The Hammers thread

[Arthur Sixpence]

Seeing as the glory hunters have started threads for their teams, I thought I would start for the true football fan!

COME ON YOU IRONS!!!

[Harry]

*holds head in hands*

[Arthur Sixpence]

West Ham complete Benayoun swoop


West Ham have completed the signing of Israeli international Yossi Benayoun from Racing Santander for £2.5m.
The 24-year-old passed a medical at Upton Park on Saturday and has signed a four-year contract at Upton Park.

"I am absolutely thrilled to be joining such a big club and can't wait to play in the Premiership," he said.

"I know other clubs were interested in me, but I was very impressed when I met the people at West Ham. I also think my qualities suit their style of play."

The deal is subject to a work permit but the Hammers are confident as Benayoun is an established international.

Boss Alan Pardew revealed his delight at capturing such a creative player for their Premiership campaign.

"We're delighted to have secured the signature of Yossi and I'm sure he'll prove to be a great asset to our squad," said Pardew.

"He's a creative midfield player, who brings an educated discipline to the attack. But he's also a diligent player, who hardly misses a game and has improved year on year in La Liga.

"He's a player with flair, who'll be able to open the door for us when teams sit deep. We needed a player like that and at 24 he is a great signing for the club."

He seems like a very useful signing, even though I detest Israelis!! Someone in the Joe Cole mold from what I hear. I just wish Pardew would hurry up and sign a couple of strikers. We've only got three, one of whom is 40 and the other two are fairly new to the prem. With a couple of decent strikers we could have a reasonable season.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...td/4689691.stm

[Brian Damage]

Poofter!

[Harry]

He seems like a very useful signing, even though I detest Israelis!!

Why do you detest Israelis Arthur?

[poolcleaner]

He seems like a very useful signing, even though I detest Israelis!!

Why do you detest Israelis Arthur?

Shhh Harry, don't mention the war!!

[Harry]

:UP: But this is supposed to be a sports thread, should'nt we leave our prejudices outside when we take our shoes off?

[poolcleaner]

^ It must be Sunday!

[Arthur Sixpence]

Back on topic...

TEDDY ON TARGET IN TROLLHATTAN


TEDDY Sheringham proved he has lost nothing of his scoring touch, adding to strikes from Carl Fletcher and Bobby Zamora to give Hammers a fine 3-0 win over FC Trollhättan in the second game of their Sweden tour.

Hammers travelled 50 miles north of Gothenburg to the Edsborg Stadium in Trollhättan for this friendly match, a town more famous for its Saab manufacturing plant than its football team.

Nevertheless, FC Trollhättan have an impressive record this season, particularly for a club that only formed in October 2001. Currently lying second in the Swedish Second Division with an excellent chance of winning promotion, Jonas Olsson's team narrowly missed out on promotion in 2002.

The local club were certainly relishing the visit of West Ham United, laying on a lavish welcome in front of an enthusiastic crowd.

Pards dipped into his first-team squad to make nine changes from the side that beat Falkenbergs, Danny Gabbidon and Luke Chadwick the only survivors from Thursday's win.

With bolts of lightening crashing overhead on a gloomy Saturday afternoon, it was Hammers who made the early running. Matty Etherington and Nigel Reo-Coker both testing the hands of goalkeeper Tobias Wennergren from close range in the first five minutes.

On 14 minutes Hammers had the ball in the net, Carl Fletcher's rasping 20-yard drive too hot for Wennergren to handle, but Teddy Sheringham was deemed to be in an offside position when he tapped home the rebound.

Two minutes later though and the legitimacy of West Ham's strike was in no doubt. Chadwick found space to cross from the right, picking out Fletcher arriving late in the box, who swept the ball past Wennergren to make it 1-0.

Sheringham traded a long-range effort with the home side's Janne Moilanen soon after, the latter's well-struck volley the closest Trollhättan would come in a half dominated by West Ham's superb attacking play.

With 10 minutes to go until half-time the tourists turned that dominance into a second goal. Chadwick's cross again caused panic in the Trollhättan defence and from Etherington's cut-back Bobby Zamora fired home from close range.

HT: 2-0

Pards gave James Collins another chance to impress in the second-half, Danny Gabbidon the man making way, while Gavin Williams replaced Luke Chadwick on the right of midfield.

Still it was Hammers dominating, Reo-Coker bursting through the home defence before executing an audacious lob that dipped narrowly over the bar.

Etherington, fresh from signing a new four-year deal at Upton Park, looked hungry and might have scored when he fired across goal from a tight angle, while Williams kept up the threat posed by the West Ham right.

And it was the Welsh winger's cross that set up Hammers third on 63 minutes. Sheringham's pass out wide started the move, and the former England striker finished it in style, heading home at the back post to all but end the game as a contest.

Sitting on a comfortable cushion, Hammers continued to knock the ball around with the panache of a Premier League outfit.

With 70 minutes gone, a lively performance from Zamora ended as he was replaced by Czech trialist Petr Mikolanda.
Three minutes later Stephen Bywater was forced into his first save of the match, a smart take from Jonas Andersson's drive, before the Hammers 'keeper returned to spectator duties for the remainder of the game.

As tiredness began to creep in Christian Dailly, Paul Konchesky and Elliott Ward were introduced - Sheringham, Etherington and Newton the players withdrawn after all giving fine performances.

The pace of the game slowed as the clock ticked away, but Hammers never looked in danger of surrendering their clean-sheet, Anton Ferdinand giving a faultless display at the heart of the West Ham defence to secure a well-deserved 3-0 win.

WEST HAM UNITED

Bywater; Repka, Newton (Ward 75), Gabbidon (Collins 45), Ferdinand, Chadwick (Williams 45), Fletcher, Reo-Coker, Sheringham (Dailly 75), Zamora (Mikolanda 70), Etherington (Konchesky 75). Subs unused: Bucek (GK), Mullins, Harewood.

[Harry]

Alan Pardew has confirmed that West Ham will be bidding for Liverpool's Milan Baros.

http://skysports.planetfootball.com/...=football_home

[Arthur Sixpence]

I hope we get him. I think Baros is a great striker, and will score pleny of goals for us with the service given him by Etherington & co. He is the sort of striker I have been hoping Pardew would sign.
Fingers crossed.

[Arthur Sixpence]

Keeper Hislop signs for West Ham


Shaka Hislop has rejoined West Ham, signing for the Premiership new boys on a one-year contract.
The 36-year-old was released by Portsmouth last season and will compete for a place with Roy Carroll.

"It is great to be going back to West Ham," said Hislop. "I had four great years there, really happy times.

"We had a successful team too, we finished in the top half of the table three seasons out of four and played some great football."

Hislop originally signed for West Ham in 1998, making more than 130 appearances for the Hammers before leaving for Fratton Park in 2002.

Goalkeeper Jimmy Walker injured his knee in the play-off final win over West Ham and is expected to be out until Christmas.

Hislop added: "I am just looking forward to getting the boots back on again and competing for a place in the side.

"There are some good goalkeepers here and I will have to be on my toes.

"But I am confident in my ability and I know I am still good enough to be a very consistent goalkeeper in the Premiership."

[/url]http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/west_ham_utd/4727451.stm[url]

So now we have four decent goalies, no problems in that position. Please, Pards, hurry up and sign a striker or two. I see Schalke have turned Baros down, here's the chance to get him!

[Arthur Sixpence]

ETHERINGTON KEEPS HAMMERS ON TRACK AT PALACE

MATTY Etherington's first-half strike gave West Ham United a 1-0 win over London rivals Crystal Palace in this pre-season friendly at Selhurst Park.

This was the first time these two sides had met since the 2004 Play-off Final, so it was hardly a surprise that neither side gave an inch in a fiercely competitive game.

The tables have certainly turned in the year since the Eagles last crossed the path of Hammers, with Iain Dowie's team just a week away from the start of their Championship season and Alan Pardew preparing his team for a return to the Premier League.

Pards handed another start to Roy Carroll in goal, but made four changes from the side that drew 1-1 in Munich.

James Collins and Elliott Ward are recalled in the centre of defence with Danny Gabbidon moving to right-back in place of Tomas Repka. Anton Ferdinand was the other player to drop out.

Christian Dailly replaced former Palace star Hayden Mullins in midfield while Gavin Williams started in place of Shaun Newton on the right.

Teddy Sheringham and Marlon Harewood were again paired up front, while in the Crystal Palace ranks there was a start for former Hammer Jobi McAuff who arrived at Selhurst Park via Cardiff this summer.

Hammers did not waste time getting into their stride, a lovely touch from Sheringham releasing Paul Konchesky down the left, but his cross was blocked out for a corner by Mark Hudson.

In a clash that was more competitive than its friendly tag suggested, Palace winger Tom Soares received the game's first booking after only six minutes with a clumsy challenge on Elliott Ward, who then had to be alert to block a thunderous drive from Ben Watson.

It took all of 14 minutes for either side to register a worthwhile attempt on goal, Watson pumping the ball forward for England's Andy Johnson to chase but his first time volley was easily saved by Carroll. Moments later the lively McAnuff caught Collins in possession and fed Watson on the edge of the box, but he drilled his shot low and wide of Carroll's right-hand post.

With 20 minutes gone Harewood used his strength well to win a free-kick from Fitz Hall and promptly fired a fearsome shot that Palace goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly flew to his left to beat away.

An awful challenge from Gary Borrowdale on Williams earned the home full-back a yellow card with 27 minutes gone, and left West Ham's right midfielder limping through the rest of the first-half.

With 15 minutes remaining in the half Iain Dowie sent on defender Darren Ward - a recent signing from Millwall and brother of Hammers centre-back Elliott - for the two to do battle for the first time since West Ham drew 1-1 with the Lions at Upton Park last season.

Moments later Johnson was picked out with a deep cross and the much-coveted striker executed a wonderful volley which Carroll did well to save at the near post.

But Hammers were posing enough danger of their own and on 36 minutes a flowing claret and blue move was converted by Matty Etherington to make it 1-0. A great ball from Williams was the catalyst for the goal, releasing Harewood down the right, and he cut it back across goal to leave Etherington with a tap-in to beat Kiraly and send Alan Pardew's men in for half-time with a well-earned advantage.

HT: 1-0

Williams failed to recover from the knock he picked up in the first-half and was replaced by Shaun Newton for the start of the second period, while another former Hammer, Michael Hughes, came on for Palace to a raptuous reception from both sets of fans.

It was Newton that had the first effort of the second-half, running at Hudson before letting fly with a curling effort that whistled just wide of Kiraly's post.

Hammers dominated proceedings at the start of the second-half, but couldn't quite force their way through the Palace back-line, Harewood having the best opportunity with a header at the back post which flew well over.

Palace were certainly not prepared to throw in the towel though and Carroll had to be at his best when Emmerson Boyce's cross deflected off Etherington and looped up, but the back-pedalling Hammers goalkeeper flicked it over the crossbar for a corner. From the set-piece the ball very nearly dropped kindly for Johnson at the back post and but for a courageous Elliott Ward tackle the England hitman would have had a clear sight at goal.

Czech trialist Mario Licka replaced Dailly in midfield on 66 minutes, but it was the scale of Palace's changes that sapped the pace out of the game, with eight Eagles swapping places in the second-half

Still Hammers pressed though, Etherington cutting inside Danny Butterfield, but his shot skipped wide of the near post, before Licka pounced on the ball 25 yards out and let fly with a dipping volley that very nearly got the better of substitute goalkeeper Julian Speroni.

On 79 minutes a fantastic reverse pass from Licka set Harewood clear of the Palace defence. The striker used his pace to skip around Speroni, but the goalkeeper did enough to make the angle difficult and Harewood could only shoot into the side netting.

Palace pressed until the end, Hughes' long-range shot looking good until it smashed into the back of team-mate Joonas Kolkka. But Hammers were firmly in command and Konchesky should have done better with his cross from the by-line than pick out Aaron Fray.

With five minutes left Israel international Yossi Benayoun was introduced for Matty Etherington, and a minute later Harewood saw another headed chance go begging, ballooning his effort over after good work from Newton.

Trialist Licka looked determined to impress and it was another clever piece of play from the Banik Ostrava midfielder that saw the ball cut back to Benayoun 12 yards out, but his low shot was blocked by the legs of Speroni.

With two minutes to go Dougie Freedman brought the best out of Carroll his angled volley acrobatically tipped over by the Northern Ireland international as Palace looked to apply some final pressure to the solid Hammers defence.

Just a minute of the game remained when Hayden Mullins stepped off the bench in front of the fans that watched him develop into an England Under-21 international, replacing Nigel Reo-Coker for the final acts of the game.

Alan Pardew's men were hardly troubled in the closing stages of the game, holding on to a well-deserved 1-0 victory and continuing their unbeaten pre-season campaign.

WHU: Carroll; Gabbidon, Konchesky, Reo-Coker (Mullins 89), Collins, Ward, Dailly (Licka 65), Sheringham (Trialist 65), Williams (Newton 45), Harewood, Etherington (Benayoun 85).

Attendance: 10,400 (1963 away)









http://www.whufc.com/article.asp?art...dlines&navlid=

Hopes rising daily for the new season.

[Arthur Sixpence]

[Arthur Sixpence]

Hammers 'closing in on Adebayor'


West Ham are closing in on a £6m deal for Monaco striker Emmanuel Adebayor, according to reports.
The Premiership new boys hope to snap up the 21-year-old Togo international after he failed to agree a new cantract with the French club.

Monaco-based agent Willie McKay said Adebayor would be a hit in England.

"He is a top-class young striker and he has all the attributes to be a success in England as he is strong, quick and knows where the net is," he said.

Adebayor has scored 17 goals in two seasons since moving to Monaco from Metz in a £2m deal.

He has been linked with Aston Villa and Arsenal as well as the Hammers during the summer.

The tall striker accused the club of treating him like an academy player, despite being a regular in Didier Deschamps' first team.

"He was wanting to increase his salary and to continue with Monaco," said club spokesman Pierre-Joseph Gadeau.

"Both of them, most of the time, can go together but if we can find a handy solution Emmanuel is probably going to be sold."

I hope he's good for that money, but 17 goals in two seasons is not exactly Henry standard is it? I'm sure Harewood and Zamora will do better than that.