WHUFC.com
Josh Payne has joined League One side Wycombe Wanderers on loan for an
initial month
22.01.2010
Josh Payne has joined League One club Wycombe Wanderers on loan. The
agreement, initially for a month, will see the 19-year-old midfielder join
Wycombe's battle to stave off relegation to League Two. The Buckinghamshire
side sit 23rd in the standings, seven points from safety. Payne could make
his Chairboys debut in Saturday's fixture with Southend United at Roots
Hall. Wycombe have failed to win in their last seven league matches, a run
stretching back to a 2-1 victory over Stockport County on 5 December.
The teenager, who started West Ham United's 3-1 Carling Cup win over
Millwall in August, enjoyed a loan spell with League One outfit Colchester
United earlier this season. Last term, he also spent three months with
Cheltenham Town, making 13 appearances for the Robins. Meanwhile, Andrea
Zola has joined Blue Square Premier club Grays Athletic for a month, where
he will be managed by former Hammers defender Julian Dicks. The 18-year-old,
who can operate at left-back or in a defensive midfield role, has made three
appearances for West Ham's reserve team this season.
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Tomkins feeling bubbly
WHUFC.com
James Tomkins believes there are more clean sheets to come with all eyes on
Portsmouth next Tuesday
21.01.2010
James Tomkins has been working hard in training this week after a hugely
successful performance last time out in the Barclays Premier League. The
England Under-21 defender has been on a high following his imperious turn in
the goalless draw at Aston Villa last Sunday. He had a leading role in the
rearguard action that denied a home side boasting the likes of Emile Heskey,
Gabriel Agbonlahor, Ashley Young, James Milner, Stewart Downing and
substitute John Carew. Alongside central defensive partner Matthew Upson,
Tomkins was a rock at the heart of the Hammers' back-four, winning header
after header and making block after block to keep Martin O'Neill's side at
bay. Tomkins and his team-mates have now kept two clean sheets in their last
three league games, taking their overall tally to four for the season.
Portsmouth, Blackburn Rovers and Wolverhampton Wanderers provide the
opposition in West Ham's next three fixtures and Tomkins sees no reason why
the fine form cannot continue at Fratton Park on Tuesday. "We've got a
little rest now as we've not got a game this weekend," said Tomkins. "We can
make the most of it and rest our legs ahead of what is obviously a big
fixture against Portsmouth. We played them recently and we beat them, so we
know what to expect. "We'll go there full of confidence. It would be nice to
win and if we can keep another clean sheet, we know we can't lose."
Last Sunday, captain Upson presented Tomkins with a bottle of champagne, but
the 20-year-old shared the bubbly with the whole team. "I was well pleased
as overall it was a good performance from us," said the Academy graduate.
"To go in at half-time at 0-0 and hold out for the draw was great, because
we were under quite a lot of pressure. The way we played and defended was
pleasing. "Clean sheets haven't come along too regularly this season, so to
get another one on the board was obviously good for our confidence levels.
It was not just the back-four and goalkeeper who defended well, it was the
whole team, really. "I was told that it was between me and Matty, but I
thought the whole back-four was brilliant and it was about the whole team.
We all did our jobs. A couple of times when we had to make individual
contributions and we all did so, so it went well."
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U18s go to Chelsea
WHUFC.com
Tony Carr's Under-18s will be looking to build on their midweek Youth Cup
win when they travel to Chelsea
22.01.2010
Tony Carr could call upon a number of promising youngsters for Saturday's FA
Premier Academy League trip to Chelsea. The Under-18s came through a
physically draining FA Youth Cup fourth-round victory over Queens Park
Rangers on Tuesday evening, and Academy Director Carr admitted he may rest
some of his older players at the Blues' Cobham training ground. The likes of
England U16 attackers Blair Turgott and Mathias Fanimo could be involved.
England U17 striker Robert Hall, who scored one goal and made another in the
3-0 victory over QPR, is likely to keep his place. Whatever lineup he names,
Carr is eager to complete a league double over Chelsea, having defeated them
3-1 at Little Heath in mid-November. Hall was on target twice that day, with
Conor Okus adding a third late on. "We've got Chelsea on Saturday," said
Carr. "We beat them at home, so it would be nice to do the double over them.
It will be tough, having played in the FA Youth Cup in midweek, with a few
of the lads nursing some cuts and bruises. We shall have to count the
wounded and see what we've got. "We might have to put a few younger boys in,
which might change the control we may have over the game. We're looking
forward to it, though, as it's a great pitch and a fantastic training ground
and they always make us feel very welcome. "Chelsea let spectators in to
watch the games, so we'd love some support with the first team being without
a game this weekend."
Kick-off at Cobham is at 11am. Admission is free.
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Quashie departs
WHUFC.com
Midfielder Nigel Quashie has joined Coca-Cola Championship side Queens Park
Rangers
22.01.2010
Nigel Quashie has joined Coca-Cola Championship side Queens Park Rangers
until the end of the season after being released by West Ham United. The
31-year-old midfielder made eight appearances for West Ham after joining the
club from West Bromwich Albion in January 2006. The Scotland international's
Hammers career received a setback when he suffered a broken foot in a
Barclays Premier League fixture against Tottenham Hotspur at the Boleyn
Ground two months later. Quashie, who has recently been on loan at League
One MK Dons, enjoyed a successful spell at Loftus Road earlier in his
career, scoring five goals in 63 appearances for the R's between August 1995
and August 1998.
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Transfer latest
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 22nd January 2010
By: Staff Writer
West Ham continue to be linked with a string of players following David
Sullivan's revelation that he is looking to bring in some new faces ahead of
the transfer window deadline.
The Midlands-based Sunday Mercury bring us one of the strangest links of the
transfer window this morning - a proposed 'shock move' for former Hammer
Bobby Zamora who they claim would cost more than the £5million Fulham paid
West Ham two years ago. Perhaps it's an-joke by the Brummies that's gone way
over our head.
Speaking of former players, Zamora's ex-strike partner Marlon Harewood is
another cited by some sources as a possible last-minute signing, should all
of West Ham's main transfer targets fall through. Harewood, who will always
be fondly remembered for his FA Cup semi final winner against Middlesbrough
is currently on loan at Newcastle but the Championship club are stalling
over offering the former Forest player a permanent deal. QPR are also said
to be monitoring the situation.
On to more likely targets and Blackburn's Benni McCarthy remains one of the
hot favourites to join the Double D's East London revolution, although
conflicting reports suggest the Hammers have offered anywhere between
£1-2million for the South African international. Rovers, no doubt mindful of
the fact that West Ham can afford to pay one player £100,000 per week are
said to be holding out for around £3million.
Elsewhere the mystery £100,000 man referred to Five Live yesterday by David
Sullivan is, according to most papers this morning, Real Madrid's Ruud Van
Nistelrooy - despite Sullivan adding that West Ham are the only English club
to make a firm offer for him. Van Nistelrooy was rumoured last night to be
close to joining former German giants SV Hamburg instead.
On possible outgoings and Swiss midfielder Valon Behrami is being linked
with a £15million move to Manchester City. I'll stick my neck out here and
say there's absolutely nothing in it as Behrami's agent, Allessandro
Beltrami, has a history of hawking his player in the press. Therefore don't
be surprised to see a few more stories of this ilk before the end of the
month.
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DS: fingers crossed
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 22nd January 2010
By: Staff Writer
David Sullivan says he remains hopeful of signing Real Madrid's Ruud Van
Nistelrooy - despite latest reports suggesting the Dutch striker is set to
snub a return to England. Van Nistelrooy is also said to be interesting
Tottenham and SV Hamburg, although nither are offering the kind of money
West Ham are, according to new joint Chairman Sullivan, who said: "We know
Spurs wanted him but we have offered far more money. You could say it
doesn't make sense because I have been critical of others who have overspent
at this club, but that is missing the point. "There has to be different
wages for different players, and if we have identified one special player,
and strikers are special, we have to pay the going rate to get him. "And
even offering as much as we have done, we are still competing with one
foreign club. It's now down to us and a foreign club, and I believe we shall
know in the next 72 hours, but they have a big advantage. "We are lumbered
with a 50% tax rate, the pound is weak against the euro, so it doesn't make
it particularly attractive for a foreign player. But Van Nistelrooy wants to
come back to the Premier League so we do have a fighting chance, and we are
waiting to hear. "But we also have a fallback position or two, because we
have identified the need for at least one striker."
Also in the frame are Blackburn's Benni McCarthy, Manchester City's Benjani
and Aston Villa's Marlon Harewood.
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Quashie gone - for good
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 22nd January 2010
By: Staff Writer
Nigel Quashie has joined Championship side Queens Park Rangers for the
remainder of the season - finally bringing an end to his turbulent spell at
West Ham. The 31-year-old midfielder - who began his career at QPR in the
mid-1990s - has been released from his contract with United and moves across
the City to join Rangers. The news was confirmed on qpr.co.uk this
lunchtime; a statement read: "Queens Park Rangers are delighted to announce
the signing of midfielder Nigel Quashie, following his release from West Ham
United. "Quashie, who began his career as a youth player at Loftus Road, has
put pen to paper on a deal until the end of the season." Quashie, who made a
grand total of eight appearances for the Irons during his three years at the
club said: "It's great to be back home, and I am delighted to be at a club
that I love to pieces. I had a good time when I was here before, and the
fans were very good to me. "I'm a fan of the club myself so I know what
they demand. There are some excellent players here and it is nice to come
back and be a part of it."
Of all the players signed by Eggert Magnusson and Alan Curbishley during the
Icelandic's reign at the club, Quashie is perhaps the most criticised deal
of them all. Signed for £1.75million to the surprise of many from West Brom
during the 2007 January transfer window, Quashie made just a handful of
appearances before sustaining an injury that was to keep him out of action -
on and off - for nearly two years, a period during which West Ham continued
to pay his £25,000-per-week wages. However that figure is dwarfed by the
salary earned by midfielder Kieron Dyer who has fared only slightly better,
managing 18 appearances since arriving at West Ham seven months after
Quashie.
* Young midfielder Josh Payne has joined Cheltenham on a month's loan.
Payne, who made his first team debut against Millwall in the Carling Cup
earlier this season goes straight into the squad to face Rochdale this
weekend.
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Sullivan: Hammers should not have accepted Tevez guilt
By Harry Harris, Football Correspondent
ESPN
January 22, 2010
West Ham co-owner David Sullivan has told Soccernet the club should not have
pleaded guilty in the Carlos Tevez affair and says they do not yet know the
full cost of the various lawsuits against the club. Sullivan has rated the
club's debt at £110 million. There is £50 million to be paid to banks, £40
million to other clubs and £20 million to Sheffield United over Tevez. West
Ham reached an agreement regarding compensation over Tevez in March last
year after the player - whose signing was deemed to have breached Premier
League third-party rules - helped the Hammers avoid relegation at Sheffield
United's expense in 2007.
Sullivan told Soccernet in an exclusive interview: "West Ham pleaded guilty.
They shouldn't have done. They should have fought the case. "Instead, this
club has to pay out. We have a well-documented legal settlement and there is
no way out of it, other than to offer to pay Sheffield United a lump sum -
then they might accept a slight deduction. Does anyone have a spare £30
million? "And that is not where it ends. Clubs like Fulham are still suing
West Ham over Tevez, and as new owners we intend to fight these issues."
The size of a payment due to former manager Alan Curbishley has also still
to be decided. The manager won a compensation claim late last year after
having left West Ham in September 2008, and Soccernet understands that
Curbishley could be owed up to £3.5 million, although West Ham might try to
settle at £1.25 million. Sullivan said: "The club have already lost their
case with Alan. It's a question of how much, and we shall now try to settle.
We are all hoping Alan gets himself another job, as it would mitigate his
loss!"
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Benni McCarthy move held up by permit issue
By Harry Harris, Football Correspondent
ESPN
January 22, 2010
Soccernet understands West Ham's move for Blackburn Rovers striker Benni
McCarthy has stalled due to a work permit complication. The South Africa
striker will need to re-apply for a work permit if he joins the Hammers and
that might delay a move from Blackburn beyond the end of the present
transfer window. New owners David Sullivan and David Gold were frustrated by
the long process of acquiring the club which means they are tight for time
in signing up at least one striker, possibly two, before the window closes
at the end of the month. An insider told Soccernet: "The work permit problem
could be overcome as the player has a Spanish wife, and could soon obtain a
Spanish passport, but that too will take time. "West Ham are working on all
the complicated issues, and one way out might be to take the player on loan
subject to a permanent deal, [but] then he would not be able to play against
Blackburn, which would not be a good idea." West Ham are tracking Ruud van
Nistlerooy as well as McCarthy in a sign of their intent to snap up a
quality striker - something manager Gianfranco Zola believes is the key to
avoiding relegation.
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West Ham make £100,000-a-week contract offer to 'special player'
West Ham co-owner David Sullivan has said he has offered a "special player",
thought to be Real Madrid striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy, a £100,000-a-week
contract.
Telegraph.co.uk
By Telegraph staff
Published: 9:49AM GMT 22 Jan 2010
West Ham are said to have joined Tottenham and Stoke in expressing interest
in Ruud van Nistelrooy. Sullivan admitted this week the club are £110m in
debt, but has now said he would be willing to pay out big wages to one
"exceptional" signing. "We've offered £100,000-a-week to a player today and
we are still not sure we are going to get him," Sullivan told Radio Five
Live. Tottenham challenging West Ham for Inter Milan forward Luis
Jimenez"That was a very special player. "There's no transfer fee involved
and he's got the choice of almost every club in Europe. He has played at the
highest level. "He's down to three clubs and West Ham are the only English
club still in the hunt for him. Whether we get him is another thing."
Sullivan did not mention the player involved, however, it is believed to be
former Manchester United striker Van Nistelrooy. The 33 year-old has been
linked with a move to Upton Park, with Tottenham and Stoke also interested
in the Dutchman. Sullivan admitted West Ham, who are 16th in the Premier
League, are desperate for a player who can make an immediate impact. He
said: "We can carry one exceptional player, who would make a difference on
that wage, but generally we have to bring the wages down and in the summer
we would hope to sign younger players on a fraction of those wages. "We have
looked at a few players in the Championship but the reality is that it is no
good if they make the grade in 12 months' time, we need them to make the
grade now. "We have a crisis and you have to have a different strategy to
what our long-term strategy will be."
He added: "We are trying to sign players because unfortunately we have come
in very, very late and we have got a very unbalanced squad. "We are
particularly short of strikers and they are the hardest and most difficult
position to fill. That's the short-term objective. "We have guaranteed that
we will not sell a player in the transfer window and we are looking at
targets. We are doing our best for West Ham but at the moment we are drawing
blanks."
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Football transfer rumours: Ruud van Nistelrooy to West Ham or Spurs
Today's tell-all promises so much, but delivers so little
Barry Glendenning guardian.co.uk, Friday 22 January 2010 08.52 GMT
Good morning. Today's Rumours overslept, so you'll have to go without
today's pointless opening paragraph o'fun. But then who needs one, when the
word on the street is that Ruud van Nistelrooy has decided against pledging
his future to an East End club joint-owned by a pair of rhythm mag
publishers, one of whom has a fondness for the kind of burgundy crushed
velvet dinner jackets made trendy by Bernard Manning in the 1970s. Despite
West Ham's offer of £100,00-per-week, the Dutch international striker will
definitely sign for Spurs. Maybe.
West Ham and Birmingham are both interested in bringing out-of-favour Milan
striker Klaus Jan Huntelaar to the Premier League on a loan spell, while the
player's agent has confirmed that his client is eager to go to a club
willing to give him first team football so that he can guarantee his place
in the Dutch World Cup squad. Marco Ruben's chances of securing a berth on
Holland's plane to South Africa are considerably slimmer, not least because
he's Argentinian. The striker does, however, remain hopeful that Roberto
Martinez will pluck him from Villarreal reserves and give him a chance at
Wigan.
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Benni on his way to West Ham
Bafana Bafana's Benni McCarthy could be on his way to West Ham after they
made a £1.2m offer for the striker.
Football365.co.za
The London club's new owners David Gold and David Sullivan are eager to snap
up the services of the Blackburn Rovers player as cover for the retired Dean
Ashton's and the injured Carlton Cole. Gold told the Daily Star: "Benni
would be a good acquisition. It is possible , it's just a question of
whether we can do business." Gold and Sullivan held talks with Hammers
mentor Gianfranco Zola this week and it looks likely that the former Porto
striker could join them in the next few days. "Gianfranco is a really nice
guy. I believe he can be a great manager," said Sullivan. "We agreed we need
at least one striker by the Portsmouth match next Tuesday and the second by
the end of the window."
The former Porto frontman revealed earlier this month that he was eager to
find another club in order to play regular first-team football as he looks
to get himself into prime condition for the World Cup on South African soil.
And according to the 32-year-old's older brother, Jerome, the former Ajax
man's move to the Hammers is all but done.
"Benni is definitely moving to West Ham and this is good for him as a player
and also for Bafana. "All of us are happy for him because he has not seen
regular action at Blackburn," he told the Daily Dispatch.
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Ruud van Nistelrooy snubs Tottenham, West Ham and Stoke for shock Hamburg
switch
By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 10:26 AM on 22nd January 2010
Daily Mail
Ruud van Nistelrooy is set to snub a return to the Barclays Premier League
in favour of joining Hamburg. Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United and Stoke
City had all hoped to sign the Real Madrid striker, but he apparently fears
he would not be able to live up to expectations that come with him being a
one-time Manchester United goal machine. The Hammers were even prepared to
meet his huge £100,000 a week present salary, but the 33-year-old Holland
international is instead on the verge of accepting a lower offer from
Hamburg. Van Nistelrooy has been sounding out compatriots Rafael van der
Vaart and Joris Mathijsen about the Bundesliga club. Van der Vaart played
for the club before signing for Madrid 18 months ago, while defender
Mathijsen is in his fourth season with Hamburg. Van Nistelrooy is keen to
play regular football in the run-up to the World Cup and is expected to seal
his move to Germany in the next 24 hours. Hamburg are also keen on AC Milan
striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, though it is unclear whether they will want to
complete deals for both of the Dutchmen. West Ham and Birmingham City have
been linked with the 26-year-old, who is unhappy at playing so little for
Milan since a summer switch from Real Madrid. With Arsenal, Liverpool and
Spurs all known to be looking at their attacking options, his agent Arnold
Oosterveer confirmed: 'There are some clubs in England interested in the
player, but out of respect for the clubs I cannot tell you (who they are).
'Everything is possible and in the last week (of the transfer window) a lot
of things can happen. He wants to play more than he plays now and if that is
in England or Germany or Spain or Italy, that is for him. 'There is no
problem at the moment and I hope Milan want to co-operate for the next four
months and play him, because he needs to play more. It depends if Milan want
to co-operate with the player. For now they want him to stay in Milan.'
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Manchester City launch whopping £15m bid for West Ham's Valon Behrami
By Matt Fortune
Last updated at 10:41 AM on 22nd January 2010
Daily Mail
Manchester City have moved to strengthen their already burgeoning midfield
ranks with a £15million bid for West Ham's Valon Behrami. The once-touted
'Switzerland's answer to David Beckham' has been a revelation since moving
to Upton Park, but could be sold to raise much-needed funds for the
relegation-threatened Hammers. West Ham's new co-chairman David Sullivan
and David Gold have suggested none of their star players will be sold this
month but such a cash injection could prove vital as Gianfranco Zola looks
to strengthen his side ahead of thei fight for Premier League survival.
Behrami, who cost the Hammers £5million 18-months ago, is popular with fans
and has proved a valuable asset for the injury-hit squad, filling in across
midfield and in defence. However the Swiss international has also had
fitness worries of his own. In March 2009 he suffered serious injuries to
his knee and ankle playing against Manchester City and only returned to
action in mid-September. Should Behrami make the move, West Ham are likely
to cement their interest in Aston Villa's out-of-favour duo Luke Young and
Marlon Harewood, the latter himself a former Hammer. Up front, they are keen
on City's Benjani Mwaruwari, whom they tried to sign last year. The
Eastlands outfit, meanwhile, also have their eyes Middlesbrough star Adam
Johnson. City have made tentative inquiries about the wing-wizard but face
competition from Chelsea, Sunderland and Wolves. Johnson is out of contract
in the summer and Boro boss Gordon Strachan is expecting his star-turn to
leave the Riverside. Sunderland were hoping to get their man for £3million
but City could win the race with a £5m bid.
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EXCLUSIVE: QUASHIE RETURNS TO R'S
Posted on: Fri 22 Jan 2010
Qpr.co.uk
Queens Park Rangers Football Club are delighted to announce the signing of
midfielder Nigel Quashie, following his release from West Ham United.
Quashie, who began his career as a youth player at Loftus Road, has put pen
to paper on a deal until the end of the season. The 31-year-old originally
left the R's in 1998 to join Nottingham Forest, before going on to play for
Portsmouth, Southampton, West Bromwich Albion and the Hammers. The combative
midfielder also spent time on loan at Birmingham City, Wolves and MK Dons
while being registered with the Upton Park outfit. Quashie told
www.qpr.co.uk: "It's great to be back home, and I am delighted to be at a
Club that I love to pieces.
"I had a good time when I was here before, and the fans were very good to
me. I'm a fan of the Club myself so I know what they demand. "There are some
excellent players here and it is nice to come back and be a part of it.
"We've got a chance to get into the play-offs, and if we can do that and
then get into the Premier League, the whole place will just take off. "I
guarantee I will play with passion. It's about putting your foot in and
working as hard as you possibly can. "We want opposing teams to come to
Loftus Road knowing they're going to face one hell of a difficult game.
"It's important to me that I do well for the QPR supporters."
R's gaffer Mick Harford added: "Nigel has been training with us for the last
few days and has looked excellent. "He will give us added experience in the
middle of the park and is a great addition. "No disrespect to anyone else,
but I feel we have missed Martin Rowlands and Gavin Mahon's experience.
Nigel will give us some of that." Quashie is expected to go straight into
the squad for next Tuesday's Championship fixture at Nottingham Forest. He
will wear shirt number 15.
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Huntelaar enquiries gather pace
Sport.co.uk
Author: Nigel Brown
Posted on:22 January 2010 - 12:13
According to the Daily Mirror Birmingham City and West Ham United have
contacted Serie A side AC Milan regarding the availability of Dutch
international striker Klaas Jan Huntelaar. German Bundesliga club Hamburg
are reportedly leading the chase for the frontman although Manchester
United, Liverpool, and Arsenal have also been linked with former Real Madrid
forward.
West Ham's new owner's David Gold and David Sullivan have promised that
manager Gianfranco Zola that they will provide funds to bring in two quality
strikers with former Manchester United forward Ruud Van Nistelrooy,
Blackburn Rover's striker Benni McCarthy, and Monaco's Eidur Gudjohnsen
confirmed targets for the newly owned Hammers.
Birmingham City are another Premier League club that has undergone a change
in ownership with new owner Carson Yeung eager to strengthen Alex Mcleish's
squad. Bids for Liverpool's Ryan Babel, Ranger's forward Kris Boyd, and a
number of other player's across Europe have signaled the new owner's
ambitious intentions. And now McLeish has asked his new bosses to enquire
about the possibility of signing AC Milan's Dutch marksman.
Long-term admirers Arsenal, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are
still reportedly monitoring the situation at the San Siro. Although Arsenal
boss Arsene Wenger hinted this yeterday that he is now unlikely to purchase
a striker in the January window with a five point plan. And, Manchester
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson may now have to use any surplus funds to
find defensive cover with John O'Shea out until the end of the season.
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Quashie seals Rs return
Midfielder delighted with Loftus Road return
Last updated: 22nd January 2010
SSN
Queens Park Rangers have sealed the signing of former star Nigel Quashie on
a deal until the end of the season. As revealed by skysports.com earlier
this month Rangers were lining up a move to bring the midfielder back to
Loftus Road. The 31-year-old secured his release from West Ham to enable him
to make the move back to Rangers on a free transfer. Quashie, who began his
career at QPR, was delighted to make the return to West London. "It's great
to be back home, and I am delighted to be at a club that I love to pieces,"
Quashie told the club's official website. "I had a good time when I was here
before, and the fans were very good to me. I'm a fan of the club myself so I
know what they demand. "There are some excellent players here and it is nice
to come back and be a part of it "We've got a chance to get into the
play-offs, and if we can do that and then get into the Premier League, the
whole place will just take off."
QPR boss Mick Harford feels Quashie will bring much-needed experience to the
team. "Nigel has been training with us for the last few days and has looked
excellent," said Harford. "He will give us added experience in the middle of
the park and is a great addition."
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West Ham and Ruud van Nistelrooy makes more sense than an electric blue
Rolls-Royce
David Sullivan preached prudence when he took over West Ham two days ago.
But a man with his flair for sartorial misadventure wasn't going to be quiet
for long and now he's prepared to splash the cash for Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Money well spent, says the Bung...
Telegraph
Published: 12:23PM GMT 22 Jan 2010
BACKING A SURE THING
Saviours come in many forms. Sometimes they are simple carpenters with
healing hands. Other times they are bubble permed fantasists who deal only
in black and white. And then there are those who appear out of electric blue
Rolls-Royces wearing claret coloured velour smoking jackets bought and paid
for by men who go shopping in stores with no external windows and a fine
line in onanistic apparel.
But in these difficult times one cannot pick and chose one's messiah. And
David Sullivan, the recently installed owner of West Ham, appears to have
his heart and his wallet in the right place.
The deal to see him returned to East Laaandan, the sound of Bow bells
ringing in his shell like, he claimed, made "no commercial sense at all".
It was a decision made by the heart rather than the head. The club are in
the kind of debt that in other industries would qualify them for a bumper
pay out from the treasury. He would not be waving a magic wand. Merely
steadying the ship and planning for the long haul.
But a man with the kind of sartorial devil may care attitude to rival Eddie
Izzard is not going to be all prudence and straight thinking for long. His
natural showmanship could not be suppressed for more than two days before he
was talking as loudly as he dresses about marquee signings, exceptional
circumstances and a wild punt on a nag that we all thought had long since
been put out to stud.
"We've offered £100,000-a-week to a player and we are still not sure we are
going to get him," said Sullivan, being unusually coy and showing nothing of
the financial caution he had previously claimed was necessary for West Ham
to survive and prosper.
"It's a very special player. He's got the choice of almost every club in
Europe. He has played at the highest level. He's down to three clubs and
West Ham are the only English club still in the hunt for him."
Tottenham, and even Stoke City, might dispute the veracity of the final part
of that statement, the 'it' in this case being Ruud van Nistelrooy, whom
Harry Redknapp and Tony Pulis both fancy a flutter on too.
"We can carry one exceptional player who would make a difference on that
wage," continued Sullivan. But would he really make a difference? Probably
yes. He may have the kind of pace these days that would give Dean Windass an
even chance of beating him in a hundred yard dash, especially if it was to
the chippy, but he's been there and done it all before.
Van Nistelrooy's goal scoring prowess has never been questioned. At PSV
Eindhoven, Manchester United and Real Madrid, before his legs went and the
club shelled out on a phalanx of attacking talent who could actually still
run for more than five minutes without needing a rest, he filled his boots
like few others.
At the age of 33 the Dutchman's best days are behind him. But with no
transfer fee to be paid the deal is not as highly priced as it first sounds
and with West Ham facing the prospect of relegation, a handful of goals from
the old stagger may well be enough to avoid that calamity.
Sullivan's judgement, at least when it comes to whistle and flutes and flash
motors, may not be one you would instantly think to trust, but he may well
be backing the right horse this time round.
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Arsenal and West Ham land Boro kids
15:01 - 22 January 2010
TheComet.net
PREMIER League giants Arsenal and West Ham United have between them signed
six eight-year-olds from youth football club Stevenage Borough Juniors. The
six youngsters, four of whom joined the club when they were just four years
old, have been chosen to receive two year training contracts from hundreds
of players that Arsenal and West Ham have looked at in the past 18 months.
All six - Jay, Patrick, Daniel, Ben, Joshua and Zak - attended an Arsenal
training session before brothers Patrick and Daniel signed for West Ham
while the rest remained with Arsenal. Patrick and Daniel's father Richard
said: "From the day we started at Stevenage Borough Juniors, my boys have
loved their football and they were always encouraged to both do their best
and have fun. "I'm sure the grounding they got will help them in the
future".
Local Arsenal scout Brian Stapleton said: "Stevenage Borough Juniors are
really good at developing youngsters and offer them every opportunity to
become better players." Stevenage Borough Juniors club secretary Brian
Mitchell said his club aims to help local youngsters make the most of their
natural footballing ability. Mr Mitchell said: "If that means that some
players leave us to join professional clubs, we are delighted for them and
are proud of the part we have played in their development. "However we are
just as proud of the progress that is made by the players that remain with
us and we try to make sure that playing football is a fun activity, as well
as a healthy pastime."
Any parent who would like their son or daughter to join Stevenage Borough
Juniors should contact Mr Mitchell on (01438) 350157. Players of all ages,
gender and abilities are welcome.
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