WHUFC.com
All the early team news and background for Saturday's return to Boleyn Ground action
06.08.2010
SBOBET Cup
West Ham United v RC Deportivo La Coruna
Boleyn Ground
Saturday 7 August 2010
Kick-off: 3pm
Referee: Kevin Friend
Introduction
• West Ham United welcome Spanish opponents RC Deportivo La Coruna for their seventh and pre-season fixture ahead of the 2010/11 Barclays Premier League season.
• The Hammers have played six matches so far this summer, winning the first five and drawing just one - their last outing being on Tuesday night away to Southend United.
• This weekend's traditional Boleyn Ground curtain-raiser will be played for the SBOBET Cup in aid of the Academy. The club was keen to recognise the principal partner's strong support for the youth system as well as community and charitable causes.
• West Ham will be looking to make it seven matches unbeaten in pre-season. So far, Avram Grant's men have secured victories over League One outfit Peterborough United (2-1), German side VfL Borussia Monchengladbach (2-0), 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).
• Saturday's fixture could see home debuts for Thomas Hitzlsperger, Pablo Barrera and Frederic Piquionne while Tal Ben Haim has yet to figure for the club at all after joining from Portsmouth on Tuesday.
• The match will be the final fixture contested before the Barclays Premier League season commences with a trip to Aston Villa on Saturday 14 August.
• Should the SBOBET Cup match finish in a draw, then penalties will be played to determine the winners.
• Deportivo, who finshed tenth in La Liga last term, have enjoyed an illustrious recent history, winning the Spanish title for the first time in their history in 2000 and finishing as runners-up in each of the following two seasons.
• Two former Hammers played for the Galician club, who reached the UEFA Champions League semi-finals in 2003/04. They were Lionel Scaloni and Diego Tristan.
• The visit of Deportivo will represent the second by a Spanish club in three years after Villarreal CF came to the Boleyn Ground in 2008.
• The prestige pre-season opener at the Boleyn Ground has attracted a host of leading clubs in recent years including PSV Eindhoven (2-1, 2003), Anderlecht (4-4, Anderlecht win 5-4 on penalties, 2004), Osasuna (1-1, 2005), Olympiakos (1-1, 2006), AS Roma (2-1, 2007), Villarreal CF (1-1, 2008) and SSC Napoli (0-1, 2009).
• Fans should note that there is no in-stadia betting on Saturday. This is due to the change over for the Barclays Premier League season which will see club principal partners SBOBET providing the service. This will be in place as normal from Saturday 21 August and the visit of Bolton Wanderers.
Last meeting
• The club's most recent meeting took place during West Ham United's tour of Spain in 1926. Tommy Yews and Vic Watson scored in a 2-1 victory on 30 May of that year.
• West Ham's lineup that day was: Hufton, Hodgson, Barratt, Carter, Kay, Collins, Yews, B.Ruffell, Watson, Moore, J.Ruffell
Last time out
Tuesday 3 August 2010
Pre-season friendly
Southend United 1-1 West Ham United
West Ham United: Stech, Spector (Spence 77), Da Costa (Fry 62), Gabbidon, Daprela, Kovac, Edgar (Lee 62), Diamanti (Sears 87), Barrera (Montano 70), Stanislas, Piquionne (Nouble 70)
Subs not used: Kurucz, Eyjolfsson, Brown, Moncur
Goal: Diamanti 62
Wednesday 3 August 2010
Pre-season friendly
RC Deportivo La Coruna 0-0 Newcastle United (Newcastle United won 5-4 on penalties)
RC Deportivo La Coruna: Manu, Manuel Pablo, Lopo, Aythami, Stopira (Laure 46), Juan Rodríguez (Juan Domínguez 46), Rubén Pérez (Zé Castro 71), Saúl (Valerón 67), Míchel, Urreta (Guardado 46), Riki
West Ham United
• Avram Grant's West Ham United will be aiming to continue the bright start they have made to their pre-season schedule, which has seen them defeat League One new boys Peterborough United (2-1) at London Road, German Bundesliga challengers VfL Borussia Monchengladbach (2-0) in Ruhpolding, 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 Tuesday's 1-1 draw at Southend.
• 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 five games against Ipswich last Saturday - his first 90 minutes of the summer.
• Benni McCarthy scored his first goal for the club this summer with a fine half-volley against Monchengladbach.
• Thomas Hitzlsperger has made a bright start to his West Ham career following his summer arrival from SS Lazio, scoring his first goal for the club with a direct free-kick in the 1-0 victory over Panathinaikos.
• Julien Faubert is 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.
• Grant's side will kick-off their Barclays Premier League campaign with a trip to Aston Villa on Saturday 14 August.
RC Deportivo La Coruna
• RC Deportivo La Coruna have been active in the transfer market over the summer months, with manager Miguel Angel Lotina making a number of changes to his squad ahead of the 2010/11 season.
• Veteran Spain midfielder Sergio and Brazil-born left-back Filipe Luis are the highest-profile departures from Riazor.
• The new arrivals at the Galician club are defenders Stopira and Aythami, Uruguayan winger Urreta, Valencia CF loanee Michel, central midfielder Saul and wideman Yves Desmarets.
Team news
• West Ham United manager Avram Grant may give home debuts to Thomas Hitzlsperger, Pablo Barrera and Frederic Piquionne. Tal Ben Haim's fitness will be assessed before it is known whether he can make his maiden appearance since joining on Tuesday, while Winston Reid is unlikely to figure.
• Matthew Upson was taken off as a precaution midway through the first half last Saturday. He has been back in full training this week.
• Upson may join the likes of Robert Green, Julien Faubert, Herita Ilunga, Scott Parker, Thomas Hitzlsperger, Kieron Dyer, Mark Noble and Carlton Cole in contention for a return - after all were rested against Southend.
• Benni McCarthy and Valon Behrami have been following different training programmes from the rest of the squad after fitness issues before the summer.
• Long-term injury absentees Zavon Hines and Jack Collison (both knee) will not be available.
• For Deportivo, summer signings Stopira, Saul, Urreta and Michel all featured in the midweek friendly meeting with Newcastle United at Riazor.
• Fresh from his FIFA World Cup exploits, Mexico winger Andres Guardado appeared as a half-time substitute against the Magpies on Tuesday.
• No1 goalkeeper David Aranzubia is nursing a shoulder injury and is expected to miss Saturday's game. Back-up Manu will deputise.
• Portugal centre-back Ze Castro is suffering from gastroenteritis, while Juca, Yves Desmarets, Antonio Tomas, Urreta, Raul and Michel are all struggling to be fit for Saturday's game after missing training on Thursday.
General information
• The weather forecast on Saturday afternoon is for sunny intervals and a maximum temperature of 24C.
• Tickets will be available on the day from 9am until kick-off priced from £20 Adults, £6.50 Over-65s and £5 Under-16s.
New season
• Deportivo begin their Primera Division campaign at home to Real Zaragoza on Sunday 29 August.
• West Ham will travel to Aston Villa to start the new Barclays Premier League season on Saturday 14 August
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SBOBET back the Fund
WHUFC.com
The club's principal partners are once again making a significant donation to the Bobby Moore Fund
06.08.2010
West Ham United are delighted to announce that SBOBET will be presenting the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK with a £10,000 cheque before Saturday's SBOBET Cup match against RC Deportivo La Coruna.
The club's principal partners have strongly supported the Fund ever since joining forces with West Ham back in December 2008 and this is just the latest significant financial gesture, following on from the club's own most recent £4,000 donation last month.
Back in December, SBOBET paid for every fan attending the Manchester United home game to have a scarf bearing the Fund's name - which helped in their drive to raise awareness of bowel cancer among supporters - while also presenting another cheque for £5,000 at that fixture.
SBOBET also sponsor the whufc.com Player of the Month award and the WHUIFC supporters' team. In addition, they honoured Tony Carr with a special award in recognition of his outstanding work with the Academy back in May.
Both teams will be presented to special guests from SBOBET before the Deportivo match and the SBOBET Cup in aid of the Academy will be handed over to the winning captain immediately after the final whistle. Should the game finish level after 90 minutes, then a penalty shoot-out will be staged to decide the victors.
SBOBET.com is one of the world's leading online gaming internet sites, offering more than 500 sporting events every week. It has extensive coverage of all major football leagues and international sporting events. SBOBET uses the latest technologies to deliver a fast and secure player environment.
West Ham United and SBOBET travelled to China together in summer 2009 for the Barclays Asia Trophy and continue to explore international possibilities, especially with the SBOBET's high standing in major Asian territories. SBOBET are also helping to raise the Hammers' profile at home and abroad through events like Soccerex.
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Sulejmani on his way
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 6th August 2010
By: Staff Writer
It has been announced that Ajax winger Miralem Sulejmani will join West Ham on loan for the 2010/11 season. The Serbian wide man became the Amsterdam-based club's record signing in 2008 when they paid fellow Eredivisie outfit Heerenveen €16.25million for the pacy 21-year-old. However the Belgrade-born international has failed to impress at Ajax and views the chance to feature in the Premier League as the ideal opportunity in which to kick-start his career. He is expected to arrive in London this afternoon in order to undergo a medical before rubber-stamping his switch. News of Sulejmani's imminent move to England was announced earlier this afternoon by the Dutch media. Ajax boss Martin Jol, speaking about the possibility of losing Sulejmani, admitted that he was reluctant to lose him - albeit for just one season in which his entire salaray is expected to be picked up by the Hammers. "The interest from West Ham has existed for some time and that was in his [Sulejmani's] head," said the former Tottenham coach. "We tried to stretch it out as long as possible but their deadline was approaching. "It saves a substantial salary, anyway. On the other hand I had him here on Sunday against FC Groningen - and was happy to."
Sulejmani, speaking before he left for London told reporters that they will be seeing him again before too long - hinting that there will be no 'option to buy' in the arrangement between West Ham and Ajax. "I am leaving for West Ham," he announced, "but I'll come back next year full of power." The Serbian would become Avram Grant's sixth capture of the summer following the arrival of Thomas Hitzlsperger, Pablo Barrera, Frederic Piquionne, Winston Reid and Tal Ben Haim, who is also on loan (from Portsmouth). He would become the ninth player - all foreign - signed since David Sullivan and David Gold bought into the club back in January, with Ilan, Mido and Benni McCarthy to add to the above list.
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No Behrami bid says agent
Midfielder still a part of the Hammers' setup
By Simone Bargellini Last updated: 6th August 2010
SSN
West Ham midfielder Valon Behrami is still a major player at Upton Park, according to his agent. The 25-year-old has been linked with a move to Serie A this week after Roma reportedly expressed an interest. His agent, Alessandro Beltrami, admits that the Switzerland international is flattered by such interest, but at the moment he is still a West Ham player. Beltrami said that a number of clubs have been in contact over the popular midfielder but said all interested parties must go through the club. "West Ham considers Behrami a major player," he told Sky Italia. "The situation is therefore a little difficult."
Behrami has made no secret of his desire to play on the European stage, which he is unlikely to do at Upton Park in the near future given their fight for survival last season. Such desire has brought about interest from a number of clubs, according to Beltrami, but he says no formal bid has been made. "Some clubs asked me about the player but at the moment there is nothing concrete," he said. "The player is linked to West Ham and if a club is interested they should talk to them." He said: "Valon is glad of the interest of Roma. He is honoured to be in the aims of such a prestigious club." Asked if a loan spell were an option, he said: "I think it is not a plausible hypothesis."
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In-demand Remy in no rush
Four Prem clubs chasing French ace
Last updated: 6th August 2010
SSN
Loic Remy's agent has told skysports.com the striker is in no rush to make a decision on his future. The Nice ace is one of the most sought-after players in this summer's transfer window after attracting interest from a host of clubs across Europe. West Ham and Liverpool have both expressed an interest in the 23-year-old while Stoke held talks with Remy and showed him around their training ground on Thursday. The likes of Tottenham and Arsenal have also been credited with an interest in Remy, who has been likened to Thierry Henry in his homeland. Up to eight clubs are thought to be chasing Remy's signature with the player deciding to visit Stoke's training ground after Potters boss Tony Pulis and assistant manager Dave Kempflew out to see him in France earlier this week Remy's agent, Frederic Guerra, admits the player was impressed by Stoke's desire to sign him, but that he was in no rush to decide what club he wants to move to.
"Loic is a polite person and after Tony Pulis and Dave Kemp came to see him in France he felt it was right to come and look at Stoke," Guerra told skysports.com. "Loic did not know much about Stoke, but he was very impressed by what Tony and Dave had to say to him. "He was also impressed by Stoke's training ground and he was amazed by the enthusiasm of the club's fans after arriving there. "Loic is thankful for Stoke for showing an interest in him and he wishes them all the best for the future. "However, Loic is in no rush to make a decision on his future. "There are eight clubs - four in the UK - who are all chasing Loic and he will take his time before deciding what is the best move for him."
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Stoke make record bid for Cole - Exclusive
Published 00:00 07/08/10 By Alan Nixon
The Mirror
Stoke City boss Tony Pulis has made a £12million bid for West Ham's Carlton Cole. And the Hammers are happy to let him go. The deal for the England striker is worth £9m up front with a further £3m on appearances, giving West Ham enough money to buy a replacement. Boss Avram Grant wants Everton's Yakubu and hopes a £7m-plus bid will persuade David Moyes to sell. The merry-go-round started yesterday as cash-rich Stoke went back in for Cole after their bid to land French striker Loic Remy stalled after Nice demanded £14.3m for him. The Potters now want to get Cole signed in a club record swoop. Hammers supremos David Sullivan and David Gold are poised to accept the bid. With Everton willing to sell Yakubu at the right price, the deals could be done by next weekend.
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Bobby Moore's widow unhappy with cup snub
Published 23:00 06/08/10 By Darren Lewis
The Mirror
Bobby Moore's widow has hit out at West Ham for ditching a benefit game for their legendary former captain's cancer charity. Stephanie Moore MBE was stunned last month after being told the club were renaming the Bobby Moore Cup – which takes place at Upton Park today when the Hammers play Deportivo La Coruna. It is now called the SBOBET Cup – and angry fans have launched a petition to have it reversed. West Ham argue that they will continue to support the Bobby Moore Fund through branding, advertising and other contributions. SBOBET are also due to make a £10,000 donation to the fund today. But Stephanie told Mirror Sport: "I am sad and disappointed that the club has made the decision not to hold the Bobby Moore Cup this year."
After Moore died from bowel cancer, aged 51 in 1993, a fund in his name was set up in partnership with Cancer Research UK to raise money for research into the disease.
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Brescia line up Hammers trio
Published 23:00 06/08/10 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror
West Ham's Alessandro Diamanti is a loan target for Brescia and Parma. The Italian striker, 27, earns £30,000-a-week, but is not part of boss Avram Grant's plans. Brescia also want to take Hammers' Swiss defender Fabio Daprela and Czech midfielder Radoslav Kovac to Serie A.
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Hammers close in on sixth signing
Miralem Sulejmani has revealed he will join West Ham on loan
By David Brenchley August 06, 2010
Givemefootball.com
West Ham are on the verge of making their sixth signing of the summer as Ajax striker Miralem Sulejmani claimed he will join the Irons. And quotes from Ajax boss Martin Jol have supported the rumour – and the Serbian wide man could be a Hammer before the start of the season. Yesterday the club announced the signing of World Cup ace Winston Reid, who follows Thomas Hitzlsperger, Pablo Barrera, Frederic Piquionne and Tal Ben-Haim to the Boleyn Ground. The 21-year-old, who cost the Eredivisie giants 16.25 million euros (£13.5 million) two years ago, is expected in East London this afternoon to undergo a medical before signing. Former Tottenham coach Martin Jol said: "The interest from West Ham has existed for some time and that was in his [Sulejmani's] head. "We tried to stretch it out as long as possible but their deadline was approaching. It saves a substantial salary, anyway. "On the other hand I had him here on Sunday against FC Groningen - and was happy to," Jol added. It seemed Jol had put to bed any such move after rejecting the chance to join Fulham but, shortly afterwards, agreed to sign Mounir El Hamadoui. And Sulejmani told De Telegraaf: "I am leaving for West Ham but I'll come back next year full of power," intimating that, despite reports, there would be no option to buy inserted into the deal.
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Ben's big move
Sky Sports' new star gets ready for his debut
Last updated: 6th August 2010
SSN
It was one of the biggest transfer deals of the summer when Ben Shephard made the switch from GMTV to Sky Sports. One of the best-known faces on British television joins us ahead of our biggest ever season of live football after a decade with ITV's breakfast show. Now Sky Sports viewers can look forward to watching Ben co-present Goals on Sunday with Chris Kamara every weekend, as well as fronting selected live UEFA Champions League matches. Ahead of his first show on Sunday morning, skysports.com caught up with Ben to find out why he decided to move into sports broadcasting.
He also talked about his footballing heroes, his love for West Ham and why he's not looking forward to doing karaoke with Kammy...
skysports.com: What attracted you to working in sport?
BEN: I grew up as a huge sports fan, a huge football fan and, for my sins, a huge West Ham fan. One of my greatest passions is being able to run around like an idiot and take part in as many sports as possible, so to get the chance to talk about sport professionally is a dream come true. It's a good excuse to not be in the pub talking about football - and my wife can't believe she can't moan about me watching football any more. It's research!
skysports.com: And what drew you to Sky Sports?
BEN: Well Sky has been at the forefront of so many technological advances in TV. I've worked in telly now for nearly 12 years and Sky are consistently breaking boundaries. There's HD, there's the best studios and now the onset of 3D, which I saw the other day and it's incredible. Being in an environment that is ground-breaking is really exciting for me in terms of my experience. I've done all sorts of exciting things in my career in broadcasting, but this is something completely new.
skysports.com: Who are you looking forward to working with?
BEN: There are some fantastic people at Sky. I'm a huge admirer of Richard Keys, who has been one of the best broadcasters around for years and I think Jeff Stelling is remarkable. Then there's all the analysts like Andy Gray, Jamie Redknapp, Tony Gale, Paul Merson and all the other characters. And then there's Kammy of course...
skysports.com: Are you ready to sit on a sofa with Chris Kamara every Sunday morning?
BEN: I'm a bit nervous because I'm not particularly good at karaoke and I think I'll have to get a song out for him at some point. I'm not sure my 'Jailhouse Rock' will live up to expectations! But the thing that I love about watching Chris Kamara is his passion and his enthusiasm. I love being able to enthuse people about stuff I'm excited about and whenever you talk to people about Kammy, without fail they just love how much he's enjoying what he's doing. I think it's going to be an absolute pleasure and I don't doubt I'm going to learn an awful lot about football from him because he's been at the coalface as a player, a manager and a broadcaster for years. And if he can help me tune up my singing voice as well them my wife will be pleased!
skysports.com: When did your love of football begin?
BEN: I went to school in Chigwell in Essex and football was all we played. With training and matches I played football five times a week and then I played rugby on a Sunday too. My mum always said I was like a dog; I just needed to go outside and run around! Kicking a football around with my mates was the heartbeat of everything I did and schoolwork or piano practice just got in the way.
skysports.com: Were you ever close to going pro?
BEN: No. I played football like a rugby player - a lot of enthusiasm, but not much class. I've been lucky to play in some televised games and anybody's who's seen me will know I'm more noted for my very-badly-timed tackling than my striking! I'm a better rugby player than I am a footballer, but my chance of being a professional athlete fell apart when I realised how tasty beer was and how much fun girls were. That's what I blame it on!
skysports.com: Why did you choose West Ham?
BEN: My family are all from the Midlands and are all Villa fans, but when I went to school in Chigwell at the age of 10, all of my friends were West Ham. They were the first team I went to see play and for years we used to go down and sneak in as Under-12's, even when we were much older. It was the most exciting atmosphere and the energy was - and still is - like nothing else I've ever experienced. Walking into your home ground and being surrounded by people who are so passionate is a singular sensation that can't be replicated, no matter how hard you try. I still get that buzz when I turn up to West Ham now.
I've been lucky enough to get to know some of the players I used to look up to and play football with them, which is a big thrill for me. I'm like a competition winner when I play with some of those guys; I'm like any other football fan would be when I meet those people.
skysports.com: Who are your footballing heroes?
BEN: I have a huge amount of respect for Tony Cottee and Frank McAvennie, who are two legends of West Ham. I know TC quite well now and he's a brilliant bloke. Then there's Tony Gale, Alan Devonshire and Julian Dicks, who probably personifies my dream footballer. He was so committed and wore his heart on his sleeve - and he could smash a penalty in like nobody else!
Further down the line, Paolo Di Canio is one of the greatest advocates of the type of football that West Ham fans like seeing played. I got to play with him in Soccer Aid two years ago and although people say you should never meet your idols, he was everything I could possibly hope for and more. He was really passionate about West Ham, he still hopes to be the manager one day, and hopefully he will come and be part of the club again because he is an icon.
skysports.com: How do you think West Ham will get on this season?
BEN: After last year, any West Ham fan would say we just need a bit more consistency. We've got the spine of a great team in Carlton Cole, Scotty Parker, Mark Noble, Robert Greenand James Tomkins and if everybody can play consistently around them we can play the football that fans of West Ham love to see. Hopefully Avram Grant will deliver that.
They say winning is a habit and last year we'd go on a good run, only to see it all fall apart. I saw the boys play Chelsea just before Christmas and we deserved to win that game and I walked away wondering why we were down the bottom. The potential is there and every West Ham fan can see it. Let's consolidate this season and then get in the Champions League next year!
skysports.com: Speaking of the Champions League, you'll be presenting some of the live games this year. Do you think we'll get an English winner this season?
BEN: I hope so. We've got teams that can do it and once you reach the business end you just need a little bit of luck and hope you can avoid injuries. The United and Chelsea squads, in particular, have got experience throughout and they have the depth to go all the way. I'm obviously a huge Harry Redknapp fan as well, so I'd love to see Spurs get in there and mix it up. It would be tremendous for English football if they could go on a run. I love watching the teams from all around Europe, but for me it makes it even more tantalising when there's an English interest because I'm a patriot at heart.
Don't miss Ben's first Goals On Sunday this weekend from 11am on Sky Sports HD1 & 1.
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