Daily WHUFC News - 23rd July 2012

Cole happy with Colchester win
WHUFC.com
Carlton Cole was glad to see West Ham United get back to winning ways at
Colchester United
21.07.2012

Carlton Cole is pleased to see everyone putting in the hard work during
pre-season as West Ham United get ready for the new Barclays Premier League
campaign ahead. The Hammers ran out 2-1 winners against Colchester United on
Saturday thanks to Nicky Maynard's opener and Mark Noble scoring from the
penalty spot. Cole was involved in the build-up to Maynard's goal and he
explained afterwards that he is happy with how the Hammers' attacking play
is coming together at this early stage of the season. "It was nice to see us
do that link-up early in the pre-season," Cole said. "This is what we need -
to be a tight unit as early as possible and I think that will see us
confident for the start of the season. "We have players who are not yet fit,
those who are away on Olympic duty and hopefully new players to come in, so
by the time they are here, they can all gel in nicely. "It was a tough game
but that is what you want. It was a good game and a nice new stadium to play
in. There was a good atmosphere and they had lots of fans but once again we
also had terrific support from our fans. It was good to see and meet them."

The only negative of the game was captain Kevin Nolan going off in the first
half with a toe injury, but that enabled young defender Dan Potts to make
his return to the side after missing Tuesday's friendly at Oxford United
with a head injury picked up at Southend United last weekend. The results of
Nolan's scan on Saturday night are still being prepared but Cole is wishing
his skipper well. "Hopefully Kev will be ok, if not for the very next game
but after that. He is a strong lad, so hopefully he will be ok."

With the new 2012/13 season now just under four weeks away, thoughts are
already turning to the first game at home to Aston Villa with the manager
and Joint-Chairmen working hard to bring in new additions to the squad
before then. For Cole, who scored West Ham's opener in the Hammers' Play-Off
final victory against Blackpool, goals and targets for the season ahead are
being discussed. But for now, it is all about getting fit and getting
through the rest of pre-season. "People are talking about the new season -
we have Premier League players and you have to be ambitious. But to get to
mid-table in our first season back and then look to progress from there is
what you would be looking at. "You want to replicate the likes of Norwich
and Swansea, who did well, and when you look, at Queens Park Rangers
surviving, all the newly promoted teams stayed up. We are looking to try and
do the same. "The gaffer [Sam Allardyce] and the club are working hard to
bring new players in. The manager knows how he wants to improve us before
the start of the season and I am sure he will do that."

Cole and his fellow senior pros have been joined on the pitch in pre-season
by a few of the Hammers up-and-coming Academy stars. With their promotion to
first-team duties, Cole is now viewed as one of the senior members of the
squad - a role he is relishing.. "Yeah, I am one of the older - slightly
older - players now. We have a few young boys in and around the squad and
all I can do is to help and guide them with my experience like I was given.
I missed a couple of games early on and had to do a bit of catch-up, but now
feeling good and I'm looking forward to the next few games."

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Dev Squad return to winning ways
WHUFC.com
Ian Hendon hailed his young side after they recorded a 2-1 pre-season
victory at Thurrock on Saturday
21.07.2012

Ian Hendon has hailed the application of his West Ham United Development
Squad as they bounced back to winning ways with a 2-1 pre-season victory at
Thurrock.
Less than 24 hours after being defeated 4-1 at Grays Athletic, leaving their
coach feeling disappointed, the players showed greater resolve,
determination and talent to overcome their Ryman League Premier Division
opponents. Republic of Ireland youth international Kieran Sadlier (pictured)
was the star of the show, scoring twice, while Declan Hunt and Frazer Shaw
were among those who also garnered praise from Hendon. "We were a lot better
than we were on Friday night," said the coach. "Thurrock only managed to
score with a wonder-strike from outside the box that wrong-footed our
goalkeeper, but other than that I was pleased. "Kieran has scored two goals
and we were a lot more competitive than we were on Friday at Grays. I think
the lads who played or watched that game realised what is expected of them.
"They are good footballers but they have got to work hard and graft and earn
the right to play. If they do that, then they can show their talent because
we have got good players. "I was pleased to get a reaction from them because
I don't want to have to blow my top at them every time we play because then
it won't have any effect. "Playing at Grays as they opened their new stadium
- the stadium where the fans had come out to see us and where we will play
our home games this season - I think the occasion got to some of them.
"Hopefully now they have got that out of their systems and we will see more
of what we saw on Saturday at Thurrock during the season to come. "It wasn't
the prettiest of games at Thurrock but it was a tough test and we came
through it."

Aside from Sadlier, Hendon had warm words for Hunt, who has recently
returned to action after missing the whole of last season through injury,
and full-back Shaw.
"Declan was making his second start back after year out and he did well in
the middle of midfield. He came through an hour as planned looking nice and
strong. Frazer did well at left-back, too." The Development Squad continue
their busy pre-season schedule with a trip to Blue Square Bet Premier side
Dartford, and Hendon is challenging his players to rise to the challenge
again. "They are a Conference side so we will have to step it up a bit. If
we match their work-rate and battle then we will be fine."

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Cole - Hammers can survive
Striker says top flight new boys can emulate other newly promoted clubs
Last Updated: July 22, 2012 8:40pm
SSN

West Ham striker Carlton Cole is confident his newly promoted Hammers side
can survive in the Premier League. Cole scored the opener in the
Championship play-off final against Blackpool at Wembley to help clinch
promotion for the East London outfit at the first time of asking. The
England international says West Ham's primary goal for the forthcoming
season will be survival and believes his side can draw inspiration from
other promoted teams who have gone on to cement their top flight status in
recent campaigns.

Survival aim

"You want to replicate the likes of Norwich and Swansea, who did well, and
when you look at Queens Park Rangers surviving, all the newly promoted sides
stayed up," Cole said. "We are trying to do the same. "But to get mid-table
in our first season back and then look to progress from there is what you
are looking at." West Ham kick-off their Premier League term against Aston
Villa on Saturday 18 August.

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Hammers still looking at duo
Kazim-Richards and Mohsni set to go on trip to Germany
Last Updated: July 22, 2012 12:53pm
SSN

West Ham United are hoping to take former Sheffield United forward Colin
Kazim-Richards and Southend United defender Bilel Mohsni on the club's
pre-season trip to Germany. Kazim-Richards, who is currently on the books of
Galatasaray after a loan spell at Olympiakos last season, and Mohsni have
been training with the Hammers for the last few days. Turkey international
Kazim-Richards played the first half of the 2-1 friendly win over Colchester
United on Saturday, while the versatile Mohsni appeared in the second
period. The pair will be given another opportunity to impress after
assistant manager Neil McDonald confirmed the players are set to travel to
Germany.

Boost

"Colin did all right," McDonald told the club's official website. "He's been
training with us for a few days and he's going to come with us to Germany,
so we'll have a good look at him there. "Our first impressions are that he's
not too bad. "Bilel has been in for a couple of days as well and I think
he's going to come to Germany as well. "We're having a good look at players
to try to complement the squad and boost it up, so we will see how that
goes." The Hammers are scheduled to play Rot-Weiss Erfurt, Dynamo Dresden
and Energie Cottbus during next week's trip to Germany.

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Does Mo Diame Afford Us Different Options in Midfield?
By S J Chandos
West Ham Till I Die

In signing Mo Diame, we have acquired a good quality defensive midfielder. A
player that can shield the defence and give our forwards the added assurance
of solid covering play. Does that mean that we can push the likes of Noble
and Nolan in to more advanced positions or contemplate the introduction of
Jack Collison and Ravel Morrison? What do you think could be some of the
diferent midfield options that Sam Allardyce might be able to expore this
season? Do the likes of Gary O'Neill and Joey O'Brien have a 'work horse
role' to play this season, especially away from home? Could a player like
George Moncur force his way in to first team contention before the end of
the campaign?

Up front, there is speculation that Allardyce might bid for Jermaine Defoe.
Putting aside old anatagonisms, is not Defoe the type of proven PL goal
scorer that we need? It would also open up the prospect of a very
interesting front three, revolving principally around the selection of Vaz
Te, Defoe, Cole and Maiga. Indeed, might Allardyce finally have the
pre-requisite players to implement a successful 4-3-3 formation. Or are
there still concerns that we do not have enough width? Vaz Te and Maiga can
both play in wide positions, but do we need to recruit at least one
conventional wide player? If it is a matter of resources, we already have
players that can play wide-left, so should we prioritise a wide right player
or, preferably, a player like Man City's Adam Johnston that can operate on
either flank?

In defence, where do we need to strengthen? Could we not afford to go with
McCartney, Potts or Taylor at left-back? Is the priority a good right-back
and at least one centre-back to add cover and crucial competition for
places? Might Jordan Spence not contribute to our improved defensive
solidarity by finally 'stepping up to the plate,' in first team terms, and
providing increased options at both right-back and centre half?

Finally, are we happy with the replacements for Robert Green? Can we go into
the new season with Stephen Henderson and Jussi or should we consider
recruiting a third keeper as extra assurance? If so, which keeper should we
target?

SJ. Chandos.

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Southend United's Bilel Mohsni to stay with West Ham United for tour of
Germany
Echo
11:56pm Sunday 22nd July 2012 in Sport By Chris Phillips

BILEL Mohsni will stay with West Ham United for their tour of Germany, which
starts on Monday. The Frenchman, who is with the Hammers on trial from
Southend United, has already played for Sam Allardyce's side against both
Grays Athletic and Colchester United. And he is now relishing the prospect
of spending another week with the Premier League newcomers. "I've been
enjoying the trial and I've learnt a lot here already so I'm very pleased to
be staying here for longer now," said Mohsni. "It's been good to play and
train with their first team players and I think it's definitely helping me
to become a better player. "Hopefully I can keep on improving and can do
enough to get a move to West Ham because being in the biggest league would
be fantastic for me."

Mohsni played the full game for a young Hammers side at Grays Athletic on
Friday night and endured a mixed evening at the heart of the back four. The
Frenchman put the home-side ahead with an inadvertent own goal but, despite
also scoring for West Ham late on, he could not stop his team suffering a
4-1 defeat. However, a far stronger Hammers side were more successful at
Colchester the following day as they recorded a 2-1 triumph at the Community
Stadium. Mohsni played the final 30 minutes in attack and lashed a couple of
long range shots over the target in the closing stages. But he now hopes to
make even more of an impression in Germany as West Ham play three times in
quick succession. The Hammers face FC Rot-Weib Erfurt on Wednesday, Dynamo
Dresden on Friday and FC Energie Cottbus on Sunday.

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West Ham 'eye Spurs' Jermain Defoe after Andy Carroll miss'
Metro.co.uk

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce has reportedly turned his attention to Spurs'
Jermain Defoe, after accepting he will not be able to sign Liverpool's Andy
Carroll.
Allardyce is determined to bring in an experienced Premier League striker
before the transfer window closes and had hoped to take advantage of the
uncertainty surrounding Carroll's future at Anfield to sign him on loan.

Liverpool have made it clear they are only prepared to consider a permanent
move for the ex-Newcastle forward, and he is well out of the Hammers' price
range.
Allardyce now plans to speak to Tottenham about Defoe's availability,
reports the Daily Star Sunday. The 29-year-old started just 11 Premier
League games under Harry Redknapp last season and is not certain to be in
Andre Villas-Boas' plans this term. He is understood to be considering his
options and a return to Upton Park, where he spent five years early in his
career, may be an attractive prospect. Should Defoe end up back at West Ham,
he will link up with Mali international Modibo Maiga, who joined the Hammers
from Sochaux last week.

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West Ham well fancied to stay up despite defensive question marks
Ladbrokes.co.uk

Despite accumulating fewer points than Reading and Southampton in the
Championship last season and showing less ambition in the transfer market,
West Ham are rated less likely to be relegated on their Premier League
return than both. In fact, there are five teams considered to be in greater
danger of the drop than the 9/4-rated Irons, including a Swansea side (9/5)
who finished 11th in 2011/12 and have already made three fairly high-profile
signings this summer.

West Ham have added five players in this window but two were already at the
club on loan and the others are replacing those released, so they currently
have a thinner squad than the one that wasn't entirely convincing in gaining
promotion. And it isn't like everyone arriving has been an obvious
improvement on those that previously played in their positions. Mohamed
Diame seems an upgrade on Papa Bouba Diop and new forward Modibo Maiga will
need to flop spectacularly to fail to outshine John Carew, but losing star
man Robert Green for 37-year-old Bolton reserve Jussi Jaaskelainen is a
worry.

Also concerning is the lack of numbers at the back, which was an issue last
term yet feels even more troubling following the departure of Abdoulaye Faye
and James Tomkin's call-up to the Great Britain Olympic football team. The
result is that Winston Reid is the only first-team centre back at their
disposal at present, and ideally two alternatives need to be recruited
before the start of the campaign. There is still plenty of time to get more
bodies on board, however the problem is that West Ham's most appetising run
of games comes in the first few weeks, so they need to be at full strength
to fully capitalise on those opportunities. Fail to make the most of it and
they could find themselves in a similar situation to Aston Villa, who drew a
lot of winnable early matches a year ago and were ultimately sentenced to a
season-long struggle.

It is mildly ironic therefore that Villa are West Ham's visitors on the
opening day, in an encounter that Sam Allardyce's side are rated 6/5
favourites to win.

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