Daily WHUFC News - 27th May 2013

Season In Seconds: James Tomkins
WHUFC.com
The Hammers defender gives whufc.com his thoughts on the 2012/13 season
26.05.2013

whufc.com continues the series of Season In Seconds with James Tomkins the
latest to go under the spotlight.

How would you sum up the season?

JT - "It's been a good year for us all. We finished in a respectable
position in the table - staying up again was the objective at the start of
the year and we achieved that."

What was your highlight of the campaign?

JT - "Having good results again the top teams at home. Coming back to win
3-1 against Chelsea, and the two draws against Manchester United were good
results as well. I think our home form has been particularly good this year.

What was your funniest moment of the season?

JT - "It's hard to pick out a funniest moment, but there's always banter
flying about every day in training. Every day I love coming in for
training."

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Sir Trevor honours hero Moore
WHUFC.com
Sir Trevor Brooking returned to school to honour fellow West Ham United
legend Bobby Moore MBE
26.05.2013

Sir Trevor Brooking went back to school to honour fellow West Ham United
legend Bobby Moore MBE this week. Sir Trevor returned to Ripple Primary
School in Barking - the school both he and Moore attended as young children
- to unveil an plaque commemorating the life and sporting achievements of
the late Hammers and England captain. Moore attended the school, in Suffolk
Road, between 1946 and 1952, while Sir Trevor was a pupil there during the
1950s. Both learned the skills that turned them into Boleyn Ground
favourites in the playground. Sir Trevor who made 647 appearances in claret
and blue and is now the Football Association's Director of Football
Development, said: "It was at Ripple School that I was first played
competitive football. I am very pleased to hear that my old school team are
successfully carrying on the tradition. I am honoured to have been part of
the ceremony to celebrate Bobby, a true sporting hero."

During his visit, Sir Trevor also met pupils from the school that recently
took part in a Premier League Schools tournament at Anfield. Barking and
Dagenham Council leader Cllr Liam Smith said Moore remained a true hero to
local people of all ages. Last year, Cllr Smith launched a campaign to
confer a posthumous knighthood for Moore. "The year 2013 marks two decades
since the death of Bobby Moore - still England's greatest and most iconic
football captain," said Cllr Smith. "Born in Barking in 1941, he remains one
of the game's true giants, regarded by people far and wide as one of the
greatest footballers of all-time.
" I am delighted that Sir Trevor Brooking, also a former pupil of the school
as well as a distinguished Freeman of the Borough, has found time to take
part in this tribute to Bobby Moore. "While Bobby was awarded an OBE, he was
never awarded a Knighthood. This is something that many people nationwide -
and indeed across the world - do not often know. Indeed, it is perplexing
that such an award was not conferred during a lifetime of such success and
achievement."

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Razvan Rat, a Good Deal to Open the Summer Transfer Business!
By S J Chandos
West Ham Till I Die

So, it appears that the club have been quick out of the blocks to secure
their first summer signing. Razvan Rat is a very experienced left-back, who
is an accomplished Champions League and international performer. As such, he
significantly strengthens our defensive options and is definitely an upgrade
on the existing options at left-back. Presumably, the reliable George
McCartney will be retained for a further season as cover, whilst the
promising Danny Potts establishes himself in the first team squad? With
Demel signing a recent contract extension and the useful Joey O'Brien
available at right-back, that is likely to be the full-back positions sorted
for next season. Although that supposes that there is no substance to the
stories linking us to a move for Newcastle Utd's pacy right-back, Danny
Simpson. It also begs the question whether Jordan Spence will figure in Sam
Allardyce's plans next season?

So, what will be our next incoming deal? The speculation is rife, as always
at this time of year. In poll position are the reports that West Ham have
moved quickly to agree a £15m fee with Liverpool for Andy Carroll. The
reports are obviously correct in stating that this potential deal is key to
the direction that the club's summer transfer dealings take. If Carroll
signs then we will have secured a player around which the rest of the
transfer dealings will be moulded. If it does not happen then we will have
to first move very quickly to find and sign an alternative. And that is
easier said than done! Personally, I think it possible that Carroll could
agree a 2 or 3 year deal at the club. He is ideal for Allardyce's system,
seems to fit in very well at the club and is virtually guaranteed first team
football. At 24 years of age, time is on his side, and he has the latitude
to enhance his reputation at West Ham and then reconsider his options in 2
or 3 years time, when at 26/27 years of age he will still be approaching his
peak as a player. The complicating factor, of course, is the lack of
European football next season. But if the club can convince Carroll, that
there will be a concerted investment and push to achieve that next season,
all may not be lost.

The other intriguing rumour is that West Ham are actively seeking to secure
Romelu Lukaku on a season long loan. On the face of it, the deal looks
unlikely, but much will depend upon how Chelsea's incoming manager views
Lukaku's readiness for first team duty? One would think that Lukaku had more
than proven himself at WBA last season. But Chelsea do have a strong squad
and further expensive signings (including Ronaldo, according to some
sources) are bound to follow. As such, Chelsea may choose to put Lukaku out
on loan for another season. If so, West Ham will be looking to get the
bounce on WBA and Swansea. The variable factor is whether a overseas club
might just put in a high enough bid to tempt Chelsea to sell outright.
Rumour has it that Brossia Dortmund could put in a bid and the player may be
open to the move. Regardless, there is no doubt that Lukaku, with his pace,
power and goal scoring ability, would be a major addition to the squad,
whether in conjunction with Carroll or as an alternative. Similarly, Wilfred
Bony would also be an excellent signing, but he is likely to be targeted by
Newcastle Utd, now that they have reportedly given up on the chase for Andy
Carroll.

Reports have also emerged this morning that West Ham may be interested in
signing 6ft 6in Rapid Vienna striker, atdhe Nuhiu. The promising 23 year old
has been on loan from Rapid Vienna to Turkish side Eskisehirspor, but will
be a free agent this summer. With Carlton Cole's departure, Nuhiu could be
ideal cover for Carroll and, particularly at the beginning of next season,
when the England striker is likely to be side lined with his current heel
injury. There has recently been some speculation that we may sign Peter
Crouch from Stoke City. At 32 years old, it could be argued that Crouch's
best days are now behind him. He might be an effective 'stop gap'
acquisition,but there is always a temptation to view that type of signing in
a slightly negative light. I guess we will just have wait and see on that
one? Personally, if we are going to sign a striker of that vintage, I would
prefer a bid to QPR to sign Bobby Zamora.

In fact, it will be interesting to see if we sign any of the better players
from the relegated sides, QPR, Reading or Wigan? There have been various
stories about West Ham being interested the likes of Loic Remy (probably a
non-starter), Shaun Maloney, Arouna Kone and even Noel Hunt. Of these (and
Remy aside), Maloney would probably be the best addition, because he is
arguably exactly the type of creative midfield play maker that we need to
add to the current squad. The Scottish international midfielder was
outstanding at Wigan last season and could very well do a job for us.

Finally, we must add the necessary extra quality to the squad to ensure that
there is no question of 'second season syndrome' afflicting us. Both David
Sullivan and Sam Allardyce have made it clear we need to bring in better
players in order to progress as a club. So, we must wait to see how that is
acted upon in terms of our transfer policy this summer. It should be
interesting and, as stated, we have got off to a good start with Rat's
signing. I also have high hopes that some of the youngsters, such as
Chambers, Moncur and Lee, can also 'push on' and add to the first team mix.
And that is the ideal situation that most fans would like to see, West Ham
progressing not only by making the necessary quality signings, but also via
more of our talented youngsters making the break through in to the first
team squad.

SJ. Chandos

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Hammers weigh up value of short-term deal of Nuhiu after top target
Carroll's injury woe
By SIMON JONES
PUBLISHED: 22:30, 26 May 2013 | UPDATED: 22:30, 26 May 2013
Daily Mail

West Ham are considering a short term deal for free agent Atdhe Nuhiu. The
6ft 6ins striker is seen as someone who can provide cover for Andy Carroll
who, should he agree to join from Liverpool, will likely miss the start of
the season with a heel injury. Nuhiu, 23, has been on loan from Rapid
Vienna at Turkish side Eskisehirspor. British clubs first noticed him in
2010 when he scored in Rapid Vienna's 3-2 Europa League defeat of Aston
Villa. Manager Sam Allardyce is also among the frontrunners to take Romelu
Lukaku on loan but Chelsea may yet opt to keep the young Belgian rather than
loan him out again.

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West Ham, The Speculation And The 'ITKs'
Date: 26th May 2013 at 7:38 pm
Written by: Chelmo Hammer
Forever West Ham

Now, us fans, at West Ham United are like any other supporter in the land
when it comes to speculation about who is joining our club. We love to hear
who could be joining and who could be leaving. I am no different, but in the
last couple of seasons, with Twitter being more popular than ever, we have
these people called 'ITK' – for those who don't know, it stands for 'In The
Know'.

ITK's seem to pop up all over the place these days, telling us news and
behind the scenes transfer dealings, and telling us at what stage
negotiations are with each player.

However, what I have had to do, and what I have done over the last year, is
weed out who is actually in the know, and who is actually talking a load of
rubbish. I have 2 or 3 who I follow who have given reliable information,
and predict signings a few weeks in advance. These people also don't have
the ITK initials after their names. They are realistic in their tweets, and
they do not copy from Twitter accounts.

Even with the 2/3 that I think are reliable, unfortunately, people cannot
believe anything until it is reported on the official West Ham United
website, or it is tweeted by David Gold or by Jack Sullivan. Even Jack
Sullivan is not great, bearing in mind he said we would have two signings to
announce this week, and we've only had one.

I hate to be the spoil sport, but I suggest you ignore all of the
speculation, unless it is reported as suggested above, or 3 to 4 news
sources are reporting it. Also remember that due to the fact the season has
finished, Journalists are looking to fill their papers. Only a small amount
of it is actually true.

Enjoy the speculation, enjoy the drama, and enjoy your summers……

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