KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 23rd June 2011
By: Staff Writer
Robert Green has signalled his intentions to quit West Ham this summer, according to his young deputy. 31-year-old Green's immediate future has been the subject of much speculation since West Ham were relegated from the Premier League last month. He had been widely tipped to move to Aston Villa last month, although that deal is said to have fallen through - for the time being, at least - as a result of Gerard Houllier's unexpected departure. Fans' hopes of keeping the England goalkeeper at the club were further diminished yesterday when Sam Allardyce admitted that he expects to lose the services of Green, along with fellow internationals Scott Parker and Carlton Cole, prior to the start of the 2011/12 Championship campaign. And now his number two at the Boleyn Ground, Marek Stech, has also indicated that Green will leave the club shortly - a situation that would considerably boost his own chances of first team football. "Green wants to stay in the Premier League [and has] reportedly had an offer from Aston Villa," the 21-year-old told Czech website Pravo. "I am full of optimism. For me it's advantageous that we're not among the elite as I have a better chance. "In the reserve games I've played well and pushed Green in training. He had an operation and problems plagued him after the treatment of pain. It was almost my time, but I just didn't get a chance [at the time]."
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Hines seeks new deal
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 23rd June 2011
By: Staff Writer
Young striker Zavon Hines has told supporters that he hopes to remain at West Ham. Hines, whose contract expires at the end of the month had been linked with clubs such as Newcastle and Sunderland in recent weeks. However he told his followers on Twitter this afternoon that his aim is to sign a new deal with West Ham - as KUMB.com exclusively revealed earlier this week. "Sorry I haven't been on Twitter lately, I see I have been getting a lot of negative Tweets which I understand," said Hines. "But I don't wanna leave the club and I am try to agree a new deal. Thanks for the supportive Tweets." "Hines is still hoping to reach an agreement that would extend his stay at the club" KUMB.com, 20th June
Hines, who barely played last season due to injury is one of the club's lowest earners and was seeking parity in terms of salary with some of his colleagues. However the club have refused to back down and sanction a major pay-rise due to the 22-year-old's previous injury problems.
Hines at West Ham
2008/09: Apps 1; Goals 1
2009/10: Apps 15; Goals 2
2010/11: Apps 6; Goals 0
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Tottenham: fail
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 23rd June 2011
By: Staff Writer
Tottenham's bid to seek judicial review of the decision to award tenancy of the Olympic Stadium to West Ham United has been rebuffed. Spurs - along with Barry Hearn's Leyton Orient - had sought a review of the process, claiming that West Ham had been given an unfair advantage. However their plea was rejected by Mr Justice Davis this afternoon, who told the two clubs that he was happy with the decision made by the OPLC (Olympic Park Legacy Committee) to grant use of the £500million stadium to West Ham. Spurs/Orient had made no less than five applications to seek judicial review of the case - four of which were thrown out today with a fifth to be heard later this week (Thursday). The news was welcomed by the OPLC, who told the BBC: "We are pleased with the ruling and continue to make good progress with the Preferred Bidder to agree final terms."
West Ham vice-chair Karren Brady said: "We welcome today's news as a further endorsement of our strong and viable legacy vision."
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My sister and Sam
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 23rd June 2011
By: Tim Keen
My sister has just started dating this new guy, his name is Sam.
My sister hasn't had many relationships so when she does there is always a lot of attention from friends and family, people always have an opinion about the guy and whether he is good enough for her. People are always asking if he is going to treat her right and if he conducts himself in the right manner.
I'm not sure about him yet, but my older brother has made up his mind. He can't stand him and has refused to see him or my sister while they are dating. He says that he isn't the right kind of guy for her and that she could do better. It seems a bit harsh that he has made his mind up so quickly when he hasn't really met the guy properly. My sister will miss him, family should stick together, especially when times are hard. I hope he decides to visit from time to time, even if he can't come over every weekend.
My younger brother likes Sam a lot, he is close to my sister and thinks that Sam could be the one for her. He reckons it might go the distance and she may have finally met the right guy. Whereas some people have heard some bad stuff about Sam, my little brother has heard only good things and is willing to give him a chance. He sees a long future for them if it works out. I think he sees them setting up in a nice new big house not too far down the road.
The last relationship she had didn't go so well. Grant was a nice enough guy, but just wasn't good enough for her. He was a difficult chap to get along with, not very easy to talk to and she said the relationship lacked a bit of spark. Nice guy as he was, one thing that really annoyed me were these terrible emails he used to send to us all, what a load of garbage, I will not miss those.
To be fair to him, my parents didn't make life easy. They didn't really warm to him or show him any support from the beginning. They made life really difficult for him on a pretty regular basis, they were always sticking their noses in when it wasn't wanted. The funny thing is, it was them who set them up in the first place!
I think they regretted it straight away and wanted him out of the picture pretty quickly. They were even trying to set her up with other guys while they were still dating. Everyone thought that was pretty harsh on Grant, as it was all going on right in front of him and loads of people were talking about it.
Don't get me wrong, my parents are great and have done a lot for my sister and the family, we're all very grateful to David and Karen, but they do like to get involved in things when it isn't really their place. It can make life difficult for everyone and as grateful as we are, sometimes everyone would prefer it if they just kept it a bit quieter, particularly about my sister and her relationships. Grandpa Dave is always telling them to keep quiet and think before they speak, but they don't seem to listen.
They have done a lot for her though, so maybe they are entitled to say their piece every so often. It's just that when they interfere and say the wrong thing, it reflects badly on the whole family. We used to be pretty well liked around the neighbourhood, but I'm starting to think that people are going off us. Maybe now Sam is around they will keep themselves to themselves a bit more.
Personally, I'm not sure about Sam yet. There are some rumours about him going round town. Some people say that he is bad news and that he's not the right sort of guy for my sister. She's a nice girl and deserves to be looked after, we all want to see her treated the right way. It's been a tough time for her recently and she's not been really happy for a while. She's had a few financial problems and taken some bad advice from some dodgy people. She's not always made good choices with the men she has dated.
Some people say that Sam's manners and style aren't the sort of thing they want for her and that she has made another bad choice. I haven't made my mind up yet, maybe those people are just exaggerating about him and maybe he has more to him than that. Some of his closest friends say he is a good guy. Shouldn't you get to know someone a bit before you judge them? Even if he has been bad in the past, people can change right?
It's still early days for them, but I have to say that I've been impressed with Sam so far. He's bought her a couple of very nice presents, one that has cost him a fair few quid. She said it was totally unexpected and she was delighted with it. I still have a few concerns though, I've heard rumours that he has been looking to buy a few things second hand, but that doesn't always make them bad I guess. But my God, my sister has had some dodgy gifts in the past, there are almost too many to mention but there are a couple that stand out.
Someone got her this dog one January, I've never seen such a fat, useless dog as that one, he could barely run. The only time he perked up was when there was food around! He hung around for ages and cost her a fortune. In the end everyone agreed it would be fairer to put the old fella down. Then there was this car some guy bought her, it looked like a good motor, but it was a nightmare. She had one bad accident with it and then after that, the thing just would not work. We'd all put loads of work into fixing it and it would break down after a day or two, we had it for a few years and spent a fortune on it, but in the end just sold it for scarp.
You don't want to be too materialistic of course, but the presents a man buys for his girlfriend are important, it says a lot about a man if he shows good taste and can get hold of good quality, but I think more importantly for us as a family will be how he treats her day to day. We want him to look after her, value what's important to her and to us as a family and of course we want her to be the happy girl she was a few years back.
We're a traditional family and there are certain ways that we feel things should be done, we all really hope that some of the things we have heard about him aren't true, or that if he has done anything bad in the past that he has changed his ways now he is with my sister. I think we all just want a bit of stability for her and the whole family. It's been a rough few years for her and we're all hoping that Sam will look after her and make her happy again.
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Spence agrees Hammers stay
West Ham youngster to sign new long-term contract
Last Updated: June 23, 2011 10:21am
SSN
Skysports.com understands that West Ham youngster Jordan Spence has agreed a new three-year deal. The talented 21-year-old defender had been out of contract this close season having signed a 12-month deal last summer. However, the club see him as a long-term asset at Upton Park and have now secured his services on a fresh deal. Spence, who made two Premier League appearances last season, will put pen-to-paper on his new contract when he returns from holiday next week. The England Under-21 international has already enjoyed loan spells with Leyton Orient, Scunthorpe and Bristol City during his fledgling career.
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Stech to fight for regular role
Czech youngster is eager to earn starting spot - perhaps on loan
By Vasek Kadlec. Last Updated: June 23, 2011 10:31pm
SSN
Marek Stech is ready to stake his claim to become West Ham's first-choice goalkeeper next season. England international Rob Green could stay in the Premier League following the Hammers' relegation and his potential departure would leave the way open for the Czech Republic Under-21 international. Unless new Hammers boss Sam Allardyce signs an experienced replacement, Stech will be battling it out with Ruud Boffin and Jake Larkins for a regular spot. "Green wants to stay in the Premier League and he reportedly has an offer from Aston Villa," Stech told Pravo. "There are us three youngsters left for the position of No.1 and, besides that, there is also a new manager so I am optimistic. "We have been relegated but the second division is more difficult than the top one. You play more fixtures, so paradoxically it is an advantage for me that we are not in the elite league as I have a better chance."
Contract clause
However, Stech's situation is complicated by the fact there is a clause in his contract that means the Hammers owe his former club Sparta Prague a fee once he plays five games. The 21-year-old played three Carling Cup games last term and hopes the two clubs can come to a compromise over the summer, but if not, he will push for a loan move after brief spells at Wycombe and Bournemouth in 2009. "West Ham are in talks with Sparta and the clause is still valid," he said. "It is a big amount of money and I am not allowed to be specific about it. "I hope everything gets resolved before the start of the new season. I would not like to leave West Ham as I love the club, but I need to be a regular starter. "I may have to go on loan somewhere. It would be difficult for me now to change clubs (permanently). "After the Euro U21s, goalkeepers of my age will be in demand and they have been regulars. I am not a first-choice goalkeeper and that makes it a lot more difficult for me. I would then probably choose to go on loan in England. "I want to start the new season as number one, no matter where that would be. I need to gain experience. If I'm playing once in 10 games it gives me nothing new. You lose self-belief, talent and confidence if you're not a regular."
Stech had been hoping to feature against Manchester United in the Carling Cup quarter-finals only to discover the Hammers' hierarchy wanted him to sit it out, but the young keeper is eager to put that behind him, even refusing to have an extra week off after the Euro U21s. "Green didn't do well in the World Cup and he wasn't overly confident after returning from that tournament," he said. "The third goalkeeper got injured too so I was in a good position.
Green pressure
"I was doing quite well in the reserves and putting pressure on Green in training sessions. My chance was coming closer but I simply couldn't play. "I was fired up for that one (Manchester United) but then the club president came and told me that they would not pay Sparta," Stech added. "I didn't know there had been any clause whatsoever, I was shocked about that. I felt sorry about how West Ham acted in that issue, but it is gone now. "There is still plenty of motivation left and it is no problem to stay and fight for a regular spot. England is the best place for football - packed stadiums and unbelievable fans. I will not throw in the towel!"
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Duo lose out over 2012 stadium
Spurs & Orient fail to have judicial review pushed through
By Pete O'Rourke - Follow me: @skysportspeteo. Last Updated: June 23, 2011 8:23pm
SSN
Bids by Tottenham and Leyton Orient to challenge West Ham's move to the Olympic Stadium have been rejected in the High Court. The two clubs elected to take action after the Olympic Park Legacy Company (OPLC) made the Hammers the first choice to move in to the £486m stadium. However, Mr Justice Davis rejected Tottenham and Leyton Orient's application to seek a judicial review, although the clubs may elect to pursue other legal avenues. An OPLC spokesman said: "The court has decided to refuse both Tottenham Hotspur and Leyton Orient permission to pursue a judicial review. "We are pleased with the ruling and continue to make good progress in our negotiations with the preferred bidder in order to be in a position to agree the final terms for the stadium's lease."
Spurs reponse
On the news of the judicial review not being granted, Spurs responded with a statement signalling that they will consider their options. It read: "The club has today (Thursday) been informed that the High Court has refused its application for permission to bring a claim against the London Borough of Newham and the Olympic Park Legacy Company, the Mayor of London and Government Ministers for judicial review of their decisions underlying the bid process for the conversion of the Olympic Stadium after the 2012 Games. "The club now has the option of renewing its application at an oral hearing at the High Court and we shall give consideration to this in the next few days. "As previously reported, the club continues to hold discussions with both local and national government bodies in order to seek to determine a feasible stadium solution."
Welcomed
West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady welcomed the decision saying: "We welcome today's news as a further endorsement of our strong and viable legacy vision.
"We hope we can now focus all our energy and passion on delivering a fantastic multi-use Olympic Stadium for the whole nation. "We were honoured to be unanimously chosen as preferred bidder by the OPLC. Their decision, after a robust and diligent process, was subsequently backed by the Mayor of London and government. "Our vision - in partnership with the London Borough of Newham - remains for a globally-recognised destination for all, with community at its core, capable of hosting world-class sporting events, including top-level football and athletics."
West Ham, in a joint bid with Newham Council, intend to convert the 80,000-seater stadium into a 60,000-capacity venue while retaining an athletics track. They plan to move to their new home in three years time. The OPLC's choice of West Ham as preferred bidder has also been rubber-stamped by the Government and London mayor Boris Johnson.
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Nolan could skipper Hammers
New signing could be awarded armband
By James Dall - Follow me on Twitter @James_Dall. Last Updated: June 23, 2011 10:52am
SSN
West Ham United boss Sam Allardyce has hinted that Kevin Nolan could become the club's new captain. Nolan has joined the relegated Hammers from Premier League club Newcastle United for a £3million fee on a five-year contract. The midfielder is held in high regard by Allardyce, with the pair having worked together at Bolton Wanderers. And Allardyce has intimated that Nolan could be handed the captain's armband for the 2011/12 campaign, explaining: "He's got the skills to (captain the side). "He showed that, not only with me at Bolton, but at Newcastle; when you get someone like Joey Bartonalmost crying on the TV because he's left shows you the respect he has gained.
Inspired
"That is not just because of what he does on the field, but because of what he is like off it. "Kevin looks after the players and he drives them on, he creates a team spirit within himself. "It is not that he comes telling tales to me, he just sorts out the stuff I don't need to know about and then he goes and scores 12 Premier League goals from midfield." He added: "Kevin has been in the Premier League an awful long time at Bolton before he moved to Newcastle. "He then guided Newcastle back at the first time of asking, not only with 17 goals, but by being captain. "I see Kevin as a great player and a great captain off the pitch."
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Sam Allardyce Puts Down Some Markers!
June 23rd, 2011 - 3:49 pm by S J Chandos
West Ham Till I Die
Yesterday's press conference, and the subsequent media reports, were interesting in a number of respects. Not least, his response to a question about the working relationship with the West Ham board. He was reported as stating that it was not a friendship, but a working partnership in which there was bound to be some heated debate. It is clear that the board now have a manager who will be his own man and is fully prepared to fight his corner on the key issues. That can only be welcomed and, hopefully, the board will now maintain a much lower public profile and conduct club business in private, having due regard to the impact of public comments upon the manager, his backroom staff and the players.
Another comment, that appeared in a press report, was Allardyce's hope that a successful promotion campaign and good first season back in the PL might put him back in the frame to succeed Capello as the England Manager. Should we supporters be anxious or annoyed by this apparent intention to use West Ham as a route in to the England job? No, not in my view. It is actually good news, because I am convinced that his chances of getting the England job are minimal unless he disproves the 'long ball' tag that has followed him throughout his managerial career. Taking on the West Ham job is the perfect opportunity to do just that. And why should he not nurture an ambition to manage England? It is the pinnacle of every English manager's career to take charge of the national team and there is nothing wrong with Allardyce stating his aspirations in that respect.
The key thing is that it works for West Ham Utd FC. If Allardyce rescues the club from the Championship, res-establishes us in the PL, restructures the playing side of the club, embeds a new professionalism and will to win, then great I say! If he does that and goes on to secure the England job, then he will have played a positive role in the club's history. It will then be down to a suitable successor to take those achievements forward in to a brave new era.
In terms of the intended playing style of the team, I do not think that he said much, in substance, that differed from his comments on being appointed. He just said it in a slightly different way. He made it clear that football is a results orientated business. Hence the comment about the enjoyment of fans seeing their team win. He then went on to talk about entertainment value. Allardyce made a strong statement that fans have always been entertained at the clubs where he has taken charge. Personally, I feel that his approach next season will be that the results are everything. If he can do that with passing, attacking football, then he will. If he needs to win ugly on occasions, then he will ensure that the team can do that as well. It is likely to be a very pragmatic approach, where the imperative is to amass the necessary points to secure promotion. But having said that, his strategy and approach on returning to the PL could be slightly different. Is it not likely that he will be looking to make a big splash in the PL, with a team that plays high tempo, attacking football; whilst keeping it tight at the back, contesting & winning possession and doing the basics well?
The major objective set by the board, is obviously to secure promotion back to the PL. Allardyce's comment that he does not expect to remain in the job if he cannot achieve that was both open and honest. I feel that he will be given the two years to do it, but a single season in the Championship is the priority. After all, dwelling any longer in the second tier does not fit in with either the board or the manager's ambitions and time-scales. Sam Allardyce wants to be a PL manager, pitting his tactical knowledge against the likes of Wenger, Sir Alex and Mancini! While the longer the club stay in the Championship, the greater will be the financial damage inflicted; while the OS move remains an integral factor in the board's calculations.
There was a comment about preferring to keep the number of new recruits down to a manageable number. If too many players are brought in it will mean that the team will start the season as strangers, which could have a negative initial impact upon cohesion and team spirit. That would seem to indicate that he is expecting a core of existing players to stay at the club. He mentioned Collison and Tomkins and emphasised their importance to the club. As for the leading lights (i.e. Green, Parker and Cole) he showed a certain pragmatism in admitting that the club may well need to reduce the wage bill this season and that could guarantee their exit. Also he acknowledged that their desire to continue playing in the PL was a crucial factor. The likelihood is that Allardyce will sit down with the trio and honestly ask them whether they wish to stay and help get the club back in the PL. If the answers are negative, then they are gone and the best possible replacements will be sought. If they are positive then board room clearance will be sought for their retention next season.
With the story about the potential signing of Matt Taylor from Bolton, a clear pattern is emerging. Allardyce is assembling a group of new signings that he knows and trusts. However, it is not just a case of signing them because they are ex-Bolton, per se! Having emphasised the possible knock on effect of a radical restructure of the squad, it is probable that he is seeking to ameliorate this by getting players in that are not only known to him, but more importantly to each other. That way their integration in to the existing core of the squad will hopefully be less traumatic and cohesion will occur that bit quicker. That makes perfect sense.
As a foot note, Sam Allardyce's comments about his experience of managing teams visiting Upton Park was enlightening. Basically, it amounted to break up West Ham's passing game, frustrate the players and fans and then take advantage of the situation to nick the points. Lets hope that he also has the antidote for that, because there are going to be plenty of teams next season that will be looking to deploy similar tactics! Certainly, West Ham will be the biggest club in the Championship, next season, and our opponents will redouble their efforts when facing us. That is undoubtedly going to be a factor that we must confront and overcome, much as Newcastle Utd did the season before last.
There is an old proverb: 'may you live in interesting times.' I would not have wished for relegation, that would be ridiculous! But it would seem that event and the subsequent appointment of Sam Allardyce guarantee us Hammers supporters 'interesting times' aplenty. Lets hope that they are also successful times and the 'promised land' of a PL return awaits come May 2012!
SJ. Chandos.
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Spurs court out on Olympic bid
Published: Today
The Sun
TOTTENHAM'S bid to stop rivals West Ham moving to the Olympic Stadium has been thrown out by a High Court judge. The Olympic Park Legacy Company voted 14-0 for Hammers in a head-to-head fight with Spurs to decide who takes over the stadium after the 2012 Games. But furious Spurs chief Daniel Levy and Leyton Orient owner Barry Hearn - who claims the stadium is on his club's patch - called for a judicial review into the decision. Mr Justice Davis yesterday rejected their appeals.
Hammers vice-chairman Karren Brady tweeted: "We welcome today's news as a further endorsement of our strong and viable legacy vision."
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Jennings tug-of-war: West Ham's late bid to grab Tranmere teen from Bayern Munich
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 10:59 PM on 23rd June 2011
Daily Mail
West Ham have made a late bid to snatch Tranmere Rovers' Dale Jennings from the clutches of Bayern Munich. Manager Sam Allardyce has signalled the offer after negotiations stalled between the Bundesliga side and the League One team over prospective add-ons. The 18-year-old former Liverpool trainee was all set for to fly out to Munich this weekend once the finer details were ironed out but West Ham have moved to trump the Germans with a £1.8million bid and will pay more cash up front. The move has swayed cash-strapped Tranmere and they are now leaning towards accepting the Championship favourites' package. They rejected a £600,000 offer for Jennings in January but realise it is a signing that can bring them a decent return. Jennings has only made 29 league appearances but is seen as one of the best young talents outside the Premier League.
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Olympiakos set sights on West Ham's Ilunga
TeamTalk
By Declan Taylor
Thursday, June 23
West Ham defender Herita Ilunga is a target for Greek champions Olympiakos. The left-back, who joined permanently from Toulouse in 2009, lost his place to loan signing Wayne Bridge in January and failed to make a single Premier League appearance after the turn of the year. Bridge has since returned to Manchester City, but Ilunga is still expected to move on this summer. The 29-year-old Congo international has been linked with moves to Bolton and QPR but it is understood that Olympiakos are currently leading the chase for his signature. Ilunga is under contract at West Ham until 2013 and it is thought a fee of around £1.5m will be required to land him.
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Tottenham fail with appeal over West Ham's use of the Olympic Stadium
We are pleased with the ruling, OPLC says
Tottenham consider further legal action
Owen Gibson
guardian.co.uk, Thursday 23 June 2011 23.03 BST
West Ham have moved a stage closer to occupying the Olympic Stadium after a high court judge rejected applications from Tottenham Hotspur and Leyton Orient to take the decision to judicial review. However, the long-running and bitterly fought saga over the long-term future of the stadium is not over, with both clubs expected to consider further legal steps.
Tottenham said: "The club now has the option of renewing its application at an oral hearing at the high court and we shall give consideration to this in the next few days. As previously reported, the club continues to hold discussions with both local and national government bodies in order to seek to determine a feasible stadium solution."
Spurs and Orient had sought to take the Olympic Park Legacy Company (OPLC), the government, Newham council and the Mayor to judicial review over the decision to award the stadium to West Ham. Both believed that the process by which Newham loaned £40m to the joint venture company that will operate the stadium on behalf of West Ham and the Olympic borough was unfair.
Mr Justice Davis rejected their application to seek a judicial review at a hearing at the high court.
The OPLC chairwoman, Margaret Ford, said the decision over the future of the £486m stadium was taken in the proper manner.
Spurs had proposed to dismantle the stadium and remove the track, while West Ham promised to retain the athletics facilities but faces questions over whether it will be viable as a multi-use venue.
A spokesman for the OPLC said the decision would allow the body to press ahead with final negotiations with West Ham over the terms of the 250-year lease on the stadium. "We are pleased with the ruling and continue to make good progress in our negotiations with the preferred bidder in order to be in a position to agree the final terms for the stadium's lease," the OPLC said.
West Ham hope to move in for the start of the 2014-15 season, after spending £95m converting the 80,000-seat Olympic venue into a 60,000-seat football stadium.
Karren Brady, the West Ham vice-chairwoman who oversaw the club's bid, welcomed the judge's decision. "We hope we can now focus all our energy and passion on delivering a fantastic multi-use Olympic Stadium for the whole nation," she said. "We were honoured to be unanimously chosen as preferred bidder by the OPLC. Their decision, after a robust and diligent process, was subsequently backed by the Mayor of London and government.
"Our vision – in partnership with the London Borough of Newham – remains for a globally recognised destination for all, with community at its core, capable of hosting world-class sporting events, including top-level football and athletics."
Newham council, which has faced criticism from Spurs and Orient over its decision to partner with West Ham and inject a £40m loan, welcomed the verdict. "We are continuing to focus on securing a lasting legacy for the stadium and, together with West Ham United, are progressing well with the OPLC on bringing the matter to a commercial and financial close," it said.
After losing out to West Ham Spurs were left considering whether to reactivate plans to redevelop White Hart Lane or find a new site in Haringay or beyond.
Barry Hearn, chairman of Leyton Orient, has argued that West Ham's cut-price ticket offers in the new Olympic Stadium will decimate Orient's support base.
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Allardyce: I'll stop West Ham being a soft touch away from home
London24
Nathaniel John
Thursday, June 23, 2011
4:52 PM
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce has vowed to change things around at the club and put an end to the Hammers being a 'soft touch' away from home. Last season, West Ham won just two league games away from Upton Park, with the 3-1 successes coming at Fulham on Boxing Day and at Blackpool in February. The win at Craven Cottage was the first away victory for the Hammers since August 2009, when West Ham won at Wolves on the opening day of that season. "You have got to have a set of adaptable players to play any way in any game," said Allardyce. "Gone are the days any football club can play the same way week in, week out. "Even if you have the same system you have to change. You have to play certain ways to find weaknesses in the opposition. "It's down to the players to play the way they are asked.When we go away from home we seem to be a soft touch in terms of results and that will have to change. "If we have the best players in the league then I won't have to change much."
Allardyce also hinted that the Hammers' fans will have to play their part if the club are to achieve promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.
"We have got to create a very good atmosphere at West Ham," he said. "The only way I think I can do that is by winning football matches on a regular basis and if the fans get behind the team. "We can create a fortress here at Upton Park and people will not look forward to coming here."
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Parker now 5/2 (from 33/1) to stay at West Ham
Ladbrokes.com
The lack of activity in the transfer market sees Scott Parker's odd slashed to stay at West Ham Scott Parker's odds of staying at West Ham have been slashed to 5/2 (from 33/1) by Ladbrokes. Tottenham are still favourites for his signature but now drift to 7/4 (from 8/11). Liverpool and Manchester United remain 6/1 outsiders
Luka Modric is now evens to be at Chelsea for the start of next season with Tottenham just behind at 5/4. It's 14/1 he goes to Manchester City. Alex Donohue of Ladbrokes said: "We couldn't fathom Parker staying at West Ham a few weeks ago. It now looks like he might stay put but Modric's next move is crucial."
Ladbrokes latest betting
Which club will Scott Parker be at for the first competitive domestic game of next season?
Tottenham – 7/4
West Ham – 5/2 (from 33/1)
Arsenal – 7/2
Liverpool – 6/1
Manchester United – 6/1
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