WHUFC.com
Scott Parker has told WHUTV that West Ham United are looking 'strong' ahead
of the start of the new season
12.08.2009
After winning a host of accolades at West Ham United last season, Scott
Parker is raring to try and do it all over again when the new season gets
under way on Saturday.
Parker picked up the Hammer of the Year award, three consecutive whufc.com
player of the month prizes, Player of the Round for the FA Cup third round
and several man of the match awards. After successfully overcoming a
niggling groin injury that ruled him out of the tail end of last season,
Parker is fighting fit for the opening game with Wolverhampton Wanderers.
"It's been a good pre-season," Parker told WHUTV. "It's been hard like all
pre-seasons are but I think pre-season has changed over the years.
"When I started out there used to be a bit of hill running and silly running
where you pick up a lot of injuries but this pre-season has been very good
and as a team we have developed a lot and become a lot stronger."
Parker was back to his typically bullish self as the Hammers concluded their
pre-season programme with last weekend's Bobby Moore Cup game with SCC
Napoli. "Napoli were a very good team and I think the manager said
afterwards I think they are going to be strong this year. The two front men
are very sharp so it was a very good test for us.
"We haven't had a lot of games but we've had a steady improvement. Our first
lot of games weren't great, but you expect that, and we've picked up and
we're going into the start of the season strong."
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Eleven in international action
WHUFC.com
A full team of West Ham United players could represent their countries on
Wednesday evening
12.08.2009
As many as eleven West Ham United players could pull on their respective
national team jerseys on Wednesday evening. US defender Jonathan Spector has
made the longest journey of the group, making the 5,600 mile trip to Mexico
City for a vital 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier. The Americans, who finished
as runners-up at the FIFA Confederations Cup in June, sit second in the
CONCACAF Round 4 table, two points behind leaders Costa Rica. Victory at the
Azteca Stadium would take the US seven points clear of the fourth-placed
Mexicans with four matches remaining. The top three sides in the six-team
group - also containing El Salvador, Honduras and Trinidad and Tobago -
qualify automatically for next summer's finals in South Africa, with the
fourth-placed team taking on the fifth-placed finisher in the South American
qualifying group.
Robert Green, Matthew Upson and Carlton Cole are all with England, who take
on the Netherlands in a friendly international at the Amsterdam ArenA. Green
and Cole could both be in line to start at the home of Ajax, earning their
fifth and third senior caps respectively. Fabio Capello's men will be
looking for their first win over the Dutch since former Hammer Teddy
Sheringham and Alan Shearer fired England to a 4-1 victory at the 1996 UEFA
European Championship finals at Wembley. Since then, England have failed to
win on four consecutive occasions, drawing 1-1 at the Amsterdam ArenA on
their most recent meeting in November 2006.
Further afield, Hammers trio James Collins, Danny Gabbidon and Jack Collison
will all hope to be part of John Toshack's starting eleven in Montenegro.
The Welsh will be eager to extend their winning streak to three matches in
the friendly in Podgorica, having overcome Estonia and Azerbaijan at the end
of the 2008/09 season. Toshack's side will use Wednesday's friendly to
prepare for their vital 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Russia in
Cardiff on 9 September.
The seventh West Ham player to be involved in international friendly action
is Herita Ilunga. The left-back has joined up with the DR Congo squad to
face Senegal in the French town of Blois, 115 miles west of Paris.
Three younger members of the West Ham squad could also be in international
action on Wednesday evening. Defender Holmar Orn Eyjolfsson and goalkeeper
Marek Stech could face one another when Iceland take on Czech Republic in a
friendly Under-21 match in Reykjavik. Finally, youth team midfielder Georg
Grasser will be part of the Austria U20 squad for a friendly international
with Switzerland in Stegersbach.
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New Season - New Optimism
Mr Polite - Wed Aug 12 2009
West Ham Online
Never before have I been so underwhelmed a few days before the start of the
season. The start of the season is when all teams are equal, even if some
are more equal than others, and a time for renewed optimism a time to forget
about the failed endeavours of seasons past and to feel rejuvenated, a blank
canvass on which to paint the dreams of glory.
This board has had a lot of negativity – or what I would call realism over
the last month or so and it is with little wonder considering the lack of
transfer activity, the loss of the club captain, the lack of fitness of our
best striker etc etc etc.
Now although we can't ignore the weaknesses of the squad we have now reached
the time of year to get behind what we have, to give them our full support,
to show them we don't blame them for the weaknesses in the squad and that we
are right behind them – after all we do actually have many things to be
positive about.
We have one of the best Goalkeepers in the league who will be doing his best
to make the England number 1 shirt his own in the summer. We have three of
the four backline that did well last year and seemed to improve each game,
including one of the best young talents the academy has produced in years.
Faubert looks like he will be starting the season as our right back and
hopefully playing alongside the other three he will do well as some glimpses
in the Napoli game showed he can.
We have a good midfield with Noble, Collison, Parker, Jimenez, along with
the emerging talents of Stanislas and maybe even Payne and Savio. The
fitness (at the moment) of Dyer is a massive plus and cliché city – he will
be like a new signing. I haven't even mentioned our best player of last
season Behrami. Looking at our midfield can only fill you confidence.
Another thing to add confidence is looking at the other teams, not many of
them have really improved and there are some very poor teams in the league
this year. It may not be the ideal way of getting confidence but seeing as
we did so well against teams finishing below us last year it really is a
positive thing for us. With a couple of strikers which I am sure we will get
mid table should be achieved with relative ease, if we keep our main players
fit we really could push on to better than expected, who knows?
So although we can see negatives from the close season – I am now focusing
on the positives, focusing on the good starting 11 we have and focusing on
getting behind the team, after all we all want to succeed and giving them
our full support is the best opportunity we have of that happening. So for
you that are joining me at Wolves on Saturday, bring you voices, bring your
cheer, sing up for the hammers, the new season's here!
COME ON YOUR RIP ROARING FREE SCORING IRONSS!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for reading
Mr Polite
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Neill to start from bench against Ireland
Posted August 12, 2009 19:04:00
Updated August 12, 2009 19:09:00
Socceroos captain Lucas Neill looks likely to start on the bench in tomorrow
morning's friendly match against Ireland in Limerick. The English Premier
League season starts this weekend and Neill is still without a club after
his contract with West Ham expired. Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek says he has
discussed the situation with Neill, but cannot reveal his prospects. "We
have Lucas Neill with us and we know that Lucas at this moment has not
signed a contract," he said. "I cannot say anything about his future because
it's up to him to say something about the future." Verbeek says he is not
concerned that Neill is yet to find a new club and said it had not affected
his fitness.
"Lucas is I'm sure, 100 per cent sure he will find an interesting club for
himself and his career," he said. "Even without having a club he looks so
fit. He's ready, he's trained very hard for himself. So he's ready to step
in for any club who's willing to pick him up."
Verbeek said Scott McDonald would play as a lone striker in the friendly
after Japanese-based striker Josh Kennedy was left out of the squad because
of the time it would have taken him to travel to and from the match. Verbeek
says while McDonald prefers to play alongside a tall target-man, he also
needs to learn how to perform on his own. "The striker we normally have is
Josh Kennedy," he said. "He's the ideal partner I think for Scott. He likes
to play with a two-striker system, and he plays at the moment with three
strikers normally. So he has to get used to that."
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Zola targets Toni and Gudjohnsen for new-look West Ham strike force
Italian hopes to sign both strikers by 1 September
Jamie Jackson The Guardian, Wednesday 12 August 2009
West Ham hope to sign both Bayern Munich's Luca Toni and Eidur Gudjohnsen
from Barcelona by the end of this summer's transfer window, which closes on
1 September, with each deal potentially being on an initial loan basis. The
West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola views the pair, who are experienced and
accomplished strikers for their respective clubs and countries, as ideal
additions to his squad, which currently has Carlton Cole and the injured
Dean Ashton as its only senior forwards, following the knee injury to Luis
Boa Morte. He is expected to be ruled out of a first-team return until after
Christmas.
Italy striker Toni has indicated he is keen on a move to Upton Park and his
agent, Jose Alberti, recently said: "At Bayern [he] is not playing ,and Zola
is a great friend of his. I think it will happen." Toni, who has scored 38
times in 56 Bundesliga appearances and was Bayern's top scorer last season,
is thought to be under contract until 2012 and there may be clauses that are
proving a stumbling block. But while West Ham have been in discussion with
Toni's camp for weeks and are confident any contractual difficulties can be
negotiated, Gudjohnsen's arrival in east London from Barcelona is a decision
that may rest, in part, with the player.
The former Chelsea forward has been in contact with the West Ham hierarchy
in recent weeks but is thought to have some personal affairs that may affect
the 30-year-old's future. Gudjohnsen can also play in midfield, which would
offer Zola further options as he hopes to improve on last year's ninth place
Premier League finish.
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Ex-West Ham captain Lucas Neill could be back at Upton Park
By Sportsmail Reporter Last updated at 9:22 AM on 12th August 2009
Daily Mail
Lucas Neill has not ruled out a return to West Ham. The former Hammers
skipper turned down reduced terms to stay at Upton Park when his contract
expired at the end of last season. The 31-year-old Australia international
received an offer from Sunderland and has been linked with Manchester City
and Turkish giants Galatasaray, where countryman Harry Kewell is playing.
Neill said: 'There's an offer from West Ham and it's an offer that's on the
shortlist. But there are a number of clubs who have shown an interest.'
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West Ham United Aim To Sign Toni & Gudjohnsen Before Transfer Window Shuts –
Report
Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola is keen to wrap up deals for the pair...
12 Aug 2009 08:58:42
West Ham United are still hopeful of signing both Bayern Munich's Luca Toni
and Barcelona's Eidur Gudjohnsen before the transfer window closes. The
Hammers may attempt to initially sign the pair on loan deals in order to
secure their immediate services, as there continues to be financial and
personal stumbling blocks in both moves, according to The Guardian. Hammers
manager Gianfranco Zola has been vocal in his admiration for former Chelsea
team-mate Gudjohnsen over the summer, and the Italian has admitted the door
would be open to the Icelandic star, should he wish to return to England.
Meanwhile, Italian frontman Toni has fallen out of favour at German outfit
Bayern Munich, despite his prolific goal scoring record in his first season
at the club, and he is understood to have welcomed a move to east London.
Toni's agent, Jose Alberti, is in confident mood with regards to a move to
Upton Park for his client. "At Bayern [he] is not playing, and Zola is a
great friend of his. I think it will happen," he said, according to the UK
newspaper. West Ham are short of options in attack, with Carlton Cole the
only fit, available and experienced striker in their current squad.
Jamie Dunn, Goal.com
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West Ham to show European intent by completing ambitious double deal
Sport.co.uk
Author: Ben Moss
Posted on:12 August 2009 - 09:33
West Ham will reportedly pip a host of Premier League rivals to the
signature of former Bolton and Chelsea striker Eidur Gudjohnsen, as well
finalising a deal for Bayern Munich striker Luca Toni. Gudjohnsen has also
been linked with Aston Villa, Everton and Tottenham, but the Guardian
suggests Gianfranco Zola is close to completing a loan deal for the
Barcelona forward with the option of a permanent move at the end of the
year. Zola has made no secret of his desire to sign his former Stamford
Bridge teammate, and while the deal is not yet complete, West Ham remain
hopeful a move for the Icelandic international will be completed shortly.
Italian international Luca Toni has fallen out of favour at Bayern, despite
scoring a glut of goals in his second season at the club. The player's agent
recently claimed, a move to Upton Park was a distinct possibility due to
Zola and Toni's friendship. Jose Alberti is quoted by the Guardian as
saying: "At Bayern [he] is not playing, and Zola is a great friend of his."
"I think it will happen."
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Derby swoop for West Ham keeper Walker
13.08.09 | tribalfootball.com
Derby are swooping for West Ham United goalkeeper Jimmy Walker. The Mirror
says Derby boss Nigel Clough is ready to snap up experienced keeper Walker
on a free transfer from West Ham. The far-travelled shot-stopper is expected
to sign a contract in the next few days as Clough drops his interest in
Blackburn reserve Frank Fielding.
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Zola fears international injuries for West Ham
By Simon Hayes on August 12, 2009 10:03 AM
Wharf.co.uk
Gianfranco Zola is praying all his West Ham players come through their
international commitments this evening as he counts down to the Premier
League kick-off. Zola has a number of key players turning out for their
countries this week, including three in the England squad against Holland.
Carlton Cole, Rob Green and Matthew Upson could all see some action in
Amsterdam tonight and the Hammers boss hopes they return to east London
unscathed as he makes his final preparations for Saturday's visit to
Wolverhampton Wanderers. He said: "Yes, I am worried about injuries. I don't
think it's the best time to be playing but unfortunately this is the
international schedule and you can't avoid it. "I understand it is important
for the international teams as well. I've been with the [Italian]
international team until some time ago so I know these fixtures are
important. "I can't do anything about it, but as far as I'm concerned it's
not the best."
As well as the England trio the Irons have James Collins, Danny Gabbidon and
Jack Collison playing for Wales in Montenegro, Jon Spector with the USA in
Mexico City, while Herita Ilunga is in the DR Congo squad playing Sengal in
France. Having had several weeks of pre-season to try and get his squad up
to fitness and gelling as a unit Zola now finds his final preparations
disrupted, with the danger of losing key personnel before the Irons have
even kicked a competitive ball. He said: "It's not ideal because one week
before the start of the season you'd like to prepare the game with the whole
team. Certainly Wolves will probably have the game prepared better than us
because they will have the whole team. "But I'm not complaining. I know the
rules, I know the stakes, and I'll get on with that and we'll try to make
the best out of it."
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WEST HAM: Hunt on for more firepower ahead of Wolves opener
11:07am Wednesday 12th August 2009
Guardian Series
By Kevin Bradford »
THE need for more firepower in the West Ham front line was again evident
during the 1-0 defeat to Napoli at the weekend. Much has been made of
Gianfranco Zola's pursuit of a striker, with Carlton Cole the only fit,
recognised goalscorer in the squad. The Hammers have been linked with
Barcelona's Eidur Gudjohnsen and Bayern Munich's Italy forward Luca Toni
over the summer, although the only capture in that position has been
17-year-old Frank Nouble from Chelsea. Ahead of the season opener away at
Wolverhapton Wanderers this Saturday, Zola said: "Everybody knows that the
forward line is a position that we need a little bit more cover for. "But I
rely on the club and they are trying to strengthen the team. Maybe this week
something will happen. "Certainly Toni is a good player, but I don't know if
he will be a West Ham player in the future. He's a good player, but right
now I can't say anything, but we will see what happens."
A cutting edge was all that was missing for West Ham at the weekend, as they
controlled long periods of the Bobby Moore cup match against Italian Serie A
side SSC Napoli before going down 1-0. And with Cole again likely to
spearhead the attack at Molineux on Saturday, Zola said he was delighted
with the performances of last season's top scorer. He said: "Carlton Cole is
no surprise any more for me. "Some of the bits he does are unbelievable. He
is improving day by day, his confidence, his presence, his perception. I'm
very pleased by his performance."
He was, however, unable to give a return date for striker Dean Ashton, who,
despite being out for almost a year, has been linked with a move away from
the club. Zola said: "All I can say is that he is a player that I would love
to have in my side. "Can you imagine the impact of having a player like him
in the team? He's a big player. He is one of the players I would have loved
to play with."
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