WHUFC.com
Neil McDonald was delighted with West Ham United's display in Saturday's win
over Real Zaragoza
31.07.2011
Neil McDonald was all smiles after West Ham United's impressive 2-0
pre-season victory over Real Zaragoza. The Hammers impressed the assistant
manager with a clinical display at both ends of the pitch, with Matt Taylor
and Freddie Sears scoring fine goals and Robert Green and his defenders
looking solid in defence. A fifth straight clean sheet, combined with
encouraging performances from new boy Joey O'Brien and trialist Jlloyd
Samuel (pictured), had McDonald purring when he spoke to West Ham TV. "I
think we got both the performance and the result," he said. "I think we
played some really good football and built up really well. We got the ball
into the danger area, scored two goals and kept a clean sheet, so it was the
perfect day really. "The goals were well-worked. It was nice to see the wide
men coming inside to get a goal. Young Freddie finished his off really well
in the second half as well, so we're really pleased with everyone's
performance. "Everybody is shaping up well and it's good that they are
adapting to different systems because we might have a system against Cardiff
that isn't working so we might have to change it. The lads have adjusted and
got used to the two formations that we've played, which was good."
O'Brien's move was completed just minutes before kick-off, and McDonald
knows the quality the Republic of Ireland international possesses after
working with him previously at Bolton Wanderers. Another former Trotter,
Samuel, could follow the 25-year-old through the Boleyn Ground entrance
gates after producing an assured display against the Spaniards. "I think
Joey is a decent defender and very good on the ball as well. He's big and
strong, so he's a great addition and gives us some fantastic competition for
places, which is great. "First impressions were really good. Jlloyd has got
a good pedigree and a good CV, so we've got him in, trained him for a couple
of days and got a good look at him on Saturday. He's enjoyed what he's done
and we've enjoyed having him, so I'm sure the manager will sit down with him
and see what the situation later on at the start of next week."
With a week to go until the 2011/12 npower Championship campaign kicks-off
with the visit of Cardiff City, McDonald said the players was exactly where
he and manager Sam Allardyce hoped they would be at this stage of
pre-season. Allardyce was away on a scouting mission on Saturday evening,
and with the prospect of further signings to boost the squad, McDonald is in
positive mood. "We're almost fully fit, althought Julien Faubert picked up a
little niggly injury. Abdoulaye Faye is not far away, so we're getting
everyone where we want them at this stage with a week to go. "I think the
performance showed that there's no hangover, but at the same time it's vital
we concentrate on Cardiff next week and make sure we get the same
performance as we got on Saturday. "We'll be looking to work hard this week
in the lead-up to the game. The fitness is almost there. We just need to
sharpen up our end-product around the box. That normally comes in the last
week. "It's about roles and responsibilities and making sure everybody knows
where they should be when we have got the ball and when we haven't got the
ball. I think that's falling into place quite nicely - everyone knows what
they're doing. "We've just got to sharpen up leading into the game against
Cardiff."
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Sam Allardyce facing up to reality at West Ham
Page last updated at 10:21 GMT, Sunday, 31 July 2011 11:21 UK
BBC.co.uk
New West Ham manager Sam Allardyce has admitted he will be sacked if he does
not guide them into the Premier League. Allardyce succeeded Avram Grant as
Hammers boss in June, following their relegation to the Championship. He
told BBC Radio 5 live's Sportsweek: "It is a massive burden on my shoulders
but that's why I do the job. "It's my responsibility to get them there and
if I don't I'll be sacked [but] I've got the experience to get the best out
the players." Allardyce has another motivation for wanting to succeed at
West Ham: the forthcoming move to London's 2012 Olympic Stadium. The Hammers
are due to switch from Upton Park to Stratford, east London for the 2014/15
season and Allardyce expects the club's owners, David Gold and David
Sullivan, to make a success of the move.
WEST HAM'S OPENING LEAGUE GAMES
Continue reading the main story
Sun 7 Aug, Cardiff (H)
Sat 13 Aug, Doncaster (A)
Tue 16 Aug, Watford (A)
Sun 21 Aug, Leeds (H)
Sun 28 Aug, Nott'm Forest (A)
"We have got stability in the owners," he continued. "They are few and far
between as they are from this country, their businesses are in this country
and they are West Ham fans. "If they want to build something sustainable
they are going to have to build facilities at the same level as Arsenal,
Chelsea and Tottenham. "As an academy of football, which West Ham is
renowned for, we must put state of the art facilities, to go with the
stadium, into the training complex." The Olympic Park Legacy Company chose
the Hammers ahead of Tottenham in February 2011 as the preferred club to
move into the Olympic Stadium after the 2012 Games. However, an independent
review is to be held into the process of awarding the Olympic Stadium to
West Ham, after it emerged that an employee of the OPLC carried out
consultancy work on behalf of the Hammers without her managers' knowledge.
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Long tempted by West Ham interest
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 31st July 2011
By: Staff Writer
Reading striker Shane Long has admitted that the opportunity to join West
Ham is one that excites him. The 24-year-old Irish international has been
watched by a number of clubs in pre-season with West Ham having already seen
one bid of £4million plus add-ons rejected. However he admitted that the
chance of moving to east London is something that intrigues him. Speaking
to the Independent on Sunday, Long said: "West Ham are a big club, so it
would definitely be something for me to think about. "But I wouldn't be
that disappointed if nothing happened and I stayed at Reading. I'm happy
here and I like playing under the manager. I'm not dying to get out."
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Sam: I'm here to win the league
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 31st July 2011
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce insists that nothing less than promotion will be an acceptable
return from his first season in charge at the Boleyn. West Ham United's 14th
full-time manager was installed as successor to Avram Grant back in June
since when he has managed to boost his squad with four former Bolton players
- with another, Jlloyd Samuel, currently on trial. And despite accepting
that more players may yet leave, Allardyce feels that he has a squad capable
of achieving that instant return to the Premier League. "No one else can put
any more expectations and pressure on than me," he told the Independent on
Sunday. "I haven't come down here to spend a long time down in the
Championship. "I've come to win the club promotion and get myself where
I've been for the last 10 years, and that's managing in the top league in
the world. "You're happy that that type of talent is moving a step down to
try to get itself back up. Kevin [Nolan] and Matt [Taylor] have the same
ambition as me: to spend as little time as possible in the Championship. But
we're not taking it for granted that we're going to get promoted."
However Allardyce accepts that West Ham will be hamstrung to a degree having
been forced to cut costs and squad numbers following relegation from the
Premier League, whilst other title contenders - such as Leicester City -
have been increasing their dramatically. "It will be a tougher division," he
mused. "It's going to be damned hard work over a marathon season of 46
games. We have to perform at a consistent level and make sure we're always
in a winning frame of mind. "The club was in despair; relegation leaves a
club traumatised. You've got to get over the trauma and back to positive
thinking. You win a game of football as much with your mind as with your
ability."
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Nolan: no promotion equals disaster
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 31st July 2011
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United captain Kevin Nolan has told his troops that they need to
hit the ground running against Cardiff next weekend. With the first team
pre-season programme completed in style yesterday with a 2-0 win over Real
Zaragoza, Nolan - speaking to the Sunday Mirror - insisted that the Hammers
need to get off to a flying start next Sunday. "We have to come out all guns
blazing," he said. "We have to hit the ground running, there is no hiding
place. The stakes are high and there is immense pressure on us. "The least
we should expect is promotion; anything else will merely be an unmitigated
disaster. This club doesn't belong in the Championship and we have to make
damn sure we don't stay here either."
The 29-year-old also insisted that the team will have to be at the top of
their game for each of the 46 outings this season - as the opposition will
inevitably raise theirs.
"Everyone will want to beat us," he asserted. "This will be their biggest
game of the campaign. Opposing teams will come to Upton Park looking for a
major scalp, you're a team to be shot at. "But if we apply ourselves on the
pitch and get the supporters right behind us I see no reason why we
shouldn't be celebrating come April/May."
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Samuel to hold Hammers talks
Full-back impresses during pre-season friendly against Zaragoza
Last Updated: July 31, 2011 11:51am
SSN
Jlloyd Samuel is set to hold talks with Sam Allardyce regarding a possible
deal after impressing in West Ham United's friendly win over Real Zaragoza.
The full-back is available on a free transfer after leaving Allardyce's
former club Bolton Wanderers and featured in Saturday's 2-0 success against
Zaragoza. He could now become Allardyce's fifth signing of the summer after
assistant manager Neil McDonald confirmed discussions are set to take place.
"First impressions were really good," McDonald told the club's official
website. "Jlloyd has got a good pedigree and a good CV, so we've got him in,
trained him for a couple of days and got a good look at him on Saturday.
"He's enjoyed what he's done and we've enjoyed having him, so I'm sure the
manager will sit down with him and see what the situation is later on at the
start of next week."
Allardyce has already been reunited with Kevin Nolan, Matt Taylor, Abdoulaye
Faye and Joey O'Brien after working with the quartet at Bolton, and the
latter completed his move to Upton Park prior to the Zaragoza encounter.
McDonald added: "I think Joey is a decent defender and very good on the ball
as well. "He's big and strong, so he's a great addition and gives us some
fantastic competition for places, which is great."
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Long would 'consider' Hammers
Striker insists he is happy at Reading and is not looking to leave
Last Updated: July 31, 2011 10:19am
SSN
Shane Long admits he would have to consider a move to West Ham United, but
insists he would be happy to stay at Reading. The Republic of Ireland
striker is being courted by several clubs and the Hammers are understood to
have had a £7million offer for Long turned down. Celtic are also interested
in the 24-year-old, but Reading have insisted that no clubs have yet matched
their valuation of the former Cork City forward. West Ham are weighing up
whether to make a renewed bid and Long, who scored over 20 goals last season
as Reading lost to Swansea City in the play-off final, acknowledged he would
not rule out a move to Upton Park. However, the in-demand hit-man says he is
not 'dying' to leave the Madejski Stadium ahead of the Royals' opening game
of the new Championship season against Millwall next weekend. Long told the
Independent on Sunday: "West Ham are a big club, so it would definitely be
something for me to think about. "But I wouldn't be that disappointed if
nothing happened and I stayed at Reading. "I'm happy here and I like playing
under the manager (Brian McDermott). I'm not dying to get out."
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Birmingham City: Fans bombard David Gold with hate messages for selling club
to Carson yeung
Jul 31 2011
SundayMercury.net
BIRMINGHAM City fans have been bombarding West Ham co-owner David Gold with
hate mail, blaming him for selling the club to Carson Yeung. Former Blues
chairman Gold has been subjected to vile abuse on Twitter with the club
suffering cash problems following their relegation from the Premier League,
and reeling from owner Yeung's police probe problems. Yeung has had his
assets frozen and is due back in court next month to face money laundering
charges which could see him put behind bars. Meanwhile, the club has been
left with a huge financial hole to fill after being caught out by Blues'
final day of the season relegation. Now fans have turned on Gold who, with
former Birmingham co-owner David Sullivan, sold the club to Yeung nearly two
years ago for just over £80 million. They have accused him of jumping ship,
with the future of the club in doubt. Last week acting chairman Peter Pannu
admitted Birmingham City faced big problems, and might have to cash in on
the sale of big-name players. When contacted by the Sunday Mercury Gold
refused to comment on the hate campaign, but a friend of the family said:
"Some of the things that have been said on Twitter are venomous. Birmingham
fans are blaming David Gold and David Sullivan for all the problems. "They
think that's very unfair. They can put up with some abuse, but they won't
put up with this sort of thing. "The fans should remember that they actually
turned down Yeung twice. But when he came back with an offer of £80 million,
plus the promise of an investment of £40 million into the team, they
couldn't reject that. "Had they done so, the Birmingham fans would never
have forgiven them. "The two Davids wanted to leave the club in safe hands
and thought they had done so. Now it looks like that was a false dawn, so
they don't see why they should be the ones getting all the hate mail. "When
they were in charge at Birmingham, they had a back-up plan and budget if
they went down. "But when they left the club, Birmingham City was still in
the Premier League. "They didn't jump ship to join West Ham, they took a
sabbatical and it was coincidence that West Ham came along when they did."
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Nolan determined to win promotion at first attempt with West Ham
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 11:31 AM on 31st July 2011
Daily Mail
Kevin Nolan insists anything other than promotion will be a failure for West
Ham this season. The midfielder made a surprise £4million move from
Newcastle this summer and is determined to return to the Premier League at
the first time of asking. West Ham are preparing to take on Cardiff at Upton
Park next week and Nolan told the Sunday Mirror: 'We have to come out all
guns blazing. We have to hit the ground running, there is no hiding place
for us. 'The stakes are high and there is immense pressure on us. 'But the
time for feeling sorry for yourselves following relegation from the Premier
League has long since passed. 'The least we should expect is promotion.
Anything else will merely be an unmitigated disaster for this club. This
club doesn't belong in the Championship and we have to make damn sure we
don't stay here either.'
Nolan experienced the trauma of relegation with Newcastle two seasons ago
and he is the first to admit the Championship is not an easy league to
escape. He said: 'There are striking similarities between West Ham and
Newcastle. The pressure and expectations are exactly the same. 'When
Newcastle went down some people expected us to struggle but we re-grouped
and had a right go. We knew we had to either get out of the Championship
straight away or face being stuck there for years to come. 'It was a
make-or-break situation for us in much the same way it is for West Ham. 'You
don't have a divine right to win promotion no matter how big the club are.
You have to earn the right. No-one is going to do you any favours. Everyone
will want to beat us. 'This will be their biggest game of the campaign.
Opposing teams will come to Upton Park looking for a major scalp. You're a
team to be shot at. 'But if we apply ourselves on the pitch and get the
supporters right behind us I see no reason why we shouldn't be celebrating
come April/May.' Some people are still surprised that Nolan was prepared to
trade top-flight football with Newcastle for the Championship. But he claims
it was a no-brainer, explaining: 'Naturally the opportunity to work with Sam
Allardyce again helped, but the club made such an enormous effort to get me
that I felt I would have let them down if I said no. It's nice to be wanted,
that's for sure. 'And after everything that happened at Newcastle it was
important for me to hear that. 'More importantly when I met David Sullivan
he did such a great job selling the club it didn't take long to make up my
mind.
'To fair he could have sold me some unwanted double glazing windows. He was
that good. 'I won't lie though, he wouldn't let me leave the room until I
agreed to sign after they had their bid accepted for me. Despite being happy
with his decision, Nolan admits he was heartbroken to leave Newcastle. He
said: 'I envisaged spending the rest of my career at the club. 'I was
settled, happy and I adored the supporters. I was captain of a huge club and
played with a smashing group of lads I had untold respect for. 'But
ultimately I was forced out because I lost trust in key people at the club
and when you lose trust in people it's almost impossible to regain it.
'From January and shortly following the sale of Andy Carroll to Liverpool, I
was involved in ongoing discussions about signing a new contract between
four and five years. 'I discussed the deal at length with managing director
Derek Llambias and even shook hands on it.
'In my book when you do that man-to-man you expect them to see it through.
'But what we talked about and what they finally offered me was laughable.
They did a U-turn on what we agreed They showed me no respect. I felt
totally betrayed. 'Then they had the nerve to claim I rejected a new
contract. What contract? A deferred option to increase my deal by 12 months
with a bonus that hinged on the success of the team on the pitch the
following season. 'Perhaps I was just naive. I thought I had a good
relationship with the board. 'But when it all came to a head in the summer I
knew my time was coming to an end. 'I had given the club everything but they
didn't want to give me anything in return, just broken promises. I simply
couldn't work with people like that. There was no way back for me.'
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