WHUFC.com
Gianfranco Zola has been speaking with schoolchildren at a Barclays Asia
Trophy launch event
28.07.2009
Gianfranco Zola has already proved a big hit in Beijing after a
question-and-answer session with a group of local students. The manager took
time out to sit with the youngsters as they quizzed him on a range of
football matters and his thoughts on China to kick-start the Barclays Asia
Trophy. The event came before the first official press conference of the
trip later on Tuesday, when Zola will look ahead to the meeting with
Tottenham Hotspur at the Workers Stadium on Wednesday. Hull City will play
Beijing Guoan later that day, with the two winners progressing to Friday's
final after a play-off for third place for the losers.
The whole West Ham squad held a successful first training session in the
Chinese capital on Monday evening, with each of the 23 players taking a full
part. After a lengthy fitness programme with Antonio Pintus, the players
were divided up to work with the ball in different groups with Zola, Steve
Clarke and Kevin Keen.
As more and more locals gathered after spotting the proceedings while on
their way home from work, the coaching staff emphasised the need for energy,
enthusiasm and concentration. Despite the long journey from London, there
was plenty of that on show and, with the floodlights now on fully, the
practice match that finished the training was as competitive as you would
expect given this stage of pre-season.
Throughout the medical staff ensured the players took on plenty of liquids,
given the humidity, and the warm-down saw plenty of attention given to
aching muscles. There was a final burst of finishing practice for the
forwards with Robert Green, who had until then been working intensely with
Marek Stech and Peter Kurucz under Ludek Miklosko's watchful eye, before the
players walked off ready for a deserved rest.
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Hall to face Danes
WHUFC.com
Robert Hall will be eager to feature as England open their challenge at the
Nordic Tournament
28.07.2009
Robert Hall will hope to continue his summer to remember when England's
Under-17 side get their Nordic Tournament campaign under way on Tuesday.
Hall, still just 15 and a year shy of his GCSE exams, is expected to lead
the attack for Kenny Swain's team when they take on Denmark at the Moan
Stadium in Trondheim, Norway.
The teenager has enjoyed a fine few months, making his debut for the Hammers
reserve side before being invited to train with Gianfranco Zola's first team
and appearing in the first-team pre-season friendly at Grays Athletic
earlier this month. At international level, Hall helped England's U16s to
win the Montaigu Tournament in France in April, and will hope to continue
his development in Scandinavia. England open their Group A campaign at
6.30pm UK time on Tuesday with a fixture against the Danes before facing the
Faroe Islands at the Tydal Stadium on Wednesday and host nation Norway at
the Overlands Minde Stadium on Friday. Finland, Iceland, Scotland and Sweden
will make up Group B, with the top two sides playing off for the title on 2
August. The second, third and fourth-placed teams in their respective groups
will also meet for the minor placings.
Coach Swain believes the Three Lions can replicate their Montaigu form in
Trondheim and lift another trophy. "Having played in the Montaigu Tournament
they now understand the demands of tournament football," he said. "They
faced similar challenges there and they coped very well, so I'm confident
they'll do the same in the Nordics. "This is a very similar format, where
we'll have so many games in a small space of time, so the experience they
gained at the Montaigu's will certainly be beneficial."
"Denmark in the first game is a big challenge. Denmark, Sweden and Norway
will all pose their own threat and the Scandinavian teams are always quite
strong. And looking at the other group, we obviously should not discount
Scotland, who we faced in the Victory Shield last year. "It should be a
difficult test, but one I'm looking forward to and I'm confident the players
will gain a lot from it as well."
Following the Nordic Tournament, the U17s will turn their attention to their
UEFA European Championship qualifying campaign, which begins in Azerbaijan
in October.
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Your questions wanted
WHUFC.com
Club historian John Helliar is on hand to answer supporters' West Ham
United-related questions
27.07.2009
Is there a West Ham United-related fact, figure or story you are desperate
to discover?
Perhaps there is a weird or wonderful Hammers question that you just have to
find out the answer to? Or maybe you simply want to settle an argument with
a fellow fan?
If so, it is more than likely that club historian John Helliar knows the
answer. If not, John's unrivalled collection of programmes, newspaper
clippings, photographs and other memorabilia is almost certain to contain
it.
'Dear John' will be just one of a variety of exciting new features that will
appear in West Ham United's official matchday programme in 2009/10.
Fans can test John's knowledge of the club by sending their questions to
dearjohn@westhamunited.co.uk
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Important travel advice for fans
WHUFC.com
Planned improvement works on the underground may affect supporters' travel
to the first two home games
27.07.2009
Tickets for West Ham United's first two home games of the 2009/10 season go
on sale to club members on Tuesday morning and fans planning to purchase
should be aware of planned improvement work on the London Underground. The
Hammersmith and City line and the District line will be shut between Barking
and Whitechapel for Tottenham Hotspur's visit to the Boleyn Ground Sunday 23
August and the home game with Liverpool on Saturday 19 September. This means
that Plaistow, Upton Park and East Ham tube stations will have no
underground service running to them. For further information and journey
planning, please visit the Transport for London website by clicking here.
whufc.com will also have further travel information in the run-up to both
matches.
Tickets for the two games go on sale to club members at 9am tomorrow
morning. Click http://www.whufc.com/page/TicketNews/0,,12562,00.html
for more information.
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Sick Hartson 'getting stronger'
BBC.co.uk
Former footballer John Hartson is getting stronger and has made an
"excellent recovery" from a second operation on his brain, doctors say. It
is hoped the 34-year-old, who was diagnosed with cancer earlier this month,
will be able to begin chemotherapy treatment soon. The pre-planned
operation to drain fluid was performed on the ex-Arsenal, Celtic and Wales
star at the weekend. His family said said he was receiving excellent care at
hospital in Swansea. Hartson, a father-of-three, has testicular cancer and
doctors also found the disease had spread to his brain and lungs. He had
emergency surgery to relieve pressure on his brain soon after his diagnosis
and resumed radiotherapy treatment soon after. Since then he has remained
critically ill in intensive care at Swansea's Morriston Hospital.
Dr Peter Matthews, critical care consultant at Abertawe Bro Morgannwg (ABM)
University NHS Trust, said it was hoped Hartson's physical condition would
continue to improve with the multidisciplinary care he is receiving. In a
statement he said: "John Hartson remains under the care of our critical care
team and neurosurgeons at Morriston Hospital. "Following previous emergency
surgery to relieve pressure on his brain, a pre-planned neurosurgical
drainage procedure was performed at the weekend from which he has made an
excellent recovery. "We hope that he will be in a position to advance his
cancer treatment (chemotherapy) as soon as possible."
A statement released by Hartson's family said: "John is getting excellent
care from all the staff at the hospital and all the family are here to give
John as much support as we can. "We're delighted he's been able to make some
progress but realise that he still has a long way to go. "The support we are
receiving from friends and people around the world is a fantastic lift to us
all."
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Gudjohnsen in, Faubert out?
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 25th July 2009
By: Thomas Rooney
I am fully aware that this is a topic which has been much discussed over
recent weeks/months/years. However, the fact that Eidur Gudjohnsen has been
speaking out about his future is definitely worth a mention. The Barcelona
striker has been linked with West Ham all summer, after all.
What has he had to say then? Well, it is clear that the lack of first-team
action at the Nou Camp has increased Gudjohnsen's desire to play more
regularly. With this in mind, he admits that his future is 'a little bit
uncertain' at the moment as he considers his options.
He went on to say that whether he will move or not, depends 'on a number of
sporting reasons'. In other words, he wants to be playing for the right
team, in the right league for the right manager. To be honest, I think it's
a safe football bet that West Ham would be perfect for him in this sense.
Gudjohnsen would (I think), get regular first-team football, he would be
playing in a league that he has had success in before and he would be
working for Gianfranco Zola who he used to play with at Chelsea. All in all,
it seems like a perfect fit.
It certainly seems like something Gudjohnsen is considering anyway. Speaking
about where he could end up playing, he said that it would be 'natural' to
return to England as he had 'eight years' over here before his move to
Spanish football.
Anyway, it is another case of wait and see. If a deal is to be done though,
it would be good if could be done soon. The talking has to stop and the
wheels need to be set in motion. The sooner Gudjohnsen becomes a West Ham
player, the better he can settle into the squad ahead of the new season.
Like I said though, let's wait and see.
Elsewhere, winger Julien Faubert looks set to leave Upton Park. The man who
spent some of last season on loan at Real Madrid is likely to be snapped up
by German club Schalke 04. Zola is very happy to let him leave and let's be
honest; I don't think many Hammers' fans will kick up a fuss.
As far as other transfer news goes, well it is only rumours at this stage
other than the story about Frank Nouble. The best of which include Lucas
Neill joining Galatasaray, Anderlecht midfielder Lucas Biglia being keen on
a move to West Ham and Nigel Quashie looking for a loan deal.
Now there's a thing!
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Fulham join the chase for £5m Dean Ashton
Evening Standard
27.07.09
Fulham, Stoke and Hull are all interested in West Ham's out-of-favour
striker Dean Ashton. The Hammers are keen to off-load the £5m-rated forward,
who has been plagued by injuries since moving to Upton Park in 2006, and are
hopeful a deal can be concluded swiftly to give manager Gianfranco Zola time
to sign a replacement.
Ashton did not travel to China yesterday for the Barclays Asia Cup, which
starts on Wednesday when the Hammers tackle Tottenham. The club claimed the
25-year-old has stayed behind to work on his fitness, but remaining in
England will also enable Ashton to talk to interested parties. The only
other player not to have travelled to Beijing is Valon Behrami. The Swiss
international midfielder still needs more time to recover from the serious
knee injury he sustained at Manchester City in March.
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HR denies interest in 'triffic' Upson
TeamTalk
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has denied speculation linking him to West Ham
centre-back Matthew Upson - but admits he is a 'terrific player' . Redknapp
has major worries at the heart of his defence as Ledley King, Jonathan
Woodgate and Michael Dawson are sidelined, leaving no recognised centre-back
at his disposal. But the Spurs boss - whose side's defensive frailties were
exposed in Sunday's 2-0 defeat to Celtic in the Wembley Cup - insists he is
not looking to sign England defender Upson from former club West Ham.
Redknapp told Sky Sports News: "I've never mentioned Matthew Upson - listen,
don't believe all the rubbish you read in the Sunday newspapers, where they
get these stories from God only knows. "I've never, ever mentioned Matthew
Upson - he's a terrific player - never mentioned the boy's name, he belongs
to West Ham and please God for West Ham he stays there."
As regards the possible switch of Peter Crouch from Portsmouth to Spurs,
Redknapp said the deal was not yet done. "He doesn't belong to us until we
agree a fee for him with Portsmouth. Portsmouth want to sell him, we have to
agree a fee that is a fee that is acceptable to Portsmouth - if we don't do
that we can't get him so we will have to wait and see you know."
Spurs have been linked with both Crouch and Patrick Vieira and asked how
much money Redknapp had to spend, he replied: "It's not massive money - I
think we've got to do some business in the transfer market, one or two will
have to go out as well to balance the books before you can do anything."
Redknapp was also not too despondent after watching his side lose to Celtic.
"Last pre-season Tottenham beat Roma 5-0 on the Saturday before the season
started and then went eight games without winning a game," he said. I had a
team a few years ago that lost six pre-season games and then won the
Championship so it's what you do, you take lessons, you learn from what you
get out of these pre-season games but it all counts on the opening day, that
is all that really matters - that is where it starts."
When Crouch's signing is finalised Darren Bent will all but certainly leave
the club as Redknapp added: "Darren is looking to go but it's up to people
to make the offer that we want. "Nobody misses chances deliberately. He
tucked some great chances away in pre-season and he will always score goals.
He's a good player but I just want some balance and Crouchy would give us
something different."
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West Ham United's Jack Collison Can't Wait To Tackle Tottenham Hotspur In
China
The Hammers midfielder is looking forward to tackling Spurs...
27 Jul 2009 10:39:35
Goal.com
West Ham United midfielder Jack Collison is excited by the prospect of
playing Tottenham Hotspur in China later this week. The 20 year-old told the
club's official website, "Every time you play Spurs it is always going to
have that added incentive as you always want to get one over them. That is
not just for yourself but it is massive for the fans as well so we going to
look to really enjoy that game. We definitely want to do well and win the
competition."
Spurs are currently recovering from a 2-0 defeat to Celtic in the Wembley
cup and will have little time to prepare for Wednesday's match in Beijing.
West Ham, meanwhile, have been preparing for their trip to Asia with a two
week training camp in Austria. "All of the boys are really looking forward
to this week in China," he said. "Things are slowly starting to come
together for the new season. The past two weeks have been all about trying
to get our fitness up and trying to get a bit more match fitness. We will
really look to enjoy it in China. "[Austria] was hard work but it's been
enjoyable. Instead of having us running all of the time, the manager has had
us doing a lot of work with the ball. It is just as hard but enjoyable. It
has been hard work but we are fully fit and in a really good frame of mind."
John Silk, Goal.com
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Manchester City Intensify Pursuit Of West Ham's Matthew Upson
The money-laden Eastlands side are weighing up a potential bid for West Ham
stopper, after John Terry's public pledge of allegiance to Chelsea...
27 Jul 2009 11:53:46
Goal.com
Manchester City could be readying a bid for West Ham United's centre-back
Matthew Upson, following John Terry's decision to remain loyal to Chelsea -
the only club he has represented throughout his professional playing career.
According to a report in The Times, which follows suit to a similar
speculative piece published in The Mirror, City will not take Terry's snub
to heart, and will continue their quest to significantly bolster their
backline. Upson is now regarded as England's first reserve, and has often
been called into action by Three Lions boss Fabio Capello when either
captain John Terry or team-mate Rio Ferdinand are unavailable. The
30-year-old allegedly attracted admiring glances from Arsenal manager Arsene
Wenger during the winter window, as the Gunners sought a defensive partner
for former skipper William Gallas. Ivorian international Kolo Toure has
fallen down the pecking order at N5 and is still on City's shortlist of
transfer prospects. A £10-15 million offer is apparently on the cards.
Alan Dawson, Goal.com
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West Ham's £5m-rated striker Dean Ashton in Fulham, Stoke and Hull's sights
By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 5:57 PM on 27th July 2009
Daily Mail
Fulham, Stoke and Hull are reportedly interested in West Ham striker Dean
Ashton. Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola is willing to do a deal for the
£5million-rated England international if there is enough time to bring in a
replacement, according to the London Evening Standard. The 25-year-old has
not travelled to China to take part in the Barclays Asia Cup with West Ham.
He is staying behind for extra fitness work after an injury-plagued spell at
Upton Park. Valon Behrami also misses the flight as the versatile
Switzerland international needs more time to recover from the knee injury he
sustained at Manchester City in March.
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Luc, it's time to get lost
The Sun
From PAT SHEEHAN in Beijing
Published: Today
GIANFRANCO ZOLA has lost his battle to keep Lucas Neill at West Ham.
Captain Neill skipped the club's Far East tour and is free to join any club
he wants after contract talks broke down. Hammers boss Zola pleaded with
Neill to extend his stay but without success and now Turkish club
Galatasaray are in pole position to sign him. Zola insists the Aussie
full-back is a massive influence in the dressing room and he went to great
lengths trying to persuade him to stay. Neill, 31, was not in the 23-man
squad to arrive here in Beijing yesterday. Striker Dean Ashton and Valon
Behrami also stayed home. That put into question whether Ashton - who is
still fighting a knee injury - is in Zola's plans. Behrami will play next
month after a knee injury. West Ham face Spurs tomorrow in the Barclays Asia
Trophy.
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HULL SWITCH TO ASHTON
Daily Express
Tuesday July 28,2009
By Nigel Clarke Have your say(0)
INJURY-plagued West Ham striker Dean Ashton is being tracked by Hull after
they failed to persuade Bobby Zamora to leave Fulham for the KC stadium.
Stoke and Fulham are also maintaining an interest in England front man
Ashton, who West Ham may yet decide to allow to move on. Ashton was missing
from the squad that left for China to compete in the Barclays Asia Cup and
will be concentrating on building up his fitness back at the club's Chadwell
Heath training ground. But it could also allow him to be available if Hull,
Stoke or Fulham decide to step up their interest. Ashton is desperate to
shake off the misery of two seasons of injury problems, but West Ham may now
listen to offers for him because they have been delighted with the progress
of Carlton Cole.
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Luc who's leaving the Hammers 28/07/2009
The Mirror
Lucas Neill looks to be on his way out of West Ham after being left out of
the club's Far East tour. The Aussie defender was not on the flight to
Beijing yesterday and will now look for a new club. It is a blow to boss
Gianfranco Zola would had hoped to persuade the full-back to stay at Upton
Park. The Hammers skipper is one of the club's biggest earners but talks on
a new deal broke down.
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West Ham, Genoa go for Bologna's Mudingayi
28.07.09 | tribalfootball.com
Bologna have slapped a £6 million price-tag on midfielder Gaby Mudingayi.
The combative Belgium international midfielder has attracted an enquiry from
West Ham United, while Genoa are also keen. For his part, Mudingayi is keen
on Napoli and anxiously waiting for the Azzurri to firm up their interest.
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Neill's contract talks with West Ham break down
28.07.09 | Andrew Slevison
Lucas Neill's playing days at West Ham seem to certainly be over after
contract negotiations broke down. The Australian international did not go
with the Hammers on their pre-season tour of China and looks set to make his
much talked about move to Turkish club Galatasaray. Hammers boss Gianfranco
Zola was desperate to keep the 31-year old at the club but it now looks like
a lost cause.
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West Ham, Tottenham move for Bayern Munich striker Toni
28.07.09 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United boss Gianfranco Zola is chasing Bayern Munich striker Luca
Toni. The Daily Star Sunday says West Ham have joined Tottenham in showing
interest in Bayern Munich's Italian striker Toni. Toni is unsettled at
Bayern following the arrival of new coach Louis van Gaal and Zola sees him
as an ideal replacement for Dean Ashton.
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Tottenham rival Man City for West Ham's Upson
27.07.09 | tribalfootball.com
Manchester City are ready to offer £15 million for West Ham United defender
Matthew Upson. The Sunday Mirror says the Hammers are desperate to keep hold
of the England defender, who still has two years remaining on his contract
at Upton Park. Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp is also keen on Upson after the
news that Ledley King, Michael Dawson and Jonathan Woodgate will all miss
the start of the season.
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West Ham move for Bristol City keeper Basso
27.07.09 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United are moving for Bristol City goalkeeper Adrian Basso. The
Sunday Mirror says Basso, 34, has asked to leave Ashton Gate after failing
to agree terms on a new contract. Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola is looking
for cover for England star Rob Green. Robins boss Gary Johnson rapped: "We
have offered him a very good contract. "We have always moved Adriano up the
pay scale if he and the club have progressed but his latest demands are
simply beyond what we can offer."
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