WHUFC.com
Frank Nouble scored twice as England began the UEFA European U19 Championship with a win over Austria
18.07.2010
Frank Nouble scored twice as England began their UEFA European Under-19 Championship challenge with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Austria. Nouble netted twice within the opening half-hour at the Stade du Haze in the northern French town of Flers to give Noel Blake's side the perfect start to their campaign.
The West Ham United youngster is hoping to become the second Hammer to lift a European title this summer following Robert Hall's success with England at the UEFA European U17 Championship in May. The 18-year-old ensured the U19s have a chance to do just that by firing in the Three Lions' first goal on 13 minutes, finishing confidently with his left foot past Austria goalkeeper Philip Petermann. Nouble and his country's second came 16 minutes later when the No11 showed great opportunism and confidence to latch on to a pass from Matthew Briggs and get clear of defender Gernot Trauner before slotting past Petermann.
Although David Alaba pulled a goal back for the Austrians seven minutes after the break, England reinstated their two-goal advantage through Arsenal defender Thomas Cruise three minutes later. Austria threatened a dramatic late comeback when Trauner scored on 73 minutes and goalkeeper Declan Rudd was forced to turn Alaba's long-range free-kick on to the crossbar moments later, but England held on. Blake's youngsters continue their Group B challenge by facing Netherlands in Bayeux at 5pm UK time on Wednesday before completing their group-stage commitments by taking on France in St-Lo on Saturday, with kick-off again at 5pm UK time. Both matches will be screened live by British Eurosport.
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Groves upbeat on WHUTV
WHUFc.com
'A good afternoon's work' was how Paul Groves described the weekend win against VfL Borussia Monchengladbach
18.07.2010
Paul Groves declared himself more than satisfied after West Ham United's weekend win against VfL Borussia Monchengladbach kicked off the Germany training camp in the right way. The club's new senior coach was happy to see the team score two good goals, keep a clean sheet and deal with several substitutions in the 2-0 defeat of the Bundesliga side on Saturday. It was a victory that helped maintain morale, after the first two weeks of pre-season training had done much already to foster a positive spirit around the squad. Talking to WHUTV, Groves said: "It went very well overall. There was a lot of changes and it has given the manager a couple of games now to have a look at people's strengths and what they can do - seeing them in different systems and positions. It has been very informative in terms of seeing what the players can do. "There are a number of players that had longer term injuries so we have to be careful with those. We don't want to lose them. It is important at this stage of the season that we get fit players and we don't want to overload them. They don't have to be fit next week, we are looking at 14 August. "People might have played 25-30 minutes and others have played longer, at maybe 60 minutes. They have all come through to date in good shape which is important. "There is a very good atmosphere and some fantastic staff members at this club that work together incredibly well and hard. They probably don't get the recognition that they deserve and the players have been fantastic. It has been a pleasure to be part of that environment and long may that continue."
That upbeat assessment also extended to the fans, with Groves having been impressed in his first month at the club with the level of their backing. "We are looking forward to playing for the fans and the reputation with regard to the numbers [that travel] and the way they get behind the team.
"They have good knowledge of football. Credit to them for travelling out, it is fantastic. Hopefully we can give them a couple of good results this pre-season."
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Sunday service for squad
WHUFC.com
Frederic Piquionne and his new team-mates were at work again but the emphasis was on recovery for most
18.07.2010
West Ham United were having anything but a day of rest on Sunday although the players were given full chance to recover from the exertions against VfL Borussia Monchengladbach. The squad were split into two groups with the focus on regeneration work. While one group stretched in the swimming pool, the other half were in the gym for light work on the bikes and treadmills. They then swapped places as the morning progressed. Meanwhile, new recruit Frederic Piquionne was put through his paces out on the training pitch. The France striker, who had a watching brief for Saturday's 2-0 defeat of Monchengladbach in Ruhpolding, was accompanied by Scott Parker and Alessandro Diamanti and others who had limited game time in the match. There was light relief with the cooler temperatures, though. The previous night's rain had disappeared but the sky was still overcast as Paul Groves and Kevin Keen worked. Manager Avram Grant has been delighted with the work so far during an eight-day training camp that will culminate with a fixture against Greek title-winners and UEFA Champions League contenders Panathinaikos on Friday. The positive peaceful surrounds on the German-Austrian border have been matched by the morale of a squad that has been in high spirits since arriving. He said: "The facilities are good. The place is very nice but we came here to train for football and we hope to have a good eight days. The players have a lot of passion and there is a good atmosphere. "It is good to have Scott back with us. He is a great person and player. We need him and the other players that will come next week from their national teams and also the new signings. We are trying to mix between experienced players and the young talented players."
Talking of new signings, Piquionne's presence has been welcomed by all while everyone is waiting to meet Mexico attacker Pablo Barrera. Grant said fans could look forward to some inventive play from the new men. "Barera is a winger, a creative player who knows how to play well from the side. He has good crossing, good dribbling and is quick. He is a player who can play well for us. Freddie has scored in important games, he is good and quick as well. He is good with his head and it is great to have another striker."
Later on Sunday, the squad will take part in a team-building activity away from the hotel before many may choose to watch Frank Nouble in action for England against Austria at the 2010 UEFA European Under-19 Championship. The match, the Young Lions' first of this summer's finals, will be broadcast live on Eurosport this evening.
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Borussia Monchengladbach 0 West Ham Utd 2
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 18th July 2010
By: Staff Writer
West Ham opened their pre-season tour with an impressive win over German Bundesliga outfit Borussia Monchengladbach in Ruhpolding. Avram Grant's side, fresh from the 2-1 success at Peterborough on Wednesday night made it two wins in four days with a comfortable 2-0 victory courtesy of goals from Carlton Cole and Benni McCarthy at the Waldstadion. Captain-for-the-day Cole put United ahead on the half-hour when he headed home a Freddie Sears cross from close range. Just six minutes into the second half, McCarthy - who returned to pre-season training before the rest of the squad in an attempt to regain the match fitness that was so clearly lacking last season - fired home a volley from an acute angle after soom good work by Julien Faubert on the right flank. All in all there were run-outs for a whole host of players although new signings Frederic Piquionne and Pablo Barrera were not involved. The French striker is however expected to feature againt Panathinaikos next Friday in the second and final game of the tour, whilst Barrera is currently back in Mexico and unlikely to feature until the final game of pre-season against Deportivo at the Boleyn on August 7th. A number of first team squad players - including the likes of Scott Parker, Matthew Upson and Robert Green - missed last night's game but will join up with the rest of the squad ahead of the meeting with the Greek champions, full details of which will be brought to you by KUMB.com.
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Gladbach fume at striker blow
Bobadilla sidelined with ankle damage
Last updated: 18th July 2010
SSN
Borussia Monchengladbach manager Michael Frontzeck was unhappy with the challenge that damaged Raul Bobadilla's ankle in Saturday's friendly. Gladbach lost 2-0 to Premier League outfit West Ham, although it was the ankle ligament damage suffered by the Argentinian striker that Frontzeck bemoaned the most.
Bobadilla hobbled out of the match on 40 minutes after being caught and the 23-year-old is now expected to be unable to train for the next four weeks. "At this early stage of preparations, the point of playing friendlies is to build certain elements into your game. They're actually training sessions under competitive conditions," explained Frontzeck. "So it's very annoying to have now lost two players inside five days this week due to injuries caused by overzealous tackling in warm-up matches. "Patrick Hermann was on the end of one in Echt on Tuesday, against West Ham it was Raul Bobadilla. "Fouls from the side or from behind, as was the case in both instances, should actually be punished with a red card... I say to my players before a friendly that I don't want to see that sort of thing.
"I expect our opponents to take the same approach and if that's not the case, I expect the referee to take appropriate action."
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Piquionne targets best return
Hammers new boy hoping to be among the goals
Last updated: 19th July 2010
SSN
Frederic Piquionne admits he may not be the most prolific striker, but believes he will get goals. The Frenchman has recently completed a move from Lyon to West Ham, reacquainting him with Avram Grant. The 31-year-old worked with the Israeli coach at Portsmouth last season, as he took in a season-long loan deal at Fratton Park. He did enough during that spell to convince Grant that he is capable of competing in the Premier League after scoring 11 goals in all competitions. Piquionne is now looking to better that return in 2010/11, despite admitting that he will never be a forward in the same mould as a Wayne Rooney or Fernando Torres. "My best characteristics are I'm good in the air, I'm quick and I try to keep the ball," he said. "I'm not the most prolific striker, like maybe Fernando Torres or Wayne Rooney, but I think I can score many goals. "I know English football now and I can score more goals than ever before."
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Nice to settle Remy future
Reds could pip Hammers to France ace
Last updated: 18th July 2010
SSN
Nice president Gilbert Stellardo says Liverpool will jump to the head of the queue for Loic Remy if they match West Ham's offer. The Hammers have matched Nice's€10million (£8.4m) asking price for the 23-year-old, but their instalment proposal is not to the club's liking. Stellardo says the club are happy with the value of West Ham's offer, although Liverpool will be in pole position should they match their rival's bid. Nice have no qualms cashing in on the France international, but insist they will require all the money up front and will not settle for an instalment plan. Remy is one of France's hottest properties having scored 15 goals in 33 appearances last season and Tottenham are also rivalling Liverpool and West Ham for his services. "For the moment it's the same status quo, but if Liverpool make an offer things will be done swiftly," he told L'Equipe. "The amount (offered by West Ham) suits me but not the payment method.
"West Ham want to buy Loic because they think he could rapidly be worth €10million more if he plays in England. They don't want us to pay the full sum all at once."
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Boca keen to tie down Riquelme
Hammers target looks set to stay in Argentina
Last updated: 18th July 2010
SSN
Boca Juniors coach Claudio Borghi is hoping to strike a deal to re-sign West Ham target Juan Roman Riquelme. Riquelme is currently out of contract after spending the last three years at the Buenos Aires-based club and has been tipped for a move to the Premier League. But Borghi, who took over at Boca in June, claims discussions are under way to re-sign the talented former Argentina number 10. "The club directors are negotiating with him," the coach told Argentinian sports paper Ole from Australia, where the club are currently on a pre-season tour. "I would like to be able to enjoy watching him play in my team. "If you can make me enjoy myself, I will put you in the team every week."
Riquelme has been linked with Everton and Tottenham in recent years, while there has been interest from West Ham and Brazilian club Flamengo this summer.
However, the 31-year-old insists his preferred choice is to remain at Boca and believes an agreement could have been reached a long time ago. "I'm a Boca fan and I'll die a Boca fan - I want to stay at Boca," the former Villarreal playmaker told Fox Sports. "The only thing I am asking for is a contract for four years. If they had wanted to, they could have sorted this out two months ago."
Riquelme has also attracted interested from Racing Club, but the player, who has refused to turn out for Argentina under Diego Maradona, says he would not sign for any other club in his homeland. "I am grateful for their interest," he said. "I have a very good relationship with (Racing coach) Miguel (Russo), but I won't play with another shirt in Argentina."
That leaves the route clear for Boca and Borghi believes an agreement will be reached soon. "Since I took over at Boca, the only time I have spoken to Roman was at Pilar (where the club have a training facility), but I am confident everything can be sorted out soon," he said.
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Man City poach West Ham 'super spy'
Published 23:00 18/07/10 By Alan Nixon
The Mirror
Manchester City are snapping up super spy Christian Lattanzio from West Ham - on the advice of England boss Fabio Capello. The Italian has joined City as one of their senior recruitment officers after leaving his post at Upton Park where he had risen from community officer to a senior role behind the scenes. Lattanzio was at the World Cup as part of Capello's massive backroom staff and watched the opposition teams and systems for his long-term friend. Now Capello has tipped off City about Lattanzio who will try to help the mega-rich outfit improve on their scouting as they look to spend their millions.
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I'm no Wayne Rooney' says West Ham new boy Piquionne
Published 23:00 18/07/10 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror
Frederic Piquionne has warned West Ham fans: "I'm no Wayne Rooney". The former Portsmouth striker put pen to paper on a three-year deal on Friday after agreeing a move from French club Lyon. Piquionne, who scored 11 goals for Pompey last season, was a key part of the side which reached the FA Cup final under now Hammers boss Avram Grant. The 31-year-old flew out to join his new team-mates at their German training base on Friday and is looking set to challenge the likes of Carlton Cole and Benni McCarthy for a place in the starting line up. And although Piquionne is confident he can be a big hit at Upton Park, he says that fans should not compare him to the top strikers in the league such as United's Rooney or the prolific Fernando Torres. "As a player, I think my best characteristics are that I'm good in the air, I'm quick and I try to keep the ball," he said. "I'm not the most prolific striker, like maybe Fernando Torres or Wayne Rooney, but I think I can score many goals. "I know English football now and I know I can score many goals this year. I think with the players I'll have around me, here I can score more goals than ever before."
Boss Grant has a whole host of strikers to choose from with youngsters Zavon Hines, Frank Nouble and Cristian Montano all challenging the elder statesmen.
But Piquionne says the extra competition will bring out the best in him and his fellow forwards. He added: "Competition for places is a good thing. The club needs strikers to score goals and I think all the strikers in this club are very good."
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Stoke City prepare ambitious £8 million bid to acquire West Ham United striker Carlton Cole - report
18 Jul 2010 12:59:00
Goal.com
Stoke City look set to launch an ambitious swoop for West Ham United striker Carlton Cole, as they seek to inject some much needed firepower into their ranks before the season gets underway. According to The People, Potter's boss Tony Pulis is a keen admirer of Cole's talents and it is believed that Stoke chairman Peter Coates will provide a transfer budget of £8 million to land his man. The England international has looked sharp in pre-season training despite recent knee problems, and Stoke are said to be keen on clarifying the extent of the injury before making a concrete bid. Pulis is also thought to be chasing Tottenham Hotspur midfielder David Bentley, although it's speculated he is fighting a losing battle, as the former Blackburn Rovers man favours a move to Aston Villa.
However, Stoke should have more joy in trying to persuade Ivory Coast left-back Siaka Tiene to the Britannia Stadium. The 28-year-old plays for French side Valenciennes but wants to come to England, and following his displays at World Cup 2010, he's alerted several European clubs into acquiring his services.
The versatile performer, who can also act as a holding midfielder, is thought to be valued in the region of £1.2m. Pulis is also ready to offload James Beattie in a bid to see the problematic striker rekindle his career elsewhere, after failing to reconcile their differences following a dressing room bust-up last season. However, Pulis is only willing to let Beattie leave for around £1.5m.
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Remy set for Nice talks
By Soccernet staff
July 18, 2010
ESPN
Nice president Gilbert Stellardo will hold talks with striker Loic Remy on Monday as they await an offer from Liverpool. Liverpool, Tottenham and West Ham - along with a number of Ligue 1 sides - are all understood to be tracking Remy, 23, but there has yet to be an agreeme nt with Nice. West Ham are unwilling to pay the transfer fee in a single payment as Nice require and, while Liverpool are said to have agreed a five-year deal with the player, they are yet to make an offer. "For the moment we're stuck with the status quo, but if (Liverpool make an offer) things will be done swiftly," Stellardo told L'Equipe. "The amount (offered by West Ham) suits me but not the payment method. West Ham want to buy Loic because they think he could rapidly be worth €10 million more if he plays in England. They don't want to pay us the full sum all at once."
Stellardo also revealed Nice are eager to bring Middlesbrough midfielder Didier Digard back to the club. Digard spent time on loan at Nice earlier this year with an option to sign him permanently for €5 million euros, and the clubs are now negotiating a new agreement for next season. "We've talked to Middlesbrough about a new loan but with an option to purchase at a cheaper price," he said.
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Nice chief insists Liverpool must match West Ham's £12.5m bid to land in demand star Loic Remy
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER Last updated at 12:17 AM on 19th July 2010
The Daily Mail
Nice president Gilbert Stellardo says Liverpool will only jump to the head of the queue for Loic Remy if they match West Ham's £12.5million offer for the 23-year-old. Despite West Ham's offer, Nice want £7.5m paid up front and Remy would prefer Liverpool. Stellardo said: 'If Liverpool make an offer things will be done swiftly. The amount (offered by West Ham) suits me but not the payment method.' However, Liverpool are struggling to offload players to finance a deal and manager Roy Hodgson says he has yet to make judgement on Remy.
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Graham Dorrans snubs West Ham and pens new West Brom contract to deal Avram Grant's rebuilding work a Hammer blow
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER Last updated at 8:47 AM on 19th July 2010
Daily Mail
West Bromwich Albion midfielder Graham Dorrans has rejected interest from West Ham and put pen to paper on a new four-year contract at the Hawthorns.
The Scotland international only signed a new deal back in January but his stock has risen after starring in the Baggies' promotion-winning campaign last season. The news will deal a huge blow to new Hammers boss Avram Grant, who is trying to overhaul a squad that narrowly escaped relegation from the Barclays Premier League last term. Dorrans was swiftly identified by the Hammers as a key target after securing top-flight survival, but West Brom rebuffed three bids for the star and have now secured their man until 2015, with the option of a further 12 months. Manager Roberto Di Matteo told the club's offcial website: 'I'm delighted Graham has signed a new long-term contract, which is fully deserved. 'He made excellent progress last season and we're now very hopeful he can make the step up to the Premier League.
'There has been a lot of media speculation about Graham's future, but it hasn't affected him one bit. 'Ever since he has reported back for pre-season training, his attitude has been as spot on as it always is and I know for a fact how much he's looking forward to the new season. 'The exciting thing is that Graham knows he still has a lot of work to do and is yet to reach his full potential.' Sporting technical director Dan Ashworth added: 'We only rewarded Graham with a new contract in January, which tied him to the club until June 2014. 'But his form got even better during the last few months of the season and we have recognised this by offering him an improved and extended deal.'
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