By Reece Bateman
West Ham are once again being linked with a whole plethora of players, some new ones, mainly though the same names we’ve been hearing about for the last month or so. West Ham are continually being linked to former Portsmouth, Chelsea and Bolton player Tal Ben Haim and if reports are to be believed, he’ll complete his move to West Ham some time before the end of the week. The other big talking point is where Loic Remy will end up plying his trade next season. It seems its an all out battle between West Ham and Liverpool for the 23 year-old’s signature, but neither team, nor surprisingly the players agent, hold the cards at the moment. Remy’s current club Nice are calling all the shots with regards to transfer fee’s and payments and the French striker will move to the club Nice deem best. The rumours of Sol Campbell possibly entering Upton Park also appear to be gathering pace, much to the dismay of nearly all West Ham fans. An ageing, out of sorts centre half isn’t exactly what West Ham should be focusing on right now.
One new target that has appeared in the last day or so is Argentine striker Milton Caraglio. It is being reported that should West Hams bid for Loic Remy fail, Avram Grant has earmarked this South American as the man to help bolster West Ham’s front line. The fee being reported is around the £2million mark, which could turn out to be fairly cheap should he provide the goods. However, taking a basically unknown player to lead the line for a new look Hammers team could surely be too much pressure for a young lad…Savio anyone?
Other players still being linked to West Ham currently include Aston Villa’s Luke Young, Portsmouth Kevin Prince Boateng, Tottenham’s Jamie O’Hara and Santos’ Neymar. It’s quite unlikely West Ham will ever make that many more signings when they already have a squad of around 28 players.
Onto the departures and again its the same old names being linked with an exit. Matthew Upson, Rob Green, Carlton Cole and Scott Parker are all being lined up to move to other Premier League sides according to reports. Upson is off to Sunderland, Green to Arsenal, Cole to Stoke and Parker to either Aston Villa or Liverpool. The only possible one to happen could be Upson to Sunderland. Two other West Ham regulars are also apparently heading for the exit door. Reports are suggesting Radoslav Kovac is on his way to Olympiacos and could be followed by Alessandro Diamanti, although it is reported a number of Italian teams are interested in him also, whilst Palermo and Roma are still being linked with tireless midfielder, Valon Behrami.
Who's Reece Bateman????
He is the owner of WE53 HAM!!
Ahh thanks for that
But stil…….WHO is he? lol
Important question Matt – he's been credited with the blog post and so must've written it. Perhaps the real name of one of the alias' that have been posting for some time?
Or perhaps he's made up! lol
All very mysterious! lol
ok clearly there are some changes going on with the blog. some new bloke called Reece Bateman has appeared and the thread "an important factor in achieving success will be?" has mysteriously deleted all the comments.
on the transfer front, i believe we are meant to be signing ben haim within the next two days. very disappointing, but i hope grant knows what he's doing. i can only see this as being his way of doing pompey a favour…
Would have been nice to have seen a "Parish Notice" I agree! And I'm also wondering what happened to all our posts on the other thread!
As far as Ben Haim is concerned, I'm not too upset by it! He's nothing special but he's good! I hope we don't sign this Remy bloke! If rumours are to be believed, he's altready holding us to ransom! So no thanks
Looks like Spuds are in for Campbell, they're welcome to him! hes ok but not worth fighting over!
i dont think the remy transfer is down to him, i believe it is all being done through his club. but he has said he would rather join arsenal when they showd an interest, then once they didnt, he said he wanted join us. now liverpool have come in and , well bobs your uncle!
Exactly mate, I understand that it's the club that are holding out for a better payment plan but the player himself is just using us as a shop window! He keeps stating that "West Ham are a very interesting club" but all he is doing really is saying the the Prem "If you are Liverpool, Arsenal or any big club come and get me, if not I MIGHT consider West Ham".
Do we REALLY want a player that would rather be somewhere else? It's Chamakh all over again!
If he was a free then fair enough but the reported £12.5Million is a lot to pay for a player that is dreaming of playing for someone else and I hope the Daves realise that, even if their payment plan is accepted by Nice.
West Ham have just become the 4th club to ban Vuvuzelas! Brilliant
They ruined the already poor world cup for me!
Now we just need to ban Spector.
I forgot to mention that yank tw*t if anyone at the club has sense he has to go or someone should nobble him in training as he is a weak link to say the least
Personally i hope that we do sell all the players that you mentioned above bar SP.
Behrami would fetch around 8 mil and for a player that can run but can't pass that is not a bad return. Cole again would see us get a similar amount and when we go forward he has a tendency to slow a quick break down and i think this year we will be reverting back to quick attacking football so he is welcome to leave for the right fee.
Upson and Green will get plenty of stick at every ground they visit this year especially Green and i don't think he has the mental strength to take it so he may be suspect to a few clangers. Speroni of Palace has been mentioned and what i saw of him last year he looks a decent keeper.
If Upson does leave then we will need to buy two centre halves as, good ones, as that Ben Haim does not fill the void and he is scary player to have at the heart of your defence if the ball was to go over his head or a player to run at him!!
Diamanti is extremely frustrating and although i think he could be potentially dangerous if we can cash in and buy a player with a more consistent threat it would be worth it. Kovac thanks but no thanks as we have more than enough capable central midfielders.
If Upson were to stay though i for one would welcome a partnership in the odd game with Campbell. Not every week but for certain tests like Bolton, Stoke etc they would be quite a formidable pairing i think, or am i being naive?
If all were to go sooner rather than later the coffers should be bolstered by at least 25mill and i do have faith in it being spent wisely but they must not sign the already mentioned Israelite and go for proper English style centre halves in the mould of Wheater with a ball player next to him but i cannot think of one at the moment.
11th place and a cup run beckons
Come on you hammers
Pre-season transfer talk is very exciting for the fans but completely de-stabilising for the existing squad members. With every newspaper rumour, every West Ham player wonders where their future lies. This speculation will NOT help their performance is pre-season games.
To be honest, I would love to see what Avram Grant does with the existing squad who are not, on paper, bad players. There is now virtually a first XI of internationals. I kept reading comments that Zola was tactically naive. I don't know. Maybe he was? Nevertheless, I am certain this squad can perform better; they just need the right manager.
Fortune's always hiding, we know that and, year after year, we reach this point in July feeling optimistic. I'm sad to say, I have that optimistic feeling again. A new manager, a few good signings, a few recovering players and a few pre-season wins have excited me. My prediction is: we will not be involved in a relegation scrap next year and, to be honest, I will be happy with that. My advice to West Ham fans: manage your expectations!
Jonathan Spector – the thing is, yes he is a very very poor defender and he has no place at West Ham!
But…….what people seem to forge tis that he is constantly playing out of postion, his natural defensive position is right back and he is constantly shoved into the center.
Also what a LOT of people don't realise is that he actually started his career as a striker! – I have no idea what he was like as a forward but he can't have been any worse than he is a defender.
I think if he was to sign for a foreign (Spain or Greek etc…) club as a right back he might actually come into his own.
There is a reason Spector didn't see the field in the WC, he can come back to Chicago and play for the Fire, I'm sure they'll sell a few more tickets for the "hometown boy"
To be honest with you, I don't know why he doesn't play back home! he is much better suited to USA's style of football.
i agree, the one thing he did show last season was commitment and determination, somethign that wasn't shown by some of the other players last year.
if he used to play as striker then we should definatly experiment with him there. if he turns out to be a player then that would solve our striker crisis. its not the first time we've used a defender upfront, rememember glenn roeder with ian pearce…
I Think his striker days were a long long time ago mate! Alsthough saying that I think It was Alex Ferguson that transfered him in as a striker so he must have seen somethning in him! Fergie is no mug!
He has some goalscoring ability because he scored an own goal last year!
With regards to Remy, I heard a story this morning about another Prem club goin in the chase for him (apparently a big club) and i have now just noticed Eduardo may be leaving Arsenal for Shaktar as of this afternoon, i wonder if this is the mysterious club!
Wouldn't be the first time Mr Arrogant has signed a young, up and coming French lad! BUT…….he has just signed Chamkha so not too sure he woudl need another striker, even if Eduado does leave they will stilll have Chamkha, Van Persie, Bentner, Vela and Wallcott.
i dont think he likes bendtner matt. after his shambles last season i think he'll be on his way. knowing the amount of strikers we've been linked to we'll probably end up with him! and i dont think you can call walcott a forward, if you are then you would probably put him as an attacking winger, like ronaldo at utd
I personally wouldn't call Wallcott a striker either but he is listed on the Gunners website as one so he must be! lol
I wouldn't mind Bendtner! He's not prolific but he can hit the net!
My problem with Bendtner is, he can hit the net but he has also shown us a lot that he can't, I would worry in a team that doesn't make too many chances, or as many as a team like arsenal where most of the time he is simply presented the ball in a good position, he would show his real colours and be a very very average player!
True true true but maybe just behind Cole and Piquionne or Remy (Or keane or Pav) he might be able to make use of the ball a bit more?
lol well lets hope so, if we do ever look like buying him!!
'An ageing, out of sorts centre half isn’t exactly what West Ham should be focusing on right now'
Reese i think that sums up Upson more than it does Campbell. Campbell wouldnt be a great signing but he wouldnt be a bad signing. Our defence needs organisation, something Campbell is expert at and he's a natural leader. And he's a damn sight better than the other centre backs we've been linked with.
Even though I'm not Campbells biggest fan and he's nearing his pension, I'd have him over Upson any day of the week!
Matt i dont think Spector will be at the club for much longer. Zola has stated that he wants to get back into management soon and i have no doubt that once he does Spector will be his first signing.
Lol – his biggest fan
Sorry that should have said ONLY fan! lol
I heard Zola was devastated when Spector didn't win Hammer of the Year.
Spector was nothing short of a super sub last season, every time he came on a goal was scored!
Maybe that's why we lost so many games? Zola didn't actually realise that that we had to shoot the 'other' end! lol
LOOOOOOOOOL
Hope so.
Instead paying him sum of money for the remainder of his contract before he was sacked by Davids.
He could get Spector for free as compensation.
Now everybody should be happy with that idea!
Glad to hear Vuvuzelas have been banned from Upton Park plastic instrument which produces a plastic atmosphere…..wait a second plastic atmosphere?! Chelsea will be giving them away for free then!
on another note. When i read all the names of the people we're linked with i cant help but think none of them are coming to us. But thats not to say we wont sign anyone else. I wouldnt mind betting Grant has a few up his sleeve.
Would anyone take back Bellamy? Personally i love him! his commitment is second to none and since he left he has tried very hard to quash the rumours that he went on strike. Even going so far as to say he learned to love football again at West Ham. If we're willing to pay 12 for Remy why not 10 for the raving nutter who will hit you with a putter!
Bellamy – My head says in a heart beat but my heart saysdon't touch him!
Who's to say that Spuds won't fancy him again in a year's time and he'll be off again!
As much as I'd love him at UP, I think we need to stay well clear!
completely agree fella! we lost a big part of our team when he left. he has said in a press conference when he signed for man city that he left west ham on the best personal terms he has ever left any club. he breathes passoin and is dynamite in the box! i agree also that the proposed money we are spending on remy should definatly be spent on bringing him back!
I've never know Bellamy to have two good words about any other club he's played for (and theres been a few). But he went well out of his way to talk up west ham. I'm glad he didn't feature against us at the end of the season because I genuinely don't want him to be booed.
I reckon he could end up at spurs but I wouldn't mind betting the stumbling block for any club now is his wages.
I remember the goal he scored against Chelsea two years ago at the bridge….what a game!
Said it before and I’ll say it again – we are about to enter a new season with the same defence that got us into the relegation battle. Neither Spector nor Faubert are good enough to handle fast wingers/wing backs and teams that like to attack from wide. If Ilunga comes back and plays as well as he did the season before last we should be ok with Deprela for cover. Upson as captain doesn’t do enough to organise the defence properly and just isn’t good enough as several games last season and the World Cup showed clearly. So we don’t need more strikers, we need at least one centre back (unless Gabbidon can play a full season) and a right back. And we can happily say goodbye to Diamanti and Kovac. I never rated Kovac first time around and last season did nothing to change my view. Diamanti has flashes of brilliance but too often gives the ball away in midfield – you can’t afford to lose posessesion as many times as he does.
I cant help but think Ben Haim will be signed soon, what for i dont know because he surely cant be much better than Tomkins?!?! I also think an unknown striker in the diamanti/di michele mold will be signed before the season starts but because City poached our Italian scout this week i believe this may not happen. It looks like he club want to make a marquee siging before the window shuts but i doubt this will happen as no one really wants to come to us! Even Ben Haim is holding us to ransom!
I bet he's not! lol!
a new headline in news now has just stated that ben haim has failed his medical
THERE IS A GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Where did you hear this great news if its true? Im getting happy now
the west ham process
I was just about to post this! This brightened up my bad day at work no end
AV IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
it would probably explain why it went all quiet on the Ben Haim front
Ben Haim has indeed failed his medical on the groin injury he suiffered that kept himout of the last part of last season.
Not too fussed really! I would have welcomed him but if he deosn't come, its all good
For anyone who's interested in Tal Ben Haim's failed medical:
http://westhamprocess.footballunited.com/2010/07/…
Nice to see Hitz has made it back into the Germany squad for their upcoming friendly against Germany!
Another international playing for us
germany v germany…that cant be right?
It's right mate! Apparently germany did so well in the world cup that no one else will play them now! lol
I meant to say Upcoming game against Denmark! lol
Excellent!!! no Haim yipee!!!!!!!
Rather play tommo than that donkey!!!!
Guess we're in for Campbell now!!!!LOL
Blackpool becomes the first team to ALLOW the vuvuzelas
and they are encouraging it too.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/footba…
cant see many away fans going to thier ground this season then. that probably means their home games are going to be like a couldron!
We need a right back as much as a centre back, Faubert put in some good performances last year but I think he would be better in right midfield going forward and putting the crosses in for Cole.
Talking about £12m players is fun and I want to give the Davids a chance but I just have this nagging feeling that we will come out of this transfer window having made a nice profit on players that will go towards cutting the debts. Not a bad thing in itself as long as we also end up with a stronger squad.
Too right HippoHammer. We need a defence minded Right Back for sure.
Luke Young?
my thinking exactly! apparently he's also an hammers supporter, can't be too bad can it!
To be fair to the davids they actually said at the end of the season that they would be bringing people in but they were looking to net spend. so what ever we spend they are going to look to recoup.
so i wouldnt be surprised either if they end up making money. its going to be another tight season at the bottom.
Is Reece Bateman Celtic?
did you read anything about the owners dragging us down for the inside? can't be. i like celtic as much as the next bloke but he has got a moaning side to him that could make you down your guiness in 10 seconds flat!
It doesnt read like a Celtic post but i remember Ian saying he wanted more people to post and he mentioned that he'd like celtic to get on board
Iain doesn't like Celtic so I doubt it mate
Nah – no digs at SuGo! my guess is that Reece Bateman is, in fact, Reece Bateman. Who he is remains a mystery.
Well I hope that Avram Grant has seen the light.
If you look at the game against the german team ( Tomkins played right back) and (I don,t know what position Faubert played) when Benni scored he (Faubert) gave the cross for the goal with Tomkins playing at right back.
Maybe that,s a sign of things to come when Faubert will hopefully will be playing in further up the field with Tomkins behind him.
The team looks better that way.
Who is Reece Bateman?! I will not sleep till i found out!
REECE BATEMAN REVEAL YOURSELF!!!!
S.J. Chandos's alter ego?
It's Mr and Mrs Bateman's son and Master Bateman's dad!
I know who Jason Bateman is if that helps? lol
This is him
http://www.facebook.com/reece.bateman
now i can sleep
You're welcome!
You do know though that that's probably NOT him! lol
It might be though!
lol
glad tomkins got a go at playing right back, i was only saying the other day i didnt think he was good enough to play center back in the prem and mayb he should get a chance at right back as he has alot of pace, hopefuly he gets a few more games playing right back and mayb give faubert a go in his natural position. faubert was ok last season but he was always prone to a mistake or 2 as he aint a natural defender. i'd love tomkins to solve our right back position.
hello mate its good that he's trying a different position but pace is something Tomkins lacks. which is a real shame because he has a lot of great attributes. He needs to play along side someone who will organise him better. and perhaps he would look better with a partner with pace.
Tomkins and Upson together are just too slow and were exposed too many times last year.
I have no idea who Reece Bateman is either, but if he thinks signing Sol Campbell is a retrograde step then he knows little about the game of football.
Campbell was Arsenal's best player at the tail end of last season whereas Upson was an embarrassment, not just as captain, but as a player.
The Jewish Chronicle have retracted the failed fitness test on Ben-Haim according to the West Ham process