Howes happy to make Hammers bow
WHUFc.com
Sam Howes was delighted to make his first-team debut during West Ham
United's tour of New Zealand
27.07.2014
Few players make their first-team debuts for top-flight clubs at the age of
16 - even fewer when it comes to goalkeepers. For those reasons, Sam Howes'
achievement in featuring in West Ham United's 3-1 Football United Tour
defeat by Sydney FC was all the greater. The teenager was handed his bow for
the final 15 minutes, showing admirable composure to control a misplaced
backpass and dribble past Sydney striker Corey Gameiro just seconds after
coming on as a late substitute for Adrian. Howes kept his goal intact during
his brief appearance, leaving the England U17 international feeling great
pride after the final whistle. "I'm not 17 until November, so to make my
debut for the first team on this tour was not just an achievement for me,
but for everyone around me - the coaching staff and everyone who has helped
me at West Ham," said the stopper. "It's a really big thing for me and I'm
really buzzing at the moment. As soon as I got on the pitch, my head was
spinning a bit and I was thinking 'Is this actually happening!' as I
couldn't believe it at first. "I took a free-kick and got a backpass off
Reidy and obviously it wasn't the best of backpasses, but at the same time I
dealt with it and I kept a clean sheet, albeit I was only on the pitch for
ten minutes or so. "I am really pleased with what I did out there, to be
fair."
For Howes, making a first-team appearance was the icing on the cake of an
amazing, if unexpected, nine-day stay in New Zealand. "I only found out on
the Tuesday before we left after a pre-season game for the reserves and to
get the call out here was unbelievable, really. "It's a dream come true for
me to play for the first team, training with the lads and also to meet all
the fans as well out here in New Zealand. "It's two weeks away from home and
words can't describe how I'm feeling at the moment. It's been blinding."
Howes' debut was just one of a series of highlights during an unforgettable
week that also saw him walk around the rim of the 200 metre-high Sky Tower
in Auckland. "I think the whole week has been my highlight. Everything I
have done has been unbelievable so I can't pick out one thing.It's been a
phenomenal experience for myself. "As a 16-year-old first-year scholar, I'm
going to relish every experience I can get and move on with my career."
Having made his debut in pre-season, Howes' ambition for the coming campaign
is to cement his place in the Development Squad - no small feat for a
first-year scholar. "A good season would be to play as many Under-21s games
as possible and to keep training with the first team. Hopefully I'll get
into the squad for some of the Capital One Cup or FA Cup games - I just have
to wait and see really. "I'll just take it as it comes and move onwards and
upwards, as you do."
Goalkeeper coach Martyn Margetson has been impressed by the maturity and
confidence shown by Howes during his first trip away with the first-team
squad.
"I'm pleased for him and I'm pleased that the manager had the confidence to
put him on for ten minutes," said Margetson. "Sam has had a good week's
training and has not looked out of place at all. He is an outstanding young
prospect. "He's got a long road ahead of him but he has got the potential."
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SHOULD WEST HAM SIGN SAMUEL ETO OR ARE THERE BETTER OPTIONS?
By S J Chandos 27 Jul 2014 at 15:30
West Ham Till I Die
The football pages of today's Sunday Mirror are reporting that West Ham may
be about to to compete with QPR for the signature of striker Samuel Eto on a
Bosman deal. Eto's name has has been touted as a possible replacement for
Andy Carroll, who is due to be absent for four months with an injured ankle.
Experienced Cameroon international, Eto, was released by Chelsea at the end
of last season. It is also reported that other possible options could
include Arsenal's Joel Campbell and Portugal striker Hugo Almeida. David
Sullivan has stated that we need to sign one or two strikers on permanent
and/or loan deals, with particular reference to adding some extra height to
the attack, which has been lost with Carroll's injury absence. So, which of
the three reported options are the best for the club? Or are there better
targets that should be pursued instead?
SJ. Chandos.
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West Ham in New Zealand? Pointless pre-season tours often do clubs more harm
than good
Jul 27, 2014 12:00
OPINION BY TOMHOPKINSON
You can understand Manchester United and Arsenal's thinking, but what do
West Ham hope to achieve in New Zealand this summer?
The Mirror
There is a very good reason why Manchester United are in the United States
this weekend, writes Tom Hopkinson in the Sunday People. Liverpool, Arsenal,
Manchester City and Tottenham, too. They are global brands representing
another global brand and the figures being generated will be mind-boggling.
These trips don't always sit well with managers and, over the years, no one
has bemoaned them more frequently than Arsene Wenger. The fact his players
were being dragged halfway around the world just to appease the commercial
department has long been a source of irritation, with the Frenchman
convinced they would have been far better served hiding away on an Austrian
Alp and focusing on the real business ahead. He still holds that opinion,
but, as with the rest of us, there is only so much tinkling into the wind he
is willing to do. No doubt the arrival of Mesut Ozil last summer and Alexis
Sanchez this time out will have offset some of his frustrations as well.
United boss Louis van Gaal picked up Wenger's baton last week despite being
only a few days into his new job. Things will change next summer, he
promised, although I will wager that in 12 months' time his players will
again find themselves a long way from home. Spend some time with the Premier
League's leading clubs on these trips and it is easy to see why they embark
upon them. The furore Chelsea have caused in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia
and Hong Kong in recent years has been a sight to behold, while in 2009 I
saw South African football fans going vuvuzela crazy as their sides took on
Manchester City. This summer, Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has opted for a
pre-season of short-hop trips to Europe and it will be interesting to see if
they start the campaign any fresher than their globetrotting rivals. Next
summer, however, the Blues will be back in Asia and, whatever King Louis
might say, United will most likely be with them. The point is that, for the
top flight's biggest clubs, these trips are a necessary evil, promoting
themselves and the league. But what I cannot get my head around is what on
earth West Ham and Newcastle are doing in New Zealand. Sure, they are part
of the promotional bandwagon, as foreign broadcasters clamour to fill
Premier League coffers with astronomical sums. But wouldn't West Ham, in
particular, have been far better served staying closer to home, marching
around East London and Essex ahead of next season when they have the Olympic
Stadium to fill?
They could have been selling themselves to a new generation of fans.
Instead, they played Stevenage and Ipswich away before setting off on a
23,500-mile round-trip to the North Island for games against Australian
A-League sides Wellington Phoenix and Sydney, and will stop off in Germany
for three games on their way home. No doubt defender Winston Reid has
enjoyed the chance to grab a few extra days in his homeland, but the whole
exercise seems a waste of time and energy from a purely footballing point of
view. Not that boss Sam Allardyce seemed to mind. In fact he was delighted
his players' horizons were being broadened at their official greeting
party. "Our welcome was fantastic," he purred. "It's a tradition for New
Zealand and we've all seen the Haka before, but we'd not seen the whole
thing and had it explained to us as it was."
Which is all well and good, but will his star men be better prepared for the
hackers they will meet at one or two of the game's outposts this season? We
can only hope Andy Carroll wasn't showing off his Maori war dance shapes to
Kevin Nolan when he suffered his latest ankle injury. The Hammers'
season-ticket hotline will hardly have been ringing off the hook after
the 2-1 defeat by Wellington in Auckland on Wednesday. And it won't look
great from a marketing point of view when images of a half-empty Olympic
Stadium are being broadcast all over the world in 18 months' time. Of the 20
Premier League clubs, only three have played friendlies in this country over
the last couple of days, with new boys Burnley away at Accrington Stanley
and Hull at Barnsley yesterday.
On Friday, Southampton ventured the 30-odd miles along the south coast to
take on Bournemouth – and will have got as much out of it as West Ham and
Newcastle, without the jetlag. So leave the travelling to the big four or
five, lads, because they are the ones who are really selling the Premier
League in foreign lands anyway. And content yourselves with the knowledge
that you will be richer for it in every way.
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West Ham join QPR in hunt for Samuel Eto'o as Hammers seek replacement for
injured Andy Carroll
Jul 26, 2014 22:30 By Steve Stammers, Dave Kidd
With Carroll facing four months on the sidelines, Big Sam needs striking
reinforcements and has targeted the former Chelsea man
The Mirror
West Ham are set to compete with QPR for striker Samuel Eto'o. The east
London club are searching for a replacement frontman, having lost
record-signing Andy Carroll (ankle) yet again to injury. Eto'o is on their
radar along with Arsenal's Joel Campbell and Portugal striker Hugo Almeida.
Cameroon international Eto'o was released by Chelsea at the end of last
season. West Ham also have a defender in their sights – Arsenal's under-21
star Carl Jenkinson. Boss Sam Allardyce would like a load deal with the
player valued at around £8m.
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Big Sam 7-4 for sack before season starts
Racingpost.com
BY IAN WILKERSON 6:25PM 27 JUL 2014
LADBROKES have moved quickly to go 7-4 that Sam Allardyce leaves West Ham
before the start of the season after reports he could be dismissed from the
Upton Park hotseat before the Premier League kicks off on August 16.
Allardyce is reportedly at odds with the club owners over the future of
midfielder Ravel Morrison, who spent the second half of last season on loan
to then-Championship side QPR. His cause has not been helped by the news
that striker Andy Carroll, who Allardyce signed from Liverpool for £15m,
will miss the first four months of the season with an ankle injury that has
required surgery. Former Hammers defender and ex-Cardiff manager Malky
Mackay is 7-2 to be the next occupant of the hotseat with David Moyes rated
a 4-1 chance to replace Allardyce after his ill-fated spell at Manchester
United. Loic Remy's £8.5m move to Liverpool from QPR has been called off
after reports the France striker failed a medical.
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Veto on Eto'o Irons wage demand
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on July 27, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Samuel Eto'o's wage demands are likely to rule out a move to West Ham
United. ClaretandHugh has been assured that an inquiry has been made about
the striker but that wages of £80k a week have been quoted as a starting
point. The story that the Irons were considering a move for the player broke
in the national newspapers this morning and despite an Eto'o "pal" being
quoted as the source, the story has turned out to be correct. However, a
highly placed Upton Park insider told ClaretandHugh exclusively: "There's
been an approach but his wages are likely to inhibit a move. "He wants £80k
a week and is 33 years old MINIMUM! His record at Chelsea last season wasn't
that great. "He only scored nine goals last season for a top side and all
his goals were at home in games he started in. We've inquired but it's not
one to get THAT excited over."
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Allardyce's style of play excuse doesn't wash
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on July 27, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Sam Allardyce was always gonna do it – blame the demands for a new style of
play for the squad's disaster in New Zealand! But before going there, let's
recall the reasons – or should it be excuses – he used for the defeat by
Wellington Phoenix because they were legion. He claimed the players were
fatigued, lacked technique, that the Phoenix were well up for the game and
it was all a bit physical. And that was just for starters! None of it made
much sense to me but we'll let that go. The point is at no time did the
"development of our new style" come into the conversation or weren't we
doing that three days ago? P'raps he just forgot eh? Everybody who knows
anything about Sam Allardyce press conferences following a defeat, knows
there's usually an excuse is available that doesn't include any fault of his
own. Generally it's a ref, official, mistake or player who is at fault yet
when we enjoy a brilliant win it's been masterminded by his altar ego
"Allerdici."
So indirectly the defeat against Sydney FC appears to be the fault of the
owners wanting him to play in a different, more entertaining way. Now let's
be honest – is that much to ask???
Perhaps the two Davids made the mistake of believing they had a manager who
could adapt his game and that he wasn't the one dimensional, get it forward
quickly operator, most believe him to be. On several occasions the bloke
himself has denied this to be the case claiming that it's merely a
reputation he has been given and it isn't anywhere near the truth. If that's
the case why did he play one-up in both games in New Zealand and attack down
the wings. Had Andy Carroll been available would he not have been aiming
crosses at his head. Of course he would. To claim that we are still
developing "our new style" simply demonstrates that much of the stuff he's
claimed in the past about being "Allerdici" is a long way from reality.
Against Sydney FC there was no passion, no skill, no determination, no
creativity and a resounding lack of technique. AGAIN! None of that is down
to a demand for bright entertaining football much as Allardyce would perhaps
like it to be. That demand should not be used as a stick with which to beat
the owners. He's a manager earning a huge amount of money to apply his
abilities to requirements. If he can't manage that then best to be honest
about it and say so, thus allowing people to make a decision on who or what
next!
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Sam Allardyce facing West Ham United sack before the Premier League season -
reports
Under-pressure Allardyce is on a collision course with the Hammers board
SAMUEL STEVENS Sunday 27 July 2014
The Independent
West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce's position at Upton Park is reportedly
under increasing jeopardy and the former Bolton Wanderers boss could even be
dismissed before the start of the upcoming Premier League campaign. The
Hammers' hierarchy have publicly criticised their manager for his transfer
policy in recent weeks, labelling the £15m signing of Andy Carroll a
'mistake' while openly disagreeing with him on Ravel Morrison's future at
the club. The Daily Mail report that Allardyce is on borrowed time at Upton
Park, with an agreement already in place which would give the 59-year-old
just ten games to prove himself, but the recent quarrels appear to have
accelerated matters. The United squad are in New Zealand this summer and
slipped to their second defeat of the pre-season tour, a 3-1 reverse to
Australian side Sydney FC, last night. Allardyce's men were also beaten 2-1
by Wellington Phoenix on Wednesday.
David Sullivan, the co-owner, raised eyebrows last week by using an
interview with talkSPORT to openly criticise his manager's decision to sell
Morrison - stating that the board had other ideas. "Sam has said Ravel is
not part of his plans but we do - as a board - see him as part of our
plans," he said. "I think he said in a press conference, if I read it
correctly, he's not part of his plans for this season. I think he said that
in New Zealand but we don't agree with that. We would like to sit down and
give him a longer contract. "We do like him. We do see him as part of the
long-term future of the club but we have to agree it with the manager
because there's no point signing a player he's not going to play."
The Hammers boss has endured a tough time of late, with a section of
supporters calling for his dismissal since last winter, but comfortably
secured the club's Premier League status. The signing of Enner Valencia, one
of the star performers of the World Cup in Brazil, had started a process
which Allardyce hopes will eventually appease his critics. Another
contentious issue is the club's reliance on Carroll's services up front
after the former England international was dealt with yet another injury
blow during the week. The former Newcastle United striker still has five
years to run on his contract in East London after joining the Hammers for a
considerable sum last summer following a successful loan spell. His latest
injury, an ankle problem, means that he won't be adding to his fifteen West
Ham starts until Christmas. While the reports could prove to be hearsay,
they won't help Allardyce's cause.
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Samuel Eto'o offered to West Ham as Sam Allardyce eyes Arsenal's Joel
Campbell and Hugo Almeida as cover for Andy Carroll
Eto'o wants £100,000-a-week as Allardyce desperately seeks a replacement for
Andy Carroll
Daily Mail
By SIMON JONES
PUBLISHED: 23:04, 27 July 2014 | UPDATED: 01:05, 28 July 2014
Former Chelsea striker Samuel Eto'o has been offered to West Ham but the
33-year-old is understood to want £100,000 a week. Boss Sam Allardyce, who
needs a replacement for the injured Andy Carroll, has an interest in
Arsenal's Joel Campbell but so do AC Milan. West Ham have opened talks with
Hugo Almeida over a proposed move to Upton Park. The 30-year-old is a free
agent but wants around £2.5million a year in wages. The Portugal
international has been on West Ham's list in the past two transfer windows
but manager Sam Allardyce had concerns about the player's fitness. Almeida,
who was earning £3m a year in Turkey, has offers from the Bundesliga and
Portugal also. Meanwhile, the Hammers remain favourites to sign Arsenal
full-back Carl Jenkinson on loan ahead of interest from Hull.
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Monday, July 28
Sunday, July 27
Daily WHUFC News - 27th July 2014
Senior pair laud NZ tour
WHUFC.com
Mark Noble and Kevin Nolan said West Ham United's trip to New Zealand was an
unforgettable one
26.07.2014
Mark Noble and Kevin Nolan have thanked the people of New Zealand for making
West Ham United's Football United Tour such a success. While the Hammers may
not have tasted victory on the pitch, the Club has taken a huge amount from
the amazing impact the tour has made off it. Thousands upon thousands of
supporters from across New Zealand, Australia and beyond descended on
Auckland and Wellington to meet and greet the Joint-Chairman, players and
staff with warm smiles and open arms. Noble and Nolan, along with everyone
involved in the eleven-day trip, will never forget the time they spent on
the other side of the world. "Everyone in New Zealand has been absolutely
fantastic with the way they have welcomed us and the way they have
accommodated us," said Nolan. "They were just so pleased to see us and it
has been so nice to have that feeling of being wanted. They've thanked us
for being here and we thank them all for their hospitality."
Noble, in fact, would love to have stayed longer to enjoy the many natural
delights that the Land of the Long White Cloud has to offer. "I've really
enjoyed it and it's a shame we didn't have more time to see a lot more of
New Zealand," said Noble. "We have had a lot of media commitments and events
to go to, such as a lunch with the British High Commissioner, so we haven't
had that much time to go out and see everything. "We went to see the Weta
Workshop and Park Road Post Production, where they make all the films, and
that was really good. "The people have greeted us and treated us
unbelievably, like stars, and we've been looked after well. We've met an
amazing amount of fans who have moved here years and years ago from the East
End and it's great to see that they have stuck with the Club. "It's been
really nice to visit what is a beautiful country, and it's just a shame
we've not had a chance to see and enjoy more of it. It's a lovely place and
I've enjoyed my time here."
West Ham's visit to New Zealand is the furthest the Club has ever travelled
for a pre-season tour - and is likely to remain so - and forms part of a
strategy to enlarge the worldwide fan base. The Hammers already possess fans
all over the planet and, with a move to the Olympic Stadium to prepare for
in 2016, the continued growth of the supporter base is vital to the future
success of the Club, on and off the pitch. "I think it's massive for the
Club and they've got it absolutely spot-on with what we've done," said
Nolan. "A massive pat on the back must go to all the staff who have worked
hard to make sure that this tour ran as smoothly as possible, with us going
here, there and everywhere. "It's been brilliant for the Club and the
positive feedback we've had from the fans suggests we have increased our fan
base over here. "It's amazing how many people have emigrated who are West
Ham fans and have brought that here. They've not gone looking for the Club -
they were born and bred into it and they've taken it on to their families.
"It's been a long trip, but a good trip."
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Work in progress for Big Sam
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce wants to ensure his team get things right at both end of the
pitch
26.07.2014
Sam Allardyce has said his evolution of the West Ham United squad is a work
in progress as the first-team squad and staff prepare to fly home from an
action-packed tour of New Zealand. The Hammers signed off the Football
United tour with a 3-1 defeat to Sydney FC in Wellington on Saturday
afternoon and Big Sam admitted the change to a more ambitious attacking
style of play will take some time to perfect. The West Ham United manager
still has three more friendly games - two in Germany next weekend followed
by a friendly against Sampdoria the following Saturday - before Tottenham
Hotspur visit the Boleyn Ground on 16 August at the start of the Barclays
Premier League season. "We're just working on our new style as we've got to
get a bit more open and expansive as it seems to be what's demanded in the
game now," Allardyce said. "We're working on that side of it but have lost
the defensive resilience that saw us get 14 clean sheets last season. "The
football was not good enough to get results but we're experimenting on
playing more open and attacking play. "We never play our best in pre-season
and I don't want the players to play their best in pre-season because I want
them to play their best on 16 August against Tottenham.
"We got caught on the break twice in the first half because we're trying to
open out the play more and more and we left too many spaces. We picked up
another injury [Guy Demel's hamstring tweak], which means it's been a bad
trip from an injury point of view."
West Ham fell two behind to two counter-attacking goals but the third had
more than an element of luck to it when Sydney defender Terry Antonis
clearly punched the ball over Aaron Cresswell to tee up team-mate Corey
Gameiro, who rounded Adrian to score. It was a decision, or lack of it, that
left Big Sam more than a little bemused. "You all saw it apart from the
referee and his officials! It's pretty embarrassing from their point of
view. We'd have been a bit more upset if we'd been in a league match as it
would have been a horrific mistake. It was at a time when we were working
our way back into the game."
Despite two defeats, Allardyce is still confident that once he has his full
squad available again his side will be a 'bigger force'. The Hammers have
made five high-profile signings already and Joint-Chairman David Sullivan
has promised more before the close of the transfer window, in addition to
the imminent return to training of Ravel Morrison. "When everyone is back
and fit we'll be fine. We've still got Ravel Morrison to come back, we've
signed Enner Valencia, who is going for a work permit. Cheikhou Kouyate and
James Tomkins are both out and Guy Demel came off so if we get them back we
can become a bigger force again. "On Ravel, he is contracted to West Ham and
once his operation has healed up I hope he becomes a better player as he's
been playing with it for a while. If he can do what he did at the beginning
of last season that would be great. He had a good spell when he first broke
into the team but couldn't sustain it."
All in all, Big Sam summarised everyone's feelings by stating that the
Hammers' trip to New Zealand has been a huge success off the field. "I'm
just a bit sorry that we didn't do more for the West Ham fans that came from
across the globe to watch the games but overall we've been very well looked
after on this tour.
"From our point of view we thank everyone for having us here. We've been
well looked after and treated very well. From a football point of view the
injuries have been a big worry but we've enjoyed everyone's warm welcome."
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West Ham lose but Newcastle and Palace win
BBC.co.uk
West Ham lost their second tour game in a row with a 3-1 defeat by
Australian side Sydney FC in New Zealand. The Hammers, beaten 2-1 by
Wellington Phoenix on Wednesday, were 2-0 down after 26 minutes with strikes
from Corey Gameiro and Alex Brosque. Sam Allardyce's men, who also lost
defender Guy Demel early on with a tweaked hamstring, pulled one back after
the break through Matt Jarvis. However, Gameiro scored again after 63
minutes to seal the win. The defeat is the latest setback in a troubled
tour, after striker Andy Carroll was ruled out for four months with an
injury sustained in the defeat by Phoenix. Co-owner David Sullivan has also
dismissed manager Allardyce's claims that 21-year-old playmaker Ravel
Morrison is not part of his plans. The former Manchester United player ended
the season on loan at QPR and a permanent move away from Upton Park appeared
likely. "We don't agree with that," Sullivan told Talksport. "We would like
to sit down and give him a longer contract. "Sam has said Ravel is not part
of his plans but we do - as a board - see him as part of our plans."
Line-up: Adrian, Demel (Cresswell 13), O'Brien (Potts 72), Reid (c),
Collins, Noble (Whitehead 68), Diame (Poyet 68), Nolan, Downing (Fanimo 81),
Jarvis (Vaz Te 59), Cole (Zarate 45)
Subs not used: Jaaskelainen, Howes.
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Allardyce: these things take time
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 26th July 2014
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce believes last night's 3-1 defeat against Sydney was a result
of the new expansive tactical approach he and his team have been asked to
implement. At the end of last season Allardyce held on to his job by the
skin of his teeth having been ordered to deliver more aesthetically-pleasing
football, following a drab 2013/14 campaign. The result of that has been two
draws against Stevenage and Ipswich plus defeats to Wellington Phoenix and
Sydney FC - something that the manager attributed to the change in style,
which he has had less than three weeks to work on. "The football was not
good enough to get results, but we're experimenting and working on more open
attacking play," he told the press following the surprise reversal. "It
hasn't worked well from a defensive point of view. "We have to be more open
and expansive. That's what is demanded now so we are working on that side of
it, we just lost the defensive resilience that we had last season. Today we
got caught on the break twice in the first half; we're trying to play and
open teams up so we left too many spaces."
Meanwhile Graham Arnold, the far-happier Sydney boss, revealed that despite
running out 3-1 winners his team were far from fully fit. "I think we are
only at 30 per cent physically where we should be and I thought we played
better against Newcastle except we got punished for our mistakes," he said.
"I've been saying to the boys that results don't matter at this stage of the
season. Of course it's great to win the game but there are no points or
trophy for it. It's about us getting better every time we step on the pitch
and playing to the game plan and progressing as a team."
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West Ham, Swansea, Sunderland and Hull eye Arsenal defender Carl Jenkinson
By Pete O'Rourke - Follow me: @skysportspeteo | Last Updated: 26/07/14
8:12pm
SSN
Sky Sports understands four Premier League clubs are battling it out to sign
Arsenal defender Carl Jenkinson on loan. Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is
thought to be open to the idea of loaning out Jenkinson next season so that
he can play regular first-team football. There is no shortage of suitors for
Jenkinson, with West Ham, Swansea, Sunderland and Hull all interested in
taking the former Charlton man on loan. The quartet are ready to offer
Jenkinson, who made 22 appearances last season, regular first-team football
next term as they look to bolster their defensive options. Hull boss Steve
Bruce confirmed to Sky Sports News that he has enquired about Jenkinson's
availability. "I had a conversation with Arsenal about four or five weeks
ago to see if it was possible. And apparantly so, it might be," he said.
"We'll look at that situation but we haven't had confirmation from Arsenal.
I would hate to speak out of turn but we are led to believe the kid might be
available - and if he is, then of course we would be interested." Jenkinson
is expected to find his first-team opportunities limited at Arsenal
following the signing of Mathieu Debuchy and the imminent arrival of Calum
Chambers at Arsenal. Chambers is set to arrive from Southampton with the
19-year-old right-back viewed as a possible central defender in the future
by Arsenal. England international Jenkinson remains highly regarded at the
Emirates, but Wenger feels he would be best served by going out on loan to
another Premier League club next season to continue his development so that
he is ready to stake his claim for a regular spot in the Arsenal side upon
his return. Jenkinson sees his long-term future at Arsenal, but knows the
opportunity of first-team football in the Premier League next season will
boost his chances of reclaiming his place back in the England squad.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Allardyce snipes back….
Posted on July 26, 2014 by Headmaster —
Claret&Blues.com
I guess it was just a matter of time but Sam Allardyce has found a subtle
way of hitting back at what he clearly perceives to be the imposition of a
style that is totally alien to his nature. The fact that those of us that
have witnessed the feeble attempts in the last few days to supposedly adopt
a more attacking methodology have also failed to recognise any change in our
style whatsoever, is perhaps another issue altogether.
In any event, here is what Allardyce had to say that I believe is a thinly
veiled side-swipe back in the board's direction:
"We're just working on our new style as we've got to get a bit more open and
expansive as it seems to be what's demanded in the game now. We're working
on that side of it but have lost the defensive resilience that saw us get 14
clean sheets last season."
Is it just me or is he basically saying, 'Look, I tried to tell Gold and
Sully how to survive in this league but, deluded plonkers that they are,
they have listened to the whining mamby-pamby 'we want the West-Ham-way
brigade' and told me I have to try to appease the malcontents. As a result,
and because I have no clue what it is I am actually supposed to be doing, we
are now shipping goals which is the one bloody thing I used to be able to
get right. Be careful what you wish for I say! Ha ha ha….'
Allardyce has nothing to lose, does he? He is either sacked and walks away
with a year's money or he runs his contract down. As far as I can see he has
no respect for anything to do with our club from the Chairmen down to us,
the fans and increasingly he has no motivation to invest emotionally and
professionally on what he can see is a career cul-de-sac. Or maybe you see
it differently?
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce wants Ravel Morrison to stay at West Ham... if he recovers
from injury and doesn't demand too much money
By DAVID KENT
PUBLISHED: 18:55, 26 July 2014 | UPDATED: 18:59, 26 July 2014
Daily Mail
Sam Allardyce appears to have done a U-turn by claiming he wants Ravel
Morrison to stay at West Ham - providing his injury problems and wage
demands can be managed. Hammers co-owner David Sullivan had previously said
that the mercurial midfielder was not wanted by the manager, telling
talkSPORT: 'Sam has said Ravel is not part of his plans but we as a board
see him as part of our plans.' Allardyce now seems to support the club's
view after insisting the 21-year-old still has a role to play, especially if
he recovers from the hernia problems that plagued him last season. 'He's
contracted to West Ham,' Allardyce told reporters. 'I think he's had a
hernia op. Once that's healed up I hope he becomes a better player because
he has been playing with it for a while. The groins have been causing him a
problem for a while. 'If you've got pain, I don't think you perform to your
best. Hopefully that pain will have ended and he'll be a much freer, more
active player for us. If he could do what he did last season, that would be
great because, when he broke in to the side early last year, he had a great
spell. Unfortunately he couldn't sustain it.'
David Sullivan admits West Ham put 'all their eggs in one basket' with
injury-plagued Andy Carroll as co-owner reveals Hammers will search for a
new striker
Ravel Morrison undergoes successful minor groin operation during pre-season
The England Under 21 player made a bright start to his career at Upton Park
before fading out and spending the latter half of the season on loan to QPR.
Allardyce is willing to give the talented youngster another chance, but
added that Morrison's wage demands would influence his future at the east
London club. 'If he continues to do what he did last season then yes [we
want to keep him] but that does depend on how much players want, how much
they demand. If that demand is far too great then that becomes a difficulty
for us.'
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Levy may move late on Hammers duo
Posted by Sean Whetstone on July 26, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Spurs chairman Daniel Levy may be ready to test the Hammers resolve in
hanging onto Winston Reid and Ravel Morrison. Hammers co-chairman David
Sullivan has made it clear this week that he wants to hold onto both despite
claiming that Sam Allardyce may have no room for the midfielder in his
plans.
And we have been picking up murmurings from north London that Levy – who
loves a late deal for players in the last year of their contracts – may make
a move for the pair! We hear he's been encouraged by recent reports from
David Sullivan that Reid has turned down his latest contract offer and
Morrison has not been offered a new deal. West Ham confirmed today that no
inquires have been received for either player and are still locked in
talks with Reid. Should Levy want to bid he would expect to start at around
£8 million for the pair given their contract length.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ravel makes another odd move!
Posted by Sean Whetstone on July 26, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Ravel Morrison's every social media move is scrutinized as fans try to work
out exactly what's going on in that head of his. Photos posted by him on
social media include his 'gang' which made the tabloid press. Others show
him smoking a cigar during an England game, donning a Chelsea shirt or
tweeting about CSKA Moscow before deleting moments later. Now comes a new
one with him deciding to follow a Spurs Instragram account on the day he
was linked with a possible move to Spurs. Coincidence? Who knows ? This is
the world according to Rav – move on!
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
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WHUFC.com
Mark Noble and Kevin Nolan said West Ham United's trip to New Zealand was an
unforgettable one
26.07.2014
Mark Noble and Kevin Nolan have thanked the people of New Zealand for making
West Ham United's Football United Tour such a success. While the Hammers may
not have tasted victory on the pitch, the Club has taken a huge amount from
the amazing impact the tour has made off it. Thousands upon thousands of
supporters from across New Zealand, Australia and beyond descended on
Auckland and Wellington to meet and greet the Joint-Chairman, players and
staff with warm smiles and open arms. Noble and Nolan, along with everyone
involved in the eleven-day trip, will never forget the time they spent on
the other side of the world. "Everyone in New Zealand has been absolutely
fantastic with the way they have welcomed us and the way they have
accommodated us," said Nolan. "They were just so pleased to see us and it
has been so nice to have that feeling of being wanted. They've thanked us
for being here and we thank them all for their hospitality."
Noble, in fact, would love to have stayed longer to enjoy the many natural
delights that the Land of the Long White Cloud has to offer. "I've really
enjoyed it and it's a shame we didn't have more time to see a lot more of
New Zealand," said Noble. "We have had a lot of media commitments and events
to go to, such as a lunch with the British High Commissioner, so we haven't
had that much time to go out and see everything. "We went to see the Weta
Workshop and Park Road Post Production, where they make all the films, and
that was really good. "The people have greeted us and treated us
unbelievably, like stars, and we've been looked after well. We've met an
amazing amount of fans who have moved here years and years ago from the East
End and it's great to see that they have stuck with the Club. "It's been
really nice to visit what is a beautiful country, and it's just a shame
we've not had a chance to see and enjoy more of it. It's a lovely place and
I've enjoyed my time here."
West Ham's visit to New Zealand is the furthest the Club has ever travelled
for a pre-season tour - and is likely to remain so - and forms part of a
strategy to enlarge the worldwide fan base. The Hammers already possess fans
all over the planet and, with a move to the Olympic Stadium to prepare for
in 2016, the continued growth of the supporter base is vital to the future
success of the Club, on and off the pitch. "I think it's massive for the
Club and they've got it absolutely spot-on with what we've done," said
Nolan. "A massive pat on the back must go to all the staff who have worked
hard to make sure that this tour ran as smoothly as possible, with us going
here, there and everywhere. "It's been brilliant for the Club and the
positive feedback we've had from the fans suggests we have increased our fan
base over here. "It's amazing how many people have emigrated who are West
Ham fans and have brought that here. They've not gone looking for the Club -
they were born and bred into it and they've taken it on to their families.
"It's been a long trip, but a good trip."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Work in progress for Big Sam
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce wants to ensure his team get things right at both end of the
pitch
26.07.2014
Sam Allardyce has said his evolution of the West Ham United squad is a work
in progress as the first-team squad and staff prepare to fly home from an
action-packed tour of New Zealand. The Hammers signed off the Football
United tour with a 3-1 defeat to Sydney FC in Wellington on Saturday
afternoon and Big Sam admitted the change to a more ambitious attacking
style of play will take some time to perfect. The West Ham United manager
still has three more friendly games - two in Germany next weekend followed
by a friendly against Sampdoria the following Saturday - before Tottenham
Hotspur visit the Boleyn Ground on 16 August at the start of the Barclays
Premier League season. "We're just working on our new style as we've got to
get a bit more open and expansive as it seems to be what's demanded in the
game now," Allardyce said. "We're working on that side of it but have lost
the defensive resilience that saw us get 14 clean sheets last season. "The
football was not good enough to get results but we're experimenting on
playing more open and attacking play. "We never play our best in pre-season
and I don't want the players to play their best in pre-season because I want
them to play their best on 16 August against Tottenham.
"We got caught on the break twice in the first half because we're trying to
open out the play more and more and we left too many spaces. We picked up
another injury [Guy Demel's hamstring tweak], which means it's been a bad
trip from an injury point of view."
West Ham fell two behind to two counter-attacking goals but the third had
more than an element of luck to it when Sydney defender Terry Antonis
clearly punched the ball over Aaron Cresswell to tee up team-mate Corey
Gameiro, who rounded Adrian to score. It was a decision, or lack of it, that
left Big Sam more than a little bemused. "You all saw it apart from the
referee and his officials! It's pretty embarrassing from their point of
view. We'd have been a bit more upset if we'd been in a league match as it
would have been a horrific mistake. It was at a time when we were working
our way back into the game."
Despite two defeats, Allardyce is still confident that once he has his full
squad available again his side will be a 'bigger force'. The Hammers have
made five high-profile signings already and Joint-Chairman David Sullivan
has promised more before the close of the transfer window, in addition to
the imminent return to training of Ravel Morrison. "When everyone is back
and fit we'll be fine. We've still got Ravel Morrison to come back, we've
signed Enner Valencia, who is going for a work permit. Cheikhou Kouyate and
James Tomkins are both out and Guy Demel came off so if we get them back we
can become a bigger force again. "On Ravel, he is contracted to West Ham and
once his operation has healed up I hope he becomes a better player as he's
been playing with it for a while. If he can do what he did at the beginning
of last season that would be great. He had a good spell when he first broke
into the team but couldn't sustain it."
All in all, Big Sam summarised everyone's feelings by stating that the
Hammers' trip to New Zealand has been a huge success off the field. "I'm
just a bit sorry that we didn't do more for the West Ham fans that came from
across the globe to watch the games but overall we've been very well looked
after on this tour.
"From our point of view we thank everyone for having us here. We've been
well looked after and treated very well. From a football point of view the
injuries have been a big worry but we've enjoyed everyone's warm welcome."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham lose but Newcastle and Palace win
BBC.co.uk
West Ham lost their second tour game in a row with a 3-1 defeat by
Australian side Sydney FC in New Zealand. The Hammers, beaten 2-1 by
Wellington Phoenix on Wednesday, were 2-0 down after 26 minutes with strikes
from Corey Gameiro and Alex Brosque. Sam Allardyce's men, who also lost
defender Guy Demel early on with a tweaked hamstring, pulled one back after
the break through Matt Jarvis. However, Gameiro scored again after 63
minutes to seal the win. The defeat is the latest setback in a troubled
tour, after striker Andy Carroll was ruled out for four months with an
injury sustained in the defeat by Phoenix. Co-owner David Sullivan has also
dismissed manager Allardyce's claims that 21-year-old playmaker Ravel
Morrison is not part of his plans. The former Manchester United player ended
the season on loan at QPR and a permanent move away from Upton Park appeared
likely. "We don't agree with that," Sullivan told Talksport. "We would like
to sit down and give him a longer contract. "Sam has said Ravel is not part
of his plans but we do - as a board - see him as part of our plans."
Line-up: Adrian, Demel (Cresswell 13), O'Brien (Potts 72), Reid (c),
Collins, Noble (Whitehead 68), Diame (Poyet 68), Nolan, Downing (Fanimo 81),
Jarvis (Vaz Te 59), Cole (Zarate 45)
Subs not used: Jaaskelainen, Howes.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Allardyce: these things take time
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 26th July 2014
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce believes last night's 3-1 defeat against Sydney was a result
of the new expansive tactical approach he and his team have been asked to
implement. At the end of last season Allardyce held on to his job by the
skin of his teeth having been ordered to deliver more aesthetically-pleasing
football, following a drab 2013/14 campaign. The result of that has been two
draws against Stevenage and Ipswich plus defeats to Wellington Phoenix and
Sydney FC - something that the manager attributed to the change in style,
which he has had less than three weeks to work on. "The football was not
good enough to get results, but we're experimenting and working on more open
attacking play," he told the press following the surprise reversal. "It
hasn't worked well from a defensive point of view. "We have to be more open
and expansive. That's what is demanded now so we are working on that side of
it, we just lost the defensive resilience that we had last season. Today we
got caught on the break twice in the first half; we're trying to play and
open teams up so we left too many spaces."
Meanwhile Graham Arnold, the far-happier Sydney boss, revealed that despite
running out 3-1 winners his team were far from fully fit. "I think we are
only at 30 per cent physically where we should be and I thought we played
better against Newcastle except we got punished for our mistakes," he said.
"I've been saying to the boys that results don't matter at this stage of the
season. Of course it's great to win the game but there are no points or
trophy for it. It's about us getting better every time we step on the pitch
and playing to the game plan and progressing as a team."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham, Swansea, Sunderland and Hull eye Arsenal defender Carl Jenkinson
By Pete O'Rourke - Follow me: @skysportspeteo | Last Updated: 26/07/14
8:12pm
SSN
Sky Sports understands four Premier League clubs are battling it out to sign
Arsenal defender Carl Jenkinson on loan. Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is
thought to be open to the idea of loaning out Jenkinson next season so that
he can play regular first-team football. There is no shortage of suitors for
Jenkinson, with West Ham, Swansea, Sunderland and Hull all interested in
taking the former Charlton man on loan. The quartet are ready to offer
Jenkinson, who made 22 appearances last season, regular first-team football
next term as they look to bolster their defensive options. Hull boss Steve
Bruce confirmed to Sky Sports News that he has enquired about Jenkinson's
availability. "I had a conversation with Arsenal about four or five weeks
ago to see if it was possible. And apparantly so, it might be," he said.
"We'll look at that situation but we haven't had confirmation from Arsenal.
I would hate to speak out of turn but we are led to believe the kid might be
available - and if he is, then of course we would be interested." Jenkinson
is expected to find his first-team opportunities limited at Arsenal
following the signing of Mathieu Debuchy and the imminent arrival of Calum
Chambers at Arsenal. Chambers is set to arrive from Southampton with the
19-year-old right-back viewed as a possible central defender in the future
by Arsenal. England international Jenkinson remains highly regarded at the
Emirates, but Wenger feels he would be best served by going out on loan to
another Premier League club next season to continue his development so that
he is ready to stake his claim for a regular spot in the Arsenal side upon
his return. Jenkinson sees his long-term future at Arsenal, but knows the
opportunity of first-team football in the Premier League next season will
boost his chances of reclaiming his place back in the England squad.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Allardyce snipes back….
Posted on July 26, 2014 by Headmaster —
Claret&Blues.com
I guess it was just a matter of time but Sam Allardyce has found a subtle
way of hitting back at what he clearly perceives to be the imposition of a
style that is totally alien to his nature. The fact that those of us that
have witnessed the feeble attempts in the last few days to supposedly adopt
a more attacking methodology have also failed to recognise any change in our
style whatsoever, is perhaps another issue altogether.
In any event, here is what Allardyce had to say that I believe is a thinly
veiled side-swipe back in the board's direction:
"We're just working on our new style as we've got to get a bit more open and
expansive as it seems to be what's demanded in the game now. We're working
on that side of it but have lost the defensive resilience that saw us get 14
clean sheets last season."
Is it just me or is he basically saying, 'Look, I tried to tell Gold and
Sully how to survive in this league but, deluded plonkers that they are,
they have listened to the whining mamby-pamby 'we want the West-Ham-way
brigade' and told me I have to try to appease the malcontents. As a result,
and because I have no clue what it is I am actually supposed to be doing, we
are now shipping goals which is the one bloody thing I used to be able to
get right. Be careful what you wish for I say! Ha ha ha….'
Allardyce has nothing to lose, does he? He is either sacked and walks away
with a year's money or he runs his contract down. As far as I can see he has
no respect for anything to do with our club from the Chairmen down to us,
the fans and increasingly he has no motivation to invest emotionally and
professionally on what he can see is a career cul-de-sac. Or maybe you see
it differently?
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce wants Ravel Morrison to stay at West Ham... if he recovers
from injury and doesn't demand too much money
By DAVID KENT
PUBLISHED: 18:55, 26 July 2014 | UPDATED: 18:59, 26 July 2014
Daily Mail
Sam Allardyce appears to have done a U-turn by claiming he wants Ravel
Morrison to stay at West Ham - providing his injury problems and wage
demands can be managed. Hammers co-owner David Sullivan had previously said
that the mercurial midfielder was not wanted by the manager, telling
talkSPORT: 'Sam has said Ravel is not part of his plans but we as a board
see him as part of our plans.' Allardyce now seems to support the club's
view after insisting the 21-year-old still has a role to play, especially if
he recovers from the hernia problems that plagued him last season. 'He's
contracted to West Ham,' Allardyce told reporters. 'I think he's had a
hernia op. Once that's healed up I hope he becomes a better player because
he has been playing with it for a while. The groins have been causing him a
problem for a while. 'If you've got pain, I don't think you perform to your
best. Hopefully that pain will have ended and he'll be a much freer, more
active player for us. If he could do what he did last season, that would be
great because, when he broke in to the side early last year, he had a great
spell. Unfortunately he couldn't sustain it.'
David Sullivan admits West Ham put 'all their eggs in one basket' with
injury-plagued Andy Carroll as co-owner reveals Hammers will search for a
new striker
Ravel Morrison undergoes successful minor groin operation during pre-season
The England Under 21 player made a bright start to his career at Upton Park
before fading out and spending the latter half of the season on loan to QPR.
Allardyce is willing to give the talented youngster another chance, but
added that Morrison's wage demands would influence his future at the east
London club. 'If he continues to do what he did last season then yes [we
want to keep him] but that does depend on how much players want, how much
they demand. If that demand is far too great then that becomes a difficulty
for us.'
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Levy may move late on Hammers duo
Posted by Sean Whetstone on July 26, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Spurs chairman Daniel Levy may be ready to test the Hammers resolve in
hanging onto Winston Reid and Ravel Morrison. Hammers co-chairman David
Sullivan has made it clear this week that he wants to hold onto both despite
claiming that Sam Allardyce may have no room for the midfielder in his
plans.
And we have been picking up murmurings from north London that Levy – who
loves a late deal for players in the last year of their contracts – may make
a move for the pair! We hear he's been encouraged by recent reports from
David Sullivan that Reid has turned down his latest contract offer and
Morrison has not been offered a new deal. West Ham confirmed today that no
inquires have been received for either player and are still locked in
talks with Reid. Should Levy want to bid he would expect to start at around
£8 million for the pair given their contract length.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ravel makes another odd move!
Posted by Sean Whetstone on July 26, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Ravel Morrison's every social media move is scrutinized as fans try to work
out exactly what's going on in that head of his. Photos posted by him on
social media include his 'gang' which made the tabloid press. Others show
him smoking a cigar during an England game, donning a Chelsea shirt or
tweeting about CSKA Moscow before deleting moments later. Now comes a new
one with him deciding to follow a Spurs Instragram account on the day he
was linked with a possible move to Spurs. Coincidence? Who knows ? This is
the world according to Rav – move on!
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
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Saturday, July 26
Daily WHUFC News - 26th July 2014
West Ham United 1-3 Sydney FC
WHUFc.com
West Ham United complete their Football United Tour of New Zealand with defeat in Wellington
26.07.2014
WEST HAM UNITED v SYDNEY FC
FOOTBALL UNITED TOUR
WESTPAC STADIUM, WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND
SATURDAY 26JULY 2014
KICK-OFF: 2.07PM NZ TIME
Final score - West Ham United 1-3 Sydney FC
96: The game is over. Thanks for joining us. We'll have goals, reaction and more across our media platforms soon.
94: Gameiro is replaced by Timotheu.
93: West Ham have a free-kick five yards outside the box. Vaz Te takes and the ball hits the wall and loops wide for a corner. Zarate's corner is a wicked dipper that the goalkeeper helps on its way for another corner. That comes to nothing other than a throw. When Whitehead crosses next, Janjetovic collects.
91: We're going to have five added minutes.
90: Ognenovski is replaced by Muata-Marlow for Sydney. I recekon that's the last change.
88: Time is almost up, so this is the correct time to thank every member of the Claret and Blue Army who has turned out to support the Hammers during our stay in New Zealand. The results haven't gone our way, but the experience has been unforgettable. Thank you all.
83: Fanimo is out on the left wing. Vaz Te is on the right. The latter collects and is fouled by Gersbach. Sydney bring on Burgess for Ibini-Isei.
82: He's 16, but as his SkyWalk showed, Howes is fearless. He takes a free-kick with his first touch and then receives a dogdy return pass from Reid. He doesn't panic, though and calmly sidesteps Gameiro as the No7 bears down on him.
81: Fanimo is the final outfield substitute and he's on for Downing. Young goalkeeper Sam Howes is on for Adrian for his first-team bow. Sydney bring on Gersbach for Jurman at left-back.
77: Sydney's man of the moment Gameiro spent two seasons with Fulham and was loaned to Hayes and Yeading in 2011. He was released by the Cottagers in 2013 after a loan spell with Wellington Phoenix. He is now 21 and was an Australia U20 international.
75: Vaz Te has his first opportunity in the attacking third, beating his man but shooting low and wide of the near post. Goal kick. West Ham are running out of time if they want to avoid a second defeat of the tour.
72: Potts is on for O'Brien. The No27 will play at right-back.
69: - Gameiro looks to be a player. He gets in behind the West Ham back four again and fires a low shot that Adrian spills and collects as the ball rolls across the face of goal.
68: Poyet is on for Diame and Whitehead replaces Noble.
65: After a delay, two changes from Sydney. Naumoff and Gligor replace Abbas and Antonis.
64: Goal! Another simple goal for the hosts. Cresswell is beaten by Antonis, but only because the right-back punched the ball past him! The game goes on and the right-back latches onto a return pass from Ibin-Isei before finding Gameiro, who takes a touch and goes around Adrian before slotting past the sliding Collins. Controversy abounds, particularly as the big screen replay shows the clear handball at least twice! The West Ham players are incensed, but Mr Waldron is not going to change his mind.
63: Audacious from the substitute Trantis, who clips a shot over Adrian from 25 yards that kisses the top of the crossbar on its way over.
62: Good goalkeeping from Janjetovic as the No20 claims Cresswell's cross. The three goalkeepers West Ham have faced this week - Moss, Italiano and Janjetovic - have all been at the top of their respective games. They will all have been hugely motivated to do well against their Barclays Premier League opponents.
60: A moment of concern for West Ham as Gameiro wriggles away from his marker inside the box. He elects to take another touch and forces himself wide before slicing into the side netting. That was a half-decent chance. A few seconds later, Sydney attack again and Antonis drives over the bar from 25 yards. Again, he might feel he should have done better from there.
59: Jarvis is replaced by Vaz Te. Can our Play-Off final hero get his name in the headlines again? He will play on the left.
57: Zarate collects from Diame about 22 yards out. He has a wall of defenders in his midst, but the Argentine conjures enough space for a shot that rises and eludes the far top corner by a few yards.
56: Sydney make a third change, with Trantis on for Dimitrijevic.
55: Nolan wins a tackle but only at the expense of a corner. The near-post delivery squirts out to Antonis, who slices his first-time shot way over the top.
54: A foul by Collins on Gameiro near the corner flag leads to a Sydney free-kick. Collins heads clear, but only as far as Abbas, whose shot is deflected a yard over the crossbar.
52: West Ham are going forward again, but when the attack breaks down, Reid is penalised for a challenge where he appeared to win the ball cleanly. Before the free-kick, Sydney bring on Bojic and Carle for Ryall and Brosque.
51: GOAL! The comeback is on. Jarvis is released by Nolan and he has space in behind Ryall. Zarate and Downing want it, but Jarvis's cross instead hits Petkovic and loops over Janjetovic and into the corner! No5 Jurman tried to clear, but the post got in his way.
48: The Hammers are probing for an equaliser but nothing has happened for them just yet. Nolan appears to be playing up front alongside Zarate.
46: Sydney get us back underway... Zarate is on for Cole.
Half-time - West Ham United 0-2 Sydney FC
46: Noble lifts a long ball into Cole, who controls on his chest, turns and wallops a volley a few yards off-target. Janjetovic watches the ball fly over and Sydney have a goal kick. Seconds later, the half-time whistle is blown by referee Nick Waldron.
44: Heart in mouth time for O'Brien as Ibin-Isei rolls a first-time cross inside the box and Gameiro attacks it and goes to ground. He wants a penalty, but the referee waves away the appeal. We will have at least one added minute.
43: West Ham have a shooting chance. The ball is played down the right, with Noble to the fore following Cole's hold-up play. The ball is laid off to Downing, whose low shot takes a touch off a defender that carries it into the arms of the goalkeeper.
38: West Ham's subs are back on the bench, but I expect Big Sam to make changes after the break. For now, Sydney have another corner. Central midfielder Dimitijevic takes and Cole again heads clear at the near post.
35: The ball just won't go in. O'Brien overlaps and crosses for Nolan, but the No4 cannot force an effort on goal. West Ham will get a considerable boost if they can score before half-time. As happened against Wellington, they've had the lion's share of the play without putting the ball in the net.
34: Better. Diame wins the ball back and Downing finds Cresswell wide left. He runs forward and plays a neat give-and-go with Cole inside the box before his first-time shot hits the side netting. The West Ham fans 'Ooooh' in disappointment.
33: Janjetovic flaps Noble's free-kick and the ball is worked back to Downing, whose rasping shot hits Ryall. Handball claims are turned down. Sydney clear their lines.
32: Cole holds up play from Jarvis's pass and finds Nolan. He initially beats his man on the outside, but his shot is charged down. Corner. Jarvis's initial delivery is cleared but the ball is worked back to the winger. He is pulled back by Abbas, who is booked. Last time we had a free-kick here, Sydney scored.
30: Sydney have a corner as Cresswell slides in to tackle. Cole heads clear and West Ham can counter through Diame and then Downing. The move slows down and when Jarvis hangs up the cross to the far post, it's headed clear.
29: Moments after Downing had stung the palms of Janjetovic, the winger is involved again, taking a pass from Nolan and beating his man before cutting back for Cole. The striker is crowded out and Sydney clear their lines.
26: Goal! Sydney go 2-0 up. It's too simple. A loose pass in midfield leaves Diame no chance and Ibin-Isei picks out Brosque with O'Brien caught upfield. The No14 takes it first-time and drives a low left-foot shot across Adrian and into the far corner.
23: Another chance, this time for Diame. He has time and space and only one defender in front of him, but elects to shoot from long-range. It's a daisy-cutter and simple for Janjetovic.
22: This is better. Diame and Cresswell combine before Noble finds the Senegal man in space. He loses his man and clips a ball into the box for Cole, but the striker cannot control and the goalkeeper collects.
21: Patient build-up from the Hammers. Noble finds Downing wide right. Demel overlaps and Downing runs his man before crossing. Janjetovic can't hold on, but Jarvis is beaten to the rebound by a defender and Sydney escape.
18: Another nervous moment as right-back Ryall gets past Jarvis and Cresswell and into the box. He cuts back for Ibin-Isei, who beats one man before being challenged by a lunging O'Brien. The Irishman wins the ball cleanly and West Ham break. Jarvis is fouled 30 yards out, but Noble lifts the free-kick straight to goalkeeper Janjetovic.
16: The Australian side are on top here. They are stroking the ball around with confidence and composure. West Ham have not put together an attack of note since the opening moments of the game.
13: Not a lot to write about in terms of action in either penalty area in recent minutes. However, we do have an injury to report. Unfortunately, Demel cannot continue and he is replaced by Cresswell. The No3 goes to left-back, with O'Brien going to right-back. It appeared to be Demel's upper leg which was bothering him.
9: The goal has knocked West Ham out of their very early stride. Cole gifts a pass to a Sydney player in midfield, but thankfully the A-League side cannot benefit. The Hammers need to settle down and play their football.
6: Needless to say that was not the start we were all looking for. You could see the danger developing as soon as Noble's crossfield pass went astray. Adrian's first touch was to pick the ball out of the net.
4: Goal! Gameiro scores for Sydney on the counter after Noble had given the ball away cheaply in midfield. Abbas strides forward and sends the No7 clear, with left-back O'Brien playing him onside. The Sydney man takes a touch and passes the ball under Adrian and into the net.
3: Two chances go begging as Noble's free-kick finds Nolan. His shot is blocked and Janjetovic saves the follow up from Diame.
2: West Ham have started really well. Demel collects from Cole and his low cross is cleared to Diame. He works the ball left and Jarvis takes on right-back Ryall before being brought down a yard outside the box. Free-kick.
2.07pm - The Hammers get us underway!
2.06pm - The two sides go through their pre-match handshakes and coin-toss and they are going to swap ends. West Ham will kick-off...
2pm - The strains of 'Bubbles' can be heard loud and clear as the famous Hammers anthem is played on the PA system here at Westpac Stadium. The two teams emerge from the tunnel on the far side of the pitch to cheers from all around a stadium known as 'The Cake Tin' for its round shape.
1.50pm - The two teams are back in their respective dressing rooms ahead of the kick-off in about 15 minutes or so. The stadium is filling up, but it's not full just yet. Presumably the fans will be taking their seats shortly. Of course, the hometown Phoenix are playing at 4.30pm, so some supporters may choose to arrive a little later this afternoon.
1.30pm - Kick-off is fast approaching and the teams are both out on the pitch here at Westpac Stadium. It's a cold, still, sunny winter's day here in Wellington. We have got the team news for you, with West Ham making three changes to their starting XI from Wednesday's 2-1 defeat by Wellington Phoenix.
West Ham United: Adrian, Demel, O'Brien, Reid (c), Collins, Noble, Diame, Nolan, Downing, Jarvis, Cole
Subs: Jaaskelainen, Howes, Cresswell, Fanimo, Potts, Poyet, Whitehead, Vaz Te, Zarate
Sydney FC: Janjetovic, Ryall, Jurman, Petkovic (c), Gameiro, Ibin-Isei, Ognenovski, Antonis, Dimitrijevic, Abbas, Brosque
Subs: Necevski, Bojic, Trantis, Carle, Gligor, Timotheu, Naumoff, Muata-Marlow, Gersbach, Burgess
Good afternoon and welcome to Westpac Stadium in New Zealand's capital, Wellington.
West Ham United complete their Football United Tour with a fixture against A-League side Sydney FC, with a near-capactity crowd expected for a double-header that also features the hometown Phoenix's clash with Newcastle United.
The Hammers will be seeking to end a memorable trip on a high, having lost 2-1 to the Phoenix in Auckland on Wednesday evening. With thousands of members of the Claret and Blue Army expected to be in attendance, Sam Allardyce and his players want to put on an impressive showing.
However, West Ham will have to make do without the absent Andy Carroll, who has travelled to the United States for ankle surgery, as well as Cheikhou Kouyate (ankle) and James Tomkins (groin).
With those three players unavailable and others to be given extended run outs after coming on in the second-half against Wellington - including the impressive Stewart Downing and midweek goalscorer Mauro Zarate.
Opponents Sydney finished fifth in the A-League in 2013/14, but have since lost the services of Italian great Alessandro Del Piero. The Australians have an almost exclusively home-based squad, bar Serbians Nikola Petkovic and Milos Dimitrijevic and Iraq international midfielder Ali Abbas.
We will have the team news confirmed for you shortly, plus live text commentary, highlights and exclusive reaction following the final whistle.
For Wellington-based Hammers, tickets remain on sale for the double-header, while the match will be screened live across New Zealand on SkySport pay-per-view.
For British-based fans, the game will be screened live on BT Sport at 3.07am UK time.
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Andy Carroll update
WHUFC.com
Andy Carroll will have an operation on his left ankle in the United States on Friday
25.07.2014
West Ham United can confirm that Andy Carroll will have an operation on ligaments in his left ankle in the United States on Friday. The England international will then have a week of recovery before starting an intensive period of rehabilitation, which is expected to take four months. The Club would like to again make clear that this is a new injury and not in any way associated with the injury he successfully overcame at the end of last season. Carroll said: "I'm gutted to be missing the start of the season after working hard during the summer and pre-season. Although this obviously isn't the news I would have wanted, I'm determined to come back fitter and stronger than ever before. I will be doing all I can to get back on the pitch with the lads as soon as possible."
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'The people have been fantastic'
WHUFC.com
Matt Jarvis admitted West Ham United were disappointed not to reward their loyal supporters in New Zealand
26.07.2014
Matt Jarvis has thanked the people of New Zealand for their support of West Ham United's Football United Tour of the country. The winger was claiming his second pre-season goal in Saturday's 3-1 defeat by A-League side Sydney FC at Westpac Stadium in Wellington - although the strike was officially recorded as an own-goal from Nikola Petkovic. Sydney raced into a two-goal lead early on through Corey Gameiro and Alex Brosque before Jarvis' intervention, only for Gameiro to add a controversial third late on following a clear handball by midfielder Terry Antonis. Jarvis admitted the Hammers had been disappointed to lose both games in front of thousands of supporters from all over the world, but insisted West Ham would put things right come the start of the new Barclays Premier League season. "It's been great to come over here," said the No7, who was one of the Club's standout performers in New Zealand. "The people have been fantastic and we've met loads and loads of fans. It's been a great experience. "We need to keep working hard and take the fitness we have built in these two games and build confidence to go into our next week of pre-season training and our next game. "We don't need to beat ourselves up that much because it is pre-season. We need to work extremely hard in our games and start to know exactly what we'll be doing tactically for the rest of the season. "We need to make sure we keep improving, getting stronger and fitter and that we are right bang at it come the start of the season."
Speaking specifically about the Sydney FC defeat, Jarvis lamented West Ham's inability to turn chances created and possession into goals - the same issues that led to Wednesday's 2-1 defeat by Wellington Phoenix in Auckland. "I thought we started the game well again in the opening minutes but then fell behind to an early goal, which was very disappointing," said Jarvis, who provided the assist for Mauro Zarate's midweek strike at Eden Park. "We had a lot of the ball, but unfortunately couldn't get the ball in the back of the net as the first half went on. "I'm enjoying it personally. I just need to keep working hard and getting fitter, stronger and sharper. I'm pleased with how it's gone as I've got two assists and two goals now."
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Sydney FC 3-1 West Ham Utd
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 26th July 2014
By: Staff Writer
The tour of New Zealand may have been a huge PR success but on every other front it has proved to be little short of a disaster.
Two defeats to so-called inferior opposition plus injuries to first team squad members Andy Carroll, James Tomkins, Cheikhou Kouyate and Guy Demel have heaped added pressure on Sam Allardyce and his team with less than a month to go until the start of the 2014/15 Premier League campaign.
Hopes were high for a much improved effort from West Ham following the 2-1 reversal against Wellington Phoenix in Auckland last week. Yet if anything, this was a performance that only served to reinforce concerns expressed following that particular defeat against the A-League minnows.
This morning, Sydney managed to score from their first meaningful foray into West Ham territory with just under seven minutes of the match played. Joey O'Brien was hopelessly out of tune with the rest of his defenders, allowing the lively Corey Gameiro to slip through and finish smartly under Adrian.
Sydney doubled their lead on 26 minutes when Mo Diame lost possession inside his own half, allowing Bernie Ibini to pick out Alex Brosque. The Sky Blues' all-time leading goalscorer delighted Sydney fans by firing across Adrian to make it two-nil, which is how it remained until the half time interval.
West Ham did at least give their sizeable contingent of supporters, a mongrel bunch of claret and blue-clad fanatics cast from both hemispheres something to cheer about when Matt Jarvis' centre was deflected into the net by the hand of Nikola Petkovic.
But Sydney were to regain a two-goal advantage in the most dubious of circumstances when Terry Antonis punched the ball, volleyball style over Aaron Cresswell into the path of Gameiro who rounded Adrian to seal the Hammers' fate.
West Ham, naturally incensed by the decision to allow play to continue had their appeals brushed off by the New Zealand referee, who was then suitably embarrassed by the stadium's big screen controllers who decided to replay the incident.
Not that it mattered much in the grand scheme of things, for West Ham were showing few signs of matching Graham Arnold's side, let along staging a comeback. The defeat, like that against Wellington was fully deserved and whilst it is only a pre-season friendly, there was little for West Ham fans to be excited about with the new season looming on the horizon.
In tactical terms, Allardyce has persevered with his favoured 4-3-3 formation although there are signs that he and his staff have begun to tinker with their tactical approach. Fewer long, diagonal balls have been utilised during the trip and the team are playing with more freedom in the centre of the field. Aaron Cresswell's mobility from full back could also prove to be of major benefit.
Still, fans taking to social media after the game were - predictably - mostly scathing of Allardyce (and to a lesser degree, his players). It's a worrying sign for the club, with few of the manager's detractors from last season having proved willing to bury the hatchet. Allardyce, it could be said, is now working under almost impossible conditions.
Having been railroaded by his employers, influenced by fan pressure, into changing a system that has allowed him to work at the very highest level of domestic club management for some 15 years, Allardyce is now being given no time in which to implement those changes. That few - if any - improvements have been evident during this past fortnight has only served to exacerbate the situation.
Without a morale-boosting victory since returning from the summer break (two draws, two defeats), West Ham are going to find their first win of pre-season even more difficult to come by with Schalke and Malaga waiting in the wings when the squad fly to Germany next week.
Allardyce, bereft of Andy Carroll until November will be hoping that Enner Valencia will finally be able to pull on a West Ham shirt to give both the team and its supporters a much-needed boost - and maybe, even a goal or two.
Sydney FC 3-1 West Ham Utd
Sydney: Janjetovic, Ryall, Jurman, Petkovic, Gameiro, Ibin-Isei, Ognenovski, Antonis, Dimitrijevic, Abbas, Brosque.
Subs: Necevski, Bojic, Trantis, Carle, Gligor, Timotheu, Naumoff, Muata-Marlow, Gersbach, Burgess.
West Ham Utd: Adrian, Demel, O'Brien, Reid, Collins, Noble, Diame, Nolan, Downing, Jarvis, Cole.
Subs: Jaaskelainen, Howes, Cresswell, Fanimo, Potts, Poyet, Whitehead, Vaz Te, Zarate.
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#AskDS: in summary
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 25th July 2014
By: Staff Writer
For the second successive summer, co-owner David Sullivan took to Twitter to answer fans' questions regarding West Ham United.
You may read a summary of the questions and answers below. Last year's #askDS questions and answers may be found here.
The Academy
@DICEY1972: Why are our top young players signing for Arsenal and Man Utd?
DS: Sadly they are offered crazy wages by clubs far richer than us, but we are working on reversing this trend.
@Dazzairons: what's the future of Oscar Borg and Reece Oxford?
DS: Oscar Borg has turned down a contract but Reece Oxford is only 15 and we hope he will be a West Ham United player for many years to come.
@RioHoye: Will youth be given a proper first team chance this year? E.g Lee, Chambers, Potts and Lletget?
DS: The manager picks the team, not me, but I believe in youth development.
@RioHoye: Which youth player do you think is most likely to break into the first team?
DS: I think it would be wrong for me to say.
@FatSamOut: Will Elliot Lee ever be given a chance?
DS: Yes.
Transfers
@hands_lee: How many more players are you bringing in?
DS: Two more, unless someone leaves.
@MitchellClark: Will we be signing any other full backs this summer?
DS: We hope to sign one more full back as we are short in that position.
@Lewis_PM: Do you expect us to sign any players other than a full back?
DS: Yes. Another striker.
@Adam16WHU: When do we expect Enner Valencia to sign?
DS: He has signed, but it is subject to a work permit on the 29th.
@FatSamOut: Any chance of the Enner Valencia deal falling through?
DS: The deal is done subject to a work permit, but we are very very optimistic.
@daviesconnor43: Was Enner Valencia scouted before the World Cup and are you confident he will justify such a hefty fee?
DS: Yes. We've scouted Valencia since January.
@maggs10: Why not try and sign a proven Premier League goalscorer who isn't injury prone?
DS: Bony is £19million and we don't have that sort of money. I wanted him a year ago but no one else at the club did!
@Stef_Goodridge: Has a new contract been offered to Ravel Morrison?
DS: Discussions are ongoing with Ravel and his agents.
@ironviews: Do you expect Diego Poyet to feature heavily next season?
DS: It is the managers choice, not mine, but I think Diego is a fantastic player for the future.
@spencerb222: Is there any chance that Andy Carroll will be sold? If so, who would you like as his replacement?
DS: No, but I will update regarding AC at the end.
@_sportscoverage: Is it true Jussi Jaaskelainen has asked for a transfer away from the club?
DS: No, this is false.
@_CarltonCole9: Is Stephen Henderson still alive?
DS: His contact has been terminated and he's going to Charlton.
@FatSamOut: Jenkinson, Shelvey, Rhodes IN, Nolan + Carroll OUT.
DS: I cannot comment on players at other clubs as it is deemed "tapping up".
Merchandise & Marketing
@Terry78WHU: How much will you be hiking season ticket prices in the final season at the Boleyn?
DS: Hopefully prices won't rise at all.
@whusmudge: Will fans ever be able to buy the replica kits in sports shops like other teams' fans?
DS: We hope that will be the case next season.
@LBritainGooner: Are we going to have a pre-season game in the far-east in next few years? Like China?
DS: It's unlikely, but I would love to spread west ham to Asia, USA and everywhere In between.
@WHU_MR2013: Which country are we likely to visit for pre season next season?
DS: USA.
@Gavlar_04: Will fans both from the UK and abroad (I live in Ireland) ever be able to buy shares in the club?
DS: Possibly at some time In the future.
@grahamwhu: How come your loyal season ticket holders no longer get the 10 per cent Adidas discount?
DS: We work on tiny margins on the kit and it is almost not viable with this discount, but we will do special discount days for season ticket holders.
Next Season
@sewellyboyx: What is the expectation for the coming season?
DS: A top-half finish and a cup run.
@sewellyboyx: Are we actually going to play a more expansive style of football next season or have the fans been lied to?
DS: [re-tweeted, reply left blank]
Miscellaneous
@MarkHarrison23: Who is better - Benni McCarthy, Modibo Maiga or Frederic Piquionne?
DS: I think Maiga, because when his head is right he is one hell of a player eg Southampton at home and Spurs in the Cup.
@Tweet_Trist: Can I have your hat that makes you look Russian pls ;)
DS: No - that is my lucky hat because it was a Christmas present from my family!
@JonjoHeuerman: What did you want to be when you were my age ?
DS: A footballer or a boxer, but when I was 15 I realised this wasn't going to happen!
@Adoodledude: Who is your favourite player who doesn't play for West Ham?
DS: Ronaldo, as he has the same birthday as me and I think he is the best player in the world.
@levi_whufc: Apparently you support Grimsby Town, is this true?
DS: No. I have no affiliation with Grimsby.
@rossihammer78: How about a Q&S with our dopey deluded manager next time? It seems he's untouchable.
DS: We will try and arrange it, as well as a fans forum!
@MCjingle: Indian or Chinese food?
DS: Neither, I like fish and chips and pie and mash!
@Daveyboymarra: Will there ever be any boxing events at Upton Park?
DS: I hope so as I love boxing and just lost out on the Chisora v Fury fight.
@Hammer197952: Are we ever going to have a state of the art training facility?
DS: [re-tweeted, reply left blank]
@Andrew_whufc: Do you miss this man [picture of Avram Grant]?
DS: Avram is the nicest man but unfortunately failed to delivery as a manager at West Ham.
And some of the questions that remained unanswered...
@slippery101: How do you justify having the fourth most expensive season ticket prices in the Premier League?
@FatSamOut: Why are ticket prices the fourth highest in the Prem, when we play the worst football?
@JackDaley8: @jsullivanwhu How are we funding the current transfers? TV money or further personal investment from David Gold and yourself?
@DaveGrantWHU: Would you consider selling the club? Do you think we have a chance of being the next Man City?
@ironsjack: Are there any updates on further potential investment into the club i.e the purchase of the C&B holding shares?
@c0xy1988: Can you put people's minds at rest? how much DID we pay for Valencia?
@da_ledi: Why did we stop pursuing Konoplyanka?
@glenngal: Any word on Diame's contract offer?
@RealBarno: Why is Allardyce wanting more money than most of Europe's top managers, for doing a below average job?
@bennett1984: Do you enjoy watching the football Sam serves up week in, week out?
@Hodgo88: Not one question answered on Nolan. Is he undroppable?
@MrTwisticles: Have you looked into our medical staff? Players appear to be getting injured far too frequently.
@whu_sam: Would we consider Paolo Di Canio back to the club as manager or in another position?
@deanhall8: Why can't we sell our tickets back to the club if we can't make a game, even if its not sold out to help fans financially?
@WHUnited91: View on the new cartoon badge that fans supposedly voted in?
@whuscott: Will season ticket prices be lowered significantly after the move to the Olympic Stadium?
@BayJayZus: I have always supported the OS move but I am getting increasingly frustrated at the lack of updates. Why is this?
@sam_whufc_1991: Would the club be willing to look into safe standing for the Olympic Stadium?
@DamianADavis: Why were none of the questions about the Olympic stadium answered?
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Sam Allardyce and West Ham board split on Ravel Morrison
Last Updated: 25/07/14 7:24pm
SSN
The West Ham board and boss Sam Allardyce appear to be on collision course over the future of Ravel Morrison. Allardyce is planning without the England Under-21 midfielder ahead of the new season, but co-owner David Sullivan has confirmed the board to not want to sell him. Morrison fell out of favour last season and was shipped out on loan to QPR, where he helped Harry Redknapp's men win promotion back to the Premier League. Swansea and CSKA Moscow have been linked with the former Manchester United star, but Sullivan insists he wants to see Morrison stay at Upton Park. "Sam has said Ravel is not part of his plans but we do - as a board - see him as part of our plans." "Sam has said Ravel is not part of his plans but we do - as a board - see him as part of our plans," Sullivan told talkSPORT. "I think he (Allardyce) said in a press conference, if I read it correctly, he's not part of his plans for this season. I think he said that in New Zealand but we don't agree with that. We would like to sit down and give him a longer contract." Sullivan added: "We do like him. We do see him as part of the long-term future of the club but we have to agree it with the manager because there's no point signing a player he's not going to play." Morrison, 21, was left at home as the remainder of the West Ham squad jetted off for a pre-season tour of New Zealand, with the club confirming he underwent successful groin surgery. Having spent time at St George's Park since his operation, Morrison should be fit and ready to rejoin the first-team squad when they return from their trip.
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West Ham hoping Winston Reid will agree new contract
Last Updated: 25/07/14 2:02pm
SSN
West Ham co-owner David Sullivan believes there is still a deal to be done with Winston Reid. Sky Sports revealed in mid-July that fresh terms had been put to highly-rated defender Reid. The New Zealand international only signed a new deal last summer, but that agreement will take him through to 2015. With Premier League rivals reported to be closely monitoring his situation, West Ham were eager to ensure that Reid remains at Upton Park. An initial offer is, however, understood to have been knocked back by the 26-year-old, forcing Sullivan, David Gold and manager Sam Allardyce back to the drawing board.
Sullivan told talkSPORT: "I think we will get to a deal with Winston. "Both balls are in the air with regards to Winston and Ravel (Morrison) but both are players we like very, very much."
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Chelsea's Christian Atsu a transfer target for West Ham, Aston Villa and Everton
Jul 25, 2014 22:30 By Darren Lewis
Fifteen suitors are looking to take the Ghana World Cup winger in loan deal his parent club want to be a finishing school before joining their first team
The Mirror
Chelsea have urged World Cup winger Christian Atsu to choose the loan club that gives him the best chance of breaking into their new-look team in 12 months' time. West Ham, Aston Villa and Everton are among 15 clubs interested in borrowing the 22-year-old Ghanaian from the Stamford Bridge side. Others include Celtic, and further afield Spain's Espanyol, PSV Eindhoven of Holland and German side Hamburg are keen. Atsu arrives back in London following his post-World Cup holiday on Monday. He will meet with the clubs in whom he is most interested early next week before making a decision. Ironically, Everton's interest hinges on the club making a decision over another Chelsea player, Romelu Lukaku. The Toffees are holding out for the Belgium marksman after he shone on loan with them last season, but cannot take two players on loan from the same Premier League side. A number of clubs have approached Chelsea directly to push for a deal on Atsu. They have been ruled out, however, as they cannot commit to guaranteeing the player enough playing time - which the Londoners are stipulating in any loan deal. Atsu, who enjoyed an impressive World Cup, was signed from Portugal's Porto on deadline day last summer and immediately loaned to Dutch club Vitesse Arnhem, where he scored five goals in 28 appearances.
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Sydney FC humble West Ham in Wellington
Sydney FC 3-1 West Ham United
theguardian.com, Saturday 26 July 2014 06.28 BST
Alex Brosque
West Ham United fell to a second straight defeat on their pre-season tour of New Zealand after A-League side Sydney FC posted a 3-1 win in Wellington.
Sydney's victory comes four days after Graham Arnold's side were thumped 4-0 in Dunedin by another Premier League side, Newcastle United. Ahead 2-0 at half-time against the Hammers, Sydney added a controversial third 18 minutes into the second half when Corey Gameiro capitalised on a missed hand ball to slot home for a brace. It was West Ham's second loss in three days, after they were beaten 2-1 by Wellington Phoenix in Auckland on Wednesday.
West Ham threatened early with a free-kick on the edge of the area, but Sydney saw the danger off comfortably then struck almost immediately on the counter. Ali Abbas found Gameiro with room down the left, and the 21-year-old striker made the most of his chance to slot home under sprawling goalkeeper Adrian San Miguel. West Ham were forced to shuffle their back four when Guy Demel tweaked a hamstring and was replaced by Aaron Cresswell at left-back after 13 minutes, while Joey O'Brien switched to the right. The Hammers' woes at the back continued, Sydney extending their lead on 25 minutes when Bernie Ibini broke upfield and lifted a well-placed ball through for Alex Brosque to power home. West Ham continued to press, but couldn't finish the few chances they created, Stewart Downing working hard for little reward while winger Matt Jarvis was under-utilised. Perhaps their best chance came after Cresswell and Carlton Cole played a neat one-two 10 minutes before the break, but Cresswell's powerful strike went wide, and Sydney went into the break with a 2-0 lead.
It took barely five minutes for West Ham to hit back after the restart. Jarvis cut in from the left, his venomous strike from just outside the box taking an unlucky deflection off Sydney skipper Nikola Petkovic to loop over keeper Vedran Janjetovic. Gameiro picked up his second after 63 minutes in controversial circumstances, referee Nick Waldron missing Terry Antonis' hand ball early in the build-up. Gameiro finished his surge down the right when he rounded the keeper with precision, but the decision to let play go on in the build-up left West Ham players incensed.
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Andy Carroll was once England's future, but Newcastle United could be the club to revive him
Telegraph.co.uk
By Luke Edwards1:13AM BST 26 Jul 2014 Comments1 Comment
Andy Carroll was once flatteringly described as a rare breed of England striker, a throwback centre-forward whose aerial dominance and physical strength made defenders fear him. At his best during those thrilling early performances for Newcastle United, Carroll looked unplayable. Just three years after Liverpool spent £35 million to lure him away from Tyneside, Carroll is still unplayable following a £15 million switch to West Ham United, but only because he is rarely fit enough to be selected. Neither have got value for money from a player who, at the age of 25, is giving the impression his best years are already behind him.
Whether Carroll's constant breakdowns are purely down to bad luck or due to a failure to look after himself properly is a moot point. Regardless of why they have happened, Carroll's injuries are ruining him as a footballer.
Since leaving Newcastle, where he scored 33 goals in only 60 starts for his hometown club, Carroll has rarely looked the same player. His statistics make miserable reading, seven goals in 22 starts for Liverpool, nine in 35 for West Ham. Since turning a successful loan spell at Upton Park into a long-term move 12 months ago, Carroll has managed to play in just 14 games.
West Ham thought they were getting far more for their money than a striker whose body already looks like it is unable to cope with the demands made of it. When he has played, he has tended to look rusty and bereft of sharpness. If Sam Allardyce, a manager renowned for his meticulous approach to sport science, can't keep him in shape, Carroll is in trouble. If he continues to live a lifestyle that does not befit a professional athlete, the injuries will continue to plague him and he will be playing in the Championship by the time England have another crack at a World Cup. For those of us who enjoyed seeing an old fashioned No9 bulldozing his way through startled defences, Carroll's failure to maintain those standards is a terrible waste of a player that could have given England something unique.
There are very few players of Carroll's type who are so effective and while the hipsters may scoff at the idea that a retro centre-forward is still relevant in the era of false nines and fluid, flexible formations, there is nothing wrong with starting a new fashion by taking inspiration from the past.
According to Xavi, the Barcelona and Spain midfielder, England need to play to their strengths rather than try to hide their weaknesses.
He argued England's best weapons are their wingers and if you are able to open teams up on the flanks, it makes sense to have a striker who can get on the end of the crosses they deliver.
There are few signs we are getting any closer to mastering the intricate short passing game of Spain or the irresistible blend of power and skill that turned Germany into World Cup winners, so why not look at what we are good and pick the players best suited to it. Carroll would enable England to change their approach if they needed to, but such thoughts are pointless while he continues to spend so much time injured or trying to recover. Few teams focus their offensive play down the flanks because few of them have a striker who can beat a centre-back in the air, or worry them enough for space to be left for others to exploit.
Both England's goals at the World Cup came from crosses, yet neither Wayne Rooney or Daniel Sturridge were asked to play in a way that benefits from this sort of delivery. England regularly had merely one player to aim for in the area, making it easy to defend crosses. One centre-back attacked the ball, the other stuck tight to the striker. Rooney and Sturridge aren't bad in the air, but it is not one of their great strengths either. Carroll is different, but it's difficult to know when he last played well for a prolonged period. There have been the odd games here and there, but nothing consistent enough to suggest he deserves to be back in the England side.
West Ham were keen to stress Carroll had done everything asked of him in pre-season but instead of reigniting his career, he has broken down again and will miss four months of the new season after an operation to repair ankle ligament damage. He also missed the first six months of last season with a heel problem.
West Ham have said they will sign a striker to replace him and they do not necessarily mean only while he is injured. Although nothing has been said publicly, West Ham were open to the idea of selling Carroll this summer.
Newcastle, as they have been ever since they lost him, have been mulling over whether to make a bid, well aware of how popular the move would be among
fans who love to see one of their own playing in black and white stripes.
However, they were already wary of Carroll's poor fitness record and will only consider buying him after another lengthy rehabilitation for a significantly reduced price. West Ham may well prefer to persevere with their club record signing rather than cut their losses.
Carroll is happy in London, his agent made that clear when rumours of a return to Newcastle began to circulate earlier this month, but perhaps it is time for the Geordie to go back to familiar surroundings.
There was a time when Carroll needed to get away from Newcastle's nightlife, but moving away from his family and friends has arguably given him even more distractions in his life. Perhaps the only way for Carroll to return to his best is to return to the club where he once looked like the future of English football.
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WHUFc.com
West Ham United complete their Football United Tour of New Zealand with defeat in Wellington
26.07.2014
WEST HAM UNITED v SYDNEY FC
FOOTBALL UNITED TOUR
WESTPAC STADIUM, WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND
SATURDAY 26JULY 2014
KICK-OFF: 2.07PM NZ TIME
Final score - West Ham United 1-3 Sydney FC
96: The game is over. Thanks for joining us. We'll have goals, reaction and more across our media platforms soon.
94: Gameiro is replaced by Timotheu.
93: West Ham have a free-kick five yards outside the box. Vaz Te takes and the ball hits the wall and loops wide for a corner. Zarate's corner is a wicked dipper that the goalkeeper helps on its way for another corner. That comes to nothing other than a throw. When Whitehead crosses next, Janjetovic collects.
91: We're going to have five added minutes.
90: Ognenovski is replaced by Muata-Marlow for Sydney. I recekon that's the last change.
88: Time is almost up, so this is the correct time to thank every member of the Claret and Blue Army who has turned out to support the Hammers during our stay in New Zealand. The results haven't gone our way, but the experience has been unforgettable. Thank you all.
83: Fanimo is out on the left wing. Vaz Te is on the right. The latter collects and is fouled by Gersbach. Sydney bring on Burgess for Ibini-Isei.
82: He's 16, but as his SkyWalk showed, Howes is fearless. He takes a free-kick with his first touch and then receives a dogdy return pass from Reid. He doesn't panic, though and calmly sidesteps Gameiro as the No7 bears down on him.
81: Fanimo is the final outfield substitute and he's on for Downing. Young goalkeeper Sam Howes is on for Adrian for his first-team bow. Sydney bring on Gersbach for Jurman at left-back.
77: Sydney's man of the moment Gameiro spent two seasons with Fulham and was loaned to Hayes and Yeading in 2011. He was released by the Cottagers in 2013 after a loan spell with Wellington Phoenix. He is now 21 and was an Australia U20 international.
75: Vaz Te has his first opportunity in the attacking third, beating his man but shooting low and wide of the near post. Goal kick. West Ham are running out of time if they want to avoid a second defeat of the tour.
72: Potts is on for O'Brien. The No27 will play at right-back.
69: - Gameiro looks to be a player. He gets in behind the West Ham back four again and fires a low shot that Adrian spills and collects as the ball rolls across the face of goal.
68: Poyet is on for Diame and Whitehead replaces Noble.
65: After a delay, two changes from Sydney. Naumoff and Gligor replace Abbas and Antonis.
64: Goal! Another simple goal for the hosts. Cresswell is beaten by Antonis, but only because the right-back punched the ball past him! The game goes on and the right-back latches onto a return pass from Ibin-Isei before finding Gameiro, who takes a touch and goes around Adrian before slotting past the sliding Collins. Controversy abounds, particularly as the big screen replay shows the clear handball at least twice! The West Ham players are incensed, but Mr Waldron is not going to change his mind.
63: Audacious from the substitute Trantis, who clips a shot over Adrian from 25 yards that kisses the top of the crossbar on its way over.
62: Good goalkeeping from Janjetovic as the No20 claims Cresswell's cross. The three goalkeepers West Ham have faced this week - Moss, Italiano and Janjetovic - have all been at the top of their respective games. They will all have been hugely motivated to do well against their Barclays Premier League opponents.
60: A moment of concern for West Ham as Gameiro wriggles away from his marker inside the box. He elects to take another touch and forces himself wide before slicing into the side netting. That was a half-decent chance. A few seconds later, Sydney attack again and Antonis drives over the bar from 25 yards. Again, he might feel he should have done better from there.
59: Jarvis is replaced by Vaz Te. Can our Play-Off final hero get his name in the headlines again? He will play on the left.
57: Zarate collects from Diame about 22 yards out. He has a wall of defenders in his midst, but the Argentine conjures enough space for a shot that rises and eludes the far top corner by a few yards.
56: Sydney make a third change, with Trantis on for Dimitrijevic.
55: Nolan wins a tackle but only at the expense of a corner. The near-post delivery squirts out to Antonis, who slices his first-time shot way over the top.
54: A foul by Collins on Gameiro near the corner flag leads to a Sydney free-kick. Collins heads clear, but only as far as Abbas, whose shot is deflected a yard over the crossbar.
52: West Ham are going forward again, but when the attack breaks down, Reid is penalised for a challenge where he appeared to win the ball cleanly. Before the free-kick, Sydney bring on Bojic and Carle for Ryall and Brosque.
51: GOAL! The comeback is on. Jarvis is released by Nolan and he has space in behind Ryall. Zarate and Downing want it, but Jarvis's cross instead hits Petkovic and loops over Janjetovic and into the corner! No5 Jurman tried to clear, but the post got in his way.
48: The Hammers are probing for an equaliser but nothing has happened for them just yet. Nolan appears to be playing up front alongside Zarate.
46: Sydney get us back underway... Zarate is on for Cole.
Half-time - West Ham United 0-2 Sydney FC
46: Noble lifts a long ball into Cole, who controls on his chest, turns and wallops a volley a few yards off-target. Janjetovic watches the ball fly over and Sydney have a goal kick. Seconds later, the half-time whistle is blown by referee Nick Waldron.
44: Heart in mouth time for O'Brien as Ibin-Isei rolls a first-time cross inside the box and Gameiro attacks it and goes to ground. He wants a penalty, but the referee waves away the appeal. We will have at least one added minute.
43: West Ham have a shooting chance. The ball is played down the right, with Noble to the fore following Cole's hold-up play. The ball is laid off to Downing, whose low shot takes a touch off a defender that carries it into the arms of the goalkeeper.
38: West Ham's subs are back on the bench, but I expect Big Sam to make changes after the break. For now, Sydney have another corner. Central midfielder Dimitijevic takes and Cole again heads clear at the near post.
35: The ball just won't go in. O'Brien overlaps and crosses for Nolan, but the No4 cannot force an effort on goal. West Ham will get a considerable boost if they can score before half-time. As happened against Wellington, they've had the lion's share of the play without putting the ball in the net.
34: Better. Diame wins the ball back and Downing finds Cresswell wide left. He runs forward and plays a neat give-and-go with Cole inside the box before his first-time shot hits the side netting. The West Ham fans 'Ooooh' in disappointment.
33: Janjetovic flaps Noble's free-kick and the ball is worked back to Downing, whose rasping shot hits Ryall. Handball claims are turned down. Sydney clear their lines.
32: Cole holds up play from Jarvis's pass and finds Nolan. He initially beats his man on the outside, but his shot is charged down. Corner. Jarvis's initial delivery is cleared but the ball is worked back to the winger. He is pulled back by Abbas, who is booked. Last time we had a free-kick here, Sydney scored.
30: Sydney have a corner as Cresswell slides in to tackle. Cole heads clear and West Ham can counter through Diame and then Downing. The move slows down and when Jarvis hangs up the cross to the far post, it's headed clear.
29: Moments after Downing had stung the palms of Janjetovic, the winger is involved again, taking a pass from Nolan and beating his man before cutting back for Cole. The striker is crowded out and Sydney clear their lines.
26: Goal! Sydney go 2-0 up. It's too simple. A loose pass in midfield leaves Diame no chance and Ibin-Isei picks out Brosque with O'Brien caught upfield. The No14 takes it first-time and drives a low left-foot shot across Adrian and into the far corner.
23: Another chance, this time for Diame. He has time and space and only one defender in front of him, but elects to shoot from long-range. It's a daisy-cutter and simple for Janjetovic.
22: This is better. Diame and Cresswell combine before Noble finds the Senegal man in space. He loses his man and clips a ball into the box for Cole, but the striker cannot control and the goalkeeper collects.
21: Patient build-up from the Hammers. Noble finds Downing wide right. Demel overlaps and Downing runs his man before crossing. Janjetovic can't hold on, but Jarvis is beaten to the rebound by a defender and Sydney escape.
18: Another nervous moment as right-back Ryall gets past Jarvis and Cresswell and into the box. He cuts back for Ibin-Isei, who beats one man before being challenged by a lunging O'Brien. The Irishman wins the ball cleanly and West Ham break. Jarvis is fouled 30 yards out, but Noble lifts the free-kick straight to goalkeeper Janjetovic.
16: The Australian side are on top here. They are stroking the ball around with confidence and composure. West Ham have not put together an attack of note since the opening moments of the game.
13: Not a lot to write about in terms of action in either penalty area in recent minutes. However, we do have an injury to report. Unfortunately, Demel cannot continue and he is replaced by Cresswell. The No3 goes to left-back, with O'Brien going to right-back. It appeared to be Demel's upper leg which was bothering him.
9: The goal has knocked West Ham out of their very early stride. Cole gifts a pass to a Sydney player in midfield, but thankfully the A-League side cannot benefit. The Hammers need to settle down and play their football.
6: Needless to say that was not the start we were all looking for. You could see the danger developing as soon as Noble's crossfield pass went astray. Adrian's first touch was to pick the ball out of the net.
4: Goal! Gameiro scores for Sydney on the counter after Noble had given the ball away cheaply in midfield. Abbas strides forward and sends the No7 clear, with left-back O'Brien playing him onside. The Sydney man takes a touch and passes the ball under Adrian and into the net.
3: Two chances go begging as Noble's free-kick finds Nolan. His shot is blocked and Janjetovic saves the follow up from Diame.
2: West Ham have started really well. Demel collects from Cole and his low cross is cleared to Diame. He works the ball left and Jarvis takes on right-back Ryall before being brought down a yard outside the box. Free-kick.
2.07pm - The Hammers get us underway!
2.06pm - The two sides go through their pre-match handshakes and coin-toss and they are going to swap ends. West Ham will kick-off...
2pm - The strains of 'Bubbles' can be heard loud and clear as the famous Hammers anthem is played on the PA system here at Westpac Stadium. The two teams emerge from the tunnel on the far side of the pitch to cheers from all around a stadium known as 'The Cake Tin' for its round shape.
1.50pm - The two teams are back in their respective dressing rooms ahead of the kick-off in about 15 minutes or so. The stadium is filling up, but it's not full just yet. Presumably the fans will be taking their seats shortly. Of course, the hometown Phoenix are playing at 4.30pm, so some supporters may choose to arrive a little later this afternoon.
1.30pm - Kick-off is fast approaching and the teams are both out on the pitch here at Westpac Stadium. It's a cold, still, sunny winter's day here in Wellington. We have got the team news for you, with West Ham making three changes to their starting XI from Wednesday's 2-1 defeat by Wellington Phoenix.
West Ham United: Adrian, Demel, O'Brien, Reid (c), Collins, Noble, Diame, Nolan, Downing, Jarvis, Cole
Subs: Jaaskelainen, Howes, Cresswell, Fanimo, Potts, Poyet, Whitehead, Vaz Te, Zarate
Sydney FC: Janjetovic, Ryall, Jurman, Petkovic (c), Gameiro, Ibin-Isei, Ognenovski, Antonis, Dimitrijevic, Abbas, Brosque
Subs: Necevski, Bojic, Trantis, Carle, Gligor, Timotheu, Naumoff, Muata-Marlow, Gersbach, Burgess
Good afternoon and welcome to Westpac Stadium in New Zealand's capital, Wellington.
West Ham United complete their Football United Tour with a fixture against A-League side Sydney FC, with a near-capactity crowd expected for a double-header that also features the hometown Phoenix's clash with Newcastle United.
The Hammers will be seeking to end a memorable trip on a high, having lost 2-1 to the Phoenix in Auckland on Wednesday evening. With thousands of members of the Claret and Blue Army expected to be in attendance, Sam Allardyce and his players want to put on an impressive showing.
However, West Ham will have to make do without the absent Andy Carroll, who has travelled to the United States for ankle surgery, as well as Cheikhou Kouyate (ankle) and James Tomkins (groin).
With those three players unavailable and others to be given extended run outs after coming on in the second-half against Wellington - including the impressive Stewart Downing and midweek goalscorer Mauro Zarate.
Opponents Sydney finished fifth in the A-League in 2013/14, but have since lost the services of Italian great Alessandro Del Piero. The Australians have an almost exclusively home-based squad, bar Serbians Nikola Petkovic and Milos Dimitrijevic and Iraq international midfielder Ali Abbas.
We will have the team news confirmed for you shortly, plus live text commentary, highlights and exclusive reaction following the final whistle.
For Wellington-based Hammers, tickets remain on sale for the double-header, while the match will be screened live across New Zealand on SkySport pay-per-view.
For British-based fans, the game will be screened live on BT Sport at 3.07am UK time.
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Andy Carroll update
WHUFC.com
Andy Carroll will have an operation on his left ankle in the United States on Friday
25.07.2014
West Ham United can confirm that Andy Carroll will have an operation on ligaments in his left ankle in the United States on Friday. The England international will then have a week of recovery before starting an intensive period of rehabilitation, which is expected to take four months. The Club would like to again make clear that this is a new injury and not in any way associated with the injury he successfully overcame at the end of last season. Carroll said: "I'm gutted to be missing the start of the season after working hard during the summer and pre-season. Although this obviously isn't the news I would have wanted, I'm determined to come back fitter and stronger than ever before. I will be doing all I can to get back on the pitch with the lads as soon as possible."
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'The people have been fantastic'
WHUFC.com
Matt Jarvis admitted West Ham United were disappointed not to reward their loyal supporters in New Zealand
26.07.2014
Matt Jarvis has thanked the people of New Zealand for their support of West Ham United's Football United Tour of the country. The winger was claiming his second pre-season goal in Saturday's 3-1 defeat by A-League side Sydney FC at Westpac Stadium in Wellington - although the strike was officially recorded as an own-goal from Nikola Petkovic. Sydney raced into a two-goal lead early on through Corey Gameiro and Alex Brosque before Jarvis' intervention, only for Gameiro to add a controversial third late on following a clear handball by midfielder Terry Antonis. Jarvis admitted the Hammers had been disappointed to lose both games in front of thousands of supporters from all over the world, but insisted West Ham would put things right come the start of the new Barclays Premier League season. "It's been great to come over here," said the No7, who was one of the Club's standout performers in New Zealand. "The people have been fantastic and we've met loads and loads of fans. It's been a great experience. "We need to keep working hard and take the fitness we have built in these two games and build confidence to go into our next week of pre-season training and our next game. "We don't need to beat ourselves up that much because it is pre-season. We need to work extremely hard in our games and start to know exactly what we'll be doing tactically for the rest of the season. "We need to make sure we keep improving, getting stronger and fitter and that we are right bang at it come the start of the season."
Speaking specifically about the Sydney FC defeat, Jarvis lamented West Ham's inability to turn chances created and possession into goals - the same issues that led to Wednesday's 2-1 defeat by Wellington Phoenix in Auckland. "I thought we started the game well again in the opening minutes but then fell behind to an early goal, which was very disappointing," said Jarvis, who provided the assist for Mauro Zarate's midweek strike at Eden Park. "We had a lot of the ball, but unfortunately couldn't get the ball in the back of the net as the first half went on. "I'm enjoying it personally. I just need to keep working hard and getting fitter, stronger and sharper. I'm pleased with how it's gone as I've got two assists and two goals now."
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Sydney FC 3-1 West Ham Utd
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 26th July 2014
By: Staff Writer
The tour of New Zealand may have been a huge PR success but on every other front it has proved to be little short of a disaster.
Two defeats to so-called inferior opposition plus injuries to first team squad members Andy Carroll, James Tomkins, Cheikhou Kouyate and Guy Demel have heaped added pressure on Sam Allardyce and his team with less than a month to go until the start of the 2014/15 Premier League campaign.
Hopes were high for a much improved effort from West Ham following the 2-1 reversal against Wellington Phoenix in Auckland last week. Yet if anything, this was a performance that only served to reinforce concerns expressed following that particular defeat against the A-League minnows.
This morning, Sydney managed to score from their first meaningful foray into West Ham territory with just under seven minutes of the match played. Joey O'Brien was hopelessly out of tune with the rest of his defenders, allowing the lively Corey Gameiro to slip through and finish smartly under Adrian.
Sydney doubled their lead on 26 minutes when Mo Diame lost possession inside his own half, allowing Bernie Ibini to pick out Alex Brosque. The Sky Blues' all-time leading goalscorer delighted Sydney fans by firing across Adrian to make it two-nil, which is how it remained until the half time interval.
West Ham did at least give their sizeable contingent of supporters, a mongrel bunch of claret and blue-clad fanatics cast from both hemispheres something to cheer about when Matt Jarvis' centre was deflected into the net by the hand of Nikola Petkovic.
But Sydney were to regain a two-goal advantage in the most dubious of circumstances when Terry Antonis punched the ball, volleyball style over Aaron Cresswell into the path of Gameiro who rounded Adrian to seal the Hammers' fate.
West Ham, naturally incensed by the decision to allow play to continue had their appeals brushed off by the New Zealand referee, who was then suitably embarrassed by the stadium's big screen controllers who decided to replay the incident.
Not that it mattered much in the grand scheme of things, for West Ham were showing few signs of matching Graham Arnold's side, let along staging a comeback. The defeat, like that against Wellington was fully deserved and whilst it is only a pre-season friendly, there was little for West Ham fans to be excited about with the new season looming on the horizon.
In tactical terms, Allardyce has persevered with his favoured 4-3-3 formation although there are signs that he and his staff have begun to tinker with their tactical approach. Fewer long, diagonal balls have been utilised during the trip and the team are playing with more freedom in the centre of the field. Aaron Cresswell's mobility from full back could also prove to be of major benefit.
Still, fans taking to social media after the game were - predictably - mostly scathing of Allardyce (and to a lesser degree, his players). It's a worrying sign for the club, with few of the manager's detractors from last season having proved willing to bury the hatchet. Allardyce, it could be said, is now working under almost impossible conditions.
Having been railroaded by his employers, influenced by fan pressure, into changing a system that has allowed him to work at the very highest level of domestic club management for some 15 years, Allardyce is now being given no time in which to implement those changes. That few - if any - improvements have been evident during this past fortnight has only served to exacerbate the situation.
Without a morale-boosting victory since returning from the summer break (two draws, two defeats), West Ham are going to find their first win of pre-season even more difficult to come by with Schalke and Malaga waiting in the wings when the squad fly to Germany next week.
Allardyce, bereft of Andy Carroll until November will be hoping that Enner Valencia will finally be able to pull on a West Ham shirt to give both the team and its supporters a much-needed boost - and maybe, even a goal or two.
Sydney FC 3-1 West Ham Utd
Sydney: Janjetovic, Ryall, Jurman, Petkovic, Gameiro, Ibin-Isei, Ognenovski, Antonis, Dimitrijevic, Abbas, Brosque.
Subs: Necevski, Bojic, Trantis, Carle, Gligor, Timotheu, Naumoff, Muata-Marlow, Gersbach, Burgess.
West Ham Utd: Adrian, Demel, O'Brien, Reid, Collins, Noble, Diame, Nolan, Downing, Jarvis, Cole.
Subs: Jaaskelainen, Howes, Cresswell, Fanimo, Potts, Poyet, Whitehead, Vaz Te, Zarate.
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#AskDS: in summary
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 25th July 2014
By: Staff Writer
For the second successive summer, co-owner David Sullivan took to Twitter to answer fans' questions regarding West Ham United.
You may read a summary of the questions and answers below. Last year's #askDS questions and answers may be found here.
The Academy
@DICEY1972: Why are our top young players signing for Arsenal and Man Utd?
DS: Sadly they are offered crazy wages by clubs far richer than us, but we are working on reversing this trend.
@Dazzairons: what's the future of Oscar Borg and Reece Oxford?
DS: Oscar Borg has turned down a contract but Reece Oxford is only 15 and we hope he will be a West Ham United player for many years to come.
@RioHoye: Will youth be given a proper first team chance this year? E.g Lee, Chambers, Potts and Lletget?
DS: The manager picks the team, not me, but I believe in youth development.
@RioHoye: Which youth player do you think is most likely to break into the first team?
DS: I think it would be wrong for me to say.
@FatSamOut: Will Elliot Lee ever be given a chance?
DS: Yes.
Transfers
@hands_lee: How many more players are you bringing in?
DS: Two more, unless someone leaves.
@MitchellClark: Will we be signing any other full backs this summer?
DS: We hope to sign one more full back as we are short in that position.
@Lewis_PM: Do you expect us to sign any players other than a full back?
DS: Yes. Another striker.
@Adam16WHU: When do we expect Enner Valencia to sign?
DS: He has signed, but it is subject to a work permit on the 29th.
@FatSamOut: Any chance of the Enner Valencia deal falling through?
DS: The deal is done subject to a work permit, but we are very very optimistic.
@daviesconnor43: Was Enner Valencia scouted before the World Cup and are you confident he will justify such a hefty fee?
DS: Yes. We've scouted Valencia since January.
@maggs10: Why not try and sign a proven Premier League goalscorer who isn't injury prone?
DS: Bony is £19million and we don't have that sort of money. I wanted him a year ago but no one else at the club did!
@Stef_Goodridge: Has a new contract been offered to Ravel Morrison?
DS: Discussions are ongoing with Ravel and his agents.
@ironviews: Do you expect Diego Poyet to feature heavily next season?
DS: It is the managers choice, not mine, but I think Diego is a fantastic player for the future.
@spencerb222: Is there any chance that Andy Carroll will be sold? If so, who would you like as his replacement?
DS: No, but I will update regarding AC at the end.
@_sportscoverage: Is it true Jussi Jaaskelainen has asked for a transfer away from the club?
DS: No, this is false.
@_CarltonCole9: Is Stephen Henderson still alive?
DS: His contact has been terminated and he's going to Charlton.
@FatSamOut: Jenkinson, Shelvey, Rhodes IN, Nolan + Carroll OUT.
DS: I cannot comment on players at other clubs as it is deemed "tapping up".
Merchandise & Marketing
@Terry78WHU: How much will you be hiking season ticket prices in the final season at the Boleyn?
DS: Hopefully prices won't rise at all.
@whusmudge: Will fans ever be able to buy the replica kits in sports shops like other teams' fans?
DS: We hope that will be the case next season.
@LBritainGooner: Are we going to have a pre-season game in the far-east in next few years? Like China?
DS: It's unlikely, but I would love to spread west ham to Asia, USA and everywhere In between.
@WHU_MR2013: Which country are we likely to visit for pre season next season?
DS: USA.
@Gavlar_04: Will fans both from the UK and abroad (I live in Ireland) ever be able to buy shares in the club?
DS: Possibly at some time In the future.
@grahamwhu: How come your loyal season ticket holders no longer get the 10 per cent Adidas discount?
DS: We work on tiny margins on the kit and it is almost not viable with this discount, but we will do special discount days for season ticket holders.
Next Season
@sewellyboyx: What is the expectation for the coming season?
DS: A top-half finish and a cup run.
@sewellyboyx: Are we actually going to play a more expansive style of football next season or have the fans been lied to?
DS: [re-tweeted, reply left blank]
Miscellaneous
@MarkHarrison23: Who is better - Benni McCarthy, Modibo Maiga or Frederic Piquionne?
DS: I think Maiga, because when his head is right he is one hell of a player eg Southampton at home and Spurs in the Cup.
@Tweet_Trist: Can I have your hat that makes you look Russian pls ;)
DS: No - that is my lucky hat because it was a Christmas present from my family!
@JonjoHeuerman: What did you want to be when you were my age ?
DS: A footballer or a boxer, but when I was 15 I realised this wasn't going to happen!
@Adoodledude: Who is your favourite player who doesn't play for West Ham?
DS: Ronaldo, as he has the same birthday as me and I think he is the best player in the world.
@levi_whufc: Apparently you support Grimsby Town, is this true?
DS: No. I have no affiliation with Grimsby.
@rossihammer78: How about a Q&S with our dopey deluded manager next time? It seems he's untouchable.
DS: We will try and arrange it, as well as a fans forum!
@MCjingle: Indian or Chinese food?
DS: Neither, I like fish and chips and pie and mash!
@Daveyboymarra: Will there ever be any boxing events at Upton Park?
DS: I hope so as I love boxing and just lost out on the Chisora v Fury fight.
@Hammer197952: Are we ever going to have a state of the art training facility?
DS: [re-tweeted, reply left blank]
@Andrew_whufc: Do you miss this man [picture of Avram Grant]?
DS: Avram is the nicest man but unfortunately failed to delivery as a manager at West Ham.
And some of the questions that remained unanswered...
@slippery101: How do you justify having the fourth most expensive season ticket prices in the Premier League?
@FatSamOut: Why are ticket prices the fourth highest in the Prem, when we play the worst football?
@JackDaley8: @jsullivanwhu How are we funding the current transfers? TV money or further personal investment from David Gold and yourself?
@DaveGrantWHU: Would you consider selling the club? Do you think we have a chance of being the next Man City?
@ironsjack: Are there any updates on further potential investment into the club i.e the purchase of the C&B holding shares?
@c0xy1988: Can you put people's minds at rest? how much DID we pay for Valencia?
@da_ledi: Why did we stop pursuing Konoplyanka?
@glenngal: Any word on Diame's contract offer?
@RealBarno: Why is Allardyce wanting more money than most of Europe's top managers, for doing a below average job?
@bennett1984: Do you enjoy watching the football Sam serves up week in, week out?
@Hodgo88: Not one question answered on Nolan. Is he undroppable?
@MrTwisticles: Have you looked into our medical staff? Players appear to be getting injured far too frequently.
@whu_sam: Would we consider Paolo Di Canio back to the club as manager or in another position?
@deanhall8: Why can't we sell our tickets back to the club if we can't make a game, even if its not sold out to help fans financially?
@WHUnited91: View on the new cartoon badge that fans supposedly voted in?
@whuscott: Will season ticket prices be lowered significantly after the move to the Olympic Stadium?
@BayJayZus: I have always supported the OS move but I am getting increasingly frustrated at the lack of updates. Why is this?
@sam_whufc_1991: Would the club be willing to look into safe standing for the Olympic Stadium?
@DamianADavis: Why were none of the questions about the Olympic stadium answered?
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Sam Allardyce and West Ham board split on Ravel Morrison
Last Updated: 25/07/14 7:24pm
SSN
The West Ham board and boss Sam Allardyce appear to be on collision course over the future of Ravel Morrison. Allardyce is planning without the England Under-21 midfielder ahead of the new season, but co-owner David Sullivan has confirmed the board to not want to sell him. Morrison fell out of favour last season and was shipped out on loan to QPR, where he helped Harry Redknapp's men win promotion back to the Premier League. Swansea and CSKA Moscow have been linked with the former Manchester United star, but Sullivan insists he wants to see Morrison stay at Upton Park. "Sam has said Ravel is not part of his plans but we do - as a board - see him as part of our plans." "Sam has said Ravel is not part of his plans but we do - as a board - see him as part of our plans," Sullivan told talkSPORT. "I think he (Allardyce) said in a press conference, if I read it correctly, he's not part of his plans for this season. I think he said that in New Zealand but we don't agree with that. We would like to sit down and give him a longer contract." Sullivan added: "We do like him. We do see him as part of the long-term future of the club but we have to agree it with the manager because there's no point signing a player he's not going to play." Morrison, 21, was left at home as the remainder of the West Ham squad jetted off for a pre-season tour of New Zealand, with the club confirming he underwent successful groin surgery. Having spent time at St George's Park since his operation, Morrison should be fit and ready to rejoin the first-team squad when they return from their trip.
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West Ham hoping Winston Reid will agree new contract
Last Updated: 25/07/14 2:02pm
SSN
West Ham co-owner David Sullivan believes there is still a deal to be done with Winston Reid. Sky Sports revealed in mid-July that fresh terms had been put to highly-rated defender Reid. The New Zealand international only signed a new deal last summer, but that agreement will take him through to 2015. With Premier League rivals reported to be closely monitoring his situation, West Ham were eager to ensure that Reid remains at Upton Park. An initial offer is, however, understood to have been knocked back by the 26-year-old, forcing Sullivan, David Gold and manager Sam Allardyce back to the drawing board.
Sullivan told talkSPORT: "I think we will get to a deal with Winston. "Both balls are in the air with regards to Winston and Ravel (Morrison) but both are players we like very, very much."
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Chelsea's Christian Atsu a transfer target for West Ham, Aston Villa and Everton
Jul 25, 2014 22:30 By Darren Lewis
Fifteen suitors are looking to take the Ghana World Cup winger in loan deal his parent club want to be a finishing school before joining their first team
The Mirror
Chelsea have urged World Cup winger Christian Atsu to choose the loan club that gives him the best chance of breaking into their new-look team in 12 months' time. West Ham, Aston Villa and Everton are among 15 clubs interested in borrowing the 22-year-old Ghanaian from the Stamford Bridge side. Others include Celtic, and further afield Spain's Espanyol, PSV Eindhoven of Holland and German side Hamburg are keen. Atsu arrives back in London following his post-World Cup holiday on Monday. He will meet with the clubs in whom he is most interested early next week before making a decision. Ironically, Everton's interest hinges on the club making a decision over another Chelsea player, Romelu Lukaku. The Toffees are holding out for the Belgium marksman after he shone on loan with them last season, but cannot take two players on loan from the same Premier League side. A number of clubs have approached Chelsea directly to push for a deal on Atsu. They have been ruled out, however, as they cannot commit to guaranteeing the player enough playing time - which the Londoners are stipulating in any loan deal. Atsu, who enjoyed an impressive World Cup, was signed from Portugal's Porto on deadline day last summer and immediately loaned to Dutch club Vitesse Arnhem, where he scored five goals in 28 appearances.
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Sydney FC humble West Ham in Wellington
Sydney FC 3-1 West Ham United
theguardian.com, Saturday 26 July 2014 06.28 BST
Alex Brosque
West Ham United fell to a second straight defeat on their pre-season tour of New Zealand after A-League side Sydney FC posted a 3-1 win in Wellington.
Sydney's victory comes four days after Graham Arnold's side were thumped 4-0 in Dunedin by another Premier League side, Newcastle United. Ahead 2-0 at half-time against the Hammers, Sydney added a controversial third 18 minutes into the second half when Corey Gameiro capitalised on a missed hand ball to slot home for a brace. It was West Ham's second loss in three days, after they were beaten 2-1 by Wellington Phoenix in Auckland on Wednesday.
West Ham threatened early with a free-kick on the edge of the area, but Sydney saw the danger off comfortably then struck almost immediately on the counter. Ali Abbas found Gameiro with room down the left, and the 21-year-old striker made the most of his chance to slot home under sprawling goalkeeper Adrian San Miguel. West Ham were forced to shuffle their back four when Guy Demel tweaked a hamstring and was replaced by Aaron Cresswell at left-back after 13 minutes, while Joey O'Brien switched to the right. The Hammers' woes at the back continued, Sydney extending their lead on 25 minutes when Bernie Ibini broke upfield and lifted a well-placed ball through for Alex Brosque to power home. West Ham continued to press, but couldn't finish the few chances they created, Stewart Downing working hard for little reward while winger Matt Jarvis was under-utilised. Perhaps their best chance came after Cresswell and Carlton Cole played a neat one-two 10 minutes before the break, but Cresswell's powerful strike went wide, and Sydney went into the break with a 2-0 lead.
It took barely five minutes for West Ham to hit back after the restart. Jarvis cut in from the left, his venomous strike from just outside the box taking an unlucky deflection off Sydney skipper Nikola Petkovic to loop over keeper Vedran Janjetovic. Gameiro picked up his second after 63 minutes in controversial circumstances, referee Nick Waldron missing Terry Antonis' hand ball early in the build-up. Gameiro finished his surge down the right when he rounded the keeper with precision, but the decision to let play go on in the build-up left West Ham players incensed.
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Andy Carroll was once England's future, but Newcastle United could be the club to revive him
Telegraph.co.uk
By Luke Edwards1:13AM BST 26 Jul 2014 Comments1 Comment
Andy Carroll was once flatteringly described as a rare breed of England striker, a throwback centre-forward whose aerial dominance and physical strength made defenders fear him. At his best during those thrilling early performances for Newcastle United, Carroll looked unplayable. Just three years after Liverpool spent £35 million to lure him away from Tyneside, Carroll is still unplayable following a £15 million switch to West Ham United, but only because he is rarely fit enough to be selected. Neither have got value for money from a player who, at the age of 25, is giving the impression his best years are already behind him.
Whether Carroll's constant breakdowns are purely down to bad luck or due to a failure to look after himself properly is a moot point. Regardless of why they have happened, Carroll's injuries are ruining him as a footballer.
Since leaving Newcastle, where he scored 33 goals in only 60 starts for his hometown club, Carroll has rarely looked the same player. His statistics make miserable reading, seven goals in 22 starts for Liverpool, nine in 35 for West Ham. Since turning a successful loan spell at Upton Park into a long-term move 12 months ago, Carroll has managed to play in just 14 games.
West Ham thought they were getting far more for their money than a striker whose body already looks like it is unable to cope with the demands made of it. When he has played, he has tended to look rusty and bereft of sharpness. If Sam Allardyce, a manager renowned for his meticulous approach to sport science, can't keep him in shape, Carroll is in trouble. If he continues to live a lifestyle that does not befit a professional athlete, the injuries will continue to plague him and he will be playing in the Championship by the time England have another crack at a World Cup. For those of us who enjoyed seeing an old fashioned No9 bulldozing his way through startled defences, Carroll's failure to maintain those standards is a terrible waste of a player that could have given England something unique.
There are very few players of Carroll's type who are so effective and while the hipsters may scoff at the idea that a retro centre-forward is still relevant in the era of false nines and fluid, flexible formations, there is nothing wrong with starting a new fashion by taking inspiration from the past.
According to Xavi, the Barcelona and Spain midfielder, England need to play to their strengths rather than try to hide their weaknesses.
He argued England's best weapons are their wingers and if you are able to open teams up on the flanks, it makes sense to have a striker who can get on the end of the crosses they deliver.
There are few signs we are getting any closer to mastering the intricate short passing game of Spain or the irresistible blend of power and skill that turned Germany into World Cup winners, so why not look at what we are good and pick the players best suited to it. Carroll would enable England to change their approach if they needed to, but such thoughts are pointless while he continues to spend so much time injured or trying to recover. Few teams focus their offensive play down the flanks because few of them have a striker who can beat a centre-back in the air, or worry them enough for space to be left for others to exploit.
Both England's goals at the World Cup came from crosses, yet neither Wayne Rooney or Daniel Sturridge were asked to play in a way that benefits from this sort of delivery. England regularly had merely one player to aim for in the area, making it easy to defend crosses. One centre-back attacked the ball, the other stuck tight to the striker. Rooney and Sturridge aren't bad in the air, but it is not one of their great strengths either. Carroll is different, but it's difficult to know when he last played well for a prolonged period. There have been the odd games here and there, but nothing consistent enough to suggest he deserves to be back in the England side.
West Ham were keen to stress Carroll had done everything asked of him in pre-season but instead of reigniting his career, he has broken down again and will miss four months of the new season after an operation to repair ankle ligament damage. He also missed the first six months of last season with a heel problem.
West Ham have said they will sign a striker to replace him and they do not necessarily mean only while he is injured. Although nothing has been said publicly, West Ham were open to the idea of selling Carroll this summer.
Newcastle, as they have been ever since they lost him, have been mulling over whether to make a bid, well aware of how popular the move would be among
fans who love to see one of their own playing in black and white stripes.
However, they were already wary of Carroll's poor fitness record and will only consider buying him after another lengthy rehabilitation for a significantly reduced price. West Ham may well prefer to persevere with their club record signing rather than cut their losses.
Carroll is happy in London, his agent made that clear when rumours of a return to Newcastle began to circulate earlier this month, but perhaps it is time for the Geordie to go back to familiar surroundings.
There was a time when Carroll needed to get away from Newcastle's nightlife, but moving away from his family and friends has arguably given him even more distractions in his life. Perhaps the only way for Carroll to return to his best is to return to the club where he once looked like the future of English football.
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Friday, July 25
Daily WHUFC News - 25th July 2014
Big Sam ready to shuffle the pack
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce will make changes to his West Ham United side when they fact
Sydney FC on Saturday
24.07.2014
Sam Allardyce will make changes to his West Ham United side when they fact
Sydney FC in Wellington, New Zealand, on Saturday. The likes of Mauro Zarate
and Stewart Downing, whose introduction so nearly salvaged a draw from
Wednesday's 2-1 defeat by Wellington Phoenix in Auckland, goalkeeper Adrian,
Joey O'Brien and youngsters Diego Poyet, Dan Potts, Danny Whitehead and
Matthias Fanimo could all be handed starts at the Westpac Stadium. The
manager will not have the services of Andy Carroll, who is being rested due
to an ankle injury, and both Cheikhou Kouyate and James Tomkins, who
suffered ankle and groin problems in the midweek defeat. With those three
players absent and others completing an hour or more against the Phoenix,
Big Sam confirmed he will shuffle his pack for the second and final game of
the Football United Tour. "Cheikh and James have stayed behind in Auckland
because they've got injuries that mean we've left a physio with them," said
the boss. "Cheikh has gone for a scan to make sure there is no more damage
than we've initially assessed medically, while James has got a groin strain
towards the end of the game. "There was little point us flying them all the
way here, so we have given them the full attention of one of our physios
back in Auckland. Cheikh was caught just above the ankle when the boy
tackled him and he was rather fortunate he didn't break his leg, so we're
pleased about that. "I'm not expecting the news to be too bad because he
wasn't limping as badly in the morning as he was after the game, which is
usually a good sign. The scan is a precautionary measure just to make sure
there is not more damage than we actually think. "Our preparation for Sydney
is to assess the time on the pitch spent by the players who we've got with
us. We'll give some players more time than others and we've got to give
players who have come all this way and who haven't had much time on the
field as yet. We'll pick a team on Friday that serves both purposes - to get
the players out there and get everyone as much match-practice as we can.
"I'll sit down with the medical team and assess the knocks and bruises
suffered in the match on Wednesday and we'll prepare for training on Friday
from there."
Looking back on Wednesday's defeat by Wellington Phoenix, Big Sam said his
players had benefitted greatly from the competitive nature of the game,
despite the result. "I thought the Phoenix were very good, as is always the
case when we come and play a team which is not in the Premier League - they
play their best," said Big Sam. "They tried extremely hard and, if you speak
to their manager, I'm sure he would say that was one of the best
performances they have put in recently. "We're 20 days into the new season
and the lads didn't find their feet quickly enough and, by the time they
did, they were 2-0 down and couldn't find their way back into the game. In
terms of a physical contest, it certainly was that and there were one or two
naughty challenges, but in terms of the tempo of the game, I thought the
lads got a really good workout. "It really did lift their match-fitness
levels to another level in pre-season that we haven't had up to now. "We
travelled down to Wellington on Thursday and we'll do a little bit of
training on Friday and then we're into another highly-competitive game on
Saturday which concludes our very nice, well-accommodated trip to New
Zealand."
The game also gave thousands of West Ham supporters from across the region
and beyond the opportunity to cheer their heroes on - many for the first
time in their lives. "For me, I didn't think there would be many West Ham
fans get this far, but they're everywhere again! They were in and around the
bars, the hotel, the airport and flying with us and they've been everywhere.
"Lots and lots have flown from Australia to watch us and that just shows the
support West Ham have across the world."
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Fans out in force in NZ
WHUFc.com
Thousands of West Ham United supporters turned out to watch their side in
action on Wednesday
24.07.2014
Wherever West Ham United have been in New Zealand over the past week,
members of the Claret and Blue Army have been out in force. The squad has
met up with Hammers fans at the airport, the team hotel, at Open Training
sessions, at Wednesday's meeting with Wellington Phoenix or simply in the
street. On Wednesday afternoon, more than 500 supporters of all ages
gathered at a central Auckland pub to prepare for the evening fixture at
Eden Park, where they sang 'Bubbles' and 'Come on you Irons!' repeatedly
before welcoming a special guest in Joint-Chairman David Gold. The meet was
organised by the Kiwi Hammers Supporters' Club, whose co-founders Nick Daly
and Joe Foale were among the throng of fans to welcome Mr Gold to New
Zealand. "It's just brilliant to get everyone from New Zealand together,"
said Daly, 21. "We talk on Facebook all the time but to see everyone here in
the same place, it's just brilliant to catch up with everyone. "To put faces
to names is just fantastic."
Foale, who emigrated to Wellington from Dagenham as a child, and Kiwi
Hammers member Andrew Quinn said supporting West Ham is as important to New
Zealanders as it is to fans anywhere else in the world. "My Dad worked at
the Ford factory for the last 30 years, so I grew up in Dagenham and it's
just part of the culture when you grow up in east London," he explained.
"Everyone in my school was a West Ham fan and went to West Ham games." "For
me, it started back in 1979/80 when I went to my first game in London and it
was at West Ham, so I've supported them ever since." added Quinn ,53. "I
think we're all genuine fans. We like the game and the game played well.
We've also got a working-class mentality, so we do the right thing every
time we turn up. "We appreciate good football and good support and that's
what West Ham is all about."
Daly, who joined thousands of his fellow countrymen and women at Eden Park
on Wednesday, believes West Ham supporters are among the most loyal and
committed in the world. "I think the West Ham fans are absolutely fantastic
and our passion for the club is fantastic," he said. "You'd struggle to find
a passion like you find at West Ham. "Going to the Boleyn Ground is just an
incredible experience and seeing that many fans in the same place at the
same time is awesome. It's just a great club - what more can you say?" For
the trio, the sight of West Ham actually playing two matches in New Zealand
was one they never believed they would see. "It's absolutely amazing!"
exclaimed Foale, who attended the game with his girlfriend Kelsi. "Who would
have thought that seven years ago when I emigrated to New Zealand that West
Ham would be here!" "I remember saying a few years ago when David Beckham
came here, 'imagine if West Ham ever came over!', so it's incredible to see
them over here and Winston Reid coming home," said Daly. "He's a huge
influence on New Zealand football and I've heard many fans say they wish he
was English!" "It's eleven years since I left the UK and tried coming out
here," Quinn revealed. "We got an idea in around January or February that
the Hammers might come out and now they're here and it's just like being at
home!" All three, plus hundreds of fellow Kiwi Hammers members, will be at
Westpac Stadium in Wellington on Saturday afternoon, where they will cheer
West Ham on against A-League side Sydney FC.
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oungsters head to Ruhr Cup
WHUFc.com
West Ham United have headed to Germany for the U19 Ruhr-International Cup
24.07.2014
West Ham United's youngsters head to Germany on Thursday to take part in the
Evonik Ruhr-International Cup. The Dortmund-based tournament has drawn teams
from all over Europe, as the Hammers continue to build for the season ahead
with a varied pre-season schedule. West Ham have taken a young squad for the
tournament, which is for Under-19 teams, with age groups from U16s upwards
represented in the Londoners' line-up. The group stages take place across
Thursday and Friday, with the weekend reserved for the knockout rounds.
First up on Thursday are two 40 minute matches, with Schalke 04 and Borussia
Monchengladback West Ham's first day opponents. Matches against Galatasaray
and Israeli outfit Maccabi Netanya await on Friday, while the likes of hosts
Borussia Dortmund and Benfica will battle it out in the other group.
Development Squad coach Nick Haycock believes the tournament will give the
Hammers' young players an invaluable experience. He said: "There's a good
mix of Under-16s, 17s, 18s, 19s. The expectation is to try and be
comeptitive in every game, and there's four or five U19 players - Kieran
Bywater, Amos Nasha, Moses Maskasi, Jaanai Gordon and Nathan Mavila - and
we've put the mantle on them to go and be the best player in the tournament.
"We want the reports coming back over the next three days that they've been
the best player, and for the youngsters it's a great experience of playing
against older opposition and continental styles. "They'll get another
experience which becomes part of their make-up."
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Andy Carroll: West Ham striker faces long lay-off with ankle injury
BBC.co.uk
West Ham's Andy Carroll has torn ligaments in his ankle and could be out of
action for four months. The former Liverpool player, 25, is set to have an
operation on Friday in the United States. Carroll picked up the problem on
the Hammers' tour of New Zealand, reporting a sore left ankle in training.
Jack Sullivan, son of co-owner David, tweeted details of the extent of the
injury on Thursday following a question and answer session with his father.
He wrote: "Very bad news regarding AC. Torn ligaments in ankle. Operation
tomorrow with top surgeon in USA. Will be playing in four months."
The club only discovered the full extent of the injury on Thursday evening.
Carroll missed West Ham's 2-1 defeat at the hands of Wellington Phoenix and
the club announced he would miss the rest of the tour. He has been plagued
by injury since moving to Upton Park for a club record £15m from Liverpool
after impressing during a loan spell. He missed the majority of 2013-14 with
a heel problem - managing just 15 league appearances - and also failed to
force his way into England's World Cup squad.
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Carroll out for four months: confirmed
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 24th July 2014
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United's co-owner David Sullivan has revealed that Andy Carroll is
likely to be out of action for four months with torn ligaments. As
exclusively revealed here on KUMB.com yesterday, Carroll is facing a lengthy
lay-off once again after sustaining the injury during training in New
Zealand. The news was confirmed this afternoon by Sullivan via his youngest
son Jack's Twitter feed, following the second annual #askDS session in which
supporters were invited to send their questions to the Chairman.
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Kouyate injury not serious
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 24th July 2014
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce has revealed the injury to Cheikhou Kouyate is not as bad as
first feared. Central midfielder Kouyate was scythed down by a dreadful
tackle from Wellington Phoenix's Louis Fenton in the opening minutes of
yesterday's 2-1 pre-season friendly defeat. However Big Sam revealed at a
press conference that the 24-year-old Senegal international has shown signs
of improvement having limped off the field following the shin-high, studs-up
challenge. "Cheik's gone for a scan just to make sure there's no more damage
above the ankle where the boy tackled him," said the West Ham boss. "He was
rather fortunate that he didn't break his leg, so we're pleased about that.
There were one or two naughty challenges but I thought the lads got a really
good workout. "He [Kouyate] was limping this morning but he's not as bad as
he was last night."
Allardyce also revealed that James Tomkins had taken a knock during the game
and like Kouyate, has remained in Auckland for the time being to receive
treatment. "James Tomkins has got a groin strain," confirmed Allardyce.
"There was little point in them flying here [to Wellington] today."
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Sullivan and Big Sam set for Ravel showdown
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 25th July 2014
By: Staff Writer
David Sullivan has revealed that Ravel Morrison remains part of the club's
long term vision - even if manager Sam Allardyce may not necessarily agree.
Darren Lewis of the Daily Mirror claimed earlier this week that Allardyce
did not see a future at the club for the attacking midfielder, who spent the
latter half of last season on loan at Queens Park Rangers. However Sullivan,
speaking on Talksport last night insisted that Morrison was very much in his
plans - as is central defender Winston Reid, who recently turned down a new
contract offer. "I think Sam said in a press conference that Ravel's not
part of his plans - but we as a board do see him as part of our plans," he
said. "We don't agree with that, we would like to sit down and give him a
longer contract. "We like him and see him as part of the long-term future of
the club but we have to agree it with the manager, because there's no point
signing a player who's not going to play. "I think we will get to a deal
with Winston and we're working on it now. We're also trying to negotiate
with Ravel," he added. "So it's up in the air with regards to Winston and
Ravel but both are players we like very, very much."
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More pre-season friendlies live on TV
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 24th July 2014
By: Staff Writer
West Ham's two Schalke Cup fixtures in early August will be broadcast live
on TV. Quest TV, an offshoot of the Discovery Channel have confirmed they
will be showing both of West Ham's matches against the hosts and La Liga
outfit Malaga, which take place on the weekend of 2nd/3rd August. Malaga and
Newcastle United - who are currently on tour with West Ham in New Zealand -
start the tournament at 3.30pm. West Ham's first game is against Schalke and
takes place on Saturday, 2nd August with a 5.30pm kick off (local time). The
following day West Ham face Malaga at 3.30pm, whilst Schalke and Newcastle
wrap up the mini-tournament at 5.30pm on the same day. All matches are to be
played at the 62,000-capacity Veltins Arena.
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INJURY UPDATE - CARROLL FACES FOUR MONTH LAYOFF
By Sean Whetstone 24 Jul 2014 at 18:54
West Ham Till I Die
West Ham travelled to Wellington for their final New Zealand tour match
without midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate and defender James Tomkins who both
picked up knocks in the Wellington Phoenix match.
Sam Allardyce revealed: "Cheik's gone for a scan just to make sure there's
no more damage above the ankle where the boy tackled him, He was rather
fortunate that he didn't break his leg, so we're pleased about that. There
were one or two naughty challenges but I thought the lads got a really good
workout.He was limping this morning but he's not as bad as he was last
night. James Tomkins has got a groin strain, there was little point in them
flying here today."
Andy Carroll has flown back to the UK from New Zealand for more treatment
but some sources claim he is due to fly to America to see a specialist. Wide
speculation on the internet has all kind of rumours and conspiracy theories
on what is really going on. One story yesterday suggested he could be out
for 2 to 4 months while Darren Lewis from the Daily Mirror suggested today
it would be more like 2-4 weeks. Meanwhile 13 year West Ham Jack Sullivan
looked to set the record straight by saying "CARROLL has a twisted ankle and
has gone back to England from treatment. We will know more in a few days but
hope he will be back 4 spurs" Seems a lot of fuss about a twisted ankle. I
guess the hysteria needs to die down and we need to wait to see what the so
called experts say.
Another rumour which broke yesterday was that new signing Enner Valencia was
also injured with an ankle problem and that he failed the West Ham medical.
A source close to the club said they knew nothing about any injury effecting
Valencia and West Ham's substitute PR man Jack Sullivan also looked to clam
fears by saying "Enner Valencia has passed his medical will flying colours
but has a work permit hearing on the 29th and will join the team when there
back"
Ravel Morrison is recovering from his groin operation but I am told he will
not be travelling to Germany for the Schalke 04 Cup at the beginning of
August.
UPDATE: Carroll is having an operation in the US tomorrow and will be out
for FOUR months according to Jack Sullivan.
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RAVEL OFF TO MOSCOW?
By Sean Whetstone 24 Jul 2014 at 08:33
West Ham Till I Die
Ravel Morrison caused bemusement after tweeting the words 'CSKA Moscow'
being deleting the tweet a minute later and replacing it with the words
'decisions, decisions. decisions' Morrison is recovering from a groin
operation which he put off from last season and its claimed he has not been
offered a new contract to date despite only a year left on his existing
£15,000 per week contract. Whether CSKA Moscow means he has been offered a
loan deal, a permanent bid has come or it was the opposition he was playing
on FIFA 14 at midnight last night is unknown but it adds more speculation.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Andy Carroll injured AGAIN and out for four months after torn ankle
ligaments confirmed
Jul 24, 2014 19:24 By Ben Burrows
The 25-year-old has been plagued by injuries since joining the Hammers and
is set for another spell on the sidelines to start the coming season
The Mirror
Andy Carroll is injured AGAIN with torn ankle ligaments confirmed. The
25-year-old striker is set for surgery in the US on Friday and will be
sidelined for at least four months - ending hopes of a return to Newcastle.
The news was revealed by Jack Sullivan – owner David's son – on Twitter on
Thursday afternoon. He confirmed that the striker, who was sent home from
New Zealand, would be heading to the US for an operation and would be out
for four months. On Tuesday the club confirmed he had been withdrawn from
the squad to face Wellington on Wednesday as "a precautionary measure".
"Andy Carroll will miss both games on the Football United tour of New
Zealand as a precautionary measure after developing a sore left ankle during
training," read a statement on the club's official website. "After
assessment by the club's medical experts, it was decided to let the England
international rest for both remaining games and receive intensive treatment
to ensure he is fit for the start of the season. "It should be clear that
the affected area is not in any way associated with the previous injury he
successfully overcame towards the end of last season."
But now their worst fears have been confirmed with torn ligaments diagnosed
in his left ankle. It is yet another blow for the England man who has seen
his time at Upton Park blighted. Carroll missed the first half of last term
with a heel problem, and made only 15 league appearances in his first
permanent season with the Hammers. And now it looks as if he won't be back
in action until November at the earliest this time around.
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Adrian scores for the Hammers
Posted by Sean Whetstone on July 24, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham's Development Squad made it two wins on the trot in their
pre-season friendlies after seeing off Sutton United at Gander Green Lane on
Wednesday night to show the senior squad just how it's done! West Ham won
the game 1-0 with a 50th minute goal by West Ham trialist Adrian Wojcik
Kosela Both teams were careful not to name the trialist referring to him
only as the 'unnamed trialist' but Adrian gave the game away by bragging
about his goal on twitter this morning.
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Newcastle and West Ham target Carl Jenkinson set for Arsenal stay as PSG
sign Serge Aurier
NEWCASTLE and West Ham are set to miss out on signing Arsenal defender Carl
Jenkinson after Paris Saint-Germain beat the Gunners to Serge Aurier.
By: David WrightPublished: Thu, July 24, 2014
Daily Mail
Jenkinson is expected to find his first-team opportunities limited this
season after the arrival of Mathieu Debuchy, leading to speculation that he
could leave the Emirates this summer. Newcastle and West Ham are reportedly
lining up moves for his services, but are likely to have any approach
rebuffed after the Gunners missed out on signing his replacement Aurier. The
Toulouse right-back has instead opted for a season-long loan at PSG - who
have an option to buy - despite the 21-year-old Ivorian previously favouring
a move to the Emirates. "Serge Aurier, one of the most promising young
players in world football, courted by the biggest clubs, has chosen Paris
Saint-Germain to continue to shine on the European stage," PSG president
Nasser Al-Khelaifi said. "We are delighted to welcome this young player into
our team." Aurier came through the youth system at Lens and spent three
seasons in the north before moving to Toulouse in 2012.
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Valencia's medical update
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on July 24, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Jack Sullivan has revealed that Enner Valencia passed his West Ham medical
with "flying colours." Rumours emerged on the internet yesterday that the
player was struggling with an ankle injury. However, co owner David
Sullivan's son appears to have put the record straight on Twitter. He
declared: "Enner Valencia has passed his medical with flying colours and has
a work permit hearing on the 29th and will join the team when they are back"
(from New Zealand). Sam Allardyce will plead Valencia's case at the hearing
next Tuesday with the club entirely confident of the outcome.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam depressing analysis gives cause for worry
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on July 24, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
If a double injury blow and Sam Allardyce's comments on them hadn't
depressed us enough his view of the match against Wellington Phoenix was
pretty horrendous …to put it mildly! And before we consider his comments
let's remember that Newcastle United are at exactly the same stage of their
preparations as us yet brushed Sydney FC aside 4-0. Sam, however, rolled
out a litany of explanations on the Irons performance against Wellington
Phoenix which were disturbing in the extreme. Here's the nub of what he
said:
O We got caught cold by the fact that Phoenix showed a great attitude and
played at a tempo which the Irons failed to recognise and counter.
O We are " finding our feet" and Phoenix gave a great standard as he
expected
O They fought and shut us down over all over the pitch, did exceptionally
well and knocked us out of our stride."
O The team was changed in the second half because of fatigue as "we are
working the players extremely hard. We have been training every day, morning
and afternoon, because we have to get our fitness levels up."
O The important things are levels of fitness and technique and what was
worrying was that the technique level was "way down."
Not many positives there then. The players have returned from a summer break
and are now fatigued and lacking technique. The 'mighty Kiwi world beaters '
were more up for the game than us and caught a Premier League cold, took
their chances and were clearly the better team. Meanwhile our guys are being
trained morning and afternoon and we wonder whether that may actually
contribute to their levels of fatigue. It would be interesting to hear from
Sam not thay they ARE fatigues but WHY Looking at his appraisal of things –
and given two massive injuries – there's little room left for hope it
seems. There wasn't a word either about how the "lack of technique" would be
addressed. Instead we had: "What matter is what happens on the opening day
of the season."
Well on the strength of what we have seen so far at Stevenage, Ipswich and
now in New Zealand we might have reason to worry big time about the first
day of the season. I'm not going to judge anybody on three pre- season
friendlies but I seriously hope the manager knows how he is going to improve
performance levels as well as fitness and technique levels by around 150
per cent minimum come opening day. Yesterday the post match explanations
simply weren't up to much and did I mention Newcastle United are at exactly
the same point in their build-up as us?
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Good news on Kouyate
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on July 24, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Hopes are rising inside the Hammers camp that the injury to Cheikhou Kouyate
is not as bad as first feared. The £7 million midfielder was at the
receiving end of a bad tackle in the clash against Wellington Phoenix at
Eden Park yesterday and left the ground on crutches. Sam Allardyce indicated
immediately afterwards the player could be out for a long time. But this
morning ClaretandHugh has learned that the player is now moving around very
well after a scan and that hopefully therefore, things may not be as bad as
at first feared.
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Ravel in Russian mystery
Posted by Sean Whetstone on July 24, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Ravel Morrison is at the centre of a Russian transfer mystery this morning!
And it is the midfielder himself who has created the situation with a
quickly deleted tweet. An eagle-eyed reporter on ClaretandHugh saw him tweet
the words 'CSKA Moscow' before promptly deleting it. It was then replaced
with the words: 'Decisions, decisions, decisions' which may or may not
include the possibilities of a loan or permanent move to Moscow. However,
given his dislike of flying and those close to him claiming he's sometimes
not too keen on foreign living, that would be a surprise! Morrison is
currently recovering from a groin operation which prevented him from
traveling to New Zealand with the squad for their pre season tour.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
David Sullivan admits West Ham put 'all their eggs in one basket' with
injury-plagued Andy Carroll as co-owner reveals Hammers will search for a
new striker
David Sullivan admits club 'probably made a mistake' by relying on injury-
prone Andy Carroll
Carroll will be out for four months with an ankle injury
West Ham co-owner says club shouldn't have put 'all our eggs in one basket'
Hammers will bring in another striker, according to Sullivan
By DAVID KENT
PUBLISHED: 00:42, 25 July 2014 | UPDATED: 01:48, 25 July 2014
Daily Mail
West Ham co-owner David Sullivan has admitted the east London club shouldn't
have put 'all their eggs in one basket' by signing injury-plagued Andy
Carroll in 2012. The Hammers forward is out for four months with ankle
ligaments damage, leaving West Ham short of strikers ahead of the new
Premier League season. Sullivan told talkSPORT: 'It was desperate last
year... We probably made a mistake by putting all our eggs in one basket.
'Had we known what we know now we wouldn't have signed the player. But it's
easy to be wise after the event. We were assured by our physio - who has
since left the club - that the player would be available for the start of
the season. 'He wasn't available until January or February. A mistake was
made and we were given the wrong information. We based our decision and our
purchase of the player on what the medical department told us. Sullivan also
revealed that West Ham will now delve back into the transfer market for
another frontman despite already signing Mauro Zarate and Enner Valencia. He
added: 'We have to bring in another striker and we're working on it now to
buy one, or loan one, or both. 'You can never have enough strikers and
really with Andy gone we haven't got enough.'
Since moving on loan to West Ham in 2012, and signing permanently in 2013,
Carroll has had his share of injuries...
SEPTEMBER 2012
Misses a month after straining a hamstring against Fulham
DECEMBER 2012
Twists his knee against Man Utd and is out for two months
MAY 2013
Falls awkwardly and damages his heel against Reading and is out for seven
months
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Exclusive - Sullivan: West Ham will replace injured Carroll with new striker
By Dom Bryant (@dom_bryant) | Thursday, July 24, 2014
West Ham co-owner David Sullivan has told talkSPORT they will look to bring
in another striker after club-record signing Andy Carroll was ruled out for
four months. The Hammers' star striker tore the ligaments in his ankle
during training on a pre-season tour of New Zealand and is now unlikely to
return until November. Carroll, 25, has suffered a nightmare spell at Upton
Park since joining permanently in a £15million deal from Liverpool last
summer - he has only made 16 appearances for the east London club. West Ham
have already signed Mauro Zarate and Enner Valencia this summer but Sullivan
admitted they will now be forced to bring in another striker. "We have to
bring in another striker and we're working on it now to buy one, or loan
one, or both," the Hammers chief told the Sports Bar. "You can never have
enough strikers and really with Andy gone we haven't got enough."
Last season Carroll did not make his first appearance for Hammers until
January and Sullivan confessed the club had erred in investing everything in
the striker. "It was desperate last year... We probably made a mistake by
putting all our eggs in one basket," the co-owner added. "Had we known what
we know now we wouldn't have signed the player. But it's easy to be wise
after the event. We were assured by our physio - who has since left the club
- that the player would be available for the start of the season. "He wasn't
available until January or February. A mistake was made and we were given
the wrong information. We based our decision and our purchase of the player
on what the medical department told us. "We've changed everything in that
department as a result of that. At the same time on his day he is a
devastating and fantastic player, we've just got to get him back to his
best. "But at the same time we can't start the season with the strikeforce
we've got. I don't think it's good enough, there's not enough height in it
and if we get another injury, in terms of quantity, it's insufficient, so we
have to sign at least one more player."
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Sullivan talks Ravel
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on July 24, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Hammers supremo David Sullivan has admitted that talks are going on with
Ravel Morrison's agents. But he stopped short of saying that a new contract
was under discussion as the club continues to play its cards close to its
chest. ClaretandHugh has learned that the midfielder has dedicated himself
to making an impact at Upton Park this season. The player and his advisers
believe any bad blood which existed has been put aside by both sides. They
were encouraged that Sam Allardyce picked him for a pre-season friendly
before allowing him to miss the New Zealand tour in favour of undergoing
surgery on his groin problem. We have learned that although there is no
current interest, the player has been subject to inquiries from AC Milan,
Sporting Lisbon. Newcastle, Liverpool and Manchester City last year.
However, the Irons want to see that his attitude and application are
absolutely correct before committing to a big deal.
Sullivan said: "Discussions are on going with Ravel and his agents."
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WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce will make changes to his West Ham United side when they fact
Sydney FC on Saturday
24.07.2014
Sam Allardyce will make changes to his West Ham United side when they fact
Sydney FC in Wellington, New Zealand, on Saturday. The likes of Mauro Zarate
and Stewart Downing, whose introduction so nearly salvaged a draw from
Wednesday's 2-1 defeat by Wellington Phoenix in Auckland, goalkeeper Adrian,
Joey O'Brien and youngsters Diego Poyet, Dan Potts, Danny Whitehead and
Matthias Fanimo could all be handed starts at the Westpac Stadium. The
manager will not have the services of Andy Carroll, who is being rested due
to an ankle injury, and both Cheikhou Kouyate and James Tomkins, who
suffered ankle and groin problems in the midweek defeat. With those three
players absent and others completing an hour or more against the Phoenix,
Big Sam confirmed he will shuffle his pack for the second and final game of
the Football United Tour. "Cheikh and James have stayed behind in Auckland
because they've got injuries that mean we've left a physio with them," said
the boss. "Cheikh has gone for a scan to make sure there is no more damage
than we've initially assessed medically, while James has got a groin strain
towards the end of the game. "There was little point us flying them all the
way here, so we have given them the full attention of one of our physios
back in Auckland. Cheikh was caught just above the ankle when the boy
tackled him and he was rather fortunate he didn't break his leg, so we're
pleased about that. "I'm not expecting the news to be too bad because he
wasn't limping as badly in the morning as he was after the game, which is
usually a good sign. The scan is a precautionary measure just to make sure
there is not more damage than we actually think. "Our preparation for Sydney
is to assess the time on the pitch spent by the players who we've got with
us. We'll give some players more time than others and we've got to give
players who have come all this way and who haven't had much time on the
field as yet. We'll pick a team on Friday that serves both purposes - to get
the players out there and get everyone as much match-practice as we can.
"I'll sit down with the medical team and assess the knocks and bruises
suffered in the match on Wednesday and we'll prepare for training on Friday
from there."
Looking back on Wednesday's defeat by Wellington Phoenix, Big Sam said his
players had benefitted greatly from the competitive nature of the game,
despite the result. "I thought the Phoenix were very good, as is always the
case when we come and play a team which is not in the Premier League - they
play their best," said Big Sam. "They tried extremely hard and, if you speak
to their manager, I'm sure he would say that was one of the best
performances they have put in recently. "We're 20 days into the new season
and the lads didn't find their feet quickly enough and, by the time they
did, they were 2-0 down and couldn't find their way back into the game. In
terms of a physical contest, it certainly was that and there were one or two
naughty challenges, but in terms of the tempo of the game, I thought the
lads got a really good workout. "It really did lift their match-fitness
levels to another level in pre-season that we haven't had up to now. "We
travelled down to Wellington on Thursday and we'll do a little bit of
training on Friday and then we're into another highly-competitive game on
Saturday which concludes our very nice, well-accommodated trip to New
Zealand."
The game also gave thousands of West Ham supporters from across the region
and beyond the opportunity to cheer their heroes on - many for the first
time in their lives. "For me, I didn't think there would be many West Ham
fans get this far, but they're everywhere again! They were in and around the
bars, the hotel, the airport and flying with us and they've been everywhere.
"Lots and lots have flown from Australia to watch us and that just shows the
support West Ham have across the world."
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Fans out in force in NZ
WHUFc.com
Thousands of West Ham United supporters turned out to watch their side in
action on Wednesday
24.07.2014
Wherever West Ham United have been in New Zealand over the past week,
members of the Claret and Blue Army have been out in force. The squad has
met up with Hammers fans at the airport, the team hotel, at Open Training
sessions, at Wednesday's meeting with Wellington Phoenix or simply in the
street. On Wednesday afternoon, more than 500 supporters of all ages
gathered at a central Auckland pub to prepare for the evening fixture at
Eden Park, where they sang 'Bubbles' and 'Come on you Irons!' repeatedly
before welcoming a special guest in Joint-Chairman David Gold. The meet was
organised by the Kiwi Hammers Supporters' Club, whose co-founders Nick Daly
and Joe Foale were among the throng of fans to welcome Mr Gold to New
Zealand. "It's just brilliant to get everyone from New Zealand together,"
said Daly, 21. "We talk on Facebook all the time but to see everyone here in
the same place, it's just brilliant to catch up with everyone. "To put faces
to names is just fantastic."
Foale, who emigrated to Wellington from Dagenham as a child, and Kiwi
Hammers member Andrew Quinn said supporting West Ham is as important to New
Zealanders as it is to fans anywhere else in the world. "My Dad worked at
the Ford factory for the last 30 years, so I grew up in Dagenham and it's
just part of the culture when you grow up in east London," he explained.
"Everyone in my school was a West Ham fan and went to West Ham games." "For
me, it started back in 1979/80 when I went to my first game in London and it
was at West Ham, so I've supported them ever since." added Quinn ,53. "I
think we're all genuine fans. We like the game and the game played well.
We've also got a working-class mentality, so we do the right thing every
time we turn up. "We appreciate good football and good support and that's
what West Ham is all about."
Daly, who joined thousands of his fellow countrymen and women at Eden Park
on Wednesday, believes West Ham supporters are among the most loyal and
committed in the world. "I think the West Ham fans are absolutely fantastic
and our passion for the club is fantastic," he said. "You'd struggle to find
a passion like you find at West Ham. "Going to the Boleyn Ground is just an
incredible experience and seeing that many fans in the same place at the
same time is awesome. It's just a great club - what more can you say?" For
the trio, the sight of West Ham actually playing two matches in New Zealand
was one they never believed they would see. "It's absolutely amazing!"
exclaimed Foale, who attended the game with his girlfriend Kelsi. "Who would
have thought that seven years ago when I emigrated to New Zealand that West
Ham would be here!" "I remember saying a few years ago when David Beckham
came here, 'imagine if West Ham ever came over!', so it's incredible to see
them over here and Winston Reid coming home," said Daly. "He's a huge
influence on New Zealand football and I've heard many fans say they wish he
was English!" "It's eleven years since I left the UK and tried coming out
here," Quinn revealed. "We got an idea in around January or February that
the Hammers might come out and now they're here and it's just like being at
home!" All three, plus hundreds of fellow Kiwi Hammers members, will be at
Westpac Stadium in Wellington on Saturday afternoon, where they will cheer
West Ham on against A-League side Sydney FC.
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oungsters head to Ruhr Cup
WHUFc.com
West Ham United have headed to Germany for the U19 Ruhr-International Cup
24.07.2014
West Ham United's youngsters head to Germany on Thursday to take part in the
Evonik Ruhr-International Cup. The Dortmund-based tournament has drawn teams
from all over Europe, as the Hammers continue to build for the season ahead
with a varied pre-season schedule. West Ham have taken a young squad for the
tournament, which is for Under-19 teams, with age groups from U16s upwards
represented in the Londoners' line-up. The group stages take place across
Thursday and Friday, with the weekend reserved for the knockout rounds.
First up on Thursday are two 40 minute matches, with Schalke 04 and Borussia
Monchengladback West Ham's first day opponents. Matches against Galatasaray
and Israeli outfit Maccabi Netanya await on Friday, while the likes of hosts
Borussia Dortmund and Benfica will battle it out in the other group.
Development Squad coach Nick Haycock believes the tournament will give the
Hammers' young players an invaluable experience. He said: "There's a good
mix of Under-16s, 17s, 18s, 19s. The expectation is to try and be
comeptitive in every game, and there's four or five U19 players - Kieran
Bywater, Amos Nasha, Moses Maskasi, Jaanai Gordon and Nathan Mavila - and
we've put the mantle on them to go and be the best player in the tournament.
"We want the reports coming back over the next three days that they've been
the best player, and for the youngsters it's a great experience of playing
against older opposition and continental styles. "They'll get another
experience which becomes part of their make-up."
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Andy Carroll: West Ham striker faces long lay-off with ankle injury
BBC.co.uk
West Ham's Andy Carroll has torn ligaments in his ankle and could be out of
action for four months. The former Liverpool player, 25, is set to have an
operation on Friday in the United States. Carroll picked up the problem on
the Hammers' tour of New Zealand, reporting a sore left ankle in training.
Jack Sullivan, son of co-owner David, tweeted details of the extent of the
injury on Thursday following a question and answer session with his father.
He wrote: "Very bad news regarding AC. Torn ligaments in ankle. Operation
tomorrow with top surgeon in USA. Will be playing in four months."
The club only discovered the full extent of the injury on Thursday evening.
Carroll missed West Ham's 2-1 defeat at the hands of Wellington Phoenix and
the club announced he would miss the rest of the tour. He has been plagued
by injury since moving to Upton Park for a club record £15m from Liverpool
after impressing during a loan spell. He missed the majority of 2013-14 with
a heel problem - managing just 15 league appearances - and also failed to
force his way into England's World Cup squad.
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Carroll out for four months: confirmed
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 24th July 2014
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United's co-owner David Sullivan has revealed that Andy Carroll is
likely to be out of action for four months with torn ligaments. As
exclusively revealed here on KUMB.com yesterday, Carroll is facing a lengthy
lay-off once again after sustaining the injury during training in New
Zealand. The news was confirmed this afternoon by Sullivan via his youngest
son Jack's Twitter feed, following the second annual #askDS session in which
supporters were invited to send their questions to the Chairman.
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Kouyate injury not serious
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 24th July 2014
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce has revealed the injury to Cheikhou Kouyate is not as bad as
first feared. Central midfielder Kouyate was scythed down by a dreadful
tackle from Wellington Phoenix's Louis Fenton in the opening minutes of
yesterday's 2-1 pre-season friendly defeat. However Big Sam revealed at a
press conference that the 24-year-old Senegal international has shown signs
of improvement having limped off the field following the shin-high, studs-up
challenge. "Cheik's gone for a scan just to make sure there's no more damage
above the ankle where the boy tackled him," said the West Ham boss. "He was
rather fortunate that he didn't break his leg, so we're pleased about that.
There were one or two naughty challenges but I thought the lads got a really
good workout. "He [Kouyate] was limping this morning but he's not as bad as
he was last night."
Allardyce also revealed that James Tomkins had taken a knock during the game
and like Kouyate, has remained in Auckland for the time being to receive
treatment. "James Tomkins has got a groin strain," confirmed Allardyce.
"There was little point in them flying here [to Wellington] today."
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Sullivan and Big Sam set for Ravel showdown
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 25th July 2014
By: Staff Writer
David Sullivan has revealed that Ravel Morrison remains part of the club's
long term vision - even if manager Sam Allardyce may not necessarily agree.
Darren Lewis of the Daily Mirror claimed earlier this week that Allardyce
did not see a future at the club for the attacking midfielder, who spent the
latter half of last season on loan at Queens Park Rangers. However Sullivan,
speaking on Talksport last night insisted that Morrison was very much in his
plans - as is central defender Winston Reid, who recently turned down a new
contract offer. "I think Sam said in a press conference that Ravel's not
part of his plans - but we as a board do see him as part of our plans," he
said. "We don't agree with that, we would like to sit down and give him a
longer contract. "We like him and see him as part of the long-term future of
the club but we have to agree it with the manager, because there's no point
signing a player who's not going to play. "I think we will get to a deal
with Winston and we're working on it now. We're also trying to negotiate
with Ravel," he added. "So it's up in the air with regards to Winston and
Ravel but both are players we like very, very much."
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More pre-season friendlies live on TV
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 24th July 2014
By: Staff Writer
West Ham's two Schalke Cup fixtures in early August will be broadcast live
on TV. Quest TV, an offshoot of the Discovery Channel have confirmed they
will be showing both of West Ham's matches against the hosts and La Liga
outfit Malaga, which take place on the weekend of 2nd/3rd August. Malaga and
Newcastle United - who are currently on tour with West Ham in New Zealand -
start the tournament at 3.30pm. West Ham's first game is against Schalke and
takes place on Saturday, 2nd August with a 5.30pm kick off (local time). The
following day West Ham face Malaga at 3.30pm, whilst Schalke and Newcastle
wrap up the mini-tournament at 5.30pm on the same day. All matches are to be
played at the 62,000-capacity Veltins Arena.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
INJURY UPDATE - CARROLL FACES FOUR MONTH LAYOFF
By Sean Whetstone 24 Jul 2014 at 18:54
West Ham Till I Die
West Ham travelled to Wellington for their final New Zealand tour match
without midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate and defender James Tomkins who both
picked up knocks in the Wellington Phoenix match.
Sam Allardyce revealed: "Cheik's gone for a scan just to make sure there's
no more damage above the ankle where the boy tackled him, He was rather
fortunate that he didn't break his leg, so we're pleased about that. There
were one or two naughty challenges but I thought the lads got a really good
workout.He was limping this morning but he's not as bad as he was last
night. James Tomkins has got a groin strain, there was little point in them
flying here today."
Andy Carroll has flown back to the UK from New Zealand for more treatment
but some sources claim he is due to fly to America to see a specialist. Wide
speculation on the internet has all kind of rumours and conspiracy theories
on what is really going on. One story yesterday suggested he could be out
for 2 to 4 months while Darren Lewis from the Daily Mirror suggested today
it would be more like 2-4 weeks. Meanwhile 13 year West Ham Jack Sullivan
looked to set the record straight by saying "CARROLL has a twisted ankle and
has gone back to England from treatment. We will know more in a few days but
hope he will be back 4 spurs" Seems a lot of fuss about a twisted ankle. I
guess the hysteria needs to die down and we need to wait to see what the so
called experts say.
Another rumour which broke yesterday was that new signing Enner Valencia was
also injured with an ankle problem and that he failed the West Ham medical.
A source close to the club said they knew nothing about any injury effecting
Valencia and West Ham's substitute PR man Jack Sullivan also looked to clam
fears by saying "Enner Valencia has passed his medical will flying colours
but has a work permit hearing on the 29th and will join the team when there
back"
Ravel Morrison is recovering from his groin operation but I am told he will
not be travelling to Germany for the Schalke 04 Cup at the beginning of
August.
UPDATE: Carroll is having an operation in the US tomorrow and will be out
for FOUR months according to Jack Sullivan.
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RAVEL OFF TO MOSCOW?
By Sean Whetstone 24 Jul 2014 at 08:33
West Ham Till I Die
Ravel Morrison caused bemusement after tweeting the words 'CSKA Moscow'
being deleting the tweet a minute later and replacing it with the words
'decisions, decisions. decisions' Morrison is recovering from a groin
operation which he put off from last season and its claimed he has not been
offered a new contract to date despite only a year left on his existing
£15,000 per week contract. Whether CSKA Moscow means he has been offered a
loan deal, a permanent bid has come or it was the opposition he was playing
on FIFA 14 at midnight last night is unknown but it adds more speculation.
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Andy Carroll injured AGAIN and out for four months after torn ankle
ligaments confirmed
Jul 24, 2014 19:24 By Ben Burrows
The 25-year-old has been plagued by injuries since joining the Hammers and
is set for another spell on the sidelines to start the coming season
The Mirror
Andy Carroll is injured AGAIN with torn ankle ligaments confirmed. The
25-year-old striker is set for surgery in the US on Friday and will be
sidelined for at least four months - ending hopes of a return to Newcastle.
The news was revealed by Jack Sullivan – owner David's son – on Twitter on
Thursday afternoon. He confirmed that the striker, who was sent home from
New Zealand, would be heading to the US for an operation and would be out
for four months. On Tuesday the club confirmed he had been withdrawn from
the squad to face Wellington on Wednesday as "a precautionary measure".
"Andy Carroll will miss both games on the Football United tour of New
Zealand as a precautionary measure after developing a sore left ankle during
training," read a statement on the club's official website. "After
assessment by the club's medical experts, it was decided to let the England
international rest for both remaining games and receive intensive treatment
to ensure he is fit for the start of the season. "It should be clear that
the affected area is not in any way associated with the previous injury he
successfully overcame towards the end of last season."
But now their worst fears have been confirmed with torn ligaments diagnosed
in his left ankle. It is yet another blow for the England man who has seen
his time at Upton Park blighted. Carroll missed the first half of last term
with a heel problem, and made only 15 league appearances in his first
permanent season with the Hammers. And now it looks as if he won't be back
in action until November at the earliest this time around.
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Adrian scores for the Hammers
Posted by Sean Whetstone on July 24, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham's Development Squad made it two wins on the trot in their
pre-season friendlies after seeing off Sutton United at Gander Green Lane on
Wednesday night to show the senior squad just how it's done! West Ham won
the game 1-0 with a 50th minute goal by West Ham trialist Adrian Wojcik
Kosela Both teams were careful not to name the trialist referring to him
only as the 'unnamed trialist' but Adrian gave the game away by bragging
about his goal on twitter this morning.
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Newcastle and West Ham target Carl Jenkinson set for Arsenal stay as PSG
sign Serge Aurier
NEWCASTLE and West Ham are set to miss out on signing Arsenal defender Carl
Jenkinson after Paris Saint-Germain beat the Gunners to Serge Aurier.
By: David WrightPublished: Thu, July 24, 2014
Daily Mail
Jenkinson is expected to find his first-team opportunities limited this
season after the arrival of Mathieu Debuchy, leading to speculation that he
could leave the Emirates this summer. Newcastle and West Ham are reportedly
lining up moves for his services, but are likely to have any approach
rebuffed after the Gunners missed out on signing his replacement Aurier. The
Toulouse right-back has instead opted for a season-long loan at PSG - who
have an option to buy - despite the 21-year-old Ivorian previously favouring
a move to the Emirates. "Serge Aurier, one of the most promising young
players in world football, courted by the biggest clubs, has chosen Paris
Saint-Germain to continue to shine on the European stage," PSG president
Nasser Al-Khelaifi said. "We are delighted to welcome this young player into
our team." Aurier came through the youth system at Lens and spent three
seasons in the north before moving to Toulouse in 2012.
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Valencia's medical update
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on July 24, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Jack Sullivan has revealed that Enner Valencia passed his West Ham medical
with "flying colours." Rumours emerged on the internet yesterday that the
player was struggling with an ankle injury. However, co owner David
Sullivan's son appears to have put the record straight on Twitter. He
declared: "Enner Valencia has passed his medical with flying colours and has
a work permit hearing on the 29th and will join the team when they are back"
(from New Zealand). Sam Allardyce will plead Valencia's case at the hearing
next Tuesday with the club entirely confident of the outcome.
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Sam depressing analysis gives cause for worry
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on July 24, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
If a double injury blow and Sam Allardyce's comments on them hadn't
depressed us enough his view of the match against Wellington Phoenix was
pretty horrendous …to put it mildly! And before we consider his comments
let's remember that Newcastle United are at exactly the same stage of their
preparations as us yet brushed Sydney FC aside 4-0. Sam, however, rolled
out a litany of explanations on the Irons performance against Wellington
Phoenix which were disturbing in the extreme. Here's the nub of what he
said:
O We got caught cold by the fact that Phoenix showed a great attitude and
played at a tempo which the Irons failed to recognise and counter.
O We are " finding our feet" and Phoenix gave a great standard as he
expected
O They fought and shut us down over all over the pitch, did exceptionally
well and knocked us out of our stride."
O The team was changed in the second half because of fatigue as "we are
working the players extremely hard. We have been training every day, morning
and afternoon, because we have to get our fitness levels up."
O The important things are levels of fitness and technique and what was
worrying was that the technique level was "way down."
Not many positives there then. The players have returned from a summer break
and are now fatigued and lacking technique. The 'mighty Kiwi world beaters '
were more up for the game than us and caught a Premier League cold, took
their chances and were clearly the better team. Meanwhile our guys are being
trained morning and afternoon and we wonder whether that may actually
contribute to their levels of fatigue. It would be interesting to hear from
Sam not thay they ARE fatigues but WHY Looking at his appraisal of things –
and given two massive injuries – there's little room left for hope it
seems. There wasn't a word either about how the "lack of technique" would be
addressed. Instead we had: "What matter is what happens on the opening day
of the season."
Well on the strength of what we have seen so far at Stevenage, Ipswich and
now in New Zealand we might have reason to worry big time about the first
day of the season. I'm not going to judge anybody on three pre- season
friendlies but I seriously hope the manager knows how he is going to improve
performance levels as well as fitness and technique levels by around 150
per cent minimum come opening day. Yesterday the post match explanations
simply weren't up to much and did I mention Newcastle United are at exactly
the same point in their build-up as us?
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Good news on Kouyate
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on July 24, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Hopes are rising inside the Hammers camp that the injury to Cheikhou Kouyate
is not as bad as first feared. The £7 million midfielder was at the
receiving end of a bad tackle in the clash against Wellington Phoenix at
Eden Park yesterday and left the ground on crutches. Sam Allardyce indicated
immediately afterwards the player could be out for a long time. But this
morning ClaretandHugh has learned that the player is now moving around very
well after a scan and that hopefully therefore, things may not be as bad as
at first feared.
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Ravel in Russian mystery
Posted by Sean Whetstone on July 24, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Ravel Morrison is at the centre of a Russian transfer mystery this morning!
And it is the midfielder himself who has created the situation with a
quickly deleted tweet. An eagle-eyed reporter on ClaretandHugh saw him tweet
the words 'CSKA Moscow' before promptly deleting it. It was then replaced
with the words: 'Decisions, decisions, decisions' which may or may not
include the possibilities of a loan or permanent move to Moscow. However,
given his dislike of flying and those close to him claiming he's sometimes
not too keen on foreign living, that would be a surprise! Morrison is
currently recovering from a groin operation which prevented him from
traveling to New Zealand with the squad for their pre season tour.
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David Sullivan admits West Ham put 'all their eggs in one basket' with
injury-plagued Andy Carroll as co-owner reveals Hammers will search for a
new striker
David Sullivan admits club 'probably made a mistake' by relying on injury-
prone Andy Carroll
Carroll will be out for four months with an ankle injury
West Ham co-owner says club shouldn't have put 'all our eggs in one basket'
Hammers will bring in another striker, according to Sullivan
By DAVID KENT
PUBLISHED: 00:42, 25 July 2014 | UPDATED: 01:48, 25 July 2014
Daily Mail
West Ham co-owner David Sullivan has admitted the east London club shouldn't
have put 'all their eggs in one basket' by signing injury-plagued Andy
Carroll in 2012. The Hammers forward is out for four months with ankle
ligaments damage, leaving West Ham short of strikers ahead of the new
Premier League season. Sullivan told talkSPORT: 'It was desperate last
year... We probably made a mistake by putting all our eggs in one basket.
'Had we known what we know now we wouldn't have signed the player. But it's
easy to be wise after the event. We were assured by our physio - who has
since left the club - that the player would be available for the start of
the season. 'He wasn't available until January or February. A mistake was
made and we were given the wrong information. We based our decision and our
purchase of the player on what the medical department told us. Sullivan also
revealed that West Ham will now delve back into the transfer market for
another frontman despite already signing Mauro Zarate and Enner Valencia. He
added: 'We have to bring in another striker and we're working on it now to
buy one, or loan one, or both. 'You can never have enough strikers and
really with Andy gone we haven't got enough.'
Since moving on loan to West Ham in 2012, and signing permanently in 2013,
Carroll has had his share of injuries...
SEPTEMBER 2012
Misses a month after straining a hamstring against Fulham
DECEMBER 2012
Twists his knee against Man Utd and is out for two months
MAY 2013
Falls awkwardly and damages his heel against Reading and is out for seven
months
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Exclusive - Sullivan: West Ham will replace injured Carroll with new striker
By Dom Bryant (@dom_bryant) | Thursday, July 24, 2014
West Ham co-owner David Sullivan has told talkSPORT they will look to bring
in another striker after club-record signing Andy Carroll was ruled out for
four months. The Hammers' star striker tore the ligaments in his ankle
during training on a pre-season tour of New Zealand and is now unlikely to
return until November. Carroll, 25, has suffered a nightmare spell at Upton
Park since joining permanently in a £15million deal from Liverpool last
summer - he has only made 16 appearances for the east London club. West Ham
have already signed Mauro Zarate and Enner Valencia this summer but Sullivan
admitted they will now be forced to bring in another striker. "We have to
bring in another striker and we're working on it now to buy one, or loan
one, or both," the Hammers chief told the Sports Bar. "You can never have
enough strikers and really with Andy gone we haven't got enough."
Last season Carroll did not make his first appearance for Hammers until
January and Sullivan confessed the club had erred in investing everything in
the striker. "It was desperate last year... We probably made a mistake by
putting all our eggs in one basket," the co-owner added. "Had we known what
we know now we wouldn't have signed the player. But it's easy to be wise
after the event. We were assured by our physio - who has since left the club
- that the player would be available for the start of the season. "He wasn't
available until January or February. A mistake was made and we were given
the wrong information. We based our decision and our purchase of the player
on what the medical department told us. "We've changed everything in that
department as a result of that. At the same time on his day he is a
devastating and fantastic player, we've just got to get him back to his
best. "But at the same time we can't start the season with the strikeforce
we've got. I don't think it's good enough, there's not enough height in it
and if we get another injury, in terms of quantity, it's insufficient, so we
have to sign at least one more player."
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Sullivan talks Ravel
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on July 24, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Hammers supremo David Sullivan has admitted that talks are going on with
Ravel Morrison's agents. But he stopped short of saying that a new contract
was under discussion as the club continues to play its cards close to its
chest. ClaretandHugh has learned that the midfielder has dedicated himself
to making an impact at Upton Park this season. The player and his advisers
believe any bad blood which existed has been put aside by both sides. They
were encouraged that Sam Allardyce picked him for a pre-season friendly
before allowing him to miss the New Zealand tour in favour of undergoing
surgery on his groin problem. We have learned that although there is no
current interest, the player has been subject to inquiries from AC Milan,
Sporting Lisbon. Newcastle, Liverpool and Manchester City last year.
However, the Irons want to see that his attitude and application are
absolutely correct before committing to a big deal.
Sullivan said: "Discussions are on going with Ravel and his agents."
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