WHUFC.com
A promising attacker, Blair Turgott is enjoying himself for club and country
this season
14.12.2010
Blair Turgott continues to make good progress with the Under-18s, reserves
and England in what is proving a promising season. The winger was part of
the U18s' fifth-straight success at the weekend as they won 1-0 at Fulham.
It came on the back of having last week helped West Ham United through to
the FA Youth Cup fourth round when he played the whole 90 minutes of a 5-0
win against Aldershot Town at the Boleyn Ground. Turgott's good form has
also seen him make his reserves bow, starting in last month's home match
with Chelsea. Arguably the star performer of the first half before Chelsea
battled back to win 2-1, it was a welcome step up for the youngster. That
said, he is fully focused on proving himself at U18 level for now and in the
FA Youth Cup, with the fourth-round draw made on Wednesday. "It is the big
one," he said of the prestigious competition that in the past notably shot
Joe Cole and Michael Carrick to national attention. "When you think of youth
football, this is the pinnacle. Obviously to win the league is good also but
the Youth Cup is really the one. It is the one that you want to get high in
and announce yourself as a player. "It was a good performance against
Aldershot. We took a while to get into it at first but once we started to
get going our quality showed and we were the better team and we could have
even got more goals but we scored five and I feel happy for that."
With the fourth-round ties to be played by 15 January 2011, attention is
already focused on who might be next up. Turgott, though, said his
team-mates would not be fazed were it to be one of English football's bigger
clubs. "It doesn't really matter. Maybe teams will be fearing us after this
5-0 win. In youth football, it doesn't matter. Everyone is of a similar
level so we will happily take on anyone."
2011 promises to be a big year for Turgott, a like club-mate Matthias
Fanimo, he will hope to figure in England's bid to reach the UEFA European
U17 Championship final. He scored in the 1-0 win against Poland back in
October that sealed qualification for the Elite Round next spring, when the
Young Lions will meet Spain, Northern Ireland and Belgium for a place at the
summer finals in Serbia.
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Reserves draw Fulham friendly
WHUFC.com
Alex Dyer's team got a positive result in a Tuesday practice game behind
closed doors
14.12.2010
Olly Lee and George Moncur were on target as Alex Dyer's reserves secured a
2-2 friendly draw at Fulham on Tuesday. The young midfielders scored within
four second-half minutes as West Ham United's second string fought back from
a goal down to lead at Motspur Park. With Marek Stech on fine form between
the sticks, the Hammers looked odds-on to secure a victory, only for Lauri
Dalla Valle to bundle the ball over the line with two minutes remaining.
Ahead of their final Barclays Premier Reserve League fixture of the year at
Wolverhampton Wanderers next Monday evening, Alex Dyer named a strong side,
with the likes of Herita Ilunga, Radoslav Kovac and Zavon Hines all
included. Winger Anthony Edgar, who enjoyed a superb pre-season, was back in
action following knee surgery. He played the first 45 minutes as planned
ahead of a longer run-out in Monday night's Barclays Premier Reserve League
encounter at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
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Optimistic Obinna
WHUFC.com
Victor Obinna believes his best form in a West Ham United shirt is yet to
come
13.12.2010
Victor Obinna is hoping team spirit will ensure West Ham United secure their
Barclays Premier League status this season. The Nigeria forward has quickly
endeared himself to his club-mates and supporters alike with a series of
entertaining and enterprising performances - capped by a four-assist effort
in the 4-0 Carling Cup quarter-final victory over Manchester United. The
23-year-old, who received his SBOBET Player of the Month award from Phil
Parkes before the Manchester City match, revealed he has felt right at home
since signing on a year-long loan from Italian champions Internazionale on
27 August.
"It's been pretty wonderful to be honest. The backroom staff and the players
have been fantastic since I've been here and have helped me a lot to adapt
easily, joking in the dressing room and stuff like that. It's been really
wonderful since I've been here."
Obinna revealed that he had sought the advice of Nigeria legend Nwankwo
Kanu, who worked under Hammers manager Avram Grant at Portsmouth, and a
number of his other compatriots, before choosing to move to London. "I spoke
to some of them. I spoke to Nwankwo Kanu because he's a legend to every one
of us and an inspiration to so many young footballers like me. We look up to
him for advice before coming here. Him also knowing the manager very well
convinced me to come to West Ham."
The No33 admitted it took him some time to adapt to the pace of the English
game, but now feels he is up to speed and ready to contribute assists and
goals on a consistent basis. That much was confirmed by him being voted the
top player for November by the club's supporters.
"It's been really unbelievable. Playing against Manchester United was a
massive game for the team and for the club as well and we played some
unbelievably good football and ended up winning well. "We didn't start very
well. Losing the first four games was not good and really affected the team.
Gradually we've been trying to pick up wins but it's not been easy. The
Premier League is the toughest league in the world and obviously the
fastest. In terms of physique, you have to be prepared."
Looking further forward, the Jos-born player knows his future will be
dependent on the form he shows between now and next May. "I've been having a
wonderful time since the beginning and like I said from when I was first
here, football is going to speak for me - not saying I'm going to do this
and do that."
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Grant plans shopping spree
Hammers boss eyes transfer boost
Last updated: 13th December 2010
SSN
West Ham boss Avram Grant is hoping the club's board will back him with
funds to buy their way out of trouble in the January transfer window. The
Hammers remain rooted to the bottom and four points adrift of safety after
going down 3-1 to title-chasing Manchester City on Saturday. Grant admits it
is vital he brings in new blood in January and he has called on the Hammers
hierarchy to give him up to £10million to spend to freshen up the squad.
"With £10m we can do a lot, we can bring in much better players," said
Grant. "January is not a good time to invest, but we certainly need
additional players, dangerous players. "There are a lot of decisions to make
in January. "Even if everyone is fit we still want to be strong in every
position. If the owners gave me £10m, that would be great. There will be a
decision soon. "The next month or two are very important for us. We cannot
continue playing well but not getting points."
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Hitzlsperger sets return date
Hammers midfielder hoping to be back in February
By Chris Burton Last updated: 14th December 2010
SSN
Thomas Hitzlsperger is hoping he will be in a position to make his
long-awaited debut in February. The German midfielder joined West Ham from
Lazio over the summer but has yet to make his competitive bow for the club.
A series of injuries have kept him on the sidelines, with a niggling thigh
problem eventually requiring surgery. The 28-year-old feels he is finally on
the road to recovery, though, and is determined to return to action in the
near future.
He accepts that he is still some way short of the fitness levels required to
compete in the Premier League, but hopes it will not be too long before he
is able to offer his support to the Hammers' survival bid. "It's a tendon
injury and I needed surgery," Hitzlsperger told WHUTV.
Healing
"I spoke to several doctors and they all said the same - I needed surgery
and it would take me four months to get back to playing. "It got done in the
middle of October so I should be back in the middle of February. "There's
not a lot you can do after this kind of surgery. The doctors told me to rest
for the first four weeks as I was on crutches and couldn't really do much. I
started to do conditioning work and to run a week ago. "Now, the healing
process is going well and I'm quite optimistic I'll be able to play in
February. "Things could obviously happen in between but I'm just hoping I
will continue making the same progress over the next two months and I'll be
back in February."
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Obinna future rests on form
Nigerian forward enjoying spell at Upton Park
Last updated: 14th December 2010
SSN
Victor Obinna is enjoying life at West Ham and has refused to rule out the
possibility of making a permanent move. The Nigeria international joined the
Hammers on a season-long loan over the summer, having found himself on the
fringes of the first-team fold at Italian giants Inter Milan. He has
impressed greatly during his short time in England, with the speed at which
he has settled at Upton Park one of few positives for the club this season.
Their ongoing troubles continue to see them locked in a relegation dogfight,
but Obinna is loving every minute of his time in the Premier League. He
hopes the Hammers can drag themselves clear of trouble over the coming
months and has left the door open for an extension to his current agreement
to be struck, should he be able to maintain his high standards for the
remainder of the campaign.
Wonderful
"I've been having a wonderful time since the beginning and like I said from
when I was first here, football is going to speak for me - not saying I'm
going to do this and do that," Obinna told the club's official website when
pressed on his future. The 23-year-old forward admits his introduction to
the English top flight could have been easier, taking into account West
Ham's struggles, but he feels both he and the club have started to find
their feet of late. "We didn't start very well. Losing the first four games
was not good and really affected the team," he added. "Gradually we've been
trying to pick up wins but it's not been easy. "The Premier League is the
toughest league in the world and obviously the fastest. In terms of
physique, you have to be prepared."
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Hammers eye up Varney
Pool face battle to land loan star
Last updated: 13th December 2010
SSN
Skysports.com understands West Ham are lining up a move for Blackpool loan
star Luke Varney. Hammers boss Avram Grant is keen to freshen up his squad
in the January transfer window and he is weighing up a move for the forward.
The 28-year-old is currently on a season-long loan at Bloomfield Road from
Derby after being allowed to leave Pride Park. Derby are prepared to sell
Varney to the highest bidder in January and have confirmed Blackpool do not
have a clause in the loan deal which allows the Seasiders exclusive access
to sign the player. The former Crewe and Charlton man has been in stunning
form for Ian Holloway's side since his arrival, scoring five goals for this
season's surprise package. A number of clubs have been alerted to Varney's
services as a result of his impressive performances in the Premier League
and West Ham could now make a move for the attacker in the January transfer
window. The Hammers have struggled for goals this season and the forward
would help add to the side's attacking options as they battle to climb off
the bottom of the table.
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Grant - No more excuses
Hammers boss calls for character
Last updated: 13th December 2010
SSN
West Ham manager Avram Grant has called on his players to show their
character and push up the table. The Hammers are now three points adrift at
the bottom of the Premier League following a 3-1 defeat at home to
Manchester City. Grant stressed after the game that his side had been facing
one of the current title contenders and identified upcoming matches against
lesser teams as being more important. But he admits there can be no more
excuses and he has told his men to concentrate on points rather than
performances. "The time has come to stop saying, 'We are playing well,
but...'," said Grant, who vowed to set the right example for his players.
"It is not a time that I like but if I am asking the team to be strong and
show character then I have to be the first one to do that. "I have to lead,
be strong and show character."
Belief
Grant remains confident that West Ham can turn around their poor run of form
and climb out of the relegation zone over the busy festive period. He added:
"I believe in this team and this club. "Of course, this is the time to take
points - we are coming to the middle of the season. "There is time to
recover but we need to change things and get points. I am sure we will do
it. It won't be easy, but we can do it." This weekend's trip to Ewood Park
is followed by crucial clashes with Fulham, Everton and Wolves and Grant
expects the right response from his players.
Impact
"It will not be difficult to lift the players. I am sure what we want to do
is possible," he told the club's official website. "We will take this club
up the table and we have games in the next month that we can make an impact
in. We need to play them and take the points. "I am not thinking about
myself - only that the future of this club will be good. "It is a difficult
time but I am sure we will come out of it. We will fight to do this in every
game."
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Grant calls for show of character
The Sun
Published: 13 Dec 2010
AVRAM GRANT has warned his players he will not accept any more excuses as
West Ham battle to avoid the drop. The rock-bottom Hammers slipped four
points adrift of safety after Saturday's 3-1 home defeat to Manchester City.
And Grant insists his side must dig deep and start grinding out results —
starting at Blackburn this weekend. He said: "The time has come to stop
saying, 'We are playing well, but...'. "It is not a time that I like but if
I am asking the team to be strong and show character then I have to be the
first one to do that. "I have to lead, be strong and show character."
The under-pressure Hammers boss added: "I believe in this team and this
club. "Of course, this is the time to take points — we are coming to the
middle of the season. "There is time to recover but we need to change things
and get points. I am sure we will do it. "It won't be easy, but we can do
it."
Saturday's trip to Ewood Park is followed by crucial clashes with Fulham,
Everton and Wolves. And Grant expects his stars to raise their game. He
said: "It will not be difficult to lift the players. "I am sure what we want
to do is possible. We will take this club up the table and we have games in
the next month that we can make an impact in. "We need to play them and take
the points. I am not thinking about myself — only that the future of this
club will be good.
"It is a difficult time but I am sure we will come out of it. We will fight
to do this in every game."
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It's looking good for Specs
The Sun
Published: Today
JONATHAN SPECTOR could secure a new contract with West Ham following his
impressive form in recent weeks. Spector, 24, looked to be heading out of
Upton Park after failing to secure a first-team place. But having spent most
of his career in defence, he was handed a surprise recall in central
midfield for the Hammers' Carling Cup quarter-final with Manchester United.
And Spector produced a man-of-the-match show against his former club as
Avram Grant's side pulled off a shock 4-0 win. He has stayed in the side
ever since, despite defeats to Sunderland and Manchester City. The USA
international is is out of contract at the end of the season and free to
talk with other clubs next month, with Cologne leading the chase to sign
him. But West Ham boss Grant is determined to keep most of his squad
together and could reward Spector with a new deal.
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Board set to Hammer Grant
The Sun
By ANDREW DILLON
Published: 14 Dec 2010
AVRAM GRANT will be read the riot act by the West Ham board over the club's
dire season. Joint-owners David Gold and David Sullivan are furious with
results under Grant as well as the manager's laid-back attitude. West Ham
are bottom of the Premier League and five points adrift of safety yet Grant
claims his squad is playing well. The Israeli will be hauled in front of
Gold, Sullivan and vice-chairman Karren Brady this week for a severe
grilling over his performance - and his failure to lift the team out of the
doldrums. An Upton Park insider said: "A few bad results can be put down to
the team or bad luck but it's the manager's job to turn things around and
the apparent lack of fighting spirit is what's really getting to the top
brass. "It's as if West Ham are just melting away towards relegation."
The crunch meeting is the first sign of a serious crack appearing in the
relationship between Grant, who is on a four-year deal, and his Upton Park
bosses.
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"I have to lead, be strong and show character," says Grant
Published 11:46 13/12/10 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror
Avram Grant has told his West Ham players he will not tolerate any more
excuses and that the time to start taking points was now. The Hammers remain
rooted to the foot of the Barclays Premier League and slipped four points
adrift of safety after Saturday's 3-1 home defeat against Manchester City.
Manager Grant was at pains to point out his side were up against one of the
current title contenders but knows they cannot say the same about their
upcoming festive fixtures. All four of West Ham's matches over the Christmas
and New Year period come against sides in the bottom half of the table,
starting with Saturday's trip to Blackburn. "The time has come to stop
saying, 'We are playing well, but...'," said Grant, who vowed to set the
right example for his players. "It is not a time that I like but if I am
asking the team to be strong and show character then I have to be the first
one to do that. "I have to lead, be strong and show character."
The under-pressure Hammers boss added: "I believe in this team and this
club. "Of course, this is the time to take points - we are coming to the
middle of the season. "There is time to recover but we need to change things
and get points. I am sure we will do it. "It won't be easy, but we can do
it."
This weekend's trip to Ewood Park is followed by crucial clashes with
Fulham, Everton and Wolves. Grant told his club's official website
www.whufc.com: "It will not be difficult to lift the players. I am sure what
we want to do is possible. "We will take this club up the table and we have
games in the next month that we can make an impact in. We need to play them
and take the points. "I am not thinking about myself - only that the future
of this club will be good. "It is a difficult time but I am sure we will
come out of it. We will fight to do this in every game."
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A Big Fat No to Big Fat Sam
West Ham Till I Die
There are very few things that would make me stop going to matches at Upton
Park. The plague and pestilence are two of them. And the appointment of Sam
Allardyce as West Ham manager would be the other.
Strong words maybe, but if Avram Grant is to go, and go I think he must,
then I sincerely hope that Sam Allardyce wouldn't make a shortlist of the
Top 100 possible successors. His style of football is completely anathema to
everything West Ham stand for. I really wouldn't want to watch that week in
week out and I hope I speak for most of the readers of this blog when I say
that.
I can't believe anyone who had West Ham's best interests at heart would
consider appointing Allardyce, but stranger things have happened. Anyway,
maybe I am alone in thinking this so I thought I'd test it out with a one
question poll.
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Grant faces showdown board meeting
December 14, 2010
ESPN
By Harry Harris, Football Correspondent
West Ham United manager Avram Grant will face a meeting with the board later
this week, at which it is believed he will be told he has two games to turn
around the fortunes of the Premier League's bottom club. Failure in a
decisive double-header against Blackburn and fellow strugglers Fulham, could
see Grant become the third top-flight manager to be sacked before Christmas.
Grant wants £10 million to spend in the January transfer window, and the
Hammers board have to decide whether to hand their existing manager a
transfer kitty or to call in a new boss, with Chris Hughton emerging as
favourite. Sacked Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce has also been linked.
Grant, though, is still the preferred choice as manager of the West Ham
board, despite the availability of Hughton heaping even more pressure on the
man in charge of the relegation-threatened club. However, the West Ham
manager will need at least a point against Blackburn, despite a crippling
injury list, to ensure he can make it to the big game against Fulham and
another under-pressure manager in Mark Hughes.
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Reserves 2-2 West Ham
Tuesday 14th December 2010
Fulham.co.uk
The Reserves managed to secure a draw against West Ham United at Motspur
Park on Tuesday afternoon courtesy of a late equaliser from Lauri Dalla
Valle. A defeat would have been harsh on Billy McKinlay's men, who created
the better chances throughout but conceded two goals in four second-half
minutes somewhat against the run of play. Fulham opened the scoring in the
second-half through the lively Kerim Frei only to see West Ham's rapid-fire
brace after the interval turn the tables. But the Whites stuck to their task
well as West Ham pushed for their third of the match and eventually turned
the tide, netting a deserved late equaliser.
Fulham made a positive start to the match with Alex Kacaniklic in particular
looking a danger from the left wing. The first real opportunity of the
encounter came in the 11th minute when Kerim Frei fed a teasing through ball
into the path of Kacaniklic, who had drifted to the right flank. The winger
did well to reach the by-line before playing a square pass across the face
of goal that just evaded the rapidly advancing Dalla Valle. Rafik Halliche,
partnering Aaron Pierre in the centre of defence looked impressive as he
calmly patrolled Fulham's back line.
Marek Stech produced a fine save on 24 minutes, getting down well to his
right hand side to deny Matthew Saunders after he had been played through by
a well weighted Kagisho Dikgacoi through ball. Possession remained even
between the sides but it was Fulham who produced the more promising
situations. The Whites once again went close to taking the lead just after
the half hour mark when a Dalla Valle free kick took a wicked deflection,
leaving Stech looking on as the ball spun wide of the post.
Moments later Frei passed up a fine opportunity to put Fulham in front after
he side footed a pull-back from Kacaniklic wide of the post. However, there
were tense moments at the back for the Whites soon after when only a goal
line clearance denied West Ham the opener. Fulham deservedly took the lead
five minutes into the second-half. A sustained attack saw Stech produce two
point-black saves to deny Kacaniklic and Frei before the ball was worked
back to Frei once more and he drilled a shot inside the far post.
Rafik Halliche and Kagisho Dikgacoi made way for Cheick Toure and Courtney
Harris on 60 minutes. The Hammers netted the equaliser against the run of
play with a well-taken free kick on 67 minutes. Oliver Lee curled a
delightful shot around the Fulham wall and beyond the dive of Marcus
Bettinelli to level the scores. The goal handed West Ham the impetus and
they took the lead minutes later when George Moncur found space in the area
and placed a right footed finish beyond Bettinelli and in off the post.
A fantastic save from Stech on 80 minute denied a certain equaliser for the
Whites after Matt Saunders' swerving free kick seemed destined for the top
corner. But Fulham continued to press and the deserved equaliser came on 88
minutes after a Kacaniklic cross dropped in area for Lauri Dalla Valle to
bundle over the line at the near post.
Fulham: Bettinelli; Marsh-Brown, Smith, Pierre, Halliche (Toure 60);
Dikgacoi (Harris 60), Saunders, Milsom, Kacaniklic; Dalla Valle, Frei
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Spector set to complete amazing turnaround by penning new West Ham deal
TalkSport
By Marc Isaacs
Tuesday, December 14
West Ham midfielder Jonathan Spector is set to secure a new contract with
the club following his impressive form in recent weeks. Spector, 24, looked
to be heading out of the exit door at Upton Park following his failure to
secure a first-team place. But the American international was handed a shock
recall for the Carling Cup quarter-final tie against Manchester United and
he produced a man of the match display with two goals. Spector is out of
contract at the end of the season and is free to talk with other clubs next
month, with Cologne leading the chase to sign him. But West Ham boss Avram
Grant is determined to keep the majority of his squad together and could
reward Spector with a new deal for him to stay in east London.
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Avram Grant told it's 'make or break' at West Ham
By Jason Burt, Deputy Football Correspondent 11:00PM GMT 14 Dec 2010
Telegraph.co.uk
Avram Grant has been summoned to a meeting with the West Ham United board at
which he will be told that the next few games are "make or break" for his
time as manager. Although there is little real appetite among the club's
owners to sack the 55-year-old Israeli, there is a realisation that West Ham
United are in danger of being cut adrift at the bottom of the Premier
League. Grant will be asked to explain how he hopes to improve results after
West Ham collected just 12 points from 17 league matches. It is understood
he wants to sign three players in the January window but the club are
reluctant to spend heavily if he fails to pick up points in forthcoming
games.
"We very much want to stick by him, but it will be make-or-break time over
the next few weeks," one senior club insider said on Tuesday night. West Ham
face Blackburn away on Saturday, then Fulham away on Boxing Day before their
next home match against Everton on Dec 28. If Grant fails to collect points
from those games he is likely to be removed before West Ham face
Wolverhampton Wanderers at home on New Year's Day. Grant was in a precarious
position before the recent home win over Wigan, which was followed by a
Carling Cup quarter-final victory over Manchester United. But losses against
Sunderland and Manchester City have increased the pressure. According to
sources, Grant remains "supremely confident" that he can turn the team's
fortunes around. But the sudden availability of managers such as Chris
Hughton, ousted by Newcastle, and Sam Allardyce, may sway the West Ham board
into making a change.
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