Hitz back for Germany
WHUFC.com
Thomas Hitzlsperger has been named in Germany's squad for a friendly meeting with Denmark
20.07.2010
Thomas Hitzlsperger has been named in the Germany squad for the international friendly with Denmark in Copenhagen next month. The 28-year-old West Ham United midfielder has been included in Joachim Low's selection for the fixture, which will take place at Parken Stadium on Wednesday 11 August. The match will give Hitzlsperger the opportunity to re-establish himself in the Germany set-up after he was unexpectedly left out of Low's squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. The former Aston Villa and VfB Stuttgart man has earned 51 senior caps for his country since making his debut in a 2-0 win over Iran in Tehran in October 2004. During that period, 'Der Hammer' has netted seven international goals, including the fifth in a 6-0 World Cup qualifying victory in Liechtenstein in September 2008. Hitzlsperger was involved in nine of Germany's ten qualifiers, seven of which ended in victories. Should he appear against the Danes, he will become West Ham's first Germany international. Striker Dieter Eckstein, who appeared for his country at the 1988 UEFA European Championship, did not make a single first-team appearance during a short stint at the Boleyn Ground in 1995. Meanwhile, young goalkeeper Marek Stech has been named in the preliminary Czech Republic Under-21 squad for the 2011 UEFA European U21 Championship qualifier against San Marino at the Na Julisce stadium in Prague on Tuesday 10 August. The 20-year-old has previously capped once at U21 level, making his debut in a friendly against Korea Republic in 2009. Czech Republic U21 are top of qualifying Group 5 with a perfect five victories from five matches, two points ahead of West Ham team-mate Holmar Orn Eyjolfsson's Iceland with a game in hand.
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Tonka on the up
WHUFC.com
James Tomkins has hit the ground running this summer and sees the new season as a fresh start for all
20.07.2010
James Tomkins has already found his stride ahead of the new season and cannot wait until it all gets going for real next month. The England Under-21 defender was imperious last weekend in the 2-0 win against VfL Borussia Monchengladbach, playing longer than anyone else with an 81-minute run-out. It helped underline that this season will be a clean slate for everyone and that starting spots are up for grabs. "Last season is all behind us," he said. "It is a new season, a fresh start under a new manager. What happened last season is gone. It is important to look to the future and what we can improve on, what we can affect and that is what is in front of us."
On Saturday, Tomkins was a pivotal part of the team. He was particularly pleased that the side were able to keep a clean sheet and told WHUTV that the two wins so far this summer had left the camp in upbeat mood. "It was a good win as we were playing against a German team away from home. We didn't know what to expect but they were a good team. We performed on the day and it is important to keep that up during pre-season."
Tomkins particularly relished the intensity of the match, which was similar to a competitive encounter. "Sometimes people don't enjoy challenges during pre-season because they don't want to get injured. It happened to be a physical game and everyone was up for it. "It just shows the passion of the lads. It was not just a pre-season game - people want to win matches still. Playing against a German team, there was always going to be a bit of a rivalry there."
Tomkins relished his extended involvement in the game, particularly as he got to show his ability as a right-back in the second half as well. "It did me good being out there that long. I wanted to stay out there and I didn't feel too bad fitness-wise. "I had a go at right-back as well which was good. It was a good game for myself. I have got to take this forward and continue my fitness so I can get up to playing the 90. "It is important to be versatile. If there are injuries, the manager can throw you on at any time in any position. You have to be able to handle that."
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Bolton is Kids for a Quid
WHUFC.com
U16s can attend the opening Barclays Premier League home match of 2010/11 against Bolton for just a pound
19.07.2010
West Ham United will kick-off the 2010/11 Barclays Premier League season in perfect fashion with the opening home fixture against Bolton Wanderers designated Kids for a Quid. The spectacular summer offer will see all under-16s offered the chance to watch the Hammers take on the Trotters at the Boleyn Ground for just £1 on Saturday 21 August. With manager Avram Grant and new signings Thomas Hitzlsperger (pictured), Pablo Barrera and Frederic Piquionne set to make their competitive debuts at the famous home of the Hammers, there is sure to be plenty of demand for places.
Ticket prices for Academy members start from just £36, while Over-65 members and Young Adult members can purchase their seat from just £15. Disabled Academy members can secure their place for just £18 for Adults, £9 for Over-65s and Young Adults and £1 for Under-16s. Academy members can buy their tickets now by purchasing them online or by telephone, or alternatively by calling at the West Stand Ticket Office at the Boleyn Ground between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Saturday.
Adult non-members can purchase their seat from just £36, while Over-65 non-members can secure their place from just £21. Disabled non-members can secure their place for just £18 for Adults, £10.50 for Over-65s and Young Adults and £1 for Under-16s. Tickets go on general sale at 9am on Tuesday 20 July and, with a sell-out expected, supporters should move quickly to secure their seats.
Online and telephone bookings can be made up until 11.30am on the day of the game, with kick-off at the Boleyn Ground on 21 August at 3pm. Supporters should note that all telephone bookings are subject to a £1.80 booking fee per ticket for Academy members and £2 per ticket for non-members. Online bookings will be charged at £1 for Academy members and £2 for non-members. Should any tickets remain, the West Stand Ticket Office will be open from 9am until kick-off on the day of the game, while the Priory Road Ticket Office will be open from 12.30pm until kick-off on the day of the game.
For more information, call 0871 222 2700 and select Option 1 or Option 3, visit the West Stand ticket office in person or click the above link.
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Prem clubs ban vuvuzelas
Horns pose safety risk, say Premier League clubs
By Danny Wright Last updated: 20th July 2010
SSN
Six Premier League clubs have all banned controversial vuvuzelas from their stadiums this season. Arsenal and Tottenham were the first top flight sides to banish the instrument, with Birmingham, West Ham, Sunderland and Liverpool quickly adding to the list of vuvuzela-free stadia. The horns - a plastic instrument played at matches in South Africa - provided the backdrop to the World Cup finals this summer, causing irritation amongst players and supporters. The cacophony often drowned out the chants of the crowds during games, leading to some English clubs fearing they would diminish the traditional atmosphere at their grounds. The clubs have moved to ban the horn ahead of the new campaign - claiming they posed a safety risk as well as ruining the matchday ambience.
A statement from Spurs, who play at White Hart Lane, read: "We are concerned that the presence of the instruments within the stadium pose unnecessary risks to public safety and could impact on the ability of all supporters to hear any emergency safety announcements."
Organically produced atmosphere
It added: "We are very proud of the fantastic atmosphere that our supporters produce organically at White Hart Lane and we are all very much looking forward to this continuing into the forthcoming season."
North London rivals Arsenal also moved quickly to ban the vuvuzela, also citing safety reasons. The Gunners said in a statement: "Further to their hugely debated involvement at the World Cup Finals in South Africa, Arsenal Football Club has decided to forbid the use of vuvuzelas within Emirates Stadium with immediate effect. "This decision has been taken to ensure the enjoyment and safety of supporters on matchdays, which is of paramount importance to the club."
Birmingham said vuvuzelas had been abolished following feedback from their supporters and claimed other Premier League sides would soon follow suit. "The club took into account feedback from both supporters and relevant bodies such as the Safety and Advisory Committee and have made the decision on health and safety grounds," said a statement on the club's official website. "An overwhelming majority of Blues supporters said they didn't want vuvuzelas to be allowed at St Andrews."
West Ham later added confirmation that they too were banning the vuvuzela for similar reasons, but added that the horn could also be used as a weapon.
A West Ham club statement said: "Under the current health and safety regulations at the stadium, which already disallows musical bands, we would not allow them (vuvuzelas) into the stadium as they could be considered a weapon and could also be considered to be an annoyance to others. "The health and safety regulation that all of this comes under is already in place. The club wish at all times to ensure that all supporters are allowed to enjoy the game they are watching and prides itself on the passionate, loud and robust support from our fans at all matches at Upton Park."
After West Ham's announcement, Sunderland and Liverpool moved to ban the vuvuzela from the Stadium of Light and Anfield respectively. The ban will spark debate about the atmosphere in Premier League stadiums. Vuvuzelas were welcomed by some during the World Cup, saying they represented the culture of the host nation. However, they were promptly banned by other sports, with this summer's Wimbledon tennis championships marked as a strictly vuvuzela-free zone. Other top flight outfits are believed to be considering outlawing the instrument but fellow Premier League outfit Blackpool denied they would welcome vuvuzelas. Suggestions had been put forward that the vuvuzela would help intimidate visitors to the Seasiders' Bloomfield Road ground following their promotion from the Championship.
Ian Holloway's team are widely expected to struggle following their unexpected arrival in the promised land of English football and the horns were believed to be a fear-inducing device. But Blackpool have dismissed such reports, saying they had more important matters to deal with ahead of the new campaign. The Lancashire outfit currently only have three stands and are hastily assembling a new East Stand which would increase capacity to 16,900 for home fixtures.
And with the clock running down on their first game as hosts, the vuvuzela is a matter still yet to be resolved. The club said any ban would involve a consultation with fans. A spokesman said: "We haven't really given any full consideration to vuvuzelas at the moment. "We've had plenty of other things occupying the mind with a debut season in the Barclays Premier League to prepare for. Any decision will be taken in due course and in consultation with relevant supporter groups."
A statement added that the club's previous assertion they are keen to ensure the atmosphere is better than ever "does not necessarily mean that vuvuzelas will be permitted".
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Avram's Tal Deal hits snag
The Sun
By ANDREW DILLON
Published: Today
TAL BEN HAIM'S move to West Ham has stalled because of a groin injury. The Hammers are insisting on a second opinion before a four-year deal can go through after the Israeli defender failed a medical. Ben Haim, 28, missed a large chunk of last season with Portsmouth through injury and was only on the bench for the FA Cup final defeat by Chelsea. He was hoping for a reunion with his former boss Avram Grant at Upton Park and an immediate return to the Premier League following relegation last season. Ben Haim even agreed to take a £7,500 a week pay cut to get his chance but now that all looks in serious doubt. West Ham, who are in Germany at a training camp, have already signed ex-Pompey striker Frederic Piquionne and Mexico winger Pablo Barrera.
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Arsenal, Spurs and West Ham join the vuvuzela ban
Published 23:00 20/07/10 By Simon Bird
The Mirror
The vuvuzela is facing a worldwide sporting ban - with Premier League acting fast. Arsenal outlawed them from the Emirates on Tuesday and Spurs, presumably not wanting to offend their neighbours, warned White Hart Lane will echo only to the sound of traditional cheering next season. The 2ft long horns may have become the symbol of the World Cup - but top flight club's are queuing up to stop fans using them next season. The instrument has been blamed for ruining the World Cup atmosphere and drowning out crowd noise with a monotone bees hum. West Ham joined the clamour to ban them and Birmingham added their name to the clubs blacklisting them, warning fans they will not be allowed in their grounds. And there is also a global backlash against the trumpets.
The instrument caused much annoyance to players and TV stations in South Africa. The 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand will also forbid them at stadia, and for recent matches against South Africa. Rugby grounds in South Africa banned them years ago. A host of football clubs who have already had requests from fans for a ban, are expected to follow the lead of their rivals a bid to preserve the English game's atmosphere, with fears that safety announcements will go unheard also being cited. Vuvuzelas became such a symbol of the football celebration in South Africa that parents named their June born babies "Vuvu" in tribute. Doctors have warned they can permanently damage hearing if blown to close to the ear, and one fan wrecked his wind-pipe blowing too vigorously during the World Cup. Medics at the University of Pretoria claimed that eardrums should not be exposed to vuvuzelas for more than 15 minutes a day.
Researchers at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine also found they could spread flu and cold germs by blasting tiny water droplets around crowds. The 2012 Olympics will not allow vuvuzelas, neither will Wimbledon and even music events this summer have also acted.
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West Ham close in on Lyon defender
Published 23:00 20/07/10 By Football Spy
The Mirror
West Ham are set to finalise a move for Lyon defender Francois Clerc. Clerc, 27, is available on a free transfer having seen out his contract with the French club and is ready to make a move into the Premier League. The experienced defender has been capped 13 times by France.
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McCarthy: Hammers vuvuzela ban will stop players going deaf
Published 23:00 20/07/10 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror
Benni McCarthy has welcomed West Ham's decision to ban vuvuzelas from the ground and says it could make the players go deaf if they were introduced in England. Eight top flight clubs, including Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham, have already banned the plastic horns on health and safety grounds as well as to protect the ears of supporters. West Ham are also refusing to allow the instrument, which was one of the famous sounds from the World Cup in South Africa this summer, inside Upton Park. McCarthy, who plays for South Africa, knows more than most the impact of the dreaded sound and is relieved that he will not be hearing them in the Premier League next season. McCarthy said: "It is the worst thing. It is a topical South African thing, but the reason I hate them is that when I am playing I can't hear myself and I can't get my message across. "It is the most annoying thing and you could go deaf! I think they shouldn't let the people in the ground with them. "That is South African football, this is the Premier League which is for singing and cheering your team on - that is what it is all about."
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Wolves, West Ham and Blackburn in three-way fight for ex-Man City star
Published 23:00 20/07/10 By Football Spy
The Mirror
Mick McCarthy is ready to battle West Ham and Blackburn for free agent Benjani. Wolves boss McCarthy wants to offer the former Manchester City striker a move to Molineux after his release from Eastlands. Zimbabwe international Benjani, 31, is on the hunt for a new club after Roberto Mancini showed him the door at the end of last season. Benjani endured a difficult loan spell at Sunderland earlier this year - and has not scored a Premier League goal since December 2008. But McCarthy wants to bring in more firepower despite the £7m signing of Stephen Fletcher from Burnley.
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England and West Ham - A Way Forward? (Part Two)
Posted by Billy Blagg 19 hours, 21 minutes ago
ESPN
This first of a two-part article on England and the West Ham connection that originally appeared on my 2010 England World Cup blog. Apologies to anyone who read it there, but I know many England supporters stopped visiting after England limped out in disarray and, of course, many West Ham fans aren't neccessarily supporters of the English national side, so I make no apologies for re-running it on the West Ham page as, following David Sullivan's comments to Soccernet (Here), the appointment of Avram Grant and a raft of foreign signings, I think it as relevant to supporters of the Hammers as much as 'Team England'.
It aggravates other clubs supporters no end, of course, but West Ham fans have always claimed more than a bit of credit for England's solitary World Cup victory in 1966. To be fair, even West Ham fans are aware it does appear a bit of nonsense sometimes, but then fans of the East London club don't always get much opportunity to crow about anything any more so I think its fair game to don a pair of rose-tinted ones every now and then.
Now, everybody knows of course, that apart from providing the Captain and the best defender that England has ever produced, the final's hat-trick hero Geoff Hurst and the fourth goal-scorer Martin Peters also plied their trade on the training ground at Chadwell Heath. Any statistical analysis would reveal that. What isn't made clear from the history books though is how the tactics employed by West Ham under Ron Greenwood at that time also helped in the make-up of the World Cup winning side.
Moore's quick free-kick that led to England's second goal in the final, Martin Peters' ability to ghost in from midfield to become an extra forward and, more importantly, the long pass forward from defence that found Geoff Hurst for England's fourth were all torn from the pages of West Ham's coaching manual. In fact, if you look at what happened at Wembley in '66, you'll see a trend started just a few years earlier when Greenwood joined the East London outfit from Arsenal and started a revolution that culminated in West Ham's Cup Winners Cup victory at Wembley in 1965.
Alf Ramsey's new ideas on overlapping full-backs and breaking midfield players all had their association with Greenwood's. In fact, one of the great fallacies about Ramsey's 'wingless wonders' is just that; Alf tried several wingers in the group games leading up to the quarter-final against Argentina and it was only the fear that the South Americans would dominate his midfield that made Ramsey switch his tactics. Once England had claimed victory with Hurst's solitary goal, it was easy for Ramsey to keep the same line-up for the following matches. The rest, as they say…
Many current West Ham fans don't realise or understand it, but the Hammers were a glamour outfit at that time and there would be few players at the '66 World Cup who wouldn't be aware of the profile of one of England's foremost club sides. Now, it's true that by the time of the next World Cup, West Ham's heyday had not only well and truly passed but some of Greenwood's passing football had been outdone by a form of the game that was an anathema to the purist ideas of the manager. It's also fair to say that the dreams of winning the English league with a side playing joyous passing football had hit a brick wall and would never recover. However, West Ham's association with producing young players and developing them to play the 'right way' is something that never lost its association with this unfashionable corner of London.
Tony Carr has been Director of Youth Development at West Ham since 1973 and 'The Academy' over which he presides has produced many fine players for West Ham and England over the years. Most recently, current England squad players like Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard, Michael Carrick, Glen Johnson, Joe Cole and even, to a certain extent, Jermaine Defoe have come under Carr's guiding hands and, although the club never reaps the full benefit of their investments – on the pitch at least – it is a fact that many players find their way to Chadwell Heath because they know they will get their opportunity in the first team if they are good enough.
It is a tradition long associated with a club that has produced some of the best young players seen in England since 1966 and, bearing in mind the current state of the Premiership, English football and the national side itself I think it's something that West Ham should be seriously looking at exploiting further.
Like them or not, new owners Messrs Gold and Sullivan are talking the talk on West Ham's virtues. There is no doubt they are steeped in the history of the club, its association with the 1966 'Holy Trinity', the Academy and the wealth of talent that has found its way out of Upton Park to the benefit of some of the biggest sides in Europe. It would be a big step to back up that talk with some action but, in many ways, what is there to lose?
Trevor Brooking has been bemoaning the lack of opportunities for young players at clubs like Arsenal and Chelsea and I think it's something the Hammers should be exploiting. Even the most dyed-in-the-wool claret and blue supporter doesn't expect West Ham to be worrying the Champions League any time soon and some of us aren't even particularly bothered about it, we just want to see entertaining football with occasionally – just occasionally mind we don't want to get too excited – the opportunity of a bit of cup success somewhere.
So why don't we take the opportunity to shake up the current squad and also, perhaps, give ourselves the opportunity to congratulate ourselves again some time in the future when another England captain gets to emulate a feat last seen in '66? After all, it's not as if West Ham's recent transfer policy has seen us rampaging through Europe – for the most part the only areas of Europe that have been keen to see us are spots like Burnley, Hull, Stoke and Wigan!
Here's my plan: West Ham should try and tempt some of the up and coming English players who look like they have what it takes to go all the way. I don't suppose Arsenal will initially agree to sell Keiron Gibbs for example but how long does the left-back intend to sit behind the long queue of French defenders in front of him? I don't pretend to have in–depth knowledge of every young prospect in the country and I'm sure players like Rodwell at Everton and Wellbeck at Manchester United are probably happy enough where they are and have decent prospects of breaking into the first team, but its clubs like Arsenal and Chelsea that West Ham should be targeting as well as keeping an eye out at places like Norwich and Crystal Palace where, in my opinion, they missed out on not going for young winger Victor Moses who would have fitted in well at Upton Park. Not a youth product by any means but Carlton Cole is another player who was long touted as a prospect but who wasn't given opportunities at other clubs. It could be argued, had it not been for injury, then Cole could have been the option for the misfiring Heskey.
The argument against developing young talent is that no clubs want to risk a player that may cost them a couple of league places and the associated payments made by the Premier League. But I'd argue that doesn't apply at West Ham where, provided we're not relegated, most are not bothered if we finish tenth or thirteenth providing the football is good and we've got good prospects to cheer. It may sound revolutionary but I honestly think that West Ham fans would welcome bringing through some exciting England prospects and give themselves at least a shot at some future glory than pay £16m for a Mexican or Brazilian import who may be traumatised by homesickness and end up being sold on eight months later. In any case, how many fans want to provide a 12 month home to the next Pelé and become a feeder club for Chelsea? I can think of nothing worse.
The great thing about West Ham is that we don't have to do too much to start this revolution. Everybody knows about the Academy and admires what it does and players like Carrick and Defoe have long admitted they came to West Ham because they knew their chances of breaking into the first team were better. We continue to develop as we have but also supplement from elsewhere; just asking at first, offering a good fee here or there and then keep coming back as the young England prospects find themselves strangled out at their own clubs by another French or Italian import who has found their way in front of them on the team sheet. Chase every good English player who we think can make the grade – we've done it successfully on the playing fields for the past three decades so why not just open the idea up to other areas? – and try and resurrect the traditions of a club built on doing things the right way.
My dream is somewhere down the line another Moore is unearthed in the back streets of Barking but there's no reason why he can't be found in the reserves or youth sides of some of the lumbering giants of our Champions League sides and given an opportunity they're not going to get if they stay where they are.
Of course, if they make it at West Ham then those same sides that ignored them at first will be back in and common-sense says they will move on for a fat fee and the promise of playing Barcelona every Wednesday fortnight. But what have West Ham to lose? There's just a chance we may build up a good young side of English players, sprinkled with a few imports that actually win us something sometime, but if they don't it will still be good for English football and, by definition, the West Ham tradition. The fans will get to see some decent football and feel a bit of pride for producing something that benefits the country and has a lasting resonance with West Ham in the same way that '66 has now.
Obviously it would never be the same as that Golden Summer but I'd have been as pleased as punch if a fit Rio Ferdinand had lifted the World Cup this summer flanked by Cole, Lampard and Johnson. Time will probably show that this 'Golden Generation' lacked the substance to go all the way but that doesn't mean we shouldn't try and provide the next one.
We've had a few scrapped blueprints recently at Upton Park but I think this is one that would work to everyone's benefit and it's surely better than chasing the CL pipe-dream and ending up nowhere. I'm sure Sir Trevor would approve too!
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Liverpool leave Loic in limbo as Roy Hodgson refuses to meet Nice striker Remy's £12.5m asking price
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER Last updated at 6:01 PM on 20th July 2010
Daily Mail
Loic Remy's hopes of joining Liverpool are in limbo as the Reds refuse to match West Ham's £12.5million bid for the France striker. The Hammers own bid has been knocked back unless they stump up £7.5m up front rather than splitting payments over four years. The 23-year-old would prefer to be part of Roy Hodgson's new-look Liverpool side, but respected French newspaper L'Equipe reports that an expected meeting between the Merseysiders and Nice has failed to materialise amid the Reds' reluctance to offer much more than £10m. Nice have already been rebuffed interest at that level from Lyon and Remy has joined up with his current club's training camp at Megeve. Arsenal have also tracked Remy and are considering whether to recruit another forward to replace Shakhtar Donetsk-bound Eduardo. Remy's agent Frederic Guerra told skysports.com: 'A major club from the Premier League have contacted me about Loic. I have a meeting with the club tomorrow (Wednesday) and we will see what happens. 'Whatever happens Loic will be leaving Nice this summer and he has his heart set on England.'
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West Ham raise bid for Nice star Loic Remy to £13m
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 7:38 AM on 21st July 2010
Daily Mail
West Ham have made an improved £13million bid for Nice striker Loic Remy – to head off competition from Premier League rivals. Co-owner David Sullivan is believed to have offered the majority of the fee up front too to appease Nice's demands. Liverpool, Tottenham and Lyon had all expressed an interest while Arsenal are expected to make fresh enquiries on Wednesday once Eduardo's £6m transfer to Shakhtar Donetsk is finalised. If Arsenal step in, the 23-year-old would prefer to go there but West Ham's offer is the best so far and Nice are keen to accept. Remy's agent, Frederic Guerra, said: 'Loic has his heart set on England.'
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If West Ham Want Remy, Make the Deal Happen!
West Ham Till I Die
Will Remy join West Ham or not? How serious is the alleged competition from Spurs and Liverpool? Is there an emerging interest in the player from Arsenal and will that be decisive in him ending up at the Emirates?
It would appear that West Ham have agreed 95% of the deal with Nice, but the sticking point remains the scheduling of the transfer payments. It has been alleged that Nice have some debt problems and they need a greater % of cash up front to enable to to address these. That would certainly explain Nice's negotiating position.
I am aware of Reny's reputation second hand. He may well be the next Henry, his goal to game ration last season was certainly good. In Cole, Nouble, Piquionne and (to a lesser extent) McCarthy we have a broadly similarly type of player. Strong players that can lead the line well and chip in with their share of goals. What we are missing is a pacy, penalty box, goal poacher to play off them. We have youngsters in Hines and Sears that could potentially play that role, but both players, in different ways, have still to prove themselves. So bringing in Remy could prove to be an excellent move.
At the end of the day, whether we fans want the player or not, he is obviously highly rated by the Hammers management. So, if they want him, they should back their judgement and make the deal happen. One gets rather weary of the club being continually linked with players, only for the deals to fail to materialise.
On thing is certain, if Remy joins Arsenal or Liverpool and proves a major success, there will be bitter recriminations amongst our fans that we failed to land the player when the club were clearly in pole position. Regrets, are to be avoided as much in football as in life, in general, so make the deal happen! Who knows, it could be a season defining signing, a bit like Frankie McAvennie in 1985-86!
Ok, not likely I know, but I can dream can I not!!!! And if we do miss Remy, how about gazumping the deal for Eduardo! He has to be worth a punt at c.£5m and Upton Park must be preferable to the prospects of playing football in the depths of a Ukrainian winter? Failing that, we could rectify the mistake of failing to sign Tuncay from Middlesboro and rescue him from his current footballing exile at Stoke City! Any alternative suggestions for pacy striker transfer targets?
SJ. Chandos.
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Transfer Gossip: The Situation So Far…
By Reece Bateman
West Ham Till I Die
West Ham are once again being linked with a whole plethora of players, some new ones, mainly though the same names we've been hearing about for the last month or so. West Ham are continually being linked to former Portsmouth, Chelsea and Bolton player Tal Ben Haim and if reports are to be believed, he'll complete his move to West Ham some time before the end of the week. The other big talking point is where Loic Remy will end up plying his trade next season. It seems its an all out battle between West Ham and Liverpool for the 23 year-old's signature, but neither team, nor surprisingly the players agent, hold the cards at the moment. Remy's current club Nice are calling all the shots with regards to transfer fee's and payments and the French striker will move to the club Nice deem best. The rumours of Sol Campbell possibly entering Upton Park also appear to be gathering pace, much to the dismay of nearly all West Ham fans. An ageing, out of sorts centre half isn't exactly what West Ham should be focusing on right now.
One new target that has appeared in the last day or so is Argentine striker Milton Caraglio. It is being reported that should West Hams bid for Loic Remy fail, Avram Grant has earmarked this South American as the man to help bolster West Ham's front line. The fee being reported is around the £2million mark, which could turn out to be fairly cheap should he provide the goods. However, taking a basically unknown player to lead the line for a new look Hammers team could surely be too much pressure for a young lad…Savio anyone?
Other players still being linked to West Ham currently include Aston Villa's Luke Young, Portsmouth Kevin Prince Boateng, Tottenham's Jamie O'Hara and Santos' Neymar. It's quite unlikely West Ham will ever make that many more signings when they already have a squad of around 28 players.
Onto the departures and again its the same old names being linked with an exit. Matthew Upson, Rob Green, Carlton Cole and Scott Parker are all being lined up to move to other Premier League sides according to reports. Upson is off to Sunderland, Green to Arsenal, Cole to Stoke and Parker to either Aston Villa or Liverpool. The only possible one to happen could be Upson to Sunderland. Two other West Ham regulars are also apparently heading for the exit door. Reports are suggesting Radoslav Kovac is on his way to Olympiacos and could be followed by Alessandro Diamanti, although it is reported a number of Italian teams are interested in him also, whilst Palermo and Roma are still being linked with tireless midfielder, Valon Behrami.
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Parish Notice: Reece Bateman
July 21st, 2010 - 12:46 am by Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die
Yesterday I put up a post by Reece Bateman, which seems to have caused a right old ruckus about who he is. Well, I'll let him introduce himself later this morning but he is going to provide a daily post about latest transfer rumours. It's always good to introduce something new onto a blog like this and for some time I have thought it would be good to have a new blogpost up before 9am every day which people could then use to chew the fat about latest West Ham news. Neither I nor SJ Chandos can commit to this because of our work, but Reece can. We'll see how it works, but nothing ventured, nothing gained, eh? I and SJ Chandos will continue to post as we normally do, so nothing will change there, but you, the reader, will hopefully gain something from this. I hope you will all give Reece a warm welcome to the team.
I have noticed that comments have disappeared from some of the recent threads. I have no idea why this is and can only imagine it's a software issue with Intense Debate. If it continues I will contact them to try to resolve it.
Oh, and while I am at it, from next Monday I will be presenting the evening show for a month (7-10pm) on LBC 97.3 every weekday. Hopefully some of you may phone in to keep me company!
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West Ham ban vuvuzelas from Upton Park
Horns contravene health and safety regulations
Have also been banned by Arsenal and Tottenham
guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 20 July 2010 15.38 BST
West Ham United have banned vuvuzelas from Upton Park because they contravene the stadium's health and safety regulations, which already prohibit the use of musical instruments. The plastic horns, which proved hugely controversial during the recent World Cup, have already been banned by Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal as well as by a number of Football League clubs. "Under the current health and safety regulations at the stadium, which already disallows musical bands, we would not allow them [vuvuzelas] into the stadium as they could be considered a weapon and could also be considered to be an annoyance to others," a West Ham statement said. "The health and safety regulation that all of this comes under is already in place. "The club wish at all times to ensure that all supporters are allowed to enjoy the game they are watching and prides itself on the passionate, loud and robust support from our fans at all matches at Upton Park."
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Chelsea make £17m move for Santos starlet Neymar - but Brazilians want £30m for West Ham and Manchester City target
By ASHLEY GRAY
Last updated at 7:46 AM on 21st July 2010
DailY Mail
Chelsea have failed in a £17million bid for Santos wonderkid Neymar. The Brazilian club insist they will not do a deal for less than the 18-year-old's £29.6m release clause, though an improved bid closer to £20m could be enough to snare one of the world's most gifted teenagers. West Ham had a £12m bid rejected earlier this month in a move that was seen as a stepping stone to Stamford Bridge and welcomed by the player's father. But the Blues have now made their own offer for a skilful forward who wowed Brazil by overshadowing Robinho at Santos in the run-up to the World Cup. He has scored 32 goals in 33 games this year and there was an outcry when Dunga overlooked him for South Africa 2010. Santos say they will only do a deal if the release clause is met, but they took the same position with promising striker Andre, who had a £41m buyout fee written into his contract only to be sold to Dynamo Kiev for £6.5m in June.
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Man City won't buy the title this season - Sullivan
By Harry Harris, Football Correspondent
July 20, 2010
ESPN
West Ham co-owner David Sullivan has warned big-spending Manchester City that they will not necessarily achieve success as a result of their extensive financial investment in the first-team squad. "Don't let anyone kid you, and we're not naive enough to believe it, that simply spending money on players will guarantee success, you have got to buy the right payers," Sullivan told Soccernet.
"Of course, the more money you have to throw at it, the more likely you are to be successful, but I don't see Manchester City walking away with the title this season, no matter how much money they spend. No, I don't. And the reasons are Chelsea and Manchester United. I still think those two clubs will finish above Manchester City. So, it would be a phenomenal season if Manchester City could finish above one of them. It would be terrific from their point of view to finish second, and that is a distinct possibility. But not first. Not yet.''
Sullivan, however, does admit that it is a tactic that has worked in the past, even if it is beyond the realms of possibility for his own club.
"It will come [For Man City] with time and more money,'' he said. ''Again don't kid yourself, Manchester United have been buying the title for years, the amount they've spent on players. Jack Walker bought the title for Blackburn Rovers, and Roman Abramovich did it for Chelsea.
"Our aim at Upton Park is to make a big impact and we are very ambitious, but we came here with £110 million of debt at this club so it's far from an easy task, and we've put more of our money into it, David Gold and myself.
"It hasn't been easy to get the players we want, but we're getting there, and there is a great deal of excitement at the moment at Upton Park as the fans are eager to see where all the new arrivals might take their team. Our aim as owners, David and myself, is to bring fun and excitement to Upton Park."
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West Ham's hopes of moving to Olympic Stadium after 2012 given boost
Hammers want to move into Stratford site after 2012
Company behind shopping centre around stadium receptive
Owen Gibson
guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 20 July 2010 21.07 BST
West Ham United's bid to move into the Olympic Stadium after the 2012 games received a boost today after the company behind the huge shopping centre that will dominate the entrance to the site said it would back the idea. The east London club has submitted a bid to take over the stadium in conjunction with Newham Council as part of a process being overseen by the Olympic Park Legacy Company. AEG, the operator of the O2, was also one of more than 100 parties to register an interest. There had been speculation that Westfield, the Australian company behind the 1.9m square foot Stratford City shopping centre that is seen as a key part of the bid to leave a legacy for east London, did not approve of the idea of West Ham taking over. But appearing yesterday before the Economic Development, Culture, Sport and Tourism Committee, Westfield's Stratford City director, John Burton, said it was already working with West Ham and Newham Council on their plans. "Clearly there are statements saying we are opposed to West Ham and that is simply not correct," Burton said. "We will work with West Ham or anyone else for that matter in the delivery of a further use. The only criteria we would put around that is, given our role around access, that we have regular communication and co‑ordination to deal with any organisational issues." "We're well-experienced in it, we simply want the opportunity to work with whoever the operator might be. We have had discussions with Newham and the West Ham group about how to take that forward." The Olympic Delivery Authority chief executive, David Higgins, said last week the £1.5bn Westfield Stratford development, which includes shops, hotels, offices and flats, was key to the regeneration of the area. Burton said the overriding priority for the stadium should be to "get it back into use as quickly as possible and make sure that is a long term use". He added: "We are ready to support West Ham and Newham should they be the successful tenderer for its long term use."
The OPLC is now whittling down those expressions of interest to a shortlist of names that will go through a formal procurement process. The OPLC has promised to come up with a decision before the end of the year. A key factor, alongside commercial and community considerations, is likely to be the upfront investment required to convert the stadium – which has some permanent facilities but will house toilets and concession stands in pods on its periphery during the Games – into a permanent football stadium. West Ham and Newham's joint bid, which envisages reducing the capacity from 80,000 to around 60,000, included plans for health and educational facilities. Its vision for a community sporting club along continental lines has also included discussions with UK Athletics and Essex County Cricket Club. "The design has to incorporate football and an athletics track. That has always been a challenge but I think West Ham's design rises to that challenge," the councillor Paul Brickell, executive member for Olympics and public affairs at the London Borough of Newham, told the committee
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********** Ben Haim ************
Yesterday The Jewish Chronicle published a story about Ben Haim failing a medical, but they have now retracted that report, saying that he did in fact "pass the tests at Upton Park. However, any possible deal remains incomplete as Ben Haim has yet to sign a contract due to the player and club failing to agree a salary"
I apologies for misleading you all.
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