Daily WHUFC News - 28th January 2013

Deano back at the Boleyn
WHUFC.com
Dean Ashton speaks exclusively to West Ham TV, on only his second return to
the Boleyn Ground
27.01.2013

Former West Ham United striker Dean Ashton was back at the Boleyn Ground, as
he joined up with BBC's Football Focus team prior to the 1-1 draw with
Queens Park Rangers. Ashton, who made 56 appearances for the Hammers between
2006 and 2008, gave an exclusive interview to West Ham TV, upon only his
second return to the club since his retirement due to an ankle injury in
2009. It proved a poignant afternoon for the hugely popular figure, whose
goals so nearly fired the Hammers to FA Cup triumph in 2006. "It's nice to
come back, it's always a special place for me," he told West Ham TV. "The
crowd have been fantastic to me, when I was playing and also since I
finished. That's great for me and it makes me feel good, obviously."

After hearing his name ring around the Boleyn Ground during a half-time
interview, Ashton was reminded of exactly what he's missing. "That's what
you miss from when you're playing - playing in front of all the fans and
getting their reactions when you score and when you play well." For
exclusive access to the interview, in which Ashton discusses West Ham's
prospects in the Barclays Premier League, as well as his own future in the
game, login or subscribe to West Ham TV using the link below. We've also got
behind the scenes footage of Football Focus at the Boleyn Ground, including
a chat with legendary broadcaster John Motson.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Vaz Te's boots raise 1,700 pounds!
WHUFC.com
Ricardo Vaz Te's Championship Play-Off final boots have raised welcome cash
for the Bobby Moore Fund
19.01.2013

A West Ham United supporter has raised £1,700 for the Bobby Moore Fund for
Cancer Research UK by winning an auction to sign a unique piece of Hammers
memorabilia. Ricardo Vaz Te kindly donated the purple and orange size 9 1/2
Adidas Adizero TRX boots he was wearing when he fired West Ham back into the
Barclays Premier League at Wembley in May 2012. The Hammers No12 scored a
dramatic late winner to clinch a thrilling 2-1 npower Championship Play-Off
final victory over Blackpool - and now one lucky fan has won the chance to
own the boots that scored that historic goal by successfully bidding £1,700
in an online auction! A total of 57 bids were made for the historic boots,
which also scored West Ham's Goal of the Season against Brighton and Hove
Albion in April 2012. "I wore these boots all last season, so they scored
more than 20 goals and are very special to me," said Vaz Te before the
auction began. "Believe it or not, a friend of mine bought me the boots from
a sports shop because I did not have an endorsement deal at the start of
last season, so they really are my lucky boots! "However, I know the Bobby
Moore Fund is a very important cause and does a lot of fantastic work, so I
felt it was right that I put the boots up for auction to raise as much money
as possible for the charity. "So many people's lives are touched by cancer,
so any work that is done to try to find ways to prevent and cure it is
extremely valuable, so whatever money we can raise by selling the boots will
be put to good use in this area."

The £1,700 raised will go to the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research, with
the club targeting to raise £50,000 for the charity founded in memory of the
late, great West Ham and England captain this season. So far, thanks to a
personal donation of £10,000 from Joint-Chairman David Sullivan and
significant contributions from the club's Principal Partner SBOBET and
manager Sam Allardyce, the club has raised more than £20,000 towards this
total. Two home fixtures have also been designated as Bobby Moore Fund
Awareness Matches - the Barclays Premier League visits of Tottenham Hotspur
and Manchester United on 25 February and 9 March 2013 respectively. The
Spurs fixture will mark 20 years since Moore's tragic and untimely passing
and the club is planning a fitting tribute to the great defender, including
a special 100-page commemorative Official Programme.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham poised for double swoop
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 27th January 2013
By: Staff Writer

West Ham United are on the verge of signing fomer Middlesbrough defender
Emanuel Pogatetz on loan for the rest of the season. The Austrian
international, now 30, will join the Irons for the remainder of the 2012/13
campaign with view to a permanent contract according to reports. German
media have revealed that Pogatetz, who played at the Riverside between 2005
and 2010 has travelled to London in order to rubber-stamp his move to east
London. Currently with Bundesliga outfit Wolfsburg, Pogatetz - also known as
'Mad Dog' - has also been linked with Aston Villa and Fulham in recent days
although according to reports from Germany has opted to join Sam Allardyce's
squad instead.

The Hammers boss is also hoping to clinch a second signing with the capture
of Stephen Warnock from Aston Villa. The 31-year-old former England
international has fallen out of favour at Villa Park and looks set to join
Pogatetz at the Boleyn Ground on a free transfer imminently. West Ham, who
placed a third bid for Blackburn left-back Martin Olsson on Friday have
turned to Warnock having become increasingly disillusioned with their search
for a replacement for George McCartney, who is sidelined for several weeks.
The former Liverpool and Blackburn player is said to be earning in the
region of £40,000 per week at Villa, but is yet to make a single appearance
for the relegation-threatened club this season. He spent the first half of
the campaign on loan with Bolton in the Championship.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Kevin Nolan reveals West Ham were called to 7am meeting after Arsenal loss
Last Updated: January 26, 2013 12:30pm
SSN

West Ham captain Kevin Nolan has revealed manager Sam Allardyce called a 7am
meeting the morning after the 5-1 loss at Arsenal in order to put the defeat
behind them. Allardyce's side conceded four goals in 10 minutes as the
Gunners ran riot in the second half to extend the Hammers' winless run to
five matches.
"It was totally unacceptable for us with the standards we have set
ourselves," Nolan told the club's official website. "The gaffer wasn't happy
and rightly so - so he asked for us to come in at 7am the next morning on
the Thursday. "There were no complaints from any of us - we all need a kick
up the backside every now and then and we take it all on board. "The gaffer
and all of us wanted to put this result and what happened to bed straight
away, and it was good that we came in early and got into looking at what
went wrong together as a group."

Midfielder Mohamed Diame, who joined West Ham last summer from Wigan but has
been linked with a move away from the club this transfer window, was late
for the meeting. Nolan added: "We all had to wait for him before we could
start and when he arrived, we all gave him stick for not only being late and
keeping us all waiting, but we said we thought he had left us without saying
goodbye." West Ham's next game is away at Fulham in the Premier League on
Wednesday 30 January.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Turkish side Kasimpasa have made an enquiry for West Ham striker Carlton
Cole
By Pete O'Rourke - Follow me: @skysportspeteo. Last Updated:
January 26, 2013 1:28pm
SSN

Sky Sports understands Turkish side Kasimpasa have made an enquiry for West
Ham striker Carlton Cole. Cole's future at West Ham has been the subject of
speculation this month with his contract due to expire at the end of the
season. The forward is yet to be offered a new deal by the Premier League
club and they could try to sell him now rather than risk losing him for
nothing in the summer. West Ham have brought in two strikers on loan this
month in Marouane Chamakh and Wellington Paulista, and with Andy Carroll set
to return from injury, Cole could find himself pushed well down the pecking
order at Upton Park.
The news has alerted a number of teams at home and abroad to his possible
availability before the close of the transfer window. Kasimpasa have
expressed an interest and they are thought to be locked in talks with the
Hammers in trying to agree a fee for the former Chelsea man. West Ham are
thought to be willing to sell for a fee in the region of £3million and
Kasimpasa's Turkish rivals Galatasaray and Fenerbahce are believed to be
keeping a watching brief on the situation. A number of Premier League clubs
are also keeping tabs on Cole and could move for him before the transfer
window slams shut next Thursday.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Arsenal have snubbed enquiries from several sides to take Carl Jenkinson on
loan
By Pete O'Rourke - Follow me: @skysportspeteo. Last Updated:
January 26, 2013 1:27pm
SSN

Sky Sports understands Arsenal have rejected enquiries from several Premier
League clubs to take Carl Jenkinson on loan. The likes of Stoke, West Ham,
Wigan and Southampton are all thought to have asked about the availability
of the right-back on loan for the rest of the season. However, Arsenal boss
Arsene Wenger has rebuffed the offers for Jenkinson as he feels he could be
needed for the remainder of the campaign. Jenkinson started the season as
first-choice due to an injury to Bacary Sagna and he impressed for the
Gunners which resulted in him winning a call-up to the England squad. The
former Charlton man is highly-regarded at Emirates Stadium and he was
rewarded with a new deal before Christmas.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Now it is Stephen Warnock in the Frame, as Diame's Unnamed Friends Inform us
that ...... !
By S J Chandos
West Ham Till I Die

After being linked with Martin Olsson (Blackburn Rovers), Emilio Izaguirre
(Celic) and Henri Bedimo (Montpellier), it is now being reported that West
Ham may be considering bringing in Stephen Warnock (Villa) on a free
transfer move. Apparently, the club are meeting with Warnock on Sunday to
negotiate a deal. There is also interest from Championship clubs, but West
Ham are in pole position to land the player.

It is more than possible that we could see two left-backs join the club in
this window, as Sam Allardyce has previously stated that he needs a couple
of acquisitions to provide adequate cover in that position, while, there are
also rumours that West Ham, along with Stoke City, could be interested in
taking Arsenal's Carl Jenkinson on loan. I am not sure about this. After
all, Jenkinson is a right-back and with Demel, O'Brien and Spence covering
that position, it is not so much of a priority.

Elsewhere, Mirror Sport are really pushing the boat out on the Diame to
Arsenal story. They have given it a new focus by quoting some unnamed
'friends' of Diame, who have confirmed that Diame would love to join Arsenal
in this transfer window. And based upon that, the Mirror feels confident in
stating that Diame wants to join Arsenal! He may well want to sign for
Arsenal - no doubt many players would, but whether he gets the chance is
another matter. In addition, they have linked the story to the disciplinary
action (1 week's wages) allegedly taken due to Diame arriving late at the
training ground for the 7am Arsenal post-mortem. And to round it all off
nicely, it is also authoritatively stated in the article that Sam Allardyce
has given up all hope of retaining Diame's services. How do they know what
Allardyce is thinking? Perhaps they have had a discreet word with one of Sam
Allardyce's best pals on the quiet!

This Mo Diame release clause issue has been an annoying distraction. I for
one will be glad when it is over one way or the other. Hopefully, Diame's
public statement about wanting to stay at the club best reflects the
player's intentions. We will see, come the 1 February 2013, what exactly is
the factual wheat amidst the speculative chaff. If I was in Diame's position
I would stay with West Ham until the summer and review my options then. He
is playing regularly at West Ham and an equally good second half of the
season can only improve his prospects and future options. But Diame may well
not see it like that, so lets see what transpires.

And finally, it appears that our Republic of Ireland international keeper,
Stephen Henderson, has returned to the club. He was on the bench against
Arsenal and it will be interesting to see whether Henderson goes back on
loan to Ipswich Town or spends the remainder of the season at West Ham. It
may be that the club decide to stick with Jussi, Henderson and Spiegel, this
season, and focuses their attention upon strengthening in other, more
pressing areas. While, we can also confirm that any interest that West Ham
had in Nicolas Anelka is over, at least for the time being. Anelka has just
signed a six month contract with Serie A leaders Juventus, with the option
of a further one season contract if the move proves succesfull.

I am not sure if that is good or bad news from our perspective. Still, never
mind, we still have Wellington Paulista waiting in the wings. Could Paulista
be a Hammers cult hero in the making? I do not know, but he does appear to
be a bit of a character and someone who gives 100% on the pitch, both
characteristics that endear players to the Hammers faithful. We shall see.

SJ. Chandos.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Fine idea: Mohamed Diame up for Arsenal move as he lands in West Ham's
dog-house
The Mirror
26 Jan 2013 23:00
EXCLUSIVE by Dean Jones & Steve Bates

Mohamed Diame has told pals he would love to join Arsenal this week, writes
the Sunday People. The 25-year-old West Ham midfielder has been fined a
week's wages by boss Sam Allardyce for turning up late for a team meeting on
Thursday. Every other player was on time for the 7am session to watch a
rerun of Hammers' horror show in the 5-1 defeat to Arsenal. Allardyce seems
to have given up the fight to keep his star man, with Arsenal set to trigger
a £3.5million release clause. Spurs could also make a late bid, but West Ham
will want to bring in a replacement before Diame – signed from Wigan last
June – goes anywhere.

Hooray Henri: Hammers eye Montpellier star
EXCLUSIVE by Alan Nixon

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce is making a £2million bid for Montpellier's
Cameroon left-back Henri Bedimo, writes the Sunday People. Allardyce wants
to make Henri a Hammer before the deadline and his agents have opened talks
with the French club's president. Bedimo, 28, wants to move to the Premier
League while he is still at the peak of his powers, especially after seeing
Montpellier's better players leave the club so soon after winning the French
title.
Big Sam wants to recruit a new left-back after failing to land Sweden star
Martin Olsson from Blackburn, with the Hammers bidding a similar sum for the
24-year-old. Bedimo may cost more than Allardyce wants to pay, but sources
close to the deal are optimistic that it can be rushed through.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Cash out: Aston Villa loaning big-money flops Alan Hutton and Stephen
Warnock
The Mirror
27 Jan 2013 22:30

Aston Villa have agreed to ship out flops Alan Hutton to Real Mallorca and
Stephen Warnock to West Ham. The pair of big-earning Villa full-backs were
made to train with the kids when boss Paul Lambert took over last summer.
Hutton and Warnock were then bombed out on loan to Nottingham Forest and
Bolton respectively. Despite returning to Villa, the club are now sending
right-back Hutton, 28, to Real Mallorca and left-back Warnock, 31, to West
Ham this week.
Their exits will ease Villa's wage bill as both collect over £40,000 a week.
But Lambert's youthful first team is struggling and there have been calls to
recall the duo to use their experience.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

http://vyperz.blogspot.com