Daily WHUFC News - 8th July 2012

FK Austria Wien 3-1 West Ham United FT
WHFC.com
Sam Baldock is on target in Austria as the Hammers start their pre-season
schedule
07.07.2012

FK Austria Wien v West Ham United
Pre-season match
Franz Horr Stadium
Saturday 7 July 2012
Kick-off: 4pm
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Final score - FK Austria Wien 3-1 West Ham United

90 mins - The Fanatics are singing away to my right as we enter the final
moments. Some fans are making for the exits. It's been a good workout for
both teams. Obviously the result is not ideal, but at this stage it is about
building fitness levels and avoiding picking up injuries.
88 mins - Jack Collison and Joey O'Brien are not injured, for those
wondering why they are not playing. Both are being managed through the
opening part of pre-season. As fans will know, both have had long-term knee
injuries previously. The pair were involved in training in Bad Waltersdorf,
while also taking part in their own individual training programmes.
87 mins - Vaz Te wins a corner. O'Neil drills the ball head-height to the
near post where McCartney heads wide. Good-ish chance. The opportunity is
greeted with 'Ooohs' from the away fans behind the goal.
85 mins - Vaz Te wide right and crosses. Noble challenges but is beaten in
the air by a defender. Nolan collects but loses possession. OK, so we're
coming to the end of the first week of pre-season training and there are
plenty of positives. By 18 August, the Hammers will be ready to go.
83 mins - Kaja Rogulj (Say that after a night out!) and Sebastian Wimmer are
on for the final few minutes. West Ham have a free-kick and the ball is
worked to Vaz Te. He shoots low across the face of goal and wide.
81 mins - Superb tackle by Spence. Kienast had got in behind Potts and on to
a looping ball forward. The former England Under-21 man used his pace to
slide in and poke the ball back to Jaaskelainen. Wien finishing the game
strongly. They have two more substitutes ready to come on, too...
79 mins - A half-chance for the giant Kienast, but his glancing header from
a left-wing cross bounces well wide.
78 mins - The game might be nearly over, but West Ham will want to compete
until the final whistle. Spence conceded a corner, but the Hammers hold
firm. The sun has come out again here in Vienna.
75 mins - GOAL! Jun has time to come forward and just outside the D he hits
a rasping shot that flies past Jaaskelainen's right hand as the goalkeeper
dives to his right. Before the game restarts, Wien bring on Roman Kienast,
Srdan Spiridonovic, Lukas Rotpuller and Martin Harrer. They also took four
players off, just to make things fair.
74 mins - It's end-to-end at the moment and again Potts does well to block a
shot from Murg, but West Ham don't clear their lines properly...
73 mins - Noble's corner is won by Vaz Te, but his header flies over the
top.
71 mins - The second half has been livelier than the first, I would say. Vaz
Te goes down, but it's play on as McCartney crosses and Jun puts the ball
behind for a corner.
70 mins - Murg and Jun combine but Potts makes a superb sliding interception
to clear for a throw. If he hadn't reacted so quickly, Jun would have been
in on goal.
69 mins - It's drinks time again on the touchline. The PA announcer, who is
not the violet-clad lady from earlier on, thanks the 7,150 fans who have
made the trip to the stadium for attending.
67 mins - Fantastic save! Jaaskelainen dives to his right to keep out a
volley from Jun. The Czech was no more than ten yards from goal, but the
goalkeeper flung himself to push the ball around the post. Great stuff from
the flying Finn. The corner comes to nothing as Gorgon slips as he takes it.
Stoger clearly isn't impressed as he replaces Gorgon with Thomas Murg.
65 mins - A good spell of possession from West Ham. Noble and Lletget
combine well on the right before the American whips in the cross. Grunwald
the goalkeeper punches clear but Noble is there. He beats one man and
crosses, but the ball skims wide of the far post. Encouraging interplay and
good confidence from Lletget, who lost his man first with a neat
Cruyff-turn, then beat him to the byline to cross.
62 mins - There is a chap going around the stand handing out pints of water
to the fans. Good man. He is dressed like one of the ushers you might see
selling ice cream in the theatre or, if you're old enough, the cinema...
60 mins - Grunwald curls the free-kick over and Jaaskelainen watches the
ball into his hands.
59 mins - Florian Mader is on for Wien in place of Vrsic. The goalscorer
gets a handshake from bespectacled coach Stoger. Seconds later, Morrison is
booked for a challenge on Koch.
57 mins - Vaz Te has looked lively in training this week, winning a
finishing drill on Friday. He shoots from 25 yards, but the ball flies wide.
The No12 grimaces in frustration. We know what he can do from that sort of
range.
55 mins - Vrsic has a half-chance from Koch's cross, but his looping header
clears the crossbar comfortably. Jaaskelainen watches the ball drift safely
over the top.
52 mins - Koch is playing at left-back for Wien, while Jun and Alexander
Grunwald are in central midfield. Thankfully for the players, it has cooled
down a little bit weather-wise. The sun has gone behind a cloud for now.
51 mins - Ok, positions... Lletget at right-back, Spence and Potts in the
middle and McCartney at left-back. O'Neil, Noble, Nolan and Morrison across
the midfield. Vaz Te and Maynard up front. Oh, and Jaaskelainen is in goal.
49 mins - Close call again. McCartney gets forward and into the box. He
shoots right-footed and the ball curls a yard or two wide of the far post.
47 mins - West Ham have the ball in the net as Vaz Te beats one man and
finds O'Neil in space. The midfielder crosses and Vaz Te heads down for
Maynard to finish, but Nolan had been penalised for a foul. Shame. Wien have
brought on goalkeeper Pascal Grunwald, Alexander Grunwald, Koch and Jun, but
I don't know who has gone off just yet.
46 mins - The second half starts. Nolan is now captaining West Ham.

OK, here is the Hammers lineup for the second half: Jaaskelainen, Lletget,
Spence, Potts, McCartney, Morrison, Noble, Nolan, O'Neil, Maynard, Vaz Te
The hosts have made a lot of changes too, so I'll update their lineup when I
have it worked out!

Half-time score - FK Austria Wien 2-1 West Ham United

Click on the link below to renew your Season Ticket for the Barclays Premier
League. You have about an hour and seven minutes to ensure you keep your
seat for 2012/13!

46 mins - The half-time whistle is blown by the referee Harald Lechner. Wien
now have 13 substitutes warming up! Anyway, West Ham trail at the break
after a bright start. The home side have looked neat and tidy and could have
scored a goal more, perhaps. Again, it is important to point out that Wien's
season starts in two weeks. The Hammers don't play a competitive fixture
until 18 August.
45 mins - Into the final minute of the half and still the black-shirted
hosts lead. Maynard collects a pass from Spence, goes to ground and appeals
for a foul, but nothing is given.

41 mins - The Wien coach Peter Stoger is a cool-looking customer. He is
sporting some very natty glasses. His team are also looking good at present
as left-back Suttner races forward and crosses low. Linz slides but the ball
is just too strong. That was a bit of a let-off.
40 mins - There is a sort of murmur around the place at the moment. Wien are
controlling possession for the most part. This is a good workout for the
Hammers at the end of their first week back. Simkovic pulls the ball back
for Stankovic, but the latter's first-time shot slides off the outside of
his right boot and wide of the target.
38 mins - Taylor and Lletget have swapped flanks. Taylor now playing on the
right, and the young American on the left.
37 mins - Wien are playing with some confidence at the moment. Linz holds up
play before Simkovic plays in Vrsic. The latter tries to backheel into the
path of Linz, but only gets a slight contact under pressure from Reid. The
ball rolls through to Henderson.
35 mins - I can only guess that Wien are fielding a completely new team
after half-time. They currently have eleven substitutes warming-up!
33 mins - Baldock wins another corner. To clarify about Cole's departure. He
did appear to take a minor knock, but got up and walked off the pitch under
his own steam and didn't look in any serious discomfort. The corner is
cleared.
31 mins - West Ham come again and Tomkins wins another corner. It is high
again and Lindner punches out for a throw before the hosts clear their lines
properly.
30 mins - Diame swings the ball out to Taylor. He controls on his chest and
looks up before nearly catching out Lindner at the near post. The keeper
scrambles the ball behind for a corner. Tomkins wins it, but Wien
half-clear.
29 mins - Well, that wasn't in the script, but there is plenty of time to
go...
27 mins - GOAL! The home side lead and that's a good goal, to be fair.
Simkovic gets clear down the left again and has time to pick out the run of
Vrsic inside the penalty area. The Slovenian arrives and slots the left-foot
shot low into the bottom right-hand corner.
26 mins - Nicky Maynard replaces Cole. Meanwhile, Taylor's low cross has
been put behind for a Hammers corner. The No14 picks out Tomkins at the far
post, but the skipper heads high and wide under pressure from a defender.
24 mins - GOAL! Linz takes advantage of the absence of Cole to beat one
challenge on the edge of the Hammers box and prod a low shot past Henderson.
The goalkeeper could do nothing about that. Wien level things up.
23 mins - It is VERY hot. So, we're having a quick drinks break. Cole has
gone off briefly so West Ham are down to ten men.
22 mins - If you are still intending to renew or apply for a Season Ticket
for the coming season, you're time is running out! The deadline is 5pm today
UK time - that's a little more than 90 minutes from now! To do so, click
here.
20 mins - Good sliding challenge by Diame ends another Wien attack and
Lletget shows good composure to play a couple of one-twos before driving
into the midfield. Nice. The American has pedigree and will be eager to make
the most of his opportunity today.

18 mins - A first real chance for the home side as Vrsic gets down the right
and beats Potts. His cross is low to the feet of Linz, who turns and gets
his shot away. It is half-blocked and Henderson dives to his right to make
the catch as the ball spins slowly towards the net.
16 mins - It's fairly competitive for a pre-season game so far. The early
West Ham goal means Wien have to come out and play their way back into
things. They are certainly having more of the ball, but they're not
dominating West Ham by any means.
12 mins - Cole is penalised for a push inside the Wien box as he rises for a
header. The home side come forward again and it's Simkovic in space on the
left. He crosses, but Tomkins does well against Linz and the visitors clear
their lines for a throw which is dealt with easily.
10 mins - Simkovic feeds the ball from the left wing inside for Stankovic,
but his shot is charged down by Spence. The right-back keeps moving and
blocks a follow-up shot too. Good work.
9 mins - Diame and Morrison both get in challenges in quick succession. The
midfield pair have never played together before, but that sort of commitment
will impress both the coaching staff and fans alike. Indeed, Diame's fine
tackle earns him a cheer from the few hundred travelling Hammers supporters.
8 mins - Wien show for the first time as Suttner and Stankovic combine, but
the cross is headed away by Taylor at the far post.
6 mins - That's the perfect start for Neil McDonald's men! The sun is
shining and it's been bright so far from the visitors. The home fans behind
the goal to my right - the Fanatics - are singing their hearts out to try to
encourage their team back into the game.
4 mins - GOAL! BALDOCK! The ball is gifted to Cole by Simkovic and he runs
at Ortlechener before running past the centre-back and clipping a high cross
over the goalkeeper Lindner from the byline. Baldock is not favourite by any
means but he rises highest and somehow squeezes his header between Lindner
and the post. Boos from some of the home fans!
3 mins - The Hammers keep possession nicely before Cole flicks on Tomkins'
clip forward. Margreitter is there ahead of Baldock but his hurried
clearance falls back to West Ham. Cole finds Lletget, who wins a throw deep
near the corner flag. It comes to nothing, however.
2 mins - Spence at right-back, Tomkins and Reid in the middle and Potts at
left-back. Lletget wide right and Taylor wide left with Diame holding
alongside Morrison. Baldock and Cole up front in a 4-4-2 formation.

4pm - We're underway and the home side immediately threaten with a long ball
over the top for Vrsic to chase. Tomkins gets back and puts enough pressure
on and
the striker fluffs his shot. Henderson collects the bouncing ball. The
2012/13 season is up and running!

3.59pm - Here are the two teams. West Ham are wearing their away kit from
last season, but don't forget the new away kit is available to buy now and
the new home kit is available for pre-order from here.

3.57pm - OK, nearly time for kick-off but no sign of the teams just yet...

3.50pm - OK, the two teams have headed back into their dressing rooms after
their warm-ups. Apologies for the lack of updates but I have been
photographing the travelling Hammers fans over in the far corner of the
stadium. It is 33 degrees here in Austria - that is in excess of 90 degrees
if you prefer. The photos will appear on the official Facebook page here.

FK Austria Wien: Lindner, Margreitter, Vrsic, Simkovic, Linz, Ortlechner,
Stankovic, Gorgon, Holland, Dilaver, Suttner

3.25pm - Apologies for the missing information in the text below. We had
technical issues at the team hotel this morning - no internet! So, this was
written on the coach on the way to the stadium. All is well now, I hope! I
am told we will have the home side line-up confirmed in about five or ten
minutes...

3.10pm - We have the West Ham team! The starting XI is as follows, with
James Tomkins as captain. The Hammers will start the second half with a
different team, although some players will feature for the full 90 minutes.

West Ham United: Henderson, Spence, Tomkins, Reid, Potts, Taylor, Diame,
Morrison, Lletget, Cole, Baldock

3.05pm - The President of FK Austria Wien is being interviewed by the home
side's version of Jeremy Nicholas - a blonde lady in a violet outfit as
befits the PA announcer of The Violets! For an exclusive Facebook gallery
from today's game, click here.
Good afternoon and welcome to the Austrian capital Vienna for West Ham
United's opening pre-season fixture ahead of the 2012/13 Barclays Premier
League campaign.

Today's opponents are 23-times Austrian Bundesliga champions FK Austria
Wien, a club with an illustrious history and who finished third in the
top-flight last season.
The Hammers have been working hard for the past five days at their training
camp in the village of Bad Waltersdorf, 80 miles south of Vienna.
However, they will face a stern test this afternoon as Austria Wien have
been back in pre-season training themselves for a few weeks and will open
their Bundesliga campaign against Wolfsburger AC on 21 July. The test will
be made tougher still by the weather conditions - sunshine and temperatures
in excess of 80 degrees.
With manager Sam Allardyce back in England taking care of transfer business,
assistant boss Neil McDonald will take charge at the 10,850-capacity Franz
Horr Stadium.

McDonald will give most, if not all, members of the travelling party a run
out. However, some of the more senior players are expected to play just 45
minutes to ease them back into action after their summer break.

Today's fixture will give West Ham fans - both those living in central
Europe and those who have travelled out from England for the game - a first
glance at summer signings Jussi Jaaskelainen and Mohamed Diame, while
Stephen Henderson and George McCartney are set to feature for the first time
since making their loan moves permanent.

Austria Wien are one of Austria's traditional big three clubs - the other
two being cross-city rivals Rapid and SK Sturm Graz - and are considered to
be the country's most-successful side ever, with 23 league titles, 27
Austrian Cups and a UEFA Cup Winners' Cup final appearance to their name.
Formed in 1911, Die Vielchen - The Violets - enjoyed fantastic success in
the 1960s and 1970s, winning eight league titles in eleven seasons between
1975 and 1986. In 1978, they reached the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup final, only
to be beaten 4-0 by Belgian side RSC Anderlecht, while in 1979 they got as
far as the European Cup semi-finals.

After starting the 1990s with three consecutive league titles and winning
two more in 2003 and 2006, Austria Wien have been overshadowed by the likes
of Sturm Graz and Red Bull Salzburg in recent years.

However, under coach and former Austria midfielder Peter Stoger, the club
has finished in the top three in each of the previous three seasons and the
signs are there that Austria Wien could soon be tasting success once more.

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Macca happy despite defeat
WHUFC.com
Neil McDonald was satisfied with his players' efforts in their opening
pre-season fixture
08.07.2012

When it comes to the first match of pre-season, just as the old Olympic
Games saying goes, it is not about the winning but the taking part. That was
the view of assistant manager Neil McDonald following West Ham United's 3-1
defeat at FK Austria Wien on Saturday. Playing against a team that has been
back in training for three weeks, the Hammers started brightly and went
ahead through Sam Baldock's header before their opponents' greater fitness
levels saw them come back to claim victory. "The game went very much the way
I thought it would go," McDonald confirmed to West Ham TV. "We started off
well and scored a really good goal through Sam and then their passing and
moving took over. "We conceded two poor goals in the first half. The goal
they scored in the second half was a really good strike so probably, all in
all, we're pleased. "We said before the game that it was all about improving
our fitness and getting our endurance up and a lot of them played 45
minutes-plus so it finished off a good week, even though we got beaten 3-1."

West Ham rocketed out of the blocks at the Generali Arena, going ahead
inside four minutes when Carlton Cole burst past a defender and clipped a
cross to the far post for Baldock to bundle in. Unfortunately, Wien were
ahead by half-time as Roland Linz and Dare Srvic were allowed to finish from
inside the penalty area.
The result was then put beyond doubt with 15 minutes to go when Czech
substitute Tomas Jun lashed a well-placed drive past debutant Jussi
Jaaskelainen from 20 yards. "I think the goal was fantastic, wasn't it?
Carlton Cole has run down the line and put in a good cross to the back post
and Sam was in the right place at the right time. "The positives are that
we've had a good week's training and a stern test because they are three
weeks ahead of us - they start in two weeks' time so they were always going
to be a lot brighter and a lot fitter and fresher. "The lads have done what
they were asked to do, considering that was their first week."

Among those to give their all for the cause after just six days on the
training pitch were teenagers Sebastian Lletget, who played at right-back in
the second half, Ravel Morrison and Dan Potts, who featured at centre-back
during the closing 45 minutes. "They did very well. We asked them to play in
different positions as well because of the lack of numbers and they've done
OK. "We're happy with their performances and it was a great experience for
them coming away with the first team on pre-season, some of them for the
first time, and to play against a very strong and sharp team. "There are
plenty of positives from a very, very good week in Austria."

Two players to miss the game were Jack Collison and Joey O'Brien, who have
been on special individual training programmes due to the long-term knee
injuries they suffered earlier in their careers. Cole, meanwhile, was
brought off after 25 minutes as the medical staff continue to manage his own
well-documented knee issue.
McDonald said that, while all three could not play their full part in the
game, there was great value in them being present for the whole week in
Austria. "The majority of the senior staff are here so, even though they
were never going to play or be involved in the first game, it was important
for them to come with the lads and do all the training sessions. "They've
got through all that so they'll be ready to move on to the next stage when
we go back home."

The pre-season schedule will continue with a trip to non-league Boreham Wood
on Tuesday evening - with Meadow Park set to be a shade cooler than the
90-degree temperatures experienced in central Europe. "It's been lovely in
Austria - the weather has been perfect from when we arrived to when we flew
back home and that's the weather you want for pre-season. "It's hot to run
about in, of course, but I think the lads have acquitted themselves really
well considering we have only had one week of training."

The midweek fixture will see the return of Sam Allardyce to the dugout after
the manager missed the Austrian training camp to work on bringing in new
recruits back in London. McDonald confirmed that the Club would be working
hard to strengthen the squad ahead of the opening Barclays Premier League
fixture at home to Aston Villa on 18 August. "That was the reason Sam didn't
come. He's been very busy over the summer. He's been on the phone trying to
get deals done and I'm sure he'll be trying even harder in the next few
weeks to try and freshen the squad up because we need competition for every
place in the lineup."

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Baldock's big ambition
WHUFC.com
Sam Baldock is determined to make his mark for West Ham United in the
Premier League
08.07.2012

Sam Baldock has told West Ham TV he is determined to make his mark again for
West Ham United. The diminutive striker opened his account for 2012/13 by
scoring the Hammers' goal in their 3-1 pre-season defeat at FK Austria Wien
on Saturday with a typically-opportunist close-range finish. Having been
left out of the starting lineup for much of the second half of last season,
the No7 is itching to force his way back into manager Sam Allardyce's
thoughts and make an impact in the Barclays Premier League. "I don't see why
I can't take this opportunity to stake my claim," said Baldock. "Everyone
knows that during the second half of last year I was very frustrated. "I'm a
footballer who wants to play football at the end of the day. I've been
working hard and hopefully I'll be given a chance to show what I can do."

Focusing on his goal, Baldock revealed that he had been slightly fortunate
to score, but that there was no luck involved in him being in the right
place at the right time to meet Carlton Cole's far-post cross. Having worked
on movement in the opposition penalty area on the training pitch the
previous day, it was pleasing for the forward to see his hard work pay off.
"I wasn't particularly pleased with my performance but I don't think anyone
can say they played particularly well - it was more about getting a run out
and seeing if you can get that match-sharpness after six days of training.
"It was a good end to the trip in a nice stadium with a good atmosphere and
quite a few travelling fans, which was nice to see. "I saw Coley made a
great run and he got pretty much to the byline. I thought I'd lose my marker
by making a run to the back stick where he hung it up and to be honest it
just hit me! "It hit the defender and came off my shoulder but it's a goal
and strikers love goals, don't they."

*Speaking to West Ham TV, Baldock also discussed his week at the Club's
pre-season training camp in Bad Waltersdorf, competition for places and
thesuperb team spirit present in the squad.

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Austria Wien 3-1 West Ham Utd
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 7th July 2012
By: Staff Writer

An experimental West Ham XI were well beaten in the opening game of their
pre-season in Austria this afternoon. With Sam Allardyce back in the UK
taking care of business, assistant Neil McDonald oversaw a 3-1 defeat
against an almost full-strength Wien side at the Franz Horr Stadium in
Vienna. Featuring new signings Stephen Henderson and Momo Diami plus
youngsters Seb Lletget and Ravel Morrison, the Hammers took the lead with
just four minutes on the clock when Sam Baldock rose highest to nod home a
Carlton Cole cross. However the home side were back on level terms 20
minutes later when Roland Linz beat Henderson from the edge of the box. Wien
grabbed a second goal in the space of just three minutes shortly after to
take the lead when midfielder Dare Vrsic slotted home a Tomas Simkovic
centre. And the game was wrapped up 15 minutes from time as the former Czech
Republic international Tomas Jun beat sub goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen from
distance to give the home side a 3-1 win. Carlton Cole, who had a hand in
West Ham's goal was replaced with just 26 minutes on the clock by Nicky
Maynard after pulling up with a knock - however the damage is not though to
be serious.

Match Facts: Austria Wien 3-1 West Ham Utd

West Ham Utd: Henderson (Jaaskelainen 46), Spence, Tomkins (McCartney 46),
Reid (Noble 46), Potts, Taylor (O'Neil 46), Diame (Nolan 46), Morrison,
Lletget, Cole (Maynard 26), Baldock (Vaz Te 46).

Subs not used: None.

FK Austria Wien: Lindner; Dilaver, Margreitter (Rogulj 83), Ortlechner
(Rotpuller 76), Suttner (Wimmer 83); Gorgon (Murg 68), Vrsic (Mader 59),
Holland (Spiridonovic 76), Simkovic; Linz (Kienast 76), Stankovic.

Subs not used: None.

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Baldock to fight for place
Striker determined to force his way into Hammers side
Last Updated: July 8, 2012 10:20am
SSN

Sam Baldock is determined to prove that he is worthy of a regular role at
West Ham, as they ready themselves for a Premier League return. The
highly-rated striker linked up with the Hammers last summer after being
lured away from the MK Dons. He netted five times in his first nine games,
but saw first team opportunities dwindle as the season wore on. Baldock
played a bit-part role as the Hammers secured promotion back to the
top-flight through the play-offs, but is convinced that he can fight his way
back into contention in 2012/13. "I don't see why I can't take this
opportunity to stake my claim," said Baldock, who scored in a pre-season
friendly defeat to Austria Vienna on Saturday. "Everyone knows that during
the second half of last year I was very frustrated. "I'm a footballer who
wants to play football at the end of the day. I've been working hard and
hopefully I'll be given a chance to show what I can do."

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Hammers lose in Vienna
Baldock goal not enough for West Ham as new boys make debuts
Last Updated: July 7, 2012 6:06pm
SSN

West Ham kicked off their pre-season preparations with a 3-1 defeat by
Austria Vienna. A side featuring new signing Mohamed Diame was well beaten
in the Austrian capital despite Sam Baldock's fourth-minute opener. Baldock
got his head to a hanging Carlton Cole cross to force the ball home, but
that was as good as it got for the visitors sent out by Neil McDonald in Sam
Allardyce's absence. With Cole off the field for treatment Vienna levelled
midway through the first half, Roland Linz evading a challenge on the edge
of the box and beating Stephen Henderson. And three minutes later Tomas
Simkovic burst down the left and picked out Dare Vrsic, who finished well.
Recently re-signed George McCartney appeared for the second half along with
new boy Jussi Jaaskelainen, and the veteran goalkeeper made a couple of
decent stops before Tomas Jun netted a third for the home side.

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Hammers Sunk By Austrians
By Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die

All seems to have gone a little quiet on the transfer front, although the
fact that Sam Allardyce wasn't at West Ham's first pre season friendly today
presumably indicates that some sort of transfer action is afoot. The Hammers
went down 3-1 to Austria Wien this afternoon, with Sam Baldock scoring with
a header after just four minutes. Not a lot should be read into this as the
Austrians are two weeks ahead of us in their pre season preparations.
Stephen Henderson and Mo Diame both made their debuts.

* Gianfranco Zola has been confirmed as Watford's new manager. He will link
up with Gianluca Nani and Scott Duxbury.
* West Ham's new signing Mo Diame has been named in Senegal's Olympic squad,
unlike Demba Ba.
* It is rumoured that ex Hammers youth team player Kieran Richardson will
sign this week for £3 million from Sunderland.

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Get Real! Real Madrid reject bid for Arsenal and West Ham target Joselu
The Mirror

Real Madrid have rejected a five million euros bid for reserve striker
Joselu from German side Hoffenheim according to AS. The 22-year-old scored
26 goals last season as Real Madrid Castilla were promoted to the Segunda
Division and has also caught the eye of sides in the English Premier League
with Arsenal and West Ham both reported to be interested. Real are believed
to want a fee in the region of 10million euros and will also ensure a
buy-back clause is inserted in any potential transfer. Meanwhile, another of
the promoted Castilla side, Dani Carvajal, has joined Bayer Leverkusen for
five million euros. The right-back has signed a five-year deal with the
German giants after deciding to leave Madrid to gain more first-team
experience. The Spanish champions do however also have a buy-back clause in
force on the 20-year-old for the next two seasons.

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West Ham's Diame included in Senegal soccer squad
Reuters.co.uk
Sat Jul 7, 2012 10:30pm BST

(Reuters) - West Ham United signing Mohamed Diame has been included in
Senegal's Olympic squad and will miss his club's final preparations for
their return to the English Premier League next month. Midfielder Diame,
signed from Wigan Athletic, is one of three over-age players in the 18-man
squad announced by the Senegal Football Federation on Saturday. The
Newcastle United pair of Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse were omitted after talks
between the federation and their club manager Alan Pardew, the Senegalese
news agency APS said. Included in the squad is teenage Everton striker
Magaye Gueye, who previously represented France at youth level but has
switched his nationality with FIFA approval. The Olympic tournament, which
starts on July 26, is played at under-23 level. Senegal are in Group A with
hosts Britain, Uruguay and the United Arab Emirates. (Reporting by Mark
Gleeson in Addis Ababa; Editing by Alison Wildey)

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Austria Vienna 3 West Ham 1: Hammers crash in pre-season opener
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
PUBLISHED: 18:38, 7 July 2012 | UPDATED: 18:38, 7 July 2012
Daily Mail

West Ham were beaten in their first pre-season friendly fixture in Austria
on Saturday. Sam Baldock gave the Premier League newcomers a fourth minute
lead at the Franz Horr Stadium when he headed in Carlton Cole's cross.
However, Roland Linz and Dare Vrsic netted within the space of three minutes
midway through the first half and substitute Tomas Jun's goal 15 minutes
from time made sure of a home victory.

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