Daily WHUFC News - 4th June 2012

Jussi agrees terms
WHUFC.com
West Ham United have agreed personal terms with experienced goalkeeper Jussi
Jaaskelainen
13.06.2012

West Ham United are pleased to confirm that vastly-experienced goalkeeper
Jussi Jaaskelainen has agreed personal terms with the Club. The former
Finland international has played more than 500 games in English football
since joining Bolton Wanderers in the summer of 1997. The 37-year-old, who
has been capped 56 times by his country, has agreed personal terms with the
Hammers on a one-year contract with an option for a second year and will
move to the Boleyn Ground at the expiry of his Trotters deal on 30 June.
Jaaskelainen will be the second goalkeeper to move to the Club this summer
following the arrival of Stephen Henderson. With the Hammers preparing for
life in the Barclays Premier League, the pair are expected to be the first
of a host of exciting new signings. The goalkeeper played more than 100
games for Mikkelin Palloilijat and Vaasan Palloseura in his native Finland
before joining Bolton in 1997 for a fee of just £100,000. After helping Sam
Allardyce's side gain promotion to the Premier League via the Play-Offs in
2001, the 6'3 tall stopper helped to establish Bolton as a top-flight force
during the past decade, achieving four consecutive top-eight finishes
between 2003/04 and 2006/07.

Jaaskelainen was also instrumental in helping the Lancashire club to finish
as 2004 League Cup runners-up and twice reach the knockout stages of the
UEFA Cup. While at the Reebok Stadium, the Finn played regularly alongside
the likes of Kevin Nolan, Joey O'Brien and Matt Taylor. In all, Jaaskelainen
made 371 Premier League appearances for Bolton and was voted the club's
Player of the Year in 2007. The same year, he was also voted Finnish
Footballer of the Year. Jaaskelainen said: "I'm delighted to be joining West
Ham United. After spending 15 years in Bolton it's a great new challenge and
I'm really looking forward to it. Everything has happened really quickly.
When the opportunity was offered to come to West Ham I didn't think twice
and I just told my agent to sort it out as quickly as possible.
"I appreciate Bolton giving me permission to speak to West Ham before my
contract was up and for the efforts the Chairman made in trying to get me to
stay. I would like to thank the fans for all their support over the years
and I wish the players and, in particular, Owen Coyle all the best in
gaining promotion at the first attempt."

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Dutch master so nearly a Hammer
WHUFC.com
Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk played a trial match for West Ham United
back in August 1978
13.06.2012

Netherlands coach and former international winger Bert van Marwijk could
have joined West Ham United in 1978. Tonight, Van Marwijk leads the Oranje
into a must-win 2012 UEFA European Championship Group B fixture against old
rivals Germany, but most spectators will not be aware that he once ran out
in the claret and blue. Now 60, he played in a trial match for the Hammers
at Colchester United back on 7 August of that year, but a rumoured £100,000
transfer from AZ Alkmaar 67 failed to materialise and the Dutch master
joined Dutch champions MVV Maastricht instead. Then 26, the goalscoring
wideman had just lifted the Dutch Cup with AZ, but was keen to move on in
the summer of 1978 and took the opportunity to trial for John Lyall's side
at Layer Road The Newham Recorder reported that Van Marwijk - who wore the
No6 shirt - had a decent game in a match that ended in a 2-2 draw: "He
displayed some neat touches, good positional sense and shrewd distribution
but having not played since the Dutch season ended three months ago, was
clearly well short of match fitness."

A 2,720-strong crowd were on hand to watch the game, which saw Trevor
Brooking score both goals for a West Ham team that also included Mervyn Day,
Frank Lampard, Paul Brush, Billy Bonds, Alan Devonshire, Pat Holland, Geoff
Pike and Bryan 'Pop' Robson. Instead of moving to east London, he would
spend eight seasons with Maastricht and made a total of 393 Eredivisie
appearances before hanging up his boots in 1988. After working with the
youth teams at Maastricht and FC Herderen, Van Marwijk became manager at
RKVCL Limmel in 1991. From there, he has coached SV Meerssen, Fortuna
Sittard, Feyenoord and German giants BVB Borussia Dortmund.

The highlights of Van Marwijk's club career saw him win the Dutch Cup and
UEFA Cup with Feyenoord - successes that saw him appointed as Netherlands
national team coach in 2008. The one-time Hammer led the Dutch to the 2010
FIFA World Cup final, where they were narrowly beaten by Spain, before
guiding them to the current UEFA European Championship finals in Poland and
Ukraine. *This story first appeared on the independent West Ham United
online museum website They Fly So High. The website's curators Steve Marsh
and Stuart Allen contribute the popular Hammerabilia feature in the official
matchday programme.

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Tomkins in Team GB frame
WHUFC.com
James Tomkins is in Team GB's provisional 35-man squad for London 2012
12.06.2012

James Tomkins has moved a step closer to becoming an Olympian after being
named in Team GB's provisional 35-man squad for London 2012. The West Ham
United defender, 23, has enjoyed a fantastic year so far, helping the
Hammers to gain promotion to the Barclays Premier League and being voted
into the PFA Championship Team of the Year by his fellow professionals.
Tomkins was also voted Hammer of the Year runner-up after a 2011/12 season
that saw him make 45 appearances and score four goals for the club he joined
at the age of seven. The Basildon-born centre-back will now wait to learn if
he has been included in Stuart Pearce's final 18-man squad for the Olympic
football tournament, which will be announced during the first week of July.
The No5 is excited about the prospect of representing Team GB, saying: "I
would be very proud to represent Great Britain in the Olympics, as I am sure
the other lads would be as well. It would be a great honour. I have always
been really proud to represent my country (England) before and this would be
another proud moment for me. "At the moment, all we know is that we could be
selected but there is process to go through first so we don't know if we
would be chosen, but to be in the hat is a great thing. "With the Olympics
also being in London, it gives it an extra attraction - as everyone knows,
it is right on our doorstep and I am sure our fans are excited about the
Olympics being here as well, it should be an exciting time for London. Being
a London club, it is right in our community and that can only be a good
thing."

Tomkins has already been selected for two major competitions by Pearce,
having appeared for England at the 2009 and 2011 UEFA European Under-21
hampionship finals. Prior to that, he also represented England at the 2005
UEFA European Under-17 Championship and 2008 UEFA European Under-19
Championship. In the group stage at London 2012, Team GB will take on
Senegal at Old Trafford on 26 July, United Arab Emirates at Wembley on 29
July and Uruguay at the Millennium Stadium on 1 August. Sixteen nations are
taking part in the Olympic tournament, with the final to be played at
Wembley on Saturday 11 August - a week before the start of the 2012/13
Barclays Premier League season. Should he be selected, Tomkins could be one
of two West Ham players taking part at London 2012. Winston Reid could be
included by New Zealand should he recover from the groin injury that has
ruled him out of the OFC Nations Cup tournament currently taking place in
the Solomon Islands.

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Barrera enjoys second World Cup win
WHUFC.com
Pablo Barrera's Mexico won 2-1 in El Salvador in their second 2014 FIFA
World Cup qualifier
13.06.2012

Pablo Barrera's Mexico continued their perfect start to their 2014 FIFA
World Cup CONCACAF third round Group B qualifying campaign by winning 2-1 in
El Salvador on Tuesday. The West Ham United winger, who played for 65
minutes as Guyana were beaten 3-1 at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City last
Friday, was a starter again at the Estadio Cuscatlan in San Salvador. The
25-year-old played for 87 minutes as goals from Jesus Eduardo Zavala and
Hector Moreno saw Mexico go two points clear at the top of the Group B
table. Barrera has now earned 49 senior caps for Mexico since making his
debut at the age of 20 in a friendly meeting with Guatemala in October 2007,
scoring six goals. He appeared three times at the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals
in South Africa and was part of the squads which won the 2009 and 2011
CONCACAF Gold Cups. Mexico are seeking to qualify for their 15th FIFA World
Cup finals, having reached the tournament every time it has been held since
1994. Next up, Jose Manuel de la Torre's side travel to Costa Rica on 7
September before welcoming the same opposition on 11 September. The third
round concludes with a trip to Guyana on 12 October and the visit of El
Salvador on 16 October. The CONCACAF region also contains previous FIFA
World Cup finals participants United States, Jamaica and Canada, as well as
2010 FIFA World Cup qualifiers Honduras. The top two nations in each of
three third-round groups will qualify for the fourth round group-stage,
where six teams will battle for three automatic qualifying places and one
intercontinental play-off berth against the first-place Oceania side -
likely to be Winston Reid's New Zealand.

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West Ham United to sign Jussi Jaaskelainen from Bolton
BBC.co.uk

West Ham United will sign goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen at the end of his
Bolton Wanderers contract on 1 July. The former Finland international, 37,
played 529 games for Wanderers after arriving in 1997. He will link up with
former Bolton boss Sam Allardyce on a one-year deal, with the option for a
further 12 months.
"After spending 15 years in Bolton, it's a great new challenge and I'm
looking forward to it," Jaaskelainen told West Ham's official website.

Jussi Jaaskelainen factfile
Born: Mikkeli, Finland on 19 April 1975
Clubs: 1992-95 Mikkelin Palloilijat, 1996-97 Vassan Palloseura, 1997-2012
Bolton Wanderers
Finland caps: 56

"Everything has happened really quickly. When the opportunity was offered to
come to West Ham, I didn't think twice and I just told my agent to sort it
out as quickly as possible." Jaaskelainen was brought to Bolton by
then-manager Colin Todd from Finnish club Vassan Palloseura for £100,000. He
was a key figure at the Reebok Stadium as Allardyce guided Bolton to the
Premier League via the play-offs in 2001, and was first choice for more than
a decade. However, he lost his place to Adam Bogdan last season as Owen
Coyle's side were relegated to the Championship. Jaaskelainen added: "I
appreciate Bolton giving me permission to speak to West Ham before my
contract was up and for the efforts the chairman made in trying to get me to
stay. "I would like to thank the fans for all their support over the years
and I wish the players and, in particular, Owen Coyle all the best in
gaining promotion at the first attempt."

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Demel: my wages were halved
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 13th June 2012
By: Staff Writer

West Ham right-back Guy Demel has told a German newspaper that he took a 50
per cent wage cut to move to England. The French-born Ivorian defender, who
celebrates his 31st birthday today revealed that he agreed to take the
massive pay cut in order to move to east London last August having become
frustrated with life at his previous club, Hamburg SV. In response to a
question regarding his move to England and rumours that the deal was
financially motivated, Demel said: "People were saying I had lost interest;
people were saying I was only in it for the money. You know what? I took a
50 per cent paycut when I went to West Ham.
"I still had a contract at Hamburg. If it was all about the money for me I
could have sat it out in Hamburg collecting all that money for doing
nothing. But I gave my all for the shirt, the team and the supporters for
six years."

Looking back on a season that was wrecked by injury, Demel insisted that his
problems were largely due to a lack of fitness that began with him featuring
so infrequently for Hamburg in his final season in Germany. "Since I was no
longer allowed to keep myself fit with the first team, my body could no
longer take the vigours of high level football," he argued. "My stamina was
low so I couldn't play for a whole 90 minutes. So when I started out in
England, I got my comeuppance."

However now he appears to have fully recovered from his injury woes, Demel
insists that he can't wait to get his full full season in English football
under his belt.
""It's fantastic [here]," he added. "I've been very lucky as I had the
chance to play for six years in the most beautiful city in Germany - and I
feel privileged that my job allows me to live in a place like London. "It
was my goal to play in the Premier League again; now I'm finally there, it's
a great feeling. I want to help establish West Ham as a Premier League club
and I want to play in this league for another two or three years. "When you
have played for a good team in the Bundesliga as I did you are capable of
playing in any league in the world. The level of football in England is very
high as it is in Hamburg. But it's true that the style of football is
different, especially here at West Ham where we play a lot of long ball and
high crosses up front."

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In short...
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 13th June 2012
By: Staff Writer

Local filmmaker Mitch Panayis has released a film short commemorating West
Ham's trip to Wembley on 19th May. The 15-minute film - entitled "They Fly
So High - an East End Outing" - concentrates on supporters both before and
during the day itself, which saw United book an instant return to the
Premier League courtesy of a 2-1 win over Blackpool in the Championship
play-off Final. Speaking to KUMB.com, Mitch revealed the motivation behind
his decision to document West Ham's big day out. "I am a local filmmaker
from Forest Gate who has been documenting the impact of the Olympic Games on
East London for the last three years, with a Documentary due to be released
at the end of this year," he said. "This has centered around Queens Market
in Upton Park. "West Ham as a team and a club has been the topic of many
discussions held at the market between myself and the traders, in particular
the recent relegation and the potential move from Upton Park to the Olympic
Stadium. "Greg, a life long friend of mine and West Ham season ticket
holder, also had strong opinions of the move. When the team reached the
play-off Final, it seemed a natural progression for us to record and
document the fans' perspective of the match in the context of moving away
from Upton Park. "After looking at the footage we believed it was strong
enough to stand alone as a short film in itself, for two reasons. Firstly,
it had its own clear narrative and, we felt, captured the true essence of
going to a game, in particular as an East End day out to a stadium of such
history. "And secondly, because films of this nature are surprisingly few
and far between - when in fact there is a huge audience with an interest in
this type of film, both journalistic and entertainment-wise. "Parts of this
film will be included in the final feature length documentary due out later
this year."

http://www.kumb.com/story.php?id=126294

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Wanyama open to move
Celtic starlet linked with big money transfer
By Graeme Bailey - Tweet me: @skygraemebailey. Last Updated: June
13, 2012 11:08am
SSN

Celtic starlet Victor Wanyama is a target for a host of Premier League clubs
and is hopeful of sealing a move to England this summer, Sky Sports
understands.
Liverpool, Stoke City, Queens Park Rangers, Newcastle and West Ham United
are all interested in landing the Kenyan midfielder. Wanyama joined Celtic
last summer from Belgian side Beerschot AC but his impact has been huge at
Parkhead. Celtic paid less than £1million for the 20-year-old but now a fee
in excess of £6million is being talked about for Wanyama. Clubs in Italy,
Spain and France have all been impressed by Wanyama, but he is understood to
be keen on a move to the Premier League.

Opportunities

Now Wanyama is ready to move from Celtic and his business manager Rob Moore
has explained that he hopes the club would listen to offers if they came.
"That has been a lot of talk which is not necessarily true," Moore explained
to Sky Sports. "But he is like any other young talented footballer in that
he wants to play at the highest level. "He has made the club aware that if
they receive an offer from one of the big leagues he would like them to
consider it. "He is not unhappy at Celtic, far from it - he loves the club
and everything has been great for him since he moved but should something
come in he feels they should listen."

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Hammers confirm Jussi
Veteran keeper teams up with old boss Sam Allardyce again
Last Updated: June 13, 2012 3:13pm
SSN

West Ham have confirmed experienced keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen has agreed
personal terms with the club. As revealed by skysports.com earlier on
Wednesday, the 37-year-old has returned to the Premier League after turning
down the chance to remain at Bolton following the Trotters' relegation last
season. He will move to the Hammers when his Bolton deal expires on 30 June
on a one-year contract, with an option for a second year. The experienced
keeper told the club's official website: "I'm delighted to be joining West
Ham United.

New challenge

"After spending 15 years in Bolton it's a great new challenge and I'm really
looking forward to it. " "Everything has happened really quickly. When the
opportunity was offered to come to West Ham I didn't think twice and I just
told my agent to sort it out as quickly as possible. "I appreciate Bolton
giving me permission to speak to West Ham before my contract was up and for
the efforts the chairman made in trying to get me to stay. "I would like to
thank the fans for all their support over the years and I wish the players
and, in particular, Owen Coyle all the best in gaining promotion at the
first attempt."

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Wolves reject Jarvis bid
West Ham keen to keep England international in Premier League
Last Updated: June 13, 2012 7:10pm
SSN

Sky Sports sources understand Wolves have rejected a bid for winger Matt
Jarvis from West Ham. Wolves were relegated from the Premier League last
season and face a battle to hold onto their best players. Jarvis certainly
falls into that category having become the first Wolves player in over 20
years to play for England when Fabio Capello capped him in March 2011.
Newly-promoted West Ham are understood to have targeted the 26-year-old and
made an offer for the former Gillingham man believed to be in the region of
£4million. But Jarvis is under contract until 2015 and that leaves Wolves in
a strong negotiating position. Chief executive Jez Moxey has already
outlined his intention to fight for the best deal he can get, while
admitting the club is resigned to losing some of their star names. He told
the Express and Star: "We are not naive. We know clubs will want our best
players but we are ready to do battle with anyone. In some ways, there's
nothing I enjoy more."

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Jussi Signs, Diame in Talks, But Don't Get Your Hopes Up On Demba Ba
By Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die

So, as expected Jussi Jaaskelainen becomes the second goalkeeper signing of
the summer. I think most of us agree that we need a third, which will
hopefully be Paul Robinson or David Stockdale. Diame is the next one the
list, and it appears that discussions are going well. A source inside the
club confirmed to me yesterday that talks were ongoing. The same source
poured scorn on some of the speculation on Twitter about summer signings, so
I think we all need to be very sceptical about some of the players being
touted by one or two members of the Twitterarti. It seems clear that we are
looking abroad for most of our signings because English players are too
expensive both in terms of fees and wages. Take Matt Jarvis. We're looking
to bid £4 million for him, yet Wolves value him at £10 million. I suspect we
may miss out on Jordan Rhodes for similar reasons.

The club also want to sell Piquionne and Freddie Sears, but there is no one
out there who really wants them and prepared to take on their current wages.
Piquionne is on £36-£38k a week. No one in their right mind would take that
on, so it is clear that if West Ham want both players to leave, there will
have to be a financial incentive for them to do so. It's the economics of
the madhouse, but it's all too typical in the current world of football, as
former Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan demonstrates in his excellent new
autobiography BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR.

I'm afraid that all those who think there's any chance of Demba Ba returning
can think again. Apparently on top of an £8 million fee, he would want £70k
a week plus a very large fee for his agent. And then there's his knee. Way
too risky. Part of me hopes I have to eat these words, but it just isn't
going to happen.

There's a lot of talk about Krasic from Juventus and Neymar from Santos. I'd
like to believe either might be true, but I really don't know.

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Jaaskelainen says Juss to Hammers
The Sun
Published: 13th June 2012

JUSSI JAASKELAINEN has joined West Ham after agreeing personal terms with
the club. The veteran keeper will move to the Boleyn Ground on a free
transfer after his contract with Bolton expires on June 30. Jaaskelainen,
37, has signed a one-year contract with an option of a second year. He will
team up with his former boss Sam Allardyce at the Hammers. The former
Finland international said: "I'm delighted to be joining West Ham United.
"After spending 15 years in Bolton it's a great new challenge and I'm really
looking forward to it. "Everything has happened really quickly. When the
opportunity was offered to come to West Ham I didn't think twice and I just
told my agent to sort it out as quickly as possible. "I appreciate Bolton
giving me permission to speak to West Ham before my contract was up and for
the efforts the chairman made in trying to get me to stay. "I would like to
thank the fans for all their support over the years and I wish the players
and, in particular, Owen Coyle all the best in gaining promotion at the
first attempt." West Ham have swooped for Jaaskelainen after current No1
Robert Green expressed his desire to leave the newly-promoted side.

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Sam Yak raid
The Sun
By MARTIN BLACKBURN
Published: 13th June 2012

SAM ALLARDYCE is plotting a raid for Blackburn top-scorer Yakubu. The
Nigerian striker, 29, has a clause in his contract which allows him to leave
for just £1million.
West Ham boss Allardyce would relish getting one over on his Ewood Park
successor Steve Kean by nicking his 17-goal hitman on the cheap. Big Sam has
also agreed a deal for Bolton's Finnish goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen, 37,
to join his Premier League new boys on a free.

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Hammers want Krasic and Elia
FootballBuster.com

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce met with Juventus directors on Tuesday aiming
to sign Eljero Elia and Milos Krasic. Allardyce met with Juve director Fabio
Paratici and the Hammers have confirmed to ESPN that the manager was there
to discuss the futures of want-away wingers Krasic and Elia. Elia is seeking
to move on after a hugely disappointing debut season at Juve, while Serbia
international Krasic has also found himself down the pecking order. West Ham
had earlier attempted to sign Wolves wingers Matt Jarvis and Michael Kightly
following their relegation, but a Hammers insider told ESPN: "West Ham have
tried but Wolves don't want to sell Jarvis or Kightly." West Ham have also
given up on Yossi Benayoun, who is expected to announce his departure from
Chelsea. Ajax and Maccabi Haifa remain interested in the Israeli.

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Allardyce plans Yakubu raid as West Ham boss continues to build for Premier
League return
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
PUBLISHED: 22:40, 13 June 2012 | UPDATED: 22:40, 13 June 2012
Daily Mail

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce is ready to raid former club Blackburn for
striker Yakubu and will hold talks with Mohamed Diame on Friday. Yakubu has
a £1million buy-out clause in his contract and wants to stay in the Premier
League despite interest from China and the Middle East. Former Wigan
midfielder Diame, 24, is due to fly in for talks on Friday ahead of a
weekend medical but is also expecting to talk to three other Premier League
clubs. Allardyce met Juventus officials in Italy on Tuesday to discuss
potential loans for Milos Krasic and Eljero Elia after being priced out of
moves for Wolves duo Matt Jarvis and Michael Kightly.

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WEST HAM SET TO SIGN WIGAN FREE-AGENT MOHAMED DIAME
Express.co.uk
Wednesday June 13,2012
By Daily Express reporter

WEST HAM are now favourites to sign Wigan midfielder Mohamed Diame after it
was revealed the club were holding a second round of talks. The defensive
midfidler is available on a free transfer after deciding to leave Wigan. It
had been believed that he was set for a move to Livepool but the newly
promoted Hammers beat them to it.

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