Taylor made for West Ham
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce has his third summer recruit with Matt Taylor the latest new
face at the Boleyn Ground
23.07.2011
West Ham United are delighted to announce the signing of midfielder Matt
Taylor. The 29-year-old joins from Bolton Wanderers for an undisclosed fee,
becoming Sam Allardyce's third summer signing after Abdoulaye Faye and Kevin
Nolan. Taylor passed a medical on Friday but the deal could not be finalised
until Saturday afternoon, as Bolton were returning from a tour in the United
States. A proven Premier League performer renowned for his set-piece ability
and dynamic play anywhere on the left-hand side, Taylor will join up with
his new team-mates officially on Monday. He has already been to Chadwell
Heath to meet the manager and his coaching staff, as well as having a look
around the club's facilities. Speaking exclusively to whufc.com, Taylor
said: "This is a great opportunity to come and play for a fantastic football
club. This is a big club with a lot of heritage. It is a new challenge for
me and obviously I want to be part of something special and, from the
outset, it looks like I will find that here."
Although he has never played under Allardyce before, Taylor said he was
looking forward to working for his new manager - and is already impressed by
his vision for the campaign ahead as well as the club's grand plans off the
pitch. "I have had good conversations with the gaffer, he is such a positive
person. I think you can see already the aura around the place and the
quality of players he has brought in to add to the players already here.
"From a totally impartial point of view, I couldn't see anything other than
that I was coming to a great football club and wanted to be part of it."
Taylor is particularly relishing the prospect of turning out for the Hammers
faithful, having enjoyed his previous experiences of the Boleyn Ground on
the opposing side. He is keen to get involved in giving the fans a season to
remember after the disappointment of the previous campaign. "Hopefully
myself and the team can give them something to cheer about, something to
smile about. One thing they can count on is that I will give 100 per cent
every time I play. "Everytime I have played at West Ham you notice the fans,
so hopefully now I am playing for them, they will back me and the team this
season."
With the promise of more new faces to come and the squad settling down for
the Championship challenge - the team play Real Zaragoza at home next
Saturday before the big kick-off at home on 7 August against Cardiff City -
Taylor cannot wait for it all to get going. "As I said, ultimately it is a
huge football club and I want to play my part if I can. There were never any
second thoughts about coming here. It is a big challenge for me which I am
looking forward to, to be part of helping the team get back up to the
Premier League and do that as soon as possible. "I see this as a very
positive move for me. I don't expect to be playing Championship football for
more than one season if I am being totally honest. I just want to get stuck
in and start playing. I think it is going to be a great season."
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Youngsters too good for PSV
WHUFC.com
Matthias Fanimo was the match-winner as the Under-18s scored a great victory
on tour in Estonia
23.07.2011
West Ham United's Under-18 squad were 1-0 winners against Dutch giants PSV
Eindhoven at the start of a high-profile tournament in Estonia. The Hammers
youth-team squad are involved in a four-team international competition in
Tallinn, which will also see them take on the Estonia Under-19 national team
and Russian side Dinamo Moscow. Led by coach Nick Haycock and Academy
Director Tony Carr, the young Hammers were impressive in their opening match
against PSV on Friday. Their opponents are equally renowned for their youth
system but were undone by a great goal. It came after bright interplay by
Jake Young and Blair Turgott finished with Matthias Fanimo being set away.
The England youth international cut in from the right, held off a defender
and fired under the goalkeeper. The Hammers defence then stood firm for a
fine win. Carr said: "It is very hot here and was about 30 degrees at
kick-off. It was sticky and difficult conditions but the lads coped very
well. PSV have an excellent youth programme but we were able to win and
Matthias put his previous injury problems behind him with a good goal. "It
was a good start to the competition and we have a big game against the
Estonian national team on Sunday. It will be tough but we are all looking
forward to it. Things are going well."
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Nolan reveals all
WHUFC.com
The skipper has spoken to the club's official online video service and you
can watch it now
23.07.2011
Check out West Ham TV right now to watch a special interview with Kevin
Nolan as he reflects on the draw at Wycombe Wanderers. The Hammers captain
gives his views on his first 90 minutes in a West Ham shirt, the pre-season
so far and how he has quickly settled into life in east London. Also playing
now is Sam Allardyce's post-match interview after the Wycombe game, an
extended sit-down with Winston Reid and all the highlights from the summer
so far including the whole match re-run of the win at FC Copenhagen and the
thoughts of the men that matter. There are plenty of special features too
including the lads taking part in a water polo match and a golf classic
featuring four homegrown Hammers. Stay tuned to West Ham TV as well for the
thoughts of James Tomkins and Frederic Piquionne ahead of Tuesday's match at
Dagenham & Redbridge, while it will be the place to be for the first
interview with new Hammers signing Matt Taylor.
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Allardyce takes the positives
WHUFC.com
A competitive contest at Wycombe and the arrival of Matt Taylor left the
manager in upbeat mood
23.07.2011
Sam Allardyce was satisfied with a good afternoon's work as West Ham United
kept a third successive clean sheet with a goalless draw away to Wycombe
Wanderers on Saturday. The manager travelled round the M25 to Adams Park
without five players but was still able to field a strong lineup that
included first summer starts for Pablo Barrera and Carlton Cole. Winston
Reid, Jack Collison and Freddie Sears were all feeling the effects of their
midweek exertions in Copenhagen while Abdoulaye Faye (hamstring) and Junior
Stanislas (groin) also missed out. While he confirmed that Mark Noble was
withdrawn from the bench as a precaution after feeling his hamstring in the
warm-up, another absentee for different reasons was Matt Taylor. The
midfielder only completed his move to the Boleyn earlier in the day.
Allardyce said he expected the 29-year-old to make his debut away to
Dagenham & Redbridge on Tuesday night. He was delighted to have secured his
third summer signing after Faye and new captain Kevin Nolan. "I have known
Matt for a long time in the Premier League," Allardyce said. "I have been
there watching him develop for from the early days when he was at Luton and
then moving onwards and upwards. "[The deal] shows our desire to get a group
of players together that want to get us back in the Premier league as
quickly as possible and hopefully this season. He is the second player we
have persuaded to step down from the Premier League. "That is a great credit
to everyone at West Ham from the owners and the board down to the staff. It
is about the club itself being big enough for them to come down and want to
play football and try and get us back in the Premier League."
The manager believed that if retains the services of Robert Green, Scott
Parker and Cole he might only need three more new faces but admitted that
another experienced striker and a left-back to compete with Herita Ilunga
were priorities. Of the Wycombe draw, Allardyce believed his men needed to
improve on their finishing, having created several good opportunities only
to see them spurned. "All the players that played did their job. We are just
a little disappointed we didn't win," he confirmed. He was pleased to see
Cole get an hour under his belt, while he also had words of praise for the
youngsters including Frank Nouble, who came close to snatching a win with a
late header just over the bar. Fitness not results is his main concern at
the moment, and he is mindful that the team only have that Daggers test and
then the visit of Real Zaragoza on Saturday before the visit of Cardiff City
in a fortnight's time gets the npower Championship under way. "Some of the
players are a little behind on match fitnes, they are not quite as good as I
would have expected them to be now. In saying that, experience tells me I
have been moaning about that every season I have been managing. It is not
unusual for me to say that. "All that matters is that on 7 August, we are
ready to compete against Cardiff at the level we need to and we are all in a
position to know what is expected of us as a team and as individuals. The
opportunity to get off to a good start is imperative when you are trying to
fight your way back to the Premier League."
* A Hammers XI went down 3-0 away to Weymouth Town's first team on Saturday.
Coach Ian Hendon said: "It was a tough match. We had a very young team out
against a more experienced side. You often learn more in games like this
than you do in games where everything goes right. It is early days and we
can learn from this."
The Hammers starting eleven was Stech, Sanchez, McCallum, McNaughton,
Driver, Lee, Abdulla, Moncur, Hall, Lletget and a triallist.
The remaining development squad fixtures are as follows:
*Friday 29 July, Ebbsfleet United v West Ham United XI, Stonebridge Road,
7.45pm
*Tuesday 2 August, Sutton United v West Ham United XI, Ganders Green Lane,
7.45pm
*Thursday 4 August, Grays Athletic v West Ham United XI, 7.45pm
*Saturday 6 August, AFC Hornchurch v West Ham United XI, Bridge Avenue, 3pm
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Wycombe 0-0 West Ham United
WHUFC.com
23.07.2011
WYCOMBE WANDERERS v WEST HAM UNITED
PRE-SEASON MATCH
SATURDAY 23 JULY 2011
KICK-OFF: 3PM
Final score - Wycombe Wanderers 0-0 West Ham United
Sam Allardyce will be satisfied by another good afternoon's work, even if
there was not the winning goal we got in Copenhagen last Wednesday. The
Hammers next head to Dagenham & Redbridge on Tuesday, when Matt Taylor could
make his debut. There were many positives this afternoon, not least the
return of Carlton Cole and Pablo Barrera to the starting lineup.
90 mins - We are playing one minute of added time. There are 4,352 fans here
and they have enjoyed the game with both sides working hard. There goes the
final whistle.
89 mins - A crunching tackle by Brown draws a noisy cheer from the
travelling fans.
87 mins - Barrera takes a splended corner and Spence is only inches away
from nodding the Hammers in front. He showed great determination to get
there which will please the manager.
86 mins - The Hammers are pushing. First Nouble and then Piquionne go for
goal. Can they find a winner?
85 mins - Well done Nouble. He held the ball up before playing in Barrera.
He in turn found Faubert but the final pass was just a little wayward.
83 mins - Well done Montano. He has got strength to go with his pace. He set
the Hammers going and only an offside flag denied Barrera after a neat
through-ball from Piquionne.
82 mins - Faubert shows his pace to stop a Wycombe breakaway. He has been
energetic throughout. McClure has a go from distance but the dipping volley
did not come down in time and smacks against the stand behind.
80 mins - Montano races up the left and crosses. It is too strong though for
the waiting Piquionne, who started the move with a lovely raking pass.
Wycombe counter but O'Brien and then Green are on hand to deny Gary
Waddock's men.
79 mins - Barrera takes it and gets it up and over. In truth, it was no real
trouble for Bull who saves. The hosts counter but O'Brien snuffs out the
danger.
78 mins - A mazy run by Montano sees him brought down just outside the box.
He doesn't lack for confidence and the Hammers have a free-kick 25 yards
out.
78 mins - The Hammers are playing a 4-4-2 formation. Nolan and Boa Morte are
central, with Montano wide left and Barrera out on the right. Piquionne and
Nouble are a formidable presence in midfield.
77 mins - Parker gave the Hammers fans a big thumbs-up as he entered the
tunnel. So close there for Nouble with his first touch. He headed just over
after a superb dinked cross by Montano.
76 mins - Here comes Frank Nouble to replace Parker. Johnson is coming off
and Jordan Ibe is on. Anthony Stewart is on for Sandell. Charles Dunne is on
for Donnelly.
74 mins - Piquionne feeds Montano after making space on the right. The
Colombian-born youngster cannot connect as well as he would like and the
keeper saves.
74 mins - Faubert and Barrera do well on the right and the Frenchman wins a
free-kick. Wycombe deal well and counter quickly through Bloomfield. Boa
Morte sees out the danger, at least partially, before Faubert tracks back.
72 mins - Betsy surges forward and his cross had alarm bells ringing.
Eventually Green claims and calms the situation.
70 mins - Barrera and Faubert combine before the Frenchman picks out Nolan
in space. It was not the cleanest of contacts and the No4's effort is tame.
The Hammers are looking likely at the moment but the hosts remain a threat
on the counter. More changes. Ben Harding is on for Grant. Marvin McCoy is
coming on for Danny Foster and the thrid and final change sees Matt McClure
replacing Lewis.
68 mins - Tomkins and Ilunga are making way for Jordan Brown and Cristian
Montano. O'Brien has gone to centre-back alongside Spence. Faubert has
dropped to right-back and it looks like Montano will play wide left with
Barrera moving to the right.
67 mins - Well done Ilunga and Barrera again. The move finishes with a
half-chance for Piquionne. Wycombe clear and surge up the other end but this
time it is Spence who deals with the danger.
66 mins - It is early days of course but Tomkins is playing superbly today.
He just made a great interception.
65 mins - Wycombe should be one-up. Grant found space at the back post and
met a dropping ball with a superb volley. However, much to Green's relief,
the shot was wide.
64 mins - So close there for Piquionne. He met Faubert's initial corner but
just could not get the room to shoot for goal. Lots of bright performances
out there right now for the visitors.
63 mins - Piquionne wins a foul as he tried to make space on the right wing.
Good chance here for the Hammers to put the home goal under pressure.
61 mins - Fantastic play from Faubert from a long ball forward. He tricked
two defenders before slipping the ball to Parker. The final shot was
deflected just over.
61 mins - That was a good first start for Cole this summer. He was full of
running and did a lot of tireless work. The manager praised his commitment
to the cause in a pre-match interview and that hour will serve him in good
stead.
60 mins - Piquionne is coming on for Cole. Kevin Betsy, Matt Bloomfield and
Ben Strevens are on for Beavon, Ainsworth and John Halls.
58 mins - Free-kick to Wycombe in a dangerous position just on the Wycombe
right of the penalty area. Donnelly knocks the ball to Sandell but the shot
is high and never troubles Green.
56 mins - Boa Morte wins a corner. Barrera takes and picks out Tomkins. His
header is blocked and the ball nearly falls for Ilunga to shoot, only for
Wycombe to clear.
55 mins - Wycombe cannot handle Ilunga and Barrera's combinations on the
left. They look dangerous and are playing barely ten yards behind wherever
they are up the flank.
53 mins - Tomkins needed some treatment there after taking a blow to the
face as he headed for goal. It was a great chance from the young defender.
Frederic Piquionne is warming up for the first time.
52 mns - Lovely passing there between Barrera and Boa Morte carves out an
opening. The ball fell to Cole but a last-ditch block forced the shot behind
for a corner. Tomkins rose to meet the ball and send it goalwards but Bull
clawed it to safety.
51 mins - So nearly a first goal in Hammers colours for the skipper. Cole
did well to hold the ball up. He fed Ilunga who crossed deep to Nolan. The
ball dropped but it was a difficult one for him to control and the shot
flashed over from ten yards.
50 mins - A lovely piece of passing between Parker and Ilunga sets Barrera
away. The Mexico winger races into the box after leavng his man for dead but
again cannot pick out a team-mate. Tomkins does his job again at the back
when Wycombe counter.
49 mins - Ilunga tidies up after a Wycombe break. Green boots the ball
forward and Barrera shows electric pace before beating his man. His cross
fails to find a Hammers head, though.
48 mins - So close from Cole. He controlled an Ilunga throw, spun and
flashed a shot just wide of the goal. Excellent play.
47 mins - Wonderful play by Parker and Nolan see a charge through the middle
but the referee stops play for a Boa Morte foul. Ainsworth is then
frustrated by Ilunga and concedes a free-kick himself.
46 mins - We are under way again via Parker and Cole, who covered a lot of
ground in that first half. It looks like no changes from the manager. The
Hammers are kicking towards their own fans in the half in the appropriately
named Dreams Stand. The push for promotion begins in just two weeks' time
and everyone will be dreaming of an instant return to the Premier League.
HALF-TIME
45 +1 - We are playing one minute of added time. Wycombe attack again
through Ainsworth but Green avoids any drama with a comfortable catch. There
goes the half-time whistle.
45 mins - Boa Morte does well to deny Ainsworth outside the box. Tomkins has
been up against Beavon, the Wycombe striker, and has won the battle almost
every time.
44 mins - Wonderful play again from the outstanding Tomkins. Wycombe were
threatening in the area but his block did the job. A quick Hammers counter
sees Barrera race clear but his cross does not match his earlier good work.
43 mins - Green punts forward. Cole flicks it on and Faubert only just fails
to connect in front of Bull. Faubert is then shown a yellow card for a late
challenge on Sandell.
41 mins - Boa Morte teases one forward but Parker is flagged for offside.
Brown and Nouble finish their warm-up. It looks like they may be half-time
replacements.
40 mins - Barrera shows good footwork on the left wing. He crosses and
Parker nearly connects with a cheeky back-heel when well placed.
40 mins - Wonderful tackle by O'Brien wins back possession for the Hammers.
Allardyce's men are showing the greater hunger at the moment.
39 mins - Barrera takes it and when the ball comes back out to him, the
Mexico winger fires over.
38 mins - The game is opening up. Boa Morte surges down the left and feeds
Cole but the ball into the England man did not give him a lot of room to
turn. The shot is deflected wide. Corner to the Hammers.
37 mins - The Hammers fans have not stopped singing. They pause briefly as
Cole finds himself in space to the left of goal but the shot is weak. Bull
is able to save without any issues.
35 mins - So close from Parker. He blazed over from about 15 yards after a
great knockdown by Cole. Good link-up play there at least.
34 mins - Boa Morte concedes a free-kick deep in the Hammers' own half. The
set-piece is over-hit and Green watches it sail behind.
32 mins - West Ham are on top but can they find a goal to match their
patient play? Faubert has a chance to head for goal but cannot direct it on
target.
30 mins - Lovely play by Barrera and Ilunga work the ball up the left. It
ultimately comes to nothing, though. The hosts are working as hard as the
Hammers.
28 mins - Corner to Wycombe. Spence conceded it after a slight mis-control
by Tomkins. The England U21 man made up for his error with a commanding
header away from the flag-kick.
27 mins - Cole again finds room on the left but his cross is headed away by
Johnson. Another move 20 seconds later sees Boa Morte cross but Bull is able
to collect.
26 mins - Cole gets some space but cannot pick out Barrera coming in from
the left wing. Remember highlights and post-match reaction will feature on
West Ham TV, which is also playing out full audio commentary today from
Adams Park.
24 mins - Faubert has a go again from Cole's knockdown. Wycombe counter
quickly but O'Brien is alert to make a saving tackle in the right-back
position. Class from Parker leaves Donnelly in a heap. The England
midfielder's long ball forward gets Faubert in behind but the Frenchman,
despite his best efforts, cannot do anything with the cross.
23 mins - Superb play from Faubert and O'Brien nearly plays in Cole at the
near post. A corner to West Ham which Boa Morte takes. It gets to the back
post but Johnson is able to clear.
21 mins - Spence leaves Stuart Lewis in a heap with what looked a committed,
but fair, challenge. The referee felt otherwise. Wycombe build again and
Grant does superbly to kill the ball on the left wing. His ball into the
box, however, leaves a lot to be desired. West Ham come away with it again.
20 mins - Tomkins is on top in this game. He was exce2lent in midweek and is
staking his claim to Sam Allardyce with every minute he plays..
19 mins - Wycombe are playing some good stuff but Parker is slowly getting a
hold of the game. A long ball forward just eludes Cole and Bull dives on the
ball.
18 mins - Ainsworth wins a free-kick after his cross was adjudged to be
handled by Ilunga as he turned his back on the ball. Scott Donnelly fizzes
the ball in but Tomkins is in the right place again. Parker then shows his
class with one of his trademark spins away from trouble.
17 mins - Wycombe have sent some men out to warm up as well. Gary Waddock
has a good squad here as judged by their successful promotion to League One
last season.
15 mins - A hopeful punt forward by Tomkins picks out Cole, but he is
flagged for offside just as he looked like he was through on goal.
14 mins - It is pretty much equal at the moment. The home side are getting
lots of men behind the ball and trying to play on the counter. Frank Nouble
and Jordan Brown are the first Hammers subs out to warm-up.
13 mins - Well done Green. Beavon and Joel Grant combine well on the Wycombe
left but the England man is there when the ball is eventually played into
the box. Good keeping that.
11 mins - Pablo Barrera - making his first start of the new pre-season
campaign - takes a corner from the other side. The ball drops out to Faubert
and he fizzes one wide from 20 yards.
10 mins - Good play from Faubert wins a corner. The move began with Tomkins
winning a firm challenge in midfield. Boa Morte takes and the ball is hacked
over his own bar by Johnson.
9 mins - Cole is getting some close attention here. He will have to work
hard for his openings. A quick Wycombe counter sees Sandell cross from the
left and Jordan Spence is unable to stop a Beavon flick-on but the ball runs
behind.
7 mins - A crossfield ball picks out Gareth Ainsworth at the back post but
his header is a tricky one and Green is able to come and claim with ease.
6 mins - Scott Parker makes his first real contribution with a neat bit of
play. The home side are dogged in defence though and win it back. A ball is
pumped forward towards Green's goal but Tomkins sees out the danger.
5 mins - Cole goes down under pressure from Leon Johnson. Wycombe move the
ball forward but an over-hit pass concedes possession to the Hammers deep in
their own half.
4 mins - James Tomkins takes a whack in the face but he doesn't need
treatment. Herita Ilunga pumps the ball forward for Faubert but Nikki Bull
comes to claim in the home goal.
3 min - Julien Faubert advances on the right but his cross is blocked. The
ball is worked to the other side but Wycombe manage to see out the danger.
2 min - A long ball from James Tomkins forces Wycombe to concede a corner,
with Cole forcing the error. Luis Boa Morte swings the ball in but it is
headed clear.
1 min - It took 15 seconds for Nolan to win his first tackle. Wycombe
recovered well and Andy Sandell got up the left flank. The full-back crossed
but Robert Green was able to claim comfortably.
1 min - We are under way, having just had a big burst of 'Come on you Irons'
and then Bubbles from the Dreams Stand away to my left. The Hammers have
filled that completely and are in good voice on what is turning into a
lovely afternoon. Kevin Nolan looked at every single player just before the
start urging full commitment before a word with Carlton Cole. He's up for
it.
KICK-OFF
It really is a fantastic setting here with the stadium overlooked by dozens
of trees on a hill that stretches behind the Frank Adams Stand. A sizeable
crowd is building and the players received a good reception from the
travelling support. Carlton Cole was the last off after the warm-up, making
sure to pose for every picture requested by the mascots on the pitch.
Sam Allardyce will play a 4-3-3 formation with Luis Boa Morte in midfield
with Scott Parker and Kevin Nolan. Pablo Barrera and Julien Faubert will
play in support of Carlton Cole, making his first start of the summer. Joey
O'Brien, on trial, will play at right-back with Jordan Spence partnering
James Tomkins. The manager has rested Winston Reid, Jack Collison and
Freddie Sears completely, and dropped Mark Noble - who played 90 minutes in
midweek - to the bench.
Wycombe will play with a lone striker, Stuart Beavon will be the main man up
front with Scott Donnelly just in behind.
Wycombe Wanderers: Bull, Foster, Sandell, Johnson, Tunnicliffe, Ainsworth
(c), Lewis, Halls, Donnelly, Grant, Beavon
Subs: Arnold, Harding, Bloomfield, Betsy, Strevens, McCoy, Stewart, McClure,
Harris, Dunne, Ibe
West Ham United: Green, O'Brien, Tomkins, Spence, Ilunga, Faubert, Parker,
Nolan (c), Boa Morte, Barrera, Cole
Subs: Boffin, Brown, Noble, Montano, Piquionne, Nouble
Welcome to Adams Park for the latest pre-season friendly involving West Ham
United. The Hammers head into the game on a high after the 1-0 win away to
Danish champions FC Copenhagen on Wednesday night. Sam Allardyce has a
strong matchday squad again, with the numbers boosted by Pablo Barrera and
Carlton Cole.
Winston Reid, Jack Collison and midweek match-winner Freddie Sears are all
absent from the selection that travelled to Denmark while Abdoulaye Faye and
Junior Stanislas are not fit enough to be involved. Ian Hendon, meanwhile,
has taken the development squad to Weymouth Town for a friendly.
Saturday's first-team match is followed by a game at Dagenham & Redbridge on
Tuesday night before the glamour home warm-up against Real Zaragoza on
Saturday week. Wycombe, who will be in confident mood after gaining
promotion to League One last term, last hosted the Hammers in July 2003.
Then, as now, West Ham had been relegated from the Premier League, with
Wycombe running out 3-1 winners against a visiting side that included David
James, Joe Cole, Jermain Defoe and Michael Carrick. One present-day link
between the two clubs comes in the shape of Czech Republic Under-21
goalkeeper Marek Stech, who played one game on loan at Adams Park in March
2009. The two sides have met just three times in competitive matches
previously. In the most recent of those meetings, Tony Cottee and Kenny
Brown were on target as the Hammers scored a 2-0 FA Cup third-round victory
at Wycombe in January 1995. Prior to that, West Ham were known as Thames
Ironworks FC when they met Wycombe in the Southern League Second Division
during the 1898/99 season, winning 4-1 in both matches.
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West Ham sign Bolton midfielder Matt Taylor
Page last updated at 14:06 GMT, Saturday, 23 July 2011 15:06 UK
BBC.co.uk
West Ham United have signed midfielder Matt Taylor from Bolton Wanderers for
an undisclosed fee. The 29-year-old passed a medical on Friday, and becomes
Hammers boss Sam Allardyce's third summer signing after Abdoulaye Faye and
Kevin Nolan. "It is a new challenge for me and obviously I want to be part
of something special," Taylor told the club's website. "It is a huge
football club and I want to play my part if I can." Taylor will join up with
his team-mates on Monday, and says he is looking forward to working under
Allardyce for the first time. "I have had good conversations with the
gaffer, he is such a positive person," Taylor added. "I think you can see
already the aura around the place and the quality of players he has brought
in to add to the players already here. "From a totally impartial point of
view, I couldn't see anything other than that I was coming to a great
football club and wanted to be part of it."
Although dropping a level to join the east Londoners, Taylor insists that
his stay in the Championship will most certainly be brief. Manager, Bolton
Wanderers
"There were never any second thoughts about coming here," he said. "It is a
big challenge for me which I am looking forward to, to be part of helping
the team get back up to the Premier League and do that as soon as possible.
"I see this as a very positive move for me. I don't expect to be playing
Championship football for more than one season if I am being totally honest.
"I just want to get stuck in and start playing. I think it is going to be a
great season."
Taylor, who began his professional career at Luton Town, netted 23 goals
over four seasons for Wanderers, notching up over 139 appearances after
being signed from Portsmouth in 2008. Bolton manager Owen Coyle had
high-praise for his departing left-sided winger. "Matty is a good lad and he
gave 100% for me during his time with us," he told the club's official
website. "But this was a very good deal for the football club and also for
Matty himself. "We wish him every success at West Ham United."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Wycombe 0 West Ham Utd 0
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 23rd July 2011
By: Staff Writer
West Ham played out a bore-draw against League One outfit Wycombe Wanderers
at Adams Park this afternoon. Sam Allardyce - who enjoyed his first success
as Hammers boss against Copenhagen in Denmark on Wednesday night - sent out
a strong side for the second successive game with the start of the
Championship season just a fortnight away. However his side barely tested
their supposedly-inferior opponents, who probably enjoyed the better chances
in a drab affair hardly littered with goalscoring opportunities. The home
side made the early running and striker Stuart Bevan, who has been afforded
little room by James Tomkins and Jordan Spence should perhaps have done
better with a rare free header inside the opening ten minutes. West Ham -
featuring Mexican winger Pablo Barrera, making his first appearance of
pre-season - eventually rallied to finish the half the stronger of the two
sides but rarely forced Wycombe goalkeeper Bull into action. It was much
the same after the break for West Ham who looked flat up front despite the
lone striker's role being filled by Carlton Cole and his second half
replacement, Freddie Piquionne. As with the opening half, the best chance
of the second 45 minutes fell to Wycombe when Joel Grant made a mess of a
close range effort that would have had Rob Green well beaten.
Wycombe Wanderers 0 West Ham Utd 0: match facts
West Ham Utd: Green, O'Brien, Tomkins (Montano 68), Spence, Ilunga (Brown
68), Faubert, Parker (Nouble), Nolan (c), Boa Morte, Barrera, Cole
(Piquionne 60).
Subs not used: Boffin, Noble.
Wycombe Wanderers: Bull, Foster (McCoy 70), Sandell (Ibe 76), Johnson
(Stewart 76), Tunnicliffe, Ainsworth (c) (Strevens 60), Lewis (McClure 70),
Halls (Bloomfield 60), Donnelly (Dunne 76), Grant (Harding 70), Beavon
(Betsy 60).
Subs not used: Arnold, Harris.
Referee: Mr Russell.
Attendance: 4,352.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Taylor signs
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 23rd July 2011
By: Staff Writer
Matt Taylor has become Sam Allardyce's third signing of pre-season. Taylor's
arrival was confirmed by the club's website this (Saturday) lunchtime for an
undisclosed fee, although Bolton boss Owen Coyle confirmed earlier this week
that the deal was worth roughly £2.2million. "This is a great opportunity to
come and play for a fantastic football club," Taylor told whufc.com. "It is
a new challenge for me and obviously I want to be part of something special
and, from the outset, it looks like I will find that here. "I have had good
conversations with the gaffer, he is such a positive person. I think you can
see already the aura around the place and the quality of players he has
brought in to add to the players already here. "There were never any second
thoughts about coming here. It is a big challenge for me which I am looking
forward to, to be part of helping the team get back up to the Premier League
and do that as soon as possible. "I see this as a very positive move for me.
I don't expect to be playing Championship football for more than one season
if I am being totally honest. I just want to get stuck in and start playing.
I think it is going to be a great season."
Taylor is the third player Sam Allardyce has managed to lure from the
Premier League this season, following on from Abdoulaye Faye (Stoke) and
Kevin Nolan (Newcastle).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Taylor agrees Hammers deal
Midfielder to sign four-year deal at Upton Park
By Pete O'Rourke - Follow me: @skysportspeteo. Last Updated: July
23, 2011 2:00pm
SSN
Skysports.com understands Matt Taylor has agreed his move to West Ham from
Bolton. As revealed by skysports.com earlier this week, West Ham were
closing in on the signing of Taylor after agreeing an undisclosed fee with
Bolton for his services. Taylor has now agreed personal terms and passed his
medical to allow him to seal his switch to Upton Park. The former Portsmouth
man is believed to have agreed a four-year deal to become Sam Allardyce's
latest signing of the summer. Bolton were willing to let Taylor move on as
he was enterting the final year of his contract at the Reebok Stadium and
his sale will bolster Owen Coyle's coffers for his own transfer plans.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Taylor hails Hammers move
Hammers new boy eyes promotion bid
By Pete O'Rourke - Follow me: @skysportspeteo. Last Updated: July
23, 2011 2:24pm
SSN
West Ham new boy Matt Taylor has set his sights on winning promotion back to
the Premier League after sealing his move to Upton Park. As revealed by
skysports.com earlier on Saturday, Taylor has signed a four-year deal at
West Ham after Bolton accepted an offer for the versatile performer. The
29-year-old, who is Sam Allardyce's third signing of the summer, is
delighted to be joining West Ham and is determined to do his best in helping
the club regain their Premier League status following relegation last term.
Great opportunity
"This is a great opportunity to come and play for a fantastic football
club," Taylor told the club's official website. "This is a big club with a
lot of heritage. It is a new challenge for me and obviously I want to be
part of something special and, from the outset, it looks like I will find
that here. "As I said, ultimately it is a huge football club and I want to
play my part if I can. There were never any second thoughts about coming
here. "It is a big challenge for me which I am looking forward to, to be
part of helping the team get back up to the Premier League and do that as
soon as possible. "I see this as a very positive move for me. I don't expect
to be playing Championship football for more than one season if I am being
totally honest. "I just want to get stuck in and start playing. I think it
is going to be a great season."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Matt Taylor hails move to West Ham
Published: 23 Jul 2011
The Sun
MATT TAYLOR swapped Bolton for West Ham - but says he will be back in the
Premier League in 2012. Like Newcastle captain Kevin Nolan and Stoke
defender Abdoulaye Faye, the left-sided midfielder has dropped from the
top-flight to the newly-relegated Hammers. Taylor, 29, passed a medical
yesterday and completed his move this afternoon when Bolton returned from a
pre-season tour of the USA. He told the Hammers' website: "This is a great
opportunity to come and play for a fantastic football club. "This is a big
club with a lot of heritage. It is a new challenge for me and obviously I
want to be part of something special and, from the outset, it looks like I
will find that here." "There were never any second thoughts about coming
here. "It is a big challenge for me which I am looking forward to, to be
part of helping the team get back up to the Premier League and do that as
soon as possible. "I see this as a very positive move. I don't expect to be
playing Championship football for more than one season. "I just want to get
stuck in and start playing. I think it is going to be a great season."
Taylor revealed ex-Bolton chief Sam Allardyce - now preparing for his first
term as West Ham boss - played a huge part in luring him. He said: "I have
had good conversations with the gaffer, he is such a positive person. "I
think you can see already the aura around the place and the quality of
players he has brought in to add to the players already here. "From a
totally impartial point of view, I couldn't see anything other than that I
was coming to a great football club and wanted to be part of it."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham join race for ex-Man United star
Published 23:00 23/07/11 By Dave Kidd
The Mirror
West Ham have joined the race to sign former Manchester United and England
midfielder Owen Hargreaves. Hammers boss Sam Allardyce has asked to be kept
informed of developments regarding the injury-plagued star who was released
by United at the end of last season.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
New West Ham signing Matt Taylor: I don't expect to be in Championship for
more than one season
Published 14:40 23/07/11 By Football Spy
The Mirror
West Ham have completed the signing of Bolton midfielder Matt Taylor for an
undisclosed fee. The 29-year-old's move to London further strengthens the
Hammers, who have already brought in Newcastle captain Kevin Nolan and
Stoke's Abdoulaye Faye to Upton Park this summer as they bid to make an
instant return to the Barclays Premier League. Taylor passed a medical on
Friday but the deal could not be finalised until this afternoon as Bolton
were returning from a pre-season tour in the United States. This is a great
opportunity to come and play for a fantastic football club," Taylor told the
club's official website, www.whufc.com. "This is a big club with a lot of
heritage. It is a new challenge for me and obviously I want to be part of
something special and, from the outset, it looks like I will find that
here." Taylor joined Bolton from Portsmouth in January 2008 and rapidly
established himself as a key first-team player at the Reebok Stadium. The
move to West Ham will see the left-sided midfielder drop down a division but
Taylor insists he is relishing the challenge of getting the
recently-relegated club back to the top flight at the first attempt.
"Ultimately it is a huge football club and I want to play my part if I can,"
he said. "There were never any second thoughts about coming here. "It is a
big challenge for me which I am looking forward to, to be part of helping
the team get back up to the Premier League and do that as soon as possible.
"I see this as a very positive move for me. I don't expect to be playing
Championship football for more than one season if I am being totally honest.
"I just want to get stuck in and start playing. I think it is going to be a
great season." Taylor also admitted manager Allardyce formed a key part in
his decision to move to east London. "I have had good conversations with the
gaffer, he is such a positive person," he added. "I think you can see
already the aura around the place and the quality of players he has brought
in to add to the players already here. "From a totally impartial point of
view, I couldn't see anything other than that I was coming to a great
football club and wanted to be part of it."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Allardyce keen to make Hargreaves a Hammer
Jul 24 2011 by Dave Kidd, The People
WEST HAM have joined the race to sign former Manchester United and England
midfielder Owen Hargreaves. Hammers boss Sam Allardyce has asked to be kept
informed of developments regarding the injury-plagued star who was released
by United at the end of last season. WEST BROM have been in talks with
Hargreaves, 30, but have yet to agree a pay-as-you-play deal. Allardyce
knows he may have to replace Scott Parker, who is wanted by ASTON VILLA and
has also attracted interest from CHELSEA. And he believes Hargreaves could
prove the perfect option if he demonstrates his long-term fitness.
Canadian-born Hargreaves has also attracted interest from Major League
Soccer clubs as he bids to return after four years of struggle with a knee
injury.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Taylor demands promotion after sealing move from Bolton to West Ham
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 2:46 PM on 23rd July 2011
Daily Mail
Matt Taylor has completed his move from Bolton to West Ham United for a fee
of around £2.2million. The 29-year-old, who had 12 months left on his
contract, was being sought by a number of Premier League clubs, but the
Hammers moved quickly to secure a deal. The midfielder paid tribute to the
West Ham fans, and says it was the quality of players that had attracted him
to Upton Park. He said: 'This is a great opportunity to come and play for a
fantastic football club. This is a big club with a lot of heritage. It is a
new challenge for me and obviously I want to be part of something special
and, from the outset, it looks like I will find that here. 'Every time I
have played at West Ham you notice the fans, so hopefully now I am playing
for them, they will back me and the team this season. 'Hopefully myself and
the team can give them something to cheer about, something to smile about.
One thing they can count on is that I will give 100 per cent every time I
play.
'There were never any second thoughts about coming here. It is a big
challenge for me which I am looking forward to, to be part of helping the
team get back up to the Premier League and do that as soon as possible. 'I
see this as a very positive move for me. I don't expect to be playing
Championship football for more than one season if I am being totally honest.
I just want to get stuck in and start playing. I think it is going to be a
great season.' Taylor was signed from Portsmouth for £3.5million by Gary
Megson in January 2008 and with only a year left on his deal Bolton are
happy to let the midfielder leave. He failed to reproduce his best form last
season, scoring just twice, and found his left-sided position under threat
from Martin Petrov. Taylor was an unused substitute in Bolton's second
friendly of their US trip, a 3-1 win over Orlando.
Taylor has never played under former Wanderers boss Allardyce, but is
looking forward to getting to work under him. 'I have had good conversations
with the gaffer, he is such a positive person,' he continued in the
interview with the club. 'I think you can see already the aura around the
place and the quality of players he has brought in to add to the players
already here. 'From a totally impartial point of view, I couldn't see
anything other than that I was coming to a great football club and wanted to
be part of it.'
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