WHUFC.com
January promises to be a busy month off the field - as well as on it - for
the Hammers
05.01.2011
West Ham United Chairman David Sullivan has updated supporters on the
efforts being made to strengthen the Hammers squad this month. With the team
going well on a four-match unbeaten run in the Barclays Premier League and
contemplating a Carling Cup semi-final next week, the Board are working
behind the scenes to sign new players. Although different names are being
linked every single day, the club will not confirm until moves are official.
Mr Sullivan said: "We will bring in two or three players whatever happens
and have had a few meetings already. As I say, watch this space but the
squad and the players we have now have also shown that they are good enough.
"We can never sit still, though, and this goes for all areas of the club. We
have to be mindful that you can only register 25 players and we already have
a squad of 30 players."
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Coles hails Green form
WHUFC.com
Goalkeeper coach David Coles has praised the recent displays by his star
pupil Robert Green
05.01.2011
David Coles has lauded the form of Robert Green during West Ham United's
recent run of impressive results. Green has scooped man of the match awards
in each of the Hammers previous two matches, producing a string of fine
saves in Saturday's 2-0 Barclays Premier League victory over Wolverhampton
Wanderers in particular. The goalkeeper coach was fulsome in his praise of
the No1, who also helped West Ham to reach the Carling Cup semi-finals
courtesy of a thrilling 4-0 victory over Manchester United in November. The
30-year-old stopper will be hoping to hit top form again when West Ham
travel to Newcastle United on Wednesday evening. Coles put Green's fine form
down to his professional approach to every training session and match he
takes part in. "Rob has been very consistent over the last two or three
months. Whatever people said about him is irrelevant and in the past. "He is
a fantastic person to work with. When he comes in to train he is very
thorough and to the point and very articulate."
Green has missed just one Premier League match since March 2007, while he is
also fully committed to helping the club's stable of aspiring goalkeepers,
including Ruud Boffin, Marek Stech and the injured Peter Kurucz. "He works
well with the young ones and is basically just an excellent player and
person to have at the club," Coles confirmed.
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Tonks up for tonight
WHUFC.com
In-form defender James Tomkins is ready to play his part again this evening
at Newcastle United
05.01.2011
James Tomkins has spoken about the significance of tonight's meeting with
Newcastle United. The 21-year-old defender has been an impressive part of
the Hammers rearguard in recent weeks, playing his part in the four-match
unbeaten run. He will again partner Matthew Upson at St. James' Park this
evening and said the game was one the team would approach with confidence.
"We have been playing well and have come of the back of a good week. We have
gone out there believing in ourselves and believing we could win the game.
That's what we are trying to do in every game. They are all big games. "Now
as we start the New Year, we have got to build on these results. The Wolves
win is something we can take into the next game against Newcastle."
With the Hammers dropping back into the bottom three after Tuesday's
fixtures, no oe in Avram Grant's lineup is thinking that they have achieved
anything yet. "It is still tough, the games are coming along thick and
fast. We just have to focus on each game as it comes along." "We are
defending well as a team, we are all defending better. The team spirit is up
even more and we are all very much together. We have started the year well,
hopefully we can keep this run going. It is a massive game at Newcastle. We
want to keep improving in the league, that is the most important thing."
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Pardew - No Hammers rift
Toon boss holds no bitterness towards old club
Last updated: 5th January 2011
SSN
Alan Pardew insists he harbours no bad feeling towards West Ham as he
prepares to go up against his former employers with Newcastle on Wednesday
night. The manager, who took the helm at St James' Park in December, guided
the Hammers to an FA Cup final during his three-year reign at Upton Park,
but was shown the door by the club's then new owners in December 2006 after
a run of poor results. Pardew says it is all water under the bridge, but
feels he would have kept his job at the East London club had striker Dean
Ashton not got injured. He said: "I don't harp on it. My experience there,
to my mind, was a fantastic one. I had some great times there. "It was tough
at the start - I had a really tough group, who I inherited, that didn't want
to play for the club.
Stronger
"But I managed to get through that and build a really good side. I left a
side that was a lot stronger than when I arrived. I was proud of my
achievements at West Ham and I don't harbour any bad feeling. "I honestly
believe that if Dean Ashton hadn't got injured, there's no way I'd have lost
my job that year. No way. "He was absolutely flying. He was England's No.9.
It gives me a good comparison to Andy Carroll, because I look at Andy now
and, while he's not the same player as Dean, I can see the hunger and the
desire to be England's No.9 in Andy. "Owners have their own agenda. And if
you're not part of that agenda, you're not going to survive too long. So I
wasn't surprised when the Icelandic group came in that I wasn't around for
very long."
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Parker confirms he won't quit West Ham
TalkSport
By Ian Cruise
Wednesday, January 5
Scott Parker has confirmed to talkSPORT he doesn't want to leave West Ham
this month. The Hammers' Player of the Year has been constantly linked with
a move to Spurs, but either side of Christmas West Ham manager Avram Grant
and co-owner David Gold told talkSPORT there was no way their prize asset
was going to be sold. And after last weekend's vital 2-0 win over Wolves at
Upton Park, Parker himself expressed his desire to stay and lead the Hammers
out of danger and preserve their Premier League stauts. And that news has
been welcomed by West Ham legend Billy Bonds. "I don't watch a lot of West
Ham [these days], but from what I have seen I think Scott Parker is the best
tackler in the game," he said. "His timing is great. "I've always liked
Scotty as a player. He's honest and has more ability than some people give
him credit for. He's as good going forward as we've got, sitting in front of
the back four and makes some great penetrating breaks. "I just wish there
were a few more of him around."
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West Ham target Demba Ba goes on strike at Hoffenheim to force through
transfer
Telegraph.co.uk
By Telegraph staff 9:48AM GMT 05 Jan 2011
Demba Ba, the Hoffenheim striker wanted by West Ham United, has gone on
strike at the Bundesliga club in an effort to force through a £6m move to
Upton Park during the January transfer window. The Senegal international
faces sanctions from his club after he reacted to Hoffenheim's reluctance to
open talks with the London club. After Ba failed to join the rest of the
squad on a trip to Malaga for winter training Hoffenheim's managing director
Ernst Tanner demanded that the player make the trip with him a day later but
Ba dug his heels in and remained in Germany. Tanner is unwilling to concede
to Ba's wishes and will consider the club's next move, which could see the
player forced to see out the remaining two and a half years of his contract
even if he refuses to play again for the club. "Yes, it's true he has
refused to go to La Manga, even though we demanded he catch a flight and
join up with his team-mates," Tanner told the Daily Mail. "I have told him
he will have to face the consequences. It could be a fine or we could throw
him out altogether and make him see out his contract without playing."
Ba has scored 37 goals in 93 games for Hoffenheim and the tall, powerful
forward is seen by West Ham United as the perfect addition to add firepower
to their relegation battle. A loan until the end of the season was proposed
by West Ham with a view to making the deal permanent in the summer.
Hoffenheim have so far proved unwilling to accept the offer though Ba's
lawyer, Ran Ronen, remains hopeful a deal can be struck. "It does seem Demba
could move, and he'd like it to be to the Premier League. West Ham came up
with a bid, but, at the moment, Hoffenheim do not appear to be working on
it," he said.
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In-form Hammers aim for first Toon win in a decade
10:04am Wednesday 5th January 2011
Echo
SCOTT PARKER has warned his former side Newcastle they face a revitalised
West Ham outfit tonight at St James' Park. The former Newcastle skipper, who
left the Magpies in 2007, admits the Hammers were in disarray when the two
sides met in October, when goals from Andy Carroll and Kevin Nolan sealed a
win for the Geordies at Upton Park. But since then West Ham have secured a
place in the last four of the Carling Cup and enjoyed an outstanding festive
period which has seen them climb off the foot of the Premier League table.
Parker said: "Newcastle is somewhere we can go and win. "We are confident
and it is a winnable game. "If we can go and be solid like we have in the
last two away games we can pick up some points there. "Everyone has pulled
together. We have all dug in even though it has been difficult at times. We
have picked up some results and we are looking upwards now. "The young lads
have come in and give us something different – a bit of enthusiasm and a
spark. "Freddie Sears has done very well and James Tomkins has been
different class since he has come in."
Fresh from the 2-0 win over Wolves, the Hammers are aiming to end a Tyneside
hoodoo which stretches back to 1999 when they last won at St James' Park.
The Hammers have no new injury or suspension worries ahead the game, but
Manuel da Costa and Tomas Hitzlsperger are still in the treatment room.
Freddie Sears and Junior Stanislas are likely to keep their places in the
side with Avram Grant unlikely to change the team which has picked up two
wins and two draws from their four games over the festive period. Sears
scored his first goal since March 2008 as Hammers beat Wolves to climb out
of the relegation zone for the first time this season on Saturday. Bradford
boss Peter Taylor turned down the chance to become Alan Pardew's assistant
at Newcastle yesterday, but the Magpies come into the game buoyed by
Sunday's 1-0 win at Wigan. Shola Ameobi is again likely to lead the line
with Andy Carroll still sidelined with a thigh injury. Ameobi could once
again be partnered by Peter Lovenkrands, although Leon Best and Nile Ranger
are pushing for starts. Sol Campbell will sit out again as he recovers from
illness, while Dan Gosling is approaching full fitness after his long-term
knee injury. Hatem Ben Arfa (double leg fracture) and Ryan Taylor (ankle
ligaments) remain on the sidelines.
West Ham possible starting XI: Green; Ben Haim, Tomkins, Upson, Gabbidon;
Sears, Parker, Kovac, Stanislas; Cole, Piquionne.
Newcastle possible starting XI: Harper; Simpson, S Taylor, Coloccini,
Enrique; Barton, Nolan, Tiote, Gutierrez; Ameobi, Lovenkrands.
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West Ham's Tomkins makes the case for the defence
Newham Recorder
Dave Evans, West Ham correspondent
Wednesday, 5 January, 2011
10:31 AM
WHEN West Ham met Wolves last season it proved to be a disaster both for the
team as they crashed to a demoralising 3-1 defeat and for defender James
Tomkins in particular as his first-half mistake put Mick McCarthy's boys on
their way to three points. That game back in March proved to be Tomkins last
of the season, but move forward nine months and the young centre half is
back and playing the best football of his life. "I feel I've matured a lot,"
said Tomkins, who is still only 21, but on Saturday made his 50th league
appearance in claret and blue. "Obviously last year I learnt a lot and I've
played quite a lot of games for my tender age. "In the Wolves game last
season there were circumstances when it was even closer to the end of the
season, but I've matured a lot since then and I'm now learning and enjoying
playing."
The statistics bear out Tomkins assurance that he has learnt from his
mistakes. When he first broke into the team, every error he made seemed to
cost the Hammers a goal, but since his return to regular first team football
this season, he has even overshadowed England star Matty Upson. West Ham
have let in 35 goals this season, but when Tomkins has played they have
conceded just 13, including three clean sheets against Oxford and Manchester
United in the Carling Cup and on Saturday against Wolves. Tomkins was
relieved that the team managed to get over the line against Wolves this time
round.
"The year couldn't have started better for us," he said. "We had a good week
of results. Beating Fulham was a big result and drawing against Everton the
other day meant we were full of confidence going into this game. "We knew we
could win and went out there believing in ourselves and we've come out with
a victory."
The defence certainly seems to have shored up in recent weeks, not only with
Tomkins taking over from the injured Manuel Da Costa in the centre of
defence, but also the inclusion of two more centre halves in the full back
positions. "We've played together for a couple of games now, so hopefully
we're developing a good partnership there now," said Tomkins. "The two full
backs – Danny and Tal – who normally play centre half, are doing really well
playing for us. I hope they can keep that going, so we can keep building as
a back four for the rest of the season."
It is not just personnel though, the England under-21 international was
quick to point out the part played by new defensive coach Wally Downes.
Since his arrival following the disastrous 3-0 drubbing at Liverpool, West
Ham have let in just eight goals in eight games. "We are keeping things
solid, not just with the back four, but with the whole team," said Tomkins.
"We're defending well as a team and with the new defensive coach, as a back
four we've just improved and come together. "The team spirit has gone up
even more and we're more together and hopefully, having started the year
well, we can just keep going."
We always knew that Tomkins had the potential to go a long way with West Ham
United. Now the former Academy boy seems to have cut out those painful
mistakes that seemed to plague him at the start of his career. And if he can
keep that up then the Hammers will have found another top quality player off
the Academy production line.
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Newcastle v West Ham preview
Grant aims to burst out of the relegation zone
Last updated: 5th January 2011
SSN
PREDICTIONS:
Skysports.com prediction: 1-0
SKY BET odds: Newcastle 5/6 Draw 5/2 West Ham 10/3
One to Watch: Cheick Tiote
Avram Grant seems to have gained a bit of job security over the festive
period and he will hope to continue to guide West Ham away from relegation
danger at Newcastle. The Hammers boss had briefly steered his side up from
bottom position in the Premier League to a spot outside of the drop zone
after picking up eight points from a potential 12. But results elsewhere
mean that West Ham have been sucked back into the bottom three ahead
kick-off at St James' Park and Grant, who was previously thought to be one
defeat away from the sack, will hope for another win. Newcastle, though, are
on the up after Sunday's win at Wigan, which came after successive defeats
to Manchester City and Tottenham, and will be boosted by the news that
injured ace Hatem Ben Arfa has signed a permanent deal. Alan Pardew was not
so much offered a honeymoon period as a one night stand after succeeding
Chris Hughton in December, as an impressive opening victory over Liverpool
was followed by painful losses.
Carroll enquiry
But the win at the DW Stadium was as straightforward as three points come
and, despite the absence of injured striker Andy Carroll, the Toon Army will
be demanding another success to build on a position of 10th. Shola Ameobi is
again likely to lead the line for Newcastle with Carroll, who is understood
to have been the subject of a dismissed enquiry from Tottenham, still
nursing his thigh complaint. Carroll is also unlikely to be fit for
Saturday's FA Cup third round trip to Stevenage as he targets a return at
Sunderland on 16th January. Ameobi could once again be partnered by Peter
Lovenkrands, although manager Pardew has promised Leon Best and Nile Ranger
that they will get chances as he attempts to make the most of his squad.
Defender Sol Campbell will sit out again as he recovers from illness, while
Dan Gosling is approaching full fitness after his long-term knee injury.
Hammers checks
Ben Arfa (double leg fracture) and Ryan Taylor (ankle ligaments) remain on
the sidelines. West Ham will check on Lars Jacobsen and Valon Behrami ahead
of their outing on Tyneside. Full-back Jacobsen has been struggling with a
heel injury and midfielder Behrami has been out for a month with a hip
problem. Midfielder Mark Noble is in line to start after returning from his
hip injury as a substitute against Wolves, but Kieron Dyer (thigh), Herita
Ilunga (leg), Benni McCarthy (calf), Thomas Hitzlsperger (thigh), Jack
Collison (knee) and Manuel da Costa (ankle) remain sidelined.
Possible starting XIs:
Newcastle: Harper, Simpson, S Taylor, Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Barton,
Nolan, Tiote, Gutierrez, Lovenkrands, Ameobi.
West Ham: Green; Ben-Haim, Tomkins, Upson, Gabbidon, Sears, Parker, Kovac,
Boa Morte, Cole, Piquionne.
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Long rejects Hammers talk
Striker staying at Madejski Stadium
Last updated: 5th January 2011
SSN
Reading star Shane Long has rejected reports linking him with a January move
to West Ham. Hammers boss Avram Grant is keen to bolster his attacking
options in this month's transfer window and Long has been mentioned as a
possible target. Long has been in fine form of late, netting six goals in
his last five games, to fuel speculation over a possible move away. However,
the Republic of Ireland international insists he is going nowhere and that
he is happy to stay at the Madejski Stadium. There's always rumours going
around and there were a lot in the summer as well," said Long. "I'm enjoying
my football here at Reading at the moment and I know this team is destined
for big things and I want to be a part of that. I just have to concentrate
on my own game and what will be will be. "These things happen if you're
scoring goals, but I'm just enjoying my football. I want to be part of a
good Reading side right now."
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"He has been worth half their points, at least, on his own"
Author: Ben Moss
Posted on:05 January 2011 - 12:13
Sport.co.uk
Jamie Redknapp believes West Ham United must do all they can to retain Scott
Parker this month, because the all-action midfielder is integral to Hammers'
Premier League survival. Parker has been linked with a move to Tottenham
Hotspur and Liverpool in the past, but Redknapp suggests the 30-year-old's
importance to Avram Grant cannot be understated, crediting the England
international with amassing at least half of the London club's Premier
League points. Although rumours of a potential move to Liverpool and
Tottenham persist, the aforementioned Sky Sports pundit believes West Ham
United will almost certainly reject any advances from their league
counterparts. Redknapp told skysports.com: "They are not far off a one-man
team, he is that important to them. "There will always be talk of him
leaving but there's no way they can let that happen - it would upset the
fans and consign them to relegation. "He has been worth half their points,
at least, on his own."
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EVERTON & WEST HAM FIGHTING OVER KNACKERED STIRKER'S MEDICAL BILLS
Transfer Tavern
Date: 5th January 2011 at 12:54 pm
This one's interesting: if reports are to be believed, Everton manager David
Moyes is apparently keen on signing Michael Owen. Well, if the former
England striker didn't anger Liverpool fans enough by joining Manchester
United, then a move to the blue half of Merseyside should just about clinch
it.
In fact, online publication Crunch Sports has it that both Everton and West
Ham may make a move for the injury-prone striker this month, with both sides
primarily interested in a loan deal due to lack of funds.
Owen is currently well and truly last in the pecking order at Old Trafford,
and would welcome the prospect of regular first-team football. However,
having allowed Danny Welbeck, Mame Biram Diouf and now Federico Macheda to
go out on loan, Alex Ferguson may be hesitant to release Owen as well,
leaving United with just three recognised strikers.
Yet the real problem with this rumour is its assumption that Owen would add
anything at all to either Everton or West Ham. Because, quite honestly, he
wouldn't; at United he is little more than an extra body should the need
arise, and Avram Grant or David Moyes surely couldn't expect much more from
Owen, who will never be anything like the player he once was.
These two clubs boast youth systems which have produced some of the best
footballers around, three of whom are currently playing in the United
first-team! (Rio Ferdinand, Michael Carrick and Wayne Rooney)
If they're that short on options and that short on funds, they should look
to their own youth teams, and steer clear of players like Owen, whose
physical frailties will likely make them more trouble than they're worth.
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Spurs appoint PR guru Mike Lee in their fight with West Ham to move into
London's Olympic stadium
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 12:56 PM on 5th January 2011
Daily Mail
Tottenham have stepped up their battle with West Ham to move into London's
Olympic stadium by appointing the country's leading sports spin doctor Mike
Lee. Spurs hope Lee, the director of communications for London's successful
Olympic bid, will keep them a key advantage. Lee, who used to be a board
member at West Ham, also helped Rio win the 2016 Olympics, and Qatar the
2022 World Cup. West Ham's combative campaign has been led by vice-chairman
Karren Brady, who has used her column in a national newspaper to highlight
the non-domicile tax status of Spurs' owners. Final offers for the stadium
must be submitted to the Olympic Park Legacy Company by January 21 and its
board is expected to identify a single 'preferred bidder' at a meeting a
week later. Legacy chiefs want to complete contractual negotiations for a
long-term lease of the stadium by the spring. London's Olympics chief
Sebastian Coe has already backed West Ham, believing they will deliver a
stronger legacy. The club also wants to retain the athletics track. Coe
said: 'We made a commitment to track and field to be a part of the legacy of
the stadium so, as vice-president of the IAAF, it's not going to come as a
huge shock that I am going to defend and help my sport.' While Spurs have
made their intentions clear, many supporters are not keen on a possible move
to Stratford.
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Newcastle Utd Away is a Good Test of Our Progress!
West Ham Till I Die
Well, we really cannot complain about the results over the Festive Season.
We needed a minimum return of 7 points, from the three matches, and the team
delivered that. Obviously, the other two points against Everton would have
been nice, but we must consider that a point won rather than two lost.
Indeed, Everton were very impressive and could easily have won the match.
Hopefully, that result is indicative of two things. Firstly, we are
starting to display the type of cohesion and fighting spirit that helps
secure results against the run of play. Secondly, our luck has began to
turn and lady Fortuna has finally started to smile on us. Personally, I
feel that people tend to make their own luck and would prefer to believe
that the former factor predominates.
It was very good to see the Wolves result lift us up to 15th, if only for a
short period. The Fulham and Birmingham results saw us sink back in to the
bottom three, but that just demonstrates how incrediably close it is in the
bottom half of the table. West Ham's form is actually very good and, as I
have stated previously, the key factor this season has been our inability to
turn a few of our too numerous draws in to victories. All we can do in this
situation is keep winning and hope that we can open up a points gaps between
ourselves and the relegation zone.
In that respect, the match against Newcastle Utd is a very good test of the
squad's improvement. It is a fixture that we have not had a great record
in over the last ten years or so, but it is also a game that must be
considered winnable. We need to go out there and match them physically,
early on, and then impose our attacking game. Thankfully, they are likely
to be missing Andy Carroll, which is a big miss for them and a real bonus
for us. Indeed, that absence could prove to be a big factor in us getting a
result up there?
Finally, I must say that I was abslutely delighted to see Freddie Sears come
back and play so well over the Festive period. I wrote before Christmas
that I would not write off Freddie Sears just yet, because young players
can often demonstrate fluctuating form or prove to be late developers.
Historically, think of the greats like Hurst and Brooking who took time to
show their their true potential or others like Paul Allen who had a dip in
form after a brilliant start to their first team career.
The problem is that in the cut and thrust of the modern game, people are too
quick to write off youngsters, without fully appreciating the true nature of
youth development. Expecting youngsters to come in to the side, make an
instant, positive impact and then maintain that form long term is
unrealistic. Rather they need to be introduced, when ready, stretched and
then rested as appropriate. Look at James Tomkins last season, the best
thing that the club did was to rest Tomkins and give him the time and space
to work on his game and come back all the stronger this season.
Freddie Sears still has a way to go to establish himself as a first team
regular, but he has made significant strides towards that goal. They are
using his pace on the flanks to good effect, but it was good to see him come
inside against Wolves to score. It was also notable in that match that
Sears got at least four shots on target in the match and was unlucky not to
score more than once. He certainly looks physically stronger now, having
matured and obviously benefited from playing regularly during the loan spell
at Scunthorpe.
Indeed, it was interesting to hear Neill Warnock talk, on 'Goals on Sunday'
about Freddie Sears' loan period at Crystal Palace and the negative impact
that the 'non-goal' against Bristol City had on his self-belief. He seemed
to indicate that Sears is essentially a confidence player. If so, that goal
against Wolves can only help and hopefully others will now follow.
As for tonight's match, I feel that a draw is possibly on the cards,
although I will stick my neck out and go for a 1-2 Hammers victory. The
important thing is to continue showing improvement and resilience and, in
doing so, avoid a 3-0 walloping that could serve to undermine the team's new
found consistency and confidence.
The relegation zone is a bit like quick sand. If you have have a grip on a
line, you need to keep on pulling yourself to safety or you will inevitably
sink back! That is likely to be even more true this season, the way that
the PL is shaping up to be such a close affair.
SJ. Chandos
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West Ham Preview
NUFC.com
By Anthony Marshall
Newcastle will attempt to record back-to-back Premier League victories for
only the second time this season as West Ham come to St. James' Park on
Wednesday (7.45pm kick-off).
The Magpies will be hoping to build on Sunday's win at Wigan and continue to
make an impression on the top half of the table against their struggling
opponents. The fixture also sees Newcastle boss Alan Pardew go up against
the club he managed for three years from 2003-2006, and led to an FA Cup
final. Pardew will have to do without 11-goal top scorer Andy Carroll,
however, who is recovering from a hamstring injury, while centre-back Sol
Campbell (illness) is also sidelined. In defeating Fulham on Boxing Day,
West Ham ended their 16-month wait for an away league win. But despite their
recent upturn in form, which has seen seven points taken from a possible
nine over the festive period, the Hammers remain in the relegation zone.
Visiting boss Avram Grant will assess injury doubts over midfielder Valon
Behrami (hip) and defender Lars Jacobsen (heel), but could recall fit-again
midfielder Mark Noble to the starting line-up. However they have a lengthy
casualty list, with Jack Collison, Anthony Edgar, Peter Kurucz (all knee),
Manuel Da Costa (ankle), Kieron Dyer, Thomas Hitzlsperger (both thigh),
Herita Ilunga (muscle problem) and Benni McCarthy (calf) all ruled out.
This evening's meeting is the 121st match between the two clubs, and the
116th in the league. And the recent statistics make good reading for
Newcastle - who have remained unbeaten at home against West Ham since 1998,
when a double from Ian Wright and one from Trevor Sinclair condemned them to
defeat.
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Wolves ready to pip West Ham to Sidwell signing
By talkSPORT
Wednesday, January 5
West Ham are on the verge of missing out on Steve Sidwell, with fellow
relegation battlers Wolves waiting in the wings to snap up the midfielder.
The Aston Villa man was lined up for a move to Molineux before Christmas but
Avram Grant's side hijacked the deal when they offered the former Arsenal
man a return to London. The Championship medal winner at Reading passed a
medical at Upton Park and was set to seal a move in the New Year but
confusion at the east London club has allowed Wolves to re-enter the
equation. David Gold has publicly stated that the club are actively involved
in up to 15 different January transfers and that has lead to complications
in the deal for Sidwell. The 28-year-old is also earning £45,000-a-week at
Villa, after joining on a free-transfer from Chelsea in 2008, and the West
Ham hierarchy have baulked at the player's wage demands Avram Grant is
believed to still be interested in the player but, with Wolves and West Brom
ready to offer him a deal and The Hammers stalling, the Israeli manager is
likely to miss out. Wolves already have three of Sidwell's former Reading
team-mates in their squad in Kevin Doyle, Stephen Hunt and goalkeeper Marcus
Hahnemann and the short move across the west Midlands would add to a smooth
transition.
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