Daily WHUFC News - 11th June 2013

Olympic Stadium microsite launched
WHUFC.com
West Ham United have launched a new microsite dedicated to the Club's move
to Olympic Stadium
10.06.2013

West Ham United have launched a new microsite dedicated to the Club's
historic move to the London 2012 Olympic Stadium. With the Hammers set to
move to Stratford in summer 2016, the Club is acutely aware that supporters
will want to be kept fully updated and informed. Now, fans can find all the
information you need in one place on the microsite, which can be found at
www.olympicstadium.whufc.com "This new microsite will become the ultimate
portal for all you need to know about the iconic Olympic Stadium, its
revolutionary transformation and our forthcoming move," confirmed
Vice-Chairman Karren Brady. "You can find out about the plans to convert the
setting for the unforgettable London 2012 Olympic Games into a world-class
UEFA Category 4 football stadium, see artist's impressions and information
on the venue's stunning design, as well as answers to your most pressing
questions. "You can read about the construction of retractable seating,
bringing you close to the action and ensuring an electric atmosphere under
the largest-spanning tensile roof in the world - another new feature of our
new home. "We promise to keep you updated throughout our journey to
Stratford and we encourage your feedback through our on-going consultation
process. My Board and I will regularly be contributing to the Blog to share
with you the hard work going on behind the scenes to realise our Olympic
Stadium dream."

In addition to the new microsite, a video presentation by the Vice-Chairman
talking fans through the detailed architectural designs for the Olympic
Stadium has been watched by tens of thousands of supporters. "As
anticipation builds ahead of the first game at the start of the 2016/17
season, the site will bring you the latest images in progress. We are of
course also looking forward to sharing more detailed ticket and hospitality
information with you on the site in the near future. "If anyone you know
would like to keep up to date with the Stadium move, encourage them to sign
up to our email updates here."

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Memorial Grounds
WHUFC.com
Club historian John Helliar takes a trip back in time to West Ham United's
old home at the Memorial Grounds
10.06.2013

West Ham United may have moved out of their original Memorial Grounds home
110 years ago, but there are closer links between the Hammers' past and its
future than you may think. The Hammers played at the stadium under their
original guise, Thames Ironworks FC, and in the early days following their
re-formation as West Ham United in 1900. The Memorial Grounds, located
adjacent to West Ham Underground station and just over a mile from the
Olympic Stadium, played host to a number of sports alongside football and
proved to be a central venue for leisure in the local community. With the
Hammers now planning a momentous move to the Olympic Park, bringing them
closer to their old home, your Official Programme paid a visit to the
Memorial Grounds - now a multi-purpose recreation ground - with Club
historian John Helliar.

Helliar takes up the story…
"When the Thames Ironworks Football Club first started, they played at
another ground called Hermit Road, then in 1897, Arnold Hills [owner of
Thames Ironworks and Shipbuilding Co. Ltd] announced that he had bought a
large piece of land and that he was going to build a multi-purpose sports
centre at the Memorial Grounds. "It was called the Memorial Grounds because
it was opened in 1897, which was 60 years after Queen Victoria's ascent to
the throne and, as a tribute to her, he gave it that name. "It was actually
built in six months, opened in June and something like 8,000 people came
along to the opening.
"The ground, it was said, could take 100,000 spectators - it had a banked
cycle track, which was one of the best in the London area, and the ground
was believed to be fit to host an FA Cup final, although it never did. "The
football pitch sat in the middle of the cycle track, and there were other
things here like tennis courts, cricket pitches and a swimming pool. Of
course there was a stand and administrative offices too, so it was quite a
fantastic centre for sport in east London. "When West Ham United were formed
in 1900, Arnold Hills continued to support the new football club, not only
with money and kit, but he allowed them to use the Memorial Grounds at a
nominal rent as well. "On 1 September 1900, they played their first match
here in the Southern League, and they were fortunate enough to win that by
seven goals to nil, and their famous Scottish inside-right Billy Grassam
scored four of those goals. "It was still used by the community in general
after West Ham left here in 1903. For many years, up to and after the Second
World War, many schools held their sports days and events like that here."

The land still fulfils that purpose to this very day and Helliar believes
Hills would be proud. He added: "It is still used by the community for sport
today - and that is one of the things that Arnold Hills wanted to do when he
started up all the different clubs and societies at the Thames Ironworks. He
wanted to give something to his employees that they could use during their
spare time, and of course sport and other leisure activities were something
he was very keen on to give back to the community. "It's really turning full
circle, because when you think about the number of sports that took place on
this ground, but also from the legacy of the Olympic Stadium, it's not just
West Ham and football in the Park. It's really Arnold Hills' idea of a
multi-purpose venue in the community.
"It's also a funny enough fact, that West Ham, by moving to the Olympic
Stadium in Stratford will be nearer to their original home than they are on
Green Street and the Boleyn Ground. We are moving back towards our original
birthplace."

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Hammers praised for Kickz finals
WHUFC.com
West Ham United Community Sports Trust was praised after hosting the Kickz
National Cup Finals
10.06.2013

West Ham United Community Sports Trust proudly represented the club by
hosting the Kickz Cup National Finals. The Hammers played host to 32 teams
from 22 different Premier League and Football League clubs over the weekend,
with West Ham's Girls winning their event and the hosts' Under-14 Boys
finishing a creditable third. With Trust leaders, trainees, apprentices and
volunteers staffing the events on Friday and Saturday, West Ham's
contribution was roundly praised by the Premier League and Metropolitan
Police, who jointly launched the Kickz social inclusion scheme back in 2006.
Head of Premier League Charitable Fund, Monica Golding explained how Kickz
football projects play a huge role in local communities across the country.
"Kickz started with just three clubs on a pilot scheme and now it is had
grown with 46 clubs involved," she said. "The Premier League funds the
programme along with the Metropolitan Police. "You can't underestimate the
power of the Premier League badge and a club badge like that of West Ham. It
engages people, especially the young. We go into parts of the community
where some others don't go because of the power football has. If West Ham go
into an area and ask a young person to get involved in an activity like
Kickz, then there is a greater possibility that young person will get
involved and go on to achieve something. "I think working with and in the
local community, is very important for the clubs and I do think part of the
reason why West Ham was given the Olympic Stadium was because of the work it
already does in the community and what it wants to continue doing."

Metropolitan Police Chief Inspector Steve Banks added: "Football can do a
lot more to grab the attention of youngsters than the police can, so working
together in a project like Kickz means we can both do good work in the
community and give youngsters that chance to do something positive that they
might not otherwise get the opportunity to do."

Following Friday's success with the Girls, the Under-14 Boys had a tough act
to follow when they took to the Boleyn Ground pitch on Saturday morning.
After losing their opening two matches, the Hammers youngsters showed
commendable spirit to finish third of the eight teams involved, Newcastle
United won the U14 tournament.

West Ham's Kickz co-ordinator George Chukwuma said: "We had started off
losing the first two games and that can dent the confidence a bit, but the
boys stuck at it and we then drew a game before finishing strongly with four
wins. "We wanted to win the tournament, of course, but we did well and I
think the boys can only learn from this incredible experience they have had.
Playing on the pitch at the Boleyn Ground, up against some very good teams
at a high level, they will come away with all of that experience to help
them go further in their sport and what they want to achieve in the future."

For the boys it was an exciting moment to experience playing on the hallowed
turf at the Boleyn Ground. Malachi Napa and Joel Brown clearly enjoyed the
tournament, saying it was "exciting to be able to play on the pitch where
the professional players compete and we are all aspiring to be as good as
that when we are older. We were pleased to end the tournament with the four
wins."

As well as youngsters taking part on the pitch, there were an army of staff
from the Trust's social inclusion project playing a role in ensuring the
finals ran smoothly. From ball boys to mentors and coaches, the claret and
blue of the West Ham Community Sports Trust could be seen all around the
ground.
Launched in 2006 by the Premier League and the Metropolitan Police, Kickz
has the aim of using football to bring communities together and encourage
young people. It has since expanded nationwide to include more than 100
projects run by more than 40 Premier League and Football League clubs. More
than 45,000 youngsters take part in Kickz projects every year, earning
thousands of educational qualifications and life skills.

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Joint-Chairman set for Ideas Olympiad
WHUFC.com
Joint-Chairman David Gold will host a special event as part of Newham's
Ideas Olympiad
10.06.2013

West Ham United Joint-Chairman David Gold will be taking part in the London
Borough of Newham Ideas Olympiad series. The Ideas Olympiad, held a year on
from Newham's hosting of the 2012 Olympic Games, features a free series of
events bringing interesting speakers to the borough to talk to residents
about their ideas and visions. A Conversation with David Gold will take
place on Tuesday 18 June at Stratford Circus, Theatre Square, Stratford.
There, Mr Gold will talk about his journey from growing up in east London to
returning to his roots at the helm of West Ham and overcoming poverty and
setbacks along the way to become one of Britain's most successful
businessmen. The Joint-Chairman will also talk about West Ham's close
relationship with the local community and the Club's role in fulfilling east
London's Olympic legacy. It will be followed by questions from the audience.
Doors open at 6.30pm for a 7pm start. Entry is only permitted with a ticket.
To book tickets and for more information, click here.

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Big Sam exclusive - Part One
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce looks back on a successful season and explains how he is
filling his summer
10.06.2013

Sam Allardyce enjoyed a superb second season in charge at West Ham United.
The manager built on the promotion he achieved in 2011/12 by guiding the
Hammers to the calm waters of tenth place on their return to the Barclays
Premier League. Having put together a strong squad and laid foundations for
the future, Big Sam was rewarded with a new contract in May 2012. In the
first part of an exclusive interview with West Ham TV, the manager told of
his delight at the Club's achievements over the past two years and revealed
his main priorities for the summer.

Sam, can you please start by summing up your feelings about the 2012/13
season?

SA - "It's been fantastic from start to finish. It's been a hugely enjoyable
season for everybody. We have had our down moments, like every club would
have in the Barclays Premier League at some point, but those down moments
have been few and far between. "The overall performances and results have
delighted everybody at West Ham United and especially at the Boleyn Ground.
We have provided entertainment value and nine wins and six draws. Only four
defeats says volumes for the part everybody has played this season. It's not
just me, the backroom staff and the owners getting together and putting the
squad together and the players on the field, but the fact that virtually
every single home game was a sell out. "The backing of the fans behind the
players and the performances of the players have made it a very enjoyable
season for everybody. Away from home, of course we'd have liked to have done
better, but it's always better to perform in front of your own fans to send
them home happy. It was a massively enjoyable season for everybody."

So, is the aim in 2013/14 to better what you achieved in 2012/13?

SA - "Yes, that's our minimum ask now, whereas tenth-place was our maximum
ask last year. It's not just me demanding that but the supporters will be
demanding it as well. They will be saying 'You finished tenth in your first
year, so surely you can finish higher'. "It does depend on what players we
bring in and their quality, and on how much we spend. Unfortunately, for the
first time ever, there is a restriction on that [spending] throughout the
football in this country [with UEFA's new Financial Fair Play rules]. It
will be difficult to deal with but we'll have to get through it and see how
it works. "Hopefully, at the start of the season we will have a stronger
squad in terms of strength in depth and talent then we had at the start of
last season."

What are your main priorities at this time of the off-season?

SA - "At this moment in time, our first priority is signing Andy Carroll, if
we can. We have nearly finished our planning for pre-season and the players
have all had their programmes given to them to take away to start training
while they are relaxing at home or on their holidays. They are asked to do
some active work while they are away so, when they come back on 1 July, they
are ready to go and we won't have too many tight muscles. We want them to be
able to cope with the demands we put on them from the very beginning. "Then,
it's about the recruitment of the other players who we want as quickly as we
possibly can. That will be the most difficult part of this summer."

While the players will be working during their summer break, presumably the
same will be true for yourself as you try to recruit new players?

SA - "The work never really stops over the summer, but I can do it from
where the sun is shining because of the communication levels you can achieve
today with the technology. Via Skype or phone or email or conference call,
it is pretty easy to keep in touch with everybody and we can all link-up
together if need be. "If there is an imminent signing, then I'll be straight
back to meet and greet the player and shake hands when he's signed the
contract and to welcome him to West Ham United."

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The Big Interview - Lee Bowyer
WHUFC.com
Lifelong West Ham United fan and former midfielder Lee Bowyer recently
returned to the Boleyn Ground
10.06.2013

For a lifelong West Ham United supporter, Lee Bowyer did not do his
favourite club many favours during a successful playing career! The
midfielder enjoyed 14 victories in his 21 senior appearances against the
Hammers for Leeds United, Newcastle United, Birmingham City and Ipswich
Town, scoring seven goals in the process. Now 36, Bowyer took the 2012/13
season out to concentrate on studying for his coaching badges, but the
Canning Town-born player was back at the Boleyn Ground recently to take part
in a charity match. West Ham TV caught up with the former England
international.

Welcome back Lee! Last time we saw you at the Boleyn Ground, you scored a
last-minute winner for Ipswich Town in the Championship in September 2011.
What have you been up to since then?

LB - "I have just had a nice rest really, spending time with my family and
trying other sports that I'm interested in. I have had a nice year out. I
still feel I can do a job for someone and, while I still feel like that, I
won't retire. If nothing comes this year, then that will tell me that
nothing is going to happen. I did have a couple of clubs interested in me
last year, but it just didn't feel right to go and do that, so I'll see what
options I have this year and go from there."

You had two spells with West Ham. You were relegated at the end of an
injury-affected six-month stay in 2003, but enjoyed more success during your
second time here between 2006 and 2009. How do you remember your spells with
the Hammers?

LB - "I have fond memories of my time with West Ham. Obviously, the first
time around I came to the club injured and they knew I was injured, but I
couldn't really help. That was the only reason why I came [to help]. I could
have gone somewhere else, but I followed my heart and I tried but I just
couldn't do it with my dodgy ankle that I had. The second time round was all
right. I was here for three years and I enjoyed it. I scored a few goals and
it was something I always wanted to do as a kid. It's my club and I can say
I have played and scored for the club that I love."

During your second spell, you played in a talented midfield containing the
likes of Mark Noble, Matty Etherington, Yossi Benayoun and Nobby Solano.
That must have been enjoyable to be part of?

LB - "It was good, yes. By the end, there were quite a few players who had
come from Newcastle like I did, so there were some good players to go
alongside those who were already here. We had Carlos Tevez and Javier
Mascherano, so we had some good players and some good times."

You hit the heights of the top of the Premier League and UEFA Champions
League semi-finals with Leeds United and had success with Newcastle United.
Although we didn't hit the same heights at West Ham, presumably the 2006/07
'Great Escape' was a fantastic time to be at a club?

LB - "Yes it was, because everybody had written us off. Obviously, Tevez
turned it on towards the end of the season and thankfully we stayed up that
year. It was like winning something to have been written off like we were
and then end up staying up."

The alarm bells didn't ring as loudly for West Ham in 2012/13, when the team
comfortably steered clear of the relegation battle. What did you make of the
present-day Hammers?

LB - "I thought we did well. Like I said in a Programme interview I did
towards the end of the season, as long as Sam [Allardyce] is here then we
won't get relegated. He knows this league inside out and, whatever side he
has had, [he has thrived], even at Bolton. This squad is a lot stronger than
the one he had in his Bolton days. Hopefully Andy Carroll might be coming,
so if that comes off it will be a great bit of business. I think the Club is
stable now and the owners have come in and done a good job there too."

Looking forward, the Club will move to the Olympic Stadium in Stratford in
2016. As a lifelong supporter, what are your thoughts on the matter?

LB - "I can understand what some fans are saying because the tradition is at
the Boleyn Ground and it is an intimidating place to come and play as an
away player. It's never nice! With being at the Olympic Stadium, it will be
a completely different atmosphere but hopefully it will work for us. I think
the crowd will get behind the team and we'll go from there. It's going to
change, but maybe it is time to move. Clubs do move grounds. Manchester City
have gone into a bigger ground and they're filling it. Financially, it's
good for the Club in that way. The more fans you there, the more noise they
make and the more intimidating it is for the other team. It also spurs you
on as a home player. At Leeds, the European nights we had were magical and
the crowd made a difference. Hopefully, it'll work the same here."

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Andy Carroll remains my priority - Allardyce
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 10th June 2013
By: Staff Writer

Sam Allardyce has revealed that signing Andy Carroll is still his main
target this summer. The 24-year-old striker spent the entire 2012/13 season
on loan at the Boleyn Ground, scoring seven goals in 24 appearances. Just
last month, his parent club Liverpool accepted a £15million offer from West
Ham to make the deal permanent. However Carroll, who has been on holiday
since the end of the season is yet to put pen to paper on a new deal -
despite Allardyce insisting that capturing the player remains his number one
priority. Speaking in an interview with whufc.com (the full version of which
may be found at www.whufc.com/big-sam-exclusive-part-one), Allardyce
replied: "At this moment in time, our first priority is signing Andy
Carroll, if we can. "Then, it's about the recruitment of the other players
who we want as quickly as we possibly can. That will be the most difficult
part of this summer. "The work never really stops over the summer, but I can
do it from where the sun is shining because of technology. It's pretty easy
to keep in touch with everybody and we can all link-up together if need be.
"If there is an imminent signing then I'll be straight back to meet and
greet the player and shake hands when he's signed the contract - and to
welcome him to West Ham United."

Allardyce has made two new additions to his squad since the end of the
2012/13 campaign, signing experienced full back Razvan Rat and former Betis
goalkeeper Adrian.

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Is Sam's way the right way?
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 10th June 2013
By: Matthew O'Greel

It's hard to deny that Sam Allardyce has produced fantastic results since
succeeding Avram Grant as the 14th full-time manager of West Ham United.

Taking over the club following its potentially disastrous relegation from
the Premier League, Allardyce produced promotion within just 12 months -
then proceeded to secure a top-half finish in the club's first season back
in the Premier League.

Taking all of those things into account, it's fair to say that Allardyce has
added around £100million to the club's coffers in just two years' time - so
it was no wonder that Messrs Gold & Sullivan couldn't wait to offer him a
new deal, which he has since signed.

However his unique approach to the game - heavily influenced by the
'Moneyball' system as developed by Billy Beane of the Oakland Athletics
baseball team - has been far from universally welcomed by Hammers fans.

Whilst Allardyce now has the backing of the vast majority of supporters,
there remain many who grudgingly accept his modus operandi due to the
(relative) success it has brought. However statistical analysis suggests
that Allardyce may not yet be getting the most out of the players at his
disposal.

West Ham United's haul of 46 points from 38 games last season included 12
wins, of which only three were away from home. Much of this was blamed upon
the team's apparent willingness to sit back and soak up pressure, instead of
playing a little more adventurously.

Statistics certainly back this up. Only six clubs saw less of the ball away
from home last season than West Ham, who scored 44.3 per cent (League
champions Manchester United topped the table with 56.5 per cent).

However Allardyce's team were equally poor when in possession of the
football, scoring a pass success rate of just 73.9 per cent on their travels
- higher than that of Stoke and Reading - but not so bad in the air where
the Hammers won an average of 20.3 aerial challenges per game, a figure
bettered only by Tony Pulis' Stoke City.

Despite winning 50 per cent of their home league fixtures, West Ham proved
almost as poor statistically at the Boleyn. United's possession rate of 43.2
per cent was lower than their score away from home (44.3 per cent) and lower
than every other club bar relegated Reading.

Once again, West Ham proved profligate in possession, with just 74.5 per
cent of passes finding their target (Norwich, Reading and Stoke were the
only teams with worse records at their respective home grounds). But once
again West Ham's success in aerial duels (21.9 per home game) was only
bettered by the Potters.

Having performed so poorly in possession and with the ball at their feet
(United's 25 goals from open play in 2012/13 was the PL's sixth lowest
tally) it is evident than West Ham replied heavily upon other methods by
which to hit the target last season.

Set pieces proved hugely important, with United's 12 goal tally being the
eighth highest total in the division during 2012/13 - the remainder of goals
coming from counter attacks (two), penalties (four) and own goals (another
two).

So from the figures above we can gradually see a picture forming, in which
West Ham clearly forsook possession in order to get the ball into the danger
area - the opposition's penalty box - at the earlist possible opportunity.

This is borne out by statistics that show West Ham leading a table for shots
from inside the central third of the penalty area. 51 per cent of all West
Ham's efforts on goal last season came from within this tiny, yet vitally
important area of the field.

A further 17 per cent of West Ham's shots came from the other areas of the
penalty box (the left and right side) with just 32 per cent from outside the
18-yard area - the lowest in the division by some considerable margin
(interestingly perhaps, Man Utd were second lowest with just 34 per cent).

But it is within the penalty box - the very area that Allardyce appears to
have asked his players to target - that West Ham produced the poorest
results, with just 31 per cent of shots hitting the target. Once again this
is the league's lowest figure (the average was 38 per cent).

With this in mind, it's quite clear to see why Carlton Cole was allowed to
leave on a free transfer - and why Modibo Maiga's future remains uncertain.
Although specific figures were unavailable at the time of writing, Allardyce
clearly believes that Andy Carroll + AN Other are clearly a far more potent
option inside the danger area.

Here's a list of stats used for the above article...


2012/13 Premier League Possession Table (Home)

18. Norwich City 43.9%
19. West Ham Utd 43.2%
20. Reading 40.8%

2012/13 Premier League Pass Success Rate Table (Home)

16. Queens Park Rangers 76.6%
17. West Ham Utd 74.5%
18. Norwich City 73.8%

2012/13 Premier League Aerial Duel Success Rate Table (Home)

1. Stoke City 31.1
2. West Ham Utd 21.9
3. Everton 19.7

2012/13 Premier League Possession Table (Away)

13. West Bromwich Albion 44.6%
14. West Ham Utd 44.3%
15. Aston Villa 44.0%

2012/13 Premier League Pass Success Rate Table (Away)

17. Norwich City 74.1%
18. West Ham Utd 73.9%
15. Stoke City 71.8%

2012/13 Premier League Aerial Duel Success Rate Table (Away)

1. Stoke City 26.7
2. West Ham Utd 20.3
3. Aston Villa 19.1

Total Shots Inside Centre of Penalty Area

1. West Ham Utd 51%
2. Stoke City 46%
3. Reading/Manchester United 46%

Total Shots Inside Centre of Penalty Area on Target

15. Swansea/Everton/Aston Villa 36%
18. Liverpool/Queens Park Rangers 34%
20. West Ham Utd 31%

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Diame keen to extend West Ham stay
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 10th June 2013
By: Staff Writer

West Ham United's Mo Diame says he is looking forward to a second campaign
at the club. Diame, who joined the Irons a year ago on a free transfer from
relegated Wigan Athletic has constantly been linked with a move away from
east London. However nothing could be further from the truth according to
the player himself, who told reporters at the weekend that he was committed
to remaining at West Ham. Speaking after Senegal's 1-1 draw with Angola in a
Group J World Cup qualifier on Saturday night, Diame - who celebrates his
26th birthday later this week - said: "I've settled really well [in London]
and I'm pleased with how the season went. "I played an important part in
the setup and have faith that we can finish even higher [next season]. I
understand that my performances have been inconsistent; that's what I need
to work on in the future."

Much of the confusion over Diame's future has arisen over a minimum fee
release clause that he and agent Willie Mackay insisted on including in his
original contract. Attempts by West Ham to persuade him to sign a new deal
have thus far proved fruitless, although David Gold, speaking via his
Twitter account recently hinted that a new deal may be on the cards. "I am
hopefully Diame will be with us next season," he said. "I expect us to come
to an agreement that will keep Mohamed at the club."

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Mixed messages from West Ham over Andy Carroll's proposed permanent transfer
10 Jun 2013 22:30
The Mirror

Andy Carroll has been told to forget about the £100,000-a-week he wants out
of West Ham - despite Sam Allardyce's desperation to sign him. The England
striker representatives made the eye-watering six-figure demand - the
requested salary would represent a £20,000-a-week pay-rise for Carroll -
last week.
But Hammers are adamant they cannot afford that, despite their willingness
to complete a £15.5million deal with Liverpool for the Geordie after his
successful season on loan at Upton Park. It comes as Allardyce confirmed
that Carroll - still yet to confirm he wants to remain in London - is the
club's no.1 target.
Big Sam said of the striker, who joined from hometown club Newcastle for
£35m in 2011: "At this moment in time, our first priority is signing Andy
Carroll, if we can. "We have nearly finished our planning for pre-season and
the players have all had their programmes given to them to take away to
start training while they are relaxing at home or on their holidays. "They
are asked to do some active work while they are away so, when they come back
on 1 July, they are ready to go and we won't have too many tight muscles.
"We want them to be able to cope with the demands we put on them from the
very beginning.
"Then, it's about the recruitment of the other players who we want as
quickly as we possibly can. That will be the most difficult part of this
summer."

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