WHUFC.com
John Hartson was in good spirits upon his return to the Boleyn Ground on
Sunday
07.01.2010
John Hartson was a welcome sight at the Boleyn Ground during last Sunday's
FA Cup tie with Arsenal. The former West Ham United and Gunners striker was
in high spirits and took some time out from his media work to thank the West
Ham United fans who have sent him good wishes during his recent illness.
"I've had unbelievable support from West Ham fans, and from those from all
my former clubs. I've had great support from the likes of Cardiff City and
Rangers, too," Hartson said. "I've been inundated with words of support from
both inside and outside sport, and it's been a great help for me and my
family at a difficult time."
Hartson was diagnosed with cancer in July last year and has been undergoing
chemotherapy and following some positive news earlier this month, the
34-year-old is even more determined for the months ahead. "I'm OK now. I'm
feeling much stronger. I've got a bit of surgery early this year on my brain
and my lung, but the chemotherapy seems to have really kicked in and
hopefully I'm going to be really good with it all. "I've got this surgery to
look forward to now, but once I've got that out of the way, I'm hoping to go
from strength to strength. "I feel quite strong. I'm keeping myself busy
doing lots of TV, radio and other media work. Fingers crossed, everything is
going in the right way for me."
The former Wales international scored 33 goals in 73 games for the Hammers
and was the second highest scorer in the Premier League in his first full
season with the club. Although his long-term plan is to get back on the
training pitch to pass his footballing knowledge on, at present he is
content keeping busy with his media work. "For now, I don't feel strong
enough to go out on to the training ground every single day. I've done all
my coaching badges, so I'm fully badged up with my C, B and A licences.
"Going on the television with Andy Townsend and Matt Holland and doing the
radio is the next best thing to playing and coaching. Being at the ground
and being involved is the next best thing to playing and if I can't play and
coach because I don't feel physically strong enough yet after my treatment,
that is the next best thing for me. "Long term, I'm hoping to get in
somewhere managing and coaching, but that could be years down the line yet."
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Fabio feeling fine
WHUFC.com
Fabio Daprela is looking for more on Sunday after his West Ham United
first-team bow
06.01.2010
Fabio Daprela is determined not to rest on his laurels after making his West
Ham United debut. The 18-year-old left-back impressed against Arsenal on his
first start last weekend, and is pushing to keep his place for the vital
Barclays Premier League visit of Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday. Herita
Ilunga is still struggling with a hamstring injury and Daprela is ready to
step in once more, should he be required. "Maybe I'll play against Wolves. I
don't know what the manager's decision will be. Everybody hopes to play in
the Premier League. My hope is to impress him in training and he will pick
me again."
The news that he was going to make his debut came as such a surprise for the
Switzerland Under-19 international, that he did not have time to get his
family over to the Boleyn Ground for the game. "The manager read out the
team and I found out I was playing. It was obviously too late for my family
to come over to watch, but I can send them a DVD. It was also on Sky in
Switzerland, so they were able to watch."
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West Ham and Millwall face crowd trouble hearing
BBC.co.uk
A three-day Football Association hearing into crowd trouble at West Ham's
Carling Cup match against Millwall is due to start on Wednesday. Both clubs
are expected to mount a strong defence against FA charges which followed the
game in August 2009. They are alleged to have taken insufficient action to
stop missile throwing and violent, threatening and racist behaviour at Upton
Park. West Ham are also accused of failing to prevent their fans invading
the pitch. The FA has convened a disciplinary hearing where an independent
three-man panel, chaired by a QC, will consider evidence. A verdict will be
announced on Friday at the earliest, with the possibility of a decision
being adjourned until next week. Wide-ranging sanctions are available,
although it is thought a heavy fine or suspended sentence would be most
likely if either club is found guilty of any charge.
The Hammers face four charges, while Millwall must answer three.
Both clubs face charges of failing to ensure their fans refrained from:
- Violent, threatening, obscene and provocative behaviour
- Racist behaviour
- Throwing missiles, harmful or dangerous objects on to the pitch
West Ham are also charged with failing to ensure their supporters did not
enter the field of play.
A Millwall supporter was stabbed as fans clashed outside the east London
ground and pitch invasions by West Ham fans followed each of their side's
goals in the 3-1 extra-time win. More than 20 people have been charged in
connection with disorder inside and outside the ground. Nine of those
pleaded guilty at Stratford Magistrates' Court in November to charges
including pitch invasion, violent disorder and criminal damage. Sentences
ranged from £150 fines to three-year bans from football games. Another 13
people are due to appear in court in January. West Ham's Carlton Cole and
Millwall's Jason Price alleged they were racially abused by supporters at
the match. Millwall chief executive Andy Ambler has said he considers the
charges to be unjustified, and brought in barrister Jim Sturman QC to draft
their defence. "We will be pleading not guilty to all charges and defending
our position vigorously," said Ambler. "It is a frustration to us that we
are committing significant resources of time, energy and money towards
having to defend ourselves in the face of these charges."
A total of 200 seats and a toilet block in the visiting supporters' section
of the ground were understood to have been damaged. When the charges were
announced on 28 September, Millwall said they were "shocked and
disappointed". "It was widely acknowledged that none of our supporters came
on to the pitch and indeed the behaviour and forbearance of our fans brought
praise from media observers on the night," said a club statement. "Our
question for the Football Association is what can Millwall Football Club do
to control individuals' actions once inside our opponents' stadium?"
West Ham also maintain they did as much as they could prior to the fixture.
"We do acknowledge the appalling behaviour of a minority of fans inside the
stadium and, in conjunction with police, will continue to take strong and
appropriate action against anyone found responsible," said a Hammers
spokesman. An FA statement alleged the clubs did not ensure their supporters
conducted themselves in an orderly fashion "in and around the ground".
Police say the 44-year-old Millwall supporter who was stabbed did not suffer
life-threatening injuries. Hundreds of supporters were thought to have
turned up for the game without tickets. It was the first time the east
London rivals had played each other since April 2005. Eyewitness reports
suggested opposing fans threw bottles and bricks at each other and started
small fires as police moved in to try to quell the disturbances outside the
ground. Inside the stadium, police and stewards battled to remove fans from
the pitch throughout the match.
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Kovac end International Career
BBC.co.uk
West Ham's Czech Republic midfielder Radoslav Kovac has announced he is
retiring from international football to concentrate on his club commitments.
The 30-year-old scored two goals in 30 matches for the Czech Republic and
played at the 2006 World Cup and 2008 European Championship. Kovac joined
the Hammers from Spartak Moscow on loan in January 2008 and signed a
permanent deal in August. The Czech Republic failed to qualify for the 2010
World Cup in South Africa. Versatile Kovac, who can play in central
midfield or defence, has scored once in 11 Premier League appearances for
West Ham this season. His side are one place above the relegation zone with
18 points from 20 matches.
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Zola's options boosted
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 6th January 2010
By: Staff Writer
Gianfranco Zola's injury woes have eased somewhat with the news that West
Ham can expect five players back for this weekend's Premier League clash
with Wolves. Zola, whose threadbare squad were narrowly beaten by Arsenal on
Sunday in the third round of the FA Cup welcomes back a string of players
for one of a series of 'six pointers' in the coming weeks. Scott Parker
(hamstring), Mark Noble (hamstring), Guillermo Franco (suspended), Jack
Collison (rested) and Jonathan Spector (rested) should all be available for
Sunday lunchtime's clash with fellow strugglers Wolves, who have recorded
just one win on their travels in the league since August (at Tottenham).
Still out however are Herita Ilunga, Carlton Cole, Kieron Dyer and Danny
Gabbidon (all hamstring strains) plus Zavon Hines, along with long term
injuries such as Calum Davenport and Luis Boa Morte - although all except
Hines and the long-termers are expected to be back by the beginning of
February. One positive to emerge as a result of the injury list was the
performance of young full-back Fabio Daprela, who impressed during his debut
against Arsenal last weekend. The 18-year-old defender is understandably
eager for more, and has given Zola a real dilemma ahead of the visit of
Wolves. Talking to whufc.com, he said: "Maybe I'll play against Wolves; I
don't know what the manager's decision will be. My hope is to impress him in
training and [that] he will pick me again."
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Kovac quits Czechs
Midfielder wants to focus solely on Hammers
By Richard Bailey Last updated: 6th January 2010
SSN
Radoslav Kovac has quit international football with Czech Republic to focus
all his attention on helping West Ham survive the drop. The 30-year-old
amassed 30 caps for his country, appearing in the 2006 World Cup and 2008
European Championship along the way. The midfielder has featured on a
regular basis for the Hammers this term making 15 appearances, 11 of them
starts in the Premier League. However Gianfranco Zola's side currently sit
perilously close to the relegation places and Kovac wants to put all his
effort into helping the club preserve their Premier League status. "I want
to concentrate on the English league," he told the Daily Mail. "Now at West
Ham we have an ambitious project. It has been a long and beautiful
experience. "I've played at the World Cup and the European Championship,
winning with the youth team (in the 2002 U21 European Championship). "I'm
over 30 so I decided to quit."
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Report: Three-Way Bidding War For West Ham United
Jan 7, 2010 6:45:38 AM
Goal.com
A three-way bidding war is set to take place for the takeover of West Ham
United, according to The Sun. An Intermarket group led by an American has
reportedly placed a £100 million bid with Rothschild - the bankers who will
deal with any potential suitors for a buy-out - with a view to quickly
bringing an end to the uncertainty surrounding the club.
The aforementioned sum is believed to have toppled the bid made by
prospective buyers - and former Birmingham City owners - David Gold and
David Sullivan. Meanwhile, another bid to buy the club is expected to arrive
on Monday, with airline tycoon Tony Fernandes - who is a well known fan of
the Hammers - tipped to lodge a bid after watching the relegation dogfight
against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday. Fernandes has declared in the
past that the financial state of the club was preventing him from a buy-out,
maintaining that his attention was turned toward taking over new Formula One
team Lotus sometime this year. However, the Malaysian has continued to be
linked as a potential buyer for the financially brittle London club. The
Intermarket group has assured manager Gianfranco Zola that he will be handed
transfer funds - in addition to ensuring that none of his important players
leave - should its bid be successful.
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WEST HAM MOVE FOR ADRIAN MUTU
ABOVE: Adrian Mutu 7th January 2010 By Sami Mokbel
The Star
WEST HAM believe they can wrap up the signing of controversial striker
Adrian Mutu early next week. The Hammers want the disgraced former Chelsea
star, 30, to help them stave off relegation to the Championship. And they
are close to agreeing the loan move with Fiorentina and hope he will be
available for the trip to Aston Villa on January 17.
Gianfranco Zola wants his former Stamford Bridge team-mate to provide goals.
And Mutu is ready to make a return to the Premier League. The Romanian
striker left Chelsea with his reputation in tatters when he was sacked for
cocaine use in October 2004. Chelsea then sued Mutu, who was ordered to pay
£13.8m in compensation to the club. Since then he has enjoyed largely
uneventful spells in Italy with Juventus and Fiorentina, but Hammers boss
Zola now wants him. Hammers sporting director Gianluca Nani originally
distanced himself from reports the club were tracking Mutu. But Starsport
understands he could arrive in London next week, in time to make his debut
at Villa Park.
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Agent: Gudjohnsen is looking into Monaco exit
Sport.co.uk
Author: Nigel Brown
Posted on:06 January 2010 - 14:49
Sport.co.uk can confirm that former Chelsea and Bolton Wanderers star Eidur
Gudjohnsen is considering his options at French club Monaco, however reports
of interest from Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham are untrue. Gudjohnsen's
agent Arnor Gudjohnsen informed Sport.co.uk that there was no truth in the
links with Spurs and the Hammers but that Eidur was considering his future
in France. West Ham have been linked with a move for Gudjohnsen since last
summer when the Icelandic international was considering his options at
Spanish giants Barcelona. Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp is also a
known admirer of the hit-man having enquired about the player's availability
while he was in charge at Portsmouth. Managerless Bolton Wanderers were
also linked with a move for their former striker when former manager Gary
Megson was in charge. It is not known whether Bolton are currently
officially interested in the Stamford Bride legend.
Eidur Gudjohnsen's agent, his father Arnor Gudjohnsen told Sport.co.uk in an
exclusive interview that his client is considering his future at French
Ligue 1 club Monaco, however the reports of a move to Tottenham Hotspur and
West Ham are untrue. He told Sport.co.uk: "There is no truth in the reports.
I have not been contacted by anybody. He is having a big think about his
future at the club. A January transfer is something he is looking into at
this moment in time but he has no particular club in mind. He is having a
long think." "He is talking to officials at Monaco and will make a decision
in the near future. But he is in no rush to decide his future." Gudjohnsen's
father responded negatively when asked if a return to Bolton Wanderers was a
possibility in the January window: "No, I don't think so."
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Tottenham Hotspur And West Ham United Look To Bring Eidur Gudjohnsen Back To
Premier League - Report
The duo are looking to bring the former Chelsea man back to England...
Jan 6, 2010 11:47:29 AM
London rivals Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United could be involved in a
transfer tug-of-war over Icelandic forward Eidur Gudjohnsen, according to a
report in French journal L'Equipe. The forward, formerly of Barcelona, has
failed to make the desired impact in France with Ligue 1 side Monaco, and
has struggled to impress in his previous six outings. Gudjohnsen, 31, has
Premier League experience having represented both Bolton Wanderers and
Chelsea, and Spurs and the Hammers are looking to bring in a bit of added
experience in order to aid their respective seasons. The north Londoners aim
to push for a European place, while the East Enders hope to ward off a
relegation threat. L'Equipe adds that should Tottenham fail in their efforts
to secure the services of Gudjohnsen, then they will ressurect their
interest in Real Madrid striker Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Either Van Nistelrooy or Gudjohnsen could be deemed a replacement for
Russian striker Roman Pavlyuchenko, who has struggled to assert himself at
White Hart Lane under Harry Redknapp. Gianfranco Zola, meanwhile, may be
tasked with the challenge of convincing towering forward Carlton Cole that
his future lies at Upton Park, as the Englishman is alleged to be on Arsenal
manager Arsene Wenger's radar.
Goal.com UK
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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger set to table £9m bid for West Ham's Carlton
Cole
By Sportsmail Reporter Last updated at 4:50 PM on 06th January 2010
Daily Mail
Arsenal are poised to table an offer for West Ham star Carlton Cole as
manager Arsene Wenger looks to ease the club's striking crisis. However,
according to The Sun, the Frenchman is only prepared to splash the £9million
demanded by the cash-strapped Hammers, should long-term absentee Nicklas
Bentnder fail a Friday fitness test. The Denmark international has been out
of action for over two months, after picking up a recurrence of a groin
injury during the Gunners 3-0 win over north-London rivals Tottenham at the
Emirates in October. Wenger hopes to have the 21-year-old available for
selection later this month. But Bendtner's return from injury has been
blighted by a serious of problems and Wenger admits he will be forced into
the transfer market, should any further complications delay his comeback.
'There is no way we can carry on with only one striker,' said the Arsenal
boss.'Bendtner is being treated now and will come back on Friday for tests.
If he is out for another two months, we will need to buy someone,
absolutely.'
Andrey Arshavin has been deployed as an emergency striker following the
season-long injury picked up by Robin van Persie, while he was on
international duty back in November. West Ham's Cole has himself been out of
action for over a month with a knee injury but manager Gianfranco Zola
revealed earlier this week that his star hitman was close to a return.
Unlike other potential targets Cole would be available to play in the latter
stages of the Champions League and crisis club West Ham would not stand in
the way of a switch to the Emirates Stadium, providing the Gunners meet
their £9milllion valuation. And Wenger did little to play down the
speculation saying: 'There is a 50-50 chance we'll sign somebody. Even if
Bendtner is OK we will look around and if we find a good bargain we will
still do it.'
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Hull City and West Ham want Aston Villa striker Marlon Harewood on
season-long loan
By Sportsmail Reporter Last updated at 10:08 AM on 07th January 2010
Daily Mail
Hull City and West Ham will battle it out to take Aston Villa's
out-of-favour striker Marlon Harewood on loan for the remainder of the
season. Phil Brown, the Hull manager, wanted Harewood at the KC Stadium last
summer but the former Hammers marksman joined Newcastle on loan instead,
scoring six goals in 15 matches. Villa would not stand in Harewood's way
and Phil Sproson, the player's agent, said: 'I have spoken to both Phil and
Gianfranco [Zola] and both said they were interested in Marlon if they can
get the deals sorted at their clubs. 'Phil said he is still interested in
Marlon and that he has watched him a couple of times recently. He said that
he had been impressed that Marlon has clearly got the bit between his teeth
again, but he said he had to get two or three players out before he could
bring anyone in. 'That is where we left it and it is a similar situation
with West Ham.'
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