WHUFC.com
Freddie Sears is keen to make his England U21 debut in the Netherlands on
Tuesday evening
11.08.2009
Having followed James Tomkins and Junior Stanislas in going out on loan,
Freddie Sears is eager to emulate the duo again by making his England
Under-21 debut on Tuesday.
The forward, who has joined Crystal Palace for the 2009/10 season, has been
named in Stuart Pearce's squad for the first time for the friendly against
the Netherlands in Groningen. Having impressed on his Eagles debut, a 1-1
draw with Plymouth Argyle on Saturday, former U19 and U20 international
Sears is itching to show what he can do at international level.
Should Pearce select the 19-year-old, he could line up alongside West Ham
United club-mates Tomkins and Stanislas, both of whom could be in line to
start at Euroborg after enjoying loan successful spells at Derby County and
Southend United respectively last season.
"Tonka and Junior went out on loan last season and did very well," said
Sears. "The manager [Gianfranco Zola] talks about them and what they have
done. I think that coming to Palace and playing games is the main factor, so
scoring and playing well are extras.
"I have not experienced Championship football before. Saturday's game was a
good starter for me. It felt good in front of a good home crowd, but I got
kicked a few times!"
Sears revealed he had jumped at the chance to join Palace when the
opportunity arose in the summer, stating his intention to start matches and
to score goals regularly for the south London club.
"Last season was very frustrating as I was coming on for ten or 20 minutes
and this season it will be good for me to be a main threat in the team," he
said.
"I wanted to go out on loan last season and I spoke to the manager and said
that it was a bit frustrating. He said 'I want you to go out. I want to play
you here, but we have not got many players and I want you on the bench to
come on'. At the end of the season he said that I could go out next season
and have a crack at it.
"I came here and spoke to the manager for an hour and he said that I would
play so that was the main thing for me."
England's U21 side will be keen to bounce back after going down to a 4-0
defeat by Germany in the final of the UEFA European Championship in Sweden
in June.
Since then, Pearce has lost a host of established U21 stars, including
captain Mark Noble, Aston Villa's James Milner and Birmingham City
goalkeeper Joe Hart.
However, with the likes of Sears, Tomkins, Stanislas, Everton midfielder
Jack Rodwell, Arsenal playmaker Jack Wilshere and Chelsea forward Daniel
Sturridge at his disposal, the former West Ham and England left-back will be
hopeful of going one better in Denmark in 2011.
England's qualification campaign will begin with three Group Nine matches in
Macedonia and Greece on 4 and 8 September.
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Moore thanks for fans
WHUFC.com
Stephanie Moore has paid tribute to the fans that helped raised significant
funds for charity
11.08.2009
West Ham United may have narrowly lost the second annual Bobby Moore Cup on
Saturday but those fans that were at the Boleyn Ground should not feel too
deflated after helping to raise vital funds for the Bobby Moore Fund for
Cancer Research.
Bobby's widow Stephanie Moore MBE was a guest of honour for the game against
Serie A side SCC Napoli and took great pleasure in seeing the 21,364 fans
create a cauldron of noise before kick-off. More importantly perhaps,
though, £1 from every ticket sold was donated directly to the Fund and that
figure will be matched by the club.
"It wasn't all about the result," Stephanie said. "It was a game in memory
of Bobby, the Bobby Moore Cup, and it benefitted the Bobby Moore Fund for
Cancer Research UK. There's a tremendous turn out of over 21,000. It just
shows how much the fans support Bobby, the charity and of course West Ham.
"I would like to say a massive thank-you to them. Every penny is very
important and I'm very grateful, especially as it is being done in Bobby's
memory. All of the money raised will be spent on bowel cancer research, the
disease that Bobby died from."
Stephanie was joined on the pitch by Sir Trevor Brooking before kick-off and
she felt it fitting that the stand bearing his name was opened on the same
day as the Bobby Moore Cup.
"To see the stand opened in Sir Trevor's name was lovely and very fitting
that it should be opposite the Bobby Moore Stand. They were great friends
and played together as well so it's lovely to see that.
"It's a marvellous start to the season, it's just a shame about the result.
It was a lovely game and it was great to see Napoli here."
The Bobby Moore Cup match not only kicked off West Ham United's home game
campaign for the 2009/10 season, but also another year-long drive to raise
funds for the charity set up in the name of the West Ham United and England
legend.
"For the season ahead, we've got another abseil at the Boleyn Ground, I took
part in the last one. It was a little frightening but I really enjoyed doing
it," Stephanie said.
"We've then got the international projects as well. One going off to Brazil
in September and then another one in March where we go off to rebuild
schools in remote areas with all of the money raised through sponsorship
staying with Cancer Research UK."
To see more on where the money raised is being spent and more information on
the fund, visit www.bobbymoorefund.org
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Spurs-Liverpool ticket update
WHUFC.com
Supporters can still get tickets for the first two home matches against
Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool
11.08.2009
Time is running out for fans wanting to see the first two home games of the
new 2009/10 Barclays Premier League season.
Tickets are on general sale for the visit of Tottenham Hotspur at 1.30pm on
Sunday 23 August and Liverpool at 5.30pm on Saturday 19 September. Prices
for both games start from £45 for adults and £25.50 for Under-16's with
further discounts available for over-65s, Young Adult and Youth Academy
members.
Any remaining tickets can be purchased either in person from the West Stand
ticket office, by calling 0871 222 2700 via Option 1 or by clicking here.
Tottenham Hotspur preview
West Ham United open their complement of Barclays Premier League home
fixtures for 2009/10 with the mouth-watering visit of rivals Tottenham
Hotspur. Managed by former Hammers boss Harry Redknapp, Spurs have been
active in the transfer market over the summer, bringing in Portsmouth and
England striker Peter Crouch and Sheffield United full-back pair Kyle
Naughton and Kyle Walker. Gianfranco Zola and his players will be eager to
start the new campaign in fine style at the Boleyn Ground.
Liverpool preview
Rafael Benitez will bring his Liverpool side to the Boleyn Ground keen for a
repeat of the 3-0 victory the Reds secured over West Ham United on 9 May
last season. Spain striker Fernando Torres and England midfielder Steven
Gerrard were on fine form that day, and the Hammers rearguard will have to
be at their very best to blunt that potent pair. Liverpool have brought in
England right-back Glen Johnson, a former West Ham Academy graduate, and
Alberto Aquilani while Spain pair Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa have
departed for Real Madrid.
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Neill on contract talks
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 11th August 2009
By: Staff Writer
Lucas Neill has spoken about his situation for the first time since leaving
West Ham at the end of last season. The 31-year-old Australian defender left
the Hammers when his two-and-a-half year contract ended at the end of last
season but is yet to seal a deal for the forthcoming season. Having been
courted by the likes of Galatasary and Sunderland the right-back would
appear to have plenty of options available - but insists that West Ham will
always be his first choice. Talking to Fox Sports last night, Neill said:
"It's been interesting, it's been a little frustrating as well, but at the
same time exciting. There's a number of clubs who have shown an interest and
my agents have been talking to them. "Obviously being a big family decision
as well now, it's a tough choice. But I think we're down to the shortlist
and I just want to get amongst it now and join a team and focus on the
season ahead. "There's an offer [from West Ham] ad it's an offer that's on
the shortlist, it's being considered. I'm very loyal to West Ham and what
they've done for me for two years. "We are talking to two clubs outside of
England but that's the biggest decision. That's been the hardest one because
it's a language barrier, it's a change of what I've been used to for 14
years. So that decision takes a lot of courage to do but that's why I've
taken my time because it's not something I take lightly."
West Ham have refused to budge on a one-year contract extention offered to
Neill towards the end of last season, however the defender is thought to be
seeking a contract at the same level as his last one - something West Ham
United are not currently prepared to do. However that situation could
change should players sales allow Gianfranco Zola the luxury of a transfer
budget.
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Zola 'under no pressure' to sell, but what if they want to go?
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 11th August 2009
By: Thomas Rooney
From West Ham's point of view, there has been far too much talk of players
leaving this summer. Anyone who has performed well for the club in the last
couple of seasons seems to have been linked with a move away.
Lucas Neill has already gone and the likes of Matthew Upson – who is wanted
by Manchester City – is reportedly on the market to ease the club's
financial worries. Overall, it doesn't sound too good at the moment.
However, chief executive Scott Duxbury has eased any worries by saying that
these reports are wide of the mark and that Gianfranco Zola is actually more
concerned about which players he wants to add to his squad.
Speaking to the club's official website, Duxbury said that the financial
position of the club 'remains the same as it was last week or it was in
January'. By this he means that Zola being forced to sell anyone isn't a
reality the Italian is faced with.
Taking this point even further, Duxbury said that the only way a player
would leave the club would be if the manager 'thinks it's in the best
interests of the squad as a whole'. In the end, the decision will be Zola's
and not those who pull the purse strings, according to the club's CEO.
The term 'in the best interests of the squad' is an interesting one though.
This doesn't by any means suggest that Zola will only let players go who he
feels add nothing to the team. Instead, it could mean that if a player wants
to leave and his desire to do so is upsetting morale, it's a safe bet that
Zola could see letting him go as the best option.
This is probably the case with Upson right now. Zola knows that he is the
best defender at the club and even though he might not be financially forced
to sell, he may be in other ways. Upson is bound to be interested in a move
to Manchester City and if this is the case, Zola may be forced to give him
his wish.
West Ham will benefit financially from this as well though, so it could
definitely be seen as 'in the best interests of the club' that Upson is
sold. For a player of 30-years-old, Upson's transfer would see the club make
around £15m and this could be used to strengthen the defence and other
areas.
Overall, it is going to be an interesting couple of weeks until the transfer
window closes. However, if West Ham are to sell players like Upson, they are
better off doing it now so that Zola has more time to find a replacement.
Otherwise, the team could really feel the loss of their influential defender
in the opening weeks of the season.
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Hammers in new striker link
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 11th August 2009
By: Staff Writer
West Ham are being linked with a move for Bordeaux's Moroccan striker
Marouane Chamakh. 25-year-old Chamakh has been strongly linked throughout
the summer with Arsenal, who are rumoured to have had a £6million bid for
the wantaway striker already rejected. But according to today's edition of
L'Equipe, West Ham have now entered the race to sign the international who
is set to leave the French club having refused to sign a new contract.
Chamakh's current deal is thought to have just one year left to run.
Bordeaux are said to have set Chamakh's asking price at £15million
initially, although that was reduced due to the player entering the final
year of his contract. Quite where the Hammers would get that kind of money
from remains a mystery, and it is not beyond the realms of possibility that
the Hammers are simply being used as a pawn to hasten Chamakh's move to the
Emirates.
Chamakh, who was born and raised in France but opted to play for his
parent's country of birth began his career with local side FC Marmandais.
Having been snapped up by Bordeaux at the turn of the century he made his
full debut (aged 18) in 2002, although it was another two years before he
became a regular in the first team.
Although never prolific, the 6'2" striker has scored 46 goals in 189
appearances for les Girondins including a season-best tally of 13 last
season. His main attributes are considered to be his aerial strength and
close control.
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Neill to decide on future
Australia defender ready to sign on the dotted line
Last updated: 11th August 2009
SSN
Australia international Lucas Neill is ready to decide where he will be
playing football next season. Neill is currently a free agent and looking
for a new contract after his deal with West Ham expired over the summer. The
31-year-old, who has been linked with Sunderland and Manchester City, has
confirmed West Ham have an offer on the table and that he remains open to a
swift return to Upton Park. However, Neill is refusing to confirm where he
will end up, stating only that he is looking forward to resolving his
future. Neill has offers from outside of England, although he leaning
against having to settle in a new environment and tackle a new language.
"It's been interesting, it's been a little frustrating as well, but at the
same time exciting," Neill told Fox Sports. "There's a number of clubs who
have shown an interest and my agents have been talking to them. "But I think
we're down to the shortlist and I just want to get amongst it now and join a
team and focus on the season ahead. "There's an offer [from West Ham]. And
it's an offer that's on the shortlist, it's being considered. I'm very loyal
to West Ham. "We are talking to two clubs outside of England. That's been
the hardest one because it's a language barrier, it's a change of what I've
been used to for 14 years. "So that decision takes a lot of courage to do
but that's why I've taken my time because it's not something I take
lightly."
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Great Expectations?
Billy Blagg - Tue Aug 11 2009
West Ham Online
I'm old enough to remember when the start of the new football season was a
time of great excitement and possibility. I'm pleased to say I'm not that
old to deny the excitement is still there, but possibility? – I think not –
this is the Golden Age of the Premiership and the story has virtually been
written before a ball has been kicked.
In one of Sunday's newspapers, Piers Morgan - no I don't understand it
either – wrote a pithy two-sentence 20-point prediction article that
included most team's prospects for the season. The Hammers were given
begrudging respect in an interesting analysis: 'West Ham won't win anything
but they will be the most entertaining team to watch. Gianfranco Zola has
brought class and flair to the Hammers'. Your reaction to that assessment
will probably say a lot about your love affair – or lack of passion – of the
21st Century football factory and the Barclays' Premier League.
'Won't win anything'? Well, what is there to win? Unless UEFA, along with
the National Lottery, have decided that the maxim you need to be 'in it to
win it' no longer applies, then a European title isn't available and the
Premiership itself is out of the question and probably has been since Bobby
Moore moved to Craven Cottage or, at least, when Tony Cottee and Frank
McAvennie stopped competing to score the best goal in a game. Best odds of
500/1 (I've seen some of 1500/1)– and a lot of us have to swallow something
jagged when we read that – indicate that there is only a slightly greater
possibility of us dancing in the streets of Upton Park next May than there
is for us to get served a 'Shergar Burger' by Elvis Presley down at the
Kursaal on Sunday.
2008 showed the FA Cup isn't just the preserve of the top six and we always
have 2006 to cling too, so that's a possibility if the top players from
Chelsea. Manchester and Liverpool start fretting about next summer's World
Cup or the 'balls committee' pulls out some draw that ensures no top five
club survives past round six but, other than that, it's the Carling Cup and,
long overdue though a win is, it's never been a competition we have taken
too kindly to. Nevertheless, if we want some silverware a strong tilt at the
Carling would seem to be West Ham's best option.
But there is another way of looking at this; 'the most entertaining team to
watch'? It may not be what a lot of us want to read – after all, West Ham
have had their epithet to carry with them for many decades and it's been a
millstone for many of them – but, when all other possibilities are exhausted
perhaps it's the one we should all really be grateful for. After all, it
costs a lot of money to watch football now, so why shouldn't be royally
entertained by players, many of whom are local, have come up through the
ranks and who we can relate too in some small way, and go home satisfied
after a good game? In fact, if we want another Moore or Cottee along the way
then, make no mistake, that is the only way we are going to get it; a brave
manager not afraid to give youth its chance, coaching the right way and
encouraging play in the manner in which the Manager himself graced the
pitch. If, along the way, we can throw in a bit of professionalism and a
hard reality that sometimes you need to tough things out to get a result
(something Bobby Moore always complained to Ron Greenwood about) then should
we be asking for anything else? In many ways, what Piers Morgan is
predicting is nothing more or less than what we have usually demanded and
expected from West Ham anyway.
Of course, tradition demands I run through the squad and highlight the
weaknesses and strengths and I'd have to say, compared to some seasons in
recent memory, it really isn't a particularly onerous task. Transfer window
notwithstanding, we can pretty much expect to see the current England
goalkeeper and centre-half in defence, in fact, had Lucas Neill not jumped
ship for reasons unknown – he's still not currently found a club so surely
his fortunes would be better be served by playing in a top ten Premier
League club? – we could have looked at almost the same strong defensive unit
as last season. Securing the permanent services of Ilunga at left-back can
only help the cause – particularly if he plays as well this season as he did
last – and the return from injury of Gabbidon can only help the squad
strength; James Tomkins can only get better and, barring major injuries and
provided a right-back can be found either within the squad or without, this
defence looks as good as anything outside of the top six.
In midfield, West Ham's major close signing coup (humour intended) was
announced by the arrival of Chile's Luis Jiminez on a season-long loan;
assuming the South American can settle in and adapt to the conditions in
England, this could be a signing to rate up there with the acquisition of
Paolo di Canio. The Hammers are also served by the second season of several
highly rated youngsters who made their debuts last and look more than
capable of adding to the strength of the squad, Junior Stanislas and,
particularly, Jack Collison were two of the major highlights of 2008/09, the
latter giving the type of performances last seen when Rio Ferdinand and
Frank Jnr. made their debuts, in that it is easy to see the talent available
and difficult to envisage how that talent is not going to get so much better
as time goes on. Add Behrami and Parker returning from injury – their loss
late last season contributed to the Hammer's eventually missing out on the
European slot – and if Keiron Dyer can remain fit (please, no laughing at
the back there!) then, again, it is hard to see why this unit can't compete
with the best. There's probably some concern about a lack of width but the
fact is that a club like West Ham can't cover for every eventualities and,
unless something drastic happens and we become the plaything of a Russian
oligarch or an Oil soaked Arabian prince then shortcomings like this will
have to be endured.
It is up front though, that West Ham may struggle unless strengthened by the
time the transfer window closes. Craig Bellamy was never adequately replaced
in January and the reported fees of his 'replacement' Savio, looked to have
been sadly misspent. I trust Zola and Clarke implicitly and assume there is
much more to come from the young German; I know he is young and the
transition to England is bound to unsettle but he is listed on the club
pages as a striker and we really need to start seeing some goals otherwise
the fans are going to start asking some serious questions. I still question
the decision to replace a proven Premier striker with a player 'for the
future' and, if Savio isn't yet 'ready' then I fear for where the goals will
come from.
Carlton Cole has been a revelation since the forward line was thrust upon
him because of injuries elsewhere, and it's great to see his hard work
rewarded with an England place but Cole isn't a goal poacher and he
desperately needs support along side him. Did someone mention Dean Ashton?
Well, certainly, if fit (I told you once – stop sniggering or you'll be held
back after school!) then we have more than just an answer but, just
conceivably, England's front pairing too. Common sense dictates though that
injuries are a given and this forward line may struggle to score
consistently enough to worry anyone above 7th or 8th in the division.
Worries over squad strength and individual shortcomings fade though, when
you look at the overall management of the club (and how many seasons have I
longed to say that?). Zola and Clarke are two seasoned professionals who
know what they want and appear to understand how to get it; Gianfranco
himself is a sizeable asset to the club as it has already been demonstrated
how his legacy is able to attract players who may normally have gone
elsewhere. The beautiful irony here is that it was this very asset that
Chelsea, then a scuffling has-been unit, used to first attract Ruud Gullit
and started the club on the long climb up that bought them players like Zola
and, eventually, attraction from one of the world's richest men.
Although transfer windows will always be a worry for West Ham with the
assurance that one of the Champions League bound mob will come sniffing
around our prospects with a large cheque book, there is now an offset
scenario that means that a Jiminez might be tempted to work with Zola or a
prospect like Frank Nouble will only be too happy to sign for a club where
his talent will be nurtured and encouraged. Long term – Daily Mail
headlines, Icelandic bankruptcy and general pessimism notwithstanding –
things look better than they have done for some considerable time. Hell,
I've even started warming to CEO Scott Duxbury who appears to be talking
sense and, unusually for West Ham, the truth for once (Don't let me down
will you, Mr Duxbury?).
So, I'm not predicting big things – I've even advised cash strapped student
Blagg Jnr. not to gamble on finishing above Spurs this year – but I am
expecting a steady improvement of aspects for the club as a whole and I'm
not at all upset that Amanda Holden's right-hand man is damning with faint
praise, in fact I'd go so far as suggesting the praise isn't even that
faint. I'd settle for some good football, some excitement and the sight of
the little grinning Italian for another season and see where it takes us.
Who knows, it might even be somewhere worth going?
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West Ham and Blackburn in hunt for Real Madrid's Michel Salgado
He may have a sister-in law who lives in York but that is unlikely to faze
West Ham who, along with Blackburn, have emerged as front-runners in the
chase to sign Michel Salgado from Real Madrid.
Telegraph.co.uk
By Telegraph staff
Published: 10:43AM BST 11 Aug 2009
The 33 year-old defender left Real Madrid after a successful decade at the
Bernebeu but still feels he can contribute at the highest level. Salgado
was at Ewood Park on Monday to discuss details of a free transfer before the
new season starts. Tottenham's summer transfer target XIHowever, Sam
Allardcye has already signed a right back this summer in the form of Danish
international Lars Jacobsen which could keep West Ham's hopes alive of
luring the Spaniard, who has played 250 times for his country, to London.
Salgado said last week that it was a "privilege" to have worked with some of
the best players in the world during his past decade. "I have to thank my
partners because it was a privilege to work at their side, to share the
dressing room with the best (players) in the world," he said. "I was to
especially thank those who were close to me during these ten years: Raul,
Iker, Guti and also Roberto Carlos, who is no longer with the team but who I
shared many moments with, he is also the godfather of my daughter." "It is
going to be really difficult to wear the jersey of another team, but now
when I go home I still feel I can play football for a few years more and
enjoy something that is my life." Real said that they and Salgado had
"agreed to end their collaboration". The announcement followed news that the
club have agreed to buy Spanish midfielder Xabi Alonso from Liverpool.
Salgado arrived at Real from Celta Vigo in 1999 and had a contract until
2011, but played little last season.
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West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola targets Europa League spot
As we continue our countdown to the start of the Premier League season
thelondonsport caught up with Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola to get his
thoughts on the 2009/10 campaign
The London paper
by: Kirk Blows
11 August 2009
It's fair to assume, however, that the West Ham boss has mixed feelings as
the new season approaches. He wants more goals from his side but key targets
Eidur Gudjohnsen and Luca Toni have yet to sign, while Dean Ashton remains
on the treatment table. Luis Jimenez has bolstered the midfield with
Radoslav Kovac on his way but, at the back, skipper Lucas Neill has quit and
Matthew Upson has been heavily linked with Manchester City, although Danny
Gabbidon is back following injury.
But despite certain doubts about personnel, the Hammers are hoping to better
last season's ninth-place finish. Zola said: "We want to improve on what we
did last season. We came close to qualifying for Europe but lost important
players to injury at the crucial moments. "So Europe will be our target,
although we know it won't be easy."
Ashton had been expected to return after missing most of last term with an
ankle problem. But he remains unavailable and his manager admits he feels
great sympathy for the England international. Zola said: "I'm also thinking
about Dean Ashton as a person. He is feeling down but we have a very good
spirit here and everybody has been trying hard to cheer him up."
Carlton Cole accepted extra responsibility last term and scored 12 goals to
win an England place. And Zola insists there is more to come. He said:
"Carlton can get much better this season. He has realised a lot of things
about his game and is feeling more secure in himself. "He is a big asset for
us but we can't only rely on Carlton, we need to have more players scoring
goals and we're working on that."
Zola has great belief that youngsters such as James Tomkins, Jack Collison
and Junior Stanislas will continue to make great progress. "They are mature
players," he said. "They know I won't be screaming at them if they make a
mistake. I believe in them and value them."
But the Italian admits that fans will have to be patient with Savio, who was
signed for an initial £5m following the sale of Craig Bellamy in January.
Zola said: "He has quality but is really struggling with the heavy
expectation on him. We're still working on the boy but won't be putting any
pressure on him."
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Gabbidon Set for Wales skipper role
TeamTalk
Danny Gabbidon could find himself as Wales captain after two years out of
the squad through injury, in the wake of the Craig Bellamy fiasco. Bellamy
failed to make the trip here for the friendly with Montenegro, Manchester
City admitting they forgot to notify the FA of Wales the striker was
injured. So boss John Toshack brought his squad here without their captain,
not knowing the reasons until the flight landed on Monday afternoon. City
finally explained the situation then - but not until Toshack and his party
had left Cardiff. So with Bellamy back in Manchester, and with stand-in
skipper Joe Ledley travelling but doubtful with sickness, Toshack may have
to look to West Ham defender Gabbidon to lead the side. And that will be a
major boost for the defender, after battling back from complex abdominal
injuries that have stopped him playing for his country for 21 months.
Gabbidon said: "It is good to be back, and be available for games after so
long out. "I've had a couple of games, a few bits of matches and I am
getting stronger by the day. "I need games now, I had a short spell on
Saturday against Napoli at the weekend and now I need more matches to help
with my fitness. "I always felt I would get back to playing, how ever long
it was going to take. I have been out a long time and people talked about
whether I would play again, but I always had belief I would.
"I have done all the pre-season training and got back to some work at the
end of last season. I have been out for so long I have great enthusiasm now
I am fit and make up for last time. "When things are taking away from you,
obviously you miss it. Now I am back the squad has changed a lot with
several young lads now. "It is good to see them come through, the future
looks good if they keep progressing. Maybe in a couple of years time if
these lads keep progressing, we will start reaching major finals. "It is
disappointing Craig is not with us, he is obviously injured, but as our main
striker he will be missed. Any team would miss someone of his quality. "It
is disappointing, but it now gives a chance to one of the young lads we have
with us to come in and show what he can do."
The fall-out for Bellamy is that an angry Toshack may well decide not to
select him for the final three World Cup qualifiers against Russia, Finland
and Liechtenstein in the next couple of months. FAW sources were surprised
neither player nor City attempted to contact Toshack at the team hotel on
Sunday by phone. The fact Bellamy trained at City on Monday, and friends
knew he was not going to be at the team's hotel on Sunday, has not eased the
tension between Wales and City. City issued a statement saying: "Craig
Bellamy is continuing his fitness and rehabilitation work following a knee
injury. "He suffered a reaction following Saturday's game against Celtic and
is therefore unavailable to represent Wales in this week's friendly against
Montenegro. "Craig's situation should have been communicated to the Football
Association of Wales over the weekend, but a misunderstanding on the process
meant this was regrettably not done until Monday. "Manchester City have now
made contact with the Football Association of Wales to clarify the
situation."
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Lucas Neill says he is close to making decision on his playing future
By Liam FitzGibbon
August 11, 2009
FoxSports.com.au
Socceroos captain Lucas Neill has revealed he is close to finally making a
decision on his future but is still juggling offers from several clubs,
including former team West Ham. Neill, in Limerick for Australia's friendly
against Republic of Ireland on Wednesday night (Thursday AEST), is a free
agent after his contract with the Hammers expired at the end of the last
Barclays Premier League season. The 31-year-old defender has been linked
with moves to English rivals Sunderland and Manchester City, and Turkish
club Galatasaray since reportedly knocking back a contract extension from
West Ham. Neill said on Tuesday he could still remain with the Hammers, whom
he captained last year, but said he was also weighing up offers from other
clubs, including two outside of England. "It's been interesting, it's been a
little frustrating as well, but at the same time exciting," Neill said in an
interview on Fox Sports FC on Tuesday night. "There's a number of clubs who
have shown an interest and my agents have been talking to them. "Obviously
being a big family decision as well now ... it's a tough choice. "But I
think we're down to the shortlist and I just want to get amongst it now and
join a team and focus on the season ahead."
Asked whether he could remain with West Ham, Neill replied: "There's an
offer. And it's an offer that's on the shortlist, it's being considered.
"I'm very loyal to West Ham and what they've done for me for two years."
Neill said his biggest decision was whether to remain in England, where he
played with Millwall and Blackburn before joining West Ham. "We are talking
to two clubs outside of England but that's the biggest decision," Neill
said. "That's been the hardest one because it's a language barrier, it's a
change of what I've been used to for 14 years. "So that decision takes a lot
of courage to do but that's why I've taken my time because it's not
something I take lightly."
Neill said he had been training every day by himself and was still in
condition despite not having a team just a week out from the start of the
new season. Paddy Dominguez, of Neill's management company Inspire Sports,
reiterated on Tuesday his client would not be rushed into a decision despite
the looming season. "As he is a free agent, he's not in a panic or a rush or
anything so he's still at the stage where he's weighing up his options and
he won't be rushed into a decision," Dominguez said.
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Kovac deal may see City move for Upson
Evening Standard
11.08.09 West Ham's planned signing of Czech Republic defender Radoslav
Kovac for £1.5million could lead to renewed interest from Manchester City
for Matthew Upson.
Although the Hammers insist the Kovac deal does not mean Upson is on the
verge of leaving they are braced for an approach from City, who have yet to
tie up a move for another England defender, Joleon Lescott, from Everton. A
£15million-plus offer for Upson could tempt the Hammers. Kovac, 29, is set
to join on a permanent deal having been on loan from Spartak Moscow.
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West Ham United Ready To Swoop For Marouane Chamakh As Arsenal Move Stalls -
Report
The Gunner's stalling could mean they miss out on their summer target.
11 Aug 2009 13:26:55
West Ham United are ready to swoop for Girondins de Bordeaux striker
Marouane Chamakh after a move to Arsenal appeared to stall. The Hammers are
ready to offer the £10 million that Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger refused to
pay for the Morocco international. Bordeaux have admitted they have had no
contact with the Gunners since they firmly rejected Arsenal's £6m bid for
the 25-year-old. The French club's president Jean-Louis Triaud insists,
"There is no sign of life from Arsenal. If Arsene Wenger really wants
Marouane, I guess it will eventually manifest itself." Meanwhile French
newspaper L'Equipe claims that West Ham have emerged as favourites to sign
the striker after rumours of a move to Fulham or Sunderland failed to
progress. Bordeaux are prepared to sell the forward and have lowered their
original asking price from £15m to around £10m. The French Ligue 1 outfit
have drawn up a list of potential replacements, including Valencia striker
Nicola Zigic and Fulham striker Diomansy Kamara.
David Kifford, Goal.com
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Man City know they can sign West Ham defender Upson
11.08.09 | tribalfootball.com
Manchester City can sign West Ham defender Matthew Upson for £15 million, it
has been revealed. The Guardian says West Ham have not been able to give
their manager, Gianfranco Zola, a large transfer float this summer, but
equally do not have to sell players. However, they are conscious that Upson,
at the age of 30 and with two years to run on his contract, would be
unlikely to command an eight-figure fee again, particularly as there has
been little inclination from either the club or the player to extend his
deal at Upton Park. City are believed to be ready to pay £12m for him, with
a further £3m in add-ons, after growing frustrated in their pursuit of the
Everton central defender Joleon Lescott.
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West Ham boss Zola can't rule out Italy return
12.08.09 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United boss Gianfranco Zola cannot rule out working in Italy in the
future. The 43-year-old Chelsea legend said: "The work of a coach is very
demanding and I have not yet decided what I will do when I grow up! "For
now, I am happy to work for West Ham. In the future, never say never."
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