Daily WHUFC News - 21st August 2012

Manager on Monday
WHUFc.com
Sam Allardyce is hoping West Ham United can continue where they left off at Swansea City on Saturday
20.08.2012

Sam Allardyce is keen to build on West Ham United's impressive opening-day win against Aston Villa when the Hammers travel to Swansea City on Saturday. Big Sam's first Barclays Premier League game as Hammers manager ended in a 1-0 win, courtesy of Kevin Nolan's 40th minute tap-in after good work from Ricardo Vaz Te. For the manager, the result was the culmination of seven weeks' meticulous planning and preparation. Likewise, Big Sam was also pleased to have sent the vast majority of those inside the Boleyn Ground home happy - revealing that home comforts had spurred his players on to victory. "We've been training since 1 July but played in our first game at home on Saturday," he explained. "We've not been able to play at home because of the Olympics so we trained on the pitch for three days running [last week] to familiarise ourselves with it again. We can get only better, particularly in the final third, but I'm delighted with our start. "It was all right breaking the away record last year but the most important thing to do is to send the home fans home happy. Teams won't stand off us as much at home this year as last year we were the big boys. Everyone would lift their game against us. This year we are the minnows."

Next up for West Ham is a trip to Swansea, who notched up a stunning 5-0 away win at Queens Park Rangers in their own opening-day fixture. The Hammers will need to be on their game once more, but will take confidence from their exploits on the road last season that saw them achieve a club record 13 away league wins.
"Our fixture list hasn't given us any of the big boys in the opening games so you've got to try to take advantage. Not that I'm suggesting any game is easy as a newly-promoted team, but it gives you a much better chance to play to your best. If you play to your best against the big boys you can still get beaten. "Hopefully against Swansea it continues where we left off and we collect those points before we go into that period where you expect life might be a more difficult for us.
"The big clubs have got to have a real off day for you to get a result which is why these fixtures are critical coming into the September/October period, when the big boys start flowing."

James Collins made his second debut against his former side and it looked as if he had never been away with a series of brave blocks and tackles. Collins was later picked as Man of the Match for his efforts by Match Sponsor LycaMobile, an award richly deserved according to his manager. "He's got a lot of centre-half steel and desire about him. Winston Reid alongside him is maturing game by game. By the back end of last season we really missed him when he got injured playing for New Zealand. "I believe if we'd had him we wouldn't have gone on that run of draws that cost us so much. Those two were the backbone of why we won the game."

Big Sam's side continued to press after Nolan's strike and could have made it two when Modibo Maiga, on as substitute for Carlton Cole, rounded Shay Given in the Villa goal only to see his shot cleared off the line. Although the Mali international did not quite mark his home debut with a goal in front of the Bobby Moore Stand, his manager was pleased with the composure he showed in taking the chance. "I'm sure he'll be disappointed he didn't score. For me he showed no nerves, though, playing in a new country for the first time. He's just come on, out-ran the central defender, dropped his shoulder, rounded the goalkeeper and then to be fair the defender did really well getting back on the line. "You would expect him to rush that as he's nervous as he's just come on. That's why he's a goalscorer so hopefully he'll be doing that on a regular basis when he gets himself up to speed in the Premier League. "We call him 'Van', but we're not sure how we came about his nickname! We asked him what his name was and he just said 'Van' but as his English isn't that good yet we're not sure why and it might take a while to find out!"

With less than two weeks to go until the end of the transfer window, Big Sam is expecting more arrivals to supplement the eight new permanent additions made this summer. Indeed the manager hinted there could be a new arrival before the Hammers host Crewe Alexandra in the Capital One Cup second round a week on Tuesday. "We will all see an uplift from everybody going into the last few days of the transfer window. It's only half open now and in a few days it will be a quarter open. We want to try get in that frame if we can."

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Ginge's 'debut' delight
WHUFC.com
James Collins was happy to taste victory over Aston Villa on his second West Ham United bow
20.08.2012

James Collins struggled to keep the smile off his face after putting in a Man of the Match performance in Saturday's 1-0 Barclays Premier League win over former club Aston Villa. Many could have forgiven Collins if he found it tough to perform against a club he left just a few weeks ago, but the Wales international put in an outstanding display, winning header after header and making a series of important blocks. 'Ginge' and fellow centre-back Winston Reid formed a formidable partnership and kept Villa - including England striker Darren Bent - at bay for the whole 90 minutes. "Saturday was really good," he told West Ham TV. "It was always going to be a strange one for me making my second West Ham debut against a club I only left two weeks ago. "It felt very strange prior to kick-off but as soon as I got out onto the pitch and heard the roar of the crowd it all became a lot easier."

Collins was presented with the Man of the Match award by sponsors LycaMobile after his combative defending saw Jussi Jaaskelainen relatively untested throughout the entirety of the game. "I am not sure how well I did. You never want to make a huge mistake against your old club and thankfully I didn't, so maybe having an insight having just left the club helped me. "I'm still settling in but I feel good. As soon as I walked onto the pitch the only thing I was focused on was getting three points for West Ham and performing well - hopefully I did both. A bumper 34,000-plus crowd at the Boleyn Ground was in terrific voice throughout the match and Collins was particularly pleased by the personal ovation he received. "It was a great reception. I obviously had a great love for the club when I was here before and truth be told I didn't want to leave in the first place. "I think the club was struggling for a bit of money and needed to rebuild. I feel the West Ham fans knew that I didn't want to leave so to come back to that reception and come back a better player was great."

Collins also revealed that he jumped at the chance to re-join the club and didn't need to think twice when the opportunity arose to play for West Ham in the Barclays Premier League again. "I knew that I wanted to return straight away. Settling in has been easy. I still know a few of the boys and a lot of the backroom staff so it was a great move for me. "As I mentioned, I would like to think I have come back a better player than I was when I left. It's an exciting time for the club and a great opportunity for me to show the fans how good I am."

Aston Villa are now under the stewardship of Paul Lambert after he joined the club following a terrific spell with Norwich City, but Collins believes the time was right for a change. "I don't think the opportunity was there [at Villa] to be honest. I think they were looking for a change and I was looking for a change so I don't think it was ever going to be possible for me to stay. "I was not offered a new contract and I felt the time was right to move on, so as soon as West Ham came in for me I knew what I wanted to do."

Looking ahead, Collins feels that a top-ten finish is possible for a Hammers squad that has ability, confidence and spirit in abundance. "Looking at the way we played on Saturday we have to be aiming for the top ten or as near to the top of the table as possible. We have a good squad and we looked fitter than Aston Villa. We have had a great pre-season, have some powerful midfielders and have a lot of pace going forward. "To come into a team with such good team spirit is great. The lads obviously had a very good year last year and their confidence has carried through. "We might not have passed the ball as well as we could have but the fight and the passion shown by the lads is something we can all be proud of."

The Hammers have lost just once at the Boleyn Ground in 2012 and Collins stated that their home form will play a vital part in any success they have this term.
"Our home form is going to be key but if the fans continue to boost us like they did on Saturday throughout the course of the season there is no reason why we can't produce. "Like I mentioned we have a great squad with a good blend of experience and youth which will stand us in good stead."

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Crewe ticket prices slashed
WHUFC.com
Tickets for the Capital One Cup visit of Crewe Alexandra start from just a fiver
17.08.2012

West Ham United are pleased to confirm that ticket prices have been slashed for the Capital One Cup second-round tie with Crewe Alexandra on Tuesday 28 August
As part of the Board's commitment to affordable family football, tickets for the tie against the Railwaymen will be just £10 for Adults and £5 for Under-16s if bought in advance.

Matchday tickets purchased after 9am on the day of the game will be priced at £8 for Under-16s and £15 for Adults.

The 7.45pm kick-off will see the Hammers begin their quest to reach their third League Cup final, having previously done so in 1966 and 1981, when they were defeated by West Bromwich Albion and Liverpool respectively.

Crewe were promoted to npower League One via the Play-Offs last season and won through to the second round courtesy of a 5-0 victory over Hartlepool United to extend their unbeaten run in all competitions to 20 matches.

Tickets are now on sale to Season Ticket holders. Click here to buy online or call 0871 222 2700
(Calls cost 10p per minute plus network extras).
On sale dates -
Season Ticket Holders - Friday 17 August, 12noon*
Academy/Youth Academy members - Monday 20 August, 9am
General Sale - Wednesday 22 August, 9am
Unused Bondholder seats will be released for General Sale from 9am on Thursday 23 August
*For Season Ticket holders who wish to join the Automatic Cup Scheme for the above Capital One Cup match and for all future home cup matches, please download the auto cup scheme form which is available by clicking here, then complete and return to the Ticket Office, PO Box 6731, London. E13 9RA.

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Hammers eye Dutch star
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 20th August 2012
By: Staff Writer

West Ham United have made an enquiry into the availability of former Real Madrid and Everton winger Royston Drenthe. The 25-year-old Dutch wide man - a laft back who can also operate on the wing - is currently a free agent having been released by the Spanish giants during the summer. Rotterdam-born Drenthe signed for Real Madrid in 2007 but made just 46 appearances for the club during his five years at The Bernabeu. For the final two seasons of his contract he was sent out on loan to Hercules - then in La Liga - and subsequently to Everton for the duration of the 2011/12 campaign. A colourful character, Drenthe's career has been dogged by controversy and he has faced disciplinary action at almost every club for whom he has played. At a 15-year-old at Feyenoord he was close to being sacked following a disagreement with then-coach Marcel Bout before being shipped off to Excelsior (returning to De Kuip two years later).

Then, in 2008, he stormed out of Real Madrid's training ground - the club he had joined from Feyenoord for €14million a year earlier - after being left out of the club's 18-man match day squad for a fixture against Valencia. And as recently as last season, he was ordered to stay away from Everton's training ground by David Moyes having reported late for training after being given leave on compassionate grounds. Drenthe made just 10 league starts for the Toffees during his season on Merseyside and it was no surprise when they failed to take up their option to sign the player on a permanent basis.

Only last week it was claimed by the player's agent that he had received offers from Manchester City, Inter Milan and Galatasaray - although no firm offers have materialised as of yet. Antonio Salerno, speaking on behalf of the one-times capped Dutch international said: "There have been many calls and now is the moment to decide. We didn't expect to be called by Manchester City and West Ham, but they asked me for information on Royston and his wage demands. "The important thing is that Royston gets back to the playing field. He would prefer to play for a club in the Champions League, so Manchester City, Dynamo Kiev and a big Turkish side are the favourites at the moment."

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One over the eight
KUMb.com
Filed: Monday, 20th August 2012
By: Staff Writer

West Ham United are poised to make their ninth signing of the summer with the arrival of Togo winger Razak Boukari. The 25-year-old, who holds dual nationality is reported to be on the cusp of signing a permanent contract with West Ham having suitably impressed during a recent trial. Boukari, who is currently contracted to French club Rennes is understood to have featured in the under 21s' win over Reading on Friday evening, a game the Hammers won 3-1 and one in which the triallist scored. Born in Lome in 1987, the right-sided player - whose father also represented his country - has lived in France for the past ten years having initially joined Châteauroux as a 15-year-old in 2002. After two years as a professional with La Berri, he moved to Lens in 2006 for whom he played for the next four years. In 2010, Rennes snapped Boukari up for €4.5million with the winger signing a five-year contract. Having suffered a thigh injury in January this year he was unable to regain his place in the Rennes first team, having been replaced by Burkina Faso international Jonathan Pitroipa - and the financially-troubled Rennes have reluctantly allowed him to look for a new club. Boukari, whose arrival should signal the end of West Ham's ongoing interest in Wolves winger Matt Jarvis is understood to have undergone a medical earlier today, with an announcement imminent according to tonight's Evening Standard.

Pre-season signings: the eight so far

May
21st: Stephen Henderson (Portsmouth, nominal fee)

June
14th: Jussi Jaaskelainen (Bolton, nominal fee)
20th: Momo Diame (Wigan, free transfer)

July
1st: George McCartney (Sunderland, nominal fee)
18th: Modibo Maiga (Sochaux, £4.5million)
23rd: Raphael Spiegler (Grasshoppers, nominal fee)

August
1st: James Collins (Aston Villa, £2million)
10th: Alou Diarra (Marseille, £2million)

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Sullivan - We still owe money
Tevez saga still disrupting Hammers' transfer activity
Last Updated: August 20, 2012 9:57am
SSN

Co-owner David Sullivan has admitted the money West Ham still need to pay Sheffield United over the Carlos Tevez affair has taken its toll on their transfer activity. Having brought in Tevez in 2006, the Hammers were fined £5.5million by the Premier League for breaching the rules governing third-party ownership of players. However, the Blades suffered relegation that season and, after opening legal proceedings against the Hammers, it was eventually agreed that £26.5million was owed in compensation. Sullivan has now revealed that more than £10million is still to be paid, and the situation is having an impact on Sam Allardyce's transfer plans. "We've done some good business and brought in some real quality despite our still-limited resources," Sullivan said in the Daily Mirror. "We have an eight-figure sum still outstanding over the Tevez affair, even though we have been paying it down over the past two years. "That amount has to be paid off over the next 12 months, which does take its toll on our transfer activity."

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Collins targeting top half
Hammers defender is eyeing a strong season after opening win
Last Updated: August 20, 2012 10:16am
SSN

New arrival James Collins believes West Ham can finish in the top half of the Premier League table this season. Collins returned to West Ham from Aston Villa in the summer and played his part as the Hammers beat his old club 1-0 at Upton Park on Saturday. The 28-year-old was encouraged by the way his new team nullified the threat of Paul Lambert's side and is impressed with the blend that Sam Allardyce has found at West Ham. Collins, quoted in The Sun, said: "There's no reason why we can't aim for a top-10 spot with the squad we've got. "We looked fitter than Villa, we have got some strong and quick boys in midfield. "We may not have passed the ball as much as Villa but the fight and team spirit got us through.

Mixture

"Our home form is going to be massive. And if we play like we did today then there's no reason why we can't have a great season. "We've put together a great squad - a good mixture of youth and experience." Not only did Collins think the Hammers looked fitter than Villa, he was also unimpressed by the opposition's patient build-up play - claiming he and Winston Reid were untroubled in central defence. "I don't mean to be disrespectful, as much as they passed it, they didn't get near our goal," added Collins. "So me, Winston and the boys at the back were quite happy with the job we did."

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Will the Emphasis Now Shift to Signing Razak Boukari and Royston Drenthe?
By S J Chandos
West Ham Till I Die

It was thought that West Ham would sumit a fourth and final bid for Wolves winger, Matt Jarvis. However, it emerged earlier today that the club's priority may have shifted elsewhere. The Evening Standard have reported that West Ham are poised to complete the transfer of winger Razak Boukari from French club Rennes. It would seem that Boukari has sufficiently impressed during a recent trial period to be offered a permanent deal and was due to undergo a medical today.

Boukari is 25 years old and a full Togo international, with four caps for the African nation, having previously represented France at U-21 level. He is a predominantly right sided winger and hitherto has not been particularly prolific in the goal scoring stakes. Having scored 25 goals in 204 senior appearances (in the period 2004-10) for French club's Chateauroux, Lens and Rennes.

Another player linked to a move to West Ham is the free agent, Royston Drenthe. Drenthe's Real Madrid contract expired in July and he is available on a Bosman deal. Drenthe is a predominantly left sided winger, with the ability to also play at left-back. A full Dutch international, Drenthe is even less prolific then Boukari, having scored 9 goals in 113 senior appearances (in the period 2005-12) for Feyenoord, Real Madrid, Hercules (on loan 2010-11) and Everton (2011-12). Three of those goals were scored in 21 appearances on loan to Everton last season. So, on a positive note, he does have PL experience and appears to have done a decent job for the Evertonians.

Of course, the above statistics do not include details of goal assists! Goal scoring prowess is not everything in a winger, but it is more than helpful if they chip in with their quota each season. What is certain is that both player will provide pace down the flanks, but the quality of the final ball remains to be seen? Although both players must be useful to have previously played for the likes of Feyenoord, Real Madrid and Lens!

It has also emerged that a third wide option has re-entered the frame for the Hammers. It has been reported that Kieron Richardson has submitted a transfer request at Sunderland and wants to return to London for family reasons. Basically, that means that he is likely to have two options, West Ham and QPR. The speculation was that Richardson priced himself out of a move to the Hammers earlier in the summer. If this is true, then perhaps he will now compromise on his personal terms to secure a move back to the capital? Richardson has the ability to play right along the left flank and was mostly deployed at left-back by Sunderland last season. Again, he is not a prolific goal scorer, having converted 19 goals in 184 senior appearances (in the period 2002-12) for Man Utd, WBA and Sunderland.

So,they are three possible options for new wide players. It seems, from the current indicators, that the likes of Matt Jarvis and Adam Johnson are out of the club's reach. That would certainly seem to be the case if we take on board the Co-Chairman's comments in Saturday's match programme about the continuing negative financial consequences of the £25m compensation deal with Sheffield Utd. Is it really adversely impacting on our transfer dealings or is it a ruse to stop clubs inflating the asking price every time that we enquire about a player? I guess that will be determined by the quality of the players that we bring in before the closure of the transfer window!

SJ. Chandos.

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Sport Football Transfer News West Ham transfer news
By Alan Nixon Comments 20 Aug 2012 22:29
The Mirror

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce is ready to snap up Dutch star Royston Drenthe - and give him a second shot at Premier League stardom. The former Real Madrid wideman is in talks about a free transfer move to Hammers following a hit-and-miss season on loan at Everton where he fell out with manager David Moyes and was shown the door. Allardyce has a name for dealing with strong personalities and could take on Drenthe, who has been trying to find a home for weeks.
Although West Ham still have interest in Wolves winger Matt Jarvis, Drenthe could be a useful addition to his squad. Elsewhere, West Ham striker Freddie Piquionne is in talks with Championship side Brighton about joining on a free. The French forward is out of Allardyce's plans and can go if the terms are right.

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