WHUFC.com
Two FA Cup ties take centre stage on this day in West Ham United's long and illustrious history
25.01.2012
Anniversary
West Ham United continued their ultimately successful quest for a first FA Cup triumph by drawing 1-1 at Leyton Orient in the FA Cup fourth round on 25 January 1964. An amazing crowd of 34,345 - still a Leyton Orient club record - turned out at Brisbane Road to see the Division Two O's host their top-flight visitors for a place in the last 16. Peter Brabrook was on target for the Hammers as they secured a second bite of the cherry against their east London neighbours.
The Hammers would go on to win their fourth-round replay 3-0 at the Boleyn Ground four days later before brushing aside the challenge of Swindon Town, Burnley and Manchester United to set up a final meeting with Preston North End at Wembley. There, in front of a 100,000-strong crowd, goals from John SIssons, Geoff Hurst and a last-gasp strike from Ronnie Boyce secured the famous old trophy for the first time in the club's history.
Classic match
West Ham United 4-1 Leeds United
FA Cup fourth round
25 January 1930
The incomparable Vic Watson (pictured) was in red-hot goalscoring form as West Ham United thrashed Leeds United in front of a 34,000-strong crowd at the Boleyn Ground. The club's all-time leading scorer netted all four of the home side's goals at the Whites were simply swept aside in east London. Watson was his usual prolific self during the 1929/30 season, banging in an amazing 50 goals in just 44 appearances in Division One and the FA Cup. Aside from the four goals he scored in this FA Cup tie, the centre forward also found the net five times in the two league meetings between the clubs - a 3-1 win at Elland Road in November 1929 and a 3-0 home victory in March 1930. Watson would also bag eight goals in just four FA Cup appearances that season as the Hammers reached the sixth round before being beaten 3-0 by Arsenal. In the league, West Ham finished the campaign an impressive seventh in the Division One table.
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The Big Interview
WHUFC.com
James Tomkins is looking to the future after signing a new long-term contract with West Ham United
25.01.2012
James Tomkins enjoyed a fantastic weekend. The 22-year-old signed a new long-term contract with West Ham United until 2016 before celebrating his 100th game for the Hammers in a 2-1 victory over Nottingham Forest that took the Hammers top of the npower Championship table. The popular No5 spoke to West Ham TV about Saturday's win, the team's ability to adapt to new formations, signing his new deal, his West Ham career highlights and hopes of representing Team GB at the 2012 Olympic Games.
Was the result against Nottingham Forest more important than the performance?
"At the end of the day, it's all about the three points in this league. Sometimes it can be a lot harder than we want it to be and Saturday was another example of that. We've come home with the three points and we're top of the league, which is all we wanted."
Is it difficult to adapt to different formations?
"Not really. I think we're adapting quite well to any changes. We've got good enough and experienced enough players to deal with it. Even on Saturday, we changed it at half-time and all adapted to it. We're winning games and that's the main thing."
Were you concerned with the number of chances you conceded to Nottingham Forest on Saturday?
"They created more chances than we would have liked but I suppose it is all about convertingthem and they didn't. We got sloppy a few times and it's important that we don't under-estimate this league and get punished."
Did the first penalty come at an important time just before half-time?
"It came at a great time for us. We weren't playing too well and they would have been happy with 0-0 at half-time. Thankfully the decision went our way because sometimes they don't and we made the most of it."
You must be really pleased with your own individual form?
"Yes, I feel confident and I feel like I'm growing in every game and gaining good experience playing in this league, physically and mentally. I'm enjoying my football at the minute. As long as we keep winning games, I think I'll keep developing and getting better as a player, which is what I want."
You have signed a new contract. Was there ever any doubt about you staying with West Ham United?
"There was no doubt. I have been committed to this club for many years. I've been here since I was eight have always shown commitment. The main thing is I want to gain promotion and that's the main task I've set myself this year. There was no way I was going to go elsewhere. It's nice to put the speculation to bed now and I can concentrate on the rest of the season."
Saturday was your 100th West Ham United appearance. Which games have been the highlights?
"It's hard to put my finger on them but I'll always remember my first game at Everton in March 2008 and my first goal against Sunderland in April 2009. They were highlights, as was going top of the league for the first time in my 100 games. I've made 100 but hopefully there are many more to come."
Does going top of the table for the first time on Saturday add or reduce the pressure?
"That's a good question. Everyone wants to beat us in the league because we know we're favourites to go up, but I thrive on that pressure and I think all the other lads do. We're just delighted to be up there and will just take each game as it comes."
Why have we struggled to score goals from open play recently?
"It's hard to put your finger on it, really. It's not a major problem at the minute because Nobes is putting away his penalties. I'm sure it'll come but we're scoring the penalties that are winning us games."
Would you like to represent Team GB at London 2012 now you have been named in the provisional squad?
"I think it would be brilliant. If we get promoted this year, which we're all confident we can do, and this came at the end of the season then that would be a bonus. The important thing is to keep doing well for my club because then the call-up might come. If I keep playing well for West Ham United, then who knows?"
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One million pounds down the pan
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 25th January 2012
By: Staff Writer
The cost of West Ham's aborted bid for the Olympic Stadium is estimated to be an astonishing £1million, according to reports. An article in today's Evening Standard claims that United's efforts to secure rights to the Stratford-based complex after this summer's Olympic Games have cost the club's owners in excess of seven figures.
West Ham were granted preferred bidder status for the stadium back in February 2011, afer the OPLC - the Olympic Park Legacy Company - unanimously voted in favour of handing use of the £500million ground to United. However the decision was reversed last October due to ongoing legal action, mostly at the behest of Tottenham Hotspur and Leyton Orient whose claims of wrongdoing are yet to be substantiated. A number of sources are suggesting that West Ham will now pull out of the second round of bidding havng failed to receive reassurances with regards to a number of issues including naming rights, sponsorship and the use of the stadium by non-football activities.
Co-chairman David Gold, who stated as recently as November that, "I am ruling out developing the Boleyn [as] that would be pouring money down the drain" has recently made noises suggesting that he would be willing to consider redeveloping the ground's East Stand in order to raise capacity to 40,000. The East Stand - which contains the former Chicken Run - is the only stand at the Boleyn Ground that is more than 17 years old (having been opened in 1969). The Bobby Moore Stand - that replaced the former South Bank - was opened in 1993, followed in 1995 by the Centenary Stand (former North Bank) and then the new West (aka Dr Martens aka Alpari) Stand in 2001.
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Jelavic keen on West Ham move
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 25th January 2012
By: Staff Writer
Rangers striker Nikica Jelavic has revealed that he would be interested in a move to the Boleyn Ground. Despite his father stating recently that a move to east London was not on the Croatian international's radar, Jelavic told the Scottish Sun that he would be delighted to join the Hammers - who he views as certs for promotion this season. "West Ham are a great club," he said. "They are not a second division club — they are a famous Premier League club who happened to be relegated and will return to the Premier League next season. "It would be nice to play there if the opportunity comes up and the club agrees."
But despite West Ham's interest, Jelavic admitted that he would be just as happy to remain in Scotland with his current club. "West Ham are a big club, but I'm also playing at a big club and it wouldn't bother me in the least if I had to stay here," he added. "The manager appreciates me and likes me, but I know the club are in a difficult financial situation and if they decided they needed to sell me, I would accept it. "There have been a lot of stories, but nothing is on the horizon yet. Believe me, I know as much about it as everyone else. I've left everything to my manager and I don't even call him these days. I don't care about it."
And moving to deny reports that a firm bid has already been lodged by West Ham, Jelavic said: "If they [West Ham] made an offer, it would be up to the club. If it were true, the manager would have told me because the club have always been fair with me."
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Jelavic would be happy Hammer
Rangers striker would quit Scotland for Championship club
Last Updated: January 25, 2012 11:23am
SSN
Rangers striker Nikica Jelavic says he would have no reservations about quitting Scotland to move to the Championship. The Croatia international has been linked with a host of sides including Premier League QPR and Liverpool - but Championship promotion-chasers West Ham are also in the hunt for his signature. Hammers boss Sam Allardyce has confirmed the club have enquired about the availability of the prolific striker and Jelavic insists joining them would be a tempting option. He told the Daily Record: "West Ham are a great club and not a Second Division outfit. "They are a famous English Premier League club who happened to be relegated last season and will return to the top division next season. "It would be nice to play there, but I am playing at a big club so it wouldn't bother me if I had to stay and anyway I don't even call my agent about a transfer these days. "I know Rangers are in a tough financial situation and if they need to sell me I will go, but I would also be happy to stay."
Rangers boss Ally McCoist is determined to hang on to his star frontman in spite of the Hammers' interest McCoist has confirmed talks have taken place between Gers chairman Craig Whyte and his West Ham counterpart David Sullivan. I spoke to Craig and I believe Craig had a conversation with David Sullivan," said McCoist. "But Craig was very keen to point out that absolutely no offers had been made at all. I think it was just a pretty informal chat they had."
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McCoist - No bids for Jelavic
But initial talks have taken place with West Ham
Last Updated: January 25, 2012 5:38pm
SSN
Rangers have revealed that they have not received any bids for star striker Nikica Jelavic. But manager Ally McCoist has confirmed that Gers chairman Craig Whyte and West Ham chairman David Sullivan have held casual talks. The Croatian has scored 17 goals for the Scottish Premier League outfit this season and is also being linked with Liverpool, West Brom, Fulham and Queens Park Rangers. Jelavic has already admitted that he would be happy to move to West Ham, while his father has claimed that it is likely he will sign for Liverpool, but McCoist remains confident that he will stay at Ibrox.
No offers
He told the club's official website: "We have absolutely not received any bids for Nikica or indeed any of our players at all. No offers have been put in from any clubs.
"That's where we are at the moment. Sam Allardyce and I have spoken on the phone and had a conversation which will remain private. "Craig (Whyte) has also spoken to Mr Sullivan and they have had a discussion, too, which Craig has told me about. "But there has certainly not been an offer from West Ham for Nikica and everything we are reading is purely speculation. The same applies to everyone else in the squad."
Meanwhile, David Healy and Kirk Broadfoot have also been linked with a move away this January, but McCoist is desperate to hold onto his key players as they chase the SPL title. He added: "The key message with the likes of Nikica, David and Kirk is that they are all integral members of our squad and hopefully that will remain the case."
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Saints make up with Puncheon
Winger back in Southampton squad
By Graeme Bailey - Tweet me: @skygraemebailey. Last Updated: January 25, 2012 1:11pm
SSN
Jason Puncheon has been welcomed back into the Southampton squad after patching up his differences with the club. The 25-year-old had looked all set to leave St Mary's this month, after publicly clashing with Saints owner Nicola Cortese. Puncheon, who has had loan spells at Millwall, Blackpool and QPR in the past 18 months, criticised Cortese on Twitter, and the club immediately disciplined him. Puncheon was interesting a number of clubs, with Saints' promotion rivals, including West Ham, Middlesbrough and Blackpool, all keen. But now Puncheon is back in the first-team squad and looks set to play his first game for the club since 2010. "I admit my mistakes as a grown man, both my actions over the weekend and for the things that have occurred in the past, so I am pleased that Nicola has accepted my apology and granted me a clean slate," said Puncheon on Southampton's official website.
Pleased
"I know that I have a point to prove, and I know that some supporters have been on my back for the way that I have behaved in the past. I can only put that right through my performances on the pitch and showing that I am committed to Southampton Football Club. "I have always wanted to be here, but things weren't working out how anyone would have liked back in the summer and that is why I took the chance to move to QPR. That didn't work out for whatever reason, so I am delighted that I now have the chance to prove myself again. "When I signed here I said that within the three and a half years on my contract I wanted to get this club promoted to the Premier League. That has always been the case, and is still the case, and I will do everything I can to make that happen this season."
Saints boss Nigel Adkins also welcomed him back, adding: "Jason has stood up and accepted that he has made mistakes in the past and again recently with his unjustified comments, but wants to put that right, and that can only be a good thing for this football club. "We have always said that we will only achieve anything at Southampton if we all stick together as one. Jason has grabbed an oar and is back on board, rowing in the same direction with us, and we are delighted with that. "If the club can forgive Jason for his actions, then the fans should also welcome him back and get behind him as they do with the rest of the team."
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Transfer Forum Wednesday 25th January
January 25th, 2012 - 8:24 am by Bradley Palmer
West Ham Till I Die
Update 21:44: Confirmation of Jelavic bid being rejected on SSN. Am told a new offer will go in though and that the player himself has threatened a transfer request to push the deal through. So much info flying about and also so much news Im being sent all the time. I personally can't wait now for the end of the window. Has been incredibly frustrating for all involved, especially the owners. Credit to them though, they keep plugging away and are hopeful a deal can be sorted soon. Have also been told to expect a big announcement by the weekend. Honestly could be anything. Time will tell. Now then…time for a lie down!!!
Follow this forum for updates throughout today on transfer news surrounding Whu:
Early Update 7:15: "Negotiations for Jelavic are extremely close, DS is very hopeful he can conclude a deal soon" Received this info 1st thing this morning along with…
Early Update continued 7:16: "A bid is likely to go in for Snodgrass today after positive talks with LUFC yesterday"
Adzman ClungeWhu has just now tweeted: "Jelavic interview in Scottish press states he would join Whu no problems. Trying to encourage a sale."
Followed by another tweet saying: "Rangers want him to put in a transfer request and the deal will happen. 7.5 mil fee will seal the deal"
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Rub of the Green may not be kind to Rob
By CHARLIE WYETT
Published: 25 Jan 2012
The Sun
WEST HAM are taking a contract gamble over keeper Rob Green. The Championship high-flyers are refusing to offer Green a bumper new deal — even though his current one expires this summer. West Ham co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan are learning from mistakes made by previous boards and will only offer Green, 32, fresh terms if the Hammers secure promotion back to the Premier League. If the club miss out on returning to the top flight, Green — a £2million buy from Norwich six years ago — will walk away on a free transfer. Monaco and Tottenham have previously been linked with the stopper, who has not played for England since his mistake against the United States at the World Cup in South Africa.
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West Ham facing Rob Green contract dilemma
Published 22:29 25/01/12 By John Cross
The Mirror
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce is facing an anxious wait over Rob Green's future at Upton Park. The England keeper is out of contract at the end of the season, but the Hammers will not offer him a new deal until they know they have secured promotion back to the Premier League - and may not be able to afford to do so if they miss out. It leaves the east Londoners knowing they may struggle to keep Green if an offer comes in over the next week. He could also secure himself a lucrative free transfer in the summer. West Ham are also due to renegotiate Carlton Cole's deal and may struggle to keep him if another club comes in - QPR have been watching developments.
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West Ham United frustrated by revised Olympic Stadium tender process
• Relations between East End club and OPLC more tense
• West Ham considering their options over Olympic Stadium
Owen Gibson
guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 25 January 2012 13.46 GMT
The future of the Olympic Stadium has been thrown into fresh doubt, with West Ham United considering their options amid bitter frustration with the process surrounding the tender for the £468m publicly owned asset. It is understood that relations between West Ham, long seen as the most likely tenants for the new venue, and the Olympic Park Legacy Company have grown increasingly tense since the tendering process for the stadium was relaunched late last year.
The East End club still intend to submit a bid for the stadium but will do so on their own terms rather than those offered by the OPLC. The OPLC, meanwhile, believes that West Ham's posturing is merely part of the negotiating process and remains confident it will ultimately conclude a deal. Keen to maintain some leverage, it also maintains that even if it does not it can construct a viable future for the stadium without football.
Burned by the experience of the last bidding race, which collapsed amid legal paralysis last October, the OPLC is running the process at arm's length. All queries and negotiations are being routed through lawyers and the secure data room they have set up. Officials were determined to avoid a repeat of the chaos, bitter recriminations and lawsuits that accompanied the previous tender process and led to its collapse. In particular, they have forbidden bidders from communicating directly with senior OPLC executives.
But that has led to intense frustration at West Ham, who feel that they are being treated in the same way as other bidders who may be planning to use the stadium only on an irregular basis. There is concern that they are being forced to table a bid without knowing the full facts and that the extra footfall and prominence they will bring to the venue and the wider Park is not being properly accounted for.
Bidders are marked down for any change they make to the terms tabled by the OPLC. But it is understood West Ham will ignore the terms on offer and instead table their own bid.
Major issues around the naming rights, for which the OPLC is currently testing the market, and the possibility of co-tenancy alongside a rugby team have complicated the bidding process.
The OPLC is also insisting that while it will pay for the basic conversion of the stadium out of the public purse, expected to cost around £95m, prospective tenants must negotiate over the financing for other improvements. West Ham are keen to investigate the possibility of installing retractable seating and a retractable roof.
There is also a fear at Upton Park that disquiet among West Ham fans may intensify if they are forced to share the stadium with a rugby club and have little direct sense of ownership of the ground.
When the original deal collapsed in October, London's mayor, Boris Johnson, said the stadium would "almost certainly" be let to West Ham and their vice-chair, Karren Brady, said the club would "tender again with the same energy, vision and determination".
West Ham's renewed doubts are merely the latest twist to the long-running saga over the future of the £468m stadium. When no football or rugby tenant could be found in 2007, organisers vowed to plough ahead with plans for an 80,000-capacity stadium that could be reduced to a 25,000 bowl after the Games. But the coalition government and Johnson were convinced that only a top-flight football club could guarantee a viable future and, with the OPLC chair Margaret Ford also keen to make more of the stadium as an attraction, new bids were invited.
Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham fought a bitter battle, with the former arguing the only viable option was to rip out the athletics track and the latter vowing to keep it.
West Ham, who have since been relegated to the Championship, and Newham council were awarded the stadium in February last year, but the deal collapsed under the weight of legal challenges and amid allegations of dirty tricks. Subsequently there have been a series of arrests connected to allegations that a corporate intelligence company hired by Spurs was responsible for accessing phone records of West Ham and OPLC executives.
West Ham are believed to be considering their options over the stadium and will decide on a definitive way forward in the coming weeks ahead of the final deadline for offers of the end of March.
There is a deadline of next week to submit expressions of interest and gain access to the data room. Orient are among the other potential bidders to have done so, though their chairman, Barry Hearn, also has concerns about sharing the stadium with a rugby club, along with concert promotion companies and Essex County Cricket Club. The OPLC is believed to have had discussions with at least two Premiership rugby clubs, including one of the bidders looking to buy Wasps.
The OPLC hopes to sign binding contracts with a series of tenants by the end of May.
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West Ham 'set to ditch move into stadium after the Games'
Matthew Beard, Olympics Editor
25 Jan 2012
Evening Standard
West Ham United may scrap plans to move to the Olympic stadium after the Games, it emerged today. The club's interest in making the 60,000-seat venue its home from 2014 has waned in recent months over the commercial deal offered by Boris Johnson's Olympic legacy agency. Its failure to table a bid would be a severe blow to the Mayor and ministers as they seek to justify spending £486 million on the arena and would plunge the legacy into crisis.
Interest from the football club, whose vice-chairman is Karren Brady, 42, is seen as crucial to creating a competitive bid and getting a good deal for taxpayers. The Olympic Park Legacy Company, the agency managing the commercial transformation of the publicly owned 500-acre site in Stratford, is seeking expressions of interest in the stadium by Monday.
It was assumed West Ham would return to the negotiating table after they were chosen as preferred bidders ahead of Tottenham Hotspur under a previous tender process - abandoned because of legal complications. But the club, top of the Championship and primed to return to the Premier League next season, will not submit a formal bid by the March 23 deadline unless the draft contract terms are vastly improved.
It has expressed interest in a 99-year lease but will not begin work on a detailed plan until there is clarity from the OPLC about what is required of potential bidders.
A bid is far from certain, say sources. The main stumbling blocks include the share of naming-rights revenue, branding issues on match days, flexibility on fixture dates, the ability to shape the stadium's design and the identity of co-tenants.
It is understood that one of three potential buyers for London Wasps rugby club is seriously considering a move to the Olympic stadium and has expressed an interest in the course of its due diligence. However, West Ham would refuse to share with a rugby club because of pitch damage.
Summer use of the stadium by UK Athletics means there would be only a two-week window to prepare the turf for the football season. West Ham are reluctant to spend more money on another bid without greater certainty. Nor are they willing to start the process of selling Upton Park, valued at £66.3 million in the latest accounts, unless the Olympic stadium will be their new home.
The club is thought to have spent nearly £1 million on the first bidding process, which collapsed in October after an anonymous complaint to the European Commission that its £40 million loan from Newham council constituted illegal state aid. Club accounts, published this week, show that "Olympic stadium project costs" had accrued to £240,000 by May 31, 2011 - the same month that Spurs launched an application for a judicial review of the Government's decision to award their London rivals preferred bidder status in a High Court challenge.
West Ham's cooler mood follows a claim by Andy Altman, the OPLC chief executive, that the commercial viability of the stadium was "not dependent" on football. The club was unavailable for comment.
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West Ham United consider options over Olympic Stadium
3:31pm Wednesday 25th January 2012 in
Guardian Series
West Ham United are understood to have become frustrated with the tender process for the Olympic Stadium. The process was relaunched in October and the Hammers were widely expected to become tenants at the new venue. It has been reported the Championship leaders will bid for the stadium but will do so on their own terms rather than those offered by the Olympic Park Legacy Company.
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Rangers reject £7m bid for Jelavic but expect striker to leave 'within days'
Michael Grant
Chief football writer
Scottish Herald
RANGERS will hold out for at least £9m for Nikica Jelavic after telling West Ham United the £7m deal they tabled yesterday was not enough. Herald Sport revealed yesterday Rangers were bracing themselves for a bid from the London club and that arrived within hours, only to be rejected by owner Craig Whyte. West Ham striker Frederic Piquionne was offered to sweeten the deal but the 33-year-old did not interest Rangers. The offer was not a straightforward £7m up front although the total deal, including clauses, could have added up to that amount.
It is believed that Rangers not only want more money for the Croat but also a bid that would involve nearly all of the transfer fee being paid up front. Manager Ally McCoist has repeatedly gone on record about his wish to keep Jelavic, who has scored 36 times in his season-and-a-half at Rangers, but the club's parlous financial position means they have to consider any sizeable offer which comes in for him or any other player.
Rejecting £7m suggests the club's immediate cash flow issues are not as serious as many have suggested, although if a Jelavic transfer does still go ahead in the coming days it would seem as though the club's financial position was being given priority over the prospects of retaining the Clydesdale Bank Premier League title.
Yesterday's failed bid may mean the end of West Ham's interest and Rangers are aware that the Championship club are unsure about whether to come back with an improved offer before the transfer window closes on Tuesday night. It is still probable that Jelavic will not be at Ibrox by then, though. Even if West Ham do not come in with another bid there is interest from other Championship and Barclays Premier League clubs and senior figures within Rangers expect Jelavic to leave within days.
The grave worry for McCoist is that his top goalscorer and best player will go without any of the transfer fee coming back to him to buy a replacement. Losing Jelavic will leave the squad hopelessly short of strikers, especially while Steven Naismith and Kyle Lafferty are out injured.
So far, McCoist has had an exasperating January transfer window with only Swedish midfielder Mervan Celik signing so far. McCoist would like to add a striker to his squad even if no deal is done to sell Jelavic.
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TOTTENHAM ALERTED AFTER WEST HAM PUT ROBERT GREEN CONTRACT TALKS ON HOLD
Daily Express
Robert Green's current West Ham deal runs out at the end of the season
Thursday January 26,2012
By Daily Express Reporter
WEST HAM risk losing England goalkeeper Robert Green on a free transfer after putting his contract talks on hold until the end of the season. That could alert London rivals Tottenham if they cannot sign a new goalkeeper during the remainder of this transfer window. Green's current Hammers deal runs out at the end of the current campaign, but the Championship leaders want to know whether they will be playing in the Premier League before discussing new terms. Spurs and Monaco have been alerted to the stand-off and will closely monitor developments.
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West Ham call it quits on Jelavic after £5m offer for striker rejected by Rangers
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 8:32 PM on 25th January 2012
Daily Mail
West Ham are set to end their chase for Nikica Jelavic after Rangers rejected a £5million bid, plus add-ons, for the striker. The offer from the npower Championship leaders failed to meet the Scottish champions' valuation of the Croatian. West Ham had been reported on Wednesay to have bid £7m for the Croatia hotshot, but the Hammers are not prepared to go any higher than £5m. Jelavic is the club's top goalscorer with 17 goals this season and has also been linked with Liverpool, West Brom, Fulham and QPR. Rangers manager Ally McCoist confirmed at the weekend that informal talks regarding Jelavic had taken place between chairman Craig Whyte and his West Ham counterpart David Sullivan. Rangers previously rejected an offer of £6.5m from Leicester for the striker in August. Jelavic was quoted in a number of newspapers today expressing interest in a move to West Ham but also claiming he would be happy to remain with the Scottish champions. He was quoted as saying: 'West Ham are a great club; they are not a second division club. 'They are a famous Premier League club who happened to be relegated last season and will return to the Premier League next season. 'It would be nice to play there if the opportunity comes up and the club agrees. 'But I am also playing at a big club and it wouldn't bother me in the least if I had to stay here.'
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Tony Cottee Column; It's a great feeling to see West Ham are top of the league
Tony Cottee, London24 West Ham Columnist
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
3:00 PM
This season I have ended up repeating myself over and over again about West Ham's style of play and the way that we are grinding out results. The Hammers are learning how to win ugly and Saturday's victory against Nottingham Forest was no different. It wasn't a game that was high on entertainment, but it was yet another case of job done. Fans need to keep perspective that we are not in the Premier League but we are trying to get there. If we have to sacrifice entertainment for three points and automatic promotion then that is fine by me. It is fantastic feeling as a West Ham fan to look at the Championship table and see that we are top for the first time this season. In fact, it is the first time that we have been top of any league since 2006, and we were only top back then after the second game – which we played before everybody else! The icing on the cake came on Monday night though, when another one of my old clubs did the Hammers a favour. I think that many of us were expecting Southampton to retake top spot, but Leicester City became only the second team to win at St Mary's this season and that result gives the Hammers a nice three-point cushion at the Championship summit.
It is now crucial that West Ham kick-on and try to increase that gap as there are some sides such as Cardiff and Birmingham that are starting to hit some decent form and we need to stay ahead of them and not get dragged down. For me, it doesn't matter that we were awarded two dubious penalties on Saturday, all that matters to me is the final score of 2-1 and the three points. Our home form hasn't been brilliant this season but we are starting to get the results now. One thing that does concern me though is the lack of creativity in the side at the moment and I hope that it is just a phase we are going through of not creating many opportunities but still managing to win games. If a team is not scoring then it is easy to blame the strikers, but that is just not fair. I think that it is more of a team problem and I still expect us to sign another frontman before the end of the transfer window.
Along with another striker, I would like to see us sign a wide player too. We have desperately missed Matt Taylor and it will be good to see him back, hopefully in time for the Ipswich gam e. I am sure that Sam Allardyce will be delighted to have a little break right now with the Hammers not playing in the FA Cup. Of course, as a fan I would love to still be in the competition, but the weekend off will give Allardyce some time to take stock and hopefully add one if not two players to the squad.
West Ham's next game is a midweek trip to Portman Road on Tuesday night to face an Ipswich side that have been very hit-and-miss throughout the season. They have some good players and let's not forget that they beat us at home, so we owe them one! We've had some good games with Ipswich over the years and it is one of the more local away games so I hope that the atmosphere is fantastic and that we can continue our impressive away form.
Tony Cottee was talking to Nathaniel John
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