Forum | Non-Football Related
who is telling porkies?
Forums:
Times journalist Henry Winter and Daily Mail journalist Mike Keegan have both published a statement reported to be from Philip Beard who was linked to a Wets Ham takeover attempt in February.
Winter says “Philip Beard of Pai Capital on his consortium’s bid for West Ham…says “David Sullivan was provided with a proof of funds” and consortium remains “committed to pursuing opportunities to purchase the club”. Keegan adds “Response from Philip Beard and the consortium trying to buy West Ham to David Sullivan’s odd statement after Daily Mail story last week that a bid had been turned down from the club. Say proof of funds was provided and asking price was met.”
The statement alleged to originate from Philip Beard reads “It is not my intention to engage in a public debate on the comments made by David Sullivan last week, but upon advice, it is necessary to correct unhelpful and inaccurate statements.
The current owners of West Ham United made a controversial commercial decision to move the club from its historic home at Upton Park to the London Stadium in Stratford. In my assessment, ad that of the consortium that I represent, that is move is not fulfiling the needs of the club, its loyal fanbase or the local community. There is a lot that can and should b done to improve the experience for all fans and visitors to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. There is also a duty which we all share to the British taxpayer and to our Olympic legacy as Londerers – and ours is a London-based consortium.
In response to the David Sullivan comments about the nature and value of the bid put forward by the consortium, I can confirm that a formal bid was made which in fact the figure David Sullivan had initially asked for. Our City lawyers were instructed and David Sullivan was provided with a proof of funds.
We remain committed to pursuing opportunities to purchase the club, the London Stadium, and its place within the Olympic Park as a whole. It is backed by prominent personalities in sport, as well as West Ham legends who love the club and want to play a role in its development. We wholeheartedly welcome their support and hope that we will, together have the oppotunity to deliver the project that we have planned.
This is a once in a lifetime oppotunity to build West Ham United into a Londerers’ club of global importance, as a key part of the broader legacy being delivered at Queen Elizabeth park. The fans of London deserve this.
Philip Beard
Partner
Pai Capital”
Shall we have a poll Nev!
yeah i copied and pasted it from that frightfull site so real West Ham fans can read and ponder.
Realistic Targets Begin To Emerge
As we discussed in yesterday's It's All Falling Into Place-Hammers Signings Update. West Ham are only a few players short of having a decent, if still painfully thin squad, one that will need to be padded out with a mixture of youth players and loanees in order for David Moyes to perform his 'loaves and fishes' magic with his woefully inadequate transfer kitty.
Real progress IS being made behind the scenes, the potential signings available and within budget are limited, but the fiscal fall out due to the Covid pandemic has reached so far and wide, that a combination of players with exciting potential and those who are already established are available.
IF Abdullah Sima and Matheus Pereira are signed, and we admit that is a rather large IF, then their arrival could be backed up by a couple of incredibly good value loan signings. The need for large scale reinforcements was made abundantly clear with the injury to Angelo Ogbonna after only 5 minutes in the friendly against Celtic.
The mighty FC Barcelona are currently experiencing the perfect storm financially, their plight makes West Ham's look relatively insignificant, despite the huge value of their squad, on paper! However if you factor in their wage commitments and player amortisation, they are in dreadful peril of going under! Lionel Messi's club HAVE to sell, loan out or release a whole raft of players just to be able to tread water.
So it comes as no surprise that West Ham have made an approach for Barcelona's 26 year old centre back Clement Lenglet. According to 'respected' Spanish news outlet Sport, Lenglet, who earned his 13th international cap at Euro 2020 earlier this summer playing for France, is the subject of huge interest from Premier League clubs West Ham and Everton, with talk being of a loan deal with a commitment to buy.
Paradoxically, PSG are on the flip side of poverty, but still have to cope with squad restraints that even they cannot cheat their way out of! So in order to comply with the regulations they are willing to negotiate the exit of their 3rd choice goal keeper Alphonse Areola. The French club would prefer a straight transfer as opposed to a loan deal, but West Ham are pushing for a loan to buy deal.
If these two players can be enticed to the London Stadium in addition to Abdullah Sima and Matheus Pereira, then the first team just needs to add another left back and central midfielder to at least resemble a team capable of taking on the Barclays Premier League for the new season.
Unfortunately that will be that, because without serious further investment in the squad, IN ADDITION to that we have already mentioned, any hopes of progressing past the group stages of the Europa League will be over before they have a chance to begin.
It should be remembered that the winners of the competition qualify for the Champions League and that realistically Hammers will NOT be able to mount a top four challenge next season, in fact some are saying just surviving in the Barclays Premier League with the current lack of investment in the squad would be an achievement in itself! - Ed
So What happened To Moyes' Young And Keen?
Perhaps it is the grim reality of how little there is in the Hammers transfer kitty that some of David Moyes' recently purported transfer targets do NOT fit into his young, fit, hungry and lean player template. Interest in 28 year old perennially injured Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain along with 30 year old Jens Stryger Larsen, who has been strongly linked with a move to the London Stadium from Udinese, will hardly inspire fans in the run up to the new season.
The negativity surrounding transfer issues being further compounded by reported other interest in 29 year old injury prone Phil Jones on a free transfer from Manchester United, there is also interest in ex Middlesbrough failure Martin Braithwaite!
On the plus side, the youth players continue to impress, but throwing them in at the deep end could have catastrophic short and long term consequences. The need for an additional centre back has now become even more acute, having foolishly let Faban Balbiuena run down his contract and depart the club, David Moyes now finds himself with only Craig Dawson and Issa Diop as fit first team players.
The club are anxiously awaiting the results of a scan undergone by Angelo Ogbonna, the prospects of which aren't encouraging, in addition reserve centre back Winston Reid picked up a knee injury in New Zealand’s 3-2 loss to Honduras at the Olympics and is likely to miss the rest of the tournament before returning to the London Stadium, injured yet again!
It's hard to be positive at this moment in time, it appears Hammers credit cards are all 'maxed out' and they can barely afford their minimum payments, this is going to be a hard season full of what might have beens. - Ed
It's All Falling Into Place-Hammers Signings Update!
Fans relentless viewing of media snippets regarding player acquisitions will become more acute as the impending opening fixtures of the Barclays Premier League loom large. West Ham, along with several other top six clubs, appear to have done next to nothing about signing players and the 'natives' are understandably getting restless!Well, there appears to be a little bit of light glimmering at the end of the tunnel for fans' hopes, in fact a couple of glimmers. Having apparently gone cold on their interest in Slavia Prague''s Abdallah Sima, Hammers negotiating team have re-opened negotiations with the club that they have already established a good working relationship with. David Moyes is believed to have 'pushed the button' as a result of Chelsea's intransigent valuation of his prime striker target Tammy Abraham.
Abdallah Sima missed Slavia Prague’s clash with FC Fastav Zlin amid claims that West Ham are about to table a bid, the Irons had initially been put off by Slavia's sky high valuation, a figure reached possibly as a result of the club seeing just how well and what 'extremely good value' both Tomas Soucek and Vladimir Coufal have been since their move to the Barclays Premier League,
Slavia probably felt they had under valued their players and as a consequence hyper inflated Sima's price tag, it is their right to place whatever value they wish on their players, however if they do need to sell, but were hoping to pump up the value, their plan has back fired.They assumed there would be interest throughout Europe for an attacker who can play in a variety of positions up front and is capable of playing as a central striker, as well as both a right and a left winger.
Slavia have just signed Ivan Schranz from FK Jablonec on a three year deal, they do not have the luxury of being able to afford a surfeit of forwards, if you thought the Covid pandemic had made clubs catch a cold domestically, then looking at the fall out in Europe you would have to say clubs in the East and in France are having a bout of pneumonia threatening to lead to pleurisy!
Slavia’s president Jaroslav Tvrdik has confirmed that Sima could leave this summer and has made the claim that Hammers remain keen on striking a deal before the transfer window closes, he is quoted as saying "With the arrival of Ivan Schranz we have acquired an attacking player who can play four positions in our system."
When questioned further regarding a possible deal to take Sima to the London Stadium, Tvrdik became slightly recalcitrant, he did however say it would be 'nice' if Sima could link up with his former team mates, "they would make him feel welcome, which is very important if you are switching Leagues and continents".
Of course as this transfer involves money 'empty bags' West Ham, there is a problem which is a stumbling block, but one that it is hoped can be overcome, namely the structure of the deal. Unsurprisingly Hammers want to take Sima on loan for a fee, with an option to buy. Slavia on the other hand, would obviously prefer to negotiate a permanent transfer, however given the good relationship between the clubs, if anyone can, West Ham can!
We have also just heard encouraging news with regards to the opening of negotiations for Matheus Pereira from West Brom, what gives this story legs is the fact that the cash strapped Baggies still owe West Ham a fair chunk of change from the Grady Diangana sale, this deal could work out well for all parties, the stumbling block on this one will be West Bom's valuation of Matheus Pereira, they will bear in mind the 'top dollar' they paid for Diangana.
Hopefully these deals will be in place ahead of the Betway Cup fixture against Altalanta that precedes the beginning of the season, but the nature of the transfer window is such that deals transacted by 'smaller' clubs tend to be done after the bigger clubs have completed their business, thus freeing up players for the final day transfer merry go round, it's enough to turn you to drink isn't? - Ed
"Nothing close to happening on transfer front" Moyes words
Forums:
Thats heartening isn't it...Nothing close to happening? wtf have the club been doing this summer then it would seem nothing at all....now is this because of the lack of talent out there or the lack of funds or is it Moyes just not making his mind up as to what he wants because he and the club had best pull there fingers out sharpish otherwise last seasons superb effort by the players will all be for nothing......What happened to we want to get our business done before the Euros Moyes? and then having a jolly watching it whilst being paid i presume by the euros organisers....and as i write this an earworms started singing..There maybe trouble ahead!
Superhammerswerefantasticcelticwereatrocious!
Many apologies to Celtic supporters for using a headline which will bring back painful memories of THAT night against Caledonian Thistle. This afternoon they filled as many seats as they were allowed for the friendly in the Sun against old boy, David Moyes's West Ham.Were West Ham that good, or were Celtic that bad? The answer probably lies somewhere in the middle. The fixture was part of Celtic's preparations for their crunch midweek Champions League qualifier against FC Midtjylland, but the game didn't go as planned at Parkhead.
Celtic put on a show for the first 20 minutes, Hoops skipper Callum McGregor curled in an early opener to give the home crowd a lift, but Michail Antonio absolutely bullied Celtic's young defenders, scoring a quick-fire brace before earning the penalty, captain for the day Mark Noble netted from the spot.
Celtic started the second half brightly, just as they had in the first, Ryan Christie pulled a goal back for Ange Postecoglou's side five minutes after the break courtesy of a dreadful mistake by Darren Randolph who had replaced Fabianski for the second half. It was however just a temporary blip, as Said Benrahma replied with a picture perfect goal that saw him put both goalkeeper and defender on their backsides before slotting home. Jarrod Bowen then followed Benrahma's goal with a finish of absolute beauty having been given a superb pass by the Algerian International.
Celtic then made 10 substitutions, David Moyes waited before Jarrod Bowen was replaced by substitute Armstrong Okoflex, signed from Celtic this summer, he scored against his old club with five minutes remaining, as if to rub salt in Celtic's wounds, he hardly celebrated. One fly in the ointment for Moyes was that he was forced to bring on Issa Diop to replace Angelo Ogbonna, who worryingly limped off injured, just before McGregor was gifted the ball by Manuel Lanzini , promptly guiding a shot from the edge of the box past Lukasz Fabianski.
West Ham : Fabianski (Randolph 46), Fredericks, Dawson (Alves 77), Ogbonna, Cresswell, Noble, Lanzini (Coventry 66), Bowen (Holland 87), Fornals (Forson 87) Benrahma (Oko-Flex 77), Antonio (Johnson 72)
Goals: Antonio 23, 32, Benrahma 54, Bowen 74, Oko-Flex 85The Celtic players looked shocked by the end, their minds clearly on the huge game they face in midweek. As the commentators said at the end of the game, their (Celtic) fans can only dream of the amount of money West Ham have spent on players.
The gulf between the Scottish Premier League and The Barclays Premier League was clearly shown today, it did also illustrate that while things are far, far from perfect at West Ham, they could be an awful lot worse, just take a look at Celtic's fall from grace and Rangers as well, back in the day both Glasgow clubs could attract players like Gazza and Henrik Larsson, not forgetting Hammers own, Paolo Dicanio! Be careful what you wish for. - Ed
Celtic 2 v 6 West Ham
Forums:
What did we learn? well Scottish football is really shite.....second gear more than enough....but we need reinforcements badly so Moyes get your finger out coz the Beasts hammys will not last....Bennys goal was class two sloppy bits of play gave them there goals otherwise it was a stroll in the Glasgow sunshine yup you read that right sunshine in Glasgow go figure! COYI
Lingard's Silence Deafening!
Manchester United's announcement of Jadon Sancho's signing will be the last opportunity for Jesse Lingard to make his 'should I go, or should I go?' decision. Sancho's arrival will knock Lingard further down the pecking order at Old Trafford, limiting his already sparse chances of playing 1st team football even more.
Manchester have played a canny game with Lingard, their loan deal with West Ham was stacked in their favour and they are reaping the rewards with several clubs now interested in Lingard. Hammers essentially put Lingard in the shop window for the Red Devils and it is now them who benefiting most from the deal.
West Ham did get an inspired spell from Lingard when he arrived, he had a point to prove and his performances reflected that. He did however go off the boil a little after his initial massive impact, we are not in anyway saying he wouldn't be welcome back at the London Stadium, but it is doubtful that he would have such an impact for a full season.
If Jesse comes out publicly stating he wants guaranteed playing time, then he will probably leave Manchester United, unfortunately more than likely to one of Hammers rivals, if he says nothing then he'll be staying at Old Trafford. David Moyes will have been more than painfully aware of the possible outcome of the 'Lingard' affair and will have made contingency plans, possibly in the shape of West Brom's Pereira.
There comes a point where faith alone isn't enough, maybe it really is time to move on from Jesse Lingard, thank him for what he did, and he can thank the club for what it did for him. Another West Ham could have been! - Ed
The most annoying, infuriating, aggravating and disheartening time of year.
Forums:
Every transfer window brings out the worst in many people. The money-grabbing agents, the gullible players, the mischievous antics of club owners. Taking the biscuit the barefaced lying of the journalists. it makes me so angry, all the sh1t we are dealt. West Ham has always been easy pickings for the media, penniless but full of ambition, punching over our weight etc. Our owners now have the opportunity to make something out of our first team after last seasons blinding achievement. As usual, we are being played by every team, agent and player we have an interest in. Lingard, the options, stay at ManU, sit on the bench, and lose out on a place in next years World Cup, Transfer to West Ham, be the first, with Declan Rice to be pencilled on the team sheet every week and get picked for England, it ain't rocket science! Maybe Mr Gold is dragging his feet over Lingard to use it as an excuse for not being able to sign other players. Goalkeeper, do we really need to be looking yet? We have higher priorities. Stricker, if you want a 20-25 goal a season centre forward they are going to have to pay good money for one. Scouring relegated teams and pay over the odds for their players, yea ok. All I can see is a lack of ambition from our board. So sad. Give Rice his new contract & pay rise, I was led to believe that West Ham is going to build the team around him??? Yarmolenko, give him another chance to show how good he is, and what he can do. He is a very good player. We have got some brilliant young'uns coming up through the ranks, Time to blood some of them. We are a few weeks away from the start of the season, the superstars should now be back in training, and our new-look team should by now be starting to gel. It's time for GSB to put their money where their mouths are, build on last season, win a cup, and build again. Otherwise, if they have no ambition for the club, pack their bags!
Pages
