WHUFC.com
West Ham United's accounts for the year ending 31 May 2011 have been
released
16.01.2012
West Ham United are pleased to release the club's accounts for the year
ending 31 May 2011. In his chairman's statement, Joint-Chairman David
Sullivan said: "Given the very challenging position of being relegated from
the Premier League in May 2011, I am pleased to report an operating profit
of £6.8m after many years of the club posting operating losses.
"We remain strongly focused on our turnaround plan for the club and despite
the financial environment, as these accounts disclose, my co-chairman, David
Gold, and I invested £3m by way of shareholder loans in the year ended 31
May 2011 on top of our investment in buying shares in the club.
"David and I have undertaken to continue to provide all the financial
support necessary to give the club the best possible chance of achieving
promotion. We have invested £29m by way of a combination of equity and loans
in the last 18 months and we are likely to have to invest in the region of a
further £30m in the current season, demonstrating our real and tangible
commitment to the club."
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Manager on Monday
WHUFC.com
Big Sam was happy after West Ham United strengthened their position in the
npower Championship
16.01.2012
Sam Allardyce was pleased with a good weekend's work for West Ham United,
who not only secured their second consecutive 1-0 win in the npower
Championship, but more importantly solidified their position in the top two
of the table. The Hammers' win, which came courtesy of Mark Noble's penalty
in the 24th minute, saw them keep the pressure on league leaders
Southampton, who also won 3-0 at Nottingham Forest. More importantly though,
were the results of the teams just below West Ham as both Cardiff City and
Middlesbrough failed to pick up maximum points returns, by drawing at
Doncaster Rovers and losing at home to Burnley respectively. Those results
mean a healthy four-point lead between the Hammers and third-placed Cardiff.
"Even though Southampton have won, Middlesbrough have slipped up and Cardiff
have drawn so it gives us a little more distance to them which I think is
important," the West Ham United manager said. "We are neck and neck and for
the first time we have stayed with Southampton. We have got into this
position a couple of times this year and slipped up and let Southampton get
a victory and then we slipped a few points behind them. Now we have stayed
neck and neck - let's hope we can keep on this winning streak as long as
possible."
With back-to-back wins under their belt with two clean sheets, Big Sam is
looking forward to trying to make it three victories on the spin and getting
the Hammers back on track for their target of two points per game when
Nottingham Forest visit the Boleyn Ground on Saturday. "Now we're over the
worst of our injuries we've got two victories on the trot and won eight
games away from home. We've got one of the best away records in the league
and our home form recently has been win-win with Barnsley and Coventry. We
want to continue that next week against Forest now and see whether we can
keep up with Southampton. "
It was not just the league table that was looking healthier after the
weekend however, as the Hammers' treatment table shows signs of clearing up
following a difficult Christmas period that saw the squad stretched to its
very limits. The return of Gary O' Neil, Abdoulaye Faye, Winston Reid, Henri
Lansbury and Sam Baldock to the squad in recent weeks has left just Matt
Taylor and Guy Demel as the only first-team players missing through injury,
although both are expected back in training soon. As such, the manager has
allowed Cristian Montano to extend his loan at Dagenham & Redbridge until 14
February. "I hope the worst part of the season is over. At Derby County we
had ten first-team players unavailable for selection - four through
suspension and six through injury - and that was the peak of our level of
players missing. But throughout the whole of December we had one or two
suspensions or four or five players injured for every single game and it was
our worst run of the season. "Looking forward, I'm feeling confident because
Matt Taylor and Guy Demel are close to getting back as well, and we're still
looking for at least one player in the January transfer window. We've got
George John from America as well, and Gary O'Neil is back having been out
all season, and has played a couple of games."
* Sam Allardyce will be appearing as a guest on the BBC's Late Kick-off
show, which will be screened at 11.05pm on BBC One for viewers in the London
and south-east region.
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Carr hails six-star show
WHUFC.com
Academy Director Tony Carr was delighted with the 6-1 FA Premier Academy
League over Norwich City
15.01.2012
West Ham United Under-18s continued their perfect start to 2012 with a 6-1
FA Premier Academy League victory at Norwich City - delighting Academy
Director Tony Carr. Having begun the year with a 3-2 league win at Chelsea
and a 4-1 FA Youth Cup fourth-round success against Brighton and Hove
Albion, West Ham hit the heights again to ground the Canaries at Little
Heath. Kieran Sadlier and Paul McCallum (pictured) each scored twice, while
Blair Turgott and Frazer Shaw were also on target as the Hammers roared back
after falling a goal behind early on. Turgott missed a penalty before
Sadlier equalised and then crossed for McCallum - who has recently returned
to action following a spell out with a foot injury - to put West Ham in
front before half-time. The second half was something of a procession, with
McCallum netting from the penalty spot before Sadlier, Turgott and Shaw
added gloss to the scoreline. "We made seven changes from the team that beat
Brighton on Wednesday, so this performance and result were a great advert
for the strength in our squad," said Carr. "Norwich scored from a free-kick
out wide that was allowed to bounce in at the far post, and when Blair
missed his penalty we could have thought 'This isn't going to be our day'
but we didn't let our heads drop. "Norwich also shuffled their pack after
going to extra time in their FA Youth Cup game against Chelsea, but that
should take nothing away from our boys. "This was a great performance,
especially in the second half."
West Ham are awaiting a finalised date for their FA Youth Cup fifth-round
tie at Chelsea, which must be played before Saturday 11 February. Before
then, the Hammers will travel to Crystal Palace for their next league
fixture on Saturday 21 January.
West Ham United U18s: Wootton, Siafa, Shaw, Hurley (Miles 80), K.Lee, Young
(Chambers 60), Sadlier, Ruddock, McCallum (Boakye-Yiadom 70), Turgott, Vose
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Noble on the spot
WHUFC.com
Mark Noble is looking upwards after netting his fourth penalty of the season
at Portsmouth
15.01.2012
Mark Noble is targeting top spot in the npower Championship after netting
his fourth penalty of the season to secure a 1-0 win at Portsmouth on
Saturday. The long-serving midfielder kept his cool to beat Stephen
Henderson from 12 yards after Winston Reid had been hauled to the ground by
ex-Hammer Tal Ben Haim - adding to his successful spot-kicks against Pompey
in the reverse fixture, Peterborough United and Derby County. Noble's goal
kept West Ham behind leaders Southampton on goal difference and the
24-year-old is taking aim at the summit ahead of this weekend's visit of
struggling Nottingham Forest. "It was nice to go home with three points. Our
away record this year has been fantastic, although we did lose at Derby and
draw at Birmingham. Now we're back on track and to winning ways and that's
the most important thing," he told West Ham TV. "You have to get
back-to-back wins or go on a run to break away in this league and we saw
Middlesbrough lost and Cardiff drew so we've got a little cushion again. We
had a little cushion before but gave it up, so we're determined to stay
strong this time and keep on pushing."
Noble was naturally happy to maintain his 100 per cent record from the
penalty spot, although there must have been some nerves when he saw
goalkeeper Henderson get fingertips on the ball on its way into the net.
"Obviously, if you put a lot of pace on the ball and it's at a height that
the keeper struggles with, then he's going to struggle to save it. "I don't
want to talk too much about it because I don't want to jinx myself, but when
we get one [a penalty] the boys know and I know who is taking it and may
they keep coming."
While one goal was enough at Fratton Park, Noble did concede that the
Hammers would need to be more clinical in future if they are to maintain
their title challenge.
"We started really well and we got into them and played like a proper team.
They had five or six corners and got back into the game a little bit, which
they were always going to do at home, because teams are always going to
press and to try and beat us. "We rode that storm, came out in the second
half and they had a man [David Norris] sent-off and it was pretty easy from
there."
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On this day: 16 January
WHUFC.com
Bobby Zamora and a vital home win over Portsmouth in 1993 are the focus
today
16.01.2012
Anniversary
Bobby Zamora
Date of birth: 16 January 1981
Clubs: Bristol Rovers, Brighton and Hove Albion, Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham
United, Fulham
Barking-born Zamora will probably be best remembered for scoring the goal
that won West Ham United promotion back to the Premier League in May 2005.
The striker scored the only goal of the game to defeat Preston North End in
the Championship play-off final at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium. Zamora
joined the West Ham United Academy as a schoolboy but was released before
turning professional. He was picked up by Bristol Rovers as a trainee but
only made six substitute appearances. Loan moves to Bath City and Brighton
and Hove Albion followed with the latter deciding to make his move
permanent. Zamora proved himself a prolific goalscorer on the south coast,
scoring 76 goals in 125 games and helping Ablion to two consecutive titles.
That form caught the eye of Tottenham Hotspur who bought the forward for
£1.5m in July 2003. However, 18 appearances bought just one goal. Six months
later Zamora moved to east London to rejoin his boyhood club and immediately
made his mark by scoring on his debut against Bradford City. The following
season he struck 13 times, including two in the semi-final win over Ipswich
Town and the one in the final against Preston. The striker, who wore No25 in
his time at the Boleyn Ground, made his mark the following season in the
Premier League, scoring ten goals. Eleven goals followed in the 2006/07
season as United miraculously avoided relegation. However, fitness was to
hinder the forward in the 2007/08 campaign and he made just 14 appearances
with a solitary goal in return before moving to Fulham in July 2008.
Classic match
West Ham United 2-0 Portsmouth
First Division
16 January 1993
A comfortable home win on the day, but few could have predicted how
important the result would be at the end of the season. Trevor Morley put
the Hammers in front with a diving header in the 26th minute before Colin
Foster doubled the lead with another headed effort ten minutes after
half-time in front of 18,127 at the Boleyn Ground.
Portsmouth boss Jim Smith was full of praise for the home side, saying:
"West Ham are the best team we've played this season." The result was to
prove vital in West Ham United's successful promotion campaign. Following
the game, Portsmouth went on a great run that would see them finish the
season third, one place below the promoted Hammers on goal difference.
Crucially, though, if the game had finished 1-0, Portsmouth would have been
promoted at United's expense.
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Hammers announce further losses
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 16th January 2012
By: Staff Writer
WH Holding Limited have announced an operating profit of £6.8million in the
club's latest set of accounts - but overall losses of £18.6million. In the
latest set of accounts, released today, WH Holding Limited - the parent
company of West Ham United FC - confirmed the trading profit in the latest
set of figures which cover the period from June 201 to May 2011. However the
club's overall losses (prior to taxation) equate to £18.57million - figures
only sightly better than the previous year which saw the club record a loss
of some £21million. The club's level of debt to the banks is recorded as
having dropped from £44.9million to £38million during that period, whilst
the club's overall debt was reduced from £112.7million to £91.2million.
In order to further reduce the level of debt, the club have made
'significant overhead savings' of £3.2million per annum since May 2009 - a
year prior to the club's purchase by David Sullivan and partner David Gold -
whilst overheads have been reduced by 15%. David Sullivan, writing in his
Chairman's statement also confirmed that the club had spent £10.7million
(gross) on transfer fees since the club were relegated in May 2011 -
although with player sales, that figure drops to just £2.5million (net).
WH Holding Ltd 2011 Accounts: highlights
The good news...
* Group turnover up from £71.7m to £80.5m
* Match receipts up from £16.9m to £18.8m
* TV and sponsorship money up from £38m to £46.3m
* Board of Directors' renumeration (total) down from £637,000 to £557,000
* No dividends will be paid to the directors
* Operating profit up from £1.4m to £8.4m
* Wage/turnover ratio reduced from 70.2% to 68%
...And the bad
* Overall loss of £18.6m - down from £20.6m in 2010
* Staff costs (wage bill) up from £53.6m to £55.7m
* Player's wage bill up by £8million
* Value of tangible assets (Boleyn Ground, training grounds) down from
£75.6m to £73m
* Average home gate down from 33,100 to 32,800 (down from peak in 2006/07 of
34,600)
* Bank debts total £38million (down from £44.9m)
* Overall debt to creditors £91.2 (down from £112.7m)
* Group's profit/loss account stands at -£142,450,000
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So we can stay at the Boleyn
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 16th January 2012
By: Paul Walker
So now we know. If our owners do not go for the Olympic Stadium option, we
won't leave the Boleyn and will aim to redevelop our 108-year-old home.
Vice chairman Karen Brady's appearance on Sky threw up some very interesting
pointers to how our future will develop. And I'm not sure I've ever heard of
the one that says we stay at a redeveloped Boleyn.
I've been a supporter of the proposed move to Stratford, not because I want
to leave a ground that has been my family's second home since the 1920s, but
because I accept the need for a bigger stadium and the revenue that produces
as the only way to see the Hammers progress.
You only have to look at the state Liverpool have got themselves in trying
to compete with Manchester United using a stadium that holds 30,000 less
that Old Trafford. And how Everton have hit a glass ceiling because they
cannot move from their ageing Goodison Park.
You see why Fulham want to expand Craven Cottage and how desperate Spurs and
Chelsea are for stadiums that will allow them to progress to a higher level.
Small stadiums mean a club just cannot compete with the major clubs. So,
reluctantly I accepted the financial reasoning for a move to Stratford,
despite the running track.
I felt that we created a pretty a good atmosphere at the old Wembley in '64,
'65, '75 and '80 to win major trophies at a stadium with a track around the
pitch to believe that problem could be overcome in time.
But the Boleyn is our home. We love the place. Even our owners admit to
that. But when the Olympic stadium debate was at it's height, staying at the
Boleyn was never an option. Our owners made that pretty clear.
They claimed that the local police would not sanction an expanded Boleyn
because of the increased parking and transport problems around Upton Park.
They claimed that the local council would not be interested in granting
planning permission for a bigger stadium.
In effect to develop the Chicken Run side of the ground in the way it was
always intended when the new West stand was built and the pitch shifted away
from the East stand patrons. Gone at a stroke was the intimidating
atmosphere the Chicken Run crowd was famous for, where visiting fans were
reduced to panic and fear with our fans breathing down their necks.
A few home players could also be frightened into better performances after
some advice from the Chicken Run crowd. My dad told me how Stan Foxall was
hounded into better displays back in the '30s, and I recall Harry Redknapp
responded to verbal encouragement, for want of a better term!
But while Ms Brady was telling Sky that there was still an 'if' about
whether we went to Stratford, she also said that we would not leave the
Boleyn and that the stadium would be developed if the Olympic move fell
through.
The goal posts, of course, have been moved. It is now a lease we will be
trying to get in Stratford not the purchase of the stadium that so
frightened Spurs, who knew very well how dangerous we would be as neighbours
if we could pull 60,000 crowds while White Hart Lane was stuck in the
30,000s.
It meant they went to every means possible, some very dodgy indeed, to
scupper the original plans to sell the Olympic Stadium to ourselves, the
preferred bidders. They, along with Orient, achieved that and made no
friends at all in government and political circles. And the Police are
showing an interest now in some of the skulduggery that went on. Spurs never
wanted Stratford, they just wanted to stop us getting it.
But the world has changed. We have to make a decision soon on whether we
tender again this time as tenants, and with the prospect of sharing with all
sorts of other sports. One of which cannot be rugby because new rules, I
understand, from the Premier League will stop such new arrangements
(Swansea's agreement with Ospreys I would assume will be allowed because it
is already in existence, much the same as Wigan's with the Warriors).
But now Ms Brady has intimated that there are still 'ifs' and that the
Boleyn could be developed, my view - and I'm sure many others - will change.
The theory was that our owners wanted to get rid of the debts by selling the
Boleyn, get us back into the top flight and then expand into a 60,000
ground. Then, presumably, they could sell the club to big money foreign
buyers.
They were also looking to turn a profit, and I have no problems with that.
But if they are going to consider developing the Boleyn - a new East stand
could take our capacity to close on 50,000 - then they are obviously here
for the long haul.
I heard all the arguments about an expanded stadium being too much for the
infrastructure around a ground when Manchester United wanted to rebuild Old
Trafford. In those days the stadium held 55,000 tops. Now it has got close
to 80,000, and the local community has coped over the years.
Staying at Upton Park would clearly benefit the local business community.
The pubs, restaurants, shops, chippies, the local East Ham working men's
club I use prior to games, would all give a collective sigh of relief.
Coping with 15,000 extra fans would be a problem. But don't forget that the
transport links being upgraded around east London for the Olympics would
still be of benefit to us in the future. Being forced to walk to Stratford
at times over the past couple of seasons because of line closures has not
been too much of a hardship, has it?
Walking to Canning Town has also be an experience as well, but not
impossible. So we, and the community, would cope.
So let the government run the Olympic stadium the way they want. Let Orient
use it, I'm sure they'd love 3,000 fans scattered around the place. And
frankly, as long as we got a 50,000 capacity stadium at the Boleyn, Spurs
can have Stratford too. Call their bluff.
It would be no difference to the closeness they now have with Arsenal, but
just in a different direction.
But surely if we can stay where we are, and have a bigger stadium, that is
all that would matter. Our revenue would be boosted by a return to the top
flight, so it's down the Big Sam now to finish the job.
We've got 20 games left now and need another 40 points, if the manager's
calculations are correct. A couple of signings this month - a striker is a
must - and no selling of our best assets and we'll be back in the big times.
Easy, isn't it?
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Foxes join Vardy hunt
Pearson keen to win race for Fleetwood star
By Pete O'Rourke - Follow me: @skysportspeteo. Last Updated:
January 16, 2012 10:57pm
SSN
Sky Sports understands Leicester City have joined the chase for Fleetwood
hot-shot Jamie Vardy. A host of clubs are chasing Vardy with the striker
netting 17 goals in 18 league games for Fleetwood this season. Fleetwood
have already rejected a bid from Blackpool for the player this month, while
the likes of Fulham, Wolves, West Ham Reading, Southampton and Rangers have
all been credited with an interest in the player. Conference side Fleetwood
are reluctant to sell Vardy with the club striving to win promotion, but
they are set to have their resolve tested by Leicester. Foxes boss Nigel
Pearson is looking to bolster his attacking options and it is believed he
has put in a firm offer for Vardy as he looks to win the race for the
in-demand forward.
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Hammers looking to strengthen
West Ham looking to bring in up to two fresh faces in January
Last Updated: January 16, 2012 11:14am
SSN
West Ham's vice-chairman Karren Brady has confirmed the Championship
high-flyers are looking to strengthen in the January transfer window. The
Hammers have responded well to relegation with manager Sam Allardyce helping
the club to joint-top with Southampton in England's second tier. West Ham
have no plans to rest on their laurels and Brady believes with up to two
fresh faces at Upton Park the club can solidify their promotion push. The
club have already seen bids for players rejected while Brady has also
revealed they have turned down offers from elsewhere for their stars.
Strengthen
"I think the board took a view that we wanted a manager who really had the
right discipline, the right football and the right mentality to grind us out
of this league and I think Sam's definitely brought that," she told Sky
Sports. "He's definitely brought some structure, planning and process. We're
looking to strengthen the squad in the window. "We've had offers for players
that we won't accept and we've had offers to buy players that we've had
turned down so it's a January merry-go-round at the moment. We need one or
two to seal our final push. "Funds are available. We never put a price on
how much. Obviously we discuss that with the manager, but sadly we don't
discuss that with Sky Sports News. "One thing we're very mindful of is West
Ham needs its own stability. It's got its own debts and financial problems
that we've inherited. We need to think very carefully about the players that
we bring in, not just short term but ones that can make a long-term
contribution to West Ham's playing squad. We'll see what happens."
When quizzed whether Huddersfield's free-scoring striker Jordan Rhodes was
on the club's radar, Brady replied: "I think that's a far better question
for the manager, not the vice-chairman."
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West Ham consider fresh bid
Hammers deciding whether Olympic Stadium is in club's interest
Last Updated: January 16, 2012 11:23am
SSN
West Ham are considering a fresh bid to lease the Olympic Stadium, although
they will not leave Upton Park if unsuccessful. The Hammers were named as
the preferred bidders for the ground in February 2011, but the deal
collapsed in October amid concerns over delays caused by the legal dispute
with Tottenham.
The stadium will now remain in public ownership following the 2012 Games and
be leased out with the Olympic Park Legacy Company (OPLC) covering the cost
of transforming the venue. Brady insists the club will not leave even if
they miss out on the stadium, stating they will look to redevelop and
improve Upton Park if a plan B is required. However, in the short term,
Brady and co are deciding whether changing homes is even in the club's
interests after a new deal was placed on the table.
Consideration
"The new tender has come out and we're going through that at the moment. If
we decide to tender again our application will go in by the 23rd of March
and the deadline for a decision is the 21st of May, so it will come around
pretty quickly," Brady told Sky Sports News. "We're in the data room at the
minute looking at the processes, looking at what's on offer, looking at
being a tenant and an owner and working out whether that fits in with West
Ham's plan. "I think we'd look to improve and develop Upton Park if we
stayed. If we moved it would be to the Olympic Stadium due to its close
proximity. It's in our borough. It's in our heartland. It needs a legacy.
"One of the things it was built for was to create that legacy and we really
think football and athletics can work together to create the jobs and
community. Things have to be right. It has to be right from a football point
of view, from a spectator point of view and from a business point of view.
"West Ham hasn't decided if it wants to tender yet. We're still going
through all of the details. We have to decide whether it's right for us
bearing in mind the criteria has changed. We were the preferred bidder. They
weren't our rules. It wasn't a process we set up. We abided by that process,
we played by the rules. We have to look if it's still the same and the right
opportunity for West Ham."
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West Ham decide against Maeda
Hammers won't sign Asian ace
By Graeme Bailey - Tweet me: @skygraemebailey. Last Updated:
January 15, 2012 10:05am
SSN
West Ham United have decided against signing Japan international Ryoichi
Maeda after an unsuccessful trial at the club. The Jubilo Iwata forward
received an invitation in early December to train with the Championship
outfit, and has spent the last three days under the watchful eye of Hammers
boss Sam Allardyce and his coaching staff. According to Iwata club president
Hiroyuki Yoshino, Maeda will be returning to the J-League side as soon as
possible. "We understand they were unable to agree terms," he told Reuters.
Maeda, who scored 14 goals in 28 league appearances last season, will be
disappointed that he may not get another opportunity to play abroad. "At my
age, this is likely my last chance to play overseas and I want to do
everything possible to make it happen," the 30 year-old was quoted as saying
earlier in the week.
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Transfer Update Monday 16th
January 16th, 2012 - 4:23 pm by Bradley Palmer
West Ham Till I Die
20:00 Update: Massive rumour flying about that we are set to sign Diouf. No,
not El Hadj, the young striker from Man Utd. It is being mooted that a loan
deal is lined up until the end of the season. I haven't received any info
myself on this but will be sure to check it out. Thoughts guys…
16:34 Update: Guardian running story that we are interested in taking Villa
midfielder Fabian Delph on loan.
Okay, so we are halfway there and have currently completed only the one deal
this month with centre back George John joining on an initial 2 month loan
with a view to a permanent switch. We remain in the hunt for at the very
least 1 further addition but are hoping for two more players to arrive
before the close of the window later this month.
It appears that Maeda who had a successful trial, regardless to widespread
reports that he didn't do well, could not agree terms on a deal which would
have seen him join Whu. I'm told Big Sam was very impressed with the
Japanese born striker but the player failed to agree on the terms in place
and has now travelled back to his present club. That deal I can now confirm
is dead.
Talksport have today run a story linking us with Yannick Sagbo, a striker
who I honestly don't know a great deal about. He is the half brother of Guy
Demel and Big Sam has confirmed that we have watched him play but no further
than that. Keep a look out for developments on this one.
My source this morning confirmed our interest in Burnley striker Jay
Rodriguez and also Watford striker Marvin Sordell with bids in for both
players, that being a second bid of an improved £2.5m for Sordell. We
currently await an answer in regards to both players. Reports regarding
Sharp's transfer collapse to Leicester have currently come to nothing as no
further offer from Whu has gone in as of yet. I'll let you know if that
changes.
Celik, a wide player who is currently a free agent is still hoped that a
deal can be struck but there has been no further developments on this at the
moment that I can report.
January is certainly proving to be an extremely difficult window to attract
players into the club but I can assure fans that Whu are trying there very
best to get the players in but it hasn't been easy. They remain optimistic
though that a few deals can be done soon. Keep on the look out!
On a side note, anyone else see Karen Brady on Sky Sports News today. She
has spoken out saying that we may opt against putting a bid in for the OS
and instead stay at Upton Park and try to push plans ahead for
redevelopments to the ground. Well DG said on twitter that this was a no go.
Will be very interesting to see what goes on there.
Bradley Palmer
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Hammers tempt Cardiff with £3m bid for Whittingham
Published 22:19 15/01/12 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror
WEST HAM have left a £3million bid on the table for in-demand Cardiff
midfielder Peter Whittingham. Ex-Aston Villa trainee Whittingham, 27, is a
wanted man after bagging eight goals this season. Top-flight West Brom are
also interested in the ace but promotion hopefuls Cardiff do not want to
sell.
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West Ham United consider Olympic Stadium bid
4:20pm Monday 16th January 2012 in News
Guardian Series
West Ham United have yet to decide whether they will bid to lease the
Olympic Stadium. The Hammers are interested in moving to the new venue but
if this does not go through they will instead look to redevelop Upton Park.
Vice-chairman Karren Brady told Sky Sports News: "The new tender has come
out and we're going through that at the moment. If we decide to tender again
our application will go in by the 23rd of March and the deadline for a
decision is the 21st of May, so it will come around pretty quickly. "We're
in the data room at the minute looking at the processes, looking at what's
on offer, looking at being a tenant and an owner and working out whether
that fits in with West Ham's plan. "I think we'd look to improve and develop
Upton Park if we stayed. If we moved it would be to the Olympic Stadium due
to its close proximity. It's in our borough. It's in our heartland. It needs
a legacy."
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West Ham United interested in Leeds United target and Aston Villa midfielder
Fabian Delph
2:30pm Monday 16th January 2012 in News
Guardian Series
West Ham United are reportedly interested in signing Aston Villa midfielder
Fabian Delph. The 20-year-old is available on loan but is believed to favour
a move back to former club Leeds United. Delph left Elland Road in 2009 for
almost £8m but has suffered a series of injuries at Villa Park.
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West Ham keeping tabs on Ivory Coast striker
By talkSPORT
Monday, January 16, 2012
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce has confirmed that the club are keeping tabs on
Yannick Sagbo - who is desperate for a move to Upton Park. The Evian striker
is the half brother of Hammers full-back Guy Demel and last week revealed he
would love to link up with him in east London. Allardyce is in the market
for a new striker as he attempts to steer West Ham back to the Premier
League at the first time of asking and has been linked with Huddersfield's
Jordan Rhodes, Bristol City's Nicky Maynard and Doncaster's Billy Sharp. The
manager has also been scouring the continent in search of new strikers and
admits Sagbo is a player who has caught the eye. But asked whether he has
made a bid for the striker, who has scored seven goals in 19 Ligue 1
appearances the season, Allardcye said: "He's someone that we've watched,
that's all, nothing more than that yet."
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Allardyce targets strong finish
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce feels his squad will end the January transfer
window far stronger than they began it.
TalkSport
Last Updated: 16/01/12 at 13:47 Post Comment
The Hammers were rocked by injuries and suspensions at the turn of the year
but now only Matt Taylor and Guy Demel are left in the treatment room.
Allardyce has also strengthened his defence with the signing of American
centre-half George John and remains in the market for a striker before the
transfer window shuts. "The squad is bigger, stronger and better than it has
been for a long time, and there is still Matt and Guy to come back as well,"
he said. "So if we can add one along the front to that, we have got George
John now and Gary O'Neil is back, so things are looking good squad-wise."
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Alladyce fury at Hammers lack of clinical touch
1:30pm Monday 16th January 2012 in Sport
Thurrock Gazette
WEST HAM: West Ham manager Sam Allardyce wants to sign another striker
during the January transfer window because he feels his side are not
clinical enough — despite seeing them beat Portsmouth 1-0 at Fratton Park.
Midfielder Mark Noble (pictured below celebrating) scored the only goal of
Saturday's game from the penalty spot to keep up the Hammer's pursuit of
Championship table-toppers Southampton. And Allardyce admits he is going to
have to sign another forward after watching his side score just once in a
dominant performance at Fratton Park. They were even unable to double their
lead after the sending off of David Norris and Allardyce said: "Even with
all the chances we created we have only won the game by a penalty so it was
very important it was put away. "I am looking for another striker because
from the chances we created we have not been clinical enough and that has
been a problem. "The good thing is we have one of the best defensive records
in the league and that is a positive for us and means we will always be up
where we want to be. "Apart from the last 10 minutes of the first half we
were solid defensively. We took control of a game against a side who are
brilliant at home. "We could have won more convincingly after the sending
off. We are delighted with the performance and the result."
The match started slowly but the Hammers took the lead on 24-minutes when
Tal Ben Haim pulled down Winston Reid in the box and Noble converted the
penalty.
Portsmouth had a good chance five minutes from the interval when Liam
Lawrence curled an effort into the corner from 12-yards which was well
tipped round the post by Robert Green. From the resulting corner, Lawrence
crossed for Jason Pearce whose volley was brilliantly saved by Green. Pompey
went down to 10 men on 56 minutes when Norris was given his marching orders
for a tackle from behind on Reid. Lawrence had a free-kick in the last
minute from 20-yards but it hit the wall and West Ham held out for three
vital points. While Allardyce was unhappy with his strikers, Portsmouth boss
Michael Appleton blasted referee Kevin Friend, accusing him of allowing the
West Ham players to influence his decisions. Appleton said: "It was not a
sending off, it was harsh. I do not think it was a two-footed challenge and
it was not a tackle from behind. "The biggest disappointment was I have
never seen a red card pulled out of a pocket so quickly in my life. We were
put on the back foot after that. "It was not a penalty. It was harsh. I
think there was two or three West Ham players refereeing the game. We should
have had a handball at the end as well. "You need the referee to be strong
and I do not think he was. I felt some of the West Ham players were having
an influence on his decisions."
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DAGENHAM EXTEND LOAN FOR WEST HAM YOUNGSTER
Daily Star
17th January 2012 By Daily Star Reporter
DAGENHAM have extended the loan of West Ham midfielder Cristian Montano, 20,
for a third month but he is not eligible for tonight's FA Cup third-round
replay at Millwall.
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