Monday, April 7

Web Digest [ West Ham United ] - 7th April 2008

Carr proud before final game - WHUFC
Tony Carr is hoping his Under-18s team will finish on a high against
Birmingham City next weekend
07.04.2008

Tony Carr has paid tribute to his Under-18s after a successful season that
may not culminate in winning the league but has seen plenty of positives.

A 2-0 defeat at Leicester City on Saturday allowed Arsenal to claim top spot
in Group A of the Premier Academy League with a 3-0 win at Milton Keynes
Dons. The Gunners are now a point in front and have three games left
compared to Carr's team who end a hugely productive campaign at home to
Birmingham City at Little Heath on Saturday.

"We would like to finish the season on a high against Birmingham," said
Carr. "We are fighting Fulham for the runners-up spot but we have had lots
of positives. We have seen three 18-year-olds break into the first team and
enjoyed a real successful run of results. Maybe if we do finish runners-up,
we can look back on yet another good season for the Academy."

Against Leicester, some of his younger talents like first-year scholars
Oliver Lee and Daniel Kearns followed up a midweek reserve run-out and the
previous weekend's 4-0 success against Reading with a third game in eight
days. The academy director added: "They have had a busy week which is not
ideal but it is something young players have to learn to cope with. They are
still learning the game, they are first years and are getting a lot of
football."

Carr believed his team could have got something out of the Leicester game
but did not get the luck against a physical side who preferred the direct
approach. "We felt the first goal was blatantly offside and we were a little
hard done by. We had already had an effort cleared off the line, a header by
Tommy Harvey. Oliver Lee also went close to scoring and Junior Stanislas had
a couple of efforts that just went wide. We did quite well in the first half
but we couldn't cope with their long-ball game."

Having conceded a second just before half-time, Carr was pleased with the
commitment shown after the interval. "We came out fighting and had a good
second half. Oliver Lee had a great chance at the far post after a Stanislas
cross but he put it over rather than hit he target. Again we had two or
three other half-chances but couldn't quite get the breakthrough to halt a
nervy period for Leicester. Although we gave as good as we took and slightly
edged it we couldn't score."

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Bolton beamback at the Boleyn - WHUFC
Watch Alan Curbishley's men in away action from the comfort of the Boleyn
Ground on Saturday 12 April
07.04.2008

If you cannot make it to the Reebok Stadium to watch West Ham United take on
Bolton Wanderers on Saturday - come along to the Beamback, in association
with Carlsberg.

West Ham United are determined to finish as high up the league table as
possible but know that relegation-threatened Bolton are fighting to stay in
the top flight. The last time the teams met was at the Boleyn Ground on 4
November when a last-gasp Kevin Nolan goal cancelled out George McCartney's
stunning first strike for the club.

See the Premier League encounter in warmth and style with a mouth-watering
package running from 12pm to 5pm at the Boleyn Ground.
# Pie and mash, and a matchday programme in the Premier Suite (pay-bar
available). Prices are £20 for adults, £18 for senior citizens/disabled and
£15 for children under 16. For more information call 0870 112 2700 (Option
3)

Make sure you are at the Boleyn Ground to soak up the atmosphere on Saturday
12 April. The kick-off is 3pm.

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Wright proves a loan star - WHUFC
Richard Wright and Zavon Hines both got more playing time with their
Championship clubs on Saturday
06.04.2008

On-loan Richard Wright kept a clean sheet as Southampton took a step towards
Championship safety with a surprise 2-0 home win against leaders Bristol
City on Saturday.

Southampton began the day in the relegation zone but have jumped three
points and two places clear after goals in each half from Stern John and
Jason Euell. The 30-year-old England goalkeeper, one of three West Ham
United players on loan to second-tier clubs, was the quieter of the two
keepers. However, he still had to pull off some smart stops to deny a
Bristol side who can now be overhauled by Stoke City if they beat a Crystal
Palace side, featuring on-loan West Ham United winger Kyel Reid, on Monday.
Elsewhere on Saturday, Zavon Hines got the last 20 minutes for Coventry City
as they went down 2-1 at high-fliers Watford. Hines scored off the bench on
his debut in midweek - a 1-1 draw at Sheffield Wednesday - but the
19-year-old forward was unable to match that achievement this time around.
Finally, striker Jack Jeffery, also 19, was an unused substitute for
Cambridge United as they kept their charge for promotion to the Football
League alive with a 2-0 away win against Droylsden United.

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Youths fall short at Leicester - WHUFC
An away defeat in the last but one game of the season has dashed the
Under-18's title hopes
06.04.2008

Leicester City Under-18s 2-0 West Ham United Under-18s

West Ham United lost control of pole position in Group A when they were
beaten 2-0 at Leicester City in their penultimate Premier Academy League
fixture on Saturday.

The hosts, who play in Group B, won it through first-half goals from Ryan
Beswick and Ricky Sappleton although Tony Carr's side can feel harshly done
by in a competitive encounter that saw both teams show attacking intent.
With Arsenal winning 3-0 at Milton Keynes Dons, the north London rivals
moved one point clear at the top of the table and still have three games to
play. In contrast, Carr's side conclude their season at home to Birmingham
City next Saturday.

Sappleton and Lee Cox both had their moments for Leicester in the early
stages while Tom Harvey saw his firm header just cleared off the line and
Oliver Lee also came close to breaking the deadlock. It was the Foxes though
who went in front on 15 minutes, with Craig King seemingly in an offside
position when he received the ball before squaring to Beswick, who was able
to score beyond Street. Carr's team kept going though in the half and saw
Junior Stanislas twice fire in efforts that just went wide.

The next goal was always going to prove decisive - especially with Leicester
making the most of their physical superiority and playing a more direct game
than the team from east London. Leicester doubled their advantage on the
stroke of half-time when Street's miscued clearance went straight to Robbie
Burns. He in turn found Sappelton and he made no mistake. The second half
saw United try their best to get back into the contest - with Lee spurning a
header when picked out superbly by Stanislas - but the home side were able
to see out the contest.

West Ham United: Street, O'Neill (Brookes 60), N'Gala, Spence, Widdowson,
Harvey, Lee (Okus 60), Kearns (Montano 75), Edgar, Stanislas, Abdulla

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Quartet in contention again - WHUFC
Freddie Sears, Bobby Zamora, George McCartney and John Pantsil could all
figure against Portsmouth
06.04.2008

West Ham United are making the most of a rare weekend off from Barclays
Premier League action to prepare for Tuesday night's home fixture against
Portsmouth.

In contrast, the midweek visitors to the Boleyn Ground were in FA Cup
semi-final action against West Bromwich Albion at Wembley, although former
United forward Jermain Defoe is cup-tied and did not play in the 1-0 win. A
number of the club's injury concerns appear to have eased in the past week
since the 2-1 defeat at Sunderland when Alan Curbishley saw several players
pick up knocks to go with those already sidelined. In particular, Freddie
Sears (groin) and Bobby Zamora (foot) did not make the trip to the Stadium
of Light but both have been training and are due to return.

Defensive duo George McCartney (hamstring) and John Pantsil (concussion)
came off during the match but have also been back in action this week and
are similarly in contention to face Portsmouth. Matthew Upson has not played
since suffering a calf strain at Liverpool on 5 March, having been an
ever-present until then, but could possibly be involved. Freddie Ljungberg
sat out last week with the hamstring injury he picked up in the north-east
but has had treatment and a positive scan. He could return to training next
week.

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Upson farked - KUMB
Filed: Friday, 4th April 2008
By: Staff Writer

Matthew Upson could be out for the rest of the season, according to reports.
The commanding centre-half was injured during the 4-0 defeat at Liverpool
last month but expected to return shortly after. However reports suggest
that a scan has revealed a re-occurrence of the injury that ruled him out
for the last four months of last season. Alan Curbishley, talking ahead of
the Tottenham defeat a month ago claimed that Upson was virtually ready to
return to action. In his pre-match press conference of Thursday, 13th March
Curbs claimed that Upson 'may be back' for the Spurs game before adding
'we'll find that out over the next couple of days.' However in the latest
example of an apparently simple injury turning into something rather more
serious the England defender has missed the four games since - casting
further question marks over the club's medical staff, who have been heavily
criticised in recent weeks.

Missing In Action - top five

Matthew Upson
Last game: 0-4 v Liverpool - 5th March 2008

Said to be on the verge of returning to action three weeks ago - new reports
claim that he will miss the rest of the season.

Matthew Etherington
Last Game: 1-1 v Birmingham - 9th February 2008

Curbishley revealed that Etherington 'sat out training' the week following
the draw with Birmingham. He has now been out for two months with a 'groin
strain'.

Danny Gabbidon
Last game: 1-2 v Everton, 12th December 2007

The Welsh centre-half has been out for the last five months with a
'persistent groin problem'.

Lee Bowyer
Last Game: 1-1 v Birmingham - 9th February 2008

Was ruled 'eligible to play' against Fulham on February 23rd having had his
red card against Birmingham rescinded. No reason for his two-month absence
has been given; Curbishley's only words being that he had 'sat out training'
and is 'working his way back'.

Nigel Quashie
Last game: 3-4 v Tottenham - 4th March 2007

Out with a 'foot' injury for over a year. Returned briefly for the reserves
last November but has disappeared off the radar since.

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Man Utd game goes live - KUMB
Filed: Thursday, 3rd April 2008
By: Staff Writer

West Ham United's Premier League visit to Old Trafford has been brought
forward for the purposes of live TV coverage. The Hammers will face the
reigning Premier League champions on 3rd May - as planned - but the kick off
time has been brought forward to midday as the match has been selected for
live broadcast by Sky Sports. Alan Curbishley's side have beaten Man Utd
three time in their last four meetings, most notably when a single Carlos
Tevez goal ensured Premier League survivial for the Irons on the final day
of the 2006/07 season. The only previous meeting between the two sides thus
far this term saw the Hammers fall behind early on to a Ronaldo goal before
late strikes from Anton Ferdinand and Matthew Upson ensured United ran out
2-1 winners.

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Ljungberg fears played down - SSN
Midfielder not expected to be out for long
By Kent Hedlundh Last updated: 5th April 2008

Freddie Ljungberg is not expected to be out for long after suffering a leg
injury in West Ham's 2-1 defeat to Sunderland. Ljungberg completed the 90
minutes at The Stadium of Light but it later emerged that he had picked up a
problem. There were fears that the Swedish midfielder had sustained a
serious hamstring injury, but he has received intensive treatment and his
fitness will be reassessed prior to Tuesday's home game with Portsmouth.
Reports suggest that even if that match comes too soon for Ljungberg, he
should be available for the trip to Bolton four days later. "Fredrik
Ljungberg has gone through some tests this week," agent Claes Elefalk told
TT. "Fortunately, there is no strain of the hamstring or the hip muscle.
"There is, though, a small inflammation which gets treatment every day."

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West Ham keen on £10m Brescia fullback - soccerblog.org
04.4.2008 by Amaresh in

Premiership West Ham United have made an inquiry about Brescia fullback
Marco Zambelli. The Times says the right back is valued by Brescia at £10
million. The 22-year-old has missed two years of his career having had four
knee operations, two on each leg. Brescia sports chief Gianluca Nani is
moving to West Ham in the summer as the club's new technical director.

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American youngsters visit West Ham Academy - echo-news.co.uk

WEST Ham's bid to attract the brightest international talent to Upton Park
was stepped up this week as 12 promising American youngsters arrived to
train with the club. The dozen were selected to visit the Hammers Academy
from the United Soccer Leagues (USL), which provides the second and third
divisions of professional football in North America, as well as Under-23,
Under-21 and youth leagues. The Irons signed a development partnership with
the USL last year, when the club also opened an Academy of its own in the
United States to to train and scout the best young American talent. After
arriving at the Upton Park Quality Hotel, where the group is staying, they
visited Little Heath on Sunday to watch three West Ham Academy matches
before heading to White Hart Lane to witness Tottenham play Newcastle in the
Premier League. On Tuesday, the youngsters trained under the direction of
Irons Academy coaches Paul Hilton and Paul Heffer before the latter gave the
group an introduction to the "West Ham Way". The group also enjoyed a
question and answer session with the Hammers American international defender
Jonathan Spector. One player, Atlanta Fire United midfielder Ryan Lehman
admitted to being impressed with what he had seen and learned at the Academy
of Football. "The biggest difference I have noticed between soccer in the US
and soccer in England is the speed of play," he said. "The players also have
a lot more discipline in training. "The trip has been great so far.
Everything is just amazing. I knew it would be fun, a once-in-a-lifetime
experience, but it has gone far above my expectations."
For more information about West Ham's USA Academy, log on to
www.whufc-usa.com >

IRONS winger Kyel Reid, currently on a month's loan at Champion-ship side
Crystal Palace, has revealed he could join the Eagles on a permanent basis.
"If it doesn't work out for me at West Ham then I think joining Palace would
be a good move for me," said the teenager. 1:10pm Friday 4th April 2008

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West Ham to smash transfer record with a £10m bid for a player with dodgy
knees? - caughtoffside.com
April 4, 2008

This is an odd one. West Ham boss Alan Curbishley is apparently considering
smashing the club's transfer record for a full back (not usually the
priciest position to purchase) not only that but this is a full back with an
injury record that would make Darren Anderton and Michael Owen envious!

West Ham are lining up a bid for right back is valued by Brescia at £10
million rated Brescia full back Marco Zambelli. The 22-year-old has been
injured for the best part of two years during his fledgling career having
had four knee operations, two on each leg. (The Times)

This speculation obviously stems from the fact that Brescia's sports chief
Gianluca Nani is moving to West Ham in the summer as the club's new
technical director but surely this looks a very expensive recipe for a
disaster!

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Being boring - KUMB
Filed: Saturday, 5th April 2008
By: Tim Sansom

It does not happen often but there are occasions when a mate says something
to you that sticks in your mind and causes you to think (even in your sleep)
about what you heard. That honour fell to a good friend who joined me for a
drink in a Baker Street pub on a changeable Thursday before Easter.

Whilst I sipped lemonade, which fizzed away under a layer of lemon and lime
slices, and a mountain amount of ice that could rival an average glacier, we
began assessing West Ham and the rest of their 2007/ 2008 season. It was a
difficult conversation. My fanatical, yet impressively wise Hammers mate
tried to excite me with the prospect of a titanic battle between West Ham
and Tottenham Hotspur for the elusive prize of 10th spot in the Premiership.
I attempted to look interested but my attention wondered out of the window
to the drenched punters that were huddling under the canopy to gasp at a
load of moulded wax in Madame Tussauds.

I have a lot of time for West Ham. A respected BBC commentator once
suggested that a successful Manchester United was crucial for the
Premiership. I would argue that an attacking and free-flowing passing West
Ham is needed at football's top table. I support a team that always seems to
play West Ham on New Year's Day or Boxing Day when we are in the same
league, but lost to the Hammers in two successive play-off semi finals.
However I was born in deepest Essex and know about the distinct kind of
magic that West Ham has over East London as well as South Essex. Many people
are attracted to Upton Park for a kind of football which is like a decent
curry; hot, spicy, colourful and liable to provide runs (down the wing of
course!)

My good friend turned his attention to the current debate about whether West
Ham should play boring football. He argued that those who complained about
the 1-0s that littered West Ham's recent results table should understand
that the team can not be successful in the Premiership by playing wide and
attacking football all the while. I was aghast and bit on a piece of ice in
shock. My friend sensed my shock because he knows that I love the sight of
wingers running with the ball, who are more than prepared to take a shot on
goal instead of passing back to the goal keeper. As the block disintegrated
amongst my stinging teeth, I tried to think of a suitable answer but
struggled to say anything coherent.

To be labelled 'a boring team' is difficult to take. You can sometimes sense
that you beloved side is not that exciting when you realise that the last
time they led the Match of the Day billing was in 1982 when Jimmy Hill was
the anchor, there were only four television channels, and Imagination's
'Just an Illusion' was flying high in the charts. Being boring means that
the atmosphere at the ground represents Sunday morning church mass, and the
banks of empty seats sit sadly in the vain hope for anyone to take advantage
of the comfort that they can provide.

Is it fair to expect your team to play exciting football every game? The
answer is that classic fudge of yes and no. In some ways, considering the
amount of money that football supporters need to fork out for the game, it
is not unreasonable to expect a return on their investment. What can
sometimes be up to £65 in return for a war of attrition and the odd missed
penalty can represent a bad return, even in this era of a credit crunch. We
hope for those 5-5 classics, which we seem to think occur on a weekly basis
somewhere in the UK and every day on the European circuit. We want
continuous attacking play with balls coming in from all angles. If it is 0-0
at half time, we are on the player's backs and offer a comprehensive boo to
carry them back to the changing rooms. The toilets represent a therapy
chamber as we rant away whilst taking advantage of the facilities

Should West Ham fans be whinging? The easy answer is to say 'what are you
complaining about?' You are not in a relegation battle and after a year of
upheaval, it is a fair return on your money. Just enjoy the season of
'transition!' But saying that would be too easy! Our teams are defined in
the style that is played week-to-week, year-to-year, and decade-to-decade
basis. I support a club, which along with West Ham, has a proud history of
playing football 'the right way' and when that way is challenged, I will be
up in arms if that way is compromised. Do I accept that you have to play for
a 1-0 on occasions? It is difficult for me to accept without thinking that I
would be throwing the great swashbuckling exploits of the great players of
the past.

You will be pleased to know that my friend and I did not have a major row
over whether West Ham play, or should play, boring football. We dodged the
hail storms and entered the maze of escalators and tiled tunnels of Baker
Street underground station with a renewed sense of hope for the remaining
weeks of the 2007-2008 season. However our chat did make me think whether
any football team, like West Ham, will need to play 'boring' football to
achieve something in future seasons.

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£1.58m for every hour he played? - Cmon Yu Irons
by Rooster on Saturday, April 5th 2008 Digg it

Kia Joorabchian believes that West Ham owe him £7.1m for the last 3 games
that Tevez played for the Hammers at the end of last season, Cmon Kia , you
expect the High court to believe that West Ham agreed to that? West Ham have
dismissed allegations and compensation claims made by Carlos Tevez's advisor
Kia Joorabchian. He has alleged that the Hammers entered into private
agreements without the Premier League's knowledge to ensure Tevez would be
available to play in the final three matches of last season. Joorabchian has
also claimed in papers lodged with the High Court that West Ham owe him a
total of £7.1million, which he asserts should have been paid by 31st
January. But the Hammers have dismissed both his allegations and
compensation claims. In a statement released on Wednesday, the club said:
"West Ham United totally refute all of the allegations made against
officials of the club by Kia Joorabchian. "Those allegations, and the
financial claims which accompany them, are wholly without foundation.

No agreements

"Mr Joorabchian appears to be confusing demands that he has made on the club
with the notion that they were ever agreed. They were not and no agreements
of the kind alleged were ever concluded. "In short, these matters have
already been the subject of the court process and as far as the club are
concerned fully disposed of. Nevertheless the club are quite prepared to
resolve them further via a full court hearing if necessary. "Threats and
allegations are easy to make but the court process decides cases, and will
decide this case, on the basis of real evidence and a proper consideration
of the facts. "That is why West Ham United have no doubt that Mr
Joorabchian's claim will, in due course, be dismissed."

The Hammers were fined £5.5million for breaching Premier League ownership
rules when they signed Tevez but the Argentina striker was allowed to play
on after the club convinced authorities that all third-party arrangements
had been torn up. However, Joorabchian claims West Ham asked him to broker
an agreement with the two companies who own Tevez's economic rights - Media
Sports Investment and Just Sports Inc - to ensure the striker could play in
the final matches of last season. It is claimed MSI and JSI were not keen on
Tevez playing in case he was injured, although the player himself was
desperate to help West Ham survive.

Alleged

Joorabchian has also alleged that he paid West Ham £2million to release
Tevez's registration so he could join Manchester United - but he also claims
West Ham had agreed to repay that money. If either allegation is proved, it
could mean West Ham were acting contrary to undertakings they had given to
the Premier League over Tevez's status at the club. But West Ham insist the
only talks they held with Joorabchian were over extending Tevez's stay at
the club. The club statement added: "Discussions did take place at various
times with Mr Joorabchian, as a representative of MSI and JSI, with regard
to the future of Carlos Tevez with West Ham United after the end of the
2006-07 season - but they were unsuccessful and therefore no agreement was
possible.
"Moreover, Mr Joorabchian has omitted to recognise that a full and final
settlement with West Ham United was concluded when he agreed to settle all
outstanding claims against the Club on behalf of his companies MSI and JSI
in August of last year." (Sky Sports)

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Anton Jigs to Nobby's Salsa Band - Cmon Yu Irons
Posted by Rooster on Sunday, April 6th 2008

Nobby Solano, West Hams little Peruvian ace, will always have a new career
as a Salsa trumpet player if he ever decides to give up football.
Trumpet-BLOWING West Ham star Nobby Solano reckons only one of his
team-mates has got any rhythm… Anton Ferdinand. The Peruvian plays in a
salsa band and his Upton Park pals turned out en masse to watch him strut
his stuff at a gig in Epping, Essex. Solano (right) reckons the only one of
them who actually looked any good on the dancefloor was Rio's little
brother, who he claims has the salsa beat. Solano is so loved back in his
homeland that you can even buy phonecards now with his picture mounted on
them.

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Milan target West Ham defender McCartney to replace Maldini .. Surely Better
players out their?! - soccerglobe.net
Written by admin on April 6th, 2008 in Serie A.

George McCartney is reportedly a £2.5m target for AC Milan. The Italian
giants have been impressed with the 26-year-old left-back's displays this
season and are in the market for a player to replace retiring star Maldini
in the summer. Former Sunderland man McCartney made his return to the
Northern Ireland side at the start of the season. I am sure there are much
better players out their to replace such a legend. If this story is true and
this is the type of players Milan want to sign even after the team is in a
complete loss of form .. the future does not look that bright! Do not get me
wrong . McCartney not bad , but not good enough

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Serie A star linked to West Ham move .. Liverpool also show interest -
soccerglobe.net
Written by admin on April 6th, 2008 in Serie A.

Pasquale Foggia is being linked with a summer switch to Upton Park. The
24-year-old attacker is currently on loan to Cagliari from Lazio and has
been identified as a target by incoming Hammers technical director Gianluca
Nani. Foggia made his full debut for Italy earlier in the season and both AS
Roma and Liverpool have shown an interest. Surely Liverpool need him more
than West Ham , atleast someone to partner Torres? .. Please!? . Anyways
after the Lucas Niel fiesta lets see which club Foggi chooses . Champions
League football or a bigger Pay cheque . Looking forward to this one. But
also could be just plain old Bullox!

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West Ham, Everton and Aston Villa battle it out for £6m Rangers ace -
caughtoffside.com
April 6, 2008

Kris Boyd is a goalscoring phenomenon, 72 starts and 66 goals, but perhaps
more phenomenally he isn't getting a regular first team place at table
topping Rangers. And it appears it might be beginning to affect the former
Killie hitman.

Boyd said "Look, the team has been winning so nobody can say the gaffer has
got it wrong. I certainly am not saying that.
"But I don't think he or anybody else at the club would be happy if I wasn't
frustrated. Of course I'm frustrated. I want to play." (Daily Record)

There is a long queue of clubs interested in the 24 year old striker. With
Birmingham, West Ham, Aston Villa, Middlesbrough and Everton all supposedly
keeping tabs on the Scottish international.

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Is West Ham man the next Paulo Maldini? - FansFC.com
16:51 April, 6, 2008

George McCartney is reportedly a £2.5m target for AC Milan. The Italian
giants have been impressed with the 26-year-old left-back's displays this
season and are in the market for a player to replace retiring star Maldini
in the summer. Former Sunderland man McCartney made his return to the
Northern Ireland side at the start of the season.
Story by Alex Wolstenholme for FansFC

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West Ham following Peterborough striker McLean
tribalfootball.com - April 06, 2008

Peterborough scoring sensation Aaron McLean is being tracked by West Ham.
Highly-rated McLean, 24, has already scored more than 30 goals this season.

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West Ham eyeing Udinese's Di Natale
tribalfooball.com - April 05, 2008

West Ham United are eyeing Udinese attacker Antonio di Natale. The Italy
international's agent admitted yesterday that "English interest" had moved
ahead of contact from Serie A clubs, including Fiorentina. West Ham have
been following Di Natale this season and new technical chief Gianluca Nani
rates the versatile striker highly.

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West Ham's Solano to put himself in MLS shop window
tribalfootball.com - April 05, 2008

West Ham United midfielder Nobby Solano could be putting himself in the shop
window for July's MLS Allstars clash. Solano has attracted interest from
Toronto FC already this year and told whufc.com: "We know how big the
Premier League is around the world. Everyone will be looking forward to it -
especially where it is, everyone loves North America, and it will be
fantastic. It will be a good pre-season experience for us. It is always
exciting to play in international games."

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West Ham chief Nani targets Lazio's Foggia
tribalfooball.com - April 04, 2008

West Ham United are moving for Lazio midfielder Pasquale Foggia. The winger
is currently on-loan at Cagliari and Gazzetta dello Sport says new Hammers
technical chief Gianluca Nani wants to make him his first signing at Upton
Park.

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Hislop: FC Dallas' Alvarez as good as Chelsea star Cole
tribalfootball.com - April 04, 2008

Former West Ham United goalkeeper Shaka Hislop has tipped FC Dallas
midfielder Arturo Alvarez as one to watch. Hislop, in his column for the
Guardian, wrote: "My old team, FC Dallas, should also be competitive this
season. Their 22-year-old American midfielder Arturo Alvarez has all the
makings of a top player, as comfortable on the ball as anyone I've seen
since I was at West Ham with Joe Cole, although if he ever gets a move to
Europe he'll need to learn how to defend."

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West Ham ready to take £10M gamble on Zambelli
tribalfootball.com - April 04, 2008

West Ham United have made an inquiry about Brescia fullback Marco Zambelli.
The Times says the right back is valued by Brescia at £10 million. The
22-year-old has missed two years of his career having had four knee
operations, two on each leg. Brescia sports chief Gianluca Nani is moving
to West Ham in the summer as the club's new technical director.

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