WHUFC.com
Alex Dyer's reserves recovered from a goal down to earn a share of the
spoils against Portsmouth
20.01.2010
West Ham United reserve-team manager Alex Dyer was encouraged by his team's
second-half performance in Wednesday's 1-1 Barclays Premier Reserve League
South draw with Portsmouth. The Hammers went in a goal down at the break
courtesy of Gael Nlundulu's strike four minutes before half-time. Following
a constructive teamtalk from Dyer, however, Jordan Spence levelled matters
with a deflected header shortly before the hour-mark. With the likes of
Junior Stanislas, Fabio Daprela, Manuel da Costa and Freddie Sears in
action, the home side dominated the final stages at Bishop's Stortford FC's
Woodside Park. So, while a point lifted West Ham into sixth place in the
standings, the manager believes his side played well enough to earn all
three. "We started off quite slow, but as the game went on we got better. I
was disappointed with the way we conceded the goal, but I honestly thought
it was a free-kick [for a foul]. We switched off and he got the wrong side
of Fabio and he finished it quite nicely. "We had a chat at half-time and
sorted a few things out and I thought the second half was a lot better. We
pressed the ball high up and deservedly got our goal, even if it was a
deflection. I thought we should have gone on and won the game. "I didn't
raise my voice or anything, I just pointed out a few things. I thought we
could do a lot better on the ball and we had to find some kind of end
product. Defensively, we needed to stay more compact because they wanted to
play little balls through the gaps. If we could stay nice and compact, we
could stifle them a bit, which I think we did in the second half."
Alongside the first-team squad members on display, full-backs Spence and
Davide Ferrari were in impressive form, while first-year professional Olly
Lee completed his first 90 minutes since returning from a debilitating bout
of glandular fever. "The full-backs got forward a lot more and delivered
some good crosses in. Davide should have scored, Olly did well and should
have scored with a header near the end. It was just that little bit of
quality in the final-third that we lacked. "Olly's energy level was a lot
better. He's been out ill for a long time and he did well to complete the 90
minutes. It's a credit to him. "Overall I was happy with the performance,
but I'd have liked to have got the three points."
With no league game until they play host to Chelsea on 23 February, Dyer is
eager for his players to maintain their match-fitness during the gap in the
fixture list. Accordingly, the manager is aiming to arrange a series of
friendly matches to be played over the coming month. Dyer adopted a similar
approach before Christmas, sending his team out against Norwich City, Grays
Athletic and Polish club Arka Gdynia. "I'll get the lads in for training,
but I intend to arrange some friendlies. I'd like to play against some good,
footballing sides and also to get some trialists in. I just want to get us
games every week. "It's difficult because the first team are playing next
week [at Portsmouth] and the youth team are doing well and playing regularly
as well, so numbers may be an issue. We'll get some triallists in and use
the players who are not getting games. "The boys need games for a lot of
reasons at this time of the season, but mainly for their fitness levels.
We'll train hard every day, but you need an end product in the shape of
playing games. They enjoy playing and I'm hoping we can get three or four
games over the next few weeks."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Brown buoyed on WHUTV
WHUFC.com
Jordan Brown was all smiles after captaining the U18s to an FA Youth Cup win
against QPR
21.01.2010
Victorious Under-18s captain Jordan Brown told WHUTV of his delight at
reaching the fifth round of the FA Youth Cup. Tony Carr's side eventually
overcame Queens Park Rangers 3-0, but the game was not as straightforward as
the scoreline might suggest. "We were lucky as it took us a little while to
get going," Brown said. "Even when we were 2-0 up, we weren't really passing
the ball and moving it. Even in the changing room Tony said we didn't play
that well."
Luckily for the Hammers, they could call on two in-form strikers in the
shape of Robert Hall and Cristian Montano to see them through their tricky
spot. Montano's brace sandwiched a superb Hall free-kick right on the stroke
of half-time. "That's why they're in the team because they can score goals
and Cristian did it again at the end when we needed them. "They are both
good. They prefer the ball to feet or in behind and there was a few times it
went in the air and that is no good for them but when the ball is on the
floor they can do damage."
The win sets up another Boleyn Ground tie for the youngsters in the last 16,
with Newcastle this time providing the opposition. whufc.com will have
fixture and ticketing information for the tie in due course.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Zola joins Grays
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 21st January 2010
By: Staff Writer
Andrea Zola - son of Hammers boss Gianfranco - has joined Julian Dicks'
Grays Athletic on a month's loan. The 18-year-old midfielder is set to make
his debut at the New Rec this weekend according to a spokesman for Grays,
who said: "Julian is delighted to be given the opportunity to work closely
with one of the up and coming young players at West Ham. "Andrea is a great
young player and Julian hopes he can do all he can to help the player
develop into a fantastic left-back. Julian would like to thank Gianfranco
for allowing Andrea this opportunity and looks forward to linking up closely
with West Ham in the future."
Dicks' - who recently placed his entire first team up for sale in response
to a string of poor results - has brought in no less than eight new faces
ahead of this week's clash with title-chasing Oxford United. Grays - who are
currently just one place form the bottom of the Blue Square Premier League -
are six points adrift of safety at present. You can see Zola in action at
the New Rec this Saturday, 23rd January.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers enter Ruud chase
West Ham keen on Dutch striker
Last updated: 21st January 2010
SSN
West Ham have joined the race to sign Ruud van Nistelrooy, skysports.com
understands. The Dutch ace is currently on the fringes of the first-team
squad at Real Madrid and is now considering his options. A host of clubs are
now eager to land the 33-year-old former Manchester United striker.
Tottenham and Liverpool are both said to be keen to take Van Nistelrooy on
loan, but his main concern is regular first-team football with one eye on
the World Cup finals this summer. Stoke are another option for the prolific
forward, and they are reported to be ready to pay £2million to sign him on a
permanent deal. Now West Ham have joined the bidding and have made their
interest known with the player's represenatives. The Hammers, now under new
ownership following David Gold and David Sullivan's takeover, are being
linked with a host of strikers with Benni McCarthy and Robbie Keane also
said to be on Gianfranco Zola's wanted list.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Zola set for Grays switch
Zola happy to loan out son
Last updated: 21st January 2010
SSN
Skysports.com understands West Ham youngster Andrea Zola - son of Hammers
boss Gianfranco - is set to join Grays Athletic on loan. Zola junior
followed his father to West Ham from Cagliari Calcio and he has caught the
eye at Upton Park. The 18-year-old has appeared for the club's reserves and
he is tipped for a big future in the game. West Ham are happy to loan out
Zola so that he gain some valuable first-team experience and Grays boss
Julian Dicks has used his Hammers connections to bring him to the Blue
Square Premier side. Agent James Anderson, who brokered the deal, revealed
Dicks is more than happy to have lured Zola to Grays and hopes he can help
the young left-back improve his game. "Julian is delighted to be given the
opportunity to work closely with one of the up and coming young players at
West Ham," Anderson told skysports.com. "Andrea is a great young player and
Julian hopes he can do all he can to help the player develop into a
fantastic left-back. "Julian would like to thank Gianfranco for allowing
Andrea this opportunity and looks forward to linking up closely with West
Ham in the future"
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Fernandes considers investing
Air Asia boss could yet plough money into West Ham
Last updated: 21st January 2010
SSN
Tony Fernandes has not ruled out investing in West Ham under David Sullivan
and David Gold's regime. The former Birmingham owners beat the AirAsia
supremo in the race to take control at Upton Park earlier this week.
Fernandes, a Hammers fan, was disappointed to miss out on a deal for the
club, who he had big plans for. "I see West Ham as the unpolished diamond of
the Premier League," Fernandes told the Daily Telegraph. "It should be a
larger and more successful club than it is and so, when the chance came
around again to buy it, I felt I could do it and fulfil an ambition. "I have
faith in [manager Gianfranco] Zola and the management team. It wasn't their
fault the club are in the predicament they are in and I genuinely believe
Zola will be one of the managerial greats. I made no promises except West
Ham would never again be in the situation it finds itself in now."
Fernandes has since been invited to invest by Sullivan, with up to 50 per
cent of the club still available, and he admits he will hold talks. "I would
have to see whether they share the same vision, otherwise it could be a
calamity for the club," he said. "You can only have one leader, one
strategy. But I'm never one to say no to anything, especially as I'm very
passionate about the club. "On the positive side the club has a new owner
and it has ended the uncertainty."
Meanwhile, former West Ham chairman Eggert Magnusson, blamed by many for the
club's dire financial predicament, insists he was not at fault. "There was
much criticism about wages when we signed (Freddie) Ljungberg, Matthew
Upson, Lucas Neill, Craig Bellamy and Scott Parker," he told The Sun. "Does
anyone honestly think I did that on my own? That I did it without the full
knowledge and support of the owner, the chief executive and the manager Alan
Curbishley? Of course not. "And people have quickly forgotten we managed to
maintain our Premier League status in that first year - and that was a
miracle. Things could have got a lot worse had the club dropped into the
Championship. "Most of it was down to the manager and the team but I like to
think I played some part in it, giving the club belief. I was always
positive and we never gave up. "And everybody was aware of the deals we were
doing, it wasn't just down to me. "Some players will be a success and others
will not, whenever you make a signing. It happens at every club. Look at
Andriy Shevchenko and Chelsea for example. "If people are blaming me, so be
it. But I know better and am still proud of my time at West Ham United.
"Maybe I wasn't told the right things about the club when I went there.
"Maybe I was led to believe there was more money available than there was. I
was told that there was a lot of money to do things."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham set sights on Luke Young and Benni McCarthy
Ken Dyer and Matthew Beard
21.01.10
Evening Standard
West Ham have enquired about Aston Villa defender Luke Young. The
Harlow-born former England international has failed to secure a regular
first-team spot at Villa Park this season and would favour a move back to
London. He began his career at Tottenham before joining Charlton in 2001 and
made 187 appearances for the south London club before moving to
Middlesbrough and then Villa. The Hammers also want two strikers in this
transfer window and new chairman David Sullivan has asked Blackburn about
Benni McCarthy's availability. Speculation linking Everton striker Jo to
Upton Park has subsided following the Brazilian's likely move to Turkish
club Galatasaray. Sullivan, who has already said he intends keeping both
England defender Matthew Upson and midfield star Scott Parker, has also been
bracing himself for offers from Italy for highly-rated Swiss international
Valon Behrami but, as yet, there have been no firm bids. Meanwhile, former
Arsenal managing director Keith Edelman is set to play a key role in West
Ham's proposed move from Upton Park to the Olympic stadium. Edelman was
recently appointed to the board of the Olympic Park Legacy Company and he
has been handed a remit to help find a post-2012 tenant for the
80,000-capacity stadium in Stratford. Edelman, who quit Arsenal in May 2008,
masterminded the Gunners' move from Highbury to Emirates Stadium which was
built by Sir Robert McAlpine, the construction company running the Olympic
stadium project. He is expected to become an ally of OPLC chief executive
Andrew Altman if talks about the move progress with West Ham's new owners
Sullivan and David Gold. Sullivan has expressed an interest in renting the
stadium from the Government.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham's Zola set for Grays switch... Gianfranco's left-back son Andrea
poised for loan deal
By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 12:38 PM on 21st January 2010
Daily Mail
West Ham have agreed to let Zola join non league strugglers Grays Atheltic.
But Hammers fans should not fear the worst: it's manager Gianfranco's young
son, Andrea, leaving Upton Park on loan for another relegation battle!
Andrea, 18, has spent this term learning his trade in the reserves but the
aspiring left back has now been handed the opportunity to work under one of
the Barclays Premier League club's all-time heroes and finest full-backs,
Julian Dicks. Dicks was appointed boss of the Conference outfit last
September by another former Hammers favourite John Moncur, who is chairman
at the Essex club, and has been as equally hard-hitting on the touchline as
he was, often infamously, on the pitch. The former Liverpool star, nicknamed
'The Terminator', even transfer listed his entire first team squad after the
team slipped into the drop zone of the Blue Square Premier! But Grays are
hoping the signing of Zola's son will help them in their fight to avoid the
drop and develop Andrea into a future West Ham star. Julian is delighted to
be given the opportunity to work closely with one of the up and coming young
players at West Ham,' agent James Anderson told Sky Sports, after brokering
the short-term deal.
'Andrea is a great young player and Julian hopes he can do all he can to
help the player develop into a fantastic left-back. 'Julian would like to
thank Gianfranco for allowing Andrea this opportunity and looks forward to
linking up closely with West Ham in the future' Meanwhile, former West Ham
flop Savio has left Fiorentina to join Italian rivals Bologna on loan. The
German youth international, 20, managed just one start during his brief
spell in east London and was sold during last summer's transfer window as
part of an exchange deal for Portuguese defender Manuel Da Costa, after
struggling to adapt to life in English football following his club record
£9million arrival from Brescia last year.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Former West Ham owner Eggert Magnusson hits back after David Sullivan
criticism
Former West Ham owner Eggert Magnusson has lept to his own defence after
being accused by David Sullivan of leaving the club "on its knees"
financially.
Telegraph.co.uk
By Telegraph staff
Published: 10:44AM GMT 21 Jan 2010
Former West Ham owner Eggert Magnusson says his time at the club instilled
belief and staved off the threat of relegation . Sullivan, who with
co-chairman David Gold has taken over 50 per cent ownership of a club with
debts in excess of £100m, branded the former regime "crazy" for handing out
huge contracts to players that risked the financial health of the club. The
£80,000-a-week deal for 30-year-old Freddie Ljungberg in particular was
singled out by Sullivan, prompting Magnusson to speak publicly for the first
time since he left West Ham two years ago to defend himself against
accusations of negligence. "There was much criticism about wages when we
signed Ljungberg, Matthew Upson, Lucas Neill, Craig Bellamy and Scott
Parker," Magnusson told the Sun newspaper. "Does anyone honestly think I did
that on my own? That I did it without the full knowledge and support of the
owner, the chief executive and the manager Alan Curbishley? Of course not.
"And people have quickly forgotten we managed to maintain our Premier League
status in that first year – and that was a miracle. "Things could have got a
lot worse had the club dropped into the Championship. "Most of it was down
to the manager and the team but I like to think I played some part in it,
giving the club belief. I was always positive and we never gave up. "And
everybody was aware of the deals we were doing, it wasn't just down to me.
"Some players will be a success and others will not, whenever you make a
signing. It happens at every club. Look at Andrei Shevchenko and Chelsea for
example. "If people are blaming me, so be it. But I know better and am still
proud of my time at West Ham United. Maybe I wasn't told the right things
about the club when I went there. "Maybe I was led to believe there was more
money available than there was. I was told that there was a lot of money to
do things. "I still think West Ham may have made a mistake letting Neill
leave. He was a superb right-back and a great character in the dressing
room. "And look at Bellamy. He is playing pretty well at Manchester City and
look how much West Ham made as profit out of that transfer."
Sullivan suggested in an interview that Magnusson had tried to become
involved with the club again during the recent takeover and that the former
Birmingham owner dismissed such a notion immediately. However, Magnusson
disputes that description of events. "I have never spoken to David Sullivan
in my life," he said. "I telephoned David Gold some time ago because I had
an investor who I thought might have been interested in the club. "Karren
Brady called me back and we had a discussion about it but that was it. But I
don't even know David Sullivan. "I know David Gold and I really like him. I
even sent him a text message last Friday wishing good luck with his bid to
buy West Ham. "I really believe that he and Sullivan are the best people to
be in control of West Ham right now. They have their own money, it's not
paper money or loans from banks." "I love the club. They are real football
people and they have real football fans."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola given funds to buy defender and two
strikers
New West Ham owner David Sullivan has promised to free up funds for manager
Gianfranco Zola to buy a defender and two much needed strikers before the
end of the January transfer window.
Telegraph.co.uk
By Telegraph staff
Published: 9:33AM GMT 21 Jan 2010
West Ham will likely move for Blackburn Rovers striker Benni McCarthy
during this transfer window. After meeting Zola and his assistant, Steve
Clarke, Sullivan and co-chairman David Gold, who have acquired 50 per cent
of the club, have promised the Italian £8m to spend. "I was hugely impressed
with Gianfranco and Steve," Sullivan told the London Evening Standard.
Sullivan takes control of West Ham "It is so great to meet a man who wants
to work with us and make the team better. He has a 'can-do' attitude, but
with a pragmatic approach. He's a really nice guy. I believe he can be a
great manager. "We agreed we need at least one striker by the Portsmouth
match and the second by the end of the window."
Blackburn Rovers striker Benni McCarthy is thought to be a likely signing.
The player almost joined West Ham five years ago when he made the switch
from Porto to Blackburn.
Gold said: "He would be a good acquisition, if that could be achieved. It's
possible, but all strikers that are available as we speak are possible." Of
equal significance to West Ham supporters is the news that a number of their
better players will not be leaving Upton Park. Before Sullivan and Gold
joined the club there were genuine fears that one or more of Matthew Upson,
Carlton Cole, Robert Green and Scott Parker would be moved on to balance the
books. Such a possibility no longer exists, insist the new ownership team.
"Matthew is the captain and his return to the team in recent weeks has
coincided with improved performances," said Sullivan. "And we all agreed
that Scott, despite a lot of interest, is going nowhere. He is a wonderful
player, the heartbeat of the team. Despite the difficult times, he has
always been up for the challenge, always fighting for the badge."
Sullivan will have a hands on role in transfer negotiations, casting doubt
over the future of technical director Gianluca Nani. Karren Brady's
appointment as vice-chairman returns the full complement of the former
Birmingham City management now in East London, though she will be paid
directly by Sullivan and Gold rather than the club. The pair will not take a
salary as they seek to cut costs and reduce the staggering levels of debt
they inherited in the deal. "We are fully behind the manager, but I do not
want to go into all staff," Sullivan said. "There may be some changes at
some level, we are going to look at all sorts of things. We do not rush into
decisions. There has to be some savings here. This is a club haemorrhaging
money. "There may have to be economies, and there is no point saying
otherwise. To put things in perspective, I will be earning nothing, David
will be earning nothing. "We are personally paying Karren's wages for the
next 12 months so she is not a burden to the club at all. We are not coming
here with baggage which will cost the club money, we are all going to make a
contribution at zero cost to the club."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Tony Fernandes flies home from failed West Ham bid with mixed feelings
Asian businessman Tony Fernandes has spoken about his sadness in failing to
take control of West Ham United.
Telegraph.co.uk
By Jason Burt
Published: 8:00AM GMT 21 Jan 2010
Tony Fernandes's love of West Ham could not swing a takeover for him . He
also said that he needed to buy the club outright to make it a success. In
an interview with Telegraph Sport, Fernandes also revealed that he had tried
to buy West Ham before the Icelandic takeover in 2006 and had also had
discussions a year ago when "the price they were asking was ridiculous".
Sport on television Fernandes said he would consider David Sullivan's offer
to take the remaining 50 per cent stake in West Ham — and had already
received a text from the vice-chairman Karren Brady asking him to invest –
but feared that he was unlikely to accept. "I can't be a sleeping partner,"
he said. "You only have one leader, one strategy."
The 43-year-old entrepreneur, and chief executive of Air Asia, flew back to
Malaysia immediately after being informed that he had lost out to Sullivan
to become the club's owner on Monday night. Although he believes West Ham
are in a parlous state, after the botched Icelandic ownership, he put
forward a plan, to be executed over three years, to turn the club around and
was confident he could do so. However, key to his proposals was gaining full
control and buying out the failed Icelandic bank, Straumur, which still owns
50 per cent of the club and hopes, therefore, to gain a bigger return for
its shareholders. Fernandes, who is believed to be worth £400million, has
also been angered by suggestions that he failed to demonstrate that he has
the funding for the deal. "The money is with Olswangs [the solicitors] and
I'd like to see anyone disprove that," he said.
"I would have completely re-financed the club so that it did not have to
sell on its young talent again," Fernandes explained. "To do that I would
have needed to get to grips with the balance sheet. But I could not do that
by working with a bank that was effectively in liquidation. I put forward a
very detailed plan and explained why I needed 100 per cent control. But we
just ran out of time. Straumur said they had to sell on that day [Monday]
but we needed another five or six hours. I thought we had done it. "If you
were buying another club, for example, it would be more straight-forward.
You would put in your bid, do the due diligence, complete the deal. With
West Ham there was Straumur to deal with, who are working under Chapter 11
receivership, and you have a bunch of banks. The owners were bankrupt and
the asset itself was, really, insolvent. There were the owners, the people
who own the owners, and the banks. It therefore became evident to me, having
started with a negotiation over taking 50 per cent, that the only way to
make the club successful would be to gain 100 per cent. Otherwise it was too
complicated."
Fernandes outlined five points in his plan although, understandably, he did
not go into too much detail as he does not want it in the public domain.
After all, he may eventually become involved in West Ham.
However he said he would have:
1) Fixed the balance sheet, which would involve paying down the debt and
"reworking the asset structure of the club".
2) Invested in Rush Green, the new training ground, very quickly and
reworked the scouting system to take a more "French" approach by running an
academy on a "European basis".
3) Brought in new revenues "from a variety of ideas". He revealed one of
these would have been to use technology and social networking sites to make
West Ham more accessible around the world.
4) Created partnerships with Formula One (he is team principal of Lotus) to
generate money, eg from sponsorship, which would benefit both sides.
Fernandes added: "I see West Ham as the unpolished diamond of the Premier
League. It should be a larger and more successful club than it is and so,
when the chance came around again to buy it, I felt I could do it and fulfil
an ambition. "I have faith in [manager Gianfranco] Zola and the management
team. It wasn't their fault the club are in the predicament they are in and
I genuinely believe Zola will be one of the managerial greats. I made no
promises except West Ham would never again be in the situation it finds
itself in now."
Fernandes said that Sullivan had put forward a professional bid and he
wished him success. Asked about whether he would invest, he said: "I would
have to see whether they share the same vision, otherwise it could be a
calamity for the club. You can only have one leader, one strategy. But I'm
never one to say no to anything, especially as I'm very passionate about the
club. On the positive side the club has a new owner and it has ended the
uncertainty."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham battle Tottenham and Stoke as race hots up for Real Madrid star
Ruud van Nistelrooy
By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 1:58 PM on 21st January 2010
Daily Mail
West Ham United have joined the race to sign Ruud van Nistelrooy from Real
Madrid. Sportsmail first revealed that Tottenham Hotspur boss Harry Redknapp
is keen to add the Holland striker once a buyer is found for Roman
Pavlyuchenko. And Stoke City have also made a bid - believed to be about
£2million - for the former Manchester United star.
Van Nistelrooy and his agent Rodger Linse held talks with Madrid officials
on Wednesday. The Spanish giants will not stand in the 33-year-old's way if
he can find an acceptable off. Van Nistelrooy is keen to play regular
football in the run-up to the World Cup, but he will almost certainly have
to take a pay cut on his current £100,000 a week wages.
Spurs interest in the summer foundered over his salary and concerns about a
long-running knee injury. The one-time PSV Eindhoven hot-shot's contract
runs out at the end of the season and Madrid will consider either loan or
permanent offers. West Ham hope to sign two strikers and made inquiries
after David Sullivan and David Gold completed their takeover of the
relegation-threatened club. Van Nistelrooy has already rejected the
possibility of going to Galatasaray.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Gianfranco Zola makes good impression on new West Ham owners
Gary Jacob
The Times
Gianfranco Zola has been reassured about his future as West Ham United
manager after meeting the club's new joint-owners yesterday for the second
time. Zola introduced David Sullivan and David Gold, who have paid £50
million for a 50 per cent stake in the club, to his players before
continuing discussions that started during a two-hour meeting on Tuesday
night. The Italian spelt out his side's deficiencies and named players he
would like to sign for the battle against relegation from the Barclays
Premier League. Sullivan has taken charge of transfers from Gianluca Nani,
the club's technical director, and is willing to spend during the transfer
window. "I was very impressed with Gianfranco and Steve [Clarke, the
first-team coach]," Sullivan said. "Gianfranco is measured and charming to
work with and I am sure that I am going to get on with him. He has a
'can-do' attitude, but with a pragmatic approach. He can be a great
manager."
West Ham finished ninth last season, but have been let down by mistakes
during this campaign and have struggled with injuries to such an extent that
Zola was forced to field Frank Nouble, an inexperienced forward, against
Aston Villa on Sunday. "We are working to sort out the difficulties," Zola
said. "The owners have been very positive straightaway."
The manager wants two strikers — one of whom he hopes to have in place for
the Premier League match away to Portsmouth on Tuesday — and a right back,
probably Luke Young, of Aston Villa. However, the club have been told to
increase their £1.25 million bid for Benni McCarthy, the South Africa
forward who wants to leave Blackburn Rovers because of a lack of first-team
opportunities.
Sullivan has been discussing the feasibility of renting the Olympic Stadium
after the 2012 Games and officials from West Ham and the Premier League have
visited the site in recent weeks. UK Athletics has said that it would
welcome talks with the club but has stipulated that the running track must
remain, as have the Greater London Authority and the Government, to honour a
pledge made by Lord Coe during the bid.
Sullivan is against that, but there are other problems, such as the question
of who pays for the redevelopment of the stadium. The cost of reducing the
80,000-seat capacity to about 50,000 seats after the Games could be £100
million, although about £38 million of that will come from the Olympic Park
Legacy Company.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers enter Ruud race
The Sun
WEST HAM are set to battle Tottenham and Stoke for Real Madrid striker Ruud
van Nistelrooy. The ex-Manchester United star is ready to quit the Bernabeu
during the January transfer window after falling out of favour. And after
the takeover by David Sullivan and David Gold this week, the Hammers are the
latest club to be linked with Van Nistelrooy.
The new owners are desperate to bolster West Ham's firepower and have handed
boss Gianfranco Zola the transfer kitty to bring in a new hitman. According
to reports in Spain, that will be Van Nistelrooy although Blackburn's Benni
McCarthy is also on Zola's radar. Turkish side Galatasaray are keen on the
Dutchman, who scored 150 goals in 219 games in the Premier League for
United.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Zola joins race for van Nistelrooy
Published 09:49 21/01/10 By Darren Lewis
The Mirror
Gianfranco Zola has joined the race to bring Ruud van Nistelrooy back to the
Premier League. The ex-Manchester United star is ready to quit the Bernabeu
during the January transfer window after falling out of favour. And West Ham
boss Zola has been promised two strikers by the new owners Davis Gold and
David Sullivan. Despite his age, Van NIstelrooy, 34, has a formidable goals
record both in England and Spain. He joins Blackburn's Benni McCarthy and
Monaco's Eidur Gudjohnsen on Zola's shortlist. The Italian wants to bring in
two of the three players and believe they have already made significant
progress in doing so. Turkish side Galatasaray are keen on Van Nistelrooy,
who scored 150 goals in 219 games in the Premier League for United.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Zamora set for shock Fulham return this weekend to boost West Ham transfer
chances
Published 10:46 21/01/10 By James Nursey
The Mirror
Bobby Zamora is set to make a shock return to the Fulham squad this weekend
- boosting his World Cup prospects and chances of an £8million transfer.
England hopeful Zamora, 29, was ruled out for at least a month when he
injured his shoulder at Stoke on January 5. The in-form uncapped forward was
diagnosed with a dislocated collarbone in the televised defeat. But Zamora's
injury did not require surgery and he hopes to be on the bench this weekend
when Fulham visit Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup. And Zamora expects to
definitely be back for Fulham's next top-flight game against his old club
Spurs on Tuesday. It is a massive boost to Roy Hodgson's side who crashed to
defeat at lowly Blackburn without their talisman. Zamora has scored 11 goals
this term to prompt claims the Barking-born star could gate-crash England's
World Cup squad. His heroics have generated interest from former club West
Ham and Birmingham. And if Zamora resumes his fine form before the end of
the month he could be on the move for £8m. Fulham almost sold ex-Hammers ace
Zamora last summer to Hull for £5m but the forward could not agree personal
terms.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ex-Tottenham and West Ham striker Freddie Kanoute calls time on his Mali
career
By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 1:59 PM on 21st January 2010
Daily Mail
Former Tottenham and West Ham striker Fredi Kanoute has retired from
international football following Mali's exit from the African Nations Cup on
Monday. The Sevilla forward, who scored 23 goals in 38 appearances since his
debut in 2004, confirmed his decision after Mali beat Malawi 3-1 - a victory
that was meaningless as the Eagles bowed out of the competition.
FREDDIE KANOUTE FACTS AND FIGURES
West Ham (2000-2003): 33 goals/92 apps
Spurs (2003-05): 21 goals/73 apps
'That's life,' said Kanoute. 'I'm sorry I couldn't succeed in helping my
team go further at the Nations Cup, which now marks my retirement.' The
32-year-old scored twice in Angola - in the 4-4 draw against the hosts in
the opening game and in the win over the Flames - and was already back in
Spain with his club late last night. The French-born forward, who resumed
training with Sevilla today, continued: 'I can't find the words to describe
how upset I am, it really hurts me. After we were knocked out in 2008 we
really wanted to do well here. 'For my last appearance in this competition I
wanted to go as far as possible. We will now take stock of our team,' the
2007 African Footballer of the Year added.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham set to seal Eidur Gudjohnsen deal
January 21st, 2010 | Author: Paul Harper
Aboutaball.co.uk
West Ham United are believed to be close to sealing a deal to secure the
services of Icelandic forward Eidur Gudjohnsen from Monaco. The 31 year-old
has been on the radar at Upton Park for some time, having played alongside
current Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola at Chelsea, but the Premier League club
failed in an attempt to snap him up last summer when he left Barcelona to
move to France.
Gudjohnsen has failed to settle in the French principality after joining AS
Monaco just last August. He hasn't scored a single goal in his nine
appearances for Les Rouges et Blanc so far, and is now set to up sticks once
more and team up again with Zola in a return to the Premier League after
four years away from England's top flight.
Zola is a keen admirer of Gudjohnsen after enjoying a successful spell
together at Stamford Bridge. In their three seasons together up front for
the Blues, they shared the princely sum of 79 goals.
Zola has been desperately trying to get another striker through the doors of
Upton Park for some time as they look for the perfect partner for current
top goalscorer Carlton Cole. A lack of funds denied the Italian from getting
his man last summer, but following the club's takeover this week by David
Gold and David Sullivan, he has been given funds to spend in the transfer
market and looks set to bag his number one target.
The Hammers are also looking to conclude a deal for 32-year-old Blackburn
Rovers striker Benni McCarthy. The South African has been on the fringes of
Sam Allardyce's side so far this season and seems set to leave Ewood Park
during the January transfer window.
The Cape Town-born forward is hoping for more regular first-team football in
a bid to secure a place in the Bafana Bafana squad for this summer's World
Cup finals which take place in his homeland. Blackburn are said to be
looking for a fee in the region of £2.5 million for the striker, who is also
being tracked by Turkish club Galatasaray.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Posts
