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Realigning Expectations
2008-03-19 17:00:00
West Ham chief executive Scott Duxbury has hinted that the club's proposed new stadium is likely to have a lower capacity than initially mooted. Eggert Magnusson, when talking about the plans for a new home last year, suggested that the planned capacity would be around 60,000 to match that of Arsenal's new stadium. However, in an interview with the Newham Recorder, Duxbury confirmed that the initial site will house slightly less. "At the moment, we are looking at a 50,000 stadium with the option of extending it to 60,000," he admitted. "It is not that we don't think we can fill 60,000 seats, but the last thing we want is empty seats. We are confident that we will be able to fill a 50,000 capacity stadium." The downsizing is in line with the ten-point plan for the future outlined in an official club statement on Monday. It all seems designed to lower expectations to a slightly more realistic level following the wave of early euphoria when the Icelandic consortium initially arrived...
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Global Market Manoeuvres
2008-03-19 11:38:00
West Ham United have confirmed Gianluca Nani as their new technical director. The 45-year-old Italian arrives at the Boleyn Ground from Brescia Calcio, where he has been the club's sporting director since 1999. Nani's previous responsibilities included being in charge of all aspects of technical development - such as the youth academy, transfers and improving training facilities. He will start his new role full time in June but has already begun working with Alan Curbishley on identifying potential transfer targets for the summer. In an official statement, the Italian's role at the club is defined as including:* Enhancing the international scouting network* Working with Alan Curbishley and the Board on all transfers* Developing the youth academy with Tony Carr* Improving all aspects of the training ground facilitiesNani possesses a good depth of knowledge of players in South America, and is reputed to have discovered Kaká, two years before AC Milan did, but when he tried to buy t...
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West Ham United 2 Blackburn Rovers 1
2008-03-17 10:49:00
Sears gives West Ham glimpse of bright future by David LaceyWest Ham United will always be about local heroes. The club may sign players from far and wide but Upton Park keeps a special place in its heart for an Essex boy made good. A roar of anticipation greeted Freddie Sears, an 18-year-old from Hornchurch, when he began to warm up and when he eventually came off the bench his 15 minutes of fame were virtually guaranteed... GuardianSears takes honours for Hammers' academy by Will BuckleyThis was a game that might have meant more to Blackburn , who still had a few lingering hopes of securing a European place. But for West Ham, whose season has run aground with a flurry of big defeats, it was of fundamental significance. Had they contrived to lose 4-0 for a fourth consecutive time, they could have started to believe they were fated to do so every time they played... ObserverSears blazes a trail for revival of Hammers' tradition by Paul NewmanAlan Curbishley would no doubt prefer to...

Hey Noni Nani!
2008-03-17 01:48:00
According to several sources Brescia general manager Gianluca Nani has confirmed that he will be the new sporting director of West Ham United. Speaking in a news conference this afternoon, the Italian informed the media that he would be taking up his appointment at the end of the season. He is quoted as saying: "From June I will take over my new position with West Ham. I have conducted the negotiations in person but in the full co-operation of Brescia chairman [Luigi] Corioni, who I must thank along with his family. I have learnt so much in these years with the club and for that opportunity I must thank them." There is as yet no official word from West Ham United but it is widely expected that the club will confirm the appointment tomorrow. If true it will bring to an end a long search to fill the newly created role; one that has taken in names such as Franco Baldini, Wim Koevermans, Giovanni Trapattoni and the Brazilian Leonardo. It is believed Alan Curbishley has been fully cons...
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Nobby On The Buses
2008-02-29 11:58:00
Alan Curbishley looks set to have Bobby Zamora back in contention for tomorrow's game against Chelsea. The striker has been out since 28 August with a persistent knee problem but has made three reserve-team appearances in quick succession - scoring a hat-trick in the first of them, a 4-1 defeat of Birmingham City. His last game was the 3-1 win at Tottenham Hotspur on Monday although the 27-year-old forward picked up a slight knock to his other knee. He was taken off as a precaution but has since resumed training. Confirming he would have largely the same squad as he had for last week's 1-0 win at Fulham, the manager added that Zamora was close. "Bobby Zamora only played half a game on Monday. He got a kick just under the other knee and he had to come off with it but he is training. So we will see how he is. He has got through the last three or four weeks and has looked quite sharp so hopefully he will be back."Dean Ashton also featured in that reserve game at the start of the wee...
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The Ticking Clock
2008-02-27 11:23:00
Alan Curbishley has turned the heat up on Avram Grant ahead of this weekend's much anticipated clash. Curbishley warned the clock is already ticking on the Chelsea boss to turn his club's fortunes around following their Carling Cup Final defeat, at the same time insinuating that club owner Roman Abramovich will expect big returns on his huge investment. Curbishley, one of the Barclays Premier League's longest serving managers, also says Grant will not be afforded the sort of time that Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson have been given to win trophies. It is the latest in a war of words that dates back to the previous meeting between the two teams at Stanford Bridge in early December. Grant chided West Ham United for an overly physical approach during the controversial 1-0 home victory, while Curbishley responded by comparing the Israeli's effectiveness to that of Gary Megson. "He?s been put in a position where he?s got a big, big club on his hands, so perhaps he feels he has t...
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They Are Not For Sale
2008-02-26 18:21:00
The following is a fictionalized account of Brian Clough's very real attempt to buy Bobby Moore and Trevor Brooking in late September 1973. It is taken from David Peace's excellent 'The Damned UTD'...You have been told there is no money. You have been told not to buy any new players. You have been told there is no money for transfers. But you lose 1-0 at Coventry and you know you have to buy some new players. You make a telephone call. You drive down to London. To the Churchill Hotel. 'I hear you are interested in winning a championship medal?' 'Who wouldn't be?' 'Someone who already had one.'Bobby Moore smiles. Bobby Moore grins. Bobby Moore, captain of West Ham and England. Bobby Moore, World Cup winner and national treasure. 'Would you play for Derby County?' you ask him.Bobby Moore lights another fag. Bobby Moore laughs, 'Why not?' 'That'll do for me,' you tell him and take him for lunch in the restaurant. 'I'm afraid,' begins the maitre d'hotel at the door...
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Continental Drift
2008-02-26 10:26:00
Ambitious West Ham United aim to join continental drift screams a headline in this morning's Times. According to an exclusive by Gary Jacobs the club are preparing to offer Brescia general manager Gianluca Nani the role of technical director at Upton Park. The Italian?s duties- which would begin in the summer- would include finding players and conducting transfers. If the recruitment is successful then it would bring to an end a long search that has taken in names such as Franco Baldini, Wim Koevermans, Giovanni Trapattoni and the Brazilian Leonardo.Nani is reputed to have a good depth of knowledge of players in South America and has been a familiar face in scouting circles at reserve matches all over the globe. He is also a renowned negotiator, which is something that appeals to Björgólfur Gudmundsson as he seeks greater fiscal control at the club prior to the planned relocation to a new stadium. Overseeing that development project next to West Ham Underground station, as well a...
More About: The Media , The Gossip , Continental , The Club , Drift

Freddie Searing Hot
2008-02-26 00:17:00
Freddie Sears maintained his impressive scoring form to earn West Ham United a hard-fought 3-1 victory against a youthful Tottenham side tonight. The prolific 18-year-old forward, who now has three goals from six reserve appearances and 21 strikes in 17 games for the Under-18s, struck on the stroke of half-time to cancel out Troy Archibald-Henville's opener for Tottenham. He wrapped up the win with a superb run and shot 17 minutes from time. In between, he found time to set up Dean Ashton for a close-range finish. Sears had begun the contest on the right wing but moved into attack when Bobby Zamora made way on half-time. It was an experienced side throughout with Jimmy Walker in goal behind Jonathan Spector and John Paintsil. The victory moves West Ham United three points clear of third-placed Reading in the southern section of the Barclays Premier Reserve League and just two points behind leaders Aston Villa - although both have two games in hand after a 1-1 draw on the same even...
More About: Freddie , The Youth

Fulham 0 West Ham United 1
2008-02-25 11:02:00
Fulham Berate Referee And Lurch Closer To Trapdoor by Sachin Nakrani Fulham are lurching ever closer to the Championship and they know it. Defeat in a match they deserved to draw at least has brought gloom among the players and simmering tensions at boardroom level, where the cost of relegation is measured not only in pride but also in financial diminution of the most severe kind... GuardianSolano Hands Out Cruel Punishment To Fulham by Will Buckley The Duke of Edinburgh is probably to blame. Last week Fulham chairman Mohamed Fayed was outlining his conspiracy theories, and he had more grist for his mill during a London derby that was as dull as it was bleak. The desperately mediocre contest was decided by substitute Nolberto Solano's elbow... ObserverSolano's Controversial Winner Lifts Veil Of Mediocrity by Brian Glanville ?I THINK when you?re down at the bottom, it does go against you somewhat,? said West Ham?s manager Alan Curbishley, generously. Although he insisted that he h...
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The Boy From Bootle
2008-02-24 18:55:00
In the absence of any real news, here is a small piece on Alvin Martin taken from the latest issue of Hammers News...Born in Bootle, on Merseyside, in July 1958, Alvin Martin signed for West Ham after only being offered a part-time apprenticeship with his local club Everton. The 15 year-old defender took the brave decision to move to London when he was offered terms by West Ham. The decision paid almost immediate dividends, as Alvin was a part of the side which reached the final of the FA Youth Cup in 1975. His sterling performances led to him being offered a professional deal the following year. Despite showing great promise in his early appearances, Martin could do little but look on as the team were relegated to the Second Division in 1978.However, in many ways, this unfortunate situation would be the making of young Alvin. He soon became a regular in the side the following season, where he would benefit greatly from the experience and guidance of his usual central defensive part...
More About: The Legends

Able And Ready
2008-02-23 11:51:00
A nice interview with Luis Boa Morte in this morning's Independent...Luis Boa Morte: 'I'm always able and ready and up for the fight. I'm not going to turn my back'... The Portuguese international returns to Craven Cottage today having endured a miserable first year at West Ham but, as he tells Mike Rowbottom, he has worked too hard getting where he is to give up nowLuis Boa Morte is on the spot, and clearly growing a little anxious. Behind his back, a slide screen shows a drawing of something which 20 eager pupils of West Ham Church School, seated in front of him, are striving to communicate ? without using the word itself."It's quite big," shouts out one eager girl in a red sweatshirt. Well, that's narrowed it down a bit..."You use it to do things," offers another. The picture is still not crystal clear to West Ham's famously spiky midfielder, who at this moment is looking like a puzzled boy."It helps you think," comes suggestion number three. Not quite correct, but it has...
More About: The Players , Ready

Bobby Moore Remembered
2008-02-23 10:20:00
Fifteen years ago, on 24 February 1993, football fans in England and across the world united to mourn the tragic death of Bobby Moore at the age of just 51. Instinctively, thousands of them made their way to the Boleyn Ground to pay their respects and leave claret and blue tributes ranging from shirts and scarves to flags and flowers. It was not just West Ham United fans either. Rightly regarded as one of the all-time greats, Moore stood for everything that was right about the game and his passing compelled supporters of other clubs to offer condolences.In his remarkable career, the legendary Barking-born defender served West Ham United to distinction between 1958 and 1974 before a three-year stint with Fulham. Moore helped the east London club to FA Cup and European Cup Winners' Cup glory as well as winning 108 England caps and lifting the World Cup trophy in the 1966 final at Wembley. That led to Royal recognition with his OBE in 1967. His achievements will never be forgotten. In...
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The First And Last Englishmen
2008-02-21 17:30:00
Last weekend's FA Cup fixtures threw up an unexpected West Ham United related story with a small feature on the 1975 cup winning side. Most Irons fans will know that that particular team- Day, McDowell, Lampard, Bonds, Taylor T, Lock, Jennings, Paddon, Taylor A, Brooking and Holland- was the last all-English team to win a major domestic trophy. Not only that, but the beaten finalists of Fulham was also an entirely English team and featured, of course, Bobby Moore. As if things were not parochial enough, ten of the eleven players representing West Ham United at Wembley that day were born locally. The exception was Alan Taylor (pictured) who was born in Hinckley, Leicestershire. Taylor was the hero in the final with both goals scored in the space of four minutes.The main point of the article in the Mail is to highlight the dwindling numbers of English talent in the top flight. Such a trend is hardly a revelation considering the way the game has developed over the last thirty years bu...
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The March Of Youth
2008-02-20 15:14:00
It is another quiet day today save for a slew of youth related stories on the official site. First up is Mark Noble, who we're told, is mightily impressed with the likes of James Tomkins, Jack Collison and Freddie Sears. All three have shown up well while training and travelling with the senior squad in recent weeks. Of reserve-team captain Collison, Noble said: "He is a fantastic player and a really nice kid as well. He handles himself well, gets on with everyone and is well liked. He is great in training every day with us, he is definitely one for the future." Collison, 19, made his senior debut away to Arsenal on New Year's Day, a match when central defender Tomkins, 18, also figured in the matchday 16 for the first time. "I rate Tomks highly," added Noble, who said it was harder for defenders to come through given the fact some of the best attacking players in the world are on view in the Premier League. That said, he has faith in his young colleague. "He is a clever centre-ba...
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Beasts Of Burden
2008-02-19 11:55:00
West Ham United return to full training this week after a few days' rest with the likes of Bobby Zamora, Julien Faubert and Nolberto Solano pushing hard for first-team recalls. Speaking on the official site, head physiotherapist George Cooper revealed he has been very pleased with Zamora and Faubert's progress following their match-winning contributions over 90 minutes for the reserves in the 4-1 defeat of Birmingham City last week. Cooper also had positive news on the efforts being made by Scott Parker and Kieron Dyer, which comes after similar optimistic news concerning defenders James Collins and Calum Davenport last week.A persistent knee injury has kept Zamora out of action since the Carling Cup victory at Bristol Rovers in the first month of the campaign. Having undergone extensive rehabilitation work to cure the residual swelling, the 27- year old is now closing on a first-team return. "He is strong as an ox now," said Cooper. "His legs are really good and he is in good nic...
More About: The Players

The Golden Thread
2008-02-18 11:31:00
You see stars that clear have been dead for yearsBut the idea just lives onIn our wheels that roll aroundAs we move over the groundAnd all day it seems we?ve been in between the past and future town She was the golden thread that united him to a Past beyond his misery, and to a Present beyond his misery: and the sound of her voice, the light of her face, the touch of her hand, had a strong beneficial influence with him almost always... Next Sunday will be 15 years to the day that Bobby Moore passed away and the man currently wearing his number has revealed what it means to him to have the shirt. "It's a big honour," reflects Matthew Upson. "Sometimes I do sit at home and think about it and I get a little buzz because it's a big honour. I didn't actually specifically ask for it. I was given it and it's a real honour to wear that shirt." With the team not playing this weekend ahead of the trip to Fulham, fittingly a club also served by the legendary Moore, next Saturday, Upson ha...
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Bad Head In The Morning
2008-02-17 13:46:00
Sunday. Tabloid. Gossip. I can't get out of bed. Not with this head...The People regurgitate the Paolo Di Canio story that everyone else ran with a month ago. Slow night boys? Di Canio has revealed his dream is to return to West Ham United as manager. The Upton Park legend has 'exclusively' told People Sport (via the medium of a magazine interview he gave weeks ago) that he will quit playing this summer, when he turns 40, after completing his second season with Italian third division club Cisco Roma. The maverick Italian insists he wants to manage in the Premier League once he has completed his coaching badges. He is quoted as saying: "I will take up managing next year. I hope to have the same success as a coach that a did as a player. My dream would be to manage in the Premiership because English football is the best in the world. My dream in particular would be to manage at West Ham, that would be perfect. I spent four seasons there and I would love to go back and win something...
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The Horror!...The Horror!
2008-02-16 13:30:00
I watched a snail crawl along the edge of a straight razor. That's my dream. That's my nightmare. Crawling, slithering, along the edge of a straight... razor... and surviving... Talking on the official site this morning, Lucas Neill is telling any one who will listen that "the season starts now". In that one factually inaccurate but nontheless revelatory statement, we perhaps move one step closer to understanding the Aussie's hitherto perplexing performances over recent months. Still, if Alan Curbishley never bothered to tell him back in August then I don't see why we should be troubled now. "We have got 13 games left, how many can we win, how far can it take us?" ponders Neill. "Let's forget about everything that has happened and hope that we have got an 80 to 90 per cent squad fit to choose from and start the season now. We have to keep a small eye on our rivals Tottenham now who seem to be gaining momentum and seem to be getting things right. They are only five points behind...
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Different Paths
2008-02-15 18:34:00
A quiet news day gives us the chance to catch up on two of the forgotten men of this season. James Collins is said to be targeting as quick a return as possible from his serious knee injury with surgery due next week before he begins on the road to recovery. The Welshman suffered damage to the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during a reserve-team outing at Portsmouth on 23 January - just as he was approaching full fitness and a return to regular first-team action. Speaking to the official site, West Ham United head physiotherapist George Cooper said he is optimistic that the defender could yet return to play some part in pre-season training this summer. "He has got a 75 per cent tear of his anterior cruciate ligament and that was diagnosed under arthroscopy which has made planning the operation much easier," Cooper revealed. "There is going to be no surprises when they go inside the knee. They know what is going on in there." While it is difficult to predict yet when Co...
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Rich List Revisited
2008-02-14 13:33:00
West Ham United have slipped outside of the Top 20 in football's rich list. The Hammers, who were listed in 19th place in the 2005/06 list with a turnover of £60.1million, have fallen in this year's Deloitte's Football Money League, which is based on revenues generated during 2006/7. Two of the teams that suffered a similar fate in last year's list, Valencia and Celtic, are back in this year's list which also sees Glasgow Rangers, Manchester City and Benfica slip outside of the top tier. Topping the list for the third successive year are Real Madrid, whilst six English clubs - Manchester United (2nd), Chelsea (4th), Arsenal (5th), Liverpool (8th), Tottenham (11th) and Newcastle (14th) - make the top 20. Looking ahead to next year's report, the authors state that "2007/08 could see England providing half the Money League clubs".The list shows that the game's riches continue to be monopolised by the same group of clubs, with only one change in the top 10 from the previous seas...
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Sid & Wid
2008-02-14 12:29:00
Steve Sidwell will quit Chelsea for West Ham United in a shock £5million deal this summer according to a report in this morning's Mirror. 'Midfield dynamo' Sidwell joined the Stamford Bridge jet set on a free transfer but is reported to be frustrated at the lack of first team opportunities. The former Reading star has also been axed from their Champions League squad further prompting doubts about his future under Avram Grant. The article claims Alan Curbishley has now been put on alert and is willing to match the player's lucrative £3million-a-year contract. Sidwell was quietly shopped around during the recent transfer window and while Sunderland, Blackburn and Bolton were all interested no move materialised. The former Reading captain was previously linked with a move to East London back in 2004 and 2005 when Alan Pardew - who had overseen the young Sidwell's career - was known to be a keen admirer.In other news, youth team full-back Joe Widdowson has joined League Two outfit ...

Return Of The Z-Man
2008-02-13 18:11:00
Bobby Zamora scored a hat-trick as West Ham United came from behind to record an emphatic 4-1 victory over Birmingham City at the Boleyn Ground yesterday evening. Having notched a goal in a friendly game against Queen's Park Rangers last week, Zamora showed he is getting back towards full fitness with a finely-taken treble in an all-action performance over 90 minutes. It was the first proper outing for the striker since a Carling Cup game away to Bristol Rovers on 28 August. All three of his goals came in the final half-hour of the contest after reserve-team captain Jack Collison had cancelled out Stefan Milojevic's opener just before half-time. Kevin Keen named a strong team for the game, with Jimmy Walker in goal, Jonathan Spector commanding at left-back and Julien Faubert an impressive figure on the right-side of midfield."It has been a while," a delighted Zamora reflected. "To get a full 90 minutes and score a hat-trick against a good team is nice, having got 65 minutes last w...
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Bowyer Reprieved
2008-02-12 19:06:00
The Football Association have quashed the red card issued to Lee Bowyer last weekend. The combative midfielder was harshly dismissed on Saturday by referee Mark Clattenburg for an alleged two-footed tackle on Birmingham captain Damien Johnson in the Barclays Premier League clash at Upton Park. Bowyer was facing an instant three match ban but will not now face a suspension, or any kind of sanction, after the FA decided that no punishment was necessary. He is now eligible for the visit to Fulham on 23rd February. Hammers manager Alan Curbishley revealed straight after the 1-1 draw with Blues that he had asked Clattenburg to reconsider his decision on the tackle, two minutes from the end of the match at Upton Park. The club then lodged an official appeal before yesterday's noon deadline and the case was heard by the FA at Soho Square this lunchtime.Elsewhere, academy director Tony Carr is insisting that Freddie Sears is ready for the "next challenge" of proving himself at a higher lev...

Kinesiology or: How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love The Foot
2008-02-12 11:33:00
There is still no official confirmation but the media chattering concerning Craig Bellamy's injury status is getting more deafening by the day. George Caulkin, writing in this morning's Times, claims the striker requires surgery and could miss the rest of the season. He is to undergo two procedures on a knee and his groin, robbing Alan Curbishley of a formidable presence in attack and, concludes Caulkin, undermining further the club’s challenge for European football. Bellamy is expected to have surgery for the first time this week, more than three months after he was first operated on in Germany. Laser surgery appeared to have cleared up his problem, but the forward suffered a recurrence and was out until ten days ago, when he appeared as a substitute against Wigan Athletic. He played in a friendly match two days later, but felt uncomfortable despite scoring.Bellamy moved to London in the expectation of playing first-team football more regularly than he did at Anfield, but that...
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Reflections On Birmingham
2008-02-11 11:58:00
Alan Curbishley was frustrated after his team could not make it four straight home league wins on Saturday. Reflecting on a game that "fizzled out for us", the manager said: "We started off OK. The expectation levels were on us. We got our goal but the penalty was really soft. I can't even see an arm around McFadden. I was really surprised when the referee gave it. We have seen it and we don't think it is a penalty at all. It knocked us a little bit. For the first half we created some little openings that perhaps we needed to take. We are really disappointed with the second. It fizzled out on us and I think both teams looked as they were never going to score. I have said to the players that the biggest disappointment for me is in recent weeks we have played Liverpool and Manchester City a couple of times and in those games we have passed it around and knocked it about. Our last two games have been very difficult - today I was expecting a bit more. We had one or two tired legs. It ...
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West Ham United 1 Birmingham City 1
2008-02-11 11:15:00
Dull, Overlong And No One Cared For The Ending by Paul WeaverAfter this appalling game Alex McLeish, the Birmingham manager, said he had escaped, briefly, the Premier League relegation dogfight to attend the cinema. "I saw No Country For Old Men," he said. "It was nice and violent. There were a few red cards in that one."... GuardianBowyer Off As Hammers Fade by Anna KesselWest Ham had been hoping for a fourth consecutive home victory, having beaten Manchester United , Fulham and Liverpool in recent weeks. But a fading performance from both teams resulted in a draw that failed to excite... ObserverHammers Make Easy Viewing For McLeish by Hyder JawadSo much that was unexpected came to Upton Park on Saturday: springtime, Fabio Capello, Alex McLeish's smile ... it was that kind of afternoon. And yet, towards the end, with aimless long balls becoming the tactic of choice for both teams, it was something foreseeable that disfigured this match: the Lee Bowyer sending off... IndependentMcF...
More About: West Ham United , City , Birmingham City

Balderdashed
2008-02-10 20:13:00
It is a quiet morning on the tabloid front with just one Irons related story. The News of the World has a piece concerning Franco Baldini and how the Italian was destined for a role at West Ham United before Fabio Capello landed the England job. The article states that Capello's trusted lieutenant was set to be unveiled as Upton Park's new technical director to work alongside Alan Curbishley. His intended responsibility was to "scour the world to capture exciting young stars to help transform the Hammers into a top Premier League outfit and make the club millions in sell on fees". It is reported that Baldini certainly impressed the West Ham United board with his ambitious plans and global network of contacts in an interview for the job towards the end of the year. England's new general manager describes his expertise as looking after building teams through the markets, buying and selling players, and looking around the world for talent. That skill set seems to be exactly what the...
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Nigel Reo-Costly
2008-02-09 13:38:00
Those Fink Tank boffins over at The Times have been conducting deep rooted statistical analysis in an attempt to quantify which of the Premier League's summer transfer acquisitions has offered the least value for money. Daniel Finkelstein states: "A million pounds here, a million pounds there, pretty soon it adds up to real money. This summer, while the Fink Tank was searching behind the sofa for some loose change to buy a new pocket calculator, Aston Villa went to the shops and splashed £7.5 million on Nigel Reo-Coker. Which of us got better value for money? You are about to find out." I think you know where this is going...Dr Henry Stott and Dr Ian Graham have been sifting through the summer trades in order to see how they?ve been doing. They have had the help of the player level computer model. This takes every kick of the ball and relates it to the number of points it helps to create. Then the season is simulated again and again with the acquired player and without them (they a...
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Egged On As Crisis Loomed
2008-02-09 01:30:00
I stumbled across an interesting article by Tom Duncan in this week's Newham Recorder. I didn't see it anywhere online so I thought I would put it up here...Egged on as crisis loomed (7 February 2008)By Tom Duncan The financial facts behind Eggert Magnusson's reign as chairman, which led to his sudden departure, are revealed in West Ham United's annual report. At the time of the club's takeover in December 2006 the Hammers were nosediving towards relegation and the dressing room was in disarray. Less than two weeks later Alan Curbishley replaced Alan Pardew as manager, but a surprise victory over Manchester United in his first game was quickly followed by a 6-0 drubbing at Reading when the players were chided with chants of 'You're not fit to wear the shirt'. It coincided with the opening of the January transfer window when, some would argue, a desperate situation demanded desperate action. In the following four weeks £23.1 million was spent on recruiting players it was hope...
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