Daily WHUFC News - 5th September 2013

Hammers arrive in Barcelona
WHUFC.com
West Ham United are preparing for Thursday's friendly game with Espanyol
04.09.2013

West Ham United have arrived in Barcelona ahead of Thursday evening's friendly match against RCD Espanyol. The Hammers are facing the Spanish Primera Division side in the international break with no Barclays Premier League match this weekend. The squad flew out from London Gatwick this morning, landing in the Catalan capital in early-afternoon ahead of a training session. Mohamed Diame, Winston Reid, Jack Collison and Razvan Rat are away with their countries on international duty at present, but Sam Allardyce will still have a strong squad to pick from for the game at the Estadi Cornella-El Prat. Espanyol have made an unbeaten start to the Spanish season, and are currently sixth in the league having taken five points from their opening three games. The game kicks-off at 9pm local time on Thursday (8pm BST) and will be broadcast live on West Ham TV.

Every player in claret and blue will be seeking to impress Big Sam, so the stage is set for a competitive 90 minutes, so tune in or sign up now!
West Ham TV will also bring you regular updates from Spain, including exclusive interviews and behind the scenes footage as the Hammers prepare to face Javier Aguirre's side.

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Sky is the limit for Noble
WHUFC.com
Mark Noble wants to shine in the live Sky Sports televised fixture at Southampton on 15 September
03.09.2013

West Ham United midfielder Mark Noble says the Sky is the limit for West Ham United as they prepare for their live-televised clash with Southampton.
The Hammers travel to St Mary's on Sunday 15 September desperate to banish the memory of a disappointing 1-0 home Barclays Premier League defeat by Stoke City. And the midfielder is hoping the presence of the Sky Sports 1 cameras will inspire Sam Allardyce's side to victory over the big-spending Saints. The team could well be boosted by the return of striker Andy Carroll for their next league outing, a prospect which delights Noble. "The game will be live on Sky and hopefully we'll have a few players back by then and have a full squad ready to go," said Noble, who has travelled with the squad for a meeting with RCD Espanyol in Spain on Thursday evening. "Hopefully we can get Andy Carroll back fit for the game, too, as I don't think he's too far off now. "Modibo Maiga has come in and done well but we all know Andy's qualities and we're going to need him back ASAP."

While the No16 is confident of picking up a positive result on the south coast, he is wary of the fact that Mauricio Pochettino's side are also coming into the game off the back of a defeat - 1-0 at Norwich City. "Southampton lost as well, so they're going into the international break with a defeat too," Noble pointed out, before going on to back the Hammers to add to the away point they gained at Newcastle United on 24 August. "Obviously we got a draw at Newcastle but we have to improve our away form. Our home form last year was what helped us finish tenth so we need to pick up a few more wins away from home than we did last year and then it gives us a bit of leeway in our home games and takes the pressure off us a bit. "As I say we're disappointed but already looking to bounce back against Southampton."

Looking back on the home defeat by Stoke, Noble and his attacking colleagues failed to create many clear chances against the Potters, and the midfielder admitted the Hammers had never clicked into gear on the day. "It was disappointing, because we didn't really get going at all and they stopped us doing what we usually do. "When you're not playing so well you hope you can nick a goal or get a result but obviously Pennant popped up with a free-kick in the 82nd minute that killed us off so it was disappointing all round really. "We'll train well over the next couple of weeks and be ready to go for Southampton."

The game marked only the team's second defeat at the Boleyn Ground in 2013, and was their first defeat of the season following three games unbeaten in league and cup. Noble said the defeat was especially disappointing given the side's excellent recent home form, but accepts results like that will occasionally happen. "That's the worst we've played at home for a couple of years now but you have to give credit to Stoke, because they stopped us doing what we normally do and made it tough for us. We had a couple of good chances but a wonder strike [from Jermaine Pennant] has nicked them the win. "We started off so well with a draw away at Newcastle and a win here against Cardiff but we're not Manchester United, we're not a top-four side and we're going to have results like this. However, we expect more from ourselves at home and we're really disappointed."

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Cullen savouring Colchester experience
WHUFC.com
Josh Cullen is looking forward to West Ham United U21s' date with their Colchester United counterparts
04.09.2013

Promising midfielder Josh Cullen is relishing the opportunity to make his mark at U21 level when West Ham United travel to Colchester United on Thursday evening. With the international break giving Nick Haycock's side a free weekend and a number of Development Squad regulars with the first team in Spain, Cullen and some of his fellow scholars have been drafted in to face the U's in a friendly. Cullen, a former England U16 international, has started three of the Hammers' opening four Barclays U18 Premier League matches and is now looking forward to showing Haycock that he belongs at the next level up. "It's going to be a great experience for the lads and will give opportunities to the boys who maybe haven't had the opportunity at U21 level before," explained Cullen, who played three times for the U21s in pre-season. "It's a good chance for us to show the manager what we can do and show him he could be playing us in the league games. "Hopefully, we can play well and some of us can keep our places. The U21s have got a strong midfield but ultimately we are looking to take their places. We're a team and we perform as one, but at the end of the day we want to be in the first team. "Everyone gets on well and it's healthy competition. They want the shirt and you want the shirt and we all do our best on the pitch. You're just doing as well as you can to get into the team."

Reflecting on the U18s, Cullen has returned from a knee injury that restricted him to 20 appearances at that level last term. Now a second-year scholar, the 17-year-old is eager to make up for lost time. The teenager started the 2-1 home win over Manchester United, 2-1 defeat at Chelsea and 1-1 draw with Southampton at Little Heath before being rested for Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Wolverhampton Wanderers. "We obviously made a good start against Manchester United and got the result we were looking for, so we started the season well. We then went to Chelsea and in the second half, if we had cut them open a bit more, we might have been able to get a point or even all three. "Against Southampton, it was a tough game as it always was going to be because they have good players, but we went 1-0 down and did well to get back into the game. With the chances we had, we could have won. "Lastly, against Wolves it was another tough game and our defending from set pieces let us down. There are things we still know we can improve on and if we can cut out the silly mistakes then, although we've only picked up four points, we can perform well and do well in the league this season."

On a personal level, Cullen is delighted to be back to full fitness after a frustrating few months on the sidelines earlier this year. "I had a bad knee ligament injury at the back-end of last season, so even though I've had a good pre-season I've just been eased back into things this term," he revealed. "I tore one of the ligaments in my knee, so it was a bad injury but I've come back and started three games. "I was rested against Wolves as we had three games in the space of a week, so I missed that but I'll be ready for Thursday night. "I'm back fit and am over the injury, so I'm easing myself back in and hopefully I can keep going and keep my performances up and help the team to get positive results."

Tickets for Thursday's 7pm kick-off at the Weston Homes Community Stadium will be available on the night priced at £10 Adults, £7 Concessions, £5 U18s, £3 U14s and £1 U8s.

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The Big Interview - Kevin Nolan
WHUFC.com
West Ham United captain Kevin Nolan opens his mind on a wide variety of issues
04.09.2013

Kevin Nolan has vowed that West Ham United will hit the ground running when they return to Barclays Premier League action after the international break.
The captain admitted both his own individual and the Hammers' collective performance had not been up to scratch in Saturday's 1-0 home defeat by Stoke City, saying the squad are determined to put things right at Southampton on Sunday 15 September. The No4 also touched on the composition of the squad following the end of the transfer window, saying forwards Ricardo Vaz Te and Carlton Cole would be welcomed into the fold.

Kevin, we all suffered a disappointing day on Saturday but I understand the lads have been working hard this week at the training ground in response to the home defeat by Stoke?

KN: "We took it really hard because the performance wasn't there and we weren't good enough on the day. They got what they deserved and we got what we deserved because it was a very below-par performance and one we haven't seen for a long, long time - probably since I came to the Club.
"We just didn't seem to get going or create any chances. It just wasn't us. This week is about maintaining fitness and keeping free from injury while getting the fitness hit in. We're looking forward to what we hope will be a good week next week leading up to Southampton. "We're looking forward to the next game because the only thing that can get it out of your system is getting out there and doing the business and that's what we intend to do."

That was our first home defeat since Gareth Bale's last-minute special for Tottenham Hotspur in February and only our second since December 2012, so perhaps the disappointment of losing to Stoke was compounded by the fact it happens so infrequently at home?

KN: "Of course, because we've made the Boleyn Ground like a fortress and we nearly got away with a draw on Saturday. We would have come in afterwards and known we hadn't performed, but at least we wouldn't have lost the game. "Me with my sloppy pass and the debateable free-kick and then he has whipped one over the wall and into the corner. I've looked at it again and I don't know if I could get my head to it. "Half the people are saying I should have kept my head up but that's easier said than done and, at the end of the day, even if I had I still think it would have gone over me. There will be another side saying it would have [hit me] if I had kept my head up, so I'll just have to take it on the chin whatever the Gaffer decides he wants to say to me and give me what-for!
"I'm more disappointed with my pass out beforehand because that was the most disappointing part. It was just one of those games and we've got to put it to bed and look forward because I don't think we'll have too many more of those this season."

You mentioned that we haven't had many bad performances since you arrived, but do you believe that is because the squad has such resilience? Whenever you have had a setback, you seem to bounce back, and presumably you'll do that again at Southampton?

KN: "It's a very tough place to go and we know it will be a tough game, but it's one that we're relishing. We know exactly what happened in the last game and we want to put things right. "We have a few players away who we hope come back free of injury and we'll be ready and raring to go on the Sunday with a fit squad. We're looking forward to us hopefully getting back into our stride."

The transfer window has now closed, so now you can concentrate 100 per cent on your football rather than who will be in the dressing room when you arrive each morning!

KN: "Yes, because it can sometimes unsettle players. We've had quite a settled squad from the first week here. We brought Stewie [Downing] in a couple of weeks ago and brought in Andy [Carroll] nice and early as well as Razvan Rat and Adrian - they've all been here and embedded well. "I didn't think there would be too much movement going outwards and that's what happened. "Obviously we had Ricardo Vaz Te incident last week but hopefully now he can just knuckle down and fight for his place and really it's about us making sure he knows he is still wanted here. At the end of the day, we're a tight-knit group and we were surprised by it but that's football and that's life. "Hopefully now we can put it all to bed and he can get back amongst the lads because we're all waiting with open arms. We're all looking to put it behind us and for him to show he wants to be a part of this fantastic football club, which I'm sure he does.
"Generally he just wants to play football and hopefully now he'll get the chance. It's up to him to prove everyone wrong. We've got a fairly settled squad and we might have another familiar face coming in, so we'll see how that turns out!"

One man who will certainly be welcomed with open arms is Carlton Cole, who underwent a medical on Tuesday. What would his return do for the dressing room and the squad?

KN: "Everyone loves Coley and I don't think there is a bad word to be said about him. I'm really pleased to see him and everyone has been pleased to hear his banter around the place and see his big cracking smile. "We're hoping that can go over the line and he can be part of us again because he will be a great addition to the squad and he can produce what we need him to do. "We'll see how fit he is over the next week or so but it's just great to have the big lad back and hopefully everything will get done in the next couple of days."

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Cole contract cancelled, says Sullivan
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 5th September 2013
By: Staff Writer

Carlton Cole will not be re-joining West Ham -according to Jack Sullivan's Twitter account. The Club took the unusual step of referring to the deal before it was complete when they revealed on Tuesday that Cole was set to undergo a medical with view to signing a short-term contract. Alarm bells began to sound when no more was heard and this morning, KUMB revealed that Cole was several weeks away from being match fit having missed pre-season entirely. This afternoon, Kevin Nolan - speaking in an interview on whufc.com - admitted that he was looking forward to the 29-year-old striker's return. "We'll see how fit he is over the next week or so, but it's just great to have the big lad back," he said. "Hopefully everything will get done in the next couple of days."

But shortly after 11pm tonight, a message posted on Jack Sullivan's Twitter account stated that the deal was dead in the water. "Cole is not fit enough to offer a contract to. But he's thinking over getting fit with us and improving his fitness," it read. Unsurprisingly, the news has not been greeted entirely positively by Hammers fans posting across the web tonight. Lee WHU, posting on the KUMB Forum said: "They should have left his name out of the statement on the Club's website and shouldn't have printed what Nobby said in his interview about him, if they had any sort of indication that this would be the case."

Meanwhile VeniceHammer was disappointed by the player himself. "I can't understand how a professional like Cole would have let himself go in a way that makes it impossible to regain fitness with a couple of weeks of hard training. Moreso if this professional has supposedly been looking for a new employee all summer."

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The greatest power is so often misused
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 4th September 2013
By: John Rolls

Looking at the farce that was transfer deadline day - the dealings of West Ham and the public eating of humble pie in the re-employment of a certain Mr Cole - got me thinking how the greatest power in the world can come back and bite you on the arse.

What is this power, you ask? Is it the ability to turn lead into gold? Sorry, no. Is it the ability to walk on your hands and drink at the same time? No. It is the use of words, things that are used everyday by everyone.

In the past, great orators have changed the course of history by the use of the spoken word or written word. Nelson at Trafalgar with his "England expects" filled a Navy with the pride and ambition to not let the country down. What if he had just said "get on with it"?

Churchill had many, but I have chosen but two examples. "We shall fight them on the beaches" stirred a nation into mobilising itself - and his "Never before in the field of human conflict..." after the battle of Britain elevated the RAF pilots to legendary status and the nation into believing we will win.

Finally, probably the greatest use of the written word to convey a message. The poem "They shall not grow old", written about the First World War; a poem that even now makes you think.

Ok, so what has all this got to do with West Ham and the transfer market? Well, quite a bit actually. The two Daves and Mr Allardyce used these powerful tools that, in effect, severely damaged our chances of signing a striker. The words "we are looking for a striker to back up Andy Carroll".

It doesn't sound much. Quite trivial in fact - unless you're a striker looking for a new club.

What striker would want to come to a club where he knows he's not going to be a regular starter? A striker just keeping the space open for Andy Carroll? Also, in that short sentence, we disclosed that our whole strategy for the season was for a big man up front on his own; hardly keeping opposition defences guessing.

Also, it may well have had a negative effect on poor old Modibo Maiga. He's got a chance to have a run in the team, but knows as soon as Carroll is fit he's in and Maiga's out. It was unfair to ask him to play a role that he cannot do and probably never came across before joining West Ham.

The poor sod looks ok running on to the ball and turning and shooting, but he is not a centre forward in the Carroll mould.

I believe those few words have greatly affected the ability of the club to recruit a quality striker as a back-up or as a starter. We all know Mr Allardyce has just one tactic and when that is failing, he is unable to respond tactically.

We were getting a reputation as a side who can mix it with the best of them - but against Stoke we were out-muscled and out-played.

How do we go about trying to reverse the negative effect that sentence has made? I honestly don't know. I believe the two Daves and Sam should look into bringing in a new striker in January, one who can play the dual role ie bot Carroll's and Nolan's (the second striker).

Who or where this player, is I don't know. I thought Demba Ba might have been the one. It's said he didn't come because of European football; I think it was that sentence.

So there we have it. Words, whether spoken, written or scrawled on khazi walls can be the most powerful force. They can inspire, they can prompt you to an action or, as I'm sure we have just found out, can have a detrimental effect on situations and people.

I just hoped the two Daves cringed and collectively thought, "he didn't just say that, did he?" In one short sentence, we effectively blew our hopes of signing a second striker away. I hope that that is the only effect it has, because even if Carlton Cole comes back we still are very light in the striker department.

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The transfer merry-go-round
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 4th September 2013
By: Trevor Twohig

Is anyone else confused about the dealings in the transfer market? The media circus reached its heady crescendo on Monday night with only three stories of any real interest.

Number one, Gareth Bale moved to Real Madrid. Shock horror this one. Moving swiftly on to number two, Man United dare I say it paying well over the odds for Maroune Fellaini. It is hardly the statement that Moyes wanted to make at the beginning of his tenure. Yes he knows the player well but has everyone forgotten Fellaini's headbutting incident at Stoke last year? An unproven player at the top-level with a short fuse at a high price. Risky business for Man United and smacked a little of desperation for me.

Finally, Arsenal's signing of Mesut Ozil to smash their transfer record. Did I miss something here? Were Arsenal fans desperate for Wenger to sign yet another midfielder? Granted Ozil is a top class player and I hope he does well. I am just interested to see how he will slot into a midfield alongside Santi Cazorla, Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey et al.

Rosicky's playing out of his skin and let us not forget the returning Mathieu Flamini from Milan to bolster the squad. Interesting times lay ahead for Arsenal and Wenger has indeed papered over the cracks with a big money signing. But the lack of a world class striker and a lumbering central defense will prevent them launching any sort of title challenge, methinks.

The most outrageous transfer story has to be found at Upton Park though in my opinion. After months of trying to lure Andy Carroll to the Boleyn, it finally happens to rapturous applause from large swathes of West Ham fans, including me. Great signing for us and things were looking splendid at the start of the transfer window.

Then came Stewart Downing, another good Premier League player who I think will do well for us. But this cost the whole of our transfer budget and took player wages to the top-level; the eyebrow-raising £70,000 a week for Downing, being the nail in that particular coffin.

Did Gold and Sullivan not think earlier in the window we would need to offload some of the fringe players? Was it not patently obvious that if we are trying to build towards a utopian future at the forefront of English football (the Olympic Stadium is a Grade 4 UEFA stadium, don't you know!), then some of the old guard would need to be moved on? Clearly not.

As such we have Matty Taylor, Ricardo Vaz Te, Modibo Maiga, Alou Diarra and Stephen Henderson who should not get anywhere near our first team with the aspirations we have. Don't get me wrong, I am grateful for the service from the likes of Taylor and Vaz Te, but are we a club looking to survive at the bottom or push for the top half?

I appreciate I may be getting slightly ahead of myself here, we have only been back in the Premier League for one season. But in the same breath, we don't have a striker! Allardyce hopes that Carroll may play some role in the Southampton game. Alarm bells here anyone?


Back in the Building: Carlton Cole's return is imminent

As I was working myself up into quite a state regarding the transfer debacle, I thought to myself, 'If only we still had trusty, loyal Carlton Cole to turn to…' and lo and behold, he is in negotiations to return. As Big Sam comes to the table, tail firmly between legs, I will dust off my 'Sex, Drugs and Carlton Cole' t-shirt and pray, just pray that Andy Carroll can get fit.

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Pre-season begins
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 4th September 2013
By: Dave Maslen

After a long summer break, the West Ham Ladies junior sides finally began pre-season training earlier this week at their Beckton community training ground with all the girls, coaches and managers looking forwards to what they hope will be a fruitful season.

And with the Essex County Girls League growing ever more popular year by year, the coming season sees each age group having at least ten teams to each league, hopefully giving a very competitive season to all.

With this in mind, the junior squads' respective pre-season fixtures got under way last weekend with Ray Wood's Under 17s travelling to Oxfordshire to play Chinon FC. The West Ham girls produced a strong performance, dominating the game and coming away 7-1 winners.

The weekend also saw Dave Maslen's Under 13s play their first pre-season fixture. Competing in the FC Clacton tournament, the Hammers managed to win the competition with two convincing wins against last season's Essex Northern champions FC Clacton plus two wins against the ever-capable Leigh Ramblers.

That the young Hammers managed to keep a clean sheet throughout the tournament against good quality sides bodes well for the coming season.

Meanwhile Greg Regan's Under 11s travelled to Southend to compete in the Trinity FC tournament. In what was their first outing together, the young squad managed a 2-0 win in their opening game against Island Girls before going down by two goals to Tottenham (both coming from counter attack).

Their third and final game saw them playing against older opposition; once again the young Hammers battled on regardless of the age difference, only to lose to the more physical and experienced Trinity side by two goals.

"Having only started training at Beckton this week we had a short time to prepare for the tournament , but the girls did really well and i'm sure they enjoyed the day," reflected manager Regan.

"I believe we have the makings of an attractive passing team with individuals also capable of beating players with skill and technique. With twice a week training now underway, we have an excellent opportunity to put together some good sessions and develop as a team and individually."

Meanwhile, Colin Bennett's Under 15s - with five new players in the line-up - kicked off their pre-season against Phoenix FC (a Kent side unbeaten in two seasons). A combination of rustiness and defending up the slope in the first half was the 15s undoing as they went in three down at half time.

The second half saw West Ham enjoy more of the game and Leah Mills scored her first goal for the team on her debut. However it proved to be a consolation only, as we went down 4-1. Still, plenty to build on as they approach the start of the season.


Chinnor FC v West Ham Utd Ladies U17: report

Manager Ray Wood and coach Ben Morris were both keen to see their new look West Ham Under 17s team in action.

This season's squad consists of a core group of last year's Under 16s together with new players from the recent open trials. A friendly against Chinnor Girls gave West Ham an opportunity for progression and development beyond the training ground.

The Ladies were clearly keen to impress and immediately looked well-organised. Chinnor were on the back foot from the start, whilst West Ham produced some eye-catching football. The tone of the game was set early, and United opened the scoring with a solid strike from the edge of the box by Sarah Harrison.

Shortly after, a well-crafted cross from the right wing picked out Aldana Zenker to tap in at the far post; 2-0 to West Ham. Chinnor tightened their defence and, for a short time, kept the Hammers at bay.

Midway through the first half, West Ham thought they'd added a third 'goal' - only to be frustrated by an offside flag. Immediately returning to business, Zenker was on the end of a cross which resulted in tap beyond the near post - and as the half drew to a close, the visitors snatched a fourth when Sarah Wilson pounced, slotting the ball past the Chinnor 'keeper.

West Ham wasted no time in testing the goalkeeper after the restart and forced a succession of saves. A fifth goal eventually came from Wilson who turned, shrugged off her markers and broke through to fire her second of the match.

Despite being second best, Chinnor showed tremendous spirit throughout the match and continued to battle hard. A concerted effort by the home team resulted in a consolation goal - a fierce effort that narrowly evaded the goalkeeper's outstretched fingers.

Respite for the hosts was brief as an untimely challenge in the Chinnor box resulted in the Hammers being awarded a penalty - one they were unable to convert.

Refusing to let that minor setback affect them, West Ham remained calm and continued raining in shots and forcing a string of saves. The relentless pressure finally paid off when Courteney Brown added her name to the scoresheet in the closing stages, giving West Ham a comfortable 6-1 win.

West Ham Utd Ladies: Ciara Bland, Morgan Difalco, Georgie Hodges, Courtney Peverill, Natalie Strange, Shellie Sumpter, Sarah Wilson(2), Sarah Harrison(1), Aldana Zenker(2), Courteney Brown(1) , Stef Paci.

Goals: Sarah Wilson(2), Aldana Zenker(2), Sarah Harrison, Courteney Brown.

Subs: Kacie Winsor-Claydon, Abbie Solly.

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Cole: no contract offer - yet
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 4th September 2013
By: Staff Writer

Carlton Cole is still to complete his move to West Ham, according to captain Kevin Nolan. The midfielder, who is currently in Spain with the first team squad in preparation for their friendly against Espanyol on Thursday admitted that he was pleased to see the 29-year-old striker back at the club "Everyone loves Coley and I don't think there is a bad word to be said about him. I'm really pleased to see him," Nolan told whufc.com. "Everyone has been pleased to hear his banter around the place and see his big smile. "We're hoping that can go over the line and he can be part of us again because he will be a great addition to the squad and he can produce what we need him to do. "We'll see how fit he is over the next week or so, but it's just great to have the big lad back. Hopefully everything will get done in the next couple of days."

We revealed earlier today that Cole, who underwent a medical yesterday is unlikely to be ready for first team football until next month at the earliest.

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Cole not fit for purpose?
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 4th September 2013
By: Staff Writer

Carlton Cole may be about to re-sign for West Ham - but may not be fully match fit for up to TWO MONTHS. The former England international underwent a medical at West Ham yesterday ahead of a short-term contract that would see Cole reunite with his former team mates until the next transfer window in January. However KUMB understands that the 29-year-old has barely trained since leaving the Club at the end of last season - and will therefore require several weeks' training in order to regain match fitness. This is believed to have come as a surprise to the staff at West Ham, who were under the impression that Cole has been maintaining his match fitness privately - when in truth, the former Chelsea striker has done very little work in the gym, preferring instead to spend the summer enjoying his new-found freedom. Rumours that Cole had been training with Tottenham are also said to be wide of the mark.

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Kevin Nolan says Ricardo Vaz Te still welcome at West Ham
Last Updated: September 4, 2013 1:30pm
SSN

West Ham United skipper Kevin Nolan says Ricardo Vaz Te will be welcomed back 'with open arms' after missing out on a deadline day move. Vaz Te released a statement to Sky Sports prior to the close of the summer transfer window confirming that he had handed in a transfer request. Cardiff City, Crystal Palace and Norwich City were all said to be keen on offering the Portuguese winger a route out of Upton Park, but no agreement was reached. Vaz Te must now re-focus and try to force his way back into Sam Allardyce's plans, and Nolan says the 26-year-old will remain an important member of the squad. He told the club's official website: "Obviously we had the Ricardo Vaz Te incident last week, but hopefully now he can just knuckle down and fight for his place and really it's about us making sure he knows he is still wanted here. "At the end of the day, we're a tight-knit group and we were surprised by it, but that's football and that's life. "Hopefully now we can put it all to bed and he can get back amongst the lads because we're all waiting with open arms. "We're all looking to put it behind us and for him to show he wants to be a part of this fantastic football club, which I'm sure he does. "Generally he just wants to play football and hopefully now he'll get the chance. It's up to him to prove everyone wrong. "We've got a fairly settled squad and we might have another familiar face coming in (Carlton Cole), so we'll see how that turns out."

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IS CARLTON COLE TO SIGN OR ARE THERE ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS OUT THERE?
By S J Chandos 5 Sep 2013 at 02:15
West Ham Till I Die

It has been alleged that our would be saviour, Carlton Cole, has returned with disappointingly lows levels of fitness.This has been stated on Jack Sullivan's twitter account and, it would appear, that the club are now looking at other free agent options. It may be that Carlton Cole trains at the club, to work on his fitness levels, and the club will review his situation in due course. That could mean bringing in another free agent, who presumably managed to maintain his fitness levels at an acceptable level.

There is no more to say about Carlton Cole's situation for the time being, lets just see what happens on that front? So who else might be in the frame to join? I am sure that there are a number of formerly highly regarded strikers, well past their best, on EUFA's free agents list. However, there is another interesting possibility being discussed on the Hammers blogosphere. Apparently, 27 year old Romanian international Ciprian Marica is still looking for a club and could provide a possible solution.The former Shaktar Dontesk, Stuttgart and Schalke striker is 6ft 1in and can play as a target man, a second striker and even out wide. And that is a versatility that may appeal to Sam Allardyce. In terms of goal scoring prowess, he is not prolific. Marica has to date scored 68 goals in 330 league and cup appearances, an approximate 1 in 5 ratio. However, his strike rate improves at international level, where he has scored 21 goals in 61 appearances for Romania, roughly a 1 in 3 strike ratio.

Marica's contract expired at Schalke last July. He is a former team mate of Razvan Rat at Shaktar and a current colleague in the Romanian international squad. Perhaps that link might be instrumental in brokering a deal? In the summer. the player was linked with a move to Arsenal and there has been prior interest in him by such European big hitters as Lazio, Inter-Milan and Marsailles. He could do a job deputising for Andy Carroll, in terms of leading the attack, but he does not appear to be the type of prolific goal scorer that we need. Still, he may be worth a contract, if his personal terms are acceptable. And at this juncture, he is probably one of the better centre forward free agent options one there.

There are other reports this morning that West Ham are also interested in signing another free agent, ex-Chelsea defender Khalid Boulahrouz. The 31 year old defender has recently been released by Sporting Lisbon and is allegedly known by the somewhat disturbing nick name of 'Khalid the Cannibal!' He was signed by Jose Mourinho in 2006 for Chelsea but struggled to convince, failing to dislodge their favoured centre back pairing of Terry and Carvalho. It does raise the issue of whether he would fare any better with us? With Reid, Collins, Tomkins and Chambers in the squad do we even really need him? Perhaps Sam Allardyce wants extra defensive cover in the aftermath of Diarra's injury? Whatever the case, he is likely to come in as cover and it begs the question whether the deal is justified in terms of the best use of allegedly limited resources?

So, we finished our transfer dealings early did we? If that is true, why is the club now seemingly looking for possible striking options in the bargain bins of European football? Because they need to, because they know that our strike force is much the same as last season and that it previously fell short of expectations, especially in away games. It needed upgrading with the addition of a good quality finisher and we ultimately failed to do that. A fit and in-form Andy Carroll can change things if he avoids last season's recurring injury absences. But it is a fine line to tread and we need back up options. The club need to find an option(s) that will suffice until January, when hopefully things can be put it right.

The club should do itself a real favour and allocate the funds to land Jordan Rhodes in January. Although it might prove difficult if he maintains his hitherto prolific strike rate for Blackburn Rovers. We should have signed him from Huddersfield Town and also this summer. Hopefully it will be third time lucky in January? It is amazing that a striker with his goal scoring record has not yet attracted any top tier interest. And it says something about the prospects of home grown talent in the overseas player obsessed Premier League. The Club must also ensure an early clear out of some of the fringe players to facilitate one or two new signings. Who knows, if the club start planning the transfer business now, they might just get it right come January!

SJ. Chandos.

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West Ham to sign Romanian striker
It's a funny old game

In addition to the possible return of Carlton Cole, West Ham could yet make another signing in the attacking department. The club are considering offering a trial, or even an immediate deal, for Romanian forward Ciprian Marica. Marica had been linked to various other clubs throughout the Summer, including Arsenal, however the former Schalke man is still in the hunt for a professional contract. Standing at 6'1", Marica fits the physical mould of Sam Allardyce's preferred forward. He is also more than comfortable playing on the wing or behind the striker, meaning that his versatility would be very attractive to the Hammers. As well as being his fellow countryman, Răzvan Raț, who was recruited by West Ham on a free transfer this Summer, also played with Marica at Shakhtar Donetsk and thus it is thought Raț's influence will be integral to any deal going through. Having plied much of his recent career in Germany with VfB Stuttgart and Schalke 04, Marica has been tested at a good domestic level. He has also amassed 62 caps for the Romanian national side, scoring 21 goals.

Whilst for his club sides he has mainly offered his services on the wing or as a second-striker, Romania have often needed to use Marica as a centre-forward and he has impressed in the role. West Ham would obviously utilise this versatility by using him as an under-study to Andy Carroll as well as an option elsewhere in the front three.

With David Sullivan and David Gold now confined to searching for targets in the free-agent market, it is thought Marica could be one of the only viable options available if the Cole deal falls through completely or even in addition to this. Jack Sullivan, the chairman's son, has recently tweeted that Cole is not fit enough for Premiership football at this current time and that the club are looking at other non-contract players; Marica is the most serious of these targets.

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Nolan: We were surprised Vaz Te asked to leave West Ham, now it's up to him to prove everyone wrong
By MARK BRYANS, PRESS ASSOCIATION
PUBLISHED: 20:09, 4 September 2013 | UPDATED: 20:10, 4 September 2013
Daily Mail

West Ham midfielder Kevin Nolan has backed wantaway forward Ricardo Vaz Te to continue giving his best for the Hammers, despite announcing his desire to leave Upton Park in the transfer window. Vaz Te, 26, made 28 appearances in all competitions last season and scored three goals, but has slowly fallen down the pecking order as manager Sam Allardyce added the likes of Matt Jarvis, Joe Cole and Stewart Downing to his ranks. The Portuguese striker, who scored the winning goal in West Ham's play-off final of 2012 to ensure a return to the Barclays Premier League, issued a statement in the lead up to the close of the transfer window seemingly stating his intention to seek a transfer away from east London. 'Last season I was asked to change positions for the benefit of the team even though I had just scored 24 goals. Despite this, it has been made obvious to myself and my representatives that I am not in the manager's plans,' his statement read. 'In my 10 years as a professional football player I have never submitted a transfer request nor issued a statement. However, I am frustrated at West Ham United Football Club.'

Allardyce said on Friday that he felt Vaz Te may have been the subject of an illegal approach, but claimed he would not hold anything against the former Barnsley man if he ended up staying at West Ham. And his comments have been echoed by captain Nolan, who insisted the whole squad want Vaz Te to reintegrate himself into the Upton Park set-up. 'Obviously we had the Ricardo Vaz Te incident last week but hopefully now he can just knuckle down and fight for his place, and really it's about us making sure he knows he is still wanted here,' he told the club's official website. 'At the end of the day, we're a tight-knit group and we were surprised by it, but that's football and that's life. Hopefully now we can put it all to bed and he can get back amongst the lads because we're all waiting with open arms. We're all looking to put it behind us and for him to show he wants to be a part of this fantastic football club, which I'm sure he does. 'Generally he just wants to play football and hopefully now he'll get the chance. It's up to him to prove everyone wrong.' With Vaz Te staying and moves for a number of attacking options proving unsuccessful, it was a quiet finish to the transfer window for West Ham as Allardyce had moved early to bring in Andy Carroll, Razvan Rat, Downing and Adrian. But their business may not yet be finished as a move for free agent Carlton Cole, who left the club at the end of his contract in June, looks set to be concluded with Nolan hopeful the England international seals a return. 'Everyone loves Coley and I don't think there is a bad word to be said about him,' he said. 'I'm really pleased to see him and everyone has been pleased to hear his banter around the place and see his big cracking smile. We're hoping that can go over the line and he can be part of us again because he will be a great addition to the squad and he can produce what we need him to do.'

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