WHUFC.com
Having played and scored at Wembley, Freddie Piquionne is up for the cup
challenges this month
03.01.2011
Frederic Piquionne is relishing the prospect of facing Birmingham City in a
rousing Carling Cup semi-final first leg at the Boleyn Ground on Tuesday
week.
Last season, the striker scored both goals as Portsmouth won 2-0 against the
Blues in the FA Cup quarter-finals before hitting the crucial first goal at
Wembley as Pompey beat Tottenham Hotspur by the same score in the
semi-finals. With the club on a high, Piquionne sees no reason why West Ham
cannot emulate his former club - and is expecting a major Carling Cup night
under the lights on Tuesday 11 January. Before that comes the start of this
season's FA Cup adventure for the Hammers at home against Barnsley on
Saturday. He said: "We have good enough players to maybe win the cup. It
would be nice but it will be a tough game. I have played at Wembley and it
is a great stadium. I was there with Portsmouth last year and it would be
nice to go one better and win a trophy with West Ham. "West Ham fans are
very loyal and passionate. I enjoy playing in front of them. I like Upton
Park, the pitch, the fans - everything about it. I like to play in big games
and to score in these matches. I will be trying to do that again. I just
want to do my best."
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Parker takes SBOBET award
WHUFC.com
Another great month for Scott Parker has seen him honoured yet again
03.01.2011
Scott Parker has paid tribute to his team-mates for the club's run of four
matches unbeaten after being named the SBOBET player of the month for
December. The Hammers talisman took 50 per cent of the vote, with James
Tomkins his closest rival on 30 per cent. Parker, though, was keen to stress
the importance of the whole squad stepping up in recent games. "Everyone has
pulled together," he told WHUTV. "We have all dug in even though it has been
difficult at times. We have picked up some results and we are looking
upwards now. "The young lads have come in and give us something different -
a bit of enthusiasm and a spark. Freddie [Sears] has done very well and
Tonks has been different class since he has come in. It is really pleasing."
The optimism was especially fuelled by Saturday's win against Wolverhampton
Wanderers that took the club up to 16th in the table ahead of the match at
Newcastle United on Wednesday. That fixture - against Parker's former club -
is a game that he believed could also prove profitable. "Saturday was a
vital win. We can be really happy over the Christmas and New Year period to
have picked up eight points from four games. It has been brilliant really
and exciting for everyone. We are off the bottom, that always helps and
psychologically it will help us. Confidence will be higher now. "Newcastle
is somewhere we can go and win. We are confident and it is a winnable game.
If we can go and be solid like we have in the last couple of away games then
I think we can pick up some points there."
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Hannover deny Schulz bids
No offers for Germany international
By Thomas Zocher Last updated: 3rd January 2011
SSN
Hannover have denied receiving any bids for in-demand defender Christian
Schulz. Wolfsburg and West Ham have both been strongly linked with the
27-year-old, who is out of contract in the summer. The Germany international
is yet to agree fresh terms with Hannover, who could lose him for nothing in
the summer. But despite the links, Hannover general manager Jorg Schmadtke
says there is nothing to consider as no bids have been made for him.
"Christian Schulz is contracted to Hannover 96. As far as I can see, we have
not been receiving any offer for his services," he told Allgemeine Zeitung.
"Therefore I do not need to think about whether we would be ready to let him
move on, if there would be an offer on the table." Left-footed Schulz, who
began his career at Werder Bremen, can play anywhere in defence and has also
featured in midfield.
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Larsson chase intensifies
Massive interest in Birmingham's Sweden midfielder
Last updated: 3rd January 2011
SSN
Atletico Madrid have joined a number of Premier League clubs in the hunt for
Seb Larsson, skysports.com understands. The Sweden international has shone
for Birmingham this season, but they have so far failed to agree on a new
deal and his current contract is due to expire in the summer. The former
Arsenal man is now free to talk to foreign clubs and could move on a Bosman
free transfer in the summer. Atletico have now joined the battle for his
signature with Valencia already showing an interest. However, skysports.com
also understanding a host of Premier League clubs are set to join the chase.
Liverpool, Everton, Newcastle, West Ham, Blackburn, Bolton and Sunderland
are all thought to be keen on taking him on a free transfer at the end of
the season. And Larsson's former Birmingham boss Steve Bruce is believed to
be leading the pack when it comes to the English clubs.
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Werder to land Avdic
Bremen to swoop for Swede
By Thomas Zocher & Kent Hedlundh Last updated: 3rd January 2011
SSN
Werder Bremen look set to win the race to sign highly-rated Swedish forward
Denni Avdic. Avdic has previously been tracked by the likes of Birmingham,
West Ham, Blackburn and Leicester, but now looks to be on his way to
Germany. Werder have recently allowed Hugo Almeida to move to Turkey with
Besiktas, and Avdic is being viewed as his replacement. "Denni has got
permission to travel to discuss the personal details in the contract and it
might lead to a medical," stated IF Elfsborg sports director Stefan
Andreasson to Sportbladet. Werder general manager Klaus Allofs told Bild:
"An agreement remains very likely. We have been in touch with IF Elfsborg
and the player. "In terms of IF Elfsborg we have discussed all necessary
detailed to conclude a deal, now we are on our way to reach a personal
agreement with Denni Avdic before he can undergo a medical at our club."
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Parker hoping for a top 10 hit
The Sun
Published: Today
SCOTT PARKER insists West Ham are eyeing a top 10 place. The Hammers moved
out of the bottom three for the first time this season after a 2-0 win at
Wolves on New Year's Day. And the East Londoners can climb as high as 12th
if they win at Newcastle tomorrow night. Midfielder Parker, 30, sees no
reason why West Ham cannot continue their mini revival, which has reaped
eight points from their last four games. He said: "Everyone has pulled
together. We've all dug in - even though it's been difficult at times.
"We've picked up some results and are looking upwards now. "The youngsters
have come in and given us something different, a bit of enthusiasm and
spark. "Freddie Sears has done well and James Tomkins has been class. "It's
been a brilliant Christmas and New Year. "Newcastle is somewhere we can win.
If we're solid like we have been we can pick up some points."
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Yanks but no thanks Benni
The Sun
By MARK IRWIN
Published: Today
BENNI McCARTHY is eyeing America after being told he can quit West Ham. The
heavyweight striker is surplus at Upton Park having failed to score a single
goal for the club. Now the Hammers are ready to let him go to the MLS on a
free just to get him off the wage bill. McCarthy, 33, cost £2.5million from
Blackburn last January and has been a disaster with his weight problems. His
business manager Rob Moore revealed: "Benni is looking at several
possibilities. He wouldn't rule out a move to the MLS."
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Grant raises the Ba to £5m
The Sun
By PAT SHEEHAN
Published: Today
AVRAM GRANT has bid £5million for Hoffenheim striker Demba Ba. The West Ham
boss wants Ba to help his side maintain their recent Premier League climb.
Ba, 25, started as a pro at Watford, switched to France and then joined
Hoffenheim three years ago. He has won nine caps for Senegal. Benni McCarthy
is eyeing up America after being told he can leave Upton Park. The
heavyweight striker, 33, who cost £2.5m from Blackburn last January, has
failed to score for the club and the Hammers want him off the wage bill.
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Hammers leading the chase for wantaway Tuncay
Published 23:00 03/01/11 By Football Spy
The Mirror
Tuncay is ready to quit Stoke this month - with West Ham, Blackburn and
Wigan all ready to enter a January auction. Turkey international Tuncay will
be offloaded by Potters boss Tony Pulis for £4million after failing to hold
down a regular place. Premier League strugglers West Ham are leading the
chase to sign the former Middlesbrough striker as they bid to increase their
firepower. Wigan have been long-term admirers and were keen on completing a
deal in the summer but will reignite their interest. And Blackburn are also
keen on offering the 28-year-old a fresh start after a frustrating 18 months
at the Britannia Stadium. Tuncay has only made five starts this season and
wants assurances of more regular first-team football.
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West Ham close to completing loan deal for Hoffenheim striker
TalkSPort
By Marc Isaacs
Monday, January 3
West Ham are set to complete the loan signing of Senegal international Demba
Ba until the end of the season. Ba, 23, travelled to England last week and
is ready to solve West Ham's goalscoring problems as they look to move clear
of the bottom three. The talented forward has been impressive for Hoffenheim
in the Bundesliga and has scored six goals in 15 starts this season. West
Ham boss Avram Grant is desperate to strengthen his squad and knows he needs
to add more competition to his front line as Carlton Cole, Victor Obinna and
Frederic Piquionne have struggled in front of goal. West Ham are likely to
have first option on signing Ba on a permanent basis if he impresses during
his short spell at Upton Park.
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Lazio launch late bid to land West Ham midfielder
By talkSPORT
Monday, January 3
Lazio are planning a shock late move to re-sign West Ham midfielder Valon
Behrami and beat off interest from arch rivals Roma. Behrami was strongly
expected to make a £4.5m move to Roma when the January transfer window
re-opened after failing to settle at Upton Park. The Swiss international has
struggled to find his best form under Avram Grant and is hoping to get his
career back on track with a move back to Italy. Roma were hoping the deal
would be finalised at the start of January, but in a dramatic turn of
events, Lazio have now come in with a late offer for Behrami. Behrami
enjoyed a three-year spell at Lazio before making a £5m move to West Ham
back in July 2008. Reports in Italy are now indicating that Lazio are the
favourites to clinch his signature and are hoping to finalise the move in
the next few days.
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No Hammers bid for Schulz
Monday 3rd January 2011 20:14
teamTalk
Hannover have denied receiving a bid from West Ham or any other club for
in-demand defender Christian Schulz. The Hammers and Wolfsburg have both
been strongly linked with the 27-year-old, who is out of contract in the
summer. The Germany international is yet to agree fresh terms with
Hannover, who could lose him for nothing in the summer. But despite the
links, Hannover general manager Jorg Schmadtke says there is nothing to
consider as no bids have been made for him. "Christian Schulz is contracted
to Hannover 96. As far as I can see, we have not been receiving any offer
for his services," he told Allgemeine Zeitung. "Therefore I do not need to
think about whether we would be ready to let him move on, if there would be
an offer on the table." Left-footed Schulz, who began his career at Werder
Bremen, can play anywhere in defence and has also featured in midfield.
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Everton join West Ham in race for Monaco striker Dieumerci Mbokani
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 6:07 AM on 4th January 2011
Daily Mail
Everton are interested in a loan deal for Monaco striker Dieumerci Mbokani.
Manager David Moyes is desperate to add more firepower to his side after
they missed a glut of chances against Stoke City at the weekend but is
restricted by his budget. Monaco signed Mbokani in the summer for £7m from
Standard Liege but are willing to loan him out. The 25-year-old striker has
also attracted strong interest from West Ham.
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West Ham manager Avram Grant hopes £6m Demba Ba deal will boost their
Premier League relegation fight
West Ham United could improve their attacking options in the fight for
Premier League safety after making an offer of £6 million for Senegal
international Demba Ba.
By John Ley 11:22PM GMT 03 Jan 2011
Telegraph.co.uk
Ba, 25, has scored six goals in the Bundesliga for Hoffenheim this season
but his club are prepared to allow the striker to move to England. West Ham
United will try to take him on loan until the end of the season if a
permanent deal cannot be agreed. Aston Villa midfielder Steve Sidwell has
undergone a medical at West Ham but it is understood two other Premier
League clubs are also interested in him. West Ham travel to Newcastle
tomorrow and captain Scott Parker believes his team-mates have the impetus
to extend their four-game unbeaten run. "Everyone has pulled together," said
Parker. "We have all dug in even though it has been difficult at times. We
have picked up some results and we are looking upwards now."
West Ham moved off the foot of the Premier League with a 2-0 win over Wolves
and Parker added: "Saturday was a vital win. We can be really happy over the
Christmas and New Year period to have picked up eight points from four
games." Birmingham City manager Alex McLeish has said that the Football
Association's video review system is more likely to punish smaller clubs
than big clubs. Birmingham are expecting their midfielder Lee Bowyer to be
charged following an unpunished stamp on Arsenal's Bacary Sagna on Saturday.
McLeish said: "It seems that the smaller clubs are always scrutinised. They
need to look at the bigger clubs as well." An FA spokesman said that the
panel was consistent. Sunderland manager Steve Bruce is relishing the chance
to build on the club's sixth place in the Premier League in the second half
of the season. Saturday's 3-0 home victory over Blackburn left Sunderland in
sixth place on 30 points after 21 games, and well on course to secure a
first finish in the top half since the Peter Reid era a decade ago. Bruce
found himself in a similar position two years ago during his final season at
Wigan when a win over Tottenham on Jan 11 left his side seventh with 31
points.
However, the January sales of Wilson Palacios and Emile Heskey meant they
were unable to maintain their charge. They eventually finished in a still
creditable 11th place having collected just another 14 points. There will be
no repeat this time with Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn having insisted at
the weekend that only a "crazy" offer would prompt the club even to
contemplate selling any of their players. "I knew I was losing Palacios and
I knew I was losing Heskey and I knew I was losing Valencia, so that was
very, very difficult," said Bruce. "We don't want to lose anybody because we
don't have to, and we want to keep trying to build. That's what the aim has
got to be."
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