Daily WHUFC News - II 3rd March 2009

On This Day: 3 March
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's European Cup Winners' Cup quarter-final at FC Den Haag
features today
03.03.2009

FC Den Haag 4-2 West Ham United
European Cup Winners' Cup quarter-final, first-leg
3 March 1976

West Ham United may have lost 4-2 in their European Cup Winners' Cup
quarter-final to Dutch side FC Den Haag, but the result was still good
enough to pave the Hammers' way into the semi-finals.

After 42 minutes of this match at the Den Haag Stadium, West Ham were four
goals down and looked to be on their way out of the competition they had won
so gloriously at Wembley in 1965. With manager John Lyall laid low with the
flu, Dutch international Aad Mansveld had scored a hat-trick - including two
disputed penalties for handball against Kevin Lock and Mick McGiven - and
Lex Schoenmaker had added a fourth goal to leave Ron Greenwood's side in
tatters.

After half-time and a Greenwood team talk, however, West Ham were a
different side. Billy Jennings netted two goals, after 50 and 58 minutes,
from Graham Paddon crosses to drag the Hammers back into the tie.

In the second leg, two weeks later, Alan Taylor, Frank Lampard and Billy
Bonds put West Ham 3-0 up on the night and 5-4 up on aggregate before
Shoenmaker levelled the scores. However, the English side held on to win
through to a last-four date with Germans Eintracht Frankfurt on away goals.

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Jeffery heads for Eastbourne
WHUFC.com
West Ham United striker Jack Jeffery has joined Blue Square Premier side
Eastbourne Borough on loan
03.03.2009

West Ham United teenager Jack Jeffery is hoping to make a goal-scoring debut
after signing for Blue Square Premier side Eastbourne Borough on loan until
the end of the season. The 19-year-old frontman is in-line to make his bow
for the Sports in their home fixture against promotion-chasing Oxford United
at Priory Lane after the Gravesend-born player's registration was completed
on Tuesday in time for this evening's fixture. The powerfully-built forward
has previously enjoyed loan spells at Blue Square Premier outfit Cambridge
United, Blue Square South side Hampton and Richmond Borough and, last
season, League One club Leyton Orient. Jeffery, a regular in West Ham's
reserve team this season, is excited about the prospect of playing
first-team football again. "It should be good. I have played in the Blue
Square Premier before with Cambridge so I know what to expect. It'll be good
to get some regular first-team football and I'm looking forward to it. "I am
hoping to get my fitness and get some first-team games under my belt. I want
to show people what I'm about and get my face out there and recognised.
Being a striker, I obviously want to go there and score as many goals as I
can. We've got Oxford at home in my first game and it would be nice to notch
on my debut."
Eastbourne go into Tuesday's match 13th in the Blue Square Premier table, 13
points outside the play-off places with 14 matches remaining. Garry Wilson's
side went down to a 2-0 league defeat at Kidderminster Harriers in their
most recent outing. Jeffery, whose move means a total of eight West Ham
players are now out on loan, pointed out the benefits of playing regular
football in front of sizeable crowds and against teams full of experienced
professionals and semi-professionals. "People would be surprised by the
standard of the football in the Blue Square. I don't think people appreciate
how good it is. There is plenty of football played down there. I would say
the only difference between that and playing reserve football for West Ham
is that it is quicker, more physical and that you are playing against teams
full of men rather than ones with a lot of young players in them. It's
probably a bit more demanding."

Jeffery will wear the squad number 38 during his time on the south coast.

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No Payne, no gain
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 3rd March 2009
By: Staff Writer

Josh Payne has expressed his delight at being involved in the first team
squad for the first time. The young midfielder had expected to be lining up
at the side of the pitch to act as 'ball boy' for West Ham United 1-0 win
over Manchester City but due to a fixture clash with the junior Academy team
- who usually provide the ball boys -and the current lack of strength in
depth to Gianfranco Zola's first team squad, Payne was an unused sub for the
first time. "I got told I was going to be ball-boy on Friday and then ended
up training with the first team at Upton Park on Saturday," he told the
club's website. "Then I got told on Sunday morning that I was on the bench.
I was over the moon. To go from youth team to reserves to the first team is
great. I had no idea. "I can't really explain what it was like to be out
there with the crowd," added the 18-year-old. "I was nervous but then I get
nervous before a youth team game. It was a fantastic experience."
Basingstoke-born Payne has been a regular for the reserves and youth team
this season, whilst he spent three months on loan at Cheltenham between
September and December last year where he made thirteen appearances. Talking
about his future first team ambitions, he mused: "I just need to stay on my
toes and be ready. Hopefully I can get in the first team but we'll see what
happens as I don't want to say too much now. I'll get a few more games under
my belt for the reserves and then we'll see."

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Nani keeping busy
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 2nd March 2009
By: Staff Writer

West Ham have been linked with two young rising Italian-based stars. Ayub
Daud and Andrea Mei are the latest Italian-based youngsters to be linked
with a move to London. The pair, who currently play for Juventus and Milan
respectively in Italy have been interesting United according to Daud's agent
Ulisse Savini. Savini claimed that Gianluca Nani has been in touch with him
regarding the pair's availability; talking in Italy yesterday about the duo
he said: "At the moment, there are three club with Daud on their list of
targets - Wolsburg, Villarreal and West Ham. Daud is a Juventus player, but
he does not have any contract with Juve so the player could leave the club
at the end of the season. "In the next few days I will be talking with
Juventus about the player, it is for sure that Daud will sign for a big club
- but which one I can't say. "The situation is this - I am linked with [West
Ham's] sporting director Nani, they have told they are interested in Daud
and in Inter defender Andrea Mei. But it is normal that they would be
looking at young stars like this, no matter where they are from."

Since joining the Hammers last year Nani has been involved in the capture of
Valon Behrami, David Di Michele and Savio Nsereko - all players based in
Italy before moving to London.

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I'd rather Jack
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 3rd March 2009
By: Staff Writer

Young Hammers striker Jack Jeffrey has joined non-league outfit Eastbourne
Borough on loan for the rest of the season. 19-year-old Jeffrey joined
Borough yesterday in time to play in last night's Blue Square Premier League
fixture against Oxford United. Gravesend born Jeffrey has been at West Ham
since 2004 and has previously spent t ime on loan with Hampton & Richmond,
Cambridge United and Leyton Orient. Jeffrey, who has featured regularly for
Alex Dyer's reserve side this season has been handed the number 38 shirt at
Eastbourne.

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Shame you're not called Arshavin ...
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 3rd March 2009
By: Staff Writer

Jimmy Walker looks set to return to West Ham after the FA decided that
papers agreeing to extend his loan at Colchester until the end of the season
were not received in time. The 35-year-old goalkeeper, whose three-month
loan spell officially ends today will return to East London after the FA
told Colchester United that the paperwork submitted in order to secure
Walker on loan for the remainder of the season was not received ahead of the
2nd February 5pm transfer window deadline - despite the U's belief that it
had been. Walker - who is set to make his 16th and final appearance for the
Essex-based League one side against Huddersfield tonight - joined the U's at
the end of November, and has been a virtual ever-present since. The
Mansfield fan was signed by Alan Pardew from Walsall on a free transfer in
the summer of 2004 as back-up for Stephen Bywater. His last appearance for
the Hammers was the 2-1 home defeat against Liverpool in April 2006. As a
result of the FA's decision Colchester have been forced to recall Dean
Gherkin from his loan spell at Darlington, whilst Walker faces the next six
months - at least - out of football as he is surplus to requirements at the
Boleyn.

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Wigan v WEST HAM: Injured Behrami sits it out for Hammers
Daily Mail
Last updated at 11:43 AM on 03rd March 2009

West Ham will be without midfielder Valon Behrami for Wednesday's Barclays
Premier League trip to Wigan. Behrami was carried off the pitch on oxygen
after badly twisting his knee in Sunday's win over Manchester City. His
absence offers an easy route back into the side for Mark Noble who missed
that match through suspension, but James Collins (hamstring), Luis Boa Morte
(groin), Kieron Dyer (calf), Danny Gabbidon (stomach/back) and Dean Ashton
(ankle) remain sidelined.

Team (from): Green, Neill, Tomkins, Upson, Ilunga, Noble, Parker, Collison,
Kovac, Cole, Di Michele, Lastuvka, Lopez, Savio, Spector, Tristan, Sears,
Payne, Stanislas.

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Latics duo back to face Hammers
TeamTalk

Winger Antonio Valencia and striker Mido both return to Wigan's squad for
Wednesday night's Premier League visit of West Ham to the JJB. The pair have
not played since February 7 at home to Fulham when Valencia limped off with
the recurrence of a hamstring injury and Mido was forced off with a groin
problem. Jason Koumas also comes back into contention after missing
Saturday's defeat to Chelsea with a thigh injury while fellow midfielder Ben
Watson is available again after a one-match suspension.

Wigan (from): Kirkland, Melchiot, Scharner, Bramble, Figueroa, Cattermole,
Watson, N'Zogbia, Valencia, Kapo, Zaki, Mido, Kingson, Pollitt, Edman,
Brown, Boyce, Rodallega, Sibierski, Koumas.

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Sign me up, star tells Hammers
by Tom Adams , 03 March 2009
setanta.co.uk

Radoslav Kovac has pleaded with West Ham to sign him on a permanent basis
when his loan deal expires at the end of the season. The Czech Republic
international joined The Hammers from Spartak Moscow in January and,
following an acclimatisation period, made his first Premier League
appearance on Sunday when starting the 1-0 win over Manchester City. After
being discarded by his Russian employers, Kovac has no desire to return to
Spartak and the 29-year-old is instead determined to earn a longer stay at
Upton Park. "I do not want to return," Kovac told Sovetsky Sport. "Hopefully
West Ham will take up the option to buy me. "Perhaps in my career it is time
that something changed. The English Premier League is a step forward. "I
have not once thought about continuing my career in Europe but the first
step towards the separation was not me, it was Spartak. "The leaders made it
clear that they did not trust me and offered to find a new team. I did not
want to leave Spartak." Reflecting on his arrival in London, Kovac added:
"At first I felt like an inexperienced newcomer, I did not know the
characteristics of the game. But now I am myself, I am comfortable."

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Why Craig Bellamy's return to Upton Park was like stepping back in time for
West Ham fans
By Dan Silver, Mirror.co.uk 3/03/2009

There was something deeply serendipitous about Craig Bellamy's return to
Upton Park on Sunday. Prior to the game he'd given it the big'un in the
press previously about the relative ambitions of his current and previous
employers - not to mention how he would fire Manchester City into Europe and
beyond. On the pitch, however, the loveable Welshman struggled to make an
impression for 70 minutes before eventually limping off with an injury. Mark
Hughes shouldn't have been unduly surprised by this turn of events. As any
of the 30 000-odd cockneys in the crowd could have told him (and likely did
), it was the kind of thing that used to happen to Craig all the time at
Upton Park while he was wearing a West Ham shirt.

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Walker on brink of farewell?
CARL MARSTON
GreenUn24.com
Last updated: 03/03/2009 12:00:00

JIMMY Walker could be making his last appearance for Colchester United this
evening, when his third and final month on loan from West Ham comes to an
end. The U's believed that they had sent through all the relevant paperwork
through on time to the Football League, to sign the 35-year-old on loan for
the rest of the season. But the Football League have continued to insist
that they did not receive the fax before the 5pm transfer deadline on
February 2, so Walker is set to return to Upton Park this week. The U's have
already recalled Dean Gerken from his loan stint at Darlington. Gerken was
summoned back to the Community Stadium at the weekend, and so missed the
Quakers 2-0 defeat at Exeter. Walker is eligible to play at Huddersfield
tonight - it will be his 16th appearance for the U's - but Gerken looks
poised to return to the No. 1 spot at Oldham on Saturday.

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Zola targets European dream for West Ham
by JACK FOX - Tuesday, March 3, 2009
metro.co.uk

Gianfranco Zola has admitted West Ham want a European place. The Hammers'
1-0 victory over Manchester City on Sunday puts them seventh in the Premier
League and within sight of a spot in the rebranded Europa League, as the
Uefa Cup will be known from next season. Hammers boss Zola said: 'I always
look up the table, not down.
'I always try to focus not on my problems but on the good things that can
happen to me. Now we are seventh and are going to try and stay there as long
as possible. If results are right for us we could go into Europe.'

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Kyel Reid could stay at Wolves
The Mirror
By Football Spy 3/03/2009

Wolves' on-loan winger Kyel Reid has hinted that he could make his move from
West Ham permanent.

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Daily WHUFC News - 3rd March 2009

Payne takes leap forward
WHUFC.com
Josh Payne has told how he went from ball-boy to first-team substitute in
the space of 24 hours
03.03.2009

Josh Payne has revealed how he was expecting to be on ball-boy duty for
Sunday's game against Manchester City - only to end up on Gianfranco Zola's
subs' bench.

The 18-year-old has made rapid progress this season, catching the manager's
eye with his cultured displays for the Under-18s, the reserves and during a
hugely productive three-month loan spell with Cheltenham Town. Although
Payne has been training with the first team in recent weeks - as late as
Friday he was still expecting to be joining others from the Academy in being
sat pitch-side to return the ball into play.

Tony Carr had asked members of his U18 side to take on the responsibility
because, given their own Sunday match commitments, the lunchtime fixture was
too early for the junior Academy members who usually act as ball-boys. Payne
said: "I got told I was going to be ball-boy on Friday and then ended up
training with the first team at Upton Park on Saturday and then travelled
with them [to the pre-match hotel].

"Then I got told on Sunday morning that I was on the bench," Payne
continued. "I was over the moon. To go from youth team to reserves to the
first team is great. I had no idea. They don't tell you anything. I've been
training with the first team quite regularly and getting tastes of it and
then I've gone straight in."

Payne said he was lost for words to explain how it felt to be warming up
during a Premier League encounter - just yards in front of his U18 mates as
they helped keep the play moving along. "I can't really explain what it was
like to be out there with the crowd," he added. "I was nervous but then I
get nervous before a youth team game. It was a fantastic experience."

Like his fellow weekend substitute, the 19-year-old Junior Stanislas, Payne
is hoping to take the next step before the season is out. "I just need to
stay on my toes and be ready. Hopefully I can get in the first team but
we'll see what happens as I don't want to say too much now. I'll get a few
more games under my belt for the reserves and then we'll see."

Academy director Carr said the experience was no more than the versatile
Payne - who can play at centre-back or in midfield - deserved after his
tremendous season. It was all summed up by a week that began with an
Under-18 fixture against Arsenal, went on with a midweek reserve duel with
Tottenham Hotspur and then took in the rarefied air of the Premier League on
the following Sunday.

"We had to press the Under-18s into action as ball-boys this week," said
Carr. "Josh was going to be one of them until he got the call to be with the
first team. That is certainly a big jump. I didn't even know he was going to
be on the bench. The manager only named his team just before kick-off.

"He has made a great stride forward. It is a great experience for him and
hopefully it will spur him on to work harder and want more of it. It is
great for all the young players to see. I said to the boys just this morning
- 'one minute you are a ball boy the next you are on the bench. Don't feel
you are far away from it because the route through is there. That is the way
it is at West Ham.'"

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Dixon takes next step
WHUFC.com
Terry Dixon has been training with the reserves although has a way to go
before proving his fitness
03.03.2009

Terry Dixon is stepping up his training with the reserves and targeting a
playing return after working hard on his fitness in recent weeks.

The 19-year-old Republic of Ireland youth international signed a three-year
deal last month after an arduous six-month rehabilitation programme with the
club's medical staff. Dixon had been released by Tottenham Hotspur back in
March 2007, having suffered a knee injury, but is raring to prove he has
what it takes to make it.

The striker has been working hard at Chadwell Heath and coach Alex Dyer said
it was important to not put too much pressure on Dixon. "He has done well
and it is great for his confidence to be back out there with the boys," he
said. "It is nice to have him involved and we will see how he goes in the
days to come."

Gianfranco Zola has admitted he is looking forward to seeing what the
teenager can do - both in training and then in reserve-team action.
"Everybody keeps talking about Terry Dixon but I have not seen him play
yet," Zola said. "Hopefully soon he will be training with me so I will try
to have an idea about him as a footballer.

"I'm looking forward to seeing him. They told me he was quite a talent and
I'm really curious. This is a good opportunity for him. I think this club
has been very good to him and I want to see how he takes the opportunity.

"A big satisfaction would be to see this guy have some success because he
was ruled out from the game. They said he couldn't make it so if he does I
will be very happy for him because he has been through hell. If he manages
to be a successful player it will be good for him and for us as well."

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Collison wants Wigan win
WHUFC.com
Jack Collison hopes West Ham United can get their second positive result in
four days at the JJB Stadium
02.03.2009

Jack Collison was pleased to grab the winning goal in the 1-0 win over
Manchester City on Sunday, but was quick to stress that West Ham United were
only half way through what promises to be a "big week".

West Ham beat Mark Hughes' men at the Boleyn Ground thanks to the Wales
international's 71st minute strike - a win that moved them four points clear
of the visitors and into seventh position in the Barclays Premier League
table.

There was little time to dwell on the result for Collison and his
team-mates, however, as they were back at Chadwell Heath on Monday to
prepare for Wednesday's game against eighth-placed Wigan Athletic at the JJB
Stadium. Collison said: "We knew it was going to be a big week at the start
of it but we've only done half of the job so far. If we can get the three
points on Wednesday then we will have done it all.

"If we can win on Wednesday, we can consolidate seventh which at the moment
looks like it could be a UEFA Cup spot and that's the target the manager has
set us. We've got ten or eleven games now until the end of the season and we
are going to look to kick on now rather than see the season out."

The Hammers created several excellent opportunities against City, but as
well as demonstrating their usual fluid passing, there were times that
required a bit of grit and determination - a challenge that Collison and his
midfielders rose to superbly.

"This team always looks to go and play good football, that's what the
manager wants from us and I thought we were outstanding at times. There were
a couple of patchy moments but we've got a really good team spirit and we
came through.

"It was a real battle but I think we've got the players that relish that
like Scott Parker and Radoslav Kovac, who I thought was outstanding today in
only his second game. It was a real team display and we managed to take one
of our chances and not concede at the other end."

The 20-year-old midfielder showed his versatility after switching from the
left to the right of midfield following Valon Behrami's first half injury
and Collison was keen to highlight that the squad's thoughts were with the
Swiss international while he awaits the results of further tests on his left
knee.

"There were a lot of positives today; unfortunately the only downside was
the injury to Valon. We're waiting to hear news on that now, but myself and
the team wish him a speedy recovery as he's been massive for us this
season."

Collison was one of nine players aged 23 or under in Gianfranco Zola's
18-man squad on Sunday, and is happy to act as an example to the other
youngsters looking to break into the Italian's first-team plans.

"I played a couple of different positions today but I just love being out
there and doing my bit for the team. I'm still young and fairly new to the
team but I'm really enjoying my time out there and making the most of it.
Playing alongside players like Scott Parker and Kovac, who have been there
and done is really good for me.

"The manager has come in and is not scared to give the young players an
opportunity. He gave me a chance at the beginning of the season and I
haven't looked back since. So for the young players like Josh Payne and
Junior Stanislas maybe it's an opportunity from now until the end of the
season to win a place in the team."

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Eastbourne bag West Ham's Jeffrey
BBC.co.uk

Blue Square Premier outfit Eastbourne Borough have signed West Ham striker
Jack Jeffrey on loan until the end of the season. The 19-year-old had loan
spells at Hampton & Richmond and Cambridge United last season and had a
brief spell with Leyton Orient this term. Jeffrey's September spell with
the League One O's lasted just 66 minutes after suffering an injury. He
could make his Borough debut against Oxford United on Tuesday.

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Paper back down over Zola scandal
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 2nd March 2009
By: Staff Writer

The Manchester Evening News have been forced to issue an apology to
Gianfranco Zola after they claimed the United manager had tapped up
Manchester City striker Valerie Bojinov. The MEN carried a story back in
January claiming that Bojinov had been contacted by Hammers boss Zola to ask
if he was interested in a move to West Ham United - something furiously
denied at the time by the Irons boss. Since the story was published West
Ham's recently appointed lawyers threatened the newspaper with legal action
should they refuse to issue an apology. That apology was published in
today's copy of the Evening News, and read:
"On 14 January 2009, we published an article which claimed, wrongly, that
Gianfranco Zola had telephoned Manchester City's Bulgarian striker Valeri
Bojinov and asked him to play for West Ham United, despite Manchester City
having made it clear that they do not want to sell him. This would have been
contrary to Premier League rules. "We accept that this allegation was
incorrect and we apologise unreservedly to Gianfranco Zola for the the
embarrassment caused by the article."

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Hammers eye Italian starlets
West Ham keen on Daud and Mei
By Riccardo Burgalassi Last updated: 2nd March 2009
SSN

West Ham are checking on Italian-based starlets Ayub Daud and Andrea Mei,
skysports.com can confirm. It has emerged that the Hammers are keeping close
checks on Juventus youngster Daud and Mei, who is with Inter Milan. West
Ham's interest in Daud has emerged after rivals Tottenham were very strongly
linked with his services in the Italian press. The 19-year-old forward was
the star of the recent Viareegio Cup - one of the most high-profile youth
tournaments in Europe. The Somalian-born ace is now catching the attention
of a number of clubs and his agent, Ulisse Savini, has confirmed that he is
yet to sign a professional deal with the Turin giants. Savini confirmed to
skysports.com that West Ham were one of the clubs looking at Daud, but
denied that Tottenham had been in contact. "I have never talked with
Tottenham about this player," he told skysports.com. "At the moment, there
are three club with Daud on their list of targets - Wolsburg, Villarreal and
West Ham."
Daud is now set for talks with Juve, but Savini admitted it was far from
certain that he would be staying. "Daud is a Juventus player, but he does
not have any contract with Juve so the player could leave the club at the
end of the season," he continued. "In the next few days I will be talking
with Juventus about the player, it is for sure that Daud will sign for a big
club - but which one I can't say. "I have to talk with Juventus and we know
other clubs want him."
Savini confirmed that West Ham's sporting director Gianluca Nani was
interested in Daud and Inter defender Mei - who is also very highly rated in
Italy. "About West Ham, this situation is this - I am linked with the
sporting director Nani, they have told they are interested in Daud and in
Inter defender Andrea Mei. "It is normal that they would be looking at young
stars like this, no matter where they are from."

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West Ham Target Serie A Starlets Ayub Daud & Andrea Mei
Gianfranco Zola evidently has no qualms about draining his home country of
some of their finest young talents for the greater good of the Hammers...
3 Mar 2009 05:05:15
Goal.com

The agent of highly rated Italy-based prospects Ayub Daud and Andrea Mei has
revealed that West Ham United are interested in his clients. Daud, Juventus'
teenage Somali starlet, was the revelation of the renowned Viareggio Cup
this month, leading the Bianconeri's Primavera to their sixth triumph in the
competition, crushing Sampdoria 4-1 in the final. The 19-year-old was the
top scorer of the youth tournament with eight goals, which inevitably
sparked interest from several English and Spanish clubs, though Juve have
made it clear that they are eager to tie him down. Mei, also 19, is another
youngster of high repute in Italy, so West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola will
have to use all his charm and wherewithal to prise him away from Inter.
"About West Ham, this situation is this - I am linked with the sporting
director [Gianluca] Nani, they have told they are interested in Daud and in
Inter defender Andrea Mei," confirmed player representative Ulisse Savini to
Sky Sports News. "It is normal that they would be looking at young stars
like this, no matter where they are from."

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Alternatives And Options
Just Like My Dreams

Various news sources have today confirmed that West Ham United's owners will
ask an Icelandic court this week for a moratorium to prevent banks from
seizing its assets and forcing the sale of the club. The judgment to be
heard in Reykjavik on March 6 relates to West Ham's holding company, Hansa,
which was granted the original stay of execution in November. Vice Chairman
Asgeir Fridgeirsson reiterated Hansa has been actively talking with
creditors. "Hansa believes that the progress that the club has been making
shows the importance of continued stability," he said today in an interview.
"A decision from the judges on extending the December ruling is expected
next week."

Hansa is controlled by Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson, who was the majority
shareholder of an Icelandic bank seized by government regulators. In
November, West Ham's holding company applied to enter administration, a form
of protection from creditors, because of Gudmundsson's financial troubles.
Hansa Eignarhaldsfelag ehf, or Hansa, is run by an administrator appointed
by Icelandic authorities.

Gudmundsson is trying to decide whether to sell, and in December the east
London team sent data on its debt levels, income, expenditures and salary
ratios to potential bidders. Fridgeirsson said at the time there were
between 5 and 10 groups looking at the team, although there haven't been any
firm offers. "There is still an interest," he said. "We haven't closed down
the process at all." Reports over the weekend linked a Far Eastern
consortium with a deal for the club, with some suggestion that funds used to
temporarily stabilize Gudmundsson's position had already changed hands.

Gudmundsson, whose fortune was estimated at $1.1 billion by Forbes magazine
last March, is the former chairman of Landsbanki Islands hf, which was
seized by the nation's Financial Supervisory Authority in October.
Fridgeirsson said that even if the court declines to give the extension, the
club should not be affected. "There are alternatives and options,"
Fridgeirsson said, without being more specific. "It will in no way effect
the club."

Elsewhere, the Manchester Evening News have been forced to issue an apology
to Gianfranco Zola after they claimed the United manager had 'tapped up'
Manchester City striker Valerie Bojinov. The newspaper carried a story back
in January claiming that Bojinov had been contacted by Hammers boss Zola to
ask if he was interested in a move to West Ham United - something furiously
denied at the time by the Irons boss. Since the story was published West
Ham's recently appointed lawyers threatened the newspaper with legal action
should they refuse to issue an apology. That apology was published in
today's copy of the Evening News, and read:

"On 14 January 2009, we published an article which claimed, wrongly, that
Gianfranco Zola had telephoned Manchester City's Bulgarian striker Valeri
Bojinov and asked him to play for West Ham United, despite Manchester City
having made it clear that they do not want to sell him. This would have been
contrary to Premier League rules. We accept that this allegation was
incorrect and we apologise unreservedly to Gianfranco Zola for the the
embarrassment caused by the article."

On a more pleasant note, West Ham new boy Savio Nsreko is heading for cult
status at Upton Park, concludes an article in today's Telegraph. John Ley
states that the West Ham faithful love to idolise an individual and the
signs, at the weekend, were that it will pay to be patient and await the
improvement of the Ugandan-born German Under-21 international. Still just
19, Savio was signed towards the end of the January transfer deadline, for
around £6 million, and Zola admits that the youngster is already under
pressure to perform.

"Savio came on and did very well and I am pleased for him because he came
here followed by a lot of expectation and, to be honest, he was under
pressure a little bit because he knows that everybody is waiting to see
something special from him," said Zola. "But we are pleased with the way he
is working. His attitude is good and I am sure he is going to be a
successful player for us. We bought him because he's got something
different, something that is sometimes missing in the game, and against City
we saw a little bit of that but I'm sure there is still a lot to come."

The manager has handled Savio with kid gloves so far, starting him from the
bench, and before Sunday's 1-0 win over Manchester City, he had played just
81 minutes in five games. However, the serious injury to Valon Behrami on
Sunday meant the forward was given his longest run-out in English football
so far, and in his 47 minutes on the pitch Savio did not disappoint. Indeed,
he was responsible for the goal, his effort parried by City goalkeeper Shay
Given before another youngster, 20-year-old Jack Collison claimed the
winner.

There is still little or no news as to the extent of Behrami's injury but an
MRI scan on the injured leg has shown there is no fracture or break. Further
tests will be required to assess the extent of the injury in the next few
days once the swelling has subsided. Zola paid tribute to the midfielder's
all-action style and his commitment to the cause. "Hopefully it is not going
to be too bad as the boy is a really important player for us - on the pitch
and off pitch as well," he said. "I think his studs got caught and he fell
on his knee. He was in pain so he needed some oxygen. Hopefully we are going
to have him back soon but it is too early for us to assess him right now."

Finally, West Ham are checking on two Italian-based starlets, according to
Sky Sports. The club are reportedly keeping close checks on Juventus
youngster Ayud Daud and Andrea Mei, who is with Inter Milan. West Ham's
interest in Daud emerged after Tottenham were strongly linked with the
player in the Italian press. The 19-year-old forward was the star of the
recent Viareegio Cup - one of the most high-profile youth tournaments in
Europe. Now the Somalian-born ace is now catching the attention of a number
of clubs and his agent, Ulisse Savini, has confirmed that he is yet to sign
a professional deal with the Turin giants.

"I have never talked with Tottenham about this player," he told
skysports.com. "At the moment, there are three club with Daud on their list
of targets - Wolsburg, Villarreal and West Ham." Daud is now set for talks
with Juventus, but Savini admitted it was far from certain that he would be
staying. "Daud is a Juventus player, but he does not have any contract with
Juve so the player could leave the club at the end of the season," he
continued. "In the next few days I will be talking with Juventus about the
player, it is for sure that Daud will sign for a big club - but which one I
can't say. I have to talk with Juventus and we know other clubs want him."

Loquacious Savini confirmed that West Ham's sporting director Gianluca Nani
was interested in Daud and Inter defender Mei - who is also very highly
rated in Italy. "About West Ham, this situation is this - I am linked with
the sporting director Nani, they have told me they are interested in Daud
and in Inter defender Andrea Mei. It is normal that they would be looking at
young stars like this, no matter where they are from."
Posted by Trilby at 00:08

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Shock sub Josh has a ball
The Sun
By ANDREW DILLON
Published: Today

JOSH PAYNE fulfilled every ball-boy's dream when he made the bench for West
Ham on Sunday. The Hammers' youth team midfielder, 18, was due to be
throwing the ball back against Manchester City at Upton Park — only to be
hurled into the action as part of the 18-man squad. Payne said: "I got told
I was going to be a ball-boy on Friday. It was only on Sunday morning I was
told I was on the bench. I was over the moon. "I have trained with the
first-team but can't explain what it was like to be out there with the crowd
around me. I was nervous, though I get nervous before youth games."
Payne was promoted overnight after being watched closely by boss Gianfranco
Zola. He is one of the club's most highly-rated rookies. His shock inclusion
completed a whirlwind eight days, in which he played for the colts on
Saturday, reserves on Tuesday and was then named sub against City on Sunday.
West Ham academy boss Tony Carr said: "I didn't even know he was going to be
on the bench. But it was a fantastic experience for him."
Payne is in the squad again for tomorrow's match at Wigan. Crocked
midfielder Valon Behrami will have a further scan on his left knee today to
check for suspected ligament damage. Behrami had to be carried off on a
stretcher against City after twisting his knee making a tackle. Hammers
winger Jack Collison reckons they are in a 'massive week' for their Euro
ambitions. At present, sixth place will earn a UEFA Cup place next season.
West Ham are seventh, eight points behind Everton. Collison, 20, said: "City
are around us and so are Wigan. We must go out and get another three points
to consolidate our position."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham boss Zola has European ambitions
03.03.09 | Ian Ferris

With West ham in seventh position, boss Gianfranco Zola has trained his
sights firmly on playing European football next season. Zola admitted his
side's winless streak had started to become a concern but remains eager to
focus on the possibility of a place in the 2009/10 Europa League. "It
wasn't just me, I think many people were thinking about it in the back of
their minds," said Zola. "We were playing well but not getting results. But
I'm a positive person and the players I have make me positive; I was
confident we were going to pick up a game. "I always look up the table, not
down. I always try to focus not on my problems but on the good things that
can happen to me.
"Now we are seventh and we are going to try and stay there as long as
possible. "At seventh now, if the combinations (of results) are right for
us we could go into Europe. We are going to be fighting to keep this spot."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Asian investors linked to West Ham takeover
03.03.09 | Ian Ferris

The Daily Mirror reports West Ham are set to be taken over by a group of
Asian investors in a £90million deal. Talks are advanced and might even be
concluded this week.
The prospective owners, believed to be a wealthy industrial group, have the
funds in place to buy the club from its Icelandic owner.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Italian-based starlets attracting West Ham interest
03.03.09 | Andrew Slevison

West Ham are tracking the progress of two young guns currently with Italian
clubs. Ayub Daud, a Somalian-born forward with Juventus and Inter Milan's
Andrea Mei are attracting interest from the Hammers. 19-year old Daud is yet
to sign a professional contract with Juve and his manager confirmed there
was interest from aseveral clubs.
"At the moment, there are three club with Daud on their list of targets -
Wolsburg, Villarreal and West Ham," Ulisse Savini told skysports.com. "Daud
is a Juventus player, but he does not have any contract with Juve so the
player could leave the club at the end of the season," he continued. "In the
next few days I will be talking with Juventus about the player, it is for
sure that Daud will sign for a big club - but which one I can't say. "I have
to talk with Juventus and we know other clubs want him. "About West Ham,
this situation is this - I am linked with the sporting director Nani, they
have told they are interested in Daud and in Inter defender Andrea Mei. "It
is normal that they would be looking at young stars like this, no matter
where they are from."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Collison delighted with matchwinning West Ham role
03.03.09 | tribalfootball.com

Jack Collison was delighted with his matchwinning performance for West Ham
in Sunday's victory over Manchester City. The midfielder told whufc.com: "I
played a couple of different positions today but I just love being out there
and doing my bit for the team. I'm still young and fairly new to the team
but I'm really enjoying my time out there and making the most of it. Playing
alongside players like Scott Parker and Kovac, who have been there and done
is really good for me. "The manager has come in and is not scared to give
the young players an opportunity. He gave me a chance at the beginning of
the season and I haven't looked back since. So for the young players like
Josh Payne and Junior Stanislas maybe it's an opportunity from now until the
end of the season to win a place in the team."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham's Stokes delighted with winning Ujpest debut
03.03.09 | tribalfootball.com

West Ham United midfielder Tony Stokes enjoyed a winning start to his loan
period with Hungary's Ujpest. Stokes made his debut for Hungarian Soproni
League title-chasers Ujpest FC in a 2-1 friendly win over Kaposvar. Stokes
told Ujpest's official website he had enjoyed the experience. "I gradually
got into the game, but I think I managed to provide good performance," he
said. "I think I will be able to help the team even more in the next game,
because then we will know each other better. Ujpest are a strong team that
could be very successful this season. I had a great time on the pitch, I
heard the fans and their recognition has given me self-confidence."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Payne goes from ball-boy to West Ham bench in hours
03.03.09 | tribalfootball.com
Josh Payne went from West Ham United ball-boy to first team squad member in
Sunday's victory over Manchester City. The Hammers' youth team midfielder,
18, was due to be throwing the ball back against Manchester City at Upton
Park — only to be hurled into the action as part of the 18-man squad. Payne
told The Sun: "I got told I was going to be a ball-boy on Friday. It was
only on Sunday morning I was told I was on the bench. I was over the moon.
"I have trained with the first-team but can't explain what it was like to be
out there with the crowd around me. I was nervous, though I get nervous
before youth games."
Payne was promoted overnight after being watched closely by boss Gianfranco
Zola. He is one of the club's most highly-rated rookies. His shock inclusion
completed a whirlwind eight days, in which he played for the colts on
Saturday, reserves on Tuesday and was then named sub against City on Sunday.
West Ham academy boss Tony Carr said: "I didn't even know he was going to be
on the bench. But it was a fantastic experience for him."

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