WHUFC.com
The manager was pleased to see the Hammers come out on top once again
despite tricky opposition
29.07.2010
It was a familiar story for Avram Grant as his team ground out their fourth
win in four this summer with a professional display away to MK Dons. The
Hammers had to wait to clinch the 2-0 victory against the League One side
thanks to second-half goals from Julien Faubert and Carlton Cole - his third
in four games - but were never in trouble. Equally positive was a third
clean sheet in as many matches, with Robert Green starting in his first 45
minutes of the pre-season alongside fellow World Cup returnees Jonathan
Spector and club captain Matthew Upson. Scott Parker also enjoyed his first
run-out on home soil after coming back into the squad during last week's
successful stay in Germany. A clearly content Grant, who had been joined on
the bench by new assistant manager Zeljko Petrovic, said: "It was a good
work-out. We are three weeks into the pre-season and everything is going to
plan more or less. The players are improving all the time."
He had special mention for Green and Upson, when asked if he had noticed a
negative impact on them as a result of England's early FIFA World Cup exit.
"Robert is a good goalkeeper. He is doing his job and he is training well,"
Grant said. "Also, Matthew Upson played his first 45 minutes as well. It was
good for them and for us. "They are not children. They know disappointment
is part of the game and they need to recover very quickly because they are
playing for the team. What has happened has happened and we are looking
forward. I have no worries at all, it was business as usual and they know
that."
On Parker, the manager reiterated the club's view that he was very much a
part of the long-term vision being established. "We want to plan to improve
for the next few seasons and Scott Parker is a big part of this process. He
is a very good player and has a good influence on the young players. "Scott
Parker is a good player and a good professional. I'm sure if he was for sale
that other teams would want him as well. But we are a team with ambition and
we want to progress."
Grant - who also reiterated that his team "will be ready" for the big
kick-off on 14 August - was more concerned with who might be coming than
leaving but would not be drawn on transfer targets. "We are looking for
players. There are good players in this team but we want to make the squad
stronger and we are looking for two or three players that can improve the
team. "You know because there are so many players linked to our team, until
we sign them I am not going to say anything. I am happy for what we have but
I am always looking for a way of improving and making things better. "We
want to improve how we play, the organisation of the game and we hope we can
bring players in - but they need to be better than what we have."
The Hammers are next in action on Thursday night when the reserves take on
Bishop's Stortford before the first team head to Ipswich Town on Saturday.
Kieron Dyer, rested against MK Dons, and new recruits Pablo Barrera and
Frederic Piquionne could also figure at Portman Road, while Valon Behrami is
training but being reintroduced carefully after fitness issues during the
World Cup.
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MK Dons 0-2 West Ham United
WHUFC.com
Julien Faubert and Carlton Cole were on target as West Ham United defeated
League One side MK Dons
28.07.2010
MK Dons v West Ham United
Pre-season friendly
stadium:mk
Wednesday 28 July 2010
Kick-off: 7.30pm
MK Dons 0-2 West Ham United
Julien Faubert and Carlton Cole were on target with second-half goals as
West Ham United made it four wins from four pre-season friendly matches with
a 2-0 victory at MK Dons. The League One side presented a stern test for
Avram Grant's side, but the Hammers' Barclays Premier League class showed
through in the end, particularly after manager Grant had sent on seven
substitutes just past the hour-mark. Germany U21 forward Anis Ben-Hatira and
Argentine Milton Caraglio were given a chance to impress in a claret and
blue shirt, while German Stefan Wessels produced a confident second-half
display after replacing the returning Robert Green at half-time. Green
himself was at his assured best before the break, while captain Matthew
Upson and Jonathan Spector both looked good on their first appearances since
the 2010 FIFA World Cup. It was Cole who was the star turn, however, feeding
Faubert with a low cross before scoring a superb individual goal to make the
game safe five minutes from full-time. West Ham will return to pre-season
action at Championship challengers Ipswich Town on Saturday, with kick-off
at 3pm.
Full-time score - MK Dons 0-2 West Ham United
90 mins - In some ways it is fitting that MK Dons finish with a corner,
considering the number they've had tonight! Tomkins slices Chicksen's cross
behind. Guy crosses and the ball is headed out of the box by a West Ham
head. Howell crosses again and Tomkins heads clear before Faubert concedes
another corner! Guy crosses and Lewington can't get his header on target.
The ball is picked up by an MK Dons player, who drags his shot well wide of
the near post. With that, referee Dean Whitestone blows for full-time.
88 mins - As we approach the closing stages it's time to take stock. The
first half was a little disjointed, but that is to be expected when two new
outfield players are in the side and many of the players have just returned
from their summer break. The second half, especially after the
substitutions, has been better and the football more fluent. Cole has caught
the eye with a goal and an assist, while Tomkins has shown his versality
again. Both have looked superb in pre-season. With two friendly matches
remaining, manager Avram Grant and his new assistant and coaching staff know
there is more work to be done, but this makes it four wins from four
outings.
85 mins - GOAL! The attendance has been announced as 12,230 and the away
fans among them will be absolutely loving that. Cole bursts down the right
and powers his way into the box past two defenders before finishing into the
bottom right-hand corner across Gueret.
83 mins - Cole forces a corner. Noble takes but Da Costa can't control his
header and it flies behind for a goal kick. ANOTHER change for MK Dons -
Leven is replaced by Luke Howell.
81 mins - On-loan QPR man Balanta strides forward before curling a shot over
the top from 20 yards. Noble got back in there and put pressure on the South
American and maybe did just enough to put him off. Another change - Gleeson
is off and Tom Flanagan is on.
79 mins - Good play from West Ham. Spector races on to a fine ball from Boa
Morte before cutting a dangerous cross back, but Lewington is there to clear
for a corner. The ball is worked to Hitzlsperger, but 'Der Hammer' can only
find the stand behind the goal.
78 mins - Petrovic is out again on the edge of the technical area. First
impressions suggest he will be a hands-on style assistant manager. MK Dons
make another change, with Easter being replaced by Mark Carrington.
76 mins - MK Dons should equalise. A corner is worked short to Gleeson,
whose cross is met by Woodards six yards out. Instead of hitting the back of
the net, his header clears the bar and lands in the home fans behind the
goal.
75 mins - Boa Morte is really putting himself about out there. He absolutely
loves a tackle, and shows it by sliding in hard but fair on an MK Dons
midfielder. Get in there, Boa!
73 mins - Left-back Woodards tries to cross from deep but it turns into a
shot. Wessels is safely behind it though and clutches the ball to his chest.
72 mins - Former Leyton Orient man Jabo Ibehre is on for Baldock.
70 mins - GOAL! Here we go! Cole delays and delays and picks the perfect
moment to cross low into the six-yard box where Faubert nips in from his
position on the right of the front three to poke the ball past Gueret from
close range.
67 mins - Guy is on for Chadwick. MK Dons have a left-wing corner. Woodards
wins the header but West Ham are able to clear and counter-attack.
Hitzlsperger finds Noble who attempts to find McCarthy on the edge of the
penalty area, but the South African is crowded out.
66 mins - Da Costa loses possession and Baldock beats Faubert before being
stopped in his tracks by a very solid challenge from Spector.
64 mins - OK, Ilunga, Noble, Hitzlsperger, Faubert, Boa Morte, Cole and
McCarthy are on. Daprela, Kovac, Parker, Diamanti, Ben-Hatira, Stanislas and
Caraglio have gone off.
63 mins - I've heard of a triple subsitution, but West Ham are about to make
SEVEN changes! Diamanti crosses and the ball lands on the top of the net.
Time for the fourth official to earn his crust in a big way...!
62 mins - The two new boys have done well since the break. It was always
going to take them time to settle in and both have been heavily involved in
the play since half-time. Caraglio nearly shows why by latching on to
Stanislas's deflected cross, but Gueret is out smartly to catch in front of
the Argentine.
61 mins - MK Dons make a third change, with Adam Chicksen - great name! - on
for O'Hanlon.
60 mins - The octuplets are heading back to the bench. We could see some
wholesale changes soon.
58 mins - Spector concedes another corner for MK Dons. This is real end to
end stuff. The corner finds Wilbraham in acres of space at the far post, but
his header is a poor one and nothing comes from it as Diamanti is fouled on
the edge of the penalty area.
57 mins - Parker again and this time he is brought down about 35 yards out.
Diamanti wants to shoot... Er, I think the best way of summing that up is
that Jonny Wilkinson would have been proud of that effort. It sailed over
the bar...
56 mins - Things are really livening up here. Leven lifts a corner to the
back post where O'Hanlan rises and heads the ball powerfully, but it floats
harmlessly wide.
55 mins - Ben-Hatira is certainly getting his money's worth tonight. Daprela
breaks up an MK Dons attack and feeds Parker, who swaps passes with the
German and romps forward. His pass falls to Stanislas, who plays in
Ben-Hatira, but the Berlin-born player can only lift his shot over the
advancing Gueret and wide of the far post. Great chance.
54 mins - Better from Diamanti, who picks up the loose ball and beats his
man twice before curling a shot narrowly wide of the far post with his
trusty left foot. That had Gueret scrambling and the crowd 'Ooohing' as it
flew just past the upright.
52 mins - Chadwick gets free down the right and shows some class by lifting
a superb cross towards the far post. There, Tomkins is out-numbered two to
one, allowing Balanta to rise highest and head goalwards. Wessels flings
himself into the air, but thankfully the ball flies a yard over the top.
51 mins - A gaggle of West Ham substitutes are out warming up. For some
reason, everyone has got a grey tracksuit top on other than Hitzlsperger,
who is sporting the yellow number. There are eight of them doing various
exercises. Back on the pitch, Caraglio and Diamanti combine again, but the
Italian's cross is too high and gathered by Gueret.
49 mins - Parker brings out his favourite turn. Ah, I've missed that over
the summer. Scotty has got an uncanny ability to get himself out of tight
situations while retaining possession for his side. Caraglio almost
benefits, finding Diamanti, but his cross is too high and the chance goes
begging.
46 mins - MK Dons get us back underway. They've brought on Aaron Wilbraham
and Danny Woodards for Hamann and Doumbe.
Three changes for West Ham - Jonathan Spector and Manuel da Costa are on for
Matthew Upson and Danny Gabbidon at the back, with Stefan Wessels replacing
Robert Green in goal. Tomkins has gone to centre-back alongside Da Costa,
with Spector at right-back.
Half-time score - MK Dons 0-0 West Ham United
45 mins - Three seconds early, the referee blows for half-time. I would
think manager Grant may make a few changes at the break, but we shall see...
41 mins - Parker lofts a superb ball over the top for Ben-Hatira, who has
time to control and shoot. He chooses to hold the ball and pass instead and
makes a bit of a mess of it. His square ball to Stanislas is too strong and
forces the No7 wide. He wins a corner, but that should have been the opening
goal. The corner finds an unmarked Kovac, but he heads a few yards over the
crossbar.
40 mins - Manager Grant is out on the edge of the technical area to take a
closer look at proceedings. I'm not sure what he'll make of this half, to be
honest. Hardly anything of note has really happened!
37 mins - Not much in the way of goalmouth incident to report, I'm afraid.
MK Dons pass the ball well and find Chadwick on the right, but Daprela does
well to block his cross behind. The corner again comes to nothing. Caraglio
brings the ball clear, but his pass is wayward and the chance to break is
lost.
33 mins - Green comes out and kicks the ball clear as Baldock attempted to
latch on to a long punt forward. Good, decisive goalkeeping from the No1,
who gets another ironic cheer from the home fans.
27 mins - Green shows why he is an international goalkeeper. Easter lets fly
with a drive from 25 yards that is arrowing towards the top corner before
the stopper flies to his right to push the ball aside for a corner. The
flag-kick comes to nothing.
24 mins - The two unfamiliar faces nearly combine to deadly effect. Upson
gets in quickly to win possession before finding Caraglio. The South
American delays his pass before releasing Ben-Hatira. The German tries to
round Gueret but appears to lose his balance at the vital moment and his
weak shot is easily cleared inside the six-yard box by the covering
O'Hanlon.
22 mins - Easter has the chance to play in Chadwick after the former
Manchester United man had lost Daprela, but his pass is way too strong and
rolls behind.
21 mins - Easter gets the better of international teammate Gabbidon before
crossing towards Baldock, but Upson is there to head the ball clear. Good
defending, that. The ball is launched back into the penalty area and Green
claims. The home fans are giving him a bit of a hard time after his travails
with England at the World Cup, but that won't bother the Hammers No1 one
little bit.
19 mins - A cross from the right from Chadwick finds Easter in space, but
the big striker scuffs his shot and West Ham are able to clear. A slight
let-off for the visitors there.
18 mins - A short stoppage in play for Leven to get some treatment gives new
assistant manager Zeljko Petrovic to issue some instructions from the
technical area. Despite being born in the former Yugoslavia and having
played and managed in Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Japan and Croatia,
Petrovic speaks good English.
16 mins - Audacious! A clearance from Gueret is headed powerfully forward by
Gabbidon and when O'Hanlon mis-controls, Diamanti strikes the bouncing ball
first time from 45 yards. It flies wide of the target, but the home
goalkeeper was certainly concerned for a while as he watched the ball fly
over his head!
15 mins - There must be a few thousand Hammers fans behind the goal to my
left. Fair play to them for turning out on what is a fairly horrid July
evening. It's grey and raining. Grim.
11 mins - MK Dons attack down the right through Balanta, who wins a corner.
Caraglio heads powerfully clear at the near post and West Ham break. Doumbe
gets in on the halfway line before belting the ball out for a corner from
fully 50 yards! Stanislas crosses and MK Dons clear through Easter. The
Wales international tries to find Baldock with a raking pass, but Daprela
gets across well to clear the danger.
10 mins - Stanislas has a great chance to open the scoring, controlling
Parker's through ball and beating the MK Dons offside trap. He has a long
time to pick his spot, but delays too long and allows Doumbe to block before
the ball is hacked behind for a corner. Stanislas will be disappointed with
that. He takes the corner himself and Gabbidon heads powerfully, but too
high.
9 mins - Diamanti turns his man with ease and drills the ball out wide left
to Ben-Hatira. The youngster cuts inside and tries to find Stanislas with a
low cross, but it bounces behind for a goal kick. Nice idea.
8 mins - MK Dons are relying on a series of long balls into the channels,
all of which Green has dealt with easily. West Ham are trying to pass their
way through, but so far their efforts have floundered in the midfield.
5 mins - Good play from Ben-Hatira sees him find Parker. The England man
delays his pass before trying to release the German down the right wing, but
his effort is just too strong. Ben-Hatira and Stanislas have swapped wings
already, and they're now doing so again, with Stanislas coming over to the
right.
4 mins - Easter is brought down by Kovac, who appears bang up for the
physical challenge. Seconds later, the Czech gives away another free-kick.
He'll have to be careful.
2 mins - Upson gets in well to half-clear but MK Dons win the ball back and
Easter finds Chadwick on the edge of the box. His shot is blocked by the
face of Kovac and flies behind for a corner. Lewington wins it, but the ball
hits a defender and goes behind again. The second corner comes to nothing
and Parker sweeps the ball upfield.
1 min - Caraglio is putting himself about already, chasing down one MK Dons
defender before winning the ball in midfield.
7.33pm - West Ham gets us underway...
7.32pm - The new claret and blue home shirt, combined with the away shorts
and socks, looks good from here. I am informed the reason we are in our home
kit is because MK Dons' home kit is all white.
7.30pm - Here come the two teams to the strains of Guns 'N' Roses 'Welcome
to the Jungle'. Excellent tune... West Ham are wearing their home shirt for
the first time.
7.28pm - I'm now told the two teams are in the tunnel, so any delay is going
to be very short.
7.27pm - OK, despite the fact both teams have returned to their dressing
rooms, we clearly aren't going to kick-off at 7.30pm. I do not know for
sure, but I presume that is down to the number of supporters still trying to
get into the stadium.
7.25pm - Five minutes to go until kick-off here at stadium:mk and there are
a good few travelling Hammers in the ground.
Good evening and welcome to stadium:mk on an unseasonably dark and cold
evening in Buckinghamshire.
Having negotiated the endless roundabouts between here and the ground, we
are looking forward to seeing Robert Green, Matthew Upson and Jonathan
Spector in action for West Ham United for the first time since the 2010 FIFA
World Cup finals in South Africa.
Upson will captain a side that contains two unfamiliar names. Forwards Anis
Ben-Hatira, a Germany Under-21 international who has played for Hamburger
SV, and Argentine forward Milton Caraglio will both start in the front
three. A third new face, former Bayern Munich goalkeeper Stefan Wessels, is
among the substitutes.
A small number of first-team squad members are missing tonight, including
long-term absentees Zavon Hines and Jack Collison. Valon Behrami and Kieron
Dyer are being rested ahead of Saturday's trip to Ipswich Town.
One familiar face to Hammers fans in the MK Dons squad is former winger Luke
Chadwick, who made 36 appearances and scored once between August 2004 and
April 2005.
West Ham United: Green (Wessels 46), Tomkins, Gabbidon (Spector 46), Upson
(Da Costa 46), Daprela (Ilunga 64), Kovac (Hitzlsperger 64), Parker (Noble
64), Diamanti (Faubert 64), Ben-Hatira (McCarthy 64), Stanislas (Boa Morte
64), Caraglio (Cole 64)
Subs: Sears
MK Dons: Gueret, Gleeson (Flanagan 81), Lewington, O'Hanlon (Chicksen 61),
Doumbe (Woodards 46), Chadwick (Guy 67), Hamann (Wilbraham 46), Leven
(Howell 83), Balanta, Baldock (Ibehre 72), Easter (Carrington 78)
Subs: Collins
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Brady expects top eight
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 28th July 2010
By: Staff Writer
Karren Brady has revealed that she believes West Ham United will finish in
the Premier League's top 8 this coming season. The club's vice-chairman,
speaking at a specially-arranged dinner for representatives from a host of
local businesses last night said that she would be willing to wager that
Avram Grant's squad will succeed in achieving what no West Ham team has done
since Glenn Roeder's squad finished in 7th place back in 2001/02. Despite a
number of top ten finishes, a top 8 spot in the top flight has only been
achieved on five occasions in the past 30 years, and only once since Harry
Redknapp became the first West Ham manager to lead his side to two
successive top eight Premier League finishes in the late 1990s.
Eight's great: our Premier League/Division One top 8 finishes in the last 50
years
Glenn Roeder: 7th in 2001/02.
Harry Redknapp: 5th in 1998/99; 8th in 1997/98.
John Lyall: 3rd in 1985/86; 8th in 1982/83.
Ron Greenwood: 6th in 1972/73; 8th in 1961/62, 1968/69.
One over the eight: close but no cigar
Gianfranco Zola: 9th in 2008/09.
Alan Curbishley: 10th in 2007/08.
Alan Pardew: 9th in 2005/06.
Billy Bonds: 13th in 1993/94.
Lou Macari: No complete season; left in February 1990 with the team
mid-table.
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Petrovic deal completed
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 28th July 2010
By: Staff Writer
Zeljko Petrovic has been confirmed as assistant manager to Avram Grant.
44-year-old Petrovic was confirmed as Grant's new number two this afternoon
- as KUMB.com revealed earlier this week. Grant, speaking about the decision
to hire Petrovic - the final piece in his backroom team jigsaw - told
whufc.com:
"I am happy that we now have the staff set-up that I presented to the owners
when I came. The aim is to take the team forward with professional, positive
people and have a creative atmosphere. Zeljko Petrovic has a lot of
experience and knowledge as a player and a coach. "Paul [Groves] knows my
methods and did a great job for me at Portsmouth. He is one of the main
reasons we went all the way to the FA Cup final with all the difficulties.
Kevin [Keen] has represented the traditions of West Ham and is also a very
good coach and a positive person."
Petrovic, a former right-back, represented Yugoslavia between 1990-1998 and
spent his playing career at a number of top clubs across Europe, including
Seville, PSV and Dinamo Zagreb. Upon hanging up his boots in 2003 he coached
Feyenoord as part of a management team headed by Ruud Gullit before moving
on to Boavista in a managerial capacity in 2006. However just six weeks
after taking the post he was fired following poor initial results.
In 2007/08 Petrovic took Waalwijk to runners-up spot in the Eerste Divisie
before becoming assistant to former Spurs boss Martin Jol at Hamburg in
2008/09, where the duo achieved a fifth-placed finish in the Bundesliga.
However that was also short-lived after Jol walked out following
disagreements over transfer funds; he later joined Ajax.
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Hammers confirm assistant
Petrovic named as Grant's No.2
Last updated: 28th July 2010
SSN
West Ham have confirmed the appointment of Zeljko Petrovic as assistant
manager to Avram Grant. The former Yugoslavia international played for his
country at the 1998 World Cup and boasts club experience with Sevilla and
PSV Eindhoven. Now 44, Petrovic has established himself as a respected coach
and most recently was assistant to Dutch tactician Martin Jol at German club
Hamburg during the 2008/09 campaign. He links up with an English-dominated
backroom staff at Upton Park, joining Paul Groves, Kevin Keen, goalkeeping
coach David Coles and fitness boss Eamon Swift. Grant told the club's
official website: "I am happy that we now have the staff set-up that I
presented to the owners when I came. "The aim is to take the team forward
with professional, positive people and have a creative atmosphere. "Zeljko
Petrovic has a lot of experience and knowledge as a player and a coach.
"Paul knows my methods and did a great job for me at Portsmouth. Kevin has
represented the traditions of West Ham and is also a very good coach and
positive person."
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MK Dons 0 West Ham 2
The Sun
Published: 28 Jul 2010
ARE you watching, Fabio? Robert Green has returned to duty — and even kept a
clean sheet! Green was back in action tonight for the first half of West
Ham's 2-0 victory at MK Dons. It was his first outing since the World Cup
howler in Rustenburg that allowed the USA to snatch a 1-1 draw. And Green
began the road to redemption by shutting out the League One side for 45
minutes. Julien Faubert and Carlton Cole scored the second-half goals for
the Hammers while Spurs target Scott Parker was in the starting line-up.
WEST HAM: Green (Wessels 45), Tomkins, Gabbidon (Spector 45), Upson (Da
Costa 45), Daprela (Ilunga 64), Kovac (Hitzlsperger 64), Parker (Noble 64),
Diamanti (Faubert 64), Ben-Hatira (McCarthy 64), Stanislas (Boa Morte 64),
Caraglio (Cole 64).
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Av chases stopper
The Sun
Published: Today
WEST HAM are set to make a move for Dutch stopper Piet Velthuizen. Hammers
chief Avram Grant wants the Vitesse Arnhem keeper to act as back-up to
first-choice Robert Green. Velthuizen, 23, is regarded as one of the best
young goalies in Holland and just missed out on a place in their squad for
this summer's World Cup finals.
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Hammer out a deal, Becks
The Sun
Published: Today
DAVID BECKHAM has promised to tell West Ham soon whether he will end his
career at Upton Park. Former England skipper Becks, 35, was born in East
London. The LA Galaxy midfielder hopes to make his comeback from an Achilles
injury in the next few weeks then return to Europe in January. Hammers
co-owner David Gold said: "We had some discussions with David's agents a few
months ago and it was a possibility. "He's preoccupied with a number of
projects at the moment but he's promised he will give every consideration to
the possibility of joining us."
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Hammers fury at Spurs Scott bid
The Sun
By MARK IRWIN
Published: Today
WEST HAM have accused Tottenham of trying to destabilise star midfielder
Scott Parker. The Hammers are furious Spurs tabled an £8million bid for the
England midfielder AFTER they were given a stern 'hands-off' warning. And
co-owner David Sullivan issued a strongly worded statement insisting the
player, 29, is not for sale at any price. Now Tottenham are ready to risk
Sullivan's wrath by putting in an improved £10m offer for the ex-Chelsea
ace. A West Ham spokesman last night said: "The club informed Tottenham
chairman Daniel Levy prior to him making the offer that we would not welcome
any approach to unsettle the player. "As repeatedly stated, Scott Parker is
not for sale and there are no circumstances and no amount of money that will
cause us to break that pledge to the fans. "Scott Parker has three years
left on his contract and we have opened talks with his agent over a new
five-year deal. "Regardless of the size of the bid nothing will break the
promise that chairman David Sullivan made to our supporters."
Chairman Sullivan is adamant the days of broken promises are over at Upton
Park. He said: "For far too long West Ham supporters have had owners that
sell their best players and promise one thing then do another. "I made a
promise I would not sell Scott and I will not break that for any amount of
cash." Manager Avram Grant added: "If I am disappointed with Harry Redknapp
for making a bid, I will tell him face to face. "We want to progress. We
have a long term plan and Scott is a big part of that. He is not for sale."
Parker has three years to run on a £70,000-a- week contract signed in
February last year. He played for 64 minutes against MK Dons last night.
Hammers won 2-0 thanks to second-half goals from Julien Faubert and Carlton
Cole.
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Furious Sullivan blasts Spurs over Parker bid - Exclusive
Published 23:01 28/07/10 By James Nursey
The Mirror
West Ham chief David Sullivan has blasted Spurs for pursuing Scott Parker
and still hasn't forgiven them for ambushing Eidur Gudjohnsen. The Hammers
have rejected a bid from Premier League rivals Tottenham for their midfield
talisman Parker. Co-chairman Sullivan is standing by his pledge that club
captain Parker, 29, will not be sold under any circumstances. He is fuming
with Spurs' boss Harry Redknapp and chairman Daniel Levy for bidding for
Parker after being told their interest is not welcome. And Sullivan is still
sore striker Gudjohnsen, 31, ended up joining Spurs on loan in January from
Monaco after agreeing to go to Upton Park. "I am very angry with Harry,
Daniel and Spurs," Sullivan told Mirrorsport. "They stole Gudjohnsen from us
last season and Parker is not for sale."
After West Ham narrowly avoided relegation last term, Sullivan said he would
listen to offers for any player except Parker. The club have since offered
Parker a new five-year contract worth £20m in wages in a bid to persuade him
to stay. Sullivan added: "I made a promise that I would not sell Scott and I
will not, for any amount of money, break that promise to the West Ham
supporters. "Scott is not for sale at any price, to anyone. "West Ham
supporters, for far too long, have had owners that sell their best players
and promise one thing and do another. "This is a new era. We are building a
bigger, better West Ham and when we make a promise, we honour it."
Parker has become a lynchpin in the Hammers' midfield since joining from
Newcastle three years ago for £7m on a £75,000-a-week salary. He is so
popular with fans he was named 'Hammer of the year' for the past two
seasons. Redknapp wants Parker to boost his squad who have qualified for the
Champions League, but a Hammers' statement read: "The club would like to
state that regardless of the size of the bid, nothing will break the promise
that chairman David Sullivan made to our supporters. "As repeatedly stated,
Scott Parker is not for sale and there are no circumstances and no amount of
money that will cause us to break that pledge to the fans. "The club
informed Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy prior to him making the offer that
we would not welcome any approach to unsettle the player. "Scott Parker has
three years left on his contract and the club has opened talks with his
agent over a new five-year deal."
Parker, who missed out on a place in England's World Cup squad for this
summer's final in South Africa, returned to club action last Friday against
Panathinaikos. He captained the side and played for 45 minutes in the 1-0
win over the Greek outfit.
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Petrovic joins Hammers staff
Published 16:41 28/07/10 By Pa Sports
The Mirror
West Ham boss Avram Grant has completed his management team with the
appointment of former Yugoslavia international Zeljko Petrovic as the club's
new assistant manager. Grant had outlined his desire to appoint Petrovic,
44, when he took over at Upton Park earlier this summer. Petrovic will work
alongside senior coach Paul Groves, first team coach Kevin Keen, goalkeeping
coach David Coles and fitness expert Eamon Swift. "I am happy that we now
have the staff set-up that I presented to the owners when I came," said
Grant. "The aim is to take the team forward with professional, positive
people and have a creative atmosphere. "Zeljko Petrovic has a lot of
experience and knowledge as a player and a coach. "Paul knows my methods and
did a great job for me at Portsmouth. He is one of the main reasons we went
all the way to the FA Cup final with all the difficulties. "Kevin has
represented the traditions of West Ham and is also a very good coach and a
positive person."
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West Ham offer Parker £20m to stay, but midfielder wants European football
By MATT BARLOW Last updated at 12:57 AM on 29th July 2010
Comments (0)
Daily Mail
West Ham are locked on a collision course with Scott Parker after flatly
rejecting a £7million of fer from Tottenham. Hammers co-chairman David
Sullivan has vowed once again not to sell Parker 'at any price' and has
offered him a new five-year contract worth £20m, as revealed by Sportsmail.
But Sullivan's stance is frustrating the 29-year-old, who is far from
comfortable in his role as the only West Ham player not for sale, and for
whom the idea of one more fling in the Champions League has a certain
appeal. Aston Villa are also interested in Parker and Liverpool will be too
if Javier Mascherano gets his wish of a transfer to Inter Milan. Tottenham
made the first move, however, and West Ham promptly responded with an
official statement yesterday to confirm the bid had been rejected. They also
made the point that Spurs chairman Daniel Levy had previously been warned
that any attempt to 'unsettle the player' would not be welcome. Sullivan
said: 'I made a promise that I wouldn't sell Scott and I will not, for any
amount of money, break that promise to West Ham supporters.
'Scott is not for sale at any price, to anyone. West Ham supporters, for far
too long, have had owners that sell their best players and promise one thing
and another. 'This is a new era. We are building a bigger, better West Ham
and when we make a promise, we honour it.'
Parker was signed for £7m from Newcastle three years ago and has won the
club's Player of the Year award for the last two seasons. His excellent form
last term earned a recall to the England squad, although he missed the final
cut for South Africa. Parker has a solid reputation as an honest
professional but is not the type to stay silent and allow another shot at
European football to pass. At Charlton, he fell out with manager Alan
Curbishley over his desire to leave for Chelsea in January 2004. On that
occasion, the midfielder got his way and moved to Stamford Bridge for £10m.
Six and a half years on, Parker is understood to be disappointed with the
board's refusal to even entertain Tottenham's interest.
Spurs are expected to return with an improved offer but Levy is reluctant to
pay too much for a player with little resale value. Parker, who turns 30 in
October, is limited in his options. With three years left on his contract he
can issue a transfer request but is more likely to wait for the next move
from Spurs. Either way, the stage seems set for a conflict between West Ham
and their best player.
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Avram Grant wants free agent Laurent Bonnart to become latest West Ham
recruit
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 11:05 PM on 28th July 2010
Daily Mail
Avram Grant is ready to make freed Marseille defender Laurent Bonnart West
Ham's latest summer signing. Bonnart, 30, held talks with the Hammers boss
after rejecting an offer from Turkish side Ankaragucu. The left back joined
Marseille from Le Mans in 2007 and played 98 games for the French champions.
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MK Dons 0 West Ham 2: Keeper Green slips back into the Hammers team
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER Last updated at 12:23 AM on 29th July 2010
Daily Mail
Robert Green finally put his World Cup ordeal behind him as he made his
first appearance for West Ham last night looking confident. Green let a
Clint Dempsey shot slip out of his hands in England's opener with USA and
was axed by Fabio Capello for the rest of the tournament. But new boss
Avram Grant threw him back into action. Despite ironic cheers from the home
crowd, Green showed why he is one of England's best keepers with a superb
save of a Jermaine Easter shot. He was replaced at half time by former
Everton keeper Stefan Wessels. Grant said: 'He is not a little child. He
knows it is part of the game and it was
disappointing. But what happened is in the past and we are all looking
forward.'
Scott Parker played for an hour, despite West Ham rejecting Tottenham's
offer just hours before the game. Julien Faubert netted West Ham's first
goal on 70 minutes and Carlton Cole sealed an easy victory on 85 minutes.
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Scott Parker wants to hear Tottenham offer despite West Ham's refusal
Hammers reject £7m offer from local rivals
David Sullivan vows to keep star midfielder
David Hytner
guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 28 July 2010 23.00 BST
Scott Parker would like to consider Tottenham Hotspur's proposal to take him
across London to White Hart Lane and has been left frustrated at West Ham
United's refusal to countenance the deal.
Spurs have had a £7m offer rejected out of hand by the West Ham co-chairman
David Sullivan, who has said the midfielder is not for sale and that Parker
is to be offered a lucrative new five-year contract. The midfielder has
three years to run on his current deal.
But Parker is tempted by what would be a hugely contentious switch – there
is no love lost at Upton Park for Tottenham – and he is surprised at the
stance that Sullivan has adopted. At the very least, Parker would welcome
the chance to listen to what is on offer at White Hart Lane.
Spurs may provide Parker, who is 29, with his last shot at the Champions
League – Harry Redknapp's team will enter the competition in the final
qualifying round after their fourth-placed finish last season – and their
offer is the same as West Ham paid Newcastle United for him in June 2007.
Parker heard Sullivan say last season that the entire West Ham squad was up
for sale apart from him and his patience has been tested further by
Sullivan's hard line with Spurs. There is the fear at Upton Park, though,
that Tottenham will not be dissuaded in their pursuit.
West Ham confirmed on their website that Spurs had made the bid and they
added that they had "informed Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy prior to him
making the offer that we would not welcome any approach to unsettle the
player".
Sullivan said: "I made a promise that I would not sell Scott and I will not,
for any amount of money, break that promise to the West Ham supporters.
Scott is not for sale at any price, to anyone. West Ham supporters, for far
too long, have had owners that sell their best players and promise one thing
and do another. This is a new era. We are building a bigger, better West Ham
and when we make a promise, we honour it."
He is furious with Tottenham, whose manager, Harry Redknapp, beat West Ham
to the signing of Eidur Gudjohnsen in January after the forward appeared set
to move to Upton Park. "I am very angry with Harry, Daniel and Spurs,"
Sullivan told the Mirror. "They stole Gudjohnsen from us last season and
Parker is not for sale."
Sullivan's statements, coupled with the promise of a new contract, appeared
designed to back Parker into a corner but the player has experience of
driving an acrimonious transfer. In 2004 he made it clear that he wanted to
leave Charlton Athletic for Chelsea and he endured being banished from
first-team training by the then manager, Alan Curbishley, before he got his
wish.
There is no suggestion at present that he is prepared to do something
similar. Parker turned down an offer from Tottenham that season, preferring
the £10m move to Stamford Bridge.
Parker has been West Ham's player of the year for the past two seasons, he
is the first name on the teamsheet and is revered by the club's supporters.
It can be argued that West Ham have given him the platform to fight back to
the fringes of the England squad after injuries marred his time at
Newcastle.
West Ham's manager, Avram Grant, has appointed the former Yugoslavia
international Zeljko Petrovic as his assistant. Petrovic, who played at the
1998 World Cup, completes Grant's backroom staff and will work alongside the
senior coach, Paul Groves, the first-team coach, Kevin Keen, the goalkeeping
coach, David Coles, and the fitness expert Eamon Swift.
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