Daily WHUFC News - 20th August 2014

Potts looks for quick response
WHUFc.com
Dan Potts wants the Development Squad to bounce back against Southampton on
Friday
19.08.2014

Dan Potts is looking to bounce back from defeat in the Development Squad's
Barclays U21 Premier League opener as swiftly as possible. The young Hammers
have an opportunity to put things right quickly, with Southampton visiting
the Boleyn Ground for a 7pm kick-off on Friday. Potts, who skippered the
side in their 2-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on Monday, says that is just
what they need to get over their disappointment. He explained: "It's always
good to have another game quickly after a defeat and we have one against
Southampton at the Boleyn Ground on Friday. "We'll be going all out to get
the win in that one and hopefully there'll be a good crowd in to watch it.
"It's always nice to play in front of a decent crowd and it's a great
experience to play there because, at the end of the day, that's where we
want to be regularly. "Even the build up to the game, being around the place
and the changing rooms is part of it,"

Despite going down to defeat at Spurs, when goals from Daniel Akindayini and
Cristian Ceballos meant Kieran Bywater's free-kick counted for little, Potts
felt his side could leave with some plus points. He added: "There were
positives to take, although the overriding disappointment is not coming away
with the win we wanted. "It was an even game throughout. We went in at
half-time, discussed what we wanted to do and tried to put the plan into
practice. I thought it worked well off the ball. "We just needed to take a
bit more care when we got the ball and be a bit more clinical in the final
third. The chances were there, but we couldn't get the ball in the back of
the net."

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Vaz Te glad to be back
WHUFc.com
Ricardo Vaz Te is pleased to be back in the fold after an injury plagued
2013/14
19.08.2014

Ricardo Vaz Te was delighted to make his first Barclays Premier League start
on Saturday since dislocating his shoulder last October, but disappointed
his comeback ended in defeat to Tottenham Hotspur. The winger played 68
minutes of the Hammers' season opener, linking up promisingly with Aaron
Cresswell down the left hand side and he is hoping to feature in that
partnership on a more regular basis. He explained: "I've been working with
Aaron in training down the left and we've had the whole pre-season, which
has helped a lot. "I haven't had much chance to play with him, but obviously
I've seen him every day in training. We spoke before the game and made sure
we kept communicating throughout it. "He's a terrific player and that
obviously helps [with linking up] a lot."

Vaz Te was as surprised as anyone to see Mark Noble miss the Hammers' first
half penalty but is sure he and the team will bounce back swiftly. He added:
"We all felt he'd score, because you know Nobes - five out of five he'll
score. For him to miss is very, very rare but it happens in the game.
"Messi, Cristiano [Ronaldo] miss, but we should have reacted anyway. We
created enough chances, but we needed to take them."

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MOTD PUNDIT CRITICISES 'HARD TO WATCH' FOOTBALL!
By S J Chandos 19 Aug 2014 at 20:27
West Ham Till I Die

There were interesting reports in last Sunday's newspapers, quoting TV
pundit Alan Shearer in criticising the style of play/entertainment value of
Newcastle Utd last season. The former Toon and England centre-forward,
apparently condemned last season's fayre as 'hard work' to watch. In fact,
he claimed that it was so boring that he found it hard to give away free
tickets to his pals! Moreover, urging Alan Pardew to turn Newcastle Utd in
the 'great entertainers,' Shearer states:

We had a dreadful back half of the season and it was hard work watching it.
This season I am hoping that we can produce a brand of football that can
excite the fans. I would love it if we were going to be in the top four.
Realistically, it is not going to happen. So, we have to look at other ways
to entertain. I hope we can go out and produce a brand of football that will
excite 50,000 supporters.'

West Ham fans will be bemused by these reported comments, considering the
way in which Mr Shearer, commenting last season on MoTD, dismissed the
concerns of Hammers fans about the poor style of footbal, under Sam
Allardyce, and the way it contravened the club's most cherished traditions.
So, we must ask: why is it ok for Hammers fans to endure 'hard to watch'
football, but not Newcastle Utd supporters? Why must Toon fans be
entertained, but not Hammers fans? What on earth is the essential
difference? Alan Pardew got the results to guarantee Premier League safety
for Newcastle Utd, according to Mr Shearer (talking about the Hammers on
MoTD) that is the crucial thing. So, why is he not satisfied?

Does Mr Shearer think that one set of standards should apply to his club and
another to ours? It would certainly seem so!

SJ. Chandos.

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WILL THE CLUB PROCEED WITH THE SIGNING OF MORGAN AMALFITANO?
By S J Chandos 19 Aug 2014 at 12:30
West Ham Till I Die

There have been long running reports that West Ham are setting up a £2m
(free transfer in some accounts) deal for Marsailles Morgan Amalfitano.
There have even been more recent reports that Amalfitano has had a training
ground bust up with the Marsailles Head Coach and is demanding a PL move,
with West Ham Utd his alleged preferred destination. So, it could well be
that a bargain deal could be struck for the, highly skilled, 29 year old
French international before the close of the summer transfer window.
However, there are suggestions in some quarters that the need for emergency
centre back cover, in view of Collins' suspension and the injury absence of
Tomkins, might financially scupper the Amalfitano deal. Is that correct?

The dominant rationale has been that we had sufficioent centre back
provision in Collins, Reid and Tomkins; especially, with Kouyate able to
provide cover and young Reece Burke coming through the ranks. Unfortunately,
the early double absence of Collins and Tomkins has re-opened the question
whether that arrangement is sufficient? Particularly with an understandable
reluctance to re-deploy the dynamic and effective Kouyate from his primary
midfield role. Consequently, there is talk of the club seeking an emergency
loan deal for another centre-back. And it has been suggested that this move,
based upon financial/FFFP considerations, may scupper the move for
Amalfitano.

I certainly hope that is not the case, because Amalfitano could be the final
peice in the restructure of our forward line. He is a potentially match
winning forward, with the ability to play wide or as an attacking
midfielder. As such, Amalfitano could inject additional play-making
creativity in the final third and provide us with options, particularly in
terms of increased competition for Jarvis and Downing. Last season, on loan
at WBA, he scored 4 goals in 28 appearances and it is fair to say that,
although not a prolific goal scorer, he is very much a scorer of spectacular
goals. However, his greatest contribution in a WBA shirt was as their
principle creative force, he carved out 45 clear scoring chances in those 28
games, far more than any of his fellow forwards. That, allied to his skill
and technique identifies him as a potentially key signing.

Some will say that we are already carving out plenty of chances, rather the
lack lies with their conversion. But with Zarate, Valencia and Sakho due to
be introduced up front, plus Carroll's eventual return and the emergence of
Elliott Lee, we can be hopeful that situation will soon be rectified.
Nevertheless, a PL squad can never have enough creativity and selection
options. And on that basis, I hope that the board manage to secure the move.
If necessary, the club should look to urgently off-load Vaz Te or Maiga to
free up the resources to ensure the deal can happen. With Lee ready to
challenge for a starting place, do we really need Vaz Te? While the
situation with Maiga is well documented and the exit for the player is long
over due.

Morgan Amalfitano could be an absolute revelation at West Ham Utd. Lets hope
that he gets the chance to prove it!

SJ. Chandos.

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West Ham eyeing Pablo Guerrero and Emanuel Insua in another South American
raid
Aug 19, 2014 14:54 By James Nursey
The 30-year-old striker would come in from Corinthians while the
highly-rated full back currently plies his trade for Boca Juniors
The Mirror

West Ham co-owner David Sullivan is trying to bring more South American
talent to Upton Park. The former Birmingham supremo likes to take a gamble
on talent from overseas. This season he splashed out on Argentine striker
Mauro Zarate and last season he brought over Wellington Paulista on loan.
Now Sullivan has asked Corinthians to take their Peruvian striker Pablo
Guerrero, 30, on loan with a view to a permanent deal. And Sullivan is also
trying to do the same with Boca Juniors for highly-rated full-back Emanuel
Insua. Sullivan's initial overtures have been rejected but he could return
with a cash offer

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West Ham and Chelsea transfer target Antonio Rudiger to spark fresh Monaco
bid
Aug 15, 2014 22:30 By Darren Lewis
The wealthy French outfit are set to go back in for the 21-year-old
Stuttgart and Germany defender having already had a £12million offer
rejected
The Mirror

Monaco are determined to land highly-rated West Ham target Antonio Rudiger.
Chelsea are also among a number of high-profile Premier League clubs to have
shown an interest in the 21-year-old defender. But the French outfit have
already had a £12million bid rejected and intend to make another to keep the
rising star out of the clutches of the Premier League. The Hammers, who made
a bid of up to £8m for the centre-back earlier this summer, have fallen
behind in the race for Rudiger's services and have given up on landing the
player. Regarded as one of the brightest young defensive talents in Europe,
Rudiger has already been capped by world champions Germany this year. His
club, Stuttgart, maintain he is not for sale as he still has three years
left to run on his contract. Earlier this week, Stuttgart's director of
sport said: "[Manager] Armin Veh and I both agree that we want to Antonio
Rudiger leave under any circumstances. We need sporting quality and he has
it."

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West Ham in advanced talks with Micah Richards
By Liam Spencer on August 19, 2014 in Transfer News
Ironviews.com

The very reputable @ExWHUemployee is reporting that talks with Micah
Richards are at an advanced stage ahead of a loan deal. The Manchester City
defender is capable of playing at right back or in central defence, and
would prove a welcome addition given the injuries to Carl Jenkinson and
James Tomkins.
Still only 26, Richards has seen his career blighted by injury, but a move
to West Ham could lead to a new lease of life for the England international.
The East London Club have reportedly been talking to the defender for days,
so a move could be closer to completion than expected.

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Valeri Bojinov in London to discuss terms of free transfer to West Ham as
former Manchester City striker lines up Premier League return
Valeri Bojinov missed Levski Sofia's last game to travel to England to
discuss terms of free transfer to West Ham
By SIMON JONES FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 17:37, 19 August 2014 | UPDATED: 17:47, 19 August 2014
Daily Mail

Former Manchester City and Fiorentina striker Valeri Bojinov is in London to
discuss terms of a free transfer to West Ham from Levski Sofia. Bojinov
missed his side's 2-1 win over Botev Plovdiv on August 17 because of a
clause in the striker's contract, Levski sporting director Georgi Ivanov
confirmed. 'We had to let him go because we have an agreement. I allowed him
to travel to England because I am contractually required to do so. But he
remains a Levski player until he signs with another team,' Ivanov told
Bulgarian National Radio.

VALERI BOJINOV LEAGUE FACT FILE
Born: Bulgaria, Feb 15 1986 (age 28)
2002-2005: Lecce (65 lg apps, 16 goals)
2005-2007: Fiorentina (36, 8)
2006-2007: Juventus (loan) (18, 5)
2007-2010: Manchester City (11, 1)
2009-2010: Parma (loan) (30, 8)
2010-2011: Parma (31, 3)
2011-2013: Sporting CP (8, 2)
2012-2012: Lecce (loan) (10, 1)
2012-2012: Verona (loan) (13, 1)
2013-2013: Vicenza (loan) (18, 4)
2014-2014: Levski Sofia (14, 6)

Bojinov spent the second half of last season at Levski in an attempt to get
a once-promising career, derailed by injuries and distractions off the
pitch, back on track. His emergence as a promising teenager at Italian side
Lecce in 2002, where he made his senior debut a month short of his 16th
birthday, drew glowing reviews and comparisons to another teenage sensation
– England's Wayne Rooney, then at Everton.

Bojinov got his big move aged only 18 in 2005, when he moved to Fiorentina,
where he scored eight goals in 36 appearances. He also spent some time on
loan at Juventus – then relegated to the Serie B following the Calciopoli
match-fixing scandal – before securing a move to Manchester City in 2007.
His career in England was derailed by two major injuries – first to his knee
ligaments in August 2007 and then an Achilles injury a year later. All in
all, he played only 11 matches for City and scored one goal before being
loaned to Parma, a move made permanent in the summer of 2010. The striker
never appeared to recover from his injuries and played mostly as a
substitute at Parma, moving to Sporting Lisbon a year later, where he failed
to stake a claim as a starter as well. Only six months into his tenure with
Sporting, he was banned from the club after taking, and missing, a potential
match-winning spot kick deep into added time in a cup game – wrestling the
ball from the designated penalty taker – sparking a furious reaction among
the coaching staff and the club's fans. After several loan spells with
Italian clubs, Bojinov came to Bulgaria but has been underwhelming at
Levski, as the club finished fifth in the league last season.

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A new rivalry
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 19th August 2014
By: Paul Turner

There can be discord and ill feeling between sets of fans. Perceived slights
and insults can fester and over the course of time become bigger and more
disproportionate then the original incident or initial intent.

There can be events that cloud judgement and objectiveness like the reported
incidents in Germany between Newcastle United and West Ham United fans where
the event takes on a narrative and life of its own that become embellished
and twisted to fit an agenda.

There are also the unreported acts on an individual basis be it for example
an act of aggression, drunkenness or foul temper that can lead to a loss of
reputation and resentment is cast upon the club or fan base in general. Over
time opinions and thoughts and experiences of events that become deep seated
and entrenched can be passed down to the next generation of supporters who
were not original witnesses to the initial event but carry on the memory
regardless.

Rivalries that date back decades and centuries are continuations of the ill
feeling generated by historical events, be it football teams born from
opposing dockyards or clubs moving to new locations where established teams
exists as examples. These kinds of rivalries can also stem from multiple
historical social issues between different areas or groups on an economic
basis which have been in place for what seems like forever making the
rivalry seem inherent.

Dating back to the kingdoms of Wessex and Mercie or even further back to the
time of the dinosaurs with cave men and women, the reasoning as to how a
feud begins might be difficult to pin point and is usually not for one
particular, clear cut reason but a perception and interpretation of a view
point historically taken by someone else and then passed on.

West Ham United by their location and history has rivalries with other
London based clubs. There are also clubs which seem to elicit general
dislike or derision from the Hammers faithful but not necessarily a direct
rivalry like you would consider some of the other London based clubs. Within
these particular parameters, where does Sheffield United fit?

There is no prolonged history or record of noticeable events between the two
clubs to speak of leading up to the events of the 2006/07 season so the
events themselves of that fateful season are the trigger for the current ill
feeling. The in's and outs have been reported here on KUMB and on many other
websites ranging from threats of lawsuits from players who managed to
engineer big money moves regardless to a lead football writer arguing that
one player made all the difference to West Ham United winning a match or the
transfer of Steve Kabba.

There are many facts and events that transpired or were recorded that I
could go into in relation to the whole Carlos Tevez situation but that would
be re-treading old ground. What is not old ground is the upcoming match
between West Ham United and Sheffield United at the Boleyn Ground in the
Capital One Cup second round.

In terms of how you would define the rivalry between our two clubs, from a
West Ham United perspective the majority view seems to be one of loathing
towards Sheffield United for what happened during events and afterwards
rather then your more traditional geographical or social rivalry.

That does not take away from the strength of feeling or any of the issues at
hand. This is the first meeting between the two sides since Sheffield
United's relegation from the Premier League and the emotion is naturally
going to be heightened due to this fact as the two sets of fans converge on
the Boleyn.

Much will be written on forums and spoken about on phone-in shows and on
social media but ultimately the events that took place occurred between the
two clubs, not directly between the two sets of supporters. The strength of
emotion will be on display for all to see (if indeed the match is chosen for
TV coverage, by a much wider audience) but this should never overstep the
mark into disorder.

There is perceived right and wrong on both sides of the debate with claim
and counter claim but it serves no one any good turning this second round
match in the Capital One Cup into something more then a football match.

What happens after the match though? Regardless of who wins will that
resentment always be there until the next meeting on the football pitch?
Well the way things stand and from reading social media and forum posts on
both sides there is a majority view that this feeling is here to stay.
Always to be held in higher regard then other matches the two sides may play
in a regular season.

For future generations that will support either West Ham United or Sheffield
United, they will have the experiences and stories behind "the Carlos Tevez
Affair" told and thus the baton will be passed on to carry on the rivalry
when the two sides renew acquaintances in future matches.

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New-born Rav "pain free and on fire"
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on August 19, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

Ravel Morrison finally looks to be sorting himself out under the gentle
guidance of Teddy Sheringham. The 21 year old midfielder may be facing a
court case in Manchester on August 28 but there is no sign that it's having
a negative effect his attitude to training – quite the opposite. Indeed the
player is the first one in and the last one away from the training ground.
Indeed, yesterday he was still working with attacking coach Sheri an hour
after everybody else had gone home.

A source told ClaretandHugh: "There are two factors that have changed
things. "He's on fire in training because he's pain free for the first time
in three years. All the pain has gone from his groin and his running and
turning is brilliant. "Teddy Sheringham loves working with him and goes on
for as long as Rav wants to. "He has also cleared a lot of people out of his
life and is living more or less on his own …and loving it. "He really does
seem to be getting it at last and he's happy with his own company…something
we never thought we'd see. "There's the court case to deal with of course
but once that is our of the way I think West Ham will have the player on
their hands they know they have always had."

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Keeper returns to West Ham
Posted by Sean Whetstone on August 19, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

Crawley Town chief executive Michael Dunford says he has no plans to bring
goalkeeper Raphael Spiegel back from West Ham on loan. Spiegel's one-month
loan spell with Crawley ended yesterday and he has returned to the Hammers.
Dunford said "Raphael has gone back, we wish him well but West Ham want him
to be playing regularly so we can't offer that" The 21-year-old Switzerland
Under-21 international joined the Hammers in 2012 but is yet to make his
first team debut. Spiegel began his career at Grasshopper Club Zurich,
featuring 41 times for their second team and had loan spells at FC Wil 1900
and SC Bruhl SG. He signed with West Ham on a three-year deal in summer 2012
and has featured regularly in the under-21 side over the last two seasons.

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Big night for on-fire Moncur
Posted by Sean Whetstone on August 19, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

Loanee George Moncur will be looking to make it 3 goals in 3 games tonight
when he starts for Colchester United against Notts City in the League 1
match at 7.45pm. Moncur who turned 21 on Monday scored the only Colchester
goal on Saturday after he opened the scoring on nine minutes. That was his
second goal of the season after scoring on his debut against Oldham
Athletic which ended 2-2. Colchester eventually lost their second league
game of the season 2-1 to Bristol City. Moncur also received Colchester
United's Man of the Match award for the second league game running by the
Colchester fans where he is already a favourite. Belated Birthday wishes
to George and keep up the good work scoring on loan tonight.

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City ace back on the Irons radar
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on August 19, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

West Ham have again cast their eyes in the direction of Manchester City's
Micah Richards as they look for a new defender. Despite being a natural
right back, Richards can slot into a central defensive role quite
comfortably and would be a great addition given James Collins' suspension
and James Tomkins hamstring injury. And ClaretandHugh can reveal that the
Hammers have been in touch with Manchester City in the hope they can sort
out a loan deal for the player.
However, Richards – who is in the last year of his City deal – is currently
earning around £70k a week and the Irons will need to organise a wage
sharing deal if it is to happen. Much will depend on the outcome of James
Tomkins with hopes rising today his hamstring injury may not be as bad as at
first feared. Richards, however is seen as a great addition and could be
brought in on a three or six month deal which will suit the Hammers wages
position. A source told ClaretandHugh exclusively: "The problem from City's
point of view is that if they loan him it will be difficult for them to get
a fee for him given he's in the last year of his deal "We do not think City
will subsidise his wage, but we have asked and there have been talks."

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Hammers summer investment could hit £90m
Posted by Sean Whetstone on August 19, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

The true cost of the Hammers' summer transfer dealings could reach as high
as £90 million over the next five years. West Ham are believed to have paid
about £24.5m in fees this transfer window but that amount could rise to
nearly £37m based on certain conditions such as appearances and performance
related targets. Add to this a massive £43m wage bill over the next four to
five years plus £6m in NI Employers contribution for the seven new signings.
It is thought agents fees will add another £4m to the bill bringing the
total investment as high as £90 million! Mauro Zarate joined from Velez
Sarsfield on a free transfer after he bought out his own contract. He is
believed to be earning £40k per week which would £8.3m in wages over his 4
year contract. Aaron Creswell is believed to have cost an initial fee of
£3.75m which could rise to a maximum £7m based on certain conditions. He
signed a five year contract around £25k per week which would cost £6.5m in
wages over 5 years. Carl Jenkinson has joined from Arsenal on season long
loan and is thought to earn £32k per week which could work out £1.6m in
wages. Cheikhou Kouyate joined from Anderlecht for a fee close to £8m. He
signed a 4 year contract and is believed to earn around £35k per week which
would equate to £7.2m in wages over 4 years, Difara Sakho signed from Metz
for initial fee £2.5m possibly rising to £6.5m based on certain conditions.
It is believed to be earning £15k per week plus £5k per appearance. Over his
4 year contract that could cost £4.1m in wages. Enner Valencia signed from
Pachuca for initial fee believed to be £9.5m possibly rising up to £14m on
certain conditions being met. He is believed to be getting £45k per week
which would work out at £11.7m in wages over his 5 year contract. Finally
Diego Poyet is believed to joined as a free agent although a £700,000 fee
was paid to Charlton as compensation. He signed a 4 year contract believed
to worth £17k per week or £3.5m in wages over 4 years,

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