Daily WHUFC News - 15th July 2013

U18s open with Orient victory
WHUFC.com
Steve Potts' U18s started their pre-season schedule with a 4-1 victory at
Leyton Orient
14.07.2013

West Ham United Under-18s opened their pre-season schedule with a 4-1
victory over Leyton Orient in Chigwell on Saturday. The home side took a
surprising lead against the run of play after just eleven minutes, before
Jerry Amoo, Reece Burke and a double from a trialist helped the Hammers to
earn a deserved win at the O's Old Chigwellians training ground. The game
was the start of Steve Potts' first full season in control of the U18 side
and he chose to name a completely different line-up in each half. It was
West Ham who started the game with a chance on goal, when Taylor Tombides
was released down the left touchline and he delivered a perfect cross to new
boy Jordan Brown, who narrowly missed to top left-hand corner with a volley
from six yards. Former England U16 striker Brown recently joined up with the
Hammers on a scholarship after leaving Arsenal. With West Ham firmly in
control of the game, it was Leyton Orient who surprisingly broke the
deadlock when the Orient left-back got forward and fizzed a shot across the
face of the goal, which was cut back on the far touchline for an well taken
finish by the hosts' No11. The home side almost doubled their lead just
minutes later, but Hammers goalkeeper Vit Nemrava did excellently to push an
effort round the post. It didn't take long until West Ham were back in the
game and they grabbed the equaliser a short time later. Amoo was sent
through the defence and the young man held off his marker before striking a
low effort into the corner of the net. After half-time, a completely fresh
Hammers team retained control and almost went ahead through Marcio Martins,
but the young Portuguese star's effort just drifted past the far post. With
a little-changed Orient side wilting in the hot conditions, West Ham went
into the lead on the hour-mark. The trialist forward found himself free in
the 18-yard box and finished comfortably past the goalkeeper. The game was
all but over on 77 minutes when the trialist grabbed his second of the game,
slotting into the net after Martins had won the ball back following an
Orient defensive mix-up. In the final minute Reece Burke powerfully headed
Kieran Bailey's right-wing corner into the top left-hand corner of the goal
to complete an encouraging start for Potts' youngsters - many of whom were
playing their first game since becoming full-time scholars within the
Academy.

The U18s' next pre-season fixture is at Colchester United on Saturday 20
July.

West Ham United U18 First-half XI: Nemrava, Knoyle, Girdlestone, Onaraise,
Mavila, Amoo, Bywater, Marlow, Parfitt-Williams, T.Tombides, Brown

West Ham United U18 Second-half XI: Brown, Pike, Burke, Harney, Page,
Cullen, Bailey, Makasi, Gogo, Martins, Trialist

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Diame delighted to be back
WHUFC.com
Midfielder Mohamed Diame made his pre-season bow in a 2-0 win at AFC
Bournemouth
14.07.2013

Mohamed Diame was delighted to be back on the field with his West Ham United
team-mates in Saturday's 2-0 pre-season victory at Bournemouth. The No21 was
given leave to join training a week later than his Hammers team-mates after
captaining Senegal in two vital 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against
Angola and Liberia in June. While his country remain on firm course to
qualify for next summer's finals in Brazil, Diame is now focused on doing
his best for West Ham after an eye-catching first season in claret and blue.
The midfielder picked up the Goal of the Season, Individual Performance of
the Season and Signing of the Season awards last term and, following his
return to Club duty at the Goldsands Stadium, he is targeting more success
in a West Ham shirt. "It was very good to be back," he told West Ham TV. "I
was happy to be playing again with all my friends and to see all the staff.
I had a good moment on the pitch and I hope things are going well for the
start of the season."

While many of his squad-mates were relaxing after a draining 2012/13
Barclays Premier League campaign, Diame flew off to Africa to skipper his
country. Four points from two matches left Senegal top of their African
qualifying group and within touching distance of the World Cup. "It was a
very long season last season, so I went to take some rest before I went away
with the national team. We had 20 days with Senegal but I feel OK. I didn't
miss the pitch for a long time but I'm all right. "We [Senegal] are going
well at the moment and we hope to qualify for Brazil, which would be an
unbelievable World Cup so we don't want to miss it."

While his international ambitions look like being fulfilled, Diame knows he
will have to keep performing if he is to be in Sam Allardyce's team when
they host Cardiff City on Saturday 17 August. The return of France
international Alou Diarra from loan at Stade Rennais, the emergence of the
promising Ravel Morrison, the signing of teenager Danny Whitehead and the
arrival on trial of Netherlands international Orlando Engelaar on trial mean
places in the midfield are at a premium. With Mark Noble, Jack Collison and
captain Kevin Nolan also in the mix, the 26-year-old will have to keep
producing the goods . "I see everybody is focused to be in the starting XI.
Everybody is working hard so this is good for the team. We just need to be
focused on the first game against Cardiff because we know it is important to
start well to make the season easier."

With England centre forward Andy Carroll and Romania skipper Razvan Rat
joining the Hammers this summer, there is strength and depth across Big
Sam's squad. So, whoever starts against Cardiff, Diame is confident West Ham
can build on their impressive tenth-place finish last term and push on
towards the upper echelons of the Barclays Premier League. "We have to have
our ambition and we know the project of the Club, so we need to work to try
to finish near the top. We are going to try to give our best and make sure
to do better than the last season. "I feel a top-eight finish is achievable,
of course. Why not?"

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Bournemouth 0-2 West Ham Utd
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 14th July 2013
By: Staff Writer

West Ham eased to a third successive pre-season win in the sunshine at
Bournemouth this afternoon.

United, fresh from victories at Cork City and Boreham Wood (6-2 and 3-0
respectively) secured a 2-0 win at the Goldsands Stadium through goals from
captain Kevin Nolan and midfielder Jack Collison as the scorching sun bore
down on the 7,000+ crowd.

The match, a testimonial for defender Stephen Purches who has been out of
action since breaking a leg against Rochdale in February 2011 saw West Ham
start brightly - so much so that the visitors were ahead after just nine
minutes.

James Collins, back in the starting line-up having been rested at Boreham
Wood on Wednesday night started the move with a wide ball to the advancing
Guy Demel. The Ivorian full back pulled the ball back for Ricardo Vaz Te who
delivered a deep cross which Nolan met with a pinpoint header, leaving
goalkeeper Darryl Flahavan no chance.

West Ham doubled their lead on the stroke of half time when Jack Collison
took advantage of some confusion in the Cherries defence.

The home side felt that should have been awarded a free kick when Modibo
Maiga appeared to foul Steve Cook, but the referee waved play on. That left
the Welsh midfielder with a clear run on goal - and he finished superbly,
rounding Flahavan before planting the ball into an empty net.

West Ham made a number of changes after the half time break - including the
introduction of Dutch triallist Orlando Engelaar - but failed to seriously
threaten to extend their lead over the Championship side, who were having a
little fun themselves.

Stephen Purches made his long-awaited comeback from injury - to a standing
ovation from Cherries fans - whilst former Bournemouth players Darren
Anderton and Steve Fletcher both made cameo appearances in the final moments
of the game.

Next up for Sam Allardyce and his team is the short trip up the A12 to face
League One side Colchester United on Wednesday night.


West Ham Utd: Jaaskelainen, Demel (O'Brien 45), Collins (Potts 60), Reid
(Tomkins 60), Rat (Taylor 60), Vaz Te (Cole 60), Noble (Diame 60), Collison,
Nolan (Engelaar 52), Jarvis, Maiga (McCallum 82).

AFC Bournemouth: Flahavan, Francis (Fogden 74), Cook (Anderton 82), Ward
(Addison 74), Harte (Daniels 45), McDermott (Elphick 45), Arter (McDermott
77, Fletcher 85), MacDonald (S. Purches 67), Fraser (Matthews 59, J. Purches
88), Grabban (Stockley 74), Pitman (Thomas 45).

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Sam Allardyce admits he admires Zdravko Kuzmanovic
Last Updated: July 14, 2013 2:56pm
SSN

West Ham manager Sam Allarydce has admitted his interest in Inter Milan
attacking midfielder Zdravko Kuzmanovic. The Serbia international, 25, only
joined Inter from Stuttgart in January but looks set to move on this summer,
and the Hammers are reportedly hoping to snap him up for around £5million.
Speaking after Saturday's 2-0 friendly win at Bournemouth, Allardyce said
Kuzmanovic was on his radar but stopped short of admitting any bid.
Allardyce said: "He is a player I like, but I know nothing about it so
cannot comment." "For the first time in eight years, I have got a good squad
together right at the start of pre-season."

Goals from Kevin Nolan and Jack Collison gave the visitors victory at Dean
Court, and afterwards Allardyce said he was happy with his squad strength at
this point - but would still like to bolster his attack. "For the first time
in eight years, I have got a good squad together right at the start of
pre-season," he added.
"Normally I am six or seven short and I have to skimp around to get them in,
but not this year. "We would like to add to that of course, although it will
only be one or two max. Position wise, we need an attacking player first and
then we will see where we go. "At this moment, it depends on the player who
is available. It needs to be a quality player who brings a lot to the team
for us to go after him."

Nolan was forced to limp off shortly after the interval but Allardyce
insisted there were no serious worries over his skipper. "Kevin came off
with only a dead leg so it looks like he will be OK and it won't be too much
of a problem," he told the Sunday Mirror.

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Four Premier League clubs keen on Peter Odemwingie
Last Updated: July 14, 2013 4:22pm
SSN

Sky Sports understands four Premier League clubs have expressed an interest
in West Bromwich Albion striker Peter Odemwingie. The 31-year-old forward
has been looking for a route out of The Hawthorns for some time, with a
deadline day fiasco in January seeing him fail to secure a switch to Queens
Park Rangers. With there little chance of him being offered a clean slate
with the Baggies, it is expected that the Nigeria international will be on
the move this summer. As a proven goalscorer at the highest level, it comes
as no surprise to find that numerous clubs are readying an approach for his
services. It is understood that West Ham United, Hull City, Sunderland and
Fulham would all welcome Odemwingie into their ranks - joining Crystal
Palace in the chase for his services. He still has a year left to run on his
contract at West Brom, but reports suggest that a bid of around £1.5million
could be enough to lure the Baggies to the negotiating table.

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est Ham hire former Manchester United solicitor to help them land work
permit for Duvan Zapata
14 Jul 2013 22:30
The Mirror

West Ham have hired former Manchester United solicitor Maurice Watkins to
help land Duvan Zapata. MirrorSport revealed that the Hammers had agreed a
£6.7million fee with Estudiantes for the South American striker. But the
deal, including a four-year contract, is all subject to a work permit.
Watkins will now represent the club at a hearing next week to try to secure
the 22-year-old's future in England. Hammers boss Sam Allardyce wants the
exciting Colombian to partner Andy Carroll. Allardyce's scouts have been
excited by Zapata's pace and power and want to land him. Carroll is due to
miss the start of the season injured and Zapata is seen as a good short-term
replacement - and partner when the targetman returns. Zapata is yet to play
for his country but is expected to feature in next summer's World Cup
finals. He does not satisfy present conditions for a permit but West Ham are
quietly confident because he is such a talent.
They will argue to an appeals panel that the 6ft 2in ace will make a
significant contribution to the game here and point to Colombia's position
at No.3 in Fifa's rankings in the hope of gaining the green light. Zapata
scored 14 goals last season for Estudiantes and has attracted interest from
top European clubs including Borussia Dortmund and Porto.

Big Sam fears Uncle Sam

Sam Allardyce fears Fulham's billionaire new owner Shahid Khan will price
West Ham out of the market for signings, writes MirrorFootball. Jackonsville
Jaguars owner Khan last week paid £150million to buy the Hammers' London
rivals from Mohammed Al Fayed. Allardyce said: "Now Fulham are in new hands
it will make it harder to attract players to West Ham as they will probably
pay more money than us. Shahid Khan has inherited a successful Premier
League side."

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Hammers boss set to make a decision over Dutch international trialist
London24
Sunday, July 14, 2013
1:46 PM

Transfer news: Sam Allardyce has not ruled out a move for Orlando Engelaar
after the Netherlands international appeared in West Ham's 2-0 pre-season
win over Bournemouth yesterday. The midfielder, who has played for Schalke
04 and PSV, has been on trial with the Hammers and looks set to remain with
the east Londoners for their next friendly match against Colchester United
on Tueday. "A player of his experience and his quality, we'll have him with
us for a few days to see if he could be a valuable member of our team,"
Allardyce told the club's website. "We'll obviously make that decision in
the near future."

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