WHUFC.com
Pablo Barrera's debut, Robert Green's fine form and another Carlton Cole
goal were all positives
01.08.2010
Avram Grant was naturally delighted after seeing his side make it five
straight victories in pre-season with a 1-0 win against a competitive
Ipswich Town.
The manager had said at the outset that Saturday's contest would be about
assessing tactics and fitness rather than the result, with the bulk of the
squad having had extended run-outs at MK Dons three days previously. As it
was Carlton Cole settled matters on the half-hour mark with his fourth goal
in five appearances - although this was the first time he had gone over 45
minutes - and Robert Green was heroic in goal.
The England goalkeeper helped the Hammers make it 401 minutes since
conceding in the 41st minute of the first summer friendly at Peterborough
United on 14 July - with four clean sheets since then. He was equal to
everything that the home side could throw at him, and easily brushed aside
the criticism that greeted from the stands as an ex-Norwich City player.
Victory is always the perfect riposte to terrace taunts, and Grant
emphasised the importance of maintaining the winning habit against the
Championship contenders, who begin their league programme next weekend. "We
like to win all the time, even in training," he said. "[But] the target is
not winning. The target is to play and to understand the tactics better. "We
have new players and it is good we are playing together. The physical side
is also very important. This is the reason that some players play more than
others. We are on the right way."
Those new players were Frederic Piquionne and Pablo Barrera, with the
second-half appearances for both their first taste of wearing the claret and
blue. More game time could follow in Tuesday's trip to Southend United
before the visit of RC Deportivo La Coruna for the glamour SBOBET Cup on
Saturday. It will be hoped that Matthew Upson, substituted early as a
precaution, will also be fit. "I don't think it is serious but we don't want
to risk our players," added the manager of his captain, with Upson playing
just his second game since coming back into the fold. "I think he will be OK
but we need to see what the medical department say."
The manager refused to be too downbeat about that, especially with Danny
Gabbidon, Herita Ilunga and Kieron Dyer once again showing they are getting
stronger after last season's injury woes. "I always pleased if we are
winning games but this game it was more important to see things that we want
to see tactically. I am happy because we are seeing progress. Every game we
are in better physical condition and the players understand the tactics a
bit better.
"We are more playing like a team from game to game. The support is better,
the movement is better and we understand each other better."
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Grant - Parker going nowhere
Spurs warned off new move for midfielder
Last updated: 31st July 2010
SSN
West Ham boss Avram Grant is adamant captain Scott Parker will be staying at
Upton Park. Parker has been the subject of a failed bid from Tottenham,
while Liverpool and Aston Villa are thought to be monitoring the
midfielder's situation. Grant is determined to keep hold of Parker and
insists the former Chelsea and Charlton star is key to West Ham's long-term
plans. "Yes, he is staying at the club," Grant told Sky Sports News. "He is
a good player and it doesn't surprise me that many good teams would want him
as he could play for any team in the Premier League. "But we have plans for
next season, not for one season for all the team. We have a vision about the
club to have West Ham in a good place and good football and he is a big
important part for this project." Asked if he feared Spurs might make a new
bid for Parker, Grant said: "I think they don't have to make a bid because
we make it very, very clear that Scott Parker will stay with us."
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STRIKER SULEJMANI'S SOS TO WEST HAM
News Of The World
By Tom Barclay, 31/07/2010
AJAX striker Miralem Sulejmani is close to signing for West Ham on a
season-long loan, the News of the World understands. The Serbian youngster
is unhappy at being frozen out by Martin Jol at the Amsterdam ArenA, with
Avram Grant ready to give him a new lease of life at Upton Park. Despite
initially wanting to keep Sulejmani due to the club's lack of forwards, Jol
has now agreed to ship the 21-year-old out on loan following the signing of
Moroccan international Mounir El Hamdaoui. Sulejmani said: "Jol wants to
destroy my career. I don't understand. "West Ham would be a new start for me
at a new club." Sulejmani moved to Ajax in 2008 from Heerenveen for
16million euros, after the Dutch giants beat off competition from Chelsea,
PSV Eindhoven and Feyenoord for his signature.
The former Partizan striker has scored 13 goals in 60 games for the
four-time European Cup winners, but now looks set for a stint in East
London.
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Ipswich 0-1 West Ham: Sunday Mirror match report
Published 23:00 31/07/10 By Marc Isaacs
West Ham boss Avram Grant is refusing to take Harry Redknapp seriously and
says that the Hammers would never encourage Tottenham to make an offer for
influential midfielder Scott Parker. Spurs boss Redknapp is determined to
bring Parker to Tottenham this season and saw a £7m bid rejected last week.
Redknapp was angered by comments from West Ham co-owner David Sullivan that
Spurs were trying to unsettle the player with a bid, and claims they were
encouraged to make an offer for his signature. But Grant feels his close
friend Redknapp was trying to make a joke of the situation and knows that
Parker remains a vital part of West Ham's plans for the next few years.
Grant said: "We are not encouraging anyone. What I saw publicly is that
Tottenham want Parker – even before they spoke with us. I am confident he
will be here.
"Tottenham and other clubs know that we like Parker. We have said it a lot
and they know that we want to keep him. We don't just have plans for this
year, but for the next few seasons and Scott has a big part to play for this
club because he has a good influence on other players and we want to keep
him. "I know Harry very well and he has a great sense of humour. I'm sure he
was joking. I will not take it seriously. "I also want the best players, and
if Harry gave me Gareth Bale I would also be very happy! I just call it
summer stories."
Yesterday Parker was impressive once again as West Ham maintained their fine
start to the pre-season with Carlton Cole heading in the winner against
Ipswich at Portman Road.
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Gabbidon keen to put injury nightmare behind him
Published 23:00 31/07/10 By Marc Isaacs
The Mirror
West Ham defender Danny Gabbidon is desperate to put his injury hell behind
him and hopes to get his career back on track under Avram Grant. Gabbidon
has been plagued by injury problems for the last four years and has
struggled to command a regular first-team place at Upton Park. The Welsh
international is convinced he has now made a full recovery from a long-term
groin problem and wants to play a major role for West Ham in the Premier
League. With uncertainty over the long-term future of skipper Matthew Upson,
Gabbidon knows he could get the chance. Gabbidon said: "I am pleased to get
through the games. I have been feeling pretty good and I am getting
stronger. "I had a decent pre-season last year but it was in the season that
I had a few little niggles. Hopefully I can improve on that this season."
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Liverpool to make shock Parker swoop - Exclusive
Published 23:00 31/07/10 By Steve Stammers
The Mirror
Liverpool are set to make an £8million bid for Scott Parker. Anfield boss
Roy Hodgson has pinpointed the West Ham midfielder as the man to replace
Javier Mascherano, who is set to join Inter Milan in a £20m deal. The
Hammers hierarchy have insisted that Parker is the one player they will not
sell this summer.
"Not at any price," said chairman David Sullivan. That has not stopped
Tottenham declaring their interest. And just as Liverpool allowed Spurs and
Arsenal to make the running in the pursuit of Joe Cole, before stealing
their thunder, they are poised to strike again with Parker. The key issue is
whether West Ham will relax their tough stance. The Upton Park club have
been boosted by the news that Robert Green wants to stay and they are likely
to start talks soon with Matthew Upson about a new contract. Upson's current
deal expires at the end of this season and he would qualify for a free
transfer but West Ham want to avoid that scenario. Meanwhile, Hodgson's
attempts to land Christian Poulsen have been given a boost after the
Juventus midfielder's agent said it was an "honour" to be linked with
Liverpool. Joern Bonnesen, his agent, said: "There has not been any contact
and there is not much more that can be said until there has been, but we
know there's an interest from them."
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Lets Play With a Style, to Match Our New Kits!
West Ham Till I Die
I must say that I am very impressed with the new West Ham kits. Both the
home and away kits are both traditional and stylish. It is an excellent
policy decision by the new suppliers to go for a design rooted in West Ham's
past, that strikes a positive cord with the club's support. They are also
very generous in their seizing as well, which is a added bonus.
Personally, I disliked the Umbro kit designs. They were so uninspiring,
without discernible flair in conception and design. The last one (last
season's home shirt) was the worst of the lot. I have a large collection
of Hammers shirts. It includes such memorable designs as original first
team shirts from 1960s and 1970s, a home Admiral shirt from 1976-77, the
classy Adidas kits of the early 1980s, the so-called 'Argentina' away shirt
of the early 1990s, the Centenary shirts and many others. I dutifully
purchased the first home Umbro shirt, which was probably the best of the
lot, but could not bring myself to buy any of the others that followed.
However, my enthusiasm has been seriously rekindled with these new Italian
designs. They look good and also feel good to wear. The best thing is that
we actually look like West Ham Utd FC once again, rather than Scunthorpe Utd
FC! So, lets follow through and ensure that we play like West Ham this
season, with style and without fear.
Actually, my hope is to see a new synthesis of tradtional West Ham flair and
a new professionalism. Having seen a couple of pre-season matches, it is
clear that Avram Grant has identified a system and successfully inducted the
players in to it. The players seem to know their jobs in the system and are
doing them well as a unit. Indeed, they have shown remarkable discipline
and organisation so far. While some of their forward play has been flowing
and adventurous.
Carlton Cole looks like a striker on a mission to finally realise his full
potential. While both Noble and Hitzlsperger have had very good
pre-seasons. I look forward to seeing a midfield that combines the talents
of these two and Scott Parker. Hitzlsperger, in particular, looks a bargain
buy. A very influential player who will add experience and goal scoring
threat to our midfield.
In my opinion it is crucial that both Cole and Parker remain with the club.
Selling Cole to Stoke City could be a real mistake and we should refuse to
sell to Spurs on principle. A bit like Bellamy's transfer to Man City, I
would take any club's money over theirs. However, it also has to be said
that Spurs' bid for Parker smacks of a certain panic over at WHL. Their
pre-season has been fairly poor and their recent humiliation at the hands of
Villarreal could be a bit of harbinger of their forthcoming fortunes in this
year's Champions League? Anyway, lets hope so!
I agree that Parker should captain the club this season. If he stays, then
Upson should concentrate upon his defensive duties and leadership of the
back four. Some people have conveniently short memories. Yes Upson had a
poor 2009-10 season, but had played consistently well for us over the
previous two seasons. Lets hope that he commits to the club and gets back
to that type of form. At 30-31 years of age, as a central defender, his
next couple years should see him at his best.
However, Upson needs to commit to the new contract on offer. If not then an
exit should be actively encouraged. Ben Tal Haim is a steady defender and
did a good job for Bolton a few seasons back. Optimistically, I am looking
for Spence, Eyjolfsson and Fry to push on and (to one degree or other)
figure at first team level this season. At right-back, I would have liked
to recruit Luke Young from Villa as cover for Faubert. However, Clerc
would also be a decent signing. Left-back looks pretty well covered with
Ilunga, Daprela competing for a starting spot. While beneath them we also
have Matt Fry able to cover left-back and promising youngster, Jordan Brown,
coming through.
It is still early days, and pre-season form can be deceptive. However,
things seem to be shaping up well at the club. Grant has made it clear that
he is still looking to strengthen the squad and, rumour has it, that we are
targeting experienced cover for Rob Green, a defender and another striker.
We shall see?
SJ. Chandos.
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TOWN 0 WEST HAM 1
Posted on: Sat 31 Jul 2010
www.itfc.co.uk
Carlton Cole's close range finish gave West Ham victory in an evenly
contested friendly at Portman Road.
The England U21 international forced the ball over the line after Luis
Boa-Morte's header had been beaten out by Brian Murphy.
Robert Green was the first of the two 'keepers in action, denying Tamas
Priskin from close range after the Hungary striker had got on the end of
David Norris' pass.
Gareth McAuley headed over from the resultant corner, then Grant Leadbitter
tested Green from distance as Town started in lively fashion.
Former Blues' loanee Mark Noble replaced Matthew Upson midway through the
first-half and just after the half hour mark, the Hammers edged in front.
Brian Murphy saved well from Boa Morte but Cole was on hand to force the
ball in from two yards.
Carlos Edwards dragged a shot wide from 25 yards but West Ham could and
perhaps should have added a second goal before the break, Thomas
Hitzlsperger firing well wide from a great position.
Green saved comfortably from Edwards in the last strike of an evenly
contested opening half and rather less comfortably in the opening minutes of
the second-half, this time from Jon Walters.
Norris had a shot deflected wide after link up play involving Walters and
Priskin, Leadbitter then seeing a shot blocked before West Ham made a number
of changes including former Town midfielder Kieron Dyer making way for new
signing Freddie Piquionne.
Danny Gabbidon drove a shot just wide, Murphy then doing well to deny
Piquionne as he looked to get on the end of Scott Parker's pass .
Town made several changes for the last quarter hour, Ronan Murray on for
Priskin, Shane O'Connor for Mark Kennedy, Jack Ainsley for Jaime Peters and
Reggie Lambe for Carlos Edwards.
Leadbitter sent a brilliant dipping volley on to the roof of the net after
Murray had been foul, while at the other end Murphy denied Cole with his
feet in the last opening of a competitive 90 minutes.
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West Ham's Rob Green given rough ride at Ipswich
By MARK RYAN Last updated at 10:31 PM on 31st July 2010
Daily Mail
England goalkeeper Rob Green was subjected to prolonged abuse at Ipswich
yesterday as the World Cup backlash began. As an ex-Norwich player, the West
Ham keeper would doubtless have been targeted anyway but the man whose
mistake put England on the road to early oblivion in South Africa was not
allowed to forget his howler in the first match. 'USA, USA,' chanted the
Ipswich crowd and 'stand up if you hate Rob Green.' And whenever Green
collected the ball safely, there were ironic cheers as though it came as a
surprise that he was still able to perform the basics in the art of
goalkeeping. But when he produced a brave save to deny Ipswich striker Tamas
Priskin after 17 minutes, West Ham fans sang: 'England's number one,'
although it remains to be seen whether Fabio Capello's capacity for
forgiveness matches their loyalty. Carlton Cole, a £9million target for
Stoke, gave the Hammers a 1-0 win, sweeping the ball past Brian Murphy from
close range in the first half. So at least Green could enjoy the last laugh.
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