Daily WHUFC News - 13th June 2013

O'Brien relishing Cork return
WHUFC.com
Joey O'Brien cannot wait to head home to Ireland for West Ham United's
opening pre-season fixture
12.06.2013

Joey O'Brien is relishing the opportunity to return to his homeland when
West Ham United go on pre-season tour to the Republic of Ireland. The senior
Ireland international was born and raised in Dublin before moving to England
when he signed for Bolton Wanderers at the age of 16. As he made his name in
this country, O'Brien enjoyed returning home regularly to turn out for his
home nation at age-group level - none more so than when he represented
Ireland U19s against England in a friendly at Cork City's Turners Cross
ground in September 2004. On Sunday 7 July, O'Brien will return to the same
venue when West Ham United take on the League of Ireland Premier Division
side in their first pre-season fixture. The No17 cannot wait to return to
his homeland for what promises to be an entertaining evening in south west
Ireland. "It should be good," enthused the full-back, who played 35 times
for the Hammers last season. "I've never been on a pre-season tour to
Ireland before since I came over to England when I was 16, so it should be
something different from normal when we have been to places that are really,
really hot. I don't think the west coast of Ireland will be really hot!
"We're going to play Cork City while we're over there, so it should be good
to play a League of Ireland team."

It may be nearly nine years ago, but O'Brien can remember Ireland U19s' 2-0
defeat by England clearly. That night, the visitors triumphed through goals
from Middlesbrough midfielder James Morrison and Norwich City's Ryan Jarvis,
but the Hammers defender still recalls the evening fondly. "I have played at
Turners Cross before. I played there for the Republic of Ireland Under-19s
against England, I think it was. The place was absolutely rocking with the
crowd. "I know people from that part of the world and they are a very, very
patriotic bunch and it made for a great night. "I'm sure that game when we
play them in pre-season will also attract a good crowd to Turners Cross."

A 3,500-strong crowd turned out to watch O'Brien and his team-mates in
action in September 2004 and the popular full-back is expecting a similarly
busy evening at Turners Cross come kick-off at 6pm on Sunday 7 July.
"Without a doubt, I'm sure the fans there are looking forward to a Premier
League team coming over and they'll come out and support them. "It's a
lovely pitch there normally and the ground is nice and tight and the crowd
is right on top of you, so hopefully there should be a decent crowd and it
should be a decent game."

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Hammers host successful final
WHUFC.com
Punjab United Wolves won the 2013 SBOBET UK Asian Community Cup final at the
Boleyn Ground
13.06.2013

Punjab United Wolves lifted the 11th annual SBOBET UK Asian Community Cup at
the Boleyn Ground following a thrilling 3-2 victory over Bury Park Saracens
on Wednesday night. Punjab United were twice pegged back after going in
front, but Razwan Akhtar came off the substitutes' bench to notch the winner
and give his side the trophy in front of a crowd which included Member of
Parliament for East Ham Stephen Timms and dignitaries from the Football
Association and Professional Footballers' Association.

It marked the end of a successful journey for the team from Wolverhampton,
who came through the preliminary rounds at the Hammers' Rush Green complex
last month to secure their place in the final against their Luton-based
opponents. The tournament has been backed by SBOBET and supported by The
Canary Wharf Group, as West Ham worked alongside organisers London Tigers to
host the tournament through its preliminary and final stages. It aims to
provide Asian players a chance to play in professional stadiums and be
spotted by scouts, and for matchwinner Akhtar, playing at the Boleyn Ground
was an unforgettable experience. He said: "It's the best feeling ever and
I'm really glad. We did well throughout the rounds and we deserved to come
through to the final and win. "It was a once in a lifetime opportunity to
play at West Ham, and I think it's a great achievement from us. We've got a
big squad, who have been utilised [throughout the competition], they've been
part of it and that's the reason we're here. "Before I got subbed on, I was
doing my prayers saying 'let me get the winner'. If I got three or four
chances I'd have been more than happy and there you have it, we've taken the
trophy."

London Tigers, the tournament organisers, is an innovative, award-winning
organisation which works across London and beyond to provide sporting and
life opportunities for disadvantaged communities. Its chief executive Mesba
Ahmed said: "The SBOBET UK Asian Community Cup is a national event involving
teams from Glasgow to Preston, Wolverhampton, Birmingham and London. "The
prelim of 16 teams whittled it down to the two teams who competed in the
final and it was a dream come true for them to play at West Ham. "Playing
the final in a pro stadium is more important than anything else, because it
allows them to feel like superstars. "Having it in the heart of the Asian
community in east London was a crowd-puller. For some of the people here, it
would have been their first time in a stadium like this. "For West Ham to
provide an opportunity like that, brings the community closer."

Deputy chief executive of the Professional Footballers' Association and
former West Ham United winger Bobby Barnes was also delighted to lend his
support to the event. He said: "This is a very important part of the Club's
work in the community. I've been fortunate enough to come to the previous
two finals at Stamford Bridge and Loftus Road, so it was particularly nice
to be at the Boleyn Ground on Wednesday. "Obviously there is a very large
Asian community in the area around the ground and it's positive to see the
Club engaging and putting something into creating some strong links with
that community. "It's great when Premier League clubs throw their doors open
and give people that opportunity to play at the stadium. It's something they
will remember for a very long time."

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Reid crowned KUMB.com Player of the Year
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 12th June 2013
By: Staff Writer

Winston Reid has been voted as West Ham United's Player of the Year in our
annual KUMB.com Readers' Awards poll. The 24-year-old Kiwi - who also took
the Most Improved Player award for the second successive season - strolled
to victory ahead of runner-up James Collins and third-placed Mo Diame,
having taken two of every three votes cast.

Our congratulations also go to Danny Potts, who was voted your Young Player
of the Year - whilst Mo Diame's goal against Manchester United in our 2-2
draw back in April is your Goal of the Season.

To see the results in full, visit the KUMB Awards home page. You may also
listen to the results in the latest KUMB.com podcast.

The eleven category winners were as follows:

KUMB.com Player of the Year: Winston Reid

KUMB.com Young Player of the Year: Danny Potts

Goal of the Season: Mo Diame vs Manchester United

Most Memorable Match: West Ham Utd 3-1 Chelsea

Best Signing: Andy Carroll

Most Improved Player: Winston Reid

Most Missed: Wally Downes

Worst Player of the Year: Emanuel Pogatetz

Worst Signing: Emanuel Pogatetz

Greatest Disappointment: Our away form

Hackett of the Year: Barry Hearn

Notes: Knees Up Mother Brown's annual poll is in its 16th year, having
started back in 1997. Voted for by our army of readers, our 11 categories
cover the very best - and worst! - of West Ham United over the course of the
preceeding 12 months.

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Carroll, Ba, Zaha and Ambrosini?
By S J Chandos
West Ham Till I Die

The Mirror Sport has carried an article claiming that not only West Ham
lining up a swoop for Andy Carroll, but are plotting season long loan deals
for Chelsea's Demba Ba and Manchester Utd's Wilfred Zaha. If true (which is
not beyond doubt considering the source) then Sam Allardyce will significant
goal power and class in the striking positions for next season. So, what are
the chances? Well it seems that Chelsea's new manager likes the look of
Romelu Lakaku and intends to keep him in his squad next season. In addition,
Chelsea are also likely to be submitting bids for Hulk and Cavani. So, there
is the possibility that Ba could end up surplus to requirements. Zaha, at 20
years of age, is one for the future at Old Trafford. It is also possible
that Man Utd might be persuaded to put him out on loan to play regularly in
the Premier League and gain vital experience.

At the same, there has been much speculation about Andy Carroll delaying in
agreeing a deal to join West Ham and even make demands that his weekly wages
be increased from £80,000 to £100,000! The truth is more likely to be that
Carroll's options are extremely limited, even if he was minded to cast
around for an alternative deal. The probability is that Carroll has, indeed,
been on holiday and will sign a six year deal on his return. Signing Carroll
would be a good indication of the ambition and sense of direction that the
club have now acquired. Lets hope that the above interpretation is correct.

Finally, it seems that Gary O'Neill has now left the club on a free
transfer, with the parties unable to agree a new deal. That is a shame, as
O'Neill was a good squad player, who always did an effective job when called
upon to do so. However, there are other players in the squad that I would be
far more loath to lose. There are also rumours this evening that the club
are moving to agree a deal with AC Milan veteran, Massimo Ambrosini. The 36
year old former AC Milan captain's agent has confirmed that there are talks
ongoing with West Ham, although other possible destinations were also
mentioned. Some fans will see this as a bad deal, because of the player's
age. However, this ignores the fact that he also brings extensive top level
experience to the squad. Also, you cannot apply the same standard to all
players. Some players will be over-the-hill at 36 years of age, others will
not. After all, it is often forgotten that Danny Blanchflower was exactly
the same age when he starred in the midfield of the double winning Spurs
team of the early 1960s. And it was ultimately Blanchflower's vision and
passing ability that was decisive, not his pace or lack of it! While our
very own Billy Bonds still had five more years of top level club football in
him at the age of 36 years. I know that super-fit Bonds was the exception,
rather than the rule, but it shows what is possible. Add to that the fact
that Ambrosini will likely play a holding midfield role, where he can sit
and use his experience to shield the back four and influence the play in
front of him. There is also Sam Allardyce's track record at Bolton of
successfully utilising veterans, like Ivan Campo, to good effect. Hopefully,
he will able to do much the same with Ambrosini if a deal is concluded.

SJ. Chandos.

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West Ham plot Demba Ba's return on loan from Chelsea to link up with Carroll
12 Jun 2013 22:31
The Mirror

West Ham have launched a bid to bring Chelsea's Demba Ba back to Upton Park
on loan. The east Londoners have made their move for the striker because new
Blues manager Jose Mourinho is chasing Napoli goal-machine Edinson Cavani
and will not loan out Romelu Lukaku, impressive in his year at West Brom,
for next season. It is understood the loan move for Ba - bought from
Newcastle for £7million just five months ago - is unconnected with West
Ham's attempts to complete a £15.5m swoop for Liverpool's England hitman
Andy Carroll. A decision from Carroll, still on holiday and mulling over the
move while his representatives discuss terms, is expected next week.

Hammers boss Sam Allardyce is also targeting an audacious loan swoop for
Manchester United youngster Wilfried Zaha. The 20-year-old former Crystal
Palace winger, just back from playing for England at the Under-21 European
Championship, will join the champions for pre-season after a holiday. West
Ham want to take him on loan once he has had a pre-season with the Reds. If
Hammers succeed in landing all three, it will add a new potency to their
attack as boss Sam Allardyce bids to improve on last season's 10th place
finish. Ba spent his first six months in English football with West Ham in
the 20-11 campaign, following an aborted move to Stoke from Germany's
Hoffenheim. Playing in a side that ended up getting relegated from the
Premier League, Ba emerged as top scorer with seven goals in 12 games to
earned a move to St James' Park. The frontman then made himself the
Geordies' leading scorer, shooting Alan Pardew's side into contention for
the top four. Despite being part of a Chelsea squad that clinched Europa
League football and a place in the top four, Ba did not play as regularly as
he had been at West Ham or Newcastle. The Senegal striker scored just twice
for the Blues in the Premier League, and six times in total. Last month, the
28-year-old claimed to be among the players excited by the return of
Mourinho. But he could now become the first casualty of the Special One's
second coming.
Cavani has appeared to move a step closer to a switch to the Premier League
after seemingly ruling out joining Real Madrid. The 26-year-old, also linked
with Manchester City, said: "I don't know if Spanish football suits me."

The £53m-rated Uruguayan, on international duty at the Confederations Cup,
added: "Football there is wonderful, as everyone knows. You have more
freedom. But I don't know what will happen." A deal for Bayer Leverkusen
forward Andre Schurrle is still being pursued by Chelsea, while Manchester
United's Wayne Rooney and Zenit St Peterburg's Hulk are also on the Stamford
Bridge radar. Meanwhile, Barcelona are hoping to tempt Blues' record signing
Fernando Torres home to Spain.

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