Daily WHUFC News - II 18th June 2012

Macca targeting opening-day win
WHUFC.com
Neil McDonald is pleased West Ham United have been handed a home game to
open the 2012/13 season
18.06.2012

Assistant manager Neil McDonald is hoping West Ham United can get off to a
winning start when they play host to Aston Villa on the opening day of the
season.
West Ham will kick-off their 2012/13 Premier League season with a game
against the Villains on 18 August, in what will be their new manager Paul
Lambert's first competitive game in charge. Macca believes that fact could
play into the hands of the Hammers during that game and their second fixture
away at Swansea City, who have just appointed Michael Laudrup as their new
manager.

"I think it's fantastic - ever since we beat Blackpool everyone has been
waiting for the fixtures to come through and when they come through it
becomes a reality," he said. "It's brilliant to have a home game first as
when you get promoted you're always looking for a home fixture first. "Villa
have got a new manager so hopefully they may still be trying to work out
what he wants and that will be the same perhaps for Swansea in our second
game. The managers may still be trying to bed in and get their ideas across
to the players and which way they want to play and what system they want to
play. "We've got to try and take advantage of that if we possibly can. It's
still a difficult start but we're happy we've avoided one of the top four."

The opening nine games look like they could provide West Ham with an
opportunity to get some points on the board following their Play-Off final
victory against Blackpool just under a month ago. The fixtures do appear to
look a little tougher going into November and December, however, so Macca is
all too aware that a strong start is needed. "It will be a tough start
without a shadow of a doubt but it's a good start. Looking to November and
December when we play the likes of Manchester City, Manchester United,
Spurs, Chelsea and Liverpool it will be very tough so I think we need a good
start and hopefully the first six games will give us a chance to get some
points on the board."

With Queens Park Rangers' arrival in the Premier League last season, the
Hammers will now have to contend with no less than ten London derbies at
home and away this season. The pick of those could be the Boxing Day visit
to Arsenal but Macca - whose family will be looking forward to one
north-east fixture on 10 November in particular - believes West Ham should
hold no fear following their successes on the road last season.

"Derbies can be difficult but we're experienced in dealing with them from
our time in the north-west, where there are a lot of local teams. It's
something that the
supporters will look forward to as they haven't got to travel too far. If we
play half as good away from home as we did last season then we'll be OK.
"For me personally, I started my career at Newcastle so it's always the
first one I look for if I'm back in the Premier League. Hopefully my Dad and
my brother will want to come to that and hopefully they'll be supporting
West Ham and not Newcastle!"

The confirmation of the Premier League fixtures just adds to McDonald's
desire to get back to the training pitches of Chadwell Heath and certainly
from his point of view, the afternoon of 18 August cannot come around
quickly enough. "You wake up on the 18 June first thing in the morning and
if you're a West Ham, Reading or Southampton supporter, that's all they'll
be talking about for the rest of the day. Who we have on Boxing Day, New
Year's Day or the last day and when our derbies are. I think it's brilliant
and great news for the fans. "It whets the appetite to get back and get
started. We've only had a shortish break but I imagine the lads will have
all seen the fixtures and they'll be ready and raring to go on 1 July. We'll
have plenty of time for preparation and plenty of time to get the boys fit
for the first game. We're really looking forward to getting started now."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Go on Olsson
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 18th June 2012
By: Staff Writer

Swedish international Jonas Olsson in being linked with a move to West Ham -
although there are conflicting reports elsewhere. Sky Sports report this
morning that West Ham will tie up a £4million deal for the West Brom centre
half upon his return from the European Championships. The Swedes have
nothing left to play for but pride having been knocked out of the tournament
by England last week. However reports in Sweden suggest that the
29-year-old, who is in the final year of his contract at the Hawthorns, is
on his way to Tottenham - as did the Daily Mirror last week. Born in 1983,
the defener has played in England since moving to West Brom in 2008 having
made an £800,000 switch from Dutch outfit NEC Nijmegen. He made his debut
against West Ham on 13th September in what was Gianfranco Zola's first game
since being announced as the successor to Alan Curbishley; West Ham going
down 3-2 on the day.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
2012/13 fixture list released
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 18th June 2012
By: Staff Writer

West Ham kick off the 2012/13 Premier League campaign with a home match
against Aston Villa. One of only two games in the first month of the new
season, Sam Allardyce's side follow that up with a trip to Swansea a week
later. At the other end of the season, the Hammers will be relatively
pleased to finish in May 2013 with fixtures against Newcastle (h), Everton
(a) and fellow promoted side Reading (h). The Boxing Day fixture - which has
seen West Ham pitted against the likes of Charlton and Portsmouth in recent
Prmeier League seasons - takes United across the City to the Emirates
Stadium where they face Arsenal.

Some other key dates to look out for are as follows:

Tottenham (home) 23rd February; (away) 24th November

Chelsea (home) 1st December; (away) 16th March

Arsenal (home) 6th October

Man Utd (home) 9th March

Please note that all fixtures are subject to change at the whim of the TV
companies.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers back with Villa
Upton Park opener for West Ham
Last Updated: June 18, 2012 9:14am
SSN

West Ham mark their return to the Premier League with an opening day home
clash against Aston Villa. The Hammers gained promotion through the
play-offs and will visit Swansea in their following match before their first
capital clash against Fulham on 1 September. Sam Allardyce's side host
champions Manchester City on 3 November before away clashes against
Tottenham and Manchester United later in the month. Boxing Day will see the
East Londoners travel to Arsenal and they end 2012 with an away clash
against Reading, while they face Norwich at home on New Year's Day. March
could be a difficult month for the Hammers as they must take on Stoke away
before matches against Man United and Chelsea. The Hammers will end the
season with May games against Newcastle and Everton before a final day clash
with Reading at Upton Park.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers close on Olsson
Premier League new-boys hoping to snap up defender after Euros
Last Updated: June 18, 2012 9:26am
SSN

Sky Sports sources understand West Ham are hoping to conclude the signing of
West Brom defender Jonas Olsson after Euro 2012. The centre-back, who has
been representing Sweden in Group D of the tournament opposite England,
France and Ukraine, is out of contract at The Hawthorns next summer. Olsson
has previously hinted he would be open to a new challenge away from the
Baggies, who recently appointed Steve Clarke as their new boss. Tottenham
were reported to be chasing his signature but it is uncertain whether he is
still a target following the sacking of manager Harry Redknapp. Aston Villa,
Fulham, Everton, and Turkish side Galatasaray have also been linked with the
stopper but it appears the Hammers could beat them to the punch . The
29-year-old, who joined the Baggies from NEC Nijmegen in 2008, has
previously said he will make a decision on his future after the Euros. West
Ham boss Sam Allardyce is keen to strengthen his options after guiding the
club back into the Premier League last season.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Free agent Diame offered £7m to sign for Hammers
The Mirror

Allardyce wants the powerful ex-Wigan midfielder to add some beef to West
Ham's engine room as they return to the Premier League. West Ham boss Sam
Allardyce is ready to hand Senegalese midfielder Momo Diame a £7million,
three-year deal as he fights to win the race for his signature. Allardyce is
close to signing the former Wigan powerhouse, who is a free agent now his
Latics contract has expired - and open to offers after the collapse of a
move to Liverpool. Hammers are prepared to offer such a lucrative package
because they feel Diame will prove one of the best 'Bosmans' around if he
stays for the full length of the deal and helps the Premier League-bound
Londoners retain top flight status. If Diame accept and passes a medical, he
will add power to the newly-promoted club's engine room. The 25-year-old met
then-Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish to discuss a move to Anfield just days
before the Scot was sacked. With the Kop's new boss Brendan Rodgers
evidently not keen, Diame has been looking for a new home since, with
Sunderland and QPR also among his admirers.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Big Sam's trying a cheeky offer for Real Madrid's £7m striker Joselu
The Mirror

West Ham trying to wangle a cut-price deal with 'buy-back clause' for Spain
Under-21 star who caught Arsene Wenger's eye. West Ham boss Sam Allardyce
has made a cut-price offer for Real Madrid striker Joselu. Spain Under-21
international Joselu, 22, scored 26 goals for Real Madrid's B team last
season and they are considering letting him go out on loan or permanently
with a buy-back clause. West Ham have offered Real Madrid a buy back price
of £1.5m for next summer and £2m for 2013 which the Spanish giants have
rejected. Real Madrid are holding out for a £7m deal this summer and West
Ham only want to pay a fraction of that price with a buyback guarantee
inserted. Allardyce remains keen but it may come down to whether Real Madrid
agree to loan him out. Arsenal scouted the ex-Celta Vigo youngster last
season.

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

http://vyperz.blogspot.com