Daily WHUFC News - 4th July 2012

West Ham United in Austria - Tuesday
WHUFC.com
The Hammers got down to work in 90 degree heat at their Bad Waltersdorf training camp
03.07.2012

The action heated up as West Ham United continued their Austrian pre-season training camp in temperatures in excess of 90F (34C) on Tuesday. After breakfast, the Hammers hopped on mountain bikes to cycle to the nearby stadium, where they were put through their paces for more than two hours. A thorough warm-up that saw the players use medicine balls, the pitch surround and gym mats to loosen up their muscles was followed by a series of drills led by assistant manager Neil McDonald, first-team coach Wally Downes and fitness coach Eamon Swift.

Two small goals were then erected on the edge of each penalty area before the players ended their session with a 30-minute match - broken into ten-minute sections in the intense heat to allow the players to cool down with wet towels and crushed ice and take on essential fluids. Meanwhile, following the warm-up, goalkeeper coach Martyn Margetson continued to get to know new goalkeepers Jussi Jaaskelainen and Stephen Henderson by putting them through a succession of drills and exercises.

Finally, Mark Noble and Kevin Nolan pulled on boxing gloves for four two-minute 'rounds' with Swift and McDonald while the other players and staff roared on their encouragement. Having finished their physical work, the players cooled down in two inflatable ice baths at the pitch-side to aid circulation and muscle recovery following what had been a testing two hours.

Before riding back up the hill to the team hotel, the squad took time out to sign autographs and pose for photographs with youngsters from the Theresianum Academy in Vienna - including English-born Hammers fan Robin Morgan, who is pictured with Carlton Cole and spoke to West Ham TV - who are in the area for a summer football camp of their own.

After a deserved lunch, the players were given the afternoon to relax and recover before heading back to the stadium for an evening training session this evening.
With the skies now grey and thunder and lightning in the nearby hills, rain threatened but thankfully stayed away from the day's second session, allowing the players to split into small groups to work on specific muscles and body parts for 30 minutes.

Head of sports medicine Andy Rolls, head of rehabiliation Stijn Vandenbroucke, strength and conditioning coach Mathew Monte-Colombo and sports therapists Taka Yamamoto and Will Storey each worked with a group of between four and seven players. After a half-hour of intense work and exercise, it was time for bit of fun in the form of a game of cricket. Rain did not stop play as the players illustrated their all-round sporting prowess by bowling, batting and fielding with aplomb on the beautiful playing surface.

Highlights of the day's play were Sam Baldock and Wally Downes' outstanding batting, Mark Noble and Ravel Morrison's bowling and the fielding of Nicky Maynard, who pulled off a miraculous full-length diving catch to dismiss one batsman. The match also gave the likes of Ricardo Vaz Te the chance to play a sport he had never tried before.

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Joint-Chairman planning for long term
WHUFC.com
Joint-Chairman David Sullivan is planning for a sensible future at West Ham United
03.07.2012

West Ham United Joint-Chairman David Sullivan has outlined his vision for a healthy financial future for West Ham United. The 2013/14 season will see the new Barclays Premier League broadcast rights deal come into force and the Joint-Chairman is determined to see the new income used in the best way possible to aid the long-term stability of West Ham United. Mr Sullivan has explained that the Board will be looking at ways to reward the Hammers' loyal supporters rather than passing on the extra income to other areas at the club.

Speaking to ESPN Soccernet, Mr Sullivan said: "I think next season a lot of clubs will look to not give all the new TV money to players and agents. On all previous occasions it has gone up it has ended up with them, however, I feel on this occasion it might not happen. West Ham United are determined long term to be a viable, self-financing club. "We'll pay good wages, but not be taken to the cleaners by agents and players at the expense of our supporters. The increase in TV money next year, will allow us to continue to freeze ticket and season ticket prices."

While the Board continue to work hard to bring the club's debt down, Mr Sullivan wants to make sure that the mistakes made in the past are not repeated. Part of that plan is the commitment to not pay disproportionate wages to players and agents. "I cannot see any collective decisions, but there are quite a few clubs, for example, Norwich, Swansea, WBA who seem to be taking a more sensible approach to things and West Ham will be in that camp," he said. "Overpaying virtually bankrupted this club and we are still burdened by £100 million of debt as a result of the excesses of the previous owners in giving too much to players. Many clubs are saddled with too much debt and the restrictions imposed by their bankers will ensure there is a tighter control over wages going forward."

Although it has not been widely publicised, the Joint-Chairman has also been generously supporting local charities from his own pocket during the summer. He said: "We are, as we have always been, more than a football club. We see our role in the community of East London and Essex as a vital part of the role of the club.
"West Ham United is rooted in London, working with and for the community. We are more than a football club."

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Barrera departs
WHUFC.com
Pablo Barrera has joined Mexican club Cruz Azul for an undisclosed fee
03.07.2012

West Ham United can confirm that midfielder Pablo Barrera has joined Mexican side Cruz Azul for an undisclosed fee. Barrera joined the Hammers in 2010 and went on to make 23 appearances in claret and blue. The Mexico international spent the 2011/12 season at Spanish outfit Real Zaragoza on a season-long loan deal.
West Ham United would like to thank Pablo for his efforts at the club and wish him well for his future career.

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Hall on as England draw opener
WHUFC.com
Rob Hall's was a substitute as England drew 1-1 with Croatia at the UEFA U19 Euro in Estonia
03.07.2012

Rob Hall was a 77th-minute substitute as England began their UEFA European Under-19 Championship finals campaign with a 1-1 draw with Croatia on Tuesday.
Hall, who is aiming to complete a remarkable double, came on for Tottenham Hotspur forward Harry Kane as England tried to complete a comeback victory in the Estonian capital Tallinn. Earlier, Croatia had taken the lead before Chelsea's Nathaniel Chalobah - a close friend of the West Ham United forward - levelled midway through the second half.

Hall lifted the Under-17 version of the same trophy two seasons ago alongside many of his current team-mates and is confident the Young Lions can repeat their success in Estonia this summer. The Under-19s tackle Serbia on Friday in Rakvere before returning to Tallinn to take on France on Monday. The top two in the group will face one of Greece, Portugal, Spain or Estonia in the semi-finals of the eight-nation event. France beat Serbia 3-0 in Tuesday's other opening Group B match.
With England being given a bye until the final Elite Round of qualifiers, Hall was not involved, but he did prove his pedigree at Under-19 level by scoring the winner in a 1-0 international victory over Denmark in November. The Hammers man can also draw on the experience of being part of the Under-17 squad which beat Spain 2-1 to lift the European Championship trophy in Liechtenstein in May 2010, when he appeared in all five matches.

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London 2012: West Ham's James Tomkins honoured by GB call-up
BBC.co.uk

West Ham United defender James Tomkins says he is thrilled to have been called up to represent Great Britain in the Olympic football tournament. The 23-year-old was named in Stuart Pearce's final 18-man squad on Monday. Tomkins told BBC London 94.9: "It's great news. It's going to be a great honour and something I am really looking forward to. "It's hard to take in when you think about what the atmosphere will be like. It's exciting and I can't wait." He added: "I grew up with quite a lot of the lads and they are quite familiar to me. "Thanks to West Ham and the manager [Sam Allardyce] for giving me the chance to go away from pre-season and represent Great Britain.

James Tomkins factfile
Born 29 March 1989
Joined West Ham at the age of seven
Originally played as a striker before converting to centre-back
Made his Hammers debut in March 2008
Has represented England at six different age levels

Team GB will play Senegal, UAE and Uruguay in their group games as they compete in the competition for the first time since 1960. Pearce has selected Manchester United veteran Ryan Giggs, Liverpool forward Craig Bellamy and Manchester City defender Micah Richards as his three over-age players. Tomkins, who was named in the PFA's Championship team of the year last season, is optimistic over Britain's chances in the tournament. "It's a hard one because we haven't seen many of the teams play or what to expect from them," the Basildon-born centre-back added. "You can see the quality in our team and I think we've got enough to go a long way. Hopefully we can work hard with Stuart Pearce on the training ground and get an understanding. "A medal is the ultimate goal but we'll see what happens."

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Adios amigo
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 3rd July 2012
By: Staff Writer

Winger Pablo Barrera has joined Mexican side Cruz Azul on a permanent basis. It was confirmed this evening (Tuesday) that the 25-year-old Mexican international has returned to South America in order to join the Primera Division club, with whom he has signed a three-year contract. After completing a medical earlier today, Barrera officially joined La Maquina Celeste for an undisclosed fee. Just two years ago West Ham paid £4million to bring the player to Europe from Azul's rivals Pumas, with whom he had spent the first five years of his pro career. Having failed to settle in England after making just 13 starts for West Ham in 2010/11, Barrera was sent on a season-long loan to Real Zaragoza - although he fared little better there, making just 12 starts for the Blanquillos. Having subsequently returned to England there appeared to be little prospect of him staying at West Ham, and he was given permission to speak with other clubs last week

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Pablo Barrera Departs, as We Allegedly Suffer a Holt 'Hammer Blow' !
By S J Chandos
West Ham Till I Die

The footballing enigma that is Pablo Barrera has predictably parted company with West Ham to join Mexican club, Cruz Azu. Consisently effective at international level, Barrera has been equally ineffectual in European club football. Not only did he fail to impress at West Ham, but he did little better at Real Zarogosa, while on loan last season. Undoubtedly talented, it is to be regreted that Barrera was never able to replicate his international performances for the Hammers. But the reality is that the player has failed to adapt and it is probably the best for all concerned that he has now returned to Mexican football.

Some things never seem to change. And of these is the cliched headlines of the sports media. They obviously could not resist portraying Grant Holt's new three year deal at Norwich, and the end of West Ham attempts to sign him, as a 'Hammer Blow.' Most Hammers fans, with whom I have discussed the pursuit of Grant Holt, have been less than keen on the potential deal. While recognising the pragmatic argument that if he 'did the business' for one season the alleged c.£6m outlay would be well worth it, there is also the inherent danger that Holt might not repeat last season's goal scoring success. Now we West Ham fans will be able to see which way Holt's second PL season goes as casual observers, rather than concerned stakeholders! No doubt if he does deliver the goods once again, there will be a claret and blue chorus of 'if only,' but hopefully the signing, and subsequent goal scoring exploits, of an alternative striker will soften the so-called 'Hammer Blow.'

One can only hope that West Ham's transfer dealings are akin to an ice berg (3/4 below the surface) or the deceptive calm of a duck's paddling (all grace on top and frantic effort below). Otherwise, there is the possibility that West Ham are struggling to land their priority transfer targets. Yes, it's still early days, but there is no doubt that there will be a collective sigh of relief once a deal for a top target, like Elia, Yilmaz, Clyne or Zaha is signed, sealed and delivered. I sense an emerging nervousness about the apparent delay in anouncing one of these deals, allied to the increasing frequency with which we are linked to veterans like Guti, Seedorf and Stankovich. Personally, I am not opposed in principle to bringing in the experience of older players, of the 'vintage' variety, if they are of sufficient class and still have something left in the tank. However, I view a deal like that as a supplement and not a replacement for more ambitious signings.

And of course, the latest statement by the West Ham Board about not paying over the odds, will only contrive to reinforce any nascent concerns of supporters. Some will juxtapose that statement with the Stankovich and Guti rumours and conclude that one is a logical consequence of the other. That West Ham are losing out on their main targets and are now turning to the bargain basement in response. Hopefully, this is a case of putting 2 +2 together and = 5, with a 'big fish' ike Elia and/or Yilmaz being landed in the next week or so. Although, there is a natural concern that the Board may repeat their mistakes of the 2010-11 summer transfer window, one can only agree that the madness that brought the likes of Ljunberg and Dyer to the club, on massively inflated wages, cannot be repeated. That much is granted, but there is still a need to be competitive in the transfer market, so that we stand a chance of bringing extra quality in to the squad. It is a fine line, but one that the club must sucessfully tread in order to avoid a season of struggle, while also continuing to improve the club's finances and long-term stability.

Finally, I was pleasantly surprised by the new home kit. It has all the pre-requisites that I look for in a Hammers home kit, which are claret body and sky blue sleeves and white shorts. I am not that keen on the claret stockings with blue hoops, but I suppose they have to vary something significant in the design. I was half expecting some horrific experiment, like claret and blue strips being thrust upon us this time around. Thankfully we have been spared that. I am not conservative minded in many respects (probably just education and West Ham kits!) but I do, however, like West Ham to look like West Ham! And Macron, the current kit suppliers, have been very good in that respect.

Anyway, here's hoping that the good times - and some exciting signings - soon start to roll!

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Contract Granted
Holt signs three-yeal deal
The Sun
Published: 03rd July 2012

GRANT HOLT has performed a dramatic U-turn by signing a new three-year deal at Norwich. The former Shrewsbury hitman, 31, scored 15 goals to help keep the Canaries in the Premier League last season. He handed in a transfer request at the end of the campaign but it was rejected by the club, along with several bids from West Ham. And following talks with new boss Chris Hughton, who took charge after Paul Lambert left for Aston Villa, captain Holt has now decided to commit his future to the Canaries. Holt said: "I'm really pleased we've agreed things and that I've got a three-year deal which gives me and my family a bit of security. "I do appreciate where the club was coming from in terms of the process we've gone through to get to this point. "Now I'm just really keen to concentrate on getting back to work with the rest of the lads and concentrating on having a good pre-season and getting ready for the start of another season in the Premier League."

Norwich have been quick to tie up key men on new deals, with goalkeeper John Ruddy joining versatile Scotland defender Russell Martin and midfielder Andrew Surman in penning fresh terms. Hughton added: "I said when I first arrived that talking to Grant was a priority as what he has achieved for Norwich and what he brings to the squad is there for all to see. "It's great news that he has signed a new contract and I'm really looking forward to getting down to work with Grant and the rest of the players when we return to training next week."

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Any old Iron: West Ham target Serbian veteran Stankovic and Lukaku (report)
The Mirror

Inter Milan stalwart Dejan Stankovic is on the shopping list of West Ham, as Sam Allardyce looks to ready his squad for the top flight. The 33-year-old Serbia midfielder is in the final year of his contract with Inter after an astonishing period of success since joining the Serie A club in 2004. Stanky bagged five Serie A titles and a Champions League winner medal – but the chances of him adding to his medal haul with the Hammers are slim. And he'll probably struggle to get a work permit. No such problems anticipated for Allardyce as he seeks a loan deal for Stamford Bridge outcast striker Romelu Lukaku. The Belgian cost Chelsea an eye-watering £17m in August last year – and so far he's managed one start.

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West Ham United join race for Turkish Goal King Burak Yilmaz
2012-07-03 16:05:04
Turkish Football

West Ham are the latest club to be linked with making a move for highly sought-after Trabzonspor striker Burak Yilmaz. The Hammers are reported to have opened talks with the strikers agent Ali Egesel however, rumors that Yilmaz will arrive in London for a medical have not been confirmed. Lazio were leading the race to sign Yilmaz until negotiations broke down following the Seria A side's reluctance to pay his €5 million release clause upfront. The East London club also face competition from Fulham and Tottenham. Trabzonspor president Sadri Şener told reporters, "Tottenham and Fulham are also interested in Burak Yilmaz, we shall see what happens" he said.

West Ham were promoted to the Premiership last season and have been active in the transfer market investing in strengthening the squad for the league campaign.
Yilmaz has been in prolific form for Trabzonspor over the past two seasons. He guided the Black Sea club to pole position in the league last year scoring 19 times, only to lose out on winning the championship to Fenerbahce on goal difference. The 26-year-old Turkish international netted 35 times in 41 games this season and his modest €5 million release clause has attracted the attention of major clubs across Europe. Yilmaz broke the clubs all time scoring record in the league this season, scoring 51% of Trabzonspor's 65 goals. In an interview on TRT's football program, Stadyum earlier this year, Yilmaz stated that he would consider a move to Spain or England if the right offer was made. Liverpool, Sunderland, Atletico Madrid, Rubin Kazan, Ajax and Galatasaray have also been linked with the Turkish Goal King.

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