Macca looks forward to sterner tests
WHUFC.com
West Ham United assistant boss Neil McDonald says pre-season will move up a gear in Germany
18.07.2013
Neil McDonald says West Ham United are ready for the step up in class of opposition when they face FSV Mainz in the first game of their Germany tour on Saturday. Mainz finished 13th in the Bundesliga last term and this coming season will be their fifth in a row at the top level. The Hammers have recorded victories over Cork City, Boreham Wood, AFC Bournemouth and Colchester United so far this summer, and with just over a month until the big kick-off remaining, they face three games in Germany. Assistant boss McDonald was pleased with the first day of the tour, which involved a flight from Heathrow to Frankfurt and a transfer to the first base in Mainz, and is ready to kick-on. "We had a decent enough flight and then just a small journey to the hotel," he said, "We really wanted to get Tuesday's game out of their legs, so the ones who played more than the rest did a bit of a pool warmdown. "The others who didn't play so much went for a walk up and down the hills to stretch their legs off and we'll be nice and fresh for Thursday when we start the football sessions again leading up to the three games we've got, which we're really looking forward to. "The priorities for the trip are to give the players more game time, pushing them up from 60 minutes to 75 to 90 almost, and trying to get everyone through without getting injured. "The competition for places at the moment is very good because almost everybody is fit, which is great, and it's up to everybody to try and impress the manager for who he is going to pick for the first game of the season. "Pre-season is all about the first game. That's Cardiff and that's what we're working to."
The Hammes also played three games in Germany last pre-season, so McDonald is well aware of what to expect in the coming ten days. He continued: "The three games which we've picked in Germany are going to be very difficult. The three we had here last year were very, very good for the team. "We have to work on our shape because they'll be a little fitter than us as their season starts a little earlier. Then when we have the ball we have to keep it a little better, so we're not working too hard when we haven't. "There's lot of things we can work on and hopefully we can do that over the next three games."
The Hammers have been back in training for two-and-a-half weeks now and McDonald has been impressed with the progress. "It's all based around fitness," he explained. "We complement that with the ball - we have to have the base [fitness], which I think they've got and they had when they came back. They worked over the off season, and they've steadily progressed over the two weeks we've been in. "We're happy with where we are so far. We've seen a little bit of progress in every one of the games we've had - we seem to be keeping the ball better, we're certainly creating chances and we've certainly put it in the back of the net. "The three games we're going to play here will be a stiffer test, so that's a test in itself to make sure they're up for it and they're fit enough to get through a game where they'll have to work that bit harder. "We'll keep on working each day to progress the lads, that's on their fitness as well as their football ability, tactically, technically and mentally all together as individuals, as a unit and as a team.
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Nolan eyes German repeat
WHUFC.com
Hammers skipper wants Germany tour to sow the seeds for another good start
18.07.2013
West Ham United's pre-season work continued in earnest on their tour of Germany on Thursday, as the players were put through a double training session ahead of Saturday's meeting with FSV Mainz. Sam Allardyce's squad completed a series of high-intensity football drills in the morning before hitting the gym after lunch as they work towards the big kick-off, now just over a month away. Skipper Kevin Nolan, who came away on a similar tour with the Hammers a year ago, believes this eleven-day spell in Europe will prove equally beneficial. Big Sam's pre-season programme left his team in good shape last term as they claimed 14 points from their opening eight games and Nolan would love a repeat.
First of all Kevin, we seem to have taken the lovely weather along with us from back home...
KN - "It's always nice when you come away and the sun's shining. Don't get me wrong, it does make it a bit harder when you're doing your running and the intensity of training is so high - you sweat a lot! "It's a nice place, I'm glad to be here, and I'm looking forward to the next ten days."
When it is this hot, does it help with the fitness to do the work in these conditions?
KN - "I think it does, but we're pretty used to the work we do year in, year out with warm-weather training."
You were with us last year when we went on a similar trip to Germany. How beneficial was that in ensuring we got off to that good start?
KN - "The most important thing is using the games to improve our fitness levels, and make sure we're hitting the right intensity levels, distance covered, everything like that. "Mainz are a very good side, who finished last season very strongly in the German Bundesliga. It'll be a tough test on Saturday, but one that hopefully we'll get through without any injuries and with the workout that we deserve. "If we can get a win or a good result out of it then that's another bonus. "I think the manager likes a bit of similarity in the things he does. He likes to go to Europe, not to travel too far - we've done Austria, Switzerland, Germany. He knows the facilities are going to be right and everything's spot on for us and we can get our work in. "This is another tick in the right box for him, that we can get away for ten days and he can make sure we're ready and raring to go."
And to come away with the lads, training twice a day and more, does that help to bring the team together too?
KN - "We've got a few new lads and this will help them get to know the boys inside out. We've got a good unit here within the squad anyway, we've worked hard on that since I've come in. "I read somewhere that we had a turnover of 28 players in the first season, but from last year to this there won't be that big a change. We have lost a few, but we've brought in a couple and we're hoping to bring in a few more. "So it's a good squad out here and the banter's flying about. We're looking forward to what hopefully will be a successful trip, improving our fitness levels and staying injury-free."
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West Ham withdraw Zapata offer
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 18th July 2013
By: Staff Writer
West Ham's attempt to sign transfer target Duvan Zapata is in tatters after the Club were told the player would be unlikely to receive a work permit. The 22-year-old was hoping to secure a dream move to England after West Ham agreed a fee with Zapata's current club Estudiantes, thought to be in the region of £5million. However his potential move to the UK is over after West Ham revealed that they had withdrawn from the process. "We have pulled out of the Zapata deal as indications show he won't get a work permit," read a message from the Twitter account registered to Jack Sullivan. "[However] we hope to sign a replacement within 7-10 days." The major stumbling block was that Zapata - who has also interested the likes of Borussia Dortmund, Lyon, and Benfica - is yet to make a single full international appearance for Columbia.
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We need a winger - just not Downing
KUMb.com
Filed: Thursday, 18th July 2013
By: Celia Roche
West Ham need providers if they are to make full use of £15m signing Andy Carroll, but that doesn't mean Liverpool's failed winger Stewart Downing is the answer.
Earlier this week assistant boss Neil McDonald dismissed links between the Hammers and Downing, but we all know that means nothing when it comes to transfer dealings. But even the mere mention of Downing as a potential target has rightly disappointed many Hammers fans, for we know the winger isn't good enough to fulfil the role Sam Allardyce would have him do.
With Carroll in the squad, Allardyce needs midfielders to give the big man service. During his time at Liverpool, Carroll's qualities weren't put to use as Kenny Dalglish asked him to drop deep and retain possession with the midfield before careering forward and latching on to crosses. It visibly exhausted the young forward and was one of the reasons Brendan Rodgers thought him unfit for purpose.
Under Allardyce last season the striker was used as he should be – the target man – and it worked well (when he wasn't injured). His seven goals showed promise and although he didn't get as many games as a £15m striker should, there is hope he will be fit and ready for a new season.
Furthermore, with the World Cup just a year away and England boss Roy Hodgson a keen admirer, Carroll is a good price in the Premier League betting to score goals next season and we must capitalise on his hunger.
Allardyce already has Matt Jarvis, Matt Taylor and Jack Collison to distribute while Joe Cole can pick out a pass; yet what we really need is some with speed and that, apparently, is why we were linked with Downing. Sadly, the former Middlesbrough and Aston Villa man would not be a good fit. In fact, one doubts if he can even hack it at Premier League level any more.
Downing, a bit like Cole, was always seen as this young, promising flanker who would come good in the end and earn as many assists as Beckham once did. He's been lucky to escape the David Bentley exile treatment and only made the England team because he was left footed. Now football has moved away from 4-4-2 his playing style is redundant and even if he should beat a player there is no one in the Liverpool box capable of heading home.
Unlike Cole, Downing doesn't have the skill to outwit a full back and where once his speed was enough to hit the byline he now very rarely even faces the right way. Instead, the majority of his possession play involves passing back to more capable midfielders – Steven Gerrard and Joe Allen – or surrendering the ball.
Granted, Carroll would be a great target for the left-footer's deliveries but sadly they have also dissipated from his game. Last year, from 37 appearances he created just seven goals. In the Premier League, he averaged just 1.3 crosses per game – not good enough for a West Ham side that scored 27 per cent of its goals from set pieces last term.
If Allardyce is to sign a winger he shouldn't look to a failed England international ready for the Championship. We can assume the boss will set out his team in much the same as last, with two core midfielders and three playing off them linking to the lone front man. Jarvis played his part well and so did Ricardo Vaz Te but a bit of competition wouldn't go amiss.
It's unfortunate we didn't go the extra mile for new Swansea signing Wilfried Bony, who at £12m is a bargain for a player with legs and a hunger to improve. Nor were we in the running, it seems, for Norwich's new, exciting acquisition Nathan Redmond. If Allardyce is going to sign a winger, and there is still debate whether or not we actually need another midfielder, then Scott Sinclair should come relatively cheap from Manchester City.
Sinclair has wasted a year of his life at the Etihad – or at least at Man City's training ground – and after just two starts looks destined to leave this summer. Newcastle and Everton are reportedly interested but so should Allardyce be if he wants someone to hit Carroll right on the nose.
It may also be worth ringing David Moyes to see if Ashley Young is available. He is an immensely frustrating player and would maybe take time to settle at Upton Park, but few can doubt his qualities and Moyes may be happy to get rid in order to bring in new recruits.
There are options out there other than Downing if Allardyce is serious about a winger. We've strengthened at the back with Razvan Rat and Adrian arriving and now it's time to sort the middle. Let's just hope the boss doesn't shop at the Anfield fire sale.
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Hammers miss out on Milevsky
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 18th July 2013
By: Staff Writer
West Ham have had a bid for Ukranian forward Artem Milevskiy rejected, according to reports. And the 28-year-old international is now thought to be about to sign for newly-promoted Serie A side Livorno who have already held discussions with the Dynamo Kiev star, says CNN italian sports correspondent Tancredi Palmeri. Milevsky is thought to have agreed a move to Livorno in principal last week, with a season-long loan move mooted. However West Ham are said to have tried to hijack the move, although that attempt now appears to have been futile. Milevsky, who is entering the final year of his contract has spent his entire professional career at the NSC Olimpiyskiy where he is the club's fifth-highest goalscorer of all time. *Elsewhere, West Ham are said to be losing the race to sign Milan midfielder Zdravko Kuzmanovic. The 25-year-old Serbian international is reported to be close to joining Spanish side Malaga instead.
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West Ham eye Gijon star Oscar Trejo
KUMb.com
Filed: Thursday, 18th July 2013
By: Staff Writer
West Ham are understood to have launched a bid to sign Sporting Gijon's Oscar Trejo. According to sources in France, the Hammers are one of three clubs interesting in landing the services of Trejo, a 25-year-old attacking midfielder. French club Toulouse are reported to have already placed a €2.1million bid for the player, who started his career with Boca Juniors in his homeland before moving to Europe in 2007. Greek side Olympiakos are also thought to be in the running, but they are not thought to be involved in discussions said to be taking place between the player and interested parties later today. Both David Sullivan and David Gold have recently spent time in France and Spain discussing potential acquisitions, although it is unknown as yet which particular players were involved. Trejo, who is yet to be capped by his country, left Argentina in order to join Mallorca six years ago. He was sent out on loan to Elche (2009/10 season) and Rayo Vallecano (2010/11) before permanently signing for Sporting Gijon in 2011.
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Could West Ham Turn to Remy?
By S J Chandos
West Ham Till I Die
It appears this evening that the proposed move for Duvan Zapata has been abandoned. The obstacles to securing a work permit for the player proved just too great, considering his failure to meet the most basic criteria that he must be an international. He is undoubtedly on the verge of an international breakthrough and should figure for Coloumbia in next year's World Cup. By that time, his value will probably have trebled and then the European 'big guns' will be in for him. Alternatively, perhaps we have saved ourselves another disasterous excursion in to the South American transfer market|? Time will tell? Certainly, if the club were totally convinced of his potential then they could have bought him and loaned him out to another South American club until he met the work permit criteria. That would have been a solution, but it is doubtedful whether West Ham would sanction such a 'round-about' deal and commit £6.5m in anticipation of eventually landing the player. However, one does wonder if the regulations would have been applied so strictly if Man Utd or Chelsea had made the application? Would they have won a concession on the potential/contribution exemption?
It was good to read that David Gold has clarified that West Ham are pursuing two strikers. A centre forward to cover and compete with Andy Carroll and a second striker who can play on the right side of an attacking three. It may very well be speculation, but there are reports emerging that West Ham's attentions have now switched to Loic Remy at QPR. Personally, I would love to see a striker of Remy's ability arrive at the club. If they landed him, I would even settle for a short term deal for someone like Crouch to cover for Carroll. Another tempting possibility is Gary Hooper at Celtic. Apparently, Hooper is stalling on a move to QPR in the hope that a PL club will make a move. He could be a very good alternative purchase. The issue is whether he can make the transition from the SPL to the greater demands of the EPL? I think that he is worth a punt and the PL club that makes that 'leap of faith' could be richly rewarded. Of course, the two deals could be linked, with Hooper's move to QPR opening the way for Remy's exit. As always, it all comes down to if West Ham can afford Remy? If not, then they could do far worse then to just move directly for Gary Hooper from Celtic.
Elsewhere, David Gold has revealed on twitter that he has recently been in Spain with David Sullivan, presumably on transfer business. One can only speculate on who their potential targets might be? But the Spanish market certainly offers excellent value at reasonable prices. There are undoubtedly some further gems like Swansea's Michu to be uncovered. One such potential 'gem' could be Sporting Gijon's Oscar Trejo, who we have been linked with in a c.£2.5m deal. We need to keep a watching brief on that transfer front.
Finally, it appears that regardless of the events of last season, Sam Allardyce has welcomed Alou Diarra back in to the first team fold. it has been suggested that Gary O'Neill's exit has opened up a space for Diarra to capitalise upon. I was ok with O'Neill because I felt that he was a good functional player that performed a specific role well when called upon to do so. However, there is no doubt that Diarra is an improvement on O'Neill and strengthens the overall quality of our midfield. Diarra has figured in all of the pre-season matches so far and has done very well. Lets hope that he makes a major positive impact this season on the pitch and avoids controversy off of it.
The same could be said of Ravel Morrison, who has similiarly figured regularly in pre-season and is performing well. Hopefully, Morrison has matured as a player and an individual at Birmingham City and is now ready to make the transition. Certainly, if Morrison ticks all the pre-season boxes he should be given his first team chance. I would be very disappointed if Sam Allardyce's apparent conservatism, with regard to the youngsters, kicks in again and he returns back on loan to Birmingham City. What will that tell Morrison, and indeed the other youngsters, if that happens after he has made such excellent progress both off and on the pitch last season and accordingly had a good pre-season on his return to the club. It's the old meritocratic argument on selection, if players perform then they need to be rewarded, otherwise what is the point?
SJ. Chandos.
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Sullivan now West Ham's main man
By DAN KING
Published: 6 hrs ago
The Sun
DAVID SULLIVAN is now the main man at West Ham after boosting his stake in the club to more than half. Since their takeover in 2010, Sullivan and co-chairman David Gold had been equal partners. But earlier this month, Sullivan bought a further 25 per cent of WH Holding Limited, the Hammers' parent company, to take him to 55.6 per cent. He snapped up the shares from CB Holding, the firm which once controlled West Ham on behalf of Icelandic banks after owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson went bust. CB now have 10 per cent, with Gold on 30.6 and others, including ex-chairman Terry Brown, holding 3.8 per cent.
His move to become controlling shareholder was part of a deal to restructure £25.5million of the club's bank debts. According to the last published accounts, West Ham owed £10m to ALMC out of a total debt to banks of £30.5m. Hammers midfielder Alou Diarra is set to end his differences with boss Sam Allardyce and could remain at Upton Park next season. The former France captain, 32, failed to make any impact following his move from Marseille last summer. Diarra was angry that he was not a first-team regular and made his feelings known back in January. He was sent out on loan to Rennes but with Gary O'Neil turning down the chance to stay at West Ham, Diarra has been given a fresh chance to stake his claim.
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West Ham bid £1.8m for Sporting Gijon's in-demand midfielder Oscar Trejo
18 Jul 2013 13:31
The Mirror
West Ham have made a £1.8m bid for Sporting Gijon midfielder Oscar Trejo, according to sources in Spain. The East London club are keen to add to their squad ahead of the new season and have offered a cash plus add-ons deal for the 25-year-old Argentinean. Sam Allardyce faces stiff competition to secure this transfer for the Hammers from elsewhere though, with Toulouse also bidding and Olympiakos maintaining a strong interest. Sporting are holding out for at least £2.5m overall but Trejo does favour a move to England. West Ham have been in discussions with Trejo's agent for several days and are keen to finalise the deal by the end of the week. Trejo - a versatile attacking midfielder who can operate from both the right and left as well as up front - is desperate for a way out of Sporting and is owed wages by the club dating back several months.
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West Ham look to QPR's Loic Remy after move for Duvan Zapata is scrapped
The Daily Star
By Nick Lustig /Published 18th July 2013
WEST HAM are tonight stepping up in their efforts to sign QPR's Loic Remy after abandoning their bid for Colombian striker Duvan Zapata. Sam Allardyce is looking to bolster his forward line, with record signing Andy Carroll set to miss the start of the season due to a heel injury. The West Ham manager wanted to bring the £8m Estudiantes striker to east London, however a lack of guarantee over a work permit has seen attempts scrapped. Remy was identified as a back-up if the deal for the 22-year-old fell through and the Hammers are now readying a bid to tempt QPR to sell the Frenchman. The West Ham manager is looking to add to his striking optionsThe West Ham manager is looking to add to his striking options emy scored his first goal for QPR at Upton ParkRemy scored his first goal for QPR at Upton Park "The former Marseille striker impressed Allardyce last season, scoring on his debut against West Ham at Upton Park in 1-1 draw. " The former Marseille striker impressed Allardyce last season, scoring on his debut against West Ham at Upton Park in 1-1 draw. And the 58-year-old hopes he can convince the forward to join, with the club willing to propose an attractive wage package for the French international. Newcastle are still thought to be interested in taking Remy to the north-east, even after being spurned by the same player in the January
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