Inside the bowels of the Boleyn
WHUFC.com
Stadium Tours give Hammers supporters a unique insight behind the scenes at
the Boleyn Ground
24.06.2013
What club historian John Helliar doesn't know about West Ham United,
probably isn't worth knowing. The Hammers' very own walking encyclopaedia,
Helliar has been guiding supporters around the Boleyn Ground for some years
now, granting visitors the rare opportunity to peruse behind the scenes.
Guests are invited to amble alongside the hallowed Boleyn Ground turf, sit
in manager Sam Allardyce's seat in the dugout and take a look inside the
home dressing room, all packed into a 90-minute stadium tour. Whether it be
in the Alpari Stand Upper or the Press Room, Helliar is on hand at every
turn to explain the whys and wherefores, blending the club's illustrious
history with the present day goings on. In July, Helliar will hand over the
reins to Hammers greats Phil Parkes and Alan Taylor, who will lead a series
of special Former Player Tours around their old stomping ground.
Helliar told West Ham TV: "I show our visitors all parts of the ground -
everything from the Chairman's Suite upstairs to the Alpari Stand. Then I
take them down to the dressing rooms, the Press Room and all around on pitch
side as well. It gives them the chance to actually see where the action
takes place and sit in the seats where the manager, the staff and all the
substitutes are on matchday.
"The tours have grown over the last few years and I really enjoy it. I find
it fascinating. It's nice to get so many people coming and saying how much
they get out of the experience. It's great to be able to share with them
something about West Ham United, from the very early days of the Thames
Ironworks right through to the present day.
"No two tours are alike. You can always count on getting different reactions
to the various parts of the ground we visit. Different people ask different
questions and about different eras. We get a lot of fans who still remember
the club in the 1960s and 1970s, who have been going with their fathers and
grandfathers for some 30 or 40 years. And then, of course, there's the
current generation who know and love West Ham from the present day."
Helliar himself has long-established family connections with the Hammers,
seeing as his father Jack was club historian and programme editor before
him. The family printing business, Helliar and Sons, which published the
programme for decades, is still based in Barking Road.
As a result, John has no shortage of his own West Ham stories and memories
to share, though it's England's FIFA World Cup triumph in 1966 that still
ranks at the very top.
"One of my favourite parts of the tour is in the Legends Restaurant, where
there is the iconic picture from 1966 of Bobby Moore lifting the Jules Rimet
trophy, on the shoulders of Ray Wilson and Geoff Hurst. There's also the
famous Champions Statue at the end of the Barking Road now, and looking at
them both, it brings back very fond memories of being there with my father.
"I was fortunate enough to see the glory days of the '60s and then other
very special occasions, particularly the European nights under the lights."
For all the satisfaction Helliar gets from the experience, his guests are
typically every bit as enthused with their day out in east London. Martyn
Vincent, with his young nephew Charlie in tow, told West Ham TV: "It's
great, because when you're sitting in the stands, you don't get to see
what's going on behind the scenes."
Meanwhile, young Hammer Elliot Paterson was particularly thrilled to have
seen where his heroes prepare prior to kick-off. He said: "I loved going
along the sideline and sitting in the manager's seat, but mainly walking
around the home dressing room, to see where all the players sit. It's really
exciting to think they actually sit there! I can't really put it into
words."
Helliar urged his fellow Hammers to take up this exciting opportunity,
insisting visitors can be sure of the warmest of welcomes.
"We'd certainly enjoy having you here. We think it's a worthwhile experience
and the feedback we get shows just how much people enjoy it, while they tell
us it's the best tour of any football club they've been to. I think that
says it all."
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Premier League clubs chasing Ecuador winger Jefferson Montero
Last Updated: June 24, 2013 3:09pm
SSN
Ecuador winger Jefferson Montero finally hopes to complete a move to the
Premier League this summer. The Morelia wide-man almost joined Wigan in
January, only for the deal to fall through, but he is now hopeful of sealing
a move to England. It is understood a host of clubs are ready to meet his
buy-out clause of £3.5million, and a number of scouts from English teams
watched him play 90 minute s of Ecuador's World Cup qualifying draw with
Argentina earlier this month. Swansea, West Brom, West Ham and Hull City are
all understood to be keen on the 23-year-old, who has already spent time in
Europe in La Liga.
"Jefferson is ready to move to England," Dan Chapman of Full Contact
confirmed to Sky Sports. "We can confirm a number of clubs are showing an
interest, which is not surprising after his performance against Argentina
last week."
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Karren Brady: 'I love politics, I want to get involved'
By Michael Northcott Monday, 24 June 2013
www.managementtoday.co.uk
Often, you know you're onto a wrong 'un when someone from showbiz thinks
that being a media tart is a reasonable precursor to a political career. But
the latest such case, Karren Brady, could actually have some legs. The
Apprentice star says that she wants to get involved in politics, and is so
determined that she would 'never accept a safe seat'.
She says: 'I would always want a difficult seat: being fast-tracked is not
something that appeals to me.' The self-made millionaire and vice-chairman
of West Ham United FC has often been the subject of speculation about future
Conservative candidates. Some have even suggested that she could one day be
the leader of the party. But for the first time, she has nailed her colours
to the mast, saying: 'I want to get involved.'
Brady's comments come just a week after business secretary Vince Cable
insulted the nation's intelligence by saying that the BBC programme gives 'a
completely false impression about what being an apprentice actually
involves'. If he had watched any episodes of the most recent two series, he
would have learned that the programme doesn't actually feature any type of
apprenticeship whatever. Instead, it is focused on a group of entrepreneurs
pitching for £250,000 of investment from Sugar.
Of course, for the legions of people who were worried that Sugar's weekly
boardroom sackings were representative of life as an actual apprentice, we
feel obliged to point out that it is all theatrics. A geniune apprenticeship
– if you can get one – should be a rewarding and satisfying experience, OK?
Anyway, Brady reckons that the political sphere could do with some more
people with business experience. She said: 'You need people who are right at
the cutting edge. I wish a lot more business people did get into politics.
We'd be in a much better place now.' She's not the only one who thinks that
more politicians ought to have had some 'front-line' experience before going
into the House of Commons and waxing lyrical about the business community.
Vince Cable may be a bit politically whimsy, but he is pretty much the only
front-bencher to have any experience in business prior to politics, having
spent some years at Shell. That must count for something…
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Newcastle table £12m bid for Bony
By Warren Haughton | Monday, June 24, 2013
Talksport
Newcastle are chasing Wilfried Bony but face competition from Everton,
Swansea and Anzhi Makhachkala for the highly-rated Vitesse Arnhem striker.
Alan Pardew is keen to add a top-quality forward to his squad and the
Mapgies have stepped up their interest in Bony, tabling a £12million bid for
the Ivorian.
However, talkSPORT understands Vitesse are holding out for £15 million for
the 24-year-old, who scored 31 goals in the Dutch top-flight last season and
is now keen to test himself in the Premier League. That has opened the door
for Russian side Anzhi, who have big money to spend and could easily meet
Vitesse's valuation, while Everton and Swansea are also monitoring Bony's
situation. West Ham have been heavily linked with a move for the former
Sparta Prague man in the past, but their interest has cooled following the
permanent signing of Andy Carroll from Liverpool.
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Benayoun begins intensive training regime in bid to win contract at West
Brom
By JOHN EDWARDS
PUBLISHED: 10:30, 24 June 2013 | UPDATED: 10:30, 24 June 2013
Daily Mail
Yossi Benayoun has signalled his intent to extend his Barclays Premier
League career by embarking on a week of intensive training with Maccabi
Haifa, ahead of a decision on his future. The Israel midfielder's Premier
League days looked to be over after he was released by Chelsea at the age of
33 and left pondering a possible move to MLS side New York Red Bulls. But
interest from West Brom rekindled his ambition to remain in England and
prove he can still make an impact in the top flight. Eager to convince
Hawthorns boss Steve Clarke that he can cope with the rigours of the Premier
League, the former West Ham, Liverpool and Chelsea winger began a seven-day
conditioning programme with Israeli League runners-up Haifa on Sunday. He
will formulate his plans for next season after that, and after completing
his first session, he admitted he wants to hit the ground running, should he
land one more contract in English football's top division. 'I must work on
my fitness and make sure I am in peak condition, and I am grateful to Haifa
for allowing me to join them for the coming week,' he said. 'I am going to
work hard every day, so that wherever I go when I decide on my future, I
will start the pre-season programme with my new club in good shape. I should
know more next weekend.'
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Record numbers attend open trials day
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 24th June 2013
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United Ladies' junior section attracted a record attendance for
their annual trials day last weekend.
More than 130 aspiring young footballers, all eager to wear the famous
claret and blue colours for the forthcoming 2013/14 season attended the
day's two sessions with many coming from top London clubs, local academies
and schools of excellence.
With the high numbers in attendance, the Club's junior managers were
rewarded with the arduous task of whittling down the numbers to form their
new squads for the coming season with existing players and new triallists
all competing for the same positions.
In other WHULFC news the previously-vacant Under 11 manager's position has
been filled by Greg Regan. Greg comes to the club with a strong background
in youth football having coached several local teams (plus Essex youth
Futsal). "I'm really excited to be taking this young West Ham side on," he
said, "and grateful to be given this opportunity."
Finally, the senior Ladies section is in the process of lining up some
exciting pre-season games against tough opposition. One match already
confirmed is against Arsenal Ladies, arguably the strongest women's side in
the country.
Having recently won the Womans' FA Cup with a convincing 3-0 win against
Bristol Academy, Arsenal will be fielding a string of England internationals
who will provide the Hammers with a stern test. In charge for that game will
be new Hammers manager Mark Saunderson.
The Ladies are looking to entice a healthy support to this pre-season
friendly which will be staged on Wednesday, 24th July at Thurrock FC (Ship
Lane, Aveley RM19 1YN). The match is scheduled for a 7.45pm kick off.
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Second Season Syndrome
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 24th June 2013
By: David Hautzig
The minute a newly promoted team survives their first year back in the top
flight of English football, talk of a mystical and deadly disease begins.
The dreaded 'Second Season Syndrome'. And the way it's presented makes it
seem plausible. Even logical.
Teams coming up from the Championship can rely on the fact that 16 of the
clubs they will play know them and their methods about as well as they know
the dietary practices of Inuit Eskimos. (Seal blubber is very important to
them, by the way, which always makes me less nervous when I enjoy a bit of
the fat on my pork chops. That's a discussion for another day. Worth it,
too.) They can use their opponent's lack of familiarity to their advantage.
But once the second season gets going, they can no longer rely on that.
However the statistics suggest otherwise. Actually, that's being polite. The
statistics pretty much shoot the whole idea down in my view. Of the 62 teams
that have been promoted to the Premier League, only eight have been
relegated in their second season at the top. Admittedly, it has happened
more in recent times than in the years following the birth of the EPL.
In the 1990s it only happened once. Middlesbrough finished 12th in their
first year up after winning Division One. But in their sophomore campaign
they were relegated on the last day of the season despite spending bags of
money on players like Fabrizio Ravanelli and Emerson to push onward and
upward. And to add insult to injury, it was a three-point deduction for
postponing a fixture that eventually euthanised their EPL life.
As best as I could muster in between work, kids, mowing the lawn, and
reading Twitter (Admit it. You do it too), here are the statistics for the
so-called Second Season Syndrome. I grabbed it off some article online. It
isn't a research paper needed to receive some degree so I just took it at
face value...
Clubs promoted to the Premier League (1992-2012) – 62
Clubs relegated after first season - 27
Clubs relegated after second season – 8
Middlesbrough
1995/96 12th (43 points)
1996/97 19th (39 points)*
*deducted three points
Bradford
1999/00 17th (36 points)
2000/01 20th (26 points)
Ipswich
2000/01 5th (66 points)
2001/02 18th (36 points)
West Brom
2004/05 17th (34 points)
2005/06 19th (30 points)
Reading
2006/07 8th (55 points)
2007/08 18th (36 points)
Hull
2008/09 17th (35 points)
2009/10 19th (30 points)
Birmingham
2009/10 9th (50 points)
2010/11 18th (39 points)
QPR
2011/12 17th (37 points)
2012/13 20th (25 points)
Not so fab: it sooned turned sour for Ravanelli and Juninho at Middlesbrough
Now I'd like to show you Sam Allardyce's numbers throughout his managerial
career. Sam's time at Bolton is the best way to judge him, in my opinion.
2001-02: 40pts, 16th
2002-03: 44pts, 17th (we went down with 42)
2003-04: 53pts, 8th
2004-05: 56pts, 6th
2005-06: 56pts, 8th
2006-07: 56pts, 7th (Bolton were 5th with two to play when Sam left. Everton
finished on 58pts, Spurs on 60.)
Every year he either matched or exceeded his point total from the previous
year. Add that he has never been relegated as a manager, and second season
syndrome seems more like a convenient bit of superstition used by people who
want to "analyse" us. Facts, however, get in the way. We seem to have a
manager and a board that have a methodical and conservative approach to
moving the club forward.
I would even classify the permanent signing of the giant, flying striker
with the ponytail from up north as conservative. During the weeks of Twitter
madness leading up to his putting pen to paper, my best friend Jon would
remind me that from an on-pitch perspective, Andy Carroll joining us
permanently did not add to the squad. It simply maintained what we had last
season.
So bearing that in mind, our record signing was in fact somewhat
conservative because we had tasted the goods before we brought them home to
make dinner. That would NOT have been the case with Bony, Negredo, Hooper,
Rhodes, or any other name that we were linked with to help avoid this Second
Season Syndrome that really doesn't exist.
There is an old cliche that anybody that has ever bought some lumber in the
hope they could build whatever it is they need or want.
Measure twice. Cut once.
As I follow the happenings at our beloved club, I can almost see Sam, Karen,
and the two Davids in their offices with that little squared-off pencil that
every carpenter uses. They measure things out, grab their ruler or square,
and draw the line. Then they do it again. And then they bring it to each
other to have another look. Finally, they cut. It's boring. It's a bit
tedious. But it's also unlikely the framing of the house will crack and
either need serious repair or just collapse one day in the middle of
breakfast.
I am a VERY nervous supporter. There are times I can barely watch our games.
During the playoff final against Blackpool the guy sitting next to me at a
bar was genuinely concerned about me because I was shivering from fear and
worry. And I will almost certainly go through that for large parts of the
upcoming season. But I won't fret because it's our second season back. I
will have regular panic attacks because we are who we are.
West Ham United.
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That Was The Season That Was 2012/13 - Part Four
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 24th June 2013
By: Gordon Thrower
Will we get sucked into a relegation scrap? Will we get a refereeing
decision in our favour at Anfield? And will Reading suppoters ever get over
their strange infatuation with inflatable toys? These and other questions
are answered in the concluding part of Gordon Thrower's review of the
2012/13 season, which covers the months of May, February, April and March
2013. Just not in that order though.....
February
David Sullivan starts the month off with an interview in which he reveals
that the transfer deadline came with threats of violence from an unnamed
agent who wanted part of a particular deal. The thought occurs to us that,
that over the years in his chosen profession, Mr Sullivan is likely to have
made acquaintance with a number of very large gentlemen happy to look after
him and, as a result, the agent concerned is either very brave or very
stupid.
England beat Brazil 2-1 at Wembley with goals from Rooney and Lampard. A
double blow or fat power then. The unlikely name of Fred is on the
scoresheet for the Brazilians, who also see Joe Hart save a penalty. Ashley
Cole gets his 100th cap. No comment.
On the pitch we return to winning ways with a 1-0 victory over Swansea at
the Boleyn. We are a lot more dominant than the score suggests, though JJ is
required to make a couple of late saves to keep all three points where they
belong leaving us back in 11th spot on 30 points with 13 matches left to
play. Andy Carroll is on target in his first start since November, prompting
thoughts of what might have been had his season not been so blighted by
injury.
The club announces a new shirt sponsorship deal for 2013/14 with Alpari. Not
having been paying attention when they blagged the naming rights to what I
still think of as the West Stand, I am surprised to discover that the
company is, in fact, a foreign exchange trading business, rather than the
manufacturer of the sort of breakfast cereal made from the stuff found at
the bottom of budgie cages.
Some of that sponsorship money will come in handy at Allardyce Towers
following an FA fine of £8,000 for pointing out that Man Utd get more than
favourable treatment from referees. Allardyce's comments are deemed to bring
the game into disrepute whilst the bias and generally dreadful standards of
refereeing in this country are not. Messenger shot. Again. The FA goes on to
charge Galileo with heresy for suggesting that the Earth orbits the Sun and
not vice-versa only to find that the Catholic church got their first.
Our perennial propensity to travel sickness continues as a struggling Villa
side beat us 2-1 at Villa Park. An og is our only reward as our tendency to
not win games away from the Boleyn reaches worrying proportions. Sam
maintains that we deserved something out of the game, even though our only
consolation in the match comes through an own goal.
For what seems like the tenth month in a row, we are promised a decision on
the Olympic Stadium "within a week" meaning that there will be at least
another week of us having to dodge stupid press statements from Barry Hearn.
One person who won't be about should we move up the road is Freddie
Piquionne. Admit it you thought he'd gone ages ago didn't you?! He's off to
the states where Portland Timbers snap up his services.
The 20th anniversary of the passing of Bobby Moore arrives. Kumb radio,
having survived a dodgy choice of opening night guest, produces what can
only be described as a masterpiece grabbing interviews from such luminaries
as Sir Trevor, Bran Dear, Harry Redknapp and many many more, all of whom
give their time to reminisce about the great man. If you haven't heard the
podcast you really are missing out. It's on something called "iTunes" if you
look hard enough apparently. Kudos once more to messrs. Scull and Longman.
Our old chum Paolo Di Canio is in the news as he walks out of Swindon
following the transfer of a player without his authorisation. Just about
everyone else walks out with him leaving the physio and the kit man as the
only backroom staff available to the club. Di Canio memorably sneaks back
into the club offices in the middle of the night to pick up his personal
belongings.
There's more commemoration of Bobby as we play Spurs. Or rather Gareth Bale
as they have rightly become known. Bale is on target twice and a Sigurdsson
scramble give Spurs a largely undeserved 3-2 win, Bale's winner coming in
stoppage time to give Spurs a win in their cup final.
The League Cup Final is contested between Swansea and League Two (Division 4
in old money) Bradford City. Contested is probably the wrong word as for
Bradford, who have eliminated Wigan (tee hee), Arsenal (tee hee) and Villa
(meh), it proves to be a match too far as the Taffs romp home 5-0 winners.
Bradford eventually return to Wembley where they are promoted via the
playoffs.
The shortest month ends with us a place lower in 14th spot with 30 points
from 27 games. Still ten required for the magic number. Don't panic just
yet…..
March
It's a quiet month on the pitch as a combination of international breaks and
our not being in the Cup means that we only get to play three games.
Someone at the club has discovered the "Quells" as we finally shake off the
travel sickness. We claim a victory for football as well as we shake off the
need to make two early substitutions and win 1-0 at the Britannia Stadium.
Jack Collison is on target as Stoke's already tawdry reputation is dragged
further through the mud by a succession of blatant but unsuccessful dives in
an attempt to win penalties.
The club announces that it will be making a "Lifetime Achievement Award" to
Billy Bonds MBE at the end of the season. If Alou Diarra is reading this, we
suggest that you needn't wait by the phone for someone to announce yours.
Another Olympic announcement is made. This updates the previous announcement
and confirms that another announcement announcing the imminent announcement
of a decision on the Stadium, is imminent. Or at least it will be soon.
Probably.
Barry Hearn announces that his legal team, none of whom have any interest in
unnecessarily prolonging the whole process thus increasing their fees,
honest, have told him that he has a case for judicial review should the
Stadium be given to West Ham. The announcement can only just be heard over
the sound of lawyers' cash registers all going "kerchinggg".
We return to losing ways on the road again as Chelsea - aided by another
dreadful refereeing decision - beat us 2-0. Andy Carroll's effort is ruled
out for a non-existent foul by another referee whose conduct can be said to
bring the game into disrepute far more than anyone who complains about the
standard of refereeing in this country.
Finally, after another announcement promising an announcement about the
future of the Olympic statement, an announcement is made. The stadium will
be rented out to West Ham from 2016 once alterations have been made. Barry
Hearn's lawyers stick in their request for judicial review, barely
suppressing laughter as they order new yachts on the strength of Hearn's
cash.
The details of the deal are revealed: the club will cough up £25m towards
the conversion costs with LDDC and Newham chipping in the balance of the
reported £175m cost of turning the place into a stadium fit for football.
These costs will include some form of retractable seating to cover the
running track, thus enabling the spectators to actually see the match. The
track will remain in place for athletics in the summer and the stadium will
also be used for concerts, though if anyone who performed at the closing
ceremony of the games (except the Who) is reading this, you've had your go –
go and play at Brisbane Road instead.
The club will also pay an index-linked £2m a year in rental costs. Profits
from the operation of the stadium will be split between the club and the
taxpayer and the owners agree to split any profits from the sale of the club
with the taxpayer in the event of any sale occurring within a set period of
our moving in.
The club commit a PR own goal. In amongst all the Olympic stuff about having
a "commitment to affordable football" the club sends a letter to all
disabled supporters informing them of what appears to be an effective
doubling of ticket prices for the 2013/14 season. The club later denies that
a figure has been decided – merely that tickets will be linked to a
particular price band, though on 2012/13 prices this would seem to double
the cost. Eventually there is a bit of climb down and the increase is
eventually reduced but the whole affair leaves a nasty taste in the mouth.
The whole thing has the air of a governmental announcement. You know the
sort of thing, wanting to increase a particular tax by 25p they announce a
50p rise and then reduce it to 25p after the inevitable furore, leaving us
all to feel really grateful while getting what they wanted all along.
Cynical? Us? You bet.
England's World Cup campaign continues to cough and splutter. An 8-0 win
over San Marino is welcome, if expected. Two from Defoe and one each from
Oxlade-Chamberlain, Lampard, Young, Rooney, Sturridge and an OG improve the
goal-difference against a team that probably contains a postman or two if I
could be bothered to research its composition. However, a few days later a
1-1 draw with Montenegro, a country with the same population as a village in
Wiltshire, is less satisfying. Rooney gives us the lead but the
Montenegrans' second-half equaliser from Damjanovic is no more than they
deserve. Roy Hodgson stops just short of saying that there are no easy games
in international football, presumably the trip to San Marino being to fresh
in everyone's minds for him to be allowed to get away with that one.
The double header is overshadowed by a(nother) row over the selection of Rio
Ferdinand. Disappointingly, having been selected for the squad Ferdinand
withdraws due to a clash with his personal treatment and training regime.
Another sad reflection of the malevolent influence his employers have had
upon the game.
We return to league action as former assistant boss Steve Clarke's West Brom
are sent packing 3-1 at the Boleyn. Carroll nets a brace, the second of
which is a peach of a volley from a pass dropping over his shoulder. A Goal
Of The Season candidate. In between the Geordie striker's pair, Gary O'Neil
dispatches a volley that is itself no mean finish. Much humour is derived
from the second half introduction of Peter Odemwinge, "he drove to QPR. They
left him in his car" and "what a waste of petrol" chants greeting his
arrival.
The only down side of the win is the reappearance of George McCartney. Well
not Linda's reappearance as such, more his almost immediate departure with a
recurrence of the knee ligament injury that has kept him on the sidelines
all season. It's confirmed that the injury has effectively ended his season.
After a winless streak lasting 8 games Sunderland sack Martin O'Neill and
replace him with Paolo Di Canio. In a spot of hypocrisy and cant that is
amazing, even for a failed politician David Milliband stirs up some
publicity for himself by announcing his resignation from the board of the
Wearside club over Di Canio's alleged political sympathies. Strangely,
nobody picks up on Milliband's earlier eulogy of deceased historian Eric
Hobsbaum, whose views on the deaths of 20 million Soviet citizens could mark
him down as an apologist for genocide. The fact that Milliband's new job as
the head of a charity in New York would probably have meant his quitting
Sunderland anyway also eludes the papers, for whom Di Canio makes a much
better story.
The two wins in March have effectively steadied the ship a bit, not that it
was ever rocking at all, honest. We end the month in 11th spot with 36
points from 30 games – a game in hand over just about everyone else in the
league as well. Nearly safe then…..
April
The month commences with the traditional kumb.com April 1st story suggesting
that Barry Hearn will be fundraising for his increasingly pointless legal
costs by releasing a revamped version of "Snooker Loopy". A fair number of
people fall for it, suggesting that, where Hearn is concerned, his past
record of stupidity is so well established that nothing is too daft to be
considered implausible where he is concerned. We decide not to include the
England Supporters Band in the list of participants on the proposed record
as we reckon nobody would believe that they've actually learnt to play a
fifth tune.
Rumours that Jimmy Tarbuck has been arrested are confirmed. Though hopes
that Cilla Black, Ken Dodd, Stan Boardman and Tom O'Connor might also be
rounded up for crimes against comedy are sadly wide of the mark as it
transpires that the Tarbuck arrest is part of Operation Yewtree rather than
a general clampdown against unfunny scousers.
Whilst we're on the subject of legal shenanigans, the three investigators
who were in no way employed by Tottenham Hotspur to spy on anyone, appear in
court on charges of fraud by false representation. All three plead "not
guilty" and are remanded to appear in court in January 2014. Rumours that
the three had had cyanide capsules stamped "THFC" confiscated from them when
arrested are, of course, totally made up.
Operation Yewtree notches up a conviction as Stuart Hall pleads guilty to 14
counts of indecent assault during the height of his "It's A Knockout" fame.
Hall is eventually sentenced to a remarkably light sentence of 15 months,
which should see him out inside a year. Or possibly six months if he plays
his joker.
The winless streak at Anfield extends into its 51st year as we draw 0-0. Yet
again we are on the wrong end of a scouse-friendly refereeing decision as
Tomkins is kicked up in the air in the box. Strangely, ref Taylor, who was
so ready to issue a red card to Carlton Cole for something that wasn't a
foul in the Everton match, when presented with a clear and obvious penalty
decision to give chooses not to. Taylor's inaction continues the tradition
of many a year as bent refereeing assists the Anfield side once more.
Collison has a late effort cleared off the line, though the suspicion
remains that unless the ball actually breaks the net up there we won't be
awarded anything. And even then it'll probably be a throw-in.
The draw at Anfield is followed by another as we pick up our fourth point of
the season from Southampton. Carroll equalises with a free kick.
Southampton's supporters add to their already poor reputation for football
knowledge by shouting "hoof" at every pass over two feet whilst forgetting
to do the same at all the 60 yard clearances their own defenders make. The
suspicion that the media are just too lazy to watch games properly is
confirmed by the tv commentary which states something like "West Ham's long
ball game will mean that the home side will have dominated possession this
half" just as the graphic appears on screen: "Possession Southampton 45%
West Ham 55%" Still best not to let the truth get in the way eh lads?
And talking of the truth Man Utd come to the Boleyn and get a point, yes,
you've guessed it, totally thanks to another friendly refereeing decision.
Vaz Te opens the scoring with a header, a goal which is cancelled out by
Valencia's close range effort fifteen minutes before the break. Diame gives
us a deserved lead ten minutes into the second half with a wonder goal that
puts one in mind of his strike against Arsenal earlier in the season – only
much, much better. Where do you think you're going with that Goal Of The
Season trophy Andy?
Van Persie's late late equaliser comes from him being offside. Not a little
bit offside mind, a good couple of yards. Predictably the dishonest Ferguson
tries to deflect attention from yet another point cheated out of a match by
suggesting that Andy Carroll should have been sent off – presumably for
potentially damaging Vidic's elbow with his head.
Having already swelled the FA coffers for pointing out that Ferguson owes a
hellofa lot in his career to mysteriously beneficial decisions from
officials, Sam is a bit more careful in his words this time round.
Meanwhile, the rest of us wonder which division of the Salford and District
Sunday League Fergie's whingers would be in had referees had done their job
over the years.
Journalistic standards plumb new depths in the form of one Patrick Collins
who turns out a piece that has "I'm scared of Fergie" stamped all through
it. Repeating the "long-ball" myth the "journalist" does a hatchet job on
Andy Carroll that has "I'm writing this to avoid being banned from Old
Trafford" shining through like a watermark. At least I hope that's his
excuse – I'd be horrified to think someone could be so stupid to have
written that without being commissioned to do so.
Collins' effort contains comments to the effect that those nice foreign
players play the game in a much nicer way to us nasty old English. Not quite
sure of what he made of one of those nice guys, Luis Suarez then. Racist
diver and serial cheat Suarez adds a new chapter to his already sordid book
by biting Chelsea's Ivanovic. Not something I can imagine Carroll doing, Mr
Collins.
Suarez gets a ten match ban and, having defended the player throughout his
racist diving days I suppose it's sadly inevitable that his employers go
straight into victim mode and express shock at the length of the ban.
Meanwhile, attempts to respond to Collins' article in an infinitely more
measured and sensible manner than it really deserves are stymied by the
Mail's website, as anything that shows even the mildest criticism is
blocked. How strange that the paper that backed the Nazis in the 1930's
should end up mimicking news agencies from Soviet-era USSR.
Not that there were any, but any lingering doubts as to relegation are
dispelled as we beat Wigan 2-0. It's a repeat of the opening game of the
season against Villa as the visitors have a load of possession and do the
square root of damn all with it. Jarvis' cross eludes everyone to give us
the lead and Nolan's late effort seals all three points, giving him his
100th career goal in the process. The win has the added bonus of pushing
Wigan nearer to the drop – not long now Whelan….
Reigning Hackett Of The Year Barry Hearn gets some bad news from m'learned
friends as he is told that there are no grounds to have the decision to
lease the Olympic Stadium to West Ham subjected to judicial review. The
summing up reads: "whilst we have every sympathy with the legal profession's
desire to relieve Barry Hearn of every last penny he has, there comes a time
when one should stop milking it. Trebles all round then". Or something like
that.
We go down 2-1 at Man City – hey guess what. Yup a clear penalty is turned
down by Howard Webb who, presumably, is too confused by the Manchester bit
of the home team's name to do his job properly. Mind you it's been years
since he did his job properly anyway. Carroll is on target deep into
stoppage time as Joe Hart makes a complete hash of things to give us a
consolation comedy goal.
Reading supporters, some of whom had been convinced that a European spot was
on the cards this time last year if the customers of a certain hostelry in
north Hampshire are anything to go by, are confused by their end of season
plans. Having been relegated along with QPR by the end of the month their
supporters desperately try to find an excuse to avoid having to watch their
team's last game of the season at the Boleyn. They hit upon the idea of
pretending that they are boycotting the match on the grounds that the
tickets are a few quid more expensive than the amount they charged us.
Others are worried that this will affect the sole reason many of them go to
football matches, namely their end of season inflatable party. "If it's not
organised there'll be less inflatables" warns one really worried
correspondent, whose use of grammar promotes speculation that he may have
been the spotty Herbert responsible for printing off all those "Judus" pages
all those years ago.
With QPR and Reading taking their hoops back to the second tier there is
only one relegation place left to avoid as we end the month well out of it
all in 10th place with 42 points from 35 games. Never in doubt. Now can we
hold on to 10th……
May
The Geordies are in town for a match that has "end of season" all over it as
it finishes 0-0. This still leaves them still not quite clear of the drop
and some of us get a bit concerned that Whelan might somehow manage to
scrape his way out of it yet again.
The "Hammer of The Year" awards night takes place up west. Winston Reid gets
both the supporters' and the players' version of the award. Tickets for the
glittering event cost something like the same amount as the Greek national
debt. We write to the German government to see if they'd like to finance
something more worthwhile for a change by buying us a couple of tickets. I
expect that their letter is still in the post.
Sky clear their schedules to brown nose Man Utd yet again as their manager
announces his retirement. Journalists write eulogies that wax lyrical about
the miserable git, somehow managing to omit the fact that he's a liar, a
cheat and a thuggish bully whose team would be plying its trade in the
Salford And District Sunday League but for his systematic intimidation of
referees. In fact the media are so far up the backside of the ignorant oaf,
fifty journalists are offered life memberships by the Institute Of
Proctology.
Sam causes a spot of mild consternation amongst TV executives by uttering a
slightly rude word on Sky. Referring to his missing out on a player whilst
Bolton manager due to an administrative snafu, he suggests that the guilty
party might have received a "bollocking". Sky presenters fall over
themselves to apologise to those watching because, like, us football
supporters never usually encounter bad language like that and we're really,
really likely to be shocked. I myself have an attack of the vapours and have
to lie down in a darkened room for a few days at the sheer horror of it all.
Sky's nauseating coverage of Ferguson's retirement is, of course, far more
offensive but we're still waiting for the apology for that one.
David Moyes is announced as the new manager in Salford, meaning that our
forthcoming trip to Goodison will coincide with his last home game in charge
there. A hiding to nothing then and, predictably, we go down 2-0 as everyone
says their goodbyes.
Rio Ferdinand announces his retirement from international football. "I've
checked the fixture list and I'm at the hairdressers for the Ireland match
and the manicurist is coming over for the Brazil trip. I think the World Cup
qualifyers clash with my pottery classes as well" his statement probably
doesn't read.
Strangely, for an organisation that is celebrating its 150th anniversary,
the FA seems to lack any sense of the fact that it really ought to be the
guardian of the game's traditions as the FA Cup is once more shoved to
teatime on the penultimate Saturday of the season. This gives supporters of
Man City and Wigan about ten minutes after the final whistle to get to
Euston after the game to catch the last train back to the northwest. The
train companies eventually sort something out, laying on a few extra trains
to Manchester for the City fans, and one of those push-pull trolley things
they had on the Great St Trinian's Train Robbery for the Wigan fans.
Wigan's chairman happens to mention that he once broke his leg in a Cup
Final. In every interview. "Nice day Dave" his postman opines. "Yes postie.
Did you know I once broke my leg in a Cup Final?" replies the dodgy one. The
postman rolls his eyes and replies "yeah I think you mentioned it once".
Whelan leads his team out at Wembley, though we reckon a few of the kids
employed as slave labour to enable him to make his millions might have been
a more apt choice of mascot.
The match itself is a disaster for City who blow it as Wigan notch a late
winner. Bizarre stats of the match include the fact that it's the first Cup
Final between teams managed by managers with the same first name since 1963
(Matts Busby & Gilles), and the fact that the Cup Final has now been won for
the third consecutive time by a manager called Roberto. Deed Poll Sam, is
what we're saying. It's the way forward.
The Sun ties itself into knots over the Man City manager role. Having
earlier quoted a Spanish source as confirming "100%" that Pep Guardiola
would be taking over in the summer, only to see the ex-Barca boss go to
Bayern, they now confirm that Mancini will stay at the Etihad "even if they
lose the Cup Final". City lose the Cup Final and Mancini gets sacked. Still
they had a 50-50 chance of getting it right I suppose.
The footballing gods return from their day off a few days later and a 4-1
defeat at Arsenal relegates Whelan's mob to the second tier. Relegation
enables Whelan to return to his default setting of trying to cash in on
Roberto Martinez. In a rather obvious attempt to increase the compensation
levels Whelan suggests that Everton might not be big enough a club for
Martinez, adding "I broke my leg in an FA Cup Final once you know".
Reading are the visitors to the Boleyn for the last game of the season,
their supporters managing the neat trick of somehow being outnumbered by
their inflatables. We go 2-0 up through Nolan and Vaz Te. Whilst we're
looking at the holiday brochures in the changing room they start the second
half before us and level the scores before a late brace from the skipper
completes his hat-trick and gives us a 4-2 victory.
The muppet quota in the Premier League for 2013/14 is maintained as Crystal
Palace (basically they're what Reading would be if they were based in
Croydon) are promoted via the playoffs joining Cardiff and Hull in the top
flight.
Palace beat Watford 1-0 in the final, spurred on by their manager Ian
Holloway's criticism of Watford's extensive, but quite legal use of the loan
system. Nobody seems to want to point out that the main player responsible
for Palace's pogress through the playoffs is Wilfried Zaha, a player who
signed for Man Utd in January only to be loaned back immediately to Crystal
Palace. Meanwhile, Cardiff's arrival means that they will join Swansea and
Gareth Bale as the Welsh teams in the top flight.
Karma, already hard at work in the relegation of Wigan (whose chairman once
broke his leg in a Cup Final) puts in a spot of overtime as Sheffield United
are knocked out of the League 1 (Division Three in real money) playoffs by
Yeovil Town, for whom ex-Hammer Marek Stech features in goal. Some of us
muse on the fact that Lord Griffiths was satisfied that Carlos Tevez was the
sole reason for Sheffield United's relegation in 2007. Given their
subsequent relegation and failure to return to the top flight, that theory
is pretty much knackered then. Any chance of our money back Lord G?
Tony Pulis arrives at a board meeting at Stoke clutching an 800-page
dossier. "This is my vision for the club's future covering everything from
the Academy to the first team" he proudly announces. Chairman Coates is not
to be outdone. "Here's my own dossier" he announces. "It's only one page
long – take it with you on your way out" he continues, handing Pulis his
P45. Mark Hughes is announced as Pulis' replacement.
Benitez's long reign as boss comes to an end as Chelsea win the Europa
League by beating Benfica 2-1 in Amsterdam. Now we all know John Terry is
stupid. However you'd have thought that he'd have sussed out that there is
no need to prove it by now. Nope. Yet again he strips down to his playing
kit to collect the trophy from a match he didn't play in. This prompts
another rash of photo-shopped efforts on the web showing him picking up
various accolades, including the Eurovision Song Contest trophy. An attempt
to show him picking up the Mastermind fruitbowl fails as the processing
power required for such a suspension of disbelief exceeds that available in
total on the planet.
Meanwhile Chelsea fans bid farewell to the manager they've been abusing all
season with a banner proclaiming "We Forgive You." Quite for what Benitez is
being forgiven we can't quite work out – not being Roberto Di Matteo
presumably.
For a few days Chelsea hold both the Europa and Champions League titles.
This means that during 2012/13 we've beaten The European Champions, Europa
Cup winners, FA Cup Winners and League Cup winners. Also, but for some
dubious refereeing we'd also have beaten both previous and current Premier
League title holders. We've also been beaten by two of the three relegated
teams. All of which means something deep and meaningful I expect.
Chelsea's reign as European Champions comes to an end as the all-German
so-called Champions League final at Wembley is won by Bayern who beat
Borussia Dortmund 2-1. Insert your own beach towel joke here.
We get down to the serious business of preparing for 2013/14 by confirming
the arrival of Razven Rat, whilst an almost tearful Carlton Cole is released
– he goes with our best wishes for the future. Unlike Marouane Chamakh and
Emanuel Pogatetz, who simply go after uninspiring loan spells.
We agree a fee with Liverpool for Andy Carroll, who goes on holiday to muse
over the club's offer having picked up a heel injury that keeps him out of
the England squad for the post-season friendlies with the Republic Of
Ireland and Brazil.
We are linked with a chap called Ludovic Sane who we are praying joins us if
only for the gift that his surname presents to those of us who write match
reports.
Oop north Dave Whelan announces that he has had talks with Roberto Martinez
and that he is confident that his most valuable asset, er, I mean prized
colleague and manager will stay at the club, which is owned by a chairman
who once broke his leg in a Cup Final. Apparently. This announcement is
followed by an announcement that Martinez wants to go and talks open with
Everton.
Dodgy Dave starts bigging his asset up. "Martinez is a must for Everton" he
spouts. When it's pointed out that he had previously been of the opinion
that Everton were not a big enough club for Martinez, Whelan changes the
subject: "Have I ever shown you my scar? There's a funny story about how I
got it" he starts as journos stampede for the exit.
Martinez eventually signs for Everton whose owner Bill Kenwright, has his
own memories "I used to be in Coronation Street you know" he informs
everyone, though with the current climate being what it is, boasting of
having appeared in a soap opera only seems to interest those running
Operation Yewtree.
More fun at Liverpool where Suarez claims that it'd be difficult for him to
stay on Merseyside if Real Madrid came in for him. This is followed by a
statement from the player's agent to the effect that he has no desire to
leave. This, in turn, is followed by a self-pitying statement from the
player that, actually, he does want to leave because of the nasty English
press, who aren't judging him on his undoubted talents as a player. We feel
sorry for Suarez – I mean racially abuse someone, dive, cheat and bite
someone and those horrid journos label you as a racist, diving, biting,
cheat. So unfair. Liverpool claim he's not for sale which means that by the
time I write the opening month of next season's review I expect he'll be
gone.
England draw an uninspiring match with the Republic Of Ireland 1-1 at
Wembley. Having not given him the honour of leading out the side on his
actual 100th cap, England make Ashley Cole captain for the match. Well,
they've given it to John Terry and Steven Gerrard in the past so what's
another ignorant thug amongst so many. We fully expect future England
captains to be selected from a list provided by those involved in Operation
Yewtree, though even the FA would presumably draw the line at Jim Davidson.
After all he is of Scottish extraction.
So that's about it, No trophy to finish up with this term but there again no
depressing thoughts of spending the following 12 months in a lower division
either. It was a creditable top ten finish including some fine performances
from the players, who, in stark contrast to our last season in the top
flight, have spent the season looking like a team.
This review also ends with us on the verge of signing Britain's most
expensive player, though you'll have to wait until next season's review to
see how that one pans out.
Given a top ten finish it seems churlish to have a moan but next time round,
if I had a magic wand I'd ask for us to be a little more adventurous away
from the Boleyn - after all who knows we might win a few more games that
way. A cup run would be nice as well – I sort of miss Wembley. The deed poll
forms are in the post Sam – Roberto Allardyce has a decent ring to it!
Have a good summer (if/when it finally comes).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Tuesday, June 25
Monday, June 24
Daily WHUFC News - 24th June 2013
Rat can't wait to pull on the shirt
WHUFC.com
Summer arrival Razvan Rat cannot wait to get started with West Ham United
23.06.2013
Razvan Rat is counting down the days until he can sport the claret and blue
of West Ham United at the Boleyn Ground. The captain of the Romania national
team joined the Hammers on a free transfer from Shakhtar Donetsk last month,
ending a hugely successful ten-year spell with the Ukrainian champions. He
became one of the first players to try on West Ham's new adidas home kit on
its launch this week, which is available to pre-order here, and is looking
forward to putting it on for real on the opening day of the campaign. "First
of all I am very happy to wear a West Ham United kit," Rat told West Ham TV.
"I think this kit has a very good quality and is of high standards. "For me
it's an honour to wear this shirt and to play in the Premier League. I will
be very proud to wear the claret and blue colours and I hope to satisfy the
fans. "I'll be very excited when I pull on the kit for the first time,
because it will be my first game here."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Potts features in World Cup draw
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's Dan Potts helped England to a 2-2 FIFA U20 World Cup Group
E draw with Iraq
23.06.2013
West Ham United defender Dan Potts played the full 90 minutes in England's
2-2 FIFA U20 World Cup Group E draw with Iraq in Turkey on Sunday. The Young
Lions started their World Cup quest well in a group which also contains
Chile and Egypt, roaring into a two-goal lead through Liverpool midfielder
Conor Coady's header and Middlesbrough youngster Luke Williams' strike.
Potts, who has represented England at Under-18, 19 and 20 levels, was booked
in between the two England goals for a foul on Iraq's Durgham Ishmael, and
things got worse in the closing stages at the Akdeniz University Stadium in
Antalya. On 75 minutes, Manchester United goalkeeper Sam Johnstone fouled
Mohamed Abdulraheem as he was racing through and Ali Faez drilled home the
resultant penalty. Then, with 93 minutes on the clock, Ali Adnan struck a
dramatic equaliser following an individual run into the England penalty area
and low shot.
England play Chile in Antalya on Wednesday before facing Egypt in Bursa on
Saturday. The top two nations in each of the six groups, plus four best
third-placed teams, will qualify for the quarter-finals.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Lapthorne sure of Hammers progress
WHUFC.com
Paralympian Andrew Lapthorne has backed Sam Allardyce to keep pushing the
Hammers on in 2013/14
23.06.2013
Paralympian and West Ham United fan Andrew Lapthorne believes the east
Londoners are well-placed to continue along the path of forward progression
they have enjoyed under Sam Allardyce's management. Big Sam penned a new
contract this summer after guiding the Hammers to a tenth-place finish in
the Barclays Premier League - just twelve months after leading them to
promotion from the Championship via the play-offs. Lapthorne, who a year ago
was en route to winning a silver medal in quad doubles wheelchair tennis at
the London 2012 Paralympics, is also sure the prospect of playing in front
of 54,000 fans at the Olympic Stadium will entice more top quality players
to West Ham after this week's arrival of Andy Carroll. He told West Ham TV:
"David Moyes was at Everton for eleven years and took them to a position
where they can move forward. That's the route we need to go down and
hopefully Big Sam can be here for a few years to come. "He's the best
manager we've had for years - he brings stability and that's what we need
going to the Olympic Stadium. "I had one of the best experiences of my life
in the Olympic Stadium - the opening ceremony of the Paralympics was
unbelievable. I've been there and seen the atmosphere it can create. "I was
going around the stadium thinking 'this is going to be ours, it's going to
be brilliant'. I was constantly thinking about West Ham, not even really
thinking about the Paralympics, so I'm really looking forward to it and
hopefully we can make it into our home."
Lapthorne's own career has also moved along an upward curve following the
Paralympics and he has his sights set on the number one spot in the world
rankings. He continued: "I won a massive event over in South Africa recently
and that moved me up to number two in the world for singles. "I'm British
number one and looking to be world number one by the end of the year
hopefully. "The Paralympics have spurred me on - losing in the final and
getting a silver medal was tough, especially with it being in east London.
"I had dreamt of winning a gold medal, but to win a medal being so young was
good. It's given me the footing now to go on to Rio and try and win two gold
medals."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Razvan Rat eager to make West Ham debut
Last Updated: June 23, 2013 12:24pm
SSN
New West Ham signing Razvan Rat has spoken of his excitement at the prospect
of playing for the Hammers in the Premier League. The Romania captain, who
has won 88 caps for his country, joined West Ham on a free transfer from
Shakhtar Donetsk last month following a ten-year spell with the Ukrainian
champions. And the 32-year-old defender signed a one-year deal with the
Hammers and is now looking forward to making his debut for Sam Allardyce's
team when the season gets under way. "First of all I am very happy to wear a
West Ham United kit," he told West Ham TV. "For me it's an honour to wear
this shirt and to play in the Premier League. I will be very proud to wear
the claret and blue colours and I hope to satisfy the fans. "I'll be very
excited when I pull on the kt for the first time, because it will be my
first game here."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
Summer arrival Razvan Rat cannot wait to get started with West Ham United
23.06.2013
Razvan Rat is counting down the days until he can sport the claret and blue
of West Ham United at the Boleyn Ground. The captain of the Romania national
team joined the Hammers on a free transfer from Shakhtar Donetsk last month,
ending a hugely successful ten-year spell with the Ukrainian champions. He
became one of the first players to try on West Ham's new adidas home kit on
its launch this week, which is available to pre-order here, and is looking
forward to putting it on for real on the opening day of the campaign. "First
of all I am very happy to wear a West Ham United kit," Rat told West Ham TV.
"I think this kit has a very good quality and is of high standards. "For me
it's an honour to wear this shirt and to play in the Premier League. I will
be very proud to wear the claret and blue colours and I hope to satisfy the
fans. "I'll be very excited when I pull on the kit for the first time,
because it will be my first game here."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Potts features in World Cup draw
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's Dan Potts helped England to a 2-2 FIFA U20 World Cup Group
E draw with Iraq
23.06.2013
West Ham United defender Dan Potts played the full 90 minutes in England's
2-2 FIFA U20 World Cup Group E draw with Iraq in Turkey on Sunday. The Young
Lions started their World Cup quest well in a group which also contains
Chile and Egypt, roaring into a two-goal lead through Liverpool midfielder
Conor Coady's header and Middlesbrough youngster Luke Williams' strike.
Potts, who has represented England at Under-18, 19 and 20 levels, was booked
in between the two England goals for a foul on Iraq's Durgham Ishmael, and
things got worse in the closing stages at the Akdeniz University Stadium in
Antalya. On 75 minutes, Manchester United goalkeeper Sam Johnstone fouled
Mohamed Abdulraheem as he was racing through and Ali Faez drilled home the
resultant penalty. Then, with 93 minutes on the clock, Ali Adnan struck a
dramatic equaliser following an individual run into the England penalty area
and low shot.
England play Chile in Antalya on Wednesday before facing Egypt in Bursa on
Saturday. The top two nations in each of the six groups, plus four best
third-placed teams, will qualify for the quarter-finals.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Lapthorne sure of Hammers progress
WHUFC.com
Paralympian Andrew Lapthorne has backed Sam Allardyce to keep pushing the
Hammers on in 2013/14
23.06.2013
Paralympian and West Ham United fan Andrew Lapthorne believes the east
Londoners are well-placed to continue along the path of forward progression
they have enjoyed under Sam Allardyce's management. Big Sam penned a new
contract this summer after guiding the Hammers to a tenth-place finish in
the Barclays Premier League - just twelve months after leading them to
promotion from the Championship via the play-offs. Lapthorne, who a year ago
was en route to winning a silver medal in quad doubles wheelchair tennis at
the London 2012 Paralympics, is also sure the prospect of playing in front
of 54,000 fans at the Olympic Stadium will entice more top quality players
to West Ham after this week's arrival of Andy Carroll. He told West Ham TV:
"David Moyes was at Everton for eleven years and took them to a position
where they can move forward. That's the route we need to go down and
hopefully Big Sam can be here for a few years to come. "He's the best
manager we've had for years - he brings stability and that's what we need
going to the Olympic Stadium. "I had one of the best experiences of my life
in the Olympic Stadium - the opening ceremony of the Paralympics was
unbelievable. I've been there and seen the atmosphere it can create. "I was
going around the stadium thinking 'this is going to be ours, it's going to
be brilliant'. I was constantly thinking about West Ham, not even really
thinking about the Paralympics, so I'm really looking forward to it and
hopefully we can make it into our home."
Lapthorne's own career has also moved along an upward curve following the
Paralympics and he has his sights set on the number one spot in the world
rankings. He continued: "I won a massive event over in South Africa recently
and that moved me up to number two in the world for singles. "I'm British
number one and looking to be world number one by the end of the year
hopefully. "The Paralympics have spurred me on - losing in the final and
getting a silver medal was tough, especially with it being in east London.
"I had dreamt of winning a gold medal, but to win a medal being so young was
good. It's given me the footing now to go on to Rio and try and win two gold
medals."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Razvan Rat eager to make West Ham debut
Last Updated: June 23, 2013 12:24pm
SSN
New West Ham signing Razvan Rat has spoken of his excitement at the prospect
of playing for the Hammers in the Premier League. The Romania captain, who
has won 88 caps for his country, joined West Ham on a free transfer from
Shakhtar Donetsk last month following a ten-year spell with the Ukrainian
champions. And the 32-year-old defender signed a one-year deal with the
Hammers and is now looking forward to making his debut for Sam Allardyce's
team when the season gets under way. "First of all I am very happy to wear a
West Ham United kit," he told West Ham TV. "For me it's an honour to wear
this shirt and to play in the Premier League. I will be very proud to wear
the claret and blue colours and I hope to satisfy the fans. "I'll be very
excited when I pull on the kt for the first time, because it will be my
first game here."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Sunday, June 23
Daily WHUFC News - 23rd June 2013
'It's our biggest-ever signing'
WHUFC.com
Hammers legend Tony Cottee believes Andy Carroll can help the Club continue
to kick-on
22.06.2013
Legendary Hammers striker Tony Cottee has described Andy Carroll's arrival
at the Boleyn Ground on a permanent transfer from Liverpool as the biggest
signing the Club have ever made. England international Carroll impressed
hugely whilst on loan from the Reds last term and Cottee, who netted nearly
150 goals in Hammers colours across two spells, says he will be a key part
of West Ham's plans to keep on progressing in the Barclays Premier League.
Carroll's netted seven vital goals last term despite suffering with niggly
injuries over the campaign, so Cottee believes that with an uninterrupted
season of football the big Geordie could become a real West Ham legend. "I'm
absolutely delighted," he said. "We've all been waiting patiently since the
end of the season but I think it was clear from the start that Andy wanted
to sign for the club. "That was a real positive, that gave the Club great
grounds for optimism in terms of signing him - it was always going to drag
on a bit, there was a huge transfer fee involved when he went to Liverpool,
but as a West Ham fan I'm delighted that he's signed. "We saw some real
quality glimpses from Andy last season and we can now look forward to him
starting the season as a permanent West Ham player. It's a big signing for
the Club. "It's a massive statement of intent from the Board and they need
congratulating for bringing a player of Andy's standing to the Club. "I'm
pleased it's a long-term contract and hopefully he can be the man who can
lead us to stability, and hopefully Andy will be leading the attack for the
next six, seven, eight years for the Club."
Cottee is of the belief that Carroll is a perfect fit for the Hammers and
Sam Allardyce and he knows the fans will continue to get behind him from the
off.
He continued: "For the way Big Sam wants to set his teams up, I think Andy
slots right in for him. Playing in the system with Kevin Nolan pushing on
from midfield, they have a telepathic understanding and they got on really
well on and off the field. "With Kevin pushing forward you need a big target
man, you need someone who is going to hold the ball up, bring the others
into play and then if you get the likes of Matt Jarvis supplying the
crosses, he's always going to be a danger. "Whatever club you go to, it's
great to get that adulation from the fans, when they respect you as a player
and understand what you bring to the table. "Andy will get that, and I think
from his point of view there's a World Cup at the end of next season, and if
you're not playing football you won't be in Roy Hodgson's plans. "So
personally I think it's a great decision from Andy - coming here and playing
his football in front of such passionate support will be great for Andy, and
if he can get into the World Cup squad then it's great for the Club too
because it means Andy's playing well and the team's doing well."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Under 20s World Cup: England set up for success, says Ugo Ehiogu
Last Updated: June 22, 2013 12:11pm
SSN
Ugo Ehiogu is confident that England are well positioned to have a
successful tournament at the Under 20s World Cup. Much has been made about
the state of English football following the dismal performance of the U21s
at this summer's European Championship. But Peter Taylor's U20s have the
opportunity to restore some pride and coach Ehiogu thinks the build-up has
been positive ahead of Sunday's opening game against Iraq. Former Aston
Villa and Middlesbrough defender Ehiogu said in the Daily Star: "There are a
lot of good people working hard behind the scenes to get the players ready
for the tournament when it starts. "And we are ready - everything is in
place."
England have already been in Turkey for more than a week as they prepare for
the tournament and that has benefited the squad. West Ham United defender
Dan Potts said: "We want to come top, so we're only thinking about our
performances and how we can win and qualify for the next stage. "It's been a
good week of training but now as the game is getting closer we're starting
to take a look at the opponents. The build-up has been good and we want to
get off to a good start."
Nottingham Forest defender Jamaal Lascelles added: "The Iraq game will be a
massive match. "We need to go into it like we did against Uruguay -
confident and lively. And if we get after them from the start we should be
okay."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Craig Bellamy: I Was Forced Out of West Ham & Never Wanted to Leave
By Iain Dale About 14 hours ago
West Ham Till I Die
I'm reading Craig Bellamy's autobiography at the moment, and jolly good it
is too. I resisted the temptation to read the West Ham chapter first, but I
have just finished it. It just goes to show how one can be taken in by how
things are spun at the time. I've just looked at how I wrote it all up at
the time, and like most people I assume Bellamy was the bad guy in all this.
His autobiography tells a very different story. Here is a very abbreviated
version...
As January wore on, I became more and more aware that negotiations were
going on about my future. My adviser had rung on Christmas Eve to da that
Spurs had offered West Ham £6million for me and that West Ham had turned it
down flat. That was fine by me. In fact I was pleased that West Ham still
held me in that much esteem after my injury problems. Then things started to
get complicated. Manchester City rang me. They said they had an agreement
with Tottenham that Tottenham couldn't sign me. They wouldn't bid for Defoe
if Spurs didn't bid for me. They now felt Spurs were reneging on the deal.
Spurs and City started firing bids to West Ham and arguing with each other,
I was called in by the club before the Barnsley cup tie. "You must be aware
of what is going on behind the scenes," I was told. "Do you want to play?" I
said of course I did. The point was made to me that I'd be cup-tied. I said
I was a West Ham player and I wasn't bothered about being cup-tied. I wanted
to play. I found it strange I was even asked about it
Soon after, it became clear to me that the club was now encouraging bids
from Spurs and Manchester City... the situation was starting to unsettle me.
West Ham said they didn't want me to go to Tottenham. They said they would
like me to sign a new contract with them, which I was open to. They then
asked me who I wanted to join. It was getting bizarre. I said I loved living
in London and I would prefer it if they stopped encouraging Manchester City.
As I was about to leave the office there was a call from Spurs. I could hear
someone from the club on the phone. He said Man City had gone to '10'. Then
he phoned Man City and said 'Spurs have gone up to '10' - what are you
offering?' I felt exasperated by it. It was draining me. Gianfranco didn't
know what was happening either. It was a mess.
I went in to training the following Monday to be told that the Tottenham
deal was done but that I had to put in a transfer request. I said I wouldn't
do that. I knew they were trying to make it look as though I had been
pushing for a move when, all along, I had watched them conducting an auction
for me. I said if they wanted to sell me they had to tell the fans they
wanted to sell me. Otherwise I'd stay. I was happy there. It was obvious
they needed the money but they needed the highest fee. I understood that and
didn't resent them for it but they needed to be straight about it. They said
that the deal was done so I went in to the training ground to say goodbye to
everyone and went back to my flat in Canary Wharf.
I was sitting in my apartment watching Sky Sports. They started reporting I
had walked out of training. I didn't know what to do. I decided to go back
to Cardiff. Next day the back page headline in the Daily Mail was 'Bellamy
on Strike'. You couldn't get further from the truth if you tried. It got
people angry, understandably. A lot of West Ham fans were disgusted with the
idea I'd go on strike after the club has been so patient with me. I didn't
blame them. Again, I didn't know what to do, but I was really angry about
it.
Gianfranco rang. He said I wasn't right to play. He said West Ham wanted him
to put me in the squad [against Fulham] but he refused. I suppose they
wanted to strengthen the picture of me as a contract rebel. It reflected
well on Gianfranco that he wasn't willing to play that game. He said he was
still hoping they would get me back.
It got very ugly. It began to appear that West Ham wanted to sell me to
Manchester City because they would offer more money... It seemed West Ham
had just been threatening City with the Spurs deal to drive the price up.
They were still doing their best to make me look the bad guy, too. I rang
West Ham and told them I wasn't going anywhere. I said I'd sign the new
contract he had mentioned to me. I told him to make sure it was on his desk
on Monday morning and I'd come in and sign it there and then. I told him I
was happy with what I had got at West Ham and that I had never wanted to
leave. He sounded taken aback. "Leave it with us," he said. My head was
spinning. I didn't really want to go to Manchester City. I knew it was an
interesting proposition though. I was happy in London. I didn't want to
move.
I went out for a jog. When I got back, there was a message on my phone. It
was from the club.
"The deal with City is done," it said. "All the best."
So there you go.
Craig Bellamy's book is called 'Goodfella'. It is published by Sport Media
at £18.99 in hardback. And it's one of the best football autobiographies I
have ever read, I will do a full review of it when I have finished it.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Is the West Ham Summer Sale About to Commence?
By Iain Dale About 17 hours ago
West Ham Till I Die
The Sun reports that West Ham hve put four players up for sale in a bid to
recoup £12 million. I'd say that sum is optimistic in the extreme. The
players concerned are
Modibo Maiga
Alou Diarra
Ricardo Vaz Te
Matt Taylor
Maiga cost £4 million a year ago, but we'd only reckon to get £2.5 million
back. Diarra was on loan to Rennes but I doubt we'd get more than £1.5
million for him. Matt Taylor was bought for £1 million, but is 32 in
November, so wouldn't fetch much more than that. And as for Ricardo Vaz Te,
I am not really sure what to say. I'm slightly surprised Sam would get rid
of him, but he really did flatter to deceive last year, and it's not that he
didn't get the chance. The Sun reckon we're after £3.5 million for him. I
can't see any way we'd get £12 million for those four players more like £8-9
million if we are lucky. But it seems the main thing is to get them off the
payroll so we comply with the new fair play rules (which I have to say I
still don't understand).
The main thing is that we hold on to James Tomkins. Newcastle are sniffing
around again and there is talk of a £4 million bid being made. I think not.
If we did sell, and I pray we don't, we should hold out for £10 million.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
Hammers legend Tony Cottee believes Andy Carroll can help the Club continue
to kick-on
22.06.2013
Legendary Hammers striker Tony Cottee has described Andy Carroll's arrival
at the Boleyn Ground on a permanent transfer from Liverpool as the biggest
signing the Club have ever made. England international Carroll impressed
hugely whilst on loan from the Reds last term and Cottee, who netted nearly
150 goals in Hammers colours across two spells, says he will be a key part
of West Ham's plans to keep on progressing in the Barclays Premier League.
Carroll's netted seven vital goals last term despite suffering with niggly
injuries over the campaign, so Cottee believes that with an uninterrupted
season of football the big Geordie could become a real West Ham legend. "I'm
absolutely delighted," he said. "We've all been waiting patiently since the
end of the season but I think it was clear from the start that Andy wanted
to sign for the club. "That was a real positive, that gave the Club great
grounds for optimism in terms of signing him - it was always going to drag
on a bit, there was a huge transfer fee involved when he went to Liverpool,
but as a West Ham fan I'm delighted that he's signed. "We saw some real
quality glimpses from Andy last season and we can now look forward to him
starting the season as a permanent West Ham player. It's a big signing for
the Club. "It's a massive statement of intent from the Board and they need
congratulating for bringing a player of Andy's standing to the Club. "I'm
pleased it's a long-term contract and hopefully he can be the man who can
lead us to stability, and hopefully Andy will be leading the attack for the
next six, seven, eight years for the Club."
Cottee is of the belief that Carroll is a perfect fit for the Hammers and
Sam Allardyce and he knows the fans will continue to get behind him from the
off.
He continued: "For the way Big Sam wants to set his teams up, I think Andy
slots right in for him. Playing in the system with Kevin Nolan pushing on
from midfield, they have a telepathic understanding and they got on really
well on and off the field. "With Kevin pushing forward you need a big target
man, you need someone who is going to hold the ball up, bring the others
into play and then if you get the likes of Matt Jarvis supplying the
crosses, he's always going to be a danger. "Whatever club you go to, it's
great to get that adulation from the fans, when they respect you as a player
and understand what you bring to the table. "Andy will get that, and I think
from his point of view there's a World Cup at the end of next season, and if
you're not playing football you won't be in Roy Hodgson's plans. "So
personally I think it's a great decision from Andy - coming here and playing
his football in front of such passionate support will be great for Andy, and
if he can get into the World Cup squad then it's great for the Club too
because it means Andy's playing well and the team's doing well."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Under 20s World Cup: England set up for success, says Ugo Ehiogu
Last Updated: June 22, 2013 12:11pm
SSN
Ugo Ehiogu is confident that England are well positioned to have a
successful tournament at the Under 20s World Cup. Much has been made about
the state of English football following the dismal performance of the U21s
at this summer's European Championship. But Peter Taylor's U20s have the
opportunity to restore some pride and coach Ehiogu thinks the build-up has
been positive ahead of Sunday's opening game against Iraq. Former Aston
Villa and Middlesbrough defender Ehiogu said in the Daily Star: "There are a
lot of good people working hard behind the scenes to get the players ready
for the tournament when it starts. "And we are ready - everything is in
place."
England have already been in Turkey for more than a week as they prepare for
the tournament and that has benefited the squad. West Ham United defender
Dan Potts said: "We want to come top, so we're only thinking about our
performances and how we can win and qualify for the next stage. "It's been a
good week of training but now as the game is getting closer we're starting
to take a look at the opponents. The build-up has been good and we want to
get off to a good start."
Nottingham Forest defender Jamaal Lascelles added: "The Iraq game will be a
massive match. "We need to go into it like we did against Uruguay -
confident and lively. And if we get after them from the start we should be
okay."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Craig Bellamy: I Was Forced Out of West Ham & Never Wanted to Leave
By Iain Dale About 14 hours ago
West Ham Till I Die
I'm reading Craig Bellamy's autobiography at the moment, and jolly good it
is too. I resisted the temptation to read the West Ham chapter first, but I
have just finished it. It just goes to show how one can be taken in by how
things are spun at the time. I've just looked at how I wrote it all up at
the time, and like most people I assume Bellamy was the bad guy in all this.
His autobiography tells a very different story. Here is a very abbreviated
version...
As January wore on, I became more and more aware that negotiations were
going on about my future. My adviser had rung on Christmas Eve to da that
Spurs had offered West Ham £6million for me and that West Ham had turned it
down flat. That was fine by me. In fact I was pleased that West Ham still
held me in that much esteem after my injury problems. Then things started to
get complicated. Manchester City rang me. They said they had an agreement
with Tottenham that Tottenham couldn't sign me. They wouldn't bid for Defoe
if Spurs didn't bid for me. They now felt Spurs were reneging on the deal.
Spurs and City started firing bids to West Ham and arguing with each other,
I was called in by the club before the Barnsley cup tie. "You must be aware
of what is going on behind the scenes," I was told. "Do you want to play?" I
said of course I did. The point was made to me that I'd be cup-tied. I said
I was a West Ham player and I wasn't bothered about being cup-tied. I wanted
to play. I found it strange I was even asked about it
Soon after, it became clear to me that the club was now encouraging bids
from Spurs and Manchester City... the situation was starting to unsettle me.
West Ham said they didn't want me to go to Tottenham. They said they would
like me to sign a new contract with them, which I was open to. They then
asked me who I wanted to join. It was getting bizarre. I said I loved living
in London and I would prefer it if they stopped encouraging Manchester City.
As I was about to leave the office there was a call from Spurs. I could hear
someone from the club on the phone. He said Man City had gone to '10'. Then
he phoned Man City and said 'Spurs have gone up to '10' - what are you
offering?' I felt exasperated by it. It was draining me. Gianfranco didn't
know what was happening either. It was a mess.
I went in to training the following Monday to be told that the Tottenham
deal was done but that I had to put in a transfer request. I said I wouldn't
do that. I knew they were trying to make it look as though I had been
pushing for a move when, all along, I had watched them conducting an auction
for me. I said if they wanted to sell me they had to tell the fans they
wanted to sell me. Otherwise I'd stay. I was happy there. It was obvious
they needed the money but they needed the highest fee. I understood that and
didn't resent them for it but they needed to be straight about it. They said
that the deal was done so I went in to the training ground to say goodbye to
everyone and went back to my flat in Canary Wharf.
I was sitting in my apartment watching Sky Sports. They started reporting I
had walked out of training. I didn't know what to do. I decided to go back
to Cardiff. Next day the back page headline in the Daily Mail was 'Bellamy
on Strike'. You couldn't get further from the truth if you tried. It got
people angry, understandably. A lot of West Ham fans were disgusted with the
idea I'd go on strike after the club has been so patient with me. I didn't
blame them. Again, I didn't know what to do, but I was really angry about
it.
Gianfranco rang. He said I wasn't right to play. He said West Ham wanted him
to put me in the squad [against Fulham] but he refused. I suppose they
wanted to strengthen the picture of me as a contract rebel. It reflected
well on Gianfranco that he wasn't willing to play that game. He said he was
still hoping they would get me back.
It got very ugly. It began to appear that West Ham wanted to sell me to
Manchester City because they would offer more money... It seemed West Ham
had just been threatening City with the Spurs deal to drive the price up.
They were still doing their best to make me look the bad guy, too. I rang
West Ham and told them I wasn't going anywhere. I said I'd sign the new
contract he had mentioned to me. I told him to make sure it was on his desk
on Monday morning and I'd come in and sign it there and then. I told him I
was happy with what I had got at West Ham and that I had never wanted to
leave. He sounded taken aback. "Leave it with us," he said. My head was
spinning. I didn't really want to go to Manchester City. I knew it was an
interesting proposition though. I was happy in London. I didn't want to
move.
I went out for a jog. When I got back, there was a message on my phone. It
was from the club.
"The deal with City is done," it said. "All the best."
So there you go.
Craig Bellamy's book is called 'Goodfella'. It is published by Sport Media
at £18.99 in hardback. And it's one of the best football autobiographies I
have ever read, I will do a full review of it when I have finished it.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Is the West Ham Summer Sale About to Commence?
By Iain Dale About 17 hours ago
West Ham Till I Die
The Sun reports that West Ham hve put four players up for sale in a bid to
recoup £12 million. I'd say that sum is optimistic in the extreme. The
players concerned are
Modibo Maiga
Alou Diarra
Ricardo Vaz Te
Matt Taylor
Maiga cost £4 million a year ago, but we'd only reckon to get £2.5 million
back. Diarra was on loan to Rennes but I doubt we'd get more than £1.5
million for him. Matt Taylor was bought for £1 million, but is 32 in
November, so wouldn't fetch much more than that. And as for Ricardo Vaz Te,
I am not really sure what to say. I'm slightly surprised Sam would get rid
of him, but he really did flatter to deceive last year, and it's not that he
didn't get the chance. The Sun reckon we're after £3.5 million for him. I
can't see any way we'd get £12 million for those four players more like £8-9
million if we are lucky. But it seems the main thing is to get them off the
payroll so we comply with the new fair play rules (which I have to say I
still don't understand).
The main thing is that we hold on to James Tomkins. Newcastle are sniffing
around again and there is talk of a £4 million bid being made. I think not.
If we did sell, and I pray we don't, we should hold out for £10 million.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Saturday, June 22
Daily WHUFC News - 22nd June 2013
Legends love new kit
WHUFC.com
Several of the Boys of 86 have given the new adidas home kit the thumbs up
21.06.2013
A host of West Ham United's famous Boys of '86 were reunited to take a first
look at the Club's new Alpari-sponsored adidas home kit, featuring the
"Alpari FX Trading" brand line. Strikers Tony Cottee and Frank McAvennie,
midfielder Alan Dickens and defensive duo George Parris and Steve Potts were
all part of the team which fired the Hammers to their best-ever league
finish of third in the 1985/86 season. The Club were clad in an adidas strip
that season, and are now back in the popular iconic three stripes 27 years
on, as Sam Allardyce's current crop of Hammers look to build on last year's
impressive tenth-place Barclays Premier League finish. The home kit was
unveiled on Thursday and features the logo of the club's new principal
sponsor Alpari and the brand line "Alpari FX Trading" on its front, after
the global forex broker joined forces with the Hammers to expand their
sponsorship agreement earlier this year. Two of the standout members from
the 1985/86 squad were strike partners Cottee and McAvennie, who notched 46
league goals between them as the Hammers finished just four points behind
champions Everton. Cottee would go on to score close to 150 goals for the
club and he is sure the new kit will evoke memories of that fine spell in
Hammers history. Cottee: "The adidas kits we had in the 1980s were iconic.
Not just the one in 1986, and it's great for the fans that whatever era you
associate yourself with you can put the top on. "'86 was a special season
and I didn't realise that [era] was the last time we wore adidas. This is
the first chance I've had to look at the new kit and I'm really impressed.
"It's a really nice kit and I think it will sell well."
Scotsman McAvennie, who arrived at the Hammers in the summer before that
unforgettable campaign, contributed 26 of those 46 goals, and he would love
the modern-day Hammers to take similar inspiration from their "Alpari FX
Trading"-branded new kit. The Glaswegian forward said: "It would be great if
it can bring us a bit of luck like it did that season, because we did well
and played some great stuff. "The kit is superb. The boys should run out
there and be honoured to wear this jersey. Even putting it on now I'm
honoured to do it, so I'm sure from the first team squad to the Under-21s
and everyone downwards, they will be honoured too."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
On this day - 22 June
WHUFC.com
A West Ham United player helped Mexico take a step towards their
continential title two years ago
22.06.2013
Anniversary
Mexico 2-0 Honduras
CONCACAF Gold Cup Semi-Finals
22 June 2011
Former Hammers winger Pablo Barrera won his 14th cap for Mexico on this day
two years ago and helped his country earn a place in the final of the
CONCACAF Gold Cup. The continental competition for North and Central
American sides had seen the Mexicans ease through the group stage with 5-0
wins over El Salvador and Cuba and a 4-1 victory over Costa Rica. A 2-1
quarter-final success over Guatemala was next before Honduras, who defeated
Costa Rica on penalties in their last-eight clash, were waiting in the
semis. Barrera started the contest, which remained at 0-0 after 90 minutes.
But two goals in the first nine minutes of extra-time, one from Aldo de
Nigris and the other from Javier Hernandez, won the game for Mexico. Barrera
would also play in the final, where his two goals helped Mexico see off
hosts USA to claim their sixth Gold Cup title.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Olympic inspiration excites Carroll
WHUFC.com
Andy Carroll is looking forward to the prospect of playing in front of
54,000 Hammers fans
21.06.2013
Andy Carroll revealed that West Ham United's upcoming move to the Olympic
Stadium played a big part in his decision to complete his transfer from
Liverpool on a long-term contract earlier this week. Carroll enjoyed a
successful loan spell with the Club last season and has now returned on a
contract which runs for an initial six years. That takes the England striker
past 2016, when West Ham are due to move into the Olympic Stadium, and he is
relishing the prospect of playing in front of 54,000 Hammers fans. "It's
massive," he exclusively told West Ham TV. "The Club's only going one way
and that's what I want to be a part of. "The fans are never quiet here [at
the Boleyn Ground] and it's going to be even better at the Olympic Stadium
when more people can fit in. I can't wait."
Carroll is also looking forward to playing under the management of Sam
Allardyce again, with a place in the England squad one of his aims in a
World Cup year. He continued: "Sam is a great manager and a great man. I
enjoyed working under him at Newcastle and here too, so speaking to him over
the summer, he was happy with the way I was last season and I'm looking
forward to working with him again. "It's always good when you have somebody
who is behind you. He only gives me confidence to go out there and show what
I'm about. "I want to keep fit, score goals and perform week-in week-out. If
I do that hopefully I'll get into the England team. "If it comes with
England, then it'll come. Every footballer wants to win trophies too and i
don't see why we can't the way our team is going."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
The perfect transfer?
It is increasingly unusual that a transfer can be said to work well for all
parties. Daniel Storey thinks that Andy Carroll's move to West Ham from
Liverpool is one of the rare breed
By Follow me @danielstorey85. Last Updated: June 21, 2013 1:03pm
SSN
The most obvious element of Andy Carroll's £15million permanent transfer
from Liverpool to West Ham is that it is seemingly a deal which 'works well
for all parties'.
Such a status quo is rare in modern football, generally reserved for loan
deals, when the loanee receives the short-term benefit of a high-quality
player, the loaner can keep the player happy without involving them in
first-team plans, whilst the individual in question gets vital playing time.
In modern permanent transfers, one party almost inevitably loses out. More
often than not players are sold against a manager or fans' wishes,
individuals using that most hideous of football creations, player power, to
engineer a move to a destination of his choosing. In other cases the buying
club gets stung by an over-inflated minimum fee release clause, or the
selling club is damaged by a player's refusal to extend a contract, thus
lowering the fee it is possible to command. In Carroll's case, however, this
simply isn't the case.
"If we can start with Andy Carroll that would be a great achievement for us
as he can only get better and better. It is our target to make it a
permanent situation. It's our main priority."
Allardyce wants to keep Carroll
Such a statement left little room for discussion on Sam Allardyce's
principle aim this summer. Mere minutes after his side's final-day 4-2
victory over Reading, West Ham's manager stated his desire to make the
England striker's deal permanent. Allardyce has his man, it appears.
Making Carroll a priority came as no surprise. He is a striker that fits the
manager's favoured direct approach, acting as the attacking lynchpin to
which Kevin Nolan, Ricardo Vaz Te and Joe Cole or Modibo Maiga can operate.
Carroll won an average of 9.3 aerial duels per game in the Premier League
last season, a total bettered by no other player.
The England international may have only scored seven league goals last
season (and registered four assists), but those figures were hampered
significantly by a hamstring injury that limited him to 24 Premier League
appearances. Interestingly, of the 34 players to score more goals in the
Premier League than Carroll last season, only Demba Ba and Javier Hernandez
played less minutes in getting their goals. With a full season, he should be
expected to contribute 20 goals and assists combined.
A price tag of £15million may seem steep for a striker who is yet to
demonstrate a consistent scoring record in the Premier League, but on
investigation is not unreasonable. This is a 24-year-old that had three
years left on his £80,000 per week contract at Anfield and has made nine
appearances for his country, scoring at Euro 2012. The premium put on the
head of English players is notorious, and West Ham paid over £8million for
Matt Jarvis last summer, who is three years older than Carroll and has a
solitary (and unlikely to be added to) England cap.
But if West Ham are happy to have captured Carroll, Liverpool will not mind
letting him leave. The striker has struggled to settle at Anfield ever since
his £35million move from Newcastle, and undoubtedly suffered through the
extraordinarily inflated nature of his fee.
Furthermore, after spending substantially on the forward, Liverpool then
failed to play in a style to suit their new signing. Supporters at Anfield
felt that a direct approach to a target man did not fit the club's ethos of
attractive attacking play, and Carroll was often left isolated, forced to
drop deeper in order to involve himself in proceedings. Carroll is a penalty
box striker, his effectiveness decreasing as he moves closer to midfield.
If that was the case under Kenny Dalglish, who signed the striker, it was a
situation only likely to worsen under the stewardship of Brendan Rodgers.
The Northern Irishman aims to imprint a philosophy of fluidity in the
attacking third, with short passing and quick counter attacks. Neither of
these strategies are remotely synonymous with Carroll's style, which
requires long balls from defence or crosses from wide.
Rodgers' attacking signings in the last year (Daniel Sturridge, Philippe
Coutinho, Iago Aspas) all fit into a mould which clashes with Carroll's
assets. When such a situation occurs, there is little point in prolonging
the agony. Rodgers has gained £15million boost to his transfer kitty
(bearing no responsibility for the deal), whilst Liverpool have taken the
£20million hit on their signing.
For the player, too, you sense relief: "It's fantastic for me to be here. I
really enjoyed last season, and that shows in me coming back and making it
permanent. What I wanted to do was come back here and play football."
Those last few words are the key, you feel. Carroll was more than aware that
his opportunities at Anfield would be limited. At West Ham he will be the
main man, particularly after the departure of Carlton Cole. His efforts will
be appreciated by the Upton Park faithful, and the club's approach will suit
his style.
A transfer that genuinely sits well with all parties. A rarity, but
genuinely pleasing to see.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Carroll four-ces Hammers cull
Exclusive
By ANDREW DILLON
Last Updated: 22nd June 2013
The SUn
WEST HAM have put nearly £12million worth of talent up for sale to bankroll
their record signing Andy Carroll. Ricardo Vaz Te, Modibo Maiga, Matt Taylor
and Alou Diarra are all up for grabs to offset a potential £55m investment
in England hitman Carroll. Former Bolton striker Vaz Te is the biggest
casualty of the cull.
His winning goal in the 2012 play-off final against Blackpool took West Ham
back to the Premier League. But the Portuguese ace, 26, struggled in the top
flight and Hammers want £3.5m for him. Winger Taylor, 31, who is rated at
£1.5m, has told boss Sam Allardyce he wants out as he is fed up of being a
sub. Maiga cost the Hammers £4.7m from Sochaux last July, but the striker,
25, has failed to get regular starts. French midfielder Diarra, 31, spent
the second half of last season on loan in his homeland at Rennes and is not
keen to on returning. West Ham paid Liverpool a club-record £16m for
Carroll, plus add-ons, in an initial six-year deal.
Incoming financial rules mean the payroll must not exceed £52m a season, so
West Ham must trim the wage bill to accommodate his £100,000-a-week wages.
Winger Gary O'Neil and striker Carlton Cole were released last month.
Carroll, 24, is eager to get going and is already eyeing an England recall.
He said: "I want to keep fit, score goals and perform every week. "If I do
that hopefully I will get into the England team."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Andy wants to be Roy's boy
Published: 21st June 2013
The SUn
ANDY CARROLL reckons he can fire his way onto England's plane to Brazil.
West Ham's new £16million hitman is determined to prove that new boss Sam
Allardyce was right to splash the cash. And the giant Geordie is convinced
he can bang in the goals to force his way into Roy Hodgson's World Cup
plans.
Carroll, 24, said: "I want to keep fit, score goals and perform week-in
week-out. "If I do that hopefully I'll get into the England team. If it
comes with England, then it'll come." Carroll is also desperate to taste
success at club level — and thinks the Hammers have got the squad capable of
doing just that. He added: "Every footballer wants to win trophies too and I
don't see why we can't the way our team is going. "Sam is a great manager
and a great man. "I enjoyed working under him at Newcastle and here too, so
speaking to him over the summer, he was happy with the way I was last season
and I'm looking forward to working with him again. "It's always good when
you have somebody who is behind you. He only gives me confidence to go out
there and show what I'm about."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
Several of the Boys of 86 have given the new adidas home kit the thumbs up
21.06.2013
A host of West Ham United's famous Boys of '86 were reunited to take a first
look at the Club's new Alpari-sponsored adidas home kit, featuring the
"Alpari FX Trading" brand line. Strikers Tony Cottee and Frank McAvennie,
midfielder Alan Dickens and defensive duo George Parris and Steve Potts were
all part of the team which fired the Hammers to their best-ever league
finish of third in the 1985/86 season. The Club were clad in an adidas strip
that season, and are now back in the popular iconic three stripes 27 years
on, as Sam Allardyce's current crop of Hammers look to build on last year's
impressive tenth-place Barclays Premier League finish. The home kit was
unveiled on Thursday and features the logo of the club's new principal
sponsor Alpari and the brand line "Alpari FX Trading" on its front, after
the global forex broker joined forces with the Hammers to expand their
sponsorship agreement earlier this year. Two of the standout members from
the 1985/86 squad were strike partners Cottee and McAvennie, who notched 46
league goals between them as the Hammers finished just four points behind
champions Everton. Cottee would go on to score close to 150 goals for the
club and he is sure the new kit will evoke memories of that fine spell in
Hammers history. Cottee: "The adidas kits we had in the 1980s were iconic.
Not just the one in 1986, and it's great for the fans that whatever era you
associate yourself with you can put the top on. "'86 was a special season
and I didn't realise that [era] was the last time we wore adidas. This is
the first chance I've had to look at the new kit and I'm really impressed.
"It's a really nice kit and I think it will sell well."
Scotsman McAvennie, who arrived at the Hammers in the summer before that
unforgettable campaign, contributed 26 of those 46 goals, and he would love
the modern-day Hammers to take similar inspiration from their "Alpari FX
Trading"-branded new kit. The Glaswegian forward said: "It would be great if
it can bring us a bit of luck like it did that season, because we did well
and played some great stuff. "The kit is superb. The boys should run out
there and be honoured to wear this jersey. Even putting it on now I'm
honoured to do it, so I'm sure from the first team squad to the Under-21s
and everyone downwards, they will be honoured too."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
On this day - 22 June
WHUFC.com
A West Ham United player helped Mexico take a step towards their
continential title two years ago
22.06.2013
Anniversary
Mexico 2-0 Honduras
CONCACAF Gold Cup Semi-Finals
22 June 2011
Former Hammers winger Pablo Barrera won his 14th cap for Mexico on this day
two years ago and helped his country earn a place in the final of the
CONCACAF Gold Cup. The continental competition for North and Central
American sides had seen the Mexicans ease through the group stage with 5-0
wins over El Salvador and Cuba and a 4-1 victory over Costa Rica. A 2-1
quarter-final success over Guatemala was next before Honduras, who defeated
Costa Rica on penalties in their last-eight clash, were waiting in the
semis. Barrera started the contest, which remained at 0-0 after 90 minutes.
But two goals in the first nine minutes of extra-time, one from Aldo de
Nigris and the other from Javier Hernandez, won the game for Mexico. Barrera
would also play in the final, where his two goals helped Mexico see off
hosts USA to claim their sixth Gold Cup title.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Olympic inspiration excites Carroll
WHUFC.com
Andy Carroll is looking forward to the prospect of playing in front of
54,000 Hammers fans
21.06.2013
Andy Carroll revealed that West Ham United's upcoming move to the Olympic
Stadium played a big part in his decision to complete his transfer from
Liverpool on a long-term contract earlier this week. Carroll enjoyed a
successful loan spell with the Club last season and has now returned on a
contract which runs for an initial six years. That takes the England striker
past 2016, when West Ham are due to move into the Olympic Stadium, and he is
relishing the prospect of playing in front of 54,000 Hammers fans. "It's
massive," he exclusively told West Ham TV. "The Club's only going one way
and that's what I want to be a part of. "The fans are never quiet here [at
the Boleyn Ground] and it's going to be even better at the Olympic Stadium
when more people can fit in. I can't wait."
Carroll is also looking forward to playing under the management of Sam
Allardyce again, with a place in the England squad one of his aims in a
World Cup year. He continued: "Sam is a great manager and a great man. I
enjoyed working under him at Newcastle and here too, so speaking to him over
the summer, he was happy with the way I was last season and I'm looking
forward to working with him again. "It's always good when you have somebody
who is behind you. He only gives me confidence to go out there and show what
I'm about. "I want to keep fit, score goals and perform week-in week-out. If
I do that hopefully I'll get into the England team. "If it comes with
England, then it'll come. Every footballer wants to win trophies too and i
don't see why we can't the way our team is going."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
The perfect transfer?
It is increasingly unusual that a transfer can be said to work well for all
parties. Daniel Storey thinks that Andy Carroll's move to West Ham from
Liverpool is one of the rare breed
By Follow me @danielstorey85. Last Updated: June 21, 2013 1:03pm
SSN
The most obvious element of Andy Carroll's £15million permanent transfer
from Liverpool to West Ham is that it is seemingly a deal which 'works well
for all parties'.
Such a status quo is rare in modern football, generally reserved for loan
deals, when the loanee receives the short-term benefit of a high-quality
player, the loaner can keep the player happy without involving them in
first-team plans, whilst the individual in question gets vital playing time.
In modern permanent transfers, one party almost inevitably loses out. More
often than not players are sold against a manager or fans' wishes,
individuals using that most hideous of football creations, player power, to
engineer a move to a destination of his choosing. In other cases the buying
club gets stung by an over-inflated minimum fee release clause, or the
selling club is damaged by a player's refusal to extend a contract, thus
lowering the fee it is possible to command. In Carroll's case, however, this
simply isn't the case.
"If we can start with Andy Carroll that would be a great achievement for us
as he can only get better and better. It is our target to make it a
permanent situation. It's our main priority."
Allardyce wants to keep Carroll
Such a statement left little room for discussion on Sam Allardyce's
principle aim this summer. Mere minutes after his side's final-day 4-2
victory over Reading, West Ham's manager stated his desire to make the
England striker's deal permanent. Allardyce has his man, it appears.
Making Carroll a priority came as no surprise. He is a striker that fits the
manager's favoured direct approach, acting as the attacking lynchpin to
which Kevin Nolan, Ricardo Vaz Te and Joe Cole or Modibo Maiga can operate.
Carroll won an average of 9.3 aerial duels per game in the Premier League
last season, a total bettered by no other player.
The England international may have only scored seven league goals last
season (and registered four assists), but those figures were hampered
significantly by a hamstring injury that limited him to 24 Premier League
appearances. Interestingly, of the 34 players to score more goals in the
Premier League than Carroll last season, only Demba Ba and Javier Hernandez
played less minutes in getting their goals. With a full season, he should be
expected to contribute 20 goals and assists combined.
A price tag of £15million may seem steep for a striker who is yet to
demonstrate a consistent scoring record in the Premier League, but on
investigation is not unreasonable. This is a 24-year-old that had three
years left on his £80,000 per week contract at Anfield and has made nine
appearances for his country, scoring at Euro 2012. The premium put on the
head of English players is notorious, and West Ham paid over £8million for
Matt Jarvis last summer, who is three years older than Carroll and has a
solitary (and unlikely to be added to) England cap.
But if West Ham are happy to have captured Carroll, Liverpool will not mind
letting him leave. The striker has struggled to settle at Anfield ever since
his £35million move from Newcastle, and undoubtedly suffered through the
extraordinarily inflated nature of his fee.
Furthermore, after spending substantially on the forward, Liverpool then
failed to play in a style to suit their new signing. Supporters at Anfield
felt that a direct approach to a target man did not fit the club's ethos of
attractive attacking play, and Carroll was often left isolated, forced to
drop deeper in order to involve himself in proceedings. Carroll is a penalty
box striker, his effectiveness decreasing as he moves closer to midfield.
If that was the case under Kenny Dalglish, who signed the striker, it was a
situation only likely to worsen under the stewardship of Brendan Rodgers.
The Northern Irishman aims to imprint a philosophy of fluidity in the
attacking third, with short passing and quick counter attacks. Neither of
these strategies are remotely synonymous with Carroll's style, which
requires long balls from defence or crosses from wide.
Rodgers' attacking signings in the last year (Daniel Sturridge, Philippe
Coutinho, Iago Aspas) all fit into a mould which clashes with Carroll's
assets. When such a situation occurs, there is little point in prolonging
the agony. Rodgers has gained £15million boost to his transfer kitty
(bearing no responsibility for the deal), whilst Liverpool have taken the
£20million hit on their signing.
For the player, too, you sense relief: "It's fantastic for me to be here. I
really enjoyed last season, and that shows in me coming back and making it
permanent. What I wanted to do was come back here and play football."
Those last few words are the key, you feel. Carroll was more than aware that
his opportunities at Anfield would be limited. At West Ham he will be the
main man, particularly after the departure of Carlton Cole. His efforts will
be appreciated by the Upton Park faithful, and the club's approach will suit
his style.
A transfer that genuinely sits well with all parties. A rarity, but
genuinely pleasing to see.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Carroll four-ces Hammers cull
Exclusive
By ANDREW DILLON
Last Updated: 22nd June 2013
The SUn
WEST HAM have put nearly £12million worth of talent up for sale to bankroll
their record signing Andy Carroll. Ricardo Vaz Te, Modibo Maiga, Matt Taylor
and Alou Diarra are all up for grabs to offset a potential £55m investment
in England hitman Carroll. Former Bolton striker Vaz Te is the biggest
casualty of the cull.
His winning goal in the 2012 play-off final against Blackpool took West Ham
back to the Premier League. But the Portuguese ace, 26, struggled in the top
flight and Hammers want £3.5m for him. Winger Taylor, 31, who is rated at
£1.5m, has told boss Sam Allardyce he wants out as he is fed up of being a
sub. Maiga cost the Hammers £4.7m from Sochaux last July, but the striker,
25, has failed to get regular starts. French midfielder Diarra, 31, spent
the second half of last season on loan in his homeland at Rennes and is not
keen to on returning. West Ham paid Liverpool a club-record £16m for
Carroll, plus add-ons, in an initial six-year deal.
Incoming financial rules mean the payroll must not exceed £52m a season, so
West Ham must trim the wage bill to accommodate his £100,000-a-week wages.
Winger Gary O'Neil and striker Carlton Cole were released last month.
Carroll, 24, is eager to get going and is already eyeing an England recall.
He said: "I want to keep fit, score goals and perform every week. "If I do
that hopefully I will get into the England team."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Andy wants to be Roy's boy
Published: 21st June 2013
The SUn
ANDY CARROLL reckons he can fire his way onto England's plane to Brazil.
West Ham's new £16million hitman is determined to prove that new boss Sam
Allardyce was right to splash the cash. And the giant Geordie is convinced
he can bang in the goals to force his way into Roy Hodgson's World Cup
plans.
Carroll, 24, said: "I want to keep fit, score goals and perform week-in
week-out. "If I do that hopefully I'll get into the England team. If it
comes with England, then it'll come." Carroll is also desperate to taste
success at club level — and thinks the Hammers have got the squad capable of
doing just that. He added: "Every footballer wants to win trophies too and I
don't see why we can't the way our team is going. "Sam is a great manager
and a great man. "I enjoyed working under him at Newcastle and here too, so
speaking to him over the summer, he was happy with the way I was last season
and I'm looking forward to working with him again. "It's always good when
you have somebody who is behind you. He only gives me confidence to go out
there and show what I'm about."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Friday, June 21
Daily WHUFC News - 21st June 2013
Big Sam on Carroll - exclusive
WHUFC.com
Big Sam is thrilled to have landed his number one target Andy Carroll
20.06.2013
West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce has spoken of his delight at landing
striker Andy Carroll on a six-year contract with an option for a further two
years in the Club's favour. 24-year-old striker Carroll enjoyed a productive
season whilst on loan with the Hammers last term and completed his move from
Liverpool on a permanent basis earlier this week. Allardyce described
signing Carroll as his number one priority at the start of the close season,
so was naturally pleased to complete the deal. "After a long chase I am
delighted that we have finally secured our very important acquisition in
terms of ability and age," Big Sam exclusively told whufc.com "We expect
him to enhance his reputation even further with West Ham and become one of
the major strikers in the country and become an England regular - we hope he
will produce for West Ham and England as we prepare to move into the Olympic
Stadium in 2016. "We've acquired a player who was recently the most
expensive British player in the history of football. We haven't done it
cheaply, but we have definitely done it wisely."
Allardyce believes the long-term nature of the contract penned by Carroll
shows the belief the striker has in the Hammers' potential to keep on
growing. He continued: "The size of the contract is a statement of West
Ham's belief in Andy and Andy's belief in West Ham. Our relationship over
the 12 months he was here was key to this deal. He came to us in a difficult
frame of mind and had suffered with injuries but the support the coaching
staff and the rest of the boys that work so hard behind the scenes was
something he felt very comfortable with in the end. "He met new team-mates
over the year and enjoyed their company and I think that definitely helped
him to make the decision to return to West Ham. So not only did the loan pay
off by us finishing tenth in our first season back in the Premier League but
it has paid off by him choosing us. "When I spoke to him I said look back at
what happened at the back end of last season and the potential for what he
can be. We are going to rely on him heavily to produce on a regular basis so
he has pressure from that point of view. He will command a regular place if
he's on top of his form. You can't guarantee a position to anyone but we
think he can deliver the sort of performances and goals he should do. "I
told him we will improve him at West Ham while we're at the helm and will
give him a chance to become a better player. It will reap rewards for us
all. He can now put his experience of Liverpool behind him and show them
what they missed by letting him go."
Allardyce also stated that Carroll's performances last season proved there
is more to his game than just his aerial ability. He added: "I said last
season we didn't just use his aerial presence and pump it up to his head -
we made the most of his playing ability, his ball skills, his ability to
score goals in the air and on the ground, his hold up play and capability to
dribble the ball past defenders. We've now got a combination of Andy Carroll
with Matt Jarvis on one side and then either Joe Cole or Ricardo Vaz Te on
the other. "Kevin Nolan will once again complement Andy as he got ten last
season and Andy got seven. So with Andy's signature secured, it means as an
attacking force we will deliver thrilling times, particularly at the Boleyn
Ground, like we did last season. We are still hoping to bring in some more
new faces before the start of the season. "I think Roy Hodgson will come and
watch Andy and he will create the headlines for West Ham. It's very
difficult to ignore Andy scoring goals and creating goals when England are
so short. You can't look at the England side and see them going to the World
Cup without Andy Carroll. If he's playing and scoring goals he could be
first choice come the start of the World Cup if he wants to be."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers land Whitehead signing
WHUFC.com
West Ham United have completed the transfer of Stockport County youngster
Danny Whitehead
20.06.2013
West Ham United are delighted to announce the arrival of Stockport County
youngster Danny Whitehead for an undisclosed fee. The 19-year-old attacking
midfielder already possesses plenty of senior experience, having appeared in
59 Blue Square Bet Premier matches for the Hatters. He will now link up with
the Hammers on a two-year deal with an option for a third after impressing
during a successful trial period at the end of the 2012/13 campaign.
Whitehead said: "I'm very excited to have joined West Ham and I can't wait
to get out there and play. "It's obviously a big step up, but I've got to
take the opportunity and grasp it. "i was on trial here at the end of last
season and all the lads helped me fit in well during the two weeks of
training i did. "I've got a bit of experience from playing for the first
team at Stockport- I'll probably be with the Under-21s here at the start,
and then I'll be trying to push towards the first team."
Manager Sam Allardyce said: "He was recommend by Didi Hamann - who managed
Stockport - as he felt he was an emerging talent that needed nurturing. I
asked their current manager Ian Bogie about his talents and he allowed us to
take a look at him last season and like every young player he's got talent.
"He's very capable of handling the ball and he's able to create with his
passing. He's very slight, which we'll work on, but the question is can we
create that potential into a Premier League player? It is something we'll
find out over the coming years through our Academy system and we'll see if
he can join the long list of players that have come through."
Born in Manchester, Whitehead joined Stockport at the age of 14 and quickly
made an impression, scoring regularly for their Under-18 side despite still
being a schoolboy. He made his first team debut in September 2011 at just 17
years of age, coming off the bench in a 4-2 defeat to Fleetwood Town. His
debut goal followed just a week later, the youngster finding the net in a
2-2 draw away at Cambridge United. He played 43 matches last term to earn
his chance with the Hammers and will link up with his new teammates for the
start of pre-season training on 1 July.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham sign Danny Whitehead after Didi Hamann call
BBC.co.uk
West Ham have signed Danny Whitehead from Conference North side Stockport
County after he was recommended by Dietmar Hamann. The 19-year-old
midfielder went on trial after former Newcastle, Liverpool and Manchester
City star Hamann alerted Hammers boss Sam Allardyce. Allardyce told the West
Ham website: "He was recommend by Didi Hamann - who managed Stockport. "I
asked their current manager and he allowed us to take a look at him."
He added: "He's very capable of handling the ball and he's able to create
with his passing. "Danny is very slight, which we'll work on, but the
question is can we create that potential into a Premier League player?
Whitehead, who has signed for an undisclosed fee, will be the Hammers'
fourth signing this summer following the arrivals of Razvan Rat, Adrian and
Andy Carroll.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers land promising midfielder
KUMb.com
Filed: Thursday, 20th June 2013
By: Staff Writer
West Ham have completed the capture of former Stockport County midfielder
Danny Whitehead. The 19-year-old, who is understood to have cost the Hammers
a nominal fee, has signed a two year contract with an option for a further
year should he suficiently impress. Whitehead, who is just one of a string
of young players to have come through County's youth ranks to make the first
team at Edgeley Park made his first team debut for the Hatters towards the
end of the 2010/11 season. The following season - 2011/12 - the attacking
midfielder made 17 appearances for Stockport whilst scoring his first goal
for the club in a 2-2 Blue Square Premier draw at Cambridge United. Last
season Whitehead was a virtual ever-present in the first team, making 43
appearances and scoring five times - although County were still relegated
after finishing 21st in the table.
Sam Allardyce, speaking to whufc.com about his latest capture, said: "He was
recommend by Didi Hamann, who managed Stockport, as he felt he was an
emerging talent that needed nurturing. "I asked their current manager Ian
Bogie about his talents and he allowed us to take a look at him last season
and like every young player he's got talent. "He's very capable of handling
the ball and he's able to create with his passing. He's very slight, which
we'll work on, but the question is can we create that potential into a
Premier League player? "It is something we'll find out over the coming
years through our Academy system and we'll see if he can join the long list
of players that have come through."
Whitehead leaves his former club with their best wishes. "Everybody here at
Stockport County wishes Danny all the success he can achieve at West Ham
United FC," a brief statement on Stockport's website read. "As a product of
our Centre of Excellence, Danny has come a long way with the Club, and has
tremendous potential. We all wish him and West Ham United FC every success
in the 2013 / 2014 season."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Andy Carroll hopes West Ham move will improve his chances of going to World
Cup with England
Last Updated: June 20, 2013 10:51am
SSN
Andy Carroll admits that his move to West Ham United could improve his
chances of playing at the World Cup next year. The 24-year-old completed his
move to the London club on Wednesday after impressing on loan at Upton Park
last season. The former Liverpool man struggled to start under Brendan
Rodgers and hopes that a permanent move will assist his chances of playing
for England at the World Cup in Brazil in 2014. "My aim is keeping fit,
scoring goals and performing every week," Carroll said in the Daily Mail.
"If I do that I'll hopefully get in the England team. It's always important
to play football for your country. If I play well and keep fit, I'm going to
be playing every week. If it comes, England will come. "Sam's [Allardyce] a
great manager. It's always good when you've got somebody behind you. He
gives me confidence to show what I am about."
West Ham start their Premier League campaign with a home game against
Cardiff City.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce says Andy Carroll's West Ham loan helped persuade him to sign
Last Updated: June 20, 2013 4:22pm
SSN
Sam Allardyce believes Andy Carroll's season on loan at Upton Park swayed
his decision to move to West Ham permanently. Carroll completed his transfer
to the Hammers for an undisclosed, club-record fee on Wednesday after
spending the majority of last term at Upton Park, scoring seven goals in 24
appearances.
And Allardyce thinks Carroll's previous experience with the Hammers was
vital in bringing him to east London for good. "Our relationship over the 12
months he was here was key to this deal," Allardyce told the club's official
website. "He came to us in a difficult frame of mind and had suffered with
injuries but the support the coaching staff and the rest of the boys that
work so hard behind the scenes was something he felt very comfortable with
in the end. "He met new team-mates over the year and enjoyed their company
and I think that definitely helped him to make the decision to return to
West Ham. "So not only did the loan pay off by us finishing 10th in our
first season back in the Premier League but it has paid off by him choosing
us."
Allardyce has put pen to paper on a six-year deal with West Ham, after
slipping down the pecking order under Brendan Rodgers at Anfield following
his £35m move from Newcastle. "The size of the contract is a statement of
West Ham's belief in Andy and Andy's belief in West Ham," added Allardyce.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham sign Danny Whitehead from Stockport on two-year deal
Last Updated: June 20, 2013 1:39pm
SSN
West Ham have agreed a two-year deal for Stockport County youngster Danny
Whitehead. Whitehead, who has played 59 Blue Square Bet Premier matches for
the Hatters, joins the Hammers for an undisclosed fee with an option of a
third year. The attacking midfielder, who made his first-team debut in 2011
at 17 years of age, will join up with Sam Allardyce's men for pre-season
training on July 1. Whitehead said: "I'm very excited to have joined West
Ham and I can't wait to get out there and play. "It's obviously a big step
up, but I've got to take the opportunity and grasp it. "I was on trial here
at the end of last season and all the lads helped me fit in well during the
two weeks of training I did. "I've got a bit of experience from playing for
the first team at Stockport - I'll probably be with the U21s here at the
start and then try to push towards the first team."
Allardyce added: "He was recommended by Didi Hamann - who managed Stockport
- as he felt he was an emerging talent that needed nurturing. "I asked their
current manager Ian Bogie about his talents and he allowed us to take a look
at him last season and like every young player he's got talent. "He's very
capable of handling the ball and he's able to create with his passing. "He's
very slight, which we'll work on, but the question is can we create that
potential into a Premier League player? It is something we'll find over the
coming years through our Academy system and we'll see if he can join the
long list of players that have come through."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Carroll can be Andy for England
Published: 8 hrs ago
The Sun
SAM ALLARDYCE has backed new signing Andy Carroll to be England's No1
striker at next summer's World Cup. Big Sam splashed out £16million to bring
the giant Geordie to Upton Park on a permanent basis. And he reckons Carroll
will bang in the goals next term to give Three Lions boss Roy Hodgson no
choice but to pick him for Brazil. Allardyce said: "We expect him to enhance
his reputation even further with West Ham and become one of the major
strikers in the country and become an England regular. "I think Roy Hodgson
will come and watch Andy and he will create the headlines for West Ham.
"It's very difficult to ignore Andy scoring goals and creating goals when
England are so short. "You can't look at the England side and see them going
to the World Cup without Andy Carroll. "If he's playing and scoring goals he
could be first choice come the start of the World Cup."
Allardyce had to shatter West Ham's transfer record as well as fork out
£100,000 a week in wages to seal Carroll's signature. But the Hammers boss
is convinced it will prove to be good business over the course of the former
Liverpool hitman's six-year deal. Allardyce added: "We've acquired a player
who was recently the most expensive British player in the history of
football. "We haven't done it cheaply, but we have definitely done it
wisely. "The size of the contract is a statement of West Ham's belief in
Andy and Andy's belief in West Ham. "Our relationship over the 12 months he
was here was key to this deal. "Not only did the loan pay off by us
finishing tenth in our first season back in the Premier League but it has
paid off by him choosing us. "We are going to rely on him heavily to produce
on a regular basis so he has pressure from that point of view. "It will reap
rewards for us all. He can now put his experience of Liverpool behind him
and show them what they missed by letting him go."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers 'consider Delap' offer
SportsDirectNews.com
by SportsDirect News Reporter20th June 2013 8:12pm BST
Exclusive
West Ham could be set to offer ex-Stoke City midfielder Rory Delap a Premier
League lifeline, SportsDirect News understands. The Hammers secured record
signing Andy Carroll from Liverpool in a £15 million deal on Wednesday and
despite the presence of Matt Jarvis and Kevin Nolan, manager Sam Allardyce
believes Delap and his renowned 'javelin-style' long-throws could help
Carroll terrify defences next season. The 36-year-old was released by Stoke
at the end of the last campaign but spent the first-half of this year
loaned to Championship side Barnsley. He impressed during that period and
made it clear he wanted to make the move permanent. However, should West Ham
make a formal approach, it is likely that the once Southampton man would opt
for London. A source close to Stoke told SportsDirect News: "West Ham have
made an initial enquiry but so far that's all there is to it. Rory is no
longer a 90-minute player in Premier League terms but he would fit into
Sam's style of play and could have a big impact when West Ham are chasing a
goal."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Liverpool paid Andy Carroll around £1m to finally say yes to West Ham
transfer
By Darren Lewis
20 Jun 2013 22:32
Liverpool have paid Andy Carroll around £1million to leave Anfield. England
striker Carroll completed a £17.5m move to West Ham, on a six-year deal,
earlier this week after spending last season on loan to the Londoners. It
has since emerged that the 24-year-old was given a massive golden parachute
by the Reds to join the Irons on a permanent basis. Carroll had been
stalling on the switch, and that Liverpool feared he would not make the move
unless they made the payment. The Mirror understands the Anfield giants
increased the amount of money they were demanding from West Ham so that they
could in turn pay Carroll off It was revealed earlier this week that the
striker's transfer deal breaks down to £15.5m plus another £2m in add-ons.
The move from Liverpool illustrates the lengths they were prepared to go to
get Carroll of their wage bill and use his fee to fund summer signings. The
marksman had held out for a switch back to boyhood club Newcastle, who sold
him to the Kop for £35m in 2011. But the Magpies - despite talk of a late
bid - were not prepared to pay the amount finally agreed between Liverpool
and West Ham. Meanwhile Carroll - who scored seven times in 22 starts for
the Hammers last season, has vowed to improve on that tally in 2013-14. He
said: "I am going to give it my all, to hopefully get some more goals and
the aim is to win something. "I can't see why we can't do it with the way
the team is going. Getting promoted the season before last, then finishing
where we did - we did great, and it can only get better for us."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
Big Sam is thrilled to have landed his number one target Andy Carroll
20.06.2013
West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce has spoken of his delight at landing
striker Andy Carroll on a six-year contract with an option for a further two
years in the Club's favour. 24-year-old striker Carroll enjoyed a productive
season whilst on loan with the Hammers last term and completed his move from
Liverpool on a permanent basis earlier this week. Allardyce described
signing Carroll as his number one priority at the start of the close season,
so was naturally pleased to complete the deal. "After a long chase I am
delighted that we have finally secured our very important acquisition in
terms of ability and age," Big Sam exclusively told whufc.com "We expect
him to enhance his reputation even further with West Ham and become one of
the major strikers in the country and become an England regular - we hope he
will produce for West Ham and England as we prepare to move into the Olympic
Stadium in 2016. "We've acquired a player who was recently the most
expensive British player in the history of football. We haven't done it
cheaply, but we have definitely done it wisely."
Allardyce believes the long-term nature of the contract penned by Carroll
shows the belief the striker has in the Hammers' potential to keep on
growing. He continued: "The size of the contract is a statement of West
Ham's belief in Andy and Andy's belief in West Ham. Our relationship over
the 12 months he was here was key to this deal. He came to us in a difficult
frame of mind and had suffered with injuries but the support the coaching
staff and the rest of the boys that work so hard behind the scenes was
something he felt very comfortable with in the end. "He met new team-mates
over the year and enjoyed their company and I think that definitely helped
him to make the decision to return to West Ham. So not only did the loan pay
off by us finishing tenth in our first season back in the Premier League but
it has paid off by him choosing us. "When I spoke to him I said look back at
what happened at the back end of last season and the potential for what he
can be. We are going to rely on him heavily to produce on a regular basis so
he has pressure from that point of view. He will command a regular place if
he's on top of his form. You can't guarantee a position to anyone but we
think he can deliver the sort of performances and goals he should do. "I
told him we will improve him at West Ham while we're at the helm and will
give him a chance to become a better player. It will reap rewards for us
all. He can now put his experience of Liverpool behind him and show them
what they missed by letting him go."
Allardyce also stated that Carroll's performances last season proved there
is more to his game than just his aerial ability. He added: "I said last
season we didn't just use his aerial presence and pump it up to his head -
we made the most of his playing ability, his ball skills, his ability to
score goals in the air and on the ground, his hold up play and capability to
dribble the ball past defenders. We've now got a combination of Andy Carroll
with Matt Jarvis on one side and then either Joe Cole or Ricardo Vaz Te on
the other. "Kevin Nolan will once again complement Andy as he got ten last
season and Andy got seven. So with Andy's signature secured, it means as an
attacking force we will deliver thrilling times, particularly at the Boleyn
Ground, like we did last season. We are still hoping to bring in some more
new faces before the start of the season. "I think Roy Hodgson will come and
watch Andy and he will create the headlines for West Ham. It's very
difficult to ignore Andy scoring goals and creating goals when England are
so short. You can't look at the England side and see them going to the World
Cup without Andy Carroll. If he's playing and scoring goals he could be
first choice come the start of the World Cup if he wants to be."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers land Whitehead signing
WHUFC.com
West Ham United have completed the transfer of Stockport County youngster
Danny Whitehead
20.06.2013
West Ham United are delighted to announce the arrival of Stockport County
youngster Danny Whitehead for an undisclosed fee. The 19-year-old attacking
midfielder already possesses plenty of senior experience, having appeared in
59 Blue Square Bet Premier matches for the Hatters. He will now link up with
the Hammers on a two-year deal with an option for a third after impressing
during a successful trial period at the end of the 2012/13 campaign.
Whitehead said: "I'm very excited to have joined West Ham and I can't wait
to get out there and play. "It's obviously a big step up, but I've got to
take the opportunity and grasp it. "i was on trial here at the end of last
season and all the lads helped me fit in well during the two weeks of
training i did. "I've got a bit of experience from playing for the first
team at Stockport- I'll probably be with the Under-21s here at the start,
and then I'll be trying to push towards the first team."
Manager Sam Allardyce said: "He was recommend by Didi Hamann - who managed
Stockport - as he felt he was an emerging talent that needed nurturing. I
asked their current manager Ian Bogie about his talents and he allowed us to
take a look at him last season and like every young player he's got talent.
"He's very capable of handling the ball and he's able to create with his
passing. He's very slight, which we'll work on, but the question is can we
create that potential into a Premier League player? It is something we'll
find out over the coming years through our Academy system and we'll see if
he can join the long list of players that have come through."
Born in Manchester, Whitehead joined Stockport at the age of 14 and quickly
made an impression, scoring regularly for their Under-18 side despite still
being a schoolboy. He made his first team debut in September 2011 at just 17
years of age, coming off the bench in a 4-2 defeat to Fleetwood Town. His
debut goal followed just a week later, the youngster finding the net in a
2-2 draw away at Cambridge United. He played 43 matches last term to earn
his chance with the Hammers and will link up with his new teammates for the
start of pre-season training on 1 July.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham sign Danny Whitehead after Didi Hamann call
BBC.co.uk
West Ham have signed Danny Whitehead from Conference North side Stockport
County after he was recommended by Dietmar Hamann. The 19-year-old
midfielder went on trial after former Newcastle, Liverpool and Manchester
City star Hamann alerted Hammers boss Sam Allardyce. Allardyce told the West
Ham website: "He was recommend by Didi Hamann - who managed Stockport. "I
asked their current manager and he allowed us to take a look at him."
He added: "He's very capable of handling the ball and he's able to create
with his passing. "Danny is very slight, which we'll work on, but the
question is can we create that potential into a Premier League player?
Whitehead, who has signed for an undisclosed fee, will be the Hammers'
fourth signing this summer following the arrivals of Razvan Rat, Adrian and
Andy Carroll.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers land promising midfielder
KUMb.com
Filed: Thursday, 20th June 2013
By: Staff Writer
West Ham have completed the capture of former Stockport County midfielder
Danny Whitehead. The 19-year-old, who is understood to have cost the Hammers
a nominal fee, has signed a two year contract with an option for a further
year should he suficiently impress. Whitehead, who is just one of a string
of young players to have come through County's youth ranks to make the first
team at Edgeley Park made his first team debut for the Hatters towards the
end of the 2010/11 season. The following season - 2011/12 - the attacking
midfielder made 17 appearances for Stockport whilst scoring his first goal
for the club in a 2-2 Blue Square Premier draw at Cambridge United. Last
season Whitehead was a virtual ever-present in the first team, making 43
appearances and scoring five times - although County were still relegated
after finishing 21st in the table.
Sam Allardyce, speaking to whufc.com about his latest capture, said: "He was
recommend by Didi Hamann, who managed Stockport, as he felt he was an
emerging talent that needed nurturing. "I asked their current manager Ian
Bogie about his talents and he allowed us to take a look at him last season
and like every young player he's got talent. "He's very capable of handling
the ball and he's able to create with his passing. He's very slight, which
we'll work on, but the question is can we create that potential into a
Premier League player? "It is something we'll find out over the coming
years through our Academy system and we'll see if he can join the long list
of players that have come through."
Whitehead leaves his former club with their best wishes. "Everybody here at
Stockport County wishes Danny all the success he can achieve at West Ham
United FC," a brief statement on Stockport's website read. "As a product of
our Centre of Excellence, Danny has come a long way with the Club, and has
tremendous potential. We all wish him and West Ham United FC every success
in the 2013 / 2014 season."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Andy Carroll hopes West Ham move will improve his chances of going to World
Cup with England
Last Updated: June 20, 2013 10:51am
SSN
Andy Carroll admits that his move to West Ham United could improve his
chances of playing at the World Cup next year. The 24-year-old completed his
move to the London club on Wednesday after impressing on loan at Upton Park
last season. The former Liverpool man struggled to start under Brendan
Rodgers and hopes that a permanent move will assist his chances of playing
for England at the World Cup in Brazil in 2014. "My aim is keeping fit,
scoring goals and performing every week," Carroll said in the Daily Mail.
"If I do that I'll hopefully get in the England team. It's always important
to play football for your country. If I play well and keep fit, I'm going to
be playing every week. If it comes, England will come. "Sam's [Allardyce] a
great manager. It's always good when you've got somebody behind you. He
gives me confidence to show what I am about."
West Ham start their Premier League campaign with a home game against
Cardiff City.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce says Andy Carroll's West Ham loan helped persuade him to sign
Last Updated: June 20, 2013 4:22pm
SSN
Sam Allardyce believes Andy Carroll's season on loan at Upton Park swayed
his decision to move to West Ham permanently. Carroll completed his transfer
to the Hammers for an undisclosed, club-record fee on Wednesday after
spending the majority of last term at Upton Park, scoring seven goals in 24
appearances.
And Allardyce thinks Carroll's previous experience with the Hammers was
vital in bringing him to east London for good. "Our relationship over the 12
months he was here was key to this deal," Allardyce told the club's official
website. "He came to us in a difficult frame of mind and had suffered with
injuries but the support the coaching staff and the rest of the boys that
work so hard behind the scenes was something he felt very comfortable with
in the end. "He met new team-mates over the year and enjoyed their company
and I think that definitely helped him to make the decision to return to
West Ham. "So not only did the loan pay off by us finishing 10th in our
first season back in the Premier League but it has paid off by him choosing
us."
Allardyce has put pen to paper on a six-year deal with West Ham, after
slipping down the pecking order under Brendan Rodgers at Anfield following
his £35m move from Newcastle. "The size of the contract is a statement of
West Ham's belief in Andy and Andy's belief in West Ham," added Allardyce.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham sign Danny Whitehead from Stockport on two-year deal
Last Updated: June 20, 2013 1:39pm
SSN
West Ham have agreed a two-year deal for Stockport County youngster Danny
Whitehead. Whitehead, who has played 59 Blue Square Bet Premier matches for
the Hatters, joins the Hammers for an undisclosed fee with an option of a
third year. The attacking midfielder, who made his first-team debut in 2011
at 17 years of age, will join up with Sam Allardyce's men for pre-season
training on July 1. Whitehead said: "I'm very excited to have joined West
Ham and I can't wait to get out there and play. "It's obviously a big step
up, but I've got to take the opportunity and grasp it. "I was on trial here
at the end of last season and all the lads helped me fit in well during the
two weeks of training I did. "I've got a bit of experience from playing for
the first team at Stockport - I'll probably be with the U21s here at the
start and then try to push towards the first team."
Allardyce added: "He was recommended by Didi Hamann - who managed Stockport
- as he felt he was an emerging talent that needed nurturing. "I asked their
current manager Ian Bogie about his talents and he allowed us to take a look
at him last season and like every young player he's got talent. "He's very
capable of handling the ball and he's able to create with his passing. "He's
very slight, which we'll work on, but the question is can we create that
potential into a Premier League player? It is something we'll find over the
coming years through our Academy system and we'll see if he can join the
long list of players that have come through."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Carroll can be Andy for England
Published: 8 hrs ago
The Sun
SAM ALLARDYCE has backed new signing Andy Carroll to be England's No1
striker at next summer's World Cup. Big Sam splashed out £16million to bring
the giant Geordie to Upton Park on a permanent basis. And he reckons Carroll
will bang in the goals next term to give Three Lions boss Roy Hodgson no
choice but to pick him for Brazil. Allardyce said: "We expect him to enhance
his reputation even further with West Ham and become one of the major
strikers in the country and become an England regular. "I think Roy Hodgson
will come and watch Andy and he will create the headlines for West Ham.
"It's very difficult to ignore Andy scoring goals and creating goals when
England are so short. "You can't look at the England side and see them going
to the World Cup without Andy Carroll. "If he's playing and scoring goals he
could be first choice come the start of the World Cup."
Allardyce had to shatter West Ham's transfer record as well as fork out
£100,000 a week in wages to seal Carroll's signature. But the Hammers boss
is convinced it will prove to be good business over the course of the former
Liverpool hitman's six-year deal. Allardyce added: "We've acquired a player
who was recently the most expensive British player in the history of
football. "We haven't done it cheaply, but we have definitely done it
wisely. "The size of the contract is a statement of West Ham's belief in
Andy and Andy's belief in West Ham. "Our relationship over the 12 months he
was here was key to this deal. "Not only did the loan pay off by us
finishing tenth in our first season back in the Premier League but it has
paid off by him choosing us. "We are going to rely on him heavily to produce
on a regular basis so he has pressure from that point of view. "It will reap
rewards for us all. He can now put his experience of Liverpool behind him
and show them what they missed by letting him go."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers 'consider Delap' offer
SportsDirectNews.com
by SportsDirect News Reporter20th June 2013 8:12pm BST
Exclusive
West Ham could be set to offer ex-Stoke City midfielder Rory Delap a Premier
League lifeline, SportsDirect News understands. The Hammers secured record
signing Andy Carroll from Liverpool in a £15 million deal on Wednesday and
despite the presence of Matt Jarvis and Kevin Nolan, manager Sam Allardyce
believes Delap and his renowned 'javelin-style' long-throws could help
Carroll terrify defences next season. The 36-year-old was released by Stoke
at the end of the last campaign but spent the first-half of this year
loaned to Championship side Barnsley. He impressed during that period and
made it clear he wanted to make the move permanent. However, should West Ham
make a formal approach, it is likely that the once Southampton man would opt
for London. A source close to Stoke told SportsDirect News: "West Ham have
made an initial enquiry but so far that's all there is to it. Rory is no
longer a 90-minute player in Premier League terms but he would fit into
Sam's style of play and could have a big impact when West Ham are chasing a
goal."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Liverpool paid Andy Carroll around £1m to finally say yes to West Ham
transfer
By Darren Lewis
20 Jun 2013 22:32
Liverpool have paid Andy Carroll around £1million to leave Anfield. England
striker Carroll completed a £17.5m move to West Ham, on a six-year deal,
earlier this week after spending last season on loan to the Londoners. It
has since emerged that the 24-year-old was given a massive golden parachute
by the Reds to join the Irons on a permanent basis. Carroll had been
stalling on the switch, and that Liverpool feared he would not make the move
unless they made the payment. The Mirror understands the Anfield giants
increased the amount of money they were demanding from West Ham so that they
could in turn pay Carroll off It was revealed earlier this week that the
striker's transfer deal breaks down to £15.5m plus another £2m in add-ons.
The move from Liverpool illustrates the lengths they were prepared to go to
get Carroll of their wage bill and use his fee to fund summer signings. The
marksman had held out for a switch back to boyhood club Newcastle, who sold
him to the Kop for £35m in 2011. But the Magpies - despite talk of a late
bid - were not prepared to pay the amount finally agreed between Liverpool
and West Ham. Meanwhile Carroll - who scored seven times in 22 starts for
the Hammers last season, has vowed to improve on that tally in 2013-14. He
said: "I am going to give it my all, to hopefully get some more goals and
the aim is to win something. "I can't see why we can't do it with the way
the team is going. Getting promoted the season before last, then finishing
where we did - we did great, and it can only get better for us."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
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