Monday, January 30

Daily WHUFC News - 30th January 2012

Captain's blog
WHUFC.com
Kevin Nolan is enjoying being top of the league but knows there is still a
lot of work to do
29.01.2012

It was a great feeling to go home after the game on Saturday after beating
Nottingham Forest and going top of the league. Another three points at home
was achieved and hopefully it did put some pressure on Southampton, who lost
their game on Monday. The aim now is to stay there, at the top for the rest
of the season, hopefully we can do that. There is still a long way to go
though and nothing has yet been won or decided. We have made no secret of
the fact we want to be promoted automatically, that is the plan and
obviously to go up as champions would be fantastic. It is what you, our
fans, deserve and we will be doing our upmost to do that. We have been in a
joyous mood in training this week, but the focus is completely on making
sure we produce our very best this coming Tuesday evening against Ipswich
Town to help us stay where we feel we belong. We have to work for it.

We know all about Ipswich, the last-minute goal they scored at our place to
beat us back in September did leave a bitter taste in our mouths. We were
poor on the night but I still feel we deserved a draw in that game, but
hopefully we can go to their place and do what they did to us, get the three
points, that is certainly what we are looking to do.

In this league anything can happen, teams have come to us at home and raised
their game and with other teams and results you never know what to expect.
But it should be a decent game and we are looking forward to it, hopefully
we can boss it and come home with the three points.

Off the pitch, I just want to give a mention to our young team-mate, Dylan
Tombides who has undergone surgery this week. Just to say that our thoughts
and prayers are with you Dylan mate and your family. Stay strong, we are all
behind you, we are here for you and we all wish you well. We hope that he
comes through it all unscathed and gets back to good health and fitness very
soon and we see him back on that pitch sooner rather than later, which if
you know Dylan, it will be the sooner!

Thank you to all of you who will be supporting us at Portman Road on Tuesday
and here's to another good result for us.
Come on you Irons!
Kevin Nolan
Captain

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Eder gone AWOL?
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 29th January 2012
By: Staff Writer

Portuguese-based striker Eder - who was reported to be set to sign for West
Ham - has gone walkabout, according to reports. The Guinea-Bissauan forward,
who currently plays for Portuguese outfit Académica de Coimbra was reported
to have been the subject of a bid from West Ham who are said to have sent
representatives to Portugal last week in order to thrash out a deal for the
24-year-old.

However reports emanating from Portugal this morning suggest that the player
- whose full name is Éderzito António Macedo Lopes - has bizarrely
disappeared since negotiations began. A representative of Os Estudantes is
quoted in some Portuguese media sources today as stating: "Académica had
agreed the transfer of the striker to West Ham after the league match with
Rio Ave. "Eder was taken to a hotel in Porto to settle the agreement with
representatives of the English club. However, the player has since
disappeared and the representatives of West Ham are also unaware of his
whereabouts. "Academy President Jose Eduardo Simoes (accompanied by Vice
President Luis Godinho) has reported the incident to the Judicial Police."

Co-chairman David Sullivan, speaking via whufc.com on Thursday revealed that
the club were,"hoping to make one or two important additions to the squad in
the next 48 hours."

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Tomkins is a happy Hammer
England U21 international a target for Premier League clubs
Last Updated: January 29, 2012 2:44pm
SSN

West Ham defender James Tomkins insists he wants to play in the Premier
League - but only with the Hammers. The 22-year-old has been linked with
Queens Park Rangers,Tottenham and Newcastle during the transfer window after
his impressive performances for the Hammers. His quality early season
displays and his increasing maturity convinced Sam Allardyce to hand him a
four-year deal to secure his long-term future. It was a contract that
Tomkins readily signed as he believes he is at a club where he can fulfil
his ambitions.

Leaving

"It is extremely flattering to attract the interest of other clubs but
leaving West Ham is not something I have ever seriously considered," Tomkins
told the Sunday Mirror. "Naturally I want to play at the highest level and
the Premier League is arguably the best in the world. "But I want to do that
in a West Ham shirt not playing for another club."

The youth policy at Upton Park has yielded countless top-class professionals
over the last few decades and it seems Tomkins is another in the making.

Loyalty

His affinity with the East London outfit is obvious, clearly a result of him
being entwined in the fabric of the club from a young age. "I'm a local boy
and have come through the ranks at the club and loyalty is a far bigger
currency to me than money," he added. "I'm extremely ambitious and striving
to be the best player that I can.
"I love it at West Ham and feel under manager Sam Allardyce I'm continuing
to improve as a player. "If I keep working hard hopefully I will continue to
improve."

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Forest snub McGugan enquiry
Birmingham understood to be keen on loan deal for midfielder
Last Updated: January 29, 2012 10:42am
SSN

Sky Sports sources understand Nottingham Forest have rejected an enquiry
from Birmingham City to sign Lewis McGugan on loan. Highly-rated midfielder
McGugan is attracting plenty of interest as Forest look to hang on to their
key players before the close of the transfer window. West Ham United are
keeping tabs on the 23-year-old and Birmingham are now understood to have an
expressed an interest. Birmingham boss Chris Hughton is looking to boost his
squad in the quest for an immediate return to the Premier League and had
lined up a swoop for McGugan. However, it is understood that Forest turned
down an approach from their Championship rivals to take McGugan to St
Andrew's on a temporary basis. Forest are also currently considering a third
bid from local rivals Leicester City for defender Wes Morgan as Steve
Cotterill battles to keep his squad intact.

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Transfer Update – 2 Days Left!!!
January 29th, 2012 - 7:12 pm by Bradley Palmer
West Ham Till I Die

We were given a statement from the owners last week to expect at least one
or two important signings within 48 hours. That has passed and still
nothing. Why, I hear you all ask. Well here is the latest update on what has
been going on…

West Ham had agreed a deal at the start of the weekend to take striker Eder
on loan from Academica de Coimbra. However, this collapsed after West Ham
United officials flew out to Portugal to discuss terms which the player
failed to agree. That deal for now…is dead.

We then had Jelavic. So much has changed regarding his departure from
Rangers this year. West Ham firstly had a bid rejected for the player. They
have since returned with a fresh offer which Rangers were pleased with and
prepared to accept. The player was then due to undergo a medical either
today or tomorrow and would then discuss terms. However CSKA and Everton,
alerted to this, and entered the race to sign him. This, therefore, led to
Rangers stopping any deal so that they can evaluate all offers on the table
before making any decision. West Ham have set a deadline until tomorrow
evening for Rangers to give us an answer regarding Jelavic. However, many
reports across Twitter are stating that a bid from Everton has been
accepted.

Then there was Tevez. I was informed of dramatic events inside the West Ham
Camp on Saturday that a deal was extremely close for Tevez to return. I was
told that his wage was the ultimate stumbling block and that if anything
would prevent the deal, it would be due to his wage demands. However, Tevez
has consistently stressed his desire to return to West Ham for the remainder
of the year before he can leave England for good in the summer. Many reports
then circulated because of what Tevez's advisor said on any deal, claiming
that it would not happen. However, I would seriously watch this one
carefully right up until the 11pm deadline. Tevez wants football but
Manchester City are not keen on sending him out on loan and would much
rather get rid of him permanently. Though, with Tuesday deadline fast
approaching and with West Ham still in desperate need of a new striker, a
shock could still be on the cards. I will say no more.

There have also been reports suggesting that West Ham may end any pursuit of
players until the Summer. This is not the case. DS and DG will work
tirelessly until the window slams shut Tuesday night to get players in who
will improve the club and our chances of promotion.

Not long left now, keep your eyes peeled at all times. I will post updates
as and when I receive them along with the goings on from the media.

Bradley Palmer

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olves and Hammers in race to sign Bristol City star Maynard
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 10:30 PM on 29th January 2012
Daily Mail

Wolves and West Ham are considering fresh bids for Bristol City's Nicky
Maynard. The 25-year-old rejected a move to Wigan last week. West Ham
failed in a bid to sign Portuguese striker Eder from Academica over the
weekend.

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Academica de Coimbra's Eder turns down West Ham offer: I did not like how
things were handled
Jan 29, 2012 1:20:00 PM
By Luis Mira
Goal.com

The 24-year-old was taken to a hotel in Oporto after Academica's goalless
draw at Rio Ave on Saturday to discuss his transfer to Upton Park. After
the meeting, however, Eder disappeared with no explanation, which made the
Portuguese club report the case to the police. The Bissau-Guinean player has
now explained the situation, telling Radio Renascenca: "I did not flee or
disappear. I am in Lisbon with my family. "We had a meeting at the hotel,
but I did not like the way things were handled and I thought it was not the
best for my career. I decided to leave."Meanwhile, Goal.com Germany has
learned that Koln are also in the race for the striker, who has been at
Academica since 2008. Questioned about his future on Saturday, Eder admitted
that a move away from the Portuguese club is possible. "I do not know if
this was my last game, there are some days left [in the January transfer
window], we will see what happens. "I will decide what to do these days. I
am not sure yet."

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Everton rival West Ham in race to sign Rangers striker Nikica Jelavic -
report
29 Jan 2012 20:52:00
Goal.com

According to BBC Sport, the Merseyside club has opened talks with the
Glasgow side to sign the forward, who has been prolific in the Scottish
Premier League.
West Ham are understood to have had a £7 million bid for Jelavic turned
down, with Rangers holding out for £8m for the top goal scorer in Scotland's
top flight.
Everton, however, are unlikely to match the asking price given their
financial limitations, though Moyes has some money to spend after the sale
of Diniyar Bilyaletdinov to Spartak Moscow. But, the Toffees, who have found
goals hard to come by this season, are hoping to strike a deal with Rangers,
who are also struggling financially. Jelavic struck 19 times last season
after making a summer move from Austrian side Rapid Vienna in 2010, and has
already scored 17 goals this season. The striker did not feature in the 4-0
SPL victory over Hibernian on Saturday, due to an apparent illness.
Liverpool and QPR have also been linked with a move for Jelavic.

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Sunday, January 29

Daily WHUFC News - 29th January 2012

Ilunga leaves Hammers
Defender's contract is cancelled by mutual consent
Last Updated: January 28, 2012 5:47pm
SSN

Congolese defender Herita Ilunga has been released from his contract at West
Ham with immediate effect after the player came to a mutual agreement with
club.
The 29-year-old - who first made his debut for the Hammers in 2008 on loan
from Toulouse - played his last game for Sam Allardyce's team in the 2-1
Carling Cup defeat to Aldershot back in August and has been playing on loan
at Championship rivals Doncaster since October. Ilunga moved to the Boleyn
Ground on a permanent basis for a fee of £3million in the summer of 2009 -
and leaves having played 73 games for the club, netting three goals. A
statement on the Hammers' official website said: "The club would like to
thank Herita for his service and wish him well for the future."

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The Positive Psychological Aspect of Transfers
January 29th, 2012 - 12:01 am by S J Chandos
West Ham Till I Die

Naturally, all fans are anxious to see the club bring in quality players,
improve the team and drive up performance. This anxiety has intensified
since the two transfer windows were introduced, especially in the PL. At
least in the Championship, there is still the loan system to fall back on
for a period, after the window closes. This window has been incredibly
frustrating for everyone and I really do believe that the club have not
exactly helped themselves by under bidding for players, going in low and
losing the early initiative. I accept that January is a difficult time to
do deals and that you generally have to pay over the odds, but we know that
from previous seasons. Surely, there are two interconnected points here.
Firstly, get the majority of your business done in the summer and, secondly,
only fall back on the January window if forced to by results or if a
particularly good player becomes available.

Anyone who has read my blog posts will know that I am not a 'Gollivan'
basher. I try to give a fair and even handed assessment, recognising when
they do well (i.e. like in last January's transfer window) and
constructively criticising where I thnk it is merited (i.e. the fact that
they needed to 'pull it out of the bag' last January, because they failed to
do the business necessary the previous summer!). While maintaining that
their approach to transfer business has hitherto not particularly helped us
in this window, I also fully accept they have worked hard on the transfer
front, but perhaps we might have had better results if they had worked
differently. Of course, I do not exactly know, aside from the usual
speculation, what our transfer budget actually is or what financial
pressures they face. Is it £10M as has been stated? Although what many fans
tend to forget is that most transfer deals are not straight cash up front,
but an initial payment, followed by structured instalments over a specified
period. So, £10m can stretch further than one would suppose if the deals
are structured appropriately. Perhaps one of the problems with the Jelavic
deal is that Rangers need the majority of the fee up front, which does not
suit present West Ham's purposes. Personally, I would have tried to tempt
them with another player in part-exchange. Why not try to include both
Piquionne and Faubert in the deal, especially if we can sign Snodgrass from
Leeds Utd to play on the right-hand side of midfield?

The other alleged fact, which is admirable if true, is that the co-owners
are putting up the transfer funds themselves, to avoid more debt being
loaded on the club, that's if the banks would even allow it to happen in the
first place. In all probablity the club's owners are neither 'Gollivan' nor
the totally selfless 'white knight' saviours of the club. The truth is
probably lies somewhere in the middle and that requires even handed
analysis, not crude polemics and extreme black and white contrary views,
which attempt to portray them as either 'altrustic saviours' or 'pantomine
villans.' In my view, there is no doubt they do have the best interests of
the club at heart, that is why they bought the controlling stake in a club
that even Tony Fernandes admitted was tottering on the brink of insolvency.
However, although the short-term financial prospects were not great, there
was no doubt that there were also real opportunities inherent in the
commercial activities and expanded revenue potentially available via the OS
move; as well as the receipts from the sale of Upton Park. Although reports
would seem to indicate that the new OS procurement process renders those
self same commercial opportunities far less attractive to the club, which is
undoubtedly a problem for the owners and, potentially, the long-term
development of the club. It remains to be seen whether the club and Newham
Council can win key concessions that render the contract more attractive.

Anyway, I am also keen to see a couple of good quality additions, or even
one excellent signing, because of the psychological lift it can give the
playing staff and, indeed, the whole club. The current squad are doing the
business. We are where we should be at this stage of the season, although we
could realistically have been in a much stronger position but for a few
unfortunate results. But I feel that the squad and the fans could do with a
psychological lift to power us over the promotion finishing line in
April/May. One of the best ways of doing that is bringing in new blood,
fresh players and application. And the better the quality of the player(s)
the better. It lifts he squad, increases competition and gives out clear a
message about ambition. Do you remember the lift that Kevin Nolan's signing
gave everyone in the summer, do you remember the buzz that Dean Ashton's
signing created in January 2006 and older fans will recall the fanastic
boost that the capture of Phil Parkes from QPR, gave us all, in 1979?
Although the classic psychological boost was probably Ted Fenton's signing
of Vic Keeble from Newcastle Utd in 1957-58, a player who was the final
peice in a jig saw that saw West Ham transformed from a very good team in to
an excellent promotion winning side that also finished sixth in the old
First Division the following season.

I would love to see us land a quality player to create something like the
same psychological boost and, of course, improved quality in the squad.
Belief is an important factors in sports psychology and I have the feeling
that we may have suffered a little in that department this season, probably
a residual hangover from last season's struggles? Although we are exactly
where we need to be in the league, you cannot escape the conclusion that
this squad, man for man, is the strongest in the Championship and we rightly
should be in more comfortable position at the top of the league, regardless
of how surprising well Southampton have played. In terms of timing, this
stage of the season is the perfect juncture to move up the gears and put the
gas peddle to the floor. An excellent transfer deal or two might be just
the way to help bring that about.

ps. I originally drafted this blog post early on Saturday, before I was
aware that Braderz had broke the Tevez loan deal story. That would
perfectly illustrate the positive transfer effect, and be a huge
psychological boost for all connected with the club, in the crucial run-in
to the season. A 75% match fit Tevez, initially, playing 45 minutes a game
would be enough to have a massive positive impact in this league! Lets pray
it happens. If it does not, lets hope that they have another transfer card
concealed up their sleeve?

SJ. Chandos.

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Carlitos Coming Home?
January 28th, 2012 - 2:16 pm by Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die

Well, I suggested it in the post below, and if Bradley's recent tweets have
some substance, we could soon be some very happy Hammers… Here is what he
has just tweeted. Perhaps if some people on this site hadn't been so vile to
Bradley he might have written it here instead. Some people should think on
that…

Ladies and Gentlemen and West Ham fans, I promised big news by the weekend
which was being kept quiet by my source…well here it is.. WHU are extremely,
and I mean extremely, close to a short term loan deal for Mr. Carlos Tevez.
The newspapers seem to have got to this first and I had to ask for obvious
reasons of pure excitement. This has all occurred after Tevez realised
earlier on in the week his permanent move away was not going to be on the
cards and City didn't want to loan the player abroad. WHU have now revised
and jumped at a chance of a short term loan deal and has stated on many
occasions that he would jump at the chance of a short term return to WHU.
The stumbling block at the moment is his wage package and WHU are currently
negotiating a deal that suits all parties. This has legs guys and there is a
chance that we may see Tevez return to our claret and blue. Wow!! I'm still
staggered by it all myself. For those interested if this effects the Jelavic
deal, I can confirm that it won't as Jelavic is part of our long term plans
whereas Tevez would be short term to get WHU back where we belong. Rangers
are likely to announce at some stage today or tomorrow wether our new offer
has been successful or not. Madness at WHU Camp!!


Well, if Gold and Sullivan pull this one off, even AussieGraham might have
to revise his opinion of them.

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Transfer Gossip – Saturday 27 January
January 28th, 2012 - 11:52 am by Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die

* So, Mr Jelavic is 'ill' and won't be turning out for Rangers today. Yeah,
and Harry Redknapp can't write. Well, if I read that correctly he might be
on his way to East London for a medical. Let's hope we have some good news
later on. Two days ago the club website said they expected to report a
significant signing in the next 48 hours. Time up! Presumably if we sign
Jelavic that will put the kybosh on the Jordan Rhodes transfer. It seems
impossible that we'd be able to finance both without offloading Carlton
Cole. And Cole, to his credit, has made clear he wishes to stay. I only hope
that if we do sign Jelavic that M. Piquionne is thrown in as part of the
deal. I imagine we'd still have to pay part of his wages, but anything to
get him off the books.

* Now this next bit of speculation is, I admit, pretty far fetched, but have
any of you thought of the possibity of Carlos Tevez coming back to us for
the rest of the season in a last minute loan agreement? Inter Milan say his
transfer deal is 'dead'. I haven't seen any other suitors after him. I
wonder, I just wonder… I've now woken up…

* In other speculation we are rumoured to be interested in former Arsenal
and Birmingham midfielder Alexander Hleb. I can't think why. He's at
Wolfsburg on loan at the moment but has only played 4 games, according to
Wikipedia. What would he give us that we don't have already?

* Many of you have already celebrated the departure of Herita Ilunga. What
short memories we have. When he first joined us he was brilliant, but it
seems to me that Grant and Allardyce managed to shoot his confidence to
pieces. I, for one, wish him well.

* Liam Ridgewell is a player many of you fancy seeing in a West Ham shirt.
He can play in defence and midfield and is a solid performer. If we can get
him for a reasonable sum, I'd say he would be worth trying for. He will be
well know to Messers Gold, Sullivan and Brady so if we don't go for him,
presumably they have got a good reason. He was rumoured to be going to Wigan
or WBA but it never happened.

* Former West Ham goalkeeper Roy Carroll has joined Olympiakos. Which is
nice.

* QPR are said to be interested in Wigan's Victor Moses. Shouldn't we be?

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The Independent's Obituary of Ernie Gregory
January 28th, 2012 - 10:28 am by Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die

From The Independent

There can hardly be any footballer, from any era, who gave more loyal
service to one club than did Ernie Gregory to West Ham United. As a big,
dominant, charismatic goalkeeper he was a linchpin of the Upton Park side
for a dozen seasons in the middle years of the 20th century, a reassuring
and often inspirational influence as the Hammers won the Second Division
title in 1958.

Later he served West Ham as a coach, offering sage guidance to fine keepers
such as Phil Parkes and Mervyn Day, and even after his 1987 retirement
brought an end to his remarkable 51-year official tenure at the club, he was
a regular visitor at the Chadwell Heath training ground, keeping an eye on
the new generation of young keepers and delivering typically shrewd scouting
assessments.

Though necessarily athletic, Gregory wasn't an overtly spectacular
performer; rather he specialised in canny positioning and safe, unshowy
handling. He was unfailingly courageous, too, in an era when referees
offered goalkeepers scant protection from fearsomely brawny centre-forwards,
the likes of Trevor Ford, Derek Dooley and Nat Lofthouse, who seemed to
bounce off him like lightweights when they encountered his muscular frame.

As a boy Gregory was a promising boxer, and on the football field he was a
defender, but one day his goalkeeper brother Bob broke his leg and Ernie
took his place between the sticks. Thereafter he progressed to the West Ham
Boys side, for whom he was playing in the English Schools Trophy final in
1936 when he was spotted by the Hammers manager Charlie Paynter.

He was approached, too, by Arsenal and Sunderland, but he was an east
Londoner to his boots and never contemplated joining anyone but West Ham,
which he did that year. While still unpaid he helped local amateurs
Leytonstone to win the Isthmian League title in 1938, then turned
professional with the Hammers in 1939.

Aged only 18 at the outbreak of the Second World War, Gregory served in the
Essex Regiment, also finding time to make half a century of appearances for
the Hammers in unofficial emergency competition. Having lost the first half
of his twenties to the conflict, he made his senior debut in a 4-1 Second
Division victory over Plymouth Argyle in December 1946, and by season's end
he was the club's first-choice goalkeeper, a position he retained, injuries
permitting, until 1959.

For much of that period West Ham, managed from 1950 onwards byTed Fenton,
were a moderate Second Division side, despite the presencein their rearguard
of such luminaries as Malcolm Allison, Noel Cantwelland John Bond, and they
owedplenty to Gregory's heroics for keeping them buoyant.

There was no shortage of observers, especially in the East End, who
maintained that he should be rewardedby full caps. But he was unable to oust
such formidable rivals as Manchester City's Frank Swift, Bert Williamsof
Wolves and the Birmingham City man Gil Merrick, though he was granted one
outing for England 'B', against France in 1952.

In 1957-58, during which he entered his 37th year, Gregory was still at the
top of his game as the Hammers lifted their divisional title, and he
remained a major force as Fenton's side performed wonders by finishing sixth
in the First Division. However, that spring he lost his place to the
talented young Irishman Noel Dwyer and he made the last of his 406 senior
appearances in a 2-1 home defeat by Leeds United in September 1959.

At that point, extraordinarily, Gregory was less than halfway through his
tenure with the Hammers, whom he served as a coach for the next 28 years,
through the managerial regimes of Ron Greenwood and John Lyall, helping with
the development of, for example, the club's trio of World Cup heroes, Bobby
Moore, Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters. He offered experience, continuity and
wisdom to wave after wave of Upton Park hopefuls, while setting a peerless
example of integrity and simple dignity – and, frequently, entertaining them
with his infectious brand of humour. He was summed up admirably by one of
his star pupils, the England goalkeeper Phil Parkes, who described his
mentor as the greatest servant West Ham have ever had.

Ernest Gregory, footballer and coach: born Stratford, London 10 November
1921; played for West Ham United 1946-60; married (wife deceased, and one
daughter, deceased); died 21 January 2012.

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EXCLUSIVE: Tomkins has no regrets staying with Hammers
Published 22:20 28/01/12 By Paul Smith
The Mirror

James Tomkins has no regrets about turning his back on an early return to
Premier League football. At least three clubs, QPR, ­Newcastle and
Tottenham, were in the hunt to sign the talented youngster during the
­current transfer window. But Tomkins, 22, decided to stay put and claimed
he could still fulfill his top flight ­ambitions by remaining at West Ham.
The subsequent reward for his loyalty was a lucrative new four-year contract
at Upton Park and the defender said: "It is ­extremely flattering to attract
the interest of other clubs but leaving West Ham is not something I have
ever seriously ­considered. "Naturally I want to play at the highest level
and the Premier League is arguably the best in the world. "But I want to do
that in a West Ham shirt not playing for ­another club. "I'm a local boy and
have come through the ranks at the club and loyalty is a far bigger currency
to me than money. "I'm extremely ambitious and striving to be the best
player that I can. "I love it at West Ham and feel under manager Sam
Allardyce I'm continuing to improve as a player. "If I keep working hard
hopefully I will continue to ­improve." Another reason ­Tomkins was
determined to stay was out a sense of responsibility after the Hammers were
shocked to be ­relegated last season. He explained: "It was a massive
culture shock to drop down into the Championship following ­relegation last
season. "I was absolutely devastated but there was no denying we were bad
last season. "The league table doesn't lie, does it? "Naturally I felt a
sense of ­responsibility to ensure we got back up at the first attempt and,
in fairness to the other lads, they felt the same. "So there was another
reason I couldn't consider leaving. "It wouldn't have been right with me
joining another club when we were sitting at the top of the Championship and
have a ­collective responsibility to get the club promoted. "I was committed
to doing that at the start of the season so I wasn't going to complete half
a job and then consider leaving."

Tomkins feels the Hammers, who recently took over from a wobbly Southampton
on top of the Championship after a solid first half of the season, are
­heading in the right direction under boss Allardyce. "I enjoy working for
the ­manager," he added. "He's very meticulous. He takes an active interest
in everything you do on and off the pitch. "I think there have been
­occasions when he's taken some unfair stick over the way we have played.
But it's all well and good ­playing pretty attractive football but where did
that get us last season? "The Championship is very physical and there are
times when the football isn't pretty and you have to grind out results
against sides that are happy to sit 11 men behind the ball and ­defend for
their lives. "Every game we play is like a cup final for our opponents, we
are the one team everyone wants to beat. "You have to adapt your game for
any given circumstances and the manager is very good at doing that. "We are
on a hiding to nothing in this league. Everyone expects us to get promoted
this season so it's a no win situation for us."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
WEST HAM BOSS SAM ALLARDYCE BACK FOR JORDAN RHODES
29th January 2012 By Daily Star reporter

SAM ALLARDYCE has made a THIRD bid of £5million for Huddersfield striker
Jordan Rhodes. Allardyce has stepped up his attempts to sign the Scotland
international and offered £4million plus a guaranteed £1m if the Hammers are
promoted. Rhodes, 21, is the top scorer in the country after firing in 26
goals for the Terriers and has been Allardyce's No.1 target in this transfer
window. Allardyce is trying again for Rhodes after a £6m bid for Rangers'
Croatian star Nikica Jelavic was rejected.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
GOLD SET TO DITCH WEST HAM OLYMPIC SWITCH
29th January 2012 By Carl Eldridge
Daily Star

WEST HAM are considering dumping plans to move to the Olympic Stadium by
STAYING at Upton Park. Hammers chiefs are said to be weighing up the merits
of raising their current home's capacity to 40,000. Co-chairman David Gold
is now believed to be keen on extending the famous old ground's East Stand
to boost home gates. Championship club West Ham were named as the preferred
bidders for the 60,000-capacity ground last year but the deal collapsed amid
concerns over delays caused by a legal dispute with Spurs. New bidders are
being invited to tender for the venue (below) which will now remain in
public ownership after the Games and be leased out with the Olympic Park
Legacy Company (OPLC) paying for its transformation. But Hammers chiefs are
said to be considering pulling out of the second round of bidding,
preferring to remain in the East End – a move that would delight their
followers. "We're hopeful Sam Allardyce can take the club back to the
Premier League and if we can stay at the Boleyn as well it'd be brilliant,"
said a source. "No way would West Ham fans want to move to a 60,000 stadium.
It'd be a third empty most home games. Upping our present capacity to 40,000
would be just right."

West Ham have until March 23 to tender again with the deadline for a
decision set for May 21.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Exclusive - Joorabchian: Tevez moving to West Ham is not possible
By Michael Wade
Saturday, January 28, 2012
TalkSport

Kia Joorabchian has told talkSPORT that there is no possibility of Carlos
Tevez joining West Ham on loan. The 27-year-old Argentine striker is
currently the subject of intense speculation about his future, with AC
Milan, Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain all linked. But his agent has
revealed that a move to the Championship leaders is not on the agenda
despite rumours suggesting a return to Upton Park could be close. "He is a
West Ham fanatic", Joorabchian said. "That is one club that is very close to
his heart but I think that would not be possible. "First of all Carlos is in
a different position at the moment. West Ham are top of the league in the
Championship, they have a good squad, they have a different objective.
They're in a division that is fighting for promotion. "It would be very
difficult for Man City to want to loan him out because they would have to
end up compensating a lot of the salary and why would they do that?"

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Carlito's Way?
28 January, 2012 - 19:58 — Neville Nixon
WestHamFans.org

Despite that young rogue Kia Joorabchiam stating a move for the Argentinian
striker, Carlos Tevez, from Manchester City to West Ham on loan was highly
unlikely, it seems that there is a gathering momentum to a situation that
could eventually suit all parties.

The two Davids, Gold and Sullivan, must be licking their lips at the free
publicity their club is receiving, even if self proclaimed Hammer Tevez
doesn't end up on loan at the Boleyn until the end of the season, talk about
such a high profile player's potential arrival can only be good when it
comes to attracting future signings.
Has the deal any legs on it? Well, yes and no, Messrs Gold and Sullivan will
feel that West Ham should get a bit of pay back from a player who has
indirectly cost them £24 Million, but Carlito's massive wages are the
obvious stumbling block. Fitness is not really an issue, because the 27 year
old could play a game in hob nail boots after a night on the tiles and still
out perform the Piq Man and Carew!
Tevez would only be a short term fix, but what a high it would be! -Ed

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Saturday, January 28

Daily WHUFC News - 28th January 2012

Herita departs
WHUFC.com
Herita Ilunga has left West Ham United by mutual agreement after three years
at the club

West Ham United have mutually agreed with Herita Ilunga to terminate his
contract with immediate effect. The defender moved to the Boleyn Ground on
an initial season-long loan move on 3 September 2008, before making the
switch permanent in the summer of 2009 for a fee of £3m. He made 73
appearances for the club in total, scoring three goals. The club would like
to thank Herita for his service and wish him well for the future.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Big Sam loving life
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce has spoken about how and his players have settled in to life
at West Ham United
27.01.2012

Big Sam is understandably pleased about how well his first seven months in
the job as West Ham United manger have gone. With his side sitting top of
the npower Championship for the first time this season and a three-point gap
to second-placed Southampton ahead of the visit to Ipswich Town on Tuesday,
fortunes on the pitch are certainly looking good. It is not just the results
and the league table that are pleasing the boss, however, as he feels his
team have been exceptional in the way they have developed a strong bond away
from the Boleyn Ground this season.

"As I have got to know the players and build the club within the football
fraternity, they have got more focused and ever more driven," Big Sam said.
"I think the team spirit among the players has got better. "They seem to be
more united among themselves and that makes my job a little bit more
enjoyable every time I come in."

Taking over a club with a following as big as West Ham's is no easy task,
particularly as the Hammers had just completed a difficult season that ended
in relegation from the Barclays Premier League. After dusting down and
regrouping, Big Sam has instilled a steely determination in his squad to
ensure that they are focused on just one thing - promotion back to the top
tier. "The pressures are no easier than I expected. The fact we are expected
to do what we are doing and be where we are, there is no real praise coming
from outside because that is what we are expected to be doing. "We are
working very hard for the ultimate goal and it is just a case of looking,
listening and making sure everyone stays focused"

The first few weeks in his new role were certainly not plain sailing for Big
Sam as he had to oversee a huge turnaround in playing staff. Several
high-profile players chose to leave the club following relegation to the
npower Championship and their places in the dressing room had to be filled
with new blood. "The start of the season was extremely difficult, the start
of the job was extremely difficult but doing everything as quickly as we
possibly could to get the squad together meant that we were able to get
results quicker than perhaps might have been expected from me. The players
have bonded very well and have grown as the season has gone on."

Due to the location of his new employers, Big Sam has had to quickly adjust
to life living in the capital.but just like his players this season, he has
taken to his new surroundings well. "I am really enjoying life in London so
far. One it is because I'm managing West Ham, two because we are winning and
three because I like where I live.'

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U18s ready for Arsenal test
WHUFC.com
West Ham United welcome the Gunners to Little Heath in their latest FA
Premier Academy League fixture
27.01.2012

West Ham United welcome Arsenal to Little Heath in their latest FA Premier
Academy League fixture on Saturday, with kick-off at 11am. The Hammers will
be eager to return to winning ways after seeing their perfect start to 2012
ended by a 2-1 defeat at Crystal Palace last weekend. Nick Haycock's side
had begun the New Year by chalking up three consecutive wins, scoring league
victories at Chelsea (3-2) and at home to Norwich City (6-1) and an FA Youth
Cup fourth-round success against Brighton and Hove Albion (4-1) at the
Boleyn Ground. The Under-18s will be eager to shine with an FA Youth Cup
fifth-round trip to Chelsea to look forward to on Wednesday 15 February and
Haycock is expecting a big performance from his players. "The mood in the
camp is good," he said. "We play Arsenal on Saturday, Southampton the week
after and then it's Chelsea in the Youth Cup so there' s a lot to play for.
We're always looking for improved, consistent performances from the lads
that make the starting XI. It'll be a tough game against Arsenal, who are in
a good vein of form and are unbeaten this year. With the money they invest
they have they are always a strong side to face."

While the likes of Dan Potts and Rob Hall will miss the game to prepare for
Tuesday's npower Championship fixture at Ipswich Town, Haycock still has a
host of promising players to call upon this weekend. Among those to have
caught the eye in recent weeks has been Pelly Ruddock - a powerful presence
in the heart of the midfield. Haycock has been pleased with the impact made
by the teenager since his arrival from non-league football late last year.
While Ruddock has impressed, the U18s coach expects every one of his players
to perform against the Gunners. "Pelly Ruddock has been brought in from
Boreham Wood. The attitude and desire he has shown in the game so far have
been testament to Boreham Wood and the level that he's come from. We've had
him in and around the development squad with Ian Hendon and when he's
performed for the youth team he's always been one of the strongest
performers in there. "But without bringing out individuals, aside from a
poor first half against Crystal Palace the games since the new year, the
consistency of the players has been pleasing, hence the results and we're
pleased with Dan Potts and Rob Hall's progress in and around the first
team."

Saturday's fixture will kick-off at Little Heath at 11am. Admission and
parking are both free.

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Positive Guy
WHUFC.com
Guy Demel wants to make up for lost time after making his comeback from six
weeks on the sidelines
27.01.2012

Guy Demel has set his sights on making a first-team comeback after returning
to action in Tuesday's 1-1 Development Squad draw with Gillingham. The Ivory
Coast right-back looked strong and fit on his return from six weeks out with
a thigh injury suffered in the npower Championship defeat at Reading on 10
December. Having successfully come through a 45-minute run out at the Boleyn
Ground, the 30-year-old is targeting a place in Sam Allardyce's starting XI
before too long. "Of course it's a pleasure to be back and to play with the
boys in a friendly game and to be on the pitch," he told West Ham TV. I'm a
football player and my place is on the field, so of course I am happy to
enjoy football again and I hope it will be for quite long now. "It was good.
My team-mates helped me, but I got a good feeling and a good sensation. We
have our next game on Saturday, a friendly game, and I hope I will play
longer then. We will move forward step-by-step and keep going and hopefully
start playing for the first team. "It's hard for me but it's even worse for
the manager who just brought me here and needs every player and I couldn't
play my part. I know the situation for me and the rest of the team and the
manager and that's why I hope I will be back soon."

An added incentive to get fully fit for Demel is the opportunity to play his
part in winning promotion in his first season with the Hammers. While the
No20 has made just two appearances so far, he still believes he can get
involved in the club's quest to win the npower Championship title. "I think
this season could be something amazing and something historic - to be
promoted at the end of the season. I want to be a part of that. The boys are
really nice to me, but if you don't play you don't feel it. I have to help
my team-mates and be next to them. My place is on the field. "I don't want
to rush. I think I need these friendly games for my condition and also for
my body. When you get injured often in the same season you start to think
about it. These games are really important for me. I hope I will start
playing with the team in two weeks' time."

Demel's thigh injury ruled him out of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations, which
is currently being contested by the continent's 16 best teams in Equatorial
Guinea and Gabon. Ivory Coast made a winning start by defeating Sudan 1-0 on
Sunday and the right-back is backing his fellow countrymen to win the trophy
for the second time in their history. "I watched the match of course and I'm
really happy for them. I'm speaking to them every day but I think, right
now, my place is here in West Ham.
"I hope that we're going to win that competition and, if I'm doing well
here, I will be back in the national team so I'm not worried about that."

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Player Awards launched
WHUFC.com
The 2011/12 West Ham United Player Awards have been officially launched
26.01.2012

The star-studded 2011/12 West Ham United Player Awards in aid of the Academy
have been officially launched. The Hammer of the Year will be crowned to
climax an eagerly-anticipated evening of entertainment at the London Hilton
on Park Lane on Monday 30 April 2012. The prestigious event, which will see
ten awards presented to the club's brightest current and upcoming stars,
will be attended by the first-team squad, coaching staff and a host of
on-screen stars. Hosted by lifelong West Ham fan Ben Shephard and with 1000
guests in attendance, the event presents the perfect opportunity to
entertain in style and showcase your company. Tables for ten are available
from just £2,500 plus VAT or individual places are available for £275 plus
VAT per person. Click here for more information. In addition to a silent
auction, there will also be a live auction in aid of The Academy, with a
host of once-in-a-lifetime lots up for grabs. Guests can bid for a place in
the 2012/13 team photograph, the chance to be Chairman for the Day or
Assistant Manager for the Day or have a kick-around with your friends on the
Boleyn Ground pitch.

There is also opportunity to visit the Macron HQ in Italy and become the
first supporter to wear the 2012/13 replica kit or to play a round of golf
with Joint Chairman David Gold. If you or your company would like to go that
extra mile and sponsor one of the nine awards being presented on the night,
then a number of opportunities are still available. If you would like to
present the award for the Academy Player of the Year, Goal of the Season,
Best Team Performance, Save of the Season or the Signing of the Season, then
sponsorship is still available for as little as £5,000 plus VAT. More
exclusive silent auction lots are set to be announced between now and the
big night, so book your table now and make sure you and your guests do not
miss out on attending one of the events of the year.

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Julien feeling good
WHUFC.com
Julien Faubert is enjoying a successful season at the Boleyn Ground
28.01.2012

Julien Faubert has been through his fair share of ups and downs since
arriving at West Ham United, but he now he firmly believes that both he and
the club are in the ascent once more. Faubert's has experienced a top-ten
finish in the Premier League, a long-term injury lay off, a loan move to
Real Madrid and relegation to the npower Championship during his five years
at the club since arriving from FC Girondins de Bordeaux. Now the France
international is happy to be playing and having some consistency both on the
pitch and off it under the tutorship of Sam Allardyce. "I'm happy and my
confidence is coming back as I'm playing a lot of games," Faubert said. "I
like the manager, the assistants and the atmosphere inside the club now. It
is different now and is better than last season. "There is more respect,
more work and that is why things are going well. We are all pulling in the
same way and I feel very good this season."

With West Ham having no game this weekend, the break from playing gives
Faubert and his team-mates the chance to put in extra preparation ahead of
the tricky-looking trip to Ipswich Town on Tuesday night. The Hammers will
be hoping to further cement their position at the top of the table with a
win, although Faubert knows that being on top of the pile may bring its own
challenges. "We are top of the table and we are winning games. We don't
score too many goals but I think we are solid at the back. Southampton have
made a mistake and now we are first on our own. It is in our hands now if we
keep going like this; winning games away and being strong at home.

"We're pleased we're up there. Even from the start of the season everyone
wanted to beat us because we came from the Premier League and have Premier
League players. "Every game the other team seem to play the game of their
lives against us but really it is just about us. We can have pressure but we
are professional and we have to deal with it. It is good for us and good for
the club but it is not the end of the season so we can't celebrate anything
and we need to keep working hard."
The right-sided midfielder, who is also equally as comfortable at
right-back, has played in 24 of West Ham's 27 Championship games this season
and is flourishing under Big Sam. After not featuring as much last season,
Faubert is a big fan of the new mangers' straight-talking approach.

"It's different because I played one full season with Zola that was good but
this is one of my best. I play right-midfield or right-back but I don't mind
as I can play both positions. I'm happy to play because the atmosphere is
really good and the way we play is proper football so it is one of my best
seasons. "I am happy here now so it is different to last season and my
mentality is different because I think I had a good talk with the manger. He
is a straight-talking guy and so am I and we talked man-to-man so it is
good."

Faubert's determination and effort have won him many admirers among the
Boleyn crowd this season - any strong tackle or darting run is often greeted
by a chorus of 'Julien' - and Faubert was quick to praise the support of the
Hammers faithful. "It is good for me to have the fans' backing because I
play for myself but also for the fans as well because they are part of the
club. We have to give our best for them as they have paid for their ticket.
We are in the Championship now but they have stayed with us and are behind
us and push us on. "Sometimes I hear them singing my name but you can't do
anything about it on the pitch. It helps me to go forward, push and win the
battle. It is good for my confidence."

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A poem for Dylan
WHUFC.com
Poet Gary Steer has written a poem wishing Dylan Tombides well
28.01.2012

West Ham United fan and poet Gary Steer has written a poem to wish Academy
striker Dylan Tombides well as battles back from serious illness. Gary spent
time in hospital when he was younger and knows what a tough experience it
can be so he felt compelled to write this poem to show that he, like
everyone else at the club, is right behind the 17-year-old, who is having
treatment for testicular cancer. Dylan, who is currently recovering is
hospital after surgery to remove his Lymph nodes from his abdomen, recently
thanked West Ham United fans for their support after receiving over 400
messages from fans wishing him well. The first-team squad also showed that
they were thinking of Dylan at last Saturday's match with Nottingham Forest
by wearing special T-shirts during the warm up Captain Kevin Nolan said:
"We all want to show our support for Dylan - he and his family are going
through what must be a difficult time, but he is a strong lad and character
and we know that he can get through all of this."

Get well soon Dylan by Gary Steer

Everyone's behind you
Everyone in sport
Wishing you well
You have so much support

Our family club
Will help you through
So you're ready to return
To claret and blue

You will recover
Although it may hurt
We know you'll be back
in your Hammers shirt

We look forward to your return,
Hopefully not too long
Get well soon mate
Stay strong!

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So long, Herita
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 27th January 2012
By: Staff Writer

Herita Ilunga has left West Ham United 'by mutual consent'. The Congolese
left-back, who joined West Ham at the beginning of the 2008/09 has been
released by the club having made a total of 73 appearances for the club.
KUMB.com exclusively revealed last September how Sam Allardyce was keen to
offload the inconsistent defender who was initially signed on a season-long
loan from French club Toulouse before signing a permanent contract the
following summer. Wishing Hammers fans well for the future, Ilunga -
speaking via his Twitter account - said: "Just to say thanks to all West Ham
fans, you've been so great with me. "We'll support the Hammers together in
the Premier League next year." Ilunga - who was contracted to West Ham until
the summer of 2013 - spent three months on loan at Championship strugglers
Doncaster Rovers earlier this season before returning to West Ham at the
beginning of this month.

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Fill her up
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 27th January 2012
By: Staff Writer

West Ham United's average home gate is the eleventh largest in the country
so far this season, according to latest figures. Despite playing in the
nation's second flight this term having been relegated last year, Sam
Allardyce's side have managed to pack more supporters into the Boleyn Ground
on a weekly basis - some 30,029 - than half of the clubs in the Premier
League. Additionally, the Hammers have the highest average attendance in the
nPower Championship - some 4,000 more than their nearest rivals Derby County
- and the highest average fill rate (84.2%); the 14th highest in the
country.

All figures include the latest round of fixtures (to 25th January):

Overall - top twenty average gates
(Premier League unless otherwise stated)

1. Manchester Utd 75,451
2. Arsenal 59,972
3. Newcastle Utd 48,957
4. Manchester City 47,050
5. Liverpool 44,842
6. Chelsea 41,638
7. Sunderland 38,655
8. Tottenham 36,088
9. Aston Villa 34,396
10. Everton 33,321
11. West Ham Utd (Ch) 30,029
12. Stoke City 27,189
13. Norwich 26,441
14. Derby County (Ch) 25,989
15. Southampton (Ch) 25,734
16. Fulham 25,349
17. West Bromwich Albion 24,583
18. Leeds Utd (Ch) 23,665
19. Leicester City (Ch) 23,513
20. Bolton Wanderers 23,464

Championship - top five average gates

1. West Ham Utd 30,029
2. Derby County 25,989
3. Southampton 25,734
4. Leeds Utd 23,665
5. Leicester City 23,513

Championship - top five fill rate

1. West Ham Utd 84.2%
2. Brighton & Hove Albion 83.7%
3. Cardiff City 82.9%
4. Southampton 78.9%
5. Blackpool 77.5%

Premier League - top five average gates

1. Manchester Utd 75,451
2. Arsenal 59,972
3. Newcastle Utd 48,957
4. Manchester City 47,050
5. Liverpool 44,842

Premier League - top five fill rate

1. Norwich City 100%
2. Manchester Utd 99.5%
3. Tottenham 99.3%
4. Arsenal 99.2%
5. Chelsea 99.0%

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Jelavic sits out Hibs clash
In-demand Gers striker misses weekend fixture
Last Updated: January 27, 2012 4:05pm
SSN

Rangers manager Ally McCoist has confirmed star striker Nikica Jelavic will
miss Saturday's SPL clash with Hibernian. Jelavic, who has been the subject
of intense transfer speculation during the transfer window, is missing due
to illness. West Ham had a bid rejected for the Croatian ace this week and
McCoist insists his absence has nothing to do with a possible exit. The
Ibrox tactician insists it is factually correct Jelavic has been checked out
by a doctor and will play no part due to reasons stated.

Illness

"I just spoke to the doctor and he won't be available (against Hibs),"
confirmed McCoist. "He has a bug, a bit of sickness. The doctor went to see
him on Wednesday and he wasn't well, and went to see him again this morning.
"I believe the family has had it as well and one or two of our younger
players went down with it. "He won't play for that reason." On speculation
over Jelavic's future, McCoist added: "I believe there was a bid from West
Ham on Wednesday that was rejected. "But I can absolutely assure you that
the doctor has been to see him and he is not well enough to play and that's
a fact."

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Karren Brady's football diary
KARREN BRADY - First lady of football
Published: Today
The Sun

SAT JAN 21
WHAT a day! West Ham went top thanks to another home win and our manager Sam
Allardyce must take a lot of the credit, along with the players of course.
Sam has brought a real sense of determination and organisation to the club.
All the players know what their jobs are and all of them are doing it, even
though Sam is always striving for better. James Tomkins has signed a new
long-term deal, although you wouldn't know it according to some papers who
said he was leaving. He is a talented and loyal young man and I'm delighted.

SUN JAN 22

NOT so Super Mario Balotelli decided to use Scott Parker's head as practice
for his new job as a grape treader. OK, maybe not, but you know what I mean.
What exactly was bonkers Balotelli up to this time? And is this why they
call it Madchester? Scott Parker is a fine footballer and a terrific person.
His tackle at the Etihad was perfectly fair and then Balotelli reacted like
an idiot. Mind you, anyone who lets off fireworks in his own house for fun
must be short of a roman candle or two. I feel a lengthy ban is coming.

MON JAN 23

FOOTBALL and football fans never cease to amaze me. Southampton lost at home
in a shock result against Leicester City and got booed off the pitch. This
is the same Saints side who are second in the league and just went on a
lengthy unbeaten run, er, at home. I know fans have to pay a lot more for
watching their favourite team these days but there are two sides on the
pitch both wanting to beat each other and you cannot win every game.
Southampton have enjoyed a remarkable season so far with automatic promotion
a real possibility and yet by the reaction of some of their supporters
following that defeat, you wouldn't know it.

TUES JAN 24

CARDIFF CITY have made the Carling Cup final following a pulsating penalty
shootout triumph over Crystal Palace I know the League Cup has got its
detractors, especially when top Premier League sides put out their reserves,
but the reaction of the Bluebirds fans and players said it all. The Cardiff
keeper would have given Usain Bolt a run for his money after the final
penalty as he ran around the stadium like Forrest Gump at full pelt. That
kind of passion is exactly what you want to see and I am sure all Cardiff
fans are already checking out the train times for Wembley.

WED JAN 25

AT the National TV Awards tonight with Nick Hewer as The Apprentice was
nominated in the category of best reality programme. The walk down the red
carpet took nearly an hour as I was stopped to be asked an array of
different questions. Are you pulling out of bidding for the Olympic Stadium?
Do I prefer EastEnders or Corrie? Who is going to win the league? What's
your best beauty secret? Spotted Thierry Henry looking slightly
uncomfortable. Sadly we lost out to I'm a Celebrity, Get me out of here! Oh
well, at least we weren't beaten by Come Dine With Me!

THURS JAN 26

BACK to the day job and the transfer market has been pretty stagnant this
January. Trust me, here at Upton Park, it's not for trying. We have made
several offers for players but the valuations have been way too high. I
think the new financial fair play system which comes into effect next season
has a lot to do with what is going on now. It is designed to stop clubs
going horrendously into debt and I can understand that logic. But if a
multi-millionaire chicken farmer or wealthy banker wants to plough their
money into a football club, who is to stop them?

FRI JAN 27

REFS' chief Mike Riley is set to impose a get-tough policy on two-footed
challenges with players handed an instant red card if they commit such a
foul. There have been several instances lately of players diving in with two
feet and not even getting booked, with the usual defence that contact had
been made first with the ball.
Anything which helps to protect players from serious injury must be welcomed
but refs should not be pilloried if they simply don't see an incident — like
Howard Webb in the Mario Balotelli incident.

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EXCLUSIVE: Allardyce on the Rhodes again
Published 22:29 26/01/12 By Alan Nixon
The Mirror

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce made a new £3.25million bid for Huddersfield
hot-shot Jordan Rhodes as his striker search went frantic. Allardyce went in
again for Rhodes, the country's top marksman, after failing in an attempt to
land Nikica Jelavic from Rangers. Rhodes has been on the Hammers' radar for
weeks and this latest offer is the biggest guaranteed amount the
Championship promotion chasers have tabled after other installment-based
deals. Allardyce is getting desperate after Rangers said 'no' to a £5.5m
swap offer for Jelavic that included out-of-favour Frederic Piquionne.

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Ernie Gregory: Footballer who served West Ham for half a century
IVAN PONTING SATURDAY 28 JANUARY 2012
Latest in Obituaries
The Independent

There can hardly be any footballer, from any era, who gave more loyal
service to one club than did Ernie Gregory to West Ham United. As a big,
dominant, charismatic goalkeeper he was a linchpin of the Upton Park side
for a dozen seasons in the middle years of the 20th century, a reassuring
and often inspirational influence as the Hammers won the Second Division
title in 1958.

Later he served West Ham as a coach, offering sage guidance to fine keepers
such as Phil Parkes and Mervyn Day, and even after his 1987 retirement
brought an end to his remarkable 51-year official tenure at the club, he was
a regular visitor at the Chadwell Heath training ground, keeping an eye on
the new generation of young keepers and delivering typically shrewd scouting
assessments.

Though necessarily athletic, Gregory wasn't an overtly spectacular
performer; rather he specialised in canny positioning and safe, unshowy
handling. He was unfailingly courageous, too, in an era when referees
offered goalkeepers scant protection from fearsomely brawny centre-forwards,
the likes of Trevor Ford, Derek Dooley and Nat Lofthouse, who seemed to
bounce off him like lightweights when they encountered his muscular frame.

As a boy Gregory was a promising boxer, and on the football field he was a
defender, but one day his goalkeeper brother Bob broke his leg and Ernie
took his place between the sticks. Thereafter he progressed to the West Ham
Boys side, for whom he was playing in the English Schools Trophy final in
1936 when he was spotted by the Hammers manager Charlie Paynter.

He was approached, too, by Arsenal and Sunderland, but he was an east
Londoner to his boots and never contemplated joining anyone but West Ham,
which he did that year. While still unpaid he helped local amateurs
Leytonstone to win the Isthmian League title in 1938, then turned
professional with the Hammers in 1939.

Aged only 18 at the outbreak of the Second World War, Gregory served in the
Essex Regiment, also finding time to make half a century of appearances for
the Hammers in unofficial emergency competition. Having lost the first half
of his twenties to the conflict, he made his senior debut in a 4-1 Second
Division victory over Plymouth Argyle in December 1946, and by season's end
he was the club's first-choice goalkeeper, a position he retained, injuries
permitting, until 1959.

For much of that period West Ham, managed from 1950 onwards byTed Fenton,
were a moderate Second Division side, despite the presencein their rearguard
of such luminaries as Malcolm Allison, Noel Cantwelland John Bond, and they
owedplenty to Gregory's heroics for keeping them buoyant.

There was no shortage of observers, especially in the East End, who
maintained that he should be rewardedby full caps. But he was unable to oust
such formidable rivals as Manchester City's Frank Swift, Bert Williamsof
Wolves and the Birmingham City man Gil Merrick, though he was granted one
outing for England 'B', against France in 1952.

In 1957-58, during which he entered his 37th year, Gregory was still at the
top of his game as the Hammers lifted their divisional title, and he
remained a major force as Fenton's side performed wonders by finishing sixth
in the First Division. However, that spring he lost his place to the
talented young Irishman Noel Dwyer and he made the last of his 406 senior
appearances in a 2-1 home defeat by Leeds United in September 1959.

At that point, extraordinarily, Gregory was less than halfway through his
tenure with the Hammers, whom he served as a coach for the next 28 years,
through the managerial regimes of Ron Greenwood and John Lyall, helping with
the development of, for example, the club's trio of World Cup heroes, Bobby
Moore, Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters. He offered experience, continuity and
wisdom to wave after wave of Upton Park hopefuls, while setting a peerless
example of integrity and simple dignity – and, frequently, entertaining them
with his infectious brand of humour. He was summed up admirably by one of
his star pupils, the England goalkeeper Phil Parkes, who described his
mentor as the greatest servant West Ham have ever had.

Ernest Gregory, footballer and coach: born Stratford, London 10 November
1921; played for West Ham United 1946-60; married (wife deceased, and one
daughter, deceased); died 21 January 2012.

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West Ham suffer transfer setback
London 24
Friday, January 27, 2012
2:08 PM

Rangers manager Ally McCoist has revealed that the club have rejected an
offer from West Ham for star striker Nikica Jelavic. The Croatian has also
been linked with a move to Fulham, QPR and Liverpool but there have been no
formal offers other than the Hammers. "I believe there was a bid from West
Ham on Wednesday that was rejected," McCoist said. "I'm not sure confident
is the word because you never know what can happen but obviously I'm very
hopeful that he'll still be a Rangers player at 11 o'clock on Tuesday."

Jelavic has made 45 league appearances for Rangers, since joining from Rapid
Vienna in 2010, scoring 30 goals.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
ERNIE GREGORY
Leaguemanagersassociation.com

Ernie Gregory, who has died aged 90, was the goalkeeper for West Ham United
in the 1940s and 1950s and later served on the coaching staff; his
professional association with the club lasted for more than 50 years.

A Cockney born and bred, Gregory was a tall, rugged figure well capable of
withstanding the robust challenges to which goalkeepers were subjected in
the days before the laws of the game became more discriminating.

In his book West Ham United: The Making of a Football Club (1986), Charles
Korr remarks: "[Gregory] gave the impression of solid imperturbability,
although anyone standing close enough to the West Ham goal might have heard
some rather colourful language."


Ernest Gregory was born on November 10 1921 in Stratford, east London, and
as boy earned a reputation among his peers as a formidable streetfighter.
His career in football was sealed when West Ham's manager, Charlie Paynter,
saw him in goal for West Ham Boys against Preston in the final of the
English Boys' Trophy at Upton Park.

Paynter went to the boy's home, where Ernie's mother told the manager that
her son would soon be leaving school and would have to get a job — so he
would not be playing much football in future. Paynter assured her that, as a
member of West Ham's ground staff, her son would be earning a wage. The
Gregorys' neighbours were delighted by the news and clubbed together to buy
the boy a pair of shin pads.

Having joined West Ham in 1936, Gregory was briefly loaned to the east
London amateur club Leytonstone, helping them to win the Isthmian League
title in 1938. Although he served with the RAF during the Second World War,
Gregory was still able to turn out for some 60 games for West Ham between
1939 and 1945.

In 1946 he succeeded Harry Medhurst as West Ham's first-choice goalkeeper,
making his league debut that December against Plymouth Argyle, a game which
the Hammers won 4-1. In the 1947-48 season Gregory played in all 42 of the
club's league matches.

At this time West Ham were in the Second Division, where they would remain
until 1958. In August 1950 Paynter was replaced as manager by Ted Fenton,
who, according to Gregory, made a number of useful changes: "We were the
first team to eat steak before meals ... We used to train at Forest Gate
skating rink — it was narrow, so you could practise working in tight
situations."

Finally, in 1958, the club won promotion to the First Division ; but Gregory
would enjoy only a short period in the top flight — a year later he lost his
place as goalkeeper to the young Irishman Noel Dwyer. By now he was 38 years
old, and after West Ham went down 3-0 to Birmingham City in February 1959,
he was dropped. He played his last match, against Leeds United, in September
that year. He had made 481 appearances for the club, and had once made it on
to the international stage, for the England B side against France in 1952.

Gregory joined the club's coaching staff, where his first job was looking
after the reserves team. He was later appointed first-team coach with
special responsibility for goalkeeping, and among those he mentored was Phil
Parkes, who later recalled: "When I arrived at Upton Park I was 30, so I
knew how to keep goal, Ernie didn't need to tell me how to be a keeper. But
it was the mental side of the game that he knew so well and without him, my
career would not have lasted anywhere near as long as it did."

Gregory finally retired in May 1987, but he continued to be a familiar
figure at West Ham's home games at Upton Park.

Ernie Gregory died in a nursing home at Basildon. His wife, Yvonne, and a
daughter predeceased him.

Ernie Gregory, November 10 1921, died January 21 2012

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Friday, January 27

Daily WHUFC News - 27th January 2012

Transfer update
WHUFC.com
whufc.com and the club's twitter feed are the place to be for the latest for
Hammers transfer news
26.01.2012

West Ham United are hoping to conclude at least one important new signing in
the next 48 hours. Joint Chairman David Sullivan says he and manager Sam
Allardyce are working hard to make additions to the Hammers squad as the
club continues its push for promotion from the npower Championship. With the
transfer window drawing to a close on Tuesday 31 January, the club are
pulling out all the stops to strengthen after going top of the table at the
weekend. News of all new arrivals will be announced exclusively on whufc.com
and the club's official twitter feed before anywhere else, so make sure you
keep checking back regularly for any new updates. "This has been one of the
most difficult transfer windows I have ever been involved with in all my
time in football," said Mr Sullivan. "However, with the window now coming to
a close, we would like to reassure supporters we are still working
tirelessly to bring in new faces and are hoping to make one or two important
additions to the squad in the next 48 hours."

West Ham's two January transfer signings so far, George John and Joe Dixon,
were announced exclusively on the club's official site, with both players
giving their first interviews as West Ham players to whufc.com and West Ham
TV before anyone else.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
'You are part of a family down here'
WHUFC.com
Olympic medalist Kriss Akabusi believes the Hammers are on track for
promotion
26.01.2012

Three-times Olympic medalist Kriss Akabusi believes 2012 is going to be an
exciting year for both West Ham United and east London as a whole. The 400m
hurdle and relay champion has been a Hammers fan for more than 40 years and
was back at the Boleyn Ground to act as guest stadium announcer ahead of the
2-1 npower Championship victory over Nottingham Forest. Now a motivational
speaker, Akabusi got the crowd going in his own unique and enthusiastic
style - an experience he enjoyed so much that he is planning to do it all
again soon. The 53-year-old is equally enthusiastic about West Ham's chances
of gaining promotion and of east London's prospects of hosting a successful
2012 Olympic Games. "I absolutely loved it, especially when they gave me the
team sheets and said 'Go on Akabusi, have some fun!'" he told West Ham TV.
"I called out the players' names in my own little style, so Jeremy, I'm
coming back for you next week son!"

"I've been a West Ham fan since 1969. I've seen thh ups and the downs with
West Ham. Our song says it all 'like my dreams they fade and die. You are
part of a family down here. It's great to support a great club. "I'm hoping
this year we'll win the Championship and then, next year in the Premier
League, not be vying to avoid relegation but to be in the mid-table."

While he cannot wait for London 2012, Akabusi did admit that he would love
to be at an age that would allow him to compete at the Games himself.
A medalist at both Los Angeles 1984 and Barcelona 1992, the Paddington-born
runner knows this year's Olympics will create a whole new generation of
sporting stars. "I was competing 20-odd years ago and had a great career. I
just wish I was 20 years younger and could compete again in London. It's
going to be tremendous. "The partisan crowd will give Team GB a 25 per cent
uplift. For this area, it's going to be phenomenal. You've already seen how
the landscape has changed and can see the excitement in the area. "In four
or five months it will be ramped up as we have the greatest Games on Earth
in our back yard. Superstars will be made. Hopefully we can carry on that
energy and excitement to West Ham next season. "We obviously love football
down here, but there will be stars made in all sorts of different sports.
I've been working with a handball team and there are a couple of really good
players. I just hope that, when it comes down here - cycling, rowing,
running, throwing or whatever - that we will get on board and support the
boys and girls who are representing our country."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Taylor pleased to be back
WHUFC.com
Midfielder Matt Taylor was all smiles after returning to action after six
weeks on the sidelines
26.01.2012

Matt Taylor is planning his first-team comeback after returning from a
frustrating period on the sidelines. The popular West Ham United midfielder
was back in action in Tuesday's 1-1 Development Squad draw with Gillingham -
more than six weeks after suffering a calf injury in the 2-1 home npower
Championship defeat by Burnley. The 30-year-old said he would not rush back,
but admitted he did feel happy to be back out on the pitch for the first
time since 3 December. "It was OK. I played the first 45 minutes which is
nice," said Taylor. "It was decent to put a shirt on again to be honest and
get back out on the pitch. It has been a while so hopefully it will all be
rosy from here on in."

Having been ruled out twice with calf problems this term, Taylor is hoping
he will soon be back to full fitness. After being assessed and treated by
the club's medical team, the No14 is confident his injury issues are behind
him and he will soon be back to doing what he does best. With a club-high
six assists to his name, the left-sided player is set to be an influential
figure for the Hammers as they continue their quest for the title and
promotion back to the Premier League. "The calf its feeling better but has
been niggly and we have seeked out the best treatment that we could find,"
he confirmed. "Fortunately, we've got a programme in training and hopefully
it will all start coming together now and we can get back to playing
football."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham make £7m offer for Rangers striker Nikica Jelavic
BBC.co.uk
Page last updated at 16:10 GMT, Wednesday, 25 January 2012
By Chris McLaughlin
Senior Football Reporter, BBC Scotland

West Ham have offered £7m for Rangers striker Nikica Jelavic, BBC Scotland
has learned. The English Championship leaders have been in negotiations with
the Ibrox club for more than a week. Rangers though, believe the 26-year-old
is worth more and could hold out in the hope of an improved bid from
elsewhere before the transfer closes next week. Manager Ally McCoist wants
any deal concluded quickly so that he has time to find a replacement.
McCoist has already described a reported £6m bid from the Hammers for the
Croatian international as "not nearly enough" and says no formal bid has
been received. However, BBC Scotland understands that West Ham have come
forward with an offer for Jelavic. Liverpool and Fulham have also shown
interest in the player. Jelavic, who has scored 30 goals for Rangers, made
the switch to Glasgow from Rapid Vienna in 2010 and helped deliver the title
under Walter Smith last season. Rangers have already concluded business this
month with the arrival of Swedish midfielder Mervan Celik from Gais of
Gothenburg. They ended their interest in St Johnstone striker Francisco
Sandaza after he turned down the chance to sign a pre-contract agreement.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers offer Bywater contract
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 26th January 2012
By: Staff Writer

16-year-old schoolboy Kieran Bywater is the latest young talent to be
offered a place at Tony Carr's world-famous youth Academy. Bywater - no
relation of former Hammer's goalkeeper Stephen - has been with West Ham's
youth team for a number of years but was only recently offered a
scholarship. Speaking with the Evening Telegraph, his father Simon said: "At
the moment Kieran is captaining the Under 16 team and has also featured in a
number of this season's Under 18 matches. "He has put lots of time and
effort into his football and has been rewarded by a scholarship. "Paul
[Baynes] and Nigel [Smith, Kieran's school's Head of Year and Deputy
Headmaster] have worked closely with the club to enable Kieran to
concentrate on his studies while focusing on his football. "This close
liason has enabled Kieran to live at the club's house away from home while
keeping up his studies."

Bywater has been at West Ham since the age of ten and has captained youth
teams at various levels. In 2007 he was a member of the West Ham youth team
that reached the final of the Shizuoka World Junior Football Tournament in
Japan. Later, in 2010, he captained West Ham's under-15 side to victory in
a Premiership Cup tournament.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sullivan hopeful of further arrivals
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 26th January 2012
By: Staff Writer

David Sullivan has revealed that he is hoping to conclude at least one
further signing before the transfer window closes early next week. West
Ham's co-chairman, speaking in a statement released on whufc.com this
afternoon confirmed that the club are hopeful of concluding one - possibly
two - new signigs beofre the month is out. "This has been one of the most
difficult transfer windows I have ever been involved with in all my time in
football," said Sullivan. "However, with the window now coming to a close,
we would like to reassure supporters we are still working tirelessly to
bring in new faces and are hoping to make one or two important additions to
the squad in the next 48 hours."

Despite rumours that Sam Allardyce had a transfer war-chest of up to
£10million to play with, the Hammers have failed to spend a single penny on
transfer fees thus far this month. The only two arrivals since the window
opened are American defender George John and rookie striker Joe Dixon, both
of whom arrived at the club on short-term deals.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers eye Muslimovic
West Ham look at Bosnia international
By Graeme Bailey - Tweet me: @skygraemebailey. Last Updated:
January 26, 2012 10:14am
SSN

Sky Sports understands that West Ham United are the latest club to take a
look at Bosnia international Zlatan Muslimovic. The 30-year-old has already
trained with Sunderland and Rangers in the past week as he looks to secure a
move to Britain. Whilst a deal with Rangers is still an option, Sam
Allardyce has now handed him the chance to make an impression at Upton Park.
Allardyce is looking to bolster his striking options in January and
Muslimovic has emerged as a target. Muslimovic is a free agent after leaving
Greek club PAOK last year.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham offer trials to defender Torres and striker Muslimovic
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 10:59 PM on 26th January 2012
Daily Mail

West Ham are giving a trial to Panama central defender Roman Torres. Manager
Sam Allardyce is eager to have back-up despite signing George John from FC
Dallas.
Bosnia striker Zlatan Muslimovic, 30, is also undergoing a trial after brief
spells with Rangers and Sunderland. West Ham have also expressed interest
in Genk striker Jelle Vossen.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham consider cooling their interest in Nikica Jelavic
Ken Dyer
26 Jan 2012
Evening Standard

West Ham were today considering pulling out of their attempts to sign Nikica
Jelavic from Glasgow Rangers after the Scottish Premier League club rejected
their £6 million offer for the striker. West Ham manager Sam Allardyce is
keen to add a striker to his squad before next week's transfer deadline and
after having bids for several players turned down, has turned his attention
to the Serb Croat star, who has netted 17 goals in 28 appearances so far
this season. The Upton Park club have tabled a bid of £5 million plus
another £1 million based on games played but Rangers have said they want £8
million for the 26-year-old Jelavic. Discussions are on-going but West Ham
are reluctant to increase their offer for a player who, though he has scored
regularly in the SPL, is unproven south of the border. The Upton Park club
would also require Jelavic to moderate his personal terms, for any deal to
be a possibility. Liverpool and QPR have also been linked with Jelavic but
neither club has made an offer, which leaves West Ham as the only club who
have declared a firm interest in the striker.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers legend: 'West Ham have only four Premier League standard players!'
London24
Dave Evans, West Ham Correspondent
Thursday, January 26, 2012
10:54 AM

West Ham goalkeeping legend Phil Parkes believes that the current squad
compares badly to the 1980/81 side that ran away with the second division.
West Ham legend Phil Parkes is confident that the Hammers will win promotion
this season, but he fears for their fate in the top flight with their
current squad of players.
The 61-year-old former goalkeeper, who made nearly 350 appearances for West
Ham over 11 years at Upton Park, has been a keen observer of the team this
season, but he has not been impressed by what he has seen. "I really think
that West Ham only have three or four players in their squad that will be
able to do the business in the Premier League," said Parkes. "Robert Green
and James Tomkins have been excellent, while I have been impressed by Matt
Taylor because he gives the team something a little bit different. "But
apart from that, maybe Mark Noble is the only other one who is good enough
for me."

West Ham sit top of the Championship following Southampton's surprise home
defeat by Leicester City, but Parkes suggests that is only because of the
poor standard of the division this season. "I still think they will be
promoted and I also think that they have the strongest squad in the division
and could run away with it if they can find a consistent run of form, but in
truth I think that says just how poor the Championship is," said Parkes,
voted West Ham's greatest-ever goalkeeper. "I thought that West Ham were
dreadful against Forest and really should have lost the game and in truth I
haven't seen them play that well all season."

The legend is, of course, from a different era of football, but he firmly
believes that the Hammers teams of his time would have run away with this
league. "I think when you consider the team we had in 1980/81 when we won
the second division, that side would have got promotion in this division
already. I don't think I have seen a team this season who would have beaten
us," he said. "Carlton Cole has got eight goals this season, but he should
have had double that. How many goals would David Cross have got against
oppositions like these? So many. "The team is set up well away from home
where they can sit back and hit teams on the counter-attack, but at home
they need someone with a bit of imagination and flair who can unlock
defences and, except perhaps for Taylor, I don't think they have got it."

Parkes was quick to praise one of his successors in the West Ham goal
though. He has been hugely impressed by the efforts of Green. "I think he is
back close to his best and that is testament to the character of the
player," said the former England international. "He doesn't come and collect
the ball like he used to, but he punches well from his six-yard box and I
think that he is vital for the team. "If they didn't have Green fit, I can't
see them going up because the back-up is just not good enough," he
concluded.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Rangers look at Uchebo as West Ham plan new Jelavic bid
Herald Scotland
Graeme Macpherson

MICHAEL UCHEBO yesterday became the latest player to arrive on trial at
Rangers as the Ibrox club wait to hear whether West Ham United will return
with an enhanced bid for Nikica Jelavic. Uchebo has rejected a contract
extension with Dutch club VVV Venlo and is keen to further his career in
British football, despite failing to secure a deal with Stoke City earlier
this month. The Nigerian under-20 international is out of contract at the
end of the season and would be allowed to leave for a fee in the region of
£1m. "I feel I have enjoyed my time at Venlo and I believe now is the time
for me to get a move and go on another adventure in my career," he said. "I
want to move to an ambitious club either now or at the end of the season. My
dream is to play for the national team and I believe I would have a better
chance of doing that if I play in the UK."

Sources in London had suggested West Ham were weighing up an improved bid of
£7.5m for Jelavic although, as of last night, Rangers had received no
further offer for the Croat after turning down a deal worth £7m on Thursday.
It is understood the npower Championship side are also keen on Robert
Snodgrass, the Scotland forward, and are thought to have had a bid of £4m
rejected by Leeds United yesterday. They are expected to return with an
improved offer for Snodgrass, and possibly Jelavic, as they look to improve
their chances of returning to the Barclays Premier League at the first
attempt. "This has been one of the most difficult transfer windows I have
ever been involved with in all my time in football," said David Sullivan,
West Ham's joint chairman, last night. "However, with the window now coming
to a close, we would like to reassure supporters we are still working
tirelessly to bring in new faces and are hoping to make one or two important
additions to the squad in the next 48 hours."

With Jelavic's exit looking increasingly likely, Rangers have been active in
looking to secure possible replacements. As well as Uchebo, they have also
been linked with a move for Hamdi Salihi. The Albanian has been ordered not
to attend Rapid Vienna's winter training camp and looks set to leave the
Austrian club. "Hamdi has been told he will not fly with us to Portugal,"
said Peter Schottel, the Rapid manager. "That gives him time to conduct his
phone calls about his transfer, while the rest of us train in peace. He has
several teams interested in him and he is constantly thinking about the
transfer. So it's best he sorts it out by January 31."

Sasa Papac, meanwhile, has revealed he is no hurry to make a decision on the
future. The Bosnian defender, who has been at Ibrox since 2006, is out of
contract in the summer and will decide whether to extend his stay at Rangers
nearer the time. "I'm definitely staying at Rangers until the summer because
my contract binds me to that," he said. "But I am not going to hurry and
make a decision beyond that. I don't do long-term planning. If I stay at
Rangers beyond my contract, I will end my career here."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham hoping to make signings in the next 48 hours
By talkSPORT
Thursday, January 26, 2012

West Ham are set to make a new signing in the next 48 hours with Rangers
striker Nikica Jelavic still reported to be the number one target. Jelavic
has emerged as Sam Allardyce's first choice signing having scored 30 goals
in 45 Scottish Premier League games. West Ham have already had a £7m bid
turned down for the Croatian forward, but are expected to come back with an
improved offer. Fulham and Liverpool have also been linked with a move for
the 26-year-old, but it appears West Ham will win the race to clinch his
signature. West Ham co-chairman David Sullivan is working around the clock
to bring in a big name striker and is confident he can strike a deal in the
next two days. Sullivan said: "This has been one of the most difficult
transfer windows I have ever been involved with in all my time in football.
"However, with the window now coming to a close, we are still working
tirelessly to bring in new faces and are hoping to make one or two important
additions to the squad in the next 48 hours."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham sign Sawtry lad
PeterboroughToday.co.uk
Published on Thursday 26 January 2012 15:30

TOP boy Kieran Bywater has realised his lifelong dream after being offered a
scholarship at the famous West Ham Academy. The 16 year-old is currently in
his final year of GCSEs at Sawtry Community College but has been with the
London club since the age of 10. During that time Bywater has won an army of
admirers in the Hammers' junior set-up but has also managed to maintain his
studies thanks to the help of his head of year at Sawtry College, Paul
Baynes, and deputy head Nigel Smith. Dad Simon said: "Paul and Nigel have
worked closely with the club to enable Kieran to concentrate on his studies
while focusing on his football. This close liason has enabled Kieran to live
at the club's house away from home while keeping up his studies. "At the
moment Kieran is captaining the Under 16 team and has also featured in a
number of this season's Under 18 matches. He has put lots of time and effort
into his football and has been rewarded by a scholarship. "Above all this
though he wants to thank his schoolteachers, especially Paul who has acted
as his mentor and a liason between the school and the club."

Bywater will spend next year at the academy where his career will come under
the guidance of West Ham's director of youth development Tony Carr MBE. It
is the next step to stardom for the young Sawtry ace who was first spotted
as a six year-old by former Posh coach Mark Tracy in the Photo Unlimited
tournaments held at the Embankment. However, at the time Posh had no youth
set-up and he was snapped up by the Hammers. And over the past six years
Bywater has played for the club in Japan, Italy and France while in 2010 he
captained the Under 15s when they won a Premiership cup competion at Warwick
University.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Collison: Plenty more to come
Thursday 26th January 2012 11:40
TeamTalk

Jack Collison has fired a warning to the rest of the Championship by
insisting there is plenty more to come from West Ham. The Hammers hit the
top of the table last weekend with a 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest and even
though a lacklustre performance drew cristicism from some supporters,
midfielder Collison insists results are all that count this season. "It is
great for us if we are at the top of the league and we have another couple
of gears to find," he said. "It's frightening and it sends out a message to
the other teams to say 'we're there, we are not playing too great but we are
getting the results'. Then when it all comes together it is going to be
great for us. "Last season I was out injured so I know how it feels to be a
fan. It is frustrating for them at times but it's frustrating for us as
players. "We don't go out and not try to put five goals in, we go and do our
best. At the end of the day they have to be satisfied with where we are in
the league. I know we can produce a few good performances between now and
the end of the season and the ultimate goal is to get promotion."

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