WHUFC.com
Ian Hendon could not fault the effort and commitment of his players in their win at Whyteleafe
16.11.2011
Ian Hendon was full of praise for his young defenders after a battling performance earned a deserved 2-0 win at Whyteleafe on Tuesday night. The development squad coach took his team round the M25 to play the east Surrey club, where Joint-Chairman David Gold is patron, and was impressed with their attitude. The Hammers XI included Guy Demel who got another 45 minutes under his belt and is pushing for a place in this weekend's senior squad heading to Coventry City.
Dominic Vose and Olly Lee scored the goals for the youngsters in front of the watching assistant manager Neil McDonald, but Hendon was particularly pleased with the work ethic and defensive strength in his team. "It was a good night's work," the coach told West Ham TV. "It was a difficult pitch and surroundings for the players to come and play. They dealt with that very well. On the whole it was a very pleasing performance. Their keeper got man of the match which shows how dominant we were. We went about the match in the right way. "Sometimes these games [at non-league grounds] are difficult to come and play. They kept going and applied themselves properly. Fair play to Whyteleafe, they had a good go themselves. They made it difficult at times. "It could have been four or five maybe more. It wasn't to be but it kept the game lively and we had to keep going to the end before we scored late on to kill the game."
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FA Youth Cup date confirmed
WHUFC.com
The U18s will travel to Wolverhampton Wanderers for their FA Youth Cup third-round tie on 7 December
16.11.2011
West Ham United will travel to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the FA Youth Cup third round on Wednesday 7 December. The fixture will be played at Wolves' Molineux stadium, with kick-off at 7pm. Tickets will be available to buy on the night. Tony Carr's youngsters will hope to go further than they did in last season's competition, when they lost 1-0 to eventual winners Manchester United in the fourth round. West Ham have won the FA Youth Cup on three previous occasions, lifting the trophy in 1963, 1981 and 1999. Wolves, meanwhile, were runners-up in each of the first two editions of the tournament in 1953 and 1954 before lifting the trophy in 1958. They also were also beaten finalists in 1962 and 1976. Hopes are high that the Hammers can win the prestigious competition for a fourth time, with a talented squad of players performing well under the eye of Carr and U18s coach Nick Haycock.
This year's competition will be the 60th staging, with local side Thurrock hoping to set up a third-round meeting with Blackburn Rovers by beating Hayes & Yeading. Thurrock's second-round meeting with Hayes & Yeading will take place at Ship Lane on Wednesday 23 November at 7.45pm. Before then, two of West Ham's promising Academy players - Blair Turgott and Matthias Fanimo (pictured) - will take centre-stage when England's Under-18s take on Slovenia in a friendly international this afternoon. Live coverage of the game will be shown on the FA website here.
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Hall rejoins U's on loan
WHUFC.com
Rob Hall has rejoined League Two club Oxford United on loan until Saturday 17 December
16.11.2011
West Ham United have allowed England Under-19 forward Rob Hall to rejoin League Two promotion chasers Oxford United on loan until Saturday 17 December 2011. Hall was in outstanding goalscoring form for Oxford, netting six goals in ten appearances for the U's earlier this season before being recalled and being named as an unused substitute for the Hammers' npower Championship meeting with Bristol City on 1 November. The youngster, who celebrated his 18th birthday on 20 October, has helped Oxford climb into League Two Play-Off places and will hope to make his second 'debut' for the club in Saturday's visit to second-placed Crawley Town. Since Hall's return to the Boleyn Ground, Oxford have lost all three matches they have contested, being knocked out of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy and the FA Cup. He could potentially make another three league appearances during this loan spell, with the U's hosting Cheltenham, travelling to Morecambe and welcoming Northampton Town to the Kassam Stadium over the coming month. Aside from his fine club form, the teenager has also shone for his country, netting the winner as England defeated Denmark 1-0 at Brighton & Hove Albion's American Express Community Stadium on 10 November.
Hall is one of seven players out on loan at present, with Herita Ilunga (Doncaster Rovers), Ahmed Abdulla (Swindon Town), Frank Nouble (Gillingham) and Callum McNaughton (AFC Wimbledon) away on a short-term basis and Pablo Barrera (Real Zaragoza) and Jordan Spence (Bristol City) away for the remainder of the 2011/12 season. Marek Stech, Olly Lee, Cristian Montano, Jordan Brown and Dominic Vose have also been out on loan to Football League and Blue Square Premier clubs this term.
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West Ham striker Robert Hall returns to Oxford United
Page last updated at 11:16 GMT, Wednesday, 16 November 2011
BBC.co.uk
West Ham striker Robert Hall has returned to Oxford on a month-long loan, with a view to a longer stay. Hall, 18, scored six goals in 10 games for the U's, with just one defeat, but they have lost all three matches since West Ham recalled him on 31 October. The Hammers wanted him back to cover for injuries but he never featured. "We are delighted to have Robbie back. Speaking to him, he is just as excited as we are which speaks volumes for the set-up here," said boss Chris Wilder.
Since leaving the U's, Hall has appeared on the bench for the Hammers and scored the winner for England Under-19s against Denmark. Hall will return to the squad on Thursday. "He was part of a settled side which went on a great run and we were disappointed to lose him, but could see the opportunity he had to be involved with the first team at West Ham," added Wilder. "We are really pleased to see him back and hope that he will carry on where he left off, playing a part in a winning side."
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West Ham United youngster Sebastian Lletget prepared to wait for for starting spot
11:00am Tuesday 15th November 2011
Guardian Series
West Ham United youngster Sebastian Lletget knows he will have to be patient if he is to break in to the Hammers' side. The American has spent the international break in Germany as part of the USA Under-23 Olympic squad and featured in a 0-0 draw against Azerbaijan. Although yet to appear in the United first team he has been in good form for the reserve side and has notched a goal and added an assist in seven matches. But with West Ham looking to make an immediate return to the Premier League he understands a starting spot will be hard to come by and may have to look for a loan move. "Sometimes, a little more experience means the manager can trust you that much more," Lletget told MLSsoccer.com. He continued: "There is a possibility of a (winter) loan. Or I could get thrown in there if they had some injuries. I have to be patient. I can't get frustrated – even if it's frustrating. We're doing well in the league, so I'm happy." With London 2012 now less than a year away Lletget is hoping to be included in the US contingent and help his side to a gold medal. "When you grow up, everybody sees the Olympics," he said.
"Everybody dreams of winning a gold medal. Hopefully, we can join that group of people that can look back on it because we made a mark."
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West Ham to Offer Contract to Former Real Madrid Defender
Sportsvibe.co.uk
West Ham are hoping to convince former Real Madrid centre-back Francisco Pavon to make the move to Upton Park after becoming a free agent in the summer.
Hammers boss Sam Allardyce is determined to strengthen his defence as he look to secure an immediate return to the Premier League and is hopeful the 31-year-old will accept the offer of a contract. Pavon spent six season in the Real Madrid first team and played more than 100 league games for the Spanish giants as he won two league titles and the Champions League in 2002. The central defender then moved to Zaragoza in 2007 before making the move to France where he joined Arles-Avignon with whom he signed a one year contract. Pavon then became a free agent in the summer after refusing to sign a new deal with the French side and Allardyce is hopeful that the defender will jump at the chance to play competitive football again. Allardyce came close to signing Pavon for Bolton when he left Real Madrid but the move eventually fell through and the defender decided to stay in Spain. West Ham have already tried to bring Arsenal's Sebastien Squillaci and Manchester City defender Nedum Onouha to Upton Park but both moves have been shot down. The east London club are desperate to bring another defender to the club after learning that Winston Reid will be out of action for six weeks after suffering a dislocated shoulder.
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West Ham Leading the Chase for Fulham's £5m Rated England International Striker
Sportvibe.co.uk
Fulham and England striker Bobby Zamora is set for a shock exit from Craven Cottage, with Crystal Palace and former clubs West Ham and Brighton & Hove Albion showing an interest. According to reports on Goal.com, Zamora and Fulham boss Martin Jol's relationship is deteriorating. The pair are believed to have had a number of disagreements over Jol's decision to rest the England international for Fulham's Europa League games. "Jol has a poor relationship with Zamora and it is no secret that they do not see eye to eye," a source said. "Fulham could be willing to listen to offers for him but it depends on what happens with the other forwards and where they are in the table in January. "If Fulham are struggling with around 16 points, they are more likely to trust in the players who have helped keep them up quite comfortably in the last three seasons. "If they have around 22-26 points, there could be some high-profile changes and you will see a gradual break-up of what is an ageing squad." West Ham seem to be leading the chase for Zamora, as the player wants to stay in London and the surrounding area, however fellow promotion chasers Crystal Palce and Brighton are also keeping tabs on the 30-year-old's situation. Zamora has two-and-a-half years remaining on his current deal with Fulham and the club value him at £5million.
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Jol row could force Zamora into West Ham's arms
Poor relations with Martin Jol could see Bobby Zamora leave Fulham
By Brendan Simpson November 16, 2011
GiveMeFootball.com
Bobby Zamora will be considering his options come January after a series of rows with Fulham manager Martin Jol, it has been claimed. Zamora, who got his second full international cap for England in last night's win over Sweden, fears the gradual change of tactics under Jol will jeopardise his chances of making future England squads. Goal.com are reporting that Jol's preference of a continental 4-3-3 formation over a system that uses a support striker has led to arguments with the Cottagers' senior striker. It is also suggested the Fulham boss' insistence that Zamora be rested for some Europa League game has strained the relationship between the two even further. The England international's options could be limited, however, as it is thought he is unwilling to move away from London, but he may be willing to drop down a league to an ambitious Championship club, such as West Ham or Crystal Palace. Zamora would be a welcome signing for the Upton Park club, if Sam Allardyce were to make a move in the January transfer window. A Fulham source spoke to goal.com: "Jol has a poor relationship with Zamora and it is no secret that they do not see eye to eye. "Fulham could be willing to listen to offers for him but it depends on what happens with the other forwards and where they are in the table in January." Zamora's departure would also give Jol's side significant trouble up front come the end of the season, with a number of possible departures possibly on the horizon. Andy Johnson's contract is set to expire at the end of the season, and he his holding out for a better deal to be offered. Moussa Dembele has recently been linked with Tottenham in the press, whereas Arsenal have made enquiries in the past regarding Clint Dempsey.
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Tony Cottee Column: Parker's time at West Ham made him the player he is today
London24
Tony Cottee, London24 West Ham Columnist
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
4:37 PM
I was at the England game on Saturday, and although I hate to say it, I was a bit bored in the first half. The second half was better, especially with the goal, but one player stood out for me. That player was former Hammer Scott Parker. He was simply outstanding for England and he is really settling in well to that deeper, holding role that he is given by Fabio Capello. Parker breaks up the opposition's play before setting up his own side's attacks and every successful team needs a player like him. I believe that he will have a huge part to play for England at next year's European Championships and he is one of the first names on the teamsheet. There is no doubting that Parker's spell at West Ham made him the player that he is today. He burst onto the scene with Charlton, before being overshadowed at Chelsea and suffering injury at Newcastle. Moving to West Ham gave Parker a chance to resurrect his career and that is exactly what he did. During his time at the Hammers he became a firm fans' favourite and developed as a player. He was allowed to be the main man and the big star at West Ham and I think that this has helped him cope with representing England and has given him the confidence to succeed at the highest level. Back to current West Ham matters, and on the injury front, it is good to see Guy Demel back in action for the reserves. It was a shame that he suffered a hamstring injury so soon after joining the club and I look forward to seeing what he can offer. With him back in action, it looks as though the Hammers may not sign another central defender, even though Winston Reid is out with a dislocated shoulder.
Interesting
It will be interesting to see what happens, but I think in the Championship you need to have four central defenders and four centre forwards, especially for a long, 46-game season. The Hammers head to Coventry this weekend and looking at the game I expect them to return with three points. There are some away games in this league where you will be happy with a point, but this is not one of them. Coventry do not have the best of squads in the Championship and have not made the best of starts either, which is why they are close to the bottom of the league. The Hammers have to exploit this and I am going to put my neck out and predict a 2-0 away win. There will be over 6,000 West Ham fans heading up to the Ricoh Arena which is fantastic and it just goes to show that the supporters are fully behind what Sam Allardyce is doing at the club.
West Ham's away form has been fantastic this season, and it is sure to be a great day for the travelling fans. There is a chance that Matt Taylor will be involved in the game, although I would prefer it if he wasn't rushed back in to action. It is important that he is 100 per cent fit before he comes back, not 50 per cent, otherwise he could get injured again and be out for longer, which is what happened last time he came back away at Southampton. With Jack Collison and Sam Baldock in goalscoring form, I don't think that Allardyce will want to change his starting XI too much.
Tony Cottee was talking to Nathaniel John
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