Wednesday, July 27

Daily WHUFC News - II 27th July 2011

Update on Dylan Tombides
WHUFC.com
Young forward Dylan Tombides, 17, is being treated for testicular cancer in
London
27.07.2011

West Ham United can confirm striker Dylan Tombides is being treated for
testicular cancer. The 17-year-old was diagnosed while away on international
duty last month with Australia at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Mexico. Dylan
immediately returned to England and the club's medical staff arranged for a
further assessment by doctors. He has already started his first course of
chemotherapy at St Bartholomew's Hospital in London, which is the standard
treatment for his condition. He has since returned home to rest and will
continue further treatment in the coming weeks. Club doctor Sean Howlett
said: "Dylan is receiving the best possible care. All the doctors involved
have advised Dylan that he will make a full recovery in terms of his illness
and his ability to return to his football career. "He is undergoing the
standard series of treatments for his condition which is a course of
chemotherapy."

Dylan and his family are in constant contact with his team-mates, coaches
and support staff. The Academy player of the year is also aiming to visit
them as soon as possible, including for the squad's annual team photo.
Academy director Tony Carr said: "Everyone at the club is right behind Dylan
and we all wish him a speedy and healthy recovery. The doctors are all very
positive and he is in the best possible hands. We look forward to seeing him
back with us when he is ready."

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Best Wishes to Dylan Tombides
July 27th, 2011 - 10:17 am by Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die

I was shocked to read on the club wesbite that Dylan Tombides, West Ham's
promising young striker, is suffering from testicular cancer and is
undergoing chemotherapy. He's only 17.

Most people no doubt think testicular cancer is something that only affects
older men. It isn't. I don't want to sound as if I am preaching, but every
man, no matter what his age, should cop a feel every month and check of
abnormalities.

I don't know if Dylan reads this site, but I am sure he would appreciate all
your good wishes, alongside mine, for a speedy recovery.

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Daily WHUFC News - 27th July 2011

Dag & Red 0-1 West Ham United
Carlton Cole scores the only goal as the Hammers secure a deserved
pre-season win at Victoria Road
26.07.2011

DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE v WEST HAM UNITED
PRE-SEASON MATCH
TUESDAY 26 JULY 2011
KICK-OFF: 8PM

Final score - Dagenham & Redbridge 0-1 West Ham United

Plenty of positives for Sam Allardyce tonight - Taylor was good on his
debut, Cole got a goal, Green looked in good form and the youngsters
withstood the Daggers' late charge. That's three clean sheets on the trot
now, too. So, with one first-team friendly to come against Spanish side Real
Zaragoza on Saturday, there are reasons for optimism ahead of the season
opener against Cardiff City on Sunday 7 August. Before then, why not tune
into West Ham TV for exclusive highlights and post-match reaction from
tonight's victory?

91 mins - Abdulla fouls Green this time. Green wins a corner off Lletget,
but before it can be taken, referee Mr Woolmer blows for full-time.
90 mins - Not long to go as McNaughton heads clear. Abdulla puts in a superb
tackle on Green and Lletget does well to beat one man and keep possession.
Surely there's not too long to go now.
90 mins - Montano is fouled and West Ham take the free-kick quickly. Hines
picks up possession and shoots powerfully. Shea gathers at the second
attempt.
88 mins - Elito takes on Driver and crosses low, but Green is there again to
collect by his near post. Dagenham are finishing strongly here.
87 mins - Dagenham have a late opportunity courtesy of a free-kick by the
right corner flag. Woodall takes, but his ball in is too high and flies out
for a goal kick. Wally Downes tells his midfielders to concentrate. He
doesn't want West Ham to throw this lead away now.
84 mins - I should point out that Abdulla's handbags were with Dagenham's
Danny Green and not his own goalkeeper! West Ham's Green does well again,
claiming Howell's high free-kick.
83 mins - Green hasn't had much to do, but he's kept his concentration and
makes a fantastic one-handed save from Woodall. That was travelling and the
England goalkeeper did well to push the ball away. Abdulla completes the
clearance before getting embroiled in some handbags with Green.
82 mins - Moncur does well inside his own half to find Hall. He spins and
sends Hines away, but the big defender Swaibi is there to block.
81 mins - West Ham win another corner. Montano crosses and the ball loops
behind on the other side. Corner again. Hall takes left-footed and Shea
collects well in front of his face.
79 mins - More changes... Spence is replaced by Ahmed Abdulla. Dagenham
bring on Reed for Williams.
77 mins - That's encouraging as Hall shows good strength before finding
Montano. He beats one man before finding Lee inside. The midfielder takes a
couple of neat touches before trying to find the Colombian, The pass is cut
out.
74 mins - Lopez is replaced by Robert Hall for the closing stages. West Ham
put together a fluid move as Driver sends Montano away. He beats one and
crosses low towards Hines, but the striker's shot spins just wide of the
post.
73 mins - Driver is into the action straight away. He loses the ball to
Elito, who looks to have space to fashion a shot, but the left-back gets
back well and toes the ball away from the midfielder. West Ham break and
Montano wins a free-kick. The ball drops inside the penalty area to Hines,
but his volley is into the ground and bounces wide of the post.
70 mins - The two Callums, Driver and McNaughton, are on for Brown and Reid
for the final 20 minutes.
69 mins - Hines himself takes the free-kick and the ball deflects behind for
a corner. The ball is headed out of the box, but Moncur is able to work it
to Montano. He cuts inside and hits a powerful shot left-footed, but it's
off-target.
67 mins - This is a very young West Ham team out there at the moment. No
fewer than eight of them have come through the ranks. One of them, Hines,
wins a free-kick a couple of yards outside the Dagenham penalty area.
66 mins - Montano has been superb in pre-season and he's at it again, racing
down the left flank and winning a throw.
64 mins - Ooooh! So close for Elito, who shoots low from 25 yards. The ball
cannons off the pole supporting the net and hits the back of the goal. Some
of the fans think it has gone in, as has the journalist next to me. 'What a
goal!' he exclaims... Goal kick.
62 mins - What a chance that is for Josh Scott! Tomlin's ball eludes Reid
and the No10 is through on goal. He looks up and lets fly, but the ball
zooms past the angle of post and crossbar. The pair are both immediately
substituted, with Scott and Tomlin replaced by Woodall and Green. West Ham
also make two changes, with Taylor and Sears replaced by Montano and
Lletget.
61 mins - Lopez heads the corner clear at the near post. Dagenham regain
possession, but Tomlin's chip is easy for Green to gather.
60 mins - Jordan Brown was down on the floor holding his leg, but before the
physio could get to him, the left-back jumped to his feet. Lucky for West
Ham that he did as he was in the right place to hack Howell's low cross out
for a corner.
59 mins - Good stuff from Spence, who controls on his thigh and finds Hines.
He flicks the ball wide right for Sears, who bursts down the touchline and
hangs up a cross, but it's too close to Shea. Spence looks so composed on
the ball.
56 mins - Cole heads straight to the dressing room and waves to the fans as
he disappears down the tunnel. A left-wing cross comes over and Shea fumbles
it behind. The corner is half-cleared to Moncur, whose shot is charged down.
Dagenham break, but Elito's cross flies behind for a goal kick.
55 mins - Cole is replaced by Lopez. The trialist is tall and looks the
part. Let's see what he has got in his locker.
53 mins - West Ham have started well here. Cole wins another header and
Sears latches on to the loose ball. He finds Taylor, whose cross is cleared.
52 mins - Cole wins a flick-on from Green's long clearance and Sears sprints
to get on the end of it. He does, but he slices his cross behind the goal.
49 mins - The attendance is bigger than the hosts had estimated - 4,016. Not
a bad turn out at all. Meanwhile, Lee gets a low cross in but it's in front
of Sears and the chance goes begging.
48 mins - Hines has gone up front to partner Cole. This is the England
Under-21 striker's first appearance of the pre-season.
46 mins - Daggers get us back up and running for the second half. It'll be
interesting to see how the game flows, as we're likely to have a few more
changes before the game is out.

Four changes from the Hammers at the break. O'Brien, Noble, Collison and
Nouble go off, with Sanchez, Moncur, Olly Lee and Hines on in their places.
Dagenham have replaced goalkeeper Lewington with James Shea and Williams
with Mark Arber.

Half-time score - Dagenham & Redbridge 0-1 West Ham United

46 mins - Into added-time. We have literally a few seconds of it before Mr
Woolmer blows his whistle and that's half-time. Not a bad 45 minutes from
the Hammers, who lead through Cole's fine goal. Dagenham have played their
part too and have come into things. It's all set up for a decent second
half.
44 mins - Tomlin and Howell both shoot from distance, but Reid and Spence
are there to make blocks on the edge of their own penalty area.
42 mins - It's nearly half-time now and I think West Ham will make a few
changes at the break. Before then, Cole gives the ball away and Dagenham
break. Ogogo finds Williams, but his lofted cross is well claimed by Green.
37 mins - Cole is in the mood here. Sears' first touch from Taylor's fine
pass is not great, but Cole wins the ball back, looks up and shoots from all
of 35 yards. The ball flies just wide of the target with Lewington at
full-stretch.
35 mins - GOAL! Cole! Brown's diagonal pass drops over Cole's shoulder
inside the penalty area. The angle looks to be against the striker but he
takes a touch before slotting a shot past the goalkeeper with his right
foot. That's a great finish from the England man.
33 mins - A clearance flies into the stand in front of me, ricochets off the
roof and hits an unfortunate lady square on the head. She is OK to continue
watching the game.
32 mins - Collison would probably be booked for that during the season
itself. The midfielder tries to pick out Nouble, but McCrory cuts his pass
out. The midfielder tries to make amends, but slips over and brings down the
substitute. Referee Woolmer has a quiet word, but no more.
30 mins - O'Brien's long ball forces a corner. A chance for West Ham to get
themselves back into things. Taylor crosses high and Scott Doe heads out for
a throw on the near side. Taylor takes throw and Spence works the ball to
O'Brien, whose header back into the six-yard box is too close to goalkeeper
Lewington.
29 mins - That's nice from John Still's side. Ilesanmi, Elito and Tomlin are
involved before the former crosses towards Josh Scott, but Green is there to
punch powerfully clear.
27 mins - You've got to give the hosts credit. They're on top now as Reid
brings down Howell inside the home half. Dagenham take it short, but
McCrory's cross is high and hanging and an easy catch for Green.
26 mins - That's good play from Williams, who turns well against Spence and
shoots powerfully with his right foot. Thankfully for the Hammers, it's
straight at Green.
24 mins - That opportunity might have been spurned, but it's given Dagenham
a real lift. Tomlin twice has a chance to make something happen inside the
West Ham penalty area, but both times his pass goes astray. The second time,
Green comes to collect and West Ham can build again.
21 mins - Brown is robbed by Williams wide on the Dagenham left. He crosses
low into the box and picks out the unmarked Howell. The No17 is on his own
14 yards from goal, but chooses to shoot first-time. The ball flies miles
over the top. That was the best chance of the game so far.
19 mins - Taylor takes the corner left-footed and Nouble gets his head to it
under pressure from that man Ilesanmi. The striker's effort flies wide of
the far post. Dagenham replace Bingham with Damien McCrory.
18 mins - Bingham had come back on and tried to continue, but he can't carry
on. The midfielder walks off disconsolately. When play starts again, Reid's
superb crossfield pass for Sears is hooked out for a corner by Ilesanmi. The
corner is worked back to Noble, whose cross is headed behind for another
corner.
16 mins - A pause in play as Dagenham midfielder Bingham has some treatment.
It's a right leg injury. Some of West Ham's players take advantage of the
break in play by having a drink on the touchline. It's been pretty much all
West Ham so far, to be honest.
14 mins - Nouble loses possession inside the home penalty area, but runs
back into his own half to recover the ball. Good work ethic from the big
forward.
12 mins - West Ham win another corner. Sears' initial delivery is too high,
but O'Brien recovers possession. Collison's first-time cross looks good, but
it's just too high for Reid and bounces harmlessly away for a throw.
11 mins - A throw is controlled brilliantly by Cole on the turn. He hooks
the ball into the path of Sears, but the No7 misses his kick from eight
yards. That's a chance gone begging for the Hammers. Great play by Cole,
though.
10 mins - Sears has been heavily involved so far. He takes a quick throw to
O'Brien, whose cross lands at the feet of Taylor. He shows quick feet to lay
the ball off to Collison, whose shot is blocked.
8 mins - It's been a lively enough start here in east London. The ground is
nearly full and both sets of fans are making plenty of noise. It makes you
realise just how much you've missed football over the past two months!
5 mins - The West Ham fans behind the goal to my left in the Marcus James
Stand are enjoying themselves, but they are silenced as Ilesanmi beats Sears
and crosses. Green is there to make the catch with the minimum of fuss.
4 mins - Sears wins a corner. Taylor wins the header with his first touch in
a West Ham shirt and Lewington punches clear. West Ham keep up the pressure
and Taylor and Nouble are involved before Collison's shot is deflected wide.
Taylor takes the corner left-footed and Cole flashes a header across the
face of goal and behind.
3 mins - Dagenham attack down their left through full-back Ilesanmi but
Noble is there to head clear. A loose pass falls to Nouble, who makes some
ground but over-hits his pass to Taylor.
1 mins - West Ham kick-off and keep the ball for a short while in midfield
before Spence's crossfield pass flies into the stand.

7.56pm - We're underway...

7.55pm - West Ham captain Mark Noble meets Dagger, who apparently works in
the club shop when he's not doing his day job.

7.52pm - Referee Andy Woolmer blows his whistle and calls the two sets of
players together. It appears we might kick-off a little before 8pm. The
Dagenham &
Redbridge mascot is a large brown dog called Dagger. Well, actually it's a
man dressed as a large brown dog called Dagger. Dagger joins the Dagenham &
Redbridge team in shaking hands with the visiting XI. Dagger apparently
hails from Barking and loves it when his team take the lead.

7.50pm - Fitness coach Eamon Swift gets the starting XI together to do some
stretches as Sam Allardyce emerges from the tunnel dressed in a smart blue
suit. He responds to the cheers with a clap. Swiftly following the manager
is the Dagenham & Redbridge team.

7.45pm - Chairmen David Sullivan and David Gold have taken their seats in
the Main Stand. Meanwhile, West Ham's players have emerged from the tunnel
early for a warm-up. They are wearing their change strip of all blue with
claret hoops.

7.35pm - Delays in the roads surrounding the ground mean the kick-off has
been delayed by 15 minutes to 8pm.

7.30pm - Tony Roberts, the long-serving Dagenham & Redbridge goalkeeper and
all-round good egg is presented to the crowd. He is leaving to work with the
goalkeepers at Arsenal. Roberts gets a good round from the crowd, who he
thanks for the support they have given him over the past eleven years.

7.25pm - Carlton Cole gets a loud cheer after curling a delightful shot into
the top corner. The big striker responds by clapping the fans, who give him
an even bigger cheer!

7.20pm - The hosts tell me they are expecting a crowd of between 3,000 and
4,000 this evening, which is not half bad for a pre-season friendly. The
stands and terraces are filling up fairly quickly around me. I'm told the
Main Stand is completely sold out.

7pm - The team news is in. Matt Taylor makes his debut on the left of a
four-man midfield. Alex Lopez is a Spanish trialist and is named among the
substitutes.

Dagenham & Redbridge: Lewington, Doe, Williams, Scott, Tomlin, Elito,
Swaibi, Howell, Ogogo, Bingham, Ilesanmi
Subs: Shea, McCrory, Arber, Reed, Green, Gayle, Walsh, Osborn

West Ham United: Green, O'Brien, Spence, Reid, Brown, Sears, Collison,
Noble, Taylor, Cole, Nouble
Subs: Cowler, Lopez, Sanchez, McNaughton, Driver, Lee, Moncur, Lletget,
Hall, Abdulla, Montano, Hines

Good evening and welcome to Victoria Road for tonight's mouth-watering
pre-season match between Dagenham & Redbridge and West Ham United. The game,
of course, pits local rivals against one another and a large crowd is
expected to cheer both teams on. Unfortunately, the two clubs come into the
meeting having been relegated from their respective divisions last season -
the Daggers from League One and the Hammers, of course, from the Premier
League. So, both will be hoping for better fortune in 2011/12. Sam Allardyce
has named a squad mixing youth with experience for the fixture, with new
signing Matt Taylor and England internationals Robert Green and Carlton Cole
lining up alongside a host of promising young professionals. The Hammers
have kept clean sheets in each of their previous two pre-season matches,
winning 1-0 at Danish champions FC Copenhagen six days ago before drawing
0-0 at League One new boys Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday afternoon.

The Daggers themselves have contested four first-team friendly matches,
defeating Boreham Wood and Mangotsfield United before drawing with Ebbsfleet
United and Leyton Orient. Among John Still's squad are West Ham Academy
graduates Darren Currie and Conor Okus.

Tickets are still available through the turnstiles ahead of the 7.45pm
kick-off, so if you live close enough to get down to Victoria Road, then
please come on down to lend your support to two fine east London clubs.
Seats are priced at £15 Adults, £10 Concessions, £8 Juniors and £2 Under-7s,
while terrace places are priced at £12 Adults, £8 Concessions, £5 Juniors
and £1 Under-7s.

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Wearen helps Irish advance
WHUFC.com
Eoin Wearen featured as Republic of Ireland reached the EURO U19 semi-finals
in Romania
26.07.2011

West Ham United midfielder Eoin Wearen played his part as Republic of
Ireland reached the semi-finals of the UEFA European Under-19 Championship
in Romania.
Wearen was sent on as a 74th-minute substitute as Paul Doolin's side ground
out a 0-0 draw with the host nation, ensuring their progress from Group A
into the last-four. The teenager had not previously featured in the
tournament as Ireland beat Greece before losing to Czech Republic. However,
with the Czechs beating the Greeks, a point was enough for the Irish to go
through as group runners-up. Ireland will face Spain in the semi-finals,
with Czech Republic taking on Serbia in the other tie.

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Dagenham & Redbridge 0 West Ham Utd 1
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 26th July 2011
By: Staff Writer

Carlton Cole's first goal of pre-season was enough to earn the Hammers a
narrow victory against neighbours Dagenham & Redbridge at Victoria Road
tonight. The striker, who rejected a £6million move to Stoke last week
latched on to Jordan Brown's cross from the left before firing the ball
beyond Daggers 'keeper Lewington ten minutes ahead of the half time whistle.
West Ham's second victory in three games - which followed the win in Denmark
against Copenhagen last week - was also the fourth consecutive clean sheet
of pre-season; an encouraging sign following the defensive problems of last
season. Although Dagenham had their chances in the match, Rob Green -
playing his second full 90 minutes of pre-season - was on hand to avert any
danger, most notably so when he tipped Woodall's fierce drive wide of his
far post with just seven minutes remaining.
A mostly experimental Hammers XI in the second half - Sam Allardye's side
finished the game with nine players from the club's Academy - failed to
fashion as many chances as the starting team, which included the likes of
Mark Noble, Jack Collison and new signing Matt Taylor, making his debut in
claret and blue. Also on show were triallists Joey O'Brien, who has been
with the club for a month now and SPaniard Alex Lopez. West Ham's final
pre-season fixture takes place this coming weekend when Spanish side Real
Zaragoza visit the Boleyn Ground.

West Ham United: Green, O'Brien, Spence, Reid, Brown, Sears, Collison,
Noble, Taylor, Cole, Nouble.
Subs: Cowler, Lopez, Sanchez, McNaughton, Driver, Lee, Moncur, Lletget,
Hall, Abdulla, Montano, Hines.

Dagenham & Redbridge: Lewington, Doe, Williams, Scott, Tomlin, Elito,
Swaibi, Howell, Ogogo, Bingham, Ilesanmi.
Subs: Shea, McCrory, Arber, Reed, Green, Gayle, Walsh, Osborn.

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Sam Allardyce warns Spurs: Hurry if you want Scott Parker
Published: Today
The Sun

SAM ALLARDYCE has warned Harry Redknapp to make a move sooner rather than
later if he wants West Ham midfielder Scott Parker. The Spurs boss has a
habit of swooping for deadline-day bargains. Yet Hammers chief Allardyce
said: "It will be the wrong time to do it. "If Harry or anyone at Tottenham
is listening: Watch out!
"Do not be waiting that long because you won't be able to do it."

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Cole's goal the difference as West Ham edge past Daggers
London 24
Dave Evans at Victoria Road, West Ham correspondent
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
9:58 PM

Dagenham & Redbridge 0 West Ham United 1

Carlton Cole's top class strike gave West Ham the victory at Victoria Road,
but they had to ride their luck after a stern test from a determined
Dagenham side.
It was West Ham's fourth consecutive clean sheet, but it was far from
convincing from the Hammers. They started tentatively, but still could have
gone in front on 11 minutes when Cole crossed for Freddie Sears only for the
Hammer to completely miss his kick. It signalled a frustrating first 20
minutes for West Ham as Dagenham showed they were up for a fight. They
played some lively, passing football in the first half with Sam Williams
testing Rob Green with a low drive, while their best chance came on 21
minutes.

Williams' low cross picked out Luke Howell unmarked in the middle, but with
just Green to beat his nerves got the better of him and he could only blast
over the bar.
Cole showed what a lethal striker he could be for the Hammers this season as
he shot West Ham into the lead on 35 minutes. Jordan Brown's cross from the
left found its way to Cole and the England man turned stylishly before
thumping a low shot across Chris Lewington and into the far corner of the
Daggers' net. He almost added a second two minutes later. The striker
collected the ball 25 yards out and his blast beat the keeper but flew just
wide of the mark. Manager Sam Allardyce opted to go with a two-pronged
attack with Cole being partnered by Frank Nouble, but the youngster failed
to make a real impression on the game in that opening half and was replaced
by Zavon Hines at the break.

It was Hines first outing of pre-season and suggests that he may be ready to
sign a new deal at the club. New signing Matt Taylor had his first game for
the Hammers and showed that he will be a useful man at set-pieces with
pinpoint corners as well as some excellent passing with that trusted left
foot. West Ham trialist striker Alex Lopez was given a chance to show what
he could do on 56 minutes when he replaced Cole, but he showed that was very
little as he was quickly pulled off after just 18 embarrassing minutes.

But it was Dagenham who took the initiative after the break and really
deserved at least a share of the spoils. Howell beat the offside trap on the
hour, but when he crossed low into the box, Jordan Brown was there to hack
the ball to safety. A minute later, Gavin Tomlin's superb pass put Josh
Scott in the clear, but the striker fired wide, before Medy Elito's effort
flew inches wide as Daggers pushed for an equaliser. With time running out,
Jake Reed got the better of Callum McNaughton to get into the box, but his
powerful shot was superbly saved by Green with one hand as the Hammers held
on for another win.

Daggers: Lewington (Shea h/t), Doe (Arber h/t), Williams (Reed 80), Scott
(Woodall 62), Tomlin (Green), Elito, Swaibi, Howell, Ogogo, Bingham (McCrory
19), Ilesanmi.

West Ham: Green, O'Brien (Sanchez h/t), Brown (Driver 70), Reid (McNaughton
70), Spence (Abdullah 80), Sears (Montano 63), Collison (Lee h/t), Noble
(Moncur h/t), Taylor (Lletget 63), Nouble (Hines h/t), Cole (Lopez 56, Hall
74)).

Attendance: 4,016.

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West Ham increase their bid for Reading striker Shane Long
Hammers initially offered £5m plus £3m in add-ons
West Brom also interested but yet to make a firm bid
Stuart James
guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 26 July 2011 22.01 BST

West Ham United have returned to Reading with an improved bid for Shane Long
after their initial offer was rejected. It is understood that Reading are
looking for a minimum guaranteed payment of £7m for the 24-year-old striker,
which is more than West Ham are willing to hand over for a player who has
only one year remaining on his contract.

West Ham are, however, determined to sign Long and have gone back to Reading
with a new offer that would see them pay a more significant chunk of their
£8m valuation of the striker up front, the remainder to follow in add-ons.

It remains to be seen whether Long and Reading will hold out for a
potentially better offer from a Premier League club; West Bromwich Albion
are among those interested in signing the Republic of Ireland international.

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'West Ham are in a mess': QPR new boy Gabbidon fires parting shot at Hammers
By SAMI MOKBEL
Last updated at 10:17 PM on 26th July 2011
Daily Mail

Danny Gabbidon has aimed a blast at West Ham co-owners David Sullivan and
David Gold, branding the club a 'mess'. Gabbidon signed a 12 month deal at
QPR on Monday and is currently in Milano Marittima, Italy, with his new
team-mates for two pre-season matches. The Wales defender endured a torrid
final few months of his career at Upton Park that saw him hit with an FA
misconduct charge for an F-word Twitter rant at Hammers fans and relegation
from the Premier League. Speaking to Sportsmail from Rangers' Italian
training base, Gabbidon apologised for swearing at Hammers supporters on the
popular website. But the 30-year-old, who is expected to play against Cesena
on Wednesday, did not show the same levels of compassion towards Sullivan
and Gold. He said: 'My first two or three years with the club were quite
good and we did quite well. 'But the last couple of years have been
disappointing and a lot of things have gone on.

'I spoke to the club last season about a new contract but they said because
of the position they were in the league they couldn't offer me one. 'There
were a few goings on about whether or not they would let me go - and they
messed me around. 'At the end of the season we went down, so I thought there
was no chance of getting a contract. But then I got a phone call asking me
if I wanted one. 'But then there was nothing else after that. It was just up
and down and I didn't know what was going on. 'It's hard for me to weigh up
the owners come to their decisions. But they are the owners at the end of
the day and know what they are doing - or you hope they know what they are
doing.'Last season there were loads of different things going on - and it
was a mess at times.'I know when they came in they had things to sort out
from the previous owners, but at times last season there were things going
on that you couldn't really understand. 'Hopefully they can learn from there
mistakes.'

On his now infamous Tweet, Gabbidon added: 'You have to be thick skinned to
be a footballer - but you have to be even more thick skinned to be on
Twitter. 'I curbed my tongue for a long time on there - but that was the
final straw. 'I just felt some of the fans were using the site to abuse me
and other players. And it was unjustified stick, too. It got me angry and to
be honest I'm not that kind of bloke. 'When they see that you are on
Twitter, they just use it as an opportunity to voice what ever they want to
say on there. But I'm a human being like every one else. 'They put players
on a pedestal but at the end of the day I'm just doing a job, like anyone
else. 'Some of them got carried away and I vented my anger which was a bit
silly of me. 'Obviously, I regret doing it but I hope the majority of fans
don't think bad of me because I love them and they have always been
brilliant to me. 'Will I go back on Twitter? I don't think so. Someone tried
to get me back on there now I'm at QPR but I don't think so.'

Gabbidon now hopes to write a new chapter in his career after a successful
week-long trial with the West London club. But he admits having to trial had
him feeling like a nervous teenager again, and said: 'I felt a little bit
like an apprentice in his final week before a decision is made. 'It was not
something I've really had to do since I was kid. I felt strange. At first I
admit I thought: "Why do I have to come on trial? Just give me a contract."
'But situations change and sometimes you have to prove yourself again or
people forget what you can do.'

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Sunderland set to make West Ham an offer for striker Piquionne
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 10:31 PM on 26th July 2011
Daily Mail

Sunderland are weighing up a cut-price move for West Ham striker Frederic
Piquionne. The 32-year-old is available and keen to move back into the top
flight. Manager Steve Bruce is weighing up various options. He is also keen
on Tottenham trio Peter Crouch, Roman Pavlyuchenko and Jermain Defoe but
knows that they will be difficult deals to agree with Tottenham looking for
premium price. Newcastle are also interested if they fail to sign Mevlut
Erding from Paris St Germain

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