Former England midfielder Danny Murphy has claimed that West Ham United need to overhaul their squad this summer if they manage to say in the Premier League.
Indeed, in his column for the London Evening Standard, Murphy wrote that Marko Arnautovic, Mark Noble, Declan Rice, Josh Cullen and Manuel Lanzini are the only five players that should be sure of their future at the club next season.
It is quite a statement from the former Liverpool midfielder, and unless West Ham are preparing to downsize to a five-a-side team then they might have some problems next term.
The West Ham fans, who have also recently reacted to reports of a possible takeover, have been discussing Murphy’s comments, and have indeed been offering their own opinions when it comes to which players should stay at the club this summer.
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There is expected to be a turnaround in terms of personnel, but whether David Moyes has the chance to change the squad remains to be seen.
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Some of the Twitter reaction from the West Ham fans to Murphy’s column can be seen below:
Mexico international Guillermo Franco has confirmed that he has played his last game in a West Ham United shirt.
The 33-year-old scored his country's consolation goal in Monday's 3-1 defeat to England at Wembley before limping out of the action with a sprained toe.
Franco expects to be fit enough to represent his country in South Africa but admits he is unsure where he will be playing his club football next term.
"I don't know where I'll be next season. West Ham told me 'Bye bye' so I won't be with West Ham next season," he admitted."Now my focus is on the international team and the World Cup and then I'll think about next season.
"Of course I enjoyed my time at West Ham. The supporters and the people were fantastic. I very much enjoyed my year in West Ham, but now it's finished and this is football."
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Franco scored five goals in 16 starts and seven substitute appearances for the Hammers in the season just ended.Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
I’m sad today. The match against Portugal didn’t solve anything. We’ve tied Sven up and Didier is in charge in the meantime. But something occurred in the changing room that I didn’t anticipate – and I haven’t mentioned it to anyone since. I found a note addressed to me in my training bag: it was from William.
Dear Manu,
Everywhere I turn I see the face of an enemy staring at me. The output is never understood by the actor; only the method is clear. So I continue to play to a blind audience. These fools…it’s pathetic. I’m desensitised. They train because they think it will make them better. Better at what? Football is an illusion. And to get better at an illusion is to continually poke the eye of a blind man and expect him to see. No, training is only conditioning. It is conditioning us to the whims of a dictator, to the ideals of personal and imaginative limitations, and I will not allow it. Conditioning is suffocating. And suffocating is death. I don’t want to die yet. There’s still so much to see: Buxton in the summertime to search for the box Andy Dufresne left buried under dirt and stones. And Denzel in a West End musical biopic of my life…yes, there’s so much left to see.
I find this ritual a bore: all of this training, communicating, eating, and sleeping – it’s all overrated. It’s suffocating. A postman only needs his letters. A philosopher only needs his mind. I only need a blank canvas and three colours to communicate my message to the masses. But Arsene expects my mural to be finished with only a brush and no paints. And Raymond, well, he cuts my hands off and blindfolds me with my obtuse compatriots to substitute as stunted senses. Franck is the stupidest person I have ever come across in my entire life. Yesterday I asked him of the implications of identifying with Milton’s Satan instead of God and he answered me by lighting three matches using only his left retina. How can I work in these conditions?
The only solace I find is that my importance isn’t lost with people like you and everyone else at Arsenal. I’m indispensable. Each of those players looks to me as their leader; sometimes even a father. I remember after the match against Birmingham how Gael and Theo began to look at me differently. They couldn’t approach me anymore…they were in awe of me. They respected me even more than before. In fact, the whole team couldn’t make eye contact with me, or talk to me, for 7 months after the incident. Even Arsene took me aside – awestruck – and asked if I could relinquish the Captaincy. I understood why: I had been elevated above the standards of these young men and they couldn’t relate to me as an equal. If there’s one thing I learned from The Dark Knight it’s that, sometimes, not being the hero is the most heroic of actions.
Uruguay did not test us French. Sometimes in matches I let the ball drift over my head when I can easily clear it just to see what happens. Chaos is the brother of a thinking man. As far as I’m concerned France defeated Uruguay. The score hardly matters. Goals are just clowns without makeup – they’re inconsequential; fodder for those who haven’t got an imagination. I feel sorry for all of these people who come to packed stadia just to see me do something I hate. I would be happiest if no one came to watch…if the people had all realised they have a better way to spend their Sunday afternoons. Loving their wives perhaps. Writing their memoirs maybe. Or just building a house. I would be happiest playing football in an empty stadium, alone. Because, as Nietzsche said, ‘those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music.’ I have always danced and I have never heard any music.
Yours faithfully
Alonzo
William
I have no idea how he found my bag. Why me? It must have been that stupid screenplay fiasco! I will need to warn security at the hotel about him. This is just like what happened with Kolo – I better not tell him that Willie’s back.
[Please note that this is a spoof series and doesn’t represent the genuine views of Emmanuel Eboue or William Gallas]
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Click image below to see a gallery of the Dutch babes at the World Cup
UNAM Pumas have hinted that West Ham United are winning the race to sign winger Pablo Barrera.
Everton and Espanyol are also being linked with the 23-year-old who made three substitute appearances for Mexico during this summer's World Cup in South Africa.
Reports in Mexico claim that the best offer is from the Hammers, although the Pumas' director of sport Mario Trejo is refusing to confirm any deal just yet.
He said:"We don't want to be making announcements when it's not the correct moment. When everything is OK we will make an announcement. It's very possible that between Thursday and Friday we will have something more serious to say.
"If there is an important announcement to be made, the president will be in charge of letting everyone know.
"I must admit that after analysing the offers of Espanyol, West Ham and Everton, there is one that has convinced us more than the rest.
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"We can't talk too much about it because then everything gets complicated and, as we are very near to reaching an agreement, we don't want to spoil the negotiations."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has no interest in bringing France international Yoann Gourcuff to the Emirates Stadium.
The Bordeaux star, who has also been linked with Lyon, is admired by Wenger although the Gunners boss is happy with his current midfield options.
Wenger told Telefoot: "We are not interested (in Gourcuff) and we were never contacted. He's a player I like a lot, but we are sufficiently covered in midfield."
Gourcuff was part of the Les Bleus squad that performed so pitifully in the World Cup finals in South Africa last month.
He started the game against Uruguay and the tournament hosts, although he was sent off against South Africa, as Raymond Domenech's side failed to progress from the group stages.
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The ex-Rennes and AC Milan player has featured in 81 games for Bordeaux in the last two seasons, finding the net 21 times.Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
With the new Football League season having kicked off at the weekend and the Premier League hot on its heels, football fans and betting aficionados will have two main options when it comes to following Saturday’s developments on television. Sky’s Soccer Saturday and the BBC’s Final Score are both shows which preview the day’s action before making use of videprinters and punditry to keep you updated with all the goals and developments across the leagues. But who reigns supreme in the peculiar concept of producing second hand football?
The image of Soccer Saturday as the wealthier relation has been enhanced by the decision to broadcast the show in HD. It is an impressive set worthy of such digital clarity, boasting florescent lights and logos. The smart, clean appearance of the set extends to the host Jeff Stelling and his regular panel of pundits, of varying ability, who will all be suited. This should not give the lasting impression of a stilted atmosphere as the Countdown host will break the ice with a well-timed pun or a self deprecating swipe at his beloved Hartlepool. Jeff Stelling is the clear selling point of this six hour marathon show. He is a consummate professional and his knowledge of the game including the most obscure statistics is unrivalled. As is his ability to plough through all the goals with a speed, accuracy and consistency which borders on the autistic. His delivery and pitch adds to the drama, captivating the audience. Expect more humour from the in-house pundits usually consisting of Paul Merson, Matt Le Tissier, Phil Thompson and Charlie Nicholas. They enjoy some friendly banter whilst making their predictions and opine about who is ‘different class’ this year. Just don’t anticipate perfect pronunciations of Laurent Koscielny or Diniyar Bilyaletdinov.
However do not expect much better from the dozens of pitch side reporters either. Dean Windass who used to struggle with his feet now does so with his words as an eventful match will overwhelm him. That sensation is well-known to Chris ‘unbelievable Jeff’ Kamara who habitually fails to distinguish between red cards and substitutions. Such comedic interludes can come as welcome relief once your betting selections have gone awry. The show is never at risk of descending into farce as Stelling jovially keeps order whilst correlating results from umpteen divisions even down to goal difference.
It is a rather more low-budget, cosy affair as you switch your attentions to the Beeb’s Final Score. Greeted by Gabby Logan or Mark ‘Chappers’ Chapman with a few pundits stationed on a curved sofa, the dress code is firmly smart casual. A headache inducing screen-saver background constantly displays the names of sides throughout the Football League. As the presenter zips through all the developments on the videprinter the pundits are concentrating on the Premier League action. This is Final Score’s distinct difference from its rival where their studio pundits focus on a game each. Garth Crooks and journeyman Steve Claridge keep you abreast of every Premier League game in tandem. As they cast their scrutinising eyes across the top division there is greater opportunity for debate and disagreements. Whilst it is usually cordial, the opinionated Crooks and Claridge will occasionally ruffle the less forthright Lee Dixon and Mark Bright. Disagreements were in abundance when Carlton Palmer used to appear alongside Crooks and events such as Adebayor’s provocative goal celebration polarised opinion brilliantly.
Final Score purports to provide comprehensive coverage of all teams across the division, sending out twenty reporters to football grounds on a Saturday. Double that and you may start to get close to Soccer Saturday’s output. Live cameras and a reporter were even in attendance for Stevenage’s encounter with Macclesfield at the weekend. Despite Sky’s greater financial investment in their football results show it is Stelling’s continued presence which secures their advantage. The ease, skill and speed at which he updates the viewer is astonishing. It just may be worth checking to see if Garth Crooks is having one of his days on Final Score though.
With the PL season nearly upon us, let’s see the WAGS that will be keeping the players on their toes. Click on image to VIEW gallery
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Stoke City boss Tony Pulis has played down suggestions that he would be interested in taking on the Wales manager's job.
Current national team boss John Toshack is expected to announce his resignation, after six years in charge, while Pulis was born in Newport and has been linked with the post in the past.
However, the 52-year-old does not think now is the right time for him to take the role on, although he has not ruled out the possibility in the future.
When asked about the job, he replied:"It is worth it? One day, if someone offered me the job it would be a great honour to manage my country.
"But to work in such an intense situation as a manager of a Premier League club, where every day there are new things to do, and then to take it away from you at the age I am I'm not sure it's for me.
"I think John Toshack has done a smashing job in respect of bringing young players through.
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"A lot of good young players have been integrated and they now have quite a bit of experience at international level so there will be a time when someone will slip into that job and it will be a good job.
"Whoever takes over there are some good players in Wales and, if you can get a good start and a few results, the confidence will come back."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Whilst on a European trip, the team met a group of local children suffering from cancer. Presents were given out, photos taken, autographs signed. On a pre-season tour, time was spent with local children at a school that had a rooftop pitch bought by the club, saving the children endless trips across the city to play football, a move that reduced the headmaster to tears.
The club backs a charity that promotes facilities for children with disabilities to exercise together. It has also raised money for children with autism and learning difficulties. Its five chosen charities this season received up to £25,000 each to help reach their aims.
One player recently explained on the club website about his work in The Congo with orphaned and abandoned children. The club’s senior goalkeeper has an annual charity fundraiser with his wife in aid of cancer charities. This is not a PR stunt for one football club, my football club, the one that have killed football, the one that sent a wreath to my friend‘s funeral a couple of months ago. Didier Drogba campaigns on health issues in his home city of Abidjan, and intends to build a hospital as the first major project for his foundation. Many footballers have used their influence to great effect in their home country, whether by sponsoring a charity or by linking their names to a project, but none has ever stopped a country tearing itself apart as many argue Didier Drogba did for Ivory Coast.
Drogba, by requesting that the 2008 African Cup of Nations qualifiers match against Madagascar be played in Bouake, the stronghold of rebel forces, may well have played a pivotal role in bringing about peace in the country.
In 2005, Paul Fletcher wrote an article on the BBC website about the power of football in Africa. He commented on how football has the power to create unity out of division, joy from sadness and bring welcome respite from a continent bursting with life but burdened by problems.
After Senegal reached the quarter-finals of the 2002 World Cup skipper Aliou Cisse reflected: “During the tournament our people lived through some wonderful times, despite the social, economic and political problems in our country.
“During the World Cup there were no more religious or ethnic problems, everyone was pulling in the same direction.”
Months later Cisse lost 12 members of his family in the Joola ferry disaster that killed 1,000 people.
What’s more, football is a source of pleasure and entertainment for millions unable to indulge in leisure pursuits out of the financial reach of many in Africa.
And on and on. Closer to home, Stephen Ireland and many others work closely with the Francis House Children’s Hospice.
Simon Taylor, head of corporate social responsibility at Chelsea once said “every club experiences the same thing that we do, in that their projects are not given the coverage they deserve – but that’s not why we do it.”
Chelsea recently launched the Chelsea Foundation, an independent charity which it estimates already reached more than 800,000 people a season. Chelsea helps to raise more than £1.5m a season for charity. Almost every Premiership club has a foundation, and all have at least one charity partner. Birmingham City for example have a partnership with two cancer trusts, while Arsenal helped raise £820,000 for Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital.
Continued on Page TWO
In 2007, the Premier League launched Creating Chances, an initiative that supports the work clubs do for good causes. Their audit shows the Premier League and its clubs have invested £111.6m into charitable projects over the past three years.
Rob Green climbed Kilimanjaro. Craig Bellamy’s work in Sierra Leone has finally received some coverage, and £650,000 of his own money. Mikael Silvestre set up a foundation that builds schools in impoverished parts of the world. Ryan Giggs is a Unicef UK ambassador. The FA has done extensive work in Africa. And on, and on, and on. I could go on for days listing the good work clubs do – not just the charity work, but how they benefit the wider community. I’m sure you get the picture.
The work I have mentioned is the tip of the iceberg. Merely a grain of sand on a very large beach. In 2007, there were in total 210,867 teams registered in the U.K. This number includes pub teams, Sunday League, etc., but charity drives reach right to the lowest levels. God knows how many professional football clubs there are globally, all an integral part of the community they serve.
But this wouldn’t be a blog of mine without me bringing it round to attacking those nasty journalists. And that’s essentially what made me write this. The normal news is depressing enough – war, famine, global warming, hosepipe bans, Robbie Williams re-joining Take That. Where will it all end?
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Perhaps sport coverage could cheer us up. Here’s a thought – instead of writing knee-jerk reaction columns and made up transfer speculation with huge headlines so that they don’t have to write as much or mention as many unnamed sources, why don’t the likes of Custis, Woolnough, Howard, the other Custis, McDonnell and co. get off their arses, do some actual research, and write just for once about the good side of football, for there is so much good created by football off the pitch. So instead of endless dreary rhetoric about football being dead, of Wayne Rooney HAVING A CIGARETTE, Yaya Toure’s wage details or Peter Crouch’s stag-do itinerary, tell us about the good work going on around the world because of English clubs, tell us more about.
But I guess it isn’t sensationalist to report on a charity set up for refugees in Somalia – so what’s the point eh? You see, one of the many benefits of sport is that it gives vulnerable children a concrete alternative to drugs and violent crime – two issues that Honduras struggles with, where 25,000 children have gone through a successful childrens league, helping them better their lives.
But to be callous, so what, to the man in the street? I mean, there’s a reason I know so much more about Wayne Rooney’s nocturnal activities than Jamie Carragher raising £1 million for charity via his testimonial last week. But do we want to read about charity and good deeds on our morning break, or read about a footballer wrapping his car round a lamp post? I am being naïve of course, in my idealistic little world – people want the second option – to read the sensationalist stuff, and the papers provide the service. As Sir Humphrey Appleby said in Yes Prime Minister…………. “The only way to understand the Press is to remember that they pander to their readers’ prejudices.”
The readers want to see a couple of tits at the front, and read a couple at the back.
But maybe I am doing tabloid readers a disservice – maybe they do want more from the newspaper, and maybe they would embrace more diverse articles, and a bit more depth. And maybe, just maybe, they might actually like to read stuff that’s actually true.
Bolton Wanderers chairman Phil Gartside believes Owen Coyle is good enough to succeed in one of the game's top jobs.
Coyle has guided Wanderers to just one defeat in their first seven matches of the campaign after earlier in his career presiding over Burnley's unlikely promotion to the Premier League.
Gartside admitted:"Working with Owen is a pleasure. He's different to what we've had before. He's a young manager who wants to learn and I'm sure we'll have many years together. He's a good guy to work with.
"If he did get those kinds of accolades, then it means he's done really well at Bolton. I hope he does really well and, in five years' time, people are talking about him for other jobs because that means he's done really well with us.
"Owen deserves success because he's a hard-working guy who wants to learn and, if he thinks there's somewhere beyond here, not forgetting he turned Celtic down to come to Bolton, I still think we've got a number of years before he takes over at Barcelona or Real Madrid.
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"He could win championships every year with them but I think we're a long way from that."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Arsenal supporters no doubt have that miserable day back in February 2008 when they were pegged back by a 10-men Birmingham City team at St. Andrews still etched into their collective memories. They will remember this day because it proved to be the impetus for their own collapse. It was the moment that their title challenge came to an end. It was the moment William Gallas proved himself unworthy of the Arsenal captaincy, and, most tragic of all: it was almost the end of Eduardo da Silva’s footballing career.
It was a Birmingham City defender, Martin Taylor whose wild lunge left Eduardo prostrate on the St. Andrews turf. Taylor’s challenge did more than break Eduardo’s shin, ankle and fibula. It also sparked a media-frenzy – there were those who berated the current state of football, whereby teams lower down the table would attempt to stop the teams near the top by kicking them into submission and there were also those who came out in defence of City’s contentious defender. But no amount of pundits chiming in that, “He’s not that kind of player” could cheer up poor old Eduardo and the weary Arsenal fans who have seen similar career-threatening injuries occur to both Diaby and their prodigious young Welshman Aaron Ramsey.
I’m not here to claim that Taylor deliberately set out to hurt Eduardo. Taylor’s tackle was reckless, not calculated. Yet this one reckless moment has had a devastating effect on one man’s career. Prior to his injury Eduardo had a conversion rate of 23.5% in the Premiership. When he returned this dropped to below 7%. Eduardo’s career ended with a whimper – he was never quite able to recover his pace or his natural strikers instinct. Eduardo’s final days at Arsenal played out like a sad reminder of a talent spurned and an opportunity missed, for both Eduardo and for Arsenal. On July 2010 Eduardo left Arsenal to join the Ukrainian champions Shakhtar Donetsk.
Eduardo’s in the news again, of course, because Arsenal are set to meet Shakhtar Donetsk tonight in the Champion’s League. Speaking of the encounter, Eduardo told the Telegraph, “If I play it will be very emotional,” said Eduardo. “If I score, I don’t think I will celebrate. It wasn’t my fault I broke my leg, but it’s true to say that moment changed my sporting career.” It’s sure to be emotional for Arsenal fans too, who will feel as though they have been deprived of a real quality player – one with the talent and the will-power to help them challenge for the titles. It’s been a long road back for Eduardo from his injury hell and I’m sure there’s not a football fan out there that doesn’t wish him the best. I thought I’d leave you with this, one of the most sublime finishes to be seen in the Premiership for the last couple of years and a reminder of just how talented this lad is:
[youtube -cezCR_BtHs]
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