saturday's news 6th july includes west ham

An archive of Cockney Hammer's West Ham-related daily news digests from 2009-2015. For the latest daily digests, see the General Discussion Forum.

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Re: saturday's news 6th july includes west ham

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Thanks CH. :thup:
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Re: saturday's news 6th july includes west ham

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Hammers Transfer Policy is Lopsided



This week, West Ham's co-chairman, David Gold said that West Ham have got a strategic transfer policy of one marquee signing each year, leading up to the move to the tremendous Olympic Stadium. This has been proven throughout the past three years.

First, it was Kevin Nolan for £4 million from Newcastle United when in the Championship. On the Hammers return to the top flight, it was Matt Jarvis from relegated Wolverhampton Wanderers for a then club record fee of £11 million. Now, Andy Carroll has put pen to paper on a lucrative six-year deal, with a club record £17 million paid to Carroll's former employers Liverpool.

Gold has suggested he plans to keep this plan in place for many years to come. However, it is most noticeable that the marquee signings strictly have nothing but attacking attributes, so it begs the question, where are the defensive signings coming from?

With the summer transfer window well and truly underway, rumours circulate imminently, and it's an exciting time for clubs to be linked with so many players, especially if they have raw talent. Nevertheless, Wilfried Bony, Demba Ba and Salomon Kalou are just some players the Hammers have been heavily linked with. Yes, Kalou and Ba are proven goal scorers in the Premier League, and Bony clearly has got fantastic ability, with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo the only players to score more than Bony in Europe's leagues, but all are strikers. Maybe Allardyce should listen to that old footballing cliché, if you don't concede goals you don't lose games.

With defensive reinforcements at a bare minimum for West Ham, who should the Hammers be looking to fill the void in the back line? After spending most of our transfer budget on Carroll, we have got a Premier League defender training with West Ham at the moment. The problem is, its Titus Bramble. If this is the calibre of defenders the Hammers are looking at, then there is a slight worry about the season ahead.

If Collins, Reid or Tomkins sustain injury, do we really want calamity Bramble in the back four? In the past, defender Lamine Sane, who is plying his trade in Ligue 1 with Bordeaux, has been linked with a move to Upton Park, but that interest has cooled. One defender that Big Sam should take a good look at is Manchester City and England centre half, Joleon Lescott.

With Lescott reportedly struggling to regain his first team spot, ahead of Mataja Nastasic and new boss, Manuel Pellegrini looking to shake things up, a move to East London would boost Lescott's chances of going to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

After ****ing out most of the cash on Carroll, and funds now running low, would Lescott be a good fit in the Hammers line up, and if so, would West Ham have to sell before he can buy the experienced Premier League defensive stalwart?
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Re: saturday's news 6th july includes west ham

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What To Do With Alou?



Alou DiarraLast summer when we signed Alou Diarra I think it’s safe to say West Ham fans were excited about this particular capture; the captain of France during Euro 2012, an experienced and classy defensive midfielder who would surely forge a partnership with Mo Diame which would be amongst the most feared in the league.

Injury however and to put it frankly Diarra throwing his toys out of the pram and insisting on a return to France in the January transfer window, curtailed his thus far West Ham career to a meagre three appearances.

Now whilst I can fully appreciate most fans will want him sold this summer and perhaps this would be for the best…the man’s quality and pedigree does speak for itself: 44 caps for France, 2 Ligue 1 titles (with two different teams) he even came on for the legendary Patrick Vieria in the 2006 World Cup final. If we were to sell Alou would we find a replacement of such immense pedigree and quality?

I personally would like to see Diarra stay and compete with Mark Noble for the central midfield birth alongside Mohamed Diame; strength in depth is something we lacked last season (one could argue Diarra leaving for Rennes was one of the reasons why) a couple of injuries and Gary O’Neil was deputising now whilst Gary did well particularly in the latter stages of the season; he simply wasn’t Premier League class.

Now of course whether or not Diarra stays is really up to him, if he shows Sam that he wants to be a part of what we’re building at West Ham I’m sure Sam would be happy to re-integrate him into the team, having said that with this upcoming season being a World Cup year I’m sure Diarra would want assurances he’d be playing regularly to ensure his flight to Brazil, but therein lies the conflict; a fully fit and committed Diarra starts for West Ham week in week out, but how committed is he? On the evidence of last season not very.

As everyone knows we’re a club on the up; smashing our transfer record for the second successive summer and of course the impending move to Stratford, I hope on reflection Alou realises that West Ham is a pretty good place to be at the moment and wants to be a part of it.

I think we all still long to see Diarra and Diame in the same side… and if at any point this coming season we were to go with a 442 (unlikely I know) it’s hard to think of two better central midfielders at our disposal for this formation.
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Re: saturday's news 6th july includes west ham

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Chelsea's hopes of signing Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso, 31, have been given a massive boost with the Spanish side interested in signing Real Sociedad player Asier Illarramendi, 23, as a replacement. (Daily Star)

Everton and Tottenham look set to battle it out as they attempt to sign Barcelona forward Gerard Deulofeu, 19, on loan. (Independent)

Hull manager Steve Bruce wants to sign 28-year-old South Africa striker Katlego Mphela - nicknamed Killer because of his lethal finishing - from Mamelodi Sundowns. (The Sun)


West Ham have agreed a £6.7m fee to sign Colombian striker Duvan Zapata, 22, from Argentine club Estudiantes. (Daily Mirror)

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Napoli will move for Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko, 27, if they miss out on top target Stevan Jovetic, of Fiorentina. (Daily Express)

Norwich goalkeeper John Ruddy, 26, is in advanced talks over a move to Chelsea. (Daily Express)

Queens Park Rangers are preparing a £4m offer for Celtic striker Gary Hooper, 25, who is also wanted by Norwich City. (The Sun)

Swansea City manager Michael Laudrup is ready to join the chase for Blackburn Rovers forward Jordan Rhodes, 23, after making a firm inquiry about the Scottish international. (Daily Telegraph)

Manchester City are set for talks with Roma with a view to buying 27-year-old striker Pablo Osvaldo. (Manchester Evening News)

Swansea City have stepped up their efforts to sign striker Wilfried Bony, 24, from Vitesse Arnhem with an improved £13.7m package. (Daily Mirror)

Loic Remy, 26, could play for Queens Park Rangers in the Championship next season as other clubs show little interest in the France striker. (London Evening Standard)

Wayne Rooney will remain at Manchester United, says David Moyes

Inter Milan interested in Micah Richards, claims agent

Everton and Stoke battle it out for Aston Villa flop Stephen Ireland

Stevan Jovetic poised to snub Arsenal interest and join Juventus

Levante target Arsenal misfit Marouane Chamakh


West Ham lose interest in Bordeaux defender Ludovic Sane

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Exclusive - Brad Friedel: Spurs stars desperate for Gareth Bale to stay

Benfica boss admits Nemanja Matic on his way as Chelsea circle

Southampton tell six squad players to find new clubs

Swansea and Cardiff target Bafetimbi Gomis insists he won't be forced out of Lyon
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