'We need a goalscorer'
WHUFC.com
Julian Dicks believes a goal-hungry striker will be vital to West Ham
United's promotion hopes
13.06.2011
Julian Dicks believes a prolific striker should be top of West Ham United's
shopping list this summer. The legendary Hammers left-back admitted that a
number of players will likely be heading for the Boleyn Ground exit door
during the close-season, but also expects new manager Sam Allardyce to be
busy himself in the transfer market. Dicks, who played alongside the likes
of Tony Cottee, Jimmy Quinn and Trevor Morley during his time with West Ham,
thinks a goal-hungry frontman is vital to the club's chances of gaining
promotion from the npower Championship at the first attempt. "I think we
need a goal-scorer who is going to score us 25 goals-a-season and, for me,
we need a centre-half, a left-back and a right-back," he told West Ham TV,
"But obviously it's down to who stays. You can always strengthen in every
position but, for me, we need a striker who is going to score us plenty of
goals. "I think any club finds it difficult to bounce back at the first
attempt but with Sam we definitely have the right man to do that. With his
signings that he will make, he will bring in players who will work hard and
big players, I think he is probably the right man for the job. "Hopefully he
can get the boys playing football and instil that work ethic, then who
knows?"
Dicks also praised the club's decision to appoint Sam Allardyce as the
Hammers' 14th full-time manager. The 42-year-old expects the former Bolton
Wanderers boss to instil a determination and spirit in his squad that was so
evident in Dicks' own 326 appearances in a claret and blue shirt. "I think
Sam has got a proven record. He did remarkably well at Bolton and I think
with 'Big Sam' you get what you see. He is a passionate man and can instil
passion in the players and improve their work ethic. I think he'll be a good
signing for us, hopefully."
Allardyce is well-known and respected for his use of state-of-the-art
coaching methods, but Dicks believes nothing can beat old-fashioned hard
work when it comes to putting together a successful football team. "I don't
know about all the modern technology and all the things as they are used
now, but if it works and the club do well then people will think it's good.
"I'm old-school, though. I used to turn up, train and go home and that was
it! We obviously didn't have all these new fandangled things, but if it
works then it can only be good. "The thing is that you've got to do the
basics at any level. Last season, to many of the players didn't do it, but
Sam will make sure they give 100 per cent which is the least you should do
as a footballer. "You have to have the better players, for me. If you have
the better players and you combine that with hard work, you've obviously got
a chance of getting out of the division. "Just because we're West Ham
doesn't mean we have a divine right to be promoted. We'll have to work hard
in every single game."
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Barrera on target in Mexico win
WHUFC.com
Pablo Barrera hit the net as Mexico defeated Costa Rica to reach the
CONCACAF Gold Cup last-eight
13.06.2011
Pablo Barrera was on target as Mexico defeated Costa Rica 4-1 to reach the
quarter-finals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup. The West Ham United winner scored
El Tri's fourth and final goal just 38 minutes into their third and final
Group A fixture in the American city of Chicago, swapping passes with Fulham
full-back Carlos Salcido before rolling the ball into the net. Barrera added
to two goals from RC Deportivo La Coruna winger Andres Guardado and one from
former FC Barcelona defender Rafael Marquez - heading home a Barrera corner
- as Mexico continued their perfect start to the North and Central American
championship finals. Mexico have scored 14 goals in their three group-stage
fixtures and look to be in with a superb chance of retaining the title they
won in 2009. El Tri will face the third-place team in either Group B or
Group C in the quarter-finals on Saturday, with the fixture taking place in
East Rutherford, New Jersey. Jonathan Spector's United States will also
progress to the last-eight if they avoid defeat against Guadeloupe in Kansas
City, Missouri, on Tuesday. Elsewhere, Marek Stech and James Tomkins were
both handed a watching brief as their nations began their challenge for the
UEFA European Under-21 Championship title in Denmark. Stech was an unused
substitute as Czech Republic beat Ukraine 2-1, while Tomkins also sat on the
bench as England snatched a late 1-1 draw with Spain. The Hammers pair could
meet when the Czechs take on England in Group B in Viborg on Sunday. Before
then, however, the Czechs face Spain and England take on Ukraine on
Wednesday.
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Big night for Little
WHUFC.com
Stacey Little has been voted West Ham United Ladies Player of the Year for
2010/11
13.06.2011
West Ham United Ladies concluded a memorable 2010/11 season by holding their
annual end of season presentation evening at the Boleyn Ground. More than
300 players, coaches, family members and friends gathered in the Paolo Di
Canio Lounge to mark the end of a campaign that saw them lift the Essex FA
County Cup, reach the quarter-finals of the FA Women's Cup and narrowly miss
out on promotion from the FA Women's Premier League Southern Division.
Midfielders Stacey Little and Tracey Duxbury were the stars of the show,
being voted as Player of the Year and Players' Player of the Year
respectively. Duxbury was also named Player of the Year runner-up by manager
Julia Setford, while striker Nat Grafton was voted as runner-up in the
Players' Player ballot by her team-mates. At reserve-team level, defender
Lauren White picked up both the Manager's and Players' Player of the Year
awards, with midfielder Emily Masters and 16-year-old Leigh Houlihan the
respective runners up. The event also provided the club's junior sides with
the opportunity to celebrate their own achievements.
For the Under-19s, Leanne Baldwin was voted Player of the Year, while the
Players' Player of the Year award went to April Bowers. The Under-16s, who
finished as runners-up in both the Essex County Girls League and the Essex
County Girls League Cup, voted Nicole Learner and Claire Huggins as
Manager's and Players' Player of the Year respectively.
For the Under-14s, won the Essex County Girls League Division A and the
Essex County Girls League Cup, Georgie Hodges was Player of the Year while
Chelsea Martin was Players' Player of the Year.
The Under-12s won the Essex County Girls League Division A title, with Lotte
Wubben-Moy, Sindi Kanto and Olivia Smith were the joint winners of the
Players' Player of the Year award.
Finally, the Under-10s collected an Essex Girls League London/Central
Division and Essex County League Cup double. Kelly Wealthall was named
Players' Player of the Year, Madeline O'Connor was named Manager's Player of
the Year, Mia Seeley was Coaches' Player of the Year and Carson Barry was
voted Parents' Player of the Year.
*Youngsters interested in playing for West Ham United Ladies U10, U12, U14
or U16 sides in 2011/12 should email WestHamLadiesJuniors@hotmail.co.uk for
further
details.
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Tigrish Tony ignores frosty reception
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 13th June 2011
By: Staff Writer
Tony Fernandes has indicated that he is still looking to invest in West Ham
United - despite having been given the brush-off by David Sullivan and David
Gold.
Fernandes approached Sullivan and partner David Gold last month with view to
purchasing the club - a bid announced via Twitter and one that Gold
described as 'completely bizarre and disappointing'. "It's clearly the wrong
way to go about doing deals," said Gold, whilst Sullivan also scoffed at
Fernandes' interest, adding that "we think any serious bidder would make it
in private".
But according to Fernandes he remains entirely serious about West Ham.
Speaking today, the 47-year-old owner of the Lotus racing team insisted that
his offer remains on the table. "It was a good offer, they didn't like it,
but the ball is in their court," he said. "If Sullivan and Gold ever want to
talk to us, we are there. "We think it was something worth looking at and if
they look at it in its entirety then I think we could have brought a lot of
expertise to West Ham. "But they didn't look at the offer in its complete
entirety and think about it, about the value we could bring to the club. "I
am open to anything. It's now up to them to come back to me. It's a case of
'I'm willing to help, it's now up to you'."
Fernandes also defended his decision to announce news of his bid via Twitter
adding: "They thought it was wrong, but we were transparent. There was
nothing in the end to say don't put it on Twitter. "I was constantly being
asked by fans about whether I was putting in an offer."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Price cuts confirmed
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 13th June 2011
By: Staff Writer
West Ham have issued season ticket renewal packs promising Championship
football from just £22.40 per game. The info packs, which arrived on the
doormats of existing season tickers this morning confirmed that ticket
prices are being reduced by 10 per cent across the board, with the cheapest
full-price season tickets - those in Band 4 - costing £515 for the 2011/12
season.
With 23 league games in the Championship that equates to just over £22 per
match. At the other end of the spectrum, Band 1 season tickets are down from
£810 to £730 - a little under £32 per game.
Season ticket holders have until 5th July in which to renew their seats.
Season ticket prices 2011/12
Prices in GBP; B indicates 'Band'.
Full Price: B1 730; B2 675; B3 630; B4 515.
Over 65s/Young Adults: B1 365; B2 340; B3 315; B4 255.
Under 16s: B1 235; B2 210; B3 200; B4 160.
Under 10s: B1-B4 90.
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Parker's double
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 13th June 2011
By: Staff Writer
Scott Parker has, unsurprisingly, been voted Player of the Year by readers
of KUMB.com. In our fourteenth annual poll, vice-captain Parker won the
award for the third successive season after being the stand-out candidate
last year. Parker - who also won the Goal of the Season category for his
strike against Liverpool in February - is the only player ever to be named
Player of the Year on more than one occasion by you, our readers. Elsewhere
James Tomkins was named Young Player of the Year whilst Jonathan Spector,
who is currently mulling over remaining in east London, was named Most
Improved Player.
The full list of winners - and losers - is as follows:
Player of the Year: Scott Parker
Runner-Up: Robert Green
Young Player of the Year: James Tomkins
Goal of the Season: Scott Parker v Liverpool (February 2011)
Best Signing: Demba Ba
Most Improved Player: Jonathan Spector
Most Memorable Match: 4-0 v Man Utd (Noember 2010)
Worst Player of the Year: Matthew Upson
Worst Signing: Robbie Keane
Biggest Disappointment: Relegation
Most Missed: Alessandro Diamanti
Hackett of the Year: Avram Grant
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Tony Fernandes wants talks with West Ham owners
By Ian Parkes, PA
Monday, 13 June 2011
The Independent
Tony Fernandes has told West Ham co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold the
ball is in their court regarding his bid to buy the club. At the start of
the month the Malaysian entrepreneur announced he had made an offer to
purchase the Hammers, remarkably on the day Sam Allardyce was confirmed as
the club's new manager.
That sparked a war of words between Fernandes and Gold/Sullivan, who
initially claimed he had not made an offer only to then later suggest it was
"a joke". Sullivan then further attacked Fernandes, who had used his Twitter
account to announce his bid, by suggesting the takeover move was simply
"PR". Hammers chairman Sullivan later added: "Tony Fernandes wanted to buy
51% of the club for two bob. "He thinks somehow that we are desperate to
have him involved or desperate for the small amount of money he offered for
51% of the club."
However Fernandes, the owner of airline AirAsia and Formula One marque Team
Lotus, believes Sullivan and Gold were impetuous with their response as they
failed to assess his bid in full. "We put an offer in, it was a good offer,
they didn't like it, and the ball is in their court," said Fernandes. "But
for the benefit of West Ham - and I don't want to keep talking about this -
let the new manager go in and do his bit and have some stability there. "But
if Sullivan and Gold ever want to talk to us we are there. "We think it was
something worth looking at, and if they look at it in its entirety, and
begin to see what we are doing at Lotus in the next weeks when we are
announcing new sponsors and things, then I think we could have brought a lot
of expertise to West Ham. "But they didn't look at the offer in its complete
entirety and think about it, about the value we could bring to the club."
Asked if he would be prepared to simply invest, Fernandes added: "I am open
to anything. "But if you are going to take part you have to have the ability
to make a difference. It's now up to them to come back to me. "It's a case
of 'I'm willing to help, it's now up to you'." Fernandes has also defended
why he made the announcement of his offer on Twitter, adding: "They thought
it was wrong. "But we were transparent. There was nothing in the end to say
don't put it on Twitter.
"I was constantly being asked by fans about whether I was putting in an
offer."
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Hammers in hunt for Gardner
Big Sam targets free agent defender
By Pete O'Rourke - Follow me: @skysp.
Last Updated: June 13, 2011 5:55pm
SSN
Skysports.com understands West Ham are eyeing a move for Anthony Gardner
after a move to Birmingham broke down. Birmingham had lined up a deal for
the free agent, but the move has now collapsed in the wake of Alex McLeish's
resignation at St Andrews. Gardner spent last season on loan Crystal Palace
and the Eagles have expressed an interest in taking him back to Selhurst
Park following the expiration of his contract at Hull. However, West Ham
have now entered the race for the 30-year-old and are hoping to lure the
former Tottenham man to Upton Park. Hammers boss Sam Allardyce is in the
market for defensive reinforcements after seeing Matt Upsonleave the club
this summer and Gardner could be an ideal replacement.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Fernandes maintains interest
Potential investment in Upton Park club remains a possibility
Last Updated: June 13, 2011 4:56pm
SSN
Tony Fernandes claims that West Ham co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold
did not take time to consider his offer, but he remains open to talks. At
the start of June the Malaysian entrepreneur announced he had made an offer
to purchase the Hammers, remarkably on the day Sam Allardyce was confirmed
as the club's new manager. That sparked a war of words between Fernandes and
Gold and Sullivan, who initially claimed he had not made an offer only to
then later suggest it was 'a joke'. Sullivan then further attacked
Fernandes, who had used his Twitter account to announce his bid, by
suggesting the takeover move was simply 'PR'. Hammers chairman Sullivan
later added: "Tony Fernandes wanted to buy 51 per cent of the club for two
bob. "He thinks somehow that we are desperate to have him involved or
desperate for the small amount of money he offered for 51% of the club."
However Fernandes, the owner of airline AirAsia and Formula One Team Lotus,
believes Sullivan and Gold were impetuous with their response as they failed
to assess his bid in full. "We put an offer in, it was a good offer, they
didn't like it, and the ball is in their court," said Fernandes. "But for
the benefit of West Ham - and I don't want to keep talking about this - let
the new manager go in and do his bit and have some stability there. "But if
Sullivan and Gold ever want to talk to us, we are there.
"We think it was something worth looking at, and if they look at it in its
entirety, and begin to see what we are doing at Lotus in the next weeks when
we are announcing new sponsors and things, then I think we could have
brought a lot of expertise to West Ham. "But they didn't look at the offer
in its complete entirety and think about it, about the value we could bring
to the club."
Transparent
Asked if he would be prepared to simply invest, Fernandes added: "I am open
to anything. "But if you are going to take part you have to have the ability
to make a difference. It's now up to them to come back to me. "It's a case
of 'I'm willing to help, it's now up to you'." Fernandes has also defended
why he made the announcement of his offer on Twitter, adding: "They thought
it was wrong. "But we were transparent. There was nothing in the end to say
don't put it on Twitter. "I was constantly being asked by fans about whether
I was putting in an offer."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Release Clauses Activated!
June 14th, 2011 - 4:08 am by S J Chandos
West Ham Till I Die
Jason Burt, in the Telegraph, has confirmed that both Demba Ba and Thomas
Hitzlsperger have activated the relegation release clauses in their West Ham
contracts. This means, of course, that the club will not receive a fee for
either player. It is particularly disappointing because it was felt that
these two players might be persuaded to give West Ham a full season to help
them regain their PL status at the first attempt. Thomas Hitzlsperger
because he felt that he morally owed the club, due to being sidelined for
most of last season; and Demba Ba, because of the uplifted £50,000 per week
wage allegedly on offer in his new West Ham contract!
Sadly neither the moral nor the financial imperative worked! Burt reports
that Sam Allardyce is less concerned about Hitzlsperger's exit, but wanted
to retain Ba. His departure has just made Allardyce's job that little bit
more difficult, but never mind, no doubt we will get by without him.
Reports state that Newcastle and Everton are battling for Ba's signature,
while there is also interest from Serie A . Of course, Ba still has to
negotiate the medical and, considering that he has failed his last two, the
outcome is far from certain. No doubt, the successful club will just put
the necessary insurances in place and/or insist on a termination clause if
the event of Ba's knee breaking down?
Elsewhere, we are being linked with the two Gardners. Ex-Spurs centre half,
Anthony Gardner and the ex-Bolton left back/winger, Ricardo Gardner! While
Faye and JL Samuels are still reported targets. Personally, I would prefer
the latter duo to the former. We are also supposedly chasing Everton's
Yakubu, whose salary demands are too excessive for Leicester City. There is
a suggestion that Craig Bellamy is available from Man City for £4m, now he
is the type of player that we need to help get us out of the Championship.
Although, one would have thought, Allardyce and Bellamy are an unlikely and
potentially expolsive combination?
On the outgoing transfers, Scott Parker and his agent are presumably
awaiting the opening bid from Spurs. There has not been a bid to date, but
it is still very early days. It will be interesting to see who does
actually end up bidding for him? The circling PL vulture(s) will
undoubtedly try to secure Parker for a bargain fee, citing his age and lack
of resell value. We need to dictate the fee and tell them to take it or
leave it. After all, he is a current England international and they do not
come cheap! If a fee cannot be agreed then Parker will just have to stay!
But if we get the required £8-10m bid, then we should most definitely cash
in on the player and use the transfer monies to improve the squad.
Of the other expected departures, West Ham have apparently not received bids
for either Carlton Cole or Rob Green. No doubt they will come, but perhaps
Sam Allardyce will now try to convince the duo to stay? We ideally need to
retain a couple of our established stars. It will also be interesting to
see how Piquionne reacts, whether he agrees to stay or pushes for an summer
exit. I did not initially see Piquionne being Allardyce's type of player,
but who knows? I certainly feel that, as long as he applies himself, he
could do very well for us in the Championship.
The club needs a lift, they should go the extra mile and bid 4.5m to land
Kevin Nolan. He is a player that has been there and has got the
Championship winners medal to prove it. Nolan is reportedly a very good
club captain and also a positive influence on his team mates. We need to
secure his services and install him as club captain. A central midfield of
Nolan, Noble and Collison is a promising combination. Ally that to some
pace on the flanks and in attack and things will start to look a lot more
positive for next season.
Talking of positive performances, Barrera has been pulling up trees for
Mexico recently. Barrera is a promising player, with pace and the ability
to score outside the box. As I have said previously, he is not stuck out on
the wing for Mexico, but has the freedom to play through the middle and he
does it to very good effect. Perhaps Allardyce can get the best out of the
Mexican International? Barrera may seem a little light-weight for the
Championship, but his pace could help ameliorate that. Elsewhere in the
squad, we still await the decisions of Gabbidon and Spector, who are both
out-of-contract. They have been offered new contracts, but apparently have
not made a decision as yet. No doubt Cardiff City is calling Gabbidon,
while Spector has reportedly had a good offer from a German club. So, we
shall have to wait and see what transpires there?
It appears that things are just ticking over at West Ham at the moment. Sam
Allardyce is on holiday and starts in ernest on 20 June 2011. Hopefully,
things will start picking up the pace after that. He certainly needs to sit
down with the likes of Green, Cole, Noble, Collison and Tomkins and convince
them to sign up to his project at West Ham. We all knew deep down that the
likes of Ba, Parker and Upson would leave. But beyond them, we need to
start firming up the existing quality core of the squad and look to
supplement it with some experience, steel, pace and clinical finishing.
Morale hit rock bottom at the club last season. The 'Avram Grant
experience' turned very good players in to de-motivated, also rans. One of
Allardyce's key tasks will be to rebuild that morale and instill a team
spirit and will to win. The progress that Allardyce makes on this front
will be almost as important as his achievements in the transfer market.
Because as last season proved, you can have quality players, but if the team
spirit's not right then they are not necessarily going to deliver.
And they really do need to deliver next season, big time. The Hammers fans
have suffered far too long!
SJ. Chandos.
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Italian giants join Ba brawl
Published: Today
The Sun
FIORENTINA have joined Newcastle and Everton in the chase to sign West Ham's
Senegalese striker Demba Ba, 26. Meanwhile, Tony Fernandes, the Malaysian
tycoon who bid for the Hammers on Twitter, insists his offer was serious and
has urged the club's owners to reconsider.
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Tony Fernandes: My offer to buy West Ham still stands
Metro.co.uk
Tony Fernandes has told West Ham co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold the
ball is in their court regarding his bid to buy the club. At the start of
the month – on the day Sam Allardyce was appointed the Hammers' new manager
– Malaysian Fernandes announced he had made an offer to purchase the club.
That sparked a war of words between Fernandes and West Ham's current
co-chairmen, who initially claimed the entrepreneur had not made an offer,
only to suggest later it was 'a joke'.
Sullivan then further attacked Fernandes, who had used his Twitter account
to announce his bid, by claiming the takeover move was 'PR'. He later added:
'Tony Fernandes wanted to buy 51 per cent of the club for two bob. He thinks
somehow we are desperate to have him involved or desperate for the small
amount of money he offered for 51 per cent of the club.' However, Fernandes,
owner of airline AirAsia and Formula One marque Team Lotus, believes
Sullivan and Gold were impetuous with their response as they failed to
assess his bid in full. 'We put an offer in, it was a good offer, they
didn't like it, and the ball is in their court,' he said. 'But for the
benefit of West Ham – and I don't want to keep talking about this – let the
new manager go in and do his bit and have some stability there. 'If Sullivan
and Gold ever want to talk to us we are there. We think it was something
worth looking at and if they look at it in its entirety, and begin to see
what we are doing at Lotus in the next weeks when we are announcing new
sponsors and things, then I think we could have brought a lot of expertise
to West Ham.' Asked if he would be prepared to simply invest, Hammers fan
Fernandes added: 'I am open to anything. But if you are going to take part
you have to have the ability to make a difference.'
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Newcastle 'to sign Nigel Reo-Coker' if Kevin Nolan joins West Ham
Metro.co.uk
Newcastle will offer a deal to Nigel Reo-Coker if West Ham improve their
offer for Kevin Nolan. Sam Allardyce is keen to be reunited with the former
Bolton man at Upton Park, and could make a new £5million bid after his
initial £3million offer was rejected. It emerged last week that the
midfielder had turned down a new contract at St James' Park, with two years
still remaining on his current deal. The 28-year-old is said to be looking
for an improved five-year deal, with Newcastle only prepared to offer a
two-year extension. If Nolan is sold, the Magpies will move to replace him
with Reo-Coker, who is a free agent after being released by Aston Villa.
The 27-year-old fell out of favour at Villa Park under Martin O'Neill, but
featured regularly under the stewardship of Gerard Houllier, making 30
league appearances, and frequently deputized for Stiliyan Petrov as captain.
However, he was still deemed surplus to requirements, and the one-time
£8.5million signing from West Ham could represent an attractive option to a
lot of clubs searching for an experienced midfielder.
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Scott Parker wanted by Fenerbahce but holding out for top flight club
Everyone wants to play in the Premier League, says Parker
Hammers receive no offers for Carlton Cole and Robert Green
Jamie Jackson
guardian.co.uk, Monday 13 June 2011 21.18 BST
West Ham United are yet to receive a bid for Scott Parker from any English
club, with the only offer coming from Turkey despite the reported interest
from Tottenham Hotspur. Following West Ham's relegation to the Championship
under Avram Grant last month Parker was expected to lead an exodus of the
club's better players.
Yet a highly placed source at Upton Park confirmed that Parker has not been
the subject of any official approach from a domestic club. West Ham are also
yet to receive any bids for Parker's fellow England internationals, Carlton
Cole and Robert Green. While the offer for Parker is thought to have been
lodged by Fenerbahce, the 30-year-old is not interested in a move to Turkey
as he understands the best chance of retaining his England place is by
continuing to play in the Premier League.
Following England's 2-2 draw with Switzerland in the Euro 2012 qualifier on
4 June Parker confirmed he will speak with Grant's successor, Sam Allardyce,
regarding his future. "That is 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," he said.
The future of Thomas Hitzlsperger is also unclear after the German
midfielder was made an offer by David Sullivan and David Gold, the owners,
to become club captain and the focal point of the team. Allardyce, though,
is clear he wants a core of English players to drive the challenge of
gaining instant promotion back to the Premier League, with the new manager
hoping to recruit six to eight players before the new Championship season
starts in early August.
Freddie Sears, the England Under-21 striker who was voted the club's Young
Hammer of the Year, believes there is a foundation at West Ham for Allardyce
to build on. "If you look at the young players at the club and hopefully
everyone will stay so hopefully we can get a core to the team next year and
have a real go in the Championship," he said. "Hopefully we can try and push
on and go on from where we are next season. Obviously, at the minute it's
all doom and gloom because we've been relegated but there is a bright future
at the club."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Demba Ba and Thomas Hitzlsperger allowed to leave West Ham United on free
transfers
By Jason Burt
9:58PM BST 13 Jun 2011
Demba Ba and Thomas Hitzlsperger have activated relegation clauses in their
contracts at West Ham United allowing them to leave this summer on free
transfers, while Scott Parker has formally told the club that he definitely
wants to go also. Parker has already turned down a move to the Turkish club
Fenerbahce, who are the only club to have so far bid for the England
midfielder, and wants to remain in the Premier League. Offers are expected
from Tottenham Hotspur and, possibly, Arsenal, while Liverpool made a
tentative inquiry for the 30 year-old but are no longer believed to be
interested. A stumbling block is that, given his age, clubs are reluctant to
pay the £8 million-£10 million being demanded by West Ham for the player who
has three years left on his contract. It had been thought that Ba would join
Newcastle United this week but they are facing strong competition from
Everton, although they are less willing to pay the £46,000-a-week being
demanded by the 26-year-old Senegalese striker.
West Ham have already reported Sunderland to the Premier League claiming
they made an illegal approach for Ba — which is hotly denied — but cannot
stop him leaving for free once he activated the clause. Ba's history of
failed medical may prove a problem for some clubs and his deal to West Ham
was complicated by his injury record.
Hitzlsperger joined West Ham on a free transfer from Lazio last summer, on a
three-year deal, but the midfielder's season was decimated by injury. The
29-year-old German international is understood to earn £45,000-a-week and
although he can also leave on a free it's understood that manager Sam
Allardyce is less concerned about his departure.
Allardyce is quickly assessing the West Ham squad with bids already made for
Newcastle United midfielder Kevin Nolan and a £1.25 million offer for
Blackpool striker DJ Campbell, which also activates a relegation clause
allowing him to speak to other clubs. It's understood that West Ham will
have to significantly raise their offer for Nolan to interest Newcastle — a
fee of £4 million has been mooted — while Campbell is reluctant to play in
the Championship having had a successful season in the top-flight.
West Ham are also considering moves for a number of experienced players who
are available on 'Bosman' rulings have seen their contracts expire including
the experienced Ricardo Gardner, who worked under Allardyce at Bolton
Wanderers', as they desperately try and ensure an immediate return to the
Premier League.
West Ham also expect Matthew Upson, Robert Green, who has interested Aston
Villa, and Carlton Cole — wanted by Queens Park Rangers, West Bromwich
Albion and Stoke City — to leave during this transfer window as they rebuild
their squad and reduce their wage bill.
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West Ham and Birmingham do battle over former Tottenham defender Gardner
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 10:49 PM on 13th June 2011
Daily Mail
West Ham want to hijack Birmingham City's move for defender Anthony Gardner.
The centre-back is a free agent after his contract expired at Hull City and
Alex McLeish had lined up the 30-year-old for a move to St Andrews. But the
Scot's shock departure on Sunday has left Gardner in limbo. West Ham manager
Sam Allardyce is planning to take advantage while Crystal Palace are also
keen after Gardner spent last season on loan at Selhurst Park.
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