WHUFC.com
Zeljko Petrovic has been appointed as part of Avram Grant's first-team
coaching squad
28.07.2010
Avram Grant has put the finishing touches to his first-team coaching staff -
a set-up combining international knowledge with English expertise. Zeljko
Petrovic has been appointed assistant manager to join a team already
boasting Paul Groves, Kevin Keen, goalkeeping coach David Coles and fitness
coach Eamon Swift.
Petrovic, 44, is a former Yugoslavian international who played at the 1998
FIFA World Cup and for some of European football's biggest names including
Sevilla and PSV Eindhoven. Since retiring, Petrovic has forged his coaching
reputation and has worked in Germany, the Netherlands and Portugal. The
manager is used to working well with continental and domestic coaches, a
combination he deployed to successful effect in taking Chelsea to the UEFA
Champions League final in 2008. He has developed a strong relationship with
Groves, continuing a connection that started at Portsmouth, and Keen, who
was already at the club.
Grant said: "I am happy that we now have the staff set-up that I presented
to the owners when I came. The aim is to take the team forward with
professional, positive people and have a creative atmosphere. Zeljko
Petrovic has a lot of experience and knowledge as a player and a coach. Paul
knows my methods and did a great job for me at Portsmouth. He is one of the
main reasons we went all the way to the FA Cup final with all the
difficulties. Kevin has represented the traditions of West Ham and is also a
very good coach and a positive person."
The manager's coaching staff fit with the vision he identified for progress
when he first took charge. His aim is to take the club forward with the
players, coaches and support staff working together in the same direction
and with the same goal - to make West Ham United successful.
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Noble spirit for new season
WHUFC.com
RC Deportivo La Coruna will mark the start of Mark Noble's seventh campaign
in the Hammers first team
28.07.2010
Mark Noble may be the club's longest serving player and in the middle of his
seventh pre-season at West Ham United but he still has the "same buzz" as
ever.
Still only 23, the midfielder has been around the first-team picture at the
Boleyn Ground since his debut aged 17 back in August 2004. He will expect to
line up this evening away to MK Dons, having played a key role in the club's
three wins from three so far this summer. While tonight's match promises to
be a tricky test, as will Saturday's trip to Ipswich Town, Noble said
everything was about being ready for the glamour home date with RC Deportivo
La Coruna on Saturday week and then the big Barclays Premier League kick-off
away to Aston Villa seven days later.
Noble said: "I still get the same buzz at the start of the season and this
year it will be different as for the first time in a few years as we are
away. Before we play Aston Villa, we play Deportivo and our fans are going
to be buzzing. Everyone will be fresh and ready to go. "You just want to
feel sharp for the new season and get used to being back at Upton Park. The
pitch is always lovely and perfect. We always have good opponents, we have
played the likes of Roma and Villarreal and we have got Deportivo this time
who will be just as good a test."
The former England Under-21 captain has enjoyed his first extended summer
break in three years after international commitments in 2008 and 2009 but
spent much of his break watching the FIFA World Cup. He was particularly
enamoured with Spain duo Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta, and expected
Deportivo to have a similar approach to the game as that magical midfield
duo. "I am pleased we are playing a Spanish team again because we all know
from the World Cup that they are technically very good. It will be a good
work-out and a chance to try out the team shape. I want to play in the game
and it will be nice to start well."
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Swiss call for Fab
WHUFC.com
Fabio Daprela has been included in the Switzerland U21 squad for a friendly
meeting with Greece
27.07.2010
Fabio Daprela has been included in the Switzerland Under-21 squad for their
forthcoming friendly international against Greece. The Swiss will take on
the Greeks at the Stadion Schutzenwiese in Winterthur on Tuesday 10 August,
hoping to gain a confidence-boosting victory ahead of their UEFA European
U21 Championship qualifier against Republic of Ireland in Lugano on 3
September. Daprela, 19, was included in Switzerland's squad for their most
recent Euro 2011 qualifiers against Turkey and Georgia at the end of last
season, only to miss the fixtures due to a minor leg injury. Switzerland sit
top of Euro 2011 qualifying Group 2, four points clear of second-placed
Turkey with three matches still to play. The attack-minded left-back has
returned to action in pre-season in impressive form and will be keen to add
to the 26 caps he has already earned at U17 and U19 levels. The Zurich-born
defender is one of three Hammers youngsters set to be involved in
competitive U21 action in early August. Marek Stech and Holmar Orn
Eyjolfsson are battling to qualify from Group 5, with Stech's Czech Republic
sitting top of the table, two points ahead of Eyjolfsson's Iceland. The
Czechs face San Marino in Prague on 11 August, while Iceland host Germany in
Hafnarfjordur on the same evening. Iceland head to the Czech Republic for a
potential winner-takes-all clash on 7 September. England, for whom James
Tomkins, Junior Stanislas and Freddie Sears have all been involved in their
Euro 2011 qualifying campaign, face a friendly meeting with Uzbekistan in
Bristol on 10 August ahead of a Group 9 trip to Portugal on 3 September.
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MK Dons match preview
WHUFC.com
All the team news and background information ahead of Wednesday's trip to
stadium:mk
28.07.2010
Pre-season friendly
MK Dons v West Ham United
stadium: mk
Wednesday 28 July 2010
Kick-off: 7.30pm
Introduction
• West Ham United will travel to League One side MK Dons for their fourth
pre-season friendly ahead of the 2010/11 Barclays Premier League season.
• The Hammers will be looking to make it four wins from four in pre-season.
So far, Avram Grant's men have secured victories over League One outfit
Peterborough United (2-1), German side VfL Borussia Monchengladbach (2-0)
and Greek champions Panathinaikos (1-0).
• Wednesday's fixture could see 2010 FIFA World Cup quartet Robert Green,
Matthew Upson, Valon Behrami and Jonathan Spector make their first
pre-season appearances following their summer exertions in South Africa.
• The match will be the first of three final pre-season friendly matches
contested before the Barclays Premier League season commences with a trip to
Aston Villa on Saturday 14 August. Following Wednesday's fixture, Grant and
his squad will travel to Championship side Ipswich Town on Saturday before
completing their preparations with the visit of Spanish Primera League club
RC Deportivo La Coruna to the Boleyn Ground on Saturday 7 August.
Last meeting
• West Ham United last met MK Dons in a pre-season friendly at stadium:mk on
25 July 2008 in a match that saw Sweden international Freddie Ljungberg make
his Hammers debut.
• Hogan Ephraim and Matthew Upson, with his first goal for the club, put
West Ham 2-1 up before the home side struck back to snatch a 3-2 victory in
front of a 9,610-strong crowd.
MK Dons: Steele (Abbey 73), Edds (Howell 73), Lewington (Stirling 73),
Andrews (McKoy 73), Murphy (O'Hanlon 52), Diallo, Wright (McGovern 52),
Broughton, Knight, Cameron (Morris 60), Dyer
Goals: Wright 12, Andrews 51 (pen), Knight 75
West Ham United: Wright; Spector, Collins, Upson, Gabbidon; Ljungberg
(Stokes 66), Dailly, Collison, Boa Morte (Jeffery 90); Ephraim, Bellamy
Subs not used: Stech, Hines, Fitzgerald, Hales
Goals: Ephraim 16, Upson 19
Last time out
Friday 23 July 2010
Pre-season friendly
West Ham United 1-0 Panathinaikos
West Ham United: Stech (Kurucz 46), Tomkins (Fry 73), Da Costa (Spence 73),
Gabbidon (Dyer 46), Ilunga (Daprela 61), Noble (Montano 73), Parker (Kovac
46), Hitzlsperger (Diamanti 46), Faubert (Sears 61), Cole (McCarthy 61), Boa
Morte (Stanislas 61)
Goals: Hitzlsperger 42
Tuesday 20 July 2010
Pre-season friendly
Kettering Town 1-4 MK Dons
MK Dons: Martin (Searle 79), Gleeson, O'Hanlon (Trialist 56), Trialist
(Doumbe 56), Lewington, Chadwick (Chicksen 79), Hamann (Carrington 62),
Leven (Guy 69), Balanta (Ibehre 69), Easter (Powell 79), Baldock (Howell 69)
Goals: Balanta 11, Chadwick 47, Gleeson 73, Easter 78
West Ham United
• Avram Grant's West Ham United will be aiming to continue the bright start
they have made to their pre-season schedule, which has seen them defeat
League One new boys Peterborough United (2-1) at London Road, German
Bundesliga challengers VfL Borussia Monchengladbach (2-0) in Ruhpolding and
Greek double winners Panathinaikos (1-0) in the Austrian town of Kitzbuhel.
• West Ham will continue their pre-season preparations with a Saturday visit
to Championship outfit Ipswich Town before completing their warm-up fixtures
with the visit of Spanish Primera Division club RC Deportivo La Coruna to
the Boleyn Ground for the SBOBET Cup tie on Saturday 7 August.
• Carlton Cole has been in fine form in pre-season, scoring in the victories
over Peterborough and Monchengladbach. Benni McCarthy also enjoyed a fine
evening against the Germans, netting his first goal for the club with a fine
half-volley.
• Thomas Hitzlsperger has made a bright start to his West Ham career
following his summer arrival from SS Lazio, scoring his first goal for the
club with a direct free-kick in the 1-0 victory over Panathinaikos.
• Grant's side will kick-off their Premier League campaign with a trip to
Aston Villa on Saturday 14 August.
MK Dons
• MK Dons have also recorded three wins from three pre-season friendly
matches so far, albeit against slightly less testing opposition. The League
One challengers have beaten non-league trio Oxford City (3-0), St Neots Town
(3-1) and Kettering Town (4-1), all away from home.
• MK Dons are managed by 29-year-old Karl Robinson, the Football League's
youngest manager. The former non-league player worked under former West Ham
midfielder Paul Ince as assistant manager last season before being promoted
following Ince's departure in May. After his playing days were ended early
by a serious back injury, Robinson spent eight years working at the
Liverpool Academy before joining MK Dons as first-team coach in 2007.
• After finishing 12th in the League One table last season, the
Buckinghamshire club have been active in the transfer market during the
summer, with the most notable addition being that of former Liverpool and
Germany midfielder Didi Hamann as player-coach. Hamann joined MK Dons
following his release by Manchester City.
• Alongside Hamann, MK Dons have also brought in goalkeeper David Martin
from Liverpool - the son of former West Ham and England defender Alvin
Martin - forward Lewis Guy from Doncaster Rovers and Colombian winger Angelo
Balanta on loan from Queens Park Rangers.
• MK Dons will begin their League One campaign with a trip to Walsall on
Saturday 7 August.
Team news
• West Ham United manager Avram Grant could call upon his four 2010 FIFA
World Cup players - namely Robert Green, Jonathan Spector, Matthew Upson and
Valon Behrami - following their return from an extended summer break.
• Long-term injury absentees Zavon Hines and Jack Collison (both knee) will
not be available, while the club may give new signings Frederic Piquionne
and Pablo Barrera more time to reach full match-fitness before being
considered for first-team duty.
• For MK Dons, goalkeeper David Martin will miss out with an ankle injury,
while defensive duo Jude Stirling and Darren Mackenzie will also be
unavailable. Former Southampton defender Pele could feature as he continues
his trial at the club.
General information
• The weather forecast is for light rain showers with a top temperature of
around 19C.
• Tickets will be available on the night at stadium:mk, priced at £10
Adults, £6 Concessions and £1 for Under-16s. Under-7s will be admitted free
when accompanied by a full-paying adult. Supporters are advised to arrive
early to avoid congestion.
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Parker: not for sale at any price
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 28th July 2010
By: Staff Writer
David Sullivan has revealed that the club have rejected an offer from
Tottenham for Scott Parker. The 29-year-old is said to have been the subject
of an undisclosed bid for the current KUMB.com Player of the Year - a bid
that, according to Sullivan, was immediately rejected. "I made a promise
that I would not sell Scott and I will not, for any amount of money, break
that promise to the West Ham supporters," Sullivan announced via whufc.com
this morning. "Scott is not for sale at any price, to anyone. "West Ham
supporters, for far too long, have had owners that sell their best players
and promise one thing and do another. This is a new era. We are building a
bigger, better West Ham and when we make a promise, we honour it."
Sullivan's comments were in stark contrast to those made by fellow chairman
David Gold on BBC Essex last night. When questioned about Parker's future,
Gold replied: "I don't think anybody can ever give a 100 per cent guarantee
about anybody. When bids come in to such an extent and players are offered
huge sums of money... There's a never-never, I learnt that many years ago in
football."
West Ham are understood to have recently offered Parker a two-year extension
to his current contract, which has three years left to run.
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Roma rule out Behrami
Serie A giants have no plans to launch Hammers raid
By Simone Bargellini Last updated: 28th July 2010
SSN
Roma's sporting director Daniele Prade claims the club have not and will not
bid for Valon Behrami. The Serie A outfit admit to being admirers of the
versatile West Ham midfielder, but insist they have other areas to address
in the transfer market. Switzerland international Behrami has been strongly
linked with a move to Italy this summer, with Palermo among those to have
expressed an interest. However, West Ham have made it clear that they have
no intention of selling, and Roma have now revealed that they are not
preparing to test the Hammers' resolve. "He is a strong player, we like him,
but we have not made any offer to West Ham," Prade told Sky Italia. "Our
priorities are a defender and a left winger, we are okay elsewhere."
Roma continue to track Inter Milan's Nicolas Burdisso, as a potential
defensive option, but admit that discussions with their Serie A rivals have
reached deadlock. "We offered 5million euros (£4.2m) to Inter for Burdisso,
we cannot do any more," said Prade."Nicolas knows that we are doing our
best, but there are limits. Next Friday I will meet again with (Inter's
sporting director) Marco Branca, but there is a stalemate. "Interest from
Juventus? I don't care if there is another team in the frame. Roma helped to
enhance Burdisso (during a loan spell last season) and still have one of the
strongest defences, with Juan and (Philippe) Mexes."
Meanwhile, Prade has also revealed that talks regarding the sale of
Brazilian forward Julio Baptista to Greek outfit Olympiakos have gone quiet.
He said: "There was strong interest 10 days ago, but since then we have not
heard from anyone."
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Clerc denies injury talk
French defender shrugs off knee injury speculation
By Patrick Haond Last updated: 28th July 2010
SSN
Premier League target Francois Clerc has dismissed rumours that he has
sustained a serious knee injury. Free agent Clerc has been linked with moves
to various English top flight clubs including West Ham, Liverpool and Stoke
this summer after being released by French outfit Lyon at the end of last
season.
However, doubts were cast over a potential move across the Channel by
reports that the full-back had suffered a severe knee problem. But France
international Clerc, who is also a reported target of Serie A clubs Palermo
and Sampdoria, insists the speculation over his knee is totally false. "I am
a French international, a free agent, I have contact with very good clubs,
but there is a stumbling block," Clerc told L'Equipe. "It has all started
with a rumour from people with ill intentions, who don't want me to get
success away from Lyon. (The rumour) was I could not play football anymore.
"Some even said I had a 10 centimetre gap in my knee. It is completely
false, my knee is perfectly fine, but that rumour caused me trouble. "I am
keen to make any trip for any examinations needed."
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Spurs spurned in Parker bid
Hammers determined to keep England midfielder
By Chris Burton Last updated: 28th July 2010
SSN
West Ham United have rejected a bid from Premier League rivals Tottenham
Hotspur for midfielder Scott Parker. The England international was the
Hammers' standout performer last season, with a collection of commanding
displays helping the club steer clear of relegation. His efforts were
rewarded with a place in England's pre-World Cup squad, although he failed
to make the cut for the South African showpiece. He was expected to generate
interest this summer, with numerous clubs reported to be keen to bring him
on board. Tottenham have made no secret of their desire to strengthen, as
they prepare for life in the UEFA Champions League, and they are the first
to have made an official approach. They have, however, been knocked back by
West Ham, with co-owner David Sullivan making it clear that Parker is not
for sale at any price. "I made a promise that I would not sell Scott and I
will not, for any amount of money, break that promise to the West Ham
supporters," he told the club's official website. "Scott is not for sale at
any price, to anyone. West Ham supporters, for too long, have had owners
that sell their best players and promise one thing and do another. "This is
a new era. We are building a bigger, better West Ham and when we make a
promise, we honour it."
Sullivan added: "The club informed Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy prior to
him making the offer that we would not welcome any approach to unsettle the
player. "Scott Parker has three years left on his contract and the club has
opened talks with his agent over a new five-year deal."
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Tottenham bid for Scott Parker rejected by West Ham
West Ham have confirmed they have rejected an offer from Tottenham for Scott
Parker, with chairman David Sullivan insisting the midfielder is not for
sale at any price.
Telegraph.co.uk
By Telegraph staff and agencies
Published: 10:28AM BST 28 Jul 2010
Scott Parker will not be leaving Upton Park this summer, according to West
Ham chairman David Sullivan. The 29 year-old England international has been
linked with a summer move away from Upton Park, with Tottenham a possible
destination to link up with former West Ham manager Harry Redknapp.
But Sullivan said: "I made a promise that I would not sell Scott and I will
not, for any amount of money, break that promise to the West Ham supporters.
"Scott is not for sale at any price, to anyone. West Ham supporters, for far
too long, have had owners that sell their best players and promise one thing
and do another. "This is a new era. We are building a bigger, better West
Ham and when we make a promise, we honour it."
A statement on the club's website read: "The club would like to state that
regardless of the size of the bid, nothing will break the promise that
chairman David Sullivan made to our supporters. "As repeatedly stated, Scott
Parker is not for sale and there are no circumstances and no amount of money
that will cause us to break that pledge to the fans. "The club informed
Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy prior to him making the offer that we would
not welcome any approach to unsettle the player. Scott Parker has three
years left on his contract and the club has opened talks with his agent over
a new five-year deal."
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West Ham dismiss Spurs bid for Parker
By Soccernet staff
July 28, 2010
ESPN
West Ham have turned down a bid for Scott Parker from Tottenham Hotspur and
the east Londoners have adopted a militant stance on the midfielder's
future.
A statement on the club's website maintains that "regardless of the size of
the bid, nothing will break the promise that Chairman David Sullivan made to
our supporters". Sullivan stated back in May that Parker would be the one
player not for sale after the Hammers escaped relegation, and now Spurs have
tested that resolve. The website statement also described how Tottenham
chairman Daniel Levy was informed that "we would not welcome any approach to
unsettle the player".
The co-owner's stance does not appear to have altered, judging by this
pronouncement. "I made a promise that I would not sell Scott and I will not,
for any amount of money, break that promise to the West Ham supporters," he
said. "Scott is not for sale at any price, to anyone. West Ham supporters,
for far too long, have had owners that sell their best players and promise
one thing and do another. "This is a new era. We are building a bigger,
better West Ham and when we make a promise, we honour it."
The Hammers say they have begun negotiating a new five-year deal for the
club captain, believed to have been valued at £8 million by Spurs, who are
looking for English reinforcements for their assault on reaching the
promised land of the Champions League.
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The Latest Developments
West Ham Till I Die
West Ham have officially announced that they have rejected a bid from
Tottenham for Scott Parker. Sullivan said that he 'made a promise to the
West Ham fans which he will not go back on for any amount of money.' Clearly
very good news for West Ham that we can now actually rely 0n the board to do
as they say and not sell behind peoples backs.
Valon Behrami is again being linked with an Upton Park exit with Roma the
interested party. Roma have for some time now expressed an interest in bring
Behrami back to Italy but nothing concrete has so far emerged. According to
reports though a player + cash deal could be on the cards.
And onto one of the silliest rumours i've probably ever heard, apparently
Carlton Cole is being linked with none other than Real Madrid! Obviously its
someone on the internet trying to have a joke and i fully expect Cole to
stay with us – especially as it has been announced he'll be The Hammers new
No.9
I will make a further transfer development post later, in the hope more wild
and wicked rumours have been circulated, and who knows, possibly a transfer
will be complete…
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PAYNE SIGNS DEAL
Posted on: Wed 28 Jul 2010
Doncasterroversfc.co.uk
Rovers, this afternoon, signed young midfielder Josh Payne on an initial six
month contract after impressing Sean O'Driscoll playing in the friendlies
starting at non league side Askern Villa and then travelling with the team
to Devon for the South West Tournament
Sean O'Driscoll on Josh "We have watched him two or three times when he was
at West Ham, and we just liked him. When he was released we asked him up
here to train with us. We like his attitude and feel he could be a player we
could develop."
Josh "I'm really pleased to sign for Doncaster after playing in quite a few
of the pre-season games. There were one or two other clubs interested in me
but Doncaster were the only one I was happy to sign for as they play the
type of football I like to be involved in"
Payne began his career with Portsmouth and Southampton before moving to West
Ham. He was named as 2008-09 captain of the West Ham Under 18 team, but
joined Cheltenham Town on an initial one month loan on 24 September 2008. He
made his debut for Cheltenham against Stockport County on 27 September 2008,
scoring a goal in the 66th minute. Payne's loan with Cheltenham Town lasted
3 months before he returned to West Ham United on 22 December 2008. Payne
made his West Ham and Premier League debut on 21 March 2009 in a 1-1 away
draw against Blackburn Rovers coming on as a 90th minute substitute for
Diego Tristán.
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