Filed: Wednesday, 20th August 2008
By: Staff Writer
West Ham are set to hold talks with Chilean striker Sebastian Pinto,
according to reports. Today's Daily Mirror claims that United will meet the
once-cappped 22-year-old forward and his representatives later this week in
order to thrash out a possible permanent move to East London. El Tanque - as
he is known in his home country - is available for transfer having fallen
out with current club Santos, whom he joined on a free transfer from
Universidad de Chile. The striker, according to the report, has rejected
other offers in order to discuss United's offer. 6'2" Pinto made his league
debut for Universidad at the age of just 16. His only appearanace thus far
for Chile came two years ago in an unofficial friendly against the Aragon
national football team.
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Neill eyes exit - KUMB
Filed: Wednesday, 20th August 2008
By: Staff Writer
Lucas Neill has revealed that he has held preliminary discussions with West
Ham over a new contract. But the Australian full-back - who captained his
country to a 2-2 draw with South Africa at QPR's Loftus Road last night, a
game watched from the stands by Alan Curbishley and Harry Redknapp - told
SBS that he has also received offers from elsewhere - although he insisted
that he would be concentrating, for now, on playing for the Hammers.
"Officially I'm on my last year of my contract," he said. "I've had
preliminary talks and there's been interest from elsewhere. "But I'm captain
of West Ham and very proud of that and I don't see it being any different
this season."
Neill was one of a number of players strongly rumoured to be leaving East
London this summer, after a poor season last term. Despite being strongly
linked with Turkish outfit Galatasary, amongst others, he remains at West
Ham and will continue to captain the team this season. "We have had a good
start and we might surprise a few people this year," he added. "We want the
West Ham fans cheering and making noises for the right reasons. "In this day
and age, a lot of money is being spent in a lot of clubs and people want
success and they want it quickly. However you've just got to step back
sometimes and realise that these things do not happen overnight. It's a work
in progress."
KUMB.com revealed in June that Neill had been in talks with the Inspire
Sports Group, in whom he holds a financial interest, with regard to setting
up a new club back in his native Australia to play in the country's
A-League.
* You can see highlight's of last night's friendly between Australia and
South Africa - featuring both Lucas Neill and Hammers target Mark Bresciano
- here.
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Noble takes the lead - KUMB
Filed: Wednesday, 20th August 2008
By: Staff Writer
Mark Noble played the full 90 minutes as England's under 21s narrowly
defeated Slovenia at Hull's KC Stadium on Tuesday night. The Young Lions got
their season off to a perfect start thanks to goals from Micah Richards (25
minutes) and captain James Milner (35) despite having fallen behind early on
after Etien Velikonja gave the visitors a 12th minute lead. West Ham
United's Noble took the captain's armband at half time when Milner was
replaced by Michael Kightly. He will be pleased with a decent performance.
The friendly win sets Stuart Pearce's young charges up nicely for their UEFA
CHampionship qualifier with Poland at Wembley on September 5th. Tickets for
that game are priced at just £10 for adults and £5 for children; you can
order yours by calling the ticket hotline on 0844 826 2010 or via
www.thefa.com/Tickets.
England under 21s: Lewis (Heaton 46), Richards (Cranie 73), Taylor,
Huddlestone (Muamba 61), Mancienne, Onuoha (Wheater 84), Lennon (Johnson
73), Noble, Derbyshire, Johnson (Campbell 61), Milner (Kightly 46).
Subs not used: Gardner, Agbonlahor.
Slovenia under 21s: Rozman, Salkic, Apatic, Elsner, Rajcevic, Korun,
Cvijanovic, Viler, Matavz, Pecnik, Velikonja.
Substitutes: Koprivec, Omladic, Mihelic, Mijatovic, Bacinovic, Bezjak, Plut.
Referee: Abby Toussaint (Luxembourg)
Attendance: 9,733
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Brace for Boa - KUMB
Filed: Tuesday, 19th August 2008
By: Staff Writer
West Ham and QPR played out a 2-2 draw in this afternoon's
behind-closed-doors friendly at the Boleyn Ground. The Hammers, featuring
James Collins, Nigel Quashie and Lee Bowyer raced into a 2-0 lead before the
visitors earnt a share of the spoils with a goal either side of the
half-time whistle. Both United goals fell to Luis Boa Morte, another of Alan
Curbishley's squad still feeling his way back to full fitness after recent
injury. QPR scored through former Hammer Hogan Ephraim and Matteo Alberti,
who equalised from the penalty spot after Christian Nanetti was tripped
inside the area. Kevin Keen told whufc.com: "I thought Lee [Bowyer] and Luis
[Boa Morte] were the best two players on the pitch by a distance. They were
both very good and their attitude and fitness was good. "Bow created a lot
of things, Luis scored two so it was a good run-out for us. We got what we
wanted out of it."
Meanwhile QPR boss (and another former Hammer) Iain Dowie told QPR's club
site: "It was more than just a run out; they were up against some excellent
opposition. West Ham had Lee Bowyer, Nigel Quashie and Luis Boa Morte all in
their side, so it was a good test for our lads."
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Dynamic Dean eyes 20 goals - Newham Recorder
20 August 2008
DEAN ASHTON has set himself a target of 20 goals for the season after
kicking off with a superb and deadly double on the opening day against Wigan
Athletic, writes DAVE EVANS. Although he was forced off after 70 minutes
with what looks like a severe bout of cramp, the 24-year-old striker had
already done enough to earn himself the man of the match award and the huge
thanks of manager Alan Curbishley. "The first goal was terrific," beamed the
boss.
"I've said for a long while that if anything bounces down in the box, you
want Dean Ashton to be near to it, and he was in the right place at the
right time for the second goal too."
The season was less than three minutes old when Mark Noble played the ball
out to Julien Faubert on the right and the Frenchman arrowed a cross into
the box. Ashton did the rest, as he explained: "It was a great ball in from
Julien, but really the touch made the goal. "I managed to get a really good
touch on it and then it was a case of trying to hit the target which I
managed to do."
He certainly did, with a shot that flew past Chris Kirkland in the Wigan
goal and threatened to break the net. Seven minutes later he was in the
right position to tap in at the far post and Ashton had his second. It was
something he had certainly hinted at in pre-season and filled the centre
forward with confidence. "I was really hoping that I could get off to a
goalscoring start on the first day, so I was really pleased to get two and
especially so quickly," he said. "It puts you into the mindset where you
think you are going to score whenever you get a chance. All forwards want to
get into that position and through pre-season I have felt like that."
It is not the first time that Ashton has started the season with a bang.
Between 2003 and 2006 for both Crewe Alexandra and then Norwich City, Ashton
scored in his first game in each season, and this time round he has
certainly been helped by a full pre-season. "It is always good to get to the
end of pre-season feeling good and feeling like you have played a lot of
games," he said. "I had a little illness midway through, but I recovered and
I felt really fresh going into the first game."
One disappointment was that club record signing Craig Bellamy was not there
to play alongside him, and Ashton is hoping that they can finally show what
they can do as a partnership sooner rather than later. "It was definitely a
blow that he has got that hamstring injury," insisted Ashton, who came to
Upton Park from Norwich for a then club record fee of £7.25million. "We are
all hoping that it is not as serious as first thought and that he will get
back soon. I feel that me and him did strike up a good partnership in
pre-season, but obviously Carlton Cole did very well today as well."
So two goals already on the board for the West Ham marksman, what sort of
target is he setting for the campaign? "I always feel like I want to beat
the season before and grow on that," he explained. "So, I want to beat 10
goals and as a striker you always say that if you can get 20 goals in a
season you have had a good one, so that is obviously what I am striving
for."
Every West Ham fan would be happy with that sort of tally. Ashton would be
the first Hammer to achieve it in the top flight since John Hartson grabbed
24 in 1997-98. But the secret behind that sort of success must be the
striker staying fit for the bulk of the season. The icing on the cake for
him might be Bellamy being fit to play alongside him.
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Sears ready for his second season battle - Newham Recorder
20 August 2008
WHEN you look at West Ham striker Freddie Sears close up you would be
forgiven for thinking that he was in the Hammers under-14 team. But, the
diminutive, baby-faced youngster showed once more on Saturday that he can
stand shoulder to shoulder with the big names and the big men of this West
Ham team after impressing yet again when he came on as a substitute against
Wigan. When you talk to the 18-year-old, his growing maturity is another
thing that stands out. "It's great to get back into the action," he said.
"It was the first game of the season and we've been waiting for it for so
long, so for me it was nice to get out on the pitch and get a little run-out
and obviously for the team it's great to get the three points." During
pre-season, it had been another youngster in the shape of Zavon Hines who
had impressed with five goals and some exciting displays, so was Romford boy
Sears, who missed the trip to the United States and Canada, afraid that he
had slipped down the striking pecking order? "Not really," he insisted. "I
was with the England under-19s where I wanted to be because it was for my
country. "Obviously the manager said to me that you are going to miss a bit
of the pre-season, but we know what you can do, so they just wanted me back
strong. "Zavon's done well, but we work well together and we are trying to
help each other to see if we can push on by working as hard as we can."
It was Hines who missed out on a place on the bench against Wigan, but the
Academy boys are certainly beginning to break through more and more as Sears
highlighted. "It's great to see it," he beamed. "Today there were three of
us on the bench - myself, Kyel Reid and Jordan Spence, and we had Mark Noble
in the team which is good for the Academy, good for the club and good for
everyone."
Sears stepped into the Upton Park cauldron on Saturday with Wigan Athletic
firmly on top and looking increasingly like grabbing at least an equaliser,
but the youngster showed exactly what he could do to help relieve the
pressure. "They looked good and in the second they dominated us," admitted
Sears. "We had to change it somehow and I think me and Hayden (Mullins)
coming on did that, helping to slow the game down. "I thought I did all
right. I came on, got involved and won a few fouls. The manager said go on,
change it up a bit and run around and I think I did that, so if helps the
team, it helps the team."
It certainly did, but the youngster knows that he will have to work even
harder this year if he is to make an impact - the second season for any
youngster is always harder than the first. Sears is certainly ready for that
though: "It is normally more difficult, but I only played seven games last
year so I have still got a lot more games and a lot more experience to get,"
he said. "Obviously it is going to be harder, because people know about you,
but I just want to play as many games as I can, score as many goals as I can
and keep doing well for the club.
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Ashton happy to weight for call - Newham Recorder
20 August 2008
WEST HAM striker Dean Ashton may have missed out on a place in the latest
England squad, but he is doing everything he can to add to his one
international cap - and that includes losing weight, writes DAVE EVANS.
England boss Fabio Capello singled out the Hammers' striker as being too
heavy after his appearance in the friendly with Trinidad & Tobago, and
Ashton was quick to do something about it. "I think if the England manager
tells you that he wants you to lose weight, then that is what I am going to
do, it's as simple as that," said the 24-year-old marksman. "I will do
whatever it takes to be a part of the national side."
Ashton puts his problem down to the injury that robbed him of his first
international cap in August 2006 and ruled him out of action for an entire
year.
"I think with the injury I had, and being out for a year, I spent a lot of
time in the gym and put a lot of bulk on." It is a verdict that was apparent
to most West Ham fans last season as they watched the striker struggle to
find his best form, but rather than just being overweight, it was a question
of the former Norwich City man putting too much muscle on his already ample
frame. So was Ashton aware of the problem before the Italian coach mentioned
it to him?
"I think I felt like I had bulked up perhaps too much," he admitted. "If you
are out for a year then it is very difficult, especially for someone of my
size, and I didn't play regularly last season as well for one reason or
another. "So when Fabio said that to me, I wasn't just going to sit back and
not do anything about it, so I've gone away and readjusted my diet and have
lost a little bit of weight and feel good for it. "It is just a case of
eating healthily and making sure that you eat the right things."
So does that mean that Ashton's favourite pizzas are a thing of the past?
"Pizza will always be my favourite, but obviously it will now be a case of
not eating it all of the time," confessed the striker. "You have always got
to have treats now and again, but in the main I have got to eat right all
the time and I am more than willing to do that."
* THERE was better news to come out of the West Ham camp on Monday when it
was confirmed that Dean Ashton's scan had revealed no problems for the
striker. Ashton returned to training yesterday on Tuesday and should be fit
for the clash with Manchester City at Eastlands on Sunday. Manager Alan
Curbishley is also hoping for some better news over some of his other
absentees soon, though he hasn't ruled out going back into the transfer
market before the window closes. "I'm hoping that one or two of the injured
players will be in contention for Man City and the Blackburn Rovers game,"
he said.
"We are still looking around. There are two weeks left until the transfer
window closes and it'll probably go right to the wire.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Classy Calum sticks his neck out proud! - Newham Recorder
20 August 2008
IT WOULD have taken a brave punter to wage money on defender Calum Davenport
taking his place in the West Ham team for the opening game of the new
season, writes DAVE EVANS. Last January, in his first game on loan at
Watford, the 25-year-old broke a bone in his neck and there was a distinct
possibility he would never play again. Having recovered from that superbly,
when pre-season started in July Davenport was still way down the pecking
order for a centre half spot, but on Saturday against Wigan, he was there
and he did not look out of place. "It was a great feeling to be out there,"
admitted Davenport, who was making only his seventh appearance in a West Ham
shirt. "I've worked extremely hard over the last four or five months and if
you can get yourself in the right place physically and mentally then you get
your chance."
Injuries to Danny Gabbidon, James Collins, Jonathan Spector and James
Tomkins allowed Davenport to take his chance, and he certainly grabbed it
with both hands. "Yes, I'm not stupid, there were plenty of people in front
of me, but there have been injuries and I have worked hard and sometimes if
you keep working like that your chance comes. Thankfully mine did and I
played and we won."
That victory was the first that Davenport has experienced at West Ham. In
his previous six games the team had suffered five defeats as well as a draw.
And the defender, who signed in a £3million deal from Spurs in January 2007,
had an important part to play in the victory at both ends. In the Wigan box,
it was his hook towards goal that allowed Dean Ashton to add his second
goal, while at the other end, Davenport survived a close call when he pulled
back Egyptian striker Amr Zaki in what looked a goalscoring position only to
receive just a yellow card. "I think I made one goal, but on another day I
could have had a couple myself," said the defender, whose work in the
opposing box is a vital part of his game. "The keeper saved one of mine, but
that's football and hopefully I can save those for another day."
As to the incident with Wigan goalscorer Zaki, Davenport is clear in his
thinking. "I saw Valon at right back in a covering position and it was
outside the box, so I thought I could take a booking here and luckily enough
the free kick was blocked," said the honest defender. "It was a little
misplaced header and I didn't quite realise he was there, but like I say,
nothing came of it, so it was all right."
Playing alongside Matty Upson in the West Ham defence certainly helped his
cause, but when you hear Davenport describing what he has been through, you
can't help but wonder at the nonchalance of the talented defender. "I broke
a vertebra in my neck, but that is not really the problem, it is the actual
swelling around your nerve endings which is the dangerous thing," he
explained. "It was career threatening. It was touch and go between being as
I am not - fit and playing - or being in a wheelchair, so obviously it was
pretty bad. "But I've got good people around me here, who have helped me
come back and I am just buzzing today."
Last season, Davenport was on the verge of a move back down into the
Championship with Watford, but things have changed so rapidly and the player
is hoping that things continue to improve. "West Ham is a massive club," he
said. "I've got full belief in my ability, but sometimes you can get
overlooked and you can be a million miles away from the first team and that
was the case for me last year. "But I've got off to a good start and
hopefully long may that continue here at West Ham."
It is great to hear a good news story concerning an injury down at Upton
Park, and if Davenport continues to show this sort of form, it will like
having a new signing for the Hammers.
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Macca match in Carling Cup - Newham Recorder
20 August 2008
WEST HAM were gifted a home tie against League Two outfit Macclesfield Town
when the draw for the second round of the Carling Cup was made last week.
Macclesfield, who were saved from relegation two seasons ago thanks largely
to the managerial skills of Paul Ince, are struggling once again near the
foot of League Two after losing their first two matches of the season. The
went down 4-0 at Shrewsbury and 2-0 at home to Bradford City, but in between
that they caused a shock in the Carling Cup first round by beating
Championships side Blackpool 2-0 thanks to goals from Shaun Brisley and
Martin Gritton. One man looking forward to the Silkmen's arrival at Upton
Park will be reserve team boss Kevin Keen who played for them in their only
previous clash against the Hammers. That happened at Moss Rose in 2002 in
the FA Cup third round when Jermain Defoe (2), and Joe Cole gave West Ham a
3-0 win. Next week's match is on Wednesday night at 7.45pm
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hungry for Success? Or Just Hungry? - BubblesInTheAir.com
Wednesday 20 Aug 2008 12:34:20 by Joshua Brain
Whilst Dean Ashton's goals and later on his injury against Wigan gave the
journalists plenty to write about, his comments post-match seem to have gone
rather unnoticed. Various reporters wrote about how much 'leaner and
meaner' Ashton looks this season, and subsequently how that new waist line
contributed to his all round game. Ashton confirmed that he has made the
ultimate sacrifice during the summer, giving up his beloved pizza – or
perhaps only grabbing a takeaway on 'special occasions' (only after training
and matches, not before).
The thing that surprised me was that it was Fabio Capello – not Alan
Curbishley or any other the Hammers medical team, who suggested to Dean that
he ought to lose a few pounds, and actually conduct himself as a
professional off the pitch. Deano was quoted as saying that he would run
through a brick wall, or bust a gut (or many guts in Dean's case), to get in
the England team.
But why has it taken the England manager to motivate the player? Why didn't
any Hammers' staff notice that Ashton's diet was unprofessional? This case
sample just 'adds weight' (enough of the puns I hear you cry) to the
argument that some player's around the Boleyn maybe happy to laze around and
pick up their hefty pay packet. Subsequently, do we think that the players
are as highly driven as there counterparts at others clubs – Hull or Stoke
for example?
Today's football culture is hugely scientific and technical, yet here we
have a player who has only just given up eating pizzas on a regular basis.
This is kind of reminiscent to Arsenal pre-Wenger, when the players' would
socialise down the pub after training. I am therefore left slightly bemused
as to the drive, motivation and 'hunger' of our players, and the
professionalism of the coaching staff.
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Injured West Ham duo on track to make Premier League returns - Daily Mail
By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 12:35 PM on 20th August 2008
West Ham defenders James Collins and Nigel Quashie have both stepped up
their recoveries after coming through a friendly match against QPR. Collins
has had a knee problem, while Quashie, who can also play in midfield, has
been sidelined by a long-term foot problem.
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Nosworthy urges West Ham's Ferdinand to choose Sunderland
tribalfootball.com - August 20, 2008
Nyron Nosworthy has urged fellow Londoner Anton Ferdinand to join him at
Sunderland. Sunderland are waiting on Ferdinand to make a decision about
moving to the Northeast after having their bid accepted by West Ham earlier
this week. "I found it easy to move to the North East," Nosworthy told The
Journal. "I was reluctant at one point but you have to be a man and make
hard decisions and it's been the best decision I have made. Looking back now
I would not have changed it for the world." Ferdinand has slid down the
Upton Park pecking order and with James Tomkins and James Collins returning
to fitness he has further to fall. But 27-year-old Nosworthy has no doubts
the man who could be his central defensive partner is good enough to play
for Sunderland. "He is a good defender and his own man in his own right," he
added. "Everyone knows what he is capable of and he was a regular for long
enough at West Ham."
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West Ham make new approach for Palermo's Cavani
tribalfootball.com - August 20, 2008
West Ham United have made a new approach to Palermo for striker Edinson
Cavani. Sicilian sources say the Hammers sounded out Palermo on Monday about
taking the 21 year-old Uruguay international on-loan for the season. Palermo
coach Stefano Colantuono is currently weighing up whether he can do without
Cavani.
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Pinto jets in for West Ham talks
tribalfootball.com - August 20, 2008
Chilean striker Sebastian Pinto is set to jet into London for talks with
West Ham. The Mirror says the Hammers hope to clinch a shock deal with
Brazilian club Santos for the player nicknamed The Tank in his homeland. He
has been invited in for a brief trial with a view to a full-time switch to
Upton Park.
Pinto has just joined Santos but fell out with the coach and is available on
a season-long loan. He is keen to come to England and has accepted the West
Ham invitation despite rival offers.
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Davenport delight at being back for the Hammers - Guardian Series
8:43am Wednesday 20th August 2008
EIGHT MONTHS is a long time in football - just ask West Ham's Calum
Davenport. The defender was facing the Upton Park scrapheap not so long
ago. Out in the cold and shipped out on loan to Watford in January, he
suffered a horrific broken neck in his debut with the Championship outfit.
The injury not only scuppered his chances of sealing a permanent move to
Vicarage Road, it also threatened his career and the prospect of walking
again. Yet, in an amazing turnaround in fortunes, the 25-year-old is
fighting fit and was back on the pitch for the Irons in the 2-1 win over
Wigan on Saturday. It was his first competitive outing for the club since
suffering a calf injury in March 2006. It was an assured one at that,
although Davenport was just delighted to be pulling on the claret and blue
shirt in a Premier League fixture again. "It's a great feeling," he said.
"I've worked really extremely hard over the last four of five months since
my injury. "In football you never know with injuries and stuff, but if you
can get yourself in the right place physically and mentally then you get
your chance. I was ready to play." He added: "I broke a vertebra in my neck.
But that is not really the problem, it is the actual swelling around your
nerve endings which is the dangerous thing. "It was career threatening. It
was touch and go between being as I am now fit and playing, or being in a
wheelchair, so obviously it was pretty bad. "But I've got good people around
me here, who have helped me come back and I am just buzzing."
Ironically, it is a set of injuries to a host of other centre halves at the
club that Davenport has been gifted a second chance at all. Danny Gabbidon,
James Collins, Anton Ferdinand, James Tomkins and Jon Spector - all of whom
were ahead of the former Spurs man at the start of pre-season - are all
sidelined.
Now Davenport is desperate to grasp his opportunity with both hands,
although he is under no illusions that the hard work has to continue if he
is to keep ahead of the queue. "I'm not stupid - there was plenty of people
in front of me," he said. "But there have been injuries and I have worked
extremely hard and sometimes if you keep working like that your chance
comes. Thankfully mine did. "I've got full belief in my ability, but
sometimes you can get overlooked and you can look a million miles away.
"That was the case for me last year. But I've got off to a good start and
hopefully long may that continue here at West Ham."
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West Ham hoping to roll in 'The Tank' as Pinto arrives for talks at Upton
Park - Daily Mail
By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 1:39 PM on 20th August 2008
West Ham boss Alan Curbishley is set to hold talks this week with Chilean
striker Sebastien Pinto - nicknamed 'The Tank' in his homeland. The
22--year-old has been invited to Upton Park for a trial, with the Hammers
hoping to agree a deal with his Brazilian club Santos. Pinto has just joined
Santos but fell out with the coach and is available on a season-long loan.
He is keen to come to England and has accepted the West Ham invitation
despite rival offers.
Should he agree a move, Pinto would become the second Chilean to sign for
the Hammers, after defender Javier Margas, who enjoyed a brief spell at the
club in the late 90s.
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Nani sets up Ashtons new Striking Partner - Cmon Yu Irons
20 August 2008
If all goes well, Dean Ashton could get a new striking partner. Chilean
international Sebastian Pinto AKA The Tank plays for Brazilian club Santos,
Pinto has been invited by Gianluca Nani for trials with West Ham in the hope
of securing a deal worth £5m. Nani has been watching Pinto for some time now
after hearing from Scouts that he could have great potential playing for
West Ham. Originally he was going to be a replacement if Ashton decided to
leave the Hammers, but now it seems that after the Ashton injury scare last
Saturday we would need a quality striker to either be on standby or play
alongside Ashton. Pinto has falling out of favour with his Club manager and
is said to be looking forward to coming to England. The deal will need the
blessing of Curbs to be finalised.
This post was submitted by Mike DiAntoni.
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Roy keeps quiet on Ferdinand move - TeamTalk
Sunderland boss Roy Keane hopes to bring in new signings in the next 48
hours, but will not comment on reports he wants Anton Ferdinand. The West
Ham defender has been strongly linked with a move to the Stadium of Light,
however, when asked about any interest in Ferdinand, Keane opted to keep his
own counsel regarding the identity of any new arrivals on Wearside. "There's
been lots of speculation every day and we've been linked with hundreds of
players and I don't think we'll be signing all of them," said Keane. "I've
no comment to make on speculation. If we sign any decent players we'll
release a statement, but there's no point me talking about players who might
or might not be coming to the football club."
Keane confirmed he is hoping to improve certain areas of his squad and feels
the club have been making positive progress in the transfer market. He
added: "We've made good progress over the last day or two and I hope we have
some news over the next 48 hours. "It's out of my hands. We've made some
great offers for players and good deals with clubs. I'm quite relaxed about
it. "If players want to come and we can take them to another level,
fantastic, but if they want to stay at the clubs they're at, good luck to
them, it's not a major problem."
Sunderland have been linked with Fulham striker David Healy, with Dickson
Etuhu lined up in a swap deal, and Keane has not ruled out moving the
midfielder on. "I'm not really looking to let any players go, but if an
offer comes in for one or two of my players, like every other manager I've
got to balance the books," conceded Keane. "I've brought lots of players in
and if I feel there's an offer that we think is a good offer, obviously I'd
consider it.
"I've heard managers say certain players aren't for sale, trust me, if the
price is right then everybody is for sale. There is nothing happening with
that yet, but again we'll see in the next few days."
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HAMMERS TALK: Collins' return could pave the way for Ferdinand's depature -
Guardian Series
10:53am Wednesday 20th August 2008
WEST HAM defender James Collins' return from injury could open the door for
Anton Ferdinand to leave Upton Park. Sunderland are known to be interested
in Ferdinand and reports suggest Roy Keane has had an £8million bid accepted
by the Irons. The move could now gather pace as Collins is likely to make
his long-awaited return to action after missing most of last season with
groin and knee problems, culminating in surgery on cruciate ligament damage.
Boss Alan Curbishley now has plenty to choose from in the centre of defence,
with Matthew Upson and Calum Davidson performing well together in the
Hammers 2-1 opening day win over Wigan, while Danny Gabbidon is recovering
from injury and youngster James Tomkins is also ready to step in.
Ferdinand's departure would also reduce the wage bill at Upton Park, which
has already been cut following the release of Freddy Ljungberg earlier this
month.
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HAMMERS TALK: Striker reported to have been handed a trial - Guardian Series
10:49am Wednesday 20th August 2008
WEST HAM are in talks with Chilean striker Sebastian Pinto. The Hammers are
bringing the Santos player, nicknamed 'The Tank', in for a trial with a view
to securing a permanant deal. Alan Curbishley has beaten off competition for
22-year-old Pinto, who has fallen out with Santos' manager and is avaialble
on a season-long loan.
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West Ham boss Curbishley won't rule out extra signing
tribalfootball.com - August 20, 2008
West Ham boss Alan Curbishley has not ruled out diving into the transfer
market again before the close of the August window. He has so far bought
only £5m Swiss right-back Valon Behrami from Lazio and reserve goalkeeper
Jan Lastuvka from Shakhtar Donetsk in the summer - and seen Swedish
midfielder Freddie Ljungberg being paid to tear up his contract. He said:
"Like everybody else we are trying to see if we can sign people but the
hardest thing at the moment is to get somebody to say yes. "I'm hopeful one
or two of the injured will be back in contention for Sunday's game at
Manchester City and so we'll see, but we've got two weeks left before the
window shuts and it will probably go right to the end for us."
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Davenport sticks his neck out for the Hammers - Guardian Series
8:43am Wednesday 20th August 2008
EIGHT MONTHS is a long time in football - just ask West Ham's Calum
Davenport. The defender was facing the Upton Park scrapheap not so long ago.
Out in the cold and shipped out on loan to Watford in January, he suffered a
horrific broken neck in his debut with the Championship outfit. The injury
not only scuppered his chances of sealing a permanent move to Vicarage Road,
it also threatened his career and the prospect of walking again. Yet, in an
amazing turnaround in fortunes, the 25-year-old is fighting fit and was back
on the pitch for the Irons in the 2-1 win over Wigan on Saturday. It was his
first competitive outing for the club since suffering a calf injury in March
2006. It was an assured one at that, although Davenport was just delighted
to be pulling on the claret and blue shirt in a Premier League fixture
again. "It's a great feeling," he said. "I've worked really extremely hard
over the last four of five months since my injury. "In football you never
know with injuries and stuff, but if you can get yourself in the right place
physically and mentally then you get your chance. I was ready to play." He
added: "I broke a vertebra in my neck. But that is not really the problem,
it is the actual swelling around your nerve endings which is the dangerous
thing. "It was career threatening. It was touch and go between being as I am
now fit and playing, or being in a wheelchair, so obviously it was pretty
bad. "But I've got good people around me here, who have helped me come back
and I am just buzzing."
Ironically, it is a set of injuries to a host of other centre halves at the
club that Davenport has been gifted a second chance at all. Danny Gabbidon,
James Collins, Anton Ferdinand, James Tomkins and Jon Spector - all of whom
were ahead of the former Spurs man at the start of pre-season - are all
sidelined.
Now Davenport is desperate to grasp his opportunity with both hands,
although he is under no illusions that the hard work has to continue if he
is to keep ahead of the queue. "I'm not stupid - there was plenty of people
in front of me," he said. "But there have been injuries and I have worked
extremely hard and sometimes if you keep working like that your chance
comes. Thankfully mine did. "I've got full belief in my ability, but
sometimes you can get overlooked and you can look a million miles away.
"That was the case for me last year. But I've got off to a good start and
hopefully long may that continue here at West Ham."
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Neill in "preliminary" talks over new deal - Echo News
8:55am Wednesday 20th August 2008
By Rob Pritchard »
LUCAS Neill has held "preliminary" talks over extending his West Ham United
contract. The Australia international, who captained his country in
Tuesday's 2-2 friendly draw with South Africa at Loftus Road, is approaching
the end of the 30-month deal he signed in January 2007. Neill arrived from
Blackburn Rovers for around £1.5million on a bumper £70,000-a-week contract,
but the club has been reluctant to extend the deal on those terms as it
attempts to cut costs. The player himself is also reportedly considering a
bid to buy an A-League club back in his home city of Sydney, and could
return Down Under at the season's end. "Officially I'm on my last year of my
contract. I've had preliminary talks (about extension) and there's been
interest from elsewhere," the 30-year-old told Australia's Special
Broadcasting Service. "But, look, I am captain of West Ham and very proud of
that and I don't see it being any different this season."
Concentrating on the current Premier League campaign, Neill believes the
Irons can upset the odds and enjoy a successful 2008/09. But, despite West
Ham's opening day win over Wigan Athletic, the skipper warned the club's
supporters not to let their expectations get carried away. "I'm extremely
happy with the squad we have," he added. "We have had a good start and we
might surprise a few people this year. "We want the West Ham fans cheering
and making noises for the right reasons. "In this day and age, a lot of
money is being spent in a lot of clubs and people want success and they want
it quickly.
"However you've just got to step back sometimes and realise that these
things do not happen overnight. It's a work in progress."
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