Daily WHUFC News - 23rd June 2012

Gary's golfing target
WHUFC.com
Gary O'Neil will be joining dozens of hopefuls at the 2012 Open Championship
Regional Qualifying
22.06.2012

While most of his West Ham United team-mates are sunning themselves on
beaches, Gary O'Neil has been continuing in his personal quest for golfing
greatness.
A scratch handicapper, the midfielder took part as an amateur in two events
on the PGA EuroPro Tour - the second tier of professional golf in Europe -
at the Your Golf Travel Classic at Bovey Castle in Dartmoor and the Ulster
Bank Open at Galgorm Castle in Ballymena, Northern Ireland

However, the likes of Luke Donald and Rory McIlroy are unlikely to be
quaking in their boots just yet as the No32 finished 28 over par at Bovey
Castle and ten over par at Galgorm Castle. Undeterred by his debut results,
the 28-year-old has been working on a new swing while on holiday in Dubai
and is gearing up for The Open Championship Regional Qualifying at The
London Club - his home course - in Kent on 25 June. There, O'Neil will join
dozens of other hopefuls battling to qualify for the 2012 tournament at
Royal Lytham and St Annes. Having previously tried unsuccessfully to qualify
in 2010, O'Neil is hoping his experience of playing in two professional
competitions will stand him in good stead second time around. "I've loved
playing golf since I first took it up," O'Neil to EuroProTour.com "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. "Bovey Castle was my first ever professional golf event. It was
nice of the EuroPro Tour to invite me to come see what it is all about and
it was a good experience. "I play off scratch at the London Club in Kent but
it is a bit different playing there on a Sunday morning with friends than it
is playing on the EuroPro with the professional lads who are on tour doing
it week-in, week-out. "I found it difficult at Bovey but I tried to enjoy it
anyway. It was tough going and it was quite nerve-racking as well. I was
hoping to get a few weeks of practise in before I came but with West Ham
being in the play-offs I didn't have the chance. "I love my golf and I know
some of the EuroPro Tour players. I was invited to come and play a couple of
weeks and see what it is all about. It's something that, if I can get good
enough at, I'd be interested in doing once I get to 35 and stop playing
football. It's a chance to see what it was all about and how my swing would
stand up under pressure. Unfortunately it wasn't great at Bovey!

"Galgorm was slightly better; I did quite well in my first round and proved
to myself that I can shoot a half-decent score even though I didn't play
great golf. I need to do more practise; the pro golfers are fantastic and
are working on their game day in, day out. I didn't expect to go and do
anything special, it was just for the experience and I really enjoyed it. "I
think my perception of how good the pro lads are was fairly accurate. I have
played with a few of them socially before and I knew they were good. I knew
I needed to improve to reach their level and that remains the same. I don't
think there is anything major that needs changing, it's just about having
the time to be able to practise. "A few of the guys said how good my short
game is but my problem at the moment is consistency. My bad shots seem to be
a lot worse than the bad ones the pro lads are hitting. I hit a couple of
loose ones with my driver at Galgorm which were 40 or 50 yards off line and
that will cost you two shots straight away. For the pro lads their bad shots
are sneaking into the rough and that is about as bad is it gets. I need to
repeatedly hit the ball and try and find some more consistency. "Playing in
my first professional golf tournaments has been similar to my football
debut. I don't get that nervous anymore ahead of football matches but when I
think back to how nervous I was for my debut and for my second game it's
probably quite similar to how nervous I was at Bovey Castle and at Galgorm.
"I'll be playing in the British Open qualifying at the end of June. I did it
two years ago and hopefully playing on the EuroPro will stand me in good
stead. I found that more nerve-wracking than Open qualifying was two years
ago, and that will be at my home course as well, so hopefully I'll feel
quite comfortable for that. I know the course well but it is only 18 holes
so you need to have a good day, but you never know. "I love playing golf and
I am really grateful to the guys at the EuroPro Tour for inviting me to play
these two events and if they invite me next summer I'd like to get a couple
in, and then you may see me full time in about seven years!"

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Wolverhampton Wanderers sign West Ham's Frank Nouble
BBC.co.uk

Wolves have signed striker Frank Nouble on a free transfer following his
release last month by West Ham United. The 20-year-old, who has been with
the Hammers since 2009, has signed a two-year contract at Molineux. "He
should be a useful acquisition. It is a good opportunity for him to come to
a stable club and work hard," said manager Stale Solbakken. "We think he
has qualities that we can develop and, with his physical strength and power,
I feel that he can help us." Nouble began his career as a youth team player
at Chelsea before moving on to Upton Park.

NOUBLE'S LOAN SPELLS
2009-10 season: West Bromwich Albion, Swindon
2010-11: Swansea, Barnsley, Charlton
2011-12: Gillingham, Barnsley

He made his West Ham debut against Wolves at the start of the 2009-10 season
but only made 12 further appearances, going out on loan on seven occasions.
"I think all of my loan moves have been about me being eager to play and not
wanting to rest on my laurels," he told the Wolves website. "Hopefully I
can find a home here and, with the players that we've got, I'm sure I can
learn a lot."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
One out
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 22nd June 2012
By: Staff Writer

Wolverhampton Wanderers have confirmed the signing of striker Frank Nouble
on a two-year contract. Lewisham born Nouble, who arrived at West Ham from
Chelsea three years ago next month has joined the Championship club on a
free transfer having agreed to mutually terminate his five-year contract two
years early.
New Wolves boss Stale Solbakken told wolves.co.uk: "Frank is a player that
our scouts have been watching. We think he has qualities that we can develop
and with his physical strength and power I feel that he can help us. "He
should be a useful acquisition to the squad and it is a good opportunity for
him to come to a stable club and work hard. I think this is a win-win
situation for both the club and the player; he is a young guy and he can add
to his potential every week."

The 20-year-old, whose capture was considered to be a major coup for West
Ham back in 2009 made just six starts for the club in his three years whilst
spending time on loan at no less than SEVEN lower league clubs - West Brom,
Swindon, Swansea, Barsnley, Charlton, Gillingham and most recently,
Barnsley. His only goal in claret and blue came on the final day of 2011 in
a 2-1 defeat at Derby County.

Nouble on West Ham, 2009

"I am really looking forward to showing what I can do. West Ham are renowned
for bringing through young players and hopefully I can be in the next batch.
I rejected Chelsea and obviously I thank them for what they have done for
me, but I am just happy that a club like West Ham came in for me."

Chelsea Fans on Nouble, 2009

"Gutted to see him go and I have no doubt we will see him doing very good
things in the future..." "West Ham have done to us what we have been doing
to them for years. This kid is a player who has the ability to become a
quality Premiership player." "Power, pace, finishing; all this and he's only
17/18 years of age. I read somewhere he covers 100m in 10.5 secs - and he is
built like a bull. Can only imagine how great he would be at 22-23 and
further..."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers target Gamberini
Italy international on West Ham's wish list
By Simone Bargellini. Last Updated: June 22, 2012 11:23am
SSN

The agent of Fiorentina centre-half Alessandro Gamberini claims Premier
League new boys West Ham United have expressed an interest in his client.
The Hammers are looking to bolster their ranks ahead of a season back in the
big time, with it their intention to consolidate among English football's
elite. Fresh faces will aid them in that quest, and defensive reinforcements
are considered to be key, and Italy international Gamberini has been
identified as a possible transfer target. They would face competition for
his signature were Fiorentina to open transfer talks, but the 30-year-old's
representative claims matters may not get that far.

Approaches

"Alessandro has another year on his contract at Fiorentina and his priority
remains the Viola shirt," Francesco Romano told Julie Italia. "We'll talk
with the club and evaluate what to do, because there have been plenty of
approaches. "Napoli? At the moment I haven't heard anything from them. "I
have been contacted directly by two foreign sides - West Ham United and
Bayer Leverkusen have asked about the player. "But Alessandro is a
Fiorentina player and I have said that they must speak with the club."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Transfer Announcements Soon?
By S J Chandos
West Ham Till I Die

According to various Twitter sources, West Ham are on the verge of clinching
some exciting transfer deals. Firstly, they claim that a West Ham bid for
Grant Holt has been accepted, the player has agreed terms and the deal
should be confirmed before Saturday. Secondly, we are allegedly on the verge
of agreeing a season long loan deal for Inter-Milan forward Luc Castaignos,
with a view to a permanent move next summer, and a permanent £7m deal for
Juventus winger Elias. Take or leave these twitter sources as you think fit,
but lets hope that they are right this time!

Elsewhere, we are also being linked with a £4m move for Evian's pacy forward
Yannick Sagbo. We shall have to see whether that one has any validity? But
it has gone very quiet on the proposed deal for Wilfred Zaha. It wil be
great pity if the deal does not happen, as Zaha is a player of enormous
potential.

So, if the twitter speculation is correct, we can look forward to the
unveiling of a trio of new forwards next week! And then David Sullivan can
start turning his attention to transfer moves to reinforce the defence.
There George McCartney, Scott Dann and Jonas Olsson are likely to be among
his prime transfer targets.

SJ. Chandos.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Merseysiders ready to Cast their net
The Sun
Published: 22nd June 2012

LIVERPOOL and Everton are both eyeing Dutch youngster Luc Castaignos. NEW
Liverpool boss wants the 21-year-old Parma striker to join his Anfield
revolution
The striker, 19, is valued at £4.5million by his club Inter Milan. But the
Merseyside clubs will sound out the possibility of taking him on loan. West
Ham and Newcastle are also keen.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
DJ ready to clear his decks
The Sun
Published: 22nd June 2012

DJ CAMPBELL could be on his way out of QPR - less than 12 months after
signing. The £1.2million striker, 30, is seeking showdown talks with boss
Mark Hughes.
But Rangers could sell for £700,000, with West Ham and Reading interested.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers still in McCartney hunt
Northern Exho
8:00am Saturday 23rd June 2012 in Sport By Paul Fraser, Chief Football
Writer

SUNDERLAND are hopeful George McCartney will still head back to West Ham
United on a full-time basis. The Black Cats are in the market for a new
left-back this summer and are more than happy for McCartney to move on with
12 months remaining on his contract. There were fears on Wearside that the
Hammers' interest in spending £1.2m on another left-back would harm
Sunderland's chances of having the Northern Irishman's weekly wage off the
pay-roll. West Ham manager Sam Allardyce has looked at paying a seven-figure
sum for Dijon's Samuel Souprayen. However, that would not affect Allardyce's
desire to take McCartney back to Upton Park and talks at finalising a deal
with Sunderland are expected to take place soon. The 31-year-old was a key
part of West Ham's rise back to the Premier League last season, when his
season-long loan ended in a Wembley Championship play-off final win over
Blackpool. He was voted the players' player of the year and Allardyce is
keen to have him back, provided he can avoid paying too much for him.

But Sunderland, who re-signed him from West Ham in 2008, are happy for him
to leave the Stadium of Light before the start of the new season to free up
some of the club's wage budget. If McCartney does depart then manager Martin
O'Neill will only have Kieran Richardson as a recognised left-back - and
even he prefers to play in midfield. Richardson, with just 12 months
remaining on his contract, could also be sold if a suitable offer arrives,
which is why O'Neill is so keen to strengthen his defensive ranks this
summer. He had considered a move for released Aston Villa defender Carlos
Cuellar, while trying to lure Chelsea's promising full-back Ryan Bertrand on
loan remains an option. But O'Neill, who took Wayne Bridge on loan for the
second half of last season, will not rush in to anything and hopes to have
formed a squad capable of making further progress under him next season

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham join Atletico Madrid in £4m chase for defender Alvaro
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
PUBLISHED: 23:03, 22 June 2012 | UPDATED: 23:03, 22 June 2012
Daily Mail

West Ham have made a £4million move for Racing Santander centre back Alvaro.
The 22-year-old is rated as one of the best up-and-coming defenders in Spain
and manager Sam Allardyce has been alerted by his Spanish scouts after
Atletico Madrid posted their interest. Allardyce also made an enquiry for
Fiorentina defender Alessandro Gamberini, 30.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Aston Villa: West Ham release John Carew
Jun 22 2012Add a comment Recommend (17)
Birmingham Mail

Former Aston Villa striker John Carew has been released by West Ham United.
The newly-promoted Premier League club have decided to let Carew go when his
contracts expire next month.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Elazığspor close in on former West Ham right back Julien Faubert
2012-06-22 03:28:36

Elazığspor have been closely linked with former West Ham right-back Julien
Faubert. The French International is expected to arrive in Turkey on Monday
to complete the final stages of negotiations. 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.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

http://vyperz.blogspot.com