Teddy in Contract Talks

After turning down a possible transfer to Spurs in the January transfer window Teddy Sheringham is to start talks with West Ham over a new contract. Despite being nearly 40 Teddy has made a number of good appearances this season and with West Ham's collection of young strikers offers much needed experience on the trianing pitch.

Anton is Player of the Month

Anton Ferdinand has been named January Premiership Player of the Month. Anton, in his first year in the Premiership, has been solid at the back all season. He scored a spectacular volley against Fulham in January and over the last few weeks has been exciting the scouts of Barcelona. Let's hope Anton remains a Hammer for a long time and this award is the first of many for the young defender.

RIP Ron Greenwood 1921-2006

Former West Ham and England manager Ron Greenwood has died today aged 84.

Greenwood managed West Ham for thirteen years between 1961 to 1974 and continued as general manager at Upton Park until managing England between 1977 and 1982.

Greenwood was arguably West Ham's most successful manager, winning the FA Cup in 1964 and the European Cup Winner's Cup the following year. Many of the true legends of West Ham were nutured by Greenwood, including Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst, Martin Peters and Trevor Brooking.

Grrenwood was West Ham manager for most of my childhood and is directly repsonsible for some of the greatest moments in my life. My feelings are best summed up by this quote from the BBC West Ham board, "A true disciple of the 'beautiful' game, before anyone else even knew it to be beautiful."

There will be a minute's silence on Monday evening before the Birmingham game.

Keeper News

Roy Carroll saw a back specialist last week to check whether he needed surgery that would have kept him out for the rest of the season. Fortunately, he was diagnosed as only needing rest.

Pardew has said that "The back has really settled down well. Roy should be ready to return after the Bolton FA Cup tie."

Meanwhile, former Wolves goalkeeper Paul Jones has been training with the Hammers and seems keen on joining the club. However with four keepers in Roy Carroll, Shaka Hislop, Stephen Bywater and James Walker it seems unlikely he will be given a permanent deal.

Barcelona after Anton!

Sky Sports today claimed that Barcelona could make a bid for Anton Ferdinand. The good news is that they believe they can't afford him.

Ferdinand is believed to be the first choice of three defenders Barcelona have been watching. However it is believed Barcelona have only a limited budget and with some expensive targets, like Henry, they might not be able to also afford Ferdinand.

Sky Sports suggest that Barcelona might make an offer of around €8 million (£5.5 million) or try an exchange offer for Gabri, who West Ham were looking to sign in the winter transfer slot.

Match Day Pub Guide

I've added a match day pub guide to the site for those who want a few bevies before the game. The guide uses Google maps so is also handy if you need a map to find the pubs.

Match Day Pub Guide

Europe Here We Come?

With six wins in a row it seems like a good time to look at some of the stats for the season.

West Ham's position in the league has been cemented by our away record. Currently we have the third best away record in the league. We have the 5th best record playing against bottom half sides but worryingly are seventeenth best playing against teams in the top half.

Our open attacking approach to games is reflected in the fact that we are fourth highest scoring side in the premiershp but also fifth highest conceding side.

In our present run of six wins on the bounce ten of our players have scored. Here they are; Ashton, Konchesky, Reo-Coker, Sheringham, Zamora, Harewood, Ferdinand, Mullins, Benayoun, Etherington (Khizanishvili o.g in FA Cup 4th round).

West Ham are 17th in the stats for winning at half-time and 17th in the scoring first stats which demonstrates our strength in the second half of games. It is a testament to the current side's determination and fitness that we often start poorly but rally in the second half.

More here...