WHUFC.com
Anthony Edgar's superb brace saw the reserves defeat Crystal Palace on Tuesday
17.08.2010
West Ham United reserves 2-1 Crystal Palace reserves
Anthony Edgar gave the watching Avram Grant welcome food for thought by scoring twice in West Ham United's 2-1 reserve win over Crystal Palace on Tuesday. The winger, who also netted the winner in the first-team pre-season friendly at Peterborough United last month, capped an impressive all-round display with two well-taken but very different goals. Now in his second year as a professional, the Academy graduate will hope to force his way into manager Grant's thinking for Saturday's Barclays Premier League visit of Bolton Wanderers or, more likely, next Tuesday's Carling Cup second-round meeting with Oxford United. Edgar's first saw him beat three defenders before coolly smashing a low shot past Palace goalkeeper Lewis Price, while the second saw the 19-year-old calmly slot Kieron Dyer's low cross inside the post from the edge of the penalty area. Edgar's first goal came just 60 seconds after Eagles striker Sebastian Rak had latched on to Calvin Andrew's flick-on and fired Palace into a 31st-minute lead. The opening goal was harsh on Alex Dyer's side, who had dominated the opening half-hour, missing half-a-dozen chances to open their account at Thurrock FC's Ship Lane ground. With Kieron Dyer looking lively at right-back and loan signing Tal Ben Haim steady in the centre of defence, the Hammers took the game to their south London neighbours as Grant, assistant manager Zeljko Petrovic and coaches Paul Groves, Kevin Keen and David Coles looked on. Frank Nouble might have opened the scoring on 25 minutes after latching on to Price's poor clearance, only for the goalkeeper to make amends for his mistake by blocking the England Under-17 striker's shot with his legs.
Freddie Sears saw two goalbound efforts hit defenders, while Olly Lee fired no fewer than three long-range efforts narrowly off-target as Dyer's side cranked up the pressure, only for Palace to hit them with a sucker-punch through Rachs' strike.
Having equalised West Ham again took control and Nouble had already worked Price before Edgar shot his side into the lead eight minutes after half-time.
Ben Haim completed a solid hour before being replaced by Academy scholar Sergio Sanchez, but it was the Palace rearguard who continued to be the busier.
Sears collected an Ahmed Abdulla pass before working Price with a smart shot on the turn, while Dyer missed his kick inside the penalty area before being replaced by Poland U18 international Filip Modelski after 70 minutes.
Palace attacked fleetingly but, when they did, Fabio Daprela had to be at his alert best to deny goalscorer Rak a clear opportunity to equalise from 12 yards.
West Ham had a series to chances to widen the victory margin in the closing stages, only for Sears to slice wide before both Nouble and substitute Cristian Montano shot too close to goalkeeper Price.
While manager Grant and his staff will have been pleased with the performances of Edgar, Dyer and Ben Haim, reserve-team manager Dyer will also have enjoyed watching his side score a victory over a strong Palace team. The second string begin their Barclays Premier Academy League South campaign by welcoming Manchester City to Ship Lane on Tuesday 7 September, kick-off 2pm.
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Dyer's perfect blend
WHUFC.com
A mixture of youth and experience pleased victorious reserve-team manager Alex Dyer
18.08.2010
Reserve-team manager Alex Dyer believes the blend of youth and experience worked perfectly in the 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace. Senior internationals Kieron Dyer and Tal Ben Haim gained welcome match time as they continue their progress towards full fitness, while a host of promising youngsters did themselves no harm in front of watching first-team boss Avram Grant. With Saturday's Barclays Premier League visit of Bolton Wanderers being followed by a home Carling Cup second-round meeting with Oxford United next Tuesday, Grant will want to have a strong squad at his disposal. With Dyer excelling at right-back, Ben Haim looking solid in central defence and teenager Anthony Edgar scoring two excellent goals, the reserve-team manager is optimistic that the Hammers can return to winning ways following last weekend's disappointing 3-0 reverse at Aston Villa. "It was a good performance and the boys worked hard," said the older Dyer. "Palace were also good, as they came here and set their stall out with a lot of young players. We had a few senior lads who needed to play and they showed a good attitude, worked hard and it was a good performance overall. "They came out and gave it their all. We're coming up to the start of the season for the reserves, whereas obviously the first team have already started. The performance at the weekend obviously wasn't that great for the club so there will be players there now who think, if they put in a good performance for the reserves, they could crack on a bit. "That was my message before the game. I said to them that the first team hadn't played great and there was a chance for any of them who does put in a decent performance to maybe knock on the door a little bit. They did do that - they set the standards and the youngsters followed."
With two weeks to go until Grant has to name his final 25-man squad, competition for first-team places is hotter than ever. The reserve-team manager believes both Dyer and Ben Haim will be ready to play their part sooner rather than later, while a host of young players will be battling to catch Grant's eye over the coming fortnight. "There were some good individual performances. Two goals from Anthony Edgar was superb, while Junior Stanislas was good and Holmar Orn Eyjolfsson and Tal Ben Haim worked hard together at the back as a pair. "Kieron played at right-back and put in a shift and lasted 70 minutes, which was good for him. There were no injury problems there, so it was a good afternoon's work. "We just protected them a little bit. With Tal going away on international duty, he's just lacking a bit of match fitness, but he's got three or four games under his belt now and for him to do 60 minutes was enough. Hopefully, he'll be around the first team on Saturday. "Kieron wanted to play at right-back and he put in a good performance. He worked hard, was up and down and made some good runs. He's good with the younger lads and it was nice that he came off when he did with no injury, which was a bonus."
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West Ham's grounds for optimism over Olympic Stadium
BBC.co.uk
By Frank Keogh
As David Gold surveys the east London landscape from West Ham's boardroom balcony, he can see his childhood abode - plus a potential new home for his beloved Hammers. Gold looks down whimsically at 442 Green Street, where he grew up, only a corner kick from the Boleyn Ground. A few miles in the distance at Stratford is the fast-developing 2012 Olympic Stadium, which he believes is a new natural base for the Premier League club. "It is an amazing stadium and we could turn it into a multi-purpose facility. You could hold international football matches, European matches, World Cup matches there," said Gold.
As the future on the stadium reaches another landmark on Wednesday, when the formal process of finding a long-term tenant starts, the controversial Hammers bid appears to be among the front-runners. Gold and long-time business partner David Sullivan took over the club they supported in January after selling Birmingham City and winning a protracted takeover battle with Air Asia and Lotus F1 boss Tony Fernandes. While Fernandes saw the Olympic Stadium as a significant part of untapped potential at West Ham, Gold conceded to being a recent convert. The Hammers co-chairman had been worried by the requirement to retain an athletics track and the impact that would have on fans watching football. "I was reluctant in the early stages because I have always been against the running track but going down there and seeing it was different," he said. "At first, I thought the running track would be prohibitive but, seeing the layout of it, the sightlines are better than Wembley and as good as the Emirates. "You could have international athletics and cricket. Essex Cricket Club would play there and possibly even international Twenty20. "We are fully committed to this being an international sporting venue, plus a centre of excellence and learning. "It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to grab the nettle and turn this into a legacy for the people of Newham, the people of London and the entire country."
West Ham's relatively new commitment to retaining the track has buoyed enthusiasm about the club's bid. When London won the right to stage the Games back in 2005, bid chief Lord Coe pledged athletics as a key future use but initial plans meant capacity at the stadium would have been reduced from 80,000 to 25,000. "It would be a great disappointment to see this magnificent stadium reduced to just 25,000. It's unthinkable," stated Gold. "I don't think the country would ever forgive the people who turned an iconic venue into a white elephant. "When we arrived at the club, we were concentrating on survival in the Premier League. As that became assured, our thoughts moved to the Olympic Stadium. "Our feeling was they were hell-bent on a 25,000 stadium. When we saw it, we realised they were making a mistake. "At the beginning, everyone like Ken Livingstone [then mayor of London] was saying no, whereas now Boris Johnson [current mayor] is hugely optimistic and encouraging us. "Sir Robin Wales, the elected mayor of Newham, is very supportive. "Everybody seems to be warming to the idea. When we first started, it was athletics, athletics, athletics but we are the best option going forward."
Gold indicates that West Ham plan to reduce the capacity to 58,000, with huge video screens behind the goals and larger seats. "We would be moving to probably the most accessible place on the planet, with high-speed trains coming in and out of Stratford every few minutes," he said. But do West Ham, whose current Upton Park ground is not always full to its 35,000 capacity, have enough supporters to pack the new venue? "We would fill the stadium," insisted Gold, whose business interests stretch from lingerie to helicopters. "New stadiums encourage support and our support stretches from east London into Essex and all the way down to the east coast. "There are West Ham fans in Southend and Ipswich and nearly all the way to Norwich. "At the moment, they can't get to West Ham easily but there will be 20,000 car parking spaces at the Olympic Park. "There is shopping at the proposed nearby Westfield Centre, so part of the family could go there while the others go to the stadium. The answer to every question is positive."
Gold, who was a Hammers youth team player, accepts a move from Upton Park will not please many fans. "Upton Park would be redeveloped and there is a desperate need for that in the area," he commented. "I grew up in Stepney but the house got bombed and I lived in Green Street from the age of five or six until I got married when I was 21. "Nothing has really happened in that area apart from some work on the stadium and the erection of a statue of West Ham's World Cup winners. It is time for redevelopment. "When I stand on the balcony of the boardroom at West Ham, I can see my old house and beyond that the new Olympic Stadium. I have to pinch myself when I think that could be our new home. "It's a nice feeling being at Upton Park. It's still a great stadium and we have the ability to increase the capacity there to 42,000 but this is a one-off opportunity to change everything. "Upton Park was never meant to deal with the traffic. If you were to build a new stadium now, you would build it at Stratford. Even if I wasn't involved with West Ham at all, I would say you've got to do this."
However, converting the stadium from an Olympic venue to one fit for a Premier League club will be costly. "We roughly estimate conversion to a football stadium would cost £100m as a ballpark figure, while the value of Upton Park could be £20m to £30m," said Gold. "There is already a contingency fund of about £50m to convert the stadium post-Olympics and we would make up the shortfall - the deal would have to be thrashed out - over a period through a percentage of gate receipts or a share in turnover or profit. "The bottom line is if they pull most of it down, they will not receive money and they will spend money to maintain it. "The roof is the main problem as it was built to cover only half of the spectators and we would have to redesign it to cover the whole of the stadium. It's a design fault. "Because they were going to pull it down, they didn't believe they needed a full roof, so they put on a cheaper one."
There will be much negotiation to be done to stop the roof caving in on West Ham's plans but it would be hard to find more enthusiastic bidders as the process continues until a final shortlist is drawn up in March or April of 2011.
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Deadline set for 2012 London Olympics stadium bids
BBC.co.uk
By David Bond
BBC Sports Editor
Bidders interested in taking over the Olympic Stadium after the 2012 Games will be told on Wednesday that they must submit fully costed and financed plans by the end of September. Having received 150 expressions of interest in the £547m venue in May, the Olympic Park Legacy Company now wants to see firm proposals from those individuals and companies keen to convert the stadium and then run it on a 99-year lease. Organisers had planned to scale down the stadium following the Olympics, converting it from an 80,000-capacity arena to a 28,000-seater track and field venue. But with athletics unable to afford the estimated annual £2m running costs, Baroness Ford, chair of the Olympic Park Legacy Company, announced a rethink last summer.
The future of the stadium now appears to hinge on the age-old conundrum of whether track and field can share with Premier League football. West Ham are the early front runners and have been working closely with Newham Council on a £125m proposal, which would turn the stadium into a 60,000-capacity venue and retain the running track, allowing several athletics events each year. The plan includes a number of community projects, such as a health centre and a school. The main bowl of the stadium would be largely untouched, with 20,000 seats removed and larger video screens installed at either end of the venue, which is now 75% complete. But the bulk of the conversion cost comes from adding a roof to cover the entire stadium, which would also involve moving the distinctive floodlights. At the moment, only a third of the stadium will be covered. There are also plans to add corporate hospitality and dining facilities, now such a crucial part of any Premier League football ground. Finding the money to pay for those changes remains the stumbling block to West Ham's bid.
The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) has set aside £36m in its budget to pay for the old plan of converting the main stadium to a smaller athletics and community complex. West Ham would also be able to use the proceeds from the sale of their current Upton Park home to help fund the conversion. Early estimates suggest that could raise somewhere between £15m and £20m. But that still leaves a hole of about £70m. One option being discussed would result in Newham Council taking advantage of its local authority status to use what is known as prudential borrowing - a cheap form of credit only open to government organisations. Newham would be willing to consider this but probably not for the full amount, which means West Ham must raise the rest of the money themselves or strike a deal with the government to finance the remaining conversion costs. That is likely to prove difficult in the current economic climate but the ODA's total budget for legacy development of the Olympic Park runs to £350m. Karren Brady, West Ham's managing director, is likely to try to drive a hard bargain, knowing ministers will be anxious to avoid the alternative of financing annual running costs.
Officials are known to be keen to do a deal similar to the one that Manchester City struck with Manchester City Council after the Commonwealth Games in 2002. Although Eastlands is owned by the council, the football club financed the £30m conversion costs and pay an annual rent to the local authority, which includes an extra payment, depending on attendances. Tottenham have also expressed an interest in the stadium but it is thought this is only a tactic to try to force through their plans to stay at White Hart Lane with Haringey Council As revealed by the BBC in May, the most serious rival to West Ham is the American entertainment company AEG, who rescued the failing Millennium Dome by creating the successful O2 arena. But without a regular sports team - an idea to play NFL games there appears to have stalled for the time being - they would struggle to justify their bid. One option now being discussed is a joint bid from West Ham and AEG, with the American company awarded a contract by the football club for running concerts and other events at the stadium. They could also help raise capital to finance conversion costs. Baroness Ford wants to avoid leaving a costly legacy to the public purse and, with other venues such as the aquatics centre, velodrome and media centre also requiring legacy tenants, will choose one or two preferred bidders for the stadium in the autumn before making a final decision before Christmas. It could then take until next March to complete a deal.
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Avram set for year's Cruz
The Sun
By HUGH SOUTHON
Published: Today
WEST HAM are poised to land Manchester City striker Roque Santa Cruz on a season-long loan. The Hammers are in desperate need of firepower and have been in touch with City over terms of the deal. Boss Avram Grant wants to bring in a top striker to partner Carlton Cole and are ready to fund the Paraguayan star's £75,000-a-week wages. An Upton Park source revealed: "The club want him on a 12-month loan with an option to buy next summer. "We are keen to add a striker despite the financial restrictions. "Had it not been for injuries, which have meant we cannot move players on at the moment, we might have tried to do a permanent deal."
Injury-hit Santa Cruz, who was 29 on Monday, has four years left on his contract. But City are prepared to take £8.5million for him - half what they paid Blackburn 13 months ago.
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Da Costa a happy Hammer
Portuguese stopper eager for Upton Park stay
Last updated: 17th August 2010
SSN
West Ham defender Manuel da Costa insists he is loving life at Upton Park and is keen to stay. The France-born Portuguese stopper finished last season in style for the club, scoring a crucial goal in their 2-2 draw with Everton. The ex-Fiorentina man admits that last time around was an up and down time for the club as they eventually avoided the drop. Da Costa, who is nearing full fitness, was pleased with his form last term and is eager to hit the ground running this season.
"I like West Ham and I like everybody here at the club - the supporters especially - and I want to stay here," he told the club's official website. "When you are in a difficult position, you must give more than what you have for everybody - there is no choice. We had some bad moments, but we also had some very good moments. "My last five or six games of last season were a very good moment. Having not played so many games before, it was important that, that when I did play I played well."
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Champ trio eye Nouble loan
Teenage striker set to be farmed out to second tier
By Elliot Ball Last updated: 17th August 2010
SSN
Skysports.com understands that Portsmouth and Leicester are leading the chase to sign West Ham forward Frank Nouble on a season-long loan. Swansea also thought to be interested after the teenager impressed at the recent European Under 19 Championship. Nouble, who spent loan spells at West Bromand Swindon last term, has featured for the Hammers 10 times - including three starts in the Premier League in the 2009/10 season. But recently-appointed Iron manager Avram Grant looks set to let the imposingly-built 18-year-old leave Upton Park to gain some more experience with six other strikers at his disposal
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Six big weeks for Hammers
Published 08:01 18/08/10 By Pa Sports
The Mirror
West Ham have six weeks in which to finalise their plans for moving into the Olympic Stadium following the launch of the formal bidding process. The Barclays Premier League club are among a group of interested parties hoping to win a long-term lease of the venue after the 2012 London Olympic Games. They are finalising plans on how to fund the post-Olympics conversion of the stadium into a year-round multi-purpose venue. West Ham's Olympic Projects Director Ian Tompkins said: "We have six weeks to officially respond to a number of questions. We are confident that at the end of the day, ours can be a viable solution. We can make it work."
The club plan to meet with representatives from the Melbourne Cricket Ground - a similarly adaptable venue - and they have already been holding talks with UK Athletics, Saracens rugby club and Essex County Cricket Club. Tompkins is aware that not all of their supporter base is behind the club's proposed move from their traditional home at Upton Park. Fans are concerned about the impact on atmosphere of having a running track around the pitch and that seats will be too far away from the action. But West Ham are confident that will not be a problem. The furthest seats from the pitch, those up high behind the goal, would be taken out and replaced by big screens as part of the conversion.
West Ham are working on their bid in conjunction with Newham Council - and both are excited by the potential knock-on beneifts of the club moving into the Olympic Stadium. "An important part of our bid is the domino effect," said Tompkins. "The proposal Newham is developing in conjunction with ourselves is for the warm-up track to be a community facility. "We have spoken with Newham and Essex Beagles (athletics club), London Marathon and others about how that would work. If Essex Beagles were to use the community track that would free up their existing facilty. "Newham have talked about expanding cricket facilities in the area. That has led to discussions with Essex, who are equally keen on developing a presence in East London. The other double benefit of West Ham United moving is that our existing Upton Park site would open the door to a much-needed wider regeneration of the surrounding area."
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Liverpool to make fresh bid for West Ham star
Published 22:30 17/08/10 By Darren Lewis
The Mirror
Scott Parker is the latest English player to emerge on Roy Hodgson's radar at Liverpool. Despite West Ham's unwillingness to sell their 30-year-old captain, Parker is admired at Anfield where Roy Hodgson has been monitoring his situation for some time. The Reds' next move depends on the future of Javier Mascherano who has declared his intention to leave the club but for whom there have been no firm offers. Inter Milan had been in pole position to land him with Rafa Benitez keen on being united with his former midfield general. But Barcelona appeared yesterday to have entered the race with winger Lionel Messi urging the Spanish club to snap Mascherano up. Parker, meanwhile, has yet to sign the five-year deal offered to him by West Ham in order to ward off interest from his many suitors. The midfielder, well respected inside and outside the dressing room at Upton Park, still has three years left to run on his current deal, signed only last year. But the Hammers made their dramatic offer after turning down an £8million bid from Spurs to sign the player several weeks ago. Parker is known to be keen on Champions League football and is also tempted at the chance to play a part in reviving LIverpool's fortunes under Roy Hodgson.
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Exclusive: West Ham look to Portsmouth starlet to shore up defence
Published 22:30 17/08/10 By James Nursey
The Mirror
West Ham boss Avram Grant wants to be reunited with versatile Portsmouth star Marc Wilson. The Hammers' shambolic opening day 3-0 defeat at Aston Villa has set alarm bells ringing at Upton Park. And now Grant is planning to move for Pompey's Wilson, who can play in defence or midfield. The Irish international, 23, impressed last season under Grant at Fratton Park despite the club's relegation from the Premier League. And Wilson may now follow Grant, his coaching staff and Tal Ben-Haim from the south coast to East London. West Ham are keen to sign out-of-contract French striker Jeremie Aliadiere,27, on a free following a trial at the club. The Hammers would also like to take Man City striker Felipe Caicedo, 21, on a season-long loan.
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Anton Ferdinand set to join Fiorentina on loan
Published 22:00 17/08/10 By Simon Bird
The Mirror
Anton Ferdinand is set for a loan switch to Fiorentina, after a deal to join Palermo fell through. The defender has been told to find another club after a fall out with Sunderland boss Steve Bruce, who's summer signings relegated him to fifth choice centre back. Palermo sporting director Walter Sabatini said: "Anton Ferdinand is a physically strong defender that we like, but we decided to give up because we don't need another central defender."
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West Ham and Spurs in fight for PSG star
Talksport.net
By Marc Isaacs
Tuesday, August 17
Tottenham and West Ham are locked in a battle to sign Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Stephane Sessegnon. Sessegnon, 26, is regarded as one of the best attacking midfielders in France and has been attracting interest from a number of top European clubs. Harry Redknapp is keen to strengthen his midfield and after missing out on a deal for West Ham midfielder Scott Parker, he has now switched his attentions to the Benin international. West Ham boss Avram Grant is also looking to bring in more new signings before the end of August and is keen to sign another midfielder after being rocked by the news that Thomas Hitzlsperger will face a month on the sidelines with a thigh injury. Reports in France suggest that Tottenham are keen to make a move for Sessegnon, but face stiff competition from their London rivals who are also set to make a bid. Sessegnon admits he is ready to play in England and believes he is good enough to compete at the highest level. Sessegnon said: "My dream is to play in the Premier League."
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One to Watch, as the Emphasis Must Be on Adding Greater Quality!
West Ham Till I Die
Quite rightly, the current focus of Hammers supporters is upon analysing last Saturday's Villa debacle, debating possible further additions to the squad and identifying just what is necessary to get a good result this Saturday against our frequent nemesis, Bolton Wanderers.
Yet hidden amongst the transfer speculation are reports of last night's reserve match against Crystal Palace. Youngster Anthony Edgar held a finishing master class, as his clinically executed brace secured a 1-2 victory for the Hammers Reserves. I have seen Edgar play at youth and reserve team level and he has always impressed with his pace, skill and ability in the final third.
Edgar made his first team debut last season and hopefully we will see more of him this campaign. I am not sure that he is ready for a regular first team place just yet, but he certainly has the potential to make the break through. And that is what we may well need, for one or two of the youth players to come good and add additional quality to the squad.
Grant has added some decent professionals to the squad. In Ben Haim and Piquionne he has effectively increased options and competition for places. While Hitzlsperger, Barrera and Reid could all eventually prove to be quality additions.
Any further deals need to try and bring in players that will futher significantly increase the quality at Grant's disposal, rather than just padding the squad with players that are really no better than those we already have. I know that money is an issue and that we may need to sell to buy, but some invention is required to achieve the necessary transfer outcomes.
What we need is a bit of 'wheeler dealing' in the next two weeks, the like of which we have not seen seen Redknapp's time at the club (incidentally, I am thinking of the Bilic, Reiper and Di Canio deals, rather than those for Song, Camara or Margas!!!). If Behrami wants out of the club, then lets see who the intersted Serie A clubs have available for an exchange deal? Or secure a good quality loan agreement as part of any deal for Behrami. Something along the lines of the abortive Mancini deal that we attempted last summer.
Alternatively, if we sell Behrami and the likes of Kovac and Spector, use the funds generated to finance a single quality deal. What we need is proven quality now and that costs, unfortunately, but good deals are still possible. Look at the diamonds that Wigan have unearthed, in recent seasons, from the south and central American transfer markets. If they can do it, why can't we?
Lets see what transpires over the next fourteen days? What we achieve or not, over that period, could well have a significant bearing on how our season evenually shapes up?
SJ. Chandos.
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Desperate Hammers slash ticket prices to fill Upton Park
Published 11:55 17/08/10 By Mike Walters
The Mirror
West Ham are so desperate to fill Upton Park that fans can see their first two home games of the season from just £6. And Avram Grant's new-look side will need to improve significantly on their dismal showing at Aston Villa on the opening day of term to deliver value for money. In a radical move, West Ham have designated Grant's first Premier League game in charge at Upton Park, against bogey team Bolton, as kids-for-a-quid. Next week's Carling Cup second round banana skin against born-again League newcomers Oxford United will also be a cut-price affair, with ticket prices slashed to £10 and £5 for under-16s. So young fans will be able to see two home games for £6 - which is as much as Manchester City's summer signing from Barcelona Yaya Toure, on a reputed £200,000-a-week, earns in just 20 seconds. Kids-a-quid is now a tried and trusted marketing tool among football clubs to generate big crowds when results are poor or they do not want to be embarrassed by banks of empty seats. But it is unusual for a Premier League club, especially with West Ham's fan base, to resort to the hard sell for a new manager's maiden voyage at Upton Park. Bolton have won at the Boleyn Ground for each of the last two seasons, while Grant's reign began with a dismal 3-0 defeat at Villa Park on Saturday.
West Ham joint chairman David Sullivan, whose marketing strokes last season included selling £141 tickets in the directors' box at the must-win relegation battle against Wigan, said of the Oxford tie: "This will be the cheapest Hammers home match in more than a decade. "We had to persuade Oxford to agree to this radical pricing, but we are taking the cup competitions seriously and will do everything we can to be successful. "I'm sure the manager will put out a strong team and we will not be treating the match as a formality. We will be professional and it promises to be an exciting evening under the lights."
While Grant's new signings Tal Ben Haim, Pablo Barrera, Frederic Piquionne and Winston Reid may not be pure box office, the Hammers hope two big crowds will give his era a rousing lift-off.
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Transfer Gossip: Hello Cruz and Byehrami?
West Ham Till I Die
Valon Behrami has apparently admitted his family aren't settled in London and is looking for a move to to Italy. The Swiss international formerly played for Lazio but it is believed fierce rivals AS Roma are preparing an offer for the tireless midfielder. Behrami has been linked with an Upton Park exit all summer long, and if most West Ham fans were to tell the truth, Behrami is probably one of the players they would be willing to sell to recoup some money.
West Ham are said to be the front-runners in the race to sign Man City outcast Roque Santa Cruz. The deal to take him to Upton Park could be as much as £10million, which many fans believe is too much money to spend on a player who doesnt exactly have a great track record when coming to injuries. Add to the fact he'll command a fairly hefty lump in wages, it could turn in to another Kieron Dyer!
Jeremie Aliadiere is allegedly going to complete his free transfer to West Ham within the next few days. Apparently Mr.Grant tried to take him to Portsmouth on loan in January and is said to be very impressed by how he has looked on trial. Personally, i'd be willing to take a gamble on him. He had so much potential as a youngster, and although things haven't worked out as well as he would have liked, i do think he could be a decent signing. Obviously its a gamble, but it may actually work in West Hams favour; just this once!
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Reid's West Ham debut defended by Blackburn's Nelsen
18.08.10 | Andrew Slevison
Blackburn Rovers captain Ryan Nelsen has defended the Premier League debut of New Zealand teammate Winston Reid. 22-year old Reid played the full 90 minutes in West Ham United's 3-0 opening day loss to Aston Villa on Saturday and his performance attracted some criticism from the English media. But Nelsen thought his All Whites mate did well and said he will only get better with more experience. "I don't think he had that bad of a game. One or two little things went wrong and it gets blown out of proportion," Nelsen told Radio Sport. "As long as you don't take it to heart, don't read newspapers and believe in your ability, you'll be fine. "What he will find is that every game from now on will be a wee bit easier. Every training he'll get better and he'll just get used to it. "It's the hardest league in the world, it's brutally hard. The media are on top of you all the time."
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Roma attempt to offload Doni to West Ham
18.08.10 | tribalfootball.com
AS Roma have attempted to convince West Ham United to take Alexandre Doni off their hands. Roma have offered the Brazilian to the Hammers as part of their bid for Valon Behrami, but the London club are insisting only on a straight cash deal. Doni's €2 million salary is a drag on Roma's budget, particularly with the goalkeeper playing second fiddle to Julio Sergio. Offers from Greece and Turkey have arrived, but Doni is only interested in moving to England - if he must leave Roma. With Roma's finances stretched, if they cannot locate a buyer for Doni, the player's minders will be called to the club in an attempt to discuss a pay-cut.
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Portsmouth's Wilson on West Ham radar
18.08.10 | Andrew Slevison
Portsmouth midfielder/defender Marc Wilson has emerged as a target for West Ham United. The 23-year old Irishman is wanted by former Pompey boss Avram Grant at Upton Park to shore up positions in both defence and midfield for his side. Wilson was a shining light in an otherwise disappointing season for Portsmouth and it is believed that Grant is keen to make a move for him.
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West Ham on verge of sealing loan deal for Man City's Santa Cruz
18.08.10 | Andrew Slevison
West Ham United are close to finalising a season-long loan deal for Manchester City striker Roque Santa Cruz. Hammers boss Avram Grant is keen on brining in some strike quality and with recent names that City have purchased, it seems as though Roberto Mancini could afford to let the Paraguayan leave. West Ham want the 29-year old for the season with the view for a permanent move according to an Upton Park source. "The club want him on a 12-month loan with an option to buy next summer," the source told SunSport. "We are keen to add a striker despite the financial restrictions. "Had it not been for injuries, which have meant we cannot move players on at the moment, we might have tried to do a permanent deal."
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