WHUFC.com
Homegrown Hammer Matthias Fanimo got his first taste of England U17s action
on Tuesday afternoon
03.08.2010
Matthias Fanimo was a late substitute for England Under-17s as they began
their Nordic Tournament campaign with a 5-0 win against Finland. The
eight-nation event has seen England drawn in Group A with the hosts, their
Wednesday opponents Denmark and Iceland. The competition is seen as a
warm-up for the start of qualification for the 2011 UEFA European Under-17
Championship to be played in Serbia next summer and the FIFA U17 World Cup
later next year. Fanimo, the West Ham United attacker, has already tasted
success with at Under-16 level, helping the the Young Lions to win the
Victory Shield last season. He made his U17 bow in the 71st minute in Vaasa,
with the Young Lions securing the victory through braces for Adil Nabi and
Adam Morgan and another for Jake Caskey. He and his team-mates in the 18-man
squad had certainly impressed coach Kenny Swain, ahead of the Finland romp
with the Danish date and Friday's contest against Iceland to follow. The
training has been first class," he told theFA.com. "We've had a few sessions
since we've been here in Finland and we've tried to maximise their
understanding of what's required in such a short space of time."
Depending on results, England will then face a final game against either
Sweden, Scotland, Faroe Islands or Norway on Sunday. The annual FA
International Tournament takes place in a fortnight when Australia, Turkey
and Portugal arrive before the UEFA U17 EURO qualifying campaign begins in
October, ahead of the summer finals next year when the Young Lions will
defend the title that Robert Hall helped them to win this May.
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Southend 1-1 West Ham United
WHUFC.com
Alessandro Diamanti was on target as West Ham United were held by League Two
side Southend United
03.08.2010
Southend United v West Ham United
Pre-season friendly
Roots Hall
Tuesday 3 August 2010
Kick-off: 7.45pm
Referee: Andy D'Urso
Final score - Southend United 1-1 West Ham United
Well, West Ham United's perfect pre-season run may have come to an end, but
Avram Grant's side are still unbeaten this summer following a competitive
draw at Southend United. The Blues played their part in a hard-fought game
that will have thoroughly entertained a large crowd at Roots Hall. Manager
Grant will have been pleased with the lively showing of winger Pablo Barrera
on his full debut, while Alessandro Diamanti scored his first goal of the
2010/11 campaign. The Hammers return to action on Saturday when they host RC
Deportivo La Coruna at the Boleyn Ground. Before then, log on to whufc.com
tomorrow for exclusive reaction from tonight's game.
93 mins - The final whistle is blown and D'Urso brings an end to a very
competitive 90 minutes at Roots Hall. A good workout for both teams.
91 mins - We're going to have at least two added minutes. Spence tries to
pick out Nouble, but Morris is out smartly to claim ahead of the England U19
forward.
90 mins - The stadium falls silent as Stanislas starts his run up... He
curls the ball over the wall and just wide of the left-hand post. I think
the goalkeeper would have had it covered, in all honesty.
89 mins - Freddie does his bit by winning a free-kick 25 yards from goal
following an industrial challenge from Prosser. That was tasty! Stanislas to
take...
87 mins - Sears, fresh from four goals in a reserve-team win over Bishop's
Stortford last Thursday, has a couple of minutes to nick a winner after
replacing Diamanti. The goalscorer gets a boo from the home fans and a clap
from the away supporters! Pantomime stuff! Grant is replaced by Graham
Coughlan and the roles are reversed as the supporters welcome him to the
touchline.
85 mins - Handbags! Diamanti and Grant clash off the ball. Diamanti nudges
the midfielder, who responds by kicking his opponent. The referee spots it
and the two players have a bit of an argument before he books both of them.
In a 'proper' competitive match, I'd suggest they'd have both seen red
instead of yellow there.
84 mins - Spence concedes a corner, but Prosser cannot get enough power on
his header to divert it goalwards.
83 mins - Stanislas has a great chance to score a winner against the club
where he spent three months on loan two seasons ago, but Morris is equal to
his left-foot shot after the winger had taken advantage of a slip by Mohsni.
82 mins - Confusion reigns here because Grant is still on the pitch! Zaaboub
replaced Corr. Ryan Hall is still on the bench.
78 mins - Southend make three more changes - Sturrock for Soares, Zaaboub
for Grant and Ryan Hall for Corr - while West Ham bring in Jordan Spence for
Spector. Seconds later, Stech belts a massive clearance upfield and Nouble
challenges goalkeeper Morris. The No1 misses the ball completely and Mohsni
has to be alert to prevent the Czech Republic U21 goalkeeper from scoring a
ridiculous goal!
77 mins - Diamanti commits a foul and Soares curls the ball into the middle
of a crowded six-yard box. Stech goes in bravely and punches clear under
real pressure from Prosser, who stays down and needs treatment. To be fair
to Stech, he was straight up and grabbed the ball when it was fed back into
the box.
75 mins - This is going to be a proper test for West Ham's youngsters in
front of a noisy, vociferous and passionate crowd at Roots Hall. They'll
need to show good concentration to keep Southend at bay as the home side
have their collective tails up.
72 mins - West Ham have a free-kick wide on the left. Diamanti takes it and
unfortunately his cross is over-hit and bounces once before going out for a
goal kick. Montano's first touch then hits him and goes behind for Southend
free-kick at the other end. It is action stations as Easton volleys it
across the face of goal. Prosser tries to deflect it into the net, but makes
a mess of his effort and the ball balloons high and out of danger.
70 mins - GOAL! The ball is rolled square by Soares to Grant, who smacks a
first-time effort that swerves past the unsighted Stech and into the net
from about 18 yards out. West Ham's 471-minute clean sheet run is ended. Two
more changes from West Ham's Grant, with Montano and and Nouble on for
Barrera and Piquionne.
69 mins - Hmmm.... Substitute Paterson is fouled by Spector right on the
edge of the penalty area. No card for the US defender, but a free-kick in a
very dangerous place.
68 mins - Fry does well again, winning a brave header before tidying up and
passig wide left to Barrera. The Mexican has gone wide left, with Stanislas
on the right.
66 mins - Fry does well to get in a vital challenge on Mohsni inside the
box, despite the home fans' calls for a penalty. That was NEVER a foul. West
Ham break through Stanislas before Spector wins a corner. Diamanti curls it
in but the ball is cleared straight back to him, so the Italian tries again
and the goalkeeper holds on to his centre.
64 mins - The West Ham fans are absolutely loving it, bringing out a few
East End hits on the terraces.
62 mins - GOAL! Barrera with a little flick, if that's what you call it, and
Diamanti is away. The Italian cuts on to his left foot and his shot from 25
yards takes a wicked deflection of the unfortunate Phillips and loops over
Morris. Grant makes two changes immediately, bringing on Olly Lee and Matt
Fry for Edgar and Da Costa. The Beast gives the travelling fans a clap as he
jogs off.
60 mins - Piquionne looks as if he has a shooting chance inside the penalty
area, but Phillips lunges in to block. Moments later, Edgar turns his man
and shoots from 20 yards, but he drags a low effort well wide of the near
post.
56 mins - Gill is replaced by Adam Bizaud, while Spencer is off and Matt
Paterson is on in his place. No sign of any alterations from Avram Grant, as
yet. Daprela gets some running repairs from physio Andy Rolls, but he seems
fine.
54 mins - Talking of the crowd, the attendance tonight is 8,008 - 2,648 of
whom are West Ham supporters. For those not good at maths, that means there
are 5,360 home fans here.
53 mins - The home crowd don't like that at all! Spencer challenges Stech,
who has come a long way from goal to claim a high ball. The refere gives a
foul, but the Southend faithful think it's the wrong decision.
52 mins - Barrera might be small but he doesn't mind a tackle, leaving
Phillips in a heap on the floor with a meaty challenge.
49 mins - Diamanti tries his luck again from distance, making 15 yards
before smashing a low left-foot shot wide of the post from 25 yards out.
Goalkeeper Morris was scrambling, but he didn't look too concerned. Frank
Nouble is warming up on the touchline.
47 mins - Da Costa takes a risk and loses possession inside his own half.
Corr finds Spencer, whose cross looks threatening before Daprela heads clear
at the back post.
46 mins - Southend get us back under way again here at a rapidly darkening
Roots Hall.
Southend make one change at half-time, replacing right-back Clohessy with
No16 Bilel Mohsni.
Half-time score - Southend United 0-0 West Ham United
45 mins - Right-back Clohessy needlessly concedes a corner. Stanislas knocks
it into the near post, and the ball is cleared behind. Rather than blow for
another corner, D'Urso brings the opening half to a close. That is now 446
minutes without conceding a goal for the Hammers. Impressive.
43 mins - That would have been OUTSTANDING. Diamanti uses audacious skill to
get past three defenders before trying to chip Morris from the edge of the
box. The goalkeeper stretches high above his head to grab the ball and
prevent what would have been something truly special from the Italian.
42 mins - Barrera and Piquionne combine to good effect, the Mexican cutting
inside before feeding the French forward. The 31-year-old gets past one
defender before driving a shot inches wide from 20 yards. That was close.
39 mins - Stanislas skips between two defenders before hitting a lovely ball
beyond Phillips with the outside of his right foot. Unfortunately, Piquionne
fouls the defender inadvertantly and the attack is stopped in its tracks.
38 mins - Southend have a corner that is curled into the near post, where
Stech does superbly well to hold on.
37 mins - Spencer sees his cross-shot blocked for the Blues before West Ham
break forward and Piquionne heads the ball down for Edgar, who drives his
shot inches wide from 25 yards. A few fans thought that had sneaked in at
the post, but it hit the side netting.
34 mins - Daprela and Edgar combine down the left before the latter feeds
Barrera. The Mexican's first touch sees the ball sit up to be hit on the
volley, but Luke Prosser gets in their to challenge and the ball goes behind
off the Mexican.
29 mins - Stanislas goes at his man and wins a corner. Barrera takes it
short to Spector, whose cross is too strong. Da Costa retrieves possession,
but West Ham can do nothing with it.
26 mins - Gabbidon brings down Corr. Southend take it quickly but the
Welshman is there to clear up his own mess.
24 mins - Kovac mis-times a challenge and brings down former Chelsea trainee
Grant 30 yards out. Soares fancies this one... So, just to show me up,
striker Barry Corr curls one over the wall and Stech holds the bouncing ball
a yard in front of his line. Tidy goalkeeping.
23 mins - Barrera has been heavily involved and he picks up play from Edgar
and cuts inside Barker before shooting low with his left foot. Phillips is
there to hack clear.
21 mins - West Ham should score through Edgar. The Hammers break from the
back before Stanislas cuts inside Clohessy and threads a superb ball through
for fellow Academy graduate Edgar. The midfielder has time to pick his spot,
but sees his low shot blocked by the foot of Morris. Good save, to be fair
to the 'keeper.
19 mins - There is a murmur of expectation here on the south Essex coast, as
if the crowd can sense an opening goal soon... Barrera crosses not once, but
twice, the first is headed clear by Phillips and the second miscontrolled by
Piquionne, who then fouls the centre-back.
17 mins - Craig Easton lifts a ball forward into the box where Da Costa
slices it behind for a corner. Soares curls the ball over and Phillips heads
high and wide from six yards.
15 mins - Diamanti tries to pick out Piquionne with an audacious 50-yard
ball forward, and it nearly comes off. Morris comes right to the edge of his
penalty area and grabs the ball. That looked close to being handball...
11 mins - West Ham have really stepped it up. Stech claims a high ball and
bowls it out to Barrera. The Mexican switches play with a 40-yard ball
across to Stanislas, who stands up a cross to the back post. Piquionne tries
to divert his header back across the goal, but Morris is able to parry his
effort and the ball is cleared.
9 mins - Stanislas picks up a loose ball and plays a one-two with Edgar
before lashing an effort goalwards from 25 yards. Goalkeeper Morris is
unable to hold it at his first attempt, but no Hammers are following in and
he is able to grab the loose ball.
8 mins - Barrera's corner is flicked on by Piquionne to Da Costa, who takes
a touch and is forced slightly wide. His left-foot effort is wild and into
the top tier of the South Stand.
7 mins - Barrera gets forward well and lofts a cross into the box, where
Mark Phillips is there to head clear. Barrera tries again and his effort is
blocked. Spector picks up possession and wins a corner.
5 mins - West Ham haven't really found their passing rhythm yet but, then
again, nor have Southend. The game is taking a little time to settle down.
3 mins - The West Ham end is officially full. The Hammers supporters are
being filed into seats immediately adjoining the North Stand in the West
Stand. Soares sets Clohessy along the right flank and the right-back
launches his cross over the stand and out of the ground. Ironic cheers from
the away supporters.
1 min - A nice spell of possession from the Hammers in the early stages ends
with Barrera giving the ball away with his first touch! Southend break, but
Louie Soares is offside. Both teams are lined up in a 4-5-1 formation.
8pm - We're ready to go. Kovac won the toss and West Ham will kick-off
through Edgar and Piquionne.
7.56pm - The Hammers players are heading back down the tunnel again! That
must mean kick-off is rapidly approaching. Indeed, a minute later and the
two teams are led out by referee Andy D'Urso, who hails from nearby
Billericay.
7.55pm - Radoslav Kovac is wearing the captain's armband tonight in the
absence of Matthew Upson and Scott Parker. As the West Ham players appeared,
the Southend players disappeared back down the tunnel again. Interesting.
7.53pm - The Southend players are still out there doing a few sprints, but
there is no sign of the Hammers starting XI. This delay gives me time to
tell you last time the two teams met in the Football League, the Blues ran
out 1-0 winners on 7 April 1993. Oh hold on, here come the Hammers...
7.47pm - The Southend team are out warming up on the pitch, as are the West
Ham subs. Not sure whether Avram Grant will send his starters out again. The
fans behind the goal in the North Stand to my right are singing their hearts
out with a chorus of 'Come On You Irons'.
7.44pm - The players have headed back to their respective dressing rooms as
kick-off has been put back to 8pm, presumably due to the massive number of
fans still trying to get into the stadium.
7.40pm - There is a very decent crowd inside Roots Hall this evening. The
sprinklers are still on just moments before kick-off, so we can expect a
good, fast game on a lush playing surface. The two teams are in the
tunnel...
7.35pm - The substitutes have finished their exercises and are putting the
footballs away for the coaching staff. Freddie Sears is signing a few
autographs before heading down the tunnel.
7.30pm - West Ham's players are just heading back to the dressing room
beneath me following a thorough workout with fitness coach Eamon Swift. The
away end is absolutely full to bursting with Hammers supporters who have
ventured down the A127 on a warm and sunny evening. Among the famous faces
in the crowd are Chairman David Gold and former West Ham striker Brian Dear,
who works in the corporate hospitality department here at Roots Hall.
Good evening and welcome to Roots Hall for tonight's pre-season friendly
match between League Two new boys Southend United and West Ham United.
It has been a successful pre-season for both clubs for very different
reasons. While the Hammers have won five out of five so far, the Blues are
celebrating after avoiding going into administration by reaching a deal with
Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs on Monday.
Southend will be hoping their good fortune off the pitch inspires better
luck on it following last season's relegation to League Two and the
appointment of new manager Paul Sturrock.
The Blues have brought in virtually a whole new squad this summer, while
West Ham hand first starts in a claret and blue shirt to new arrivals
Frederic Piquionne and Pablo Barrera this evening. Academy scholar George
Moncur heads a number of young players called in by manager Avram Grant.
West Ham United: Stech, Spector (Spence 77), Da Costa (Fry 62), Gabbidon,
Daprela, Kovac, Edgar (Lee 62), Diamanti (Sears 87), Barrera (Montano 70),
Stanislas, Piquionne (Nouble 70)
Subs: Kurucz, Eyjolfsson, Brown, Moncur,
Southend United: Morris, Clohessy (Mohsni 46), Barker, Phillips, Prosser,
Soares (Sturrock 77), Gill (Bizoud 56), Easton, Spencer (Paterson 56), Corr
(Zaaboub 77), Grant (Coughlan 87)
Subs: Evans, Herd, Crawford, James-Lewis
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Southend Utd 1 West Ham Utd 1
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 3rd August 2010
By: Staff Writer
A West Ham XI were held to a 1-1 draw at Roots Hall tonight by Division Two
outfit Southend United. Despite taking the lead through Alessandro Diamanti
midway through the second period the home side, whose team was mostly made
up of triallists and free signings, equalised late on to earn a draw that
they probably deserved for their second half display.
West Ham - who were effectively fielding the 'B' team - had controlled the
first half, with Radoslav Kovac running the show from the centre of midfield
(despite his passing being as woeful as ever). Southend 'keeper Glenn Morris
was on hand to save the Shrimpers on a number of occasions - including stops
from Junior Stanislas and Frederic Piquionne - as the Hammers piled up a
healthy shot count, despite having nothing to show for it by the break.
Southend started the second peiord the stronger but it was Avram Grant's
side who took the lead on 62 minutes when Diamanti struck an effort from 20
yards which took a wicked deflection before looping over Morris into the
back of the net. The Italian, who played for 87 minutes as one of a
three-man midfield was somewhat fortuitous to escape a caution for kicking
an opponent in an off-the-ball incident moments later before being yellow
carded in the closing stages after a display of handbags with Blues striker
Anthony Grant.
Southend, now under the tutelage of the experienced Paul Sturrock had proved
mostly ineffective in front of goal but took advantage of their one
sustained period of pressure to earn a share of the spoils with 20 minutes
remaining. Having won a free kick of the left side of West Ham's penalty
area, the ball was rolled inside to Grant whose fierce effort, like
Diamanti's, appeared to take a deflection before flying over the shoulder of
the unfortunate Marek Stech.
A bumper crowd of 8,008 - of which 2,700 were offically Hammers supporters,
although many hundreds more took seats amongst the home fans - had caused
the kick-off to be delayed for 15 minutes as many were still trying to enter
the ground at 7:45pm, the official kick-off time. As it was, both sets of
fans went home reasonably happy - if not slightly disappointed that West Ham
had chosen to rest all of their big names on the night.
* See more exclusive pictures from tonight's game on the KUMB.com forum.
Southend Utd 1 West Ham Utd 1
West Ham United: Stech, Spector (Spence 77), Da Costa (Fry 62), Gabbidon,
Daprela, Kovac, Edgar (Lee 62), Diamanti (Sears 87), Barrera (Montano 70),
Stanislas, Piquionne (Nouble 70).
Subs not used: Kurucz, Eyjolfsson, Brown, Moncur.
Goals: Diamanti (62).
Booked: Diamanti (85).
Southend United: Morris, Clohessy (Mohsni 46), Phillips, Prosser, Barker,
Soares (Sturrock 77), Grant (Herd 88), Easton, Gill (Bizoud 56), Spencer
(Paterson 56), Corr (Zaaboub 77).
Subs not used: Evans, Coughlan, Crawford, James-Lewis, Hall.
Goals: Grant (70).
Booked: Grant (85).
Referee: Andy D'Urso.
Attendance: 8,008.
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Southend 1 West Ham 1
The Sun
Published: Today
WEST HAM boss Avram Grant saw his 100 per cent record ended - by Anthony
Grant. Hammers' chief, who had won all his five pre-season games, gave first
starts to new-boys Pablo Barrera and Frederic Piquionne. Barrera set up a
62nd-minute opener for Alessandro Diamanti. But midfielder Grant levelled
for Southend just eight minutes later. Boss Grant said: "It was a good game
for us. It was only the second game for Barrera and Piquionne but they
looked impressive."
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Ben Haim not the last addition
Published 17:21 03/08/10 By Pa Sports
The Mirror
West Ham are confident that Portsmouth defender Tal Ben Haim will not be the
last of the summer arrivals at Upton Park. Ben Haim, 28, finally completed
his protracted move to West Ham on a five-month loan deal amid reported
concerns that he has a groin problem. The Israel international is manager
Avram Grant's fourth signing since he took over at West Ham, following the
arrival of German midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger, Mexican winger Pablo
Barrera and French forward Frederic Piquionne. Grant, who has introduced a
new 4-3-3 system at West Ham for the new season, is still looking to
strengthen his squad further ahead of the new season - possibly by the end
of the week.
A club statement read: "Club officials have stepped up their bid to secure a
fifth signing and hope to have the deal finalised within the next 72 hours.
"The potential recruit is a young international, who represented his country
to distinction at the 2010 FIFA World Cup."
West Ham have fielded Germany Under-21 international Anis Ben-Hatira and
Argentina's Milton Caraglio during pre-season, though neither featured
against Ipswich at the weekend. The club have also been linked with Serbian
winger Miralem Sulejmani, who played under West Ham's new assistant manager
Zeljko Petrovic at Ajax. Ben Haim's move to Upton Park reunites him with
Grant, who he has played under for Chelsea, Portsmouth and the Israel
national team.
He has also played for Bolton, Sunderland and Manchester City in a nomadic
Barclays Premier League career.
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Southend 1 West Ham 1: Alessandro Diamanti can't get the better of Shrimpers
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER Last updated at 12:23 AM on 4th August 2010
Daily Mail
West Ham gave a run-out to new striker Frederic Piquionne as they stuttered
to a 1-1 draw at League Two side Southend on Tuesday night. Avram Grant's
men went ahead just after the hour when another recent arrival, £4m Mexico
winger Pablo Barrera, released Alessandro Diamanti to strike from 20 yards.
Anthony Grant levelled for Southend with a shot from the edge of the area.
Elsewhere, Greg Halford scored one and created a second for Stephen Ward as
Wolves beat Hearts 2-0. And Stoke claimed a 2-1 win over Bristol Rovers,
with Ricardo Fuller grabbing the winner just before half-time.
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Tough glove! Hammers heap abuse on World Cup flop Green...to get him used to
it!
EXCLUSIVE By MATT BARLOW
Last updated at 12:18 AM on 4th August 2010
Daily Mail
West Ham's players and coaching staff have been hurling abuse at Robert
Green in a bid to prepare him for the World Cup backlash expected from
crowds this season. The goalkeeper was subjected to prolonged booing during
a friendly match at Ipswich on Saturday, a reaction to his howler in
England's 1-1 draw against the USA, when his handling error gifted Clint
Dempsey an equaliser. Fabio Capello did not pick Green for the rest of the
tournament and, although West Ham insist that their goalkeeper is not
haunted by the incident, they do not want the inevitable terrace taunts to
distract him when the Premier League season begins on Saturday week. The
Hammers are at Aston Villa on the opening day and Green will increase his
normal concentration exercises with his team-mates encouraged to hurl
insults at him as he trains.
England players have often been targeted following failures in the past.
David Beckham, Phil Nevi lle and Frank Lampard have all come in for abuse
after England have crashed out of major championships in the past 12 years.
Goalkeepers regularly practice for penalty shootouts with their fellow
stoppers stood behind the net shouting insults and Green will adopt a
similar strategy with new keeping coach David Coles, who has joined from
Portsmouth. Green, 30, is a devotee of sports psychology as a way of
improving his powers of concentration. After his mistake against the USA he
regained his composure to make a good save in the second half and then stood
before the media to field questions, accepting responsibility for the lost
points.
Days before this year's World Cup, Portugal joined the country's Air Force
for a paintball session designed to improve spirit, discipline, cohesion and
loyalty.
Tal Ben Haim completed his loan move from Portsmouth to West Ham yesterday.
The defender, on loan until January, is the fourth signing made by manager
Avram Grant.
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West Ham sign Tal Ben Haim on loan from Portsmouth until January
West Ham have signed Portsmouth defender Tal Ben Haim on loan until January.
Telegraph.co.uk
By Telegraph staff and agencies
Published: 4:47PM BST 03 Aug 2010
The 28-year-old, who has been reunited with former Pompey manager Avram
Grant, is West Ham's fourth summer signing. Ben Haim joins German midfielder
Thomas Hitzlsperger, Mexican winger Pablo Barrera and French forward
Frederic Piquionne in moving to Upton Park. West Ham have promised their
summer spending is not over. The club hope to complete the signing of a
''young international who represented their country to distinction at the
World Cup'' this week.
Ben Haim has played under Grant for Chelsea, Portsmouth and at international
level with Israel, for whom he has won over 50 caps. The Hammers'
announcement said: "West Ham United are delighted to announce the loan
signing of Israel defender Tal Ben Haim and can confirm the club are close
to securing another international player. "Ben Haim is the fourth new face
in Avram Grant's squad in what has been a busy summer of arrivals. He is an
experienced centre-back with a strong character. He can play across the back
four and will provide top-level competition for the club's existing
defenders.
"With the ink barely dry on Ben Haim's contract, club officials stepped up
their bid to secure a fifth signing this close-season and hope to have the
deal finalised within the next 72 hours. "The potential recruit is a young
international, who represented his country to distinction at the 2010 FIFA
World Cup."
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West Ham ponder selling Upson
04.08.10 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United are weighing up cashing in on defender Matthew Upson. The
London Evening Standard says Hammers boss Avram Grant is eyeing up a
centre-half as Upson is being linked with a move away from Upton Park. The
England defender is in the final year of his contract and West Ham could do
business at £5m. However, the Hammers are adamant they will not sell Scott
Parker, despite interest from Tottenham and Liverpool.
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West Ham boss Grant: I do not want to sell Cole
04.08.10 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United boss Avram Grant has openly declared Carlton Cole is not for
sale. Grant has been pleased with Cole's form in the build-up to the new
campaign and has vowed to keep the 26-year-old at Upton Park. "I don't want
to sell Carlton," said Grant, who is also determined to keep Scott Parker at
the club. "He is working very hard. His attitude is good. He is a good
player. Against Ipswich, he was in the right place at the right time again.
"I think the new system has helped him. We also have a team that know how to
play football so they can give him the pass at the right time. "If you look
at all the goals we have scored this summer, all the goals came from
combinations between many players in the team. Of course it is good for
him."
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Miralem Sulejmani edging closer to West Ham arrival
04.08.10 | tribalfootball.com
Serbia winger Miralem Sulejmani is in the sights of West Ham United boss
Avram Grant. The London Evening Standard says Sulejmani, who joined Ajax
from Heerenveen for a Dutch record £13.5million in 2008, is looking for a
move to the Premier League after apparently falling out with manager Martin
Jol. "The clubs and my agent are working on it," said the 21-year-old in
Holland. "The coach at West Ham believes in me and wants me as part of his
team." West Ham's new assistant manager, fellow Serb Zeljko Petrovic, could
be used to help facilitate a deal. Petrovic was Jol's No2 at Hamburg and
Ajax.
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Avram Grant targets Serb ace
Ken Dyer
03.08.10
Evening Standard
Avram Grant today signed defender Tal Ben Haim and hopes to land Serbia
winger Miralem Sulejmani plus two other players before the season kicks off
in just 11 days. The new West Ham boss is anxious to strengthen his squad so
that they avoid a repeat of last term's dismal start when, after beating
Wolves on the opening day, they went a club record nine Premier League games
without a win. Former Chelsea defender Ben Haim has joined on loan until
January despite the move being in doubt last week. A medical revealed a
groin problem but West Ham then re-structured the deal and are now satisfied
with the Israeli's fitness. Grant is still looking for at least one more
offensive player, a centre-half and a right-back before the season opener at
Aston Villa. The attacking slot could be filled by Sulejmani, who joined
Ajax from Heerenveen for a Dutch record £13.5million in 2008 but is looking
for a move to the Premier League after apparently falling out with manager
Martin Jol. "The clubs and my agent are working on it," said the 21-year-old
in Holland. "The coach at West Ham believes in me and wants me as part of
his team."
West Ham's new assistant manager, fellow Serb Zeljko Petrovic, could be used
to help facilitate a deal. Petrovic was Jol's No2 at Hamburg and Ajax. Grant
is eyeing up a centre-half as Matthew Upson is being linked with a move away
from Upton Park. The England defender is in the final year of his contract
and West Ham could do business at £5m. However, the Hammers are adamant they
will not sell Scott Parker, despite interest from Tottenham and Liverpool.
The midfielder is expected to play in tonight's friendly at Southend.
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