WHUFC.com
The visit of Fulham is occupying the thoughts of Gianfranco Zola especially
with the chance to move up
16.01.2009
Gianfranco Zola is fully focused on Sunday's visit of Fulham and the chance
to move higher up the Barclays Premier League standings.
The manager has plenty of options at his disposal with the 18 that were
involved against Newcastle United last Saturday all fit along with the likes
of Jonathan Spector, Walter Lopez, Kieron Dyer and Freddie Sears after they
came through a valuable midweek reserve run-out. "I love London derbies,"
Zola said. "It is one of those games where you don't need any extra
motivation to play and I'm sure the players are fully committed to this."
Zola was in confident mood amid reports concerning Craig Bellamy, who
remains a contracted West Ham United player. "What I have to focus on is the
game. The club wants to keep the player and I want to keep him and we will
see what he wants to do. It's difficult to keep players who don't want to
stay at the club but we'll see what happens. I am concerned about the game
which is the most important thing."
Indeed, a fifth match unbeaten in all competitions would see the team move
up to at least ninth place and secure the first 'double' of the season after
the 2-1 win at Craven Cottage back in September. "Now we have two league
games to play at home [including Hull City on 28 January] so we can put some
distance between us and the bottom and get a taste of the upper half of the
league. The best thing is that it is in our hands.
"It will be a tough match," Zola added. "They have conceded very few goals
away from home. They are very organised and tight but we are on a good run
and we hope to continue on this way." The manager was particularly delighted
with the effort and commitment shown by his squad in recent weeks, with
everyone playing their part in such fine form.
"I'm very pleased, but the team have never let me down. Even when we were
losing games we were playing quite well. But, in the last few weeks, we have
added the results which is the most pleasing thing for a manager." Fulham
manager Roy Hodgson could say the same of his men of late and Zola is full
of praise for his opposite number. "I have great respect for him and he has
done a good job," he said.
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Fulham match preview
WHUFC.com
All of the early team news and background ahead of Sunday's match at the
Boleyn Ground
16.01.2009
Barclays Premier League
West Ham United v Fulham
Boleyn Ground
Sunday 18 January 2009
1.30pm
Referee: Phil Dowd
Introduction
* West Ham United welcome Roy Hodgson's Fulham for the club's eleventh home
match of the 2008/09 Barclays Premier League season. A win would leave the
club at least ninth after the weekend, with the possibility of moving eighth
with a win and a defeat for Hull City at home to Arsenal on Saturday
evening.
West Ham United
* Gianfranco Zola's men go into Saturday's match looking to extend their
Premier League unbeaten run to four matches.
* The Hammers go into the match having won three and drawn one of their last
four matches in all competitions, beating Portsmouth (4-1), Stoke City (2-1)
and Barnsley (3-0 in the FA Cup third round) and drawing at Newcastle United
(2-2) last Saturday.
* West Ham United manager Gianfranco Zola has a strong squad to choose from.
Only Dean Ashton and Danny Gabbidon are unavailable through injury.
* Zola's side go into this weekend's round of matches tenth in the table
with 26 points from 21 matches. However, the Hammers sit just a points
behind eighth-placed Wigan Athletic.
* Today's Premier League match is West Ham United's ninth to be screened
live on television this season. Previously, the home fixtures with Bolton
Wanderers, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa and the away games at
Manchester City, Sunderland. Liverpool, and Chelsea have all been shown.
* West Ham United face a trip to League One side Hartlepool United in the FA
Cup fourth round next Saturday. It will be the first meeting between the two
sides. The match will also be screened live by ITV, with kick-off at
12.40pm.
* West Ham midfielder Valon Behrami had won more free-kicks (55) than any
other player in the Premier League this season before this weekend's round
of matches.
* In-form frontman Carlton Cole has scored in each of his last four Premier
League and FA Cup matches, taking his tally to eight for the season in all
competitions - the highest single-season number he has reached in his
career.
* Hammers goalkeeper Robert Green turns 29 on Sunday.
* West Ham's biggest ever home win over Fulham came in the shape of a 7-2
First Division defeat of the Cottagers on 3 February 1968, with all three of
the Hammers' World Cup winners getting on the scoresheet. A crowd of 31,248
saw Trevor Brooking (two), Martin Peters, Geoff Hurst (two), Bobby Moore,
Brian Dear.
* The Hammers also secured a 6-1 First Division victory on 5 November 1966.
Geoff Hurst scored four times and Martin Peters added a brace. Fred
Callaghan had given Fulham an early lead. That victory was matched on 1
September 1917, when Danny Shea scored four times and Frank Roberts twice.
* This is the 74th league meeting between the two sides. West Ham United
have won 33, Fulham have won 24 and there have been 16 draws.
Fulham
* Fulham went into this weekend's round of Premier League fixtures ninth in
the Premier League table with 26 points from 19 matches.
* Fulham have not played a Premier League match since drawing 2-2 with
Chelsea at Craven Cottage on 28 December. Last Saturday's home fixture
against Blackburn Rovers was postponed due to a frozen pitch.
* Roy Hodgson's side have the joint-best away defensive record in the
Premier League, having conceded just six goals in nine matches up to this
point. Fulham have kept clean sheets in each of their last four Premier
League away games, drawing 0-0 at Liverpool, Aston Villa, Stoke City and
Tottenham Hotspur.
* The Cottagers have the worst away goalscoring record of any team in the
Premier League. Fulham have scored just two away goals in nine matches,
drawing 1-1 at Portsmouth on 26 October and losing 2-1 at Hull City on 16
August.
* Fulham have not scored away from home in the Premier League for 453
minutes since Clint Dempsey's 87th-minute equaliser at Portsmouth. However,
Hodgson's men did win 2-1 at Sheffield Wednesday in the FA Cup third round
on 3 January.
* Goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer has kept eight clean sheets in 21 Premier League
fixtures this season.
* Fulham's biggest win at the Boleyn Ground came in an FA Cup fifth round
replay on 24 February 2004. Brian McBride, Barry Hayles and current West Ham
United player Luis Boa Morte netted in the final 14 minutes to give the
Whites a 3-0 victory. Fulham have never won a league game at the Boleyn
Ground by more than two clear goals, winning 2-0 on 3 November 2001 through
goals from Sylvain Legwinski and Steed Malbranque.
Referee
* Phil Dowd, who turns 46 on 26 January, has been refereeing since 1984.
Dowd was appointed to the Football League list as an assistant referee in
1992 before becoming a referee in 1997 at the age of 34. This season is
Dowd's eighth of officiating in the Premier League.
* Dowd was the fourth official for the 2006 FA Cup final between West Ham
United and Liverpool.
* Dowd has taken control of 13 Premier League matches this season, including
West Ham United's 3-1 win over Newcastle United and the Hammers' 2-0 home
defeat to Arsenal. He has yet to take control of Fulham this season.
*The official has issued 41 yellow cards and two red cards at an average of
3.31 cards per game.
Last time out
Saturday 10 January 2009
Newcastle United 2-2 West Ham United
West Ham United: Green, Neill, Collins, Upson, Ilunga, Behrami, Parker,
Noble (Mullins, 86), Collison (Boa Morte, 76), Cole, Bellamy (Di Michele,
81)
Subs not used: Stech,Faubert,Tristan,Tomkins
Booked: None
Goals: Bellamy 29, Cole 55
Saturday 3 January 2009
Sheffield Wednesday 1-2 Fulham
Fulham: Schwarzer, Stoor, Hughes, Hangeland, Konchesky, Gray (Davies, 77),
Etuhu, Murphy, Dempsey, Johnson, Zamora (Nevland, 69)
Subs not used: Zuberbuhler, Pantsil, Andreasen, Kallio, Baird
Bookings: None
Goals: Johnson 12, 88
Team news
* Craig Bellamy and Mark Noble have trained this week after coming off at
Newcastle United late in the game with hamstring concerns.
* Kieron Dyer continued his comeback after 16 months out with a broken leg
by playing 75 minutes in West Ham United's goalless Barclays Premier Reserve
League draw at Aston Villa on Tuesday evening.
* Teenage goalkeeper Marek Stech will again be among the substitutes as
former Fulham stopper and Czech Republic compatriot Jan Lastuvka is
sidelined with a minor knee injury. Stech was in superb form for the
reserves, making a series of outstanding saves at Hinckley United's
Marston's Stadium. Lastuvka is set to return to full training on Monday.
*Jonathan Spector, James Tomkins, Freddie Sears and Diego Tristan all
appeared in Tuesday's match and will hope to be involved in Gianfranco
Zola's squad on Sunday.
* Uruguay international Walter Lopez is OK after a minor groin injury in
Tuesday night's reserve fixture.
* Dean Ashton (ankle) and Danny Gabbidon (stomach) continue to make progress
alongside the squad at Chadwell Heath.
* Fulham will be without Senegal striker Diomansy Kamara, who is out of
action with a knee injury.
*South Korea winger Seol Ki-Hyeon is also unavailable after joining Saudi
Arabian club Al-Hilal on a six-month loan in midweek.
Last meeting
*The teams last met at Boleyn Ground on 12 January 2008. Simon Davies gave
Fulham an eighth-minute lead before Dean Ashton and Anton Ferdinand scored
either side of half-time to give West Ham United a 2-1 home victory.
*The lineups were:
West Ham United: Green, Spector, Ferdinand, Upson, McCartney, Ljungberg
(Faubert, 89), Mullins, Noble, Etherington (Bowyer, 83), Ashton, Cole (Boa
Morte, 65)
Subs not used: Wright, Collins
Goals: Ashton 28, Ferdinand 69
Fulham: Niemi, Baird, Stefanovic, Bocanegra (Hughes, 14), Konchesky, Volz
(Bullard, 77), Davis, Murphy, Davies, Healy (Smertin, 78), Dempsey
Subs not used: Warner, Ki-Hyeon
Bookings: Konchesky
Goals: Davies 8
Attendance: 34,947
Old boys
*Luis Boa Morte made 250 appearances for Fulham in all competitions between
July 2000 and January 2007, scoring 54 goals. Boa Morte scored 18 goals as
the Cottagers secured promotion to the Premier League in 2000/01. He was
voted the club's player of the season in 2004/05.
*Goalkeeper Jan Lastuvka made 12 league and cup appearances for Fulham
between August 2006 and May 2007. At the time, the Czech Republic-born
player was on loan from Ukrainian club Shakhtar Donetsk, as he is during his
current spell at West Ham United.
* Four Fulham players could turn out against their former club this
afternoon. Striker Bobby Zamora scored 40 goals in 152 league and cup
appearances for West Ham United between February 2004 and July 2008.
Full-back John Pantsil played 24 matches for the Hammers between August 2006
and July 2008. Left-back Paul Konchesky made 70 appearances for West Ham
between July 2005 and July 2007, scoring one of only two goals for the club
in the 2006 FA Cup final. Finally, midfielder Jimmy Bullard began his
professional career with West Ham in 1999 but failed to make a first team
appearance for the club before joining Peterborough United in May 2001.
* Bobby Moore MBE played for both West Ham United and Fulham during his
glittering career. Moore made 544 appearances for the Hammers before moving
to Craven Cottage for £25,000 in 1974. England's World Cup-winning captain
remained at Fulham for three years, making a further 124 appearances and
facing his former side in the 1975 FA Cup final, which West Ham won 2-0.
* Among the other players who have represented both sides are Ian Pearce,
Rufus Brevett, George Carter, Brian Dear, Tony Gale, Ron Greenwood, Jon
Harley, Fred Harrison, Jack Hebden and George Horler.
Head to head
(last six meetings, league unless stated)
27 September 2008 - Fulham 1-2 West Ham United
23 February 2008 - Fulham 0-1 West Ham United
12 January 2008 - West Ham United 2-1 Fulham
13 January 2007 - West Ham United 3-3 Fulham
23 December 2006 - Fulham 0-0 West Ham United
23 January 2006 - West Ham United 2-1 Fulham
Overall record v Fulham (all competitions) W 35, D 27, L 18
Next up
* West Ham United's next match will see the Hammers head north to face
League One side Hartlepool United in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday,
with kick-off at 12.40pm.
*Fulham will travel to Blue Square Premier outfit Kettering Town in the FA
Cup fourth round on Saturday, with kick-off at 3pm.
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Neill expecting tough test
WHUFC.com
Lucas Neill knows only too well who the West Ham United players will have to
beat on Sunday
16.01.2009
West Ham United captain Lucas Neill believes two talented goalkeepers could
play a starring role when the Hammers entertain Fulham on Sunday.
The Cottagers arrived at the Boleyn Ground having conceded just six goals in
nine Premier League fixtures away from home - the joint-best record in the
top-flight. Central to that run of form has been Fulham and Australia
goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, who Neill has lined up alongside many times for
the Socceroos.
The United skipper has great respect for the 36-year-old, while he holds
West Ham United and England goalkeeper Robert Green in similar high esteem.
Therefore, Australia national team captain Neill believes both could play an
influential role in this weekend's fixture.
"Mark and Robert are very similar goalkeepers. They are both very good
shot-stoppers and very focussed and determined people. Mark is a very shrewd
guy off the field. He's very well-educated and a great family man. He is a
great professional and a leader among a group of leaders. He's very
disciplined, always trains hard and is always very proud of what he's
achieved and what he is trying to achieve both for his club and for his
country. He's just an all-round great guy."
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Youths back in action
WHUFC.com
Tony Carr's young side will resume their league campaign this weekend
against Southampton
16.01.2009
West Ham United's Under-18 side return to action after their Christmas and
New Year break with the visit of Southampton to Little Heath.
Tony Carr's youngsters will be looking to rediscover the form that saw them
win 6-1 in the reverse fixture on the south coast on 1 November. That game
saw Hungarian striker Balint Bajner score a hat-trick, but the Under-19
international will be out of action this time around due to a sprained
ankle.
Academy director Carr will also have to make do without Polish full-back
Filip Modelski, who has suffered a knee ligament injury, and central
defender Tony Brookes, who has a minor ankle problem.
Victory on Saturday could lift the Hammers, who have drawn each of their
last two matches, up two places to seventh in the FA Premier Academy League
Group A table. The Saints are fifth, five points above West Ham.
Kick-off at Little Heath is at 11am. Admission is free.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Bellamy 'wants to join Tottenham'
BBC.co.uk
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp claims striker Craig Bellamy wants to leave
West Ham, despite the Hammers declining bids from Spurs and Manchester City.
"We can confirm that Craig Bellamy has been offered a new contract," said a
West Ham spokesman on Friday. "We can also confirm that he has no permission
to talk to other clubs including Spurs and Manchester City." But Redknapp
said: "Someone has told me he wants to come here and play. If we can do a
deal, good."
City have had three bids for the 29-year-old Wales captain rejected, and
Spurs have also had offers turned down. On Monday, City offered £9m before
making an improved bid two days later, while Tottenham are reported to have
bid £12m as West Ham maintain that Bellamy is not for sale. However, Hammers
manager Gianfranco Zola has admitted it is pointless keeping players if they
do not want to play for the club. "What can I do about it? As far as I am
concerned, I want to keep him - and the club want to keep him. But if a
player wants to go it is difficult," said Zola. "At the moment, he is a West
Ham player and he will stay a West Ham player. However, I do not know if he
will play on Sunday. We will see what happens. "It is difficult to keep
players who are unhappy at the club, but we will see what happens."
West Ham, whose owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson may sell the club, insist they
do not want to offload players and are under no pressure to do so.
Manchester City have also so far failed to prise midfielder Scott Parker
away from Upton Park And the Hammers have reacted angrily to Newcastle's
interest in captain Lucas Neill, saying they have not received any approach
for the player despite Magpies boss Joe Kinnear claiming to have spoken to
Neill's agent.
"We are astonished by reports that a Premier League manager has claimed
contact with one of our contracted players," said the London club. "Talks
over a new contract with Lucas Neill - who remains committed to West Ham
United - are due to be held in due course when appropriate for all parties."
Bellamy played under City manager Mark Hughes and assistant Mark Bowen with
both Wales and Blackburn. And Bowen told BBC Sport on Thursday: "Of course
we're interested in Craig Bellamy, he is a player we very much admire and we
are hopeful we can bring him to Manchester City. "We've known Craig for many
years, and had him at Blackburn Rovers, and we know what he brings to any
team he plays for. "It does make me smile as I think he is one of those
players who you either love or hate. But fans of teams that he has played
for love him and know what he gave for their team."
Redknapp is especially keen to bolster his squad's forward strength during
the transfer window as he only has Darren Bent, Manchester United loanee
Fraizer Campbell and Roman Pavlyuchenko, who is cup-tied in Europe. Bellamy,
a former Liverpool, Blackburn, Newcastle, Coventry and Norwich forward, has
made 54 appearances for his country, scoring 16 goals. Often a controversial
figure, Bellamy has helped lead 10th-placed West Ham back up the Premier
League table in recent weeks after they had initially struggled as Zola
settled in at the club after joining as its new manager in September.
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Shysters and liars
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 16th January 2009
By: Staff Writer
Gianfranco Zola has hit out at Newcastle following reports that Lucas Neill
had been targeted via his agent - whilst accusing Manchester City's Valerie
Bojinov of lying about a conversation the two were said to have had. Zola,
talking this lunchtime slammed the Magpies after it was revealed Neill's
agent has been approached by Newcastle boss Joe Kinnear - sans permission
from the Hammers - with view to a potential lucrative move to the North
East. The Italian boss was angry at what he considered to be underhand
tactics designed to unsettle one of his key players, whilst a spokesman for
the club confirmed that they had registered a complaint with Newcastle over
the incident. "This is something that I would never do," said Zola. "I read
it in the newspaper and don't know whether it's true or not. I have respect
for Joe Kinnear and all the managers and I expect them them to behave the
way I would behave."
And with regard to the future of his captain, Zola said: "I spoke to Lucas
Neill this morning and he's very much committed to the club."
Meanwhile Zola said those that had suggested he held a conversation with
City striker Bojinov with regard to a move to West Ham were 'liars'. "It's a
lie," he said. "I have never spoke to him and I have no interest in him
right now. "I do respect the player, I like the player but I have no
interest in taking him to West Ham."
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Zola on Bellamy
WHUFC.com
Filed: Friday, 16th January 2009
By: Staff Writer
Gianfranco Zola has been talking about the future of Craig Bellamy after the
Welsh striker missed this morning's training session having submitted a
transfer request earlier this morning. Bellamy was the subject of fresh
improved bids from both Tottenham and Manchester City again today but his
request to be transfer listed was denied by United, who continue to insist
that they want him to stay. That stance is probably little more than an
attempt to raise the potential sale figure for Bellamy - who seems certain
to leave the club now - as high as possible, although Zola insists that he
would like the much-travelled forward to stay. "For the moment he's still a
West Ham player - and I hope he's going to stay a West Ham player," Zola
told today's pre-match press conference. "But what is going to happen in the
next few days, I don't know."
When asked if Bellamy would feature in Sunday's home clash with London
neighbours Fulham, Zola added: "I don't know, I haven't named the squad yet.
Obviously it's difficult to keep players if they don't want to stay at the
club, but we will see what happens. For the moment I'm just concerned with
the game, which is the most important thing."
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Whiner's strike
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 17th January 2009
By: Staff Writer
Several sources are reporting today that Craig Bellamy has effectively gone
on strike after refusing to play against Fulham tomorrow. Bellamy, who was
the subject of a bid worth around £10million plus incentives from Tottenham
yesterday [Friday] is said to have stormed out of Chadwell Heath on Friday
morning after he was told that Spurs' bid had been refused, and that he was
therefore denied permission to speak to them with regards to a move. The
Welsh international - who also remains strongly linked with Manchester City
- is reported to have refused Scott Duxbury's offer of a two-year contract
extension before leaving the ground having told Hammers staff that he would
be not be playing in tomorrow's Premier League clash. The circumstances of
Bellamy's looming departure are similar to those of Anton Ferdinand who
joined Sunderland in the summer transfer window. He too was reportedly
offered a new contract before having that offer retracted and being informed
that the club had instead accepted an £8million offer for him. West Ham
have thus far rejected all offers for Bellamy but, crucially, have stopped
short of saying that he is not for sale, leading many supporters to believe
that the 29-year-old's departure is inevitable. A fee in the region of
£15million is thought to be the figure United are holding out for. A gloomy
Gianfranco Zola also appeared resigned to losing Bellamy when he told
reporters: "he is important for us - but I am prepared to deal without him."
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has been accused by certain sections of the
footballing fraternity of tapping up Bellamy, having made a series of
comments about the United striker to the press since the transfer window
opened. But in typical fashion Redknapp - who is set to face the wrath of
travelling Portsmouth fans when Tottenham host his former club at White Hart
Lane today - refused to accept any criticism of his conduct, telling
reporters: "We haven't tapped anyone up. I haven't done anything wrong. If
Craig Bellamy says he wants to go to Tottenham because someone has told him
we've made an offer then that's up to him. "It's not my fault."
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Zola prepared for Bellamy exit
But the Hammers boss insists he is not in for Bojinov
By James Dall Last updated: 16th January 2009
SSN
West Ham United manager Gianfranco Zola is unsure if he will have Manchester
City and Tottenham Hotspur target Craig Bellamy at his disposal against
Fulham on Sunday. City and Spurs have had several offers rejected by the
Hammers, while Sky Sports News understands Bellamy has had a request to
leave Upton Park turned down. Zola is determined to retain the Wales
international's services, but concedes there is little good to come from
keeping a player against his will. The Italian said: "What can I do about
it? As far as I am concerned, I want to keep him - and the club want to keep
him. But if a player wants to go it is difficult. "At the moment, he is a
West Ham player and he will stay a West Ham player. However, I do not know
if he will play on Sunday. We will see what happens. "I don't know what is
going to happen in the next few days. If Bellamy goes then we need to
replace him properly, so we will see."
Zola went on to refute claims from City striker Valeri Bojinov that the
Hammers had made an enquiry for his services. The former Chelsea player
said: "It is a lie. I never spoke to him and I have no interest to have him
at West Ham." Zola also confirmed that he expects Newcastle United target
Lucas Neill to remain at West Ham. "I spoke to Lucas Neill this morning and
he is very much committed to the club. He is happy to stay here," he
concluded.
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Bojinov Talk A Lie
Setanta.co.uk
by Chris Stanton , 16 January 2009
Manchester City forward Valeri Bojinov's declaration of interest from West
Ham is 'a lie' according to Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola. The Bulgarian
claimed earlier this week that Zola had phoned him regarding a possible move
to Upton Park, but the Italian sought to set the record straight regarding
alleged interest in the former Fiorentina star. Zola maintains that, while
he admires Bojinov, he has no interest in acquiring the player who has only
recently returned to training following a serious Achilles injury. "Its a
lie - I never spoke to him and I have no interest in him now," said Zola. "I
do respect the player but I have no interest in bringing him to West Ham and
I think the club is dealing with that."
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Zola hoping for Bellamy rethink
TeamTalk
Gianfranco Zola hopes Craig Bellamy will change his mind and commit to West
Ham, but accepts keeping players who want to leave is pointless. The Hammers
have turned down several bids from both Manchester City and Tottenham for
the 29-year-old Wales striker. But while the east London club do not want
to sell, it seems the former Liverpool, Newcastle and Blackburn forward has
his mind set to leave - with White Hart Lane his most likely destination.
Zola is trying to remain pragmatic about the whole situation as he prepares
for Sunday's Premier League visit of Fulham, with Bellamy one of several
players who opted not to attend today's voluntary training session at
Chadwell Heath. "What can I do about it? As far as I am concerned, I want to
keep him - and the club want to keep him. But if a player wants to go it is
difficult," said the Hammers boss. "At the moment, he is a West Ham player
and he will stay a West Ham player. "However, I do not know if he will play
on Sunday. We will see what happens."
Zola is refusing to let the situation deflect his attention from an
important fixture. "It is a club matter. What I have to focus on is the
game," he said. "We have spent the whole week talking about this and that,
but we need to focus on the match. "It is difficult to keep players who are
unhappy at the club, but we will see what happens."
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Zola Indicates Bellamy's Departure Is Inevitable
West Ham Till I Die
I have just been watching Gianfranco Zola's press conference on Sky Sports
News. He bore the demeanour of a shellshocked man. I can't give you any
direct quotes, but it is quite clear that although he went through the
motions of saying he wants to keep Bellamy, he knows that Bellamy is off. He
said something like: "If a player wants to go, what can you do."
He also said he was very pleased Boa Morte was staying and that he was very
enthusiastic and had played very well each time he had appeared for the
team. Ahem.
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WEST HAM v Fulham: Hammers boss Zola has no fresh injury worries but Bellamy
could miss Fulham clash
By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 5:52 PM on 16th January 2009
Daily Mail
West Ham have no fresh injury worries ahead of the visit of Fulham on
Sunday. Manager Gianfranco Zola, though, could be without wantaway striker
Craig Bellamy, while Luis Boa Morte has also been in talks with Hull.
Midfielder Kieron Dyer, who made his return to action off the bench in the
recent FA Cup tie against Barnsley, could again feature among the
replacements, although he is still some way short of full match fitness.
Striker Dean Ashton (ankle) and defender Danny Gabbidon (groin) are
long-term absentees.
Provisional squad: Green, Neill, Collins, Upson, Ilunga, Behrami, Parker,
Noble, Collison, Cole, Di Michele, Stech, Faubert, Tristan, Tomkins,
Mullins, Dyer, Bellamy, Boa Morte.
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Bellamy on strike: Walk-out coincides with Spurs' £12m move
By Matt Barlow Last updated at 12:06 AM on 17th January 2009
Daily Mail
Craig Bellamy has sparked fury at West Ham by telling the club he wants to
join Tottenham and refusing to play at home to Fulham tomorrow. Bellamy
arrived at the training ground yesterday to inform chief executive Scott
Duxbury of his desire to move across London at about the same time as Spurs
lodged an official bid of £10million, which could rise to £12m. This offer
was rejected and it was made clear to the Wales forward that he does not
have permission to speak to either Tottenham or Manchester City, who have
had a similar bid turned down. Duxbury offered to extend the 29- year-old's
contract by two more years, keeping him at the club until he is 34, although
there was no pay rise on the table. This deal was turned down by the
striker, who cleared his locker and left Chadwell Heath without training,
making it clear he would not play tomorrow. West Ham suspect he has been
tapped up by Spurs, who have already infuriated Portsmouth, Middlesbrough
and Sunderland this month with their moves for Jermain Defoe, Stewart
Downing and Kenwyne Jones. Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola spoke yesterday as
though Bellamy had gone, but West Ham are determined not to sell to their
London rivals after yesterday's episode, which will invite an improved offer
from City. 'You need to have players who are committed to what you're
doing,' said Zola. 'We are sorry a player doesn't want to stay with us any
more. We respect him for what he has done for us but we want to carry on. We
are stronger than this. He is important for us but I am prepared to deal
without him.' Privately, the Hammers feel let down by Bellamy, who signed
from Liverpool for £7.5m in 2007 when his reputation had been tarnished by a
fight with team-mate John Arne Riise. They also supported him through an
injury-plagued first season at Upton Park.
Spurs are thought to have had a meeting arranged with Bellamy for yesterday
afternoon but manager Harry Redknapp defended his club against the
allegations. 'We haven't tapped anyone up,' said Redknapp. 'I don't want to
work like that. I haven't done anything wrong. If Craig Bellamy says he
wants to go to Tottenham because someone has told him we've made an offer -
and so have Man City - then that's up to him. It's not my fault.'
Sunderland boss Ricky Sbragia complained this week that Spurs unsettled
Jones by leaking their interest but Redknapp claimed: 'All that's happened
is that Daniel Levy spoke to Niall Quinn and asked if they'd sell Kenwyne
Jones. 'What's wrong with that? We haven't spoken to an agent or anyone
like that. Why make it public? If they don't want to sell him that's up to
them. That's finished, we all move on. 'It seems a transfer can't be done in
private any more. There's too many people involved. It's scary.' Redknapp
also denied trying to sell players to generate more cash for transfers,
although Inter Milan boss Jose Mourinho has confirmed his interest in
Jermaine Jenas, who is understood to accept he is no longer wanted at White
Hart Lane. Jenas will not face Portsmouth tomorrow, officially because of a
calf strain, but Spurs' attempts to complete the £14m signing of combative
central midfielder Wilson Palacios from Wigan were complicated by
yesterday's late move from Manchester United.
Redknapp faces Portsmouth, aware that some supporters are still angry at his
departure for Spurs in October and his return to sign Defoe. 'What kind of
reception should get and what reception will I get are different things,'
said Redknapp. 'What do I deserve? I had six fantastic years there and
brought the club nothing but success. It was probably the best six years in
their history.' He also urged Tottenham fans not to target Pompey skipper
Sol Campbell, who remains a hate figure at White Hart Lane after leaving the
club for Arsenal in 2001. Earlier this week, police charged 11 Spurs fans
with verbally abusing Campbell when the teams met at Fratton Park in
September. 'They should move on,' said Redknapp. 'Sol was a terrific player
when he was at Spurs. It is football and people move on. Years ago, people
would go back to their old clubs, get a fantastic welcome and not get
abused.'
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Craig Bellamy's West Ham career in doubt after walk-out
Craig Bellamy's West Ham career appears almost over after he walked out of
the club's training ground following a meeting with the chief executive
Scott Duxbury in which he outlined his desire to join Tottenham.
Telegraph
By Jeremy Wilson
Last Updated: 11:47PM GMT 16 Jan 2009
The Wales captain did not stay for an optional training session and also
rejected the offer of a new contract that would keep him at the club until
2013 when he will be 34. Bellamy has been the subject of several offers from
Manchester City during the current transfer window, with Tottenham making a
bid of 10 million (pounds) that could rise to 12 million (pounds).
That offer, however, has been rejected by West Ham, who would value the
forward at more like 15 million (pounds). Bellamy still has 18 months left
on his current contract and the club had thought he was committed to staying
after they showed considerable patience following injury difficulties since
his move from Liverpool in July 2007.
Bellamy, though, held a meeting with Duxbury at the club's training base
yesterday and morning and made it clear that he would like to join Harry
Redknapp at Tottenham. West Ham responded by saying that he does not have
permission to speak to any other club and he appears unlikely to feature in
tomorrow's London derby against Fulham.
While West Ham have remained true to their pledge not to cash in on their
best players during this transfer window, the situation with Bellamy may
force their hand and they can expect further bids from both Tottenham and
Manchester City. West Ham have also turned down offers for Scott Parker from
Manchester City.
Manager Gianfranco Zola also admitted that he had no idea whether Bellamy
would be available. "What can I do about it? As far as I am concerned I want
to keep him and the club want to keep him," he said. "If a player wants to
go it is difficult. At the moment he is a West Ham player and he will stay a
West Ham player. I don't know if he will play on Sunday.
"The club wants to keep the player and I want to keep him. It's difficult to
keep players who are unhappy at the club but we'll see what happens."
Zola, though, admitted that West Ham were already considering replacements.
"If Bellamy goes we will need to replace him and that's why we're looking,"
he said. "I respect Craig and I am disappointed he doesn't want to stay. He
has done very well for me and I hope he stays and if he doesn't then I hope
he does as well for someone else as he did for me.
"You need to have players who are committed to what you're doing. I've been
told he's still our player and I'm confident he'll change his mind. [The]
priority is to keep Bellamy. We have no commitments with anybody so that's
most important.
"He is important for us but I am prepared to deal without him. I was hoping
to have him until the end of the season. I think highly about him but it's
his choice. He knows what he can get here but if he thinks he can't get what
he wants here then that's up to him.
"He's a good player and gives us a lot on the pitch. I have no doubt that he
is an important player as are many of the others. He's an important piece of
a mosaic."
West Ham also released a statement on Thursday denying that they had an
received an approach from Newcastle United for Lucas Neill, their captain.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Craig Bellamy on strike to secure Tottenham switch
Gary Jacob and George Caulkin
The Times
Craig Bellamy was in confrontation with West Ham United last night after he
was refused permission to talk to Tottenham Hotspur. The Wales forward made
a verbal transfer request and said goodbye to staff after a meeting with
Scott Duxbury, the chief executive, yesterday. Bellamy, who did not train
and cleared some items from his locker at the training ground, has refused
to play against Fulham tomorrow.
West Ham have turned down three bids from Tottenham – the latest being an
initial £10 million, rising to £12 million – and say that they have offered
Bellamy a new long-term deal. If forced to let him go, the East London club
would probably prefer to sell him to Manchester City, who have also had
three bids turned down. However, the player does not appear to want to move
his family again and he may also believe that Mark Hughes, whom he is close
to, will not be City manager beyond this season.
West Ham believe that Bellamy, 29, should honour his commitment to play for
the club after they helped him through stomach and groin injuries last
season. West Ham have serious concerns about Tottenham's pursuit of Bellamy
after a media report said that the player had met a representative of Spurs
on Thursday night.
Harry Redknapp, the Tottenham manager, denied tapping up any players, but
his club have been criticised by Middlesbrough, for their pursuit of Stewart
Downing, and by Sunderland, for their interest in Kenwyne Jones. If proved,
it could embarrass Tottenham, who complained about how Liverpool and
Manchester United tried to sign Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov
respectively in the summer.
"We haven't tapped anyone up," Redknapp said. "Daniel Levy [the Tottenham
chairman] spoke to Niall Quinn [his Sunderland counterpart] and asked if
they'd sell Kenwyne Jones. We haven't spoken to an agent.
"Am I getting upset because José Mourinho [the Inter Milan coach] says he
wants Jermaine Jenas? The chairman has made an offer [for Bellamy]. Someone
has told me he wants to come here and play."
Gianfranco Zola, the West Ham manager, said: "If a player wants to go, it is
difficult. If Bellamy goes, we need to replace him properly."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Redknapp & Bellamy: Made for Each Other
West Ham Till I Die
Back on June 7 2007 I wrote THIS…
Today's Times is predicting that Yossi Benayoun will be used as bait in a
deal with Liverpool to get Craig Bellamy. Not sure I approve of that.
Bellamy has been a troublemaker at every club he has been to - Norwich,
Coventry, Newcastle, Blackburn and Liverpool are just the ones I can
remember. Not sure how would be conducive to a good team spirit…
A week later I WROTE…
It seems we will now haggle over a swap deal involving Craig Bellamy. As I
have said before, I am not a fan. Sure, on his day he can be a brilliant
player, but he is too inconsistent and has been disruptive at every club he
has been at.
And THIS is what Alan Shearer had to say about him.
Today's TELEGRAPH and MAIL and TIMES all have the rundown on the events of
yesterday, which, it seems have resulted in Bellamy going on strike. What a
little ****. West Ham have stood by him through all his injury problems.
Lest we forget (and he clearly has) since he signed eighteen months ago, he
has made a mere 22 league appearances, scoring 9 goals. A good ratio, but a
terrible appearance record.
Loyalty is a word which doesn't seem to exist in football much nowadays.
Harry Redknapp and Craig Bellamy are made for each other.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
No more Freddie Ljungbergs
They once typified the excesses of modern football, but West Ham are now a
much leaner operation – as their dealings in the January transfer window
have shown.
By Jason Burt
Saturday, 17 January 2009
After nine years at Arsenal, Freddie Ljungberg signed for West Ham for £1.5m
in July 2007 on a four year contract, in the middle of the former chairman
Eggert Magnusson's spending spree
Independent.co.uk Web
There is a document at West Ham United called the Football Project. It
could, alternatively, be entitled the Freddie Ljungberg Legacy as it was
drawn up with the fallout from the midfielder's ill-fated, hugely expensive
move from Arsenal to Upton Park in mind. Its author is the club's chief
executive, Scott Duxbury, and it is the template by which West Ham have
rebuilt themselves, overhauling everything from their scouting network,
medical facilities – to reduce a crippling injury list – coaching and the
way they buy and sell players.
In Duxbury's words, it was an end to the "haphazard way of spending money"
and the start of a model of working that would lead to the club being
self-sufficient, not reliant on a wealthy benefactor and certainly not – as
had been predicted following the Carlos Tevez saga, the financial travails
of its owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson and the fallout from the departure of
manager Alan Curbishley – in the business of conducting a fire sale in the
January transfer window. If anything, the window is a relief for West Ham as
it means they can provide concrete evidence that they are not in crisis.
Clubs have been circling, with bids and inquiries received for Craig
Bellamy, Scott Parker, Matthew Upson, Valon Behrami and others. Duxbury
insists that the only players that will be allowed to go are those on a list
agreed by the manager Gianfranco Zola and the technical director Gianluca
Nani, such as Matthew Etherington (who has joined Stoke) and Calum Davenport
(whose move to Bolton fell through but is likely to move anyway).
Having said which, Duxbury says they are not afraid to sell. Everyone has a
price and Tottenham Hotspur are closing in on the £15m valuation for
Bellamy. But he expects Parker and Upson to stay and insists there there is
now a crucial difference. West Ham will now sell only when they are ready
and point to the record of Manchester United. They are one of the best
selling clubs in the world. David Beckham is moved on, but only when they
have Cristiano Ronaldo – younger, cheaper, better – to slot in. They sell on
their terms and that is West Ham's goal and one of the goals of the Football
Project.
The first step was the recruitment of Nani from the Italian club Brescia.
Duxbury interviewed Leonardo, Milan's technical director, and Franco
Baldini, with the latter declining the role because he was due to become
England's general manager following Fabio Capello's appointment. But Baldini
recommended Nani. With the Italian on board, West Ham then implemented a
plan to reduce their first-team squad to a "core" of 20 players plus
goalkeepers, with the reserve team a place for young, up-and-coming talents,
rather than older players returning to fitness. The average age of the
reserves would be 18 and they would play the same style of football as the
first team so they could slot straight in when needed.
To do this required an improved network of scouts and, certainly, a better
medical department. Injuries had to be prevented. So West Ham again raided
Serie A – this time taking Marco Cesarini and Giorgio Gasparini from Milan's
medical lab. The latter is famed for working with Filippo Inzaghi, who
overcame serious knee problems and is still playing at the age of 38. It is
no coincidence that West Ham's injury record is now vastly improved.
This was all done with Curbishley as manager but when he walked out,
claiming he had been undermined over transfers, it did give West Ham the
opportunity to recruit a different style of manager. A coach. Duxbury came
close to appointing Roberto Donadoni but then, in Rome, met Zola. He read
through the Football Project and found it chimed with his own ambition.
"He's got an incredible reputation as a winner and he wouldn't do anything
to risk that so he agreed to join on the basis of the Football Project,"
Duxbury said.
"He believed it was the way to achieve success and it's what excites him.
What's lost in football is that people think the only way to be successful
is to buy great players, but why can't you coach them into great players?
Take Freddie Sears and let Zola work with and teach him how to be a striker.
If you buy Kaka you defeat the object, you buy success. We want to create
it."
To that end, Zola also made clear he didn't want a big squad. The final part
of the personnel was the recruitment of Steve Clarke from Chelsea to give
Zola support, especially with defensive coaching, and to bring his knowledge
of working with Jose Mourinho and add experience. It is why West Ham paid
substantial compensation for the Scot.
Duxbury, Nani, Zola and – sometimes – Clarke meet on a daily basis away from
Chadwell Heath, West Ham's training ground, to discuss and appraise the
squad, what the aims and targets should be. At the training ground, there is
no talk of contracts, money, business, just coaching, tactics, fitness. The
players know not to ask Zola about contracts and the manager doesn't deal
with agents. That business is taken care of by Nani and Duxbury.
West Ham believe their project is working. Performances are better, results
improving. "This isn't new," Duxbury said. "What's new is putting together
all the different parts with a clear structure – scouting, medical,
business, coaching – so that they are separate but work together.
"The club has a bad history of being seen as a selling club. We don't have
to sell but we shouldn't be afraid to sell. But only on our terms. You
constantly re-evaluate the squad. So if a bid comes in we appraise it: how
old is the player, what's his worth, what's his worth to the team, and have
we identified a better player in his position? If the answer is yes, then we
do it. If no, then we don't. But the final decision rests with the manager."
West Ham may be sold. Gudmundsson is looking for a buyer but he maintains
that, despite his financial problems, he doesn't need to sell. And the
presentations that are being made, to potential owners, are on the basis of
the Football Project continuing.
Case study 1 How not to do it:
After nine years at Arsenal, Freddie Ljungberg signed for West Ham for £1.5m
in July 2007 on a four-year contract, in the middle of the former chairman
Eggert Magnusson's spending spree. He earned an astonishing £85,000 a week,
a significant increase in his Arsenal wages despite being 30 when he was
signed. There was also surprise that West Ham paid a fee when it was
believed he could leave for free. Ljungberg struggled and made just 25
appearances for West Ham, plagued by injuries and poor form, and was
eventually paid off, receiving 50 per cent of the remainder of his contract,
which amounted to around £3m. He has since signed for the MLS team Seattle
Sounders.
Case study 2 How to do it
The 27-year-old left-back George McCartney had probably his best ever season
in the last campaign, playing all 38 Premier League games following his
arrival from Sunderland in exchange for Clive Clarke plus £600,000 in the
summer of 2006. But he made it clear he wanted to return to Sunderland last
August and was eventually sold for £6m. West Ham signed the little-known
Congolese defender Herita Ilunga from Toulouse on loan as his replacement.
The club were fiercely criticised for the sale of McCartney and arrival of
Ilunga. A year younger than McCartney, Ilunga has been a major success and
is set to sign a deal, with West Ham taking up an option to buy him for
£1.5m in the summer.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Angry Bellamy determined to leave West Ham
Striker demands Spurs move and is likely to have played last game for club
By Jason Burt
Saturday, 17 January 2009
Independent.co.uk Web
In a stormy meeting yesterday Craig Bellamy demanded that West Ham United
sell him to Tottenham Hotspur and did not train ahead of tomorrow's Premier
League match against Fulham.
Bellamy is in the squad for the game at Upton Park but is unlikely to
feature and has surely played his last game for the club.
West Ham insist that Bellamy is not for sale but also add that if Spurs meet
their valuation – £15m in cash, rather than a cash plus add-on deal based on
goals and appearances – they will consider it and put the offer to manager
Gianfranco Zola. It appears likely that a deal may now be struck on Monday,
if Spurs meet the asking price.
Bellamy flatly refused West Ham's offer on Thursday afternoon to discuss a
new contract and then told chief executive Scott Duxbury yesterday that he
wanted to leave.
Duxbury had earlier rejected two more offers for Bellamy – with Spurs
bidding £10m plus £2m in add-ons and Manchester City, who are now regarded
as out of the running, tabling £9.8m for the Welsh international. Duxbury
reiterated to both clubs that West Ham did not want to sell.
West Ham are adamant that Bellamy, who made his decision to leave after
apparently holding talks, without permission, on Thursday evening, can only
go if their asking price is met. The 29-year-old is understood to be furious
at their hard-line stance having made it clear he wants to move to White
Hart Lane but, so far, has not submitted a formal transfer request.
West Ham have rejected two previous offers from Spurs for Bellamy – a £6m
offer on Christmas Eve and a straight swap deal for Darren Bent on Tuesday
evening.
They have also declined three previous offers from City – a £15m offer,
which would also have included Scott Parker, a bid of £8.5m plus £1m in
add-ons and a £9.5m offer that was made on Wednesday. But Spurs manager
Harry Redknapp, shocked by his team's defeat away to Wigan Athletic last
Sunday, has convinced chairman Daniel Levy that Bellamy is the kind of
player who can save the club from the threat of relegation and is likely to
offer even more money.
Importantly, Spurs are believed to be prepared to smash their wage structure
to land Bellamy who is understood to currently earn around £70,000-a-week at
West Ham, more than any Tottenham player.
After his meeting yesterday, Bellamy asked for permission to be excused from
training because he was not in a fit state of mind, and this was granted by
Zola who is keen to keep the striker, but only if he has a change of heart
and wants to stay.
Bellamy, the former Liverpool, Blackburn Rovers, Newcastle United, Coventry
City and Norwich City striker, arrived at West Ham for £7.5m in 2007 and is
regarded as a key player at the club.
Yesterday, Zola said: "What can I do about it? As far as I am concerned I
want to keep him – and the club want to keep him. But if a player wants to
go, it's difficult. At the moment he is a West Ham player and he will stay a
West Ham player. However, I do not know if he will play on Sunday. We will
see what happens."
Meanwhile, Redknapp said of Bellamy: "Someone has told me that he wants to
come here and play. If we can do a deal, good."
If Bellamy is sold, West Ham will re-invest the funds to find a replacement
and are understood to have a list of potential targets in addition to,
according to sources in Italy, taking 23-year-old striker Pablo Daniel
Osvaldo on loan from Fiorentina.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Bellamy storms out after Hammers reject Tottenham's £12m offer
Reports say striker has refused to play this weekend
West Ham complain about Spurs' transfer tactics
Jamie Jackson and Paul Doyle guardian.co.uk, Saturday 17 January 2009 00.48
GMT
Craig Bellamy is unlikely to play for West Ham United against Fulham
tomorrow after a "breakdown in the relationship" between the striker and his
club which resulted in him turning down a contract extension and angrily
walking out before training yesterday, an executive at Upton Park has
revealed.
Reports last night said that Bellamy was refusing to play tomorrow and had
cleared items from his locker at the training ground after a meeting with
Scott Duxbury, the West Ham chief executive, at which the Wales captain was
informed of a bid made for him by Spurs and was also offered the contract
extension.
The 29-year-old was dismayed to hear that the offer from Spurs had been
turned down. And, having rejected the fresh contract, Bellamy's mood was
deepened when he was then refused permission to speak with the north London
club. He left without training, although that is optional two days before a
match.
"The club made it clear that to the manager, Gianfranco Zola, and board he
remains a West Ham player," the executive said. "It is clear, at the moment
anyway, that there is a breakdown in the relationship. That might change, of
course." Would Bellamy play against Fulham? "It's unlikely," he added.
"Ultimately that's an issue for the manager but if his head's not right, if
it's all over the place, then the view from the training ground is likely to
be that he won't be in the team."
Bellamy is said to have taken the matter out of Zola's hands by effectively
going on strike in the hope of forcing through a move to Spurs. Despite
Manchester City making at least three bids, Bellamy favours White Hart Lane
because he believes there will be a guarantee of first-team football at
Spurs whose latest offer is thought to have been around £12m. Zola appears
increasingly resigned to losing Bellamy, who may well have played his last
game for West Ham. "I want to keep him and the club want to keep him," he
said. "But if a player wants to go it is difficult."
The Spurs manager, Harry Redknapp, has certainly not given up hope of
getting Bellamy. "I hear Bellamy has said he wants to come to Tottenham
rather than City so we'll see how that develops," he said. West Ham
officials have privately complained that Tottenham's interest has unsettled
Bellamy. That follows similar complaints from Sunderland and Middlesbrough,
who grumbled about Spurs' transfer tactics, rejecting bids for Kenwyne Jones
and Stewart Downing respectively.
"We've done nothing wrong," said Redknapp. "Our chairman rang up their
clubs' chairmen and asked if we could buy those players. They said 'No' and
that's that. We did it all in private, it's not our fault it got into the
public. But that's the way of the world now, everyone's got people they talk
to and things always seem to get out."
Jose Mourinho, the Internazionale manager, has made known his interest in
Jermaine Jenas but Redknapp said he would not sanction the midfielder's
sale: "He [Mourinho] never said that to me but if he did I'd tell him Jenas
is not for sale."
Redknapp hopes to strengthen his midfield by signing Wilson Palacios from
Wigan. Steve Bruce, the Wigan manager, said the clubs had "virtually agreed
a fee", understood to be about £13m, and that it only remained for a payment
structure to be settled. However, there are suggestions that Manchester
United or their neighbours City will try to hijack the deal.
Tomorrow Spurs host Portsmouth and Redknapp pre-empted the jeers he is
likely to get from Pompey fans angry at his defection from Fratton Park to
Spurs: "I think most Portsmouth fans know I did a great job there, but
you'll always get a few loons who want to shout abuse."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Saturday, 17 January 2009
Division Bell
Just Like My Dreams
Her love rains down on me easy as the breeze
I listen to her breathing it sounds like the waves on the sea
I was thinking all about her, burning with rage and desire
We were spinning into darkness; the earth was on fire
Take It Back
Craig Bellamy is unlikely to play for West Ham United against Fulham
tomorrow after a "breakdown in the relationship" between the striker and the
club which resulted in him turning down a contract extension and angrily
walking out before training yesterday, an executive at Upton Park revealed
to the Guardian. Reports last night said that Bellamy was refusing to play
tomorrow and had cleared items from his locker at the training ground after
a stormy meeting with Scott Duxbury, the West Ham chief executive, at which
the Wales captain was informed of a bid made for him by Spurs and was also
offered the contract extension that would keep him at the club until 2013
when he will be 34. Bellamy had already flatly refused West Ham's offer on
Thursday afternoon to discuss a new contract, and then told Duxbury
yesterday that he wanted to leave.
The 29-year-old was dismayed to hear that the offer from Spurs had been
turned down. And, having rejected the fresh contract, Bellamy's mood was
deepened when he was then refused permission to speak with the north London
club. He left without training, although that is optional two days before a
match. The Independent reiterates that after his meeting yesterday, Bellamy
did ask for permission to be excused from training because he was not in a
fit state of mind, and this was granted by Zola who is keen to keep the
striker, but only if he has a change of heart and wants to stay. "The club
made it clear that to the manager, Gianfranco Zola, and board he remains a
West Ham player," the executive told The Guardian. "It is clear, at the
moment anyway, that there is a breakdown in the relationship. That might
change, of course." Would Bellamy play against Fulham? "It's unlikely," he
added. "Ultimately that's an issue for the manager but if his head's not
right, if it's all over the place, then the view from the training ground is
likely to be that he won't be in the team." Bellamy remains, for the minute
at least, part of the squad for the game.
According to the Independent West Ham are still insisting that Bellamy is
not for sale but also add that if Spurs meet their valuation – £15million in
cash, rather than a cash plus add-on deal based on goals and appearances –
they will consider it and put the offer to manager Gianfranco Zola. Bellamy
still has 18 months left on his current contract and the club had thought he
was committed to staying after they showed considerable patience following
injury difficulties since his move from Liverpool in July 2007. However, it
appears likely that a deal may now be struck on Monday, if Spurs meet the
asking price.
Duxbury had earlier rejected two more offers for Bellamy – with Spurs
bidding £10m plus £2m in add-ons and Manchester City, who are now regarded
as out of the running, tabling £9.8m for the Welsh international. Duxbury
emphasised to both clubs that West Ham did not want to sell. United are
adamant that Bellamy, who made his decision to leave after apparently
holding talks, without permission, on Thursday evening, can only go if their
asking price is met. The Wales striker is understood to be furious at the
hard-line stance having made it clear he wants to move to White Hart Lane
but, so far, has not submitted a formal transfer request. West Ham have
rejected two previous offers from Spurs for Bellamy – a £6m offer on
Christmas Eve and a straight swap deal for Darren Bent on Tuesday evening.
They have also declined three previous offers from Manchester City – a £15m
offer, which would also have included Scott Parker, a bid of £8.5m plus £1m
in add-ons and a £9.5m offer that was made on Wednesday. But Spurs manager
Harry Redknapp, shocked by his team's defeat away to Wigan Athletic last
Sunday, has convinced chairman Daniel Levy that Bellamy is the kind of
player who can save the club from the threat of relegation and is likely to
offer even more money. Importantly, Spurs are believed to be prepared to
smash their wage structure to land Bellamy who is understood to currently
earn around £70,000-a-week at West Ham, more than any Tottenham player.
Bellamy, the former Liverpool, Blackburn Rovers, Newcastle United, Coventry
City and Norwich City striker, arrived at West Ham for £7.5m in 2007 and is
regarded as a key player at the club.
Yesterday, Zola said: "What can I do about it? As far as I am concerned I
want to keep him – and the club want to keep him. But if a player wants to
go, it's difficult. At the moment he is a West Ham player and he will stay a
West Ham player. However, I do not know if he will play on Sunday. We will
see what happens."
Zola, though, admitted that West Ham were already considering replacements.
"If Bellamy goes we will need to replace him and that's why we're looking,"
he said. "I respect Craig and I am disappointed he doesn't want to stay. He
has done very well for me and I hope he stays and if he doesn't then I hope
he does as well for someone else as he did for me. You need to have players
who are committed to what you're doing. I've been told he's still our player
and I'm confident he'll change his mind. [The] priority is to keep Bellamy.
We have no commitments with anybody so that's most important. He is
important for us but I am prepared to deal without him. I was hoping to have
him until the end of the season. I think highly about him but it's his
choice. He knows what he can get here but if he thinks he can't get what he
wants here then that's up to him. He's a good player and gives us a lot on
the pitch. I have no doubt that he is an important player as are many of the
others. He's an important piece of a mosaic." If Bellamy is sold, West Ham
will re-invest the funds to find a replacement and are understood to have a
list of potential targets in addition to, according to sources in Italy,
taking 23-year-old striker Pablo Daniel Osvaldo on loan from Fiorentina.
Bellamy has played his last game for West Ham insists Pat Sheehan. Writing
in The Sun, he states the striker drove away from the Hammers' Essex
training ground yesterday having snubbed the new deal offered by Duxbury. He
now aims to sign for London rivals Spurs — who have upped their offer to
£10million plus another £2m in add-ons- and a deal will be forced through
this week. Furious Hammers believe Tottenham have already tapped up Bellamy
and they are waiting for Manchester City to top their bid. In the meantime,
Bellamy is said to have taken the matter out of United's hands by
effectively going on strike in the hope of forcing through a move. Despite
Manchester City making at least three bids, Bellamy favours White Hart Lane
because he believes there will be a guarantee of first-team football at
Spurs whose latest offer is thought to have been around £12m. Also, the
player does not appear to want to move his family again and he may also
believe that Mark Hughes, whom he is close to, will not be City manager
beyond this season.
West Ham officials have privately complained that Tottenham's interest has
unsettled Bellamy after a media report said that the player had met a
representative of Spurs on Thursday night. That follows similar complaints
from Sunderland and Middlesbrough, who grumbled about Spurs' transfer
tactics, rejecting bids for Kenwyne Jones and Stewart Downing respectively.
If proved, it could embarrass Tottenham, who complained about how Liverpool
and Manchester United tried to sign Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov
respectively in the summer.
"We haven't tapped anyone up," Redknapp said. "'I don't want to work like
that. I haven't done anything wrong. If Craig Bellamy says he wants to go to
Tottenham because someone has told him we've made an offer - and so have Man
City - then that's up to him. It's not my fault. Daniel Levy [the Tottenham
chairman] spoke to Niall Quinn [his Sunderland counterpart] and asked if
they'd sell Kenwyne Jones. We haven't spoken to an agent. Am I getting upset
because José Mourinho [the Inter Milan coach] says he wants Jermaine Jenas?
The chairman has made an offer [for Bellamy]. Someone has told me he wants
to come here and play rather than City so we'll see how that develops. We
did it all in private, it's not our fault it got into the public. But that's
the way of the world now, everyone's got people they talk to and things
always seem to get out."
Posted by Trilby at 01:44
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