All the early team news and background for the midweek Carling Cup tie at
the Boleyn Ground
26.08.2008
Carling Cup second round
West Ham United v Macclesfield Town
Boleyn Ground
Wednesday 27 August
7.45pm
Referee: Clive Penton
WHUTV - Full audio commentary
Background
* Alan Curbishley will have strong squad at his disposal for the visit of
League Two opponents Macclesfield Town on Wednesday. The tie must be played
to a finish on the night with extra time coming into play if nothing
separates the sides at full time. Should the score still be level after 120
minutes, then penalties come into play.
* The winners will go into Saturday's draw for the third round.
* It is only the second meeting of the two clubs with the first coming in an
FA Cup third-round tie at Moss Rose back in January 2002. West Ham United
won 3-0 thanks to two goals from Jermain Defoe and a Joe Cole strike.
* Reserve-team manager Kevin Keen spent two seasons at Macclesfield between
2000 and 2002, playing 62 games. He began his coaching career at the club
and played in that FA Cup match against West Ham United.
* Curbishley said: "They're going to try to make it as difficult as they
can. We know that and we've got to make sure we overcome that. Being a
Premier League side that's what we've got to do. I'm sure they will relish
the chance of knocking a Premier League side out of the cup. They are a big
side, play three at the back, decent on set-plays and work ever so hard. We
know we've got a game on our hands."
* The manager has named the same 18 players in his matchday squad for the
first two games this season.
* West Ham United have twice reached the final of the League Cup, in 1966
and 1981.
* Dean Ashton has six goals in five pre-season matches while in competitive
league matches he has struck seven goals in his last ten appearances.
* West Ham United, with a win and a draw to date this campaign, are next in
action at home to Blackburn Rovers on Saturday, the same day as
Macclesfield, without a win in their first three games, welcome Darlington.
Last time out
Sunday 24 August - Manchester City 3-0 West Ham United
West Ham United: Green, Behrami, Davenport, Upson, Neill, Faubert, Parker,
Noble, Etherington (Boa Morte 74), Ashton, Cole (Sears 31, Mullins 46)
Subs not used: Lastuvka, Reid, Bowyer, Spence
Saturday 23 August: Accrington Stanley 2-0 Macclesfield Town
Macclesfield Town: Brian, Reid, Morgan, McDonald (Walker 70), Hessey (Green
63), Deen, Tolley (Hadfield 86), Thomas, Bell, Gritton, Evans
Subs not used: Yeo, Rooney
Team news
* George McCartney is set to play some part after recovering from a virus
that followed a hamstring injury. Craig Bellamy is also close to a return -
but is more likely to feature on Saturday against former club Blackburn -
having been absent since a hamstring problem in a pre-season friendly at
Ipswich Town on 4 August.
* Carlton Cole is fit to play if selected after overcoming a back problem
that caused him to be substituted on Sunday.
* James Collins and Nigel Quashie have continued to progress in full
training. Collins has not played since mid-January when he suffered a knee
ligament injury while on reserve-team duty. Quashie last played for the
second string back in December and has had a persistent foot injury.
* James Tomkins and Jack Collison should be back next month after knee
problems suffered on England U19 duty and training respectively.
* Jonathan Spector should be back at Chadwell Heath in September to continue
his rehabilitation from hip surgery. Kieron Dyer is also continuing his
personal training programme as he bids to return from his double leg break.
Danny Gabbidon is the main long-term absentee with his abdominal problem.
General information
For ticket information, click here. For details of getting to the Boleyn
Ground, click here
Weather: The forecast is for an clear evening. The temperature is set to
peak at around 22C.
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Curbs up for the cup - WHUFC
Freddie Sears may spearhead the home attack on Wednesday night against
Macclesfield Town
26.08.2008
Alan Curbishley is looking forward to the Carling Cup visit of Macclesfield
Town on Wednesday as an immediate chance to bounce back from the weekend's
result in Manchester.
Following on from last season's narrow quarter-final exit at the hands of
Everton, the manager is determined to once again attack the cup competitions
in the hope initially of securing a place in Saturday's third-round draw.
"It was a disappointing weekend for us so we're looking forward to the
game," Curbishley said. "As we did last year we'll attack the competition as
I feel that a Premier League team will win the League Cup."
Curbishley is treating the competition with the respect it deserves and
should name a experienced starting lineup that may also include 18-year-old
striker Freddie Sears while Carlton Cole could also be in the frame despite
coming off with a back problem in the 3-0 loss to Manchester City. Robert
Green is also likely to figure with Jan Lastuvka still settling in at the
Boleyn Ground. He said: "I'm not going to change too much of the team that
played at Man City. I'm going with the strongest side I can put out to start
with as we need the game after Sunday."
The competition offers not only a chance to add to the Boleyn Ground trophy
cabinet, but a possible way of bringing European football back to east
London with the winners going into the UEFA Cup. "It's also a route into
Europe," the manager added. "We got to the quarter-final last year and got
beaten really late on by Everton, so we're going to attack it and progress
as far as we can."
Curbishley is not taking anything for granted though and knows that the
opposition from League Two will see the match as an opportunity for a
potential giant-killing. "I'm sure they will relish the chance to beat a
Premier League side and knock them out of the cup. They will come to Upton
Park really looking forward to it and they are going to try to make it as
difficult as they can," he said. "We know that and we have got to make sure
we overcome it and being a Premier League side, that's what we've got to
do."
The manager is also looking forward to welcoming back some key first-team
players, as Anton Ferdinand talks with Sunderland about a proposed transfer.
George McCartney has resumed full training after a hamstring problem and
then a virus and may be involved, while there could be first starts this
season for Lee Bowyer and Luis Boa Morte. "George McCartney needs some
football first," he said. "The injury is OK it's just he's missed most of
pre-season; he hasn't played a pre-season game. We'll have to see if he gets
any football tomorrow or Saturday, I think it's more likely tomorrow night
than anything."
Wales captain Craig Bellamy is back in full training, although Wednesday's
game appears to have come too soon. Curbishley will assess the striker's
fitness before seeing if he could be involved against his former club
Blackburn Rovers this weekend. "I don't know if he'll be playing on
Saturday, that's a bit too far away so we'll have to see. He's so fit as a
person; we'll have to see how we get on this week."
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West Ham v Macclesfield - BBC
West Ham boss Alan Curbishley intends to field his strongest team for the
Carling Cup tie against Macclesfield, but Craig Bellamy (hamstring) is out.
Kieron Dyer, Jonathan Spector, Danny Gabbidon, James Tompkins and James
Collins also miss out, but George McCartney may return after a virus.
Macclesfield team news to follow.
West Ham (from): Green, Behrami, Davenport, Upson, Neill, Faubert, Parker,
Noble, McCartney, Etherington, Ashton, Cole, Lastuvka, Reid, Bowyer, Spence,
Boa Morte, Mullins, Sears.
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City would suit Bellamy - Roberts - BBC
Ex-Wales striker Iwan Roberts would not be surprised if Craig Bellamy moved
from West Ham to join former manager Mark Hughes at Manchester City.
West Ham issued a statement on Tuesday saying they had "no intention" of
selling the 29-year-old Wales captain. But Roberts says that Bellamy - who
could return from injury this Saturday, giving a boost to both club and
country - would flourish again under Hughes. "Mark gets the best out of
Craig," said BBC Sport Wales pundit Roberts. "They've both got an admiration
for each other... and Mark knows how to handle Craig. "So I wouldn't be
surprised if once again they join together. "Looking at Craig, his West Ham
career hasn't really taken off because of one injury after another, but it's
one of those situations where we just have to wait and see."
Bellamy moved from Liverpool to Upton Park last summer in a £7.5m deal but
endured a nightmare first season with the Hammers. The Wales striker
underwent a second abdominal operation in February and has scarcely had
better luck this season. A hamstring injury picked up in a pre-season
friendly saw him miss West Ham's Premier League openers plus Wales' friendly
with Georgia. The fear was that Bellamy might miss the first six weeks of
the season, but West Ham believe he could be fit for this Saturday's clash
with Blackburn. That would also provide a fillip for Wales manager John
Toshack, with their first World Cup qualifier looming on 6 September against
Azerbaijan.
Despite only playing a handful of games for West Ham since joining because
of injury, West Ham chief executive Scott Duxbury says that Bellamy is a key
part of manager Alan Curbishley's squad. "He is under contract and is
committed to the club. Craig remains a very important part of our plans for
the future," Duxbury added. "The club is being run on sound football and
business principles in order to develop a squad which can deliver success
this season.
"No player would be bought or sold unless that helped to achieve that aim.
"We are not interested in selling players who are committed to the club and
essential to our first-team squad."
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Ferdinand: gone - KUMB
Filed: Wednesday, 27th August 2008
By: Staff Writer
Anton Ferdinand has completed an £8million move to Sunderland. The
protracted deal finally completed on Tuesday evening and Ferdinand becomes
available for Sunderland's game against Manchester City this weekend. A
delighted Black Cats boss Roy Keane confirmed the deal, telling the Mail:
"He is 23, very raw and learning his trade. He is in one of the toughest
positions in the team and has made plenty of mistakes, like you see lots of
centre halves do every week. "He had a very good club in West Ham, don't
get me wrong, but sometimes when a player comes through the ranks and they
get to 23, 24, they get to a bit of a crossroads and think, 'Which road am I
going to go on'?" "He maybe needs a change and the environment and coaches
we've got can certainly take him to another level. There is no reason why he
can't go on and become a top, top player. "International football?
Definitely, but that is down to the player."
Fresh details emerging last night suggested that the United board decided to
sell Ferdinand after he asked for parity with the club's top earners in
recent contract negotiations. Contract talks are said to have broken down
after Ferdinand rejected a double-your-money take-it-or-leave-it offer - and
other clubs were subsequently made aware of his availability, leading to his
move to the North East. Anton's departure ends the Ferdinand family's
13-year association with West Ham United that saw older brother Rio, cousin
Les and then Anton feature for the club.
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Bellamy 'not for sale' - SSN
Club insist striker will stay amid City rumours
By James Dall Last updated: 26th August 2008
West Ham United have 'absolutely no intention' of selling Craig Bellamy,
according to chief executive officer Scott Duxbury. Reports emerged on
Tuesday suggesting that Premier League rivals Manchester City had opened
talks with the Hammers over a deal for the Wales striker. However, manager
Alan Curbishley dismissed the speculation, labelling it as 'nonsense' while
insisting Bellamy is part of his plans for the season. And now West Ham have
moved to issue a statement regarding Bellamy's future at the club, with
Duxbury strongly indicating that the 29-year-old, who signed for the Hammers
from Liverpool last year, will be remaining at Upton Park. Duxbury said on
the club's official website: "West Ham United have absolutely no intention
of selling Craig Bellamy. "He is under contract and is committed to the
club. Craig remains a very important part of our plans for the future. "The
club is being run on sound football and business principles in order to
develop a squad which can deliver success this season. No player would be
bought or sold unless that helped to achieve that aim. "We are not
interested in selling players who are committed to the club and essential to
our first-team squad. "If a player refuses to sign a new contract or is not
crucial to the manager's plans then we will look at offers on a case by case
basis. It is the only sensible way to build for the future. "We have
invested in players this summer identified by the manager who add to the
quality of the squad and we will continue to do so as and when appropriate."
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Keane Hails Top-Notch Anton - Goal.com
Sunderland boss Roy Keane has lavished praise Anton Ferdinand after making
the former West Ham man his latest signing...
Ferdinand joined the Black Cats yesterday in an 8million deal to become the
latest prospect to slip away from Upton Park. The 23-year-old's brother,
Rio, is one among many Hammers products to have achieved considerable
success in recent years since leaving the club, along with Joe Cole, Frank
Lampard and Michael Carrick. And Keane sees no reason why Ferdinand the
younger, once tipped as the future of England's back-line, cannot also forge
a decorated career. "Anton's a good athlete, at a good age and there could
be an international future for him, very much so," he said in The Sun. "Our
coaches can take him to another level and there's no reason why he can't be
a top, top player." Ferdinand's capture only emphasises what has been a
tremendously busy summer for Sunderland, who had already brought in the
likes of Djibril Cisse, David Healy, El-Hadji Diouf, Steed Malbranque and
Pascal Chimbonda. But Keane has not stopped yet, as he revealed that he
hopes to land yet another new player before the transfer window closes on
September 1. "I've got one more player in mind and I'm confident of getting
that sorted," he added. "It's a good sign we're attracting this calibre of
player as we wouldn't have been able to do that last season. "To people
outside we're becoming a better attraction."
Leslie May
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Portsmouth lining up move for free agent Freddie Ljungberg - The Mirror
By Football Spy 27/08/2008
Portsmouth have joined the chase for free agent Freddie Ljungberg, who had
his £6million contract paid up by West Ham earlier this month. The former
Arsenal midfielder, 31, has also attracted interest from Aston Villa,
Everton and Blackburn.
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Curbishley seeking cup tonic - teamTalk
Alan Curbishley is hoping that Wednesday night's Carling Cup clash with
Macclesfield will restore battered confidence at West Ham. The Hammers were
thrashed 3-0 by Manchester City on Sunday in a result that has increased the
pressure on sack-race favourite Curbishley. A setback against struggling
League Two outfit Macclesfield would further undermine Curbishley's position
and the Hammers boss will not take any chances tonight. "It was a
disappointing defeat by City so we're looking forward to this game," he
said. "We'll attack the competition because I believe a Premiership team
will win it. We want to progress as far as we can. "Anyone outside the top
four must attack the cup because we know it's a competition that is a route
into Europe. A good cup run will lift everyone. "The players were critical
of themselves after the Man City game. I asked for some observations and the
players admitted it was down to them. "We need to bounce back and
Macclesfield is the first opportunity to do that. "I'll put the strongest
possible team out to start with because I think we need the game after what
happened on Sunday."
Macclesfield have lost all three league matches so far this season but
Curbishley knows they will be eager to claim a prized Premier League scalp.
"We realise Macclesfield haven't had the best of starts as we've had a
couple of their games looked at," he said. "But they'll be looking forward
to coming to Upton Park and will make it as difficult as they can. "Being a
Premier League side we'll have to overcome them. They'll relish the chance
to knock a Premier League side out of the cup. "They're a big team who play
three at the back. They're decent at set plays and work hard so we know we
have a game on our hands."
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Appiah at West Ham Medical on Friday - Cmon Yu Irons
27 August 2008
The West Ham board have agreed a fee of £5m for ex Juventus Midfielder
Stephen Appiah and have sent staff out to Turin to finalise the deal.
Stephen Appiah should be at Upton Park for a medical on Friday and all going
well he will be training with the squad during the weekend. The sale of
Ferdinand for £8m has obviously given Curbs a little spending power hence
why all of a sudden after weeks of negotiations this deal is at its latter
stages. Appiah did have a long spell from training and competing in matches
due to injuries, but now is 100% fit and ready to join the Hammers and to
give Curbs some relief in an area that is lacking talent.
This post was submitted by Joe J.
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Crisis mood comes early as Curbishley sees players sold·
West Ham board deny that Bellamy is next for exit
Credit crunch bites to pile pressure on manager
Dominic Fifield The Guardian, Wednesday August 27 2008
The messages issued from on high by West Ham United claim unity and a shared
sense of purpose yet, even with the Premier League table in embryonic form,
the gloom is gathering in east London. Alan Curbishley suffered his first
defeat of the campaign on Sunday and will lose another of his players, Anton
Ferdinand, to Sunderland today. The manager had approached this season
braced for a battering, though, even with that in mind, the bookies'
favourite to face the sack first might concede that talk of crisis and
calamity has come early.
Curbishley could be forgiven his beleaguered look even as he contemplated
this evening's visit of Macclesfield Town in the Carling Cup. The fixture
should offer respite after the humbling at Manchester City, though relief
may prove temporary. It will take more than victory over League Two
opposition to convince the watching world that all is well behind the scenes
as discontent swells. A tenth-place finish last term was insufficient to
convince the doubters at the Boleyn Ground who watched their side stagnate
in what, only recently, would have been deemed creditable mid-table while an
array of talent loitered on the treatment table. The surrender at Eastlands
and an apparent policy of squad trimming have done little to improve the
mood.
The manager was greeted yesterday with reflections upon Ferdinand's
departure and suggestions that Craig Bellamy might follow. Those rumours
prompted a swift response at boardroom level, the chief executive, Scott
Duxbury, insisting the Wales striker remains "a very important part of our
plans". "The club is being run on sound football and business principles in
order to develop a squad which can deliver success this season," he said.
"No player would be bought or sold unless that helped to achieve that aim.
We are not interested in selling players who are committed to the club and
essential to our first-team squad. If a player refuses to sign a new
contract or is not crucial to the manager's plans then we will look at
offers on a case-by-case basis. It is the only sensible way to build for the
future."
Ferdinand's reluctance to agree new terms made him a saleable asset yet,
even last week, the manager had considered the defender key and said he, not
the board, would make "the final decision on who gets sold". He has since
been reminded that this club's philosophy is changing rapidly. West Ham are
paying for the excesses of Eggert Magnusson's chairmanship, heady days of
ambitious spending which, remarkably, once prompted the board to target
Champions League qualification just weeks after the team had scraped
top-flight survival on the season's final afternoon. Curbishley might
legitimately be criticised for having bought injury-prone players, or even
for quirks in his selection policy, but he appears also to be a high-profile
victim of the credit crunch at a club driven by unrealistic expectations.
It is, perhaps, no coincidence that Magnusson departed just as the global
downturn began taking its toll on Landsbanki, the Icelandic bank who are
West Ham's backers. The former chairman had sanctioned the purchases of the
likes of Bellamy, Kieron Dyer, Lucas Neill, Matthew Upson and Scott Parker,
all of whom are on salaries of more than £3m a year. Fredrik Ljungberg
earned £85,000 a week and had his contract paid up last month, a move that
effectively cost the club some £6m.
Their earnings bred resentment in the dressing room. Robert Green has stated
he feels "completely undervalued" after being denied a pay rise. Dean Ashton
was as unsettled until agreeing improved terms. Bobby Zamora, John Pantsil
and Richard Wright have been sold, the former joining Fulham for £4.8m
bewildered that the club's stance had veered from the offer of new terms one
minute to an acceptance of the Cottagers' bid the next. More players, he
warned, would follow him.
That proved prophetic. The club's hierarchy, led by the chairman, Bjorgolfur
Gudmundsson, still feels the squad is "bloated". Curbishley might disagree -
"I've made my feelings known about transfers and we need to back up the
squad if we can," he said. There is scepticism about his ability in the
stands and, in the circumstances, the manager might be justified in feeling
he has been made a scapegoat for Magnusson's mistakes.
The manager had emerged from a six-hour board meeting in May with his
position apparently assured, though potential candidates for his job are
circling. Harry Redknapp has distanced himself from a potential return to
the club. The Croatia coach, Slaven Bilic, would be interested should the
position become available while Pini Zahavi, who retains allies within the
Upton Park hierarchy, is anxious to secure a return to English football for
Avram Grant. Curbishley has grown used to life under pressure but, for the
time being, there is no respite in sight.
Five big signings that have not worked out for Alan Curbishley
Luis Boa Morte From Fulham, £5m
Curbishley's first signing as West Ham manager and arguably his most costly
mistake - the 30-year-old has scored one goal in 33 starts since his move
Lucas Neill From Blackburn, £1.5m
Chose West Ham over Liverpool but it seems fair to assume it was the
£80,000-a-week salary on offer that made up his mind
Julian Faubert From Bordeaux, £6m
Eyebrows were raised when Curbishley signed the unknown Frenchman. Six
starts and no goals have done little to dispel the doubts
Craig Bellamy From Liverpool, £7.5m
The Welshman arrived with a history of injuries so it was no surprise when
he made just eight starts last season. A hamstring-pull means he remains out
of action
Keiron Dyer From Newcastle, £6m
Another who came with doubts over his ability to play on a regular basis and
has done little since to prove otherwise. The winger has made two starts in
the past 12 months
The ones that have left in order to balance the books
Fredrik Ljungberg Released
Never showed the form that made him a valuable asset at Highbury. It cost
West Ham £6m to release the Swede from his contract
John Pantsil To Fulham, £1.5m
The Ghanaian was never more than a squad player but remained useful as the
injuries mounted up
Bobby Zamora To Fulham, £4.8m
Went from the verge of signing a new contract to being sold - the offer was
too good to turn down
Richard Wright To Ipswich, Undisclosed fee
No great loss but his experience would have been an asset had Robert Green,
as expected at one point, left the club
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Concern for Curbishley as Nani is spotted deep in discussion with ex-Hammers
boss Harry - Daily Mail
By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 1:18 AM on 27th August 2008
Alan Curbishley might be forgiven for believing Harry Redknapp has been
lined up for his job at West Ham after witnessing technical director
Gianluca Nani deep in conversation with the Portsmouth manager last week.
All three were at Loftus Road to watch South Africa's 2-2 draw with
Australia, and at half-time Curbishley was surprised to see Nani make a
beeline for Redknapp. After losing Anton Ferdinand to Sunderland, Curbishley
fears other players will be sold, but chief executive Scott Duxbury insisted
Craig Bellamy, linked with Manchester City, will not be leaving.
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Anton can emulate brother Rio and reach the top, says his new Sunderland
boss Keane - Daily Mail
By Colin Young
Last updated at 1:22 AM on 27th August 2008
Roy Keane completed the £8million signing of Anton Ferdinand on Tuesday and
predicted that the former West Ham defender could one day join older brother
Rio in the England team. The Sunderland manager has been eager to add an
experienced centre half to his squad after Northern Ireland defender Jonny
Evans returned to Manchester United and was included in Sir Alex Ferguson's
first team squad. Ferdinand, who won 17 England Under 21 caps, will earn
£60,000 a week, four times his salary at West Ham, and Keane believes he
adds extra class to his squad. Keane said: 'He is 23, very raw and learning
his trade. He is in one of the toughest positions in the team and has made
plenty of mistakes, like you see lots of centre halves do every week.
'He maybe needs a change and the environment and coaches we've got can
certainly take him to another level. There is no reason why he can't go on
and become a top, top player. International football? Definitely, but that
is down to the player. 'He had a very good club in West Ham, don't get me
wrong, but sometimes when a player comes through the ranks, and they get to
23, 24, they get to a bit of a crossroads and think, "Which road am I going
to go on"?'
Keane, who has now spent more than £30m on nine players, still hopes to sign
a left back before Monday's transfer window closure, with Everton's Leighton
Baines at the top of his list after a bid for Ferdinand's former team-mate
George McCartney was rejected. Sunderland's Scotland defender Russell
Anderson is joining Burnley on a season's loan.
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Ferdinand's pay demand force West Ham to sell
By Jason Burt
Wednesday, 27 August 2008
Independent.co.uk
West Ham United came out fighting yesterday by accusing Anton Ferdinand of
forcing his £7m sale to Sunderland by demanding more than £50,000 a week in
wages. The deal was due to be completed last night after the central
defender underwent a medical and agreed personal terms, Contract talks at
Upton Park with the 23-year-old defender broke down irretrievably earlier
this month, with sources at West Ham citing his excessive wage demands –
more than double his present deal – as the primary reason for the collapse.
It was pointed out to Ferdinand that he was not a first-team regular, given
his injury record and the competition at the club, and was not in a position
to make such demands. Nevertheless, West Ham had offered Ferdinand around
£35,000 a week which, in itself, represented a significant hike in his
present wages. It was then, according to the club, that he pushed for a
transfer and a deal was struck with Sunderland, having initially agreed a
similar fee with Newcastle United.
West Ham have also been angered by suggestions, partly fuelled by Alan
Curbishley himself, that the manager has not been fully involved in transfer
dealings this summer. Before last weekend Curbishley spoke of his desire to
keep Ferdinand although, following the dispiriting 3-0 defeat to Manchester
City, he was forced to concede that a fee had been agreed with Sunderland
for the player.
It is understood that Curbishley is, nevertheless, concerned by West Ham's
transfer dealings and does not want to sell any more players. He is worried
that he will be left with a squad ill-equipped to meet the demands of the
board, and more specifically the owner, Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson, that they
finish comfortably within the top 10 in the league this season. It has
intensified claims that Curbishley will be the first Premier League manager
sacked this season.
West Ham were, once again, yesterday forced to issue a firm denial that they
were going to sell the striker Craig Bellamy to Manchester City for £8m. The
Welsh international is certainly wanted by City, whose manager, Mark Hughes,
is a fan of the player, but West Ham insist they will not sell. It is also
understood that Bellamy, who signed from Liverpool only last summer, has no
desire to leave West Ham.
Yesterday, West Ham's chief executive, Scott Duxbury, issued a statement. It
read: "West Ham United have absolutely no intention to sell Craig Bellamy.
He is under contract and is committed to the club. Craig remains a very
important part of our plans for the future."
Duxbury also alluded to Ferdinand's behaviour. He said: "The club is being
run on sound football and business principles in order to develop a squad
which can deliver success this season. No player would be bought or sold
unless that helped to achieve that aim.
"We are not interested in selling players who are committed to the club and
essential to the first-team squad. If a player refuses to sign a new
contract or is not crucial to the manager's plans then we will look to
offers on a case-by-case basis. It is the only sensible way to build for the
future."
The club insist that after Ferdinand's departure they do not expect any more
high-profile sales – having already parted with Freddie Ljungberg and Bobby
Zamora – before the transfer window closes next week. There are several
fringe players up for sale, such as the midfielder Nigel Quashie, but all
the moves have been agreed with Curbishley at a recent board meeting. The
club strongly rejects any suggestions that they want to sell defender
Matthew Upson, for example.
West Ham have also rejected claims that they are feeling the pinch more than
other clubs because of previous over-spending by former chairman Eggert
Magnusson and the credit crunch that has, in particular, hit the Icelandic
financial sector. However, they do accept that they need to balance the
books, given the expensive contracts that Magnusson negotiated during his
chaotic regime.
Although they are attempting to make two signings before the window closes,
West Ham want to make both loan deals with a view to a permanent transfer.
The club's technical director, Gianluca Nani, has identified the Marseilles
defender Gael Givet and the Paris St-Germain striker Peguy Luyindula as
additions to the squads. Both French clubs would, however, prefer to
negotiate permanent deals.
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CURBS EAGER TO RECRUIT - Football365
Posted 26/08/08 18:28
Alan Curbishley has warned the West Ham board the club must strengthen
before the transfer window closes. The encouraging news that Craig Bellamy
could be fit to face Blackburn on Saturday has been tempered by reports of
an approach from Manchester City for the Wales striker. Curbishley dismissed
the story as "nonsense" but the club were sufficiently stung to issue a
statement declaring he would not be leaving Upton Park under any
circumstances.
West Ham may be digging in over Bellamy but centre back Anton Ferdinand is
poised to join Sunderland in a move which will further weaken their
injury-stricken defence. Curbishley is eager to recruit new faces before the
transfer window closes, but has been made no promises amid a climate of
financial uncertainty at Upton Park. "We're actively looking, like anyone.
This week is notorious for things being done and we'll have to see what
happens," he said.
"We're jostling around like other clubs are. We're under pressure as we're
short at the back because of injury. "That has left us a bit stretched. I've
made my feelings known about transfers. We need to back up the squad if we
can. "David Moyes is finding it very difficult as well. We'll see what this
week brings. "We're looking in all areas but I need to check what budget is
available."
City are not the first club to make enquiries over Bellamy this summer, but
West Ham have left no doubt over their determination to retain the
controversial forward. Chief executive Scott Duxbury said: "We have
absolutely no intention of selling Craig Bellamy. "He is under contract and
is committed to the club. Craig remains a very important part of our plans
for the future. "The club is being run on sound football and business
principles in order to develop a squad which can deliver success this
season. "No player would be bought or sold unless that helped to achieve
that aim. "We are not interested in selling players who are committed to the
club and essential to our first-team squad."
Bellamy's departure would cause uproar among Hammers fans given he is one of
the few players capable of lifting the gloom that has descended on West Ham.
Curbishley himself is desperate to see a return from a striker who has been
restricted by injury to just nine appearances since arriving from Liverpool
for £7.5million last summer. The 29-year-old is back in training after
recovering from the hamstring injury sustained in pre-season and while he
will miss tomorrow's Carling Cup clash with Macclesfield, he could be
available this weekend. But a possible club-versus-country row looms on the
horizon as the timing of his comeback means he could be called up by Wales
for their World Cup qualifiers against Azerbaijan and Russia. "It's more
realisic Craig will be ready on Saturday. If not Saturday then West Brom two
weeks later," said Curbishley. "It's not a question of letting him go to
Wales, it's a question of whether it will be sensible because he's been out
for four weeks. "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it, we have to get
through this week first. He's so fit as a person. "It's uncanny the way this
has fallen - he has managed to get himself right but it's happened just
before an international break.
"Craig looked so sharp in pre-season so it will be great to have him back."
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