Daily WHUFC News - 30th May 2010

Hall's final fling
WHUFC.com
Robert Hall's England U17s will go for UEFA European Championship glory on
Sunday
29.05.2010

Lucky charm Robert Hall will go for UEFA European U17 Championship glory
when England tackle Spain in the final on Sunday. The West Ham United
forward has played his part in the Young Lions' march to the final,
appearing in all four of England's matches at the tournament in
Liechtenstein. The 16-year-old appeared as a substitute in the Group B
victories over Czech Republic and Greece before starting and scoring a
penalty winner in a 2-1 success against Turkey. An early injury to
Manchester United's William Keane gave Hall the opportunity to get another
74 minutes under his belt as John Peacock's side beat France 2-1 to set up
Sunday's final. Peacock could be forgiven for thinking Hall only has to step
on to the pitch for England to win, such has been the youngster's record in
an England U17 shirt - he has played 15, won 13, drawn two and lost zero,
scoring eight goals.
England have won all ten matches they have contested in this year's European
Championship campaign, winning all six qualifiers and four games at the
finals. To add to his penalty against Turkey, Hall also netted twice in the
6-2 qualifying round win over Kazakhstan before adding another in the 4-0
Elite Round qualifying success against Sweden.
Sunday's final promises to be a testing affair, however, as opponents Spain
have won nine of their ten matches, scoring 36 goals in the process. In a
repeat of the 2007 final, which Spain won 1-0 thanks to a goal from FC
Barcelona star Bojan, England will have to keep a close eye on captain and
Valencia CF forward Paco, who has netted 12 goals in nine European
Championship matches. Manager Peacock is expecting a close game at the
Rheinpark stadium: "We've never won the U17s finals. It's been an objective
for this group to reach the final. We have done that now and we'll continue
to do the work and we'll prepare properly in the next two or three days and
hope that we can finally take that U17 title that the Spanish have done
before us. I just hope it keeps going."

Sunday's final will be screened live by British Eurosport 2, with kick-off
at 5pm.

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Specs starts in US victory
WHUFC.com
US defender Jonathan Spector played the opening 45 minutes in a 2-1 friendly
win over Turkey on Saturday
29.05.2010

Jonathan Spector is relishing the challenge of winning a starting place in
the United States' starting XI for their FIFA World Cup match with England.
The West Ham United defender has lined up across the back four for Bob
Bradley's side since making his international debut against Jamaica in
November 2004. Although his preferred position is centre-back, the
24-year-old featured at right-back in the Americans' march to the FIFA
Confederations Cup final in South Africa a year ag o, while he was a regular
at left-back for the Hammers this season. Spector is expected to battle
Hannover 96 defender Steve Cherundolo for the starting right-back berth at
the World Cup, although US commentators have speculated that he could also
challenge Chivas USA star Jonathan Bornstein and IK Start player Clarence
Goodson for the left-back position. The Americans completed their World Cup
preparations by taking on Turkey in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Sunday,
with the West Ham player returning to the starting XI after missing the 4-2
defeat by the Czech Republic in Hartford, Connecticut the previous Tuesday.
Spector played the opening 45 minutes at right-back before being replaced by
Cherundolo as the US battled back from a goal down to secure a 2-1 win
thanks to second-half goals from former Hull City striker Jozy Altidore and
Fulham midfielder Clint Dempsey. Wherever he plays against England in
Rustenburg on 12 June, the Illinois-born player insisted everyone in
Bradley's squad will be pulling in the same direction. "Everyone gets along
really well and I think we're all happy to be starting our preparations for
the World Cup," said Spector. "We're all excited about it and there's a
collective belief that we can do something special in South Africa. "Every
time you step out on to the field, you are competing for a place. I think
that's a good thing. It's not just the guys who are here right now, but
we're grateful to all the guys who have been in camp previously for pushing
to make each other better. The competition for places in the team is
certainly a good thing."
Spector missed the 2006 World Cup in Germany after suffering a serious
shoulder injury. He was also sidelined for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing
after undergoing surgery for a hip flexor problem. This summer, however, it
now appears certain that Spector will appear in the world's biggest
tournament for the first time in his career.

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Faubert's fine year
WHUFC.com
Julien Faubert's Performance of the Season award against Hull City summed up
his great progress
29.05.2010

A year ago Julien Faubert went into the close-season determined to turn
around his fortunes at West Ham United. The Frenchman signed off the 2008/09
season with a disappointing but enlightening six-month loan spell at Real
Madrid where he played just twice. At a crossroads in his career, Faubert
resolved to return to the Boleyn Ground in better shape and with a better
attitude towards making it at West Ham United. An achilles injury and
related aches and pains had blighted his first 18 months in London but, with
a newfound resolve, Faubert packed himself off to a fitness camp in Italy
and began to work on a personal programme. By the time pre-season came
around in July, Faubert was leaner, meaner and a whole lot keener.
"Personally, it's been a good season for me because I just came back as a
football player," Faubert said of his form that even had some talking about
a potential return to the France squad. "That's what I wanted, so I'm
happy." "I feel like a West Ham player more this season because I played a
lot of games in a hard season. Last season I didn't play too much, but this
time I've played 25-plus games, so I definitely feel like a West Ham player.
His happiness was reflected in his displays at right-back - his preferred
position - as he established himself as Lucas Neill's replacement. He played
36 league and cup games, the most of any outfield player, and opened his
scoring account in claret and blue in the 3-0 home win against Hull City on
20 February. Not only did the France international mark his 50th appearance
for the club with his first goal, but he also provided an inch-perfect pass
for Carlton Cole to score the Hammers' second goal in what proved to be an
absolutely vital success. The 26-year-old dedicated the award to the memory
of his mother Elisabeth, who passed away in January. Faubert said: "I have
to admit I'm a little bit surprised but I feel very happy because it's been
a hard year for me because I lost my Mum and have had too many things to
think about. "I'm very proud of this award and want to say 'Thank you' to
the fans because they have supported me all the time - when I lost my Mum
and had some difficult moments. I just want to say 'Thank you' and I hope
this is not the last award I win.
"Last season was a hard season for me because I didn't play too much and I
was just coming back from my achilles injury. It was a very hard season for
me, so play a lot of games, to stay in the Premier League and to have the
support of all the fans is very important for me. "The award is true because
it was my best game of the season. I gave a great assist for Coley for a
good finish and I scored as well, so it was the best game for me for a long
time. "Sometimes you don't know what the fans are thinking and when you win
an award you know they recognise your work. They see you on the pitch and
are behind you all the time, so it's good for me and for my Mum, because
this is for her as well. "I just want to say 'Thank you' to the fans,
because it's been a hard season for them as well. I want to say 'Sorry' and
we'll do better next season."

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Birdman of the Boleyn
WHUFC.com
Mick Fisher and Flossey the Harris Hawk are keeping pigeons away from the
Boleyn Ground
29.05.2010

While West Ham United's players are away either on holiday or preparing for
the FIFA World Cup, Flossey the Harris Hawk is still putting in hours of
hard work at the Boleyn Ground. Flossey and her handler Mick Fisher from
Essex-based Nature's Way Pest Control visit the stadium twice a week in
order to keep pigeons and other unwanted birds out.
The ten-year-old bird of prey has been visiting the Boleyn Ground for the
past five years and has built up a reputation for defending her territory
akin to Hammer of the Year Scott Parker. "Flossey is really meant as a
deterrent to keep the pigeons out," Fisher told WHUTV. "If she can catch
them, she'll have them, but that's very rare. She is a bit too slow for
catching them, but you don't want her catching them really, because they do
make a mess. "I've been coming here for about five years and doing the job
for ten years. The idea is that where birds are territorial, if they see her
coming in regularly, they think she has moved in here. There is also a wild
kestrel living here, too. "We come in for a couple of hours twice a week and
Flossey will fly around and make her presence felt. "A lot of clubs use us
to keep pigeons out of their stadiums. We also do Arsenal, Reading, Charlton
Athletic, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Birmingham City, so we go up as far as
there."

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Sullivan - Upson could leave
Hammers accept centre-half may want to move on
Last updated: 29th May 2010
SSN

David Sullivan admits West Ham may struggle to retain the services of
Matthew Upson this summer. The Hammers have tabled a new three-year contract
to the England international, but he is yet to put pen to paper. He is keen
to keep his options open until after this summer's World Cup, with Tottenham
Hotspur and Manchester City reported to have expressed an interest. West Ham
co-owner Sullivan accepts that every player must want to better themselves
at all times and is well aware of the mounting interest from afar. He
insists that no deal has been agreed as yet, though, and has called on those
waiting in the wings to make their move so the distracting saga can be laid
to rest. "We keep hearing the agent may have done a deal with a bigger
club," Sullivan said in the Daily Mail. "I can't say who but I wish they'd
get on and make an offer. We've had offers from lesser clubs who he probably
wouldn't go to. "He probably fancies one last throw of the dice at a big
club. I wish Matthew well."

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Daily WHUFC News - 29th May 2010

Spector visits White House
WHUFC.com
Jonathan Spector has met President Barack Obama during a special reception
28.05.2010

Jonathan Spector has warmed up for the United States' final pre-FIFA World
Cup friendly on home soil by meeting President Barack Obama. The West Ham
United defender and Commander in Chief both hail from the same state,
Illinois, where Spector grew up in the Chicago suburb of Arlington Heights
and Obama settled as a community organiser in the Windy City in 1985. Born
in Hawaii, the President served four years as a Senator for Illinois before
being elected in November 2008. He is also widely rumoured to be a Hammers
supporter. Spector joined his national team squad-mates and coaching staff
for a special reception at the North Portico of the White House on Thursday
afternoon, where they also met Vice-President Joe Biden and former President
Bill Clinton. The visit came ahead of the Americans' final Send-Off Series
friendly fixture against Turkey at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania, on Saturday evening. The 24-year-old will hope to be involved
after being rested for the 4-2 defeat by the Czech Republic in Hartford,
Connecticut on Tuesday.

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Hammers keen to bag Becks
But former favourite Cole will not be returning to Upton Park
By Chris Burton Last updated: 29th May 2010
SSN

West Ham co-owner David Sullivan has confirmed he would 'love' to sign David
Beckham, but admits Joe Cole has spurned a move. The Hammers have suffered
well-documented financial difficulties of late and are still in the process
of cutting costs. They would, however, be prepared to splash out on Beckham,
who would command a substantial salary. The former England captain is
currently nursing an Achilles injury which has brought an end to his World
Cup dream. He is also still on the books of MLS outfit Los Angeles Galaxy,
who he joined in 2007. Beckham has returned to Europe in each of the past
two seasons, though, taking in loan spells at Italian giants AC Milan once
the American season has come to a close. Sullivan is hoping the former
Manchester United ace can now be persuaded to have another shot at the
Premier League, with the Hammers keen to bring him back to his East End
roots. "I'd love David Beckham," Sullivan told the Daily Mail. "He has
massive cult status in East London and still has a house near Bishop's
Stortford, not far from our training ground. He's from Chingford, which is
our heartland. We are the club of east London and Essex. "If AC Milan didn't
want him in January and if he still wanted to do it, I'd love to have him.
He seems a remarkable professional."
While Beckham remains a realistic proposition for West Ham, Sullivan has
revealed that Joe Cole will not be heading back to Upton Park. The England
international is set to become a free agent this summer, with his contract
at Chelsea running down. Cole began his career with the Hammers, making over
100 appearances for the club before crossing London to Stamford Bridge in
2003. Sullivan had hoped the 28-year-old would be willing to consider an
emotional return to where it all began for him, but admits there is no
chance of a deal being struck. He said: "We've asked Joe to name a price but
he said no. "We're fishing high and wide and we'll land a few. We're
probably looking at 50 players and we might sign four or five. A lot depends
on who goes."

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Fry extends Hammers deal
Hammers youngster targets first-team berth
Last updated: 28th May 2010
SSN

West Ham teenager Matt Fry has signed a new deal that will keep him at the
Premier League club until 2012. The 19-year-old defender spent much of last
season on loan at League One side Gillingham before a knee injury resulted
in a troubled spell at Charlton. "I believe I have the qualities to become a
first-team player at West Ham United," said Fry. "If I am ready in a year or
18 months time, then I'll be pleased with my progress."

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Sullivan confirms Becks interest
Published 08:11 29/05/10 By Pa Sports
The Mirror

West Ham co-owner David Sullivan has confirmed he would "love" to sign David
Beckham - but revealed Joe Cole rejected his former club's advances. The
Hammers are still managerless, with Avram Grant expected to be confirmed as
Gianfranco Zola's successor next week. But Sullivan, who bought the club
along with David Gold last season, has already been linked with names such
as Thierry Henry and confirmed his desire to bring LA Galaxy star Beckham
back to his native east London on loan. "I'd love David Beckham," Sullivan
told the Daily Mail. "He has massive cult status in east London and still
has a house near Bishop's Stortford, not far from our training ground. He's
from Chingford, which is our heartland. We are the club of east London and
Essex." He added: "If AC Milan didn't want him in January and if he still
wanted to do it, I'd love to have him. He seems a remarkable professional."
As for Cole, who began his career with the Hammers before moving to Chelsea
- where he is out of contract this summer - Sullivan said: "We've asked Joe
to name a price but he said no."

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Yeung agrees pay-out from former Blues owners
Published 23:00 28/05/10 By James Nursey
The Mirror

CARSON YEUNG'S bitter battle with former Birmingham owners David Sullivan
and David Gold is over after an out-of-court settlement. Mirror Sport
revealed last month how City's new owner Yeung had slapped in a writ worth
up to £7million at the High Court against Sullivan and Gold. But he has
ditched legal action after being offered a pay-out believed to be worth
around £4m. The settlement was reached after weeks of negotiations between
Blues chief Peter Pannu and Sullivan. Pannu, a former Hong Kong cop and
barrister, said: "Through this experience fans can see we are serious about
running the club. "David Sullivan behaved in a professional and a
responsible way in which he conducted the settlement."

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Villa plot double raid on West Ham for Behrami and Cole
Published 23:00 28/05/10 By Darren Lewis
The Mirror

Aston Villa are ready to launch a move for West Ham's Valon Behrami and
Carlton Cole. MirrorFootball understands Villa boss Martin O'Neill is a big
fan of the versatile Behrami with the Hammers willing to sell at the right
price. The Irishman is also still keen to sign striker Cole but the Hammers
are refusing to budge on their £15million valuation.
Fulham, Stoke and Birmingham have already had bids rejected for Cole, who
just missed making the England squad.

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West Ham boss-to-be Grant targets Pompey star Belhadj
Published 23:00 28/05/10 By Football Spy
The Mirror

West Ham boss-to-be Avram Grant wants to snap up Algeria World Cup star
Nadir Belhadj from his old club Portsmouth. Grant loves the energetic
left-sider who can play on the wing or at full-back and he hopes to come up
with the money to buy him for £3million from his former employers soon after
his Upton Park appointment is confirmed. Belhadj will look to leave the
relegated club in the summer although he is counting on a good World Cup –
when he will face England in Group C – to attract other buyers, as he has
one eye on going abroad. Belhadj has other Premier League admirers, but the
Israeli believes he will have the pull to attract him to Upton Park. Grant
also wants Jamie O'Hara but Tottenham are looking for a huge fee. Tal Ben
Haim (free) and Kevin-Prince Boateng (£3m) could join the Pompey exodus to
east London. Grant will make Belhadj one of his priorities when he gets
behind his desk and starts spending the decent budget that owners David
Sullivan and David Gold will give him.

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West Ham United's appointment of Avram Grant is a 'done deal' confesses
co-owner David Sullivan
Israeli to be handed four-year stay...
By Adithya Ananth
29 May 2010 09:22:00
Goal.com

West Ham United co-owner David Sullivan has revealed the appointment of a
new manager is a "done deal", as Avram Grant closes in on officially being
handed the reins to the east London club. The club's new owners recently
gave popular coach Gianfranco Zola the boot after an underwhelming season
saw the Hammers battling tooth and nail to avoid relegation. And following
the diminuitive Italian's exit, Grant walking away from relegated Portsmouth
was viewed as a sign that he was heading towards Upton Park. Now the
Hammers' co-chairman has revealed the former Chelsea boss will be the most
likely candidate to take the Hammers' helm in the coming days, and is
expected to put pen to paper on a four-year contract. "It's virtually a done
deal and it's almost certainly Avram Grant," Sullivan told the Daily Mail.
"We believe in going with experience and Avram has 34 years experience. "I
like him very much. He's completely the opposite of what I imagined. "I
imagined a dour, boring, serious man with no humour. In fact he's got a very
dry sense of humour with an almost encyclopaedic knowledge of football.
Wonderful. "He tells jokes and stories. He's led a full life and he's
learned from that."
Although previous manager Zola was given a short period of time to prove his
worth, Sullivan maintained Grant would be handed a significant period to
prove his mettle. "He will get a four-year contract but we won't judge him
for two or three years, by then we'll see if he's as good as we think he
is," he added. "He will inherit a very unbalanced team and it will take
time to sort out with the limited resources we have and the inflated
transfer fees and wages."
Dave Jones, Ian Holloway and Sam Allardyce had also been linked with the
Upton Park job in the past, but the co-owner maintained none of those
interviewed had been suitable to the club's plans. "We interviewed three or
four others," Sullivan continued. "One said he would come but wanted £7
million in wages for him and his staff. "Another said he'd come but would
want a minimum transfer budget of £40m. And another was thinking of coming
until he had an offer from elsewhere that was too good to refuse." Now
Sullivan believes Grant is the right man to manage the affairs of a
debt-ridden club, particularly after his short stint at Pompey. "Avram
[Grant] is the man for the job," he added. "A superb candidate with a very
good record. What he did at Chelsea was under-rated. "The team were going
backwards when he took over and he almost won the Champions League and the
Premier League. "He did very well at Portsmouth. He wasn't there from the
start of the season, he inherited a team which was ripped apart underneath
him, he had points deducted, but he got them to the FA Cup final. "With his
points-per-game they would have stayed up."

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West Ham confirm David Beckham interest as Joe Cole snubs return to Upton
Park
West Ham co-owner David Sullivan has confirmed he would "love" to sign David
Beckham - but revealed Joe Cole rejected his former club's advances.
Telegraph.co.uk
By Telegraph staff
Published: 8:45AM BST 29 May 2010

David Beckham is wanted by West Ham . West Ham are still managerless, with
Avram Grant expected to be confirmed as Gianfranco Zola's successor next
week. But Sullivan, who bought the club along with David Gold last season,
has already been linked with names such as Thierry Henry and confirmed his
desire to bring LA Galaxy midfielder Beckham back to his native east London
on loan. West Ham close in on Avram Grant "I'd love David Beckham," Sullivan
told the Daily Mail. "He has massive cult status in east London and still
has a house near Bishop's Stortford, not far from our training ground. He's
from Chingford, which is our heartland. We are the club of east London and
Essex.
"If AC Milan didn't want him in January and if he still wanted to do it, I'd
love to have him. He seems a remarkable professional." As for Cole, who
began his career with West Ham before moving to Chelsea - where he is out of
contract this summer - Sullivan said: "We've asked Joe to name a price but
he said no."

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West Ham United will be the Arsenal of East London, pledges David Sullivan
EXCLUSIVE By Matt Barlow
Last updated at 1:36 AM on 29th May 2010
Daily Mail

Silver and gold everywhere. David Sullivan walks proudly among his
glimmering pots, touching them lovingly and telling stories of their
acquisition. Correct, this is not West Ham's trophy room. Sullivan owns
Britain's biggest collection of Victorian horse racing trophies, wonderfully
intricate designs, once awarded for races like the Ascot Cup, the Grand
National and the Goodwood Cup. He owns 15. Maybe 16. 'I don't even count
this one,' he says, reaching for the 1954 Royal Hunt Cup. It is terribly
plain compared to the prize for winning the same race a century earlier,
which boasts several well-antlered silver stags atop a hardwood base. It is
the size of a microwave oven and acts as the centrepiece of the room.
Horseracing is one of Sullivan's passions. Bookshelves in his office are
crammed floor to ceiling with racing literature and racing art decorates the
walls. He owns racehorses, too. Four years ago, David Junior, named after
Sullivan's son, won the Group One Coral Eclipse Stakes at Sandown but these
days West Ham's co-owner is in the grip of another obsession. 'We've got
some new horses and we're trying to find some West Ham names,' he says. 'We
wanted to call one The Hammer but we can't, there's already been one. We
tried Claret and Blue but that's gone. We could try Claret 'n' Blue. Look
out for a two-year-old running soon with a West Ham name. It will win.'
Sullivan and his business partner David Gold bought 50 per cent of West Ham
for around £50million in January and earlier this week paid £8m for another
10 per cent. They recently sacked manager Gianfranco Zola having narrowly
avoided relegation and will next week unveil Avram Grant as the new boss
before embarking upon what they hope will prove a busy summer of business in
the transfer market. 'It's virtually a done deal and it's almost certainly
Avram Grant,' says Sullivan. 'We believe in going with experience and Avram
has 34 years' experience. 'I like him very much. He's completely the
opposite of what I imagined. I imagined a dour, boring, serious man with no
humour. In fact he's got a very dry sense of humour with an almost
encyclopaedic knowledge of football. Wonderful. He tells jokes and stories.
He's led a full life and he's learned from that. 'He will get a four-year
contract but we won't judge him for two or three years, by then we'll see if
he's as good as we think he is. He will inherit a very unbalanced team and
it will take time to sort out with the limited resources we have and the
inflated transfer fees and wages. 'We interviewed three or four others. One
said he would come but wanted £7m in wages for him and his staff. Another
said he'd come but would want a minimum transfer budget of £40m. And another
was thinking of coming until he had an offer from elsewhere that was too
good to refuse.
'Avram is the man for the job. A superb candidate with a very good record.
What he did at Chelsea was under-rated. The team were going backwards when
he took over and he almost won the Champions League and the Premier League.
'He did very well at Portsmouth. He wasn't there from the start of the
season, he inherited a team which was ripped apart underneath him, he had
points deducted, but he got them to the FA Cup final. With his
points-per-game they would have stayed up.'
Sullivan enjoys statistics. His Sky Sports Yearbook is never far from his
grasp. The West Ham page is marked with a scrap of a florescent pink Post-it
note for easy access. He delves in to illustrate how Matthew Upson has
barely missed a game in recent seasons and to prove the opposite is true of
Kieron Dyer. In his garden, overlooking a deer sanctuary, Sullivan turns to
admire his home. 'I think it looks nice from this angle,' he says. 'People
think it looks like Buckingham Palace but I don't. That wasn't the
intention. I always wanted a Georgian mansion like in Gone With the Wind.'
Birch Hall has 14 bedrooms, tennis courts, two swimming pools, an indoor
bowling alley and a Japanese garden. There are two football goals and an old
ball where Sullivan's two sons enjoy a kickabout. He picks up the ball and
kicks into the air. It skews off in an impossible direction. He laughs and
says: 'David Gold used to be a very good player.'
The mansion was built 18 years ago after Sullivan bought the previous
property and flattened it. Back inside his office, he rummages through files
in a cupboard and retrieves photos of the old house to prove it deserved to
be demolished. He's right, it was ugly. 'Everyone wants to be popular,' says
Sullivan. 'But sometimes you have to do things that are for good rather than
popularity. Hard decisions have to be made. 'In life, popular decisions are
not always the best decisions. You have to decide if you want to do the best
for your club or if you want to be popular. Me? I want to do the best for
the club and I hope over time people will see that, nine times out of 10,
I'll be right. But nobody's right all the time.' The subject is up for
discussion as Sullivan has recently sacked Zola, accusing him of breaching
his contract by openly criticising the board's effort to sign a player
(Graham Dorrans from West Bromwich Albion) behind his back. Zola is fighting
the decision. 'It's a legal matter,' says Sullivan. 'All I can say is that I
hope and expect it can be resolved amicably in the next couple of weeks. I'd
like to thank him for the job he did, he worked under very difficult
circumstances, and wish him all the best for the future.
'I'm a person who looks forward not backwards and I'll never really comment
on his time as manager at West Ham because I think it's wrong. It's time to
look forward.'
For Zola to be fired for speaking out seems ironic, given that Sullivan has
not been shy of criticising the manager and his players. The co-owner even
posted his fury on the club website after a 3-1 defeat at home to
Wolverhampton Wanderers. 'I don't think it was controversial,' he insists.
'That was just an awful performance. You have to tell people how you feel.
In the next match they played Stoke and lost to a bit of magic by Ricardo
Fuller. That could have gone either way but Wolves was a whitewash. 'Burnley
away was another appalling performance. Our teams fly to all these games and
stay in five-star hotels. We might as well have gone on the bus and stayed
in a Travelodge. Would we have played any worse?'
Sullivan accepts he can be impulsive and outspoken but denies a charge of
deliberately undermining Zola. 'I've always been very supportive of
managers,' he insists. 'I think it's a bad mistake to make managerial
changes in mid-season. Hull, Burnley and Portsmouth changed managers in
mid-season and all were relegated. 'I believe Mr Zola had every entitlement
to remain manager for the season. He wanted me to buy Benni McCarthy, I
bought Benni McCarthy. That was the one player he wanted to sign and I
signed him.
'Benni McCarthy's body-fat measurement is 24.2 per cent. Mine is 25.4 per
cent. Benni McCarthy is nearly as fat as me. I try to do aerobics in the
morning but I'm 61 years old.
'He's the one West Ham player I want to go to the World Cup because he might
come back fitter. 'Franck Queudrue once came back to Birmingham at 18 per
cent but I've never known any footballer over 20 per cent. He got so out of
shape. He came to us overweight and got injured and gradually it got worse.
'I don't know at what point this becomes a breach of contract. It probably
doesn't. But Frankie Dettori starves himself to get to the right weight.
Usain Bolt wouldn't be the Olympic 100metre champion if he put on a stone.
'It is not unreasonable to keep to a diet when you're a professional
sportsman. It ought to be a breach of contract. 'I know it's the wrong thing
to say but I hope none of our England players go to the World Cup. I'd like
them to have a nice break in the summer and be ready for next season. 'I was
elated when Carlton Cole wasn't picked because he's got legs which have
taken a lot of grief and a good break is what he needs. He's a bit like
Ledley King, he's got a recurring problem but properly managed he can play
with it.
Hammer at heart: Sullivan salutes in front of his home 'He might struggle
to play two games a week but he's playing 30 games a season, every season.
Whether he can play 45 I don't know. But every game for England is a game
less for West Ham.'
Visitors to Sullivan's home step through the door to be confronted by a
lifesize waxwork of a butler. Waiting outside Sullivan's office, you are not
alone. There is another waxwork, a bespectacled old man, waiting too. Amid
the sparkling racing trophies, hundreds of framed family photographs, a
grand piano and a collection of rocking horses, they add an eerie fairground
atmosphere to the pale, palatial decor. Working at his desk with the door
wide open, Sullivan shouts an apology for keeping us waiting but we're
early. He hates lateness. He is wearing a West Ham shirt with his name
printed across the shoulders. No number. He doesn't always work in club
colours, he says, but club business takes up most of his working life at the
moment, so it's appropriate. I'm more hands on than some because I realise
managers are fallible,' says Sullivan. 'I realise managers are not gods. I
realise actually I've probably got as much experience as they've got. 'I'm
not a great player but some of the best managers have not been great
players. I've had 18 years' experience of running football clubs in the
Championship and the Premier League. I've watched thousands of games and
until I find a manager who I have 100 per cent belief in his judgment, I
have to have some involvement. Otherwise I'm not doing my job. 'If I was
chairman of Arsenal, I'd probably leave it to Arsene Wenger because he's
proven season after season to have done a wonderful job. What's he's
achieved with the money he's spent is quite remarkable. 'Arsenal is our
model. Myself, Avram, David Gold and Karren Brady would love to turn West
Ham into the Arsenal of east London. The team, the club, there's so much
right there. It's so well run. 'We'll talk and make joint decisions but the
ultimate decision will be Avram's. He will pick 95 per cent of the
transfers. Maybe one in 20, I might beg a favour and say I really fancy
somebody and get him to take a player on my head and maybe one in 20 I'll
veto one of his because over the years I've seen managers buy players they
really shouldn't have bought.' Sullivan stands on his doorstep, flanked by a
pair of claret and blue gnomes. 'Look at them, they don't even match,' he
chuckles, as he waves goodbye.
Good luck Avram, it will not be boring.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham expect to appoint Avram Grant next week
Avram Grant set to be unveiled by West Ham on Wednesday
Gianfranco Zola thought to be close to settlement over payoff
Stuart James guardian.co.uk, Friday 28 May 2010 22.29 BST

West Ham United are set to appoint Avram Grant as their new manager on
Wednesday and the Premier League club hope to have agreed amicable
settlements with Gianfranco Zola and Steve Clarke by the time the Israeli is
unveiled at Upton Park next week.

Zola was deeply upset with the manner of his dismissal after he was accused
of a breach of contract and the Italian decided to take legal action over
his departure. The Premier League was due to set a date for an arbitration
hearing over Zola's payoff – he was earning £1.9m a year with three years of
his contract to run but did not receive a settlement. However, it is
understood that both parties are now close to reaching an agreement that
will obviate the need for matters to be taken further. That development will
come as a relief to West Ham, given the negative publicity that their
actions risked.

Clarke's exit was effectively rubberstamped when West Ham opted to turn to
Grant as their new manager. The two worked together at Chelsea, following
José Mourinho's dismissal in 2007, but Grant is keen to bring in his own
assistant manager, leaving Clarke to thrash out the terms of his payoff.
Those discussions have now taken place and an agreement has been reached on
how much Clarke, who was earning £1.2m a year, should receive as a
settlement.

Grant is set to sign a three-year contract to replace Zola. His name had
featured prominently on the original shortlist that David Sullivan and David
Gold, West Ham's co-owners, drew up in the wake of Zola's sacking, and his
resignation as manager of Portsmouth nine days ago paved the way for him to
take over. Portsmouth have not demanded any compensation for Grant who led
the club to the FA Cup final last season

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I am running the BUPA 10k on May 31st and raising money for the Bobby Moore
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Please donate generously! Thanks.

Daily WHUFC News - 28th May 2010

Hall helps England into final
WHUFC.com
Robert Hall played part as England U17s reached the European Championship
final on Thursday
27.05.2010

Robert Hall has helped England to reach the UEFA European Under-17
Championship final courtesy of a 2-1 semi-final victory over France. Hall,
who is now unbeaten in an incredible 15 matches at U17 level, was named
among the substitutes in Vaduz, Liechtenstein, only to be called on after
just 16 minutes when Manchester United's William Keane was forced off with
an injury. Seven minutes later, Ipswich Town forward Connor Wickham put
England ahead with a smart finish which no doubt impressed the watching Sir
Trevor Brooking.
Birmingham City goalkeeper Jack Butland made a fine save to deny AJ Auxerre
striker Yaya Sanogo before Wickham latched on to a through ball from
Liverpool's Conor Coady and slotted the ball into the net a minute before
half-time. Shortly after the interval, Hall made a dramatic goal-line
clearance to deny Sanogo after Butland had been harshly adjudged to have
held on to the ball for too long. Everton midfielder Ross Barkley came close
to netting a third goal for the Young Lions, rampaging forward before
unleashing a rising 25-yard drive that Paris St. Germain stopper Alphonse
Areola did well to claw around the post. Moments later, France had halved
their deficit through Manchester United midfield player Paul Pogba, who rose
highest to head the ball over Butland's outstretched left hand. While France
continued to hold the upper hand in the closing stages, John Peacock's
youngsters were able to stand firm and reach the final for just the second
time in the competition's 28-year history. England, with West Ham's Jordan
Spence in their starting lineup, finished as runners-up to Spain in 2007.
The Spanish could provide the opposition again this time round should they
overcome Turkey in the second semi-final on Thursday evening. The final will
be played at the Rheinpark stadium in Vaduz on Sunday 30 May.

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Swiss role for Behrami
WHUFC.com
Valon Behrami has been named in Switzerland's final 23-man FIFA World Cup
squad
27.05.2010

Valon Behrami will wear the No11 shirt for Switzerland after being named in
the country's final 23-man FIFA World Cup squad. The West Ham United
midfielder is expected to be a central figure for Ottmar Hitzfeld's side as
they seek to qualify from Group H, which also contains European champions
Spain, Chile and Honduras. Behrami, who has 26 senior caps, has been a
regular member of the Switzerland squad since making his debut in a 1-1 draw
with France in October 2005. With the likes of FC Basel 1893 striker
Alexander Frei and Bayer 04 Leverkusen midfielder Tranquillo Barnetta also
in the squad, he believes his nation has a chance to make an impact in South
Africa. "Switzerland think they should get through the group stage, but then
it will be very difficult to go any further. If we go through to the second
round, that would be a great thing, and then we will see what happens. "We
have a good team and it will be important for our country, which is a small
country, to do well. We can finish in the top two in our group, but we must
give 100 per cent, like every other team in the World Cup. We must think
like this, then we have a chance."
At Germany 2006, Behrami lasted just two minutes before being sidelined with
an injury in the group-stage win over South Korea and is desperate to play a
more influential role this time around. Should Switzerland finish in the top
two in Group H, they are likely to face Brazil, Portugal or Ivory Coast in
the second round. With that in mind, the 25-year-old knows reaching the
quarter-finals would represent a major achievement. "A good World Cup would
be to go further than we did in Germany in 2006. Four years ago, we finished
top of our group ahead of France and South Korea, but we lost in the second
round. "If we could get to the quarter-finals, it would be a great result
for us. They were happy four years ago, so if we get through the group
again, they will be happy again, because we are a small country. To get
through the group is a big thing."

Switzerland complete their World Cup preparations by facing Costa Rica in
Sion on Tuesday 1 June and Italy in Geneva on Saturday 5 June.

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Upson's Japan plan
WHUFC.com
Matthew Upson want to impress England manager Fabio Capello in Sunday's
friendly with Japan
27.05.2010

Matthew Upson is fit and raring to go ahead of England's final 2010 FIFA
World Cup warm-up fixture against Japan on Sunday. The West Ham United
defender missed out on appearing in the 3-1 victory over Mexico at Wembley,
but hopes to return to Fabio Capello's starting lineup at the UPC-Arena in
Graz. Upson has been working hard at the Three Lions' training camp in
Austria this week and could be rewarded with a 20th senior cap against
fellow World Cup qualifiers Japan. Should he impress, the 31-year-old could
all-but guarantee his place in Capello's final 23-man squad, which the
Italian will name a few hours after Sunday's game. "It's been really good,"
he told whufc.com "The training camp was a good environment to work in, so
I've enjoyed it. "Of course I'm hopeful of being involved. I'm just going to
crack on, keep my head down and do it in training every day and try to
improve and see where it goes. "To be honest, maybe towards the end people
might get tense, but at the moment everyone is quite relaxed. We had a good
week of training and everyone is looking forward to the next game. "There is
nothing to be nervous about. All you can do is go in and give a good account
of yourself and it's out of your hands. Getting nervous about it isn't going
to help yourself, so I think everyone is pulling in the right direction and
whatever will be, will be."
Upson's preparations for the forthcoming tournament have gone smoothly save
for an unfortunate and accidental training-ground collision with Tottenham
Hotspur striker Jermain Defoe. Having already suffered a nasty blow to his
right eye courtesy of Stoke City's Robert Huth in October, the West Ham
captain received a cut to his left eye while heading the ball clear at
England's Irdning training camp. "My eye is good. It was just a nick and it
was one of those things. It was just a loose one. I stooped low to head it
and it just happened. We had a bit of a laugh about it because it was just a
little accidental clash."

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Moose backs Hammers trio
WHUFC.com
Ian 'Moose' Abrahams believes three West Ham United players should be in
England's FIFA World Cup squad
27.05.2010

talkSPORT pundit and West Ham United fan Ian 'Moose' Abrahams believes three
Hammers should be named in England's 2010 FIFA World Cup squad. Moose, who
is a regular visitor to the Boleyn Ground Press Box on matchdays, has
championed the cause of Robert Green, Matthew Upson and Scott Parker to be
included by manager Fabio Capello.
The popular radio presenter also picked the Netherlands as his favourites to
win the tournament before taking to the hallowed turf to play in a charity
match. "Three West Ham players should be in the squad - Robert Green,
Matthew Upson and Scott Parker - but I think only two will be," he told
WHUTV. "I think Greeny, the other night against Mexico, secured his place as
No1, if there was any doubt and there never was in my mind. Although he
didn't play the other night, I thought it was a good game to miss, because
England were awful. I don't think Gareth Barry will be fit for the first or
second game, so I would take Scott Parker. "I watch Scott every week and he
can do it all - he can be defensive, he can be disciplined and he can go
forward. I think if you played Scott behind Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard
and Scott could sit and break up the play. The climate in South Africa is
suited to him, too."
As a man who is never shy to share his opinion, Moose was happy to tell
WHUTV who he thinks will lift the World Cup in Johannesburg on 11 July. "I'd
love to see England win the World Cup, as I've never seen in my lifetime.
People tell me about 1966 and it would be a great fillip for the game. Are
we going to win the World Cup? No. I think you've got to be spectacularly
optimistic to say so. I'll be honest about it. "Brazil are better than us,
Spain the European champions will be hard to beat. Cesc Fabregas is not an
automatic starter for them and he'd walk into the England team and up front
they have got David Villa and Fernando Torres and Andres Iniesta and Xabi
Alonso behind. "Argentina are a decent side. People are writing them off
because of the way they qualified but they did qualify. We saw what Diego
Milito can do the other day [in the UEFA Champions League final] and any
team that has got Lionel Messi and Carlos Tevez has a chance. "Holland are
going to be very strong. People aren't really talking about Holland but
Robin van Persie is fit, he hardly played last season for Arsenal and he's
an absolute quality player. "I think it'll be one of those four and England
will reach the quarter-finals and come home. If I had to pick one it would
be Holland."
While Moose is at home in a radio studio or the Press Box, he is less happy
in a football kit and boots on the pitch, as was shown by his display in the
aforementioned charity match. Playing at right-back, he failed to shine in a
6-6 draw before missing a crucial spot-kick in the penalty shoot-out, but
still confessed to thoroughly enjoying the experience.
"Basically my uncle is one of the sponsors and we got the use of the pitch
at the end of the season, which was brilliant of West Ham. Rather than just
use it for a kick-around, we have organised a charity game. "We've got a few
ex-players to come along - Don Hutchison, Marc Bircham and Matt Lockwood -
as well as [former England cricketer and talkSPORT colleague] Darren Gough,
who apparently used to play for Barnsley, and Tristan Gemmill from Casualty.
"The One Family charity is to help families who have been affected by
terrorism in Israel to help them to put their lives back in order and give
them a better life going on. "It's a big pitch. When you watch from up in
the Press Box you don't realise just how big it is. I've played here
two-or-three times before and it's wonderful. It's every boy's ambition to
get on the pitch, so to play on it is fantastic. "I had a big portion of
chips from the chippy around the corner to prepare, which is my normal
matchday experience!"

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Hammers lodge Piquionne bid
Lyon striker emerges as transfer target for West Ham
Last updated: 27th May 2010
SSN

Sky Sports News understands that West Ham have made an offer for Lyon
striker Frederic Piquionne. The Frenchman has just completed a season on
loan at Portsmouth and is now considering his next move. Although he was not
able to help the troubled South Coast club avoid relegation, Piquionne
impressed with a series of dynamic performances.
He has made it clear that he would like to stay in the Premier League and a
number of clubs are thought to be interested in securing his services.
Fulham are believed to be among the chasing pack but it now seems West Ham
have stepped up their own pursuit. Owners David Gold and David Sullivan are
looking to help strengthen the squad over the summer after only just staying
up and have identified Piquionne as a transfer target.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Bennys Still Battling for it
The Sun
Published: Today

BENNI McCARTHY hopes he has done enough to win his place in South Africa's
World Cup squad. The West Ham hitman, 32, has struggled for fitness. He
said: "Hopefully by May 31 my levels will be higher and my confidence will
come back."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Valon must grin and Behr it
The Sun

WEST HAM have told Valon Behrami he is not for sale. The Swiss midfielder
has been linked with a move away from the club in recent weeks, with a
number of clubs, including Serie A side Palermo interested in the former
Lazio player. But his agent, Alessandro Beltrami, believes he will be with
the London club at the start of next season. He said: "Valon is thinking
about the World Cup, his future will be discussed later. "West Ham have
declared him non-transferable, so I think it is 99 per cent certain he will
remain in England. "Talk of Palermo? That is good because it means the
player has done well. "However, we are happy that West Ham have made him
unavailable for transfer." The 25-year-old joined the Hammers from Lazio in
2008 and is under contract until June 2013.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham leading Liverpool and Spurs in race for Villa star - Exclusive
Published 23:00 27/05/10 By James Nursey
The Mirror

West Ham are leading the race for Aston Villa defender Curtis Davies. The
centre-back Davies is being sacrificed at Villa Park as owner Randy Lerner
seeks to generate funds.
Both Liverpool and Spurs would like to add the stopper - previously called
up by England boss Fabio Capello - to their squads. But Davies is anxious to
play regularly again after a frustrating season on the bench at Villa. And a
move back to East London would appeal to the star, whose parents live in
Chigwell. Mirror Sport revealed on October 1 that Davies was unhappy Villa
failed to give him a new contract. He was due to open talks on fresh terms
when he had played 60 games for Villa but remains stuck on 58 after
dislocating his shoulder. Now he is likely to move to Upton Park when Avram
Grant is confirmed as the Hammers' new boss next week. Villa want £7million
for Davies after paying West Brom £10m for the star in July 2008 after a
successful loan. But West Ham argue that if James Collins, who Villa bought
from them last summer for £5m, is keeping Davies out of the side then he is
not worth more.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Rob Green would 'glove' to be World Cup No.1
Published 23:00 27/05/10 By Simon Bird
The Mirror

Robert Green has discarded the old pair of goalkeeping gloves that show
he'll have a line in self-deprecating wit, whether Fabio Capello installs
him as No.1 at the World Cup or not. The "England's No.6" tag he wore two
years ago on his sturdy fists for a joke after missing out early on in
Capello's reign may soon need adapting. After eight starts in the last ten
games Green is in prime position to be first choice between the posts in
South Africa. Not that Green, rival David James or Joe Hart have any idea
who will be the lucky one chosen to deal with the world's best strikers, not
to mention the high altitude and new tournament ball that will make
shot-stopping even more difficult. Unusually, Capello has so far resisted
declaring who his No.1 will be, apart from actually saying he knows in his
own mind. It is a situation that is ensuring Green keeps striving in matches
and training with England, and the two top class saves the West Ham keeper
made against Mexico earlier this week will have done his cause no harm.
Capello knows that the keeper's position is perceived as one of England's
weaknesses and he is desperate for one of his trio to emerge as a force.
Green said: "The No.6 gloves went a long time ago! I don't know where they
are. It's a long way away in a chronological and metaphorical sense. "Yes, I
have made eight starts in the last ten games. To play games is encouraging,
to play well is encouraging. But I'm not going to read into anything or
listen to anything anybody says. You've just got to be prepared to play the
next game. "We're yet to find out who is No.1. I think it's a fairly unique
position. Whether that's a good thing or a bad thing, we'll find out, but
I'm sure we're pushing each other as much as we can, which is the main
thing. "Whoever is going to be playing is going to be playing well because
he's kept the other guys out of the side. The other two guys are going to
have to support and encourage him. I'm sure that is what will happen come
the first game against the USA. "People ask if I am confident of getting the
nod. No, not at all. We've got a game on Sunday and I want to get ready for
that. I enjoyed playing a half against Mexico and I'll get back ready and
training to prepare for the game on Sunday. "We've got a big game against
Japan. If I'm playing then great, if I'm not playing then I'll be ready.
That's the most you can do. The opportunities to impress come few and far
between in international football so I just want to be prepared to take each
chance when I can."
Green admits that the new FIFA ball will add interest for keepers, with more
long shots being encouraged because of the pace it flies. He added:
"Different balls provide different problems and you've got to deal with it.
It's not so much a problem as something you have to manage and get prepared
forh. The more we train with them, the more we are prepared. "Those balls
seem to fly a lot more, they're a lot more plasticy than previous balls and
guys are encouraged to shoot from distance. We'll have to see how it
develops because obviously we're going to be a lot higher, and being in
stadiums is a lot different from being in mountains in Austria. As problems
go, it's not the worst thing to happen in the world, so we'll just deal with
it."
And if he does emerge as No.1, those gloves, wherever they are in his
cupboard at home, will be a collectors' item.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Grant bags West Ham job
Harry Harris
May 27, 2010
ESPN

Avram Grant did a fine job under pressing circumstances at Portsmouth ©
Getty ImagesAvram Grant is the new manager of West Ham United - subject to
the formalities of a work permit. West Ham insiders have confirmed to
Soccernet that Grant has been appointed as the successor to Gianfranco Zola,
who was sacked two weeks ago. Soccernet understands that Grant held a
private meeting with the Hammers' board on Thursday to cement his three
year, £3 million contract. The official announcement is being delayed purely
due to the wait for a new work permit to be issued for the job at Upton
Park. A West Ham insider confirmed to Soccernet: "Avram Grant will be
appointed manager subject to the club gaining his work permit, which takes
time, but should be a formality."
Grant was wanted by half a dozen clubs in Europe, but has chosen West Ham
and an instant return to the Premier League after relegation with FA Cup
finalists Portsmouth.
Grant quickly rose to take the position despite candidates such as Mark
Hughes, Slaven Bilic and Steve McClaren being in the frame. David Sullivan
and David Gold were attracted to Grant by his heroics at Fratton Park with
penniless Pompey. West Ham, too, are working on a tight financial
restraints, and Sullivan revealed recently that the club were days away from
administration before they took over with a £50 million, 50% takeover at the
turn of the year. This week Sullivan and Gold bought a further stake for £8
million, £4 million going into the club to meet pressing liabilities and for
down payments on new signings. Grant's first task is to sort through a list
of nearly 30 players who are available for transfer and who would welcome a
move to Upton Park. Sullivan and Gold are making preliminary enquires about
several on the list, and initial offers have been lodged. West Ham had an
opening bid for Yakubu turned down on Wednesday and on Thursday morning made
an offer for Frederic Piquionne. West Ham believe that the work permit is a
"formality" but cannot unveil Grant as their new manager until it arrives,
and it is expected on Tuesday or Wednesday.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Robert Green moves from 'England's No6' to pole position
The West Ham man is one good match away from confirming his place as Fabio
Capello's No1 at the World Cup
The Guardian

Robert Green's progress with England is praiseworthy but that advance also
shows how goalkeeping resources have declined. There are no glamorous
candidates. Fabio Capello is bound to be an elitist and of his preferred
outfield line-up until now eight of the 10 players were involved in the
Champions League last season. Aaron Lennon will experience the competition
in the next campaign, assuming Tottenham Hotspur come through a qualifier.
Emile Heskey is the exception of sorts. He last appeared on that front with
Liverpool in November 2002.

When Capello goes looking for goalkeepers the manager must watch some of the
less prominent clubs. David James came bottom of the table with Portsmouth.
Green's West Ham claimed the last place of safety in the Premier League. His
fitness held up better than that of James and he was spared only one of the
38 matches in a trying campaign. It is as well that Green is a strong
character with an independent cast of mind. Capello's first England game was
in February 2008 but a year passed before the Italian picked him.

At least Green is not the sort to mope. While being emphatically ignored, he
had the words "England's number 6" embroidered on his gloves for a match
with Birmingham. He is much too intelligent to tease Capello and made it
very clear that he had been mocking the obscurity of his candidacy at that
stage. "I don't know where they are," he now says of the gloves. "It's a
long way away in a chronological and metaphorical sense."

Dire circumstances have since worked in his favour. Others have suffered
from injury or dwindling form and Green has made the most of that
opportunity. He even had a bearing on the outcome of Monday's win over
Mexico when twice denying Carlos Vela.

"Fortunately he's kicked them straight at me," said Green with a wise
modesty, "but it is pleasing to make saves when you're needed. In
international football chances don't come along as often as in Premier
League football, so you know if you can make saves, it is an important
moment in a game because you are not going to make as many chances up the
other end to make amends if they score."

He comes across as the man under review by Capello that he probably is.
While James is expected to start in Sunday's friendly with Japan in Graz, it
is conceivable Green will get some time as well. The manager seems to regard
Joe Hart as a long-term prospect.

The idea that a decision about the goalkeeper is still to be made or, more
likely, made public has certain overtones. It is faintly evocative of the
1970s and the weak-minded alternating between Peter Shilton and Ray
Clemence. Capello is unlikely to follow that example but for the time being
Green and James are in the dark.

"I think it's a fairly unique position," said the West Ham goalkeeper.
"Whether that's a good thing or a bad thing, we're yet to find out. I'm sure
we're pushing each other as much as we can. Whoever is going to be playing
is going to be playing well because he's kept the other guys out of the
side. The other two guys are going to have to support and encourage him. I'm
sure that is what will happen come the first game against the USA."

The traditions endure and that remark about helping whoever is picked smacks
of the camaraderie of goalkeepers, who usually suppose that outfield players
and managers have minimal insight into their line of work. However, Green
and James are also competitors. At 30 the West Ham player is nine years
younger but the age of a rival is not such a great consideration for this
post. It is merely the knee trouble and other aches that ensure Capello will
keep a close eye on James in training. Specialist advice is also available
from the goalkeeping coaches Franco Tancredi and Clemence.

Green will appreciate that it has been a challenge to persuade managers that
he is cut out for the England job. When Capello turned to him at last it was
almost four years after the single previous cap he had been awarded against
Colombia in 2005. At least complacency will not undermine him. "We've got a
big game on Sunday," he said. "If I'm playing, then great; if I'm not
playing, then I'll be ready. That's the most you can do. The opportunities
come few and far between in international football to impress, so I just
want to be prepared to take each chance when I can."

Green fielded questions about the difficulties posed by the 2010 World Cup
ball and its behaviour at altitude. "They're a lot more plasticy than
previous balls and guys are encouraged to shoot from distance," he said.
"We'll have to see how it develops because obviously we're going to be a lot
higher and being in stadiums is a lot different from being in mountains in
Austria [at the training camp]. As problems go, it's not the worst thing to
happen in the world, so we'll just deal with it."

The immediate challenge is for Green or James each to try and take a tight
grip on the goalkeeping duties with England. There may be more doubt about
Capello's verdict there than in any other decision. This seemingly banal
friendly with Japan could well seem like a key moment in Green's life.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham bids rejected for Piquionne and Yakubu
By Harry Harris, Football Correspondent
ESPN
May 27, 2010

West Ham had an opening bid for Yakubu turned down on Wednesday and on
Thursday morning made an offer for Frederic Piquionne. Avram Grant is due to
be unveiled as manager next week, and has been going through a list of
potential transfer targets. Grant has earmarked some of the players he knows
well, and they include his former player at Pompey, striker Piquionne and
Yakubu, who once played in Israel. Yakubu was first named by Soccernet as a
Hammers transfer target when David Sullivan and David Gold took over the
club back in January. Piquionne's loan spell with Pompey is now over and the
31-year-old wants to remain in the Premier League after a successful debut
season in England, though West Ham have yet to meet Lyon's £3 million asking
price. Piquionne scored 11 goals for Portsmouth last season, and is also
being chased by Fulham and Blackburn. Fulham have contacted the Ligue 1
giants to negotiate a deal as Roy Hodgson aims to strengthen his attack.
Grant's hopes of making Yakubu his first signing have suffered a setback as
Everton are demanding double the Hammers' initial offer. West Ham have had a
£5 million bid turned down by Everton as manager David Moyes wants the funds
from the sale to finance his move for Manchester City's Craig Bellamy. Moyes
wants closer to the £11.25 million he paid Middlesbrough for Yakubu.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
David Sullivan: We want Robert Green to remain at West Ham United
Co-owner denies speculation about poaching several Portsmouth players...
By Adithya Ananth
27 May 2010 11:46:00
Goal.com

West Ham United co-owner David Sullivan insists that he would like to see
goalkeeper Robert Green remain at the club. Sullivan had previously revealed
that every player at the club would be for sale, with the exception of
midfielder Scott Parker. And while the co-chairman concedes that there is
still a chance that the 30-year-old could leave, he insisted that the east
London club would like for Green to continue plying his trade at Upton Park.
"Robert is an excellent keeper and we want him to stay," he said, according
to the London Evening Standard. "I believe the chances of him going are less
than 10 per cent." With manager Avram Grant widely touted to take the reins
to the London-based club, earlier reports pointed towards the Hammers
bringing in several players from the Israeli's former club Portsmouth.
"Everything is up in the air on players coming and going," Sullivan said.
"We have said we want to sign five or six but there will be some going as
well. "It is very unlikely we will sign more than two players from
Portsmouth, if any at all."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Agent '99 Per Cent Sure' Palermo Target Valon Behrami Will Stay With West
Ham United
Swiss midfielder focused on World Cup
By Harry Veal
May 27, 2010 9:27:00 AM
Goal.com

Valon Behrami's agent has stated that he is "99 per cent certain" that the
player will remain with West Ham United next season. The Swiss midfielder
has been linked with a move away from the club in recent weeks, with a
number of clubs interested in the former Lazio man. Talk of a return to
Serie A with Palermo has increased, with the Italian side admitting their
interest in securing the player's signature. With West Ham looking to avoid
spending another season battling against relegation towards the foot of the
table, they have made it clear that whilst some players are available for
transfer, Behrami is not one of them. This is reiterated by his agent,
Alessandro Beltrami, who said that his client is currently fully focused on
the World Cup. "Valon is thinking about the World Cup, his future will be
tackled later," he told tuttomercatoweb. "West Ham have declared him
non-transferable, so I think it is 99 per cent certain he will remain in
England. "Talk of Palermo? That is good because it means the player has done
well. However, we are happy that West Ham have made him unavailable for
transfer."

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Daily WHUFC News - 27th May 2010

Spector makes US squad
WHUFC.com
Jonathan Spector will go to the 2010 FIFA World Cup after being named in the
United States squad
26.05.2010

Jonathan Spector will become West Ham United's 16th FIFA World Cup player
after being named in the United States' final 23-man squad for South Africa
2010. The defender will be the first Hammer to represent the US at the World
Cup, following ten Englishmen, one Belgian, one Frenchman, one Scot, one
Czechoslovakian and one Trinidad and Tobagonian. The Arlington Heights,
Illinois-born player has earned 24 senior caps since making his debut
against Jamaica in Colombus, Ohio, on 17 November 2004. Since then, former
Under-16, U17, U20 and U23 international Spector has endured an
injury-blighted senior career, missing the 2006 World Cup and 2008 Olympic
Games due to shoulder and hip problems. The versatile defender was, however,
part of the US team that upset European champions Spain en route to the 2009
FIFA Confederations Cup final in South Africa, where they were edged out 3-2
by Brazil. The 24-year-old also featured in five qualifiers as Bob Bradley's
squad reached their sixth consecutive World Cup finals and ninth in total.
England will, of course, form the Americans' first opponents in South
Africa, with the pair meeting in Rustenburg on 12 June. The US will then
take on Slovenia and Algeria to complete their Group C campaign. Spector
believes the experience of having played in the country last year will stand
him and his team-mates in good stead next month. "There's a lot of belief,
actually. Our main objective is to get out of the group, and we don't want
to look too far ahead. After that, it's one game, a single-game elimination,
and we know no matter who we come up against, we were able to beat Spain and
took the Brazil game down to the wire. "We've shown we can compete against
two of the best teams in the world and probably two of the favorites to win
the Cup, according to most. We know when it's a single game we have the
ability to beat the top teams. "I'd certainly say it was an advantage for
us. For us, as a team, we know what it's like to be there, the atmosphere,
the day-to-day aspect of being out there. We know what to expect going into
it. It'll just be on a larger scale this time."
Spector could be joined at the World Cup by England trio Robert Green,
Matthew Upson and Scott Parker, Mexico forward Guille Franco, South Africa's
Benni McCarthy and Switzerland midfielder Valon Behrami. All six will learn
their fate before the FIFA deadline for final squads to be named on Sunday.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Defeat for Danny
WHUFC.com
Danny Kearns' Republic of Ireland U19s began their Elite Round qualifiers
with a loss to England
26.05.2010

West Ham United winger Danny Kearns was on the losing side as the Republic
of Ireland began their UEFA European U19 Championship Elite Round qualifying
challenge with a 1-0 defeat by England. The 19-year-old was introduced as a
half-time at the FFU Training complex in Kiev on Wednesday, with the Irish
having already fallen behind to a 37th-minute goal from Tottenham Hotspur
midfielder Dean Parrett. The defeat leaves Ireland facing an uphill task to
qualify from Group 3 and reach the finals for the first time in their
history. Kearns and his colleagues the 2009 champions Ukraine in their
second fixture at Borex in Borodinka on Friday. Ireland complete their Elite
Round fixtures by tackling Bosnia & Herzegovina at the FFU Training complex
on Monday 31 May.
While Kearns was in action, club-mates Jonathan Spector and Fabio Daprela
were not involved as their respective nations took to the pitch on Tuesday
evening. Spector was an unused substitute as the United States lost 4-2 to
the Czech Republic in a Send-Off Series friendly in Hartford, Connecticut.
The defender will hope to get some playing time when the Americans take on
Turkey in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Saturday. Daprela, meanwhile, was
not in Switzerland's matchday squad as they began their own UEFA European
U19 Championship Elite Round qualifying campaign with a 3-2 victory over
Austria in Schwaz. The teenager will also hope to be back in action when the
Swiss take on Denmark in Hall on Thursday and Serbia in Schwaz on Sunday.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Spence agrees new deal
WHUFC.com
Defender Jordan Spence has agreed a new one-year contract with West Ham
United
26.05.2010

Jordan Spence has completed a May to remember by agreeing a new one-year
contract with West Ham United. The promising defender made his first-team
debut for the Hammers in the 1-1 Barclays Premier League draw with
Manchester City on the season's final day. Former England Under-19
international Spence then captained West Ham to the semi-finals of the HKFC
IP Global International Soccer Sevens in Hong Kong before returning to
England and celebrating his 20th birthday on Monday. After visiting the
Boleyn Ground to agree his new deal, which will begin on 1 July, the
youngster is jetting off for a well-earned holiday in Florida. "I'm pleased
to get it sorted and to know that I'll be at the football club next season,
so I'll be able to crack on and make progress. "To be honest, I never
thought I would be leaving. I've got faith in God and I know that as long as
I continue to work to my best, then He will take care of the rest and where
I'm supposed to be, I'll be. What I'm particularly pleased about is that
that place is going to be here."
Spence was loaned to Championship side Scunthorpe United during the early
part of the season, but returned to impress for Alex Dyer's reserves and
push his way into the first-team picture. "Being out on loan was always
going to be a learning experience and something I wanted to do in order to
help me to push on and help me do better when I came back."
Like every one of his club-mates, Spence knows his next task is to catch the
eye of the Hammers' new manager when he arrives at Chadwell Heath for
pre-season training in July. "When Alan Curbishley was here, I got sniffs of
the first-team set-up, but then there was a change of manager. It's a cliché
to say everyone starts with a blank sheet, but I'll obviously be looking to
impress whoever comes in and to kick on." Before then, the No42 is heading
to Florida for a well-earned holiday, but he is adamant that he'll keep in
shape while in the United States. "I won't be running along the beaches, but
I will be keeping it up. Funnily enough, after Hong Kong I feel quite
sprightly and fresh so I'll be looking to maintain my level of fitness. "It
was my second time in Hong Kong and everything about it was positive. It's a
great place, a great tournament and we also got to the semi-finals. Being
the oldest player out there, it was nice to see how the younger boys did and
how we worked as a team. "I also scored a couple of goals, one of which was
alright as well as there was a little run from the halfway line involved!"

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
N'Gala to join Pilgrims
WHUFC.com
Academy graduate Bondz N'Gala will join Plymouth Argyle on a permanent
two-year contract in July
26.05.2010

West Ham United defender Bondz N'Gala has agreed to join League One
newcomers Plymouth Argyle on a permanent two-year contract. The Academy
graduate spent the final two months of the season on loan at Home Park,
where he made nine starts and impressed the Pilgrims' management and
supporters alike despite the club's relegation from the Championship. The
20-year-old, who made his one and only first-team appearance for the Hammers
in the 3-1 Carling Cup defeat at Bolton Wanderers last September, will sign
for Plymouth on a permanent basis when his contract at the Boleyn Ground
expires at the end of June. Born in Forest Gate, N'Gala joined West Ham when
he was 13, graduating from the Academy of Football in 2008. A former
reserve-team captain, the powerful centre-back spent time on loan at Blue
Square Premier outfit Weymouth before linking up with Championship side
Scunthorpe United for a month in October. Plymouth moved for him in March,
securing his services on loan until the end of the season. N'Gala quickly
settled in Devon, forging an encouraging partnership with Beninese defender
Reda Johnson. "I'm pleased to get everything sorted out," he said. "I am
going away soon to take it easy, but you have still got to keep ticking
things over. "I would like to get in the side again and play as many games
as possible. From the team's perspective, we want to get back up. "It was
easy playing with Reda and we developed a good partnership because we both
like to defend. "I am always up for a new challenge so, hopefully, I can
show what I can do and I'll be alright." West Ham United would like to thank
Bondz for all his efforts and wish him all the best in his future career.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Franco's Wembley wonder
WHUFC.com
Guille Franco was delighted to score for Mexico at the Home of Football on
Monday evening
26.05.2010

Guille Franco was full of pride after scoring at Wembley in Mexico's 3-1
friendly defeat by England on Monday. The West Ham United striker beat
club-mate Robert Green with a low shot seconds before half-time, despite
having suffered a sprained toe just moments earlier. Franco underwent a scan
at the Home of Football immediately after the match and should be fit to
spearhead Mexico's attack at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, where they kick-off
the tournament against hosts South Africa on Friday 11 June. The
33-year-old, who will leave the Hammers this summer, has graced some of the
world's finest stadia during a long and illustrious playing career, but
admitted playing and scoring at Wembley was among the very brightest
highlights. "It was fantastic," Franco told whufc.com "I think for Mexico it
was a very important game because the same eleven players will probably
start in South Africa as they did against England." Franco will be sidelined
when Mexico take on the Netherlands at the Badenova-Stadion in Freiburg,
Germany, on Wednesday evening, but hopes to be fit when Javier Aguirre's
side take on Italy at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels on Thursday 3
June. I think it was very important for Mexico to play at Wembley and now
we'll continue with our friendly matches against Holland and Italy. "It's
difficult to analyse the game because we lost 3-1. Mexico played well and
Mexico had the ball and kept possession very well but we lost 3-1. It's not
easy to have one opinion about the game."
While some critics have suggested that England failed to convince in
defeating the CONCACAF Gold Cup holders, Franco believes Fabio Capello's
squad will be among the strongest at the World Cup. "I don't know if England
looked vulnerable. Of course England have a chance to win the World Cup.
It's a very good team with fantastic names and they have a good
possibility."
While the striker's immediate concern is getting fit for the biggest
tournament of his career, Franco admitted he did have one eye on securing a
club for the 2010/11 season.
The Argentine-born player joined West Ham on a one-year contract after being
released by Spainish side Villarreal CF, but will leave the Boleyn Ground
when his deal expires at the end of June. While his stay in east London may
have been relatively short - 23 appearances and five goals - the former Club
Atletico San Lorenzo de Almagro and CF Monterrey man will depart with fond
memories of his time in claret and blue. "I don't know where I'll be next
season. West Ham told me 'Bye bye' so I won't be with West Ham next season.
Now my focus is on the international team and the World Cup and then I'll
think about next season. "Of course I enjoyed my time at West Ham. The
supporters and the people were fantastic. I very much enjoyed my year in
West Ham, but now it's finished and this is football."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Kearns goes for glory
WHUFC.com
Danny Kearns will be keen to fire the Republic of Ireland to the UEFA
European U19 Championship finals
26.05.2010

West Ham United winger Danny Kearns will be eager to fire the Republic of
Ireland to the UEFA European U19 Championship finals when their Elite Round
Group 3 qualifiers get started on Wednesday. The 19-year-old scored on his
full debut for the Republic against Poland in April, having switched
international allegiance from Northern Ireland earlier this year.
Belfast-born Kearns has been named in Sean McCaffrey's squad for the Elite
Round qualifiers against England, mini-group hosts Ukraine and Bosnia &
Herzegovina.
The teenager will hope to be named in McCaffrey's starting lineup when the
Irish tackle England - who will be without the unavailable Frank Nouble due
to Swindon Town's involvement in Saturday's League One play-off final - at
the FFU Training complex in Kiev on Wednesday. Ireland face a tough task to
qualify for the eight-nation finals in France this summer, facing last
year's beaten finalists in England and the 2009 champions Ukraine in their
second fixture at Borex in Borodinka on Friday. Kearns and his team-mates
complete their Elite Round fixtures by tackling Bosnia & Herzegovina at the
FFU Training complex on Monday 31 May.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Mexico striker Guillermo Franco to leave West Ham
BBC.co.uk

Mexico striker Guillermo Franco is to leave West Ham after the club decided
against extending his contract. The 33-year-old's one-year contract expires
at the end of June and the east London club have told him they will not
offer him a new deal. He scored five goals in 23 matches for the Hammers
but said the club "told me 'bye bye' so I won't be with West Ham next
season". West Ham signed Franco in September after he was released by
Villarreal. "I don't know where I'll be next season," added Franco. "Now my
focus is on the international team and the World Cup and then I'll think
about next season. "Of course I enjoyed my time at West Ham. The supporters
and the people were fantastic." The striker scored Mexico's goal in
Monday's 3-1 friendly defeat by England and is expected to feature
prominently for his country during the World Cup.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
The General's last stand
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 26th May 2010
By: Staff Writer

Guillermo Franco has confirmed that he will not be playing for West Ham next
season. The 33-year-old Mexican international, who scored against England at
Wembley on Monday had been hoping to land a second year at the club
following a fairly successful first season in English football. However he
confirmed today that he will be leaving the club having failed to be offered
a new deal. "I don't know where I'll be next season," he told whufc.com.
"West Ham told me 'bye bye' so I won't be with West Ham next season. Now my
focus is on the international team and the World Cup - and then I'll think
about next season. "I enjoyed my time at West Ham; the supporters and the
people were fantastic. I very much enjoyed my year in West Ham, but now it's
finished and this is football."
Better news however for young full-back Jordan Spence, who briefly appeared
as a late substitute during the 1-1 draw with Manchester City on the final
day of last season and was recently involved in the Hong Kong Sevens
tournament. He has been awarded a one-year extension to his current
contract, which takes him up to next summer. "I'm pleased to get it sorted
and to know that I'll be at the football club next season, so I'll be able
to crack on and make progress," he said. "To be honest, I never thought I
would be leaving. I've got faith in God and I know that as long as I
continue to work to my best, then He will take care of the rest and where
I'm supposed to be, I'll be. What I'm particularly pleased about is that
that place is going to be here."

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Behrami sale a non-starter
Hammers star unlikely to be sold this summer
By Simone Bargellini Last updated: 26th May 2010
SSN

Valon Behrami's agent claims to be '99 per cent certain' his client will be
staying at West Ham. The versatile Swiss star has been the subject of
mounting transfer talk of late, with his future believed to be hanging in
the balance. Rumours of a proposed move to Serie A outfit Palermo refuse to
go away, with the Italians admitting to holding an interest in the player.
West Ham have no intention of selling, though, with the club keen to avoid a
repeat of their 2009/10 relegation dogfight. They have revealed that they
are willing to listen to offers for a number of their first-team squad, but
have made it clear that Behrami is not among them. That means the
25-year-old, who is currently preparing for World Cup duty, will still be at
Upton Park come the end of the summer. "Valon is thinking about the World
Cup, his future will be tackled later," Behrami's agent, Alessandro
Beltrami, told tuttomercatoweb. "West Ham have declared him
non-transferable, so I think it is 99 per cent certain he will remain in
England. "Talk of Palermo? That is good because it means the player has done
well. However, we are happy that West Ham have made him unavailable for
transfer."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Franco set for Hammers exit
Mexico forward to be released by London club in June
Last updated: 26th May 2010
SSN

Mexico striker Guillermo Franco has revealed he will be released by West Ham
when his contract expires in June. Franco, who scored Mexico's solitary goal
against England in the pre-World Cup friendly at Wembley on Monday, will
compete in South Africa for his country this summer, but has struggled to
make an impact in the Premier League. The 33-year-old arrived at Upton Park
from Villarreal last year, becoming the first Mexican to sign for the London
club. Argentina-born Franco, who made 23 appearances for the Hammers this
season and scored five goals, will be allowed to leave on a free transfer.
"I don't know where I'll be next season. West Ham told me 'bye bye' so I
won't be with West Ham next season," Franco told the club's official
website. "Now my focus is on the international team and the World Cup and
then I'll think about next season. "Of course I enjoyed my time at West Ham.
The supporters and the people were fantastic. I very much enjoyed my year in
West Ham, but now it's finished and this is football."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Prem duo eye Speroni
Fulham and West Ham tracking Palace shot-stopper
Last updated: 26th May 2010
SSN

Skysports.com understands West Ham and Fulham have entered the race for
in-demand Crystal Palace keeper Julian Speroni. The Argentinean is already a
target for Queens Park Rangers, where former Eagles boss Neil Warnock is
thought to be eager to bring him in. Last week, Speroni refused to rule out
a move to Loftus Road amid reported interest but attention from the Premier
League may also appeal to the former Dundee stopper. Having won Palace's
Player of the Year for the past three seasons, Speroni could expect to
displace 36-year-old Radek Cerny as Rangers' first choice. However, the
31-year-old would face competition from England international Robert Green
and Australia international Mark Schwarzer of West Ham and Fulham
respectively should their interest materialise. With the club finishing the
season in administration, Palace's financial difficulties may leave them no
choice but to sell their shot-stopper, who has made 171 appearances for the
club.

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Mido bill hits Teesiders
The Sun
Published: Today

MIDO is all set to land Middlesbrough with a £1.3million headache by seeing
out his contract with the Teessiders. Boro are desperate to offload the
Egypt striker - who failed to impress on loan at West Ham last season - but
have failed to find a buyer. Cash-strapped Boro now face having to cough-up
Mido's £25,000-a-week wages for the last 12 months of his contract. Mido,
27, insisted: "I'm under contract at Middlesbrough, and if I didn't get a
better offer this summer, then I'll stay. "Clubs have showed interest in me
but I haven't received an offer yet. I could stay and help the team get
promoted to the Premier League."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Franco set for West Ham Exit
The Sun
Published: 26 May 2010

MEXICAN striker Guillermo Franco has confirmed that he is leaving West Ham
this summer. Franco scored five goals in 21 Premier League games for the
Hammers but his one-year contract expires at the end of June. He said: "I
don't know where I'll be next season. West Ham told me 'Bye bye' so I won't
be with West Ham next season. "Now my focus is on the international team and
the World Cup and then I'll think about next season. "Of course I enjoyed my
time at West Ham. The supporters and the people were fantastic. I very much
enjoyed my year in West Ham, but now it's finished and this is football."
The 33-year-old forward joined West Ham last September after he was released
by Spanish club Villarreal.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Everton striker Yakubu agrees deal in principle to be Avram Grant's first
major signing at West Ham United
Israeli to make Nigerian forward his first signing...
26 May 2010 14:06:00
Goal.com
By Wayne Veysey | Chief Correspondent

Avram Grant will make Yakubu his first major signing when he is appointed
West Ham United manager, Goal.com UK understands. Upton Park sources say
Grant's switch from Portsmouth is "99 per cent" completed and he will be
appointed on either Tuesday or Wednesday of next week, assuming that there
are no last-minute hitches — and Everton's Nigerian striker has already
verbally agreed to join him at the club after the World Cup. The Israeli is
set to be given a three-year contract worth around £1.3 million-a-year,
£600,000 less than his predecessor Gianfranco Zola, who was sacked earlier
this month for an alleged breach of contract. There have already been talks
between Grant and West Ham officials about identifying players to replace
the likes of Carlton Cole, Robert Green and Matthew Upson. Chief executive
Karren Brady reiterated again yesterday that Aston Villa target Scott Parker
is not for sale but West Ham will listen to offers for the other prize
assets as owners David Sullivan and David Gold attempt to slash the club's
"enormous" debts and drastically reduce their wage bill. Sullivan is working
closely with the agents Pini Zahavi, Barry Silkman and Willie McKay to bring
in new players. The east Londoners have already rejected bids from
Birmingham City, Fulham and Stoke City – as well as an unnamed Italian club
– for Cole because they have fallen short of their £15 million valuation.
Everton striker Yakubu has been earmarked to replace Cole after ambitious
attempts to bring in Thierry Henry, Kevin Kuranyi and Sidney Govou failed.
West Ham are confident that they can prise the Nigerian from Goodison Park
for around £7m. It is understood that a deal has already been agreed in
principle with Yakubu's representatives. The club are also interested in
Tottenham midfielder Jamie O'Hara – Upson could be offered in part-exchange
– and Portsmouth's Kevin-Prince Boateng. Sullivan said today that there is
only a "10 per cent" chance of England goalkeeper Robert Green leaving but
it is understood that Bundesliga club Schalke 04 are monitoring the
situation closely. Grant will be given free reign to bring in his own
backroom staff after telling the West Ham board that he did not want to
resume his partnership with assistant manager Steve Clarke. The pair worked
together at Chelsea but did not hit it off and Clarke, who was appointed by
Zola and is believed to earn £1.2m-a-year, has been told to go.
Pay-off negotiations are said to be at an advanced stage. The Scot has 16
months to run on his contract but West Ham are confident that they will save
money by paying Clarke off and bringing in someone on a considerably cheaper
salary. As the clear-out begins, Alessandro Diamanti and Valon Behrami have
already been told to find new clubs while Guillermo Franco is a free agent
after not being offered a new contract. January arrivals Ilan and Mido are
also set to leave. Meanwhile, Zola is waiting to hear from the League
Managers' Association when a date will be set for his Premier League
arbitration hearing. The Italian started legal proceedings against West Ham
following his dismissal.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Scott the brave
Posted by Jon Carter
ESPN

The holding role for England is getting a lot of attention. Ledley King?
Gareth Barry (if fit), Owen Hargreaves? David Batty? Martin Samuel in the
Daily Mail argues that a Batty figure is missing and West Ham's Scott Parker
provides the answer.

And so it comes to this. Huddled around the wireless for news of Gareth
Barry's ankle. Really? A nation with designs on the World Cup plunged into
crisis because the sort-of holding midfield player might not make the first
two games? Look, it's not ideal, but there is drama and there is crisis and
Barry's race to get fit for June 1 when Fabio Capello finalises his squad
fits firmly in the non-critical category.
We fret over Wayne Rooney because he is irreplaceable. So, too, Ashley Cole,
or the fragile collection of central defenders. But Barry is a cog in a
wheel. A very efficient cog, a slick and well-oiled cog without doubt, a cog
that the manager has come to rely upon, but a machine part nonetheless. And
parts can be replaced. The rising panic over Barry's fitness has been
intensified by a dismal performance in the holding role against Mexico from
Michael Carrick. No surprise there.

One day an England coach is going to tot up all the opportunities Carrick
has been given to win his place in deep midfield, and it will bring an end
to his international career. He is a good club player but struggles to make
the step up. In his defence, Carrick is not a conventional holding midfield
player. Then again, neither is Barry. And that is why the hole left by his
absence can be mended...

...Capello's best option would be to turn to Scott Parker, the least
heralded of his midfield squad men.

Parker has been in outstanding form for West Ham United this season, but
that is not the reason to pick him. It is not his West Ham self that England
need because for his club Parker is the equivalent of Gerrard for Liverpool,
and Capello already has a player like that; the original, in fact.

No, Parker scores because he is the best midfield tackler in Capello's
extended England squad and if Barry is injured what is required is a
destroyer who can break up play and use the ball simply. Parker would be
more suited to this role than Carrick, James Milner or Tom Huddlestone, the
trio Capello deployed against Mexico. All three are better passers but, as
long as Parker is not tempted into over-ambition, this need not matter.

England do not need Glenn Hoddle when what is missing is David Batty. A
ball-winner who then serves the ball quickly is key to any number of great
teams. With direction from a world-class coach, Parker could become more
important to the team than Barry.

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West Ham close to confirming Avram Grant as new manager
Avram Grant is expected to be presented as West Ham United manager next
Wednesday.
Telegraph.co.uk
By Jason Burt
Published: 9:14PM BST 26 May 2010

Avram Grant's arrival at West Ham is almost certain to see the club's former
assistant manager Steve Clarke move on. West Ham are holding talks with
Steve Clarke, the assistant manager who was appointed alongside Gianfranco
Zola, over an "amicable settlement". Clarke earns £900,000-a-year and has
two years left on his deal but it is understood that he accepts he has to
leave to make way for Grant, who last week resigned from Portsmouth. Sport
on television At one stage, Clarke had hoped to succeed Zola, who was
dismissed at the end of the season in an abrupt meeting with vice-chairman
Karren Brady. Zola was accused of a breach of contract but he is taking
legal action over the departure and a date is due to be set by the Premier
League for an arbitration hearing over the Italian's pay-off. He earned £1.9
million-a-year but left without a settlement. Grant has been targeted by the
club's co-chairman David Sullivan who secured his release from Portsmouth
without any compensation. It's understood the Israeli, who is close to
Sullivan's adviser, the agent Barry Silkman, has agreed a three-year deal on
a salary of £1.9 million and has already been involved in discussing
transfer targets and players who can be sold. Portsmouth, meanwhile, have
offered to pay their creditors 20 pence in every pound they owe, says the
club's administrator. The Company Voluntary Agreement (CVA) proposal will be
sent to creditors in the next 24 hours and if accepted will allow Pompey to
exit administration. The 20 pence offer is payable over five years, with 75
per cent of unsecured creditors needing to support the CVA.

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Guillermo Franco to leave West Ham
Guillermo Franco is to be released by West Ham after helping the club to
escape relegation to the Coca-Cola Championship.
By Telegraph staff and agencies
Published: 4:23PM BST 26 May 2010

Mexico striker Guillermo Franco has been released by West Ham Photo: GETTY
IMAGES Franco, currently preparing for the World Cup with Mexico, admits he
is already looking for a new club. The Argentine-born player joined West Ham
on a one-year contract after being released by Spanish side Villarreal, but
will leave the Boleyn Ground when his deal expires at the end of June. Sport
on television ''I don't know where I'll be next season,'' said Franco.
''West Ham told me 'bye bye' so I won't be with West Ham next season. ''Now
my focus is on the international team and the World Cup and then I'll think
about next season. ''Of course I enjoyed my time at West Ham. The supporters
and the people were fantastic. I very much enjoyed my year in West Ham, but
now it's finished and this is football.''
Franco, 33, made 23 appearances and scored five goals during his stay with
the Hammers. The striker scored Mexico's goal in Monday's 3-1 friendly
defeat to England at Wembley but collected a toe injury during the game.
However, he expects to be fit for the tournament. Meanwhile, West Ham have
agreed a new one-year contract with defender Jordan Spence. The promising
defender made his first-team debut for the Hammers in the 1-1 Barclays
Premier League draw with Manchester City on the season's final day. Spence
said: ''I am pleased to get it sorted and to know that I'll be at the
football club next season, so I'll be able to crack on and make progress.
''To be honest, I never thought I would be leaving. I've got faith in God
and I know that as long as I continue to work to my best, then He will take
care of the rest and where I'm supposed to be, I'll be. ''What I'm
particularly pleased about is that that place is going to be here.'' Spence
was loaned to Championship side Scunthorpe during the early part of the
season but returned to push his way into the first-team picture. Now,
following Gianfranco Zola's departure as manager, Spence is looking to
impress again when the new boss, thought to be Avram Grant, is finally
announced. He said: ''Being out on loan was always going to be a learning
experience and something I wanted to do in order to help me to push on and
help me do better when I came back. ''When Alan Curbishley was here, I got
sniffs of the first-team set-up, but then there was a change of manager.
It's a cliche to say everyone starts with a blank sheet, but I'll obviously
be looking to impress whoever comes in and to kick on."

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Grant ready to bring Pompey boys with him
26 May 2010
Romford Recorder

AVRAM GRANT hasn't even arrived at Upton Park yet, but already the stories
about players he is planning to bring with him are hitting the headlines.
The Israeli coach is expected to be appointed as Gianfranco Zola's
replacement next week as the two parties thrash out the details of his
contract. But in the meantime, West Ham have been linked to five of the
Pompey boys who stormed into the FA Cup Final last month. Jamie O'Hara, who
has returned to Tottenham after his loan spell at Fratton Park, was the
first choice for the Hammers to add some flair to the midfield, but he seems
to be beyond West Ham's financial limit as Spurs slapped an £8m transfer fee
on his sale. That leaves those still on the south coast and it seems that
Grant and West Ham have pinpointed four potential players to add to the
Hammers squad. Kevin-Prince Boateng, who missed that penalty against Chelsea
at Wembley in the Cup Final, is supposedly the top target. But West Ham are
also running an eye over centre backs Marc Wilson and Tel Ben-Haim, players
who have excelled under Grant's tutelage at Pompey. Full back Nadir Belhadj
is another player under consideration and it seems that following
Portsmouth's move into administration and consquent relegation, the club is
prepared to listen to offers for any of their players. On the reverse side,
it seems that Valon Behrami has played his last game for West Ham. The Swiss
international midfielder, who will go to South Africa with his country, was
missing from the final game of last season, and now it seems that he will
not be returning. Manchester City are said to be interested in signing the
25-year-old former Lazio player, who made 55 appearances in claret and blue,
scoring just three goals.
However, a return to Italy seems to be the best bet, with Palermo the likely
destination for the popular player. Carlton Cole continues to interest a
variety of Premier League clubs, while Mark Noble has been linked with a
£5million move to Aston Villa or Stoke City and, perhaps inevitably, Hammer
of the Year Scott Parker is a target for all the top teams in the division.
It is hard to see how any business can be done by the Hammers before Grant
is finally installed next week, but West Ham's owners are anxious to get
deals in place - both out and in - as soon as possible to get a head start
for the new season. At the moment, West Ham are stuck in limbo waiting for
the new man to come along, but one thing is for sure, once he does arrive
there is going to be plenty of activity both in and out of the West Ham
revolving door.

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Clarke set to quit Upton Park
26 May 2010
Romford Recorder

HAMMERS assistant manager Steve Clarke is set to leave the club in the next
few days. Former manager Gianfranco Zola's number two is thought to be
negotiating a settlement for the remainder of his contract, and West Ham
hope to bring in a new man with the surplus of the funds available, had the
former Chelsea man seen out his deal. Many thought that with Avram Grant set
to be unveiled as the new boss, Clarke would renew the partnership they once
had at Chelsea. However, this seems now not to be the case. The Israeli is
expected to take the reigns at Upton Park this Tuesday.

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Scott the brave: Why tough-tackling Parker must be given his chance
By Martin Samuel
Last updated at 12:59 AM on 27th May 2010
Daily Mail

And so it comes to this. Huddled around the wireless for news of Gareth
Barry's ankle. Really? A nation with designs on the World Cup plunged into
crisis because the sort-of holding midfield player might not make the first
two games? Look, it's not ideal, but there is drama and there is crisis and
Barry's race to get fit for June 1 when Fabio Capello finalises his squad
fits firmly in the non-critical category. We fret over Wayne Rooney because
he is irreplaceable. So, too, Ashley Cole, or the fragile collection of
central defenders. But Barry is a cog in a wheel. A very efficient cog, a
slick and well-oiled cog without doubt, a cog that the manager has come to
rely upon, but a machine part nonetheless. And parts can be replaced. The
rising panic over Barry's fitness has been intensified by a dismal
performance in the holding role against Mexico from Michael Carrick. No
surprise there. One day an England coach is going to tot up all the
opportunities Carrick has been given to win his place in deep midfield, and
it will bring an end to his international career. He is a good club player
but struggles to make the step up. In his defence, Carrick is not a
conventional holding midfield player. Then again, neither is Barry. And that
is why the hole left by his absence can be mended. Capello's 4-2-3-1 system
is designed to solve several specific problems: a defined forward role for
Steven Gerrard, allowing interchange with Rooney; accommodating Gerrard and
Frank Lampard in the same team; playing Rooney in an area in which he is
difficult to mark. Capello has succeeded in each of these aims.

Rooney was the top scorer in UEFA's World Cup qualifying groups; Gerrard
enjoyed some of his best games for England. The system, however, has a
profound weakness. Strictly, it requires two guarding midfielders, and
England do not possess one. Lampard and Barry do a shift there, but neither
is a holding player. Barry is more frequently described as such, but often
ends up farther forward than Lampard who displays the greater discipline of
the two. This is why if Barry does not recover in time for South Africa,
Capello's best option would be to turn to Scott Parker, the least heralded
of his midfield squad men. Parker has been in outstanding form for West Ham
United this season, but that is not the reason to pick him. It is not his
West Ham self that England need because for his club Parker is the
equivalent of Gerrard for Liverpool, and Capello already has a player like
that; the original, in fact.

No, Parker scores because he is the best midfield tackler in Capello's
extended England squad and if Barry is injured what is required is a
destroyer who can break up play and use the ball simply. Parker would be
more suited to this role than Carrick, James Milner or Tom Huddlestone, the
trio Capello deployed against Mexico. All three are better passers but, as
long as Parker is not tempted into over-ambition, this need not matter.
England do not need Glenn Hoddle when what is missing is David Batty. A
ball-winner who then serves the ball quickly is key to any number of great
teams. With direction from a world-class coach, Parker could become more
important to the team than Barry.

In the mind of many, Parker suffers from grim recall of his sole start for
England, against Croatia in Zagreb under Steve McClaren. He had a poor game
that night, but was hardly alone. Carrick and Lampard were equally
ineffective but have not seen their international careers damaged
irreparably. Parker's job was to resist, and he did. It was not his fault
that England created little, that Ashley Cole was out-jumped by Eduardo or
that Paul Robinson, the England goalkeeper, had wandered off his line. His
duties hardly included pitch maintenance, either.

Even so, certain of Barry's strengths are plainly beyond him. Parker is
right-footed, for instance, and there is little doubt Capello enjoys the
benefit of having the left-footed Barry adding balance to the midfield. His
range of passing is superior, too, and he has an excellent understanding
with Gerrard. Their partnership is a key factor in England's attacking
strength, particularly with Ashley Cole overlapping on the left flank. It
was clear how much Gerrard missed Cole's influence when Leighton Baines
filled in against Mexico. Barry's absence will not have helped, either. Yet
playing Parker brings other advantages. His uncompromising tackling has been
described as the best in the Premier League by Jamie Redknapp. Capello
should make it clear that this is what will secure his place in the team.
There are other midfield players to shuttle box to box, there are greater
talents to make the killer pass, or score the winning goal. Parker brings
what England lack, a ball-winning battler. We may yet be able to roll those
prayer mats away. Unfit, Barry can be replaced; even fit he may still not be
Capello's most calculating option.

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West Ham must double £5m offer to clinch signing of Everton striker Yakubu
By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 1:27 AM on 27th May 2010
Daily Mail

West Ham have had a £5million offer for Everton striker Yakubu turned down.
Sportsmail revealed West Ham's interest earlier this month and they have
made the first step in testing Everton's resolve - only to be rebuffed.
Goodison manager David Moyes has limited funds and is keen on Manchester
City's Craig Bellamy but he would want closer to the £11.25m he paid for
27-year-old Yakubu before considering a sale. He is also bracing himself
for an offer from Tottenham for Steven Pienaar so is determined to
strengthen rather than weaken his squad first. Moyes, who has also fended
off interest from Manchester City in Mikel Arteta, is interested in
Marseille's Hatem Ben Arfa and Cardiff's out of contract midfielder Joe
Ledley - but he faces competition from Stoke, Wigan and Newcastle in
23-year-old Wales international.

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