WHUFC.com
West Ham United can confirm Luis Boa Morte has put pen to paper on a new
contract
17.06.2010
Luis Boa Morte has signed a new two-year contract at West Ham United and is
ready to play his part in what promises to be an exciting season for the
club. The Portugal attacker could have left the Boleyn Ground with the
expiry of his previous deal this summer, but has been rewarded following his
full recovery from a knee injury. Having scored on his return to action on
the final day of the last campaign against Manchester City, he is raring to
give his all for the Hammers once more. "I am delighted to sign the contract
and can't wait to get started," Boa Morte told whufc.com. "The new manager
Avram Grant is going to play an attacking style and I hope to get involved
in that. I am very happy to be at West Ham and look forward to scoring more
goals and doing everything I can for the team."
Boa Morte returned from a whole season on the sidelines after being hurt in
July 2009 to turn in a superb display in that 1-1 draw against City, with
his strike the first he has scored at the Boleyn Ground. He was given a
rapturous response from the supporters who appreciated his all-action
display. He added: "To be honest, I did have more options and more offers
from other people but I wanted to stay here. When the season finished, a few
clubs came to me about signing for them but West Ham believed in me and
things are looking positive here. "We have a new manager and I have seen he
has done good things with Chelsea and Portsmouth, reaching major finals
twice. The fans also had an impact on my decision to stay and I look forward
to playing for them again."
Boa Morte, who has played 81 times for the club since joining from Fulham
back in January 2007, admitted he had experienced tough times previously but
had always remained up for the claret and blue challenge. "Whatever things
have happened I have always been up for the fight and never turned my face
away from bad things. "In life you need to fight to win and achieve your
targets. That is what I am going to do, I am going to keep fighting. Now
that I have signed with the club for another two years I am going to do my
best for everyone. "It was sad what happened last season but I always had
confidence that I could come back. I have worked hard to get into shape.
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger and I am ready to give everything I
can. "I feel very good. The summer has been good, I have been working a
little bit and everything is OK. I want to have a good start to the season
and hit the ground running. My target is to do my best for the club. "We
want to have a good season and we should be aiming to try and get European
football. If you compete in your own league that's great but we would like
to do more. It is nice to compete against teams from other countries, get
different knowledge of the game and give the fans plenty to get excited
about."
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Scott Parker exclusive
WHUFC.com
The Hammer of the Year has given his thoughts on the latest goings-on at
West Ham United
17.06.2010
Scott Parker may be enjoying a deserved summer break but the launch of the
2010/11 fixtures and new faces at the club has turned thoughts firmly to the
forthcoming campaign.
While the FIFA World Cup is dominating the back pages, it has also been a
busy summer at the Boleyn Ground, with new manager Avram Grant and Germany
midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger the first of what is expected to be a series
of high-profile arrivals. With extensive experience in this country and
abroad, Parker believes the presence of both will be of great benefit to the
club. "I have not met the new manager yet, but obviously he has impressed
the Chairmen with the very good jobs he has done at other clubs," Parker
told whufc.com. "I am looking forward to meeting Avram and talking to him
about his ideas and what he wants to bring to the club. "I remember playing
against Thomas when he was with Villa and he has got a very good shot on
him. He is a very good addition to the squad. Players like Thomas can only
improve us and are the type we all want to see coming in."
Before pre-season training starts on 5 July, Parker is enjoying some time
out with his family. The Hammer of the Year just missed out on the final
England squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup but his omission has a silver
lining. Not only will the 29-year-old have the opportunity to put his feet
up following a draining 2009/10 campaign, but he will also enjoy some
much-valued quality time with his wife and three young sons. "My summers
have changed so much since I was younger! Before I had children, I used to
go away for the whole summer, but now things are different. As anyone who
has children knows, you have to be there to take them to school and pick
them up and your plans have to fit around their school holidays. "Basically,
I'll be trying to recharge my batteries and have some time to relax with my
family before preparing to return for pre-season and get ready for the new
season."
While he is naturally disappointed to have missed out on playing at the
World Cup, Parker has been keeping a close eye on events in South Africa -
including club-mate Robert Green's unfortunate error against the United
States on Saturday. As a fellow professional and a friend, the midfielder is
confident the goalkeeper has all the mental and physical tools needed to put
the incident behind him. "As everybody has said and Rob has said himself, he
has made a mistake and he has fronted up. I heard someone say that, in
football, midfielders or centre-backs make umpteen mistakes in a game, but
they rarely lead to goals for the other team. When you play in goal, one
mistake in a game can be a massive deal. "I have played with Rob for three
years now and I know he will be able to handle it. Everybody knows what a
good goalkeeper he is and I am sure he will be able to come back and he will
be fine. "Rob has got bundles of experience and been around the game at the
top level for a long time. He is a mature character and I am sure he has got
his way of dealing with things."
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Hitz ready for Villa return
WHUFC.com
Thomas Hitzlsperger will kick-off his West Ham United career at former club
Aston Villa on 14 August
18.06.2010
If Thomas Hitzlsperger could not wait for his West Ham United debut, the
Barclays Premier League fixture computer has only whetted his appetite even
more. As so often happens in football, the Hammers have been paired with the
Germany international midfielder's former club Aston Villa on the season's
opening day. Understandably, the 28-year-old is desperate to turn out at
Villa Park on 14 August, five years after making the last of his 114 Villans
appearance in a 2-1 home defeat by Manchester City on 7 May 2005. "It's
funny - you know sometimes these things don't surprise you, because you
think it might happen! I am looking forward to it, be good to go back there.
I made over 100 appearances for them in the time I was there and it was
great, but I am looking forward to going there as a West Ham player and
helping my new club to hopefully get a good result."
Following their trip up the M6 to Birmingham, the Hammers face an intriguing
opening few weeks to the season, with champions Chelsea and Tottenham
Hotspur both visiting the Boleyn Ground and a visit to Manchester United
also on the agenda. Having spent five seasons in English football,
Hitzlsperger cannot wait to lock horns with the nation's top sides once
again. "These are matches that stand out of course for many people,
supporters, but all games I am looking forward to. They are tough opponents
because they are the best teams in the league but we will take every game as
it comes, whoever we are playing and I am just looking forward to playing
everyone we come up against."
The announcement of the fixtures is yet another warning that the 2010/11
campaign is rapidly approaching, with the season now just eight weeks away.
With pre-season training getting under way on Monday 5 July, Hitzlsperger is
anxious to get down to work after an injury-hit past few months. "It is
still a little way off yet I know [the new season] but I am getting a little
impatient now for it to all start. I am looking forward to meeting the
manager and my new team-mates and for pre-season to begin and then for the
season to start. "I signed and when it is this time of the year there is
then a wait for everything to start, but now the fixtures are out, it is
exciting, I can't wait to get started as a West Ham player."
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McNaughton signs up
WHUFC.com
Academy graduate Callum McNaughton has signed his first professional
contract
18.06.2010
West Ham United Academy graduate Callum McNaughton has agreed his first
professional contract with the club. The 18-year-old centre-back endured an
injury-hit 2009/10 season, with an ankle problem restricting him to just 12
FA Premier Academy League games. McNaughton battled back to fitness and
ended the campaign strongly, making three appearances for the reserves and
showing the promise that first brought him to the club four years ago.
Blessed with height, power and good passing ability, the teenager has agreed
a one-year deal and is now focused on taking the next step towards becoming
a Barclays Premier League footballer. "I am absolutely delighted,"
McNaughton told WHUTV. "I've been thinking about this for a long time and
been really anxious in the build-up to it, so I'm over the moon with it,
really. "I'm a centre-back. I'm tall and like heading the ball and don't
mind the dirty work. I just enjoy the game, really. I've been here since I
was 14. I was originally a centre midfielder, but at the age of 16 I moved
to centre-back and it's really gone well for me there. "It's a dream come
true as I never wanted to do anything else. All the hard work I put in has
paid off. The hard work starts again now, but to get this done is a great
achievement and I'm looking to push on again. It's massive."
While the presence of Matthew Upson, Manuel da Costa, Danny Gabbidon,
Jonathan Spector, James Tomkins and Jordan Spence means competition for
places in Avram Grant's squad will be fierce, McNaughton is determined to
make his presence felt. "I want to go as far as possible. I'm not putting
any limits on myself. I'm injury-free now and just want to go for the top.
"I definitely feel I have the attributes to follow in their footsteps. I'll
be around them a lot more next season, so I'm sure that'll be really good
for me. I really believe in myself and am looking to challenge them. "I want
to be a regular for the reserves this season but I want to push for the
first team, I'm not going to lie! Maybe I'll go out on loan somewhere and
get some first-team experience, but I want to push for the first team here
definitely."
While he is looking to the future, the defender also had words of thanks for
Academy Director Tony Carr, whose achievements were recognised by being made
an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List at the weekend. "Tony is really
good. His reputation speaks for itself, but to be around him every day, you
can tell he is really passionate about football and that's what you want. He
cares about it, motivates you a lot and is a really great manager."
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Shaka says
WHUFC.com
Shaka Hislop offers his unique view on the FIFA World Cup and the England
goalkeeping debate
18.06.2010
Almost exactly four years ago, England faced Trinidad and Tobago in their
second group-stage fixture at the 2006 FIFA World Cup. For 83 long minutes
in Nuremburg, all that stood between the Three Lions and a second
consecutive victory was West Ham United goalkeeper Shaka Hislop.
Unfortunately for the big stopper, late goals from Peter Crouch and Steven
Gerrard all but ended the tiny Caribbean nation's World Cup dreams. Four
years on and Hislop has swapped the penalty area for the television studio,
covering matches for US-based broadcaster ESPN International. Now 41, the
former Hammers favourite is in South Africa working as an expert summariser
and pundit. whufc.com caught up with the man who made 157 appearances for
the club to discuss the World Cup, the England goalkeeping situation and
West Ham.
Shaka, how are you enjoying the 2010 World Cup and what are you up to in
South Africa?
"It's really nice. It's a little bit cooler than I'd have liked but it's
going really well. I'm working ESPN International and we're doing a couple
of shows. One is South Africa Nightly which goes out on ESPN UK and Press
Pass, which is a show that we normally do five days a week, 52 weeks a year,
and goes out in virtually all ESPN's international territories bar the US."
Has it been a different type of experience to when you attended Germany 2006
as a player?
"It's been good fun. It's good to be here on the ground. I am getting to
enjoy the whole atmosphere around the tournament. As a player, we stayed in
a little town in the north of Germany and came into the towns just for the
games. We were bussed straight in and bussed straight back out.
"You don't really get to interact with the fans or experience the country or
the tournament. I admit, I had friends and family who came to Germany and we
thoroughly enjoyed the experience of mixing with people from all over the
world, but as a player you are kept very much apart from that.
"Here, I am experiencing some of it but not as much as I would like, I
freely admit, because of our recording schedule. I can't stray too far from
where our studios are, but it's good to be on the ground and talking to
people here.
"With it being the first World Cup in Africa, it is good to speak to them
about their expectations around their teams. It's good to interact with
everybody and get a real feel for the tournament and what it means to the
fans."
Shaka Hislop
How special has it been for South Africa and the continent of Africa as a
whole to host the World Cup for the first time?
"South Africa is into a number of different sports, most notably rugby and
cricket, but everybody has rallied around Bafana Bafana for this World Cup.
"That has come as the expectations have grown with this team. At the back
end of last year, this team couldn't buy a win, but they appointed Carlos
Alberto Parriera and up until the game against Uruguay, South Africa had
been undefeated in 2010.
"The team was playing with confidence and the fans were really starting to
appreciate that and their confidence grew. There is a real sense of history
being made here with a World Cup being held in Africa and everybody has
embraced that side of it as well."
You know both Robert Green and your old West Ham team-mate David James very
well, so which one would you start in goal for England against Algeria on
Friday evening?
"I have to admit, when I saw Rob Green starting, I assumed that David James
was injured, but there were rumours coming out of the camp saying otherwise.
"Certainly for me, David is a bigger character. This is a harsh stage to
learn your lessons on. Rob Green is a talented goalkeeper but doesn't have
the experience, certainly at international level, that David does.
"As he found out in the first game, mistakes at this level and particularly
in the World Cup, are very difficult to take and hard to swallow. I think
he'll be a better goalkeeper in the long run, but certainly at the moment it
is something he'll have to come to terms with."
The World Cup seems to have sprung to life in the second round of
group-stage matches. Why do you think that is?
"I have always felt that the first games are less exciting, attacking
affairs. We have been looking at the stats of winning, losing or drawing
your first game and how it affects your chance of going through. I think 86
per cent of those who win their first game go through to the second round,
while it drops down to eight per cent for those who lose their first game.
"I always felt that people play for a draw in their first games. What
happens is that they want to win, but it's more important not to lose and we
saw that. With a few exceptions - Australia being beaten by Germany 4-0 -
they were very cagey, very defensive affairs. Teams hoped to defend well and
catch the other team on the break and get more than they could have
imagined.
"The second games are where it really starts to open up because they need to
get three points on the board. They can't leave things to chance with only
one game to go after this one. It is always the second game where the
tournament really starts to open up and you start to see teams play."
Shaka Hislop
Back here in England, West Ham have a new manager and expect to bring in a
few new faces ahead of the 2010/11 season. What do you think the future
holds for your old club?
"West Ham will always be a very special place for me - the way the club is
run, the history behind the club and the playing mentality are what the fans
want to see.
"I've met Avram Grant on a couple of occasions and he is a wonderful man. I
hope he does a great job at West Ham and takes the club to where it should
be.
"For long periods last season, the club flirted with relegation and nobody
likes to see that, but in typical West Ham fashion, they didn't sacrifice
the playing style for points.
"I hope Avram respects the traditions of West Ham United and gets results.
Whether that means wholesale changes, I'm not sure that is necessary, but he
certainly needs to get everybody on the same page."
Finally, you have a vast knowledge of players from North America and the
Caribbean, some of whom have made a real impact in English football. Do you
feel this is a region that West Ham should be looking at to recruit new
talent?
"There is a lot of talent there that is readily available and, by
comparison, available cheaply. There is no hiding that a lot of these
players need good coaching and lack the experience that players from the UK
have at a similar age, but as long as someone is prepared to make the
sacrifice to work to develop these players, then I think there are quite a
few gems to be had.
"If you look at the case of Dwight Yorke, everybody thought Graham Taylor
was taking a massive chance on taking Dwight to Aston Villa. However, when
you look back now, everybody agrees it was a wonderful gamble that paid
dividends.
"I believe there are quite a few similar players to be found who can come
over and do well and earn clubs some good money in the process."
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Luis Boa Morte signs two-year contract at West Ham
BBC.co.uk
West Ham's Luis Boa Morte has signed a new contract only a month after
lambasting co-owner David Sullivan. The 32-year-old Portuguese midfielder
returned in April after nine months out with a serious knee injury. But in a
TV interview in May he criticised Sullivan for "hammering" the players, who
were involved in a relegation battle. He later apologised. Boa Morte, who
signed a two-year deal, said he looked forward to working with new manager
Avram Grant. He said: "I am delighted to sign the contract and can't wait to
get started. The new manager is going to play an attacking style and I hope
to get involved in that. "I am very happy to be at West Ham and look forward
to scoring more goals and doing everything I can for the team."
Boa Morte, who signed for £5m from Fulham in 2007, said: "To be honest I did
have more options and more offers from other people, but I wanted to stay
here. "When the season finished a few clubs came to me about signing for
them but West Ham believed in me and things are looking positive here." He
added: "We have a new manager and I have seen he has done good things with
Chelsea and Portsmouth, reaching major finals twice. The fans also had an
impact on my decision to stay and I look forward to playing for them again."
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Who are you going to blame today?
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 18th June 2010
By: Staff Writer
Rob Green and Matthew Upson had a lucky escape tonight as both were absent
from the England team that failed miserably against Algeria. Fabio Capello's
team stumbled to a goalless draw against the Group B whipping boys minus
Upson and 'keeper Green, who was shamefully dropped as a result of the
mistake against the USA, by a manager pandering to the pressure of the
national media. Sadly the Italian, who is set for another roasting in the
press tomorrow morning failed to make changes in other areas of the team,
and the usual suspects - from the usual clubs - produced a performance as
embarassing as any witnessed in recent years. With Green's omission proof
that a major mistake could cost the players their place in the team, most of
the England team played as if that fact was weighing heavily upon their
minds. The result leaves England needing a win against Slovenia to progress
to the knock-out stage of the tournament. Matthew Upson could well feature
as Jamie Carragher received a second caution in tonight's game, ruling him
out.
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Hung out to dry
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 18th June 2010
By: Staff Writer
Rob Green has been dropped for tonight's England clash with Algeria. The
West Ham keeper, who was savaged by the nation's gutter press following an
uncharacteristic error against the United States last weekend is replaced by
39-year-old David 'Calamity' James, a goalkeeper with possible more
high-profile bloopers to his name than any other England goalkeeper. Matthew
Upson, United's other member fo the squad is also expected to start on the
bench. Once again, Jamie Carragher - who was given a roasting by rookie
Zavon Hines at the Boleyn last season - is expected to start.
* West Ham's only representative in the US squad, Jonathan Spector, was an
unused substitute as the Americans won a close-fought game 2-2.
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New deal for winger
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 17th June 2010
By: Staff Writer
Luis Boa Morte has agreed a one-year contract extension with West Ham, tying
him to the club until summer 2011. The Portuguese winger has looked set to
part company with the club at the end of last season as his existing
three-and-a-half-year deal had ended. However the 31-year-old was somewhat
surpringly offered an extended contract and it has just been confirmed that
a deal has been struck. Talking via whufc.com, Boa Morte said: "I am
delighted to sign the contract and can't wait to get started. The new
manager is going to play an attacking style and I hope to get involved in
that. I am very happy to be at West Ham and look forward to scoring more
goals and doing everything I can for the team. "I did have more offers from
other people but I wanted to stay here. When the season finished, a few
clubs came to me about signing for them but West Ham believed in me and
things are looking positive here. We have a new manager and I have seen he
has done good things with Chelsea and Portsmouth, reaching major finals
twice. The fans also had an impact on my decision to stay and I look forward
to playing for them again."
Boa Morte - who openly criticised joint Chairman David Sullivan live on the
BBC Match of the Day programme on the final day of last season - joined
United in a £5million switch in January 2007 but saw much of his career at
the Boleyn blighted by injury.
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Boa Morte pens Hammers deal
West Ham hand winger two-year contract
By James Dall Last updated: 17th June 2010
SSN
West Ham United have revealed the club have handed winger Luis Boa Morte a
new contract. The Portuguese's previous terms at Upton Park were due to
expire this summer, and last month Boa Morte confirmed he expected to part
ways with the Hammers. However, West Ham have announced they have agreed a
new deal with the 32-year-old, rewarding him with a two-year contract. The
left-sided player joined the Hammers from Fulham for £5million in 2007 but
has struggled for fitness since the switch. In particular last season Boa
Morte played just once for the Premier League club, but he will be now
looking for a fresh chapter under new boss Avram Grant. He told the club's
official website: "I am delighted to sign the contract and can't wait to get
started. "The new manager Avram Grant is going to play an attacking style
and I hope to get involved in that.
"I am very happy to be at West Ham and look forward to scoring more goals
and doing everything I can for the team."
He continued: "To be honest, I did have more options and more offers from
other people but I wanted to stay here. "When the season finished, a few
clubs came to me about signing for them but West Ham believed in me and
things are looking positive here. "We have a new manager and I have seen he
has done good things with Chelsea and Portsmouth, reaching major finals
twice. The fans also had an impact on my decision to stay and I look forward
to playing for them again."
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West Ham aim to hijack Birmingham move for Fulham ace
Published 22:30 18/06/10 By James Nursey
The Mirror
West Ham have emerged as a rival to Birmingham for the signature of Fulham
full-back Paul Konchesky. Konchesky has just one-year left on his contract
at Craven Cottage and wants a fresh challenge. Birmingham are favourites for
his signature, but Barking-born Konchesky would prefer a move back to his
former club West Ham, where he played from 2005-07. If the Hammers pip
Birmingham to Konchesky it could cause fresh friction between owners David
Sullivan and David Gold and their St Andrews successors.
Sullivan and Gold recently had to settle out-of-court with Carson Yeung, who
issued a High Court writ against them following his takeover.
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West Ham order McCarthy: Shape up or ship out
Published 22:30 18/06/10 By James Nursey
The Mirror
West Ham have ordered Benni McCarthy to lose weight before pre-season - or
face the chop. South African striker McCarthy, 32, failed to score for the
Hammers following a £2million January move from Blackburn. And the star
infuriated his paymasters as he piled on the pounds despite earning
£50,000-a-week. McCarthy was subsequently embarrassingly dropped by South
Africa for their home World Cup finals. McCarthy, the nation's record
goal-scorer, is now expected to retire following a 79-cap international
career. And Hammers fans may have seen the last of McCarthy too unless he
trims his weight after his body mass index (BMI) hit 24.2.
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West Ham new boy Hitzlsperger eyes opening day victory at former club Villa
Published 12:26 18/06/10 By James Nursey
The Mirror
Thomas Hitzlsperger believes it is fate he will start his West Ham career
with victory at his old club Aston Villa. German midfielder Hitzlsperger,
28, recently joined the Hammers on a free transfer from Italian club Lazio.
He is in line to make his debut at Villa Park as Avram Grant's side visit on
the opening day. And Hitzlsperger can't wait after starring for Villa from
2000-2005 before moving to Stuttgart. Hitzlsperger said: "It's funny - you
know sometimes these things don't surprise you because you think it might
happen. "I am looking forward to it, it will be good to go back there. "I
made over 100 appearances for them in the time I was there and it was great,
but I am looking forward to going there as a West Ham player and helping my
new club to hopefully get a good result. "Now the fixtures are out, it is
exciting. I can't wait to get started as a West Ham player. "It is still a
little way off yet I know but I am getting a little impatient now for it to
all start."
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PARMA MAKE LOAN MOVE FOR DIAMANTI
Final decision rests with Grant
News Of The World
12/06/2010
WEST HAM star Alessandro Diamanti is set to be the subject of a loan bid by
Italian side Parma. Diamanti, who scored eight goals in his first season at
Upton Park following a £7m move from Livorno, has constantly been linked
with a move back to Italy. The 27-year-old has struggled to adapt to the
physical nature of the English game and was often left on the substitutes'
bench during last season's relegation struggle. New Hammers boss Avram Grant
is keen to give the existing squad the chance to prove itself but could be
persuaded to allow Diamanti to make the move back home. Parma, who just
missed out on a place in next season's Europa League, are desperate to add
the talented playmaker to their ranks as they look to build on last year's
eighth-placed finish. New Parma manager Pasquale Marino, who was unveiled at
the start of the month, is a huge admirer of Diamanti and remains hopeful of
landing his chief target. But Grant will have the last say on all transfer
matters and Diamanti's future rests solely in the Israeli's hands.
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