WHUFC.com
A strong side are expected to take on an equally experienced FC Copenhagen
at the Parken Stadium
20.07.2011
West Ham United have had a productive morning's work ahead of Wednesday's
high-profile friendly against FC Copenhagen. After breakfast at the team
hotel, the 18-man Hammers squad travelled to Nummer 10, the training base of
their Danish hosts in Fredriksberg, and were put through their paces by
Wally Downes, Neil McDonald and Sam Allardyce. The players, who were greeted
by members of the FCK youth team when they arrived, performed a number of
drills with the emphasis on speed and ball work. It was a muggy morning in
the Danish capital but the work-rate was high and the players were kept on
their toes throughout. The manager frequently stopped proceedings to speak
to his players, whether collectively or individually, and was central
throughout the session. The final stage of the practice saw Frederic
Piquionne and Frank Nouble working on shooting, the youngsters doing
defending-attacking exercises with Downes, and a crucial warm-down under the
watchful eye of the medical staff.
After an hour, it was time to get back on the bus for the short ride back to
the hotel. The squad were then to have a light lunch before a few hours'
rest ahead of the big game. Allardyce, in particular, is relishing the
prospect of a tricky test against a side who will face Shamrock Rovers in
the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round next week. "It is the
quality of game we were looking for at this stage of the season," Allardyce
told West Ham TV. "We are going to play against a very good side in a good
stadium with a good surface. It will give me a good indication of the
quality we have at the club. "The game tonight is very important to identify
where our strengths and weaknesses are."
The manager is expected to field a strong side and he explained he had left
some first-teamers behind including Abdoulaye Faye, Junior Stanislas and
Carlton Cole to work on their fitness over five full days ahead of the
weekend match at Wycombe Wanderers.
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Wearen ready for Greece
WHUFC.com
Eoin Wearen's Republic of Ireland kick-off the U19 EURO with a group-stage
clash with Greece on Monday
20.07.2011
Eoin Wearen and his Republic of Ireland team-mates will get their UEFA
European Under-19 Championship campaign under way on Wednesday. The Irish
will take on Greece in the Romanian town of Buftea in their opening Group A
fixture at the eight-team tournament. Ireland face Czech Republic and host
nation Romania in their other two group-stage matches on 23 and 26 July
respectively
The official website caught up with Wearen at the squad's training camp in
the Italian capital, Rome, ahead of their first match.
Eoin, how have things gone so far and what have you been up to? I understand
you've been at a training camp in Rome and have even managed to do a bit of
sightseeing?
We have trained every day since we arrived on Sunday - sometimes twice a day
and sometimes once. The hotel is really nice and has been used by the likes
of the Italian, German and French national teams and also Inter Milan,
Arsenal and Shakhtar Donetsk, so we are preparing in a good place.
On Thursday, we spent the afternoon visiting the Colosseum which was amazing
and the squad was then invited to the Irish Embassy in Rome, which was also
a great experience.
How is the mood in the camp ahead of the tournament?
Training has gone well, with everyone fighting for starting places. Everyone
is fit and confident and looking really sharp, so everything is really
positive at the moment and there is a good atmosphere among the lads.
You have Greece in your opening fixture and you have spoken about gaining
revenge for being knocked out of the UEFA European Under-17 Championship by
them in March 2010. Has that result given you extra motivation? What do you
know about the Greek squad?
Well, we have a different manager now so it will have no relevance towards
him - he just wants to set his stall out to get a positive start to the
tournament, no matter who we play! We know they are physical and good going
forward as we have watched some videos of them in the Elite Round
qualifying, when they won all three games and knocked out France. We know
they will present a tough test. They have a few good individuals going
forward but defensively aren't the best, so hopefully we can make a winning
start.
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Gillingham assistant Ian Hendon moves to West Ham United
Page last updated at 12:23 GMT, Wednesday, 20 July 2011 13:23 UK
BBC.co.uk
Gillingham assistant boss Ian Hendon has left to take up a development team
coach role at West Ham United. Hendon told BBC Radio Kent: "Every coach,
player, manager and probably chairman wants to move on to bigger football
clubs and I'm no different. "To go to a place like West Ham and work with
the talented players they have got there is exciting. Hendon, 39, played for
Tottenham, Barnet and Leyton Orient and had spells managing Barnet and Dover
Athletic. Manager Andy Hessenthaler told the club website: "We're
disappointed because he worked his socks off for this club. "But, as a good
friend of his, I appreciate that it is something he wanted to do."
Hessenthaler has said that finding a replacement is a top priority. "There
is a void here and I am looking to bring somebody in. I'll sit down with the
chairman to see which way we go with that. "I like doing the coaching.
However, if you look around the country and speak to other managers, you see
they have their coaches but then they put their mark on sessions leading up
to the game. "I don't know whether we'll have another assistant manager. It
would more likely be a coach but it's doubtful we will have anybody in for
the weekend."
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The Cole conundrum
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 20th July 2011
By: Kwame Boakye
Go on admit it; you breathed a sigh of relief when Cole's move to Stoke fell
through.
The enigma of Carlton Cole is a far reaching topic, one which splits many
Hammers fans… some see him as a player with immense ability but who lacks
consistency and confidence and there are those who are convinced he is
devoid of all talent and is stealing a living as a footballer.
I admit it I'm very much a card-carrying member of the former.
I don't know if the club can afford to keep Cole; I'd suspect not but if
there is any way that we can keep hold of him, I think it could possibly be
the best bit of business the club could do this summer.
In fact I'll go as far to say that if we keep hold of Carlton Cole it will
virtually guarantee promotion.
I do laugh when I hear through social networking sites all the fans that
slate Cole and are desperate for him to leave. I'd like to ask those very
fans if Cole was sold just who on earth do you reckon we could get in to
replace him? Fans slag him off but go on I ask you; name somebody better we
could get to play for us in the Championship?
Sam Allardyce won't admit it due to the fact there's still a chance that
Cole could leave but I guarantee he'd love to work with him. I ask you all
to think back to the summer of 2003 Kevin Davies had just been released by
Southampton and a certain Big Sam brought him to Bolton Wanderers…where he
moulded and shaped Davies into one of the most feared strikers in England.
(One who's continued to haunt us over the years with his perennial headers
at the near and far posts)
Ask Sam Allardyce what he could do with Cole; a player far quicker, mobile
and who's just plain and simply a better athlete and the result could well
be the Didier Drogba of the Championship.
I see West Ham next season playing a 4-3-3 system as it perfectly
incorporates our strongest department which is midfield with Collison, Nolan
and Noble pulling the strings, breaking up play and starting attacks; with
Sears and Stanislas operating down the wings and of course with Carlton Cole
as the focal point.
Last season Cole spent the majority of the season isolated as Grant didn't
deploy the right players into his three man attack. Instead of playing out
and out wingers he would favour playing strikers in the shape of Piquionne,
Ba or Keane thus Cole never got the width or the service that was needed for
him to thrive.
Next season (provided we can afford keep to him) with two out-and-out wide
men supplying the ammunition - not to mention the aforementioned midfield
trio picking him out at every opportunity - and with Sam's words of wisdom
still ringing fresh in his ears there is no reason why Cole couldn't go on
and bag himself 25-30 goals.
When you consider that the club were looking to sign Craig Mackail-Smith as
a probable replacement for Coley (a striker who forged his reputation in
League One) I think it shows the limit of our ambitions at this level.
It's fair to say that over the last few years we have truly seen the best
and worst of Carlton Cole; we've seen him score some absolute wonder goals
that if a certain Scouse geezer playing in Manchester red had scored they'd
still been shown on Sky Sports adverts and we've also seen him miss virtual
tap ins.
Somewhere between these two sides of our enigmatic front man lies the real
Cole; his problem has always been with consistency and confidence and never
with his ability, if you ask me.
If you look at what Sam Allardyce did with Kevin Davies all those years ago
(can anyone even remember him pre-Allardyce?) I can't help but believe that
Sam could do even more with Cole
When you factor in that instantly you would expect him to score more goals
at a lower level, that next season he will be utilised properly with dynamic
and pacey wingers around him and of course with Big Sam's proven
track-record of getting the best out of the players at his disposal and add
to the fact that if he was sold we couldn't possibly get anyone better in to
replace him… I think we'll all agree that if we can afford to keep Cole we
can't afford to lose him.
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Hessenthaler bemoans Hendon loss
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 20th July 2011
By: Staff Writer
Gillingham boss Andy Hessenthaler has admitted his disappointment at losing
assistant manager Ian Hendon to West Ham. The 39-year-old former Tottenham
and Orient defender was officially unveiled as West Ham United's new
Development Coach yesterday. His role will be to coach and oversee the team
formerly known as the reserves which, as KUMB revealed last month, will not
exist this term as a there is no reserve league at Championship level.
Speaking to Gillingham's club website, Hessenthaler revealed that Hendon had
been lured to West Ham as a result of a call from Wally Downes, West Ham's
current First Team Coach. "The situation was that Wally, who worked with us
last year, made a call to me and asked if they could offer him the job,"
said Hessenthaler. "I didn't want to lose Ian but, as a friend, I had to ask
him the question. "He wanted to speak to them and they offered him the job,
so I couldn't stand in his way. I think the Chairman is looking into the
situation at the moment but Ian has gone. "We're disappointed, because he
worked his socks off for this football club. He knows this division, he has
got a lot of contacts within the game and he's well thought of. But, as a
good friend of his, I appreciate that it is something that he wanted to do."
Hendon's first major test comes this Sunday when he takes a Development
squad to Southern League Premier Division side Weymouth fora pre-season
friendly.
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Hammers receive allocation boost
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 20th July 2011
By: Staff Writer
West Ham have been allocated the entire Vicarage Road stand for the
forthcoming Championship clash due to advice from local Police. West Ham
face the Hornets at Vicarage road next month and, as a result of the
decision, will be given use of both sides of the stand - one half of which
is usually reserved for families, who will now have to re-apply for tickets
in the home stands. But Watford have confirmed this morning that the
travelling supporters will not receive the full allocation of 4,600 -
presumably as a result of Police lines being positioned at either end of the
stand. "Following advice from police, along with a wish to ensure the
maximum enjoyment and safety for all Hornets' fans, Watford FC has taken the
decision to allocate both halves of Vicarage Road End to West Ham United
supporters," a statement on watfordfc.com said. "This decision has been
taken following both police advice and the results of the Vicarage Road
review, undertaken by the club in the wake of the April 2011 QPR home
fixture."
The aforementioned QPR game was marred by a series of ugly clashes between
rival sets of fans after visiting supporters had purchased tickets in the
home stands.
Those incidents prompted the review by Watford, which resulted in a club
policy of adding additional restrictions to fixtures that are deemed to
'carry a risk of disorder'.
Watford have also issued a warning to supporters intent on purchasing
tickets for West Ham-supporting friends outside the designated North Stand.
"Any Watford fans that are known to have purchased tickets for West Ham
supporters in either the Rous or Rookery Stands will have action taken
against them which could include their season ticket being confiscated
without a refund and/or a banning order," said the club.
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Copenhagen v West Ham Utd: live
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 20th July 2011
By: Staff Writer
West Ham's clash with FC Copenhagen tonight is being broadcast live by
Danish TV. A number of online feed providers are expected to relay the live
broadcast which is being provided by TV3+ who, in their blurb for the game
state that the defending Danish champions will be facing 'the traditional
London club [who] horribly disappointed in the Premier League last season".
The game kicks off at 6:30pm UK time; further details of live feeds will be
announced on the KUMB.com forum later in the day.
Sam Allardyce and his squad arrived in Denmark last night in preparation for
the game. A light training session will ensue this morning before the squad
settle down to prepare for the fixture against the Champions League
qualifiers.
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New date added
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 19th July 2011
By: Staff Writer
West Ham's second string will travel to the South Coast this weekend for an
freshly-arranged pre-season fixture. Now commonly referred to as the
'development squad' and under the control of new coach Ian Hendon, the
Hammers will travel to Weymouth this Sunday to take on the Southern League
Premier Division side.
Tickets for the game are priced at £10 for adults and £2.50 for children
(£7.50 concessions). The game is due to kick off at 3:00pm this Saturday,
23rd July.
The young team will be hoping to repeat a 2-0 behind-closed-doors success
over Gillingham this afternooon, with goals coming from Robert Hall and Olly
Lee - both of whom have been heavily involved with the first team squad thus
far this pre-season.
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We're not the West side, Upton Park
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 19th July 2011
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United have announced that the West Stand will be known as the
Alpari Stand for the next three seasons. The club announced details of a new
three-year 'partnership agreement' with foreign exchange brokers Alpari (UK)
this morning which will see the stand renamed after the company for the
remainder of the club's tenure at the Boleyn Ground.
United Commercial Director Barry Webber told whufc.com: "We are delighted to
sign this partnership agreement with Alpari (UK). It will have a significant
and positive impact on the club and the deal demonstrates that West Ham
United remains an attractive proposition to prospective partners, especially
in the key world of business and finance."
Meanwhile Alpari COO David Stuart added: "We are excited about this
partnership. It is Alpari (UK)'s first major sponsorship in the world of
sports and yet another milestone for the company."
The new West Stand, built in 2001 was initially known as the Dr Martens
Stand after the former club sponsors before being known simply as the 'West
Stand'.
However it is still commonly referred to by supporters as the 'Rio Stand',
as it was built shortly after the club received circa £19million for the
sale of Rio Ferdinand to Leeds in 2000.
Financial details of the arrangement are undisclosed.
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Noble urges more additions
Midfielder warns West Ham need plenty of proven newcomers
Last Updated: July 20, 2011 10:05am
SSN
Mark Noble believes West Ham need to make a host of new signings to be in
contention for an immediate return to the Premier League. The Hammers were
relegated from the top flight last season, leading to several players
leaving Upton Park this summer, with more set to follow. Noble is now the
club's longest-serving player despite being just 24 and reckons the Hammers
can bounce straight back up from the Championship. But he feels new boss Sam
Allardyce must first boost the squad by bringing in as many as half-a-dozen
new recruits. "I am confident about the new season but, obviously, we need
to sign a lot more players," he told the Sun. "We've got to make five or six
signings - good quality signings."
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Taylor set for West Ham switch
11:50am Wednesday 20th July 2011
Bolton News.co.uk
By Liam Chronnell »
MATT Taylor has flown back from Wanderers' US tour to join West Ham United.
The midfielder is expected to join Sam Allardyce's side in the next 24 hours
in a £2.2million deal. Taylor was in and out of Owen Coyle's team last
season after battling with Martin Petrov for a starting spot on the
left-hand side. The 29-year-old still owns a farm in Oxfordshire and is keen
to move back down south. And, with just one year left of his existing
contract and fearful of a repeat of the Johan Elmander situation in which
the record signing was allowed to walk away for nothing, Wanderers see it as
sensible business to offload one of their top earners three-and-a-half years
after paying Portsmouth £3.5m for his services.
Taylor, an unused substitute in the 3-1 victory against Orlando, will join
up with former Bolton old boys Kevin Nolan and Abdoulaye Faye at Upton Park
as Allardyce continues to raid his former club. Big Sam has also tried to
sign Eidur Gudjohnsen, Ricardo Gardner and Jlloyd Samuel. Stoke and West
Brom are also interested in Taylor, who scored 23 goals in 139 appearances
for Wanderers, but the Hammers remain favourites to land the former England
Under-21s player.
Coyle will use the Taylor money to spark a summer spending spree as he looks
to strengthen his depleted squad ahead of the new season. Wanderers have
already agreed a £5m fee for Barcelona's Jeffren Suarez, with the club set
to discuss personal terms with the 23-year-old winger when they fly home
from America on Saturday. Coyle will also step up his interest in former
Aston Villa midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker on his return. The 26-year-old is
available on a free transfer after seeing out his contract at Villa Park
earlier this summer.
Bolton take on MLS outfit Houston Dynamo in the early hours of tomorrow
morning (BST1.30am) in their final match of their three-game tour.
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Matthew Taylor On His Way to Upton Park
July 20th, 2011 - 1:37 pm by Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die
According to reports in the Bolton News, Bolton midfielder Matthew Taylor
has left their US training camp to fly back to England in order to sign for
West Ham.
MATT Taylor has flown back from Wanderers' US tour to join West Ham United.
The midfielder is expected to join Sam Allardyce's side in the next 24 hours
in a £2.2million deal. Taylor was in and out of Owen Coyle's team last
season after battling with Martin Petrov for a starting spot on the
left-hand side. The 29-year-old still owns a farm in Oxfordshire and is keen
to move back down south.
And, with just one year left of his existing contract and fearful of a
repeat of the Johan Elmander situation in which the record signing was
allowed to walk away for nothing, Wanderers see it as sensible business to
offload one of their top earners three-and-a-half years after paying
Portsmouth £3.5m for his services.
Taylor, an unused substitute in the 3-1 victory against Orlando, will join
up with former Bolton old boys Kevin Nolan and Abdoulaye Faye at Upton Park
as Allardyce continues to raid his former club. Big Sam has also tried to
sign Eidur Gudjohnsen, Ricardo Gardner and Jlloyd Samuel. Stoke and West
Brom are also interested in Taylor, who scored 23 goals in 139 appearances
for Wanderers, but the Hammers remain favourites to land the former England
Under-21s player.
I think this is excellent news. He's a real talent and would fit in very
well alongside Nolan, Noble and Collison. Let's hope it goes through.
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West Ham United have been given the whole Vicarage Road end at Watford
11:58am Wednesday 20th July 2011
Guardian Series
By Frank Smith »
Watford have decided to give the whole of the Vicarage Road end to West Ham
United fans for the game in August due to advice from the police and a
recent club review. The club website read: "Following advice from police,
along with wanting to ensure the maximum enjoyment and safety for all
Watford FC fans, we have taken the decision for this game to allocate the
entire Vicarage Road End to West Ham supporters."
The decision was also influenced by what happened when Watford played Queens
Park Rangers in April and the subsequent report, which can be read here.
Season ticket holders in the Family Area of the Vicarage Road end have been
asked to contact the ticket office before next Wednesday so they can be
moved for the fixture.
Watford insists West Ham's allocation will be "significantly short" of the
stand's 4,600 capacity. The club say the available seats will be allocated
on a first come first served basis but due to the relocation, it is not
possible to buy extra tickets at present. Fans who have a ticket purchasing
history of three home league games or more since August 2009 will be able to
buy two tickets from July 28. Watford fans have been warned not to buy
tickets for West Ham-supporting friends. The website read: "Any Watford fans
that are known to have purchased tickets for West Ham supporters in either
the Rous or Rookery Stands (home supporters only), will have action taken
against them which could include their season ticket being confiscated
without a refund and/or a banning order."
Season ticket holders and fans with the above purchase history will be able
to buy two tickets up until 2pm on match day but will only be able to
purchase one for the final hour before kick-off.
Ticket office number is 0844 856 1881.
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Dalglish will offload Aquilani and Cole to fund bid for Enrique
Published 22:59 19/07/11 By David Maddock
The Mirror
Kenny Dalglish wants to continue his summer spending spree – but needs to
offload players first. The Liverpool boss will start by selling flop Alberto
Aquilani to Fiorentina, as he looks to raise upwards of £25million. Talks
have now opened with the Italian club over a move for around £12m, and the
Reds hope to rush the deal through. Dalglish said: "We're delighted with the
work we've done, whether there's more remains to be seen and depends on
players going out." He wants a left-back, and possibly a young back-up
striker, with Newcastle's Spanish defender Jose Enrique top of his list at
around £10m. But after already splashing out close on £50m this summer,
Liverpool need to raise funds. Aquilani is probably the most saleable of his
assets and a deal could be done within the next week. Liverpool also want to
offload Joe Cole from their wage bill, and the Reds will even take a hit on
any fee.
They know they may have to pay some of Cole's wages to tempt clubs to move
for him, with both West Ham and Spurs keen.
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£3m Hammers target announces intention to leave - reports
West Ham target Max Gradel tells Leeds he wants to leave, say reports
By Will Haine July 20, 2011
GiveMeFootball.com
West Ham target Max Gradel has reportedly told Leeds that he wants to leave
the club this summer. According to the Daily Mail, the £3 million-rated
winger has informed his employers of his desire to be sold, amid interest
from the east Londoners, as well as from Fulham and Lille. West Ham are
already alleged to have had an offer for the 23-year-old rebuffed by Leeds,
but the Hammers may now come back with an improved offer should Gradel
attempt to force an exit from Elland Road.
Gradel was named United's Player of the Year last season after a brilliant
campaign that saw him net 18 times in 44 appearances, but it would seem he
sees his immediate future away from Leeds.
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