WHUFC.com
David Sullivan and David Gold have spoken on the day the club handed in the
bid for the Olympic Stadium
21.01.2011
A year ago this week we came home to West Ham United as joint-owners and
realised our lifelong ambition of running the club we grew up supporting.
Our first act on our first day was to outline our vision for the Olympic
Stadium. We knew what it would mean for West Ham United but also what it
would mean for our area. The East End spirit is strong and deserves the
opportunity it has been presented with - the 2012 Games on our doorstep. We
also pledged then to keep fans fully informed of our plans and we have made
no secret of our determination to pursue the Olympic Stadium project. As we
have said, to move on, we have to move.
We have taken on board all fan feedback and will continue to consult to
ensure the best supporter experience. Enhancing the incredible atmosphere
you create as supporters has been paramount and we know our unique designs
would achieve this key goal. As soon as possible, we would hold tours for
supporters so they can see what a spectacular arena it is themselves. It
really is an inspiring place.
A multi-million pound investment would be made and we are guaranteeing that
we would adapt the stadium to become a proper new football home - as well as
a busy and thriving destination for multi-sports and live events on all
scales. We are not just picking up our goalposts and taking them with us, we
would embark on a substantial and significant transformation. It is a state
of the art, world-class venue which would be intimate and impressive at the
same time for football. The shape of the stadium and the hi-tech roof
extension would also add to the experience - keeping the noise in and the
wind out. Every fan would be able to see the ball on the pitch at all times
- not true of many stadiums. Our sightlines have all been designed with fan
experience in mind and no seat would have a worse view than the furthest
seat at Wembley.
Indeed, our furthest seats in the upper tier are several metres closer than
their Wembley equivalent. It would be a flexible and vibrant arena that
could easily transform from catering for 25,000 at an athletics meeting
through to 60,000 for football right up to 100,000-plus for a world-class
concert featuring Madonna.
We are also extremely proud to have the local authority - Newham Council -
as our main bid partners. They believe fully in what we want to achieve and
were with us on Friday morning as we presented our bid to the Olympic Park
Legacy Company. We will take on with pride the responsibility of giving
something back to the wider community. We care about east London and
guarantee we will provide a legacy that will drastically improve the lives
of thousands of people and actively help an area that desperately needs it.
Both of us grew up from humble beginnings in the East End to become
businessmen operating on an international stage. Between us we have
thousands of employees across our companies, and all the while we continue
to live and work in Greater London - giving back to the economy.
I, David Gold was born in Newham - literally a javelin throw away from the
Boleyn Ground on Green Street. I went on to play for West Ham United Boys
and my family and I now spend our weekends following the team. I now sit on
the FA Council and have an active role in furthering the wider game.
I, David Sullivan grew up in the Hammers heartland of Hornchurch - under ten
miles from Stratford - and while pursuing my economics degree at Queen
Mary's College in Mile End, also lived in Stratford and Forest Gate. I grew
up a West Ham fan and my family and I support the team home and away.
Together, we understand this part of the world but we also understand the
wider world we live in. At West Ham, we have put in tens of millions of
pounds and increased our holding over the past 12 months to further
underline our commitment. It is our intention to continually invest, in the
summer and beyond.
We have embraced the tradition, heritage and values that the fans hold dear
but will never become complacent. We are turning things around, driving up
revenues and bringing down the debt by more than £25m in the first 12
months. We all agree that this is a viable and exciting business that can
generate millions of pounds for the OPLC and the local community - and help
West Ham to grow in a way that keeps true to its proud heritage and
traditions.
These are all sound business principles - mixed in with a love of sport and
a passion for the area. We would bring it all to the Olympic Stadium legacy
and are determined to make what was outlined in Singapore in 2005 a reality.
If we were passed the Olympic baton, we would never drop it. That is our
pledge.
David Sullivan and David Gold
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Avram on Friday
WHUFC.com
Manager Avram Grant has held his pre-match press conference ahead of
Saturday's trip to Everton
21.01.2011
Avram Grant has spoken to the media ahead of Saturday's Barclays Premier
League fixture at Everton. The manager discussed his position, the club's
aim to bring in new players before the end of the January transfer window
and his desire for the club to move to the 2012 Olympic Stadium.
Avram on the Olympic Stadium…
For me it is very simple - the stadium is in east London and West Ham is
east London. I don't think we would build a stadium in Fulham because it
belongs to Fulham, so I think the answer is very simple - the stadium needs
to belong to West Ham. I think life is moving forward and a new stadium is
always good - new facilities and everything. If you saw the semi-final
against Birmingham, the stadium was full and the atmosphere was great. I
think it will be good for everybody. I didn't see the stadium or the plans
yet, but I know that in modern life you need a new stadium. Look at what
happened to Arsenal when they moved to the Emirates. Everyone was against
David Dein when he went to do it, but now everybody is happy. I'm sure
everybody will be happy and, again, it belongs to the people in this area.
They need to decide. Today, in the modern stadiums, as I saw in America, the
running tracks don't disturb anything. I must tell you that a few years ago
I was in the Champions League final [at the Luzhniki Stadium] in Moscow with
a track and the atmosphere was great.
Avram on the past fortnight…
What has happened has happened off the pitch and for me it belongs to the
past. Now, I want everybody in the club, especially the players, to
concentrate on what will happen in the future. I feel that I need to do my
job in football and not to think about other things because my personal
issue is not the problem. It's my problem - it's not the problem of
everybody. We are not speaking about private business. I think now that
everybody is busy with January transfers. We don't have many days until the
end of the transfer window and, as you know if you saw the team last week,
we have a lot of injuries and we need players so that the squad will be
stronger. That is what is important. I think I have only to deal with
football problems, nothing else. Tomorrow is a game against Everton and it
is important for the club. I feel that I need to do my job, that I am in the
job here and that we need to take points because I still believe we can go
out of the relegation zone. The team is more important than anything. I
still believe that this club can stay in the league and, with the project,
can move forward and forward over the next few years to reach the targets
that we want to.
Avram on the survival battle…
What is most important is the team and I want the team to concentrate on the
game and the future of West Ham. It will not be easy but I still think that
if we do the right things on the pitch and off the pitch, this club can be a
good club and is a good club. You saw that the fighting spirit of the
players was good most of the time. Sometimes we played good, sometimes not,
but they were always trying. The players are committed and showed a lot of
spirit, but it's not easy because we go to pick the team on the day before
the game and we don't know who is available and who isn't. If you look at
the last month, we have had good results. We have a game tomorrow, we have a
semi-final on Wednesday and we have other games. It's very important. I was
a supporter and I know what it means to the supporters. What we can give
them is to concentrate on football. The future target is to stay in the
league and then to think about our vision. I say to the supporters that West
Ham have had good days and bad days but it is still a very good club and we
will do everything that it will stay like this.
Avram on possible transfers…
We have a few targets who we want to bring. We are dealing with this and I'm
pretty sure that over the next week we shall see new players here. I don't
like to speak about things before they are done. You know, if we continue,
we could spend the next three hours talking about names that have been in
the newspaper. I think we need to wait and see because nothing is done until
it's done, especially in England! We need new players. We don't have any
other choice. You saw last week when we played that we lost all of our
midfield, so it's not easy to do things like this. Everyone knows we need
new players and that's what we're busy about and I'm pretty sure that we
will do it.
Avram on throwing his scarf into the crowd after the Arsenal match…
I don't know if you saw but I did it after the three matches before. The
children were asking me and I threw the scarf. I must say it was very, very
touching the support from the supporters at the end of the game. I felt in
this moment that I needed to do this.
Avram on team news…
I feel a relief to talk about football! Scott Parker will play tomorrow, but
other players I am not sure about but we will know after training.
Avram on focusing on the Barclays Premier League when playing so many cup
ties…
It is not difficult because the players are experienced and they know that
it is part of it. The semi-final is a big game because everybody wants to be
in the final. The most important thing is to stay in the league. I think
it's possible. We are two points from safety, there are 15 games to go. They
are not easy games but they are possible to win and we want to do what we
did before against Fulham, Wolves and Everton, which is take points.
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Players back the bid
WHUFC.com
Scott Parker led the way as the Hammers went to the Olympic Stadium for
Friday's bid handover
21.01.2011
West Ham United and Newham Council formally handed in their bid for the
Olympic Stadium on Friday morning Scott Parker, Mark Noble and James Tomkins
joined former sporting stars such England cricket great Graham Gooch and
Olympic medallist and world javelin champion Steve Backley to mark the
occasion with the impressive stadium serving as a fitting back-drop.
All were united in backing the club's bid to take on the Olympic legacy post
2012. Also present was Stephen Timms MP, West Ham United chairman David Gold
and Newham mayor Sir Robin Wales along with youngsters from nearby Cleves
School. Parker said: "It would be exciting to play at the Olympic Stadium.
From where we were this morning, it is clear to see the stadium and how good
it is going to be. "For every professional player, you want to play in the
best stadium and certainly the Olympic Stadium is going to be that. It would
be brilliant. He added: "I think everything works out perfectly
geography-wise and to move the club forward. Everything is perfect here for
West Ham to push on and make the club better. We need it to drive the club
forward and help everyone in the community at the same time."
Team-mates Noble and Tomkins were also in agreement about how having the
stadium would benefit the growth of the club and the community. "It will be
a great thing for the club, said Noble, a local lad himself. "The club wants
to progress and having the stadium would help them do that. It will also
still be used for other things, like athletics and the people who live and
work around here can also be a part of it."
Tomkins said the prospect of playing in the stadium would be exciting for
London as a whole. "Looking at it, it looks like it will be a fantastic
stadium and for us to have this as our home stadium would be great. With
everything I have heard, it will also mean many more people will be able to
visit the stadium and use it, which can only be a good thing."
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Avram Grant shrugs off doubts about his West Ham future
BBC.co.uk
West Ham manager Avram Grant says questions about his future need to be put
aside so the club can focus on Premier League survival. There was
speculation the Israeli was set to be replaced by Martin O'Neill last
weekend but the former Aston Villa boss reportedly turned down the role.
Grant said: "We have problems we need to deal with and not discuss the past.
"I need to do my job in football and not think about other problems. My
personal issue is not the problem."
West Ham are bottom of the Premier League but have won three of their last
five games and earlier this week the Hammers board released a statement
saying the former Portsmouth and Chelsea boss retains their full support.
However, the club's failure to quash rumours about O'Neill's arrival before
and after last weekend's 3-0 defeat by Arsenal generated a backlash against
owners David Sullivan and David Gold, as well as vice-chairman Karren Brady.
There has subsequently been considerable sympathy for Grant but ahead of his
side's meeting with Everton on Saturday he was eager to talk only about the
task in hand. "What's happened has happened off the pitch and for me it
belongs in the past," added Grant. "What's important for West Ham, the fans
and everybody is to concern ourselves with what happens on the pitch. "It's
my problem, it's not the problem of everyone. It's not important to talk
about what Avram feels or doesn't feel. "I feel that I need to do my job and
that I'm the manager here. We need to take points because I believe we can
get out of relegation. "My personal matter is not important. The team is
more important than anybody. Grant threw his scarf into the Upton Park crowd
after the mauling by Arsenal but denied it was a poignant moment. "I treat
every game like it's my last game because this is football," said Grant. "I
threw the scarf and I have to say the support from the fans at the end was
very touching. "This is still a very good club and we'll do everything to
keep it like this."
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Everton v West Ham
BBC.co.uk
Barclays Premier League
Venue: Goodison Park Date: Saturday, 22 January Kick-off: 1500 GMT
Coverage: Highlights on Match of the Day; listen on BBC Radio 5 live and BBC
Radio Merseyside; text commentary on BBC Sport website and mobiles
TEAM NEWS
Everton have concerns over the fitness of striker Louis Saha, who is still
troubled by a thigh strain. Phil Jagielka is expected to return from injury,
but Tim Cahill is away on international duty with Australia at the Asian
Cup.
Scott Parker returns for West Ham after missing the defeat to Arsenal with
an ankle injury. Victor Obinna is suspended, and Manuel Da Costa, Thomas
Hitzlsperger and Lars Jacobsen are all injured.
Everton
Doubtful: Saha & Jagielka (both thigh)
Injured/unavailable: Barkley (leg), Cahill (international duty)
West Ham
Suspended: Obinna (two matches) Doubtful: Ilunga (hamstring)
Injured: Collison & Kurucz (both knee), Da Costa (ankle), Dyer &
Hitzlsperger (both thigh), Jacobsen (heel), Stanislas (hernia)
MATCH PREVIEW
West Ham boss Avram Grant must be the first manager in history to have led a
club to the foot of the table only to see his stock and reputation rise. The
Hammers' hierarchy has presided over such a PR catastrophe surrounding his
future at Upton Park that he has somehow emerged in a stronger position and
with sympathy on his side. When Grant threw a claret and blue scarf to the
crowd as a symbolic gesture of farewell following the club's chastening
defeat to Arsenal, his fate was seemingly sealed with Martin O'Neill
reportedly waiting in the wings to take over. But the club's co-owners David
Sullivan and David Gold and managing director Karren Brady performed a
dramatic u-turn to bring Grant back from the abyss and have publicly backed
him to rescue the club from relegation. Now the Israeli has to consign the
past week to history and focus his side on a crucial seven-day period that
takes in three games in three different competitions and could see them book
their first trip to Wembley since 1981.
First up are Everton. Sullivan, Gold and Brady could do with taking a long
hard look at the time and patience the Toffees manager David Moyes has been
afforded during his near nine-year stay at Goodison Park. Everton have
enjoyed a superb recent record over West Ham and, with the Hammers' minds
elsewhere with a Carling Cup semi-final second leg against Birmingham to
come on Wednesday, Moyes will be confident of edging the Toffees into the
top half of the table.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
• Everton have won over half (16) of 31 Premier League matches against West
Ham, more victories than they have enjoyed against any other opponents.
• The Toffees are unbeaten in their last seven league matches against the
Hammers. Their only defeat in the last 10 was a 1-0 loss at Upton Park in
April 2007.
• West Ham have won just two of their 15 Premier League meetings at Goodison
Park and have scored only 10 goals in those games.
• The Hammers didn't manage a single shot on target against Everton last
month, their goal being an own goal scored by Tony Hibbert.
Everton
• The Toffees have drawn 11 games in this season's Premier League, the
joint-highest tally in the league.
• David Moyes's side have kept just one clean sheet in their last 12 league
matches.
• Everton have managed just two wins in their last 12 league matches, but
both victories were against current top-five clubs - 2-1 at Manchester City
and 2-1 at home against Tottenham.
West Ham
• Only one team that was bottom of the Premier League after 23 games has
avoided relegation and that was West Bromwich Albion in the 2004-05 season.
• West Ham have kept just two clean sheets in their last 17 league games.
• The Hammers have conceded 10 headed goals this season, more than any other
team.
• West Ham are the only team in the top flight that have not conceded a goal
from a shot from outside the penalty area.
LEADING GOALSCORERS
Everton
Cahill: 9 goals (9 league); Coleman & Beckford: 5 goals (3 league)
West Ham
Piquionne: 7 goals (5 league); Parker: 6 goals (4 league)
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Peter Walton
Assistant referees: Trevor Massey & Adam Watts
Fourth official: Colin Webster
LAST LEAGUE MATCH LINE-UPS
Everton (D2-2 v Liverpool, a): Howard, Neville, Heitinga, Distin, Baines,
Coleman, Fellaini, Arteta, Osman (Rodwell 77), Beckford (Vaughan 73),
Anichebe (Bilyaletdinov 81). Subs not used: Mucha, Hibbert, Gueye, Baxter.
West Ham (L0-3 v Arsenal, h): Green, Faubert, Tomkins, Upson, Bridge (Nouble
89), Spector, Kovac, Noble (Boa Morte 20), Sears (Barrera 64), Cole, Hines.
Subs not used: Boffin, Reid, Gabbidon, McCarthy.
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Go north and multiply
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 21st January 2011
By: Tross
I read today's article on our plans for a move to the Olympic Stadium by old
sourpuss, and felt a need to reply. Time has been a bit of a commodity for
me of late, however if this particular piece was intent on riling me as a
West Ham fan, it succeeded.
Legacies... I almost choked on my porridge. Lets talk about legacies, shall
we Harry? Your legacy at West Ham was to strip the club bare with your wild
transfer dealings, placing players on unsustainable wages and rotating the
squad year on year in a style that the Dagenham Girl Pipers lead baton
twirler would have been proud of.
Your experiences at this club did more for you than you ever did for it
Harry, and held you in the good stead to ply your trade wherever you chose
to. Many West Ham fans, myself included, will draw on some fond memories of
a handful of great moments under your reign, however as you are well aware
those memories are somewhat tainted when your own legacy is examined.
Your popularity with the fans had departed some considerable time before you
took the Tottenham job, Harry. Perhaps it's the clouded circumstances of
your behind-closed-doors departure, your business relationship with Willie
McKay or your extensive and expensive transfer dealings.
Or maybe it's the speculation about court injunctions and the attention of
the Her Majesty's tax inspectors on your most impressive portfolio of
acquired assets post your spell at Bournemouth, and subsequent
investigations and raids on your home which causes the West Ham faithful to
hold you in such disregard.
Of course there was throughout your tenure a contingent that had never
forgiven you for the manner in which you acquired your managerial position
at the club, at the cost of our great hero Billy Bonds MBE, for whom you
were best man at his wedding and longstanding best friend. To this very day
Bonzo, as he is still affectionately known by the fans who still hold him in
high regard, refutes your version of events and which most laymen would
suggest are slightly rose-tinted.
It is then of little surprise to see a man, who has so often shifted
loyalties for the achievement of personal and financial gain (your spells
with arch-rivals Portsmouth and then Southampton) to deliberately ignore
addressing the much publicised concerns of his own Tottenham Hotspur
supporters, who are adamant they do not want to leave their longstanding
North London home to move into East London, leaving behind their history,
heritage and their roots.
Here's an idea Harry: worry about your own fans, we do not care for your
concern.
One wonders if this is why the Football Association are at such liberty to
make the England Manager's job your own. What would happen if you did
achieve success with England….. Managing the French…..or god forbid the
Germans?
Perhaps this was seen as an opportunity to drum up hysteria and adversity
amongst a fan base that has seen its club endure embarrassment, shame and
ridicule over the past few seasons and is languishing perilously at the foot
of the Premier League. I'd go as far as to say that many West Ham fans are
vulnerable at the moment after taking an emotional beating over the past few
seasons.
In an ideal world, I wouldn't want a running track. Who would? However I for
one would crawl naked over broken glass and barbed wire to keep Tottenham
Hotspur out of East London. To our fans who think we would be better off
letting Spurs have it....for the love of your club, its history and for its
future generations of supporters, wake up.
This cheap shot to play on the concerns of the already very concerned West
Ham fan in a time of trouble is loathesome, Harry. You have fired a few
across the bows of this club in seasons past, yet you forget your local
history, oh he who was born in Limehouse, Poplar.
We made ships of Iron, we are men of Iron, and in true East End fashion, if
you and your newly acquainted friends think you are going to chase this club
out of East London, you've got another think coming sunshine. If Hitler
couldn't move us out with the blitz, I'm pretty sure that you and your board
are going to come up short.
Go north, Go south, Go west, but do not come east... you are not welcome
here.
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Everton v West Ham preview
Jagielka set for Toffees return; Obinna suspended for Hammers
By James Riach Last updated: 21st January 2011
SSN
PREDICTIONS:
Skysports.com prediction: Everton 2 West Ham 1
SKYBET odds: Everton 1/2, Draw 3/1, West Ham 6/1
One to watch: Victor Anichebe
Few people would have expected Avram Grant to still be in charge of West Ham
for their weekend trip to Everton, but the Israeli coach remarkably remains
at the helm. Speculation was rife before last week's 3-0 defeat to Arsenal
that whatever the result, Grant was to be dismissed at the full-time whistle
with Martin O'Neill tipped to take the reins. But owners David Gold and
David Sullivan have opted to stick with Grant, as speculation suggests
O'Neill has snubbed the chance to make the switch to Upton Park. One thing
is for sure, the task of keeping the Hammers in the Premier League is
becoming a more daunting one as the weeks go by. The East Londoners are
rock-bottom of the table and only one team that has been at the foot having
played 23 games has managed to avoid relegation - West Brom producing a
miraculous recovery in the 2004/05 campaign.
Indeed, if Grant's charges can manage a win at Goodison Park, then they
could climb out of the bottom three with teams around them facing difficult
fixtures this weekend. However, a trip to Everton will be a tough outing and
West Ham have only managed one win on the road this term, scoring just eight
goals.
They will be desperate for three points on Merseyside and will be buoyed by
the fact that the Toffees have only managed three home league wins this
season. Finding the back of the net has been the problem for David Moyes'
men but confidence in front of goal will no doubt be raised following their
2-2 draw at local rivals Liverpool last time out. Sylvain Distin and
Jermaine Beckford overturned a half-time deficit at Anfield and despite Dirk
Kuyt's equaliser from the penalty spot, there were plenty of positives to
take as honours ended even.
Team news
Striker Louis Saha missed the Liverpool clash with a thigh strain and faces
a late test ahead of Saturday's clash. Tim Cahill will again be missing for
Everton, as the midfielder is still away with Australia at the Asian Cup.
Moyes could name an unchanged attack from the last game, with Victor
Anichebe impressing alongside Beckford. But Phil Jagielka is expected to
return in central defence, so Johnny Heitinga could drop to the bench.
West Ham have a number of injury problems as they search for their 200th win
in the Premier League. The likes of Lars Jacobsen, Manuel da Costa and
Thomas Hitzlsperger are sidelined, whilst Herita Ilunga is a doubt with a
hamstring problem. Victor Obinna is suspended and will miss the trip, but
Benni McCarthy (calf) is nearing a return.
Possible starting XIs:
Everton: Howard, Neville, Jagielka, Distin, Baines, Coleman, Fellaini,
Arteta, Osman, Anichebe, Beckford.
West Ham: Green, Faubert, Upson, Tomkins, Bridge, Spector, Parker, Noble,
Boa Morte, Hines, Cole.
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Grant would be happy with Cole
Hammers boss keeping cards close to his chest over deals
Last updated: 21st January 2011
SSN
West Ham manager Avram Grant has declared that he would be happy to see Joe
Cole return to the club, but had not made any moves. The under-fire Hammers
boss was thought to be on the verge of the sack following their 3-0 defeat
to Arsenal at Upton Park, but now remains in his place for the time being.
Grant's side sit bottom of the Premier League and are desperate for
reinforcements to compensate for a crippling injury list that sees their
squad left threadbare. Rumours have circulated that England international
Cole may go back to the club where he graduated through the academy due to
failing to settle at Liverpool since his free transfer from Chelsea last
summer. The 28-year-old has been blighted by injuries in his spell on
Merseyside and has often had to settle for a place on the bench, and could
move away on loan. Cole played under Grant when the pair were at Chelsea in
the 2007-8 season, when he enjoyed one of his best spells with the club. The
Israeli said that he would be glad to take him back, whilst noting that
there was still a lot of business to be done. However after Steve Sidwell
decided to move to Fulham when West Ham all but declared him their player,
Grant admitted things would be kept under wraps.
Targets
"There aren't many days until the end of the transfer window," said Grant.
"We have a lot of injuries and we need players to make the squad stronger.
"We have a few targets and I'm pretty sure that next week we'll see new
players here. "After Steve Sidwell I don't like to speak about things before
they are done. "But about Joe Cole, I'd be happy for him to come here. He
was my player at Chelsea, and maybe had his best season then. "He's a good
lad and I like him, but he belongs to Liverpool. "We need more players - you
saw last week when we had to play players out of position. We lost our whole
midfield."
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Grant - Let's move forward
Hammers boss wants to put last week behind him
By James Riach Last updated: 21st January 2011
SSN
West Ham manager Avram Grant is determined to put the last week behind him
and focus on the club's future. The Israeli coach is surprisingly still at
the Hammers helm ahead of the Premier League clash with Everton on Saturday,
despite intense speculation that he was about to be sacked following the
defeat to Arsenal last weekend. Rumours broke before the Gunners encounter
that owners David Sullivan and David Goldwere set to relieve Grant of his
services whatever the result at Upton Park, but following the 3-0 reverse,
no changes have been made. Gold and Sullivan were understood to have lined
up Martin O'Neill as a potential successor, but following the Northern
Irishman's reluctance to take up the post, Grant remains in charge. Earlier
in the week the club released a statement saying their manager has the full
support of the board, and Grant is keen to refocus matters back to football.
"What's happened has happened off the pitch and for me it belongs in the
past," he said. "What's important for West Ham, the fans and everybody is to
concern ourselves with what happens on the pitch. "We have problems that we
need to deal with and not discuss the past. Tomorrow we have a game against
Everton."
Toffees trip
West Ham are currently rock bottom of the league and face an uphill task if
they are going to avoid relegation to the Championship this season, with a
tricky encounter ahead of them at Goodison Park. There has been widespread
sympathy from a number of fellow managers for Grant, but he insists that his
personal problems are not an issue for the team. "I need to do my job in
football and not think about other problems. My personal issue is not the
problem," he added. "It's my problem, it's not the problem of everyone. It's
not important to talk about what Avram feels or doesn't feel. "I feel that I
need to do my job and that I'm the manager here. We need to take points
because I believe we can get out of relegation. "My personal matter is not
important. The team is more important than anybody."
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Larsson pushes for exit
Swedish midfielder slaps in transfer request
Last updated: 21st January 2011
SSN
Skysports.com understands Sebastian Larsson has put in a transfer request in
an effort to leave Birmingham. The Swedish midfielder is set to see his
contract at St Andrews expire in the summer, meaning he would drop into the
free agent market. He is, however, keen to move on during the January
transfer window and has officially informed his current employers of that
desire. A switch to Newcastle fell through earlier in the month as personal
terms could not be agreed, but there are a number of other willing takers
still waiting in the wings.
Bid
Blackburn have already had one bid rejected by Birmingham, but may be
tempted to rekindle their interest. West Ham are also believed to be in the
hunt for the talented 25-year-old, but they may struggle to lure him from
one relegation dogfight to another. With that in mind, it is understood that
Sunderland are currently in pole position to land Larsson. Steve Bruce has
money in the bank following the sale of Darren Bent to Sunderland and could
be prepared to part with some of that cash in order to bring added
creativity into his ranks.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Pele backs Spurs Olympic bid
Brazilian superstar against retaining running track after 2012
By Chris Harvey and Bryan Swanson - follow us on Twitter @skysportsed
@skysports_bryan Last updated: 21st January 2011
SSN
Pele has joined the call for Tottenham Hotspur to move to the 2012 Olympics
Stadium. In a letter obtained by Sky Sports News, the Brazilian great has
written to the Olympic Park Legacy Company pledging support for Spurs' bid
to take control of the Stratford site once it has hosted the Games.
Tottenham and West Ham United are both fighting to take control of the site
with the Olympic Park Legacy Company receiving final submissions from both
bidding parties on Friday ahead of a decision next week. But Pele has given
Spurs' bid a shot in the arm, telling Olympics organisers he supports the
club's aim to create a dedicated football ground which would provide "a
great stadium". He adds: "I really don't understand wanting to play with a
track around the pitch. The players won't like it and it probably won't
last. "As a player you need to feel the passion and the intensity of the
fans. The best stadiums connect the fans to the pitch and if you lose that,
you lose something that really matters - and eventually you lose the fans.
"The Olympics is special too and it would be good to see a decision taken
which means that we see excitement and great sport experiences follow it
too."
The Hammers have said they plan to retain the running track but Spurs boss
Harry Redknapp has insisted that his former club would be wrong to move to
the Olympic Stadium. The bids from the two Premier League clubs differ
greatly, coming at the stadium from completely different angles. West Ham
have confirmed they intend to keep the track, which was a pledge made as
part of London's legacy for the Olympics, while Tottenham have proposed a
complete rebuild of the site, with a new 60,000 stadium not including an
athletics option. To offset their lack of a running track, Spurs have
pledged to help finance the refurbishment of the National Sports Centre, but
to complicate matters Crystal Palace announced their intention to move there
only this week.
Adamant
But Redknapp is adamant that West Ham should not move into the stadium with
a running track. "We keep hearing about the Olympic legacy and the need to
have a world-class athletics stadium after the 2012 Games in London," he
said in his Sun column. "But my big fear is that if West Ham move into the
stadium in Stratford with a whacking great running track around the pitch,
the only legacy for them will be a nightmare. "It's incredible that the club
is even considering taking over the Olympic Stadium and keeping the 400m
track intact, putting up an invisible yet insurmountable barrier between the
fans and the football. "Tottenham, my club, also have ambitions to move
there because if Spurs want to progress they need a bigger ground - but they
have a vastly different outlook on the project. "I'm not just banging the
company drum for Tottenham here. Even if Spurs do win the race against West
Ham to make it their new home, by the time all the development is finished I
might not be at the club anyway. "It's just that in my heart I dread to
think what could eventually happen to West Ham if they moved to the main
Olympic Stadium and do not heed the warnings."
There are those who disagree with Redknapp, including the head of world
athletics, Lamine Diack - who insists London must keep the Olympic running
track. "To now demolish the Olympic stadium, throwing away the original
£500million investment of public money, seems to me an outrageous
proposition, especially in the present world economic climate," said Diack.
But Tottenham director Sir Keith Mills, who is also deputy chairman of LOCOG
- London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games - insists Tottenham's
plans could work. "Lamine Diack quite rightly wants to see the Olympic
legacy left in London and both of the bids on the table provide an athletics
legacy," he said. "The issue here, and the one the OPLC will be looking at
in the next 10 days, is what's going to provide the best long-term legacy
for London and for the country. "And that's all about which of the two bids
is going to be economically viable in the long term."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Gold dismisses Harry warning
Hammers co-owner reassures supporters over running track
Last updated: 21st January 2011
SSN
David Gold has insisted that West Ham can build a legacy at the Olympic
Stadium without removing the running track. The Hammers are bidding to take
control of the Stratford ground after the London 2012 Games but face
competition from Premier League rivals Tottenham. Spurs intend to get rid of
the track if they are successful and manager Harry Redknappsays West Ham
would be wrong not to do the same. He believes the Hammers would be 'putting
up an invisible yet insurmountable barrier between the fans and the
football' if they keep the athletics facility. However, Gold has dismissed
those concerns and reiterated his belief that West Ham have the stronger bid
on a wider level. "What I would say is that this isn't a competition between
Tottenham and West Ham," the co-owner told Sky Sports News. "This is a
competition between Tottenham, West Ham, Newham, athletics, cricket and the
community. "West Ham is the best bid because it is a bid that is all about
legacy and the future. It is not just about money and football."
Red herring
International Athletics Association Federation chief Lamine Diack has stated
that London will be telling a 'big lie' if the Olympic Stadium is converted
to a football ground as there would be no lasting legacy from the Games.
West Ham have pledged to retain the track and, while Gold can understand why
supporters might be concerned about a lack of atmosphere, he is convinced
that they will feel part of the action. "Having come to the stadium and seen
all the documentation, you will find that the sightlines are actually better
than at Wembley," he explained. "I promise you this is a red herring. The
distances between the seats and the edge of the pitch are very similar
between the Olympic Stadium and Wembley."
Gold maintains that West Ham can cope financially with a move to the
60,000-seater stadium, even if they are relegated from the Premier League.
"Our financial model has been perfectly laid before the committee and we are
optimistic that we can fulfil our commitments," said Gold. "This is not
about a couple of years, this is about the next couple of hundred of years.
"Clubs go through ups and downs and we can't just take a moment in time and
say 'there's a possibility you might get relegated, what is your financial
support'. "Our model covers all possibilities." Gold added: "Our bid
embraces so many other areas, it embraces the community and the local
council and we should be the rightful winners of this process." Gold also
declared that West Ham were hopeful of further strengthening their squad
before the end of the month. "We are optimistic about bringing in a number
of players before the transfer window closes," he said.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Desperate Avram hits the Ba
The Sun
Published: Today
DEMBA BA will become Avram Grant's latest winter signing. The Senegal hitman
will sign on loan from Hoffenheim until the end of the season, as Grant
looks for fresh troops to help save his job and keep the Hammers up. West
Ham will have the option to buy in the summer for around £6million. Ba, 25,
has also attracted interest from Blackburn and Stoke. But an expected move
to the Potteries fell through when he failed a medical due to a knee
problem. Grant, though, is desperate to add much-needed firepower.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Moyes wouldn't swap with Avram
The Sun
Published: Today
DAVID MOYES admits he would not like to have been treated by his chairman
like Avram Grant has at West Ham. The Everton boss sees his side take on the
Hammers this weekend, with their two set-ups off the field seemingly poles
apart. Moyes is in his ninth season in charge at Goodison, but sees his
opposite number Grant in danger of losing his job after only being appointed
last summer. And in chairman Bill Kenwright, the Scot is proud to have been
backed consistently. He said: "I think West Ham have got some good players
and a good manager. "There is no easy game and West Ham went on a bit of a
run — OK they had a bad result at Newcastle, but overall I think they've
gone about their job fine. "I wouldn't like to get treated like that way.
But I wouldn't expect my chairman to do that because I have a good chairman.
"I don't know what's going on there. I can only pick up what goes on through
the media. But I think our people here do things well."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Olympic Stadium will kill West Ham warns Harry
The Sun
By ANDREW DILLON
Published: Today
SPURS boss Harry Redknapp last night begged his old club West Ham not to
move into the Olympic Stadium, warning: "You'll turn it into a desolate
graveyard." The Hammers are locked in a bitter tug-of-war with Tottenham for
the right to take over after the 2012 Games in London. Spurs plan to
demolish the main arena and replace it with a purpose-built football
stadium, whereas West Ham would leave a running track around the pitch.
Redknapp insists that would be a 'nightmare', saying: "Try to mix football
and athletics and you end up with a great big bowl of nothing. "The
windblown no-man's land between a pitch and the stands can kill football."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Grant keen to shift focus
The Sun
Published: Today
AVRAM GRANT will put his personal issues to one side in a bid to get West
Ham's season back on track at Everton. The Premier League's basement boys go
to Goodison Park tomorrow desperate for a win following back-to-back
hammerings at the hands of Newcastle and Arsenal. Pressure on Grant is at
fever pitch after relations between him and owners David Gold and David
Sullivan became strained. Sections of the club's support have also turned on
the Israeli and last week reports emerged that Gold and Sullivan had
approached Martin O'Neill about replacing him in the Upton Park hot stea.
But former Chelsea boss Grant is determined to put his problems aside and
focus on getting the Hammers out of the drop zone. He said: "What's happened
has happened off the pitch and for me it belongs in the past. "What's
important for West Ham, the fans and everybody is to concern ourselves with
what happens on the pitch.
"We have problems that we need to deal with and not discuss the past.
Tomorrow we have a game against Everton. "I need to do my job in football
and not think about other problems. My personal issue is not the problem.
"It's my problem, it's not the problem of everyone. It's not important to
talk about what Avram feels or doesn't feel. "I feel that I need to do my
job and that I'm the manager here. We need to take points because I believe
we can get out of relegation. "My personal matter is not important. The team
is more important than anybody."
And Grant insisted he had not given up hope of luring Liverpool's Joe Cole
back to Upton Park. He added: "I'd be happy for him to come here. He was my
player at Chelsea, and maybe had his best season then. "He's a good lad and
I like him, but he belongs to Liverpool. "We do need more players — you saw
last week when we had to play players out of position. We lost our whole
midfield."
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Grant ready to take Cole 'home' on loan
Published 15:35 21/01/11 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror
Avram Grant has admitted he is desperate for new faces to help him in the
fight to keep West Ham in the Premier League. Grant feels additional players
must be signed before the end of the winter transfer window and spoke
glowingly of Liverpool's former West Ham midfielder Joe Cole, who has been
linked with a loan move to the Hammers. However, he was cautious over
revealing his targets having seen his pursuit of Aston Villa midfielder
Steve Sidwell blocked by vice-chairman Karren Brady. Sidwell ended up
joining Fulham instead. "There aren't many days until the end of the
transfer window," said Grant. "We have a lot of injuries and we need players
to make the squad stronger. "We have a few targets and I'm pretty sure that,
next week, we'll see new players here. "After Steve Sidwell, I don't like to
speak about things before they are done. But about Joe Cole, I'd be happy
for him to come here. He was my player at Chelsea, and maybe had his best
season then. "He's a good lad and I like him, but he belongs to Liverpool.
"We need more players - you saw last week when we had to play players out of
position. We lost our whole midfield."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Boost for Hammers as Parker returns
Published 14:23 21/01/11 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror
West Ham midfielder Scott Parker will start tomorrow's Barclays Premier
League clash with Everton. Parker missed last weekend's 3-0 defeat by
Arsenal with an ankle problem, but has been passed fit to face the Toffees.
Lars Jacobsen (heel), Manuel Da Costa (ankle) and Thomas Hitzlsperger
(thigh) are injured while Victor Obinna is suspended.
Team (from): Green, Faubert, Jacobsen, Bridge, Tomkins, Reid, Gabbidon,
McCarthy, Upson, Spector, Sears, Hines, Noble, Kovac, Parker, Piquionne,
Cole, Boffin, Boa Morte, Nouble, Spence.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Grant: I'm not important, only West Ham's survival is
Published 13:23 21/01/11 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror
Avram Grant is determined to put a turbulent week behind him, despite
continued doubt over his position as West Ham manager. Grant appeared to be
on his way out of Upton Park following Saturday's 3-0 defeat by Arsenal amid
speculation he was set to be replaced by Martin O'Neill. However, the
Hammers then released a statement saying Grant retains their full support,
although reports suggested that came after O'Neill had turned down the job.
The club's conduct has generated considerable sympathy for Grant, but the
Israeli refused to discuss his personal situation ahead of tomorrow's
Barclays Premier League clash with Everton. "What's happened has happened
off the pitch, and for me it belongs in the past," he said. "What's
important for West Ham, the fans and everybody is to concern ourselves with
what happens on the pitch. "We have problems that we need to deal with and
not discuss the past. "Tomorrow we have a game against Everton. I need to do
my job in football and not think about other problems. "My personal issue is
not the problem. It's my problem, it's not the problem of everyone. "It's
not important to talk about what Avram feels or doesn't feel - I feel that I
need to do my job and that I'm the manager here. "We need to take points
because I believe we can get out of relegation. My personal matter is not
important. The team is more important than anybody."
Grant threw his lucky scarf into the Upton Park crowd after the mauling by
Arsenal, but denied it was a poignant moment from a man who was thought to
have overseen his final game in charge. "I treat every game like it's my
last game because this is football," he said. "I threw the scarf and I have
to say the support from the fans at the end was very touching. "This is
still a very good club and we'll do everything to keep it like this." West
Ham co-owner David Gold today stressed the club is behind Grant. "Some of
these issues it would be inappropriate to share with you," Gold told Sky
Sports News. "What I can say is we are all together now, we are moving
forward. "I was with Avram Grant during the week, watching the under-18s,
and he was fully committed and optimistic about the future, as we all are."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Exclusive – Gold: 'Morally West Ham are the right choice for Olympic
Stadium'
TalksPort
By Alex Varney
Friday, January 21
David Gold has hit back at Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp – telling
talkSPORT West Ham are "morally the right choice for the Olympic Stadium".
Redknapp has rubbished his former club's plans to retain the athletics track
at the 2012 arena, claiming it would become a "desolate graveyard". But,
after the Hammers finalised their submission for long-term tenancy of the
stadium, Gold insists the track would not affect the atmosphere. And the
West Ham co-owner claims the entire country will be let down if Tottenham's
bid - which includes demolishing the stadium and not including a running
track - is successful. This is not a question of Tottenham versus West Ham,
said Gold. "It's Tottenham versus West Ham, versus the community, versus
athletics. They are up against a whole raft of people. "We're 1.6 miles from
the Stadium, we'll be moving from east end of London to the east end of
London. We wouldn't be moving out of our borough. We wouldn't have to change
our name to Stratford Hotspurs. "We believe that morally we are the right
choice. Of course it's about money, however this is more than those issues.
On our behalf some serious people made promises to the world that they would
deliver a legacy. If we're to hold our heads high in international matters
we have to keep our word. "I think it's three metres more the fans will be
away from the touchline than they are at [Upton Park]. "The distances are
relatively small. Wembley is very similar to the Olympic Stadium. We can put
in temporary seating areas that will be put in place for the season."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Levy argues against 'easy option'
Friday 21st January 2011 19:02
TeamTalk
Spurs chairman Daniel Levy has claimed that retaining a running track at the
Olympics Stadium would be "the easy option, but the wrong option". Levy
promised Spurs fans "one of the finest stadiums in the world" if their bid
to take over the venue after the 2012 Games is chosen over West Ham's, and
he expressed concern over whether a new ground near White Hart Lane is
viable. Spurs' plans would see them demolish the stadium and build a new one
without a running track - West Ham's plan is to keep the structure at a
reduced capacity and with the athletics track retained. The Olympic Park
Legacy Company are to make a recommendation next week and Spurs have even
managed to secure the support of Brazil football legend Pele, who wrote a
letter to the OPLC backing their plan. Levy said in an open letter to fans:
"The easiest option for us would undoubtedly have been to bid for the
Olympic Stadium site with a retained athletics track. But it would have been
the wrong option. "The front row seats in the Olympic Stadium with a
retained athletics track will be up to 45 metres from the pitch; in our
stadium design they would be 8m from the action. "Football and athletics
cannot co-exist successfully in the same stadium. "There are examples all
over the world of where clubs have removed tracks or moved stadiums simply
because of the poor spectator experience and the lack of sustainability in
the long-term due to decreasing attendances. We never considered for one
moment placing our fans in such a stadium environment."
Levy said that should Spurs be chosen as the preferred bidder, the club
would have a full consultation process with supporters, a number of whom are
campaigning against a move to east London. "It would rank amongst the finest
stadiums in the world and deliver one of the best fan experiences anywhere
in Europe," he added. "Our proposals for the Olympic Stadium site include an
iconic 60,000-seater stadium, the construction of which is fully financially
guaranteed."
Spurs' original plan of developing a new stadium close to their current
home, called the Northumberland Development Project (NDP), is likely to be
more costly and troublesome. Levy added: "I must once again repeat the
concerns we have about the viability and deliverability of the NDP. The cost
of consent has been high. "No progress has been made with the remaining land
owners and this is a potentially costly issue. "Compulsory Purchase Orders
are of course one route to resolving this, but that process is uncertain and
can take years to conclude. "Our guiding principles remain the same - we are
committed to taking this club to the next level and an increased capacity
stadium is central to that intention; and we have to seek a stadium solution
which does not undermine the financial stability of the club or its ability
to continue to invest in the first team."
Levy pointed out that UEFA's new financial fair play rules, where clubs in
European competition can only spend what they earn, made it imperative that
Spurs are able to boost match-day income by moving to a bigger ground.
"Perhaps more importantly, we now have over 35,000 fans on the paid for
waiting list for season tickets. It is an astonishing figure and a real
reminder of the strength of support for this club," he said. "The choice is
between standing still or moving forward. A new stadium is critical to our
continued success."
Tottenham say they would provide an athletics legacy for London by
redeveloping the Crystal Palace athletics stadium Pele's letter to the OPLC
specifically mentions those plans. It says: "I understand they are based on
creating a dedicated football stadium and providing an athletics legacy at
the original home of athletics (as I remember it!) Crystal Palace. "That
would be a great stadium. I really don't understand wanting to play with a
track around the pitch. The players won't like it and it probably won't
last. "As a player I need to feel the passion and the intensity of the fans.
The best stadiums connect the fans to the pitch and if you lose that you
lose something that really matters and eventually you lose the fans."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Olympic Stadium: Greg Rutherford predicts revolt among athletes if Tottenham
Hotspur win bid
Telegraph.co.uk
By Simon Hart 8:03PM GMT 21 Jan 2011
British long-jumper Greg Rutherford believes there will be a mass protest by
athletes if Tottenham are given the go-ahead to demolish the Olympic Stadium
after 2012. Tottenham and West Ham submitted their final bids for the
stadium to the Olympic Park Legacy Company on Friday, which is due to choose
between the two at its board meeting next Friday. But the decision will
still have to be signed off by the Government and London Mayor Boris
Johnson, and Rutherford says a vote for Tottenham's plan to tear up the
running track would spark an outbreak of athlete power to try to get the
decision overturned.
"I don't believe athletes will take it lying down," he said. "I'd even
spearhead something myself. I would not be happy knowing that the stadium
was going to go. "I would do everything in my power to prevent that
happening and I think there would be plenty of other athletes who would do
exactly the same thing." Rutherford, 24, an Olympic medal hopeful who
finished fifth at the 2009 World Championships in Berlin, showed his support
for West Ham's bid by joining players Scott Parker, Mark Noble and James
Tomkins and co-chairman David Gold for a reception in Stratford on Friday to
mark the club's bid submission.
He said seeing the stadium at close quarters sent chills down his spine and
he hoped to be competing there for many years to come. "The thought of it
being demolished angers me quite a lot," he said. "You can't build a
beautiful stadium and then go in there and just destroy it. It's just not
right." Rutherford did not rule out a march on Parliament if Tottenham's bid
was chosen. "Maybe I'll even chain myself to the railings," he said. He
added: "There would definitely be some level of petition. I think you'd have
every athlete in the country signing, present and past. To lose a stadium is
just not right.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Grant racing for recruits
West Ham boss wants new recruits but admits a race against time
Last updated: 21st January 2011
SSN
West Ham boss Avram Grant is desperate to bring in new faces - but admits
time is running out. Grant's side currently sit bottom of the top flight and
the Hammers boss wants to use the last ten days of the window to bolster his
squad. After seeing his pursuit of Steve Sidwell foiled by vice-chairman
Karren Brady, he is determined to start recruiting players with ten days of
the window remaining. The West Ham boss said: "To be fair, time is running
out for us in the transfer window. I wanted to do deals before, but we faced
some difficulties. "We have 10 days and we want to use these 10 days to make
the team stronger. "I don't want to be faced again with a squad like we were
before Arsenal last weekend and for other games, because now we can change
it.
"It's not good, not for us or the players - it's not fair."
Difficult
But he acknowledges it is difficult to do deals in this window for a good
player - unless you offer a price another club can not refuse, such as Aston
Villa splashing the cash with Darren Bent. He added: "The January transfer
window is not an easy time. "If you want to buy a good player who is good
with the club, you need to do what Aston Villa did with Darren Bent at
Sunderland and offer a price they can't say no to. "When you want a very
good player you need to give money that they can't refuse. I'm not Don
Corleone by the way! "We can't do that, so we are trying to do the deal that
is best for this time."
But the West Ham boss denies uncertainty over his future is making it harder
for the club to land their targets.
Dealing
"I don't think so. You would need to ask the players that, but I can tell
you that in the club we are dealing with this all the time," he said. "When
we speak with the owners we always speak about which players to bring in."
Grant is pleased that for all of West Ham's difficulties this season, the
supporters have yet to turn on him. "From what I talked about with the
supporters, they understand what we want to do and understand the
difficulties we had this year," he said. "It's not easy to do this job and I
am very pleased they understand that as we need them. They are great. "I can
tell you that in the Carling Cup semi-final when we had 10 players and the
supporters stayed behind us, it helped a lot, both for me and the players.
You don't go into the fight alone. "So many have gone to away games and
supported us and that is because they understand the situation and know the
difficulties we are dealing with."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Keep out of our territory Spurs
The Sun
By ANDREW DILLON
Published: Today
AVRAM GRANT last night told Tottenham to keep off the Hammers' manor. The
two London rivals are fighting to move into the Olympic Stadium in Stratford
on West Ham's doorstep after the 2012 Games. But boss Grant declared: "The
situation about the stadium is easy. It's in East London - West Ham is East
London. "The stadium needs to belong to West Ham. The Olympic Stadium
belongs to the East Londoners. "I don't think we'd ever build a stadium in
Fulham because that area belongs to Fulham. So to me it's very simple."
The tug-of-war is hotting up with both clubs submitting their plans for the
stadium yesterday. A final decision will be made next Friday. Tottenham plan
to rip down the £550million complex and build a new purpose-built football
ground with no running track. West Ham want to keep the stadium and its
track. Spurs boss Harry Redknapp, a former West Ham player and manager,
fears keeping the track will destroy the football atmosphere. West Ham claim
the seating plan is no worse than at the new Wembley Stadium. Grant believes
West Ham must move from Upton Park, with its 35,000 capacity, to keep pace
with their competitors. He said: "Life is about moving forward. A new
stadium with new facilities, new everything is good. "If you saw our ground
in the semi-final against Birmingham last week, it was full, the atmosphere
was great and lots of fans were outside trying to get tickets. "It would be
good for everyone. I've not seen the stadium or the plans but look at
Arsenal, nobody wanted to go to the Emirates when David Dein suggested it.
Yet now everyone likes it."
The former Chelsea boss added: "In modern stadiums, athletics tracks don't
ruin everything. "A few years ago I was in the Champions League final in
Moscow and there was a track - but the atmosphere was great."
Inspirational leader Scott Parker is fit again for today's visit to Everton
and he lashed out on Spurs' bid to rip down the stadium after the Games. The
Hammers captain also hit back at Redknapp's claim that the ground, with its
running track, would kill West Ham. He said: "It would be a shame to
demolish it after the Olympics. "A lot of money has been spent on the
stadium. A lot of effort has been put into its legacy. "This is a fantastic
stadium and it'll be a good move for West Ham. It won't kill the club. "It's
common in Europe to have tracks in football stadiums. "I'm hearing the seats
will be nearer to the pitch than the ones at Wembley and we can fill it so
there'll still be an atmosphere. "It's important to keep the atmosphere
we've got at Upton Park, that's what you thrive on most as a player."
Grant is a surprise figure in the Hammers' travelling party going to
Goodison Park. Mounting uncertainty over his future suddenly went his way
when Martin O'Neill rejected the chance to take over and Grant has kept his
job - despite the team being rock-bottom of the Premier League. The Israeli,
who was in charge of relegated Portsmouth last season, insists he can shrug
off most of the stresses and strains. But he admitted: "We're not computers,
everything can affect you, and each one of us must choose which things
affect you. "You must put things in perspective. But this team does not
belong to the manager - it belongs to the fans who pay a lot of money to
come and watch. "When I talk with supporters, they understand the
difficulties we face. My personal issue is my problem, not everybody
else's."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Karren Brady's Football Diary
The Sun
KARREN BRADY - First lady of football
Email the author
Published: Today
Saturday, January 15
A FRIEND rings to tell me that the BBC are running a story saying that
Martin O'Neill is the new manager of West Ham. Everyone, it appears is
categoric on this one. The media, the supporters, and the staff. The only
people who are not sure, it appears, are the board. What I can tell you
categorically is that the name Martin O'Neill was not mentioned, not once,
in the board meeting we had on the previous Wednesday. My feelings will be
nothing like as bruised as Avram Grant's. I respect him for holding his head
high in such a situation. However, we lose at home to Arsenal who, simply,
have the better team, made even better by the fact that we have 10 players
out injured. It's a tribute to their elegant style of football that they
haven't won a trophy in five years and yet no one calls for Arsene Wenger to
go. I doubt if even Sir Alex has this amount of credit built up among fans.
Mind you, he's such a dedicated winner he'd have quit long before the five
years were up.
Sunday, January 16
TRIBAL warfare breaks out again across football. First in Tottenham, where
angry Spurs supporters demo against a proposed move to West Ham, and at
Sunderland where a young supporter confronts Newcastle's Steve Harper in his
goalmouth and two or three dozen fans are arrested for fighting in and
around the ground. This kind of terrifying grievance procedure occurs in
Iraq, except that the combatants are armed with canisters of explosives
rather than cans of lager. Sunderland appointed former Foreign Secretary
David Miliband to their board last week at £50,000. Was it as peace-broker
to their neighbours because I can't think of another reason. On the Kop,
Kenny Dalglish is welcomed back to the managerial electrocution chair with
emotional graphics to 'King Kenny' - some of them grasped by fans too young
even to remember Liverpool's greatest player. This is one of the good
aspects of being in a tribe.
Monday, January 17
A WHISPERER from Sunderland (no, not you Miliband) asking on the phone
whether I can pass him the name of any good contact I have at Villa. The
owner, Randy Lerner, has a home two doors from mine in London but there's no
way I'm going to knock at his door in my dressing gown because a chum at the
Stadium of Light needs enlightening as to whether his club are, really and
truly, making an £18million offer for England striker Darren Bent. I get the
feeling he can't believe in the figure and neither can I. At that amount, it
smacks of a panic buy.
It's an odd thing about our game that when a club are well placed, the
owners have doubts about spending big sums whereas when they are in
relegation areas, they can suddenly afford huge fees - and this one could
rise to £24million, roughly what Man City paid Villa for James Milner. On
the other hand, I guess Lerner's view would be that goals win matches and
Bent has a remarkable record for scoring them.
Tuesday, January 18
I READ this morning wildly inaccurate reports that I'm supposed to have sent
text messages to "a number of internationals in Grant's squad to ask them to
rise up against the Israeli." I can categorically state that this is untrue.
No such texts have been sent by me or ever would be. Lawyers are acting for
me and I have been advised not to say much more. However, over the past few
weeks for the first time in my life I am experiencing sexism at its rankest,
lies about my personal life and a level of calculated mischief that is
simply appalling. I have been conducting the owners' business as
professionally as I am able. I want the best for my club and I believe in
getting good value in a grossly over-priced game. And let me say this again:
I never, ever interfere in the running of the team. I make these points
personally to Avram Grant. Now all he has to do is lead us to safety, and we
have to help him in the transfer market to do that.
Wednesday, January 19
THE dream of competing in the Olympic Games is being denied to footballers
in Britain as it isn't in any other country in the world. And why? Politics
- as if you couldn't guess. Gareth Bale is Welsh and because Wales - like
both Scotland and Northern Ireland - fear for their independent status as
football nations, he's being told he isn't available for selection for GB at
London 2012. I'm sorry for Gareth whose chance of playing on the
international stage are otherwise as remote as a Llareggub cottage. And I
would say that the Welsh view is parish-pump nonsense ... but the worm of
doubt resides in the Brady bosom that their FA may well be right.
FIFA promises have been made that Wales in football is a rock-solid state.
You have to believe Blatter promises, don't you? I mean he promised Qatar
the 2022 World Cup and they've got it. And Qatar has half the population of
Wales. Here's a much better idea, Gareth bach. Why not go and tell David
Cameron that your father's great-grandmother was English and you could be
in.
Thursday, January 20
WE'RE standing at the transfer window, signalling all over the place for a
player or two to join us in this hour of need. Won't bore you with the
details. West Ham have already been linked with more players than sausages
at Palethorpe's. Imagine, though, the combined worth today of Eric Cantona
and Ruud Gullit when they were in their prime - £100m, £150m, something on
those lines. The two are on the move, Cantona as soccer director to New York
Cosmos and, gulp, Gullit as manager of Akmat Abdulkhamidovich Kadyrov Terek
(Grozny) FC. Never heard of it... and neither had Gullit until this one last
desperate throw. I bet he can't spell it even now. You might know of Grozny,
it's the capital of war-torn Chechnya, and, home of just, Ramzan Kadyrov,
chairman of Terek and president of the country. His other sport is killing
rebels. Kadyrov is charging Gullit to lead the club into the Europa League.
Many people who haven't done what they are told have been shot.
Friday, January 21
IN times of stress, you find out who your real friends are. Last night,
wearied by the goings-on around Upton Park and the Olympic Stadium, I called
a Premier League director who is a long-time friend. We talked about going
to the cinema and then decided we would eat out, as he wanted King's Speech
and I want Blue Valentine. It was my turn to pay. Our waiter Enrique was
gorgeous and when he said I looked even better in the flesh than in The
Apprentice I knew he was a man of excellent judgment, too. This morning I
receive a text from my friend: "Thanks again for a delicious meal. It was
excellent, but not as excellent as the last two hours I spent with Enrique."
What a week. I need a drink - and three points at Everton.
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Grant includes Cole in transfer wish list to help him beat the axe
Published 23:00 21/01/11 By Mike Walters
The Mirror
Avram Grant has warned time is running out to sign new players who will help
him beat the drop – and dodge the West Ham axe. The Hammers boss has drawn
up a list of transfer targets, including Robbie Keane, Demba Ba, Jamie
O'Hara and even the possible repatriation of Joe Cole from Liverpool,
although his £90,000-a-week wages make any deal remote. But after an absurd
week in which Grant's job was offered behind his back to Martin O'Neill,
only for the former Aston Villa boss to turn it down, rock-bottom Hammers
have lost valuable bargaining time in the transfer window. Grant's only
capture to date has been exiled England full-back Wayne Bridge, and he had a
stinker on his debut in last weekend's 3-0 defeat by Arsenal. The Israeli
thought he had captured Villa midfielder Steve Sidwell, only for the move to
be vetoed by vice-chairman Karren Brady.
And although Grant has drawn a line under his shameful treatment from the
board, preferring to concentrate on today's tricky away-day at Everton, he
still has a weak squad. Skipper Scott Parker will return from an ankle
injury at Goodison, but Grant desperately needs reinforcements to shore up
West Ham's relegation battle. He admitted: "To be fair, time is running out.
I wanted to do some deals before now, but we faced some difficulties. We
have 10 days left and we want to use them to make the team stronger. "I
don't want to be faced again with a thin squad like the one we had before we
played Arsenal last week, and in other games. It's not good for us on the
staff, nor for the players. It's not fair. "The January transfer window is
not an easy time. If you want to buy a good player who will make a big
difference, you need to do what Aston Villa did with Sunderland – and offer
them a price they cannot refuse. "We are not in a position to do that, so we
are trying to do deals which are best for this time. "We have a few targets
who we are trying to bring here and I'm pretty sure over the next week we
will see new players arriving here. It's clear we need new players. We don't
have any other choice. You saw last week, when we lost all of our midfield
to injuries, it is not easy. "I would be very happy if Joe Cole came here.
He was my player before at Chelsea, he produced his best football that
season and he is a good lad. But he belongs to Liverpool and, in any case,
after the Sidwell affair I don't like to speak about transfers until they
have gone through."
Despite assurances from joint owners David Gold and David Sullivan that the
board is "100 per cent" supportive of Grant after the O'Neill fiasco, West
Ham's beleaguered boss is not safe yet. After the Save-Our-Season match
against Wigan, and a festive ultimatum to win at least one of three games
either side of Christmas, the next storm at Upton Park is never far away. If
Grant comes home from Merseyside empty-handed today, and the Irons are
shunted off the road to Wembley in next week's Carling Cup semi-final second
leg at Birmingham, the knives could be out again. He said: "I don't think
it's useful to think about that, because there is a job to do and I'm here
to do it. Am I safe? I think you know me well enough by now – I don't think
about that. "For me, what has happened off the pitch recently belongs in the
past. I want everybody in the club, especially the players, to concentrate
on what will happen in the future. "My personal issue is not the problem. I
need to do my job and we need to take points because I still believe we can
get out of the relegation zone and I still believe we can stay in this
division. "It will not be easy, but if we do the right things on and off the
pitch, we can move forward over the next few years and reach the target we
have set. This is still a good club, and it can be a very good club. "It's a
big challenge but I will enjoy it if we succeed."
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Hammers join the rat race for Diouf
Published 23:00 21/01/11 By Alan Nixon
The Mirror
Struggling West Ham are ready to move for Blackburn bad boy El Hadji Diouf.
The Senegal forward would be a controversial signing at Upton Park after
being accused of spitting at West Ham fans while playing for Liverpool in
November 2002. Police investigated the incident, but took no action. And
earlier this month he was branded lower than a sewer rat by QPR manager Neil
Warnock after allegedly hurling insults at Rangers star Jamie Mackie while
the player lay injured with what turned out to be a double leg break. Now
new Rovers manager Steve Kean will let him go, if the deal is right. Diouf
has 18 months left on his deal but the Hammers are interested as long as the
package of fee and wages is within their budget. Kean admitted: "There is
interest in Diouf. Maybe someone sees him giving their side a spark. If we
get a bid we will discuss it with him. We've had inquiries from Premier
League clubs and from abroad. He is aware of that and we will see how far
that goes."
Diouf's career in England has been punctuated by several controversial
incidents. In 2002 he was accused of spitting at visiting West Ham fans at
Anfield as he warmed up as a Liverpool substitute. The next year he was
found guilty of spitting at Celtic supporters. And earlier this month Diouf
was caught in another storm with his reaction towards stricken QPR star
Mackie in an FA Cup tie. Rangers boss Warnock said: "For many years I think
he's been the 'gutter' type of boy. I was going to call him a sewer rat, but
that might insult the sewer rats. I think he's the lowest of the low. "I
can't see him being at Blackburn much longer because I can't see Steve Kean
putting up with someone like that.''
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Exclusive – Gold: 'Morally West Ham are the right choice for Olympic
Stadium'
Talksport
By Alex Varney
Friday, January 21
David Gold has hit back at Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp – telling
talkSPORT West Ham are "morally the right choice for the Olympic Stadium".
Redknapp has rubbished his former club's plans to retain the athletics track
at the 2012 arena, claiming it would become a "desolate graveyard". But,
after the Hammers finalised their submission for long-term tenancy of the
stadium, Gold insists the track would not affect the atmosphere. And the
West Ham co-owner claims the entire country will be let down if Tottenham's
bid - which includes demolishing the stadium and not including a running
track - is successful. "This is not a question of Tottenham versus West Ham,
said Gold. "It's Tottenham versus West Ham, versus the community, versus
athletics. They are up against a whole raft of people. "We're 1.6 miles from
the Stadium, we'll be moving from east end of London to the east end of
London. We wouldn't be moving out of our borough. We wouldn't have to change
our name to Stratford Hotspurs. "We believe that morally we are the right
choice. Of course it's about money, however this is more than those issues.
On our behalf some serious people made promises to the world that they would
deliver a legacy. If we're to hold our heads high in international matters
we have to keep our word. "I think it's three metres more the fans will be
away from the touchline than they are at [Upton Park]. "The distances are
relatively small. Wembley is very similar to the Olympic Stadium. We can put
in
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Levy argues against 'easy option'
Friday 21st January 2011 19:02
TeamTalk
Spurs chairman Daniel Levy has claimed that retaining a running track at the
Olympics Stadium would be "the easy option, but the wrong option". Levy
promised Spurs fans "one of the finest stadiums in the world" if their bid
to take over the venue after the 2012 Games is chosen over West Ham's, and
he expressed concern over whether a new ground near White Hart Lane is
viable. Spurs' plans would see them demolish the stadium and build a new one
without a running track - West Ham's plan is to keep the structure at a
reduced capacity and with the athletics track retained. The Olympic Park
Legacy Company are to make a recommendation next week and Spurs have even
managed to secure the support of Brazil football legend Pele, who wrote a
letter to the OPLC backing their plan. Levy said in an open letter to fans:
"The easiest option for us would undoubtedly have been to bid for the
Olympic Stadium site with a retained athletics track. But it would have been
the wrong option. "The front row seats in the Olympic Stadium with a
retained athletics track will be up to 45 metres from the pitch; in our
stadium design they would be 8m from the action. "Football and athletics
cannot co-exist successfully in the same stadium. "There are examples all
over the world of where clubs have removed tracks or moved stadiums simply
because of the poor spectator experience and the lack of sustainability in
the long-term due to decreasing attendances. We never considered for one
moment placing our fans in such a stadium environment."
Levy said that should Spurs be chosen as the preferred bidder, the club
would have a full consultation process with supporters, a number of whom are
campaigning against a move to east London. "It would rank amongst the finest
stadiums in the world and deliver one of the best fan experiences anywhere
in Europe," he added. "Our proposals for the Olympic Stadium site include an
iconic 60,000-seater stadium, the construction of which is fully financially
guaranteed."
Spurs' original plan of developing a new stadium close to their current
home, called the Northumberland Development Project (NDP), is likely to be
more costly and troublesome. Levy added: "I must once again repeat the
concerns we have about the viability and deliverability of the NDP. The cost
of consent has been high. "No progress has been made with the remaining land
owners and this is a potentially costly issue. "Compulsory Purchase Orders
are of course one route to resolving this, but that process is uncertain and
can take years to conclude. "Our guiding principles remain the same - we are
committed to taking this club to the next level and an increased capacity
stadium is central to that intention; and we have to seek a stadium solution
which does not undermine the financial stability of the club or its ability
to continue to invest in the first team."
Levy pointed out that UEFA's new financial fair play rules, where clubs in
European competition can only spend what they earn, made it imperative that
Spurs are able to boost match-day income by moving to a bigger ground.
"Perhaps more importantly, we now have over 35,000 fans on the paid for
waiting list for season tickets. It is an astonishing figure and a real
reminder of the strength of support for this club," he said. "The choice is
between standing still or moving forward. A new stadium is critical to our
continued success."
Tottenham say they would provide an athletics legacy for London by
redeveloping the Crystal Palace athletics stadium Pele's letter to the OPLC
specifically mentions those plans. It says: "I understand they are based on
creating a dedicated football stadium and providing an athletics legacy at
the original home of athletics (as I remember it!) Crystal Palace. "That
would be a great stadium. I really don't understand wanting to play with a
track around the pitch. The players won't like it and it probably won't
last. "As a player I need to feel the passion and the intensity of the fans.
The best stadiums connect the fans to the pitch and if you lose that you
lose something that really matters and eventually you lose the fans."
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Olympic Stadium: Greg Rutherford predicts revolt among athletes if Tottenham
Hotspur win bid
Telegraph.co.uk
By Simon Hart 8:03PM GMT 21 Jan 2011
British long-jumper Greg Rutherford believes there will be a mass protest by
athletes if Tottenham are given the go-ahead to demolish the Olympic Stadium
after 2012. Tottenham and West Ham submitted their final bids for the
stadium to the Olympic Park Legacy Company on Friday, which is due to choose
between the two at its board meeting next Friday. But the decision will
still have to be signed off by the Government and London Mayor Boris
Johnson, and Rutherford says a vote for Tottenham's plan to tear up the
running track would spark an outbreak of athlete power to try to get the
decision overturned. "I don't believe athletes will take it lying down," he
said. "I'd even spearhead something myself. I would not be happy knowing
that the stadium was going to go. "I would do everything in my power to
prevent that happening and I think there would be plenty of other athletes
who would do exactly the same thing."
Rutherford, 24, an Olympic medal hopeful who finished fifth at the 2009
World Championships in Berlin, showed his support for West Ham's bid by
joining players Scott Parker, Mark Noble and James Tomkins and co-chairman
David Gold for a reception in Stratford on Friday to mark the club's bid
submission.
He said seeing the stadium at close quarters sent chills down his spine and
he hoped to be competing there for many years to come. "The thought of it
being demolished angers me quite a lot," he said. "You can't build a
beautiful stadium and then go in there and just destroy it. It's just not
right." Rutherford did not rule out a march on Parliament if Tottenham's bid
was chosen. "Maybe I'll even chain myself to the railings," he said. He
added: "There would definitely be some level of petition. I think you'd have
every athlete in the country signing, present and past. To lose a stadium is
just not right.
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West Ham chief Karren Brady slams Tottenham's hysteria over Olympic stadium
By JONATHAN MCEVOY Last updated at 2:17 AM on 22nd January 2011
Daily Mail
West Ham's vice-chairman Karren Brady believes Harry Redknapp is 'bordering
on hysteria' by calling her club's bid for the Olympic stadium a
'nightmare'.
Tottenham manager Redknapp is opposed to his former club's plans to keep a
running track around the pitch because, he argued, you can only see
'Subbuteo-sized footballers through your opera-style binoculars'. Redknapp
was speaking up for Spurs' own campaign, which involves knocking down the
arena post-2012 and building a football ground in its place. Brady said:
'Harry has got his own agenda, no doubt given to him by his board to
deliver. When he was asked before for his view of Tottenham moving to the
Olympic Stadium, he said, "That's West Ham territory, isn't it?" It's
amazing what pressure can be put on you to change your opinion. 'Harry seems
to have been briefed that we are simply moving our goalposts there. That is
not true. This is being built by Westfield, an outstanding company, and one
of the ideas is to move seats closer behind the goal. I'd be a lot more
worried about Spurs filling their stadium because of all the demonstrations
I have seen from the Tottenham supporters who are against moving. 'But this
is much bigger than Harry's point of view. He is bordering on hysteria.
'This is not a debate about Spurs v West Ham. It's actually about Spurs v
West Ham, the London Borough of Newham, UK Athletics, an Olympic promise,
the community of the East End of London and anyone across the UK who has
Olympic aspirations. 'That is the most important part of the submission.
This is West Ham putting together the money to be able to convert the
stadium to make it usable for many sports including football and athletics.'
'About £95million will be spent on converting the stadium into
configurations from a small athletics event of 25,000 right through to a
Madonna concert for 107,000. In between that mix is football.'
Redknapp's view that Spurs offer the better football option was reinforced
by Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, who said on Friday that '99 per cent of
managers' prefer grounds without a running track. But Brady said: 'The
redesign of the stadium with the roof means there is no seat in the stadium
with a worse view of the pitch than Wembley and, in fact, that the seat
furthest away at the Olympic Stadium is five yards closer to the pitch than
the seat furthest away at Wembley.' Other points put forward by Spurs -
whose chairman Daniel Levy wrote an open letter on Friday to fans bringing
them up to date with developments - are that they have higher revenue, more
fans, a certain future in the Premier League and proven partners in AEG, who
transformed the Millennium Dome. West Ham are borrowing £40m from Newham
Council, but Brady said: 'It's far better to have a financial partner who
shares your vision rather than a bank.' Pele curiously entered the debate on
Friday by writing in support of Spurs on the basis that players 'won't like
(a track around the pitch) and it probably won't last'. His letter was sent
to the Olympic Park Legacy Company, who will determine the stadium's future.
Their decision is scheduled for next Friday, but it is increasingly likely
to be delayed.
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VRAM GRANT WANTS THE CASH NOW
Daily Star
22nd January 2011 By Rob Maul
DEFIANT Avram Grant has told West Ham's co-owners: Back me in the transfer
window if you want to stay in the top flight. The 55-year-old Israeli's
seven-month spell at Upton Park appeared to be over last weekend with Martin
O'Neill lined up to take charge. But Grant is now the man until the end of
the season after O'Neill turned his back on the job – and he wants the
Hammers board to stump up for new players quickly to help the club survive.
Grant has warned co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan that time is
running out for the Hammers to strengthen an already injury-depleted
first-team squad at Upton Park. Although Scott Parker should be fit for
today's clash with Everton, his ankle injury prior to the Arsenal encounter
emphasised their ongoing injury issues. While Wolves and Birmingham have
both signed valuable new recruits, West Ham's transfer dealings have hit
stumbling blocks, with only left-back Wayne Bridge arriving on loan from
Manchester City. Steve Sidwell was on the verge of signing for the club this
month, having agreed a medical and personal terms before the deal
inexplicably fell through. And, in a week where Aston Villa have just signed
Darren Bent for £24m to fire them away from the relegation zone, the West
Ham boss has expressed his frustration at the lack of deals secured. Grant
said: "Am I concerned that time is running out to recruit players? Yes I am.
"We wanted to do deals beforehand but we faced some difficulties. We have 10
days or so and we want to use these 10 days to make the team stronger. "I
don't want to be facing a situation again, which we had before Arsenal,
where we had lost many players. "Now it is the time to change that. It
wasn't good for the players. "January transfers are never easy. When you
want to buy a good player, you have to do what Aston Villa did with
Sunderland. "They offered money that Sunderland couldn't refuse. "We cannot
do this, but we are trying to do the deals that are best for the club.
"At the start of the season the squad was good. Then we had a lot of
injuries. "This is the time to bring in players to help make us stronger."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Avram Grant wants to sign two more players for West Ham this week
Manager admits 'time is running out' in the transfer window
Deflects questions over speculation about his job
Jamie Jackson
The Guardian, Saturday 22 January 2011
Avram Grant has warned that "time is running out" for him to sign the
players that he fells will be vital if West Ham United are to avoid
relegation from the Premier League. Nine days are left before the transfer
window closes but West Ham have so far signed only Wayne Bridge, a
left-back, on loan from Manchester City. Grant, who says that speculation
regarding his job should be forgotten, now wants a creative midfielder and a
striker to augment his efforts to pull the team towards safety
"Time is running out," the manager said yesterday. "I wanted to do deals
before, but we faced some difficulties. We have 10 days and we want to use
these to make the team stronger. I don't want to be faced again with a squad
like we were before Arsenal [a 3-0 loss] and other games, because now we can
change it. It's not good, not for us and the players – it's not fair."
In the absence of the injured Scott Parker last Saturday, the manager
started with a midfield of Jonathan Spector, Freddie Sears, Mark Noble and
Radoslav Kovac before an early injury to the Czech forced him to play Luis
Boa Morte in an unfamiliar central position.
Grant is being careful not to criticise the West Ham board after the club
approached Martin O'Neill to take over as manager last week. Asked if
potential deals had stalled or been blocked because players were unsure who
would be in charge if they signed for the club, he said: "You would need to
ask the other players, but I can tell you that in the club we are dealing
with this all the time.
"When we speak with the owners we always spoke about which players to bring
or not. The January transfer window is always not easy because when you want
to buy good players that are good for the club you need to do what Aston
Villa did and offer a price [£24m for Darren Bent] so they cannot say no.
"You need to give them money that they cannot refuse. But I am not Don
Corleone [the Godfather]. We cannot do it so we are trying to it the way
that is best for this time."
Jamie O'Hara and Joe Cole are among those Grant would like to buy to fill
the creative-midfield berth while Robbie Keane and Hoffenheim's Demba Ba
head his list of would-be strikers. Parker has recovered from an ankle
injury and will start at Everton, whom they held to a 1-1 draw three days
after Christmas.
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