Daily WHUFC News - II 27th June 2011

Ken Bainbridge 1921-2011
WHUFC.com
The man who scored the quickest-ever Boleyn Ground goal has passed away at
the age of 90
27.06.2011

Record-breaking former West Ham United winger Ken Bainbridge has passed away
at the age of 90. Barking-born Bainbridge has the distinction of scoring the
fastest goal at the Boleyn Ground, netting just eleven seconds into the
Hammers' 2-1 Division Two win over Barnsley on 29 August 1949. A winger
blessed with great pace and an eye for goal, Bainbridge was signed from
Leyton, only for his career to be delayed by the Second World War. Having
scored five times in 12 War League South matches, the wideman marked his
senior competitive debut with a goal in a 6-0 FA Cup third-round first leg
victory over Arsenal in January 1946. The No11 made his Football League bow
in a 3-1 home Division Two win over Millwall on 21 September 1946 - the
first of 80 league appearances Bainbridge recorded before leaving east
London for Reading in the summer of 1950. In all, Bainbridge netted 22 goals
in 96 War League, Football League and FA Cup appearances in claret and blue.
Former club-mate Harry Hooper remembered him fondly, saying: "Ken was a
smashing bloke and very conscientious. He gave 100 per cent every time he
played."

Following his departure from West Ham, he maintained his fine scoring record
with the Royals, who he joined in a player-exchange deal that saw Vic
Niblett move to the Boleyn Ground, scoring 35 times in just 97 appearances
between 1950 and 1953. Bainbridge later moved to Southend United, scoring 25
goals in 82 matches before joining Southern League club Chelmsford City in
June 1955. Everybody at West Ham United would like to pass on their sincere
condolences to his family.

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'He knows how to win matches'
WHUFC.com
Martin Allen will have a close eye on West Ham this season for more reasons
than one
27.06.2011

Sam Allardyce will bring "team spirit, unity, organisation and leadership",
according to former Hammers midfielder Martin Allen. The Notts County
manager was unstinting in his praise for his new counterpart at West Ham
United, claiming he was just the man to get his old club promoted. "What a
great manager, a good bloke, a good person," Allen told West Ham TV. "He
knows how to win matches. He has at times been labelled unfairly as direct.
He has brought quality players into Bolton over the years and done a
terrific job. He is just what West Ham need at the moment."

Allen said he was certain the club would be celebrating next May, although
knows the Championship will be a tough challenge - as will his own campaign
with County in League One. "I think West Ham will be champions. Sam will
deal with it and put his mark right across the whole club. "The advantage
this club has got is that it has got has some fantastic young players that
love this club. Sam will give them a vision and he will let every person
that is playing know how exactly he wants to play. "Team spirit, unity,
organisation and leadership from the manager, with a strong character - that
is now what it needs with a relegated club. "These young players, I am sure
with Sam's guidance will grab it by the scruff of the neck and he will bring
in some men to join these young players to take it forward, without a shadow
of doubt."

Allen said he hoped to play a part in the development of the club's next
generation, by taking one or two promising Academy aces on loan to Meadow
Lane. "Sam used to be the manager at Notts County and I have heard he has
still got a soft spot for the club. "No doubt over the next few weeks, I am
going to be ringing up and saying 'Sam can I have some of your players,
please?' and hopefully he will be generous and kind! "Hopefully he will
trust us and me personally to look after maybe some of the younger players
here at West Ham and send them up to us for part of their grounding and
development."

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Season ticket deadline nears
WHUFC.com
Fans should renew their season tickets before 5 July to make sure of their
place for next season
27.06.2011

Yet to renew your season ticket?

Fans can make sure of holding on to their seat for the 2011/12 campaign by
renewing today - with just a week to go until the 5pm deadline on 5 July
when new applicants can choose their place. Those renewing now can also get
a superb 'earlybird' saving and have peace of mind that they will definitely
be there for the big
kick-off in August.

With homegrown players at the core of Sam Allardyce's vision and some
exciting new signings on the way, you can make sure you don't miss a minute
at the Boleyn Ground. With 23 home league matches and priority booking for
cup and away matches, a season ticket is the perfect way to follow the
Hammers.
PURCHASE BEFORE 5PM ON TUESDAY 5 JULY FOR AN EARLY BIRD SAVING

A special online site has been created with all the information for anyone
wanting to renew or indeed apply. CLICK HERE
(http://www.whemail.co.uk/2011ST/index.html ) for all the latest
information, including application forms and finance offers OR CALL 0871 222
2700.

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Ins and outs: latest
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 26th June 2011
By: Staff Writer

It looks like being another busy week in the transfer market for Sam
Allardyce and West Ham. The new Hammers boss has been busy chasing a number
of targets over the past few days having already secured the services of
Kevin Nolan and Abdoulaye Faye. And with just 21 pros left on the books
following the latest batch of departures - including the likes of Manuel Da
Costa and Radoslav Kovac - Allardyce could be looking at several new
arrivals in the next few weeks. One player strongly linked over the weekend
was Stoke 'keeper Thomas Sorensen, who is up for grabs having lost his first
team spot. The 35-year-old Dane is entering the final year of his contract
with the Potters. Elsewhere the long-running saga with Peterborough striker
Craig Makail-Smith appears set to reach a conclusion this week with the
27-year-old likely to agree terms with his new club in the next few days.
West Ham remain favourites to clinch his signing despite interest from
Premier League new-boys Norwich City.

Other news over the weekend concerned a move for Leeds United Player of the
Year Max Gradel, who has been interesting a number of Premier League clubs.
The rumour mill has the Ivorian moving to West Ham for a fee worth in the
region of £2.5million. Meanwhile young winger James McLean - who was first
linked with a move to West Ham here on KUMB.com last week - is said to be
close to tying up a £400,000 switch from Derry City.

Finally former Portsmouth star Michael Brown has been linked with a move to
the Boleyn Ground. The 34-year-old combatative midfielder was released by
Pompey at the end of last season.

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Hitzlsperger set to decide
German weighing up options
By Graeme Bailey - Tweet me: @skygraemebailey. Last Updated: June
27, 2011 10:43am
SSN

Thomas Hitzlsperger is set to make a decision on his future this week,
skysports.com understands. The Germany international is available on a free
transfer from West Ham United after taking advantage of a clause in his
contract allowing him to leave if they were relegated from the Premier
League. Interest has been mounting in the 29-year-old who finished the
season in excellent fashion after missing the first half of the campaign
through injury. Now the former Aston Vila man is weighing up his options,
and skysports.com understands he has fielded offers from a number of Premier
League clubs. But interest on the continent is also strong with deals in
Italy, Spain, France and his homeland Germany also on the table.

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Foxes in Mackail-Smith bid
Posh striker has already turned down moves to QPR and Norwich
Last Updated: June 27, 2011 10:27am
SSN

Peterborough United's director of football Barry Fry has confirmed the club
have accepted an offer from Leicester City for Craig Mackail-Smith. The
Championship new boys are prepared to let the striker leave London Road over
the summer and there are a string of clubs chasing Mackail-Smith. Fry claims
the Scotland international has already turned down moves to Premier League
duo Norwich City and Queens Park Rangers, while West Ham United have seen an
offer rejected. Posh expect the Hammers to return with another bid, while
Fry is waiting to learn the outcome of Mackail-Smith's impending talks with
Leicester boss Sven Goran Eriksson. "We have accepted a bid from Leicester,"
said Fry in the Leicester Mercury. "Their manager Sven Goran Eriksson is out
of the country at the moment, but was due to speak to Craig over the
weekend. "I have had several conversations with West Ham, but we have turned
down their bid. I am certain they will be back. "Craig is facing a tough
decision. He turned down Norwich and he has now turned down QPR."

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Leeds United: West Ham United in Gradel link
By Phil Hay
Published on Monday 27 June 2011 08:40
Yorkshire Evening Post

West Ham United are being strongly linked with Max Gradel as an increasing
number of clubs monitor the winger's contractual situation at Leeds United.
Gradel is strongly rumoured to be on the radar of West Ham manager Sam
Allardyce, a week after newly-promoted Premier League side Swansea City
emerged as suitors for the Ivory Coast international. Speculation is once
again surrounding Gradel, as it did in January when Newcastle United were
credited with a close interest in him. A summer bid from the Tyneside club
is understood to be unlikely but Gradel's first full season at Elland Road
has generated a growing number of admirers.

Gradel scored 18 goals for United last term, earning him the club's player
of the year award, and Leeds manager Simon Grayson intends to keep him at
Elland Road beyond the end of the August transfer deadline. But the
23-year-old's contract runs out in June of 2012 and Leeds are not believed
to have made Gradel an offer to extend his deal. Gradel has previously
indicated his willingness to remain in West Yorkshire next season, saying:
"The opportunity this club gave me changed my career. I owe a lot of thanks
to Leeds and I want to stay. I mean that."

Grayson agreed to the sale of goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel last week,
accepting a seven-figure bid from Leicester City, but he would be more
reluctant to see Gradel depart before the Championship term begins.
Schmeichel's proposed move to Leicester remained up in the air this morning
despite a Twitter account belonging to the Dane claiming yesterday that he
was to remain at Elland Road. Leeds later announced that the account had
been hacked and the comments were not posted by Schmeichel.

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Exclusive - Parlour: Parker signing could soften blow of losing Fabregas and
Nasri
By talkSPORT
Monday, June 27

Arsenal legend Ray Parlour believes signing Scott Parker could soften the
blow of losing both Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri. Both players have been
linked with moves away from the club to Barcelona and Manchester United
respectively. Now the former Gunners star has claimed the West Ham
midfielder can help Arsene Wenger's team recover from the loss and push them
on to domestic and European honours. Speaking to the Alan Brazil Sports
Breakfast show, Parlour said: "I reckon Arsenal need three players. "Scott
Parker is going at West Ham, bring him in, he'd be excellent just in front
of the back four and there's an opportunity to get him. "They also need
somebody at the back who can play centre-half, a real stopper like a Sol
Campbell, who puts his body there and makes sure Arsenal don't concede
goals. "If they can get someone like that it would be excellent. They also
need a striker as well but they've got a decent squad and they'll have a
chance. "Every Arsenal fan out there who is a little bit worried, don't
panic just yet as there's a long way to go before the start of the season.
"I'm just hoping they can find that right player or right players to really
push them to challenge Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and
Liverpool who will be strong next year."

Parlour went on to state that it would be a disaster for Arsenal to lose
both Fabregas and Nasri this summer. He went on to say: "We're talking about
£35million for Cesc Fabregas. "Maybe they should take that and put the money
elsewhere in the squad. "I do think it's important though to keep Samir
Nasri and it would be a disaster if they lose both of them. "If you lose
Fabregas, maybe Nasri can step in and play the role that Cesc does just
behind the front two."

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Leicester and West Ham chasing Mackail-Smith
http://www.bournelocal.co.uk
By Alan Swann
Published on Monday 27 June 2011 10:54

Championship rivals Leicester City and West Ham have emerged as favourites
to land Posh striker Craig Mackail-Smith. Club director of football Barry
Fry has confirmed that Posh have accepted a bid for their prize asset from
Leicester and that they are also in negotiations with West Ham.
Mackail-Smith has already rejected the chance to move into the Premier
League with Norwich City and QPR. Fry also confirmed that Posh are hoping to
sign Manchester United midfielder Ryan Tunnicliffe on loan for the entire
season and that an offer has been made to out-of-contract Yeovil defender
Craig Alcock. Fry said: "We have accepted a bid from Leicester. Their
manager Sven Goran Eriksson is out of the country at the moment, but was due
to speak to Craig over the weekend. "I have had several conversations with
West Ham, but we have turned down their bid. I am certain they will be back.
"Craig is facing a tough decision. He turned down Norwich and he has now
turned down QPR.
"Craig met QPR manager Neil Warnock and was impressed with him, but he
wanted assurances that Neil would still be manager at the start of the
season and didn't get them. "Ryan Tunnicliffe is a player we are interested
in and the manager is trying to secure his services for the season. "We have
also spoken to Craig Alcock. He is a player we like as he can play at
right-back, centre-back or in midfield, but he has just had an operation and
is out for four weeks. "Ideally we want three or four new players here in
time for them to fly out with the first team squad to their training camp in
Portugal next weekend."

Posh are understood to want in the region of £3 million for Mackail-Smith.
Wigan and Everton have also been linked with the 27 year-old. Tunnicliffe is
a 19 year-old central midfielder who was awarded a professional contract at
Old Trafford on his 17th birthday after graduating from United's Academy
system. He has yet to make a Football League appearance. Alcock (23) has
made over 100 appearances for Yeovil, his sole professional club.

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West Ham striker Cole wants to stay at the club
London24
Matt Diner
Monday, June 27, 2011
10:57 AM

Carlton Cole doesn't use twitter any more and if you happened to come across
some of the abuse which was directed towards him on the social network site,
you would understand why. Accusations of laziness and not caring about the
club were two of the less graphic statements directed at the 27-year-old,
but while the likes of Manuel da Costa and Radoslav Kovac couldn't wait to
leave the club, Cole wants to stay. He understands he may have to be sold,
but has no qualms about playing Championship football and helping the east
Londoners get back into the top flight. West Ham were the club who gave him
a chance. He was never given a real opportunity to prove himself at Chelsea
and after unsuccessful loan spells at Aston Villa, Charlton and Wolves it
was at the Hammers who got the best out of him.
There is no doubt that Cole is a confidence player and when the boss at the
time Gianfranco Zola gave him that belief he repaid him.

Twelve goals in the 2008-09 season and 10 the season after showed a rapid
improvement from a player who had never been able to make double figures in
his professional career, but it was ability in and around the penalty area
which was so valuable. Super strong in the air he gave the side a focal
point, while he was almost unstoppable running at goal. "Carlton is a humble
boy and sometimes he's too quiet. He just needed to realise how good he
was," Zola said in September 2009.
"He didn't realise what he was capable of doing. We tried to stick with him
and show him what he was doing and what he was good at, looking after him
and every aspect of his game, including the mental approach. He's realised
he's a good player and that's made the difference."

Last season was a completely different story as Cole struggled to find any
kind of form and although his power in the air could not be questioned his
performances could. A lot of the blame for the Hammers' poor scoring record
was attributed to the striker, but playing him as a lone front man receiving
little support was down to Avram Grant. His outburst after the 3-0 defeat
to Liverpool in November showed how much he cares for the club, while his
claim that the team needed to 'change its attitude' showed his frustration
at the manager's tactics. It's clear the Israeli failed to install the
confidence in him that Zola could. Sam Allardyce has a chance to do just
that and if he manages to get near the production that Zola did, West Ham
will not only have a player who would succeed in the Championship, but the
Premier League as well.

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Daily WHUFC News - 27th June 2011

Nolan has Bonzo spirit
WHUFC.com
Kevin Nolan could inspire West Ham the way Billy Bonds used to, says Sam
Allardyce
26.06.2011

Sam Allardyce has tipped Kevin Nolan to bring Billy Bonds-style leadership
to the Hammers cause next season. The manager was asked whether the club's
new midfield recruit could be the one to show the drive and determination
demonstrated by Bonds during his incredible Boleyn Ground career between
1967 and 1988.
Allardyce said: "He is a great leader on and off the field. It is very
important that we get a team spirit and unity. "He could be that [Bonds
style character], but I don't want to put too much pressure on him."

The manager, who helped Nolan rise to prominence during their time together
at Bolton Wanderers, said he expected the 28-year-old to be "a much better
player than one I last remember." He added: "He is in the prime of his
career. He has chosen to pay me a really good honour. Not just that he wants
to play for West Ham but that he wants to play for me again because he
enjoyed his time. Hopefully we will both benefit by that."

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Duo battle for Brown
Jewell & Allardyce chasing experienced midfielder
By Pete O'Rourke - Follow me: @skysportspeteo. Last Updated: June
26, 2011 4:18pm
SSN

Skysports.com understands West Ham and Ipswich are eyeing moves for former
Portsmouth midfielder Michael Brown. Brown is available on a free transfer
after leaving Portsmouthupon the expiration of his contract at Fratton Park.
A number of clubs have expressed an interest in signing Brown, but Ipswich
and West Ham are leading the chase for his signature. Ipswich and West Ham
are keen on signing the 34-year-old as they see his experience as a key
addition to their squads next season as they look to push for promotion.
Brown is now waiting to see what offers come his way before deciding where
to continue his career.

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Sam clings to England hopes
Boss committed to West Ham but reiterates national dream
By Jamie Casey. Last Updated: June 26, 2011 2:13pm
SSN

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce admits he has not yet let go of his ambition to
one day manage England. The Hammers believe the former Blackburn boss is the
right man to lead them back to the top flight following relegation from the
Premier League last season. And Allardyce, once considered for the England
role while impressing during his heyday at Bolton, insists he is fully
committed to West Ham's cause. However, the 56-year-old, who started his
managerial career as a player-manager with Irish side Limerick nearly 20
years ago, will not give up on his dream. "Without any dreams or goals I
would need to pack in management," Allardyce told The People.
"My job now is to re-invent West Ham in terms of stability." "It was a
pretty distant dream that I might one day be considered for the England
manager's job when I started out at Limerick, but 15 years later I went very
close. "You have to reset your goals and your dreams and my dream, first
and foremost, is to make West Ham as successful as I possibly can. Not only
by getting them promoted, but by establishing them in the Premier League.
"But if by fulfilling that dream you are brought closer to another one, then
obviously that's what you consider. In fact, it's what you do the job for.
"That's not being disloyal to any football club, it's about always having
ambition and striving to be better. If you have achieved, the club has
achieved. "You try to leave a club in a better position than when you
acquired it and I've always felt that's the one thing I've done. My job now
is to re-invent West Ham in terms of stability."

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West Ham to snatch Stoke star
Published 22:02 26/06/11 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror

Stoke keeper Thomas Sorensen has been offered an escape by West Ham. Sam
Allardyce has lined up Sorensen to replace Robert Green as he looks to lead
the Hammers back into the Premier League. Sorensen, 35, is about to enter
the final year of his Stoke contract and wants to leave after losing his
spot to Asmir Begovic.

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Hammers Green for go on Thomas
Published: Today
The Sun

STOKE keeper Thomas Sorensen has been offered an escape from his Potters
nightmare by West Ham. Hammers boss Sam Allardyce has lined up veteran Dane
Sorensen, 35, to replace error-prone Robert Green as he looks to lead his
new side back into the Premier League. Sorensen said: "I find it of the
utmost importance to get more minutes of playing time next season."

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Promotion Or Bust? – The West Ham Situation
26 JUNE 2011 BY ESSEXEAGLE22
FootballBlog.uk

Heartbroken diehards at the DW witnessed a painful end for their ailing
football club in May. The end of an era with Premier League life about to be
replaced by Championship slogging, the finale of a demoralising season under
the guidance of Avram Grant and the end of many players' futures at Upton
Park. Yet they remained unaware that their suffrage may now be confined to
the past.

The writing had been on the wall for far too long; their proverbial bubbles
had long since burst. A miserable season was finally compounded by a
goalkeeping error as jubilant opposition celebrated amidst scenes of sheer
despair in the away fans section. Even rivals Millwall stole in on the act,
taunting via an aircraft way above the ground. It seemed as though everybody
was laughing at West Ham.

But for how much longer?

Almost immediately after Avram Grant's duties had been relieved, the
negativity seemed to drain away. Regardless of a meaningless 3-0 defeat at
home to Sunderland under Kevin Keen, you felt that in an easier league, the
Hammers may start to enjoy winning games again.

Saddled with £100 million worth of debt which almost goes unnoticed at
times, the owners seem to be asserting their own emphasis on the club,
running it their way, as if relegation is no setback.

Not that that's bad for the club; big money has already been spent in terms
of wages for new boss Sam Allardyce and centre back Abdoulaye Faye and,
rather more obviously, £4 million on Kevin Nolan.

In the process of a long term vision for the club, the men (and woman) with
the money seem to know what they're doing. The club was in a state when they
bought it and now, as fans themselves, they're trying to revive a fallen
giant.

Consisting of David Gold, David Sullivan and Karen Brady, the key aim was to
be better organised off of the pitch. The previous regime under Icelandic
Eggert Magnusson took on too much in the hope of short term success and
ultimately couldn't finance a side made up of many players of inadequate
standard to play in the Premier League.

Kieron Dyer, Robert Kovac and Luis Boa Morte were of those inherited by the
team of 3, some would say they'd struggle to gain a starting berth in a
Championship club's line up!

By throwing money at the club sharpish in Ilan and Benni McCarthy, the aim
of staying up in 2010 was reached. The same technique was trialled again;
Thomas Hitzlsperger, Demba Ba and Frederic Piquionne all came in to try and
maintain their status in the Premier League.

It failed yes, but with owners willing to invest and go down with a fight in
tough circumstances you have to hand it to them.

And now they're doing it again!

However, these guys are football people and have made some shrewd moves.
Ignorant of the fact that West Ham are now a Championship club, the team
have managed to lure big names in such as Allardyce and Nolan as the
reputation of the club still remains high.

The mood has changed down at the Boleyn. Positivity reigns supreme despite
the miserable viewing of a fixture card which omits such buoyant away days
like The Emirates or Old Trafford in favour of The Keepmoat Stadium or
London Road.

The winning feeling may creep up on disillusioned Hammers with greater
consistency this season and by following the pattern taken by Newcastle
United, under an astute manager West Ham may find themselves in a pretty
position in two years time.

However, as firm favourites to go straight back up, the pressure may set in
slightly more than one may expect (take Middlesbrough last season for
example).

They will be the scalp of the division; teams will up their game at Upton
Park and for a team with youngsters like Freddie Sears, Jack Collison, James
Tomkins and Junior Stanislas, the expectancy of 35,000 may be too much. They
weren't expected to win last year, now they have to win every game.

If not the situation may change dramatically. Under a tighter budget, the
parachute payments will not distribute the costs for long. Spending to make
an immediate return may be the correct decision in the short term as West
Ham aim to be established once again in the Premier League before their
planned move to Stratford, yet the strategy is easier said than done.

Southampton, Leeds and Charlton all had the same plan and all found
themselves squat in League 1. Should West Ham fall at the first hurdle, a
downhill spiral of similar proportions may await.

On the other hand, the owners and fans are passionate and control of
finances will not be compromised. The club remains large in reputation which
will no doubt lure in some talented players and under Big Sam's control I
feel that they will do well.

The side is slowly imploding; Demba Ba, Victor Obinna and Manuel da Costa
have all departed. In all likelihood Scott Parker, Robert Green and Carlton
Cole will exit in turn. Yet a strong nucleus of passionate, youthful players
remains and under expert guidance from manager Allardyce and captain Nolan,
sensible punters are backing the Hammers to bounce back.

A lot of transfer activity has still to occur – rumours today of Craig
Mackail-Smith joining the club are rife, and with the sort of contacts
Allardyce has, like Nolan, who are willing to play at this level, only a
Millwall fan would put money against them

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Hammers make an official 400k bid for James McClean
http://theboleyninheritance.wordpress.com/

West Ham United have made an official 400k bid for Derry City midfielder
James McClean, 22yr old McClean is said to be "an exciting prospect for the
future" and his wages will rise to 10k a week (a massive pay rise for his
standards) I suppose you cant go wrong for 400 grand but I don't know
anything about this fella. Not confirmed by either clubs mind you….

"I've heard stories about scouts watching me from West Ham, Reading and
Burnley among others, but I've heard nothing. I've read my name associated
with some of those clubs on the internet, but I've been told nothing and, as
I've said, until I do, I will continue trying to improve".

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Daily WHUFC News - 26th June 2011

Pablo double wins it for Mexico
WHUFC.com
West Ham United winger Pablo Barrera was the star man in the CONCACAF Gold Cup final
26.06.2011

Pablo Barrera was the hero for Mexico as they won the CONCACAF Gold Cup with a 4-2 defeat of the United States. The West Ham United winger put his side back in a thrilling contest in Pasadena, California overnight with their opening goal, having seen the US race into a two-goal lead through Michael Bradley and Landon Donovan.
Mexico's equaliser came via Andres Guardado and, with the score at 2-2, Barrera then got his second - and the game's decisive goal - five minutes after the interval. Mexico never looked back from there and added a fourth via Giovani Dos Santos to claim a memorable victory.

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Turgott helps England progress
WHUFC.com
West Ham United representation will continue into the Round of 16 at the FIFA U-17 World Cup
25.06.2011

Academy ace Blair Turgott played a full 90 minutes as England reached the knockout stage of the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Mexico with an impressive defeat of Uruguay. The South American side had already made sure of qualification from Group C before Saturday's match in Torreon while England needed a point to progress. In the end, the Young Lions pipped their opponents to first place with a 2-0 win thanks to goals from Nathaniel Chalobah and Max Clayton. Turgott, who had scored in last Wednesday's 2-2 draw against Canada, played on the right-hand side of a front three and was a lively presence again. The Hammers youngster will hope to keep his place for the last-16 tie against yet to be determined opposition in Pachuca on Thursday.

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Kovac hails Hammers career
Former player says spell provided "the best years in my career"
By Vasek Kadlec. Last Updated: June 25, 2011 4:55pm
SSN

Radoslav Kovac has hailed his days at West Ham as the best of his career, but is disappointed to have ended his stint on a sour note. Former Czech Republic international Kovac completed a move to Basel on Friday after spending two years with the Hammers following a 2009 move from Spartak Moscow. The midfielder revealed his fond memories under the guidance of former boss Gianfranco Zola, but admits he and the Italian's successor Avram Grant did not see eye to eye. "The first two years were fantastic and were the best years in my career," he told isport.blesk.cz. "Those were great times under Gianfranco Zola. "We had a good team and had good company. Then Grant came in and everything changed. I don't like to recall the final days and weeks but I was taking it as it was coming. "Otherwise, life in London was great and my family was happy there. We learned a little bit of the language too."

Allardyce

Kovac claims current boss Sam Allardyce, who replaced Grant following the Israeli's sacking, wanted the 31-year-old to stay at Upton Park, but he found the lure of UEFA Champions League football too difficult to turn down. "Sam Allardyce came in and said he would like to co-operate with me," Kovac said. "They asked for €500,000 and Basel were willing to pay €250,000, but then they upped it and the deal was done. "I felt how much they wanted to capture me. The talks with them were correct and very swift and, moreover, they are in the Champions League."

Despite his affection for West Ham, Kovac was fully intent on leaving the club this summer, although he would have foreseen no problem in seeing out the final year of his contract had Basel failed to negotiate a transfer. He added: "Even though there was a managerial change, I still wanted to leave as I was not playing often. Naturally, if the deal had fallen through I would have stayed, it would not have been the end of the world."

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Reid wants Hammers stay
Hammers defender keen on staying at Upton Park
Last Updated: June 25, 2011 1:38pm
SSN

West Ham defender Winston Reid has pleaded with manager Sam Allardyce to allow him to remain with the club next season. The 22-year-old is keen to stay at Upton Park, despite suffering relegation with the club last season, following a £3million move from Midtjylland. Reid, a New Zealand international, signed for the Hammers after impressing during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. The new West Ham boss is understood to be keen on shipping the player out of the club or sending him out on loan. However, Reid told the Daily Mirror: "I want to stay. We have a job to do getting West Ham back into the Premier League. "I have not spoken to the new manager but I don't think I will be loaned out or sold." The player failed to cement a regular first-team place and only made three appearances under Avram Grant after suffering an injury early on last season. He scored his only goal of the campaign in the club's 5-1 FA Cup victory over Burnley in the fifth round.

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West Ham owner installs panic room after learning he is on gang's hit list
Published 23:00 25/06/11 By Gary Anderson
The Mirror

Terrified football tycoon David Gold has turned his home into a fortress after learning he is on the hit list of Britain's most wanted armed robbers. The West Ham co-owner has spent £250,000 installing CCTV, a direct phone line to the police... and even a PANIC ROOM. Mr Gold, 74, says he's been ­living in fear since being told by police that he was a target of the gang, who have carried out a series of violent raids on rich businessmen. He was given the warning after a crowbar attack which almost killed Phones4u founder John Caudwell. Police believe the gang, made up of a hardcore of 20 thugs led by a "Mr Big", research every aspect of their victims' lives and movements before striking. Mr Gold, who is worth ­£360million, said his friend Mr Caudwell had spoken to him and left him in little doubt about the threat he faced. He told the Sunday Mirror: "From the ­information the police gave me, it was a question of when, not if, the gang would try something. "When I spoke to John Caudwell he told me, 'you've got to take this seriously because this gang is going to kill someone'. I have been terrified."

Mr Gold, who also owns the Ann Summers lingerie firm, has turned a suite of his 30-room Surrey mansion into "panic rooms". In the event of a robbery, he will lock himself and fiancee Lesley Manning behind heavy triple-bolted steel doors. Once inside, he has a direct line to the police and can watch any raiders on a TV screen linked to more than a dozen CCTV cameras. Guards patrol the 55-acre estate 24 hours a day. Mr Gold said he improved ­security after a near-fatal bout of septicaemia in February. "It made me realise how vulnerable I am," he said. "I wanted to take ­whatever measures I could to defend myself and Lesley. "I've done everything I can and I feel much safer now. But I'm still on red alert until this gang is caught."

Police have been following up new leads on last November's raid on Mr Caudwell's Staffordshire home after it featured on Crimewatch. Three men from Liverpool were arrested but later released on bail.

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Parker told he can leave for £7m as wage bill forces West Ham's hand
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 10:37 PM on 25th June 2011
Daily Mail

West Ham are ready to listen to offers for Footballer of the Year Scott Parker. The midfielder, 30, has been linked with Tottenham, but so far neither they nor any other Premier League club have made a positive attempt to sign the £7m-rated England man. New Upton Park boss Sam Allardyce has still to discuss Parker's future with him, but sources close to the club have indicated that the player's wages, believed to be about £60,000 a week, would force them to let the skipper move on, especially now they have signed a ready-made replacement in Newcastle's Kevin Nolan. Allardyce has experienced the disappointment of losing Parker before.
Despite being successful enough at previous club Newcastle to earn an England recall after a two-year absence, Parker did not enjoy on Tyneside the kind of popularity he later experienced at Upton Park and was sold By Allardyce to West Ham.

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Pablo Barrera leads Mexico past United States in Gold Cup final
Published: Saturday, June 25, 2011, 11:30 PM
Updated: Saturday, June 25, 2011, 11:37 PM
By JAMES PHILLIPS, The Patriot-News

PASADENA, Calif. — Pablo Barrera scored two goals and Mexico rallied to beat the United States 4-2 in the CONCACAF Gold Cup final on Saturday night at the Rose Bowl. Andres Guardado and Giovani Dos Santos also scored for Mexico, which has won two consecutive Gold Cup titles and six overall. The victory qualifies Mexico for the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup, a preview of the 2014 World Cup. Michael Bradley and Landon Donovan scored to help the United States build a 2-0 lead. Donovan became the Gold Cup's all-time leading scorer with 13 goals. Barrera put Mexico ahead to stay in the 50th minute, slipping a 10-yard shot underneath the right hand of diving goalkeeper Tim Howard and inside the left post.

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Daily WHUFC News - 25th June 2011

Saturday showdown for Turgott
WHUFC.com
A wonder goal in the last match has put Blair Turgott on a high for this
evening's crucial World Cup tie
25.06.2011

West Ham United youngster Blair Turgott will be in the spotlight again this
evening when England take on Uruguay at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Mexico.
The Hammers man scored a stunning goal in Wednesday's 2-2 draw against
Canada and is determined to help shoot the Young Lions through to the
knockout stages tonight. England need just a point to progress, with the
match live on British Eurosport from 9pm UK time. Turgott has figured in
both England's group games, with the campaign starting with a 2-0 defeat of
Rwanda, and knows the contest against the already-qualified Uruguay will be
the toughest test yet. "It's a big game, but they all are in a World Cup,"
he told TheFA.com. "I think we should play our normal game, be patient and
don't over complicate our play. "The boys are still confident that we can
top the group and beat Uruguay on Saturday."

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Sam's all right, Jack
Published: Today
The Sun

WEST HAM have opened talks on a new deal for Jack Collison. Boss Sam
Allardyce met the highly-rated midfielder on his return from holiday this
week and assured him he has a big future at Upton Park. Collison, 22, has
two years on his contract but is one of the lowest paid at the club on
around £5,000 a week. The Hammers are likely to offer him a new four-year
deal and double his wages, despite suffering relegation. Allardyce wants
Collison to form the midfield backbone with new skipper-elect Kevin Nolan.
The West Ham board plan to offer big bonuses and pay rises for a promotion
in 2012, with Nolan in line for £500,000. Defender Jon Spector is thinking
over a new contract offer.

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West Ham defender tells Big Sam: I'm not leaving
Published 23:00 24/06/11 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror

West Ham defender Winston Reid has told new boss Sam Allardyce he will not
be forced out of Upton Park. New Zealander Reid endured a dismal campaign
last term, after signing for £3million following an impressive World Cup for
the All Whites. And Allardyce was understood to be looking to ship him out -
or send him out on loan.
But Reid said: "I want to stay. We have a job to do - getting West Ham back
into the Premier League. "I have not spoken to the new manager but I don't
think I will be loaned out or sold."
Reid was signed from Danish outfit Midtjylland and made just three Premier
League starts under Avram Grant last term. He was part of the side that
shipped six goals in their first two games - and he injured his buttock in
his second appearance, which ruled him out until November. His last
appearance for the club was the 5-1 FA Cup fifth round win over Burnley in
February, in which he scored his only goal of the season.

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Judge warns Tottenham & Leyton Orient not to appeal against Olympic Stadium
rejection
By Omar Shahid
24 Jun 2011 20:10:00
Goal.com

Both teams have been ordered to pay the legal costs after failing to
convince judge they should have use of stadium, which was handed to West Ham
instead. A High Court judge has warned Tottenham and Leyton Orient not to
appeal against his rejection of their attempts to obstruct West Ham's
planned move to the Olympic Stadium in Stretford. Mr Justice Davis rejected
the teams' challenges to the proposed bid, advising against a "knee jerk"
appeal against the decision that saw the Hammers given use of the stadium
after the 2012 games are completed next summer. He also demanded both teams
to pay legal costs to the Olympic Park Legacy Company and Newham Council,
which could amount to £1 million. "I would hope renewal [appeal] on all
points is not a knee-jerk reaction and careful consideration will be given
to the extent of renewal, if any," Mr Davis said, according to The
Telegraph. He further called Tottenham's challenge "more the product of
legal ingenuity than of substance".

In the four-page judgement, Mr Davis declared his dissatisfaction for
Tottenham's case and described the appeal as "puzzling" and "unarguable".
Spurs had earlier argued that Newham's agreement with West Ham for a £40m
loan in a joint venture breached European Commission law, but Mr Davis
debunked the accusation, adding: "I simply do not understand the…
suggestions that Newham's approach was inherently discriminatory."

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Tottenham Hotspur and Leyton Orient warned against appealing Olympic Stadium
decision
Telegraph.co.uk
By Paul Kelso, Chief Sports Reporter6:19PM BST 24 Jun 2011

Exclusive: Tottenham Hotspur and Leyton Orient have effectively been warned
by a High Court judge not to appeal against his rejection of their attempts
to block West Ham United's proposed move to the Olympic Stadium. In an
emphatic judgment, a copy of which has been seen by The Daily Telegraph, Mr
Justice Davis dismisses their various challenges as lacking substance, and
advises against a "knee-jerk" appeal. He also ordered both clubs to pay the
legal costs incurred by Newham Council and the Olympic Park Legacy Company,
which combined could approach six figures.

Dismissing Tottenham's challenge as "more the product of legal ingenuity
than of substance" he warned both clubs: "I would hope renewal [appeal] on
all points is not a knee-jerk reaction and careful consideration will be
given to the extent of renewal, if any." Tottenham and Orient have until 4pm
next Wednesday to appeal and will consider their options over the weekend.
In an unusual move, the judge included a proposed date for an oral hearing
in the first full week of July, which would represent an extremely quick
turnaround for cases of this complexity.

Sources at the clubs have questioned if the case is being rushed through to
satisfy a desire to conclude negotiations over West Ham's lease as quickly
as possible, and to allow London to bid for the 2017 World Athletics
Championships. Deadlines for bids to the IAAF, athletics' governing body,
close at the end of August. The oral appeal could be heard by a different
judge and both clubs believe they have grounds to dispute the ruling,
particularly with reference to state aid rules, but the strength of Mr
Justice Davis's findings will render any challenge a high-risk move.

The clubs had sought judicial appeal of the Olympic Park Legacy Company's
decision to select West Ham as the preferred bidder for the stadium, and of
Newham's proposed £40million loan to fund the conversion of the arena. Four
challenges, two from each club, were rebuffed, though a fifth application by
Orient against the Government is yet to be decided. The judge was dismissive
of many of Tottenham's arguments in their challenges to Newham, which he
treated as the lead case of those before him. At different stages in the
four-page judgment, he describes their arguments as "puzzling" and
"unarguable", and declares himself "not overly impressed" by the case they
level. He is equally sceptical of Tottenham's challenge to the OPLC,
describing one of their grounds as no more than "a quibble", another as
"legalistic and of no actual substance".

Tottenham argued that Newham's decision to agree a £40million loan to West
Ham as part of a joint venture breached European Commission law banning
state aid.
The judge said he was "puzzled by the claim" and said the various points
raised by Tottenham were "unarguable in the present claim". Spurs' argument
that the council acted beyond its powers in making the loan was also
rejected. "I do not think this point arguable," he writes. He also dismissed
Tottenham's argument that the Newham was "irrational" and discriminated
against Spurs by not offering them a loan as well as West Ham, and thus
passed up the chance to have two Premier League clubs in the borough. "I
simply do not understand the… suggestions that Newham's approach was
inherently discriminatory," he said. In conclusion he said: "Ultimately I
have taken the view that the grounds advanced are more the product of legal
ingenuity than of substance."

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Daily WHUFC News - II 24th June 2011

'History and tradition' sways Sam
WHUFC.com
The manager has enjoyed his first week at the Boleyn Ground and savouring
the atmosphere
24.06.2011

Sam Allardyce has been speaking about the "great thrill" of getting down to
work at West Ham United after his first week in east London. The manager
took time time out to speak to West Ham TV about the task in hand, with a
week to go until the first-team squad report back to Chadwell Heath. "It is
a great thrill to be here," he told West Ham TV. "Even in an empty Upton
Park it gives me a thrill and gets me back in the mood again. I have been
out of work for six months or so and I have missed the old adrenalin rush.
Allardyce said the club had already begun to take a hold over him, and he
claimed the potential support was such that the club could have high
aspirations. "The club is steeped in such history and tradition. It is the
only club I would have dropped down for. It has got the fanbase to achieve
something special. With the right guidance, right direction and right
support in all departments, I hope we can give them that."

The hard work has already begun and, after the weekend, Allardyce and his
new assistant manager Neil McDonald will be stepping up the preparations at
the training ground in readiness for the players' return. "As difficult as a
job it is going to be from an early stages point of view of finding out what
everyone does and sorting it out, I am really looking forward to it.
"Hopefully we can get through the work we need to get through as quickly as
possible in how we need to change, change the mentality and how we need to
drive the club forward at the first time of asking as quickly as possible.
"Come the kick off to the new season, we won't have done it all by then but
hopefully we will have done enough to start winning right from day one."

As he mentioned at his media briefing earlier in the week, Allardyce is
eager to ensure a return to the West Ham way of good football that is also
winning football - and used an example of two former greats of the game that
would not settle for anything less. "I used to play against Sir Trevor
Brooking and Bobby Moore. I was fortunate enough to be on the same field as
them. They were coming towards the latter stage of their career when I was
just starting and it was a great honour to play against them."

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Kovac departs
WHUFC.com
Former Czech Republic midfielder Radoslav Kovac has joined Swiss champions
FC Basel
24.06.2011

West Ham United can confirm Radoslav Kovac has joined Swiss Super League
champions FC Basel for an undisclosed fee. The former Czech Republic
defensive midfielder, who had only 12 months left on his contract in east
London, signed a two-year deal with Basel on Friday. The 31-year-old
initially joined the Hammers on loan from Russian club Spartak Moscow in
January 2009. Having made the move permanent in August of the same year, the
31-year-old went on to make a total of 62 league and cup appearances in
claret and blue, scoring three times. Kovac could face the Hammers when Sam
Allardyce's side take on FC Basel in the pre-season Uhren Cup competition in
Grenchen, Switzerland on Wednesday 13 July. West Ham United would like to
thank Radoslav for his efforts and wish him every success in the future.

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Defeat for Dylan
WHUFC.com
Dylan Tombides and his Australia team were narrowly beaten by Brazil at the
FIFA U17 World Cup
24.06.2011

Dylan Tombides suffered FIFA U17 World Cup disappointment as Brazil scored a
narrow 1-0 win over his Australia side on Thursday. The Joeys looked set to
grab a hard-earned point until Adryan stepped up and curled a free-kick into
the top corner with just 14 minutes remaining. Earlier, West Ham United
striker Tombides had worked Brazil goalkeeper Charles with a left-foot shot
as Australia threatened a big upset to follow their opening win over Ivory
Coast. The Group F defeat in the Mexican city of Guadalajara leaves Tombides
and his team-mates facing a make-or-break final group-stage fixture against
Denmark in Queretaro on Sunday. With the Danes losing 4-2 to Ivory Coast in
Thursday's other group game, the Ivorians and Australians both have three
points from two matches, while Denmark have zero. Brazil have six points and
are already through to the last-16, with only the group runners-up
Concentrating on Thursday's match and both Tombides and Jesse Makarounas -
who both scored against Ivory Coast - came close to breaking the deadlock
before half-time. Brazil also passed up a number of chances before Adryan,
who will join Manchester United at the age of 18, settled matters with an
inch-perfect 25-yard free-kick. Before Australia face Denmark on Sunday,
West Ham team-mate Blair Turgott's England tackle Uruguay in Torreon on
Saturday, knowing a draw would be enough to see them qualify for the
knockout stages.

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Radoslav Kovac leaves West Ham United for FC Basel
Page last updated at 16:20 GMT, Friday, 24 June 2011 17:20 UK
BBC.co.uk

West Ham midfielder Radoslav Kovac has joined Swiss side FC Basel for an
undisclosed fee. Kovac, 31, leaves the Hammers after making 62 appearances
since arriving from Spartak Moscow in January 2009. Kovac is the second of
West Ham's relegated Premier League squad to move on this week, after
defender Manuel da Costa departed for Lokomotiv Moscow. Da Costa, who joined
the Russian side for an undisclosed fee, made 35 appearances in two years at
Upton Park.

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Good riddance to Rad rubbish
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 24th June 2011
By: Staff Writer

Radoslav Kovac is set to join Swiss outfit FC Basel on a permanent contract.
The Cezch Republic midfielder has spent the vast majority of his two years
at West Ham either on the bench or outside the first team squad. Recently
he made it clear that he would not entertain Championship football - despite
many supporters feeling that it would be his level. However they are now
unlikely to discover whether Kovac could have finally made a worthwhile
contribution as a West Ham player as, according to Sky Sports, he is set to
join Basel imminently having rejected other offers from Germany and England.
Kovac's representative, Pavel Zika told Czech daily iSport: "Everything is
on track, the change should be completed by Friday. Radek would subsequently
be involved in the preparation." Kovac, 31, initially joined West Ham on
loan from Spartak Moscow during the 2009 winter transfer window. After his
short-term loan spell ended at the end of the 2008/09 season, he returned to
Russia briefly before signing a four year contract with West Ham.

Radoslav Kovac at West Ham

2008/09: Pld 11, Bkd 2, Goals 1
2009/10: Pld 34, Bkd 8, Sent off 1, Goals 2
2010/11: Pld 18, Bkd 4

Totals: Pld 63, Bkd 14, Sent off 1, Goals 3

KUMB Awards:

Goal of the Season (runner up) 2008/09; Best Signing (third place) 2008/09.

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Two more bite the dust
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 24th June 2011
By: Staff Writer

West Ham have parted company with first team coaches Paul Groves and David
Coles. Groves and Coles arrived at the club a year ago next week as part of
Avram Gran'ts backroom staff overhaul. Both followed Grant from Portsmouth,
where they proved popular with fans and players alike. However Sam
Allardyce's arrival effectively signalled the end for the duo at the club,
due to their association with his predecessor. Coles, 47, is one of the
country's most well-respected goalkeeping coaches and is widely regarded to
have been responsible for David James' renaissance during his time at
Portsmouth. 45-year-old Groves, a former Grimsby midfielder and player
manager was hired by Grant in November 2009 as first team coach. He followed
the Israeli to the Boleyn Ground last July. Their replacements are expected
to be confirmed shortly.

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How to flog a dead horse
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 24th June 2011
By: Staff Writer

Tottenham have confirmed that they are considering renewing their
application to bring a claim against the OPLC and Newham Council - despite
having FOUR thrown out yesterday. The north Londoners are so desperate to
prevent West Ham moving into the stadium that they are considering
continuing their attempts to have the decision reviewed - despite having
lost the original contest, and having seen four of their five applications
for review rejected yesterday. "The club now has the option of renewing its
application at an oral hearing at the High Court and we shall give
consideration to this in the next few days," a statement on
tottenhamhotspur.com read. "As previously reported, the club continues to
hold discussions with both local and national government bodies in order to
seek to determine a feasible stadium solution."

Tottenham's continued attempts to derail the process have been met with
anger by the majority of Lillywhites fans, who are against the club
relocating to east London.
West Ham United supporters remain split over the move, which was ratified
without their consent or views being sought at any stage of the selection
process.

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Hagland's transfer latest: 24th June
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 24th June 2011
By: Matthew Hagland

Matthew Hagland brings us up to date with all the transfer news...

West Ham United

Tranmere Rovers youngster Dale Jennings looked set to join Bayern Munich
this week but West Ham are set to give the young striker the option to stay
in England. Talk of the town is that £1.8 million is being offered with
significantly more money being offered up front by the Hammers than by the
Germans.

Goalkeeper Marek Stech wants to stay and fight for the number one jersey.
The Czech Republic stopper will face stiff competition from Ruud Boffin who
impressed many fans after a fantastic debut performance against Blackburn
last season. However his ambitions could be shattered if Sam Allardyce
decides to bring in a goalkeeper.

La Gazzetta report this morning that Lazio have made enquiries into the
availability of West Ham's French defender/midfielder Julien Faubert.

Zavon Hines has told Hammers fans he is trying to agree a deal, but it seems
the board are unwilling to agree to a huge wage hike for the player who has
hardly featured for the Irons, making only 22 appearances in three seasons
and scoring only three goals.

West Ham could be set to finally land Southend youngster Kane Ferdinand. The
Irons are rumoured to have made a bid of £750,000 for the 18-year-old
yesterday.

Craig Mackail-Smith has been subject to an enquiry after impressing for the
Posh. CMS scored 34 goals in all competitions last season and has scored 136
goals in his career. With a shortage of proven strikers causing a headache,
the 27-year-old could be the remedy.

Robert Green is expected to exchange east end claret and blue for Brummie
claret and blue. With a reported bid from Aston Villa for the England
international coupled with Allardyce's admission that he expects Green to
go, it seems that his heart is set on a future away from Upton Park.

Herita Ilunga has been linked with a move to Greek champions Olympiakos.
Ilunga - who played for West Ham against the Greek side when the two clubs
met during pre-season in Austria last year - is available for around
£1.5million.

Radoslav Kovac is set to join FA Basel on a two-year deal, according to his
agent. A deal could be concluded as early as the weekend.

West Ham and Celtic are the two clubs though to be closest to signee free
agent Jay Bothroyd. The former Cardiff striker held talks with the Scottish
club this week but is yet to finalise any deal, leaving the door open for
United. Rumours suggest Bothroyd would prefer to move to London.

Championship round-up

Chris Hughton was unveiled as Birmingham's manager earlier this week but
faces a difficult task ahead with a weakened squad and an even smaller
transfer budget. An instant return to the Premier League could be out of
reach, with West Ham and Sven's Leicester City being listed as favourites
this week.

Steve McClaren has set his sights on Bristol striker Nicky Maynard in a deal
reported to be worth in the region of £4million and. The new Nottingham
Forest boss is also said to be looking at 'Boro's Kris Boyd to lead their
attack next season.

Doncaster Rovers have turned down a £2.8million pound bid for 25-year-old
striker Billy Sharp from Ipswich.

Cardiff have signed their first player under Malky Mackay in the form of
Craig Conway. The 26-year-old former Dundee United player has joined the
Bluebirds on a free transfer.

Australian midfielder Neil Kilkenny, 25, is in talks with Bristol City after
playing out his contract at Leeds United.

Leeds again, and former midfielder Harry Kewell could be on his way back to
Elland Road having been released by last club Galatasary.

News from the rest of the footballing world

Former West Ham loanee Tal Ben Haim is being linked with a move to Premier
League newcomers Queens Park Rangers. The 29-year-old's registration is
still held by Portsmouth, who remain desperate to offload the Israeli
international.

Gael Clichy is stalling a move to Roma in hope of signing for Liverpool.

Ashley Young completed his £17million move to Manchester United yesterday.
The England international has signed a five-year deal with the Red Devils.

Arsenal have turned down a £27million bid from world dominators Barcelona
for former youth trainee Cesc Fabregas.

Liverpool are said to have placed bids for both Aston Villa's Stuart Downing
and St Etienne's Dimitri Payet but have been rebuffed in both cases as the
selling clubs want more cash.

Atletico Madrid have alerted Tottenham to the availability of Diego Forlan
after placing a £7 million pound price tag on the striker.

Tottenham want Stutgartt ace Serdar Tasci but face a challenge from Juventus
for the 24-year-old German interntional.

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Kovac seals Basel switch
Midfielder leaves Hammers to go to Switzerland
Last Updated: June 24, 2011 5:28pm
SSN

West Ham have confirmed that Radoslav Kovac has left the club and linked up
with Basel in Switzerland. It emerged earlier this week that Kovac was set
to depart Upton Park despite having one year remaining on his contract. He
has grown frustrated over the past few months at a lack of regular
opportunities, having fallen down the midfield pecking order under Avram
Grant. With the Hammers now preparing for life in the Championship with new
manager Sam Allardyce, Kovac has decided to embark on a fresh challenge.
Basel claimed top spot in Switzerland last season and have offered the
former Czech Republicinternational a two-year deal as they prepare for UEFA
Champions League football. Kovac, 31, could face the Hammers when Basel take
on Allardyce's side in a pre-season friendly on 13th July. Kovac initially
joined West Ham from Spartak Moscow in January 2009 before making the move
permanent the following August.

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Os seek legal advice over row
Last Updated: June 24, 2011 12:07pm
SSN

Leyton Orient will meet lawyers as to whether they'll respond to a rejection
for a review of the Olympic Stadium call. The Os were joined in their
attempts by Tottenham, who are also considering their next move, after the
two clubs were told there were no grounds for a review of the Olympic Park
Legacy Company's verdict that West Ham and Newham Council should be the
future occupants of the venue. A club statement on Orient's official website
read: "Further to the decision by the High Court to deny Leyton Orient leave
to review the decisions by OPLC and London Borough of Newham, the club will
be seeking advice from its solicitors as to whether it will seek an oral
hearing in respect of either or both decisions. "The club continues with its
Judicial Review against the Government and arbitration over the Premier
League's decision to allow West Ham United to move to the Olympic Stadium
without taking into consideration the adverse effect on Leyton Orient. "The
club will be making no further comment on the matter at the moment."

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West Ham launch £1.8m bid for Bayern Munich transfer target Dale Jennings -
report
24 Jun 2011 14:20:00
Goal.com

West Ham United have bid for Tranmere Rovers' Dale Jennings after talks
between the League One side and Bayern Munich stalled, recent reports
indicate.
According to Daily Mail, Upton Park's new manager Sam Allardyce has offered
£1.8 million for the striker and are willing to give a large portion of the
cash up front.
The transfer to the German giants was expected to go through – and the
18-year-old striker was planning to fly over to Munich to sort out the finer
details of the contract – but negotiations have ground to a halt over
prospective add-ons. The transfer bid from West Ham is tempting the
cash-strapped League One side to accept the Championship club's offer over.
The former Liverpool trainee has made 32 appearances for Tranmere, scoring
six goals, and is widely regarded as one of the brightest prospects outside
of the Premier League. If Allardyce succeeds in luring Jennings to Upton
Park it will be their second transfer coup of the summer, after the signing
of Kevin Nolan from Newcastle United.

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Daily WHUFC News - 24th June 2011

Green wants out
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 23rd June 2011
By: Staff Writer

Robert Green has signalled his intentions to quit West Ham this summer, according to his young deputy. 31-year-old Green's immediate future has been the subject of much speculation since West Ham were relegated from the Premier League last month. He had been widely tipped to move to Aston Villa last month, although that deal is said to have fallen through - for the time being, at least - as a result of Gerard Houllier's unexpected departure. Fans' hopes of keeping the England goalkeeper at the club were further diminished yesterday when Sam Allardyce admitted that he expects to lose the services of Green, along with fellow internationals Scott Parker and Carlton Cole, prior to the start of the 2011/12 Championship campaign. And now his number two at the Boleyn Ground, Marek Stech, has also indicated that Green will leave the club shortly - a situation that would considerably boost his own chances of first team football. "Green wants to stay in the Premier League [and has] reportedly had an offer from Aston Villa," the 21-year-old told Czech website Pravo. "I am full of optimism. For me it's advantageous that we're not among the elite as I have a better chance. "In the reserve games I've played well and pushed Green in training. He had an operation and problems plagued him after the treatment of pain. It was almost my time, but I just didn't get a chance [at the time]."

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Hines seeks new deal
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 23rd June 2011
By: Staff Writer

Young striker Zavon Hines has told supporters that he hopes to remain at West Ham. Hines, whose contract expires at the end of the month had been linked with clubs such as Newcastle and Sunderland in recent weeks. However he told his followers on Twitter this afternoon that his aim is to sign a new deal with West Ham - as KUMB.com exclusively revealed earlier this week. "Sorry I haven't been on Twitter lately, I see I have been getting a lot of negative Tweets which I understand," said Hines. "But I don't wanna leave the club and I am try to agree a new deal. Thanks for the supportive Tweets." "Hines is still hoping to reach an agreement that would extend his stay at the club" KUMB.com, 20th June
Hines, who barely played last season due to injury is one of the club's lowest earners and was seeking parity in terms of salary with some of his colleagues. However the club have refused to back down and sanction a major pay-rise due to the 22-year-old's previous injury problems.

Hines at West Ham

2008/09: Apps 1; Goals 1
2009/10: Apps 15; Goals 2
2010/11: Apps 6; Goals 0

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Tottenham: fail
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 23rd June 2011
By: Staff Writer

Tottenham's bid to seek judicial review of the decision to award tenancy of the Olympic Stadium to West Ham United has been rebuffed. Spurs - along with Barry Hearn's Leyton Orient - had sought a review of the process, claiming that West Ham had been given an unfair advantage. However their plea was rejected by Mr Justice Davis this afternoon, who told the two clubs that he was happy with the decision made by the OPLC (Olympic Park Legacy Committee) to grant use of the £500million stadium to West Ham. Spurs/Orient had made no less than five applications to seek judicial review of the case - four of which were thrown out today with a fifth to be heard later this week (Thursday). The news was welcomed by the OPLC, who told the BBC: "We are pleased with the ruling and continue to make good progress with the Preferred Bidder to agree final terms."

West Ham vice-chair Karren Brady said: "We welcome today's news as a further endorsement of our strong and viable legacy vision."

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My sister and Sam
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 23rd June 2011
By: Tim Keen

My sister has just started dating this new guy, his name is Sam.

My sister hasn't had many relationships so when she does there is always a lot of attention from friends and family, people always have an opinion about the guy and whether he is good enough for her. People are always asking if he is going to treat her right and if he conducts himself in the right manner.

I'm not sure about him yet, but my older brother has made up his mind. He can't stand him and has refused to see him or my sister while they are dating. He says that he isn't the right kind of guy for her and that she could do better. It seems a bit harsh that he has made his mind up so quickly when he hasn't really met the guy properly. My sister will miss him, family should stick together, especially when times are hard. I hope he decides to visit from time to time, even if he can't come over every weekend.

My younger brother likes Sam a lot, he is close to my sister and thinks that Sam could be the one for her. He reckons it might go the distance and she may have finally met the right guy. Whereas some people have heard some bad stuff about Sam, my little brother has heard only good things and is willing to give him a chance. He sees a long future for them if it works out. I think he sees them setting up in a nice new big house not too far down the road.

The last relationship she had didn't go so well. Grant was a nice enough guy, but just wasn't good enough for her. He was a difficult chap to get along with, not very easy to talk to and she said the relationship lacked a bit of spark. Nice guy as he was, one thing that really annoyed me were these terrible emails he used to send to us all, what a load of garbage, I will not miss those.

To be fair to him, my parents didn't make life easy. They didn't really warm to him or show him any support from the beginning. They made life really difficult for him on a pretty regular basis, they were always sticking their noses in when it wasn't wanted. The funny thing is, it was them who set them up in the first place!

I think they regretted it straight away and wanted him out of the picture pretty quickly. They were even trying to set her up with other guys while they were still dating. Everyone thought that was pretty harsh on Grant, as it was all going on right in front of him and loads of people were talking about it.

Don't get me wrong, my parents are great and have done a lot for my sister and the family, we're all very grateful to David and Karen, but they do like to get involved in things when it isn't really their place. It can make life difficult for everyone and as grateful as we are, sometimes everyone would prefer it if they just kept it a bit quieter, particularly about my sister and her relationships. Grandpa Dave is always telling them to keep quiet and think before they speak, but they don't seem to listen.

They have done a lot for her though, so maybe they are entitled to say their piece every so often. It's just that when they interfere and say the wrong thing, it reflects badly on the whole family. We used to be pretty well liked around the neighbourhood, but I'm starting to think that people are going off us. Maybe now Sam is around they will keep themselves to themselves a bit more.

Personally, I'm not sure about Sam yet. There are some rumours about him going round town. Some people say that he is bad news and that he's not the right sort of guy for my sister. She's a nice girl and deserves to be looked after, we all want to see her treated the right way. It's been a tough time for her recently and she's not been really happy for a while. She's had a few financial problems and taken some bad advice from some dodgy people. She's not always made good choices with the men she has dated.

Some people say that Sam's manners and style aren't the sort of thing they want for her and that she has made another bad choice. I haven't made my mind up yet, maybe those people are just exaggerating about him and maybe he has more to him than that. Some of his closest friends say he is a good guy. Shouldn't you get to know someone a bit before you judge them? Even if he has been bad in the past, people can change right?

It's still early days for them, but I have to say that I've been impressed with Sam so far. He's bought her a couple of very nice presents, one that has cost him a fair few quid. She said it was totally unexpected and she was delighted with it. I still have a few concerns though, I've heard rumours that he has been looking to buy a few things second hand, but that doesn't always make them bad I guess. But my God, my sister has had some dodgy gifts in the past, there are almost too many to mention but there are a couple that stand out.

Someone got her this dog one January, I've never seen such a fat, useless dog as that one, he could barely run. The only time he perked up was when there was food around! He hung around for ages and cost her a fortune. In the end everyone agreed it would be fairer to put the old fella down. Then there was this car some guy bought her, it looked like a good motor, but it was a nightmare. She had one bad accident with it and then after that, the thing just would not work. We'd all put loads of work into fixing it and it would break down after a day or two, we had it for a few years and spent a fortune on it, but in the end just sold it for scarp.

You don't want to be too materialistic of course, but the presents a man buys for his girlfriend are important, it says a lot about a man if he shows good taste and can get hold of good quality, but I think more importantly for us as a family will be how he treats her day to day. We want him to look after her, value what's important to her and to us as a family and of course we want her to be the happy girl she was a few years back.

We're a traditional family and there are certain ways that we feel things should be done, we all really hope that some of the things we have heard about him aren't true, or that if he has done anything bad in the past that he has changed his ways now he is with my sister. I think we all just want a bit of stability for her and the whole family. It's been a rough few years for her and we're all hoping that Sam will look after her and make her happy again.

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Spence agrees Hammers stay
West Ham youngster to sign new long-term contract
Last Updated: June 23, 2011 10:21am
SSN

Skysports.com understands that West Ham youngster Jordan Spence has agreed a new three-year deal. The talented 21-year-old defender had been out of contract this close season having signed a 12-month deal last summer. However, the club see him as a long-term asset at Upton Park and have now secured his services on a fresh deal. Spence, who made two Premier League appearances last season, will put pen-to-paper on his new contract when he returns from holiday next week. The England Under-21 international has already enjoyed loan spells with Leyton Orient, Scunthorpe and Bristol City during his fledgling career.

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Stech to fight for regular role
Czech youngster is eager to earn starting spot - perhaps on loan
By Vasek Kadlec. Last Updated: June 23, 2011 10:31pm
SSN

Marek Stech is ready to stake his claim to become West Ham's first-choice goalkeeper next season. England international Rob Green could stay in the Premier League following the Hammers' relegation and his potential departure would leave the way open for the Czech Republic Under-21 international. Unless new Hammers boss Sam Allardyce signs an experienced replacement, Stech will be battling it out with Ruud Boffin and Jake Larkins for a regular spot. "Green wants to stay in the Premier League and he reportedly has an offer from Aston Villa," Stech told Pravo. "There are us three youngsters left for the position of No.1 and, besides that, there is also a new manager so I am optimistic. "We have been relegated but the second division is more difficult than the top one. You play more fixtures, so paradoxically it is an advantage for me that we are not in the elite league as I have a better chance."

Contract clause

However, Stech's situation is complicated by the fact there is a clause in his contract that means the Hammers owe his former club Sparta Prague a fee once he plays five games. The 21-year-old played three Carling Cup games last term and hopes the two clubs can come to a compromise over the summer, but if not, he will push for a loan move after brief spells at Wycombe and Bournemouth in 2009. "West Ham are in talks with Sparta and the clause is still valid," he said. "It is a big amount of money and I am not allowed to be specific about it. "I hope everything gets resolved before the start of the new season. I would not like to leave West Ham as I love the club, but I need to be a regular starter. "I may have to go on loan somewhere. It would be difficult for me now to change clubs (permanently). "After the Euro U21s, goalkeepers of my age will be in demand and they have been regulars. I am not a first-choice goalkeeper and that makes it a lot more difficult for me. I would then probably choose to go on loan in England. "I want to start the new season as number one, no matter where that would be. I need to gain experience. If I'm playing once in 10 games it gives me nothing new. You lose self-belief, talent and confidence if you're not a regular."

Stech had been hoping to feature against Manchester United in the Carling Cup quarter-finals only to discover the Hammers' hierarchy wanted him to sit it out, but the young keeper is eager to put that behind him, even refusing to have an extra week off after the Euro U21s. "Green didn't do well in the World Cup and he wasn't overly confident after returning from that tournament," he said. "The third goalkeeper got injured too so I was in a good position.

Green pressure

"I was doing quite well in the reserves and putting pressure on Green in training sessions. My chance was coming closer but I simply couldn't play. "I was fired up for that one (Manchester United) but then the club president came and told me that they would not pay Sparta," Stech added. "I didn't know there had been any clause whatsoever, I was shocked about that. I felt sorry about how West Ham acted in that issue, but it is gone now. "There is still plenty of motivation left and it is no problem to stay and fight for a regular spot. England is the best place for football - packed stadiums and unbelievable fans. I will not throw in the towel!"

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Duo lose out over 2012 stadium
Spurs & Orient fail to have judicial review pushed through
By Pete O'Rourke - Follow me: @skysportspeteo. Last Updated: June 23, 2011 8:23pm
SSN

Bids by Tottenham and Leyton Orient to challenge West Ham's move to the Olympic Stadium have been rejected in the High Court. The two clubs elected to take action after the Olympic Park Legacy Company (OPLC) made the Hammers the first choice to move in to the £486m stadium. However, Mr Justice Davis rejected Tottenham and Leyton Orient's application to seek a judicial review, although the clubs may elect to pursue other legal avenues. An OPLC spokesman said: "The court has decided to refuse both Tottenham Hotspur and Leyton Orient permission to pursue a judicial review. "We are pleased with the ruling and continue to make good progress in our negotiations with the preferred bidder in order to be in a position to agree the final terms for the stadium's lease."

Spurs reponse

On the news of the judicial review not being granted, Spurs responded with a statement signalling that they will consider their options. It read: "The club has today (Thursday) been informed that the High Court has refused its application for permission to bring a claim against the London Borough of Newham and the Olympic Park Legacy Company, the Mayor of London and Government Ministers for judicial review of their decisions underlying the bid process for the conversion of the Olympic Stadium after the 2012 Games. "The club now has the option of renewing its application at an oral hearing at the High Court and we shall give consideration to this in the next few days. "As previously reported, the club continues to hold discussions with both local and national government bodies in order to seek to determine a feasible stadium solution."

Welcomed

West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady welcomed the decision saying: "We welcome today's news as a further endorsement of our strong and viable legacy vision.
"We hope we can now focus all our energy and passion on delivering a fantastic multi-use Olympic Stadium for the whole nation. "We were honoured to be unanimously chosen as preferred bidder by the OPLC. Their decision, after a robust and diligent process, was subsequently backed by the Mayor of London and government. "Our vision - in partnership with the London Borough of Newham - remains for a globally-recognised destination for all, with community at its core, capable of hosting world-class sporting events, including top-level football and athletics."

West Ham, in a joint bid with Newham Council, intend to convert the 80,000-seater stadium into a 60,000-capacity venue while retaining an athletics track. They plan to move to their new home in three years time. The OPLC's choice of West Ham as preferred bidder has also been rubber-stamped by the Government and London mayor Boris Johnson.

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Nolan could skipper Hammers
New signing could be awarded armband
By James Dall - Follow me on Twitter @James_Dall. Last Updated: June 23, 2011 10:52am
SSN

West Ham United boss Sam Allardyce has hinted that Kevin Nolan could become the club's new captain. Nolan has joined the relegated Hammers from Premier League club Newcastle United for a £3million fee on a five-year contract. The midfielder is held in high regard by Allardyce, with the pair having worked together at Bolton Wanderers. And Allardyce has intimated that Nolan could be handed the captain's armband for the 2011/12 campaign, explaining: "He's got the skills to (captain the side). "He showed that, not only with me at Bolton, but at Newcastle; when you get someone like Joey Bartonalmost crying on the TV because he's left shows you the respect he has gained.

Inspired

"That is not just because of what he does on the field, but because of what he is like off it. "Kevin looks after the players and he drives them on, he creates a team spirit within himself. "It is not that he comes telling tales to me, he just sorts out the stuff I don't need to know about and then he goes and scores 12 Premier League goals from midfield." He added: "Kevin has been in the Premier League an awful long time at Bolton before he moved to Newcastle. "He then guided Newcastle back at the first time of asking, not only with 17 goals, but by being captain. "I see Kevin as a great player and a great captain off the pitch."

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Sam Allardyce Puts Down Some Markers!
June 23rd, 2011 - 3:49 pm by S J Chandos
West Ham Till I Die

Yesterday's press conference, and the subsequent media reports, were interesting in a number of respects. Not least, his response to a question about the working relationship with the West Ham board. He was reported as stating that it was not a friendship, but a working partnership in which there was bound to be some heated debate. It is clear that the board now have a manager who will be his own man and is fully prepared to fight his corner on the key issues. That can only be welcomed and, hopefully, the board will now maintain a much lower public profile and conduct club business in private, having due regard to the impact of public comments upon the manager, his backroom staff and the players.

Another comment, that appeared in a press report, was Allardyce's hope that a successful promotion campaign and good first season back in the PL might put him back in the frame to succeed Capello as the England Manager. Should we supporters be anxious or annoyed by this apparent intention to use West Ham as a route in to the England job? No, not in my view. It is actually good news, because I am convinced that his chances of getting the England job are minimal unless he disproves the 'long ball' tag that has followed him throughout his managerial career. Taking on the West Ham job is the perfect opportunity to do just that. And why should he not nurture an ambition to manage England? It is the pinnacle of every English manager's career to take charge of the national team and there is nothing wrong with Allardyce stating his aspirations in that respect.

The key thing is that it works for West Ham Utd FC. If Allardyce rescues the club from the Championship, res-establishes us in the PL, restructures the playing side of the club, embeds a new professionalism and will to win, then great I say! If he does that and goes on to secure the England job, then he will have played a positive role in the club's history. It will then be down to a suitable successor to take those achievements forward in to a brave new era.

In terms of the intended playing style of the team, I do not think that he said much, in substance, that differed from his comments on being appointed. He just said it in a slightly different way. He made it clear that football is a results orientated business. Hence the comment about the enjoyment of fans seeing their team win. He then went on to talk about entertainment value. Allardyce made a strong statement that fans have always been entertained at the clubs where he has taken charge. Personally, I feel that his approach next season will be that the results are everything. If he can do that with passing, attacking football, then he will. If he needs to win ugly on occasions, then he will ensure that the team can do that as well. It is likely to be a very pragmatic approach, where the imperative is to amass the necessary points to secure promotion. But having said that, his strategy and approach on returning to the PL could be slightly different. Is it not likely that he will be looking to make a big splash in the PL, with a team that plays high tempo, attacking football; whilst keeping it tight at the back, contesting & winning possession and doing the basics well?

The major objective set by the board, is obviously to secure promotion back to the PL. Allardyce's comment that he does not expect to remain in the job if he cannot achieve that was both open and honest. I feel that he will be given the two years to do it, but a single season in the Championship is the priority. After all, dwelling any longer in the second tier does not fit in with either the board or the manager's ambitions and time-scales. Sam Allardyce wants to be a PL manager, pitting his tactical knowledge against the likes of Wenger, Sir Alex and Mancini! While the longer the club stay in the Championship, the greater will be the financial damage inflicted; while the OS move remains an integral factor in the board's calculations.

There was a comment about preferring to keep the number of new recruits down to a manageable number. If too many players are brought in it will mean that the team will start the season as strangers, which could have a negative initial impact upon cohesion and team spirit. That would seem to indicate that he is expecting a core of existing players to stay at the club. He mentioned Collison and Tomkins and emphasised their importance to the club. As for the leading lights (i.e. Green, Parker and Cole) he showed a certain pragmatism in admitting that the club may well need to reduce the wage bill this season and that could guarantee their exit. Also he acknowledged that their desire to continue playing in the PL was a crucial factor. The likelihood is that Allardyce will sit down with the trio and honestly ask them whether they wish to stay and help get the club back in the PL. If the answers are negative, then they are gone and the best possible replacements will be sought. If they are positive then board room clearance will be sought for their retention next season.

With the story about the potential signing of Matt Taylor from Bolton, a clear pattern is emerging. Allardyce is assembling a group of new signings that he knows and trusts. However, it is not just a case of signing them because they are ex-Bolton, per se! Having emphasised the possible knock on effect of a radical restructure of the squad, it is probable that he is seeking to ameliorate this by getting players in that are not only known to him, but more importantly to each other. That way their integration in to the existing core of the squad will hopefully be less traumatic and cohesion will occur that bit quicker. That makes perfect sense.

As a foot note, Sam Allardyce's comments about his experience of managing teams visiting Upton Park was enlightening. Basically, it amounted to break up West Ham's passing game, frustrate the players and fans and then take advantage of the situation to nick the points. Lets hope that he also has the antidote for that, because there are going to be plenty of teams next season that will be looking to deploy similar tactics! Certainly, West Ham will be the biggest club in the Championship, next season, and our opponents will redouble their efforts when facing us. That is undoubtedly going to be a factor that we must confront and overcome, much as Newcastle Utd did the season before last.

There is an old proverb: 'may you live in interesting times.' I would not have wished for relegation, that would be ridiculous! But it would seem that event and the subsequent appointment of Sam Allardyce guarantee us Hammers supporters 'interesting times' aplenty. Lets hope that they are also successful times and the 'promised land' of a PL return awaits come May 2012!

SJ. Chandos. 

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Spurs court out on Olympic bid
Published: Today
The Sun

TOTTENHAM'S bid to stop rivals West Ham moving to the Olympic Stadium has been thrown out by a High Court judge. The Olympic Park Legacy Company voted 14-0 for Hammers in a head-to-head fight with Spurs to decide who takes over the stadium after the 2012 Games. But furious Spurs chief Daniel Levy and Leyton Orient owner Barry Hearn - who claims the stadium is on his club's patch - called for a judicial review into the decision. Mr Justice Davis yesterday rejected their appeals.
Hammers vice-chairman Karren Brady tweeted: "We welcome today's news as a further endorsement of our strong and viable legacy vision."

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Jennings tug-of-war: West Ham's late bid to grab Tranmere teen from Bayern Munich
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 10:59 PM on 23rd June 2011
Daily Mail

West Ham have made a late bid to snatch Tranmere Rovers' Dale Jennings from the clutches of Bayern Munich. Manager Sam Allardyce has signalled the offer after negotiations stalled between the Bundesliga side and the League One team over prospective add-ons. The 18-year-old former Liverpool trainee was all set for to fly out to Munich this weekend once the finer details were ironed out but West Ham have moved to trump the Germans with a £1.8million bid and will pay more cash up front. The move has swayed cash-strapped Tranmere and they are now leaning towards accepting the Championship favourites' package. They rejected a £600,000 offer for Jennings in January but realise it is a signing that can bring them a decent return. Jennings has only made 29 league appearances but is seen as one of the best young talents outside the Premier League.

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Olympiakos set sights on West Ham's Ilunga
TeamTalk
By Declan Taylor
Thursday, June 23

West Ham defender Herita Ilunga is a target for Greek champions Olympiakos. The left-back, who joined permanently from Toulouse in 2009, lost his place to loan signing Wayne Bridge in January and failed to make a single Premier League appearance after the turn of the year. Bridge has since returned to Manchester City, but Ilunga is still expected to move on this summer. The 29-year-old Congo international has been linked with moves to Bolton and QPR but it is understood that Olympiakos are currently leading the chase for his signature. Ilunga is under contract at West Ham until 2013 and it is thought a fee of around £1.5m will be required to land him.

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Tottenham fail with appeal over West Ham's use of the Olympic Stadium
We are pleased with the ruling, OPLC says
Tottenham consider further legal action
Owen Gibson
guardian.co.uk, Thursday 23 June 2011 23.03 BST

West Ham have moved a stage closer to occupying the Olympic Stadium after a high court judge rejected applications from Tottenham Hotspur and Leyton Orient to take the decision to judicial review. However, the long-running and bitterly fought saga over the long-term future of the stadium is not over, with both clubs expected to consider further legal steps.

Tottenham said: "The club now has the option of renewing its application at an oral hearing at the high court and we shall give consideration to this in the next few days. As previously reported, the club continues to hold discussions with both local and national government bodies in order to seek to determine a feasible stadium solution."

Spurs and Orient had sought to take the Olympic Park Legacy Company (OPLC), the government, Newham council and the Mayor to judicial review over the decision to award the stadium to West Ham. Both believed that the process by which Newham loaned £40m to the joint venture company that will operate the stadium on behalf of West Ham and the Olympic borough was unfair.

Mr Justice Davis rejected their application to seek a judicial review at a hearing at the high court.

The OPLC chairwoman, Margaret Ford, said the decision over the future of the £486m stadium was taken in the proper manner.

Spurs had proposed to dismantle the stadium and remove the track, while West Ham promised to retain the athletics facilities but faces questions over whether it will be viable as a multi-use venue.

A spokesman for the OPLC said the decision would allow the body to press ahead with final negotiations with West Ham over the terms of the 250-year lease on the stadium. "We are pleased with the ruling and continue to make good progress in our negotiations with the preferred bidder in order to be in a position to agree the final terms for the stadium's lease," the OPLC said.

West Ham hope to move in for the start of the 2014-15 season, after spending £95m converting the 80,000-seat Olympic venue into a 60,000-seat football stadium.

Karren Brady, the West Ham vice-chairwoman who oversaw the club's bid, welcomed the judge's decision. "We hope we can now focus all our energy and passion on delivering a fantastic multi-use Olympic Stadium for the whole nation," she said. "We were honoured to be unanimously chosen as preferred bidder by the OPLC. Their decision, after a robust and diligent process, was subsequently backed by the Mayor of London and government.

"Our vision – in partnership with the London Borough of Newham – remains for a globally recognised destination for all, with community at its core, capable of hosting world-class sporting events, including top-level football and athletics."

Newham council, which has faced criticism from Spurs and Orient over its decision to partner with West Ham and inject a £40m loan, welcomed the verdict. "We are continuing to focus on securing a lasting legacy for the stadium and, together with West Ham United, are progressing well with the OPLC on bringing the matter to a commercial and financial close," it said.

After losing out to West Ham Spurs were left considering whether to reactivate plans to redevelop White Hart Lane or find a new site in Haringay or beyond.

Barry Hearn, chairman of Leyton Orient, has argued that West Ham's cut-price ticket offers in the new Olympic Stadium will decimate Orient's support base.

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Allardyce: I'll stop West Ham being a soft touch away from home
London24
Nathaniel John
Thursday, June 23, 2011
4:52 PM

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce has vowed to change things around at the club and put an end to the Hammers being a 'soft touch' away from home. Last season, West Ham won just two league games away from Upton Park, with the 3-1 successes coming at Fulham on Boxing Day and at Blackpool in February. The win at Craven Cottage was the first away victory for the Hammers since August 2009, when West Ham won at Wolves on the opening day of that season. "You have got to have a set of adaptable players to play any way in any game," said Allardyce. "Gone are the days any football club can play the same way week in, week out. "Even if you have the same system you have to change. You have to play certain ways to find weaknesses in the opposition. "It's down to the players to play the way they are asked.When we go away from home we seem to be a soft touch in terms of results and that will have to change. "If we have the best players in the league then I won't have to change much."

Allardyce also hinted that the Hammers' fans will have to play their part if the club are to achieve promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.
"We have got to create a very good atmosphere at West Ham," he said. "The only way I think I can do that is by winning football matches on a regular basis and if the fans get behind the team. "We can create a fortress here at Upton Park and people will not look forward to coming here."

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Parker now 5/2 (from 33/1) to stay at West Ham
Ladbrokes.com

The lack of activity in the transfer market sees Scott Parker's odd slashed to stay at West Ham Scott Parker's odds of staying at West Ham have been slashed to 5/2 (from 33/1) by Ladbrokes. Tottenham are still favourites for his signature but now drift to 7/4 (from 8/11). Liverpool and Manchester United remain 6/1 outsiders
Luka Modric is now evens to be at Chelsea for the start of next season with Tottenham just behind at 5/4. It's 14/1 he goes to Manchester City. Alex Donohue of Ladbrokes said: "We couldn't fathom Parker staying at West Ham a few weeks ago. It now looks like he might stay put but Modric's next move is crucial."

Ladbrokes latest betting

Which club will Scott Parker be at for the first competitive domestic game of next season?
Tottenham – 7/4
West Ham – 5/2 (from 33/1)
Arsenal – 7/2
Liverpool – 6/1
Manchester United – 6/1

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