WHUFC.com
All of the early team news and statistics ahead of Tuesday night's game at
the Reebok Stadium
14.12.2009
Barclays Premier League
Bolton Wanderers v West Ham United
Reebok Stadium
Tuesday 15 December
8pm
Referee: Andre Marriner
WHUTV - LIVE COMMENTARY
• West Ham United travel to Bolton Wanderers looking to return to winning
ways after defeat at Birmingham City on Saturday - their first loss in three
matches on the road. The Hammers had drawn 2-2 and 3-3 at Sunderland and
Hull City respectively in their previous two away fixtures.
• A win could potentially move the club up to 15th in the table and within
three points of 12th place. Bolton sit a point and a place below, with a
minus 12 goal difference - five goals worse off than the Hammers.
• West Ham will be hoping for an improvement in their recent form against
the Trotters. The Londoners have won just one of their previous six league
meetings with Bolton - a home game back in May 2007. The Hammers' last win
at Bolton came 14 years ago when they left Burnden Park with a 3-0 win.
• The two teams have already met once this season in the League Cup back in
August, when Herita Ilunga's goal looked to have won it for West Ham, only
for Kevin Davies to score in the 86th minute to take the game into extra
time. Goals from Gary Cahill and Johan Elmander eventually saw Gary Megson's
side through.
• Robert Green has not kept a clean sheet since the 0-0 draw at Blackburn
Rovers on 29 August.
• West Ham and Bolton also met in the 1923 FA Cup final, the first final
played at Wembley. Bolton ran out 2-0 winners in front of an estimated crowd
of 200,000.
• This is the 53rd league meeting between the two sides. Bolton Wanderers
have won 26, West Ham United have won 18 and there have been eight draws.
Last time out
Saturday 12 December
Barclays Premier League
Birmingham City 1-0 West Ham United
West Ham United: Green, Faubert, Tomkins, Gabbidon, Ilunga (Nouble 82),
Kovac (Dyer 67), Parker, Noble, Diamanti, Stanislas (Collison 68), Franco
Subs not used: Kurucz, Spector, Da Costa, Payne
Saturday 12 December
Barclays Premier League
Bolton Wanderers 3-3 Manchester City
Bolton Wanderers: Jaaskelainen, Steinsson, Cahill, Knight, Robinson, Lee,
Muamba (M Davies 80), Cohen, Taylor, K Davies, Klasnic (Elmander 72)
Subs not used: Al Habsi, Samuel, Ricketts, Basham, A O'Brien.
Goals: Klasnic 11, Cahill 43, Klasnic 53
Last meeting
The teams last met at the Reebok Stadium on 22 September, when the hosts ran
out 3-1 winners after extra time to progress to the fourth round of the
Carling Cup.
The teams that day were -
Bolton Wanderers: Jaaskelainen, Ricketts, Cahill, Knight, Samuel, Taylor,
Muamba, McCann (Cohen 82), Gardner (Lee 69), K.Davies, Klasnic (Elmander 77)
Subs not used: Al Habsi, Steinsson, A.O'Brien, Davies
West Ham United: Green, Spector, Tomkins, Da Costa (N'Gala 63), Ilunga,
Noble, Parker, Kovac, Dyer (Cole 75), Diamanti, Hines (Faubert 88)
Subs not used: Kurucz, Payne, Edgar, Nouble
Head to head
Last six meetings (Premier League unless stated)
22 September 2009 Bolton Wanderers 3-1 West Ham United (League Cup)
21 February 2009 - Bolton Wanderers 2-1 West Ham United
5 October 2008 - West Ham United 1-3 Bolton Wanderers
12 April 2008 - Bolton Wanderers 1-0 West Ham United
4 November 2007 - West Ham United 1-1 Bolton Wanderers
5 May 2007 - West Ham United 3-1 Bolton Wanderers
Overall record v Bolton Wanderers (all competitions) W 22 D 10 L 31
Next up
• After two games on the road, West Ham United return to home soil with the
visit of Chelsea on Sunday, which kicks-off at 4pm. Bolton have an away
match at Wigan Athletic the following evening at 8pm.
Referee
• Tuesday's referee is Andre Marriner, who was in the man in the middle for
the Barclays Asia Trophy defeat by Tottenham Hotspur in Beijing on 29 July.
He also took charge of the 3-2 defeat by Liverpool on 19 September and the
2-2 draw with Sunderland on 31 October, when Radoslav Kovac and Kenwyne
Jones were both sent off.
• Marriner began refereeing in 1992, progressing through the Birmingham
Amateur Football League and Southern League to take his place as a Football
League assistant referee in 2000.
• Marriner became a Football League referee in 2003, before taking charge of
his first Premier League fixture, Charlton Athletic versus Norwich City, the
following year.
• Still only 38, the official joined the Select Group of officials in 2005.
• Last season, Marriner took charge of two West Ham United fixtures, both
away from home. He was the man in the middle for the 2-1 win at Fulham in
Gianfranco Zola's third match as Hammers manager, as well as the 1-1 draw at
Middlesbrough on 1 November.
• This season, Marriner has been invited to join the list of FIFA
international referees.
West Ham United
• West Ham have never won at the Reebok Stadium in ten attempts. Since
Bolton moved to their new home in 1998, the Hammers have drawn twice and
lost eight times at the Reebok.
• Hanging on to leads is crucial if the club are to pick up their second
away win of the campaign. Three times they have failed to convert a two-goal
lead into a win so far this season.
• Despite sitting in 18th place, West Ham will no doubt have noted their
position at Christmas last season when they were 17th. An impressive
second-half run saw them climb the table to finish in ninth place.
• West Ham have scored 24 goals this season with ten different scorers
registering. Carlton Cole leads the way (seven), with Guille Franco (three)
next in line. Jack Collison (two), Matthew Upson (two), Alessandro Diamanti
(two), Junior Stanislas (two), Manuel da Costa, Mark Noble, Luis Jimenez and
Zavon Hines have also registered.
• Cole is West Ham's top scorer this season with seven goals in 13 league
games. The England striker has scored 14 goals in 25 Premier League games
since Boxing Day 2008.
• Noble played his 100th league game for the club on Saturday at St.
Andrews.
• Only Robert Green has played in every league game for the club this
season. He is on a run of 104 successive league appearances.
• Julien Faubert and Cole are each on four yellow cards this season.
• West Ham's last away win at Bolton came in the shape of a 3-0 victory at
Burnden Park on 18 November 1995 - their record ever win in the fixture.
West Ham's goals that day came courtesy of Ian Bishop, Tony Cottee and Danny
Williamson.
Bolton Wanderers
• Bolton are the only side in the Premier League that have not kept a clean
sheet this season. They will however be buoyed by their performance in front
of goal in the enthralling 3-3 draw with Manchester City on Saturday.
• Gary Megson's side are on a six-match winless run - their last victory
came in October when they beat Everton 3-2 at the Reebok Stadium.
• Bolton have picked up just two points in their last six games and the
Everton result was their solitary home league win of the season.
• They will be hoping that striker Ivan Klasnic will be fit to face the
Hammers as he has scored three goals in his last three games.
• Defender Paul Robinson was 31 on Monday.
• Bolton were the first team to hand Gianfranco Zola a defeat as West Ham
manager. The Trotters left the Boleyn Ground with a 3-1 victory on Sunday 5
October thanks to goals from Kevin Davies, Gary Cahill and Matthew Taylor.
• Bolton's record home win against the Hammers was on 29 November 1924 when
they recorded a 5-0 victory.
Team news
• Kieron Dyer is pushing for a place after impressing as a substitute
against Birmingham City.
• Matthew Upson sat out the weekend's game at St. Andrews with a hamstring
problem. Valon Behrami is targeting a return for the busy Christmas period
after minor keyhole surgery on a knee cartilage problem.
• One player definitely missing is Mark Noble, who is suspended following
his sending off on Saturday.
• Gianfranco Zola has lost Carlton Cole for a number of weeks with a knee
injury. The extent of the problem was confirmed by the club last week after
specialist advice. The England striker did not need surgery and has already
undergone a week of rehab in the hope of returning early in the new year.
• Zavon Hines is also out with a knee problem with the club still assessing
the extent of the injury. Luis Jimenez has been doing light training after a
muscle problem and will hope to be in contention later in the week.
• The long-term absentees remain Calum Davenport (leg) and Luis Boa Morte
(knee).
• Birmingham will be without Gavin McCann (ankle), Sean Davis and Joey
O'Brien. Ivan Klasnic should be available despite limping off on Saturday
with a hip problem.
Old boys
• Among those players who have represented both clubs are Frank Costello,
George Eccles, Thomas Kinsell and William Yenson.
General information
• For directions to the Reebok Stadium, click here.
• Tuesday's weather forecast is for a chilly, clear night with a maximum
temperature of 5C
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Green steeled for Bolton
WHUFC.com
Robert Green has urged his team-mates to 'grit their teeth' and secure a
victory at the Reebok Stadium
13.12.2009
Tuesday's Barclays Premier League trip to Bolton Wanderers is just what West
Ham United need, according to Robert Green. The England goalkeeper was
powerless to prevent the Hammers being beaten 1-0 at Birmingham City on
Saturday in a game the visitors were unfortunate to lose. Having suffered
both the frustration of a fourth away defeat of the season, as well as that
of losing Mark Noble to a harsh sending-off, Green said it was time for he
and his team-mates to roll their sleeves up and gain a positive result at
the Reebok Stadium. "I'm glad the game is coming," he said. "It's a game
against another team that's down there. We've got to be looking at picking
up points there. "We've got to go there and grit our teeth and get through
it, and come out with a positive result on the other side. It's a busy,
important time for us and it is still so tight. "If we'd won on Saturday,
we'd have gone somewhere like 12th or something crazy like that. That's the
way the league us at this moment in time, but we've got to start picking up
points. "You go on good runs and bad runs and we won one and drew a couple
which got us by, but now we're looking at a couple of defeats in a row and
to bounce back pretty quick. You don't get much bigger than Tuesday."
Reflecting further on Saturday's loss at St. Andrews, Green echoed manager
Gianfranco Zola's feelings at the result. The Hammers gave as good as they
got in the Midlands, with Kieron Dyer hitting a post and Alessandro Diamanti
shaving Joe Hart's woodwork on more than one occasion. At the final whistle,
though, West Ham had nothing to show for their considerable efforts, a fact
lamented by the 29-year-old. "It was a difficult defeat to take. We showed
spirit after going down to ten men and a goal down. We showed the spirit to
come back and fight and when you look at the chances we maybe could have got
a point. We had a lot of pressure but missed that clinical finish. "It was
one of those games that was quite end to end, but the quality wasn't there
at times. Neither team really controlled it. It was one of those games that
was going to be decided by the odd goal and, unfortunately for us, while
you're down there, you get kicked."
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Bolton v West Ham
BBC.co.uk
Barclays Premier League
Venue: Reebok Stadium Date: Tuesday, 15 December Kick-off: 2000 GMT
Coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio 5 Live, local radio, & highlights on
Wednesday's Match of the Day
TEAM NEWS
Bolton's Gavin McCann is out with what manager Gary Megson describes as a
"quite serious" ankle injury.
But Saturday's two-goal hero Ivan Klasnic is available even though he limped
off with a hip problem.
West Ham will be without Mark Noble, who is serving a one-match suspension
following his red card in Saturday's defeat at Birmingham.
Kieron Dyer, who impressed as a substitute in that game, is close to a first
start in three months.
________________________________________
Bolton
Suspended: None Doubtful: Gardner (virus)
Injured: Davis & O'Brien (both knee), McCann (ankle)
West Ham
Suspended: Noble (one match) Doubtful: Jimenez (groin), Upson (hamstring)
Injured: Behrami, Boa Morte, Cole & Hines (all knee), Davenport (leg)
MATCH PREVIEW
With both sides in the relegation zone, there is no doubting the importance
of this meeting at the Reebok. "You don't get much bigger than Tuesday,"
according to West Ham goalkeeper Robert Green.
These are worrying times for Green and his team-mates who slipped back into
the bottom three after losing 1-0 at Birmingham on Saturday. They haven't
won on their travels since the opening day of the season and they have yet
to win at the Reebok in ten attempts.
Bolton will be boosted by their three-goal showing against Manchester City
at the weekend, but the 3-3 draw emphasised their problems at the back.
Bolton are the only side in the Premier League without a clean sheet this
season.
Gary Megson's side have now gone six games without a win - since beating
Everton 3-2 at the Reebok in October. With matches against Wigan, Burnley
and Hull to come after this one, it really is vital they rediscover the
winning habit soon.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
• These clubs are meeting for the 64th time. Bolton lead the head-to-head by
31 wins to 22, with 10 draws.
• West Ham have yet to win at the Reebok Stadium in ten attempts. They have
lost on their last five visits there, including a 3-1 extra-time defeat in
this season's Carling Cup.
Bolton
• Bolton have picked up two points in their last six games.
• They have won just once at home this season in the Premier League - a 3-2
victory over Everton on 25 October.
• Bolton are the only team in the top flight not to keep a clean sheet this
season.
• Ivan Klasnic has scored three goals in his last three games.
West Ham
• West Ham have not won away since a 2-0 victory at Wolves on the opening
day of the season.
• West Ham were slow starters last season too; they were 17th at Christmas
but ended the season in 9th place.
• Manager Gianfranco Zola has yet to win at the Reebok Stadium as manager or
player.
LEADING GOALSCORERS
Bolton
Klasnic: 4 goals (4 league)
Cahill: 4 goals (3 league)
West Ham
Cole: 7 goals (7 league)
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Andre Mariner
Assistant referees: Gary Stott & Adam Watts
Fourth official: Jon Moss
LAST LEAGUE MATCH LINE-UPS
Bolton (D3-3 v Man City, h): Jaaskelainen, Steinsson, Cahill, Knight,
Robinson, Lee, Muamba (M Davies 80), Cohen, Taylor, K Davies, Klasnic
(Elmander 72). Subs Not Used: Al Habsi, Samuel, Ricketts, Basham, A O'Brien.
West Ham (L0-1 v Birmingham, a): Green, Faubert, Gabbidon, Tomkins, Ilunga
(Nouble 83), Stanislas (Collison 69), Parker, Noble, Kovac (Dyer 68),
Diamanti, Franco. Subs Not Used: Kurucz, Spector, Da Costa, Payne.
MOST RECENT MEETING
Bolton 3-1 West Ham (aet) (22 September 2009)
Bolton scorers: Davies 86, Cahill 96, Elmander 119
West Ham scorer: Ilunga 59
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£50m bid on the table
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 14th December 2009
By: Staff Writer
A source close to David Gold has confirmed that Gold and business partner
David Sullivan have made a £50million bid for a stake in West Ham United FC.
According to the unnamed source, the £50million offer - should it be
accepted - would be split in three ways. Some would go to CB Holdings, some
to service the club's current debt and the remainder to provide Gianfranco
Zola with transfer funds in January. G&S would take around a 50% stake in
the club for their investement. There is no word yet as to how the proposal
has been received, but Gold and Sullivan are thought to be just one of up to
four parties interesting in wrestling control of West Ham United from the
current unpopular owners. The elusive Intermarket, who are already said to
have provided proof of funds to CB Holdings have hit the rocks with their
bid whilst at least two unnamed parties are also said to be closely
monitoring the situation. With talks of possible protests against CB
Holdings and Straumur at the Chelsea game this weekend a deal before
Christmas would perhaps benefit all parties involved. Straumur are likely to
discover tomorrow whether their moratorium has been extended by the
Icelandic courts. We'll bring you more as it happens.
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Cole refutes exit links
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 14th December 2009
By: Staff Writer
Carlton Cole has laughed off reports that he is set to leave West Ham. The
England striker has been linked with a number of clubs in recent weeks as
the January transfer window approaches. But Cole laughed off the rumours,
saying: "It's just paper talk and I haven't heard anything about a move. I
love West Ham. I just want to get back to playing and I can't do anything
while I'm injured."
Cole, talking to the Standard also revealed that he hopes to be back in
action sooner than suggested by some sources. "Hopefully, I will be back
some time in January," he confirmed. "I just need to get back fit and help
the Hammers. "I have to build up the muscles and do some rigorous rehab
work to protect the knee and it is going to be like that for the rest of my
career."
The 26-year-old striker has scored seven goals from his 15 appearances thus
far this season and is well on course to beat his own personal record with
half of the season still remaining. And he attributed his recent success to
United's under pressure manager Gianfranco Zola. "It's natural when things
are going bad that it's all doom and gloom but the manager is the best I
have worked with," he said. "He's put faith in the players and we're trying
to respond. "We're just not getting the rub of the green at the moment -
but we're working very hard."
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No deal, Straumur tell Gold
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 15th December 2009
By: Staff Writer
A report in this morning's papers says that CB Holdings are set to reject
David Gold and David Sullivan's £50million offer for control of West Ham
United.
According to this morning's Times, yesterday's bid by the former owners of
Birmingham City will be turned down due to the major interest in CB
Holdings, Straumur Bank, looking set to be granted a nine-month extension to
their current moratorium. An extension to the current agreement - which
would be the second granted this year - would allow CB Holdings vital
breathing space in their search for someone willing to meet their demands,
considered unrealistic by many. Should the decision go against Straumur an
instant sale would almost certainly be forced - however that appears
unlikely to be the case. Gold and Sullivan are said to have presented two
different proposals to Rothschilds, the bankers appointed by CB Holdings to
liaise with any potential bidders. The first offer was £50million for the
outright purchase of the club, with a second reduced offer for a 50% share
in the club. CB Holdings - who look set to become the target of disenchanted
supporters at this weekend's live TV clash with Chelsea - are thought to
value the club at around £120million. With debts of around £40million to
take into consideration the asking price is around £80million - some 60%
higher than the figure offered by Gold and Sullivan.
Meanwhile one left-field rumour that continues to crop up concerns fomer
chairman Terry Brown who, it is claimed, is involved with one of the other
parties looking to put an end to the Icelandic's disastrous reign. Brown
walked out of West Ham some £70million the richer when he sold his shares to
Eggert Magnusson and Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson in 2006 - just 15 years after he
bought a place on the club's board with a £2million loan.
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Pair launch £50m Hammers bid
Former Birmingham owners launch £50m bid to buy West Ham
By Steve Pass Last updated: 14th December 2009
SSN
Sky Sports News understands that David Gold and David Sullivan have made a
£50 million bid for West Ham. A source close to David Gold has told Sky
Sports News that part of the cash bid will go to the Icelandic owners and
the rest will service the current debt and provide transfer funds in
January. The bid has been submitted to Rothschild and Standard Bank, who
were appointed to find new owners back in October. It is understood the
current management team of Gianfranco Zola and Steve Clarke have the full
backing of Gold and Sullivan. But it is also understood that the pair's bid
is just one of several which appear to be on the table for the club. A
decision is expected to be made in Iceland on Friday on which to accept.
The former Birmingham owners are in the final stages of talks concerning
their bid and the pair are keen to conclude a deal by Christmas to allow
Zola to strengthen his squad. The Hammers currently lie in the Premier
League drop-zone, with just one win from their last 14 top-flight games.
Gold ended a 16-year association with Birmingham after selling up, along
with former Blues co-owner Sullivan, to Hong Kong businessman Carson Yeung.
The pair had been linked with a bid for West Ham and when specifically asked
about the Hammers back in October, Gold told Sky Sports: "I wouldn't dwell
on the problems or previous owners.
"What I would say to you is that travelling to Birmingham City Football Club
and now having left them, it's a three hour journey to get there and a three
hour journey to get back. "So I'd like to change that, now that I'm making a
change in my life. I wouldn't want to go north of Watford to a new club. "Is
West Ham south of Watford? Yes it is, but so is Brighton, Charlton,
Southampton - there's lots. "And it depends - it's also a question who wants
us? I think we are a formidable trio - (former Birmingham managing director)
Karen Brady, David Sullivan and myself - we've got a fantastic history of
what we've achieved."
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Hammers eye Hutton move
Defender linked with Upton Park switch
Last updated: 14th December 2009
SSN
Skysports.com understands West Ham are eyeing a move for Tottenham defender
Alan Hutton. Hutton has been linked with a switch away from White Hart Lane
after failing to hold down a regular place in Harry Redknapp's side. The
Scotland international has seen his time at Tottenham interupted by injuries
and is behind Vedran Corluka in the pecking order. The former Rangers man
has attracted the interest of a host of clubs and he could be tempted by a
move away in search of regular first team football. West Ham are in the
market for a new full-back and Hutton would fit the bill for Gianfranco
Zola's men.
The Hammers have never replaced Lucas Neill at right-back and they could
move for Hutton to try and solve the problematic position. West Ham could
offer some stars in part-exchange in any bid to try and persuade Spurs to do
business for 25-year-old.
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Cole plans Hammers stay
Injured ace ignores move rumours
Last updated: 14th December 2009
SSN
West Ham striker Carlton Cole insists he has no plans to leave Upton Park.
The England international has been linked with a move away from East London
with the likes of Liverpool, Tottenham and Manchester United credited with
an interest in the player. Cole, who is recovering from a knee ligament
problem, says he is happy at West Ham and is focused on returning to full
fitness. "It's just paper talk and I haven't heard anything about a move,"
Cole told the London Evening Standard. "I love West Ham. I just want to get
back to playing and I can't do anything while I'm injured."
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Green - Hammers need points
Keeper calling for positive reaction at Bolton
Last updated: 14th December 2009
SSN
Robert Green admits it is vital that West Ham United embark on a good run of
form, starting at relegation rivals Bolton Wanderers. The Hammers slipped
into the Premier League's bottom three on Saturday as old boy Lee Bowyer's
goal secured Birmingham City a 1-0 win. A trip to Bolton, who are also in
the relegation zone, is next up for West Ham on Tuesday and goalkeeper Green
feels it is time for results to improve. "I'm glad we have got a game at
Bolton so soon," said Green. "Wolves won at Spurs, Bolton got a draw with
Man City. We need to get some points. "We have to go to Bolton, grit our
teeth, and get a positive result. These are important times for us. We have
to start picking up points and go on a good run. "We've had a couple of
defeats in a row and we are now looking to bounce back. Against Birmingham
we showed spirit after going down to 10 men and going a goal down. "But I
thought we missed a clinical finish. It was one of those games - end-to-end
but the quality was not quite there. "It sounds stupid but it was either
going to be decided by an odd goal or it was going to be a draw. When you
are down there, you get kicked."
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Gold & Sullivan Launch Cheapskate Bid
West Ham Till I Die
Sky Sports are reporting that David Gold and David Sullivan have launched a
£50 million bid for West Ham and they hope to conclude a deal by Christmas
with the club's Icelandic owners, Straumur.
The money would in part go to the Icelanders and in part be used to service
the club's debt. Zola and Clarke would remain, but it is likely that the
club's executive management team would be replaced … by one led by Karren
Brady.
They are trying to get the club on the cheap. I suppose you cannot blame
them but I for one do not want them to get their hands on West Ham. They may
be long time supporters but I do not believe they have the financial muscle
need to take the club to the next level.
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David Gold and David Sullivan's £50m bid is rejected
The Times
Oliver Kay, Football Correspondent
The Icelandic owners of West Ham United will reject the £50 million offer
that was made for the club yesterday by David Gold and David Sullivan, the
former owners of Birmingham City. Gold and Sullivan submitted their formal
bid to Rothschild and Standard Bank, which has been appointed to handle any
offers by CB Holdings, the company made up of Straumur, the Icelandic bank,
and other creditors of Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson, West Ham's previous owner.
However, Straumur intends to reject the bid in the belief that it is about
to be given some much-needed breathing space by its own creditors in
Iceland.
The former Birmingham owners are understood to have made two proposals to CB
Holdings — one a full-scale buyout, valued at £50 million, and the other for
a 50 per cent stake in the club, but both will be rejected. CB Holdings
values the club at £120 million and, with debts of approximately £40
million, have indicated an asking price in the region of £80 million. There
remains potential interest from Intermarket Group, a London-based investment
group, and Tony Fernandes, the Malaysian founder of Air Asia, but that has
yet to materialise into a serious offer.
Straumur is understood to have injected £5 million into West Ham last month,
in order to ease some of the financial strain on the club, but it is not in
a position to offer Gianfranco Zola, the manager, funds to strengthen his
struggling squad when the transfer window opens next month. Straumur regards
its immediate position as stable, however, with at least £7 million in
broadcast revenue due to arrive from the Premier League at the start of next
month.
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West Ham's Alessandro Diamanti: Zola The Great will save Hammers from
relegation
Published 23:00 14/12/09 By James Masters
The Mirror
Alessandro Diamanti has backed under-fire West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola to
save the Hammers from the dreaded drop. Zola's men face relegation rivals
Bolton at the Reebok tonight, having won just twice in their past 15 games.
The little Italian is facing a crisis of confidence with several of his top
stars being linked with moves away from Upton Park in the New Year. Scott
Parker, Robert Green and Matthew Upson could all leave east London in
January, heaping yet more woe on the Hammers boss. But midfield star
Diamanti reckons Zola is the right man to lead the club out of trouble and
get their season back on track with victory over Bolton tonight. "I'm really
sorry because we deserve more points and a better position in the table,
especially because we are playing good football," said Diamanti. "At the
moment we are a bit unlucky, every time our opponents have an opportunity
they score. "But I'm confident we will turn around soon because this team
has got quality and potential to do well. "Zola is a great man. It's
surprising how humble he is considering all that he has achieved in his
career. "He gives me a lot of advice. English football is quite different
from Italian football and he is helping me to understand quickly. "It's more
physical and quicker. On the pitch, you don't have so much time to think
what to do and the referees whistle much less than in Italy." Meanwhile,
Zola is set to welcome back captain Matthew Upson following the defender's
recovery from a hamstring injury. But midfielder Mark Noble will miss the
game after receiving a red card during Saturday's defeat at Birmingham with
Jack Collison likely to start in his place.
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David Gold and David Sullivan make £50m bid for West Ham
Former Birmingham City owners David Gold and David Sullivan have tabled a
bid of around £50million for West Ham
Telegraph.co.uk
By Jason Burt
Published: 12:22AM GMT 15 Dec 2009
It is understood that the pair have adapted the bid they were planning to
submit last week — as revealed by Telegraph Sport — so that at least a
portion of the cash now goes to the club's present Icelandic owners, CB
Holdings, in return for a 50 per cent stake with the option of eventually
taking full control.
It is hoped this will now tempt the Icelanders into completing a deal.
However, exactly how much money goes to CB Holdings has not been disclosed.
Straumur, the Icelandic bank who own 70 per cent of CB Holdings, are
insistent that they are in no hurry to sell and are tomorrow expected to be
granted a nine-month extension to a debt moratorium which will relieve the
pressure on them. Privately there is annoyance at how Gold and Sullivan have
conducted their business and, although the make-up of the bid is crucial to
its chances of success, the offer would still appear to fall short of the
valuation placed on West Ham by its current owners.
However the bid, which has been submitted to Rothschild and Standard Bank —
who have been asked to raise investment for West Ham — will be given
consideration. As part of the package, Gold and Sullivan have also pledged
to make funds available to strengthen the club's squad in the January
transfer window although there is some scepticism over their claim. Gold
and Sullivan, who would employ former Birmingham managing director Karren
Brady at West Ham, probably on a part-time basis, have suggested they will
stick with the club's current management team of Gianfranco Zola and Steve
Clarke. At the weekend, Gold claimed he wanted to be back in control of a
football club by Christmas.
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David Sullivan's West Ham bid set to be rejected
Former Birmingham owner bid £40m
Rejection hinges on court hearing
guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 15 December 2009 01.51 GMT
West Ham's Icelandic owners are expected to reject the £40m offer made by
David Sullivan and David Gold, the former Birmingham City co-owners. The
bid was submitted last week to Rothschild, the bank appointed in October to
find new owners, but does not meet the valuation of Straumur, the Icelandic
bank which owns 70% of West Ham through CB Holding. The anticipated
rejection of the offer hinges on Straumur being granted a further debt
moratorium following a hearing at the Reykjavik district court. A verdict is
due today and Straumur expects to be given breathing space from its
creditors until September next year. The Sullivan-Gold offer outlined two
proposals. One is to buy West Ham outright and assume full control and the
other is to purchase a 50% stake that would come with the guarantee of funds
for new players. It is believed that would see them pay about £20m for a 50%
shareholding and the same to service the short-term debt and strengthen the
squad. Both are set to be turned down.
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Former City owners make £50m bid for West Ham
By Soccernet staff
December 15, 2009
ESPN
Former Birmingham City owners David Gold and David Sullivan have made a £50
million bid for struggling Premier League club West Ham United. If
successful in their bid, Gold and Sullivan are set for a quick return to
top-flight football ownership, having just sold high-flying Birmingham City
to Hong Kong businessman Carson Yeung in October. Sky Sports News on Monday
quoted a source close to Gold as saying that part of the cash would go to
the club's Icelandic owners and the rest to service debt and provide funds
for the January transfer market. West Ham were acquired by CB Holding, a
unit of Iceland's bailed-out Straumur-Burdaras bank, in June. That takeover
followed the collapse of the business empire of former owner Bjorgolfur
Gudmundsson, who bought West Ham in 2006 for about £85 million and who had
borrowed heavily from the Icelandic bank. Straumur, a major lender to
Gudmundsson's holding company, was taken over by Iceland's financial
authorities in March. West Ham, managed by Italian Gianfranco Zola, are
currently sitting in the relegation zone having lost 1-0 to Birmingham on
Saturday.
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CHELSEA PLANNING RAID FOR ROBERT GREEN
Daily Express
Tuesday December 15,2009
By Nigel Clarke
CHELSEA are plotting a January swoop for West Ham goalkeeper Robert Green
following a series of below-par performances from Petr Cech. With Cech off
the pace, Chelsea have been alerted to the fact that Green has attracted
firm interest from Sunderland and Aston Villa, who both want to do business
next month, as the Daily Express revealed on Saturday. Cech, the Chelsea
No1, was peerless in the Premier League before his skull fracture three
years ago. Recently his indecision has led to a previously reliable defence
shipping goals and conceding points. Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti has been
reluctant to point the finger at Cech, but Chelsea have conceded 11 of their
13 league goals from set-pieces this season, proof enough that Cech and his
defenders no longer have the kind of understanding that previously made them
such an iron-clad outfit. Cech is getting caught in no-man's land, either
not advancing for balls in the box or coming out and being left stranded,
and Chelsea are running out of patience.
West Ham are almost resigned to losing Green and have alerted staff to
search for cover. Manager Gianfranco Zola feels reserve keepers Marek Stech
and Peter Kurucz lack the experience to go straight into the Premier League.
A deal with Villa could lead to veteran Brad Friedel moving to West Ham
while, at the other end of the age spectrum, Zola's scouts are tracking
Huddersfield's Alex Smithies, 19, who has also interested Stoke. West Ham's
options as far as purchasing players is concerned appeared to have improved
last night with the news that David Gold and David Sullivan have lodged a
firm bid of £50million to buy the club.
If the former Birmingham owners are successful in their bid to take over the
Hammers, then Zola would have funds available in the January transfer
window. In the meantime, Green is preparing for tonight's Premier League
trip to Bolton and believes it is time the Hammers secured a positive
result.
Green said: "This is a game against another team that is down there [at the
bottom of the table]. We've got to be looking at picking up points. We've
got to go there and grit our teeth and get through it. It's a busy,
important time for us and it is still so tight. "If we had won on Saturday,
we would have gone 12th or something crazy like that. That's the way the
league is at this moment in time, but we've got to start picking up points.
You don't get much bigger than Tuesday."
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Bolton Wanderers v West Ham United: match preview
Read a full match preview of the Premier League game between Bolton
Wanderers and West Ham United at Reebok Stadium on Tuesday, December 15
2009, kick-off 20.00 GMT.
Telegraph.co.uk
By John Ley
Published: 6:00AM GMT 15 Dec 2009
Bolton Wanderers v West Ham United
Reebok Stadium
Kick-off: 20.00 GMT
Tale of the game
They have already met this term, with Bolton beating West Ham in the third
round of the Carling Cup in September. West Ham led through Herita Ilunga
but Kevin Davies scored four minutes from the end to take the tie into extra
time and Gary Cahill and Johan Elmander won the tie in the final 30 minutes.
Gary Megson rested Jlloyd Samuel and Andy O'Brien on Saturday and they could
return. Gavin McCann and Ricardo Gardner are out but Ivan Klasnic should
recover from a hip problem.
West Ham have lost their last two games and, at Bolton they have gone seven
games without a win there, while their last victory was a 3-0 win in
November 1995. Zavon Hines, Valn Behrami, Carlton Cole, Calum Davenport and
Luis Boa Morte are out while Matthew Upson remains doubtful. Mark Noble is
banned.
Bolton (probable, 4-4-2): Jaaskelainen; Steinsson, Cahill, A O'Brien,
Samuel; Lee, Muamba, Cohen, Taylor; K Davies, Klasnic.
West Ham (probable, 4-4-2): Green; Faubert, Gabbidon, Tomkins, Ilunga;
Collison, Parker, Kovac, Stanislas; Franco, Diamanti.
Referee: Andre Marriner. Matches: 11. R5 Y47.
Last season: West Ham 1 Bolton 3, Bolton 2 West Ham 1.
Stat of the game: West Ham have lost on their last six visits to the Reebok
Stadium.
Betting tip: Tense and nervous. A 0-0 draw is 10-1.
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