WHUFC.com
The manager is keen to ensure a positive outlook while working hard in training
11.07.2010
Avram Grant has spoken of his determination to have a "good atmosphere and a good feeling" around the squad as they prepare for the new season. The feelgood factor has been high at Chadwell Heath since the return to training last week and the coming seven days will see things step up with Scott Parker back in from Monday, the first pre-season friendly away to Peterborough United on Wednesday and the departure for a training camp in Germany this Friday. Potential new arrivals over the coming weeks will also do much to help morale. That said, Grant said it was important to get the balance right between fun and focus. "I have passion but the job of the manager is to make decisions. When you are in the game you have to take a lot of decisions but more [important is] to know what [decisions] not to make. "I prefer myself to concentrate during the game, so if my face is serious I apologise. But, in the game it is not a joke. Out of the game, I like a good atmosphere and a good feeling. I like this also during training with the players - as long as they are 100 per cent committed to be professional and give everything to the team."
While Parker is back, two of Grant's other English internationals in Robert Green and Matthew Upson will not join up with the squad for a few more days as is also the case for fellow World Cup players Jonathan Spector and Valon Behrami. The manager is looking forward to working with such senior players and rejects the doom and gloom of some that followed the nation's early FIFA World Cup exit. "People have a very short memory. Three months ago, the English players were the best in the world. The qualification was great. Everything was great. Everybody was happy and it was good to be around the English players.
"It is individual. It is not English, it is not French. There are very good things in the English mentality but also things that need to improve. I think you need to improve first how they come to big games and big events. They are not showing their real potential. Everybody knows they can play better. "I have got faith in English players. Since I was 20 I have been coming here at least five times a year so I know the English mentality - sometimes better than [the English] because I am inside and also outside. You need to believe in these players, they are good players but sometimes even big players make mistakes. "You don't need to judge the players every game. They were not heroes when they were good in the qualification and they are not so bad now when they played not good in the World Cup. You need to give them a target how to improve and what to give and I am sure there is enough good players in England."
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Frank approach from Sir Trevor
WHUFC.com
Club legend Sir Trevor Brooking will be keeping a close eye on Frank Nouble's England U19s
11.07.2010
Sir Trevor Brooking has been talking about the chances of England tasting glory next week at the UEFA European Under-19 Championship - with Frank Nouble set to lead the line for the Young Lions. The FA's Director of Youth Development, Sir Trevor said the U19s faced a stern test with hosts France, the Netherlands and Austria proving strong group opponents in the eight-nation finals. Nouble will link up with England from Monday at a training camp in the Midlands before they head to Normandy, having played his part in qualification and buoyed by a strong start to pre-season.
Sir Trevor, the five-times Hammer of the Year, said the UEFA U19 Euro experience would serve the likes of Nouble well. "Everything in a tournament is different to life with a club in England. The levels of focus needed, the media scrutiny, the experience of different countries and climates all add to the mix. As does the concentration of matches, in which the opposition are the best young talent. "Beyond the individual level, what is more important is to develop a way of playing, a philosophy that supports our structure throughout the levels while taking pressure off individuals and placing the emphasis on the whole. "
Nouble's England will be based in Caen and will take on Austria, Netherlands and France in their group-stage fixtures on Sunday 18, Wednesday 21 and Saturday 24 July respectively. The semi-finals will be held on Tuesday 27 July, with the final due to be held on Friday 30 July. The other four nations involved in Group B are Spain Spain, Portugal, Italy and Croatia. The top six teams in the finals will also go forward to the FIFA U20 World Cup in Colombia next year as UEFA's representatives. Meanwhile, Sir Trevor reminded that despite the disappointment suffered by the senior squad at the FIFA World Cup, the U17s had already shown this summer that England are improving at youth level. Academy prospect Robert Hall was part of the squad that went to Liechtenstein and returned home with the trophy, while the club also have high hopes for U16 starlets Matthias Fanimo and Blair Turgott.
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Remy deal moves closer
Filed: Sunday, 11th July 2010
By: Staff Writer
KUMB.com
West Ham are close to agreeing a deal for Nice striker Loic Remy. According to French site L'Equipe, the two clubs have agreed a fee of €13.5million (around £11.5million) but are currently at odds with regards to payment terms. West Ham are said to want to spread the payments over the length of Remy's proposed contract (four years) whilst Nice are holding out for an immediate payment of €9million followed by a final payment of €4.5million a year from now. Despite United's prolonged interest in the highly-rated 23-year-old French international, Remy - who has been labelled 'the new Thierry Henry' by some sources - has insisted that he is happy to remain in France. "I am still a Nice player. If they decide to sell me, I will listen to offers and see what we can do," he said last week. "I am relaxed and if nothing happens, I will be happy to stay here."
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They won't let you forget, Rob
By GRAHAM HILL
Published: Today
SCOTT CARSON has warned West Ham keeper Robert Green he will not be allowed to forget his World Cup howler. Carson blundered when he let in Niko Kranjcar's shot in a 3-2 defeat to Croatia - a loss which cost England qualification to Euro 2008. And Green was left red-faced after he fumbled Clint Dempsey's tame shot into the net in the 1-1 draw with USA last month. West Brom stopper Carson said: "I'm sure he's forgotten about it already. "But it's going to be question after question now - he'll have to be prepared for that. "In my case, I forgot about it the next day. But it can keep going for a month or 12 months.
"It's happened to every single keeper but, in our case, it's highlighted more."
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Remy will cost Hammers a Nice amount
Published 23:00 11/07/10 By Alan Nixon
The Mirror
West Ham supremo David Sullivan is trying to thrash out a £12million deal for Nice forward Loic Remy. Sullivan flew to France to negotiate terms and is willing to pay for the prolific striker in four installments. But Nice, who claim Lyon and Bordeaux are also interested, want £8m up front and the rest a year later.
And finding that amount in one hit is a problem, with the Hammers reluctant to use all available funds on just one player.
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West Ham United will replace Scott Parker with Portsmouth's Marc Wilson - report
11 Jul 2010 17:45:00
Goal.com
West Ham United will make a move for Portsmouth midfielder Marc Wilson if the club reluctantly decide to sell Scott Parker, according to the Sunday Mirror.
Parker has been strongly linked with a move away from Upton Park, with Manchester City and Aston Villa rumoured to be weighing up bids for the 29-year-old.
The Hammers are not interested in selling their Player of the Season from last campaign but with the club rumoured to be over £100 million in debt, a big offer could be accepted. New manager Avram Grant is keen to sell players to generate funds and has been linked with moves for West Bromwich Albion striker Graham Dorrans and Sol Campbell. And if the club decide to sell Parker, Grant is eyeing a move for Wilson, who he managed at Portsmouth last season. The 22-year-old, who can play in midfield and defence, was impressive last season and may also be an attractive transfer target due to Portsmouth's financial troubles.
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West Ham owner hints that Aston Villa target Scott Parker could be sale after all
Jul 11 2010 by Mathew Kendrick, Sunday Mercury
ASTON Villa have been put on alert after West Ham admitted for the first time that midfield star Scott Parker has his price. But Hammers co-owner David Gold has warned that Parker would cost a significant chunk of the proceeds from James Milner's potential sale. Villa have earmarked Parker as a potential replacement for Milner if Manchester City edge nearer to their £30 million valuation. Parker was the only West Ham player not placed on the transfer list by David Sullivan at the end of last season. And the Hammers have maintained throughout the summer that their star man was not for sale despite Villa's hopes of a £10m deal. But Gold has grudgingly admitted for the first time that a silly-money offer could tempt the Upton Park club to sell their 29-year-old "talisman"
"If Manchester City pay £50 million for James Milner, Aston Villa then have that £50m and as a commercial entity they are going to want to replace Milner," said Gold. "Scott Parker is probably one of the best players who was not at the World Cup and the price gets accelerated because Aston Villa have that money from Manchester City. "Scott Parker is not for sale, but what happens if someone offers £200m? It's a laughable scenario, but who would have thought after all those 'over my dead bodies' that Ronaldo would leave Manchester United? "I believe Scott Parker is our talisman, I have got a picture of him in my office doing something similar to what John Terry did at the World Cup - diving at someone's feet to head the ball away. "Scott is Mr West Ham – we will see where that takes us."
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Russian billionaire poised to inject millions into West Ham United - report
11 Jul 2010 08:59:00
Goal.com
Russian billionaire Len Blavatik could become the latest foreign invester in the Premier League, after it was reported he was readying a £30 million offer to buy shares in West Ham United. According to the News of the World, Blavatik - the 93rd richest man in the world according to the Forbes Rich List - is eyeing up a 35 per cent stake in the Hammers. His fortune, which he built up in America with his multi-national firm Access Industries, is estimated to be worth around £5 billion. Blavatik has yet to make contact with current Hammers' owners David Sullivan and David Gold, but is currently considering his next move after being encouraged by his financial advisers to make an offer. More than 35 per cent of the club is held by Straumur, but they have a creditors' meeting on Thursday amid financial insecurity. Sullivan and Gold rescued the ailing club in January from the brink of administration, and have since been actively looking for investment in the east London club. Despite stating their preference to find a fellow West Ham fan to invest, the pair have made huge strides since taking over and would welcome Blavatik's investment. New manager Avram Grant will hope any deal can be agreed which would supply him with an injection of further transfer funds in an attempt to strengthen the squad. The former Portsmouth boss began life in the Upton Park hot-seat last week and has already been promised access to the club's coffers this summer. Despite poor performances at World Cup 2010, Grant remains defiant when asked about the future of England international's Robert Green and Matthew Upson "I have faith in English players. I've been coming here at least five times a year since I was 20 so know the English mentality," he said. "You need to believe in these players. They are good. In England they only analyse. They've short memories. Three months ago all these players were the world's best. Now they're bad. "There are enough good players in England that there is not a reason to think Germany are better."
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West Ham close in on Loic Remy after clinching £4m Pablo Barrera deal
By Ashley Gray
Last updated at 1:56 PM on 11th July 2010
Daily Mail
West Ham have agreed the signing of Mexico winger Pablo Barrera and tabled a new bid for Nice forward Loic Remy. Mexican side Pumas have confirmed that Barrera, 23, will sign a two-year contract at Upton Park - with the option of a third - subject to him gaining a work permit. The pacy winger, who can play on either flank, will undergo an intense English course and said: 'I am very happy to go there. I was told on Friday afternoon that my transfer to West Ham has been arranged. 'I'm starting to get very anxious about travelling to England so I can join my new team, know my team-mates, the stadium, the city - everything.' The Hammers intend to follow up signing - believed to be worth about £4million - with the capture of France international Remy. Liverpool have also been linked with a player who interests Arsenal and Lyon, but the Hammers are the only firm bidders for a player dubbed the new Thierry Henry. West Ham's latest bid is close to £11.5m, but the Barclays Premier League side want to pay less than £3.5m up front, with the rest spread over the next four years. Nice want £7.5m now with the rest in 12 months.
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