WHUFC.com
A frenetic finish to the transfer window has left everyone at the Boleyn
Ground full of optimism
01.09.2011
Hammers fans should stay close to whufc.com over the coming days for all
best news and views around the club's 12 summer signings. A dozen new names
have arrived to bolster the 2011/12 npower Championship challenge, along
with the important retention of homegrown Hammers trio Mark Noble, Jack
Collison and James Tomkins, and established internationals Robert Green and
Carlton Cole.
The new-look Hammers squad will next be in action for the Kids for a Quid
home match against Portsmouth on Saturday week. Along with Kevin Nolan, Matt
Taylor and Co, there could be a number of debutants with Guy Demel, Henri
Lansbury, David Bentley, Sam Baldock and Papa Bouba Diop all hoping to make
their Boleyn bows.
It is the start of what could be a pivotal month for the club. Millwall away
follows on 17 September before the month concludes with back to back home
games against Peterborough United and Ipswich Town. whufc.com will also
continue to keep tabs on the Academy aces out on loan with Ahmed Abdulla,
Jordan Brown, Olly Lee,
Jordan Spence and Cristian Montano all eager to impress.
The official website will confirm the new squad numbers later on Thursday,
while West Ham TV will be on hand to capture the first interviews. As well
as the new signings, the club's cameras already have plenty of special
features coming up to keep you going - even without a first-team game taking
place this weekend.
Coming up on West Ham TV are the latest U18 highlights plus a special Elliot
Lee interview and package featuring his first two hat-tricks this season.
Then there is Carlton Cole on his bid to keep on scoring, the best of the
development squad action including Papa Bouba Diop and a Martin Allen
catch-up with his thoughts on Sam Baldock and Cristian Montano. That's not
all though, as there is also a David Gold sit-down and, of course, every
single first team match from pre-season and the campaign so far to savour.
The live action - with full audio commentary on West Ham TV of course -
returns with the visit of Portsmouth on 10 September, the first 3pm home
kick-off of the season. Make sure you are there to see how Sam Allardyce
copes with the welcome headache of a selection dilemma, with the Hammers
having gone to Nottingham Forest and won 4-1 in their last outing. Get your
tickets today at www.whufcboxoffice.com
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West Ham tempt giant defender Demel from Hamburg
Page last updated at 22:54 GMT, Wednesday, 31 August 2011 23:54 UK
BBC.co.uk
West Ham have signed Ivory Coast's Guy Demel from German side Hamburg.
Demel, a French citizen, has been in the Bundesliga for 10 years - spending
four seasons with Borussia Dortmund before moving to Hamburg in 2005. The
powerful right-sided international, who can play either in defence or
midfield, has joined on a two-year contract with the option of a further
year. The 30-year-old becomes Hammers boss Sam Allardyce's 12th summer
signing.
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So long, Scotty
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 31st August 2011
By: Daniel Nuss
Today marks the end of Scott Parker's time in the claret and blue. Having
arrived in 2007, his early days were marked by injuries and his £7million
price tag was starting to raise some questions.
It was only the following season that he moved into a pivotal role within
the team. This resulted in him winning the Hammer of The Year award at the
end of the 08/09 season. Parker would later go on to retain the award the
following season (the first to do so since Julian Dicks in '97).
As a player, Parker embodied a lot of what we look for as fans. 100 per cent
commitment each game, grit and determination. Scotty was never shy of a
tackle, nor did he go missing when the going got tough. At a time where the
team needed guiding, our players turned to Scott for inspiration. An absent
captain and a clueless manager mattered not to Scott, who just got on with
his business as usual.
He leaves us with plenty of good memories, though they are personal
highlights as opposed to team success. This is because of poor management,
lack of effort on his team mates behalf and a general feel-bad atmosphere
surrounding the club. Amidst it all, Parker was a sight for sore eyes with
his energy and belief. Leading by example, Scott often pulled his teammates
through games using sheer will power.
When building a team, any manager worth his salt will look for a Scott
Parker type player. A hard worker, willing to put himself in harm's way for
the cause. This endeared him to us. A great testament to the man's character
was the way he handled his personal affairs last season. Losing his father
to illness a day prior to a very important away match against bitter rivals
Tottenham, Scott showed great professionalism and lead the team to a 0-0
draw.
To get through a game after such an ordeal speaks volumes for the true
getnleman that he is. Another memorable moment is the famous half-time
teamtalk at The Hawthorns. 3-0 down at the break, Parker took over the
dressing room to try and rally his troops. His speech left Carlton Cole with
tears in his eyes. The game ended 3-3.
Not even Parker, who won the 'Football Writers' Player of the Year' award,
could save West Ham from relegation last season. Having signed a contract
extension with a considerable pay rise it was clear that the club would not
be able to keep hold of him in the Championship. Parker knew his England
place was far from certain, and a season in the fizzy pop ahead of the Euro
2012 finals could do him a disservice. The club, on the other hand, needed
to get him off the books and re-invest the money into the team.
Towards the end of his time with us, there were voices questioning his
commitment and effort. He was accused of bottling challenges in order to
avoid injuries. I for one don't believe this to be true. Not after what
we've been through and the way he went about his business.
The character he's shown in recent years should forever be engraved in the
minds of West Ham supporters. Parker's official transfer request on August
30th was a hard pill to swallow. It meant the player had waived any loyalty
bouns owed to him, whilst expressing his desires in public for the very
first time following the club's relegation.
It's never easy is it? Letting go of your favourite players. You start
rationalising the move, saying it's best for both parties, questioning his
commitment and looking for the positive aspects of the sale. In reality
though, he will be missed both as a player and as a person. In his absence,
fans and players will turn to Kevin Nolan for proper leadership, a quality
he quite clearly possesses.
The money recieved for Parker could be of real use for Big Sam, who wants to
bulk up his paper-thin squad. The gaffer admits he is looking for at least
two additions, one of which will surely be a midfielder.
So today, we bid farewell to a player who was nothing but a credit to the
claret and blue. He may be leaving us to join Tottenham, but he should be
remembered for his never-ending effort when pulling on our shirt. A true
gent and one of a choice few who have earned the right to leave the club on
amicable terms.
Should our club win promotion this season, Parker's first game back in a
Tottenham shirt promises to be an interesting affair. Best of luck in the
future, Scott. Your pirouettes will surely be missed.
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All change as window closes
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 31st August 2011
By: Staff Writer
West Ham go into their next Championship game without 25 players who ended
the 2010/11 season at the club. With the summer transfer window now
officially closed, the full extent of the club's activity in the market
during the summer can be revealed. An astonishing 37 players have either
arrived at or left West Ham United since temporary manager Kevin Keen
oversaw the 3-0 home defeat to Middlesborough just three months ago. However
only six of those transfers have involved transfer fees - the highest being
that for Scott Parker, who was sold to Tottenham earlier today for a fee
believed to be £5million.
The only other fee received for an outgoing player was from Locomotiv
Moscow, who paid around £1.5million for central defender Manuel Da Costa.
West Ham, who have signed 12 players sactioned fees for four of those; the
purchases of Guy Demel, Sam Baldock, Matthew Taylor and Kavin Nolan.
Full details of the club's summer transfer business can be seen below.
Revolving doors - the summer comings and goings
Ins
Free Transfers: Papa Bouba Diop, John Carew, Joey O'Brien, Abdoulaye Faye.
Purchased: Guy Demel (SV Hamburg, undisc), Sam Baldock (MK Dons £2m),
Matthew Taylor (Bolton, £2.2m), Kevin Nolan (Newcastle, £4m).
Loaned: David Bentley (Tottenham, season), Henri Lansbury (Arsenal, season),
Brian Montenegro (Deportivo Maldonado, season), George McCartney
(Sunderland, season).
Total: 12 players (4 on loan).
Outs
End of Contract: Anthony Edgar, Holmar Orn Eyjolfsson, Daniel Gabbidon, Lars
Jacobsen, Filip Modelski, Jonathan Spector, Adam Street, Matthew Upson.
End Of Loan: Victor Obinna, Wayne Bridge, Robbie Keane.
Free Transfers: Luis Boa Morte, Kieron Dyer, Zavon Hines, Thomas
Hitzlsperger, Radoslav Kovac, Demba Ba.
Sold: Scott Parker (Tottenham, £5m), Manuel Da Costa (Lcomotiv Moscow,
£1.5m).
Loans: Pablo Barrera (Real Zaragoza, season), Jordan Spence (Bristol City,
season), Ahmed Adbulla (Swindon, four months), Jordan Brown (Aldershot, one
month), Cristian Montano (Notts County, one month), Oliver Lee (one month)
(6).
Total: 25 players (6 on loan).
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West Ham Transfer News: Hammers Do Good Business on Deadline Day
By James Kent (Contributor) on August 31, 2011 433 reads 0
Bleacher Report.com
Scott Parker may have moved on to Tottenham, but West Ham has moved quickly
to bring in two players who should bring real quality to the Championship.
David Bentley and Henri Lansbury have both joined the club in season-long
loans.
Lansbury spent much of last season on loan at Norwich City, helping the club
win promotion to the Premier League. There were rumours that Lansbury might
be set for a permanent switch to Norfolk, but it is unclear if Arsenal would
be prepared to sell the player at this stage.
In a way, it is interesting that Lansbury has been allowed to leave Arsenal
at all, considering Arsene Wenger had said that the player would get a
chance in the first team this season. Lansbury has also made appearances for
Arsenal from the bench already in the Premier League this season. But it
seems that it has been decided that Lansbury's further education is best
served by playing more regularly in the Championship.
West Ham will be getting a player that is technically very good, with great
vision and passing ability to create chances for his new teammates. Lansbury
also likes to get forward, and has a tendency to score goals himself. He
also has a fantastic engine and work rate, which is sure to make him a fan
favourite this season.
David Bentley's career has been going down the toilet at Tottenham, so he
needed to get out and play some football. If the player can recapture the
form that he showed at Blackburn after leaving Arsenal, then West Ham should
create plenty of chances.
Clearly, losing the services of Scott Parker is disappointing. However, the
England midfielder was never going to put up with playing Championship
football. West Ham fans should look to the future and remember that the club
could well be back in the Premier League next season. There is no reason why
Lansbury and Bentley can't become permanent additions to the squad.
Overall, even though Parker has now gone, the West Ham squad looks in good
shape and the club is clearly in a good position to gain automatic promotion
this season. It's also good to see a number of English players in the squad,
and that should put the Hammers in good stead when the club is back in the
Premier League. With the move to the Olympic Stadium and an experienced
manager at the helm, things are going to get a lot better.
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Sam Allardyce, the manager's view: Avoid the sacking buy and it can be a
good day
By SAM ALLARDYCE
Last updated at 1:27 AM on 1st September 2011
Daily Mail
Manager's in my position dread the final few days of the transfer window. It
is the fear of losing one of your best players, and losing them so late in
the day that it becomes difficult to find a replacement. In the end, this
transfer deadline day went well for us at West Ham United. We've obviously
known for some time that Scott Parker could be moving on. He's 30 years old
and he feared he could lose his England place if he did not play in the
Barclays Premier League this season. But we managed to respond by bringing
in three good players — an experienced performer in Papa Bouba Diop,
someone involved in Norwich City's promotion last season in Henri Lansbury,
and David Bentley. If we can get Bentley back to the level he has reached in
the past, he will be an exciting signing. For other managers, though, I'm
sure it was more frustrating. They might now be staring at gaping holes in
their squad, forcing them into a major rethink after months of hard work.
This is the problem with the transfer window. It is hugely disruptive and a
massive distraction. But I can't see a solution. Bringing the transfer
window forward and closing it a month earlier would create new problems.
A club like West Ham might release players at the end of May but we'll still
be paying their wages until the end of July, so my finance director will be
reluctant to let me bring in many new players until those leaving are off
the wage bill. I just see it as a fact of life. It makes the job harder but
you have to deal with it, buy well and avoid a panic buy that becomes a
sacking buy. One that haunts you.
Sam Allardyce has donated his fee for this article to the Sir Bobby Robson
Foundation.
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West Ham snap up Hamburg's Demel on two-year deal
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 10:19 PM on 31st August 2011
Daily Mail
West Ham have signed Guy Demel on a two-year deal from Hamburg for an
undisclosed fee. The 30-year-old right-sided player, who can play in defence
or midfield, has the option of a further 12 months at Upton Park should he
impress. He said: 'I want to help the team go back to the Premier League.
This is my goal. 'I have some friends here already like Freddie Piquionne
and Carlton Cole, and London is a great city. I am very happy to be here. 'I
had 10 years in Germany and I won the title. But it is time for a change and
to show what I can do in another country. I will do my best.' The Hammers
have signed Henri Lansbury and David Bentley on loan from Arsenal and
Tottenham respectively and Papa Bouba Diop on a free transfer in the last
two days. The Hammers have moved for Lansbury, 20, after Scott Parker
completed his protracted transfer to Tottenham. England Under-21
international Lansbury wants regular first-team football having failed to
make the breakthrough with Arsenal. Bentley, 27, spent the latter part of
last season on loan at Birmingham.
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