WHUFC.com
West Ham United were edged out by Barclays Premier Reserve League champions
Aston Villa on Tuesday
01.09.2009
West Ham United's Barclays Premier Reserve League South campaign began with
a narrow 2-1 loss at reigning champions Aston Villa on Tuesday. A youthful
Hammers lineup played a full part in a keenly-contested game at Villa Park,
but were unable to resist the home side, who have won the title in each of
the last two seasons and also beat North champions Sunderland in the
inter-division play-off in May. Highly-rated striker Nathan Delfouneso fired
Villa into a fourth-minute lead with a smart finish as Villa enjoyed much
the better of things before half-time. West Ham's sole chance of the opening
45 minutes fell to Zavon Hines, but the Jamaican was unable to replicate his
finish in last Tuesday's Carling Cup victory over Millwall, shooting too
close to veteran goalkeeper Andy Marshall. The Hammers, who lost midfielder
Andrea Zola to a facial injury midway through the opening 45 minutes, came
out strongly after the break, and were level five minutes into the second
period. Matt Fry was fouled by Chris Herd as he broke forward down the left,
Anthony Edgar swung over a vicious, curling free-kick and the ball looped
past Marshall via the head of Villa's Republic of Ireland youth
international striker James Collins. For a while, it appeared Alex Dyer's
side could go on to claim all three points, but the Villans had other ideas,
securing the victory themselves thanks to a sumptuous volley from substitute
Gary Gardner 18 minutes from full-time. Gardner, the younger brother of
Villa defender Craig, was fouled midway inside the Hammers half by Josh
Payne. Eric Lichaj lifted the resulting free-kick into the box, where the
ball fell to Gardner, who controlled on his chest before lifting an
inch-perfect volley past Peter Kurucz.
West Ham, for whom Frank Nouble enjoyed a decent night, tried gamely to
force their way back into the match, but it was the hosts who finished by
far the stronger of the two teams. Kurucz did superbly to deny Collins twice
inside the space of a few seconds, while Delfouneso and substitute Adam
McGurk both shot narrowly off-target when well-placed. While Dyer will be
slightly disappointed by the result, the performances of the likes of
Nouble, left-back Jordan Brown, 18, and 16-year-old midfielder Eoin Wearen,
in particular, were cause for optimism.
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Aston Villa 2-1 Reserves FT
WHUFC.com
All the action as West Ham United began their Barclays Premier Reserve
League South campaign
01.09.2009
Aston Villa reserves v West Ham United reserves
Barclays Premier Reserve League South
Tuesday 1 September
Kick-off: 7pm
Villa Park
Full-time - Aston Villa reserves 2-1 West Ham United reserves
93 min - The full-time whistle is blown and it is a slightly disappointing
start for Alex Dyer and his players. They worked ever so hard, but Villa
were full-value for their win. West Ham reserves will return to action a
week tonight when Birmingham City will be the visitors.
92 min - Fine defensive work from Jordan Brown to deny Delfouneso. He kept
his composure well as Villa broke forward with numbers and made a fine
sliding challenge on the striker.
90 min - McGurk slices a shot over after Albrighton's cross had eluded
everyone inside the six-yard box. We're going to have two minutes of
added-time.
88 min - Very close to a third Villa goal for Delfouneso. The striker is on
the end of a flowing move, but he curls a low shot a foot or so wide of the
post with Kurucz beaten.
86 min - Collins comes close, beating Wearen but shooting too close to
Kurucz, who gathers diving low to his left.
84 min - Hines tries to break into the box but he is thwarted by Roome.
Nouble is next to threaten, but his loses out to Baker and Villa clear.
81 min - Eyjolfsson concedes possession and Villa work the ball to McGurk,
but his shot is weak and rolls through to Kurucz via a slight deflection off
Fry.
79 min - Montano is going to have a little over ten minutes to find an
equaliser as he replaces Lee.
77 min - Nice stuff from Delfouneso, who picks the ball up and cuts inside
Fry before curling a left-foot shot a couple of yards wide. Villa are
finishing strongly here.
75 min - No sign of any changes just yet from Dyer. Montano or winger Daniel
Kearns would seem the most likely options to be sent into the action, but
neither are warming up at the present time.
72 min - GOAL! Villa re-take the lead through Gardner. Lichaj launches the
free-kick into the box where it is headed straight to Gardner, who controls
on his chest and loops a volley past Kurucz via the inside of the post. That
was a very decent finish, indeed.
72 min - A booking for Josh Payne following a late challenge on substitute
Gardner. Meanwhile, Villa make their second change, replacing Hofbauer with
Adam McGurk.
71 min - News from Poland and Danny Purdy's Republic of Ireland U17s have
started the Syrenka Cup with a 2-1 defeat by Russia. Striker Purdy did not
manage to get on to the scoresheet.
70 min - Amazing stuff from Kurucz. Albrighton crosses from the right and
Collins meets the ball with a powerful header that the goalkeeper does well
to block. The ball squirms back towards Collins and he shoots, but Kurucz
half-blocks and Eyjolfsson hacks the ball off the goal-line.
68 min - Brilliant, brilliant defending from N'Gala denies Hofbauer a tap-in
after Delfouneso had left Fry in his wake and cut the ball into the six-yard
box.
67 min - When you consider Eoin Wearen is just 16, he has had a fantastic
game on his reserve-team debut. The young Dubliner has not looked at all out
of place and has given as good as he's got against Osbourne in the middle of
the park. The former Gaelic football star is certainly one to look out for
in the future.
65 min - Cristian Montano is among three substitutes warming up on the
touchline. Will the young Colombia-born forward get a late run-out?
63 min - A first change for Villa. Gary Gardner replaces Herd.
62 min - Delfouneso obviously did not like being tackled. He picks the ball
up and skips past Fry before smashing in a low drive that Kurucz does well
to push aside for a corner.
61 min - The Hammers really fancy this. Osbourne robs Wearen and tries to
play in Delfouneso, but the goalscorer is denied by a thumping challenge
from Jordan Brown. The U18 left-back has made an assured start to life as a
reserve-team player.
60 min - This is much, much better from West Ham. They are getting plenty of
men forward and moving the ball around much more quickly than they were just
a few minutes ago. When you consider that Villa have won the league in each
of the last two seasons, this is a very creditable display.
57 min - West Ham have worked their way back into things here, but they
still need to take better care of the ball in the attacking half of the
field. Too often, a promising move is being scuppered by a loose or lazy
pass. Alex Dyer preaches a fluid, passing game based on movement off the
ball, but at the moment his players are not quite getting it exactly right.
It's not all bad news, though, as his side are now more than matching their
hosts.
55 min - Great work and attitude from Hines, who loses possession but
streaks back 40 yards to challenge Lichaj. Fine stuff from the striker.
53 min - Edgar receives a yellow card for a rather late foul on Albrighton.
The winger needs a bit of treatment, but looks as if he'll be fine to
continue.
50 min - GOAL! Fry is fouled by Herd wide on the left, Edgar curls in a
vicious free-kick and Fry challenges his marker. The ball appears to hit
Collins and floats past the stranded Marshall for an own-goal. That came out
of nowhere. Now, will the goal give West Ham the confidence boost they need
to go on and take all three points?
48 min - A quiet start to the second half so far. As soon as I type that,
Albrighton lets fly with a dipping curler from 25 yards that Kurucz tips
over at full-stretch.
46 min - We're off and running again here at Villa Park. Neither side made
any changes at half-time.
Half-time
47 min - The half-time whistle goes. West Ham will have to up their
collective game after the break if they are to start the season with a
positive result.
46 min - We're into the one minute of added-time. To be fair, I thought we'd
have more than that...
45 min - Villa began the half with a goal and almost ended it with one too.
Herd picks up the ball in midfield and drives forward before shooting from
20 yards, but it flies narrowly wide of the post.
44 min - Another chance for Payne to launch a set piece into the penalty
area as Lowry is penalised for handball. Villa half-clear and Hines picks up
the loose ball. He beats two challenges but not a third and Villa smash the
ball upfield.
42 min - Nouble wins a free-kick midway inside the Villa half. Payne
crosses, but the home side are able to head clear.
40 min - Superb play from Nouble, who turned Lichaj and got to the by-line,
but none of his team-mates had anticipated the cutback and Villa clear the
danger.
38 min - Alert play again from Kurucz, who is out smartly to smother at the
feet of Hofbauer as he attempted to latch on to Collins' pass. A short time
later, Delfouneso works another shooting chance, but his powerful
half-volley flies into the seats.
36 min - Good save from Kurucz to deny Hofbauer. Delfouneso found the
Austrian in space and he lashed a low, left-foot shot that the Hungarian
parried to safety. Seconds later, Villa force a corner. Albrighton crosses
and Collins head downwards, but the ball bounces over the crossbar.
Delfouneso has really come to life again in the last few minutes. He seems
to have all the attributes of a decent striker - pace, power and an eye for
goal.
35 min - Fantastic challenge from Fry. He appeared to have lost Delfouneso,
but recovered well to concede a corner. Villa work the ball deep before
crossing to the far post. Lowry wins a header and Delfouneso lunges low to
try and direct the ball past Kurucz, but it squirms just wide of the near
post.
33 min - Nouble is seeing quite a lot of possession in and around the Villa
box, but the ball just won't break for him or any of his team-mates. So far,
Hines' first-time shot is the closest the Hammers have come to a goal. It is
certainly a more even contest now, though. After sitting on the bench for a
few minutes, Zola is escorted to the dressing room clutching an ice-pack to
his face. A bit of a shame for the youngster, but hopefully he will not be
sidelined for too long.
31 min - Youth team striker Danny Purdy was in the Republic Ireland U17 side
to face Russia in the Syrenka Cup friendly tournament in Poland this
afternoon. No news yet on a result, but I shall try and find out for you.
29 min - Nice football from Edgar and Wearen sends Hines away, and his run
is brought to an abrupt halt by a combination of Lichaj and Baker a couple
of yards outside the penalty area. Edgar takes the free-kick but curls it a
yard over the crossbar.
26 min - Hofbauer wins a corner off N'Gala. Albrighton takes and Kurucz
acrobatically palms the ball to safety.
24 min - James Collins comes close to scoring for Aston Villa. Matt Fry's
defensive header dropped to the striker on the edge of the penalty area, but
he was unable to keep his volley down.
23 min - Treatment for Zola junior this time. It looks like he has received
a bang on the nose and comes to the touchline holding a piece of tissue to
his face. Unfortunately, the bleeding doesn't appear to want to stop and he
is replaced by Eoin Wearen.
21 min - First-team coaches Steve Clarke and Kevin Keen are here to watch
the reserve team in action. Keen, of course, was reserve-team manager
himself until almost exactly a year ago, when he was promoted following the
arrival of Gianfranco Zola.
18 min - A booking for Zola on his first competitive appearance in English
football. The youngster was cautioned after a late challenge on Herd. The
Villa midfielder receives some treatment before leaving the pitch. It looks
like he'll be okay to carry on, though.
17 min - A first real chance for West Ham. Hines wins a tackle in midfield
and feeds Nouble. The big forward holds off his marker before rolling the
ball into HInes' path. The Jamaican strikes his shot well, but it is too
close to Marshall, who blocks with two hands before his defenders clear the
danger.
16 min - Hofbauer's free-kick falls to Herd inside the penalty area. The
midfielder pokes a shot goalwards and Kurucz holds well in front of his
face.
15 min - In all honesty, Villa are bossing this game. West Ham are
struggling to maintain possession of the ball in midfield. Zola gets in a
strong challenge on Herd that the Villa player takes exception to. Both
players receive a talking to from the referee before shaking hands and
getting on with it.
12 min - Another close call as right-back Eric Lichaj lifts a cross into the
box, but it is just too far in front of Delfouneso.
10 min - The pre-match deluge has abated and the sun is trying to come out.
Villa have a throw-in deep inside the Hammers half. A spot of head tennis
ends with Dominik Hofbauer looping his effort on to the top of Kurucz' net.
You can see why Villa have such a good record at reserve level, They are
playing with a real confidence.
8 min - Albrighton comes close to doubling the hosts' lead, but his curler
lands on top of the net, In truth, I think Kurucz would have had it covered.
7 min - West Ham have responded well to going behind and are starting to
ping the ball around on what is a slick surface. Nouble crosses for Hines,
but the striker's touch lets him down and Nathan Baker clears the danger.
4 min - GOAL! Not the ideal start for the Hammers as West Ham concede
possession just inside their own half. Albrighton won the ball and found
Delfouneso, who held off Zola before firing low into Kurucz' bottom
left-hand corner. A clinical finish.
3 min - It's an open start here at Villa Park. Lee and Nouble combine, but
the latter's pass skips off Hines' too and through to Andy Marshall. Lee
picks the ball up 30 yards from goal and lets fly, but it is straight at
Marshall.
2 min - A decent run from the speedy Delfouneso, who picks up the ball five
yards inside his own half and streaks past Matt Fry, but the defender
recovers well and forces the forward to slice his cross out for a goal kick.
1 min - Nathan Delfouneso and Chris Herd get us underway. Zola is given a
welcome to English football just 25 seconds in, winning a free-kick for his
side inside the centre circle.
6.59pm - Aston Villa will kick-off...
6.57pm - Here come the two teams... No Premier League-style lineups and
music here, just a quick walk to the halfway line and the two teams break
towards their respective ends. It looks like West Ham will attack a very
large, very empty Holte End in the first half.
6.54pm - A few hundred Villa fans have turned out to cheer on their
champions. While both squads have returned to their respective dressing
rooms, substitute goalkeeper Adam Street has remained on the pitch to go
through a few kicking exercises with goalkeeping coach Jerome John.
6.47pm - As he did last season, defender Bondz N'Gala will captain West
Ham's second-string. The big man will slot in at right-back tonight, with
Matt Fry and Holmar Orn Eyjolfsson in the centre of defence and Jordan Brown
at left-back.
6.41pm - I can report that it is now chucking it down with rain here at
Villa Park. The floodlights are on and, on 1 September, it appears that
summer is well and truly over!
6.40pm - West Ham brought three sons with famous fathers with them as part
of their squad for tonight's game. As well as Andrea Zola and Olly Lee -
sons of Gianfranco and Robert respectively - George Moncur also travelled
with the squad and is warming up with his club-mates on the pitch. Among
them is Zavon Hines, who is wearing some very bright blue boots. Lee is
sporting some white footwear, but the other outfield players have stuck to
the traditional black.
6.35pm - Both teams are out on the pitch here at a near-deserted Villa Park
going through their pre-match warm-ups. Leeds United assistant manager Steve
Staunton, who was a bit of a legend here as a player, has already taken his
seat in the stands.
West Ham United open their 2009/10 Barclays Premier Reserve League South
campaign with a tough-looking visit to Aston Villa tonight.
The Villans romped to the league title last season before defeating North
champions Sunderland 3-1 to lift the national title. Villa have started the
new season in equally impressive form, defeating Chelsea 4-0 in west London
last week.
However, Alex Dyer will be hopeful of building on an encouraging 2008/09
himself. The manager's first season in charge of the reserves saw the
Hammers finish in a respectable 5th position.
Tonight, Dyer has named a youthful side including forwards Frank Nouble and
Zavon Hines, both of whom impressed greatly in last Tuesday's Carling Cup
second round win over Millwall.
Under-18 left-back Jordan Brown is also included after putting in a good
display for Tony Carr's side at the weekend, while Andrea Zola will slot
into a holding midfield role after impressing Dyer in training and during
the pre-season friendly at Bishop's Stortford last month.
Aston Villa: Marshall, Lichaj, Lowry, Osbourne, Roome, Baker, Albrighton,
Herd (Gardner 63), Collins, Delfouneso, Hofbauer
Subs: Parish, McGurk, Bradley, Williams
West Ham United: Kurucz, N'Gala, Brown, Fry, Eyjolfsson, Zola (Wearen 24),
Lee (Montano 79), Payne, Edgar, Nouble, Hines
Subs: Kearns, Street, Barrett
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Transfer window update
WHUFC.com
West Ham United has updated supporters on the latest situation following the
end of the transfer window
01.09.2009
West Ham United can confirm the departure of James Collins has concluded the
club's business during the transfer window. Attempts were made on Tuesday to
finalise negotiations for another forward to complement the existing attack
that already boasts England striker Carlton Cole and was boosted further by
Alessandro Diamanti's arrival from AS Livorno Calcio on Friday. Terms were
agreed with the selling club but the player was unwilling to join.
Gianluca Nani and Gianfranco Zola are now discussing the possibility of an
out of contract striker joining the club, who has been tracked in the past
month. Further updates will be provided as and when available here on
whufc.com.
With the team next in action at Wigan Athletic on Saturday week, Zola should
have a near-full complement to choose from including the fit-again Valon
Behrami. Only Luis Boa Morte (knee) and Dean Ashton (ankle) are not in
training with the first team while Terry Dixon, the other long-term
absentee, is close to a reserves return after his long absence with knee
problems.
Collins joined Aston Villa on a four-year contract for an undisclosed fee
after passing a medical on Tuesday afternoon. The Wales defender leaves the
Boleyn Ground after four years at the club, during which time the
26-year-old made 65 league and cup appearances, scoring twice.
With Matthew Upson, James Tomkins, Danny Gabbidon, Jonathan Spector and
Radoslav Kovac, a permanent signing from Spartak Moscow, already at the
club, plus Manuel Da Costa arriving from ACF Fiorentina, the manager has
good options at centre-back. The other new recruits this summer have been
goalkeeper Peter Kurucz, left-backs Fabio Daprela and Herita Ilunga and the
attacking midfielder Luis Jimenez.
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U18s stung by Stoke
WHUFC.com
West Ham United Under-18s were narrow losers to Stoke City at Little Heath
at the weekend
01.09.2009
West Ham United Under-18s 0-1 Stoke City Under-18s
Tony Carr's side were unlucky to lose their first home match of the 2009/10
FA Premier Academy League season.
Having won 2-1 at Everton the week before, the Hammers were frustrated at
Little Heath on Saturday afternoon. Like the Toffees tie, the Stoke match
was one of ten inter-group fixtures to be played by the U18s in their
28-game season. Carr's side will hope to bounce back with a trip to Group A
rivals Tottenham Hotspur this coming Saturday.
Cristian Montano and Ahmed Abdulla were both particularly lively up front
and had a number of chances to level matters after Stoke had taken the lead
in the first half through a a headed goal from a left-wing cross. However,
the Hammers - captained by Sergio Sanchez - were unable to take advantage of
their pressure. Nick Barrett with a decent run and shot late in the game was
perhaps the closest to an equaliser.
West Ham United: Mehmet, Driver, Brown, Lampe, Sanchez, Moncur (Werndly 70),
Barrett, Wearen, Abdulla (Hall 55), Montano, Purdy (Craig 75)
Subs not used: Loveday, Smith
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Collins completes move to Villa
BBC.co.uk
Aston Villa have confirmed the signing of West Ham defender James Collins
for a fee believed to be about £5m. Villa agreed a fee on Tuesday morning
and the 26-year-old Wales international later accepting personal terms.
Centre-back Collins started his career with Cardiff City before moving to
West Ham for £3.5m in July 2005. Villa are also close to signing Manchester
City central defender Richard Dunne as they look to bolster their defensive
numbers. "It's been a mad 24 hours since coming up here but I'm delighted to
have it all sorted," said Collins. "I came on Monday and met the manager and
had a look around. It's a fantastic setting. I just can't wait to get
cracking now.
"Aston Villa are a massive club so after coming here looking around the
place - and I'm friendly with a few of the boys as well - it didn't take a
lot of persuading on my part."
Collins, who turned down a move to Stoke two weeks ago after failing to
agree terms, arrived on Tuesday morning at Villa's Bodymoor Heath training
ground to try to finalise his move and complete a medical. He has featured
in all of West Ham's league games so far this season, appearing 60 times in
total during his time at the Hammers. The player, capped 28 times by his
country, made 86 appearances for Cardiff before moving to Upton Park in 2005
along with Bluebirds team-mate Danny Gabbidon. A knee ligament injury in
January 2008 kept him on the sidelines for nine months. Villa have been left
short in defence following the retirement of Martin Laursen and the sale of
Zat Knight to Bolton.
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That's all, folks
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 1st September 2009
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United have confirmed that one more player could yet arrive at the
club following the closure of the summer transfer window. Despite the window
closing at 5pm this afternoon, clubs are still able to sign players out of
contract and the Hammers are understood to be working on an emergency deal
following the failure to land a target man - as first revealed here on
KUMB.com earlier today.
A statement on whufc.com this evening confirmed that United had all but
concluded their summer dealings. "West Ham United can confirm the departure
of James Collins has concluded the club's business during the transfer
window," it read. "Attempts were made on Tuesday to finalise negotiations
for another forward to complement the existing attack that already boasts
England striker Carlton Cole and was boosted further by Alessandro
Diamanti's arrival from AS Livorno Calcio on Friday. Terms were agreed with
the selling club but the player was unwilling to join. "Gianluca Nani and
Gianfranco Zola are now discussing the possibility of an out of contract
striker joining the club, who has been tracked in the past month. Further
updates will be provided as and when available here on whufc.com."
The player with whom terms had been agreed is understood to be Manchester
City's out-of-favour striker Benjani Mwaruwari, who had previously been
linked with moves to Stoke City and Hull this summer. West Ham are thought
to have turned to the Zimbabwean after it became clear that earlier moves to
secure the signature of Bordeauz's Marouane Chamakh were unlikely to
succeed. The funds acquired as a result of the sale of Savio Nsereko and
James Collins could now be used to fund the transfer of Alessandro Diamanti,
who was purchased thanks to an advanced payment by club sponsors SBOBET.
Club CEO Scott Duxbury was forced to approach SBOBET for the necessary cash
after the club's current owners CB Holdings made it clear that they were not
willing to provide any investment into the playing squad - a situation that
could prove to be depressingly familiar should the mongrel group of
Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson's creditors retain control of the club.
Summer Transfer Window Summary
IN: June
3rd: Peter Kurucz (Ujpest) nominal fee, undisclosed
23rd: Luis Jimenez (Inter) season-long loan with option to buy
July
1st: Herita Ilunga (Toulose) £2.4m
21st: Frank Nouble (Chelsea) undisclosed
31st: Fabio Daprela (Grasshopper) nominal fee, undisclosed
August
14th: Radoslav Kovac (Spartak) £2m
28th: Alessandro Diamanti (Liverono) £5.7m
31st: Manuel da Costa (Fiorentina) player exchange
OUT: June
1st: Diego Tristan (released); Lee Bowyer (released); Walter Lopez
(released); Kyel Reid (released); Tony Stokes (released); Jimmy Walker
(released); Jan Lastuvka (end of loan); David Di Michele (end of loan).
26th: Freddie Sears (Crystal Palace) season-long loan
August
31st: Savio Nsereko (Fiorentina) £3m + 50% sell-on fee + Manuel da Costa
September
1st: James Collins (Aston Villa) £5m
Total expenditure:
£10.1m + 3 undisclosed fees
Total receipts:
£8m
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Redknapp confirms Upson interest
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 1st September 2009
By: Staff Writer
Matthew Upson remains a West Ham player - despite rumours linking him with a
transfer deadline day switch to Tottenham. Tottenham - who were also
rumoured to have made eleventh hour bids for Sunderland's Anton Ferdinand
and Manchester City's Richard Dunne - were rumoured to have staged a
last-gasp move to take the England defender to White Hart Lane. However
KUMB.com has learned that despite the purported interest from North London,
the 30-year-old centre half remains a West Ham player - until the next
transfer window, at least. Harry Redknapp, when quizzed about the
speculation this evening replied: "I think Daniel [Levy] made some enquiries
but that never really got close."
Upson, who joined the Hammers in January 2007 has two years of his current
contract left to run but despite offers from West Ham has refused to extend
his contract further, leading to speculation that he would move to pastures
new during the now-closed summer transfer window. Spurs manager Harry
Redknapp is a known admirer of the former Birmingham and Luton defender and
reportedly told Hammers fans in China for the Asia Cup back in July that
Upson was one of a number of first team players offered to him during the
summer by West Ham.
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The deadline passes
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 1st September 2009
By: Staff Writer
The summer transfer window has officially closed - with James Collins the
only confirmed move either in or out thus far. The big centre-half, who
joined Aston Villa in a deal thought to be worth around £5million just 90
minutes ahead of the 5pm transfer deadline was the second departure from
West Ham within the last 24 hours, following Savio's sale to Fiorentina.
Despite failing to land Marouane Chamakh from Bordeaux - as revealed here on
KUMB.com earlier today - West Ham were still in the hunt for a target man
right up to the 5pm deadline, although there is no news at present to
confirm whether those efforts were successful or not. Late rumours suggested
a possible move for Manchester City's Benjani, whilst Tottenham have been
linked with a late bid for Matthew Upson.
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Collins deal confirmed
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 1st September 2009
By: Staff Writer
James Collins' £5million move to Aston Villa has been confirmed. The Welsh
centre half had his transfer ratified with just 90 minutes of the transfer
window remaining and joins former Hammers Nigel Reo-Coker and Marlon
Harewood at Villa Park. The trio - who cost Villa a total of some
£17.5million - were all signed by Alan Pardew with Collins that last of the
trio to arrive at the Boleyn in the summer of 2005. Signed from Cardiff for
£1.5million, Collins made 64 first team appearances at a rate of just 16
games per season. West Ham's crippling financial situation is thught to have
triggered the sale of the popular centre-half. 20-year-old James Tomkins,
who had made just 20 first team starts is likely to be granted the
opportunity to replace Collins - who has signed a four-year deal at Villa
Park - as partner to Matthew Upson at Blackburn this weekend. Danny
Gabbidon, Radoslav Kovac and new signing Manuel da Costa will act as cover
for Upson and Tomkins.
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Collins completes Villa move
Welsh defender puts pen to paper on four-year deal
Last updated: 1st September 2009
SSN
Aston Villa have completed the signing of defender James Collins from West
Ham. The 26-year-old Wales international has moved to Villa Park on a
four-year contract. The two clubs agreed a £5million fee and the deal was
concluded after Collins completed a medical and finalised personal terms at
Villa's Bodymoor Heath training ground on Monday.
"It's been a mad 24 hours since coming up here but I'm delighted to have it
all sorted," said Collins. "I came yesterday and met the manager and had a
look around. It's a fantastic setting. I just can't wait to get cracking
now. "Aston Villa is a massive club so, after coming here looking around the
place - and I'm friendly with a few of the boys as well - it didn't take a
lot of persuading on my part."
Collins has made over 50 Premier League appearances since joining West Ham
from Cardiff in 2005 and has started each of the Hammers' opening three
league games this season. Villa boss Martin O'Neill was eager to boost his
defensive ranks after Martin Laursen retired at the end of last season and
Curtis Davies was sidelined with a dislocated shoulder. Collins is set to
make his Villa debut in the second city derby with Birmingham at St. Andrews
on 13th September. "I loved my time at West Ham but I believe I have taken a
step forward," he added. "I have come to Aston Villa to improve as a player
and hopefully improve their team. I'll be looking to do that straight away."
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Collison ready for Russia
Hammers star will commit future to Wales
Last updated: 1st September 2009
SSN
West Ham midfielder Jack Collison will play for Wales against Russia next
week, despite the recent death of his father. The 20-year-old has also been
included in Brian Flynn's Under-21 squad for their European Championship
qualifier against Italy on Friday, but it is expected he will miss out on
that game to attend his father's funeral. Collison is not currently obliged
to play for Wales, having only collected his six caps so far in friendly
matches, and the Watford-born youngster is also qualified for England. But
John Toshack is expected to name Collison in the squad for the World Cup
qualifier against Russia, despite his family bereavement. Collison has
turned out for West Ham twice since the death of his father in a motorway
accident, against Millwall and Blackburn, and the midfielder is expected to
pledge his future to Wales.
A Football Association Wales spokesman said: "There has been a lot of
conspiracy theories that Jack has avoided competitive internationals to keep
his options open. "But the fact that he has turned up to train with the
Under-21s and wants to play against Russia says everything about his
commitment to Wales. "We were all deeply upset for him after his father's
death, and he will get all the support and comradeship he needs when he is
with the Wales squad and we are delighted that he has made it clear he wants
to play against Russia." Wales boss Toshack is also expected to call up
Craig Bellamy and Jason Koumas to his squad, as the pair have returned to
full fitness.
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West Ham's Collins delighted with Aston Villa move
02.09.09 | tribalfootball.com
Aston Villa have completed the signing of West Ham United defender James
Collins. Collins, who has penned a four-year contract, said: "I'm delighted
to have it all sorted.
"It's a fantastic setting. I just can't wait to get cracking now. "Aston
Villa is a massive club so, after coming here looking around the place and
I'm friendly with a few of the boys as well, it didn't take a lot of
persuading on my part." Collins added: "I loved my time at West Ham but I
believe I have taken a step forward. "I have come to Aston Villa to improve
as a player and hopefully improve their team. I'll be looking to do that
straight away."
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Ex-West Ham striker Savio misses Fiorentina Champions League cut
02.09.09 | tribalfootball.com
Former West Ham United striker Savio Nsereko has missed out on Champions
League selection with Fiorentina. The Viola will face Liverpool, Lyon and
Debrecen in Group E and handed in their squad on UEFA's deadline day. The
list does not include Savio, who joined from the Hammers on Monday in a
last-minute transfer.
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West Ham willing to wait until January for Chamakh
02.09.09 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United hope to revisit their bid for Bordeaux striker Marouane
Chamakh in January. The Daily Mail says West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola has
given up on luring Chamakh to Upton Park before the transfer window closes
today but could renew his pursuit in the Bordeaux striker in January. The
Hammers, who are selling defender James Collins to Aston Villa, are still
hopeful of bringing more firepower in before the 5pm deadline. But they have
been unable to tie up a deal for Morocco hitman Chamakh, who was also
interesting Arsenal. Chamakh is out of contract next summer but is likely to
be available at a knockdown price in January.
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Man City's Benjani snubbed West Ham, Blackburn to wait for Notts County
offer
02.09.09 | tribalfootball.com
Manchester City striker Benjani Mwaruwari has snubbed Premiership offers in
readiness for a move to Sven Goran Eriksson's Notts County. The Daily Mail
says Tigers boss Phil Brown also tried to sign Manchester City striker
Benjani, as did West Ham and Blackburn, but the forward looks like joining
Notts County on loan. The Zimbabwe international can make the move to Meadow
Lane next week.
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