More talks will take place the week after next with regard to Dean Ashton's
future
19.05.2008
West Ham United are due to meet again with Dean Ashton's representatives
after positive talks last Friday about securing the striker's long-term
future at the Boleyn Ground.
The 24-year-old is a firm part of Alan Curbishley's plans for next season
and the 16 May talks were aimed at extending the terms of his existing deal,
which still has two years left to run. A second meeting will be held the
week after next following the opening discussions. West Ham United Chief
Executive Scott Duxbury said: "We had a very productive meeting. Dean wants
to stay and we want him to stay. We are committed to finding agreement on a
new long-term contract."
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Carr's kids on biggest stage - WHUFC
Four graduates of the West Ham United academy will be on the biggest club
stage on Wednesday night
16.05.2008
"They are our boys who have made it all the way to the top and West Ham
United fans should be proud of that. We will have two as winners and two as
runners-up, which isn't a bad record."
So says academy director Tony Carr about Wednesday night's Champions League
final in Moscow which will pit Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand and Michael
Carrick up against Chelsea's Frank Lampard and Joe Cole. The foursome all
learned their trade under Carr's tutelage at Chadwell Heath and the man who
has just finished his 35th year of service said their high-profile
achievements are helping the club to attract new talent and earn recognition
around the world.
"It is a great testament to us and you often hear us mentioned when people
are talking about these players, the fact that they have come through the
ranks here," Carr told the club programme. "For me it gives me goose pimples
on the back of my neck when I see the likes of Rio and Joe playing in the
Champions League which is the very top of this profession. We can even make
a claim on John Terry, because he spent five years here between the ages of
nine and 14."
These days the club is firmly committed to fostering more young talent and
keeping them within the ranks. After a season that saw James Tomkins, Jack
Collison and Freddie Sears make it six homegrown players in the current
first-team picture, Carr is positive for the future. "Each year I have a new
team of players to work with and it's still exciting to see where the next
generation is coming from. The first team is about tomorrow and the next
result but youth football is all about next year and beyond that. For me, it
is a challenge I am still enjoying being part of."
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Pre-season update - KUMB
Filed: Monday, 19th May 2008
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United will face Ipswich Town in a pre-season friendly at the
beginning of August. It was confirmed this morning that United will face the
Championship side in what will be one of their final friendlies of
pre-season when the teams meet at Portman Road on Monday, 4th August.
Already confirmed in the pre-season calendar for the Hammers are trips to
Peterborough, Thurrock and Canada (to face an MLS AllStar XI) - whilst a
second date on the North American tour is yet to be confirmed. United's last
competitive fixture against the Blues was three years ago this week when a
Bobby Zamora brace sent the Irons through to the play-off final against
Preston (having drawn the first leg 2-2 at the Boleyn Ground).
Pre-Season programme (latest)
MLS AllStars XI (a): Thursday, 24th July
Thurrock (a): Saturday, 26th July
Peterborough (a): Tuesday, 29th July
Ipswich Town (a): Monday, 4th August
The 2008/09 Premier League season commences on Saturday, 16th August.
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Ashton impasse: no deal yet - KUMB
Filed: Monday, 19th May 2008
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United have scheduled a second set of talks with striker Dean
Ashton after failing to agree new contract terms. The two parties met last
Friday in order to open discussions with view to an extension of Ashton's
current contract, which is due to expire in 2010. However neither side were
able to provide an amicable solution on an extended deal, meaning
discussions will reconvene in a fortnight's time as both parties continue to
attempt to thrash out a deal. United CEO Scott Duxbury tried to put some
positive spin on the news when he told whufc.com: "We had a very productive
meeting. Dean wants to stay and we want him to stay. "We are committed to
finding agreement on a new long-term contract."
* News of Tottenham's interest in the 24-year-old hitman appears to have
been little more than rumour-mongering.
Despite stories appearing in the weekend's tabloids to that effect -
coincidentally on the same weekend as Ashton's contract talks took place -
Tottenham are not currently thought to be interested in the Swindon born
striker.
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Lanzafame hitch for Hammers - SSN
Palermo want starlet
By Nadia Carminati Last updated: 20th May 2008
West Ham's bid for Juventus starlet Davide Lanzafame could be set for
failure because of Amauri's impeding move to Turin. Juve are set to sign
Brazilian-born striker Amauri, but as part of the deal Palermo want 50 per
cent ownership of Lanzafame. Palermo are hoping to land half of Lanzafame,
as well as getting Antonio Nocerino and nearly £10million for Amauri.
Previously Palermo wanted Raffaele Palladino, Sebastian Giovinco or Vincenzo
Iaquinta - but they were all vetoed - but Lanzafame admits he will go where
Juve tell him. The Italian Under 21 international was on his way to Upton
Park on loan for the whole of next season, which Juve were more than happy
with. Lanzafame spent last season on loan at Bari where he scored ten-goals,
which attracted the interest of The Hammers and a deal was brokered by their
new sporting director - Italian Gianluca Nani. But now Palermo's request
could very well deny The Hammers what would have been a major coup, for one
of the most highly-rated young strikers in Europe. "I'm a Juve player and my
future depends on the Bianconeri," he told Corriere dello Sport. "Palermo?
They are a prestigious club and for me it will be a fascinating and new
experience. "Bari for me has been a really beautiful adventure. I'm sorry it
ended because I felt really good. I hope one day to be able to wear again
this jersey."
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Boa Morte not a happy Hammer - SSN
Portuguese ace to talk over future
Last updated: 19th May 2008
Luis Boa Morte has admitted he is not happy with his situation at West Ham.
The former Fulham forward has one of a number of Hammers' players singled
out for abuse from the club's own fans after their season tailed off after a
bright start. Boa Morte admits he is to have talks with manager Alan
Curbishley about his future at Upton Park. "I've got two years left [on my
contract] at West Ham but I don't like the situation and we'll see what
happens in the summer," said Boa Morte. "I will sit down with the chairman
and the manager and speak to them about it and find the best solution.
"Nobody likes to get booed every week when your name is read out and when
you touch the ball, so it is not a good situation."
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The Transfer 'Window Of Opportunity' - West Ham Online
Alex V - Mon May 19 2008
The silly season is upon us - plenty of nonsense spouted from all quarters
on who we are about to sign. And this Summer is expected to yield a bumper
crop of new players, with almost every club in the Premiership rumoured to
be about to undertake a ludicrous spending spree. So shopping trolleys at
the ready!
The first thing to note is that WE DON'T KNOW what the budget is for
transfers this Summer, and nor should we at this stage. If it was common
knowledge that we were about to throw money around, then every player's
price would mysteriously rise by a million or two on every enquiry.
Likewise, if we are short of cash it would reduce the prices offered by
those trying to buy our players, on the basis that we are more desperate for
a quick sale. I am happy with an air of mystery, and will be pleasantly
surprised if and when we buy anyone. That said, I will be disappointed if
the owners have used the current injury list as an excuse not to invest in
the squad at what could be a watershed moment for the club. If you've ever
owned a water shed, you will know what I mean.
My chief concern this Summer is that we invest in the long-term future of
the club, and not for the short-term benefit of a manager under pressure
from the fickle brigade among our fans. The problem clubs often have, I
feel, is that the manager is buying to save his job next season, and not
buying for the benefit of the club in a few years. Why is it Curbishley's
concern what the resale value of his purchases is? - given his current
reception from some of the support, he may have little confidence that he
will be here to see the long-term effect of his signings.
I hope and pray that the owners gave Curbishley a nice confidence boost in
their meetings, and assured him that his long-term future was safe, even if
they don't really mean it. Because that is the only way to build a
competitive club in the future - let us have a long-term plan for
progression, not a short-term one for survival. If I was in charge I would
be telling Curbishley that he is here for five years, and to buy players now
to improve the club over that period - I would even consider giving the man
a bear-hug.
The great thing about out current position is that we have a solid
Premiership squad to build on - we aren't forced to invest in the sort of
players the club brought in last Summer. Parker, Dyer, Bellamy and Ljungberg
were bought principally because of their proven qualities in this league -
they didn't need to be developed and they weren't unknown quantities. I
don't think we necessarily need any more of that sort of player - as long as
we keep the basis of the current squad we will be safe next season, whether
or not we develop the squad. On that basis, we don't actually NEED to sign
anyone this Summer - signings would only be needed to replace outgoing
members of the squad. A first 11 of Green, Upson, Ferdinand, Neill,
McCartney, Parker, Noble, Dyer, Ljungberg, Ashton and Bellamy is more than
good enough to ensure a mid-table finish - heck they might even reach the
dizzy heights of 9th.
The trouble, I fear, is that Curbishley might still want short-term
measures. Curbs, like any other Premiership manager, would prefer to only
bring in players of proven quality who are ready for the Premiership
campaign to come. Who can blame him for that? The trouble is that in doing
that you are competing for a small pool of players for whom you have to play
big money and pay a top wage to. And we already have a pool of players of
Premiership standing - is it worth Curbishley spending more money to improve
us ever-so-slightly next season? Of course he would argue that you cannot
stand still in this league, and he might well be right.
This is exactly why I am so positive about having a director of football at
the club - someone whose job it is in theory to tend to the long-term
football development of the club, and weigh up the footballing decisions
taken in terms of the bigger picture. I believe that had we had a proper
director of football at the club last Summer, we wouldn't have paid so much
in wages, nor bought as many aging players with no resale value. Much as I
respect Curbishley, I'm firmly of the belief that he needs a counter-balance
at the club, if only as an extra pair of eyes to see what is being done and
what needs doing. Because I get the ever-so-slight feeling that Mervyn Day
is a bit of a 'yes' man, don't you?
I want us to move away from such short-termism, and move towards buying raw
talent and developing it at the club. It's the classic Arsene Wenger model
of course, and perhaps that can't be emulated, but I think other clubs are
doing it now. Liverpool's most important player after Torres and Gerrard may
well be Lucas, the young Brazilian they bought and have quietly developed
over the last season - they are also in the process of replacing older
defenders (Riise, Finnan, Hyppia) with younger and possibly better young
players (Aurelio, Arbeloa, Agger). It's been a slow process at Liverpool,
and they have trodden water for a few years, but at least I can see the
logic behind what they have been doing. The ideal situation, as I see it, is
to have one experienced player for each position to be relied upon when
necessary, and one player of potential to be developing alongside them. And
under that an 8 year old with silky skills cleaning their boots while
learning to tie their own shoelaces.
Whoever we do sign, I would like them to be ideally under 25 and not have a
history of injuries - rocket science, I know. I do believe a crucial part of
Arsene Wenger's transfer policy is that he simply doesn't buy players who
have been seriously injured - I don't know if this is sheer superstition, or
educated gut feeling from Wenger, but it seems to stand him in very good
stead, and Arsenal manage to operate to a high standard with a relatively
small squad. And in terms of buying younger players, I think this is simple
logic in terms of modern football - players seem to be developing to a
higher standard both mentally and physically at a younger age, 7 of the
Premiership select team were 25 or under. And younger players cost less in
wages generally.
So, in terms of my policy at least, players like Shorey, Dunne, Bresciano,
O'Neil, Carr, Sidwell and many others would be ruled out on grounds that
they are just too old to give us enough long-term potential. I simply don't
see a real point in buying a player like Shorey, unless he is a whole lot
better than I think - I am pretty sure that he is better than McCartney, but
would be more expensive, so if it were a straight replacement then I might
just about agree with the idea, but I don't see the point of having two
similar 27-year-olds battle for a first team place. And of course I wouldn't
turn Richard Dunne away - I think he's an inspirational leader and is
exactly the type that we need at the club.
The signings I am interested in will be the young players - we surely want
to see a future team start to develop. The rumours that make my mouth water
are about Bruno Fornaroli, the young Uruguayan forward, or some of the other
South American youngsters linked with the club. I'm not foolish enough to
expect all or any young players to make the grade, but I would like to see
some proper investment on a risk/reward basis - ie if a small percentage of
them make the first team, they will compensate us financially for the ones
that fail. I would favour us plunging our entire transfer budget into these
young players, because I think it would bear more fruit in the long-term
than whatever we would spend on established Premiership performers.
It looks like the club are thinking along the same lines - there are far
more rumours surrounding young players of 17-20 than I ever remember seeing
before. It has been made fairly clear from the off that Nani's principal
function is to identify youth talent. It's undeniable logic on the face of
it - after all the one constant at the club in recent years has been the
abilities of Tony Carr and his team to develop youth players into
Premiership players. I also think the change to 7 subs next season cannot be
underestimated in terms of developing younger players - clearly managers
will be able to cover their first team and also put youngsters on the bench
at the same time.
I am extremely optimistic about this transfer window. I think lessons were
learned and fingers burned last Summer, and I expect a different policy this
time around. I expect a more guarded policy in terms of big signings, a
much-needed streamlining of the squad, and a significant investment in
talented young players. I think, despite frustration from some fans, that
this club is exactly on the right track and (hopefully) doing the right
things to progress.
And no, I'm not the new PR manager for the club.
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Sorry West Ham ... You Haven't A Hope! - NewcastleMad.co.uk
By Nu Mad Monday, 19th May 2008
Upton Park has been our "dumping ground" in recent seasons, taking all our
injury prone and "past it" players. But West Ham's hopes of signing defender
Steven Taylor are NIL. Allegedly: "Magpies billionaire owner Mike Ashley
wants to reduce the wage bill at St James' Park - and Taylor, 22, fears a
new deal will not arrive quickly or match his demands, says the News of the
World. "With just one year left on the defender's contract he signed before
becoming a first-team regular, the Hammers hope Newcastle will be open to
offers for the England Under-21 star."
Taylor is nowhere near being the biggest earner at Newcastle, and a deal
will be on the table sooner rather than later. As for West Ham? They can try
when he's as injury prone as Scott Parker; as old as Nobby Solano; as
troublesome as Lee Bowyer and Craig Bellamy; or as heartless as Kieron Dyer.
Try again in 2020.
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Nigel Reo-Coker slams West Ham for underachieving - The Mirror
By James Nursey 20/05/2008
Nigel Reo-Coker has risked the wrath of West Ham fans again - by insisting
the Hammers have underachieved this season. Midfielder Reo-Coker left Upton
Park for Aston Villa last summer in a £7.5million move after being made a
scapegoat for the club's brush with relegation in 2006-07. And the uncapped
England hopeful helped Martin O'Neill's men finish sixth to qualify for the
InterToto Cup. But Reo-Coker knows Villa's success is partly due to several
clubs like West Ham, who invested heavily 12 months ago, failing to live up
to expectations. Hammers boss Alan Curbishley spent nearly £30m on Craig
Bellamy, Kieron Dyer, Freddie Ljungberg, Julien Faubert and Scott Parker.
But the expensive stars have spent more time in the treatment room than on
the pitch as West Ham finished an underwhelming 10th. And the ex-Hammer
claims Curbishley's team cannot deem their campaign a success after missing
out on European qualification. "People must look at those clubs who are
supposedly top half," said Reo-Coker, booed on his return to east London in
Villa's 2-2 draw on the final day. "Spurs and Newcastle have spent massive
money and even my old club West Ham have spent a lot to get the right
players in and really push for that European spot. "I saw people tipping us
to finish in the bottom half of the table - but look at what we have
achieved. "I think people need to give us a lot more credit than we have
been getting."
Villa just missed out on fifth place on the final day despite their squad
being the smallest in the top flight - yet Reo-Coker remains confident they
can still earn a UEFA Cup spot via the InterToto. But he knows if Villa are
to challenge the Big Four, they must retain inspirational skipper Gareth
Barry, who is a prime target for Liverpool. "It is important to keep
Gareth," he said. "If we want to get to that fourth place, we wouldn't want
to lose our best players.
"I have always been a big fan of Gareth's even before I came here. He's
always been a top-class player for me and he's been fantastic for us this
season."
People must look at those clubs who are supposedly top half.. even my old
club West Ham spent a lot
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