Joey keeping cool
WHUFC.com
Joey O'Brien is happy with his progress after his first match action at AFC
Bournemouth
15.07.2013
Joey O'Brien enjoyed his 45-minute run out during Saturday's 2-0 win at AFC
Bournemouth as his pre-season preparations stepped up a gear. The Republic
of Ireland international was given his first taste of pre-season match
action when he came on as a half-time substitute for Guy Demel and was
quickly back into the swing of things with some no-nonsense defending. Fans
favourite O'Brien is now looking to make it two appearances in the space of
four days when the Hammers visit Colchester United on Tuesday evening. "It
was good to get a run out," O'Brien said. "I've been training hard the past
few weeks so it was nice to get the run out and get some minutes under my
belt. "It's been a gradual build up for me. I've been training hard but I
just didn't feature in the first two games. I started on Saturday with my
first 45 minutes and hopefully I'll get some more on Tuesday night. It's
going cool."
Saturday's test at Dean Court was anything but cool, however, as the south
of England basked in one of the hottest days of the year to date. While Sam
Allardyce may have planned for some warm-weather training during the Germany
trip that starts on Wednesday, O'Brien believes the early introduction to
sweltering conditions has done them the world of good. "It's not like that
every Saturday in the Premier League but I think it's good to play in those
conditions every now and again. The second half wasn't too bad as there were
so many substitutions. "Overall though, the pre-season has gone really well.
The trip to Ireland was great and we had a good game against Cork. We've got
Colchester on Tuesday and then we head to Germany. It'll be tough over
there."
Colchester provide the Hammers' penultimate examination on home soil before
the start of the season, with Pacos de Ferreira providing a stern test at
the Boleyn Ground on 10 August, a week before the big Barclays Premier
League kick-off. A tough assignment of three games awaits in Germany before
then, however, and O'Brien knows it is important the players seize the
opportunity to increase their sharpness and bond further as a group ahead of
the visit of Cardiff City on 17 August. "In Germany, we'll be looking to
step it up again, get more time on the pitch and take our fitness up to the
next level. "The new guys have settled in well and we've got a great bunch
of guys in the dressing room. Whenever a new player comes in they're made to
feel welcome so things are looking good for the new season."
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A towering presence
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 15th July 2013
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United's latest triallist is an out-of-contract, former Dutch
international midfielder. Orlando Engelaar featured as a second half
substitute for Kevin Nolan in West Ham's 2-0 win at Bournemouth on Saturday
afternoon - but his introduction left everyone in the 7,000+ crowd asking
"who?" We can reveal that Engelaar, now 33, was given a free transfer by
Dutch side PSV at the end of the 2012/13 season having come to the end of a
four-year contract. He has spent the past few days at Chadwell Heath in
order for Allardyce and his team to run the rule over him - and was present
at Boreham Wood last Wednesday, even though he didn't play. A central
midfielder who has been described as "a towering presence on the pitch"
(Engelaar stands 6'5" tall), the Rotterdam-born player has also spent time
in Belgium and Germany where he played for Racing Genk and Schalke
respectively. However it was whilst at FC Twente in 2007 when he made his
debut for the Dutch national squad in a friendly against South Korea. A
year later he was included in the Netherlands' 2008 European Championships,
playing in every game before the Dutch were knocked out at the quarter final
stage by Russia. Altogether, Engelaar has made 14 appearances for his
country.
Sam Allardyce, talking about the possibility of offering Engelaar a contract
told westhamtv: "We'll have him with us for a few days to see if he could be
a valuable member of our team. We'll obviously make that decision in the
near future."
Orlando Engelaar: Career History
July 2013: PSV Eindhoven (free transfer)
September 2010: FC Schalke to PSV Eindhoven (£3.5m)
July 2008: FC Twente to FC Schalke (4.9m)
August 2006: KRC Genk to FC Twente (£2.5m)
July 2004: NAC Breda to KRC Genk (£1.1m)
2001: Jong Feyenoord Rotterdam to NAC Breda (free transfer)
The Netherlands: 14 appearances between 2007 and 2010.
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Allardyce tight-lipped on Kuzmanovic bid
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 15th July 2013
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce refused to be drawn over his interest in Milan midfielder
Zdravko Kuzmanovic when asked about the state of play by a TV crew. Speaking
after West Ham's 2-0 win against Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon, the
United boss was questioned as to whether rumours of a £5million bid for the
25-year-old Serbian international were correct. But Allardyce refused to
either confirm or deny whether West Ham had made a firm bid for a player who
less than a year ago was valued at the £20million+ mark. "I can't shed any
light on that at all. He's a player I like but I still don't know anything
about it," said Allardyce, with a wry smile on his face. "Position wise, we
need an attacking player first and then we'll see where we go after that. At
this moment in time, it depends on the player who is available. If it's a
quality player who brings a lot to the team then we'll go for him."
Allardyce also reiterated previous comments when asked how many more players
he would like to add to his squad before the start of the new season next
month. "For the first time in eight years, I have got a good squad together
right at the start of pre-season," he said. "Normally I am six or seven
short and I have to skimp around to get them in, but not this year. We would
like to add to that of course, although it will only be one or two maximum."
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Sam opens the Dor
Published: 6 hrs ago
The Sun
SAM ALLARDYCE is ready to make a £3million move for West Brom's
out-of-favour Graham Dorrans. West Ham boss Big Sam wants another midfielder
on board after Gary O'Neil's failure to agree a new deal. Baggies chief
Steve Clarke told Dorrans in January he could find a new club after losing
his first-team place. The Scotland international stayed and ended the season
with 20 Premier League appearances but now looks set to go if a decent offer
comes in.
The Hammers face competition with Norwich and newly-promoted Cardiff also
keen on the 26-year-old.
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David's Golden opportunity
Posted by Peter Thorne
ESPBblog
The author has fond memories of queuing up for West Ham tickets like these
youngsters in 1965 and is concerned today's youth are being priced out of
the market. David Gold has been forced to defend West Ham's ticketing policy
before the start of the new season, with accusations that the club are
pricing fans out with excessive charges, particularly in Category A games
where non-season ticket holders will buy match-day tickets through the
membership scheme.
With some games -- Chelsea, Manchester United and Spurs are the usual
culprits -- seats will rise to 72 pounds although, as Gold states, the
lowest in the band will be marked to about 52 pounds.
The Hammers' co-chairman has hit back at critics, defending the club's
policy and pointing out that the club is only reacting to their league
placing from last season and that prices are comparable with clubs in a
similar position and, as you'd expect, below the asking price of rivals
offering a supposedly more glamorous fare elsewhere in the Capital.
Gold is obviously viewing these accusations with some anger -- describing
them as 'mischief making' -- explaining that often those clubs with the
lowest prices were those that found themselves battling relegation and that
against the very high prices of some seats, the club had perfectly adequate
seating for people who wanted to pay less.
As a direct riposte, that suggests that charging higher prices meant that
the club were able to operate at the upper end of the transfer market,
Gold's defence was quite clear. It also has to be remembered that 2012-13
saw an astonishing 17 consecutive games sold out in a season, a statistic
that broke the record for the highest average home league attendance in the
club's history. There has to be a sense then that fans at least, must be
able to bear the brunt of rocketing ticket prices.
While it's hard not to deny that David Gold is perfectly within his rights
to be angry -- West Ham, after all, are certainly not setting any trends
here -- it's also difficult not to view this whole situation like the little
boy in the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale; staring wide-eyed and
open-mouthed as the crowd admire the naked King's fine 'new clothes' that
only the 'wise' can see.
As someone who used to pitch up outside the gates of the old North Bank at 1
p.m. on a Saturday afternoon, clutching a shiny coin or two poked out from
the piggy bank with a knife or gratefully accepted from a well-meaning
grandparent, it's hard to see where the next generation of stadium fans will
come from unless this lunacy is arrested somehow.
Even with the well-intentioned Junior membership schemes and even the
excellent "Kids-for-a-quid" opportunities at various times of the season,
the weekly match-day attendance is simply far beyond the pocket of even the
most wealthiest of schoolboys. David Gold himself -- a loyal fan from a
young age and one who was used to the same pre-match ritual as myself, also
an astute man and one who has run several businesses -- is well-aware of
this problem of course and probably feels some discomfort at having to
defend a policy that is making regular attendance harder and harder with
every passing season for most fans.
Pity the parent though with one or two offspring wanting to treat his
boys/girls to a match against one of the Premier League big boys, if the
family has to travel -- more likely than it used to be with little local
support -- £100-plus can disappear very quickly. We live in a time where
club loyalties are formed by TV appearances -- particularly those made on a
Wednesday evening. For a club like West Ham to survive and thrive, the need
to introduce the thrill of a live match-day experience to a young fan is
vital. But, conversely, to do that, prices need to be set at a level to
attract younger fans.
Of course, it's not just the younger supporter who is suffering here,
though; for a traveling adult wanting to start the match with a pre-match
snack and pint, including rail fares and/or petrol and parking, it's getting
harder and harder to justify a regular attendance. You don't have to be
signing on or on a low wage not to feel the pinch now.
Nevertheless, criticism of the club and David Gold in particular -- unfair
in my opinion anyway -- can to be tempered here with a very basic fact; that
is that West Ham United has a very real opportunity to reverse this trend
when they move to the Olympic Park in a few season's time. Critics may sneer
at the Hammers' plans for a ground capacity of about 60,000 ---- about
24,000 more than Upton Park's -- and ask how they plan to fill it. But
wouldn't it be great if those 'empty' seats were full, with local youngsters
able to gain admission from their pocket money, loyal fans unemployed but
wanting to see their team, drifting visitors just wanting to catch a game at
short notice?
Gold may have to explain his club's policies now, but he might well soon
have a golden opportunity to reverse the trend and make a name for himself.
Perhaps I'm being naive and starry-eyed, but wouldn't it be great if West
Ham were able to become the club that bucked the trend towards higher and
higher prices? The opportunity is there, if it can be seized.
In the meantime, it looks as if it's up into the loft for some of us; while
the hot weather holds the sight of those same shiny coins and the Sunday
Boot sale have an irresistible lure.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Tuesday, July 16
Monday, July 15
Daily WHUFC News - 15th July 2013
U18s open with Orient victory
WHUFC.com
Steve Potts' U18s started their pre-season schedule with a 4-1 victory at
Leyton Orient
14.07.2013
West Ham United Under-18s opened their pre-season schedule with a 4-1
victory over Leyton Orient in Chigwell on Saturday. The home side took a
surprising lead against the run of play after just eleven minutes, before
Jerry Amoo, Reece Burke and a double from a trialist helped the Hammers to
earn a deserved win at the O's Old Chigwellians training ground. The game
was the start of Steve Potts' first full season in control of the U18 side
and he chose to name a completely different line-up in each half. It was
West Ham who started the game with a chance on goal, when Taylor Tombides
was released down the left touchline and he delivered a perfect cross to new
boy Jordan Brown, who narrowly missed to top left-hand corner with a volley
from six yards. Former England U16 striker Brown recently joined up with the
Hammers on a scholarship after leaving Arsenal. With West Ham firmly in
control of the game, it was Leyton Orient who surprisingly broke the
deadlock when the Orient left-back got forward and fizzed a shot across the
face of the goal, which was cut back on the far touchline for an well taken
finish by the hosts' No11. The home side almost doubled their lead just
minutes later, but Hammers goalkeeper Vit Nemrava did excellently to push an
effort round the post. It didn't take long until West Ham were back in the
game and they grabbed the equaliser a short time later. Amoo was sent
through the defence and the young man held off his marker before striking a
low effort into the corner of the net. After half-time, a completely fresh
Hammers team retained control and almost went ahead through Marcio Martins,
but the young Portuguese star's effort just drifted past the far post. With
a little-changed Orient side wilting in the hot conditions, West Ham went
into the lead on the hour-mark. The trialist forward found himself free in
the 18-yard box and finished comfortably past the goalkeeper. The game was
all but over on 77 minutes when the trialist grabbed his second of the game,
slotting into the net after Martins had won the ball back following an
Orient defensive mix-up. In the final minute Reece Burke powerfully headed
Kieran Bailey's right-wing corner into the top left-hand corner of the goal
to complete an encouraging start for Potts' youngsters - many of whom were
playing their first game since becoming full-time scholars within the
Academy.
The U18s' next pre-season fixture is at Colchester United on Saturday 20
July.
West Ham United U18 First-half XI: Nemrava, Knoyle, Girdlestone, Onaraise,
Mavila, Amoo, Bywater, Marlow, Parfitt-Williams, T.Tombides, Brown
West Ham United U18 Second-half XI: Brown, Pike, Burke, Harney, Page,
Cullen, Bailey, Makasi, Gogo, Martins, Trialist
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Diame delighted to be back
WHUFC.com
Midfielder Mohamed Diame made his pre-season bow in a 2-0 win at AFC
Bournemouth
14.07.2013
Mohamed Diame was delighted to be back on the field with his West Ham United
team-mates in Saturday's 2-0 pre-season victory at Bournemouth. The No21 was
given leave to join training a week later than his Hammers team-mates after
captaining Senegal in two vital 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against
Angola and Liberia in June. While his country remain on firm course to
qualify for next summer's finals in Brazil, Diame is now focused on doing
his best for West Ham after an eye-catching first season in claret and blue.
The midfielder picked up the Goal of the Season, Individual Performance of
the Season and Signing of the Season awards last term and, following his
return to Club duty at the Goldsands Stadium, he is targeting more success
in a West Ham shirt. "It was very good to be back," he told West Ham TV. "I
was happy to be playing again with all my friends and to see all the staff.
I had a good moment on the pitch and I hope things are going well for the
start of the season."
While many of his squad-mates were relaxing after a draining 2012/13
Barclays Premier League campaign, Diame flew off to Africa to skipper his
country. Four points from two matches left Senegal top of their African
qualifying group and within touching distance of the World Cup. "It was a
very long season last season, so I went to take some rest before I went away
with the national team. We had 20 days with Senegal but I feel OK. I didn't
miss the pitch for a long time but I'm all right. "We [Senegal] are going
well at the moment and we hope to qualify for Brazil, which would be an
unbelievable World Cup so we don't want to miss it."
While his international ambitions look like being fulfilled, Diame knows he
will have to keep performing if he is to be in Sam Allardyce's team when
they host Cardiff City on Saturday 17 August. The return of France
international Alou Diarra from loan at Stade Rennais, the emergence of the
promising Ravel Morrison, the signing of teenager Danny Whitehead and the
arrival on trial of Netherlands international Orlando Engelaar on trial mean
places in the midfield are at a premium. With Mark Noble, Jack Collison and
captain Kevin Nolan also in the mix, the 26-year-old will have to keep
producing the goods . "I see everybody is focused to be in the starting XI.
Everybody is working hard so this is good for the team. We just need to be
focused on the first game against Cardiff because we know it is important to
start well to make the season easier."
With England centre forward Andy Carroll and Romania skipper Razvan Rat
joining the Hammers this summer, there is strength and depth across Big
Sam's squad. So, whoever starts against Cardiff, Diame is confident West Ham
can build on their impressive tenth-place finish last term and push on
towards the upper echelons of the Barclays Premier League. "We have to have
our ambition and we know the project of the Club, so we need to work to try
to finish near the top. We are going to try to give our best and make sure
to do better than the last season. "I feel a top-eight finish is achievable,
of course. Why not?"
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Bournemouth 0-2 West Ham Utd
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 14th July 2013
By: Staff Writer
West Ham eased to a third successive pre-season win in the sunshine at
Bournemouth this afternoon.
United, fresh from victories at Cork City and Boreham Wood (6-2 and 3-0
respectively) secured a 2-0 win at the Goldsands Stadium through goals from
captain Kevin Nolan and midfielder Jack Collison as the scorching sun bore
down on the 7,000+ crowd.
The match, a testimonial for defender Stephen Purches who has been out of
action since breaking a leg against Rochdale in February 2011 saw West Ham
start brightly - so much so that the visitors were ahead after just nine
minutes.
James Collins, back in the starting line-up having been rested at Boreham
Wood on Wednesday night started the move with a wide ball to the advancing
Guy Demel. The Ivorian full back pulled the ball back for Ricardo Vaz Te who
delivered a deep cross which Nolan met with a pinpoint header, leaving
goalkeeper Darryl Flahavan no chance.
West Ham doubled their lead on the stroke of half time when Jack Collison
took advantage of some confusion in the Cherries defence.
The home side felt that should have been awarded a free kick when Modibo
Maiga appeared to foul Steve Cook, but the referee waved play on. That left
the Welsh midfielder with a clear run on goal - and he finished superbly,
rounding Flahavan before planting the ball into an empty net.
West Ham made a number of changes after the half time break - including the
introduction of Dutch triallist Orlando Engelaar - but failed to seriously
threaten to extend their lead over the Championship side, who were having a
little fun themselves.
Stephen Purches made his long-awaited comeback from injury - to a standing
ovation from Cherries fans - whilst former Bournemouth players Darren
Anderton and Steve Fletcher both made cameo appearances in the final moments
of the game.
Next up for Sam Allardyce and his team is the short trip up the A12 to face
League One side Colchester United on Wednesday night.
West Ham Utd: Jaaskelainen, Demel (O'Brien 45), Collins (Potts 60), Reid
(Tomkins 60), Rat (Taylor 60), Vaz Te (Cole 60), Noble (Diame 60), Collison,
Nolan (Engelaar 52), Jarvis, Maiga (McCallum 82).
AFC Bournemouth: Flahavan, Francis (Fogden 74), Cook (Anderton 82), Ward
(Addison 74), Harte (Daniels 45), McDermott (Elphick 45), Arter (McDermott
77, Fletcher 85), MacDonald (S. Purches 67), Fraser (Matthews 59, J. Purches
88), Grabban (Stockley 74), Pitman (Thomas 45).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce admits he admires Zdravko Kuzmanovic
Last Updated: July 14, 2013 2:56pm
SSN
West Ham manager Sam Allarydce has admitted his interest in Inter Milan
attacking midfielder Zdravko Kuzmanovic. The Serbia international, 25, only
joined Inter from Stuttgart in January but looks set to move on this summer,
and the Hammers are reportedly hoping to snap him up for around £5million.
Speaking after Saturday's 2-0 friendly win at Bournemouth, Allardyce said
Kuzmanovic was on his radar but stopped short of admitting any bid.
Allardyce said: "He is a player I like, but I know nothing about it so
cannot comment." "For the first time in eight years, I have got a good squad
together right at the start of pre-season."
Goals from Kevin Nolan and Jack Collison gave the visitors victory at Dean
Court, and afterwards Allardyce said he was happy with his squad strength at
this point - but would still like to bolster his attack. "For the first time
in eight years, I have got a good squad together right at the start of
pre-season," he added.
"Normally I am six or seven short and I have to skimp around to get them in,
but not this year. "We would like to add to that of course, although it will
only be one or two max. Position wise, we need an attacking player first and
then we will see where we go. "At this moment, it depends on the player who
is available. It needs to be a quality player who brings a lot to the team
for us to go after him."
Nolan was forced to limp off shortly after the interval but Allardyce
insisted there were no serious worries over his skipper. "Kevin came off
with only a dead leg so it looks like he will be OK and it won't be too much
of a problem," he told the Sunday Mirror.
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Four Premier League clubs keen on Peter Odemwingie
Last Updated: July 14, 2013 4:22pm
SSN
Sky Sports understands four Premier League clubs have expressed an interest
in West Bromwich Albion striker Peter Odemwingie. The 31-year-old forward
has been looking for a route out of The Hawthorns for some time, with a
deadline day fiasco in January seeing him fail to secure a switch to Queens
Park Rangers. With there little chance of him being offered a clean slate
with the Baggies, it is expected that the Nigeria international will be on
the move this summer. As a proven goalscorer at the highest level, it comes
as no surprise to find that numerous clubs are readying an approach for his
services. It is understood that West Ham United, Hull City, Sunderland and
Fulham would all welcome Odemwingie into their ranks - joining Crystal
Palace in the chase for his services. He still has a year left to run on his
contract at West Brom, but reports suggest that a bid of around £1.5million
could be enough to lure the Baggies to the negotiating table.
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est Ham hire former Manchester United solicitor to help them land work
permit for Duvan Zapata
14 Jul 2013 22:30
The Mirror
West Ham have hired former Manchester United solicitor Maurice Watkins to
help land Duvan Zapata. MirrorSport revealed that the Hammers had agreed a
£6.7million fee with Estudiantes for the South American striker. But the
deal, including a four-year contract, is all subject to a work permit.
Watkins will now represent the club at a hearing next week to try to secure
the 22-year-old's future in England. Hammers boss Sam Allardyce wants the
exciting Colombian to partner Andy Carroll. Allardyce's scouts have been
excited by Zapata's pace and power and want to land him. Carroll is due to
miss the start of the season injured and Zapata is seen as a good short-term
replacement - and partner when the targetman returns. Zapata is yet to play
for his country but is expected to feature in next summer's World Cup
finals. He does not satisfy present conditions for a permit but West Ham are
quietly confident because he is such a talent.
They will argue to an appeals panel that the 6ft 2in ace will make a
significant contribution to the game here and point to Colombia's position
at No.3 in Fifa's rankings in the hope of gaining the green light. Zapata
scored 14 goals last season for Estudiantes and has attracted interest from
top European clubs including Borussia Dortmund and Porto.
Big Sam fears Uncle Sam
Sam Allardyce fears Fulham's billionaire new owner Shahid Khan will price
West Ham out of the market for signings, writes MirrorFootball. Jackonsville
Jaguars owner Khan last week paid £150million to buy the Hammers' London
rivals from Mohammed Al Fayed. Allardyce said: "Now Fulham are in new hands
it will make it harder to attract players to West Ham as they will probably
pay more money than us. Shahid Khan has inherited a successful Premier
League side."
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Hammers boss set to make a decision over Dutch international trialist
London24
Sunday, July 14, 2013
1:46 PM
Transfer news: Sam Allardyce has not ruled out a move for Orlando Engelaar
after the Netherlands international appeared in West Ham's 2-0 pre-season
win over Bournemouth yesterday. The midfielder, who has played for Schalke
04 and PSV, has been on trial with the Hammers and looks set to remain with
the east Londoners for their next friendly match against Colchester United
on Tueday. "A player of his experience and his quality, we'll have him with
us for a few days to see if he could be a valuable member of our team,"
Allardyce told the club's website. "We'll obviously make that decision in
the near future."
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
Steve Potts' U18s started their pre-season schedule with a 4-1 victory at
Leyton Orient
14.07.2013
West Ham United Under-18s opened their pre-season schedule with a 4-1
victory over Leyton Orient in Chigwell on Saturday. The home side took a
surprising lead against the run of play after just eleven minutes, before
Jerry Amoo, Reece Burke and a double from a trialist helped the Hammers to
earn a deserved win at the O's Old Chigwellians training ground. The game
was the start of Steve Potts' first full season in control of the U18 side
and he chose to name a completely different line-up in each half. It was
West Ham who started the game with a chance on goal, when Taylor Tombides
was released down the left touchline and he delivered a perfect cross to new
boy Jordan Brown, who narrowly missed to top left-hand corner with a volley
from six yards. Former England U16 striker Brown recently joined up with the
Hammers on a scholarship after leaving Arsenal. With West Ham firmly in
control of the game, it was Leyton Orient who surprisingly broke the
deadlock when the Orient left-back got forward and fizzed a shot across the
face of the goal, which was cut back on the far touchline for an well taken
finish by the hosts' No11. The home side almost doubled their lead just
minutes later, but Hammers goalkeeper Vit Nemrava did excellently to push an
effort round the post. It didn't take long until West Ham were back in the
game and they grabbed the equaliser a short time later. Amoo was sent
through the defence and the young man held off his marker before striking a
low effort into the corner of the net. After half-time, a completely fresh
Hammers team retained control and almost went ahead through Marcio Martins,
but the young Portuguese star's effort just drifted past the far post. With
a little-changed Orient side wilting in the hot conditions, West Ham went
into the lead on the hour-mark. The trialist forward found himself free in
the 18-yard box and finished comfortably past the goalkeeper. The game was
all but over on 77 minutes when the trialist grabbed his second of the game,
slotting into the net after Martins had won the ball back following an
Orient defensive mix-up. In the final minute Reece Burke powerfully headed
Kieran Bailey's right-wing corner into the top left-hand corner of the goal
to complete an encouraging start for Potts' youngsters - many of whom were
playing their first game since becoming full-time scholars within the
Academy.
The U18s' next pre-season fixture is at Colchester United on Saturday 20
July.
West Ham United U18 First-half XI: Nemrava, Knoyle, Girdlestone, Onaraise,
Mavila, Amoo, Bywater, Marlow, Parfitt-Williams, T.Tombides, Brown
West Ham United U18 Second-half XI: Brown, Pike, Burke, Harney, Page,
Cullen, Bailey, Makasi, Gogo, Martins, Trialist
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Diame delighted to be back
WHUFC.com
Midfielder Mohamed Diame made his pre-season bow in a 2-0 win at AFC
Bournemouth
14.07.2013
Mohamed Diame was delighted to be back on the field with his West Ham United
team-mates in Saturday's 2-0 pre-season victory at Bournemouth. The No21 was
given leave to join training a week later than his Hammers team-mates after
captaining Senegal in two vital 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against
Angola and Liberia in June. While his country remain on firm course to
qualify for next summer's finals in Brazil, Diame is now focused on doing
his best for West Ham after an eye-catching first season in claret and blue.
The midfielder picked up the Goal of the Season, Individual Performance of
the Season and Signing of the Season awards last term and, following his
return to Club duty at the Goldsands Stadium, he is targeting more success
in a West Ham shirt. "It was very good to be back," he told West Ham TV. "I
was happy to be playing again with all my friends and to see all the staff.
I had a good moment on the pitch and I hope things are going well for the
start of the season."
While many of his squad-mates were relaxing after a draining 2012/13
Barclays Premier League campaign, Diame flew off to Africa to skipper his
country. Four points from two matches left Senegal top of their African
qualifying group and within touching distance of the World Cup. "It was a
very long season last season, so I went to take some rest before I went away
with the national team. We had 20 days with Senegal but I feel OK. I didn't
miss the pitch for a long time but I'm all right. "We [Senegal] are going
well at the moment and we hope to qualify for Brazil, which would be an
unbelievable World Cup so we don't want to miss it."
While his international ambitions look like being fulfilled, Diame knows he
will have to keep performing if he is to be in Sam Allardyce's team when
they host Cardiff City on Saturday 17 August. The return of France
international Alou Diarra from loan at Stade Rennais, the emergence of the
promising Ravel Morrison, the signing of teenager Danny Whitehead and the
arrival on trial of Netherlands international Orlando Engelaar on trial mean
places in the midfield are at a premium. With Mark Noble, Jack Collison and
captain Kevin Nolan also in the mix, the 26-year-old will have to keep
producing the goods . "I see everybody is focused to be in the starting XI.
Everybody is working hard so this is good for the team. We just need to be
focused on the first game against Cardiff because we know it is important to
start well to make the season easier."
With England centre forward Andy Carroll and Romania skipper Razvan Rat
joining the Hammers this summer, there is strength and depth across Big
Sam's squad. So, whoever starts against Cardiff, Diame is confident West Ham
can build on their impressive tenth-place finish last term and push on
towards the upper echelons of the Barclays Premier League. "We have to have
our ambition and we know the project of the Club, so we need to work to try
to finish near the top. We are going to try to give our best and make sure
to do better than the last season. "I feel a top-eight finish is achievable,
of course. Why not?"
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Bournemouth 0-2 West Ham Utd
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 14th July 2013
By: Staff Writer
West Ham eased to a third successive pre-season win in the sunshine at
Bournemouth this afternoon.
United, fresh from victories at Cork City and Boreham Wood (6-2 and 3-0
respectively) secured a 2-0 win at the Goldsands Stadium through goals from
captain Kevin Nolan and midfielder Jack Collison as the scorching sun bore
down on the 7,000+ crowd.
The match, a testimonial for defender Stephen Purches who has been out of
action since breaking a leg against Rochdale in February 2011 saw West Ham
start brightly - so much so that the visitors were ahead after just nine
minutes.
James Collins, back in the starting line-up having been rested at Boreham
Wood on Wednesday night started the move with a wide ball to the advancing
Guy Demel. The Ivorian full back pulled the ball back for Ricardo Vaz Te who
delivered a deep cross which Nolan met with a pinpoint header, leaving
goalkeeper Darryl Flahavan no chance.
West Ham doubled their lead on the stroke of half time when Jack Collison
took advantage of some confusion in the Cherries defence.
The home side felt that should have been awarded a free kick when Modibo
Maiga appeared to foul Steve Cook, but the referee waved play on. That left
the Welsh midfielder with a clear run on goal - and he finished superbly,
rounding Flahavan before planting the ball into an empty net.
West Ham made a number of changes after the half time break - including the
introduction of Dutch triallist Orlando Engelaar - but failed to seriously
threaten to extend their lead over the Championship side, who were having a
little fun themselves.
Stephen Purches made his long-awaited comeback from injury - to a standing
ovation from Cherries fans - whilst former Bournemouth players Darren
Anderton and Steve Fletcher both made cameo appearances in the final moments
of the game.
Next up for Sam Allardyce and his team is the short trip up the A12 to face
League One side Colchester United on Wednesday night.
West Ham Utd: Jaaskelainen, Demel (O'Brien 45), Collins (Potts 60), Reid
(Tomkins 60), Rat (Taylor 60), Vaz Te (Cole 60), Noble (Diame 60), Collison,
Nolan (Engelaar 52), Jarvis, Maiga (McCallum 82).
AFC Bournemouth: Flahavan, Francis (Fogden 74), Cook (Anderton 82), Ward
(Addison 74), Harte (Daniels 45), McDermott (Elphick 45), Arter (McDermott
77, Fletcher 85), MacDonald (S. Purches 67), Fraser (Matthews 59, J. Purches
88), Grabban (Stockley 74), Pitman (Thomas 45).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce admits he admires Zdravko Kuzmanovic
Last Updated: July 14, 2013 2:56pm
SSN
West Ham manager Sam Allarydce has admitted his interest in Inter Milan
attacking midfielder Zdravko Kuzmanovic. The Serbia international, 25, only
joined Inter from Stuttgart in January but looks set to move on this summer,
and the Hammers are reportedly hoping to snap him up for around £5million.
Speaking after Saturday's 2-0 friendly win at Bournemouth, Allardyce said
Kuzmanovic was on his radar but stopped short of admitting any bid.
Allardyce said: "He is a player I like, but I know nothing about it so
cannot comment." "For the first time in eight years, I have got a good squad
together right at the start of pre-season."
Goals from Kevin Nolan and Jack Collison gave the visitors victory at Dean
Court, and afterwards Allardyce said he was happy with his squad strength at
this point - but would still like to bolster his attack. "For the first time
in eight years, I have got a good squad together right at the start of
pre-season," he added.
"Normally I am six or seven short and I have to skimp around to get them in,
but not this year. "We would like to add to that of course, although it will
only be one or two max. Position wise, we need an attacking player first and
then we will see where we go. "At this moment, it depends on the player who
is available. It needs to be a quality player who brings a lot to the team
for us to go after him."
Nolan was forced to limp off shortly after the interval but Allardyce
insisted there were no serious worries over his skipper. "Kevin came off
with only a dead leg so it looks like he will be OK and it won't be too much
of a problem," he told the Sunday Mirror.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Four Premier League clubs keen on Peter Odemwingie
Last Updated: July 14, 2013 4:22pm
SSN
Sky Sports understands four Premier League clubs have expressed an interest
in West Bromwich Albion striker Peter Odemwingie. The 31-year-old forward
has been looking for a route out of The Hawthorns for some time, with a
deadline day fiasco in January seeing him fail to secure a switch to Queens
Park Rangers. With there little chance of him being offered a clean slate
with the Baggies, it is expected that the Nigeria international will be on
the move this summer. As a proven goalscorer at the highest level, it comes
as no surprise to find that numerous clubs are readying an approach for his
services. It is understood that West Ham United, Hull City, Sunderland and
Fulham would all welcome Odemwingie into their ranks - joining Crystal
Palace in the chase for his services. He still has a year left to run on his
contract at West Brom, but reports suggest that a bid of around £1.5million
could be enough to lure the Baggies to the negotiating table.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
est Ham hire former Manchester United solicitor to help them land work
permit for Duvan Zapata
14 Jul 2013 22:30
The Mirror
West Ham have hired former Manchester United solicitor Maurice Watkins to
help land Duvan Zapata. MirrorSport revealed that the Hammers had agreed a
£6.7million fee with Estudiantes for the South American striker. But the
deal, including a four-year contract, is all subject to a work permit.
Watkins will now represent the club at a hearing next week to try to secure
the 22-year-old's future in England. Hammers boss Sam Allardyce wants the
exciting Colombian to partner Andy Carroll. Allardyce's scouts have been
excited by Zapata's pace and power and want to land him. Carroll is due to
miss the start of the season injured and Zapata is seen as a good short-term
replacement - and partner when the targetman returns. Zapata is yet to play
for his country but is expected to feature in next summer's World Cup
finals. He does not satisfy present conditions for a permit but West Ham are
quietly confident because he is such a talent.
They will argue to an appeals panel that the 6ft 2in ace will make a
significant contribution to the game here and point to Colombia's position
at No.3 in Fifa's rankings in the hope of gaining the green light. Zapata
scored 14 goals last season for Estudiantes and has attracted interest from
top European clubs including Borussia Dortmund and Porto.
Big Sam fears Uncle Sam
Sam Allardyce fears Fulham's billionaire new owner Shahid Khan will price
West Ham out of the market for signings, writes MirrorFootball. Jackonsville
Jaguars owner Khan last week paid £150million to buy the Hammers' London
rivals from Mohammed Al Fayed. Allardyce said: "Now Fulham are in new hands
it will make it harder to attract players to West Ham as they will probably
pay more money than us. Shahid Khan has inherited a successful Premier
League side."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers boss set to make a decision over Dutch international trialist
London24
Sunday, July 14, 2013
1:46 PM
Transfer news: Sam Allardyce has not ruled out a move for Orlando Engelaar
after the Netherlands international appeared in West Ham's 2-0 pre-season
win over Bournemouth yesterday. The midfielder, who has played for Schalke
04 and PSV, has been on trial with the Hammers and looks set to remain with
the east Londoners for their next friendly match against Colchester United
on Tueday. "A player of his experience and his quality, we'll have him with
us for a few days to see if he could be a valuable member of our team,"
Allardyce told the club's website. "We'll obviously make that decision in
the near future."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Sunday, July 14
Daily WHUFC News - 14th July 2013
Big Sam content with Bournemouth win
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce was happy to see his side continue their pre-season with
victory on the south coast
13.07.2013
Sam Allardyce expressed his contentment after West Ham United scored a 2-0
pre-season win at Championship new boys AFC Bournemouth. First-half goals
from Kevin Nolan and Jack Collison were enough to secure victory in a
Testimonial match for former Hammers and Cherries full-back Stephen Purches.
Thousands of Hammers fans swelled the attendance to 7,080 in hot sunshine at
the Goldsands Stadium. Big Sam handed first pre-season appearances to
Mohamed Diame and Joey O'Brien, while Netherlands international midfielder
Orlando Engelaar was given a trial after the break. As West Ham prepare to
take on League One side Colchester United on Tuesday before flying out for a
three-game tour of Germany the following day, Big Sam said things were
dropping into place ahead of the big Barclays Premier League kick-off on 17
August. "It's finished off another fine week for us in our pre-season
preparation," the manager told West Ham TV. "The level of the game was up a
level in terms of the quality of Bournemouth Football Club, which has given
us a bit more of a test. "It was never that comfortable and we took our two
goals very, very well indeed and I think we easily could have more. Modibo
Maiga hit the post with a delicate chip, which was unlucky for him, and we
had a few more chances to boot. "Results are not that important at the
moment. It's more about improving the fitness and we're doing that very
well. We're fitter than we were at this stage last season. "We've got to
keep clear of injuries if we can and let's hope we can continue to grow
looking forward to 17 August, when we want to hit the ground 100 per cent
running and make sure we get off to a start like we did last season."
After a frenetic start, Nolan headed West Ham in front on seven minutes from
Guy Demel's pinpoint cross before Collison expertly rounded home goalkeeper
Daryl Flahavan to double the lead a minute before half-time. The second half
saw Maiga hit the post and Joe Cole, who showed some outstanding bits of
skill, come close on a couple of occasions. For Eddie Howe's Bournemouth,
man-of-the-moment and Hammers Academy graduate Purches appeared late on, as
did Cherries legends Darren Anderton and Steve Fletcher. More pleasing for
Big Sam, however, was the sight of Diame and O'Brien returning to action
after FIFA World Cup qualifying duty and a hamstring injury respectively.
"Joey had a bit of a hamstring niggle and the only two who are out now are
George McCartney and Andy Carroll, who we hope to have back as soon as
possible. "Both of those injuries occurred last season and not this
pre-season, so we'll try to keep the players as fit as we possibly can. "We
got to Colchester on Tuesday and then have three big games in Germany so
we'll see where we are after those."
Finally, Big Sam confirmed that the Club would run the rule over Engelaar, a
giant midfielder who has played for Schalke 04, PSV and the Dutch national
team.
"A player of his experience and his quality, we'll have him with us for a
few days to see if he could be a valuable member of our team. We'll
obviously make that decision in the near future."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham win 2-0 at Bournemouth
Last Updated: July 13, 2013 9:33pm
SSN
Goals by Kevin Nolan and Jack Collison guided West Ham to a 2-0 victory at
Bournemouth in a testimonial game for Stephen Purches at the Goldsands
Stadium.
The Hammers took the lead after nine minutes when Guy Demel's whipped-in
cross found Nolan and he headed home from eight yards with goalkeeper Darryl
Flahavan left grasping thin air. It appeared the teams would be separated by
one goal at the end of a first half that ebbed and flowed but the Premier
League side doubled their lead in injury time with a goal that had a whiff
of controversy. The Cherries believed Steve Cook had been fouled by Modibo
Maiga when retrieving the ball but the referee waved play on and Collison
rounded the keeper before slotting the ball home. There was a notable
appearance from Darren Anderton eight minutes from time when the former
England international came on for the Cherries.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Allardyce DID Try to Sign Diouf But Fan Pressure Scuppered Him
By Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die
I have just been reading Neil Warnock's autobiography. It's a pacy and
entertaining read, as you would expect from such a controversial character.
There's not an awful lot about West Ham and amazingly the Tevez saga merits
only a single page. He says how much he likes West Ham fans and hints that
we approached him to take over from Avram Grant at one point, although he
doesn't actually name us. But it was on page 316 that my eyes almost popped
out of my head when he describes how El Hadj Diouf came to sign for him at
Leeds. As an aside, he writes...
I spoke about him to Sam Allardyce who had signed Diouf twice. Eighty per
cent of what Big Same said about him was good. He'd tried to sign him at
West Ham the previous year but the supporters hadn't liked the idea, and as
Sam was trying to win over the fans at the time, he decided against it.
It just goes to show, pressure from fans can sometimes work.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Bournemouth 0 West Ham 2
Published: 13th July 2013
The Sun
KEVIN NOLAN and James Collison struck as West Ham saw off Championship
new-boys Bournemouth. Skipper Nolan broke the deadlock early on in Stephen
Purches' testimonial at Dean Court. And Collison struck a controversial
second just before the break to give Sam Allardyce's men an easy friendly
win. Nolan used his loaf to put the Hammers ahead when he nodded home Guy
Demel's ninth-minute cross. Collison then put the game safe — but the
Cherries felt hard-done by after seeing a free-kick shout fall on deaf ears.
Modibo Maiga initially lost the ball on the touchline but won it back off
Steve Cook. Bournemouth wanted a foul but play was waved on and Maiga freed
Collison to round keeper Darryl Flahavan. Former Spurs star and Cherries
icon Darren Anderton was given a late run-out in the match, to celebrate
Purches' decade at the club.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham close in on £5million deal for Inter Milan ace Zdravko Kuzmanovic
Saturday 13 Jul 2013 1:32 pm
Metro.co.uk
West Ham have opened talks with Inter Milan over a deal for Zdravko
Kuzmanovic as Sam Allardyce looks to overhaul his midfield options. Hammers
boss Allardyce has already enjoyed a busy start to the transfer window,
bringing in Andy Carroll from Liverpool for a club record fee, while
defender Razvan Rat and goalkeeper Adrian have also arrived. But the deals
are not stopping there, with West Ham keen to land at least two midfielders
to freshen up their engine room – starting with Inter ace Kuzmanovic. The
25-year-old only moved to the San Siro from Fiorentina in January, but Inter
are ready to part with him for around £5million, and Allardyce is keen.
Kuzmanovic, a former target for Arsenal and Liverpool, would represent a
major coup for West Ham, who want to add extra steel and power to their
midfield. It's understood that negotiations with Inter have gone smoothly so
far, and West Ham are readying a four-year-contract that would see
Kuzmanovic become one of their highest earners. Allardyce is also chasing a
more attack minded partner for Kuzmanovic, with Bolton's Stuart Holden and
Wigan's James McCarthy other options being considered. Elsewhere, West Ham
are expected to complete the £6.8million signing of Colombian striker Duvan
Zapata from Estudiantes within days, after lodging an official bid for a
work permit.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Former £9m record West Ham signing joins obscure Israeli outfit
HITC Sport
by Mathew Nash
Savio Nsereko? Remember him? Well now he is trying to salvage his
controversial and troubled career in Israel. West Ham recently broke their
transfer record in order to bring Andy Carroll to the club on a permanent
deal for a fee worth £15 million. But do you remember the guy who previously
held the record as West Ham's most expensive signing? When Gianfranco Zola
and Gianluca Nani splurged £9 million on 19-year-old German youth
international Savio Nsereko in January 2009 Scott Duxbury, the CEO at Upton
Park, had this to say about the player: "We are delighted to sign Savio,
particularly with the fierce competition for his services across Europe. He
is an exciting prospect, who Gianfranco Zola believes will prove a valuable
asset for this club now and in the years to come. It is a significant
investment and shows our determination to continue moving this club
forward."
Today it is being reported that the player has now agreed a free transfer
move to Israeli side Hapoel Ironi Akko. Don't be worried if you have never
heard of them because either had I; and I did a dissertation piece on the
role of football in the development of Israel post partition.
They are that obscure…
Last season they finished bottom of the Israeli Premier League table but
survived by two points in the Bottom Half Playoff; so they will be playing
in the top tier in Israel next term but in terms of famous players for
reference point I am sorry but I have nothing. At just 23-years-old by this
time Nsereko was supposed to be doing all manner of wonderful things but the
Ugandan born forward has seen his career spiral out of control since his
move from Brescia to London. After just ten games for The Hammers he failed
to score and left for Fiorentina. In that time he spent much of his time
reportedly AWOL, out on loan and generally ticking off the establishment at
La Viola. He spent time on loan with Bologna, Juve Stabia and 1860 Munich
whilst also sampling football in Bulgaria and Romania with Chernomerets
Burgas and FC Vaslui respectively. After yet another unsuccessful stint back
in Germany with SpVgg Unterhaching the one time under-20 international went
right down the football ladder to play for Viktoria Koln in German
football's fourth tier. He once again faltered and still hasn't found the
net since he was playing for Brescia as a teenager. He will now hope that
Israel is his saving grace so that he is not forever known as the £9 million
West Ham flop, who, once spent three weeks in a Thai jail after faking a
kidnapping to extort money from a family member. Unfortunately that is a
pretty difficult tag to shake off.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce was happy to see his side continue their pre-season with
victory on the south coast
13.07.2013
Sam Allardyce expressed his contentment after West Ham United scored a 2-0
pre-season win at Championship new boys AFC Bournemouth. First-half goals
from Kevin Nolan and Jack Collison were enough to secure victory in a
Testimonial match for former Hammers and Cherries full-back Stephen Purches.
Thousands of Hammers fans swelled the attendance to 7,080 in hot sunshine at
the Goldsands Stadium. Big Sam handed first pre-season appearances to
Mohamed Diame and Joey O'Brien, while Netherlands international midfielder
Orlando Engelaar was given a trial after the break. As West Ham prepare to
take on League One side Colchester United on Tuesday before flying out for a
three-game tour of Germany the following day, Big Sam said things were
dropping into place ahead of the big Barclays Premier League kick-off on 17
August. "It's finished off another fine week for us in our pre-season
preparation," the manager told West Ham TV. "The level of the game was up a
level in terms of the quality of Bournemouth Football Club, which has given
us a bit more of a test. "It was never that comfortable and we took our two
goals very, very well indeed and I think we easily could have more. Modibo
Maiga hit the post with a delicate chip, which was unlucky for him, and we
had a few more chances to boot. "Results are not that important at the
moment. It's more about improving the fitness and we're doing that very
well. We're fitter than we were at this stage last season. "We've got to
keep clear of injuries if we can and let's hope we can continue to grow
looking forward to 17 August, when we want to hit the ground 100 per cent
running and make sure we get off to a start like we did last season."
After a frenetic start, Nolan headed West Ham in front on seven minutes from
Guy Demel's pinpoint cross before Collison expertly rounded home goalkeeper
Daryl Flahavan to double the lead a minute before half-time. The second half
saw Maiga hit the post and Joe Cole, who showed some outstanding bits of
skill, come close on a couple of occasions. For Eddie Howe's Bournemouth,
man-of-the-moment and Hammers Academy graduate Purches appeared late on, as
did Cherries legends Darren Anderton and Steve Fletcher. More pleasing for
Big Sam, however, was the sight of Diame and O'Brien returning to action
after FIFA World Cup qualifying duty and a hamstring injury respectively.
"Joey had a bit of a hamstring niggle and the only two who are out now are
George McCartney and Andy Carroll, who we hope to have back as soon as
possible. "Both of those injuries occurred last season and not this
pre-season, so we'll try to keep the players as fit as we possibly can. "We
got to Colchester on Tuesday and then have three big games in Germany so
we'll see where we are after those."
Finally, Big Sam confirmed that the Club would run the rule over Engelaar, a
giant midfielder who has played for Schalke 04, PSV and the Dutch national
team.
"A player of his experience and his quality, we'll have him with us for a
few days to see if he could be a valuable member of our team. We'll
obviously make that decision in the near future."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham win 2-0 at Bournemouth
Last Updated: July 13, 2013 9:33pm
SSN
Goals by Kevin Nolan and Jack Collison guided West Ham to a 2-0 victory at
Bournemouth in a testimonial game for Stephen Purches at the Goldsands
Stadium.
The Hammers took the lead after nine minutes when Guy Demel's whipped-in
cross found Nolan and he headed home from eight yards with goalkeeper Darryl
Flahavan left grasping thin air. It appeared the teams would be separated by
one goal at the end of a first half that ebbed and flowed but the Premier
League side doubled their lead in injury time with a goal that had a whiff
of controversy. The Cherries believed Steve Cook had been fouled by Modibo
Maiga when retrieving the ball but the referee waved play on and Collison
rounded the keeper before slotting the ball home. There was a notable
appearance from Darren Anderton eight minutes from time when the former
England international came on for the Cherries.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Allardyce DID Try to Sign Diouf But Fan Pressure Scuppered Him
By Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die
I have just been reading Neil Warnock's autobiography. It's a pacy and
entertaining read, as you would expect from such a controversial character.
There's not an awful lot about West Ham and amazingly the Tevez saga merits
only a single page. He says how much he likes West Ham fans and hints that
we approached him to take over from Avram Grant at one point, although he
doesn't actually name us. But it was on page 316 that my eyes almost popped
out of my head when he describes how El Hadj Diouf came to sign for him at
Leeds. As an aside, he writes...
I spoke about him to Sam Allardyce who had signed Diouf twice. Eighty per
cent of what Big Same said about him was good. He'd tried to sign him at
West Ham the previous year but the supporters hadn't liked the idea, and as
Sam was trying to win over the fans at the time, he decided against it.
It just goes to show, pressure from fans can sometimes work.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Bournemouth 0 West Ham 2
Published: 13th July 2013
The Sun
KEVIN NOLAN and James Collison struck as West Ham saw off Championship
new-boys Bournemouth. Skipper Nolan broke the deadlock early on in Stephen
Purches' testimonial at Dean Court. And Collison struck a controversial
second just before the break to give Sam Allardyce's men an easy friendly
win. Nolan used his loaf to put the Hammers ahead when he nodded home Guy
Demel's ninth-minute cross. Collison then put the game safe — but the
Cherries felt hard-done by after seeing a free-kick shout fall on deaf ears.
Modibo Maiga initially lost the ball on the touchline but won it back off
Steve Cook. Bournemouth wanted a foul but play was waved on and Maiga freed
Collison to round keeper Darryl Flahavan. Former Spurs star and Cherries
icon Darren Anderton was given a late run-out in the match, to celebrate
Purches' decade at the club.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham close in on £5million deal for Inter Milan ace Zdravko Kuzmanovic
Saturday 13 Jul 2013 1:32 pm
Metro.co.uk
West Ham have opened talks with Inter Milan over a deal for Zdravko
Kuzmanovic as Sam Allardyce looks to overhaul his midfield options. Hammers
boss Allardyce has already enjoyed a busy start to the transfer window,
bringing in Andy Carroll from Liverpool for a club record fee, while
defender Razvan Rat and goalkeeper Adrian have also arrived. But the deals
are not stopping there, with West Ham keen to land at least two midfielders
to freshen up their engine room – starting with Inter ace Kuzmanovic. The
25-year-old only moved to the San Siro from Fiorentina in January, but Inter
are ready to part with him for around £5million, and Allardyce is keen.
Kuzmanovic, a former target for Arsenal and Liverpool, would represent a
major coup for West Ham, who want to add extra steel and power to their
midfield. It's understood that negotiations with Inter have gone smoothly so
far, and West Ham are readying a four-year-contract that would see
Kuzmanovic become one of their highest earners. Allardyce is also chasing a
more attack minded partner for Kuzmanovic, with Bolton's Stuart Holden and
Wigan's James McCarthy other options being considered. Elsewhere, West Ham
are expected to complete the £6.8million signing of Colombian striker Duvan
Zapata from Estudiantes within days, after lodging an official bid for a
work permit.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Former £9m record West Ham signing joins obscure Israeli outfit
HITC Sport
by Mathew Nash
Savio Nsereko? Remember him? Well now he is trying to salvage his
controversial and troubled career in Israel. West Ham recently broke their
transfer record in order to bring Andy Carroll to the club on a permanent
deal for a fee worth £15 million. But do you remember the guy who previously
held the record as West Ham's most expensive signing? When Gianfranco Zola
and Gianluca Nani splurged £9 million on 19-year-old German youth
international Savio Nsereko in January 2009 Scott Duxbury, the CEO at Upton
Park, had this to say about the player: "We are delighted to sign Savio,
particularly with the fierce competition for his services across Europe. He
is an exciting prospect, who Gianfranco Zola believes will prove a valuable
asset for this club now and in the years to come. It is a significant
investment and shows our determination to continue moving this club
forward."
Today it is being reported that the player has now agreed a free transfer
move to Israeli side Hapoel Ironi Akko. Don't be worried if you have never
heard of them because either had I; and I did a dissertation piece on the
role of football in the development of Israel post partition.
They are that obscure…
Last season they finished bottom of the Israeli Premier League table but
survived by two points in the Bottom Half Playoff; so they will be playing
in the top tier in Israel next term but in terms of famous players for
reference point I am sorry but I have nothing. At just 23-years-old by this
time Nsereko was supposed to be doing all manner of wonderful things but the
Ugandan born forward has seen his career spiral out of control since his
move from Brescia to London. After just ten games for The Hammers he failed
to score and left for Fiorentina. In that time he spent much of his time
reportedly AWOL, out on loan and generally ticking off the establishment at
La Viola. He spent time on loan with Bologna, Juve Stabia and 1860 Munich
whilst also sampling football in Bulgaria and Romania with Chernomerets
Burgas and FC Vaslui respectively. After yet another unsuccessful stint back
in Germany with SpVgg Unterhaching the one time under-20 international went
right down the football ladder to play for Viktoria Koln in German
football's fourth tier. He once again faltered and still hasn't found the
net since he was playing for Brescia as a teenager. He will now hope that
Israel is his saving grace so that he is not forever known as the £9 million
West Ham flop, who, once spent three weeks in a Thai jail after faking a
kidnapping to extort money from a family member. Unfortunately that is a
pretty difficult tag to shake off.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Saturday, July 13
Daily WHUFC News - 13th July 2013
AFC Bournemouth match preview
WHUFC.com
All the key pre-match info ahead of Saturday's Stephen Purches testimonial match at Bournemouth
12.07.2013
AFC BOURNEMOUTH v WEST HAM UNITED
STEPHEN PURCHES TESTIMONIAL
GOLDSANDS STADIUM
SATURDAY 13 JULY
KICK-OFF: 3PM
iPHONE APP I TWITTER I FACEBOOK I PODCAST
Introduction
• West Ham United's pre-season schedule continues on Saturday with a trip to newly-promoted Football League Championship side AFC Bournemouth.
• The match is a testimonial for Hammers Academy graduate Stephen Purches, who has served Bournemouth for ten years across two spells. Purches, 33, spent two years as a professional at the Boleyn Ground before moving on to Bournemouth, and has also turned out for Leyton Orient in a career that has spanned across all three Football League divisions.
• The Hammers have enjoyed a free-scoring start to pre-season, defeating Cork City 6-2 in their first match last Sunday, before goals from Ravel Morrison, Ricardo Vaz Te and Kevin Nolan handed them a 3-0 win at Conference South side Boreham Wood on Wednesday.
• Bournemouth have already played three pre-season matches, losing 2-0 at FC Zurich in their opener, before defeating local non-league sides Wimborne Town 2-1 and Christchurch 7-1.
Team News
West Ham United
• The Hammers will once again be without Andy Carroll (heel) and George McCartney (knee) as the pair continue to receive treatment on their injuries at the start of pre-season..
• Sam Allardyce will name a similar squad to that which has appeared at Cork City and Boreham Wood, with his players continuing to build their fitness ahead of the new campaign. A 24-man squad will head for the Goldsands Stadium, with the vast majority expected to appear on Saturday.
AFC Bournemouth
• Former Bournemouth favourites Darren Anderton and Steve Fletcher will play a part in Saturday's testimonial, as will Stephen Purches' brother John, who helped Bournemouth to gain promotion to League One in 2003.
Background
• West Ham United and Bournemouth have met on five occasions in competitive football, with the Hammers enjoying an undefeated record. West Ham have won three of those games, with the other two ending all-square.
• The last game came back in October 1999 when Harry Redknapp's Hammers were paired with Bournemouth, who he had managed earlier in his career, in the third round of the League Cup. West Ham prevailed by a 2-0 margin, with Frank Lampard and Marc Keller notching in front of a 22,067 Boleyn Ground crowd.
• AFC Bournemouth were founded in 1890 as Boscombe FC and joined the Football League in 1923. They entered the second tier for the first time in 1987 under Harry Redknapp, and returned there last season after finishing second in League One.
Last Time Out
Wednesday 10 July 2013
Pre-Season Match
Boreham Wood 0-3 Boreham Wood
West Ham United: (First half XI) Adrian, Demel, Ruddock, Reid, Rat, Noble, Collison, Taylor, Vaz Te, McCallum, Morrison
(Second half XI): Jaaskelainen, Spence, Collins, Tomkins, Potts, Diarra, Whitehead, Nolan, Cole, Maiga, Jarvis
Goals: Morrison 20, Vaz Te 21, Nolan 83
Friday 9 July 2013
Pre-Season Match
Christchurch 1-7 AFC Bournemouth
AFC Bournemouth: (First half XI) Flahavan, Fogden, Addison, Ward, Daniels, Cornick, Matthews, Arter, Fraser, Pitman, Stockley
(Second half XI) Flahavan, Francis, Elphick, Cook, Harte, McDermott, MacDonald, Wakefield, Cargill, Grabban, Thomas
Goals: Pitman 8, Arter 34, 36, Stockley 44, Grabban 57, Cargill 76, McDermott 79.
Previous meeting
13 October 1999
League Cup Third Round
West Ham United 2-0 AFC Bournemouth
West Ham United: Hislop, Ferdinand, Ruddock, Cole, Stimac, Foe, Sinclair, Wanchope (Kitson 85), Di Canio, Lampard, Keller
Goals: Keller 62, Lampard 77
AFC Bournemouth: Ovendale, Howe, Young, Cox, Broadhurst, Jorgensen (O'Neil 89), Mean, Robinson, Warren (Huck 81), Stein, Fletcher
All-time meetings
13 October 1999 West Ham United 2-0 AFC Bournemouth (League Cup Third Round)
11 April 1990 West Ham United 4-1 AFC Bournemouth (Division Two)
1 November 1989 AFC Bournemouth 1-1 West Ham United (Division Two)
20 February 1929 West Ham United 3-1 AFC Bournemouth (FA Cup Fifth Round Replay)
16 February 1929 AFC Bournemouth 1-1 West Ham United (FA Cup Fifth Round)
Ten-year records
West Ham United
2012/13 Premier League 10th
2011/12 Championship 3rd (86 points - promoted via Play-Offs)
2010/11 Premier League 20th (relegated to Championship)
2009/10 Premier League 17th
2008/09 Premier League 9th
2007/08 Premier League 10th
2006/07 Premier League 15th
2005/06 Premier League 9th
2004/05 Championship 6th (promoted to Premier League via Play-Offs)
2003/04 Division One 4th
AFC Bournemouth
2012/13 League One 2nd (promoted to Championship)
2011/12 League One 11th
2010/11 League One 6th
2009/10 League Two 2nd (promoted to League One)
2008/09 League Two 21st
2007/08 League One 21st (relegated to League Two)
2006/07 League One 19th
2005/06 League One 17th
2004/05 League One 8th
2003/04 League One 9th
General Information
• West Ham's ticket allocation for this match has completely sold out. For details click here.
• Saturday is set to be a glorious day on the south coast, with sunny skies and temperatures set to hit 28C (82F)
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The Big Interview - Joe Cole
WHUFC.com
Joe Cole shared his thoughts on all things pre-season after the Hammers' trip to Meadow Park
12.07.2013
While the hard yards of pre-season training are far from universally popular, Joe Cole for one is more than happy to be back with a football at his feet. With two 45-minute outings already under his belt, the 31-year-old is slowly getting into his stride, intent on putting last season's injury troubles behind him. Though fitness is clearly king at this stage of proceedings, convincing wins at Cork City and Boreham Wood have got preparations off to a flier, and Cole plans to keep it that way come Saturday's trip to Bournemouth.
Joe, how useful an exercise was the win at Boreham Wood?
JC: "It was good. It's another run-out. We are only eight or nine days in and we have already played two lots of 45 minutes. It was good for the people of Boreham Wood as well, everyone seemed to have a good night and we enjoyed the weather!"
Did you miss the football over the summer?
JC: "I think you miss it, you are ticking the days away. It was good to have a break and get away with the family but it is always nice to get back and, believe it or not, but pre-season is not as hard as it used to be. "You keep yourself ticking over in the summer and it is more football-specific than the runs we used to do in Hainault with Frank Lampard Snr! Those days are long gone and it's quite enjoyable now."
How key was Andy Carroll's signing?
JC: "It is a boost for the club and shows where we are going. Andy Carroll is a young, England centre-forward and clubs do not usually sell them. He's a big talent. He did a good job and we just want him to get fit and come back because he is a big part of our team."
How big a year is this for you personally?
JC: "Every year is a big year in football, you always have your goals but I'm just enjoying myself. I'm enjoying being back, I'm enjoying playing football and I just want to get out there and get going again now. "I always keep my goals to myself and take it day-by-day but first and foremost, I want to keep myself fit. When I was playing last season my performances were good so the key for me is just staying fit and if I do that, the football for me has never been a problem.
It's obviously a World Cup year as well. Does that figure in your thoughts much?
JC: "The ambition will always burn every time you go out on the football pitch and you want to do well, if you're an Englishman and you're playing well you are inevitably going to be talked about. "I have played over 50 times for my country so if I can get playing you never know but at the moment I'm just concentrating on West Ham."
What are your ambitions for the club this season?
JC: "I think the ambition of the club at the moment is improvement. But for me personally, I would love to finish better than 10th, but equally I'd love to take this club to Wembley. Because at the end of the day, they are the days you remember in your career - it would be a massive achievement. "West Ham are a big club but have been starved of success. You look at where we are in London and people want to come here and play in London and play for West Ham. It is great that players like Razvan [Rat] and Andy are coming in and hopefully there will be a few more as well. "I roomed with Rat for eight days and he is a great lad. We have nicknamed him Roland, he likes it and I've shown him Roland - he is enjoying himself. He is Romanian captain and has 90-odd caps. He's a fantastic player."
Joe, it's Bournemouth up next, are you looking forward to a trip to the seaside?
JC: "Bournemouth's a lovely place to go. They play good football now under a young manager and it's going to be a tough test for us. "The lads were saying it was 1-1 at Boreham Wood last year and we were lucky to come away with a draw. It's only early days, but we'd like to put a marker down and show that we've improved. So we'll going there to try and get the result. "All these pre-season games are for fitness but you've got to try and win the games as well. That's what you're practicing for, to try and win football matches."
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Purches looks forward to Hammers test
WHUFC.com
Bournemouth's Stephen Purches celebrates his testimonial against West Ham United on Saturday
12.07.2013
West Ham United Academy graduate Stephen Purches cannot wait to take on his former side in his testimonial match at AFC Bournemouth on Saturday. Purches, 33, joined West Ham as a ten-year-old schoolboy and had two seasons as a professional at the Boleyn Ground before leaving for Bournemouth at the age of 20 in 2000. Aside from a three-year spell at Leyton Orient in the middle, he has spent the intervening period on the south coast and is relishing the prospect of celebrating ten years with the Cherries by welcoming the Hammers to town. He told whufc.com: "The planning has gone on for a long time and I can't wait for Saturday, it's going to be a special day. I have to say thank you to both clubs, and it's extra-special because it is West Ham. I spent ten years there, and now I've been here for ten years, so it's great that it's all come together. "There are still people at the Club from my time there - Pete Williams the kit man, [Academy Director] Tony Carr, Joe Cole was in the youth team with me, and it'll be nice to catch up with some of the old faces. "With Bournemouth being promoted to the Championship last season, there's a real feelgood factor here, the sun will be out, so hopefully there'll be a good turnout too."
Eddie Howe's Bournemouth side are sure to provide a stern test for the Hammers, having played a brand of attractive football en route to winning promotion to the second tier last term. Right-back Purches missed all of the 2012/13 campaign after suffering a nasty leg break in February 2012, but has now returned to training and will be fit enough to play his part on Saturday. He continued: "Ever since the testimonial started to be arranged around Christmas time, my aim has been to come back in time to play in it, so I'm really pleased to be back in training now. "The match sharpness isn't there, but the main thing is that I'll be able to get out there on the pitch with the lads again. It's a good feeling, and it'll also give me closure after spending so much time out with the injury. "It's going to be a good game for both sides, the teams will be strong and will give each other a test, so it'll be useful for both at this stage of pre-season."
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Academy announce pre-season schedule
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's U21 and U18 sides have a busy month of pre-season fixtures ahead
12.07.2013
West Ham United have announced a host of pre-season fixtures ahead of the 2013/14 Barclays U21 and U18 Premier League campaigns. A West Ham United XI expected to contain a number of players with first-team experience will travel to League Two club Southend United on Monday 29 July, with kick-off at Roots Hall at 7.45pm. The Shrimpers are managed by Phil Brown, who spent six years as Sam Allardyce's assistant manager at Bolton Wanderers between 1999 and 2005. Brown's squad contains former West Ham Academy striker Freddy Eastwood. For ticket details, click here. Brown said: "I'm delighted that Big Sam, a good friend of mine, has agreed to send a West Ham XI side to Roots Hall for a friendly. It will be a really good test for us and will be the perfect final preparations ahead of the start of the new season."
Meanwhile, Nick Haycock's Development Squad and Steve Potts' youth team will be busy over the coming weeks, with matches organised against a wide range of opponents. The Development Squad will take on top-flight opposition in Swansea City, Manchester City and Southampton, as well as Football League opposition in Wolverhampton Wanderers and non-league sides Braintree Town and Hornchurch. The U18s, meanwhile, will face Europe's best at the prestigious Eurofoot tournament in Belgium, while also taking on four sides representing Football League clubs in Leyton Orient, Colchester United, Charlton Athletic and Crystal Palace.
At the Eurofoot tournament in Oostduinkerke, the Hammers have been drawn in League A alongside Belgian clubs RSC Anderlecht, Club Brugge and AA Gent, German club TSG Hoffenheim and Dutch outfit FC Utrecht. For full fixture details, click here.
West Ham United XI pre-season fixture
Mon 29 July v Southend United XI (A, Roots Hall) 7.45pm
Development Squad pre-season fixtures
Tue 16 July v Swansea. (H, Little Heath), 3pm
Sat 20 July v Wolverhampton Wanderers (A). 2pm
Wed 24 July v Braintree Town (A). 7.45pm
Sat 27 July v Manchester City (A) 3pm
Sat 3 Aug v Hornchurch (A) 3pm
Tue 6 Aug v Southampton (A) 2.30pm
Under-18s pre-season fixtures
Sat 13 July v Leyton Orient (A, Old Chigwellians), 10am
Sat 20 July v Colchester United (A), 11am
Tue 30 July v Charlton Athletic (A), 2pm
Thu 1-Sun 4 Aug Eurofoot tournament, Oostduinkerke, Belgium
Sat 10 Aug v Crystal Palace (A), 11am
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Southend to host Hammers XI
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 12th July 2013
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United's youngsters will face League Two Southend United in a friendly at Roots Hall later this month. A Hammers XI - expected to contain a mix of youngsters and fringe first team players - will make the short trip down the A13 to Southend on Monday, 29th July to face Phil Brown's side. It will be the first time the two Uniteds have met since Sam Allardyce's first team squad secured a 3-0 win a year ago this week, through goals from Jordan Spence and the now departed duo of Nicky Maynard and Sam Baldock. "I'm delighted that Big Sam has agreed to send a West Ham XI side here for a friendly. It will be a really good test for us and will be the perfect final preparations ahead of the new season," said Brown. Southend, who count former West Ham youngster Freddy Eastwood amongst their ranks finished 11th in League Two last season but managed just one win from the ten league games overseen by Brown at the tail end of the 2012/13 campaign. 54-year-old Brown, who worked alongside Sam Allardyce at Bolton Wanderers for six years replaced the popular Paul Sturrock at Roots Hall in March of this year.
* Former Hammers triallist Bilel Mohsni, who travelled to Germany for pre-season with Sam Allardyce's first team squad last summer could join Scottish club Rangers later this week. Mohsni - who spent three years at Southend before leaving the club on a free transfer at the end of last season - featured for the Gers in the friendly with Elgin City last night. West Ham offered Southend £100,000 for the 6'4" central defender last August but the bid was rejected - a move that Shrimpers chairman Ron Martin later admitted he "got wrong".
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West Ham apply for work permit
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 12th July 2013
By: Staff Writer
West Ham have applied for a work permit for Columbian forward Duvan Zapata, according to reports. The 22-year-old is hoping to secure a dream move to England after West Ham agreed a fee - thought to be worth anywhere between £2.5m and £7m, depending on which particular source you read - with Zapata's current club Estudiantes of Argentina. However his move to the UK is by no means certain to happen, with doubts over his ability to meet the criteria for a work permit. The major stumbling block would appear to be that Zapata is yet to make a single full international appearance for Columbia. According to journalist Ed Malyon, who writes about South American football, Zapata is "quick, strong and energetic but not a great finisher. He's never really scored buckets of goals in the Argentinian league - West Ham are paying £££ for potential."
Whilst KUMB member westhamamerica, another keen follower of the Argentinian league added: "He uses his size a lot and is really quick. Still a pretty raw talent, though. "He could be better in the air and his passing game is okay at best, so he'd be one for the future rather than going right into the 18 from what I've seen. A lot of Argentinian clubs play very direct so I don't think he would be out of his element coming here."
However many in South America feel that Zapata has the ability to become the next Columbian to make the breakthrough in Europe, following the likes of Radamel Falcao and James Rodriguez (both now at Monaco). A number of top European clubs - including Borussia Dortmund, Lyon, and Benfica - have all previously shown an interest in the Colombian, who scored 11 goals in 27 matches last season.
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Diame returns
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 12th July 2013
By: Staff Writer
Midfielder Mo Diame could make his first appearance of pre-season when West Ham face AFC Bournemouth at Dean Court tomorrow afternoon. Sam Allardyce's squad are on their way to the south coast for tomorrow's friendly at which the Irons will be looking to secure a third successive victory. And Diame, who was afforded extra recovery time before returning to training with the squad at Chadwell Heath is in line to make his first appearance since the 4-2 win over Reading on the final day of last season according to David Gold. West Ham's pre-season got off to the perfect start in Cork last weekend where goals from Alou Diarra, Joe Cole, Matt Taylor, Paul McCallum, Mark Noble (from the penalty spot) and Ravel Morrision gave them a 6-2 win. That was followed up by Wednesday night's 3-0 success at Boreham Wood where early goals from Ravel Morrison and Ricardo Vaz Te gave United an early advantage before captain Kevin Nolan added the final goal with a few minutes remaining. After visiting Bournemouth tomorrow - where Sam Allardyce's side are 13/5 favourites according to football betting at William Hill online - the Hammers look forward to a trip to Colchester (Tuesday, 16th July) before they head off to Germany for matches against Mainz 05, Hamburg SV and Eintracht Braunschweig. The final match of pre-season is the home encounter against Pacos de Ferreira on Saturday, 10th August.
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Queens Park Rangers contenders to sign Javier Saviola
Last Updated: July 12, 2013 1:03pm
SSN
Queens Park Rangers have emerged as contenders to sign Argentine star Javier Saviola, Sky Sports can reveal. A number of British clubs are actively interested in landing the 31-year-old, who is a free agent after deciding to leave Malaga at the end of the season, despite scoring eight goals for the Liga outfit last term. West Ham and Celtic are both believed to be keeping tabs on Saviola, but Harry Redknapp, who has attempted to sign the player on more than one occasion during his career, is now back on his trail. And, despite QPR's relegation to the Championship, he would be keen on helping fire the club back to the Premier League. "Javier is more than keen on linking up with Harry Redknapp, he knows his teams play good football and the chance of helping QPR to promotion is genuinely appealing to him," a source close to the player confirmed to Sky Sports. "Javier's next move is not about the finances, he wants a footballing challenge and England gives him that."
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West Ham apply for work permit for Colombian striker Duvan Zapata
Last Updated: July 12, 2013 1:45pm
SSN
West Ham United have applied for a work permit for Colombian striker Duvan Zapata. The Hammers have lined up a deal with Argentine side Estudiantes for the highly-rated 22-year-old. Zapata is eager to seal a move to the Premier League, but his application will have to go to appeal and West Ham are working on their case. A number of high-profile figures in world football are set to give references about Zapata, who is valued at close to £8million, and so West Ham are hopeful they will get a permit on the 'special talent' avenue. The fact Colombia are now ranked in the world's top three is also likely to be taken into account and, although Zapata is yet to win his first cap, he does look set to become part of their squad before next summer's World Cup finals. A source close to the deal confirmed to Sky Sports that he was 'hopeful' of securing what he believes would be a 'dream move'.
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Chelsea star shuns move away after Mourinho promise
Touchlinetalk.com
Written by Christy Mitchell on July 12, 2013
Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku turned down a loan move to West Ham United after being promised first team football by Jose Mourinho, according to The Express. Lukaku's impressive 17 goals at West Bromwich Albion last season enticed Sam Allardyce to target the striker in the summer transfer window, and his approach for the forward this week was met by a swift rejection by Chelsea, the newspaper claims.
Bizarre
Also, in a terribly strange twist last night, it emerged that Chelsea target Bruma's agent claimed he was at the hands of a kidnap attempt by his own fans.
The incident allegedly happened on Wednesday night and Bruma is now pressing charges, and he wants FIFA to investigate the issue, and wants his Sporting contract to be terminated immediately. His agent Catio Balde, who reported the allegation said, as reported by the newspaper: "We have pressed charges.
"This is a very serious and unpleasant matter, and it has led to this decision." Chelsea will have to fight off Galatasary for Balde, who have offered £10million for him, whereas Chelsea have only rated him at a measely £1.8million. Balde said: "There are offers from foreign clubs, including Chelsea, but right now, Bruma's mind is not on Sporting."
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Gold defends Hammers pricing
by Hugh Southon
12th July 2013 4:13pm BST
Sportsdirectnews.com
Exclusive
West Ham United co-chairman David Gold has hit back at "mischief making" reports that the club are charging excessive ticket prices. The reports claim that in some cases prices for non-season ticket holders will go as high as £77 for some games against top opposition. But Gold said; "There are highest prices at every club - there are also very affordable prices. There's a direct correlation between prices charged and league position. "In many cases those clubs charging the lowest prices find themselves relegated. Yes, there are high prices of course but there are also low. We are adopting a balanced approach and there's prices available for everybody. "Some Category A prices go to £72 and the lowest in that band are £52 and lets remember we are cheaper than the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Spurs and others. "We are happy with our prices and we believe we are affordable across the board. There's a balance to be struck - it's always been the same in all areas of life."
And a spokesman for the club declared in a stement that tickets for the most sought-after fixtures in the 2013/14 season at the Boleyn Ground go on sale exclusively to Bond Holders and Academy Members on Tuesday 16 July. He said: "With demand for seats at the home of the Hammers higher than ever, the early opportunity to purchase tickets will allow supporters - starting with Bond Holders and Academy Members - more time to guarantee their place for the most eagerly anticipated matches in the calendar. Fans who take up the opportunity to purchase their ticket in advance will also ensure that they get the cheapest possible price - the tickets are guaranteed to not be sold any cheaper but may be more expensive nearer to matchday if they are categorised as A+ matches - and get the first pick of the best available seats to watch all of the pulsating action.
The six category A games - Manchester City (19 October), Chelsea (23 November), Arsenal (Boxing Day), Manchester United (22 March 2014), Liverpool (5 April 2014) and Tottenham Hotspur (3 May 2014) - will be made available to Bond Holders and Academy Members during an exclusive eight-week window from Tuesday 16 July before the tickets go on general sale on Tuesday 3 September.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
All the key pre-match info ahead of Saturday's Stephen Purches testimonial match at Bournemouth
12.07.2013
AFC BOURNEMOUTH v WEST HAM UNITED
STEPHEN PURCHES TESTIMONIAL
GOLDSANDS STADIUM
SATURDAY 13 JULY
KICK-OFF: 3PM
iPHONE APP I TWITTER I FACEBOOK I PODCAST
Introduction
• West Ham United's pre-season schedule continues on Saturday with a trip to newly-promoted Football League Championship side AFC Bournemouth.
• The match is a testimonial for Hammers Academy graduate Stephen Purches, who has served Bournemouth for ten years across two spells. Purches, 33, spent two years as a professional at the Boleyn Ground before moving on to Bournemouth, and has also turned out for Leyton Orient in a career that has spanned across all three Football League divisions.
• The Hammers have enjoyed a free-scoring start to pre-season, defeating Cork City 6-2 in their first match last Sunday, before goals from Ravel Morrison, Ricardo Vaz Te and Kevin Nolan handed them a 3-0 win at Conference South side Boreham Wood on Wednesday.
• Bournemouth have already played three pre-season matches, losing 2-0 at FC Zurich in their opener, before defeating local non-league sides Wimborne Town 2-1 and Christchurch 7-1.
Team News
West Ham United
• The Hammers will once again be without Andy Carroll (heel) and George McCartney (knee) as the pair continue to receive treatment on their injuries at the start of pre-season..
• Sam Allardyce will name a similar squad to that which has appeared at Cork City and Boreham Wood, with his players continuing to build their fitness ahead of the new campaign. A 24-man squad will head for the Goldsands Stadium, with the vast majority expected to appear on Saturday.
AFC Bournemouth
• Former Bournemouth favourites Darren Anderton and Steve Fletcher will play a part in Saturday's testimonial, as will Stephen Purches' brother John, who helped Bournemouth to gain promotion to League One in 2003.
Background
• West Ham United and Bournemouth have met on five occasions in competitive football, with the Hammers enjoying an undefeated record. West Ham have won three of those games, with the other two ending all-square.
• The last game came back in October 1999 when Harry Redknapp's Hammers were paired with Bournemouth, who he had managed earlier in his career, in the third round of the League Cup. West Ham prevailed by a 2-0 margin, with Frank Lampard and Marc Keller notching in front of a 22,067 Boleyn Ground crowd.
• AFC Bournemouth were founded in 1890 as Boscombe FC and joined the Football League in 1923. They entered the second tier for the first time in 1987 under Harry Redknapp, and returned there last season after finishing second in League One.
Last Time Out
Wednesday 10 July 2013
Pre-Season Match
Boreham Wood 0-3 Boreham Wood
West Ham United: (First half XI) Adrian, Demel, Ruddock, Reid, Rat, Noble, Collison, Taylor, Vaz Te, McCallum, Morrison
(Second half XI): Jaaskelainen, Spence, Collins, Tomkins, Potts, Diarra, Whitehead, Nolan, Cole, Maiga, Jarvis
Goals: Morrison 20, Vaz Te 21, Nolan 83
Friday 9 July 2013
Pre-Season Match
Christchurch 1-7 AFC Bournemouth
AFC Bournemouth: (First half XI) Flahavan, Fogden, Addison, Ward, Daniels, Cornick, Matthews, Arter, Fraser, Pitman, Stockley
(Second half XI) Flahavan, Francis, Elphick, Cook, Harte, McDermott, MacDonald, Wakefield, Cargill, Grabban, Thomas
Goals: Pitman 8, Arter 34, 36, Stockley 44, Grabban 57, Cargill 76, McDermott 79.
Previous meeting
13 October 1999
League Cup Third Round
West Ham United 2-0 AFC Bournemouth
West Ham United: Hislop, Ferdinand, Ruddock, Cole, Stimac, Foe, Sinclair, Wanchope (Kitson 85), Di Canio, Lampard, Keller
Goals: Keller 62, Lampard 77
AFC Bournemouth: Ovendale, Howe, Young, Cox, Broadhurst, Jorgensen (O'Neil 89), Mean, Robinson, Warren (Huck 81), Stein, Fletcher
All-time meetings
13 October 1999 West Ham United 2-0 AFC Bournemouth (League Cup Third Round)
11 April 1990 West Ham United 4-1 AFC Bournemouth (Division Two)
1 November 1989 AFC Bournemouth 1-1 West Ham United (Division Two)
20 February 1929 West Ham United 3-1 AFC Bournemouth (FA Cup Fifth Round Replay)
16 February 1929 AFC Bournemouth 1-1 West Ham United (FA Cup Fifth Round)
Ten-year records
West Ham United
2012/13 Premier League 10th
2011/12 Championship 3rd (86 points - promoted via Play-Offs)
2010/11 Premier League 20th (relegated to Championship)
2009/10 Premier League 17th
2008/09 Premier League 9th
2007/08 Premier League 10th
2006/07 Premier League 15th
2005/06 Premier League 9th
2004/05 Championship 6th (promoted to Premier League via Play-Offs)
2003/04 Division One 4th
AFC Bournemouth
2012/13 League One 2nd (promoted to Championship)
2011/12 League One 11th
2010/11 League One 6th
2009/10 League Two 2nd (promoted to League One)
2008/09 League Two 21st
2007/08 League One 21st (relegated to League Two)
2006/07 League One 19th
2005/06 League One 17th
2004/05 League One 8th
2003/04 League One 9th
General Information
• West Ham's ticket allocation for this match has completely sold out. For details click here.
• Saturday is set to be a glorious day on the south coast, with sunny skies and temperatures set to hit 28C (82F)
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The Big Interview - Joe Cole
WHUFC.com
Joe Cole shared his thoughts on all things pre-season after the Hammers' trip to Meadow Park
12.07.2013
While the hard yards of pre-season training are far from universally popular, Joe Cole for one is more than happy to be back with a football at his feet. With two 45-minute outings already under his belt, the 31-year-old is slowly getting into his stride, intent on putting last season's injury troubles behind him. Though fitness is clearly king at this stage of proceedings, convincing wins at Cork City and Boreham Wood have got preparations off to a flier, and Cole plans to keep it that way come Saturday's trip to Bournemouth.
Joe, how useful an exercise was the win at Boreham Wood?
JC: "It was good. It's another run-out. We are only eight or nine days in and we have already played two lots of 45 minutes. It was good for the people of Boreham Wood as well, everyone seemed to have a good night and we enjoyed the weather!"
Did you miss the football over the summer?
JC: "I think you miss it, you are ticking the days away. It was good to have a break and get away with the family but it is always nice to get back and, believe it or not, but pre-season is not as hard as it used to be. "You keep yourself ticking over in the summer and it is more football-specific than the runs we used to do in Hainault with Frank Lampard Snr! Those days are long gone and it's quite enjoyable now."
How key was Andy Carroll's signing?
JC: "It is a boost for the club and shows where we are going. Andy Carroll is a young, England centre-forward and clubs do not usually sell them. He's a big talent. He did a good job and we just want him to get fit and come back because he is a big part of our team."
How big a year is this for you personally?
JC: "Every year is a big year in football, you always have your goals but I'm just enjoying myself. I'm enjoying being back, I'm enjoying playing football and I just want to get out there and get going again now. "I always keep my goals to myself and take it day-by-day but first and foremost, I want to keep myself fit. When I was playing last season my performances were good so the key for me is just staying fit and if I do that, the football for me has never been a problem.
It's obviously a World Cup year as well. Does that figure in your thoughts much?
JC: "The ambition will always burn every time you go out on the football pitch and you want to do well, if you're an Englishman and you're playing well you are inevitably going to be talked about. "I have played over 50 times for my country so if I can get playing you never know but at the moment I'm just concentrating on West Ham."
What are your ambitions for the club this season?
JC: "I think the ambition of the club at the moment is improvement. But for me personally, I would love to finish better than 10th, but equally I'd love to take this club to Wembley. Because at the end of the day, they are the days you remember in your career - it would be a massive achievement. "West Ham are a big club but have been starved of success. You look at where we are in London and people want to come here and play in London and play for West Ham. It is great that players like Razvan [Rat] and Andy are coming in and hopefully there will be a few more as well. "I roomed with Rat for eight days and he is a great lad. We have nicknamed him Roland, he likes it and I've shown him Roland - he is enjoying himself. He is Romanian captain and has 90-odd caps. He's a fantastic player."
Joe, it's Bournemouth up next, are you looking forward to a trip to the seaside?
JC: "Bournemouth's a lovely place to go. They play good football now under a young manager and it's going to be a tough test for us. "The lads were saying it was 1-1 at Boreham Wood last year and we were lucky to come away with a draw. It's only early days, but we'd like to put a marker down and show that we've improved. So we'll going there to try and get the result. "All these pre-season games are for fitness but you've got to try and win the games as well. That's what you're practicing for, to try and win football matches."
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Purches looks forward to Hammers test
WHUFC.com
Bournemouth's Stephen Purches celebrates his testimonial against West Ham United on Saturday
12.07.2013
West Ham United Academy graduate Stephen Purches cannot wait to take on his former side in his testimonial match at AFC Bournemouth on Saturday. Purches, 33, joined West Ham as a ten-year-old schoolboy and had two seasons as a professional at the Boleyn Ground before leaving for Bournemouth at the age of 20 in 2000. Aside from a three-year spell at Leyton Orient in the middle, he has spent the intervening period on the south coast and is relishing the prospect of celebrating ten years with the Cherries by welcoming the Hammers to town. He told whufc.com: "The planning has gone on for a long time and I can't wait for Saturday, it's going to be a special day. I have to say thank you to both clubs, and it's extra-special because it is West Ham. I spent ten years there, and now I've been here for ten years, so it's great that it's all come together. "There are still people at the Club from my time there - Pete Williams the kit man, [Academy Director] Tony Carr, Joe Cole was in the youth team with me, and it'll be nice to catch up with some of the old faces. "With Bournemouth being promoted to the Championship last season, there's a real feelgood factor here, the sun will be out, so hopefully there'll be a good turnout too."
Eddie Howe's Bournemouth side are sure to provide a stern test for the Hammers, having played a brand of attractive football en route to winning promotion to the second tier last term. Right-back Purches missed all of the 2012/13 campaign after suffering a nasty leg break in February 2012, but has now returned to training and will be fit enough to play his part on Saturday. He continued: "Ever since the testimonial started to be arranged around Christmas time, my aim has been to come back in time to play in it, so I'm really pleased to be back in training now. "The match sharpness isn't there, but the main thing is that I'll be able to get out there on the pitch with the lads again. It's a good feeling, and it'll also give me closure after spending so much time out with the injury. "It's going to be a good game for both sides, the teams will be strong and will give each other a test, so it'll be useful for both at this stage of pre-season."
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Academy announce pre-season schedule
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's U21 and U18 sides have a busy month of pre-season fixtures ahead
12.07.2013
West Ham United have announced a host of pre-season fixtures ahead of the 2013/14 Barclays U21 and U18 Premier League campaigns. A West Ham United XI expected to contain a number of players with first-team experience will travel to League Two club Southend United on Monday 29 July, with kick-off at Roots Hall at 7.45pm. The Shrimpers are managed by Phil Brown, who spent six years as Sam Allardyce's assistant manager at Bolton Wanderers between 1999 and 2005. Brown's squad contains former West Ham Academy striker Freddy Eastwood. For ticket details, click here. Brown said: "I'm delighted that Big Sam, a good friend of mine, has agreed to send a West Ham XI side to Roots Hall for a friendly. It will be a really good test for us and will be the perfect final preparations ahead of the start of the new season."
Meanwhile, Nick Haycock's Development Squad and Steve Potts' youth team will be busy over the coming weeks, with matches organised against a wide range of opponents. The Development Squad will take on top-flight opposition in Swansea City, Manchester City and Southampton, as well as Football League opposition in Wolverhampton Wanderers and non-league sides Braintree Town and Hornchurch. The U18s, meanwhile, will face Europe's best at the prestigious Eurofoot tournament in Belgium, while also taking on four sides representing Football League clubs in Leyton Orient, Colchester United, Charlton Athletic and Crystal Palace.
At the Eurofoot tournament in Oostduinkerke, the Hammers have been drawn in League A alongside Belgian clubs RSC Anderlecht, Club Brugge and AA Gent, German club TSG Hoffenheim and Dutch outfit FC Utrecht. For full fixture details, click here.
West Ham United XI pre-season fixture
Mon 29 July v Southend United XI (A, Roots Hall) 7.45pm
Development Squad pre-season fixtures
Tue 16 July v Swansea. (H, Little Heath), 3pm
Sat 20 July v Wolverhampton Wanderers (A). 2pm
Wed 24 July v Braintree Town (A). 7.45pm
Sat 27 July v Manchester City (A) 3pm
Sat 3 Aug v Hornchurch (A) 3pm
Tue 6 Aug v Southampton (A) 2.30pm
Under-18s pre-season fixtures
Sat 13 July v Leyton Orient (A, Old Chigwellians), 10am
Sat 20 July v Colchester United (A), 11am
Tue 30 July v Charlton Athletic (A), 2pm
Thu 1-Sun 4 Aug Eurofoot tournament, Oostduinkerke, Belgium
Sat 10 Aug v Crystal Palace (A), 11am
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Southend to host Hammers XI
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 12th July 2013
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United's youngsters will face League Two Southend United in a friendly at Roots Hall later this month. A Hammers XI - expected to contain a mix of youngsters and fringe first team players - will make the short trip down the A13 to Southend on Monday, 29th July to face Phil Brown's side. It will be the first time the two Uniteds have met since Sam Allardyce's first team squad secured a 3-0 win a year ago this week, through goals from Jordan Spence and the now departed duo of Nicky Maynard and Sam Baldock. "I'm delighted that Big Sam has agreed to send a West Ham XI side here for a friendly. It will be a really good test for us and will be the perfect final preparations ahead of the new season," said Brown. Southend, who count former West Ham youngster Freddy Eastwood amongst their ranks finished 11th in League Two last season but managed just one win from the ten league games overseen by Brown at the tail end of the 2012/13 campaign. 54-year-old Brown, who worked alongside Sam Allardyce at Bolton Wanderers for six years replaced the popular Paul Sturrock at Roots Hall in March of this year.
* Former Hammers triallist Bilel Mohsni, who travelled to Germany for pre-season with Sam Allardyce's first team squad last summer could join Scottish club Rangers later this week. Mohsni - who spent three years at Southend before leaving the club on a free transfer at the end of last season - featured for the Gers in the friendly with Elgin City last night. West Ham offered Southend £100,000 for the 6'4" central defender last August but the bid was rejected - a move that Shrimpers chairman Ron Martin later admitted he "got wrong".
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West Ham apply for work permit
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 12th July 2013
By: Staff Writer
West Ham have applied for a work permit for Columbian forward Duvan Zapata, according to reports. The 22-year-old is hoping to secure a dream move to England after West Ham agreed a fee - thought to be worth anywhere between £2.5m and £7m, depending on which particular source you read - with Zapata's current club Estudiantes of Argentina. However his move to the UK is by no means certain to happen, with doubts over his ability to meet the criteria for a work permit. The major stumbling block would appear to be that Zapata is yet to make a single full international appearance for Columbia. According to journalist Ed Malyon, who writes about South American football, Zapata is "quick, strong and energetic but not a great finisher. He's never really scored buckets of goals in the Argentinian league - West Ham are paying £££ for potential."
Whilst KUMB member westhamamerica, another keen follower of the Argentinian league added: "He uses his size a lot and is really quick. Still a pretty raw talent, though. "He could be better in the air and his passing game is okay at best, so he'd be one for the future rather than going right into the 18 from what I've seen. A lot of Argentinian clubs play very direct so I don't think he would be out of his element coming here."
However many in South America feel that Zapata has the ability to become the next Columbian to make the breakthrough in Europe, following the likes of Radamel Falcao and James Rodriguez (both now at Monaco). A number of top European clubs - including Borussia Dortmund, Lyon, and Benfica - have all previously shown an interest in the Colombian, who scored 11 goals in 27 matches last season.
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Diame returns
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 12th July 2013
By: Staff Writer
Midfielder Mo Diame could make his first appearance of pre-season when West Ham face AFC Bournemouth at Dean Court tomorrow afternoon. Sam Allardyce's squad are on their way to the south coast for tomorrow's friendly at which the Irons will be looking to secure a third successive victory. And Diame, who was afforded extra recovery time before returning to training with the squad at Chadwell Heath is in line to make his first appearance since the 4-2 win over Reading on the final day of last season according to David Gold. West Ham's pre-season got off to the perfect start in Cork last weekend where goals from Alou Diarra, Joe Cole, Matt Taylor, Paul McCallum, Mark Noble (from the penalty spot) and Ravel Morrision gave them a 6-2 win. That was followed up by Wednesday night's 3-0 success at Boreham Wood where early goals from Ravel Morrison and Ricardo Vaz Te gave United an early advantage before captain Kevin Nolan added the final goal with a few minutes remaining. After visiting Bournemouth tomorrow - where Sam Allardyce's side are 13/5 favourites according to football betting at William Hill online - the Hammers look forward to a trip to Colchester (Tuesday, 16th July) before they head off to Germany for matches against Mainz 05, Hamburg SV and Eintracht Braunschweig. The final match of pre-season is the home encounter against Pacos de Ferreira on Saturday, 10th August.
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Queens Park Rangers contenders to sign Javier Saviola
Last Updated: July 12, 2013 1:03pm
SSN
Queens Park Rangers have emerged as contenders to sign Argentine star Javier Saviola, Sky Sports can reveal. A number of British clubs are actively interested in landing the 31-year-old, who is a free agent after deciding to leave Malaga at the end of the season, despite scoring eight goals for the Liga outfit last term. West Ham and Celtic are both believed to be keeping tabs on Saviola, but Harry Redknapp, who has attempted to sign the player on more than one occasion during his career, is now back on his trail. And, despite QPR's relegation to the Championship, he would be keen on helping fire the club back to the Premier League. "Javier is more than keen on linking up with Harry Redknapp, he knows his teams play good football and the chance of helping QPR to promotion is genuinely appealing to him," a source close to the player confirmed to Sky Sports. "Javier's next move is not about the finances, he wants a footballing challenge and England gives him that."
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West Ham apply for work permit for Colombian striker Duvan Zapata
Last Updated: July 12, 2013 1:45pm
SSN
West Ham United have applied for a work permit for Colombian striker Duvan Zapata. The Hammers have lined up a deal with Argentine side Estudiantes for the highly-rated 22-year-old. Zapata is eager to seal a move to the Premier League, but his application will have to go to appeal and West Ham are working on their case. A number of high-profile figures in world football are set to give references about Zapata, who is valued at close to £8million, and so West Ham are hopeful they will get a permit on the 'special talent' avenue. The fact Colombia are now ranked in the world's top three is also likely to be taken into account and, although Zapata is yet to win his first cap, he does look set to become part of their squad before next summer's World Cup finals. A source close to the deal confirmed to Sky Sports that he was 'hopeful' of securing what he believes would be a 'dream move'.
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Chelsea star shuns move away after Mourinho promise
Touchlinetalk.com
Written by Christy Mitchell on July 12, 2013
Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku turned down a loan move to West Ham United after being promised first team football by Jose Mourinho, according to The Express. Lukaku's impressive 17 goals at West Bromwich Albion last season enticed Sam Allardyce to target the striker in the summer transfer window, and his approach for the forward this week was met by a swift rejection by Chelsea, the newspaper claims.
Bizarre
Also, in a terribly strange twist last night, it emerged that Chelsea target Bruma's agent claimed he was at the hands of a kidnap attempt by his own fans.
The incident allegedly happened on Wednesday night and Bruma is now pressing charges, and he wants FIFA to investigate the issue, and wants his Sporting contract to be terminated immediately. His agent Catio Balde, who reported the allegation said, as reported by the newspaper: "We have pressed charges.
"This is a very serious and unpleasant matter, and it has led to this decision." Chelsea will have to fight off Galatasary for Balde, who have offered £10million for him, whereas Chelsea have only rated him at a measely £1.8million. Balde said: "There are offers from foreign clubs, including Chelsea, but right now, Bruma's mind is not on Sporting."
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Gold defends Hammers pricing
by Hugh Southon
12th July 2013 4:13pm BST
Sportsdirectnews.com
Exclusive
West Ham United co-chairman David Gold has hit back at "mischief making" reports that the club are charging excessive ticket prices. The reports claim that in some cases prices for non-season ticket holders will go as high as £77 for some games against top opposition. But Gold said; "There are highest prices at every club - there are also very affordable prices. There's a direct correlation between prices charged and league position. "In many cases those clubs charging the lowest prices find themselves relegated. Yes, there are high prices of course but there are also low. We are adopting a balanced approach and there's prices available for everybody. "Some Category A prices go to £72 and the lowest in that band are £52 and lets remember we are cheaper than the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Spurs and others. "We are happy with our prices and we believe we are affordable across the board. There's a balance to be struck - it's always been the same in all areas of life."
And a spokesman for the club declared in a stement that tickets for the most sought-after fixtures in the 2013/14 season at the Boleyn Ground go on sale exclusively to Bond Holders and Academy Members on Tuesday 16 July. He said: "With demand for seats at the home of the Hammers higher than ever, the early opportunity to purchase tickets will allow supporters - starting with Bond Holders and Academy Members - more time to guarantee their place for the most eagerly anticipated matches in the calendar. Fans who take up the opportunity to purchase their ticket in advance will also ensure that they get the cheapest possible price - the tickets are guaranteed to not be sold any cheaper but may be more expensive nearer to matchday if they are categorised as A+ matches - and get the first pick of the best available seats to watch all of the pulsating action.
The six category A games - Manchester City (19 October), Chelsea (23 November), Arsenal (Boxing Day), Manchester United (22 March 2014), Liverpool (5 April 2014) and Tottenham Hotspur (3 May 2014) - will be made available to Bond Holders and Academy Members during an exclusive eight-week window from Tuesday 16 July before the tickets go on general sale on Tuesday 3 September.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Friday, July 12
Daily WHUFC News - 12th July 2013
Four Hammers games moved
WHUFC.com
Changes have been made to the dates of four fixtures in the opening months
of the season
11.07.2013
Four of West Ham United's 2013/14 Barclays Premier League fixtures have
moved to alternative dates or times. The home Barclays Premier League
fixtures against Manchester City and Chelsea, and the Hammers' away games at
Southampton and Norwich City are the affected games. Sam Allardyce's men
will now travel to Southampton on Sunday 15 September for a 4pm kick-off,
while the trip to Norwich remains on Saturday 9 November but with a 5.30pm
kick-off.
The visit of Manchester City to the Boleyn Ground will also fill the 5.30pm
slot on Saturday 19 October, while Chelsea will now come to E13 on Sunday 24
November for a 1,30pm kick-off.
Tickets for the Hammers' opening two home Barclays Premier League fixtures
against Cardiff City and Stoke City go on sale from Tuesday with full
details available by clicking here You can also secure your seat for the
pre-season match against Portuguese UEFA Champions League qualifiers Pacos
de Ferreira at the Boleyn Ground.
For ticket details for this pre-season match in aid of the Bobby Moore Fund
for Cancer Research UK, click here. Please note that the fixture against
Chelsea is still subject to change in the event that they are competing in
the UEFA Champions League on the following Tuesday. It should also be noted
that the away fixtures against Tottenham Hotspur and Swansea City in October
are both subject to change in the event that they shall be competing in the
Group Stages of the UEFA Europa League. The second round of the Capital One
Cup, the stage at which West Ham enter, is scheduled to take place during
the midweek of week commencing Monday 26 August 2013, with the draw likely
to take place following completion on the first Round on 7 August.
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Big six to go on sale!
WHUFC.com
Tickets for West Ham United's most sought-after fixtures will go on sale on
Tuesday 16 July
11.07.2013
West Ham United are pleased to announce that tickets for the most
sought-after fixtures in the 2013/14 season at the Boleyn Ground will go on
sale exclusively to Bond Holders and Academy Members on Tuesday 16 July.
With demand for seats at the home of the Hammers higher than ever, the early
opportunity to purchase tickets will allow supporters - starting with Bond
Holders and Academy Members - more time to guarantee their place for the
most eagerly anticipated matches in the calendar.
Fans who take up the opportunity to purchase their ticket in advance will
also ensure that they get the cheapest possible price - the tickets are
guaranteed to not be sold any cheaper but may be more expensive nearer to
matchday if they are categorised as A+ matches - and get the first pick of
the best available seats to watch all of the pulsating action.
The six category A games - Manchester City (19 October), Chelsea (23
November), Arsenal (Boxing Day), Manchester United (22 March 2014),
Liverpool (5 April 2014) and Tottenham Hotspur (3 May 2014) - will be made
available to Bond Holders and Academy Members during an exclusive eight-week
window from Tuesday 16 July before the tickets go on general sale on Tuesday
3 September.
The Hammers' return to the top-flight last season proved to be hugely
popular with the Claret and Blue Army, as the Club recorded its highest-ever
average home attendance of 34,720, with the last 17 home matches all selling
out.
With Season Ticket sales once again looking strong for the coming season,
that trend shows no sign of abating. The early window to buy tickets will
provide fans with the peace of mind that they have secured their place for
the biggest games at the Boleyn Ground, before the rush begins.
Tickets for the above fixtures start from just £47 for Adults and £24 for
Over-65s, Young Adults for Academy Members. For full pricing details, click
here.
If you would like to become an Academy Member, Adult Membership costs just
£35 and Youth Academy Membership for Under-16s is available for just £25!
Your benefits also include savings on match tickets, discount shopping days
and an exclusive welcome pack with a voucher for £10 off official adidas
products, including kit and trainingwear.
You can join West Ham United today here or by calling 0871 529 1966 (calls
cost 10p plus network extras).
*Please note all fixtures are subject to date and time change. Should a
fixture date or time change, tickets will remain valid for the revised
fixture but no refund will be available.
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£77 to watch West Ham
WHUFC.com
Filed: Thursday, 11th July 2013
By: Staff Writer
Non-season ticket holding West Ham fans could be asked to pay almost £1 per
minute for the best seats in the house at the Boleyn Ground next season.
Earlier today West Ham United released details of the new Category A+ ticket
prices, which are being introduced for matches against the Premier League's
most successful teams. And in order to watch the home matches against those
clubs which may be declared Category A+ - namely the two Manchester teams
and Liverpool plus London clubs Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham - Band 1
tickets for non-member, non-season ticket holders will be a wallet-busting
£77.
Whilst members pay a fiver less (£72) for Cat A+ tickets, the cheapest on
sale (Band 4) are £57 for non-club members and £52 for members. Meanwhile,
Under 16s will be asked to find £43 should they wish to sit in Band 1 seats.
KUMB member 'comebackjoecole' is one of many supporters disappointed by news
of the price hike. "At £77 for adults and £43 for kids that's £163 for me
and my two boys. This is obscene," he said. "I can afford it once or twice a
year but can't justify it. Watching West Ham is becoming more and more
difficult and I have genuine fear my two boys will not grow up with the love
for the club I have."
Oddly perhaps there are no confirmed Category A+ matches as of yet, but West
Ham have indicated that all Category A matches may be upgraded closer to
match day. "The tickets are guaranteed to not be sold any cheaper but may be
more expensive nearer to match day, if they are categorised as A+ matches,"
read an item on whufc.com.
A full list of the new Category A+ match day prices may be seen below.
Non-Members
Adults: Band 1 £77; Band 2 £70; Band 3 £65; Band 4 £57.
Over 65s/Under 16s: Band 1 £43; Band 2 £40; Band 3 £37; Band 4 £34.
Disabled: Adult £44; Over 65s £34; Under 16s £34.
Restricted: Adult £60; Over 65s £35; Under 16s £35.
Members
Adults: Band 1 £72; Band 2 £65; Band 3 £60; Band 4 £52.
Over 65s/Under 16s: Band 1 £38; Band 2 £35; Band 3 £32; Band 4 £29.
Disabled: Adult £39; Over 65s £29; Under 16s £29.
Restricted: Adult £55; Over 65s £30; Under 16s £30.
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TV dates confirmed
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 11th July 2013
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United will appear live on TV four times before Christmas. Sam
Allardyce's side will feature on Sky TV four times between now and the end
of 2013 - but not a single time on BT Sports, who are delivering live
football for the first time in 2013/14. The first fixture amended for TV is
West Ham's trip to Southampton which has been moved back by 24 hours and
will now take place on Sunday, 15th September (4pm kick off). On 19th
October, United's clash at the Boleyn Ground with Manchester City had been
moved from 3pm to 5.30pm to allow for live coverage - as is the case for
West Ham's trip to Norwich on Saturday, 9th November. Finally, Chelsea's
visit to the Boleyn Ground has been moved to Sunday, 24th November (1.30pm
kick off). A comprehensive list of all live matches may be seen below.
Full Live TV Fixture List
August
Saturday 17th: Liverpool v Stoke City (BT, 12.45pm)
Saturday 17th: Swansea City v Manchester United (Sky, 5.30pm)
Sunday 18th: Crystal Palace v Tottenham Hotspur (Sky, 1.30pm)
Sunday 18th: Chelsea v Hull City (Sky, 4pm)
Monday 19th: Manchester City v Newcastle United (Sky, 8pm)
Saturday 24th: Fulham v Arsenal (BT, 12.45pm)
Saturday 24th: Aston Villa v Liverpool (Sky, 5.30pm)
Sunday 25th: Cardiff City v Manchester City (Sky, 4pm)
Monday 26th: Manchester United v Chelsea (Sky, 8pm)
Saturday 31st: Manchester City v Hull City (BT, 12.45pm)
Saturday 31st: Crystal Palace v Sunderland (Sky, 5.30pm)
September
Sunday 1st: Liverpool v Manchester United (Sky, 1.30pm)
Sunday 1st: Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur (Sky, 4pm)
Saturday 14th: Manchester United v Crystal Palace (BT, 12.45pm)
Saturday 14th: Everton v Chelsea (Sky, 5.30pm)
Sunday 15th: Southampton v West Ham United (Sky, 4pm)
Monday 16th: Swansea City v Liverpool (Sky, 8pm)
Saturday 21st: Norwich City v Aston Villa (BT, 12.45pm)
Saturday 21st: Chelsea v Fulham (Sky, 5.30pm)
Sunday 22nd: Arsenal v Stoke City (Sky, 1.30pm)
Sunday 22nd: Manchester City v Manchester United (Sky, 4pm)
Saturday 28th: Tottenham Hotspur v Chelsea (BT, 12.45pm)
Saturday 28th: Swansea City v Arsenal (Sky, 5.30pm)
Sunday 29th: Stoke City v Norwich City (Sky, 1.30pm)
Sunday 29th: Sunderland v Liverpool (Sky, 4pm)
Monday 30th: Everton v Newcastle United (Sky, 8pm)
October
Saturday 5th: Manchester City v Everton (BT, 12.45pm)
Saturday 5th: Sunderland v Manchester United (Sky, 5.30pm)
Sunday 6th: Norwich City v Chelsea (Sky, 1.30pm)
Sunday 6th: West Bromwich Albion v Arsenal (Sky, 4pm)
Saturday 19th: Newcastle United v Liverpool (BT, 12.45pm)
Saturday 19th: West Ham United v Manchester City (Sky, 5.30pm)
Sunday 20th: Aston Villa v Tottenham Hotspur (Sky, 4pm)
Monday 21st: Crystal Palace v Fulham (Sky, 8pm)
Saturday 26th: Crystal Palace v Arsenal (BT, 12.45pm)
Saturday 26th: Southampton v Fulham (Sky, 5.30pm)
Sunday 27th: Chelsea v Manchester City (Sky, 1.30pm)
Sunday 27th: Sunderland v Newcastle United (Sky, 4pm)
November
Saturday 2nd: Newcastle United v Chelsea (BT, 12.45pm)
Saturday 2nd: Arsenal v Liverpool (Sky, 5.30pm)
Sunday 3rd: Everton v Tottenham Hotspur (Sky, 1.30pm)
Sunday 3rd: Cardiff City v Swansea City (Sky, 4pm)
Saturday 9th: Norwich City v West Ham United (Sky, 5.30pm)
Sunday 10th: Tottenham Hotspur v Newcastle United (Sky, 12pm)
Sunday 10th: Sunderland v Manchester City (Sky, 2.05pm)
Sunday 10th: Manchester United v Arsenal (Sky, 4.10pm)
Saturday 23: Everton v Liverpool (BT, 12.45pm)
Saturday 23: Manchester City v Tottenham Hotspur (Sky, 5.30pm)
Sunday 24th: West Ham United v Chelsea (Sky, 1.30pm)
Sunday 24th: Cardiff City v Manchester United (Sky, 4pm)
Monday 25th: West Bromwich Albion v Aston Villa (Sky, 8pm)
Saturday 30th: Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United (BT, 12.45pm)
Saturday 30th: Newcastle United v West Bromwich Albion (Sky, 5.30pm)
December
Sunday 1st: Hull City v Liverpool (Sky, 1.30pm)
Sunday 1st: Chelsea v Southampton (Sky, 4pm)
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham midfielder Joe Cole targets Wembley cup final glory
Last Updated: July 11, 2013 4:17pm
SSN
Joe Cole has admitted he would love West Ham to play in a Wembley cup final,
saying it would rank as one of the best moments of his career. The
much-travelled former England international returned to the east London club
- where he made his name as a teenager - during this year's January transfer
window.
The Hammers went on to finish the season 10th in the Premier League table,
following their promotion from the Championship. And he believes it is about
time that the Upton Park side returned to the national stadium where they
won three FA Cup finals and a European trophy between 1964 and 1980. "I
would love to finish better than 10th - but I would love to take this club
to Wembley."
Joe Cole
The 31-year-old former Chelsea and Liverpool midfielder said: "I think the
ambition of the club at the moment is improvement. "But for me personally, I
would love to finish better than 10th but I would love to take this club to
Wembley. "At the end of the day, they are the days you remember in your
career - it would be a massive achievement. "You look at Swansea and Wigan
last season and that is their day, we would like a bit of that because it
has been such a long time since West Ham have been there, so that would be
nice."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Is one more signing Enough?
By S J Chandos
West Ham Till I Die
Sam Allardyce has been reported as stating that the club are looking to sign
a second striker and that will probably conclude the transfer business in
this window. If we take this statement at face value, we must ask whether
that level of transfer business be enough to ensure that we can 'push on'
from last season's 10th place PL finish?
To recap, to date, we have signed Rat (left-back), Adrian (goalkeeper),
Carroll (centre forward) and Whitehead (midfield). In terms of outgoing
moves, Carlton Cole, O'Neill and Hall have exited. In assessing the current
squad, the following are variable factors: the apparent return from loan of
Alou Diarra, the impressive pre-season form of Ravel Morrison and the
readiness of any of the Development Squad youngsters to step up and make a
positive impact. Indeed, could Chambers, Potts, Moncur, Lee, Turgott, or
McCallum make the breakthrough this season and add to the first team mix? In
terms of our goal keeping stable, we are probably provided for by the
triumvirate of Jussi, Adrian and Spiegel. Arguably, we are also well covered
in defence, particularly if Chambers makes the anticipated breakthrough and
Diarra's presence means that we have a competent auxillary centre-back. At
full-back, we certainly have the numbers with JOB, Demel, Spence, Rat,
McCartney and Potts. However, should we seek to improve the quality at
right-back?
In midfield, we can select from: Noble, Diarra, Diame, Joe Cole, Collison,
Nolan, Taylor, Morrison, Moncur and Whitehead. In attack, we currently have:
Jarvis, Carroll, Maiga, Turgott, Carroll, Lee, Vaz Te and McCallum. If we
retain all of our current midfield, and Morrison adds to the creativity,
then we should be strong enough in that department. However, one can
understand Allardyce's emphasis upon adding to our attack. We definitely
need another centre forward to cover and compete with Carroll. But do we
need a mobile and pacy third striker on loan to ensure that we have enough
flexibility and strength in depth? Or should we trust in Maiga, Vaz Te and
Lee stepping up to the plate? Similarly, we only have Jarvis who is a
natural wide player. Yes, Cole, Taylor, Collison, Vaz Te and Maiga can play
there, but would we not benefit from signing another pacy, natural wide
player, like Kalou or Downing?
If money was not an obstacle then we should probably sign a right-back, a
centre forward, a third striker and a wide player to help us push in to the
top eight of the PL. This is not likely to be the case, so we can probably
get away with a centre forward and either a wide player or a third striker.
In the case of a player like Zapata, we would possibly acquire a player that
combine a wide role with proficiency as a central striker, thus effectively'
killing two birds with one stone.' However, in the latter scenerio, the
outcome will very much depend on the variables factors going our way, such
as avoiding major injuries/suspensions and the likes of Morrison, Maiga and
Diarra delivering next season.
One thing is sure and that is that Allardyce appears to have built a very
good collective team spirit. And that can positively assist the squad to
give 100% and over-perform. If we can just add that bit of extra quality in
one or two key positions, then we could potentially do very well next season
and make a serious challenge for European qualification.
SJ. Chandos.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers do the biz for Kuz
Published: 11th July 2013
The Sun
WEST HAM are poised to make a move for Inter Milan midfielder Zdravko
Kuzmanovic. The Serbian international, 25, does not figure in new coach
Walter Mazzarri's plans. The Hammers have also been lifted by news that
striker Andy Carroll could recover from a heel injury in time for the
Premier League big kick-off on August 17. There were fears that he would be
out until mid-September.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Chelsea and Hammers Target Wilfried Bony Reveals Offers After Joining
Swansea
By NICK HOWSON: Subscribe to Nick's RSS feed | July 11, 2013 5:01 PM GMT
IB Times
New Swansea City signing Wilfried Bony has revealed he turned down offers
from elsewhere in England before becoming The Swans' record signing, after
being linked with moves to Chelsea and West Ham United. Bony has penned a
four-year deal at the Liberty Stadium, joining the League Cup winners for
£12m to become Michael Laudrup's seventh signing of the summer transfer
window. The 24 year old was linked with moves to both Chelsea and West Ham
throughout the summer transfer window and upon clinching his move to
Swansea, Bony has admitted he received other others from rivals English
clubs. "This move has been talked about for quite some time, so I am
delighted it is all completed,'' Bony said. "Now it is important that I
focus my mind on the challenge ahead because I hope to make the Swansea fans
very happy. "I watched Swansea a lot last season on TV. They have some good
players and I like the way they play. I appreciate the style, which is
similar to the Dutch way, and I think being at Swansea will help me develop
as a player. "I believe it's the right step for me; the perfect move. I had
a lot of offers from all across the world, including England, France,
Ukraine, Russia and the UAE. "But I chose Swansea because it is a good club
with a corresponding style, a great manager and, of course, playing in the
Premier League. I considered everything and Swansea came out on top.''
The ex-Sparta Prague forward scored 31 goals in 30 games last season and
claimed the Dutch Player of the Year award, sparking interest from both
Chelsea and West Ham among others. While Chelsea are seeking an accomplice
to Fernando Torres and Demba Ba, both of whom misfired last season, West Ham
are keen to recruit a second striker in the window despite signing Andy
Carroll from Liverpool. A bid for Sevilla forward Alvaro Negredo has been
rejected by the Spanish club but Hammers co-owner David Gold is adamant the
club must add to their attacking resources after only Kevin Nolan reached
double figures in terms of goals last season.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham looking to do more business, insists assistant boss
West Ham players celebrate
By talkSPORT | Thursday, July 11, 2013
West Ham assistant boss Neil McDonald remains hopeful that the club will
bring in more new signings before the Premier League season gets underway.
The east London club have already been busy in the transfer market during
the summer securing the permanent signing of Andy Carroll from Liverpool for
£15m. Romania captain Razvan Rat and Spanish goalkeeper Adrian have also
been brought in as Sam Allardyce looks to help his team challenge for
another top-half finish. But with Carlton Cole leaving the club, West Ham
are still short of forwards and they have been strongly linked with moves
for Demba Ba, Romelu Lukaku and Duvan Zapata. McDonald said: "There is a lot
of talk on different people. The manager and the hierarchy in Mr Gold and Mr
Sullivan are looking to strengthen the team even more. "If we can bring one
or two others in to give competition for places we will be in a really good
place for the opening game against Cardiff."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
Changes have been made to the dates of four fixtures in the opening months
of the season
11.07.2013
Four of West Ham United's 2013/14 Barclays Premier League fixtures have
moved to alternative dates or times. The home Barclays Premier League
fixtures against Manchester City and Chelsea, and the Hammers' away games at
Southampton and Norwich City are the affected games. Sam Allardyce's men
will now travel to Southampton on Sunday 15 September for a 4pm kick-off,
while the trip to Norwich remains on Saturday 9 November but with a 5.30pm
kick-off.
The visit of Manchester City to the Boleyn Ground will also fill the 5.30pm
slot on Saturday 19 October, while Chelsea will now come to E13 on Sunday 24
November for a 1,30pm kick-off.
Tickets for the Hammers' opening two home Barclays Premier League fixtures
against Cardiff City and Stoke City go on sale from Tuesday with full
details available by clicking here You can also secure your seat for the
pre-season match against Portuguese UEFA Champions League qualifiers Pacos
de Ferreira at the Boleyn Ground.
For ticket details for this pre-season match in aid of the Bobby Moore Fund
for Cancer Research UK, click here. Please note that the fixture against
Chelsea is still subject to change in the event that they are competing in
the UEFA Champions League on the following Tuesday. It should also be noted
that the away fixtures against Tottenham Hotspur and Swansea City in October
are both subject to change in the event that they shall be competing in the
Group Stages of the UEFA Europa League. The second round of the Capital One
Cup, the stage at which West Ham enter, is scheduled to take place during
the midweek of week commencing Monday 26 August 2013, with the draw likely
to take place following completion on the first Round on 7 August.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Big six to go on sale!
WHUFC.com
Tickets for West Ham United's most sought-after fixtures will go on sale on
Tuesday 16 July
11.07.2013
West Ham United are pleased to announce that tickets for the most
sought-after fixtures in the 2013/14 season at the Boleyn Ground will go on
sale exclusively to Bond Holders and Academy Members on Tuesday 16 July.
With demand for seats at the home of the Hammers higher than ever, the early
opportunity to purchase tickets will allow supporters - starting with Bond
Holders and Academy Members - more time to guarantee their place for the
most eagerly anticipated matches in the calendar.
Fans who take up the opportunity to purchase their ticket in advance will
also ensure that they get the cheapest possible price - the tickets are
guaranteed to not be sold any cheaper but may be more expensive nearer to
matchday if they are categorised as A+ matches - and get the first pick of
the best available seats to watch all of the pulsating action.
The six category A games - Manchester City (19 October), Chelsea (23
November), Arsenal (Boxing Day), Manchester United (22 March 2014),
Liverpool (5 April 2014) and Tottenham Hotspur (3 May 2014) - will be made
available to Bond Holders and Academy Members during an exclusive eight-week
window from Tuesday 16 July before the tickets go on general sale on Tuesday
3 September.
The Hammers' return to the top-flight last season proved to be hugely
popular with the Claret and Blue Army, as the Club recorded its highest-ever
average home attendance of 34,720, with the last 17 home matches all selling
out.
With Season Ticket sales once again looking strong for the coming season,
that trend shows no sign of abating. The early window to buy tickets will
provide fans with the peace of mind that they have secured their place for
the biggest games at the Boleyn Ground, before the rush begins.
Tickets for the above fixtures start from just £47 for Adults and £24 for
Over-65s, Young Adults for Academy Members. For full pricing details, click
here.
If you would like to become an Academy Member, Adult Membership costs just
£35 and Youth Academy Membership for Under-16s is available for just £25!
Your benefits also include savings on match tickets, discount shopping days
and an exclusive welcome pack with a voucher for £10 off official adidas
products, including kit and trainingwear.
You can join West Ham United today here or by calling 0871 529 1966 (calls
cost 10p plus network extras).
*Please note all fixtures are subject to date and time change. Should a
fixture date or time change, tickets will remain valid for the revised
fixture but no refund will be available.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
£77 to watch West Ham
WHUFC.com
Filed: Thursday, 11th July 2013
By: Staff Writer
Non-season ticket holding West Ham fans could be asked to pay almost £1 per
minute for the best seats in the house at the Boleyn Ground next season.
Earlier today West Ham United released details of the new Category A+ ticket
prices, which are being introduced for matches against the Premier League's
most successful teams. And in order to watch the home matches against those
clubs which may be declared Category A+ - namely the two Manchester teams
and Liverpool plus London clubs Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham - Band 1
tickets for non-member, non-season ticket holders will be a wallet-busting
£77.
Whilst members pay a fiver less (£72) for Cat A+ tickets, the cheapest on
sale (Band 4) are £57 for non-club members and £52 for members. Meanwhile,
Under 16s will be asked to find £43 should they wish to sit in Band 1 seats.
KUMB member 'comebackjoecole' is one of many supporters disappointed by news
of the price hike. "At £77 for adults and £43 for kids that's £163 for me
and my two boys. This is obscene," he said. "I can afford it once or twice a
year but can't justify it. Watching West Ham is becoming more and more
difficult and I have genuine fear my two boys will not grow up with the love
for the club I have."
Oddly perhaps there are no confirmed Category A+ matches as of yet, but West
Ham have indicated that all Category A matches may be upgraded closer to
match day. "The tickets are guaranteed to not be sold any cheaper but may be
more expensive nearer to match day, if they are categorised as A+ matches,"
read an item on whufc.com.
A full list of the new Category A+ match day prices may be seen below.
Non-Members
Adults: Band 1 £77; Band 2 £70; Band 3 £65; Band 4 £57.
Over 65s/Under 16s: Band 1 £43; Band 2 £40; Band 3 £37; Band 4 £34.
Disabled: Adult £44; Over 65s £34; Under 16s £34.
Restricted: Adult £60; Over 65s £35; Under 16s £35.
Members
Adults: Band 1 £72; Band 2 £65; Band 3 £60; Band 4 £52.
Over 65s/Under 16s: Band 1 £38; Band 2 £35; Band 3 £32; Band 4 £29.
Disabled: Adult £39; Over 65s £29; Under 16s £29.
Restricted: Adult £55; Over 65s £30; Under 16s £30.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
TV dates confirmed
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 11th July 2013
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United will appear live on TV four times before Christmas. Sam
Allardyce's side will feature on Sky TV four times between now and the end
of 2013 - but not a single time on BT Sports, who are delivering live
football for the first time in 2013/14. The first fixture amended for TV is
West Ham's trip to Southampton which has been moved back by 24 hours and
will now take place on Sunday, 15th September (4pm kick off). On 19th
October, United's clash at the Boleyn Ground with Manchester City had been
moved from 3pm to 5.30pm to allow for live coverage - as is the case for
West Ham's trip to Norwich on Saturday, 9th November. Finally, Chelsea's
visit to the Boleyn Ground has been moved to Sunday, 24th November (1.30pm
kick off). A comprehensive list of all live matches may be seen below.
Full Live TV Fixture List
August
Saturday 17th: Liverpool v Stoke City (BT, 12.45pm)
Saturday 17th: Swansea City v Manchester United (Sky, 5.30pm)
Sunday 18th: Crystal Palace v Tottenham Hotspur (Sky, 1.30pm)
Sunday 18th: Chelsea v Hull City (Sky, 4pm)
Monday 19th: Manchester City v Newcastle United (Sky, 8pm)
Saturday 24th: Fulham v Arsenal (BT, 12.45pm)
Saturday 24th: Aston Villa v Liverpool (Sky, 5.30pm)
Sunday 25th: Cardiff City v Manchester City (Sky, 4pm)
Monday 26th: Manchester United v Chelsea (Sky, 8pm)
Saturday 31st: Manchester City v Hull City (BT, 12.45pm)
Saturday 31st: Crystal Palace v Sunderland (Sky, 5.30pm)
September
Sunday 1st: Liverpool v Manchester United (Sky, 1.30pm)
Sunday 1st: Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur (Sky, 4pm)
Saturday 14th: Manchester United v Crystal Palace (BT, 12.45pm)
Saturday 14th: Everton v Chelsea (Sky, 5.30pm)
Sunday 15th: Southampton v West Ham United (Sky, 4pm)
Monday 16th: Swansea City v Liverpool (Sky, 8pm)
Saturday 21st: Norwich City v Aston Villa (BT, 12.45pm)
Saturday 21st: Chelsea v Fulham (Sky, 5.30pm)
Sunday 22nd: Arsenal v Stoke City (Sky, 1.30pm)
Sunday 22nd: Manchester City v Manchester United (Sky, 4pm)
Saturday 28th: Tottenham Hotspur v Chelsea (BT, 12.45pm)
Saturday 28th: Swansea City v Arsenal (Sky, 5.30pm)
Sunday 29th: Stoke City v Norwich City (Sky, 1.30pm)
Sunday 29th: Sunderland v Liverpool (Sky, 4pm)
Monday 30th: Everton v Newcastle United (Sky, 8pm)
October
Saturday 5th: Manchester City v Everton (BT, 12.45pm)
Saturday 5th: Sunderland v Manchester United (Sky, 5.30pm)
Sunday 6th: Norwich City v Chelsea (Sky, 1.30pm)
Sunday 6th: West Bromwich Albion v Arsenal (Sky, 4pm)
Saturday 19th: Newcastle United v Liverpool (BT, 12.45pm)
Saturday 19th: West Ham United v Manchester City (Sky, 5.30pm)
Sunday 20th: Aston Villa v Tottenham Hotspur (Sky, 4pm)
Monday 21st: Crystal Palace v Fulham (Sky, 8pm)
Saturday 26th: Crystal Palace v Arsenal (BT, 12.45pm)
Saturday 26th: Southampton v Fulham (Sky, 5.30pm)
Sunday 27th: Chelsea v Manchester City (Sky, 1.30pm)
Sunday 27th: Sunderland v Newcastle United (Sky, 4pm)
November
Saturday 2nd: Newcastle United v Chelsea (BT, 12.45pm)
Saturday 2nd: Arsenal v Liverpool (Sky, 5.30pm)
Sunday 3rd: Everton v Tottenham Hotspur (Sky, 1.30pm)
Sunday 3rd: Cardiff City v Swansea City (Sky, 4pm)
Saturday 9th: Norwich City v West Ham United (Sky, 5.30pm)
Sunday 10th: Tottenham Hotspur v Newcastle United (Sky, 12pm)
Sunday 10th: Sunderland v Manchester City (Sky, 2.05pm)
Sunday 10th: Manchester United v Arsenal (Sky, 4.10pm)
Saturday 23: Everton v Liverpool (BT, 12.45pm)
Saturday 23: Manchester City v Tottenham Hotspur (Sky, 5.30pm)
Sunday 24th: West Ham United v Chelsea (Sky, 1.30pm)
Sunday 24th: Cardiff City v Manchester United (Sky, 4pm)
Monday 25th: West Bromwich Albion v Aston Villa (Sky, 8pm)
Saturday 30th: Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United (BT, 12.45pm)
Saturday 30th: Newcastle United v West Bromwich Albion (Sky, 5.30pm)
December
Sunday 1st: Hull City v Liverpool (Sky, 1.30pm)
Sunday 1st: Chelsea v Southampton (Sky, 4pm)
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham midfielder Joe Cole targets Wembley cup final glory
Last Updated: July 11, 2013 4:17pm
SSN
Joe Cole has admitted he would love West Ham to play in a Wembley cup final,
saying it would rank as one of the best moments of his career. The
much-travelled former England international returned to the east London club
- where he made his name as a teenager - during this year's January transfer
window.
The Hammers went on to finish the season 10th in the Premier League table,
following their promotion from the Championship. And he believes it is about
time that the Upton Park side returned to the national stadium where they
won three FA Cup finals and a European trophy between 1964 and 1980. "I
would love to finish better than 10th - but I would love to take this club
to Wembley."
Joe Cole
The 31-year-old former Chelsea and Liverpool midfielder said: "I think the
ambition of the club at the moment is improvement. "But for me personally, I
would love to finish better than 10th but I would love to take this club to
Wembley. "At the end of the day, they are the days you remember in your
career - it would be a massive achievement. "You look at Swansea and Wigan
last season and that is their day, we would like a bit of that because it
has been such a long time since West Ham have been there, so that would be
nice."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Is one more signing Enough?
By S J Chandos
West Ham Till I Die
Sam Allardyce has been reported as stating that the club are looking to sign
a second striker and that will probably conclude the transfer business in
this window. If we take this statement at face value, we must ask whether
that level of transfer business be enough to ensure that we can 'push on'
from last season's 10th place PL finish?
To recap, to date, we have signed Rat (left-back), Adrian (goalkeeper),
Carroll (centre forward) and Whitehead (midfield). In terms of outgoing
moves, Carlton Cole, O'Neill and Hall have exited. In assessing the current
squad, the following are variable factors: the apparent return from loan of
Alou Diarra, the impressive pre-season form of Ravel Morrison and the
readiness of any of the Development Squad youngsters to step up and make a
positive impact. Indeed, could Chambers, Potts, Moncur, Lee, Turgott, or
McCallum make the breakthrough this season and add to the first team mix? In
terms of our goal keeping stable, we are probably provided for by the
triumvirate of Jussi, Adrian and Spiegel. Arguably, we are also well covered
in defence, particularly if Chambers makes the anticipated breakthrough and
Diarra's presence means that we have a competent auxillary centre-back. At
full-back, we certainly have the numbers with JOB, Demel, Spence, Rat,
McCartney and Potts. However, should we seek to improve the quality at
right-back?
In midfield, we can select from: Noble, Diarra, Diame, Joe Cole, Collison,
Nolan, Taylor, Morrison, Moncur and Whitehead. In attack, we currently have:
Jarvis, Carroll, Maiga, Turgott, Carroll, Lee, Vaz Te and McCallum. If we
retain all of our current midfield, and Morrison adds to the creativity,
then we should be strong enough in that department. However, one can
understand Allardyce's emphasis upon adding to our attack. We definitely
need another centre forward to cover and compete with Carroll. But do we
need a mobile and pacy third striker on loan to ensure that we have enough
flexibility and strength in depth? Or should we trust in Maiga, Vaz Te and
Lee stepping up to the plate? Similarly, we only have Jarvis who is a
natural wide player. Yes, Cole, Taylor, Collison, Vaz Te and Maiga can play
there, but would we not benefit from signing another pacy, natural wide
player, like Kalou or Downing?
If money was not an obstacle then we should probably sign a right-back, a
centre forward, a third striker and a wide player to help us push in to the
top eight of the PL. This is not likely to be the case, so we can probably
get away with a centre forward and either a wide player or a third striker.
In the case of a player like Zapata, we would possibly acquire a player that
combine a wide role with proficiency as a central striker, thus effectively'
killing two birds with one stone.' However, in the latter scenerio, the
outcome will very much depend on the variables factors going our way, such
as avoiding major injuries/suspensions and the likes of Morrison, Maiga and
Diarra delivering next season.
One thing is sure and that is that Allardyce appears to have built a very
good collective team spirit. And that can positively assist the squad to
give 100% and over-perform. If we can just add that bit of extra quality in
one or two key positions, then we could potentially do very well next season
and make a serious challenge for European qualification.
SJ. Chandos.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers do the biz for Kuz
Published: 11th July 2013
The Sun
WEST HAM are poised to make a move for Inter Milan midfielder Zdravko
Kuzmanovic. The Serbian international, 25, does not figure in new coach
Walter Mazzarri's plans. The Hammers have also been lifted by news that
striker Andy Carroll could recover from a heel injury in time for the
Premier League big kick-off on August 17. There were fears that he would be
out until mid-September.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Chelsea and Hammers Target Wilfried Bony Reveals Offers After Joining
Swansea
By NICK HOWSON: Subscribe to Nick's RSS feed | July 11, 2013 5:01 PM GMT
IB Times
New Swansea City signing Wilfried Bony has revealed he turned down offers
from elsewhere in England before becoming The Swans' record signing, after
being linked with moves to Chelsea and West Ham United. Bony has penned a
four-year deal at the Liberty Stadium, joining the League Cup winners for
£12m to become Michael Laudrup's seventh signing of the summer transfer
window. The 24 year old was linked with moves to both Chelsea and West Ham
throughout the summer transfer window and upon clinching his move to
Swansea, Bony has admitted he received other others from rivals English
clubs. "This move has been talked about for quite some time, so I am
delighted it is all completed,'' Bony said. "Now it is important that I
focus my mind on the challenge ahead because I hope to make the Swansea fans
very happy. "I watched Swansea a lot last season on TV. They have some good
players and I like the way they play. I appreciate the style, which is
similar to the Dutch way, and I think being at Swansea will help me develop
as a player. "I believe it's the right step for me; the perfect move. I had
a lot of offers from all across the world, including England, France,
Ukraine, Russia and the UAE. "But I chose Swansea because it is a good club
with a corresponding style, a great manager and, of course, playing in the
Premier League. I considered everything and Swansea came out on top.''
The ex-Sparta Prague forward scored 31 goals in 30 games last season and
claimed the Dutch Player of the Year award, sparking interest from both
Chelsea and West Ham among others. While Chelsea are seeking an accomplice
to Fernando Torres and Demba Ba, both of whom misfired last season, West Ham
are keen to recruit a second striker in the window despite signing Andy
Carroll from Liverpool. A bid for Sevilla forward Alvaro Negredo has been
rejected by the Spanish club but Hammers co-owner David Gold is adamant the
club must add to their attacking resources after only Kevin Nolan reached
double figures in terms of goals last season.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham looking to do more business, insists assistant boss
West Ham players celebrate
By talkSPORT | Thursday, July 11, 2013
West Ham assistant boss Neil McDonald remains hopeful that the club will
bring in more new signings before the Premier League season gets underway.
The east London club have already been busy in the transfer market during
the summer securing the permanent signing of Andy Carroll from Liverpool for
£15m. Romania captain Razvan Rat and Spanish goalkeeper Adrian have also
been brought in as Sam Allardyce looks to help his team challenge for
another top-half finish. But with Carlton Cole leaving the club, West Ham
are still short of forwards and they have been strongly linked with moves
for Demba Ba, Romelu Lukaku and Duvan Zapata. McDonald said: "There is a lot
of talk on different people. The manager and the hierarchy in Mr Gold and Mr
Sullivan are looking to strengthen the team even more. "If we can bring one
or two others in to give competition for places we will be in a really good
place for the opening game against Cardiff."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Thursday, July 11
Daily WHUFC News - 11th July 2013
Nolan enjoying pre-season tests
WHUFC.com
Captain Kevin Nolan is looking forward to another pre-season workout at
Boreham Wood on Wednesday
10.07.2013
West Ham United's pre-season schedule continues with a trip to Conference
South side Boreham Wood on Wednesday evening. The Hammers make the short
journey to Hertfordshire to take on the Wood for the second summer in
succession, with kick-off scheduled for 7.30pm. Tickets for the match will
be available to purchase at Meadow Park on the day. Kevin Nolan and his
team-mates enjoyed a superb opening week of training in the Republic of
Ireland that culminated with a resounding 6-2 victory at Cork City on Sunday
evening. Nolan was part of the side held 1-1 at Boreham Wood a year ago and
the captain will be part of the squad again this time around.
"We came back earlier than most Premier League teams, which is something I'm
used to, having worked with Sam Allardyce for so many years," confirmed the
skipper. "I have to say Cork was one of the nicest set ups I've been to. The
pitches were fantastic, the weather wasn't too hot and the facilities on
site were fantastic. They couldn't do enough for us. All in all it was a
great first week. It was very tiring, with 7am starts every day and three
training sessions a day. "The main thing that has changed is that you come
back to balls now. You never used to see a football for a week and you used
to run until you were sick! That was the old-school mentality but it has all
moved on from that. I knew that when I signed for Sam he'd give me the best
opportunity to prolong my career for as long as I possibly can and he's done
that. Being back with him has made me hungrier to make sure I can succeed at
such a fantastic Club.
"For Sam to move to this club, get us back in the Premier League and then
what we achieved last season was fantastic. You can see from the owners and
what the gaffer wants, and with the signing of the big man Andy Carroll,
there's only one way that we're going in the league and I want to be a major
part of that. I want to get this Club back in the higher ranks of the
Premier League, which is where I truly and firmly believe it belongs."
Wednesday's fixture will be the second of eight pre-season matches held in
preparation for the big Barclays Premier League kick-off at home to Cardiff
City on Saturday 17 August. Last year, West Ham were the newly-promoted side
when they hosted Aston Villa on the opening day, but this time around the
boot is on the other foot.
"Obviously last year we were the new boys and this year it's going to be a
tough one with Cardiff coming up to the Premier League, because they will
all be really up for it. It's at Upton Park so we expect a win. We had a
fantastic home record last year when we only lost on four occasions to
top-six sides, so we'll be expecting to get the season up and running. "It's
going to be tough because Cardiff will come with a gameplan, but we're just
hoping we can start as we did last season with a win. I'm looking forward to
it and I'm sure it's going to be a tasty and feisty game."
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Hammers impress Irish hosts
WHUFC.com
West Ham United will be welcomed back to Cork after a fantastic week in
south west Ireland
10.07.2013
West Ham United will be welcomed back to Cork after a fantastic week in
south west Ireland. The Hammers enjoyed a productive pre-season training
camp in County Cork, impressing their hosts at the Fota Island Resort,
University College Cork and Cork City FC. The facilities, weather, food and
hospitality all exceeded the expectations of Sam Allardyce and his squad and
the manager has already expressed a wish to return to the region in the
future. Likewise, Fota Island Resort general manager John O'Flynn and Cork
City FC chief executive Timmy Murphy praised West Ham for the way the Club
approached their visit to Ireland. "Fota Island is just a small bit outside
Cork city centre and is a beautiful resort," O'Flynn explained. "We have
golf courses here and the wildlife park next door, but we are also proud of
our training facilities and were delighted to have West Ham over here. It's
a great buzz for the resort and a great buzz for the city and, thanks be to
God, we got the weather to add to it as well. "At the hotel we have a
hydrotherapy facility with pools and a bath to aid the whole player recovery
process, while we also have a walking river which helps with rehabilitation
of leg injuries and the like. We also have the swimming pools for bits and
pieces. We also have two training pitches and a fully-equipped gym. "The
fact we have these facilities on site means the players can rest much more
easily during their down-time. We also have the golf courses, driving range
and cycling and walking tracks which they can use there as well."
Fota Island has played host to a number of high-profile sports clubs
previously, including Manchester United, Watford, the Munster Rugby squad
and a variety of Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) football and hurling
teams. "All the teams who come to us are well looked after. The groundstaff
here make sure we always have immaculate pitches and we have a lot of GAA
teams come to use them - nearly every county has been here at some stage.
The first team to use it was Tipperary and they went on to win the
All-Ireland title that year, so it's a lucky pitch, that's for sure!"
O'Flynn said that, while Fota Island is a five-star resort, the venue has
accommodation to suit families and he has encouraged West Ham fans to come
and visit. "We have the full menu of facilities here, from the family lodges
to the top-end corporate. Everybody is welcome at Fota Island, where we have
the lodges and wildlife park for families and the pitches for Premier League
football teams. We look forward to welcoming West Ham supporters, so bring
them on!"
Murphy, meanwhile, was delighted to welcome a Barclays Premier League club
to play at the Rebel Army's Turner's Cross stadium. The match, of course,
ended in a 6-2 victory for the Hammers, but the Cork City FC chief executive
said the whole event had been a rousing success. "Without a doubt, West Ham
is one of the biggest teams we've had come to Cork in quite a number of
years," Murphy confirmed. "West Ham has huge connections with the city of
Cork. A lot of the older generation of Corkonians would have spent time in
London working in Dagenham for the Ford Motor Company, so there would have
been huge connectivity with West Ham. The younger generation are now getting
the feel of that. "The whole week has been brilliant, with huge interaction
between the players and local Cork people, which we're grateful for. There
is huge goodwill on both sides, so it's been fantastic."
While West Ham's week-long stay in Cork may now be over, Murphy has
encouraged West Ham fans to pay the club a visit if they are ever in south
west Ireland. Likewise, the chief executive would love to see the two clubs
forge a more formal connection in the future. "Looking around Cork city on
Sunday, there were lots of West Ham people in the city centre showing their
colours. I was out in Turner's Cross and one of the houses by the away end
had West Ham colours up! We'll forgive him on this occasion! "We would love
to see an association with West Ham United. Quite a lot of Cork people go to
England to watch games so hopefully the trip will boost West Ham as well.
When West Ham move to the Olympic Stadium and need a few more fans to fill
it, some Cork people will come across! "Any time West Ham go abroad, we'd
love to see them here and we'd welcome them with open arms."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Boreham Wood 0-3 West Ham United
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 10th July 2013
By: Staff Writer
West Ham secured a second successive pre-season friendly win after coasting
to victory against non-league Boreham Wood tonight. Having started
pre-season in fine fashion with a 6-2 win in Cork last weekend, Sam
Allardyce's team continued in a similar vein at Meadow Park tonight. And it
was two first half goals within the space of a minute that did for the home
side, who are celebrating their 65th anniversary this year. New signing
Razvan Rat, making his second appearance in claret and blue played a major
part in West Ham's opener. It was his cross that was almost turned into his
own net by Ben Nunn before Ravel Morrison applied the finishing touch. With
the home side still reeling from going a goal behind, United doubled their
lead when Ricardo Vaz Te climbed highest to meet a Mark Noble cross, which
he diverted expertly into the back of the net.
Despite dominating the game throughout, West Ham were forced to wait until
seven minutes from time before adding a third and final goal. This time it
was captain Kevin Nolan who volleyed home from inside the box to complete a
comfortable victory.
West Ham Utd: Adrian (Jussi Jaaskelainen 46), Guy Demel (Jordan Spence 46),
Pelly Ruddock (James Tomkins 46), Winston Reid (James Collins 46), Razvan
Rat (Dan Potts 46), Mark Noble (Alou Diarra 46), Jack Collison (Kevin Nolan
46), Matt Taylor (Matt Jarvis 46), Ricardo Vaz Te (Joe Cole 46), Paul
McCallum (Modibo Maiga 46), Ravel Morrison (Danny Whitehead 46).
Subs Not Used: Elliot Lee, George Moncur, Sam Baxter.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham miss out on Deulofeu
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 10th July 2013
By: Staff Writer
An audacious bid by West Ham to sign Barcelona starlet Gerard Deulofeu has
failed, after the youngster decided to join Premier League rivals Everton
instead.
Described elsewhere as "one of Spain's most exciting young talents",
Deulofeu's season-long loan move to Goodison Park was confirmed earlier
today. However in the last few minutes, the Twitter account attributed to
Jack Sullivan - the 13-year-old son of co-owner David - has revealed that
West Ham had hoped to sign the 19-year-old ahead of the Toffees. Following
an earlier Tweet (on 25th June) in which it was announced that United were
hoping to "sign one of the most exciting youngsters in Europe", Sullivan
revealed on Wednesday afternoon that the player in question was the Spanish
forward. "I am sorry to announce the 'young player' we were trying to sign
was Gerard Deulofeu who has decided to go to Everton over us," read the
message. Sullivan's Twitter account also revealed earlier in the day that no
new signings were imminent, despite the club being linked with a string of
players in recent days. Everton boss Roberto Martínez, who confirmed the
capture of Deulofeu earlier in the day said: "Gerard is a real diamond of
Spanish football and a boy with incredible footballing talent. I am
delighted that he has chosen to take the next step of his career with
Everton."
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Tactically Speaking
KUMb.com
Filed: Wednesday, 10th July 2013
By: David Hautzig
I grew up watching football with my dad.
It started with shows available here in the United States like Soccer Made
In Germany, which were condensed versions of Bundesliga games. Then the NASL
really took hold when Pele joined The New York Cosmos and a friend from
school and I got season tickets. But it wasn't until the 1994 World Cup that
I even noticed the tactical side of the game.
June 18th, 1994. Italy against The Republic of Ireland. I'm there with my
friend Derek, his brother Roy, and my dad. Derek is solely responsible for
dragging me into this West Ham supporting life of torment and pain, and
along with Roy and their father John were season ticket holders at Upton
Park.
Twelve minutes in, Italian defender Franco Baresi tries to clear the ball
out of danger while being pressured by Ireland's lone striker Tommy Coyne.
Ray Houghton intercepts, does a quick turn to his left and loops it into the
net. Bedlam. Pure, uninterrupted bedlam for the next 78 plus minutes. And
that's how it ended.
In the car ride back into Manhattan, which took well over two hours to cover
the roughly 15 miles from Giants Stadium to my apartment, Derek and Roy were
in the back seat dissecting the game. "That was clever of ol' Jack to place
five across the middle. Really gave the Italians trouble," Derek commented.
I asked him what he meant, because at that time I truly had no idea about
4-4-2, or 4-5-1, or any of that. They might as well have been map
coordinates. He started to give me a lesson on the basic set-ups on the
pitch. What they were intended to do, what kind of issues they can create
for the opposition, and why some teams play one way while others don't.
Somewhere inside The Lincoln Tunnel I had my very first "ah-hah" moment as a
football fan.
"Italy play a style that uses quick passes and a lot of movement off the
ball, so by having only one striker and an extra midfielder it's simply more
crowded in the middle and harder for Italy to do their thing. Right?" I
asked.
"Exactly", Derek replied. All of a sudden the game I had just finished
watching made more sense to me. I understood a few of the strategic elements
well after the fact, and I couldn't wait to watch the next game on
television to see if I could retain my new found knowledge.
Which brings me to Sam. Whether you agree with him and think he plays a
4-3-3, or you think you see through him as a peddler of 4-5-1, one theme
that is constantly brought up among supporters is a desire to see him try a
traditional 4-4-2. Last season when goals were hard to come by, you could
almost see the hair being pulled by some of us fly out from our computer or
tablet screens.
Yet in the past decade or so, that very same 4-4-2 has been labeled as
ancient and outdated by many a football commentator. Some have even blamed
its continued existence and some English managers fixation on it as the
reason for England's "failures" at The World Cup and Euros. Even within
Premier League clubs there is almost a resignation that in order for a team
to win in Europe they MUST learn to play one striker and protect the centre
of the pitch.
Are supporters wrong to call for Sam to play two up top? Or worse,
hypocritical? Johan Aarnio is a retired coach that lives near me. He worked
with a number of professional teams in North America during his career,
including the Montreal Impact. He was also the head coach at The University
Of Albany for 11 years before he packed up his bibs and cones. I threw the
question his way.
"There is never more arguing among football fans then there is about
tactics. As far as I'm concerned, Allardyce has always set up his teams in a
way that plays to their strengths and mitigates their weakness. It's all
about the players, and formations and tactics are nothing more than starting
points. You need movement on the pitch. So a 4-5-1 can quickly become a
4-3-3 if there is an opportunity to penetrate on the attack. And it can go
the other way when you need to cover on defence."
I could see by the look in his eye that just talking about it for a few
minutes got him all charged up. You can take the man away from the game...
Johan only pays attention to West Ham because every time I see him I cackle
on and on about us. I wanted to converse with someone from within The Tribe.
And lucky for me I have just the person. When Bob Woodward was uncovering
Tricky Dick Nixon and Watergate in the 1970's, he had his mysterious
informer that went by the name Deep Throat.
I have @ExWHUemployee.
The Twitter legend himself has made himself available to me while remaining
nameless. I know from "chatting" with him that he is a Sam supporter and was
enthusiastic about signing Andy Carroll from day one. So was I, which made
us kindred spirits of sorts. So I asked him for his take on it.
"I personally believe that fans will always favour a system with two up
front rather than one. Quite simply because the fans want to see their team
score more goals and believe that having double the forwards is the answer.
Whilst there is an obvious clear logic in that, the logic only works if both
forwards are of a good quality and that the midfielders behind them are
providing them with enough service to create the chances.
"The effectiveness of that also depends on how the opposition have set up.
As you say the current trend is to not play 4-4-2 and to favour a formation
where there are usually five midfielders. Unless those midfielders are of a
significantly better quality than the opposition they will always be
outnumbered and therefore make them self more vulnerable to conceding and
less likely to break through to create chances."
I think the majority of fans now accept Sam's starting formation and I
believe Andy Carroll is the perfect forward to fit into that system. What I
think annoys people is that when we are chasing a lead he doesn't change it
and become more attacking. I can see this argument but I do think you have
to have the players to do it.
It is also very hard for clubs to have at least two quality forwards because
a forward's value is always that much higher than other positions. Generally
modern day forwards wish to be the ones that score the goals and grab the
headlines so often it is hard to find a partnership where both are equally
contributing or creating for each other.
I take Newcastle when they had Demba Ba and then signed Cisse. It was no
surprise that at the start of the 2011/12 season Ba was scoring regularly.
When Cisse joined and they originally played together, with Ba either up
front or pushed out to the wing, he stopped scoring and Cisse took over. I
am a fan of Sam and believe that he plays to the strengths of the players
that he has available to him and currently 4-5-1 or 4-3-2-1 as I like to
call it is that system."
So what happens if some of the rumors flying around daily come true? Getting
a Demba Ba to play with Andy Carroll does not seem like a Sam style of play.
The man never pays two up front, right? What would he do if he actually
signed more hotshots?
"I think Sam will play the system that is right for the players. When Bolton
were first around in the Premiership under Sam they were known to be a rough
side with a route one playing style. As they became more established he
started to bring in the likes of Djorkaeff and Okocha.
"These players were far more known for their flair and skills then their
physical attributes and ability to kick it up to a big man. Sam was also
very close to landing Samuel Eto'o at one point and of course these players
would not have fitted into a system that didn't allow creativity and
something different to what Sam had tried before.
"Sam has a reputation amongst some fans as playing boring, long ball and
physical tactics at West Ham. The fact that both Yossi Benayoun and Joe Cole
were signed back, both of which I would describe as not physical but
creative show that depending on the players that Sam has available he would
change systems.
"I like to describe the system and the style that we play as "situational
football". There are times when we play long ball tactics depending on the
opposition, players available and score. There are other times when we do
play some lovely passes and quick interchanges, which I often feel is
overlooked."
At the end of the day, it's probably safe to say that Sam Allardyce knows
more about managing a football club than we do. And instead of fixating on a
particular tactic and how some numbers represent it, we should look at the
overall. And that says we are in a far better place than we have been in a
very long time.
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McDonald dismisses Downing rumours
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 10th July 2013
By: Staff Writer
West Ham's assistant manager Neil McDonald has dismissed reports of interest
in Liverpool winger Stuart Downing as "paper talk". Speaking on Talksport
last night, Sam Allardyce's right hand man admitted that Downing was highly
thought of at West Ham - but not a player the club were intending to make an
approach for anytime soon. "He's a very good player and I think West Ham
being involved with a player of that calibre would be great - but it's all
paper talk at the moment, " McDonald told host Andy Goldstein. "I'm not 100
per cent sure where it's come from, to tell you the truth. "We've been back
[from our summer break] for over a week now and the manager and the Chairman
are obviously working hard behind the scenes trying to strengthen the team
so we can improve on what we did last season. There will be lots of names
mentioned, few of which will be true but hopefully a few that will [be].
We're always looking to strengthen if we can."
The 47-year-old, who has been at West Ham for two years since (re-)joining
Sam Allardyce in east London also revealed that the squad's minimum target
next season was 46 points - the same number of points the (newly-promoted)
team secured in the 2012/13 Premier League campaign. "I think you've always
got to set the target of how you did last year. We were under the radar for
most of the season really and finished well," he mused. "To finish tenth
after getting promoted through the play-offs was a tremedous effort by
everybody. "So the standard is to get 46 points or more and to try and
improve on last season - which I'm sure we can with the recruits we've had
so far and hopefull to arrive in the future. But privately we'll set a
higher target than we do publicly and if we fall somewhere between the two,
then we'll have had a great season."
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West Ham play down interest in Liverpool's Stewart Downing
Last Updated: July 10, 2013 2:04pm
SSN
West Ham assistant boss Neil McDonald says he rates Stewart Downing highly,
but has played down talk of a transfer bid. Reports earlier this week
suggested that the Hammers were preparing an offer to Liverpool for their
England winger. Since moving to Anfield from Aston Villa for a fee in the
region of £20million two summers ago, Downing has struggled to hold down a
place in the Reds side. The 28-year-old made 25 starts and four substitute
appearances for the Merseysiders in the Premier League in 2012/13, scoring
three goals and claiming five assists. Hammers boss Sam Allardyce is in the
market for wide players as he seeks to improve the service to record signing
Andy Carroll, now recruited on a permanent basis from Liverpool. But
although Allardyce's right-hand man McDonald is a fan of Downing and would
like to see him at Upton Park, he insists the claims about an impending bid
are premature. "He's a very good player," the Hammers coach told talkSPORT.
"A player of that calibre and West Ham being involved would be great, but
it's all paper talk at the moment."
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Striker off to Russia with love after 'rejecting West Ham, Newcastle and
West Brom'
Bwbetting.com
Chelsea forward Demba Ba looks set to leave Stamford Bridge and Russian
champions Anzhi are ready to take the Senegal international. Demba Ba looks
set to become the latest member of Jose Mourinho's clear out but it appears
that the Chelsea forward is about to disappoint West Ham United, Newcastle
and West Brom by heading to Russia to sign for Anzhi Makhachkala. Ba only
joined Chelsea in January, but he struggled to make much of an impact under
interim boss Rafael Benitez and scored just two Premier League goals
following a £7 million move from Newcastle. And with winger Mario Marin
already farmed out on loan to Sevilla and Jon Obi Mikel set for a move to
Turkish champions Galatasaray as Mourinho reshapes the Blues' squad, it
appears that Ba will be next out of the door. Mourinho has been searching
for another top-class forward to complement the signing of Andre Schurrle,
an £18 million capture from Bayer Leverkusen.
And although Chelsea have seemingly missed out on Napoli's Edinson Cavani,
who is set for Paris Saint-Germain, and Borussia Dortmund contract rebel
Robert Lewandowski, it woudl appear that Ba is still surplus to
requirements. But unfortunately for Ba's potential suitors, who include his
old clubs West Ham and Newcastle as well as West Brom, it appears that Anzhi
are in pole position to sign the Senegal international. After reports today
suggested that Guus Hiddink's side are ready to move in with a lucrative
contract offer to convince Ba to join Samuel Eto'o and company, bwin go 7/4
that the forward signs for the Russian champions. Ba has reportedly already
told the Premier League clubs he has no intention of signing for them and
bwin now go 3/1 (West Ham) and 12/1 (Newcastle) that he remains in England.
Despite the reports, it is still 3/5 that the 28-year-old stays at Chelsea
until January at the earliest and 14/1 and bigger he signs for another club.
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Macca hails Boreham Wood workout
WHUFC.com
Assistant manager Neil McDonald believes hitting the ground running with
early games is beneficial
11.07.2013
It was another case of a job well done for West Ham United after their 3-0
win at Boreham Wood in their latest pre-season match, according to assistant
manager Neil McDonald. The Hammers began to ease away from their Conference
South hosts with two goals in 60 seconds around the 20 minute mark - the
first coming from Ravel Morrison, with that strike quickly followed by a
Ricardo Vaz Te header. Kevin Nolan's shot on the turn then made it 3-0 late
on and McDonald was delighted to continue a positive start to pre-season.
Wednesday's victory came on the back of a 6-2 win at Cork City on Sunday and
McDonald believes having matches so soon after the start of pre-season
training helps to focus the players' minds. "It was a good workout," he
explained. "Two sets of 45 minutes for the players, which was great and no
injuries, which is even better. "We scored some good goals as well, so we're
on track to where we want to be. We've just come back from Cork, we had a
good week there, the boys have been getting their fitness up and that
certainly showed on Wednesday. "I thought we were dominant, we passed the
ball really well and moved it on with a bit of tempo, more so than we did on
Sunday, so that's encouraging. We were nice and tight too, so all in all
it's a good start to pre-season and it gives everybody lots of confidence to
try and push on. "Games always focus the mind a little more because there's
a little bit on it, "With all due respect to them, we're playing teams who
maybe don't move the ball on or have better touches than us, but we've got
to make sure we get our touch right, we move it on and don't get ourselves
in trouble."
New arrivals Adrian, Razvan Rat and Danny Whitehead all played 45 minutes at
Meadow Park and McDonald is pleased with how the trio are integrating into
the squad. "They've all settled in really well," he added. "Last week in
Cork and now this week back here. "We switched the teams around again from
Cork to try and get a different balance and dynamic between everybody else
and everyone's settled in really, really well."
Hammers youngster Pelly Ruddock, who joined the Club last year from Boreham
Wood, captained the team in the opening period and McDonald has been
impressed with his progress. He said: "Pelly Ruddock led the team out and
that was nice for him. He's developed into a decent player since he came
from Boreham Wood last year. "Everyone can see a difference, he's much
stronger, much more comfortable on the ball and he seems to be enjoying the
position we're playing him in. "So let's see how he progresses and hopefully
he can put pressure on some of the first team players."
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West Ham confident Andy Carroll will be fit for start of season
Last Updated: July 10, 2013 10:53pm
SSN
West Ham remain confident that record signing Andy Carroll will be fit for
the start of the new Premier League season. Carroll joined the Hammers on a
permanent deal from Liverpool last month for an undisclosed fee, coming
through a medical despite being hampered by a heel injury after his
season-long loan. The England international is yet to feature for Sam
Allardyce's men in their pre-season campaign, which continued with a 3-0
victory over Boreham Wood at Meadow Park on Wednesday evening. "The injury
that he has is quite extensive and it takes time for the body to heal
itself. He is doing everything he can to push on."
Neil McDonald
And assistant manager Neil McDonald admitted after the friendly, in which
Ravel Morrison, Ricardo Vaz Te and Kevin Nolan found the net, that it may be
some time before Hammers fans see the powerful forward in action. McDonald
told Sky Sports News: "He is well under way in his rehab, he is working hard
on the training ground and we just have to be a little bit patient. "The
injury that he has is quite extensive and it takes time for the body to heal
itself. He is doing everything he can to push on. "He has been working
really hard and there is still plenty of time for him to get himself fit for
the start of the season."
McDonald also admitted that the Upton Park outfit were looking to make
further additions to their squad ahead of the new campaign, which kicks off
next month with a home date against Cardiff. He added: "The manager and the
hierarchy are working very hard behind the scenes to strengthen the team
even more. "If we can bring one or two others in to give competition for
places we will be in a really good place come the 17th of August."
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West Ham want Scott Parker back from Tottenham but QPR are determined to win
the race
10 Jul 2013 22:30
The Mirror
Tony Fernandes is leading Queens Park Rangers into the battle for Scott
Parker's signature - but faces opposition from West Ham. QPR supremo
Fernandes is personally involved in trying to back manager Harry Redknapp's
move for Tottenham and England midfielder Parker. West Ham are among the
other clubs interested and Parker, still highly regarded at 32, is keen to
stay in London. However, while the Hammers can only stretch to taking him on
loan, relegated Rangers are prepared to pay a fee to Spurs for Parker's
services. And Loftus Road chief Fernandes is trying hard to see off the
competition ahead of next month's Championship kick-off. Parker is
considering his options, following last week's £17million arrival of
Brazilian Confederations Cup hero Paulinho.
The signing of the 24-year-old midfielder from Corinthians has pushed Parker
down to fourth choice at White Hart Lane. Redknapp, who signed him from West
Ham two years ago, remains a fan of Parker's leadership qualities and see
him as the player to spearhead the club's efforts for a quick return to the
Premier League.
The move for Parker has only come about after concerns expressed behind the
scenes at Loftus Road over Tottenham's possible demand for a transfer fee
combined with Parker's £70,000-a-week wages. QPR chief executive Phil Beard
vetoed a move for another 32-year-old England international, left-back Wayne
Bridge, on the basis that the package to sign him was too expensive. But
Parker is seen as a player still very much capable of competing at the top
level, and Redknapp has convinced Fernandes that the former Charlton man can
lead the club back into the big time. Once QPR managed to sell defender
Christopher Samba back to Anzhi Makhachkala, the Russian club they bought
him from in January, they began to seriously explore signing Parker with
Fernandes taking the lead.
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Cole targets West Ham silverware after seeing new signings in action in 3-0
win over Boreham Wood
By MARK BRYANS
PUBLISHED: 00:36, 11 July 2013 | UPDATED: 00:41, 11 July 2013
Daily Mail
After playing in West Ham's 3-0 win over Boreham Wood on Wednesday, Joe Cole
has targeted taking West Ham to Wembley and challenging for silverware.
The Hammers, featuring new signings Adrian, Ravzan Rat and Danny Whitehead,
comfortably won at Meadow Park thanks to goals from Ravel Morrison, Ricardo
Vaz Te and Kevin Nolan. And now Cole, 31, who returned to his boyhood club
in January after he failed to nail down a place at Liverpool, wants to see
the club improve on last season's top-10 finish and collect a winners' medal
along the way. 'I think the ambition of the club at the moment is
improvement,' he said. 'But for me personally, I would love to finish better
than 10th but I would love to take this club to Wembley because at the end
of the day they are the days you remember in your career - it would be a
massive achievement. 'You look at Swansea and Wigan last year and that is
their day, we would like a bit of that because it has been such a long time
since West Ham have been there, so that would be nice.' Sam Allardyce led
the Hammers to 10th on their return to the Barclays Premier League and has
already added to his squad ahead of the new campaign. The stand-out signings
are those of Andy Carroll, who spent last season on loan at West Ham from
Liverpool, and Romania captain Rat - brought in on a free transfer from
Shakhtar Donetsk. Cole believes the calibre of such players proves that West
Ham are able to attract big names. 'It is a boost for the club and shows
where we are going,' he added. 'Andy Carroll is a young, England
centre-forward and clubs do not usually sell them and he is a big talent. He
did a good job and we just want him to get fit and come back because he is a
big part of our team.
'West Ham is a big club but it has been starved of success. You look at
where we are in London and people want to come here and play in London and
play for West Ham. 'It is great that players like Razvan and Andy are coming
in and hopefully there will be a few more as well.' The former Chelsea ace
has had his fair share of injury problems in recent years and admits his
first aim for the forthcoming season is to play as often as possible and
even maybe attract the attention of England manager Roy Hodgson. 'I always
keep my goals to myself and take it day-by-day but I just want to keep fit
first and foremost,' said Cole.
'When I was fit last season my performances were good so the key for me is
just staying fit and if I do that, the football for me has never been a
problem.
'The ambition will always burn every time you go out on the football pitch
and you want to do well, if you're an Englishman and you're playing well you
are inevitably going to be talked about. 'I have played over 50 times for my
country so if I can get playing you never know but at the moment I'm just
concentrating on West Ham.'
Morrison tapped home on 20 minutes after Boreham Wood goalkeeper James
Russell had made a sprawling save to prevent Rat's deflected cross creeping
in.
The second came just moments later as Vaz Te headed home after a
short-corner routine but, despite the visitors dominating for large periods,
they did not add to their lead until skipper Nolan volleyed home with just
under 10 minutes remaining.
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'Plenty of time' for Carroll to be fit
July 11, 2013
By ESPN staff
West Ham officials are confident that England international Andy Carroll
will be fighting fit for the start of the Premier League season. West Ham
are confident Andy Carroll will be fit for the start of the season. The
24-year-old completed a permanent move to Upton Park from Liverpool last
month after leading the line for the Hammers last season while on loan from
the Anfield club. However, a heel injury has so far kept the club's record
signing out of manager Sam Allardyce's pre-season squads, restricted to the
training paddock as he continues his recovery. But despite fears Carroll's
injury may interrupt his preparations for the new season, assistant manager
Neil McDonald was confident there was enough time to return the striker to
the head of the attack. "He is well under way in his rehab, he is working
hard on the training ground and we just have to be a little bit patient,"
McDonald told Sky Sports. "The injury that he has is quite extensive and it
takes time for the body to heal itself. He is doing everything he can to
push on. "He has been working really hard and there is still plenty of time
for him to get himself fit for the start of the season."
However, West Ham may not need to rely solely on Carroll's goals to shoot
the club up the ladder, with McDonald confirming the club are still in the
market to strengthen the squad. "The manager and the hierarchy are working
very hard behind the scenes to strengthen the team even more," he said. "If
we can bring one or two others in to give competition for places we will be
in a really good place come the 17th of August."
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
Captain Kevin Nolan is looking forward to another pre-season workout at
Boreham Wood on Wednesday
10.07.2013
West Ham United's pre-season schedule continues with a trip to Conference
South side Boreham Wood on Wednesday evening. The Hammers make the short
journey to Hertfordshire to take on the Wood for the second summer in
succession, with kick-off scheduled for 7.30pm. Tickets for the match will
be available to purchase at Meadow Park on the day. Kevin Nolan and his
team-mates enjoyed a superb opening week of training in the Republic of
Ireland that culminated with a resounding 6-2 victory at Cork City on Sunday
evening. Nolan was part of the side held 1-1 at Boreham Wood a year ago and
the captain will be part of the squad again this time around.
"We came back earlier than most Premier League teams, which is something I'm
used to, having worked with Sam Allardyce for so many years," confirmed the
skipper. "I have to say Cork was one of the nicest set ups I've been to. The
pitches were fantastic, the weather wasn't too hot and the facilities on
site were fantastic. They couldn't do enough for us. All in all it was a
great first week. It was very tiring, with 7am starts every day and three
training sessions a day. "The main thing that has changed is that you come
back to balls now. You never used to see a football for a week and you used
to run until you were sick! That was the old-school mentality but it has all
moved on from that. I knew that when I signed for Sam he'd give me the best
opportunity to prolong my career for as long as I possibly can and he's done
that. Being back with him has made me hungrier to make sure I can succeed at
such a fantastic Club.
"For Sam to move to this club, get us back in the Premier League and then
what we achieved last season was fantastic. You can see from the owners and
what the gaffer wants, and with the signing of the big man Andy Carroll,
there's only one way that we're going in the league and I want to be a major
part of that. I want to get this Club back in the higher ranks of the
Premier League, which is where I truly and firmly believe it belongs."
Wednesday's fixture will be the second of eight pre-season matches held in
preparation for the big Barclays Premier League kick-off at home to Cardiff
City on Saturday 17 August. Last year, West Ham were the newly-promoted side
when they hosted Aston Villa on the opening day, but this time around the
boot is on the other foot.
"Obviously last year we were the new boys and this year it's going to be a
tough one with Cardiff coming up to the Premier League, because they will
all be really up for it. It's at Upton Park so we expect a win. We had a
fantastic home record last year when we only lost on four occasions to
top-six sides, so we'll be expecting to get the season up and running. "It's
going to be tough because Cardiff will come with a gameplan, but we're just
hoping we can start as we did last season with a win. I'm looking forward to
it and I'm sure it's going to be a tasty and feisty game."
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Hammers impress Irish hosts
WHUFC.com
West Ham United will be welcomed back to Cork after a fantastic week in
south west Ireland
10.07.2013
West Ham United will be welcomed back to Cork after a fantastic week in
south west Ireland. The Hammers enjoyed a productive pre-season training
camp in County Cork, impressing their hosts at the Fota Island Resort,
University College Cork and Cork City FC. The facilities, weather, food and
hospitality all exceeded the expectations of Sam Allardyce and his squad and
the manager has already expressed a wish to return to the region in the
future. Likewise, Fota Island Resort general manager John O'Flynn and Cork
City FC chief executive Timmy Murphy praised West Ham for the way the Club
approached their visit to Ireland. "Fota Island is just a small bit outside
Cork city centre and is a beautiful resort," O'Flynn explained. "We have
golf courses here and the wildlife park next door, but we are also proud of
our training facilities and were delighted to have West Ham over here. It's
a great buzz for the resort and a great buzz for the city and, thanks be to
God, we got the weather to add to it as well. "At the hotel we have a
hydrotherapy facility with pools and a bath to aid the whole player recovery
process, while we also have a walking river which helps with rehabilitation
of leg injuries and the like. We also have the swimming pools for bits and
pieces. We also have two training pitches and a fully-equipped gym. "The
fact we have these facilities on site means the players can rest much more
easily during their down-time. We also have the golf courses, driving range
and cycling and walking tracks which they can use there as well."
Fota Island has played host to a number of high-profile sports clubs
previously, including Manchester United, Watford, the Munster Rugby squad
and a variety of Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) football and hurling
teams. "All the teams who come to us are well looked after. The groundstaff
here make sure we always have immaculate pitches and we have a lot of GAA
teams come to use them - nearly every county has been here at some stage.
The first team to use it was Tipperary and they went on to win the
All-Ireland title that year, so it's a lucky pitch, that's for sure!"
O'Flynn said that, while Fota Island is a five-star resort, the venue has
accommodation to suit families and he has encouraged West Ham fans to come
and visit. "We have the full menu of facilities here, from the family lodges
to the top-end corporate. Everybody is welcome at Fota Island, where we have
the lodges and wildlife park for families and the pitches for Premier League
football teams. We look forward to welcoming West Ham supporters, so bring
them on!"
Murphy, meanwhile, was delighted to welcome a Barclays Premier League club
to play at the Rebel Army's Turner's Cross stadium. The match, of course,
ended in a 6-2 victory for the Hammers, but the Cork City FC chief executive
said the whole event had been a rousing success. "Without a doubt, West Ham
is one of the biggest teams we've had come to Cork in quite a number of
years," Murphy confirmed. "West Ham has huge connections with the city of
Cork. A lot of the older generation of Corkonians would have spent time in
London working in Dagenham for the Ford Motor Company, so there would have
been huge connectivity with West Ham. The younger generation are now getting
the feel of that. "The whole week has been brilliant, with huge interaction
between the players and local Cork people, which we're grateful for. There
is huge goodwill on both sides, so it's been fantastic."
While West Ham's week-long stay in Cork may now be over, Murphy has
encouraged West Ham fans to pay the club a visit if they are ever in south
west Ireland. Likewise, the chief executive would love to see the two clubs
forge a more formal connection in the future. "Looking around Cork city on
Sunday, there were lots of West Ham people in the city centre showing their
colours. I was out in Turner's Cross and one of the houses by the away end
had West Ham colours up! We'll forgive him on this occasion! "We would love
to see an association with West Ham United. Quite a lot of Cork people go to
England to watch games so hopefully the trip will boost West Ham as well.
When West Ham move to the Olympic Stadium and need a few more fans to fill
it, some Cork people will come across! "Any time West Ham go abroad, we'd
love to see them here and we'd welcome them with open arms."
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Boreham Wood 0-3 West Ham United
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 10th July 2013
By: Staff Writer
West Ham secured a second successive pre-season friendly win after coasting
to victory against non-league Boreham Wood tonight. Having started
pre-season in fine fashion with a 6-2 win in Cork last weekend, Sam
Allardyce's team continued in a similar vein at Meadow Park tonight. And it
was two first half goals within the space of a minute that did for the home
side, who are celebrating their 65th anniversary this year. New signing
Razvan Rat, making his second appearance in claret and blue played a major
part in West Ham's opener. It was his cross that was almost turned into his
own net by Ben Nunn before Ravel Morrison applied the finishing touch. With
the home side still reeling from going a goal behind, United doubled their
lead when Ricardo Vaz Te climbed highest to meet a Mark Noble cross, which
he diverted expertly into the back of the net.
Despite dominating the game throughout, West Ham were forced to wait until
seven minutes from time before adding a third and final goal. This time it
was captain Kevin Nolan who volleyed home from inside the box to complete a
comfortable victory.
West Ham Utd: Adrian (Jussi Jaaskelainen 46), Guy Demel (Jordan Spence 46),
Pelly Ruddock (James Tomkins 46), Winston Reid (James Collins 46), Razvan
Rat (Dan Potts 46), Mark Noble (Alou Diarra 46), Jack Collison (Kevin Nolan
46), Matt Taylor (Matt Jarvis 46), Ricardo Vaz Te (Joe Cole 46), Paul
McCallum (Modibo Maiga 46), Ravel Morrison (Danny Whitehead 46).
Subs Not Used: Elliot Lee, George Moncur, Sam Baxter.
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West Ham miss out on Deulofeu
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 10th July 2013
By: Staff Writer
An audacious bid by West Ham to sign Barcelona starlet Gerard Deulofeu has
failed, after the youngster decided to join Premier League rivals Everton
instead.
Described elsewhere as "one of Spain's most exciting young talents",
Deulofeu's season-long loan move to Goodison Park was confirmed earlier
today. However in the last few minutes, the Twitter account attributed to
Jack Sullivan - the 13-year-old son of co-owner David - has revealed that
West Ham had hoped to sign the 19-year-old ahead of the Toffees. Following
an earlier Tweet (on 25th June) in which it was announced that United were
hoping to "sign one of the most exciting youngsters in Europe", Sullivan
revealed on Wednesday afternoon that the player in question was the Spanish
forward. "I am sorry to announce the 'young player' we were trying to sign
was Gerard Deulofeu who has decided to go to Everton over us," read the
message. Sullivan's Twitter account also revealed earlier in the day that no
new signings were imminent, despite the club being linked with a string of
players in recent days. Everton boss Roberto Martínez, who confirmed the
capture of Deulofeu earlier in the day said: "Gerard is a real diamond of
Spanish football and a boy with incredible footballing talent. I am
delighted that he has chosen to take the next step of his career with
Everton."
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Tactically Speaking
KUMb.com
Filed: Wednesday, 10th July 2013
By: David Hautzig
I grew up watching football with my dad.
It started with shows available here in the United States like Soccer Made
In Germany, which were condensed versions of Bundesliga games. Then the NASL
really took hold when Pele joined The New York Cosmos and a friend from
school and I got season tickets. But it wasn't until the 1994 World Cup that
I even noticed the tactical side of the game.
June 18th, 1994. Italy against The Republic of Ireland. I'm there with my
friend Derek, his brother Roy, and my dad. Derek is solely responsible for
dragging me into this West Ham supporting life of torment and pain, and
along with Roy and their father John were season ticket holders at Upton
Park.
Twelve minutes in, Italian defender Franco Baresi tries to clear the ball
out of danger while being pressured by Ireland's lone striker Tommy Coyne.
Ray Houghton intercepts, does a quick turn to his left and loops it into the
net. Bedlam. Pure, uninterrupted bedlam for the next 78 plus minutes. And
that's how it ended.
In the car ride back into Manhattan, which took well over two hours to cover
the roughly 15 miles from Giants Stadium to my apartment, Derek and Roy were
in the back seat dissecting the game. "That was clever of ol' Jack to place
five across the middle. Really gave the Italians trouble," Derek commented.
I asked him what he meant, because at that time I truly had no idea about
4-4-2, or 4-5-1, or any of that. They might as well have been map
coordinates. He started to give me a lesson on the basic set-ups on the
pitch. What they were intended to do, what kind of issues they can create
for the opposition, and why some teams play one way while others don't.
Somewhere inside The Lincoln Tunnel I had my very first "ah-hah" moment as a
football fan.
"Italy play a style that uses quick passes and a lot of movement off the
ball, so by having only one striker and an extra midfielder it's simply more
crowded in the middle and harder for Italy to do their thing. Right?" I
asked.
"Exactly", Derek replied. All of a sudden the game I had just finished
watching made more sense to me. I understood a few of the strategic elements
well after the fact, and I couldn't wait to watch the next game on
television to see if I could retain my new found knowledge.
Which brings me to Sam. Whether you agree with him and think he plays a
4-3-3, or you think you see through him as a peddler of 4-5-1, one theme
that is constantly brought up among supporters is a desire to see him try a
traditional 4-4-2. Last season when goals were hard to come by, you could
almost see the hair being pulled by some of us fly out from our computer or
tablet screens.
Yet in the past decade or so, that very same 4-4-2 has been labeled as
ancient and outdated by many a football commentator. Some have even blamed
its continued existence and some English managers fixation on it as the
reason for England's "failures" at The World Cup and Euros. Even within
Premier League clubs there is almost a resignation that in order for a team
to win in Europe they MUST learn to play one striker and protect the centre
of the pitch.
Are supporters wrong to call for Sam to play two up top? Or worse,
hypocritical? Johan Aarnio is a retired coach that lives near me. He worked
with a number of professional teams in North America during his career,
including the Montreal Impact. He was also the head coach at The University
Of Albany for 11 years before he packed up his bibs and cones. I threw the
question his way.
"There is never more arguing among football fans then there is about
tactics. As far as I'm concerned, Allardyce has always set up his teams in a
way that plays to their strengths and mitigates their weakness. It's all
about the players, and formations and tactics are nothing more than starting
points. You need movement on the pitch. So a 4-5-1 can quickly become a
4-3-3 if there is an opportunity to penetrate on the attack. And it can go
the other way when you need to cover on defence."
I could see by the look in his eye that just talking about it for a few
minutes got him all charged up. You can take the man away from the game...
Johan only pays attention to West Ham because every time I see him I cackle
on and on about us. I wanted to converse with someone from within The Tribe.
And lucky for me I have just the person. When Bob Woodward was uncovering
Tricky Dick Nixon and Watergate in the 1970's, he had his mysterious
informer that went by the name Deep Throat.
I have @ExWHUemployee.
The Twitter legend himself has made himself available to me while remaining
nameless. I know from "chatting" with him that he is a Sam supporter and was
enthusiastic about signing Andy Carroll from day one. So was I, which made
us kindred spirits of sorts. So I asked him for his take on it.
"I personally believe that fans will always favour a system with two up
front rather than one. Quite simply because the fans want to see their team
score more goals and believe that having double the forwards is the answer.
Whilst there is an obvious clear logic in that, the logic only works if both
forwards are of a good quality and that the midfielders behind them are
providing them with enough service to create the chances.
"The effectiveness of that also depends on how the opposition have set up.
As you say the current trend is to not play 4-4-2 and to favour a formation
where there are usually five midfielders. Unless those midfielders are of a
significantly better quality than the opposition they will always be
outnumbered and therefore make them self more vulnerable to conceding and
less likely to break through to create chances."
I think the majority of fans now accept Sam's starting formation and I
believe Andy Carroll is the perfect forward to fit into that system. What I
think annoys people is that when we are chasing a lead he doesn't change it
and become more attacking. I can see this argument but I do think you have
to have the players to do it.
It is also very hard for clubs to have at least two quality forwards because
a forward's value is always that much higher than other positions. Generally
modern day forwards wish to be the ones that score the goals and grab the
headlines so often it is hard to find a partnership where both are equally
contributing or creating for each other.
I take Newcastle when they had Demba Ba and then signed Cisse. It was no
surprise that at the start of the 2011/12 season Ba was scoring regularly.
When Cisse joined and they originally played together, with Ba either up
front or pushed out to the wing, he stopped scoring and Cisse took over. I
am a fan of Sam and believe that he plays to the strengths of the players
that he has available to him and currently 4-5-1 or 4-3-2-1 as I like to
call it is that system."
So what happens if some of the rumors flying around daily come true? Getting
a Demba Ba to play with Andy Carroll does not seem like a Sam style of play.
The man never pays two up front, right? What would he do if he actually
signed more hotshots?
"I think Sam will play the system that is right for the players. When Bolton
were first around in the Premiership under Sam they were known to be a rough
side with a route one playing style. As they became more established he
started to bring in the likes of Djorkaeff and Okocha.
"These players were far more known for their flair and skills then their
physical attributes and ability to kick it up to a big man. Sam was also
very close to landing Samuel Eto'o at one point and of course these players
would not have fitted into a system that didn't allow creativity and
something different to what Sam had tried before.
"Sam has a reputation amongst some fans as playing boring, long ball and
physical tactics at West Ham. The fact that both Yossi Benayoun and Joe Cole
were signed back, both of which I would describe as not physical but
creative show that depending on the players that Sam has available he would
change systems.
"I like to describe the system and the style that we play as "situational
football". There are times when we play long ball tactics depending on the
opposition, players available and score. There are other times when we do
play some lovely passes and quick interchanges, which I often feel is
overlooked."
At the end of the day, it's probably safe to say that Sam Allardyce knows
more about managing a football club than we do. And instead of fixating on a
particular tactic and how some numbers represent it, we should look at the
overall. And that says we are in a far better place than we have been in a
very long time.
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McDonald dismisses Downing rumours
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 10th July 2013
By: Staff Writer
West Ham's assistant manager Neil McDonald has dismissed reports of interest
in Liverpool winger Stuart Downing as "paper talk". Speaking on Talksport
last night, Sam Allardyce's right hand man admitted that Downing was highly
thought of at West Ham - but not a player the club were intending to make an
approach for anytime soon. "He's a very good player and I think West Ham
being involved with a player of that calibre would be great - but it's all
paper talk at the moment, " McDonald told host Andy Goldstein. "I'm not 100
per cent sure where it's come from, to tell you the truth. "We've been back
[from our summer break] for over a week now and the manager and the Chairman
are obviously working hard behind the scenes trying to strengthen the team
so we can improve on what we did last season. There will be lots of names
mentioned, few of which will be true but hopefully a few that will [be].
We're always looking to strengthen if we can."
The 47-year-old, who has been at West Ham for two years since (re-)joining
Sam Allardyce in east London also revealed that the squad's minimum target
next season was 46 points - the same number of points the (newly-promoted)
team secured in the 2012/13 Premier League campaign. "I think you've always
got to set the target of how you did last year. We were under the radar for
most of the season really and finished well," he mused. "To finish tenth
after getting promoted through the play-offs was a tremedous effort by
everybody. "So the standard is to get 46 points or more and to try and
improve on last season - which I'm sure we can with the recruits we've had
so far and hopefull to arrive in the future. But privately we'll set a
higher target than we do publicly and if we fall somewhere between the two,
then we'll have had a great season."
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West Ham play down interest in Liverpool's Stewart Downing
Last Updated: July 10, 2013 2:04pm
SSN
West Ham assistant boss Neil McDonald says he rates Stewart Downing highly,
but has played down talk of a transfer bid. Reports earlier this week
suggested that the Hammers were preparing an offer to Liverpool for their
England winger. Since moving to Anfield from Aston Villa for a fee in the
region of £20million two summers ago, Downing has struggled to hold down a
place in the Reds side. The 28-year-old made 25 starts and four substitute
appearances for the Merseysiders in the Premier League in 2012/13, scoring
three goals and claiming five assists. Hammers boss Sam Allardyce is in the
market for wide players as he seeks to improve the service to record signing
Andy Carroll, now recruited on a permanent basis from Liverpool. But
although Allardyce's right-hand man McDonald is a fan of Downing and would
like to see him at Upton Park, he insists the claims about an impending bid
are premature. "He's a very good player," the Hammers coach told talkSPORT.
"A player of that calibre and West Ham being involved would be great, but
it's all paper talk at the moment."
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Striker off to Russia with love after 'rejecting West Ham, Newcastle and
West Brom'
Bwbetting.com
Chelsea forward Demba Ba looks set to leave Stamford Bridge and Russian
champions Anzhi are ready to take the Senegal international. Demba Ba looks
set to become the latest member of Jose Mourinho's clear out but it appears
that the Chelsea forward is about to disappoint West Ham United, Newcastle
and West Brom by heading to Russia to sign for Anzhi Makhachkala. Ba only
joined Chelsea in January, but he struggled to make much of an impact under
interim boss Rafael Benitez and scored just two Premier League goals
following a £7 million move from Newcastle. And with winger Mario Marin
already farmed out on loan to Sevilla and Jon Obi Mikel set for a move to
Turkish champions Galatasaray as Mourinho reshapes the Blues' squad, it
appears that Ba will be next out of the door. Mourinho has been searching
for another top-class forward to complement the signing of Andre Schurrle,
an £18 million capture from Bayer Leverkusen.
And although Chelsea have seemingly missed out on Napoli's Edinson Cavani,
who is set for Paris Saint-Germain, and Borussia Dortmund contract rebel
Robert Lewandowski, it woudl appear that Ba is still surplus to
requirements. But unfortunately for Ba's potential suitors, who include his
old clubs West Ham and Newcastle as well as West Brom, it appears that Anzhi
are in pole position to sign the Senegal international. After reports today
suggested that Guus Hiddink's side are ready to move in with a lucrative
contract offer to convince Ba to join Samuel Eto'o and company, bwin go 7/4
that the forward signs for the Russian champions. Ba has reportedly already
told the Premier League clubs he has no intention of signing for them and
bwin now go 3/1 (West Ham) and 12/1 (Newcastle) that he remains in England.
Despite the reports, it is still 3/5 that the 28-year-old stays at Chelsea
until January at the earliest and 14/1 and bigger he signs for another club.
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Macca hails Boreham Wood workout
WHUFC.com
Assistant manager Neil McDonald believes hitting the ground running with
early games is beneficial
11.07.2013
It was another case of a job well done for West Ham United after their 3-0
win at Boreham Wood in their latest pre-season match, according to assistant
manager Neil McDonald. The Hammers began to ease away from their Conference
South hosts with two goals in 60 seconds around the 20 minute mark - the
first coming from Ravel Morrison, with that strike quickly followed by a
Ricardo Vaz Te header. Kevin Nolan's shot on the turn then made it 3-0 late
on and McDonald was delighted to continue a positive start to pre-season.
Wednesday's victory came on the back of a 6-2 win at Cork City on Sunday and
McDonald believes having matches so soon after the start of pre-season
training helps to focus the players' minds. "It was a good workout," he
explained. "Two sets of 45 minutes for the players, which was great and no
injuries, which is even better. "We scored some good goals as well, so we're
on track to where we want to be. We've just come back from Cork, we had a
good week there, the boys have been getting their fitness up and that
certainly showed on Wednesday. "I thought we were dominant, we passed the
ball really well and moved it on with a bit of tempo, more so than we did on
Sunday, so that's encouraging. We were nice and tight too, so all in all
it's a good start to pre-season and it gives everybody lots of confidence to
try and push on. "Games always focus the mind a little more because there's
a little bit on it, "With all due respect to them, we're playing teams who
maybe don't move the ball on or have better touches than us, but we've got
to make sure we get our touch right, we move it on and don't get ourselves
in trouble."
New arrivals Adrian, Razvan Rat and Danny Whitehead all played 45 minutes at
Meadow Park and McDonald is pleased with how the trio are integrating into
the squad. "They've all settled in really well," he added. "Last week in
Cork and now this week back here. "We switched the teams around again from
Cork to try and get a different balance and dynamic between everybody else
and everyone's settled in really, really well."
Hammers youngster Pelly Ruddock, who joined the Club last year from Boreham
Wood, captained the team in the opening period and McDonald has been
impressed with his progress. He said: "Pelly Ruddock led the team out and
that was nice for him. He's developed into a decent player since he came
from Boreham Wood last year. "Everyone can see a difference, he's much
stronger, much more comfortable on the ball and he seems to be enjoying the
position we're playing him in. "So let's see how he progresses and hopefully
he can put pressure on some of the first team players."
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West Ham confident Andy Carroll will be fit for start of season
Last Updated: July 10, 2013 10:53pm
SSN
West Ham remain confident that record signing Andy Carroll will be fit for
the start of the new Premier League season. Carroll joined the Hammers on a
permanent deal from Liverpool last month for an undisclosed fee, coming
through a medical despite being hampered by a heel injury after his
season-long loan. The England international is yet to feature for Sam
Allardyce's men in their pre-season campaign, which continued with a 3-0
victory over Boreham Wood at Meadow Park on Wednesday evening. "The injury
that he has is quite extensive and it takes time for the body to heal
itself. He is doing everything he can to push on."
Neil McDonald
And assistant manager Neil McDonald admitted after the friendly, in which
Ravel Morrison, Ricardo Vaz Te and Kevin Nolan found the net, that it may be
some time before Hammers fans see the powerful forward in action. McDonald
told Sky Sports News: "He is well under way in his rehab, he is working hard
on the training ground and we just have to be a little bit patient. "The
injury that he has is quite extensive and it takes time for the body to heal
itself. He is doing everything he can to push on. "He has been working
really hard and there is still plenty of time for him to get himself fit for
the start of the season."
McDonald also admitted that the Upton Park outfit were looking to make
further additions to their squad ahead of the new campaign, which kicks off
next month with a home date against Cardiff. He added: "The manager and the
hierarchy are working very hard behind the scenes to strengthen the team
even more. "If we can bring one or two others in to give competition for
places we will be in a really good place come the 17th of August."
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West Ham want Scott Parker back from Tottenham but QPR are determined to win
the race
10 Jul 2013 22:30
The Mirror
Tony Fernandes is leading Queens Park Rangers into the battle for Scott
Parker's signature - but faces opposition from West Ham. QPR supremo
Fernandes is personally involved in trying to back manager Harry Redknapp's
move for Tottenham and England midfielder Parker. West Ham are among the
other clubs interested and Parker, still highly regarded at 32, is keen to
stay in London. However, while the Hammers can only stretch to taking him on
loan, relegated Rangers are prepared to pay a fee to Spurs for Parker's
services. And Loftus Road chief Fernandes is trying hard to see off the
competition ahead of next month's Championship kick-off. Parker is
considering his options, following last week's £17million arrival of
Brazilian Confederations Cup hero Paulinho.
The signing of the 24-year-old midfielder from Corinthians has pushed Parker
down to fourth choice at White Hart Lane. Redknapp, who signed him from West
Ham two years ago, remains a fan of Parker's leadership qualities and see
him as the player to spearhead the club's efforts for a quick return to the
Premier League.
The move for Parker has only come about after concerns expressed behind the
scenes at Loftus Road over Tottenham's possible demand for a transfer fee
combined with Parker's £70,000-a-week wages. QPR chief executive Phil Beard
vetoed a move for another 32-year-old England international, left-back Wayne
Bridge, on the basis that the package to sign him was too expensive. But
Parker is seen as a player still very much capable of competing at the top
level, and Redknapp has convinced Fernandes that the former Charlton man can
lead the club back into the big time. Once QPR managed to sell defender
Christopher Samba back to Anzhi Makhachkala, the Russian club they bought
him from in January, they began to seriously explore signing Parker with
Fernandes taking the lead.
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Cole targets West Ham silverware after seeing new signings in action in 3-0
win over Boreham Wood
By MARK BRYANS
PUBLISHED: 00:36, 11 July 2013 | UPDATED: 00:41, 11 July 2013
Daily Mail
After playing in West Ham's 3-0 win over Boreham Wood on Wednesday, Joe Cole
has targeted taking West Ham to Wembley and challenging for silverware.
The Hammers, featuring new signings Adrian, Ravzan Rat and Danny Whitehead,
comfortably won at Meadow Park thanks to goals from Ravel Morrison, Ricardo
Vaz Te and Kevin Nolan. And now Cole, 31, who returned to his boyhood club
in January after he failed to nail down a place at Liverpool, wants to see
the club improve on last season's top-10 finish and collect a winners' medal
along the way. 'I think the ambition of the club at the moment is
improvement,' he said. 'But for me personally, I would love to finish better
than 10th but I would love to take this club to Wembley because at the end
of the day they are the days you remember in your career - it would be a
massive achievement. 'You look at Swansea and Wigan last year and that is
their day, we would like a bit of that because it has been such a long time
since West Ham have been there, so that would be nice.' Sam Allardyce led
the Hammers to 10th on their return to the Barclays Premier League and has
already added to his squad ahead of the new campaign. The stand-out signings
are those of Andy Carroll, who spent last season on loan at West Ham from
Liverpool, and Romania captain Rat - brought in on a free transfer from
Shakhtar Donetsk. Cole believes the calibre of such players proves that West
Ham are able to attract big names. 'It is a boost for the club and shows
where we are going,' he added. 'Andy Carroll is a young, England
centre-forward and clubs do not usually sell them and he is a big talent. He
did a good job and we just want him to get fit and come back because he is a
big part of our team.
'West Ham is a big club but it has been starved of success. You look at
where we are in London and people want to come here and play in London and
play for West Ham. 'It is great that players like Razvan and Andy are coming
in and hopefully there will be a few more as well.' The former Chelsea ace
has had his fair share of injury problems in recent years and admits his
first aim for the forthcoming season is to play as often as possible and
even maybe attract the attention of England manager Roy Hodgson. 'I always
keep my goals to myself and take it day-by-day but I just want to keep fit
first and foremost,' said Cole.
'When I was fit last season my performances were good so the key for me is
just staying fit and if I do that, the football for me has never been a
problem.
'The ambition will always burn every time you go out on the football pitch
and you want to do well, if you're an Englishman and you're playing well you
are inevitably going to be talked about. 'I have played over 50 times for my
country so if I can get playing you never know but at the moment I'm just
concentrating on West Ham.'
Morrison tapped home on 20 minutes after Boreham Wood goalkeeper James
Russell had made a sprawling save to prevent Rat's deflected cross creeping
in.
The second came just moments later as Vaz Te headed home after a
short-corner routine but, despite the visitors dominating for large periods,
they did not add to their lead until skipper Nolan volleyed home with just
under 10 minutes remaining.
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'Plenty of time' for Carroll to be fit
July 11, 2013
By ESPN staff
West Ham officials are confident that England international Andy Carroll
will be fighting fit for the start of the Premier League season. West Ham
are confident Andy Carroll will be fit for the start of the season. The
24-year-old completed a permanent move to Upton Park from Liverpool last
month after leading the line for the Hammers last season while on loan from
the Anfield club. However, a heel injury has so far kept the club's record
signing out of manager Sam Allardyce's pre-season squads, restricted to the
training paddock as he continues his recovery. But despite fears Carroll's
injury may interrupt his preparations for the new season, assistant manager
Neil McDonald was confident there was enough time to return the striker to
the head of the attack. "He is well under way in his rehab, he is working
hard on the training ground and we just have to be a little bit patient,"
McDonald told Sky Sports. "The injury that he has is quite extensive and it
takes time for the body to heal itself. He is doing everything he can to
push on. "He has been working really hard and there is still plenty of time
for him to get himself fit for the start of the season."
However, West Ham may not need to rely solely on Carroll's goals to shoot
the club up the ladder, with McDonald confirming the club are still in the
market to strengthen the squad. "The manager and the hierarchy are working
very hard behind the scenes to strengthen the team even more," he said. "If
we can bring one or two others in to give competition for places we will be
in a really good place come the 17th of August."
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