WHUFC.com
Julien Faubert is targeting an international comeback but knows he must first do well for his club
04.08.2010
Julien Faubert has not one but two new managers to impress this season. The West Ham United player is targeting a place in Avram Grant's side this term - possibly in an advanced attacking role - while he is also aiming to catch the eye of new France coach Laurent Blanc. With the 23 players who represented Les Bleus at the 2010 FIFA World Cup suspended for the forthcoming friendly with Norway, Faubert knows he has a chance to add to the single cap he earned against Bosnia-Herzegovina in 2006. To give himself the best chance of inclusion, the Le Havre-born player is planning to hit top form for the Hammers. "I'm happy to be back because I love football. We are playing pre-season games and we're doing well and looking forward to our game against Aston Villa. We have to keep going and be ready. "We just come in and the manager has done what he has had to do. We had a hard season last season, so he's come in and he knows his football. He managed a big team before and he has big ambition and that is what we want and what we need. Everyone is happy and is hoping we have a good season. "I hope to be involved [for France]. I am 26 so I hope all the time. We'll see what Laurent Blanc wants to do but it's better for me because the door was closed when Raymond Domenech was there. Now everything has changed and we'll see for the next selection. I have to play well in every game and we'll see."
Faubert has been employed on the right of the front-three in pre-season, scoring in last week's 2-0 friendly victory at MK Dons. While results are going well on the field, the 26-year-old was also encouraged by the squad being put together at the club. "The big thing is to play as a team. We have to keep the best players, but we have to play as a team. The manager has said that we can have the big players and the best players, but if we don't play as a team then we can lose the game. Not only one player makes a team - we have to stay together. "We need the best players but we have to stay all together. It's better for us if we have Scott Parker because he is very important for us. He did very well last season and it's better to keep all the players - not only him - like Greeny, Coley and Matthew Upson. All these players can help us and that's what we need. "After last season we had to change something. We changed owners and now we have changed the manager. "We needed some new players and Thomas has arrived and he is a good player, as have Fred Piquionne and Pablo Barrera as well. I think this is good because after last season we had to change something. We have to do better and that's what we want."
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Reserves hold Daggers
WHUFC.com
Peter Kurucz kept League One new boys Dagenham & Redbridge at bay on Wednesday
04.08.2010
Peter Kurucz was the star of the show as West Ham United reserves drew 0-0 at League One new boys Dagenham & Redbridge on Wednesday. The Hungary Under-21 goalkeeper produced a string of important saves as the Hammers and Daggers played out an entertaining goalless behind-closed-doors encounter at the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham Stadium. In a match played in three 30-minute segments, Kurucz made at least four fine stops, including one outstanding flying save to push home striker Phil Walsh's header on to the crossbar. Dagenham, who featured former West Ham scholar Conor Okus in central midfield, edged a keenly-contested 90 minutes, although Alex Dyer's side also created a number of decent chances to nick the victory. Frank Nouble, fresh from appearing for England at the UEFA European U19 Championship in France, had a convincing claim for a penalty turned down early on, while Eoin Wearen twice shot narrowly wide.
The introduction of young forwards Cristian Montano and Robert Hall gave the Hammers fresh impetus going into the final half-hour, with the pair combining well on a number of occasions. Montano turned provider for George Moncur late on, only for Okus to block his former team-mate's goalbound shot, while Olly Lee also fizzed a rasping low drive inches wide in the closing moments. "I'm very pleased," Dyer confirmed. "They worked hard and the performances were good all-round. They all gave 100 per cent and our keeper Peter made three or four excellent saves. Our marking was disciplined but we didn't do quite enough to stop them getting clear headers, which is something we'll have to work on in training. "We were playing against a lot of first-team players who have just got promoted from League Two and are on a buzz. They have a good system down there and enjoy fighting for one another, and that's what we want here in the reserves. "We got better as the game went on. We tried a midfield diamond in the first 30 minutes and then went to five at the back, which is a system they are used to, and some of the boys produced the best they have produced for a while - Filip Modelski, Jordan Spence in midfield, Jordan Brown and Eoin Wearen and the three centre-halves were all good. "Matt Fry did well. Little George Moncur did well again and it was nice to have big Frank Nouble back after his England duty. Olly Lee could have even snatched it for us right at the end, but I was well-pleased with a draw. "We'll go to Ipswich Town on Saturday and we have another couple of friendly matches arranged before we start the league season on 7 September."
Dyer's side will begin their FA Premier Reserve League South challenge with the visit of Manchester City to Little Heath on Tuesday 7 September, kick-off 2pm.
West Ham United reserves: Kurucz, Modelski, Eyjolfsson, Fry, Brown, Spence, Wearen, Moncur, Lee, Yao, Nouble
Subs used: Sanchez, McNaughton, Montano, Hall
Subs not used: Mehmet
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Grant heads home on high
WHUFC.com
Pablo Barrera helped the Hammers maintain their unbeaten run before Saturday's Boleyn return
04.08.2010
Avram Grant will reflect today on a thoroughly successful away campaign during pre-season in which the club recorded five wins and one draw out of six matches. The Hammers head home to the Boleyn Ground on Saturday for the first time this summer having achieved much in terms of fitness and form, although the manager knows the SBOBET Cup against RC Deportivo La Coruna will be a stern test. As such, Southend's competitive approach to Tuesday night's 1-1 draw will stand Grant's men in good stead against the Spanish giants. "It was a good game for us because a few of the players needed more minutes because they didn't play as much as we wanted in the last games," the manager said. "A few of the young players and the new players - Freddie Piquionne and Pablo Barrera - started for the first time, which was good for us. "The first half was good and we passed the ball very well. We created a lot of chances. They were a little bit tired in the second half and we didn't play like the first half."
He also had plenty of praise for the travelling fans, who admittedly had a shorter journey than in recent trips to Ipswich and Milton Keynes or even Germany. " The atmosphere was good for us and it was a good training game. Our fans are very good. The supporters have been coming since the first game and of course we like that."
The Hammers took the lead through Alessandro Diamanti's second-half effort before a late equaliser from Anthony Grant. The Italian's long-range goal was not a surprise to his manager. "It was a special strike. Ale knows how to score goals and we created some good chances. We had four or five big chances and we scored one."
Anthony Edgar and Junior Stanislas were among those who had opportunities to make it a sixth straight win, while Barrera - who assisted on the Diamanti goal - also went close. The manager was pleased with how they integrated into a relatively inexperienced side. "I was impressed. They are good, we saw that in training but we need them to play with the team more and more. I think every game they will be better. Every game will help them and the team." The manager will hope to see Tal Ben Haim in training today and will assess whether he could make his debut against Deportivo. "He will start to train on Wednesday and we will see how he is. I don't know yet because he hasn't trained yet with the team." Grant rested several players at Southend including Matthew Upson, but the West Ham United captain has returned to full training after his precautionary substitution at Ipswich Town at the weekend. The likes of Robert Green, Scott Parker, Kieron Dyer, Mark Noble, Thomas Hitzlsperger and Carlton Cole will also come back into contention for the glamour tie. It could also be that there are one or two other signings on show, if not for Deportivo then for the big Barclays Premier League kick-off on Saturday week. "I hope there will be more signings before Aston Villa because we want players that make us stronger and that can help us. "We need more competition in some areas. We will sign more players but only players that are better than what we have. If they are not we will not sign them."
The manager again did not get drawn on what he calls "summer stories" about potential new recruits but suggested that all of his transfer business was being done with long-term growth in mind. "We have targets for the next seasons, not only this season. We want to progress with good football and a good position in the league. "We will do it step by step. First we don't want to fight against relegation like last year and then we will look forward."
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Manager and players in store
WHUFC.com
Avram Grant, James Tomkins and Mark Noble are all due to take part in special shop appearances
04.08.2010
The new home kit hits the club shops this Thursday and supporters coming along will be able to get up close to some special guests in store as well. Manager Avram Grant is set to be at the Stadium Store to meet fans and sign autographs while the Lakeside Store will see Mark Noble and James Tomkins doing the same, with both appearances scheduled for 3pm. The homegrown Hammers, in particular, will be modelling the new Macron home shirt, which until now has only been available for pre-order, while it will be the manager's first public appearance since taking charge this summer. Like the already popular away shirt, the home design is classic but cutting edge. Most striking is the stylish collar and the return to blue sleeves - while using modern material and state of the art breathable fabric. Both kits are the result of the designers listening to fan feedback and an extensive review of photos of past Hammers heroes.
The shirt will be complemented by white shorts and white socks and the complete home kit will be worn for the first time when RC Deportivo La Coruna arrive for the SBOBET Cup in aid of the Academy this coming Saturday. Noble and Tomkins are two of the club's brightest young talents and look set to be key men for the manager when the season starts away to Aston Villa on Saturday week. Grant has been successful in his first pre-season with the club, guiding the club to five wins out of five and seeing just one goal conceded in those matches.
Anyone planning to attend either the Lakeside or Boleyn Ground events is advised to get there early to avoid missing out. In order to ensure as many fans are catered for as possible and to avoid exploitation by professional autograph dealers, the manager and players can only sign items purchased from the shop on the day.
Please note all first-team appearances are subject to change for footballing reasons and fans should keep an eye on whufc.com for any updates. Macron are leading the way for kit innovation, providing bespoke shirts that allowed the club to respond to fan feedback as well as provide stylish training gear to complement. There has been strong attention to detail, particularly on the shirt with the design of the cut, the inserts and the combination of fabrics allowing better movement for optimum performance.
STADIUM STORE
Boleyn Ground
Green Street
London
E13 9AZ
Tel: 020 8548 2794
Non-matchday opening hours:
9.30am-5pm (Mon-Sat)
Please note store is closed on Sundays and Bank Holidays
LAKESIDE STORE
Unit 71 (by Debenhams)
Lakeside Shopping Centre
Thurrock
RM20 2ZP
Tel: 01708 890 258
Opening hours:
10am-10pm (Mon-Fri)
9am-9pm (Sat)
11am-5pm (Sun)
* West Ham United will only confirm the club's new squad numbers just before the start of the 2010/11 Barclays Premier League season.
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Another cap for Fanimo
WHUFC.com
Another day, another England Under-17 appearance for homegrown Hammers midfielder Matthias Fanimo
05.08.2010
Matthias Fanimo played the whole match as England Under-17s made it two wins from two at the Nordic International Tournament by beating Denmark 2-0 on Wednesday. The West Ham United midfielder had been a substitute in the previous day's 5-0 defeat of hosts Finland, a match which marked his debut at this international group. Fresh from last season's Under-16 success in the Victory Shield, Fanimo played a full part in the second Group A win, which has set up the chance to make it three wins from three against Iceland on Friday.
Depending on results, England will then face a final game against either Sweden, Scotland, Faroe Islands or Norway on Sunday. The annual FA International Tournament takes place in a fortnight when Australia, Turkey and Portugal arrive before the UEFA U17 EURO qualifying campaign begins in October, ahead of the summer finals next year when the Young Lions will defend the title that Robert Hall helped them to win this May.
* No West Ham United players have been named in Stuart Pearce's Under-21 squad to face Uzbekistan in a friendly next Tuesday at Bristol City's Ashton Gate. The match will be a warm-up for the crucial 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifiers against Portugal and Lithuania next month, when James Tomkins, Junior Stanislas and Freddie Sears will hope to return to contention. The England senior squad to face Hungary in a friendly at Wembley next Wednesday will be named on Saturday night.
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Hammers Olympic bid foiled
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 4th August 2010
By: Staff Writer
The board's bid to secure an exclusive six-month 'lock out' option on the Olympic Stadium has been rejected by the OPLC. The Olympic Park Legacy Committe (OPLC) have ruled against West Ham's exclusivity bid, in which the club hoped to secure a six-month window in which to conduct talks and draw up preliminary plans.
Last week, vice Chairman Karren Brady revealed that she was confident the exclusivity option would be granted. "I would never say I'm 100% but I expect to get it," she told insidethegames.biz, adding "It's a no-brainer and it's absolutely right for the club and community." A few days later David Gold lent weight to Brady's comments when he told BBC Essex that "we're very hopeful."
However the board's hopes have been dashed with the news that West Ham's bid has been rejected; the OPLC are now set to announce who win win the lease for the stadium post-2012 Games early next year. Matthew Beard, writing in his blog for the Evening Standard slammed the Hammers board for their approach, calling their bid 'illegal'. "Not only is the suggestion that they could get into talks with the Olympic Park Legacy Company highly ambitious, it's illegal under European Union laws designed to ensure a level playing field during the ongoing marketing process," he said. An overwhelming majority of supporters recently voted against a move to the Olympic Stadium with a running track in place. The board - who promised to 'listen to supporters' in a ten-point pledge made in May - have continued with their plans to move regardless.
You can read more about the OPLC here. http://www.legacycompany.co.uk/
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Reid on
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 4th August 2010
By: Staff Writer
New Zealand media sources are claiming that Winston Reid is the mystery player set to sign for West Ham. The club announced yesterday that they expect to finalise a fifth summer transfer within the next 72 hours, stating that "the potential recruit is a young international who represented his country with distinction at the 2010 FIFA World Cup."
That statement sparked a flurry of speculation amongst supporters on the KUMB.com forum, with names such as Algerian Rais M'Bolhi and Ghanaian Asamoah Gyan being mentioned. However it has been revealed that the player may be the Danish-based 22-year-old, who currently plays for FC Midtjylland in the Danish Superliga.
Website 3news.co.nz report that representatives of Reid were contacted by the Hammers shortly after the end of the World Cup finals, in which New Zealand remained unbeaten despite going out at the group stage. A deal - the details of which remain unknown at pesent - is said to have been struck shortly afterwards and Reid is now thought to be jetting in to London to complete a medical and rubber-stamp his move to West Ham.
Centre-half Reid - who was born in Auckland and is of Maori descent - moved to Denmark at the age of 10 with his mother and Danish stepfather. He has played for Midtjylland for his entire career thus far, making six appearances for his national side in the process. We'll have more for you on this as it happens.
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Hammers agree Reid deal
West Ham close on All Whites stopper
Last updated: 4th August 2010
SSN
Skysports.com can confirm that West Ham United have agreed a deal for New Zealand's World Cup ace Winston Reid. The FC Midtjylland stopper made a huge impression during the finals in South Africaand West Ham have seemingly won the race to land him. The 22-year-old is set to discuss personal terms with the East London club, who hope to have finalised his signature by the weekend. West Ham are believed to have agreed to pay the Danish club around £4million for Reid, who moved to Denmark as a young child and has spent his entire career with Midtjylland. Hammers boss Avram Grant has been working hard to re-jig his squad since taking charge in the summer. So far he has brought in four new faces, but he could be looking for double that number before the end of the transfer window in August.
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Remy still prefers England
Nice striker holding out for Premier League move
By Patrick Haond Last updated: 4th August 2010
SSN
Loic Remy has set his heart on a move to England and has shrugged off interest from within France. The Nice frontman has been heavily linked with a switch to the Premier League this summer, with West Ham and Liverpoolreported to be leading the chase. The France international has made it clear that he would relish the opportunity to test himself in England and has expressed a desire to move on. He has, however, been left frustrated by a lack of activity which sees him still on the books of Nice. The reluctance of the English clubs to make their move has alerted others to the possibility of snatching Remy from under their noses.
Lyon and Rennes are both said to be keen to keep the 23-year-old in his homeland, but Remy has reiterated that he will only consider a deal with a Premier League side. "I am prepared to resume the season with Nice, even if I had hoped to be at a new club by now," he said in L'Equipe. "I have made my preference clear and I still favour England."
Meanwhile, Nice's general manager Patrick Governatori has revealed that the club have made a second approach for Middlesbroughmidfielder Didier Digard.
The Ligue 1 outfit have already seen one approach knocked back by Gordon Strachan'sside, but remain optimistic regarding their chances of landing the 24-year-old. "Our first offer has been refused, but we have just sent a new one," said Governatori.
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Hammers opt against Argentine
No deal for Caraglio
Last updated: 4th August 2010
SSN
West Ham United have pulled out of a deal to sign Argentine forward Milton Caraglio, skysports.com understands. The 22-year-old plays for Rosario Central and was lined up by Avram Grant to bolster his strike-force. He linked up with West Ham earlier this month and played in their friendly at League One side Milton Keynes Dons. However, it is now understood that Caraglio failed to pass the stringent medical that West Ham put him through. As such West Ham have opted not to pursue the deal and the striker has now returned to Argentina, although there is reported interest from Italy.
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West Ham mystery signing revealed - exclusive
Published 09:55 04/08/10 By Darren Lewis
The Mirror
West Ham are poised to complete the £5million signing of highly-rated New Zealand World Cup star Winston Reid. Football Spy can reveal that the 22-year-old is the mystery signing the Hammers tantalisingly promised fans on their website last night. A statement had promised a "young international who represented his country with distinction at the World Cup". And in a coup for the east Londoners, co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan have swooped to land the centre-back, who can also play right side, after he was identified by boss Avram Grant as a priority target. Reid was hugely impressive despite his country bowing out of the World Cup at the Group Stage. Indeed they only missed out on qualifying for the knockout stages by a single point thanks to their sturdy defence.
The All Whites held defending champions Italy to a 1-1 draw in Group F. They also prevented Paraguay's marksmen from breaching their backline and Reid himself hit a heroic last-minute equaliser to hold Slovakia to a draw. Reid has also been watched by Spurs, Everton and Aston Villa and joins the likes of Blackburn's Ryan Nelsen and West Brom's Chris Wood as the sixth New Zealand player in the Premier League. The Hammers made contact with Reid and his representatives after his headline-grabbing displays at the World Cup in South Africa. Since then they have managed to agree terms with his Danish club FC Midjylland. Reid is now set to travel to England for a medical and to discuss personal terms before completing his move.
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Winston Reid: Top 10 things you need to know about the West Ham target
By Rob Burnett in Football Spy
Published 11:05 04/08/10
The Mirror
Winston Reid is the mystery man the West Ham owners are hoping to bring in - as exclusively revealed by MirrorFootball. West Ham mystery signing revealed - exclusive Here's everything you need to know about the Kiwi...
1) Winston Wiremu Reid was born in Auckland, New Zealand, on 3 July 1988.
2) Reid is a Maori, with heritage through both his parents. But he has lived in Denmark from the age of 10 after his parents split and his mum married a Dane. He became a Danish citizen in 2006.
3) He initially signed a youth contract with SUB Sonderborg before joining the academy at FC Midtjylland, the first of its kind in Denmark.
4) The central defender made his first team debut in 2005, quickly establishing himself in the first team.
5) He played for Denmark in junior internationals, including at U19 and U21. He appeared in Denmark's qualifying games for last year's U21 European Championships.
6) But in March this year he declared his allegiance to his country of birth for senior internationals - a victory claimed by New Zealand news channel 3 News who contacted him via Facebook before getting All Whites boss Ricki Herbert to speak to him directly.
7) Two months later Herbert named Reid in New Zealand's World Cup squad - even though he was yet to see him play.
8) Reid made his New Zealand international debut against Australia in a World Cup warm-up game.
9) He went on to play all three group games in South Africa. He scored a stoppage time equaliser against Slovakia, sparking wild shirtless celebrations, to claim the All Whites' first ever World Cup point. His performances helped the All Whites finish above World Champions Italy in Group F as the Kiwis narrowly missed out on reaching the knockout stages.
10) At the time of writing, his Facebook page has 1,375 fans - something which is sure to rise if he is a success in the East End.
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Hammers to Win at all costs
The Sun
By ANDREW DILLON
Published: Today
AVRAM GRANT has swooped for £3million World Cup star Winston Reid. The New Zealand defender flew in to London last night. Centre-half Reid has agreed personal terms on a three-year deal and hopes to formally sign for West Ham today. The 22-year-old can also play at right-back - where the Hammers struggled last season. Manager Grant was impressed with Reid's part in the All Whites' historic unbeaten campaign in South Africa, where he earned New Zealand's first World Cup point with a late goal against Slovakia. He also played a key role in his country's 1-1 draw with then world champions Italy. Reid was born in Auckland but moved to Denmark and represented the Danes at Under-21 level. He switched allegiance just three months before June's World Cup finals. Reid came through the ranks of Midtjylland but is set to follow compatriots like Blackburn's Ryan Nelsen into the Premier League. Alessandro Diamanti and Jonathan Spector are top of the list to leave Upton Park this month. But co-owner David Gold revealed the club had rejected a £9m bid for striker Carlton Cole. He said: "I'm fed up as a Hammers fan seeing us selling player after player down the years. "We are known as a selling club - this must change - we must draw a line in the sand. We will now do everything to keep our best players."
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Stoke join West Ham and Liverpool in battle for Nice striker
Published 23:00 04/08/10 By Football Spy
The Mirror
Stoke boss Tony Pulis is making a £10million offer for Nice striker Loic Remy – and hopes his club's hard cash will see off rivals West Ham and Liverpool. The Potters watched the powerful French striker at the weekend and have begun talks with Nice to land the forward who has been the subject of a Hammers bid and a Kop offer. Remy, also courted by wealthy French side Rennes, is interested in the Premier League and may take the chance of going to Stoke as their record buy in a bid to put himself on the top stage. Stoke supremo Peter Coates has sanctioned some major spending as he tries to push his club to a new level and now he hopes his money will appeal to Nice. The French club have turned down the West Ham bid because it is based on staged payments and they want big money up front while Liverpool's last offer included players they did not want. Hammers would have to sell Carlton Cole to come up with the money for Remy - with Stoke the main bidders - but they are now trying to land Remy first. Ironically Stoke could then come back for England cap Cole and try to do a separate deal as they flex their financial muscle in the biggest way yet.
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West Ham eye double swoop for Ajax striker and All Whites defender - Exclusive
Published 23:00 04/08/10 By Darren Lewis
The Mirror
West Ham have revived their loan bid for Ajax striker Miralem Sulejmani and hope to conclude a deal within days. The Hammers, who have also moved for highly-rated New Zealand defender Winston Reid, hope to conclude both deals swiftly in order to fend off interest from rival clubs. Mirror Sport revealed last month that West Ham boss Avram Grant had targeted Sulejmani but Ajax refused to let the marksman go fearing it would leave them short in attack. Boss Martin Jol had also threatened to walk out with Fulham keen on him. Now that the Dutchman is staying, however, he has recruited Moroccan international striker Mounir El Hamdaoui, which means Sulejmani can leave. The 21-year-old Serbian was signed two years ago from Heerenveen for a club-record £13.8million. But he has failed to adapt with just 13 goals in 60 games for the four-time European Cup winners. Meanwhile Football Spy can reveal 22-year-old Reid is the mystery signing that the Hammers tantalisingly promised fans on their website last night. A statement had promised a "young international who represented his country with distinction at the World Cup."
And in a coup for the east Londoners, co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan have swooped to land the centre-back, who can also play right side, after he was identified by boss Avram Grant as a priority target. Reid was hugely impressive despite his country bowing out of the World Cup at the Group Stage.
Indeed they only missed out on qualifying for the knockout stages by a single point thanks to their sturdy defence. The All Whites held defending champions Italy to a 1-1 draw in Group F. They also prevented Paraguay's marksmen from breaching their backline and Reid himself hit a heroic last-minute equaliser to hold Slovakia to a draw. Reid has also been watched by Spurs, Everton and Aston Villa and joins the likes of Blackburn's Ryan Nelsen and West Brom's Chris Wood as the sixth New Zealand player in the Premier League.
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Federico Marchetti offered to West Ham as replacement for Robert Green
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER Last updated at 5:31 PM on 4th August 2010
Daily Mail
West Ham have been offered Cagliari keeper Federico Marchetti if Robert Green joins Fulham. England international Green could be set for a move across the capital if Cottagers stopper Mark Schwarzer signs for Arsenal. The Gunners have had a £2million knocked back but the Australian is keen on the move and a deal is expected. New Craven Cottage boss Mark Hughes will have to part with around £6m to land Green and that would open the door for Marchetti to move to Upton Park. The Italian, who played in three games at the World Cup after Gianluigi Buffon was injured in the opening match, is destined to leave his club after a series of fallouts.The 27-year-old claimed Cagliari demanded too much money from sampdoria for the stopper and priced him out of a move to their Serie A rivals. Arsenal have been monitoring Marchetti as well as Schwarzer.
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Winston Reid to join West Ham from FC Midtjylland in £4m deal
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 12:43 AM on 5th August 2010
Daily Mail
West Ham have agreed a £4m deal with FC Midtjylland to buy New Zealand World Cup star Winston Reid. The 22-year-old central defender is set to discuss personal terms with the Hammers, who are hoping he will sign a contract by the weekend. Reid scored against Slovakia in the World Cup and set up Shane Smeltz's goal against Italy and joins is expected to join fellow new defender Tal Ben Haim at the club.
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Hammers close in on All Whites defender Reid
By Harry Harris, Football Correspondent
August 4, 2010
ESPN
West Ham are on the brink of completing a deal to bring New Zealand World Cup defender Winston Reid to Upton Park for a fee in the region of £4 million.
A statement on the Hammers official website on Tuesday had promised fans that a "young international who represented his country with distinction at the World Cup" would be on his way to the club. Reid is the player in question and with West Ham having agreed a fee with Danish club FC Midtjylland, the All Whites defender, who can play at right-back or centre-back, will complete his move to London subject to a medical. Hammers boss Avram Grant was impressed by Reid's performances at the World Cup, where the defender helped Ricki Herbert's side to an unbeaten campaign. Reid's late goal against Slovakia salvaged a point in the All Whites' opening game and made him an immediate hero in New Zealand. He was rumoured to have caught the attention of Arsenal, but it is the Hammers who have swooped to capture the player, who is likely to complete his move in the next couple of days.
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Calum Davenport in training with Nottingham Forest
BBC.co.uk
Defender Calum Davenport is training with Nottingham Forest, the club's boss Billy Davies has revealed. The former England Under-21 player is currently a free agent after being released by West Ham. "We're giving Calum the opportunity to train with us while giving ourselves the chance to take a look at him," Davies told the club website. The 27-year-old centre-back suffered serious leg wounds in a stabbing incident in August 2009. Davenport started his career with Coventry before moving to Tottenham. During his time at White Hart Lane he had loan spells with West Ham, Southampton and Norwich before making a permanent switch to the Hammers in 2007. More recently he has appeared on loan for Watford and Sunderland. He suffered serious leg injuries in the stabbing incident at his mother's Bedfordshire home. In July 2010 Davenport was cleared of trying to attack his pregnant sister during the incident while a man was jailed for six years for a knife attack on the footballer.
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Latest Developments: Ben Haim Arrives & Goalkeeper Merry-Go-Round
West Ham Till I Die
West Ham have allegedly been offered Italian international 'keeper Federico Marchetti should current number 1 Rob Green move across London to join Fulham, providing their 'keeper Schwarzer moves to Arsenal. It would be one big keeper merry-go-round but it could represent good business for West Ham. Green will be shakier than ever this season, but would still command of fee of £6million+ and Marchetti played 3 games in the World Cup for Italy after Buffon's injury. He looked big and solid but it seems it is all dependant on whether Wenger buys Schwarzer.
Tal Ben Haim officially completed his move to The Hammers yesterday on an official 5 month loan deal, with the option of making it permanent in January. It represents more sense than buying the player outright, and possibly Ben Haim will now show the Hammers faithful what he has to offer and that he is worthy to pull on the famous Claret and Blue.
Many reports are also circulating that Sullivan will perform a very dramatic and very public U-turn and consider cashing in on Scott Parker. Bookies have slashed Parkers odds to be playing at Spurs next season to as little as 5/6 and it would represent a huge climb down from Sullivan who only last week insisted he wouldnt break a promise to the West Ham fans. One can only speculate that the reason behind any potential sale of Parker would be to fund the deal to bring in the young player who played in the World Cup as reported on the official Hammers site.
As a little aside, i did attend the match last night and wasn't overawed by anything i saw. It was only a last minute match thrown together, and i think it was used to give some of our squad players a chance to showcase their skill more than anything else. None of our major first team players travelled to the game, and Kovac was named captain but suprisingly he dominated the centre of midfield from start to end and looked very strong. Gabbidon looked completely out of sorts and off the pace, despite him playing the full 90minutes. His centre back partner for the night Da Costa looked very impressive, and kept the home team quiet until he was taken off for young Matt Fry. Spector to my amazement looked just as uneasy playing a League 2 side as he did against Premier League opposition and left more worried that if he gets as many games as he did last year, we are in trouble. Diamanti looked top class and ran rings round the opposition on many occasions. Stanislas too looked very impressive and hopefully he will get his chance in the first XI this year. Piquionne up front looked good in the air but he was in desperate need of an attacker to play alongside him but his replacement Nouble looked big and strong and hopefully he too gets some chances this coming season. Barrera made his first start and left me hugely unimpressed, although im sure he wasnt at his best, he looked tired after half hour and only offered a few glimpses of his attacking flair he showed in South Africa. On the whole, it was an average performance, but it wasnt our strongest side. The one bonus is how good Da Costa, Stanislas and Diamanti looked during the game. They looked really up for playing for West Ham and i hope that passion continues throughout the season!
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Patient Remy reasserts move wish
Author: Andrew Allen
Posted on:04 August 2010 - 15:30
Sport.co.uk
Nice striker Loic Remy is still keen on pushing through a move to the Premier League but admits that he is happy to wait patiently at his current club for potential offers. The 23-year-old, who is valued in the region of £13 million, has been linked heavily with four English sides with West Ham United and Liverpool taking over from Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal as favourites to bring the player to England. With the Gunners set for attacking options having snapped Marouane Chamakh, Liverpool boosted by the acquisition of Milan Jovanovic and Spurs boss Harry Redknapp admitting that he favours loan moves, news of Remy's persistent desire to cross the Channel could open the door for Avram Grant to take the player the Boleyn Ground. Speaking about his future, Remy told L'Equipe: "I am prepared to resume the season with Nice, even if I had hoped to be at a new club by now. "I have made my preference clear and I still favour England." West Ham have already signed Tal Ben Haim, Thomas Hitzelsperger, Frederic Piquionne and Pablo Berrera but are thought to be keen on more new faces to aid a side which struggled last term.
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Milton Caraglio leaves West Ham to sign with Catania
05.08.10 | tribalfootball.com
Rosario Central striker Milton Caraglio is set to sign with Catania. The Argentine has been training with West Ham United, but the Premiership club have passed on the prospect of signing him. Caraglio was in Sicily last night and is expected to join Catania for €5 million. "We just need to resolve a few small details, then I will finally be a Catania player," Caraglio told Sky Sport Italia television. "I'm so happy to be here. I will sign a contract for four or five years."
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West Ham wing-back Faubert targets France recall
05.08.10 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United fullback Julien Faubert is eyeing a France recall. To give himself the best chance of inclusion, the Le Havre-born player is planning to hit top form for the Hammers. Faubert told whufc.com: "I'm happy to be back because I love football. We are playing pre-season games and we're doing well and looking forward to our game against Aston Villa. We have to keep going and be ready. "We just come in and the manager has done what he has had to do. We had a hard season last season, so he's come in and he knows his football. He managed a big team before and he has big ambition and that is what we want and what we need. Everyone is happy and is hoping we have a good season. "I hope to be involved [for France]. I am 26 so I hope all the time. We'll see what Laurent Blanc wants to do but it's better for me because the door was closed when Raymond Domenech was there. Now everything has changed and we'll see for the next selection. I have to play well in every game and we'll see."
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Faubert: West Ham must keep hold of Parker
05.08.10 | tribalfootball.com
Julien Faubert says West Ham United must keep hold of Scott Parker. The French midfielder has been impressed by the changes at the club this year. Faubert told whufc.com: "We need the best players but we have to stay all together. It's better for us if we have Scott Parker because he is very important for us. He did very well last season and it's better to keep all the players - not only him - like Greeny, Coley and Matthew Upson. All these players can help us and that's what we need. "After last season we had to change something. We changed owners and now we have changed the manager. "We needed some new players and Thomas has arrived and he is a good player, as have Fred Piquionne and Pablo Barrera as well. I think this is good because after last season we had to change something. We have to do better and that's what we want."
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