World Cup Countdown - Andy Carroll
WHUFC.com
Andy Carroll believes England and host nation Brazil will both go well at the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals
02.06.2014
Andy Carroll believes England and host nation Brazil will both go well at the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals. West Ham United's No9 believes Roy Hodgson's squad have a great chance of confounding expectations by making an impact in South America. England face a tough challenge just to get out of Group D, but the striker insists his compatriots have the quality and the form to overcome Italy, Uruguay and Costa Rica and progress to the knockout stages. Having played alongside and against many of England's 23-man squad for club and country, Carroll is excited about their prospects. "We've got a great team and a great bunch of lads," said Carroll, who has nine England caps himself and was named on Hodgson's list of standby players for this summer's tournament. "I think it will be great for England to go out there with so many lads playing so well in the Premier League at the minute , so I think we can do really well this year."
While he is backing his fellow countrymen to shine in Brazil, Carroll is not looking past the host nation when it comes to picking an overall World Cup winner.
With the likes of Chelsea quartet David Luiz, Oscar, Willian and Ramires, Tottenham Hotspur's Paulinho and Manchester City's Fernandinho joining forces with Barcelona stars Neymar and Dani Alves and Real Madrid's Marcelo, Carroll is tipping the five-times champions to make it six on home turf come 13 July.
"It's going to be tough with the weather and everything so I'm going to have to go for Brazil. Brazil have got a great team and they are the favourites for me.
"They'll have all their fans out there and they know what it's all about, so I can't see anyone else winning it."
England kick-off their 2014 FIFA World Cup challenge when they take on Italy at the Arena Amazonia in Manaus on Saturday 14 June, followed by further Group D fixtures with Uruguay in Sao Paulo on 19 June and Costa Rica in Belo Horizonte on 24 June.
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Season ticket deadline extended
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 2nd June 2014
By: Staff Writer
Have you renewed? If not, it's not too late - the season ticket deadline has been extended until Friday.
There was a a flurry of activity this afternoon with a number of fans rushing to secure their season tickets for the 2014/15 season ahead of this afternoon's 5pm deadline.
Although there were few problems for fans attending the Boleyn Ground in person - with queues reported to be curiously absent - those trying to book via phone were forced to wait up to 20 minutes due to busy lines.
Fortunately the club's online ticket office also fared well with those supporters purchasing via the club's website also reporting no problems.
Although down on last year, early fears of a major drop in sales do not appear to have materialised with the vast majority of supporters - even those who had previously vowed not to - having renewed.
One such supporter was KUMB member Billy Hunt, who wrote: "Despite my head telling me not to my heart won and I've just done it online. A painless process other than watching the money getting sucked out of my account...
"Since my lad was four it's been mine and his day, and that was a bigger factor in doing it again than anything else. He's 16 now."
Despite enjoying a busy day, the club confirmed this afternoon that the deadline was being extended for a further three days, with supporters now able to renew until Friday afternoon.
"Thousands of West Ham United supporters have taken the opportunity to renew their Season Tickets for the 2014/15 season, with a high volume over the weekend and a record high for deadline day leading to the deadline being extended to meet demand," said the club via whufc.com this evening.
Those tickets not previously snapped up by season ticket holders go on general sale next week.
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Teddy tempted by positive atmosphere
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 2nd June 2014
By: Staff Writer
Teddy Sheringham says he was persuaded to return to football after speaking to a number of West Ham's current squad. Sheringham, who is currently undergoing a course to obtain his Uefa B level Coaching License has been out of the game since hanging up his boots in 2008 following a year at Colchester United. And speaking to SSN this afternoon, he revealed that it was the camaraderie at West Ham that persuaded him to accept the offer of part-time attacking coach. "Sam phoned me and offered me the chance to go down and work with the West Ham strikers next year on a part time basis," he said. "I know a few of the players at West Ham and I like the way they speak about what's going on there. They're all quite happy and like the way Sam treats them as people.
"It was important for me to go and work with someone like that in my first job in football, so I snapped up the chance."
Now 48, Sheringham spent three years with West Ham United at the tail end of a long and illustrious career that saw him represent his country at European and World Cups plus win a Champions League medal and the Premier League whilst at Manchester United. Having joined the Hammers on a free transfer in the summer of 2004, Sheringham's goals - 21 from just 36 matches - helped catapult the club back into the Premiership at the second attempt. And despite rapidly approaching 40 the evergreen striker went on to feature for West Ham on 51 further occasions over the course of the next two seasons, scoring nine goals.
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Ex-Hammer lands new club
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 2nd June 2014
By: Staff Writer
Former Academy player Callum McNaughton has joined Welling United on a permanent basis. Now 22, McNaughton spent six years under Tony Carr's wing at Chadwell Heath during which he made just one appearance for the first team - a 2011 Carling Cup defeat to Aldershot, in which he was sent off just two minutes into the second half. The Harlow-born defender left West Ham in January 2012 to join AFC Wimbledon, for whom he made 19 appearances before moving to Kingstonian little more than a year later. 6'4" McNaughton remained at Kingstonian for the remainder of the 2012/13 season before being snapped up on a free transfer by Skrill South outfit Bishop's Stortford with whom he spent the entirety of last season before moving to Welling.
Wings manager Jamie Day told wellingunited.com: "Callum is a die-hard central defender who puts his body on the line but he can also play and pass as well. He knows this level and what is expected of him. "We watched him for a fair chunk of last season so we know all about him. We see him as a key defender this season. He is still young so I'm delighted that we've got him and can help him develop during the coming season."
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Jelle on a plate?
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 2nd June 2014
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce is considering making a bid for 5'11" Belgian striker Jelle Vossen, according to the Mail.
* The 14-times capped international currently plies his trade with Genk and hit 19 goals for his club in the 2013/14 season. Rated at circa €9million earlier in the year, West Ham would be willing to pay around £5million for the 25-year-old, who has not been included in Belgium's World Cup squad.
* West Ham transfer target Cheikhou Kouyate is reported to have received a concrete offer from Spanish club Valencia. The 24-year-old Senegalese defender, an international team mate of Mo Diame was the subject of a €9million bid from the Primera Liga outfit over the weekend.
Tedir Bekir, Kouyate's agent told Belgian newspaper Het Nieuwsblad over the weekend that he expects further bids for his client. "Currently there is nothing concrete beyond Valencia's offer," he said. "West Ham could bid, but so far nothing has happened." Red Bull Salzburg are also reported to have expressed an interest in signing Kouyate, who has previously expressed an interest in moving to the Premier League.
* As a potential replacement for Kouyate, Anderlecht are reportedly lining up a move for Polish international Grzegorz Krychowiak - another player West Ham have been keeping tabs on. The 24-year-old defensive midfielder, who currently features for Ligue 1 outfit Stade Reims is available for around €7million.
* Sunderland defender Jack Colback is out of contract this summer and still in with a chance of sealing a move to West Ham. The Sunderland Echo claimed at the weekend West Ham had offered the central midfielder £50,000 to move to London but Colbeck, 24, is thought to prefer to remain in the North East.
* Hammers transfer target Gareth Barry is being courted by newly-promoted Leicester City, say The Sun. The veteran former England international, who was released by Manchester City at the end of last season includes West Ham as one of a number of potential suitors keen to land him on a free transfer this summer.
* The guesswork over Ravel Morrison's situation continues unabated with the Mail suggesting at the weekend that the 21-year-old is keen to quit West Ham this summer in order to land a big-money move. Despite failing to emerge from the bench during Rangers' recent play-off final win, the midfielder is said to be keen to leave the club before the start of next season. QPR are unlikely to be in contention.
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On this day - 3 June
WHUFC.com
Avram Grant was appointed as West Ham United manager on this date in 2010
03.06.2014
Anniversary
Avram Grant
Born: 6 February 1955, Petah Tikva, Israel
Clubs/nations managed: Hapoel Petah Tikva, Maccabi Tel Aviv, Hapoel Haifa, Maccabi Tel Aviv, Maccabi Haifa, Israel, Chelsea, Portsmouth, West Ham United, Partizan Belgrade
Avram Grant was appointed as West Ham United manager on a four-year contract on 3 June 2010, becoming the second non-British man to take charge at the Boleyn Ground after Italian predecessor Gianfranco Zola. The former Israel boss had enjoyed success at his two previous English clubs, leading Chelsea to the UEFA Champions League final and a second-place Premier League finish in 2008 before taking Portsmouth to the 2010 FA Cup final, where they were narrowly beaten by the Blues. Grant's reign in east London was less successful as West Ham lost their opening four Premier League matches and climbed out of the relegation zone for just three weeks during the entire 2010/11 season. The Hammers were relegated at the end of the campaign, having won just seven of their 38 league matches, with Grant departing following the 3-2 defeat at Wigan Athletic that confirmed the demotion on 15 May 2011.
Complete record - 3 June
1940 West Ham United 1-2 Millwall (War League South C Division)
Played 1, Won 0, Drawn 0, Lost 1, Scored 1, Conceded 2
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Family affair for Reid
WHUFC.com
West Ham United defender Winston Reid is looking to put on a show for his friends and family on home turf
02.06.2014
Winston Reid will be looking to put on a show for his family and friends when West Ham United travel to New Zealand in July. The Hammers defender was born and brought up in the Auckland suburb of North Shore until the age of eight, when he moved to Denmark. While he has spent the majority of his life away from home, Reid has retained strong ties with New Zealand, returning regularly and being appointed national team captain in 2013. This summer, the No2 will enjoy the new and welcome experience of representing his Club on home turf, with dozens of his friends and family members expected to attend the Football United Tour fixtures against Wellington Phoenix and Sydney FC. "It's going to be nice for me personally to go back," Reid confirmed. "The majority of my family live there and it's where I'm from. It'll be nice for the boys too, to experience a different part of the world. "I only normally get the opportunity to play in front of my friends and family for the national team and now I get to do it with my Club as well, so it's going to be enjoyable for me."
Reid, who played junior football for Milford School and Takapuna AFC in his childhood, is excited about the opportunity to return home. Supporters from across Australasia are also relishing the chance to catch the Hammers in action, with capacity crowds expected for the fixtures with the Phoenix at Eden Park on 23 July and Sydney FC at Westpac Stadium on 26 July. The centre-back praised the Phoenix for enticing West Ham and Newcastle United to become the first English top-flight clubs to visit New Zealand in 29 years. "I've known about the trip for a while," he revealed. "There were a couple of representatives from the Phoenix here [in London] recently and I had a meeting with them where they talked about the interest in bringing the Club down." "I thought it sounded exciting and fair play to them, they've done a lot to make it happen and I think the guys are looking forward to it." Reid and his West Ham team-mates are used to spending their pre-season camps training in hot and sweaty conditions, but conditions in New Zealand are set to be a much cooler. Average July temperatures in Auckland and Wellington are just 11C (52F) and 10C (49F) respectively, meaning the Hammers are more likely to putting on tracksuits than sun cream! However, Reid is remaining optimistic about the weather conditions that await him and his colleagues during what is, first and foremost, a week aimed at getting them fit and sharp ahead of the 2014/15 Barclays Premier League campaign. "Hopefully the weather will be alright in July!" he continued. "I know it will be winter down there, but Auckland is a beautiful city and all the people in New Zealand are very friendly, so I think it'll be ten days of enjoyment, while obviously we'll be working hard in our pre-season. "We're going down there for hard work."
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Wilfried Bony transfer will cost Arsenal, Newcastle or West Ham £19m warn Swansea
Jun 02, 2014 22:30 By Darren Lewis
The Mirror
Arsenal, Newcastle and West Ham have been told they will have to cough up £19million if they want Swansea striker Wilfried Bony. The fee is the buyout clause for the 25-year-old, who has had a stunning first season in the Premier League – smashing 25 goals in all competitions and earning a place in the Ivory Coast's World Cup squad. The former Vitesse marksman – who cost the Swans £12m last summer – is understood to be pushing for a transfer to a bigger club.
And the Welsh side have signed FC Twente frontman Luc Castaignos as a replacement. Castaignos, 21, is a Holland Under-21 international who scored 14 goals in 31 games in the Dutch League last season before moving to the Liberty Stadium.
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Sam Allardyce, Jose Mourinho announce star-studded teams for Soccer Aid
By Danielle Joynson, Staff Reporter
Filed: Tuesday, June 3, 2014 at 00:01 UK
Sam Allardyce and Jose Mourinho will coach teams including ex-footballers, singers, actors and comedians when they take to Old Trafford for Soccer Aid this Sunday. The annual event, which will benefit charity UNICEF, will be spearheaded by Take That star Robbie Williams, who will act as assistant manager to Allardyce. While the West Ham United manager will coach an England side, Chelsea boss Mourinho will oversee the Rest of the World team. Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has been included in the England squad, alongside comedians Jack Whitehall and John Bishop, as well as singer Olly Murs. For the opponents, A-list actor Michael Sheen will captain the side, while celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, former striker Andriy Shevchenko and Glee star Mark Salling will also feature.
England squad: Stephen Moyer, Jack Whitehall, Dominic Cooper, Marvin Humes, Mark Owen, Paddy McGuinness, Olly Murs, Ben Shephard, Jonathan Wilkes, Jamie Theakston, John Bishop, Danny Jones, Jamie Redknapp, Jamie Carragher, Teddy Sheringham, David Seaman, Des Walker, Matt Le Tissier
Rest of the World squad: Michael Sheen, Jeremy Renner, Sam Worthington, Gordon Ramsay, James McAvoy, Mark Salling, Adam Richman, Nicky Byrne, Patrick Kielty, Santiago Cabrera, Kevin Bridges, Martin Compston, Edgar Davids, Edwin van der Sar, Clarence Seedorf, Jaap Stam, Andriy Shevchenko, Alessandro del Piero
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Cheikhou Kouyate keeps West Ham waiting as Anderlecht defender mulls over future
By SIMON JONES
PUBLISHED: 22:43, 2 June 2014 | UPDATED: 01:35, 3 June 2014
Daily Mail
West Ham are waiting on Cheikhou Kouyate to decide his future after making a bid for the Anderlecht defender. Valencia are the main competition as they have matched the offer and look set to bring in some big names over the summer. The 24-year-old Senegal international joined Anderlecht in 2008 on a free transfer and was a key figure for the Belgian club last season, making six Champions League starts. Kouyate was part of the Senegal squad at the London 2012 Olympics and helped them reach the quarter-finals, in which they lost 4-2 to Mexico after extra time.
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Ravel Morrison must focus on football or he'll waste his talent, warns Harry Redknapp
Monday 2 Jun 2014 10:00 pm
Metro.co.uk
Ravel Morrison must focus fully on football or risk wasting his talent, Harry Redknapp warns. The West Ham midfielder was talked of as a possible World Cup star after a brilliant solo goal against Spurs before Christmas but was loaned to Redknapp's QPR after falling out of favour with Sam Allardyce and ended the season kicking his heels on the Loftus Road bench. The 21-year-old has been linked with a return to QPR next season but, while rising stars such as Raheem Sterling and Ross Barkley made the plane to Brazil, Redknapp says Morrison must change his ways if he's to join them in the England set-up. 'I think Ravel has got all the ability to play for England, it's just a case of putting it altogether for him,' he said. 'He's got to find a way of putting his game together and he's got to make sure he focuses completely, 100 per cent on his football for the next ten years and if he does that the future is fantastic for him. If he doesn't, it's going to be a waste of talent.'
Morrison was involved in a number of incidents off the field while a trainee at Manchester United but Redknapp denied the midfielder is a troublemaker. 'He's a smashing boy, he's not a bad lad in any way shape or form, he's a really lovely boy,' added the Rangers boss. 'He's an amazing talent so it'll be a waste if he doesn't really produce what he's capable of producing on a more regular basis. If he does that there won't be many more talented. 'I watched the Brazilian U20s win the Toulon tournament and everyone was raving about them but there was nothing any of them could do that Ravel Morrison can't do.'
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