Transfer window; who goes, who comes etc?

I'm not sure if the 'window' is June 1st or July 1st to Aug.31st, but in any event, what's the consensus as to what will the Hammers' activity be?
Who will be released? and who will Zola try to get? and finally, who will he loan out? Any ideas?

Well Tristan, DeeMick and Kovac should all be released/returned. Young Freddy's going out on loan by the sounds of it... Davenport isn't welcome back I would think, so he'll be on his way again.

heard today that Balotelli, the kid at Inter that Zola had his eye on, is unhappy with his lack of playing time so perhaps we could get him on loan next season (unless Moanrio has big plans for him) as we need strikers, with only Ashton and Cole as our recognized strike force right now.

What about Gabbidon? Not sure if we keep him or not seeing how litrtle he's been involved (don't see why we wouldn't though)

Otherwise I would like to see Stanislas get a regular run-out on the wing, and a real playmaker brought into our midfield (although isn't the young lad Josh Payne supposed to be a promising creative mid?)

And then there's Dead Snake... I think the lad tried but it seems time may have caught up with him. I'll leave that to you lot to discuss.

The Balotelli rumour was in The Sun and was mentioned here.

The preferred midfield when all were fit was Collison, Parker, Noble and Behrami forming a narrow diamond. The lack of true wingers in this was a bit scary but it worked well and it's not as if we ever score any goals from wide crosses. So I think it will come down to who, from the other midfielders, Zola thinks will fit into his plans.

Boa has improved lately and if anyone can help him find some form it's Zola and Clarke. I think we will only get rid of him if a good offer comes in and he wants to go. Stanislas and Savio will obviously stay but, like Boa, will be second choice behind the above four. Dyer will stay if he proves his fitness over the summer. Definites to leave are Quashie, Kovac and Faubert (if anyone will take him). I would like for Lopez to stay to see more of what he can do. The odd occasions he has made an appearance he looked half decent.

Up front I think Tristan will go as Zola expects Ashton to be back. Di Michele may stay if he is happy to play second fiddle to Ashton and Cole. Otherwise he will be sent back. Almost certainly if we sign another decent forward.

At the back I can see the same back four of Ilunga, Upson, Collins and Neill being first choice. Spector, Gabbidon and Tomkins will all be competing behind them. Davenport won't come back if the rumours of his dummy spitting are true. Shame because I quite liked him up until that point.

For signings I would like to see us capture a quality striker, quality central midfielder (as without Parker we look lost) and a backup keeper as Lastuvka has gone. Assuming that we don't lose any of our best players of course.

LBM has been included in the Portugese national squad.
http://www.teamtalk.com/football/story/0,16368,1808_5354718,00.html

not sure why everyone wants Kovac gone (or thinks he will be), thought he had a couple of good games near the end but i suppose he was just cover for Parker really - can't see him replacing Parker or Noble in CM when both are fit - but he's got a decent shot and is good at breaking up play - i'd keep him at cover if possible

as for Boa Morte, much as i'd like to see him shifted on i don't think he will be - his performances towards the end of the season were much improved except for his awful yellow card inducing tackles, but him and ilunga built up the basis of an understanding down the left

would like to see sears go on loan and score buckets of goals like he did for the reserves and u-21 teams.

di michele and tristan should both go, but i have this feeling they'll keep tristan around for cover.

not sure what to do about defenders now gabbidon has seemingly returned from his injury nightmare. definitely want to hold on to tomkins long term, but if there's too many ahead of him, maybe another loan is the answer.

i don't think lucas neill will be around next season - on too high a wage bill and he's had quite a few dodgy moments - he's been a good servant to the club overall though and a decent captain.

all the ones out on loan will almost certainly be moved on besides the kids (bowyer, quashie, faubert, etc.)

overall with ashton behrami parker and gabbidon back the squad is pretty strong i think - should be able to make a decent push for europe with a little luck and a lack of injuries.

To be honest, I have little attachment to who goes as long as they're adequately replaced. However, we still need another left back.

What I don't get about this is how anybody will pay him more than we're supposed to be offering. If I've read that correctly, they're now offering 2.5m per year. How the hell can any Turkish or Greek club match that? Who in the Premier League would even offer that?

And a statement on the official site now reads...

"[Neill] rejected a contract proposal this week and is pursuing other opportunities. WHU wish him well after two-and-a-half years' service and will focus on improving the first-team squad for the new season."

So, sounds like captain will be jumping ship.

Other squad news is also covered...

Summer Squad Latest

SSN said this morning that we are one of several clubs who are after Benayoun.

Should he be welcomed back?

Yes, please.

^^^^^^^^^^ +1

+1 to that as well

and also Neill is mental if he thought he was going to stay on that money - especially after a couple games near the end of the season where he just didn't look at the races.

What about those who were not mentioned by the club today?
Green, Gabbidon, Dyer, Boa Morte, Upson,Spector, and Collins; plus what will they do with Davenport and Faubert? I suppose they are good loan candidates.

Things could really change over the next few weeks. I'm not upset about Neill, who I think is over valuing himself.He's been a good club servant, but we need a quicker back, like Glen Johnson.Not that he'll come back, but that's the kind of player we need.

As for Benayoun, I don't see him returning to the Hammers when he can pick any top club he likes. I'd love to see him back, of course.

Reading the article it says these 12 have pledged their futures and signed long-term contracts within the last season. Doesn't mean everybody else is offski, especially given that Ashton is on the list and he should be gone.

I think that it was the one's that signed an extension in the past year. I would guess that those not mentioned were already under contract for the 09/10 season.

Oh dear:

http://westhamfc.blogspot.com/2009/06/west-ham-seek-neill-replacement.html

Now you know what they mean by "putting excitement back into the game".

Hehe, can't believe no one's posted any comments on that site yet!

It really fills me with dread when I read "Can play anywhere on the right or in midfield". Behrami can do that but he's not a proper right back by any means. Fanni could be, well, gash at playing right back.

The mind boggles when thinking of the kind of chants that will no doubt come from certain sections of Upton Park about that name!

Some merchant banker called Harris says we're gonna be taken over by a yank and or a bird called Orville.


Or something like that

This one has already emerged and we haven't even signed him yet:

East London...is wonderful
East London...iiiisss wooondeeeerfulllll
We've got Rod Fanni at West Ham
East London...is wonderful

Naaah!
Prefer the original

I'm getting worried about Upson being sold; he's the only name being bandied about a lot and obviously he's worth a ton of money in this transfer market.
Regardless of what the new management say publically about not selling players,, if Glenn Johnson is worth 18 million pounds, then Upson is worth at least 10 million or maybe much more! That would be hard to turn down, if he wants to go to a top 6 club.
With Gabbidon, Collins, Tomkins, Spector and Illunga OK, we need a couple more decent backs and this defence would probably be adequate.
Still, I hope Upson doesn't leave; he's an outstanding player, and getting better all the time.