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.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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.

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

http://vyperz.blogspot.com