Daily WHUFC News - 31st July 2012

Mark of optimism
WHUFC.com
Stand-in skipper Mark Noble believes West Ham United are on the right track
as pre-season continues
30.07.2012

Mark Noble signed off West Ham United's week of pre-season work in Germany
with a smile. As the midfielder left for the airport on Sunday evening along
with his team-mates to come back home, he said it had been a productive week
and was great preparation for the forthcoming season. Noble captained the
side against FC Energie Cottbus in Hammers' final match of their German
pre-season tour in the absence of skipper Kevin Nolan, who was rested as he
continues to recover from a toe injury. The match saw West Ham come from 2-0
down to draw through second-half goals from Colin Kazim-Richards and Sam
Baldock. For current Hammer of the Year Noble, the week of training and
matches was of great benefit. "It has been a good week for us," he said. "I
think for working on our fitness and with the three games we have played in
six days. "We had a win, a loss and a draw, but results don't really matter
at this stage. It is all about getting fitter but the games are important as
when we approach the start of the season, the match fitness side comes to
the fore."

Noble said the matches gave everyone a chance to play either a full game or
the right amount of minutes depending on their individual circumstances.
"The teams we played are about a week away from starting their season. So in
the game against FC Energie Cottbus, we went 2-0 down but credit to the
younger boys who came on, because we got back to 2-2. Everyone worked really
hard and we showed even at this stage, we have reached a good level of
fitness. "By the time we are in the same position in just over two weeks, to
be preparing for Aston Villa, we will be at a better level again."

Noble said that on and off the pitch, the trip was good for a team morale.
"The trip has been worthwhile as everyone back together and we had a couple
of new faces with us while some of the younger boys who settled in really
well. We're back home now and ready to crack on as the season gets nearer.
"We have worked hard - double sessions and work in the pool and cycling as
well as normal training, but we had a laugh when the time was right.
Spending time together as a squad for a meal outside of the hotel one
evening and having a hour or so to cycle into the town in Dresden, to have a
coffee together, were both good for the team spirit.
"There is already lots of banter flying around which can only get better -
or worse in some cases of a few people - as the season goes on!"

Noble is now looking forward to the final stages of pre-season, which will
see the Hammers take on Ipswich Town and SC Braga in their closing two
preparation fixtures. "We have two tough games coming up before we finish
the pre-season schedule. At the end of those games, we will hope to be at
the stage we want to as we look forward to the first game of the new season.
"It is nice to get these matches in before we begin and hopefully as we
approach the first game, we will have a couple more new faces again to
strengthen us and we will be ready on all fronts to start on a positive
note."

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Macca on Monday
WHUFC.com
Neil McDonald has branded West Ham United's week in Germany a huge success
30.07.2012

Neil McDonald was satisfied with a solid week's work in the heat of east
Germany after West Ham United wrapped up their tour with a 2-2 draw with FC
Energie Cottbus on Sunday afternoon. The assistant manager, who was jokingly
labelled 'Tour manager' during the trip to Dresden after travelling to
Germany to recce the facilities last month, was particularly impressed by
the second-half comeback by the young substitutes who were introduced in the
second half. Cottbus had been much the better side in the first half but the
Hammers found their feet in the second and two quickfire goals from Colin
Kazim-Richards and Sam Baldock meant the few hundred Hammers fans went home
happy. "It was a game of two halves. We didn't play very well at all,"
McDonald said. "The three games in a week and all of the training caught up
on us. The boys were a bit tired in the first half and never really engaged
or passed the ball. "We came in 2-0 down and changed the team at half-time
and the second-half team kept the ball and were a little brighter and when
the chances came along we stuck them in the back of the net. "It was nice to
not lose the final game. It's nice to comeback and show a little bit of
spirit there. The boys don't like getting beaten so they showed a bit of
fight and got back into the game."

With a 3-0 win against Rot-Weiss Erfurt in the opening game and a 3-0 defeat
to Dynamo Dresden in front of a 30,000-strong sell-out crowd completing the
week's fixtures, Sam Allardyce's side have been tested to the full. Despite
the fact that McDonald is happy with where the squad are at present, he
knows there is still plenty of hard work still to do before Aston Villa
visit the Boleyn Ground on 18 August to open the 2012/13 Barclays Premier
League season. "It's been a really good break. The facilities have been
great and we've been well looked after all the way through with the three
games we've had. We came for gametime and to keep topping up the fitness and
doing a bit of team pattern play which we've done in the three games. "We've
still got a lot of hard work to do with another couple of weeks and another
couple of games before the season starts so we'll still be working very,
very hard on the training ground making sure we're ready and we don't make
silly mistakes. "The three games that we've played have been good. The
competition's been excellent and the tempo has been brilliant. We've got
through the whole week with everyone much fitter and with more gametime
registered. It's been a really good week."

Although results mean very little at this stage of the season, the fact the
Hammers did not lose their final game was still important to Macca. Better
still was the fact the squad have got another week of hard work under their
belts and, with under three weeks, to go until the big kick-off, he is happy
with the way the boys are shaping up. "The players are where we want them to
be at this stage of the season. The last couple of weeks are always the
sharper work - the work in and around the box and the final ball and final
shot. We'll be building up the endurance and we need to hit the other areas
where we need to show a bit more speed and a bit more guile. We've got to
want to want the ball more and we'll be doing that over the next few weeks."

Modibo Maiga looked at home on his first start for the club, playing the
central striker role in a front three. He held the ball up well and showed
some really quick feet and lightning pace during one explosive run that saw
him get past three defenders. "He's shown in the two cameo games he's played
in that he's got a good touch and good understanding and is able to
interlink play. He's good in the air and looks like he's got a sweet left
foot so we're looking forward to working with him throughout the season and
we'll be aiming to get him fitter over the next few weeks."

Macca did save special praise for the young Academy graduates Rob Hall, Dan
Potts and Blair Turgott who have joined up with the first-team squad for the
trip as they slotted in seamlessly with the surroundings. They also had a
major part to play in the Hammers second-half comeback with Hall setting up
Colin Kazim Richards for the first. "It's a good experience for them to
watch the seniors not play very well in the first half and then come on with
a point to prove in the second half. It was a good performance and that
showed by getting back into the game and scoring two goals."

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Andy Carroll: West Ham agree loan fee with Liverpool
BBC.co.uk
By Ian Dennis
BBC Radio 5 live senior football reporter

West Ham United have agreed a £2m loan fee with Liverpool for Andy Carroll.
The season-long deal for the England striker could result in a £17m transfer
at the end of the campaign, provided the Hammers stay in the Premier League.
However, it is thought the 23-year-old Carroll does not wish to leave
Liverpool on a permanent basis.

Andy Carroll career stats
Newcastle (2006-11): 91 games, 33 goals
Preston (loan Aug 2007-08): 12 appearances, 1 goal
Liverpool (2011-present): 56 appearances, 11 goals
England (2010-present): 7 appearances, 2 goals

The Reds, who paid a club-record fee of £35m for Carroll in January 2011,
have already turned down Newcastle United's bid to re-sign the player.
Carroll has struggled since his big-money move to Liverpool, scoring just 11
goals in 56 appearances. He now appears to be surplus to requirements at
Anfield following the arrival of former Swansea boss Brendan Rodgers and
Italian striker Fabio Borini from Roma. Rodgers had said Liverpool would not
consider a loan move for Carroll but now appears prepared to allow the
player to link up with former Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce at Upton Park.
Carroll had also been linked with a transfer to Italian side AC Milan. The
striker began his career at Newcastle, spending a season on loan at Preston,
before returning to the club and becoming top-scorer in the 2009-10 season
as the Magpies returned to the Premier League. Carroll collected a League
Cup winner's medal with Liverpool last season, starting in the Wembley final
against Cardiff City.

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Baldock fee agreed
KUMb.com
Filed: Monday, 30th July 2012
By: Staff Writer

News is reaching us this lunchtime that West Ham have agreed a fee with
Bristol City for the services of striker Sam Baldock. The former MK Dons
forward, who has been West Ham's most prolific striker in pre-season is
understood to have been the subject of a bid by the Championship club a
fortnight ago. And KUMB.com understand that West Ham have now given City the
green light to proceed with negotiations having accepted the fee offered - a
fee thought to be in the region of £1.5million plus add-ons. Several clubs
have been vying to sign the 23-year-old Bedford-born striker during
pre-season, with the Robins joined by the likes of Crystal Palace and
Championship new boys Charlton as potential suitors. However West Ham had
refused to accept any offers from clubs for Baldock prior to today -
promoting speculation that United are set to sign another forward to add to
their existing front line options.

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West Ham deny Carroll deal
Liverpool striker has not agreed move away from Anfield
Last Updated: July 30, 2012 10:38pm
SSN

West Ham have denied a deal has been done to sign Liverpool forward Andy
Carroll. Hammers boss Sam Allardyce is believed to be keen to add the
England target-man to his squad for the club's Premier League and was
reported to have offered £2million to take the player on loan. That deal was
also thought to include a £17m fee to make the switch permanent next summer
as the Reds are reluctant to allow the man they paid £35m for last year to
leave in a loan-only deal. But with Brendan Rodgers having offered Carroll
hope of a future at Anfield, West Ham have moved to distance themselves from
claims that a deal is in place. And Sky Sports sources understand Carroll
would not consider a permanent move to the Hammers. The 23-year-old striker
has scored six goals in 42 Premier League games for Liverpool since joining
from Newcastle in January 2011.

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Liverpool Accept West Ham's Bid for Carroll, but will the Striker Play Ball?
By S J Chandos
West Ham Till I Die

It has been widely reported this evening that Liverpool have accepted West
Ham's bid for Andy Carroll, which constitutes £2m for an initial season long
loan and a £17m permanent transfer if we remain in the PL next season.

However, there is a lot of accompanying speculation that Andy Carroll is not
keen on the move and would prefer to return to Newcastle Utd. Of course, if
true, that is highly significant as the player could very well scupper the
deal going ahead. Carroll shares the same agent as Sam Allardyce and that
could be a positive factor, as could the fact that, friend and former Toom
skipper, Kevin Nolan currently captains the Hammers. But the doubts will
linger and the club must make sure that Carroll is committed to the move or
it could all go horribly wrong. There is nothing worse than having a
footballer in your ranks, no matter how good, who does not want to play for
you!

Again, it is just one of those situations where we will have to wait and
watch developments. Great if it comes off and the player is keen to join us.
Not exactly surprising if Carroll pulls the plug on the move and tries to
orchestrate an alternative move to Newcastle Utd or digs in to stays with
Liverpool. As always, time will tell.

But if the move does come off it could be a real coup, although it has to be
admitted that he is no Carlos Tevez! (Only joking!).

As for the Ivan Ramis deal, what on earth is happening there? No doubt we
will find out soon, whichever ways it goes!

SJ. Chandos.

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Carlos Tevez: No, It Couldn't Be, Could it?
By Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die

Before you get too excited, I haven't heard any rumours and I have no inside
information at all, but I just keep getting a feeling in my water that
something special is about to happen and that we are about to sign Carlos
Tevez. Yes, I might be delusional, and no, I haven't been on the WKD again.

In the last transfer window an approach was made, but Manchester City
clearly had other ideas. It was said Tevez himself was up for it but City
and his agent put the kybosh on it. City clearly expected to be able to sell
Tevez but it never happened. Just as well for them, as when he got back into
the team he spurred them on to the championship. But now City have made
their intent clear and want to sign Van Persie. I suspect he will end up
over the other side of Manchester but if he doesn't go there they may well
sign another top striker. They tend not to sit still at Eastlands. Surely
then, they would dispose of either Dzeko or Tevez.

But even then, would be really join a team that has just been promoted and
hasn't exactly been splashing the cash. Yes, City would probably let him go
for £20 million, but I'd imagine there would be various teams in Italy and
Spain interested in him.

But if this marquee signing isn't Andy Carroll (and he clearly doesn't want
to join us) then who could it be apart from Tevez? Perhaps Iain Dowie is
making a comeback... Or Mike Newell. Or Marco Boogers. Or Joey Beauchamp.

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Sam to dock in Bristol
Published: Today at 00:29
The Sun

WEST HAM'S Sam Baldock is set to join Bristol City in a £1.5million deal.
The striker, 23, only made 10 league starts in his first season with the
Hammers.

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Carroll stinger
By DAVE WARD Published: Today at 00:27
The SUn

WEST HAM face a huge battle to persuade Andy Carroll to join them from
Liverpool. The Hammers are willing to cough up the £2million fee to loan the
England striker next season with the possibility of a permanent deal if they
stay in the Premier League. But Carroll, who joined Liverpool from Newcastle
for £35m last year, is not keen on a move to Upton Park despite the prospect
of playing with pal Kevin Nolan. Former club Newcastle are also in the hunt
for Carroll, 23, after he was told he did not feature in new Kop boss
Brendan Rodgers' plans at Anfield.

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Hammer blow: Carroll rejects West Ham move after the clubs agree a fee
The Mirror

Andy Carroll will block attempts to offload him to West Ham, even though
Liverpool have agreed a loan deal with the Londoners. The Reds accepted an
offer of £2million to take Carroll on loan for the coming season and then
£17m to make his move permanent in 12 months' time - providing Hammers stay
up. However, the 23-year-old does not want to go to Upton Park. He has told
friends on his native Tyneside that he will only leave Liverpool to return
to Newcastle, the club he left for Merseyside in a £35m deal 18 months ago.
The England striker's stance has left him at loggerheads with Liverpool, who
want him to go to West Ham because their package is worth more than the Toon
are offering. Newcastle have so far only been prepared to pay £13m for the
striker. The Reds rejected that offer and are determined to strike a deal
closer to their £20m valuation. Toon boss Alan Pardew believes Liverpool
will soften their stance, havilg cheekily claimed last week that they should
"wipe their nose and move on" over the pony-tailed target-man . Pardew feels
Newcastle could still sign Carroll, who has scored just 11 goals in 56
Liverpool appearances, because he does not seem to fit in with Brendan
Rodgers' Anfield plans. Carroll's position is further complicated because it
is understood Liverpool have not yet paid Newcastle the final instalments of
his transfer fee. It is also understood the Geordies are entitled to a cut
of any deal, after inserting a 25 per cent sell-on clause into their
agreement with the Anfield outfit.

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Home, James! Villa set to sell Collins back to West Ham three years on
The Mirror

Aston Villa have agreed to sell James Collins back to West Ham in a
cut-price deal. Villa are bringing in Holland international stopper Ron
Vlaar, 27, from Feyenoord on a three-year contract. And they have decided to
offload Collins to the Premier League new boys, where he played from
2005-09. Wales international Collins, who had also been linked with
Sunderland, has just 12 months left on his current £40,000-a-week deal - and
Villa have already told him hey will not be getting a new one.
And, rather than risk losing the 28-year-old for nothing on a Bosman next
summer, Villa have decided to cash in. Collins, who is due in London for
talks with West Ham on Tuesday, left Upton Park for Villa in August 2009 for
£5m. Last season, Collins was fined for being in a nightclub scuffle, and
also involved in a boozy row in March 2011. New Villa boss Paul Lambert is
also looking to offload full-backs Alan Hutton and Stephen Warnock in a
defensive shake-up.

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Andy Carroll will resist £19m West Ham deal to sign him from Liverpool
Clubs talk about loan followed by signing at end of season
England striker would prefer to return to Newcastle United
David Hytner
guardian.co.uk, Monday 30 July 2012 23.21 BST

Andy Carroll will resist a move to West Ham United, even though Liverpool
have accepted a bid from the London club that appeared to signal the end of
the striker's time at Anfield. Liverpool have told West Ham that they can
have Carroll on loan for the season in exchange for £2m, but that West Ham
must then pay a further £17m to make the deal permanent if they retain their
Premier League status.

The Merseyside club had maintained that they would not loan out Carroll, for
whom they paid £35m to Newcastle United,but West Ham's proposal is an
acceptable compromise to them. There would be no mere option for West Ham to
buy Carroll next summer; if they remained a Premier League club, they would
be legally bound to sign him.

The deal would be a coup for West Hamon their return to the top division, a
signing to dwarf their previous record outlay, which was the £9m they paid
to Brescia for Savio Nsereko in 2009 during Gianfranco Zola's managerial
tenure. Nsereko did not settle and he was promptly sold to Fiorentina.

West Ham, though, have work to do to convince Carroll that he ought to move
to Upton Park. Carroll would like to prove himself at Liverpool and, if he
were reluctantly to accept that he had no future under the new manager
Brendan Rodgers, he would want to join a club that could offer European
football.

Newcastle have been prominent among the clubs to have monitored Carroll's
situation – the manager, Alan Pardew, has consistently spoken highly of him
– and Carroll would be receptive to a move back to St James' Park, even if
they will play only in next season's Europa League.

In agreeing to West Ham's £19m package, Liverpool have advertised their
bottom line price and they may hope to generate an auction, although it is
unclear whether Newcastle would agree to at least match the figure. Carr
oll's wages may also be a problem at St James' Park. His weekly pay went
from £20,000 to £80,000 when he joined Liverpool, and that puts him
considerably above Newcastle's basic wage ceiling. West Ham would be more
confident of satisfying Carroll's financial terms.

The West Ham charm offensive will be led by the manager, Sam Allardyce, and
the captain, Kevin Nolan, who have the same agent as Carroll. Nolan is a
close friend of Carroll's, having played with him at Newcastle, and he has
urged him to make the move to London. Rodgers has done his utmost to say the
right things about Carroll but he is prepared to plan for Liverpool's future
without him.

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