Daily WHUFC News - 31st July 2013

The Big Interview - Nick Haycock
WHUFC.com
West Ham United U21s manager Nick Haycock on tactics, challenging senior
professionals and loan moves
30.07.2013

Player development is very much a team game at West Ham United. Nick Haycock
takes charge of the Hammers' Under-21 side, overseeing the progress of
players as they make the vital step up from Academy to senior football. With
such an important job, Haycock takes huge pride in his role within the Club
- a role that sees him work closely with manager Sam Allardyce, assistant
Neil McDonald, first-team coach Ian Hendon and Under-18s manager Steve
Potts.
Speaking to West Ham TV following Monday's 1-0 defeat at League Two side
Southend United - a match his youngsters dominated against Phil Brown's team
- Haycock discussed player development, tactics, loan moves and the
possibility of the Hammers fielding a side in the non-league.

If that was a boxing match at Southend United, it would have been stopped in
West Ham's favour well before the end! What was your assessment of a harsh
1-0 defeat at Roots Hall?

NH: "I read Macca's comments building up the game and Ian came and watched
the game and they were saying that Development football is now about playing
against League Two opposition and that making mistakes costs you points,
because they are now in that world," he said. "That being said, I was
delighted with the way we played. We've been working hard in pre-season on
working the ball between the lines and finding the space. I thought we were
excellent in the first half and could have scored five or six. It was there
for the taking. "Funnily enough, with us not taking our chances, we knew
they would get one through an error or maybe from a set piece and I was
disappointed with the way we conceded the goal. If we can just tidy that up,
then we're going to have a good season. "Ian will have been delighted with
the performance. There were some young lads playing against professional
players who are playing in League Two."

How did you feel your young professionals and scholars measured up against
seasoned professionals at Roots Hall?

NH: "We have been saying at meetings with the Premier League in recent
months that we would like to put a team to compete in the Conference to give
the boys the opportunity of playing for points. It showed [on Monday] that
we'd be capable of doing that, or maybe even higher than that. "It's
something that English football probably needs to look at. The Development
league is good but that next step at the age of 20 or 21, if you cannot make
the first team because the average age is going up because of the money in
the game, it's something most definitely worth considering,"

You employed a new 4-4-1-1 formation on Monday, different from the usual
4-3-3 system used. How did you feel your players responded to that change?

NH: "We had two days work on that, I woke up Sunday morning and thought
'We've got to try a different style in a game because we've had three games
playing with the holding midfield player. Through the Academy we have a
philosophy and we just switch the point around in the midfield so you're
playing somebody off the striker. "We transmitted it to the pitch on Sunday
and trained again on Monday with the players who had come back from Germany
and I thought they adapted to it well. There were some disciplined
performances out there and I was delighted with the boys acquitted
themselves."

The Development Squad go to Isthmian League Premier Division side AFC
Hornchurch on Saturday for your final pre-season game. What sort of
challenge are you expecting and what sort of squad will you take to Bridge
Avenue?

NH: "We've had a meeting and the whole goal of pre-season is to challenge
everyone at the right level and to make sure everyone gets minutes. Without
going into too much detail, some of the boys will go with the first team and
the youth team are going to the Eurofoot Tournament in Belgium, so rather
than keeping boys to be subs for me the strongest possible team will go to
Eurofoot to get that experience. "We may be a little bit lighter at the
weekend, but it's an opportunity for the boys who have not played as many
minutes to do so, while giving the utmost respect to Hornchurch, who are our
local neighbours and have a good link and association with the Club. We'll
be doing our bit for them as well. "In terms of the game, it'll be
interesting to see, because I've got to make sure the lads who played at
Southend get themselves equally up for Saturday and not just think 'It's
Hornchurch and we're not playing at Roots Hall'. That'll be interesting for
their development. "As I said to the four boys coming back, I thought they
were excellent in the way they acquitted themselves because what you don't
want is players going away with the first team, thinking they have made it
and them not performing well for us. It will always be about putting in the
performances that do yourself justice and help you push on in your career,
whatever bit of grass you are on."

Finally, a number of our young players will be targeted by other clubs for
loan moves. How do West Ham decide which players are suitable for loans and
which should remain under your own wing?

NH: "That is done with Sam, Neil, Ian and myself chatting about the player,
looking at the club they would go to and making sure they are going to get
an experience there and that they are going to play. The major consideration
is that they are going to play. "Myself, Ian and the scouts will go and
watch them as much as we can and we also have a back-up support system
within the Club in terms of sports science. If the club we send them to
doesn't have the facilities or the personnel, we make sure we monitor them
through ours to make sure they stay up to date with their programmes because
they are still our players.
"They are going out to develop into players we want to play in the Premier
League, so it's a group decision and up to Sam ultimately and rightly so."

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Cole hails Carroll influence
WHUFC.com
Joe Cole believes Andy Carroll is set to produce his best skills
30.07.2013

Joe Cole has seen first hand the transformation Andy Carroll has undergone
since first arriving at the Boleyn Ground a year ago. Frustrated after a
season-and-a-half at Liverpool, Carroll rediscovered his best form after
returning to fitness with the Hammers and signed permanently for Sam
Allardyce's men this summer. Cole, a teammate of the big Geordie at Anfield
as well as in east London, was thrilled to see him at his best towards the
end of last season and believes there is more to come from the No9. He told
West Ham TV: "I've played with Andy at Liverpool and West Ham and the player
who is playing for West Ham is full of confidence, strong, aggressive and
you can see what a great player he is. "He had a difficult time at
Liverpool, but the West Ham Andy Carroll is a real handful and a top player.
He'll be looking at getting in the England squad and he can be anything he
wants to be. "You can look at a [Didier] Drogba, that's the level he can get
to. He's a good lad and we're glad to have him here."

Carroll is facing a race against time to be fit for the start of the new
Barclays Premier League season, and Cole was involved as part of a front
three alongside Ricardo Vaz Te and Modibo Maiga in Saturday's win against
Eintracht Braunschweig. Maiga notched twice at the Eintracht-Stadion and
Cole is happy to see the rest of the striking unit coming into form too. He
added: "The gaffer had a look at Ricardo in the No9 position [on Saturday].
When Andy is the central striker you rely on his attributes, and without him
we have to alter the style a little bit. "Who knows, he might make the start
of the season, but it was great to see Modibo Maiga score two goals on
Saturday as it's always important for your strikers to score goals."

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Under-18s hold off Charlton comeback
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's youngsters registered a 3-2 victory in their latest
warm-up match
30.07.2013

West Ham United's Under-18s continued their preparations for the new season
with a thrilling victory over their Charlton Athletic counterparts on
Tuesday afternoon. Steve Potts' team travelled to south London to take on
the Addicks at their Sparrows Lane training ground and quickly stamped their
authority on the contest. Jordan Brown, a first year scholar who joined the
Academy from Arsenal this summer, notched twice before the break to put the
Hammers in a commanding position. But Charlton came roaring back in the
second half to level thanks to goals from Mehawl Martin and Tomi Adeloye.
Their efforts were to prove in vain however, as Marcio Martins popped up
with a last-minute winner to give the Hammers the perfect send off for their
participation in the Eurofoot Tournament in Belgium from Friday. Under-18s
manager Steve Potts (pictured) said: "It was a deserved win. We had the
chances to make it more comfortable, and you never know what might happen
when a team gets it back to 2-1. "So to respond positively when they brought
it back to 2-2 was excellent and I was pleased with the workout."

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West Ham look to Swedish international
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 30th July 2013
By: Staff Writer

West Ham are being linked with a move for Malmo midfielder and captain
Jiloan Hamad. The 22-year-old Swede, who was born in Baku, Azerbaijan, is
out of contract with the former European giants later this year and,
according to reports emanating from Scandinavia this afternoon, can count
West Ham as one of several of admirers. That's according to one Swedish
source at least, who claim that West Ham have been in touch with Hamad's
agent with view to a potential permanent deal - despite Malmo's Sporting
Director Per Ågren refusing to confirm whether United had indeed expressed
an interest. "I have no comment to make," a tight-lipped Agren told Fotboll
Skanalen. "I'm sure there are a few clubs interested, but expressing an
interest is very different to signing the player."

As Hamad, who is primarily employed as a winger has less than six months
remaining on the two-year contract he signed with MFF back in 2011, the
six-times capped Swdish international is allowed to talk to other clubs.
Last season (2012) he scored six goals and contributed nine assists for
Malmo in the Allsvenskan, whilst he was an unused substitute in Sweden's
famous 4-2 win against England at the Friends Arena in November 2012. In
this year's Allsvenskan (which runs from March 2013 to November 2013), Hamad
has already scored five times whilst providing a further four assists from
the wing.

The 5'8" wide man began his career in Sweden with lower league club BK
Forward, with whom he spent two years as a pro from 2006 until 2008 before
Malmo spotted his potential. After barely featuring in his first season at
the Swedbank Stadion, it was at the age of 18 that Hamad made the
breakthrough into Malmo's first team squad and he went on to make 20
appearances in 2009, mostly on the right wing. After Guillermo Molins was
sold to Anderlecht in 2001, Hamad made the right wing spot his own and he
was integral to the side that clinched a place in the 2011/12 Champions
League. He is also lauded for having scored the goal that knocked Scottish
champions Rangers out of the competition. Having signed a new deal with the
club at the end of 2011, Hamad was made captain the following year - an
impressive achievment for a player who was still only 21 at the time. Whilst
still on the fringes of the squad, he has already been selected for Sweden's
forthcoming 2013 Winter Tour.

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Give us a Kalou
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 30th July 2013
By: Staff Writer

West Ham are holding talks with the representatives of Lille forward Salomon
Kalou, according to reports. According to this morning's L'Equipe, Kalou's
agent is in London to hold preliminary discussions with West Ham after the
27-year-old's current club accepted a £3.5million offer for the former
Chelsea man. However, as widely reported already, Kalou is understood to be
keen to play as a pivotal striker - and that's something West Ham are unable
to offer due to the recent club record signing of Andy Carroll, who will
fulfil that particular role. According to the article, Kalou has rejected
the opportunity to move to West Bromwich Albion, who have also been heavily
linked to the Ivorian international. Turkish club Trabzonspor were also said
to be interested. Lille are thought to be keen to seel the player, whose
current contract expires in 2015, in order to free the necessary funds to
allow them to sign former Portsmouth star John Utaka, currently with
Montpellier.

Elsewhere today the Hammers are being linked with a move for Dutch
international Khalid Boulahrouz. Now 31, the defender is currently under
contract with Sporting Lisbon - with whom he signed a two year contract in
2012 - but, according to sources in France, is set to be the target of an
imminent bid from West Ham. The 35-times capped defender previously spent a
year in the Premier League when playing for Chelsea between 2006 and 2007.
However a succession of injuries led to him being loaned to Seville for the
duration of the 2007-08 season, before joining Stuttgart on a permanent deal
in July 2008.

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Ghana defender Samuel Inkoom is hoping to leave Dnipro
By Pete O'Rourke - Follow me: @skysportspeteo. Last Updated: July
30, 2013 10:53am
SSN

A host of clubs have been alerted to the availability of Ghana defender
Samuel Inkoom as he seeks a move away from Dnipro. Inkoom has found himself
out of favour at Dnipro under Juande Ramos and spent the second half of last
season on loan at Bastia. The 24-year-old, who has been linked with the
likes of West Ham, Sporting Lisbon and Hamburg in the past, is now back at
Dnipro, but he is keen to move on as it appears he does not figure in Ramos'
plans. Inkoom's agent, Christian Emile, has confirmed they are talking with
Dnipro about securing a move away elsewhere. "The situation with Samuel is
incomprehensible," Emile told Sky Sports. "It was Ramos that wanted Dnipro
to pay a significant transfer fee to acquire his services from Basel and now
the same coach has completely frozen him out. "The problem is a personal one
that neither myself, the player or club hierarchy understand. "Last month
Samuel earned his 40th international cap and played an important role in
helping Ghana move closer to World Cup qualification, yet he has come back
to Dnipro and it is clear that he is still not in the coach's plans. "We are
talking with Dnipro to find a swift resolution, the player must continue his
career elsewhere."

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Norwich boss Chris Hughton rejects West Ham link with Robert Snodgrass
By Pete O'Rourke - Follow me: @skysportspeteo. Last Updated: July
30, 2013 3:31pm
SSN

Norwich boss Chris Hughton has warned clubs off making a move for winger
Robert Snodgrass. West Ham have been credited with an interest in former
Leeds star Snodgrass after he impressed at Carrow Road last season. Hughton
has ruled out selling Snodgrass and insists the Scotland international
remains central to his plans. "I think it's testament to how well the
players have done but we are in a good place at the moment," Hughton told
the Pink Un. "We want to ensure we keep hold of our best players and we are
a club at the moment that doesn't need to sell. "We are looking to
strengthen and not let players go. He (Snodgrass) is definitely a player who
is very much in our plans."

Meanwhile, Hughton has refused to rule out a move for Juventus striker Fabio
Quagliarella. Reports in Italy have claimed Norwich have made a bid for
Quagliarella as Hughton looks to add the Italian to his attacking ranks
following the arrivals of Gary Hooper and Ricky van Wolfswinkel. Hughton is
aware of the rumours linking him with Quagliarella, but he is not giving
anything away on his pursuit of the 30-year-old. "I've heard and seen those
reports in the press," added Hughton. "But it's exactly the same as our work
with Gary (Hooper) - from our side we worked in the correct way, very much
behind the scenes and until there was something official to say we didn't
say it. "I think the fact there are some players that are being linked with
us in some ways is a good thing because it means we are trying to be
pro-active and we are trying to improve. But certainly until there is
anything to say we will wait."

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Sam Allardyce wants French ace Loic Remy
SAM ALLARDYCE is facing a fight to convince £6m Loic Remy to swap QPR for
West Ham.
Daily Star
By Adrian Kajumba/Published 31st July 2013

Allardyce will revive his ­interest in Chelsea striker Demba Ba if he fails
to capture Remy. But the Hammers boss wants to pair Remy with his big summer
signing Andy Carroll to form a new-look attack. West Ham are in advanced
negotiations with Remy over a permanent move to Upton Park. But the
ex-Marseille star and his advisors are waiting to see what other offers come
his way. Newcastle boss Alan Pardew wants the hitman to become the next
Frenchman to sign on at St James' Park but only on loan, However, the
expected offers from the Premier League's big boys have not materialised.
Arsenal, Tottenham, Everton and Liverpool were linked with Remy earlier in
the summer but now have other targets. "West Ham are in advanced
negotiations with Remy over a permanent move to Upton Park." Remy's
situation is complicated after he was arrested on suspicion of rape in May
and bailed until September, an allegation he denies. The 26-year-old, who
has a £6m relegation release clause, hit six goals in 13 starts for QPR
after joining in ­January for £8m. Ba is ­Allardyce's fallback option. He
hit seven goals in 12 games during a successful half-season spell at West
Ham back in 2011. Ba insists he is determined to stay at Stamford Bridge,
even if they sign Wayne Rooney from Manchester United. But Allardyce
believes he can tempt the Senegal star with the offer of regular first-team
football if his bid to land Remy collapses. Allardyce also hopes to tie up a
deal for ex-Chelsea forward Salomon Kalou, who is in talks over a £3m move
from French side Lille.

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Newcastle look to loan West Ham target Loic Remy as move for Gomis hits
stalemate
NEWCASTLE want to take QPR striker Loic Remy on-loan next season and make
the Frenchman their first signing of the summer.
Daily Star
By Nick Lustig/Published 30th July 2013

Harry Redknapp is desperate to get Remy off the club's wage bill as he seeks
to free up funds for new additions to his squad. The north-east side have
tabled a small fee as well as offering to take on the player's wages in full
to tempt Redknapp to temporarily part with the striker. West Ham are also
interested in the 26-year-old and are monitoring the situation. The French
international may be heading back to the Premier LeagueThe French
international may be heading back to the Premier League QPR were relegated
in May despite the best efforts of the strikerQPR were relegated in May
despite the best efforts of the striker
"Harry Redknapp is desperate to get Remy off the club's wage bill" Remy
scored six times during his stay at Loftus Road, after joining the club in
the January transfer window from Marseille for £8m. The Magpies are
currently facing difficulties in their pursuit of Bafetimbi Gomis, but
remain in talks over a deal for the French international. Newcastle are not
willing to pay more than £6.9m for the Lyon forward, whose contract expires
next summer. Manager Alan Pardew had hoped to bring in at least two new
strikers to the club and will move for Aston Villa's Darren Bent if both
moves fail to materialise. The return of Joe Kinnear to the club as Director
of Football has held up a number of moves for Pardew's summer transfer
targets. However the former Southampton manager is now pushing Kinnear to
finalise deals for his targets or face losing them.

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Salomon Kalou unsure about West Ham switch despite fee being agreed
Daily Express
By: Ben Jefferson
Published: Tue, July 30, 2013

Reports in France suggest that Sam Allardyce has had a £3m bid accepted for
the former Chelsea player and the player's representatives are en route to
London to negotiate personal terms. But, according to L'Equipe, a move is
far from being concluded. New Lille coach Rene Girard is thought to be keen
to push through a move to fund new arrivals, but Kalou is not sold on a
return to English football. Kalou found his feet in Ligue 1 in the second
half of last season after struggling initially, and may not want to relocate
again just yet. The 27-year-old Ivorian has a contract with Lille until 2016
and is under no compulsion to contemplate a move. Allardyce also seems to
think that Kalou's preferred position could be an issue preventing a move.
Whether it comes off in terms of which position he wants to play could be
the stumbling block. Kalou was often used as a wide-player coming off the
bench during his time at Chelsea, and is thought to prefer a role as an
out-and-out striker. Allardyce said over the weekend: "His record at
Chelsea, his goalscoring record in France and his age, is very appealing to
us. But whether it comes off in terms of which position he wants to play
could be the stumbling block."

Kalou has already reportedly turned down moves to West Bromwich Albion,
where he could have teamed up again with Nicolas Anelka, and Trabzonspor in
Turkey. Valencia are also thought to hold an interest in taking Kalou to
Spain if a move to West Ham falls through.

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