WHUFC.com
Club legend Tony Cottee believes Sam Allardyce is the right man to lead West
Ham United to promotion
11.06.2011
West Ham United legend Tony Cottee believes Sam Allardyce is the perfect
manager to lead the Hammers to promotion in 2011/12. The former West Ham and
England striker has kept a close eye on Allardyce's progress at Bolton
Wanderers, Newcastle United and Blackburn Rovers through his role as a Sky
pundit, and is a keen admirer of his work. Cottee explained that the new
manager's work ethic, determination and professionalism are exactly what is
needed to arrest the club's recent slide into the npower Championship. "I
think Sam is a good appointment," the 1985/86 Hammer of the Year told West
Ham TV. "My own personal opinion was that I wanted either Martin O'Neill or
Sam Allardyce - I felt those two were the standout candidates. There were
some other good managers who were mentioned along the way, but I'm pleased
that Sam has got it. "I'm not going to stand here and say that Sam is my
best mate and I know him really well, but whenever I've come across Sam he
has been really friendly and said 'Hello' and hopefully I'll spend a little
bit of time with him as the season goes on. "I think it is a great
appointment for the club."
Allardyce and the club's Board have already begun work on assembling a
promotion-winning squad ahead of the new season. While a number of players
are expected to leave the Boleyn Ground over the summer, Cottee believes the
man known throughout the game as 'Big Sam' will be able to attract some
quality performers to east London. And when the season begins on Saturday 6
August, the striker said Allardyce is exactly the right manager to get the
most out of his squad over what will be a demanding 46-game season. "There
is obviously a lot of work to be done, which we all know. There's no point
in me going on about last season because it's over and done with and we all
know how bad it was - it was a horrendous season for everyone involved at
the club. "I always say that I'm a fan first and foremost, I'm not a player.
I'm a fan and I want what's best for the club and I honestly believe that,
in the appointment of Sam Allardyce, we've given ourselves a real chance.
"We've got what you would call a Premier League manager to manage a
Championship club and he's a no-nonsense manager. He won't take any
shortcomings from any of the players and I think that is probably what's
needed. "It's important that the players, whoever does stay at the club,
show the right attitude and application because the Championship is a really
tough league. I cover it week-in, week-out in my role for Sky and I know
exactly how tough it is. "The first thing you need is a good manager to work
with the quality that we've got here and I'm sure he'll bring in a few more.
It's a great appointment, it really is."
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Lee learning fast
WHUFC.com
Promising striker Elliot Lee is targeting the top after agreeing a full-time
scholarship with West Ham United
11.06.2011
With a father who played 21 times for England and a brother who made his
Football League debut in April, Elliot Lee has plenty of experience to call
upon as he tries to make his way in the beautiful game. The 16-year-old
centre forward has recently agreed a two-year scholarship with West Ham
United, the club he has represented for the past nine seasons. Under the
guidance of his famous Dad, the former West Ham, Newcastle United and
England midfielder Rob, and 19-year-old brother Olly, who enjoyed a loan
spell at Dagenham & Redbridge earlier this year, the teenager is ready to
take the next step towards following in their footsteps and becoming a
full-time professional. While a first-team debut may still be some years
away, the goal-hungry striker is already showing signs of fulfilling his
immense potential, scoring a hat-trick in the final FA Premier Academy
League fixture of the season at Chelsea and making an eye-catching
reserve-team debut at Blackburn Rovers in April. "I've been at the club
since I was seven-years-old so it's good news to have signed my
scholarship," Lee told West Ham TV. "I want to push on and hopefully cement
my place in the reserve team, if possible, and to keep on scoring goals. "It
was really good to get the hat-trick. [Academy Director] Tony Carr has
pushed me on into the Under-18s since Christmas from the Under-16s and I
think I've done quite well, so it's been good to play for them."
While Carr and his coaching staff concentrate on honing Lee's skills at
Little Heath, at home dad Rob and brother Olly ensure he keeps his feet
firmly on the ground.
"There is loads of banter about, what with all the football in the family,
but it's all good. My Dad is a great help to me. He speaks to me after every
game and he always offers me great advice and I'll always listen to him and
hopefully it'll lead me places."
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Spector eyes Gold Cup bow
WHUFC.com
Jonathan Spector will be eager to feature when the United States take on
Panama on Saturday night
11.06.2011
Jonathan Spector will hope to make his 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup debut when the
United States take on Panama on Saturday evening. The Americans opened their
challenge for a fifth Gold Cup title on Tuesday, when neighbours Canada were
defeated 2-0 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. However, West Ham United
man Spector was not a part of the 18-man matchday squad, and the 25-year-old
will be eager to get onto the pitch against the Panamanians. Like the US,
their opponents also began the tournament with a victory, overcoming
Guadeloupe 3-2 at Ford Field. Saturday's clash is expected to draw a large
crowd to Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida - the home of NFL American
Football side Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Should either side win, they will
advance to the quarter-finals of the 12-nation competition.
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Green's Turkish delight?
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 11th June 2011
By: Staff Writer
Robert Green is being linked with a move to Turkish club Bursaspor. The
United 'keeper has one more year of his contract at West Ham to run but is
one of several players likely to be moving on before the start of the
2011/12 season. Reports from Turkey this morning suggest that the
31-year-old - whose wife recently gave birth to their first child - could be
on his way, with reports claiming that he has signed a two-year contract.
Turkish media outlet spor.mynet.com suggest that Green is set to replace
outgoing Dimitar Ivankov, who was part of the team who won the Turkish Super
League in 2010. Ivankov is also well known for being the third-highest
scoring goalkeeper of all time, with 42 goals - mostly penalties - to his
name.
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Deutsche BundeSpector?
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 10th June 2011
By: Staff Writer
American defender-come-midfielder Jonathan Spector is considering a move to
Germany. The 25-year-old - who was signed by Alan Pardew from Manchester
United in the summer of 2006 - has been offered a new contract by West Ham,
but could be on his way to Germany having been targeted by a couple of
Bundesliga clubs.
Speaking yesterday from the USA, where he is part of the American squad
taking part in the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup, Spector said: "West Ham have
offered me a new contract so at this point I'm just weighing up my options.
At this stage in my career it's important to go somewhere where I'm going to
play and get a good opportunity.
"West Ham is a fantastic club - and London is a great city - but I'm not
there for the city, I'm there for soccer. I'm certainly open to moving and
at this point I'm not ruling anything out. "I just want to see what my
options are and take it from there. If it's a better opportunity for me in
Germany than in England then it's something I'll certainly take up."
Spector has spent much of his time at West Ham as a reserve, however he has
been involved of some of the club's most memorable performances in the last
four years. On the final day of the 2006/07 season Spector came on as a
28th minute sub for George McCartney - at left back - and celebrated with
3,000 travelling Hammers as West Ham beat Manchester United 1-0 at Old
Trafford to secure their Premier League place for another season. The
following season he both featured and scored in West Ham's 5-0 win at Derby,
United's biggest win on the road for several years. And earlier this season
Spector was the star of the show as the Irons beat Manchester United 4-0,
scoring twice and having one disallowed in possibly his most memorable
performance for the club.
Specsy football: West Ham career
2006/07: Played 28, Booked 5
2007/08: Played 28, Scored 1, Booked 2
2008/09: Played 9, Booked 1
2009/10: Played 29, Booked 2
2010/11: Played 21, Scored 4, Booked 2
Total: Played 115, Scored 5, Booked, 12, Sent Off 0
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Magpies reject Nolan bid
West Ham fail with 'derisory' offer for midfielder
Last Updated: June 11, 2011 4:18pm
SSN
Sky Sports sources understand that Newcastle have turned down a 'derisory'
offer from West Ham for Kevin Nolan. The Hammers are preparing to mount a
push for promotion from the Championship after suffering relegation at the
end of the season, with new manager Sam Allardyce drawing up a list of
transfer targets. Nolan was believed to be one of the names at the top of
their wish list and a bid was lodged with the Magpies in an attempt to
secure his services. However, Newcastle have rejected the approach as they
value Nolan much higher and do not want to let their captain leave. It
emerged earlier this week that the midfielder had turned down the offer of a
new contract at St James' Park, with two years still remaining on his
current deal. But that is because he wanted an improved five-year deal and
Newcastle were offering a two-year extension. The 28-year-old has been
consistently impressive since making the move to Tyneside from Bolton in
2009, first helping Newcastle bounce back to the top flight and then
carrying on his fine form with 12 goals in the Premier League.
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Beyond Derisory!
June 11th, 2011 - 8:48 pm by S J Chandos
West Ham Till I DI e
Newcastle Utd have apparently dismissed West Ham's initial £3m offer for
Kevin Nolan as derisory! Yet,we see unconfirmed reports this evening that
the very same Newcastle Utd have agreed terms with Demba Ba on move to St
James Park, a transfer that would see West Ham receive …… absolutely
nothing!
Now that would be beyond derisory!
Iif the reports are true, then Newcastle Utd are merely taking advantage of
the 'relegation escape clause' that Ba inserted in his contract on joining
West Ham in January. West Ham took a gamble on Ba, after he failed his
medical at Stoke City and his move there subsequently broke down. Other than
that he would have been stuck at Hoffenheim and denied the opportunity to
impress by scoring 7 goals in 11 PL matches. Perhaps West Ham should have
insisted on the relegation release clause only being activated by a minimum
bid of say £4m, at least the club would have got something, even if Ba's
knee condition meant that it was paid on an appearance basis.
Reports have speculated that Ba is seeking a £4m contract over three years
and that was too excessive for the likes of Everton. The £35m sale of
Carroll, allied to the fact that they are not paying West Ham a transfer
fee, means that they can easily meet Ba's terms. Oh well, I guess that we
may just have to put it down to experience and hope that we can do Newcastle
Utd a similar good turn at some point in the future!
Mind you, the deal could see one of Carlton Cole's possible transfer
destinations out of the window! However, knowing Alan Pardew's belief in
Cole's abilities, perhaps they might come back in for him as well. Now that
would be getting your own back, almost instantly! Perhaps West Ham should
try to tie up a part-exchange deal involving Cole and Kevin Nolan? It's a
deal that might happen? Although there are rumours circulating that Kevin
Nolan does not wish to drop down to the Championship again. Hopefully, that
is just Toon propaganda and, in reality, he would walk down to London for
the chance to work with Sam Allardyce again?
Elsewhere, it appears that West Ham are on the verge of signing two new
defenders on free transfers. The clue to their identity is that Sam
Allardyce has managed both players before. Step forward A. Faye and JL
Samuels, perchance?
SJ. Chandos.
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West Ham star rejects move to Turkish giants
Published 23:05 11/06/11 By Paul Smith
The Mirror
England midfielder Scott Parker has rejected a move to Fenerbahce. The
Turkish giants made an official bid for Parker this week, but were
immediately knocked back by West Ham as the player had no wish to open
transfer talks with them. Hammers are holding out for a minimum £8million
transfer fee for Parker. And to date no offer has been received from any
top-flight Premier League club. The major stumbling block is Parker's age.
He is fast approaching his 31st birthday and potential suitors like Spurs
are refusing to splash out such a large amount of money on a player with no
resale value. Parker is under contract until 2014, but has a verbal
agreement that would allow him to leave West Ham following relegation from
the Premier League. His wages are also likely to be an issue as he earns
more than £70,000 a week. Ideally he wants to stay in London, but would only
consider moves to either Spurs or Arsenal.
New Irons' boss Sam Allardyce has started his recruitment campaign. He is
expected to sign Abdoulaye Faye on a free following the 33-year-old's
release from Stoke. Bolton's Ricardo Gardner is another target.
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West Ham enter chase for Everton striker
Published 00:00 12/06/11 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror
West Ham are trying to hijack Leicester's bid to sign 28-year-old Yakubu.
Everton's Nigerian striker was on loan with the Foxes last season and had
been expected to make the move permanent this summer. But new Hammers boss
Sam Allardyce is interested in taking the hitman to Upton Park.
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West Ham unlikely to secure marquee Toon signing
Published 23:05 11/06/11 By Paul Smith
The Mirror
Sam Allardyce's hopes of being reunited with Newcastle skipper Kevin Nolan
appear to be subsiding. West Ham's opening offer for the influential
midfielder amounted to just £1.5million, but Newcastle have not ruled out
selling Nolan if any club is prepared to meet their £4m valuation, which has
alerted London clubs QPR and Fulham. Stoke and West Brom are also monitoring
Nolan's situation. Although Allardyce and Nolan share the same agent as Andy
Carroll – Mark Curtis – it is unlikely to influence the 28-year-old, who is
reluctant to either leave Newcastle or drop down into the Championship.
Hammers co-owner David Sullivan was even prepared to subsidise Nolan's wages
out of his own pocket. He is earning £42,000 a week at Newcastle, but
Sullivan was prepared to make him the club's marquee summer signing and give
him a four-year contract worth £55,000 a week.
Despite the interest Nolan is happy to sign a new deal. As Sunday Mirror
Sport revealed last week, Nolan is torn apart by the situation and is now
beginning to feel he is being pushed out of the door. On Monday, Newcastle
claimed Nolan had rejected a new contract, yet their latest offer to date
would only come into effect at the end of next season and was dependant on
the club securing a top-seven finish in the Premier League. On that basis,
Newcastle were prepared to give Nolan a bonus and 12-month extension and a
reported rise of around £10,000 a week. Earlier this season, manager Alan
Pardew had assured Nolan that he would be offered a new deal, but it never
materialised leaving him in complete limbo. If Newcastle decide to sell
Nolan, it would cause untold unrest in the dressing room. He is very
influential and the players tend to come to him for advice and guidance.
When they were promoted from the Championship, he paid for a celebration
party for the players. When Toon had problems with Carroll, Nolan took him
into his home to look after him.
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Newcastle slam West Ham's bid for Kevin Nolan
ESPNsoccernet staff
June 11, 2011
Newcastle United have turned down a "derisory" offer from West Ham United
for captain Kevin Nolan. The Hammers, who were relegated from the top flight
and will play in the Championship next season, made a bid reported to be in
the region of £3 million, which was dismissed out of hand. Nolan recently
rejected Newcastle's offer of a new contract and the club are now thought to
be willing to cash in on the midfielder, who has two years to run on his
current deal. The 28-year-old, who scored 12 goals last season, was hoping
to end his career at the club he led to Premier League survival, but has
been dismayed by Newcastle's reluctance to offer him the kind of contract he
believes he deserves. New Fulham manager Martin Jol is reported to be an
admirer of Nolan and has been tipped to also make a move for the former
Bolton Wanderers star.
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Newcastle United 'agree terms' with Senegalese international Demba Ba
by Doocey on June 11th, 2011
TyneTime.com
There are reports swirling around both Twitter and a few radio stations that
we have signed Demba Ba for a minimal amount. The Senegalese international
is supposedly a free transfer now after a clause in his contract was
triggered, seeing him become a free agent courtesy of West Ham's relegation
from the Premier League. I'm sure most of us will have noticed that he
scored a nice few goals in his time at Upton Park and tried his best to keep
them in the top flight. In fact, he scored on the day they were relegated
from the Premier League – helping them into a two goal lead at the DW
Stadium only for Wigan to come back and secure a dramatic 3-2 victory.
I for one would like to see Demba Ba at Newcastle United because I think he
has the ability to grab a fair few goals a season, especially with Yohan
Cabaye behind him! I remember the day I saw that Stoke City were closing in
on his signature and I was quite disappointed because I had a feeling that
his talents would not be appreciated at the Britannia in any shape or form.
However, that move broke down due to a failed medical, Ba's knee which
caused serious concern for Stoke City manager Tony Pulis.
Only lately, there were more reports that the strikers knee could be one
injury away from ending his career – and we wouldn't want that to happen on
Tyneside, as we've seen that kind of stuff too many times before.
If we could keep him fit, and indeed manage to sign him up on a free
transfer with average wages: then it will be a very vgood deal for Newcastle
United.
He can score goals that's for sure, and we certainly need reinforcements up
front. He is a risk, but I'd be willing to take that risk as he's still
relatively young at 26 years old.
Providing he looks for normal wages, and we have some sort of clause in the
contract so that we don't get screwed if his knee explodes then I say why
not?
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