Hammers nick Maynard
West Ham United are delighted to announce the capture of exciting striker Nicky Maynard
31.01.2012
Send Print RSS
West Ham United are delighted to announce the capture of striker Nicky Maynard from Bristol City for an undisclosed fee. Maynard, who has signed a two and a half year deal - with an option for an extra year - with the Hammers, was one of the most sought-after players in English football after a prolific spell at Ashton Gate, where he has scored 46 goals in 130 games. Prior to moving to Bristol City in 2008, the Cheshire-born 25-year-old also enjoyed a fantastic time in front of goal at first club Crewe Alexandra, where he netted 35 goals in 67 appearances.
A quick, direct player with fine finishing ability, Maynard told whufc.com he cannot wait to get his West Ham career underway, saying: "I'm ecstatic. It's been a long day but I'm delighted to put pen to paper and can't wait to get going. West Ham are a massive club. They've got everything geared to get to the Premier League and the Premier League is where I want to be. "I'm a quick player who likes to get in behind and thrives off chances. I'll keep plugging away all game and as I'm not happy unless I'm scoring goals."
Born in the town Winsford in December 1985, Maynard spent a period with Arsenal as a schoolboy before linking up with Crewe in 1994 at the age of seven. The forward remained at Gresty Road for 14 years, graduating from the club's famous Academy under the watchful eye of Dario Gradi. After netting 27 goals for the youth team in 2003/04, Maynard signed his first professional contract at the age of 18 before making his senior debut for Crewe in a 4-2 win over Millwall at the end of the 2005/6 campaign. The following season, 2006/07, saw Maynard enjoy a prolific partnership with Luke Varney and cement his place in the Railwaymen's starting XI.
A further 15 goals in 2007/08 tempted Bristol City to spend £2.25m to take Maynard to Ashton Gate in July 2008 and he maintained his fine scoring record for the Robins. The 2009/10 season was his best in a City shirt, with 21 goals in 45 appearances in all competitions. Despite the club struggling in the npower Championship this term, Maynard has eight goals to his name.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham move for Morrison
WHUFC.com
West Ham United have signed highly-rated attacker Ravel Morrison from Manchester United
31.01.2012
West Ham United are delighted to announce the signing of highly-rated midfielder Ravel Morrison from Manchester United. Morrison, who will celebrate his 19th birthday on Thursday, is considered to be one of the finest prospects to have emerged from the Red Devils' Academy in many years. He has joined West Ham on a three and a half year contract for an undisclosed fee. The England Under-18 international made his first-team debut at the age of 17 in a League Cup win over Wolverhampton Wanderers in October 2010 before helping Manchester United to win the FA Youth Cup in 2011. After making two further League Cup appearances this term and with his contract set to expire at Old Trafford this summer, Morrison has decided to seek regular first-team football with the Hammers. "I'm really pleased to have signed," Morrison said. "The move has happened very quickly and I'm looking forward to hopefully moving up to the Premier League with West Ham soon. I'm an attacking player and I'm hoping to get the fans on their feet. "I met with Sam Allardyce this morning and he welcomed me to the club. I also played with Robert Hall in the England team and I know him well so that will be really helpful to have someone here that I know."
Born in Wythenshawe in the south of Manchester, Morrison joined Manchester United as a schoolboy and immediately caught the eye with his creative talents. After scoring in the FA Youth Cup against Chelsea as a 15-year-old, Morrison signed a scholarship before penning his first professional contract on his 17th birthday. The 2010/11 season was a memorable one for the young attacking midfielder or deep-lying forward, who made his first-team debut before helping Manchester United's Under-18s to lift the FA Youth Cup, scoring against Newcastle United and Liverpool before netting twice in a 4-1 aggregate final win over Sheffield United. Touted as having 'the potential to be one of the real stars of his generation' on Manchester United's official website, Morrison has also had his talents recognised at international level, appearing for England at U16, U17 and U18 levels and being called up for the U19 squad in November 2011.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Big Sam reunited with Vaz Te
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce has signed forward Ricardo Vaz Te - eight years after bringing him to English football
31.01.2012
West Ham United are delighted to announce the signing of Ricardo Vaz Te. The former Portugal Under-21 international forward joins the Hammers on a two and a half year deal - with an option for a third year - for an undisclosed fee after making a massive impression for npower Championship club Barnsley this season. Vaz Te's move to the Boleyn Ground reunites the Lisbon-born player with manager Sam Allardyce - the man who initially brought him to English football at Bolton Wanderers as a 16-year-old in 2003. The 25-year-old is delighted to be working with Big Sam again and cannot wait to get his West Ham career underway. "I feel great. I'm very excited to work with Sam again and it's great because I know a few players here," he said. "I'm very thankful and excited and looking forward to it.
"I spoke to Sam on Tuesday and went to see him at his office. He told me what he's looking for. I'm very excited and I think he's very excited too. I've played with Kevin Nolan and Joey O'Brien before and I also know Neil McDonald and some of the backroom staff. "I had a fantastic time at Barnsley. I'm very grateful for the opportunity they gave me and I hope the fans can understand why I left as West Ham is a great opportunity for me. I have a great respect and love for the Barnsley fans and I wish them the very best."
A childhood friend and team-mate of Manchester United winger Nani, Vaz Te was born in the Portuguese capital before spending part of his upbringing in the west African nation of Guinea-Bissau. After returning to Portugal and impressing for local club Real Massama, he joined SC Farense before moving to Bolton in 2003. Vaz Te made his Trotters debut in an FA Cup third-round draw at Tranmere Rovers on 4 January 2004 - just three months after his 17th birthday - in a tie that also featured current Hammers captain Kevin Nolan. The young attacker would go on to make 78 appearances for Bolton, 59 as a substitute, and score seven goals. During his time with the club, he also earned four Portugal U21 caps, scoring once. After six months with Scottish club Hibernian in 2010/11, Vaz Te linked up with Barnsley on a one-year deal last summer and has been a revelation at Oakwell. A run of 12 goals in 24 appearances reminded Big Sam of his talents and the West Ham manager moved smartly to work with the player again.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
New time for Palace
WHUFC.com
The home match with Crystal Palace will now kick-off at 12.45pm
30.01.2012
West Ham United's home game with Crystal Palace on Saturday 25th February will now kick off 12.45pm. The London derby was originally set for 3pm but has been brought forward to an earlier kick-off.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ipswich Town 5 West Ham Utd 1
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 31st January 2012
By: Staff Writer
West Ham have been humiliated at Portman Road, conceding five against relegation candidates Ipswich Town - on the day Sam Allardyce boosted his squad with three attacking players. Ipswich - who went into tonight's game one place above the relegation zone and without a win on seven games - hit five as the Hammers fell to their biggest defeat since the 5-0 thumping at Newcastle a year ago this month. The Tractor Boys took the lead after just two minutes when former Newcastle and Cardiff striker Michael Chopra fired home from just inside the penalty area. That lead was doubled in the final minute of first half normal time when an unmarked Daryl Murphy nodded home a Tommy Smith flick-on from a corner. West Ham replied almost immediately through Jack Collison who converted Mark Noble's free kick after George McCartney had been felled by Jay Emmanuel-Thomas. But Ipswich restored their two-goal advantage in added-on time with a third goal in four minutes when McCartney felled Chopra inside the box. With the Irishman somewhat fortunate not to receive his marching orders - being as he was the last man - Lee Martin stepped up to fire the home side's third goal of the half.
Even if Sam Allardyce gave his team the hairdryer treatment at half time, it made little difference as United were just as woeful after the break. The only surprise was that it took nearly 20 minutes of the second half for Town to add a fourth - although it was the by far the best goal of the night. Emmanuel-Thomas, whose foul had led to West Ham's first half consolation hit a belter from 30 yards that gave Rob Green no chance. The final insult arrived deep into injury time with West Ham's minds no doubt already on the coach trip back London - and once again it was Emmanuel-Thomas who profited.
Once again United were guilty of failing to clear their lines and the ball was worked back into the box where the Ipswich number nine had time to pick a spot and complete West Ham's humiliation. The less said about this one the better; the only positive that can be taken from the game is that it should give Allardyce's hopeless side the best possible incentive to beat Millwall at the Boleyn Ground on Saturday.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Five-star Town destroy Hammers
Last updated: 31st January 2012
SSN
Ipswich made a mockery of their lowly position in the Championship as they put leaders West Ham to the sword in a 5-1 win at Portman Road. The league's tightest defence met its weakest but it was Town who celebrated their first win in eight matches in all competitions to boost their battle for survival. The home side led inside three minutes through Michael Chopra before Carlton Cole hit a post for the visitors moments later. A crazy end to the first half saw three goals in the final two minutes plus stoppage time, with Daryl Murphy doubling Town's advantage with a header but Jack Collison halving the deficit within seconds. Ipswich were then awarded a penalty which Lee Martin converted, and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas added a brace after the break as the Hammers saw their three-game winning run in the league come to an end. But they stay top after second-placed Southampton were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Cardiff.
Town made a flying start as they took the lead after three minutes. Emmanuel-Thomas held off the challenge of a couple of defenders before teeing up Chopra for his first goal in eight games. The Hammers came agonisingly close to an equaliser in the sixth minute but Cole's header from George McCartney's delivery hit a post and bounced into the arms of goalkeeper Arran Lee-Barrett. Moments later, Henri Lansbury, who enjoyed a successful loan spell at Town's East Anglia rivals Norwich, fired a shot wide from 20 yards. The game was swinging from end to end and Chopra came close to a second in the 35th minute but his close-range header was easy for goalkeeper Robert Green. West Ham responded and James Tomkins headed a Mark Noble corner over before they fell further behind a minute before the break.
Tommy Smith flicked on a corner and Murphy was on hand to convert from close range - his first goal since November. But the Hammers produced an immediate response as Collison headed in a Noble free-kick, although amazingly Ipswich went straight up the other end and restored their two-goal cushion. George McCartney was booked for a foul on Chopra and Martin sent Green the wrong way from the spot. An excellent save from Green prevented Emmanuel-Thomas from notching a fourth for Town 10 minutes into the second half. But there was nothing Green could do when Emmanuel-Thomas left fly from 30 yards in the 64th minute to make it 4-1.
Winston Reid and Lansbury were denied by Lee-Barrett as West Ham attempted to get back into the game Substitute Sam Baldock shot wide when he should have scored and Kevin Nolan was next to be foiled by Lee-Barrett as West Ham continued to fight back. But Emmanuel-Thomas added a fifth in injury time to cap a miserable night for the Hammers.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham United sign Bristol City striker Nicky Maynard
BBC.co.uk
West Ham have signed Bristol City striker Nicky Maynard for an undisclosed fee, with the deal thought to be worth around £2m. The 25-year-old has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract, with the option of a further 12 months. Maynard moved to the Robins from Crewe for £2.25m in July 2008. He scored 46 goals in 131 appearances but was put up for sale this month after negotiations to extend his deal at Ashton Gate fell through. The forward's contract at City was due to expire in
MAYNARD'S CAREER
Born 11 December 1986 in Winsford, Cheshire
Scored 35 goals in 57 starts for Crewe
Scored six goals in 2010-11 season after a knee injury restricted his appearances
Has scored eight goals in 26 league starts so far this season
Maynard has been the subject of intense transfer speculation since the summer, when Leicester offered a reported £6m for the striker, which was rejected by the Robins . Premier League side Swansea were then linked with the player before Wigan looked set to make a move for the former Crewe trainee before the January transfer window closed. But the Latics cooled those rumours last week , leaving Championship leaders West Ham to move in for the striker. "I'm not going to spit my dummy out," he told the Bristol City website. "I've always had a good relationship with the fans and I do regret how things ended. "I enjoyed my time at Bristol City but the opportunity to move to a massive club like West Ham, who are destined for the Premier League, was too good to turn down."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham United sign Ricardo Vaz Te from Barnsley
BBC.co.uk
West Ham United have signed striker Ricardo Vaz Te from Barnsley for an undisclosed fee. The 25-year-old, who has signed a two-and-a-half-year deal, had made 12 league starts and scored 10 goals for the Tykes since arriving in June 2011. Vaz Te, who previously spent time with Hibernian and Hull, made 75 appearances for Bolton during a seven-year spell with the Premier League side. The former Portugal Under-21 player began his career at Farense.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ipswich 5 West Ham 1
31 January 2012
BBC.co.uk
Ipswich hit five past league leaders West Ham to move clear of the bottom three and shock the Hammers. Michael Chopra gave the home side an early lead when he scored his first goal in eight games. Daryl Murphy made it 2-0 before Jack Collison headed a goal back, only for Lee Martin to restore the two-goal lead with a penalty. Jay Emmanuel-Thomas scored his first of the evening from 30 yards out before he made it five in injury-time. It was the Tractor Boys' first win in eight games, while for the visitors it was their first league defeat of 2012. There were just three minutes on the clock when Chopra opened the scoring, after some good work by Emmanuel-Thomas. Carlton Cole then hit the post for the visitors, with a header, before James Tomkins headed over. West Ham were left to rue their missed chances when Murphy converted from close-range but just seconds later they were back in it. Collison headed in a Noble free-kick on the stroke of half-time, only for Town to go straight down the other end and restore their two-goal advantage. It was the first time Ipswich have beaten the Hammers at home in a league match since 1989. George McCartney fouled Chopra in the box and Martin made no mistake sending Green the wrong way from the spot. Emmanuel-Thomas fired in the fourth from long-range before taking his tally for the season to four with virtually the last kick of the game. The win moves Paul Jewell's side up to 19th while West Ham stay top after Southampton were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Cardiff City.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hill issues Vaz Te warning
Tykes boss not happy with departing striker
Last Updated: February 1, 2012 12:23am
SSN
Keith Hill believes Ricardo Vaz Te has made a mistake by leaving Barnsley to join West Ham and warned the striker he might become "a football ghost" once again.
Vaz Te only joined the Tykes in the summer when Hill gave him a chance to resurrect his career, but the Tykes' leading scorer has on Tuesday opted to link up with Sam Allardyce, who managed him at Bolton, at West Ham once again. And speaking after Barnsley's 3-2 Championship victory over Derby, Hill expressed his disappointment at the decision of the Portuguese. Asked if the player's switch was inevitable, Hill said: "Not really. West Ham have got a very good player who was a football ghost at the start of the season, sometimes players take what they want rather than what they need and he needed to stay here. "But he decided to go and I hope he doesn't become another football ghost. He's got a lot of talent, but maybe just a bit-part player down there. "But we didn't suffer without him, we scored three goals again. It's history now, it's over and we move on."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Jewell hails hard-working Town
Allardyce naturally disappointed by Hammers thumping
Last Updated: February 1, 2012 12:49am
SSN
Manager Paul Jewell has branded Ipswich's 5-1 demolition of Championship leaders West Ham a 'victory for hard work and determination'. The Blues put their recent troubles behind them to complete a double over the Hammers and notch an emphatic first win of 2012. Seven matches had elapsed since their last victory but they were always in command at Portman Road. Michael Chopra gave them a dream start and then Daryl Murphy's goal and a penalty from Lee Martin - either side of a consolation from Jack Collison - made it 3-1. Jay Emmanuel-Thomas smashed a fourth just after the hour and then added a fifth in stoppage time.
Sweeter
"It was a great result but even sweeter to get a performance too," said Jewell. "West Ham are a very good team and I've got no doubts they'll get promoted. "We started well and then rode our luck from one or two set-plays. But overall it was a victory for hard work and determination. "We worked exceptionally hard, hunted in packs and didn't want to give them any time on the ball. We hassled them all over the pitch and played some good stuff of our own. "It was a great tonic for everyone but we've had false dawns before this season. One swallow doesn't make a summer and we've got another tough game at Coventry on Saturday. We'll go into it with a bit more confidence now, though."
Shocked Hammers boss Sam Allardyce said: "I was bitterly disappointed. I didn't expect us to put on such a poor performance defensively. "That's been our ultimate strength this season, especially away from home, but as a defensive unit we just disintegrated. "Ipswich came out of the blocks quicker than us and exposed the gaping holes we left in our back four. When you do that you get punished. "We were very, very poor in that department and that's why we lost the game.
Poor
"Even when we clawed our way back we didn't have the organisation or communication to make sure we got through to half-time, so I could sort one or two things out. "Ipswich were great and took full advantage of us not being on song. "They stuck their chances away when they came their way, so from a football point of view it's been a shock and a really bad day."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers capture Maynard
Leaders sign striker from Bristol City for undisclosed fee
Last Updated: February 1, 2012 12:14am
SSN
Championship leaders West Ham have boosted their attacking options with the capture of Nicky Maynard from Bristol City for an undisclosed fee. The striker, whose contract at Ashton Gate was set to expire in the summer, has put pen to paper on a three-and-a-half year deal with the Hammers, who lost 5-1 at Ipswich on Tuesday. Maynard becomes the Hammers' third capture of the day after fellow forward Ricardo Vaz Te signed from Barnsley and Manchester United prodigy Ravel Morrison also arrived.
Best interests
Chairman Colin Sexstone admitted City were keen to cash in on the forward, who scored 46 times for the Robins in 131 appearances following his arrival from Crewe in July 2008, after Maynard called time on contract negotiations earlier this season. "With the West Ham offer, I believe we have secured a good deal for the club and at the same time brought closure to this matter." Sexstone told City's official website: "For a long time we tried to get Nicky to sign a new contract and commit his future to the club, but once we knew that would not be possible it was in the club's best interests to search out the best deal possible. "With the West Ham offer, I believe we have secured a good deal for the club and at the same time brought closure to this matter. "It's now time to move on and I think it's important for everyone associated with the club to pull together now as we look to end the season positively and secure our Championship status for next year."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham United boss pleased with signings of Manchester United midfielder and two strikers
1:04am Wednesday 1st February 2012 in
Guardian Series
By Simon Mail »
West Ham United boss Sam Allardyce believes his three deadline day signings will help bring more firepower to the side. The Hammers brought in Barnsley striker Ricardo Vaz Te and Bristol City finisher Nicky Maynard. West Ham also swooped for Manchester United attacking midfielder Ravel Morrison. Speaking after the Irons' shock 5-1 defeat at Ipswich, Allardyce said: "They're good young players, all three of them and hopefully they can bring us another dimension in terms of creating and scoring more goals. "I'll sort the defensive side out, I think this is just a one off. But we have been a little short on goals and I think that Vaz Te and Nicky Maynard come into the fray straight away because they've been proven goalscorers this season with clubs in this division. "We've been a little short in taking our chances so hopefully they'll bring a little bit more on the front line to us. Like I said, it's up to me to sort out the defensive side."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
OH, RAVEL
www.unitedrant.co.uk
By Ed. Tue, Jan 31, 2012Latest
The great white hope is dead; long live the next over-hyped Manchester United youngster. At least that's the prevailing message today, as revisionism kicks in among the United fan base. Indeed, Ravel Morrison's move to West Ham United has ended one of the most enduring dramas at the club. While the transfer also comes as a huge disappointment to many who have followed the youngster's career, it is also a truism that the club and fans move on quickly.
The hugely talented 18-year-old – billed as everything from the new Paul Gascoigne, to the best Englishman since Paul Scholes – will no longer represent United after agreeing a permanent move south. It is a move all too inevitable since Sir Alex Ferguson and the club's coaching staff decided late last year to part company with young Morrison. But this is a story with no clear narrative, encompassing high finance, personal ambition, and one seriously challenged young man.
The bare bones are these: Morrison has moved south for about £650,000 up front, rising to £2 million should certain performance targets be met. With Morrison's contract running down, United had no stomach for the lottery that is the transfer tribunal. West Ham have a low-risk talent who could bloom into something far more valuable.
Meanwhile, the player will earn nothing like the erroneous figures reported in the press recently, with Morrison's starting salary of £12,000 per week only rising in increments to £65,000 should the player become a huge success and promotion achieved. Morrison must attain performance and playing targets over the course of a four-and-a-half year contract to earn the big bucks on offer. Agents Nick Rubery, for Morrison, and Barry Silkmann for the Hammers, have certainly done well for their clients.
The player, who was also subject to bids from Newcastle United – rejected – and Bolton Wanderers – accepted – this window, officially completed the paperwork around 9pm on Tuesday evening, posing for the obligatory signing photo. "I'm really pleased to have signed," said Morrison on completing the deal.
"The move has happened very quickly and I'm looking forward to hopefully moving up to the Premier League with West Ham soon. I'm an attacking player and I'm hoping to get the fans on their feet. " met with Sam Allardyce this morning and he welcomed me to the club. I also played with Robert Hall in the England team and I know him well so that will be really helpful to have someone here that I know."
The transfer details are the easy part though in the multi-faceted story of how one of the finest talents of the past generation has left Old Trafford. "Too good to fail," MUTV co-commentator Paddy Crerand once said. Indeed, it is not without just cause that Ferguson has regularly praised the Withenshaw-born player's magic feet and superb balance. Talents, some may argue, wasted at Championship level.
Yet, here is a player with the world at his feet who too often gave the impression of caring little for the game that should make him a millionaire. While Morrison's tendency to drift out of matches has improved, to some extent, with age, the player's attitude to training has irked far too many at Carrington. Coaches, senior pros, such as Paul Scholes, and particularly Ferguson have all spent time attempting to pull the player back from the brink.
It hasn't worked though. "I don't know why the United fans rave about Ravel," one youth teamer reportedly told fanzine United We Stand recently. "When he can't even be bothered to get out of bed in the morning." The player, having been told he would make the first team squad should he attend every training session for three months failed even that seemingly simple task.
Running concurrently through Morrison's time at Old Trafford has also been a series of off-the-field problems, including two appearances in court for assault and witness intimidation, and a 12 month referral order. None of which had previously precipitated Morrison's removal from the club.
Then came the move that often drives change: Morrison changed agents last summer, from Colin Gordon at Key Sports to Nick Rubery's Prostar Sports Management. It was a move widely thought beneficial in Old Trafford circles. Indeed, Rubery had no part in driving the widely reported, but factually incorrect, stories about Morrison's outlandish wage demands.
Surprisingly, Ferguson chose his pre-match press conference a fortnight ago to lambast the youngster for an "unrealistic" financial requirements. It was an unseemly smear against a youngster whose principle gripe in recent months has been lack of playing time in the first team. True, Morrison has only himself to blame for not making the first team picture. The talent was always there; the attitude perhaps not.
Ultimately is was United, and not Morrison, that chose the path that has led this multi-talent youngster not to the lights of Old Trafford, but to Upton Park. Rejection will hurt the youngster. Failure to turn Morrison's life and career around will injure Ferguson just as acutely.
Strange then that Ferguson should choose to bring money into the equation when, by all accounts, the Scot was the last man standing in the Morrison camp at Old
Trafford. Every other coach had simply given up on the player. But with the manager's sponsorship of Morrison's progress, also comes culpability. Failure here was perhaps simply too hard to take.
This is also a highly troubled young man, whose apparent links with criminality have never been far from the surface. At West Ham, under Sam Allardyce's guidance, Morrison will find a close Ferguson ally. There will be no secrets left in the closet for the Hammers to discover later. But moving a division lower, and 200 miles south, is a chance, or perhaps a sign, that the penny has dropped. Morrison's talents will surely be on display sooner rather than later, with West Ham riding high in the Championship Allardyce.
The rest is up to the player. Far from home – far from the distractions of Manchester – Morrison may well find a new focus. Salvation, the player hopes, will come in East London. That is if the bright lights and loose cash of the London lifestyle does not get to the youngster first, cynics might add.
Here's where the frustration comes in of course. If Morrison does make it to the game's summit, with the accompanying wealth, fame and adulation, there will be more than a small corner of Manchester with a rueful smile. His is a talent that absolutely should grace the highest stage. If only he wanted it badly enough. If only the demons inside could have been defeated.
It is this regret – anger if you will – that has led to no little revisionism in recent days. Suddenly, gone is the great hope. Ravel, it is now said, is a "fool", "stupid" or, worse still, "greedy". None of this is true.
And with little delay, and no ceremony, Ferguson will move on. The fans will move on too. The new hero may already have been born, with French midfielder Paul Pogba putting in a staring cameo appearance against Stoke City on Tuesday night.
One eye will be on Upton Park though, with a secret hope that a newly arrived youngster will eventually live up to that huge promise.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ravel Morrison deal a big risk for promotion-chasing West Ham
News.ladbrokes.com
He has long been touted as one of the most talented players to emerge from the Manchester United youth system in many a year – but now Ravel Morrison will be gracing the Championship for the rest of the season as a West Ham United player. The teenager joined the east London side for an undisclosed fee after failing to agree an extension to his contract at Old Trafford which ran out in the summer. It's something of a surprise to see the talented but volatile player leave, but regular first XI football looks to have been a big factor in his move south. Speaking to the West Ham United official website, Morrison said: "I'm really pleased to have signed.
"The move has happened very quickly and I'm looking forward to hopefully moving up to the Premier League with West Ham soon. I'm an attacking player and I'm hoping to get the fans on their feet. "I met with Sam Allardyce this morning and he welcomed me to the club. I also played with Robert Hall in the England team and I know him well so that will be really helpful to have someone here that I know."
He joins a side chasing promotion but on the back foot after suffering a 5-1 hammering at the hands of Ipswich Town. The defeat means the Irons are just three points ahead of Southampton at the top of the Championship and four points ahead of Cardiff in third. The signing of Morrison will certainly give West Ham plenty of attacking options but with all the problems that come with the player, this could prove a crucial moment in the race for promotion.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham sign Nicky Maynard
1 Feb 2012
Evening Standard
Nicky Maynard has joined West Ham from Bristol City for an undisclosed fee. The striker, whose contract at Ashton Gate was set to expire in the summer, has put pen to paper on a three-and-a-half year deal with the Hammers. Chairman Colin Sexstone admitted City were keen to cash in on the forward, who scored 46 times for the Robins in 131 appearances after arriving from Crewe in July 2008, after Maynard called time on contract negotiations earlier this season. Sexstone told City's official website: "For a long time we tried to get Nicky to sign a new contract and commit his future to the club, but once we knew that would not be possible it was in the club's best interests to search out the best deal possible. "With the West Ham offer, I believe we have secured a good deal for the club and at the same time brought closure to this matter. "It's now time to move on and I think it's important for everyone associated with the club to pull together now as we look to end the season positively and secure our Championship status for next year."
Maynard becomes the Hammers' third signing of the day after fellow forward Ricardo Vaz Te signed from Barnsley and Manchester United prodigy Ravel Morrison also arrived.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ravel Morrison seeks salvation with West Ham after rejection by Manchester United
By Paul Hayward
8:00AM GMT 01 Feb 2012 Comment
Telegraph.co.uk
The self-titled Academy of Football tends to produce its own starlets. On transfer deadline day it gambled on one from the mighty Manchester United youth factory as 18-year-old Ravel Morrison laid down his baggage at West Ham in the hope of turning his life around. One of the most gifted United young midfielders since Paul Scholes, Morrison dropped from the Premier League to the Championship and passed from the care of Sir Alex Ferguson to Sam Allardyce, the West Ham manager: a mentor to some of the game's more awkward and unusual characters.
Morrison passed his medical on Tuesday after an initial reported fee of £650,000 rising to £1million had been agreed with United. Newcastle United was his other possible refuge but for once he is thinking several steps ahead. Sources close to the deal say Morrison is desperate to play regularly to help keep him out of trouble – and believes he can achieve a regular starting place in a side who are hot favourites for promotion.
Either way, Morrison's rejection by Manchester United is a rare setback for a club who have framed their identity around guiding the best boys from the training fields of Carrington to the turf of Old Trafford. But Morrison is not like Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville or Scholes. Witness intimidation and a dispute with his girlfriend that ended with her mobile phone being thrown through a window are on his police file and magistrates have warned him he will go to jail if he offends again. Away from the courts Morrison was frequently AWOL for training and used Twitter to express disdain for a club awards dinner and anger at what he saw as his lack of first-team opportunities. Ferguson's coaches gave up on him: a rare acceptance of defeat at a club where youth cultivation is a religion.
Morrison scored twice in the 2011 FA Youth Cup win over Sheffield United and dazzled observers with his poise and skill. Two days later he was being fined £600 for throwing his girlfriend's phone. At 15 he scored in an FA Youth Cup tie against Chelsea and made his first-team debut in 2010 in the Carling Cup against Wolves.
But his disciplinary lapses blocked his path and now Allardyce has invited him to settle in a stable team coasting towards promotion. He said: "Ravel is a talented lad and if he really wants to be a player then we will help him as much as we can along the way. Perhaps a change of environment will be beneficial to him and help him make that step up to first-team football quicker than perhaps would have been the case at Manchester United. There is no doubt he has exceptional talent."
West Ham have always cleared space for free spirits and mavericks. Ian Bishop and Paolo Di Canio are just two examples of Upton Park idols who tended towards nonconformity. Allardyce is a mostly functional coach who likes to roll a dice around the margins. He added Jay-Jay Okocha to a long-ball Bolton team and took Joey Barton to Newcastle. At West Ham he has dismissed the old conceit of losing prettily in favour of a more muscular and calculating approach. Over the summer — before Morrison and Ricardo Vaz Te entered his thoughts — Allardyce recruited the likes of Abdoulaye Faye, Kevin Nolan, Papa Bouba Diop and John Carew.
This romance-kicking pragmatism has propelled West Ham to the top of the Championship and the acquisition of Morrison is a cheap investment in the kind of midfield artistry the Hammers will need if they come back up in May. The initial risk runs to £650,000 and £10-£15,000 a week in wages. There is little danger of Morrison upsetting the promotion push. If he returned to his old ways the senior pros would merely ostracise him and plough on with their jobs.
Seldom do United's educational and coaching programmes run into such insurmountable obstacles. Boys from deprived or troubled backgrounds are often transformed at Carrington. Many move successfully to lower league clubs. The FA Youth Cup-winning player is especially valued. Matt Busby's babes won the competition five times and Ferguson's class of '92 was the launch pad for David Beckham, Nicky Butt, Gary Neville and Giggs. Scholes and Phil Neville were also of that generation.
Morrison leaves behind Will Keane, Ryan Tunnicliffe and Paul Pogba, team-mates from last year's victory over Sheffield's Blades. The idea is that playing regularly will be his salvation while the move to London liberates him from the bad influences of his youth. There will be no entourage heading south, his aides say: just a teenager with a nose for trouble and the kind of fluent, instinctive skills United have built a tradition around. Big Sam Allardyce loves a test. He will want the good angels on his side.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ravel Morrison hopes to give West Ham a lift after move from Manchester United
By Marc Isaacs
11:46PM GMT 31 Jan 2012
Telegraph.co.uk
Ravel Morrison has vowed to fulfil his potential with West Ham and help the club gain promotion straight back into the Premier League. Morrison surprised a number of people in the game when he opted to leave the Premier League champions and drop down a division to sign for the east London club in a 3½ year deal. The 18 year-old was talked about as one of the most promising youngsters to come through the ranks at Old Trafford, but he could not agree a new contract with the club.
Morrison has encountered a number of disciplinary problems away from football, but having made the move down to London, he is determined to succeed in his career. Morrison said: "The move has happened very quickly and I'm looking forward to hopefully moving up to the Premier League with West Ham soon. I'm an attacking player and I'm hoping to get the fans on their feet."
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said: "In the case of Ravel it's been quite well documented, I think he's better out of Manchester. He's got a great talent but how to deal with that is important."
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce, who also brought in Nicky Maynard from Bristol City and Ricardo Vaz Te from Barnsley, is relishing the chance to work with Morrison and will not hesitate in putting him into the first-team. Allardyce said: "He wants to play first-team football as quickly as possible and he thinks he has got a better chance of doing that at West Ham than he has with Sir Alex at Manchester United. "We are pleased he has chosen us and we can develop him very quickly into the first team as I have done with other players. Hopefully he can be as good as everyone says he can be. "A few weeks of working with him will tell me what the psychological side is to his talent. If his brain is good and his attitude is right then the talent will come flooding out. It won't be a problem."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Posts
