Hammered

Cole Out for Six Games

2009-12-04T11:21:00.003Z

The BBC are reporting that Carlton Cole will miss at least the next six games for West Ham. However they say that Matthew Upson should be back at the end of this month.

West Ham have some tough games in December, so the absence of Cole and Upson could prove very costly. West Ham's major hope for this season has to be that all of the home games from Christmas until the end of the season are winnable.

West Ham vs Man Utd - The Previews

2009-12-04T11:15:00.003Z

Despite having lost just one game in the last six matches this will be a tough ask for West Ham against a Man Utd team needing to win to keep in touch with Chelsea at the top of the league.

A West Ham team without Upson, Behrami and Cole will face a Man Utd team that rested its star players in mid-week. Man Utd may also have Edwin van der Sar back in goal after three games out. West Ham may have Dyer back, possibly from the bench.

Lawro says West Ham aren't strong enough defensively to keep out a side as full of 'sheer quality' as Man Utd.

Lawro predicts a 1-3 West Ham loss

Sky also predict a 1-3 West Ham loss

West Ham to Move for Luca Toni

2009-12-03T00:59:00.002Z

The Guardian say that West Ham are in advanced talks with Bayern Munich striker Luca Toni about bringing the Italian World Cup winner to Upton Park in next month's transfer window.

However the paper claim any move "may be dependent on how soon Carlton Cole returns from injury." This seems unlikely if, as reported on the West Ham website, Cole is only out for a matter of weeks.

Luca Toni has had repeated run-ins with Bayern's manager Louis van Gaal and has only 18 months left on his contract. It seems likely that Toni will move to another club in January and that he will be available on the cheap.

Cole Out for a Number of Weeks

2009-12-02T19:10:00.002Z

Hidden in the middle of a piece on Zavon Hines being ready to fill Carlton Cole's football boots the West Ham official site have revealed that Cole will be out for a few weeks,

"Cole (is) set to be out for a number of weeks. Cole will not need surgery though and, having being closely assessed in recent days, will start his rehab soon."

Cole Out Until Late January?

2009-12-01T12:06:00.002Z

The Daily Telegraph say that Carlton Cole's injury is not as bad as first thought but, "even in the best-case scenario he will not play until the new year, which rules him out of at least six league matches and the third round of the FA Cup, at home to Arsenal."

However, reading between the lines, The Telegraph don't actually know the results of Cole's scan and appear to be just guessing.

West Ham Delay Accounts Again

2009-12-01T00:43:00.002Z

The Guardian say that West Ham have delayed submitting the club's accounts to Companies House. The accounts will now be published in February.

The paper says that this could help West Ham ward off any circling vultures in the January transfer window. However, to me, it sends a clear signal that everything is far from rosy with the club's finances, but then I guess that's not new news to many.

Behrami to Undergo Keyhole Surgery

2009-11-30T16:57:00.002Z

According to The Evening Standard Valon Behrami is to undergo keyhole surgery this week on his knee. The Standard say that the injury is not serious and Behrami is expected to return before Christmas.

Carlton Cole was also due to undergo a scan on his knee today. Some of the West Ham discussion boards have been reporting unconfirmed rumours that the scans have revealed a cruciate ligament damage and that Cole will be out for at least ten weeks.

The Daily Mirror Put Green Up For Sale

2009-11-30T01:18:00.003Z

The Mirror say that West Ham are looking to sell Robert Green and that the England keeper is "open to a transger (sic)." They say West Ham are willing to let him go for £4 to £5 million.

They claim West Ham are keen to sell rather than risk losing him or see him buy out the last year of his deal.

West Ham Draw Arsenal in FA Cup

2009-11-29T16:01:00.001Z

West Ham have been drawn against Arsenal in the third round of the FA Cup. It is a tough draw for West Ham and will presumably mean we will be one of the featured live games on ITV in January.

West Ham in the News

2009-11-29T13:19:00.002Z

The Daily Star claim that David Gold will step up his attempt to buy West Ham this week. If he succeeds he will ask Robert Green to sign a new contract and if he refuses sell him in January.

The People say that Sp~rs are lining up a £10 million move for Matthew Upson and The Mail say that West Ham are resigned to losing the defender.

The Express say that Zola is laying the blame for West Ham's poor defensive record on the midfield,

"We also have to look at the midfielders who are not covering the defence very well. We know the problem and have been working the whole week to sort it out."

West Ham 5 Burnley 3

2009-11-28T14:48:00.005Z

West Ham started with Gabbidon in for the injured Upson and Ilunga back at left back. Kovac and Parker started in midfield with Franco once again partnering Cole up front.

Burnley started the brighter of the two sides and forced a succession of early corners and in the 5th minute Bikey forced Green to save at his near post with a shot from 8 yards. Four minutes later and Parker was forced to clear off the line from a seven yard header.

In the 17th minute Parker was fouled just inside the Burnley half. Parker quickly took the freekick, catching the Burnley defence napping and sending Collison free. Collison brought the box into the penalty area and calmly slotted the ball home from 10 yards.

In the 33rd minute Franco played a neat ball inside the defence from the edge of the penalty area to Stanilas. Stanilas only had to beat the keeper from seven yards but his shot hit Jensen in goal. The ball rebounded out to Stanilas and from a tighter angle Stanilas slotted home West Ham's second.

In the 41st minute West Ham made it 3-0. Collison disected the defence with a lovely pass for Spector. Spector charged into the penalty area and was pulled down. The ref gave the penalty and from the spot Cole side footed the ball home.

Cole was taken off at half-time and replaced with Hines. In the 50th minute West Ham won a freekick on the right wing. Stanilas fired in the freekick and Franco got his head to the ball to get West Ham's fourth goal from seven yards.

In the 59th minute Jimenez replaced Franco. Three minutes later and Parker passed to Jimenez in the box, Jimenez just got to the ball before Jensen who then took Jimenez down for another West Ham penalty. Jimenez scored from the spot.

With five goals in the bag West Ham should have then coasted home but Jimenez and Hines up front were unable to keep the ball as well as Franco and Cole had done and the rest of the half largely belonged to Burnley.

In the 67th minute Eagles crossed from the left of the area low across the goal and Fletcher ran in on the far post and slotted home from 5 yards out. In the 74th minute Eagles and Fletcher combined again in a similar fashion to make it 5-2.

In the 86th minute Hines was taken down in the Burnley area but this time the ref didn't give the penalty. However in the 91st minute Hines and Caldwell both found themselves chasing down a long ball forward and Caldwell took down Hines just outside the Burnley area. Caldwell was sent off. Stanilas then fired the freekick into the wall.

In the 94th minute Eagles got Burnley's third when he slotted home a cross from the right wing by Mears from seven yards.

So in the end what should have been an easy win for West Ham was a little nervy in the second half, but a win is a win, and this was a must win.

West Ham vs Burnley - Live Streaming

2009-11-28T13:06:00.002Z

Fsi seem to have the most links for today's game, including links to Sopcast and Flash streams.

MyP2P has links to a couple of Flash streams and a TVU player stream of the game.

Full radio commentary is on BBC London 94.9, DAB, DSAT & Online.

West Ham vs Burnley - The Preview

2009-11-27T13:25:00.002Z

West Ham's poor home form (one win in six games) comes up against Burnley's poor away record (no wins away from home). With a small gap now appearing at the bottom of the league this is a must win game for West Ham.

Matthew Upson has picked up a hamstring injury in training so is out. I suspect Zola may move Gabbidon to centre back but there is also the option of bringing back Tomkins. Dyer scored twice for the reserves in midweek so may feature in this game, possibly from the bench.

Burnley have no new injury concerns and will probably play the same team for the fifth week running.

Lawro agrees that this is a must win game for West Ham. He says that Burnley struggle away from home so a win is likely.

Lawro predicts a 2-0 West Ham win

Sky predict a 2-1 West Ham win

No January Purchases

2009-11-25T12:52:00.002Z

Yesterday West Ham Director of Football Gianluca Nani said that West Ham didn't need to sell players in January. Today he seems to be hinting that we won't be buying anyone either. When asked about West Ham's interest in Bologna striker Pablo Daniel Osvaldo, Nani replied that West Ham were not looking for another striker,

"Daniel is not one of the players we are following," Nani told Radio Tau.

"He is a great striker and we followed him before he went to Bologna. But since last year, we have not followed him and even now we are not interested in him.

"We have the fifth best attack in the Premier League for the number of goals scored and so it is certainly not the offensive zone when we need to intervene.

"Generally, we are happy with our squad.

"Our job is to watch all leagues, but right now we are not following anybody in particular in view of the market. I can say that we're not planning a squad revolution, we are just looking around and not following anyone in particular, either in Italy or in other leagues."

Quashie Out, Everyone Else In

2009-11-24T12:40:00.002Z

Nigel Quashie has been loaned out to MK Dons until the 3rd January. Reports at the weekend however suggested that West Ham will still be paying a large percentage of his wages whilst he is on loan.

West Ham sporting director, Gianluca Nani has repeated that West Ham will not be selling any of their major players in the January transfer window,

"I want to reiterate that we have no intention nor do we have the need to sell any of our top players.

"Everything is good as it is and that also goes for Behrami, a great player that will remain here."

West Ham in the Papers

2009-11-22T13:01:00.002Z

The Mail say that West Ham will continue to pay Nigel Quashie £20,000 a week when he joins MK Dons on loan next week.

The News of the World say that December 11th is D-Day for West Ham. This is the day that an Icelandic court will decide whether to grant the club's owner, Straumer, more time to sort out its web of debt.

The NoW say that West Ham could face administration, a nine point deduction and certain relegation.

The Telegraph however paint a more rosy picture of life at West Ham. The Telegraph claim West Ham have held take-over talks with three parties, Malaysian entrepreneur Tony Fernandes, former Birmingham City co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold and the Intermarket Group.

They claim Fernandes has come the closest to agreeing a deal and came close to taking a 51% stake in the club. A price couldn't be agreed but Fernandes remains interested.

As far as Straumar are concerned The Telegraph say that another extension beyond the December deadline should be agreed. They say West Ham themselves have debts of £38 million which are wholly manageable with a turnover of around £90 million.

Hull 3 West Ham 3

2009-11-21T15:00:00.005Z

Cole was back from injury for West Ham and Gabbidon came in for the injured Ilunga.

West Ham started the game really well. Behrami had a shot on target as early as the 50th second. However his shot from just outside the area was straight at the keeper. In the 5th minute Stanilas crossed from the left and Cole's shot from 7 yards was deflected wide for the corner. From the corner Franco headed the opener from 7 yards.

Six minutes later and it was 2-0 to West Ham after Franco lobbed the ball forward from deep to Collison. Collison from around the penalty spot did brilliantly to loop his header over Duke in goal to make it 2-0 to West Ham.

After that early flourish from West Ham however Hull dominated the half. In the 26th minute Hull won a freekick just outside the West Ham area to the left of the goal. Bullard's freekick was blocked by Parker but skipped up and Cole's instinctive header flew back and into the back of the net for an own goal.

In the 43rd minute Hull won another freekick, this time on the left wing. Bullard's freekick this time was fired low into the six yard box and Zayatte got to the ball first and fired it in first time from six yards. Two minutes later and Faubert and Fagan both went up for a ball just inside the West Ham area. Fagan went down from the merest of touches and the ref gave Hull a penalty. Bullard duly scored from the spot to make it 3-2 to Hull going into the break.

West Ham had the first shot in anger in the second half when Franco shot just wide of the right hand post in the 48th minute. In the 53rd minute Scott Parker was clean through on goal when he was brought down cynically just outside the Hull area. Mendy was sent off for the foul. From the freekick Stanislas fired well wide right of the goal.

In the 68th minute from a Stanislas corner there was a scramble in the box, the ball fell to Da Cosat and he fired home left-footed from six yards. After the equaliser West Ham looked the most likely to score.

Their best chances to the win the game both came from headers. In the 86th minute Stanislas should have got the winner but his header from six yards was straight into the ground and bounced over the bar. In the 91st minute Collison did a little better and his header from ten yards at least forced a save from the keeper. West Ham also came close to a winner in the 81st minute when Jimenez just missed wide of the right hand post from the edge of the area.

So a six goal thriller, with a sending off and a dubious penalty should be enough to see West Ham given last slot again on Match of the Day tonight.

Hull City vs West Ham - Live Streaming

2009-11-21T14:01:00.002Z

There doesn't seem to be too many streams for today's game. MyP2P.eu and FSi both only have links to a SopCast stream and a Flash stream from IraqGoals.

Full radio commentary is available on BBC London 94.9 fm & online.

Hull vs West Ham - The Preview

2009-11-20T11:16:00.004Z

Hull may be without Boaz Myhill in goal and captain Ian Ashbee is out.

The West Ham official website says that Carlton Cole is in the West Ham squad for this game but that Ilunga is doubtful. They also say that Tomkins "is facing a race against time to be fit for the trip to Hull."

Lawro says that "with West Ham you never know what you are going to get." He also claims that Carlton Cole won't be fit and without him we will struggle.

Lawro predicts a 2-1 West Ham loss

Sky predict a 1-1 draw

No Offers for West Ham

2009-11-18T13:15:00.003Z

West Ham have confirmed that the club has received no formal offers to buy the club. A club source said today,

"There have been no significant developments at all, and no formal offer from any party. The club still envisage the sale will be a medium to long-term initiative."

David Sullivan however claims he has offered the owners a huge offer of zero money to take over 50% of the club. For that incredible offer of nothing Sullivan expects the present owners to leave him in charge of the club. He also insists that Straumur would still be responsible for paying off the club's debts.

According to a source, "There is no room for negotiation. If they reject his plan he'll look elsewhere."

It is rather strange that Sullivan wants to take over West Ham without taking on any of the debt. This week he has been attacking the new Birmingham owners and stating publicly that it is normal practise for the new owners of a club to take on the old debt.

New owner of Birmingham Carson Yeung has instructed his lawyers to go through the Blues accounts with a fine tooth comb, dating back to 2007. Yeung and his group were left with unexpected bills of around £6 million when they took over the club.

David Sullivan has responded angrily to this, saying,

"If you think about it, we have done nothing different to any other Premier League club. It’s said there’s £6 million in unpaid bills for transfers, agents, on players, but that is not unusual. Every club does things on the drip.

"I think they are naive to be shocked by it. I would bet that when Aston Villa were bought, it didn’t just cost £60 million but there were other liabilities the new owner had to meet."

Except Sullivan doesn't want to meet any liabilities in taking over West Ham.

Upson Staying at West Ham

2009-11-16T14:07:00.002Z

Matthew Upson has said that he is staying at West Ham. However inevitably some papers are already beginning to spin this as him saying he wants to leave West Ham.

"Losing at West Ham is not affecting my performance," said Upson. "You take pride in that no matter where the team is.

"It is not easy and it probably is better to be somewhere where you are winning matches, but West Ham is where I am at. I have a job to do for them.

"I won't let that affect my international aspirations. I am at West Ham. That is my club. If something is put in front of me, and I have to make a decision about my future, then I will.

"At the moment it is not something I am thinking about. I am a West Ham player. Unless something happens, I am fully concentrated on them."

Cole, Behrami & Upson to be Sold

2009-11-15T00:56:00.003Z

If the Sunday papers are to be believed West Ham will be left with no players by the end of January.

The News of the World claim West Ham will sell Matthew Upson to Liverpool in January and buy Chamakh from Bordeaux.

The Daily Mirror claim that Behrami has stated his intention to leave West Ham. Behrami said,

"I know that the people at West Ham have confidence in me. Maybe one day I will play for a bigger club than them.

"However, in order for me to do so, I will need to be at the peak of my abilities. I just play my football from day to day. There is no point in me talking about my medium-term future when I don’t know what might happen tomorrow."

The Daily Mirror claim that Dean Ashton & West Ham will formally announce the retirement of the striker this week. But then they said that last week as well.

The good news is that Sky say West Ham have made it known that Carlton Cole is not for sale at any price. They claim that Man Utd are set to make a £20 million offer in January, with Liverpool also keen.

Gold to Make £45m Bid for West Ham

2009-11-14T09:56:00.003Z

The Daily Express say that David Gold is prepared to make a £45 million offer to buy West Ham. This is about a third of what the present owners are asking for and therefore the bid seems doomed to fail.

It is becoming clear that none of the parties currently interested in West Ham are anywhere near meeting the current owners' asking price. CB Holdings and Straumur have repeatedly said that they are prepared to wait for the present economic downturn to improve before selling the club.

Whether Straumur's creditors are prepared to also sit back and wait has yet to be decided.

Carr Calls for Rule Changes

2009-11-13T11:46:00.003Z

This is London have an interesting article today in which Tony Carr calls for rule changes around the signing of young players.

Tony Carr argues that the present rules, which state that young players between the ages of nine and twelve have to live within an hour's travelling time of their club's training ground and 90 minutes between the ages of 13-16, are restricting the development of young players.

Carr argues that if the present rules had existed in the past West Ham would not have been able to develop Michael Carrick and Man Utd would not have been able to school David Beckham.

Carr argues that the present restrictions need to be relaxed. You just have to look at the present England Under-21 squad and the full England squad, both full of players developed by Carr, to realise that no-one is better qualified to speak on this issue than the West Ham youth coach.

Intermarket Claim They Are Serious

2009-11-11T17:20:00.002Z

Intermarket say they have proved to Rothschilds that they have the funds to make an offer for West Ham.

David Byrne, Intermarket's company secretary, says,

"Some people were dismissing us as not being serious bidders but we are. We have satisfied them [Rothschilds] that we have proof of funds."

Intermarket's valuation of West Ham at £100 million mean that the present owners would only receive about £30 million. This presumably means that any offer will be turned down.

Intermarket remain hopeful however and say they are keen to try and finalise a deal before Dec 11th.