WHUFC.com
Carlton Cole was happy to return to Boleyn Ground action in Saturday's
goalless draw with Blackburn Rovers
31.01.2010
Carlton Cole was in philosophical mood following West Ham United's goalless
Barclays Premier League draw with Blackburn Rovers on Saturday. The England
striker made his first Boleyn Ground appearance since the 5-3 victory over
Burnley on 28 November, having recovered from a knee injury that had
sidelined him for two months. Cole scored in that success, and was
disappointed not to net his eighth goal of the campaign against Sam
Allardyce's side late on. Scott Parker had done superbly to power past two
Blackburn defenders before laying the ball across the six-yard box five
minutes from time, only for Cole to pull to the near post rather than latch
on to the midfielder's low centre. The 26-year-old admitted his lack of
match sharpness had played a part in his decision to attack the near post
rather than the centre of Paul Robinson's goal, but vowed to be back to his
best soon. Regardless of his disappointment at not finding the target, Cole
was happy to see the Hammers rise up the Premier League table courtesy of
the point they gained against the Lancastrians. "We've very frustrated,"
said Cole. "There were a lot disappointed boys in the changing room after
the game, but we looked at the other results and they all went our way. We
looked at the table and we've moved up to 15th, which is quite a result
considering we felt we needed more from the game. "It didn't work out in our
favour in the end, but we felt we should have won the game. There was one
point when I think I should have scored when Scott Parker put the ball
across the goal. I pulled back for him to play it into me and he's gone
across goal and it was gaping. I felt really bad that I wasn't there. "These
are the fine lines, sometimes, between winning and not winning a game and
we're going to get it right. I'm backing us to get it right and my
decision-making will come back sooner rather than later."
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Benni McCarthy deal done, claims West Ham manager Zola
BBC.co.uk
West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola claims a deal has been finalised to bring
Benni McCarthy to Upton Park from Blackburn. Reports last week claimed the
clubs had agreed an undisclosed fee for the 32-year-old, who has started
only nine games for Rovers this season. And after seeing his side draw 0-0
with Blackburn on Saturday, Zola revealed: "I do not know the terms yet, but
they have told me the deal is done. "He should be available for the next
game (at Burnley on Saturday)."
The news will come as a relief to the Italian after seeing Tottenham
persuade Monaco striker Eidur Gudjohnsen to snub the Hammers in favour of a
move to White Hart Lane.
"Benni will be a threat in the last third. He is a player who can score
goals and he will be a very good help for us," said Zola, whose side once
again laboured up front on Saturday - even after the second-half
introduction of fit-again England striker Carlton Cole. McCarthy, expected
to cost around £2.5m, will be new West Ham owners David Sullivan and David
Gold's first signing since their takeover of the debt-ridden club earlier
this month. Sullivan has revealed the club are £110m in the red, however,
the former Birmingham co-owner has said bolstering Zola's squad is a
priority despite the club's financial woes. "We are particularly short of
strikers and they are the hardest and most difficult position to fill.
That's the short-term objective," Sullivan said. McCarthy joined Blackburn
from Porto in the summer of 2006 and has scored 52 times for the club but is
eager to boost his chances of playing for South Africa when they host the
World Cup this summer. Rumours of his exit from Ewood Park have been rife
for months, with McCarthy voicing his frustrations about a lack of
first-team opportunities. Rovers boss Sam Allardyce labelled 32-year-old
McCarthy "selfish" for missing training in an apparent effort to force the
move through. Allardyce said: "The only loyalty a player has got is to
himself. That's not just Benni, that's all players today. "It's more about a
selfish attitude that they have. If something comes their way that they
think they must have, they try their very best to go and get it."
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Benni backed to bring goals
Zola believes South African can complement Cole
Last updated: 31st January 2010
SSN
West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola does not feel he is taking a gamble on
prospective signing Benni McCarthy. The South African striker is expected to
tie up his switch from Blackburn on Monday and the 32-year-old will arrive
at Upton Park with the task of scoring the goals to keep the Hammers in the
Premier League. But McCarthy has hardly been in prolific form this season -
scoring just once in the league for Rovers - and question marks have been
raised over the player's fitness amidst weight problems he has had this
year. But Zola insists the former Porto front-man offers a youthful West Ham
side bags of experience and the Italian has backed him to deliver the goods
in East London. "We are already a very young team, so I think it is not
wrong that we bring in somebody with the experience, football knowledge and
also goals," he said. "Benni has got quality in the final third, which is
what I am looking for. "He has got goals in his bag and that is what I need
right now and that is what I am going to be asking him to produce for us."
Zola admits he is relishing the thought of fledging McCarthy out onto the
battlefield with fellow striker Carlton Cole, who made his second substitute
appearance since recovering from a knee injury in the goalless draw against
Blackburn on Saturday. And the Hammers boss believes the strike partnership
has the potential to be like Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole's at Manchester
United in the 1990s. "I think it will be a good partnership because Cole is
strong and skilful as well, so I think they will find a good combination,"
added Zola. "I think there are similarities [with Yorke and Andy Cole].
"Obviously you are comparing them to a very good and established couple, but
I think if they work together and help each other they can really be a big
asset for us. "It will be a big help for Carlton as well because it is going
to give him the opportunity to be more relaxed. "Also the opposition will
not only have to look after one player, they have to look after two players
and that is a big thing."
Zola added: "I have seen partnerships like that develop. "It is a kind of
understanding that you can see straight away whether it clicks or not. So,
if it really works, it's not going to be long."
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Hammers close on Brazilian
St Etienne forward heading for Upton Park
Last updated: 31st January 2010
SSN
Sky sources understand West Ham are closing in on the signing of Brazilian
striker Ilan. Hammers co-owner David Sullivan had claimed over the weekend
that West Ham were closing in on a mystery Brazilian and it appears St
Etienne's Ilan is the man in question. Ilan is out of contract in the summer
and St Etienne are believed to be willing to let him move on for a nominal
fee. West Ham have made their move for the 29-year-old as they look to
bolster their attacking options before the transfer window slams shut on
Monday. The Hammers missed out to Spurs for Eidur Gudjohnsen and they have
turned their attentions to Ilan. Ilan will have no problem gaining a work
permit as he holds an Italian passport and he is expected to fly into London
on Monday to tie up the move to Upton Park.
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West Ham bosses tell failing stars: 'Buck your ideas up'
Published 23:00 31/01/10 By Darren Lewis
The Mirror
New West Ham owners David Gold and David Sullivan have told the players to
buck their ideas up. The duo have met with the players to let them know in
no uncertain terms of the need to win their relegation fight. Striker
Carlton Cole said: "Yeah, we've been spoken to and everybody's clear on
what's expected of them. "That's all we need to know for us to go out and
give 100 percent every game." Midfielder Scott Parker added: "We have two
new owners who look like not only are they massive fans, but they really
want to take the club forward, which is pleasing." Asked if the mood has
lifted in the camp since the takeover, Parker added: "Definitely. "I think
it can only be good for the team. Obviously the negativity surrounding the
club over the last few months never helps. "As a player you're always
probably the last to know but you read what you read and it isn't good, but
things have settled down and it feels a bit more stable now, so I'm sure we
can really push on. "We need to win some games now because we're in a
relegation fight."
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West Ham and Spurs in talks over Robbie Keane
Published 23:59 31/01/10 By Alan Nixon Exclusive
The Mirror
Tottenham want a stunning £1 million loan fee for skipper Robbie Keane - a
shock deadline day target for struggling West Ham. And Spurs have told the
Hammers that they will also have to pay the Republic of Ireland striker's
£70,000-a-week wages in full for the rest of the season to have him. Hammers
supremo David Sullivan is desperate to land Keane as a trophy capture for
his club. He would prefer to have him on loan with a view to a full-time
deal, but was quoted those sky-high figures yesterday. Spurs would be
willing to let Keane go to their capital rivals - a club they do not see
eye-to-eye with on transfers - but they want a total of around £3 million
for the rental agreement. Sullivan is considering his options. He thinks
Keane could keep his team in the top flight and save them the massive cost
of relegation - and he may yet come up with the cash. The clubs have also
discussed the possibility of a full-time move or even a swap, but the loan
option is now favourite and Sullivan is going to make that final decision
today. Hammers are recruiting Brazilian striker Ilan on a free transfer from
St.Etienne and closing a deal for Benni McCarthy, but they want one more
leading forward. Spurs beat them to Eidur Gudjohnsen to add to the acrimony
between the two clubs, leaving Sullivan wanting to do Keane instead - and
having to face a major bill. The Keane option is alive and is stopping Roman
Pavlyuchenko from going out of White Hart Lane, but Spurs will call a halt
to the possible move for their captain if the Russian goes.
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Gianfranco Zola backs Benni McCarthy to blossom
West Ham 0 Blackburn 0
The Times
Gary Jacob at Upton Park
It was hard to believe that Gianfranco Zola and Sam Allardyce were talking
about the same player at Upton Park on Saturday. Benni McCarthy, who is on
the verge of completing a move from Blackburn Rovers to West Ham United, was
painted by Allardyce, the Blackburn manager, as a slow, ageing player, who
is overreliant on team-mates. In the eyes of Zola, however, the former Porto
forward is an imposing, experienced poacher, who will be invaluable in the
trenches of a relegation battle, while proving an ideal foil for Carlton
Cole in attack.
A solitary Barclays Premier League goal this season does not bode well, and
strips the gloss off his strike rate of nearly a goal every two games in
four years at at Ewood Park.
"The legs are not quite as good but the talent is there," Allardyce said.
"If you can get players to do the workload, he'll score you goals." It is
understood his relationship with Allardyce soured after the Blackburn
manager told the South Africa striker to lose weight last month. Blackburn's
fans will also shed no tears at his exit, having booed McCarthy during the
2-2 draw at home to Sunderland on December 28.
West Ham, one point above the bottom three, will cling to Allardyce's other
contention that McCarthy shows his best form when he first moves to a club;
the striker scored 24 goals in his first season in England, after his move
from Porto in 2006.
"He can help Cole to relax and give the opposition two forwards to think
about," Zola said.
McCarthy will be the first arrival under the new regime of David Sullivan
and David Gold, who entertained Jack Petchey, the property entrepreneur, and
Michael Tabor, the investor and former bookmaker, on Saturday. This limp and
anxious display could be enough to convince the West Ham board that they
need more than just McCarthy to guarantee the club's survival in the league
this season.
West Ham United (4-5-1): R Green 5 — J Faubert 6, J Tomkins 6, M Upson 6, J
Spector 6 — A Diamanti 4, V Behrami 5 (sub: S Parker, 70min 5), M Noble 6, R
Kovac 6 (sub: C Cole, 58 5), J Collison 4 — F Nouble 4 (sub: F Sears, 78).
Substitutes not used: M Stech, M Da Costa, H Ilunga, J Stanislas. Next:
Burnley (a).
Blackburn Rovers (4-1-4-1): P Robinson 5 — P Chimbonda 5, C Samba 7, R
Nelsen 6, G Givet 5 — S N'Zonzi 5 — E-H Diouf 5 (sub: D Hoilett, 84), B
Emerton 5 (sub: K Andrews, 58 5), M G Pedersen 7, M Olsson 5 — N Kalinic 5
(sub: J Roberts, 71). Substitutes not used: J Brown, S Reid, F Di Santo, M
Salgado. Booked: Nelsen. Next: Stoke City (a).
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Hammers are Overdrawn
The Sun
SCOTT PARKER is desperate for West Ham's players to change their draws.
Hammers have finished level in four of their last six league games. And
midfielder Parker said: "We need to turn the draws into wins. We all need to
chip in. We've got some massive games coming up with teams around us. "We're
in a relegation fight and we need to win games. The negativity surrounding
the club over the last few months never helps. "We have two owners come in
who look like they are massive fans and really want to take the club
forward, which is pleasing."
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Brazilian close to joining West Ham United strike force following Blackburn
stalemate
West Ham United are closing in on Brazilian international striker Ilan and
the 29 year-old could join Benni McCarthy at the club's Chadwell Heath
training ground on Monday.
Telegraph.co.uk
By John Ley
Published: 7:00AM GMT 01 Feb 2010
After failing to score for the second time in three games, the need for
attacking reinforcements was again painstakingly obvious. Carlton Cole made
a second cameo appearance but needs easing back gently so the arrival of
McCarthy will be gratefully received, as would the arrival of the Brazilian
– full name Ilan Araujo Sall'lgna. Ilan is near the end of his contract with
St-Etienne and would be subject to only a nominal fee. McCarthy is more
expensive at £2.25 million and on a 2½-year contract.
Sport on television According to his former manager, West Ham United should
enjoy the talents of McCarthy while they can. West Ham will not complain if
McCarthy supplies the goals that keep them up, but clearly there is little
love lost between Sam Allardyce and the striker.
"He is a hugely talented player," said the Blackburn manager, before
offering a warning. "I think he'll be really, really good when he comes to
the club because he generally is the best he is when he first goes to any
new club. When he came to Blackburn Rovers he scored 24 goals in his first
year and hasn't quite replicated that since."
The statistics confirm Allardyce's claim. In his first season at Celta Vigo
he scored eight league goals but managed only two in the next three seasons.
In a loan spell at Porto he got 12 in 11 games, and followed that by
repaying a permanent move with 19 goals, but added only 14 in the next two
seasons. And since he scored 24 in the 2006-07 campaign, he has managed just
28 in 2½ seasons.
Blackburn came closest to scoring here when Morten Gamst Pedersen hit the
crossbar before Mark Noble clearly handled a Gael Givet shot on the line.
All of which left new co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan wondering what
they had left themselves in for. They played Cockney gems Knees Up Mother
Brown and Any Old Iron to greet the new men in charge. And there's even a
Facebook campaign aimed at bringing back the popular girls, the
"Hammerettes". But manager Gianfranco Zola knows it will take more than a
dancing troupe to keep West Ham in the Premier League.
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McCarthy, ILan and ?
West Ham Till I Die
Another transfer window deadline day and more keen anticipation of an
inspired deal or two out of left field. The protracted transfer of Benni
McCarthy has been finalised and it has been suggested by SSN that the
mystery Brazilian striker is free agent Ilan.
I think McCarthy is an excellent short-term signing. He will bring
experience and a cutting edge to our attack. Yes he is 32, but there is a
lot to be said for having an older head up front to combine with our younger
players. West Ham have been creating plenty of chances but not converting
them. Even yesterday, when our chances were few and far between, I reckon a
striker of McCarthy's quality would have snapped up Parker's pull back from
the by-line. It was shocking that no Hammers forward was within a mile of
that ball. When Parker got to the byline, what did they think he was going
to do with the ball? They should have been in the box, lining up to finish
it!
Ilan is a bit of an unknown quantity to most of us. He has been capped by
Brazil a few times and holds an Italian passport, so no visa issues! He has
just been released 'by mutual consent' from his contract with his French
club, after allegedly falling out with the coach. From his career stats he
does not appear to be prolific in front of goal, having scored twice in 12
games this season. And that is what slightly concerns me. French football
is not of the standard of the PL and certainly is not as fast or physically
challenging. Allied to that is the question mark over his current level of
match fitness, having only played 12 matches all season?
Still, if we do sign Ilan, then lets give him the benefit of the doubt.
Afterall, there were questions raised over Franco's prior goal scoring
record, when he joined us, and he has proven to be a successful signing, so
who knows?
Another concern about much of the Sunday transfer speculation was the
constant links to our 'old friends' at White Hart Lane! The news item that
caught my eye was the proposed loan/permanent signing of Robbie Keane. I
have no quibble with the club targeting Keane, I think that he would do very
well at Upton Park, playing alongside Cole or McCarthy. However, it was the
suggestion by some media outlets that Spurs want either Cole or Tomkins in
exchange that really caught my attention!! Sorry, but that is not a good
deal. In my book it needs to be a loan or straight cash, with no strings
attached.
There was another link with Spurs in the form of Alan Hutton. We need a
right-back and they want to loan him to a PL team to improve his match
fitness. The deal should be mutually beneficial, but this is Spurs that we
are talking about! They will probably keep us talking to 3pm on deadline
day and then agree an alternative deal with Sunderland!
Also, Hutton does have a poor recent injury record and that has to be a
consideration. Personally, I would go for Young at Villa or Ferriera at
Chelski in preference to Hutton. But we shall see what transpires?
So, no doubt we will all be keeping an close eye on the media up to 5pm
tomorrow. Lets hope that we do a bit of decent business and that it is not
a anti-climax like the last couple of transfer windows.
SJ. Chandos.
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West Ham 0 Blackburn 0: Benni's lost his jet heels, blasts Sam Allardyce
By Laura Williamson
Last updated at 1:08 AM on 01st February 2010
Daily Mail
Sam Allardyce fired a parting shot at Benni McCarthy ahead of the striker's
expected £2.5million move to West Ham. The Blackburn manager said McCarthy
will have to rely on his younger team-mates for support and suggested the
32-year-old could be a flash in the pan at Upton Park. Allardyce said: 'He's
not getting any younger. The legs are not quite as good but the talent is
still there so, if you can get other players around him to do the workload,
then he'll use the talents to get you chances and score you goals. 'He
generally is the best he is when he first goes to any new club. When he came
to Blackburn he scored 23 goals in his first year and hasn't quite
replicated that since.' Not surprisingly, West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola
argued McCarthy would bring some much-needed experience to his relatively
young side. He said: 'He's got quality in the last 20 metres, he's got goals
in his bag and that's what I need right now.'
West Ham's pressing need for a striker was exposed in Saturday's dour
stalemate. Frank Nouble worked tirelessly as the lone front man but was too
isolated until West Ham switched to 4-4-2 when Carlton Cole, playing just
his second match since November, came on after 57 minutes. Blackburn argued
they should have had a penalty when Mark Noble handled on the line while
substitute Jason Roberts ought to have scored when he turned James Tomkins,
but saw a tame shot saved by Robert Green. At the other end, Alessandro
Diamanti's left-foot effort was tipped over the bar by Paul Robinson.
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Brazilian Striker Ilan Ready To Put Pen To Paper At West Ham United – Report
Having missed out on their primary transfer target Eidur Gudjohnsen to
Tottenham Hotspur last week, West Ham United are finally set to bolster
their attacking options by signing St Etienne striker Ilan.
Jan 31, 2010 4:53:00 PM
Goal.com
According to Sky Sports the Brazilian frontman is expected to fly to Upton
Park on Monday to finalise the deal before the January transfer window slams
shut. The Hammers' new co-owner David Sullivan eluded to the potential
signing of a "mystery Brazilian" following the club's goalless draw with
Blackburn Rovers on Saturday. It now appears the 29-year-old Ilan is the
man in question. Ilan is out of contract over the summer and it is believed
that the French strugglers are willing to let him leave for a nominal fee.
Holding an Italian passport, Ilan should have no problem gaining a work
permit.
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Grays boss Dicks impressed by West Ham youngster Zola Jr
31.01.10 | tribalfootball.com
Grays Athletic boss Julian Dicks has been impressed by West Ham United loan
signing Andrea Zola. The Italian fullback is the son of Hammers manager
Gianfranco Zola. Dicks told the Daily Express: "He has a great football
brain and you can't teach that. It's in the genes. And he can get stuck in
and put himself about a bit, too. "He was in the reserves at West Ham but he
wants to play every week so he has come to us for a while and looks
impressive."
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West Ham legend Dicks delighted two Davids now in charge
31.01.10 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United legend Julian Dicks is delighted to see his old club in the
hands of David Gold and David Sullivan. Dicks is currently manager of Grays
Athletic. He told the Daily Express: "Sullivan and Gold are real West Ham
supporters and we know that because they have been saying it for years, not
just recently for public consumption. "What did we have when the Icelandics
were in charge? Some bloke who came in and made a lot of noise, told
everyone he was a West Ham supporter and delivered nothing but trouble. I
spent 11 years with West Ham, the best part of my life. But last season I
went back and they wouldn't even let me in. It didn't feel like my club any
more. "Yet the supporters are fantastic. They are what West Ham are really
about, and I'm sure those fans are delighted that they've got their club
back from the brink in this way. "They are not daft there. They realise
they're probably never going to win the Premier League title, but they love
a good cup run and they love the club and that is very important. It was
always a fantastic place to play, even when I was with Birmingham. And the
fans were so good to me I get goosebumps just talking about it now. "I have
to say, though, that Upton Park has lost a bit of its atmosphere, which I
guess is a sign of the times. And I don't like the idea of any move to the
Olympic stadium, either. It just doesn't feel right."
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Palermo fail to convince West Ham to sell Behrami
01.02.10 | tribalfootball.com
Palermo made an approach for West Ham United midfielder Valon Behrami on
Saturday. Sicilian sources say agent Alessandro Beltrami sounded out West
Ham about the possibility of selling Behrami to the Rosanero, but received
zero encouragement. West Ham insist Behrami cannot be sold with such little
time to find a replacement for the Switzerland international.
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