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As the start of the new Premier League season fast approaches fans will be busy assessing their club’s activities in the transfer window. Supporters of West Ham United would have noticed that their club has been busier than most this summer, adding five new players to Avram Grant’s squad. Despite the foibles of West Ham’s co-owners they have honoured their pledge to back the new manager with funds in the transfer market. Their activities will have Hammers fans quietly confident of an improved showing this campaign. Senior players at the club, including its captain Matthew Upson have expressed their view that the squad looks its strongest for a few seasons. But as the club has failed in their attempts to sign high-profile players such as Yakubu, Loic Remy and Neymar are they still a few signings away from where they would like to be?

The first positive to draw from this summer is that talk of a fire sale at Upton Park has not materialised. Previous transfer windows have seen West Ham fans collectively breathing a sigh of relief that their best players had not been sold. Despite reported interest from Stoke in Carlton Cole and Mark Noble and Spurs’ bid for Scott Parker the owners remain adamant that the core of the team will not be disbanded. The club’s reported interest in ageing stars such as Riquelme, Pires and Beckham have not bore fruit. However this will come as some relief to fans who feared an influx of ‘geriatricos’ would be brought to the Boleyn if only for the replica shirt sales.

Avram Grant’s first summer signing was the former Villan, Thomas Hitzlsperger. ‘The Hammer’ is an all-rounder who can be expected to bring some added steel and experience to the midfield, helping to close out games and contribute offensively too. Extra creativity in midfield has been acquired through the acquisition of Mexican international Pablo Barrera. The youngster was used as a substitute in the World Cup but is blessed with pace, good close control and accurate crossing ability. As a natural winger he should bring much needed width to the side which never compensated for the loss of Matthew Etherington.

However after last season defence and attack were always likely to be the key areas of concern for West Ham. A vast number of fans were left bemused by the club’s decision to release Guillermo Franco and Ilan. Both forwards had impressed with timely goals especially Ilan whose diving header at Goodison Park to clinch a 2-2 draw lifted spirits at the club immeasurably. Frederic Piquionne has been signed from Olympique Lyonnais for a fee of £1 million and will team up with Avram Grant for a second time following his loan spell at Portsmouth last season. He will add depth to the forward line but is unlikely to bring a plethora of goals having never been prolific during his career. Fans therefore may still be craving for a quick, skilful forward who can net fifteen plus goals whilst former a partnership with Cole. The club have seemingly missed out on capturing Remy and have decided against signing the portly Milton Caraglio.

In defence the club have secured the services of Tal Ben Haim on loan and announced the signing of Kiwi defender, Winston Reid earlier today. Reid is aerially strong and whilst Ben Haim has earned a reputation for making clumsy challenges, both players can play at full back which will strengthen the club’s defensive options. Julien Faubert and Jonathan Spector were both exposed last season after being far too casual in defence.

Typically of West Ham’s co-owners, transfer dealings have frequently been conducted with a degree of hyperbole. When the club’s website referred to being close to signing a “young international who represented his country to distinction at the 2010 Fifa World Cup,” thoughts drifted to Mesut Ozil before it transpired to be Reid. It has been a broadly successful transfer window but Hammers fans will be hoping for at least one more signing that would signal the club’s renewed hope and ambition ahead of the 2010/11 season.

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With the PL season nearly upon us, let’s see the WAGS that will be keeping the players on their toes. Click on image to VIEW gallery

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Liverpool striker Luis Suarez is under investigation from the FA again, as he reportedly made an obscene gesture towards Fulham fans in his side’s 1-0 defeat to The Cottagers on Monday night.

The Uruguay international was visibly frustrated in The Reds loss in London, and was pictured raising his middle finger to the home faithful in wake of the defeat.

The FA, who are already looking into supposed racist comments that the South American forward made to Patrice Evra back in October, will examine the incident closer.

Anfield boss Kenny Dalglish refused to comment on the situation, and feels that Suarez needs to be protected better from the authorities.

“I’ve not seen the picture and I am not taking anybody’s word for it. But until you have proved it is true to me, I won’t comment,” he told Sky Sports.

“At the end of the day, we will look after Luis the best we can and I think it is about time he got a bit of protection from some people,” he stated.

Dalglish was also furious with chants from the Fulham faithful aimed at Suarez, which branded him a cheat.

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By Gareth McKnight

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Bolton manager Owen Coyle is not fazed by the club’s mounting injury problems as he looks to end the season in a Europa League spot.Coyle will be missing a host of first team regulars when he takes his seventh-placed side to Birmingham at the weekend, with Mark Davis, Sam Ricketts and Stuart Holden all on the sidelines.

However the 44-year-old Scot believes possible replacements Fabrice Muamba and Tamir Cohen can use this opportunity to stake a claim for a permanent place in the starting line-up.

“We’ve shown before when we’ve picked up serious injuries that the lads can cope with it,” said Coyle

“What it does is allow somebody to step into the fray and show their quality.”

Midfielder Holden’s absence, with cruciate ligament damage, is arguably Bolton’s biggest blow and he has only returned to club action this season after a long spell out with a broken leg.

However Coyle is confident the 25-year-old will come back stronger from the setback which has ruled him out for six months.

“Stuart is obviously disappointed by what has happened to him, and what happened to him last year when he had a broken leg.”

“He managed to bounce back at the very end of the season to go to the World Cup so he knows how difficult it can be when you’re injured.”

“But he has such a positive mindset and we encourage him in that to make sure, when he comes back, he comes back bigger and better. He did that the last time and he will again.”

“He’s set for a glittering career, so, as disappointing as it is for him now, I’ve told him he’s got to look at the bigger picture and know he’s got so much to look forward to.”

Coyle had better news this week in the shape of Gary Cahill, who shone on his first senior start for England in Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with Ghana, and his manager is sure it will not be his last.

“People have said he looked like a top player, that’s because he is a top player,” Coyle continued.

“What England need are players at the back to pass the ball out to them, and there will be none better at that than Gary Cahill, because he’s so comfortable on the ball.”

With news this week that Thierry Henry has completed his move to MLS outfit New York Red Bulls I’ve heard some fans wishing him well and others, more expectedly, brandishing him a ‘sell out’. Before falling too easily into the second bracket it’s worth considering the player’s career and history and, as you can see from his staggering record, Henry’s is anomalous in its successes.

The argument against Henry is simply that, at 32, he still has quality to offer teams who play at a higher standard than the American league. Considering the fitness levels of the modern footballer i.e. more and more players can survive at the very top flight well into their mid thirties (Maldini did it until he was 40, Beckham, Cannavaro, Giggs, Scholes), Henry certainly has a good few years left on the pitch. I also don’t doubt that a host of clubs would have been willing to take on the 32-year-old in some capacity. But we’re looking at this from a fan’s perspective; changing the scope of reason slightly we should ask what is the player’s motivation?

Henry enjoyed unparalleled success at Arsenal. He picked up every individual award on offer, was top scorer for an unprecedented four seasons, became Arsenal’s all time leading goal scorer, the first player to retain the European Golden Boot, and picked up two Premier League winners’ medals. His time at Barcelona, though underplayed in our media, was a huge success (and he played a pivotal role in the 2008/2009 treble winning campaign, netting 26 goals): winning La Liga twice, the Champions League, the Copa del Rey, the Spanish and European Super Cups, and the World Club Championships. He has won every single title club football has to offer.

Accounting for his international record takes his achievements to more fantastical heights: winning the World Cup in 1998, the European Championship in 2000, and the Confederations Cup in 2003 (finishing as France’s top scorer in each competition and picking up the Golden Boot and Golden Ball in the Confederations Cup). So Henry has won absolutely everything that club football and international football has to offer. Why be a journeyman for the next couple of years in European football thus allowing his legacy as a player to be smeared by wanton performances?

Spending a few seasons playing regularly at a club where his experiences and ability is considered indispensable, enjoying the twilight of his career (because, at the end of it all, this is what matters most) in a hugely popular city, and getting paid handsomely represents a far more appealing offer. And even if the sole purpose of the move is for comfort and material value, does it really matter? He’s achieved everything he possibly could have in a career that saw him become one of the best players in the world for half a decade.

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Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta played his final match for the club on Sunday to bring an end to his 22-year association with the La Liga giants, and Liverpool fans have urged their club to sign the veteran 34-year-old this summer.

The Spaniard announced last month that he would be leaving the Camp Nou when his contract expired this summer, and he made an emotional final appearance in the 1-0 win against Real Sociedad at the weekend.

The 2014 World Cup winner has hinted that he may look for a move away from Europe, but that obviously hasn’t deterred the Anfield faithful who were impressed with the 82 minutes they saw from the midfield legend before he was replaced by Paco Alcacer.

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Liverpool supporters, who have also urged the Merseyside outfit to sign a former Manchester United flop this summer, were quick to have their say on Iniesta via social media, and while one said “sign him up for two years Jurgen”, another said “I’d happily sign him”.

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Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…

Manchester United fell further behind English Premier League leaders Manchester City on Saturday, dropping points away to Leicester City in a 2-2 draw.

With City destroying Bournemouth 4-0 earlier in the day, Jose Mourinho’s side really needed all three points in the late kick-off, but were denied by a determined Leicester performance and a last minute Harry Maguire equaliser.

The Red Devils were up against it early when Jamie Vardy opened the scoring, but a double from Juan Mata looked set to bring them all three points before Maguire popped up in stoppage time to deny the visitors.

It was a game that Mourinho’s team should have won, with their attacking players squandering a number of chances created by striker Romelu Lukaku.

Despite not scoring, fans had sympathy for the Belgian international, who saw his teammates fluff their lines after good work from the striker, also failing to play him in when he found himself in great positions.

Fans took to Twitter to share their thoughts on his performance…

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Carlton Cole is hopeful that he can prove his worth to West Ham and stay on beyond this winter.

The burly forward recently re-signed for the Hammers, after being released by them over the summer, on a short-term deal that expires in January.

Cole was allowed to leave Upton Park at the end of last season, and was expected to make a move to France.

However, he was unable to find a new club.

Meanwhile, West Ham boss Sam Allardyce found himself short of attacking options with Andy Carroll sidelined through injury.

Cole was invited back to train with the club and eventually proved his fitness before penning a three-month deal to solve the Londoners’ issues.

Despite the contract being a particularly short one, the 30-year-old is hopeful that he can play his way to an extension.

“If I’m doing the business, doing well and making a difference in the team, we are in good shape and the manager and the Chairmen want to keep me on, I’ll always be available and hopefully we can crack on after that,” Cole told talkSPORT.

“Of course me and the fans have been through thick and thin with this club. I’ve been here for quite a while and I know the emotions of us getting relegated and getting back up.

“It wasn’t all roses, but I will always have a special bond with the club because we’ve been through everything together. I think the fact they realise I am a fan and will always be here means I will earn their respect a second time and make a positive impact on the team.

“I’ve always wanted to prove myself and hopefully, with this second chance at West Ham, I can help the team. That’s all I want to do. I want us to stay in the top league where we deserve to stay.”

Despite possessing a questionable goalscoring record in recent years, Cole is still a fans’ favourite at West Ham.

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Does Carlton Cole deserve a longer deal?

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The tie of the round in the Capital One Cup has got to be at Old Trafford where Premier League heavyweights Manchester United and Newcastle United clash in hope of a cup run and some much needed silverware.

United lost out on all of their major trophies last season and so a run in the Capital One Cup may be exactly what they need, whereas Newcastle have won very little over the past few decades and so it is surely about time they lifted some silverware. Expect an extremely competitive fixture.

Here are the three key battles that could win or lose the game for their side.

Michael Carrick v Yohan Cabaye

Two of the best passers of the ball in the Premier League, Carrick and Cabaye go about their work quietly and efficiently for their sides and the game could well be decided on which of these two keep possession for their sides the best.

Carrick got on the scoresheet in the Champions League last week and has started the season well alongside Paul Scholes in the United midfield. However the likes of Tom Cleverly and Darren Fletcher seem to be returning from injury at a crucial time for the Red Devils to put pressure on Carrick to impress.

Cabaye hasn’t had his midfield partner Cheick Tiote to back him up this season but he is coping well, pulling the strings to release the pacey Newcastle attack that is as good as any in the league. With a lack of quality central midfielders, Cabaye is a key player and will hope to keep Carrick quiet.

Rafael v Hatem Ben Arfa

Manchester United’s right back has improved greatly over the past 12 months or so but that is mainly in attack. Due to dominating games possession-wise United’s full backs are able to constantly push forward but that may not be the case on Wednesday night as Newcastle’s three pronged attack will need to be constantly looked after.

Ben Arfa has dazzled us over the past year or so with his trickery and pace and going forward, few right backs can deal with him. In partnership with Papiss Cisse and/or Demba Ba, Ben Arfa is able to drift inside and lose his marker so Rafael will have to be alert to track him and let him know he is there. On the other hand Ben Arfa will have to go with Rafael when he steams forward, something Ben Arfa may be lacking in his game, so this battle could definitely shape the outcome of the tie.

Robin van Persie v Steven Taylor

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Last season’s Premier League top goalscorer Van Persie has already bagged goals for United this season and doesn’t look to have lost any of that penalty area instinct that earned him such high praise and a move to United. The loss of Wayne Rooney may well have put pressure on the Dutchman to score more goals and with Danny Welbeck and Javier Hernandez eager to get a look in, you can see why.

Steven Taylor missed the majority of last season with a serious knee injury but is relishing being back in his beloved Newcastle’s side. Injuries have left the Toon squad a bit bare at times this season but having one of their own playing week in week out can only help the side in the long term. Taylor will be confident of coping with Van Persie, but if United decide to start with two up front, it may be an uphill challenge for the inexperienced Newcastle defence.

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With iconic manager, Arsene Wenger, set to finally end his 22-year tenure at the club, there has been a lot of speculation about who would replace the Frenchman to manage the Gunners next season.

Big names like former Real Madrid and Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti have been floated but so too have inexperienced hires such as former players, Mikel Arterta and Patrick Vieira. 

Juventus manager, Massimiliano Allegri, was reportedly the fans’ favourite to take over in North London but the Italian has distanced himself from the role.

“If they don’t fire me, then I think I’m staying at Juventus next year too,”

“It’s not an issue of decisions on the future, it’s about planning what the future of Juventus will be, because once we’ve finished celebrating, we have to sit around a table with clear heads,” added Allegri.

The former AC Milan manager guided Juventus to their 34th top-flight title on Sunday to maintain his incredible record of winning a domestic double in each of his four seasons in the hot seat at Juventus.

It is this consistent success that has made Allegri a favourite to succeed Wenger and led him to be linked with replacing Antonio Conte at Chelsea.

But the 50-year-old’s latest comments have left Arsenal fans reeling with some supporters speculating whether Allegri’s comment are simply a bargaining tool to demand a higher salary to move to North London.

While others have pointed to Allegri learning English as evidence that the move is still on.

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Arsenal supporters have been quick to react to the news – and the reaction has been pretty split. Here’s a selection of what’s been said on social media…

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Jack Wilshere has experienced plenty of highs and lows in his career, but one thing that has been lacking severely in recent years is consistency.

That is not because the midfielder has been in bad form, it is because injuries have left him on the sidelines for large spells.

After spending last season on loan at Bournemouth, the 26-year-old returned to the Emirates and this season has been impressing.

Manager Arsene Wenger has included the England international in the starting XI of the club’s last six matches.

Wilshere managed to score his first Premier League goal of the campaign on Wednesday night in an entertaining 2-2 draw with Chelsea on home soil.

Despite his positive form, there have been no indications as yet that the midfielder will be handed a new deal at the North London outfit.

According to The Mirror, after the clash against Chelsea, Wilshere revealed that there was “no progress” on his contract situation.

As it stands, the player will be free to leave Arsenal for free at the end of the season.

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Supporters of the club have made it clear on Twitter what outcome they are hoping for.