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'He's a true warrior'
Belgian football expert Bjorn de Cock believes Cheikhou Kouyate will prove a shrewd capture
25.06.2014
West Ham United have pulled off a major coup by signing Cheikhou Kouyate, according to Belgian football expert Bjorn de Cock. De Cock, the co-founder of Low Countries football website BeNeFoot.net, believes Kouyate could make a major impact for the Hammers after arriving from Belgian Jupiler League champions RSC Anderlecht. A tall, athletic and versatile performer, De Cock says the Senegal international will impress West Ham supporters with his defensive abilities, whether he plays as a centre-back or deep-lying midfielder. "In my opinion West Ham United did well giving Kouyate a chance," wrote De Cock. "Surrounded with some good players he will give the Premier League club a lot back. "He's a true warrior and never stops running. Once you think an opponent's player breaks through you'll see that Kouyate is capable of doing some unlikely things to stop him."
After moving to the Belgian capital from his native Dakar as a 16-year-old, Kouyate was signed by FC Brussels in January 2007, starting his career in European football as a defensive midfielder. The following year, he moved to Anderlecht before immediately being loaned out to KV Kortrijk, and he continued his development as a midfielder with both clubs over the next two seasons. In 2010/11, Kouyate moved back into a central defensive role for Anderlecht, remaining there until April 2014, when new manager Besnik Hasi played him as a midfielder throughout the Jupiler League Championship Play-Offs. Kouyate's form helped Anderlecht win seven of their ten Play-Off matches to win the title for the fourth straight season. "Kouyate's most special year must have been last season," De Cock confirmed. "During the regular competition, he played as a central defender and Anderlecht struggled a lot in the middle but, after [head coach] John van den Brom's sacking and Besnik Hasi's subsequent promotion he moved the Senegalese player to Anderlecht's midfield again. "Kouyate impressed a lot and gave more space to his very talented and young team mate Youri Tielemans. Anderlecht excelled in the Play-Offs and won the title after looking knocked out in the regular season [when they finished third]. "Anderlecht stood up again and that was mainly thanks to Cheikhou Kouyate's exceptionally high-quality performances as a defensive midfielder."
De Cock said Kouyate's challenge is now to take that same level of performance into the Barclays Premier League, where he will come up against some of the finest midfielders and attackers in world football. "The Belgian league is sometimes a bit underestimated but the Premier League is by far a much stronger league of course," he wrote. "Kouyate will be at his best in West Ham United's midfield but it will be important to surround him with some technically gifted midfielders. "He's a great defensive midfielder who will win a lot of duels, both in the air and on the ground, and he will recover a lot of balls for his team."
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Pask pledges Hammers future
WHUFC.com
Promising West Ham United defender Josh Pask has pledged his long-term future to the Club
25.06.2014
West Ham United are delighted to announce that promising defender Josh Pask has pledged his long-term future to the Club. The 16-year-old has chosen to continue his development at the Academy of Football after rejecting interest from Arsenal and several other leading clubs. Academy Director Tony Carr MBE said he and his coaching staff were looking forward to working with a player who joined West Ham at the age of eight. "We are obviously delighted that Josh has decided that his long-term future lies with West Ham United," said Carr. "Many top clubs, including Champions League clubs, were chasing Josh, so we were delighted to fight them off for his signature. "Josh spent most of last season with the Under-18s and quickly proved himself as a 16-year-old. We now look forward to developing him over the next few seasons and hope he will be a first-team player for West Ham in the not too distant future."
Pask, who will commence life as a full-time scholar when the U18s return to Little Heath for pre-season training next week, is a tall and composed centre-back.
As a schoolboy, the east London-born youngster played ten times for Steve Potts' youth team last season, impressing with his maturity, composure and all-round ability as West Ham reached the Barclays U18 Premier League Play-Off semi-finals. Having overseen the development of the likes of Rio Ferdinand, James Tomkins and Potts himself during his 40-year career within the Academy, Carr is relishing the opportunity to develop another potentially top-class defender. "Josh has been with us since he was eight and is from Manor Park, so he is a local boy and we are delighted that he has stayed loyal to his local Club," Carr explained. "He is a centre-back who is very tall and lean, quick over the ground and good on the ball and in the air. He has a great attitude and goes about his game in a quiet but effective way. "We look forward greatly to working with him and moving him up to the Under-21s as soon as possible."
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NZ tour set for worldwide audience
West Ham United's Football United Tour to New Zealand will be watched by football fans all over the world
24.06.2014
West Ham United's Football United Tour to New Zealand will be watched by football fans all over the world this July. While thousands of supporters will be on hand to witness the Hammers' fixtures with A-League duo Wellington Phoenix and Sydney FC, millions more will be able to watch the matches live on television. More than 20 countries have snapped up TV rights for the tour, which will also see Barclays Premier League side Newcastle United in action against the A-League pair. UK and Ireland-based West Ham fans will be able to watch both matches live and exclusive on BT Sport. To purchase BT Sport now, please click here. The Hammers' meeting with Wellington Phoenix in Auckland will kick-off at 8.30am on Wednesday 23 July UK time (7.30pm local time), while the fixture with Sydney FC in Wellington will kick-off at 3am on Sunday 27 July UK time (2pm on Saturday 26 July local time). Elsewhere, supporters living in Australia, Canada, China, France, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Mexico, Norway, Malaysia, Portugal, South Africa, Thailand and the United States will all be able to watch live coverage of the two mouth-watering fixtures, as will those residing across the Balkan Peninsula in South East Europe, Middle East and North Africa.
West Ham United Managing Director Angus Kinnear said the visit of two leading English clubs to New Zealand for the first time in 29 years had caught the imagination of football supporters everywhere. "The global TV demand for the Football United Tour has reinforced the breadth and scale of West Ham's international fan base," said Kinnear. "We are delighted that the passion for the competition is being shared so widely and know it will be an excellent showcase to attract new supporters and partners who are excited by the unique trajectory West Ham are following. "The games also represent a great opportunity for our new signings to give a taste of the impact they will make on the Barclays Premier League in the coming season."
Wellington Phoenix General Manager David Dome has been equally happy with the worldwide interest in the Football United Tour. "The Football United Tour will take New Zealand to the world with at least 20 countries signing up to see two Premier League teams play in New Zealand," said Dome. "The tour of these two famous old Clubs to the bottom of the South Pacific has caused quite a stir internationally. "There has been a lot of interest in how the A-League's Wellington Phoenix and Sydney FC will fare against the Premier League's West Ham and Newcastle United in a part of the world primarily known for its natural beauty and rugby! "It's a fantastic opportunity to showcase the Wellington Phoenix, the cities and the country to many millions of people from around the world."
New Zealand-based supporters unable to attend the fixtures at Eden Park and Westpac Stadium will also be able to enjoy them live on SKY Arena pay-per-view television, priced at $24.99 per game and $39.95 for the Tour. Tickets for West Ham's two Football United Tour matches are available to buy here.
BUY YOUR FOOTBALL UNITED TOUR TICKETS I PACKAGES
Football United Tour
Wellington Phoenix v West Ham United
Wednesday 23 July 2014, 7.30pm (local time)
Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand
Sydney FC v West Ham United
Saturday 26 July 2014, 2pm (local time)
Westpac Stadium, Wellington, New Zealand
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Hammers linked with 'the new Laudrup'
Filed: Wednesday, 25th June 2014
By: Staff Writer
Reports emanating from Spain tonight suggest that West Ham are considering a move for Real Mallorca winger Marco Asensio. The 18-year-old broke through to the Los Bermellones first team last season - following what was described by the Spanish press as "remarkable progress" - having previously represented Spain at Under 17 and Under 18 level. Born in Mallorca, Asensio was monitored as a youth by both Barcelona and Real Madrid before opting to join his hometown club and was linked with both as recently as 15 months ago. Likened by some to former Danish international Michael Laudrup, he made his senior debut for Mallorca's B Team at the beginning of the 2013/14 season before being fast-tracked into the first team, for whom he made 20 appearances between October and May (scoring once). A cash-strapped Mallorca are said to be willing to part with one of their prize assets for as little as €2million, with West Ham reported to have made their interest known.
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Nothing wrong with a little bit of bite
Filed: Wednesday, 25th June 2014
By: Staff Writer
Luis Suarez's attempts to take a chunk out of Giorgio Chiellini's shoulder have resulted in the world of football demanding a lengthy ban for the flawed Uruguayan. However our very own Football Association took a very different view of an identical incident eight years ago when Tottenham's Jermain Defoe assaulted West Ham midfielder Javier Mascherano during a Premier League encounter at White Hart Lane. With the two players sat on the floor following a robust challenge by the Argentinian midfielder, Defore inexplicably leaned over before biting the current Barcelona star in an identical place to the spot in which Suarez gnawed on Chiellini.
Yet as match referee Steve Bennett witnessed the incident and (bizarrely) booked Defoe for 'aggressive behaviour', the FA declared that they could take no further action. "Because the referee has already dealt with the incident, Fifa regulations prevent us from taking retrospective action," read a statement at the time.
Mascherano, who was with West Ham for just four months was understandably perplexed by the incident and the FA's response; speaking at the time, he said: "This whole incident was incredible. Never in my professional career have I witnessed action like this and I still don't understand why the referee has not shown a red card to Defoe. "When I arrived in England journalists questioned me about the hard nature of Argentinian football. But I've never received a bite there - and I never thought I would receive a bite in the Premiership. I had a face to face with Defoe in the game but football is a sport for men - not those who want to bite."
Defoe attempted to play down the incident at the time, telling the press that he was just being playful. "The referee was standing over me and if he felt I'd done something bad he would have sent me off," he said. "When the West Ham player fouled me, I reacted in a bit of a mischievous way - my character is a little like that at times."
However by the time Suarez was accused of biting an opponent for a SECOND time in April 2013, some seven years after the Defoe incident, the FA had finally got their act in order and subsequently banned the striker for 10 games following an episode with Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic. Current estimates suggest Liverpool striker Suarez could now be facing a ban of anywhere between 20 games and two years.
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Johnson misses Wolves return
Filed: Wednesday, 25th June 2014
By: Staff Writer
Roger Johnson failed to return to pre-season training with current club Wolverhampton Wanderers today - fuelling talk of a possible return to West Ham. The League One club's first team squad returned to pre-season training this morning after a short break but Johnson, who spent the latter half of last season on loan at the Boleyn Ground, was conspicuous by his absence. It was revealed here on KUMB earlier this week how Johnson was in talks with West Ham over a permanent transfer - a move that the player himself told a source hinged upon Wolves' determination to request a transfer fee. The defender made six appearances for West Ham but as reported on KUMB, has refused to return to Wolves until his situation is resolved. Johnson was one of two players who refused to return to Wanderers for pre-season today - the other being Stephen Ward, who is hoping to push through a move to Brighton & Hove Albion.
As with Johnson and West Ham, Wolves are refusing to sanction the transfer unless they receive a "six figure" fee.
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Teddy Revs up for new season
Filed: Wednesday, 25th June 2014
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United's new attacking coach Teddy Sheringham enjoyed a weekend in Malaysia ahead of the forthcoming 2014/15 Premier League campaign.
Sheringham, whose appointment as the club's new part-time coach was announced on May 30th was in the far east last weekend to take part in Revkan Your Padang, an event described by organisers Revive as "an initiative to revive the spirit of the field". The 48-year-old was one of a number of celebrities - the vast majority of which were local rather than international - to feature in the initiative, which gave listeners of Astro Radio the opportunity to win a makeover for their local football pitch (aka 'padang'). The match was the third game in three weeks for the All Stars team, who have been challenging randomly selected local clubs to "defend your home field" and give them the opportunity to win numerous prizes.
Sheringham - fresh from taking his UEFA coaching badges in Ireland recently - featured as his All Stars Team beat local side Team Pilihan Revive 3-1 at the Padang Awam Semanyih in Selangor. Jake Abdullah, CEO of the Kuala Lumpur-based radio station and manager of the All Stars team said: "Malaysians are avid football fans and since it is the football season, we wanted to reach out to the fans at ground level."
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West Ham make Kone enquiry
Filed: Wednesday, 25th June 2014
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United have enquired into the availability of Lorient defender Lamine Kone. Paris-born Kone, 25, has spent the last four years with the Ligue 1 side having joined from Chateauroux in 2010. A central defender by trade, he has represented France at all levels from Under 17 to Under 20 but is yet to make an appearance for the full national side. West Ham were one of three clubs - along with Hull and Sunderland - to be linked with a move for Kone last December, but the defender opted to remain in France. Under contract until 2016, the 6'3" defender signed a new three-year contract with Les Merlus last summer.
And in other transfer news....
* West Ham's chances of landing Fiorentina defender Marcos Alonso have slimmed after La Viola boss Vincenzo Montella revealed he would like to run the rule over the player during pre-season before making a concrete decision on his future.
Both West Ham and Sunderland, where Alonso spent the latter half of last season on loan, have made offers for the 23-year-old full back.
* Former Hammers Academy star Kyel Reid has joined League One side Preston North End on a two-year contract, reports the Lancashire Evening Post.
Now 26, Reid - who was released on a free transfer by West Ham in 2009 after making just nine first team appearances - has featured for Sheffield United, Charlton and, most recently, Bradford since leaving the Boleyn Ground.
The fee is undisclosed although thought to be nominal.
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Sam Allardyce looking to make five more additions at West Ham
Last Updated: 25/06/14 12:30pm
Sam Allardyce would like to add five more fresh faces to his West Ham United squad, with all areas in need of strengthening. Deals for Argentine forward Mauro Zarate and Senegal international Cheikhou Kouyate have already been wrapped up, adding a goal-threat to the attacking unit and bite to the midfield.
Allardyce is, however, aware of the need to continue reshaping his ranks in the wake of West Ham's struggles in 2013/14. He has the full backing of his board to pursue top targets, with investment required if performances and results are to be improved. A number of bids are currently on the table, with West Ham now waiting on replies. Allardyce is hoping he will receive positive news on the transfer front in the near future, with additions being sought from back to front.
He told West Ham TV: "We've made many bids and there are many negotiations ongoing. "We particularly want a left-back, ideally another centre-back, a midfielder and at least two more for the front line."
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West Ham Till I Die
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MEIRELES AVAILABLE FOR CUT PRICE DEAL
By Sean Whetstone 25 Jun 2014 at 08:53
According to the Daily Star, West Ham have been offered Raul Meireles for a cut-price deal of £3 million. Sam Allardyce is known to be fond of the Portuguese World Cup midfielder after he tried to signed him in January from Fenerbahce.
The deal was blocked by the Turkish club so West Ham signed Italian midfielder Antonio Nocerino.Fenerbahce are looking to reduce their large wage bill meaning he likely to be available. Meireles is one of the clubs' highest earners at Fenerbahce.and they are likely to take a major financial hit should the Hammers take him off their hands on the cheap. His wage demands could be an issue.
The former Chelsea and Liverpool man Raul Meireles started his career as a trainee with Boavista but was loaned to Desportivo das Aves in the Liga de Honra, where he made his professional debut. After a two-year loan spell he returned to Boavista where he made his Primeira Liga debut. His performances brought Meireles to the Portuguese powerhouse, FC Porto, winning three Primeira Liga titles in a row, adding two Portuguese Cups and three Portuguese Supercups. In 2010 he moved to Liverpool for £11.5m where he won the 2011 PFA Fans' Player of the Year award following a very successful first season in Premier League. In 2011, Meireles signed for Chelsea for £12m, joining his former manager André Villas-Boas with whom he had spent a short period of time. During his debut season at Stamford Bridge, he won the 2012 UEFA Champions League and the 2011–12 FA Cup, his first titles since his arrival in England. In 2012 Chelsea agreed to sell Meireles to Turkish club Fenerbahçe for £8 million. Meireles earns €3 million per season (around £45k per week) in addition to a €10,000 (£8k) per-match bonus at Fenerbahçe.
In international football Meireles' national career began at youth level when he represented the Under-16 side at the 2000 UEFA European Under-16 Football Championship in Israel. In November 2006 he was called up to the senior squad for the first time. He later represented Portugal in the UEFA Euro 2008, 2010 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2012. Meireles got absolutely clattered mid-way through the first half by US midfielder Kyle Beckerman, before Beckerman appeared to elbow him in the face.After lengthy treatment, Meireles got up and quickly checked his beard was neat in place, being spotted stroking it on TV.
Someone close to the club confirmed that Meireles was offered to us at a discounted price, whetether we are seriously interested is harder to determine.
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Swansea plan Michu transfer as they prepare to welcome fellow forward Bafetimbi Gomis
Jun 25, 2014 19:27 By Darren Lewis
Welshmen will listen to offers for Spaniard who was the bargain-buy hero of their march into Europe but is now said to be disillusioned
Swansea are keen to offload striker Michu. The 26-year-old goal-getter is understood to be disillusioned at the Liberty and with free agent Bafetimbi Gomis close to joining, the Swans are ready to listen to offers. Wilfried Bony took over from Michu as the club's top scorer last season with 25 goals as the one-time Spain international struggled with injury. Although West Ham and Atletico Madrid have been linked with Michu, he is believed not to be a priority for either club.
Indeed, the Hammers are more interested in signing Ivory Coast World Cup hitman Bony, but Swansea are demanding a massive £19million for him. Michu, who signed for Swansea in July 2012 for a bargain £2m, was described as the signing of that season after a string of outstanding performances. The 28-year-old's 22 goals that campaign helped the club into Europe. However, he was restricted by injuries to just 25 appearances - and only six goals - last season.
Michu has now been tipped for a reunion with old boss Michael Laudrup in Qatar. The Dane, sacked by the Swans in February, has agreed a deal to take over at the Gulf state's champions, Lekhwiya.
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Allardyce facing board battle
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on June 25, 2014 in Whispers
Sam Allardyce's hopes of landing five more signings before the end of the transfer window could see him face his first confrontation with the West Ham board.
Allardyce went public yesterday declaring he wanted a left back, two strikers, midfielder and perhaps another central defender. But ClaretandHugh understands that his hopes for a a fourth central defender may well be questioned closely by the co-owners. David Sullivan, David Gold and Karren Brady have made it clear they will be having a much bigger say in transfer dealings and a fourth central defender 'is seen as a 'luxury' scenario. A source told us: "The reason the club worked so hard to bring in Cheikhou Kouyate was to ensure they had central defensive cover should it be needed. "And with James Collins, Winston Reid and James Tomkins available the manager may find he will have to drop that option. "No-one is t sure why we would want another central defender and who would come as fourth choice anyway. "Kouyate has played most of his career as centre half so we do have cover and the wages are there for the other positions we are looking to fill."
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Former Iron calls for Suarez help
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on June 25, 2014 in Whispers
Former Hammer Don Hutchison has joined the Luis Suarez debate and declared: Let him play for no wages! The former midfielder was no stranger to controversy during his Hammers career between 1994 and left in 1996 and suffered a poor disciplinary record himself. He returned for a second spell in 2001.
He played 39 games in his first spell with the club, received eleven bookings and was sent-off once. He became known to fans and fellow players as 'Budweisser', following a drunken incident in Ayia Napa. But the 43-year-old – commenting on Suarez's problems – tweeted: "Pointless banning Suarez for years, it's not gonna fix the problem. Let him play with no wages and let docs try and rewire his brain,need help. "Ban him for years and he'll prob walk away from the game. Kids bite at schools the don't get binned for years/they get help and reform."
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Michu and the Hammers – a Swansea view
Posted by Sean Whetstone on June 25, 2014 in Whispers
West Ham have been strongly linked with Swansea's Michu over recent days – a player who can thrill and irritate in almost equal measure. It's known that the two clubs have spoken and that we are taking our time on moving forward given the player's various injury problems. In the meantime we asked www.theswanseaway.co.uk to mark our card and yours on the striker.
I completely understand West Ham's interest in Michu. Big Sam has been told to play more attractive football, and the Spaniard seems to be a perfect bridge – he's tall, good in the air, and he's spent the last few seasons playing for a team renowned for a pleasing-on-the-eye style. Whether that's enough to for West Ham to overlook his injury problems of last season is a different question though. There have also been murmurings about his attitude, and possible unhappiness since Michael Laudrup's departure although the club have refuted this and there don't appear to be any real concerns, But Michu does like a strop if things aren't going his way on the field and I'm most definitely not a fan of that. If you're stropping you're probably not pressing your opponent. Get the bloody ball back and then have a moan! Truth is Michu is a player who delights and frustrates in equal measure. On his day, you'll struggle to find a cooler, more natural finisher. Off his day? Well, injuries caused the biggest problems for him last year but his form was quite poor for a good whack of 2012/13 and the beginning of 2013/14.
In his first 18 games in the Premier League he scored thirteen goals and in his next 34 he managed just seven. Ok, 17 of those games were last season when he was rocked by injury but if I'm brutally honest I'm not as much of a fan of the Spaniard as most. I think he's a great player but the problems seems to be that at 28 he still doesn't know what position he plays. He started his first season playing behind Danny Graham, before alternating between attacking midfield and centre-forward. Unfortunately though, no matter where he was supposedly operating he still plays, well, like Michu. He drops deep as "he prefers arriving in the box late" but in the Premier League – and especially for a club like the Swans – a player wandering around with disregard for tactical positioning can at times become a bit of a liability. It's disruptive for the midfield and I feel that Michu is at his best, or was at his best, when he was leading the line and we were essentially forcing him to play as a striker.
As for whether any deal is likely to be done remains to be seen. All I can say is that, we only paid £2 million and in his first season he scored twenty-two goals.
To a club like the Swans, the opportunity to make a profit on a player who really, really struggled with injury last season seems too good to pass up.
Where once there were figures in excess of £20 million pounds floating around, I feel at this moment in time the reported £6million fee West Ham are believed to be considering would be sufficient to begin negotiations with the player. He's on decent wages too (£30k plus), and again for a club the size of the Swans the chance to trim the wage bill may well be a very appealing option – a possibility further strengthened by the prolific debut season of Wilfried Bony. Without a need for Michu's goals, the Swans are quite likely to be open to talks regarding his future. As I've said though, he is a very good player. He's already shown he can score goals in the Premiership and if he can stay fit for the foreseeable future six million is a bargain. Whether the West Ham hierarchy are willing to take the risk remains to be seen. After all there's a chance he could be a one season wonder!
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Sam needs "spectacular season" to get new deal
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on June 25, 2014 in Whispers
Sam Allardyce is facing the biggest season of his managerial career as he prepares to oversee the return to pre-season training ahead of a critical West Ham 2014-15. The 59 year old is bidding to bring in a further five players, including two more strikers, knowing that he needs a massive campaign. With his contract running out next summer, Allardyce is desperate to earn another deal which will see him take the Hammers into the Olympic Stadium. But ClaretandHugh has learned that he will need to produce "a totally spectacular" campaign for that to happen. Although the 'Sam Out' campaign has cooled as the summer has kicked in, the mood within the club remains as it was at the end of last season. One of our most trusted sources made it clear that the team has to produce a top ten finish as a minimum requirement. But he added: "Sam Allardyce will need an entirely spectacular season to be looking at a new contract offer.. We can't dwell anymore on last season – it's all about what happens in 2014-15. "The requirements are now well known. We want to see the fans relationship with the manager restored and a more attacking and attractive type of football played. "It's a very big season for everybody and Sam knows where is with everything and what's required. "What won't do and what isn't acceptable is to claim that survival is an achievement – nobody wants top be hearing that again."
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Wednesday, June 25
Daily WHUFC News - 25th June 2014
Birthday boy Nolan relishing pre-season
WHUFC.com
Kevin Nolan is looking forward to West Ham United's pre-season fixtures in New Zealand and Germany
24.06.2014
West Ham United captain and birthday boy Kevin Nolan is looking forward to the Club's exciting pre-season schedule. The Hammers have confirmed a week-long Football United Tour to New Zealand in July, when they will take on Wellington Phoenix and Sydney FC, and an appearance at the Schalke 04 Cup in Germany in early August, where Malaga CF and the host club will tackle Sam Allardyce's squad. West Ham will also take on Italian giants Sampdoria at home in the Marathonbet Cup on Saturday 9 August. Both trips will be well supported by West Ham fans from home and abroad - a prospect that already has skipper Nolan excited.
"Looking ahead to the summer, the Club has announced pre-season trips to New Zealand and Germany, which all the lads are naturally looking forward to," confirmed the skipper, who celebrates his 32nd birthday today. West Ham travel to New Zealand on 17 July before taking on A-League sides Wellington in Auckland on 23 July and Sydney in Wellington on 26 July. Travelling to the other side of the world is an experience usually reserved for West Ham defender and All Whites captain Winston Reid, but Nolan and his squad-mates will be joining the defender on the 11,400-mile trip this summer. "The New Zealand journey is going to be a long one, as I've seen from the look of Reidy when he returns from international duty, but we will be down there for a decent period of time and will play two games and hopefully meet a lot of our fans," Nolan continued. "Reidy has said a lot of good things about New Zealand and I am personally really looking forward to it because I've never been there on a pre-season trip. It will be a fantastic occasion for the Club and a great experience for everyone involved. "First and foremost, we will be working as hard as we can to make sure we are mentally and physically fit for the start of next season in August."
The trip to New Zealand will give West Ham and football fans in general the opportunity to see a top-flight English club play in the country for the first time since Everton visited in 1986. It is also hoped that the tour will enhance the Club's profile and increase the fanbase in a part of the world where the sport is growing quickly. "Football is such a global sport now and the Barclays Premier League is a global brand, so we know our roles and responsibilities as players to help that to grow," said Nolan. "It's surprised me how big it has got, but we play in the best league in the world in the best sport in the world, so perhaps I shouldn't be so shocked after all!"
West Ham return home following their meeting with Sydney FC and will have a few days to re-acclimatise before heading to Gelsenkirchen for the four-team Schalke 04 Cup over the weekend of 2/3 August. There, Nolan says the Hammers will gain much from taking on top-class opposition prior to the start of the 2014/15 campaign. "We're also going to the Schalke 04 Cup where we will play against two top European teams and that will give us the chance to get some good run outs under our belts before the season starts. It's also testament to how far the Club has come on in recent years in terms of the opposition who want to play us."
To complete the pre-season schedule, Nolan and company will welcome Italian Serie A side UC Sampdoria to the Boleyn Ground for the traditional curtain-raiser. The Marathonbet Cup will kick-off at 3pm on Saturday 9 August, with tickets on sale now!
West Ham United pre-season fixtures
Sat 12 July v Stevenage (The Lamex Stadium, 3pm)
Wed 16 July v Ipswich Town (Portman Road, 7.45pm)
Wed 23 July v Wellington Phoenix (Football United Tour, Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand, 7.45pm local time)
Sat 26 July v Sydney FC (Football United Tour, Westpac Stadium, Wellington, New Zealand, 2pm local time)
Sat 2 Aug v Schalke 04 (Schalke 04 Cup, Veltins Arena, Gelsenkirchen, Germany, 5pm local time)
Sun 3 Aug v Malaga CF (Schalke 04 Cup, Veltins Arena, Gelsenkirchen, Germany, 3pm local time)
Sat 9 Aug v UC Sampdoria (Marathonbet Cup, Boleyn Ground, 3pm)
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No Balanta bid, says vice president
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 24th June 2014
By: Staff Writer
Rumours of a multi-million bid by West Ham for Columbian defender Eder Alvarez Balanta have been denied by the player's current club. River Plate vice-president Matias Patanian, speaking in the wake of speculation suggesting the Hammers had made a bid for the highly-rated 21-year-old denied that his club has received any contact from the Hammers. "For the moment we only know officially that Juventus are making a big effort for Balanta," Patanian told local radio station Radio La Red. "We have heard what an English newspaper is saying about West Ham. "If the amount of money that the newspaper mentions is true and we receive an offer like that, then River could sit down and start negotiations as it would be close to the amount the club expects for transferring Balanta. "If the money that is being mentioned in the English media is that, then we will have to listen to them when we receive an official offer. Of course we would want to sell our players to the team that gets closest to our value."
The People claimed earlier that West Ham were set to make a £6million bid for the Colombian defender, who is currently impressing audiences at the World Cup Finals in Brazil.
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Big Sam hints at further arrivals
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 24th June 2014
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce still has plenty of irons in the fire as he seeks to enhance his first team squad ahead of the new 2014/15 Premier League campaign. The manager, who has already lured Mauro Zarate and Cheikhou Kouyate to the Boleyn Ground recently admitted that he still hopes to make several additional signings between now and the beginning of September. "We've made many bids and there are many negotiations ongoing," he said. "We particularly want a left back, ideally another centre back, a midfielder and at least two more for the front line."
And with that in mind, we bring you the following...
* West Ham are reported to be in talks with Stade de Reims over a move for Prince Oniangue, who is said to be interesting several Premier League clubs. Now 25, the Paris-born Congolese international can play play in midfield or the centre of defence and will cost somewhere in the region of €3.5million.
* Swansea's 28-year-old striker Michu is reported to be the target of a £6million bid from West Ham, according to the Sun this morning. The Spanish striker enjoyed a fruitful first season at Swansea scoring 22 goals in 43 appearances but managed just six goals last season; his most recent coming in October 2013.
* Former Hammer Rio Ferdinand is poised to join newly-promoted Queens Park Rangers on a free transfer. Available on a free having been released by Manchester United at the end of last season, the 35-year-old has jumped at the chance to team up with Harry Redknapp at Loftus Road. Redknapp was behind the £18million sale of Ferdinand to Leeds from West Ham 14 years ago - from which the wheeler-dealer pocketed a cool £350,000 'bonus'.
* The Daily Express, not exactly renowned for breaking big football stories in recent years report that West Ham are set to "beat Liverpool, Man Utd and Spurs" to the signing of 24-year-old Ukraine international Yevhen Konoplyanka. Which seems unlikely. As does the prospect of Mssrs Sullivan and Gold paying Konoplyanka's £12million buy-out clause.
* 21-year-old Eder Balanta may be able to list West Ham as one of his admirers but they'll have to join the back of a long queue. The River Plate defender, who should be in action later today when Columbia take on Japan at the World Cup Finals has already been touted as a potential superstar and is available for anywhere between £3-10m, depending upon your source.
* Sources in Turkey are linking Portuguese international Raul Meireles with a move to West Ham. Now 31, the midfielder is available having failed to settle in Turkey where he currently plays for Fenerbahce. West Ham are understood to have made initial enquiries into the player's situation back in January.
* And finally in today's round-up of the latest tittle-tattle, rumour and speculative nonsense, Islam Slimani is being linked with a move to England and West Ham by the Portuguese media. The Algerian international, who West Ham enquired about during the last transfer window is valued by current club Sporting Lisbon at the €8million mark, according to O Jogo.
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Arise, Sir Clyde
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 24th June 2014
By: Staff Writer
A Minister in the Bermudan Government says former West Ham star Clyde Best should be knighted for his services to football. According to Bermudan daily the Royal Gazette, Quinton Edness has urged Bermuda's Governor George Fergusson to approach the Queen with view to securing the title for Best, who was awarded an MBE back in 2006. "Every person who was in Bermuda who knew Clyde Best at the time he was representing Bermuda overseas would urge the Governor to contact Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and request she grant him a knighthood, because of what he represented as a sports person," said Edness.
"Also for his contribution to humanity and what he had to endure to prove he was a deserving sportsman and sufficiently competent to recognised as a worthwhile human being. "All of Bermuda is very proud that he represented us and, at this particular time, he could once again represent Bermuda with the provision of a knighthood."
Now 63, Best played for West Ham between 1968 and 1976. He was one of the first black players to feature in the old Division One and in conjunction with Clive Charles and Ade Coker, became part of the first black triumverate to feature in a top-flight English team when West Ham beat Tottenham 2-0 on April Fools' Day 1972 - several years before Ron Atkinson repeated the achievement at West Bromwich Albion. A burly centre-forward, Best scored 58 goals in just over 200 appearances for West Ham before joining Tampa Bay Rowdies and the first North American soccer revolution in 1975.
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Roger 'The Relegator' Johnson to return?
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 24th June 2014
By: Staff Writer
Roger Johnson could return to West Ham - if West Ham and his current club can agree terms. The central defender - cruelly dubbed 'The Relegator' having been previously involved with three Premier League drops - spent five months at the Boleyn Ground last season on loan from League One Wolverhampton Wanderers. And KUMB understands that the 31-year-old, who made six appearances for the Hammers and has just 12 months of his current contract with the Molineux-based club remaining could be in for a shock return to east London - but only if Wolves drop their demands for a transfer fee. Johnson has admitted privately that he has no plans to return to the Wanderers, despite being under contract for another year. A source said: "Currently it's a game of poker to see who cracks first; Wolves letting him go on a free or someone else buying out his contract."
* For more transfer updates, visit our earlier story here.
The super six: Roger Johnson's West Ham appearances
8th Jan: Man City 6-0 West Ham Utd (Capital One Cup)
11th Jan: Cardiff City 0-2 West Ham Utd (Premier League)
18th Jan: West Ham Utd 1-3 Newcastle Utd (Premier League)
21st Jan: West Ham Utd 0-3 Man City (Capital One Cup)
26th Mar: West Ham Utd 2-1 Hull City (Premier League)
31st Mar: Sunderland 1-2 West Ham Utd (Premier League)
Record: Played: 6; Won 3; Drawn 0; Lost 3.
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River Plate insist West Ham have not made a bid for Eder Alvarez Balanta
By Andres Garavaglia | Last Updated: 24/06/14 2:27pm
SSN
River Plate have denied that West Ham United have made a bid for their Colombian central defender Eder Alvarez Balanta. The 21-year-old, rated is as one of the best young players in South America, has been linked with Barcelona in the last 12 months, while Italian champions Juventus have made contact with River.
Now West Ham are being linked, with reports claiming a £6million offer was set to be lodged, but River have denied receiving any offer from the Premier League club. River Plate vice-president Matias Patanian told Radio La Red: "For the moment we only know, in an official way, that Juventus are making a big effort for Balanta."
Asked about West Ham, he replied: "No, we have heard what an English newspaper is saying about West Ham. "If the amount of money that the newspaper mentions is true and we receive an offer like that, then River could sit down and start negotiations as it would be close to the amount the club expects for transferring Balanta. "If the money that is being mentioned in the English media is that, then we will have to listen to them when we receive an official offer.
"Of course we would want to sell our players to the team that gets closest to our value." Balanta is currently with the Colombia squad at the World Cup finals.
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West Ham hold talks with Reims over midfielder Prince Oniangue
By Graeme Bailey - Tweet me: @graemebailey | Last Updated: 24/06/14 2:22pm
SSN
West Ham have held talks with French side Reims over midfielder Prince Oniangue. Sky Sports understands that West Ham first made contact with the French club at the end of the season. Talks have continued between the two sides, but as yet no deal has been agreed. The Hammers have been pro-active in the transfer market this summer having already secured deals for Mauro Zarate and Cheikhou Kouyate. Manager Sam Allardyce has his eyes on a number of other deals still and Oniangue is one of those.
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BUILDING UPON OUR GREAT ICONIC BADGE
By Iain Dale 24 Jun 2014 at 17:44
West Ham Till I Die
Guest Post by Steven Johnson
With all the opinions relating to the rebranding of a potential new badge and the clubs recent video dissection, does it appear that the club already know what they want?
The graphics used within the clubs presentation makes you assume we will have a generic shield shape "similar to the Arsenal shield". As a die hard hammers fan but also owner of amber&green studio, a graphic design and branding company who specialises in crest design, I would like to share my version of the club badge and my rational behind my design.
My approach is to build upon the existing badge which is already strongly recognised and loved, even our co-chairman David Gold has said he likes the existing badge.
My design has a bigger, bolder prouder version of the crossed hammers, I have used the dynamic angles to create a unique shape rather then a generic shield shape or standard circle. Incased within the new dynamic shape is the most important factors of our club. The date the club was formed and a classically styled football symbolising what we are renowned for – The Academy of Football.
There has been much talk about keeping the castle, it's what I grew up with. It wasn't always part of our identity and whilst it's important not to forget our history before the castle, it is indeed one of the most iconic elements of our badge. Ask any junior hammer what is most recognisable, they will scream 'the hammers and the castle'
They are the future of our club so I have chosen to keep part of the castle and revert it to white similar to that seen on the kit used in the 1964 FA cup final, this lets the crossed hammers become the true centre piece.
From what we have read David Sullivan seems very keen to incorporate the word London. Maybe it could work? but cramming this onto a design could lead to a misunderstanding of our name and dilute our brand. London West Ham United, West Ham London I can hear our American friends mistakingly calling us!
They say football is a game of opinions, well the club badge seems to be dividing us all. With or without London I hope my design shows we will always be West Ham United.
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MICHU SIGNING SAID TO BE CLOSE, BUT SHOULD WE ALSO SIGN PETER CROUCH?
By Iain Dale 24 Jun 2014 at 07:54
West Ham Till I Die
Now, soot me down in flames if you like, but hear me out.
Peter Crouch is available from Stoke for a knockdown £1 million. OK, he's 33, but don't we need to learn the lessons from last season and have like for like cover for Andy Carroll? He plays much the same game as Carroll, has scored consistently wherever he has played. Now that we have made our Allardyce bed, we need to lie in it and recruit players who can play to a system, even if some of us don't like it.
I have always thought Crouch was a very underrated player. Just because he isn't pretty to watch doesn't mean he isn't skilful. In fact he has a very good first touch and if you look at some of the spectacular goals he has scored over the years it is testament to what a good player he actually is. He's certainly not prolific, but like Carroll, contributes much more to the team than just goals. But his 32 goals in 116 games at Stoke isn't bad. Having said that, last season he only scored 8 in 34 in the Premier League.
He's surely got to be worth paying £1 million for, as long as his weekly wage demands aren't too horrific.
The papers are full of rumours of us signing Michu from Swansea. This would be a risky signing bearing in mind he, like Carroll is very prone. There's no doubt he knows where the goal is – look at his record the season before last where he scored 18 Premier League goals in 35 games. Last season he only scored 2 in 12, but also bagged 4 in 7 Europa Cup games. The club is said to be looking at paying £6 million for his services and negotiations have reached Board level. £6 million for a 28 year old striker who has proved he can score at the top level. Doesn't seem too bad.
I think we need five strikers this season. If we pulled these two off we'd have a front line of Carroll, Zarate, Carlton Cole, Michu and Crouch. Well it's certainly better than last year, but three of those five are very injury prone – which is why we'd need 5 strikers in the squad rather than 4.
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WHUFC.com
Kevin Nolan is looking forward to West Ham United's pre-season fixtures in New Zealand and Germany
24.06.2014
West Ham United captain and birthday boy Kevin Nolan is looking forward to the Club's exciting pre-season schedule. The Hammers have confirmed a week-long Football United Tour to New Zealand in July, when they will take on Wellington Phoenix and Sydney FC, and an appearance at the Schalke 04 Cup in Germany in early August, where Malaga CF and the host club will tackle Sam Allardyce's squad. West Ham will also take on Italian giants Sampdoria at home in the Marathonbet Cup on Saturday 9 August. Both trips will be well supported by West Ham fans from home and abroad - a prospect that already has skipper Nolan excited.
"Looking ahead to the summer, the Club has announced pre-season trips to New Zealand and Germany, which all the lads are naturally looking forward to," confirmed the skipper, who celebrates his 32nd birthday today. West Ham travel to New Zealand on 17 July before taking on A-League sides Wellington in Auckland on 23 July and Sydney in Wellington on 26 July. Travelling to the other side of the world is an experience usually reserved for West Ham defender and All Whites captain Winston Reid, but Nolan and his squad-mates will be joining the defender on the 11,400-mile trip this summer. "The New Zealand journey is going to be a long one, as I've seen from the look of Reidy when he returns from international duty, but we will be down there for a decent period of time and will play two games and hopefully meet a lot of our fans," Nolan continued. "Reidy has said a lot of good things about New Zealand and I am personally really looking forward to it because I've never been there on a pre-season trip. It will be a fantastic occasion for the Club and a great experience for everyone involved. "First and foremost, we will be working as hard as we can to make sure we are mentally and physically fit for the start of next season in August."
The trip to New Zealand will give West Ham and football fans in general the opportunity to see a top-flight English club play in the country for the first time since Everton visited in 1986. It is also hoped that the tour will enhance the Club's profile and increase the fanbase in a part of the world where the sport is growing quickly. "Football is such a global sport now and the Barclays Premier League is a global brand, so we know our roles and responsibilities as players to help that to grow," said Nolan. "It's surprised me how big it has got, but we play in the best league in the world in the best sport in the world, so perhaps I shouldn't be so shocked after all!"
West Ham return home following their meeting with Sydney FC and will have a few days to re-acclimatise before heading to Gelsenkirchen for the four-team Schalke 04 Cup over the weekend of 2/3 August. There, Nolan says the Hammers will gain much from taking on top-class opposition prior to the start of the 2014/15 campaign. "We're also going to the Schalke 04 Cup where we will play against two top European teams and that will give us the chance to get some good run outs under our belts before the season starts. It's also testament to how far the Club has come on in recent years in terms of the opposition who want to play us."
To complete the pre-season schedule, Nolan and company will welcome Italian Serie A side UC Sampdoria to the Boleyn Ground for the traditional curtain-raiser. The Marathonbet Cup will kick-off at 3pm on Saturday 9 August, with tickets on sale now!
West Ham United pre-season fixtures
Sat 12 July v Stevenage (The Lamex Stadium, 3pm)
Wed 16 July v Ipswich Town (Portman Road, 7.45pm)
Wed 23 July v Wellington Phoenix (Football United Tour, Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand, 7.45pm local time)
Sat 26 July v Sydney FC (Football United Tour, Westpac Stadium, Wellington, New Zealand, 2pm local time)
Sat 2 Aug v Schalke 04 (Schalke 04 Cup, Veltins Arena, Gelsenkirchen, Germany, 5pm local time)
Sun 3 Aug v Malaga CF (Schalke 04 Cup, Veltins Arena, Gelsenkirchen, Germany, 3pm local time)
Sat 9 Aug v UC Sampdoria (Marathonbet Cup, Boleyn Ground, 3pm)
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No Balanta bid, says vice president
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 24th June 2014
By: Staff Writer
Rumours of a multi-million bid by West Ham for Columbian defender Eder Alvarez Balanta have been denied by the player's current club. River Plate vice-president Matias Patanian, speaking in the wake of speculation suggesting the Hammers had made a bid for the highly-rated 21-year-old denied that his club has received any contact from the Hammers. "For the moment we only know officially that Juventus are making a big effort for Balanta," Patanian told local radio station Radio La Red. "We have heard what an English newspaper is saying about West Ham. "If the amount of money that the newspaper mentions is true and we receive an offer like that, then River could sit down and start negotiations as it would be close to the amount the club expects for transferring Balanta. "If the money that is being mentioned in the English media is that, then we will have to listen to them when we receive an official offer. Of course we would want to sell our players to the team that gets closest to our value."
The People claimed earlier that West Ham were set to make a £6million bid for the Colombian defender, who is currently impressing audiences at the World Cup Finals in Brazil.
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Big Sam hints at further arrivals
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 24th June 2014
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce still has plenty of irons in the fire as he seeks to enhance his first team squad ahead of the new 2014/15 Premier League campaign. The manager, who has already lured Mauro Zarate and Cheikhou Kouyate to the Boleyn Ground recently admitted that he still hopes to make several additional signings between now and the beginning of September. "We've made many bids and there are many negotiations ongoing," he said. "We particularly want a left back, ideally another centre back, a midfielder and at least two more for the front line."
And with that in mind, we bring you the following...
* West Ham are reported to be in talks with Stade de Reims over a move for Prince Oniangue, who is said to be interesting several Premier League clubs. Now 25, the Paris-born Congolese international can play play in midfield or the centre of defence and will cost somewhere in the region of €3.5million.
* Swansea's 28-year-old striker Michu is reported to be the target of a £6million bid from West Ham, according to the Sun this morning. The Spanish striker enjoyed a fruitful first season at Swansea scoring 22 goals in 43 appearances but managed just six goals last season; his most recent coming in October 2013.
* Former Hammer Rio Ferdinand is poised to join newly-promoted Queens Park Rangers on a free transfer. Available on a free having been released by Manchester United at the end of last season, the 35-year-old has jumped at the chance to team up with Harry Redknapp at Loftus Road. Redknapp was behind the £18million sale of Ferdinand to Leeds from West Ham 14 years ago - from which the wheeler-dealer pocketed a cool £350,000 'bonus'.
* The Daily Express, not exactly renowned for breaking big football stories in recent years report that West Ham are set to "beat Liverpool, Man Utd and Spurs" to the signing of 24-year-old Ukraine international Yevhen Konoplyanka. Which seems unlikely. As does the prospect of Mssrs Sullivan and Gold paying Konoplyanka's £12million buy-out clause.
* 21-year-old Eder Balanta may be able to list West Ham as one of his admirers but they'll have to join the back of a long queue. The River Plate defender, who should be in action later today when Columbia take on Japan at the World Cup Finals has already been touted as a potential superstar and is available for anywhere between £3-10m, depending upon your source.
* Sources in Turkey are linking Portuguese international Raul Meireles with a move to West Ham. Now 31, the midfielder is available having failed to settle in Turkey where he currently plays for Fenerbahce. West Ham are understood to have made initial enquiries into the player's situation back in January.
* And finally in today's round-up of the latest tittle-tattle, rumour and speculative nonsense, Islam Slimani is being linked with a move to England and West Ham by the Portuguese media. The Algerian international, who West Ham enquired about during the last transfer window is valued by current club Sporting Lisbon at the €8million mark, according to O Jogo.
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Arise, Sir Clyde
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 24th June 2014
By: Staff Writer
A Minister in the Bermudan Government says former West Ham star Clyde Best should be knighted for his services to football. According to Bermudan daily the Royal Gazette, Quinton Edness has urged Bermuda's Governor George Fergusson to approach the Queen with view to securing the title for Best, who was awarded an MBE back in 2006. "Every person who was in Bermuda who knew Clyde Best at the time he was representing Bermuda overseas would urge the Governor to contact Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and request she grant him a knighthood, because of what he represented as a sports person," said Edness.
"Also for his contribution to humanity and what he had to endure to prove he was a deserving sportsman and sufficiently competent to recognised as a worthwhile human being. "All of Bermuda is very proud that he represented us and, at this particular time, he could once again represent Bermuda with the provision of a knighthood."
Now 63, Best played for West Ham between 1968 and 1976. He was one of the first black players to feature in the old Division One and in conjunction with Clive Charles and Ade Coker, became part of the first black triumverate to feature in a top-flight English team when West Ham beat Tottenham 2-0 on April Fools' Day 1972 - several years before Ron Atkinson repeated the achievement at West Bromwich Albion. A burly centre-forward, Best scored 58 goals in just over 200 appearances for West Ham before joining Tampa Bay Rowdies and the first North American soccer revolution in 1975.
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Roger 'The Relegator' Johnson to return?
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 24th June 2014
By: Staff Writer
Roger Johnson could return to West Ham - if West Ham and his current club can agree terms. The central defender - cruelly dubbed 'The Relegator' having been previously involved with three Premier League drops - spent five months at the Boleyn Ground last season on loan from League One Wolverhampton Wanderers. And KUMB understands that the 31-year-old, who made six appearances for the Hammers and has just 12 months of his current contract with the Molineux-based club remaining could be in for a shock return to east London - but only if Wolves drop their demands for a transfer fee. Johnson has admitted privately that he has no plans to return to the Wanderers, despite being under contract for another year. A source said: "Currently it's a game of poker to see who cracks first; Wolves letting him go on a free or someone else buying out his contract."
* For more transfer updates, visit our earlier story here.
The super six: Roger Johnson's West Ham appearances
8th Jan: Man City 6-0 West Ham Utd (Capital One Cup)
11th Jan: Cardiff City 0-2 West Ham Utd (Premier League)
18th Jan: West Ham Utd 1-3 Newcastle Utd (Premier League)
21st Jan: West Ham Utd 0-3 Man City (Capital One Cup)
26th Mar: West Ham Utd 2-1 Hull City (Premier League)
31st Mar: Sunderland 1-2 West Ham Utd (Premier League)
Record: Played: 6; Won 3; Drawn 0; Lost 3.
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River Plate insist West Ham have not made a bid for Eder Alvarez Balanta
By Andres Garavaglia | Last Updated: 24/06/14 2:27pm
SSN
River Plate have denied that West Ham United have made a bid for their Colombian central defender Eder Alvarez Balanta. The 21-year-old, rated is as one of the best young players in South America, has been linked with Barcelona in the last 12 months, while Italian champions Juventus have made contact with River.
Now West Ham are being linked, with reports claiming a £6million offer was set to be lodged, but River have denied receiving any offer from the Premier League club. River Plate vice-president Matias Patanian told Radio La Red: "For the moment we only know, in an official way, that Juventus are making a big effort for Balanta."
Asked about West Ham, he replied: "No, we have heard what an English newspaper is saying about West Ham. "If the amount of money that the newspaper mentions is true and we receive an offer like that, then River could sit down and start negotiations as it would be close to the amount the club expects for transferring Balanta. "If the money that is being mentioned in the English media is that, then we will have to listen to them when we receive an official offer.
"Of course we would want to sell our players to the team that gets closest to our value." Balanta is currently with the Colombia squad at the World Cup finals.
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West Ham hold talks with Reims over midfielder Prince Oniangue
By Graeme Bailey - Tweet me: @graemebailey | Last Updated: 24/06/14 2:22pm
SSN
West Ham have held talks with French side Reims over midfielder Prince Oniangue. Sky Sports understands that West Ham first made contact with the French club at the end of the season. Talks have continued between the two sides, but as yet no deal has been agreed. The Hammers have been pro-active in the transfer market this summer having already secured deals for Mauro Zarate and Cheikhou Kouyate. Manager Sam Allardyce has his eyes on a number of other deals still and Oniangue is one of those.
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BUILDING UPON OUR GREAT ICONIC BADGE
By Iain Dale 24 Jun 2014 at 17:44
West Ham Till I Die
Guest Post by Steven Johnson
With all the opinions relating to the rebranding of a potential new badge and the clubs recent video dissection, does it appear that the club already know what they want?
The graphics used within the clubs presentation makes you assume we will have a generic shield shape "similar to the Arsenal shield". As a die hard hammers fan but also owner of amber&green studio, a graphic design and branding company who specialises in crest design, I would like to share my version of the club badge and my rational behind my design.
My approach is to build upon the existing badge which is already strongly recognised and loved, even our co-chairman David Gold has said he likes the existing badge.
My design has a bigger, bolder prouder version of the crossed hammers, I have used the dynamic angles to create a unique shape rather then a generic shield shape or standard circle. Incased within the new dynamic shape is the most important factors of our club. The date the club was formed and a classically styled football symbolising what we are renowned for – The Academy of Football.
There has been much talk about keeping the castle, it's what I grew up with. It wasn't always part of our identity and whilst it's important not to forget our history before the castle, it is indeed one of the most iconic elements of our badge. Ask any junior hammer what is most recognisable, they will scream 'the hammers and the castle'
They are the future of our club so I have chosen to keep part of the castle and revert it to white similar to that seen on the kit used in the 1964 FA cup final, this lets the crossed hammers become the true centre piece.
From what we have read David Sullivan seems very keen to incorporate the word London. Maybe it could work? but cramming this onto a design could lead to a misunderstanding of our name and dilute our brand. London West Ham United, West Ham London I can hear our American friends mistakingly calling us!
They say football is a game of opinions, well the club badge seems to be dividing us all. With or without London I hope my design shows we will always be West Ham United.
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MICHU SIGNING SAID TO BE CLOSE, BUT SHOULD WE ALSO SIGN PETER CROUCH?
By Iain Dale 24 Jun 2014 at 07:54
West Ham Till I Die
Now, soot me down in flames if you like, but hear me out.
Peter Crouch is available from Stoke for a knockdown £1 million. OK, he's 33, but don't we need to learn the lessons from last season and have like for like cover for Andy Carroll? He plays much the same game as Carroll, has scored consistently wherever he has played. Now that we have made our Allardyce bed, we need to lie in it and recruit players who can play to a system, even if some of us don't like it.
I have always thought Crouch was a very underrated player. Just because he isn't pretty to watch doesn't mean he isn't skilful. In fact he has a very good first touch and if you look at some of the spectacular goals he has scored over the years it is testament to what a good player he actually is. He's certainly not prolific, but like Carroll, contributes much more to the team than just goals. But his 32 goals in 116 games at Stoke isn't bad. Having said that, last season he only scored 8 in 34 in the Premier League.
He's surely got to be worth paying £1 million for, as long as his weekly wage demands aren't too horrific.
The papers are full of rumours of us signing Michu from Swansea. This would be a risky signing bearing in mind he, like Carroll is very prone. There's no doubt he knows where the goal is – look at his record the season before last where he scored 18 Premier League goals in 35 games. Last season he only scored 2 in 12, but also bagged 4 in 7 Europa Cup games. The club is said to be looking at paying £6 million for his services and negotiations have reached Board level. £6 million for a 28 year old striker who has proved he can score at the top level. Doesn't seem too bad.
I think we need five strikers this season. If we pulled these two off we'd have a front line of Carroll, Zarate, Carlton Cole, Michu and Crouch. Well it's certainly better than last year, but three of those five are very injury prone – which is why we'd need 5 strikers in the squad rather than 4.
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Tuesday, June 24
Daily WHUFC News - 24th June 2014
West Ham United at the World Cup - '10
WHUFc.com
A look back at West Ham United's involvement at the 2010 FIFA World Cup
23.06.2014
West Ham United had five players on duty for their respective countries at the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Two were called up by Fabio Capello's England - goalkeeper Rob Green and defender Matt Upson, while Valon Behrami was picked by Switzerland, Jonathan Spector by the USA and Guillermo Franco by Mexico. For England, Green was selected for their opening fixture against Spector's United States. The Three Lions took an early lead through Steven Gerrard, but Green's fumble allowed Clint Dempsey to level matters five minutes before the interval and 1-1 was how it ended. Green was supplanted in goal by David James thereafter, although Upson came into the side for the third group game against Algeria and retained his spot - finding the back of the net - as England crashed out 4-1 to Germany in the second round. Spector had to be content with a watching brief for the tournament, which also ended at the second round stage as the United States lost to Ghana 2-1 after extra time.
Behrami missed out on selection for Switzerland's shock opening victory over Spain, but was back involved as Ottmar Hitzfeld's side took on Chile next up. However, the midfielder's World Cup would only last 31 minutes as he saw red and the South Americans triumphed 1-0. A 0-0 draw with Honduras meant a campaign which began with so much promise for the Swiss was over almost before it began. Guillermo Franco started all three of Mexico's group games as a 1-1 draw with hosts South Africa, a 2-0 victory over France and a 1-0 defeat to Uruguay meant they qualified as Group A runners-up. Franco then found himself on the bench as his country took on Argentina in the second round, and with Diego Maradona's team 3-0 up, Mexico called for the Hammer as they looked for a way back. Javier Hernandez did find the net, but it counted for little as La Verde's campaign ended there.
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Reid gives boost to Maori youngsters
WHUFC.com
Young Maori and Pacific Island children had the time of their lives thanks to an initiative involving Winston Reid
23.06.2014
Ten young Maori and Pacific Island children had the time of their lives thanks to an initiative by Wellington Phoenix and West Ham United's Maori defender Winston Reid. The youngsters, from the Kelvin Road School in the Auckland suburb of Papakura, love their football, but their parents have never been able to afford to buy them boots to play in. That all changed as The Phoenix partnered with Winston Reid's Aotearoa Footballers' Charitable Trust, Maori Football New Zealand and Banks Shoes to help give the youngsters get a taste of professional football. Reid, who is of Maori descent, set up the Trust following the All Whites' 2010 FIFA World Cup campaign with three other New Zealand internationals of Maori descent - Leo Bertos, Jeremy Christie and Rory Fallon. Thanks to one of the Phoenix' supporters, Banks Shoes, the children each left the Eastern Suburbs ground where the Phoenix trained with a new pair of football boots.
They were even able to enjoy a kick-around with New Zealand's only A-League team before being invited to join the players and staff for dinner at the Grand Rendezvous Hotel, where they were each presented with a Phoenix shirt, and then joined in with the players for one of the club's traditions. The first time a player or member of staff travels away from Wellington with the team they are expected to stand on a chair and sing a song, which is a daunting experience for even the most confident person.
To a boy or girl they joined in the chanting for a reluctant singer and then, to cap the night off three of the budding football stars - Amelia Luselu, Taitimu-Lee Harrison and Roine Sinanoa - stood in front of players and staff and sang! The Phoenix will face Reid and West Ham during the Hammers' Football United Tour to New Zealand, with the fixture taking place at Eden Park stadium in Auckland on Wednesday 23 July at 7.45pm. West Ham will then travel to Wellington to face another A-League side, Sydney FC, on Saturday 26 July at 2pm as part of a double-header which also includes the Phoenix's meeting with Barclays Premier League club Newcastle United.
More than 20,000 tickets have been sold for the Wellington double-header, while seats are also selling quickly for the Eden Park fixture.
Ticket prices for the West Ham v Wellington fixture start from just 59 NZD (£30.20) for Adults and 20 NZD (£10.25) for Children.
Silver ticket prices for the Westpac Stadium double-header are priced at 95 NZD (£48) for Adults, 45 NZD (£22.80) for Children and 235 NZD (£119) for a Family (Two Adults/Two Children). Gold seats are available for 129 NZD (£65.30) for Adults, 59 NZD (£29.90) for Children and 319 NZD (£160.60) for a Family (Two Adults/Two Children).
Affiliated Supporters' Clubs from New Zealand and across Australia have already revealed plans to travel to both matches, while UK-based supporters are also set to make the 11,400-mile trip to cheer on their team.
Flight, ticket and accommodation packages for the Football United Tour are also on sale now, with prices starting from as little as NZ $216 (£110) per person. For full details, click here.
Football United Tour
Wellington Phoenix v West Ham United
Wednesday 23 July 2014, 7.30pm (local time)
Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand
Sydney FC v West Ham United
Saturday 26 July 2014, 2pm (local time)
Westpac Stadium, Wellington, New Zealand
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U21s pre-season schedule confirmed
WHUFc.com
West Ham United U21s will enjoy a busy pre-season ahead of the 2014/15 campaign
23.06.2014
West Ham United U21s will enjoy a busy pre-season ahead of their 2014/15 campaign. Nick Haycock's Development Squad finished the 2013/14 Barclays U21 Premier League season in ninth place, earning themselves a spot in the newly-formed Division 1 when the competition gets underway in August. Before then, Haycock's side will travel far and wide as part of their preparations, taking on Premier League, non-league and foreign opposition as the Hammers' young professionals continue their development. The pre-season schedule gets underway on home turf with the visit of Isthmian League Premier Division side AFC Hornchurch to Little Heath on Saturday 12 July. The following Tuesday, the U21s hit the road to Hampshire to take on Conference South outfit Havant and Waterlooville. The weekend of 19/20 July sees the Hammers taking part in the four-team Absolute Travel Cup at Cambridge United's R Costings Abbey Stadium. There, Haycock's squad will face continental opposition in Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk and Spanish side Espanyol. West Ham will take part in another international tournament the following week, when they travel to Germany for the Ruhr Cup, hosted by Borussia Dortmund. There, the Hammers have been drawn in Group B alongside German pair Borussia Moenchengladbach and Schalke 04, Turkish side Galatasaray and Israeli club Maccabi Netanya. On Tuesday 29 July, Alan Devonshire's Conference Premier side Braintree Town will play host to West Ham before the pre-season schedule is rounded off by a trip to another trip to a Conference Premier side in Woking on Tuesday 5 August and the visit of Aston Villa's U21s to Little Heath on Friday 8 August.
Ticket details for all the U21s' pre-season fixtures and any additions will be confirmed on whufc.com
U21s pre-season fixtures
Sat 12 July v AFC Hornchurch (Little Heath, 11am)
Tue 15 July v Havant and Waterlooville (West Leigh Park, 7.45pm)
Sat 19 July v Shakhtar Donetsk (Absolute Travel Cup, R Costings Abbey Stadium, Cambridge United FC, 2pm)
Sun 20 July v Espanyol (Absolute Travel Cup, R Costings Abbey Stadium, Cambridge United FC, 2pm)
Thu 24-Sun 27 July v Borussia Moenchengladbach/Schalke 04/Galatasaray/Maccabi Netanya (Ruhr Cup, Dortmund, Germany)
Tue 29 July v Braintree Town (Amlin Stadium, 7.45pm)
Tue 5 Aug v Woking (Kingfield Stadium, 7.45pm)
Fri 8 Aug v Aston Villa (Little Heath, 12noon)
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Hammers games go live
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 23rd June 2014
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United's two friendlies in New Zealand are being broadcast live on TV. BT Sport have announced that they will be showing both of West Ham's matches on the forthcoming Football United tour, which begins on 23rd July next month, live. United's tournament-opener against hosts Wellington Phoenix is being broadcast on BT Sport from 7.00am (BST) on Wednesday, 23rd July. Their second and final fixture of the competition, against Sydney, takes place three days later (26th July) and goes live from 2.00am (BST). The other matches in the tournament take place on Tuesday, 22nd July (Sydney vs Newcastle United) and on Saturday, 26th July (Wellington Phoenix vs Newcastle United).
* It has been confirmed that West Ham will face Sampdoria in the Marathonbet Cup on Saturday, 9th August, as exclusively revealed here on KUMB last month. Tickets - priced from £15 for adults - are already available from whufc.com.
Pre-season: 2014/15
12th July: Stevenage (Lamex Stadium, 3.00pm)
16th July: Ipswich Town (Portman Road, 7.45pm)
23rd July: Wellington Phoenix (Eden Park, 7.45pm*)
26th July: Sydney (Westpac Stadium, 2.00pm*)
2nd August: Schalke 04 (Veltins Arena, 5.30pm*)
3rd August: Malaga (Veltins Arena, 3.30pm*)
9th August: Sampdoria (Boleyn Ground, 3.00pm)
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Engineering works cause more travel woes
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 23rd June 2014
By: Staff Writer
The Metropolitan Police face a logisitical nightmare after it was revealed that the District Line will be closed for the opening day of the 2014/15 Premier League season. Once again Transport for London, in their infinite wisdom, have decided to close both the District and Hammersmith & City lines - presumably for maintenance - on the opening day of the new Premier League campaign. It's also a day on which West Ham United are due to face bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur - meaning that instead of monitoring Upton Park tube, the Met will now have to spread their resources to cover the many different routes supporters of both teams will be forced to take in order to reach the Boleyn Ground. TfL - who have regularly overlooked the needs of football supporters when choosing which times to close certain routes for maintenance in recent years - have also announced that the District Line will be mostly unavailable on 20th September, when West Ham host Liverpool. There will also be problems the following month on 4th and 25th October (Queens Park Rangers and Manchester City) when further interruptions to the District Line's regular service are planned.
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West Ham United are looking to agree a deal for Dnipro winger Yevhen Konoplyanka
Guardian Series
3:50pm Monday 23rd June 2014 in News
West Ham are keen on poaching Dnipro winger Yevhen Konoplyanka from under the noses of several Premier League rivals, according to the Daily Express.
The 24-year-old Ukrainian international was due to complete a £16m move to Liverpool in January but the move fell through on deadline day when Dnipro owner Ihor Kolomoyskyi refused to sanction the deal, despite the Reds activating his release clause. Konoplyanka has also attracted interest from Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur and a tussle for the 5ft9 and 1/2in winger's services looks likely this summer. Since making his Ukraine debut in 2010, Konoplyanka has won 37 caps for Ukraine, scoring ten times including a memorable goal against England at Wembley in qualification for the 2014 World Cup.
He scored eight times in 23 starts for Dnipro last term as they finished runners-up in the Ukrainian Premier Division.
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West Ham United can land midfield enforcer for just £3m
Date: 23rd June 2014 at 7:00 pm
Written by: Dan Prescott |
Football Transfer Tavern
We don't get many hipster Hammers in the Football Transfer Tavern but those that do venture in are happy with this latest rumour. As according to the Daily Star, the East London outfit have been offered penny farthing lover Raul Meireles for a cut-price deal of £3 million. Sam Allardyce is apparently fond of the Portuguese midfielder and not just because of his fantastic beard. The former Bolton Wanderers manager tried signing him in January from current club Fenerbahce. However the deal was blocked by the Turkish club and in the end West Ham signed Italian midfielder Antonio Nocerino who incidentally had a pretty sweet beard himself! But according to reports, a return to the Premier League could be back on as Fenerbahce look to reduce their large wage bill. Meireles is one of the clubs' highest earners and they are likely to take a major financial hit should the Hammers take him off their hands on the cheap.
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West Ham linked with Spanish wonderkid
By matt_harris | Posted: June 23, 2014
Brentwood Gazette
WEST Ham have reportedly had a bid for Spanish wonderkid Marco Asensio turned down by his club Real Mallorca. Asensio made 20 appearances for Mallorca last season, after being promoted from the club's B team, and the 18-year-old attacking midfielder is seen as one of the top talents emerging in Spain and has been watched by Manchester City, Barcelona and Real Madrid. It is believed the Hammers made an offer of €750,000 with that rising to more than €2.5m with add-ons. But the Spanish Segunda Division side have rejected the offer and see Asensio as key to their attempts to get back in La Liga.
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WEST HAM PREPARING AMBITIOUS MOVE FOR £12M LIVERPOOL TARGET
West Ham preparing ambitious move for £12m Liverpool target
Written by James Jones | Comments(0)
West Ham are preparing a sensational move for Liverpool, Tottenham and Manchester United target Yevhen Konoplyanka, according to the Express. The Ukraine international was close to a switch Anfield in January before a deal collapsed in the final hour of transfer deadline day. And despite Brendan Rodgers' reportedly still hopeful of completing a deal, as well as interest from Tottenham and Man United this summer, Sam Allardyce is preparing to beat all three to the 24-year-old's signature. The winger, who has a £12million buy-out clause in his Dnipro contract, is expected to leave Ukraine this summer after coming so close to the exit door at the beginning of the year, although it is thought he isn't willing to move to a club not competing in Europe. That would instantly rule Man United and West Ham, but West Ham are hopeful of persuading him to join them in east London as they start building for a future in the Olympic Stadium.
Hammees co-chairman David Sullivan has recently spoken of the club's burning ambition to break in to the top six within the next few years, and has followed up with the capture of Mauro Zarate and Cheikhou Kouyate already this summer. And, despite it being unclear whether they will be prepared to meet Konoplyanka's release clause and the successful agree personal terms, a deal would further prove the Hammers are serious about their ambitious plans for the immediate future.
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Rav and Winston in talks after holidays
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on June 23, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Ravel-Morrison-2West Ham have this afternoon confirmed that talks with Winston Reid and Ravel Morrison will re-start when the defender and midfielder return from their summer holidays. ClaretandHugh revealed yesterday (Sunday) that they will be holding new contract talks with both players. Reid has been reported as wanting around £75k a week to stay at the club whilst speculation continues to swirl around Morrison's future with Swansea, QPR and Newcastle allegedly interested. A Hammers source explained to CandH: "Both players remain on holiday at the moment but talks are planned when they return."
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Neymar is already bigger in Brazil than Pele! But four years ago World Cup poster boy could have moved to West Ham for £12m
Santos rejected bids from West Ham and Chelsea for Neymar
By ROB SHEPHERD
PUBLISHED: 14:34, 23 June 2014 | UPDATED: 17:06, 23 June 2014
Daily Mail
Neymar might not be better than Pele but in many ways he is already bigger. In the modern world of sports marketing 22-year-old Neymar's image is omnipresent in Brazil. 'Neymar-keting' sees the player endorse a wide range of products from soft drinks to mobile phones and he has even appeared on the front cover of Time magazine. On Monday he will aim to endear himself further to a besotted Brazil by leading the World Cup hosts to victory against Cameroon. All this from a player who four years ago could have moved to, er, West Ham. In 2010 agent Barry Silkman alerted the club to a new Brazilian wonder player at Santos - the club where Pele played. The Hammers swiftly made a £12million bid for a player then 'unknown' in Europe. But Santos, and one suspects the Neymar family, turned the offer down. An approach from Chelsea soon after was rejected, too. Neymar moved on to Barcelona last summer.
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Irons confirm defender talks
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on June 23, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham have confirmed morning reports that the club remains in talks with Nice left back Timothee Kolodziejczak but that they are still looking at three others. And after seeing neither Razvan Rat and Pablo Armero solve their problem position, the club is absolutely determined to get things 100 per cent right this time around. Kolodziejczak – destined to become 'Kolo' should he finally arrive at the club – is understood to be available at around £3 million but is also being hunted by Southampton. However, a highly placed Upton Park source told ClaretandHugh exclusively a few minutes ago: "We are looking at four left backs and this guy is one of them but we are a long way from a deal at this stage. That Southampton, who see him as a possible replacement for Luke Shaw, rate demonstrates the 21 year old's quality. Norwich City's Martin Olsson is another the Hammers are tracking.
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Why West Ham are approaching this transfer window the wrong way
Monday 23 Jun 2014 12:31 pm
Metro.co.uk
Following crunch talks with the West Ham hierarchy last month, manager Sam Allardyce vowed to abide by the owners' demands to play 'exciting football' next season, and will be given a sizeable transfer budget to make this dream a reality. So far he has managed to lure ex-Birmingham loanee Mauro Zarate back to the Premier League from Argentine side Velez Sarsfield on a free transfer after the forward bought himself out of his contract with the club, and last week he finalised the signing of Anderlecht powerhouse Chiekhou Kouyate for a reported £7million. The 24-year-old centre back/defensive midfielder has Champions League experience and will add some much needed quality to the side. Not so say these aren't good signings – they are, but if you ask any pundit who follows the Premier League closely or more importantly any West Ham fan, they would've told you that at the heart of our defense and midfield is solid.
It's widely accepted that James Tomkins and Winston Reid are two of the most underrated centre-back's in the Premier League, so bringing another strong player in at that position does raise an eyebrow or two. The Hammers have also been linked with a number of central players since the end of the season. Colombia's Eder Alvarez Balanta, Fenerbache's Raul Meireles and soon to be ex-Manchester City star Gareth Barry to name but a few have all been linked with moves to West Ham in the past week. As said above, we don't need help in the positions that these players ply their trade in, we need help elsewhere, most notable in the wide areas.
Both fullback positions are in dire need of reinforcements. On the right side, 33-year old Guy Demel enters the last year of his deal at the club. Joey O'Brien, an old Sam favourite, simply cannot stay fully fit for a 38-game season. On the left side, George McCartney has been released by the club following the expiry of his contract, and loanee Pablo Armero appears to be returning to Napoli with an option to make his loan permanent not taken up. In my opinion, not enough has been done to solidify these areas of the team. It appears the Hammers are in the driving seat to sign Fiorentina left back Marcos Alonso this summer, but face competition from Sunderland, who Alonso spent last season on loan with. It also seems like a deal to sign impressive Nice defender Timothee Kolodziejczak has been put on hold.
With the way the Premier League is heading, this current West Ham team will continue to be exposed on the wings due to a lack of quality. We are seeing more and more explosive wingers enter the league, and fullbacks being given the license to bomb on forward on the overlap – the team must look to sign players who are defensively strong and can contribute going forward if they wish to return to the top 10.
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WHUFc.com
A look back at West Ham United's involvement at the 2010 FIFA World Cup
23.06.2014
West Ham United had five players on duty for their respective countries at the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Two were called up by Fabio Capello's England - goalkeeper Rob Green and defender Matt Upson, while Valon Behrami was picked by Switzerland, Jonathan Spector by the USA and Guillermo Franco by Mexico. For England, Green was selected for their opening fixture against Spector's United States. The Three Lions took an early lead through Steven Gerrard, but Green's fumble allowed Clint Dempsey to level matters five minutes before the interval and 1-1 was how it ended. Green was supplanted in goal by David James thereafter, although Upson came into the side for the third group game against Algeria and retained his spot - finding the back of the net - as England crashed out 4-1 to Germany in the second round. Spector had to be content with a watching brief for the tournament, which also ended at the second round stage as the United States lost to Ghana 2-1 after extra time.
Behrami missed out on selection for Switzerland's shock opening victory over Spain, but was back involved as Ottmar Hitzfeld's side took on Chile next up. However, the midfielder's World Cup would only last 31 minutes as he saw red and the South Americans triumphed 1-0. A 0-0 draw with Honduras meant a campaign which began with so much promise for the Swiss was over almost before it began. Guillermo Franco started all three of Mexico's group games as a 1-1 draw with hosts South Africa, a 2-0 victory over France and a 1-0 defeat to Uruguay meant they qualified as Group A runners-up. Franco then found himself on the bench as his country took on Argentina in the second round, and with Diego Maradona's team 3-0 up, Mexico called for the Hammer as they looked for a way back. Javier Hernandez did find the net, but it counted for little as La Verde's campaign ended there.
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Reid gives boost to Maori youngsters
WHUFC.com
Young Maori and Pacific Island children had the time of their lives thanks to an initiative involving Winston Reid
23.06.2014
Ten young Maori and Pacific Island children had the time of their lives thanks to an initiative by Wellington Phoenix and West Ham United's Maori defender Winston Reid. The youngsters, from the Kelvin Road School in the Auckland suburb of Papakura, love their football, but their parents have never been able to afford to buy them boots to play in. That all changed as The Phoenix partnered with Winston Reid's Aotearoa Footballers' Charitable Trust, Maori Football New Zealand and Banks Shoes to help give the youngsters get a taste of professional football. Reid, who is of Maori descent, set up the Trust following the All Whites' 2010 FIFA World Cup campaign with three other New Zealand internationals of Maori descent - Leo Bertos, Jeremy Christie and Rory Fallon. Thanks to one of the Phoenix' supporters, Banks Shoes, the children each left the Eastern Suburbs ground where the Phoenix trained with a new pair of football boots.
They were even able to enjoy a kick-around with New Zealand's only A-League team before being invited to join the players and staff for dinner at the Grand Rendezvous Hotel, where they were each presented with a Phoenix shirt, and then joined in with the players for one of the club's traditions. The first time a player or member of staff travels away from Wellington with the team they are expected to stand on a chair and sing a song, which is a daunting experience for even the most confident person.
To a boy or girl they joined in the chanting for a reluctant singer and then, to cap the night off three of the budding football stars - Amelia Luselu, Taitimu-Lee Harrison and Roine Sinanoa - stood in front of players and staff and sang! The Phoenix will face Reid and West Ham during the Hammers' Football United Tour to New Zealand, with the fixture taking place at Eden Park stadium in Auckland on Wednesday 23 July at 7.45pm. West Ham will then travel to Wellington to face another A-League side, Sydney FC, on Saturday 26 July at 2pm as part of a double-header which also includes the Phoenix's meeting with Barclays Premier League club Newcastle United.
More than 20,000 tickets have been sold for the Wellington double-header, while seats are also selling quickly for the Eden Park fixture.
Ticket prices for the West Ham v Wellington fixture start from just 59 NZD (£30.20) for Adults and 20 NZD (£10.25) for Children.
Silver ticket prices for the Westpac Stadium double-header are priced at 95 NZD (£48) for Adults, 45 NZD (£22.80) for Children and 235 NZD (£119) for a Family (Two Adults/Two Children). Gold seats are available for 129 NZD (£65.30) for Adults, 59 NZD (£29.90) for Children and 319 NZD (£160.60) for a Family (Two Adults/Two Children).
Affiliated Supporters' Clubs from New Zealand and across Australia have already revealed plans to travel to both matches, while UK-based supporters are also set to make the 11,400-mile trip to cheer on their team.
Flight, ticket and accommodation packages for the Football United Tour are also on sale now, with prices starting from as little as NZ $216 (£110) per person. For full details, click here.
Football United Tour
Wellington Phoenix v West Ham United
Wednesday 23 July 2014, 7.30pm (local time)
Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand
Sydney FC v West Ham United
Saturday 26 July 2014, 2pm (local time)
Westpac Stadium, Wellington, New Zealand
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U21s pre-season schedule confirmed
WHUFc.com
West Ham United U21s will enjoy a busy pre-season ahead of the 2014/15 campaign
23.06.2014
West Ham United U21s will enjoy a busy pre-season ahead of their 2014/15 campaign. Nick Haycock's Development Squad finished the 2013/14 Barclays U21 Premier League season in ninth place, earning themselves a spot in the newly-formed Division 1 when the competition gets underway in August. Before then, Haycock's side will travel far and wide as part of their preparations, taking on Premier League, non-league and foreign opposition as the Hammers' young professionals continue their development. The pre-season schedule gets underway on home turf with the visit of Isthmian League Premier Division side AFC Hornchurch to Little Heath on Saturday 12 July. The following Tuesday, the U21s hit the road to Hampshire to take on Conference South outfit Havant and Waterlooville. The weekend of 19/20 July sees the Hammers taking part in the four-team Absolute Travel Cup at Cambridge United's R Costings Abbey Stadium. There, Haycock's squad will face continental opposition in Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk and Spanish side Espanyol. West Ham will take part in another international tournament the following week, when they travel to Germany for the Ruhr Cup, hosted by Borussia Dortmund. There, the Hammers have been drawn in Group B alongside German pair Borussia Moenchengladbach and Schalke 04, Turkish side Galatasaray and Israeli club Maccabi Netanya. On Tuesday 29 July, Alan Devonshire's Conference Premier side Braintree Town will play host to West Ham before the pre-season schedule is rounded off by a trip to another trip to a Conference Premier side in Woking on Tuesday 5 August and the visit of Aston Villa's U21s to Little Heath on Friday 8 August.
Ticket details for all the U21s' pre-season fixtures and any additions will be confirmed on whufc.com
U21s pre-season fixtures
Sat 12 July v AFC Hornchurch (Little Heath, 11am)
Tue 15 July v Havant and Waterlooville (West Leigh Park, 7.45pm)
Sat 19 July v Shakhtar Donetsk (Absolute Travel Cup, R Costings Abbey Stadium, Cambridge United FC, 2pm)
Sun 20 July v Espanyol (Absolute Travel Cup, R Costings Abbey Stadium, Cambridge United FC, 2pm)
Thu 24-Sun 27 July v Borussia Moenchengladbach/Schalke 04/Galatasaray/Maccabi Netanya (Ruhr Cup, Dortmund, Germany)
Tue 29 July v Braintree Town (Amlin Stadium, 7.45pm)
Tue 5 Aug v Woking (Kingfield Stadium, 7.45pm)
Fri 8 Aug v Aston Villa (Little Heath, 12noon)
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Hammers games go live
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 23rd June 2014
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United's two friendlies in New Zealand are being broadcast live on TV. BT Sport have announced that they will be showing both of West Ham's matches on the forthcoming Football United tour, which begins on 23rd July next month, live. United's tournament-opener against hosts Wellington Phoenix is being broadcast on BT Sport from 7.00am (BST) on Wednesday, 23rd July. Their second and final fixture of the competition, against Sydney, takes place three days later (26th July) and goes live from 2.00am (BST). The other matches in the tournament take place on Tuesday, 22nd July (Sydney vs Newcastle United) and on Saturday, 26th July (Wellington Phoenix vs Newcastle United).
* It has been confirmed that West Ham will face Sampdoria in the Marathonbet Cup on Saturday, 9th August, as exclusively revealed here on KUMB last month. Tickets - priced from £15 for adults - are already available from whufc.com.
Pre-season: 2014/15
12th July: Stevenage (Lamex Stadium, 3.00pm)
16th July: Ipswich Town (Portman Road, 7.45pm)
23rd July: Wellington Phoenix (Eden Park, 7.45pm*)
26th July: Sydney (Westpac Stadium, 2.00pm*)
2nd August: Schalke 04 (Veltins Arena, 5.30pm*)
3rd August: Malaga (Veltins Arena, 3.30pm*)
9th August: Sampdoria (Boleyn Ground, 3.00pm)
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Engineering works cause more travel woes
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 23rd June 2014
By: Staff Writer
The Metropolitan Police face a logisitical nightmare after it was revealed that the District Line will be closed for the opening day of the 2014/15 Premier League season. Once again Transport for London, in their infinite wisdom, have decided to close both the District and Hammersmith & City lines - presumably for maintenance - on the opening day of the new Premier League campaign. It's also a day on which West Ham United are due to face bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur - meaning that instead of monitoring Upton Park tube, the Met will now have to spread their resources to cover the many different routes supporters of both teams will be forced to take in order to reach the Boleyn Ground. TfL - who have regularly overlooked the needs of football supporters when choosing which times to close certain routes for maintenance in recent years - have also announced that the District Line will be mostly unavailable on 20th September, when West Ham host Liverpool. There will also be problems the following month on 4th and 25th October (Queens Park Rangers and Manchester City) when further interruptions to the District Line's regular service are planned.
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West Ham United are looking to agree a deal for Dnipro winger Yevhen Konoplyanka
Guardian Series
3:50pm Monday 23rd June 2014 in News
West Ham are keen on poaching Dnipro winger Yevhen Konoplyanka from under the noses of several Premier League rivals, according to the Daily Express.
The 24-year-old Ukrainian international was due to complete a £16m move to Liverpool in January but the move fell through on deadline day when Dnipro owner Ihor Kolomoyskyi refused to sanction the deal, despite the Reds activating his release clause. Konoplyanka has also attracted interest from Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur and a tussle for the 5ft9 and 1/2in winger's services looks likely this summer. Since making his Ukraine debut in 2010, Konoplyanka has won 37 caps for Ukraine, scoring ten times including a memorable goal against England at Wembley in qualification for the 2014 World Cup.
He scored eight times in 23 starts for Dnipro last term as they finished runners-up in the Ukrainian Premier Division.
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West Ham United can land midfield enforcer for just £3m
Date: 23rd June 2014 at 7:00 pm
Written by: Dan Prescott |
Football Transfer Tavern
We don't get many hipster Hammers in the Football Transfer Tavern but those that do venture in are happy with this latest rumour. As according to the Daily Star, the East London outfit have been offered penny farthing lover Raul Meireles for a cut-price deal of £3 million. Sam Allardyce is apparently fond of the Portuguese midfielder and not just because of his fantastic beard. The former Bolton Wanderers manager tried signing him in January from current club Fenerbahce. However the deal was blocked by the Turkish club and in the end West Ham signed Italian midfielder Antonio Nocerino who incidentally had a pretty sweet beard himself! But according to reports, a return to the Premier League could be back on as Fenerbahce look to reduce their large wage bill. Meireles is one of the clubs' highest earners and they are likely to take a major financial hit should the Hammers take him off their hands on the cheap.
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West Ham linked with Spanish wonderkid
By matt_harris | Posted: June 23, 2014
Brentwood Gazette
WEST Ham have reportedly had a bid for Spanish wonderkid Marco Asensio turned down by his club Real Mallorca. Asensio made 20 appearances for Mallorca last season, after being promoted from the club's B team, and the 18-year-old attacking midfielder is seen as one of the top talents emerging in Spain and has been watched by Manchester City, Barcelona and Real Madrid. It is believed the Hammers made an offer of €750,000 with that rising to more than €2.5m with add-ons. But the Spanish Segunda Division side have rejected the offer and see Asensio as key to their attempts to get back in La Liga.
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WEST HAM PREPARING AMBITIOUS MOVE FOR £12M LIVERPOOL TARGET
West Ham preparing ambitious move for £12m Liverpool target
Written by James Jones | Comments(0)
West Ham are preparing a sensational move for Liverpool, Tottenham and Manchester United target Yevhen Konoplyanka, according to the Express. The Ukraine international was close to a switch Anfield in January before a deal collapsed in the final hour of transfer deadline day. And despite Brendan Rodgers' reportedly still hopeful of completing a deal, as well as interest from Tottenham and Man United this summer, Sam Allardyce is preparing to beat all three to the 24-year-old's signature. The winger, who has a £12million buy-out clause in his Dnipro contract, is expected to leave Ukraine this summer after coming so close to the exit door at the beginning of the year, although it is thought he isn't willing to move to a club not competing in Europe. That would instantly rule Man United and West Ham, but West Ham are hopeful of persuading him to join them in east London as they start building for a future in the Olympic Stadium.
Hammees co-chairman David Sullivan has recently spoken of the club's burning ambition to break in to the top six within the next few years, and has followed up with the capture of Mauro Zarate and Cheikhou Kouyate already this summer. And, despite it being unclear whether they will be prepared to meet Konoplyanka's release clause and the successful agree personal terms, a deal would further prove the Hammers are serious about their ambitious plans for the immediate future.
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Rav and Winston in talks after holidays
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on June 23, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Ravel-Morrison-2West Ham have this afternoon confirmed that talks with Winston Reid and Ravel Morrison will re-start when the defender and midfielder return from their summer holidays. ClaretandHugh revealed yesterday (Sunday) that they will be holding new contract talks with both players. Reid has been reported as wanting around £75k a week to stay at the club whilst speculation continues to swirl around Morrison's future with Swansea, QPR and Newcastle allegedly interested. A Hammers source explained to CandH: "Both players remain on holiday at the moment but talks are planned when they return."
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Neymar is already bigger in Brazil than Pele! But four years ago World Cup poster boy could have moved to West Ham for £12m
Santos rejected bids from West Ham and Chelsea for Neymar
By ROB SHEPHERD
PUBLISHED: 14:34, 23 June 2014 | UPDATED: 17:06, 23 June 2014
Daily Mail
Neymar might not be better than Pele but in many ways he is already bigger. In the modern world of sports marketing 22-year-old Neymar's image is omnipresent in Brazil. 'Neymar-keting' sees the player endorse a wide range of products from soft drinks to mobile phones and he has even appeared on the front cover of Time magazine. On Monday he will aim to endear himself further to a besotted Brazil by leading the World Cup hosts to victory against Cameroon. All this from a player who four years ago could have moved to, er, West Ham. In 2010 agent Barry Silkman alerted the club to a new Brazilian wonder player at Santos - the club where Pele played. The Hammers swiftly made a £12million bid for a player then 'unknown' in Europe. But Santos, and one suspects the Neymar family, turned the offer down. An approach from Chelsea soon after was rejected, too. Neymar moved on to Barcelona last summer.
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Irons confirm defender talks
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on June 23, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham have confirmed morning reports that the club remains in talks with Nice left back Timothee Kolodziejczak but that they are still looking at three others. And after seeing neither Razvan Rat and Pablo Armero solve their problem position, the club is absolutely determined to get things 100 per cent right this time around. Kolodziejczak – destined to become 'Kolo' should he finally arrive at the club – is understood to be available at around £3 million but is also being hunted by Southampton. However, a highly placed Upton Park source told ClaretandHugh exclusively a few minutes ago: "We are looking at four left backs and this guy is one of them but we are a long way from a deal at this stage. That Southampton, who see him as a possible replacement for Luke Shaw, rate demonstrates the 21 year old's quality. Norwich City's Martin Olsson is another the Hammers are tracking.
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Why West Ham are approaching this transfer window the wrong way
Monday 23 Jun 2014 12:31 pm
Metro.co.uk
Following crunch talks with the West Ham hierarchy last month, manager Sam Allardyce vowed to abide by the owners' demands to play 'exciting football' next season, and will be given a sizeable transfer budget to make this dream a reality. So far he has managed to lure ex-Birmingham loanee Mauro Zarate back to the Premier League from Argentine side Velez Sarsfield on a free transfer after the forward bought himself out of his contract with the club, and last week he finalised the signing of Anderlecht powerhouse Chiekhou Kouyate for a reported £7million. The 24-year-old centre back/defensive midfielder has Champions League experience and will add some much needed quality to the side. Not so say these aren't good signings – they are, but if you ask any pundit who follows the Premier League closely or more importantly any West Ham fan, they would've told you that at the heart of our defense and midfield is solid.
It's widely accepted that James Tomkins and Winston Reid are two of the most underrated centre-back's in the Premier League, so bringing another strong player in at that position does raise an eyebrow or two. The Hammers have also been linked with a number of central players since the end of the season. Colombia's Eder Alvarez Balanta, Fenerbache's Raul Meireles and soon to be ex-Manchester City star Gareth Barry to name but a few have all been linked with moves to West Ham in the past week. As said above, we don't need help in the positions that these players ply their trade in, we need help elsewhere, most notable in the wide areas.
Both fullback positions are in dire need of reinforcements. On the right side, 33-year old Guy Demel enters the last year of his deal at the club. Joey O'Brien, an old Sam favourite, simply cannot stay fully fit for a 38-game season. On the left side, George McCartney has been released by the club following the expiry of his contract, and loanee Pablo Armero appears to be returning to Napoli with an option to make his loan permanent not taken up. In my opinion, not enough has been done to solidify these areas of the team. It appears the Hammers are in the driving seat to sign Fiorentina left back Marcos Alonso this summer, but face competition from Sunderland, who Alonso spent last season on loan with. It also seems like a deal to sign impressive Nice defender Timothee Kolodziejczak has been put on hold.
With the way the Premier League is heading, this current West Ham team will continue to be exposed on the wings due to a lack of quality. We are seeing more and more explosive wingers enter the league, and fullbacks being given the license to bomb on forward on the overlap – the team must look to sign players who are defensively strong and can contribute going forward if they wish to return to the top 10.
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Monday, June 23
Daily WHUFC News - 23rd June 2014
Jarvis searching for more Spurs success
WHUFC.com
Matt Jarvis scored in the Capital One Cup victory over Spurs last season and wants another on 16 August!
22.06.2014
Matt Jarvis played a key role in helping secure West Ham United's famous treble against Tottenham Hotspur last season and cannot wait to try and make it four wins in a row against the north Londoners when they lock horns on the opening day of the Barclays Premier League season. The fixture computer paired the Hammers with Spurs in a mouthwatering Boleyn Ground derby and Jarvis says Sam Allardyce's men could not have asked for a more appealing start to the campaign. He said: "Tottenham at home for the first game is one we can all look forward to. We enjoyed great wins over them last season. I am sure our fans will be excited and the pressure is on us to deliver another good result of course! "It will be a tough game, Tottenham will be looking, as we all are, to make that positive start to a new season and set about their targets and as we know it's a London derby, but a great game to begin the new campaign. "We had a terrific atmosphere at our ground for this match last season and I know our fans will be out in force again to get behind us so we can work towards making the best start possible. "The aim is to make a solid start if we can and get some points in the bag early on, to give you that little platform to build on. We will be confident for every game but also know that we will have to be on the front foot and work hard to achieve the results we want. "I am looking forward to the start of what we hope will be a successful season for us all at West Ham."
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International action for young Hammer
WHUFC.com
Academy player Louis Yuill played his part in a UEFA Development Tournament for Scotland recently
22.06.2014
Young Hammer Louis Yuill was given a taste of the international stage recently when he represented Scotland U16 in a UEFA Development Tournament in Bosnia-Herzegovina. The young Scots were the strongest nation at the tournament, opening with a 3-3 draw against the host nation, before defeating Azerbaijan 3-1 and Montenegro 1-0. Yuill was involved in the victory against Azerbaijan, playing the eighty minutes as Scotland recoved the blow of losing a first half lead to go on and win comfortably. The tournament served as preparation for the 2014/15 UEFA U17 Championship campaign, which begins with a qualifying round against Republic of Ireland, Gibraltar and the Faroe Islands in September. Yuill will be sure to take plenty from the experience, and will hope to be involved when the next set of qualifiers come around.
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West Ham United at the World Cup - '06
Shaka Hislop was the West Ham United's sole representative at the 2006 FIFA World Cup
22.06.2014
West Ham United were represented by one player at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, Trinidad & Tobago goalkeeper Shaka Hislop. The then-37-year-old was fresh from the Hammers' first season back in the Premier League and had helped the Club reach the FA Cup final. Come the end of the season, his attentions turned to Trinidad's first World Cup campaign, and the Caribbean nation left wih their heads held high after three battling performances. Hislop was a late call-up for the opening game, replacing Kelvin Jack for the clash with Sweden after Jack suffered a calf injury in the warm-up. The game ended 0-0 with Hislop keeping a clean sheet and he retained his place for the meeting with England next up. It looked for a long time that Hislop would again play his part in frustrating the fancied nation, as the 84th minute arrived with the score still 0-0. But Peter Crouch and Steven Gerrard found the net to give England a 2-0 victory in what turned out to be Hislop's 26th and final international cap. Jack was back between the posts for the final group game, as Paraguay proved just too strong to send Trinidad & Tobago to a 2-0 defeat. Hislop, who had two spells in claret and blue, moved on to Dallas FC at the end of the tournament, where he made ten MLS appearances before retirement.
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ANOTHER STRIKER TRANSFER TARGET EMERGES AT LONG LAST - ISLAM SLIMANI!
By S J Chandos 22 Jun 2014 at 18:00
West Ham Till I Die
Reports have emerged today linking West Ham with a c.£6.5m transfer move for Sporting Lisbon striker, Islam Slimani. The original news story stems from the Portugese press, who have observed that West Ham made an abortive attempt to sign Slimani in last January's transfer window and are now continuing their pursuit of the player. In January, the failed move took the format of an inital loan deal, with the option of a permanent move thereafter. This summer, West Ham may well 'bite the bullet' financially and seek to land the 26 year old Algerian international in a permanent deal.
Slimani is currently on international duty, at the World Cup in Brazil, with the Algerian Squad. So far he has made a second half substitutes appearance in the match vs Belgium. We may get another glimpse of him in World Cup action this evening vs South Korea. At club level, his 8 goals and 4 assists in 26 appearances helped Sporting Lisbon to a creditable 2nd place finish in the Portugeses league. However, there is unlikely to be much room for negotiation on the fee, with Slimani contracted to Sporting Lisbon until 2017. Its a matter of whether the player offers something different that we do not currently have in the squad and that justifies paying the c.£6.5m fee.
Elsewhere, it has been widely reported that Turkish club, Fenerbance, have offered the Hammers the chance to sign former Chelsea and Liverpool miderfielder, Raul Meireles, for a nominal c.£2.5m fee. However, the sticking point is likely to be his wages, which are substantial. As such, it may be doubtful that this deal will come to fruitation. Although if it did, by some chance, Meireles, would certainly bring a bit of lost 'character' back to Upton Park!
Oh well, that's the latest West Ham transfer rumours, lets see who we are linked with tomorrow!!
SJ. Chandos
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ARE WEST HAM PLOTTING A £6M TRANSFER SWOOP FOR EDER BALANTA?
By S J Chandos 22 Jun 2014 at 12:31
West Ham till I Die
According to today's Sunday People, West Ham are plotting a transfer swoop for River Plate's young Colombian World Cup star, Eder Balanta. The story suggests that the Hammers scouts at Brazil 2014 are monitoring the performances of the 21 year old prospect, ahead of a £6million bid. The report also makes the point that Balanta only made his international debut for Colombia in March and so may not yet be on the the scouting/recruitment radar of many of the big Premier Legaue and European outfits. However, it seems that the Hammers have been aware of his ability for some time and they will try to follow through by striking a deal as soon as the Colombian national side have exited the World Cup.
There is no doubting the extent to which Balanta is highly rated within South American football circles. Indeed, River Plate's former coach, Ramón Díaz has gone as far as to compare the Colombian youngster's talents to that of legendary Argentine centre-back and captain, Daniel Passarella. While he has also apparently impressed FIFA, whose official website describes the centre-back in the following glowing terms:
'left-footed, powerfully built, strong in the air and a fearless tackler … blessed with skill and speed'
So, if this story is true, it seems that West Ham are endeavouring to pull off a transfer coup by signing an outstanding prospect from under the noses of the PL and European big guns. Can they do it? You might conclude that the odds are heavily stacked against them, but if the reports of his playing attributes are accurate, then you can neither fault West Ham's nerve nor their ambition! If they manage to pull off the coup, Balanta will be another exciting addition to the squad, following on from the excellent signings of Zarate and Kouyate.
However, It should perhaps be duly noted that River Plate Vice President, Omar Solassai, has recently valued the player at a lot more than £6m and linked him with a possible futuire move to Spanish giants, Barca: Solassai stated that:
'Balanta is worth €15 million; he is a great player with a great future. I think that Balanta would be liked by Tata Martino, as it would not seem odd to me if Barca are interested in him. He is a player that will come good whichever team he plays for. Balanta is not like Mascherano nor like Pique; he is a different sort of player with more presence. He is a strong defender, is good on the ball and knows how to play going forward.'
Does that throw the ultimate cold water on the proposed West Ham link? We shall see?
SJ. Chandos.
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That Was The Season That Was 2013-14 - Part Three
KUMb.com
Filed: Sunday, 22nd June 2014
By: Gordon Thrower
The latest in Gordon Thrower's look back at last season covers the end of 2013 and the start of 2014. Yes it includes the mandatory win over Spurs but you may want to cover your eyes when we get to January. We did......
November 2013
The month opens with the news that club Honorary Life resident Terence "Terry" Brown has put in £1m of his own money into the club, the club being Sheffield Wednesday. The deal arises as a result of Brown's friendship with Milan Mandaric, who, you will recall was acquitted of tax evasion charges alongside Henry Redknapp. The news goes down well with long-suffering Hammers mindful of a perceived lack of investment by Brown during his tenure as chairman.
Scientists, possibly in a newspaper space filing exercise, claim that octopuses are highly intelligent and it's them we need to worry about in an uprising rather than apes. Although it's fair to say that cephalopods are already able to outsmart the average Millwall supporter and already have the same amount of backbone as the average referee, it's also fair to say that you can delete the word "possibly" from the first sentence of this paragraph.
Back in the equally mad world of football the 4-6-0 formation gets another airing at home against Villa. The total number of goals scored in the match matches the number of strikers we field, namely, nil, as a dull match finishes goalless. We go up a place to 14th as a result.
Jermain Defoe apologises for the manner of his departure from the club in 2003. "I was badly advised but made a terrible mistake". Rumours that Paul Ince might apologise for taking illegal instruction from Alex Ferguson all those years ago are of course ludicrous – it takes a man to admit guilt.
More fun up in Geordieland as the Supporters Trust are offered a permanent seat on the club's fan forum. They attend a meeting, publish the minutes and are then told that there seat has been withdrawn, presumably the decision being taken when someone finally informs Joe Kinnear of the meaning of the word permanent.
Three men accused of tapping into Karren Brady's 'phone messages on behalf of (but not at the behest of our lawyers remind us) of Tottenham Hotspur as part of their attempts to scupper the Olympic Stadium move are found guilty. I review my records and find that a Spurs website has tapped into my own messages. Three supporters are later found to have died of boredom as a result.
Former Co-Op bank chairman Paul Flowers is caught buying "recreational pharmaceuticals." In a nod to his role as a church minister the newspaper wags dub him "The Crystal Methodist" which is quite good for them. The revelations follow his appearance before a Treasury Select Committee in which his ignorance of the Bank's finances is alarming. Now we know why.
We outplay Norwich city at Carrow Road in the first half of our match up there but take only a 1-0 lead into the interval. More incompetent refereeing from Jonathan Moss whose errors have made a significant difference to every game he has "controlled" this season hands the match to Norwich on a plate as Jaaskalainen is penalised for a foul on a clearly diving Hooper, having been barged out of the way by Snodgrass. A second set piece goal after another joke of a decision and a late counter attack see us cheated out of points 3-1.
The injury woes continue as Winston Reid damages an ankle in training. It's a long-termer for which the projected absence is counted in months rather than days.
More refereeing woes as Spurs' favourite cyclist Chris Foy falls for an embarrassment of a dive from Oscar in the home match against Chelsea. Fat Boy despatches the penalty as usual and later adds a second as Chelsea take full advantage of the leg-up given by yet another unpunished spot of incompetency from the officials to win 3-0.
Notably, when we finally get a referee who isn't incompetent we return to winning ways with a 3-0 win over Fulham who sack Martin Jol 24 hours later. Maiga, Cole C. and Cole J. are on target against opponents best described as "woeful". Jol barely survives 24 hours before getting the sack.
Nigella Lawson's former personal assistants go on trial accused of theft. During the trial it transpires that Ms Lawson has been no stranger to the odd intake recreational pharmaceutical herself. Lawson finds herself on a shortlist with the Crystal Methodist for a future episode of Come Dine With Me.
December 2013
All hopes that a new month might see some sort of improvement in the form of referees are dashed as the match officials simply give up trying to get things right. Marouane Chamakh's goal plus another breathtakingly poor performance from Lee Mason are enough to give Crystal Palace a 1-0 win at Selhurst.Park. A Stewart Downing equaliser is disallowed as Tomkins is penalised for having his shirt pulled by a defender. Mike Riley remains silent on the declining standards of refereeing in England, pausing only to pocket his six-figure salary. The Crystal Methodist shakes his head and rues being in the wrong business.
Hull City Owner Asssem Allam presses on with plans to rename the club Hull Tigers. His reaction to the chant "City Till I Die" is not particularly pleasant: "They can die s soon as they want" he rants. Nice.
After a long illness former South African President Nelson Mandela passes away. The papers are full of tributes from people who never met him but are keen to bask in some sort of reflected glory.
Things don't improve any as the traditional defeat at Anfield is again assisted by the traditional assistance given to the home side by referees. A frankly shocking challenge by local thug Flanagan on Downing puts the winger in hospital where he receives 23 stitches as a result of two pairs of studs going into the back of his calf. I suppose we ought to be thankful that ref Michael Oliver gave a free kick at all. A Skrtel og is our only consolation and things go from bad to worse as Nolan, who gets totally fed up with players coming through the back of him finally loses it and lunges at Henderson, whose injury requires no stitches at all but earns Nolan a red nonetheless. Inexcusable but understandable.
The so-called six-pointer at home to Sunderland is a game of such mind-boggling awfulness I actually fill up the later parts of my kumb.com match report with a picture of some kittens.
The Welsh town of Bangor is awarded the title of "Randiest In Britain" as it's revealed that its good citizens spend more per head (if that's the right word) on sex toys than anywhere else in the UK. Our owners are said to be not displeased.
A major scientific study shows there are physical differences between the structure of men's and women's brains. I would have inserted a gag here about explaining the offside law to the missus but we're not that sort of website. Apparently.
Still in amongst all the doom and gloom we can always rely on Spurs to give us a giggle. We go to White Hart Lane for the League Cup Quarter Final and perform the football equivalent of Muhammad Ali's rope-a-dope tactic. Adebayor's opener is cancelled out by Jarvis and, with the layer not having not scored for a year, Modibo Maiga's winning header is all the sweeter. The match means that supporters at this point in the season have seen us win more times at White Hart Lane than they have at the Boleyn.
Following an incident in September when someone broke into the Anfield training ground to threaten him, Steve Gerrard is assaulted getting out of his Range Rover near his home. One might almost suspect that Gerrard had gotten the wrong side of some bad people were it not for the fact that, as England captain he would never have got himself involved with any sort of criminal elements in the first place would he.
Having had a decent match in the League Cup QF, albeit only against Spurs,'keeper Adrian is retained for the trip to Man Utd where we go down 3-1. A rare home win for the ex-champions who, under David Moyes, are having an otherwise hilariously dreadful season.
Boxing day sees an improved performance as Carlton Cole puts us 1-0 up against Arsenal. Arsenal manage to run up 3 in reply, though the result flatters them somewhat.
It's revealed that James Tomkins has been arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer outside a Brentwood club, though the player's solicitors state that the charges will be vigorously contested.
Having been partly responsible for one of Arsenal's goals Adrian returns to the bench for the visit of West Brom. It's an eventful 90. Joe Cole puts us 1-0 up before Tomkins limps off injured. The arrival of Demmel as replacement leaves us with a back four populated entirely by full-backs. Anelka equalises but it's a goal that ultimately leads to his departure from the club, his goal celebrations containing a gesture that apparently has anti-semetic connotations. Anelka gives the visitors the lead after a wrongly-awarded corner (our old "friend" Mike Dean making sure he is the centre of attention again) to send us in 2-1 down at the interval. Sub Maiga equalises and sets up Nolan to give us a 3-2 lead that, of course, we fail to hang on to as Berinho equalises.
It's announced that Lord Lucan-a-like striker Mladen Petric has had his contract terminated. Having played just a few minutes before disappearing off the face of the earth through injury the club exercise a break clause at the earliest possible. "I'd have left anyway" claims the player, not entirely convincingly.
We do bring in a new striker, though at the age of 18 Peterborough's Jaanai Gordon is one for he future.
So we end the year second from bottom. We still have misfiring, injured and not quite ready strikers and poor refereeing has cost us more points than ever. 2014 has got to be better. Hasn't it?
January 2014
2014 isn't any better. We go 1-0 up on New Year's day at Fulham. Fulham equalise as Noble hobbles off injured. Nolan, just back from suspension after his sending off at Anfield kicks out petulantly at Amorbietta to earn himself another red. If his dismissal at Anfield was understandable if inexcusable, this one is just inexcusable. Lazy Bulgarian Berbatov nets the inevitable winner for the home side Happy New Year?
Given the lack of fit centre halves on the club's books Everton' Johnny Heitinga is on the shopping list until the player changes his mind due to a gut feeling. Heitinga eventually signs a six-month deal with Fulham. You must drop us a line to let us know how that went Johnny.
Given the parlous state of affairs in the league, the cups can usually be relied upon to provide a sot of light relief. Not this year though. In advance of the away trip to Forest in the 3rd round of the FA Cup, the manager paves the way for a severely weakened XI to take the field by warning that he has only 14 of the 25 man Premier League squad available for selection.
More sad news arrives from South Africa where Andy Malcolm has passed away in Port Elizabeth. Malcolm had been a key member of Ted Fenton's 1958 promotion-winning squad and after retirement had run pubs in Essex before retiring to RSA in 1986. RIP.
The manager's earlier warnings over the strength of the side to play Forest turn out to be no idle threat. We effectively withdraw from the Cup by fielding a side largely populated with youth team and development squad players. Forest run out 5-0 winners in front of a crowd that contains the better part of 3,000 Hammers who had shelled out good money in the mistaken belief that the first XI might have been involved.
The defensive numbers are bolstered by the arrival on loan of Wolves defender Roger Johnson. Johnson is out of favour at parent club Wolves, partly as a result of a contract containing wages reflecting the club's then Premier League status. Johnson's nickname of "Roger The Relegator" does not bode well. The manager promises to field a stronger XI out against Man City, claiming that we can beat them over the two legs of the League Cup Semi-Final. We promptly lose the first leg 6-0. There's as much sign of Allardyce at the post-match press conference as there is of our defence during the match that preceded it – namely, none at all.
Deals to sign Monaco striker Lacina Traore and/or Milan frontman Ishak Belfodil come to naught over the "paperwork" prompting one wag to suggest that reclassifying all potential immigrants as "professional footballers" would halve the queues at airport border points at a stroke.
The row over the awarding of the 2022 World Cup to Qatar rumbles on. FIFA are astonished to discover that the country to which they have awarded their premier tournament has an average summer temperature of 40 degrees (or, to those who think in proper units, 104 degrees Fahrenheit). It's almost as if the delegates had awarded the tournament to a totally unsuitable country in return for shedloads of cash. They wouldn't have, would they?
We venture abroad to Cardiff where the return of Tomkins allows us the luxury of fielding two central defenders in the centre of defence in the same match at the same time. Mostly. Two yellows for Tomkins means that this state of affairs does not survive the 90 minutes. However we gain a welcome three points with Carlton Cole and a late – and rare non-penalty - goal from Mark Noble. This gives us our sixth win on the trot against Cardiff, who are dubbed "The Welsh Tottehnam" as a result. The Noble goal is notable for the contribution of some chap called Andy Carroll who makes his first appearance of the season.
Those interested in weather stats note that it has barely stopped raining all month. A UKIP party member and councillor gets suspended for blaming the biblical levels of rainfall on the country's decision to legalise gay marriage. Apparently God is angry as a result. Quite what the rest of have done to anger God so that we get elected politicians who come out with such drivel is unknown.
Down under a resurgent Australia complete a 5-0 series whitewash over England to regain the Ashes. That gay marriage thing must really be bugging God big time. His mood is probably not improved by the news that former Hammer Thomas Hitzlsperger has announced that he is gay. Alternatively, and slightly more sanely, most people shrug their shoulders with the thought that should there be a God he might have more important things to be concerned with. Sepp Blatter considers asking the Qatari ruling family to make homosexuality compulsory for the duration of the 2022 Word Cup in the hope of annoying God enough to provide enough rainfall to cool things down to enable matches to take place.
Ravel Morrison continues to cause a stir. A mystery groin strain seems to be keeping him out of the squad, though his manager and backroom staff admit to being "baffled by the injury".
Only 14,000 or so people are in the Boleyn to see Man City complete the League Cup formalities with a 3-0 win. Fewer still probably bother to watch the match on the box.
The ever-reliable Mail website comes up with headline of the month as they inform us that "Nudists, bell ringers, noisy children and carol singers defeat Government attempt to outlaw annoying behaviour". Don't bother looking up the story – it's nowhere near as good as the one you're imagining based solely on the headline. Another candidate: "Honey Boo Boo Shows Off Cheerleading Moves With Help From Dad Sugar Bear Following Check Up For Injuries Sustained In Car Crash" is disqualified from the competition on the grounds that I haven't the faintest idea what any of those words mean.
We actually sign an actual striker. Marco Boriello arrives on loan to the end of the season from Roma. Just in time to sit on the bench and watch Carroll regain match fitness then.
Boriello is followed from Serie A by midfielder Antonio Nocerino, who arrives on another loan deal from Milan. Nocerino's surname translates as "little nut", which is recognised medical condition. I am told.
We go to Stamford Bridge and Adrian has a marvellous evening pulling off a number of fine saves as we grab a point from a 0-0 draw. Never being one to keep his gob shut even if he has nothing intelligent to say Jose Mourinho describes our tactics as "19th century football", ignoring the fact tat it's the same tactic as hs own side use in just about every Champions League match. Special One? Special Needs more like.
We finish the month third from bottom two points from safety but with Andy Carroll back and regaining fitness by the minute. Repeat after me: We will not go down. We will not go down.....
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West Ham now reportedly want €8m striker in permanent deal
HITC
Vincent Ralph
West Ham United have been linked with a move for Sporting Lisbon front-man Islam Slimani. West Ham United are interested in signing striker Islam Slimani in a permanent deal this summer according to reports. Portuguese newspaper O Jogo claims the Hammers held exploratory talks with Slimani's current club Sporting Lisbon back in December, when a potential loan move was mooted. And while that failed to materialise, the latest claim is that the London club will return with a bid that could see them sign the Algerian on a permanent basis. Slimani is currently on World Cup duty with his country, where he has so far appeared as a second-half substitute in Algeria's opening match against Belgium. But it is his form for his club side that may have caught the eye, as he helped Sporting to a second-place finish in the Primeira Liga last season. The 26-year-old scored eight league goals in 26 appearances and set up four more, and while that is not exactly headline-inducing form, he could add something to a Hammers front-line in desperate need of additions. The latest report claims West Ham know they will have to pay at least €8million for the player whose current contract runs until the summer of 2017. Hammers fans keen to see him in action may be watching Sunday's match between Algeria and South Korea hoping Slimani gets more than 25 minutes to show what he can do this time.
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Sam as "involved as ever" in transfer market
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on June 22, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Manager Sam Allardyce has as big a say as ever in the Hammers transfer wheeling and dealing. Early summer showdown talks have given way to a three way "business as usual" process between co-chairman David Sullivan, vice-chairman Karen Brady and the manager. It was the boss who was the driving force behind the move to grab Cheikhou Kouyaté from Anderlecht. And it's the Allardyce list of players which is being worked to as the club continues in its bid to strengthen in all areas. Widespread cynicism the board would be moving in on Allardyce territory has been firmly dispelled. Many fans took the view that Sullivan and Gold were ready to leave the manager with greatly diminished powers after insisting on an attacking coach, new head of recruitment and adopting a more hands-on approach to signings. But co chairman David Gold put the position very much in perspective when making the situation between the main players clear. He said: "We had a very frank talk about everything at the end of season review and it's well known the board are taking a closer look at incoming players. "But obviously the manager remains as involved as ever in everything that's happening – it couldn't be otherwise. "We'll all be very happy when the transfer window is closed and we have done our business. In the meantime, all of us are working very hard on bringing in the right players."
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West Ham hoping to beat Southampton to French left back Timothee Kolodziejczak
Kolodziejczak plays for Nice in Ligue 1
Southampton and QPR are interested in the £3m full-back
West Ham may also bid for Colombia right-back Eder Balanta
By SIMON JONES
PUBLISHED: 22:53, 22 June 2014 | UPDATED: 22:53, 22 June 2014
Daily Mail
West Ham are hoping for a breakthrough in talks with Nice over left-back Timothee Kolodziejczak. The 22-year-old has been trailed by Southampton and QPR but is keen on West Ham and they hope to conclude a deal for around £3m. Kolodziejczak has represented France at every youth level up to U-20s, and has played over 70 games for Nice in the past two seasons. West Ham are also considering Colombia defender Eder Balanta, 21, who plays for Argentinian side River Plate.
Everton, meanwhile, hope to pip West Ham to free agent Gareth Barry after offering the option of a third year on his contract.
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Irons seeking answers from 'big three'
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on June 22, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham are facing up to a dilemma involving three of their top players – Winston Reid, Ravel Morrison and Mo Diame. The club are deeply conscious that all three are currently in the last year of their contracts and could leave for nothing next summer. And whilst the pressure is on the club to sign top talent, they also needs to solve a situation which could see the club miss out on any profit for the trio should contract talks break down. Reid was signed in 2010 for around £2 million from Danish outfit FC Midtjylland whilst Morrison arrived for £850,000 from Manchester United and Diame on a free from Wigan Athletic.
Talks with Reid – whose advisory team are reported to want around £75k a week personal terms for their client- will get underway over the next couple of weeks whilst as reported on ClaretandHugh last week, a Morrison meeting is being lined up within the next 10 days.
And should neither come to an agreement with the club they are set to be put up for sale with a £7 million price tag on Reid's head and £5 million on Morrison's. Diame – who could link up in midfield with Sengalese team-mate Cheikhou Kouyate this season – still has the £3.5 million release clause in his current deal. A source told ClaretandHugh: "Obviously we will be in talks with all three players and until their attitudes become clear it's very difficult to say where we will go with it. "But if we find that the players want to let their contracts run down we would have little option but to put them on the market. "However, we are nowhere near that scenario at this stage – there is a lot of talking to be done."
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WHUFC.com
Matt Jarvis scored in the Capital One Cup victory over Spurs last season and wants another on 16 August!
22.06.2014
Matt Jarvis played a key role in helping secure West Ham United's famous treble against Tottenham Hotspur last season and cannot wait to try and make it four wins in a row against the north Londoners when they lock horns on the opening day of the Barclays Premier League season. The fixture computer paired the Hammers with Spurs in a mouthwatering Boleyn Ground derby and Jarvis says Sam Allardyce's men could not have asked for a more appealing start to the campaign. He said: "Tottenham at home for the first game is one we can all look forward to. We enjoyed great wins over them last season. I am sure our fans will be excited and the pressure is on us to deliver another good result of course! "It will be a tough game, Tottenham will be looking, as we all are, to make that positive start to a new season and set about their targets and as we know it's a London derby, but a great game to begin the new campaign. "We had a terrific atmosphere at our ground for this match last season and I know our fans will be out in force again to get behind us so we can work towards making the best start possible. "The aim is to make a solid start if we can and get some points in the bag early on, to give you that little platform to build on. We will be confident for every game but also know that we will have to be on the front foot and work hard to achieve the results we want. "I am looking forward to the start of what we hope will be a successful season for us all at West Ham."
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International action for young Hammer
WHUFC.com
Academy player Louis Yuill played his part in a UEFA Development Tournament for Scotland recently
22.06.2014
Young Hammer Louis Yuill was given a taste of the international stage recently when he represented Scotland U16 in a UEFA Development Tournament in Bosnia-Herzegovina. The young Scots were the strongest nation at the tournament, opening with a 3-3 draw against the host nation, before defeating Azerbaijan 3-1 and Montenegro 1-0. Yuill was involved in the victory against Azerbaijan, playing the eighty minutes as Scotland recoved the blow of losing a first half lead to go on and win comfortably. The tournament served as preparation for the 2014/15 UEFA U17 Championship campaign, which begins with a qualifying round against Republic of Ireland, Gibraltar and the Faroe Islands in September. Yuill will be sure to take plenty from the experience, and will hope to be involved when the next set of qualifiers come around.
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West Ham United at the World Cup - '06
Shaka Hislop was the West Ham United's sole representative at the 2006 FIFA World Cup
22.06.2014
West Ham United were represented by one player at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, Trinidad & Tobago goalkeeper Shaka Hislop. The then-37-year-old was fresh from the Hammers' first season back in the Premier League and had helped the Club reach the FA Cup final. Come the end of the season, his attentions turned to Trinidad's first World Cup campaign, and the Caribbean nation left wih their heads held high after three battling performances. Hislop was a late call-up for the opening game, replacing Kelvin Jack for the clash with Sweden after Jack suffered a calf injury in the warm-up. The game ended 0-0 with Hislop keeping a clean sheet and he retained his place for the meeting with England next up. It looked for a long time that Hislop would again play his part in frustrating the fancied nation, as the 84th minute arrived with the score still 0-0. But Peter Crouch and Steven Gerrard found the net to give England a 2-0 victory in what turned out to be Hislop's 26th and final international cap. Jack was back between the posts for the final group game, as Paraguay proved just too strong to send Trinidad & Tobago to a 2-0 defeat. Hislop, who had two spells in claret and blue, moved on to Dallas FC at the end of the tournament, where he made ten MLS appearances before retirement.
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ANOTHER STRIKER TRANSFER TARGET EMERGES AT LONG LAST - ISLAM SLIMANI!
By S J Chandos 22 Jun 2014 at 18:00
West Ham Till I Die
Reports have emerged today linking West Ham with a c.£6.5m transfer move for Sporting Lisbon striker, Islam Slimani. The original news story stems from the Portugese press, who have observed that West Ham made an abortive attempt to sign Slimani in last January's transfer window and are now continuing their pursuit of the player. In January, the failed move took the format of an inital loan deal, with the option of a permanent move thereafter. This summer, West Ham may well 'bite the bullet' financially and seek to land the 26 year old Algerian international in a permanent deal.
Slimani is currently on international duty, at the World Cup in Brazil, with the Algerian Squad. So far he has made a second half substitutes appearance in the match vs Belgium. We may get another glimpse of him in World Cup action this evening vs South Korea. At club level, his 8 goals and 4 assists in 26 appearances helped Sporting Lisbon to a creditable 2nd place finish in the Portugeses league. However, there is unlikely to be much room for negotiation on the fee, with Slimani contracted to Sporting Lisbon until 2017. Its a matter of whether the player offers something different that we do not currently have in the squad and that justifies paying the c.£6.5m fee.
Elsewhere, it has been widely reported that Turkish club, Fenerbance, have offered the Hammers the chance to sign former Chelsea and Liverpool miderfielder, Raul Meireles, for a nominal c.£2.5m fee. However, the sticking point is likely to be his wages, which are substantial. As such, it may be doubtful that this deal will come to fruitation. Although if it did, by some chance, Meireles, would certainly bring a bit of lost 'character' back to Upton Park!
Oh well, that's the latest West Ham transfer rumours, lets see who we are linked with tomorrow!!
SJ. Chandos
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ARE WEST HAM PLOTTING A £6M TRANSFER SWOOP FOR EDER BALANTA?
By S J Chandos 22 Jun 2014 at 12:31
West Ham till I Die
According to today's Sunday People, West Ham are plotting a transfer swoop for River Plate's young Colombian World Cup star, Eder Balanta. The story suggests that the Hammers scouts at Brazil 2014 are monitoring the performances of the 21 year old prospect, ahead of a £6million bid. The report also makes the point that Balanta only made his international debut for Colombia in March and so may not yet be on the the scouting/recruitment radar of many of the big Premier Legaue and European outfits. However, it seems that the Hammers have been aware of his ability for some time and they will try to follow through by striking a deal as soon as the Colombian national side have exited the World Cup.
There is no doubting the extent to which Balanta is highly rated within South American football circles. Indeed, River Plate's former coach, Ramón Díaz has gone as far as to compare the Colombian youngster's talents to that of legendary Argentine centre-back and captain, Daniel Passarella. While he has also apparently impressed FIFA, whose official website describes the centre-back in the following glowing terms:
'left-footed, powerfully built, strong in the air and a fearless tackler … blessed with skill and speed'
So, if this story is true, it seems that West Ham are endeavouring to pull off a transfer coup by signing an outstanding prospect from under the noses of the PL and European big guns. Can they do it? You might conclude that the odds are heavily stacked against them, but if the reports of his playing attributes are accurate, then you can neither fault West Ham's nerve nor their ambition! If they manage to pull off the coup, Balanta will be another exciting addition to the squad, following on from the excellent signings of Zarate and Kouyate.
However, It should perhaps be duly noted that River Plate Vice President, Omar Solassai, has recently valued the player at a lot more than £6m and linked him with a possible futuire move to Spanish giants, Barca: Solassai stated that:
'Balanta is worth €15 million; he is a great player with a great future. I think that Balanta would be liked by Tata Martino, as it would not seem odd to me if Barca are interested in him. He is a player that will come good whichever team he plays for. Balanta is not like Mascherano nor like Pique; he is a different sort of player with more presence. He is a strong defender, is good on the ball and knows how to play going forward.'
Does that throw the ultimate cold water on the proposed West Ham link? We shall see?
SJ. Chandos.
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That Was The Season That Was 2013-14 - Part Three
KUMb.com
Filed: Sunday, 22nd June 2014
By: Gordon Thrower
The latest in Gordon Thrower's look back at last season covers the end of 2013 and the start of 2014. Yes it includes the mandatory win over Spurs but you may want to cover your eyes when we get to January. We did......
November 2013
The month opens with the news that club Honorary Life resident Terence "Terry" Brown has put in £1m of his own money into the club, the club being Sheffield Wednesday. The deal arises as a result of Brown's friendship with Milan Mandaric, who, you will recall was acquitted of tax evasion charges alongside Henry Redknapp. The news goes down well with long-suffering Hammers mindful of a perceived lack of investment by Brown during his tenure as chairman.
Scientists, possibly in a newspaper space filing exercise, claim that octopuses are highly intelligent and it's them we need to worry about in an uprising rather than apes. Although it's fair to say that cephalopods are already able to outsmart the average Millwall supporter and already have the same amount of backbone as the average referee, it's also fair to say that you can delete the word "possibly" from the first sentence of this paragraph.
Back in the equally mad world of football the 4-6-0 formation gets another airing at home against Villa. The total number of goals scored in the match matches the number of strikers we field, namely, nil, as a dull match finishes goalless. We go up a place to 14th as a result.
Jermain Defoe apologises for the manner of his departure from the club in 2003. "I was badly advised but made a terrible mistake". Rumours that Paul Ince might apologise for taking illegal instruction from Alex Ferguson all those years ago are of course ludicrous – it takes a man to admit guilt.
More fun up in Geordieland as the Supporters Trust are offered a permanent seat on the club's fan forum. They attend a meeting, publish the minutes and are then told that there seat has been withdrawn, presumably the decision being taken when someone finally informs Joe Kinnear of the meaning of the word permanent.
Three men accused of tapping into Karren Brady's 'phone messages on behalf of (but not at the behest of our lawyers remind us) of Tottenham Hotspur as part of their attempts to scupper the Olympic Stadium move are found guilty. I review my records and find that a Spurs website has tapped into my own messages. Three supporters are later found to have died of boredom as a result.
Former Co-Op bank chairman Paul Flowers is caught buying "recreational pharmaceuticals." In a nod to his role as a church minister the newspaper wags dub him "The Crystal Methodist" which is quite good for them. The revelations follow his appearance before a Treasury Select Committee in which his ignorance of the Bank's finances is alarming. Now we know why.
We outplay Norwich city at Carrow Road in the first half of our match up there but take only a 1-0 lead into the interval. More incompetent refereeing from Jonathan Moss whose errors have made a significant difference to every game he has "controlled" this season hands the match to Norwich on a plate as Jaaskalainen is penalised for a foul on a clearly diving Hooper, having been barged out of the way by Snodgrass. A second set piece goal after another joke of a decision and a late counter attack see us cheated out of points 3-1.
The injury woes continue as Winston Reid damages an ankle in training. It's a long-termer for which the projected absence is counted in months rather than days.
More refereeing woes as Spurs' favourite cyclist Chris Foy falls for an embarrassment of a dive from Oscar in the home match against Chelsea. Fat Boy despatches the penalty as usual and later adds a second as Chelsea take full advantage of the leg-up given by yet another unpunished spot of incompetency from the officials to win 3-0.
Notably, when we finally get a referee who isn't incompetent we return to winning ways with a 3-0 win over Fulham who sack Martin Jol 24 hours later. Maiga, Cole C. and Cole J. are on target against opponents best described as "woeful". Jol barely survives 24 hours before getting the sack.
Nigella Lawson's former personal assistants go on trial accused of theft. During the trial it transpires that Ms Lawson has been no stranger to the odd intake recreational pharmaceutical herself. Lawson finds herself on a shortlist with the Crystal Methodist for a future episode of Come Dine With Me.
December 2013
All hopes that a new month might see some sort of improvement in the form of referees are dashed as the match officials simply give up trying to get things right. Marouane Chamakh's goal plus another breathtakingly poor performance from Lee Mason are enough to give Crystal Palace a 1-0 win at Selhurst.Park. A Stewart Downing equaliser is disallowed as Tomkins is penalised for having his shirt pulled by a defender. Mike Riley remains silent on the declining standards of refereeing in England, pausing only to pocket his six-figure salary. The Crystal Methodist shakes his head and rues being in the wrong business.
Hull City Owner Asssem Allam presses on with plans to rename the club Hull Tigers. His reaction to the chant "City Till I Die" is not particularly pleasant: "They can die s soon as they want" he rants. Nice.
After a long illness former South African President Nelson Mandela passes away. The papers are full of tributes from people who never met him but are keen to bask in some sort of reflected glory.
Things don't improve any as the traditional defeat at Anfield is again assisted by the traditional assistance given to the home side by referees. A frankly shocking challenge by local thug Flanagan on Downing puts the winger in hospital where he receives 23 stitches as a result of two pairs of studs going into the back of his calf. I suppose we ought to be thankful that ref Michael Oliver gave a free kick at all. A Skrtel og is our only consolation and things go from bad to worse as Nolan, who gets totally fed up with players coming through the back of him finally loses it and lunges at Henderson, whose injury requires no stitches at all but earns Nolan a red nonetheless. Inexcusable but understandable.
The so-called six-pointer at home to Sunderland is a game of such mind-boggling awfulness I actually fill up the later parts of my kumb.com match report with a picture of some kittens.
The Welsh town of Bangor is awarded the title of "Randiest In Britain" as it's revealed that its good citizens spend more per head (if that's the right word) on sex toys than anywhere else in the UK. Our owners are said to be not displeased.
A major scientific study shows there are physical differences between the structure of men's and women's brains. I would have inserted a gag here about explaining the offside law to the missus but we're not that sort of website. Apparently.
Still in amongst all the doom and gloom we can always rely on Spurs to give us a giggle. We go to White Hart Lane for the League Cup Quarter Final and perform the football equivalent of Muhammad Ali's rope-a-dope tactic. Adebayor's opener is cancelled out by Jarvis and, with the layer not having not scored for a year, Modibo Maiga's winning header is all the sweeter. The match means that supporters at this point in the season have seen us win more times at White Hart Lane than they have at the Boleyn.
Following an incident in September when someone broke into the Anfield training ground to threaten him, Steve Gerrard is assaulted getting out of his Range Rover near his home. One might almost suspect that Gerrard had gotten the wrong side of some bad people were it not for the fact that, as England captain he would never have got himself involved with any sort of criminal elements in the first place would he.
Having had a decent match in the League Cup QF, albeit only against Spurs,'keeper Adrian is retained for the trip to Man Utd where we go down 3-1. A rare home win for the ex-champions who, under David Moyes, are having an otherwise hilariously dreadful season.
Boxing day sees an improved performance as Carlton Cole puts us 1-0 up against Arsenal. Arsenal manage to run up 3 in reply, though the result flatters them somewhat.
It's revealed that James Tomkins has been arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer outside a Brentwood club, though the player's solicitors state that the charges will be vigorously contested.
Having been partly responsible for one of Arsenal's goals Adrian returns to the bench for the visit of West Brom. It's an eventful 90. Joe Cole puts us 1-0 up before Tomkins limps off injured. The arrival of Demmel as replacement leaves us with a back four populated entirely by full-backs. Anelka equalises but it's a goal that ultimately leads to his departure from the club, his goal celebrations containing a gesture that apparently has anti-semetic connotations. Anelka gives the visitors the lead after a wrongly-awarded corner (our old "friend" Mike Dean making sure he is the centre of attention again) to send us in 2-1 down at the interval. Sub Maiga equalises and sets up Nolan to give us a 3-2 lead that, of course, we fail to hang on to as Berinho equalises.
It's announced that Lord Lucan-a-like striker Mladen Petric has had his contract terminated. Having played just a few minutes before disappearing off the face of the earth through injury the club exercise a break clause at the earliest possible. "I'd have left anyway" claims the player, not entirely convincingly.
We do bring in a new striker, though at the age of 18 Peterborough's Jaanai Gordon is one for he future.
So we end the year second from bottom. We still have misfiring, injured and not quite ready strikers and poor refereeing has cost us more points than ever. 2014 has got to be better. Hasn't it?
January 2014
2014 isn't any better. We go 1-0 up on New Year's day at Fulham. Fulham equalise as Noble hobbles off injured. Nolan, just back from suspension after his sending off at Anfield kicks out petulantly at Amorbietta to earn himself another red. If his dismissal at Anfield was understandable if inexcusable, this one is just inexcusable. Lazy Bulgarian Berbatov nets the inevitable winner for the home side Happy New Year?
Given the lack of fit centre halves on the club's books Everton' Johnny Heitinga is on the shopping list until the player changes his mind due to a gut feeling. Heitinga eventually signs a six-month deal with Fulham. You must drop us a line to let us know how that went Johnny.
Given the parlous state of affairs in the league, the cups can usually be relied upon to provide a sot of light relief. Not this year though. In advance of the away trip to Forest in the 3rd round of the FA Cup, the manager paves the way for a severely weakened XI to take the field by warning that he has only 14 of the 25 man Premier League squad available for selection.
More sad news arrives from South Africa where Andy Malcolm has passed away in Port Elizabeth. Malcolm had been a key member of Ted Fenton's 1958 promotion-winning squad and after retirement had run pubs in Essex before retiring to RSA in 1986. RIP.
The manager's earlier warnings over the strength of the side to play Forest turn out to be no idle threat. We effectively withdraw from the Cup by fielding a side largely populated with youth team and development squad players. Forest run out 5-0 winners in front of a crowd that contains the better part of 3,000 Hammers who had shelled out good money in the mistaken belief that the first XI might have been involved.
The defensive numbers are bolstered by the arrival on loan of Wolves defender Roger Johnson. Johnson is out of favour at parent club Wolves, partly as a result of a contract containing wages reflecting the club's then Premier League status. Johnson's nickname of "Roger The Relegator" does not bode well. The manager promises to field a stronger XI out against Man City, claiming that we can beat them over the two legs of the League Cup Semi-Final. We promptly lose the first leg 6-0. There's as much sign of Allardyce at the post-match press conference as there is of our defence during the match that preceded it – namely, none at all.
Deals to sign Monaco striker Lacina Traore and/or Milan frontman Ishak Belfodil come to naught over the "paperwork" prompting one wag to suggest that reclassifying all potential immigrants as "professional footballers" would halve the queues at airport border points at a stroke.
The row over the awarding of the 2022 World Cup to Qatar rumbles on. FIFA are astonished to discover that the country to which they have awarded their premier tournament has an average summer temperature of 40 degrees (or, to those who think in proper units, 104 degrees Fahrenheit). It's almost as if the delegates had awarded the tournament to a totally unsuitable country in return for shedloads of cash. They wouldn't have, would they?
We venture abroad to Cardiff where the return of Tomkins allows us the luxury of fielding two central defenders in the centre of defence in the same match at the same time. Mostly. Two yellows for Tomkins means that this state of affairs does not survive the 90 minutes. However we gain a welcome three points with Carlton Cole and a late – and rare non-penalty - goal from Mark Noble. This gives us our sixth win on the trot against Cardiff, who are dubbed "The Welsh Tottehnam" as a result. The Noble goal is notable for the contribution of some chap called Andy Carroll who makes his first appearance of the season.
Those interested in weather stats note that it has barely stopped raining all month. A UKIP party member and councillor gets suspended for blaming the biblical levels of rainfall on the country's decision to legalise gay marriage. Apparently God is angry as a result. Quite what the rest of have done to anger God so that we get elected politicians who come out with such drivel is unknown.
Down under a resurgent Australia complete a 5-0 series whitewash over England to regain the Ashes. That gay marriage thing must really be bugging God big time. His mood is probably not improved by the news that former Hammer Thomas Hitzlsperger has announced that he is gay. Alternatively, and slightly more sanely, most people shrug their shoulders with the thought that should there be a God he might have more important things to be concerned with. Sepp Blatter considers asking the Qatari ruling family to make homosexuality compulsory for the duration of the 2022 Word Cup in the hope of annoying God enough to provide enough rainfall to cool things down to enable matches to take place.
Ravel Morrison continues to cause a stir. A mystery groin strain seems to be keeping him out of the squad, though his manager and backroom staff admit to being "baffled by the injury".
Only 14,000 or so people are in the Boleyn to see Man City complete the League Cup formalities with a 3-0 win. Fewer still probably bother to watch the match on the box.
The ever-reliable Mail website comes up with headline of the month as they inform us that "Nudists, bell ringers, noisy children and carol singers defeat Government attempt to outlaw annoying behaviour". Don't bother looking up the story – it's nowhere near as good as the one you're imagining based solely on the headline. Another candidate: "Honey Boo Boo Shows Off Cheerleading Moves With Help From Dad Sugar Bear Following Check Up For Injuries Sustained In Car Crash" is disqualified from the competition on the grounds that I haven't the faintest idea what any of those words mean.
We actually sign an actual striker. Marco Boriello arrives on loan to the end of the season from Roma. Just in time to sit on the bench and watch Carroll regain match fitness then.
Boriello is followed from Serie A by midfielder Antonio Nocerino, who arrives on another loan deal from Milan. Nocerino's surname translates as "little nut", which is recognised medical condition. I am told.
We go to Stamford Bridge and Adrian has a marvellous evening pulling off a number of fine saves as we grab a point from a 0-0 draw. Never being one to keep his gob shut even if he has nothing intelligent to say Jose Mourinho describes our tactics as "19th century football", ignoring the fact tat it's the same tactic as hs own side use in just about every Champions League match. Special One? Special Needs more like.
We finish the month third from bottom two points from safety but with Andy Carroll back and regaining fitness by the minute. Repeat after me: We will not go down. We will not go down.....
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West Ham now reportedly want €8m striker in permanent deal
HITC
Vincent Ralph
West Ham United have been linked with a move for Sporting Lisbon front-man Islam Slimani. West Ham United are interested in signing striker Islam Slimani in a permanent deal this summer according to reports. Portuguese newspaper O Jogo claims the Hammers held exploratory talks with Slimani's current club Sporting Lisbon back in December, when a potential loan move was mooted. And while that failed to materialise, the latest claim is that the London club will return with a bid that could see them sign the Algerian on a permanent basis. Slimani is currently on World Cup duty with his country, where he has so far appeared as a second-half substitute in Algeria's opening match against Belgium. But it is his form for his club side that may have caught the eye, as he helped Sporting to a second-place finish in the Primeira Liga last season. The 26-year-old scored eight league goals in 26 appearances and set up four more, and while that is not exactly headline-inducing form, he could add something to a Hammers front-line in desperate need of additions. The latest report claims West Ham know they will have to pay at least €8million for the player whose current contract runs until the summer of 2017. Hammers fans keen to see him in action may be watching Sunday's match between Algeria and South Korea hoping Slimani gets more than 25 minutes to show what he can do this time.
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Sam as "involved as ever" in transfer market
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on June 22, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Manager Sam Allardyce has as big a say as ever in the Hammers transfer wheeling and dealing. Early summer showdown talks have given way to a three way "business as usual" process between co-chairman David Sullivan, vice-chairman Karen Brady and the manager. It was the boss who was the driving force behind the move to grab Cheikhou Kouyaté from Anderlecht. And it's the Allardyce list of players which is being worked to as the club continues in its bid to strengthen in all areas. Widespread cynicism the board would be moving in on Allardyce territory has been firmly dispelled. Many fans took the view that Sullivan and Gold were ready to leave the manager with greatly diminished powers after insisting on an attacking coach, new head of recruitment and adopting a more hands-on approach to signings. But co chairman David Gold put the position very much in perspective when making the situation between the main players clear. He said: "We had a very frank talk about everything at the end of season review and it's well known the board are taking a closer look at incoming players. "But obviously the manager remains as involved as ever in everything that's happening – it couldn't be otherwise. "We'll all be very happy when the transfer window is closed and we have done our business. In the meantime, all of us are working very hard on bringing in the right players."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham hoping to beat Southampton to French left back Timothee Kolodziejczak
Kolodziejczak plays for Nice in Ligue 1
Southampton and QPR are interested in the £3m full-back
West Ham may also bid for Colombia right-back Eder Balanta
By SIMON JONES
PUBLISHED: 22:53, 22 June 2014 | UPDATED: 22:53, 22 June 2014
Daily Mail
West Ham are hoping for a breakthrough in talks with Nice over left-back Timothee Kolodziejczak. The 22-year-old has been trailed by Southampton and QPR but is keen on West Ham and they hope to conclude a deal for around £3m. Kolodziejczak has represented France at every youth level up to U-20s, and has played over 70 games for Nice in the past two seasons. West Ham are also considering Colombia defender Eder Balanta, 21, who plays for Argentinian side River Plate.
Everton, meanwhile, hope to pip West Ham to free agent Gareth Barry after offering the option of a third year on his contract.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Irons seeking answers from 'big three'
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on June 22, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham are facing up to a dilemma involving three of their top players – Winston Reid, Ravel Morrison and Mo Diame. The club are deeply conscious that all three are currently in the last year of their contracts and could leave for nothing next summer. And whilst the pressure is on the club to sign top talent, they also needs to solve a situation which could see the club miss out on any profit for the trio should contract talks break down. Reid was signed in 2010 for around £2 million from Danish outfit FC Midtjylland whilst Morrison arrived for £850,000 from Manchester United and Diame on a free from Wigan Athletic.
Talks with Reid – whose advisory team are reported to want around £75k a week personal terms for their client- will get underway over the next couple of weeks whilst as reported on ClaretandHugh last week, a Morrison meeting is being lined up within the next 10 days.
And should neither come to an agreement with the club they are set to be put up for sale with a £7 million price tag on Reid's head and £5 million on Morrison's. Diame – who could link up in midfield with Sengalese team-mate Cheikhou Kouyate this season – still has the £3.5 million release clause in his current deal. A source told ClaretandHugh: "Obviously we will be in talks with all three players and until their attitudes become clear it's very difficult to say where we will go with it. "But if we find that the players want to let their contracts run down we would have little option but to put them on the market. "However, we are nowhere near that scenario at this stage – there is a lot of talking to be done."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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Sunday, June 22
Daily WHUFC News - 22nd June 2014
On this day - 22 June
WHUFC.com
A West Ham United player helped Mexico take a step towards their
continential title two years ago
22.06.2014
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
three 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.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Reidy relishing return home
WHUFC.com
Winston Reid is looking forward to showing his West Ham United around his
home country of New Zealand
21.06.2014
Winston Reid is looking forward to showing his West Ham United around his
home country of New Zealand this summer. The Hammers travel to Reid's
homeland for the Football United Tour in July, spending eight days in the
country, during which they will face Wellington Phoenix at Eden Park,
Auckland on Wednesday 23 July and Sydney FC at Westpac Stadium in Wellington
on Saturday 26 July*. The New Zealand national team captain is naturally
excited to be heading to the southwestern Pacific Ocean nation with his
club-mates and is looking forward to putting on a show for his fellow
countrymen. "The plane is going to be a little more crowded than it usually
is!" said the centre-back, who was born in the Auckland suburb of North
Shore and played junior football for Milford School and local club Takapuna
AFC. "First and foremost, it's going to be good for the public down there to
see a couple of good quality teams, while I think it will be good for our
squad as well to get out of our normal environment. We're travelling a
little bit further abroad than usual and it will be good for the lads to see
a country they would perhaps never go to otherwise. "It is a long, long way
away on a plane, but when the players get there they will enjoy themselves."
West Ham's clash with A-League side Wellington Phoenix will take place in
Reid's native city of Auckland, with the match being played at Eden Park -
New Zealand's largest stadium with a capacity of 50,000. It will then be
onto the 34,500-capacity Westpac Stadium in Wellington, where Reid appeared
for the All Whites in an international friendly with Paraguay in 2010, and a
meeting with A-League challengers Sydney FC.
For Reid, the prospect of pulling on his Claret and Blue shirt in such
familiar surroundings is one to be relished. With excitement growing in New
Zealand ahead of the Hammers' visit, the No2 has encouraged his fellow
Kiwis to turn out in their thousands to watch the Hammers in action. "New
Zealand is a sporting nation. They like their sport down there so I am sure,
if things are done correctly, we will get a good crowd down there and
hopefully we will put on a good show when we get there. "I think the most
important thing is that it is our pre-season, so we will just have to get
our work done. We know we will be working hard down there and doing our best
to get fit and ready for the new season."
While pre-season training and matches will of course take up the vast
majority of the Hammers' time and energy while they are in New Zealand, Reid
is hoping to be able to show his team-mates - and West Ham supporters - the
sights and sounds of one of the world's most-beautiful countries. So, what
will Reid be encouraging them to do during their visit? "That's a good
question! If you are travelling that far abroad, I think you've got to see
some different things. The nature there is really nice and there are lots of
activities and sports which you can do outside. "In general the public are
very friendly so, all in all, if you are going down there then bring a
smile, I guess!"
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Potts eyes first team action
WHUFC.com
Dan Potts wants to follow in the footsteps of the Hammers' Academy graduates
this season
21.06.2014
Dan Potts has his eyes on more first team action in 2014/15 after putting
pen-to-paper on a new deal with the Club. The 20-year-old defender has made
12 first team appearances for the Hammers since making his debut in 2011,
but now sees this as his time to push on. With Mark Noble and James Tomkins
firmly established in the first team, Potts has the perfect examples to
follow and he says their experience is a vital tool for him to use. "I
definitely take inspiration from those players who have come through the
ranks to become established in the first team," he explained. "Nobes and
Tonks especially proved last year how good they are. "They've done it,
they've come through the Academy and are regular Premier League players.
Last year they were two of our best players and you can only be inspired by
that. "We've got an experienced bunch of players and when you're around them
you pick up little things - as a young player you can only learn, get better
and grow as a player."
Potts made just two senior appearances in claret and blue last season, but
turned out on six occasions during a loan spell at Portsmouth - a spell that
he says helped him learn about the rigours of first team football. He added:
"I want to be pushing on and playing first team football this season, so
hopefully I can and hopefully I will. "When I went on loan to Portsmouth
last year, I definitely reaped the benefits from playing in front of crowds,
in a first team environment with older players. "It benefitted me as a
player and more first team football is definitely the aim."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
WILL THE HAMMERS SIGN MARCO PAROLO AND ARE SCHALKE INTERESTED IN WINSTON
REID?
By S J Chandos 21 Jun 2014 at 17:00
West Ham Till I Die
Various Italian media outlets have recently reported that West Ham have
joined the race to sign Parma midfielder Marco Parolo. The 29-year-old
Italian is presently with the national team at the World Cup Finals and that
inevitably means any transfer move cannot be progressed until his return
from Brazil. Parma initially set an asking price of c.£7m, but may attempt
to generate an auction if interest increases as a result of his World Cup
performances. The Hammers are looking to steal a march on Lazio, who are
reportedly unwilling to meet Parma's likely current transfer valuation.
Parolo made 36 appearances in Serie A last season and WHTID readers may have
noticed that he made a second half substitutes appearance in the England Vs
Italy match last Saturday.
It is hardly a surprise that West Ham are seeking to strengthen central
midfield with the recent exit of Jole Cole, Jack Collison and Matt Taylor;
plus the continuing uncertainty over the futures of Ravel Morrison and Mo
Diame. Will this be a good potential signing? Well, he has a pedigree, but
as we saw last season, with Antonio Nocerino, not all players easily make
the transition from Serie A to Premier League. If there is serious West Ham
interest then we need to hope that he does not perform too well for Italy at
the World Cup or the asking price could rise steeply.
Elsewhere, there have been one or two recent reports that German club,
Schalke, may be lining up a bid for Winston Reid. Apparently, they are
looking to strengthen their central defence and have drawn up a list of
possible PL based signings. And they will be acutely aware that Reid is
entering the final year of his current contract and this could very well be
reflected in the asking price for his services. Whether they will meet
Reid's reported wage demands of c.£75,000 a week is another matter.
It would be good to see the club move swiftly to seal new deals for Winston
Reid and Ravel Morrison. Both players can play key roles in moving West Ham
forward over the next few seasons. Reid is a bulwark in central defence and
Morrison has all the skills/technique necessary to develop in to a top
quality attacking midfielder. I would also welcome a new deal for Mo Diame,
if he buckles down and commits to the project at West Ham. Unfortunately,
Diame is also entering the final year of his current deal and, in those
specific circumstances, it is virtually guaranteed that no one will invoke
the £3.5m release clause. Far more likely, the player will run down his
contract and this will result in a Bosman move next summer. If Diame does
not agree a new contract this pre-season, then that is arguably the most
likely scenerio.
SJ. Chandos.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
FORMER BOLTON AND REAL MADRID LEFT BACK IS TARGETED
By Sean Whetstone 21 Jun 2014 at 12:43
West Ham Till I Die
Former Bolton and Real Madrid defender Marcos Alonso wants to leave
Fiorentina to rejoin the premier league. West Ham are competing with Swansea
and Sunderland to sign him on a permanent deal. He is thought to have been
added to West Ham's ever expanding list of left back targets which include
Raphaël Guerreiro, Urby Emanuelson Martin Olssen and Timothee Kolodziejczak
A transfer fee of £1.5m doesn't seem to be the issue but his wage demands
might be. It was claimed he earned £40k per week at Bolton and is rumoured
to have received a pay rise in his move to Fiorentina.They loaned him out
last season to Sunderland and his demands are thought to be in excess of
£40k per week.
Born in Madrid, Alonso joined Real Madrid's youth academy at nine years old,
going on to appear for every youth side in the following years,
In 2009 Alonso was first summoned by the first team – coached by Manuel
Pellegrini – for a La Liga match at Valencia CF although he didn't play. His
debut arrived on in 2010 as he replaced Gonzalo Higuaín in the 90th minute
of the side's 2–0 away win against Racing de Santander. This was his only
and very brief appearance for Real Madrid first team. Alonso joined Bolton
Wanderers in 2010 for a fee around £2m. In May 2013, Alonso signed for
Italian side ACF Fiorentina on a three-year deal, despite being offered a
new contract by Bolton manager Dougie Freedman. In December 2013, after the
player had made nine official appearances for Fiorentina Sunderland
announced that he would join them on 1at January 2014, on loan until the end
of the season.Alonso played his first game with the Black Cats on 7th
January 2014, featuring the full 90 minutes in a 2–1 home win over
Manchester United for the League Cup semifinals' first leg and was given the
Man of the match award by Sky Sports
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham plot transfer of Colombian Eder Balanta from River Plate
Jun 21, 2014 23:00 By Alan Nixon
The young defender is being watched by a number of European clubs after only
making his senior debut last year
The Mirror
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce is chasing Colombian World Cup star Eder
Balanta, writes Alan Nixon in the Sunday People. Hammers have sent top spies
to Brazil to check out the 21-year-old defender ahead of a possible
£6million bid. Balanta, who plays in Argentina for River Plate, is tipped to
make a move to Europe after the tournament. And Hammers intend to be first
in the queue to land him. Balanta made his debut for Colombia as recently as
March and has only a handful of international caps so is still operating
largely under the radar of Premier League clubs. But West Ham have been on
his trail for some time and will try to do a deal once the South Americans
are out of the World Cup.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Irons 50 players a day "nightmare"
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on June 21, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham are being offered up to 50 players a day by agents looking to cash
in on the summer transfer window . The club has been linked with various
players almost every day since the summer window opened with agents aware
the club wants to bring in another three or four players. Co owner David
Sullivan has admitted that's the aim co owner David Gold told ClaretandHugh:
"It's a torturous time of the year. "We just want to get our business done
and close the door. It's never easy and every day we are wading through any
amount of player offers – sometimes as many as 50. It becomes a real
nightmare."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammer-in-waiting Henry's six month hell
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on June 21, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Sunderland's decision to ensure that chief scout – and Hammers head of
Recruitment-in waiting, Tony Henry- serves out a six month notice period is
normal, understandable… but intensely irritating to all Hammers!
ClaretandHugh revealed yesterday that Henry would be unable to take up his
new Upton Park role until November after resigning from Sunderland. We can
understand that the long wait will be hell for Henry but he's a top face in
the game and it's well worth us all sweating it out! As is the case in any
competitive business where deals are being done and some are in the
pipeline, the firm – or in this case – club concerned has the right to
protect its interests under a six month notice period. Should the employee
resign as is the case here the club send the employee on to what is known
as 'gardening leave' where he or she does nothing whilst picking up full
pay for six months. Work cannot be carried out on behalf of any other club
and it would become pretty obvious if that were to happen anyway as club
bosses would know exactly what was being worked on at the point of the
employee's departure.' Henry will therefore be unable to 'deal' on behalf of
West Ham until November but will have a big start on the rest in the January
transfer window as he no doubt keeps a careful eye on things. He's a much
sought after individual and the Hammers have done well to get him.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Meireles offered to the Irons
Claret & Hugh
ClaretandHugh understands that former Liverpool and Chelsea midfielder Raul
Merieles has been offered to West Ham. Currently at Fenerbache, the
Portuguese star, 31, who is with his national squad in Brazil, is available
at a knockdown three million euros. However, he is currently on around £2.5
million a year wages with Fenerbache which is likely to be too rich for the
Irons blood. ClaretandHugh was told exclusively : "The player has definitely
been put into the club but we expect the wages to be a problem even though
the fee is very cheap for a player of his quality." Merieles had an
impressive season at Anfield in 2010-11 and won the national Fans Player of
the Year before moving onto Chelsea where he picked up Premier and Champions
League winners medals.
However, he was again on the move after a season heading for Turkey and
Fenerbache where he has found plenty of trouble. He was was handed an
eleven-match ban by the Turkish Football Federation for spitting at a
referee. The alleged actions following accusations of homophobic remarks
after he received a second yellow card in the second half of a 2–1 away
defeat to rivals Galatasaray. A Hammers source explained to CandH: "His
wages would be very big and he also falls outside of the 'no over 27s' rule
put in place buy the board.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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WHUFC.com
A West Ham United player helped Mexico take a step towards their
continential title two years ago
22.06.2014
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
three 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.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Reidy relishing return home
WHUFC.com
Winston Reid is looking forward to showing his West Ham United around his
home country of New Zealand
21.06.2014
Winston Reid is looking forward to showing his West Ham United around his
home country of New Zealand this summer. The Hammers travel to Reid's
homeland for the Football United Tour in July, spending eight days in the
country, during which they will face Wellington Phoenix at Eden Park,
Auckland on Wednesday 23 July and Sydney FC at Westpac Stadium in Wellington
on Saturday 26 July*. The New Zealand national team captain is naturally
excited to be heading to the southwestern Pacific Ocean nation with his
club-mates and is looking forward to putting on a show for his fellow
countrymen. "The plane is going to be a little more crowded than it usually
is!" said the centre-back, who was born in the Auckland suburb of North
Shore and played junior football for Milford School and local club Takapuna
AFC. "First and foremost, it's going to be good for the public down there to
see a couple of good quality teams, while I think it will be good for our
squad as well to get out of our normal environment. We're travelling a
little bit further abroad than usual and it will be good for the lads to see
a country they would perhaps never go to otherwise. "It is a long, long way
away on a plane, but when the players get there they will enjoy themselves."
West Ham's clash with A-League side Wellington Phoenix will take place in
Reid's native city of Auckland, with the match being played at Eden Park -
New Zealand's largest stadium with a capacity of 50,000. It will then be
onto the 34,500-capacity Westpac Stadium in Wellington, where Reid appeared
for the All Whites in an international friendly with Paraguay in 2010, and a
meeting with A-League challengers Sydney FC.
For Reid, the prospect of pulling on his Claret and Blue shirt in such
familiar surroundings is one to be relished. With excitement growing in New
Zealand ahead of the Hammers' visit, the No2 has encouraged his fellow
Kiwis to turn out in their thousands to watch the Hammers in action. "New
Zealand is a sporting nation. They like their sport down there so I am sure,
if things are done correctly, we will get a good crowd down there and
hopefully we will put on a good show when we get there. "I think the most
important thing is that it is our pre-season, so we will just have to get
our work done. We know we will be working hard down there and doing our best
to get fit and ready for the new season."
While pre-season training and matches will of course take up the vast
majority of the Hammers' time and energy while they are in New Zealand, Reid
is hoping to be able to show his team-mates - and West Ham supporters - the
sights and sounds of one of the world's most-beautiful countries. So, what
will Reid be encouraging them to do during their visit? "That's a good
question! If you are travelling that far abroad, I think you've got to see
some different things. The nature there is really nice and there are lots of
activities and sports which you can do outside. "In general the public are
very friendly so, all in all, if you are going down there then bring a
smile, I guess!"
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Potts eyes first team action
WHUFC.com
Dan Potts wants to follow in the footsteps of the Hammers' Academy graduates
this season
21.06.2014
Dan Potts has his eyes on more first team action in 2014/15 after putting
pen-to-paper on a new deal with the Club. The 20-year-old defender has made
12 first team appearances for the Hammers since making his debut in 2011,
but now sees this as his time to push on. With Mark Noble and James Tomkins
firmly established in the first team, Potts has the perfect examples to
follow and he says their experience is a vital tool for him to use. "I
definitely take inspiration from those players who have come through the
ranks to become established in the first team," he explained. "Nobes and
Tonks especially proved last year how good they are. "They've done it,
they've come through the Academy and are regular Premier League players.
Last year they were two of our best players and you can only be inspired by
that. "We've got an experienced bunch of players and when you're around them
you pick up little things - as a young player you can only learn, get better
and grow as a player."
Potts made just two senior appearances in claret and blue last season, but
turned out on six occasions during a loan spell at Portsmouth - a spell that
he says helped him learn about the rigours of first team football. He added:
"I want to be pushing on and playing first team football this season, so
hopefully I can and hopefully I will. "When I went on loan to Portsmouth
last year, I definitely reaped the benefits from playing in front of crowds,
in a first team environment with older players. "It benefitted me as a
player and more first team football is definitely the aim."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
WILL THE HAMMERS SIGN MARCO PAROLO AND ARE SCHALKE INTERESTED IN WINSTON
REID?
By S J Chandos 21 Jun 2014 at 17:00
West Ham Till I Die
Various Italian media outlets have recently reported that West Ham have
joined the race to sign Parma midfielder Marco Parolo. The 29-year-old
Italian is presently with the national team at the World Cup Finals and that
inevitably means any transfer move cannot be progressed until his return
from Brazil. Parma initially set an asking price of c.£7m, but may attempt
to generate an auction if interest increases as a result of his World Cup
performances. The Hammers are looking to steal a march on Lazio, who are
reportedly unwilling to meet Parma's likely current transfer valuation.
Parolo made 36 appearances in Serie A last season and WHTID readers may have
noticed that he made a second half substitutes appearance in the England Vs
Italy match last Saturday.
It is hardly a surprise that West Ham are seeking to strengthen central
midfield with the recent exit of Jole Cole, Jack Collison and Matt Taylor;
plus the continuing uncertainty over the futures of Ravel Morrison and Mo
Diame. Will this be a good potential signing? Well, he has a pedigree, but
as we saw last season, with Antonio Nocerino, not all players easily make
the transition from Serie A to Premier League. If there is serious West Ham
interest then we need to hope that he does not perform too well for Italy at
the World Cup or the asking price could rise steeply.
Elsewhere, there have been one or two recent reports that German club,
Schalke, may be lining up a bid for Winston Reid. Apparently, they are
looking to strengthen their central defence and have drawn up a list of
possible PL based signings. And they will be acutely aware that Reid is
entering the final year of his current contract and this could very well be
reflected in the asking price for his services. Whether they will meet
Reid's reported wage demands of c.£75,000 a week is another matter.
It would be good to see the club move swiftly to seal new deals for Winston
Reid and Ravel Morrison. Both players can play key roles in moving West Ham
forward over the next few seasons. Reid is a bulwark in central defence and
Morrison has all the skills/technique necessary to develop in to a top
quality attacking midfielder. I would also welcome a new deal for Mo Diame,
if he buckles down and commits to the project at West Ham. Unfortunately,
Diame is also entering the final year of his current deal and, in those
specific circumstances, it is virtually guaranteed that no one will invoke
the £3.5m release clause. Far more likely, the player will run down his
contract and this will result in a Bosman move next summer. If Diame does
not agree a new contract this pre-season, then that is arguably the most
likely scenerio.
SJ. Chandos.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
FORMER BOLTON AND REAL MADRID LEFT BACK IS TARGETED
By Sean Whetstone 21 Jun 2014 at 12:43
West Ham Till I Die
Former Bolton and Real Madrid defender Marcos Alonso wants to leave
Fiorentina to rejoin the premier league. West Ham are competing with Swansea
and Sunderland to sign him on a permanent deal. He is thought to have been
added to West Ham's ever expanding list of left back targets which include
Raphaël Guerreiro, Urby Emanuelson Martin Olssen and Timothee Kolodziejczak
A transfer fee of £1.5m doesn't seem to be the issue but his wage demands
might be. It was claimed he earned £40k per week at Bolton and is rumoured
to have received a pay rise in his move to Fiorentina.They loaned him out
last season to Sunderland and his demands are thought to be in excess of
£40k per week.
Born in Madrid, Alonso joined Real Madrid's youth academy at nine years old,
going on to appear for every youth side in the following years,
In 2009 Alonso was first summoned by the first team – coached by Manuel
Pellegrini – for a La Liga match at Valencia CF although he didn't play. His
debut arrived on in 2010 as he replaced Gonzalo Higuaín in the 90th minute
of the side's 2–0 away win against Racing de Santander. This was his only
and very brief appearance for Real Madrid first team. Alonso joined Bolton
Wanderers in 2010 for a fee around £2m. In May 2013, Alonso signed for
Italian side ACF Fiorentina on a three-year deal, despite being offered a
new contract by Bolton manager Dougie Freedman. In December 2013, after the
player had made nine official appearances for Fiorentina Sunderland
announced that he would join them on 1at January 2014, on loan until the end
of the season.Alonso played his first game with the Black Cats on 7th
January 2014, featuring the full 90 minutes in a 2–1 home win over
Manchester United for the League Cup semifinals' first leg and was given the
Man of the match award by Sky Sports
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham plot transfer of Colombian Eder Balanta from River Plate
Jun 21, 2014 23:00 By Alan Nixon
The young defender is being watched by a number of European clubs after only
making his senior debut last year
The Mirror
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce is chasing Colombian World Cup star Eder
Balanta, writes Alan Nixon in the Sunday People. Hammers have sent top spies
to Brazil to check out the 21-year-old defender ahead of a possible
£6million bid. Balanta, who plays in Argentina for River Plate, is tipped to
make a move to Europe after the tournament. And Hammers intend to be first
in the queue to land him. Balanta made his debut for Colombia as recently as
March and has only a handful of international caps so is still operating
largely under the radar of Premier League clubs. But West Ham have been on
his trail for some time and will try to do a deal once the South Americans
are out of the World Cup.
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Irons 50 players a day "nightmare"
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on June 21, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham are being offered up to 50 players a day by agents looking to cash
in on the summer transfer window . The club has been linked with various
players almost every day since the summer window opened with agents aware
the club wants to bring in another three or four players. Co owner David
Sullivan has admitted that's the aim co owner David Gold told ClaretandHugh:
"It's a torturous time of the year. "We just want to get our business done
and close the door. It's never easy and every day we are wading through any
amount of player offers – sometimes as many as 50. It becomes a real
nightmare."
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Hammer-in-waiting Henry's six month hell
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on June 21, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Sunderland's decision to ensure that chief scout – and Hammers head of
Recruitment-in waiting, Tony Henry- serves out a six month notice period is
normal, understandable… but intensely irritating to all Hammers!
ClaretandHugh revealed yesterday that Henry would be unable to take up his
new Upton Park role until November after resigning from Sunderland. We can
understand that the long wait will be hell for Henry but he's a top face in
the game and it's well worth us all sweating it out! As is the case in any
competitive business where deals are being done and some are in the
pipeline, the firm – or in this case – club concerned has the right to
protect its interests under a six month notice period. Should the employee
resign as is the case here the club send the employee on to what is known
as 'gardening leave' where he or she does nothing whilst picking up full
pay for six months. Work cannot be carried out on behalf of any other club
and it would become pretty obvious if that were to happen anyway as club
bosses would know exactly what was being worked on at the point of the
employee's departure.' Henry will therefore be unable to 'deal' on behalf of
West Ham until November but will have a big start on the rest in the January
transfer window as he no doubt keeps a careful eye on things. He's a much
sought after individual and the Hammers have done well to get him.
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Meireles offered to the Irons
Claret & Hugh
ClaretandHugh understands that former Liverpool and Chelsea midfielder Raul
Merieles has been offered to West Ham. Currently at Fenerbache, the
Portuguese star, 31, who is with his national squad in Brazil, is available
at a knockdown three million euros. However, he is currently on around £2.5
million a year wages with Fenerbache which is likely to be too rich for the
Irons blood. ClaretandHugh was told exclusively : "The player has definitely
been put into the club but we expect the wages to be a problem even though
the fee is very cheap for a player of his quality." Merieles had an
impressive season at Anfield in 2010-11 and won the national Fans Player of
the Year before moving onto Chelsea where he picked up Premier and Champions
League winners medals.
However, he was again on the move after a season heading for Turkey and
Fenerbache where he has found plenty of trouble. He was was handed an
eleven-match ban by the Turkish Football Federation for spitting at a
referee. The alleged actions following accusations of homophobic remarks
after he received a second yellow card in the second half of a 2–1 away
defeat to rivals Galatasaray. A Hammers source explained to CandH: "His
wages would be very big and he also falls outside of the 'no over 27s' rule
put in place buy the board.
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