:) Cheers Kev!
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Tomkins gets England run
WHUFC.com
West Ham United fans will be watching James Tomkins closely at the UEFA U21
EURO
05.06.2011
James Tomkins was back in the international fold on Sunday having had no
hesitation in answering his country's call when selected for the 2011 UEFA
European Under-21 Championship. Although left out of Stuart Pearce's
original 23-man party for the finals in Denmark, Tomkins was needed when
Micah Richards dropped out because of a hamstring problem. The Hammers
defender was away on holiday but cut short his summer plans to link up with
the Young Lions. He joined the party on Friday ahead of their final warm-up
friendly against Norway in Southampton and played the final seven minutes in
a 2-0 win. Tonks entered the fray as a replacement for Phil Jones, earning
his tenth cap at this level in the process. After a couple of days off for
Tomkins and Co, England will then fly out to Denmark on Wednesday in
readiness for their Group B games against Spain (12 June), Ukraine (15 June)
and Czech Republic (19 June). "It is always a great honour to be called up
for your country," said
Tomkins, who was part of the England squad at the 2009 tournament. "I had no
hesitation in joining up. It is a great tournament, with top teams and
players involved."
The 22-year-old will be competing for a place with Chris Smalling, Michael
Mancienne and Jones - underlining the strength in Pearce's selection. "I
hope I can play and the team are looking to go one step further than two
years ago when we reached the final. I want to play a part in helping the
team do that."
Tomkins hopes a strong showing at the eight-nation finals would stand him in
good stead for next season's club challenge. He has welcomed the appointment
of new manager Sam Allardyce and is eager to prove he can key in the big
promotion push. He said: "I am looking forward to working with him. He comes
with a very good record and has always done very well at his other clubs. He
will be great for our promotion challenge next season and I can't wait to
get started."
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Parker wants Prem move
Hammers star believes he must be in Premier League to keep international
place
Last Updated: June 5, 2011 12:47pm
SSN
Scott Parker admits he will hold talks with Sam Allardyce over his need to
sacrifice West Ham for a future with England. Parker, whose departure from
Upton Park appears inevitable following the club's relegation to the
Championship, will meet the new Hammers boss when the pair return from
holiday. And the 30-year-old midfielder, who joined the London side in 2007,
believes he must be playing in the top-flight next season if he is to keep
his international place. Parker said: "Oh yeah, for sure. That's where
everyone wants to play, in the Premier League, and I'm no different. I'm
sure he'll give me a call and we'll go through things."
Parker, who won Footballer of the Year award, has already been linked with
Tottenham, Liverpool and Arsenal following an impressive campaign for a West
Ham side who struggled all season. And with the Hammer's relegation
confirmed after a Wigan comeback to win 3-2 on May 15th, Parker insists his
priority now is to rest before considering where he may end up. Parker said:
"As soon as that game ended, I think my main focus was having a rest and
just shutting the body down, really. "It's been a long, hard season for the
majority of the players in there. So, I'm looking forward to getting away
with the family and just chilling out a little bit."
Convinced
But despite Parker's desire to leave, the England international is convinced
the appointment of Allardyce is the right one. Parker said: "I think his
credentials speak for themselves. It's obviously a big signing for the club
and a very good one. I'm sure the manager will do very, very well."
Meanwhile, Parker earned his sixth cap in England's 2-2 draw at Wembley on
Saturday in the European Championship Qualifier. And speaking after the
game, Parker admitted that whichever Premier League club he chooses this
summer there will be tough competition for his England place with Steven
Gerrard set to return from injury next season. Parker added: "All I can do,
like I've said before, is keep trying to put in good performances. "It was a
strange game, really. We conceded two goals in the first half, which was
difficult. Second half, we were pretty much on top and, on our chances,
probably should've won the game. "Obviously, a little disappointed that we
didn't get the three points but I think there were some positives out of
it."
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Parker will quit the Hammers
Published: 05 Jun 2011
The Sun
SCOTT PARKER will tell Sam Allardyce he needs to QUIT West Ham for the sake
of his England career. Parker will hold talks with the new Hammers boss to
discuss his future when the pair return from holiday. The 30-year-old
midfielder said: "Everyone wants to play, in the Premier League and I'm no
different. "I'm sure he'll give me a call and we'll go through things."
Parker's departure from West Ham appeared a foregone conclusion the moment
they were relegated. There will be so shortage of suitors for the Footballer
of the Year, with Tottenham, Liverpool and Arsenal all linked with him. But
Parker insisted he had yet to give any thought to where he might end up. He
said: "As soon as that game ended, I think my main focus was having a rest
and just shutting the body down, really. "It's been a long, hard season for
the majority of the players in there. "So, looking forward to getting away
with the family and just chilling out a little bit."
Parker also agreed with manager Fabio Capello that tiredness was to blame
for England's disappointing 2-2 draw with Switzerland. He continued: "I
think there was a little bit. Towards the end of the game, you could see the
last 15 minutes, the spark went a little bit. "We were a little bit flat,
were a little bit leggy. It has been a long season.
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The Hartache goes on for Green
By CHARLIE WYETT
Published: 04 Jun 2011
The Sun
ENGLAND boss Fabio Capello has defended his decision to continually snub
keeper Robert Green, insisting No 1 Joe Hart needs more matches. West Ham
stopper Green has not played for England since his blunder gifted the US
their goal in the World Cup last summer. Green, 31, initially made himself
unavailable for today's match but was persuaded to return following the
birth of his child and because back-up keeper David Stockdale was absent
getting wed yesterday. Manchester City ace Hart, 24, will earn only his 11th
cap against the Swiss at Wembley today. And Capello said: "Green didn't play
because Hart needed more international games. For this reason, Green hasn't
played a lot since South Africa but Green is a really good player. For the
young players, like Hart, they need more international games." Capello also
claimed Birmingham's Ben Foster has only quit England temporarily and not
retired. He said: "The problem with Foster is his finger. He told us: 'I
need to have an operation'."
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Fernandes in 'joke bid' rant
By BEN HUNT
Published: 04 Jun 2011
The Sun
TONY FERNANDES has blasted West Ham owners David Sullivan and David Gold
after the duo laughed off his bid to buy the club. Fernandes, who owns the
Lotus Formula One team and airline AirAsia, submitted an offer to buy the
Hammers on Thursday. But Sullivan labelled the bid derisory and hit back
saying that 'Fernandes wanted to buy 51 per cent of the club for two bob'.
And now West Ham fan Fernandes has launched a stinging attack on Gold and
Sullivan by criticising their running of the club. On Twitter he said: "Make
up your mind Sullivan and Gold. One minute you say no offer, then you say
it's a joke offer. It was a good offer with good money and brought in good
people. "Gold and Sullivan can say whatever they want. "I have been a
lifelong fan and would have brought good money, good ideas, new people and a
new belief. "As for PR stunts. Wow. They are always in the press making huge
claims. "Were we not supposed to be in Europe? "Now we've been relegated.
Two sacked managers. All the good players will be sold. "No new training
ground, which is the most important ingredient I feel. Look at how many
injuries we have.
"And we need more investment into the academy." Malaysian businessman
Fernandes, 47, first launched a bid to buy the club back in 2009 but lost
out to Sullivan and Gold.
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West Ham hero moves closer to the exit
Published 23:05 05/06/11 By John Cross
The Mirror
Scott Parker will resolve his future after his summer holiday. But Parker
made it clear that new West Ham boss Sam Allardyce has got little chance of
keeping him with several Premier League clubs wanting to sign the England
midfielder. Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp is red-hot favourite to sign the
30-year-old but Parker says he will delay any decision until he clears his
head on holiday. Parker said: "My main focus is to go on holiday with my
family and relax. It has been a tough season and my main focus is to relax.
"Whether you believe it or not my focus is to relax. What will be, will be.
It is out of my hands. We will see."
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Parker stalls on Hammers transfer talk
ESPNsoccernet staff
June 6, 2011
Scott Parker says he will take a summer holiday with his family before
making any decisions on his playing future. Parker is expected to leave West
Ham following the team's relegation from the Premier League. The midfielder
will hold talks with news Hammers boss Sam Allardyce later this month to
determine whether or not he will leave Upton Park to stay in the top flight.
Parker said: "I've not really any idea where I might be playing next season.
"My main focus now is going away with my family on holiday and just
relaxing. "It's been a tough season and my main focus is getting away and
just relaxing. "I haven't set myself a deadline. Whether you believe it or
not, my main focus is just going away and relaxing and what's to be is going
to be. "It's out of my hands, out of my control, really, isn't it? We will
see what happens."
Meanwhile, Parker is confident that Fabio Capello's England side can top
their Euro 2012 qualifying group after being part of the team that was held
to a 2-2 with Switzerland at the weekend. "We are a nation who expect to top
the group and we have the players and the quality to top the group. "The
last thing you want is a play-off. "It was a disappointing result against
Switzerland but, as quick as this result passes, we look forward to the
next. "Everyone could see the last 15 minutes was a bit tiring. It was a bit
flat and a bit leggy for all of us. "But that is no excuse. We have had a
hard season but our job is to go out there and produce a performance," he
said.
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