Sporting 2-3 West Ham United FT
WHUFC.com
Ravel Morrison scores twice and Kevin Nolan once in the Hammers' victory at the Guadiana Tournament
05.08.2013
SPORTING CLUBE DE PORTUGAL v WEST HAM UNITED
TORNEIO DO GUADIANA
ESTÁDIO MUNICIPAL DE PORTIMÃO
MONDAY 5 AUGUST 2013
KICK-OFF: 9.15PM
Final score - Sporting Clube de Portugal 2-3 West Ham United
Penalty shootout
The penalty shootout held to decide final placings if the teams finish level on points, goals and goal difference has finished...level! Madness. I have no idea what the point of that shootout was but it's all over. West Ham have won the match 3-2 and drawn the shootout 4-4. An entertaining and satisfying evening for the Hammers. Don't forget, we'll be back here in Portimao in about 21 hours to do it all again when we take on SC Braga. Join us then! Also, if you want to watch us in action against Pacos de Ferreira at the Boleyn Ground on Saturday, you can get tickets now!
Sporting Clube de Portugal 4-4 West Ham United - It's all level again as Cole sends the goalkeeper the wrong way. And to complete a ridiculous evening, that's it!!
Sporting Clube de Portugal 4-3 West Ham United - Brilliant! Rojo does a Chris Waddle and smashes his penalty over the top. Joe Cole to level things up...
Sporting Clube de Portugal 4-3 West Ham United - He does. Jarvis slots the ball into the bottom left-hand corner. Rojo...
Sporting Clube de Portugal 4-2 West Ham United - Mauricio puts the penalty to Jaaskelainen's left again! Again, the Finn cannot reach it. Jarvis must score...
Sporting Clube de Portugal 3-2 West Ham United - Elliot Lee sends Boeck the wrong way. West Ham still in this...
Sporting Clube de Portugal 3-1 West Ham United - Advantage Sporting in the strangest penalty shootout in history as Chaby smashes his spot-kick high into the net.
Sporting Clube de Portugal 2-1 West Ham United - Morrison sees his penalty straight down the middle saved by the legs of Boeck.
Sporting Clube de Portugal 2-1 West Ham United - Eduardo puts the ball in the same place! Jaaskelainen again goes the right way but cannot get there.
Sporting Clube de Portugal 1-1 West Ham United - Noble runs up and slides the ball low into the same bottom corner as Carvalho. That hit the side netting. Great penalty. Eduardo next for Sporting.
Sporting Clube de Portugal 1-0 West Ham United - Carvalho puts the ball past Jaaskelainen's dive into the bottom left-hand corner. Noble...
OK, don't go anywhere as we now have the penalty shootout! Carvalho is going to take the first one for Sporting...
Lee Richardson: "That was a really pleasing performance. The manager, the coaching staff and the players will all be really happy. The only slight disappointment in the second half was conceding from the free-kick. However, it looked a very harsh decision to give a foul against Joe Cole. Saying that, you still have to defend the set piece. Probably the most pleasing thing of all for everyone would be seeing Ravel Morrison showing his potential."
93 mins - Into the final minute and Sporting have won a throw deep in West Ham territory. Centre-back Rojo dances into the box and the crowd rises, but his cut-back falls to a claret and blue shirt and West Ham survive. Another cross comes over a few seconds later and Reid heads out. Carvalho delivers again and Rat hacks upfield. The final whistle is blown and West Ham have won!
91 mins - We're into three minutes of added time. The Sporting fans don't like it. There's a shock. Don't forget we're going to have a penalty shootout after the game, too!
90 mins - Cole deflects a Fabiano cross behind for a corner. It is the little man Jarvis who is there at the near post to head clear. Well done Jarvo!
88 mins - Montero throws himself to the turf as a high ball forward comes towards the West Ham box. Reid did nothing wrong and thankfully the referee agrees.
86 mins - Mr Martins obviously likes his paperwork as he books Jaaskelainen for time-wasting as he prepares to take a free-kick. The Sporting fans boo and whistle every decision made against their team. It's been a really competitive game, this. Will there be any more late drama?
84 mins - Goal! Maybe it isn't over? Joe Cole is penalised for a foul wide on the right and the free-kick is curled over by Eduardo. No14 William Carvalho gets the slightest of touches and the ball bounces past a helpless Jaaskelainen and into the net.
80 mins - Sporting bring on Magrao for Silva in midfield.
79 mins - GOAL! West Ham have surely won this now and it's Morrison again! Lee Richardson taps me on the leg and says 'Right on cue!' and he's entitled to. Rat's initialy shot is charged down but Lletget retains possession and he finds Cole in space on the left. The England man spins and curls a superb cross that finds Morrison completely unmarked six yards out. He jumps and glances the header into the net, giving the goalkeeper no chance.
Lee Richardson: "We have completely dominated the second half. We have bossed the possession and have nullified them completely as an attacking force. Their only chance came from a foul on Mark Noble and we have created several really good chances and scored two good goals. There have been a lot of positives for Ravel Morrison tonight. He has worked extremely hard for the team and has come up with a moment of quality which is great to see. Youngsters Ruddock, Lee and Lletget are now getting a chance to impress as well. Pelly has settled in quickly into the back four and we're defending well as a team as well."
76 mins - West Ham slowing the game down with Nolan being replaced by Lletget in midfield. Nolan gets some whistles on his way off. I bet he doesn't care a jot.
75 mins - Cisse is on for the final 15 minutes for Carrillo. Seconds later, O'Brien sees yellow for a foul.
72 mins - West Ham are controlling the game here. Meanwhile, you can watch the Hammers take to the pitch and warm-up in Portimao ahead of tonight's game on the Official West Ham TV YouTube channel.
67 mins - Changes for both sides as Eduardo replaces Martins in the Sporting midfield and Pelly Ruddock is on for Tomkins at the back for West Ham.
66 mins - It's a corner for West Ham as a cross from the left flicks off the head of a Sporting defender, but Noble's kick is cleared.
64 mins - Big chance for West Ham as Nolan wins the ball back and finds Cole. He looks up and wants to find his captain in the middle, but the No26 over-hits the pass. Cole is frustrated and waves his arms to show it. He has more quality than that.
60 mins - Before the re-start, Elliot Lee is on for Maiga up front. Big chance for the teenager. The crowd have been stunned by that two-goal salvo from the Hammers. Well, not all of them because the drummer is still drumming away to my right.
59 mins - GOAL! West Ham lead! It's a cracking goal, too. Rat feeds a superb pass inside for Morrison, who takes a touch and opens up his body before slamming a low shot into the bottom right-hand corner from all of 25 yards. Great strike from the youngster.
58 mins - GOAL! Rat's ball down the left is chased by Jarvis and he wins a throw off Marcel. Rat jogs forward and hurls the throw into the penalty area, where Maiga flicks it on with his head and Nolan ghosts in to tap home from six yards. Classic Nolan and West Ham are deservedly level.
56 mins - Noble is caught in possession just outside the box by Carrillo. The winger gets into the box and beats a defender with a neat drop of the shoulder. He shoots left-footed from no farther than 12 yards. Jaaskelainen makes a fine save with his left leg and Reid helps the ball around the post with his out-stretched left foot. A big let-off. Noble felt he was fouled and castigates the referee. The corner is cleared.
Lee Richardson: "The manager was keen for the players to focus on their football in his half-time team talk. There was a disappointment in the dressing room for two reasons - first, it wasn't handball and second that the penalty award came in the third minute of two minutes of added time. There is a feeling that the players and fans of Sporting are not being particularly sporting!"
51 mins - Rat lifts a free-kick into the box from halfway but it's an easy catch for Boeck. This is an even game now. West Ham definitely held the upper hand early on, but the Portuguese have got their noses in front and are holding their own. Morrison commits another foul and No5 Rojo rolls around for a while before recovering to take the free-kick. Nolan gives the centre-back a piece of his mind.
48 mins - The game is showing no signs of losing its edge as Morrison slides in and catches Martins with a late challenge. Referee Ricardo Martins plays on. Morrison is perhaps a bit lucky not to get a caution when the game is eventually stopped.
46 mins - West Ham win a corner within 45 seconds of the re-start but it comes to nothing.
Half-time score - Sporting Clube de Portugal 1-0 West Ham United
Taylor is being replaced by Rat at half-time. Sporting make two changes, with No43 Chaby on for Capel and No14 Carvalho on for Rinaudo. Both are straight swaps for the Portuguese side.
I've just seen a slow motion replay of the penalty decision and it appears that the ball hit Matt Taylor's chest and not his arm. Let's hope West Ham can take their frustration out on Sporting in terms of goals during the second half.
49 mins - Goal! Spain winger Capel steps up and strokes the penalty to Jaaskelainen's right. The goalkeeper goes the other way and Sporting lead. I have a feeling Big Sam is not going to be too happy about what has happened over the last couple of minutes. Capel celebrates as if Sporting have won the UEFA Champions League and the fans behind the goal rush to the front of the stand. The advertising board cannot hold them and there is a bit of an issue as a few fall over. Thankfully, it looks as if everyone has got away unhurt. West Ham kick-off and that's half-time. That was an eventful half of football, I must say.
48 mins - We're 30 seconds over the two minutes and Sporting have a penalty! Taylor is the man penalised for handball, but it looks a bit harsh. The ball bounced up as O'Brien challenged Montero inside the box. Capel...
45 mins - We'll have two added minutes. As we go into added time, the 24th foul of the game sees Nolan brought down.
44 mins - Capel is down on the turf again after being caught by Taylor. A yellow card for the West Ham left-back - the fourth of the game and a third for a Hammers player. Reid and Maiga have also been booked. Moments later, Montero has a shot from 25 yards and Jaaskelainen saves it. The Finn spills the low shot initially, but he's quick to pounce on the ball as it squirms a yard or two clear of him.
43 mins - Sporting have their best spell so far, working the ball from left to right before Fabiano plays a one-two and bursts on to the ball. He gets there and cuts the ball back from the byline, but Cole has tracked back and slides in to concede the corner. The flag kick comes to nothing.
38 mins - Rinaudo has a go from about 30 yards, but it's a daisy-cutter that misses the target by at least ten yards. Jaaskelainen watches it go by.
Lee Richardson: "The game has settled down a little bit. Both teams were guilty of one or two rash challenges. It often happens in so-called friendlies, but both teams need to focus on playing their football and not trying to outdo each other with who has been the biggest victim. The players have been complaining to the referee, but they are settling down a bit now. We've had 17 free-kicks already, according to our performance analyst Jamie Osman."
36 mins - Big Sam is out and patrolling the edge of his technical area. He is not happy about something or other.
34 mins - The West Ham physio is on for the first time, as is the club doctor, as Reid needs some treatment after being caught while winning a header inside the Sporting penalty area. It's a chance for the other players to have a welcome drink of water.
31 mins - It's been a niggly sort of game with quite a few free-kicks. Now, it's boiled over. First, Capel and Noble came together and the Sporting player went down and stayed there for a while holding his knee. Then, on the far side, Maiga is fouled with a knee in the back by No5 Rojo. Something then happens and Maiga springs to his feet to remonstrate with the Argentine. After some handbags involving at least a dozen players, the referee books Rojo and Maiga.
30 mins - It's been a very good half-hour from the Hammers, who have come within a lick of paint of taking the lead. Sporting are having no sustained periods of possession at all.
27 mins - Another free-kick to West Ham. This time it's Jarvis who is shoved to the ground by Marcal just to the left of the penalty area. Noble or Jarvis to take... Noble clips the ball into Nolan at the near post, but the skipper scuffs his volley and Boeck gathers easily.
25 mins - You can view an exclusive gallery of images from Portimao now on our Official Facebook page. It's a colourful occasion down here on the Algarve, where the Sporting fans have tried to turn the stadium into a green and white home from home complete with flags and drums.
23 mins - Carrillo threatens to get in down the left after O'Brien is caught slightly out of position after winning the initial header. Morrison tracks back 50 yards and puts the Peru winger under sufficient pressure that he can only cross the ball high and behind for a goal kick.
Lee Richardson: "We will be reasonably pleased with how we've gone so far. Sporting are a good side and have ability in possession. We have had the best of the game so far and have looked defensively solid, as we always do. We have created the best chances and most of the game is being played in Sporting's half. We are nullifying them. They are playing with one player, Martins, off the main striker and we've restricted them to counter attacks, really."
16 mins - Sporting have been stirred to life by that escape as a dangerous cross from right-back Marcel is cleared only as far as Martins. He lays off for Rinaudo, whose first-time effort from 25 yards hits Nolan and spins away for a throw.
13 mins - So close! A Tomkins free-kick causes havoc as Reid nods it down again. The ball looks to have evaded everybody as it bounces across the penalty area but Morrison reacts quickest and shoots. The shot is blocked but the ball rolls only as far as Cole, who spins and thumps his effort against the post! The ball falls out to Nolan, who cannot control his first-time effort from about eight yards and it just clears the crossbar.
11 mins - Noble is fouled wide on the right. He swings in the free-kick towards Tomkins but the ball bounces away on the near side. Jarvis cannot control and it's a goal kick. West Ham probably on top now in terms of territory.
9 mins - Good strength and tenacity by Maiga to battle for the high ball and then again when it bounces up outside the D. He shapes to shoot and is brought down by Sporting captain Rinaudo. Chance for West Ham from a free-kick right on the edge of the D. Noble, Morrison and Cole stand over the ball. Noble lays it off for Cole, who slams the shot into the wall.
Lee Richardson: "Both teams have started quite scrappily, trying to keep possession. They are cancelling each other out as they are both playing with 4-3-3 formations. The pitch also isn't of the best quality and consequently both sets of players are making errors with their passing."
6 mins - Best move so far from the Hammers as Maiga and Nolan swap passes before the Malian tries to play in his captain. Nolan doesn't have the pace to beat Welder Marcel, however, and the No2 clears. Seconds later, Reid catches Andre Martins on halfway and the No8 goes down theatrically. It's enough to earn Reid an early booking.
5 mins - Capel is left holding his face as Taylor mis-times his jump for a header. No harm done and the Spaniard is soon back to full working order.
3 mins - Tomkins is fouled on halfway and he takes the free-kick himself. The No5 picks out his fellow centre-back Reid on the edge of the box. He nods the ball inside towards Nolan, but the defender is there to volley clear.
61 secs - Sporting have the first chance as a loose clearance from Jaaskelainen falls to Carrillo. He cuts in from the left and rifles a 25-yarder that skims the bar on the way over the top. Some gasps from the sizeable crowd inside the stadium.
9.15pm - Sporting get us underway.
9.13pm - Here come the two teams, accompanied by a bit of 'We Will Rock You' by Queen.
9.10pm - I'm joined in the Press Box tonight by West Ham's club psychologist and former Blackburn Rovers and Aberdeen midfielder Lee Richardson. Lee also managed Chesterfield, so he'll be able to provide us with some professional insight.
9.05pm - Jack Collison, Alou Diarra and Ricardo Vaz Te aresitting out the game tonight. They will be available for tomorrow evening's meeting with SC Braga, however.
9pm - Apologies for the lack of updates over the last hour. I have been running around taking photographs and sorting out wifi access and the like! It's all go. Anyway, the sun has now set here in Portimao and we're only 15 minutes away from kick-off. To start with, here is the team news:
West Ham United: Jaaskelainen, O'Brien, Taylor, Tomkins, Reid, Noble, Morrison, Nolan, Cole, Jarvis, Maiga
Subs: Adrian, Potts, Rat, Demel, Ruddock, Collins, Diame, Lletget, Lee
Sporting: Boeck, Marcal, Mauricio, Rojo, Martins, Capel, Fabiano, Montero, Carrillo, Rinaudo, Silva
Subs: Rui Patricio, Jefferson, Magrao, Carvalho, Eduardo, Semedo, Soares, Chaby, Cisse
Good evening and welcome to the warm and sunny Algarve for tonight's pre-season Guadiana Tournament opener between West Ham United and Sporting Clube de Portugal - the club better known in England as Sporting Lisbon.
The Hammers arrived in Portugal on Sunday afternoon and the players held a light training session at the team base in Lagos on Monday morning before getting some welcome rest ahead of tonight's game.
The three-team pre-season Guadiana Tournament is being held at the Estádio Municipal de Portimão, a few miles east of Lagos. The competition also features SC Braga, who West Ham will tackle at the same venue on Tuesday evening, with kick-off again at 9.15pm.
It promises to be a late night, whatever happens, as a penalty shootout will be held following the final whistle to determine final group placings in the event of teams finishing level on points, goal difference and goals. The Hammers chose not to practice their spot-kicks after training this morning, so I'm afraid I don't know who will be stepping up to have a go from 12 yards later on!
Tonight's opponents are 18-times Portuguese champions but the men in green and white hoops have fallen on lean times in recent years, having not won the Primeira Division since the 2001/02 season. 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.
Team news-wise, West Ham manager Sam Allardyce will be without centre forward Andy Carroll (heel) and George McCartney (knee), who have remained at Chadwell Heath for treatment. Jack Collison and Alou Diarra will sit out tonight as they are both expected to be involved from the start against Braga on Tuesday.
Sporting have been very active in the transfer market this summer, signing Brazilian trio left-back Jefferson from Estoril, right-back Weldinho from Palmeiras and centre-back Mauricio from Sport Recife, Colombia forward Fredy Montero from Seattle Sounders and Guinea striker Salim Cissé from Academica de Coimbra.
West Ham will be meeting Sporting for the second time in their history, having previously welcomed the 18-times Portuguese champions to the Boleyn Ground on Tuesday 7 May 1996 for a match to celebrate the Hammers' centenary.
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Macca hails Sporting success
WHUFC.com
Neil McDonald hailed the 3-2 Guadiana Tournament win over Sporting Clube de Portugal as a 'brilliant exercise'
06.08.2013
Neil McDonald hailed West Ham United's action-packed 3-2 Guadiana Tournament victory over Sporting Clube de Portugal as a 'brilliant exercise'. The Hammers assistant manager witnessed a thrilling game that saw his side battle back from a goal down to lead 3-1 before resisting a late comeback from the 18-times Portuguese champions in Portimao on Monday. After a first half largely dominated by the English side, Sporting took the lead in the third minute of added time through a disputed Diego Capel penalty given for an alleged handball against Matt Taylor. West Ham used the perceived injustice to launch a second half onslaught. Kevin Nolan levelled with a tap-in from Modibo Maiga's flick-on after 58 minutes before Ravel Morrison put West Ham in front with a precise finish within 60 seconds. Morrison appeared to make the game safe when he headed in Joe Cole's cross on 79 minutes, only for William Carvalho's 84th-minute goal to set up a nervous ending. Following a surreal post-match penalty shootout held to decide final finishing positions in the event of teams ending level, which ended 4-4, McDonald spoke to West Ham TV.
"It was a brilliant exercise," said Sam Allardyce's No2. "There was a lot of physicality and we were playing against a referee who wasn't really giving much in our favour. "The boys held strong and stuck together and we played with a fantastic tempo, which I thought was really, really good. We scored some good goals. "We still need to work on not conceding because we didn't want to concede two goals, but all in all it was an absolutely brilliant run out. We're happy because that was the best tempo we've played with all pre-season and we're all really pleased with the game."
Like Big Sam had done before kick-off, McDonald hailed his players for their ability to play their football, despite five of them being booked by the referee and the hostile atmosphere created by the vocal Sporting fans. "It was the highest tempo we've played at in pre-season, which was great. We have got two weeks to go until Cardiff and that was the perfect workout. "Everybody has almost come through 90 minutes and we made some changes with Tuesday's game in mind because we must be strong against Braga because they are a Champions League team. We're looking forward to that game. "We're really, really pleased with everybody's performance and it gives us good heart with two games to go until we start the Barclays Premier League season. "We've played Sporting before [during our time at Bolton] and they really get stuck in and are really physical and also try to play some good football, but we held strong. "I think they probably had only one shot from distance in the first half and then the penalty, which I don't think it was. It was rather harsh and the referee has probably given an easy one there to get everybody on his side. "We stayed strong, as I said, and kept playing the way we try to play and to get it down and keep the ball and we scored some really good goals. "As I keep repeating, the tempo of everything that we did was the best it has been in pre-season so that holds us in good stead with the Braga game on Tuesday and leading on to the Cardiff game on 17 August."
McDonald closed by speaking positively about the impact made by young midfielder Morrison following his return from a successful loan spell at Championship side Birmingham City last season. The former Manchester United youngster got his career back on track under the guidance of Blues manager Lee Clark and the Hammers assistant is now hoping he will continue to make progress in a West Ham shirt. "He has certainly grown up a touch. With all due respect, when he first came from Manchester United he thought he was the top kid and he was going to walk straight into our team and it certainly doesn't work like that.
"We sent him away to get the experience at Birmingham and he's certainly come back and he's used that experience. "He had some experience around him as well [in midfield] with Kevin Nolan and Mark Noble pulling and pushing him, as you'd expect. If we can get him on the ball in the final third then he can produce and he's produced two goals on Monday. "He missed his penalty at the end but that's good experience for him. He's come back in good shape, just like the rest of them."
*Tickets for Tuesday's Guadiana Tournament meeting with Portuguese Primeira Division side SC Braga will be available on the night from the Estádio Municipal de Portimão, priced at €12.50. West Ham United fans are urged to sit in the East Stand.
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Sporting Lisbon 2-3 West Ham Utd
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 5th August 2013
By: Staff Writer
A second half brace from Ravel Morrison helped West Ham to a morale-boosting victory against one of Portugal's 'big three'. Sporting - who along with Benfica and Porto complete the triumvirate of Portugal's domestic giants - were considered favourites to win the Torneio do Guadiana going into the competition.
However the tables were well and truly turned as the Sportinguistas were well beaten by a West Ham team consisting of a mix of first team and fringe players, on a night to remember for the small group of travelling Hammers fans who were able to make the trip to the Algarve.
Having started strongly, West Ham went agonisingly close to opening the scoring when Joe Cole's 13th minute effort cannoned back off the inside of the far post. Kevin Nolan was left with egg on his face when he failed to convert the rebound; an open goal which he put clean over the bar.
Tempers flared on the half-hour mark when a poor challenge on West Ham striker Modibo Maiga sparked a free-for-all after the United striker reacted angrily to what was just the latest of a string of poor challenges on him. The resulting melee saw both Maiga and his nemesis booked, presumably for sparking the incident.
Despite their first half dominance, West Ham were to go into the break a goal behind after Sporting scored from the penalty spot in first half injury time. Matt Taylor was justifiably angry at being penalised for handling a ball that was struck at him from point blank range; his protests in vain, Spanish forward Capel stepped up to send Jussi Jaaskelainen the wrong way.
With Taylor replaced by Razvan Rat at the break, West Ham continued to look the stronger side and got their reward 12 minutes after the restart. Sporting were caught flat-footed as a quick throw was nodded into the six-yard box by Maiga, where Nolan was waiting to pounce in typical fashion.
Still reeling from conceding the equaliser, Sporting found themselves a goal behind just 60 seconds later when a bursting run from midfield by the impressive Ravel Morrison culminated in the teenager firing across goal into the bottom left-hand corner to put West Ham 2-1 ahead.
The game should have been put to bed with just over ten minutes of normal time remaining when Man of the Match Morrison grabbed his second goal of the evening. Joe Cole, who was also excellent throughout curled in a cross from the left touchline which an unmarked Morrison guided into the bottom corner of the net.
However Sporting ensured that the audience - both in the stadium and around the globe via the internet - were kept on tenterhooks until the final whistle when Eduardo's 84th-minute free kick appeared to miss everyone before finding the back of the net.
William Carvalho may have got the slightest of nicks but either way, it was poor defending from West Ham (even if the free kick that led to the goal should never have been awarded against Joe Cole, whose shoulder to shoulder challenge was within the laws of the game).
A frantic few minutes of injury time followed before the final whistle confirmed what was a very impressive win for an experimental United side. Sam Allardyce will no doubt be delighted at what he saw - and, in particularly, the performance of Ravel Morrison who continues to impress in pre-season.
* A post-match penalty shootout to decide tournament placings in the event of a tie ended in a fairly unique 4-4 draw. Mark Noble, Elliot Lee, Matt Jarvis and Joe Cole converted their spot kicks whilst Ravel Morrison was the only Hammer to miss.
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West Ham abandon transfer interest in striker Ilombe Mboyo as rape conviction sparks fan protests
5 Aug 2013 22:31
The Mirror
West Ham chairman David Sullivan has confirmed the club have scrapped a move for a striker once jailed for his part in a gang-rape. The Hammers had considered signing Belgium international Ilombe Mboyo, 26. The Gent marksman hit 20 goals last season and would have played on the right side of attack, a position West Ham have been trying to fill for several weeks. Angry fans have bombarded social media demanding the club abandon the bid, however, after it emerged Mboyo served three years of an eight-year sentence for his part in the gang-rape of a 14-year-old when he was just 16. Sullivan confirmed to Mirror Sport that the Hammers have considered the feelings of the club's fans and pulled the plug. The Upton Park supremo insisted the club's response to the backlash is similar to the one that saw them shelve plans to sign bad-boy El Hadji Diouf two years ago. Sullivan said: "I couldn't go against the supporters. We wanted their opinions and they seem to have said no. "We didn't sign El Hadji Diouf when the supporters indicated he'd not be acceptable to the club. We will not proceed on this occasion either."
Mboyo, who was a Norwich target in last season's winter window, was described by Manchester City as 'a rare pearl' after he came through Anderlecht's academy. During the striker's time in jail, he enrolled in a rehabilitation scheme called Football In Prison and trained with Belgian club Charleroi. A move there was confirmed after his release and he continued his career with moved to Kortrijk and Gent. Only last October, Mboyo replaced Aston Villa's Christian Benteke in Belgium's 2-0 World Cup qualifying win over Scotland. Fan revulsion at his inclusion at the time, however, was such that the Belgium FA were forced to defend themselves against widespread criticism. Belgian FA president Francois De Keersmaeker said: "Once someone's time in the cells ends, they don't necessarily have to be lost to society. "It's too easy to stigmatise. Mboyo could be an example for young people who go down the wrong path."
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West Ham Beat Sporting Lisbon in Preseason Thriller, See Ravel Morrison Goals
BY KARL MATCHETT (WORLD FOOTBALL STAFF WRITER) ON AUGUST 5, 2013
Bleacherreport.com
West Ham United picked up an impressive win in Portugal as they defeated Sporting Lisbon in their latest preseason friendly. The Hammers won the match 3-2 after a good showing from troubled youngster Ravel Morrison, before a quirky finish saw a penalty shootout end in a 4-4 draw. Diego Capel scored a first-half penalty to put the Portuguese team ahead, but West Ham turned the match around with two goals in two minutes just before the hour mark. First it was Kevin Nolan who ghosted into the six-yard box to tap home after a long throw-in, before Morrison scored his first of the night and the best goal of the game, firing home from 20 yards. Razvan Rat, a new left-back signing from Shakhtar Donetsk, was instrumental in both goals and he had a hand in the third too, combining with Joe Cole, who crossed for Morrison to head home his second and put West Ham up 3-1.
William Carvalho got a slight flick on a free kick with just a few minutes left on the clock to pull one back for the hosts, but West Ham hung on to record a fine victory. Following an intensive preseason programme, this was West Ham's eighth friendly of the summer and their seventh victory, with only a defeat to German side FSV Mainz spoiling Sam Allardyce and his side's run of form. This game against Sporting was part of the Toerneio do Guardiana, with the Hammers due to face Sporting Braga 24 hours after this match in the second fixture. The 3-2 win after 90 minutes wasn't the only action though; a penalty shootout was held at the end of the game, supposedly to aid determining the competition winners if teams finished level on points, goals and goal difference—but the shootout itself ended in a draw!
Ravel Morrison scored twice during the match, but the former Manchester United youngster couldn't make it a hat-trick of successful finishes as he saw his spot-kick saved. Mark Noble, Elliot Lee, Matt Jarvis and Joe Cole scored the other penalties. West Ham finished last season in 10th place in the Premier League and will hope to build on that during the coming campaign, though the only significant outlay thus far in the transfer market has been to make permanent the loan of Andy Carroll. Left-back Rat, however, showed that there is plenty of value for Allardyce to pick up on free transfers too, and his performance will have given more positives to his boss.
West Ham play Premier League newcomers Cardiff City on the opening day of the new season.
See the goals here : http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1728270-west-ham-beat-sporting-lisbon-in-preseason-thriller-see-ravel-morrison-goals?
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Tuesday, August 6
Daily WHUFC News - 6th August 2013
Young Hammers enjoy successful Eurofoot
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's Under-18s made the final of the Yale Eurofoot Tournament in Belgium
05.08.2013
West Ham United enjoyed a successful Eurofoot Tournament in Belgium over the weekend, reaching the final of the 12-team tournament but coming up just short against Danish club Nordsjaelland to claim second place. The annual pre-season tournament for under-19 teams brought together sides from Belgium, England, the Netherlands, France and Denmark for three days of competition. West Ham's youngsters faced five 50-minute games in the group stage, and won four of them - seeing off Club Brugge, AA Gent, Anderlecht and KV Oostende, before suffering their only first phase defeat to FC Utrecht. They topped the group with 12 points, Anderlecht finishing two points further back to book the second semi-final place. Sunday morning brought a semi-final meeting with Tottenham Hotspur, and after a 1-1 draw secured thanks to Nathan Mavila's second goal of the tournament, the Hammers prevailed 5-4 on penalties. The other semi-final also went down to a shootout, as Nordsjaelland got the better of Anderlecht 4-3 following a 0-0 stalemate. However, the Hammers could not carry their form into the final game and were edged out 1-0 by the Danes. The tournament also brought individual honours for the Hammers' Moses Makasi, who picked up the Player of the Tournament prize
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The Big Interview: Modibo Maiga
WHUFC.com
Modibo Maiga is determined to score goals for West Ham United and plenty of them
05.08.2013
West Ham United marksman Modibo Maiga has had as good a pre-season as just about anyone in claret and blue, with minutes under his belt and two goals to boot. It certainly bodes well for the Mali-born forward, who has his sights firmly set on a prolific second season for the Hammers. In his pursuit of those goals, the 25-year-old is prepared to put in the hard yards, vowing to work, work, and work some more to establish himself in the Barclays Premier League.
There are only two weeks until the start of the season, how do you assess your pre-season?
MM: "It [pre-season] has been pretty good. It's all preparation, so you have to prepare well in order to start well. That's why we build on core fitness until now. We've had a very good pre-season so far and we plan to continue to get ready right until the end."
Two goals, plenty of minutes, you must be full of confidence…
MM: "Of course, [goals and minutes] bring back the confidence. It brings back sharpness as well. Particularly, if you're a forward, you've got to score, however they come. So the goals really please me. They're a small bonus, even if they are just pre-season games. "We're always going to continue to prepare well, but the most important preparation is not just goals. We have to get back our rhythm, work hard and improve physically. That's the main objective."
Two slightly strange goals, wouldn't you say?
MM: "Yes, but I see it as a small reward [for the hard work]. It does me good as well."
A few days in Portugal now and the hard work continues…
MM: "That's for sure, the hard work continues. We're ready to work hard and that offsets the attacking work. Everyone knows that's the way it has to be, you've got to put a lot in. We've got this final stint in Portugal. We've got good professionals. We work, we're attentive and it's really going to help for the start of the season."
You're up against two top teams in Sporting Lisbon and Braga…
MM: "I think it's good, because until now, even in Germany, we've played against good teams. It's really good, it's good for the team. Because it enables us to measure our progress against good teams like that. It's a lot better [this way]. It's another great opportunity for us to get back into the swing of things.
You played against Braga last season, so you know them a bit…
MM: Well of course, we know them. Anyhow, it's not a pressured game. Last year, it was our first experience [of them], so we know, a little bit, what to expect. Even if the main aim is to improve physically.
What are your ambitions for this season?
MM: My ambition this year is to simply score a lot of goals. Play well and score a lot of goals. I want to be useful for the team. That's my ambition, but particularly to work, work and work some more.
Do you set yourself targets?
MM: "For me my target is to do more than last season. That's my aim and that has always been my aim. Always look to the future, rather than questioning yourself. Score lots of goals!"
We all remember your spectacular goal against Southampton, one of your best, perhaps?
MM: "Yes, but there aren't many to choose from at West Ham! But it's not one of the best in my career, I have scored better. For sure, it was pretty good. I always have that in my locker, it's part of my quality. And I hope to score even better goals for the Club."
The goal against Chelsea might have been simpler but it was obviously hugely important…
MM: "Very, very important, that's clear. Particularly to win against Chelsea. That gives it an extra edge, it was against Chelsea, that's normal. It was like a little present, a present from the sky. Everyone was so relieved. But I hope I'll have the chance to score a lot against Chelsea and others."
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Big Sam up for Portuguese tests
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce is looking forward to seeing his West Ham United team in action at the Guadiana Tournament
05.08.2013
West Ham United have arrived in Portugal and manager Sam Allardyce is looking forward to see how his players shape up in the pre-season Guadiana Tournament. Big Sam's side take on Portuguese Primeira Division sides Sporting Clube de Portugal and SC Braga in Portimao on Monday and Tuesday evening respectively, with the manager expecting two stern examinations of his team's credentials. The Hammers landed in Faro on Sunday afternoon before boarding a coach for a 90-minute transfer to the team hotel. After a team meeting and a good night's sleep, the squad headed the short distance to the Municipal de Lagos stadium for a training session ahead of the 9.15pm kick-off. Tickets for the East Stand at the Estádio Municipal de Portimão will be on sale tonight, priced €12.50. West Ham were only confirmed as participants in the Guadiana Tournament last week, but the manager said he was delighted to take up the opportunity of facing two top-class sides in testing conditions. "The quality of the two games are what drew us to this late venue," the manager told West Ham TV. "They are two Champions League-quality teams in Sporting Lisbon and Braga. We played Braga last year at their own ground and we're playing them again in a mini tournament here in Portimao. "It's going to be a big test for the players, because not only is the quality of the opposition top-class, but also the heat and some of the lads having to cope with two games in two days. Some of them will play 90 minutes and some will play more over the next two days, so that will test their fitness. "We then have the game on 10 August at the Boleyn Ground and an unfortunate week of international friendly matches again, which takes a number of players away from us in a very important week. Every team has to suffer the same and it's not ideal preparation, but that's ahead. We're focusing at this moment on facing two outstanding teams and seeing what level we're at at this stage of the pre-season."
West Ham have been back in pre-season training for five weeks now and Big Sam said the emphasis of his preparations had now moved from the physical to the mental side of the game. The manager said the three remaining pre-season fixtures - the third at home to UEFA Champions League qualifiers Pacos de Ferreira on Saturday 10 August - would tell him whether or not his players are fully prepared for the 2013/14 Barclays Premier League season. "The physical side has been more than accomplished by now. I'm looking at the mental toughness and agility of the players. The fact of the matter is that when players go away for six weeks at the end of the season, their sub-conscious switches off and they relax. "Then, when they come back they have forgotten what the basics are and what is needed to be successful in a professional football team that plays in the Barclays Premier League. I've been talking about the mental side of these pre-season games since the start of our trip to Germany. "The trip to Germany was about fitness, training every day and feeling fatigue in your bodies and still playing. Now it's about switching on mentally and making the right decisions, playing your position as you should play it and making fewer mistakes than the opposition, because mistakes get punished at this level. It's often the opposition's outstanding talent, but their ability to punish your mistakes. "We want to see all their mental agility come into play over the next two days. Last year, when we were focused and drilled and we understood what our strengths and weaknesses were as a team, that's why we finished tenth. Hopefully we'll get back to that level by the time we've finished against Pacos de Ferreira on the 10 August."
While his focus is on tonight's Guadiana Tournament opener against Sporting Clube de Portugal, Big Sam has been on his mobile phone regularly discussing potential signings with the Board and head of player recruitment Martyn Glover. The manager revealed that the Hammers' attempts to supplement the squad had so far been unsuccessful due to a variety of reasons. "We've been hugely frustrated in our quest over the last three weeks or so, that any of the particular targets who we'd approached [haven't signed]. Whether it's been the player, the club or interference from another club 75 or 80 per cent through the deal attracting him to them rather than us, it has unfortunately left us with a blank space. "All we can keep doing is trying to find another player who wants to come to West Ham United who is better than what we have already got. That is the key point - better than we already have. We can't settle for a player to make the squad up or for a player who may play a bit-part. "This player has to be a top player, as far as I'm concerned, to make an impact. We have the same team as last season apart from the introduction of Adrian in goal and Razvan Rat at left-back, and we've lost more players than we've brought in, which is a slight concern to me. "We do have these funds available and we particularly felt last week that it was going to be two players coming in, but unfortunately both fell by the wayside. The deals are not totally dead, but they've not been clinched either, which has left me, the Chairmen and Martyn [Glover, head of player recruitment] extremely frustrated."
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Allardyce unfazed as kick off draws closer
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 5th August 2013
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce has admitted that he is frustrated at West Ham's lack of movement in the transfer market. Since making his most recent capture - that of Romania full back Razvan Rat on a free transfer a month ago - Allardyce has been thwarted in his attempts to sign the likes of Salomon Kalou, Loic Remy, Duvan Zapata and Zdravko Kuzmanovic. However the 58-year-old Hammers boss confirmed that funds are available for the right player - and insists that he is not panicking, despite West Ham's season opener against Cardiff being less than a fortnight away. "We've been hugely frustrated in our quest over the last three weeks or so," Allardyce told whufc.com. "Whether it's been the player, the club or interference from another club attracting him to them rather than us, it has unfortunately left us with a blank space. "All we can keep doing is try to find another player who wants to come to West Ham United and who is better than what we have already got. That is the key point - better than we already have."
Allardyce has signed three first team squad players already this summer, with Andy Carroll, Adrian and Rat arriving since the end of the 21012/13 campaign. However he has also lost players such as Gary O'Neil and Carlton Cole, who are yet to be adequately replaced. That failure to introduce replacements of sufficient quality has however given fringe first team players such as Modibo Maiga and Ravel Morrison the opportunity to shine in pre-season, with both used heavily so far.
And whilst Allardyce believes that he is short of at least one top quality player who could slip straight into the first team - almost certainly on the right side of the forward line - he insists that he won't be making any compromises. "We can't settle for a player to make the squad up or for a player who may play a bit-part. This player has to be a top player, as far as I'm concerned, to make an impact," he added. "We've lost more players than we've brought in, which is a slight concern to me. "We do have funds available and we felt last week that two players were coming in, but unfortunately both fell by the wayside. The deals are not totally dead, but they've not been clinched either which has left me, the Chairmen and Martyn [Glover] extremely frustrated."
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West Ham's Andy Carroll desperate to make Premier League season opener
Last Updated: August 5, 2013 10:17am
SSN
Andy Carroll is working hard to be available for the start of West Ham United's Premier League campaign against Cardiff City. Carroll suffered a heel injury at the end of last season and manager Sam Allardyce has previously admitted he is unlikely to be fit for the clash with Cardiff on 17 August. However, Carroll is doing everything he can to return ahead of schedule and is desperate to take his place in the squad at the earliest possible opportunity. "I've been working hard," he said in the Daily Star. "I've been away to Germany with the lads and keeping myself as fit as I can with the work I can still do with my heel still being sore. "It's been tough but I've been working hard to be back for the start of the season."
Carroll made his move to Upton Park permanent this summer after spending last season on loan at the club from Liverpool, and he is itching to get back in action. He said: "I'm dying to get back kicking a ball again. I can't wait because the last time I kicked a ball was in the final game of last season. "Everyone is buzzing about and have come back in great form and great spirits, looking forward to the start of the season. "They have been working hard over the summer and can't wait for the beginning. "It is always important to get a win in the first game of the season. "Cardiff have just come up so will want to show what they are all about. We need to understand that and get a win under our belts."
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West Ham shelve bid for convicted rapist Mboyo after fans' backlash on Twitter
By LAURIE WHITWELL
PUBLISHED: 10:53, 5 August 2013 | UPDATED: 13:10, 5 August 2013
Daily Mail
West Ham appear set to pull the plug on a potential bid for controversial striker Ilombe Mboyo. The club have been considering an approach to sign the Belgium centre forward, who scored 20 goals for Gent last season, but his past as a convicted rapist has received criticism from fans. Mboyo served three years of an eight-year sentence for his part in the gang rape of a 14-year-old when he was 16. No deal: West Ham have stepped back from a bid for Gent striker Ilombe Mboyo, who was spent three years in prison for the gang rape of a 14-year-old girl when he was 16 . Now 26, the £5million-rated forward was being seen at West Ham as an alternative to Andy Carroll up front. But club officials were said to be split over the moral dilemma of purchasing a player with such a dark history and initial supporter backlash will be taken on board. Mboyo began his career at Anderlecht's academy alongside Vincent Kompany, who described the player at a 'rare pearl'. He moved to Club Brugge and in 2004 was convicted of participating in the rape of the under-age girl while a member of a Brussels street gang. Once inside he engaged in a rehabilitation programme called Football in Prison and on his release joined Charleroi, before going on to Gent in 2011. Last October, Mboyo came on for Christian Benteke in Belgium's 2-0 World Cup qualifying win over Scotland but the country had to defend his selection.
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West Ham fans' anger over Sullivan jr 'rape' Tweet
West Ham United's co-owner David Sullivan is under intense pressure to intervene in the Twitter activities of his 13-year-old son Jack
by Hugh Southon
5th August 2013 10:02am BST
Exclusive
SportsDirect.com
West Ham United's co-owner David Sullivan is under intense pressure to intervene in the Twitter activities of his 13-year-old son Jack. The teenager has been at the centre of various storms in the past but his latest outburst has brought a horrified response from many of the club's fans. The teenager tweeted that the club were allegedly interested in Ilombe Mboyo of Gent who went to prison as a 16-year-old for his part in a gang rape of a 14-year-old child. Many fans were disturbed that 13-year-old Sullivan should pose the question: "How would you feel if we signed Mboyo of Gent? Terrible crime when he was 16, can he ever be forgiven? What do you think?"
Sullivan jr has regularly leaked club dealings on his account - on one occasion making it clear he was unhappy with Arsenal's Maroune Chamakh on loan from Arsenal and on another claiming the club would get better as a result of former midfielder Gary O'Neill deciding to leave. Many fans feel the club is showing itself as unprofessional by allowing this to continue although others have defended him in the past. However, his latest outburst met with almost universal twitter condemnation from the fans becoming increasingly indignant. Said one in a tweet to co-owner David Gold: "Wow!! Jack's tweet asking for fans opinion on a new signing. Disgrace!! DG this lad needs to be stopped, we are becoming a joke. And another - again directed at Gold said: "Have a bloody word - this kid is embarrassing us now! Bloody had enough!"
The increasingly angry barrage included such comments as: "If DS has knowledge it's irresponsible and let's face it who else would allow their 13-year-old to influence a multi-million business. "That account is now an open sore and has to be controlled if not shut down. Is anyone really surprised? This is David Sullivan. Highly controversial character! He won't change. "It could only be one account. Enough is enough. The club need to shut the account down." Many claimed Sullivan sr was behind the tweet and said: "If he wants to give us news he should make his own account not send a 13 year old to ask about rape!"
Another alleged: "It's DS using his own son as a front the club can disown when it hits the fan."
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West Ham transfer news: Club has Diame plan
Everton boss Roberto Martinez is believed to still be weighing up a bid for West Ham midfielder Mohamad Diame
SportsDirect.com
by Hugh Southon5th August 2013 1:25pm BST
Exclusive
Everton boss Roberto Martinez is believed to still be weighing up a bid for West Ham United midfielder Mohamed Diame. The Londoners insist there have been no enquiries for any of their players but after the intense speculation in January are bracing themselves for an approach. But the Hammers insist that should there be a hint of interest they are ready to sit down and renegotiate terms with the player. Sources on Merseyside have told SportsDirect News that Martinez is weighing up a £3.5 million move for the player - sufficient to trigger the release clause. However, West Ham are understood to have made it clear to the player and his agent Willie McKay in January they are ready to discuss new terms should they receive a firm inquiry. The player is currently on £40,000 a week and the Hammers would go close to £50,000 to retain the player so long as the release clause is removed. An Upton Park source said: "We are aware of the speculation but there has been no inquiry for him. Should there be we have our plans in place."
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West Ham 'Pull Out' Of Signing Rapist
Fan reaction to potential bid for Gent's Ilombe Mboyo overwhelmingly bad
Written by Jermaine Haughton
05/08/2013 05:02 PM
VoiceOnline.com
WEST HAM United have reportedly pulled out of a potential bid to sign a convicted rapist, following outrage from the club's fans. Gent striker Ilombe Mboyo was a passive member of a gang rape of a 14-year-old girl when he was 16 and subsequently spent three years of an eight-year sentence in prison. It is believed that West Ham were considering approaching Gent over a possible bid for the Belgian forward, who scored 20 goals last season, but a fans backlash put an end to the Hammers interest in Mboyo. Co-owner David Sullivan's son, Jack, took to Twitter to gauge followers' opinions about the 26-year-old and his past crime.
Sullivan tweeted: "How would you feel if we signed Mboyo of Gent? Terrible crime when he was 16, can he ever be forgiven? What do you think?" After an overwhelmingly negative response, Sullivan junior tweeted: "I'm sure we won't sign him. We respect your views." After his 2004 conviction, Mboyo was involved in the Football In Prison rehabilitation programme. Following a spell at Charleroi in 2008, Mboyo joined Gent in 2011 and has won two caps for Belgium.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's Under-18s made the final of the Yale Eurofoot Tournament in Belgium
05.08.2013
West Ham United enjoyed a successful Eurofoot Tournament in Belgium over the weekend, reaching the final of the 12-team tournament but coming up just short against Danish club Nordsjaelland to claim second place. The annual pre-season tournament for under-19 teams brought together sides from Belgium, England, the Netherlands, France and Denmark for three days of competition. West Ham's youngsters faced five 50-minute games in the group stage, and won four of them - seeing off Club Brugge, AA Gent, Anderlecht and KV Oostende, before suffering their only first phase defeat to FC Utrecht. They topped the group with 12 points, Anderlecht finishing two points further back to book the second semi-final place. Sunday morning brought a semi-final meeting with Tottenham Hotspur, and after a 1-1 draw secured thanks to Nathan Mavila's second goal of the tournament, the Hammers prevailed 5-4 on penalties. The other semi-final also went down to a shootout, as Nordsjaelland got the better of Anderlecht 4-3 following a 0-0 stalemate. However, the Hammers could not carry their form into the final game and were edged out 1-0 by the Danes. The tournament also brought individual honours for the Hammers' Moses Makasi, who picked up the Player of the Tournament prize
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The Big Interview: Modibo Maiga
WHUFC.com
Modibo Maiga is determined to score goals for West Ham United and plenty of them
05.08.2013
West Ham United marksman Modibo Maiga has had as good a pre-season as just about anyone in claret and blue, with minutes under his belt and two goals to boot. It certainly bodes well for the Mali-born forward, who has his sights firmly set on a prolific second season for the Hammers. In his pursuit of those goals, the 25-year-old is prepared to put in the hard yards, vowing to work, work, and work some more to establish himself in the Barclays Premier League.
There are only two weeks until the start of the season, how do you assess your pre-season?
MM: "It [pre-season] has been pretty good. It's all preparation, so you have to prepare well in order to start well. That's why we build on core fitness until now. We've had a very good pre-season so far and we plan to continue to get ready right until the end."
Two goals, plenty of minutes, you must be full of confidence…
MM: "Of course, [goals and minutes] bring back the confidence. It brings back sharpness as well. Particularly, if you're a forward, you've got to score, however they come. So the goals really please me. They're a small bonus, even if they are just pre-season games. "We're always going to continue to prepare well, but the most important preparation is not just goals. We have to get back our rhythm, work hard and improve physically. That's the main objective."
Two slightly strange goals, wouldn't you say?
MM: "Yes, but I see it as a small reward [for the hard work]. It does me good as well."
A few days in Portugal now and the hard work continues…
MM: "That's for sure, the hard work continues. We're ready to work hard and that offsets the attacking work. Everyone knows that's the way it has to be, you've got to put a lot in. We've got this final stint in Portugal. We've got good professionals. We work, we're attentive and it's really going to help for the start of the season."
You're up against two top teams in Sporting Lisbon and Braga…
MM: "I think it's good, because until now, even in Germany, we've played against good teams. It's really good, it's good for the team. Because it enables us to measure our progress against good teams like that. It's a lot better [this way]. It's another great opportunity for us to get back into the swing of things.
You played against Braga last season, so you know them a bit…
MM: Well of course, we know them. Anyhow, it's not a pressured game. Last year, it was our first experience [of them], so we know, a little bit, what to expect. Even if the main aim is to improve physically.
What are your ambitions for this season?
MM: My ambition this year is to simply score a lot of goals. Play well and score a lot of goals. I want to be useful for the team. That's my ambition, but particularly to work, work and work some more.
Do you set yourself targets?
MM: "For me my target is to do more than last season. That's my aim and that has always been my aim. Always look to the future, rather than questioning yourself. Score lots of goals!"
We all remember your spectacular goal against Southampton, one of your best, perhaps?
MM: "Yes, but there aren't many to choose from at West Ham! But it's not one of the best in my career, I have scored better. For sure, it was pretty good. I always have that in my locker, it's part of my quality. And I hope to score even better goals for the Club."
The goal against Chelsea might have been simpler but it was obviously hugely important…
MM: "Very, very important, that's clear. Particularly to win against Chelsea. That gives it an extra edge, it was against Chelsea, that's normal. It was like a little present, a present from the sky. Everyone was so relieved. But I hope I'll have the chance to score a lot against Chelsea and others."
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Big Sam up for Portuguese tests
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce is looking forward to seeing his West Ham United team in action at the Guadiana Tournament
05.08.2013
West Ham United have arrived in Portugal and manager Sam Allardyce is looking forward to see how his players shape up in the pre-season Guadiana Tournament. Big Sam's side take on Portuguese Primeira Division sides Sporting Clube de Portugal and SC Braga in Portimao on Monday and Tuesday evening respectively, with the manager expecting two stern examinations of his team's credentials. The Hammers landed in Faro on Sunday afternoon before boarding a coach for a 90-minute transfer to the team hotel. After a team meeting and a good night's sleep, the squad headed the short distance to the Municipal de Lagos stadium for a training session ahead of the 9.15pm kick-off. Tickets for the East Stand at the Estádio Municipal de Portimão will be on sale tonight, priced €12.50. West Ham were only confirmed as participants in the Guadiana Tournament last week, but the manager said he was delighted to take up the opportunity of facing two top-class sides in testing conditions. "The quality of the two games are what drew us to this late venue," the manager told West Ham TV. "They are two Champions League-quality teams in Sporting Lisbon and Braga. We played Braga last year at their own ground and we're playing them again in a mini tournament here in Portimao. "It's going to be a big test for the players, because not only is the quality of the opposition top-class, but also the heat and some of the lads having to cope with two games in two days. Some of them will play 90 minutes and some will play more over the next two days, so that will test their fitness. "We then have the game on 10 August at the Boleyn Ground and an unfortunate week of international friendly matches again, which takes a number of players away from us in a very important week. Every team has to suffer the same and it's not ideal preparation, but that's ahead. We're focusing at this moment on facing two outstanding teams and seeing what level we're at at this stage of the pre-season."
West Ham have been back in pre-season training for five weeks now and Big Sam said the emphasis of his preparations had now moved from the physical to the mental side of the game. The manager said the three remaining pre-season fixtures - the third at home to UEFA Champions League qualifiers Pacos de Ferreira on Saturday 10 August - would tell him whether or not his players are fully prepared for the 2013/14 Barclays Premier League season. "The physical side has been more than accomplished by now. I'm looking at the mental toughness and agility of the players. The fact of the matter is that when players go away for six weeks at the end of the season, their sub-conscious switches off and they relax. "Then, when they come back they have forgotten what the basics are and what is needed to be successful in a professional football team that plays in the Barclays Premier League. I've been talking about the mental side of these pre-season games since the start of our trip to Germany. "The trip to Germany was about fitness, training every day and feeling fatigue in your bodies and still playing. Now it's about switching on mentally and making the right decisions, playing your position as you should play it and making fewer mistakes than the opposition, because mistakes get punished at this level. It's often the opposition's outstanding talent, but their ability to punish your mistakes. "We want to see all their mental agility come into play over the next two days. Last year, when we were focused and drilled and we understood what our strengths and weaknesses were as a team, that's why we finished tenth. Hopefully we'll get back to that level by the time we've finished against Pacos de Ferreira on the 10 August."
While his focus is on tonight's Guadiana Tournament opener against Sporting Clube de Portugal, Big Sam has been on his mobile phone regularly discussing potential signings with the Board and head of player recruitment Martyn Glover. The manager revealed that the Hammers' attempts to supplement the squad had so far been unsuccessful due to a variety of reasons. "We've been hugely frustrated in our quest over the last three weeks or so, that any of the particular targets who we'd approached [haven't signed]. Whether it's been the player, the club or interference from another club 75 or 80 per cent through the deal attracting him to them rather than us, it has unfortunately left us with a blank space. "All we can keep doing is trying to find another player who wants to come to West Ham United who is better than what we have already got. That is the key point - better than we already have. We can't settle for a player to make the squad up or for a player who may play a bit-part. "This player has to be a top player, as far as I'm concerned, to make an impact. We have the same team as last season apart from the introduction of Adrian in goal and Razvan Rat at left-back, and we've lost more players than we've brought in, which is a slight concern to me. "We do have these funds available and we particularly felt last week that it was going to be two players coming in, but unfortunately both fell by the wayside. The deals are not totally dead, but they've not been clinched either, which has left me, the Chairmen and Martyn [Glover, head of player recruitment] extremely frustrated."
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Allardyce unfazed as kick off draws closer
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 5th August 2013
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce has admitted that he is frustrated at West Ham's lack of movement in the transfer market. Since making his most recent capture - that of Romania full back Razvan Rat on a free transfer a month ago - Allardyce has been thwarted in his attempts to sign the likes of Salomon Kalou, Loic Remy, Duvan Zapata and Zdravko Kuzmanovic. However the 58-year-old Hammers boss confirmed that funds are available for the right player - and insists that he is not panicking, despite West Ham's season opener against Cardiff being less than a fortnight away. "We've been hugely frustrated in our quest over the last three weeks or so," Allardyce told whufc.com. "Whether it's been the player, the club or interference from another club attracting him to them rather than us, it has unfortunately left us with a blank space. "All we can keep doing is try to find another player who wants to come to West Ham United and who is better than what we have already got. That is the key point - better than we already have."
Allardyce has signed three first team squad players already this summer, with Andy Carroll, Adrian and Rat arriving since the end of the 21012/13 campaign. However he has also lost players such as Gary O'Neil and Carlton Cole, who are yet to be adequately replaced. That failure to introduce replacements of sufficient quality has however given fringe first team players such as Modibo Maiga and Ravel Morrison the opportunity to shine in pre-season, with both used heavily so far.
And whilst Allardyce believes that he is short of at least one top quality player who could slip straight into the first team - almost certainly on the right side of the forward line - he insists that he won't be making any compromises. "We can't settle for a player to make the squad up or for a player who may play a bit-part. This player has to be a top player, as far as I'm concerned, to make an impact," he added. "We've lost more players than we've brought in, which is a slight concern to me. "We do have funds available and we felt last week that two players were coming in, but unfortunately both fell by the wayside. The deals are not totally dead, but they've not been clinched either which has left me, the Chairmen and Martyn [Glover] extremely frustrated."
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West Ham's Andy Carroll desperate to make Premier League season opener
Last Updated: August 5, 2013 10:17am
SSN
Andy Carroll is working hard to be available for the start of West Ham United's Premier League campaign against Cardiff City. Carroll suffered a heel injury at the end of last season and manager Sam Allardyce has previously admitted he is unlikely to be fit for the clash with Cardiff on 17 August. However, Carroll is doing everything he can to return ahead of schedule and is desperate to take his place in the squad at the earliest possible opportunity. "I've been working hard," he said in the Daily Star. "I've been away to Germany with the lads and keeping myself as fit as I can with the work I can still do with my heel still being sore. "It's been tough but I've been working hard to be back for the start of the season."
Carroll made his move to Upton Park permanent this summer after spending last season on loan at the club from Liverpool, and he is itching to get back in action. He said: "I'm dying to get back kicking a ball again. I can't wait because the last time I kicked a ball was in the final game of last season. "Everyone is buzzing about and have come back in great form and great spirits, looking forward to the start of the season. "They have been working hard over the summer and can't wait for the beginning. "It is always important to get a win in the first game of the season. "Cardiff have just come up so will want to show what they are all about. We need to understand that and get a win under our belts."
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West Ham shelve bid for convicted rapist Mboyo after fans' backlash on Twitter
By LAURIE WHITWELL
PUBLISHED: 10:53, 5 August 2013 | UPDATED: 13:10, 5 August 2013
Daily Mail
West Ham appear set to pull the plug on a potential bid for controversial striker Ilombe Mboyo. The club have been considering an approach to sign the Belgium centre forward, who scored 20 goals for Gent last season, but his past as a convicted rapist has received criticism from fans. Mboyo served three years of an eight-year sentence for his part in the gang rape of a 14-year-old when he was 16. No deal: West Ham have stepped back from a bid for Gent striker Ilombe Mboyo, who was spent three years in prison for the gang rape of a 14-year-old girl when he was 16 . Now 26, the £5million-rated forward was being seen at West Ham as an alternative to Andy Carroll up front. But club officials were said to be split over the moral dilemma of purchasing a player with such a dark history and initial supporter backlash will be taken on board. Mboyo began his career at Anderlecht's academy alongside Vincent Kompany, who described the player at a 'rare pearl'. He moved to Club Brugge and in 2004 was convicted of participating in the rape of the under-age girl while a member of a Brussels street gang. Once inside he engaged in a rehabilitation programme called Football in Prison and on his release joined Charleroi, before going on to Gent in 2011. Last October, Mboyo came on for Christian Benteke in Belgium's 2-0 World Cup qualifying win over Scotland but the country had to defend his selection.
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West Ham fans' anger over Sullivan jr 'rape' Tweet
West Ham United's co-owner David Sullivan is under intense pressure to intervene in the Twitter activities of his 13-year-old son Jack
by Hugh Southon
5th August 2013 10:02am BST
Exclusive
SportsDirect.com
West Ham United's co-owner David Sullivan is under intense pressure to intervene in the Twitter activities of his 13-year-old son Jack. The teenager has been at the centre of various storms in the past but his latest outburst has brought a horrified response from many of the club's fans. The teenager tweeted that the club were allegedly interested in Ilombe Mboyo of Gent who went to prison as a 16-year-old for his part in a gang rape of a 14-year-old child. Many fans were disturbed that 13-year-old Sullivan should pose the question: "How would you feel if we signed Mboyo of Gent? Terrible crime when he was 16, can he ever be forgiven? What do you think?"
Sullivan jr has regularly leaked club dealings on his account - on one occasion making it clear he was unhappy with Arsenal's Maroune Chamakh on loan from Arsenal and on another claiming the club would get better as a result of former midfielder Gary O'Neill deciding to leave. Many fans feel the club is showing itself as unprofessional by allowing this to continue although others have defended him in the past. However, his latest outburst met with almost universal twitter condemnation from the fans becoming increasingly indignant. Said one in a tweet to co-owner David Gold: "Wow!! Jack's tweet asking for fans opinion on a new signing. Disgrace!! DG this lad needs to be stopped, we are becoming a joke. And another - again directed at Gold said: "Have a bloody word - this kid is embarrassing us now! Bloody had enough!"
The increasingly angry barrage included such comments as: "If DS has knowledge it's irresponsible and let's face it who else would allow their 13-year-old to influence a multi-million business. "That account is now an open sore and has to be controlled if not shut down. Is anyone really surprised? This is David Sullivan. Highly controversial character! He won't change. "It could only be one account. Enough is enough. The club need to shut the account down." Many claimed Sullivan sr was behind the tweet and said: "If he wants to give us news he should make his own account not send a 13 year old to ask about rape!"
Another alleged: "It's DS using his own son as a front the club can disown when it hits the fan."
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West Ham transfer news: Club has Diame plan
Everton boss Roberto Martinez is believed to still be weighing up a bid for West Ham midfielder Mohamad Diame
SportsDirect.com
by Hugh Southon5th August 2013 1:25pm BST
Exclusive
Everton boss Roberto Martinez is believed to still be weighing up a bid for West Ham United midfielder Mohamed Diame. The Londoners insist there have been no enquiries for any of their players but after the intense speculation in January are bracing themselves for an approach. But the Hammers insist that should there be a hint of interest they are ready to sit down and renegotiate terms with the player. Sources on Merseyside have told SportsDirect News that Martinez is weighing up a £3.5 million move for the player - sufficient to trigger the release clause. However, West Ham are understood to have made it clear to the player and his agent Willie McKay in January they are ready to discuss new terms should they receive a firm inquiry. The player is currently on £40,000 a week and the Hammers would go close to £50,000 to retain the player so long as the release clause is removed. An Upton Park source said: "We are aware of the speculation but there has been no inquiry for him. Should there be we have our plans in place."
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West Ham 'Pull Out' Of Signing Rapist
Fan reaction to potential bid for Gent's Ilombe Mboyo overwhelmingly bad
Written by Jermaine Haughton
05/08/2013 05:02 PM
VoiceOnline.com
WEST HAM United have reportedly pulled out of a potential bid to sign a convicted rapist, following outrage from the club's fans. Gent striker Ilombe Mboyo was a passive member of a gang rape of a 14-year-old girl when he was 16 and subsequently spent three years of an eight-year sentence in prison. It is believed that West Ham were considering approaching Gent over a possible bid for the Belgian forward, who scored 20 goals last season, but a fans backlash put an end to the Hammers interest in Mboyo. Co-owner David Sullivan's son, Jack, took to Twitter to gauge followers' opinions about the 26-year-old and his past crime.
Sullivan tweeted: "How would you feel if we signed Mboyo of Gent? Terrible crime when he was 16, can he ever be forgiven? What do you think?" After an overwhelmingly negative response, Sullivan junior tweeted: "I'm sure we won't sign him. We respect your views." After his 2004 conviction, Mboyo was involved in the Football In Prison rehabilitation programme. Following a spell at Charleroi in 2008, Mboyo joined Gent in 2011 and has won two caps for Belgium.
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