Realigning Expectations

West Ham chief executive Scott Duxbury has hinted that the club's proposed new stadium is likely to have a lower capacity than initially mooted. Eggert Magnusson, when talking about the plans for a new home last year, suggested that the planned capacity would be around 60,000 to match that of Arsenal's new stadium. However, in an interview with the Newham Recorder, Duxbury confirmed that the initial site will house slightly less. "At the moment, we are looking at a 50,000 stadium with the option of extending it to 60,000," he admitted. "It is not that we don't think we can fill 60,000 seats, but the last thing we want is empty seats. We are confident that we will be able to fill a 50,000 capacity stadium." The downsizing is in line with the ten-point plan for the future outlined in an official club statement on Monday. It all seems designed to lower expectations to a slightly more realistic level following the wave of early euphoria when the Icelandic consortium initially arrived.

In respect to the location of the proposed new ground, Duxbury revealed that the Parcelforce site by Upton Park tube station - which had previously been earmarked as the primary choice for relocation - was now in doubt due to certain conditions regarding the numerous gas tanks that reside on the same land. "There is really nothing new to say about the situation. We are still negotiating and in a multi-million pound deal, these things can take some time," explained Duxbury. "There are one or two obstacles that we still have to get over. One of those is the gas holders on the site. We are currently discussing things with Health and Safety about the problems of potentially explosive structures being there, and we have asked them to come back to us with a solution. We could build a stadium on the site with the gas holders there, but that would curtail what we want to do in terms of a hotel and a leisure complex. There is also a bus depot being looked at for the site, but obviously the more of the site we can get, the better."

Although plans are still at a tentative stage, Duxbury revealed that the firm contracted to carry out the project the site would be the same company responsible for Reading's Madejski Stadium - architects ACP, who also built Oxford's 15,000 capacity Assam Stadium and three quarters of Wolves' Molineux home. "In terms of the architects, we haven't got to the design stage yet, but it will be done by the same architects that designed Reading's stadium," disclosed the chief executive.

Finally, the club announced that they are close to securing the site for a new training ground. Some stories had suggested that financial pressures had caused the move to be shelved, but Duxbury confirmed that was far from the truth. "The completion of the new training site is nearer to fruition than the new stadium, though we don't expect to have completed the deal until September," he declared. "I can't say where the site is, but it is very near to Chadwell Heath, and the pitches are set up there already. It is just a matter of constructing the building and we will be ready to move."

Global Market Manoeuvres

West Ham United have confirmed Gianluca Nani as their new technical director. The 45-year-old Italian arrives at the Boleyn Ground from Brescia Calcio, where he has been the club's sporting director since 1999. Nani's previous responsibilities included being in charge of all aspects of technical development - such as the youth academy, transfers and improving training facilities. He will start his new role full time in June but has already begun working with Alan Curbishley on identifying potential transfer targets for the summer. In an official statement, the Italian's role at the club is defined as including:

* Enhancing the international scouting network
* Working with Alan Curbishley and the Board on all transfers
* Developing the youth academy with Tony Carr
* Improving all aspects of the training ground facilities

Nani possesses a good depth of knowledge of players in South America, and is reputed to have discovered Kaká, two years before AC Milan did, but when he tried to buy the Brazil forward, São Paulo increased the price at the last moment. Similarly, Brescia could not afford Adriano when he spotted the forward playing in a youth tournament in South America. After studying for a law degree, he worked as a sporting events organiser in Spain but took on his present role soon after marrying Silvia Corioni, the daughter of Luigi Corioni, the president of Brescia. He has also gained a reputation as a strong negotiator. Notably, Nani's arrival at Brescia coincided with that of Roberto Baggio, who helped the team to seventh place in Serie A in 2001, but they were relegated after the retirement of the former Italy forward in 2004. He also helped develop the talents of Andrea Pirlo and Luca Toni, the Italian World Cup winners, as well as Daniele Bonera, Stephen Appiah and Matuzalem.

West Ham United's shift to a continental structure is a bold break for a club that became known as “The Academy”. The likeable Nani, who speaks English, French and Spanish, stressed that as well as trying to attract foreign players to West Ham, he is determined to remain true to the club's academy roots. "I am proud and honoured to be here at West Ham. I know it is a club full of history and they play the right way," he said. "I met [West Ham directors] Alan and Scott Duxbury some months ago. We started to talk about the ambitions of the club. We have the same point of view. This is a club with incredible potential. We have to work to bring the club to its potential. I know players like Bobby Moore and Trevor Brooking, I know the history of West Ham. I know the fans are passionate. We talked about the ambitions of the club and we have the same point of view. I have to help the club develop a system to discover the best young players. We have to build the system and the staff. I know West Ham is the best academy in England and maybe one of the best in the world. If we try to find some players from abroad, it doesn't mean we break the best academy in England. We must improve the English players as well. The fans like recognising the players."

Alan Curbishley has been central to the lengthy search for the ideal candidate for the position. It is a search which has seen the likes of new Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni, former Liverpool assistant Pako Ayesteran and Fabio Capello's right-hand man Franco Baldini linked with the position. "I've been a major part in the recruitment and in setting the job description," Curbishley said. "Perhaps at other clubs there's been a wider-reaching brief for the technical director. We've made sure that we're concentrating on one area; an area I think we need help on. I don't envisage any problems on that because I will have the final say on recruitment. Obviously there's going to be differences of opinion when we're talking about two people involved in something, but I'm sure we're big enough and strong enough to work it all out. There's been a bit of scepticism about the role. We took our time, defined what we wanted. It will help me enormously and push the club forward. You may see this sort of appointment may become the norm in the Premier League. The manager has to be on board with what is done and I have been completely involved in the process. I feel Gianluca is the person I need to help me in recruitment for the club. He is vastly experienced. You need the infrastructure because this is a global game."

Nani's remit will be broadly between that of Nicky Hammond, who negotiates deals at Reading, and Damien Comolli, who has been more hands-on at Tottenham Hotspur. But West Ham are keen to avoid the internal conflict that led to Martin Jol's dismissal at White Hart Lane in October. Curbishley insisted that he will have the final say on transfers, after asking Nani to provide the options. Curbishley's readiness to embrace the move to the continental system was largely because he was left with little choice. He said that the club's present scouting network was inadequate. “I need to have my eyes opened up to players,” Curbishley said. “There is a void at the club and we are in a position to compete at the moment. I don't want to be in a position where we don't know about players. I will pick his brains, his network and advice. I don't think there is going to be any interference [after that]. I don't envisage any problems because I will have the final say. I don't think he has got a managerial bone in him.”

Aware that his appointment might invite conjecture, Gianluca Nani turned to Alan Curbishley and joked that he had only been an amateur coach. The West Ham United manager sarcastically responded that he had been accused of being that himself over the past week.

"Gianluca is the person I need to help me in the recruitment at the club, venturing down into the academy level," said Curbishley, who travelled to Italy last week to discuss possible summer transfer targets with Nani. "It is a big brief but I am sure he is up for it. He is vastly experienced. We took a good look at Brescia and what they have achieved. We are lacking at the club in terms of infrastructure and network, which you need now because it is a global game. Since I have been here the club has always been looking to push on and push forward. There was a void I felt needed to be filled. We don't want to hear about a player going to another club and not have known anything about it. We expect the infrastructure of the club when it comes to recruitment will be beefed up, giving us a chance to get the best home grown players and foreign players. That is an area I feel we have been lacking."

The Italian is a graduate of the world-renowned Italian FA (FIGC) technical centre in Coverciano where he holds regular seminars related to the duties and responsibilities of his position. He has already watched West Ham several times on video and identified the areas that can be improved upon, most notably in attack. Part of the £3.5 million budget he has at Brescia was based on wheeling and dealing, but he can expect eight times as much at Upton Park- not that he will necessarily advocate spending it. “I am here to build something, not to break things,” Nani said. “I am not here to get a medallion. We have to bring the club to its potential. To get the best players. Maybe it could be another Paolo di Canio. We will make mistakes. We are in a global market. But that doesn't mean we will break what is the best academy in England, maybe in the world.”

Certainly the evidence would suggest that the club need to look further afield when making signings for the first-team. Curbishley has signed 12 players since taking over as West Ham manager in December 2006, with all but one of those signings coming from other English clubs. West Ham hope that Nani's expertise will not only bring them talent from all over the world, but will also help them save on transfer fees. In fact, the phrase "global market" was mentioned so often yesterday that you could be forgiven for thinking it was a discussion about the credit crunch rather than Nani's job description.

Scott Duxbury, West Ham United CEO, said: "West Ham United's aims are to continue to compete successfully in the Premier League and to challenge for trophies both domestically and in Europe. A key factor in helping to achieve this is the appointment of our technical director Gianluca Nani. Many months ago, the manager and the board agreed a job description for what was required from the appointment."Someone who could establish a leading domestic and European scouting network, ensure the Academy and the first team have access to the best players both domestically and internationally and establish an infrastructure to ensure the successful development of all our players. The manager led the recruitment process and interviewed all potential candidates which led to the eventual appointment of Gianluca. The club now has a major opportunity to grow and develop as a leading football force in the Premier League and we are extremely pleased Gianluca has agreed to join us and be part of the club and its ambitions going forward."

On the day of Nani's appointment, the board took the opportunity to outline its future ambitions for the club. An official statement said solid foundations had been built over many years and the club now has a major opportunity to grow and develop as a leading footballing force within the Premier League. It insisted that everyone at the club is committed to improvement and to a positive and dynamic future. To achieve that ambitions the club would be developed on sound football and business principles.

The objectives were listed as:

* Remain successful in the Premier League
* Challenge for the main English club trophies
* Qualify for European football
* Nurture young playing talent
* Develop our transfer trading policies and scouting networks
* Utilise the best physical and medical support services for the playing staff
* Improve our training ground facilities
* Examine ways of expanding our ground capacity via improvement or relocation
* Build our fan base and extend the links into local communities; and
* Strengthen the brand image of the club both nationally and internationally.

Interestingly, there is a subtle shift in tone away from some of the more sensational claims made during the time of Eggert Magnusson. The previously stated aim of Champions League football has now become simply European football; while the inclusion of the word 'improvement'- in both ground and training ground facilities- admits for the first time that relocation is not the only option presently being considered by the board.

West Ham United 2 Blackburn Rovers 1

Sears gives West Ham glimpse of bright future by David Lacey

West Ham United will always be about local heroes. The club may sign players from far and wide but Upton Park keeps a special place in its heart for an Essex boy made good. A roar of anticipation greeted Freddie Sears, an 18-year-old from Hornchurch, when he began to warm up and when he eventually came off the bench his 15 minutes of fame were virtually guaranteed... Guardian

Sears takes honours for Hammers' academy by Will Buckley

This was a game that might have meant more to Blackburn, who still had a few lingering hopes of securing a European place. But for West Ham, whose season has run aground with a flurry of big defeats, it was of fundamental significance. Had they contrived to lose 4-0 for a fourth consecutive time, they could have started to believe they were fated to do so every time they played... Observer

Sears blazes a trail for revival of Hammers' tradition by Paul Newman

Alan Curbishley would no doubt prefer to have something tangible to play for in the closing weeks of the season but being in the Premier League's comfort zone does have its consolations. If a Uefa Cup place still beckoned – or if the relegation trapdoor remained ajar – the West Ham manager might have thought twice about giving a debut to a teenage striker at this stage of the campaign... Independent

Sears follows in Cottee's footsteps to boost Hammers by Paul Newman

They love a home-grown hero down in the East End. Freddie Sears is the latest product of one of English football's most celebrated academies and the 18-year-old striker from Romford in Essex yesterday emulated a feat performed 25 years ago by Tony Cottee, with whom he has already been compared, by scoring on his Upton Park debut... Independent on Sunday

Freddie Sears nods West Ham winner by Staff

FREDDIE SEARS, an 18-year-old home-grown striker, came off the bench to record the most glorious debut for West Ham, scoring the winning goal to bring to an end a sorry sequence of heavy defeats. The England Under-19 international was cheered to the rafters at the end of a week in which he signed a new deal, but his storybook contribution might not have mattered had Dean Ashton not performed such a pivotal role... Sunday Times

Special operator Sears cracks code for Curbishley by Staff

West Ham United had started playing in binary: 0-1, 1-1, 1-0, 0-1, 1-1, 1-0, a code of results signifying little entertainment. Then came March and the numbers went from dull to dire: 0-4, 0-4, 0-4. The sequence of suffering was broken on Saturday with a simple sum: 1 x 18. That is, one 18-year-old, Freddie Sears, who scored the winner against Blackburn Rovers six minutes into his debut... Times

Debutant Freddie Sears adds romantic touch by Patrick Barclay

West Ham fans gave credit where it was due, roaring out the name of Dean Ashton shortly after the 18-year-old debutant Freddie Sears had made himself a near-instant hero by scoring the late goal that condemned those bold travellers Blackburn to only their fourth away defeat of the Premier League season... Sunday Telegraph

Freddie Sears enters West Ham folklore by Ben Findon

Based in Hornchurch, nurtured on the fields of the famed Little Heath academy and unleashed at Upton Park, Freddie Sears announced himself as a local hero in the finest West Ham tradition by taking just six minutes to crown his debut with a winning goal... Telegraph

Curbishley has no fears that Sears will stay the distance by Simon Cass

West Ham fans could be forgiven for thinking that it is just a matter of time before Freddie Sears, the latest product of their famed academy to make his mark in the first team, is poached... Mail

Hey Noni Nani!

According to several sources Brescia general manager Gianluca Nani has confirmed that he will be the new sporting director of West Ham United. Speaking in a news conference this afternoon, the Italian informed the media that he would be taking up his appointment at the end of the season. He is quoted as saying: "From June I will take over my new position with West Ham. I have conducted the negotiations in person but in the full co-operation of Brescia chairman [Luigi] Corioni, who I must thank along with his family. I have learnt so much in these years with the club and for that opportunity I must thank them."

There is as yet no official word from West Ham United but it is widely expected that the club will confirm the appointment tomorrow. If true it will bring to an end a long search to fill the newly created role; one that has taken in names such as Franco Baldini, Wim Koevermans, Giovanni Trapattoni and the Brazilian Leonardo. It is believed Alan Curbishley has been fully consulted about any possible appointment and the Irons manager has reportedly already travelled to Italy to discuss possible summer transfer targets. Nani is known for his strong contacts throughout Europe and South America and one of his many duties will be to oversee transfer policy at Upton Park. Renowned for his negotiating prowess, Nani will be expected to gain a tighter fiscal control at the club than existed under Eggert Magnusson, particularly as overseeing the planned relocation to a new stadium, as well as the move to a better-equipped training facility, would also fall under the Italian's remit. Nani worked as a sporting events organiser before taking on his present role soon after he married Silvia Corioni, the daughter of Luigi Corioni, the president of Brescia.

In an otherwise slow day, the News of the World insist Alan Curbishley can always return to Charlton if he is kicked out of West Ham United. They report that a high-ranking board member has told Curbishley he would be ‘welcomed back' at The Valley at a time when current boss Alan Pardew's position is being reviewed following Charlton's struggle for a Championship play-off spot. The board are said to be upset that the team, relegated from the Premier League last season, are struggling to bounce straight back to the top flight.

The article claims Curbishley is under mounting pressure at Upton Park after a triumvirate of 4-0 league defeats (by Chelsea, Liverpool and then Tottenham) effectively ended any hopes of European qualification this season. Although the 2-1 win over Blackburn arrested the ignominious slide, Curbishley's predilection for playing just one player up front has caused public rancour with certain players- notably Dean Ashton- and frustration among many fans reared on a more progressive style of football.

Finally, a People 'exclusive' reveals Argentina stars Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano are to be quizzed by Brazilian police probing fraud claims against the ex-president of their former club Corinthians. Tevez will be seen around June 17 when he is in Brazil to play a World Cup qualifier, while lawyers for midfielder Mascherano have been in contact with police but an interview date has yet to be set. Amusingly, as if not quite grasping the journalistic concept of the 'exclusive', the origin of the story is later revealed to be Brazil newspaper Clarin. Ex-Corinthians president Alberto Dualib, 88, is the man accused of fraudulently diverting money from the signings of several players. Although Tevez and Mascherano joined Corinthians in 2005 after they signed a contract with London-based investment fund Media Sports Investments (MSI), there is no suggestion those deals are presently part of this particular investigation.

Brooking Sears!

Nobby On The Buses

Alan Curbishley looks set to have Bobby Zamora back in contention for tomorrow's game against Chelsea. The striker has been out since 28 August with a persistent knee problem but has made three reserve-team appearances in quick succession - scoring a hat-trick in the first of them, a 4-1 defeat of Birmingham City. His last game was the 3-1 win at Tottenham Hotspur on Monday although the 27-year-old forward picked up a slight knock to his other knee. He was taken off as a precaution but has since resumed training. Confirming he would have largely the same squad as he had for last week's 1-0 win at Fulham, the manager added that Zamora was close. "Bobby Zamora only played half a game on Monday. He got a kick just under the other knee and he had to come off with it but he is training. So we will see how he is. He has got through the last three or four weeks and has looked quite sharp so hopefully he will be back."

Dean Ashton also featured in that reserve game at the start of the week and Curbishley revealed it was the player's choice. Having played just ten minutes as a replacement in the weekend win at Fulham, he said: "He scored and he wanted to play in the game. It wasn't what people were reading into it." Ashton played alongside Freddie Sears for the second half of the reserve encounter. When asked if the youngster, who struck twice and made the other goal for Ashton, would figure soon, Curbishley added: "He is a centre-forward who we have got hopes for. It was a good display. As I said previously if we get to it and they go in, I have got no doubts about playing them. [James] Tomkins, [Jack] Collison and Sears have all been around the first-team squad for the last four or five weeks. [They are] part and parcel of the future of the club. Sears is different to what we have got available at the moment. He is Bellamy-like. He is quick, wants to get in behind people and goes about his business very quietly. He is a good finisher. He has burst on in the last two months really and I think the natural progression is to get some sort of football and we will see if that is in the next 12 games. I am not afraid to put the young boys in. If an opportunity arises I will do it."

Meanwhile, Scott Parker has come through eight days of full training after his recovery from a knee injury suffered when Cristiano Ronaldo accidentally fell on him during the Manchester United victory on 29 December. When asked if he would figure against Tottenham on Sunday week, the manager said: "It might be a bit tight for him". In addition, Craig Bellamy is recovering from his abdominal strengthening operation which, if all goes to plan, could see him "out for another three or four weeks".

In other news, John Paintsil has revealed his happiness in returning to the fold at West Ham United after his experience with semi-finalists Ghana at the Africa Cup of Nations. The popular defender, known to his team-mates as Johnny P, played every minute of his country's five games at the finals and but his thoughts were never too far away from the Boleyn Ground. "I am so happy to be back with my group and the team at West Ham. When I was playing at the Cup of Nations, people were shouting the name of West Ham at me and I was so happy and proud to hear my club's name mentioned in Ghana." Since returning Paintsil found himself back on the bench for the first time in the 1-0 win at Fulham last Saturday and was overawed to get such a rapturous response from the travelling fans when he ran out to warm up including a special song in his honour. "It was so amazing to see the fans last Saturday and I am very happy to come back to the club. The song was amazing, it just showed me that I am back with the team and I must be ready for any chance that comes my way."

Hayden Mullins have come in for some much warranted praise. Alan Curbishley took time out yesterday to pay tribute to the contribution of the midfielder this season - describing the 28-year-old as his "unsung hero". Curbishley recognised that Mullins may have been concerned about his place last summer with the arrival of two big signings. "We bought Scott Parker and Kieron Dyer in and he must have looked at that and thought there is a bit of competition here but he has stayed strong," the manager said. "He has stayed fit and he has played every game. He has deserved to be playing in every game." Mullins himself has previously spoken about the impact of increased competition for places on his game. "You can deal with it in two ways. You can let your head drop, which will affect your game or you can let it bring out the best in you as a player with the competition it creates. I want to be at this club with these kinds of players around me, which is going to be pushing for bigger things. I just put my head down and got on with it. Then a couple of injuries occurred, I got my chance and made sure to make the most of it." Mullins has certainly made the most of his time at the Boleyn Ground - playing in 25 of the club's 26 league games this season as well as four in the cups. The definition of a reliable performer, he made 30 league appearances in 2003/04, 40 in 2004/05, 35 in 2005/06 and 30 in 2006/07.

Finally, Nobby Solano has revealed he is looking forward to the chance of repeating his match-winning heroics of last weekend when Chelsea come calling this Saturday afternoon. The Peruvian international came off the bench to score the only goal of the 1-0 victory at Fulham and would gladly take a similar result - especially as Chelsea were winners by the narrowest of margins when the teams last met at Stamford Bridge on 1 December. "When we played away against them, we played well," he declared. "It is always difficult against Chelsea. We can't sit back for 90 minutes and wait for them as they have quality players who can score any time. So we have nothing to lose. We aren't having a bad season. Compared to last season, we are in a comfortable position. But we want to win the game. We want to try and enjoy the game. It is eleven against eleven. They are a good team. But we are at home."

The midfielder is also aware of the desire from fans to see more goals from the team but acknowledges that the front men need improved service. "Our midfield has to give the chances to the strikers to create something," he admits. "It is a bonus for a midfielders to score goals, but the priority is for the strikers to score, as they are in better positions. We need to improve and create more for the strikers. We can't carry on only creating two or three chances in a game, we need to do much better. Sometimes it is very difficult to score in this league, as teams fight and fight for the result. But we need to improve and create more chances - we need to play better football if we want to score more goals."

The 33-year-old Solano is a popular figure at Chadwell Heath, most notably for the youthful enthusiasm he brings to every session. Revealing that he used to work as a bus conductor as a teenager growing up in Peru - "I needed the money to go training, or if I wanted to buy new boots" - he says he is nothing but grateful for the opportunity he has today. "We are privileged to play in this profession compared with different people. That is why I have no complaints. Some people go to work at 7.30, but we start at 9.30/10 - we are here two hours. It is a wonderful profession." Of his time in England and with West Ham United, he said he always tries to tell his colleagues of how lucky they are to be using the best facilities - unlike the experiences of his youth in South America. "When you move here, everything is perfect. That is why I appreciate it. I am very glad that every day I am still playing."

The Ticking Clock

Alan Curbishley has turned the heat up on Avram Grant ahead of this weekend's much anticipated clash. Curbishley warned the clock is already ticking on the Chelsea boss to turn his club's fortunes around following their Carling Cup Final defeat, at the same time insinuating that club owner Roman Abramovich will expect big returns on his huge investment. Curbishley, one of the Barclays Premier League's longest serving managers, also says Grant will not be afforded the sort of time that Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson have been given to win trophies. It is the latest in a war of words that dates back to the previous meeting between the two teams at Stanford Bridge in early December. Grant chided West Ham United for an overly physical approach during the controversial 1-0 home victory, while Curbishley responded by comparing the Israeli's effectiveness to that of Gary Megson. "He’s been put in a position where he’s got a big, big club on his hands, so perhaps he feels he has to make some big, big statements," Curbishley said at the time. "I don’t think he’s changed too much, he’s just said get on with it. I think he’s come in and done what Gary Megson’s done."

Almost three months on and the West Ham United manager, who spent 15 years at Charlton before taking over at Upton Park 14 months ago, said: "It's the life we're in at the moment. Unless you get results and success quickly then you don't get the same time anymore. When you get to a high profile club everything you do is going to be looked at - body language, the way you walk onto the pitch, the way you dress, every last detail. Everything Avram Grant does is going to be analysed and that is something he has to handle. I looked at the cup final and the start was the most important thing and Tottenham made much the better start. If you are lucky enough to be a manager of a top-four club then that comes with the territory. If it's not Avram Grant, it's Rafa Benitez and if Arsenal weren't doing so well it would be Arsene Wenger. Being a manager is getting tougher. That honeymoon period has gone. You even look at someone like Dave Jones at Cardiff who was under pressure and then he turned it around. I think you get applauded over the top when you win, then you get over castigated when you lose. You have to take it with a pinch of salt. I've never been under too much pressure as a manager, apart from maybe when I was first at Charlton when I wanted to do things and change things."

Curbishley insists that the expectancy level is lower at West Ham despite big foreign investment at Upton Park - but he has still set his sights on reaching Europe this season. He added: "We have to win at least half of our remaining games - and perhaps do a little bit more than that. I feel very confident. We need a bit of stability because in the last four or five years we've had a play-off final we lost, a play-off final we won and then last season was played out across the back pages."

Meanwhile, Robert Green has issued a rallying cry for all the West Ham United players and fans to pull together against Chelsea this Saturday. Speaking on the official site, Green expects the team to show the same resilience and form as in 2-1 and 1-0 home wins against Manchester United and Liverpool respectively this season. "In true West Ham style it seems to be the games where we excel," he said. "They had a big game on Sunday and they have a big [Champions League] game on the Wednesday after our game and you know they won't be looking forward to coming to Upton Park. I don't think anyone ever does really. Between ourselves and the fans we can make it as intimidating as possible and really get stuck into them and make it a double over the west London clubs."

The game is the first in a demanding spell that sees the club go to Liverpool on Wednesday and then Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday week. "Chelsea will be tough but we have got a tough few games coming ahead," mused Green. "We are looking up though and we can put a positive spin on the Fulham result. We have played better this season and not won. We created a lot of chances and on another day we would have taken them. It seems to be happening quite a lot this season." Solano's 87th-minute winner at Craven Cottage came just after Jimmy Bullard found himself bearing down on the West Ham United goal. He let fly for what looked like being the decisive moment when Green came to the rescue. "I was fortunate," he said. "It was one of them where I have made myself as big as possible and just managed to react as I am going down to where he has hit the shot. It is something I don't really think about and thankfully got a hand on it. We scored just after that so it was pleasing in what was a pretty terrible game."

They Are Not For Sale

The following is a fictionalized account of Brian Clough's very real attempt to buy Bobby Moore and Trevor Brooking in late September 1973. It is taken from David Peace's excellent 'The Damned UTD'...

You have been told there is no money. You have been told not to buy any new players. You have been told there is no money for transfers. But you lose 1-0 at Coventry and you know you have to buy some new players. You make a telephone call. You drive down to London. To the Churchill Hotel.
'I hear you are interested in winning a championship medal?'
'Who wouldn't be?'
'Someone who already had one.'
Bobby Moore smiles. Bobby Moore grins. Bobby Moore, captain of West Ham and England. Bobby Moore, World Cup winner and national treasure.
'Would you play for Derby County?' you ask him.
Bobby Moore lights another fag. Bobby Moore laughs, 'Why not?'
'That'll do for me,' you tell him and take him for lunch in the restaurant.
'I'm afraid,' begins the maitre d'hotel at the door, 'that Mr Moore is not dressed appropriately for our restaurant...'
'Listen to me,' you tell him. 'My team will never stay here again if my player can't sit in this restaurant, my player who has won the World Cup for this country, my player who has done more for this bloody country than any other person you have had in your fucking little restaurant!'
'I don't play for you yet,' whispers Bobby Moore.
'Shut up!' you tell him. 'You're my player. I'll ring Ron straight after lunch.'

***

You do not make an appointment. You do not telephone. You go straight to Upton Park. You do not wait in line and you do not knock on Ron Greenwood's door. You just walk right into his office and tell him, 'I'm here for a chat. Now, have you got any whisky?'
Ron Greenwood gets to his feet. Ron Greenwood gets you a whiskey.
'Any water?' you ask him. 'I am driving.'
'The kitchen's just round the corner,' he tells you.
You go off to find the kitchen. You get the receptionist to take you up to the directors' box. You ask her all sorts of questions about West Ham United, about Ron Greenwood and Bobby Moore-
Twenty minutes later, you're back in Ron's office-
'I've been having a good look around this place,' you tell him. 'Isn't it lovely? All nice and spruce. You don't know how lucky you are, a nice place like this.'
'Glad you like it,' says Ron Greenwood. 'Was there anything else?'
'Yes,' you tell him. 'I want to sign Bobby Moore and Trevor Brooking.'
'You can't be serious, Brian?'
'Every man's got his price,' you tell him. 'And I'd make sure it was a nice big bloody price, with a nice big fucking piece of it for you and for Bobby and Trevor.'
'They're not for sale,' says Ron Greenwood.
'How about we start at £300,000 for the pair of them, plus your slice?'
'They're not for sale,' he says again.
'Well then, how about £400,000 for the pair of them, plus your slice?'
'Brian,' says Ron Greenwood, 'they are not for sale.'
'Well listen then, if I can't have Moore, can I have Brooking? Or how about this? If I can't have Brooking, can I have Moore?'
'They're not available,' he says again. 'But I'll pass your offer on to the board.'
'How about £500,000?' you ask. '£500,000 for the pair of them? Not forgetting your slice of the cake for all your toil and trouble. Can't say fairer than that, now can we, Ron?'
Ron Greenwood is on his feet again, the door to his office open-
'Any chance of another whiskey then?' you ask him. 'One for the road?'

Continental Drift

Ambitious West Ham United aim to join continental drift screams a headline in this morning's Times. According to an exclusive by Gary Jacobs the club are preparing to offer Brescia general manager Gianluca Nani the role of technical director at Upton Park. The Italian’s duties- which would begin in the summer- would include finding players and conducting transfers. If the recruitment is successful then it would bring to an end a long search that has taken in names such as Franco Baldini, Wim Koevermans, Giovanni Trapattoni and the Brazilian Leonardo.

Nani is reputed to have a good depth of knowledge of players in South America and has been a familiar face in scouting circles at reserve matches all over the globe. He is also a renowned negotiator, which is something that appeals to Björgólfur Gudmundsson as he seeks greater fiscal control at the club prior to the planned relocation to a new stadium. Overseeing that development project next to West Ham Underground station, as well as the move to a better-equipped training facility, would be responsibilities to fall under Nani's remit. The Italian worked as a sporting events organiser before taking on his present role soon after he married Silvia Corioni, the daughter of Luigi Corioni, the president of Brescia. Nani’s arrival at Brescia coincided with that of Roberto Baggio, whose performances helped the team to seventh place in Serie A in 2001 – the best placing in the club’s history – but they were relegated after the retirement of the former Italy forward in 2004.

Jacobs observes that West Ham United’s shift to a continental structure would be a bold break from tradition for a club that became known as “The Academy” long before the word had its meaning today. They nurtured Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters to lead England to the 1966 World Cup triumph and more recently graduated the likes of Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard, Michael Carrick, Joe Cole and Jermain Defoe. Crucially, Tony Carr, the club’s director of youth development, will be unaffected by any changes and will continue looking for young local players. That would leave Nani to concentrate on discovering foreign talent and experienced players for the first team.

Alan Curbishley has also been part of the interview process, leading the club to believe that there will be no tension between him and Nani. Damien Comolli and Frank Arnesen, the only other sporting directors working in the Barclays Premier League, have crossed swords with the managers at Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea respectively, while Nicky Hammond is the Reading director of football. Comolli’s fractious relationship with Martin Jol has been linked to the dismissal of the Dutchman at White Hart Lane in October. While the Mirror think that the appointment of such a 'low profile' figure as Nani would only strengthen Curbishley's position within the club, the Mail are cautioning that there is still some way to go before a final decision is made. They report that the Hammers' manager, together with chief executive Scott Duxbury, travelled to Italy to talk to Nani and both were impressed with the achievements of the managing director of the Serie B club.

In other news, various reports in Iceland are suggesting a strong interest from the club in signing 17 year old central defender Holmar Eyjolfsson. The player, who has also been tracked by Bayern Munich among other clubs, trained with the first team at West Ham United last week. Eyjolfsson revealed: "I had a great time at West Ham and joining the club is certainly a very exiting option. It was a great experience and a good learning curve. It was also interesting to see how I compared to the Premier League players. They treated me like an equal and it felt like I was just one of the boys. When I sat down with Alan Curbishley and the clubs chief scout Roger Cross, the manager told me he wanted me to join the club and that he would talk to my dad (former Iceland national team manager, Eyjolfur (Jolly) Sverrisson) about it as soon as I went home." Holmar arrived back in Iceland yesterday and news of West Ham United's interest was confirmed on the official HK Kópavogur club site shortly after. Eyjolfsson had an impressive U17 European Championship finals last summer and was voted one of the players to watch out for in the future. He has subsequently emerged as regular for the Iceland U21 side and has only recently returned from a trial at Hertha Berlin.

Freddie Searing Hot

Freddie Sears maintained his impressive scoring form to earn West Ham United a hard-fought 3-1 victory against a youthful Tottenham side tonight. The prolific 18-year-old forward, who now has three goals from six reserve appearances and 21 strikes in 17 games for the Under-18s, struck on the stroke of half-time to cancel out Troy Archibald-Henville's opener for Tottenham. He wrapped up the win with a superb run and shot 17 minutes from time. In between, he found time to set up Dean Ashton for a close-range finish.

Sears had begun the contest on the right wing but moved into attack when Bobby Zamora made way on half-time. It was an experienced side throughout with Jimmy Walker in goal behind Jonathan Spector and John Paintsil. The victory moves West Ham United three points clear of third-placed Reading in the southern section of the Barclays Premier Reserve League and just two points behind leaders Aston Villa - although both have two games in hand after a 1-1 draw on the same evening.

At a chilly Brisbane Road, Tottenham were the brighter of the two sides in a bruising first half which was most noticeable for several robust encounters. Walker, who had Ludek Miklosko as his replacement on the bench after the late withdrawal of Adam Street, and David Button in the Spurs goal were largely spectators in the opening stages as a number of moves broke down. After a couple of fine tackles by young left-back Ashley Miller to stop the visitors in their tracks, West Ham United's first real opportunity came in the 17th minute. Paintsil picked out Ashton in a good central position but he was just unable to make a clean connection and his glancing header flew wide. Six minutes later, Zamora did well to fashion an opening but the ball would not sit kindly and his effort looped over the bar. A minute later, Jack Collison had the chance to head for goal from the middle of the penalty area after fine work by Ashton but again Button watched it fly safely behind.

Tottenham picked up after that and looked the most likely with Danny Rose and Simon Dawkins looking particularly menacing. They finally broke the deadlock in the 34th minute when Troy Archibald-Henville glanced in a Rose free-kick. Walker had no chance with that but did well soon after the restart to save at point-blank range from David Hutton. James Tomkins then had to be alert to stop another potential Tottenham attack and it seemed if any side was going to strike before half-time it would be the hosts. However, good play by Ashton on the right saw him pick out Kyel Reid on the edge of the area. His shot was miscued into the path of Sears, who turned quickly and flashed a shot beyond Button. It was almost the last action of the half and proved pivotal as Kevin Keen's side were always in command after the break. Zavon Hines came on to replace Zamora which in turn allowed Sears to link up through the middle with Ashton.

Within ten minutes of the restart both forwards had made space for a couple of good efforts on goal and looked an effective partnership. With Tottenham making a couple of changes on the hour, the contest was beginning to open up and a second West Ham United goal seemed on the cards. It duly came in the 68th minute as Hines slipped Sears away and he raced through to the byline. From there, he looked up and picked out Ashton who had no trouble converting from close range. Sears was not finished. Five minutes later, he struck a sensational second to put his side two goals clear. Ashton set him away with a neat pass and the young forward did the rest, racing beyond three defenders before confronting Button in the Spurs goal. Before the keeper could react, Sears fired into the far corner and victory was assured.

West Ham United: Jimmy Walker, John Pantsil, James Tomkins (Jordan Spence 70), Ashley Miller (Lorcan Fitzgerald 78), Jonathan Spector, Freddie Sears, Tony Stokes, Jack Collison, Kyel Reid, Dean Ashton, Bobby Zamora (Zavon Hines 46)
Subs: Ludek Miklosko, Junior Stanislas

Elsewhere, Tony Carr was a happy man after his Under-18 side moved two points clear at the top of Group A of the Premier Academy League at the weekend. Goals from Tom Harvey and Freddie Sears helped West Ham United to win 2-0 at Crystal Palace as previous league leaders Southampton were losing 3-0 at Ipswich Town FC. The Hammers now have 42 points from 23 games, while Southampton have 40 from the same number of fixtures. Arsenal in third place are still most people's favourites for the title although they are six points adrift of top spot with four games in hand.

Reflecting on Saturday's fifth victory in six unbeaten games and a third clean sheet in a row on the road, Carr said: "We would like to finish the season on a high and keep this run going to the end. Certainly defensively we are looking quite strong. We are playing as a team unit at the moment. There is a lot of togetherness in the squad. We are getting the results and breeding confidence at the same time." Once again, Sears found himself on the score-sheet. His 85th-minute goal was impressive for the way he evaded the Palace defence before rounding the keeper to score and even more remarkable because he had only just come on as a late replacement. Carr said: "He is the guy you want in those positions because he can finish. He has had a terrific season and caught the eye. All the players at this level must keep grounded and he is that sort of player. He is West Ham through and through and just wants to do well for himself and the club."