WHUFC.com
West Ham United host Newcastle United in the FA Youth Cup fifth round at the
Boleyn Ground
03.02.2010
Tony Carr's Under-18 squad cannot wait for Wednesday's FA Youth Cup
fifth-round tie with Newcastle United to start, the Academy Director has
revealed. West Ham United's youngsters have won through to the last 16 with
victories over Plymouth Argyle and Queens Park Rangers, and Carr said
everyone at Little Heath is desperate to down the Magpies at the Boleyn
Ground. The cup run has coincided with an impressive upturn in form and
results for the U18s, who recovered from winning just one of their opening
eight matches to shoot up the FA Premier Academy League Group A table.
Carr's youngsters go into the tie fifth in the standings after Saturday's
visit of Charlton Athletic was postponed, while Newcastle sit fourth in
Group D after their home game with Leeds United was also called-off. "The
cup run has been a real bonus for us this season, and we are all keen for it
to continue," confirmed Carr. "It will be a great experience for the boys to
play at the stadium again and I am hoping we all rise to the occasion."
West Ham will host either Hull City or Crystal Palace in the quarter-finals,
should they overcome Newcastle, but Carr is taking nothing for granted. "We
have seen a recording of their fourth-round victory over Reading, who I have
also spoken to, so we have some idea of how they'll play and what we'll be
up against. "We will try to take the game to them and try to win it,
obviously, but it will not be easy and we will not be taking them lightly.
"Newcastle are a big club in a hotbed of football in the north east. They
can bring in players from a massive catchment area and will be strong. "I
saw that two of their players came from the Wallsend Boys Club, which is the
same club that produced Michael Carrick, so they come from good stock."
West Ham will be without midfielder Nicky Barrett, who has an ankle injury,
but left-back Jordan Brown is fit to start after recovering from a dead leg.
Newcastle, who have beaten Doncaster Rovers and Reading to reach the fifth
round, could be without Slovenian youngster Haris Vuckic, who has been out
since October with a knee injury. Kick-off on Wednesday evening is at 7pm.
Admission is £3 for adults and £1 for children, with access through the West
Stand turnstiles. For those that cannot make it to the Boleyn Ground,
whufc.com will have live text commentary from 6.45pm.
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Tomkins wins award
WHUFC.com
James Tomkins has topped the poll to find the SBOBET Player of the Month for
January
03.02.2010
James Tomkins has been voted SBOBET Player of the Month for January by users
of whufc.com. The 20-year-old centre-back had a fine start to 2010 as he
helped West Ham United to three straight Premier League draws, conceding
just one goal in the process. After picking up the man-of-the-match award
for his performance in the 0-0 draw at Aston Villa, Tomkins, playing
alongside Matthew Upson, was equally impressive in the stalemates with
Portsmouth and Blackburn Rovers. In one of the closest months of voting yet,
the England Under-21 international eventually emerged as the winner in the
poll with 31 per cent of the vote, just in front of Robert Green on 27 per
cent and Valon Behrami on 25 per cent. Tomkins becomes the fifth winner of
an SBOBET Player of the Month gong this season, following Julien Faubert,
Zavon Hines and Carlton Cole's victories in August, September and October
respectively. Scott Parker picked up the award for his performances in
November and December. Tomkins is set to be presented with his trophy at an
upcoming home game. whufc.com will have full reaction from him shortly.
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New date for Old Trafford
WHUFC.com
Fans should take note of the new date for the Barclays Premier League away
game at Manchester United
03.02.2010
West Ham United can confirm the rearranged away game at Manchester United
will now take place on Tuesday 23 February. The Old Trafford fixture will
kick-off at 8pm. It was originally scheduled for the following Saturday - 27
February - only to be postponed because of the Barclays Premier League
champions' involvement in the Carling Cup final the following day. The new
date for the home match against Wolverhampton Wanderers is yet to be
confirmed, having twice been called off in the past month. Supporters should
also take note that the Arsenal away match at the Emirates Stadium on
Saturday 20 March will get under way at 5.30pm because it will be shown live
on ESPN. Meanwhile, there is still time for fans to make sure of their place
for the visit of Birmingham City next Wednesday - a night that could see the
potential home debuts of new recruits Benni McCarthy, Mido and Araujo Ilan.
Under-16s can take advantage of the hugely popular 'Kids for a Quid' scheme.
Demand is high so supporters should move quickly to book their seats for
what promises to be a special night under the lights at the Boleyn Ground.
As well as the reduced under-16 prices, tickets for over-65s and young adult
members start from £17.50. Anyone interested should call 0871 222 2700 via
Option 1, go along to the West Stand ticket office in person or click here.
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Kids for a Quid update
WHUFC.com
The popular 'Kids for a Quid' scheme is back for the visit of Birmingham
City next week
04.02.2010
West Ham United are offering under-16s the chance to see Benni McCarthy's
first home match at the Boleyn Ground for just £1 on Wednesday 10 February.
The popular 'Kids for a Quid' scheme is in place for the visit of Birmingham
City, with the Hammers set to feature new signing McCarthy along with the
likes of England stars Robert Green, Matthew Upson, Scott Parker and Carlton
Cole. Demand is expected to be high so supporters should move quickly to
book their seats. As well as the special under-16 prices, tickets for
over-65s and young adult members start from £17.50. New joint chairmen David
Sullivan and David Gold saw their reign get off to a solid start in the
club's last outing at home, a goalless draw against Blackburn Rovers, and
will be hoping to add another three points against Birmingham - the club
they used to own until last October.
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Hammers knocked out
WHUFC.com
West Ham United U18s lost out to Newcastle United in the FA Youth Cup fifth
round on Wednesday
03.02.2010
West Ham United's FA Youth Cup challenge came to a halt at the fifth-round
stage following a 3-0 home defeat by Newcastle United. Despite making a
bright start at the Boleyn Ground on Wednesday, the Hammers found themselves
on the wrong end of goals from Jeffrey Henderson, Philip Airey and Bradden
Inman. The hosts did make a fist of things late on, with George Moncur
smashing a free-kick against the crossbar and Eoin Wearen seeing his
85th-minute penalty saved, but it is the Magpies who progress through to the
quarter-finals. Tony Carr's youngsters had dominated possession in the early
stages, but were unable to create a clear-cut opening and test Magpies
goalkeeper Jak Alnwick - the younger brother of Tottenham Hotspur stopper
Ben. England Under-17 striker Robert Hall came the closest to breaking the
deadlock, only to clip his shot wide of the far post following superb
build-up play from Jordan Brown and Wearen. Hall and strike partner Cristian
Montano then both passed up half-chances before the visitors opened the
scoring with virtually their first attack of the tie on 14 minutes. A
left-wing corner was scrambled off the line by Peter Loveday, only for the
ball to fall to defender Henderson, who smashed a low shot goalwards.
Despite the best efforts of a Hammers defender, the ball had crossed the
line before being cleared, a fact confirmed by the assistant referee.
The goal appeared to give Newcastle a confidence boost and, as the half went
on, it was the visitors who carried the greater attacking threat in front of
a 1,000-plus crowd that included Gianfranco Zola, Steve Clarke, Kevin Keen,
James Tomkins and Jack Collison. In the final moments of the half,
midfielder Greg McDermott - the son of former Liverpool player Terry - hit
the woodwork with a deflected shot before Inman headed inches wide at the
near post. The Hammers were not so fortunate early in the second period, as
Newcastle scored twice in the space of three minutes to put the tie beyond
the home side. First, Airey latched on to a through ball before slotting low
past Loveday on 49 minutes, then midfielder Inman slammed home a fine
first-time shot from 20 yards on 51. To their credit, West Ham continued to
fight and could easily have got a goal back when Moncur's 30-yard special
slammed back off the crossbar. The hosts had an even better chance to score
a consolation goal late on when Wearen's shot struck an arm, only for the
Republic of Ireland U17 midfielder to see his penalty saved by Alnwick's
legs.
Carr will be disappointed that his side could not continue their cup run,
but pleased with his players' efforts in reaching the last 16. West Ham will
return to FA Premier Academy League action at Norwich City on Saturday
morning.
West Ham United: Loveday, Modelski, Sanchez, Craig, Brown, Vose (Turgott
71), Moncur, Abdulla, Wearen, Montano (Purdy 88), Hall
Subs: Cowler, Driver, Lampe, Subuola, Fanimo
Newcastle United: Alnwick, Tavernier, McDermott, J.Henderson, Dummett,
Nzuzi, Folan, Inman, McGorrigan (Adjei 63), Airey, Newton
Subs: Robinson, L.Henderson, Page, Spear
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Hammers offer helping hand
WHUFC.com
The London Air Ambulance was an unexpected visitor to the Boleyn Ground
pitch
03.02.2010
There was an unexpected visitor to the Boleyn Ground last week when London's
Air Ambulance landed on the pitch after being called to an incident nearby.
Consultant Dr David Lockey attended the call-out in Barking Road, just
behind the stadium. He said: "We are extremely grateful to West Ham United.
Our chief pilot looked at finding another location but there really was no
alternative and he went to great lengths not to damage the pitch. "This
enabled us to attend the incident in a time critical fashion. It is vital
for us to reach the patient as quickly as possible as every second counts
and can mean the difference between life and death."
The London Air Ambulance (LAA) is a registered charity which provides senior
medical care to the victims of the capital's most serious incidents, ranging
from road accidents and falls to shootings and stabbings. Each team consists
of a specially trained trauma doctor, who can deliver life saving procedures
normally only found in hospitals, as well as a specially trained paramedic.
Last year alone, the team attended 1,741 missions like last Tuesday's. In
the past, the invaluable service has been involved in responding to a number
of London's major incidents including the Paddington Rail Crash and the 7
July terrorist attacks. The charity, whilst part funded by a grant from the
NHS and contributions from corporate sponsors, is also dependent on
donations from the general public. You can help to keep the service in the
sky by logging on to www.londonsairambulance.com to donate or to sign up for
the LAA lottery. Or, if you're feeling a little more active, get involved
with the next fundraising event, The Spitalfields Pancake Race, which is at
12.30pm on 16 February.
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Thumbs-up for Double Ds
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 3rd February 2010
By: Staff Writer
KUMB.com readers have backed the club's January transfer window deals by an
overwhelming majority. Just THREE per cent of voters have thus far declared
themselves unhappy with the club's business during the window, which closed
at 5pm on Monday afternoon. West Ham signed three players during January -
Benni McCarthy from Blackburn for £2.5million, Mido on loan from
Middlesbrough until the end of the current season and former St Etienne
striker Ilan on a free transfer for a similar period. However it was the
board's decision not to sell any of the team's best players that was
considered to be the biggest coup, with the likes of Matthew Upson told by
the new owners that they would be going nowhere until the summer, at least.
The result is perhaps no surprise given that the club went into the transfer
window penniless and in need of raising £8million through player sales - a
situation that changed immediately once Sullivan and Gold confirmed their
purchase of the club on 19th January. With around £8million earmarked for
player purchases Gianfranco Zola managed to spend less than a third on
transfer fees, although the remainder of that warchest is likely to be
available in the summer, should the Irons manage to preserve their Premier
League status.
The main brunt of disappointment for those voting negatively was the failure
to strengthen in defence, particularly at full-back. West Ham have been
playing Julien Faubert, a natural winger at right back all season whilst the
right-sided Jonathan Spector has filled in on the left during the absence of
United's only senior left-back, Herita Ilunga.
Tranfer Window Business
Ins: Benni McCarthy (Blackburn, £2.5m); Mido (Middlesbrough, loan); Ilan
(free transfer).
Outs: Nigel Quashie (free transfer); Luis Jimenez (loan cancelled).
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Hammers won't break bank for duo
West Ham could sell Green and Upson
Last updated: 3rd February 2010
SSN
West Ham insist they will not break the bank to retain star keeper Rob Green
and captain Matthew Upson. The duo have 18 months left on their existing
Upton Park deals and both are yet to agree on extended terms. Hammers' new
co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan have already hinted the pair could
be sold in the summer unless they sign extended contracts. Gold insists
their immediate priority was to strengthen in order to maintain their top
flight status, having brought in the likes of Mido, Benni McCarthy and
Brazilian forward Ilan before the window closed. West Ham's hierarchy will
now sit down and look at contract proposals, however, Gold insists West Ham
will not be dishing out lucrative deals that they cannot afford. "Our
priority was to work hard until the transfer window closed," Gold told the
Daily Star. "We wanted to get a few players in. Now we've done that we have
to ensure Premier League survival. "We can now sit down and look at players'
contracts. With regards to Upson and Green, it depends on our finances. "We
will do everything we can to retain our best players, but at the same time
we can't spend money we don't have."
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Sullivan: we'll make West Ham great again
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 3rd February 2010
By: Staff Writer
David Sullivan has told West Ham supporters that the good times are on the
way - but not in the immediate future. Speaking in an interview with the
BBC's HARDtalk programme, the club's joint owner said that it would take
'three to four years' to relieve the club of its huge debt, and a further
three before he could see the Irons challenging for a Champions League
position on a regular basis.
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Sullivan in Dyer hint
Hammers supremo believes midfielder should call it a day
Last updated: 4th February 2010
SSN
West Ham co-chairman David Sullivan has suggested Kieron Dyer should
consider retiring from football. Dyer has played just 18 games for West Ham
since joining the club in the summer of 2007 for £6million. The 31-year-old
is currently recovering from a niggling hamstring injury and it is unknown
when he will be available for Gianfranco Zola's side
Sullivan, who took control of West Ham last month with David Gold, has now
suggested that Dyer should retire as part of a series of drastic
cost-cutting measures being undertaken at Upton Park under the new regime.
Sullivan, who has slammed the running of the club under their former owners,
did not name Dyer, but all indications suggest he was talking about the
former Newcastle man. "There is one player who hardly plays at all who might
have to accept retirement," Sullivan is quoted as saying in the Daily
Telegraph. Sullivan admits they have no choice but to cut costs at Upton
Park as they look to deal with the club's £110million debt. "We have to cut
some overheads, staff who are on the administration side and support staff
for the team and work down the contracts we have inherited which are
terrible," added Sullivan. On players' contracts, Sullivan noted: "We cannot
rip them up under football league rules, you are stuck with these contracts.
We have to let them run down or do deals with players."
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Jimenez aims dig at Prem
Midfielder glad to be back in Italy
By Simone Bargellini Last updated: 3rd February 2010
SSN
Luis Jimenez has taken a swipe at the Premier League after an unsuccessful
spell at West Ham. The Inter Milan midfielder joined the Hammers on a
season-long loan in the summer, but the Chilean international had his deal
at Upton Park cut short on transfer deadline day as he joined Parma for the
remainder of their campaign. And Jimenez, who scored just once in 11
appearances for Gianfranco Zola's strugglers, admitted he was glad to be
back in Serie A - a league he claims is more "complete" than its English
counterpart. "I want to thank FC Parma who brought me back in Italian
league," the 25-year-old said after being unveiled to the Italian media. "I
hope to do very well - I don't promise anything, but I came here to do my
best and give my contribution to this group, a team that has good players
and an excellent staff. "I'm sure we can make a good final (part of the)
season. One of my privileges is to give quality to the game of Parma and I
hope to showcase the qualities that led me to Inter."
Of the experience in England, Jimenez added: "Football there is a bit
different from the Italian football, and after six months in England I would
say that Italian football is much more complete. "They play also at
Christmas and on the 1st of New Year ... For me, football is not everything,
but much also depends on environment." But Jimenez was keen to add that he
has no ill feeling towards Zola, saying: "Gianfranco Zola has told me much
of Parma and wished me good luck." Jimenez is expected to go straight into
the Parma squad for their trip to Palermo on Saturday.
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Sullivan: 'West Ham was like a charity' - Exclusive
Published 22:50 03/02/10 By James Nursey
The Mirror
David Sullivan reckons West Ham was run like "a charity" after lifting the
lid on the secret excesses at Upton Park. Sullivan, 61, and business partner
David Gold, 73, became joint chairmen of the Hammers last month after buying
a controlling 50 per cent stake for £50million. And Sullivan immediately
disclosed the staggering £110m debt at Upton Park. But the Essex-based
tycoon is acting quickly by introducing drastic cost-cutting measures.
Already vice-chairman Karren Brady has ordered an initial round of cuts and
taken on the FA to get compensation for England striker Dean Ashton
retiring. Now club mobile phones are being cut off and credit cards
destroyed after a member of staff spent £10,000 a month on restaurants and
hotels. "Economies have to be made," Sullivan told MirrorFootball .
"Unfortunately this is a business in trouble and the club is £110m in debt.
"You can't run it as a benevolent charity, which is how it has been run. "In
most businesses there is waste and we are addressing that. "But it is a slow
process because people have contracts and there are agreements in place and
it takes time."
The new regime's cutbacks have seen Hammers' chief executive Scott Duxbury
resign. West Ham's technical director Gianluca Nani, a close pal of manager
Gianfranco Zola, is expected to leave later this month. The club have also
suspended the wages of £20,000-a-week defender Calum Davenport, who is in
court charged with assaulting his sister ,and the star will only get his
backdated money if he is found not guilty. Sullivan has confirmed the club
has also stopped paying annual £40,000-a-year retainers to popular
ex-players like Tony Cottee for matchday work. He has experience of turning
around a cash-strapped club after inheriting Birmingham in a mess in 1993
before selling up last year for £80m to Carson Yeung. And Sullivan is trying
to build a close rapport with fans after going to meet the club's box
holders on Tuesday. Sullivan added: "We have people at West Ham on three
times the money as people at Birmingham, and they're not as good. "We have
cut everyone's company credit cards up. "We had one member of staff whose
credit card bill was £10,000 a month - mostly on restaurants and hotels.
"Now when they spend money, people have to claim it and justify it to the
club. "There are110 mobile phones paid by the club, and that will be cut to
40. "And we have axed a few ambassadors because the club quite simply
couldn't afford to pay huge retainers. "On a match-by-match basis we are
still bringing in four or five old players and paying them per game. "But
what we can't afford to do is pay big annual retainers for people to be
ambassadors, because we don't think it is cost effective for the club."
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Mido is just grand for West Ham owner David Sullivan
Metro.co.uk
Mido is determined to show he can have a long-term future at West Ham after
chairman David Sullivan revealed the Egypt striker has joined on a 'token'
wage. The Hammers completed a deal on Monday to take Mido on loan from
Middlesbrough, the 26-year-old having had a spell at Egyptian club Zamalek
since August. He has joined on wages of £1,000 per week, putting him at the
bottom end of the Premier League pay scale. Sullivan, who also revealed the
club missed out on signing Tottenham striker Robbie Keane who opted to join
Celtic on loan instead, said: 'He [Mido] can earn £50,000-a-week staying
where he is or going back to Boro, but he has come to us because he wants to
prove himself in the Premier League and play for West Ham.' As for Keane,
Sullivan added: 'It would have worked out at £105,000 a week for the rest of
this season, as well as a transfer fee. 'We cannot afford it.'
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Tony Cascarino: Mido & McCarthy 'Shrewd' Signings for West Ham
New FootballPools.com
West Ham did what they had to do on the last day of the transfer window and
brought in strikers. The three new arrivals were shrewd moves in so much as
they will make an impact but the Hammers have not broken the bank to sign
them. Gianfranco Zola needed bodies up front and now he has them.
Mido is a strange player, a lot will depend on his fitness as it has done
throughout his career. He seems to join a new club make an impact then eats
all the pies. I have never seen a player's weight fluctuate quite as much as
the Egyptian's. One he gets himself out of shape and unfit then he is moved
on, at times at both Middlesbrough and Wigan he was enormous which is
unacceptable at this level. Despite this, the boy has talent and he is there
to make an impact and he should do just that even if it is in the
short-term.
West Ham are in a desperate situation so they had to go out and get strikers
in and there was little risk in this deal seeing as though Mido is only on
loan and a 'token' wage. Benni McCarthy arrived from Blackburn and I don't
see this a bad signing at all. The South African may have been struggling
for goals and games at Blackburn but that is hardly surprising the way they
play. If you are a striker for Blackburn playing away from home, you have
little to no chance of getting a goal.
McCarthy will prefer playing in the Hammers side than with his old club who
play a very strange style which isn't condusive to strikers. The fact that
Big Sam Allardyce didn't fancy him as a player doesn't necessarily mean he
won't do the business for West Ham. Managers see players differently and one
thing you cannot take away from Zola is that he's improved nearly every
player that's worked under him at Upton Park.
These arrivals may not send the pulses racing for West Ham fans but Zola
needed numbers up front and now he has them. The fact that little money was
spent in the process is very shrewd too. The Hammers are in a desperate
situation but I honestly cannot see them going down especially now they have
more options up top.
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West Ham hope to solve Olympic stadium legacy problem
By Olly Foster
BBC Sport
It is almost impossible to report on any aspect of the 2012 Olympics without
using the dreaded 'L' word. When the London Games were won, it was off the
back of a bid promise to the International Olympic Committee that the
month-long Olympics and Paralympics jamboree would increase national
sporting participation and transform a bit of the capital's East End
wasteland - to provide a 'legacy'. And down the road, West Ham's new owners
saw a business opportunity. David Gold, who along with David Sullivan took
over the Hammers in January, said: "It's a perfect fit. Take us on board,
make us partners in a new adventure and have a legacy that could last 100
years." London's Olympic organisers will like that kind of language from
Gold, he uses the 'L' word. The ink was barely dry on his takeover at Upton
Park before he resurrected the proposal of West Ham moving into the Olympic
Stadium. The cartwheels at Canary Wharf, Lord Coe's London 2012 HQ, did not
last long as Hammers' co-owner Sullivan expanded on their stadium plans.
Sullivan said: "He (Lord Coe) can have an athletics track elsewhere. The
bigger dream is for West Ham fans to have a football stadium. "It may be
cheaper to build a running track somewhere else. I don't think running
tracks work, particularly behind the goal''. A compromise will have to be
reached.
Former Olympic triple jump champion and world record-holder Jonathan Edwards
is involved with 2012 as an athlete representative. He was speaking on
Tuesday evening at the third anniversary party of StreetGames, a national
community sport programme. It calls itself legacy leaders, but, for all the
good it is doing on limited resources, post-2012, the legacy will be
immediately judged by the Olympic site, the facilities left behind and who
is going to use the half-billion pound Olympic Stadium. With the budget
already bursting, can the organisers really afford not to break their
promise to the IOC? "I would hope there's a solution both ways," Edwards
told me. "Yes, you do want a sustainable stadium and perhaps a football club
is a great way of doing that. But, equally we have committed to the IOC,
IAAF, and Seb Coe in particular that we would have an athletics legacy.
"I think there can be a solution where you use it as a football stadium and
an athletics stadium. "I think there are examples around the world. But what
is non-negotiable is that there will be an athletics legacy."
The two Davids at West Ham will not appreciate that kind of language but, by
the time any negotiations do start, a new government may be involved. Hugh
Robertson is the shadow sports minister and a Chelsea fan who may prove to
be a useful ally for the east Londoners. "We have to admit that the original
plan is not really viable," said Robertson. "The concept of a world-class
athletics facility and some sort of community use is not going to make that
stadium pay for a long time into the future. "What we should be doing now is
deciding the economic criteria on which we're going to base the future of
the stadia and inviting bids from everybody and I'm very much hoping that
West Ham will be a part of that. "Then we need to have a proper evaluation
of those bids and make a decision afterwards. "That's the basis on which we
solved the Dome (now the O2 arena) and that should be exactly the same basis
on which we decide the use of the Olympic Stadium."
Robertson is an 'L' man as well though. He was involved in the original bid
and would not let West Ham rip up the athletics track. "Mr Gold and Mr
Sullivan want to go down to the stadium before they start making too many
remarks like that," said Robertson. "If you go and stand in the middle of
the Olympic stadium you'll realise the sightlines are way above those 80s
and 90s stadia where the running track made the football a very long way
away from the spectators. "There's a bit of a neurosis among Premier League
clubs about this and I think you can overcome this at the Olympic Stadium
because it's so much more of a modern stadium and there are technical things
you can do with the seating that will overcome that. "I really don't think
that this is a deal breaker in any way shape or form it just requires a
little common sense," Robertson added.
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£60,000-a-week Kieron Dyer should retire, says West Ham chairman David
Sullivan
West Ham co-chairman David Sullivan has said Kieron Dyer should consider
retiring from football.
Telegraph.co.uk
By Jason Burt
Published: 7:00AM GMT 04 Feb 2010
Kieron Dyer, who has been plagued by injuries throughout his career , The 31
year-old midfielder has been plagued with injuries throughout his career,
and particularly since he moved to West Ham United, who he joined in the
summer of 2007 for £6 million. His latest setback is a persistent hamstring
injury which means that the former England international has played just 18
times for West Ham, who have struggled with a crippling wage bill, having
also broken his leg soon after moving to the club. West Ham have been
sympathetic but there is a growing frustration at the club that Dyer is
earning £60,000-a-week and they have had little return for their investment.
There was an inquiry from Ipswich Town, Dyer's first club, which was
encouraged by West Ham but it's understood the player has been demanding a
£1 million pay-off. Even then it's unclear whether he could pass a medical.
Sullivan, who took control of West Ham earlier this month with business
partner David Gold, has now suggested that Dyer should retire as part of a
series of drastic cost-cutting measures being undertaken at the Premier
League club. Sullivan, who has spoken out about the inflated contracts
awarded at West Ham by the former chairman Eggert Magnusson, did not name
Dyer. He said: "There is one player who hardly plays at all who might have
to accept retirement." Sullivan went on to add that the player earned
"£60-70,000 a week".
Unquestionably he was referring to Dyer while he went on to talk about the
recent retirement of Dean Ashton who was forced out of the game by his
chronic ankle problems. "There is one player who has accepted retirement but
we have to give him one year's money," Sullivan said. It's understood that
West Ham's vice-chairman, Karren Brady, is carrying out swingeing cuts at
the club which is set to include the departure or technical director
Gianluca Nani who was not involved in any of the transfer dealings that took
place during January. Instead Sullivan helped negotiate the deals while
using agents Barry Silkman and Willie McKay. "We have to cut some overheads,
staff who are on the administration side and support staff for the team and
work down the contracts we have inherited which are terrible," Sullivan
said. Club doctors, technical staff and even West Ham's football in the
community officer are under threat. Of the playing contracts, he said: "We
cannot rip them up under football league rules, you are stuck with these
contracts. We have to let them run down or do deals with players."
Two players whose futures at West Ham are in doubt are Robert Green and
Matthew Upson. Both have less than 18 months left on their contracts and
have stalled on talks over extensions to their deals. It appears that both
are likely to leave in the summer with Green, apparently, keen to try and
find an overseas club while Upson is determined to play in the Champions
League, if possible.
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Salary cap can end wage 'madness', says West Ham's David Sullivan•
Otherwise I just don't see an end to it', says co-chairman
Club had offered Ruud van Nistelrooy £100,000 a week
Dave Middleton
guardian.co.uk, Thursday 4 February 2010 Article history
West Ham United's co-owner David Sullivan has reignited the debate over a
salary cap in the Premier League, saying it may be the only solution to the
"madness" of current top-flight wages.
Sullivan, who along with David Gold bought 50% of West Ham last month for
£52.5m, said the salaries were "bad for football" and hit out at the
imbalance created by the spending power of the billionaire owners of
Manchester City and Chelsea.
"Maybe the ultimate solution would be a salary cap," said Sullivan. "I've
always been against it but I'm starting to swing towards it, as they have in
American football. Other than that I just don't see an end to it – of wages
out of all proportion to the turnover of the clubs. Somehow there should be
some sort of control."
Sullivan's comments are certain to raise an eyebrow following the Hammer's
audacious bid to secure the services of the Holland and Real Madrid striker
Ruud van Nistelrooy for £100,000 a week last month. After that attempt
failed, West Ham were able to land the Egyptian striker Mido on loan from
Middlesbrough with a wage deal of just £1,000 a week. "Mido … doesn't need
the money but he wants to prove something in England, so he is willing to
play for £1,000 a week," Sullivan said earlier this week.
The West Ham co-chairman said he only invested in the club because he was a
supporter, describing its financial situation as a "serious mess" which be
blamed on "the crazy wages the Icelandics [the previous owners] were
paying".
Sullivan, speaking to the BBC News Hardtalk programme, said players were
looking to maximise income in their relatively short careers. "Players are
driven by their agents – some are very nice people, some are greedy," he
said.
"There's no loyalty to the local club or the club they play for. Most of
them will just move, particularly foreign players, for more money. You've
got to take the players off the pedestal and realise they are employees.
They're doing a job every supporter would like to be doing and they have to
give something back to the badge."
Sullivan also reiterated his fear that a Premier League club could go into
administration this season. "It's possible that a club, where their football
debts exceed the value of the club, would cease to exist," he said.
"There are many other clubs who have very, very heavily borrowed against
future television income. It gives them a one-off lift but then you have to
keep borrowing and borrowing in the future. And if you're relegated it's a
disaster because your television money is halved. Everyone is terrified of
being relegated and the parachute payment probably isn't big enough. As a
result they spend every penny they've got on players to keep them in the
division."
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Mido's gesture shouldn't get lost in the crowd
Posted by Antony Melvin at 08:01 AM in Transfer rumours, Transfer
speculation, Transfers, West Ham United | Permalink
Squarefootball.net
West Ham's late moves in the transfer market did not include some badly
needed defensive midfield cover or even a full-back (have the Hammers had a
full-back since Dicks took up golf?) but they did get three cheap forwards.
The three players came coated with distinctly different flavours of
desperation.
Benni McCarthy is a good player who probably needs a change of scenery and
with his experience and ability is no real gamble at about £3m. With regular
games he could well bag 5 or 6 crucial goals in the run-in to keep West Ham
in the division.
What the thinking behind the signing of Brazilian free-agent Ilan is I'm not
sure; in all probability he is on a pay-as-you-play deal and so will cost
very little when his three substitute appearances are costed at the end of
the season.
Finally the nomadic Mido arrived on a reported £1000 per week - which is the
kind of wages that top Blue Square Premier League can earn - but rarely four
leagues higher. Mido is still only 26 but has had time to play in most of
Europe's top leagues, Spain (Celta Vigo), Holland (Ajax), Italy (Roma),
France (Marseille) and England (Tottenham, Middlesbrough, Wigan and now West
Ham). That he hasn't stuck with any of these many teams explains why he has
recently been playing in Cairo for El Zamalek - and also possibly why he is
willing to play for little more than expenses (for a footballer that is).
After eight clubs in Europe this is probably Mido's last real chance in a
top league. And one thing that is in West Ham's favour is that the standard
Mido signing usually generates a few goals before his seemingly inevitable
falling out with the coaching staff and subsequent demand to leave.
If Mido can chip in with three or four goals and give Carlton Cole a
breather in the last 20 minutes of a few matches then moving for the
Egyptian will not be considered a gamble.
One article that I read played a few liberties with positions and experience
to suggest that West Ham now had 10 strikers - Mido, llan and McCarthy plus
Carlton Cole, Allesandro Diamanti, Frank Nouble, Guillermo Franco, Savio
Nsereko, Zavon Hines and Freddie Sears. But once you strip out the kids and
the injuries and accept that the Hammers may need the odd wide player it
looks like a new forward line of McCarthy and Cole will be formed and Mido
could well be the first reserve - probably as an impact sub when Cole tires.
If you add up the forwards it might look as though Mido won't get a game,
but the man is clearly hungry (you only have to look at the pictures) and
also probably knows that this may well be his last chance. I wouldn't back
against him bagging three or four goals - especially given his prodigious
heading ability and helping West Ham steer clear of trouble on the way.
Some cynics would then suggest that he would subsequently sign a contract,
punch a ball-boy, fall-out with the manager and retire before Christmas -
but I won't.
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McCarthy will be motivated for Saturday
8:49am Wednesday 3rd February 2010
Lancashire Telegraph.co.uk
WHEN Benni McCarthy steps out for his West Ham debut at Burnley on Saturday,
Clarets fans should expect him to be suitably motivated. Because, it seems,
he has always dreamed of playing for the Hammers. McCarthy is the man who
walked out on Blackburn Rovers last week. Such is football now, he was
promptly rewarded for such upstanding behaviour with a move to West Ham and,
in all likelihood, a rather favourable signing-on fee. There was no
punishment – save for having to spend the next four months playing alongside
Mido, in what is surely likely to be the mardiest strike force in Premier
League history. When he was unveiled at Upton Park, McCarthy revealed that
he was both 'very pleased and extremely happy', as if the second cliche had
in some way expanded on the first. Then he really went for it. "This is a
great club," he said, most sincerely. "The reason why I am happy that it has
finally happened is because about five years ago I had a disappointing
experience when I thought I was going to be a West Ham player until Porto
pulled out and I had to go back. "I would have loved this to be my first
Premier League club. I went to Blackburn instead but West Ham kept on
pursuing me and eventually I am here."
We cannot help but feel we might have heard all of this before. Operation
charm is well and truly underway, but history suggests McCarthy should be
judged on actions rather than words. The initial enthusiasm is always
forthcoming, but Rovers and Porto both know it is rarely sustained. It is a
great shame that two of Rovers' most famous names of recent years have left
in grating fashion. Roque Santa Cruz's exit, with his ceaseless pining for
Manchester City, was galling enough. But perhaps we should just be grateful
that the Paraguayan bothered to turn up for work each day. That, it seemed,
was too much to ask of McCarthy. Sadly, such underhand tactics worked.
Rovers opted to get rid and take their chances on finding a replacement -
something they ultimately could not do. It will be no surprise if McCarthy
scores against Burnley at Turf Moor. If he does, he will no doubt be both
'very pleased and extremely happy'. A change is as good as a holiday, they
say. After the events of the last week or so, McCarthy is in a good position
to compare.
You can comment here :
http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/4886823.McCarthy_will_be_motivate
d_for_Saturday/?ref=rss
Or even call or mail the author of this piece : Chris Flanagan - Sports
writer ( allegedly ) Email: chris.flanagan@lancashire.newsquest.co.uk
Telephone: 01254 298 221
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