WHUFC.com
With media speculation rife, whufc.com will be the place for the official
confirmation of the new manager
30.05.2011
West Ham United continue to make good progress in the search for a new
manager. The club will confirm the appointment first and fastest via
whufc.com and the club's increasingly popular social media platforms
including Facebook and Twitter. As ever, whufc.com and West Ham TV will be
the place to be for all the official Hammers news and interviews this
summer, with a number of new signings expected to arrive at the Boleyn
Ground. You can also stay in touch wherever you are in the world with the
club's updated mobile service or popular iPhone app.
This will be the place to be as well for news of the new 2011/12 season
fixtures, when they are published at 9am on Friday 17 June. Confirmation of
the big derby dates and crunch matches will naturally prompt a surge in
season ticket interest but you can get in first by clicking here today.
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'Young players will get a chance'
WHUFC.com
Academy Director Tony Carr says competition to sign promising youngsters is
getting more intense
30.05.2011
Academy Director Tony Carr has told supporters of the huge competition West
Ham United face to sign the brightest young footballers. Speaking to fans at
the inaugural Supporter Advisory Forum, Carr explained how the club's
Academy scouts watch thousands of schoolchildren in the hope of unearthing
the next Mark Noble, James Tomkins or Jordan Spence. However, with Arsenal,
Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur also on the hunt for the best young players
from across London and the South East, the Academy Director conceded that it
was getting harder and harder to attract the cream of the crop to join the
Hammers. "We have got three guys who work on our pre-Academy recruitment
programme," he said during a wide-ranging interview available to view on
West Ham TV. "Each guy has an area and has to cover each school in his
area. Over a term, we may see 10,000 kids from the ages of six to eight
years of age, where really the talent spotting begins.
"People might ask 'How do spot the talent in a six or eight-year-old?' but
if you get a group together and have a little game of five-a-side football,
then you will certainly see the talent and see the ones who are a little bit
better than all the rest. "At that age, that's all you do - see the ones who
have got a natural talent or gift or have a little idea of the game. We then
invite them to our twice-a-week pre-Academy training nights in the sports
hall at Chadwell Heath where we just have fun, play games and let them enjoy
it. "Hopefully, over a year or two, we start to filter that and mould the
group into our Under-9 team. It sounds very simplistic, but it's a little
bit harder than that, I can assure you."
Carr also explained how Academy rules meant competition for the best young
players was becoming more and more intense. While the club were able to
recruit the likes of Northumberland-based Michael Carrick in the past, the
regulations mean the capital's big clubs are essentially fighting to sign
the same players. As a result, Carr said clubs like West Ham are being
forced to move for youngsters earlier and earlier to ensure they do not miss
out. "The rules are that you can only recruit from within one hour
travelling time from your training base. As you can imagine, we cross over
Tottenham, Arsenal and Chelsea's territory, and they will cross into ours,
so the competition for the local talent at that young age is absolutely
massive. "So, the idea is to try to spot them first and that's the best
thing. However, if we do spot them first, then in a short space of time, our
big rivals are going to be major competition to us. "We have to sell the
club the best way we can, by showing them our record of young players
playing in the first team is very good. They will get a chance at our club.
We have always had a manager and Board who believe in young
players.Supporters also have that affinity with players out on the pitch.
"We have to sell the club and, in the main, we have been reasonably
successful."
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Pablo plays in Mexico draw
WHUFC.com
The 23-year-old West Ham United winger Pablo Barrera could be a star man at
the Gold Cup
29.05.2011
Pablo Barrera got a welcome 75 minutes under his belt as Mexico drew 1-1
with Ecuador in Seattle as a warm-up for the CONCACAF Gold Cup. The Hammers
winger was a lively presence throughout as he won his 32nd cap for his
country. Mexico took the lead through Jose Torres Nilo but were pegged back
by Michael Antonio Arroyo just before half-time. Barrera should be in action
again on Thursday when Mexico take on club-mate Winston Reid's New Zealand
in a final Gold Cup warm-up in Denver. The United States-hosted continental
championship then gets under way for Mexico against El Salvador in
Arlington, Texas next Sunday.
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The KUMB.com Readers Awards: 2010/11 season
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 30th May 2011
By: Staff Writer
The end of the 2010/11 season marks the beginning of the 14th annual
KUMB.com readers poll, in which you may vote now...
Vote Now! - http://www.kumb.com/awards_1011.php
There are a total of eleven categories in which you are able to cast your
votes this year. The categories - including all former winners - are as
follows:
Player of the Year
2009/10 Scott Parker; 2008/09 Scott Parker; 2007/08 Robert Green; 2006/07
Carlos Tevez; 2005/06 Danny Gabbidon; 2004/05 Teddy Sheringham; 2003/04
Matthew Etherington; 2002/03 Joe Cole; 2001/02 Sebastien Schemmel; 2000/01
Stuart Pearce; 1999/2000 Paolo Di Canio; 1998/99 Steve Lomas; 1997/98 John
Hartson.
Young Player of the Year
2009/10 Zavon Hines; 2008/09 Jack Collison; 2007/08 Mark Noble; 2006/07 Mark
Noble; 2005/06 Nigel Reo-Coker; 2004/05 Mark Noble; 2003/04 Chris Cohen;
2002/03 Glenn Johnson; 2001/02 Jermain Defoe; 2000/01 Michael Carrick;
1999/2000 Michael Carrick; 1998/99 Rio Ferdinand/Frank Lampard; 1997/98 Rio
Ferdinand.
Best Signing
2009/10 Alessandro Diamanti; 2008/09 Valon Behrami; 2007/08 Scott Parker;
2006/07 Carlos Tevez; 2005/06 Yossi Benayoun; 2004/05 Teddy Sheringham;
2003/04 Matthew Etherington; 2002/03 Rufus Brevett; 2001/02 Sebastien
Schemmel; 2000/01 Frederic Kanoute; 1999/2000 Igor Stimac; 1998/99 Trevor
Sinclair; 1997/98 Eyal Berkovic.
Most Improved Player
2009/10 Julien Faubert; 2008/09 Carlton Cole; 2007/08 George McCartney;
2006/07 James Collins; 2005/06 Marlon Harewood; 2004/05 Anton Ferdinand;
2003/04 Stephen Bywater; 2002/03 Glen Johnson; 2001/02 Christian Dailly;
2000/01 Michael Carrick; 1999/2000 Marc-Vivien Foe; 1998/99 Frank Lampard;
1997/98 Frank Lampard.
Most Memorable Match
2009/10 Wigan (h) 3-2 24/4/10; 2008/09 Portsmouth (a) 4-1 26/12/08; 2007/08
Man Utd 2-1 (h) 29/12/07; 2006/07 Man Utd 1-0 (a) 14/05/07; 2005/06
Liverpool/FA Cup Final (n) 13/05/06; 2004/05 Ipswich 2-0 (a) 18/05/06;
2003/04 Ipswich 2-0 (h); 2002/03 Chelsea 1-0 (h); 2001/02 Man Utd 1-0 (a);
2000/01 Man Utd 1-0 (a); 1999/2000 Arsenal 2-1 (h); 1998/99 Palace 4-1
(h)/Barnsley 6-0 (h); 1997/98 T*ttenham 4-3 (h).
Goal of the Season
2009/10 Scott Parker v Wigan (h); 2008/09 Carlton Cole v Wigan (a); 2007/08
Dean Ashton v Man Utd (a); 2006/07 Mark Noble v Bolton (h); 2005/06 Anton
Ferdinand v Fulham (h); 2004/05 Bobby Zamora v Ipswich (a); 2003/04 Jon
Harley v Sh*ffield Utd (a); 2002/03 Paolo Di Canio v Chelsea (h); 2001/02
Trevor Sinclair v Derby (h); 2000/01 Paolo Di Canio v Manchester United (a);
1999/2000 Paolo Di Canio v Wimbledon (h); 1998/99 Stan Lazaridis v Newcastle
(a);1997/98 John Hartson v Aston Villa (h).
Worst Player of the Year
2009/10 Jonathan Spector; 2008/09 Diego Tristan; 2007/08 Luis Boa Morte;
2006/07 Nigel Quashie; 2005/06 No award; 2004/05 Don Hutchison; 2003/04
Wayne Quinn; 2002/03 Gary Breen; 2001/02 Titi Camara; 2000/01 Titi Camara;
1999/2000 Neil Ruddock; 1998/99 Iain Dowie/Andy Impey; 1997/98 Iain Dowie.
Worst Signing of the Year
2009/10 Benni McCarthy; 2008/09 Diego Tristan; 2007/08 Luis Boa Morte;
2006/07 Nigel Quashie; 2005/06 No award; 2004/05 Don Hutchison; 2003/04
Wayne Quinn; 2002/03 Gary Breen; 2001/02 Titi Camara; 2000/01 Titi Camara;
1999/2000 Neil Ruddock; 1998/99 Iain Dowie/Andy Impey; 1997/98 Iain Dowie.
Most Missed Player
2009/10 Dean Ashton.
Biggest Disappointment
2009/10 Dean Ashton's retirement; 2008/09 Lord Griffiths ruling to award
Sh*ff Utd damages; 2007/08 The injury situation; 2006/07 Failing to build on
the previous season's success; 2005/06 The FA Cup Final; 2004/05 Booing
players; 2003/04 Millwall away; 2002/03 Relegation; 2001/02 Chelsea FA Cup
defeat; 2000/01 Sp*rs FA Cup defeat; 1999/2000 Mannygate.
Hackett of the Year
2009/10 Eidur Gudjohnsen; 2008/09 Lord Griffiths; 2007/08 Kevin McCabe;
2006/07 Dave Whelan.
The 2010/11 KUMB.com Awards: vote now by clicking here.
Voting will remain open until the weekend of June 11/12. The results of the
14th Annual KUMB.com Awards will be announced on Monday, 13th June 2011.
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Allardyce ready for Hammers
Former Blackburn boss expected to take charge at Upton Park
Last Updated: May 30, 2011 10:35am
SSN
Sam Allardyce has confirmed he is looking forward to taking charge at West
Ham United and trying to help lead the club back into the Premier League.
Skysports.com revealed over the weekend that Allardyce had emerged as the
leading contender to replace Avram Grant at Upton Park. Grant was dismissed
by the Hammers earlier this month after a 3-2 defeat at Wigan Athletic
condemned the club to relegation to the Championship. The likes of Dave
Jones and Steve McClaren had been linked with the position, but it appears
Allardyce is now primed to succeed Grant. Allardyce has been out of
management since being dismissed by Blackburn Rovers in December following
the Venky's takeover at Ewood Park. He is aware of the challenge ahead, with
West Ham expected to lose several key players over the summer, but is
determined to make an impact. "Everything has been agreed in principle and I
look forward to taking charge after I have had a family holiday," said
Allardyce in The People. "It's always difficult dealing with the aftermath
of relegation, but I want to get West Ham back into the Premier League as
quickly as possible."
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Allardyce: a Bolton fan speaks
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 30th May 2011
By: Staff Writer
With Sam Allardyce set to be confirmed as West Ham United's 14th full-time
manager, we decided to take the opportunity to examine some of the more
obvious fears regarding the former Bolton manager's tactical approach to the
game.
We asked KUMB.com member Troughie, a Bolton fan who watched his team finish
in the top eight of the Premier League on four successive occasions under
Allardyce for his thoughts. This is what he had to say...
"I can't help thinking that some of you are missing the point. Allardyce's
success at Bolton was not down to playing long ball football. It was the way
midfield was organised that was key.
It wasn't about bullying, or being 'physical', but denying the opposition
space to play. Every player knew his job and they bought into what he wanted
- excellent man manager that he is. Kevin Davies gets a lot of stick, but he
sacrificed his natural game to give the boss what he required.
We were quite happy to let the likes of Spurs mess about with the ball on
the half way line, but once they got into the final third there was nowhere
for them to go. We beat them in the league six times on the bounce. Fancy a
bit of that? Or how about Arsenal being so demoralised they were done before
a ball was kicked?
Although I have read some some interesting points here on KUMB they are
those of an outsider, without a real understanding of my club. The debt
position was stable when Allardyce left - it's only deteriorated since.
True, he left a small and aging squad, but that was down to a chairman who
thought that Sam could continue to work miracles on a miniscule transfer
budget.
As for not shooting outside the box? That was a joke by Kevin Nolan, that
got picked up by the press and manipulated.
Sam, a short term manager? Seven straight seasons in the Premier League,
four consecutive top eight finishes, two seasons out of three qualifying for
Europe. I reckon you'd like some of that short term stuff. He was also
responsible for getting the new academy facilities built. Not that there has
been much return for that so far, but the investment has been made.
Neither the fans, players or the owner at Newcastle got what Sam is about,
but he still left with them in a higher position than they'd finished the
previous season.
West Ham fans may witter on all they want about 'the West Ham Way' but the
only time I've seen you play passing football at the Reebok was under
Gianfranco Zola in his first season. You still got beat (although on that
day I'm still not sure how.)
The question is, will Sam want to come to West Ham? Thanks to Newcastle he
doesn't need to work again. He'll want a big backroom staff and a long term
commitment. If he does, he'll get you promoted. He did with us, winning
fifteen games away from home on the way.
Some Bolton supporters are jaundiced against Allardyce because of the way he
left. He's not the nicest man and he has a giant ego. But that shouldn't
detract from the extraordinary job he did at the Reebok."
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Allardyce admits he is on the cusp of the West Ham job
ESPNsoccernet staff
May 30, 2011
ESPN
Sam Allardyce has said he is looking forward to the challenge of taking over
from Avram Grant at West Ham United. Grant was sacked earlier this month
after a 3-2 defeat to Wigan Athletic confirmed their relegation from the
Premier League to the Championship. Allardyce was replaced at Blackburn
Rovers by Steve Kean in December after a takeover by the Indian Venky's
group. "Everything has been agreed in principle and I look forward to taking
charge after I have had a family holiday," Allardyce told The People. "It's
always difficult dealing with the aftermath of relegation, but I want to get
West Ham back into the Premier League as quickly as possible."
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Allardyce relishing Hammers chance
May 30, 2011
Email Print
By ESPNsoccernet staff
Sam Allardyce has said he is looking to the challenge of taking over from
Avram Grant at West Ham United. Sam Allardyce has been out of work since
leaving Blackburn in December 2010.Grant was sacked earlier this month after
a 3-2 defeat to Wigan Athletic confirmed their relegation from the Premier
League to the Championship. Allardyce was replaced at Blackburn Rovers by
Steve Kean in December after a takeover by the Indian Venky's group.
"Everything has been agreed in principle and I look forward to taking charge
after I have had a family holiday," Allardyce told The People. "It's always
difficult dealing with the aftermath of relegation, but I want to get West
Ham back into the Premier League as quickly as possible."
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Sears pledges his future to West Ham
TeamTalk
By Marc Isaacs
Monday, May 30
West Ham striker Freddie Sears has pledged his future to the club despite
their relegation to the Championship. The 21-year-old has managed to fight
his way back into the first-team after being shipped out on loan to Crystal
Palace, Coventry and Scunthorpe. The England Under-21 forward is well aware
the club could lose big names like Scott Parker, Matthew Upson and Robert
Green, but he is determined not to leave a sinking ship and hopes the new
manager will give him a chance to fulfil his potential at Upton Park next
season. Sears said: "I have expressed that I want to stay next season. As a
West Ham fan I want to play for the club and relegation might give me a
better opportunity to play week in, week out. There is probably more of an
opportunity in the Championship than the Premiership. "It could go one of
two ways. I could play every game of the season or the new manager could
come in and bring in new players. But hopefully we can keep some of the
young boys and have a real go next year. "We should try to keep as many
players as we can, but it's going to be hard. The more senior players will
probably move on, but hopefully we can keep a good core of players and have
a real go next season."
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