St James' Park, Newcastle

Next Game

Newcastle v Arsenal

Sunday, 19 May 2013, 16:00

Barclays Prem

Emirates Stadium

Last Game

Arsenal 4 - 1 Wigan

Tuesday, 14 May 2013, 19:45

Barclays Prem

'Total confusion' over Diame

The future of Mohamed Diame remains unclear after West Ham boss Sam Allardyce confessed there is 'total confusion' regarding the midfielder.

Last Updated: 29/01/13 at 15:57 Post Comment    Bet with SkyBet  Transfer Specials. Click here to bet.

Mohamed Diame: Has a £3.5million release clause in his West Ham contract

Mohamed Diame: Has a £3.5million release clause in his West Ham contract

Manager Specials

So who will replace David Moyes as manager of Everton after his appointment as Sir Alex Ferguson's successor at Manchester United? Wigan's Robert Martinez heads the betting. Check out the latest odds

Diame, 25, only joined the Irons last summer from Wigan, but has been at the centre of rumours suggesting he was ready to walk away from Upton Park should a club match the £3.5million release clause in his contract, with Arsenal said to be monitoring the situation.

Despite a strongly-worded statement from Diame last week insisting he was "happy" at Upton Park and fully committed to the Hammers' cause, the speculation over his future refuses to die down.

Allardyce accepts the whole situation is now unpalatable.

"My understanding is that it is total confusion. I am as confused as anyone by what is happening," said Allardyce, who takes his side across London to Fulham on Wednesday.

"I am sat there listening to what is going on (in the media), but deep down inside behind the scenes I speak to the chairman and where we are at the moment we are relatively comfortable regarding Mo Diame.

"However, whatever he [Diame] says to me today might change in an hour's time - if Manchester United ring up in one hour's time, he's not going to want to stay is he?

"It can change between now and 11 O'clock Thursday night. In the flick of a text, or an e-mail, or a phone call."

Allardyce added: "There is certain situations where yes, we might lose the player, I hope we don't.

"But if the situation develops accordingly there is going to be the chance we lose him. We are trying to keep him."

On Monday, West Ham strengthened their backline with the loan signing of former Middlesbrough defender Emanuel Pogatetz.

However, Allardyce revealed plans to also bring in left-back Stephen Warnock from Aston Villa had been derailed, as the 31-year-old now looks set to join Leeds United instead,

"Stephen we thought was a goer yesterday, but we had another club in the Championship make him a longer-term offer, which he has accepted," said Allardyce.

"Ours was more a short-term offer with a view to a further and longer deal, but at the end of the day he chose the more secure one.

"That was a lot of hard work which went to waste yet again. You constantly waste your time because 99% of the time you don't get what you want.

"We have been looking for a defender since late December and it has taken until this week to get Emanuel Pogatetz in."

Allardyce maintained there had been no offer for striker Carlton Cole, despite reports of interest from both Norwich and Turkish club Kasimpasa.

"The speculation that goes with it, in the media, is probably fuelled by agents telling you this players going to go there and this player might go here, so on and so forth," Allardyce said.

"It is hugely stressful window as ever and we will all be glad when it's over."

On-loan striker Andy Carroll has been out with a knee injury since November, but there is a chance he could be included in the squad at Fulham.

West Ham have recorded just one Premier League win in the last eight, and were thumped 5-1 at Arsenal in their previous fixture.

Allardyce has called for a response at Craven Cottage.

"We know what the players are capable of as they have proved it, but we have got to get them to that level of performance again," the Irons boss said.

"Fulham are in a similar situation to ourselves where performances have been good, but results haven't followed.

"It is all about winning football matches and we have both failed to do that.

"Too many draws have turned to losses and too many supposed wins have ended up as draws - particularly the last one against QPR when we battered them from start to finish."

Bet with SkyBet  Transfer Specials. Click here to bet.

TEAMtalk Facebook Fan Page

The TEAMtalk fan page is a great place to meet like minded people, have football related discussions and make new friends.

Related News

Sky Bet

    • Retrieving latest Sky Bet odds

Most Commented

Readers' Comments

I

m starting to think Roman may never actually be happy at the top level. If he wants all conquering fancy football I wonder if he'd be better off buying a lower division side then paying outlandish salaries to attract high caliber players too good for the division.

john matrix
The Most Unsatisfying European Victory...

R

afa has to be favourite for the Everton job now, surely :) He'll realise his ambition to live and work on Merseyside again, get the best out of whoever plays for them, maybe win some cups and be thoroughly loathed by the toffee fans. What's not to like? Go ead, Ken, gimajob!

captbusby
Benitez basks in final glory

T

hat is arguably the least inspiring England I have ever seen. There is not a single name in that list that makes me think I might actually want to watch this team. Not a one.

harry hotspur
Carroll back in England squad

Footer 365

League Two: Aidy Boothroyd promises Northampton will bounce back

Aidy Boothroyd has promised that Northampton will bounce back from the misery of their play-off final loss to Bradford.

Beckham to captain PSG

David Beckham will captain Paris Saint-Germain in his last ever home match on Saturday, according to Sky sources.

League Two play-off final: Phil Parkinson hails his Bradford players

Bradford boss Phil Parkinson hailed his players after they beat Northampton 3-0 at Wembley to earn promotion.

Mail Box

James Collins Is Only 29. Tough Paper Round

He is one of a number of solid shouts for players that look old before their time. We also have the final words on lovely D-Beck and a rejection of end of season playoffs...

Without Posh, Becks Could Have Been Scholes

That's one opinion, but others give their thanks to the man. We also have ideas for a relegation playoff, happy memories of the season and a defence of Liverpool's campaign...

© 2013 British Sky Broadcasting Ltd. All Rights Reserved