Daily WHUFC News - 1st August 2013

Hammers head for Portugal
WHUFC.com
West Ham United will take part in the prestigious pre-season Torneio do Guadiana in Portugal
31.07.2013

West Ham United are happy to confirm that the Club will take part in the Torneio do Guadiana in Portugal. The three-team pre-season competition will be held at the Estádio Municipal de Portimão in the Algarve, with the Hammers taking on Sporting Clube de Portugal and SC Braga. The Hammers will take on Sporting Clube de Portugal on Monday 5 August and SC Braga on Tuesday 6 August, with both matches kicking-off at 9.15pm local time. Sporting will take on Braga on Wednesday 7 August, with the winners of the competition following in the footsteps of previous winners Sporting, Real Betis Balompie, SL Benfica and Newcastle United. "We are honoured to be involved in such a prestigious pre-season tournament against two of Portugal's best sides in Sporting Clube de Portugal and SC Braga," said manager Sam Allardyce. "The Guadiana Tournament will be the perfect preparation for our 2013/14 season in the Barclays Premier League and both myself and my players are very much looking forward to taking part in it. "Sporting Lisbon are one of Portugal's oldest and most historic clubs, having won the Portuguese title 18 times and the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1964 - a year before us! "We played Braga in a pre-season match in Portugal a year ago and it was a very competitive match which ended in a 1-1 draw. Braga are a club with a proud recent history, having reached the UEFA Europa League final as recently as 2011, and we look forward to facing them again. "The weather and facilities are sure to be superb and we are all relishing the opportunity of getting down to work on the Algarve, a region of Portugal where many West Ham fans either make their homes or regularly visit for holidays."

Sporting finished seventh in the Primeira Liga last season. Managed by Leonardo Jardim, the club from the capital will be hoping to bounce back this term. Among the star names in Jardim's squad are Portugal goalkeeper Rui Patricio, Argentina defender Marcos Rojo, Spain winger Diego Capel and Peru forward Andre Carrillo. Braga will face the Hammers for the second pre-season in succession, having held Sam Allardyce's side to a 1-1 draw at the Estadio AXA in August 2012, when Winston Reid scored a late equaliser. The Archbishops have been busy in the transfer window this summer, bringing in goalkeepers Cassio and Eduardo from Pacos de Ferreira and Genoa respectively, Serbian full-back Aleksandar Miljkovic from Partizan, defenders Vitor Bastos and Joãozinho from Vitória Guimarães and Beira-Mar and strikers Edinho and Salvador Agra from Malaga and Real Betis respectively. West Ham supporters can watch the match from the East Stand, with tickets costing just €12.50 each. Hammers fans can buy their tickets in person from the Ticket Office at the Estádio Municipal de Portimão on matchdays. Alternatively, you can buy tickets online here. The 9,544-capacity stadium is home to Portimonense Sporting Clube, who finished sixth in the Portuguese Segunda Liga in 2012/13.

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Taylor glad of tough tests
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's Matt Taylor says playing top European opposition can only benefit the team
31.07.2013

Matt Taylor feels the Hammers' recent tour of Germany has helped hone their preparations for the new campaign. Having played teams from the League of Ireland and the lower divisions in England prior to leaving for Germany, Sam Allardyce's men sharpened themselves up by taking on three Bundesliga outfits.
After being soundly defeated by FSV Mainz in the tour opener, West Ham bounced back superbly to beat Hamburger SV and Eintracht Braunschweig and left-sider Taylor says that is evidence of the progress made in pre-season. "It was a good tour of Germany," he told whufc.com. "It's always easier when you're away.to concentrate on the training and nothing else, to get your body in good condition for the forthcoming season. "We did that, had a good trip and a good result to finish with on Saturday. I've felt fine over the games we've played and the team has played very well. "We were caught a bit unawares when we played Mainz - they were exceptionally talented on the ball, but we played a lot better against Hamburg and we scored some good goals as well. "The tour was a step up in opposition and you need to prepare yourselves as best as you can for the Premier League season. The teams we played out there were very good technically, up there with the teams in the Premier League. "The games are slightly different in terms of the pace and maybe the way that it is played, but it was a fantastic opportunity to test ourselves against what is arguably one of the best leagues in the world."

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Lee looking to improve
WHUFC.com
Young West Ham United forward Elliot Lee is setting himself goals ahead of the 2013/14 season
31.07.2013

Throughout his West Ham United career, Elliot Lee has made his name by setting himself and then scoring goals - lots of them. The prolific 18-year-old has long been considered one of the hottest prospects within the Academy of Football, netting 14 times in 26 appearances for the Hammers' U21 and U18 sides last season. Lee's promise and potential were rewarded by a call-up to Sam Allardyce's first-team squad in January 2013, just a month past his 18th birthday. The forward sat on the bench for the FA Cup third-round draw with Manchester United and Barclays Premier League defeat at Sunderland before making his bow as a substitute in front of 71,081 fans in the replay at Old Trafford. The teenager continued his development by joining Big Sam's squad on their recent tour to Germany, featuring against 1. FSV Mainz 05 and Eintracht Braunschweig, before returning to Development Squad duty at Southend United on Monday evening.
There, he produced an eye-catching performance as Nick Haycock's team were harshly beaten 1-0, but Lee is not about to let one goalless evening ruin his burgeoning career. "I think the lads played really well and passed it around the pitch, as Nick said to us afterwards, but it was unfortunately one of those days when the ball didn't want to go into the back of the net, especially for me!" Lee, who is set to feature in Saturday's pre-season match at AFC Hornchurch, told West Ham TV. "Definitely, as a striker you always want to be in the right position. You start to worry when you don't get the chances, but I'm still getting them.
"I know I can score goals, so I'll just put it down to being one of those days. Hopefully I'll get my misses out [of the way] in pre-season and I'll start scoring soon."

Monday's game at Roots Hall saw the reigning Academy Player of the Year deployed as a deep-lying forward in a 4-4-1-1 formation - a role different from his normal position as a central striker. Again, he does not mind having to be flexible if it means he is on the pitch. "It's just another string to my bow, really. I can play as the frontman or I can play in behind big Paul McCallum. "It helps me because I like getting the ball to feet, turning and running at defenders, so with the big man up there I can play off him and hopefully create chances and score goals."

Lee knows his immediate future lies in the U21 ranks, but his recent inclusion in the tour squad in Germany is a sign that first-team football is far from being an unrealistic ambition. However, with the likes of McCallum, Ravel Morrison, Danny Whitehead and Sean Maguire all vying for a place alongside Andy Carroll and Modibo Maiga in Big Sam's squad, competition is set to be fierce. "I had a great time out there in Germany. It was a really good experience to be around the likes of them and it was really good for me. "I only got 20 minutes in two games, but it was still a good experience for me. Hopefully I can push on and try to get into that first-team squad. "You saw with all the lads out there at Southend that we played brilliantly and passed it all over the park. We all want to get into that first-team squad, so competition only makes it better, really, when you've got to prove you are better than whoever you are up against."

While a regular first-team place remains Lee's long-term goal, he is looking forward to finding the net regularly this season, whoever he is playing for. "I just want to keep scoring goals for the Under-21s, then I want to impress the Gaffer and see what he thinks of me and hopefully push on into the first team. "I'm not saying 'No' to a loan move because, if the right club comes in, I'm definitely up for that. We'll just see what happens as the season goes on."

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Hammers return to Portugal
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 31st July 2013
By: Staff Writer

West Ham United have confirmed they will be taking part in the Guadiana Trophy, which takes place next week. The three-team tournment also features crack Portuguese sides Sporting Lisbon and SC Braga, who West Ham last met a year ago next month when the two sides played out a 1-1 draw in the Estádio AXA.
West Ham open their campaign on Monday, 5th August against Sporting before facing Braga exactly 24 hours later. The final match between the two Portuguese teams takes place on Wednesday, 7th August. All matches are being staged at the 9,544 capacity Estádio Municipal de Portimão, the home of SC Portimonense. Hammers boss Sam Allardyce told whufc.com: "We are honoured to be involved in such a prestigious pre-season tournament against two of Portugal's best sides in Sporting and SC Braga. "The Guadiana tournament will be the perfect preparation for our 2013/14 Premier League season and both myself and my players are very much looking forward to taking part in it. "The weather and facilities are sure to be superb and we are all relishing the opportunity of getting down to work on the Algarve."

The mini-tournament, known also as the Torneio do Guadiana started in 2001 and prior to 2011 featured two Portuguese team plus at least one foreign entrant (in 2005 and 2009 the tournament was extended to two foreign teams). However between 2010 and 2012, only one Portuguese team has entered allowing the likes of fellow Premier League teams Aston Villa and Newcastle to take part. Tickets for all three games will be available on the day, priced at €12.50 (approximately £11). Alternatively you can book your seats via the web here.

Torneio do Guadiana: history
All teams Portuguese unless otherwise indicated.

2012: Winners - Newcastle Utd (EN); 2nd - Olympiakos (GR); 3rd - Braga.
2011: Winners - Benfica/Anderlecht (BE); 3rd - Paris St Germain (FR).
2010: Winners - Benfica; 2nd - Aston Villa (EN); 3rd - Feyenoord (HO).
2009: Winners - Benfica; 2nd - Olhanense; 3rd - Anderlecht (BE); 4th - Athletic Bilbao (SP).
2008: Winners - Sporting; 2nd - Blackburn Rovers (EN); 3rd - Benfica.
2007: Winners - Benfica; 2nd - Real Betis (SP); 3rd - Sporting.
2006: Winners - Sporting; 2nd -Deportivo La Coruña (SP); 3rd - Benfica.
2005: Winners - Sporting; 2nd - Vitória de Setúbal; 3rd - Middlesbrough (EN); 4th - Real Betis (SP).
2004: Winners - Real Betis (SP); 2nd - Benfica.
2003: Winners - Belenenses; 2nd - Benfica.
2002: Winners - Benfica; 2nd - Vitória de Setúbal.
2001: Winners - Vitória de Guimarães; 2nd - Farense; 3rd - Seville (SP).

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Diame rejects Everton bid
KUMb.com
Filed: Wednesday, 31st July 2013
By: Staff Writer

West Ham midfielder Mo Diame is understood to have rejected an approach from fellow Premier League side Everton. The 26-year-old midfielder joined West Ham in June 2012 after leaving Wigan Athletic - managed at the time by new Everton boss Roberto Martinez - on a free transfer. And KUMB has learnt that earlier this month the French-born, Senegalese international spurned an approach from the North West club who were hoping to reunite Diame with his former manager at the DW Stadium. It is understood that Diame was offered an improved contract to move to Merseyside but that the player rejected the opportunity, opting instead to remain instead with West Ham with whom he remains under contract until 2015. Martinez, who suceeded the outgoing David Moyes at Goodison Park last month is believed to remain a keen admirer of Diame, whose contract contains a contentious minimum fee release clause which allows him to talk to any other club willing to offer £3.5million. However the West Ham number 21 is currently happy with life in the capital, where he is involved in a number of business projects along with family members. Speaking after Senegal's 1-1 draw with Angola in a Group J World Cup qualifier last month, he reiterated his desire to remain in east London. "I've settled really well [in London] and I'm pleased with how the season went," he said. "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."

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West Ham's Interest In Udinese Striker Confirmed
ForzaItalianFootball.com

Matej Vydra WatfordWest Ham are ready to bring Udinese striker Matej Vydra back to England after last season's great campaign with Watford in the Championship. The 21-year-old shined for the Hornets last season, scoring 22 goals in 47 appearances on route to winning the 2012/13 Championship Player of the Season. As a result West Ham are looking to bring the Czech international back to England and are ready to make a €10 million offer for the former Vyso?ina Jihlava striker. However, gianlucadimarzio.com reports that the Friulani are looking for a fee in the region of €14m for the Chot?bo? native. West Bromwich Albion have also been linked with a move for Vydra, although they are only willing to take the striker on loan at this point. Vydra joined Udinese in 2010 but has only made three appearances for the Zebrette since the move, spending the past two seasons on loan at Club Brugge and Watford.

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West Ham United target QPR striker Loic Remy
Guardian Series
5:58pm Wednesday 31st July 2013 in News

West Ham United are in advanced talks with Loic Remy to bring the Frenchman to Upton Park according to the Daily Star. The QPR striker has a £6m relegation release clause in his contract after the West London club failed to avoid the drop last season and the former Marseille man has been subject to interest from a number of Premier League sides. Remy, 26, scored six times in 14 appearances for QPR last season after his £8m move in January and has attracted attention from Newcastle who are keen to bring in goals after selling Demba Ba to Chelsea six months ago. Hammers boss Sam Allardyce has made no secret of his desires to add to his strike-force, with Salomon Kalou reportedly on the verge of the £3m move to East London. Allardyce is also rumoured to be interested in Ba, who enjoyed a successful short spell at West Ham in 2011 but, with the current Chelsea man keen to stay put, Remy remains very much the first choice target.

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West Ham youth boss wants side to compete in Conference as striker eyes big chance
London24
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
10:51 AM

West Ham Under-21s manager Neil Haycock would love to see a Hammers youth side competing in the Conference. In Spain the reserve sides of Real Madrid and Barcelona play in the equivalent of the Championship, while Bayern Munich's reserve side play at League One level. In England there is an under-21 league, while clubs send their youngsters on loan to gain first-team football. "We have been saying at meetings with the Premier League in recent months that we would like to put a team to compete in the Conference to give the boys the opportunity of playing for points," he told the club's official website. "It showed [on Monday] that we'd be capable of doing that, or maybe even higher than that. "It's something that English football probably needs to look at. "The Development league is good but that next step at the age of 20 or 21, if you cannot make the first team because the average age is going up because of the money in the game, it's something most definitely worth considering," Meanwhile, West Ham's young striker Elliot Lee is hoping to force his way into the first team at Upton Park. The 18-year-old featured on the east London club's tour of Germany but will find it tough to usurp Andy Carrolll and co. He said: "I just want to keep scoring goals for the Under-21s, then I want to impress the Gaffer and see what he thinks of me and hopefully push on into the first team. "I'm not saying 'No' to a loan move because, if the right club comes in, I'm definitely up for that. We'll just see what happens as the season goes on."

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