Daily WHUFC News - 6th July 2013

WHUFC visit UCC
WHUFC.com
West Ham United have visited University College Cork's state-of-the art
Mardyke Arena
05.07.2013

West Ham United were the welcome guests of University College Cork (UCC) as
their pre-season training continued in the Republic of Ireland. The Hammers
visited UCC's Mardyke Arena, where the players made use of the gyms and
hydrotherapy suite and met a group of local schoolchildren. The Arena, which
is used by Sunday's pre-season opponents Cork City, the Cork Gaelic Athletic
Association (GAA) and Swim Ireland, has more than 25,000 members drawn from
UCC students and the local community. On Thursday, the West Ham squad joined
them, using the treadmills, exercise bikes and cross-trainers before
utilising the gym and hydrotherapy pools. Before the hard work began,
though, the players posed for photographs with dozens of children attending
a summer holiday sports course and captain Kevin Nolan presented the
Hammers' new 2013/14 adidas home shirt to Mardyke Arena general manager
Patsy Ryan. "We used the facilities at UCC for an active recovery session,"
explained fitness coach Eamon Swift. "The exercises the players did in the
gym were all low-impact. "They then went down to the gym, where the players
did a metabolic circuit, which involves each individual doing a circuit
containing short bouts of intense work followed by short rest periods,
speeding up the burning of calories. "The players also did some foam roller
work to stretch and strengthen their muscles before using the hot and cold
pools in the hydrotherapy suite to improve blood circulation and lymphatic
drainage."

Swift said the visit to UCC also served as a welcome change of scenery after
two solid days of work at the Fota Island Resort. This is the first week of
seven weeks of preparation and, rather than building their fitness quickly,
we are going for a gradual progression through our pre-season planning. "We
have had two days on the pitch and this was a day of active recovery ahead
of two more days on the pitch and another pitch session on the morning of
our game at Cork City on Sunday, so this breaks it up."

Mardyke Arena marketing manager Wayne Falvey said UCC were delighted to
welcome the Hammers to use their first-class facilities. "Since 2001, the
Mardyke Arena has been the high-performance sports and fitness facility in
Munster," said Falvey. "We have recently set up a partnership with the Fota
Island Resort to provide high-quality training facilities for teams like
West Ham United. "We are regularly visited by elite athletes from across
Ireland and further afield, but West Ham are the first club to visit since
we signed the partnership."

Aside from the facilities used by the Hammers, the Mardyke Arena offers a
wide range of services for professional and amateur clubs and individuals,
including physiotherapy, performance analysis and a rehabilitation clinic.

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Mark back on familiar ground
WHUFC.com
West Ham United midfielder Mark Noble has plenty of reasons to be happy to
be back in the Republic of Ireland
06.07.2013

Mark Noble has plenty of reasons to be happy to be back in the Republic of
Ireland. Not only did the West Ham United No16 score twice in England
Under-21s' 3-0 win over their Irish counterparts in Cork in 2007, but the
midfielder also has close family links with the Emerald Isle. Noble's
grandmother hails from County Cork, while he also has relations living up
the road in the capital city Dublin. Naturally, then, the 26-year-old is
relishing Sunday's Cork Airport Friendly Series meeting with League of
Ireland Premier Division club Cork City at Turner's Cross. "I didn't realise
until we got here that we were playing at Turner's Cross," he revealed. "I
remember playing there for the England Under-21s and getting a couple of
goals [in a 2009 UEFA European U21 Championship qualifier on 17 October
2007]. One of my good friends at the time, Billy Clarke, was playing for the
Irish so it was nice to get one over him. "I think my Nan, my Mum's mum, was
raised here so she was over the moon that I was coming over. I've got quite
a lot of family up in Dublin, so hopefully they will be coming to the game
on Sunday."

With his Irish ancestry, Noble has been linked with a call-up to the
Republic of Ireland senior squad on a number of occasions, but the Hammers
star insists he remains fully committed to the country of his birth. "You
never know! but I've been asked before about that but I am English, I played
for the Under-21s and I have still got hopes of playing for the full
national team. As I say, I have got a lot of Irish connections and great
family over here."

While an Ireland debut remains out of the question, Noble has certainly
relished his week at the outstanding Fota Island Resort in County Cork. "We
started a week earlier than most other clubs. We did the same last season
and we got off to a good start. It hasn't been full head-on, but we've
working hard. It's been really good and the lads have enjoyed it. "We've not
been here for pre-season training before so we've enjoyed the hotel, the
golf course and the training facilities."

The Canning Town-born star believes the hard work and preparation West Ham
are putting into their week in Ireland will pay-off come the start of the
Barclays Premier League season in August. With matches against four teams
who were either playing in the Championship or finished in the bottom half
last season to open 2013/14, Noble said the Hammers can start fast as they
did last term. "We had a really good season after winning promotion from the
Championship and coming tenth in the Premier League was a fantastic
achievement. The boys worked hard and that's what we need to do again this
year - start well. We have got some good fixtures again and hopefully we can
get some points on the board early. "I'm enjoying my football. The Gaffer
just tells me to go out there and play and to get us playing and it's
enjoyable. We've got a great bunch of lads and every day I walk onto the
training ground, it's a good time to be there."

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Noble kick starts Olympic journey
WHUFC.com
Mark Noble has made history by becoming the first Hammers player to kick a
ball in the Olympic Stadium
05.07.2013

Mark Noble has made Hammers history by becoming the first West Ham United
player to kick a football in the Olympic Stadium as part of a new video set
in the iconic landmark that will become the east London Club's home in 2016.
In the video, Noble documents his two mile journey from his home town of
Canning Town to the world-famous Stadium in Stratford and recalls his
childhood memories of supporting the Club. The Academy graduate and former
Hammer of the Year also discusses both the fantastic transport network and
surrounding entertainment facilities on offer near the Queen Elizabeth Park
that Hammers fans will be able to enjoy when watching their team play. Once
inside the Stadium - which will undergo a transformation to a 54,000
all-seater UEFA Category 4 venue, the highest category of football stadium
in the world - Noble steps up to take the first-ever penalty in the Hammers'
stunning new home. "It's a privilege to be the first West Ham player to kick
a football inside the Olympic Stadium and as a lifelong West Ham fan it was
great fun to film the video," said Noble. "Hopefully I will be one of those
players walking out of the tunnel soaking in the atmosphere, with 54,000
West Ham flags and banners waving. The noise is going to be amazing and it's
going to be a fantastic stadium to play in. 2016 just can't come quick
enough."

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Rebel Army relishing Hammers visit
WHUFC.com
Cork City goalkeeping coach Anthony Fennelly is looking forward to Sunday's
pre-season visit of West Ham United
05.07.2013

Cork City cannot wait for the Cork Airport Friendly Series visit of visit of
West Ham United on Sunday. The Rebel Army may have endured some difficult
moments in the League of Ireland Premier Division in recent weeks, losing
3-0 at UCD in their last league match and by the same scoreline at Drogheda
United in the League Cup quarter-finals. Cork's goalkeeping coach Anthony
Fennelly is hoping Sunday's meeting with the Hammers will provide the
Leesiders with a much-needed boost ahead of the second half of their season.
"We're looking forward to the game and it'll be a good occasion for both
teams and a good workout for yourselves," Fennelly, who attended West Ham's
training session at Fota Island Resort on Friday to watch Martyn Margetson
work with Jussi Jaaskelainen and Adrian, told West Ham TV. Cork will prepare
for Sunday's match by hosting League of Ireland champions Sligo Rovers at
Turner's Cross on Friday evening. With Cork sitting seventh in the 12-team
table, Fennelly is hoping for a victory. "We have a big game ourselves on
Friday night so Sunday's game will provide a good opportunity for the boys
who don't get a run out, as well as our regular starters. We should get a
good crowd in. "We finished sixth last season but at the minute we probably
need a win. We have a massive game on Friday night against Sligo Rovers and
we're hoping to get three points and start pushing up the table. By the end
of the season, we hope to push for a European spot. "To be honest about it,
we should probably be doing better than we are with the players that we
have, but we're hopeful Friday night will be the start of that. We signed a
new striker from Shamrock Rovers the other day, Ciaran Kilduff, so we're
hoping that he'll step up to the mark and score a few goals."

While Kilduff could play on Sunday, Fennelly said Cork also possess a number
of other talented players. The club produced the likes of Republic of
Ireland international strikers Kevin Doyle and Shane Long in the past and
the coach says the production line has to continue to run if they are to
thrive financially.
"Obviously we wouldn't be at the Premier League standard quite yet, but
there are some very good players here. We've got young lads like Gearoid
Morrissey and our goalkeeper Mark McNulty is very good and experienced.
We've got other lads like Colin Healy, who played for Sunderland. Hopefully,
we'll give you a good run out. "There have been a lot of lads who have gone
over [to England] like Kevin Doyle and Shane Long, who have done quite well
in the Premier League. It's a good stepping-stone if you want to go across
the water. "Cork is still a massive club and one of the biggest in the
country, so it's a good place to start."

Fennelly said everyone associated with Cork City is looking forward to
Sunday's game, with the club hoping for a bumper gate comprised of
supporters of both sides. "We played a few games against English clubs last
year but West Ham are obviously a massive club. It's a big occasion for us
and I think the lads will really enjoy testing themselves against Premier
League opposition to see where they are at and where they need to get to.
"Especially for the younger boys, it's a benchmark to show where they can
get to in their careers. It's a good occasion for them. "It's massive for
us. The way things are financially in Ireland at the moment, it's hugely
important for us to get a good turnout and I think we will. There should be
a good couple of thousand there as Cork people generally support their sport
pretty well and hopefully everyone will enjoy it."

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'We're back in the swing of it'
WHUFC.com
Fans' favourite Joe Cole is looking forward to his first full season back
with West Ham United
05.07.2013

Joe Cole is relishing being back in pre-season training and is looking
forward to his first full season back with West Ham United. Cole, who
returned to the Hammers in January, is currently working hard alongside his
team-mates in Cork as the team prepare for the new Barclays Premier League
campaign. Speaking after a hard session at the University College Cork
(UCC), where the players were able to make full use of the state-of-the-art
facilities, Cole said he was feeling good. "We're back in the swing of it
all now, having returned to pre-season on Monday and flying out here to Cork
to work on our fitness," said the No26, who has happily met fans of all ages
in Ireland. "We are looking to be strong and continue where we left off last
season. It is a steady but upward curve, focusing on our fitness and looking
to go one better than last season."

Cole said training was going well in Cork, with the players doing a mixture
of ball and gym work plus cycling and pool sessions. Sunday will then see
the Hammers take on League of Ireland Premier Division Cork City at Turner's
Cross - their first game since returning to pre-season earlier this week. "I
am enjoying it. We are being put through our paces but it has all been good
and Cork is lovely. It is the first time playing in Cork for me, but we're
really looking forward to the match, which is our first pre-season game. "It
will be good to get out there and have some game time under our belts and
the aim for all of us will be to get through the match all ok and we're
looking forward to seeing fans and the people of Cork. "After what will be a
full week's training, it will be a good test for us against this Cork side
early on, to start everything going again."

Cole said while specific targets are being put into place for the team this
year, his main aim is to be fit and healthy and play his part in taking West
Ham to another level. "It has been great for me to be back at West Ham and I
am delighted to be here, as I said when I returned. First and foremost, I
want to do my best so make sure I stay fit and in shape, playing for the
team and helping the Club to progress. "It has all gone well and I am just
excited to be back now. Hopefully I can enjoy a strong pre-season and be
raring to go for the start which is only just over six weeks away. "Having a
week and a trip like this has enabled us to get the juices flowing again,
the banter has started in earnest around the place and it is an enjoyable
set-up to be part of. We have been doing a mix of things this week, so that
has been good, it helps to get everything and everyone moving in the right
direction."

Cole is often asked about regaining a place in the England national team and
the 56-times capped midfielder says that playing well for the Hammers could
help him to reach that target. "I would like to think with the experience I
have that I can do a job for England and be part of the set-up still. But
first things first, playing for West Ham and doing my best for the team and
keeping fit is what I must do and then, yes you never know where that leads
with regards international football again."

Cole was up again early on Friday morning as he and the rest of the squad
took part in cycling and pool sessions before they will go on again to
further work on the pitch. The 31-year-old is looking to help West Ham to
get off to a good start when they host Cardiff City at the Boleyn Ground in
their opening league fixture on 17 August. "Pre-season has started, we have
a new kit, everything is fresh and we're looking forward to getting in front
of our fans again this season. I want to do my bit in helping the club
progress and have an even better season than last year."

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Viva Zapata!
By S J Chandos
West Ham Till I Die

There are reports this morning that West Ham have opened talks with
Argentinian club, Estudiantes over a deal for the services of their striker
Duvan Zapata. The 22-year-old Colombian international is officially valued
at around £8m but West Ham are allegedly hoping to strike deal for a reduced
fee of c.£6.5m. The eal would then ultimately be dependant upon the player
being issued a work permit to play in England.

Could it be that West Ham have abandoned their attempts to sign Wilfred Bony
or Demba Ba and struck out in an entirely different direction? If so, Zapata
looks a good prospect, having scored 14 goals in 23 appearances in the
Argentinian league and at 6 foot 2 inches he possesses the physical
attributes to cover for Andy Carroll in a 4-3-3 (or 4-5-1 as some maintain!)
formation, as well as the ability to also play alongside him in a 4-4-2.

Viva Zapata? Lets wait and see?

SJ. Chandos.

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West Ham close to signing Duvan Zapata to be Andy Carroll's new strike
partner
5 Jul 2013 22:31
The Mirror

West Ham have agreed a £6.7million fee to sign hot Colombian prospect Duvan
Zapata. The Hammers have met the $10m valuation of the striker's Argentinian
club, Estudiantes, but now the 22-year-old needs to get a work permit. The
powerful 6ft 2in forward starred for Colombia U-20s as they won the Toulon
Tournament in 2011 and has scored 14 goals in 23 games this season for
Estudiantes. Hammers manager Sam Allardyce, strengthening a squad that
finished 10 last season on their return to the top flight, sanctioned the
bid after receiving rave reviews from scouts. Big Sam hopes to unleash
Zapata with new signing Andy Carroll, once the £15m England striker is fit
after a heel injury. West Ham are offering Zapata a four-year contract, with
a two-year option, if they get a work permit later this month. It would be a
coup for the Londoners given Lyon of France, Portuguese pair Benfica and
Porto and Italy's Udinese are all keen. Zapata hopes to follow in the
footsteps of compatriot Radamel Falcao, who moved from Argentina to Europe
and became a goal-scoring superstar.

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