WHUFC.com
Alex Dyer will lead a West Ham United XI side to Woodside Park for a
pre-season friendly on Wednesday evening
05.08.2009
A West Ham United XI side will travel to Bishop's Stortford on Wednesday
evening on a high after hitting three goals in each of their last two games.
Alex Dyer is expected to name a similar side to that which swept aside
Kingstonian 3-0 on Friday for the short trip to face The Blues, who finished
ninth in the the Blue Square South last season.
Nigel Quashie is expected to captain the side once more, but it is the
inclusion of the youthful attacking options that is set to get supporters'
pulses racing. The striking duo of Frank Nouble, with three goals in his two
games since signing from Chelsea, and Anthony Edgar caused the K's back line
no end of problems last week, and their attacking prowess could be
supplemented by the likes of Zavon Hines and Savio following their return
from the Barclays Asia Trophy in China.
At the back, youngsters Holmar Eyjolfsson and Matt Fry, who handled the size
and experience of former Hammer Ian Pearce so well at Kingsmeadow, could be
joined by Bondz N'Gala and Jordan Spence following their return from the
east. It remains to be seen whether new signing Fabio Daprela has had enough
time to adjust to his new surroundings following his arrival from
Grasshopper Club Zurich to play a part.
Other youngsters that could feature in the game following their Chinese
adventure are goalkeepers Peter Kurucz, Marek Stech and midfielder Josh
Payne, giving Dyer a dearth of options throughout his team.
whufc.com will have live text updates from Woodside Park, where kick-off is
at 7.30pm. Admission is £10 for adults, £5 for concessions. For directions,
click here.
Meanwhile, West Ham United Under-18s continue their preparations for the new
season with game at Reading on Wednesday morning. whufc.com will have
details of the result as soon as it is finished.
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Hammers youngster ready to make an impact
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 5th August 2009
By: Thomas Rooney
With the season a little over two weeks away, it is fair to say that the
majority of West Ham fans will be looking forward to the first game. Every
football fan across the country has had enough of the pre-season shenanigans
and is desperate for the competitive stuff to start, particularly since it
provides a good excuse for placing some football bets!
There is a West Ham youngster who is feeling exactly the same as this. Zavon
Hines – who managed to score for the Hammers in Beijing recently – is eager
for the season to start so that he can force himself into first team action.
The 20-year-old has got a taste for first-team football in Beijing and now
he wants more. Scoring a goal in pre-season has increased his determination
to start scoring Premier League goals. He wants to be part of Gianfranco
Zola's thinking in the early part of the season.
Speaking about the months ahead, Hines said that he wants to 'show the
manager what I can do' and be 'involved as much as I can'. Clearly, he feels
that his time has come to make an impact.
As for the pre-season games in the Barclays Asia Trophy, Hines said that it
has been a 'good tournament to play in' ahead of a tough campaign in the
Premier League. The striker says that the hard work the squad have put in
will 'show well for us' come the first game against Wolves.
In terms of his specific aims for the season ahead, Hines revealed that he
wants to be 'on the bench' from the very first game. Then, when he is given
the nod from Zola to get himself ready to come on, he will do all he can to
make the most of his chance.
A late winner or a crucial assist after coming off the bench late on would
do wonders for Hines' confidence and his place in the Upton Park striker
pecking order. It is one step at a time for him, but by Christmas for
example, who is to say that he won't be starting games for West Ham?
This time last year, he certainly looked like making a huge impact on West
Ham's season. He notched five goals in six games during pre-season and
showed a fantastic scoring ability. However, he suffered a knee problem
before the campaign began and ended up only playing one game all year.
This is why the next couple of months are so important to Hines. He deserves
to stay fit and he deserves to be given his opportunity at first-team level.
Good luck Zavon!
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Choke City?
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 5th August 2009
By: Staff Writer
Stoke City are set to sign Hammers striker Dean Ashton, according to local
radio reports. However another source close to Stoke insisted this morning
that the club are set to pull out of the race to sign the permanently
crocked former Norwich striker. Local radio in Stoke carried a report first
thing this morning suggesting that the Potters were about to seal a deal to
sign the 25-year-old, said to be worth around £6m (rising to £10m). However
local paper the Sentinel insist that the opposite is true, claiming that
Tony Pulis is set to turn his attention elsewhere due to concerns over
Ashton's long-term fitness (concerns which apparently failed to materialise
previously). West Ham - who have refrained from commenting on the situation
regarding the once-capped England striker - have refused to confirm that
they would be willing to part with Ashton, who has started just 33 league
games since signing from Norwich for £7million in January 2006. However with
funds tight and Gianfranco Zola looking to expand his attacking options
ahead of the new season the sale of Ashton to facilitate such reinvestment
is not beyond the realms of possibility. Elsewhere Bayern Munich have
released a statement confirming that 32-year-old striker Luca Toni is not
for sale, after recent speculation hinted at possible interest from the
Hammers.
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Summer bargains
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 5th August 2009
By: Matthew Kemp
With the season just around the corner, and little transfer activity from CB
Holdings, there is cause for concern that with any potential injuries,
Gianfranco Zola and Steve Clarke will be fielding their third string against
some very strong Premier League sides.
Money is clearly tight, and the spin doctors were out in force once the
creditors of Landsbanki and Bjorgolfur Gudmunsson confirmed the ownership of
West Ham United PLC.
With little interest in Calum Davenport and Nigel Quashie, Zola is
struggling to find the funds for a reserve goalkeeper, potential right back
(If Lucas Neill doesn't sign) and at least two proven strikers.
There are also a few noises surrounding Matthew Upson's future, and with two
years left on his contract and a reluctance to commit his long term future
we could be faced with Danny Gabbidon, James Collins and James Tomkins as
our recognised centre halves, plus Davenport (if he apologises for his
previous outbursts).
Many managers have proved in the past they can build a team on pennies
rather than pounds. Look at Ian Holloway when he was at Bristol Rovers -
Barry Hayles; Bobby Zamora; Nathan Ellington; Jason Roberts; Devon White;
Jamie Cureton; Marcus Stewart. Players that in their league regularly
finished as top scorers.
So what bargains are out there? Well Sol Campbell is worth a punt on a free,
maybe for a one year contract, or how about Michael Ball who has been
released from Manchester City? Nicky Weaver as back-up goalkeeper - worth a
trial having been released by Charlton?
There has to be some loan potential as well. It looks like Sunderland have
beaten us to Mendy yet Man Utd, Arsenal and Real Madrid are flooded with
players who wont get a game next season....a season's loan with a Premier
League club has to be tempting?
In terms of strikers, £5m for Eidur Gudjohnson sounds a fair deal - surely
we have that in the kitty?
Savio and Nouble offer potential, yet we already had that in Sears - and it
was sensible to give him a season in the Championship for him to prove that
he has what it takes. I was gobsmacked that we didn't put an offer in for
Leroy Lita - yes he's lost his form, yet he was also a £1m player, and
England under-21 and scoring goals for fun at one point in his career. Zola
could have restored that confidence.
Lastly, with our Italian connections I would have thought that Nani and Zola
would have been quick to sign up a few players who they've worked with in
the past. I know Savio has been one of those players, yet surely there are
more..?
I'm looking forward to the new season, yet on paper we are weaker than we
were at the end of last season. If we want to build on our momentum, we need
to add to the squad before the deadline window closes...
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Bayern cool Toni Hammers talk
German giants reject speculation over front man
By Thomas Zocher Last updated: 5th August 2009
SSN
Bayern Munich have moved to cool talk linking star striker Luca Toni with a
surprise loan move to West Ham United. The Italian has been a key player
for the Bavarian giants since moving to the Allianz Arena in 2007 from
Fiorentina, but the summer captures of Mario Gomez and Ivica Olic have cast
doubt over his future. It has been speculated the World Cup winner could be
set for a spell on the substitutes' bench under new coach Louis van Gaal,
which has reportedly alerted Gianfranco Zola to his compatriot's potential
availability. West Ham are desperately short of firepower as they head into
the new campaign with Carlton Cole currently their only fit senior striker.
Zola has admitted interest in Inter Milan's Mario Balotelli and Eidur
Gudjohnsen of Barcelona but it is the name of Toni that has been mooted in
Germany. Bayern director of sport Christian Nerlinger, though, has denied
his club are in talks with their Premier League counterparts. "There is no
bid regarding Luca Toni," he told Munchener Merkur. "And we are not really
considering his future."
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Neill holds Sunderland talks
Australian meets with Black Cats during pre-season
Last updated: 5th August 2009
SSN
Skysports.com understands Sunderland are in talks with Lucas Neill regarding
a possible move to the Stadium of Light. The Australia international is a
free agent after his contract with West Ham United expired at the end of
last season. Gianfranco Zola is keen to re-sign Neill and it was reported an
agreement could have been struck by Monday, but the Hammers boss may see the
deal hijacked. Neill is understood to have been at Sunderland's hotel in
Peterborough ahead of Tuesday's pre-season friendly with the
freshly-promoted Championship outfit. Discussions are said to have taken
place between the 31-year-old and the Black Cats, who are rebuilding under
new manager Steve Bruce this summer.
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Bayern Munich yet to hear from West Ham over Toni
06.08.09 | tribalfootball.com
Bayern Munich insist no offer from West Ham United has been received for
Luca Toni. The Italy centre-forward has been linked with a loan move to the
Hammers.
"There is no concrete interest in Toni and also he is part of the plans of
coach Louis van Gaal," stressed Bayern director Christian Nerlinger. Bild
says Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola is keen to take Toni to London before the
start of the season.
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Stoke go cold over West Ham striker Ashton
06.08.09 | tribalfootball.com
Stoke City have gone cold over the prospect of bringing West Ham striker
Dean Ashton back to the Brit. The Sentinel says despite local radio reports
today claiming a deal has been signed and sealed with West Ham, it is
thought the transfer is very much back on ice. City boss Tony Pulis has
been keenly investigating the possibility of signing the former Crewe
striker for several weeks. But Ashton's well-documented ankle problems,
which have prevented him playing since last September, have remained a
constant concern throughout.
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Hull, Blackburn battle West Ham for Kovac
06.08.09 | tribalfootball.com
Spartak Moscow midfielder Radoslav Kovac is set to return to the
Premiership. Kovac spent the second-half of last season on-loan at West Ham
United. The Daily Mail says Hull City have joined the Hammers and Blackburn
in the race to sign Kovac.
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Contract wrangle paves way for rival as former captain begins talks
Sport.co.uk
Author: Ben Moss
Posted on:05 August 2009 - 13:47
The former Blackburn Rovers and West Ham captain Lucas Neill is reportedly
in talks with Premier League rivals Sunderland according to Sky Sports News.
The Australian international recently left West Ham after failing to
negotiate a new extension at the club, however it was widely reported the
player was in the process of rectifying the situation as talks were still
ongoing. Today's reports suggest Neill has left Upton Park for good, and he
now looks set to join Steve Bruce at the Stadium of Light.
More to Follow.
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Reports: Lucas Neill in Sunderland talks
Sunderland Echo
Published Date: 05 August 2009
Former West Ham defender Lucas Neill is in discussions about a a move to
Sunderland, according to reports. According to Sky Sports the 31-year-old,
who is currently out of contract, could be on his way to the Stadium of
Light. He is said to have been at Sunderland's team hotel before the
Peterborough friendly last night. West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola has made no
secret of his desire to re-sign the Australia international.
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Stoke City: Potters cool on Ashton deal
Wednesday, August 05, 2009,
The Sentinal.co.uk
by Martin Spinks
STOKE City are distancing themselves from a move for West Ham striker Dean
Ashton because of on-going concerns over his fitness, The Sentinel
understands. Despite local radio reports today claiming a deal has been
signed and sealed with West Ham, it is thought the transfer is very much
back on ice. City boss Tony Pulis has been keenly investigating the
possibility of signing the former Crewe striker for several weeks. But
Ashton's well-documented ankle problems, which have prevented him playing
since last September, have remained a constant concern throughout.
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Kingstonian 0 West Ham United XI 3
10:53am Wednesday 5th August 2009
Guardian Series
By Phil Windeatt »
Kingstonian's last pre-season home game saw them tackle their biggest test
so far against a powerful West Ham side comprising of reserves, youth and
trialists, skippered by Scottish international Nigel Quashie. Although their
Premiership visitors were not surprisingly in control all game, with a
lovely pacy passing game, a determined Ks did threaten throughout and Ian
Pearce looked particularly dangerous upfront in the first half. The Ks next
friendly encounter is next Tuesday evening August 4th, 7.45pm k.o. when they
travel to Godalming Town. Next Saturday August 8th the K's travel to their
old rivals Leatherhead for another friendly with a kick-off time that has
been brought forward to 2pm. Ks didn't seem too inhibited by their esteemed
visitors and started strongly. Striker Carl Wilson-Denis sent in a high far
post cross from the right that Pearce headed wide. Then Pearce again got on
the end of a cross this time from the left but this time he headed over. On
12 minutes Irons striker Frank Nouble gave some idea of what was to come
when his powerful drive was parried by Luke Garrard. Fellow striker Antony
Edgar made it to the follow-up but again his well-struck drive was blocked
by the K's skipper. On 22 minutes the Hammers took the lead when Edgar sent
in a dangerous curling free-kick from the left into the Ks goalmouth where
centre back MATT FRY swept the ball home first time past a stranded Garrard.
Then Edgar took off on a long penetrating run and unleashed a powerful low
drive that went wide.
The Ks heads didn't drop, Lewis Cook sent in a useful far post cross for
Wilson-Denis but stretching he just failed to connect. Ryan Lake then found
Wilson-Denis in the Irons box where his powerful header was smothered by
keeper Adam Street at full-stretch. A long through ball from Liam Collins
found Pearce who set NJ Lampton free in the away box but he overran the
ball. On 29 minutes a classy individual goal when FRANK NOUBLE took off into
the K's box, he shook off the attentions of Max Hustwick, and fired past the
outcoming Garrard.
On 38 minutes the K's came back with some venegeance with a series of
consecutive corners. The best came from a short corner by Tommy Williams to
Cook who accurately found Pearce deep in the Irons box and his header looked
goalbound until a full-stretch Street pushed the ball out. Back came the
visitors when Olly Lee pushed a ball through to Edgar in the Ks box but
again Garrard saved the effort. Three minutes into the new half the Hammers
put the game to bed. Francis Duku tried to roll the ball back to Garrard but
the dangerous FRANK NOUBLE pounced, whisked the ball away and drove it into
an empty Ks goal. Williams replied with a powerful rising drive from the
edge of the away box that just went over. It was then time for an army of
substitutions and the game petered away as a spectacle. On the hour Quashie,
on the edge of the Ks box, was unlucky when his drive struck a post, with
Garrard looking on. A Cook free-kick from way out on the right saw a diving
Street in a crowded box punch the ball away. On 75 minutes Ks sub Christian
Jolley's edge of the box strike brought off a full-stretch save from Hammers
sub keeper James Plazzi. A free-kick from K's sub Luke Pigden saw Plazzi do
well to hang onto the ball. Plazzi then punched clear another Pigden
set-piece. The visitors possession was impressive and energy sapping for the
home side but the Ks kept chasing. With three minutes to go a run from sub
Scott Simpson saw him hit the buffers in the visitors box, he still set up
Jolley close in but he blasted over.
Ks. Luke Garrard (capt) (sub Josh Willis, 66mins) 2. Jamie Beer (sub Rob
Sheridan, 56mins) 3. Ryan Lake (sub Tom Dilloway, 56mins) 4. Tommy Williams
(sub Jon Coke, 60mins) 5. Francis Duku 6. Max Hustwick 7. NJ Lampton (sub
Scott Simpson, 66mins) 8. Liam Collins (sub Luke Pigden, 60mins) 9. Ian
Pearce (sub Reggie Savage, 66mins) 10. Carl Wilson-Denis (sub Christian
Jolley, 66mins) 11. Lewis Cook.
Subs: 12. Jon Coke 13. Josh Willis (G/k) 14. Luke Pigden 15. Tom Dilloway
16. Rob Sheridan 17. Scott Simpson 18. Christian Jolley 19. Reggie Savage.
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