Daily WHUFC News - 25th December 2010 - Happy Christmas :¬)

Avram on Christmas Eve
WHUFC.com
Avram Grant has held his press conference ahead of the Boxing Day trip
across London to Fulham
24.12.2010

Avram Grant has spoken to the media ahead of the Boxing Day Barclays Premier
League trip to Fulham. The West Ham United manager discussed the improving
injury situation, the importance of scoring a first away league win since
August 2009 and improving the squad during the January transfer window.
Grant also restated his strong desire to keep Hammer of the Year Scott
Parker at the Boleyn Ground.

Avram on team news...

We trained in the stadium and the training was good. It was very cold, but
we didn't have any problems. It is still 48 hours until the game, so we will
train again on Christmas Day and then we will know. There have been some
improvements, but we will not know until tomorrow who can play. Robert Green
is looking better, but we need to wait and see tomorrow. Victor Obinna also
didn't train normally but there is improvement. We need to wait and see. We
will decide on Christmas Day. If they train well, then they can play. Nobody
likes to train on Christmas Day but we have a game on Sunday so we need to
train tomorrow.

Avram on both teams needing a win on Boxing Day...

We were talking many months ago about the importance of games. The next game
is always very important for us. When you asked me two months ago if this
game was important, it was also important then. Now, even though we have a
lot of games left, we are bottom with 13 points. We want to play like we did
last week when we were better than Blackburn and we want to take points
because we need them. I think Mark Hughes is under pressure, but Wolves are
under pressure, Wigan are under pressure, Blackburn are under pressure and
at the top the six teams are under pressure. This is the name of the game.
We are under pressure to take points because we are at the bottom. I'm sure
that we don't deserve to be at the bottom, having analysed our games, but
there are no points awarded for 'deserve'. We have to do our job to take
points. We try to play good football - that is our target - but sometimes
points are more important. I think it will be a tough game for us and for
them. When they came to us earlier in the season, their situation was
better. When we played them at home, we drew 1-1 and it was a good game and
good quality football. I don't know what will happen in this game but I know
it will be tough for us and tough for them. When you are the bottom, you
need to calculate the points you need but the most important game is the
next game. We didn't come to the final quarter of the season which is
critical, but this is an important game. Last week the players are upset
because we didn't do more. We have been on top of them and they gave more
than 100 per cent in a place that is not easy to go. We are always feeling
that we are close but we want to do it.

Avram on the record of teams being bottom at Christmas being relegated...

I had a big challenge last year at a team without owners and I had big
challenges before. It is always a challenge. For me, what has happened in
the past is good and tradition is good but things happen that didn't happen
in the past. Nobody thought a guy could run a mile in under four minutes
because nobody had done it before, so there are a lot of things that nobody
has done before but we want to do it and we can do it.

Avram on not winning away from home in the Barclays Premier League since
August 2009...

The pressure comes because I am always asked this question so we need to end
this record! We were very close last week and very close in the games
before. This year the difference between winning away games and not winning
away games was so small and the players know it. We are playing against a
team who are very good at home so it will not be easy, but that is our
target.

Avram on Steve Sidwell...

Normally I don't speak about players when we didn't complete the signing but
I am interested in him. He is a good player and a good lad also. We are
trying to build a team here with positive guys and intelligent players and
he is very intelligent. In football sometimes the one per cent is stronger
than the 99 per cent, but the situation is ongoing. He was my player in
Chelsea and he did well. It was not easy at that time because we had 27
international players, but he did well when he came in.

Avram on other transfer targets...

I'm linked with a lot of players who were my players last year and before
but I cannot speak about something we didn't do yet. To be fair, it is not a
secret that we have a lot of injuries and a few of the injured players have
been out for a long time and could have problems like we have over the last
three months. We need to make the squad stronger - everybody knows it. The
owners know it so they will try to use January to make the squad stronger.
It will be busy. When we have everybody fit we have a good squad but we have
a lot of injuries. We are trying to do everything to make the squad
stronger. It's not a secret that there is a lot of debt here at the club so
money is important. We have a list of players and priorities that we will
follow.

Avram on the possibility of Scott Parker leaving...

No chance. Scott Parker is more than a good player for this football club.
Even though we are at the bottom, we are trying to do the right things for
this club. We know all the teams that succeeded did not have it so easy at
the start. He is the foundation of this club. The owners have made it very
clear that they want Scott Parker here and want good players here. We don't
have many like Scott Parker and it would not be good for us if he left the
club and I don't think it would be good for him. He knows what the vision of
the club is and he is part of it.

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The Rev's Christmas message
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 24th December 2010
By: Staff Writer

West Ham United's club chaplain Elwin Cockett brings us his annual Christmas
message...

Nostalgia isn't what it used to be, as they say, but we West Ham fans could
do with all the heart-warming memories we can get during this cold winter.
One old-timer who is sadly no longer with us told me that his happiest
Christmas was spent driving around East Anglia in 1944 with a car full of
turkeys meant for the club's players who were stationed in army units around
the US air bases. Fans from the post-war years will tell tales of long
trips by train to far-away clubs on Boxing Day to witness improbable
results. For me, Tony Cottee's goal on his debut, against Spurs one New
Year's Day, is up there with the best. Nevertheless, it's not events but the
characters at the club who have made it the place that it has been for me
over the years. When I was invited to be the club chaplain in the early 90s,
that legend of many a hard-fought game, Billy Bonds, was in charge. Bill,
along with the likes of kit man Eddie Gilliam, club secretary Tom Finn, and
players like Alvin Martin, Tony Cottee and John Moncur, were all great
people who it was my privilege to get to know.
And – though it is never popular to say so – so were the directors, some of
whom were deeply committed to the club and the area, having been involved
all their lives. And if those characters were special, so have been the fans
– often more so in defeat that in success. Who will ever forget the singing
when we were 4-0 down in 'that' cup game after Tony Gale's sending off? Or
the response to the chant of 'Going down, going down, going down' with 'So
are we, so are we, so are we'. People like that deserve to have something to
cheer. If Christmas means anything to me, it is about remembering what
really matters. We love football, and we love our club, but whether or not
we get relegated is nothing like as important as people. People matter. In
the end, football doesn't. If we get that right, we can treat both victory
and defeat as the impostors that Kipling famous described them as. It's the
people who matter. So, wherever you're spending the festivities this year,
may you know something of the love, peace and hope that the Christmas story
is all about. And may God bless you and the people around you richly –
whatever the football results.

Elwin Cockett
Archdeacon of West Ham

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Fulham v West Ham preview
Crucial six-pointer between strugglers at Craven Cottage
By Steve Pass Last updated: 24th December 2010
SSN

PREDICTIONS:
Skysports.com prediction: 2-1
SKY BET odds: Fulham 10/11 Draw 12/5 West Ham 3/1

MATCH FACTS:
West Ham have scored in all but one of their last 16 Boxing Day fixtures -
The Hammers are 9/1 to win 1-0 on Sunday - BET NOW

Clint Dempsey has scored in the last two Premier League games against West
Ham - The Fulham star is 6/1 to open the scoring at Craven Cottage this
weekend - BET NOW

Fulham have not won any of their last four Premier League matches at home,
their longest run since they went five without a victory in January 2008 - A
2-2 draw on Boxing Day is 18/1 - BET NOW

One to Watch: Andrew Johnson

LIVE ON SKY SPORTS
Fulham v West Ham
11.30pm, Sun, Sky Sports HD1, Sky Sports 1 and online with Sky Player

Fulham take on fellow relegation strugglers West Ham in a crucial Boxing Day
derby clash at Craven Cottage, which is due to be screened on Sky Sports.
Both sides are desperate for a win in the lunchtime kick-off, with the 16th
placed Cottagers sitting just outside the drop zone on goal difference,
while the Hammers are rock bottom, three points from safety. To add extra
spice to the derby clash, both Fulham boss Mark Hughes' and West Ham manager
Avram Grant's positions have come under speculation in recent days and the
pair need a win to lift the pressure. But it will be difficult for both
sides given the Cottagers have plunged down the table after a run of no wins
in six league games, while Grant's outfit have not won in three attempts.
Fulham can at least take heart from the fact that both their league wins
have come at home and Hughes' side have not lost at Craven Cottage in two
games, the latest a goalless stalemate with Sunderland. While the Hammers
have yet to taste victory away in the top flight this season, they can also
take confidence from a 1-1 draw at Blackburn last time.

Team news

Fulham boss Hughes will give a fitness test to Moussa Dembele before
deciding whether he will play any part in the six-pointer. Dembele returned
to training this week after spending the last five weeks on the sidelines
with an ankle injury. Matthew Briggs (calf) is out until next month, while
Bobby Zamora (leg) and Philippe Senderos (Achilles) should return in
February.

For West Ham, Robert Green, Victor Obinna and Valon Behrami are all expected
to return to the squad. The trio missed last weekend's 1-1 draw at
Blackburn, goalkeeper Green after minor hip surgery, Obinna with a bruised
leg and Behrami after hurting his hip during the warm-up at Ewood Park.
Striker Freddie Sears could go straight into the squad after being recalled
from his loan spell at Scunthorpe, but Mark Noble (hip), Jack Collison and
Anthony Edgar (both knee) are still unavailable, as are Thomas Hitzlsperger
(thigh) and Manuel da Costa (foot).

Possible starting XIs:
Fulham: Schwarzer, Hughes, Pantsil, Hangeland, Salcido, Murphy, Davies,
Dempsey, Etuhu, A Johnson, Gera.

West Ham: Green, Upson, Gabbidon, Ben Haim, Tomkins, Spector, Dyer, Boa
Morte,Obinna, Parker, Cole.

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Grant: Scott will stay parked up
The Sun
Published: Today

AVRAM GRANT insists there is no way he will let Scott Parker leave West Ham
during the January sales. Parker, 30, is widely admired and the former
Chelsea and Newcastle ace is expected to attract interest from Tottenham
when the transfer window opens next month. But Grant is determined to hang
on to his midfield engine room at all costs. The Hammers boss said: "Parker
is more than a good player for this football club. "He is one of the
foundations of this club. The owners have made it very clear that they want
him here and want good players here. "We don't have many like Parker and it
would not be good for us if he left the club — and I don't think it would be
good for him. "He knows what the vision of the club is and he is part of
it."

Grant is confident the Hammers will make a number of signings in January to
aid the club's relegation battle. West Ham are currently bottom of the
Premier League but Grant has not given up hope of leading them to safety. He
added: "Even though we are at the bottom, we are trying to do the right
things for this club. "We know all the teams that succeeded did not have it
so easy at the start. We are under pressure to take points because we are at
the bottom. "We don't deserve to be at the bottom, having analysed our
games, but there are no points awarded for 'deserve'." Grant has refused to
confirm reports linking West Ham with Manchester City duo Wayne Bridge and
Shaun Wright-Phillips. But he has made it clear reinforcements will be
making their way to Upton Park. The Israeli said: "It is not a secret that
we have a lot of injuries and that we need to make the squad stronger. That
is what we will try to do in January. "A lot of players have been linked
with us."

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Grant rules out Parker sale
Published 14:58 24/12/10 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror

West Ham manager Avram Grant insists there is no way he would allow Scott
Parker to leave the relegation-threatened club in the January transfer
window. Grant admits the rock-bottom Hammers are likely to be busy in the
transfer market as he fights to save his job and West Ham attempt to claw
their way to Premier League safety. But while he is looking to bring in
several reinforcements, Parker, who has been linked with a possible move to
Tottenham, will be going nowhere. Grant admitted West Ham are close to
completing a deal with Aston Villa for midfielder Steve Sidwell, but when
asked if Parker could be leaving he said: "No chance. "Scott Parker is more
than a good player for this football club. Even though we are at the bottom,
we are trying to do the right things for this club. "We know all the teams
that succeeded did not have it so easy at the start. "He is one of the
foundations of this club. The owners have made it very clear that they want
Scott Parker here and want good players here. "We don't have many like Scott
Parker and it would not be good for us if he left the club and I don't think
it would be good for him. He knows what the vision of the club is and he is
part of it."

Grant refused to confirm reports that the club were interested in Manchester
City full-back Wayne Bridge and striker Shaun Wright-Phillips, plus
Tottenham's Robbie Keane and Jonathan Woodgate. But he added: "It is not a
secret that we have a lot of injuries and that we need to make the squad
stronger and that is what we will try to do in January. "A lot of players
have been linked with us."

Grant could get a boost for the lunchtime kick-off at Fulham on Sunday with
goalkeeper Robert Green poised to return after recovering from a minor hip
operation. Victor Obinna could also be back, although he only trained
lightly at Upton Park. Luis Boa-Morte is out suspended. Grant, however,
shrugged off the pressure which sees West Ham face a Fulham side, just one
spot outside the relegation zone, without a win in their last 27 away league
matches.
Grant said: "We want to play like we did last week when we were better than
Blackburn and we want to take points because we need them. "I think Mark
Hughes (Fulham manager) is under pressure, but Wolves are under pressure,
Wigan are under pressure, Blackburn are under pressure and at the top the
six teams are under pressure. "This is the name of the game. We are under
pressure to take points because we are at the bottom. "We don't deserve to
be at the bottom, having analysed our games, but there are no points awarded
for 'deserve'."

Grant is well aware of the statistic that only one club bottom of the
Premier League at Christmas have survived. That was West Brom in 2005 but
Grant, who was relegated with Portsmouth in administration last season,
said: "I had a big challenge last year at a team without owners and I had
big challenges before. "For me, what has happened in the past is good and
tradition is good but things happen that didn't happen in the past. "Nobody
thought a guy could run a mile in under four minutes because nobody had done
it before, so there are a lot of things that nobody has done before but we
want to do it and we can do it."

On Sidwell, who Grant managed at Chelsea and who has undergone a medical at
Upton Park, the West Ham boss said: "Normally I don't speak about players
when we didn't complete the signing but I am interested in him. "He is a
good player and a good lad. We are trying to build a team here with positive
guys and intelligent players and he is very intelligent and I hope we will
complete the deal. He has done what he needs to do to be here."

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Fulham v WEST HAM: Robert Green returns but Valon Behrami and Victor Obina
both doubts
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 2:37 PM on 24th December 2010
Daily Mail

Goalkeeper Robert Green could be back after recovering from a minor hip
operation to give West Ham a boost for the Boxing Day trip to Fulham. Valon
Behrami and Victor Obinna could also return although manager Avram Grant
will decided after training on Christmas Day. Midfielder Mark Noble,
however, is still a doubt with a hip injury while Jack Collison, Manual Da
Costa and Thomas Hitzlsperger are all out. Winger Luis Boa Morte misses out
through suspension, but Freddie Sears could be included after returning from
loan at Scunthorpe.

Team (from): Green, Ben-Haim, Tomkins, Upson, Gabbidon, Barrera, Stanislas,
Parker, Behrami, Dyer, McCarthy, Spector, Cole, Obinna, Piquionne, Sears,
Larkins, Reid, Faubert, Boffin.

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Daily WHUFC News - 24th December 2010

Avram Boxing clever
WHUFC.com
Avram Grant is aiming to give the fans some Christmas cheer by scoring a
Boxing Day win at Fulham
24.12.2010

Avram Grant insists his West Ham United team can bring some festive cheer to
supporters by defeating Fulham on Boxing Day. The Hammers manager and his
players have overcome the inconveniences caused by the recent cold weather
to prepare fully for their short trip across London to Craven Cottage.
An encouraging 1-1 draw at snowbound Blackburn Rovers last weekend has
instilled confidence in the squad ahead of the match. With Fulham sitting
just three points above West Ham going into their Christmas date, Grant
knows three points could further kick-start his side's campaign. "I don't
know if it will happen quickly. We have spoken with the players and we have
analysed all of our games and if you look, in all of our games are against
the teams in the ten places above us in the table, we were better in 80 per
cent of those games. "For the players, it is very frustrating. At Blackburn,
we wanted the reward and wanted the three points. I think if we continue
like this we can close the gap. "It's very important and the players know
it. We are speaking with them about this and want to continue being on top
of the other teams and to take points."

Grant and his coaching staff staged their training sessions at the Boleyn
Ground on Wednesday and Christmas Eve, while young Academy graduates Jordan
Brown and Ahmed Abdulla were given the opportunity to work alongside the
first-team squad. "We moved to Upton Park for training because there was a
little bit of a problem at the training ground with the winter weather, but
the training is going well. "The players are giving everything. They are
trying and, in the games, I don't think one player is giving less than 100
per cent so they are giving everything. This is good because we need it now.
"It's part of our vision at the club to give young players opportunities. We
wanted to do it when everything is more settled and we were not in a tough
place in the league. We needed Ruud Boffin who is a young goalkeeper and is
part of our future at Blackburn. He did very, very well and we were very
happy with his performance. "Junior Stanislas, of course, scored the goal
and we have James Tomkins and others playing but the most important thing is
that everybody will be fit. We are working hard for this because when
everybody is fit, we are a good team."

While young players like the recalled Freddie Sears could play a big part in
the club's future, Grant insisted that it was also up to the experienced
professionals in his squad to lead from the front during the busy festive
season. "They have to do it. They have a responsibility and, more than this,
they have the desire to do it. The team wants to succeed and wants to come
off the bottom of the league. We are very close to doing it and I believe
that we can do it."

Concentrating on Fulham in particular, Grant is looking forward to
challenging Cottagers boss Mark Hughes who, like him, enjoyed a period in
international management before moving to the Barclays Premier League. "He
came to a team which was very good last year - they were in the final of the
UEFA Cup and had a very good season, so the players are more comfortable and
believe in themselves. "We are another team and we want to build ourselves
for the future and I think we are doing the right things. We know what we
want for ourselves and what the future of West Ham needs to look like and we
will do the right things."

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Ben Haim battling on
WHUFC.com
Versatile defender Tal Ben Haim is up for the fight at Fulham on Sunday
23.12.2010

Tal Ben Haim is looking forward to making an impact during the busy
Christmas period for West Ham United. The Israel defender has played in
every defensive position for the club this season but looks likely to retain
his right-back berth for the trip to Fulham on Boxing Day. He is on his best
run of matches for the Hammers, starting the last four fixtures. Ben Haim
was his usual uncompromising self away to Blackburn Rovers last weekend,
playing his part in a battling display. "We played some good football and
created some good chances," he said. "In the first half there were two good
chances, second half even more chances and I think we kept them on very low
chances. "All in all I think we could win the game, but a draw away from
home is not a bad result, though we expect more obviously."

Ben Haim experienced a relegation fight last season at Portsmouth, the club
he left in the summer to join the Hammers on loan until January. He believes
there is a real spirit in this squad to get out of trouble. "We are very
positive and we are looking forward to the games coming up. We are looking
forward to Fulham and want to get all three points. We are never happy with
just a point. Obviously every game that we come into, we want to win -
football is about winning."

Ben Haim will also not mind if he has to continue in a full-back role,
underlining his willingness to do his best for the cause. "My favourite
position is still in the centre, but if the team needs me to play on the
right, it is fine for me to do that."

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Scott speaks
WHUFC.com
Scott Parker was a Hammers hit when he went along to the busy Liberty
Romford store this week
23.12.2010

The Hammers hero signed for every single supporter who turned up this week,
spending more than two hours in the shop. Parker, on course to win a third
straight Hammer of the Year title, has been the club's inspiration in 2010 -
and is banking on better times for all in 2011. The midfielder will be in
training with his team-mates on Christmas Day ahead of the Sunday trip to
Fulham on Boxing Day, with an equally significant meeting with Everton at
the Boleyn next Tuesday evening. Parker will need to avoid a yellow card in
either match if he is to make it to the end of year deadline without a
one-match ban for five cautions. He said: "We are not in the best of
­positions in the league but if we can pick up some points, it will help us
a lot. Let's hope we can win some games. Things can turn around quickly.
There are some important games coming up in London and they are winnable
games for us." Keep an eye on whufc.com for news of more Hammers instore and
check out WHUTV for all the best video exclusives - including Freddie Sears,
Lars Jacobsen, Frank McAvennie, James Corden and Robert Green, the Rev's
Christmas message, Avram Grant's pre-Fulham thoughts and much, much more.

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Fulham v West Ham
BBC.co.uk
Barclays Premier League
Venue: Craven Cottage Date: Sunday, 26 December Kick-off: 1200 GMT
Coverage: Watch live on Sky Sports 1 and highlights on Match of the Day;
listen on talkSPORT, BBC Radio 5 live and local radio; text commentary on
BBC

TEAM NEWS
Fulham's Moussa Dembele is back in full training but is unlikely to start
after spending the last five weeks sidelined with an ankle injury.

West Ham goalkeeper Rob Green should return following a minor hip operation,
while Victor Obinna is expected to recover in time from a bruised leg.
Valon Behrami is doubtful after aggravating a hip problem in the warm-up
against Blackburn. Ex-Fulham winger Luis Boa Morte serves a ban having
collected five bookings.

Fulham
Doubtful: Dembele (ankle)
Injured: Briggs (calf), Halliche (thigh), Senderos (Achilles), Stoor
(groin), Zamora (leg)

West Ham
Suspended: Boa Morte (one match)
Doubtful: Behrami & Green (hip), Jacobsen (heel), Obinna (bruised leg)
Injured: Da Costa (ankle/foot), Collison, Edgar & Kurucz (all knee),
Hitzlsperger (thigh), Noble (hip)

MATCH PREVIEW
One down, two to go; having reportedly been given three games to prove his
worth ahead of last weekend's draw at Blackburn, Avram Grant travels to
Fulham still needing a win before the end of 2010 in order to stay in a job.
West Ham's manager denies any such ultimatum exists and remains confident he
will defy the odds by keeping the Hammers in the top flight, but the outlook
is bleak: only one club in the 18-year history of the Premier League has
been bottom at Christmas and gone on to escape the drop. Embarrassingly for
Grant, this is the second consecutive Christmas he will spend peering up
from the bottom of the table and, worryingly for Hammers fans, the Upton
Park club have fewer points than Portsmouth had under the Israeli 12 months
ago. It is not difficult to work out where West Ham's problems lie: their
strikers have managed a grand total of six league goals between them, while
only Wigan have found it more difficult locating the back of the net. Expect
rampant speculation over the next few weeks linking the East End club with a
host of front men, with Robbie Keane, Emmanuel Adebayor and Monaco striker
Dieumerci Mbokani among the names touted in the last week. Goals have also
proved a headache for Fulham, who are only three points better off than the
Hammers. The Premier League's draw specialists have managed just two league
wins all season, and recent history suggests this fixture is unlikely to
produce three points for them either: the Cottagers have not celebrated a
Boxing Day victory since 2003. Unless that changes, Fulham's Mark Hughes
could be another manager under threat.

MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
• Fulham secured their first home league win over West Ham in 44 years when
they met in May (Fulham 3-2 West Ham).
• Fulham have only won two of their 15 Premier League meetings with West
Ham.
• There have been seven red cards in the last 13 Premier League meetings
between these clubs.

Fulham
• Fulham have won only one of their previous 13 league games.
• Mark Hughes has drawn 18 of his last 28 games as a Premier League manager.
• Fulham's last four Premier League wins have come against teams whose names
begin with the letter W.

West Ham
• West Ham have won only one of their last 12 Premier League matches. They
have secured just six league wins during the calendar year of 2010, and
claimed a combined total of just 30 points.
• They have not won away from home in the Premier League since beating
Wolves on the opening day of last season.
• The Hammers have spent all season in the relegation zone and have been
bottom since the beginning of October, when they drew 1-1 with Fulham.
• Only one club - West Brom in 2004/05 - in the 18-year history of the
Premier League has been bottom at Christmas and escaped the drop.

LEADING GOALSCORERS

Fulham
Dempsey: 6 goals (5 league)

West Ham
Parker: 6 goals (4 league); Piquionne: 5 goals (4 league)
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Mark Halsey
Assistant referees: Darren Cann & Stephen Child
Fourth official: Lee Probert
LAST LEAGUE MATCH LINE-UPS
Fulham (D0-0 v Sunderland, h): Schwarzer; Pantsil, Hughes, Hangeland,
Salcido (Eddie Johnson 72), Davies, Murphy, Etuhu (Baird 78), Dempsey, Gera,
Kamara (Andrew Johnson 46). Subs not used: Stockdale, Kelly, Duff, Greening.
West Ham (D1-1 v Blackburn, a): Boffin; Ben Haim, Tomkins, Upson, Gabbidon,
Barrera (Stanislas 56), Parker, Dyer (McCarthy 82), Spector (Cole 57),
Piquionne, Boa Morte. Subs not used: Larkins, Reid, Faubert.

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Boxing clever
Thommo previews the Boxing Day games
SSN
Phil Thompson Posted 23rd December 2010 view comments
Fulham v West Ham
11.30am, Boxing Day, Sky Sports HD1

This is a massive period for Fulham and West Ham and with both teams around
the drop zone, the two managers will expect something from this one.
I think Mark Hughes will be pleased his players had a respite last week when
their game at Liverpool was called off. They've drawn far too many matches
this year and despite going seven unbeaten in the Premier League at the
start of the season, they have been made to pay for failing to pick up three
points often enough.

They are lacking confidence and find themselves just outside the bottom
three at Christmas, so they need to take advantage of a home game against
the side at the bottom of the table. Teams still find it difficult to go and
win at Craven Cottage, but I don't think it's as strong a fortress for
Hughes as it was under Roy Hodgson.

A lot of that is down to the absence of Bobby Zamora. I know one player
doesn't make a team, but they lost far fewer games before the England
striker got injured. His absence has had a devastating effect on them and I
think Hughes will want to do something about that when the transfer window
opens.

LIVE ON SKY SPORTS
Fulham v West Ham
11.30am, Boxing Day, Sky Sports HD1

He was never a prolific goalscorer under Hodgson, but his build-up play was
exceptional - and that's what Hughes has struggled to replace. Their
supporters will be concerned that by the time he is fit again, they will be
deep in the mire. Mousa Dembele started well, but has struggled to pull up
any trees in the Premier League, while Andrew Johnson has struggled for
fitness. They need an injection up front in January or it could be a
difficult second half of the season for them. This is a game that Avram
Grant will be looking to win. I covered their game with Blackburn for Soccer
Saturday and I thought they played very well, particularly in the second
half. That was a game away from home against a team that could be dragged
into the relegation mix. They went and got a good draw- and I think they
could repeat the trick at Fulham.

PHIL'S PREDICTION
DRAW - I can see West Ham going to Fulham and getting a score draw, probably
1-1. Unfortunately, I can't see them escaping the bottom three in the New
Year; they are certainly one of the relegation favourites at this moment in
time.

THOMMO'S TOP MAN
CLINT DEMPSEY - For West Ham, the key man is Scott Parker, just as it is
every week! But from Fulham's point of view. I will be keeping an eye on
Dempsey, who I believe is a fine player. He's not a prolific goalscorer but
he needs to share that burden while Zamora is out. There has been talk of
him leaving the Cottage, but they can ill afford to let him go. He is vital
to their hopes.

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McCarthy reveals Sidwell bid
Last updated: 24th December 2010
SSN

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy has revealed he thought he had agreed a deal to
sign Steve Sidwell from Aston Villa before West Ham moved in for the player.
Sidwell is expected to seal his switch to West Ham when the transfer window
reopens next month after undergoing a medical at Upton Park.
McCarthy admits he had hoped to land the former Reading and Chelsea man
after agreeing a fee with Villa for the midfielder's signature. However, the
chance to return to London has proved too good to turn down for Sidwell. "I
thought he was coming to us," McCarthy said. "We had a deal on the table.
"He has a house half an hour from West Ham. He spoke to the lads and wanted
to come but West Ham came in and kyboshed it. "He'd have been good for us,
but I can't fault his decision. "Maybe they will bring him in and sell Scott
Parker. It was the choice of the player."

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Can we Av SWP on loan please
The Sun
By NEIL CUSTIS
Published: Today

AVRAM GRANT wants Shaun Wright-Phillips to help save West Ham's season. Boss
Grant needs new faces with the Hammers bottom of the Premier League and has
asked Manchester City about taking winger SWP on loan next month. City are
yet to give them a reply and will leave the final decision to manager
Roberto Mancini. But Wright-Phillips, 29, has started only two league games
under the Italian this season - and he was hauled off in both of them.
The additions of James Milner, Adam Johnson and David Silva have knocked him
well down the pecking order in his second spell at the club. Wright-Phillips
left City for Chelsea for £21million in July 2005 before returning north
three years later for £8.5m. West Brom have also enquired about taking the
forward, capped 36 times by England, on loan. Hammer boss Grant could have
Victor Obinna available for the Boxing Day trip to Fulham after a leg
injury. The Nigerian striker says he is getting to grips with English
football following his loan switch from Inter Milan in the summer. Obinna
said: "The backroom staff and players have helped me a lot to adapt easily."

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Hammers defender in no mood for Christmas handouts against Fulham
Published 23:00 23/12/10 By Darren Lewis
The Mirror

West Ham defender Tal Ben Haim insists the players will not buckle under the
pressure of their relegation fight. The Hammers need to take at least six
points from their Christmas programme - starting at Fulham on Sunday - to
keep boss Avram Grant in a job. But while they could only salvage a draw
from their trip to Blackburn last Saturday, Ben Haim maintains they can take
all three points off their fellow strugglers at Craven Cottage. The Israeli
defender said: "We are very positive and we are looking forward to the games
coming up. "We are looking forward to Fulham and want to get all three
points. We are never happy with just a point. "Obviously every game that we
come into, we want to win - football is about winning. "We played some good
football and created some good chances (at Blackburn). "In the first half
there were two good chances, second half even more chances and I think we
kept them on very low chances. "All in all I think we could win the game,
but a draw away from home is not a bad result, though we expect more
obviously."
Ben Haim knows all about relegation having battled in vain against the drop
at Portsmouth last season. The Israeli, who has played at right-back in each
of his last four games with West Ham, is on loan with the Hammers until
January. He insists the players at the club are well up for the fight for
survival and that team-spirit is high. So much so that has no qualms about
remaining out of position. He went on: "My favourite position is still in
the centre, but if the team needs me to play on the right, it is fine for me
to do that."

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Hammers welcome back hat-trick of stars
Published 16:48 23/12/10 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror

Robert Green, Victor Obinna and Valon Behrami are all expected to return to
the West Ham squad for their crunch Boxing Day game at Fulham. The trio
missed last weekend's 1-1 Barclays Premier League draw at Blackburn,
goalkeeper Green after minor hip surgery, Obinna with a bruised leg, and
Behrami after hurting his hip during the warm-up at Ewood Park. Striker
Freddie Sears could go straight into the squad after being recalled from his
loan spell at Scunthorpe, but Mark Noble (hip), Jack Collison and Anthony
Edgar (both knee) are still unavailable, as are Thomas Hitzlsperger (thigh)
and Manuel da Costa (foot).

Provisional squad: Green, Boffin, Ben Haim, Upson, Spector, Faubert,
Tomkins, Gabbidon, Parker, Barrera, Cole, Stanislas, Dyer, Piquionne, Hines,
Obinna, Kovac, Boa Morte, Stech, Reid, Jacobsen, Behrami, Sears.

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Exclusive – Cottee: 'West Ham must get rid of Grant now'
TalkSPort
By Alex Varney
Friday, December 24

Tony Cottee has told talkSPORT West Ham must act now and get rid of manager
Avram Grant. The Hammers are stranded at the foot of the table after a
woeful start to the season. And former Upton Park striker Cottee is urging
the club to bring in a new boss before the January transfer window. "It's
the time to do it. If you're going to do it you've got to do it in
conjunction with the January window," Cottee told the Sports Breakfast boys.
"They're bottom of the league, they haven't won away from home for 27 games
I think it is now, and all the West Ham fans just expect to go down at the
moment. "Something's got to happen, they've got to change something or other
and the only change they can make really is replacing the manager. " They've
got to change something or other and the only change they can make really is
replacing the manager
" "They've got some tough games, Fulham away, then they're home to a team in
form in Everton, then they're home to Wolves, which is a massive game,
followed by Newcastle away and Arsenal at home so the games don't get any
easier. "If you're going to change the manager change him now, at the start
of January, and get the new manager in place and give him some money."
Cottee believes the Hammers have a good enough squad to survive in the
Premier League, and insists a change of manager would solve their problems.
"They need a bit of inspiration the players," he added. "I think there's
some good players there but it's just been very disjointed since the start
of the season. "The manager might be a nice fella but he doesn't inspire me
and if you're a player and you're not getting inspired and motivated it rubs
off in the performances. "Martin O'Neill's out there, Sam Allardyce would
certainly keep the club up, so there's some decent managers available and if
there is a time to do it then the time would be now."

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Steve Sidwell could replace Scott Parker, says Wolves boss Mick McCarthy
after missing out on West Ham bound midfielder
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 10:29 AM on 24th December 2010
Daily Mail

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy has suggested West Ham bound midfielder Steve
Sidwell could arrive at Upton Park as a replacement for Scott Parker after
missing out on the Aston Villa midfielder's services. McCarthy thought he
had agreed a deal to bring the former Reading and Chelsea star to Molineux
when the transfer window re-opens for business in the New Year. But the
29-year-old midfielder favoured a move to the capital where he lives,
turning his back on a move across the Midlands with McCarthy hinting
Tottenham target Parker could be heading for an exit in east London. He
said: 'He [Sidwell] has a house half an hour from West Ham. He spoke to the
lads and wanted to come but West Ham came in and kyboshed it. 'Maybe they
will bring him in and sell Scott Parker. It was the choice of the player.'
McCarthy revealed he had agreed a deal to sign Sidwell and was left
disappointed when he discovered the deal had fallen through. 'I thought he
was coming to us,' McCarthy added. 'We had a deal on the table. 'He'd have
been good for us, but I can't fault his decision.' After undergoing a
medical at Upton Park, Sidwell is expected to be unveiled by West Ham in the
next week and could make his debut on January 1 - against Wolves.

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West Ham vice chairman Karren Brady blasts rivals Tottenham over their
Olympic Stadium bid
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 10:24 AM on 24th December 2010
Daily Mail

West Ham vice chairman Karren Brady has accused Tottenham of attempting to
'muscle in where they are not wanted' as the battle to take over the Olympic
Stadium in Stratford after 2012 intensifies. The London rivals are locked in
a two-way battle to occupy the Games site although a final decision has been
delayed until later in 2011. Barclays Premier League basement boys West Ham
have received the formal backing of UK Athletics to become new tenants after
promising to retain the track around the pitch in order to uphold the
Olympic legacy. Up for grabs: West Ham and Tottenham are in the running to
take control of the Olympic Stadium in Stratford after the 2012 Games Spurs
are supported by O2 Arena owners AEG and want to demolish the Olympic
Stadium and replace it with a brand new stadium. The Hammers are angry with
Spurs over their bid to potentially set up home on their east London
territory, a move which has also prompted concern amongst the north London's
club's supporters. Brady described Tottenham's interest as a 'smash and
grab' attempt as she went public with her disapproval, writing in her column
for The Sun. She said: 'It is an understatement to say I'm unhappy with the
way Spurs have gone about trying to wrest the rights to the Olympic Stadium
from u s.'Our bid has been founded on goodwill to the community, to the
council, to athletics and sport overall. 'We have powerful support and the
funds.' Brady also took aim at Tottenham's shareholders, claiming they do
not live in the UK and neglect to pay UK tax. She added: ''Spurs' is an
attempted smash and grab in our manor, sneaky and of no known benefit to
anyone beyond their backers and major shareholders, who by the way are not
based in the UK and don't pay UK tax unlike our owners who have always
lived, worked, employed and paid tax here. 'Even their own fans hate the
idea of a multi-mile move. Spurs are trying to muscle in where they are not
wanted.'

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Happy Christmas :)

Daily WHUFC News - 23rd December 2010

West Ham United statement
WHUFC.com
The club has responded this afternoon to a report in today's Daily Mirror
22.12.2010

Contrary to a report in today's Daily Mirror, the club categorically deny that Carlton Cole, Kieron Dyer, Herita Ilunga, Danny Gabbidon and Luis Boa Morte can only train two days a week; they train every day they are requested to without fail. The players and the club are seeking legal advice on the matter.

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Freddie fired up
WHUFC.com
Freddie Sears is back at the Boleyn Ground and determined to aid West Ham United's survival bid
22.12.2010

Freddie Sears is ready to answer the call to help West Ham United's Barclays Premier League survival bid. The versatile forward, who turned 21 last month, had his loan spell with Championship side Scunthorpe United cut short on Tuesday. Sears packed his bags and drove back to east London in time to join his Hammers team-mates in training at the Boleyn Ground on Wednesday morning. Having returned from a successful stay at Glanford Park, where he made nine impressive league appearances, the Academy graduate is now planning to make a similarly positive impact in a different shade of claret and blue. "I got the call to report back and I spoke to Grovesy and he said to come back and start training on Wednesday. It's good to be back and to come home. "Obviously, my loan was up on 3 January so I wasn't expecting to come back before then as I had three or four games left. I'm happy, in a way, to come home and be back at West Ham. Staying in a hotel at Christmas time isn't the best, so it's nice to be back where I come from. "It's a massive period for the lads, for the team and for everyone. We have four games in a short period of about eight days so hopefully there will be a chance for players who haven't been playing to play and, you never know, I might get a go. I'll just have to see what happens. "You see what's happening and the table isn't really doing us any favours at the moment, but the lads are all confident that we'll turn it around and hopefully we can. You can tell on the training pitch that we can. "The last two games have been called-off, which has been frustrating, but if I'm called upon at Fulham then I'm sure I'll be ready."

Sears spoke positively about his time at Scunthorpe, where he played an influential role in vital away victories at Watford, Preston North End and Hull City from a new role on the left wing. Having been loaned to Crystal Palace and Coventry City last season, the youngster said he had enjoyed his time with the Iron, but was now concentrating all his efforts on firing up the Irons. "We started well. We had two good wins when I started there and then we had a little bad spell when we didn't win for five games, which was disappointing, but you learn a lot when you go out on loan. It helps you grow up and you are more of a team when you're in bad situations. "I quite enjoy playing out wide and I've been playing a lot on the left of midfield or the left of a three up-front. It's harder to get in a position to score. Maybe I should have scored some goals, but I do enjoy playing the position. "I want to try to push on. It's obviously a busy time so I want to get into the New Year, play a few games and see what happens."

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Coach travel offer for Fulham
WHUFC.com
Fans can travel with the club to Craven Cottage for the big Boxing Day fixture
22.12.2010

West Ham United are delighted to offer coach travel for the Fulham away game on Boxing Day. With a tube strike scheduled, the club will lay on coaches to Craven Cottage from the Boleyn Ground - subject to demand. Coaches will depart the stadium at 10am, costing £15 for adults and £12 for concessions. Match tickets for this crucial fixture are still available from the ticket office up until the close of business on Christmas Eve. These are available for £22 for Under-16s and £49 for adults. For bookings and further information, call 0871 222 2700.

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Sidwell in Hammers medical
Midfielder closes in on Upton Park switch
Last updated: 22nd December 2010
SSN

Skysports.com understands Steve Sidwell is currently undergoing a medical at West Ham as he looks to secure his switch from Aston Villa. The former Chelsea and Reading midfielder, who has recently recovered from an Achilles problem, is being put through his paces at the club's training ground as the Hammers look to make Sidwell their first signing of the January transfer window. West Ham are thought to have agreed a cut-price fee for Sidwell with the 28-year-old's contract at Villa due to expire in the summer. Hammers boss Avram Grant is keen to bolster his squad as he looks to help them climb away from trouble at the wrong end of the table and he sees Sidwell's arrival as a key addition for the second half of the season. Sidwell has struggled to make an impact at Villa since joining from Chelsea in the summer of 2008 and he is keen to find regular first-team football. If all goes well with the medical, Sidwell will seal the switch to Upton Park for the start of January when the transfer window officially opens.

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O'Hara confused by Hammers link
But midfielder acknowledges that Spurs future is far from certain
Last updated: 22nd December 2010
SSN

Jamie O'Hara admits he could leave Tottenham in the winter transfer window but he has denied holding talks with Avram Grant at West Ham. Reports have suggested that the midfielder could move to Upton Park as part of Spurs manager Harry Redknapp's ongoing interest in Scott Parker. O'Hara has not featured this season due to a back injury and it remains to be seen if he has a future at White Hart Lane, where Tom Huddlestone, Jermaine Jenas, Niko Kranjcar, Wilson Palacios, Luka Modric and Sandro are competing for places. The 24-year-old could return in the FA Cup tie against Charlton in January but he acknowledges that his future is far from certain.

Fan favourite

"I've never wanted to leave Tottenham but there comes a point in your career if you're not playing games you've got to look at yourself and think well this is my career," said O'Hara. "I want to be playing football, I'm not one of these people that want to sit in the bench and play one in four. "I want to go to a club where I can put some roots down and hopefully become a fan favourite and stay at a club for a few years. I don't want to be coming into clubs playing for three months, coming back. "If I do go and things don't work out here at Tottenham then I'm going to be looking for somewhere where I'm going to stay for four or five years. That's something I want to do now, I don't want to be moving around all the time."

Rumours
The midfielder enjoyed playing under Grant at their former club, Portsmouth, but denies he has already been in contact with the Premier League's bottom club about either a loan or permanent move. O'Hara said: "I've heard all these rumours going around about West Ham but to be honest I haven't had any conversations with them at all so I don't know where it's coming from. "I always had a great relationship with Avram. I see him as a philosopher of football, he wasn't the sort of guy who gets up off the bench screaming and shouting - he's not that type of person. "He took a calmer approach to it, kind of like Arsene Wenger in a way. It just hasn't worked out for him (at West Ham). Hopefully he'll stay in the job."

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Parker: Capital clashes can save our season
Published 23:00 22/12/10 By Neil McLeman
The Mirror

Scott Parker has called on West Ham to save their season during three capital clashes in a week over Christmas. Avram Grant's side travel to Craven Cottage for a London derby on Boxing Day before hosting Everton and Wolves. After only two victories in the first 18 games of the season, time is quickly running out for the Premier League's bottom club and their Israeli manager. Tottenham target Parker has been inspirational in the midfield of a struggling side which last picked up three points in the "Save Our Season" match against Wigan on November 27. But the England midfielder insisted the club's fortunes can change quickly during a frantic Christmas programme. The 30-year-old said: "We are going into an important period. "We are not in the best of ­positions in the league but if we can pick up some points, it will help us a lot. Let's hope we can win some games. "Things can turn around quickly. Every game for us this year is going to be massive for us. "But there are some important games coming up in London and they are winnable games for us.
"So the quicker we can start winning games, the better, starting on Boxing Day."

Parker said a footballer's Christmas means there is little time off. "We train in the morning on Christmas Day and then stay in a hotel in the evening because we have got an early kick-off on Boxing Day," he said. "But I will get a couple of hours with the family and the children so it will still be a good time."

With Aston Villa's Steve Sidwell close to agreeing a loan deal to Upton Park, the club are still looking to bring in a striker and a left-back during the January window. Robbie Keane's proposed loan move across London has hit problems because West Ham do not want to pay a fee – or include the ­invaluable Parker in any deal. West Ham have also recalled striker Freddie Sears, from his two-month loan spell at npower Championship Scunthorpe where he has started nine games. Sears, 21, has not scored since finding the net on his debut for West Ham in March 2008 and had been expected to stay at Glanford Park until January 3. But the Hammers' manager has decided to end the loan in the hope Sears can add firepower to the squad. West Ham have had more shots than Manchester United this season, 189 against 188) but with only 65 – 34 per cent– on target - equal lowest with Sunderland. Only Wigan, with just 13 goals have scored fewer than the Hammers' 16 goals. With Tal Ben Haim already borrowed from Portsmouth, the completion of a loan deal for Sidwell will mean Jamie O'Hara cannot come on loan from Spurs. The 24-year-old midfielder, who reached the FA Cup final with Grant at Portsmouth last season, has been out with a back injury. O'Hara said: "I've heard all these rumours going around about West Ham but I haven't had any conversations with them at all so I don't know where it's coming from. "I always had a great ­relationship with Avram. I see him as a ­philosopher of football, he wasn't the sort of guy who gets up off the bench screaming and shouting - he's not that type of person. "He took a calmer approach to it, kind of like Arsene Wenger in a way. It just hasn't worked out for him (at West Ham). Hopefully, he'll stay in the job."

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Would West Ham fans really prefer relegation to Big Sam?
By Darren Lewis
Published 12:22 22/12/10
The Mirror

My mate Stuart is quite clear about one thing. While he has the utmost respect for the job Sam Allardyce has done at Blackburn and Bolton, he'd rather his beloved West Ham go down than welcome the out-of-work boss to Upton Park. It was a view that stunned me, I have to say. Allardyce has a track record of stabilising clubs and getting the job done. It might not be pretty, but then Premier League safety is surely all-important - or so I thought. I asked a few more West Ham fans inside the office and they were with Stu. They too would rather go down than see Big Sam betray the traditions of the club by bringing his long ball game to the Boleyn.

I went to a do last night, asked a few more Hammers fans and they too agreed. They concurred completely with Stu's view that they'd refuse to pay to watch the Allardyce style of football which, in their eyes, is the complete opposite of everything West Ham stand for. And I have to say it was an introduction to a harsh reality for me. I proffered the view the other day that the new owners of Blackburn must surely have been crazy to sack a man who would pretty much guarantee Premier League football every year. I stand by that view. I am not a Big Sam cheerleader but the Premier League is a hard enough league to stay in without cutting adrift one of the managers who knows the division - and what is needed to cope in it - like the back of his hand.

The view from quite a few West Ham fans is that - rightly or wrongly - there is a marked difference between the expectation level at Ewood Park and Upton Park. The feeling in London seems to be that West Ham, with their long history of keeping the ball on the ground, are loath - much as the fans want to be rid of Avram Grant - to trade that in for the rough-house, long-ball tactics that were so commonplace under Allardyce at Rovers and Bolton. Indeed, in an example of how savage this game can be, widespread vilification of Allardyce went hand in hand with the incredulity at his sacking by Blackburn last week. His detractors believe he is a dinosaur. That, as relatively successful as his teams are, they are from the dark ages. They are just not enjoyable to watch.

Never mind the fact that he transformed the career of Kevin Davies, honed the talents of Kevin Nolan and for so long was a past master at getting an extra few miles out of so-called past-it players such as Jay-Jay Okocha, now a legend at the Reebok Stadium. Big Sam was a keen advocate of the scientific approach which is now de rigueur within the game. After Colin Todd's failed attempt to get Bolton back into the Premier League 11 years ago, Allardyce got them up and kept them just two seasons later. In fact, in his final four seasons at Bolton, Allardyce had recorded consecutive top ten finishes, a record of consistency bettered only by the big four of Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal. Of his successors at the Reebok, Sammy Lee could manage only one win in 11 matches, Gary Megson sold star striker Nicolas Anelka to Chelsea and although Owen Coyle has made the team more attractive to watch, you could argue that the groundwork for his success was laid well and truly by Allardyce. After saving Blackburn from relegation two years ago, Big Sam took the club into the League Cup semi-final last season. And, listen to this - Rovers' impressive home record contributed to Rovers going unbeaten against the so-called Big Four at Ewood Park for the first time in 14 years. For the record, Blackburn drew 0–0 with Liverpool and Manchester United, 1–1 with Chelsea and beat Arsenal 2–1.

I'm not going to lie, I'd still much rather go to IKEA than watch his teams. But I maintain that, if West Ham fans really do want to stay up, then they should realise that Allardyce can contribute far more to their short-term future than they think.

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Hammers fan Hughton in line to replace Grant
Published 23:00 22/12/10 By John Cross
The Mirror

Chris Hughton is on West Ham's shortlist of candidates if Avram Grant cannot save his job over Christmas. Former Newcastle boss Hughton impressed the West Ham hierarchy with the job he did at St James's Park and he played at Upton Park as well as supporting the club as a youngster. Grant is battling to save his job but needs results quickly as West Ham are in danger of being cut adrift at the bottom. The West Ham board have stuck by him so far but they are acutely aware that they cannot let it go on forever and Grant is under no illusions that his job is on the line. Ex-Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce is not believed to be interested at the moment while Alan Curbishley is another experienced contender but a return to Upton Park would seem unlikely even though his acrimonious departure came under different owners. It leaves Hughton among the contenders and West Ham know that he would not cost them a compensation package, is available and it is believed he would be keen. Meanwhile, West Ham are also eyeing up Manchester City's out of favour left back Wayne Bridge. Bridge may be allowed to go out on from City who also could help subsidise his £80,000-a-week contract. Fulham and Stoke are also interested.

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How Do We Break Out of the Historical Vicious Circle of Under-Achievement?
West Ham Till I Die

There is a minority view amongst Hammers fans that the club would somehow benefit from relegation and a period out of the PL! I have heard this argument aired a few times and I really feel that the underpinning rationale is flawed. That process of stepping down to re-organise and regroup may have been a viable strategy in prior eras (i.e. the 1970s and 1980s when our best players stayed loyal to the club), but today it is not a path that a club would wish to follow. Yes, Newcastle Utd did it last season, but there is a real danger that the dire potential implications of relegation (especially for heavily indebted clubs) would be disastrous.

It is crucial that West Ham stay in the PL this season. There are an whole range of imperatives for the need to ensure survival, including the fact that Tony Carr and the Academy have produced another crop of youngsters that could potentially be the best since the Rio Ferdinand and Joe Cole generations. With the current struggles of the first team,the potential in the U-17s and U-18s is not getting the attention that it deserves.

Outstanding prospect, Dominic Voce, has just signed his first professional contract with the club. This is a youngster that joined West Ham over Fulham and drew strong interest from the likes of Man Utd. In addition to Voce, the club's Academy can boast promising defenders Jordan Brown (left-back), Callum McNaughton (centre-back), Sergio Sanchez (centre-back), lair Turgott (midfield), Matthias Fanimo (midfield), Olly Lee (midfield), George Moncur (midfield), Robert Hall (striker), Christian Montano (striker) and Dylan Tombides (striker). This is by no means an exhaustive list and there are other prospects that could also make the grade. Add these to others such as Frank Nouble, Zavon Hines and Jordan Spence who are ahead of them the reserve/first team pecking order and the club's future could potentially be very bright.

Whilst it is true that not all of these players are necessarily going to make it, there is real potential there. This is reflected in the fact that the U-18s have recently had back-to-back wins over Chelski and Arsenal's youngsters.

Dominic Voce has recently been reported as stating that West Ham offers a definite developmental path as trodden by the likes of Rio Ferdinand, Cole, Johnson, Carrick and Defoe. One would hope that this refers to a path to full England honours, rather than Chelski, Man Utd, Liverpool and Spurs! But that is always a danger and a dilemma for West Ham Utd FC, how can we retain our best Academy prospects to move the club forward? How can we stop the current PL 'ruling class' using their CL status and finances to take the best players off us and, in doing so, ensure that the status quo (and their domination) is reinforced far in to the future? And of course, relegation is the perfect scenerio for them to exploit other club's predicament to plunder their youth products, as we painfully experienced in 2002-03 and 2003-04.

Some will argue that is exactly our fate, barring some Man City style take over, to be a feeder club for the current top sides and that we should be grateful for the transfer revenue that it generates. Of course, others will berate me for raising such issues in the midst of the club's current struggles and state that it is irrelevant an/or unrealistic. So be it, but the fact remains that as well as dealing with the current crisis, we must link it strategically to the question of how we can break out of this vicious circle of under-achievement that has blighted West Ham's modern history.

If we are to do it (under this or some other ownership regime) then we must maintain a crucial balance between developing and retaining our own youth products, whilst investing in the squad to bring in the quality of player that can not only improve our immediate prospects, but also positively assist youth development. Youngsters need to play alongside and learn from top players, but they do not need their first team prospects totally blocked, a la Chelski. Just being in a position to recruit the quality of external recruit to move us forward is a big enough problem, but establishing the balance with youth development is also a considerable challenge.

I do not necessarily see West Ham as perpetual strugglers/under-achievers, but enlightened and proactive action needs to be undertaken to break the vicious circle. West Ham fans have had more than enough pain over the years (particularly since 2006-07) and they deserve to follow a club that is worthy of supporters that are second to none!

And the squad can start paying them back this boxing day against Fulham. We keep getting and spurning chances to get out of the bottom three. But with Fulham just ahead us in the table, a victory at Craven Cottage could be a really pivotal result. Are the team up to the job? Yes, if we stay organised at the back and start taking our chances. We must be far more ruthless in front of goal, as the statistic recently highlight by Iain illustrates. We must aim for a return of at least seven points over the next three matches. An difficult target, but one that is necessary in our current situation. Unlikely perhaps? But who knows, stranger things have happened!

Anyway, enjoy the game and the rest of the Festival period programme. And I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone associated with WHTID a merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

SJ. Chandos.

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West Ham balk at Tottenham striker Robbie Keane's demand for £1million bonus for avoiding relegation
Robbie Keane's move to West Ham United has collapsed after the Tottenham Hotspur striker is understood to have asked for a £1 million bonus should he help the Premier League's bottom club avoid relegation.
Telegraph.co.uk
By Jason Burt 7:15AM GMT 23 Dec 2010

West Ham would also have had to pay Keane's £65,000-a-week wages — his salary at Spurs – for an initial six-month loan deal, then commit to a £6 million fee to take up the option of signing the Republic of Ireland international on a three-year contract. In addition, it is understood that Tottenham had considered asking for an increase on that fee, thought to be another £1 million, should West Ham stay up. It means, in effect, they would have had to have paid £8 million for Keane in fees and bonuses plus a contract that would have amounted to £11.8 million over 3½ years. That would have been an overall financial commitment of £19.8 million for a striker who is 30. According to a highly-placed club source, West Ham are believed to have been stunned by the demands after inquiring about Keane's availability in the hope that he could bolster their attacking options.

Although the club were never confident that Keane would sign for them they did enter into negotiations. It is understood that Keane wants to go to Aston Villa, who are hopeful of a deal being done next month. West Ham also inquired about Jamie O'Hara, however there is concern over the midfielder's fitness as he is yet to play this season because of a back injury. West Ham have also turned to Manchester City in their quest to improve their squad and made an offer on Tuesday to take Wayne Bridge on loan until the end of the season. The left-back's wages of £90,000 a week are prohibitive, but West Ham had hoped to strike a deal whereby they would pay half and City half. However, it is understood that City are demanding West Ham pay a greater proportion of Bridge's wages, which the club are reluctant to do. They have not given up hope of a deal, especially as City are keen to move Bridge on once they sign either Espanyol's Victor Ruiz or Benfica's David Luiz. Both Fulham and Stoke are also believed to be tracking Bridge, though City do not expect a flurry of bids for the former England left-back when the January transfer window opens.

The 30-year-old, along with the likes of Shaun Wright-Phillips and Joleon Lescott, will be allowed to leave Eastlands if a suitable offer arrives, but City believe clubs will wait until much later in the transfer window before making their move. Prior to the inquiry about Bridge, West Ham had also failed with an offer for Emmanuel Adebayor despite being willing to pay £100,000 of his £180,000-a-week wages. They would be prepared to pay such an exorbitant salary in the hope that the striker could score the goals to help them to safety. City were understood to be prepared to do that deal but it floundered when Adebayor refused to move. It is believed he does not want to join a club facing a relegation battle and is also angling for a permanent transfer, not a loan, next month and would prefer to move to Italy with Juventus and AC Milan having previously shown interest. City also want Roque Santa Cruz to leave but his injury record is making clubs reluctant to move for the Paraguayan striker. Despite the frustrations they have encountered, West Ham hope to sign three or four players in the transfer window with Villa's Steve Sidwell likely to be the first arrival. The club will also have to move some players on as they try to balance their finances while an added complication is the likelihood that manager Avram Grant will be sacked should he fail to gain a victory in his next two games. West Ham face Fulham away on Boxing Day, then Everton at home on Dec 28, and despite the reluctance to dispense with Grant's services, his departure may be inevitable unless results improve dramatically very quickly.

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West Ham will sell Matthew Upson and Kieron Dyer if price is right
Defender one of six players out of contract next summer
Jamie O'Hara expected to sign on loan from Tottenham
Guardian.co.uk
Jamie Jackson
guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 22 December 2010 21.56 GMT

Matthew Upson will be sold next month if West Ham United receive an appropriate bid for the centre-half, as the 31-year-old has six months remaining on his deal. Upson is one of six players who will be out of contract next summer and West Ham will also allow the midfielder Kieron Dyer, the right-back Lars Jacobsen and the defenders Jonathan Spector and Danny Gabbidon to leave at the right price.

Upson's departure would be the most significant blow. There is no desire at Upton Park to sell the England international, who is the captain and an integral member of Avram Grant's team. Yet his contract situation and the side's precarious league position mean club and player will await developments next month.

West Ham are bottom of the Premier League, three points from safety, having won only twice all season. Despite a strong belief among the directors that Grant will avoid relegation, the team's position makes the offer of a fresh long-term deal, and its acceptance by Upson, difficult.

Upson may interest Liverpool, with whom he has been linked, due to the long‑term injury to Jamie Carragher, and any funds generated from sales would be used by Grant to strengthen his squad. Carlton Cole may also be sold as the manager has stated that the forward can depart next month, and Valon Behrami, signed from Lazio in 2008, would like to return to Italy.

Grant would like to add a striker, a midfielder and a left-back. Steve Sidwell, the Aston Villa midfielder, was today undergoing a medical at West Ham. There is also an interest in Joey Barton but the Newcastle United midfielder and his manager, Alan Pardew, today ruled out a sale.

Pardew said: "We don't want to do any business. Part of my first week or so here has been spent trying to analyse what is the situation with the players we have and to try to secure their positions before we start looking elsewhere. That's been my main focus, rather than looking at other players who could raise the level."

Barton told the BBC: "I was actually laughing about it this morning, saying that I thought £1.5m [reported price] was a little bit cheap. People write what they write, it is silly season. I have always gone on record about the affinity I have got with the fans at this football club, and the football club and my fellow players. I have been on record as saying I want to stay here for the rest of my career. Nothing has happened and no one has told me otherwise, and as far as I'm concerned, that's what's going to happen."

West Ham are expected to sign Jamie O'Hara on loan from Tottenham Hotspur. O'Hara, recently recovered from a back injury and back in light training, spent last season on loan at Avram Grant's Portsmouth.

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Barton laughs off exit talk and insists he would be happy at Newcastle for rest of his career
By COLIN YOUNG Last updated at 12:14 AM on 23rd December 2010
Daily Mail

Joey Barton has laughed off claims he could leave Newcastle next month and insists he wants to end his career at the club. Sportsmail has learned that Newcastle are prepared to listen to £1.5million cash offers for the controversial midfielder who is in the form of his life on Tyneside. Barton has 18 months left on his £60,000-a-week contract and if Aston Villa or West Ham are prepared to meet Newcastle's valuation for the 28-year-old he could be allowed to leave St James' Park. All this is news to Barton, who joined Newcastle from their Boxing Day opponents Manchester City in June 2007. He said: 'I was actually laughing about it, saying that I thought £1.5million was a little bit cheap and if I was them, I would ask for more and we had a good giggle about it.
'I have always gone on record about the affinity I have got with the fans at this football club, and the football club, and my fellow players. I have been on record as saying I want to stay here for the rest of my career. 'Nothing has happened and no-one has told me otherwise, and as far as I'm concerned, that's what's going to happen.'

Barton's reaction to the latest speculation will be welcomed by Newcastle boss Alan Pardew who has reiterated his desire to keep hold of the midfielder, England striker Andy Carroll and defender Steven Taylor. The new manager may not be reading from the same script as his employers if Tottenham can back up their interest in Carroll with a £20m offer next month, but Pardew insists the striker is staying. He said: 'In this window, Andy Carroll is definitely going nowhere. I'm quite confident of that. It doesn't surprise me that some of the big clubs are after him, but he's very important for this club. I'll make that clear to certain managers if they ring me. 'I hope to resolve the Steven Taylor situation but there are discussions that still need to take place. I want to secure Steven because he's a young centre half, he's a local lad and he's done great for the club, you don't want to lose that sort of player. 'We don't want to do any business. One of my main priorities has been to secure the position of the players we have before we start to look elsewhere.'

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Canales won't leave Real Madrid for West Ham or Bolton, says dad
TalkSport
By Declan Taylor
Wednesday, December 22

Sergio Canales will not be moving to the Premier League according to his father, who is also his agent. West Ham and Bolton had emerged as surprise loan destinations for the talented teenager, who has failed to hit the heights expected of him at Real Madrid. Hailed as the next big thing in La Liga, Canales moved to the Bernabeu from Racing Santander in the summer - but has started only once this season. That lack of first-team opportunities had opened the door for a possible loan switch, but Angel Canales has slammed it shut on his Premier League admirers "To join a team like Real Madrid at the age of 19 is very demanding on all levels and you must have patience," he told Spanish journalists. "He is happy with his life in Madrid. Admittedly it would be better if he was playing more but it's a difficult situation and he must fight to change it. "But we have decided that Sergio should continue to work for his chance at Madrid."

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Daily WHUFC News - 22nd December 2010

Sears back at the Boleyn
WHUFC.com
The Hammers attack has been bolstered by the early return from Scunthorpe of
Freddie Sears
22.12.2010

Freddie Sears has been recalled for the busy Christmas programme at West Ham
United. The 21-year-old striker impressed during a two-month loan spell at
Championship side Scunthorpe United and will hope to force his way into
Avram Grant's plans with matches to come against Fulham, Everton and
Wolverhampton Wanderers between now and New Year's Day. The Hammers also
have an FA Cup third-round tie against Barnsley on Saturday 8 January, three
days after the league trip to Newcastle United. Sears has had three loan
spells away from the Boleyn Ground, playing at Crystal Palace and Coventry
City before Scunthorpe. He was due to rejoin his team-mates for training on
Wednesday before Sunday's trip to Fulham. Matthew Fry remains the only
Hammer out on loan, with his hugely successful spell at Charlton Athletic
continuing until early January.

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West Ham recall striker Freddie Sears from Scunthorpe
BBC.co.uk

West Ham have recalled 21-year-old striker Freddie Sears from his loan spell
at Championship side Scunthorpe. The England Under-21 player made nine
appearances without scoring during a two-month spell at Glanford Park. Sears
spent six months on loan at Crystal Palace in 2009, and three months on loan
at Coventry at the start of 2010. He signed a five-year contract in November
2008 when Gianfranco Zola was the manager at West Ham.

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Sidwell in Hammers talks
Midfielder set to leave Villa during transfer window
Last updated: 21st December 2010
SSN

Sky Sports News understands Aston Villa midfielder Steve Sidwell is in
advanced talks over a January move to West Ham United. Sidwell is currently
sidelined by an Achilles injury and may well have played his last game for
Villa as he nears a return to fitness. The 28-year-old's contract expires at
the end of the season and it appears Villa are set to cash in on Sidwell
when the transfer window reopens. West Ham are determined to bolster their
squad in the New Year as Avram Grant looks to lift his team off the bottom
of the Premier League table. Grant recently expressed his hope that the
Hammers' board would provide him with £10million to spend next month in the
quest for top-flight survival. It appears that a portion of any transfer
kitty will be spent on Sidwell, who joined Villa from Chelsea in 2008. He
has made almost 70 appearances in all competitions for the club, but has
started only once in the Premier League this season.

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Hammers poised for Sidwell swoop
The Sun
Published: 21 Dec 2010

WEST HAM are poised to sign Aston Villa midfielder Steve Sidwell. The
Hammers are desperate to bolster their ranks as they look to climb off the
foot of the Premier League. Sidwell has made just three starts for Villa
this season because of an Achilles injury. And he is understood to be in
negotiations with the Hammers over a move to the capital. The London club
are four points from safety at the bottom, and face matches with Fulham,
Everton and fellow strugglers Wolves over Christmas and New Year. Sidwell,
28, is out of contract at the end of the season and is thought to be keen on
a move to his home city. He would give the Hammers more options in midfield
where the team have struggled after losing Mark Noble and Thomas
Hitzlsperger to injury.
A move would reunite Sidwell with Hammers boss Avram Grant, who managed the
midfielder during an ill-fated stint at Chelsea. Grant is under pressure
having seen his side pick up just two wins so far this campaign — and they
are still looking for their first away victory of 2010-11. The Israeli
recently said that he was looking to add up to three players to his squad
during the transfer window and has also been linked with a move for
Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton.

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Ben Haim heads home to Pompey
Published 23:00 21/12/10 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror

Flop West Ham defender Tal Ben Haim is set to become the Championship's
highest paid player by returning to parent club Portsmouth next month. Ben
Haim has been told his loan at Upton Park is unlikely to be extended after
playing only five Premier League games for the bottom of the table Hammers.
The Israeli former Chelsea, Sunderland and Manchester City centre-back has
18 months left on his £38,000-a-week Fratton Park contract.

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West Ham crocks have Grant feeling the strain
Published 23:00 21/12/10 By John Cross
The Mirror

Under-pressure Avram Grant has seen his desperate fight for survival
undermined by problems on the training ground - his struggling West Ham
squad includes FIVE players who can only train twice a week because of
long-standing injury problems. Grant also faces the prospect of losing
England centre-half Matt Upson on a free transfer next summer, because he
heads up a list of four players who are out of contract at the end of the
season. Bottom of the table West Ham's Carlton Cole, Kieron Dyer, Herita
Ilunga, Danny Gabbidon and Luis Boa Morte can only train twice a week
because of injury problems.
Cole is one player Hammers are willing to let go for around £6m, to enable
them to raise funds for new players, but the striker has a long-standing
knee problem which may make it difficult for West Ham to sell him in
January. West Ham are keen to bring in Tottenham's out-of-favour Robbie
Keane on loan, but Harry Redknapp insists that they only want to do a
permanent deal for the Republic of Ireland striker. England striker Cole
nearly went to Liverpool last summer and West Ham agreed a £7m fee but Dutch
forward Ryan Babel did not want to go in the opposite direction.

Cole's knee problem put off Arsenal from making a bid a year ago, while
Dyer, Ilunga, Gabbidon and Boa Morte have all struggled to play on occasions
because of the long-standing problems that hinder them in training. West Ham
may also have to cash in on Upson in January as he is a free agent at the
end of the season.Tottenham were interested in the player but that trail has
now gone cold and West Ham may even be interested in allowing him out on
loan for a fee. Dyer, Lars Jacobsen and on-loan Victor Obinna are also set
to leave at the end of the season as the club looks to cut its wage bill and
will not hand out the sort of big money contracts which have left the club
crippled financially.

West Ham would also be forced into a fire sale if they get relegated with
Scott Parker as their prize asset. Midfielder Parker signed a new five-year
contract last summer after West Ham resisted overtures from Tottenham and
refused to sell. Spurs boss Redknapp is likely to revive his interest in the
Hammers midfielder in January as he looks to bolster his squad for a Premier
League title push. Grant is desperate to hold onto Parker, but with West Ham
facing relegation the club's resolve will be tested if Tottenham come in
with a £8m bid in January. West Ham are set to sign Steve Sidwell from Aston
Villa to strengthen their midfield but Grant is desperate to keep Parker,
too. Parker has been inspirational this season despite West Ham's problems,
producing performances that have pushed his claims for an England recall.
Tottenham may be tempted to do a loan deal on Keane if it meant landing
Parker but West Ham do not want to lose their midfield kingpin. There is
also permanent-deal interest in Keane from Aston Villa, Birmingham and
Vancouver Whitecaps in the MLS. Grant insists West Ham will stay up and has
shrugged off suggestions he was given only three games to save his job - a
figure that is now down to two after their draw at Blackburn. Under-fire
Grant is facing a battle against history as only West Brom have been bottom
at Christmas and still survived the drop. Israeli Grant is defiant but the
uncertainty and problems within the squad leave him facing a huge task to
turn things around. Grant was in a similar desperate situation with
Portsmouth last season when their off-the-field financial problems wrecked
their survival hopes. This time, Grant - bottom of the table and facing a
desperate fight for survival - is struggling again because the squad rarely
trains together and several of them know they will be leaving next summer no
matter what happens.

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Permit wrangle hits West Ham target Mbokani
Published 23:00 21/12/10 By Alan Nixon
The Mirror

West Ham are ready to sign striker Dieumerci Mbokani from Monaco – but boss
Avram Grant faces a fight to get a work permit for him. Hammers have set up
a loan deal for the former Standard Liege hitman who has not enjoyed his
time in France's Le ­Championnat since he moved from Belgium. The powerful
forward does not qualify for a permit as his homeland – Democratic Republic
of Congo – is only 130th in the FIFA rankings because of a lack of
­international matches. Hammers hope to win their case as Mbokani is made to
suffer for the status of his national side, although DRC club side Mazembe
proved their quality in the Club World Cup final last weekend. Mbokani could
give Hammers a badly-needed lift up front and his arrival at Upton Park
would also make it easier for them to sell off Carlton Cole, who is on the
wish list of several Premier League rivals. The basement club hope to have
an answer on Mbokani in the next few days and will fly him in to sign
immediately if he is granted his permit on appeal as a special case.

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Norwich determined to hold onto Holt
Published 23:00 21/12/10 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror

Championship promotion chasers Norwich have slapped an official "Not for
sale" sign on £2million-rated star striker Grant Holt. Several Premier
League sides, including Wigan, West Ham, Bolton and Blackpool, have been
linked with Canaries captain and nine-goal leading scorer Holt, 29, who has
become a cult hero at Carrow Road since being snapped up from Shrewsbury for
just £600,000 in 2009. Holt still has 18 months to run on his current
contract but club officials will shortly begin talks about a new deal. A
Norwich spokesman said simply: "Grant Holt is not for sale."

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Cut-price Sidwell swaps Villa for Hammers
Published 23:00 21/12/10 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror

Aston Villa will make a £4million loss on Steve Sidwell's West Ham switch.
Midfielder Sidwell scored four goals in 67 appearances for Villa after a £5m
move from Chelsea in July 2008. Now Villa are off-loading £48,000-a-week
Sidwell, 28, for around £1m because he could leave on a free next summer
when his contract ends. West Ham hope to confirm the signing next week.

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I'd Rather Have Barton Than Sidwell
West Ham Till I Die

What on earth is going on? Why are there all these stories about signing
Steve Sidwell re-emerging? I'd have thought central midfield was the last of
our problems. We already have Parker, Noble, Behrami, Hitzelsperger (when
he's back) and Kovac. OK, if Behrami or Kovac go then they will need
replacing, but personally I'd have thought Joey Barton, available at a snip
of £1.5 million was a better prospect than a player who can't make the Villa
first team and is very injury prone. But what do I know?

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Obinna ready to fire for strugglers West Ham
By talkSPORT
Tuesday, December 21

West Ham striker Victor Obinna believes his best form is yet to come and
hopes he can score the goals to help keep the club in the Premier League.
Obinna, 23, has taken time adapting to the English game following his loan
move from Inter Milan during the summer. But the Nigerian international
believes he is now finding his best form in England and feels he will get
even stronger as Avram Grant looks to ease the pressure on his job over the
Christmas period. Obinna said: "The backroom staff and the players have
been fantastic since I've been here and have helped me a lot to adapt
easily, joking in the dressing room and stuff like that. It's been really
wonderful since I've been here. "Gradually we've been trying to pick up wins
but it's not been easy. The Premier League is the toughest league in the
world and obviously the fastest. In terms of physique, you have to be
prepared. "I've been having a wonderful time since the beginning and like I
said from when I was first here, football is going to speak for me - not
saying I'm going to do this and do that."

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West Ham close to Sidwell signing
By Paul Hirst, PA
Tuesday, 21 December 2010
Independent

West Ham are closing in on the signing of Aston Villa midfielder Steve
Sidwell, Press Association Sport understands. The Hammers are desperate to
add to their ranks as they look to climb off the foot of the Barclays
Premier League table. Sidwell, who has made just three starts for Villa this
season due to an Achilles injury, is understood to be in negotiations with
the Hammers over a move to the capital, although reports that the former
Chelsea man has undergone a medical at the club are thought to be wide of
the mark. The 28-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and is
thought to be keen on a move to his home city, having grown up in Wandsworth
which is around 10 miles away from Upton Park. Sidwell would give the
Hammers more options in midfield where the team have struggled after losing
Mark Noble and Thomas Hitzlsperger to injury. The move would reunite Sidwell
with Hammers boss Avram Grant, who managed the midfielder during an
ill-fated stint at Stamford Bridge which saw him make 10 starts in a
year-long spell following a move from Reading, where he played a key part in
the Royals promotion to the Barclays Premier League. Grant is under pressure
having seen his side pick up just two wins so far this campaign to leave the
East London outfit rooted to the foot of the table as the season reaches the
halfway stage.
The Israeli recently said that he was looking to add up to three new players
to his squad during the transfer window and has also been linked with a move
for Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton.

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Joey Barton will cost £1.5m up front, Newcastle tell West Ham as interest
hots up for midfielder
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 12:52 AM on 22nd December 2010
Daily Mail

Newcastle will consider allowing Joey Barton to leave the club for just
£1.5million up front. The midfielder has been in outstanding form this
season and has been the subject of interest from West Ham and Aston Villa.
But he has just 18 months left on his £60,000 a week contract and rather
than open negotiations on a new contract Newcastle are looking to cash in
now if the deal is right. West Ham were keen but wanted to spread payments
of any fee and are unlikely to come back as they look to finalise Steve
Sidwell's £1m move from Villa on Wednesday. The deal for the former Reading
player is '90 percent done' depending on medical tests. Villa are interested
in Barton but are wary of the backlash from supporters. West Ham have also
made their move to sign Dieumerci Mbokani of Monaco on loan and hope to win
a work permit on appeal for the Congo striker.

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Daily WHUFC News - 21st December 2010

Larkins laps it up
WHUFC.com
Fans at Blackburn Rovers on Saturday were surprised to see a new name on the
Hammers bench
21.12.2010

When the Under-18s' fixture against Charlton Athletic was postponed just
before last weekend because of snow, 16-year-old Jake Larkins was probably
expecting a quiet weekend. Instead, the stocky teenager suddenly found
himself travelling on the first-team flight to Blackburn on Friday
afternoon. Larkins got a late, late call to join up with the senior squad
when Robert Green was withdrawn at the eleventh hour because he had not
recovered from minor surgery in time to make the trip. That meant Ruud
Boffin was elevated to No1 status for the pressure Barclays Premier League
match at Ewood Park and, with Marek Stech and Peter Kurucz already
sidelined, Larkins was designated as his cover on the bench. For the
youngster, who had kept a clean sheet for the Academy side in a 1-0 win
against Fulham the previous weekend, it was a welcome but hugely unexpected
call. "I had just got out of the shower on Friday afternoon when I found
out," the club's new No46 told WHUTV. "James [Saban] the kit man came in and
told me. Everything went so fast. I had to go to Stansted. I left Chadwell
Heath at 3pm and got there just in time at 4pm. I was lucky. "I had four
missed calls on my phone. I didn't know what it was before James told me I
had to travel with the team to Blackburn. It turned out to be a great
experience - especially warming up with [goalkeeping coach David Coles]
before the match. I'd love to do it again any day of the week."

Larkins was not overawed by the occasion, paying tribute to his coach for
making him as relaxed as possible while he was also delighted for Boffin who
"played very well". He added: "I thought it was going to be more intense but
nothing changed. I have worked with Colesy a couple of times and nothing
changed."

With Green expected to face Fulham on Boxing Day, Larkins will revert to U18
duty and faces a battle to dislodge Deniz Mehmet for starting duties in
January's FA Youth Cup fourth-round tie against either Manchester United or
Portsmouth. It will be back down to earth, but he knows he has to keep on
going. "I will have to work hard for it and see what happens I will try my
hardest."

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Ruud awakening
WHUFC.com
Ruud Boffin thoroughly enjoyed his Barclays Premier League debut at
Blackburn Rovers
20.12.2010

Ruud Boffin was all smiles after enjoying an impressive - if a little
unexpected - debut for West Ham United. The Belgian was handed his first
appearance between the sticks in Saturday's 1-1 Barclays Premier League draw
at Blackburn Rovers after Robert Green and Marek Stech were ruled out
through injury. Green underwent minor surgery last week, while Stech
suffered a hamstring injury in training. With regular No3 Peter Kurucz
recovering from a long-term knee injury, Boffin was given a maiden start at
Ewood Park. The 23-year-old coped admirably in doubly-testing conditions,
dealing with both Blackburn's aerial bombardment and sub-zero temperatures
with seemingly relative ease. Indeed, Boffin was extremely unfortunate not
to keep a clean sheet, making a miraculous point-blank save from Ryan Nelsen
before the New Zealand defender converted the rebound with his knee. "It was
nice, but it's always difficult to play on your debut. I found out on Friday
that I was playing when I realised that Rob was not travelling. From that
moment, I was ready to play. "It is a big step for me because it is one of
the biggest leagues in the world. When I was asked I'd have been stupid if
I'd said I didn't want to play!"

Boffin, who was backed-up by 16-year-old Academy stopper Jake Larkins, may
be new to the English game but he is not a complete rookie. The
Sint-Truiden-born goalkeeper made more than 60 league appearances for MVV
Maastricht before appearing in five Dutch Eredivisie - First Division -
matches for VVV Venlo. "I was used to it a little bit because I played a few
games in the First Division in Holland, but that game is totally different.
Here it is another country with a different type of football which is much
quicker. It was a challenge. "The boys came up to me and told me to do my
own thing and if I had to do anything, to do it well."

Having enjoyed a taste of the Barclays Premier League, Boffin is now hoping
to make a challenge to Stech to be Green's regular understudy.
"I hope to become the No2 goalkeeper now, of course."

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Boffin savours debut feeling
West Ham goalkeeper enjoyed first taste of Premier League
Last updated: 20th December 2010
SSN

Goalkeeper Ruud Boffin has admitted it was a special moment to make his
first West Ham appearance against Blackburn. Avram Grant turned to the
23-year-old Belgian as Robert Green and Marek Stech were both ruled out
through injury, while regular No.3 Peter Kurucz is still recovering from a
long-term knee problem. And Boffin, who only moved to Upton Park at the end
of the summer, acquitted himself well as the Hammers fought back for a 1-1
draw.
He admits it was a daunting prospect to play in the Premier League but drew
on his experience from his days with Dutch club VVV Venlo. "It was nice, but
it's always difficult to play on your debut. I found out on Friday that I
was playing when I realised that Rob was not travelling. From that moment, I
was ready to play," he told the club's official website. "It is a big step
for me because it is one of the biggest leagues in the world. When I was
asked I'd have been stupid if I'd said I didn't want to play."

Challenge

Boffin added: "I was used to it a little bit because I played a few games in
the First Division in Holland, but that game is totally different. "Here it
is another country with a different type of football which is much quicker.
It was a challenge. "The boys came up to me and told me to do my own thing
and if I had to do anything, to do it well." Boffin is now aiming to play
more in the Premier League and would like to be considered Green's regular
understudy. He said: "I hope to become the No.2 goalkeeper now, of course."

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Keeper Boffin is shrink wrapped
The Sun
By CARL LONG
Published: Today

WEST HAM keeper Ruud Boffin revealed he called in a shrink to help him cope
with the stress of his Premier League debut. Hammers' fourth-choice stopper
got an SOS call-up for Saturday's 1-1 draw at Blackburn with Rob Green,
Marek Stech and Peter Kurucz all crocked. And the Belgian, 23, revealed: "I
found out on Friday I would be playing so I spoke on the phone to my mental
coach back in Belgium. "He gave me advice on coping without too much stress
after the kick-off. "I've played a few games in the Dutch First Division but
the Premier League is totally different. "The manager told me I began the
game nervously, but got better."

Avram Grant picked up Boffin from Dutch side MVV Maastricht in the summer.
And the keeper admitted: "Rob Green should be back next week but I will
continue to work hard and hope to get a couple more games." Striker Frederic
Piquionne has denied rumours he is set to quit West Ham for Aston Villa next
month. The Frenchman, 32, said: "Gerard Houllier wanted to take me to Lyon
while I was still with St Etienne. But I have not had a call from him."

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Av's not the man to save Hammers
IAN WRIGHT - Columnist
The Sun
Published: Today

IF West Ham are going to survive the drop this season they need a manager
who can inspire the players and rally the fans. And I don't think that man
is Avram Grant. My former club are rapidly approaching the point of no
return. They must either back their manager with hard cash to see him
through the transfer window or replace him now. There is no point in setting
him one target after another and simply hoping that things will turn out OK.
Because West Ham are going into Christmas bottom of the table and only one
team in the history of the Premier League has escaped relegation from that
position before.
I've seen a few of their games this season and it looks as though opponents
are happy to play at Upton Park because there's no chance West Ham are going
to come out all fired up by a rocket from the manager. Even the fans seem to
have stopped believing. They used to generate an incredible atmosphere
during my brief time at the club. But it's no longer the sort of backing you
get at grounds like Stoke or Everton. I have a lot of mates who are Hammers
fans and they and I are all very worried. Very few of them are confident
they can get out of this situation under Avram. The team has picked up a bit
in recent weeks but not enough to get out of the bottom three. They are
still not winning games. I have met Avram on a number of occasions and he is
a genuinely nice guy. I've not come across anyone in the game with a bad
word to say about him.

But is he a good manager? That's a question he must answer in the next
couple of weeks.

I am told David Gold and David Sullivan are giving Avram every possible
opportunity to save his job after handing him a four-year contract last
summer. But they understand the financial implications of relegation from
the Premier League and must do everything within their powers to protect
their investment. So they have to make a firm decision about the manager
while there is still time. The worst thing they could do would be to give
Avram money to spend on new players in next month's transfer window and then
decide to replace him at the end of January. It seems to me that Avram's
style is more suited to working with an established, top-end team. He did
well at Chelsea when he had experienced, international-quality players who
didn't need motivating. But he inherited an impossible situation at
Portsmouth last season and wasn't able to get the club off the foot of the
table. He's a very calm and relaxed fella but that's not what West Ham need
right now. They want someone animated and able to deliver a few home truths.
They need someone who can get ALL the players riled up, not just Scotty
Parker. It was only a year ago that Carlton Cole was playing for England, so
there is no questioning his quality. You only have to look at the way he
destroyed Manchester United in the Carling Cup the other week to see what he
is capable of.
But the fans are on his back before he's even touched the ball these days
and you have to say that the manager is not getting the best out of a player
who is capable of scoring the goals his team need to stay up. I genuinely
hope Avram can turn things around in their next few games against Fulham,
Everton and Wolves. But it's not looking good for him and I really don't
know who the club will turn to if they decide to change the manager. What I
do know, though, is that West Ham is a great job for any manager who can get
it right.

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Sidwell close to Hammers move after agreeing terms
Published 23:00 20/12/10 By Alan Nixon
The Mirror

West Ham will sign Steve Sidwell from Aston Villa to help their survival
campaign - with a cut-price move set up yesterday. Experienced midfielder
Sidwell was in London for a medical and is sorting out personal terms on a
move that will end his stay at Villa and give him first-team football. Boss
Avram Grant has been pleading for reinforcements and the club's negotiators
have come up with the former Arsenal, Chelsea and Reading man after failing
to land Joey Barton from Newcastle. Sidwell is joining for the start of the
window as Hammers know there is no time to lose in their bid to stay up. The
cost of the deal will depend on their survival this season - and in the
future. Hammers will pay a small sum up front, with extras on bonuses. But
the move makes sense if Sidwell can bring some extra drive and experience to
their small squad. Villa are happy to ship out Sidwell as they trim some of
their big earners under the orders of owner Randy Lerner. He was one of
their best-paid players after Martin O'Neill talked him into moving, one of
many expensive legacies from the former manager's time. Hammers are willing
to take on Sidwell's whole package as they know the cost of relegation would
be crippling. However insiders maintain that this does not mean the sale of
Scott Parker. Ironically Sidwell and Parker were in a similar boat in their
times at Chelsea when both joined the Stamford Bridge club but failed to
make an impact before swiftly moving on. Sidwell's exit will give Gerard
Houllier more money to spend - and wages to add - to Villa as he plots his
own changes.
However Villa are finding it hard to land their targets because of Lerner's
desire to keep the salaries in check - and there could be trouble ahead for
the Frenchman as he tries to recruit better players.

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West Ham look to hijack Everton move for Dieumerci Mbokani with five-month
loan offer
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 2:35 AM on 21st December 2010
Daily Mail

West Ham are trying to sign Monaco striker Dieumerci Mbokani on a five month
loan deal. The Congo international only joined Monaco from Standard Liege
for £7million in the summer but has struggled to settle and is keen to
kickstart his career with a switch to the Premier League. However, the
problem could be obtaining a work permit. Although Congo have a wealth of
talent, and club side TP Mazembe reached the final of the Club World Cup
against Inter Milan, the country is ranked a lowly 124th in the world and
West Ham may have to go to an appeal. Everton have monitored the 25-year-old
for the past 18 months and may yet launch their own bid to sign him if other
targets fall through but West Ham are in the driving seat. Mbokani, whose
first name means 'Thank You God', was also wanted by Roma, Liverpool and
Birmingham in the summer. He scored 35 goals in 81 games for Liege and has
eight in 14 for his national side. Although he has not found his form in
France, Avram Grant believes his style is better suited to the Premier
League.

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West Ham striker Frederic Piquionne insists he has held no talks over
January Aston Villa move... for now
By STEVE GOODMAN
Last updated at 2:38 AM on 21st December 2010
Daily Mail

West Ham striker Frederic Piquionne has denied rumours that he is set to
quit Upton Park for Aston Villa next month. Villa boss Gerard Houllier is
reportedly interested in the Frenchman, 32, who joined the Hammers from Lyon
during the summer after a loan spell with Portsmouth. Houllier tried to
sign Piquionne four seasons ago when he coached Lyon and the striker played
for their local rivals St Etienne. 'I read in the papers about Aston
Villa's interest in me, but I have not had a phone call from Gerard
Houllier,' the France international said. 'He wanted to take me to Lyon
while I was still with St Etienne. But there have been no concrete
approaches for the time being.'

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Fitness worries deepen gloom for Avram Grant at West Ham
Five first-teamers unable to train more than twice a week
Owners willing to splash out on a star signing next month
David Hytner
guardian.co.uk, Monday 20 December 2010 23.00 GMT

Avram Grant's battle against relegation from the Premier League at West Ham
United is being undermined by fitness concerns, which include five of his
first-team squad being unable to train more than twice a week. The defenders
Danny Gabbidon and Herita Ilunga, the midfielders Luis Boa Morte and Kieron
Dyer and the striker Carlton Cole have to be nursed along because of
deep-seated injury problems.

West Ham are bottom of the table, with only two wins from 18 games and the
manager is under intense pressure. Grant has complained about the thinness
of his squad and his concerns have now been laid bare. The latest
illustration of his difficulties came on Friday, after he had named his
starting XI in the morning for the away fixture at Blackburn Rovers. He
promptly lost two of his line-up in training – one of them, the forward
Victor Obinna – and, on the eve of Saturday's game, he lost a third, Valon
Behrami, to a hip injury in the warm-up.

Gabbidon and Boa Morte completed the 90 minutes in the 1-1 draw at a
sub-zero Ewood Park, where Dyer was withdrawn in the 82nd minute and Cole
introduced as a 57th-minute substitute. Ilunga did not play.

Adding to the state of flux for Grant is the fact that four of his players
are out of contract in June – Gabbidon, Dyer, Matthew Upson and Lars
Jacobsen – and a fifth, Obinna, is due to return to Internazionale when his
loan deal ends.

West Ham's owners, David Sullivan and David Gold, are desperate for Grant to
turn around the club's fortunes and prove a success. The club's next three
fixtures are away at Fulham and at home to Everton and Wolves. Sullivan and
Gold would be willing to splash out on a star signing next month, most
likely a striker, in an effort to spark the revival but the state of affairs
at Upton Park makes selling the club to potential new players more
difficult.

Grant lost his main summer acquisition, the midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger,
to serious thigh damage before he had kicked a ball for the club – he will
be out until well into the new year – and, in some ways, that set the tone
for what has been a spluttering season, pockmarked by an assortment of
injuries and problems.

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West Ham United willing to take Tottenham Hotspur striker Robbie Keane on
loan deal in bid to beat the drop
West Ham United are to join the bidding for Tottenham Hotspur's Robbie Keane
by offering the striker a six-month loan deal with the option of a
three-year contract should he help keep them up.
Telegraph.co.uk
By Jason Burt 11:00PM GMT 20 Dec 2010

Keane is surplus to requirements at Spurs with manager Harry Redknapp
desperate to move him on so he can make room in his squad. Aston Villa and
Birmingham City — who have both wanted Keane in the past — have been linked
with new moves, as have Wolverhampton Wanderers and Everton, while there
have been suggestions that the 30 year-old could be used as a makeweight to
tempt Newcastle United into selling Andy Carroll. West Ham have been offered
Keane before and will resist Spurs' attempts to use the negotiations as a
way of obtaining Scott Parker. Spurs are also hoping to move Jamie O'Hara to
Upton Park and he is also interesting West Ham, who would have made a move
for the midfielder in the summer had he not been injured.
Given that O'Hara is still to recover from his back injury, it may well be
that West Ham turn to Aston Villa's Steve Sidwell, with a deal understood to
be under negotiation.

That could lead to the departure of Valon Behrami, who is anxious to return
to Italy because his wife has failed to settle in London. Despite the
possibility of one — or both — of Keane and O'Hara joining West Ham, the
Premier League's bottom club remain adamant that they will not sell Parker.
Keane returned to Spurs at the beginning of last year, from Liverpool,
signing a four-year contract for a £12 million fee, but fell out of favour
and is no longer in Redknapp's plans. Despite uncertainty at West Ham over
whether Keane is worth his £65,000-a-week salary, the club's hierarchy also
realise they not only need to bolster their attack — with just 16 goals in
18 league matches — but also need stronger characters in the dressing room.
An inquiry has been made about Manchester City's Emmanuel Adebayor.

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