WHUFC.com
Matt Taylor has told the club's official TV channel of his delight at
scoring on his Boleyn Ground debut
01.08.2011
Matt Taylor was all smiles after scoring on his Boleyn Ground bow. West Ham
United's new No14 gave the club's fans a taste of what they can expect from
him during an action-packed 70-minute run out in Saturday's 2-0 pre-season
victory over Real Zaragoza. Taylor capped a superb showing against the
Spaniards by scoring an opportunist goal from close-range and curling a
trademark free-kick against the upright. Speaking exclusively to West Ham
TV, the 29-year-old said he was encouraged by the Hammers' performance ahead
of Sunday's npower Championship kick-off against Cardiff City. "I thoroughly
enjoyed it," said Taylor, who will feature as the main interviewee in the
matchday programme for the visit of the Bluebirds. "I think it was a good
test for the team as well. "They kept the ball very well and I thought,
considering the conditions and it being warm, we moved it well and kept it
well and obviously it was nice to get a clean sheet and win our final game
before the season starts."
Taylor is clearly looking forward to working with manager Sam Allardyce, who
signed him previously when in charge at Bolton Wanderers. The left-sided
midfielder spoke glowingly about his new boss and the impact he will have on
the club. "You will see that the manager has brought a positive attitude in
with him with his personality and the way he is around the place - he has an
aura about him," he added.
Taylor's interview is just one of a host of exclusive interviews and
features to appear on West Ham TV in recent weeks. Over the past weekend,
the club's official online TV channel brought you the first exclusive
interview with new signing Joey O'Brien and post-match highlights and
reaction from assistant manager Neil McDonald following Saturday's victory.
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Development squad off to Sutton
WHUFC.com
Ian Hendon's development squad will travel to Blue Square South side Sutton
United on Tuesday evening
01.08.2011
Marek Stech and Robert Hall are in West Ham United's development squad for a
pre-season match at Sutton United on Tuesday. Ian Hendon will take his young
side to Gander Green Lane to take on the Blue Square South side seeking to
build on a fine 3-1 win at Blue Square Premier outfit Ebbsfleet United on
Friday. England Under-18 striker Hall was on target twice in that victory,
while midfielder Olly Lee bagged his third goal in four pre-season
appearances. Tuesday's match will not only give Hendon another chance to
cast his eye over his young squad, but it will also give the Hammers an
opportunity to collect some silverware. The match is being played for the
President's Cup in memory of former Sutton president Andrew Letts, who was
involved with the club for more than 70 years until he passed away in the
summer of 2008. Alongside Stech, Hall and Lee, the development coach could
also call upon the services of young professionals Callum Driver, Sergio
Sanchez, Callum McNaughton, George Moncur, Sebastian Lletget and Paul
McCallum. Scholar Blair Turgott could also be on duty after helping England
to reach the quarter-finals of the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Mexico earlier
this summer.
Tickets for Tuesday's game are priced at £10 Adults, £6 Concessions and £2
Under-16s. Parking at the stadium is free and available on a first-come,
first-served basis.
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Final countdown to Cardiff
WHUFC.com
The big kick-off is next Sunday and the manager is ready for the final push
of the summer
01.08.2011
Sam Allardyce will lead his team into the final week of pre-season on a high
ahead of Cardiff City's arrival for the big kick-off on Sunday. The manager
was pleased to see the team record a 2-0 win on Saturday against Real
Zaragoza, with Matt Taylor and Freddie Sears on target. There was yet
another clean sheet at the back and encouraging signs throughout the side,
with new skipper Kevin Nolan, Mark Noble and Scott Parker especially looking
an effective trio in the centre. Allardyce knows the only thing that matters
is what happens from next Sunday onwards and is looking forward to a bumper
Boleyn Ground crowd urging the team on from the stands.
"Our efforts have all been to get us to this point," he said. "I know we
will not be the finished article yet but the aim is to make sure we are
ready to go next weekend. We will then look to improve with every passing
week. "While we are on a good unbeaten run and I am happy with four
successive clean sheets, pre-season is not about results. The only way to
judge if it has been a good summer will be after we have completed our first
ten league games."
The manager described the "special feeling" ahead of the start of a new
season and he has plenty of reason for optimism. His squad will be boosted
by Abdoulaye Faye returning to full training this week after hamstring
trouble, while Jack Collison should also be involved after a minor knock
last week. Julien Faubert was substituted on Saturday as a precaution after
feeling tightness in his hamstring. Junior Stanislas is also back after a
groin problem but Jordan Brown is out for a month with an ankle injury.
The development squad will have two friendlies this week away to Sutton
United and Grays Athletic on Tuesday and Thursday respectively, and the
manager could look again at his trialists Mikael Forssell and Jlloyd Samuel,
who impressed at the weekend. He will also continue to run the rule over new
transfer targets, with joint-Chairman David Gold pledging that at least a
striker will arrive to join Nolan, Taylor, Faye and Joey O'Brien. He said:
"I can say for certain that we will at least bring in another striker. We
will not leave a stone unturned to get the players Sam wants, as was the
case with those we have brought in already."
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Pre-season pitch minutes: final table
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 1st August 2011
By: Staff Writer
James Tomkins has finished top of the pre-season 'match minutes' table. The
table - which represents the total number of minutes each player has spent
on the field during pre-season - has been topped by a trio of young
defenders hoping to play a major role in West Ham United's 2011/12
Championship campaign. James Tomkins, Jordan Spence and Winston Reid took
the top three spots - whilst fellow youngsters Jordan Brown and Cristian
Montano, perhaps the highlight of pre-season, took spots in the top ten. Of
the 38 players used in the first team's pre-season programme, only two -
right back Spence and left midfielder Montano - have featured in all seven
fixtures.
Sam Allardyce gave opportunities to four triallists during pre-season - Joey
O'Brien, Jose Hernani, Alex Lopez and Jlloyd Samuel - with O'Brien the only
one to sign a permanent deal at this stage (talks with Samuel are expected
to continue later this week).
Pre-season pitch minutes: final table
Last position and number of appearances in brackets. Matches played: Young
Boys 2 West Ham Utd 1; FC Basel 2 West Ham Utd 1; Bishops Stortford 0 West
Ham Utd 3; Copenhagen 0 West Ham Utd 1; Wycombe 0 West Ham Utd 0; Dagenham &
Redbridge 0 West Ham Utd 1; West Ham Utd 2 Real Zaragoza 0.
1. (2) James Tomkins (5) 383
2. (1) Jordan Spence (7) 379
3. (4) Winston Reid (5) 357
4. (12) Robert Green (4) 315
5. (7) Joey O'Brien (6) 307
6. (10) Freddie Piquionne (5) 306
7. (8) Julien Faubert (5) 289
8. (13) Kevin Nolan (4) 285
9. (3) Jordan Brown (6) 274
10. (5) Cristian Montano (7) 272
11. (17) Mark Noble (4) 269
12. (6) Luis Boa Morte (4) 256
13. (9) Herita Ilunga (4) 248
14. (11) Freddie Sears (5) 246
15. (15) Scott Parker (4) 244
16. (14) Frank Nouble (6) 205
17. (16) Olly Lee (4) 180
18. (17) Jack Collison (3) 180
18. (17) George Moncur (3) 180
20. (20) Marek Stech (2) 180
21. (21) Robert Hall (4) 163
22. (23) Carlton Cole (4) 155
23. (27) Pablo Barrera (2) 141
24. (22) Ruud Boffin (2) 135
25. (31) Matt Taylor (2) 133
26. (24) Junior Stanislas (3) 119
27. (25) Callum McNaughton (2) 110
28. (26) Seb Lletget (2) 106
29. (27) Jose Hernani - triallist (1) 90
30. (-) Jlloyd Samuel - triallist (1) 79
31. (29) Abdoulaye Faye (2) 77
32. (30) Sergio Sanchez (2) 73
33. (32) Ahmed Abdulla (2) 56
34. (33) Callum Driver (2) 48
35. (34) Zavon Hines (1) 45
36. (35) Matthew Fry (1) 28
36. (35) Paul McCallum (1) 28
38. (37) Alex Lopez - triallist (1) 19
Unused: Peter Kurucz, Gary O'Neil (injured).
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Jordan set for lengthy lay off
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 1st August 2011
By: Staff Writer
Jordan Brown is out for around a month after sustaining an ankle injury
against Dagenham & Redbridge. The 19-year-old full-back had been hoping that
2011/12 would be his breakthrough season, having been included in Sam
Allardyce's first team squad pre-season programme. With Wayne Bridge
returning to Manchester City at the end of his loan spell back in May, the
left back slot was up for grabs with Herita Ilunga - himself with much to
prove - Brown's only challenger. However the Benfleet-born former Academy
trainee has had to put his plans on ice after being told that he will be out
of action until the end of August. Brown, who sustained the injury after an
hour of West Ham's 1-0 win at Victoria Road last Tuesday night was left on
crutches as a result and will now miss the beginning of West Ham's 2011/12
campaign. Sam Allardyce - who is currently looking to strengthen the
left-back slot - has since signed Matt Taylor who can also operate on the
left side of defence.
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Forssell hoping to fill striker void
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 1st August 2011
By: Staff Writer
Mikael Forssell is hoping to sign a permanent contract with West Ham later
this week. The 30-year-old Finnish international striker, who made his name
at Chelsea, arrived at Chadwell Heath a week ago for an extended trial
period. Having trained with West Ham's first team squad all week, Forsell
was unlucky not to be considered for the team that beat Real Zaragoza 2-0 at
the Boleyn Ground on Saturday. However he is still hoping to secure a
permanent contract at United before the Championship kick-off this weekend.
Born in Germany, Forssell - who is unlikely to feature at Sutton tomorrow
night, despite reports elsewhere to the contrary - began his career with
Helsingin Jalkapalloklubi (aka HJK) of Finland before moving to England in
order to join Chelsea in 1998. After seven years and just 33 appearances
for the Blues - a spell that included loan spells at Crystal Palace,
Borussia Monchengladbach and Birmingham - the 6' striker completed a
permanent £3million switch to Birmingham in 2005. When City were relegated
from the Premier League in 2008, Forssell joined German side Hannover 96 on
a free transfer, where he remained until his release from Die Roten at the
end of last season. Sam Allardyce admitted earlier today that his only
concern regarding his current squad is in attack. "There may be an element
of have we got enough goals in the squad," he told Talksport. "Everywhere
else seems fine as far as I'm concerned."
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Parker to go - but not on the cheap
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 1st August 2011
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce has confirmed that Scott Parker will leave West Ham - but only
if the club receive an offer to match their valuation of the English
international. Allardyce, speaking this lunchtime with Talksport confirmed
that Parker will be sold before the end of the transfer window deadline on
condition that the club receive the £7million fee they are holding out for.
"We haven't had a bid at all for Scott at the moment," he said. "That can
all change when we get into August because people start picking up injuries,
players get transferred more and more from different clubs and the mayhem
will continue until 31st August. "If the right club comes with the right
money we are going to release Scott because he wants to play in the Premier
League and we do need the finances that [his sale] will bring. "At the
moment the money we have spent has been provided by the owners which I'm
very grateful for. It's not coming from within the club but their own
private money so they are backing me in that sense 100 per cent."
Allardyce also revelaed that Parker's two fellow English internationals -
Carlton Cole and Robert Green - look set to start the season at the Boleyn,
at the very least least. "We've certainly only received a bid for Carlton
Cole which was good enough for us to accept," he added. "In terms of Robert
Green we had what I considered an insult of a bid from West Brom and that
was completely rejected straight away."
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Boa Morte departs
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 1st August 2011
By: Staff Writer
Luis Boa Morte has parted company with West Ham United. Hammers boss Sam
Allardyce revealed this lunchtime that the former Arsenal and Fulham
midfielder, who joined West Ham in January 2007 and is in the final year of
his current two-year contract has left the club. Speaking with Talksport
about his squad for the coming season, Allardyce said: "People don't seem to
think that we've lost too many players. But we've lost 15 players with Luis
Boa Morte having moved to Portugal now."
Boa Morte, who is 34 later this week is understood to have returned to his
home country to spend time with his family prior to completing a move
abroad. He confirmed his decision to leave recently having been told by Sam
Allardyce that he is surplus to requirements.
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West Ham plan for Parker exit
Still not bids for England international, but sale is expected
Last Updated: August 1, 2011 4:29pm
SSN
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce insists that there have still not been any
bids for Scott Parker, but he is planning for life without the England
international. The midfielder is set to be in the Hammers' starting line-up
for Sunday's season opener against Cardiff, however, Allardycebelieves that
will change once the season gets under way. He also admits striker Carlton
Cole, who recently turned down a move to Stoke, and goalkeeper Robert Green
could be on their way out of Upton Park before the end of August. "I'm
planning for life with and without Scott Parker," said Allardyce. "If the
right club comes with the right money then we are going to release Scott
because he wants to play in the Premier League. We do need the finances that
will bring. "We've only received a bid for Carlton Cole that was good enough
for us to accept. We had an insult of a bid from West Brom for Robert Green
and that was rejected straight away, but we haven't had any bid at all for
Scott Parker at the moment. "But that can all change when we get into August
because people pick up injuries, they start to wonder whether they've got
what they really need, the mayhem will continue until the end of August."
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Nolan hopes to keep Parker
West Ham skipper looking for boost
Last Updated: August 1, 2011 3:03pm
SSN
New West Ham skipper Kevin Nolan is desperate for midfielder Scott Parker to
remain at Upton Park. Parker was expected to leave the Hammers this summer
after attracting the interest of several Premier League clubs with his
magnificent performances last season. However, manager Sam Allardyce
revealed last week there had still been no offers for the England
international. Parker is now poised to begin the new Championship campaign
with West Ham after featuring in their pre-season friendly victory over Real
Zaragoza on Saturday.
Fantastic
Nolan, who arrived from Newcastle last month, admits it would be a great
boost for West Ham to hold on to Parker until the transfer window closes at
the end of August. He told the local Guardian: "We've got some top players
and if we manage to keep hold of Scotty it's going to be fantastic for us.
"Obviously we hope the five weeks can fly by and from a selfish point of
view we can have him here for the season. "I know that he's happy here and
he loves the club. So hopefully we'll be able to keep him just on the basis
of that."
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Hammers target striker signing
Gold says no stone is being left unturned in player search
Last Updated: August 1, 2011 12:37pm
SSN
West Ham United chairman David Gold has confirmed the club will sign a new
striker before the close of the transfer window. New manager Sam Allardyce
has been busy bolstering his squad since taking charge at Upton Park, but he
has yet to make an attacking addition. Allardyce has brought in Kevin Nolan,
Abdoulaye Faye, Matt Taylor and Joey O'Brien, and is considering handing a
contract to full-back Jlloyd Samuel. A striker is also on the agenda, with
the Hammers having seen a bid for Shane Long rejected, while Jermaine
Beckford and John Carew have also been linked with moves to the club.
However, a more likely option has emerged as former Chelsea forward Mikael
Forssell is on trial with the club and could get a run-out against Sutton
United. And, with Carlton Cole's future at the club still uncertain, Gold
revealed West Ham are pressing ahead with plans to bring in a new face up
front. "I can say for certain we will at least bring in another striker,"
Gold told the club's official website. "We will not leave a stone unturned
to get the players Sam wants, as was the case with those we have already
brought in."
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My Joe Cole Dilemma
August 1st, 2011 - 12:42 pm by Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die
I'm in something of a dilemma. The rumours about an Upton Park return for
Joe Cole have resurfaced. My heart says yes, wonderful news, get him back
home as soon as possible. But my head says hang on a cotton pickin' minute.
Would this really be a good move for him or indeed us?
On his day, Joe Cole is sublime, still one of the best players in the
country. I remember his Upton Park debut as if it were yesterday. He was a
kid who we'd waited to see for a very long time. But within four years he
was off. Ands for only £6 million. We were all gutted to see a player who
had so much potential ripped from our clutches. You couldn't blame him, of
course. But he didn't really rip up the flowerbeds at Chelsea. Too often he
was dropped while in the middle of a good run of form. No one could really
identify his best position. England had the same issues.
In the end he left for Liverpool, expecting to restart his career. Instead
he has found the going tough. He is clearly unhappy and not the player he
was.
I have no idea whether he would consider dropping down a division and coming
back to his spiritual home. But if he did, Sam Allardyce would need to be
clear from the start where he would fit in to his formation. But here's the
good news. Sam seems to want to play a 4-5-1 formation, which would leave
Joe Cole able to enjoy the kind of free role he used to enjoy at West Ham
but never could at Chelsea or Liverpool.
So on balance I'd love to have Joe Cole back, but the question remains,
would he come?
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Kevin Nolan: West Ham clash is cup final for Cardiff City
by Steve Tucker, Western Mail
Aug 2 2011
WEST HAM midfielder Kevin Nolan has told Cardiff City to forget about taking
a "major scalp" on Sunday. Malky Mackay's Bluebirds begin their Championship
campaign with what looks like a tough trip to Upton Park. Indeed, the size
of the Bluebirds' task in east London is perhaps summed up by the capture of
Nolan by new Hammers boss Sam Allardyce on a £4m deal from Premiership
outfit Newcastle. Allardyce has also tempted winger Matt Taylor to make the
drop down to the Championship from his former club Bolton. And the
newly-relegated Hammers still boast England international midfielder Scott
Parker and goalkeeper Rob Green in their ranks. Nolan believes a club the
size of West Ham has no business being in the second-tier and admits
anything but an instant return to the top flight for his new club would be a
disaster. "We have to come out all guns blazing," said Nolan. "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 sure we don't stay here either."
Nolan is expecting a stern test from Cardiff and, in a pattern he expects to
be repeated throughout the season, he believes the Bluebirds will be
treating the game as something of a 'cup final'. "Everyone will want to beat
us, this will be their biggest game of the campaign," added Nolan. "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."
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. But just like the Magpies, Nolan insists West Ham are capable of
bouncing straight back to the top tier. "There are striking similarities
between West Ham and Newcastle, the pressure and expectations are exactly
the same," said Nolan, who has been installed as the Hammers' skipper. "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."
One man who agrees with that analysis is Nolan's manager Allardyce, who was
instrumental in tempting the 29-year-old Liverpudlian south following their
successful time together at Bolton. Allardyce, who replaced the sacked Avram
Grant this summer, admits he is unsure how his side will fare in the
Championship, but believes he has enough quality at his disposal to do the
job. "The real action starts on Sunday," he said. "We'll find out what it's
all about when Cardiff come to us. "I am happy with the squad. It's never
been about quality in the squad, it's more a lack of direction and
man-management. "My job is bringing everybody together, that's all part of
the job of getting success on the pitch. "We are going to play as
entertaining football as possible with the emphasis on winning. "There is
huge pressure on me to deliver first time, but then I put pressure on
myself, it's part of the job. "One element I am looking at is whether we
have enough goals in the squad. Will we finish off teams when we have the
chance? "And if we can't finish them off, will we get away with it more in
the Championship than we did in the Premiership? I'll be honest, I'm not too
sure yet."
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Jlloyd now a West Ham player
Published: Tue, 2011-08-02 20:42
Guardian.co.tt
Sam Allardyce has upped the ex-Bolton contingent at West Ham United by
signing Soca Warriors left back Jlloyd Samuel. The 30-year-old San
Fernando-born Samuel spent last week training at the club's Chadwell Heath
complex and impressed Allardyce sufficiently to be offered a deal by the
Hammers.
Left-back Samuel was a free agent after his four-year deal at the Reebok
expired. He was loaned to Cardiff in March, but only played six games for
the Bluebirds. Leeds boss Simon Grayson had showed an interest in Samuel,
but Allardyce stepped in and the player will be reunited with his former
manager, and another of his old team-mates, Kevin Nolan.
Big Sam jetted to France last night to look at the Gabon international Eric
Mouloungui. The 27-year-old was due to be in action for Nice against Udinese
in a friendly game. The Hammers chief is still looking to strengthen his
attack and he is keeping an eye on El Hadji Diouf's future at Blackburn.
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LONG SHOT ON SHANE FOR SAM ALLARDYCE
Daily Star
2nd August 2011 By Rodney White
WEST HAM target Shane Long has opened the door on a move to Upton Park.
Hammers boss Sam Allardyce has had a £5m bid for Long rejected by Reading.
But he is expected to come back with an increased offer this week as he
searches for the goalscorer he feels is needed to spearhead West Ham's bid
to secure an instant return to the Premier League. The Republic of Ireland
international revealed: "West Ham are a big club so it would definitely be
something for me to think about." Long is also wanted by West Brom and
Leicester, but the striker insists he is not desperate to leave Reading.
The 24-year-old added: "I would not be disappointed if nothing happened and
I stayed at Reading. "I am happy here and like playing under Brian
McDermott. I am not dying to get out."
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Official: Former West Ham United forward Alessandro Diamanti joins Bologna
from Brescia
Aug 1, 2011 6:18:00 PM
Goal.com
Serie A club Bologna have signed former West Ham United striker Alessandro
Diamanti from relegated Brescia, the club announced via an official
statement on Monday. The 28-year-old was linked with a variety of clubs this
summer after his former side were relegated from the Italian top-flight.
Shakhtar Donetsk, Wolfsburg, Sampdoria and Fiorentina were all associated
with the Italian, but Bologna have landed him for next term. Details of the
transfer remain undisclosed, but a statement on Bologna's official website
reads: "Bologna FC 1909 communicates to have reached an agreement with
Brescia Calcio for the transfer of Alessandro Diamanti on a co-ownership
deal." Diamanti becomes the latest player to join Bologna following the
arrivals of goalkeepers Dejan Stojanovic from Lustenau and Federico Agliardi
from Padova two weeks ago.
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Hammers boss takes the GMF hot seat
West Ham - Sam Allardyce is 'feeling comfortable' ahead of the big kick off
By Mark Shail August 01, 2011
GiveMeFootball
West Ham's bid to return to the top flight at the first time of asking
begins in earnest this weekend when the Hammers host Cardiff City at Upton
Park. Manager Sam Allardyce has made a couple of key signings over the
summer after adding experienced pair Kevin Nolan and Matty Taylor to his
squad, although the future of the likes of Scott Parker, Carlton Cole and
Robert Green still remain unclear.
Givemefootball's Mark Shail logged the thoughts of 'Big Sam' as he prepared
for the big kick-off in the Npower Championship.
Q: HOW HAVE THE PRE-SEASON PREPARATIONS GONE?
A: I feel quite comfortable now and the lads have had a good pre-season.
There has been a lot of turmoil at the club prior to that but I think the
players have put all that to bed and we are all looking forward to the new
season.
The pre-season has gone pretty well, the new players have performed well and
the players that have remained with us are also performing well. But
pre-season is all well and good but we will find out more when we play
Cardiff.
Q: HAVE YOU BEEN PLEASANTLY SURPRISED WITH THE QUALITY OF THE SQUAD?
A: I have never doubted the quality, to be fair. You look at the players and
I just think they lacked a bit of direction and man-management. So bringing
everybody together is part of the job as well as getting things right behind
the scenes.
Kevin Nolan and Matty Taylor are Premier League players but it is a good
sign that they are prepared to make the step down because they want to play
for me and the club.
Q: HOW HAVE THE WEST HAM FANS TAKEN TO YOU?
A: Alright, I think. Everywhere I have been it has been great but the season
hasn't started yet. You always get that stuff in the media about the way my
teams play but if anyone had watched us against Real Zaragoza they will have
been entertained (in the 2-0 friendly win) - but the emphasis has to be on
producing winning football.
Q: IS THERE PRESSURE ON YOU TO TAKE THE CLUB BACK UP AT THE FIRST ATTEMPT?
A: Yes, and I put that pressure on myself. Obviously, you need that bit of
luck regarding injuries but I think the squad is pretty much covered – with
the possible exception of asking the question is there enough goals in the
side?
But I am comfortable with the squad at this stage and we are all looking
forward to the new campaign.
Q: ARE THERE LIKELY TO BE ANY MORE DEPARTURES BEFORE THE NEW SEASON?
A: I am not sure. We received a bid for Carlton Cole (from Stoke) which we
accepted (but personal terms could not be agreed) and West Brom made a bid
for Robert Green which we considered to be almost an insult and that was
rejected.
There has been no bid for Scott (Parker) as we stand but that could all
change now we are getting into August.
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Allardyce: West Ham never considered Joe Cole move
By Alex Shaw
Monday, August 1
TalkSport
Sam Allardyce admits he did not consider rescuing Joe Cole from his
Liverpool nightmare because of the former West Ham star's wage demands. Cole
began his career at West Ham before making the move to Chelsea at the start
of the Roman Abramovich era. But his career has stalled since, with knee
injuries and a loss of form meaning the 29-year-old has struggled following
his switch to Liverpool. It was seen as something of a coup for Roy Hodgson
when he signed Cole on a free last summer but the midfielder was sent off on
his debut, missed a penalty in his second game and failed to establish
himself in the side since. Cole has been linked with a move away from
Merseyside following a disastrous year at Anfield but Allardyce, who begins
life back in the Championship with West Ham this Sunday when they host
Cardiff, can't help him. Asked whether he considered Cole, Allardyce said:
"Not particularly, purely and simply from a financial point of view. "I just
think it's impossible on the reputed £5m-a-year for us to even contemplate."
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Exclusive - Allardyce: I'm planning for life with and without Parker
By Nick Rostron-Pike
Monday, August 1
TalkSPort
Sam Allardyce has admitted he is planning for life in the Championship with
and without Scott Parker. The England midfielder has been a target for both
Tottenham and Chelsea this summer, although the Hammers boss admitted they
are yet to receive a bid from either. Reports have emerged on Monday morning
that Parker will reject a move to Spurs in favour of staying with the Irons.
But speaking to Keys and Gray, Allardyce said: "I'm planning for life with
and without Scott Parker. "If the right club comes with the right money then
we are going to release Scott because he wants to play in the Premier
League. We do need the finances that [his sale] will bring."
Allardyce went on to admit that fellow England stars Robert Green and
Carlton Cole could also be on their way out of Upton Park. "We've only
received a bid for Carlton Cole that was good enough for us to accept," he
added. "We had an insult of a bid from West Brom for Robert Green and that
was rejected straight away but we haven't had any bid at all for Scott
Parker at the moment. "But that can all change when we get into August
because people pick up injuries, they start to wonder whether they've got
what they've really need, the mayhem will continue until the end of August."
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Nolan: Scott Parker loves West Ham and we need to keep him
Nathaniel John, West Ham correspondent
Monday, August 1, 2011
1:13 PM
West Ham's new captain Kevin Nolan has revealed how he desperately wants the
next five weeks to go quickly – so the club can keep hold of Scott Parker.
Nolan, who was confirmed as the Hammers' captain before Saturday's 2-0 win
against Real Zaragoza, told London24 that Parker was in fact happy at the
club. "I know that he is happy here and I know that he loves the club," he
said. "Hopefully we will be able to keep him here on the basis of that. "We
definitely want to keep hold of Scotty – it would be fantastic for us.
"Hopefully, from a selfish point of view, the next give weeks will fly by
and we can get the wins under our belts and then we can have him here for
the season. "If we can get that promotion, then I think Scotty will be
wanting to stay."
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Scott Parker 'will snub Spurs for West Ham stay' as club close in on striker
Metro.co.uk
West Ham have been given a huge boost after reports midfielder Scott Parker
has told the club he will stay at Upton Park next season, with chairman
David Gold also delighting Hammers fans by promising to invest in a new
forward. Parker has been impressive for the Hammers during their pre-season
and was a standout performer in the club's 2-0 win over Spanish outfit Real
Zaragoza at the weekend. His commitment to the cause under new manager Sam
Allardyce has boosted hopes the 30-year-old will stay and the club's
transfer market activity in bidding for an immediate return to the Premier
League is also understood to be motivating him to remain in the claret and
blue. With things seemingly on the up under Allardyce, joint-chairman Gold
also vowed that the Hammers manager would be given the funds to bring in
another front-man to lead the line in the Championship. 'I can say for
certain that we will at least bring in another striker,' he said. 'We will
not leave a stone unturned to get the players Sam wants, as was the case
with those we have brought in already.' The promise by Gold suggests that
Carlton Cole is ready to move on after five seasons at West Ham and one
possible name being mooted is Birmingham striker Cameron Jerome. Jerome
didn't feature in Blues' recent friendly with Everton and his departure
wouldn't come as a surprise to new manager Chris Hughton, who has seen a
host of names walk out on the Midlands club following last season's
relegation.
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Di Canio: West Ham should sign Reading FC striker Long
By Jonny Fordham
August 01, 2011
West Ham United favourite Paolo Di Canio has told his old club to sign Shane
Long after witnessing the Reading striker score against his new side Swindon
Town 2-1.
Long, who has been the subject of a failed bid from the Hammers, scored 25
goals last season as has carried on his good form in pre-season. The
24-year-old is also being tracked by a number of Premier League clubs, but
Swindon boss Di Canio hopes he goes to his beloved Hammers. The italian told
the Reading Post: "He can play at the top level and I followed him last
year. "He is a clever player and has great skill and ability who could play
in a Premier League side. "West Ham are no longer in the Premier League, but
I hope they can sign him because he is an intelligent striker. He would be a
good signing for West Ham." Follow Royals reporter Jonny Fordham on Twitter
here for all the news as it breaks Although Reading boss Brian McDermott
insisted Long wouldn't be sold to a Championship club, the player himself
has hinted he consider a move. With just one year left on his current deal,
Long reportedly 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 Readinng. "I'm happy here and I like
playing under the manager. I'm not dying to get out."
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