Daily WHUFC News - II 27th August 2011

Lee hits third straight hat-trick
WHUFC.com
Scoring sensation Elliot Lee and a terrific team display saw off Sunderland
on Saturday
27.08.2011

Sunderland U18s 2-3 West Ham United U18s

Elliot Lee made it a third straight hat-trick in league play as the
Under-18s recorded a fantastic away win at Sunderland on Saturday morning.
Lee scored all the goals as the young Hammers won by the odd goal in five
against a spirited Black Cats team. The 16-year-old struck a treble on the
opening day of the FA Premier Academy League season last weekend against
Sheffield United, having done the same against Chelsea on the final day of
the 2010/11 campaign. The visitors, who travelled up to the north east on
Friday night with a six-and-a-half hour coach journey, were quick off the
mark with Lee scoring inside the first minute. A through-ball by Kenzer Lee,
replacing Leo Chambers who has been on England duty, set his namesake away
and he made no mistake after slipping the last defender. It was two on the
half-hour mark. Danny Potts rose highest to meet a corner and head towards
goal. Lee was quickest to the ball and saw his effort bounce down off the
crossbar and go over the line, with Potts helping it on its way. It was the
striker's goal, though, and he was firmly on course for another treble,
having also struck seven goals in pre-season.

Sunderland came back strong in the second half although the Hammers were the
first to show immediately after the interval. Lee might have got his
hat-trick with a chance at the far post while Jack Powell also went close.
As it was, the home side were next to score, breaking away to get themselves
back in the game. That buoyed the Black Cats and they were level with a
terrific free-kick from the edge of the area. At that point it seemed that
there would be only one winner with the Hammers put under immense pressure.
However, Lee showed great skill and composure to bag the winning goal as the
match entered the closing stages. Picking the ball up on a tight angle, he
worked his way into a central position before firing in an unstoppable shot.
Sunderland came back once again but it was too little, too late for the
hosts and the young Hammers head into next Saturday's derby at Tottenham
Hotspur on a high.

West Ham United: Larkins, Young, Shaw, Potts, K Lee, Hurley (Hunt 66),
Turgott, Powell, E Lee, Sadlier (Miles 80), Fanimo (Labonne 66)

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Nottingham Forest v West Ham United - Match Preview
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 26th August 2011
By: Preview Percy

Preview Percy has spent the last few days banging his head against the wall
muttering "It's Mansfield 1969 all over again". So it's been business as
usual then for the doddery old twit, who just had time to prepare this look
at Sunday's match at the City Ground before he was carted away for his
therapy session

Next up we lollop up the M1 to Nottingham for another 1.15pm Sunday kick-off
at the City Ground where, obviously, Nottingham Forest will be our hosts for
the afternoon. It's on the box if you have one of those dish things.

Statistically speaking, Forest are, of course, THE single most hated club in
the whole of football. This is purely because since their full name fits the
melody of Elgar's best known work so well, that song that must have been
sung at every ground in the country at one stage or another. The more
truthful lyric of "we're mildly indifferent to Nottingham Forest" wouldn't
work nearly as well and, I suspect, the original version would still find
favour on matchdays at Meadow Lane.

They made the playoffs last season, going out to the eventual winners
Swansea, losing 3-1 in Wales after a 0-0 draw at home. The failure to gain
promotion brought to a close the managerial tenure of Billy Davies who had
taken over at the start of 2009. He was replaced by Steve McLaren who, no
doubt, is already working on adding a Midlands accent to his repertoire of
comedy voices, though to be fair he'll have to go some to beat the
Connery-esque slurrings that he adopted whilst boss at FC Twente. Having
brought the Dutch title to Enschede he was lured over the border to Germany
where he became boss of Wolfsburg. Things didn't quite work out for him
there though, presumably because it is difficult to do a comedy German
accent without straying into offensiveness.

The season so far saw them open up with a disappointing 0-0 draw at home to
Barnsley. This was followed up with a 2-0 defeat at Millwall with their
first win coming up at Doncaster where a solitary goal was enough to give
them all three points. Last weekend they picked up a point at home to
Leicester, coming from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with virtually the last kick of
the match.

They've won both matches in the League Cup, getting rid of neighbours Notts
County on penalties after a 3-3 draw in the first round. They made lighter
work of Wycombe in the third round, running out 4-1 winners at Adams Park in
midweek.

The Forest 'keeper is Camp (ho ho). Lee Camp came in a few years ago from
QPR having started his career with Derby County and was an ever-present last
term. Despite having gained caps at U21 level for England, he is now a full
Northern Irish international qualifying as he does through a grandfather
born in that part of the world.

Their skipper is Luke Chambers. Chambers plays in the centre of defence
having started out as a right back. Although he wasn't initially first
choice at the start of the 2010/11 season, injuries to and a loss of form by
others saw him come into the centre of defence where his performances were
good enough to earn him the player of the year award and, under the new
managerial regime, the captain's armband. Like Camp he has declared himself
available for selection for international duty across the Irish Sea, in
Chambers' case for the Republic.

There's a bit of experience across the middle. George Boateng arrived in the
summer from Greek outfit Skoda Xanthi. He is of course better-known for
spells with Villa and Boro', with whom he picked up a UEFA Cup runners-up
medal. After Boro' he spent a while with Hull but left for Greece after the
Tigers were relegated at the end of 2009/10. Boateng and McLaren know each
other well of course (or should that be "of courshe") from their time
together at Boro' and it was the player's 94th minute equaliser against
Leicester that got them a valuable point last weekend.

McLaren's first signing on taking over at the City Ground was Andy Reid.
Reid made his name with Forest before moving in a double deal with Michael
Dawson to Spurs. It never really worked out for the player and after little
more than a season there he left for Charlton where manager Les Reed
apparently likened the player to Hungarian legend Ferenc Puskas. Well Reed
was right in one respect, Puskas was a bit of a chubber but that's just
about where the resemblance ended. Sunderland was his next port of call. He
scored his first goal in the 7th minute of the five added on by the ref in
their home match against us in 2008. However he fell out of favour and was
so desperate for first team football he ended up at Sheffield United on
loan. He spent the last four months of last season at Blackpool but failed
to make an impression there, starting a mere five times under Holloway.

There is an ex-Hammer in the midfield. Academy product Chris Cohen was the
youngest player to pull on a first team shirt for the Irons when he came on
as a 16 year-old sub in a match against Sunderland in 2003. He joined Forest
in 2007 after a spell at Yeovil, during which he won their player of the
year award. It'll be interesting to see how he gets on with George
McCartney, having been sent off for a two-footed challenge on Linda who, at
the time, was on loan at Leeds.

A new arrival during the summer was much travelled striker Matt Derbyshire
of whom I wrote at length last season when he was on the books at
Birmingham, with whom he was on loan from Olymipiakos. He never really got
much of a shout at Birmingham but when the loan ended the Greeks told the
player he was free to go what with the country being broke and all. In
truth, long before Greece effectively became a subsidiary of Deutschland AG
Derbyshire had already been told that he had about as much future as an
Athens mortgage-broker, despite picking up the MOTM award in the 2009 Greek
Cup Final in which he netted twice despite playing with concussion,
Olympiakos taking the cup 15-14 on penalties.

More recently they brought in Ishmael Miller for a rumoured £1.2m from West
Brom. Miller has one of those splendidly biblical northern names (Where's
Jebbediah? He's gone t' Olethwaites with Ishmael Miller – there's trouble at
t' mill etc). Miller started out at Man City moving to the Baggies
permanently in 2008. A combination of injury, the arrival of other forwards
and Roy Hodgson saw him drift down the pecking order at the Hawthornes,
something that saw him farmed out to QPR where he netted just the once in 12
league matches. He made his Forest debut in the 1-0 win at the Keepmoat nd
was on target in the 4-1 League Cup win at Wycombe.

Another attacking option is David McGoldrick. The former Southampton striker
has disappointed somewhat since joining Forest in 2009. He managed six goals
in an injury-hit season last term though he was on target at the Boleyn in
the FA Cup tie last season where he gave the likes of Winston Reid a testing
time.

And what of our good selves? Well in an interview pre-season Mr Allardyce
proudly informed us that no side of his would let a two goal lead slip as we
had done up at Wigan. I suppose he's been right – after all we were only one
up against Leeds and Aldershot and we were level against Cardiff. Ok in
midweek it was a virtual second string eleven but it was a bit worrying that
so few players took the opportunity to press claims for first team status.
Junior Stanislas was one of the few to impress (insofar as anyone did
impress) and he will probably be in the squad for Sunday. Pablo Barrera was
taken off early on Wednesday, presumably because check-in at Stansted
Airport was closing. We've seen the last of him and, I suspect the same is
now true of Scott Parker. At time of writing "talks are taking place" so it
seems unlikely to me that he'll be about on Sunday. That being the case he
goes at least with my thanks for the past and best wishes for the future in
recognition of the sacrifice he is making by going to N17.

The imminent departure of Parker may have a beneficial effect on the
midfield where one gets the impression that players have, in recent weeks,
been selected because we had to. His transfer may well free things up in
there where it's looked a bit cluttered of late. A simple old soul like me
has struggled to work out how we can often have five in midfield but still
have no width so it will be interesting to see what Mr Allardyce will do
with this new-found freedom.

Further back we can be thankful that Rob Green will be back to replace
Boffin, who had an uncertain 90 minutes on Wednesday night. Hopefully the
run out will have done Linda the power of good, fitness-wise. I think that
Wednesday night was one mistake too far for Ilunga, whose antics this season
have now arguably cost us three late goals. If he starts rather than
McCartney I suppose we could we at least take him off with ten minutes left
– thus increasing our chances of not conceding on 89 minutes?

Perhaps unsurprisingly Abdoulaye Faye is rated as highly doubtful for the
weekend which leaves us a bit short in the middle should anything befall
Tomkins or Reid. Wednesday night should have hammered home the point that we
lack strength in depth and, with Faye's fitness already in question we ought
perhaps to be looking at spending some of the Parker Pounds in the central
defensive area (unless of course players come in as part of the Parker deal,
which rumour suggests be include a cash plus livestock arrangement).

Up front I'd expect Cole to get the nod over Piquionne – another who failed
to make a case on Wednesday – whilst Carew is probably going to be better
used from the bench. I understand that Sam Baldock has been having a medical
(if he can get past Shaun Wright-Phillips who has been having the same
medical for about five years now) but I don't suppose that any signing will
take place in time for him to be considered for Sunday.

This is a difficult one to predict based on recent events. On the one hand
we have a 100% away record and we're playing a side that (penalty shoot out
apart) has yet to win on its own turf this season. On the other hand we
still seem to be finding our feet a bit at this level and Forest will be a
different prospect to those we have faced on the road so far. In fact
they've lost only two of their last 44 home league matches. I think a win is
not beyond question by any means but the draw may be a more realistic
prospect so I shall opt for an entertaining 2-2 draw as we go into the
international break.

Enjoy the game!

When Last We Met: Won 3-2 Our last meeting came in the 4th round of last
season's FA Cup where we ran out 3-2 winners courtesy of a strange Victor
Obinna hat-trick that included a mis-hit cross and a penalty. Adebola and
McGoldrick netted for the visitors. Though we bossed the second half we
looked very shaky in spells in the first half, particularly when we went 2-1
down.

Referee: Graham Salisbury – Not seen this one since we last played in this
division. Oversaw the Scunthorpe v Newcastle League Cup Tie the other night
which went to extra time, so he'll be happy for the extra day off.

Player to watch: Lewis McGugan – midfielder with a name for being dangerous
from distance – particularly from dead balls.Top scorer last season

Daft Fact Of The Week: Every October Nottingham enjoys a festival known as
the Goose Fair. During this period it is legally decreed "Fair" for men to
"Goose" women in the street, as long as they are whistling the theme tune to
the 1950's tv version of "The Adventures Of Robin Hood"

(Disclaimer: as ever, some if not all of "daft fact of the week" may be made
up and the editors can accept no liability for anyone who finds themselves
in court as a result of the information contained therein. Disclaimer
particularly applies to Manuel DaCosta)

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Baggies reject Thomas bids
Offers from Fulham, QPR and West Ham knocked back
Last Updated: August 27, 2011 12:37pm
SSN

Skysports.com understands West Brom have received three bids for Jerome
Thomas and have rejected them all. Fulham, Queens Park Rangers and West Ham
are the sides believed to have tabled offers for the winger. The Baggies are
reluctant to do business, though, as Thomasremains a key part of their
plans. The 28-year-old has only recently shaken off a hip problem that has
delayed his start to the new season. He made his first appearance of the
campaign in the Baggies' 4-1 Carling Cup victory over Bournemouth, and
opened the scoring after just seven minutes. Roy Hodgson is now mulling over
whether to hand Thomas his first Premier League start of the season against
Stoke on Sunday. The Baggies boss remains a big fan of the former Arsenal
and Charlton man and is not prepared to discuss a sale during the summer
transfer window.

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Stoke no option for Cole
Striker open to moves closer to home but remains a happy Hammer
By Jamie Casey. Last Updated: August 27, 2011 12:39pm
SSN

West Ham striker Carlton Cole has revealed family reasons were behind his
decision to reject a move to Stoke City earlier this summer. The Potters had
a bid, believed to be in the region of £6million, accepted in July but
personal terms barely got off the ground. The former Chelsea man, 27, is
reluctant to leave London and a move up north to Staffordshire was never a
feasible option for Cole and his family. "I know a fee got accepted," he
told the Daily Mirror. "The position West Ham are in means I'm one of the
saleable assets and they had to accept. "But it was down to me and I didn't
really want to move. It wasn't best for me and my family to go up north."

Cole, who has seven England caps, has scored two goals in four appearances
in the Championship this season, but John Carew's arrival has threatened his
place in the team. Having repeatedly reiterated his desire to stay at Upton
Park, Cole admits he may be forced to seriously consider the next offer,
should one come about. He added: "I'll think about what's on offer but I'm
scoring goals and I'm happy where I am."

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Parker's West Ham exit looks imminent as Spurs makes move
Sam Allardyce confirms West Ham are talking to Tottenham Hotspur about the
sale of Parker
News.ladbrokes.com

From the moment the final ball was kicked in the Premier League last season
everyone assumed Scott Parker would be returning as a Premier League player
this season. In what was frankly a little disrespectful to West Ham United
football club, pundits, journalists, punters and fantasy footballers had all
assumed that Parker would be plying his trade at the top level. The weeks
came and went and with every passing day there was renewed optimism among
the West Ham ranks that their star midfielder would tough it out in the
Championship. Four games into the season and West Ham have started strongly
enough to see them earn outright favouritism at 11/4 in the Championship
title betting, and Parker has played every minute of those four games. West
Ham play Nottingham Forest on Sunday and both teams are likely to be
battling it out for the title at the end of the season, but Parker may not
be there to help West Ham to the three points. Tottenham Hotspur are in
talks with West Ham about signing Parker and the centre midfielder has
always been keen to link up with the north London club. "I am not in talks
(personally) with them but there is some dialogue going on at the moment,"
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce said. "That is all I am aware of."

It is believed it would take a fee of around £8m to land Parker and should
Tottenham do so, it would be their second major signing in the space of a
couple of days.
Emmanuel Adebayor's loan move means Harry Redknapp has strengthened his
attack and Parker would certainly strengthen his midfield. Tottenham host
Manchester City on Sunday in what is a huge game for both clubs. If Spurs
want to be considered as top four challengers then they must win but if
Manchester City win, their title rivals will really sit up and take notice
as Roberto Mancini's side continue to impress at the start of this season.

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Daily WHUFC News - 27th August 2011

Nottingham Forest match preview
WHUFC.com
All the early team news and background for Sunday's trip to the City Ground
26.08.2011

NOTTINGHAM FOREST v WEST HAM UNITED
npower CHAMPIONSHIP
SUNDAY 28 AUGUST 2011
KICK-OFF: 1.15PM
FULL AUDIO AND TEXT COMMENTARY - WEST HAM TV

Introduction
• West Ham United go to Nottingham Forest looking to make it three
successive away wins for the first time since April/August 2007.
• The Hammers have fared less well at home this season, losing to Cardiff
City and Aldershot either side of a 2-2 draw with Leeds last Sunday.
• The tie pits two of the country's leading English managers Sam Allardyce
and Steve McClaren against each other. The pair faced each other most
memorably in the 2004 League Cup final when McClaren's Middlesbrough beat
Allardyce's Bolton Wanderers 2-1 to lift the trophy.
• Forest are on a three-match unbeaten run and have not lost at the City
Ground this season - drawing their first two league matches and defeating
Notts County 3-2 in the Carling Cup first round.
• While West Ham have been eliminated from the Carling Cup with Wednesday's
first-round defeat by Aldershot Town, Forest are looking forward to the
third round after winning 4-1 at Wycombe Wanderers on Tuesday.
• Robert Green made his 200th appearance in goal for the club against Leeds
on Sunday. He was one of nine changes made by Allardyce for the midweek
match with Aldershot - only Winston Reid and captain Kevin Nolan retained
their places.
• West Ham United's most-recent victory at the City Ground came in the shape
of a 2-0 Division One win on 28 December 2003, when former Forest striker
Marlon Harewood and Jermain Defoe were on target. That result also matched
West Ham's biggest-ever success at Forest - also achieved in 1996/97,
1935/36 and 1924/25.
• Nottingham Forest have twice recorded 5-0 home wins over West Ham United -
in a League Cup second-round tie on 30 August 1977 and in a Division One
fixture on 9 October 1965.
• West Ham United's Under-18s travelled to the City Ground for an FA Youth
Cup third-round tie on 3 December 2008, losing 3-1. Ahmed Abdulla scored
West Ham's goal.

Previous meeting
• Although the clubs have not been in the same division since the 2004/05
campaign, the teams met at the Boleyn Ground last season in the FA Cup
fourth round.

• The Hammers won 3-2, with a hat-trick from Victor Obinna cancelling out
first-half strikes by Dele Adebola and David McGoldrick. The lineups were:
West Ham United: Green, Reid, Gabbidon, Ilunga, Jacobsen, Barrera (Hines
89), Kovac, Noble (Boa Morte 74), Sears, Piquionne (Nouble 87)
Subs not used: Boffin, Tomkins, Bridge, Parker

Nottingham Forest: Camp, Chambers, Morgan, Gunter, Lynch, McGugan, Cohen,
McKenna (McCleary 78), Majewski (Tyson 68), Adebola (Earnshaw 66)
Subs not used: Smith, Moloney, Moussi, Rodney

Team news
West Ham United
• Sam Allardyce is expected to make wholesale changes to the lineup that
started the midweek Carling Cup defeat by Aldershot Town. The manager could
recall Robert Green, Joey O'Brien, James Tomkins, Mark, Noble, Scott Parker,
Jack Collison and Carlton Cole.
• Allardyce is still set to be without Abdoulaye Faye (groin) and it is not
thought the centre-back will return until after the international break.
• Peter Kurucz (knee) and Gary O'Neil (ankle) are both definitely out with
long-term injuries.
• New recruits George McCartney and John Carew are pushing hard for their
first league starts. Jordan Brown has been back in light training after his
ankle injury in pre-season.
• Pablo Barrera and Jordan Spence are on season-long loans at Real Zaragoza
and Bristol City respectively. Olly Lee and Cristian Montano are on
month-long loans at Dagenham & Redbridge and Notts County respectively.
Nottingham Forest
• Nottingham Forest have been boosted by the return to contention of French
midfielder Guy Moussi, after he came through a midweek reserve match.
• Striker Matt Derbyshire played under Sam Allardyce at Blackburn Rovers for
a short period before being loaned and later sold to Greek club Olympiakos.
• Midfielder Andy Reid was part of a Blackpool reserve side beaten 4-2 by
West Ham United's second string at Bloomfield Road in March 2011.
• Striker Joe Garner played under Neil McDonald when the Hammers assistant
manager was in charge at Carlisle United. After being plucked from Blackburn
Rovers reserves, Garner was sold to Nottingham Forest for £1.14m in summer
2008.
• Forward Ishmael made his full debut in senior football for Manchester City
in a 2-0 Premier League victory over West Ham United on 23 September 2006.
• Long-serving defender Wes Morgan is the sole survivor from the clubs'
previous meeting in the league at the Boleyn Ground on Boxing Day 2004. West
Ham United won that Championship fixture 3-2.

Last time out
Tuesday 23 August 2011
Carling Cup second round
Wycombe Wanderers 1-4 Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest: Camp, Chambers, Morgan, Gunter, Lynch, McGugan (Freeman
78), Greening, Cohen, Majewski, Miller (Garner 61), Findley (Tudgay 70)
Subs not used: Smith, Moloney, Boateng, McGoldrick
Goals: Miller 3, McGugan 6 pen, Findley 62, Majewski 75
Wednesday 24 August 2011
Carling Cup first round
West Ham United 1-2 Aldershot Town
West Ham United: Boffin, Faubert, McCartney, Reid, McCartney, Barrera
(Taylor 53), Nolan, Stanislas, Sears, Piquionne (Nouble 69), Carew (Ilunga
50)
Subs not used: Cowler, Noble, Moncur, Hall
Goal: Stanislas 16

Previous meetings
(Last six meetings, npower Championship unless stated)
30 January 2011 - West Ham United 3-2 Nottingham Forest (FA Cup fourth
round)
26 December 2004 - West Ham United 3-2 Nottingham Forest
26 September 2004 - Nottingham Forest 2-1 West Ham United
28 December 2003 - Nottingham Forest 0-2 West Ham United
22 October 2003 - West Ham United 1-1 Nottingham Forest
4 January 2003 - West Ham United 3-2 Nottingham Forest (FA Cup third round)
Overall record v Nottingham Forest (all competitions) W 44 D 26 L 43
Ten-year records
West Ham United
2010/11 Premier League 20th (33 points)
2009/10 Premier League 17th (35 points)
2008/09 Premier League 9th (51 points)
2007/08 Premier League 10th (49 points)
2006/07 Premier League 15th (41 points)
2005/06 Premier League 9th (55 points)
2004/05 Championship 6th (73 points - promoted to Premier League via
play-offs)
2003/04 Championship 4th (74 points)
2002/03 Premier League 18th (42 points - relegated to Championship)
2001/02 Premier League 7th (53 points)
Nottingham Forest
2010/11 Championship 6th (75 points)
2009/10 Championship 3rd (79 points)
2008/09 Championship 19th (53 points)
2007/08 League One 2nd (82 points - promoted to Championship)
2006/07 League One 4th (82 points)
2005/06 League One 7th (69 points)
2004/05 Championship 23rd (44 points - relegated to League One)
2003/04 Championship 14th (60 points)
2002/03 Championship 6th (74 points)
2001/02 Championship 16th (54 points)

Referee
• Sunday's referee will be Graham Salisbury.
• He took charge of two Nottingham Forest games last season. A 1-0 win at
Derby County on 22 January 2011 and 1-1 draw at Doncaster Rovers on 2
October 2010.
• His last West Ham match was back on 4 December 2004, when the Hammers won
2-0 at Sunderland in the Championship thanks to goals from Marlon Harewood
and Teddy Sheringham.

Old boys
• Chris Cohen played 21 times in all competition for the Hammers between
2003 and 2006, having come through the youth ranks at the Boleyn Ground.
• Jim Barrett, Horace Brown, Franz Carr, Charlie Craig, Colin Foster, Marlon
Harewood, Andy Melville, Ian Moore, Adam Nowland, Stuart Pearce, Teddy
Sheringham and Fred Wallbanks are among those to have worn the colours of
both West Ham United and Nottingham Forest.

Next up
• West Ham United resume after the international break against Portsmouth at
the Boleyn Ground on 10 September, the first home 3pm Saturday kick-off of
the season. The club have made it a Kids for a Quid fixture for all
youngsters. Forest go to Southampton on the same afternoon.

General information
• For ticket information, click here.
• Sunday's forecast in Nottingham is for a sunny afternoon with temperatures
peaking around the 17C (63F) mark.

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Hammers bag Baldock
WHUFC.com
West Ham United are delighted to announce the signing of striker Sam Baldock
from MK Dons
26.08.2011

West Ham United are delighted to announce the signing of coveted striker Sam
Baldock. The in-form 22-year-old has moved to the Boleyn Ground from League
One leaders MK Dons on a four-year contract with an option for an additional
year. The Hammers beat several clubs to the signing, paying an undisclosed
fee for the forward after his spectacular start to the 2011/12 season.
Baldock, who passed a medical on Friday afternoon before putting pen to
paper in the evening, has netted six goals in six appearances, including a
hat-trick in a 6-2 victory over Chesterfield and the second in a 4-0 Carling
Cup second-round victory over Premier League Norwich City in midweek. He
will wear the No7 shirt for the Hammers and is set to make his debut at home
to Portsmouth on Saturday 10 September.
Speaking exclusively to West Ham TV, he said: "I am pleased to be here. I am
just excited to be coming to such a great club, caked in so much history. I
just want to hit the ground running. "It is a massive club, isn't it? You
just have to turn up at the stadium and your head is looking up straight
away. The area, the fans are so passionate. I want to show what I can do for
them and hopefully everyone will be proud of me."

Born in Bedford, Baldock joined MK Dons as a trainee in July 2004, making
his debut as a 16-year-old in a Football League Trophy tie against
Colchester United on 20 December 2005. Quick and sharp with an eye for goal,
the young forward established himself in the Dons' first team during the
2007/08 season, appearing in the Football League Trophy final victory over
Grimsby Town at Wembley in March 2008 and helping the club to win the League
Two title. The following season, 2008/09 began with a first senior goal as
MK Dons knocked Norwich out of the League Cup and ended with a call-up to
England's squad for the FIFA Under-20 World Cup finals in Egypt. There, he
appeared in the group-stage fixtures against Ghana and Uzbekistan. Baldock's
stock continued to rise in 2009/10 as he bagged ten goals in 28 appearances
in all competitions, followed by another 14 in 34 games last season,
including a hat-trick in a 3-1 victory at Colchester on 12 March 2011. The
striker's goals helped MK Dons reach the League One Play-Offs last term but,
despite another goal from Baldock, they were eliminated by Peterborough
United in the semi-finals. The young frontman has played against West Ham
previously, turning out in MK Dons' 2-0 pre-season defeat by the Hammers at
stadium:mk on 28 July 2010.
Baldock becomes the club's seventh summer signing, although Allardyce has
hinted at more new arrivals before the transfer window closes on Wednesday
night. whufc.com will have all the news first and fastest when official.

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Big Sam on Sam
WHUFC.com
The manager could not hide his delight at clinching the signature of
highly-rated forward Sam Baldock.
26.08.2011

Sam Allardyce has hailed the arrival of Sam Baldock at West Ham United. The
manager was pleased to finally get his man on Friday night, having kept tabs
on Baldock's sensational form for MK Dons. Allardyce knows Dons manager Karl
Robinson well from their time together at Blackburn Rovers and was well
aware of the 22-year-old forward's prowess. Baldock then scored a hat-trick
in front of Allardyce against Chesterfield last Saturday, before again
impressing the watching manager with another goal away to Norwich City on
Tuesday. That prompted the Hammers to swing into action, with the club
winning out against several clubs for the England U20 forward's signature.
"We are very excited and very pleased to acquire such a young and talented
goal-scorer," Allardyce said. "They are few and far between today and
hopefully he can settle in quickly and produce the sort of form and goals
that he has done for MK Dons. "I saw him score a hat-trick and then an
outstanding goal on Tuesday against Norwich. We haven't got this type of
player at the club at the moment. It is a great addition to the team and
gives us another dimension and an opportunity to play a different way. "I am
sure he will go a long way and hopefully it will be an exciting time to help
get West Ham where we want them to go. If he can continue his development,
we have got what we have been looking for. A prolific goalscorer. "While we
have got some very good players on the front line, he is a sharp, he is very
quick and his main strength lies in the quality of runs he makes in the box
and the quality of his finishing. He seems to sniff a goal out at any angle
and from anywhere."

Allardyce admitted the new recruit could provide stiff competition for the
likes of Carlton Cole, John Carew and Frederic Piquionne. "I see him as a
starter because we have invested a considerable amount of money. "It gives
us lots of options and hopefully lots and lots of goals. Now we have to
provide those chances for the strikers we have. What we would be looking at
now is to strengthen in other areas. If we can find the right player to
improve the first team then we will try and do a little bit more business
before the window shuts."

The manager paid tribute to Baldock's attitude and professionalism, and said
the club had acquired a model professional on and off the pitch who should
adapt quickly. "He is young so he may need some settling in time but I hope
not. "He doesn't live too far away and of course as in terms of a young man,
he has got a very nice manner and a very good stature. Not only have we got
a good footballer but a good human being. His mum and dad should take great
credit in the way they have brought their son up."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Big Sam on Friday
WHUFC.com
The Hammers will be going all out to make it a third straight win on the
road this weekend.
26.08.2011

Sam Allardyce faced the media on Friday afternoon as he looked forward to
the prospect of meeting Steve McClaren in Sunday's showdown with Nottingham
Forest.
The Hammers manager said the match would be the ideal opportunity for the
club to put the midweek Carling Cup disappointment behind them. A third
straight away win would ensure the team remain on course in the promotion
push. Meanwhile, whufc.com will be the place to be for all the official
transfer news first and fastest when confirmed - including exclusive
interviews with those concerned. You made nine changes in midweek so I guess
you are not worried about a hangover from the defeat by Aldershot Town?

SA: I shall be worried about it the next time we play at home against
Portsmouth. I don't think we will be too worried about Forest in terms of
our mental capabilities because we played very well at Doncaster and were
absolutely outstanding at Watford. So we will take that attitude into this
away game and hopefully we can peak to the level we did in those games. It
will be a difficult game and one where we want to get some points out of
because we slipped up in the last minute against Leeds.
We have to try and push for three points if we can. It is a difficult task
at any stage to win an away game but to ask a team to win three away games
on the trot when you have only won three in two years would be a miracle if
we can pull it off. If we hit the form we showed against Watford again we
will cause Forest problems and hopefully convert chances into goals.

The club haven't put three wins away from home together in the league since
April/August 2007. It would be some feat?

SA: It would be an achievement at any level to win three away games on the
trot. It would be a fantastic start. The unfortunate thing is we haven't
married up the home results with the away results and points. We have been
very close and thrown points away at home while we have gained exactly what
we deserve away from home - six points.

Have you identified a reason behind the home form?

SA: There is a reason and that has been explained to the players and without
going into great detail regarding that, I think I have pointed the finger at
what the problem is and I've tried to eradicate the problem. For now it is
on the backburner because we have an away game at Forest and we will work on
this situation after the international break. Hopefully everyone comes back
OK and we can try and get the win against Portsmouth [on 10 September].

Are you looking forward to renewing your rivalry with Steve McClaren?

SA: It is like everything else. You come to a new football club and you have
to have time to get to know everybody and time to impose your style and your
winning mentality. Steve has as big a winning mentality as I have. He has
proved that over the years he had been in the game and stayed in the game.
I am sure with his fantastic experience in Holland and Germany that he will
bring great things to Nottingham Forest. We can't really be judged until the
end of the first season that is when the real turnarounds happen. You can
say you've turned a club around quicker than that but really 12 months is
the minimum. While you are progressing the thing is to make sure you get
results however you can.

If you do beat Forest, will you be happy with the points tally going into
the break?

SA: Yes, because we will be spot on in terms of automatic promotion and that
is ten points out of five games. That is two points a game. Very few teams
who get two points a game don't automatically get promoted.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Carew gets Norway call
WHUFC.com
John Carew is in Norway's squad for two vital 2012 UEFA European
Championship qualifiers
26.08.2011

John Carew has been included in Norway's squad for the country's vital 2012
UEFA European Championship qualifying matches against Scandinavian rivals
Iceland and Denmark. The Norwegians are level on points with Group H leaders
Portugal and Denmark with three qualifying matches remaining - two of which
will take place in early September. Should Norway finish top of Group H,
they would qualify for their first UEFA European Championship finals since
2000, when Carew was part of the squad that defeated Spain but were
eliminated at the group-stage. A second-place finish should see Egil Olsen's
side go into a Play-Off. Norway take on Iceland in Oslo on Friday 2
September bsefore making the short trip to Copenhagen to take on the Danes
on Tuesday 6 September and the striker has told manager Egil Olsen he is fit
and ready to play. Carew, who made his West Ham United debut as a substitute
against Leeds United before starting the Carling Cup meeting with Aldershot
Town, is eager to earn his 88th and 89th senior caps. "I will be going away
with Norway so I could get a couple more games there. I spoke to the
national team manager last week and I'll speak to him again this week. "When
I go away with Norway, it will be good for my match-fitness."

While he has not played a great deal of competitive football in recent
months, national-team manager Olsen knows Carew's vast experience could
prove important against Iceland and Denmark. "We have taken him because of
what he has achieved before, and his expertise," said Olsen on naming his
squad on 22 August. "We have had a close dialogue with John, and he will
hopefully play more games before we get together. "Had he not had a club, I
would not have picked him. What is positive is that he is getting playing
time there [at West Ham]. It is a good sign that he has played so early
after joining them."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Youngsters set for Sunderland
WHUFC.com
The in-form Under-18s travel to face the Black Cats in the FA Premier
Academy League this weekend
26.08.2011

West Ham United Under-18s have a long weekend away to look forward to as
they seek to continue their perfect start to the 2011/12 FA Premier Academy
League season. The Hammers defeated Sheffield United 4-1 in their opening
fixture at Little Heath on 20 August, with first-year scholars Elliot Lee
and Kieran Sadlier bagging a hat-trick and goal respectively. This weekend,
West Ham's youngsters will travel to Sunderland for their second inter-group
fixture hoping to make it two wins from two to start the new campaign.
Academy Director Tony Carr, Under-18s coach Nick Haycock and the squad will
travel to the North East on Friday afternoon, staying overnight ahead of
Saturday's 11am kick-off. Carr is hoping Lee (pictured) can continue a run
of form that has seen him score hat-tricks in his last two league outings -
the 16-year-old also netted three times in West Ham's final game of last
season at Chelsea. "Elliot is a goal-scorer," he confirmed. "He has scored
seven or eight goals in pre-season and scored a hat-trick against Sheffield
United in our first league game. "He is what he is, which is an excellent
player. He's not ready for first-team level at this point. He's got to learn
his trade at in the youth team and the development squad, get better and
learn to become a better all-round player like all young players. "One thing
he will never lose is that knack of the art of scoring goals. If he keeps
doing that, then the future looks bright for him." Sunderland themselves
also began their season with a success as Jordan Laidler's penalty earned
the Black Cats a 1-0 victory at Crystal Palace. West Ham are in Group A -
one of four FA Premier Academy League divisions of ten teams each.
Sunderland are in Group D. Each club plays the nine other teams in their own
group home and away, plus ten inter-group matches, completing a season of 28
league matches.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Leo leads England to victory
WHUFC.com
Leo Chambers captained England Under-17s to a 1-0 win over Italy on Thursday
evening
26.08.2011

West Ham United youngster Leo Chambers captained England Under-17s to
victory over Italy on Thursday evening. The Hammers defender, who has also
skippered the Young Lions at Under-16 level, produced a typically strong and
assured display at Cambridge United's Abbey Stadium. The fixture was the
first of a four-team Friendly Tournament that also features Czech Republic
and Portugal. England stole victory with just two minutes remaining when
Manchester City striker Devante Cole - the son of former Manchester United
and England forward Andrew Cole - netted past Italian goalkeeper Luca
Lezzerini. Earlier, Chambers himself had come close to opening the scoring
following a marauding run from the back. It was a very good victory," said
the south London-born player, who only turned 16 on 5 August.
"We had to really dig in and we did score late, but it was a good team
effort. We did start slowly but we gradually got into it and as a team, we
bonded and then scored late on."

England's second match in the competition sees them take on Czech Republic
at Bishop's Stortford FC's Woodside Park on Friday evening, with kick-off at
7pm. The tournament concludes when England face Portugal at Northampton
Town's Sixfields Stadium on Sunday, kick-off 2pm.
All three matches will serve as preparation for England's UEFA European
Under-17 Championship Group 6 qualifying matches against Latvia, Bosnia &
Herzegovina and Netherlands at the end of October.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Nott'm Forest v West Ham
BBC.co.uk
Page last updated at 15:35 GMT, Friday, 26 August 2011 16:35 UK

Npower Championship
Venue: City Ground Date: Sunday, 28 August Kick-off: 1315 BST Coverage:
Listen on BBC Radio 5 live and BBC local radio; text commentary on the BBC
Sport website

TEAM NEWS
Nottingham Forest manager Steve McClaren will have Guy Moussi available for
the first time this season.

The French midfielder has been sidelined by a calf problem but made a
successful return for the reserves this week and is in the squad.

West Ham centre-back Abdoulaye Faye (groin) is a major doubt and midfielder
Gary O'Neil is still sidelined with an ankle injury.

Teenager Callum McNaughton is suspended after being sent off on his debut.

MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head

• Of 113 competitive meetings, West Ham have won 44 and Nottingham
Forest 43, while 26 have been drawn.

• The 2-1 triumph in their last Championship match at the City Ground
in September 2004, was Nottingham Forest's first win in 10 home league
clashes with West Ham.

• The Hammers have scored 150 league goals against these opponents,
and Forest are one short of matching that against the East London club.

Nottingham Forest

• Lost only one of their six league and cup matches.

• Avoided defeat in 42 of their last 44 Championship games at the City
Ground.

• Fired 12 shots on target; the fewest in the Championship.

West Ham United

• Won only four of their last 39 away league games, but 100% on the
road in this Championship season, without conceding a goal.

• Aiming to register three successive away league victories in the
same season for the first time since May 2007.

• Three of their seven league goals (home and away) have been scored
in the first 10 minutes.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Striker Sam Baldock joins West Ham from MK Dons
Page last updated at 21:20 GMT, Friday, 26 August 2011 22:20 UK
BBC.co.uk

Striker Sam Baldock has joined West Ham from MK Dons for an undisclosed fee.
The 22-year-old forward passed a medical at Upton Park on Friday afternoon
and agreed a four-year deal, with an option for a further 12 months. Because
of the upcoming international break, he is likely to make his debut at home
to Portsmouth on 10 September. "I am pleased to be here. I am just excited
to be coming to such a great club," Baldock said.

SAM BALDOCK FACTFILE
Name: Samuel Edward Baldock
Date of Birth: 15 March 1989
Place of Birth: Bedford, England
Position: Striker
Senior career: MK Dons - Apps 124, goals 43

"The fans are so passionate and I just want to hit the ground running. "I
want to show what I can do for them and hopefully everyone will be proud of
me." Baldock, who will wear the number seven shirt for the Hammers, joined
League One side MK Dons as a trainee in 2004, making his debut as a
16-year-old against Colchester on 20 December 2005. He has since gone on to
appear in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy final against Grimsby at Wembley in
March 2008, and also helped the club win the League Two title. This season
he has netted six goals in six appearances, including a hat-trick in a 6-2
victory over Chesterfield, and the second in a 4-0 Carling Cup win over
Premier League side Norwich on Tuesday. Baldock becomes West Ham's seventh
summer signing, and manager Sam Allardyce has previously hinted that there
could be more new arrivals at the club before the transfer window shuts on
Wednesday night.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham United loan Pablo Barrera to Real Zaragoza
Page last updated at 12:43 GMT, Friday, 26 August 2011 13:43 UK
BBC.co.uk

West Ham United winger Pablo Barrera has joined Spanish club Real Zaragoza
on a season-long loan. The 24-year-old, who played against Aldershot on
Wednesday, could make his debut for the La Liga side against Real Madrid on
Sunday. A statement on the Hammers website said Mexico international
Barrera, who joined for £4m in July 2010, had struggled to adapt to life in
London. Language difficulties and personal reasons were behind his move, it
added. Barrera made 21 appearances for West Ham last season.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Never mind the Baldocks: here's the new striker
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 26th August 2011
By: Staff Writer

West Ham United have confirmed the signing of striker Sam Baldock from MK
Dons. The 22-year-old striker put pen to paper on a four-year deal, with an
option for a fifth year this evening (Friday) following a successful medical
that took place earlier in the day. Baldock, who has been given Kieron
Dyer's number seven shirt is unlikely to feature at Nottingham Forest this
weekend; the home fixture against Portsmouth the following weekend appears a
more likely target. "I am pleased to be here," he told whufc.com. "I am just
excited to be coming to such a great club, caked in so much history. I just
want to hit the ground running. "I want to show [the fans] what I can do and
hopefully everyone will be proud of me." West Ham, who has to fight off a
late bid by Southampton in order to land Baldock are thought to have paid
around £2million to secure his services, although the exact figure remains
undisclosed - as is the case with most of the club's transfers these days.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham land South American striker
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 26th August 2011
By: Staff Writer

West Ham are set to sign teenage Paraguayan striker Brian Montenegro.
According to reports emanating from South America this afternoon, the young
forward will offically sign a one-year deal with West Ham next Monday.
Speaking to Ultima Hora, Montenegro said: "I am happy for this transfer to
English football, it is a very important league. Now I can only work to be
accommodated in West Ham's first team. "Thank God, I'm adapting well to the
schedule and the system of life here. Now I will work hard to continue
succeeding." Montenegro is understood to have recently acquired an Italian
passport, without which he would have been unable to move to London. The
striker is just one of two young Paraguayans linked with a move to London in
recent weeks; the other being fellow youth international Jorge Ortega, who
currently plays for Tacuary FBC.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Allardyce: Parker talks under way
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 26th August 2011
By: Staff Writer

Sam Allardyce has confirmed that West Ham are talking to Tottenham with
regards to the permanent transfer of Scott Parker. The 30-year-old
midfielder is on the verge of landing the move he has craved all summer -
but according to Allardyce, Parker will only be allowed to go on terms
favourable to West Ham. "There's some dialogue going on at the moment and
that's all I'm aware of," West Ham's manager told Sky Sports. "In terms of
what level it's at I know that a deal has not been struck at this moment in
time for Scott Parker. "That depends on whether someone reaches the owner's
valuation." Although the sale of Parker would provide a huge boost to
Allardyce's transfer war chest, one player the extra cash definitely won't
be spent on is Joey Barton. The former Newcastle midfielder today signed a
four-year deal with Premier League new boys Queens Park Rangers.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Redknapp on Parker move
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 26th August 2011
By: Staff Writer

Harry Redknapp has confirmed that Tottenham are in negotiations with West
Ham over Scott Parker. It was revealed last night that West Ham had agreed
to open talks with Hotspur regarding the permanent transfer of the current
Football Writers' Player of the Year. Speaking this afternoon about the deal
as he left training, Redknapp revealed that he would be delighted to land
Parker, a player he has been chasing for some considerable time. "I love
Scotty, he's a fantastic player," Redknapp told Sky Sports. "Like any club,
you'd love to have him in your team but I don't know where it's at. "Daniel
[Levy] is dealing with it, whether there's anything happening today I'm not
sure. Hopefully we can get a deal done. If we can I'd certainly be pleased
to have him here, that's for sure. "We've been talking about him for quite a
while now. It's up to the Chairman as to whether it's a deal he feels is
worth doing financially. It'd be good. We've said all along that we've known
the people we wanted but it's just been difficult."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Parker sale to herald further arrivals
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 26th August 2011
By: Staff Writer

Scott Parker's impending departure is set to signal a late push in the
transfer market by West Ham. As mentioned here on KUMB.com yesterday (see
footnote) Parker is close to sealing a move to White Hart Lane - despite
West Ham and Tottenham Hotspur currently slugging it out in the courts over
the Olympic Stadium. The England midfielder is likely to move to north
London in a cash plus player deal - boosting both Sam Allardyce's transfer
war chest and understrength squad. But just as important to West Ham would
be the removal of some £3.5million from the club's annual wage bill. One
player linked with West Ham who is still to find a club for the new season
is Newcastle United's Joey Barton. Although the 27-year-old underwent a
medical at QPR yesterday he confirmed this morning that he was yet to make a
decision over his future. With Parker set to be removed from West Ham's wage
bill, it is not beyond the realms of possibility that United will look to
Barton as a potential replacement - although the player has already stated
this summer that he sees his future in the Premier League. Slightly closer
to a move to the Boleyn Ground today is MK Dons striker Sam Baldock, who is
undergoing a medical ahead of a move thought to be worth in the region of
£2million.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Baldock bags Hammers move
Striker signs four-year contract at Upton Park
Last Updated: August 26, 2011 9:42pm
SSN

West Ham have completed the signing of Sam Baldock on a four-year contract
from MK Dons. The Hammers have paid an undisclosed fee for the highly-rated
striker, with the deal including the option for a fifth year together should
both sides wish to prolong their association. Baldock had been interesting a
number of clubs this summer, but it is Sam Allardyce that has been able to
secure his signature. He passed a medical at Upton Park on Friday before
putting pen to paper. Baldock told the club's official website: "I am
pleased to be here. I am just excited to be coming to such a great club,
caked in so much history. I just want to hit the ground running.
"It is a massive club, isn't it? You just have to turn up at the stadium and
your head is looking up straight away. "The area, the fans are so
passionate. I want to show what I can do for them and hopefully everyone
will be proud of me."

Excited

Baldock becomes Allardyce's seventh signing of the summer, as he continues
his squad overhaul. He is expected to make his West Ham debut in Saturday's
Championship clash with Portsmouth. Sam Allardyce is delighted to have got
his man and is expecting big things from Baldock this season. "We are very
excited and very pleased to acquire such a young, talented goal-scorer," he
said. "I am sure he will go a long way and hopefully it will be an exciting
time to help get West Ham where we want them to go."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
N Forest v West Ham preview
Last updated: 26th August 2011
SSN

Team news for Nottingham Forest's Championship clash with West Ham at the
City Ground on Sunday (kick-off 1.15pm). Manager Steve McClaren will have
Guy Moussi available for the first time this season. The French midfielder
has been sidelined by a calf problem but made a successful return from
injury as the reserves beat Burton. Moussi played 45 minutes of the 4-2 win
on Wednesday. George Boateng is likely to come back into McClaren's midfield
after being rested against Wycombe in the Carling Cup in midweek. Strikers
Ishmael Miller and Robbie Findley look set to keep their places in the team.
The pair were rewarded for their impressive substitute appearances against
Leicester last weekend with starts against Wycombe and both scored in the
4-1 win at Adams Park.

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce will restore his big hitters to the side.
Allardyce made nine changes to his line-up as the Hammers were dumped out of
the Carling Cup by League Two Aldershot on Wednesday night. England
midfielder Scott Parker will return - assuming he has not been sold by then
- along with Robert Green, James Tomkins, Matt Taylor, Jack Collison, Mark
Noble and Carlton Cole. But Junior Stanislas could keep his place after his
goal capped an encouraging performance and George McCartney may be preferred
to Herita Ilunga at left-back. Teenager Callum McNaughton is suspended after
his debut red card, fellow centre-half Abdoulaye Faye (groin) is a doubt and
winger Gary O'Neil (ankle) is still sidelined.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Scott Out, Brian In?
August 26th, 2011 - 6:27 pm by S J Chandos
West Ham Till I Die

There is a report circulating that the club have opened negotiations with
Spurs regarding the possible transfer of Scott Parker. Obviously, the West
Ham board are temporarily suspending hostilities with Spurs, in the name of
economic and footballing expediency, to get a deal done before the summer
window shuts. I think that most fans probably accept that Scott Parker may
have to be sold to finance other incoming deals, even if selling to that
odious and ruthless club well and truly sticks in all our throats. There
may even be the possibility that it could be a part-exchange deal or involve
a season long loan of one or more of Spurs' fringe players? If so, we need
to make sure that we get the right player(s), rather than any old cast-off
of whom Arry wants to get rid! After all, optimistically, Bobby Zamora came
to the club, from Spurs, in part-exchange for Defoe and he did not do too
badly for us, did he? Of course every Hammers fan will have their own ideas
concerning who constitutes the 'right player(s)' to be included in any
pending deal.

Elsewhere, there was an intriguing report today that West Ham are due to
sign 18 year old Paraguay striker, Brian Montenegro Martinez, on an initial
one year deal, this Monday. He is an U-20 Paraguay international and has
recently acquired an Italian passport, which, of course, entitles him to
play in the EU without a work permit. If true, this is a deal that has come
well and truly out of left field. The key question is whether BMM is ready
for first team action this season or is potentially 'one for the future'?
Lets hope he is a young Tevez, giving us the pacy, goal poacher that we need
so badly! Once again, we can dream can't we?

We are now entering the real 'business end' of the summer transfer window,
hopefully things will start moving apace now. Although I hope that Parker's
potential departure, means that Green and Cole will be staying at the club.
Other possible exits? Now Barrera has gone on loan to Real Zaragosa, I
guess the odds would be on the likes of Faubert, Picquionne and, possibly,
Illunga moving? As for other incoming deals, the BMM story apart, what
could be in the pipeline? There is nothing confirmed at present, but Diop
and Baldock look like real possibilities. Apart from a ball winning
midfielder and at least another striker, I would also like to see us sign
another centre-back and a right-back to ensure adequate defensive cover
right across the back line.

As they say, we shall see, in the fullness of time! We can only hope and
pray that the end result of our summer transfer business is that, overall,
we end up with a better balanced squad, with greater strength indepth, to
secure automatic promoted back to the top tier. That is the bottom line as
far as this season is concerned!

SJ. Chandos.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Tottenham confirm they want Parker
Published 22:59 26/08/11 By Darren Lewis
The Mirror

Harry Redknapp has confirmed he is trying to sign Scott Parker. The Spurs
boss said of the West Ham and England midfielder: "Yes, there is interest
but I don't know if it will happen. It's a case of if it's do-able." The
Hammers want £8million for 30-year-old Parker and have already rejected an
offer of £4m from QPR. But Tottenham are believed to have offered a
cash-plus-player deal. West Ham manager Sam Allardyce said on Friday night:
"There's some dialogue going on at the moment but that is all I'm aware of –
no deal has been struck so far. "It all depends on whether somebody matches
the valuation of the player. "Scott has really enjoyed his time at West Ham
but he wants to leave to stay in touch with the England team and you can
understand that. "We just have to move on and wish him the best for the
future."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Carlton Cole: I am staying at West Ham
Published 22:29 26/08/11 By Darren Lewis
The Mirror

Carlton Cole wants to stay at West Ham - even though the club may still cash
in if they get a good offer. Stoke had a £6million bid accepted by the
Hammers, but the 27-year-old striker turned down the move. And he maintains
that he is ready to fight new signings John Carew and Sam Baldock for a
first-team place. Cole, whose side meet Nottingham Forest this weekend,
said: "I know a fee got accepted. The position West Ham were in means I'm
one of the saleable assets and they had to accept. "But it was down to me
and I didn't really want to move. It wasn't best for me and my family to go
up North. I'll think about what's on offer but I'm scoring goals and I'm
happy where I am."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham complete striker swoop
Published 21:40 26/08/11 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror

West Ham have signed highly-rated striker Sam Baldock from MK Dons for an
undisclosed fee. The Hammers have captured the 22-year-old, who has scored
six goals in as many appearances this season, on a four-year deal with the
option for an additional year. Baldock told West Ham TV: "I am so pleased to
be here. I am just excited to be coming to such a great club, caked in so
much history. "I just want to hit the ground running." Sam Allardyce was one
of several managers interested in securing Baldock's services and he
revealed his delight at completing the deal. "We are very excited and very
pleased to acquire such a young, talented goal-scorer," he told the club's
official site. "I am sure he will go a long way and hopefully it will be an
exciting time to help get West Ham where we want them to go."

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Allardyce: West Ham ARE in talks with Spurs over Parker
Published 15:23 26/08/11 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror

Tottenham are in talks with West Ham over the potential transfer of
midfielder Scott Parker, Hammers manager Sam Allardyce has confirmed. Parker
has made no secret of his desire to return to the Barclays Premier League to
further his England career and Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp is a keen
admirer of the midfielder. The 64-year-old has been linked with a move for
the former Chelsea man all summer and also failed with a bid to sign him
last year but is determined to bring him to White Hart Lane this year, it
appears. With the transfer window closing on Wednesday night, Allardyce is
keen to move on Parker in order to fund new signings. The former Blackburn
boss confirmed talks had begun over a deal today. When asked whether
negotiations were taking place between the two London clubs over a deal for
the midfielder, Allardyce said: "I am not in talks (personally) with them
but there is some dialogue going on at the moment. That is all I am aware
of."
Allardyce sounded a word of caution about the transfer though, perhaps well
aware that Spurs are renowned as shrewd operators in the market. "As in
terms of what level it is at, I certainly know that a deal has not been
struck by any way, shape or form at this moment in time about Scott Parker,"
Allardyce added. "Whether he is here on Wednesday depends on whether someone
reaches the owners' valuation."

Parker was one of the few players to come out of last season with his head
held high as West Ham ended the season bottom of the Barclays Premier League
table.
A transfer, whether permanent or temporary, to White Hart Lane would appear
to be a logical move for the Londoner, who fits the bill as the type of
experienced head that Redknapp has longed for for some time. Redknapp is a
big fan of the midfielder's workrate and creativity and he has also been
linked with Chelsea and Arsenal this summer. With Spurs currently about to
embark on what could be a long campaign in the Europa League, signing Parker
would make sense as Redknapp is short in midfield thanks to injuries to
Sandro and Steven Pienaar. Parker joined West Ham for £7million from
Newcastle in 2007 and has made 119 appearances for the London club since.
Prior to his time at Newcastle, the Lambeth-born star had spells at Charlton
and Chelsea.

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Scott Parker is poised to hand in a transfer request at West Ham over
proposed move to Tottenham
By Jason Burt10:00PM BST 26 Aug 20113
Telegraph.co.uk

Scott Parker is expected to hand in a formal written transfer request to
force through a move from West Ham United to Tottenham Hotspur. Tottenham
have finally opened negotiations with West Ham to sign the 30-year-old
England international who is desperate to remain in the Premier League to
preserve his chances of playing for his country. West Ham have insisted all
summer that Parker can only leave for £8million and last week rejected an
offer of £4 million — plus £1 million if they avoid relegation — from Queens
Park Rangers. Parker has long been admired by Spurs manager Harry Redknapp
but chairman Daniel Levy has been reluctant to pay the fee West Ham have
demanded. It may well be that Spurs are now offering to loan West Ham one or
two players as well as pay a fee to sign Parker on a permanent basis. Talks
are ongoing between the two clubs with West Ham accepting that despite their
reluctance to sell to Spurs it might represent the best deal for them
especially as the player is prepared to formally ask to go. Chelsea,
Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa have all considered making a move
for Parker but it seems he is destined to join Spurs.. Harry Redknapp said
on Friday: "Yeah, there is interest but I don't know if it will happen. It's
just a case of whether it's do-able."

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce said: "It all depends on whether somebody
matches the valuation of the player. Scott has really enjoyed his time at
West Ham but he wants to leave to stay in touch with the England team and
you can understand that. We just have to move on and wish him the best for
the future." Redknapp's most pressing concern is to get the better of
Manchester City at White Hart Lane on Sunday lunchtime, and to do that he is
set to call upon the services of midfielder Luka Modric, whose transfer
route to Chelsea remains firmly blocked by Levy. With Chelsea considering
whether to up their offer for Modric to £40m, Redknapp was confident the
Croatia international would resist the temptation to put in a below-par
performance to force a sale, or take the nuclear option of refusing to play.
He said: "It's not in his nature to do that but there are players who go
'I'm leaving, don't try stopping me'. I've seen a player, when I was
playing, hold a manager up against the wall because he wouldn't sell him.
"It helps Luka is only 5ft 4ins! If he was 6ft 10ins and told me he wanted
to go, I would have said 'go!'"

City's enormous financial muscle has allowed them to recruit Samir Nasri
against Arsenal's wishes and Redknapp believed that although Roberto Mancini
does not have a talent of Lionel Messi's calibre to call upon, the Italian
nevertheless now boasts greater strength in depth than Champions League
holders Barcelona. He said: "I would say that they have probably got as
strong a squad as any team in the world. They don't have Messi but they have
a stronger squad than Barcelona, certainly man for man, they have two
players in every position almost. Top, top-class players. "You look at that
forward line now, Aguero, Tevez, Dzeko, Silva, it's amazing then you have
players like Balotelli who can't get in the team." Tottenham have also
learned their Europa League opponents and Redknapp was delighted to find
Shamrock Rovers in Spurs' pool. He said: "All credit to Shamrock Rovers and
we look forward to going there and playing them. Dublin is it? Lovely, we'll
have a weekend in Dublin." Jonathan Roche, the chairman of Shamrock Rovers,
arrived late in Monaco after celebrating in Belgrade where his side secured
a shock 3-2 aggregate win over Partizan on Thursday night. "I've not slept
but I'm living the dream,'' said Roche, who learned about Shamrock's draw
via his mobile phone.

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West Ham sign exciting young striker Baldock from MK Dons for fee rising to
£2.75m
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 10:36 PM on 26th August 2011
Daily Mail

West Ham have signed striker Sam Baldock from MK Dons for a fee that could
rise to £2.75million. The Hammers have captured the 22-year-old, who has
scored six goals in as many appearances this season, on a four-year deal
with the option for an additional year. Baldock told West Ham TV: 'I am so
pleased to be here. I am just excited to be coming to such a great club,
caked in so much history. 'I just want to hit the ground running.' Sam
Allardyce was one of several managers interested in securing Baldock's
services and he revealed his delight at completing the deal. 'We are very
excited and very pleased to acquire such a young, talented goal-scorer,' he
told the club's official site. 'I am sure he will go a long way and
hopefully it will be an exciting time to help get West Ham where we want
them to go.'

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West Ham loyalty will go out of the window for Chris Cohen at City Ground
tomorrow
Saturday, August 27, 2011Nottingham
This Is Nottingham

GROWING up as a West Ham fan, Chris Cohen was well versed on the subject of
high expectations. By the time he graduated from the famous academy of
football at Upton Park, there was nothing left for him to learn on the
topic. In that particular part of east London, flowing, passing football is
as much of a tradition as pie and mash and jellied eels. As Sam Allardyce's
Hammers prepare to visit the City Ground for the first time since their
relegation from the Premier League, Cohen admits it is an occasion he is
looking forward to. But, while many will be expecting West Ham to bounce
back at the first time of asking, Cohen is also well versed on the nuances
of Championship football. And he believes the Hammers will not have it all
their own way in the division this season. More to the point, he wants to
ensure that they do not have things all their own way in front of the
television cameras tomorrow afternoon. "When I left West Ham (to go to
Yeovil), they were in the Premier League and qualifying to play in Europe –
and Forest were in League One," said Cohen. "So it shows how quickly things
can change. I don't think anyone is a shoe-in for promotion this season,
including them. "I saw their game against Leeds and Leeds looked very, very
good – yet they are towards the bottom of the table. West Ham are meant to
be at the top. "That game ended in a draw, but it could have gone either
way. Anyone can beat anyone, in this division. "West Ham fans will be
expecting to be back in the Premier League next season. "But, when I was
there, West Ham just scraped into the play-offs in the season when everyone
expected us to go up easily. "We ended up doing it, but there was a lot of
unrest in the final weeks as the season came to an end. "West Ham fans are
used to playing free-flowing football, playing in the top flight and doing
well in cup competitions. Their fans will soon be unsettled if they are not
where they want them to be."

Many of Cohen's family and friends will be coming north for the game – and
many more will watch on TV. "I have always supported them and my family have
as well," he said. "It is always a nice occasion when we play them, but
three points is always the most important thing. "We haven't had enough wins
so far this season, so we want one this weekend and we need to produce
another improved performance. "Transitional is the word at the minute. The
new manager had come in and is trying to get us to play how he wants us to.
"A lot of Championship clubs have gone out to lower league opposition in the
Carling Cup. "We had tough games against Notts County and Wycombe and we
came through them both. "We need to do that in the league now and kick-start
our season." Having earned a dramatic, if decidedly flawed draw against
Leicester last weekend, Cohen believes Forest can prove a point tomorrow.
"Leicester and West Ham will be the teams to beat this season, I would
predict," he said. "We just need to produce our best and see where we are
after that, in a few months time. "But, if we can beat them tomorrow, we can
prove that we are one of the best teams in the division as well."

There will be a sense of familiarity for manager Steve McClaren as well, as
he comes up against Allardyce, a man he knows well. "I know Big Sam very
well and I know that it is another test, another challenge for our team,"
said McClaren. "We learnt a lot from playing against Leicester and we will
learn a lot more against West Ham. I have seen West Ham a few times this
season and I know exactly what to expect. "Everyone has their own way of
playing and winning football matches. We know what Sam's is, because we have
met many times over the years. And he knows mine. "It will be an interesting
game and one which, over 46 games, may not have much bearing – but will
teach us much about where we are. "We will have faced, in my eyes, the two
favourites in one week."

McClaren says Forest are still a work in progress however. "A lot of changes
have gone on, we have had a change of manager, change of situation and a
change of team," he said. "It is similar with Leicester and West Ham. It
takes time to get a team go gel together. It takes time to get your
philosophy over and introduce the way that you want to play. "During those
times you are going to see inconsistency. We have had that, because we are
searching for those things. West Ham and Leicester are the same. "But, trust
me, at the end of the season, they will be the two clubs that, if you finish
above, you will probably get promotion."

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