O'Neil targeting further success
WHUFC.com
Gary O'Neil believes the Hammers can start the 2012/13 Barclays Premier
League season strongly
29.06.2012
Gary O'Neil believes West Ham United can make a big impact on their return
to the Barclays Premier League. The midfielder, who has made more than 160
top-flight appearances for Portsmouth, Middlesbrough and West Ham, is
targeting a strong start to the 2012/13 season after helping the Hammers to
gain promotion from the npower Championship. O'Neil, who will return to
pre-season training with his team-mates on Sunday before jetting out to
Austria for a training camp early next week, is confident that West Ham have
the right manager, squad and fixture list to surprise a few people. The
Hammers kick-off at home to Aston Villa and face five clubs who finished in
the bottom half of the Barclays Premier League table last term in their
opening six matches. "I think we've got a good chance," said the
29-year-old. "We've strengthened already and I think we'll strengthen more.
We've got a good squad anyway. "We did well last season. We had a little
blip in the middle when we drew too many but we didn't lose many games at
all. I think we lost one game in the second half of the season and that was
to Reading at home.
"I think we've got a decent start with some winnable games there so I'm
really looking forward to it."
When asked if he thinks a mid-table finish is the 'least he was hoping for'
under the management of the experienced Sam Allardyce, the No32 was bullish
in his agreement. "Yeah, I think if we get off to a good start then
mid-table and upwards would be very good. The gaffer has been fantastic. He
is very meticulous and you don't go into any game or any training session
unsure of what he wants from you. "You know exactly what he wants so there
is no confusion. It's very simple and I think that was the basis to our
success last season."
O'Neil also pointed to the positive impact of the stability provided by the
Board and coaching staff in recent months. "I only joined in the January of
the relegation season [in 2011] but you could tell then that something
wasn't quite right. I know they had been through a tough time but we almost
managed to turn it around.
"It's much better now and a much better place."
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Sears departs
WHUFC.com
West Ham United can confirm that Freddie Sears has left the Club by mutual
consent
29.06.2012
West Ham United can confirm that Freddie Sears has left the club by mutual
consent. Striker Sears, a product of West Ham United's famed youth Academy,
has been at the Boleyn Ground since the age of eleven and after a prolific
journey through the ranks, progressed into the Hammers' first team. He made
his senior debut in March 2008, making an immediate impact in the match by
coming off the bench to score the winner in a 2-1 win over Blackburn Rovers.
Sears has made 58 appearances, scoring three goals in all competitions for
the Hammers, in between loan spells at Scunthorpe United, Crystal Palace,
Coventry City and Colchester United. West Ham United would like to thank
Freddie for his service to the Club and wish him well in his future career.
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Fred's dead, baby
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 29th June 2012
By: Staff Writer
Freddie Sears has become the second youngster to leave West Ham this week
'by mutual consent'. The 22-year-old striker, who barely featured for the
club last season has departed just over a year before the end of his five
year contract, which he signed in November 2008 - following goalkeeper Marek
Stech who also left this week. Clearly not a part of Sam Allarydyce's first
team plans - the Hornchurch-born attacker made just one appearance for the
Hammers in 2012 - Sears has been allowed to move on in order to find a new
club. Since bursting on to the scene in March 2008 when he scored the
winning goal against Blackburn Rovers on his first team debut, Sears has
scored just two goals for the club - both of which came in the 2010/11
season (against Wolves and Burnley) - in 60 appearances. Prolific at youth
and reserve level, Sears' introduction to the first team was the most
keenly-anticipated promotion for several years. However having scored
against Blackburn - which he followed by hitting the post in his next game
at Everton - he struggled to make an impact. That led to a string of loan
spells - at Crystal Palace, Coventry, Scunthorpe and last season, at
Colchester - but he looked just as unconvincing on loan as he had at West
Ham.
Speaking exclusively to KUMB.com about Sears' progress two years ago,
Academy Director Tony Carr - who had guided the striker's career at West Ham
since he was just 11 years of age - was stumped as to why his former protege
had lost his magic touch in front of goal. "The goals dried up; I can't put
my finger on it," said Carr. "I don't know, I really don't know. "Like
everything else I think getting into the team is all about having that
opportunity and timing is key. Maybe, just maybe, even though he scored the
winner [against Blackburn] that day the timing could have been too early for
him."
KUMB.com would like to wish Freddie the very best of luck, wherever he ends
up next.
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Return of the Mc?
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 29th June 2012
By: Staff Writer
West Ham are still hoping to sign Sunderland's George McCartney from
Sunderland ahead of the new Premier League season. The 31-year-old full
back, who originally signed for West Ham in 2006 before heading to
Sunderland in a £6million deal two years later, returned to east London in
August 2011 on a season-long loan deal. The Irishman, who has proved to be a
popular figure with supporters during both spells and who was also named
Players' Player of the Year last season returned to Sunderland at the end of
his loan spell in May. However West Ham immediately signalled their
intention to try and bring McCartney back to the club on a permanent basis -
and according to co-chiarman David Gold, those plans remains very much in
place. Gold, in response to a question on Twitter this morning regarding a
deal for the Irishman replied: "I hope this will happen soon."
McCartney, speaking about a potential third spell at West Ham said recently:
"Of course I would like to be here next year. "I have regrets about leaving
a few years ago and I have got the opportunity to come back and things have
gone really well. So hopefully in a few weeks' time when everything has
settled down, we can sort something out."
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Cooking with Gallas?
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 29th June 2012
By: Staff Writer
West Ham are attempting to sign Tottenham's experienced former French
international William Gallas, according to reports. A tabloid newspaper
reports today that United are hoping to take the former Chelsea and Arsenal
central defender, now 34, on a free transfer - adding that Spurs would be
willing to allow him to leave in order to free up a space in their squad for
the forthcoming 2012/13 season.
Other players linked with West Ham by the papers in the past 24 hours
include Clarence Seedorf, the 36-year-old former Dutch international plus
Sochaux striker Modibo Maiga, whom today's Mail insist West Ham have bid
£5million for. Meanwhile L'Equipe (via footmercato.net) suggest that West
Ham are in 'advanced talks' with Rennes captain Kader Mangane over a
potential permanent transfer. Mangane is said to have stated a desire to
play in England previously and is entering the final year of his current
contract with the Ligue 1 outfit.
In temrs of the British players linked with a move West Ham in recent days -
players such as Crystal Palace youngster Nathaniel Clyne, Birmingham's (even
younger youngster) Nathan Redmond, Norwich's Grant Holt or Sunderland's
Kieron Richardson - there is nothing new to report.
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Oh, Freddie, Freddie.... Freddie Sears Leaves
By Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die
I feel really sad about this. Freddie Sears has left West Ham by mutual
consent. It's just been announced on the Club website. It has been clear for
some time that Sears wasn't going to fulfill his early promise. Despite
scoring on his debut against Blackburn he has too often flattered to
deceive. He's been out on loan to Palace, Coventry, Scunthorpe and
Colchester and for some time it has been obvious that Sam Allardyce didn't
see him as part of the future.
He only played 45 games, scoring two goals.
I'm told Freddie's wages were ridiculously high, which is why his proposed
move to Crystal Palace as part of a deal for Zaha never came off. They
couldn't afford him. It seems odd that we won't get a fee for him, but I
suppose the main priority was to get him off the wage bill. I'm sure he will
fix himself up with a Championship club (or possibly Colchester United) and
on behalf of everyone I'd like to wish him all the best for the future.
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Hammers hover for Olsson
The Sun
Published: 29th June 2012
MARTIN OLSSON has handed in a transfer request at Blackburn Rovers. There
will be a scramble for sign the Swedish defender, 24, with West Ham and
Stoke interested.
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West Ham ready to bolster back four with Clyne and Mangane in sights
By SAMI MOKBEL and JOHN EDWARDS
PUBLISHED: 22:30, 29 June 2012 | UPDATED: 22:32, 29 June 2012
Daily MAil
West Ham hope to agree terms with Crystal Palace right back Nathaniel
Clyne, 21, whose contract expires on Saturday. They are also ready to
compete with Arsenal for Rennes defender Abdou Kader Mangane, 29.
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West Ham in for Seedorf
By Football Italia staff
Clarence Seedorf could be set for a go at the Premier League, with West Ham
United having reportedly offered him a contract. The Dutchman recently
confirmed that he would be leaving Milan after a decade with the Rossoneri
and hinted that he would like to play in England, if the opportunity
presented itself. Having played in the Netherlands, Spain and Italy, the
36-year-old could get his wish, with newly-returned top-flight outfit West
Ham. Reports in Italy suggest that the Hammers have approached Seedorf with
a one-year contract offer. This follows on from earlier rumours on Friday
that linked Tottenham Hotspur with the veteran, and his agent's assertion
that a decision is imminent. Seedorf is currently on holiday in the United
States and has spent the past week training with former Milan teammate David
Beckham's current side LA Galaxy.
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West Ham close in on deal for Sunderland defender
By talkSPORT | Friday, June 29, 2012
West Ham are expected to complete a deal to sign George McCartney from
Sunderland in the next 24 hours. McCartney enjoyed a successful season-long
loan at Upton Park last year and played a major role in helping the club
gain promotion back into the Premier League. The Northern Ireland
international failed to make any impact at the Stadium of Light and Martin
O'Neill was happy for the 31-year-old to make a permanent switch to the east
London club. This will be McCartney's second spell at West Ham after he
spent two-years between 2006-08 with the Hammers. A deal has been agreed
between the two clubs and he is expected to put pen to paper in the before
the weekend is over.
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West Ham Hoping to Land Holland Legend Clarence Seedorf
Sportsvibe.co.uk
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce is hoping that he will be able to persuade
Clarence Seedorf to join the club in the coming weeks after deciding to
leave AC Milan.
The 36-year-old is one of the most successful footballers in recent history
and the first player to ever win the Champions League on four occasions,
with three different clubs. Seedorf won the competition with Ajax, Real
Madrid and twice with AC Milan, while he also has five league titles and
numerous cup winners medal from his time spent playing in Holland, Spain and
Italy. A former Holland international, Seedorf is currently training with
LA Galaxy as he attempts to stay fit and continue his hunt for a new club.
The Sun believes that West Ham are keen to bring the midfielder to the
Premier League and, despite being in the latter stages of his career,
believe he can still bring some quality to the club. Seedorf still made 30
appearances for Milan last season and was a regular starter in the Champions
League. Allardyce has often signed players who are in the twilight of their
careers and has enjoyed massive success with the likes of Youri Djorkaeff
and Ivan Campo.
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Former West Ham full-back Julien Faubert signs 3 year deal with Elazığspor
2012-06-29 05:33:15
Turkish-football.com
Julien Faubert has put pen to paper, signing a 3 year deal with newly
promoted Turkish Super League side Elazığspor. The financial details of
Faubert's contract are yet to be disclosed. Elazığspor have been busy in the
transfer market since being promoted signing; Gökhan Emreciksin, Herve Tum,
Bilica, İvesa, Spahija, Sezer Badur and Ali Zorlu. The 28-year-old fullback
was released by West Ham following the end of his contract. The Hammers
signed Faubert from Bordeaux in 2007 for £6.1 million on a five-year
contract. Faubert made 121 appearances for West Ham and secured a brief
spell on loan with Real Madrid in 2009. Elazığspor marked their return to
the top-flight after an eight year absence following their promotion from
the Bank Asya league. The Gakgoşlar are managed by Bülent Uygun, one of the
93 suspects in the ongoing match-fixing case. Uygun was jailed and held in
custody five months last year for his alleged involvement in the
manipulation of a Turkish Super League game when he was the Eskişehirspor
coach. The Professional Football Discipline Committee found Uygun not guilty
of involvement in match fixing. However, the report is independent of the
ongoing match fixing trial.
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West Ham make £4million bid for Arsenal target
By Jamie Sanderson | Friday, June 29, 2012
TalkSport
West Ham have made a £4 million bid for controversial Rennes defender Abdou
Kader Mangane. The 29-year-old centre back, who can also play in midfield,
has become something of a hate figure in France, following a series of
dangerous tackles, including one on Valenciennes midfielder Jonathan Lacourt
in 2009, that broke both his tibia and fibula, and ruled him out of the game
for two years. Mangane is often booed at most away grounds in France, but
that has not put off Arsenal, Newcastle and Sunderland, who have all been to
watch the Senegal international in action during the last 12 months.
However, despite their interest, Premier League new boys West Ham have now
jumped the queue, and lodged a £4 million bid with Ligue 1 side Rennes.
Mangane, known for his power, pace and nononsense approach, has secured a
French passport to help ease a transfer to English football, and with just
12 months left on his current deal, Rennes are desperate to do business.
Hammers boss Sam Allarydce is keen to add more experience to his squad this
summer, and has already brought in Bolton veteran Jussi Jaaskelainen, along
with and Wigan enforcer Mohamed Diame, with more to follow.
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West Ham keen on William Gallas
Evening Standard
29 June 2012
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce is looking to sign defender William Gallas
from Spurs, according to reports. Gallas struggled with a niggling calf
injury at White Hart Lane season but West Ham are looking to boost their
defensive options and see the experienced Frenchman as an ideal signing as
they prepare for their Premier League return, the Sun reports. The Hammers
have already signed Mohamed Diame and Jussi Jaaskelainen this summer on free
transfers
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Saturday, June 30
Friday, June 29
Daily WHUFC News - 29th June 2012
Hendon happy to be back
WHUFC.com
Ian Hendon was pleased to return to the training pitch with his Development
Squad this week
28.06.2012
West Ham United Development Squad coach Ian Hendon has hailed his players'
physical condition on their return to pre-season training this week. Hendon
welcomed his players back from their summer break on Monday and was
delighted to meet a fully-fit group looking lean and ready to get down to
business. The Development Squad head off to Russia for the VTB Lev Yashin
Cup in Moscow between 12-15 July before returning to England for a host of
challenging pre-season matches ahead of the newly-formed 2012/13
Professional Development League campaign. "I've been delighted with the
lads," Hendon confirmed to West Ham TV. "They came back on Monday for a bit
of screening and fitness testing and to have them all back fit and well was
a bonus because this time last year we already had a couple out for the
start of the season. We're fit and raring to go, as they say. "We'll get
them a bit of conditioning and will have them ready to go to Russia in about
ten days. We've got a pre-season tournament there that we'll have them all
ready for. It's about minutes on the pitch, rather than winning, although
that would be nice. It's about getting ready for August. "It's a big
tournament out there, I'm told. We have been invited over and the first team
doing so well and getting promoted obviously helped. "The training ground is
fantastic, but it's nice to get away for a week or so because it can get
monotonous being in the same place for six or seven weeks on the trot. It'll
be nice to play some foreign opposition as well so we're all looking forward
to it."
Hendon enjoyed a long playing career himself with Tottenham Hotspur, Leyton
Orient, Sheffield Wednesday and Barnet - among others - but admitted the
game has changed since his playing days. Back then, some players would let
themselves go over the summer before having to get back into shape in
pre-season, but the modern-day West Ham youngsters evidently take their
fitness more seriously. "The days are long-gone when they finish in May and
don't do a thing until pre-season, coming back having put on weight and body
fat as they used to in my day! "They're professional and have off-season
plans and they have come back fit and healthy and it looks like they have
stuck to the plan. To start with, that is a bonus."
While his players will be training for the next fortnight, Hendon already
has an eye on a packed schedule of pre-season matches that will see his team
travel far and wide as they prepare for the new campaign. At the same time,
Hendon said the opposition clubs are looking forward to welcoming West Ham
to town. "A lot of non-league clubs want to play us because it gives them a
bit of revenue and helps them out, as well as helping us out. We've got four
games this year at Thurrock, Grays, Welling and Dartford. "I know a couple
of the managers at those clubs so we can help them out then we will do that,
while they will also be competitive games. "We then finish off against AFC
wimbledon, Northampton and Dagenham and Redbridge with West Ham United XI
matches so we could have senior professionals involved in any of those
games. Even if they are Development Squad matches, they will be competitive
and the other side will know they have been in a game."
Development Squad/West Ham United XI pre-season fixtures
(All matches AWAY)
12-15 July - VTB Lev Yashin Cup (Moscow, Russia)
20 July - Grays Athletic (Rush Green Stadium, 7.45pm)
21 July - Thurrock (Ship Lane, 3pm)
24 July - Dartford (Princes Park, 7.45pm)
28 July - Welling (Park View Road, 3pm)
4 Aug - AFC Wimbledon (Kingsmeadow, 3pm)
7 Aug - Northampton Town (Sixfields, 7.45pm)
11 Aug - Dagenham and Redbridge (Victoria Road, 3pm)
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Stech joins the exodus
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 28th June 2012
By: Staff Writer
Reserve goalkeeper Marek Stech has left West Ham 'by mutual consent',
according to David Gold. The West Ham United co-chairman, speaking via
Twitter this lunchtime confirmed that the 22-year-old goalkeeper, who had
been with West Ham since joining from Sparta Prague in 2006 had left the
club. Once hailed as 'the next Petr Cech', the 6'3" shot-stopper made just
three appearances for the first team during his time at the club - all of
which came in the League Cup. In March 2009, having slipped behind Peter
Kurucz in the goalkeeping pecking-order, he was shipped off to Wycombe on
loan for the remainder fo the 2008/09 campaign, but made just two
appearances - a draw against Brentford and a 1-0 defeat at home to Rochdale
- before returning to London. The former Czech under 19 international's next
taste of first team action came at Bournemouth who he joined on an emergency
weeks' loan in December 2009. However it was a week to forget as the
Cherries went down 5-0 at Morecambe in a League Two encounter.
The following season - 2010/11 - Stech finally made his first team debut for
West Ham in the Second Round 1-0 defeat of Oxford, a game won courtesy of
Scott Parker's 90th-minute strike. He was to retain his place in the side
for both the third and fourth round ties against Sunderland and Stoke, which
the Hammers won 2-1 and 3-1 respectively, although Rob Green took over
goalkeeping duties for the quarter final meeting with Manchester United
(4-0) and the two-legged semi final against Birmingham City (2-1, 1-3).
Only last summer Stech still harboured high hopes of eventually becoming
West Ham's number one. Speaking in an interview with Czech website Pravo,
recorded following West Ham's relegation from the Premier League, he said:"I
am full of optimism. For me it's advantageous that we're not among the elite
as I have a better chance. "In the reserve games I've played well and pushed
[Rob] Green in training. He had an operation and problems plagued him after
the treatment of pain. It was almost my time, but I just didn't get a
chance."
However his chances were to be limited even further during the campaign as
the result of a contractual issue that is thought to have prevented him from
being made available for selection. It was rumoured that after five first
team outings, Stech's former club Sparta would be due an additional payment
of £750,000 - something that West Ham were not prepared to pay.
As a result he once again spent much of the season kicking his heels in
frustration, making the occasional appearance for Ian Hendon's Development
Squad before joining both Yeovil - for whom he made five appearances - and
League One side Leyton Orient - just two - on short-terms loans.
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Braga rights
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 27th June 2012
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United will end their pre-season program in the Portuguese sunshine
after agreeing to face SC Braga on Friday, 10th August. For the first time
since 2002, the club will face their final friendly of pre-season away from
the Boleyn Ground as a result of the Olympic Games which take place in
Stratford between Friday, July 27th and Sunday, August 12th. And Sam
Allardyce's face face a stiff test when they face a team who finished third
in last season's Primeira Liga behind Champions FC Porto and runners-up
Benfica - but ahead of the third of Portugal's 'big three', Sporting Lisbon.
West Ham assistant manager Neil McDonald told whufc.com: "It's a nice game
to finish to our pre-season. It will give us a good idea of where we are at,
a week before the start of the season. "It will be the most important match
of our pre-season and the perfect preparation for welcoming Aston Villa on
18 August."
Braga, who qualified for the Champions League as a result of their
third-placed finish - and who play at the iconic Estádio Municipal stadium -
are now managed by former Real Madrid assistant manager José Peseiro, who
superceded Leonardo Jardim last month. Jardim, who at just 37 years of age
led Braga to the Champions League in his first season at the club left Os
Arsenalistas one year into a three-year contract after a disagreement with
club president António Salvador.
Final pre-season friendlies: the last ten years
2011: West Ham Utd 2-0 Real Zaragoza: report
2010: West Ham Utd 0-0 (5-3 pens) Deportivo: report
2009: West Ham Utd 0-1 Napoli: report
2008: West Ham Utd 1-1 Villareal: report
2007: West Ham Utd 2-1 Roma: report
2006: West Ham Utd 1-1 Olympiakos: report
2005: West Ham Utd 1-1 (7-8 pens) Osasuna: report
2004: West Ham Utd 4-4 (4-5 pens) Anderlecht: report
2003: West Ham Utd 1-2 PSV Eindhoven: report
2002: West Ham Utd 1-0 Vitesse Arnhem (played at Roots Hall): report
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New homes for stray Hammers
KUMb.com
Filed: Thursday, 28th June 2012
By: Staff Writer
Ex-Hammers Julien Faubert and Jordan Brown have been handed new contracts
having left West Ham this summer. The French winger has moved to Turkey in
order to join newly-promoted Elazigspor, with whom he has signed a
three-year contract - as confirmed by the French winger last night.
Meanwhile youngster Brown, who was heavily tipped to break through to West
Ham's first team squad this time last summer has dropped down the football
pyramid in order to join League Two Barnet. Faubert, who spent five years at
West Ham having joined the club from French outfit Bordeaux in the summer of
2007 in a £6.1million switch left West Ham on a free transfer at the end of
last season, having made 121 appearances in claret and blue. Speaking via
his Twitter account yesterday, he said: "Thanks to all the West Ham fans -
true fans - for the support and messages I've received, and come on West Ham
in Premier League!"
20-year-old Brown, a left back who failed to make a single first team
appearance for West Ham was told to find a new club at the beginning of
2012. He previously spent time on loan at Crewe and Aldershot, and trialled
at Gillingham, before landing a permanent contract with the Bees. Barnet Had
Coach Mark Robson - a fellow former Hammer - told his club's website:
"Jordan is a player I've known about for a while now. He's had a good
upbringing at West Ham - both on and off the pitch.
"He is a very promising player and he was unfortunate not to feature more in
the West Ham First Team as he played a few times in their pre-season last
year. With all the players they brought in he never really got an
opportunity. But that can only be a good thing for us as I really want to
help him develop and prosper as a Bee and I believe he will do that here.
I'm very excited to finally get him here as I know there were a few clubs
chasing him."
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Duo poised for Hammers exit
Brown joins Barnet, Barrera set for return to homeland
Last Updated: June 28, 2012 1:37pm
SSN
West Ham youngster Jordan Brown has left the club to join Barnet while
defender Pablo Barrera is closing in on a move back to Mexico. Brown signed
for the Hammers as a 15-year-old in 2007 but failed to make a single
first-team appearance for the club, enjoying loan spells at Aldershot and
Crewe last season. The club decided against offering him a new contract
after his original deal expired at the end of last season, meaning he was
available on a free transfer. League Two side Barnet have moved quickly to
snap up the youngster, with Bees head coach Mark Robson delighted to have
him on board. "Jordan is a player I've known about for a while now. He's had
a good upbringing at West Ham," he said.
Develop and prosper
"I really want to help him develop and prosper as a Bee and I believe he
will do that here." Meanwhile, Mexcian flop Barrera is poised to end his
nightmare spell in east London with a move back to his homeland. The Hammers
paid Club Universidad Nacional £3million for the 25-year-old in the summer
of 2010 but he made just six appearances in his first season before spending
the last campaign on loan at Real Zaragoza. Barrera is now set for a
permanent move away from Upton Park with Cruz Azul poised to wrap up a deal
for the forward. "We only need to fix some details with West Ham about
incentives," Cruz Azul president Guillermo Alvarez Macias said.
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New Bid for Holt? Is He Really Worth £6 Million?
By Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die
Calll me old fashioned, but I just cannot fathom the logic (if indeed it is
true) why we would have made a £4 million bid for Grant Holt, together with
£2 million worth of add-ons. If he were 25, fine. But he's not. He's 31,
with at best two seasons ahead of him. Yes, he had a good season last
season, but apart from that he doesn't have a top level track record. He's
not a player I particularly want to see in a West Ham shirt, but I will
happily eat my words if by the middle of May 2013 he has scored 15 goals for
us.
The Zaha trail seems to have gone very cold. Crystal Palace are reportedly
playing silly buggers and Freddie Sears is being difficult about moving the
other way. I'm afraid Mr Sears needs to wake up and smell the coffee. He has
no future at Upton Park and if he wants first team football, he's going to
have to drop down to the Championship and modify his earnings expectation.
We are also on the sniff for Nathan Clynes, a nippy full back at Palace, as
well as Chris Solly from Charlton.
Two departures have been announced. Julien Faubert, whose contract was not
renewed, has joined Turkish outfit Elazigspor. And Jordan Brown, of whom
great things were hoped, has joined Barnet. We wish them both well.
There are all sorts of rumours about foreign wingers and strikers. The one
with most substance, as mentioned before on the site, is for Burak Yilmaz.
He is said to have been offered a mouthwatering contract. To my mind we need
to be thinking about centre backs too. We only have Tomkins and Reid at the
moment and surely need a couple more. Jonas Olsson seems to be top of the
wish list, but WBA apparently want to keep him, even though he has only got
a year left.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Big Sam eyes Will.I.Ham
The Sun
By ANDREW DILLON
Published: Today at 00:03
WILLIAM GALLAS could be on his way to West Ham. Hammers chiefs are trying to
sign Tottenham's experienced French centre-half. And Spurs would be only too
happy to offload Gallas, 34, on a free transfer despite their intense local
rivalry with West Ham. Hammers boss Sam Allardyce needs more defenders with
proven track records following the club's promotion to the Premier League
via the Championship play-offs. He has also released former Stoke
centre-back Abdoulaye Faye, 34, while 31-year-old Danny Collins has gone
back to the Potters after a loan spell at Upton Park. Managerless Spurs are
still hoping to sign Belgium defender Jan Vertonghen from Dutch champions
Ajax to play alongside Michael Dawson or Younes Kaboul, so Gallas is surplus
to requirements. Dutch legend Clarence Seedorf is also wanted by Hammers
chief Allardyce, who is a long-term admirer of the veteran midfielder.
Former Real Madrid, Inter Milan and AC Milan star Seedorf, 36, has made it
clear he would like to play in the Premier League.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Allardyce keen to strengthen Hammers attack with £5m move for Maiga
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
PUBLISHED: 22:43, 28 June 2012 | UPDATED: 22:43, 28 June 2012
Daily Mail
West Ham have made a £5million bid for Sochaux striker Modibo Maiga. Manager
Sam Allardyce is battling to land his targets with a striker and centre-back
his priorities. He has bid for Norwich's Grant Holt and is also keen on
Evian's Yannick Sagbo. Reading have also bid for Maiga while Stoke maintain
an interest too. Reading expect to have Pavel Pogrebnyak's work permit
processed today and are closing on a deal for free agent midfielder Danny
Guthrie.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Is Grant Holt worth £6 million of West Ham's money?
by Dan Coombs
Here Is The City
West Ham United are reported to be preparing an improved offer. Is he worth
it? Grant Holt was one of the Premier League's surprise packages last
season, scoring 15 goals in the division plus 1 in the FA Cup. So it is no
wonder he is attracting interest from clubs, especially after stating his
desire to leave Norwich City and hand in a transfer request. Yet at 31, his
age presents a dilemma when coupled with a big price tag. If Holt's
breakthrough season had come five or six years earlier, there surely would
be no qualms about a £6 million fee, but if West Ham supporters are
sceptical we can hardly blame them.
Here are two opposing views:
Yes he is worth £6 million
The Hammers have been linked with a number of strikers over the summer, many
of who ply their trade abroad in Serie A or La Liga. It is though important
to remember that Holt has proven he has done it in the Premier League - 15
goals is an excellent return, even in his heyday for Liverpool Michael Owen
never topped 18. Holt may be getting on in his career, but it should be
remembered he is a late developer. He can still have two or three years at
the top level. For West Ham next season is about consolidation, retaining
their Premier League status and leaving a stable platform on which to build.
Holt, a proven performer, can help West Ham show they belong at the level,
and provide experience for the club's talented youngsters to feed off. It
should not be forgotten that he is the ideal target man for Sam Allardyce's
preferred 'route one' style of football. Similar to Kevin Davies at Bolton,
Holt could thrive, and if the Hammers can get two good years out of him with
10 plus goal returns, the investment will be worth it.
No he is not worth £6 million
Signing Holt for £6 million could be a gamble Allardyce lives to regret. He
has been primarily a football league player his whole career, judged not to
be good enough for the top flight. There is a danger his season with Norwich
last year will prove to be a flash in the pan, similar to players like
Michael Ricketts at Bolton, once capped by England. If that is the case,
West Ham will have paid an over-inflated price for a player who simply isn't
that good, and could be stuck with his wages too. Surely that's the reason
for handing in a transfer request? He wants to capitalise on his year of
success and take on one big pay day. Signing Holt would be a short-term fix
only, and would indicate Allardyce is going back to his old ways. The
manager was keen to stress he wanted to play a more attractive brand of
football, and the signings of Ricardo Vaz Te and Ravel Morrison - yet to be
seen - indicate that. Signing Holt would deviate from that plan and be a
backwards step. It would show that West Ham are putting the development of
youngsters on the back-burner, if they are going to sign a striker, they
should look for a younger model, 25-year-old PSV striker Ola Toivonen scored
28 goals last season and is reported to be available for around £7 million -
surely that is better value?
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
Ian Hendon was pleased to return to the training pitch with his Development
Squad this week
28.06.2012
West Ham United Development Squad coach Ian Hendon has hailed his players'
physical condition on their return to pre-season training this week. Hendon
welcomed his players back from their summer break on Monday and was
delighted to meet a fully-fit group looking lean and ready to get down to
business. The Development Squad head off to Russia for the VTB Lev Yashin
Cup in Moscow between 12-15 July before returning to England for a host of
challenging pre-season matches ahead of the newly-formed 2012/13
Professional Development League campaign. "I've been delighted with the
lads," Hendon confirmed to West Ham TV. "They came back on Monday for a bit
of screening and fitness testing and to have them all back fit and well was
a bonus because this time last year we already had a couple out for the
start of the season. We're fit and raring to go, as they say. "We'll get
them a bit of conditioning and will have them ready to go to Russia in about
ten days. We've got a pre-season tournament there that we'll have them all
ready for. It's about minutes on the pitch, rather than winning, although
that would be nice. It's about getting ready for August. "It's a big
tournament out there, I'm told. We have been invited over and the first team
doing so well and getting promoted obviously helped. "The training ground is
fantastic, but it's nice to get away for a week or so because it can get
monotonous being in the same place for six or seven weeks on the trot. It'll
be nice to play some foreign opposition as well so we're all looking forward
to it."
Hendon enjoyed a long playing career himself with Tottenham Hotspur, Leyton
Orient, Sheffield Wednesday and Barnet - among others - but admitted the
game has changed since his playing days. Back then, some players would let
themselves go over the summer before having to get back into shape in
pre-season, but the modern-day West Ham youngsters evidently take their
fitness more seriously. "The days are long-gone when they finish in May and
don't do a thing until pre-season, coming back having put on weight and body
fat as they used to in my day! "They're professional and have off-season
plans and they have come back fit and healthy and it looks like they have
stuck to the plan. To start with, that is a bonus."
While his players will be training for the next fortnight, Hendon already
has an eye on a packed schedule of pre-season matches that will see his team
travel far and wide as they prepare for the new campaign. At the same time,
Hendon said the opposition clubs are looking forward to welcoming West Ham
to town. "A lot of non-league clubs want to play us because it gives them a
bit of revenue and helps them out, as well as helping us out. We've got four
games this year at Thurrock, Grays, Welling and Dartford. "I know a couple
of the managers at those clubs so we can help them out then we will do that,
while they will also be competitive games. "We then finish off against AFC
wimbledon, Northampton and Dagenham and Redbridge with West Ham United XI
matches so we could have senior professionals involved in any of those
games. Even if they are Development Squad matches, they will be competitive
and the other side will know they have been in a game."
Development Squad/West Ham United XI pre-season fixtures
(All matches AWAY)
12-15 July - VTB Lev Yashin Cup (Moscow, Russia)
20 July - Grays Athletic (Rush Green Stadium, 7.45pm)
21 July - Thurrock (Ship Lane, 3pm)
24 July - Dartford (Princes Park, 7.45pm)
28 July - Welling (Park View Road, 3pm)
4 Aug - AFC Wimbledon (Kingsmeadow, 3pm)
7 Aug - Northampton Town (Sixfields, 7.45pm)
11 Aug - Dagenham and Redbridge (Victoria Road, 3pm)
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Stech joins the exodus
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 28th June 2012
By: Staff Writer
Reserve goalkeeper Marek Stech has left West Ham 'by mutual consent',
according to David Gold. The West Ham United co-chairman, speaking via
Twitter this lunchtime confirmed that the 22-year-old goalkeeper, who had
been with West Ham since joining from Sparta Prague in 2006 had left the
club. Once hailed as 'the next Petr Cech', the 6'3" shot-stopper made just
three appearances for the first team during his time at the club - all of
which came in the League Cup. In March 2009, having slipped behind Peter
Kurucz in the goalkeeping pecking-order, he was shipped off to Wycombe on
loan for the remainder fo the 2008/09 campaign, but made just two
appearances - a draw against Brentford and a 1-0 defeat at home to Rochdale
- before returning to London. The former Czech under 19 international's next
taste of first team action came at Bournemouth who he joined on an emergency
weeks' loan in December 2009. However it was a week to forget as the
Cherries went down 5-0 at Morecambe in a League Two encounter.
The following season - 2010/11 - Stech finally made his first team debut for
West Ham in the Second Round 1-0 defeat of Oxford, a game won courtesy of
Scott Parker's 90th-minute strike. He was to retain his place in the side
for both the third and fourth round ties against Sunderland and Stoke, which
the Hammers won 2-1 and 3-1 respectively, although Rob Green took over
goalkeeping duties for the quarter final meeting with Manchester United
(4-0) and the two-legged semi final against Birmingham City (2-1, 1-3).
Only last summer Stech still harboured high hopes of eventually becoming
West Ham's number one. Speaking in an interview with Czech website Pravo,
recorded following West Ham's relegation from the Premier League, he said:"I
am full of optimism. For me it's advantageous that we're not among the elite
as I have a better chance. "In the reserve games I've played well and pushed
[Rob] Green in training. He had an operation and problems plagued him after
the treatment of pain. It was almost my time, but I just didn't get a
chance."
However his chances were to be limited even further during the campaign as
the result of a contractual issue that is thought to have prevented him from
being made available for selection. It was rumoured that after five first
team outings, Stech's former club Sparta would be due an additional payment
of £750,000 - something that West Ham were not prepared to pay.
As a result he once again spent much of the season kicking his heels in
frustration, making the occasional appearance for Ian Hendon's Development
Squad before joining both Yeovil - for whom he made five appearances - and
League One side Leyton Orient - just two - on short-terms loans.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Braga rights
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 27th June 2012
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United will end their pre-season program in the Portuguese sunshine
after agreeing to face SC Braga on Friday, 10th August. For the first time
since 2002, the club will face their final friendly of pre-season away from
the Boleyn Ground as a result of the Olympic Games which take place in
Stratford between Friday, July 27th and Sunday, August 12th. And Sam
Allardyce's face face a stiff test when they face a team who finished third
in last season's Primeira Liga behind Champions FC Porto and runners-up
Benfica - but ahead of the third of Portugal's 'big three', Sporting Lisbon.
West Ham assistant manager Neil McDonald told whufc.com: "It's a nice game
to finish to our pre-season. It will give us a good idea of where we are at,
a week before the start of the season. "It will be the most important match
of our pre-season and the perfect preparation for welcoming Aston Villa on
18 August."
Braga, who qualified for the Champions League as a result of their
third-placed finish - and who play at the iconic Estádio Municipal stadium -
are now managed by former Real Madrid assistant manager José Peseiro, who
superceded Leonardo Jardim last month. Jardim, who at just 37 years of age
led Braga to the Champions League in his first season at the club left Os
Arsenalistas one year into a three-year contract after a disagreement with
club president António Salvador.
Final pre-season friendlies: the last ten years
2011: West Ham Utd 2-0 Real Zaragoza: report
2010: West Ham Utd 0-0 (5-3 pens) Deportivo: report
2009: West Ham Utd 0-1 Napoli: report
2008: West Ham Utd 1-1 Villareal: report
2007: West Ham Utd 2-1 Roma: report
2006: West Ham Utd 1-1 Olympiakos: report
2005: West Ham Utd 1-1 (7-8 pens) Osasuna: report
2004: West Ham Utd 4-4 (4-5 pens) Anderlecht: report
2003: West Ham Utd 1-2 PSV Eindhoven: report
2002: West Ham Utd 1-0 Vitesse Arnhem (played at Roots Hall): report
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
New homes for stray Hammers
KUMb.com
Filed: Thursday, 28th June 2012
By: Staff Writer
Ex-Hammers Julien Faubert and Jordan Brown have been handed new contracts
having left West Ham this summer. The French winger has moved to Turkey in
order to join newly-promoted Elazigspor, with whom he has signed a
three-year contract - as confirmed by the French winger last night.
Meanwhile youngster Brown, who was heavily tipped to break through to West
Ham's first team squad this time last summer has dropped down the football
pyramid in order to join League Two Barnet. Faubert, who spent five years at
West Ham having joined the club from French outfit Bordeaux in the summer of
2007 in a £6.1million switch left West Ham on a free transfer at the end of
last season, having made 121 appearances in claret and blue. Speaking via
his Twitter account yesterday, he said: "Thanks to all the West Ham fans -
true fans - for the support and messages I've received, and come on West Ham
in Premier League!"
20-year-old Brown, a left back who failed to make a single first team
appearance for West Ham was told to find a new club at the beginning of
2012. He previously spent time on loan at Crewe and Aldershot, and trialled
at Gillingham, before landing a permanent contract with the Bees. Barnet Had
Coach Mark Robson - a fellow former Hammer - told his club's website:
"Jordan is a player I've known about for a while now. He's had a good
upbringing at West Ham - both on and off the pitch.
"He is a very promising player and he was unfortunate not to feature more in
the West Ham First Team as he played a few times in their pre-season last
year. With all the players they brought in he never really got an
opportunity. But that can only be a good thing for us as I really want to
help him develop and prosper as a Bee and I believe he will do that here.
I'm very excited to finally get him here as I know there were a few clubs
chasing him."
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Duo poised for Hammers exit
Brown joins Barnet, Barrera set for return to homeland
Last Updated: June 28, 2012 1:37pm
SSN
West Ham youngster Jordan Brown has left the club to join Barnet while
defender Pablo Barrera is closing in on a move back to Mexico. Brown signed
for the Hammers as a 15-year-old in 2007 but failed to make a single
first-team appearance for the club, enjoying loan spells at Aldershot and
Crewe last season. The club decided against offering him a new contract
after his original deal expired at the end of last season, meaning he was
available on a free transfer. League Two side Barnet have moved quickly to
snap up the youngster, with Bees head coach Mark Robson delighted to have
him on board. "Jordan is a player I've known about for a while now. He's had
a good upbringing at West Ham," he said.
Develop and prosper
"I really want to help him develop and prosper as a Bee and I believe he
will do that here." Meanwhile, Mexcian flop Barrera is poised to end his
nightmare spell in east London with a move back to his homeland. The Hammers
paid Club Universidad Nacional £3million for the 25-year-old in the summer
of 2010 but he made just six appearances in his first season before spending
the last campaign on loan at Real Zaragoza. Barrera is now set for a
permanent move away from Upton Park with Cruz Azul poised to wrap up a deal
for the forward. "We only need to fix some details with West Ham about
incentives," Cruz Azul president Guillermo Alvarez Macias said.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
New Bid for Holt? Is He Really Worth £6 Million?
By Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die
Calll me old fashioned, but I just cannot fathom the logic (if indeed it is
true) why we would have made a £4 million bid for Grant Holt, together with
£2 million worth of add-ons. If he were 25, fine. But he's not. He's 31,
with at best two seasons ahead of him. Yes, he had a good season last
season, but apart from that he doesn't have a top level track record. He's
not a player I particularly want to see in a West Ham shirt, but I will
happily eat my words if by the middle of May 2013 he has scored 15 goals for
us.
The Zaha trail seems to have gone very cold. Crystal Palace are reportedly
playing silly buggers and Freddie Sears is being difficult about moving the
other way. I'm afraid Mr Sears needs to wake up and smell the coffee. He has
no future at Upton Park and if he wants first team football, he's going to
have to drop down to the Championship and modify his earnings expectation.
We are also on the sniff for Nathan Clynes, a nippy full back at Palace, as
well as Chris Solly from Charlton.
Two departures have been announced. Julien Faubert, whose contract was not
renewed, has joined Turkish outfit Elazigspor. And Jordan Brown, of whom
great things were hoped, has joined Barnet. We wish them both well.
There are all sorts of rumours about foreign wingers and strikers. The one
with most substance, as mentioned before on the site, is for Burak Yilmaz.
He is said to have been offered a mouthwatering contract. To my mind we need
to be thinking about centre backs too. We only have Tomkins and Reid at the
moment and surely need a couple more. Jonas Olsson seems to be top of the
wish list, but WBA apparently want to keep him, even though he has only got
a year left.
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Big Sam eyes Will.I.Ham
The Sun
By ANDREW DILLON
Published: Today at 00:03
WILLIAM GALLAS could be on his way to West Ham. Hammers chiefs are trying to
sign Tottenham's experienced French centre-half. And Spurs would be only too
happy to offload Gallas, 34, on a free transfer despite their intense local
rivalry with West Ham. Hammers boss Sam Allardyce needs more defenders with
proven track records following the club's promotion to the Premier League
via the Championship play-offs. He has also released former Stoke
centre-back Abdoulaye Faye, 34, while 31-year-old Danny Collins has gone
back to the Potters after a loan spell at Upton Park. Managerless Spurs are
still hoping to sign Belgium defender Jan Vertonghen from Dutch champions
Ajax to play alongside Michael Dawson or Younes Kaboul, so Gallas is surplus
to requirements. Dutch legend Clarence Seedorf is also wanted by Hammers
chief Allardyce, who is a long-term admirer of the veteran midfielder.
Former Real Madrid, Inter Milan and AC Milan star Seedorf, 36, has made it
clear he would like to play in the Premier League.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Allardyce keen to strengthen Hammers attack with £5m move for Maiga
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
PUBLISHED: 22:43, 28 June 2012 | UPDATED: 22:43, 28 June 2012
Daily Mail
West Ham have made a £5million bid for Sochaux striker Modibo Maiga. Manager
Sam Allardyce is battling to land his targets with a striker and centre-back
his priorities. He has bid for Norwich's Grant Holt and is also keen on
Evian's Yannick Sagbo. Reading have also bid for Maiga while Stoke maintain
an interest too. Reading expect to have Pavel Pogrebnyak's work permit
processed today and are closing on a deal for free agent midfielder Danny
Guthrie.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Is Grant Holt worth £6 million of West Ham's money?
by Dan Coombs
Here Is The City
West Ham United are reported to be preparing an improved offer. Is he worth
it? Grant Holt was one of the Premier League's surprise packages last
season, scoring 15 goals in the division plus 1 in the FA Cup. So it is no
wonder he is attracting interest from clubs, especially after stating his
desire to leave Norwich City and hand in a transfer request. Yet at 31, his
age presents a dilemma when coupled with a big price tag. If Holt's
breakthrough season had come five or six years earlier, there surely would
be no qualms about a £6 million fee, but if West Ham supporters are
sceptical we can hardly blame them.
Here are two opposing views:
Yes he is worth £6 million
The Hammers have been linked with a number of strikers over the summer, many
of who ply their trade abroad in Serie A or La Liga. It is though important
to remember that Holt has proven he has done it in the Premier League - 15
goals is an excellent return, even in his heyday for Liverpool Michael Owen
never topped 18. Holt may be getting on in his career, but it should be
remembered he is a late developer. He can still have two or three years at
the top level. For West Ham next season is about consolidation, retaining
their Premier League status and leaving a stable platform on which to build.
Holt, a proven performer, can help West Ham show they belong at the level,
and provide experience for the club's talented youngsters to feed off. It
should not be forgotten that he is the ideal target man for Sam Allardyce's
preferred 'route one' style of football. Similar to Kevin Davies at Bolton,
Holt could thrive, and if the Hammers can get two good years out of him with
10 plus goal returns, the investment will be worth it.
No he is not worth £6 million
Signing Holt for £6 million could be a gamble Allardyce lives to regret. He
has been primarily a football league player his whole career, judged not to
be good enough for the top flight. There is a danger his season with Norwich
last year will prove to be a flash in the pan, similar to players like
Michael Ricketts at Bolton, once capped by England. If that is the case,
West Ham will have paid an over-inflated price for a player who simply isn't
that good, and could be stuck with his wages too. Surely that's the reason
for handing in a transfer request? He wants to capitalise on his year of
success and take on one big pay day. Signing Holt would be a short-term fix
only, and would indicate Allardyce is going back to his old ways. The
manager was keen to stress he wanted to play a more attractive brand of
football, and the signings of Ricardo Vaz Te and Ravel Morrison - yet to be
seen - indicate that. Signing Holt would deviate from that plan and be a
backwards step. It would show that West Ham are putting the development of
youngsters on the back-burner, if they are going to sign a striker, they
should look for a younger model, 25-year-old PSV striker Ola Toivonen scored
28 goals last season and is reported to be available for around £7 million -
surely that is better value?
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Thursday, June 28
Daily WHUFC News - 28th June 2012
Hall aiming for England double
WHUFC.com
Rob Hall is looking to add a EURO Under-19 winner's medal to the Under-17
gong he won in 2010
27.06.2012
Rob Hall is aiming to complete a rare win double when he represents England
at the UEFA European Under-19 Championship finals in Georgia next month. The
West Ham United forward was part of the Young Lions squad that won the
Under-17 version of the same competition in the summer of 2010. Two years
later, Hall and his team-mates will travel to eastern Europe confident of
repeating that achievement. With England being given a bye until the final
Elite Round of qualifiers, Hall was not involved, but he did prove his
pedigree at Under-19 level by scoring the winner in a 1-0 international
victory over Denmark in November. Having made his Hammers first-team debut
last term, the 18-year-old is also eager to catch the eye of Sam Allardyce
while on England duty in the hope of earning playing time now West Ham are
back in the Barclays Premier League.
The promising forward spoke to whufc.com ahead of what promises to be an
exciting 2012/13 season.
How do you feel to have been selected for the UEFA European Under-19
Championship this summer?
RH - I am looking forward to it. We have got a strong squad and players with
a lot of experience. It should be a very competitive tournament because
we're in a harder group than when we won it as Under-17s. I believe we can
do well, though.
What are your expectations ahead of the tournament?
RH - We will take every game as it comes, game-by-game, like we did when we
won it as Under-17s. We will not get too excited if we win and will try to
do exactly what we did two years ago. Obviously we will all be there to try
to impress, both our England coach and our club managers. I want to go back
to West Ham feeling fit and sharp because I'm determined to do well. It will
be difficult to win the tournament but hopefully we can play well
individually and as a team and do the country proud.
Do you expect it to be a battle to get into the starting line-up or do you
see yourself being utilised as an impact substitute?
RH - I was not involved in the final round of qualifiers, but I had had a
phone call and was told I would be involved in the final tournament if we
got through. I have played one game before at Under-19 level against Denmark
back in November and I scored the winner, so I know I can play at this level
and do well. I have only recently returned from holiday and I did feel a bit
leggy when I started training again, but that has quickly disappeared and
I'm feeling fit and sharp again. When we won the Under-17 tournament I
started one game and was used as a substitute in all the others, so I had a
big part to play. Everyone goes to the tournament with a point to prove and
wanting to be involved and whatever part I have to play, I'll be doing my
best.
Which other England players should viewers watch out for at the European
Under-19 Championship finals?
RH - My friend Nathaniel Chalobah is a year younger than us, but he is a
fantastic and versatile player. We played against his Chelsea team in the FA
Youth Cup when he scored a last-minute equaliser and they beat us on
penalties, so hopefully he can cheer me up rather than breaking my heart
this time around! We've got lots of good players. George Thorne from West
Brom and Conor Coady from Liverpool are real prospects and Nathan Redmond
played loads of games for Birmingham's first team last season.
How would you rate the season you have just had? What are your targets for
next season with West Ham now back in the Barclays Premier League?
RH - It was definitely more of an 'up' season than a 'down' one. Hopefully
this coming year I can do even more. I would like to think that I am not too
far away from taking the next step, but we have not been back in at West Ham
yet this summer, so I don't know exactly what that means for me yet. This
will be my first season as a professional age-wise so it's an exciting time
for me. I cannot sit on last season's achievements any longer, because every
year you are starting from scratch. If I get the call to play for West Ham,
I feel I have got the ability and the confidence to play and not look out of
place. It's up to me to show the manager that. I feel that, when I have been
used in the past, I have done well and he can have the confidence to use me
again. There are always rumours about the club signing new playersbut if I
can get the chance to show what I can do, then the manager will not need to
buy anybody or bring anyone in on loan.
Will you look to go out on loan again next season?
RH - I cannot thank Oxford United enough for the confidence they gave me
last season. The manager Chris Wilder and Andy Melville there took me under
their wing and said 'You have got great ability so go out there and show
what you can do'. I was playing week-in, week-out and it meant I was not
afraid to try things. I was 17 and they gave me the confidence to show them
that I could play and I was scoring goals and setting things up. Because of
them, I was making headlines that maybe a 17-year-old doesn't normally make.
If the manager feels that I could benefit from going out on loan then I
would be happy to do so. I spent a bit of time at MK Dons and got a little
taste of League One and I would obviously love to play regularly at a higher
level than I have done before, but the main thing is that I just want to be
playing football.
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Jack goes back to his roots
WHUFC.com
Jack Collison has attended a ground-breaking ceremony at the club he played
for as an Under-9
27.06.2012
Jack Collison went back to his roots as the club he represented as a boy
started work on their new home this week. The West Ham United midfielder was
the special guest as he saw work getting started on the new £1.3 million
ground for Shefford Saints Youth FC in the Bedfordshire town of Shefford.
Collison joined representatives from Warden Developments and the Football
Foundation as work began on the 11-acre site on Tuesday. "It was great to
come back here and see this work being done, which I know will mean lots of
facilities being available for more youngsters and the club as a whole,"
said the No10, who donned a hard hat and hi-visibility jacket for his visit
before hopping on to a digger for a photocall. "The club still means a lot
to me, I played here as child and my family are still local. I had a great
time playing here and so it is important that these clubs are given the
support in this way to try and improve and be able to offer the chance for
youngsters to play."
Collison won the Shefford Saints Player of the Year award as an Under-9 and
the club now has a special award named in his honour that is presented
annually to a player with the greatest potential. "It is a great place and I
am sure many youngsters will get a lot from being here," smiled the Wales
international. The ground will also be used by Bedfordshire County League
side Shefford Town and Campton and representatives from both clubs joined
Collison at the ground-breaking ceremony.
When complete, the clubs will have use of a full-size pitch, four
mini-pitches and a pavilion clubhouse. Shefford Saints chairman Graham Earl
added: "This is an incredibly exciting new phase in the club's evolution.We
are delighted the ground works are now starting and that the process of
creating a major new outstanding home ground and training facility should be
complete by the start of 2013."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers set for SC Braga test
WHUFC.com
West Ham United will take on Portuguese side SC Braga in their final
pre-season fixture
27.06.2012
West Ham United are delighted to announce that the first team will take on
UEFA Champions League qualifiers SC Braga in their final pre-season fixture.
Sam Allardyce's side will travel to Portugal to take on the 2011 UEFA Europa
League runners-up at the iconic Estadio AXA on Friday 10 August. The
kick-off time and ticket details will be published on whufc.com as soon as
they are confirmed. The match will see the Hammers complete their
preparations for the 2012/13 Barclays Premier League season against a strong
side which has risen to the top of the European game in recent seasons. The
fixture will give West Ham supporters the opportunity to visit one of world
football's most unique stadia. The Estadio AXA was built in 2003 ahead of
the 2004 UEFA European Championship finals, having been carved into the face
of the Monte Castro granite quarry.
Assistant manager Neil McDonald said the fixture was a perfect finish to
West Ham's pre-season schedule. "It's a nice game to finish to our
pre-season," said Macca. "Braga came third in the Portuguese league and it
will be a fantastic game for us. It will give us a good idea of where we are
at a week before the start of the season. "We will have been in training for
six or seven weeks leading up to this game, so it will be the most important
match of our pre-season and the perfect preparation for welcoming Aston
Villa on 18 August. "They have got two players at the EUROs and have some
very good players, so it will be a great experience for us against a
fantastic team. "The stadium brings back memories of EURO 2004 with the
rocks behind the goal, so that will be something special. Portugal is a
lovely country, so we'll have a good three or four days away to set us up to
be ready for the start of the Premier League season."
Founded in 1919, SC Braga reached the Portuguese top-flight for the first
time in 1947 and won the Portuguese Cup in 1966. It is in recent years,
however, that the club has become widely-known through its achievements at
home and abroad. Braga have finished outside the top five in the Portuguese
Primeira Liga just once in the previous nine seasons, qualifying for
European football on each occasion. After finishing second in 2009/10, the
Archbishops ended Celtic and Sevilla's UEFA Champions League hopes in the
qualifying rounds before beating Arsenal at home in the group stage. After
finishing third in their group, Braga moved into the UEFA Europa League,
going all the way to the final before being defeated 1-0 by FC Porto. Last
season, Jose Peseiro's men finished third in the table to again qualify for
this season's UEFA Champions League.
Player-wise, Braga have become well-known for importing Brazilian players
and their first-team squad contains more than a dozen players from the South
American country. Of their Portuguese contingent, West Ham fans will know
midfielder Hugo Viana from his spell at Newcastle United, while striker Nuno
Gomes earned 79 caps and scored 29 goals for his country. Meanwhile,
defender Migel Lopes and midfielder Custodio were both part of Portugal's
2012 UEFA European Championship finals squad. With pre-season fixtures
already organised against 23-times Austrian Bundesliga champions FK Austria
Wien, German sides SG Dynamo Dresden, Rot-Weiss Erfurt and Energie Cottbus
and visits to Borehamwood, Southend United, Oxford United, Colchester United
and Ipswich Town scheduled, Big Sam's players will be fully prepared for the
big kick-off at home to Aston Villa on Saturday 18 August.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Guest Post: In Praise of Jack Collison
By Iain Dale About 10 hours ago 11 comments
West Ham Till I Die
By Keith Holland
We get used to a certain image of young footballers portrayed by the
tabloids. Invariably this involves scandal, innuendo and disrepute. I doubt
there will be much coverage of Jack Collison's activity this morning in
tomorrow's papers.
He took the time to cut the first turf of a football club development at
Shefford in Bedfordshire, where his family lives. Jack grew up in the town,
and, as the Chairman mentioned today, was Shefford Saints Under-9 Player of
the Year in 1997. He is still highly thought of by many people in the town.
Watching him operating an excavator [pic] at this farmland site, brought a
whole new meaning to the term "midfield general" but he performed his duties
in the same organised way which we have come to appreciate on the pitch.
Jack deserves a lot of credit for maintaining links to his home community,
and representing WHUFC in such a positive and mature way. We should be very
proud of him.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Pog's Royal appointment
The Sun
Last Updated: 28th June 2012
READING have won the fight for Pavel Pogrebnyak. The Russia striker, 28, has
agreed a four-year deal with the Royals and is waiting on a work permit to
complete a switch from Stuggart on a free. Reading beat off interest from
Fulham, where Pogrebnyak was on loan last season, Aston Villa and West Ham
to get their man.
Ex-West Ham midfield ace JULIEN FAUBERT, 28, is set to join Elazigspor in
Turkey.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Barnet sign West Ham United youngster
11:05pm Wednesday 27th June 2012 in Sport
Barnet have completed their second signing of the summer with defender
Jordan Brown joining from West Ham United. The left-back had loan spells at
Crewe Alexandra and Aldershot Town last season, making 11 appearances in
League Two. Commenting on the 20-year-old's signing, Bees Head Coach Mark
Robson told the club's official website: "Jordan is a player I've known
about for a while now. He's had a good upbringing at West Ham - both on and
off the pitch. He continued: "He is a very promising player and he was
unfortunate not to feature more in the West Ham First Team as he played a
few times in their pre- season last year.
"With all the players they brought in he never really got an opportunity.
But that can only be a good thing for us as I really want to help him
develop and prosper as a Bee and I believe he will do that here. "I'm very
excited to finally get Jordan here as I know there were a few clubs chasing
him. I'm glad he chose to come here."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham raise the stakes in Holt chase as Allardyce offers £6m for Norwich
striker
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
PUBLISHED: 23:02, 27 June 2012 | UPDATED: 23:02, 27 June 2012
Daily Mail
West Ham have upped their bid for striker Grant Holt to £6million and hope a
£4m payment up front will convince Norwich to sell. The 31-year-old former
Sheffield Wednesday, Rochdale, Nottingham Forest and Shrewsbury frontman is
desperate to quit Carrow Road this summer despite the arrival of new manager
Chris Hughton. Hammers boss Sam Allardyce has already seen bids of £3.5m and
£5.5m rejected for the forward, who scored 17 goals last season. Allardyce,
whose newly-promoted side open their Premier League season against Holt's
former manager Paul Lambert and Aston Villa in August, is keen to add
firepower to his squad ahead of the new term. West Ham already have an
abundance of strikers in their squad with Carlton Cole, Ricardo Vaz Te,
Nicky Maynard, Sam Baldock and Frederic Piquionne all in the mix.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham Looking to Sign Sunderland Duo by End of the Month
Sportsvibe.co.uk
West Ham could soon be completing the signing of two new players as they
close in on Sunderland duo Ahmed Elmohamady and George McCartney. Left-back
McCartney was sent to West Ham on-loan last season and it seems Sam
Allardyce is keen to tie him down to a permanent deal as the Hammers prepare
for life back in the Premier League. According to the Shields Gazette, the
two clubs have a 'gentleman's agreement' in place that should West Ham earn
promotion back to the top flight then a permanent deal would be arranged for
the defender. However, they have also learnt that Sunderland are now keen to
try and sell Egyptian international Elmohamady to the east London club after
deciding that he is now surplus to requirements at the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland are keen to trim their squad, while West Ham are working hard to
bring in players that can further strengthen their side for a campaign back
in the Premier League. The paper has reported how Elmohamady has been given
permission to speak with West Ham, but it is unconfirmed as to whether it
will be a permanent deal or a loan.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Former West Ham defender makes Turkey switch
By talkSPORT | Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Former West Ham midfielder Julien Faubert has agreed to join Turkish club
Elazigspor. Faubert, 28, is a free agent after he was released by West Ham
during the summer and was strongly linked with a move to Lazio. The French
winger started 28 league games last season and was a key member of the squad
under Sam Allardyce, but he was not offered a new deal to stay at Upton
Park. Reports in Turkey suggest Faubert is on the verge of completing a move
to Elazigspor and hopes to finalise his transfer in the near future.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
Rob Hall is looking to add a EURO Under-19 winner's medal to the Under-17
gong he won in 2010
27.06.2012
Rob Hall is aiming to complete a rare win double when he represents England
at the UEFA European Under-19 Championship finals in Georgia next month. The
West Ham United forward was part of the Young Lions squad that won the
Under-17 version of the same competition in the summer of 2010. Two years
later, Hall and his team-mates will travel to eastern Europe confident of
repeating that achievement. With England being given a bye until the final
Elite Round of qualifiers, Hall was not involved, but he did prove his
pedigree at Under-19 level by scoring the winner in a 1-0 international
victory over Denmark in November. Having made his Hammers first-team debut
last term, the 18-year-old is also eager to catch the eye of Sam Allardyce
while on England duty in the hope of earning playing time now West Ham are
back in the Barclays Premier League.
The promising forward spoke to whufc.com ahead of what promises to be an
exciting 2012/13 season.
How do you feel to have been selected for the UEFA European Under-19
Championship this summer?
RH - I am looking forward to it. We have got a strong squad and players with
a lot of experience. It should be a very competitive tournament because
we're in a harder group than when we won it as Under-17s. I believe we can
do well, though.
What are your expectations ahead of the tournament?
RH - We will take every game as it comes, game-by-game, like we did when we
won it as Under-17s. We will not get too excited if we win and will try to
do exactly what we did two years ago. Obviously we will all be there to try
to impress, both our England coach and our club managers. I want to go back
to West Ham feeling fit and sharp because I'm determined to do well. It will
be difficult to win the tournament but hopefully we can play well
individually and as a team and do the country proud.
Do you expect it to be a battle to get into the starting line-up or do you
see yourself being utilised as an impact substitute?
RH - I was not involved in the final round of qualifiers, but I had had a
phone call and was told I would be involved in the final tournament if we
got through. I have played one game before at Under-19 level against Denmark
back in November and I scored the winner, so I know I can play at this level
and do well. I have only recently returned from holiday and I did feel a bit
leggy when I started training again, but that has quickly disappeared and
I'm feeling fit and sharp again. When we won the Under-17 tournament I
started one game and was used as a substitute in all the others, so I had a
big part to play. Everyone goes to the tournament with a point to prove and
wanting to be involved and whatever part I have to play, I'll be doing my
best.
Which other England players should viewers watch out for at the European
Under-19 Championship finals?
RH - My friend Nathaniel Chalobah is a year younger than us, but he is a
fantastic and versatile player. We played against his Chelsea team in the FA
Youth Cup when he scored a last-minute equaliser and they beat us on
penalties, so hopefully he can cheer me up rather than breaking my heart
this time around! We've got lots of good players. George Thorne from West
Brom and Conor Coady from Liverpool are real prospects and Nathan Redmond
played loads of games for Birmingham's first team last season.
How would you rate the season you have just had? What are your targets for
next season with West Ham now back in the Barclays Premier League?
RH - It was definitely more of an 'up' season than a 'down' one. Hopefully
this coming year I can do even more. I would like to think that I am not too
far away from taking the next step, but we have not been back in at West Ham
yet this summer, so I don't know exactly what that means for me yet. This
will be my first season as a professional age-wise so it's an exciting time
for me. I cannot sit on last season's achievements any longer, because every
year you are starting from scratch. If I get the call to play for West Ham,
I feel I have got the ability and the confidence to play and not look out of
place. It's up to me to show the manager that. I feel that, when I have been
used in the past, I have done well and he can have the confidence to use me
again. There are always rumours about the club signing new playersbut if I
can get the chance to show what I can do, then the manager will not need to
buy anybody or bring anyone in on loan.
Will you look to go out on loan again next season?
RH - I cannot thank Oxford United enough for the confidence they gave me
last season. The manager Chris Wilder and Andy Melville there took me under
their wing and said 'You have got great ability so go out there and show
what you can do'. I was playing week-in, week-out and it meant I was not
afraid to try things. I was 17 and they gave me the confidence to show them
that I could play and I was scoring goals and setting things up. Because of
them, I was making headlines that maybe a 17-year-old doesn't normally make.
If the manager feels that I could benefit from going out on loan then I
would be happy to do so. I spent a bit of time at MK Dons and got a little
taste of League One and I would obviously love to play regularly at a higher
level than I have done before, but the main thing is that I just want to be
playing football.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Jack goes back to his roots
WHUFC.com
Jack Collison has attended a ground-breaking ceremony at the club he played
for as an Under-9
27.06.2012
Jack Collison went back to his roots as the club he represented as a boy
started work on their new home this week. The West Ham United midfielder was
the special guest as he saw work getting started on the new £1.3 million
ground for Shefford Saints Youth FC in the Bedfordshire town of Shefford.
Collison joined representatives from Warden Developments and the Football
Foundation as work began on the 11-acre site on Tuesday. "It was great to
come back here and see this work being done, which I know will mean lots of
facilities being available for more youngsters and the club as a whole,"
said the No10, who donned a hard hat and hi-visibility jacket for his visit
before hopping on to a digger for a photocall. "The club still means a lot
to me, I played here as child and my family are still local. I had a great
time playing here and so it is important that these clubs are given the
support in this way to try and improve and be able to offer the chance for
youngsters to play."
Collison won the Shefford Saints Player of the Year award as an Under-9 and
the club now has a special award named in his honour that is presented
annually to a player with the greatest potential. "It is a great place and I
am sure many youngsters will get a lot from being here," smiled the Wales
international. The ground will also be used by Bedfordshire County League
side Shefford Town and Campton and representatives from both clubs joined
Collison at the ground-breaking ceremony.
When complete, the clubs will have use of a full-size pitch, four
mini-pitches and a pavilion clubhouse. Shefford Saints chairman Graham Earl
added: "This is an incredibly exciting new phase in the club's evolution.We
are delighted the ground works are now starting and that the process of
creating a major new outstanding home ground and training facility should be
complete by the start of 2013."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers set for SC Braga test
WHUFC.com
West Ham United will take on Portuguese side SC Braga in their final
pre-season fixture
27.06.2012
West Ham United are delighted to announce that the first team will take on
UEFA Champions League qualifiers SC Braga in their final pre-season fixture.
Sam Allardyce's side will travel to Portugal to take on the 2011 UEFA Europa
League runners-up at the iconic Estadio AXA on Friday 10 August. The
kick-off time and ticket details will be published on whufc.com as soon as
they are confirmed. The match will see the Hammers complete their
preparations for the 2012/13 Barclays Premier League season against a strong
side which has risen to the top of the European game in recent seasons. The
fixture will give West Ham supporters the opportunity to visit one of world
football's most unique stadia. The Estadio AXA was built in 2003 ahead of
the 2004 UEFA European Championship finals, having been carved into the face
of the Monte Castro granite quarry.
Assistant manager Neil McDonald said the fixture was a perfect finish to
West Ham's pre-season schedule. "It's a nice game to finish to our
pre-season," said Macca. "Braga came third in the Portuguese league and it
will be a fantastic game for us. It will give us a good idea of where we are
at a week before the start of the season. "We will have been in training for
six or seven weeks leading up to this game, so it will be the most important
match of our pre-season and the perfect preparation for welcoming Aston
Villa on 18 August. "They have got two players at the EUROs and have some
very good players, so it will be a great experience for us against a
fantastic team. "The stadium brings back memories of EURO 2004 with the
rocks behind the goal, so that will be something special. Portugal is a
lovely country, so we'll have a good three or four days away to set us up to
be ready for the start of the Premier League season."
Founded in 1919, SC Braga reached the Portuguese top-flight for the first
time in 1947 and won the Portuguese Cup in 1966. It is in recent years,
however, that the club has become widely-known through its achievements at
home and abroad. Braga have finished outside the top five in the Portuguese
Primeira Liga just once in the previous nine seasons, qualifying for
European football on each occasion. After finishing second in 2009/10, the
Archbishops ended Celtic and Sevilla's UEFA Champions League hopes in the
qualifying rounds before beating Arsenal at home in the group stage. After
finishing third in their group, Braga moved into the UEFA Europa League,
going all the way to the final before being defeated 1-0 by FC Porto. Last
season, Jose Peseiro's men finished third in the table to again qualify for
this season's UEFA Champions League.
Player-wise, Braga have become well-known for importing Brazilian players
and their first-team squad contains more than a dozen players from the South
American country. Of their Portuguese contingent, West Ham fans will know
midfielder Hugo Viana from his spell at Newcastle United, while striker Nuno
Gomes earned 79 caps and scored 29 goals for his country. Meanwhile,
defender Migel Lopes and midfielder Custodio were both part of Portugal's
2012 UEFA European Championship finals squad. With pre-season fixtures
already organised against 23-times Austrian Bundesliga champions FK Austria
Wien, German sides SG Dynamo Dresden, Rot-Weiss Erfurt and Energie Cottbus
and visits to Borehamwood, Southend United, Oxford United, Colchester United
and Ipswich Town scheduled, Big Sam's players will be fully prepared for the
big kick-off at home to Aston Villa on Saturday 18 August.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Guest Post: In Praise of Jack Collison
By Iain Dale About 10 hours ago 11 comments
West Ham Till I Die
By Keith Holland
We get used to a certain image of young footballers portrayed by the
tabloids. Invariably this involves scandal, innuendo and disrepute. I doubt
there will be much coverage of Jack Collison's activity this morning in
tomorrow's papers.
He took the time to cut the first turf of a football club development at
Shefford in Bedfordshire, where his family lives. Jack grew up in the town,
and, as the Chairman mentioned today, was Shefford Saints Under-9 Player of
the Year in 1997. He is still highly thought of by many people in the town.
Watching him operating an excavator [pic] at this farmland site, brought a
whole new meaning to the term "midfield general" but he performed his duties
in the same organised way which we have come to appreciate on the pitch.
Jack deserves a lot of credit for maintaining links to his home community,
and representing WHUFC in such a positive and mature way. We should be very
proud of him.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Pog's Royal appointment
The Sun
Last Updated: 28th June 2012
READING have won the fight for Pavel Pogrebnyak. The Russia striker, 28, has
agreed a four-year deal with the Royals and is waiting on a work permit to
complete a switch from Stuggart on a free. Reading beat off interest from
Fulham, where Pogrebnyak was on loan last season, Aston Villa and West Ham
to get their man.
Ex-West Ham midfield ace JULIEN FAUBERT, 28, is set to join Elazigspor in
Turkey.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Barnet sign West Ham United youngster
11:05pm Wednesday 27th June 2012 in Sport
Barnet have completed their second signing of the summer with defender
Jordan Brown joining from West Ham United. The left-back had loan spells at
Crewe Alexandra and Aldershot Town last season, making 11 appearances in
League Two. Commenting on the 20-year-old's signing, Bees Head Coach Mark
Robson told the club's official website: "Jordan is a player I've known
about for a while now. He's had a good upbringing at West Ham - both on and
off the pitch. He continued: "He is a very promising player and he was
unfortunate not to feature more in the West Ham First Team as he played a
few times in their pre- season last year.
"With all the players they brought in he never really got an opportunity.
But that can only be a good thing for us as I really want to help him
develop and prosper as a Bee and I believe he will do that here. "I'm very
excited to finally get Jordan here as I know there were a few clubs chasing
him. I'm glad he chose to come here."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham raise the stakes in Holt chase as Allardyce offers £6m for Norwich
striker
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
PUBLISHED: 23:02, 27 June 2012 | UPDATED: 23:02, 27 June 2012
Daily Mail
West Ham have upped their bid for striker Grant Holt to £6million and hope a
£4m payment up front will convince Norwich to sell. The 31-year-old former
Sheffield Wednesday, Rochdale, Nottingham Forest and Shrewsbury frontman is
desperate to quit Carrow Road this summer despite the arrival of new manager
Chris Hughton. Hammers boss Sam Allardyce has already seen bids of £3.5m and
£5.5m rejected for the forward, who scored 17 goals last season. Allardyce,
whose newly-promoted side open their Premier League season against Holt's
former manager Paul Lambert and Aston Villa in August, is keen to add
firepower to his squad ahead of the new term. West Ham already have an
abundance of strikers in their squad with Carlton Cole, Ricardo Vaz Te,
Nicky Maynard, Sam Baldock and Frederic Piquionne all in the mix.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham Looking to Sign Sunderland Duo by End of the Month
Sportsvibe.co.uk
West Ham could soon be completing the signing of two new players as they
close in on Sunderland duo Ahmed Elmohamady and George McCartney. Left-back
McCartney was sent to West Ham on-loan last season and it seems Sam
Allardyce is keen to tie him down to a permanent deal as the Hammers prepare
for life back in the Premier League. According to the Shields Gazette, the
two clubs have a 'gentleman's agreement' in place that should West Ham earn
promotion back to the top flight then a permanent deal would be arranged for
the defender. However, they have also learnt that Sunderland are now keen to
try and sell Egyptian international Elmohamady to the east London club after
deciding that he is now surplus to requirements at the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland are keen to trim their squad, while West Ham are working hard to
bring in players that can further strengthen their side for a campaign back
in the Premier League. The paper has reported how Elmohamady has been given
permission to speak with West Ham, but it is unconfirmed as to whether it
will be a permanent deal or a loan.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Former West Ham defender makes Turkey switch
By talkSPORT | Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Former West Ham midfielder Julien Faubert has agreed to join Turkish club
Elazigspor. Faubert, 28, is a free agent after he was released by West Ham
during the summer and was strongly linked with a move to Lazio. The French
winger started 28 league games last season and was a key member of the squad
under Sam Allardyce, but he was not offered a new deal to stay at Upton
Park. Reports in Turkey suggest Faubert is on the verge of completing a move
to Elazigspor and hopes to finalise his transfer in the near future.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Wednesday, June 27
Daily WHUFC News - 27th June 2012
Dev Squad back to work
WHUFC.com
Ian Hendon and his players were back in pre-season training at Chadwell
Heath on Monday
26.06.2012
West Ham United Development Squad coach Ian Hendon welcomed his players back
for pre-season training on Monday. The young players were in a week earlier
than normal as they prepare to fly to Russia in early July for a prestigious
pre-season tournament, the VTB Lev Yashin Cup in Moscow. In order to make
sure the squad are in top condition to take part in the competition and the
followinggames they have back here in England, Hendon called the players
back to start off the 2012/13 campaign in earnest. "We are back a bit
earlier than what we would normally," Hendon confirmed, "but we want to be
properly prepared for what is a big tournament which is only in a couple of
weeks or so. It will be a busy pre-season for us and we want to get off on
the right foot and be in a good position fitness-wise."
The players arrived back at the club's Chadwell Heath training ground on
Monday morning to get their new Macron training gear and then underwent a
number of fitness tests. Hendon said: "They were put through it with lots of
tests to look at their body fat, mass and their weight, flexibility, things
like that. When they went off for a break at the end of last season, they
were all tested then and given a set of targets for the summer and these
tests will determine that they have kept themselves in good condition while
they have been away and not training. "The results of the tests will be
known in the next few days and then we will know whether they have done as
they have been told! A bit later on in the week, we will do some ball work
and training. They were all a bit quiet when they first came in, in the
morning, but they soon became their usual noisy selves, so all back to
normal! "It is nice to be back, the boys were in good spirits and now we
knuckle down to work hard and make sure we are prepared for the games
ahead."
The development squad are in Moscow to take part in the tournament between
12 and 15 July, which will be hosted by Russian Premier League club Dynamo
Moscow. The Hammers are one of six teams taking part, with Dynamo, Spanish
club Malaga and the Mexican Under-19 national team being among the others.
On their return, there are plenty of domestic fixtures to allow everyone
vital match action before the beginning of the new season, including games
with Ryman League Premier Division side Thurrock (21 July) and Blue Square
Bet Premier new boys Dartford (24 July). Welling will be the opposition (28
July) to see out the month before two more games at AFC Wimbledon and
Northampton Town (4 August and 7 August respectively) the following month.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Daggers date for Dev Squad
WHUFC.com
Ian Hendon's side will make the short trip to face Dagenham and Redbridge on
Saturday 11 August
26.06.2012
Ian Hendon's West Ham United Development Squad face npower League Two side
Dagenham and Redbridge in a pre-season match on Saturday 11 August. The
Hammers' young professionals will make the short journey to Victoria Road
for what promises to be a keenly contested fixture, with kick-off at 3pm.
West Ham supporters will be seated in the Traditional Builders Stand, with
all Adult tickets priced at £12, Over-65s and Full-time Students at £8,
Juniors aged 8-18 at £6 and Under-8s at just £2. Full details of how to
purchase tickets for this fixture will be posted on whufc.com soon.
Hendon's squad is likely to include the likes of Eoin Wearen (pictured),
George Moncur, Callum Driver, Rob Hall, Pelly Ruddock and new professionals
Blair Turgott and Matthias Fanimo. The Dagenham date will complete a busy
pre-season for Hendon's side, who faced John Still's side three times last
season, drawing 4-4 and 2-2 and going down to a 4-3 defeat in a trio of very
competitive matches.
The Development Squad travel to the Russian capital of Moscow to take part
in VTB Lev Yashin Cup between 12-15 July, which will be hosted by Russian
Premier League club Dynamo Moscow. The Hammers are one of six teams taking
part, with Spanish club Malaga and the Mexican Under-19 national team being
among the others.
On their return, there are plenty of other domestic fixtures scheduled,
including games with Ryman League Premier Division side Thurrock (21 July)
and Blue Square Bet Premier new boys Dartford (24 July). Welling will be the
opposition (28 July) to see out the month before two more games at AFC
Wimbledon and Northampton Town (4 August and 7 August respectively) the
following month.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hey, West Ham, leave our kids alone
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 26th June 2012
By: Staff Writer
Birmingham City Chairman Peter Pannu has written to supporters to deny
rumours that 'wonderkid' Nathan Redmond is set for a move south - hours
after it was revealed that West Ham were interested in securing the services
of the 18-year-old. Local newspaper, the Birmingham Mail, claimed this
morning that the Hammers were interested in taking the financially-troubles
Blues' current Young Player of the Season, who plays predominantly on the
wing, to London in a cut-price £1million deal.
However that will only happen if United are to offer an 'eye-popping offer'
according to the former policeman and barrister, who was appointed to City's
board a year ago next month. "I'd like to make it clear that Jack Butland
and Nathan Redmond are not for sale unless we are subject to an eye-popping
offer," Pannu stated via Birmingham's website. "While the decision to sell
[Jordan] Mutch [to Cardiff] was not taken lightly, our intention is to keep
hold of other talented gems we have.
"Our supporters should be reassured that the club will not accept any
derisory financial offers for any of our key players, as has been suggested,
but equally we are required to make sound and balanced financial decisions
which we accept are not always going to be popular. After all, this is a
business."
18-year-old Redmond, who hails from Birmingham's Kitts Green district made
his first team debut at St Andrews in August 2010, becoming City
second-youngest ever player (behind Trevor Francis) by doing so. He has been
described by the club's former Academy manager Terry Westley as "one of
those wingers like Aaron Lennon or Ashley Young", whilst he prompted former
City boss Alex Mcleish to state: "Has he got a big future? It looks like it.
He's electric".
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham win category one status
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 26th June 2012
By: Staff Writer
KUMB.com understands that West Ham United have been granted Category One
status in the Premier League's Elite Player Performance Plan. The news, when
confirmed by the club shortly, will be a massive boost to Tony Carr and his
team and their work with the club's Academy at Chadwell Heath. Newly
introduced for this season, the Premier League-driven scheme sees the
introduction of a four-tier system which, critics argue, will increase the
power of the country's elite clubs by ensuring that Football League clubs
receive just a fraction of the fees they can currently command for promising
youngsters.
Category One clubs like West Ham - to be known as 'Super Academies' - will
be able to offer young players vastly suprior training programs whereas
those clubs at the bottom of the scale - Category Four set-ups - will only
be able to take on players released by other teams. Additionally, selling
clubs will now only receive between £12,500 and £40,000 for ever year a
player has trained with them between the ages of 12 and 16 - whilst the
existing '90-minute rule' - a rule that states a player must live within an
hour-and-a-half of the club with whom he trains - will also be abolished.
Speaking last October about the battle to secure Category One status, Carr
said: "There are ten Key Performance Indicators and each has a points
system. We need to get 75 per cent of the points available to be categorised
as a Category One. "The Board have been fantastically supportive right from
the word go which means a lot more investment. We are putting that
investment in place by providing classrooms and employing more full and
part-time staff, so we're getting ready for next season."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Blues won't part with stars
Pannu says Butland and Redmond are not for sale
Last Updated: June 26, 2012 12:30pm
SSN
Birmingham City's acting chairman Peter Pannu has sought to reassure
supporters that Nathan Redmond and Jack Butland will not be sold. The Blues
recently sanctioned the sale of Jordon Mutch to Championship rivals Cardiff
City, and further departures were feared to be on the cards. Birmingham are
desperate to avoid such a situation, as they look to build on last season's
play-off appearance and return to the Premier League. The appointment of a
successor to Chris Hughton as manager is a top priority, but so is the
retention of key playing staff. It has been suggested that Redmond and
Butland, who made England's squad for Euro 2012, are drawing plenty of
admiring glances from afar.
Talented gems
Redmond has been linked with West Ham United, while Butland is said to be
interesting another of this season's Premier League new boys, Southampton.
Birmingham, though, have no intention of parting with either. "I'd like to
make it clear that Jack Butland and Nathan Redmond are not for sale, unless
we are subject to an eye-popping offer," Pannu said in a statement released
on the club's official website. "While the decision to sell Mutch was not
taken lightly, it was felt replacements could be sought for the midfielder,
but our intention is to keep hold of other talented gems we have. "Our
supporters should be reassured that the club will not accept any derisory
financial offers for any of our key players, as has been suggested, but
equally we are required to make sound and balanced financial decisions,
which we accept are not always going to be popular. After all, this is a
business."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham take Diamanti case to CAS over claims of unpaid money from Brescia
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
PUBLISHED: 23:04, 26 June 2012 | UPDATED: 23:04, 26 June 2012
Daily Mail
West Ham are going to the Court of Arbitration for Sport next week to try to
recoup £1.5million they claim Brescia owe them for forward Alessandro
Diamante following his £2m move in 2010. Italy international Diamanti, who
scored the winning penalty in the shootout victory over England in Kiev,
signed for the Hammers in August 2009 from Livorno for £6million. However,
he was allowed to move back to Italy after just one season in the English
Premier League. It is, though, the player's subsequent transfer to Bologna
in a co-ownership deal following Brescia's relegation to Serie B that has
left the Hammers incensed. In July 2011, West Ham asked for Diamanti's
registration by the Italian Football Federation to be suspended as they had
not yet been paid the latest installment of the £2million transfer fee.
West Ham co-owner David Gold said on Twitter: 'We sold Diamanti to Brescia
because he was desperate to return to Italy. 'He was then sold to Bologna.
We are suing Brescia for the money.'
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Mexican star set to end West Ham hell
By talkSPORT | Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Pablo Barrera is finally set to end his West Ham misery and make a move back
to Mexico to sign for Cruz Azul. Barrera, 25, has struggled to make any
impact at Upton Park following his £4m move back in 2010 and is desperate to
get his career back on track. Despite being a star performer for Mexico at
the Gold Cup last summer, when he scored a brace in the final against the
United States, he has failed to continue that form in English football and
was shipped out on loan to Real Zaragoza last season. Barrera has only
started six league games for West Ham and despite the club's promotion into
the Premier League, he has no future at Upton Park. Mexican side Cruz Azul
have confirmed they are close to agreeing a deal for the experienced
international and hope to clinch his signature in the next few days.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Three leading English academies headline Mayo Super Cup - Canaries, Hammers
and Hornets confirm involvement in international tournament
TUESDAY, 26 JUNE 2012 14:47
Con-telegraph.ie
NORWICH City, West Ham United and Watford have confirmed their participation
in the inaugural Mayo International Super Cup which takes place in Castlebar
from August 24 to 26 next. The three leading English soccer academies will
compete in the event together with the best of local talent from the Mayo
Schoolboys/Girls and Youths League. Speaking at the official launch of the
tournament, Paul Byrne, the FAI's county development officer, said the
organising committee is adamant that the event is going to be a resounding
success. He said: "The fact we have three top academies from Norwich City,
Watford and West Ham taking part is a major boost at this stage. "Norwich
City, where former Irish international Chris Hughton has just been appointed
senior team manager is renowned for their development and care of young
footballers for decades. "Watford is possibly the top club in terms of the
tradition of its academy. This is a club that consistently brings its
academy players into the first-team squad and carefully nurture all players
throughout their careers. "What is most pleasing about Watford is the fact
they are pioneering an 18-hour weekly education element into the fostering
and development of players and we hope to use their experience and knowledge
to pass onto our own clubs during the course of the tournament.
"Our third visiting team is from what is widely regarded as the 'academy of
football', West Ham United. "Many fine players such as Frank Lampard, Rio
Ferdinand, Jermaine Defoe, Joe Cole and many others have come through from
the academies and pure football is second nature to this club."
Mr. Byrne thanked all the various sponsors, groups and partners which have
played a role over the past number of months in getting this tournament up
and running.
Gerry Gallagher, chairman of the organising committee, said the Mayo
International Cup is a golden opportunity for Mayo's talented players to
display their skill among the elite of the football world. "The visiting
academies will see how we look after and care for our young footballers in a
professional manner despite our meagre resources in terms of finance. "It is
our intention to expand and develop the tournament to cater for girls and
grassroots football by extending invitations to towns and cities that have
links in the Mayo area such as Höchstadt (Germany), Ballymena, Auray
(France), Buenos Aires (Argentina), and a number of other links in the U.K.
and Northern Ireland. "I have every confidence this competition will grow
and have a snowball effect with all the partners that we have on board. We
believe Mayo is a special place and we want to showcase the county and its
people."
He paid tribute to local sponsor Brendan Heneghan as well as Mayo County
Council and Castlebar Town council for their financial support and backing
for the event and hoped that they would continue to be partners in the years
ahead. Mr. Gallagher also paid special tribute to the Mayo Schoolboys/Girls
and Youths League and the Mayo League for their financial support for the
event.
The Mayor of Castlebar, Councillor Eugene McCormack, said the facilities in
Mayo are second to none and, as a former soccer player in my youth, he only
wished he had such facilities in his time. "I have no doubt the tournament
will grow and grow in the years ahead and this is only the start of
something big. The committee is setting a good foundation and, with their
efforts and the support of the sponsors and partners, it can go from
strength to strength."
In his dual role as a sponsor of the tournament and a member of Castlebar
Town Council, Brendan Heneghan paid tribute to the organising committee for
its innovative thinking. "I am delighted to be associated with an event
which has fantastic potential. It is most important that our young children
are catered for properly a tournament of this nature is a wonderful
opportunity for our local footballers to display their talent. "We have a
massive soccer tradition in Castlebar and in Mayo and I deeply admire those
who encourage the promotion and fostering of the game for young people."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Birmingham City: West Ham want Nathan Redmond for £1m
by Colin Tattum, Birmingham MailJun 26 2012Comment (1) Recommend
Birmigham Post
Birmingham City wonderkid Nathan Redmond is being eyed up by West Ham
United. The club's young player-of-the-season could be ripe for the picking
due to Blues' financial problems, the Hammers believe. They are ready to
test the water with a £1 million offer plus a series of appearance-related
add-ons. West Ham reckon the winger is worth around £4 million-£5 million
but it is classic David Sullivan tactics not to front-load a proposal with a
sizeable down payment in the knowledge that a club are in need of cash.
Redmond, 18, made a major breakthrough last season, particularly lighting up
Blues' Europa League campaign. And with Blues failing to win promotion and
more warnings about player sales this summer, it's hardly surprising clubs
are sniffing around. Jordon Mutch, 20, was a surprise mover to Cardiff City
on Friday. Cardiff stumped up around £2.5 million with a further £500,000 in
add-ons for the midfielder. Blues, despite having no manager, felt it was
too good an offer to turn down. But if they transferred teenage idol Redmond
there would be an even bigger outcry than the one triggered by Mutch's
departure. Academy product Redmond is a Brummie and a Blues fan – one of the
St Andrew's faithful's own. And he showed his potential in 2011-12, making
his full debut in August.
In the Europa League play-off second leg against CD Nacional at St Andrew's,
Redmond dazzled and made the football world sit up and take notice.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
Ian Hendon and his players were back in pre-season training at Chadwell
Heath on Monday
26.06.2012
West Ham United Development Squad coach Ian Hendon welcomed his players back
for pre-season training on Monday. The young players were in a week earlier
than normal as they prepare to fly to Russia in early July for a prestigious
pre-season tournament, the VTB Lev Yashin Cup in Moscow. In order to make
sure the squad are in top condition to take part in the competition and the
followinggames they have back here in England, Hendon called the players
back to start off the 2012/13 campaign in earnest. "We are back a bit
earlier than what we would normally," Hendon confirmed, "but we want to be
properly prepared for what is a big tournament which is only in a couple of
weeks or so. It will be a busy pre-season for us and we want to get off on
the right foot and be in a good position fitness-wise."
The players arrived back at the club's Chadwell Heath training ground on
Monday morning to get their new Macron training gear and then underwent a
number of fitness tests. Hendon said: "They were put through it with lots of
tests to look at their body fat, mass and their weight, flexibility, things
like that. When they went off for a break at the end of last season, they
were all tested then and given a set of targets for the summer and these
tests will determine that they have kept themselves in good condition while
they have been away and not training. "The results of the tests will be
known in the next few days and then we will know whether they have done as
they have been told! A bit later on in the week, we will do some ball work
and training. They were all a bit quiet when they first came in, in the
morning, but they soon became their usual noisy selves, so all back to
normal! "It is nice to be back, the boys were in good spirits and now we
knuckle down to work hard and make sure we are prepared for the games
ahead."
The development squad are in Moscow to take part in the tournament between
12 and 15 July, which will be hosted by Russian Premier League club Dynamo
Moscow. The Hammers are one of six teams taking part, with Dynamo, Spanish
club Malaga and the Mexican Under-19 national team being among the others.
On their return, there are plenty of domestic fixtures to allow everyone
vital match action before the beginning of the new season, including games
with Ryman League Premier Division side Thurrock (21 July) and Blue Square
Bet Premier new boys Dartford (24 July). Welling will be the opposition (28
July) to see out the month before two more games at AFC Wimbledon and
Northampton Town (4 August and 7 August respectively) the following month.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Daggers date for Dev Squad
WHUFC.com
Ian Hendon's side will make the short trip to face Dagenham and Redbridge on
Saturday 11 August
26.06.2012
Ian Hendon's West Ham United Development Squad face npower League Two side
Dagenham and Redbridge in a pre-season match on Saturday 11 August. The
Hammers' young professionals will make the short journey to Victoria Road
for what promises to be a keenly contested fixture, with kick-off at 3pm.
West Ham supporters will be seated in the Traditional Builders Stand, with
all Adult tickets priced at £12, Over-65s and Full-time Students at £8,
Juniors aged 8-18 at £6 and Under-8s at just £2. Full details of how to
purchase tickets for this fixture will be posted on whufc.com soon.
Hendon's squad is likely to include the likes of Eoin Wearen (pictured),
George Moncur, Callum Driver, Rob Hall, Pelly Ruddock and new professionals
Blair Turgott and Matthias Fanimo. The Dagenham date will complete a busy
pre-season for Hendon's side, who faced John Still's side three times last
season, drawing 4-4 and 2-2 and going down to a 4-3 defeat in a trio of very
competitive matches.
The Development Squad travel to the Russian capital of Moscow to take part
in VTB Lev Yashin Cup between 12-15 July, which will be hosted by Russian
Premier League club Dynamo Moscow. The Hammers are one of six teams taking
part, with Spanish club Malaga and the Mexican Under-19 national team being
among the others.
On their return, there are plenty of other domestic fixtures scheduled,
including games with Ryman League Premier Division side Thurrock (21 July)
and Blue Square Bet Premier new boys Dartford (24 July). Welling will be the
opposition (28 July) to see out the month before two more games at AFC
Wimbledon and Northampton Town (4 August and 7 August respectively) the
following month.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hey, West Ham, leave our kids alone
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 26th June 2012
By: Staff Writer
Birmingham City Chairman Peter Pannu has written to supporters to deny
rumours that 'wonderkid' Nathan Redmond is set for a move south - hours
after it was revealed that West Ham were interested in securing the services
of the 18-year-old. Local newspaper, the Birmingham Mail, claimed this
morning that the Hammers were interested in taking the financially-troubles
Blues' current Young Player of the Season, who plays predominantly on the
wing, to London in a cut-price £1million deal.
However that will only happen if United are to offer an 'eye-popping offer'
according to the former policeman and barrister, who was appointed to City's
board a year ago next month. "I'd like to make it clear that Jack Butland
and Nathan Redmond are not for sale unless we are subject to an eye-popping
offer," Pannu stated via Birmingham's website. "While the decision to sell
[Jordan] Mutch [to Cardiff] was not taken lightly, our intention is to keep
hold of other talented gems we have.
"Our supporters should be reassured that the club will not accept any
derisory financial offers for any of our key players, as has been suggested,
but equally we are required to make sound and balanced financial decisions
which we accept are not always going to be popular. After all, this is a
business."
18-year-old Redmond, who hails from Birmingham's Kitts Green district made
his first team debut at St Andrews in August 2010, becoming City
second-youngest ever player (behind Trevor Francis) by doing so. He has been
described by the club's former Academy manager Terry Westley as "one of
those wingers like Aaron Lennon or Ashley Young", whilst he prompted former
City boss Alex Mcleish to state: "Has he got a big future? It looks like it.
He's electric".
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham win category one status
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 26th June 2012
By: Staff Writer
KUMB.com understands that West Ham United have been granted Category One
status in the Premier League's Elite Player Performance Plan. The news, when
confirmed by the club shortly, will be a massive boost to Tony Carr and his
team and their work with the club's Academy at Chadwell Heath. Newly
introduced for this season, the Premier League-driven scheme sees the
introduction of a four-tier system which, critics argue, will increase the
power of the country's elite clubs by ensuring that Football League clubs
receive just a fraction of the fees they can currently command for promising
youngsters.
Category One clubs like West Ham - to be known as 'Super Academies' - will
be able to offer young players vastly suprior training programs whereas
those clubs at the bottom of the scale - Category Four set-ups - will only
be able to take on players released by other teams. Additionally, selling
clubs will now only receive between £12,500 and £40,000 for ever year a
player has trained with them between the ages of 12 and 16 - whilst the
existing '90-minute rule' - a rule that states a player must live within an
hour-and-a-half of the club with whom he trains - will also be abolished.
Speaking last October about the battle to secure Category One status, Carr
said: "There are ten Key Performance Indicators and each has a points
system. We need to get 75 per cent of the points available to be categorised
as a Category One. "The Board have been fantastically supportive right from
the word go which means a lot more investment. We are putting that
investment in place by providing classrooms and employing more full and
part-time staff, so we're getting ready for next season."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Blues won't part with stars
Pannu says Butland and Redmond are not for sale
Last Updated: June 26, 2012 12:30pm
SSN
Birmingham City's acting chairman Peter Pannu has sought to reassure
supporters that Nathan Redmond and Jack Butland will not be sold. The Blues
recently sanctioned the sale of Jordon Mutch to Championship rivals Cardiff
City, and further departures were feared to be on the cards. Birmingham are
desperate to avoid such a situation, as they look to build on last season's
play-off appearance and return to the Premier League. The appointment of a
successor to Chris Hughton as manager is a top priority, but so is the
retention of key playing staff. It has been suggested that Redmond and
Butland, who made England's squad for Euro 2012, are drawing plenty of
admiring glances from afar.
Talented gems
Redmond has been linked with West Ham United, while Butland is said to be
interesting another of this season's Premier League new boys, Southampton.
Birmingham, though, have no intention of parting with either. "I'd like to
make it clear that Jack Butland and Nathan Redmond are not for sale, unless
we are subject to an eye-popping offer," Pannu said in a statement released
on the club's official website. "While the decision to sell Mutch was not
taken lightly, it was felt replacements could be sought for the midfielder,
but our intention is to keep hold of other talented gems we have. "Our
supporters should be reassured that the club will not accept any derisory
financial offers for any of our key players, as has been suggested, but
equally we are required to make sound and balanced financial decisions,
which we accept are not always going to be popular. After all, this is a
business."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham take Diamanti case to CAS over claims of unpaid money from Brescia
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
PUBLISHED: 23:04, 26 June 2012 | UPDATED: 23:04, 26 June 2012
Daily Mail
West Ham are going to the Court of Arbitration for Sport next week to try to
recoup £1.5million they claim Brescia owe them for forward Alessandro
Diamante following his £2m move in 2010. Italy international Diamanti, who
scored the winning penalty in the shootout victory over England in Kiev,
signed for the Hammers in August 2009 from Livorno for £6million. However,
he was allowed to move back to Italy after just one season in the English
Premier League. It is, though, the player's subsequent transfer to Bologna
in a co-ownership deal following Brescia's relegation to Serie B that has
left the Hammers incensed. In July 2011, West Ham asked for Diamanti's
registration by the Italian Football Federation to be suspended as they had
not yet been paid the latest installment of the £2million transfer fee.
West Ham co-owner David Gold said on Twitter: 'We sold Diamanti to Brescia
because he was desperate to return to Italy. 'He was then sold to Bologna.
We are suing Brescia for the money.'
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Mexican star set to end West Ham hell
By talkSPORT | Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Pablo Barrera is finally set to end his West Ham misery and make a move back
to Mexico to sign for Cruz Azul. Barrera, 25, has struggled to make any
impact at Upton Park following his £4m move back in 2010 and is desperate to
get his career back on track. Despite being a star performer for Mexico at
the Gold Cup last summer, when he scored a brace in the final against the
United States, he has failed to continue that form in English football and
was shipped out on loan to Real Zaragoza last season. Barrera has only
started six league games for West Ham and despite the club's promotion into
the Premier League, he has no future at Upton Park. Mexican side Cruz Azul
have confirmed they are close to agreeing a deal for the experienced
international and hope to clinch his signature in the next few days.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Three leading English academies headline Mayo Super Cup - Canaries, Hammers
and Hornets confirm involvement in international tournament
TUESDAY, 26 JUNE 2012 14:47
Con-telegraph.ie
NORWICH City, West Ham United and Watford have confirmed their participation
in the inaugural Mayo International Super Cup which takes place in Castlebar
from August 24 to 26 next. The three leading English soccer academies will
compete in the event together with the best of local talent from the Mayo
Schoolboys/Girls and Youths League. Speaking at the official launch of the
tournament, Paul Byrne, the FAI's county development officer, said the
organising committee is adamant that the event is going to be a resounding
success. He said: "The fact we have three top academies from Norwich City,
Watford and West Ham taking part is a major boost at this stage. "Norwich
City, where former Irish international Chris Hughton has just been appointed
senior team manager is renowned for their development and care of young
footballers for decades. "Watford is possibly the top club in terms of the
tradition of its academy. This is a club that consistently brings its
academy players into the first-team squad and carefully nurture all players
throughout their careers. "What is most pleasing about Watford is the fact
they are pioneering an 18-hour weekly education element into the fostering
and development of players and we hope to use their experience and knowledge
to pass onto our own clubs during the course of the tournament.
"Our third visiting team is from what is widely regarded as the 'academy of
football', West Ham United. "Many fine players such as Frank Lampard, Rio
Ferdinand, Jermaine Defoe, Joe Cole and many others have come through from
the academies and pure football is second nature to this club."
Mr. Byrne thanked all the various sponsors, groups and partners which have
played a role over the past number of months in getting this tournament up
and running.
Gerry Gallagher, chairman of the organising committee, said the Mayo
International Cup is a golden opportunity for Mayo's talented players to
display their skill among the elite of the football world. "The visiting
academies will see how we look after and care for our young footballers in a
professional manner despite our meagre resources in terms of finance. "It is
our intention to expand and develop the tournament to cater for girls and
grassroots football by extending invitations to towns and cities that have
links in the Mayo area such as Höchstadt (Germany), Ballymena, Auray
(France), Buenos Aires (Argentina), and a number of other links in the U.K.
and Northern Ireland. "I have every confidence this competition will grow
and have a snowball effect with all the partners that we have on board. We
believe Mayo is a special place and we want to showcase the county and its
people."
He paid tribute to local sponsor Brendan Heneghan as well as Mayo County
Council and Castlebar Town council for their financial support and backing
for the event and hoped that they would continue to be partners in the years
ahead. Mr. Gallagher also paid special tribute to the Mayo Schoolboys/Girls
and Youths League and the Mayo League for their financial support for the
event.
The Mayor of Castlebar, Councillor Eugene McCormack, said the facilities in
Mayo are second to none and, as a former soccer player in my youth, he only
wished he had such facilities in his time. "I have no doubt the tournament
will grow and grow in the years ahead and this is only the start of
something big. The committee is setting a good foundation and, with their
efforts and the support of the sponsors and partners, it can go from
strength to strength."
In his dual role as a sponsor of the tournament and a member of Castlebar
Town Council, Brendan Heneghan paid tribute to the organising committee for
its innovative thinking. "I am delighted to be associated with an event
which has fantastic potential. It is most important that our young children
are catered for properly a tournament of this nature is a wonderful
opportunity for our local footballers to display their talent. "We have a
massive soccer tradition in Castlebar and in Mayo and I deeply admire those
who encourage the promotion and fostering of the game for young people."
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Birmingham City: West Ham want Nathan Redmond for £1m
by Colin Tattum, Birmingham MailJun 26 2012Comment (1) Recommend
Birmigham Post
Birmingham City wonderkid Nathan Redmond is being eyed up by West Ham
United. The club's young player-of-the-season could be ripe for the picking
due to Blues' financial problems, the Hammers believe. They are ready to
test the water with a £1 million offer plus a series of appearance-related
add-ons. West Ham reckon the winger is worth around £4 million-£5 million
but it is classic David Sullivan tactics not to front-load a proposal with a
sizeable down payment in the knowledge that a club are in need of cash.
Redmond, 18, made a major breakthrough last season, particularly lighting up
Blues' Europa League campaign. And with Blues failing to win promotion and
more warnings about player sales this summer, it's hardly surprising clubs
are sniffing around. Jordon Mutch, 20, was a surprise mover to Cardiff City
on Friday. Cardiff stumped up around £2.5 million with a further £500,000 in
add-ons for the midfielder. Blues, despite having no manager, felt it was
too good an offer to turn down. But if they transferred teenage idol Redmond
there would be an even bigger outcry than the one triggered by Mutch's
departure. Academy product Redmond is a Brummie and a Blues fan – one of the
St Andrew's faithful's own. And he showed his potential in 2011-12, making
his full debut in August.
In the Europa League play-off second leg against CD Nacional at St Andrew's,
Redmond dazzled and made the football world sit up and take notice.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Tuesday, June 26
Daily WHUFC News - 26th June 2012
Gary's Open bid closed
WHUFC.com
Golf-mad Gary O'Neil's bid to qualify for the 2012 Open Championship came up short at The London Club
25.06.2012
Golf-crazy West Ham United midfielder Gary O'Neil has missed out on a place at the 2012 Open Championship. The Hammers star and scratch handicapper was one of more than 120 hopefuls who teed-off in Regional Qualifying at The London Club in Kent - where O'Neil is a member - on Monday. Just 12 of them would go through to the final round of qualifying.
With more than 1,000 professionals and amateurs taking part from all over the world at 14 courses across the country, including players from Spain, Sweden, Gibraltar, South Africa, Nigeria and Ghana, the 29-year-old was always going to face an uphill task to reach the most famous tournament in golf. The 2012 Open Championship will take place at Royal Lytham and St Anne's Golf Club in Lancashire, just five miles from the Bloomfield Road home of npower Championship Play-Off final runners-up Blackpool, who O'Neil helped the Hammers to defeat at Wembley last month.
However, after scoring his first goal for the Club at Bloomfield Road in West Ham's 4-1 win there in February, the No32's hopes of returning to the north west were dashed by a seven-over par round of 79. With the course playing long due to weekend rain, O'Neil's score was in the top 70 come the end of the day. Indeed, when he was three-over on the 15th tee, there was a very real chance he would reach the Local Final Qualifying round. Speaking beforehand, O'Neil was visibly nervous. Despite having played in front of nearly 80,000 fans at Wembley in May, the player admitted to feeling butterflies in his stomach before teeing-off alongside professional Warren Bennett and fellow amateur Charlie Wilson at 12.56pm. I am a bit nervous to be honest," he told whufc.com "I just hope I can relax and play the way I do when I'm on the course with my mates on a Sunday!"
After spending time on the driving range and putting green, O'Neil had a quick word with Sky Sports News before heading for the International Course first tee, where he and his playing partners were given a rundown of the local rules. Then, after watching Bennett and Wilson tee-off, O'Neil got his round underway with a solid drive. "It was tough out there, mentally tough," said O'Neil as he enjoyed a cup of tea at the Clubhouse afterwards. "I made a bit of a sloppy start then got it going a little bit and was two-under for the first five holes of the back nine, then I lost my driving a little bit and the rough out there is waist-high and I struggled coming in! I enjoyed it, playing with two great players, especially Warren who has been on tour for 19 years now and he gave me a few decent tips. He got through to the next round with a 72 so it was a good experience. "It was difficult and a different sort of pressure from football. It finds you out. They set the course up really tough and any little chinks you have in your armour are found out. I don't normally hit it as bad as I did but I enjoyed it and it was just one of those things. I was pleased to keep it going and record a score below 80. "The Blackpool game was nerve-wracking, and I've never experienced a football game like it because there was so much rising on it. It was difficult to perform to your best when your whole season is resting on 90 minutes. "Out there on the golf course was difficult as well because you don't want to embarrass yourself. I think I managed to stay the right side of the embarrassing line, hopefully!"
Having missed out on fulfilling his Open dream, O'Neil will return to Chadwell Heath this weekend when West Ham begin their pre-season training ahead of the 2012/13 Barclays Premier League season.
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Germany gets Macca approval
WHUFC.com
Neil McDonald has given West Ham United's training base the thumbs-up after a visit this week
25.06.2012
England might have missed out on a EURO 2012 semi-final showdown with Germany, but that won't stop West Ham United enjoyed a productive pre-season trip to the country next month. The Hammers will spend a week in Germany as part of their preparations for the 2012/13 Barclays Premier League season, contesting matches against FC Rot-Weiß Erfurt (Steigerwaldstadion, Wednesday 25 July, 7pm), Dynamo Dresden (Friday 27 July, Glucksgas Stadion, 8.30pm) and FC Energie Cottbus (Sunday 29 July, Stadion der Freundschaft, 2.30pm)
Assistant manager Neil McDonald recently flew to Germany to make a check on the hotel and training camp where he and his fellow coaches will be putting the players through their paces. McDonald was suitably impressed with what he saw, saying: "It is a fantastic place with excellent facilities and will be great for us as we prepare for the new season back in the Premier League. "It is located in a nice spot, it is five or ten minutes from the hotel to the training ground and we can get there by either walking or cycling, so that will be good for the lads not having sort transport out to get them to and from there. "It is right near the centre, which is a lovely little place with some great culture, little cafes and somewhere the lads, when they are given free time between training, can go and relax. That is just as important as how we do all of our training - that we are staying somewhere that is a good relaxed environment for the players. "We will have a couple of new lads in the team and it will be nice to be somewhere to help the new ones settle in and create that squad spirit early on. Those of us already here will all get acquainted with each other again and create a nice settled atmosphere before the season begins."
West Ham's German tour will be the second of two training camps being conducted ahead of the new season. The Hammers will head for Austria next week, where the players will be put tghrough a host of physically-demanding training sessions before starting their pre-season schedule against Austria Vienna on Saturday 7 July (Generali Arena, 4pm). "We will be doing double sessions every day we are training and then one lighter session on the day of the game. The weather should be nice, so that will be a good factor as we look to get the lads fit and ready and playing games. "It will allow us to do some technical work as well as carry on the grafting and the more physical stuff."
Tickets for the German fixtures have been selling fast. Indeed, the meeting with Dynamo Dresden could attract a 30,000-plus crowd to the Glucksgas Stadium - a venue McDonald visited during his recent trip. "I have been in football a long time now and I don't think I have ever known it when you are possibly playing in front of 30,000 or so people in a pre-season friendly. That will be amazing. We will also welcome the West Ham fans who come to see us. I am sure they will find the area nice as well and will enjoy it."
McDonald admitted that the excitement is starting to come back now that pre-season is only a week away. "The buzz never leaves you really, but you go away and re-charge, then you get the butterflies again as you look towards being back and getting started again. "We are looking forward to the season - first of all getting back, getting pre-season underway and then going onwards from there."
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Alessandr-oh
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 24th June 2012
By: Staff Writer
England have been dumped out of the European Championships by former West Ham forward Alessandro Diamanti. The 29-year-old, who is currently co-owned by Brescia and Bolgna and featured for the latter in Serie A last season stepped up to score the penalty that sent Italy through to the semi-finals of the competition at England's expense after the game had finished 0-0 after extra time.
Diamanti was signed by West Ham in the 2009 summer transfer window for a fee in the region of £4million but was sent packing just a year later when he was sold to Brescia for a cut price £1.8million, despite having been voted as the club's Best Signing of 2009/10 by readers of KUMB.com.
"His value is around €10million, but the figure West Ham have offered is not a problem. If they seriously want Diamanti, they could be accommodated"
- Liveorno president Aldo Spinelli, August 2009
During his year at West Ham, he made 20 starts and 10 substitute appearances, scoring eight goals in the process; his first coming against Liverpool in his second game for the hammers and his last in a 2-1 defeat at home to Bolton in March 2010. Ironically perhaps West Ham are still yet to receive a penny from Brescia, the club to whom he was sold two years ago for his transfer. West Ham took the Italian club to a FIFA court of appeal in 2011 to no effect, and were reported to have stopped all payments to foreign clubs in protest.
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Back in the big time - now how do we stay there?
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 25th June 2012
By: David Drury
As a West Ham United fan, this is the most exciting transfer window in years.
Ever since we last got promoted in 2005 and Alan Pardew brought in the likes of Paul Konchesky, Danny Gabbidon, Matthew Etherington and Yossi Benayoun, the summer window has been a series of disappointments, overreactions and fire sales (31st August 2006 apart!). This season we have a real opportunity to build on our solid base and create a sustainable but exciting squad that can keep us in the Premier League and more.
Although it's always thrilling to be linked with the big names, in reality we need to be shopping more for the sales items, fishing around for bargains. This is exactly what Big Sam has been doing so far, and it's nice to see him trying to sneak some deals early rather than look for inevitably overpriced 'stars' of Euro 2012.
The co-chairmen seem to be happy to let Allardyce take control of the transfers, something that didn't seem to be the case under Gianfranco Zola and Avram Grant. The big calls the manager has made so far have mostly paid off. He knows a good player who is up for the fight when he sees one and it's refreshing to have some trust in the manager's dealings.
With the disappointing departure of Greeno (a lot has been said about his move, now it is time to wish him well and move on), we have brought in two goalkeepers; on paper one looks like a long term successor, the other more of a short term gap-filler.
Stephen Henderson has played less than 100 games in his career, whilst Jussi Jaaskelainen has almost 600 appearances to his name. On the one hand this suggests we may be looking at bringing in another keeper who is experienced, but still has a few years left at the top.
Personally however, I think that Allardyce would like Henderson to establish himself pretty quickly as number one (surely we bought him with Green's departure in mind), with Jussi there as a safe pair of hands if he isn't quite up to it. The fact Jussi was given a one-year deal with the possibility of another indicates they would prefer it if he didn't have much of a role this season. We have been hearing good things from Pompey fans regarding Henderson but we just have to wait and see for ourselves.
As for our other signing, I think we have pulled off a brilliant deal with Mohamed Diame. To sign someone at the peak of their career with no transfer fee, who is regarded as one of the best central midfield players outside of the top six or seven in the league, could be a masterstroke. It is a substantial upgrade to Diop, and in the Premier League it is vital we have an energetic enforcer to stop us getting overrun in a midfield containing two of our slower players (to put it mildly) in Nolan and Noble.
If he can recreate the kind of form he showed for Wigan in the last couple of years, 'Momo' could become a key player.
One area it is clear we need to strengthen in is defence. I wouldn't mind James Tomkins and Winston Reid in the centre after both had very good seasons but they cannot be alone, and in the short term an experienced player like Olof Mellberg could be what we need, possibly Jonas Olsson if they are looking more at competition for the next few years.
At left back I would be happy to see our very own Beatle stay. There is an argument that he might not be cut out for the Premier League but you cannot underestimate a player who wants to play for the club and is held in such high regard by his teammates. With Matt Taylor able to cover and Potts Junior looking promising, I would prefer to focus on other areas.
Having mentioned Taylor being able to cover at left back, one player who I think we will miss is Julien Faubert (bear with me!). Don't get me wrong, he could be the most frustrating player at times, and I will never understand why he tries to cross like David Beckham despite it being plainly obvious that he cannot pull it off, but having a player who could more than adequately fill in at right back or midfield was very useful.
I am not convinced by Joey O'Brien - and Guy Demel's fitness is an issue - but if we could get him playing regularly and bring in some younger competition, then this might be enough.
On the wing we do need to bring someone in who can play on the right of the three 'strikers'; as much as I am a fan of Jack Collison it is frustrating when Big Sam insists on saying we are playing three up front when he is on the right. As much as I am excited about the likes of Eljero Elia, I think Allardyce should think carefully about bringing in a left sided player and moving Ricardo Vaz Te to the other flank, in case he loses his effectiveness by not being able to cut in and shoot as he does so often.
Up front, I think Carlton Cole's performances and commitment have earned him another shot at the big time, but we need to have someone else who plays a similar style because of his injury problems. Grant Holt is clearly a good player, but whether we should be spending large sums on 31-year-olds is another matter. I would have liked have seen Yakubu as competition, but it looks like he wants a pay day elsewhere.
As for Luc Castaignos, he looks a great talent (admittedly on YouTube, risky I know), but it looks like we will inevitably miss out on him to a more established Premier League side. I do think we should look to give Nicky Maynard and Sam Baldock some more playing time this year, as they have only been given limited opportunities so far and it's far too early to write them off.
So, there is still a lot of work to go in the next couple of months, but I do not think we need an overhaul. With the base that we have, another four or five players with a good mix of youth and experience should give us the best chance of staying up, and beyond. Of course Big Sam has his own plan and I have no doubt that he will do the right deals to keep us where we belong.
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Moxey plays down Jarvis talk
Midlands club have no intention of selling star winger
Last Updated: June 25, 2012 2:31pm
SSN
Wolves chief executive Jez Moxey insists they have not received an approach from Stoke City over winger Matt Jarvis. Jarvis caught the eye with his performances in an otherwise forgettable season for Wolves that ended in relegation from the Premier League. A rumour swept social networking site Twitter last week that an £8million bid had been lodged for 26-year-old, who was capped by England in 2011. It comes just weeks after reports that the club had agreed a fee with Premier League new boys West Ham, which the club quickly denied. But Moxey laughed off any suggestions that the two clubs had been in contact about a deal to take Jarvis to the Potteries. "They have not even spoken to us about him," he told the Express & Star.
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Hammers 'to sue over Diamanti'
Gold says club will take action against Brescia over striker
Last Updated: June 25, 2012 11:56am
SSN
West Ham are planning to sue Brescia for money they say they are owed from the sale of striker Alessandro Diamanti from Brescia to Bologna, according to co-owner David Gold. Italy international Diamanti, who scored the winning penalty in Sunday night's Euro 2012 shoot-out victory over England in Kiev, signed for the Hammers in August 2009 from Livorno for £6million. However, he was allowed to move back to Italy after just one season in the Premier League. It is, though, the player's subsequent transfer to Bologna in a co-ownership deal following Brescia's relegation to Serie B that has left the Hammers incensed. In July 2011, West Ham asked for Diamanti's registration by the Italian Football Federation to be suspended as they had not yet been paid the latest instalment of the £2million transfer fee.
West Ham co-owner David Gold said on Twitter: "We sold Diamanti to Brescia because he was desperate to return to Italy. "He was then sold to Bologna. We are suing Brescia for the money."
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Another Day, Another Transfer Target!
By S J Chandos
West Ham Till I Die
That 'hit list' of Sam Allardyce's transfer targets must be very long if the media speculation is to be believed. Not a day goes by without West Ham being linked to another player and the latest is ...... Alberto Botia of Sporting Gijon in the Spanish League. Botia is an ex-product of Barca's youth Academy and is a domineering, 23 year old, centre-half. Well, I suppose it makes a change from Forwards, doesn't it?
Apparently, Botia got rave reviews last season and Sam Allardyce has allegedly been alerted to his potential as cover/competition for Tomkins and Reid. We certainly need at least one centre-half in view of the fact that we only have two first team centre-backs at present. Elsewhere, we have been continually linked with Wilfred Zaha at Crystal Palace, but many of us have been equally keen to see whether we can tempt talented Palace right-back, Nathan Clyne, away from the attractions of Old Trafford. You will recall that Clyne is able to leave Palace as a Bosman signing and that both Man Utd (unconfirmed) and Newcastle Utd (confirmed) are interested. Well, one report has us stealing a march in signing Clyne. Lets hope so!
So, we are still waiting for the next big signing! Will it be Clyne, Zaha, Elia or Holt? Most of us hope that some of the other rumours, like that pertaining to a West Ham interest in DJ Campbell, are well wide of the mark. I do not think that we have to much to worry about there, Campell may have been a target in the Championship, but our sights have to be set higher if we are to thrive in the PL next season. Yet another rumour relates to an interest Sunderland, and ex-Man Utd and Spurs, striker, Fraiser Campbell. He was a promising prospect a couple of seasons back, but he suffered continual injury problems last season. Do we really need another player with an injury question mark over him or is he worth a gamble?
Finally, it would seem that Diamanti's lively, and match winning, performance against England has resurrected old feelings of malcontent down Upton Park Way. David Gold has confirmed on Twitter that the club are looking to take Brescia to Court over their failure to pay one penny of the £1.8m transfer fee that is owed West Ham. Good for them, you cannot just sign a player, not pay the selling club and then sell the player on to another club. Down that road lies financial choas. What on earth do Brescia think they are doing. No doubt EUFA will step in and impose a solution before it gets to Court. But West Ham have aleady tried to do it the right way, by appealing to the Italian FA, with no tangible results. So, alternative tactics are obviously necessary!
Although many of us might prefer that Brescia keep their £1.8m and we get Diamanti back. However, how (or if) he would be used by Sam Allardyce is an interesting moot point? But then again if Allardyce wants the brilliant, but individualistic, Elia, then perhaps he does like that type of player?
SJ. Chandos.
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Gold plans to Hammer Brescia
The Sun
Published: 25th June 2012
WEST HAM will sue Brescia for cash they claim to be owed from Alessandro Diamanti's transfer to Bologna. Italy international Diamanti, who scored the winning penalty in last night's shootout victory over England in Kiev, signed for the Hammers in August 2009 from Livorno for £6million. He scored seven goals in 18 Premier League appearances for the club before returning to Italy after just one season in the Premier League. But it is the striker's subsequent transfer to Bologna in a co-ownership deal following Brescia's relegation to Serie B that has angered West Ham. In July 2011, the Premier League newcomers asked for Diamanti's registration by the Italian Football Federation to be suspended as they had not yet been paid the latest installment of the £2m transfer fee. And Hammers co-owner David Gold remains determined to secure the money his club are owed. Gold tweeted: "We sold Diamanti to Brescia because he was desperate to return to Italy. "He was then sold to Bologna and we are suing Brescia for the money."
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You're Barred: West Ham sending flop Barrera home to Mexico
The Mirror
West Ham flop Pablo Barrera is set to return to his native Mexico and sign for the Cruz Azul club. Winger Barrera, now 25, joined the Hammers in July 2010 for £4million from his homeland's Club Universidad Nacional. But the Mexico international has made just six league starts for the Upton Park club. He was loaned out to Spanish side Real Zaragoza last season following Hammers' relegation to the Championship and is now set to leave permanently this summer to join Mexico City side Azul.
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It's payback time: West Ham will sue over transfer of England's tormentor Diamanti
The Mirror
West Ham co-owner David Gold claims the club will sue Brescia for money they say they are owed from the sale of striker Alessandro Diamanti from Brescia to Bologna. Italy international Diamanti, who scored the winning penalty in last night's shoot-out victory over England in Kiev, signed for the Hammers in August 2009 from Livorno for £6million. However, he was allowed to move back to Italy after just one season in the English Premier League. It is, though, the player's subsequent transfer to Bologna in a co-ownership deal following Brescia's relegation to Serie B that has left the Hammers incensed. In July 2011, West Ham asked for Diamanti's registration by the Italian Football Federation to be suspended as they had not yet been paid the latest installment of the £2million transfer fee. West Ham co-owner David Gold said on Twitter: "We sold Diamanti to Brescia because he was desperate to return to Italy. "He was then sold to Bologna. We are suing Brescia for the money."
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O'Neil does not make the grade in Open Championship qualifier
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
PUBLISHED: 00:51, 26 June 2012 | UPDATED: 00:52, 26 June 2012
Daily Mail
West Ham United footballer Gary O'Neil failed to make it into the Open Championship as he shot a seven over par round of 79 in a regional qualifier. The Hammers midfielder 29, was among 118 golfers battling it out at The London Golf Club in Kent for a place at Royal Lytham and St Annes. O'Neil still hopes this could be the start of a new career when his professional playing days come to an end. The former Portsmouth and Middlesbrough star plays off scratch, but before the qualifier conceded his chances of hitting the top of the pro tours are unlikely to materialise. He told The Sun: 'I am realistic enough to know I need to improve a lot but if I could be a pro golfer when my football career ends it would definitely be something I would look to do. 'But my problem at the moment is consistency. My bad shots can go 50 yards off line and that will cost you two shots straightaway. 'I don't think there is anything major that needs changing, it's just about having the time to be able to practise.
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Promoted West Ham target highly-rated Sporting defender Botia
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
PUBLISHED: 22:11, 25 June 2012 | UPDATED: 01:27, 26 June 2012
Daily Mail
West Ham are tracking Sporting Gijon centre back Alberto Botia, 23. Manager Sam Allardyce is keen to add to his defensive options ahead of the club's return to the Premier League. The club released Abdoulaye Faye at the end of the season, leaving James Tomkins and Winston Reid as their only recognised centre-backs.
Botia is a product of the Barcelona academy and joined Sporting in 2010.
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Hammers poised to move for Crystal Palace starlet
By talkSPORT | Monday, June 25, 2012
West Ham are poised to make a move for Crystal Palace defender Nathaniel Clyne. Clyne, 21, is rated one of the best full backs outside the Premier League and has already attracted interest from both Manchester United and Newcastle. West Ham boss Sam Allardyce is hoping to bring in at least five new signings during the summer and has been impressed with the performances of the talented defender. With Julien Faubert leaving the club during the summer, Allardyce is looking to sign another right sided player and hopes to strike a deal with the south London club. West Ham have already been knocked back in their attempts to sign Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha, but hope for a better outcome as they look to bring Clyne to Upton Park.
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West Ham United reportedly lining up bid for Sunderland striker Fraizer Campbell
1:00pm Monday 25th June 2012
Guardian Series
West Ham are reportedly interested in bringing Sunderland striker Fraizer Campbell to Upton Park. The 24-year-old has suffered an injury-hit three years with the Black Cats – making just 18 appearances last season. According to The Sun, the Hammers are set to offer £2 million for the former Manchester United youngster.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
Golf-mad Gary O'Neil's bid to qualify for the 2012 Open Championship came up short at The London Club
25.06.2012
Golf-crazy West Ham United midfielder Gary O'Neil has missed out on a place at the 2012 Open Championship. The Hammers star and scratch handicapper was one of more than 120 hopefuls who teed-off in Regional Qualifying at The London Club in Kent - where O'Neil is a member - on Monday. Just 12 of them would go through to the final round of qualifying.
With more than 1,000 professionals and amateurs taking part from all over the world at 14 courses across the country, including players from Spain, Sweden, Gibraltar, South Africa, Nigeria and Ghana, the 29-year-old was always going to face an uphill task to reach the most famous tournament in golf. The 2012 Open Championship will take place at Royal Lytham and St Anne's Golf Club in Lancashire, just five miles from the Bloomfield Road home of npower Championship Play-Off final runners-up Blackpool, who O'Neil helped the Hammers to defeat at Wembley last month.
However, after scoring his first goal for the Club at Bloomfield Road in West Ham's 4-1 win there in February, the No32's hopes of returning to the north west were dashed by a seven-over par round of 79. With the course playing long due to weekend rain, O'Neil's score was in the top 70 come the end of the day. Indeed, when he was three-over on the 15th tee, there was a very real chance he would reach the Local Final Qualifying round. Speaking beforehand, O'Neil was visibly nervous. Despite having played in front of nearly 80,000 fans at Wembley in May, the player admitted to feeling butterflies in his stomach before teeing-off alongside professional Warren Bennett and fellow amateur Charlie Wilson at 12.56pm. I am a bit nervous to be honest," he told whufc.com "I just hope I can relax and play the way I do when I'm on the course with my mates on a Sunday!"
After spending time on the driving range and putting green, O'Neil had a quick word with Sky Sports News before heading for the International Course first tee, where he and his playing partners were given a rundown of the local rules. Then, after watching Bennett and Wilson tee-off, O'Neil got his round underway with a solid drive. "It was tough out there, mentally tough," said O'Neil as he enjoyed a cup of tea at the Clubhouse afterwards. "I made a bit of a sloppy start then got it going a little bit and was two-under for the first five holes of the back nine, then I lost my driving a little bit and the rough out there is waist-high and I struggled coming in! I enjoyed it, playing with two great players, especially Warren who has been on tour for 19 years now and he gave me a few decent tips. He got through to the next round with a 72 so it was a good experience. "It was difficult and a different sort of pressure from football. It finds you out. They set the course up really tough and any little chinks you have in your armour are found out. I don't normally hit it as bad as I did but I enjoyed it and it was just one of those things. I was pleased to keep it going and record a score below 80. "The Blackpool game was nerve-wracking, and I've never experienced a football game like it because there was so much rising on it. It was difficult to perform to your best when your whole season is resting on 90 minutes. "Out there on the golf course was difficult as well because you don't want to embarrass yourself. I think I managed to stay the right side of the embarrassing line, hopefully!"
Having missed out on fulfilling his Open dream, O'Neil will return to Chadwell Heath this weekend when West Ham begin their pre-season training ahead of the 2012/13 Barclays Premier League season.
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Germany gets Macca approval
WHUFC.com
Neil McDonald has given West Ham United's training base the thumbs-up after a visit this week
25.06.2012
England might have missed out on a EURO 2012 semi-final showdown with Germany, but that won't stop West Ham United enjoyed a productive pre-season trip to the country next month. The Hammers will spend a week in Germany as part of their preparations for the 2012/13 Barclays Premier League season, contesting matches against FC Rot-Weiß Erfurt (Steigerwaldstadion, Wednesday 25 July, 7pm), Dynamo Dresden (Friday 27 July, Glucksgas Stadion, 8.30pm) and FC Energie Cottbus (Sunday 29 July, Stadion der Freundschaft, 2.30pm)
Assistant manager Neil McDonald recently flew to Germany to make a check on the hotel and training camp where he and his fellow coaches will be putting the players through their paces. McDonald was suitably impressed with what he saw, saying: "It is a fantastic place with excellent facilities and will be great for us as we prepare for the new season back in the Premier League. "It is located in a nice spot, it is five or ten minutes from the hotel to the training ground and we can get there by either walking or cycling, so that will be good for the lads not having sort transport out to get them to and from there. "It is right near the centre, which is a lovely little place with some great culture, little cafes and somewhere the lads, when they are given free time between training, can go and relax. That is just as important as how we do all of our training - that we are staying somewhere that is a good relaxed environment for the players. "We will have a couple of new lads in the team and it will be nice to be somewhere to help the new ones settle in and create that squad spirit early on. Those of us already here will all get acquainted with each other again and create a nice settled atmosphere before the season begins."
West Ham's German tour will be the second of two training camps being conducted ahead of the new season. The Hammers will head for Austria next week, where the players will be put tghrough a host of physically-demanding training sessions before starting their pre-season schedule against Austria Vienna on Saturday 7 July (Generali Arena, 4pm). "We will be doing double sessions every day we are training and then one lighter session on the day of the game. The weather should be nice, so that will be a good factor as we look to get the lads fit and ready and playing games. "It will allow us to do some technical work as well as carry on the grafting and the more physical stuff."
Tickets for the German fixtures have been selling fast. Indeed, the meeting with Dynamo Dresden could attract a 30,000-plus crowd to the Glucksgas Stadium - a venue McDonald visited during his recent trip. "I have been in football a long time now and I don't think I have ever known it when you are possibly playing in front of 30,000 or so people in a pre-season friendly. That will be amazing. We will also welcome the West Ham fans who come to see us. I am sure they will find the area nice as well and will enjoy it."
McDonald admitted that the excitement is starting to come back now that pre-season is only a week away. "The buzz never leaves you really, but you go away and re-charge, then you get the butterflies again as you look towards being back and getting started again. "We are looking forward to the season - first of all getting back, getting pre-season underway and then going onwards from there."
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Alessandr-oh
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 24th June 2012
By: Staff Writer
England have been dumped out of the European Championships by former West Ham forward Alessandro Diamanti. The 29-year-old, who is currently co-owned by Brescia and Bolgna and featured for the latter in Serie A last season stepped up to score the penalty that sent Italy through to the semi-finals of the competition at England's expense after the game had finished 0-0 after extra time.
Diamanti was signed by West Ham in the 2009 summer transfer window for a fee in the region of £4million but was sent packing just a year later when he was sold to Brescia for a cut price £1.8million, despite having been voted as the club's Best Signing of 2009/10 by readers of KUMB.com.
"His value is around €10million, but the figure West Ham have offered is not a problem. If they seriously want Diamanti, they could be accommodated"
- Liveorno president Aldo Spinelli, August 2009
During his year at West Ham, he made 20 starts and 10 substitute appearances, scoring eight goals in the process; his first coming against Liverpool in his second game for the hammers and his last in a 2-1 defeat at home to Bolton in March 2010. Ironically perhaps West Ham are still yet to receive a penny from Brescia, the club to whom he was sold two years ago for his transfer. West Ham took the Italian club to a FIFA court of appeal in 2011 to no effect, and were reported to have stopped all payments to foreign clubs in protest.
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Back in the big time - now how do we stay there?
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 25th June 2012
By: David Drury
As a West Ham United fan, this is the most exciting transfer window in years.
Ever since we last got promoted in 2005 and Alan Pardew brought in the likes of Paul Konchesky, Danny Gabbidon, Matthew Etherington and Yossi Benayoun, the summer window has been a series of disappointments, overreactions and fire sales (31st August 2006 apart!). This season we have a real opportunity to build on our solid base and create a sustainable but exciting squad that can keep us in the Premier League and more.
Although it's always thrilling to be linked with the big names, in reality we need to be shopping more for the sales items, fishing around for bargains. This is exactly what Big Sam has been doing so far, and it's nice to see him trying to sneak some deals early rather than look for inevitably overpriced 'stars' of Euro 2012.
The co-chairmen seem to be happy to let Allardyce take control of the transfers, something that didn't seem to be the case under Gianfranco Zola and Avram Grant. The big calls the manager has made so far have mostly paid off. He knows a good player who is up for the fight when he sees one and it's refreshing to have some trust in the manager's dealings.
With the disappointing departure of Greeno (a lot has been said about his move, now it is time to wish him well and move on), we have brought in two goalkeepers; on paper one looks like a long term successor, the other more of a short term gap-filler.
Stephen Henderson has played less than 100 games in his career, whilst Jussi Jaaskelainen has almost 600 appearances to his name. On the one hand this suggests we may be looking at bringing in another keeper who is experienced, but still has a few years left at the top.
Personally however, I think that Allardyce would like Henderson to establish himself pretty quickly as number one (surely we bought him with Green's departure in mind), with Jussi there as a safe pair of hands if he isn't quite up to it. The fact Jussi was given a one-year deal with the possibility of another indicates they would prefer it if he didn't have much of a role this season. We have been hearing good things from Pompey fans regarding Henderson but we just have to wait and see for ourselves.
As for our other signing, I think we have pulled off a brilliant deal with Mohamed Diame. To sign someone at the peak of their career with no transfer fee, who is regarded as one of the best central midfield players outside of the top six or seven in the league, could be a masterstroke. It is a substantial upgrade to Diop, and in the Premier League it is vital we have an energetic enforcer to stop us getting overrun in a midfield containing two of our slower players (to put it mildly) in Nolan and Noble.
If he can recreate the kind of form he showed for Wigan in the last couple of years, 'Momo' could become a key player.
One area it is clear we need to strengthen in is defence. I wouldn't mind James Tomkins and Winston Reid in the centre after both had very good seasons but they cannot be alone, and in the short term an experienced player like Olof Mellberg could be what we need, possibly Jonas Olsson if they are looking more at competition for the next few years.
At left back I would be happy to see our very own Beatle stay. There is an argument that he might not be cut out for the Premier League but you cannot underestimate a player who wants to play for the club and is held in such high regard by his teammates. With Matt Taylor able to cover and Potts Junior looking promising, I would prefer to focus on other areas.
Having mentioned Taylor being able to cover at left back, one player who I think we will miss is Julien Faubert (bear with me!). Don't get me wrong, he could be the most frustrating player at times, and I will never understand why he tries to cross like David Beckham despite it being plainly obvious that he cannot pull it off, but having a player who could more than adequately fill in at right back or midfield was very useful.
I am not convinced by Joey O'Brien - and Guy Demel's fitness is an issue - but if we could get him playing regularly and bring in some younger competition, then this might be enough.
On the wing we do need to bring someone in who can play on the right of the three 'strikers'; as much as I am a fan of Jack Collison it is frustrating when Big Sam insists on saying we are playing three up front when he is on the right. As much as I am excited about the likes of Eljero Elia, I think Allardyce should think carefully about bringing in a left sided player and moving Ricardo Vaz Te to the other flank, in case he loses his effectiveness by not being able to cut in and shoot as he does so often.
Up front, I think Carlton Cole's performances and commitment have earned him another shot at the big time, but we need to have someone else who plays a similar style because of his injury problems. Grant Holt is clearly a good player, but whether we should be spending large sums on 31-year-olds is another matter. I would have liked have seen Yakubu as competition, but it looks like he wants a pay day elsewhere.
As for Luc Castaignos, he looks a great talent (admittedly on YouTube, risky I know), but it looks like we will inevitably miss out on him to a more established Premier League side. I do think we should look to give Nicky Maynard and Sam Baldock some more playing time this year, as they have only been given limited opportunities so far and it's far too early to write them off.
So, there is still a lot of work to go in the next couple of months, but I do not think we need an overhaul. With the base that we have, another four or five players with a good mix of youth and experience should give us the best chance of staying up, and beyond. Of course Big Sam has his own plan and I have no doubt that he will do the right deals to keep us where we belong.
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Moxey plays down Jarvis talk
Midlands club have no intention of selling star winger
Last Updated: June 25, 2012 2:31pm
SSN
Wolves chief executive Jez Moxey insists they have not received an approach from Stoke City over winger Matt Jarvis. Jarvis caught the eye with his performances in an otherwise forgettable season for Wolves that ended in relegation from the Premier League. A rumour swept social networking site Twitter last week that an £8million bid had been lodged for 26-year-old, who was capped by England in 2011. It comes just weeks after reports that the club had agreed a fee with Premier League new boys West Ham, which the club quickly denied. But Moxey laughed off any suggestions that the two clubs had been in contact about a deal to take Jarvis to the Potteries. "They have not even spoken to us about him," he told the Express & Star.
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Hammers 'to sue over Diamanti'
Gold says club will take action against Brescia over striker
Last Updated: June 25, 2012 11:56am
SSN
West Ham are planning to sue Brescia for money they say they are owed from the sale of striker Alessandro Diamanti from Brescia to Bologna, according to co-owner David Gold. Italy international Diamanti, who scored the winning penalty in Sunday night's Euro 2012 shoot-out victory over England in Kiev, signed for the Hammers in August 2009 from Livorno for £6million. However, he was allowed to move back to Italy after just one season in the Premier League. It is, though, the player's subsequent transfer to Bologna in a co-ownership deal following Brescia's relegation to Serie B that has left the Hammers incensed. In July 2011, West Ham asked for Diamanti's registration by the Italian Football Federation to be suspended as they had not yet been paid the latest instalment of the £2million transfer fee.
West Ham co-owner David Gold said on Twitter: "We sold Diamanti to Brescia because he was desperate to return to Italy. "He was then sold to Bologna. We are suing Brescia for the money."
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Another Day, Another Transfer Target!
By S J Chandos
West Ham Till I Die
That 'hit list' of Sam Allardyce's transfer targets must be very long if the media speculation is to be believed. Not a day goes by without West Ham being linked to another player and the latest is ...... Alberto Botia of Sporting Gijon in the Spanish League. Botia is an ex-product of Barca's youth Academy and is a domineering, 23 year old, centre-half. Well, I suppose it makes a change from Forwards, doesn't it?
Apparently, Botia got rave reviews last season and Sam Allardyce has allegedly been alerted to his potential as cover/competition for Tomkins and Reid. We certainly need at least one centre-half in view of the fact that we only have two first team centre-backs at present. Elsewhere, we have been continually linked with Wilfred Zaha at Crystal Palace, but many of us have been equally keen to see whether we can tempt talented Palace right-back, Nathan Clyne, away from the attractions of Old Trafford. You will recall that Clyne is able to leave Palace as a Bosman signing and that both Man Utd (unconfirmed) and Newcastle Utd (confirmed) are interested. Well, one report has us stealing a march in signing Clyne. Lets hope so!
So, we are still waiting for the next big signing! Will it be Clyne, Zaha, Elia or Holt? Most of us hope that some of the other rumours, like that pertaining to a West Ham interest in DJ Campbell, are well wide of the mark. I do not think that we have to much to worry about there, Campell may have been a target in the Championship, but our sights have to be set higher if we are to thrive in the PL next season. Yet another rumour relates to an interest Sunderland, and ex-Man Utd and Spurs, striker, Fraiser Campbell. He was a promising prospect a couple of seasons back, but he suffered continual injury problems last season. Do we really need another player with an injury question mark over him or is he worth a gamble?
Finally, it would seem that Diamanti's lively, and match winning, performance against England has resurrected old feelings of malcontent down Upton Park Way. David Gold has confirmed on Twitter that the club are looking to take Brescia to Court over their failure to pay one penny of the £1.8m transfer fee that is owed West Ham. Good for them, you cannot just sign a player, not pay the selling club and then sell the player on to another club. Down that road lies financial choas. What on earth do Brescia think they are doing. No doubt EUFA will step in and impose a solution before it gets to Court. But West Ham have aleady tried to do it the right way, by appealing to the Italian FA, with no tangible results. So, alternative tactics are obviously necessary!
Although many of us might prefer that Brescia keep their £1.8m and we get Diamanti back. However, how (or if) he would be used by Sam Allardyce is an interesting moot point? But then again if Allardyce wants the brilliant, but individualistic, Elia, then perhaps he does like that type of player?
SJ. Chandos.
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Gold plans to Hammer Brescia
The Sun
Published: 25th June 2012
WEST HAM will sue Brescia for cash they claim to be owed from Alessandro Diamanti's transfer to Bologna. Italy international Diamanti, who scored the winning penalty in last night's shootout victory over England in Kiev, signed for the Hammers in August 2009 from Livorno for £6million. He scored seven goals in 18 Premier League appearances for the club before returning to Italy after just one season in the Premier League. But it is the striker's subsequent transfer to Bologna in a co-ownership deal following Brescia's relegation to Serie B that has angered West Ham. In July 2011, the Premier League newcomers asked for Diamanti's registration by the Italian Football Federation to be suspended as they had not yet been paid the latest installment of the £2m transfer fee. And Hammers co-owner David Gold remains determined to secure the money his club are owed. Gold tweeted: "We sold Diamanti to Brescia because he was desperate to return to Italy. "He was then sold to Bologna and we are suing Brescia for the money."
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You're Barred: West Ham sending flop Barrera home to Mexico
The Mirror
West Ham flop Pablo Barrera is set to return to his native Mexico and sign for the Cruz Azul club. Winger Barrera, now 25, joined the Hammers in July 2010 for £4million from his homeland's Club Universidad Nacional. But the Mexico international has made just six league starts for the Upton Park club. He was loaned out to Spanish side Real Zaragoza last season following Hammers' relegation to the Championship and is now set to leave permanently this summer to join Mexico City side Azul.
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It's payback time: West Ham will sue over transfer of England's tormentor Diamanti
The Mirror
West Ham co-owner David Gold claims the club will sue Brescia for money they say they are owed from the sale of striker Alessandro Diamanti from Brescia to Bologna. Italy international Diamanti, who scored the winning penalty in last night's shoot-out victory over England in Kiev, signed for the Hammers in August 2009 from Livorno for £6million. However, he was allowed to move back to Italy after just one season in the English Premier League. It is, though, the player's subsequent transfer to Bologna in a co-ownership deal following Brescia's relegation to Serie B that has left the Hammers incensed. In July 2011, West Ham asked for Diamanti's registration by the Italian Football Federation to be suspended as they had not yet been paid the latest installment of the £2million transfer fee. West Ham co-owner David Gold said on Twitter: "We sold Diamanti to Brescia because he was desperate to return to Italy. "He was then sold to Bologna. We are suing Brescia for the money."
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O'Neil does not make the grade in Open Championship qualifier
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
PUBLISHED: 00:51, 26 June 2012 | UPDATED: 00:52, 26 June 2012
Daily Mail
West Ham United footballer Gary O'Neil failed to make it into the Open Championship as he shot a seven over par round of 79 in a regional qualifier. The Hammers midfielder 29, was among 118 golfers battling it out at The London Golf Club in Kent for a place at Royal Lytham and St Annes. O'Neil still hopes this could be the start of a new career when his professional playing days come to an end. The former Portsmouth and Middlesbrough star plays off scratch, but before the qualifier conceded his chances of hitting the top of the pro tours are unlikely to materialise. He told The Sun: 'I am realistic enough to know I need to improve a lot but if I could be a pro golfer when my football career ends it would definitely be something I would look to do. 'But my problem at the moment is consistency. My bad shots can go 50 yards off line and that will cost you two shots straightaway. 'I don't think there is anything major that needs changing, it's just about having the time to be able to practise.
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Promoted West Ham target highly-rated Sporting defender Botia
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
PUBLISHED: 22:11, 25 June 2012 | UPDATED: 01:27, 26 June 2012
Daily Mail
West Ham are tracking Sporting Gijon centre back Alberto Botia, 23. Manager Sam Allardyce is keen to add to his defensive options ahead of the club's return to the Premier League. The club released Abdoulaye Faye at the end of the season, leaving James Tomkins and Winston Reid as their only recognised centre-backs.
Botia is a product of the Barcelona academy and joined Sporting in 2010.
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Hammers poised to move for Crystal Palace starlet
By talkSPORT | Monday, June 25, 2012
West Ham are poised to make a move for Crystal Palace defender Nathaniel Clyne. Clyne, 21, is rated one of the best full backs outside the Premier League and has already attracted interest from both Manchester United and Newcastle. West Ham boss Sam Allardyce is hoping to bring in at least five new signings during the summer and has been impressed with the performances of the talented defender. With Julien Faubert leaving the club during the summer, Allardyce is looking to sign another right sided player and hopes to strike a deal with the south London club. West Ham have already been knocked back in their attempts to sign Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha, but hope for a better outcome as they look to bring Clyne to Upton Park.
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West Ham United reportedly lining up bid for Sunderland striker Fraizer Campbell
1:00pm Monday 25th June 2012
Guardian Series
West Ham are reportedly interested in bringing Sunderland striker Fraizer Campbell to Upton Park. The 24-year-old has suffered an injury-hit three years with the Black Cats – making just 18 appearances last season. According to The Sun, the Hammers are set to offer £2 million for the former Manchester United youngster.
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