Hammers duo with England
WHUFC.com
England were training again on Tuesday after the squad came together ahead of Saturday's qualifier
31.05.2011
Robert Green and Scott Parker trained with England on Tuesday as they prepared for Saturday's UEFA EURO 2012 qualifier against Switzerland. The West Ham United duo are part of a 26-man selection named by Fabio Capello for the final fixture of the 2011/12 season. Parker is tipped to start in the Wembley match, which gets under way at 4.45pm, while Green was a late call-up as a replacement for David Stockdale. Parker's stock has risen after his impressive performance in the 2-0 win away to Wales in the previous UEFA EURO 2012 qualifier on 26 March. The 30-year-old, pictured here with former Hammers trio Bobby Zamora, Rio Ferdinand and Frank Lampard, has won five caps for his country. Eleven-times capped Green has not figured for the Three Lions since the 2010 FIFA World Cup. He is thought to be competing with Scott Carson to be Joe Hart's understudy on the bench.
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EURO call for Tomkins
WHUFC.com
An injury to Micah Richards has led to James Tomkins being called up by England for the UEFA U21 EURO
31.05.2011
James Tomkins has been called up by England for the UEFA European Under-21 Championship in Denmark between 11-25 June. The 22-year-old defender had been left out of the original 23-man party but was drafted in as a late replacement after Micah Richards' withdrawal last week. Tomkins appeared at the 2009 finals for the Young Lions and has been a regular for Stuart Pearce in qualifying. The Hammers centre-back, capped nine times at U21 level, will link up with the squad later this week before the friendly against Norway in Southampton on Sunday. The following day, the squad will head to Denmark for the eight-nation final tournament. England begin their Group B matches against Spain on Sunday 12 June before taking on Ukraine three days later. The Young Lions will conclude their section with a 19 June decider with Czech Republic. The top two sides from Groups A and B will progress to the semi-finals.
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Fresh, young aspirations
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 31st May 2011
By: Ryan Tinslay
There is no doubt that a summer clear out for West Ham will be the only option for the owners, with bank balances simply not balancing. A barrage of players are set to leave Upton Park in the summer, hopefully!
West Ham is in need of a good makeover and players such as Kieron Dyer, Luis Boa Morte and Radoslav Kovac simply must go. Kovac has been one of the worst players I have seen to grace the green grass of the Boleyn Ground in a very long time, whereas Dyer's approach of 'happiness equals wages' sadly seems to have been the mindset of one too many this season, not giving their all for the club.
The England contingency is the obvious department where players will leave the club in fear of ruining their international hopes, which only seems fair to their career. Scott Parker's heroic efforts were not enough to save the plummeting claret and blue army from the dreaded drop and with the iconic talisman set to unwillingly walk away from the stage that allowed him to win the prestigious Football Writer's Award, it leaves a door wide open for the Academy of Football to once again take the helm.
As a manager myself (sadly restricted to Fifa 11), I'm always on the lookout for fresh new prodigies to step out from the crowd and grow into something special. West Ham have always been known for their ability to produce exactly that. Thankfully, in a bleak time for the Irons, we have a wealth of young talent to pick from, and more importantly, with some experience.
Avram Snooze's dismal efforts bored us to death at times and relegation seemed inevitable since the depressing thrashing on the opening day of the campaign at Villa Park, but with his squad lacking depth at times through injury, he was able to give the likes of Freddie Sears, Zavon Hines and Jordan Spence valuable minutes in the big boys league.
This handful of games for the lads could prove to be extremely beneficial for a long season in the Championship. Other players such as Frank Nouble, Junior Stanislas, Marek Stech and Anthony Edgar have shown great potential for the future of the club, especially with Championship experience for Nouble whilst on loan at Swansea, with the 19-year-old netting one goal in six appearances.
Every great team has a central nucleus of players in the starting XI that are key to their success, and the Hammers have this in the making. The young trio of Mark Noble, Jack Collison and James Tomkins will be essential in controlling and even composing the team for next year's battle in the lower division.
Noble, the die-hard Hammer through and through, has already proved himself in the first team and has been a centre part of West Ham since 2003, helping win promotion and the Great Escape of 2007. But with a number of clubs knocking at the playmaker's door, Gollivan have to put in their upmost effort in keeping the fan's favourite. With Matthew Upson and Parker's imminent departure, Noble is the heavyweight contender for the armband.
Tomkins has also shown true talent in a claret and blue shirt, often lining up with Upson, whose time at Upton Park looks likely to be over, as the managerless owners have turned down an attempt to renew his expired contract.
Fresh talent is not the only thing that will steer the Hammers to instant promotion, if that is the plan in boardroom obviously. The latest news to emerge from the camp is that of contract offers to Jonathon Spector - the newly-born midfielder who found his feet in the famous 4-0 win against Man U - and Danny Gabbidon, the long-serving, versatile defender whose experience could be vital in the Championship.
However the slightly newer recruit, Gary O'Neil, is the wideman this team has been screaming for since the departure of Matty Etherington. He also possesses vital experience in the Championship, having moved to the Boleyn from Middlesbrough in January.
Regretfully, the other recruits under Grant appear to be heading out as quickly as they came. With Ba's extremely impressive move to English football sparking the interests of Tottenham and Chelsea, it will be very hard to persuade him to stay in the lower league - although I'm entirely positive he would smash through any defence in the Championship and help secure promotion.
As for Hitzlsperger, he appears to be undecided. His presence would be very welcome in a midfield that has, in all honesty, seemed dead without Parker. The flamboyant Nigerian's loan spell is over and Obinna looks very unlikely to initiate any talks regarding staying at West Ham, with a number of clubs such as West Brom, Fulham or Everton that would love to take him on.
As for the other loanees, Keane has already expressed his desire to venture into new fields and Bridge doesn't give the impression that his desire is to earn promotion with West Ham.
And that is the word the Hammers need to start repeating, promotion – not relegation! Mr. Gold seems to be the only one who can say the word at the moment, and in my eyes he knows exactly where to take the club.
Sadly Scott Fantastic may not be with us for the 2011/12 campaign, but a change around at the club - looking to younger players to excel next to a few experienced commanders- could be exactly what we have needed for a long time.
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Stoke chairman Peter Coates denies bid for Carlton Cole
BBC.co.uk
Stoke City chairman Peter Coates has dismissed newspaper reports that the FA Cup finalists have made a bid for West Ham United striker Carlton Cole. It was claimed that the Potters had made a club record £9m offer for the 27-year-old England international. "Those reports are unfounded and it is not the case whatsoever," Coates told BBC Radio Stoke. "We've not made a single bid in any way, shape or form."
It is the second consecutive summer that Stoke have been linked with Cole. Speaking in August 2010, after reportedly making an offer for the striker, manager Tony Pulis told BBC Radio Stoke: "There's no truth in it at all. They've got to fill their papers and fill their television programmes." Former Chelsea trainee Cole is one of a number of players expected to leave Upton Park in the summer, following the Hammers' relegation from the Premier League. Meanwhile, Coates has also said Stoke will not be making an offer for Blackpool's sought-after captain Charlie Adam. The Scotland international midfielder is set to leave Bloomfield Road after a stand-out season in the Premier League with the Seasiders, in which he scored 13 goals in all competitions. "I don't think the manager is interested in him," said the Stoke chairman. "He's not mentioned him to me so I assume he's not interested in him."
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West Ham's James Tomkins called into England U21 squad
Page last updated at 11:10 GMT, Tuesday, 31 May 2011 12:10 UK
BBC.co.uk
West Ham's James Tomkins has been called into England's European Under-21 Championship squad as a replacement for Manchester City's Micah Richards. Tomkins, 22, who has nine under-21 caps, received his call after Richards was forced out by a hamstring injury. The Hammers defender will now join up with the squad before Sunday's friendly against Norway in Southampton. England's European Championship campaign starts on 12 June against Spain in Herning. Three days later they play Ukraine, again in Herning, before their final group game against the Czech Republic on 19 June in Viborg. The semi-finals and final of the tournament take place the following week. The loss of Richards, who has won 12 caps for the senior England team, is another blow to coach Stuart Pearce's squad, with Andy Carroll and Jack Wilshere having been ruled out of selection because of injury and fatigue respectively.
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Lomas welcomes Allardyce
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 31st May 2011
By: Staff Writer
Steve Lomas has welcomed the imminent appointment of Sam Allardyce as West Ham United's 14th full-time manager. Lomas - who replaced the Charlton-bound Alex Dyer as reserve team manager three months ago - told Sky Sports that he was looking forward to working with the former Bolton manager, whose appointment is expected to be ratified this week. "Hopefully there'll be a part there for me, which would be lovely," he said. "I'd love to stay and help the club as I thoroughly enjoyed my time doing the reserves last year. "There are players like Zavon Hines, Jordan Spence and Freddie Sears who can be part of that and are West Ham through and through. Hopefully, after eight-and-a-half years and captaining the club I've got something to offer and if it's Big Sam or whoever, I'd love to stay and help."
Lomas also confirmed that he expected Allardyce to surprise those Hammers fans expecting exclusively direct football, the style for which he was much criticised whilst at Bolton. "West Ham have a tradition of playing football but we've also got to play football and get a winning side, which is very difficult in the Championship," added Lomas. "Sam's been around, he's a personality, he knows how to organise a team and he's very good at attracting players. People say he plays a lot of long ball but he's worked with Okacha and Djorkaeff in the past so he does like flair players. "I think somebody of his personality will be able to attract a lot of players to the club - and because there is going to be a high turnover of players I think he will be a good fit. "Hopefully he sees it as a challenge - he worked with Bolton and took them up so he's got the experience to do that. I don't think he'll see it as a step down, I think he'll see it as a major challenge."
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Lomas expects Parker departure
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 31st May 2011
By: Staff Writer
Reserve team manager Steve Lomas has revealed that he expects Scott Parker to leave the club in the coming weeks. Lomas, speaking to Sky Sports this morning admitted that he expects the England midfielder to move to pastures new following West Ham's relegation, despite professing a desire to see Parker in the claret and blue shirt next season. "We'd love to keep Scotty Parker, he's been fantastic," said Lomas. "He's got nothing to be ashamed of with West Ham going down. "He was not almost a one-man team but he set such high standards. I don't think any West Ham fan would begrudge him going but we'd love to see him stay and help us up this year - but I can't see that happening."
Lomas also confirmed that he expected club captain Matthew Upson - who is out of contract this summer - to find a new club before the beginning of next season.
"In terms of Matty I don't see it," he continued. "I think he's out of contract and looking for another challenge."
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JT gets the nod
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 31st May 2011
By: Staff Writer
James Tomkins has been called up to England's European Championship under-21 squad. Tomkins - along with team mate Freddie Sears - was included in the provisional 40 man squad, announced at the beginning of May, but both were omitted from Stuart Pearce's final 23-man cut. However the withdrawal of Manchester City's Micah Richards though injury had freed up a space in the squad, which has been awarded to West Ham's 22-year-old centre half. England's European Championship campaign begins against Spain in Herning on Sunday, 12 June before they take on the Ukraine (in the same venue) three days later. The Czech Republic are England's final Group B opponents on Sunday, 19 June. All three games kick off at 8:45pm local time.
England under 21s: final squad
Goalkeepers: Frankie Fielding (Blackburn Rovers FC), Jason Steele (Middlesbrough FC), Alex McCarthy (Reading FC).
Defenders: Ryan Bertrand (Chelsea FC), Kieran Gibbs (Arsenal FC), Phil Jones (Blackburn Rovers FC), Michael Mancienne (Wolverhampton Wanderers FC), James Tomkins (West Ham Utd FC), Chris Smalling (Manchester United FC), Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur FC).
Midfielders: Marc Albrighton (Aston Villa FC), Jack Cork (Chelsea FC), Tom Cleverley (Manchester United FC), Jordan Henderson (Sunderland AFC), Henri Lansbury (Arsenal FC), Fabrice Muamba (Bolton Wanderers FC), Jack Rodwell (Everton FC), Danny Rose (Tottenham Hotspur FC), Scott Sinclair (Swansea City FC).
Forwards: Nathan Delfouneso (Aston Villa FC), Daniel Sturridge (Chelsea FC), Danny Welbeck (Manchester United FC), Connor Wickham (Ipswich Town FC).
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Sam's the man
But Hammers' squad needs major strengthening
Last Updated: May 31, 2011 9:22am
SSN
Scott Minto told Sky Sports News that Sam Allardyce is the right man to galvanise West Ham. The former Bolton and Newcastle boss revealed in last Sunday's People that he would be replacing Avram Grant as manager at Upton Park following the Irons' relegation to the Championship. And ex-Hammer Minto says that the 56-year-old's credentials make him the perfect candidate for the job. "There are no guarantees in football, but Sam Allardyce is pretty much a guarantee," said Minto, a West Ham player from 1999-2003. "The owners are quite lucky because there are a lot of candidates who are out of a job or perhaps who could be nicked from the lower divisions. "But Sam knows how to get teams up into the Premier League and he knows how to keep teams in the Premier League as well. "He is very experienced, and likes the sports science and bringing everything into the 21st century. He is a great choice."
Stability
Minto believes Allardyce - who has been out of the dugout since leaving Blackburn in December - will bring some much-needed solidity to Upton Park. But he says that the Hammers' squad will require significant strengthening before they can think about an immediate return to the top flight. "West Ham need stability, something they haven't had since the owners came in," said Minto. "And Sam can bring that with his big backroom staff all working in the same direction. "They've got some good young players, like James Tomkins at the back, James Collison in midfield, and Zavon Hines up front - but they need some experience at Championship level. "The problem they have had is scoring goals. Demba Ba was their top scorer this season with seven league goals and he only joined in January, so they need someone who scores goals in the Championship. "And at the back they need to keep clean sheets. They only won two games away from home last season and that's something Sam needs to address."
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O'Neill turned down West Ham numerous times
East London Advertiser
Matt Diner
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
11:52 AM
West Ham are set to announce Sam Allardyce as their new manager this week, after it seems Martin O'Neill turned the club down twice over the past fortnight. The 56-year-old is likely to replace the sacked Avram Grant and is set to sign a contract worth an alleged £1.25million a year, while a £1m bonus will be paid if he gets the club promoted. Allardyce has been out of work since he was sacked by Premier League side Blackburn last December and confirmed to a national paper that a contract has been agreed. "Everything has been agreed in principle and I look forward to taking charge after I have had a family holiday," he said. "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."
Allardyce was linked to the job in January along with former Aston Villa boss O'Neill, with the latter apparently offered the role before turning it down. The same scenario is said to have occurred over the past few weeks with O'Neill apparently turning down the job twice. Last Thursday, speaking at a Supporter Advisory Board meeting – a group who meet with the club's board four times a year – co-owner David Sullivan conceded that the club had already approached a candidate, thought to be the Northern Irishman who had turned the opportunity down. It is thought Sullivan offered the job once again to O'Neill and was awaiting his reply at the time of the meeting.
No name was given by the co-owner as to who the individual may be, but he did say they were British with experience of managing in the Premier League or in the Championship. According to a fan who was present at the meeting which took place in the Legends Lounge inside the Boleyn Ground, Sullivan was said to be pessimistic about the chances of the individual accepting the job and his 'gut feeling was that they would turn down the job because of a particular issue' said to be unrelated to West Ham. "He seemed like an honest person and he came across well and was friendly," the fan told the Advertiser. "He held his hands up about appointing Grant as manager and said he wears his heart on his sleeve."
A different source claimed it was O'Neill Sullivan was referring to at that meeting and his pessimism was confirmed over the weekend, when his second offer was rejected. Sullivan is said to be impressed by Allardyce and had no hesitation in offering the former Bolton man the job. Cardiff manager Dave Jones was another linked with the club, but the Liverpudlian, who was sacked by Cardiff earlier this week told the Advertiser he had no contact with the club.
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West Ham are ready to name new manager
Ken Dyer
31 May 2011
Evening Standard
West Ham co-chairman David Sullivan confirmed today that the club should be in a position to announce their new manager in the "next 72 hours". Former Bolton, Newcastle and Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce is widely expected to succeed Avram Grant as the newly-relegated club's manager after revealing that things had been agreed "in principle". Dave Jones's dismissal by Cardiff prompted late speculation that he was a rival to Allardyce but the indications today are that the 56-year-old remained firm favourite to take the £1.25million-a-year job. Meanwhile, West Ham defender James Tomkins has been added to the England Under-21 squad for the European Championships after Micah Richards withdrew through injury.
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New Hammers boss Allardyce to keep Keen
Published 12:25 31/05/11 By Alan Nixon - Exclusive
The Mirror
Caretaker Kevin Keen will be kept on as part of Sam Allardyce's new West Ham management team - but Steve Lomas is the first casualty. Loyal club man Keen was in control for the final Premier League game after Avram Grant's sacking and made no secret of his desire to be the full-time managerial solution. However Allardyce got the nod and will bring in his own backroom staff, but Keen is set to carry on although he looks set for a job with the reserves. Hammers have a vacancy in that role after former skipper Lomas was told he would not be getting a contract after running the second team for the last few months. Lomas was told the news by post and is now looking for a manager's job of his own - with no space for him as Allardyce brings in his people.
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Hammers to seal Allardyce deal
Published: Today
The Sun
SAM ALLARDYCE is set to be named as the new manager of West Ham. Big Sam has been assigned the task of taking the Londoners straight back up from the Championship next season following their relegation from the Premier League. Allardyce, 56, takes over from Avram Grant and SunSport understands he will be unveiled at Upton Park this evening. The move represents the former Bolton manager's first role back in football since being sacked by Blackburn last December.
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Stoke deny bidding for Carlton Cole
May 31, 2011
Email Print
By ESPN staff
Stoke City have refuted reports that they have made a bid for West Ham striker Carlton Cole, insisting the claims are "unfounded". Several newspapers have suggested that the Potters made a club record £9 million offer for the England forward - talk chairman Peter Coates flatly denies. "Those reports are unfounded and it is not the case whatsoever," Coates told BBC Radio Stoke. "We've not made a single bid in any way, shape or form." Speculation the FA Cup finalists are planning to bring Cole to the Britannia Stadium refuses to go away, though Pulis also dismissed reports linking Stoke with a move for Cole last August. "There's no truth in it at all. They've got to fill their papers and fill their television programmes," Pulis said at the time. With Blackpool joining West Ham in the Championship next term, several high profile players may be destined to return to the Premier League. Tangerines talisman Charlie Adam is admired by many but Coates dismissed the possibility of the midfielder joining Stoke's ranks. "I don't think the manager is interested in him," he said. "He's not mentioned him to me so I assume he's not interested in him."
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Exclusive - Martin: 'Allardyce can keep Scott Parker at West Ham'
By Michael Wade
Tuesday, May 31
TalkSPort
Alvin Martin has claimed that if anyone can keep Scott Parker at West Ham then Sam Allardyce can. Hammers captain Parker has been linked with a move away from Upton Park following relegation from the Premier League. And Martin has told talkSPORT that although Parker has every right to walk away from West Ham that it would be a massive achievement for Allardyce to keep him at the club. Speaking to Drive Time he said: "There will be one or two that go. I hope that Scott Parker doesn't go. "[Sam Allardyce] is pretty persuasive. He's been able to entice some big names during his Bolton days and at this moment in time Scott Parker will have been thinking what are my options and where am I going to go? "But big Sam might just put another slant on that. He might just put a question mark in Scott's mind and there might be a possibility he stays. "If you're asking me honestly if he'll stay then I think he's done enough to be able to walk away from West Ham with his head held high. It would be an unbelievable coup if big Sam can actually keep him."
West Ham legend Martin, who made 469 appearances for the club, added that he was delighted with appointment despite some fans reservations. "I think [the appointment] is pretty positive. I know that some West Ham fans have been a little bit uncertain about the appointment prior to it happening. "But he is the right sort of man I would have expected [to be appointed] as he has got the right credentials to take them back up. The priority is getting them back up. "When I look at what went wrong this year I think Avram Grant was a lovely feller, he had a great rapport with the players, I've got no doubt about that but did he demand enough from the players. That was always my question, did he demand, did he push, did he bully them into performances sometimes and if they did fall short was he going to let them know. I don't think he did that and big Sam will. "He has got a track record for getting the best out of players. They'll be organised, they'll be disciplined, they'll be hard to beat and he'll have better players in that division than most of the other teams. "I think he will get them up I've got no problem with that whatsoever and I think it's a really positive appointment."
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Player Reviews 2010/11 - Part 2
Vinny - Tue May 31 2011
West Ham Online
Midfielders
Kieron Dyer
Signed for the club in 2007 and this was his fourth season as a West Ham player. In that time Dyer has started just 15 league games and this was his most productive in terms of starts having begun 8 Premiership games. But truly he never found his fitness or any form and even when he would play from the start you could guarantee that he would be taken off injured. He did play an entire 90 minutes at home to West Brom in which he did quite well but it would not be long until another injury would hit and he would be out of action for another few weeks. Dyer's last league game for the club came on 19th December away at Blackburn and his last performance in West Ham colours was in the disaster evening at St Andrews in the League Cup Semi final. He was poor after coming on late in the second half. With his wages a reported 70k, there is no doubt that Kieron Dyer has been an expensive flop. Despite what some may say, he had always had the reputation of being injury prone and to have purchased him for around £7 million was barmy even at the point of signing. In March 2011, Dyer was sent out on loan to the club he began his career with, Ipswich Town. He took part in four games, starting just the one. He never got to full fitness or anywhere near it and his contract will expire this summer and we can all breath a huge sigh of relief that Kieron Dyer will no longer be on our wage bill any longer.
Apps: League 8 (3) Cup (2)
Bookings: 1
Verdict: Good riddance.
Valon Behrami
I think everyone was surprised he was still here come the start of the season as it seemed certain that he would be off back to Italy last summer but the move did not transpire and Behrami was still a member of the squad . He did only start 6 games before leaving in the January transfer window but still managed to score 2 goals.
Behrami is another player who has struggled with injuries since signing for the club and the second half of last season he was in and out of the side and found it difficult to put a run of games together. He was starting games but was lacking match fitness but this finally started to get better away at Birmingham in the League where he played very well and scored the second goal after a good move. He would miss the next two games but started at home to Wigan Athletic at the end of November . With Mark Noble unavailable he played in the centre of midfield and looked excellent, working his socks off and scoring the opening goal. It seems as though his season was starting to come together but then injury would strike again and Behrami would be out until January where he came on as a second half sub in the 5-0 mauling at Newcastle. Not long after he was off to Fiorentina in Italy for another Undisclosed Fee and that was the end of Valon Behrami at West Ham. It has started so well for Behrami at the club and he had become a bit of a fans favourite with his committed displayed and work ethic. But it was clear that with our decline on the pitch he lacked the desire to play for the club and it always seemed a matter of time before he would be searching for pastures new. Since signing for Fiorentina he seems to have no injury problems at all and started 15 games.
Apps: League 6 (1) Cup (1)
Goals: 2
Bookings: 1
Verdict: A decent player who never really found a true position in the side and another who seemed to be unavailable for selection far too often.
Pablo Barrera
Much like other summer signing Winston Reid tales of how much Barrera actually cost have surely been greatly exaggerated to make it seem as though we were spending decent money because there is no way in the World Pablo Barrera could have cost the club in excess of £4m. Billed by the club as one of Mexico's World Cup stars in the World Cup 2010 in South Africa. Barrera never actually started a game and made three appearances from the bench. Signed from Mexican club Pumas, Barrera has been anything but successful in his time at the club and has not started a League game since December 18th against Blackburn at Ewood Park. It even got to the point that Freddie Sears was recalled from his loan spell at Scunthorpe and started ahead of Barrera who clearly had not settled or acclimatised to the pace and strength of English Football. I would like to see him get more of a chance at the club and am surprised at the way he was simply bombed out of the side to make way for every other player. He couldn't even make the substitutes bench and hasn't done so in the league since January away at Everton. In the Cup he has made a few appearances and his last sighting was as a second half sub in the destruction of Burnley in the FA Cup which made little impact. With Sears coming back into the side and looking twice the player Barrera had been it was difficult for the young Mexican (he is only 23 years old) to get a look in.
It was clear that Grant did not think he was good enough and it strikes me as a little odd that if Barrera was a player Grant wanted to bring in, why would he not persist with him instead of trying out multiple players in the position instead. I would suspect Avram Grant had very little to do with his arrival at the club. Barrera did at times show that he could be a decent winger and has a good turn of pace, but he couldn't cross the ball into the area with any quality and he looked way out of his depth throughout the season. It remains to be seen (like most of our players) whether he will remain at the club during the summer but it would be good to see him get a second chance to make it.
Apps: League 6 (8) Cup 6 (1)
Verdict: All we have seen so far is that English Football looks beyond him, but he has a chance in a lower (albeit more physical) next season to make an impact.
Freddie Sears
Was shipped out on loan to Scunthorpe in October and started 9 games there scoring no goals and it was the lack of goals which had been the problem for Sears over the last couple of seasons as the youth team and reserve goal scoring genius had now found himself without a goal in any club competition since March 2008.
He was surprisingly recalled by Avram Grant in December and thrown straight into the team on Boxing Day at Fulham on the right wing in a 3-1 victory. He played the full 90 minutes and grew with confidence as the game progressed. He took that confidence into the next match against Wolves at Upton Park and scored the second goal, his first since that memorable debut in 2008. Sears struggled in his next league game against Arsenal but so did the entire team and we were missing some key players for that game. But then he was harshly dropped from the starting eleven and did not start another league game till May. I was actually surprised when I saw that this was the case. I don't understand why he was dropped and couldn't get a game when we were not exactly doing very well. Yes, we had a bit of spell when the new players in O'Neil, Ba, Bridge and Keane came in but that fell away very quickly. Then to just be thrown in against Manchester City away from home smacked of desperation from Avram Grant in one the many decisions which proved that he really didn't know what he was doing. I was pleased with the performances Sears put in and thought he was excellent away at Chelsea where he gave Ashley Cole a tough time. Sears has recently pledged his future to the club and wishes to remain a West Ham player in the Championship. Whilst he may not be a world beater, I think he will be an asset in the Championship and we will be seeing a lot of him.
Apps: League 9 (2) Cup 4
Goals: 2
Verdict: In an out of favour but always tried his best when he got his chance.
Gary O'Neil
You could say he was the least interesting of the transfer window signings but up until his unfortunate injury in the home game against Aston Villa he had been a handy player to have in the side. He was signed in January from Championship side Middlesbrough and made his debut along with Robbie Keane away at Blackpool in the 3-1 win. O'Neil showed that he was quite clearly a player who was able to pass the ball and move forward quickly. He may not have much pace but in the short passing game Noble and Parker liked to play he slotted in with ease as if he had been playing with them all season. Even away at West Brom when we were 3-0 down in the first half he was our best player and was very unlucky not to open his account for the club with a shot which smashed off the crossbar. When available for selection O'Neil started all but two games. With Hitzlsperger returning and Grant persisting with the 4-3-3 formation which rarely worked, O'Neil found himself on the bench and was unused away at Bolton in a 3-0 loss in the only game that when available he played no part in. A nasty season ending injury at home to Aston Villa finished his season. He is a player I would expect to be at the club next season. He knows the Championship well and that experience will be important.
Apps: League 7 (1) Cup (1)
Verdict: A solid if unspectacular player who will be good to have next season.
Scott Parker
If last season Scott Parker was our best player by some way this season it just got a bit silly as he was so far our player of the season no one got remotely close.
As individual seasons go Parker had the best season anyone could have had and ended up winning the Football Writers Player Of The Season award which considering the talent within the Premiership to win this when playing for a club who finished bottom of the league is quite outstanding and I doubt anyone will do anything like it again. His magnificent form catapulted him back into the England team and made England Manager Fabio Capello foolish for not taking him to the World Cup last summer in which England performed so poorly. Parker started the season so well he left the rest of his team mates behind even as the season was just taking shape. He was also the only one looking like scoring those first couple of months as he raced to top of our goal scoring charts. He always gave everything he had even if it meant putting his body on the line. When he was out injured or suspended we had no chance of winning and we didn't win without him in the league. Hammer of the Year was sown up back in September he continued to try and save the club from relegation on his own one man mission. He played like a Captain even though he wasn't, and away at West Brom 3-0 down at half time it is now widely known that it was his team talk which spurred the side to making a wonderful comeback. Every superlative has been used to describe Scott Parker this season and with relegation we know that he will be leaving the club to join someone in the Premiership. We hope it isn't Tottenham of course and I know he would make an impact at the majority of teams in the top flight but no matter where he ends up I will remember Scott Parker for giving every ounce of effort for the club and for trying more than anyone else to save us from relegation. Quite simply, Scott Parker is the best player West Ham have had for a very long time.
Apps: League 30 (1) Cup 7 (1)
Goals: 7
Bookings: 8
Verdict: In such a woeful season he was quite wonderful.
Thomas Hitzlsperger
He was the big name summer signing (as we had heard of him) and we looked forward to having a creative midfielder to go alongside the battling Parker. But in typical West Ham style (and this is typical) he suffered a injury on International Duty for Germany which would keep him out for 5 months of the season. He finally made his debut in the FA Cup tie against Burnley at the Boleyn Ground and dominated the game scoring the first goal with a powerful left foot effort. With the January signings and Hitzlsperger in the midfield it seemed as though things were looking up and he was looking very good in the games he was starting. He scored another goal in the game at home to Stoke City with a crashing left foot drive which nearly went through the net. But as injuries to Parker and Noble developed, more responsibility was put on the German and he struggled to live up to it. He was not getting into the games enough and found it difficult to find time on the ball. It didn't help that he was playing in a weakened team with a lesser quality of player but we desperately needed him to really take some of those later games by the scruff of the neck and he was unable to do so. In fact the last six games of the season he seemed to be going through the motions and really didn't do enough. The word is that he has a clause in his contract allowing him to leave the club if we were relegated so I wouldn't expect to see him starting for the club come August.
Apps: League 11 Cup 2
Goals: 3
Bookings: 2
Verdict: Once he came into the side he began so well but it all tailed off very quickly.
Radoslav Kovac
Why Kovac was ever signed I have never been able to work out considering the little impact he made on his loan spell and that we had little money to spend. Last season he started a whopping 27 league games and to rely on a player of his limited quality for another season was asking for trouble. But with Hitzlsperger getting injured in Pre Season, Kovac was in and around the team for much of the first half of the season. To see him start the opening game away at Aston Villa was one of the early signs of Grant not having a Scooby, and Kovac was so poor in the first half he was hauled off at half time. A number of substitute appearances over the coming weeks he would find himself again in the starting line up away at Liverpool where he played the entire 90 minutes and like the team was atrocious. Between December and January Kovac was very much involved in first team action but none of his displays warranted him any further time in the first team. With Jonathan Spector looking a better option in the centre of midfield, Kovac was frozen from early February and never played for the club again. He has been in the media recently giving his opinion on how bad Avram Grant was. He fails to mention his lack of ability when it comes to playing football and is just another player who didn't really want to be at the club and showed little in the way of effort when it mattered. Whilst I accept he sometimes gets unfair criticism in games, overall Kovac is a poor player who has done little in his time at West Ham and it is this sort of player we must rid ourselves of.
Apps: League 7 (6) Cup 4 (1)
Bookings: 4
Verdict: Another player I'll be gladly rid of.
Mark Noble
The only player to have played for the club whilst we were in the Championship last time around. Noble is currently our longest serving player having made his debut in 2004 and has only recently turned 24. He has had a tough season and has struggled to find form on a consistent basis. With our lack of pace in midfield Noble has often been criticised for his lack of mobility and when up against bigger and stronger opposition he can easily get lost. I think people may expect more of Noble than he is capable of giving. He certainly give his all and loves the club but ability wise he is not going to beat a player with skill and stick it in the top corner. His strength is his passing and ability to pick out a pass which he has done on a number of occasions during the season. It is easy to pick up on the passes that may have gone astray.
For me his best performance of the season came in the League Cup at home to Stoke when he came on as a second half sub and took control of the game. A good run and quick feet saw him burst into the area and cross for Da Costa to score the second goal and then with time nearly up he picked out Obinna with a great pass to score the third. Up at West Brom later in the season a number of fans around me were criticising Noble but the fact is he was involved in every goal we scored in the game and even the Piquionne header onto the crossbar came when he played a good pass through to Bridge. He also should have been awarded a penalty. There will always be better players out there than Mark Noble but I believe he is a good player to have in your squad and can perform very well on occasion. In the Championship I want to see him given the Captain's armband as I believe he has the passion and desire to drive West Ham forward and out of the second tier.
Apps: League 25 (1) Cup 8 (1)
Goals: 5
Bookings: 7
Verdict: Featured heavily in our season, not enough goals from open play (only one in the cup) but could be massive for us next season.
Jonathan Spector
Spector has always been a defender by trade and not a very good one in his time at West Ham. Whether it left back, right back or centre half you generally shudder when Spector is named in your backline. I remember under Alan Curbishley Spector had to play in the centre of midfield and came close to scoring away at Derby County in a 5-0 win but the goal was given as an own goal depriving Spector from scoring his first goal for the club. Fast forward three years and Spector still hasn't scored a goal but that was all to change on a snowy December night as Manchester United came to town in the league cup. With Mark Noble and Scott Parker rested, Spector took up the centre midfield slot. When we saw this many of the fans nodded their heads in disbelief. Spector in the middle? Alongside Kovac? Were we trying to lose the game. But no, because this was a tactical masterstroke as Jonathan Spector played the game of his life and from then on became a centre midfielder. Victor Obinna had already taken a shot which deflected off Spector and flew into the goal but it was ruled out for offside to yet again deny Spector of a goal. He did not have to wait much longer as Obinna clipped a pass into the area and like some American Swimmer destined to win the gold Spector leaped like a Salmon and head the ball past the keeper. If that was a shock Jonathan Maradona Brooking Messi Spector was at it against moments later when a slip in the area by Raphael let him in again and he finished with his left foot to make it two. He was superb, and West Ham went marching on into the next round. Spector was now reborn as the goal scoring midfielder. Actually not just a midfielder - but a machine. A weapon mass destruction. Maybe I am exaggerating just a little bit, but weapons of mass destruction are difficult to find and Spector would only go on to score two more goals and those came away at Everton and at home to Barnsley in the FA Cup. We would see him play in the midfield role a number of times from then on but there was little of the Manchester United magic to be seen. I think we may have been caught up in his display from that night to see that Spector really doesn't offer much and although a better option that Kovac, when you have to rely on players like Jonathan Spector you can see why we struggled so badly.
Apps: League 10 (4) Cup 5 (2)
Goals: 4
Bookings: 2
Verdict: A better player in the midfield role but still not good enough for prolonged Premiership Football. Unlikely he will stay at the club but would be a decent player to have on our books in the Championship if possible.
Jack Collison
Out injured for much of the season and only made 2 starts right at the end when things were just about finished. I will be interested to see how he develops as I have feared he is in danger of turning into one of those players who doesn't excel in any position. Under Zola he played on the wing and gradually struggled as he isn't that type of player who can go past people. He doesn't have much pace but he has a height advantage and is strong. He is a good passer and surely he will be in the centre of midfield next season. I think Collison does have quality but he needs to make one position his own to really make an impact.
Apps: League 2 (1)
Junior Stanislas
A mixture of injury, loss of form and being poorly treated by the manager has led to a disappointing season for Stanislas. He has been in and out of the team since making his breakthrough and needed to work on aspects of his game as he continued to develop. Was given a surprise start against Wigan and it really was a surprise inclusion given that he had hardly been involved all season (barring a 90th minute appearance at Old Trafford). The decision to play him worked and he gave us real width which we had been lacking when playing Barrera or Boa Morte. What happened then was that he was dropped to the bench for the Manchester United League cup game - that was fair enough as it gave other players a chance. But then Kieron Dyer returned from injury and Stanislas was dropped from squad altogether for the next league game away at Sunderland which we would lose 1-0. Dyer was dropped to the bench for the following game against Manchester City and Stanislas found himself in the starting line up again but up against top class players he struggled. So out of the team he went against for the away game at Blackburn and in came Dyer and now Barrera who had been just as poor as Stanislas against Manchester City. Barrera is awful and Stanislas replaces him after 56 minutes and with 12 minutes of the game remaining Parker would find the young winger and Stanislas would score the equaliser. We went away to Fulham next on Boxing Day and he was impressive again. I stated in my report "Is beginning to look like a proper player. Has a bit more bite to his game and slight sense of arrogance which I think is important for a winger. He was good on the ball and only his corner kicks let his performance down." Next up were Wolves and Stanislas got clattered in the first half and did not look right and was taken off with 20 minutes to go. And that was it for Junior as he then had to undergo a Hernia operation which would in the end keep him out for remainder of the season (although he was an unused sub in the final game). I think he is a player with a lot of potential and if he can get fit I think he will score a lot of goals next season. In my opinion I think he is better than both Sears and Hines.
Apps: League 4 (2) Cup 1 (1)
Goals: 1
Verdict: There is more to see.
Anthony Edgar
He had a very good Pre Season and looked as though he may have made the breakthrough as he scored the winning goal in the Friendly at Peterborough. A brace in the reserves early on the in the season seemed to further his position as a player who might be ready for some first team action. But sadly for him he picked up an injury that would keep him out for quite a while and by the time he came back it was January and we were about to make a number of signings. With the team doing so badly it was not the time to blood another youngster and sadly for him the only time on the pitch he got was as a 90th minute substitute in the FA Cup game against Barnsley. He was played through by Scott Parker for his chance to score but the finish was poor and that was the only time Edgar was used in any capacity during the season.
Apps: Cup (1)
Luis Boa Morte
Not liked by the fans, slagged off the owners at the back end of last season, his contract about to expire and is 33 years old. Quite clearly the best course of action would be to offer him a two year contract. How the club came to the conclusion that Boa Morte should be retained I am not exactly sure and whilst I like his aggressive nature as we lack this most of the time, I still cannot find justification for giving him a TWO year contract. And it is not as if he would just be a player who came into the team from time to time because he actually started HALF our league games. He still has the same intensity he has always had as a Footballer but his best days are so far behind him it really just goes to show how much we were lacking in quality when Luis Boa Morte is so involved in your season. His passing isn't good enough and does not have enough quality to be at the top level. With a year to run on his contract I cannot see him going anywhere and we are sure to see our fifth (FIFTH!) year of the Boa who there are many things that may or not be true about.
Apps: League 19 (3) Cup 5 (1)
Bookings: 7
Verdict: The Boa remains and never looks like leaving.
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Can Oil and Water Mix, as the 'Iron Surgeon' Cometh on a Two Year Contract!
June 1st, 2011 - 12:08 am by S J Chandos
West Ham Till I Die
Most supporters that I have spoken to seem to feel that West Ham's traditional footballing philosophy and the pragmatic methods of Sam Allardyce are a bit like 'oil and water,' they do not mix! While there is some truth in the, counter-argument that we have not played the classic 'West Ham Way' for some considerable time, it does ignore the fact that under Pardew, Curbishley, Zola and Grant we did try to play a passing game. Admittedly it was done with varying degrees of success, but the intention was there all the same.
Sam Allardyce comes to the club with a reputation as a 'long ball merchant,' whose teams are physical and geared up to 'route one' football. Is that reputation deserved, maybe to some extent, but it could also be the case that, hitherto, Alladyce has merely adopted the tactics and methods that are best suited to the players available to him? And quite honestly is that not the sign of a good manager?
Kumb have recently posted an Australian TV interview with Allardyce, where he talks about his reputation and playing style. In it, he maintains that his team played a certain way to frustrate and gain results against the likes of Chelski and Arsenal and his tactics have been very successful. He argued that it was the managers of those teams (such as Wenger and Mourinho) that were responsible for portraying his teams as playing negative football. Other interesting points in the film are when he talks about the quality players that he managed to attract to Bolton and the fact that he sees himself as a motivator, someone who can get 110% out of his playing squad.
If Sam Allardyce is to be successful at West Ham then he needs to understand the traditions of the club and the strong beliefs and preferences of the fan base. In particular, he must learn the lessons of the prior attitude of the fans towards Alan Curbishley's tactics and approach. Allardyce needs to bring his organised, disciplined, hard working and high-tech approach to the table, but show that he will combine it with attractive, attacking play. Moreover, he must be aware of the centrality of the Hammers Academy and our record of producing top quality international footballers. And he must confirm that the Tomkins, Collisons, Sears and Spences will be retained and the great tradition of youth development will continue under his management.
If he is wise, Allardyce will use these major themes in his first press conference, that he knows and respects West Ham's traditions and like, the best of (for instance) John Lyall's teams, he wishes to synthesize organisation and creativity. He should also confirm that he will continue to blood and develop the youngsters that come through West Ham's world class Academy. After sweetening the pill, the point should also be forcibly made that West Ham's relegation, last season, was largely a result of poor organisation, an inability to play as a team and do the basics well. Allardyce should promise to bring the coaching antedote to those ailments.
Gold and Sullivan must have carefully considered the likely adverse reaction from supporters. They have obviously decided to brave the backlash to secure a man that they feel can sort out the serious problems on playing side of the club, secure automatic promotion and keep them in the PL the following season. It is interesting that it is being reported that his contact will be for two years. It could be a case of 'once bitten, twice shy' after agreeing a four year contract with Avram Grant or perhaps, alternatively, Sam Allardyce is seen as a shorter-term appointment to do a very specifc job?
Perhaps the feeling is that the problems in the playing set up are so fundamental and deep seated that an 'Iron Surgeon' is needed to regenerate and galvinise the footballing culture of the club. The last two seasons have amply demonstrated that all is not well. Capable players have badly under-performed, there has been a weak team ethos and the basics are not being performed on the pitch. Alan Curbishley made some progress in addressing these issues, but was under-valued by the fans and ended up a victim of board room machinations. While both Zola and Grant lacked the strength and managerial skills to seriously tackle the outstanding issues at the club. The result has been a struggle that has led to relegation from the PL. And now maybe the strong medicine of the Iron Surgeon is necessary to intervene at this crisis point in our history, cleanse and restore the health of the footballing side our club?
If so, the question for me is, how can we go through this regenerative process and still preserve the heart and soul of the club? How can we preserve the legacy of Greenwood and Lyall so that it can re-assert itself in future? We can only do that by retaining West Ham men in the back room team and ensuring that our youth prospects continue to be taught the 'West Ham Way' via the Academy. Tony Carr is the enduring link to the Greenwood-Lyall eras and the best footballing traditions of the club. Whilst, for me, it is damning that there were no obvious, experienced, candidates for the job from amongst former West Ham players. Hopefully, that weakness can be rectified in future.
Sam Allardyce may prove bitter medicine for some at the club, but the last two seasons suggest that, in many respects, it is needed. Oil and water may never mix, but is it beyond the realms of possibility that the eventual legacy of Sam Allardyce could be greater professionalism, motivation, organisational discipline and a winning mentality; one that could eventually come to supplement and enhance the much older and defining West Ham traditions, of Fenton, Greenwood and Lyall, of playing attractive, attacking football.
Is this an elaborate attempt to rescue optimism from the jaws of pessimism? Perhaps, but it is an alternative point of view. Consider it and either accept or reject it as you wish. As with most things, time and the tide of events is the ultimate critic! All else pales in to insignificance.
SJ. Chandos.
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Big Sam's Olympic ring
By SHAUN CUSTIS
Published: Today
The Sun
SAM ALLARDYCE has landed the job of getting West Ham back into the Premier League. Big Sam is confident of steering the relegated Hammers to promotion before their move to the new Olympic stadium. West Ham yesterday concluded talks with the former Bolton, Newcastle and Blackburn boss and agreed a two-year deal worth £3million - which also includes a seven-figure bonus for winning promotion. Big Sam, who is sunning himself in Spain, said: "I look forward to taking charge after I have had a family holiday. "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."
Allardyce has been told by co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan he is under no pressure to sell any of the squad that crashed out of the top flight. And Big Sam has made his main priority keeping hold of Senegal striker Demba Ba, who only joined the club in January. The boss believes the seven-goal hitman, 26, is key to the Hammers' promotion drive and that he can help Ba overcome the injuries that have blighted his career. Allardyce is renowned for his attention to medical detail and helping players with their fitness. He did consider walking away from club management after his sacking by Blackburn in December. He was on the Hammers' shortlist to take over in January, along with Martin O'Neill, but the board decided to stick with Avram Grant.
Allardyce worked as a TV pundit and West Ham made their move after sacking Grant when their relegation was confirmed. Ideally, Big Sam wanted a job back in the Premier League but knows if the owners back him, he will soon put the club back among the top flight again. Neil McDonald, his assistant at Bolton and Blackburn, is joining him in the East End. Allardyce's arrival has been welcomed by ex-Hammer Scott Minto. He said: "Sam is a great choice. He knows how to get teams into the Premier League - and how to keep them up. "West Ham need stability, something they haven't had since the owners came in. "Sam can bring that with his big backroom staff all working in the same direction. "The problem they have had is scoring goals and at the back they need to keep clean sheets. "They won just two games away from home and that's something he needs to address."
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Allardyce agrees £3million West Ham deal
Published 23:02 31/05/11 By John Percy
The Mirror
Sam Allardyce last night signed a £3million contract with West Ham to complete his return to management. Allardyce has agreed the two-year deal at Upton Park to become the highest-paid boss in the Championship, with the promise of a lucrative £1.25m bonus if he guides the Hammers back to the Premier League. The former Blackburn boss is expected to be officially unveiled next week after finally reaching agreement with owners David Sullivan, David Gold and Karren Brady last night.
Allardyce will start work immediately on building a squad capable of winning promotion back to the Premier League after getting assurances he will have cash to spend.
West Ham have told the 58-year-old his budget must be boosted by player sales however, with England stars Scott Parker, Robert Green and Carlton Cole likely to bring in around £18m. Allardyce is determined to retain the core of the squad though, and has identified Demba Ba as a key player. The Senegal striker has been targeted by Everton, Sunderland, Newcastle and Wolves but Big Sam will attempt to persuade him to stay. Big Sam is also expected to recruit Neil McDonald to his backroom staff, but will offer first-team coach Kevin Keen a chance to stay on.
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Sam Allardyce expected to be confirmed as new West Ham manager
Allardyce offered huge bonus to lift Hammers back to top flight
Former Blackburn manager seeks assurances from co-owners
Jamie Jackson
guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 31 May 2011 19.48 BST
Sam Allardyce is expected to be confirmed as the new manager of West Ham United as soon as the final details of his contract have been signed off, according to a source close to the 56-year-old. It is thought that Allardyce will be paid a £1.25m‑a-year salary, plus a bonus of at least £1m by David Gold and David Sullivan, the co-owners, if he can return the relegated club straight back into the Premier League next season. Sullivan has said that Championship football will "blow a £40m hole" in the club's finances, despite the parachute money West Ham will receive over the next two seasons.
Allardyce will replace Avram Grant, who was sacked once West Ham's drop into the Championship was confirmed following the 3-2 defeat at Wigan Athletic this month. Allardyce has been out of work since he was removed as the Blackburn Rovers manager last December, after being in charge at Ewood Park for two years.
Allardyce's preference had been to return to work at a top-flight club, with the former Bolton Wanderers and Newcastle United manager not declaring an interest when Burnley and Preston North End were searching for a new manager.
However, West Ham's greater profile and the larger budget, despite their financial difficulties, is thought to have persuaded Allardyce that the east London club provide the ideal platform from which to relaunch a 20-year managerial career he still hopes could include taking charge of the England team. Whether he will be allowed total control of transfer affairs by Gold and Sullivan is a moot point, while Allardyce will also have sought assurances from the owners that they will measure their public statements as much as possible. Grant is known to been unhappy at interference from Gold, Sullivan and Karren Brady, the vice-chairman, in both of these regards during his single-season tenure, though it is understood Allardyce is satisfied following discussions.
Once Allardyce is appointed the future of the relegated club's better players, who include Scott Parker, Robert Green, Matthew Upson, Carlton Cole and Thomas Hitzlsperger, should become clearer. While Parker, Green, Upson and Cole are almost certain to leave, Sullivan has told Hitzlsperger that he would be made club captain and the team's focal point should the German midfielder choose to stay on and help in the tilt at winning instant promotion. Demba Ba, the Senegalese who scored seven league goals in 12 appearances since joining on a pay-as-you-play deal in January from Hoffenheim, is also undecided.
Allardyce was reported as saying at the weekend: "Everything has been agreed in principle and I look forward to taking charge after I have had a family holiday. 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." Allardyce beat other possible candidates who are believed to have included Queens Park Rangers' Neil Warnock, Dave Jones, the sacked Cardiff City manager, and Ian Holloway of Blackpool.
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Allardyce to be named new West Ham boss after agreeing two-year deal at Upton Park
By SAMI MOKBEL
Last updated at 1:12 AM on 1st June 2011
Daily Mail
West Ham will unveil Sam Allardyce as their new manager after agreeing a two-year contract. Sportsmail exclusively revealed Hammers co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan's move for Allardyce on Saturday morning. And the former Newcastle manager's advisors spent Tuesday thrashing out terms over the 56-year-old's move to Upton Park, which includes a substantial bonus for promotion. Allardyce, 56, said: 'I look forward to taking charge after I have had a family holiday. 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.' The Hammers hierarchy are completing the formalities to the deal which will see Allardyce replace Avram Grant. Allardyce's appointment brings to an end the club's two week search for a new manager. Martin O'Neill, Alex McLeish, Neil Warnock and Dave Jones were all serious contenders for the role. Allardyce has been out of work since his shock sacking by Blackburn last December. The Hammers' new boss is expected to bring his former Ewood Park No 2 Neil McDonald with him to East London.
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West Ham appoint former Bolton manager Sam Allardyce on a two-year contract
The appointment of Sam Allardyce as the new West Ham United manager is due to be confirmed this morning.
By Jeremy Wilson
8:50PM BST 31 May 2011
Telegraph.co.uk
Allardyce has agreed the terms of a contract to succeed Avram Grant and become the third West Ham manager since David Gold and David Sullivan took control of the club just 16 months ago. It is understood that the former Bolton, Blackburn and Newcastle manager will be paid a basic salary in excess of £1 million a year but would also earn a bonus of £1 million should he mastermind an immediate return to the Premier League. Martin O'Neill, who has been out of work since leaving his job at Aston Villa last year, Dave Jones – sacked on Monday by Cardiff City – and Norwich City's Paul Lambert were also considered by West Ham. However, Allardyce was their first choice after almost being appointed in January when the club first seriously considered whether to sack Grant. Sullivan had said that he wanted a British manager with a "fear factor" and, in Allardyce, he has a personality who certainly ticks both boxes. The key now will be rebuild both the squad and the morale of the entire club after a dreadful season that saw them finish bottom of the Premier League by six points. It is almost certain that England midfielder Scott Parker will leave, with Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur all interested. It will also be difficult for Allardyce to keep striker Demba Ba and midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger, who have both been offered new contracts but had clauses in their contracts that allowed them to leave in the event of relegation. Robert Green is expected to replace Brad Friedel at Aston Villa, while Matthew Upson, Lars Jacobsen, Kieron Dyer, Danny Gabbidon and Jonathan Spector are all out of contract.
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Exclusive - Gale: 'Allardyce is strong enough to sort West Ham out'
TalkSport
By Michael Wade
Tuesday, May 31
Tony Gale reckons new West Ham boss Sam Allardyce can deliver the stability that was lacking from the club under Avram Grant. Grant, who was manager as the Hammers finished rock bottom of the Premier League, was dismissed following a 3-2 defeat to Wigan which confirmed relegation to the Championship. And the Israeli was viewed by many as a weak figure in the dressing room, something that was only added to by the side's poor performances on the pitch. But former Upton Park favourite Gale has told talkSPORT that former Bolton boss Allardyce will have the strength to run the club properly, saying: "Avram Grant was weak and was listening to too many people in the background. "The owners, Karren Brady, Barry Silkman are involved with the club as well. And when you start listening to everyone else in the background and you're not making your own decisions that's the worst thing in the world. "At least if someone like Sam [Allardyce] takes over he'll have the strength of mind and the strength of character to deal with everyone. "It's been run like a bit of a holiday camp. The only difference is there hasn't been any entertainment. Sam will be a welcome addition because he might smack a few backsides and get these boys playing because there is no doubt there is some ability within that squad."
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Allardyce set to be given job of reviving West Ham
By Gordon Tynan
Wednesday, 1 June 2011
The Independent
Allardyce has impressed the West Ham owners so much that he could be unveiled on a two-year deal today. West Ham United's hunt for the man they will entrust to take them back to the Premier League could end today, with Sam Allardyce thought to be close to taking the Upton Park reins. The Hammers sacked Avram Grant last month after their relegation to the Championship was confirmed with a game to spare, and a number of names, such as Dave Jones, Neil Warnock and Malky Mackay had been touted. But it was reported last night that 56-year-old Allardyce had impressed co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan so much that he could be unveiled on a two-year deal today. If Allardyce is the man, it will be his first job since he was dismissed by Blackburn in December and it will be the first time he has managed outside the top flight in a decade. Having cut his teeth with Blackpool and Notts County, he made his name with Bolton and took them to the Premier League through the play-offs in 2001. He then established them as a Premier League club and even took them into Europe in 2005. His work on a relatively low budget did not go unnoticed and he moved to Newcastle in 2007, only for Mike Ashley to take over the club two weeks later and sack Allardyce after just six months. After an 11-month absence he returned to management with Blackburn in December 2008 and was thought by many to be doing a reasonable job, again on a low budget, when he was sacked six months ago after the club changed hands. Again his dismissal was authorised by an owner who did did not hire him, but, if Gold and Sullivan make the decision to appoint him, Allardyce can hope to get the time he needs to reshape the east London club.
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