Sam for West Ham

[bennythedip2]

Cole hopes Hammers keep Sam

Joe Cole believes Sam Allardyce has done a "phenomenal job" as West Ham manager and hopes he stays with the east Londoners.

The 58-year-old replaced Avram Grant at the Upton Park helm following the club's relegation from the top flight in the summer of 2011.

Allardyce confounded the critics to take West Ham up at the first attempt via the play-offs and the club now sits 14th in the Barclays Premier League.

However, the former Bolton manager's contract is up at the end of the season and negotiations on a new deal are not expected to get underway until survival is secure.

Cole, who re-joined the club from Liverpool in January, believes that target is not far away and hopes Allardyce is rewarded with a new deal.

"Sam has done a great job and has been fantastic with me," said the 31-year-old midfielder.

"He has an unbelievable record as a manager, is an experienced manager and you see what he is about on a daily basis. What a great manager he is.

"We want to stick another two or three wins on the board and I am sure that will be much more than enough (to secure survival).

"The gaffer came in when the club was in a bad state and has done a phenomenal job.

"The owners have done a great job backing him and the lads, the players, have done a great job to come up. It is very difficult to do that.

"We can't rest on our laurels now. We've got to constantly move forward and try to win every game."

There is also forward momentum off the field, with West Ham's move to Olympic Stadium confirmed on Friday.

The Hammers have been handed the keys to the London 2012 centrepiece after completing long and tortuous negotiations with the London Legacy Development Corporation.

The agreement sees West Ham become anchor tenants under a 99-year lease, with the stadium now to be transformed into a 54,000-seater venue in time for the 2016-17 season.

For Cole, back at the Hammers 14 years after making his senior debut, it is an exciting time.

"It is a massive moment for the club,- probably one of the most significant in the club's history," he said.

"It gives the club a chance to compete at the top. The great thing is you have owners with the club at heart and want to do the right things for the club. It is a fantastic day and gives us a right chance in a few years.

"It is up to us build now and keep building. Football is not just about the team on the pitch now, it is about the team off the pitch right from the owners all the way through to the person making cups of tea at the stadium.

"It is a business as well as a football club and it is so important to the community. I am just so pleased and I am glad it is done.

"For me, it is a no brainer. It is a long-term deal and brings money, jobs and community inspiration to the area.

"It is a win-win deal and you don't get many of them."

But while many are excited, the move has provoked criticism from some West Ham supporters.

"I understand some of the fans might by wary," Cole added. "Upton Park is home but times have to move on.

"There is enough rich history at this club that we could go and play in Timbuktu as long as the fans are there and turn up.

"People won't be forgotten and historically this is one of the biggest clubs in the country so it is going to a great start for the club."

update btd Hail to the King Cole

[taylormade]

i think carlton cole is rubbish, would rather watch cheryl cole run about in a onesie.

[tiredeyes]

Carlton Cole could've been a great player but his odd foot and head shape means that he can't kick a ball straight nor get a header on target.

[bennythedip2]

Bloody hell you two ..the story was about

JOE COLE

Dear oh dear , I do wonder about you
Inbetweenies Dumb and Dummer

[taylormade]

I was thinking carlton would be a good signing for sunderland, he would fit in well with their style of play, thanks for my candy crush lives Tiredeyes,you a life saver.

[tiredeyes]

Originally Posted by bennythedip2

Bloody hell you two ..the story was about

JOE COLE

Dear oh dear , I do wonder about you
Inbetweenies Dumb and Dummer

Ooooooppps

[bennythedip2]

..Premier League - Papers: Hammers to replace Carroll with £15m 'goal machine'
With the Olympic Stadium in the bag, it looks as if West Ham are now looking to make a splash in the transfer market.
....However, according to two of Monday’s papers, it will not be on-loan Liverpool striker Andy Carroll who will be their big summer signing.

Both the Sun and the Daily Mail say it is "unlikely" that Sam Allardyce will take up the option to sign Carroll on a permanent basis, forcing the former Newcastle star, who Liverpool paid £35 million for, back to Anfield.

Instead both papers say that the man West Ham really want is Ivory Coast ‘goal machine’ Wilfried Bony.

The 24-year-old plays in the Dutch League with Vitesse Arnhem and has scored 26 goals in 24 games this season - including 10 in his last six.

According to the Sun, West Ham are "close to agreeing a deal that will see Bony complete the season with title-chasing Vitesse before moving to London in the summer."

They say that West Ham will pay around £12m for the striker but the Mail reckons that West Ham may have to cough up £15m if they want to get their man.

Bony is under contract until 2015 but is desperate to move to the Premier League.

He actually wanted to go in January but Vitesse refused to sell as they are battling for a Champions League place.

If the deal does go through it will break the East London club’s current transfer record: the £10.75 million paid to sign Matt Jarvis from Wolves.

Bony would look to command a salary of around £55,000-a-week.

Elsewhere, there is a scary story in the Mirror for Manchester City fans with both Sergio Aguero and Vincent Kompany linked with moves to Barcelona.

However, the paper then goes on to explain that the two players are only back-up plans. The Catalan giants are hoping to extend David Villa's contract and bring in Borussia Dortmund centre-back Mats Hummels and they will only look to the Etihad duo should those deals fall through.

Also in the Mirror is the rumour that Montenegro dangerman Stevan Jovetic could snub a move to Arsenal to stay in Italy.

Both Inter and AC Milan are interested in the Fiorentina striker who is set to play against England on Tuesday night.

Most of the papers lead on preview coverage of that match in Podgorica and in particularly they have been drawn to comments from Juventus striker Mirko Vucinic, who seems to suggest Wayne Rooney is at risk of getting sent off like he did the last time the two sides met.

"There is no doubt that Wayne Rooney is one of the best strikers in the world but we know from the last time England played here that he can sometimes play with a hot head," said Vucinic.

"Our fans will not forget the red card he received and I am sure they will let him know. It is an intimidating place to come and if England want to have any chance then Rooney will need to keep a calm head.

"He is a good player but it has been proved over the years that you can get a reaction out of him. England would have no chance with 10 men and I’m sure their coach will be telling them that."

Back to transfer rumours and Southampton left back Luke Shaw has once again flirted with suitors Chelsea, labelling the Blues his favourite team... after the Saints. (Daily Mail)

Scott Sinclair has emerged as the top target for Southampton after he failed to make an impact at Manchester City. (The Sun)

Chelsea and Manchester City target Edinson Cavani admits he doesn't know where he will be playing next season and says it is up to Napoli whether he stays at the San Paolo. (Daily Mirror)

Manchester United have revived their search for a left-back, creating further uncertainty over the long-term future of Patrice Evra. United scouts watched Porto left-back Alex Sandro in the recent Champions League tie against Malaga and plan to look at others in the position before the season ends. (Daily Mail)

And finally, Chelsea have made an offer for 15-year-old Bursaspor striker Enes Unal. The European champions are understood to have offered a deal worth £1.75m for Unal, who has scored 170 goals in 102 games in the academy league and is expected to represent Turkey in the Under-20 World Cup this summer.

They could face competition for the teenager's signature with Manchester City and United also watching him. (Daily Mail)


update btd
..

[bennythedip2]

Allardyce is set for new deal
West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce claims he is close to agreeing a new contract at the club.

Allardyce's deal at Upton Park expires at the end of the season and there has been some speculation that he could leave the Hammers in the summer.

But the former Newcastle United manager insists both parties are keen to find a solution.

"We both want to do it, it's just a question of sorting out the dotting of the i's and crossing of the t's," Allardyce told Sky Sports News HD.

"As always, that is not as easy a situation as you would like,"
"You always have to do some negotiations when you are moving into the next contract, just as there were plenty of negotiations over the first contract.

"So we will hopefully come to a conclusion very shortly."

A new deal would raise the possibility of Allardyce overseeing the transfer from Upton Park to the Olympic Stadium, set to occur at the start of the 2016/17 season.

The move has been the subject of resistance from various parties, including some West Ham supporters, but the manager believes it is necessary if the club is to progress.

"We need to move to this new stadium to compete with the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham in this world," he added.

"I can understand why they don't want to leave Upton Park because they probably came here in their infancy and their dad, uncle or grandad brought them so they've grown to love this stadium.

"But at the end of the day, football has to progress."

update btd