WHUFC.com
George John was on target as the Development Squad drew 1-1 with Gillingham
on Tuesday
24.01.2012
George John enjoyed a goal-scoring West Ham United debut as he hit the net
in the Development Squad's 1-1 draw with Gillingham on Tuesday. The Hammers'
new loan signing from MLS club FC Dallas swivelled to smash a superb volley
high into the net from the returning Matt Taylor's right-wing corner just 17
minutes into his Hammers career. Taylor's comeback from a calf injury was
another highlight, as was the sight of Guy Demel in action again after six
weeks out with a thigh muscle problem. John was the star of the show,
however, looking calm in possession, strong in the tackle, quick to
anticipate danger and generally assured on his first appearance in a claret
and blue shirt. The 24-year-old, whose most-recent action had been in an MLS
Play-Off defeat by Thierry Henry's New York Red Bulls in October, is now
looking forward to being given the chance to impress in Sam Allardyce's
first team.
"I pride myself on working hard - that's how I've achieved what I've been
able to do," said the Seattle-born centre-back. "I think I'm a decent
defender so I just do my job well and pass the ball to the guys who need it.
"I'm excited about the opportunity. England has the best football league in
the world and I'm always up for a new challenge. The only way to get better
is to play with better players. "This opportunity presented itself and I
said 'Why not?'. I'd like to take my career as far as I can take it and I
would like to continue that career with a fantastic club like West Ham
United."
Tuesday's game also saw Ruud Boffin, Dan Potts, Henri Lansbury, Gary O'Neil
and Rob Hall enjoy welcome game-time as the Hammers dominated the opening 45
minutes against a Gillingham side that included six of the players who
started their 4-3 League Two defeat by AFC Wimbledon on Saturday.
Development Squad coach Ian Hendon made a host of substitutions during the
second half, giving run outs to Frank Nouble, Freddie Sears and new boy Joe
Dixon, but it was the Gills who improved after the break, equalising from a
right-wing cross on 53 minutes. However, overall Hendon and the watching Big
Sam will have been happy to see John look good on his first appearance for
the club and both Taylor and Demel make successful returns from injury.
West Ham United XI: Boffin, Demel (Sanchez 46), Trialist, John, Potts, Hall,
Lansbury (Trialist 46), O'Neil, Taylor (Sears 46), Trialist (Dixon 80),
Montenegro (Nouble 46)
Subs not used: Wootton, Ruddock
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Jack happy to hit the heights
WHUFC.com
Jack Collison was all smiles after helping West Ham United to a vital
victory over Nottingham Forest
24.01.2012
Jack Collison has plenty of reasons to be optimistic about the future. The
West Ham United midfielder, who signed a new contract in August 2011, was
able to celebrate the Hammers going top of the npower Championship table
following Saturday's 2-1 home win over Nottingham Forest. To complete a
memorable day, Collison's close friend and fellow Academy graduate James
Tomkins also put pen to paper on his own long-term deal. The No10 told West
Ham TV the only way his day could have been improved would have been if he
had converted either of two presentable second-half chances against the
Tricky Trees. "Going top is what we've been working towards because every
time Southampton lost, it seemed we would lose as well. It's nice that the
boot is on the other foot now. We've won and put the pressure on them
massively. "In the first half, I thought we were a little bit sloppy but we
came in one-up and when you've got a penalty taker like Nobes you know he's
going to hit the net nine times out of ten. It was great bottle from him.
"In the second half, we performed a lot better and created a lot of chances
and I think it's going to happen that one day they are all going to go in
and someone is going to get a good hiding. "That's the thing in this league
- if things aren't going for you then you've got to dig in, work hard and
hope someone pulls out that little bit of magic or you get a little bit of
luck. That's what happened and Nobes [Mark Noble] put the penalties away
lovely and we got the three points and went top of the league. "From a
personal note, it's disappointing not to see my name on the scoresheet, but
it's something I'll keep working on. I keep saying to the lads that I'm
going to score an important goal this year. "At the end of the day we got
the three points and hopefully I can pull one or two out before the end of
the season and it would be nice if it was an important one against one of
the good teams or to dig us out of trouble."
Talking about the new contract signed by pal Tomkins, Collison said the
defender's decision to spurn the opportunity to move to the Premier League
during the January transfer window was a sure sign of the club's ambition to
regain their top-flight place this season. "It's great news not just for me
personally because he is one of my best mates, but for the club as a whole.
I think it sends out a statement to anyone about the direction we want to go
in. We want to keep hold of our best players and he's been magnificent this
year. "You could see from the round of applause he got before the game how
much it means to everyone and what a big part of the team he is. It's good
that it's all sorted now and he can get his head down and concentrate on
taking us to the Premier League."
While Tomkins will not pose a threat to Collison's spot in Sam Allardyce's
starting XI, the No10 did concede that competition for places in the Hammers
midfield was hotting up with the return to fitness and form of Gary O'Neil,
Henri Lansbury and Matt Taylor. "There is a lot of competition for places
but I think that's brilliant for the squad and for the team. Everyone is on
their toes and working hard in training and you can't have any complacency.
That's what the manager wants. Unfortunately it gives him a few headaches
but everyone has got to go out there and do the business. "We've started the
year really well with three wins from three in the league and obviously we
want to continue now."
Looking further forward, Collison also discussed the appointment of Chris
Coleman as the new Wales manager following the untimely death of Gary Speed.
While the midfielder has not worked with the former Wales centre-back and
Fulham and Coventry City boss before, he is looking forward to seeing
Coleman's ideas ahead of the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, which
begins with the visit of Belgium in September. "It's unfortunate
circumstances the way it has come about, as Chris has said himself in
interviews, but obviously it's up to him now to carry on the work that Gary
Speed did with us. "We've got a great young squad and everyone is
enthusiastic. I'm sure he's going to be the same. I've never worked with him
before but I've head good things and I'm obviously keen to get back on the
Wales scene and push on with them as well."
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Hammers support for Dylan
WHUFC.com
Kevin Nolan joined his West Ham United team-mates in wearing special
T-shirts for Dylan Tombides
23.01.2012
Kevin Nolan was delighted to lead the way as the West Ham United first-team
squad showed their support for Dylan Tombides on Saturday's match with
Nottingham Forest. The West Ham United captain joined the rest of the
players in wearing special 'Get well soon Dylan' T-shirts in the warm-up
ahead of the game. The message for the 17-year-old Academy player was
simple; that he has the support and best wishes of all of the club behind
him as he seeks to overcome a serious illness.
Nolan said: "We all want to show our support for Dylan - he and his family
are going through what must be a difficult time, but he is a strong lad and
character and we know that he can get through all of this. "He is always
bright and happy when you see him despite what he is going through and I
give him absolute credit for that. He knows that as well as having his
family and friends helping him through, he has a family here at West Ham
United as well, we are with him all the way, we are rooting for him."
Manager Sam Allardyce was also only too happy to give his backing to the
idea, having seen the Under-18 already make a similar gesture twice this
season in the FA Youth Cup against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Brighton and
Hove Albion. "The T-shirts were something we wanted to do to show our
support for Dylan. Everyone here is backing him every step of the way. He is
a brave young man, everyone at the club is thinking of him."
*Fans should keep an eye on whufc.com for news on a special T-shirt auction
coming soon.
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On This Day - 24 January
WHUFC.com
Ralph Milne and a 3-1 victory at Coventry City are the big moments to have
happened on this date
24.01.2012
Anniversary
Ralph Milne made his one and only West Ham United appearance on 24 January
1990. The on-loan Manchester United midfielder joined the Hammers after
finding his first-team opportunities limited at Old Trafford. Then 29, Milne
was introduced as a substitute for Liam Brady during the goalless League Cup
fifth-round replay draw with Derby County at the Baseball Ground. A
22,510-strong crowd saw the Division Two Hammers hold their top-flight hosts
at bay before going on to win the second replay 2-1 at the Boleyn Ground a
week later.
West Ham would go on to lose out to Oldham Athletic at the semi-final stage.
Dundee-born Milne, meanwhile, would return to Manchester United before being
handed a free transfer by manager Alex Ferguson in June 1991. The former
Dundee United, Charlton Athletic and Bristol City midfielder retired the
following year, 1992.
Classic match
Coventry City 1-3 West Ham United
Division One
24 January 1987
Tony Cottee bagged a hat-trick as West Ham United scored an outstanding 3-1
Division One victory at Coventry City on this date in 1987. The win at
Highfield Road completed a league double over the Sky Blues for the fourth
consecutive season. A year on from achieving a club-record third-place
finish in the Division One table, West Ham would end the 1986/87 campaign a
disappointing 15th in the standings. Cottee would still enjoy an outstanding
personal season, netting 29 goals in 54 appearances in all competitions as
the Hammers reached the fifth round of both major cup competitions. Coventry
would win 14 of their 21 home matches - losing just three, including their
defeat by John Lyall's side - to finish the season in a respectable tenth
place.
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Richard House game set
WHUFC.com
West Ham United will support London's first children's hospice at the
Southampton match
23.01.2012
The npower Championship visit of Southampton on Tuesday 14 February has been
designated as West Ham United's annual Richard House Children's Hospice
match.
Richard House, in Beckton, was London's first children's hospice when it
opened its doors in December 2002, and has been offering respite and home
care services since 2000. Since then, it has offered support to hundreds of
families who have children with life-threatening, life-limiting or complex
healthcare needs between the ages of 0 and 19-years-old. The hospice takes
its name from founder and Life President Anthea Hare, whose brother Richard
died as a very young adult from
profound and multiple disabilities. Hammers midfielder Mark Noble is a
patron of Richard House and a group of players visited the hospice to meet
patients and
family members and distribute gifts before Christmas. Noble and his
team-mates will wear t-shirts in the pre-match warm-up to raise awareness of
the hospice's work. Bucket collections will be held outside the Boleyn
Ground on matchday, with supporters urged to give generously to this
outstanding charity.
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No thanks, Yanks
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 24th January 2012
By: Staff Writer
West Ham have rejected the opportunity to sign USA international Edson
Buddle and giant defender Andy Iro. The two players, who until recently both
featured for clubs in the MLS (Major League Soccer) spent a week on trial at
Chadwell Heath a fortnight ago but neither were considered to be of
sufficient quality to earn a permanent contract. Both Buddle and Iro
featured in the West Ham United development squad's friendly against Leyton
Orient on 9th January - a game in which the Hammers were comfortably beaten
3-0. 30-year-old Buddle - who is understood to have spent a few days with
Premier League side Everton upon leaving West Ham - has since signed for
German second division outfit Ingolstadt 04. Meanwhile the 27-year-old Iro -
a Liverpudlian by birth who has been in the US since 2004 and stands at an
impressive 6'5" - has since spent time on trial with Nottingham Forest, who
the Hammers beat 2-1 on Saturday afternoon to go top of the nPower
Championship.
Edson Buddle - fact file
Born: May 1981 - New York, USA
Turned pro: 2000 (aged 19)
Previous clubs: Long Island Rough Riders (2000); Columbus Crew (2001-05);
New York Red Bulls (2006); Toronto FC (2007); Los Angeles Galaxy (2007-10).
Andy Iro - fact file
Born: November 1984 - Liverpool, England
Turned pro: 2008 (aged 24)
Previous clubs: Columbus Crew (2008-11); Toronto FC (2011).
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Duo on trial
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 24th January 2012
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United Academy graduates Jordan Brown and Matt Fry both featured
for a Gillingham XI against Millwall this afternoon. Whilst a West Ham XI
were entertaining a Gillingham XI at the Boleyn this lunchtime ,a youthful
Gills side - including the young Hammers duo - were narrowly beaten by
Millwall at Priestfield. Brown and Fry, who can operate at left back and in
the centre of defence both started the game. Brown - who was previously
tipped to break through to West Ham's first team this season - was replaced
at half time, whilst Fry played for 63 minutes. Two minutes after Fry was
substituted, the visitors scored the only goal of the game; Dany N'Guessan
climbing highest to nod home from close range. The pair are both looking for
a new club having been informed that their existing contracts will not be
renewed this summer. Neither Fry nor Brown have made a single appearance for
West Ham's first team.
Posting via his Twitter account after the game, Fry said: "It was nice that
the Gills allowed me some much needed game time today. It's been a while
since i put on a blue shirt at Priestfield. "I need to play matches, that's
the reality. Where that will be I'm not sure, but I loved my time at Gills
so who knows?"
Gillingham: Hawkes (Bourne 46), Maughan, J Brown (Thomas 46), Davies, Fry
(Lee 63), Brunt, A Brown (Coates 46), Rance, Payne, Marriott (Mackenzie 46),
Ford (Haysman 53).
Millwall: Allsop, Hackett, Riggott, De Havilland, McClaren, Batt (Sammoutis
60), Henry, Wright, Marquis, N'Guessan, Pusic.
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Taylor returns
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 24th January 2012
By: Staff Writer
Matt Taylor played for 45 minutes today as Ian Hendon's development squad
eked out a 1-1 behind-closed-doors draw with Gillingham at the BG. The
much-missed winger, whose width and dead-ball expertise Sam Allardyce's side
have been missing desperately in recent weeks came through the run-out
unscathed - as did right back Guy Demel, who also featured for a full half.
The 30-year-old Ivorian has featured in just TWO first team games since
being signed by Allardyce from Hamburg SV on transfer deadline day back in
August. He played for 79 minutes at Middlesbrough on 29th November before
being replaced, then lasted for just four minutes in the 3-0 reversal at
Reading - West Ham's biggest defeat of the season - back in December. The
game also featured a host of players on the fringe of the first team squad
including Freddie Sears, Danny Potts, Gary O'Neil and Frank Nouble - plus
several triallists. West Ham took the lead through latest first team
recruit, American George John, who volleyed home a Taylor corner after just
17 minutes. The Gills equalised eight minutes into the second half to earn a
share of the spoils.
West Ham Utd XI: Boffin, Demel (Sanchez 46), Trialist, John, Potts, Hall,
Lansbury (Trialist 46), O'Neil, Taylor (Sears 46), Trialist (Dixon 80),
Montenegro (Nouble 46)#
Subs not used: Wootton, Ruddock.
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Lee poised for Derby switch
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 24th January 2012
By: Staff Writer
West Ham Academy graduate Olly Lee is on trial with Derby County. The
20-year-old midfielder - who is on the hunt for a new club having been told
that he has no future at West Ham - is currently training with the
Championship club, managed by Nigel Clough. Lee, who was one of several
young ex-Academy players advised to seek a new club earlier this month is
set to take part in a reserve team fixture against Burton Albion at Belper
Town FC tonight. Having signed a new one-year contract with the Hammers last
July, Lee had high hopes for the 2011/12 season. "I can't wait to get
started now and hopefully this will be the season when I can break through,"
he told whufc.tv last July. "I'm hoping this will be my big chance and I
want to grab it with both hands. I'm excited about getting started and
hopefully getting a place in the team."
But despite scoring three goals in five appearances for Ian Hendon's
development squad this term, Lee has failed to make a single appearance
under Sam Allardyce.
Instead, he has spent much of the season on loan at Dagenham & Redbridge for
whom he made 17 appearances between August and October (scoring three
goals).
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Club could buy Olympic Stadium
MP admits stadium shouldn't always be under public ownership
Last Updated: January 24, 2012 6:28pm
SSN
A football club could one day own the 2012 Olympic Stadium, minister for
Sport and the Olympics Hugh Robertson has suggested. Such a move would come
in the future as the current plans are for the stadium to be publicly owned,
but leased out for a mixture of sporting events and concerts. Robertson told
the Culture, Media and Sport Committee: "It is not our intention that it
should remain in public ownership indefinitely." Robertson explained that it
could be possible for a club to buy the stadium, but that there would be an
agreement in place protecting the rights of UK Athletics and other members
of the legacy deal signed up as part of the original agreement for
post-games stadium use. West Ham's proposed move to the Stadium fell through
after a legal challenge from Tottenham and Leyton Orient. The Olympic Park
Legacy Company, Government and London mayor Boris Johnson then decided the
stadium would be leased out and retain the running track.
Manchester
Robertson also told MPs that they had learned from how the City of
Manchester Stadium (now the Etihad Stadium) had been handled after the 2002
Commonwealth Games. He added: "We have absolutely looked at the sensible
lessons that have been learned out of Manchester, which to be fair, was
regarded as a great success.
"It is a pretty good argument for how to get it right. We will certainly
build all that into the negotiations. "If a football club was one of the
legacy users and there should be a change of ownership in the future - and
they should want to acquire the stadium in the future, that will certainly
be built into the process. "It is not our intention that it should remain in
public ownership indefinitely. "There is no reason why it should be a public
stadium forever and a day."
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McGugan catches Big Sam's eye
Hammers tracking Forest ace
By Pete O'Rourke - Follow me: @skysportspeteo. Last Updated:
January 23, 2012 12:01pm
SSN
Sky Sports understands West Ham are weighing up a move for Nottingham Forest
star Lewis McGugan. McGugan is thought to have impressed West Ham boss Sam
Allardyce during Forest's defeat to the Hammers at Upton Park on Saturday.
Highly-rated midfielder McGugan caught the eye for Forest at Upton Park,
including scoring a stunning long-range goal in the 2-1 defeat. Forest are
thought to be ready to cash-in on McGugan before the close of the transfer
window as they look to raise funds to bolster the squad elsewhere. Money is
tight at the City Ground and it is thought Forest boss Steve Cotterill will
have to sell before he can buy and he may be forced to sacrifice McGugan.
McGugan is regarded as one of the best midfielders in the Championship and
West Ham could move for the player as they look to boost their squad to
maintain their push for promotion back to the Premier League.
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Hammers star on trial at Rams
Promising star training with Derby
Last Updated: January 24, 2012 2:07pm
SSN
West Ham's promising midfielder Oliver Lee is on trial at rival Championship
club Derby. The 20-year-old, who spent the second half of last season and
the start of this season on loan at League Two club Dagenham and Redbridge,
is currently training with the Rams. The player, who is the son of former
Charlton, Newcastle and Hammers midfielder Rob Lee, has yet to make an
appearance for the United first XI, despite signing a new deal with the club
in 2010. However, the club are keen to see the youngster develop further by
playing regular football at a higher level. And Lee will be hoping to
impress Derby boss Nigel Clough by featuring in their reserve-team game
against Burton on Tuesday evening.
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A Decisive Approach Needed on Transfers, as it is Time to Honour a Club
Legend!
January 24th, 2012 - 11:47 pm by S J Chandos
West Ham Until I Die
Hopefully we will start making some overdue progress on our transfer
targets, with the news of bids for McGugan and Jelavic. However, I have to
say that I have become increasingly frustrated by the club's approach to
securing its transfer targets in this January window. Rather than going in
with a firm and realistic bid to secure the players at the first time of
asking, the club appear to bid low and then follow it up with an increased
offer. By the time we increase the offer other clubs are alerted and/or the
owning club decide to play 'hard ball' and increase the price tag to promote
an auction. That is exactly what happened with our bids for both Rhodes at
Huddlesfield Town and Sordell at Watford. While the club were openly
talking openly about their interest in Jelavic at Rangers, prior to even
submitting a firm bid, Sam Allardyce was quoted as confirming that he wants
Jelavic, but accepted that PL clubs were also interested and that we were
likely to lose out to their greater financial resources. Some recent
reports indicate the Liverpool are in pole position and others suggest that
they are not interested in the player. You choose which version to believe.
Now, as much as we may long for the 'cloak and dagger' transfer deals of the
John Lyall era, we must concede that we now live in very different times.
John Lyall did not have to cope with the type of saturation sports media
coverage that we have now, nor clubs and agents opportunistically leaking
transfer interest/bids, with a view to generating additional interest and a
possible auction. However, surely the club should at least try to move
more decisively to secure their transfer targets. We have vacilliated in
bidding for both Rhodes and Sordell and submitted bids that were clearly
insufficient to clinch a deal. Maybe, an early,firm c.£5m bid for Jordan
Rhodes might have tempted Huddesfield's board, while a c. £3-4m bid would
most probably have secured Sordell at the first time of asking. Similarly,
we should have made an up front, £5m take it or leave it bid for Jelavic
early doors, before the Liverpools of this world had time to move. The
latest development is that we have now allegedly turned our attention to
securing Lewis McGugan, with a £3m bid and the Jelavic speculation still
continues.
On the other side of the transfer equation, it is excellent news that James
Tomkins has signed a new contract. It is likely that sources in the
North-East have been putting out disinformation about Tomkins being
unsettled and submitting a transfer request. This will hopefully put a
stop to all that nonsense, as long as Tomkins returns to the PL with West
Ham in April/May. If not, then you can be sure Newcastle Utd and Spurs will
come calling again in the summer and it will be that much more difficult to
resist their financial overtures. We must also secure Rob Green on a new
contract. It is unlikely that he will sign prior to us securing promotion,
but as soon as that is confirmed we need to secure his signature on much
improved terms. It is far smarter to do that, than potentially spending far
more in fees and wages to secure a keeper of a similar pedigree.
Once promoted, we must build our squad around the likes of Tomkins, Noble,
Collison, Nolan, Demel, Taylor, Cole, Baldock and Green. We have a good
core around which to rebuild for the PL, although the likes of Diop,
McCartney, Faye and Carew may well need replacing in the summer. Others
such as Faubert have fallen short at the top level and should definitely be
sold/moved on in the summer. The club also need to make decisions soon on
the likes of Sears, Fry, Spence, Brown and Nouble. Are they going to make
the grade at West Ham? Thankfully, we have some extremely good prospects
in Montano, Moncur, Potts and Hall; plus the outstanding younger generation
below them, such as Voce, Elliott Lee, etc, who should also be that bit
nearer, next season, to challenging for first team football.
As for Saturday's match against Notts Forest, well thankfully we got the
three points again. But the actual performance left something to be desired
on a number of levels. Apart from late in the second half, our passing was
pretty dire, we lacked creativity going forward and some of the players
looked like they had just met prior to kick off! We were so poor at times,
that we made Notts Forest look a good team and that takes some doing. I
suppose, like Sam Allardyce in his post-match interview, we can comfort
ourselves with the fact that we are winning matches, while playing poorly.
The fact that we are now leading the Championship, and there is a four
point advantage over Cardiff City, in third, is also a comfort. It is just
a pity that Cardiff City got that last minute winner, on Saturday, or the
gap would have been an even healthier six points. We might also take Jack
Collison's optimistic view that we are leading the Championship and have not
yet got out of first gear! Collison was reported as going on to state that
it was scary what West Ham could achieve once they get in top gear. Agreed
Jack, but surely now is the time to stop talking about it and for the team
to actually achieve it!
The bright spots on Saturday were the individual performances of Tomkins,
Noble, Collison and Baldock, who all did well in a very disjointed team
performance. Carlton Cole worked hard, but he should be scoring more goals
at this level. Similarly, the Cole-Baldock striking partnership should have
gelled by this stage of the season. They should be supplying the goals to
fire our promotion challenge, but it is just not happening at the moment.
It is sobering to consider that we have won the last two matches with three
penalities! It was good to see Henri Lansbury back and I feel that he has a
lot to offer in the remainder of this season. He was particularly unlucky
not to score with that excellent half volley in the 2nd half. While the
return of Matt Taylor cannot come quickly enough as far as I am concerned.
We look a far better, and more balanced, side with Taylor on the left flank.
Lets just hope that he can shake off his injury problems once and for all,
and the same also applies to the formidable Guy Demel at right back.
Well done to Leicester City for defeating Southampton on Monday evening.
Have the wheels started to fall off the Saints band wagon? I have been
predicting that they would slip up all season and was starting to think that
it might not happen. And it still might not, remember that they still have
Lambert to come back in their team! Crucially, we are now top by three
points and the objective must be stay ahead and take the title. As such,
now would be an excellent time for the team to finally click and fulfill
their true potential. Hopefully, some good quality additions will help
bring that about. Apart from the interest in Sordell, McGugan and Jelavic,
it is interesting that Snodgrass's contract negotiations with Leeds Utd have
reportedly broken down. Snodgrass, along with King at Leicester City, is
one of the best midfielders in the Championship and both players could
perform at PL level.
Finally, it was very sad to learn of the passing of Ernie Gregory. Ernie
was, of course, one of the greatest ever Hammers keepers (probably second
only to Phil Parkes) and will always be remembered for being the last line
of defence in Ted Fenton's famous 1957-58 2nd division winning side. After
retiring, he joined the coaching staff and become probably the first
specialist goal keeping coach, a position that is now standard at all top
clubs. In that role, he coached generatons of Hammers custodians and was a
respected and much loved figure at the club. He is a true Hammers legend
and the club should commission something appropriate to honour and celebrate
his decades of first class, loyal service to the club. So how about it,
Messrs Sullivan and Gold, after all are we ever likely to see that type of
dedicated, one club service again? I think we all know the answer to that
one!
SJ. Chandos
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Hammers in the hunt to sign Liverpool wonderkid
Published 22:00 24/01/12 By Darren Lewis
The Mirror
Sam Allardyce has joined Owen Coyle and Brendan Rodgers in the race to sign
Liverpool wonderkid Raheem Sterling on loan. The West Ham, Bolton and
Swansea bosses are all keen to work with the youngster champing at the bit
to play more regularly at Anfield. Sterling, 17, was snapped up by Liverpool
from Queens Park Rangers for a deal totalling £5million. But although he has
been scoring goals for the reserves, the youngster has been kept in cotton
wool as boss Kenny Dalglish relies on his more experienced players. Sterling
hit the headlines last year when he smashed five goals in a FA Youth Cup
match against Southend. But although he has travelled with the senior squad
to several games he has yet to be called up to the first team. Coyle is a
big fan and see believes Sterling could make the kind of improvement seen by
Daniel Sturridge during his loan spell at Bolton. Rodgers, who has shown his
skill at improving young players at Swansea, is also a huge admirer of
Sterling while Allardyce has run the rule over the striker as he hunts for a
frontman to shoot West Ham into the Premier League next season. Although the
Hammers are top of the Championship Big Sam is known to be unhappy with a
amount of goals his strikers have scored.
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Rangers facing difficult decision as West Ham prepare Jelavic offer
Herald , Scotland
RANGERS were last night bracing themselves for a bid of around £7m from West
Ham United for Nikica Jelavic. The two clubs have been in ongoing contact
during the January window and Rangers now expect a bid to come in for their
Croatian top scorer. Owner Craig Whyte would then have a decision to make on
whether to sell or hold out for more, and he would attempt to boost the
value of a bid by negotiating clauses, but Rangers' parlous financial
position may leave him with little option but to accept.
Selling to West Ham would lessen the immediate pressure on the club's
finances but would seriously damage their prospects of winning the
Clydesdale Bank Premier League. Losing Jelavic also would be unpopular with
many fans, especially since Ally McCoist would receive only a fraction of
the transfer fee to sign any replacement.
McCoist had revealed on Saturday that Whyte had held talks with David
Sullivan, the West Ham chairman, but last night took to the club website to
assure supporters no bid had yet been received. Despite speculation about
interest from Queens Park Rangers and Liverpool, West Ham have shown the
most enthusiasm so far for the 26-year-old who has scored 17 goals in 27
games this season and 36 in total since joining the Ibrox club for £4m 17
months ago.
Jelavic himself seemed to open the way for a move to London in an interview
with a newspaper in Bosnia. "West Ham are a great club; they are not a
second division club," he said. "They are a famous Premier League club who
happened to be relegated last season and will return to the Premier League
next season. It would be nice to play there if the opportunity comes up and
the club agrees.
"But I am also playing at a big club and it wouldn't bother me in the least
if I had to stay here. The manager appreciates me and really likes me, but I
know the club are in a difficult financial situation and if they decided
they needed to sell me, I would accept it, but I would also be happy to
stay. There have been a lot of stories, but nothing is on the horizon yet.
"I have left everything to my [agent] and I don't even call him these days.
I don't care about it. I know they are talking about offers from Liverpool
and West Ham, but if they made an offer, it would be to the club. And if it
were true, the Rangers manager would have told me, because the club have
always been fair with me."
Meanwhile Rangers are no closer to resolving their search for a new striker
after Zlatan Muslimovic, the Bosnian who was at the club on trial, left
after only one day to train with Sunderland instead. The Bosnian
internationalist is a free agent after leaving PAOK Salonika last summer,
but his agent insists that he is still prepared to consider an offer from
Rangers.
"Zlatan had a very good feeling about Rangers," Jan Bezemer told stv.tv.
"They are a very nice club, the trainer was a good man and he spoke very
well. Rangers want him but we have lots of interest in the player. Another
offer has come in. Zlatan trained at Sunderland today and we will now see
how that works out. He would like to play in a good league. The leagues in
Scotland and England fall into that category."
McCoist is determined to sign a striker this month and, although Kris Boyd
remains a free agent, having rejected an offer to join Houston Dynamo in the
MLS, it remains unlikely he will receive an offer.
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Hammers make audacious bid for Chelsea's Kalou to boost promotion push
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 10:40 PM on 24th January 2012
Daily Mail
West Ham have launched an ambitious bid to sign Chelsea striker Salomon
Kalou on loan. Manager Sam Allardyce has gone cool on Rangers striker
Nikica Jelavic after their £6m bid was rejected and is hopeful that Chelsea
will allow them to take Kalou instead. The 26-year-old is available after
being used sparingly by Andre Villas-Boas but may need some persuading to
drop down a division. Allardyce also asked about Florent Malouda but was
told he was not available. Kalou has been a target for Premier League clubs
including Arsenal but Chelsea would rather sell him abroad than to a rival.
A short term move to the Championship may suit.
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Boa Morte signs for Orlando Pirates
Reuters - Yesterday, 16:55
FourFourTwo.com
Former Portugal international Luis Boa Morte has signed for South African
champions Orlando Pirates where he will join former West Ham United
team-mate Benni McCarthy in attack. The club on Tuesday announced an
18-month deal with the 34-year-old. Boa Morte left financially-strapped
Greek club Larissa after just six months in December. Now 34, he played at
Portugal's Sporting before embarking on a 14-year career in England in 1997
when he joined Arsenal. He also played at Southampton, Fulham and West Ham.
Pirates play in the upcoming African Champions League but Boa Morte's
signing is too late for him to be registered for the competition. The second
half of the South African season commences on February 15.
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Race to sign Eder hots up as West Ham join Everton in chase for striker
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 11:08 PM on 24th January 2012
Daily Mail
West Ham are rivalling Everton for Academica Coimbra striker Eder. Everton
watched the striker last week and he was pulled out of Academica's game with
Unaio Leiria on Friday ahead of a proposed move. Academica want £2million
for the 24-year-old but will let him out on loan fro the rest of the season.
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CSKA Moscow join West Ham in race to sign Rangers striker
By Warren Haughton
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
TalkSport
West Ham could be about to lose out on Rangers hitman Nikica Jelavic to CSKA
Moscow. With reports of interest from the Hammers, Russian giants CSKA have
now entered the race to sign the striker. The Russians are keen to bolster
their striking options during the winter break ahead of their Champions
League tie against Real Madrid next month. Hammers boss Sam Allardyce
admitted to talkSPORT on Sunday that he was interested in the Croatian
international to boost the Londoners push for promotion. But the lure of
Champions League football and a bumper pay packet could be enough to land
the 26-year-old, who is keen to cement his place in the Croatia squad for
Euro 2012. Liverpool, QPR and Fulham have also been linked with Jelavic, but
CSKA now appear frontrunners to secure his signature.
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West Ham defender: 'I was never going to leave the Hammers'
London24
Dave Evans, West Ham Correspondent
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
10:00 AM
Hammers defender James Tomkins celebrated signing a new-deal at Upton Park
with a man-of-the-match performance in the narrow win against Nottingham
Forest
Things were a little worrying last week at Portsmouth. Despite West Ham's
battling win, manager Sam Allardyce did not allow gathered journalists to
speak to defender James Tomkins amid speculation that he handed in a
transfer request and was heading back to the Premier League. A week later
and all is well in the Hammers dressing room after the 22-year-old put pen
to paper on a new four and a half year deal at Upton Park. Despite the
rumours, there was really only one thing that the centre half wanted to do.
"There was no doubts for me really," revealed Tomkins after his
man-of-the-match display in the 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest. "I have
always been committed to this club. I have been here since I was eight and
obviously there was speculation, but it is nice to put that to bed now and I
can concentrate on the rest of the season."
It is little wonder that the likes of Newcastle and QPR have been sniffing
round the youngster. He has been in superb form all season and is fast
developing into a possible captain of the future. "I feel confident and I
feel that I am growing with every game and gaining good experience playing
in this league, both mentally and physically," he said. "I am enjoying my
football at the minute and as long as we keep winning game I will keep
developing and getting better as a player which is what I want."
Despite his tender years, Saturday was Tomkins' 100th game in claret and
blue, but predictably he is looking forward to the next hundred rather than
backwards.
"You always remember your first game and your first goal," recalled Tomkins.
"They have been two highlights for me, while it is also nice to be top of
the league which I haven't been for those 100 games. "It's great to reach a
hundred, but hopefully there are many more to come."
Saturday's win probably won't live long in the memory for Tomkins, but he
was just delighted to get the win in the end. "Forest certainly created more
chances than we would have liked, but it is all about conveting them and
they didn't," he said. "The penalty came at a great time for us when we
weren't playing too well and they wouldn't have been happy, but the decision
went our way."
It did, but the decision of Tomkins to stay at West Ham is likely to be an
even greater benefit.
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Ernie Gregory obituary
West Ham goalkeeper who made 481 appearances for the club
Brian Glanville
guardian.co.uk, Monday 23 January 2012 13.34 GMT
The goalkeeper Ernie Gregory, who has died aged 90, had a career with West
Ham United that spanned an astonishing half-century. "They don't bump Ernie
Gregory," said one knowing journalist of the 6ft 2in player. Indeed they did
not: Gregory was ideally built for the physical challenges to which keepers
were subjected in those days; they had little of the protection now afforded
to them by referees. Gregory made 481 appearances between the sticks for the
Hammers and after his last match, in 1959, he was active as a coach for the
club until his retirement in 1987.
Born in Stratford, east London, Gregory was good with his fists as a boy; he
would recount, with a mixture of pride and faint remorse, how his friends
were constantly matching him against other street fighters, and how he would
always win. He joined the Hammers straight from school in 1936, after
playing for West Ham Boys, and then had a short attachment to the prominent
east London amateur club Leytonstone. He returned to West Ham before the
outbreak of the second world war, during which he served with the Essex
Regiment and the RAF.
After the agile, much smaller keeper Harry Medhurst left West Ham for
Chelsea in 1946, Gregory became the club's first-choice keeper. He made his
league debut for the Hammers at the end of that year, in a 4-1 victory
against Plymouth Argyle. The club remained in the second division for the
next dozen years, during which time the rugged Gregory held his own. In one
game at Upton Park, the hulking, red-haired Sheffield Wednesday
centre-forward Derek Dooley, by his own admission, surreptitiously held
Gregory down with him on the ground, enabling another Wednesday forward to
shoot into an empty goal. When it came to the return match at Hillsborough,
Dooley left the field with a torn jersey and Gregory's stud marks on his
chest.
In 1952 Gregory made an appearance for the England B team in a match against
France. The Hammers then gained promotion after a victorious 1957-58 season
in which Gregory made 37 appearances in 42 matches. In their first season in
the top flight, Gregory played in 32 of the league games. But in March 1959,
he was succeeded by the young Irish goalkeeper Noel Dwyer. Gregory had one
more league game for the club in the next season, then joined the coaching
staff and initially looked after the reserves team. A valued tutor, he
worked with such accomplished keepers as Phil Parkes and Mervyn Day. In
time, he was used by West Ham to watch and report on their future opponents.
Buoyant, vigorous and genial, imbued with cockney humour, Gregory continued
to attend West Ham's games at Upton Park. His wife, Yvonne, and his daughter
predeceased him.
• Ernest Gregory, footballer, born 10 November 1921; died 21 January 2012
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