Mach Report:West Ham 2-0 Wigan

A goal in each half saw West Ham secure their Premier League status with victory over Wigan, who are three points from safety.
Despite forcing several fine saves from Jussi Jaaskelainen, the Latcis were beaten at Upton Park courtesy of goals from Matt Jarvis and Kevin Nolan. Shaun Maloney squandered a good chance to put Wigan ahead on nine minutes when he fired straight at the keeper, after being played through by Callum McManaman. Twelve minutes later West Ham took the lead. Matt Jarvis' teasing cross beat everyone in the middle and crept inside the far post. West Ham dominated until the interval but Wigan came out revitalised. Jordi Gomez stung the palms of Jaaskelainen from a tight angle and Aruna Kone struck a dipping effort narrowly over within two minutes of the restart. Emerson Boyce and Paul Scharner saw headed efforts saved before James McArthur was denied at point blank range on 72 minutes, Jaaskelainen somehow managing to turn it wide. Andy Carroll was the provider for the second, hooking a pass over his shoulder for the run of Nolan, who acrobatically volleyed home for his 100th league goal.

West Ham close to £14m capture of Wilfried Bony

West Ham are on the brink of sealing a £14million deal for Ivory Coast powerhouse Wilfried Bony.The Hammers are set to announce the capture of the Ivory Coast striker from Vitesse Arnhem this week after agreeing the move with the cash-strapped Dutch club.Bony, 24, has been described as the new Didier Drogba because of his physical style and scoring prowess.He has scored 26 goals for Vitesse this season – making him top scorer in the Eredivisie – and is expected to be named Holland’s Player of the Year.

Bony, a £4m capture from Sparta Prague just over two years ago, is set to move to Upton Park in the summer. Bony packs over 13stone of muscle in his 5ft 9ins frame and has an explosive style.He has scored 11 goals in his last seven games for club and country and was targeted by Newcastle in January.He was a member of the Ivory Coast squad who reached the quarter-finals of the African Nations Cup in South Africa in February.Bony’s capture is a major coup for the Hammers, who have been given the go-ahead to move the Olympic Stadium at Stratford in 2016.

His arrival means that the club are unlikely to take up a £15m option to sign Andy Carroll.

The Hammers paid Liverpool £2m to take the England striker on loan for the season, but he has scored just three times after being hit by injury.

Andy Carroll joins West Ham

Liverpool and England striker Andy Carroll has joined West Ham on a season-long loan, the Merseyside club have confirmed.

Carroll's position at Anfield has been the subject of considerable speculation since new manager Brendan Rodgers took charge earlier in the summer. The 23-year-old had also been linked with a return to former club Newcastle but the Hammers have now acquired his services for the 2012/13 season.
A brief statement from Liverpool read: "Liverpool Football Club can confirm that Andy Carroll has joined West Ham United on a season-long loan. The striker will spend the whole of 2012/13 with Sam Allardyce's team."
Carroll joined the Reds in a club record £35million deadline day deal in January 2011 but has failed to establish himself on Merseyside. Reports that he was poised to move to Upton Park grew during Thursday evening and he was conspicuous by his absence as Liverpool faced Hearts in a Europa League qualifier.
Carroll told West Ham's official website: "It's great to be here at West Ham and all signed up - I just can't wait to get started now. I want to be playing games and obviously hoping to score some goals. I know the manager well and some of the lads, so it is nice for me to come to a place where I know people.
"I'm hoping to add a lot of goals and create a few chances. I know Sam from Newcastle and he was a massive reason for me coming. When I worked with him at Newcastle it was great so it was a no-brainer really."

Ramis Rejects West Ham and Joins Wigan

Wigan have signed defender Ivan Ramis on a three year contract from Real Mallorca for an undisclosed fee.The centre back was close to signing for newly promoted West ham United a couple of days ago with the London club having a bid accepted.However,the player was keen to work with a Spanish manager and thus,opted to reject the Hammers in favour of Roberto Martinez's side

Andy Carroll Rejects West Ham move

Andy Carroll has turned down the chance to join West Ham from Liverpool despite the two clubs having reached an agreement.Reports emerged on Monday suggesting that the Reds had accepted an approach by the Hammers to take the England striker on a season-long loan in a deal which would have cost them £2m, with the promise of a further £17m to make the transfer become permanent if he did well.However, Carroll is said to be against the idea of a move to Upton Park as he only wants to join a club that is competing in European competition, which the Premier League new boys are unable to offer at this time.The 23-year-old is thought to be holding out for a return to his former club Newcastle if he must leave Anfield, although the Magpies have already seen one bid for his services rejected by the Reds.Hammers boss Sam Allardyce had been hoping Carroll's friendship with his captain Kevin Nolan could tip the balance in the Irons' favour, but even the fact that the three of them share the same agent in Mark Curtis, has ultimately made no different to the forward's mindset.

West Ham Land Andy Carroll

Liverpool have agreed a £2m loan deal with West Ham for Andy Carroll, who looks set to spend this season at Upton Park.The England international spoke to Brendan Rodgers about his future following Euro 2012 and speculation has been rife that he would be on the move from Anfield, after just 56 first-team appearances.Carroll has been a target for his former club Newcastle, but the Magpies have been unable to agree a fee with the Reds and now West Ham look to have sealed a loan switch.The year-long long deal is with a view to a £17million switch to the capital, although Carroll has indicated that he does not want to leave Liverpool on a permanent basis.The 23-year-old, who moved to Merseyside in a £35million deal in January 2011, will team up again with Sam Allardyce, who both worked together during the manager's short tenure at Newcastle.

West Ham Land Ramis

Mallorca defender Ivan Ramis is set to have a medical at West Ham in advance of a move to England.The Hammers are eager to bolster their squad ahead of their Premier League return, and have targeted the Spaniard as a player to give them strength in depth.Sam Allardyce’s men have beaten a raft of other Premier League clubs including Wigan and Everton to the 27-year-old, and will become the Upton Park side’s sixth summer signing.“Mallorca and West Ham have reached an agreement for the transfer of Ivan Ramis,” a statement on the Mallorca website reads.“The Mallorcan defender has the permission of the club to have a medical with what will be his new team.”

Fulham Newcastle and West Ham chasing Douglas

West Ham United, Fulham and Newcastle have all made offers for FC Twente's Brazilian defender Douglas.The 24-year-old gains Dutch nationality next month which means he will be able to play in the Premier League without any need for a work permit.He has been linked with clubs in Italy and Germany, but it is believed he would relish the prospect of playing in England.Newcastle United firmed up their interest earlier this week by submitting a bid, but Dutch sources claim that Fulham and West Ham have also made offers. It is not clear which bid is currently winning the race or how much it would take to persuade Twente to part with the player who has been a virtual ever-present in Steve McClaren's side for the past two seasons.Fulham boss Martin Jol knows all about Douglas from his time in charge of Ajax and is keen to add him to his squad while Sam Allardyce is looking for more depth and experience in that position.

West Ham land Modibo Maiga

West Ham have completed the signing of Modibo Maiga from Sochaux on a long-term deal.The 24-year-old has been regularly linked with a move to English football and has today joined the Premier League new boys.Maiga, who can play as a centre forward or on the wing, joins the Hammers for an undisclosed fee on a four-year deal, with an option for a further two years."I am really happy and excited about joining West Ham United," he told the club's official website, www.whufc.com. "I know West Ham are a big club in England and I'm really looking forward to representing them."They have huge tradition and it is like joining part of a family and that is one of the main reasons I wanted to come here."I know some of the big names that have played for the club in the past and I am proud to be part of a new team back in the Premier League."

Emergency Keeper Lansbury Stars for West Ham

Emergency goalkeeper Henri Lansbury kept out Blackpool as 10-man West Ham returned to the top of the npower Championship with a superb 4-1 victory. In the absence of a specialist replacement, on-loan Arsenal midfielder Lansbury was summoned from the bench to reprise a role he briefly filled for England Under-21s last season after Robert Green was sent off for a professional foul on Blackpool substitute Roman Bednar in the 53rd minute. At that stage United were 2-1 to the good following a dominant first-half display. James Tomkins planted a header past Matt Gilks and Nicky Maynard slotted home a second as West Ham scored two goals in four minutes, but Kevin Phillips brought the Seasiders back into the contest on the stroke of half-time when he nodded home Alex Baptiste's speculative cross.. But Ian Holloway's men rarely resembled a side on a seven-match unbeaten run and, with the exception of some routine handling that drew huge cheers from the away support, Lansbury was largely untroubled as Gary O'Neil and Ricardo Vaz Te completed a handsome victory. O'Neil lashed a crisp 20-yard drive into the bottom corner after Winston Reid's effort from Vaz Te's corner was blocked by Stephen Crainey and Vaz Te raced clear of a largely absent Seasiders defence to open his Hammers account in the final minute. West Ham are now one point ahead of Southampton at the summit with a game in hand, while Middlesbrough's victory at Millwall means Blackpool drop out of the top six.

West Ham join chase for Beckford

West Ham are the latest club to show interest in Everton striker Jermaine Beckford but the 27-year-old wants to stay at Goodison. Everton have rejected a bid from Leicester while the player does not want to go to Nottingham Forest or Southampton.Manager David Moyes would be prepared to cash in on Beckford just a year after picking him up on a free from Leeds.Moyes has had little success trying to generate cash by offloading squad outcasts Yakubu and Joseph Yobo, and may sell Beckford if Leicester return with a bid closer to £6m.However, the 27-year-old former Chelsea trainee does not want to drop down to the Championship having worked his way up to the top flight from non-League Wealdstone.Beckford is adamant he can succeed in the Premier League and was the Blues’ joint-top scorer last season, albeit with only 10 goals in 38 appearances. However, Moyes was frustrated with him at times and would consider selling for the right price so he could add at least one new face this summer.

Chelsea Want Parker on a Permanent Deal

West Ham have quoted a loan fee of £4 million to Chelsea to take Parker for the forthcoming campaign and will also demand his £65,000-a-week wages are paid in full.Chelsea will not offer to pay so much for a loanee, and, in truth, West Ham would have accepted less, although certainly more than £2 million.
However, Chelsea are now debating whether to sign Parker on a permanent basis — he is available for £8 million — after Aston Villa, in particular, stepped up their pursuit.
Indeed it could be that Chelsea have to raise their bid to £9 million, which would be remarkable given they acquired Parker in 2004 for £10 million and then sold him a year later for around £6.5 million to Newcastle United.
It is understood that Parker, who still lives close to Chelsea’s training ground in Cobham, Surrey, is keen to join his former club and although West Ham were interested in a loan deal it may be best for the Championship club to agree a permanent transfer for the 30 year-old if their demands are met.

Allardyce Set to Raid Newcastle Again

Newcastle United boss Sam Allardyce is ready to raid his old club for Nile Ranger.Allardyce is considering taking the striker to relegated West Ham United.Blackpool had a bid accepted for Ranger, but the 20-year-old failed to agree personal terms.Ranger – who has been told he can leave St James’s Park – was back training with his Newcastle team-mates yesterday after his proposed move to Bloomfield Road broke down.
 Allardyce is keen on Ranger, who showed a lot of promise when he broke into United’s first team during the club’s Championship-winning campaign the season before last.However, Ranger found his opportunities limited in the Premier League under Pardew and his predecessor Chris Hughton.And regular first-team football at Upton Park, and a return to his native London, would be an attractive proposition for Ranger, who scored one goal for the club last season.

It would also see Ranger reunited with his former captain Kevin Nolan, signed by Allardyce from Newcastle earlier this season.

Chelsea Set to Resign Scott Parker

Chelsea are being linked with a shock move to re-sign Scott Parker from West Ham following another injury setback for Michael Essien.The Blues are sweating on the full extent of the midfielder's latest fitness concern which happened on the training ground on Thursday, before pressing ahead with moves into the transfer market.However, privately club officials are already fearful of a recurrence of the 28-year-old's anterior cruciate ligament injury, which would mean another lengthy lay-off for the Ghanaian, who has experienced two serious knee problems in the last few years.Parker, who seems certain to quit the Hammers before the start of the new season following the club's relegation, struggled to make an impact at Stamford Bridge during an 18-month spell between 2004-2005.However, he is now regarded as one of the best English midfielder in the country, and with Spurs and Aston Villa also keen, the Blues will need to move quickly for the £5m rated star, who has already been the subject of one bid from Turkish club Fenerbahce.

Brighton sign Mackail-Smith

Brighton have won the race to sign Peterborough's Craig Mackail-Smith for a fee which could rise to £3.25million.Leicester appeared favourites to capture the sought-after striker, who has signed a four-year deal, while West Ham also had a bid accepted by Peterborough for the 27-year-old.But the Seagulls have underlined their intentions for the forthcoming npower Championship campaign by beating the duo to Mackail-Smith's signature.Mackail-Smith started out at Dagenham & Redbridge and moved to Peterborough for an undisclosed fee in January 2007.He scored 99 goals for Posh during his four-and-a-half-year stay, including one in the 3-0 play-off final win over Huddersfield at Old Trafford in May.Poyet believes the capture of Mackail-Smith 'shows we want to go places'.He told the club's official website: 'Some thought it was a done deal that he would be heading elsewhere, but we got the player which is good, as it shows that we want to go places, to do better.'A signing like that can only help us as we try to bring more players in.
'He's a player that we can build our team around, which is why I was so keen to bring him here, and one of the most pleasing aspects for me is that we have signed him despite interest from some other big, big teams.
'When I first sat down with the chairman, Craig was at the top of my list, our number one target, so I'm absolutely delighted to have signed him.'

West Ham Stuck With Scott Parker?

West Ham are struggling to offload their captain Scott Parker with Tottenham, Liverpool and Arsenal all recently giving up any serious interest the heavily in debt East London club had hoped that Parker would sign for Turkish outfit Fenerbahce for a cool £10 Million, that potential deal now also looks dead in the water.Relegated West Ham are in desperate need of some cash and the sale of Parker would have seen a nice injection, however with Parker to be 31 years old this year and with West Ham relegated and viewed as a club forced in to a sale, it was always going to be a long shot to realise a fee of £10 Million.Both Arsenal and Tottenham simply refused to pay that sort of fee for a player on the other side of 30 and unless a team with more money than sense enters the fray, West Ham will either have to lower the price or keep a hold of a player on a big wage.

Chances are that Parker will be sold, but not for £10 Million.

Craig Bellamy back to West Ham?

Sam Allardyce is reportedly interested in bringing Craig Bellamy back to West Ham, according to The News of the World.The Welsh striker spent two seasons at Upton Park before leaving for Eastlands for £14 million in January 2009.However, after spending last season on loan at his hometown club Cardiff City, Bellamy is now keen to leave Manchester City on a free transfer, as he is fearful for his first-team prospects under Roberto Mancini.Yet City value Bellamy at £4m, so are refusing to let him leave without a transfer fee.
Allardyce will reportedly use his connection with John Williams, recently appointed to City’s football operations team, to try and engineer a deal for Bellamy. Allardyce worked with Williams for two years at Blackburn.

A potential stumbling block is that Bellamy’s £90,000-a-week wages may prevent any loan move going through, as Manchester City are clear that they will not contribute towards the wages of loan players

West Ham and QPR chase DJ

QPR had made a £1.25 million bid for Blackpool striker DJ Campbell - an offer that is thought to match his much rumoured release clause.

 West Ham have also offered £1.25 million for the 29 year old, and that both they and QPR have been given permission to speak to the striker who scored 13 goals last term.

It is also understood that both Sunderland and Stoke are tracking the forward, although neither are yet to make a bid.

However, with DJ stating that he wishes to remain in the Premier League to further his England ambitions, it would appear that the Hammers are out of the running, unless he uses them to leverage a better deal elsewhere.

QPR might also struggle to get their man; Peterborough striker Craig Mackail-Smith has rejected a move to the London club after revealing that manager Neil Warnock could not give assurances about his future.

Aston Villa and Newcastle Chase Wayne Bridge

Aston Villa and Newcastle United are interested in former England international Wayne Bridge, according to the Express.England international Bridge has more than 30 caps, Bridge made his Three Lions debut in February 2002 against Holland and he has one international goal to his name, ironically coming at the City of Manchester Stadium during the 6-1 thrashing of Iceland in 2004.Bridge is currently contracted to Manchester City following a loan spell to West Ham United in the 2010/11 campaign.Bridge made eighteen appearances in all competitions for West Ham before his loan ended. The player isn’t a part of Manchester City’s long-term plans and Roberto Mancini is keen to trim his squad.However, City’s asking price of £5m and Bridge’s £90,000 a week wages are thought to be a stumbling block for both Aston Villa and Newcastle who aren’t prepared the respective fees.

Newcastle are likely to be in the market for a left-back this summer with the expected exit of Jose Enrique.

Allardyce aims for swift return to the Premiership

Sam Allardyce is often mocked as a manager with ideas above his station, so it perhaps surprised his detractors when he agreed to descend to the Championship to take charge of West Ham.True, he was unemployed until the relegated east London club came calling, having been sacked by Blackburn Rovers in December, but for a man who was once interviewed for the England job and who last year suggested he could win doubles with Real Madrid or Internazionale every season, if only they were savvy enough to look beyond his reputation and hire him, there must have been a temptation to wait for an offer from a better-placed club.Allardyce says that belief in his own abilities and reassurances from the owners convinced him that he can put himself and West Ham back to where he believes they belong. He has been given a two-year contract and says he expects the club to be challenging for a position in Europe by the time that expires."I've taken a risk by losing my Premier League status, which I'd built up over 10 years," he said. "I don't want to spend too long in the Championship. Without sounding too arrogant, my experience and expertise as a manager is trying to bring clubs together and get a team spirit and togetherness, to get back into the Premier League at the first time of asking."Allardyce's employers, David Gold and David Sullivan, plus the vice-chairman Karren Brady, often made life difficult for his predecessors, Avram Grant and Gianfranco Zola, by publicly criticising the team, but Allardyce says the backing of Sullivan in particular was one of the main reasons he took the job. "I spoke with David Sullivan at length about what we wanted to do and how we needed to do it. I believe the owners will give me the support I need to help the club be successful. "

They have already demonstrated their backing by forking out £4m to reunite Allardyce with Kevin Nolan, the midfielder who worked with him at Bolton and Newcastle, and also by giving a contract to Abdoulaye Faye, the former Stoke City defender who has also worked with Allardyce before.

Those arrivals go some way to offsetting the loss of Mathew Upson, Thomas Hitzlsperger and Demba Ba, plus the raft of players signed on loan last season. Allardyce hopes to persuade Scott Parker, Carlton Cole and Rob Green to stay but admits that given the cost of relegation, they may be sold if suitable offers are received.

If Parker goes, he said, Nolan is likely to be captain. "He's already guided Newcastle back to the Premier League and I see Kevin as not only a great player on the field, but a great captain off it," Allardyce added. "When you've got Joey Barton almost crying on the TV because he's left [Newcastle] it shows you the respect that he's gained."

Nevertheless, Allardyce wants personnel turnover to be "minimal" because "it's very difficult to change around a club that has been relegated but even more so if you lose 50% of your players because that means you have to bring another 10 or 12 in and you've got a bunch of strangers that you have to mould into a team."

He also feels he needs to "reinvent" West Ham and dispel "the negative attitude" that has engulfed the club. He is also aware that this is a chance to reinvent himself and banish what he insists is groundless negativity towards him.

Allardyce also rejects the depiction of his arrival at Upton Park as a culture clash. "Playing the right way is about entertaining the public and playing winning football. I'm only remembered at Newcastle for one [angry] fan jumping up in one game, which TV keeps showing, but in the first 10 games I was the best thing since sliced bread because we had the best start in 10 years. At Blackburn we increased the average attendance by 4,500. Entertainment comes through what your fans tell you.

"And at Bolton only two of my seven years were about survival so I shouldn't be tagged as a 'survival manager'. I'm a productive manager who breeds success. I've got a vast array of skills and I'll put them to work here and hopefully at the end of the year we'll all be blowing bubbles."