Several West Ham United players are training well with their countries
before the weekend's games
08.10.2008
While most of the first team are working hard at Chadwell Heath this week,
those selected for to represent their national sides are focusing on the
this weekend's World Cup qualifiers.
Matthew Upson and Robert Green are both with the England squad as they
prepare for their game against Kazakhstan at Wembley on Saturday. John Terry
has been troubled by a back complaint, meaning Upson - who came on for the
England skipper late on in the 4-1 win against Croatia last month - could be
in with a chance of stepping in again should the problem persist. Upson has
eight caps and has been a regular in Fabio Capello's squads.
Green may well be the direct understudy to David James ahead of Scott
Carson, with Paul Robinson missing out on the squad through injury. He has
received words of encouragement this week from goalkeeping coach Ray
Clemence after the disappointment of the weekend defeat by Bolton Wanderers.
LIke Upson, he also travelled with the team for the September successes in
Andorra and Croatia but did not make the bench.
Wales play host to Liechtenstein at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday and
Craig Bellamy and James Collins will be raring to go after missing the first
two qualifiers. Bellamy will be hoping to make his first start for his
country for nearly a year. "We'll wait and see about Saturday," he said. "We
don't know what the team's going to be, but I'm ready to start if I get the
chance. I'm a lot fitter than I was a few weeks ago. I could have been ready
against Bolton but basically I couldn't get in the team. I've had to bide my
time and I'll wait for my opportunity."
The Welsh are third in their group and Bellamy is certain that, along with
team-mate Collins' help, his side can get a result on Saturday and follow it
up with a good performance in Germany on Wednesday. "He [Collins] has had a
tough couple of months. He is a great lad and I know what he has gone
through," he said. "It's essential we win. This time last year the boys went
over to Germany and got a good result so I'm sure we can cause them
problems."
The West Ham United No10 also spoke of his desire to repay the support he
has received from his club over the coming season. "I've just signed a new
deal at West Ham last year and I want to give as much as I can. I missed
virtually the whole of my first year at the club which was really
disappointing, but I'm sure this year I can make up for lost time."
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Spence leads England to win - WHUFC
Young central defender Jordan Spence helped the Young Lions make a fine
start to Euro qualifying
08.10.2008
Jordan Spence captained England to an impressive 3-0 win in their opening
European Under-19 Championship qualifier on Wednesday.
Still only 18, Spence has represented his country at U16, U17 and U18 level
but is now established at the higher level. England's success in their
opening Group 9 match sets them up perfectly for the second game against the
mini-tournament hosts Northern Ireland on Friday. The section will conclude
with a fixture against Serbia next Monday. The top two in the group will go
through to the Elite round stage.
With Spence lining up in central defence, his team-mates did the job up
front. Manchester United's Danny Drinkwater opened the scoring on six
minutes before Nathan Delfouneso doubled the lead just before half-time.
Arsenal midfielder Henri Lansbury made sure of the win with eleven minutes
left on the clock in Ballymena.
Speaking to theFA.com, England coach Brian Eastick said: ""We pretty much
dominated the game from start to finish and Albania went for damage
limitation in the second half by putting everyone behind the ball.
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Hope for Hammers in Tevez appeal - BBC
The Court of Arbitration for Sport has offered hope to West Ham's appeal
against a tribunal decision ordering compensation to Sheffield United. The
Blades were relegated in 2006-7 and a tribunal ruled West Ham broke Premier
League rules to sign Carlos Tevez, who had a key role in keeping them up.
BBC Sport understands CAS is to hold a preliminary hearing to decide whether
they will hear the appeal in full. The Blades have been given until 10
October to provide an arbitrator. If they fail to provide one for the
preliminary hearing, CAS will appoint one on their behalf. West Ham have
already appointed an arbitrator and submitted a 12-page legal document to
CAS which argues that they haven't had the chance of appeal. And BBC Sport's
editor Mihir Bose says the club will be desperate to avoid a large pay-out
to the Blades considering the current global credit crisis. The collapse of
major Icelandic bank Landsbanki - in which owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson is a
major shareholder - has prompted claims that the Hammers face an uncertain
future. But, as Bose explains: "West Ham are saying they are not affected by
the Icelandic bank situation and are dressing matters up as business as
normal. "And, despite admitting players must be sold before they can buy,
they are saying manager Gianfranco Zola always intended to trim the squad.
"However, clearly, these are difficult times for football clubs in general
and West Ham certainly don't want to have pay out what could be up to £30m
for something that happened two years ago."
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Upson set for shock England start? - Echo
8:00am Thursday 9th October 2008
By Rob Pritchard »
MATTHEW Upson could be in line for a shock call-up to England's team for
Saturday's 2010 World Cup qualifier against Kazakhstan at Wembley. With
captain John Terry struggling to overcome a back injury, the West Ham United
defender is set for his first competitive start for his country in more than
five years. Upson, who has nine caps, was in the line-up when Sven Goran
Eriksson's England took on Liechtenstein in qualification for Euro 2004 at
Old Trafford in September 2003. Since then, the Hammers' centre-back has
started just twice for England - in friendlies against Denmark in November
2003 and in Fabio Capello's first game in charge against Switzerland at
Wembley in February. Against the Swiss, Upson was also a stand-in for the
injured Chelsea skipper. And, with Terry again struggling to be fit after
missing training on Tuesday and playing only a minor role Wednesday, the
29-year-old is again set to deputise. While Capello could choose to call
upon Manchester United's Wes Brown or Everton's Joleon Lescott, Upson is
believed to be the red-hot favourite to line-up alongside former Iron Rio
Ferdinand at the heart of England's back-four. Manchester United star
Ferdinand would also be handed the captain's armband in Terry's absence.
Terry's involvement will depend on his ability to come through a practice
match between Capello's first-team and substitutes on Thursday. Meanwhile,
Upson's West Ham team-mate Robert Green is set to be named among the
replacements behind first-choice goalkeeper David James of Portsmouth -
another ex-Hammer. Saturday's match at Wembley is a 90,000 sell-out.
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New twist in Tevez row - SheffieldStar
Published Date: 09 October 2008
By James Shield
SHEFFIELD United will attempt to block West Ham's efforts to win a new
hearing over the Carlos Tevez Affair at the Court of Arbitration for Sport
as the London club's battle to overturn Bramall Lane's landmark legal
victory enters a critical phase. Officials in Lausanne have set United a 24
hour deadline to respond to West Ham's submission that CAS should intervene
after an independent tribunal ruled they are liable for compensation after
breaching transfer regulations when they signed the Argentina international
in 2006. United, who were relegated in controversial circumstances at the
end of the 2006/07 campaign, are currently in the process of finalising
their claim which could see them receive up to £50m from West Ham. And,
having consulted with their lawyers, United will tell CAS that they have no
jurisdiction over what both they and the Football Association, whose
guidelines governed the three man panel's investigation, believe was a
private matter.
West Ham, like United, agreed that the decision of Lord Griffiths and his
colleagues would be binding before entering into the process and the FA,
despite insisting they played no part in the arbitration, are known to back
Bramall Lane's stance. However West Ham's approach to CAS is believed to
focus on the fact that they have had no chance to appeal the ruling that
Tevez, whose presence in their team contravened rules outlawing third party
agreements, helped them win more than three points over the course of the
campaign.
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West Ham in hot water over unregistered doc
09.10.08 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United are in hot water by letting an unregistered doctor treat its
players, it has been revealed. The Sun says the Hammers appointed Greek
Nikos Tzouroudis as their top doc in July, even though he is not registered
with the General Medical Council. He was recommended by Gianluca Nani, the
club's technical director, and was brought in to put an end to West Ham's
injury problems. It is against Premier League and GMC rules to practise
medicine in the UK without clearance from the governing body. Tzouroudis
helped treat Carlton Cole in the season opener against Wigan. But he has now
been banned from working alongside team boss Gianfranco Zola in the dugout.
A club spokesman said: "We informed the Premier League, GMC and FA when
Nikos arrived. "We were advised he required GMC registration and needed to
complete an FA course, which the club are complying with. "He is acting in a
strategic, managerial role."
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Portsmouth boss Redknapp: West Ham ideal club for Zola
09.10.08 | tribalfootball.com
Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp is confident Gianfranco Zola will succeed at
old club West Ham United. In his column for The Sun, Redknapp wrote: "Zola
has still been lucky to get West Ham as his first job in English management.
"He has inherited a squad that, left unmolested, could finish in the top 12
of the Premier League at least. "He has a technical director, Gianluca Nani,
working with him who knows the Italian transfer market well. And his
assistant, Steve Clarke, knows the British market. "The next transfer window
will require a lot of wheeling and dealing, as money is sparse. "But Zola is
safe with the people around him and still in a great position."
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No West Ham deal for Tristan
09.10.08 | tribalfootball.com
Diego Tristan has missed out on a deal with West Ham United. The 32 year-old
had been trialling with the Hammers, but setantasports.com says he won't be
offered terms.
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Blades to snub Hammers bid to stage new hearing - YorkshirePost
Date: 09 October 2008
By Rob Waugh
SHEFFIELD United will tell the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) it does
not have the power to intervene in the club's multi-million pound
compensation case against West Ham in a formal response to the London club's
appeal. The Hammers are attempting to have the landmark legal victory in the
Carlos Tevez affair overturned through an appeal to the Swiss-based court.
CAS have asked United to submit a response to West Ham's appeal by tomorrow
and provide reasons why it ADVERTISEMENTdoes not have jurisdiction to deal
with the attempt to annul the recent FA arbitration judgement. West Ham
appear to be relying on a FIFA rule which allows decisions of national
football associations to be appealed to CAS. But United believe the
arbitration judgement was essentially the outcome of a private dispute
resolution process – not a decision reached by the FA – and CAS does not,
therefore, have the power to hear the case. The club will also point to the
fact that both United and West Ham agreed to the arbitration being binding,
without possibility of appeal, when they signed up to the process. The
Blades are backed by the FA itself. Although not commenting publicly, it is
understood the FA do not accept West Ham's legal interpretation. The FA
stance is that it was not a party to the arbitration process and it played
no part in the decision, which could see United receive a huge payout from
West Ham. The only link to the FA is that the arbitration between the two
clubs was carried out under one of its rules. United's claim is currently
being finalised, with accountants drawing up a figure for the loss the club
suffered as a result of relegation from the Premier League last year. The
original figure of £30m will be increased, possibly up to £50m. The
arbitration panel hearing the case is due to reconvene in February to decide
the final figure. The panel ruled that West Ham were liable for compensation
on the basis that Tevez was worth more than three points over the 2006-07
season. After breaching Premier League rules on third party agreements to
secure the services of the Argentinean star, West Ham ultimately finished
three points above the Blades who were relegated.
The Hammers are currently facing severe financial pressure after the
collapse of Icelandic bank Landsbanki, of which club chairman Bjorgolfur
Gudmundsson is a major shareholder. But chief executive Scott Duxbury
insisted: "The position of Landsbanki has absolutely no effect on West Ham
United and Mr Gudmundsson's ownership of the club. "Mr Gudmundsson is an
investor with a large portfolio, of which Landsbanki was just part. He
remains as committed as ever to West Ham United and is not looking to sell
the club."
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West Ham rejected three takeover offers last week
09.10.08 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United have been the subject of fresh takeover offers, it has been
revealed. The Daily Mail says the financial threat to West Ham's future was
brought into sharp focus yesterday after it was revealed that owner
Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson has lost £360million following the Icelandic banking
collapse. Amazingly, a 'serious' foreign bidder, who is a West Ham fan,
last week had three offers to buy out Gudmundsson rejected. Since then,
however, the Hammers owner has been removed as chairman of Icelandic bank
Landsbanki after his government took over the troubled firm, placing it into
receivership. Gudmundsson is coming under government pressure at home to
'repatriate' his overseas assets to help save his country's crippled
economy, amid fears that Iceland is heading for national bankruptcy.
Selling the club which he purchased for £85m almost two years ago would
offer Gudmundsson the chance to pump some cash back into his country's
economy, although West Ham directors have been given assurances he is not
planning to walk away.
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Hammers Horror Is Scary Stuff - the Sun
HARRY REDKNAPP - Columnist
Published: Today
WHAT happened at West Ham on Tuesday was scary. There is no way football can
consider itself immune from this so-called credit crunch — or 'hard times'
as I refer to it. In fact, football clubs are going to feel the pinch more
than most, because they are now multi-million pound, multi-national
corporations with huge incomes and massive outlays. One of the biggest
outgoings on a club's balance sheet is the squad's wages. But if, as a fan,
you are hoping the players are going to come to the rescue by taking pay
cuts, forget it. That is just a dream. In an ideal world, yes, perhaps some
of the most highly-paid players would turn to their clubs and agree to trim
their pay to alleviate some of the burden on the board. West Ham insist it
is on a sound footing and the collapse of the bank in which their Icelandic
chairman had a 40 per cent stake does not affect them. But when you hear
that football may be up to £3BILLION in debt, it is a worry that the whole
shebang could come crashing down like a house of cards. The moment you ask a
player to renegotiate his contract, though, even for a cut of just £1 a
week, he becomes a free agent. Then you will have a situation where a queue
of rival clubs will line up to sign your best players — because the best are
usually paid the most — for nothing. On top of that, they will probably
offer to pay them even more than they are earning at your club, as they do
not have to fork out a transfer fee. So it is an impossible situation. I was
shocked by the events at West Ham. Yet the board have been quick to declare
they are in no immediate trouble, even if money is tight. Manager Gianfranco
Zola has been told he must sell before he can buy and has apparently agreed
to this with his bosses. They are not alone. I do not see much business
being done in the January window. Even if West Ham are put up for sale, it
is not a disaster. Someone will always want to buy one of the Premier
League's more attractive products. The club has a terrific ground, a
fantastic support base, great training ground, an academy and superb
facilities.
Zola has still been lucky to get West Ham as his first job in English
management. He has inherited a squad that, left unmolested, could finish in
the top 12 of the Premier League at least. He has a technical director,
Gianluca Nani, working with him who knows the Italian transfer market well.
And his assistant, Steve Clarke, knows the British market. The next transfer
window will require a lot of wheeling and dealing, as money is sparse. But
Zola is safe with the people around him and still in a great position. I
have always taken over poor teams and made them better. Bournemouth were in
the old Fourth Division, West Ham were a yo-yo club, Portsmouth were
struggling in what is now the Championship and Southampton were on their way
down. Walking into a dressing room with Scott Parker, Lucas Neill, Robert
Green and Carlton Cole in it should not be too distressing. The problems
will start, though, if he is told to sell the family silver just to raise
some cash. For that we have to wait and see . . .
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Hammers Back In the Doc - The Sun
By ANDREW DILLON
Published: Today
WEST HAM have broken Premier League rules again — by letting an unregistered
doctor treat players. The Hammers appointed Greek Nikos Tzouroudis as their
top doc in July, even though he is not registered with the General Medical
Council. He was recommended by Gianluca Nani, the club's technical director,
and was brought in to put an end to West Ham's injury problems. It is
against Premier League and GMC rules to practise medicine in the UK without
clearance from the governing body.
Tzouroudis helped treat Carlton Cole in the season opener against Wigan. But
he has now been banned from working alongside team boss Gianfranco Zola in
the dugout. West Ham — already fighting a £30million compensation claim from
Sheffield United after the Carlos Tevez affair — insist their man is fully
qualified. A club spokesman said: "We informed the Premier League, GMC and
FA when Nikos arrived. "We were advised he required GMC registration and
needed to complete an FA course, which the club are complying with. "He is
acting in a strategic, managerial role." It is another blow to West Ham
after the Icelandic bank part-owned by chairman Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson
crumbled amid the financial meltdown. Gudmundsson yesterday battled to shore
up his interests, with his holding company Samson seeking temporary court
protection from its creditors
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West Ham plan fire sale of players as crisis bites - Telegraph
West Ham are preparing to sell as many as eight senior players during the
January transfer window, but they remain adamant that the current turmoil in
the Icelandic economy will not threaten the club's financial future.
By Jeremy Wilson
Last Updated: 8:34AM BST 09 Oct 2008
Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson, the West Ham owner, was forced to stand down on
Monday as chairman of Landsbanki after Iceland's second-largest bank was
nationalised, with reports last night suggesting he had lost up to £360
million. It is, however, known that a number of consortiums are now circling
Upton Park after registering their interest in a potential takeover.
Gudmundsson insists that his long-term commitment to the club remains strong
and, after a summer of a transfer activity that was characterised by an
effort to restructure the wage bill, West Ham admit that they want to
further reduce the size of the squad to below 30 players. The club have
raised £18.8 million since July through the sales of John Pantsil, George
McCartney, Anton Ferdinand and Bobby Zamora and will aim to further reduce
their wage bill by selling players who have failed to make an impact. The
club would listen to offers for Danny Gabbidon, Hayden Mullins, Nigel
Quashie, Calum Davenport, James Collins, Jonathan Spector, Lee Bowyer and
Luis Boa Morte. It was already felt that the squad was far too big under
Alan Curbishley and new manager Gianfranco Zola is determined to have
quality rather than quantity. It is understood that there will be no
pressure on Zola to sell any player he wants to keep and the club remain
confident that they can challenge for a place in the Premier League's top
six.
West Ham chief executive Scott Duxbury yesterday said that Gudmundsson had
invested a net total of £40 million in players to "create a squad capable of
challenging in the top half of the Premier League". Duxbury added: "Mr
Gudmundsson remains fully committed to the success of this football club and
building on the excellent start made by Gianfranco Zola. "The position of
Landsbanki has absolutely no effect on West Ham United and Mr Gudmundsson's
ownership of the club. Mr Gudmundsson is an investor with a large portfolio,
of which Landsbanki was just part. He is not looking to sell the club."
The Court of Arbitration for Sport, meanwhile, have boosted West Ham's hopes
of appealing the Football Association's independent tribunal ruling in
favour of Sheffield United over the Carlos Tevez affair. West Ham have
submitted a legal document which argues that they have not had the chance of
appeal and CAS have responded by allowing a preliminary hearing to decide if
they have jurisdiction. Sheffield United do not want to participate in West
Ham's appeal, but they have been given until the end of the week to provide
the name of an arbiter. Matthieu Reeb, the secretary-general of CAS, had
previously indicated that the appeal could only be heard if Sheffield United
agreed to participate in the process. The independent arbitration tribunal
that ruled in favour of Sheffield United last week adjourned a meeting to
determine the timetable for assessing the level of compensation. The
Yorkshire club had initially suggested a figure of £30 million, but it is
understood they are preparing to increase that claim. Alongside their appeal
to CAS, West Ham will demand a forensic examination of the Sheffield
United's accounts when the tribunal reconvenes. There is a feeling that the
real losses from relegation might be very different from the claim that has
been made.
Under the Hammer
Player Potential sale value
Luis Boa Morte £3m
Lee Bowyer £1.5m
James Collins £1m
Jonathan Spector £1m
Nigel Quashie £1m
Calum Davenport £1m
Hayden Mullins £500,000
Danny Gabbidon £500,000
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CAS hands Hammers possible lifeline in Tevez saga
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has offered West Ham United a
possible lifeline in their legal battle with Sheffield United over the
Blades relegation in 2007.
Sheffield claim Carlos Tevez played a significant role in keeping the
Hammers in the Premier League at the expense of the Blades. The Hammers were
later found guilty of having breached Premier League rules concerning the
ownership of the player but were allowed to stay in the top flight. However,
last month an independent tribunal found in favour of the Blades and the
Sheffield club are now believed to be seeking as much as £50 million in
compensation. West Ham feel they have not been given sufficient chance to
appeal the case and are now hoping to take the case to CAS. The BBC claims
the Hammers have delivered a 12-page dossier to CAS and that the Paris-based
court are set to hold a preliminary hearing to decide whether to proceed
with a full hearing some time next year. If the case was referred to CAS it
could allow the Hammers the chance to overturn the independent tribunal's
decision, or at least soften any potential compensation claim from the
Blades. The financial repercussions of the case are significant to the
Hammers, who have other monetary worries due to the collapse of Icelandic
bank Landsbanki - in which owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson is a major
shareholder – though the club deny it will have any tangible effect on how
they operate. United had previously wanted £30 million in compensation for
their relegation but since the independent tribunal's decision have had
thoughts of increasing their claim. If the Blades were to win the case then
it could severely hamper new Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola in the transfer
market.
© Adfero Ltd
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Hammers could find themselves in hot-water again - Guardian Series
9:44am Thursday 9th October 2008
WEST HAM could find themselves in hot-water again after letting an
unregistered doctor treat players. The Hammers appointment of Nikos
Tzouroudis in July, appears to break Premier League rules as he is not
registered with the General Medical Council. The Greek doctors appointment
at Upton Park appears to have come about following a recommendation from
technical director Gianluca Nani, as the east Londoners looked to put an end
to their horrendous injury problems. It is now being reported that
Tzouroudis has now been banned from working alongside Gianfranco Zola in the
dugout, because he doesn't have clearance from the Premeir League.
And the Irons, who have already been left red-faced in their £30million
compensation fight with Sheffield United over the Carlos Tevez affair, have
however hit back insisting the doctor is fully qualified. A club spokesman
said: "We informed the Premier League, GMC and FA when Nikos arrived. "We
were advised he required GMC registration and needed to complete an FA
course, which the club are complying with. "He is acting in a strategic,
managerial role."
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Hammers look a n-ice bet for a big buy-out - The Mirror
Derek Mcgovern 9/10/2008
West Ham's Icelandic board have just had all their assets frozen. That's how
cold it gets in Iceland. The board say they won't be putting any more money
into the club - and with the squad they've got they won't be able to take a
great deal out either. The mob from Iceland must be wishing for a return of
the good old days when business was booming. That was when they were known
as Bejam. For a measly £100million, the club, the playing staff, (and
approximately 200 pending lawsuits!) can automatically become yours. No
offers have been tabled as yet, but a Nigerian consortium has offered them
Newcastle in part-exchange. Now it's just a 7-4 chance with VC Bet that one
Premier League club will be sold between now and the end of the season and
just 10-1 that four or more will be flogged. That might sound a good bet -
but who would buy them? West Ham are 9-2 second favourites with Paddy Power
to be the next Premier League club sold or taken over. Next Premier club
sold: 1-2 Newcastle, 9-2 West Ham, 10-1 Everton, 16-1 Spurs, 20-1
Sunderland, 25-1 Liverpool, Hull, WBA, Stoke, 33-1 bar.
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Hammers star Upson likely to start ahead of Everton's Lescott alongside Rio
at Wembley - Daily Mail
By Andrew Hodgson Last updated at 9:39 AM on 09th October 2008
West Ham's Matthew Upson is being lined up to win his ninth cap for England
against Kazakhstan after Chelsea captain John Terry failed to overcome a
back problem.
The skipper will miss the World Cup qualifier at Wembley on Saturday after
failing to complete training with the rest of the squad yesterday. Terry
played some part in the session at Arsenal's London Colney - an improvement
on Tuesday when he was unable to do anything. His back injury will be
assessed again today but it now appears that the Chelsea defender will not
be risked against either the Kazaks or Belarus in Minsk next Wednesday. That
opens the door for Upson, who has been in fine form for the Hammers this
season. With Wes Brown likely to fill the berth at right back, coach Fabio
Capello will partner Rio Ferdinand - who will take over as captain - with
either Upson or Everton's Joleon Lescott. The latter has been playing at
left back for David Moyes this season so the West Ham defender would appear
to be the early favourite to replace Terry. The 27-year-old suffered a
recurrence of the back injury in Chelsea's Champions League tie against CFR
Cluj last week, and required more treatment in their Premier League match
against Aston Villa on Sunday. With Joe Cole out with a foot injury, it is
believed Capello will ditch the plan of having a holding midfielder, the
role Gareth Barry performed so well against Croatia, and pair Liverpool's
Steven Gerrard with Frank Lampard in central midfield.
Theo Walcott is set to retain his place on the right after scoring a
memorable hat-trick in Zagreb in September. Emile Heskey, if passed fit, is
again expected to partner Wayne Rooney in attack, although Capello also has
the recalled Peter Crouch as an option up front. Heskey also sat out
training with a back problem but later had treatment and insisted he should
be fit for Wembley. Ashley Cole, Wes Brown and Stewart Downing all also
returned to action yesterday having missed the previous day's workouts.
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