Craig Bellamy and Kieron Dyer look set to be among those reporting for
pre-season duty in early July
16.06.2008
Alan Curbishley looks set to have a host of players involved again for
pre-season training after the club's medical staff reported positive
progress from Chadwell Heath.
Wales defenders Danny Gabbidon and James Collins missed significant parts of
the 2007/08 campaign but are working hard to overcome their long-term
injuries. The duo's international team-mate Craig Bellamy already appears to
be over his abdominal condition with a couple of lively appearances for
Wales and is expected to commence training with the rest of the first-team
squad from early July. This is also the case for winger Matthew Etherington,
after a groin injury, and Calum Davenport, who has recovered well from a
fractured bone in his neck.
Gabbidon, who has not played since November with a stomach and pelvic
problem, has been in Italy receiving alternative therapy including
osteopathy and strengthening techniques to help his spine to articulate.
This work with specialists has helped his hips and in turn will allow his
condition to improve faster. It is hoped he could return to training during
pre-season. Collins, meanwhile, has again received a positive report from
surgeons in his recovery from a cruciate knee ligament injury suffered in
January and should feature in pre-season training. He could return early in
the season.
Another who will be particularly eager to get going is England international
Kieron Dyer. A double leg break at the start of last season meant he played
just three times upon his high-profile move to the club. He has maintained
his fitness work this summer and has had an excellent response to further
surgery. Dyer is on course to start pre-season with the rest of his
team-mates as are Lee Bowyer and Matthew Upson after they continued to focus
on their respective groin and calf problems after the end of the 2007/08
season.
Julien Faubert sat out the last two games in May but is also fully fit after
his previous hamstring trouble. Nigel Quashie missed the entire 2007/08
campaign but is aiming to join in fully from the start of pre-season after
extensive efforts to overcome his foot injury. Finally, Jonathan Spector has
had hip surgery after being diagnosed with torn cartilage and will be out
for up to six months. As it stands, he looks set to be the only West Ham
United first-team player who will definitely not take any part in the summer
programme.
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Fixtures released for 2008/09 - WHUFC
Alan Curbishley's men are due to begin the new Barclays Premier League
season against Wigan
16.06.2008
West Ham United are set to begin the 2008/09 season at home against Wigan
Athletic on Saturday 16 August and end it when Middlesbrough arrive at the
Boleyn Ground on Sunday 24 May.
The Barclays Premier League fixtures for the coming campaign were confirmed
at 10am on Monday, although all are subject to change. After starting
against Wigan, Alan Curbishley's men will travel to Manchester City (23
August), play at home against Blackburn Rovers (30 August) and then go to
new boys West Bromwich Albion (13 September). Another date for your diary is
the FA Cup final on Saturday 30 May.
The team will be making the trip to Portsmouth on Boxing Day, which falls on
a Friday this year, while there is no fixture on New Year's Day this season
because the FA Cup third round falls on Saturday 3 January. The derbies
against Tottenham Hotspur will be Saturday 6 December (home) and Saturday 11
April (away) while Chelsea will be the opponents on Saturday 13 December
(away) and Saturday 25 April (home).
Watch out for full reaction to come while whufc.com will also provide you
with a programme to give you all the provisional 2008/09 fixtures straight
to your desktop calendar. We are putting together a programme compatible
with Microsoft Outlook diaries that will update your calendar to display all
of the Barclays Premier League fixtures and scheduled cup dates.
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Season begins with Wigan test - KUMB
Filed: Monday, 16th June 2008
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United will begin the 2008/09 season with a home fixture against
Wigan Athletic.
The fixture list for the new season was officially released at 10am this
morning (although early visitors to the KUMB.com forums got a sneak preview
of the full list ahead of the embargo this morning).
Once again the Hammers visit Portsmouth on Boxing Day - whilst Alan
Curbishley's side will have the chance to avenge last season's three
consecutive 4-0 defeats when they face Liverpool, Tottenham and Chelsea is
successive games once again at the end of November/start of December.
All games are scheduled for 3pm Saturday kick offs unless otherwise stated
...
August 2008
The season begins once again with a home fixture - this time against Wigan
Athletic. Two further (Saturday) games follow before the end of August, also
against teams from the North West as the Hammers travel to Man City before
hosting Blackburn.
September
Due to another international program September also sees just three
fixtures. United travel to newly-promoted West Brom on Saturday 13th before
hosting Newcastle a week later. The month ends with the fist London derby of
the season, a trip to Fulham.
October
Four games this month; October kicks off with a home match against Bolton
after which a two week break ensues. The next game is the trip to Hull City,
playing their first ever season in the top flight. It'll be a far different
proposition however when the Hammers end the month with a home match against
Arsenal and a Tuesday evening trip to Manchester Utd.
November
The busiest month of the season yet with no less than five games. November
begins with a visit to Middlesbrough before home fixtures against Everton
and Portsmouth. The final games of the month see United travel to Sunderland
and Liverpool.
December
The mont of December starts with two of the biggest fixtures on the
calendar; a home match against Tottenham and a trip across the city to
Chelsea. Aston Villa are the visitors a week ahead of Christmas whilst the
Hammers will travel to Portsmouth on Boxing Day for the second successive
season. The month ends with a home fixture against the last of the three
promoted sides, Stoke.
January 2009
Unusually there is no News Year Day fixtire scheduled for 2009. Instead, the
first game of the month is the arduous trip to Newcastle. Two home matches
follow, against Fulham and Hull before the month ends with a trip to
Arsenal.
February
As in August, teams from the North West dominate United's February
programme. Manchester Utd are the visitors on the first Saturday of the
month whilst a trip to Bolton follows a fortnight later. The third and final
game of the month sees the Hammers host Manchester City.
March
Three games in March - and all against teams that the Hammers will be
looking to be ahead if they are to ensure a decent league position. A
Tuesday night trip to Wigan gets March under way before West Brom hit the
Boleyn Ground 11 days later. The third and final game of March is the trip
to blackburn.
April
Possibly the toughest month of them all? It's a decent start with a home
fixture against Sunderland but that is followed by trips to Aston Villa and
Tottenham before Chelsea visit the Boleyn Ground.
May
One of the busiest Mays in recent season sees West Ham end with four
fixtures - two home and two away. United travel to Stoke on the first
Saturday of the month whilst Liverpool provide the opposition at the Boleyn
a week later. The month - and the season ends with a trip to Everton and a
home fixture with Middlesbrough on the final day.
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Redknapp eyes double swoop - SSN
Crouch and Solano interest Pompey boss
By Ben Collins Last updated: 16th June 2008
Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp is hoping to tie up a deal for England
striker Peter Crouch and has confirmed an interest in Peruvian winger
Nolberto Solano. Pompey are in talks with Liverpool regarding Crouch and are
reported to be on the verge of an £8million, four-year deal for the
27-year-old. Crouch is still fondly remembered at Fratton Park after scoring
18 goals in 37 league games for Pompey during the 2001/02 season, although
Redknapp is unsure how close they are to reaching an agreement. "I honestly
don't know what the situation is," he told The News. "(Chief executive)
Peter Storrie deals with that side of things. I tell him who I want and he
does all the dealing with the clubs and the players. "Crouchie is a player I
like - I've made no secret of that - but only at the right money and that is
what Peter Storrie deals with. "Players have got their values and you only
want to pay what you feel is a fair price. If you can't get that, you move
on to someone else."
Solano, however, is available on a free transfer after being released by
West Ham. The 33-year-old joined the Hammers shortly into last season but
the experienced winger has not been offered a new contract at Upton Park.
Solano has now spent 10 years in the Premier League with Newcastle, West Ham
and Aston Villa, and Redknapp believes he would be a valuable addition to
his squad as he leads Pompey into Europe for the first time next season.
"Nobby is a good little footballer and he did well last season at West Ham -
he did a good job for them," he added. "I could have had him last year when
he was on a free. We ended up taking other people in the end. "I know we're
a bit short in wide areas and we certainly need to strengthen there. "But
nothing has happened there - it's not one we're close to doing at the
moment."
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Hammers at home to Wigan - SSN
Wigan visit Upton Park on opening day
Last updated: 16th June 2008
West Ham's first game of the new Premier League season is a home encounter
with Wigan. Alan Curbishley's side spent the majority of last season lurking
on 10th place, never truly threatening to challenge for a European place,
but generally clear of the relegation fight. Hammers fans will be hoping for
much more this time around, and to avoid the injuries which blighted last
season. A trip to Manchester City and a home meeting with Blackburn Rovers
round off the opening month. Arsenal visit Upton Park on 25th Octorber,
Tottenham make the trip on 6th December and Chelsea arrive on 25th April.
August
16 Wigan (H)
23 Man City (A)
30 Blackburn (H)
September
13 West Brom (A)
20 Newcastle (H)
27 Fulham (A)
October
4 Bolton (H)
18 Hull (A)
25 Arsenal (H)
28 Man Utd (A)
November
1 Middlesbrough (A)
8 Everton (H)
15 Portsmouth (H)
22 Sunderland (A)
29 Liverpool (A)
December
6 Tottenham (H)
13 Chelsea (A)
20 Aston Villa (H)
26 Portsmouth (A)
28 Stoke (H)
January
10 Newcastle (A)
17 Fulham (H)
27 Hull (H)
31 Arsenal (A)
February
7 Man Utd (H)
21 Bolton (A)
28 Man City (H)
March
3 Wigan (A)
14 West Brom (H)
21 Blackburn (A)
April
4 Sunderland (H)
11 Tottenham (A)
18 Aston Villa (A)
25 Chelsea (H)
May
2 Stoke (A)
9 Liverpool (H)
16 Everton (A)
24 Middlesbrough (H)
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Bilic tipped to take over at West Ham - Guardian Series
CROATIA boss Slaven Bilic has been tipped as a possible successor to Alan
Curbishley at West Ham. The former Hammers player has enjoyed a glittering
start to his managerial career, and after masterminding Croatia's famous 2-1
victory over Germany in the European Championships on Thursday, Bilic has
sparked interest from these shores. According to the People, a poor start to
the season for Curbishley could spell the end of his reign, and it is
believed Bilic, who made 48 appearances for West Ham in two years with the
club, is being lined up as a possible replacement. Croatia's free-flowing
style of play, with which they dispatched pre-tournament favourites Germany,
has attracted plenty of praise, and the money that would be on offer in
England would dwarf the £90,000 contract Bilic is currently on with his
national side.
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Keane linked with Hammers striker again - Guardian Series
SUNDERLAND are being linked with West Ham striker Carlton Cole once again,
writes Sam Lom-bor. Black Cats boss Roy Keane is weighing up a move for the
former Chelsea frontman as he seeks cover for crocked centre-forward Kenwyne
Jones. Cole netted only six times for the Hammers last season and they are
prepared to let him go for as low as £2 million according to media reports.
And with Keane having a reported £50 million to spend on transfers, Cole
could well be putting on the red and white of Sunderland next season. It
also seems that with rising youngster Freddy Sears coming through the ranks,
that Cole may be found surplus to requirements at Upton Park.
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Former Hammer Salano wanted in the States - Guardian Series
FORMER West Ham midfield Nobby Solano will have to decide whether he heads
across the pond to continue his football career, writes Sam Lom-bor.
With Solano making clear his desire to stay in the Premier League,
Portsmouth have emerged as favourites to sign him, but they face competition
from teams in the MLS. Chivas USA and David Beckham's LA Galaxy have been
reported as being interested in the 34 year-old, who was the first Peruvian
to play in the Premier League. It is not clear yet where the player will end
up, but what is clear is that the Hammers have lost a strong presence in the
dressing room, and will need to dip into the transfer kitty to obtain a
player of similar standard.
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West Ham, Portsmouth and Blackburn linked with Mensah - SoccerGlobe.net
June 16, 2008 · By Andy · Jump to comments
A host of Premiership clubs are interested in signing Rennes centre-back
John Mensah. The Sun says Wigan, Blackburn, Portsmouth and West Ham are all
likely to bid for the £5.5m rated player, widely regarded as one of the best
African footballers in the modern game. The 25-year old Ghanian has played
56 times for his national side and never stayed more than a season with any
club side he has represented.
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Sunderland close on £2million Hammers striker - FansFC.com
19:08 June, 16, 2008
Sunderland Football Club are closing on Carlton Cole. Roy Keane is eager to
bolster his attacking options at the Stadium of Light ahead of the new
season, particularly as Kenwyne Jones could spend quite some time on the
sidelines through injury. The Irishman has a reported £50million available
to spend in the summer transfer window, and with this considered, the
possible signing of Cole will seem like a pittance. It is believed West Ham
United are willing to let the striker leave for as little as £2million after
he managed to find the back of the next just six times last season, and
Keane hopes to conclude a deal this week.
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Bellamy Accused of Assaulting Charity Worker - Cmon Yu Irons
16 Jun
Posted by Joe J
According to the Mail Online Craig Bellamy flew into a rage at a casino in
Sierra Leone and attacked a British Charity worker after losing at the
tables.
The West Ham Ace is said to have been drinking and gambling at the Casino
before he made his assault, A witness said: 'He was playing roulette when
something upset him, 'He jumped on a guy and wrestled him to the floor.
Graig Bellamy's agents deny the assault happened, Craig is in Sierra Leone
to promote his £650,000 Craig Bellamy Foundation which is funding a football
academy for under-privileged youngsters in Freetown.
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Hammers manager Curbishley the favourite to get the chop first next season -
Guardian Series
WEST Ham boss Alan Curbishley has been installed as the 6/1 favourite to be
the first Premier League manager to leave his club next season by bookmakers
William Hill. The news will certainly be unwelcomed by the ex-Charlton
chief, especially with Croatia manager and former Hammers favourite Slaven
Bilic being linked with his post over the last few days. "It's nothing
personal against Alan Curbishley and injuries disrupted West Ham's season
lat time round," stated a Hill spokesman. "However, if he doesn't get off to
a decent start we have a feeling the fans might make their displeasure
known, which would exert unwelcome pressure on him."
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