Daily WHUFC News - 14th August 2010

Aston Villa match preview
WHUFC.com
All the early team news and background for Saturday's return to the Barclays
Premier League
13.08.2010

Barclays Premier League
Aston Villa v West Ham United
Villa Park
Saturday 14 August 2010
Kick-off: 3pm
Referee: Mike Dean

Introduction

• West Ham United kick off the 2010/11 campaign with a trip to the Midlands
to take on managerless Aston Villa. The game will be Avram Grant's first
competitive fixture in charge of the club after he became the club's 13th
manager on 3 June 2010.
• West Ham have not lost in their last three matches against Villa, with 0-0
and 1-1 draws in the last two outings at Villa Park either side of a 2-1 win
in east London on 4 November 2009. The stadium also holds happy memories
after the 1-0 win against Middlesbrough in the 2006 FA Cup semi-final on 23
April 2006.
• The Hammers have played seven matches during the summer, winning the first
five and drawing the last two - the last of those fixtures against RC
Deportivo La Coruna in the SBOBET Cup last weekend actually culminating with
a 5-3 shoot-out win for the Hammers.
• In pre-season, Avram Grant's men secured victories over League One outfit
Peterborough United (2-1), German side VfL Borussia Monchengladbach (2-0),
Greek champions Panathinaikos (1-0), League One outfit MK Dons (2-0),
Championship club Ipswich Town (1-0) before a draw at Southend United (1-1).
The final summer contest was that Deportivo date when Pablo Barrera struck
the winning penalty after Rob Green had made a save.
• Saturday's fixture could see Hammers league debuts for Thomas Hitzlsperger
- a fitness worry - Pablo Barrera, Frederic Piquionne, Tal Ben Haim and
Winston Reid. Hitzlsperger, Barrera and Piquionne have all played during the
summer, while Ben Haim has just a 45-minute reserve run-out under his belt
and Reid has yet to figure.
• The Hammers last won a Barclays Premier League match on the road at
Wolverhampton Wanderers almost exactly a year ago. The 2-0 victory at
Molineux came on 15 August 2009 before the next 18 awaydays saw the Hammers
never once take the full three points, along with a Carling Cup third-round
loss at Bolton Wanderers.
• West Ham finished 17th last season with just 35 points, although were most
successful against Aston Villa and relegated Portsmouth - winning at home
and drawing away.
• Villa secured UEFA Europa League football this season with a sixth-placed
finish in 2009/10 - the third time in a row that they ended up in that
relatively lofty league position.
• The Hammers have won seven, drawn one and lost seven of their opening
Premier League games since its inception in 1992.

• Two 3-1 wins count as their best-ever start to a Premier League season. A
3-1 win at home to Charlton Athletic in 2006 was matched by a defeat of
Blackburn Rovers by the same score in 2005

• The biggest opening-day defeat in the Barclays Premier League came in
2002, when Newcastle United won 4-0 at St James' Park.
• West Ham have not drawn the opening game since 1994, when they drew 0-0
with Leeds United at Elland Road.

• Carlton Cole was West Ham's leading scorer last season with 10 top-flight
goals.

• Robert Green topped the appearance charts for the last campaign, playing
every minute of every Premier League game. He has played 126 consecutive
top-flight matches. He started the last 12 games of the 2006/07 campaign and
every one of the 38 games in each of the last three campaigns.
• Brad Friedel, his opposite number on Saturday, is the league leader for
consecutive starts - having made 228 appearances in a row in the top-flight
- having played every game in the Barclays Premier League for the last six
seasons.
• Aston Villa began last season with a 2-0 home defeat by Wigan Athletic.
This is the fourth season in a row that they have started the campaign at
Villa Park, with two defeats and a win in the previous three first games.
Last meeting
• The last meeting between the two sides was the 0-0 draw at Villa Park on
17 January this year. The match was notable for 18-year-old Frank Nouble
leading the line on his own on his first start for the club.
The lineups were:
Aston Villa: Friedel, Warnock, Cuellar, Dunne, Collins, Downing, Milner,
Young, Petrov, Heskey (Carew 57), Agbonlahor
Subs not used: Guzan, Sidwell, Young, Delph, Delfouneso, Beye
West Ham United: Green, Upson, Spector, Tomkins, Parker (Diamanti 57), Kovac
(Stanislas 62), Noble, Behrami, Faubert, Collison, Nouble (Da Costa 89)
Subs not used: Kurucz, Jimenez, Daprela, Sears
• This is the 91st league meeting between the two sides. West Ham have won
32, Aston Villa have won 30 and there have been 28 draws.
Head to head

Last six meetings (Premier League unless stated)
17 January 2010 - Aston Villa 0-0 West Ham United
4 November 2009 - West Ham United 2-1 Aston Villa
18 April 2009 - Aston Vila 1-1 West Ham United
20 December 2008 - West Ham United 0-1 Aston Villa
11 May 2008 - West Ham United 2-2 Aston Villa
6 October 2007 - Aston Villa 1-0 West Ham United

Overall record v Aston Villa (all competitions) W 37 D 30 L 34
Last time out
Saturday 7 August 2010
SBOBET Cup
West Ham United 0-0 RC Deportivo La Coruna (Hammers win 5-3 on penalties)
West Ham United: Green, Tomkins, Gabbidon (Barrera 63), Upson, Ilunga,
Parker, Noble, Hitzlsperger (Boa Morte 75), Faubert, Diamanti (Piquionne
63), Cole
Subs: Stech, Daprela, Spector, Da Costa, Kovac, Stanislas
Friday 6 August 2010
Aston Villa 0-0 Valencia
Aston Villa: Friedel (Guzan 63), Beye, Clark (Lowry 82), Dunne (Warnock 46),
L Young (Lichaj 73), Albrighton (Delfouneso 63), Petrov (Sidwell 63),
Reo-Coker (Salifou 82), Downing, A Young (Weimann 73), Carew (Heskey 46).

West Ham United

• Avram Grant's West Ham United will be aiming to continue the form shown in
pre-sason, 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, Greek double winners Panathinaikos
(1-0) in the Austrian town of Kitzbuhel, MK Dons (2-0) at stadium:mk and
Ipswich Town (1-0) at Portman Road. The away schedule was completed by the
1-1 draw at Southend before the goalless draw against RC Deportivo La Coruna
and subsequent 5-3 penalty shoot-out win.
• Carlton Cole has been in fine form in pre-season, scoring in the victories
over Peterborough, Monchengladbach and MK Dons with just 45 minute run-outs
in each contest before adding a fourth in six games against Ipswich.
• Benni McCarthy scored his first goal for the club this summer with a fine
half-volley against Monchengladbach.
• Thomas Hitzlsperger, on 99 Barclays Premier League appearances, 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.
• Julien Faubert was also off the mark this summer, netting the first
against MK Dons, having assisted on McCarthy's goal against Monchengladbach.
• West Ham United went 471 minutes without conceding this summer between
Peter Kurucz being beaten by Peterborough United's Dave Hibbert in the 49th
minute of the meeting on 14 July and Anthony Grant firing past Marek Stech
in the 70th minute of the 3 August game at Southend. In between there were
four clean sheets against Monchengladbach, Panathinaikos, MK Dons and
Ipswich.
• The November 2009 victory over Villa was West Ham United's first in eight
attempts. Their previous maximum came when a Marlon Harewood hat-trick
helped them to a 4-0 win at the Boleyn Ground in September 2005.
• The Hammers have won at Villa Park twice, in 1995 and 2006, since the
inception of the Premier League.
• West Ham's biggest ever away win at Aston Villa came in a Division One
fixture played on 2 April 1927. Vic Watson scored twice, while Stanley
Earle, Joseph Johnson and Jimmy Ruffell also netted in a 5-1 victory for the
Hammers in front of a crowd of 20,000 at Villa Park.

Aston Villa

• Villa will be managed for the first time by caretaker manager Kevin
MacDonald after Martin O'Neill's surprise resignation on Tuesday. O'Neill
had been at the Boleyn to watch the Deportivo match last Saturday.
• Villa's biggest-ever home league victory over West Ham came in Division
One on 25 April 1987. That day, the Villans ran out 4-0 winners at Villa
Park in front of a crowd of just 13,584. Warren Aspinall scored twice, while
Stephen Hunt and Simon Stainrod netted a goal each. Villa would end the
season by being relegated to Division Two.
• The club picked up 64 points last season, their best since a second-place
finish in 1993.
• John Carew top scored for the club last season with 17 goals, ten of which
came in the league.

Team news

• West Ham United manager Avram Grant is waiting for more news on Thomas
Hitzlsperger after he picked up a thigh problem in captaining Germany in
midweek away to Denmark. Pablo Barrera and Frederic Piquionne are the most
likely players to make their competitive debuts for the club after summer
arrivals, with Tal Ben Haim and Winston Reid short of match practice.
• Peter Kurucz has joined Jack Collison and Zavon Hines on the long-term
injured list after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament last Saturday.
• Kieron Dyer, Benni McCarthy and Freddie Sears have all been training this
week. McCarthy (hamstring) and Sears (thigh) had minor issues while Dyer's
return to fitness is being carefully managed.
• Valon Behrami went away with Switzerland in midweek after 45 minutes for
the reserves last weekend alongside Ben Haim but did not play.

• For Villa. Carlos Cuellar and James Collins are both out with hamstring
and calf problems, but they hope to have Gabriel Agbonlahor (hamstring) and
Curtis Davies (knee) fit to play.
• James Milner is in the matchday squad, despite being linked with a move to
Manchester City.
• Marc Albrighton, who made his England Under-21 bow in midweek, could get
his first top-flight start on the wing.
Old boys

• James Collins will be prevented from facing West Ham United for the second
time since leaving the Boleyn Ground just under a year ago. The central
defender left swapped London for Birmingham on 1 September 2009 for an
undisclosed fee after making 65 appearances in all competitions, scoring two
goals.

• Carlton Cole will be playing against the team where he spent the 2004/05
season on loan. Cole scored three goals in 30 league and cup appearances (20
starts) for Villa.
• Thomas Hitzlsperger spent five seasons at Villa Park after leaving Bayern
Munich in August 2000. He left in the summer of 2005 after making 99 league
appearances for the club and picking up the nickname Der Hammer because of
his powerful left foot.
• Aston Villa midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker spent three-and-a-half seasons at
West Ham. The former MK Dons player made 142 appearances for the Hammers,
scoring eleven goals, before making the switch to Villa in the summer of
2007 for a £7.5m fee.

• Among the other players who have represented both clubs are Billy Askew,
Alan Curbishley, Mervyn Day, Marlon Harewood, Ray Houghton, David James,
Fred Norris, Tony Scott, Les Sealey, Nolberto Solano, Tommy Southren, David
Unsworth and Phil Woosnam.
Referee
• Saturday's referee will be Mike Dean, who last took charge of the Hammers
with the 2-0 home win against Birmingham City back on 10 February 2010.
• Dean began refereeing in 1985, starting out his career in senior football
in the Northern Premier League.

• In 2004, Dean took charge of his first international match, a friendly
between the Netherlands and Republic of Ireland at Amsterdam Arena. That
same year, he took control of the FA Community Shield between Arsenal and
Manchester United.

• In May 2006, he refereed the Championship play-off final between Leeds
United and Watford at the Millennium Stadium. In 2008, he was the
man-in-the-middle for the FA Cup final between Portsmouth and Cardiff City
at Wembley Stadium.
General information
• The weather forecast on Saturday afternoon is for heavy showers with
temperatures set to peak at around 20C
• Tickets are all sold out
Next up
• West Ham welcome Bolton Wanderers on Saturday week... For details of how
to purchase tickets, click here.
• Villa are in UEFA Europa League qualifying action on Thursday when they
travel to Austrian side SK Rapid Wien.

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Avram on Friday
WHUFC.com
Avram Grant has spoken ahead of Saturday's Barclays Premier League opener at
Aston Villa
13.08.2010

West Ham United manager Avram Grant conducted his pre-match press conference
ahead of Saturday's Barclays Premier League opening-day fixture at Aston
Villa. Grant was asked about a wide range of issues, including Saturday's
match, his aims for the 2010/11 season, possible new arrivals, the future of
Hammer of the Year Scott Parker and the fitness of striker Benni McCarthy.

Avram on Aston Villa...
"I was very surprised by Martin O'Neill's departure because first I like
Martin as a person. He's a very good person and, in my opinion, he's a very
good manager and Aston Villa looks to me to be a very stable club. If a
manager is going one week before the league is started, for me it is a big
surprise. "I never like to play against a team in the first game after they
have changed the coach. I will tell you the answer after the game but for
the moment I don't think it's an easy game - it's very difficult. "I don't
think [the departure of Martin O'Neill will make things easier] because it
is the first game of the season. If it was the middle of the season, maybe,
but the first game of the season players are always trying to impress the
next coach. They will do their best. They have very good players so I expect
a very difficult game for us. "We had an OK pre-season. I was happy with the
pre-season. I always like to do better but you know when you come to the
league that it's a different story."

Avram on his hopes for the new season...
"The aims are not for one season. We have targets for the next seasons. At
the end of the day, we want to put West Ham in the place they belong. "I
think West Ham was a very good club that played very good and very positive
football. The tradition of positive football started here at West Ham with
Ron Greenwood and then other teams followed this, so we want to play good
football, to gives chances to talented players because we have a very good
scouting system and Academy which is our base. "Over the next season, as the
owners said, we want to not fight against relegation, play good football and
put a good base for the next season. "At the end of the season, if we look
back and say it was better than the last season, then for me that's a good
start."

Avram on Scott Parker's future...
"As I understand it, and I fully support this, the club wants Scott to stay
for a very long time and are giving him a long contract. I don't know what's
happening with this but I think everybody wants this deal because it's good
for the club, it's good for Scott because he's very, very important for this
club. I hope it will be done."

Avram on the importance of keeping the club's best players...
"They are very good players for us. We are going forward for the next
seasons, not for one season. You see we don't take players for one year
because we like to do things not for one year. Alongside these players we
need experienced players who are very positive and good football players.
The players you mentioned are very good players and are very important to us
and we want to move forward with them, not without them."

Avram on possible new signings...
"Nobody has signed yet in the last day. As we always say, when a player
signs, we will let you know. For the moment, there is no news. As I say,
when a player signs, we will announce it. From my experience, especially in
England, we need to see all of the deal before we can say anything about
players.
"Of course, we are happy with the squad that we have but we have some areas
that we need to improve. In any case, if there are any players until the
31st of this month who can improve the squad and make the competition even
stronger, it will be good for everybody. We will continue looking."

Avram on David Beckham...
"I met David Beckham last year at the NBA finals and he's a very lovely guy.
For me he's not just a very good player, but one of the best characters I've
seen in football. But now he's injured, so I wish him all the best and we
will see what will happen."

Avram on missing out on Miralem Sulejmani...
"You know, I like to fight about things I can change, even one per cent.
This deal didn't succeed, no matter why, and we are looking forward. I will
not look back at something I cannot change."

Avram on Benni McCarthy...
"Benni has a problem and we have a programme for him to make him better. As
you know, he needs to lose some weight to be fit. He's a very good player
when he's fit so we're trying our best. "I don't know [the answer]. I am
here a little bit more than one month and he is a nice guy and is doing
everything I tell him to do. I know it started one year ago and it's a pity
because he's a very good player. "Any player that belongs to the squad, you
try to take the best of him, but it's not one way. The player also needs to
do his job."

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Sulejmani appeal denied
WHUFC.com
The club has not been granted a work permit to sign AFC Ajax forward Miralem
Sulejmani
12.08.2010

West Ham United can confirm the club's work permit application for Miralem
Sulejmani has been rejected by an Appeal panel at the Football Association.
The club had agreed terms with the player and AFC Ajax but the move was
dependent on Thursday afternoon's hearing. West Ham will make no further
comment at this time, with the club still very active in the transfer market
and looking to add more new recruits for Avram Grant's squad. Five new faces
have already arrived this summer in Thomas Hitzlsperger, Pablo Barrera,
Frederic Piquionne, Tal Ben Haim and Winston Reid, while the club have also
retained the services of key men like Robert Green and Scott Parker.

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Freddie ready
WHUFC.com
Aston Villa away should be Frederic Piquionne's league bow for West Ham
United
13.08.2010

Frederic Piquionne is raring to get his Barclays Premier League campaign
going with West Ham United away to Aston Villa. The striker has settled in
quickly to life in east London and is eager to show that when the Hammers
arrive at Villa Park on Saturday. "I am enjoying it here," the striker said.
"I want to work hard for this team and score many goals. I think we can do a
big season because we have very good players in this team."

One of five new faces, with more to come, Piquionne has had the comfort of
already knowing his manager after scoring ten goals for him at Portsmouth
last season. "Avram is a very good manager. I am very happy to be here with
him at West Ham and I hope to repay his faith on the pitch. "We have a new
manager and a new tactic, there are many new things. We have the chance to
have a good season."

His optimism is fuelled by the competition for places in attack, describing
Carlton Cole as "a very good player" but quickly going on to talk up the
threat of Benni McCarthy and youngsters Frank Nouble and Zavon Hines. "We
will all do our best for the team and we will score more goals this season."

Piquionne was also positive about the travelling support from the fans,
having witnessed it already in the pre-season camp in Germany and games at
Ipswich Town and Southend United. "I know the fans are going to be amazing
and fantastic for us. We have quality in the squad to make them happy. We
have new players in the team and I think the top ten is possible this season
"Every stadium will be full, the fans will be fantastic and I enjoy playing
here. There are exciting plans for the club and we will do the best on the
pitch. It is important first to stay in the Premier League and then to try
and finish in the top ten."

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Cup ticket prices slashed
West Ham United and Oxford United have agreed on cheap prices for all on
Tuesday 24 August
13.08.2010
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West Ham United are delighted that ticket prices of just £5 for kids and £10
for adults have been agreed with Oxford United for the Carling Cup
second-round tie. The significant price reduction was part of the club's bid
to thank supporters for their loyal backing once again this year, with
season tickets and memberships being snapped up in their thousands. A bumper
Boleyn Ground crowd is expected on Tuesday 24 August, with the Hammers
looking to show they mean business in every match they play.

The club would also like to thank Oxford for their co-operation in the
matter, which means with their help that as many supporters as possible will
be able to see what could be a memorable Boleyn Ground night under the
lights. There is plenty of promise for an exciting evening, with manager
Avram Grant's squad full of optimism for the new season. The manager has a
fine cup pedigree, having reached the UEFA Champions League final and FA Cup
final in 2008 and 2010 respectively. Hopes will be high that the Hammers -
boasting several new signings - can enjoy a long run in the competition.

Tickets priced at £5 for Under-16s and £10 for adults are on sale to season
ticket holders from today. Members can buy their tickets from Wednesday 18
August with general sale following from Thursday 19 August. With prices
greatly reduced, fans are urged to make sure of their seats as soon as
possible.

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Further funds raised
WHUFC.com
On the eve of the new Barclays Premier League season, the club has received
a boost from new investors
13.08.2010

W H Holding, the parent company of West Ham United, is pleased to announce
the club has raised £4m in new equity through a placing of shares, primarily
with new investors. The proceeds will partly be used to buy in some of the
shareholding of CB Holding EHF, with the balance available to fund the
further development of the club on and off the pitch. The placing was
conducted by Shore Capital and Corporate Limited. The new investors are John
Harris CBE and Daniel Harris, and Terence Brown, former Chairman of the
club. Daniel Harris is joining the board and Terence Brown is becoming
Honorary Life President of the club. David Sullivan and David Gold also
subscribed for further shares. Terence Brown is well known to supporters
having been involved with the Club for many years. Father and son John and
Daniel Harris are lifelong supporters of West Ham and will also be known to
many supporters. They previously built up the publicly listed Alba Group,
which was founded by John Harris, and currently run Harvard Medical Devices.
Daniel Harris said: "My father and I have considered investing in West Ham
on a number of occasions. We chose to do so now because we have confidence
in the new management team and believe they are capable of fulfilling West
Ham's exciting potential. We look forward to the future success of the
club."

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Squad numbers confirmed
WHUFC.com
West Ham United can confirm their first-team squad numbers for the 2010/11
season
13.08.2010

West Ham United are delighted to be able to confirm the club's official
squad numbers for the 2010/11 season. With the exception of No6, which was
retired in honour of Hammers and England legend Bobby Moore OBE in August
2008, numbers 1 to 11 will be filled. New signings Winston Reid, Tal Ben
Haim and Thomas Hitzlsperger will wear Nos 2, 3 and 11 respectively, while
James Tomkins takes the No5 shirt while Carlton Cole moves to No9 and Jack
Collison to No10. Pablo Barrera will wear the No12 shirt vacated by Cole,
while Frederic Piquionne will wear No30. Youngsters Junior Stanislas, Zavon
Hines and Jordan Spence have also taken new numbers, wearing 25, 26 and 27
respectively.

Full 2010/11 squad list

1 Robert Green
2 Winston Reid
3 Tal Ben Haim
4 Danny Gabbidon
5 James Tomkins
6
7 Kieron Dyer
8 Scott Parker
9 Carlton Cole
10 Jack Collison
11 Thomas Hitzlsperger
12 Pablo Barrera
13 Luis Boa Morte
14 Radoslav Kovac
15 Matthew Upson
16 Mark Noble
17 Benni McCarthy
18 Jonathan Spector
19 Freddie Sears
20 Julien Faubert
21 Valon Behrami
22 Manuel da Costa
23 Herita Ilunga
24 Frank Nouble
25 Junior Stanislas
26 Zavon Hines
27 Jordan Spence
28 Peter Kurucz
29 Marek Stech
30 Frederic Piquionne
31
32 Alessandro Diamanti
33 Fabio Daprela

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Brown in
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 13th August 2010
By: Staff Writer

Former Chairman Terry Brown has been named Honourary Life President for the
second time, it has been revealed. The former Chairman of the club, who was
held responsible by the majority of supporters for breaking up what could
have been West Ham's greatest ever team at the beginning of this century is
back on the board he resigned from after falling our with the Icelandics, to
whom he sold the club in 2006.

In an announcement confirming the capture of a further £4million in equity
from investors John and Daniel Harris and Brown - which is being used to
further reduce the influence of Straumur and CB Holdings - it was also
revealed that co-Chairmen David Gold and David Sullivan have 'subscribed for
further shares'.

KUMB first revealed Brown's interest in returning to the board last
December. The former Chairman, who borrowed £2million in the early 1990s
with which to buy into the club sold his controlling stake to Bjorgolffur
Gusmundsson for an estimated £85million some 14 years later.

It is the second time that Brown has been awarded the title which was first
given to him in 2006. Less than six months after selling the club - a
condition of which was the new title - Brown stepped down after it was
revealed that his successors were planning to sue him for damages relating
to the Carlos Tevez affair.

The Harris' - father and son - currently head Harvard Medical Devices.

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Aston Villa v West Ham
BBC.co.uk
Barclays Premier League
Venue: Villa Park Date: Saturday, 14 August Kick-off: 1500 BST
Coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio 5 live, local radio, Final Score &
highlights on Match of the Day

TEAM NEWS
Aston Villa are without defenders James Collins and Carlos Cuellar, who have
respective calf and hamstring injuries.
Curtis Davies hopes to overcome a knee complaint to make his first start for
a year, while Gabriel Agbonlahor is a slight doubt with a hamstring problem.

West Ham could give debuts to summer signings Pablo Barrera, Winston Reid,
Tal Ben Haim and Frederic Piquionne.
Thomas Hitzlsperger may miss out against his former club after limping out
of Germany's midweek friendly.

Aston Villa
Doubtful: Agbonlahor (hamstring), Davies (knee)
Injured: Collins (calf), Cuellar (hamstring), Delph (knee)

West Ham
Doubtful: Hitzlsperger (thigh)
Injured: Collison & Kurucz (both knee)

MATCH PREVIEW
Aston Villa begin the new season in a similar state of turmoil to how West
Ham ended the previous campaign. While the Hammers have regrouped since
narrowly avoiding relegation, uncertainty has enveloped Villa Park following
the sudden resignation of manager Martin O'Neill on Monday. Reserve-team
coach Kevin MacDonald takes temporary charge, as he did in the Premier
League 16 years ago at Leicester after Brian Little left; ironically to
become Villa's manager. MacDonald failed to win any of his three games in
charge: his only point came at home to Villa, who he then joined as part of
Little's coaching staff.
It remains to be seen how destabilising O'Neill's departure will prove to
be. MacDonald will buy Villa time, but it is new signings the club needs to
invest in after a barren summer so far.
West Ham's Avram Grant has endured his share of managerial travails at
Chelsea and Portsmouth and will want stability for himself as much as his
new employers. The rebuilding process is well underway, with half a dozen
new faces added to their squad. Grant, though, has lost his first Premier
League match in charge at both previous clubs.

MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
• West Ham have won only one of their last 13 visits to Villa Park (W1, D7,
L5). That was in January 2006 when Marlon Harewood scored the decisive
penalty in a 2-1 Premier League victory.
• Villa's only defeat in the last eight meetings came at Upton Park last
November.

Aston Villa
• Villa's 64-point tally last season was their best since they finished as
runners-up in 1993.
• Their home record of 32 points from 19 matches was the worst in the top
half of the table, and only 12th best overall.
• Villa have only won two of their nine home league matches in 2010, drawing
six and losing to Blackburn on the final day of last season.
• They have won one of their last five opening-day fixtures - 4-2 at home
against Manchester City in 2008 when Gabriel Agbonlahor scored a hat-trick.
• Stephen Warnock will be making his 200th career league start.
• Emile Heskey is poised to make his 500th career league appearance. He has
scored 113 goals.

West Ham
• The Hammers have won four of their last five opening-day matches. Their
only defeat in the last seven was 2-0 at home to Manchester City in 2007.
• Their only away victory last season came on the opening weekend against
Wolves. West Ham's final away tally of nine points was the third lowest
total in the top flight.
• New manager Avram Grant lost his first Premier League match at both
previous clubs, with Chelsea and Portsmouth beaten by Manchester United.
• If fit, Thomas Hitzlsperger's West Ham debut will be his 100th Premier
League appearance. His previous 99 matches came for Aston Villa between 2000
to 2005.
• Matthew Upson will be making his 300th club career start.

LAST SEASON'S LEADING GOALSCORERS

Aston Villa
Carew: 17 goals (10 league);
Agbonlahor: 16 goals (13 league)

West Ham
Cole: 10 goals (10 league); Diamanti: 8 goals (7 league)

MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Mike Dean
Assistant referees: John Flynn & Andy Halliday
Fourth official: Andy D'Urso

LAST LEAGUE MATCH LINE-UPS
Aston Villa (L 0-1 v Blackburn, h): Friedel; Cuellar, Collins, Dunne,
Warnock (L Young 41), A Young, Milner, Petrov, Downing, Agbonlahor
(Delfouneso 78), Carew (Heskey 76) Subs not used: Guzan, Beye, Sidwell,
Reo-Coker.
West Ham (D 1-1 v Man City, h): Green; Faubert, Upson, Da Costa, Daprela,
Parker, Kovac, Boa Morte (Franco 64), Cole (Stanislas 64), Ilan, Diamanti
(Spence 88) Subs not used: Gabbidon, Spector, Kurucz, McCarthy.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Squad numbers 2010/11
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 13th August 2010
By: Staff Writer

West Ham United have released the new squad numbers for the forthcoming
season. With a host of new signings to incorporate, several changes have
been made to last year's squad list - including Carlton Cole moving from 12
to 9 and the currently injured Jack Collison being granted the famous number
10, previously worn by the likes of Trevor Brooking and Paolo Di Canio.
Currently all numbers from 1 to 33 are catered for - bar the retired number
six and number 31. Radoslav Kovac, who is expected to move to Stoke, has
been given number 14.

2010/11 Squad List

(Last season's squad number in brackets)

1 (1) Robert Green
2 (-) Winston Reid
3 (-) Tal Ben Haim
4 (4) Danny Gabbidon
5 (30) James Tomkins
7 (7) Kieron Dyer
8 (8) Scott Parker
9 (12) Carlton Cole
10 (31) Jack Collison
11 (-) Thomas Hitzlsperger
12 (-) Pablo Barrera
13 (13) Luis Boa Morte
14 (14) Radoslav Kovac
15 (15) Matthew Upson
16 (16) Mark Noble
17 (17) Benni McCarthy
18 (18) Jonathan Spector
19 (33) Freddie Sears
20 (20) Julien Faubert
21 (21) Valon Behrami
22 (22) Manuel Da Costa
23 (3) Herita Ilunga
24 (24) Frank Nouble
25 (46) Junior Stanislas
26 (41) Zavon Hines
27 (42) Jordan Spence
28 (17) Peter Kurucz
29 (29) Marek Stech
30 (-) Frederic Piquionne
32 (32) Alessandro Diamanti
33 (33) Fabio Daprela

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Green to get new deal
Hammers to offer keeper contract extension
Last updated: 13th August 2010
SSN

West Ham are preparing to offer Robert Green a new long-term deal in an
effort to keep him at the club. The England international still has two
years left to run on his current contract at Upton Park, but is set to be
rewarded with fresh terms. The Hammers believe their goalkeeper remains the
best in the country, despite his horror show at the 2010 World Cup. As a
result, co-owner David Sullivan has revealed that the club will sit down
with Greennext summer and attempt to thrash out an extended agreement. "He's
an integral part of our team and, next summer, we'll sit down and offer him
a new long-term contract," said Sullivan. "I saw Robert on Sunday and he's
very relaxed about the coming season."
Meanwhile, reports suggest Scott Parker is close to agreeing a new contract
at Upton Park. The midfielder was the subject of a big-money bid from
Tottenham earlier this summer, which was swiftly knocked back. He now
appears set to commit his long-term future to the Hammers, with talks
regarding a lucrative four-year package edging towards a conclusion.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Behrami seeks Hammers exit
Diamanti could be sold, but Upson is set to stay
Last updated: 13th August 2010
SSN

West Ham co-owner David Sullivan has revealed that Valon Behrami is keen to
leave the club. The Switzerland international has been strongly linked with
a switch this summer, with Serie A outfit Palermo thought to be leading the
chase. Sullivan has now confirmed that the versatile 25-year-old has
expressed a desire to move on, with the Hammers prepared to listen to
offers. "We have not had a bid for him," said the Upton Park supremo. "He
doesn't want to be here, his wife doesn't like London - but he cost us
£6million and his agent got more than £1million to bring him to West Ham.
"He's actually a very decent player and I'm surprised we've not had a bid
for him."
West Ham are also looking to cash-in on Alessandro Diamanti after telling
the Italian forward that he is surplus to requirements. Sullivan said: "We
had one bidder. He cost us £6million last summer."
But while Behrami and Diamanti could soon be heading for the exits, the
Hammers are reluctant to sell Matthew Upson. The England international
appeared destined to be on his way earlier this summer, but a lack of
interest has ensured that he remains part of Avram Grant's plans. "He's not
indicated to us what he wants to do," said Sullivan. "He said he would after
the World Cup. I think he probably thought a big club would come in for him
but we've not had that. "Sunderland inquired but he didn't think he wanted
to go there. I hope this season he does prove he is worthy of playing in the
Champions League. We have no choice if he wants to go into the last year of
his contract. "We've bought some good, new, young centre-halves and I'm
interested to see how Upson performs.
"If he does well we will bid against other clubs for his services, if not we
will let him go next summer. We've got Winston Reid and James Tomkins and
plenty of centre-halves so let's see what he does. He is a great player."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
McCarthy admits weight battle
Hammers striker told to shed pounds or lose wages
By Ben Collins Last updated: 13th August 2010
SSN

West Ham striker Benni McCarthy is battling to lose weight in time for the
new season. The South African has struggled for fitness since making a
£2.5million move from Blackburn in January and in May his body fat was
measured at 24.2 per cent. A healthy male athlete should measure between
five and 12 per cent on the Body Mass Index, with between 20 and 25
considered desirable for most middle-aged men. After missing out on South
Africa's World Cup squad, the 32-year-old returned early for pre-season
training and has trimmed down to 16 per cent. However, West Ham chairman
David Sullivan has warned that McCarthy could be fined a week's wages -
£38,000 - if he fails to lose another kilo in the next week. McCarthy was
out with a knee injury towards the end of last season although he admits a
poor diet has contributed to his weight problems in the past. "I eat well
but it doesn't matter," he told the Daily Mail. "Me, I'm the type of person
who, if I don't train hard, I pick up weight. "With my bone structure, body
structure, if I don't train with intensity, I will get bigger. "When you're
injured, you can't train. For three weeks, I was told to stay off my feet,
just come in for treatment. I couldn't go in the gym. If I was on my feet,
my knee would just swell up. "I started to get worried because I know I pick
up weight quite easily. I was out for five weeks, just doing rehab on the
knee. When I started training again, I could tell I was too heavy, two or
three kilos too heavy, and I didn't train at the same intensity I normally
would do. I didn't feel right. "I used to eat the wrong things at the wrong
times," added McCarthy, a Champions Leaguewinner with Porto in 2004.
"Carbohydrates, you can't eat at night. You eat it during the day and burn
it off when you train. If you eat it at night, you store it and get heavier.
That was my problem."
McCarthy was ordered to lose weight towards the end of last year by
Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce and Hammers' chief Sullivan has now warned he
faces losing a week's wages. "Benni has a rigorous weight-loss programme and
if he doesn't lose the weight we will be fining him," he told the Daily
Telegraph.
"We are not being unrealistic. We've given him a target of losing a kilo -
2.2lb - a week. He has to lose five or six more kilos. "He's training very
hard so he must be eating or drinking something very wrong. Short of
spending 24 hours a day with him, we have to assume that. "With the amount
of training he is doing his weight should be going down with a normal diet.
We are not starving him."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Aston Villa v West Ham preview
Villa reeling from O'Neill exit while Grant aims for positive start
By Ben Collins Last updated: 13th August 2010
SSN

PREDICTIONS:
Skysports.com prediction: 1-1
SKY BET odds: Villa 10/11 Draw 11/5 West Ham 10/3
One to Watch: Ashley Young

Aston Villa open their season at home to West Ham on Saturday still reeling
from the departure of Martin O'Neill. The Northern Irish boss chose to bring
his four-year tenure to an end just four days before the start of the new
campaign. The former Celtic boss has led Villa to a sixth-placed finish in
each of the last three seasons but had become frustrated over the club's
transfer policy. There were very few comings and goings at Villa Park this
summer and star midfielder James Milner, last season's PFA Young Player of
the Year, looks set to be sold this summer before the transfer window shuts.
The ongoing saga over Milner's potential move to Manchester City has been an
unwelcome distraction during Villa's pre-season, which saw them beat
Feyenoord 2-1 before losing 4-1 to Benfica. In their other friendly against
top-class opposition, Villa drew 0-0 with Valencia at Villa Park last
Friday, a match in which Luke Young, Stewart Downing, Nigel Reo-Coker and
young winger Marc Albrighton were particularly impressive. A crumb of
comfort for Villa fans following O'Neill's sudden exit is that the likes of
Reo-Coker and Curtis Davies will be keen to impress caretaker boss Kevin
MacDonald after falling out of favour under O'Neill. And Young was one of
England's stand-out players in Wednesday's 2-1 friendly win over Hungary,
coming off the bench at half-time and laying on the winner for Steven
Gerrard. Milner also featured as a second-half substitute but has been left
out of Villa's squad to face West Ham as his switch to Man City edges
nearer. Only a pay-off dispute between Stephen Ireland is thought to be
holding up the move with a part-exchange deal having been agreed.

There has been many changes at West Ham, however, as they aim to avoid
another relegation scrap. Gianfranco Zola was sacked at the end of last
season, with Avram Grant the man to step into the Hammers hotseat after
battling adversity at Portsmouth. Grant has signed Frederic Piquionne from
Lyon after having him on loan at Pompey last season while Thomas
Hitzlsperger, Pablo Barrera, Winston Reid and Tal Ben Haim have also arrived
at Upton Park. Guillermo Franco and Ilan have been released, but one man the
Hammers were keen to keep hold off was Scott Parker and they have managed to
stave off interest from Tottenham in their star midfielder. Robert Green and
Matthew Upson will be aiming to put the World Cup behind them although
striker Carlton Cole was back in the England squad for the Hungary friendly.
Benni McCarthy has been told he must lose even more weight despite a
rigorous pre-season training regime and did not appear in the Hammers' final
friendly, a 0-0 draw at home to Deportivo La Coruna last Saturday.

Team news
Villa's caretaker MacDonald will be without the services of defensive duo
Carlos Cuellar and James Collins. Cuellar has failed to recover from a
hamstring injury so either Habib Beye or Luke Young will come in at
full-back. Collins is ruled out with a calf problem so Davies is expected to
partner Richard Dunneat the back, although if he fails to shake off a knee
problem then youngster Ciaran Clark should come in. Striker Gabriel
Agbonlahor is battling to overcome a hamstring injury in time so Emile
Heskey could start as MacDonald may be mindful of Villa's Europa League trip
to face Rapid Vienna on Thursday.

West Ham could give debuts to summer signings Barrera, Ben Haim, Piquionne
and Reid. Hitzlsperger may miss out against his former club, however, after
limping out of Germany's midweek friendly, while Jack Collison (knee)
remains a long-term absentee.

Possible starting XIs:

Villa: Friedel, Beye, Dunne, Davies, Warnock, A Young, Petrov, Reo-Coker,
Downing, Agbonlahor, Carew.

West Ham: Green, Tomkins, Gabbidon, Upson, Ilunga, Faubert, Parker, Noble,
Barrera, Cole, Piquionne.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Parker offered fresh terms
Hammers keen to tie midfielder down on long-term contract
By Chris Burton Last updated: 13th August 2010
SSN

West Ham have stepped up their efforts to keep Scott Parker at the club by
offering him a new long-term deal. The midfielder has been the subject of
interest from Tottenham this summer, with one bid having already been
knocked back. The Hammers made it clear in snubbing that approach that they
had no intention of selling the England international for any price. That
remains their stance, with the 29-year-old having become an integral member
of their squad. The Upton Park outfit are now keen to end any uncertainty
regarding Parker's future by tying him down on an improved five-year
contract. "As I understand it the club wants Scott to stay and have given
him a long contract," said Hammers boss Avram Grant. "It's good for the club
and good for Scott. He's very important to this club and I hope it will be
done."
While retaining the services of Parker has been a top priority for Grant
this summer, he has also been looking to bolster his ranks. Five fresh faces
have been drafted in to help create competition for places, but the Hammers
have been forced to accept defeat in their efforts to land Miralem Sulejmani
after seeing the Ajax midfielder fail to obtain a work permit. "We didn't
succeed in the deal and we are looking forward - I can't look back on things
I can't change," added Grant.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Aston Villa name James Milner in squad to face West Ham despite impending
Man City move
Aston Villa midfielder James Milner, the subject of a possible move to
Manchester City, has been named in caretaker-manager Kevin MacDonald's squad
to play West Ham on Saturday.
Telegraph.co.uk
By Telegraph staff
Published: 2:02PM BST 13 Aug 2010

City are believed to be offering a player-plus-cash deal involving Stephen
Ireland to meet Aston Villa's £30 million valuation of the England
midfielder. But MacDonald, in charge since the resignation of manager Martin
O'Neill, has named Milner to face West Ham. Milner has not featured in any
of Villa's warm-up matches since the World Cup but he played 20 minutes as a
substitute for England against Hungary on Wednesday. MacDonald said: "The
latest about Milner is that talks are still ongoing. Nothing can be done
today in terms of him being signed in time to play tomorrow. "James has been
put in the squad and will be available to play for Aston Villa against West
Ham."
MacDonald was non-committal on whether he would like to replace O'Neill on a
permanent basis. But he admitted owner Randy Lerner had asked him to be
ready to take charge for another week if a successor to O'Neill is not
imminent The former Liverpool midfielder said: "Would I like to be a
manager? What will be will be. Mr Lerner told me to prepare the team for
West Ham. "I spoke to him today and he also asked me to make preparations
for next week just in case. That's all I'm doing."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Aston Villa v WEST HAM: Avram Grant set to be without new signing Thomasz
Hitzlsperger
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER Last updated at 2:49 PM on 13th August 2010
Daily Mail

Thomas Hitzlsperger looks set to miss out on his West Ham debut against his
former club Aston Villa. The midfielder, a summer signing from Lazio,
suffered a thigh injury playing for Germany in midweek and is a major doubt.
New manager Avram Grant could hand debuts to Mexico winger Pablo Barrera,
New Zealand defender Winston Reid and his old Portsmouth pair Tal Ben-Haim
and Frederic Piquionne. Midfielder Jack Collison and striker Zavon Hines
(both knee) remain long-term absentees.

Team (from): Green, Faubert, Upson, Tomkins, Ilunga, Noble, Parker, Behrami,
Piquionne, Cole, Boa Morte, Gabbidon, Dyer, Kovac, Hitzlsperger, McCarthy,
Ben-Haim, Spector, Sears, Da Costa, Nouble, Stech, Diamanti, Daprela,
Stanislas, Barrera, Reid.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham keen to offer Rob Green new contract - despite World Cup shocker
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 3:05 PM on 13th August 2010
Daily Mail

West Ham are readying an offer to keep England World Cup flop Rob Green at
the club for the long term. Green has two years remaining on his current
deal but the club are keen to tie down a player they see crucial to their
future - despite his horror show in South Africa. Co-owner David Sullivan
has revealed that the club will sit down with Green at the end of the season
to thrash out an extended agreement. Sullivan said: 'Green's an integral
part of our team and, next summer, we'll sit down and offer him a new
long-term contract. 'I saw Robert on Sunday and he's very relaxed about the
coming season.' And reports suggest Scott Parker is close to agreeing a new
contract at Upton Park. The midfielder was the subject of a bid from
Tottenham last month which was rejected. Talks regarding a lucrative
four-year package are edging towards a conclusion.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Parker to commit future
August 13, 2010
ESPN

West Ham midfielder Scott Parker is close to signing a new five-year
contract. Parker, 29, has been linked with moves to Liverpool and Tottenham
over the summer but is set to commit his future to the Hammers. "As I
understand it the club wants Scott to stay and have given him a long
contract," West Ham boss Avram Grant said. "It's good for the club and good
for Scott. He's very important to this club and I hope it will be done."
Grant has brought in five new players so far this summer but has failed in
his bid to land Miralem Sulejmani after the Ajax midfielder failed to obtain
a work permit. "We didn't succeed in the deal and we are looking forward - I
can't look back on things I can't change," Grant added. The Hammers are
understood to be close to agreeing a deal for Manchester City striker Felipe
Caicedo.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Prem Guide : West Ham
The Sun
By ANDREW DILLON
Published: 13 Aug 2010

AVRAM GRANT must improve West Ham's performances and attitude as the club
faces a landmark season. But the new boss also has to ensure a trip to Upton
Park remains entertaining for the long-suffering fans. Hammers supporters
have a definite masochistic tendency. Many will quietly admit they prefer a
hair-raising flirt with relegation to mid-table mediocrity. Under Alan
Curbishley, the team reached 10th place in November and beached there. The
crowd had to be woken up to be told the season had finished. Grant has to
learn quickly that West Ham is about passion and commitment on the pitch,
combined with stylish football. There is not a ruthless demand from the
punters for trophies. The Israeli has been able to sign five new players and
pre-season went well with four wins from five games. Grant once led Chelsea
to a Champions League final but was unable to keep Portsmouth in the Premier
League last season. He has experience at both ends of the spectrum but West
Ham is a different kind of club and that's not just some romantic East End
notion. The club have never won much. Three FA Cups, the Cup Winners' Cup
back in 1965 and that's pretty much it. Loose talk about the Champions
League and the ill-fated signings of Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano were
greeted with suspicion from the punters at Upton Park. And, last season, the
team let the fans down badly. This time around, German Thomas Hitzlsperger
will bring experience, while dashing Mexican winger Pablo Barrera promises
to wow the crowds. Grant can get off to a great start with victory at Villa
Park today. But, even if they lose, West Ham have to go down with a fight or
the fans will soon be on his back.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
We'll Av a good go this year
The Sun
By ANDREW DILLON
Published: Today

DAVID SULLIVAN hurled insults at West Ham's players last season - but on
Sunday he threw a party for them. A bouncy castle, barbecue, beer and
ice-cream replaced stinging public criticism and threats of pay cuts. The
club's outspoken co-owner summed up last season's relegation worries as
'Armageddon'. The new buzzword is 'togetherness'.
West Ham supporters remain unconvinced about new boss Avram Grant and few
are bold enough to predict much glory at Upton Park this term. But Sullivan
insists that while he has not gone soft hosting a garden party at his
stately-home HQ, the boardroom battles, dressing-room dressing-downs and the
fears of financial meltdown have faded... for now. Grant has yet to complete
a full season as a Premier League manager but will have the full backing of
Sullivan, joint-chairman David Gold and vice-chair Karren Brady for the full
tenure of his three-year contract. Ahead of today's game at Aston Villa,
Sullivan said: "Last season, West Ham conceded goals for fun - that won't
happen this year. "There were a lot of disruptive things going on. A change
of owners, the club looking like it was going bankrupt, selling players like
James Collins early in the season. "There's a real feeling of togetherness
now and that will come across in the first 12 or 14 games. "We have a
manager I totally believe in. And coaching staff I believe in. "We are
seasoned pros at running clubs and know harmony and togetherness is what
works best and it's what we're trying to build at the club. "If you look at
the managers we picked, we are good judges. "The last two managers we picked
were Steve Bruce and Alex McLeish, neither of whom had any Premier League
experience but are now established Premier League managers. "We stuck with
Steve Bruce during some horrendous spells. "Last season, we had a crisis. I
did what was necessary to gee people up. Whether it was wise or not we'll
never know. "Normally it's not the way we run a club. But relegation would
have been a disaster. The criticism was a tactic I'd used before. "Whether
it had any impact, I do not know. "For the next five or six years, I will be
supportive. We're building a team that will take the club forward."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Green backed to bounce Beck
The Sun
By JAMES MASTERS
Published: Today

AVRAM GRANT reckons blunder keeper Rob Green can emulate David Beckham by
going from World Cup zero to Premier League hero. West Ham No 1 Green is set
for a red-hot reception from the Holte End this afternoon as the Hammers
kick-off their season at Aston Villa. Green is sure to get stick for his
World Cup howler that let the USA equalise in the teams' opener in South
Africa. Yet Irons boss Grant insists Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo and Oliver
Kahn have all suffered World Cup hardship, only to come back stronger. He
said: "I believe any player has to give answers on the pitch. "I remember
David Beckham after he was sent off in the 1998 World Cup - he had his best
season, even though the supporters weren't giving him a good welcome. "I
remember Cristiano Ronaldo after his wink at the 2006 World Cup, the fans
didn't like him - and it was also his best season. Maybe it is a good thing
for a footballer to go through. "Things like this happen. In the 2002 World
Cup final, Oliver Kahn conceded a goal my grandmother could have stopped and
Germany lost. "Robert Green is a very good goalkeeper. It will not be the
last goal that any goalkeeper will concede like this."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Karren Brady's Football Diary
KARREN BRADY - First lady of football
Email the author
Published: Today

OH my God, the summer is over!

I thought I'd do a round-up of the close-season and take a look at the new
campaign. We're busy at Upton Park transforming "Well, it's West Ham, what
do you expect?" so often used historically by supporters in a negative way.
We're editing it to make the association one of quality, high levels of
service and top-class experience because our values are authentic. I prefer:
"It's West Ham. We expect a lot." This is not just about appointing a new
manager and signing new players - which we have, in plenty - it's more to do
with creating a new era based on professionalism and good values. The pace
has been hectic and it's been one of my busiest close-seasons in 17 years.
But I'm not complaining, I love it.

AND we're off...

It will be a relief to go to Villa today without a hard hat. Now I'm not
with the club Villa fans regard as Public Enemy No 1 I'm hoping the old
Birmingham City board will be made more welcome than in the past. I wonder
if Benni McCarthy will play? Sent home by South Africa for being overweight,
his problems have become ours. My husband said: "You? Talking about Benni's
weight? Hello pot. Meet kettle!" Don't worry Burton supporters, he'll be out
of hospital soon! I hope even Benni - now nicknamed 'two Bennis' - has
grasped the expectation at the club.

You can't Av everything

MAYBE it's typical of Avram Grant that he should arrange to meet for our
first informal chat at 10pm in a trendy London restaurant. Maybe not. When I
told him that was late and I was usually thinking of bed at such a time,
there was a guffaw down the line. I was at our table when Avram texted to
say his plane from Israel was delayed and he'd be half-an-hour late. Crikey,
I was missing my Horlicks. By the time he arrived the restaurant lights had
dimmed and the throb-throb of dance beat was so loud I couldn't hear a word
he was mumbling. So I shouted: "Avram, I can't hear you, I can't see you,
let's go somewhere else."
Not a promising first date but I like his humour. He's as dry as Dead Man's
Gulch.

Welcome to Harry's Law

HARRY REDKNAPP has introduced something into the transfer market I call
Harry's Law. It goes: "Do what I like, when I like, with whom I like." Scott
Parker grew unsettled by Spurs' clear interest in him even though West Ham
joint-chairman David Sullivan stated he was not for sale. No permission to
speak to Scott was requested or would have been given. But this was not good
enough for Spurs who were convinced we would be pressured into selling.
Daniel Levy - my friend, but obviously not a very good one - once ventured
to me that business was all about principles and money. I told him he had
failed in both on this occasion. Something very similar has now happened
with Ashley Young at Villa. I'm glad about this - but not so happy it has
happened in such a way.

He's not that Fab, after all

ONCE 'Fabio Fabuloso', England's manager returned from the World Cup with a
reputation as Fabio Flopo. A great club manager, but it appears he's a work
in progress when it comes to the very different skills required when a team
is in long-term residence. Over in South Africa he had to be part
scout-master, part tactical guru. Well, Capello is certainly no happy-clappy
scout-master. I was chatting with a couple of the World Cup squad at a
party, and one of them put it this way: "It's like a summer romance. "You
meet a girl and think she's great and can't get enough of her. So you move
in together. After 10 minutes you realise everything about her annoys you."
Some testimony, that.

My Heart stopper

LIFE at West Ham is not without plenty of laughs. After work a couple of
staff and I are chatting. One, a Geordie, revealed: "I was in the shower and
heard you on the radio. I got hard on." I like informality, but... "You had
a what?" I said. "Hard. You know. Hard on." Cue uproar. A voice whispered
from beside me: "He means Heart - you were on Heart FM radio." Thank heavens
for that!

Boss fits the bill

SCOTS are known for a combination of moths and wallets, just ask an agent
who convinced a club to sign a Scottish manager. The agent remains annoyed
at the manager's lack of gratitude. "Let's put that right," said the boss
when they met. "A bottle of champagne . ." Bottle emptied, the boss left.
Then the waiter arrived with the bill.

Hard times indeed

IF ever there was proof times are hard for football club owners... Premier
League chairman - short bloke, enormous chest, always seems in a bad mood
and good-ish friend - invited me to spend the day on his yacht with him in
Marbella. "So, where are we going," I asked all excitedly. "Going? We're not
going anywhere. Do you know how much fuel this thing uses?"

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham aiming to see off Tottenham and sign PSG midfielder Stephane
Sessegnon
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 10:34 AM on 13th August 2010
Daily Mail

West Ham United are vying with Tottenham Hotspur for Paris Saint-Germain
midfielder Stephane Sessegnon. White Hart Lane boss Harry Redknapp is
monitoring the 26-year-old because of fears he faces a defensive shortage.
However, the Hammers are said to be the club closest to making a formal
offer for the Benin international. Everton also reportedly considered him,
but Mikel Arteta's commitment to a new contract Goodison Park has reduced
their need to strengthen in midfield. PSG will demand a big fee for a player
who was man of the match in their Ligue 1 opener against Saint-Etienne last
Saturday. Sessegnon was signed from Le Mans for £6million two seasons ago,
but PSG put off suitors last summer by asking for £15m.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
The Lastest Twists: Sulejmani Deal Off?
West Ham Till I Die

It would seem the Sulejmani deal has finally come to a conclusion, with the
result being not so good for West Ham. The Ajax striker and Serbian
international has had his work permit appeal rejected and it appears the
deal is dead in the water. I dont think there is much anyone can now do to
resurrect this move as his application for a permit has now been turned down
twice. Its a shame as i think he would have been a terrific player for us,
but we must now set our sights on other targets and hopefully get another
forward in before next week. It would seem this weekends match has come too
soon to introduce any more players.

It seems thats Kovac's transfer from West Ham to Stoke City should be
completed within the next 48 hours. Reports suggest that it is West Ham who
are actually holding things up at the moment as they are undecided whether
to do a deal or not. For the reported fee of £2million, which is what we
shelled out to buy him last year, i cant see what there is to think about?

Good Luck to West Ham tomorrow! My prediction for the game, 2-1 West Ham,
with Piquionne scoring the winner!

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Hammers block Kovac's Stoke switch after Hitzlsperger injury
Published 09:32 13/08/10 By James Nursey
The Mirror

West Ham have put a temporary block on Radoslav Kovac's switch to Stoke
while they assess Thomas Hitzlsperger's injury. Czech midfielder Kovac, 30,
was due at the Britannia Stadium yesterday to discuss a £1.5million switch.
But Hammers' new signing Hitzlsperger, recruited on a free from Lazio,
picked up a thigh injury in Germany's 2-2 draw against Denmark in an
international friendly on Wednesday. Hitzlsperger was subbed in the 66th
minute and West Ham also have injury worries over fellow midfielder Valon
Behrami, who didn't play in Switzerland's friendly in Austria.

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Aston Villa v West Ham United: match preview
Read a full match preview of the Premier League game between Aston Villa and
West Ham United at Villa Park on Saturday Aug 14 2010, kick-off 15.00 BST.
Telegraph.co.uk
By John Ley
Published: 6:00AM BST 13 Aug 2010

Saturday, August 14
Aston Villa v West Ham United
Villa Park
Kick-off: 15.00 BST
TV: Highlights, BBC One Match of the Day.

Aston Villa (Possible, 4-4-2): Friedel; Cuéllar, Collins, Dunne, Warnock; A
Young, Milner, Petrov, Downing; Carew, Agbonlahor.

West Ham United (Possible, 4-5-1): Green; Faubert, da Costa, Upson, Ilunga;
Parker, Noble, Hitzlsperger, Diamanti; Cole, Piquionne.

Referee: M Dean. Matches (last season): 30. R: 116.Y: 6.

Tale of the game

Villa begin life after Martin O'Neill without any new signings. But West Ham
have failed to win in their last four League visits to Upton Park and,
crucially, they have not won away in the Premier League for a year. The last
success they experienced away from Upton Park was at Wolves on the opening
day of last season.
New manager Avram Grant lost twice against Villa last season, with
Portsmouth, but West Ham were unbeaten in seven pre-season friendlies. He
may give debuts to some of his summer signings including Frederic Piquionne
and former Villa favourite Thomas Hitzlsperger.

Last season: West Ham 2 Villa 1, Villa 0 West Ham 0.

Stat of the game: Villa lost their last two games of last season; a third
successive defeat would represent their worst run since April 2009 (four
straight losses).

Betting tip: West Ham to take advantage of the turmoil at Villa Park. Take
1-0 to the Hammers at a rather enticing 10-1.

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West Ham to fine Benni McCarthy if striker does not lose weight
West Ham United will fine Benni McCarthy a week's wages – £38,000 – if he
fails to lose a kilo in weight within seven days.
Telegraph.co.uk
By Jason Burt
Published: 7:00AM BST 13 Aug 2010

West ham have told Benni McCarthy he will be fined a week's wages unless he
loses a kilo in weight in the next seven days. The weight loss regime will
continue for five weeks as the Premier League club have finally lost
patience with the South African striker, who has struggled for fitness since
he moved to Upton Park.Club chairman David Sullivan told Telegraph Sport:
"Benni has a rigorous weight loss programme and if he doesn't lose the
weight we will be fining him. We are not being unrealistic. We've given him
a target of losing a kilo – 2.2lb – a week. He has to lose five or six more
kilos. "He's training very hard so he must be eating or drinking something
very wrong. Short of spending 24 hours a day with him, we have to assume
that. "With the amount of training he is doing his weight should be going
down with a normal diet. We are not starving him. It's just don't eat ice
cream, don't eat cakes, don't drink wine. Who knows when they go home what
they do. "They say he's lost five kilos but he still looks heavy to me. But
we are very optimistic. I can fine him. I can't be unrealistic and say half
a stone a week but a kilo a week is a realistic target for a man of his
size. "It's like a jockey turning up overweight. He can't ride a horse can
he, and no one is going to pay him? I think we are fully within our rights
to say 'you are not honouring your side of the contract'. You expect him to
turn up in a state to be a footballer."

McCarthy, 32, is the club's fourth-highest earner and has two years left on
his contract having arrived from Blackburn Rovers in January for £2.2
million. His weight problems meant he was left out of South Africa's World
Cup squad. It remains to be seen whether he survives the overhaul of the
squad Sullivan and new manager Avram Grant are carrying out this summer. "In
a perfect world I would love to have been able to throw every player out,
get all the money that was paid for their transfers in a pot and start
again," Sullivan said. "I look at some of the money the club has paid for
some players and it does not make sense."

New Zealand defender Winston Reid plus Tal Ben Haim (on loan) and Frédéric
Piquionne, both of whom Grant managed at Portsmouth, have been added to the
squad along with Pablo Barrera, a £4 million Mexico forward, and Thomas
Hitzlsperger, the German midfielder. Sullivan will hope to sign at least one
more striker after the club failed to obtain a work permit for Miralem
Sulejmani, the Ajax forward who was set to arrive on a season-long loan. "We
have brought balance to the squad," Sullivan said, criticising what he
inherited. "We are playing cards with a bad hand, but we have to work our
way through as best we can and hang on in there."

Sullivan said he was optimistic that midfielder Scott Parker would sign a
new contract next week, with a one-year extension to his existing three
years. "He has not told us he wants to leave," he said. "And we do not want
to sell." The same applied to Carlton Cole, he said.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham hope injury-jinxed Kieron Dyer's latest comeback is not a false
dawn
Any mention of Kieron Dyer in an international week will lead to a sense
that here is one of the lost talents of English football, a player limited
to 33 caps because of his injury jinx.
Telegraph.co.uk
By Jason Burt
Published: 7:30AM BST 13 Aug 2010

More directly there has been the fear for the past two years that he may
have to retire from football altogether. West Ham United probably feel they
are jinxed, having already suffered the premature retirement of Dean Ashton,
while Dyer is the club's top earner at a staggering £83,000 a week. His
contract is made all the more ludicrous by his fitness record. It has been
some drain on strained financial resources. But, finally, there are hopes
that Dyer may play again after having been restricted to just seven starts
in the past three years. He had four operations alone to rectify a leg
break. Over the summer it was recommended that Dyer undergo a new treatment.
It was identified that he had a huge patch of scar tissue on a leg caused by
a series of operations. According to sources, the patch was around an inch
by eight inches in size and prevented him from being fully fit. Through a
course of painful, deep massage, the scar tissue has been broken up and
reduced to, it is claimed, around half an inch by an inch. "It's been
extremely painful but he's now in a situation where there is optimism that
he will be injury-free this season," a source said. "He might just be able
to make a major contribution again."

At the same time, Dyer, 32 in December, only had a two-week holiday in the
close season to work on his core fitness. Although he suffered for a week
after playing an hour of the pre-season friendly against Ipswich Town, that
has been attributed to his lack of playing time. West Ham, who have been the
victims of a number of false dawns, are not making a great deal of Dyer's
fitness – and neither is he – but it would be a significant boost to see him
playing again.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
ASTON VILLA v West Ham: No Carlos Cuellar and James Collins leaves defensive
crisis
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER Last updated at 11:28 AM on 13th August 2010
Daily Mail

Aston Villa caretaker boss Kevin MacDonald will be without defensive duo
Carlos Cuellar and James Collins for the Barclays Premier League opener
against West Ham. Cuellar has failed to recover from a hamstring injury
while Collins is ruled out with a calf problem. Curtis Davies could partner
Richard Dunne at the back if he shakes off a knee problem. If not, then
rookie Ciaran Clark, who made his first Premier League start against Fulham
12 months ago, could deputise.
Striker Gabriel Agbonlahor is also battling to overcome a hamstring injury
in time to face the Hammers.

Team (from): Friedel, Guzan, Luke Young, Lichaj, Beye, Dunne, Davies, Clark,
Warnock, Ashley Young, Downing, Albrighton, Petrov, Sidwell, Reo-Coker,
Carew, Delfouneso, Heskey, Agbonlahor.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers offer Parker new deal
The Sun
Published: Today

SCOTT PARKER is closing in on a new five-year contract at West Ham. The
29-year-old midfielder has been linked with Liverpool and Tottenham but is
set to commit his future to the Hammers. West Ham boss Avram Grant said: "As
I understand it the club wants Scott to stay and have offered him a long
contract.
"It's good for the club and good for Scott. He's very important to this club
and I hope it will be done."
Grant has brought in five new players this summer but failed to land Miralem
Sulejmani after the Ajax midfielder was denied a work permit. The former
Portsmouth manager added: "We didn't succeed in the deal and we are looking
forward. I can't look back on things I can't change."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Parker poised to pen Hammers deal
Published 14:51 13/08/10 By Pa Sports
The Mirror

West Ham midfielder Scott Parker is close to signing a new five-year
contract. The 29-year-old, West Ham's player of the year last season, has
been linked with moves to Liverpool and Tottenham over the summer but is set
to commit his future to the Upton Park club. "As I understand it the club
wants Scott to stay and have given him a long contract," said Hammers boss
Avram Grant. "It's good for the club and good for Scott. He's very important
to this club and I hope it will be done."
Grant has brought in five new players so far this summer but has failed in
his bid to land Miralem Sulejmani after the Ajax midfielder failed to obtain
a work permit. "We didn't succeed in the deal and we are looking forward - I
can't look back on things I can't change," added Grant. The Hammers are
understood to be close to agreeing a deal for Manchester City striker Felipe
Caicedo.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Grant: Rob Green can be my Cristiano Ronaldo
Published 23:00 13/08/10 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror

Robert Green has been tipped to bounce back from World Cup misery in the
same way as David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo. West Ham keeper Green is
expecting to be booed at Villa Park today, following his World Cup blunder
for England. But Hammers boss Avram Grant reckons Green is mentally strong.
Grant said: "I remember Beckham after the 1998 World Cup, it was his best
season even though fans weren't giving him a good welcome. "Ronaldo after
the 2006 World Cup – they didn't like him and it was also his best season. I
hope the reaction will be the same. Maybe it's a good thing."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Parker set to sign new five-year West Ham contract
ESPN Soccernet staff
ESPN
August 13, 2010

West Ham midfielder Scott Parker is close to signing a new five-year
contract. Parker, 29, has been linked with moves to Liverpool and Tottenham
over the summer but is set to commit his future to the Hammers. "As I
understand it the club wants Scott to stay and have given him a long
contract," West Ham boss Avram Grant said. "It's good for the club and good
for Scott. He's very important to this club and I hope it will be done."
Grant has brought in five new players so far this summer but has failed in
his bid to land Miralem Sulejmani after the Ajax midfielder failed to obtain
a work permit. "We didn't succeed in the deal and we are looking forward - I
can't look back on things I can't change," Grant added. The Hammers are
understood to be close to agreeing a deal for Manchester City striker Felipe
Caicedo.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Slim down or be fined, West Ham warn striker McCarthy
BBC.co.uk

West Ham striker Benni McCarthy has been told by club co-owner David
Sullivan to lose weight or be fined. The 32-year-old has failed to make an
impact since joining in February and missed out on a place in South Africa's
World Cup squad because of his weight. "It's like a jockey being overweight.
He can't ride a horse and no-one is going to pay him," said Sullivan. "I
think we are fully within our rights to say 'you are not honouring your side
of the contract'." Sullivan said the former Ajax and Blackburn striker, who
is South Africa's record goal-scorer, was being put on a weight-loss
programme. "We are not being unrealistic. We've given him a target of losing
a kilo (2.2lbs) a week. He has to lose five or six more kilos," he said. "He
is training very hard so he must be eating or drinking something very wrong.
Short of spending 24 hours with him, we have to assume that. "You expect him
to turn up in a state to be a footballer. We are not starving him. It's just
don't eat ice cream, don't eat cakes, don't drink wine." McCarthy is
unlikely to be included in manager Avram Grant's squad for the opening game
of the new Premier League season, away to Aston Villa on Saturday.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham midfielder Scott Parker set to sign new five-year contract
West Ham midfielder Scott Parker is set to sign a new deal with the Premier
League club, handing manager Avram Grant a major boost ahead of the new
season.
Telegraph.co.uk
By Telegraph staff and agencies
Published: 5:10PM BST 13 Aug 2010

Grant has already brought in five new recruits - Thomas Hitzlsperger, Pablo
Barrera, Winston Reid, Tal Ben-Haim and Frederic Piquionne - and is close to
landing Manchester City striker Felipe Caicedo. But the news Parker is
poised to put pen to paper on a bumper five-year deal to ward off interest
from Tottenham and Liverpool has given Grant a major boost on the eve of the
Barclays Premier League season. The 29-year-old midfielder was named the
West Ham player of the year last term and was the only squad member
co-chairman David Sullivan claimed he would not listen to offers for.
Parker's performances helped West Ham avoid relegation under Gianfranco Zola
and earned him a call-up to Fabio Capello's provisional World Cup squad -
although he failed to make the cut to South Africa. Grant said: "As I
understand it the club wants Scott to stay and have given him a long
contract. It's good for the club and good for Scott. He's very important to
this club and I hope it will be done."

West ham have left an open invitation for David Beckham to join them, but
whether the apparent 'former' England star will be lining up in the same
midfield as Parker in the future remains to be seen. "I met David Beckham
last year at the NBA finals," added Grant. "He's a lovely guy and a very
good player - one of the best characters I have seen in football. "But now
he is injured. I wish him all the best and then we will see what happens."
Grant kicks off his West Ham reign with a trip to an Aston Villa side
reeling from the departure of manager Martin O'Neill and the proposed sale
of James Milner to Manchester City. But the former Chelsea and Portsmouth
boss refuted suggestions it is a good time to be playing the midlanders.
"It's the first game of the season," he said. "If it was the middle of the
season, maybe, but in the first game when there's a change of coach players
are always trying to impress so I think they will do their best. "They have
very good players so I expect a very difficult game for us."
One player with little chance - or should that be fat chance - of facing
Villa is striker Benni McCarthy. The South African was left out his nation's
World Cup squad due to his lack of fitness and has been put on a strict
weight-loss regime in a bid to shed some extra pounds. "Benni has a problem.
He needs to lose some weight to be fit - he's a very good player when fit so
we are trying our best," said Grant. "I've only been here one month. He's a
nice guy, he's doing everything we tell him to do but I cannot follow the
players around 24 hours a day - maybe I will in the future. "But I don't
know what any player is doing in their private life and I can't put my
finger on it. I know it started a year ago, and it's a pity because he's
very skilful and a very good player. "Any player that belongs to the squad
we always try to get the best out of but it is not all one way, the player
also needs to do his job." Hitzlsperger is likely to miss out on the trip to
his former club after suffering a thigh injury playing for Germany in
midweek.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Avram Grant vows to follow in footsteps of Ron Greenwood at West Ham
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER Last updated at 11:42 PM on 13th August 2010
Daily Mail

Avram Grant has revealed he has set himself the target of recreating the
attractive football West Ham played in the Sixties under legendary coach Ron
Greenwood. 'Our resources are very, very limited, we can't even bring in
players who are less than big money,' he said. 'But we can make a good job
out of what we have. ' I love the traditions of the club, I believe in the
football that was started here by Ron Greenwood who tried to change the way
of playing in this country. 'I wanted to see how he did things. Sure the
results are important but there is also a way of playing that is important.
For me, success is a journey - not a target. We are starting the journey at
Aston Villa.'

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Avram Upholds the Greenwood Philosophy, as 'Relegation Misery' is Predicted!
West Ham Till I Die

On the eve of the new Premier League season, Avram Grant has vowed to
continue the playing philosophy of Ron Greenwood. He is quoted as stating:
' I love the traditions of the club, I believe in the football that was
started here by Ron Greenwood who tried to change the way of playing in this
country.
'I wanted to see how he did things. Sure the results are important but there
is also a way of playing that is important. 'For me, success is a journey
– not a target. We are starting the journey at Aston Villa.'

Words to warm the hearts of all true Hammers! Ron Greenwood is probably the
greatest and most innovative coach that English football has ever produced.
It is often a cliche to say that people are head of their time, but in
Greenwood's case it is perfectly true. He developed coaching methods in the
1960s that are integral to modern coaching manuals and still used every day
at professional clubs.

Greenwood was the nearest thing that you will get to a footballing
intellectual, a purist who wanted to see the game played the right way.
Avram Grant is right to aspire to being Greenwood's heir and it is certain
that Hammers fans will respond positively to his stated ambition. However,
as I have said previously, the trick is combine Greenwood's flowing,
attacking style of football with a new professionalism, discipline, team
spirit and will to win. Now that would be a winning combination!

Well done ITN news, yesterday evening, for emphasising the success of West
Ham's Academy and its contribution to England, in their report on the
implications of the new 'Home Grown' rules. What did the report say, 'A
club that produced seven of the England squad and they are not even in the
top four of the PL.'

Too often the media have banged on about the young English players at clubs
like Spurs and Aston Villa, conveniently forgetting that the likes of
Milner, Young, Lennon and Dawson were bought from other clubs and not
actually produced via their Academies.

It is nice to see the West Ham getting credit for its youth policy; as well
as media coverage of Tony Carr's views on the development of young players.
After all, Carr has a track record second to none in this country. As a
club, we are very fortunate to have him running our Academy.

Elsewhere, Sports Mail journalist Des Kelly has tipped us for relegation
(along with Blackpool and WBA)! Kelly suspects that he may have powers of
prediction (a la Mystic Meg?) after getting the PL title winners, runners-up
and relegated clubs spot on last season! And the reason for our predicted
demise? Allegedly West Ham will suffer 'the consequences of appointing a
manager who bows to the bungling interference of owners with the misery of
relegation. '

Indeed, the papers have been pretty down beat about our prospects this
season, most of them seeing us as finishing firmly in the bottom half.
Although they have largely stopped short of predicting the 'misery of
relegation.'

Oh well, that all probably guarantees that we are going to have a very good
season. I am greatly reassured!

And tomorrow I reckon we will start that season with a solid 0-1 West Ham
victory.

SJ. Chandos.

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