Carlton Cole 'hits brace in for Tottenham' in behind-closed-doors friendly
Thursday 8 Aug 2013 10:17 pm
Metro.co.uk
Tottenham could be set for a shock move for free agent Carlton Cole, after
the striker was reported to have featured in a behind-closed-doors friendly
for Andre Villas-Boas' side.
Twitter was awash with rumours that former West Ham striker Cole, who was
released from Upton Park at the end of last season, hit two goals against
non-league Enfield Town at Spurs' training ground today, with record signing
Roberto Soldado also reportedly bagging a hat-trick.
But it is unclear whether the 29-year-old is being lined up for a place in
Villas-Boas' squad next term, or whether he is simply maintaining his
fitness in the hope a top-flight club will move for him before the start of
the season.
Carlton Cole 'hits brace in Spurs friendly'Carlton Cole has been without a
club since the end of last season (Picture: AP)
Reports last month suggested newly promoted Crystal Palace were keen on
taking Cole to Selhurst Park, but any potential deal seems to have fallen by
the wayside.
As for Tottenham, they are still on the lookout for a new frontman after
Clint Dempsey quit White Hart Lane to join Seattle Sounders last weekend,
while Emmanuel Adebayor could yet be on his way out of the club.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Friday, August 9
Daily WHUFC News - 9th August 2013
Home draw for Hammers
WHUFC.com
West Ham United will face Cheltenham Town in the second round of the Capital
One Cup
08.08.2013
West Ham United have been handed a home draw against Cheltenham Town in the
second round of the Capital One Cup. The League Two Robins booked their
place in round two by pulling off a 4-3 extra-time victory over Crawley Town
from the division above on Tuesday. They will now face the Hammers, who
enter at this stage of the competition. The game will be played in the week
commencing 26 August, following the Hammers' Barclays Premier League trip to
Newcastle United. Sam Allardyce's men defeated Crewe Alexandra in the second
round of the Capital One Cup last term, before exiting the competition at
the next phase to Wigan Athletic. Cheltenham Town, managed by former
Birmingham City player Mark Yates, finished fifth in League Two last season
and drew their opening fixture this term 2-2 with Burton Albion last
weekend.
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Health checks for Hammers
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's players have undergone a series of tests to make sure they
are in tip-top condition
08.08.2013
West Ham United Head of Sports Medicine and Sport Science Andy Rolls and his
team had a busy time recently as the players underwent their pre-season
health scanning. Sam Allardyce's squad were subjected to a range of tests,
from examinations by the Club optician and dentist, to assessments of their
balance, strength and co-ordination by sports scientists from Belgian-based
SpartaNova. A state-of-the-art DEXA scanner was also brought to the Hammers'
Chadwell Heath training base to record levels of body fat, bone and muscle
composition. It all adds up to give the management a clear picture of where
the players are at this stage of pre-season, and Rolls explained to West Ham
TV how crucial that monitoring is. "It's vital for several reasons," he
said. "It's a hectic day and the coaches have been excellent. The manager
likes to know where they are strength and fitness-wise, and we want to know
how their parameters that stop them getting injured are - muscle length,
muscle strength, balance, co-ordination, we want to measure all of those
things. "Also, there's a performance element as well, and we put it
altogether into an algorithm we've developed over many years, and the more
information we give this algorithm we more information we get out, and then
we can gear their gym work towards preventing injuries. "There will always
be some injuries, contact and things like that, which you can't legislate
for, but we want to decrease the injuries that we can, that we have some
influence over."
Every member of Big Sam's first-team squad was assessed over a range of
stations over an entire morning or afternoon at the training ground. Rolls
explained the benefits of each station, starting with SpartaNova: "Quality
research over the last 20 years has given us certain tests that give us
certain outcomes that we can work on to improve players' balance, strength
and flexibility, because it highlights players' weaknesses. We can then work
on them over the season to give them the best possible ability to play well
and avoid injury. "We got the dentist in because there's a lot of
correlation between dental health and overall wellbeing, and we look at
that. It's good for the dentist to see everyone once a year. We don't want a
player missing a game because of toothache, an infection or a wisdom tooth
problem."
"We also got the optician in. It's rare he picks something up, but it's
something we need to tick-off and make sure we haven't missed anything
simple." Part of the Chadwell Heath car park was also taken over by a truck
containing the DEXA scanner, which Rolls described as being 'quite unusual':
"It's a scan of the body to look at body composition, the percentage of body
fat, muscle mass and certain structures of the bone. We're also entering
into research with a rugby club at looking at joint structure with the DEXA
scan. "That's interesting, because we can build on this learning environment
we're trying to create to provide the players with the best possible care we
can."
Testing is not something which just occurs during pre-season, however, and
Rolls explained that the players would continue to be monitored closely over
the duration of the 2013/14 campaign. "Some screening is done every morning,
so players would play on a Saturday and on a Monday morning we would do two
or three tests to see how they've recovered. We then do them again on a
Tuesday, and perhaps again on a Thursday so the pre-season tests give us our
benchmarks for the season ahead."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Is Parlo in for Mark Noble?
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 8th August 2013
By: Staff Writer
Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio is being linked with a move for West Ham's
Mark Noble, after he revealed he was searching for an English midfielder.
Di Canio, who left West Ham a year before Noble made his first team debut
for the club in August 2004 told the Gazette that his main target was a
domestic, central midfielder - something the Italian considers as key to his
team's hopes for next season. "The club is working on the two full-backs but
more important to me is the need to get a key player in central midfield -
someone who's English," he said. "He needs to be English with a physical
presence, because we have analysed that is a need we have. "English, because
he needs to know English football inside out. And also a player with very
good quality - because we want to play attractive football which gets
results. I hope it can be done. I know they are working to make it happen."
Noble, who hails from Canning Town has been with West Ham since he was a
schoolboy. In September of last year he signed a new three-year contract
with the club after further speculation regarding his future. Speaking at
the time, Noble said: "Everyone knows I love playing at West Ham. I enjoy my
football here so it was just a case of coming to an agreement. I'm delighted
now it's all signed and sealed. "Playing for West Ham has been a
rollercoaster and I've been through two promotions, a relegation and a
'Great Escape', but it's been thoroughly enjoyable and I look forward to the
next few years of my career here."
Noble has made a total of 267 first team appearances for West Ham since
making his debut nine years ago this month, at an average of 30 games per
season. He has scored a total of 30 goals, the majority of which came from
the penalty spot.
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Hammers to face Cheltenham
KUMb.com
Filed: Thursday, 8th August 2013
By: Staff Writer
West Ham will face Cheltenham Town in the second round of the Capital One
Cup. United, who were knocked out of the competition at the second hurdle
last year when beaten 4-1 at home by Wigan Athletic face the League Two side
at the Boleyn Ground in the week beginning August 26th. The Robins, who made
the League Two play-off semi finals last season (before being knocked out by
Northampton) came from 3-1 behind in the first round of the Capital One Cup
to beat Crawley 4-3 after extra time. The meeting represents the first
occasion on which West Ham and Cheltenham will have met in a competitive
fixture.
Full Second Round Draw
Carlisle Utd vs Leicester City
Doncaster Rovers vs Leeds Utd
Nottingham Forest vs Millwall
Sunderland vs MK Dons
West Brom vs Newport County
Bristol City vs Crystal Palace
Peterborough vs Reading
Barnsley vs Southampton
Burton vs Fulham
Burnley vs Preston
Liverpool vs Notts County
Norwich vs Bury
Leyton Orient vs Hull City
Everton vs Stevenage
Stoke City vs Walsall
Huddersfield vs Charlton Ath
Aston Villa vs Rotherham
Tranmere vs Bolton Wan
Morecambe vs Newcastle Utd
QPR vs Swindon
Derby County vs Brentford
Watford vs Bournemouth
Yeovil vs Birmingham City
Accrington Stanley vs Cardiff City
West Ham Utd vs Cheltenham Town
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
West Ham United will face Cheltenham Town in the second round of the Capital
One Cup
08.08.2013
West Ham United have been handed a home draw against Cheltenham Town in the
second round of the Capital One Cup. The League Two Robins booked their
place in round two by pulling off a 4-3 extra-time victory over Crawley Town
from the division above on Tuesday. They will now face the Hammers, who
enter at this stage of the competition. The game will be played in the week
commencing 26 August, following the Hammers' Barclays Premier League trip to
Newcastle United. Sam Allardyce's men defeated Crewe Alexandra in the second
round of the Capital One Cup last term, before exiting the competition at
the next phase to Wigan Athletic. Cheltenham Town, managed by former
Birmingham City player Mark Yates, finished fifth in League Two last season
and drew their opening fixture this term 2-2 with Burton Albion last
weekend.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Health checks for Hammers
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's players have undergone a series of tests to make sure they
are in tip-top condition
08.08.2013
West Ham United Head of Sports Medicine and Sport Science Andy Rolls and his
team had a busy time recently as the players underwent their pre-season
health scanning. Sam Allardyce's squad were subjected to a range of tests,
from examinations by the Club optician and dentist, to assessments of their
balance, strength and co-ordination by sports scientists from Belgian-based
SpartaNova. A state-of-the-art DEXA scanner was also brought to the Hammers'
Chadwell Heath training base to record levels of body fat, bone and muscle
composition. It all adds up to give the management a clear picture of where
the players are at this stage of pre-season, and Rolls explained to West Ham
TV how crucial that monitoring is. "It's vital for several reasons," he
said. "It's a hectic day and the coaches have been excellent. The manager
likes to know where they are strength and fitness-wise, and we want to know
how their parameters that stop them getting injured are - muscle length,
muscle strength, balance, co-ordination, we want to measure all of those
things. "Also, there's a performance element as well, and we put it
altogether into an algorithm we've developed over many years, and the more
information we give this algorithm we more information we get out, and then
we can gear their gym work towards preventing injuries. "There will always
be some injuries, contact and things like that, which you can't legislate
for, but we want to decrease the injuries that we can, that we have some
influence over."
Every member of Big Sam's first-team squad was assessed over a range of
stations over an entire morning or afternoon at the training ground. Rolls
explained the benefits of each station, starting with SpartaNova: "Quality
research over the last 20 years has given us certain tests that give us
certain outcomes that we can work on to improve players' balance, strength
and flexibility, because it highlights players' weaknesses. We can then work
on them over the season to give them the best possible ability to play well
and avoid injury. "We got the dentist in because there's a lot of
correlation between dental health and overall wellbeing, and we look at
that. It's good for the dentist to see everyone once a year. We don't want a
player missing a game because of toothache, an infection or a wisdom tooth
problem."
"We also got the optician in. It's rare he picks something up, but it's
something we need to tick-off and make sure we haven't missed anything
simple." Part of the Chadwell Heath car park was also taken over by a truck
containing the DEXA scanner, which Rolls described as being 'quite unusual':
"It's a scan of the body to look at body composition, the percentage of body
fat, muscle mass and certain structures of the bone. We're also entering
into research with a rugby club at looking at joint structure with the DEXA
scan. "That's interesting, because we can build on this learning environment
we're trying to create to provide the players with the best possible care we
can."
Testing is not something which just occurs during pre-season, however, and
Rolls explained that the players would continue to be monitored closely over
the duration of the 2013/14 campaign. "Some screening is done every morning,
so players would play on a Saturday and on a Monday morning we would do two
or three tests to see how they've recovered. We then do them again on a
Tuesday, and perhaps again on a Thursday so the pre-season tests give us our
benchmarks for the season ahead."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Is Parlo in for Mark Noble?
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 8th August 2013
By: Staff Writer
Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio is being linked with a move for West Ham's
Mark Noble, after he revealed he was searching for an English midfielder.
Di Canio, who left West Ham a year before Noble made his first team debut
for the club in August 2004 told the Gazette that his main target was a
domestic, central midfielder - something the Italian considers as key to his
team's hopes for next season. "The club is working on the two full-backs but
more important to me is the need to get a key player in central midfield -
someone who's English," he said. "He needs to be English with a physical
presence, because we have analysed that is a need we have. "English, because
he needs to know English football inside out. And also a player with very
good quality - because we want to play attractive football which gets
results. I hope it can be done. I know they are working to make it happen."
Noble, who hails from Canning Town has been with West Ham since he was a
schoolboy. In September of last year he signed a new three-year contract
with the club after further speculation regarding his future. Speaking at
the time, Noble said: "Everyone knows I love playing at West Ham. I enjoy my
football here so it was just a case of coming to an agreement. I'm delighted
now it's all signed and sealed. "Playing for West Ham has been a
rollercoaster and I've been through two promotions, a relegation and a
'Great Escape', but it's been thoroughly enjoyable and I look forward to the
next few years of my career here."
Noble has made a total of 267 first team appearances for West Ham since
making his debut nine years ago this month, at an average of 30 games per
season. He has scored a total of 30 goals, the majority of which came from
the penalty spot.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers to face Cheltenham
KUMb.com
Filed: Thursday, 8th August 2013
By: Staff Writer
West Ham will face Cheltenham Town in the second round of the Capital One
Cup. United, who were knocked out of the competition at the second hurdle
last year when beaten 4-1 at home by Wigan Athletic face the League Two side
at the Boleyn Ground in the week beginning August 26th. The Robins, who made
the League Two play-off semi finals last season (before being knocked out by
Northampton) came from 3-1 behind in the first round of the Capital One Cup
to beat Crawley 4-3 after extra time. The meeting represents the first
occasion on which West Ham and Cheltenham will have met in a competitive
fixture.
Full Second Round Draw
Carlisle Utd vs Leicester City
Doncaster Rovers vs Leeds Utd
Nottingham Forest vs Millwall
Sunderland vs MK Dons
West Brom vs Newport County
Bristol City vs Crystal Palace
Peterborough vs Reading
Barnsley vs Southampton
Burton vs Fulham
Burnley vs Preston
Liverpool vs Notts County
Norwich vs Bury
Leyton Orient vs Hull City
Everton vs Stevenage
Stoke City vs Walsall
Huddersfield vs Charlton Ath
Aston Villa vs Rotherham
Tranmere vs Bolton Wan
Morecambe vs Newcastle Utd
QPR vs Swindon
Derby County vs Brentford
Watford vs Bournemouth
Yeovil vs Birmingham City
Accrington Stanley vs Cardiff City
West Ham Utd vs Cheltenham Town
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Thursday, August 8
Daily WHUFC News - 8th August 2013
Macca on SC Braga defeat
WHUFC.com
Neil McDonald admitted West Ham United did not perform well in losing 1-0 to
SC Braga in Portugal
07.08.2013
Assistant manager Neil McDonald admitted West Ham United had not played well
in going down to a 1-0 Guadiana Tournament defeat by SC Braga. The
Portuguese side took the spoils in Portimao through Rafa's 63rd-minute
winner, while the Hammers struggled to create clear-cut chances to find the
net themselves. Just 24 hours on from a thrilling 3-2 victory over Sporting
Clube de Portugal in the same stadium, McDonald said the circumstances had
been very different on Tuesday evening. "We're very disappointed with the
performance," he told West Ham TV. "Some of the players played on Monday, of
course, but what a contrast from Monday when the whole place was buzzing. I
don't think Braga played exceptionally well and we didn't get into a flow of
play or passing and moving style. The creativity wasn't really there and it
was only from free-kicks and corners that we really caused them problems.
"Going from a high on Monday and being very, very pleased with the
performance and a cracking atmosphere to a quieter atmosphere, we
unfortunately produced a poor performance by everybody. "I think we try to
take positives from every game and it is difficult to try and take some from
this one. Our passing wasn't there, we didn't make space for ourselves and
we certainly didn't create as many chances as we did on Monday. "It's still
progress and there is still work to be done and we've still got nearly two
weeks to go until Cardiff City visit on 17 August in our Barclays Premier
League opener. We will need to sharpen everybody up over the next two
weeks."
Before then, West Ham complete their pre-season schedule with the visit of
another Portuguese club to the Boleyn Ground on Saturday in the shape of
Pacos de Ferreira. McDonald is expecting another testing 90 minutes against
a side which finished above both Braga and Sporting in the Primeira Liga
last term.
"The opposition have been quality - Sporting on Monday with their big crowd
and obviously Braga played in the Champions League last year. They were
quality opposition which was really good and we've learnt lots of things.
"Pacos finished third last season. Not many people have heard of them but
they play some good football and their attacking play is very, very sharp.
We'll have to be ready and hopefully our crowd will give us a lift with a
better atmosphere then we had on Tuesday night."
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Hammers duo in Wales squad
WHUFC.com
James Collins and Jack Collison are in the Wales squad to face Ireland next
week
07.08.2013
West Ham United pair James Collins and Jack Collison have been called up by
Wales for their friendly against the Republic of Ireland next week. Chris
Coleman's side will face Ireland in Cardiff on Wednesday 14 August., with
defender Collins looking to earn his 42nd cap. Collison, meanwhile, has
featured on 13 occasions for his country and the duo will hope to be
invovled as Wales warm up for their FIFA World Cup qualifiers against
Macedonia and Serbia in September. They could find themselves up against
Hammers goalkeeper Stephen Henderson, who has replaced the injured David
Forde in Giovanni Trapattoni's Ireland squad for the fixture. Ireland and
Wales last met in February 2011, when Trapattoni's men defeated their
visitors 3-0. Wales' last positive result against Ireland came in November
2007, when Jason Koumas' last minute penalty secured a 2-2 draw. Meanwhile,
Mohamed Diame has been included in Senegal's squad to face Zambia in Paris,
also next Wednesday.
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Gary O'Neil: QPR sign former West Ham midfielder
BBC.co.uk
Championship side QPR have completed the signing of midfielder Gary O'Neil
on a one-year deal. The 30-year-old, a free agent after failing to agree a
new deal with West Ham, previously worked under R's boss Harry Redknapp at
Portsmouth. Redknapp told the club website: "Gary's a good player and a
good pro. "He was offered a new deal at West Ham but he decided he fancied
coming here because he feels maybe he'll get more game time at QPR." He
added: "He can run all day long, he's good on the ball, a good passer, he
sees all the pictures in front of him and is a top professional.
Gary O'Neil career factfile
Portsmouth (trainee-August 2007): 192 appearances, 17 goals
Walsall (loan spell Sept-Oct 03): seven games, no goals
Cardiff City (loan spell Sept-Nov 04): nine games, one goal
Middlesbrough (Aug 07-Jan 2011): 120 games, nine goals
West Ham (Jan 11-Jun 13): 56 games, three goals
QPR (signed Aug 13)
"We've got plenty of options in that department now, but he'll certainly add
to what we've got - he's a good, good player and will be a fine acquisition
for us."
O'Neil spent eight seasons at Portsmouth after coming through the youth
ranks at Fratton Park and was part of the Pompey squad that sealed promotion
to the Premier League in 2002-03. He left West Ham earlier this summer
following an injury-hit two-and-a-half-year spell with the Hammers in which
he scored three goals in 56 appearances. The former England Under-21
international has been training with QPR recently and described the
challenge at Loftus Road as an "exciting one". "Obviously I know Harry well
and he was a big factor in me coming here," O'Neil said. "He's played a
massive role in my development as a player and now I'm back playing for him
again and I want to repay him by helping this club get back into the Premier
League. "Having been in and around the squad for the last few weeks, I've
seen how united the squad are to achieve what we all want to do. "The
togetherness is there - it's a really happy camp and there's a real good
feel to the place."
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High hopes and dashed aspirations
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 6th August 2013
By: John Rolls
Every time I visit the Sky Sports transfer centre, I get bemused. We are
linked with so many players; surely a percentage of the stories must be
true?
However true to form I see players that would add greatly to our squad but
seem to sign for some nonentity of a team.
Take Wilfried Bony, for example. This seemed as if it was a done deal in
January, but he didn't come. This transfer window we're trying to usurp
Swansea (amongst others); where's he gone? To Swansea.
I know we spent a Club-record fee on the Andy Carroll deal, but this is
becoming repetitive. Martin Olsson from Blackburn another winter target,
signs for Norwich. Norwich, for f&%£'s sake.
Is there something dreadfully wrong with the club that puts players off from
coming here? What have Swansea and Norwich got that we have not? Could it be
they play a more attractive style of football? Are we underselling ourselves
to them?
We are West Ham United, the original Academy of football, where passing and
movement was introduced to the English game. If we are underselling
ourselves, why? Players like Bony and Olsson should be banging on the door
to come here, unless they have looked and wondered "where would I fit into
the team".
With Bony I can understand there may have been some doubt; where would he
play with Sam preferring one up top? I can't see him dropping Nolan to play
Bony behind AC. With Razvan Rat having arrived, at least the left back spot
seems sorted.
Whatever happened to the Ecuadorian winger we were linked with? Did he see
himself stuck on the bench, as it looks like Joe Cole is going to play wide
right? (Personally I think he would be better in Nolan's position.)
And how about Stuart Downing, who is said to be available for around
£5million? Yes, we rate him, but we are not really interested. Where would
he play? Left midfield? So Matt Jarvis plays where?
As with all things West Ham you have to learn to look at things totally
differently, believe none of the rumours and trust none of the transfer
speculation. Just accept that we will sign someone we don't know who, but
we'll sign him.
The trouble is, unless we invest in the squad we could well be going to the
Olympic Stadium with a team struggling to maintain its Premier League
status.
Adrian looks a good signing for the future, as does Danny Whitehead from
Stockport, although we have to consolidate our status this season. We have
to move the squad forward. We must enter the new home with a team that is at
least challenging for a Europa League position.
Recently we were once again linked with West Brom's Graham Dorrans. What,
it's taken three years of scouting to find out if he's good enough? Is
Dorrans really the calibre of player we should be looking to recruit? I mean
if a club like Swansea can afford to lash out on Bony and Shelvey (7 a big
West Ham fan) who are we kidding apart from ourselves that we are a big
club?
The two Daves have done a great job of stabilising the club, but why do we
always get beaten to players by minor clubs?
There are a dearth of players available who would be good if not excellent
signings, I know by mentioning these players several hackles will rise but
these three would add much to our team:
1. Darren Bent. He scores (against us particularly) but I think if you
paired him with Andy Carroll in a 4-4-2 we would have some excellent
goalscoring potential.
2. Jermaine Defoe. He's going to be on the fringe at Spurs this season. I
know there are a lot of reasons why he wouldn't want to comeback, but like
Bent he'd make a great foil for Carroll.
3. Tom Ince. Another who would have his reasons for not signing (but don't
put the sins of the father on the son) but with his pace and Jarvis on the
other flank, the crosses would be flying in.
There are a few others such as Scott Parker, on the fringe at Spurs and
linked with Fulham - or Zaha, if the Mancs can be persuaded to let him go on
loan.
So there we have it. West Ham yet again linked with lots of quality players.
Just as I'm dreaming of a Europa League spot with all these names coming, my
aspirations are dashed when they sign for clubs below our calibre.
Nothing ever changes at Upton Park; the circus and its acts are getting
repetitive and whilst new acts are coming on board, the show is still the
same.
Please Dave and Dave, break this circle, and sign three or four quality
players - or at least let's have a good shot at our targets and not be made
mugs of by Norwich City and co.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
An audience with Allardisi
KUMb.com
Filed: Tuesday, 6th August 2013
By: David Meagher
Ok, so lets be clear. It's fashionable to blame the entire ills of your club
on the manager and evil board (as well as the FA and a variety of
intergalactic conspiracies involving Manchester United, Sheffield United and
the Zorgians).
In all honesty, although this is pretty lazy logic, it usuallty rings true
as there are few areas of endeavour that are as blighted by the incompetence
of enthusiastic amateurs. For 'family club' one can usually read 'bumbling
myopia with limited business acumen'.
However, at camp Boleyn these days Hammers fans are having to find easier
dogs to kick as everywhere you look there is a sense of professionalism –
right from the careful planning of match tactics, patient building of a
sustainable business model and playing squad, determined progression towards
a larger theatre to both spread the love and gather enough income to finally
put an end to our status as a feeding club for bigger clubs with perennial
European responsibilities.
So, with all that in mind, at the beginning of July we headed off to meet
Big Sam for dinner at the Silver Springs hosted by Cork City FC. First up,
Corkonians are known for not holding back on the carping if circumstances so
permit – but right throughout the club and city folk were singing the
praises of the visiting Hammers contingent for their professionalism,
availability and plain good manners.
Having encountered the Davids in public it isn't hard to see how they infuse
their organisation with a sense of responsibility towards their supporting
constituency. Meeting Big Sam leaves one in no doubt that he also expects
his lads to conduct themselves in a manner commensurate with their status.
In Ireland we are privileged to have a sports media that operates with no
small amount of straight talking. Compare Giles, Brady and Dunphy with their
equivalents on Match of the Day, or even Sky Sports. We encourage true
opinion, even if it is provocative, and expect our sports people to roll
with the punches. It was a real surprise to note how candid Allardyce is –
politically astute but pretty direct all the same and he didn't mince his
words when asked for an opinion.
First up, Sam ain't no Northerner – actually he hails for the West Midlands
and is from Scottish stock. He supported Wolves as a boy (nobody felt
inclined to salt up the wounds by mentioning recent troubles at the
Wanderers who face third division footie next year). He retains a special
relationship with Bolton but is enjoying his time in London. Operationally,
he speaks on a daily basis with the board and it's pretty clear how the
responsibilities of business and football are divided!
Big Sam really goes for the 'science' around football and can readily cite
yards covered, crosses made, saves etc etc as evidence for the Allardyce
methodology. Hammers fans will be delighted to hear that with six to eight
more goals and a similar defensive record we can crack the top eight next
year. All possible if Andy Carroll gets the 15 goals that Big Sam expects
from him next year – and on the evidence of last season, if he stays fit why
not?
He recalled his time in Ireland with great fondness, describing the crazy
chaos of managing a club that financially stumbled from week to week after
the club bar (and it's principal source of income) was lost in a fire.
Driving around Limerick with Fr Joe Young collecting in order to keep the
team afloat was surely a hairy experience at times, but Sam was keen to see
it through until they were promoted before leaving for 'different'
footballing challenges.
As for Big Sam's aspirations over the coming years – at 62 he has a few good
years left and is keen to spend them progressing the project that he took on
with West Ham – it sounded like he considers this a bigger opportunity than
any temptations from other jobs – even England manager! - that might be
offered to him, but then that may have been what we heard rather than
precisely what he said!
Either way, it's clear that Allardyce sees bringing this club to the Olympic
Stadium as the major challenge for him over the next few years – we wish him
every success!
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Werder Bremen insist there have been no bids for Marko Arnautovic
By Thomas Zocher. Last Updated: August 7, 2013 10:03am
SSN
Werder Bremen general manager Thomas Eichin has denied that the club have
received any bids for Austria international Marko Arnautovic. The English
media had claimed in recent days that West Ham were keen on signing for the
former Inter Milan striker, whilst Real Sociedad and Dynamo Kiev have also
been linked. However, Werder have moved to deny that they have received any
bids for their controversial front-man. Eichin is quoted by Bild as saying:
"At this point in time we are in no (transfer) talks with any club regarding
the future of Marko Arnautovic. "Marko Arnautovic is part of the first-team
squad and has a contract at our club." Arnautovic, who has contract at
Werder until 2014, found himself banned from the first team towards the end
of last season for disciplinary reasons including a fight with team-mate
Sokratis Papastathopoulos.
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West Ham keeper Stephen Henderson added to Republic of Ireland squad
Last Updated: August 7, 2013 8:52pm
SSN
Stephen Henderson could earn his first Republic of Ireland cap after being
called into their squad for the friendly against Wales next week. The West
Ham keeper, who has eight U21 caps to his name, replaces David Forde in
Giovanni Trapattoni's squad after the Millwall player suffered a knee injury
that required surgery. Forde will be missing for around six weeks and
therefore miss the World Cup qualifiers against Sweden and Austria next
month, leaving Henderson to compete with Sunderland's Keiren Westwood and
Darren Randolph of Birmingham for the No 1 jersey. Henderson has struggled
for opportunities at Upton Park, but he impressed in a loan spell with
Ipswich Town last season and could find himself in a similar predicament in
2013-14. There have been three other withdrawals from Trapattoni's squad for
the Cardiff City Stadium clash next Wednesday. Norwich midfielder Anthony
Pilkington, Nottingham Forest striker Simon Cox and Hull forward Stephen
Quinn have been ruled out. Pilkington has withdrawn from two other squads in
the last four months because of injury, and he now has a knee problem. Cox
suffered an ankle injury and was stretchered off playing for Forest against
Hartlepool in the Capital One Cup on Tuesday night. Quinn has also been
added to the injury list, with Yeovil's Paddy Madden put on standby. Robbie
Keane will not take part, having been told he does not need to make the trip
over from Los Angeles, and Richard Dunne was also omitted as he builds up
his fitness with new club QPR.
Updated squad to face Wales (Cardiff, August 14)
Goalkeepers: Henderson (West Ham), Westwood (Sunderland), Randolph
(Birmingham)
Defenders: O'Shea (Sunderland), St Ledger (Leicester), Wilson (Stoke),
Coleman (Everton), Kelly (Reading), O'Dea (Metalurh Donetsk), Clark (Aston
Villa), McShane (Hull City)
Midfielders: Whelan (Stoke), McCarthy (Wigan), Green (Leeds), Hendrick
(Derby), McGeady (Spartak Moscow), McClean (Sunderland), Robbie Brady
(Hull), Meyler (Hull), Hoolahan (Norwich)
Forwards: Long (West Brom), Sammon (Derby), Walters (Stoke)
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West Ham captain Kevin Nolan hails Ravel Morrison turnaround
Last Updated: August 7, 2013 10:28am
SSN
West Ham captain Kevin Nolan has praised a more focused Ravel Morrison,
insisting he must maintain this new approach to succeed at the club. The
former Manchester United youngster has already had his character come into
question on several occasions, despite being very much in his footballing
infancy.
But, after the 20-year-old netted a double in the Hammers' pre-season
friendly victory over Sporting Lisbon on Monday, Nolan revealed Morrison has
returned from his loan spell with Birmingham with a renewed approach, and
has the potential to be a big player for Sam Allardyce's men. "The lad has
got ability," Nolan told the club's official website. "It was all the
off-field stuff and his mental attitude to the game and I think he has come
back with a renewed approach. "Speaking to Lee Clark when I've had the
chance to, he said he really worked hard with him and towards the end of
last season he really had him on board."
Nolan also admitted that he himself will have a key role to play in
Morrison's development, and is more than happy to take the youngster under
his stewardship. "Hopefully now this will be the start of what is going to
be a fantastic career for him, because as you can see he has great ability
and can score goals too," Nolan added. "I'm going to help him as much as I
can this season, talking to him on the pitch and off the pitch. "If he can
get it all right, he'll be a top player for years to come."
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West Ham target Manuel Fernandes transfer as the former Everton and Pompey
loanee plots Prem return
7 Aug 2013 22:30
The Mirrro
West Ham want Besiktas star Manuel Fernandes. The Portugal international has
had previous spells in England, on loan at Everton and Portsmouth while a
Benfica player. Fernandes is now keen on a return to the Premier League -
and Hammers boss Sam Allardyce would like to bring him back. Sunderland and
Everton - who took the player on loan a second time after he joined Valencia
- are also aware of the midfielder's availability, but the Hammers who are
favourites to sign him. Fernandes, 27, has enjoyed a renaissance at
Besiktas, who he joined in 2011, after being marked down as one of
Portugal's 'Golden Generation'.
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Not one of the greats, but still very memorable!
West Ham Till I Die
We Fans always remember the club's greats. The names of the great and the
excellent easily come to mind, Shea, Puddefoot, Watson, Ruffell, Barrett,
Goulden, Foxall, Keeble, Dick, Cantewell, Bond, Moore, Hurst, Peters, Boyce,
Brooking, Bonds, Pop Robson, Devonshire, Martin, Cross, Goddard, Cottee,
McAvennie, Dicks, Rio Ferdinand, Micheal Carrick, Joe Cole, Di Canio, Tevez,
et al. Similarly, we remember those players that do not belong in to the
above category, but who nevertheless played a significant role in our
history, such as Alan Sealey (ECWC 1965), Alan Taylor (FA Cup 1975), Bobby
Zamora (Championship play-off Final 2005) and Carlton Cole (Championship
play-off Final 2012). Of course, we also tend somewhat masochistically to
recall those players we love to hate, like Paul Ince, Frank Lampard Jnr and
Jermaine Defoe. We also sometimes take a perverse pleasure in listing those
we consider to be the worst players to wear the badge. The names commonly
offered up are all too familiar.
Yet there is also a class of player that would never be mentioned in the
same breadth as Moore, Hurst or Brooking, but who were nevertheless decent
players and memorable to those that saw them play. There are quite a number
that fall in to that category, but here are 10 (in order of era) that I
think are good examples:
Andy Malcolm
Eddie Bovington
Harry Redknapp
Patsy Holland
Mick McGiven
Bobby Gould
Geoff Pike
Neill Orr
Trevor Morley
Peter Butler
Malcolm and Bovington were two very similar players from adjacent eras. Both
were accomplished defensive midfielders, who effectively anchored the teams
in which they played and were proficient in stopping the opposition play,
Malcolm never got the credit that he deserved, but he was crucial to the
1957-58 2nd division winning team. He broke up the attacks, won the ball and
made the short pass. Ted Fenton, discussing his skills set, praised
Malcolm's defensive ability and observed that he was one player (from youth
to first team level) who always neutralised the considerable threat of the
great Jimmy Greaves. Similarly, Eddie Bovington probably saved our FA Cup
winning season in 1963-64. Veteran fans will remember that the team hit a
very sticky spot at Christmas and suffered a record home defeat to Blackburn
Rovers. Ron Greenwood made one key change for the return Christmas fixture
up at Blackburn a day or so later, dropping Martin Peters and bringing in
Bovington to tighten up the midfield. And we subsequently won 0-3, quite a
dramatic turn round in fortunes! Unfortunately for Peters, Greenwood
retained Bovington and he stayed ever present all the way to Wembley and the
club's first FA Cup win against Preston North End.
Geoff Pike and Neill Orr were two of the most unselfish and hard working
players ever to wear the claret and blue. Pike was a willing labourer, those
tense industry assisted the flair players, such as Brooking and Devonshire,
to excel. His greatest moment was undoubtedly the 1980 FA Cup Final, when he
shackled the talents of Liam Brady and put in a remarkable display of
tenacity and high work rate. Pike also played a significant later role in
1985-86, mostly as the deputy to the deceptive, but highly functional, Neil
Orr. When we remember the 'boys of 86,' we always tend to reference Parkes,
Martin, Devonshire, Ward, Cottee and McAvennie and rightly so. But the fact
is that Orr was the great unsung hero of that team. The vital cog in the
machine. In the noble tradition of Malcolm and Bovington, Orr played it
straightforward and effective that season. He basically won it and
distributed it to great but under-stated effect. Actually, when he joined us
in 1984-85, he initially played at centre back and was far from convincing,
but goodness did he find his feet and his best position in the following
memorable campaign! And his premature departure, back to Scotland the
following season, was one of the major reasons for the rapid decline of that
side.
Next, I would highlight two players, who never got the credit that their
ability and contributions deserved. Patsy Holland came through the youth
system and made his debut in 1969. A good player in his own right, he spent
much of his career in the massive shadow of Billy Bonds in central midfield.
However, he also had the ability to play out wide and featured in that
position many times over his years . It was in that wide role that Holland
starred in the 2-0 1975 FA Cup victory over Fulham, replacing the injured
Keith Robson in the starting line up. He also featured in the 1976 ECWC
Final defeat, in which he scored the opening goal. Patsy Holland was a great
servant to the club and the service that he gave deserves far more
recognition. My next choice is the human dynamo that was Peter Butler.
Butler was plucked from lower league obscurity, by then Assistant Manager,
Harry Redknapp. This was a far from heralded signing, but his importance to
our 2nd division promotion campaign that season was immeasurable. His
industry and all action style under-wrote promotion and steered us through
some tough mid-week fixtures. Many felt that Butler has served his purpose
in winning promotion and that he would prove surplus to requirements in the
top tier, but the player had other ideas. He surprisingly adapted to the
greater demands and played a major part in us staying up quite comfortable.
For me, his highlight was an outstanding personal performance at home to
Coventry City, in which he grabbed two excellent goals. And the final
validation of the performance? The great Hungarian midfield master Puskas
was present at the match and praised Butler's performance. That praise hit
the headlines of the Sunday papers. A great honour for a great warrior, who
gave us relatively brief, but sterling service.
Another player that is not particularly rated, but was very entertaining in
an erratic kind of way was the one and only Harry Redknapp. 'Arry boy' was
never in the same league as more illustrious predecessors like Brabrook and
Sissons. However, I always found him to be an exciting presence on the
right-wing. Fans of that era knew his limitations, but recognised him as a
trier and ultimately one of their own. Yes, they got exasperated and often
took the Michael, but he was also viewed with genuine fondness on the
terraces. My memory of him is as a winger, who ran at the full-back, got to
the bye-line and sought to cross the ball. And he could be quite exciting on
the ball, even if four out of five times the final cross sailed over the
heads of Hurst or Best. But on that magic fifth occasion he found them and
it invariably resulted in a goal. I also well remember the roar of
anticipation, the hearty chorus of 'Arry, Arry Redknapp, Arry Redknapp on
the wing.' As I said, he was far from the best to wear the badge, but had an
entertainment value that is probably difficult for those who were not there
to fully comprehend. Its just a pity Arry the player, is now so obscured by
Arry the former Spurs manager. But such is life!
My next choices are two players who are largely foot notes in the Hammers
history of the 1970s. Yet, I look back on them with great affection. The
departure of Bobby Moore and Geoff Hurst c.1973 was a time of great
transition for all Hammers fans. Young fans like myself has grown up with
those players as a constant and reassuring presence. I found their departure
strange and disconcerting and wondered what the future held for us without
those two immortals. Yes, we had Bonds and Brooking and they would become
the new generation of heroes, but it was not seamless. Needless to say we
struggled that season. So, good old Ron Greenwood decided to go out and buy
two Sunderland reserves! Great we thought! Yet, both Keith Coleman and Mick
McGiven proved good purchases, solid servants and lights of hope in a pretty
dark transitional period. They came in to the team and performed well.
McGiven in particular, played like his life depended on the results and was
an inspiration in central defence. His reputation for me was cemented when
he suffered an horrific dental injury (i.e. his top teeth were pushed back
at a right angle by a boot in the mouth) in a match and he played on to help
us to a vital away point. He never emulated the heights reached in that
first season, but he was a squad member for a number of subsequent seasons,
deputising for Kevin Lock, and eventually graduated to John Lyall's coaching
staff. Very far from the greatest, but a hero all the same.
Next comes a journeyman, who reached improbable heights at West Ham, under
the greatest technical coach the English game has ever seen. Ron Greenwood
saw something in the former Arsenal centre-forward, who was then plying his
trade at Bristol City in the lower leagues. Again, we were in crisis and
started that season with a dire run of results, which led to the rapid
signing of a Watford striker, Newcastle Utd reserve and apparent Bristol
City 'as been.' Yet, Billy Jennings, Keith Robson and Bobby Gould
transformed our fortunes. Soon the defeats turned to resounding wins as
Tranmere Rovers, Leicester City, Middlesboro and Wolves were all overwhelmed
by wave after wave of fluent attacking football. And at the heart of it was
the improbable figure of Bobby Gould, a player who responded to Greenwood's
methods and found aspects to his game that few thought possible. Until, at
the end of one particular match, Greenwood handed Gould the ultimate prize,
the admission that 'today you looked like a West Ham player.' Gould later
stated that if he had joined West Ham as a youngster, he could have played
for England. And that pride and passion at being a Hammer still exists
within Gould it would seem. When Sam Allardyce made his unfortunate
statement questioning the value of the 'West Ham way,' it not Hurst,
Brooking or Peters who jumped to defend the sacred flame, it was Bobby
Gould. It was he who offered to go down to Chadwell Heath and show Allardyce
the playing style that Greenwood had belatedly taught him all those years
ago.
Finally, I nominate Trevor Morley, a striker brought in during the
inglorious Macari managerial reign, who became a stalwart. Again, he was not
the greatest of strikers, but his goals saw the club through some pretty
worrying times. He was also one of the most canny forwards that we have ever
had. He was a master of backing in to defenders, collapsing in a heap and
winning the free kick. How many decisions did he win like that, he really
must have been awkward for defenders to deal with. My greatest memories of
him are in two north London away victories, the first a really effective
performance (and two goals) in a clinical 1-4 slaughter of Spurs and the
opening goal in a 0-2 victory at Highbury. Another good servant, who
deserves more general recognition.
So, that it is it, my top ten of the underrated, the memorable and those
that hold a special place in my heart as a supporter. To many younger fans
some of these names will be obscure figures, but at the end of the day they
all played their part in the continuing story of West Ham Utd. They will
never have a Stand named after them or be the subject of a statue, but they
can take great pride in playing their part, often when the fate of the club
was decidedly uncertain. And they have my gratitude for being there, giving
their all and providing such great memories.
SJ. Chandos.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
Neil McDonald admitted West Ham United did not perform well in losing 1-0 to
SC Braga in Portugal
07.08.2013
Assistant manager Neil McDonald admitted West Ham United had not played well
in going down to a 1-0 Guadiana Tournament defeat by SC Braga. The
Portuguese side took the spoils in Portimao through Rafa's 63rd-minute
winner, while the Hammers struggled to create clear-cut chances to find the
net themselves. Just 24 hours on from a thrilling 3-2 victory over Sporting
Clube de Portugal in the same stadium, McDonald said the circumstances had
been very different on Tuesday evening. "We're very disappointed with the
performance," he told West Ham TV. "Some of the players played on Monday, of
course, but what a contrast from Monday when the whole place was buzzing. I
don't think Braga played exceptionally well and we didn't get into a flow of
play or passing and moving style. The creativity wasn't really there and it
was only from free-kicks and corners that we really caused them problems.
"Going from a high on Monday and being very, very pleased with the
performance and a cracking atmosphere to a quieter atmosphere, we
unfortunately produced a poor performance by everybody. "I think we try to
take positives from every game and it is difficult to try and take some from
this one. Our passing wasn't there, we didn't make space for ourselves and
we certainly didn't create as many chances as we did on Monday. "It's still
progress and there is still work to be done and we've still got nearly two
weeks to go until Cardiff City visit on 17 August in our Barclays Premier
League opener. We will need to sharpen everybody up over the next two
weeks."
Before then, West Ham complete their pre-season schedule with the visit of
another Portuguese club to the Boleyn Ground on Saturday in the shape of
Pacos de Ferreira. McDonald is expecting another testing 90 minutes against
a side which finished above both Braga and Sporting in the Primeira Liga
last term.
"The opposition have been quality - Sporting on Monday with their big crowd
and obviously Braga played in the Champions League last year. They were
quality opposition which was really good and we've learnt lots of things.
"Pacos finished third last season. Not many people have heard of them but
they play some good football and their attacking play is very, very sharp.
We'll have to be ready and hopefully our crowd will give us a lift with a
better atmosphere then we had on Tuesday night."
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Hammers duo in Wales squad
WHUFC.com
James Collins and Jack Collison are in the Wales squad to face Ireland next
week
07.08.2013
West Ham United pair James Collins and Jack Collison have been called up by
Wales for their friendly against the Republic of Ireland next week. Chris
Coleman's side will face Ireland in Cardiff on Wednesday 14 August., with
defender Collins looking to earn his 42nd cap. Collison, meanwhile, has
featured on 13 occasions for his country and the duo will hope to be
invovled as Wales warm up for their FIFA World Cup qualifiers against
Macedonia and Serbia in September. They could find themselves up against
Hammers goalkeeper Stephen Henderson, who has replaced the injured David
Forde in Giovanni Trapattoni's Ireland squad for the fixture. Ireland and
Wales last met in February 2011, when Trapattoni's men defeated their
visitors 3-0. Wales' last positive result against Ireland came in November
2007, when Jason Koumas' last minute penalty secured a 2-2 draw. Meanwhile,
Mohamed Diame has been included in Senegal's squad to face Zambia in Paris,
also next Wednesday.
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Gary O'Neil: QPR sign former West Ham midfielder
BBC.co.uk
Championship side QPR have completed the signing of midfielder Gary O'Neil
on a one-year deal. The 30-year-old, a free agent after failing to agree a
new deal with West Ham, previously worked under R's boss Harry Redknapp at
Portsmouth. Redknapp told the club website: "Gary's a good player and a
good pro. "He was offered a new deal at West Ham but he decided he fancied
coming here because he feels maybe he'll get more game time at QPR." He
added: "He can run all day long, he's good on the ball, a good passer, he
sees all the pictures in front of him and is a top professional.
Gary O'Neil career factfile
Portsmouth (trainee-August 2007): 192 appearances, 17 goals
Walsall (loan spell Sept-Oct 03): seven games, no goals
Cardiff City (loan spell Sept-Nov 04): nine games, one goal
Middlesbrough (Aug 07-Jan 2011): 120 games, nine goals
West Ham (Jan 11-Jun 13): 56 games, three goals
QPR (signed Aug 13)
"We've got plenty of options in that department now, but he'll certainly add
to what we've got - he's a good, good player and will be a fine acquisition
for us."
O'Neil spent eight seasons at Portsmouth after coming through the youth
ranks at Fratton Park and was part of the Pompey squad that sealed promotion
to the Premier League in 2002-03. He left West Ham earlier this summer
following an injury-hit two-and-a-half-year spell with the Hammers in which
he scored three goals in 56 appearances. The former England Under-21
international has been training with QPR recently and described the
challenge at Loftus Road as an "exciting one". "Obviously I know Harry well
and he was a big factor in me coming here," O'Neil said. "He's played a
massive role in my development as a player and now I'm back playing for him
again and I want to repay him by helping this club get back into the Premier
League. "Having been in and around the squad for the last few weeks, I've
seen how united the squad are to achieve what we all want to do. "The
togetherness is there - it's a really happy camp and there's a real good
feel to the place."
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High hopes and dashed aspirations
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 6th August 2013
By: John Rolls
Every time I visit the Sky Sports transfer centre, I get bemused. We are
linked with so many players; surely a percentage of the stories must be
true?
However true to form I see players that would add greatly to our squad but
seem to sign for some nonentity of a team.
Take Wilfried Bony, for example. This seemed as if it was a done deal in
January, but he didn't come. This transfer window we're trying to usurp
Swansea (amongst others); where's he gone? To Swansea.
I know we spent a Club-record fee on the Andy Carroll deal, but this is
becoming repetitive. Martin Olsson from Blackburn another winter target,
signs for Norwich. Norwich, for f&%£'s sake.
Is there something dreadfully wrong with the club that puts players off from
coming here? What have Swansea and Norwich got that we have not? Could it be
they play a more attractive style of football? Are we underselling ourselves
to them?
We are West Ham United, the original Academy of football, where passing and
movement was introduced to the English game. If we are underselling
ourselves, why? Players like Bony and Olsson should be banging on the door
to come here, unless they have looked and wondered "where would I fit into
the team".
With Bony I can understand there may have been some doubt; where would he
play with Sam preferring one up top? I can't see him dropping Nolan to play
Bony behind AC. With Razvan Rat having arrived, at least the left back spot
seems sorted.
Whatever happened to the Ecuadorian winger we were linked with? Did he see
himself stuck on the bench, as it looks like Joe Cole is going to play wide
right? (Personally I think he would be better in Nolan's position.)
And how about Stuart Downing, who is said to be available for around
£5million? Yes, we rate him, but we are not really interested. Where would
he play? Left midfield? So Matt Jarvis plays where?
As with all things West Ham you have to learn to look at things totally
differently, believe none of the rumours and trust none of the transfer
speculation. Just accept that we will sign someone we don't know who, but
we'll sign him.
The trouble is, unless we invest in the squad we could well be going to the
Olympic Stadium with a team struggling to maintain its Premier League
status.
Adrian looks a good signing for the future, as does Danny Whitehead from
Stockport, although we have to consolidate our status this season. We have
to move the squad forward. We must enter the new home with a team that is at
least challenging for a Europa League position.
Recently we were once again linked with West Brom's Graham Dorrans. What,
it's taken three years of scouting to find out if he's good enough? Is
Dorrans really the calibre of player we should be looking to recruit? I mean
if a club like Swansea can afford to lash out on Bony and Shelvey (7 a big
West Ham fan) who are we kidding apart from ourselves that we are a big
club?
The two Daves have done a great job of stabilising the club, but why do we
always get beaten to players by minor clubs?
There are a dearth of players available who would be good if not excellent
signings, I know by mentioning these players several hackles will rise but
these three would add much to our team:
1. Darren Bent. He scores (against us particularly) but I think if you
paired him with Andy Carroll in a 4-4-2 we would have some excellent
goalscoring potential.
2. Jermaine Defoe. He's going to be on the fringe at Spurs this season. I
know there are a lot of reasons why he wouldn't want to comeback, but like
Bent he'd make a great foil for Carroll.
3. Tom Ince. Another who would have his reasons for not signing (but don't
put the sins of the father on the son) but with his pace and Jarvis on the
other flank, the crosses would be flying in.
There are a few others such as Scott Parker, on the fringe at Spurs and
linked with Fulham - or Zaha, if the Mancs can be persuaded to let him go on
loan.
So there we have it. West Ham yet again linked with lots of quality players.
Just as I'm dreaming of a Europa League spot with all these names coming, my
aspirations are dashed when they sign for clubs below our calibre.
Nothing ever changes at Upton Park; the circus and its acts are getting
repetitive and whilst new acts are coming on board, the show is still the
same.
Please Dave and Dave, break this circle, and sign three or four quality
players - or at least let's have a good shot at our targets and not be made
mugs of by Norwich City and co.
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An audience with Allardisi
KUMb.com
Filed: Tuesday, 6th August 2013
By: David Meagher
Ok, so lets be clear. It's fashionable to blame the entire ills of your club
on the manager and evil board (as well as the FA and a variety of
intergalactic conspiracies involving Manchester United, Sheffield United and
the Zorgians).
In all honesty, although this is pretty lazy logic, it usuallty rings true
as there are few areas of endeavour that are as blighted by the incompetence
of enthusiastic amateurs. For 'family club' one can usually read 'bumbling
myopia with limited business acumen'.
However, at camp Boleyn these days Hammers fans are having to find easier
dogs to kick as everywhere you look there is a sense of professionalism –
right from the careful planning of match tactics, patient building of a
sustainable business model and playing squad, determined progression towards
a larger theatre to both spread the love and gather enough income to finally
put an end to our status as a feeding club for bigger clubs with perennial
European responsibilities.
So, with all that in mind, at the beginning of July we headed off to meet
Big Sam for dinner at the Silver Springs hosted by Cork City FC. First up,
Corkonians are known for not holding back on the carping if circumstances so
permit – but right throughout the club and city folk were singing the
praises of the visiting Hammers contingent for their professionalism,
availability and plain good manners.
Having encountered the Davids in public it isn't hard to see how they infuse
their organisation with a sense of responsibility towards their supporting
constituency. Meeting Big Sam leaves one in no doubt that he also expects
his lads to conduct themselves in a manner commensurate with their status.
In Ireland we are privileged to have a sports media that operates with no
small amount of straight talking. Compare Giles, Brady and Dunphy with their
equivalents on Match of the Day, or even Sky Sports. We encourage true
opinion, even if it is provocative, and expect our sports people to roll
with the punches. It was a real surprise to note how candid Allardyce is –
politically astute but pretty direct all the same and he didn't mince his
words when asked for an opinion.
First up, Sam ain't no Northerner – actually he hails for the West Midlands
and is from Scottish stock. He supported Wolves as a boy (nobody felt
inclined to salt up the wounds by mentioning recent troubles at the
Wanderers who face third division footie next year). He retains a special
relationship with Bolton but is enjoying his time in London. Operationally,
he speaks on a daily basis with the board and it's pretty clear how the
responsibilities of business and football are divided!
Big Sam really goes for the 'science' around football and can readily cite
yards covered, crosses made, saves etc etc as evidence for the Allardyce
methodology. Hammers fans will be delighted to hear that with six to eight
more goals and a similar defensive record we can crack the top eight next
year. All possible if Andy Carroll gets the 15 goals that Big Sam expects
from him next year – and on the evidence of last season, if he stays fit why
not?
He recalled his time in Ireland with great fondness, describing the crazy
chaos of managing a club that financially stumbled from week to week after
the club bar (and it's principal source of income) was lost in a fire.
Driving around Limerick with Fr Joe Young collecting in order to keep the
team afloat was surely a hairy experience at times, but Sam was keen to see
it through until they were promoted before leaving for 'different'
footballing challenges.
As for Big Sam's aspirations over the coming years – at 62 he has a few good
years left and is keen to spend them progressing the project that he took on
with West Ham – it sounded like he considers this a bigger opportunity than
any temptations from other jobs – even England manager! - that might be
offered to him, but then that may have been what we heard rather than
precisely what he said!
Either way, it's clear that Allardyce sees bringing this club to the Olympic
Stadium as the major challenge for him over the next few years – we wish him
every success!
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Werder Bremen insist there have been no bids for Marko Arnautovic
By Thomas Zocher. Last Updated: August 7, 2013 10:03am
SSN
Werder Bremen general manager Thomas Eichin has denied that the club have
received any bids for Austria international Marko Arnautovic. The English
media had claimed in recent days that West Ham were keen on signing for the
former Inter Milan striker, whilst Real Sociedad and Dynamo Kiev have also
been linked. However, Werder have moved to deny that they have received any
bids for their controversial front-man. Eichin is quoted by Bild as saying:
"At this point in time we are in no (transfer) talks with any club regarding
the future of Marko Arnautovic. "Marko Arnautovic is part of the first-team
squad and has a contract at our club." Arnautovic, who has contract at
Werder until 2014, found himself banned from the first team towards the end
of last season for disciplinary reasons including a fight with team-mate
Sokratis Papastathopoulos.
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West Ham keeper Stephen Henderson added to Republic of Ireland squad
Last Updated: August 7, 2013 8:52pm
SSN
Stephen Henderson could earn his first Republic of Ireland cap after being
called into their squad for the friendly against Wales next week. The West
Ham keeper, who has eight U21 caps to his name, replaces David Forde in
Giovanni Trapattoni's squad after the Millwall player suffered a knee injury
that required surgery. Forde will be missing for around six weeks and
therefore miss the World Cup qualifiers against Sweden and Austria next
month, leaving Henderson to compete with Sunderland's Keiren Westwood and
Darren Randolph of Birmingham for the No 1 jersey. Henderson has struggled
for opportunities at Upton Park, but he impressed in a loan spell with
Ipswich Town last season and could find himself in a similar predicament in
2013-14. There have been three other withdrawals from Trapattoni's squad for
the Cardiff City Stadium clash next Wednesday. Norwich midfielder Anthony
Pilkington, Nottingham Forest striker Simon Cox and Hull forward Stephen
Quinn have been ruled out. Pilkington has withdrawn from two other squads in
the last four months because of injury, and he now has a knee problem. Cox
suffered an ankle injury and was stretchered off playing for Forest against
Hartlepool in the Capital One Cup on Tuesday night. Quinn has also been
added to the injury list, with Yeovil's Paddy Madden put on standby. Robbie
Keane will not take part, having been told he does not need to make the trip
over from Los Angeles, and Richard Dunne was also omitted as he builds up
his fitness with new club QPR.
Updated squad to face Wales (Cardiff, August 14)
Goalkeepers: Henderson (West Ham), Westwood (Sunderland), Randolph
(Birmingham)
Defenders: O'Shea (Sunderland), St Ledger (Leicester), Wilson (Stoke),
Coleman (Everton), Kelly (Reading), O'Dea (Metalurh Donetsk), Clark (Aston
Villa), McShane (Hull City)
Midfielders: Whelan (Stoke), McCarthy (Wigan), Green (Leeds), Hendrick
(Derby), McGeady (Spartak Moscow), McClean (Sunderland), Robbie Brady
(Hull), Meyler (Hull), Hoolahan (Norwich)
Forwards: Long (West Brom), Sammon (Derby), Walters (Stoke)
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West Ham captain Kevin Nolan hails Ravel Morrison turnaround
Last Updated: August 7, 2013 10:28am
SSN
West Ham captain Kevin Nolan has praised a more focused Ravel Morrison,
insisting he must maintain this new approach to succeed at the club. The
former Manchester United youngster has already had his character come into
question on several occasions, despite being very much in his footballing
infancy.
But, after the 20-year-old netted a double in the Hammers' pre-season
friendly victory over Sporting Lisbon on Monday, Nolan revealed Morrison has
returned from his loan spell with Birmingham with a renewed approach, and
has the potential to be a big player for Sam Allardyce's men. "The lad has
got ability," Nolan told the club's official website. "It was all the
off-field stuff and his mental attitude to the game and I think he has come
back with a renewed approach. "Speaking to Lee Clark when I've had the
chance to, he said he really worked hard with him and towards the end of
last season he really had him on board."
Nolan also admitted that he himself will have a key role to play in
Morrison's development, and is more than happy to take the youngster under
his stewardship. "Hopefully now this will be the start of what is going to
be a fantastic career for him, because as you can see he has great ability
and can score goals too," Nolan added. "I'm going to help him as much as I
can this season, talking to him on the pitch and off the pitch. "If he can
get it all right, he'll be a top player for years to come."
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West Ham target Manuel Fernandes transfer as the former Everton and Pompey
loanee plots Prem return
7 Aug 2013 22:30
The Mirrro
West Ham want Besiktas star Manuel Fernandes. The Portugal international has
had previous spells in England, on loan at Everton and Portsmouth while a
Benfica player. Fernandes is now keen on a return to the Premier League -
and Hammers boss Sam Allardyce would like to bring him back. Sunderland and
Everton - who took the player on loan a second time after he joined Valencia
- are also aware of the midfielder's availability, but the Hammers who are
favourites to sign him. Fernandes, 27, has enjoyed a renaissance at
Besiktas, who he joined in 2011, after being marked down as one of
Portugal's 'Golden Generation'.
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Not one of the greats, but still very memorable!
West Ham Till I Die
We Fans always remember the club's greats. The names of the great and the
excellent easily come to mind, Shea, Puddefoot, Watson, Ruffell, Barrett,
Goulden, Foxall, Keeble, Dick, Cantewell, Bond, Moore, Hurst, Peters, Boyce,
Brooking, Bonds, Pop Robson, Devonshire, Martin, Cross, Goddard, Cottee,
McAvennie, Dicks, Rio Ferdinand, Micheal Carrick, Joe Cole, Di Canio, Tevez,
et al. Similarly, we remember those players that do not belong in to the
above category, but who nevertheless played a significant role in our
history, such as Alan Sealey (ECWC 1965), Alan Taylor (FA Cup 1975), Bobby
Zamora (Championship play-off Final 2005) and Carlton Cole (Championship
play-off Final 2012). Of course, we also tend somewhat masochistically to
recall those players we love to hate, like Paul Ince, Frank Lampard Jnr and
Jermaine Defoe. We also sometimes take a perverse pleasure in listing those
we consider to be the worst players to wear the badge. The names commonly
offered up are all too familiar.
Yet there is also a class of player that would never be mentioned in the
same breadth as Moore, Hurst or Brooking, but who were nevertheless decent
players and memorable to those that saw them play. There are quite a number
that fall in to that category, but here are 10 (in order of era) that I
think are good examples:
Andy Malcolm
Eddie Bovington
Harry Redknapp
Patsy Holland
Mick McGiven
Bobby Gould
Geoff Pike
Neill Orr
Trevor Morley
Peter Butler
Malcolm and Bovington were two very similar players from adjacent eras. Both
were accomplished defensive midfielders, who effectively anchored the teams
in which they played and were proficient in stopping the opposition play,
Malcolm never got the credit that he deserved, but he was crucial to the
1957-58 2nd division winning team. He broke up the attacks, won the ball and
made the short pass. Ted Fenton, discussing his skills set, praised
Malcolm's defensive ability and observed that he was one player (from youth
to first team level) who always neutralised the considerable threat of the
great Jimmy Greaves. Similarly, Eddie Bovington probably saved our FA Cup
winning season in 1963-64. Veteran fans will remember that the team hit a
very sticky spot at Christmas and suffered a record home defeat to Blackburn
Rovers. Ron Greenwood made one key change for the return Christmas fixture
up at Blackburn a day or so later, dropping Martin Peters and bringing in
Bovington to tighten up the midfield. And we subsequently won 0-3, quite a
dramatic turn round in fortunes! Unfortunately for Peters, Greenwood
retained Bovington and he stayed ever present all the way to Wembley and the
club's first FA Cup win against Preston North End.
Geoff Pike and Neill Orr were two of the most unselfish and hard working
players ever to wear the claret and blue. Pike was a willing labourer, those
tense industry assisted the flair players, such as Brooking and Devonshire,
to excel. His greatest moment was undoubtedly the 1980 FA Cup Final, when he
shackled the talents of Liam Brady and put in a remarkable display of
tenacity and high work rate. Pike also played a significant later role in
1985-86, mostly as the deputy to the deceptive, but highly functional, Neil
Orr. When we remember the 'boys of 86,' we always tend to reference Parkes,
Martin, Devonshire, Ward, Cottee and McAvennie and rightly so. But the fact
is that Orr was the great unsung hero of that team. The vital cog in the
machine. In the noble tradition of Malcolm and Bovington, Orr played it
straightforward and effective that season. He basically won it and
distributed it to great but under-stated effect. Actually, when he joined us
in 1984-85, he initially played at centre back and was far from convincing,
but goodness did he find his feet and his best position in the following
memorable campaign! And his premature departure, back to Scotland the
following season, was one of the major reasons for the rapid decline of that
side.
Next, I would highlight two players, who never got the credit that their
ability and contributions deserved. Patsy Holland came through the youth
system and made his debut in 1969. A good player in his own right, he spent
much of his career in the massive shadow of Billy Bonds in central midfield.
However, he also had the ability to play out wide and featured in that
position many times over his years . It was in that wide role that Holland
starred in the 2-0 1975 FA Cup victory over Fulham, replacing the injured
Keith Robson in the starting line up. He also featured in the 1976 ECWC
Final defeat, in which he scored the opening goal. Patsy Holland was a great
servant to the club and the service that he gave deserves far more
recognition. My next choice is the human dynamo that was Peter Butler.
Butler was plucked from lower league obscurity, by then Assistant Manager,
Harry Redknapp. This was a far from heralded signing, but his importance to
our 2nd division promotion campaign that season was immeasurable. His
industry and all action style under-wrote promotion and steered us through
some tough mid-week fixtures. Many felt that Butler has served his purpose
in winning promotion and that he would prove surplus to requirements in the
top tier, but the player had other ideas. He surprisingly adapted to the
greater demands and played a major part in us staying up quite comfortable.
For me, his highlight was an outstanding personal performance at home to
Coventry City, in which he grabbed two excellent goals. And the final
validation of the performance? The great Hungarian midfield master Puskas
was present at the match and praised Butler's performance. That praise hit
the headlines of the Sunday papers. A great honour for a great warrior, who
gave us relatively brief, but sterling service.
Another player that is not particularly rated, but was very entertaining in
an erratic kind of way was the one and only Harry Redknapp. 'Arry boy' was
never in the same league as more illustrious predecessors like Brabrook and
Sissons. However, I always found him to be an exciting presence on the
right-wing. Fans of that era knew his limitations, but recognised him as a
trier and ultimately one of their own. Yes, they got exasperated and often
took the Michael, but he was also viewed with genuine fondness on the
terraces. My memory of him is as a winger, who ran at the full-back, got to
the bye-line and sought to cross the ball. And he could be quite exciting on
the ball, even if four out of five times the final cross sailed over the
heads of Hurst or Best. But on that magic fifth occasion he found them and
it invariably resulted in a goal. I also well remember the roar of
anticipation, the hearty chorus of 'Arry, Arry Redknapp, Arry Redknapp on
the wing.' As I said, he was far from the best to wear the badge, but had an
entertainment value that is probably difficult for those who were not there
to fully comprehend. Its just a pity Arry the player, is now so obscured by
Arry the former Spurs manager. But such is life!
My next choices are two players who are largely foot notes in the Hammers
history of the 1970s. Yet, I look back on them with great affection. The
departure of Bobby Moore and Geoff Hurst c.1973 was a time of great
transition for all Hammers fans. Young fans like myself has grown up with
those players as a constant and reassuring presence. I found their departure
strange and disconcerting and wondered what the future held for us without
those two immortals. Yes, we had Bonds and Brooking and they would become
the new generation of heroes, but it was not seamless. Needless to say we
struggled that season. So, good old Ron Greenwood decided to go out and buy
two Sunderland reserves! Great we thought! Yet, both Keith Coleman and Mick
McGiven proved good purchases, solid servants and lights of hope in a pretty
dark transitional period. They came in to the team and performed well.
McGiven in particular, played like his life depended on the results and was
an inspiration in central defence. His reputation for me was cemented when
he suffered an horrific dental injury (i.e. his top teeth were pushed back
at a right angle by a boot in the mouth) in a match and he played on to help
us to a vital away point. He never emulated the heights reached in that
first season, but he was a squad member for a number of subsequent seasons,
deputising for Kevin Lock, and eventually graduated to John Lyall's coaching
staff. Very far from the greatest, but a hero all the same.
Next comes a journeyman, who reached improbable heights at West Ham, under
the greatest technical coach the English game has ever seen. Ron Greenwood
saw something in the former Arsenal centre-forward, who was then plying his
trade at Bristol City in the lower leagues. Again, we were in crisis and
started that season with a dire run of results, which led to the rapid
signing of a Watford striker, Newcastle Utd reserve and apparent Bristol
City 'as been.' Yet, Billy Jennings, Keith Robson and Bobby Gould
transformed our fortunes. Soon the defeats turned to resounding wins as
Tranmere Rovers, Leicester City, Middlesboro and Wolves were all overwhelmed
by wave after wave of fluent attacking football. And at the heart of it was
the improbable figure of Bobby Gould, a player who responded to Greenwood's
methods and found aspects to his game that few thought possible. Until, at
the end of one particular match, Greenwood handed Gould the ultimate prize,
the admission that 'today you looked like a West Ham player.' Gould later
stated that if he had joined West Ham as a youngster, he could have played
for England. And that pride and passion at being a Hammer still exists
within Gould it would seem. When Sam Allardyce made his unfortunate
statement questioning the value of the 'West Ham way,' it not Hurst,
Brooking or Peters who jumped to defend the sacred flame, it was Bobby
Gould. It was he who offered to go down to Chadwell Heath and show Allardyce
the playing style that Greenwood had belatedly taught him all those years
ago.
Finally, I nominate Trevor Morley, a striker brought in during the
inglorious Macari managerial reign, who became a stalwart. Again, he was not
the greatest of strikers, but his goals saw the club through some pretty
worrying times. He was also one of the most canny forwards that we have ever
had. He was a master of backing in to defenders, collapsing in a heap and
winning the free kick. How many decisions did he win like that, he really
must have been awkward for defenders to deal with. My greatest memories of
him are in two north London away victories, the first a really effective
performance (and two goals) in a clinical 1-4 slaughter of Spurs and the
opening goal in a 0-2 victory at Highbury. Another good servant, who
deserves more general recognition.
So, that it is it, my top ten of the underrated, the memorable and those
that hold a special place in my heart as a supporter. To many younger fans
some of these names will be obscure figures, but at the end of the day they
all played their part in the continuing story of West Ham Utd. They will
never have a Stand named after them or be the subject of a statue, but they
can take great pride in playing their part, often when the fate of the club
was decidedly uncertain. And they have my gratitude for being there, giving
their all and providing such great memories.
SJ. Chandos.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Wednesday, August 7
Daily WHUFC News - 7th August 2013
SC Braga 1-0 West Ham United FT
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's second and final fixture at the Guadiana Tournament ends
in a narrow defeat
06.08.2013
SC BRAGA v WEST HAM UNITED
TORNEIO DO GUADIANA
ESTÁDIO MUNICIPAL DE PORTIMÃO
TUESDAY 6 AUGUST 2013
KICK-OFF: 9.15PM
WEST HAM TV I iPHONE APP I TWITTER I FACEBOOK I PODCAST I YOUTUBE
Final score - SC Braga 1-0 West Ham United
Unfortunately, the laptop crashed during the shootout! Profuse apologies for
this, but the shootout finished 3-3 after Mohamed Diame saw his penalty
saved low down by Eduardo. Apologies for the inconvenience caused.
West Ham United 3-3 SC Braga - And the shootout finishes all-square as
Adrian is sent the wrong way from the spot by Edinho and Braga draw level
with the final kick.
West Ham United 3-2 SC Braga - Diame's weak penalty is saved low down to his
left by Eduardo.
West Ham United 3-2 SC Braga - The Braga player Agra steps up scores
emphatically, high into the net.
West Ham United 3-1 SC Braga - Potts hits his penalty well, but Eduardo
guesses right and saves diving to his right.
West Ham United 3-1 SC Braga - Alan uses the shuffle run-up too before
sending Adrian the wrong way.
West Ham United 3-0 SC Braga - Collison smashes the ball high into the net.
Again, Eduardo guesses wrong. This is a rout!
West Ham United 2-0 SC Braga - Adrian makes another fine save, refusing to
be put off by Vinicius' strange run-up. West Ham in control.
West Ham United 2-0 SC Braga - Ricardo Vaz Te slams it low and down the
middle and Eduardo obligingly dives out of the way. Very kind of him.
West Ham United 1-0 SC Braga - Adrian springs to his left and pushes Santos'
penalty away. Great save from the Spaniard.
West Ham United 1-0 SC Braga - Kevin Nolan sends Eduardo the wrong way and
drives the ball low into the net.
95 mins - That's it. Braga have won. Now we'll win the penalties. Mark my
words.
93 mins - I don't think we're going to see a 1999 Champions League
final-style comeback, unfortunately. Eduardo collects Nolan's flick-on. Time
is almost up.
90 mins - West Ham win a free-kick for offside. Adrian launches it long,
Collins wins it but not before being whistled for a push. We're going to
have FOUR added minutes. Come on West Ham! You can still save this and bring
the trophy home.
87 mins - Nolan brings down Alan late and gets a yellow card. Free-kick to
Braga about 30 yards out in a central position. Agra has a go, but curls
over the top in his luminous boots.
87 mins - At least we should have some shots on target during the penalty
shootout that will follow the final whistle. You would hope so, anyway!
85 mins - Edinho is on for Yazalde for the final few minutes.
83 mins - It's just not really happened for West Ham tonight, for whatever
reason. Before we get too downbeat, though, let's remember that we played
last night too, whereas Braga were sitting comfortably in their armchairs.
We are also resting a host of regulars tonight, including Jaaskelainen,
Reid, Jarvis, Cole and Noble.
81 mins - The ball drops to Vaz Te from a defensive header about 20 yards
out. Vaz has a go on the volley, but it's not his best effort and the ball
bobbles away and thuds into the advertising board.
80 mins - Morrison runs at the Braga defence after a decent pass from
Morrison. Collison will take the free-kick from the left corner of the box
but it's clipped and is a routine catch for Eduardo.
76 mins - Ruddock is shown the yellow card after clipping Rafa as the
midfielder runs past him. Rafa is immediately replaced by Salvador Agra.
West Ham bring on Potts for Rat.
71 mins - Diame spots Eduardo just off his line, but he doesn't get enough
on his effort from near halfway and the goalkeeper catches with ease.
Moments later, Ruddock's hurried clearances almost leads to an opening for
Braga, but the Hammers survive.
70 mins - Better football as Collins sweeps a diagonal out to Rat on the
left. He plays a one-two with Nolan and the skipper goes again, gets to the
byline and clips the ball back towards Vaz Te and Morrison inside the box,
but Eduardo collects above his head.
68 mins - Defensive midfielder Mauro has a speculative go on the volley from
30 yards. Adrian flies to his left to push the ball away. The Spaniard is up
quickly and collects the rolling ball near the byline. Good save from the
new goalkeeper.
65 mins - Silva is replaced, with the ponytailed Alan coming on in his
place.
63 mins - Goal! Vinicius finds Silva, who plays the ball into Yazalde on the
edge of the penalty area. Yazalde turns and has a shot from inside the box.
It's low and Adrian pushes it out with his right hand. Rafa reacts quickest
and fires the ball into the net from about 12 yards. Braga lead.
62 mins - Tomkins is replaced by Pelly Ruddock and Kevin Nolan is on for
Taylor. Can the skipper nick a winner for his side?
58 mins - If West Ham can score, we might be denied the opportunity of
watching another surreal penalty shootout as the Hammers will have won the
tournament. Last night, we finished 4-4 on spot-kicks with Sporting, which
was a bit weird.
55 mins - Collison is lucky not to be booked as his touch allows Silva to
regain possession. Collison pulls the midfielder back by the arm. Free-kick,
but no card shown.
52 mins - No11 Silva has a shot from 30 yards and he's hurt himself as he
lets fly. He rolls around on the turf and needs the physio on. He kicked
Diarra after shooting. Adrian gathered the shot anyway.
50 mins - Nothing has happened in the opening five minutes of the second
period. On the plus side, I've worked out the Braga substitutions. Eduardo
has replaced Cristiano in goal, Vinicius is on for Coelho at centre-back,
while Hebert has made way for Florent at left-back. In midfield, Barbosa is
off and Pedro is on.
46 mins - We're back underway here in Portimao.
Morrison is on at half-time for Maiga. Vaz Te will play through the middle.
Braga have made a host of changes. Eduardo is on in goal and I'll get the
other changes for you as soon as I've worked them out.
Half-time score - SC Braga 0-0 West Ham United
After you've put the kettle on, why not watch a few of our free West Ham TV
YouTube videos? Or how about the extended highlights and post-match reaction
to last night's win over Sporting Clube de Portugal on West Ham TV? Both are
accessible by clicking on the links above.
47 mins - It's half-time, thankfully. I'm sure the second half will be
better. It has to be.
45 mins - Into the final minute of the opening half and I must confess I
won't be sad to see half-time arrive. This hasn't been a classic by any
means. However, I'm sure Saturday's visit of Pacos de Ferreira will be, and
you can get tickets now by clicking here.
43 mins - Will we have the breakthrough before half-time? Braga win a corner
off Collison, but Barbosa balloons it miles over everyone and the ball curls
out for a goal kick. Diamanti!
40 mins - Vaz Te crosses and the ball is sliced out as far as Taylor. His
touch is a bit loose and the ball finds Rat, whose initial shot is blocked
and second effort loops miles over the top.
39 mins - Braga arguably should lead. Carlos leads the charge down the
middle and there is no midfielder to slow him down. He draws the defenders
out slightly before feeding left to Barbosa in space. The No10 crosses low
first-time for Carlos again, but he cannot keep his side-foot effort down
and it flies narrowly over the crossbar.
38 mins - West Ham have had some better possession in recent moments. First,
Maiga turns sharply and nearly plays in Collison, but the ball is just under
hit. Then, Diarra wins a corner as he leaps for a header, but the flag kick
comes to nothing.
33 mins - Barbosa is getting plenty of practice at his Diamanti impressions.
He gets another now as Diarra commits a foul. No, it's Coelho who is going
to blast it... He does, low and through the wall. Adrian dives but the ball
beats both him and the post by about a yard. Close call. Goal kick, but I
think that took a slight deflection off a heel and should have been a
corner.
30 mins - Braga win a corner. Barbosa takes and Collins heads powerfully
clear at the near post. Vaz Te leads the charge and tries to play a
long-distance one-two with Collison, but the return is too strong and the
Archbishops regain possession.
27 mins - Captain Coelho obviously fancies himself from long-range as he has
another go from about 35 yards. He catches it fairly well, but again the
ball bounces harmlessly wide of Adrian's goal. The Spaniard has had very
little to do so far.
24 mins - Another smashed left-foot free-kick from Barbosa comes to nothing.
He looks nothing like the Italian, but Barbosa's style of delivery reminds
me of Alessandro Diamanti!
23 mins - Braga are utilising a fluid 4-2-3-1 formation. Baiano, Coelho,
Santos and Hebert are the back four, with Carlos and Mauro sitting deep.
Rafa, Silva and Barbosa are interchanging behind central forward Yazalde.
21 mins - Demel pulls back striker Yazalde. It's not his first offence and
the referee Fernando Santos shows the right-back the yellow card. We saw a
few yellows last night... Diarra heads Barbosa's free-kick away for a throw.
18 mins - The action continues as Collison collects a loose clearance, cuts
inside and slices his shot well wide under pressure from Baiano.
17 mins - A first shot in anger from the Hammers. Diame prods the ball
through for Maiga down the right channel. He runs to the box, checks and
sees his cross blocked and fall back to Diame. He takes a touch and rifles
well over from 25 yards. Seconds later, Barbosa has a snap-shot that bounces
a few yards wide.
14 mins - More work for Adrian as Carlos beats Taylor in midfield and shoots
low with his right-foot after running at Tomkins. The shot has no venom in
it and Adrian can make the easy save low down in front of him.
12 mins - Some action for Adrian as Barbosa whips in a free-kick from the
right after Rat had committed a foul. Adrian parries and Collins scrambles
the ball behind for a corner. It's taken short and then back to Barbosa,
whose left-foot whipped delivery is cleared by Vaz Te at the near post.
11 mins - You can view an exclusive gallery of images from tonight's game in
Portimao on our official Facebook page.
10 mins - West Ham are harrying their opponents well and not allowing Braga
to settle into any sort of rhythm.
7 mins - Diarra uses his strength to win the ball back and then clears it
straight into the Braga dugout. That doesn't go down well with the
Archbishops' coaching staff. Moments later, Diarra is penalised for a foul
and gets a talking to from the referee. The free-kick is taken short by
Barbosa to Silva and his cross is shinned behind for a corner by Taylor.
Adrian punches Barbosa's corner upfield and Demel is fouled on the edge of
the box. Free-kick to the Hammers.
6 mins - It's been a bitty start to the game. Neither team has taken control
of proceedings. Tactically, it's Demel, Collins, Tomkins and Rat across the
back, Diarra holding with Diame to his right and Taylor to his left. Up
front, Vaz Te is wide right, Collison wide left and Maiga through the
middle.
3 mins - Demel commits a foul about 30 yards out and skipper Coelho fancies
belting this from about 30 yards-plus. He does, trying a Ronaldo-style
toe-punt, but the ball actually hits his own team-mate Barbosa on the edge
of the box. Hmmm...
9.14pm - A minute or so early, West Ham kick-off. After a half-full stadium
last night, there are just a few hundred supporters here in Portimao
tonight. I might venture that there are more West Ham fans here than
supporters of Braga!
9.10pm - The teams are with us. James Collins is captaining the Hammers
tonight. Nuno Andre Coelho is wearing the armband for Braga. West Ham will
kick-off...
9pm - We've got a few free videos for you to watch on the official West Ham
TV YouTube channel. We've got a game of two-touch on the pitch here in
Portimao, plus footage of the starting XI warming-up and Adrian being put
through his paces by goalkeeper coach Martyn Margetson. Meanwhile, we also
have the SC Braga team news...
SC Braga: Cristiano, Coelho, Luiz Carlos, Helder Barbosa, Luis Silva,
Baiano, Rafa, Yazalde, Santos, Mauro, Hebert
Subs: Eduardo, Joao Pedro, Florent, Vinicius, Agra, Alan, Edinho
8.10pm - We've got the West Ham team news for you now:
West Ham United: Adrian, Demel, Rat, Collins, Tomkins, Diarra, Diame,
Taylor, Vaz Te, Collison, Maiga
Subs: Jaaskelainen, Potts, O'Brien, Reid, Ruddock, Lletget, Noble, Nolan,
Morrison, Jarvis, Cole, Lee
Good evening and welcome back to Portimao for tonight's Guadiana Tournament
fixture between West Ham United and SC Braga.
The Hammers will win the three-team pre-season competition if they overcome
the team which finished fourth in the Portuguese Primeira Division last
season, having already overcome Sporting Clube de Portugal 3-2 at the same
venue on Monday.
Diego Capel fired Sporting in front from the penalty spot before a Kevin
Nolan goal and two from Ravel Morrison put West Ham in control. The Hammers
were made to sweat late on when William Carvalho touched home a free-kick,
but Sam Allardyce's side held on to secure a deserved triumph. Should they
win tonight, the Hammers will take the trophy home with them to England in
the morning!
However, it will be no easy task against the UEFA Europa League qualifiers,
who have recently appointed Jesualdo Ferreira as manager for the second
time. The 67-year-old has managed more than a dozen sides during a long and
illustrious career, winning three Portuguese titles during a four-year spell
in charge at FC Porto. He previously managed Braga between 2003 and 2006.
Tonight, Sam Allardyce fields a different-looking team to the one which
overcame Sporting, with the likes of Adrian, James Collins, Mohamed Diame
and Jack Collison all expected to be involved after being rested on Monday
night.
Braga finished fourth in the Primeira Liga last term, qualifying for the
UEFA Europa League Play-Off round. The Archbishops will be facing the
Hammers for the second pre-season in succession, having held Sam Allardyce's
side to a 1-1 draw at the Estadio AXA in August 2012, when Winston Reid
scored a late equaliser. However, Braga have a much-changed squad to the one
which held the Hammers a year ago, with a host of new signings hoping to
make their mark this evening.
Braga have been very active in the transfer market in recent months,
bringing in a host of new players to complement an already strong squad.
Goalkeeper Cassio has come in from Pacos de Ferreira, as have striker Edinho
from Malaga, Vitor Bastos from Vitoria de Guimaraes, Welthon from Gremio,
Joaozinho from Beira-Mar, Salvador Agra from Real Betis Balompie, Nigerian
Chidi Osuchukwu from Dolphins, Vinicius from Maritimo, Rafa from Feirense,
Serbian Aleksandar Miljkovic from Partizan and Eduardo from Genoa. Former
Newcastle United midfielder Hugo Viana has departed for Al Ahli in Dubai.
Vinicius was among the scorers as Braga fought back from a 2-0 deficit to
draw 2-2 at home to West Ham's Barclays Premier League rivals Norwich City
last Friday evening.
A penalty shoot-out will be held after the final whistle, which will be used
to decide the final tournament positions in the event that teams have level
points, goal difference and goals. West Ham and Sporting drew 4-4 in their
shootout on Monday, with the goals being added to teams' totals if they end
the competition tied.
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Nobby proud of Sporting victory
WHUFC.com
Kevin Nolan was pleased to see the Hammers triumph in testing conditions on
Monday evening
06.08.2013
Captain Kevin Nolan was proud to see his West Ham United triumph in testing
conditions in their 3-2 Guadiana Tournament win over Sporting Clube de
Portugal on Monday evening. The Hammers came from behind to beat the
Portuguese side, despite conceding from a hotly-disputed penalty and a
debateable free-kick and having five players booked during a fiery encounter
in Portimao. Nolan got the ball rolling for West Ham, levelling matters on
58 minutes after Diego Capel had put Sporting in front on the stroke of
half-time. Ravel Morrison then scored twice before a late William Carvalho
effort set up a nervous finish, but the Hammers held on. "It's always tough
because you always seem to be playing against the referee as well as the
other team, but I think the lads showed discipline," the skipper told West
Ham TV. "Although we had five booked, they were very harsh and they could
easily have had five booked too. "That was disappointing, but it shows you
how far we've come. We've got a lot of quality in this squad and, when it's
not going right for us, we still manage to stay in there. I don't think it
was a penalty and we can argue about [the free-kick for] the second goal
too. "We scored three good goals. Ravel scoring two was massive for us
because he's been fantastic through the pre-season. It was nice to get on
the scoresheet myself and to keep banging them in and we're in good form.
"At the end of the day, this is all about making sure we're ready on 17
August because we've got to make sure we get everything right - the fitness
and mentally, set pieces and everything - for that game. Hopefully we're
getting close to doing that. We're only eleven days off and we're looking
forward to it."
Nolan was clearly frustrated by a succession of decisions made by the
referee, who showed six yellow cards - five to West Ham players - and
awarded 41 free-kicks for fouls during what was a competitive pre-season
fixture. The skipper said the experience of playing in adversity would
benefit the squad ahead of the Barclays Premier League kick-off at home to
Cardiff City on Saturday 17 August. "You always know when you come to
another country and play in Europe that you're not going to get everything
your own way. You've got to get your mentality right and maintain your
composure under pressure. "I think we got in at half-time and didn't say
'This was wrong and that was wrong'. We got on with it and we really did
deserve the win. We were delighted to keep our winning streak going but the
main thing was about the lads getting 75 or 90 minutes again and building
up, because we have to hit the ground running on 17 August.
"We know Cardiff is not going to be an easy game. It's their first game in
the Premier League so they're going to be up for it. It's going to be really
tough. We were there last year and we enjoyed a good start and we want to do
that again."
Nolan closed by praising fellow goalscorer Morrison, but the captain added
that the young midfielder must retain his current focus if he is to make the
most of his considerable talent. The skipper said the former Manchester
United youngster had benefitted from a loan spell at Birmingham City and had
returned to pre-season training with a more mature attitude and approach to
his football and his life in general. "The lad has got ability. It was all
the off-field stuff and his mental attitude to the game and I think he has
come back [with a renewed approach]. Speaking to Lee Clark when I've had the
chance to, he said he really worked hard with him and towards the end of
last season he really had him on board and that's what you have got to have
with Rav. "Last year, he started off like that but he let himself down off
the field with not turning in and things like that. I'm not pulling him out
because he is a lovely kid and we want him to do well and that's why we've
worked so hard. Hopefully now he's seen the benefit of being around us all
the time and going out on loan and seeing what it's all about. "Hopefully
now this will be the start of what is going to be a fantastic career for
him, because as you can see he has great ability and can score goals too.
I'm going to help him as much as I can this season, talking to him on the
pitch and off the pitch. If he can get it all right, he'll be a top player
for years to come."
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SC Braga 1-0 West Ham Utd
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 7th August 2013
By: Staff Writer
West Ham's desperate lack of firepower was all too evident on a night when a
second half effort from Rafa was enough to secure victory for Braga.
Hopes were high for Sam Allardyce's side ahead of this evening's Torneio do
Guadiana clash, following last night's encouraging display against Sporting
Lisbon. However the Irons - featuring Modibo Maiga in the pivotal striker's
role - were a shadow of the team that had begun the tournament in such
style.
United barely managed to fashion a goalscoring opportunity of note on a
night when all of last season's concerns about performances away from the
Boleyn resurfaced.
And whilst Andy Carroll's current stand-in can at least point to the lack of
service provided in his defence, pre-season has done little to disprove the
theory that suggests the Ivorian simply isn't suited to the role Allardyce
and his coaching team want him to play.
The search for another attacking player continues in earnest, with Allardyce
set to meet the Board again tomorrow upon his return from Portugal to
discuss their next move. In the meantime, West Ham without Carroll is not a
prospect to relish - especially with the start of the new season less than a
fortnight away.
On the night, Allardyce opted to make nine changes from yesterday's starting
XI - Maiga and James Tomkins the only survivors from the 3-2 win against
Sporting. From the start, West Ham struggled to retain possession although
Jack Collison, Razvan Rat and Mo Diame all had sight of goal in the opening
half.
Still, the better chances of the first half came at the other end of the
field where recent arrival Adrian was deputising for Jussi Jaaskelainen. The
Spaniard didn't get off to the best start when he was fortunate to escape
punishment having allowed an early shot to spill from his hands.
But there was little he could do when a James Collins error allowed Barbosa
to shoot from distance; fortunately for the Hammers, it went the wrong (or
should that be right?) side of the post.
Coelho had Adrian stretching when his 26th minute effort flashed narrowly
wide of the post - and seven minutes later, a Santos free kick from the
perimeter of the penalty area beat both goalkeeper and post - albeit by a
matter of inches. However Braga's best chance of the half was to come six
minutes ahead of the interval, when Carlos spurned a golden chance to break
the deadlock.
Allowed to burst through the centre, Carlos laid the ball out wide to
Barbosa whose return pass was perfectly placed for the Brazilian.
Fortunately for West Ham, his effort flew high over the bar before removing
an empty seat from its fixings - possibly the highlight of the first half.
Yet West Ham's good fortune was to run out with just over an hour on the
clock, when Braga finally took the lead. Youngster Pelly Ruddock, only on
the pitch for a matter of seconds having replaced James Tomkins lost his man
and the ensuing shot was parried by goalkeeper Adrian, directly into the
path of Rafa who drove it back into an empty net.
Thereafter West Ham struggled to make any impact in the final third of the
field and Jack Collison's poorly struck, off-target 80th minute effort was
United's only shot on goal as Allardyce's impotent charges limped to defeat
in their final pre-season fixture away from the Boleyn Ground.
* West Ham's tournament briefly looked like ending on a high - of sorts -
when the penalty shootout that followed the game (don't ask) saw United race
into a 3-0 lead. However misses from Dan Potts and Mo Diame - one of the
worst penalties you may ever see - allowed Braga to 'draw' (don't ask) the
shootout 3-3.
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Equal opportunities boss criticises Sullivan tweet
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 6th August 2013
By: Staff Writer
A Belgian equal opportunities officer has described a tweet posted on Jack
Sullivan's Twitter account as "incitement to discrimination".
Patrick Charlier, who according to Belgian-based broadcaster RTBF is the
Deputy Director of the Centre for Equal Opportunities spoke out after the
Twitter account attributed to Jack Sullivan posted a message regarding the
potential purchase of Gent's 26-year-old forward Ilombe Pele Mboyo.
The tweet, posted last Sunday evening, asked whether the club should
consider signing a player who, ten years previously, had been convicted of
rape. Many fans were subsequently critical of the decision to allow a
message of that nature to be published on an account belonging to a minor.
A later tweet from the same source revealed that West Ham fans had voted
almost unanimously against signing the player, adding that as a result the
club would not be pursuing the transfer.
Charlier however was more concerned with the potential for prejudice. "You
could consider this a form of incitement to discrimination," he told RTBF.
"This [tweet] is not from the person who is hiring. The manager makes that
decision, but it will push people to make a decision."
Further, the RTBF editorial criticised the English media who, they argued,
were "not really willing to give a second chance to those who have already
paid their debt to society."
They tried to make me go to West Ham...
... but the fans said, "No, no, no."
El Hadji Diouf (2011)
Sam Allardyce ruled out signing the Sengalese spitter two months into the
2011/12 season after Hammers fans reacted furiously to the news that the
club were considering signing a player who spat at them whilst a Liverpool
player in 2002. Diouf ended up joining Doncaster, who were relegated at the
end of the season.
Ben Thatcher (2008)
The former Millwall and Tottenham full-back spent a week on trial with the
Hammers during the 2008/09 pre-season, much to the annoyance of fans
disgusted that the club should offer an opportunity to a player with such a
chequered history. His two brief cameos were met by a chorus of boos and he
evetually signed for ipswich Town instead.
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Allardyce: Carroll to miss start of season
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 6th August 2013
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce has admitted that Andy Carroll is unlikely to be fit in time
for the 2013/14 Premier League curtain-raiser against Cardiff next weekend.
Allardyce, who is currently preparing his squad for tonight's Guadiana
Tournament clash with SC Braga revealed that despite having returned to
training, the club record signing is unlikely to be ready for the Bluebirds'
visit on 17th August. "Andy is making good progress and doing some running,"
said Big Sam. "We'll look at things over the next week but, considering
where he is in his preparation, I would've thought that realistically we're
looking at the match following the international break, which is Southampton
away on 15th September."
Carroll, speaking at the weekend was however slightly more optimistic about
his chances of making a full recovery ahead of schedule. "I've been away to
Germany with the lads and keeping myself as fit as I can with the work I can
still do," he said. "It's been tough but I've been working hard to be back
for the start of the season." "I'm dying to get back kicking a ball again. I
can't wait because the last time I kicked a ball was in the final game of
last season. Everyone is buzzing and in great form and great spirits,
looking forward to the start of the season."
Although Allardyce remains in the market for a right-sided forward who can
also deputise in the centre of attack, West Ham may be forced to look within
their current squad for a temporary replacement should Carroll fail to
return in time for the start of the new season. The most logical - and
perhaps only - choice to replace the £15million man is Modibo Maiga, who
featured in that role last night as West Ham beat Sporting 3-2. The Ivorian
grabbed an assist when setting up Kevin Nolan's opener to add to his brace
against Eintracht Braunschweig two weekends previously.
The games Andy Carroll could miss
18th August: Cardiff City (h)
24th August: Newcastle Utd (a)
27th/28th August: Capital One Cup, 2nd Round
31st August: Stoke City (h)
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Kalou happy to stay in France
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 6th August 2013
By: Staff Writer
Salomon Kalou has given the broadest hint yet that he is happy to remain
with his current Club, despite being courted by West Ham United. The Ivorian
forward is one of several forwards on Sam Allardyce's hit list, as the
Hammers boss desperately seeks to add another attacking player to his roster
ahead of the Premier League kick off two weeks from now. However the former
Chelsea man - who has also been striongly linked with West Brom - has
indicated that he would be happy to stay with current club Lille for the
raminder of his contract, which expires in two years time. Speaking to
French daily Voix Du Nord (Voice of the North), Kalou admitted that he was
content in France and looking forward to working with new head coach Rene
Girard, who replaced the outgoing Rudi Garcia (now at Roma) last month. "He
is a coach who can make progress," said Kalou. "In these circumstances I do
not see why I need to go elsewhere."
Allardyce has been frustrated several times already this summer in his
attempts to sign a forward to complement record signing Andy Carroll.
Wilfried Bony rejected West Ham in favour of a first team place at Swansea,
whilst deals for players such as Gerard Deulofeu, Oscar Trejo and Loic Remy
have also fallen through.
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West Ham suffer defeat by Braga after Rafa's goal in Algarve
Last Updated: August 6, 2013 11:37pm
SSN
West Ham United suffered a 1-0 defeat by Braga in the Premier League club's
penultimate pre-season friendly. Midfielder Rafa scored the only goal of the
game in the 63rd minute to upset Sam Allardyce's side in the Guadiana
Tournament in the Algarve. Following Monday's win against Sporting, West Ham
could have won the three-team tournament but it was not to be for the
Londoners on their second game in as many days. West Ham could not find
their best form and it possibly showed that they were resting regulars such
as Jussi Jaaskelainen, Winston Reid, Matt Jarvis, Joe Cole and Mark Noble as
substitutes. And Portugal Under 21 international Rafa ultimately won the
game shortly after the hour when reacting quickly when West Ham goalkeeper
Adrian could only palm Yazalde's shot. West Ham next face Portuguese side
Pacos de Ferreira in a friendly on Saturday before the following weekend's
Premier League season opener against Cardiff City at Upton Park.
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Kevin Nolan backs bad boy Ravel Morrison
KEVIN NOLAN claims Ravel Morrison is a reformed character as the West Ham
bad-boy bids to rebuild his turbulent career.
Daily Star
By Darren Witcoop/Published 7th August 2013
Winger Morrison - once regarded as one of English football's hottest
properties - has been plagued by disciplinary problems and off-the-pitch
issues. The troubled 20-year-old was booted out of Manchester United last
year and looked set to be ditched by West Ham this summer. But Morrison's
rehabilitation began after finally knuckling down towards the end of a
season-long loan spell at Championship side Birmingham last term. Now
Hammers skipper Nolan is ready to continue playing father figure to keep the
starlet on the straight and narrow. Nolan said: "He has grown up and I think
he has come back with a renewed approach. I am going to help him as much as
I can by talking to him on and off the pitch. Board "Last year he started
like that, but it was all the off-field stuff and his mental attitude to the
game. He let himself down with not turning up and things like that. "But
speaking to (manager) Lee Clark at Birmingham, he said he really worked hard
on him and towards the end had him on board. That's what you got to have
with Rav. "If he can get it all right, he will be a top player for years to
come."
Upton Park boss Sam Allardyce had run out of patience with Morrison before
offering his £1.4m signing one final chance to win him over during
pre-season.
And Morrison, who scored twice in Monday's 3-2 friendly win over Sporting
Lisbon, has delivered with some eye-catching displays. The wideman has now
put himself in the frame for the Premier League opener against Cardiff on
August 17. Nolan, 31, added: "Hopefully he's seen the benefit of being
around us all the time and going on loan and seeing what it's about. "The
lad has got great ability and can score goals, too. This could be the start
of a fantastic career for him."
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One in and three out at QPR, as West Ham target Zapata now on Redknapp's
radar
By SIMON JONES
PUBLISHED: 22:28, 6 August 2013 | UPDATED: 22:28, 6 August 2013
Daily Mail
QPR have made a £3.3million offer for Estudiantes striker Duvan Zapata.
West Ham pulled out of a deal last month fearing they would not get a work
permit for the 22-year-old. However, QPR hope to appeal on grounds of
'special talent' for the Colombia Under 20 international. Meanwhile,
goalkeeper Julio Cesar is continuing talks with Fiorentina while Park Ji
Sung has completed his loan to PSV Eindhoven. Thos deals will be followed
by midfielder Adel Taarabt who has passed a medical at Fulham ahead of a
season loan. Martin Jol's Cottagers remain keen on Aston Villa striker
Darren Bent and Sunderland's Lee Cattermole but may face competition on both
from Hull.
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Neil McDonald impressed by West Ham starlet Ravel Morrison
TalkSport
By Anton Stanley | Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Ravel Morrison is finally beginning to show his potential at West Ham,
according to assistant manager Neil McDonald. The former Manchester United
youngster, 20, initially struggled to settle in east London following his
move south. A spell on loan with Birmingham City last season appears to have
focused the highly-rated youngster who once interested Barcelona. An
impressive pre-season has followed, which includes two goals against
Sporting Lisbon and a string of excellent displays. And McDonald believes he
can finally flourish at Upton Park under Sam Allardyce. "He's settled in and
he's come back a different player," he told Drive Time. "I think it's done
him the world of good going to Birmingham to play some games. "He can
certainly do a really good job in midfield. He's got the ability. You don't
play for Manchester United if you're not a good player. "He came as a young
kid from Man United thinking that he could walk straight into the first team
and sometimes that doesn't happen. "But he's gone away and used that
experience and he's impressed us like everybody else has in the squad in
pre-season. As each game goes along he's looking good, as are the rest of
them. "He hadn't played games on a regular basis in the first team so it was
good for him to go to Birmingham and train all week knowing that he had a
chance of playing. "He's used that to his advantage and hopefully it's to
our advantage as well."
But McDonald believes the players should be given time to progress before
hailing him as a future international star. He added: "England are crying
out for good players and he is a good player but we don't want to put too
much pressure on him. He's still only a young kid, isn't he. He's still
trying to learn his trade.
"He's got a lot of good players around him and if we can make him flourish
that's absolutely brilliant. We look forward to how he's going to progress
over the season."
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's second and final fixture at the Guadiana Tournament ends
in a narrow defeat
06.08.2013
SC BRAGA v WEST HAM UNITED
TORNEIO DO GUADIANA
ESTÁDIO MUNICIPAL DE PORTIMÃO
TUESDAY 6 AUGUST 2013
KICK-OFF: 9.15PM
WEST HAM TV I iPHONE APP I TWITTER I FACEBOOK I PODCAST I YOUTUBE
Final score - SC Braga 1-0 West Ham United
Unfortunately, the laptop crashed during the shootout! Profuse apologies for
this, but the shootout finished 3-3 after Mohamed Diame saw his penalty
saved low down by Eduardo. Apologies for the inconvenience caused.
West Ham United 3-3 SC Braga - And the shootout finishes all-square as
Adrian is sent the wrong way from the spot by Edinho and Braga draw level
with the final kick.
West Ham United 3-2 SC Braga - Diame's weak penalty is saved low down to his
left by Eduardo.
West Ham United 3-2 SC Braga - The Braga player Agra steps up scores
emphatically, high into the net.
West Ham United 3-1 SC Braga - Potts hits his penalty well, but Eduardo
guesses right and saves diving to his right.
West Ham United 3-1 SC Braga - Alan uses the shuffle run-up too before
sending Adrian the wrong way.
West Ham United 3-0 SC Braga - Collison smashes the ball high into the net.
Again, Eduardo guesses wrong. This is a rout!
West Ham United 2-0 SC Braga - Adrian makes another fine save, refusing to
be put off by Vinicius' strange run-up. West Ham in control.
West Ham United 2-0 SC Braga - Ricardo Vaz Te slams it low and down the
middle and Eduardo obligingly dives out of the way. Very kind of him.
West Ham United 1-0 SC Braga - Adrian springs to his left and pushes Santos'
penalty away. Great save from the Spaniard.
West Ham United 1-0 SC Braga - Kevin Nolan sends Eduardo the wrong way and
drives the ball low into the net.
95 mins - That's it. Braga have won. Now we'll win the penalties. Mark my
words.
93 mins - I don't think we're going to see a 1999 Champions League
final-style comeback, unfortunately. Eduardo collects Nolan's flick-on. Time
is almost up.
90 mins - West Ham win a free-kick for offside. Adrian launches it long,
Collins wins it but not before being whistled for a push. We're going to
have FOUR added minutes. Come on West Ham! You can still save this and bring
the trophy home.
87 mins - Nolan brings down Alan late and gets a yellow card. Free-kick to
Braga about 30 yards out in a central position. Agra has a go, but curls
over the top in his luminous boots.
87 mins - At least we should have some shots on target during the penalty
shootout that will follow the final whistle. You would hope so, anyway!
85 mins - Edinho is on for Yazalde for the final few minutes.
83 mins - It's just not really happened for West Ham tonight, for whatever
reason. Before we get too downbeat, though, let's remember that we played
last night too, whereas Braga were sitting comfortably in their armchairs.
We are also resting a host of regulars tonight, including Jaaskelainen,
Reid, Jarvis, Cole and Noble.
81 mins - The ball drops to Vaz Te from a defensive header about 20 yards
out. Vaz has a go on the volley, but it's not his best effort and the ball
bobbles away and thuds into the advertising board.
80 mins - Morrison runs at the Braga defence after a decent pass from
Morrison. Collison will take the free-kick from the left corner of the box
but it's clipped and is a routine catch for Eduardo.
76 mins - Ruddock is shown the yellow card after clipping Rafa as the
midfielder runs past him. Rafa is immediately replaced by Salvador Agra.
West Ham bring on Potts for Rat.
71 mins - Diame spots Eduardo just off his line, but he doesn't get enough
on his effort from near halfway and the goalkeeper catches with ease.
Moments later, Ruddock's hurried clearances almost leads to an opening for
Braga, but the Hammers survive.
70 mins - Better football as Collins sweeps a diagonal out to Rat on the
left. He plays a one-two with Nolan and the skipper goes again, gets to the
byline and clips the ball back towards Vaz Te and Morrison inside the box,
but Eduardo collects above his head.
68 mins - Defensive midfielder Mauro has a speculative go on the volley from
30 yards. Adrian flies to his left to push the ball away. The Spaniard is up
quickly and collects the rolling ball near the byline. Good save from the
new goalkeeper.
65 mins - Silva is replaced, with the ponytailed Alan coming on in his
place.
63 mins - Goal! Vinicius finds Silva, who plays the ball into Yazalde on the
edge of the penalty area. Yazalde turns and has a shot from inside the box.
It's low and Adrian pushes it out with his right hand. Rafa reacts quickest
and fires the ball into the net from about 12 yards. Braga lead.
62 mins - Tomkins is replaced by Pelly Ruddock and Kevin Nolan is on for
Taylor. Can the skipper nick a winner for his side?
58 mins - If West Ham can score, we might be denied the opportunity of
watching another surreal penalty shootout as the Hammers will have won the
tournament. Last night, we finished 4-4 on spot-kicks with Sporting, which
was a bit weird.
55 mins - Collison is lucky not to be booked as his touch allows Silva to
regain possession. Collison pulls the midfielder back by the arm. Free-kick,
but no card shown.
52 mins - No11 Silva has a shot from 30 yards and he's hurt himself as he
lets fly. He rolls around on the turf and needs the physio on. He kicked
Diarra after shooting. Adrian gathered the shot anyway.
50 mins - Nothing has happened in the opening five minutes of the second
period. On the plus side, I've worked out the Braga substitutions. Eduardo
has replaced Cristiano in goal, Vinicius is on for Coelho at centre-back,
while Hebert has made way for Florent at left-back. In midfield, Barbosa is
off and Pedro is on.
46 mins - We're back underway here in Portimao.
Morrison is on at half-time for Maiga. Vaz Te will play through the middle.
Braga have made a host of changes. Eduardo is on in goal and I'll get the
other changes for you as soon as I've worked them out.
Half-time score - SC Braga 0-0 West Ham United
After you've put the kettle on, why not watch a few of our free West Ham TV
YouTube videos? Or how about the extended highlights and post-match reaction
to last night's win over Sporting Clube de Portugal on West Ham TV? Both are
accessible by clicking on the links above.
47 mins - It's half-time, thankfully. I'm sure the second half will be
better. It has to be.
45 mins - Into the final minute of the opening half and I must confess I
won't be sad to see half-time arrive. This hasn't been a classic by any
means. However, I'm sure Saturday's visit of Pacos de Ferreira will be, and
you can get tickets now by clicking here.
43 mins - Will we have the breakthrough before half-time? Braga win a corner
off Collison, but Barbosa balloons it miles over everyone and the ball curls
out for a goal kick. Diamanti!
40 mins - Vaz Te crosses and the ball is sliced out as far as Taylor. His
touch is a bit loose and the ball finds Rat, whose initial shot is blocked
and second effort loops miles over the top.
39 mins - Braga arguably should lead. Carlos leads the charge down the
middle and there is no midfielder to slow him down. He draws the defenders
out slightly before feeding left to Barbosa in space. The No10 crosses low
first-time for Carlos again, but he cannot keep his side-foot effort down
and it flies narrowly over the crossbar.
38 mins - West Ham have had some better possession in recent moments. First,
Maiga turns sharply and nearly plays in Collison, but the ball is just under
hit. Then, Diarra wins a corner as he leaps for a header, but the flag kick
comes to nothing.
33 mins - Barbosa is getting plenty of practice at his Diamanti impressions.
He gets another now as Diarra commits a foul. No, it's Coelho who is going
to blast it... He does, low and through the wall. Adrian dives but the ball
beats both him and the post by about a yard. Close call. Goal kick, but I
think that took a slight deflection off a heel and should have been a
corner.
30 mins - Braga win a corner. Barbosa takes and Collins heads powerfully
clear at the near post. Vaz Te leads the charge and tries to play a
long-distance one-two with Collison, but the return is too strong and the
Archbishops regain possession.
27 mins - Captain Coelho obviously fancies himself from long-range as he has
another go from about 35 yards. He catches it fairly well, but again the
ball bounces harmlessly wide of Adrian's goal. The Spaniard has had very
little to do so far.
24 mins - Another smashed left-foot free-kick from Barbosa comes to nothing.
He looks nothing like the Italian, but Barbosa's style of delivery reminds
me of Alessandro Diamanti!
23 mins - Braga are utilising a fluid 4-2-3-1 formation. Baiano, Coelho,
Santos and Hebert are the back four, with Carlos and Mauro sitting deep.
Rafa, Silva and Barbosa are interchanging behind central forward Yazalde.
21 mins - Demel pulls back striker Yazalde. It's not his first offence and
the referee Fernando Santos shows the right-back the yellow card. We saw a
few yellows last night... Diarra heads Barbosa's free-kick away for a throw.
18 mins - The action continues as Collison collects a loose clearance, cuts
inside and slices his shot well wide under pressure from Baiano.
17 mins - A first shot in anger from the Hammers. Diame prods the ball
through for Maiga down the right channel. He runs to the box, checks and
sees his cross blocked and fall back to Diame. He takes a touch and rifles
well over from 25 yards. Seconds later, Barbosa has a snap-shot that bounces
a few yards wide.
14 mins - More work for Adrian as Carlos beats Taylor in midfield and shoots
low with his right-foot after running at Tomkins. The shot has no venom in
it and Adrian can make the easy save low down in front of him.
12 mins - Some action for Adrian as Barbosa whips in a free-kick from the
right after Rat had committed a foul. Adrian parries and Collins scrambles
the ball behind for a corner. It's taken short and then back to Barbosa,
whose left-foot whipped delivery is cleared by Vaz Te at the near post.
11 mins - You can view an exclusive gallery of images from tonight's game in
Portimao on our official Facebook page.
10 mins - West Ham are harrying their opponents well and not allowing Braga
to settle into any sort of rhythm.
7 mins - Diarra uses his strength to win the ball back and then clears it
straight into the Braga dugout. That doesn't go down well with the
Archbishops' coaching staff. Moments later, Diarra is penalised for a foul
and gets a talking to from the referee. The free-kick is taken short by
Barbosa to Silva and his cross is shinned behind for a corner by Taylor.
Adrian punches Barbosa's corner upfield and Demel is fouled on the edge of
the box. Free-kick to the Hammers.
6 mins - It's been a bitty start to the game. Neither team has taken control
of proceedings. Tactically, it's Demel, Collins, Tomkins and Rat across the
back, Diarra holding with Diame to his right and Taylor to his left. Up
front, Vaz Te is wide right, Collison wide left and Maiga through the
middle.
3 mins - Demel commits a foul about 30 yards out and skipper Coelho fancies
belting this from about 30 yards-plus. He does, trying a Ronaldo-style
toe-punt, but the ball actually hits his own team-mate Barbosa on the edge
of the box. Hmmm...
9.14pm - A minute or so early, West Ham kick-off. After a half-full stadium
last night, there are just a few hundred supporters here in Portimao
tonight. I might venture that there are more West Ham fans here than
supporters of Braga!
9.10pm - The teams are with us. James Collins is captaining the Hammers
tonight. Nuno Andre Coelho is wearing the armband for Braga. West Ham will
kick-off...
9pm - We've got a few free videos for you to watch on the official West Ham
TV YouTube channel. We've got a game of two-touch on the pitch here in
Portimao, plus footage of the starting XI warming-up and Adrian being put
through his paces by goalkeeper coach Martyn Margetson. Meanwhile, we also
have the SC Braga team news...
SC Braga: Cristiano, Coelho, Luiz Carlos, Helder Barbosa, Luis Silva,
Baiano, Rafa, Yazalde, Santos, Mauro, Hebert
Subs: Eduardo, Joao Pedro, Florent, Vinicius, Agra, Alan, Edinho
8.10pm - We've got the West Ham team news for you now:
West Ham United: Adrian, Demel, Rat, Collins, Tomkins, Diarra, Diame,
Taylor, Vaz Te, Collison, Maiga
Subs: Jaaskelainen, Potts, O'Brien, Reid, Ruddock, Lletget, Noble, Nolan,
Morrison, Jarvis, Cole, Lee
Good evening and welcome back to Portimao for tonight's Guadiana Tournament
fixture between West Ham United and SC Braga.
The Hammers will win the three-team pre-season competition if they overcome
the team which finished fourth in the Portuguese Primeira Division last
season, having already overcome Sporting Clube de Portugal 3-2 at the same
venue on Monday.
Diego Capel fired Sporting in front from the penalty spot before a Kevin
Nolan goal and two from Ravel Morrison put West Ham in control. The Hammers
were made to sweat late on when William Carvalho touched home a free-kick,
but Sam Allardyce's side held on to secure a deserved triumph. Should they
win tonight, the Hammers will take the trophy home with them to England in
the morning!
However, it will be no easy task against the UEFA Europa League qualifiers,
who have recently appointed Jesualdo Ferreira as manager for the second
time. The 67-year-old has managed more than a dozen sides during a long and
illustrious career, winning three Portuguese titles during a four-year spell
in charge at FC Porto. He previously managed Braga between 2003 and 2006.
Tonight, Sam Allardyce fields a different-looking team to the one which
overcame Sporting, with the likes of Adrian, James Collins, Mohamed Diame
and Jack Collison all expected to be involved after being rested on Monday
night.
Braga finished fourth in the Primeira Liga last term, qualifying for the
UEFA Europa League Play-Off round. The Archbishops will be facing the
Hammers for the second pre-season in succession, having held Sam Allardyce's
side to a 1-1 draw at the Estadio AXA in August 2012, when Winston Reid
scored a late equaliser. However, Braga have a much-changed squad to the one
which held the Hammers a year ago, with a host of new signings hoping to
make their mark this evening.
Braga have been very active in the transfer market in recent months,
bringing in a host of new players to complement an already strong squad.
Goalkeeper Cassio has come in from Pacos de Ferreira, as have striker Edinho
from Malaga, Vitor Bastos from Vitoria de Guimaraes, Welthon from Gremio,
Joaozinho from Beira-Mar, Salvador Agra from Real Betis Balompie, Nigerian
Chidi Osuchukwu from Dolphins, Vinicius from Maritimo, Rafa from Feirense,
Serbian Aleksandar Miljkovic from Partizan and Eduardo from Genoa. Former
Newcastle United midfielder Hugo Viana has departed for Al Ahli in Dubai.
Vinicius was among the scorers as Braga fought back from a 2-0 deficit to
draw 2-2 at home to West Ham's Barclays Premier League rivals Norwich City
last Friday evening.
A penalty shoot-out will be held after the final whistle, which will be used
to decide the final tournament positions in the event that teams have level
points, goal difference and goals. West Ham and Sporting drew 4-4 in their
shootout on Monday, with the goals being added to teams' totals if they end
the competition tied.
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Nobby proud of Sporting victory
WHUFC.com
Kevin Nolan was pleased to see the Hammers triumph in testing conditions on
Monday evening
06.08.2013
Captain Kevin Nolan was proud to see his West Ham United triumph in testing
conditions in their 3-2 Guadiana Tournament win over Sporting Clube de
Portugal on Monday evening. The Hammers came from behind to beat the
Portuguese side, despite conceding from a hotly-disputed penalty and a
debateable free-kick and having five players booked during a fiery encounter
in Portimao. Nolan got the ball rolling for West Ham, levelling matters on
58 minutes after Diego Capel had put Sporting in front on the stroke of
half-time. Ravel Morrison then scored twice before a late William Carvalho
effort set up a nervous finish, but the Hammers held on. "It's always tough
because you always seem to be playing against the referee as well as the
other team, but I think the lads showed discipline," the skipper told West
Ham TV. "Although we had five booked, they were very harsh and they could
easily have had five booked too. "That was disappointing, but it shows you
how far we've come. We've got a lot of quality in this squad and, when it's
not going right for us, we still manage to stay in there. I don't think it
was a penalty and we can argue about [the free-kick for] the second goal
too. "We scored three good goals. Ravel scoring two was massive for us
because he's been fantastic through the pre-season. It was nice to get on
the scoresheet myself and to keep banging them in and we're in good form.
"At the end of the day, this is all about making sure we're ready on 17
August because we've got to make sure we get everything right - the fitness
and mentally, set pieces and everything - for that game. Hopefully we're
getting close to doing that. We're only eleven days off and we're looking
forward to it."
Nolan was clearly frustrated by a succession of decisions made by the
referee, who showed six yellow cards - five to West Ham players - and
awarded 41 free-kicks for fouls during what was a competitive pre-season
fixture. The skipper said the experience of playing in adversity would
benefit the squad ahead of the Barclays Premier League kick-off at home to
Cardiff City on Saturday 17 August. "You always know when you come to
another country and play in Europe that you're not going to get everything
your own way. You've got to get your mentality right and maintain your
composure under pressure. "I think we got in at half-time and didn't say
'This was wrong and that was wrong'. We got on with it and we really did
deserve the win. We were delighted to keep our winning streak going but the
main thing was about the lads getting 75 or 90 minutes again and building
up, because we have to hit the ground running on 17 August.
"We know Cardiff is not going to be an easy game. It's their first game in
the Premier League so they're going to be up for it. It's going to be really
tough. We were there last year and we enjoyed a good start and we want to do
that again."
Nolan closed by praising fellow goalscorer Morrison, but the captain added
that the young midfielder must retain his current focus if he is to make the
most of his considerable talent. The skipper said the former Manchester
United youngster had benefitted from a loan spell at Birmingham City and had
returned to pre-season training with a more mature attitude and approach to
his football and his life in general. "The lad has got ability. It was all
the off-field stuff and his mental attitude to the game and I think he has
come back [with a renewed approach]. Speaking to Lee Clark when I've had the
chance to, he said he really worked hard with him and towards the end of
last season he really had him on board and that's what you have got to have
with Rav. "Last year, he started off like that but he let himself down off
the field with not turning in and things like that. I'm not pulling him out
because he is a lovely kid and we want him to do well and that's why we've
worked so hard. Hopefully now he's seen the benefit of being around us all
the time and going out on loan and seeing what it's all about. "Hopefully
now this will be the start of what is going to be a fantastic career for
him, because as you can see he has great ability and can score goals too.
I'm going to help him as much as I can this season, talking to him on the
pitch and off the pitch. If he can get it all right, he'll be a top player
for years to come."
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SC Braga 1-0 West Ham Utd
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 7th August 2013
By: Staff Writer
West Ham's desperate lack of firepower was all too evident on a night when a
second half effort from Rafa was enough to secure victory for Braga.
Hopes were high for Sam Allardyce's side ahead of this evening's Torneio do
Guadiana clash, following last night's encouraging display against Sporting
Lisbon. However the Irons - featuring Modibo Maiga in the pivotal striker's
role - were a shadow of the team that had begun the tournament in such
style.
United barely managed to fashion a goalscoring opportunity of note on a
night when all of last season's concerns about performances away from the
Boleyn resurfaced.
And whilst Andy Carroll's current stand-in can at least point to the lack of
service provided in his defence, pre-season has done little to disprove the
theory that suggests the Ivorian simply isn't suited to the role Allardyce
and his coaching team want him to play.
The search for another attacking player continues in earnest, with Allardyce
set to meet the Board again tomorrow upon his return from Portugal to
discuss their next move. In the meantime, West Ham without Carroll is not a
prospect to relish - especially with the start of the new season less than a
fortnight away.
On the night, Allardyce opted to make nine changes from yesterday's starting
XI - Maiga and James Tomkins the only survivors from the 3-2 win against
Sporting. From the start, West Ham struggled to retain possession although
Jack Collison, Razvan Rat and Mo Diame all had sight of goal in the opening
half.
Still, the better chances of the first half came at the other end of the
field where recent arrival Adrian was deputising for Jussi Jaaskelainen. The
Spaniard didn't get off to the best start when he was fortunate to escape
punishment having allowed an early shot to spill from his hands.
But there was little he could do when a James Collins error allowed Barbosa
to shoot from distance; fortunately for the Hammers, it went the wrong (or
should that be right?) side of the post.
Coelho had Adrian stretching when his 26th minute effort flashed narrowly
wide of the post - and seven minutes later, a Santos free kick from the
perimeter of the penalty area beat both goalkeeper and post - albeit by a
matter of inches. However Braga's best chance of the half was to come six
minutes ahead of the interval, when Carlos spurned a golden chance to break
the deadlock.
Allowed to burst through the centre, Carlos laid the ball out wide to
Barbosa whose return pass was perfectly placed for the Brazilian.
Fortunately for West Ham, his effort flew high over the bar before removing
an empty seat from its fixings - possibly the highlight of the first half.
Yet West Ham's good fortune was to run out with just over an hour on the
clock, when Braga finally took the lead. Youngster Pelly Ruddock, only on
the pitch for a matter of seconds having replaced James Tomkins lost his man
and the ensuing shot was parried by goalkeeper Adrian, directly into the
path of Rafa who drove it back into an empty net.
Thereafter West Ham struggled to make any impact in the final third of the
field and Jack Collison's poorly struck, off-target 80th minute effort was
United's only shot on goal as Allardyce's impotent charges limped to defeat
in their final pre-season fixture away from the Boleyn Ground.
* West Ham's tournament briefly looked like ending on a high - of sorts -
when the penalty shootout that followed the game (don't ask) saw United race
into a 3-0 lead. However misses from Dan Potts and Mo Diame - one of the
worst penalties you may ever see - allowed Braga to 'draw' (don't ask) the
shootout 3-3.
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Equal opportunities boss criticises Sullivan tweet
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 6th August 2013
By: Staff Writer
A Belgian equal opportunities officer has described a tweet posted on Jack
Sullivan's Twitter account as "incitement to discrimination".
Patrick Charlier, who according to Belgian-based broadcaster RTBF is the
Deputy Director of the Centre for Equal Opportunities spoke out after the
Twitter account attributed to Jack Sullivan posted a message regarding the
potential purchase of Gent's 26-year-old forward Ilombe Pele Mboyo.
The tweet, posted last Sunday evening, asked whether the club should
consider signing a player who, ten years previously, had been convicted of
rape. Many fans were subsequently critical of the decision to allow a
message of that nature to be published on an account belonging to a minor.
A later tweet from the same source revealed that West Ham fans had voted
almost unanimously against signing the player, adding that as a result the
club would not be pursuing the transfer.
Charlier however was more concerned with the potential for prejudice. "You
could consider this a form of incitement to discrimination," he told RTBF.
"This [tweet] is not from the person who is hiring. The manager makes that
decision, but it will push people to make a decision."
Further, the RTBF editorial criticised the English media who, they argued,
were "not really willing to give a second chance to those who have already
paid their debt to society."
They tried to make me go to West Ham...
... but the fans said, "No, no, no."
El Hadji Diouf (2011)
Sam Allardyce ruled out signing the Sengalese spitter two months into the
2011/12 season after Hammers fans reacted furiously to the news that the
club were considering signing a player who spat at them whilst a Liverpool
player in 2002. Diouf ended up joining Doncaster, who were relegated at the
end of the season.
Ben Thatcher (2008)
The former Millwall and Tottenham full-back spent a week on trial with the
Hammers during the 2008/09 pre-season, much to the annoyance of fans
disgusted that the club should offer an opportunity to a player with such a
chequered history. His two brief cameos were met by a chorus of boos and he
evetually signed for ipswich Town instead.
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Allardyce: Carroll to miss start of season
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 6th August 2013
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce has admitted that Andy Carroll is unlikely to be fit in time
for the 2013/14 Premier League curtain-raiser against Cardiff next weekend.
Allardyce, who is currently preparing his squad for tonight's Guadiana
Tournament clash with SC Braga revealed that despite having returned to
training, the club record signing is unlikely to be ready for the Bluebirds'
visit on 17th August. "Andy is making good progress and doing some running,"
said Big Sam. "We'll look at things over the next week but, considering
where he is in his preparation, I would've thought that realistically we're
looking at the match following the international break, which is Southampton
away on 15th September."
Carroll, speaking at the weekend was however slightly more optimistic about
his chances of making a full recovery ahead of schedule. "I've been away to
Germany with the lads and keeping myself as fit as I can with the work I can
still do," he said. "It's been tough but I've been working hard to be back
for the start of the season." "I'm dying to get back kicking a ball again. I
can't wait because the last time I kicked a ball was in the final game of
last season. Everyone is buzzing and in great form and great spirits,
looking forward to the start of the season."
Although Allardyce remains in the market for a right-sided forward who can
also deputise in the centre of attack, West Ham may be forced to look within
their current squad for a temporary replacement should Carroll fail to
return in time for the start of the new season. The most logical - and
perhaps only - choice to replace the £15million man is Modibo Maiga, who
featured in that role last night as West Ham beat Sporting 3-2. The Ivorian
grabbed an assist when setting up Kevin Nolan's opener to add to his brace
against Eintracht Braunschweig two weekends previously.
The games Andy Carroll could miss
18th August: Cardiff City (h)
24th August: Newcastle Utd (a)
27th/28th August: Capital One Cup, 2nd Round
31st August: Stoke City (h)
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Kalou happy to stay in France
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 6th August 2013
By: Staff Writer
Salomon Kalou has given the broadest hint yet that he is happy to remain
with his current Club, despite being courted by West Ham United. The Ivorian
forward is one of several forwards on Sam Allardyce's hit list, as the
Hammers boss desperately seeks to add another attacking player to his roster
ahead of the Premier League kick off two weeks from now. However the former
Chelsea man - who has also been striongly linked with West Brom - has
indicated that he would be happy to stay with current club Lille for the
raminder of his contract, which expires in two years time. Speaking to
French daily Voix Du Nord (Voice of the North), Kalou admitted that he was
content in France and looking forward to working with new head coach Rene
Girard, who replaced the outgoing Rudi Garcia (now at Roma) last month. "He
is a coach who can make progress," said Kalou. "In these circumstances I do
not see why I need to go elsewhere."
Allardyce has been frustrated several times already this summer in his
attempts to sign a forward to complement record signing Andy Carroll.
Wilfried Bony rejected West Ham in favour of a first team place at Swansea,
whilst deals for players such as Gerard Deulofeu, Oscar Trejo and Loic Remy
have also fallen through.
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West Ham suffer defeat by Braga after Rafa's goal in Algarve
Last Updated: August 6, 2013 11:37pm
SSN
West Ham United suffered a 1-0 defeat by Braga in the Premier League club's
penultimate pre-season friendly. Midfielder Rafa scored the only goal of the
game in the 63rd minute to upset Sam Allardyce's side in the Guadiana
Tournament in the Algarve. Following Monday's win against Sporting, West Ham
could have won the three-team tournament but it was not to be for the
Londoners on their second game in as many days. West Ham could not find
their best form and it possibly showed that they were resting regulars such
as Jussi Jaaskelainen, Winston Reid, Matt Jarvis, Joe Cole and Mark Noble as
substitutes. And Portugal Under 21 international Rafa ultimately won the
game shortly after the hour when reacting quickly when West Ham goalkeeper
Adrian could only palm Yazalde's shot. West Ham next face Portuguese side
Pacos de Ferreira in a friendly on Saturday before the following weekend's
Premier League season opener against Cardiff City at Upton Park.
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Kevin Nolan backs bad boy Ravel Morrison
KEVIN NOLAN claims Ravel Morrison is a reformed character as the West Ham
bad-boy bids to rebuild his turbulent career.
Daily Star
By Darren Witcoop/Published 7th August 2013
Winger Morrison - once regarded as one of English football's hottest
properties - has been plagued by disciplinary problems and off-the-pitch
issues. The troubled 20-year-old was booted out of Manchester United last
year and looked set to be ditched by West Ham this summer. But Morrison's
rehabilitation began after finally knuckling down towards the end of a
season-long loan spell at Championship side Birmingham last term. Now
Hammers skipper Nolan is ready to continue playing father figure to keep the
starlet on the straight and narrow. Nolan said: "He has grown up and I think
he has come back with a renewed approach. I am going to help him as much as
I can by talking to him on and off the pitch. Board "Last year he started
like that, but it was all the off-field stuff and his mental attitude to the
game. He let himself down with not turning up and things like that. "But
speaking to (manager) Lee Clark at Birmingham, he said he really worked hard
on him and towards the end had him on board. That's what you got to have
with Rav. "If he can get it all right, he will be a top player for years to
come."
Upton Park boss Sam Allardyce had run out of patience with Morrison before
offering his £1.4m signing one final chance to win him over during
pre-season.
And Morrison, who scored twice in Monday's 3-2 friendly win over Sporting
Lisbon, has delivered with some eye-catching displays. The wideman has now
put himself in the frame for the Premier League opener against Cardiff on
August 17. Nolan, 31, added: "Hopefully he's seen the benefit of being
around us all the time and going on loan and seeing what it's about. "The
lad has got great ability and can score goals, too. This could be the start
of a fantastic career for him."
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One in and three out at QPR, as West Ham target Zapata now on Redknapp's
radar
By SIMON JONES
PUBLISHED: 22:28, 6 August 2013 | UPDATED: 22:28, 6 August 2013
Daily Mail
QPR have made a £3.3million offer for Estudiantes striker Duvan Zapata.
West Ham pulled out of a deal last month fearing they would not get a work
permit for the 22-year-old. However, QPR hope to appeal on grounds of
'special talent' for the Colombia Under 20 international. Meanwhile,
goalkeeper Julio Cesar is continuing talks with Fiorentina while Park Ji
Sung has completed his loan to PSV Eindhoven. Thos deals will be followed
by midfielder Adel Taarabt who has passed a medical at Fulham ahead of a
season loan. Martin Jol's Cottagers remain keen on Aston Villa striker
Darren Bent and Sunderland's Lee Cattermole but may face competition on both
from Hull.
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Neil McDonald impressed by West Ham starlet Ravel Morrison
TalkSport
By Anton Stanley | Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Ravel Morrison is finally beginning to show his potential at West Ham,
according to assistant manager Neil McDonald. The former Manchester United
youngster, 20, initially struggled to settle in east London following his
move south. A spell on loan with Birmingham City last season appears to have
focused the highly-rated youngster who once interested Barcelona. An
impressive pre-season has followed, which includes two goals against
Sporting Lisbon and a string of excellent displays. And McDonald believes he
can finally flourish at Upton Park under Sam Allardyce. "He's settled in and
he's come back a different player," he told Drive Time. "I think it's done
him the world of good going to Birmingham to play some games. "He can
certainly do a really good job in midfield. He's got the ability. You don't
play for Manchester United if you're not a good player. "He came as a young
kid from Man United thinking that he could walk straight into the first team
and sometimes that doesn't happen. "But he's gone away and used that
experience and he's impressed us like everybody else has in the squad in
pre-season. As each game goes along he's looking good, as are the rest of
them. "He hadn't played games on a regular basis in the first team so it was
good for him to go to Birmingham and train all week knowing that he had a
chance of playing. "He's used that to his advantage and hopefully it's to
our advantage as well."
But McDonald believes the players should be given time to progress before
hailing him as a future international star. He added: "England are crying
out for good players and he is a good player but we don't want to put too
much pressure on him. He's still only a young kid, isn't he. He's still
trying to learn his trade.
"He's got a lot of good players around him and if we can make him flourish
that's absolutely brilliant. We look forward to how he's going to progress
over the season."
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Tuesday, August 6
Daily WHUFC News - 6th August 2013 II
Sporting 2-3 West Ham United FT
WHUFC.com
Ravel Morrison scores twice and Kevin Nolan once in the Hammers' victory at the Guadiana Tournament
05.08.2013
SPORTING CLUBE DE PORTUGAL v WEST HAM UNITED
TORNEIO DO GUADIANA
ESTÁDIO MUNICIPAL DE PORTIMÃO
MONDAY 5 AUGUST 2013
KICK-OFF: 9.15PM
Final score - Sporting Clube de Portugal 2-3 West Ham United
Penalty shootout
The penalty shootout held to decide final placings if the teams finish level on points, goals and goal difference has finished...level! Madness. I have no idea what the point of that shootout was but it's all over. West Ham have won the match 3-2 and drawn the shootout 4-4. An entertaining and satisfying evening for the Hammers. Don't forget, we'll be back here in Portimao in about 21 hours to do it all again when we take on SC Braga. Join us then! Also, if you want to watch us in action against Pacos de Ferreira at the Boleyn Ground on Saturday, you can get tickets now!
Sporting Clube de Portugal 4-4 West Ham United - It's all level again as Cole sends the goalkeeper the wrong way. And to complete a ridiculous evening, that's it!!
Sporting Clube de Portugal 4-3 West Ham United - Brilliant! Rojo does a Chris Waddle and smashes his penalty over the top. Joe Cole to level things up...
Sporting Clube de Portugal 4-3 West Ham United - He does. Jarvis slots the ball into the bottom left-hand corner. Rojo...
Sporting Clube de Portugal 4-2 West Ham United - Mauricio puts the penalty to Jaaskelainen's left again! Again, the Finn cannot reach it. Jarvis must score...
Sporting Clube de Portugal 3-2 West Ham United - Elliot Lee sends Boeck the wrong way. West Ham still in this...
Sporting Clube de Portugal 3-1 West Ham United - Advantage Sporting in the strangest penalty shootout in history as Chaby smashes his spot-kick high into the net.
Sporting Clube de Portugal 2-1 West Ham United - Morrison sees his penalty straight down the middle saved by the legs of Boeck.
Sporting Clube de Portugal 2-1 West Ham United - Eduardo puts the ball in the same place! Jaaskelainen again goes the right way but cannot get there.
Sporting Clube de Portugal 1-1 West Ham United - Noble runs up and slides the ball low into the same bottom corner as Carvalho. That hit the side netting. Great penalty. Eduardo next for Sporting.
Sporting Clube de Portugal 1-0 West Ham United - Carvalho puts the ball past Jaaskelainen's dive into the bottom left-hand corner. Noble...
OK, don't go anywhere as we now have the penalty shootout! Carvalho is going to take the first one for Sporting...
Lee Richardson: "That was a really pleasing performance. The manager, the coaching staff and the players will all be really happy. The only slight disappointment in the second half was conceding from the free-kick. However, it looked a very harsh decision to give a foul against Joe Cole. Saying that, you still have to defend the set piece. Probably the most pleasing thing of all for everyone would be seeing Ravel Morrison showing his potential."
93 mins - Into the final minute and Sporting have won a throw deep in West Ham territory. Centre-back Rojo dances into the box and the crowd rises, but his cut-back falls to a claret and blue shirt and West Ham survive. Another cross comes over a few seconds later and Reid heads out. Carvalho delivers again and Rat hacks upfield. The final whistle is blown and West Ham have won!
91 mins - We're into three minutes of added time. The Sporting fans don't like it. There's a shock. Don't forget we're going to have a penalty shootout after the game, too!
90 mins - Cole deflects a Fabiano cross behind for a corner. It is the little man Jarvis who is there at the near post to head clear. Well done Jarvo!
88 mins - Montero throws himself to the turf as a high ball forward comes towards the West Ham box. Reid did nothing wrong and thankfully the referee agrees.
86 mins - Mr Martins obviously likes his paperwork as he books Jaaskelainen for time-wasting as he prepares to take a free-kick. The Sporting fans boo and whistle every decision made against their team. It's been a really competitive game, this. Will there be any more late drama?
84 mins - Goal! Maybe it isn't over? Joe Cole is penalised for a foul wide on the right and the free-kick is curled over by Eduardo. No14 William Carvalho gets the slightest of touches and the ball bounces past a helpless Jaaskelainen and into the net.
80 mins - Sporting bring on Magrao for Silva in midfield.
79 mins - GOAL! West Ham have surely won this now and it's Morrison again! Lee Richardson taps me on the leg and says 'Right on cue!' and he's entitled to. Rat's initialy shot is charged down but Lletget retains possession and he finds Cole in space on the left. The England man spins and curls a superb cross that finds Morrison completely unmarked six yards out. He jumps and glances the header into the net, giving the goalkeeper no chance.
Lee Richardson: "We have completely dominated the second half. We have bossed the possession and have nullified them completely as an attacking force. Their only chance came from a foul on Mark Noble and we have created several really good chances and scored two good goals. There have been a lot of positives for Ravel Morrison tonight. He has worked extremely hard for the team and has come up with a moment of quality which is great to see. Youngsters Ruddock, Lee and Lletget are now getting a chance to impress as well. Pelly has settled in quickly into the back four and we're defending well as a team as well."
76 mins - West Ham slowing the game down with Nolan being replaced by Lletget in midfield. Nolan gets some whistles on his way off. I bet he doesn't care a jot.
75 mins - Cisse is on for the final 15 minutes for Carrillo. Seconds later, O'Brien sees yellow for a foul.
72 mins - West Ham are controlling the game here. Meanwhile, you can watch the Hammers take to the pitch and warm-up in Portimao ahead of tonight's game on the Official West Ham TV YouTube channel.
67 mins - Changes for both sides as Eduardo replaces Martins in the Sporting midfield and Pelly Ruddock is on for Tomkins at the back for West Ham.
66 mins - It's a corner for West Ham as a cross from the left flicks off the head of a Sporting defender, but Noble's kick is cleared.
64 mins - Big chance for West Ham as Nolan wins the ball back and finds Cole. He looks up and wants to find his captain in the middle, but the No26 over-hits the pass. Cole is frustrated and waves his arms to show it. He has more quality than that.
60 mins - Before the re-start, Elliot Lee is on for Maiga up front. Big chance for the teenager. The crowd have been stunned by that two-goal salvo from the Hammers. Well, not all of them because the drummer is still drumming away to my right.
59 mins - GOAL! West Ham lead! It's a cracking goal, too. Rat feeds a superb pass inside for Morrison, who takes a touch and opens up his body before slamming a low shot into the bottom right-hand corner from all of 25 yards. Great strike from the youngster.
58 mins - GOAL! Rat's ball down the left is chased by Jarvis and he wins a throw off Marcel. Rat jogs forward and hurls the throw into the penalty area, where Maiga flicks it on with his head and Nolan ghosts in to tap home from six yards. Classic Nolan and West Ham are deservedly level.
56 mins - Noble is caught in possession just outside the box by Carrillo. The winger gets into the box and beats a defender with a neat drop of the shoulder. He shoots left-footed from no farther than 12 yards. Jaaskelainen makes a fine save with his left leg and Reid helps the ball around the post with his out-stretched left foot. A big let-off. Noble felt he was fouled and castigates the referee. The corner is cleared.
Lee Richardson: "The manager was keen for the players to focus on their football in his half-time team talk. There was a disappointment in the dressing room for two reasons - first, it wasn't handball and second that the penalty award came in the third minute of two minutes of added time. There is a feeling that the players and fans of Sporting are not being particularly sporting!"
51 mins - Rat lifts a free-kick into the box from halfway but it's an easy catch for Boeck. This is an even game now. West Ham definitely held the upper hand early on, but the Portuguese have got their noses in front and are holding their own. Morrison commits another foul and No5 Rojo rolls around for a while before recovering to take the free-kick. Nolan gives the centre-back a piece of his mind.
48 mins - The game is showing no signs of losing its edge as Morrison slides in and catches Martins with a late challenge. Referee Ricardo Martins plays on. Morrison is perhaps a bit lucky not to get a caution when the game is eventually stopped.
46 mins - West Ham win a corner within 45 seconds of the re-start but it comes to nothing.
Half-time score - Sporting Clube de Portugal 1-0 West Ham United
Taylor is being replaced by Rat at half-time. Sporting make two changes, with No43 Chaby on for Capel and No14 Carvalho on for Rinaudo. Both are straight swaps for the Portuguese side.
I've just seen a slow motion replay of the penalty decision and it appears that the ball hit Matt Taylor's chest and not his arm. Let's hope West Ham can take their frustration out on Sporting in terms of goals during the second half.
49 mins - Goal! Spain winger Capel steps up and strokes the penalty to Jaaskelainen's right. The goalkeeper goes the other way and Sporting lead. I have a feeling Big Sam is not going to be too happy about what has happened over the last couple of minutes. Capel celebrates as if Sporting have won the UEFA Champions League and the fans behind the goal rush to the front of the stand. The advertising board cannot hold them and there is a bit of an issue as a few fall over. Thankfully, it looks as if everyone has got away unhurt. West Ham kick-off and that's half-time. That was an eventful half of football, I must say.
48 mins - We're 30 seconds over the two minutes and Sporting have a penalty! Taylor is the man penalised for handball, but it looks a bit harsh. The ball bounced up as O'Brien challenged Montero inside the box. Capel...
45 mins - We'll have two added minutes. As we go into added time, the 24th foul of the game sees Nolan brought down.
44 mins - Capel is down on the turf again after being caught by Taylor. A yellow card for the West Ham left-back - the fourth of the game and a third for a Hammers player. Reid and Maiga have also been booked. Moments later, Montero has a shot from 25 yards and Jaaskelainen saves it. The Finn spills the low shot initially, but he's quick to pounce on the ball as it squirms a yard or two clear of him.
43 mins - Sporting have their best spell so far, working the ball from left to right before Fabiano plays a one-two and bursts on to the ball. He gets there and cuts the ball back from the byline, but Cole has tracked back and slides in to concede the corner. The flag kick comes to nothing.
38 mins - Rinaudo has a go from about 30 yards, but it's a daisy-cutter that misses the target by at least ten yards. Jaaskelainen watches it go by.
Lee Richardson: "The game has settled down a little bit. Both teams were guilty of one or two rash challenges. It often happens in so-called friendlies, but both teams need to focus on playing their football and not trying to outdo each other with who has been the biggest victim. The players have been complaining to the referee, but they are settling down a bit now. We've had 17 free-kicks already, according to our performance analyst Jamie Osman."
36 mins - Big Sam is out and patrolling the edge of his technical area. He is not happy about something or other.
34 mins - The West Ham physio is on for the first time, as is the club doctor, as Reid needs some treatment after being caught while winning a header inside the Sporting penalty area. It's a chance for the other players to have a welcome drink of water.
31 mins - It's been a niggly sort of game with quite a few free-kicks. Now, it's boiled over. First, Capel and Noble came together and the Sporting player went down and stayed there for a while holding his knee. Then, on the far side, Maiga is fouled with a knee in the back by No5 Rojo. Something then happens and Maiga springs to his feet to remonstrate with the Argentine. After some handbags involving at least a dozen players, the referee books Rojo and Maiga.
30 mins - It's been a very good half-hour from the Hammers, who have come within a lick of paint of taking the lead. Sporting are having no sustained periods of possession at all.
27 mins - Another free-kick to West Ham. This time it's Jarvis who is shoved to the ground by Marcal just to the left of the penalty area. Noble or Jarvis to take... Noble clips the ball into Nolan at the near post, but the skipper scuffs his volley and Boeck gathers easily.
25 mins - You can view an exclusive gallery of images from Portimao now on our Official Facebook page. It's a colourful occasion down here on the Algarve, where the Sporting fans have tried to turn the stadium into a green and white home from home complete with flags and drums.
23 mins - Carrillo threatens to get in down the left after O'Brien is caught slightly out of position after winning the initial header. Morrison tracks back 50 yards and puts the Peru winger under sufficient pressure that he can only cross the ball high and behind for a goal kick.
Lee Richardson: "We will be reasonably pleased with how we've gone so far. Sporting are a good side and have ability in possession. We have had the best of the game so far and have looked defensively solid, as we always do. We have created the best chances and most of the game is being played in Sporting's half. We are nullifying them. They are playing with one player, Martins, off the main striker and we've restricted them to counter attacks, really."
16 mins - Sporting have been stirred to life by that escape as a dangerous cross from right-back Marcel is cleared only as far as Martins. He lays off for Rinaudo, whose first-time effort from 25 yards hits Nolan and spins away for a throw.
13 mins - So close! A Tomkins free-kick causes havoc as Reid nods it down again. The ball looks to have evaded everybody as it bounces across the penalty area but Morrison reacts quickest and shoots. The shot is blocked but the ball rolls only as far as Cole, who spins and thumps his effort against the post! The ball falls out to Nolan, who cannot control his first-time effort from about eight yards and it just clears the crossbar.
11 mins - Noble is fouled wide on the right. He swings in the free-kick towards Tomkins but the ball bounces away on the near side. Jarvis cannot control and it's a goal kick. West Ham probably on top now in terms of territory.
9 mins - Good strength and tenacity by Maiga to battle for the high ball and then again when it bounces up outside the D. He shapes to shoot and is brought down by Sporting captain Rinaudo. Chance for West Ham from a free-kick right on the edge of the D. Noble, Morrison and Cole stand over the ball. Noble lays it off for Cole, who slams the shot into the wall.
Lee Richardson: "Both teams have started quite scrappily, trying to keep possession. They are cancelling each other out as they are both playing with 4-3-3 formations. The pitch also isn't of the best quality and consequently both sets of players are making errors with their passing."
6 mins - Best move so far from the Hammers as Maiga and Nolan swap passes before the Malian tries to play in his captain. Nolan doesn't have the pace to beat Welder Marcel, however, and the No2 clears. Seconds later, Reid catches Andre Martins on halfway and the No8 goes down theatrically. It's enough to earn Reid an early booking.
5 mins - Capel is left holding his face as Taylor mis-times his jump for a header. No harm done and the Spaniard is soon back to full working order.
3 mins - Tomkins is fouled on halfway and he takes the free-kick himself. The No5 picks out his fellow centre-back Reid on the edge of the box. He nods the ball inside towards Nolan, but the defender is there to volley clear.
61 secs - Sporting have the first chance as a loose clearance from Jaaskelainen falls to Carrillo. He cuts in from the left and rifles a 25-yarder that skims the bar on the way over the top. Some gasps from the sizeable crowd inside the stadium.
9.15pm - Sporting get us underway.
9.13pm - Here come the two teams, accompanied by a bit of 'We Will Rock You' by Queen.
9.10pm - I'm joined in the Press Box tonight by West Ham's club psychologist and former Blackburn Rovers and Aberdeen midfielder Lee Richardson. Lee also managed Chesterfield, so he'll be able to provide us with some professional insight.
9.05pm - Jack Collison, Alou Diarra and Ricardo Vaz Te aresitting out the game tonight. They will be available for tomorrow evening's meeting with SC Braga, however.
9pm - Apologies for the lack of updates over the last hour. I have been running around taking photographs and sorting out wifi access and the like! It's all go. Anyway, the sun has now set here in Portimao and we're only 15 minutes away from kick-off. To start with, here is the team news:
West Ham United: Jaaskelainen, O'Brien, Taylor, Tomkins, Reid, Noble, Morrison, Nolan, Cole, Jarvis, Maiga
Subs: Adrian, Potts, Rat, Demel, Ruddock, Collins, Diame, Lletget, Lee
Sporting: Boeck, Marcal, Mauricio, Rojo, Martins, Capel, Fabiano, Montero, Carrillo, Rinaudo, Silva
Subs: Rui Patricio, Jefferson, Magrao, Carvalho, Eduardo, Semedo, Soares, Chaby, Cisse
Good evening and welcome to the warm and sunny Algarve for tonight's pre-season Guadiana Tournament opener between West Ham United and Sporting Clube de Portugal - the club better known in England as Sporting Lisbon.
The Hammers arrived in Portugal on Sunday afternoon and the players held a light training session at the team base in Lagos on Monday morning before getting some welcome rest ahead of tonight's game.
The three-team pre-season Guadiana Tournament is being held at the Estádio Municipal de Portimão, a few miles east of Lagos. The competition also features SC Braga, who West Ham will tackle at the same venue on Tuesday evening, with kick-off again at 9.15pm.
It promises to be a late night, whatever happens, as a penalty shootout will be held following the final whistle to determine final group placings in the event of teams finishing level on points, goal difference and goals. The Hammers chose not to practice their spot-kicks after training this morning, so I'm afraid I don't know who will be stepping up to have a go from 12 yards later on!
Tonight's opponents are 18-times Portuguese champions but the men in green and white hoops have fallen on lean times in recent years, having not won the Primeira Division since the 2001/02 season. Sporting finished seventh in the Primeira Liga last season.
Managed by Leonardo Jardim, the club from the capital will be hoping to bounce back this term. Among the star names in Jardim's squad are Portugal goalkeeper Rui Patricio, Argentina defender Marcos Rojo, Spain winger Diego Capel and Peru forward Andre Carrillo.
Team news-wise, West Ham manager Sam Allardyce will be without centre forward Andy Carroll (heel) and George McCartney (knee), who have remained at Chadwell Heath for treatment. Jack Collison and Alou Diarra will sit out tonight as they are both expected to be involved from the start against Braga on Tuesday.
Sporting have been very active in the transfer market this summer, signing Brazilian trio left-back Jefferson from Estoril, right-back Weldinho from Palmeiras and centre-back Mauricio from Sport Recife, Colombia forward Fredy Montero from Seattle Sounders and Guinea striker Salim Cissé from Academica de Coimbra.
West Ham will be meeting Sporting for the second time in their history, having previously welcomed the 18-times Portuguese champions to the Boleyn Ground on Tuesday 7 May 1996 for a match to celebrate the Hammers' centenary.
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Macca hails Sporting success
WHUFC.com
Neil McDonald hailed the 3-2 Guadiana Tournament win over Sporting Clube de Portugal as a 'brilliant exercise'
06.08.2013
Neil McDonald hailed West Ham United's action-packed 3-2 Guadiana Tournament victory over Sporting Clube de Portugal as a 'brilliant exercise'. The Hammers assistant manager witnessed a thrilling game that saw his side battle back from a goal down to lead 3-1 before resisting a late comeback from the 18-times Portuguese champions in Portimao on Monday. After a first half largely dominated by the English side, Sporting took the lead in the third minute of added time through a disputed Diego Capel penalty given for an alleged handball against Matt Taylor. West Ham used the perceived injustice to launch a second half onslaught. Kevin Nolan levelled with a tap-in from Modibo Maiga's flick-on after 58 minutes before Ravel Morrison put West Ham in front with a precise finish within 60 seconds. Morrison appeared to make the game safe when he headed in Joe Cole's cross on 79 minutes, only for William Carvalho's 84th-minute goal to set up a nervous ending. Following a surreal post-match penalty shootout held to decide final finishing positions in the event of teams ending level, which ended 4-4, McDonald spoke to West Ham TV.
"It was a brilliant exercise," said Sam Allardyce's No2. "There was a lot of physicality and we were playing against a referee who wasn't really giving much in our favour. "The boys held strong and stuck together and we played with a fantastic tempo, which I thought was really, really good. We scored some good goals. "We still need to work on not conceding because we didn't want to concede two goals, but all in all it was an absolutely brilliant run out. We're happy because that was the best tempo we've played with all pre-season and we're all really pleased with the game."
Like Big Sam had done before kick-off, McDonald hailed his players for their ability to play their football, despite five of them being booked by the referee and the hostile atmosphere created by the vocal Sporting fans. "It was the highest tempo we've played at in pre-season, which was great. We have got two weeks to go until Cardiff and that was the perfect workout. "Everybody has almost come through 90 minutes and we made some changes with Tuesday's game in mind because we must be strong against Braga because they are a Champions League team. We're looking forward to that game. "We're really, really pleased with everybody's performance and it gives us good heart with two games to go until we start the Barclays Premier League season. "We've played Sporting before [during our time at Bolton] and they really get stuck in and are really physical and also try to play some good football, but we held strong. "I think they probably had only one shot from distance in the first half and then the penalty, which I don't think it was. It was rather harsh and the referee has probably given an easy one there to get everybody on his side. "We stayed strong, as I said, and kept playing the way we try to play and to get it down and keep the ball and we scored some really good goals. "As I keep repeating, the tempo of everything that we did was the best it has been in pre-season so that holds us in good stead with the Braga game on Tuesday and leading on to the Cardiff game on 17 August."
McDonald closed by speaking positively about the impact made by young midfielder Morrison following his return from a successful loan spell at Championship side Birmingham City last season. The former Manchester United youngster got his career back on track under the guidance of Blues manager Lee Clark and the Hammers assistant is now hoping he will continue to make progress in a West Ham shirt. "He has certainly grown up a touch. With all due respect, when he first came from Manchester United he thought he was the top kid and he was going to walk straight into our team and it certainly doesn't work like that.
"We sent him away to get the experience at Birmingham and he's certainly come back and he's used that experience. "He had some experience around him as well [in midfield] with Kevin Nolan and Mark Noble pulling and pushing him, as you'd expect. If we can get him on the ball in the final third then he can produce and he's produced two goals on Monday. "He missed his penalty at the end but that's good experience for him. He's come back in good shape, just like the rest of them."
*Tickets for Tuesday's Guadiana Tournament meeting with Portuguese Primeira Division side SC Braga will be available on the night from the Estádio Municipal de Portimão, priced at €12.50. West Ham United fans are urged to sit in the East Stand.
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Sporting Lisbon 2-3 West Ham Utd
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 5th August 2013
By: Staff Writer
A second half brace from Ravel Morrison helped West Ham to a morale-boosting victory against one of Portugal's 'big three'. Sporting - who along with Benfica and Porto complete the triumvirate of Portugal's domestic giants - were considered favourites to win the Torneio do Guadiana going into the competition.
However the tables were well and truly turned as the Sportinguistas were well beaten by a West Ham team consisting of a mix of first team and fringe players, on a night to remember for the small group of travelling Hammers fans who were able to make the trip to the Algarve.
Having started strongly, West Ham went agonisingly close to opening the scoring when Joe Cole's 13th minute effort cannoned back off the inside of the far post. Kevin Nolan was left with egg on his face when he failed to convert the rebound; an open goal which he put clean over the bar.
Tempers flared on the half-hour mark when a poor challenge on West Ham striker Modibo Maiga sparked a free-for-all after the United striker reacted angrily to what was just the latest of a string of poor challenges on him. The resulting melee saw both Maiga and his nemesis booked, presumably for sparking the incident.
Despite their first half dominance, West Ham were to go into the break a goal behind after Sporting scored from the penalty spot in first half injury time. Matt Taylor was justifiably angry at being penalised for handling a ball that was struck at him from point blank range; his protests in vain, Spanish forward Capel stepped up to send Jussi Jaaskelainen the wrong way.
With Taylor replaced by Razvan Rat at the break, West Ham continued to look the stronger side and got their reward 12 minutes after the restart. Sporting were caught flat-footed as a quick throw was nodded into the six-yard box by Maiga, where Nolan was waiting to pounce in typical fashion.
Still reeling from conceding the equaliser, Sporting found themselves a goal behind just 60 seconds later when a bursting run from midfield by the impressive Ravel Morrison culminated in the teenager firing across goal into the bottom left-hand corner to put West Ham 2-1 ahead.
The game should have been put to bed with just over ten minutes of normal time remaining when Man of the Match Morrison grabbed his second goal of the evening. Joe Cole, who was also excellent throughout curled in a cross from the left touchline which an unmarked Morrison guided into the bottom corner of the net.
However Sporting ensured that the audience - both in the stadium and around the globe via the internet - were kept on tenterhooks until the final whistle when Eduardo's 84th-minute free kick appeared to miss everyone before finding the back of the net.
William Carvalho may have got the slightest of nicks but either way, it was poor defending from West Ham (even if the free kick that led to the goal should never have been awarded against Joe Cole, whose shoulder to shoulder challenge was within the laws of the game).
A frantic few minutes of injury time followed before the final whistle confirmed what was a very impressive win for an experimental United side. Sam Allardyce will no doubt be delighted at what he saw - and, in particularly, the performance of Ravel Morrison who continues to impress in pre-season.
* A post-match penalty shootout to decide tournament placings in the event of a tie ended in a fairly unique 4-4 draw. Mark Noble, Elliot Lee, Matt Jarvis and Joe Cole converted their spot kicks whilst Ravel Morrison was the only Hammer to miss.
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West Ham abandon transfer interest in striker Ilombe Mboyo as rape conviction sparks fan protests
5 Aug 2013 22:31
The Mirror
West Ham chairman David Sullivan has confirmed the club have scrapped a move for a striker once jailed for his part in a gang-rape. The Hammers had considered signing Belgium international Ilombe Mboyo, 26. The Gent marksman hit 20 goals last season and would have played on the right side of attack, a position West Ham have been trying to fill for several weeks. Angry fans have bombarded social media demanding the club abandon the bid, however, after it emerged Mboyo served three years of an eight-year sentence for his part in the gang-rape of a 14-year-old when he was just 16. Sullivan confirmed to Mirror Sport that the Hammers have considered the feelings of the club's fans and pulled the plug. The Upton Park supremo insisted the club's response to the backlash is similar to the one that saw them shelve plans to sign bad-boy El Hadji Diouf two years ago. Sullivan said: "I couldn't go against the supporters. We wanted their opinions and they seem to have said no. "We didn't sign El Hadji Diouf when the supporters indicated he'd not be acceptable to the club. We will not proceed on this occasion either."
Mboyo, who was a Norwich target in last season's winter window, was described by Manchester City as 'a rare pearl' after he came through Anderlecht's academy. During the striker's time in jail, he enrolled in a rehabilitation scheme called Football In Prison and trained with Belgian club Charleroi. A move there was confirmed after his release and he continued his career with moved to Kortrijk and Gent. Only last October, Mboyo replaced Aston Villa's Christian Benteke in Belgium's 2-0 World Cup qualifying win over Scotland. Fan revulsion at his inclusion at the time, however, was such that the Belgium FA were forced to defend themselves against widespread criticism. Belgian FA president Francois De Keersmaeker said: "Once someone's time in the cells ends, they don't necessarily have to be lost to society. "It's too easy to stigmatise. Mboyo could be an example for young people who go down the wrong path."
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West Ham Beat Sporting Lisbon in Preseason Thriller, See Ravel Morrison Goals
BY KARL MATCHETT (WORLD FOOTBALL STAFF WRITER) ON AUGUST 5, 2013
Bleacherreport.com
West Ham United picked up an impressive win in Portugal as they defeated Sporting Lisbon in their latest preseason friendly. The Hammers won the match 3-2 after a good showing from troubled youngster Ravel Morrison, before a quirky finish saw a penalty shootout end in a 4-4 draw. Diego Capel scored a first-half penalty to put the Portuguese team ahead, but West Ham turned the match around with two goals in two minutes just before the hour mark. First it was Kevin Nolan who ghosted into the six-yard box to tap home after a long throw-in, before Morrison scored his first of the night and the best goal of the game, firing home from 20 yards. Razvan Rat, a new left-back signing from Shakhtar Donetsk, was instrumental in both goals and he had a hand in the third too, combining with Joe Cole, who crossed for Morrison to head home his second and put West Ham up 3-1.
William Carvalho got a slight flick on a free kick with just a few minutes left on the clock to pull one back for the hosts, but West Ham hung on to record a fine victory. Following an intensive preseason programme, this was West Ham's eighth friendly of the summer and their seventh victory, with only a defeat to German side FSV Mainz spoiling Sam Allardyce and his side's run of form. This game against Sporting was part of the Toerneio do Guardiana, with the Hammers due to face Sporting Braga 24 hours after this match in the second fixture. The 3-2 win after 90 minutes wasn't the only action though; a penalty shootout was held at the end of the game, supposedly to aid determining the competition winners if teams finished level on points, goals and goal difference—but the shootout itself ended in a draw!
Ravel Morrison scored twice during the match, but the former Manchester United youngster couldn't make it a hat-trick of successful finishes as he saw his spot-kick saved. Mark Noble, Elliot Lee, Matt Jarvis and Joe Cole scored the other penalties. West Ham finished last season in 10th place in the Premier League and will hope to build on that during the coming campaign, though the only significant outlay thus far in the transfer market has been to make permanent the loan of Andy Carroll. Left-back Rat, however, showed that there is plenty of value for Allardyce to pick up on free transfers too, and his performance will have given more positives to his boss.
West Ham play Premier League newcomers Cardiff City on the opening day of the new season.
See the goals here : http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1728270-west-ham-beat-sporting-lisbon-in-preseason-thriller-see-ravel-morrison-goals?
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
Ravel Morrison scores twice and Kevin Nolan once in the Hammers' victory at the Guadiana Tournament
05.08.2013
SPORTING CLUBE DE PORTUGAL v WEST HAM UNITED
TORNEIO DO GUADIANA
ESTÁDIO MUNICIPAL DE PORTIMÃO
MONDAY 5 AUGUST 2013
KICK-OFF: 9.15PM
Final score - Sporting Clube de Portugal 2-3 West Ham United
Penalty shootout
The penalty shootout held to decide final placings if the teams finish level on points, goals and goal difference has finished...level! Madness. I have no idea what the point of that shootout was but it's all over. West Ham have won the match 3-2 and drawn the shootout 4-4. An entertaining and satisfying evening for the Hammers. Don't forget, we'll be back here in Portimao in about 21 hours to do it all again when we take on SC Braga. Join us then! Also, if you want to watch us in action against Pacos de Ferreira at the Boleyn Ground on Saturday, you can get tickets now!
Sporting Clube de Portugal 4-4 West Ham United - It's all level again as Cole sends the goalkeeper the wrong way. And to complete a ridiculous evening, that's it!!
Sporting Clube de Portugal 4-3 West Ham United - Brilliant! Rojo does a Chris Waddle and smashes his penalty over the top. Joe Cole to level things up...
Sporting Clube de Portugal 4-3 West Ham United - He does. Jarvis slots the ball into the bottom left-hand corner. Rojo...
Sporting Clube de Portugal 4-2 West Ham United - Mauricio puts the penalty to Jaaskelainen's left again! Again, the Finn cannot reach it. Jarvis must score...
Sporting Clube de Portugal 3-2 West Ham United - Elliot Lee sends Boeck the wrong way. West Ham still in this...
Sporting Clube de Portugal 3-1 West Ham United - Advantage Sporting in the strangest penalty shootout in history as Chaby smashes his spot-kick high into the net.
Sporting Clube de Portugal 2-1 West Ham United - Morrison sees his penalty straight down the middle saved by the legs of Boeck.
Sporting Clube de Portugal 2-1 West Ham United - Eduardo puts the ball in the same place! Jaaskelainen again goes the right way but cannot get there.
Sporting Clube de Portugal 1-1 West Ham United - Noble runs up and slides the ball low into the same bottom corner as Carvalho. That hit the side netting. Great penalty. Eduardo next for Sporting.
Sporting Clube de Portugal 1-0 West Ham United - Carvalho puts the ball past Jaaskelainen's dive into the bottom left-hand corner. Noble...
OK, don't go anywhere as we now have the penalty shootout! Carvalho is going to take the first one for Sporting...
Lee Richardson: "That was a really pleasing performance. The manager, the coaching staff and the players will all be really happy. The only slight disappointment in the second half was conceding from the free-kick. However, it looked a very harsh decision to give a foul against Joe Cole. Saying that, you still have to defend the set piece. Probably the most pleasing thing of all for everyone would be seeing Ravel Morrison showing his potential."
93 mins - Into the final minute and Sporting have won a throw deep in West Ham territory. Centre-back Rojo dances into the box and the crowd rises, but his cut-back falls to a claret and blue shirt and West Ham survive. Another cross comes over a few seconds later and Reid heads out. Carvalho delivers again and Rat hacks upfield. The final whistle is blown and West Ham have won!
91 mins - We're into three minutes of added time. The Sporting fans don't like it. There's a shock. Don't forget we're going to have a penalty shootout after the game, too!
90 mins - Cole deflects a Fabiano cross behind for a corner. It is the little man Jarvis who is there at the near post to head clear. Well done Jarvo!
88 mins - Montero throws himself to the turf as a high ball forward comes towards the West Ham box. Reid did nothing wrong and thankfully the referee agrees.
86 mins - Mr Martins obviously likes his paperwork as he books Jaaskelainen for time-wasting as he prepares to take a free-kick. The Sporting fans boo and whistle every decision made against their team. It's been a really competitive game, this. Will there be any more late drama?
84 mins - Goal! Maybe it isn't over? Joe Cole is penalised for a foul wide on the right and the free-kick is curled over by Eduardo. No14 William Carvalho gets the slightest of touches and the ball bounces past a helpless Jaaskelainen and into the net.
80 mins - Sporting bring on Magrao for Silva in midfield.
79 mins - GOAL! West Ham have surely won this now and it's Morrison again! Lee Richardson taps me on the leg and says 'Right on cue!' and he's entitled to. Rat's initialy shot is charged down but Lletget retains possession and he finds Cole in space on the left. The England man spins and curls a superb cross that finds Morrison completely unmarked six yards out. He jumps and glances the header into the net, giving the goalkeeper no chance.
Lee Richardson: "We have completely dominated the second half. We have bossed the possession and have nullified them completely as an attacking force. Their only chance came from a foul on Mark Noble and we have created several really good chances and scored two good goals. There have been a lot of positives for Ravel Morrison tonight. He has worked extremely hard for the team and has come up with a moment of quality which is great to see. Youngsters Ruddock, Lee and Lletget are now getting a chance to impress as well. Pelly has settled in quickly into the back four and we're defending well as a team as well."
76 mins - West Ham slowing the game down with Nolan being replaced by Lletget in midfield. Nolan gets some whistles on his way off. I bet he doesn't care a jot.
75 mins - Cisse is on for the final 15 minutes for Carrillo. Seconds later, O'Brien sees yellow for a foul.
72 mins - West Ham are controlling the game here. Meanwhile, you can watch the Hammers take to the pitch and warm-up in Portimao ahead of tonight's game on the Official West Ham TV YouTube channel.
67 mins - Changes for both sides as Eduardo replaces Martins in the Sporting midfield and Pelly Ruddock is on for Tomkins at the back for West Ham.
66 mins - It's a corner for West Ham as a cross from the left flicks off the head of a Sporting defender, but Noble's kick is cleared.
64 mins - Big chance for West Ham as Nolan wins the ball back and finds Cole. He looks up and wants to find his captain in the middle, but the No26 over-hits the pass. Cole is frustrated and waves his arms to show it. He has more quality than that.
60 mins - Before the re-start, Elliot Lee is on for Maiga up front. Big chance for the teenager. The crowd have been stunned by that two-goal salvo from the Hammers. Well, not all of them because the drummer is still drumming away to my right.
59 mins - GOAL! West Ham lead! It's a cracking goal, too. Rat feeds a superb pass inside for Morrison, who takes a touch and opens up his body before slamming a low shot into the bottom right-hand corner from all of 25 yards. Great strike from the youngster.
58 mins - GOAL! Rat's ball down the left is chased by Jarvis and he wins a throw off Marcel. Rat jogs forward and hurls the throw into the penalty area, where Maiga flicks it on with his head and Nolan ghosts in to tap home from six yards. Classic Nolan and West Ham are deservedly level.
56 mins - Noble is caught in possession just outside the box by Carrillo. The winger gets into the box and beats a defender with a neat drop of the shoulder. He shoots left-footed from no farther than 12 yards. Jaaskelainen makes a fine save with his left leg and Reid helps the ball around the post with his out-stretched left foot. A big let-off. Noble felt he was fouled and castigates the referee. The corner is cleared.
Lee Richardson: "The manager was keen for the players to focus on their football in his half-time team talk. There was a disappointment in the dressing room for two reasons - first, it wasn't handball and second that the penalty award came in the third minute of two minutes of added time. There is a feeling that the players and fans of Sporting are not being particularly sporting!"
51 mins - Rat lifts a free-kick into the box from halfway but it's an easy catch for Boeck. This is an even game now. West Ham definitely held the upper hand early on, but the Portuguese have got their noses in front and are holding their own. Morrison commits another foul and No5 Rojo rolls around for a while before recovering to take the free-kick. Nolan gives the centre-back a piece of his mind.
48 mins - The game is showing no signs of losing its edge as Morrison slides in and catches Martins with a late challenge. Referee Ricardo Martins plays on. Morrison is perhaps a bit lucky not to get a caution when the game is eventually stopped.
46 mins - West Ham win a corner within 45 seconds of the re-start but it comes to nothing.
Half-time score - Sporting Clube de Portugal 1-0 West Ham United
Taylor is being replaced by Rat at half-time. Sporting make two changes, with No43 Chaby on for Capel and No14 Carvalho on for Rinaudo. Both are straight swaps for the Portuguese side.
I've just seen a slow motion replay of the penalty decision and it appears that the ball hit Matt Taylor's chest and not his arm. Let's hope West Ham can take their frustration out on Sporting in terms of goals during the second half.
49 mins - Goal! Spain winger Capel steps up and strokes the penalty to Jaaskelainen's right. The goalkeeper goes the other way and Sporting lead. I have a feeling Big Sam is not going to be too happy about what has happened over the last couple of minutes. Capel celebrates as if Sporting have won the UEFA Champions League and the fans behind the goal rush to the front of the stand. The advertising board cannot hold them and there is a bit of an issue as a few fall over. Thankfully, it looks as if everyone has got away unhurt. West Ham kick-off and that's half-time. That was an eventful half of football, I must say.
48 mins - We're 30 seconds over the two minutes and Sporting have a penalty! Taylor is the man penalised for handball, but it looks a bit harsh. The ball bounced up as O'Brien challenged Montero inside the box. Capel...
45 mins - We'll have two added minutes. As we go into added time, the 24th foul of the game sees Nolan brought down.
44 mins - Capel is down on the turf again after being caught by Taylor. A yellow card for the West Ham left-back - the fourth of the game and a third for a Hammers player. Reid and Maiga have also been booked. Moments later, Montero has a shot from 25 yards and Jaaskelainen saves it. The Finn spills the low shot initially, but he's quick to pounce on the ball as it squirms a yard or two clear of him.
43 mins - Sporting have their best spell so far, working the ball from left to right before Fabiano plays a one-two and bursts on to the ball. He gets there and cuts the ball back from the byline, but Cole has tracked back and slides in to concede the corner. The flag kick comes to nothing.
38 mins - Rinaudo has a go from about 30 yards, but it's a daisy-cutter that misses the target by at least ten yards. Jaaskelainen watches it go by.
Lee Richardson: "The game has settled down a little bit. Both teams were guilty of one or two rash challenges. It often happens in so-called friendlies, but both teams need to focus on playing their football and not trying to outdo each other with who has been the biggest victim. The players have been complaining to the referee, but they are settling down a bit now. We've had 17 free-kicks already, according to our performance analyst Jamie Osman."
36 mins - Big Sam is out and patrolling the edge of his technical area. He is not happy about something or other.
34 mins - The West Ham physio is on for the first time, as is the club doctor, as Reid needs some treatment after being caught while winning a header inside the Sporting penalty area. It's a chance for the other players to have a welcome drink of water.
31 mins - It's been a niggly sort of game with quite a few free-kicks. Now, it's boiled over. First, Capel and Noble came together and the Sporting player went down and stayed there for a while holding his knee. Then, on the far side, Maiga is fouled with a knee in the back by No5 Rojo. Something then happens and Maiga springs to his feet to remonstrate with the Argentine. After some handbags involving at least a dozen players, the referee books Rojo and Maiga.
30 mins - It's been a very good half-hour from the Hammers, who have come within a lick of paint of taking the lead. Sporting are having no sustained periods of possession at all.
27 mins - Another free-kick to West Ham. This time it's Jarvis who is shoved to the ground by Marcal just to the left of the penalty area. Noble or Jarvis to take... Noble clips the ball into Nolan at the near post, but the skipper scuffs his volley and Boeck gathers easily.
25 mins - You can view an exclusive gallery of images from Portimao now on our Official Facebook page. It's a colourful occasion down here on the Algarve, where the Sporting fans have tried to turn the stadium into a green and white home from home complete with flags and drums.
23 mins - Carrillo threatens to get in down the left after O'Brien is caught slightly out of position after winning the initial header. Morrison tracks back 50 yards and puts the Peru winger under sufficient pressure that he can only cross the ball high and behind for a goal kick.
Lee Richardson: "We will be reasonably pleased with how we've gone so far. Sporting are a good side and have ability in possession. We have had the best of the game so far and have looked defensively solid, as we always do. We have created the best chances and most of the game is being played in Sporting's half. We are nullifying them. They are playing with one player, Martins, off the main striker and we've restricted them to counter attacks, really."
16 mins - Sporting have been stirred to life by that escape as a dangerous cross from right-back Marcel is cleared only as far as Martins. He lays off for Rinaudo, whose first-time effort from 25 yards hits Nolan and spins away for a throw.
13 mins - So close! A Tomkins free-kick causes havoc as Reid nods it down again. The ball looks to have evaded everybody as it bounces across the penalty area but Morrison reacts quickest and shoots. The shot is blocked but the ball rolls only as far as Cole, who spins and thumps his effort against the post! The ball falls out to Nolan, who cannot control his first-time effort from about eight yards and it just clears the crossbar.
11 mins - Noble is fouled wide on the right. He swings in the free-kick towards Tomkins but the ball bounces away on the near side. Jarvis cannot control and it's a goal kick. West Ham probably on top now in terms of territory.
9 mins - Good strength and tenacity by Maiga to battle for the high ball and then again when it bounces up outside the D. He shapes to shoot and is brought down by Sporting captain Rinaudo. Chance for West Ham from a free-kick right on the edge of the D. Noble, Morrison and Cole stand over the ball. Noble lays it off for Cole, who slams the shot into the wall.
Lee Richardson: "Both teams have started quite scrappily, trying to keep possession. They are cancelling each other out as they are both playing with 4-3-3 formations. The pitch also isn't of the best quality and consequently both sets of players are making errors with their passing."
6 mins - Best move so far from the Hammers as Maiga and Nolan swap passes before the Malian tries to play in his captain. Nolan doesn't have the pace to beat Welder Marcel, however, and the No2 clears. Seconds later, Reid catches Andre Martins on halfway and the No8 goes down theatrically. It's enough to earn Reid an early booking.
5 mins - Capel is left holding his face as Taylor mis-times his jump for a header. No harm done and the Spaniard is soon back to full working order.
3 mins - Tomkins is fouled on halfway and he takes the free-kick himself. The No5 picks out his fellow centre-back Reid on the edge of the box. He nods the ball inside towards Nolan, but the defender is there to volley clear.
61 secs - Sporting have the first chance as a loose clearance from Jaaskelainen falls to Carrillo. He cuts in from the left and rifles a 25-yarder that skims the bar on the way over the top. Some gasps from the sizeable crowd inside the stadium.
9.15pm - Sporting get us underway.
9.13pm - Here come the two teams, accompanied by a bit of 'We Will Rock You' by Queen.
9.10pm - I'm joined in the Press Box tonight by West Ham's club psychologist and former Blackburn Rovers and Aberdeen midfielder Lee Richardson. Lee also managed Chesterfield, so he'll be able to provide us with some professional insight.
9.05pm - Jack Collison, Alou Diarra and Ricardo Vaz Te aresitting out the game tonight. They will be available for tomorrow evening's meeting with SC Braga, however.
9pm - Apologies for the lack of updates over the last hour. I have been running around taking photographs and sorting out wifi access and the like! It's all go. Anyway, the sun has now set here in Portimao and we're only 15 minutes away from kick-off. To start with, here is the team news:
West Ham United: Jaaskelainen, O'Brien, Taylor, Tomkins, Reid, Noble, Morrison, Nolan, Cole, Jarvis, Maiga
Subs: Adrian, Potts, Rat, Demel, Ruddock, Collins, Diame, Lletget, Lee
Sporting: Boeck, Marcal, Mauricio, Rojo, Martins, Capel, Fabiano, Montero, Carrillo, Rinaudo, Silva
Subs: Rui Patricio, Jefferson, Magrao, Carvalho, Eduardo, Semedo, Soares, Chaby, Cisse
Good evening and welcome to the warm and sunny Algarve for tonight's pre-season Guadiana Tournament opener between West Ham United and Sporting Clube de Portugal - the club better known in England as Sporting Lisbon.
The Hammers arrived in Portugal on Sunday afternoon and the players held a light training session at the team base in Lagos on Monday morning before getting some welcome rest ahead of tonight's game.
The three-team pre-season Guadiana Tournament is being held at the Estádio Municipal de Portimão, a few miles east of Lagos. The competition also features SC Braga, who West Ham will tackle at the same venue on Tuesday evening, with kick-off again at 9.15pm.
It promises to be a late night, whatever happens, as a penalty shootout will be held following the final whistle to determine final group placings in the event of teams finishing level on points, goal difference and goals. The Hammers chose not to practice their spot-kicks after training this morning, so I'm afraid I don't know who will be stepping up to have a go from 12 yards later on!
Tonight's opponents are 18-times Portuguese champions but the men in green and white hoops have fallen on lean times in recent years, having not won the Primeira Division since the 2001/02 season. Sporting finished seventh in the Primeira Liga last season.
Managed by Leonardo Jardim, the club from the capital will be hoping to bounce back this term. Among the star names in Jardim's squad are Portugal goalkeeper Rui Patricio, Argentina defender Marcos Rojo, Spain winger Diego Capel and Peru forward Andre Carrillo.
Team news-wise, West Ham manager Sam Allardyce will be without centre forward Andy Carroll (heel) and George McCartney (knee), who have remained at Chadwell Heath for treatment. Jack Collison and Alou Diarra will sit out tonight as they are both expected to be involved from the start against Braga on Tuesday.
Sporting have been very active in the transfer market this summer, signing Brazilian trio left-back Jefferson from Estoril, right-back Weldinho from Palmeiras and centre-back Mauricio from Sport Recife, Colombia forward Fredy Montero from Seattle Sounders and Guinea striker Salim Cissé from Academica de Coimbra.
West Ham will be meeting Sporting for the second time in their history, having previously welcomed the 18-times Portuguese champions to the Boleyn Ground on Tuesday 7 May 1996 for a match to celebrate the Hammers' centenary.
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Macca hails Sporting success
WHUFC.com
Neil McDonald hailed the 3-2 Guadiana Tournament win over Sporting Clube de Portugal as a 'brilliant exercise'
06.08.2013
Neil McDonald hailed West Ham United's action-packed 3-2 Guadiana Tournament victory over Sporting Clube de Portugal as a 'brilliant exercise'. The Hammers assistant manager witnessed a thrilling game that saw his side battle back from a goal down to lead 3-1 before resisting a late comeback from the 18-times Portuguese champions in Portimao on Monday. After a first half largely dominated by the English side, Sporting took the lead in the third minute of added time through a disputed Diego Capel penalty given for an alleged handball against Matt Taylor. West Ham used the perceived injustice to launch a second half onslaught. Kevin Nolan levelled with a tap-in from Modibo Maiga's flick-on after 58 minutes before Ravel Morrison put West Ham in front with a precise finish within 60 seconds. Morrison appeared to make the game safe when he headed in Joe Cole's cross on 79 minutes, only for William Carvalho's 84th-minute goal to set up a nervous ending. Following a surreal post-match penalty shootout held to decide final finishing positions in the event of teams ending level, which ended 4-4, McDonald spoke to West Ham TV.
"It was a brilliant exercise," said Sam Allardyce's No2. "There was a lot of physicality and we were playing against a referee who wasn't really giving much in our favour. "The boys held strong and stuck together and we played with a fantastic tempo, which I thought was really, really good. We scored some good goals. "We still need to work on not conceding because we didn't want to concede two goals, but all in all it was an absolutely brilliant run out. We're happy because that was the best tempo we've played with all pre-season and we're all really pleased with the game."
Like Big Sam had done before kick-off, McDonald hailed his players for their ability to play their football, despite five of them being booked by the referee and the hostile atmosphere created by the vocal Sporting fans. "It was the highest tempo we've played at in pre-season, which was great. We have got two weeks to go until Cardiff and that was the perfect workout. "Everybody has almost come through 90 minutes and we made some changes with Tuesday's game in mind because we must be strong against Braga because they are a Champions League team. We're looking forward to that game. "We're really, really pleased with everybody's performance and it gives us good heart with two games to go until we start the Barclays Premier League season. "We've played Sporting before [during our time at Bolton] and they really get stuck in and are really physical and also try to play some good football, but we held strong. "I think they probably had only one shot from distance in the first half and then the penalty, which I don't think it was. It was rather harsh and the referee has probably given an easy one there to get everybody on his side. "We stayed strong, as I said, and kept playing the way we try to play and to get it down and keep the ball and we scored some really good goals. "As I keep repeating, the tempo of everything that we did was the best it has been in pre-season so that holds us in good stead with the Braga game on Tuesday and leading on to the Cardiff game on 17 August."
McDonald closed by speaking positively about the impact made by young midfielder Morrison following his return from a successful loan spell at Championship side Birmingham City last season. The former Manchester United youngster got his career back on track under the guidance of Blues manager Lee Clark and the Hammers assistant is now hoping he will continue to make progress in a West Ham shirt. "He has certainly grown up a touch. With all due respect, when he first came from Manchester United he thought he was the top kid and he was going to walk straight into our team and it certainly doesn't work like that.
"We sent him away to get the experience at Birmingham and he's certainly come back and he's used that experience. "He had some experience around him as well [in midfield] with Kevin Nolan and Mark Noble pulling and pushing him, as you'd expect. If we can get him on the ball in the final third then he can produce and he's produced two goals on Monday. "He missed his penalty at the end but that's good experience for him. He's come back in good shape, just like the rest of them."
*Tickets for Tuesday's Guadiana Tournament meeting with Portuguese Primeira Division side SC Braga will be available on the night from the Estádio Municipal de Portimão, priced at €12.50. West Ham United fans are urged to sit in the East Stand.
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Sporting Lisbon 2-3 West Ham Utd
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 5th August 2013
By: Staff Writer
A second half brace from Ravel Morrison helped West Ham to a morale-boosting victory against one of Portugal's 'big three'. Sporting - who along with Benfica and Porto complete the triumvirate of Portugal's domestic giants - were considered favourites to win the Torneio do Guadiana going into the competition.
However the tables were well and truly turned as the Sportinguistas were well beaten by a West Ham team consisting of a mix of first team and fringe players, on a night to remember for the small group of travelling Hammers fans who were able to make the trip to the Algarve.
Having started strongly, West Ham went agonisingly close to opening the scoring when Joe Cole's 13th minute effort cannoned back off the inside of the far post. Kevin Nolan was left with egg on his face when he failed to convert the rebound; an open goal which he put clean over the bar.
Tempers flared on the half-hour mark when a poor challenge on West Ham striker Modibo Maiga sparked a free-for-all after the United striker reacted angrily to what was just the latest of a string of poor challenges on him. The resulting melee saw both Maiga and his nemesis booked, presumably for sparking the incident.
Despite their first half dominance, West Ham were to go into the break a goal behind after Sporting scored from the penalty spot in first half injury time. Matt Taylor was justifiably angry at being penalised for handling a ball that was struck at him from point blank range; his protests in vain, Spanish forward Capel stepped up to send Jussi Jaaskelainen the wrong way.
With Taylor replaced by Razvan Rat at the break, West Ham continued to look the stronger side and got their reward 12 minutes after the restart. Sporting were caught flat-footed as a quick throw was nodded into the six-yard box by Maiga, where Nolan was waiting to pounce in typical fashion.
Still reeling from conceding the equaliser, Sporting found themselves a goal behind just 60 seconds later when a bursting run from midfield by the impressive Ravel Morrison culminated in the teenager firing across goal into the bottom left-hand corner to put West Ham 2-1 ahead.
The game should have been put to bed with just over ten minutes of normal time remaining when Man of the Match Morrison grabbed his second goal of the evening. Joe Cole, who was also excellent throughout curled in a cross from the left touchline which an unmarked Morrison guided into the bottom corner of the net.
However Sporting ensured that the audience - both in the stadium and around the globe via the internet - were kept on tenterhooks until the final whistle when Eduardo's 84th-minute free kick appeared to miss everyone before finding the back of the net.
William Carvalho may have got the slightest of nicks but either way, it was poor defending from West Ham (even if the free kick that led to the goal should never have been awarded against Joe Cole, whose shoulder to shoulder challenge was within the laws of the game).
A frantic few minutes of injury time followed before the final whistle confirmed what was a very impressive win for an experimental United side. Sam Allardyce will no doubt be delighted at what he saw - and, in particularly, the performance of Ravel Morrison who continues to impress in pre-season.
* A post-match penalty shootout to decide tournament placings in the event of a tie ended in a fairly unique 4-4 draw. Mark Noble, Elliot Lee, Matt Jarvis and Joe Cole converted their spot kicks whilst Ravel Morrison was the only Hammer to miss.
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West Ham abandon transfer interest in striker Ilombe Mboyo as rape conviction sparks fan protests
5 Aug 2013 22:31
The Mirror
West Ham chairman David Sullivan has confirmed the club have scrapped a move for a striker once jailed for his part in a gang-rape. The Hammers had considered signing Belgium international Ilombe Mboyo, 26. The Gent marksman hit 20 goals last season and would have played on the right side of attack, a position West Ham have been trying to fill for several weeks. Angry fans have bombarded social media demanding the club abandon the bid, however, after it emerged Mboyo served three years of an eight-year sentence for his part in the gang-rape of a 14-year-old when he was just 16. Sullivan confirmed to Mirror Sport that the Hammers have considered the feelings of the club's fans and pulled the plug. The Upton Park supremo insisted the club's response to the backlash is similar to the one that saw them shelve plans to sign bad-boy El Hadji Diouf two years ago. Sullivan said: "I couldn't go against the supporters. We wanted their opinions and they seem to have said no. "We didn't sign El Hadji Diouf when the supporters indicated he'd not be acceptable to the club. We will not proceed on this occasion either."
Mboyo, who was a Norwich target in last season's winter window, was described by Manchester City as 'a rare pearl' after he came through Anderlecht's academy. During the striker's time in jail, he enrolled in a rehabilitation scheme called Football In Prison and trained with Belgian club Charleroi. A move there was confirmed after his release and he continued his career with moved to Kortrijk and Gent. Only last October, Mboyo replaced Aston Villa's Christian Benteke in Belgium's 2-0 World Cup qualifying win over Scotland. Fan revulsion at his inclusion at the time, however, was such that the Belgium FA were forced to defend themselves against widespread criticism. Belgian FA president Francois De Keersmaeker said: "Once someone's time in the cells ends, they don't necessarily have to be lost to society. "It's too easy to stigmatise. Mboyo could be an example for young people who go down the wrong path."
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West Ham Beat Sporting Lisbon in Preseason Thriller, See Ravel Morrison Goals
BY KARL MATCHETT (WORLD FOOTBALL STAFF WRITER) ON AUGUST 5, 2013
Bleacherreport.com
West Ham United picked up an impressive win in Portugal as they defeated Sporting Lisbon in their latest preseason friendly. The Hammers won the match 3-2 after a good showing from troubled youngster Ravel Morrison, before a quirky finish saw a penalty shootout end in a 4-4 draw. Diego Capel scored a first-half penalty to put the Portuguese team ahead, but West Ham turned the match around with two goals in two minutes just before the hour mark. First it was Kevin Nolan who ghosted into the six-yard box to tap home after a long throw-in, before Morrison scored his first of the night and the best goal of the game, firing home from 20 yards. Razvan Rat, a new left-back signing from Shakhtar Donetsk, was instrumental in both goals and he had a hand in the third too, combining with Joe Cole, who crossed for Morrison to head home his second and put West Ham up 3-1.
William Carvalho got a slight flick on a free kick with just a few minutes left on the clock to pull one back for the hosts, but West Ham hung on to record a fine victory. Following an intensive preseason programme, this was West Ham's eighth friendly of the summer and their seventh victory, with only a defeat to German side FSV Mainz spoiling Sam Allardyce and his side's run of form. This game against Sporting was part of the Toerneio do Guardiana, with the Hammers due to face Sporting Braga 24 hours after this match in the second fixture. The 3-2 win after 90 minutes wasn't the only action though; a penalty shootout was held at the end of the game, supposedly to aid determining the competition winners if teams finished level on points, goals and goal difference—but the shootout itself ended in a draw!
Ravel Morrison scored twice during the match, but the former Manchester United youngster couldn't make it a hat-trick of successful finishes as he saw his spot-kick saved. Mark Noble, Elliot Lee, Matt Jarvis and Joe Cole scored the other penalties. West Ham finished last season in 10th place in the Premier League and will hope to build on that during the coming campaign, though the only significant outlay thus far in the transfer market has been to make permanent the loan of Andy Carroll. Left-back Rat, however, showed that there is plenty of value for Allardyce to pick up on free transfers too, and his performance will have given more positives to his boss.
West Ham play Premier League newcomers Cardiff City on the opening day of the new season.
See the goals here : http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1728270-west-ham-beat-sporting-lisbon-in-preseason-thriller-see-ravel-morrison-goals?
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