Hammers seal Sakho signing
WHUFC.com
Striker Diafra Sakho has joined West Ham United from FC Metz on a four-year
deal
14.08.2014
West Ham United are delighted to announce the signing of striker Diafra
Sakho from FC Metz on a four-year contract for an undisclosed fee. The
24-year-old, who has spent his entire professional career with the French
club, has scored 43 goals in the last two seasons, helping Metz to achieve
back-to-back promotions to Ligue 1. Quick, strong and an outstanding
athlete, Sakho was voted Ligue 2 Player of the Year for 2013/14, when his 20
goals helped Les Grenats - The Maroons - win the title by eleven points.
Upon becoming the Hammers' seventh summer signing, Sakho told West Ham TV:
"This is a proud day to have signed for West Ham, I really love English
football and I've dreamed of coming to play for one of the big English
clubs. Today, West Ham have given me that opportunity and I didn't hesitate
to grab it.
"I'm looking forward to playing. It's more than a month now that I've been
training for this and right now I think I'd be ready to pull on the Club
colours.
"I've come here to continue as I was at Metz. I'm going to give it my all,
going flat out on the pitch and I think the fans will appreciate that."
Born in the suburb of Guediawaye in Senegal's capital Dakar, Sakho grew up
in neighbouring Guinea-Bissau before returning to his homeland in 2003. He
joined local club Medina, where he was scouted and invited to attend the
Generation Foot Academy, which was set up by Metz in 2000 as a means of
developing and providing an education to young footballers in the West
African country. Sakho spent just six months at Generation Foot, which also
produced Newcastle United striker Papiss Cisse, before moving to France at
the age of 17 in 2007, when he started training with Metz. Two-and-a-half
years later, the forward made his first-team debut in a goalless Ligue 2
draw at home to Brest on 19 January 2010. His maiden senior goal arrived
eight months later on 10 September in a 1-1 home draw with Nantes. After
featuring mainly as a substitute in his first three seasons as a
professional and being loaned to Ligue 2 club Boulogne in January 2012,
Sakho made his breakthrough following Metz's relegation to the Championnat
National - Division Three - in May of the same year.
Handed a regular starting place by new manager Albert Cartier, the African
smashed in 19 goals in 33 league appearances to fire Metz to second place
and promotion back to Ligue 2 at the first attempt. Last season, Sakho
continued his rise to prominence by banging in 20 goals in 36 appearances as
Metz romped to the Ligue 2 title. The striker's outstanding form saw him
handed a senior international debut by Senegal in a friendly meeting with
Burkina Faso on 21 May 2014. Four days later, he netted his first goal for
his country in a 3-1 win over Kosovo.
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Big Sam on: Tottenham Hotspur
WHUFC.com
The manager held his pre-Tottenham Hotspur press conference on Thursday
morning.
14.08.2014
West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce faced the media for his first
pre-match press conference of the 2014/15 campaign on Thursday morning.
The gaffer outlined his plans for Saturday's Barclays Premier League season
opener against Tottenham Hotspur, as well as providing an update on transfer
business.
Good morning Sam. Can we start with a squad check? Has anyone picked up any
knocks in the last week or so?
SA: "We do have one or two knocks but I don't think they're serious enough
to exclude anybody from the possibility of being in the starting line-up on
Saturday. We're still waiting for Enner Valencia because he's in the
pre-season situation at the moment, having not played any games. But that's
a situation that's developing quite nicely now. "Of the rest, Matt Jarvis is
not going to make it and Andy Carroll of course. Everyone else is going to
be ok and hopefully we don't get any injuries in the next couple of days
because obviously it's a big plus to have as many players available on
Saturday as we possibly can."
It's a great game to start with. Having beaten them three times last season
and it being a local derby, what would it do to the players' confidence to
start with a win?
SA: "Every game is important, whether it's the first or the last, and
ironically we're playing one of our biggest rivals to start with, which was
our last home game of last season too. If it goes as well as the last one
did I'll be very, very happy on Saturday. It's a new season, they have a new
manager. He'll assess the players he's got, he's brought some new players
in, we've got some new players in, so it's a completely different scenario.
"It was fantastic for us to beat our old rivals three times last year, but
they are a top side and we'll have to hit the ground running. We'll have to
hit top form from the first minute to the last on Saturday. It's a very
exciting fixture for the players, the fans and everybody else surrounding
West Ham. A big local derby to start the season off and hopefully we can
reproduce the performance that we did for the last game at home last year."
Have you been pleased with the transfer business you've done so far? Was
there a need to boost up the squad this summer?
SA: "Yes I think so. Overall we've gone out and shopped very wisely. From my
point of view, it's about the age of the players as well as the talent of
the players. Of the signings, the average age comes out at about 23 years of
age. That's good for now and good for the future as it means they should be
at West Ham for a long time, not just a short-term stopover as you mainly
have to do for the first season or two in the Premier League.
"We've moved on now to not only improve the squad for now, but for a number
of years to come. They'll only get better with us. We are still waiting for
another frontline player to score a few goals - that's been very difficult
to acquire, but we're still pursuing that avenue as quickly as we possibly
can.
Are you optimistic about getting something done over the next couple of
weeks, even if it's not done before the weekend?
SA: "Yes I think so. We'll definitely get something done, but the quality of
the player is the most important thing for me because the quality of that
player must come in and be available to be used immediately, or certainly in
the near future. It maybe that there's a little settling it period because
it's looking more like that player's going to come in from abroad. "We're
still searching high and wide, but hopefully the squad we've got at the
moment will reproduce the sort of football we played against Sampdoria. We
were excellent last week, produced 21 shots at goal, scored three, and had a
nice blend of Academy players with the [senior] professionals. They've
experienced a huge amount over pre-season and one or two came on last week
and proved they might be a vital member of the squad this year, the likes of
Danny Potts, Elliot Lee and young Reece Burke. They've made a big impression
and hopefully more than one of those will emerge this season."
Can you bring us up to speed on Diafra Sakho, and also Matt Jarvis - he's
been linked with West Brom.
SA: "Matt Jarvis will not be leaving us. Sakho is an ongoing situation which
is being handled by the Chairmen at the moment. I don't quite know what the
end result will be, but certainly by the end of today or tomorrow I'll know.
How would you define success this season?
SA: "I'd say tenth or better. We have to aim for at least that position, and
if we score a few more goals than last season, that's feasible for us. If we
can do the same as last season from a defensive point of view, 50 goals
would be enough for us to take us into the top ten or better.
What's your assessment of the way pre-season has gone?
SA: "Apart from the injuries, which were too many and particularly to Andy,
the pre-season [has been okay]. Since we've come back from New Zealand the
squad has got fitter, the squad has got better. People have been concerned,
more than me, about results. I don't think that's a key element of
pre-season, the key element is to try and get the players 100 percent fit
and ready for Tottenham.
"Pre-season is fine, but at the end of the day everybody always keeps a
little bit back in pre-season games for what's going to happen on Saturday.
That game will come around, it'll be hot no doubt, it'll be frantic,
particularly in the first 35 to 40 minutes, and we need to keep a calm, cool
head to be tactically and technically aware of who we're playing against.
Individuals will then have to produce something for us on the day to help us
win the game. That's what we're looking for."
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Date set for Blades tie
WHUFC.com
Advance adult tickets for the Capital One Cup tie are priced at just £10
14.08.2014
Adults can watch West Ham United's Capital One Cup second round tie with
Sheffield United for just £10 when they buy their tickets in advance. The
Hammers will take on the Blades at the Boleyn Ground on Tuesday 26 August
with a 7.45pm kick-off as the pair meet for the first time since the 2006/07
campaign.
Tickets purchased in advance of matchday will be priced at £10 for adults,
under-21s and over 65s, and just £5 for under-16s. Matchday prices will rise
by £5 in all categories. Season Ticket Holders can purchase their tickets
from 9am on Friday 15 August, Academy Members from Tuesday 19 August and
General Sale will commence on Wednesday 20 August. Please note that
Sheffield United are planning to take the maximum allocation available, this
will result in all Season Ticket Holders who normally occupy the Sir Trevor
Brooking Stand Lower Tier relocating to alternative home sections. Any
Season Ticket Holder affected by this and also on the Automatic Cup Scheme
will need to contact the club to complete their booking.
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Zarate ready for derby duel
WHUFC.com
Mauro Zarate would love to make his Hammers debut in a London derby against
Tottenham
13.08.2014
Mauro Zarate is fired up for his first taste of a London derby when West Ham
United take on Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday. The summer arrival from Velez
Sarsfield already has experience of English atmospheres from his spell with
Birmingham City in 2008, but is looking forward to it stepping up a notch at
the Boleyn Ground on Saturday. Tottenham appointed Zarate's countryman
Mauricio Pochettino as manager this summer and the new Hammers No10 is keen
to make sure his Spurs debut is a miserable one. He explained "It's not an
easy match for us - a derby. We have to win because we're playing at home,
so we have to do our best and win. "Pochettino is a good manager, I don't
know him, but people say he is like Marcelo Bielsa. He attacks always, and
he did very well at Southampton so it's a new chance for him."
Zarate revealed a former Tottenham - and West Ham - frontman used to catch
his eye when watching English football. He added: "For me, Defoe was great
for Spurs, fantastic. He is small, very fast and he showed that you don't
need to be big to play as a striker in England. "Now they have a lot of good
players, another from Argentina in Erik Lamela - he is much better this
year, and has got over his injury."
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West Ham: Boss Sam Allardyce targets top-10 league finish
BBC.co.uk
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce is aiming for a top-10 Premier League finish
this season. The Hammers, who start their 2014-15 campaign at home against
Tottenham on Saturday, finished 13th last season. And Allardyce, who has
brought in a number of new players this summer, including striker Enner
Valencia, feels the Hammers can improve on that. "We're aiming for 10th or
better and we want to score more than last season. That's achievable for
us," he said.
The Hammers started last season with a 2-0 win against Cardiff, but then did
not win again for five matches.
West Ham's recent league finishes
2013-14: 13th in the Premier League (W11 D7 L20)
2012-13: 10th in the Premier League (W12 D10 L16)
2011-12: 3rd in the Championship (W24 D14 L8)
2010-11: 20th in the Premier League (W7 D12 L19)
2009-10: 17th in the Premier League (W8 D11 L19)
Allardyce is hoping a win against London rivals Spurs on Saturday would be
an effective springboard for the season ahead. (West Ham won 2-0 at Upton
Park in May) last season. "The season would lift off with a win first up,"
he added. "Every game is a big one from first to last and ironically we're
playing one of our big rivals first. "If the result is as good as last time
we played them then I'll be very happy. "Saturday will come around, it'll be
frantic and we need to keep a calm and cool head and be tactically and
technically on it." The capture of Ecuador international Valencia is one of
six new signings at Upton Park this summer.
They have also brought in defender Aaron Cresswell from Ipswich, midfielders
Cheikhou Kouyate and Diego Poyet from Anderlecht and Charlton respectively
and forward Mauro Zarate from Velez Sarsfield. Full-back Carl Jenkinson has
also been signed on a season-long loan from Arsenal. "All our signings, the
average age comes out at 23, that is good for now and good for the future.
That means they should be here a long time at West Ham and not just a
short-term stopover like you have to do in your first season or two in the
Premier League just to get you through," said Allardyce. "We have moved on
to not only improve the squad for now but also for a number of years to come
hopefully and they will only get better when they play with us."
The club's co-owner David Sullivan recently told their official website that
they had put in bids for four strikers, one of whom is Connor Wickham,
although Sunderland subsequently rejected the offer.
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West Ham announce £10 tickets for Sheffield clash
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 14th August 2014
By: Staff Writer
West Ham are hoping for a bumper crowd when Sheffield United come to town
for the second round of the Capital One Cup after slashing ticket prices.
In a week when supporters from all over the country marched on the Premier
League's HQ demanding fairer ticket pricing, West Ham have announced that
adults supporters paying in advance will be able to purchase tickets to the
game for just £10 each. And children wishing to attend the game will pay
just £5 each, with all prices rising by a fiver across the board on match
day. Tickets for the game - which will take place at the Boleyn Ground on
Tuesday, 26 August (7.45pm kick off) - will be on sale to season ticket
holders from tomorrow morning (Friday 15 August). Those unsold will then go
on sale to club members from Tuesday (19 August) general sale from next
Wednesday (20 August). Sheffield United have been given the entire lower
tier of the Trevor Brooking stand.
The meeting between the two clubs will be the first time the two Uniteds
have met on the field of play since the 2006/07 season, when Sheffield
United failed to earn enough points to avoid relegation before blaming West
Ham for it. As a result the Blades extorted around £25million from West Ham,
who had already paid a world-record £5million fine for flouting Premier
League rules prior to facing several arbitration panels (from which
Sheffield eventually gained a verdict favourable to themselves).
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Sakho makes seven
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 14th August 2014
By: Staff Writer
Diafra Sakho has completed a move from Metz to West Ham - just 48 hours
after his former club threatened to report his new one. The 24-year-old
forward became West Ham's seventh signing of the summer tonight despite the
deal having appeared to have fallen through earlier in the week when Metz
claimed West Ham wanted to renege on previously-agreed terms. It was
suggested in a club statement issued by the French club that West Ham had
agreed to sign Sakho on a permanent basis before attempting to change the
terms to a season-long loan with view to a transfer next summer. However
both parties were clearly satisfied by the terms today when the deal was
completed, with the Senegal international signing a four-year deal with West
Ham. Speaking to West Ham TV tonight, Sakho said: "This is a proud day to
have signed for West Ham. I really love English football and I've dreamed of
coming to play for one of the big English clubs. "Today, West Ham have
given me that opportunity and I didn't hesitate to grab it. "I'm looking
forward to playing. It's more than a month now that I've been training for
this and right now I think I'd be ready to pull on the club colours. "I've
come here to continue as I was at Metz. I'm going to give it my all, going
flat out on the pitch and I think the fans will appreciate that."
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Metz striker Diafra Sakho arrives for talks with West Ham
Last Updated: 14/08/14 8:14pm
SSN
Metz striker Diafra Sakho has arrived in London for talks over a move to
West Ham, Sky sources understand. The 24-year-old has been targeted by
Hammers boss Sam Allardyce as a replacement for Andy Carroll, whose injury
woes returned this summer, an ankle problem ruling him out for at least the
first two months of the Premier League season. Sakho scored 20 times in the
French Second Division last season and could cost West Ham £4.5m - they were
also linked with recent Newcastle signing Facundo Ferreyra and Stoke's Peter
Crouch. The deal appeared to be dead in the water earlier this week when
Metz threatened West Ham with legal action after he missed their Ligue 1
opener against Lille for talks about a move. They also claimed the Hammers
wanted to change their agreed upon deal from a permanent one to a
season-long loan in the closing stages of their talks over Sakho.
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West Ham sign Metz striker Diafra Sakho on four-year deal
Last Updated: 14/08/14 10:14pm
SSN
West Ham have confirmed the signing of Metz striker Diafra Sakho on a
four-year deal for an undisclosed fee. The Senegal forward scored 20 goals
last season to help his side secure promotion to Ligue 1 and he became a
target for the Hammers when they lost Andy Carroll to the latest in a series
of long-term injuries. Sakho's move to the Premier League seemed in doubt
earlier in the week when Metz claimed West Ham had tried to change the terms
of the deal and bring him to Upton Park on a season-long loan. But fresh
talks on Thursday brought an end to the saga and the 24-year-old was
presented as a Hammers player. He spent a number of seasons playing mainly
off the bench for Metz, and had a loan spell with Boulogne, but he made his
breakthrough in the 2012-13 season in the third tier, scoring 19 goals, and
he continued that progress last season. "This is a proud day to have signed
for West Ham, I really love English football and I've dreamed of coming to
play for one of the big English clubs. Today, West Ham have given me that
opportunity and I didn't hesitate to grab it," Sakho told West Ham's
official website. "I'm looking forward to playing. It's more than a month
now that I've been training for this and right now I think I'd be ready to
pull on the club colours. "I've come here to continue as I was at Metz. I'm
going to give it my all, going flat out on the pitch and I think the fans
will appreciate that."
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WILL WE ALWAYS BE A 'SELLING' CLUB?
By Iain Dale 14 Aug 2014 at 20:30
West Ham Till I Die
Guest Post by Anonymous
Repeat after me "we are a selling club". Hurts doesn't it? But it's the
truth and has been the case with the family silver for at least 30 years
when the likes of TC would be moved on to that European Power
House….Everton. We are perhaps the only supporters who can empathise with
Saints fans right now, after cashing in on our own 'Class of '92' a decade
or so back. Where did that money from those sales go by the way? Someone got
rich that's for sure and although we avoided a Pompey style catastrophe,
like the UK paying of the War Bond decades later, it feels like we've never
recovered.
Sticking with the theme, Rupert Lowe, Saints very own Tel Brown, at least
implemented a top class academy culture before he was moved on. We, on the
other hand, appear to have a huge disconnect between the academy which
routinely excels at junior level and a first team which appears impenetrable
to those very youngsters. So what's missing? Even Man City, a club with an
endless budget, realise the need to nurture youth to supplement the first
team. Managers don't have the luxury of time we're told and to a degree
that's true. But for a club like ours who're not aiming for European
football just yet, surely building a successful production culture a la
Saints and maintaining PL status should be a prerequisite of any manager.
The recent sale of youngster Ben Sheaf to Arsenal for buttons should ring
alarm bells and smacks of our main problem 'short term fixes'. Yes, like
Saints we are a selling club, but whereas their 'joined-up' Youth
development policy delivers essential first team experience and consequently
comparatively huge returns on Bale, Oxe, Walcott, Shaw etc, ours appears
fractured. Players and managers in the past 8-10 years have typically been
STF's. From Avram to Ljunberg, from BFS to…well take your pick. Ultimately
we seem to be staggering like a town drunk, knees buckling occasionally and
using lamp posts for support towards the OS but we will still have a
fractured development culture. BFS was wrong when he questioned the 'West
Ham Way'. Redknapp got it, as did Pardew. We don't expect to win every game
or collect trophies by the dozen but there's a way to win and a way to lose,
and yes Sam, you can lose attractively. That's what we're used to and that's
what we want back.
Managers like Martinez (Swansea, Wigan, Everton) and Rodgers (Swansea,
Liverpool) are showing that if they bring that kind of philosophy to a club,
the supporters will buy into it and they'll get time. The only recent team
to have employed BFS tactics and won regularly are Chelsea with Drogba, but
he was world class and had £200m of talent supporting him….spot the
difference?!
The Davids are doing their best, getting us to the OS before selling us to a
Saudi, Oligarch, Yank to take to the next level. But before then, asp fans,
they could kick start that Longer Term Culture. Perhaps bringing Teddy back
is a start, other clubs (Ajax, Man U etc) are bringing back club legends to
help foster legacy and long term cultures. Why not Dicks, Devonshire, TC,
Alvin or Bonzo…the potential list is huge. As for signings so far I'm not
optimistic, except for Poyet and Cresswell? BFS continues with his outdated
one-up-front mentality which typically says "come and score against us",
which invariably the oppo does. Einstein said that the definition of
Insanity was "doing the same thing over and over again and expecting
different results". Sound familiar? Big Fat Crazy Sam?
Btw, just to get the ball rolling on Long Term Fixes, I'd like to see Eddie
Howe given the reigns with perhaps an experienced coach and the ex players
on the staff…..come on you Irons
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HAVE WE BEEN CAUGHT OUT?
By Iain Dale 14 Aug 2014 at 16:30
West Ham Till I Die
Guest Post by Yann Bomken
I have to say that I am one of those who was bitterly disappointed at
getting up at 3am in the morning to witness the lack of performance in New
Zealand. This disappointment was further exacerbated by the lack of
performances and goals (penalties aside) in Germany.
However, I now have myself thinking 'Have I been caught out?'
The reason for asking this question is the 3-5-2 played in the first half
against Sampdoria. I wasn't at the match, but from all accounts, we played
it quiet well. Yes, I know there are some question marks as to whether we
have all the right players for the system (Ginge especially received some
comments), but it appeared to give us a more attacking edge and a second
system from the 4-3-3 (4-5-1) system.
So when did they practice this and work on the formations? Could it be that
the reason for the poor performances was the concentration on understanding
a different system? Assuming it takes a little time to get used to playing a
new system, it would seem reasonable that since they got back into training,
it has been part of the daily work and probably replaced any time spent on
the existing system.
If this is correct, it would go some way to explaining why we looked off the
mark with the previous friendlies, and would give me much more confidence
than I had a week ago.
So the question is have I been caught out? As it happens, I really hope so!
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THE CHASE FOR WICKHAM IS CURTAILED, AS THE BLADES AWAIT IN THE THE CAPITAL
ONE CUP!
By S J Chandos 14 Aug 2014 at 08:00
West Ham till I Die
It has been reported that West Ham have curtailed their pursuit of
Sunderland centre-forward, Connor Wickham, at least for the time being! This
is as a result of Sunderland rejecting a revised £5m bid for the player. One
might have anticipated that Sunderland would have taken the £5m and cut
their losses on a player entering the final year of his current contract.
However, the Black Cats Manager, Gus Poyet, appears determined that Wickham
will start the campaign at the Stadium of Light. Hence, the insistence upon
an unrealistic £8m asking price. Sunderland now need to offer the improved
terms necessary to convince the player to sign a new contract or they may
well come to regret their rejection of West Ham's bid.
For West Ham's part, it might be a case of the pursuit of Connor Wickham
being curtailed rather than ended! There is always the possibility that
Sunderland might suddenly decide to cash-in before the summer transfer
window closes or in the following January window. Alternatively, if the
Hammers are convinced of his potential, Wickham could become a Bosman target
next summer. In the meantime, they need to re-evaluate their immediate
options and revise their targets accordingly. Will they consider
resusitating the £3.5m deal for Sakho? He certainly seems worth a punt, at
that fee, and you have to respect the fact (if the story is to be believed
about Sakho shedding tears when the deal was derailed on Tuesday?) that he
appears committed, highly motivated and hungry for success. They can be real
positive attributes in a player. Or will the club draw a line under that
abortive deal and shift their focus to alternative targets?
Sam Allardyce has confirmed that the club are looking to sign two forwards
before the window closes. Presumably, that will be an additional centre
forward and an attacking midfielder. With regard to the latter role, there
appears to be two current targets in the frame, Morgan Amalfitano of
Marsaille and Sampdoria's Pedro Obiang. Obiang is a Spanish U-21
international and he can probably be signed for a c.£4m fee or via an
initial season long loan, with the option to buy. Although it has to be said
that at present Sampdoria appear to only be open to a permanent move. While
Morgan Amalfitano is significantly more experienced and can play both wide
and as an attacking central midfielder. That versatility, plus the fact he
is available for a relatively nominal fee, could be the clinching factors.
Indeed, there were reports yesterday that Almalfitano was travelling to
London to undertake a medical and seal the move to Upton Park. We need to
keep a watching brief on that potential deal and, indeed, also the other
link to Obiang.
Elsewhere, it has been confirmed that West Ham will face Sheffield Utd, in
the 2nd round of the Capital One Cup, at Upton Park, in the week commencing
25 August 2014. This is, of course, the first time the two clubs have faced
each other since the 'settlement' of the controversial Tevez issue. It
should be an interesting match, with a bit of added spice! There will no
doubt be a debate about whether the Hammers should take the opportunity to
play some youngsters or pick a full-strength XI in an attempt to extract a
full measure of retribution for that ridiculous £25m compensation package?
My view is that the issue is done, dusted and firmly in the past. It is time
to look to the future and give the likes of Chambers, Potts and Lee valuable
first team exposure. As a PL team, and regardless of selection, we should
always expect to win against a League 1 side. It is immaterial who they
happen to be! Arguably, that is the best and most professional way to
approach the tie. But if we can also notch up a few goals in the process, so
much the better!
SJ. Chandos.
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West Ham playing Connor Wickham transfer 'chicken' with Sunderland over
£8m-rated striker
Aug 14, 2014 20:16 By Darren Lewis
Hammers prepared to wait until the window's final week to see whether the
Black Cats will blink and agree to sell rather than lose the hitman on a
free next year
The Mirror
West Ham are ready to call Sunderland's bluff over Connor Wickham, with the
Black Cats unwilling to budge on their £8million valuation. The east
Londoners are ready to wait until the final week of the transfer window to
test whether the Wearsiders really are willing to risk losing the striker on
a free next summer.
Wickham has just a year left on his contract and has so far refused to
commit himself to the club who bought him from Ipswich for £8m three years
ago.
West Ham, looking for a replacement for the injured Andy Carroll, have
already had a £5m bid turned down for Wickham. The 21-year-old is understood
to be keen on a move down to London, but the Hammers believe Sunderland want
too much for him - given that he scored only five league goals last season.
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Sam's body language appears to have changed
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on August 14, 2014 in Whispers
by Hugh Southon
Claret&Hugh
Maybe it's just my imagination but there seems to have been a definite
change in Sam Allardyce's body language during pre-season. I first noticed
it during the New Zealand tour when despite some shocking performances
against Wellington Phoenix and Sydney FA he flicked barely a muscle in the
dug-out. This is of course very un-Sam like. For we all know him to be an
all-action, all-screaming all-chewing geezer who is on his feet at the drop
of a poor decision or performance. But there was nothing, absolutely nothing
from him as the team put in a couple of seriously shoddy performances. Not
much changed in Germany but I can't speak for the Sampdoria match which
wasn't shown anywhere although ClaretandHugh's reporter at the game didn't
notice a huge amount of dug-out anger or activity. I'd forgotten most of
this until I turned om Sky Sports this morning and saw football's most
notorious love/hate figure discussing West Ham this summer and onwards. It
was like listening to most of the usual cliches by rote…there just didn't
seem much heart in any of it. He spoke of the new signings, the new average
age, the upcoming game this weekend, a possible Sakho deal and the football
world at large. But it wasn't so much what he was saying that interested me
as the way he was saying it – there was a resignation, a going-through-the
motions and his voice inflections changed very little throughout. It simply
didn't sound like the usual Allardyce. There's been a change and whether
this is my imagination, the new fan friendly Sam or a bloke who knows
whatever happens he just can't win, is hard to tell. Sometimes you have to
trust your instincts! Mine are that Mr Allardyce is facing the toughest
season of his managerial life and knows it. The first half a dozen games are
going to be fascinating for I can't ever remember a manager being under this
sort of pressure before a ball is kicked. I just wonder if the strain is
starting to show! Take a look at the interview on Sky Sports and make your
own minds up.
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