. Curbishley has
already had a £5m bid turned down for Shorey. But West Ham are confident of
tying up a deal for the England full back before Saturday's trip to Reading.
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West Ham struggling to convince Inter Milan's Adriano
tribalfooball.com - August 30, 2007
West Ham United admit they face an uphill battle to land Inter Milan striker
Adriano. The Guardian says Hammers deputy chief executive, Scott Duxbury,
was in Milan on Tuesday to speak to Inter officials in the hope of smoothing
a 12-month loan for the 25-year-old forward. Yet, despite agreement in
principle between the clubs, Adriano has refused to countenance a loan move
abroad and remains in dispute with Inter over his future. Inter would rather
loan the player, but the Brazilian is more keen to make a permanent move if
he does not feature in the San Siro club's plans, with Lazio his preferred
destination.
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Royals battle to keep Shorey - getreading.co.uk
READING boss Steve Coppell is facing a tough battle to keep hold of Nicky
Shorey as West Ham United close in on the England international. The Hammers
have already had an offer firmly rejected by the club, but they are set to
increase that to around £5million before tomorrow's transfer deadline. And
Seol Ki-Hyeon is likely to be on his way to Fulham, providing the Cottagers
pay around £1million for his services. Shorey still has two years left on
his contract at Madejski Stadium. But I understand the left-back now has his
heart set on a move to West Ham, who he supported as a boy. Royals are
desperate to keep hold of him and are still trying to convince him to pledge
his long-term future to the club, but Coppell may decide to cash in now if
the player makes it clear he wants out. The club are willing to make him one
of the highest paid players in their history, but they cannot compete with
the Hammers in the pay stakes.
Coppell said: "We have had a bid. It was not a derisory offer, but an offer
that we are absolutely going nowhere near. "We are not continuing any
dialogue about him with West Ham or anybody, but we are endeavouring to
continue contract negotiations with Shoresy."
The interest in Shorey has come at the worst possible time as Reading play
host to the Hammers on Saturday.He has recovered from the ankle injury he
sustained during England's 2-1 friendly defeat by Germany last week and
Coppell insists the left-back will play against them if he is still here.
Reading have enjoyed remarkable success under Coppell in the past couple of
years, winning the Championship title in record style and finishing eighth
in their first-ever season in the Premier League last term. However, it has
come at a cost as bigger teams have now started to take an interest in
Royals' best talent. Steve Sidwell left for Chelsea on a Bosman-style free
transfer in the summer and Shorey may decide that he has a better chance of
success at the Hammers, who are spending millions to try and close the gap
on the country's elite clubs. Reading themselves are also finding it tough
to find quality players willing to join them.
The boss is hoping to bring in a new face – thought to be defender Liam
Rosenior from Fulham – but talks appear to have stalled for the moment.
Coppell admitted: "I was happy with the way things were, but all of a sudden
we've got a different feel about the club. "To a certain extent, because of
our relative success, our players are coming in for attention and that makes
me feel uncomfortable. I'd like to think perhaps we can satisfy their
ambitions here, but that is proving difficult at the moment."
Meanwhile Sam Sodje could still be on his way to Sheffield Wednesday,
although I understand there is another Championship side ready to join the
chase.
Reading may decide to let him leave on loan first before making a potential
move permanent. Graham Stack's proposed move to Wolves, though, is in the
balance after the keeper suffered a nightmare in the Midlands club's 3-1
Carling Cup home defeat to League 2 Morecambe side on Tuesday night. Skipper
Graeme Murty should also be back fit to face the Hammers, having missed the
games at Bolton and Swansea due to a hamstring injury. — Academy keeper Ross
Kitteridge is set to join League 1 side Walsall on a work experience basis.
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Curbs offers Mullins in Shorey deal - The Mirror
30/08/2007
West Ham boss Alan Curbishley last night offered Hayden Mullins as part of a
£6m player-plus-cash deal for Reading left back Nicky Shorey. Curbishley has
already had a £5m bid turned down for Shorey. But West Ham are confident of
tying up a deal for the England full back before Saturday's trip to Reading.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
COLE CLASHED WITH MOURINHO - REPORT - Sporting Life
West Ham are said to be monitoring Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole after reports
he clashed with Jose Mourinho. Cole has not started a league game for the
Blues yet this season and has less than 30 minutes of Premier League action
to his name so far. And the the England midfielder is reported to have
confronted Mourinho after Saturday's win over Portsmouth, in which Cole was
introduced as a 75th-minute substitute. Cole wanted reassurances he was part
of Mourinho's plans at Stamford Bridge but the Portuguese boss apparently
told the 25-year-old he has not merited a place in the starting-line up so
far this season. The Daily Mail claims the argument became so heated that
that chief executive Peter Kenyon had to be called in as a peacemaker.
Despite the apparent bust-up, Chelsea are reportedly unwilling to sell the
midfielder, although Cole's former club are keeping tabs on the situation.
Cole has made over 150 appearances for the Blues since his £6.6million
switch from Upton Park in 2003.
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