WHUFC.com
The manager has enjoyed his first week at the Boleyn Ground and savouring
the atmosphere
24.06.2011
Sam Allardyce has been speaking about the "great thrill" of getting down to
work at West Ham United after his first week in east London. The manager
took time time out to speak to West Ham TV about the task in hand, with a
week to go until the first-team squad report back to Chadwell Heath. "It is
a great thrill to be here," he told West Ham TV. "Even in an empty Upton
Park it gives me a thrill and gets me back in the mood again. I have been
out of work for six months or so and I have missed the old adrenalin rush.
Allardyce said the club had already begun to take a hold over him, and he
claimed the potential support was such that the club could have high
aspirations. "The club is steeped in such history and tradition. It is the
only club I would have dropped down for. It has got the fanbase to achieve
something special. With the right guidance, right direction and right
support in all departments, I hope we can give them that."
The hard work has already begun and, after the weekend, Allardyce and his
new assistant manager Neil McDonald will be stepping up the preparations at
the training ground in readiness for the players' return. "As difficult as a
job it is going to be from an early stages point of view of finding out what
everyone does and sorting it out, I am really looking forward to it.
"Hopefully we can get through the work we need to get through as quickly as
possible in how we need to change, change the mentality and how we need to
drive the club forward at the first time of asking as quickly as possible.
"Come the kick off to the new season, we won't have done it all by then but
hopefully we will have done enough to start winning right from day one."
As he mentioned at his media briefing earlier in the week, Allardyce is
eager to ensure a return to the West Ham way of good football that is also
winning football - and used an example of two former greats of the game that
would not settle for anything less. "I used to play against Sir Trevor
Brooking and Bobby Moore. I was fortunate enough to be on the same field as
them. They were coming towards the latter stage of their career when I was
just starting and it was a great honour to play against them."
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Kovac departs
WHUFC.com
Former Czech Republic midfielder Radoslav Kovac has joined Swiss champions
FC Basel
24.06.2011
West Ham United can confirm Radoslav Kovac has joined Swiss Super League
champions FC Basel for an undisclosed fee. The former Czech Republic
defensive midfielder, who had only 12 months left on his contract in east
London, signed a two-year deal with Basel on Friday. The 31-year-old
initially joined the Hammers on loan from Russian club Spartak Moscow in
January 2009. Having made the move permanent in August of the same year, the
31-year-old went on to make a total of 62 league and cup appearances in
claret and blue, scoring three times. Kovac could face the Hammers when Sam
Allardyce's side take on FC Basel in the pre-season Uhren Cup competition in
Grenchen, Switzerland on Wednesday 13 July. West Ham United would like to
thank Radoslav for his efforts and wish him every success in the future.
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Defeat for Dylan
WHUFC.com
Dylan Tombides and his Australia team were narrowly beaten by Brazil at the
FIFA U17 World Cup
24.06.2011
Dylan Tombides suffered FIFA U17 World Cup disappointment as Brazil scored a
narrow 1-0 win over his Australia side on Thursday. The Joeys looked set to
grab a hard-earned point until Adryan stepped up and curled a free-kick into
the top corner with just 14 minutes remaining. Earlier, West Ham United
striker Tombides had worked Brazil goalkeeper Charles with a left-foot shot
as Australia threatened a big upset to follow their opening win over Ivory
Coast. The Group F defeat in the Mexican city of Guadalajara leaves Tombides
and his team-mates facing a make-or-break final group-stage fixture against
Denmark in Queretaro on Sunday. With the Danes losing 4-2 to Ivory Coast in
Thursday's other group game, the Ivorians and Australians both have three
points from two matches, while Denmark have zero. Brazil have six points and
are already through to the last-16, with only the group runners-up
Concentrating on Thursday's match and both Tombides and Jesse Makarounas -
who both scored against Ivory Coast - came close to breaking the deadlock
before half-time. Brazil also passed up a number of chances before Adryan,
who will join Manchester United at the age of 18, settled matters with an
inch-perfect 25-yard free-kick. Before Australia face Denmark on Sunday,
West Ham team-mate Blair Turgott's England tackle Uruguay in Torreon on
Saturday, knowing a draw would be enough to see them qualify for the
knockout stages.
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Radoslav Kovac leaves West Ham United for FC Basel
Page last updated at 16:20 GMT, Friday, 24 June 2011 17:20 UK
BBC.co.uk
West Ham midfielder Radoslav Kovac has joined Swiss side FC Basel for an
undisclosed fee. Kovac, 31, leaves the Hammers after making 62 appearances
since arriving from Spartak Moscow in January 2009. Kovac is the second of
West Ham's relegated Premier League squad to move on this week, after
defender Manuel da Costa departed for Lokomotiv Moscow. Da Costa, who joined
the Russian side for an undisclosed fee, made 35 appearances in two years at
Upton Park.
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Good riddance to Rad rubbish
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 24th June 2011
By: Staff Writer
Radoslav Kovac is set to join Swiss outfit FC Basel on a permanent contract.
The Cezch Republic midfielder has spent the vast majority of his two years
at West Ham either on the bench or outside the first team squad. Recently
he made it clear that he would not entertain Championship football - despite
many supporters feeling that it would be his level. However they are now
unlikely to discover whether Kovac could have finally made a worthwhile
contribution as a West Ham player as, according to Sky Sports, he is set to
join Basel imminently having rejected other offers from Germany and England.
Kovac's representative, Pavel Zika told Czech daily iSport: "Everything is
on track, the change should be completed by Friday. Radek would subsequently
be involved in the preparation." Kovac, 31, initially joined West Ham on
loan from Spartak Moscow during the 2009 winter transfer window. After his
short-term loan spell ended at the end of the 2008/09 season, he returned to
Russia briefly before signing a four year contract with West Ham.
Radoslav Kovac at West Ham
2008/09: Pld 11, Bkd 2, Goals 1
2009/10: Pld 34, Bkd 8, Sent off 1, Goals 2
2010/11: Pld 18, Bkd 4
Totals: Pld 63, Bkd 14, Sent off 1, Goals 3
KUMB Awards:
Goal of the Season (runner up) 2008/09; Best Signing (third place) 2008/09.
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Two more bite the dust
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 24th June 2011
By: Staff Writer
West Ham have parted company with first team coaches Paul Groves and David
Coles. Groves and Coles arrived at the club a year ago next week as part of
Avram Gran'ts backroom staff overhaul. Both followed Grant from Portsmouth,
where they proved popular with fans and players alike. However Sam
Allardyce's arrival effectively signalled the end for the duo at the club,
due to their association with his predecessor. Coles, 47, is one of the
country's most well-respected goalkeeping coaches and is widely regarded to
have been responsible for David James' renaissance during his time at
Portsmouth. 45-year-old Groves, a former Grimsby midfielder and player
manager was hired by Grant in November 2009 as first team coach. He followed
the Israeli to the Boleyn Ground last July. Their replacements are expected
to be confirmed shortly.
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How to flog a dead horse
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 24th June 2011
By: Staff Writer
Tottenham have confirmed that they are considering renewing their
application to bring a claim against the OPLC and Newham Council - despite
having FOUR thrown out yesterday. The north Londoners are so desperate to
prevent West Ham moving into the stadium that they are considering
continuing their attempts to have the decision reviewed - despite having
lost the original contest, and having seen four of their five applications
for review rejected yesterday. "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," a statement on
tottenhamhotspur.com read. "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."
Tottenham's continued attempts to derail the process have been met with
anger by the majority of Lillywhites fans, who are against the club
relocating to east London.
West Ham United supporters remain split over the move, which was ratified
without their consent or views being sought at any stage of the selection
process.
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Hagland's transfer latest: 24th June
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 24th June 2011
By: Matthew Hagland
Matthew Hagland brings us up to date with all the transfer news...
West Ham United
Tranmere Rovers youngster Dale Jennings looked set to join Bayern Munich
this week but West Ham are set to give the young striker the option to stay
in England. Talk of the town is that £1.8 million is being offered with
significantly more money being offered up front by the Hammers than by the
Germans.
Goalkeeper Marek Stech wants to stay and fight for the number one jersey.
The Czech Republic stopper will face stiff competition from Ruud Boffin who
impressed many fans after a fantastic debut performance against Blackburn
last season. However his ambitions could be shattered if Sam Allardyce
decides to bring in a goalkeeper.
La Gazzetta report this morning that Lazio have made enquiries into the
availability of West Ham's French defender/midfielder Julien Faubert.
Zavon Hines has told Hammers fans he is trying to agree a deal, but it seems
the board are unwilling to agree to a huge wage hike for the player who has
hardly featured for the Irons, making only 22 appearances in three seasons
and scoring only three goals.
West Ham could be set to finally land Southend youngster Kane Ferdinand. The
Irons are rumoured to have made a bid of £750,000 for the 18-year-old
yesterday.
Craig Mackail-Smith has been subject to an enquiry after impressing for the
Posh. CMS scored 34 goals in all competitions last season and has scored 136
goals in his career. With a shortage of proven strikers causing a headache,
the 27-year-old could be the remedy.
Robert Green is expected to exchange east end claret and blue for Brummie
claret and blue. With a reported bid from Aston Villa for the England
international coupled with Allardyce's admission that he expects Green to
go, it seems that his heart is set on a future away from Upton Park.
Herita Ilunga has been linked with a move to Greek champions Olympiakos.
Ilunga - who played for West Ham against the Greek side when the two clubs
met during pre-season in Austria last year - is available for around
£1.5million.
Radoslav Kovac is set to join FA Basel on a two-year deal, according to his
agent. A deal could be concluded as early as the weekend.
West Ham and Celtic are the two clubs though to be closest to signee free
agent Jay Bothroyd. The former Cardiff striker held talks with the Scottish
club this week but is yet to finalise any deal, leaving the door open for
United. Rumours suggest Bothroyd would prefer to move to London.
Championship round-up
Chris Hughton was unveiled as Birmingham's manager earlier this week but
faces a difficult task ahead with a weakened squad and an even smaller
transfer budget. An instant return to the Premier League could be out of
reach, with West Ham and Sven's Leicester City being listed as favourites
this week.
Steve McClaren has set his sights on Bristol striker Nicky Maynard in a deal
reported to be worth in the region of £4million and. The new Nottingham
Forest boss is also said to be looking at 'Boro's Kris Boyd to lead their
attack next season.
Doncaster Rovers have turned down a £2.8million pound bid for 25-year-old
striker Billy Sharp from Ipswich.
Cardiff have signed their first player under Malky Mackay in the form of
Craig Conway. The 26-year-old former Dundee United player has joined the
Bluebirds on a free transfer.
Australian midfielder Neil Kilkenny, 25, is in talks with Bristol City after
playing out his contract at Leeds United.
Leeds again, and former midfielder Harry Kewell could be on his way back to
Elland Road having been released by last club Galatasary.
News from the rest of the footballing world
Former West Ham loanee Tal Ben Haim is being linked with a move to Premier
League newcomers Queens Park Rangers. The 29-year-old's registration is
still held by Portsmouth, who remain desperate to offload the Israeli
international.
Gael Clichy is stalling a move to Roma in hope of signing for Liverpool.
Ashley Young completed his £17million move to Manchester United yesterday.
The England international has signed a five-year deal with the Red Devils.
Arsenal have turned down a £27million bid from world dominators Barcelona
for former youth trainee Cesc Fabregas.
Liverpool are said to have placed bids for both Aston Villa's Stuart Downing
and St Etienne's Dimitri Payet but have been rebuffed in both cases as the
selling clubs want more cash.
Atletico Madrid have alerted Tottenham to the availability of Diego Forlan
after placing a £7 million pound price tag on the striker.
Tottenham want Stutgartt ace Serdar Tasci but face a challenge from Juventus
for the 24-year-old German interntional.
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Kovac seals Basel switch
Midfielder leaves Hammers to go to Switzerland
Last Updated: June 24, 2011 5:28pm
SSN
West Ham have confirmed that Radoslav Kovac has left the club and linked up
with Basel in Switzerland. It emerged earlier this week that Kovac was set
to depart Upton Park despite having one year remaining on his contract. He
has grown frustrated over the past few months at a lack of regular
opportunities, having fallen down the midfield pecking order under Avram
Grant. With the Hammers now preparing for life in the Championship with new
manager Sam Allardyce, Kovac has decided to embark on a fresh challenge.
Basel claimed top spot in Switzerland last season and have offered the
former Czech Republicinternational a two-year deal as they prepare for UEFA
Champions League football. Kovac, 31, could face the Hammers when Basel take
on Allardyce's side in a pre-season friendly on 13th July. Kovac initially
joined West Ham from Spartak Moscow in January 2009 before making the move
permanent the following August.
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Os seek legal advice over row
Last Updated: June 24, 2011 12:07pm
SSN
Leyton Orient will meet lawyers as to whether they'll respond to a rejection
for a review of the Olympic Stadium call. The Os were joined in their
attempts by Tottenham, who are also considering their next move, after the
two clubs were told there were no grounds for a review of the Olympic Park
Legacy Company's verdict that West Ham and Newham Council should be the
future occupants of the venue. A club statement on Orient's official website
read: "Further to the decision by the High Court to deny Leyton Orient leave
to review the decisions by OPLC and London Borough of Newham, the club will
be seeking advice from its solicitors as to whether it will seek an oral
hearing in respect of either or both decisions. "The club continues with its
Judicial Review against the Government and arbitration over the Premier
League's decision to allow West Ham United to move to the Olympic Stadium
without taking into consideration the adverse effect on Leyton Orient. "The
club will be making no further comment on the matter at the moment."
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West Ham launch £1.8m bid for Bayern Munich transfer target Dale Jennings -
report
24 Jun 2011 14:20:00
Goal.com
West Ham United have bid for Tranmere Rovers' Dale Jennings after talks
between the League One side and Bayern Munich stalled, recent reports
indicate.
According to Daily Mail, Upton Park's new manager Sam Allardyce has offered
£1.8 million for the striker and are willing to give a large portion of the
cash up front.
The transfer to the German giants was expected to go through – and the
18-year-old striker was planning to fly over to Munich to sort out the finer
details of the contract – but negotiations have ground to a halt over
prospective add-ons. The transfer bid from West Ham is tempting the
cash-strapped League One side to accept the Championship club's offer over.
The former Liverpool trainee has made 32 appearances for Tranmere, scoring
six goals, and is widely regarded as one of the brightest prospects outside
of the Premier League. If Allardyce succeeds in luring Jennings to Upton
Park it will be their second transfer coup of the summer, after the signing
of Kevin Nolan from Newcastle United.
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