Daily WHUFC News - 8th August 2012

Vaz excited by Portugal return
WHUFC.com
Ricardo Vaz Te is looking forward to representing the Hammers in his
homeland
07.08.2012

Ricardo Vaz Te is looking forward to returning to Portugal for Friday's
pre-season meeting with SC Braga - but insisted his main focus will be
helping West Ham United to prepare for the Barclays Premier League season.
The former Portugal Under-21 international came through the ranks at
Sporting Lisbon before moving to England at the age of 16 and admitted it
will be special to return to play in his homeland. Lisbon-born Vaz Te twice
appeared for Bolton Wanderers against Portuguese opposition in the UEFA Cup,
scoring against Vitoria de Guimaraes in November 2005 and appearing against
old club Sporting in March 2008. Speaking to West Ham TV before flying out
with his team-mates on Tuesday, the No12 stated that he would not be
overawed by the occasion and that he would remain focussed on the task at
hand. "It's always a warm feeling to play at home," said Vaz Te. "I had the
chance to play in the UEFA Cup in Portugal in the past and the motivation is
always there in front of a home crowd. "That said, I need to focus on the
main thing and that is playing well for West Ham United, making sure I
Improve and work hard ahead of the new season rather than concentrating on
the occasion."

Vaz Te also conceded that both he and his side will need to step it up a
gear against a higher calibre of opponent - Braga finished third in the
Portuguese Primeira Liga last season to qualify for the UEFA Champions
League. "Braga is a higher challenge. They finished third in their league
last season and did ever so well. It's going to be a difficult game for us.
"It will be a week before the season starts so we will be fit and ready, but
the result does not matter so much in pre-season. What is important is that
we put in a good shift, work on what we need to, and continue to gel ahead
of the new season."

The former Bolton man also paid tribute to Braga for achieving what he
believes is massive breakthrough in Portuguese football - breaking the
monopoly of the big three clubs FC Porto, Sporting and Benfica. "What they
have achieved is fantastic. They don't spend a lot of money compared to the
top three but they have still managed to compete. "Porto and Benfica have
dominated for much of the last decade, and although Sporting do not spend as
much money they always compete by producing fantastic young players on a
regular basis. "Braga were very impressive last season, they finished third
in the league and were top during some points at the season. "The way in
which they've progressed over the past five years both domestically and in
Europe, where they reached the Europa League final in 2011, has been
fantastic. "They will provide a good test for us and prepare us for the
Premier League season where we will face a similar level of opposition week
in week out."

The Hammers went down 3-1 to an impressive Ipswich Town side on Saturday,
but Vaz Te feels positives can be taken even in defeat. "I think pre-season
has been going well, we can take a lot of positives from each game. We now
need address the negatives from Saturday but our fitness and performances
are improving every week. "Overall our preparation has been good, the staff
and set-up are great and everything we do has a purpose. "We had a bad
result but we will learn from that, we will work hard and do everything we
can to ensure we hit the ground running on August 18."

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Northampton nick late win
WHUFC.com
The Development Squad lost out 3-1 at npower League Two side Northampton
Town on Tuesday
07.08.2012

Sam Baldock was on target as the Development Squad lost out 3-1 at npower
League Two side Northampton Town on Tuesday. With a 20-man first-team squad
away in Portugal ahead of Friday's clash with SC Braga, Ian Hendon took a
side mixing youth and experience to the Sixfields Stadium, with Baldock
joined in the starting lineup by Frederic Piquionne, Jordan Spence and Rob
Hall. Managed by Aidy Boothroyd, Northampton featured former Hammers
left-back Joe Widdowson in their starting XI, while striker Clive Platt
netted for Coventry City against West Ham in the npower Championship last
season. Both sides traded chances during an entertaining 90 minutes, with
Piquionne particularly unlucky not to add to the hat-trick he netted in
Saturday's victory at AFC Wimbledon. Jack Powell, Baldock and Hall also saw
opportunities go begging. As it was, Platt's early opener was cancelled out
by Baldock five minutes after half-time, but two goals in the final 20
minutes from Kelvin Langmead and Alex Nicholls gave the Cobblers the win.

Speaking after the game, coach Ian Hendon was pleased with his side's
overall performance and believes with a little more luck they could have
come away with a win. "We played very well tonight and I won't criticise the
lads because on another night they could have come away with a lot more from
that performance.
"Jack hit the crossbar when we were 1-0 down with a free-kick and Sam
Baldock had one hit him that could have gone anywhere, but unfortunately for
us it wasn't to be."

Hendon was pleased with his side's response as the Hammers applied immense
pressure during the latter stages of the first half, with Baldock and Rob
Hall both going close. "The team reacted well and like I said before with a
bit more luck we could have found ourselves back in the game when we went
2-1 down. We have a little bit of work to do this week with a few days
before we face Dagenham and Redbridge, but we played well and we will
continue to do so. "A few of the lads may need a rest with the start of the
season just ten days away, but that will give a few of the younger members
of the squad a good opportunity against a good team."
Hendon also believes that disappointing results will only serve to benefit
the youngsters in his team, explaining that in order for them to progress
they need to experience both sides of the game. "It was basic defending from
a set piece that cost us tonight, and although that is disappointing we are
playing with 16-year-olds against big, powerful, experienced centre
forwards. "The clue is in the title 'Development Squad' and that's what I'm
seeing during every week. We did well to get ourselves back into the game
and we continued to create chances which is pleasing. The scoreline is
misleading as we were much better than it suggests."

Hall impressed once more and Hendon is delighted with his reaction after
returning to the Development Squad following a spell with the first team.
"Rob is listening, learning, and getting better day by day. He may find this
season that he drops in and out, but if he keeps his consistency up then he
will continue to impress regardless of what side he is in."

Hendon also praised the West Ham supporters who turned out in force, with
269 traveling to the Sixfields Stadium. The Development Squad travel to
Dagenham and Redbridge on Saturday to round off their pre-season
preparations before facing Reading in their first Barclays Under-21 Premier
League match at the Rush Green Stadium on Friday 17 August at 7pm.

Development Squad: Larkins, Chambers, Fanimo, Powell, Spence, Wearen,
Baldock, Lletget, Piquionne, Turgott, Hall
Subs: Guzman Rosique, McCallum, Vose, Miles, Sadlier, Shaw, D.Tombides

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Hammers proud of Olympic heroes
WHUFC.com
All at West Ham United have taken great pleasure in seeing their local stars
shine at the Olympics
07.08.2012

West Ham United are extremely proud of the exploits of its local athletes at
this summer's Olympic Games. East London has provided some of the stars of
the games so far and all at the club are delighted with the successes seen
to date. The performances of the likes of Hammers fans Mark Hunter and
Stuart Hayes and local ladies Christine Ohuruogu and Perri Shakes-Drayton
have only served to motivate all at the club ahead of their Barclays Premier
League return. Sam Allardyce and the first-team squad posted a video to spur
Hunter on ahead of his lightweight men's double sculls final on Saturday and
he responded by adding a Silver medal to his Beijing gold. Hunter and
partner Zac Purchase had to overcome a broken seat but powered on to a
Silver after being pipped at the finish by Denmark. The West Ham fanatic was
soon followed onto the podium by Ohuruogu, who secured Silver after an
inspired finish in the 400m. The 2008 Olympic champion looked beaten but
rallied in the final 50 metres to surge home in second, coming agonisingly
close to a second Gold medal. Shakes-Drayton just missed out on a place in
the 400m hurdles final on Monday night. Shakes-Drayton, who was born and
raised in Bow, finished third in her semi-final, but at the age of just 23,
it is likely she will only get better. On Tuesday, Hammers fan Hayes played
a vital role in helping the Brownlee brothers secure the Gold and Bronze
medals in the men's triathlon. Hayes set the pace during the middle cycling
stage of the race around central London, paving the way for Alistair to win
and Jonny to secure third place.

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Ricardo Vaz stay
Published: 07th August 2012
The Sun

RICARDO VAZ TE has denied that he is ready to quit West Ham. The striker
grabbed the play-off winner that took the Hammers back to the top-flight.
But it has been suggested he is ready to leave over a wage row. Vaz Te said:
"I need to focus on the main thing — playing well for West Ham and making
sure I improve."

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Sam Baldock and Dylan Tombides....
http://westhamclaretinmyblood.blogspot.co.uk

Last night a West Ham Development Squad team played a match against
Northampton and lost 3-1. The score and the details are not important, but
the team sheet is. The 20 man first team squad has gone out to Portugal to
play SC Braga on Friday, and one name not among them is Sam Baldock. For
me, that's a shame, as I rate him and think that given time and chances, he
would become a valuable tool for West Ham's upcoming PL season. However, it
appears that the club has other ideas, and this can only be yet another sign
that Baldock is destined for other pastures. That's a pity: he's creative
and has potential, but I suppose there's no room for him in a 451?

More positive news though is that Dylan Tombides, young Australian and West
Ham Academy prospect, was back on the bench for this game. Dylan was
diagnosed with testicular cancer last year after getting hit in the groin in
game against Brazil for his native Australia, and he has been undergoing
surgery and chemotherapy for a year to fight it. The details of his battle
are humbling, but the signs are good for him, particularly given his
appearance on the bench yesterday, although it is only a start. Dylan's
stated desire is to play for West Ham and seems to have given him the
momentum to battle through the cancer. All I can say is, regardless of
football, I'm glad to hear a young lad has battled on and not given up hope
for his career. Well done, Dylan, and keep up the fight.

It is well worth reading May's Daily Mail article on Dylan's diagnosis,
battle, and steps to recovery

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Vaz Te dismisses talk of West Ham exit
By talkSPORT | Tuesday, August 7, 2012


Ricardo Vaz Te has brushed aside speculation linking him with a move away
from Upton Park and insists he is ready to become a major star for West Ham
in the Premier League next season.

Vaz Te scored the crucial winner in the play-off final at Wembley back in
May which helped the east London club gain promotion back to the top-flight.
But reports in the summer suggested that the Portuguese striker was ready to
quit the club over wage demands and felt he deserved parity with the top
earners.
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce will be desperate to keep Vaz Te after being
frustrated in his attempts to bring a big name forward to the club after
Andy Carroll rejected the chance to join the Hammers.
Vaz Te insists he is happy to stay and is focused on helping the club turn
around their miserable pre-season form when they travel to Portugal this
week after they crashed to a 3-1 defeat against Ipswich last weekend.
He said: "I need to focus on the main thing and that is playing well for
West Ham United, making sure I improve and work hard ahead of the new
season.
"What is important is that we put in a good shift, work on what we need to,
and continue to gel ahead of the new season.
"We now need to address the negatives from Saturday but our fitness and
performances are improving every week.
"Overall our preparation has been good, the staff and set-up are great and
everything we do has a purpose. We had a bad result but we will learn from
that, we will work hard and do everything we can to ensure we hit the ground
running on August 18."

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Clark: Ravel a 'fantastic talent'
Tuesday 7th August 2012 12:58
TeamTalk

Birmingham manager Lee Clark has explained the reasoning behind his decision
to sign midfielder Ravel Morrison. Clark has agreed a season-long loan deal
with West Ham for the former Manchester United trainee. But despite the
player's chequered past, Clark is confident Morrison will deliver on the
field for the Blues' fans.
Clark told the Birmingham Mail: "Why sign him? Because he's a fantastic
talent. "What he needs to do is get playing on that pitch, start enjoying
his football and showing everyone the ability he has got. "In the mould we
are playing, Ravel will fit in and I'm sure will excite our supporters very
much." Clark added: "He knows that it's a great opportunity for him here at
Birmingham."

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WEST HAM MIDFIELDER RAVEL MORRISON HAS SEVEN TEETH REMOVED
POSTED BY ROB PARKER ON AUGUST 7, 2012 IN: BIRMINGHAM, ODDBALLS, WEST
HAM|POST COMMENT
Offthepost.com

Ravel Morrison has left West Ham for a season-long loan at Birmingham – but
not before a trip to the dentist that was nearly as long. The former
Manchester United had to be flown home from the Hammers' pre-season training
camp in Germany to have seven teeth removed. Morrison was set to be fined
for missing a training session, but club officials decided to investigate
his claims that severe toothache was the reason for his absence. They
discovered that the 19-year-old has not been looking after his gnashers. He
was flown home for emergency dental treatment, and seven of his pearly
whites were deemed to be beyond salvage. Morrison will now splash out on
£28,000 dental implants, but will wear temporary moulds until the implants
are made. The midfielder's peculiar behaviour had already been ringing alarm
bells with the Hammers. He had reportedly refused to drink anything except
official West Ham bottled water during their trip to Germany, according to
the Daily Mail.

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com