WHUFC.com
Matt Taylor could make his West Ham United debut at Dagenham and Redbridge
on Tuesday evening
26.07.2011
Matt Taylor could make his West Ham United debut in the pre-season match at
Dagenham & Redbridge tonight. The Hammers' latest summer recruit trained
with his new team-mates for the first time at Chadwell Heath on Monday and
has been included in Sam Allardyce's squad for the short trip to face the
League Two new boys.
Taylor is in good shape, having been on tour with Bolton Wanderers in the
United States prior to completing his move to the Boleyn Ground on Saturday.
The 29-year-old could be joined in the West Ham selection by a host of
senior first-team players, including England pair Robert Green and Carlton
Cole and fellow full internationals Jack Collison and Winston Reid.
Allardyce (pictured) will be eager for his players to continue their
encouraging pre-season campaign, which has seen his side keep clean sheets
in each of their previous two matches - a 1-0 victory over Danish champions
FC Copenhagen followed by Saturday's goalless draw at League One side
Wycombe Wanderers. The Daggers themselves have contested four first-team
friendly matches, defeating Boreham Wood and Mangotsfield United before
drawing with Ebbsfleet United and Leyton Orient. Among John Still's squad
are West Ham Academy graduates Darren Currie and Conor Okus. Tickets will be
available at Victoria Road on the night, with kick-off at 7.45pm. A large
crowd is expected, so supporters are urged to get to the stadium early to
avoid disappointment.
Seats are priced at £15 Adults, £10 Concessions, £8 Juniors and £2 Under-7s,
while terrace places are priced at £12 Adults, £8 Concessions, £5 Juniors
and £1 Under-7s. Seven pairs of Ambulant/Carer tickets are available to
purchase priced £10 Adults/Over-65s and £8 for Under-18s with the carer
complimentary. Wheelchair/Carer tickets can only be purchased in advance
through the Dagenham & Redbridge FC Ticket Office, either in person or by
calling 020 8592 1549 - extension 21.
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Freddie knows the goal
WHUFC.com
Wherever he is asked to play in the attack, Frederic Piquionne is determined
to hit the target
26.07.2011
Frederic Piquionne is determined to be the man to shoot West Ham United back
to the Premier League. The French striker has been a regular presence in Sam
Allardyce's summer plans, even if the goals have not yet matched his
enterprising play. Whether in a front three with two wide men or in a more
conventional strike pairing, Piquionne is determined to prove his worth in
the promotion push. The striker will next be in action with Saturday's home
match with Real Zaragoza and said such encounters were first and foremost
about sharpness. Everything else, he is sure, will follow on from there
especially as "the manager wants us to play good football and we have good
players in the team". He added: "We are in pre-season and it is most
important to have a good physical condition for the games. All the players
have a common goal. We need to get straight back to the Premier League."
To achieve that ambition, Piquionne is banking on finding the net on a
regular basis. He is focused fully on achieving his aim in the first league
match of the season on Sunday week at home to Cardiff City. "My head is
ready for Cardiff," he added. "I am at the club to score. The team need to
go up next season and I want to score a lot of goals for West Ham to make it
happen."
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New deal imminent for JC
Filed: Tuesday, 26th July 2011
By: Staff Writer
KUMB.com
West Ham midfielder Jack Collison looks set to sign a new contract
extention. The Welsh international is set to be handed a bumper new deal -
despite having two years of his existing deal to run and having missed
virtually all of last season through injury. John Mac, Collison's agent,
told SkySports this morning: "Talks are ongoing and we are hoping we will
have a successful resolution soon. Jack is enjoying pre-season and he has
been impressed with what Sam Allardyce has planned at West Ham. "He has also
been impressed by the signings of Kevin Nolan and Matt Taylor and he is
looking forward to the start of the season." Collison signed his first pro
contract with West Ham in 2007. A year later he signed a five-year deal with
the club tying him to east London until 2013. Talking about that new deal
back in 2008, Collison - who made just four appearances last season - said:
"I am delighted that the club wants me here for a long time. I now want to
claim a regular place in the starting eleven if I can, and really push on."
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Long bid rejected
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 26th July 2011
By: Staff Writer
West Ham's bid for Reading striker Shane Long has been rejected. It was
reported this morning that the Hammers had placed an £5million (plus
add-ons) bid for the Irish interntional. Whilst KUMB understands that the
figure quoted is slightly higher than the actual offer, it has been been
confirmed that the Royals have rejected West Ham's opening gambit. The
24-year-old has been linked with a string of Premier League clubs during the
summer, with West Bromwich Albion and Newcastle quoted as potential suitors
most often. However neither club has made their move yet, granting West Ham
the opportunity to get their bid in first. United are considered likely to
improve their bid, having seen moves for Jay Bothroyd and DJ Campbell fail
already this summer.
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Hammers plan double swoop
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 26th July 2011
By: Staff Writer
West Ham have launched a £9million double raid for Reading's Shane Long and
Southampton's Jason Puncheon. This morning's Guardian reports that the
Hammers have made an £8million bid - which equates to £5million up front
plus add-ons - for Reading's Irish international striker Shane Long, who has
just 12 months of his current contract remaining.
Meanwhile the Hammers are also reported to have placed a bid in the region
of £750,000 for Southampton winger Puncheon, who spent part of last season
on loan at Millwall.
Long, 24, began his career with Cork City but was snapped up by Reading in
2005 since when he has scored 44 goals in 173 appearances (79 of which came
from the bench). But it was for his goalscoring exploits last season
(2010/11) that a number of clubs became interested in acquiring his
services, with the 21-times capped international scoring a most impressive
28 goals in 60 appearances.
Croydon-born wide-man Puncheon, 25, began his career with Wimbledon before
dropping out of league football to feature for Fisher Athletic and Lewes.
After relatively quiet spells at both Barnet and Plymouth he was snapped up
by Southampton where he became a first team regular under Alan Pardew.
However erratic form saw him lose his place to 17-year-old starlet Alex
Oxlade-Chamberlain and in January of this year Puncheon spent a month on
loan at Millwall, before joining Premier League Blackpool for the second
half of the season.
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Tomkins wants quick return
Centre-back admits that relegation pain still hurts
Last Updated: July 26, 2011 10:12am
SSN
Defender James Tomkins hopes West Ham make an immediate return to the
Premier League following their relegation. Ahead of a first game of the new
season against Cardiff on 7th August, the centre-back has admitted he is
still reeling from the drop into the Championship. But Tomkins is eager for
the experience to be short-lived and thinks relegation should be used as a
motivation for West Ham, who are now managed by Sam Allardyce. The
22-year-old told London24: "It is still hard to get over it now really.
"Realising that we are in the Championship this year really hurts, it hurts
me as much as it hurts anyone else. "But we are looking to bounce straight
back up now and relegation is something in the past." Tomkins added: "We are
under a new manager now and hopefully we can start on a new era and we can
go on from here and get straight back up."
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Collison talks progressing
Midfielder impressed by Big Sam & signings
By Pete O'Rourke - Follow me: @skysportspeteo. Last Updated: July
26, 2011 10:54am
SSN
Skysports.com understands Jack Collison is hoping to agree a new deal at
West Ham to stay at Upton Park. As revealed by skysports.com last month,
West Ham have entered into talks with the Wales international about securing
his long-term future. Collison still has two years to run on his current
deal, but West Ham are keen to ward off potential suitors by agreeing new
terms with the midfielder. A number of Premier League clubs are thought to
be monitoring Collison's situation at Upton Park with the player returning
to fitness at the back end of last season. Collinson's agent, John Mac, has
confirmed talks are ongoing and that the player has been impressed by new
Hammers boss Sam Allardyce. "Talks over Jack's contract are ongoing and we
are hoping we will have a successful resolution soon," Mac told
skysports.com. "Jack is enjoying pre-season and he has been impressed with
what Sam Allardyce has planned at West Ham. "He has also been impressed by
the signings of Kevin Nolan and Matt Taylor and he is looking forward to the
start of the season."
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Royals reject Hammers bid
Long bid comes up short
By Pete O'Rourke - Follow me: @skysportspeteo. Last Updated: July
26, 2011 1:15pm
SSN
Skysports.com understands Reading have rejected a bid from West Ham for
Shane Long. The Hammers are believed to have tabled a firm offer for Long as
they look to win the race for the in-demand striker. A host of Premier
League clubs are thought to be chasing the Republic of Ireland international
following his goalscoring exploits at the Madejski Stadium last season. The
likes of West Brom, Newcastle, Everton and Newcastle have all been credited
with an interest in Long this summer.
The Royals are willing to let Long, who is entering the final year of his
contract, move on for the right price after they failed to secure promotion
to the Premier League last term.
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce is in the market for a new striker and he had
targeted a move for Long in a bid to steal a march on his rivals for the
Irishman. The Hammers are thought to have offered £5million rising to
£8million with add-ons for the 24-year-old. However, Reading are understood
to have turned down the offer with the club preferring to sell him to a
Premier League side rather than a Championship rival. It remains to be seen
if West Ham will come back in with an improved bid and the news is sure to
spark Long's suitors into action for the former Cork man.
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West Ham Bid £8m for Prolific Forward
Posted on 26 July 2011
Sportsvibe.co.uk
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce is working hard to put together a squad
capable of securing an immediate return to the Premier League and believes
Reading striker Shane Long could be the player that fires the Hammers to
promotion. According to reports in todays press, the east London club have
tabled a bid of £8million for the talented young striker who last season
scored 23 league goals as Reading lost in the play-ofdf finals to Swansea.
Reading boss Brian McDermott was determined to hold on to the striker after
losing Matt Mills to Leicester City for £4.5m, but the clubs resolve will be
tested with the significant offer for a player that has just one year left
on his contract. The 24-year-old first moved to the Royals in 2005 when the
club signed Long and fellow Irishman Kevin Doyle from Cork City. Since
joining Reading the forward has firmly established himself as an important
member of the first team and last season was outstanding as the club just
missed out o promotion to the Premier League.
It is believed that West Ham have made an initial cash offer of £5m with an
extra £3m in add-ons that they hope will convince Reading to sell the
striker rather than lose him on a free at the end of the season. McDermott
has stated that he does not want to lose the forward to another Championship
club but would not block a move to a Premier League side. "I'm sure Shane
will be linked with lots of clubs. That's how it is," McDermott told the
Reading Post. "He won't go to another Championship club, but if a Premier
League club comes in, I won't stand in his way. "With Shane, there's no
difference to him. He loves Reading, he loves the fans, loves the staff and
in an ideal scenario he would be playing for us in the Premier League.
"Another ideal scenario would be to keep him at Reading in this league, but
life is not always ideal. I never say never."
Newcastle and West Brom have shown an interest in Long over the summer but
neither has come in with a concrete offer while West Ham are currently
viewed as the bookies favourites to gain promotions. West Ham have already
signed Premier League pair Kevin Nolan and Matthew Taylor and are confident
that they can convince Long to join the duo at Upton Park.
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West Ham United table £8million bid for Reading FC's Long
By Jonny Fordham
July 26, 2011
Getbracknell.co.uk
West Ham United have tabled a bid worth £8million for Reading striker Shane
Long, according to reports. Royals boss Brian McDermott told the Reading
Post two weeks ago that the 24-year-old would not be sold to a Championship
rival after seeing Matt Mills move to Leicester City for £4.5million. And
now it look's like Reading's resolve will be tested with Long out of
contract and free to move on for nothing in 12-months time. It is believed
Hammers have put together a bid worth £5million up front with an extra
£3million in add-ons. Speaking to the Post during the pre-season tour of
Slovenia earlier this month, McDermott said: "I'm sure Shane will be linked
with lots of clubs. That's how it is. "He won't go to another Championship
club, but if a Premier League club comes in, I won't stand in his way. "With
Shane, there's no difference to him. He loves Reading, he loves the fans,
loves the staff and in an ideal scenario he would be playing for us in the
Premier League.
"Another ideal scenario would be to keep him at Reading in this league, but
life is not always ideal. I never say never."
West Bromwich Albion would be Long's preferred destination right now, but
they have yet to put their money where their mouth is. Alan Pardew's
Newcastle United are also in the hunt, by they are still confident of
landing Melvut Erdinc from PSG.
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Bad news for Long as Hammers launch bid
today at 9:56 am
joe.ie
Shane Long's hopes of making a move to the Premier League have taken a knock
after relegated West Ham offered to stump up £8m for his services. Reading
star Long is expected to quit the Madejski Stadium this summer, with West
Bromwich Albion the Premier League side said to have been leading the race
for his signature.
Newcastle have also been linked with the Tipperary lad but his hopes of
securing a move to top flight have been dealt a blow following West Ham's
big-money bid late on Monday night. Long has 12 months remaining on his
current contract, and an initial bid of £5m from West Ham, with the
remaining £3m to follow pending certain performance-related clauses, will be
very tempting to Reading. Should the Royals' decision-makers accept the bid
– and it would be a surprise if they don't – then Long faces an agonizing
choice of whether to move to another second tier club, or hold out for an
improved bid from one of the Premier League sides keen on his particular
never-give-a-defender-a-rest brand of forward play.
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Collison keen on Hammers stay
Football365
Last Updated: 26/07/11 at 11:12 Post Comment
Jack Collison's agent is confident an agreement is near to tie the
midfielder to a new long-term contract at West Ham. Collison still has two
years to run on his current deal, but West Ham are keen to extend it to ward
off ward off potential suitors. A number of Premier League clubs, including
Stoke and West Brom, are thought to be monitoring Collison's situation at
Upton Park with the player returning to fitness at the back end of last
season. Collinson's agent, John Mac, has confirmed talks are ongoing and
that the player has been impressed by new Hammers boss Sam Allardyce. "Talks
over Jack's contract are ongoing and we are hoping we will have a successful
resolution soon," Mac told skysports.com. "Jack is enjoying pre-season and
he has been impressed with what Sam Allardyce has planned at West Ham.
"He has also been impressed by the signings of Kevin Nolan and Matt Taylor
and he is looking forward to the start of the season.
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Relegation still painful for West Ham defender
London24
Dave Evans, West Ham Correspondent
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
8:06 AM
Hammers centre half James Tomkins is hoping to learn from the bitter
experience of relegation and become a mainstay in the West Ham team this
term. West Ham defender James Tomkins has still not recovered from the
nightmare of last season's relegation – but he is determined to learn enough
from the experience to get the club back in the top flight at the first time
of asking. The 22-year-old centre half featured in 19 of West Ham's Premier
League games last season, but could not prevent the team from finishing
rock-bottom. It is something that still hurts. "It is still hard to get over
it now really," confessed the former West Ham Academy boy after Saturday's
0-0 pre-season friendly draw with Wycombe Wanderers. "Realising that we are
in the Championship this year really hurts, it hurts me as much as it hurts
anyone else. "But we are looking to bounce straight back up now and
relegation is something in the past."
The Hammers stumbled to relegation under manager Avram Grant and Tomkins is
still in the dark as to what exactly went wrong. "We had good players so it
hard to put a finger on why we didn't stay up," he said. "There were a lot
of games we drew that we should have won. It all goes down to those sort of
games really, but it is hard to pinpoint."
With the loss of defenders Matty Upson, Manuel Da Costa and Danny Gabbidon,
Tomkins will become an important player in the West Ham squad this season,
something he has happy to take on. "I think I've matured a lot recently," he
said. "I learned a lot from players like Matty Upson and Danny Gabbidon, who
have great experience, so hopefully I can step up this year and be a more
experienced head this time round."
Tomkins had to be the experienced man at Wycombe as he was partnered by
another youngster in Jordan Spence in the central of defence. "I've played
with a lot of different people already in this pre-season," he said. "Jordan
moved into centre back with no trouble. He coped really well with it and he
looks a good right back and now a centre back too. "I'm still only 22, but
I'm hoping I can use the experience I have had over the last couple of
years. "We have been through some hard times, but I feel that I have grown
both as a player and a person, so hopefully I can do that. "We are under a
new manager now and hopefully we can start on a new era now and we can go on
from here and get straight back up."
Tomkins, who now has 75 games in claret and blue under his belt, has
certainly noticed the difference in the camp since Sam Allardyce arrived as
manager and he is looking forward to the new season kicking-off. "He comes
with a good record, he is a bubbly character, energetic and enthusiastic
which are all good attributes," said Tomkins. "I'm looking forward to
working under him, learning and improving as a player myself. "I think we
need to look at getting straight back up. With the players we still have at
the club and the young lads that are coming in, hopefully with that
combination we can go straight back up, but obviously that starts with
Cardiff."
With only four recognised central defenders at the club, Tomkins is likely
to be first choice against the Bluebirds, but he is taking nothing for
granted. "We need to start well because this is a hard league to get out of,
but hopefully we can get straight back where the club belong and I can play
a big part in that."
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Baggies to miss out on Collison
by Setanta Staff , 26 July 2011
setanta.com
West Brom's bid to sign Jack Collison from West Ham looks as though it has
failed after the player's agent revealed he is set to stay. The Baggies had
been strongly linked with a move for the Wales international following the
Hammers relegation to the Championship, with reports indicating the
midfielder was extremely keen to stay in the Premier League. With West Ham
keen to reduce their wage bill it had been reported that a decent offer from
West Brom would persuade them to sell the 22-year-old Wales man. However,
Collison is now thought to be close to signing a new contract with the
Hammers to end any interest, his agent claiming the midfielder had been
impressed with new boss Sam Allardyce since he took over. "Talks over Jack's
contract are ongoing and we are hoping we will have a successful resolution
soon," John Mac told skysports.com. "Jack is enjoying pre-season and he has
been impressed with what Sam Allardyce has planned at West Ham. "He has also
been impressed by the signings of Kevin Nolan and Matt Taylor and he is
looking forward to the start of the season."
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Hammers offer £5m for Shane Long
Ken Dyer
26 Jul 2011
Evening Standard
West Ham have made a £5million bid for Reading's Shane Long. Manager Sam
Allardyce has prioritised signing a striker with Long, 24, high on his
wanted list. The Republic of Ireland international, who is in the final year
of his contract at Reading, has expressed a wish to play in the Premier
League and attracted interest from West Brom. That has not dissuaded West
Ham from testing the water with a £5m bid, with a further £3m in add-ons.
The Upton Park club have already spent more than £6m this summer, with Kevin
Nolan signing from Newcastle for £4m and Matt Taylor arriving from Bolton
last week in a £2.2m deal. West Ham are still waiting, however, for firm
offers for their three England internationals -goalkeeper Robert Green,
midfield star Scott Parker and striker Carlton Cole
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West Ham play Long game as Big Sam considers second bid for Reading striker
Shane
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 3:09 PM on 26th July 2011
Daily Mail
West Ham are weighing up a second bid for Reading striker Shane Long. The
Royals are believed to have turned down an initial offer of around £7million
with add-ons, for the 24-year-old. Long is in demand this summer after
hitting 25 goals last term. West Ham will face competition with Reading
having told him he can join a Barclays Premier League club, if the price is
right, after they failed to gain promotion. Top-flight sides West Bromwich,
Newcastle and Everton have been linked with moves for Long but Hammers boss
Sam Allardyce is hoping to persuade the Irishman to stay in the Championship
for one more season to spearhead their promotion bid. West Ham's
willingness to spend could also indicate some of their big earners may be on
their way out, with Stoke reportedly keen to resurrect their move for
Carlton Cole and Scott Parker still a target for Premier League clubs.
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Potters target wants Hammers stay
By Team Talk
Updated Tuesday, 26th July 2011
Stoke City RSS Feed
Jack Collison's agent is confident an agreement is near to tie the
midfielder to a new long-term contract at West Ham. Collison still has two
years to run on his current deal, but West Ham are keen to extend it to ward
off ward off potential suitors. A number of Premier League clubs, including
Stoke and West Brom, are thought to be monitoring Collison's situation at
Upton Park with the player returning to fitness at the back end of last
season. Collinson's agent, John Mac, has confirmed talks are ongoing and
that the player has been impressed by new Hammers boss Sam Allardyce. "Talks
over Jack's contract are ongoing and we are hoping we will have a successful
resolution soon," Mac told skysports.com. "Jack is enjoying pre-season and
he has been impressed with what Sam Allardyce has planned at West Ham.
"He has also been impressed by the signings of Kevin Nolan and Matt Taylor
and he is looking forward to the start of the season.
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