Daily WHUFC News - 15th August 2013

Squad numbers revealed
WHUFC.com
Find out who will be wearing what number in the 2013/14 season here
14.08.2013

West Ham United's new signing Stewart Downing will wear the No23 shirt for the 2013/14 season, as the full list of the Club's squad numbers were revealed on Wednesday. Fellow summer arrival Andy Carroll takes the No9 shirt, while Razvan Rat is No8 and goalkeeper Adrian No13. Sam Allardyce's men will wear the numbers for the first time at Saturday's Barclays Premier League opener against Cardiff City. The other players who have switched numbers are Alou Diarra, who moves from No23 to No18 and Ravel Morrison, who has taken the No15 shirt. Morrison will have his first name Ravel listed on the back of his shirt, while Razvan Rat's name will appear as R. Rat. The No6 shirt was retired in honour of Bobby Moore in August 2008. Shirt printing on the new adidas Hammers shirts is available from Official Club Stores for £14 baby/infant or £18 adult/junior. Click here to buy now.

The full list of squad numbers is as follows:
1. -
2. Winston Reid
3. George McCartney
4. Kevin Nolan
5. James Tomkins
6. -
7. Matthew Jarvis
8. Razvan Rat
9. Andy Carroll
10. Jack Collison
11. Modibo Maiga
12. Ricardo Vaz Te
13. Adrian
14. Matthew Taylor
15. Ravel Morrison
16. Mark Noble
17. Joey O'Brien
18. Alou Diarra
19. James Collins
20. Guy Demel
21. Mohamed Diame
22. Jussi Jaaskelainen
23. Stewart Downing
24. -
25. -
26. Joe Cole

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Olympic Stadium conversion underway!
WHUFC.com
The redevelopment of West Ham United's future Stratford home has now officially begun
14.08.2013

West Ham United players and staff had a taste of the exciting future that awaits them when they joined Board members for a ground-breaking event at the Olympic Stadium. The Hammers' visit marked the start of the construction work that will see the UK's most-iconic venue begin its transformation into a world-class, 54,000-seater UEFA Category Four football Stadium. Joint-Chairmen David Sullivan and David Gold, Vice-Chairman Karren Brady, manager Sam Allardyce, his coaching staff and entire first-team squad including the likes of Kevin Nolan, Andy Carroll and Winston Reid all had the chance to say farewell to the Olympic Stadium as we know it following the huge success of the London 2012 Games.

The historic occasion also marked the beginning of the next phase for the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park's jewel in the crown and in West Ham United's journey to Stratford. The event followed a presentation by the Vice-Chairman on the plans and programme for the multi-million pound conversion. The Joint-Chairmen, meanwhile, lauded another considerable step on the path to making the iconic venue the Hammers' home. "This is the most tangible landmark yet of our move to Stratford and we are both thrilled to finally see the conversion process begin," they said. "It is fantastic to mark this occasion with those who will play such a key role in the Stadium's future - West Ham United's players and staff. "We will be playing at a state-of-the-art, UEFA Category Four Stadium and it's going to be fantastic to see it gradually begin to take shape. "Though this is just the beginning, it is yet further evidence of our commitment to delivering a world-class facility and a lasting Olympic legacy in east London."

The stunning conversion, to be managed by the E20 Stadium LLP, will see the existing athletics field removed to enable cranes to start the installation of an innovative tensile roof, twice the size of the original. At 84m, the atmospheric, transparent structure is set to become the world's largest of its kind and is scheduled to be in place for spring 2015, prior to final preparations for the 2015 Rugby World Cup. In addition to improving the already famed acoustics, the Stadium's new roof will cover every single seat and provide an opportunity to lock in the world-renowned atmosphere for which the Hammers' supporters are famous. Concessions, toilets, turnstiles, hospitality areas and a new playing surface will then be added to change the Stadium into a world-class arena more traditionally associated with elite football stadia across the globe. The Stadium will play host to five Rugby World Cup fixtures in September and October 2015, which will undoubtedly further consolidate its international status. After the conclusion of the tournament, attention then turns to the innovative retractable seating, a model to be deployed on all four sides of the ground to ensure fans are brought closer to the action on the pitch. The seats, which will enable the lower bowl to be protracted and retracted as befitting the occasion, will be finished by early 2016 before the Hammers kick-off the new football season in August that year.

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Big Sam thrilled with Downing capture
WHUFC.com
West Ham United boss Sam Allardyce is delighted to have added Stewart Downing to his squad
14.08.2013

West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce is sure new arrival Stewart Downing will quickly become a key member of his team. Downing, who has 34 England caps to his name, made the move to the Boleyn Ground from Liverpool on Tuesday, becoming the Hammers' fifth summer signing after Andy Carroll, Razvan Rat, Adrian and Danny Whitehead. Allardyce has been a keen admirer of his talents for some time and is looking forward to seeing him produce his best form in a claret and blue shirt. Speaking at a Q&A event for Hammers seasonal corporate members, Big Sam said: "Stewart is a great player with a very good pedigree. "If you look at his technical and physical stats, it puts him right up there among the top players we have at the Club. "He's a talented boy with good energy, and will improve the team quality, particularly in possession. He doesn't give the ball away, he can hold it if he needs to and he can dribble as well.
"Stewart will be able to produce the kind of ball we need, and will have the opportunity to cross the ball, just as he did at Aston Villa. "To pick up two players of the quality of Stewart and Andy is good business both financially and in football terms, and they will help to improve us as an attacking unit."

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Downing excited by Hammers chance
WHUFC.com
Stewart Downing is targeting a successful season in West Ham colours after arriving from Liverpool
14.08.2013

Stewart Downing is fit and ready to go for the Barclays Premier League opener against Cardiff City after arriving on a four-year contract from Liverpool this week. The 29-year-old wingman is delighted to link up with former Reds teammates Andy Carroll and Joe Cole again and believes West Ham United are set for another successful season. He will have little time to settle in to his new surroundings before the campaign starts on Saturday, but with a full pre-season from Liverpool under his belt, he does not envisage any problems. "I'm very excited," he told West Ham TV. "it's a great opportunity for me being here, it's a great Club, a good manager to play for and I'm really excited to get going. "I'm ready and I'm fit [for Cardiff City]. I've played a decent few games for Liverpool in pre-season, so there will be no problems on that front. "It's all happened quickly in the last couple of days, shooting down here and getting things sorted, but I'm really excited and hopefully I'll play some part on Saturday."

Downing admitted he did not need too much persuading to join up with the Hammers once their interest became clear. He continued: "I met the players and the manager on Monday. He's a really good, straightforward manager. I like him, I like the way he wants to work and I'm excited by what his plans are for the team as well. "Sam didn't have to say much. You can see it's a great Club with passionate fans. The only thing he said to me were his plans for the team and how he wants to play and I'm excited by that and hopefully I can contribute in a good way this season. "With the strengths of the forward players, crossing will obviously be a strength of the team. My aim is just getting back to playing regularly and playing well, like I did at Aston Villa, get a few goals and hopefully we'll have a good season."

With a World Cup on the horizon too, Downing is hoping the move to the Boleyn Ground can provide a route back into the England squad. He added: "It's probably perfect timing for the move. I've got a season to show Roy Hodgson I can get in that squad. All I've got to do is go out and perform and then it's up to him to pick me."

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Academy to hold trials
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's Academy are to hold trials for boys in school years reception and one
24.07.2013

West Ham United are pleased to announce the following trial dates for the Club's famed Academy. The trial dates are exclusively for boys born between 1 September 2008 - 31 August 2009 and 1 September 2007 - 31 August 2008, corresponding to school years reception and one. Boys can expect free and enjoyable football matches, with the chance of being selected to train free of charge at the Hammers' Academy of Football. The four trials are to be held at the following times and locations:

Monday 19 August
Venue: Harlow - Passmores Academy, Tracyes Road, Harlow, Essex, CM18 6JH
Closing date for entries: 5pm Wednesday 14 August
Players will receive confirmation by Friday 16 August 2013.

Thursday 29 August
Venue: Hornchurch - The Campion School, Wingletye Lane, Essex, RM11 3BX
Closing date for entries: 5pm Friday 23 August
Players will receive confirmation by Tuesday 27 August.

Friday 30 August 2013
Venue: Brentwood - Becket Keys Church of England School, Sawyer's Hall Lane, Brentwood CM15 9DA
Closing date for entries: 5pm Friday 23 August
Players will receive confirmation by Tuesday 27 August.

Saturday 31 August 2013
Venue: Woodford - Caterham High School, Caterham Avenue, Clayhall, Ilford, IG5 0QW
Closing date for entries 5pm Friday 23 August 2013
Players will receive confirmation by Tuesday 27 August 2013.

All times for the above venues are 10-11.30am.

All trials are to be held on Astroturf, so we ask that children are wearing suitable footwear and dressed in football clothes befitting the weather. Players must wear shin pads and we ask that everyone bring plenty of drinks. To register your son, please email jhampsheir@westhamunited.co.uk with the following details: Your son's name, date of birth, full address and post code and their current school. Or alternatively address letters to West Ham United Football Club, Saville Road, Chadwell Heath, Romford, Essex, RM6 6DT.

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Lee looking for goals
WHUFC.com
Young striker Elliot Lee started the season with a bang for the Development Squad
14.08.2013

It was a case of new season, same old story for striker Elliot Lee, whose two goals buried Aston Villa as the Development Squad got their season off to a flyer at Rush Green on Monday evening. The young forward was on hand with two poacher's strikes as the Hammers took a 2-0 lead into half-time, with Sebastian Lletget finishing the job late on for Nick Haycock's team. Lee could have had a hat-trick had he converted his easiest chance of the night, but he somehow poked the ball wide with an empty net at his mercy. Despite the miss, the prolific marksman was happy to kick the season off in style. "It was the biggest miss I've ever had," he told whufc.com. "The way I look at it, I obviously wasn't meant to score that one because I've gone onto get two goals. I could have scored that and we might have lost the game, so I look at it in a positive way. "I did lose my head for a bit after that but it's good to get the two goals and I can put that miss behind me."

The win was an excellent result against a Villa team which featured Villa first team regulars Yacouba Sylla and Marc Albrighton, both of whom limped off during the match. And whilst 18-year-old Lee might have scored two of the goals, he was quick to praise the way the team played against some tough opposition.
"We saw the team sheet and they had a few first teamers out, so it's good to get the experience of playing against them," he continued. "We've been working all week on getting in behind teams and then playing our football as well and I thought we played really well on Monday. "The gaffer said it was important to make a good start and get out of the blocks fast, and I thought we did that really well. "We blew them away first half, it was great to get two goals for myself and then we killed them off in the end. It was a great three points for us."

The match also marked the return to competitive action of Dylan Tombides, who hadn't started a game since being diagnosed with testicular cancer. Tombides is now back with the Development Squad and Lee is thrilled to have him back in the team. He added: "I'm absolutely buzzing for Dylan, I used to play with him in the youth team and we always worked well together so I'm delighted he's back."

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No more signings as Allardyce hits wage limit
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 14th August 2013
By: Staff Writer

Sam Allardyce will be forced to sell before he can boost his squad with new arrivals, says co-owner David Sullivan. Yesterday, Allardyce landed his fourth first team signing of pre-season when Stewart Downing joined fellow summer arrivals Adrian, Razvan Rat and Andy Carroll*. However the West Ham boss is unlikely to make any further additions to his squad unless he can move one or two players on first, as a result of the new Financial Fair Play rules. "We still need a few [players], but we just haven't got the money," Sullivan explained in an exclusive interview with KUMB.com. "In my programme notes for Cardiff I've explained how the wage cap works and how once you've spent your wages, you've spent your wages. "This is why I've said to the manager at every stage: "This is what we've got left, do you want to spend your money on this player?" I said to Sam [before he signed Downing]: "If you spend the money on this player then there's very, very little left and you'll have to move somebody out to get somebody in".

"If you breach your wage limit, you get a points deduction - so what you need and what you have to live with are not the same thing. It's not a question of us having to find another couple of million to put in, because we've done that anyway already on transfers this summer. You are allowed to do it on transfers, but on wages you're not."

And Sullivan revealed that the signing of Downing had taken West Ham very close to their £52million wage budget limit. "That's it, unfortunately. Now we've signed Downing we've got virtually nothing left. Somebody has to go to produce some spare wage capacity. I'd like the supporters to understand because people don't understand it and they just think, "oh get your cheque book out" - you can't, you're not allowed to under the rules. "Our total wage budget is £52million. If you spent £180million last year, you can spend £184million - but as we didn't spend £52million last year, that's it. That includes national insurance which gives us about £847,000 per week for every professional at the club including the first year pros, everything.

"It's not a lot."

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Was It Right To Spend £17.5m On Carroll?
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 14th August 2013
By: Sam Hills

With the season nearly upon us and with the close of the transfer window not far behind it, in his kumb.com debut Sam Hills wonders whether we might not have put all our striking eggs in one basket....

On the 19th June, many West Ham fans were overjoyed with the signing of England International Andy Carroll, but was it really a good decision to buy the striker?

Carroll,24, who struggled in his time at Liverpool, became a fan favourite at Upton Park and was signed by the club for £17.5m (including add-ons) after his loan spell at the club.

The majority of Hammers fans were extremely pleased with the signing of Carroll. The transfer proved to the fans that the chairmen have ambition and willingness to spend for the club, but did the club make the correct decision in dishing it all out on one player? Some feel that with a big chunk of the season's transfer and wage budget gone, they may not be able to improve the squad with better Premier league standard players.

Sadly, despite his great height and good technical ability, Carroll suffers with lots of injuries. The Forward appeared only 24 times last season due to hamstring and knee problems. He is also currently attempting to get fit for this Saturday's home game against Cardiff. Carroll is recovering from the damaged heel that has already forced him to pull out of the England squad for friendlies against Ireland, Brazil and Scotland. With injuries often occurring, is it too big of a risk to have spent that much money on a player who could miss a large part of the season?

The former Liverpool and Newcastle player was a regular starter for West Ham when he was available. He netted 7 goals in the 24 appearances made. Tweets from co-owner David Sullivan's son Jack have promised the Hammers fans another striker to partner him, however will the amount of money left after the Carroll deal be enough to secure services for the type of player that can really improve the squad?

Alongside the possible £17.5m fee of Andy Carroll, there is also the player's wages to consider. Although the speculated figure of £100,000 per week is probably wide of the mark, Carroll's salary is still a substantial part of the club's budget. Is it too much to pay for a club still in debt? The debt, which was heavily assisted by the £32m spent purely for Keiron Dyer to be at the club and the Carlos Tevez scandal which resulted in a settlement to pay £26.5m to Sheffield United, is still believed to be in the region of £70m. With Carroll's salary contributing to the wage bill, a number of important squad players may have to be sold or released by the club to balance the books.

It has been clear that West Ham needed to make lots of changes to make funds for the transfer. Carlton Cole, who proved to be a very loyal player taking a pay-cut to stay at the Hammers when they were relegated to the Championship, was released to make way for the 6ft 3in striker. There have also been other changes such as midfielder Gary O'Neil and Rob Hall leaving the club. Alou Diarra, Ricardo Vaz Te and others also look likely to depart.

Carroll proved to be an influential player in last season's great finish. During the second half of the season, he had a great turn of form and was scoring goals and assisting them. Many would agree that his game suits West Ham's current style of play and that he is one of the best players they could wish to have in that position. His strength and ability to link up play suits the formation that Sam Allardyce likes to play with the lone striker.

West Ham have shown so far in this transfer window that they are continuing to look for improvements despite the amount of money spent on luring Carroll to the club. As well as Carroll, they have already signed Romanian captain Răzvan Raț, Real Betis goalkeeper Adrian, Liverpool winger Stewart Downing and young attacking midfielder Danny Whitehead. They've proved that the spending is not over yet with interest reported in a number of players over the past few months, including Watford forward Troy Deeney and Jonjo Shelvey, who recently joined Swansea City.

With West Ham really being in the thick of it this transfer window, fans will also hope to see Allardyce give more youngsters a chance in the first team. With the transfer of Rob Hall to Bolton Wanderers, fans have commented on the apparent lack of chances for young players in the side. Some have commented on Twitter that Rob Hall's transfer in particular could come back to haunt the club.

Fans expect to push onwards and upwards after last season's excellent final position. With the club moving to the Olympic Stadium in 2016, new additions to the squad with, hopefully, what looks like more to come, supporters have increased their expectations for the future.

Whether Andy Carroll's transfer to West Ham will prove to have be good or bad for the club remains to be seen, though a finish in the top half with possibly a chance of Europe would go some way to meeting those high expectations.

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Sullivan: why we pulled out of Zapata deal
KUMb.com
Filed: Wednesday, 14th August 2013
By: Staff Writer

West Ham co-owner David Sullivan has revealed why West Ham pulled out of the hunt to sign Columbian forward Duvan Zapata. West Ham had hoped to sign the 22-year-old Estudiantes forward last month but the deal collapsed after it was revealed that Zapata was unlikely to gain to gain a work permit as a result of never having played international football.

Sullivan, speaking exclusively to KUMB.com ahead of the new season said: "We nearly signed a striker who may end up at Queens Park Rangers, but we didn't think we could get a work permit. "He's not played a single international and our problem is that we couldn't wait a month so see if we could get a work permit, as we need players now. "There is a small chance he could get a work permit, but it's very difficult for a 22-year-old. He's not 18, he's 22 without a single full international and it's hard to see how you could bring him under the special talent rule. "There's two fantastic players ahead of him [in the national team]. But it all just went on too long and Sam wanted to use the money elsewhere."

Sullivan, who was talking to KUMB.com in an exclusive Q&A - more of which we'll bring you later - also revealed that West Ham are unlikely to make any further new signings until some players have been sold due to the wage cap imposed by the new FFP rules.


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Now for One or Two Departures!
By S J Chandos
West Ham Till I Die

David Sullivan has confirmed that the club will need to move one or two players out before they can bring in further reinforcements. This is to ensure that the club complies with the salary cap imposed by the new Fair Play rules. And it appears that Nottingham Forest could be on the verge of testing the waters with a £1.5m bid for Richardo Vaz Te. In the present circumstances it is likely that West Ham will be tempted to accept the bid. Other possible options are a rumoured move by Leeds Utd for Matt Taylor and continued Ipswich Town interest in Stephen Henderson. The club could also look to move on George McCartney and, again, there will be no shortage of interest from Championship clubs. McCartney's exit very much depends whether Potts is considered ready to cover Razvan Rat in the left-back spot. A clincher might be that Joey O'Brien is also able to cover at left-back in an emergency. On the other hand, McCartney is a popular member of the squad and useful cover at both left-back and centre back.

One deal that West Ham need to think very carefully about is a move by Saint Étienne to take Maiga on a season's loan. To lose both Vaz Te and Maiga would strip the squad of its central striking options, other than Andy Carroll, and would require drastic moves in the transfer market to bring in two new additions. So, in my book its either Vaz Te or Maiga to exit, not both. As Maiga arguably has more potential, and has had a very good pre-season, I would retain his services. Unless, that is, the club have the deals lined up that will improve upon Vaz Te and Maiga and they are confident that they can complete them?

In terms of incoming deals, the latest speculation is focusing once again on a possible loan deal for Demba Ba. There has also been a bit of recent conjecture around possible West Ham and Fulham interest in Watford's Troy Deeney. Deeney certainly has the goal scoring touch in the Championship and he could be one to take a punt on at PL level. However, would West Ham be in a position to meet the mooted fee of £5m? Ba would be a season long loan and it is likely that a second player could be brought in on the same basis. The Quagliarella rumour has gone quiet, but you never know it could still happen? Again, much depends on the room for manoeuvre within the club's FP salary cap.

Finally, one player with a lot to prove this campaign is James Tomkins. Being part of the GB Olympic football squad really did him no favours at all last season. He lost vital pre-season preparation, was sparingly used by the GB team, and never recovered during the course of last season. The Reid-Collins partnerships was first choice for most of the season and Tomkins spent a lot of time covering or playing in a defensive midfield role. Hopefully, he will come back this season and cement his place alongside Reid at the centre of the defence. Tomkins is a defender with huge ability, but now he needs to iron the small faults out of his game and really push on. And this coming season is the time to do it!

ps. In central defence, keep an eye out for Leo Chambers. He is an outstanding prospect and rumour has it that he would have made his first team debut last season but for an untimely injury. He could definitely be one to watch this season.

SJ. Chandos.

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Chelsea Transfer Rumours: West Ham Return Is Demba Ba's Best Option
BY JOSHUA HAYWARD (FEATURED COLUMNIST) ON AUGUST 15, 2013
Bleacher Report

With the return of Romelu Lukaku from a season-long loan and constant rumours linking Manchester United's Wayne Rooney with a move to Stamford Bridge, Demba Ba's Chelsea future looks in doubt. And a return to West Ham is just the thing he needs. The Senegal striker signed for West Ham in January 2011 on three-year deal following a contract dispute with German side Hoffenheim and a failed medical at Stoke City, as the BBC reported.

In an interview with the BBC, he said: It was a long story but now I'm happy because it had a really good end and I am glad to be here...I am going to give everything to West Ham United. And the striker certainly kept to his word. Well, almost. Ba scored seven goals in 12 games for the Hammers and became an instant hit with the Upton Park Crowd, but he swiftly moved on following their relegation from the Premier League. The 28-year-old forward invoked a release clause in his contract that meant he could leave the East London-based side on a free transfer should they suffer relegation to the Championship. Ba turned down a £50,000 signing on fee and £55,000 per week to stay with the Hammers, according to The Guardian, before eventually signing for Newcastle United.

And in typical Demba Ba fashion, more goals came. And so did chances to better his career, as he became the first ever Senegalese player to sign for Chelsea in January 2013. Scoring two goals on his debut in a 5-1 FA Cup win over Southampton, Ba looked like he was going to reach the dizzy heights of which he would have hoped. However, the striker slipped further and further down the pecking order at the West London club, with £50 million signing Fernando Torres preferred. Ba has featured just 17 times for Chelsea since his move in January, and with rumours linking further strikers to the Blues—such as Manchester United's Wayne Rooney, as The Guardian reports—it's difficult to see the Senegal international's chances improving this campaign. However, a fourth move in three calendar years could be just what Ba needs to restart his career, with the Mirror reporting that former club West Ham look set to offer the man a move across London. We exclusively revealed West Ham's original bid to take Ba back to Upton Park, where he played in their 2010-11 relegation season, in June.
They switched their attentions to the Senegal international after failing with an attempt to take his Chelsea team-mate Romelu Lukaku on loan. Ba scored seven goals in 12 games for West Ham, his first club in English football, before moving on to Newcastle and then, last January, to the Blues. The Hammers have made a host of signings already this summer, and with the likes of Andy Carroll and Stewart Downing now at the club to provide support, Ba could quickly become a Hammers hero.

Again.

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