Sunday, 26 May 2013

Hammers 'hopeful' over Carroll

West Ham have high hopes of landing England striker Andy Carroll on a permanent deal from Liverpool, according to co-chairman David Sullivan's 13 year old son.

Jack Sullivan tweeted this morning, 'There will not be a decision with andy Carroll for 2 weeks [sic] as he is on holiday but we are still very hopeful to sign him #COYI #WHU #whufc'.

Sky Sports revealed on Wednesday that the two clubs had agreed a fee for the 24 year old, believed to be an original £12m, which could rise to £15m depending on clauses, such as appearances made and goals scored.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers, meanwhile, told the Guardian the same day that 'it's one of those situations where it will probably be resolved a lot quicker than that [than the situation over Carroll's future at the start of the season, culminating in the striker's loan move to Upton Park] for both parties.'

The newspaper also claimed that the former Newcastle hitman is having doubts about a permanent move to East London and would be potentially keener on a return to the North East. However, this may not be an option as the Magpies have yet to make a formal bid for the striker, and a player-plus-cash deal that could have seen Newcastle midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa move to Anfield appears to no longer be on the cards, with Rodgers' interest in the France international having cooled.

Young Sullivan also revealed on Twitter that the Hammers are looking at a back up option, should Carroll turn down a permanent move to the club. In response to a tweet from a fan saying 'please tell me your dad is aware we need another striker, not just Carroll?' Sullivan replied 'yes a back up'.

The Irons have been linked with Vitesse Arnhem's Wilfried Bony, Chelsea's Romelu Lukaku and Blackburn's Jordan Rhodes in recent weeks.

By Alex Shilling, News Editor

@alexshilling

Saturday, 25 May 2013

Making his Mark: Saunderson appointed Ladies manager

West Ham Ladies have appointed former Crystal Palace Ladies and Fulham Ladies boss Mark Saunderson as their new manager.

Saunderson is one of the most respected names in women's football, having won the WPL Southern Division title with the Cottagers in 2008, before taking a sabbatical from the game after the birth of his daughter.

"I was lucky to be approached by a number of clubs but once West Ham made their interest known, it was an easy choice," Saunderson told shekicks.net.

"It's an honour to be considered for the role at the club and it's an easy fit when both the club and yourself see the way in which the game should be played in the same way."

"I am sure it will be a challenge at times but I see the potential and passion in the club and that is what makes it such an exciting proposition."

Following the club's end-of-season AGM, previous manager Julia Setford has moved upstairs into a Director of Football capacity, as well as assisting Saunderson.

"Basically, we have had a little change," Setford told whufc.com.

"Mark is going to be first team manager and I will be his number two and also fill the role of Director of Football. The changes will enable me to take a step back, but Mark has far more experience of management than I do and can really push us on."

"We need to boost our squad with more quality and believe that Mark is the manager to bring better players to the club."

"He has won the division we are in before so we know we are getting a manager with good pedigree and a respected name in women's football."

The Ladies will be wanting to improve on this season's showing in the WPL Southern Division, where they eventually finished a somewhat disappointing 6th and missing out on a place in the new Women's Super Premier League.

There is good news already for the Irons, however, as former England goalkeeper Toni-Anne Wayne and forwards Becky Merritt (who recently won the Blowing Bubbles Ladies Goal of the Season Award for her strike against Brighton and Hove Albion Ladies) and Hannah Gowland committing themselves to the club for next season, as well as a large amount of interest from potential new players.

By Alex Shilling, News Editor

@alexshilling

Friday, 24 May 2013

Hammers close in on Hunt as Reading release Ireland winger

West Ham could seal a move for Republic of Ireland international Noel Hunt in the next week after Reading director of football Nick Hammond confirmed to Sky Sports this afternoon that the winger would not be offered a new contract at the Madjeski Stadium following relegation from the Premier League.

Hunt was one of five Reading players not to have been offered fresh terms by the Berkshire club, and director of football Hammond said today: "every one of the plaeyrs leaving this summer has played a part in the club's recent success and on behalf of the club I would like to wish them well for the future. Both on and off the pitch they have contributed massively to the team and now they move on to the next stage of their careers."

The Hammers were linked with a move for the 30 year old last month, and West Ham boss Sam Allardyce is a big fan of the powerful winger, who is a self-confessed Irons supporter.

By Alex Shilling, News Editor

@alexshilling

'Proud' Potts looking forward to England action: defender and West Ham teammate Hall called up to U20 World Cup squad

After a lack of West Ham players in Stuart Pearce’s England U21 squad may have come as a disappointment, Dan Potts and Rob Hall have both been named in Peter Taylor’s provision U20 squad for the upcoming FIFA U20 World Cup this summer.

 
Taylor has named the two Hammers in the 35 man squad, but this will be cut down to just 21 on June 7th, so the young pair will have to impress in the training camp.

For Potts, this was an added bonus after initially being included in the U19 team for the UEFA European U19 Championship Elite Qualifying Round, but he will now be trying to impress at the next level.

The 19 year old defender told whufc.com: "I'm pleased to have been called-up, definitely... I'm very proud. It's a great experience. International football is a different kind of football. There is a lot to take in and you are representing your country at the end of the day.

"As much as it being a proud honour, you want to do your best for your country and the main objective is to do well.

"At the end of the day, as a young footballer you want to be at the top and it doesn't get much better than representing your country, that's for sure."

Potts also reflected on his season with the West Ham U21s and the first team, and he is pleased with his progress this season.

He said: "Looking back, I've got some good memories. I've had some good results and some bad results but it's all experience and a learning curve, so I take nothing but positives from them."

He also described his personal highlight from the season, singling out the 2-2 draw with Manchester United in the FA Cup.

On that match, he said: "It was definitely up there with my best individual performances. You've got to take into account I was playing against the future champions of England. It was a great experience and now I just want to push on into next year."

Meanwhile, Rob Hall’s England  experience at U17 level will hold him in good stead for this new challenge. After an impressive season on loan with Bolton and Birmingham, he will be hoping for a bigger opportunity at international level.

The U20 World Cup will be held in Turkey from June 21st and England will face Iraq, Chile and Egypt in Group E.

By Lucy Woolford, Youth and Development Squad reporter

@lucy_whufc

Out of Luk: Irons likely to miss out on Chelsea hotshot

West Ham look set to be one of a host of Premier League clubs who will miss out signing Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku this summer, according to the Sun.

The Hammers were reported to have inquired about the 20 year old's availability and were told by Chelsea that no decision will be made on Lukaku's future until a new permanent manager is appointed to the Stamford Bridge hotseat.

However, the Sun claim today that Lukaku, who notched 14 goals on loan at West Bromwich Albion this season, is keen on a move to German outfit Borussia Dortmund.

The Bundesliga side finished 2nd in the league this season and face a Champions League final showdown with rivals Bayern Munich later this month, and with German football in the ascendancy, Lukaku is said to feel that his best opportunities may be abroad and looks likely to snub the Irons, as well as Swansea, Everton, Fulham, Aston Villa and Newcastle.

By Alex Shilling, News Editor

@alexshilling

Marseille in for Maiga as striker nears Upton Park exit

Mobido Maiga is set to leave West Ham this summer after the striker's representatives met with French giants Marseille in order to negotiate a summer move for the Mali international, according to reports coming from France today.

The 25 year old has made just four starts for the Hammers this season and was linked with an immediate return to France in January with both Marseille and Bordeaux being credited with an interest in the pacy forward.

Maiga also found himself in hot water with the club after returning home late after the African Cup of Nations in February, and the £4m has failed to tie down a regular place in Sam Allardyce's side.

With an offer in the region of £13m reported to have been made for Liverpool striker Andy Carroll, Allardyce knows he has to trim his squad in order to stay on the right side of the Premier League's Financial Fair play regulations coming in next season and Maiga could be the next striker to leave the club, after Carlton Cole was shown the door earlier this week.

By Alex Shilling, News Editor

@alexshilling

Thursday, 23 May 2013

EXCLUSIVE: West Ham Ladies awards 2012/2013- as nominated by the girls.

The West Ham Ladies finished their season last weekend with a defeat away at league
champions Reading. Shortly after the game, Blowing Bubbles caught up with Toni Anne Wayne, Hannah Gowland, Zoe Lipley- Hinton, Stacey Little, Becky Merritt, Lindsey Morgan and captain Rosey Sullivan to give their votes in six categories.At the bottom of each category, we have also decided who we think should win.

Goal of the Season

Hannah Gowland v Leeds United Ladies

TAW: Hannah Gowland’s goal against Leeds in the FA Cup. It was a game of limited
chances and she took it well.


Hannah Gowland v Gillingham Ladies.

HG: For me it has to be the second goal we scored against Gillingham away. I scored it which I am proud about but that’s not why. It was such a great team goal. It all started from the goalkeeper, worked its way through all positions, before it was given to me to score.


Becky Merritt v Brighton and Hove Albion Ladies.

ZLH: Becky Merritt’s goal against Brighton because it was just a lovely clean hit.


Kelley Branchflower v Queens Park Rangers Ladies.

SL: This goal sticks in my mind for the way Kell picked the ball up and ran through the QPR defence before sliding the ball underneath the keeper. Unfortunately, Kell also went on to break her collarbone in this game.


Lindsey Morgan v Gillingham Ladies.

BM: We were 2-1 down with minutes to play and Lindsey smashed a half volley to earn us a point.


Becky Merritt v Brighton and Hove Albion Ladies.
LM: Even though we lost the game it was an unbelievable strike from outside the box.


Katie Bottom v Reading Ladies.

RS: Katie Bottom’s goal against Reading last weekend.


The Blowing Bubbles Award for Ladies Goal of the Season goes to Becky Merritt for her goal against Brighton and Hove Albion Ladies.

Best Team Performance

Tottenham Hotspur Ladies 0 West Ham United Ladies 1

TAW: Spurs away where we won 1-0. We played well as a team, everyone from front to back contributed to the win.


Leeds United Ladies 3 West Ham United Ladies 2

HG: Our FA Cup game against Leeds was our best team performance. We were 3-0 down at half time and after a decent talk in the changing room, we came out in the second half such a better team. We got two goals back and was [sic] unlucky not to get a third in the last few minutes. Our fighting spirit to get back at them, determination and team effort was great. We couldn’t have worked harder. If only we were like that first half.


Tottenham Hotspur Ladies 0 West Ham United Ladies 1

ZLH:  Tottenham away. We just played really well as a team and played some great football.


West Ham United Ladies 2 Brighton and Hove Albion Ladies 0

SL:  Our home match against Brighton which we won 2-0. We always seem to struggle against Brighton and we never play well in both halves against anyone. So to beat Brighton (who had a very strong team this year) 2-0and play well in both the first
and second half was very pleasing for both players and
management.


West Ham United Ladies 2 Brighton and Hove Albion Ladies 0

BM: Our best team performance was when we beat Brighton at home 2-0. We were hungry for the win from the first whistle, everyone put their bodies on the line to prevent and score goals.


West Ham United Ladies 2 Brighton and Hove Albion Ladies 0

LM: For me it has to be Brighton at home. I scored the goal after 10 mins and it was just a brilliant team performance.


West Ham United Ladies 3 Tottenham Hotspur Ladies 0

RS: For me, it has to be our 3-0 win over Tottenham.


The Blowing Bubbles Award for Best Ladies Performance of the Season goes to the performance against Brighton and Hove Albion at home.

Best Individual Performance

Becky Merritt v Brighton and Hove Albion (home)

TAW: Becky Merritt against Brighton at home. High work rate, first touch was brilliant and she scored a screamer.


Toni Anne Wayne v Millwall (home)

ZLH: Toni Anne Wayne against Millwall. She pulled off some amazing saves to keep us in that game.


Hannah Gowland v Witham Abbey
SL: Hannah Gowland vs Witham. Although Witham are ranked way below us, nothing should be taken away from Hannah for scoring a hat trick in six minutes in this game. Hannah had only just joined West Ham Ladies so she had done well to fit in to the team and made her mark early on. She was a massive miss for us the rest of the season after she broke her ankle.


Toni Anne Wayne v Millwall (home).

BM: Toni Anne Wayne against Millwall. She pulled off some incredible saves to help us gain a well-earned point from the league leaders at the time.


Vicki King v Tottenham (away).

LM: She stepped up this season from the reserves and she made the right back position her own and away at Tottenham this year she was brilliant. She has improved her game and become a regular first team player.


Stacey Little in numerous games

RS: Stacey Little on so many occasions. She works so hard on the pitch and covers so much ground.


The Blowing Bubbles Award for Ladies Individual Performance of the Season goes to Toni Anne Wayne for her performance away at Millwall Ladies.

Best Goal Celebration

The 'train' after April Bowers' goal away at Tottenham Hotspur Ladies.

TAW: The team celebration after April Bowers’ goal against Spurs away.


Team celebration after Lindsey Morgan's goal away at Gillingham Ladies.

The best goal celebration for me would be after the second goal against Gillingham. After such a great team goal and great team effort, we all celebrated and come[sic] together to cheer and congratulate each other. It was nice.


The 'train' after April Bowers' goal away at Tottenham Hotspur Ladies

ZLH: The celebration after April Bowers’ goal against Spurs. Before the game we said if we scored we would do the train celebration out of  [2001 film directed by Gurinder Chadha] Bend It Like Beckham.


The 'train' after April Bowers' goal away at Tottenham Hotspur Ladies.

SL: Tottenham away, April Bowers’ goal. We had actually been discussing this
before the game if we scored what our celebration would be.


The 'train' after April Bowers' goal away at Tottenham Hotspur Ladies.

BM: The team celebration after April Bowers’ goal against Spurs away.


The 'train' after April Bowers' goal away at Tottenham Hotspur Ladies

LM: The team celebration after April Bowers’ goal against Spurs away.


The 'train' after April Bowers' goal away at Tottenham Hotspur Ladies.

RS: The best goal celebration was against Tottenham. The girls walked on their hands and knees in a row holding onto each others ankles. It was also a great result against Tottenham.


The Blowing Bubbles Award for Best Ladies Goal Celebration of the Season goes to the celebration of April Bowers' goal away at Tottenham Hotspur Ladies.

Funniest in Dressing Room

April Bowers

TAW: April Bowers because she says the most
stupid things.


April Bowers

HG: The funniest in the dressing room is difficult because we all crack jokes but if I had to pick someone it would be April Bowers. She is very random, always comes
out with weird sayings, sings and loves a boogie. Plus she brings sweets before a game
and calls them "badman" sweets.


Stacey Little

ZLH: Stacey Little. She just comes out with the best little comments.


April Bowers

SL: I’d have to say April due to the fact that we’ll all be sitting there, music playing and she will burst into song or impress us with her dance moves all of a sudden.


April Bowers

BM: April Bowers because she pretty much reinvents the English language with her gangster spin!


Danica Revell

LM: Danica Revell. She is funny without even knowing it. She can be so blonde.


Stacey Little

RS: Funniest in the changing room is Stacey
Little. She is always coming out with funny comments or jokes that have the whole
team laughing. Very comical girl.


The Blowing Bubbles Award for Dressing Room Joker goes to April Bowers.


Team Diva

Stacey Little

TAW: Stacey Little because if there is anything to moan about she will find it.


Rosey Sullivan

HG: The team diva is Rosey. She is always worrying about her hair and makeup.
Both have to be perfect and she never likes it going wrong especially when it rains. She loves the fake tan too.


Kelley Blanchflower.

ZLH: Kelley Blanchflower.


Rosey Sullivan

SL: Rosey Sullivan. That’s easy and I’m sure she will be everyone else’s choice too.
The moisturising to make sure the tan doesn’t peel, the panic when it starts raining that her hair is going to go knotty and mascara will run. Wouldn’t change our Rose though.


Rosey Sullivan/Kelly Blanchflower

BM: Rosey Sullivan or Kelley Blanchflower. Pure TOWIE. You should see them if there is a photo and they were not given sufficient time to prepare.


Kelly Blanchflower.

LM: Kelley Blanchflower.


Kelley Blanchflower.

RS: I am the biggest diva (or so I have been told plenty of times) but if I'm not voting
for myself it would be Kelley Blanchflower. She's kind of similar to me with having our hair perfect, making sure we are pretty and smelling good before the game. She can also get the hump if things aren't going positively but guess that's the whole team.
We still love her.

The Blowing Bubbles Award for Biggest Diva goes to Rosey Sullivan.