Olympic Stadium update
WHUFC.com
Newham Council have again endorsed the club's proposals for the legacy of
the 2012 Stadium.
24.11.2010
West Ham United have welcomed the latest backing from the club's Olympic
Stadium legacy partners Newham Council. Newham has reiterated its commitment
to securing the best community, regeneration and sporting legacy for
residents from the 2012 Games. Councillors agreed on Tuesday that
negotiations should continue between the club, the council, the Olympic Park
Legacy Company and the government over proposals for the Olympic Stadium in
Stratford. Deputy Mayor Cllr Andrew Baikie said: "The Olympic Stadium must
produce the best community and regeneration benefits legacy for the people
of Newham. "It needs to be a centre of sport, culture and education. It
needs to generate much-needed employment and make for a healthier East
London by increasing sports and physical activity. It needs a permanent
tenant like West Ham United to make sure this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity
to create a real, life-changing legacy is not missed."
The relocation of West Ham United to the Olympic venue would also offer the
opportunity for the current Boleyn Ground stadium site in Upton Park to form
part of a regeneration scheme that would include new homes, shops and
community facilities. West Ham United Vice-Chairman Karren Brady said: "We
welcome Newham Council's continued support as underlined at last night's
full council meeting. Ours is the natural and logical solution for the
legacy of the 2012 Olympic Stadium. "As we have said, working together with
our partners we will help guarantee the 2012 Games deliver the greatest
legacy. We will create a busy and vibrant stadium. There will be no white
elephant and we welcome Sir Keith Mills' acknowledgement of the strength of
our proposal."
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Demand high for 20 pound seats
WHUFC.com
The Saturday showdown with Wigan Athletic is drawing ever closer with the
fans up for it
24.11.2010
Time is running out to show your support and roar the team on at Saturday's
vital home fixture with Wigan Athletic. The much-anticipated Barclays
Premier League encounter is going the way of next Tuesday's sell-out date
with Manchester United, with just 2,500 tickets left at the fantastic £20
price. Anyone yet to buy is advised to move fast or face disappointment. The
Board designated this match the 'save our season game' and, in an
unprecedented move, slashed prices to ensure a bumper Boleyn Ground crowd.
The £20 tickets are available for any seat on a first come, first-served
basis and, with the Kids for a Quid scheme already in place, means yet
another great offer for all Hammers-mad families. A full house of loyal
vociferous supporters is needed to help the team as they go all-out for
victory.
Last season, the Hammers returned from a disappointing day at Liverpool to
claim a memorable three points at home to Wigan just seven days later.
It proved decisive to the season and Scott Parker's stunning winner in a
five-goal thriller was rightly judged the defining moment of the campaign.
For just £20, be there against Wigan and play your part. Fans can buy their
tickets online, over the phone or in person and demand is expected to be
huge for this major match in the Hammers' Barclays Premier League season.
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SBOBET take coveted award
WHUFC.com
The club's principal partners have on Wednesday night earned yet another
industry honour
24.11.2010
SBOBET have won the coveted Asian Operator of the Year for the second year
running at the EGR Awards - the global egaming industry's event of the year.
The club's principal partners were commended by the prestigious eGaming
Review magazine awards for once again leading the way in the crucial and
influential Asian market. They beat stiff competition to take the prize on
what was a prestigious night. Bill Mummery, SBOBET Executive Director, said:
"It's always gratifying to receive such strong recognition from one's peers
in such a dynamic industry. To win this trophy for a second consecutive year
is testament to the global leadership position we have established."
SBOBET have been West Ham United's proud principal partners for two years
and are set to mark the anniversary with a host of special fan-based
initiatives at this weekend's Barclays Premier League match with Wigan
Athletic on 27 November. Taking place at The Artillery Garden at The HAC in
central London, the well-attended EGR Awards were hosted by comedian Jack
Whitehall. It was the sixth staging of the gaming industry event - and lived
up to its billing as the biggest and best yet. Wednesday night's awards
recognise the outstanding achievements across the rapidly growing egaming
industry and reward companies who have been innovative, creative and really
pushed the boundaries over the past year. Entries are judged by an
independent panel of experts from across the industry. EGRmagazine.com is
the leading online gambling industry news website, and also publishes
features and blogs and hosts peer discussion.
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Reserves 1-2 Chelsea
WHUFC.com
All the action as it happened from tonight's reserve match with London
rivals Chelsea
24.11.2010
West Ham United reserves v Chelsea reserves
Barclays Premier Reserve League
Woodside Park, Bishop's Stortford
Wednesday 24 November 2010
7pm
Referee: Ian Cooper
Alex Dyer's reserves lose out in a competitive derby but there were many
positives to take for the coach, with Zavon Hines in particular getting a
strong 70-minute run-out on his first start for eleven months. The No10 had
put the home side in front from the penalty spot on eleven minutes but the
Blues battled back through Jacob Mellis (25) and Aliu Djalo (36). Even a red
card for Mellis on the hour could not help the home side with the visitors
standing firm.
Full time - West Ham United 1-2 Chelsea
90min - Last minute now...
90min - Ninety seconds left and Lee flashes a shot over. Off comes Jacopo
Sala and on comes George Saville.
90min - We are playing four minutes' added time. Brown is penalised for a
foul on Borini. Yellow card for the No3
90min - A second change for the visitors. On comes Ben Sampayo for
Deen-Conteh.
89min - Chelsea counter and run down more of the clock. Frustrating for the
Hammers, especially as they have had some good chances in the match.
87min - Chelsea look like they will hold on. Defeat will be harsh on the
home side, who have certainly given their all.
85min - Twenty seconds later and Boffin gets down to deny Borini.
84min - Two good saves in quick succession from Boffin. Lalkovic would have
expected to score from one of his close-range chances.
82min - Can the Hammers find an equaliser? Tombides lashes a centre into the
box but it is cleared. Chelsea counterattack but Boffin is ready and sees
the threat early.
80min - So near. Lovely play from Nouble to win the ball and then switch the
play to Turgott. The England U19 man then crosses just too long for Nouble
who had kept on running into the box.
79min - Irish youth international midfielder Eoin Wearen comes on for
Abdulla. Chelsea, meanwhile, replace Djalo for Daniel Philliskirk.
78min - Still no way through for the home side. Chelsea are getting plenty
of men behind the ball. Turgott nearly got in round the back but the
visitors are able to clear for a corner.
76min - Dyer is shouting advice to his players. He has urging them to get
back into the game and they are certainly putting in the effort.
74min - Montano is furious. He appeared to be bundled over just as he was
about to latch on to Lee's defence-splitting pass.
72min - Nouble is unable to get to a decent cross. The move began with
bright play from Lee, who is growing in stature. The extra man might soon
count if the Hammers can keep the ball moving.
71min - Barely 30 seconds later, Tombides has his first touch - a great shot
at goal. So nearly a dream introduction for the tall forward.
70min - In a minute, Jordan Brown has shown some good footwork going forward
and back. Here is the change. Hines is going off after a terrific 70 minutes
and on comes Tombides. Spence has the captain's armband.
69min - Dylan Tombides - the weekend match-winner against Arsenal - is about
to come on, probably for Hines. The Australian striker has been doing well
this season and this will be his reserve-team debut.
67min - This time Borini takes the free-kick. Again the outcome is the same
with the wall doing their job.
66min - Boffin comes out of his area for a high lofted ball. He ends up
crashing into the on-rushing Lalkovic and leaving him flat-out on the floor.
65min - Nice play from the Hammers but Dyer is calling for sharper passing.
The move broke down with Lee just failing to find the killer pass into the
strikers.
64min - Lalkovic takes the free-kick but once again the Hammers' wall stands
firm.
63min - To their credit, Chelsea are still showing lots of ambition. Hines
is penalised for a foul after tracking back to the edge of his own penalty
area.
60min - Mellis is shown a red card for kicking out at Abdulla off the ball.
Could this swing the game firmly in the Hammers' favour.
57min - Paul Groves is also among the coaching contingent. There are loads
of scouts as well, with the Football League loan deadline coming tomorrow
until the transfer window.
55min - The Hammers are the stronger side at the moment. Nouble nearly gets
on the end of a loose Chelsea back-pass.
54min - Lovely pass from Olly Lee sets Turgott away but he is stopped by a
contentious Chelsea challenge. The visitors counter and see a Mellis shot
deflected wide for a corner. The referee waves away their handball shouts.
Corner to Chelsea.
53min - Two good blocks from Nouble underline his commitment. A third tackle
though sees him concede a foul against his former team-mates. He shares a
joke with Djalo.
51min - Hines and Nouble are dropping deep to look for the ball. The No10
will value every minute he gets after such a long time out.
50min - Dyer's men are looking determined. The coach has clearly had a few
words at half-time.
48min - Spence goes close again with a fine header from an Abdullah corner.
Just cleared off the line by Aziz Deen-Conteh. Should be 2-2.
47min - Both teams have had a go this half already. I don't think we have
seen the end of the scoring.
46min - We are back under way. Hines and Nouble get things started but how
long each plays remains to be seen.
Half-time - West Ham United 1-2 Chelsea
46min - How did that stay out? Right-back Spence does brilliantly to get
into the area and eventually to the byline. He cut inside and flashed a low
shot that only just eluded two team-mates before only missing the far corner
by a whisker.
45min - Lalkovic tries his luck but his shot goes well wide. We are going to
have one added minute.
44min - Foul on Hines. He has posed a threat when the ball has been forward
but he has had to be patient. Not too many chances for him since his goal.
43min - In fact Chelsea nearly make it three. Djalo jinks into the area
evading a couple of tackles before shooting just over. Boffin probably had
it covered.
42min - Doesn't look like we will get an equaliser before half-time. The
Hammers working hard which will please Dyer.
41min - Kevin Keen and Tony Carr are watching proceedings. Keen will be
particularly interested in Hines' progress.
38min - Chelsea have dominated since they equalised. The Hammers need to get
back to the bright form they showed in the opening stages. Plenty of time
left, however.
36min - GOAL! - A quick counterattack from Chelsea finishes with Djalo
bursting through the middle and giving Boffin no chance.
35min - Abdulla takes a free-kick wide on the left. He lofts it into the
area for Spence. The No2 rises well but cannot direct the header on target.
34min - Hines nearly gets free but great defending from Archange Nkumu stops
him entering the area.
32min - It isn't getting any warmer. Wrap up well if you are going to the
Wigan game this Saturday.
30min - By the way, we are playing in a 4-4-2 formation with Turgott and
Montano wide right and left. Lee is at the point of the diamond with Abdulla
holding. The latter loses possession in midfield and only good work from
Eyjolfsson sorts out the danger.
29min - Things have calmed down a little. Montano won a free-kick with a
rare burst forward but the play has been mostly in the middle third. It
isn't getting any warmer.
27min - Chelsea are looking dangerous with Borini - having played in the
UEFA Champions League against MSK Zilina this season - looking a particular
menace.
25min - GOAL! - Mellis equalises with a low shot from 20 yards. Boffin got
there but could not keep what was a firm strike out of the net.
24min - Borini lofts one into the area with pace but Boffin is equal to it.
Good take.
23min - Holmar Orn Eyjolfsson does well to recover after a mistake. He has
been pretty solid otherwise.
22min - Chelsea are on top at the moment. They are putting together some
good passes and Ruud Boffin has had to come and claim a couple of high
crosses.
20min - Questionable free-kick to the visitors. Turgott was harshly adjudged
to have fouled Lalkovic on the edge of the penalty area. Lalkovic himself
takes it but crashes the free-kick straight into the wall.
19min - Sergio Sanchez does well to clear Chelsea danger. From the resulting
corner, Nouble heads away.
17min - Booking for Milan Lalkovic. Olly Lee took a free-kick and he had not
retreated far enough.
16min - Play restarts with a new ball after the previous one went soaring
somewhere towards the M11 from a Chelsea shot. Hines then beats three men in
midfield before being fouled. Great footwork.
14min - What a pass from Hines. The No10 dropped deep and switched play
superbly with a 40-yard ball. Montano then picked out Nouble but the No9
missed with his header. Turgott kept the move alive with another fine cross
but a defender got there just before Nouble.
13min - The Hammers have just about deserved that. They have been the better
of the sides in what is a compelling contest. Chelsea have plenty about them
to do well tonight.
11min - GOAL! - Cool as you like, Hines scores with a firm finish to the
keeper's left. That will do his confidence the world of good.
10min - Penalty to West Ham. Billy Clifford handball. Hines is going to take
it.
9min - Aliu Djalo has a shot for Chelsea. It is deflected wide for their
first corner. Fabio Borini takes and it eventually falls to Jacob Mellis.
The No8 strikes the ball cleanly but it fizzes well wide.
8min - Good touch from Hines to kill the ball in the area. He feeds Nouble
but his shot is comfortably saved by Sebek.
7min - What a pass from Turgott. He splits the Chelsea defence and Cristian
Montano runs through from the left. His shot looks goalbound before a
last-ditch leg clears the danger. From the resulting corner, Jan Sebek is
able to claim in the Blues goal.
6min - Neither side has found their feet in truth. The surface is fantastic
though and a good match is in prospect.
4min - Nouble is back defending. Alex Dyer's men are all up for the fight
tonight.
3min - Well done Spence to stop Gokhan Tore. The Chelsea No11 tried to jink
his way into the box but the right-back was alert.
2min - All eyes on a chilly night in Essex are on Hines but Frank Nouble is
the first to show real attacking intent. He drives into the box but the
visitors snuff out the danger.
1min - Zavon Hines is the captain tonight and he won the toss. Chelsea are
going to get us under way. They do so and instantly the Hammers win
possession with Blair Turgott making ground on the right.
Welcome to Woodside Park for tonight's return to Barclays Premier Reserve
League action against Chelsea. The most notable name on Alex Dyer's
team-sheet is Zavon Hines, back for his first start in eleven months. It has
been a busy day for the Hammers with the confirmation of Wally Downes
working with the club as a defensive coach.
West Ham United: Ruud Boffin, Jordan Spence, Jordan Brown, Ahmed Abdulla,
Holmar Orn Eyjolfsson, Sergio Sanchez, Blair Turgott, Olly Lee, Frank
Nouble, Zavon Hines, Cristian Montano
Subs: Deniz Mehmet, Callum McNaughton, Dylan Tombides, Eoin Wearen, George
Moncur
Chelsea: Jan Sebek, Billy Clifford, Nathaniel Chalobah, Archange Nkumu, Aziz
Deen-Conteh, Jacopo Sala, Aliu Djalo, Jacob Mellis, Milan Lalkovic, Fabio
Borini, Gokhan Tore
Subs: Sam Walker, Daniel Philliskirk, Ben Sampayo, George Saville, Anton
Rodgers
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Cole calls for collective spirit
WHUFC.com
The No9 is determined to play his part in lifting the team up the Barclays
Premier League
24.11.2010
Carlton Cole has spoken of the need for "everyone to pull in the same
direction" before Saturday's match against Wigan Athletic. The striker
admitted he and the team were focused on getting the three points above all
else this weekend after the disappointing showing at Liverpool. The England
man said points more than performance are all that matter at the moment.
"We've tried to play pretty football but now I think we just need to play
ugly football," Cole said. "I see it working for other teams in the top half
of the league."
Cole is aware of the expectation on the players' shoulders and that they
will not shirk the responsibility. He knows it is up to him and others to
lift the team up the table. "If we're playing well, the fans will be on our
side. If we're not playing well, we don't deserve the fans to be on our
side. That's how it is.
"The West Ham fans are passionate. They know what they want to see. "We
shouldn't be in the position we're in. Everyone needs to pull in the same
direction. "We need to work harder, give 100 per cent in training and it
starts there. If training is sharp, we will get into good habits and be
sharp in matches. That's where everyone needs to ask more from themselves,
because training is really important. "We all need to get on that training
field and the pace has got to be up."
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Vose signs
WHUFC.com
Dominic Vose, another of Tony Carr's promising youngsters, has pledged his
future to the club
24.11.2010
Dominic Vose has become the latest promising youngster to sign his first
professional contract with West Ham United. The aspiring midfielder put pen
to paper on his 17th birthday at the Boleyn Ground to seal a memorable
couple of weeks after also playing his part in terrific wins for the
Under-18s against Chelsea and Arsenal. "It is a big day," he told WHUTV. "It
is my birthday as well so it is a good feeling. I have been waiting a long
time for this. Everyone around me is happy for me and I am happy for myself.
My family have been right behind me."
Vose has relished working under Tony Carr since arriving at the club and
admitted he would love to follow in some of the Academy Director's most
famous graduates. Although the players he most admirers are Andres Iniesta
and Zinedine Zidane, he takes a close interest in the homegrown Hammers who
have gone on to great things with England. "Tony has had all of them. He
helps us, he gives us good advice and he has great experience in the game.
It is really good to play under him. "I've just got to crack on now.
Hopefully I will make it to the first team. I wanted to sign for West Ham
because there is a path here for young players. The likes of Joe Cole,
Michael Carrick and Frank Lampard - all of them have done it. There is a
path here and hopefully I can follow that."
While he is aiming high, Vose is well aware he has to "get back to reality"
and that includes college as usual on Wednesday and plenty of hard work in
training.The matches are coming thick and fast for the resurgent U18s as
well, with a game against Portsmouth this Friday and an FA Youth Cup date
with Aldershot Town at the Boleyn Ground on 7 December. "We had lost five on
the bounce but we have just beaten big teams in Arsenal and Chelsea. I got
my first goal of the season against Chelsea and hopefully we can turn
everything around now. "We'd like a good run in the FA Youth Cup. It is
massive to play at Upton Park, hopefully we will have a good turnout with
the crowd. It will be a good game. "It is also a chance for us to impress
the first-team coaches if they are watching. I have had a few reserve team
games and it would be good to get back in there and push on. I've just got
to crack on and do what I do best really. I have just got to get down to
work."
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Family tickets for Everton
WHUFC.com
Come along to the Boleyn and see out the old year and ring in the new in
style
24.11.2010
Looking for a festive family treat? Why not come along to the Boleyn Ground
to see the Hammers take on Everton on Tuesday 28 December and take advantage
of a superb ticket promotion. The club are offering a group ticket for a
family of four - featuring two adults and two Under-16s - for just £75. So
when you have had your fill of turkey and Christmas pudding, head to the
Hammers and watch them try to end 2010 on a real high. The perfect Christmas
present for all the family to enjoy, this superb offer will also be running
for the first game of the New Year when Wolverhampton Wanderers arrive in
east London on Saturday 1 January 2011. Demand for these offers is set to be
high, so contact the Ticket Office now for more information.
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Wally Downes appointed West Ham defensive coach
BBC.co.uk
Former Brentford manager Wally Downes has taken up a position as West Ham's
defensive coach. The 49-year-old's appointment comes a day after assistant
manager Zeljko Petrovic left his role with the Premier League's bottom club.
Downes told the Evening Standard: "It is an honour to be asked to help such
a good club. I will do my best to help lift them out of the relegation
area."
Downes also worked under Steve Coppell during a successful spell at Reading.
After leaving the Royals in the summer of 2009, he had a brief stint as
coach at Southampton with ex-Irons boss Alan Pardew before the coaching
staff departed St Mary's in August. He also previously worked with Coppell
at Palace before following him to Brentford in 2000. When Coppell left
Brentford in June 2002, Downes took over the managerial reigns at Griffin
Park, leading the club to 16th in what is now League One before being sacked
in March the following season with the club near the bottom of the table.
West Ham have nine points from 14 league games this season, and are five
points adrift from safety. Vice-Chairman Karren Brady told BBC Sport last
week that manager Avram Grant was likely to be manager at the end of the
season. However, 45-year-old Montenegrin Petrovic departed after less than
four months with the club and the Upton Park board have billed the home
match with Wigan on Saturday as a 'save our season game'. In addition,
former West Ham striker and fans' favourite Paolo Di Canio has been linked
with a return to his old club in a coaching role.
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Wally on West Ham
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 24th November 2010
By: Staff Writer
New first team coach Wally Downes has described the opportunity to work at
West Ham 'an honour'. 49-year-old Downes - who previously worked alongside
former Hammers boss Alan Pardew at Reading - will bring a wealth of
experience with him when he joins Avram Grant's new-look team, which could
still include former Hammers Steve Lomas and Paolo Di Canio, both of whom
have been linked with coaching roles in the last few days. Speaking about
his impending move to East London, he said: "It's an honour to be asked to
help out such a good club. I'll do my best to help lift them out of the
relegation area."
West Ham's attempt to lure Downes to east London is the club's second
attempt to hire the former Wimbledon player. Alan Pardew tried to bring him
in as his assistant back in 2005 but Downes opted at the time to stay with
Reading, with whom he remained until his contract expired at the end of the
2008/09 season. Nephew of former boxing champion Terry Downes, he then took
up a coaching role at League One Southampton but his spell there ended less
than a year later when Alan Pardew was fired along with his backroom staff
in August 2010. Since then Downes has been working temporarily at League
Two side Gillingham.
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Hammers in pole position
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 24th November 2010
By: Staff Writer
West Ham are favourites to land the Olympic Stadium post the 2012 games,
according to the deputy chairman of the 2012 games committee. Sir Keith
Mills - also a director of Tottenham Hotspur - admitted that the Hammers are
favourites to take the stadium, despite continued interest from his own
club.
Speaking in today's Telegraph, MIlls said: ''West Ham's proposals are to
leave the running track in place and if it stacks up economically I am sure
the OPLC will award it to them. If it doesn't stack up they have an
alternative in Tottenham with an athletics legacy elsewhere. ''We promised
in our bid to leave an athletics legacy. The IOC president has made it clear
that it is more important not to leave a white elephant in London than
whether that legacy is in the stadium or elsewhere in London. 'The OPLC's
job is to ensure there is a legacy and to ensure there are no white
elephants. ''We have been told we will have an answer by Christmas and look
forward to them coming up with the right decision.''
West Ham's board remain committed to moving the club to Stratford after the
2012 games despite widespread opposition from supporters who remain opposed
to moving to a stadium in which viewing distances will be dramatically
increased.
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West Ham draft in Downes
Experienced coach joins Hammers backroom staff
By Elliot Ball Last updated: 24th November 2010
SSN
West Ham United have appointed Wally Downes as their new defensive coach in
a bid to improve their fortunes. The Hammers are bottom of the Premier
League and last weekend's defeat to Liverpooldemonstrated their struggles as
they shipped in three goals without reply at Anfield. With 25 goals already
conceded this term, the second worst in the division, the Hammers have
turned to Downes to shore up the team's backline. The 49-year-old knows he
has his work cut out at Upton Park but insists he is up for the task.
Honour
He told the London Evening Standard: "It's an honour to be asked to help out
such a good club. I'll do my best to help lift them out of the relegation
area."
Saturday's dire 3-0 loss at Liverpool leaves West Ham five points adrift
from safety and the club have since sacked Avram Grant's No.2 Zeljko
Petrovic.
But rather than name a replacement they are looking to bolster the back-room
team with a number of appointments including the likes of Downes. The former
Brentford manager is set to be joined in the next few weeks by a striking
coach, with Paolo Di Canio, John Hartson and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink among
the candidates.
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Hammers unaffected by bid
Hammers hope to clear stadium debt in 10 years
By Bryan Swanson, Chief News Reporter, Sky Sports News Last updated: 24th
November 2010
SSN
West Ham United's proposed move to London's Olympic Stadium will not force
the club to cut back in the transfer market. Hammers vice-chairman Karren
Brady has also revealed the east Londoners aim to pay off their debt to
convert the stadium within ten years. If successful, West Ham propose to
keep the stadium's running track, lowering its capacity to 60,000, and hope
to move in for the start of the 2014-2015 season. West Ham want the stadium
to host athletics, rugby and cricket matches along with major events,
including concerts, under a newly-installed roof. Even if they are relegated
from the Premier League, West Ham are convinced they will continue to
attract healthy crowds. "We have been planning our bid, let us not forget
this, for the last 12 months," said Brady. "Everything we are doing has been
meticulously planned and well worked out.
Planning
"This is a not a last-minute application. I think that if you think about it
the hint is in the title - it is the Olympic Park Legacy Company and that is
what it is intended to be." Newham Council agreed on Tuesday that
negotiations should continue between the club, the council, the Olympic Park
Legacy Company and the government over proposals for the stadium in
Stratford. "The Olympic Stadium must produce the best community and
regeneration benefits legacy for the people of Newham," said Deputy Mayor
Cllr Andrew Baikie. "It needs a permanent tenant like West Ham United to
make sure this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create a real,
life-changing legacy is not missed."
The Hammers have gone head-to-head with London rivals Tottenham for the
Olympic stadium and it is understood a preferred bidder will be named before
the end of December. "We know that it was built for athletics, but it can
work for football and athletics." said Brady. "The stadium is less than two
miles away from us and in our own borough. We think that it sits comfortably
with what we want to do and it should get the legacy it was promised."
West Ham have already been approached by companies to discuss naming rights
for the stadium and it is understood the club want to retain the word
'Olympic' in their new stadium name, subject to a deal being agreed with the
International Olympic Committee.
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Petrovic - I chose to leave
Former coach contradicts sack reports
By James Riach Last updated: 24th November 2010
SSN
Former West Ham assistant manager Zeljko Petrovic claims he left the club on
his own terms despite reports that he was sacked. The former Yugoslavia
international joined the Hammers back in July as part of Avram
Grant'snew-look coaching staff, but left Upton Park on Tuesday, with Wally
Downes later appointed defensive coach. He has since been quoted in the
national press slamming the standard of football in the Premier League,
claiming the German Bundesliga is of higher quality. West Ham are currently
rock-bottom of the English top-flight and have endured a torrid start under
Israeli coach Grant - putting in a woeful performance against Liverpool at
the weekend. But contrary to reports claiming that Petrovic's departure was
a result of the team's bad run, he insists he asked to leave a month ago
with a view to going into full-time management.
He told Sky Sports: "Of course it was a very difficult decision because I
worked here with fantastic people for four months and I am very proud that I
was assistant manager of West Ham United, and of course to be in the Premier
League - one of the best and biggest leagues in the world. "I was speaking
to Avram four weeks ago and I told him I want to stop, because I want to be
a manager from maybe December or January. "He asked me, as we had many
injured players and a few problems in the squad, if I wanted to stay one
more month. "Of course I wanted to stay one more month to help, because my
relationship with the players and all people at the training ground was
unbelievably good."
The East Londoners take on Wigan in the league at the weekend, with West Ham
trailing the third-bottom Latics by five points. Petrovic admits it was an
emotional final visit to the training ground this week, but insists the most
important thing is for the club to pick up a win on Saturday.
Emotional
"It was a little bit emotional with the players. I spoke with the players,
Avram spoke with the players, they spoke with me," he added. "Not just
yesterday but also before yesterday. I don't want to go there because I
don't want to make myself more important than the game on Saturday. "The
most important thing for the players and for the manager is to win the game
on Saturday. "Because West Ham is bigger and more important than Petrovic.
We are here, everybody, for West Ham. "I want to say, be together, be a
team, help Avram and the technical staff, to beat Wigan Athletic and to
start to cross the line.
"It's a fantastic club with a great manager, an unbelievably good person,
and they need to play in the Premier League."
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Hammers starlet signs on
Vose celebrates birthday by agreeing pro contract
Last updated: 24th November 2010
SSN
West Ham United starlet Dominic Vose has signed his first professional
contract with the club. The exciting midfielder has penned a
two-and-a-half-year deal on his 17th birthday, tying him to the club to
2013. Hopes are now high that Vose will progress into the first-team squad
at Upton Park. "It is a big day," he told West Ham's official website. "It
is my birthday as well so it is a good feeling. I have been waiting a long
time for this. Everyone around me is happy for me and I am happy for myself.
My family have been right behind me. "I've just got to crack on now.
Hopefully I will make it to the first team. I wanted to sign for West Ham
because there is a path here for young players. The likes of Joe Cole,
Michael Carrick and Frank Lampard - all of them have done it. "There is a
path here and hopefully I can follow that."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Cole slams 'diabolical' display
Hammers striker fumes at abject Anfield performance
By Chris Burton Last updated: 24th November 2010
SSN
Carlton Cole has blasted West Ham's showing at Liverpool, branding the
performance as 'diabolical'. The Hammers saw their troubles deepen at
Anfield on Saturday, with a 3-0 defeat keeping them rooted to the foot of
the Premier League table. They never got going on Merseyside, despite their
dire need for points, with their inability to defend set-pieces and prevent
crosses from coming into the box costing them dear. Cole, who formed part of
a toothless attack, admits the woeful display has left the camp 'deflated',
with no end to an alarming slump in sight. "That was more than a tough
afternoon, that was diabolical," the England international fumed in the East
London Advertiser. "We can come here and talk a good game and say we are
going to do this to them and come with a game plan, but at the end of the
day, we didn't even turn up. "In the first 10 minutes we had lost the game,
psychologically anyway. I'm lost for words now, I can't speak too much
because I get emotional with these things and it gets on my nerves and I
don't want to talk too much about certain things. We are deflated,
everyone's deflated."
Game plan
Manager Avram Grant has come under fire of late, with his position reported
to be under threat, and Cole has done little to help the cause of his
beleaguered boss by questioning the tactics adopted at Anfield. He added:
"We tried to get them on the back foot and just play our game really. No
counter attack, we were going to go out there and put them under pressure,
but that didn't even happen so it looked like we came here to defend.
"The first 10 minutes we dropped so deep. I can only remember one time when
the ball came up to me and I kind of miscontrolled it, but we still retained
possession, then I looked to my left and there was no-one attacking - there
was nobody there at all. "I thought okay, this is the kind of game it is
going to be. I've been up here before and it has been that sort of game, but
we did have more chances. I didn't get a sniff, I think I got one header.
"When we changed to 4-4-2, I felt more comfortable because someone was up
there with me and I felt that we were starting to get on the ball a little
bit more, we started to try and make something happen, try to work a little
deeper and play Freddie (Piquionne) in or something. "But then I got taken
off and I was like okay, that's not what you want me to do. They would
rather I stood up there on my own, trying to make nothing happen. "The game
plan was for me to stay as the longest person away from everybody and try
and hit me on the diagonal or something, but we weren't even doing that, so
that went out of the window and we didn't have a plan B."
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Where's Wally? He's at West Ham
The Sun
Published: 24 Nov 2010
AVRAM GRANT has moved quickly to add Wally Downes to his coaching staff
after axing his No2 Zeljko Petrovic yesterday. Former Southampton and
Reading assistant boss Downes joins struggling West Ham as a specialist
defensive coach. Grant's Hammers are rock bottom of the Premier League after
a nightmare start to the season. And Downes, who has also managed Brentford,
said: "I will do my best to help lift them out of the relegation area.
"It is an honour to be asked to help out such a good club."
Meanwhile, striker Carlton Cole believes West Ham must change their style of
play if they are get out of the drop zone. He said: "We have tried to play
pretty football but now I think we just need to play ugly football. "I see
it working for other teams in the top half of the league." Cole added: "We
need to work harder, give 100 per cent in training and it starts there. "If
training is sharp, we will get into good habits and be sharp in matches.
"That is where everyone needs to ask more from themselves, because training
is really important. "We all need to get on that training field and the pace
has got to be up."
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Noble KO hits Hammers SOS
The Sun
Published: Today
AVRAM GRANT'S preparations for West Ham's vital 'SOS' clash with Wigan on
Saturday have been hit by a hip injury to inspirational midfielder Mark
Noble. The Hammers are billing the game against fellow strugglers as 'Save
Our Season' as they bid to climb off the foot of the table. Noble, 23, was
crocked in the final minute of the 3-0 defeat at Liverpool. He had a scan
last night and will find out the results today. He has only just returned to
action after an emergency appendix op. Boss Grant has appointed former
Wimbledon midfielder and Brentford boss Wally Downes as a specialist defence
coach to try to stop his team shipping goals.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Cole: I Av had enough of this
The Sun
By ANDREW DILLON
Published: Today
CARLTON COLE has slammed boss Avram Grant's tactics as West Ham continue to
be a club in crisis. The England striker hit out over last weekend's 3-0
defeat at Liverpool in which he was 'starved' of chances by Grant's
masterplan. Cole rapped: "I had one cross. Apart from that I had nothing
and, as a striker, that's starvation, that's famine. "What am I supposed to
work on? The game plan was for me to stay as the longest person away from
everyone and try to hit me on the diagonal. But we weren't even doing that.
"So that went out of the window and we didn't have Plan B. "When we changed
to 4-4-2, I felt comfortable but then got taken off. "They'd rather I stood
up there on my own, trying to make nothing happen. I'm deflated and we need
to change this."
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Carlton Cole slams 'diabolical' West Ham and rips into Avram Grant's lack of
tactical nous
Published 12:08 24/11/10 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror
Carlton Cole has added to the sense of turmoil at West Ham by slamming his
side's performance and manager Avram Grant's tactics during the 3-0 loss to
Liverpool on Saturday. The England striker summed up the performance as
'diabolical', before going on to question the team's tactical set-up and
approach to the game. "We can come here and talk a good game and say we are
going to do this to them and come with a game plan, but we didn't even turn
up for this game," Cole told a reporter from the Newham Recorder. "In the
first 10 minutes we had lost the game, psychologically anyway. I'm lost for
words now, I can't speak too much because I get emotional with these things
and it gets on my nerves and I don't want to talk about certain things. "I
think I had just one cross. Apart from that I had nothing and as a striker,
that's starvation, that's famine – what am I supposed to work on? "The first
10 minutes we dropped so deep. I can only remember one time when the ball
came up to me and I kind of miscontrolled it, but we still retained
possession, then I looked to my left and there was no-one attacking – there
was nobody there at all. "The game plan was for me to stay as the longest
person away from everybody and try to hit me on the diagonal or something,
but we weren't even doing that, so that went out of the window and we didn't
have a plan B."
The striker also lamented the absence of midfielder Scott Parker, who missed
the Liverpool game after succumbing to a chest infection. "Scott Parker is
the main figurehead at West Ham and he is just the sort of player we need in
games like this," said Cole. "We needed to get in there in midfield and make
Liverpool a bit more uncomfortable. Mark Noble is a good player, Kovac came
in and I think he did all right, but he hasn't played for a while and he is
a defensive midfielder. We didn't have anyone driving forward. "You can't
fit a circle into a square hole, so how can you try? I just don't understand
that."
Cole concluded the interview by revealing just how low team morale had sunk:
"I'm deflated. I'm not happy and I hope something can happen as soon as
possible because we need to change this asap. "Everyone is deflated and we
feel we let ourselves down."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Carlton Cole: Avram's 'aving a laugh
Published 23:00 24/11/10 By Darren Lewis
The Mirror
Carlton Cole must expect to be fined two weeks' wages after launching a
devastating, no-holds barred attack on Avram Grant. The West Ham striker has
piled the pressure on his manager, lambasting Grant's tactics and appearing
to claim the players have a greater regard for skipper Scott Parker than the
Israeli. England striker Cole labelled the 3-0 surrender at Liverpool on
Saturday "diabolical", but blamed the calamitous display on Grant's tactical
set-up and approach to the game. The East Londoners have not won at Anfield
since 1963 when Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters scored, and found themselves
on the receiving end of heavy criticism for their lack of fight against the
fragile Reds. Cole said: "It was diabolical. We can come here and talk a
good game and say we are going to do this to them and come with a game plan.
But we didn't even turn up for this game. "In the first 10 minutes we had
lost the game, psychologically anyway. I'm lost for words now, I can't speak
too much because I get emotional with these things and it gets on my nerves
and I don't want to talk about certain things."
Goals from Glen Johnson, Dirk Kuyt and Maxi Rodriguez saw Liverpool wrap up
the points before half-time with some of the travelling Hammers fans walking
out of Anfield after just 40 minutes in disgust. Cole continued his
onslaught on Grant's tactics, claiming they left him isolated. He added: "I
think I had just one cross. Apart from that I had nothing and as a striker,
that's starvation, that's famine – what am I supposed to work on? "The first
10 minutes we dropped so deep. "I can only remember one time when the ball
came up to me and I kind of miscontrolled it, but we still retained
possession, then I looked to my left and there was no one attacking – there
was nobody there at all. "The game plan was for me to stay as the furthest
person away from everybody and try to hit me on the diagonal or something,
but we weren't even doing that, so that went out of the window and we didn't
have a Plan B."
Cole also lamented the absence of influential midfielder Parker, who missed
the trip to Merseyside after succumbing to a chest infection. "Scott Parker
is the figurehead at West Ham and he is just the sort of player we need in
games like this," said Cole. "We needed to get in there in midfield and make
Liverpool a bit more uncomfortable. "Mark Noble is a good player, Radoslav
Kovac came in and I think he did all right, but he hasn't played for a while
and he is a defensive midfielder. "We didn't have anyone driving forward.
"You can't fit a circle into a square hole, so how can you try? I just don't
understand that. I'm deflated. I'm not happy and I hope something can happen
as soon as possible because we need to change this ASAP. "Everyone is
deflated and we feel we let ourselves down."
The open defiance from Cole is the worst possible preparation for West Ham's
clash with Wigan at Upton Park on Saturday. The match, against Roberto
Martinez's third-from-bottom Latics, has already been dubbed the 'Save our
Season' game with Hammers owners David Gold and David Sullivan ready to fire
Grant if the team crash to another defeat.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers lose Noble for a month
Published 23:00 24/11/10 By Martin Lipton
The Mirror
Mark Noble has dealt West Ham a fresh blow by being ruled out for a month.
The former England under-21 captain's central partnership with Scott Parker
has been one of the few bright spots in the Hammers' nightmare start to the
season. Noble damaged the area above his hamstring in the defeat at
Liverpool and will be sidelined for at least four weeks. It's the latest
injury to hit boss Avram Grant. Thomas Hitzlsperger has yet to kick a ball
after aggravating a pre-season thigh problem. Manuel da Costa is out until
the end of January with an ankle injury and Valon Behrami is still missing
after damaging his hip. Wally Downes was last night appointed as West Ham's
new defensive coach – as Mirror Sport revealed on Tuesday.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
It's time for West Ham to win ugly says Carlton Cole
Published 15:24 24/11/10 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror
Carlton Cole has called on West Ham to get "ugly" to drag themselves off the
bottom of the Barclays Premier League. The Hammers have collected just one
win from 14 matches and are in a real battle to maintain their top-flight
status. Indeed, the Upton Park board have designated Saturday's home clash
against fellow strugglers Wigan as the 'save our season game', with reduced
admission prices to help ensure a bumper crowd. Manager Avram Grant appears,
for now at least, to have the support of owners David Gold and David
Sullivan, with the Israeli insisting if his team continue to play good
football, then the results will follow. Cole, though, believes the situation
demands doing anything and everything to get maximum points. "We have tried
to play pretty football, but now I think we just need to play ugly
football," the England striker said, quoted on the club's official website,
www.whufc.com. "I see it working for other teams in the top half of the
league."
Cole added: "We need to work harder, give 100% in training and it starts
there. If training is sharp, we will get into good habits and be sharp in
matches.
"That is where everyone needs to ask more from themselves, because training
is really important. "We all need to get on that training field and the pace
has got to be up."
Some beleaguered Irons fans certainly let their frustrations be known at the
final whistle of the last home game following another disappointing goalless
draw against Blackburn, with calls for Grant, who only arrived in the
summer, to be dismissed. Cole accepts it is the player's responsibility to
earn the supporters praise. "If we are playing well, the fans will be on our
side. If we're not playing well, we don't deserve the fans to be on our
side. That's how it is," he said. "The West Ham fans are passionate. They
know what they want to see. "We shouldn't be in the position we are in -
everyone needs to pull in the same direction."
West Ham went down 3-0 at Liverpool last weekend, a performance which Cole
slammed as "diabolical". The centre-forward, called up into the England
squad against France because of injuries, was unhappy with the way he was
deployed at Anfield, feeling a lack of support. Cole said in the Newham
Recorder: "I think I had just one cross, apart from that I had nothing and
as a striker, that's starvation, that's famine - what am I supposed to work
on?
"The game plan was for me to stay as the longest person away from everybody
and try to hit me on the diagonal or something, but we weren't even doing
that, so that went out of the window and we didn't have a plan B." "When we
changed to 4-4-2 in the second half, I felt more comfortable because someone
was up there with me and I felt that we were starting to get on the ball a
little more. "But then I got taken off and I was like, 'okay, that's not
what they want me to do. They would rather I stood up there on my own,
trying to make nothing happen.' Cole added: "I am not happy and I hope
something can happen as soon as possible because we need to change this
ASAP. "Everyone is deflated and we feel we let ourselves down."
Off the pitch, West Ham have yet to announce who will replace assistant
manager Zeljko Petrovic, after the Montenegrin left his position earlier
this week.
Former striker and fans' favourite Paolo Di Canio has been linked with a
return to his old club in a coaching role. Ex-Brentford manager Wally
Downes, meanwhile, looks set to take up a position as West Ham's defence
coach. The 49-year-old, quoted in the London Evening Standard, said: "It is
an honour to be asked to help out such a good club. "I will do my best to
help lift them out of the relegation area." Downes worked under Steve
Coppell during a succesful spell at Reading, and was also at Southampton
with ex-Irons boss Alan Pardew before the whole backroom staff departed in
August.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Carlton Cole blames Avram Grant for West Ham goal 'famine'
By MATT BARLOW and IAN GIBB
Last updated at 12:46 AM on 25th November 2010
Daily Mail
Carlton Cole has taken a swipe at Avram Grant's tactics, claiming he has
been starved of service in West Ham's defensive formation. Cole branded last
weekend's display at Liverpool 'diabolical', confessed the players were
'deflated' and called for an attitude change ahead of Saturday's crucial
game against Wigan. The Hammers, bottom of the Barclays Premier League, have
won only once all season and Grant's unpopular assistant Zeljko Petrovic was
sacked this week. Reflecting on the 3-0 defeat at Anfield, Cole said: 'That
was diabolical. We didn't even turn up. We had lost the game in the first 10
minutes, psychologically anyway. 'I had just one cross. Apart from that I
had nothing and, as a striker, that's starvation, that's famine. What am I
supposed to work on?' Sportsmail understands that Grant has received a vote
of confidence from the players at a specially convened summit following that
crushing loss. West Ham, who welcome back Scott Parker for Saturday's 'save
our season' clash, called a crisis meeting at their Chadwell Heath training
ground where not one of the players pointed fingers of blame at Grant.
But Cole told local newspaper the Newham Recorder: 'The game plan was for me
to stay as the longest person away from everybody and try to hit me on the
diagonal or something but we weren't even doing that. So that went out of
the window and we didn't have a Plan B. 'When we changed to 4-4-2 in the
second half, I felt more comfortable because someone was up there with me
and I felt that we were starting to get on the ball a little more, but then
I got taken off and I was like, OK, that's not what they want me to do.
'They would rather I stood up there on my own, trying to make nothing
happen. I'm deflated. I'm not happy and I hope something can happen as soon
as possible because we need to change this ASAP. Everyone is deflated. We
feel we let ourselves down.'
Cole, 27, has struggled to force his way into Grant's team this season, with
the West Ham manager often preferring Frederic Piquionne as his lone centre
forward in a 4-5-1 formation and the England striker is expected to be a
transfer target for several clubs in January. Parker has recovered from the
chest infection which ruled him out of the Liverpool defeat and the
inspirational midfielder returns with the Hammers slashing ticket prices to
£20 for the Wigan game in a bid to generate a positive atmosphere at Upton
Park to support their struggling players. Those who bought tickets at the
original prices can claim a refund. West Ham confirmed the appointment of
Wally Downes as assistant boss, as revealed by Sportsmail. Former Reading No
2 Downes said: 'It's an honour being asked to help such a good club. I hope
I can help them climb out of the relegation area.' Jack Collison, meanwhile,
is stepping up his recovery after the knee injury he suffered in March and
the 22-year-old midfielder hopes to be back in action next month.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammer blow for Avram Grant as Mark Noble faces five-weeks on the sidelines
with leg injury
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 1:10 AM on 25th November 2010
Daily Mail
Mark Noble is facing another five weeks out after suffering a leg injury in
Saturday's 3-0 defeat at Liverpool. West Ham are waiting for the results of
a scan, but they fear the worst for the 23-year-old midfielder. Noble is
only just back from two weeks out for an appendix operation but has been one
of West Ham's most consistent players this season. Scott Parker expects to
return after missing the defeat at Liverpool with a chest infection but the
setback for Noble will be keenly felt at Upton Park.
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Cologne could save Jonathan Spector from West Ham: USA defender keen to quit
Hammers
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 10:50 PM on 24th November 2010
Cologne are interested in West Ham United defender Jonathan Spector. The USA
international is inside the final year of his contract and is keen for a
move away in January.
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Blades will net £18m from West Ham over Carlos Tevez saga
By ALAN BIGGS Last updated at 1:06 AM on 25th November 2010
The Daily Mail
Sheffield United are to receive a total of £18.1m from West Ham over the
Carlos Tevez affair in stage payments that will be completed by 2013. The
figure was itemised for the first time on Wednesday in the Blades' annual
accounts. Chairman Kevin McCabe, who fought a prolonged legal battle over
the controversial circumstances of his club's relegation from the Premier
League in 2007, has pledged to use the money to make his club 'totally free
of external debt.' It emerged that United borrowed £15m from Santander
against the Tevez settlement and that the club now intend to repay the loan
inside the next three years. McCabe said: 'As money comes in from West Ham,
the debt reduces.' He spoke yesterday of ensuring that the club's only
liabilities would be his own commitment, an investment in shares and loans
of around £60m. The accounts reveal that United - whose retained loss of
£18.6m is cushioned by the Tevez income - have sold Chengdu Blades, the club
they owned in China, and have disposed of their interest in a hotel
adjoining Bramall Lane.
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