Sky Sports Back-Track on Scaloni Deal

Sky Sports are now quoting West Ham as saying that they have not yet signed Scaloni, but he is one of two players they are pursuing. No bets on the other being Kelley (Spud).

Lionel Scaloni - Player Profile

From a Deportivo-La-Coruna fans site, (sorry more plagairism, but its a busy day)

"Lionel Scaloni has been adding fighting power to Deportivo for seven seasons already, and is nicknamed “The Bull” for that. He’s both an emotional and determined player who has been a popular figure among supporters since he first arrived at Deportivo from Argentinian club Estudiantes in the middle of the 1997/98 season. But Irureta has not been particularly impressed with his performances, as the player never played a full season as a starter.

Scaloni was a member of the Argentina team at the 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship in which he scored the best goal of the tournament, against Brazil in the Quarter Finals. Lionel Scaloni was also the scorer of the last-minute goal which gave Deportivo their first ever victory in the Champions League, when they beat Hamburger SV 2-1 in September 2000.

Scaloni has only been playing between 14 (1999/2000) and 32 (2002/2003) Liga matches per season, indicating that he has problems finding a regular spot in the team. It will make this season important for him as he’s close to the most important phase of his career. He earned his first call up for the Argentine national side in 2002. "

On the web Scaloni is variously described as a defender or a right winger, so I guess he can play in either position. I think that he is/was also Deportiva's club captain depite not being a regular this season.

Lionel Scaloni a Done Deal According to Sky

I have no problems plagairising this from Sky Sports as they seem to have nicked this directly from the Spanish website I mention in the post below.

"West Ham are to sign Deportivo La Coruna star Lionel Scaloni after missing out on Barcelona's Gabri.

The Argentine will join The Hammers on loan until the end of the season, although there will be no option to make the transfer permanent.

Alan Pardew thought he had won the chase for Gabri on Monday, but the player ultimately opted to stay at Camp Nou leaving the West Ham chief to switch his sights to another Liga performer.

Scaloni is club captain at Depor where he has been for eight years, but has found opportunities hard to come by since Joaquin Caparros took charge last summer.

His father confirmed the news Scaloni is now to play the second half of the season in England and, using less than complimentary terms, admitted the move had come as a bolt from the blue for his 27-year-old son.

"Everything is arranged with West Ham," stated Angel Scaloni.

"They confirmed it with us at midday, although we already knew about the negotiations.

"The truth is that is was a not a completely pleasant surprise, but that's football.

"After being here eight years it was just another offer, but the president (Augusto Cesar Lendoiro) was convinced by this particular offer and it satisfies the player on a sporting level as he will have the chance to play.

"He is going on loan with no option to buy as long as there is no change in the conditions of the transfer.

"He was very happy in La Coruna where the people treated him very well, but the life of a professional footballer has these things and he did not have much chance under Caparros at Deportivo.""

OMG another Transfer Rumour

Today on Spanish website Terra.es the father of Argentian right side midfielder/defender Scaloni claimed he had signed a loan deal with West Ham until the end of the season.

The message board of Hammers Mad are also buzzing with the news we have resigned Glen Johnson.

It's going to a busy night for rumours!

Arsenal v West Ham

Arsenal v West Ham

Highbury
Wednesday, 1 February
Kick-off: 2000 GMT

Dean Ashton may start! Ashton apparently has recovered from his groin problem. Roy Carroll may return after overcoming his recurring back injury. Christian Dailly is suspended so the problem at right back grows.

Arsenal are without suspended Cesc Fabregas and Jose Antonio Reyes. Lauren, Ashley Cole, Gael Clichy and Pascal Cygan are all injured. Henry should be back but won't score.

In addition, Emmanuel Eboue, Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Adebayor are away at the African Cup of Nations.


TV: Sky Sports 2 (despite Sky continually saying the game is live tonight - Tue)
Radio: BBC Radio Five Live

Gabri Staying at Barcelona

Gabri is staying at Barcelona. The BBC quote Gabri as saying, "After much consideration, my final decision is to remain at Barca," said the 27-year-old.

Talks between the two parties are thought to have stalled after Gabri rejected West Ham's offer of a short-term contract. The versatile right-sided player had reportedly wanted a three year deal - a deal considered unacceptable by the Hammers due to his recent injury problems.

Spanish newspaper Marca reported earlier today that Gabri is staying at Barcelona. The Babelfish translation of their report reads,

"Gabri, midfield player of Barcelona, has decided to fulfill its contract with the Catalan club and not to file by the West Ham United, equipment that had been interested to take control of its services and that it tried to file it before the term of hiring of players in the winter market finalized."

This seems to suggest that he has not signed a new deal but is remaining at Barcelona until his contract expires in the summer.

Transfer Rumour

It is reported that Gabri is flying to London for a medical at Upton Park tomorrow.

Gabri has been told he must take a 60% pay cut if he wants a new deal at Barca. As he is only now considered a back up player this suggests he should be keen on a move.

Sky Sports are now reporting that Gabri is close to signing a three year deal.

Transfer Rumour

Sky Sports website claims that Gabri did not, "train with his team-mates on Monday, and was instead in the club's Camp Nou offices talking with Barca and West Ham officials.

Transfer Rumour

Barcelona have confirmed that Gabri is hoping to move to the English Premiership soon. West Ham are thought to be club closest to a deal.

Club spokesman Toni Ruiz said today, “The player has informed us of his desire to move to the Premiership in order to have more playing time.”

The Catalan press have linked Gabri with West Ham but Barcelona have refused to confirm whether that was the player’s preferred option. The club have said however that they will not stand in his way if he wants to move. Gabri’s current contract is due to expire in the summer and the club have hinted that they would be willing to let him go on a free transfer.

FA Cup Fifth Round Draw

Bolton vs West Ham

So Bolton away. Oh, the historical significance of this game. The 1923 first Wembley final, 200,000 supporters storming the ramparts of the new Empire Stadium, a horse called Billy etc. The score on such a day was of course completely insignificant.

Does Yossi Want Out?

Both the NoW and Sky Sports have reported an illegal tapping up of Yossi Benayoun. What is more worrying is that Yossi has said he will consider an £8.5 million five-year deal offered by Hapoel Tel Aviv if they approach West Ham properly.

The rumour seems to be true as West Ham managing director Paul Aldridge told the News of the World: "The Fifa rules are clear in respect of speaking with players registered to other clubs. We expect these rules to be adhered to and will act if an illegal approach has been made. There are a number of options available to us and we would need to consider the most appropriate."

Benayoun also confessed that another Israeli side had contacted him about the possibility of a move.

What is most worrying is that Yossi has said he might consider the move. Perhaps like Repka he is homesick. . When he played for the Ajax youth team he did get home sick and leave in the middle of the season to go back to Israel.

Result - FA Cup win against Blackburn

West Ham 4 - 2 Blackburn (2 - 1 at half time)

West Ham Goals
T Sheringham 33 (pen)
M Etherington 37
Z Khizanishvili 59 o.g.
B Zamora 73

Blackburn Goals
D Bentley 1
L Neill 65

Bookings:C Dailly 17

Blackburn took the lead straight from the start. Teddy Sheringham equalised from the penalty spot with a Di Canio like chip. Bobby Zamora scores his first home goal of the season.

STAT ATTACK
West Ham		Blackburn
8	Shots On Target	6
3	Shots Off Target	2
12	Fouls (Conceded)	13
1	Corners	14
1	Yellow Cards	0
0	Red Cards	0
REFEREE: M Atkinson

A full match report is avialable here: http://www.whufc.com/commonfiles/matchreport/index.asp?fix=292246

Game News

Teddy Sheringham is set to start today. Harewood is on the bench.

Transfer Rumour

It is believed that West Ham have offered to loan right-back Marcin Baszczynski for the rest of the season.

The Polish club Wisla say they have received a bid from West Ham. The club's website claims, "We’ve been waiting for West Ham’s offer. We've had a telephone call from Marcin's agent and we are analysing the proposal."

See the excellent profile of Marcin Baszczynski below.

Transfer Rumours

West Ham and Portsmouth are believed to be interested in Portuguese side Belenenses' full-back Pele.

However this may be just another case of an agent trying to create interest in a player. Everyone knows of West Ham's need for a Repka replacement. Obviously agents will try and take advantage of this if their players are in contract negotions with their current club.

Transfer Rumours

Tottenham and Blackburn have both had offers for Teddy Sheringham turned down.

Nigel De Jong has apparently signed for Hamburg so Spurs are now unlikely to sell Kelly.

Team News

Ashton is still suffering from a groin strain and will not play against Blackburn. He is also likely to miss the Arsenal game on Wednesday.

Carroll could be out for up to three weeks with his recurring back problems.

Transfer Rumour

Spurs are trying to sign former Hammers target Nigel De Jong from Ajax. It is rumoured that if they are succesful they will sell Stephen Kelly to West Ham for around £1m.

Spurs have also said that they will not be following up their attempt to sign Teddy Sheringham.

Player Trial

Venezuelan Under-21 international goalkeeper Mikhael Jaimez has been give a two week trial by the Hammers.

Spurs in for Teddy

A rumour at Footymad claims that Tottenham are about to make a bid for Teddy Sheringham. Should we take Defoe in part exchange?

No Repka Replacement

Alan Pardew has declared that there will be no new signings to replace Tomas Repka,

"A replacement for Tomas? I don’t envisage getting one in before Saturday. We might do but I don’t see it happening. We’ll have to look at Shaun Newton, Christian Dailly or maybe perhaps James Collins, who has been playing there for the reserves lately. In the short term I don’t think there will be anyone available. The lad from Ajax? No."

After the boos for Dailly on Monday night it is hard to imagine the fans being happy to see him as our new regular right back.It eems certain that he will replace Repka - as the target of all our jeers.

Results - West Ham 2 Fulham 1

Despite the two best goals of the season West Ham were lucky to win this game. With the score at 2-1 Gabbidnon barged into the back of Helguson and Fulham were unlucky not to get the penalty. Having said that the dream of travelling to see the Hammers play on some cabbage patch in sub-zero temperatures in Eastern Europe next November is still very much alive.

Benayoun Goal

When you thought you had seen the goal of the season, along comes Yosssi to score the goal since Trevor Brooking graced the Boleyn ground. Even better for me was to see Yossi, post goal, evade the grasps of a couple of West Ham players to celebrate with the departing Repka.

Ferdinand Goal

The question has to be asked "Why pay £7million for a centre forward when you have a centre half who can score goals like this?" I have a vague memory of Rio playing as a striker for the youth team and scoring a screamer from the edge of the box and wondering why he was thought of as a defender. This may be false memory syndrome - someone please confirm or deny me in this memory. Whatever - Anton you are a God and Rio's goal on Sunday pales in comparison.

Assessment of Marcin Baszczynski

Received this excellent assessment of (possible Repka replacement) today. Think it was from someone called Piter. Great assessment and a Cokney Reject fan too! Thanks Piter.

"Marcin is a born fullback, pacey, aggressive & hardworking, with much better coordination and agility than Repka has; he loves to charge down the right but he also likes to defend - he marks the opponents tight - and that's his main strength. He's also got a great character, determined & professional, beloved by Wisla fans, hot tempered and frank to the bone (no matter whether it's a referee or a wrestler). He cannot dribble as well as Glen does, but he's better at anticipating and defending generally; a perfect addition for the freeflowing kind of play that Yossi prefers.

One more question: I'm a WestHam fanatic since the late 90's (teenage Oi! passions led me to Boleyn Ground through the Cockney Reject and the Cocksparrer music, then 'the spirit of '69' and so on...) so if anyone want to share with me or ask about Marcin or any other Wisla Polish player , just mail me : piter_biagwia@o2.pl .Believe me, I just love the Irons and I'm a true fan, COME ON YOU IRONS!!! WISLA PANY!!!"

Pre-Match Report - West Ham vs. Fulham

Dean Ashton not in the squad - but available for Saturday.
Teddy is back!!
Repka's last game - God we'll miss him when he's gone.
Match live on Sky 1.

Transfer

West Ham have agreed to pay a club record fee of £7.25 for Norwich's Dean Ashton. Ashton will cost an initial £7m but Norwich will receive an extra £125,000 if Ashton plays for the senior England team and an extra £125,000 if the Hammers qualify for Europe. The deal includes a 15% sell-on clause.

West Ham have decided that at the age of 22 Ashton represents an investment in the future but because Ashton is still unproven at the top level the deal is a gamble for the club. Many fans will probably feel that the money should have been spent on a couple of squad players. West Ham only have patchy cover for injured midfield and defensive players.

Transfer Rumours

Polish full-back Marcin Baszczynski is being lined up as Repka's replacement. He is being allowed to train with West Ham by his current club Wisla Krakow while West Ham decide whether he is worth the £1 million it will take to sign him.

Transfer Rumours

Apparently Pardew has asked the board to meet the £8 million that Norwich are asking for Ashton.

Transfer Rumours

Reports today suggest West Ham have been beaten to the signing of Barcelona's Gabi by Middlesbrough

Transfer Rumours

With Alan Pardew continually stating his interest to sign new players the club are being linked with a host of players.

Today's list includes:

Gabri - Barcelona defender/midfielder (loan offer for the rest of this season).

Maxi Lopez - striker

Andy Reid - Spurs winger (joined Spurs last year).

Edgar Baretto - Paraguayan midfielder.

Steven Pienaar and Hatem Trabelsi - Ajax

Transfer Rumours

Pardew has stated that West Ham are no longer interested in Nigel De Jong. Which presumably means De Jong was not interested in signing for West Ham.

Contract News

Bobby Zamora has signed a new four-and-a-half year contract.

Transfer Rumours

It is reported that West Ham are ready to make a £2 million bid for Spurs defender Stephen Kelly. Apperently Kelly has made two transfer recquests in the last two weeks and West Ham need a replacement for the soon to depart Repka.

Transfer Rumours

With Juventus, AC Milan and Sevilla all interested in Nigel de Jong it seems unlikely that West Ham will manage to sign the Ajax defender.

De Jong has already been in talks with Sevillla, "I had a good conversation there ... For me the feeling that I get from a club is most important. I must feel that they really want me.

Transfer Rumours

Pardew was in Holland yesterday reportedly having a look at Ajax defender Nigel de Jong. De Jong's contract ends this summer and it is rumoured he will be able to leave for £1 million.

West Ham are also rumoured to have upped their bid for Dean Ashton to £7 million.

West Ham have apparently also joined several clubs in the race to sign Wolves striker Kenny Miller. The 26-year-old Scottish international has failed to sign a new deal at Molineux - with Celtic, Blackburn Rovers, Birmingham City and Fulham all also reportedly tracking the forward.

Transfer Rumours

Alan Pardew spoke at the weekend about the possibilities of new signings, "I'm trying to push the board to bring a couple of players in to show the young players that this club is going forward quickly."

Results

Aston Villa 2 West Ham 1

After recent defeats the Hammers are back to winning ways.


Does anyone know why Zamora can't score at home?

Form Guide

West Ham still in the bottom three in the form guide table.

Bottom Three	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
West Ham	6	1	1	4	6	13	4
Middlesbrough	6	0	3	3	5	16	3
Sunderland	6	0	1	5	3	10	1