WHUFC.com
Kevin Nolan could inspire West Ham the way Billy Bonds used to, says Sam
Allardyce
26.06.2011
Sam Allardyce has tipped Kevin Nolan to bring Billy Bonds-style leadership
to the Hammers cause next season. The manager was asked whether the club's
new midfield recruit could be the one to show the drive and determination
demonstrated by Bonds during his incredible Boleyn Ground career between
1967 and 1988.
Allardyce said: "He is a great leader on and off the field. It is very
important that we get a team spirit and unity. "He could be that [Bonds
style character], but I don't want to put too much pressure on him."
The manager, who helped Nolan rise to prominence during their time together
at Bolton Wanderers, said he expected the 28-year-old to be "a much better
player than one I last remember." He added: "He is in the prime of his
career. He has chosen to pay me a really good honour. Not just that he wants
to play for West Ham but that he wants to play for me again because he
enjoyed his time. Hopefully we will both benefit by that."
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Duo battle for Brown
Jewell & Allardyce chasing experienced midfielder
By Pete O'Rourke - Follow me: @skysportspeteo. Last Updated: June
26, 2011 4:18pm
SSN
Skysports.com understands West Ham and Ipswich are eyeing moves for former
Portsmouth midfielder Michael Brown. Brown is available on a free transfer
after leaving Portsmouthupon the expiration of his contract at Fratton Park.
A number of clubs have expressed an interest in signing Brown, but Ipswich
and West Ham are leading the chase for his signature. Ipswich and West Ham
are keen on signing the 34-year-old as they see his experience as a key
addition to their squads next season as they look to push for promotion.
Brown is now waiting to see what offers come his way before deciding where
to continue his career.
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Sam clings to England hopes
Boss committed to West Ham but reiterates national dream
By Jamie Casey. Last Updated: June 26, 2011 2:13pm
SSN
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce admits he has not yet let go of his ambition to
one day manage England. The Hammers believe the former Blackburn boss is the
right man to lead them back to the top flight following relegation from the
Premier League last season. And Allardyce, once considered for the England
role while impressing during his heyday at Bolton, insists he is fully
committed to West Ham's cause. However, the 56-year-old, who started his
managerial career as a player-manager with Irish side Limerick nearly 20
years ago, will not give up on his dream. "Without any dreams or goals I
would need to pack in management," Allardyce told The People.
"My job now is to re-invent West Ham in terms of stability." "It was a
pretty distant dream that I might one day be considered for the England
manager's job when I started out at Limerick, but 15 years later I went very
close. "You have to reset your goals and your dreams and my dream, first
and foremost, is to make West Ham as successful as I possibly can. Not only
by getting them promoted, but by establishing them in the Premier League.
"But if by fulfilling that dream you are brought closer to another one, then
obviously that's what you consider. In fact, it's what you do the job for.
"That's not being disloyal to any football club, it's about always having
ambition and striving to be better. If you have achieved, the club has
achieved. "You try to leave a club in a better position than when you
acquired it and I've always felt that's the one thing I've done. My job now
is to re-invent West Ham in terms of stability."
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West Ham to snatch Stoke star
Published 22:02 26/06/11 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror
Stoke keeper Thomas Sorensen has been offered an escape by West Ham. Sam
Allardyce has lined up Sorensen to replace Robert Green as he looks to lead
the Hammers back into the Premier League. Sorensen, 35, is about to enter
the final year of his Stoke contract and wants to leave after losing his
spot to Asmir Begovic.
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Hammers Green for go on Thomas
Published: Today
The Sun
STOKE keeper Thomas Sorensen has been offered an escape from his Potters
nightmare by West Ham. Hammers boss Sam Allardyce has lined up veteran Dane
Sorensen, 35, to replace error-prone Robert Green as he looks to lead his
new side back into the Premier League. Sorensen said: "I find it of the
utmost importance to get more minutes of playing time next season."
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Promotion Or Bust? – The West Ham Situation
26 JUNE 2011 BY ESSEXEAGLE22
FootballBlog.uk
Heartbroken diehards at the DW witnessed a painful end for their ailing
football club in May. The end of an era with Premier League life about to be
replaced by Championship slogging, the finale of a demoralising season under
the guidance of Avram Grant and the end of many players' futures at Upton
Park. Yet they remained unaware that their suffrage may now be confined to
the past.
The writing had been on the wall for far too long; their proverbial bubbles
had long since burst. A miserable season was finally compounded by a
goalkeeping error as jubilant opposition celebrated amidst scenes of sheer
despair in the away fans section. Even rivals Millwall stole in on the act,
taunting via an aircraft way above the ground. It seemed as though everybody
was laughing at West Ham.
But for how much longer?
Almost immediately after Avram Grant's duties had been relieved, the
negativity seemed to drain away. Regardless of a meaningless 3-0 defeat at
home to Sunderland under Kevin Keen, you felt that in an easier league, the
Hammers may start to enjoy winning games again.
Saddled with £100 million worth of debt which almost goes unnoticed at
times, the owners seem to be asserting their own emphasis on the club,
running it their way, as if relegation is no setback.
Not that that's bad for the club; big money has already been spent in terms
of wages for new boss Sam Allardyce and centre back Abdoulaye Faye and,
rather more obviously, £4 million on Kevin Nolan.
In the process of a long term vision for the club, the men (and woman) with
the money seem to know what they're doing. The club was in a state when they
bought it and now, as fans themselves, they're trying to revive a fallen
giant.
Consisting of David Gold, David Sullivan and Karen Brady, the key aim was to
be better organised off of the pitch. The previous regime under Icelandic
Eggert Magnusson took on too much in the hope of short term success and
ultimately couldn't finance a side made up of many players of inadequate
standard to play in the Premier League.
Kieron Dyer, Robert Kovac and Luis Boa Morte were of those inherited by the
team of 3, some would say they'd struggle to gain a starting berth in a
Championship club's line up!
By throwing money at the club sharpish in Ilan and Benni McCarthy, the aim
of staying up in 2010 was reached. The same technique was trialled again;
Thomas Hitzlsperger, Demba Ba and Frederic Piquionne all came in to try and
maintain their status in the Premier League.
It failed yes, but with owners willing to invest and go down with a fight in
tough circumstances you have to hand it to them.
And now they're doing it again!
However, these guys are football people and have made some shrewd moves.
Ignorant of the fact that West Ham are now a Championship club, the team
have managed to lure big names in such as Allardyce and Nolan as the
reputation of the club still remains high.
The mood has changed down at the Boleyn. Positivity reigns supreme despite
the miserable viewing of a fixture card which omits such buoyant away days
like The Emirates or Old Trafford in favour of The Keepmoat Stadium or
London Road.
The winning feeling may creep up on disillusioned Hammers with greater
consistency this season and by following the pattern taken by Newcastle
United, under an astute manager West Ham may find themselves in a pretty
position in two years time.
However, as firm favourites to go straight back up, the pressure may set in
slightly more than one may expect (take Middlesbrough last season for
example).
They will be the scalp of the division; teams will up their game at Upton
Park and for a team with youngsters like Freddie Sears, Jack Collison, James
Tomkins and Junior Stanislas, the expectancy of 35,000 may be too much. They
weren't expected to win last year, now they have to win every game.
If not the situation may change dramatically. Under a tighter budget, the
parachute payments will not distribute the costs for long. Spending to make
an immediate return may be the correct decision in the short term as West
Ham aim to be established once again in the Premier League before their
planned move to Stratford, yet the strategy is easier said than done.
Southampton, Leeds and Charlton all had the same plan and all found
themselves squat in League 1. Should West Ham fall at the first hurdle, a
downhill spiral of similar proportions may await.
On the other hand, the owners and fans are passionate and control of
finances will not be compromised. The club remains large in reputation which
will no doubt lure in some talented players and under Big Sam's control I
feel that they will do well.
The side is slowly imploding; Demba Ba, Victor Obinna and Manuel da Costa
have all departed. In all likelihood Scott Parker, Robert Green and Carlton
Cole will exit in turn. Yet a strong nucleus of passionate, youthful players
remains and under expert guidance from manager Allardyce and captain Nolan,
sensible punters are backing the Hammers to bounce back.
A lot of transfer activity has still to occur – rumours today of Craig
Mackail-Smith joining the club are rife, and with the sort of contacts
Allardyce has, like Nolan, who are willing to play at this level, only a
Millwall fan would put money against them
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Hammers make an official 400k bid for James McClean
http://theboleyninheritance.wordpress.com/
West Ham United have made an official 400k bid for Derry City midfielder
James McClean, 22yr old McClean is said to be "an exciting prospect for the
future" and his wages will rise to 10k a week (a massive pay rise for his
standards) I suppose you cant go wrong for 400 grand but I don't know
anything about this fella. Not confirmed by either clubs mind you….
"I've heard stories about scouts watching me from West Ham, Reading and
Burnley among others, but I've heard nothing. I've read my name associated
with some of those clubs on the internet, but I've been told nothing and, as
I've said, until I do, I will continue trying to improve".
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