Daily WHUFC News - 4th June 2014

Parkes on road to recovery
WHUFC.com
West Ham United legend Phil Parkes has undergone successful surgery for
bowel cancer
03.06.2014

West Ham United legend Phil Parkes will make a welcome return to action this
weekend following successful surgery for bowel cancer. The great goalkeeper
was diagnosed with Dukes' A stage bowel cancer - the least developed stage
where the cancer has not penetrated the bowel wall - and went into hospital
for a procedure to remove the growth in May. Thankfully, the surgery went
well and Parkes was able to return home to begin his recuperation just a few
days later.
Showing determination typical of the man who won the FA Cup in 1980 and made
440 appearances for the Hammers, Parkes revealed that he intends to play his
part in a Former Player Stadium Tour of the Boleyn Ground this coming
weekend. "I had the operation two weeks ago and have been home since the
Saturday of the Champions League final," the popular Parkes confirmed. "I
got the news through a from the surgeon last week that everything was good
as it hadn't gone through the bowel wall and it hadn't spread anywhere, so I
haven't got to have chemotherapy. "I've just got to have a reversal
operation in July, and then it's just a case of resting, recuperating and
getting my strength, so it's all good news, really."

"There was always that nagging doubt when I heard that word 'cancer'. It was
as good as news as I could have got. It's getting better each day, so I've
just got to have this operation next month and get myself reconnected back
up and then it's a case of getting back to normal life."

Having spent the past ten days recovering at home, the 63-year-old is
feeling understandably upbeat about the future. On Saturday and Sunday, he
will be alongside 1975 FA Cup hero and close friend Alan Taylor in welcoming
guests to the Boleyn Ground for what promises to be an emotional and
memorable Former Player Stadium Tour. "It's actually not as uncomfortable as
I thought it would be. I have been very surprised at how little pain I've
actually gone through. To go through the operation I have had, I have been
very lucky pain-wise. "It's just a matter of getting some strength. I'm down
to do some Former Player Tours at the Boleyn Ground on Saturday and Sunday
and I'm pretty confident that I'm going to be fine. "I'm not going to do the
whole full Tour, but I'm going to do a little bit. It will be myself and
Alan Taylor, but I'll just do the meet and greet, let Alan go up and down
the stairs, then I'll come back for the question and answer bit."

Those fans who join Parkes and Taylor for this weekend's tours are sure to
offer words of support to the big goalkeeper, following the hundreds who
have sent their own messages to the big man through social media, online
forums and telephone calls. The popular Carlsberg Legends Lounge host has
been moved by the sheer number of well-wishers who have got in touch with
him in recent weeks. "The support I have had has been absolutely amazing,"
he said. "The Moose from talkSPORT said there was a lot of love out there
for me and that has really shown in the messages I have received. "I would
like to thank everybody for the messages that I've had. It's great to know
and a very warming thought to know that I am still thought of that way by
the fans, and it has helped me through the tough times. "I've had loads of
people ringing me up, including [former England goalkeeper] Ray Clemence,
who has not been too well himself, so to have him ring me up was very
humbling."

Parkes put his successful surgery down to not hesitating when he became
aware of the symptoms of his cancer. While many men may be reticent to visit
a doctor for symptoms such as bleeding from the backside, pain in the
abdomen or a change in normal bowel habits, Parkes said there was no need to
be embarrassed about a situation that could ultimately be the difference
between life and death. "I've gone through this myself now and I said to one
of my old team-mates about the procedure of having an edoscopy where they
put a camera up your backside and he said 'I could never do that!', then I
said 'You'd be surprised what you do when you are told you might have cancer
or a tumour, because you'll do whatever it takes'. "I want to get the
message across 'Don't worry about it or be embarrassed' because it is very,
very important and can be a matter of life or death. "The thing is that I
was very lucky because I caught it very early - they categorise it Dukes' A,
B or C and A is the very early stage where they catch only ten per cent of
cancers, and mine was in that because I went there early enough after
spotting the symptoms. "It's so, so important that you have just got to be
checked. I can't make enough of a message to get across to people."

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World Cup Countdown - Guy Demel
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's two-time FIFA World Cup finalist Guy Demel offers his
thoughts on Brazil 2014
03.06.2014

West Ham United defender Guy Demel will be an interested observer when the
FIFA World Cup kicks off in Brazil later this month. The defender
represented Ivory Coast at the last two World Cups, but will have a watching
brief on this occasion as Les Elephants aim to go one better than last time.
On that occasion they were dumped out at the group stage, but facing Greece,
Colombia and Japan this summer, Demel believes they have a great chance of
making a real mark. He said: "The draw wasn't that bad for Ivory Coast this
time, so hopefully they will do better than in the previous World Cup, even
though we went out with four points. "It would be nice to see them get out
of the group phase and after that everything is open. I'm really happy for
my country and my teammates. To be at three World Cups in a row is something
huge. "We all know that Yaya Toure and Didier Drogba are top players. A lot
of the team have played or play in the Premier League - Kolo Toure, Soloman
Kalou. "There is a midfield player at Basel too, Serey Die, who is going to
be the main player for me - the player to watch."

Demel's own World Cup experiences saw him come up against some of the best
players on the planet and that is something he will always cherish. He
added: "Playing at the World Cup was huge - it's the biggest event in the
world, so being a part of that is something you can't really describe. "I
had the chance to play against people like Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi. Of
course, as a footballer, it's the best place you can be at." As for this
year's winners, Demel thinks the European teams could prove hard to beat.
"There are a few teams who can win it, Spain still, Germany, Italy. England,
who knows?"

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Redknapp's Ravel warning
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 3rd June 2014
By: Staff Writer

Queens Park Rangers boss Harry Redknapp has warned West Ham United's Ravel
Morrison that he risks wasting his career. Redknapp, who led his side to an
instant return to the Premier League via the play offs last month described
the Hammers youngster as an 'amazing talent' - but warned that without the
right application and focus, he risks missing out on a potentially wonderful
career. "He's got to find a way of putting his game together and he's got to
make sure he focuses 100 per cent on his football for the next ten years,"
said Redknapp, speaking at the launch of a new website. "I think Ravel has
got all the ability to play for England, it's just a case of putting it
altogether. If he does that, the future is fantastic for him. If he doesn't,
it's going to be a waste of talent. "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." Morrison
made 17 appearances for Rangers during his 83-day loan spell, scoring six
goals, but was crucially omitted from the play-off final team and failed to
emerge from the bench.

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£19million Bony a target?
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 3rd June 2014
By: Staff Writer

West Ham are being linked with a move for Wilfried Bony in today's transfer
news - despite Swansea having warned potential suitors the 25-year-old
striker will cost £19million.

West Ham, who passed up the offer to sign Bony last summer are just one of
several clubs linked with the Ivory Coast international by the Mirror.
Arsenal and Newcastle are also reported to have made enquiries into the
player's availability after he informed Swansea that he wanted to move to a
bigger club.

* Sunderland midfielder Sebastian Larsson has signed a new deal with the
Black Cats, keeping him tied to Wearside until 2017. Previously linked with
a move to West Ham this summer, the Swedish international ended rumours of a
possible switch by agreeing a new three-year contract. "I feel that this is
a club moving in the right direction and I want to be part of it", he told
the club's website.

* Valencia have withdrawn from the race to sign Anderlecht defender Cheikhou
Kouyate, according to rumours on Twitter this morning. The Primera Liga side
were thought to be West Ham's only serious competition for the 24-year-old
Senegal international.

* Arsenal have expressed an interest in signing West Ham's Academy star
Reece Oxford. The 15-year-old central defender, an England Under 16
international who already stands 6'3" tall is due to sign his first
professional contract next year. According to the Mail, the Gunners are
hoping to lure the youngster across London this summer.

* Former Hammer Frank Lampard Jnr is on the move after Chelsea confirmed
that he would not be offered a new contract this summer. Lampard, who has
been at Stamford Bridge since 2001 when he signed from West Ham in a
£12million deal has made 648 appearances for the Blues, a record beaten only
by Ron Harris and Peter Bonetti. Now 35, Lamapard has vowed not to make a
decision on his future until after the World Cup Finals.

* Another one to cross off the list of potential signings is Jordan Mutch,
who has agreed to join Sunderland. The 22-year-old former Cardiff forward
will join the Black Cats after the two clubs agreed a £1.5million deal. West
Ham remain interested in Mutch's new team mate Jack Colback.

* Guy Demel is being linked with a return to SV Hamburg. The 32-year-old
full back represented the Bundesliga club for six years between 2005 and
2011 and recently announced on Twitter that he would be happy to return to a
club for whom he retains fond memories. West Ham have already lost full
backs George McCartney (released) and Pablo Armero (end of loan) this last
month.

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WHAT SHOULD BE THE LIMIT TO WEST HAM'S AMBITION?
By Iain Dale 3 Jun 2014 at 18:02
West Ham Till I Die
Guest Post by Jack Webb

What are West Ham's aspirations? In the last decade or so the strength in
depth in English the Premier League has tremendously increased. Though I
concede that we are now part of the strongest league in the world, I believe
the old 'big four' has been transformed into a new big seven. The big seven
that I am referring to, Arsenal, Chelsea, Everton, Liverpool, Manchester
City, Manchester United and Tottenham, have made up 7 of the top 8 for the
past six seasons. During those years, Fulham, Villa and Newcastle are the
only teams to finish in the top 7 other than this 'big 7' (all managing
once).

In the coming season, it is hard to imagine any team upsetting this trend.
The point I am trying to make here is with a higher number of big teams, it
is going to be very hard for smaller clubs to achieve a high placed finish.
Are we destined to sit between mid-table and relegation until we get bought
by an Arab Sheik or a Russian oil tycoon? The only team in the last decade
or so to be a consistent top 8 team outside this new 'big 7' are Bolton,
coincidentally under Sam Allardyce.

I'm not trying to say we should stick with Allardyce forever because he'll
keep us in the premier league, ideally I'd like to see better football
played but understand in the foreseeable future no manager we can bring in
will achieve particular success in the league. Very few teams that break
into the top 10 manage to fend off a relegation/relegation threatened season
within a few years.

This leads me onto our best approach for success in the next few years. I
wonder whether West Ham fans would agree that as long as we can guarantee
premier league stability, a Capital One or FA Cup final is surely all we can
achieve in terms of real success. It's been far too long since we won a
major trophy and I want to see a manager who will target a cup run. I'm not
sure if this is a very pessimistic opinion of the modern day Premier League
or if fellow West Ham fans will agree that it is hard to see us, or any club
of a similar size, able to make the transition into a European team.

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HAMMERS LEGEND CALLS FOR LIFE BANS
By Sean Whetstone 3 Jun 2014 at 12:48
West Ham Till I Die

West Ham and England's World Cup Legend Geoff Hurst says that match fixing
must carry a lifetime ban for players involved as he debated football's most
pressing issues with Osvaldo Ardiles, Ricardo Villa, and Alan Smith at the
Hay Festival organised by the Daily Telegraph.

Sir Geoff said:

"I do believe the punishment should be a life ban,You see other sports where
they take drugs and they get three or four years. I think if you are caught
fixing a sporting event. Then there is no messing, out, you're finished. Get
lost and get another job. I don't think you should give them a ban for two
or three years."
His comments came days after last Wednesday's Scotland's friendly against
Nigeria in London which is being investigated by police after claims that
attempts have been made to fix the match. Nigeria goalkeeper Austin Ejide
scored a truly unbelievable own goal during the friendly match with Scotland
at Fulham's Craven Cottage. The goalkeeper came to catch a ball into the
box, but despite seemingly having been able to grab it easily, he appeared
to throw the ball into his own net.The strike was eventually ruled out for a
slight foul on Ejide.

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West Ham United – Transfer update
Early days it still is, we thought we would update you with the latest
transfer rumours and gossip surrounding West Ham United.
Claret & Hugh

I suppose we should start with the story that The Guardian ran this morning,
suggesting that Allardyce was considering a swoop for Emile Heskey. Few fans
took this seriously and most laughed it off and lazy journalism. Thankfully
the rumour was quashed by young Jack Sullivan via his much criticised
Twitter account.

With Fulham parting ways with Brede Hangeland tonight, it was inevitable
that we would be linked with the big American born Norwegian defender and
the ITK's didn't let us down.

Apart from the possible likely arrival of Cheikhou Kouyate for advanced
talks later in the week, there really isn't much more to say, other than
that it seems Sam has pulled out of the running to sign M'Baye Niang.

Having scoured various news feeds and twitter accounts, this seems to be the
only worthwhile transfer gossip worth repeating.

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West Ham pull out of move to sign AC Milan youngster M'Baye Niang
Daily Mail
By PAUL COLLINS
PUBLISHED: 22:39, 3 June 2014 | UPDATED: 22:39, 3 June 2014

West Ham have pulled out of a loan deal for 19-year-old AC Milan striker
M'Baye Niang. The striker was chased by Everton, Tottenham and Arsenal 18
months ago while at Caen. The France Under 21 international became the San
Siro club's second youngest scorer in history, but a dip in form and Milan's
disastrous season saw him shipped off to Montpellier on loan in January. He
returned at the end of this season having been in trouble and handed a
suspended jail term for his involvement in a hit-and-run accident earlier in
the year. Niang is available for a fee of around £4million.

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Hammers locked in defender talks
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on June 3, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & HUGH

West Ham are tonight locked into talks with Anderlecht to make Cheikhou
Kouyaté their big summer signing. Having been given permission to talk to
thCheikhou Kouyatee player, the club's negotiators have all but agreed a
deal with the central defender who is desperately keen to sign up at the
Boleyn.
However, the Hammers have to agree a fee with the Belgian club and at the
moment the two clubs are struggling to agree the figure. Valencia had
earlier offered around £7.5 million for the 24 year old but Cheikhou wants
to continue his career in the Premier League. ClaretandHugh understands the
Hammers offer may be shy of that but talks are continuing in the hope of
resolving the problem. A source told us a few minutes ago: "The player wants
to come but there seems to be a problem with the fee."

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Ravel Morrison transfer target for Swansea as Monk lines up £5m move for
youngster
Daily Mail
By SAMI MOKBEL
PUBLISHED: 17:29, 3 June 2014 | UPDATED: 17:31, 3 June 2014

Swansea are lining up a £5million offer for West Ham midfielder Ravel
Morrison. Morrison, who has just 12 months left on his deal at Upton Park,
is set to leave the east London club this summer. And newly-appointed Swans
boss Garry Monk has identified the England Under 21 international as a
potential summer signing. Morrison spent the second half of last season on
loan at QPR, helping Harry Redknapp's side to promotion into the Premier
League. Rangers are interested in taking Morrison on a permanent basis, but
Swansea are keen to steal a march on their rivals in the race to sign the
talented midfielder. Morrison was a key player for the Hammers during the
first half of last season, but fell out of favour with Allardyce. There is a
willingness to re-integrate the former Manchester United youngster back into
the first team fold at Upton Park. But the club know they will have to sell
Morrison this summer if he does not extend his deal to avoid losing him for
nothing next summer.

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