WHUFC.com
Gianfranco Zola was particularly pleased with the contribution of Carlton
Cole against Napoli
10.08.2009
Gianfranco Zola has packed Carlton Cole off on international duty with high
praise ringing in his ears after a bright display at the weekend. The
25-year-old striker was tireless against SSC Napoli on Saturday,
particularly up against one of Italy's rising defensive stars Fabio
Santacroce in what proved a physical contest. Buoyed by that display, Cole
will hope to add to his two England caps with the friendly against the
Netherlands in Amsterdam this Wednesday.
Zola said: "Carlton Cole is no surprise for me any more. For me some of the
bits that he does are unbelievable. A bit in the first half near the corner
flag was a piece of skill that not many players can do. "Carlton Cole is
improving day-by-day his presence and his confidence. He was exceptional and
I was very pleased with his performance."
The manager has spoken previously of the need to get in more forward support
for Cole, especially with Dean Ashton's continued absence. The second half
did see a chance for some younger players to impress with Zavon Hines
getting a late run while Fabio Daprela, Olly Lee and Frank Nouble were all
unused substitutes. Zola, who hopes Valon Behrami will be in full training
in the next two to three weeks, said: "We have a couple of players who are
doing very well and might get a chance in the future. It depends how the
season will go if they will have opportunities. "This club is a club that
wants to get good players and climb the table but we always leave an open
door for the young players coming through too. Last year, it was a case of
Junior Stanislas, James Tomkins and Jack Collison and hopefully there will
be some more players coming through."
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MLS owner showing interest in West Ham
10 Aug, 09 | England | Clubs ownership & management
Eufootball.biz
In an unexpected twist, American Clark Hunt has come forward to express
serious interest in a takeover of English West Ham United. CB Holding
assumed the reins at West Ham after Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson fell prey to
financial troubles two months ago. Owned primarily by Icelandic bank
Straumur, CB Holding has continued the struggle to keep West Ham afloat. The
club was transferred to the company as partial payment of the GBP 350
million debt load racked up by Gudmundsson. Although CB Holding had every
intention of rescuing West Ham, Straumur spokesman Georg Andersen was quick
to point out that they would remain open to a sale 'at the right price'.
With the value of West Ham set at GBP 105 million earlier this year, the
alleged GBP 120 million put forth by Hunt would likely be welcomed by the
current owners with open arms. As owner of two Major League Soccer teams,
Hunt is no stranger to the sport. He controls FC Dallas and Colombus Crew,
who faced off against West Ham last year. Hunt also has family ties to
football, with his late father, Lamar, acting as the founder of Major League
Soccer in 1993.
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Noble Pledge for Hammers
The Sun
MARK NOBLE has vowed to fire West Ham into the Europa League this season -
and bag a place in the England World Cup squad. Three Lions chief Fabio
Capello has overlooked Noble for Wednesday's friendly against Holland but
the Hammers midfielder is eager to push his case for South Africa. For a
slideshow from West Ham 0 Napoli 1, click on the link below. Noble, 22,
captained England Under-21s on their way to the Euro 2009 final earlier this
summer. And he said: "Obviously the World Cup is on my mind. I want to
impress and push on now. "I need to work hard and if I do, hopefully I can
impress the right people. "I want to get on the scoresheet more and we want
to build on last season and achieve a higher finish. "A European place is
the aim and with this squad, we can achieve that."
Gianfranco Zola's men ended their pre-season with a 1-0 defeat by Napoli in
the Bobby Moore Cup on Saturday and after seeing his side struggle for goals
this summer, the Italian is likely to step up his attempts to sign a
striker. Zola is in desperate need of firepower ahead of Saturday's opener
at Wolves and the Hammers boss is set to open talks with Bayern Munich
striker Luca Toni this week.
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Gianfranco Zola Hints At New Striker Arrival At West Ham
The Italian knows that the Hammers need more cover up front, and there could
be an answer to the problem arriving in east London this week...
9 Aug 2009 19:28:38
West Ham United manager Gianfranco Zola has acknowledged that his side need
further reinforcement up front, after they lost 1-0 to Napoli yesterday in
the Bobby Moore Cup, their final pre-season game before next weekend's big
kick-off. The Hammers played well, and their coach was pleased with their
physical condition, but felt that more firepower was needed. He then hinted
that there could be new arrivals this week to help remedy the issue.
"Everybody knows that that is a position where we need a bit more cover, but
I rely on the club and the club knows that," he told the Hammers' official
website. "The club is trying to strengthen the team, so maybe this week
something will happen. "This team can improve. The good thing about this
team is that, after the last game, I said we needed to improve certain
things and they just did it. It is very encouraging for me and I'm
absolutely convinced this will be a positive season."
Despite the lack of forward cover and the Napoli defeat, though, Zola felt
that his side had certainly given him and the club's supporters enough
reason to feel positive ahead of next week's Premier League opener away at
Wolverhampton Wanderers. "I'm very pleased. Physically we are okay. Most of
the players played the full 90 minutes and they were very good," he added.
"I think we're at a very good point and we're going to be ready for
Saturday, absolutely."
Zack Wilson, Goal.com
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Man City turn attention to West Ham's Upson
10.08.09 | Andrew Slevison
Manchester City have turned their attention to West Ham defender Matthew
Upson after it appears they will lose out on Everton's Joleon Lescott. Mark
Hughes is considering putting forward a bid for the England international
who is believed to be valued at around £12million. City have already spent
£94million this summer but Hughes is keen to shore up the defence so will
attempt to bring in Upson if the bids for Lescott and former City defender
Sylvain Distin are turned down.
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West Ham chief Nani denies push for Inter Milan's Balotelli
10.08.09 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United chief Gianluca Nani insists they're not chasing Inter Milan
striker Mario Balotelli. He said: "Balotelli? We are not interested, we have
searched for him only in January last season." On Savio Nsereko, Nani added:
"Nsereko? He's a very strong player and must have time to grow."
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West Ham boss Zola backing Napoli for big success
10.08.09 | tribalfootball.com
After their friendly defeat to Napoli, West Ham United boss Granfranco Zola
rates his old club a top six threat this season. "I can say that we played a
great game," said Zola. "I told my men we did very well, even if we lost. We
were facing one of the best Italian teams. I think the Azzurri will end in
the top six next season. It was a good test; we improved a lot from the last
friendly." "I have great memories about my time there," explained the
Hammers manager. "The first time I trained with Diego Maradona it was
fantastic, especially for a youngster such as me. He was an incredible
footballer."
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Zola: Young West Ham squad will improve
10.08.09 | tribalfootball.com
While admitting a new striker is needed, West Ham United boss Gianfranco
Zola says his young squad will continue to improve. "Everybody knows that
that is a position where we need a bit more cover but I rely on the club and
the club knows that," he told the club's website. "The club is trying to
strengthen the team so maybe this week something will happen. "This team can
improve. The good thing about this team is that after the last game, I said
we needed to improve certain things and they just did it. It is very
encouraging for me and I'm absolutely convinced this will be a positive
season."
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