Friday, December 30

Daily WHUFC News - II 30th December 2011

Big Sam on Derby
WHUFC.com
The manager covered a range of subjects during his update before the big New Year's Eve game
30.12.2011

Sam Allardyce and his players head to Derby County on Saturday with the manager having plenty to ponder regarding his lineup. Four players are out suspended in Kevin Nolan, Julien Faubert, George McCartney and Jack Collison, while Big Sam has to think about whether to play the fit, but not match-fit, Winston Reid and Sam Baldock. Gary O'Neil is also pushing to play after eight months out. As ever at this time of the year, the transfer window dominates media activity with the manager ruling out a number of names put to him in the press conference while being adamant that James Tomkins is one he wants to keep at the club.

How is the squad looking for Saturday?

SA: We are pretty depleted. I think that our injury problems are doubled and escalated by our suspensions. It is very unusual to actually get three players who were on four bookings all booked in the same game and missing the next game along with Jack Collison. There are four out on suspension and five or six out injured.
It makes life very difficult for us. The defence is the biggest problem we have as the rest of the squad is not quite as weakened as we are at the back. It is about a side that needs to go out and play to its very best in a very difficult game at Derby, whoever is in the team.

Do you have anyone back to help?

SA: Sam Baldock is back in the squad but hasn't played for five weeks. Gary O'Neil is in the squad, he has played three games behind closed doors. Winston Reid has been out for seven or eight weeks but not played a game. He is fit so we have to include him in the Derby scenario. The players selected need to go out and do their very best. It is a little concerning but it is for one game only so maximum effort from everyone is needed to try and continue our fantastic away record and then we will have plenty of fresh players back from suspension to look at for the Monday game.

Can you afford to even think about that visit of Coventry yet?

SA: The game on Monday sort of takes care of itself. Jack Collison, Julien Faubert, Kevin Nolan and George McCartney will all be available again. That makes life a little bit easier. It would also have always been two different sides playing because it is such a short space of time. It is about the disruption. Making changes disrupts the flow of the team and it is beginning to do that. That has ended up costing us a few points, even though I think under the circumstances the performances have been very good.

How do you reflect now on the 1-1 draw at Birmingham City?

SA: It was just too many chances missed at the time. That would have put the game beyond Birmingham and we had one slip up on a corner. There are lots of things we have talked about. Not retaining possession in the second half like we did in the first half, which allowed too much pressure to come on us. We have ask 'Is that why we made a mistake and cracked' and 'What contribution did the changes make?' If you are a substitute you have got to make a bigger and better contribution than you've made. You are supposed to lift the team. We put you on because we want you to lift the team. We need you to come on with the energy and ability you have got and make us better, not make us the same. I don't think any of the subs lifted the team when they came on. We have had all those discussions. In the end, Birmingham are a very difficult side to play on their own patch. It is not bad being disappointed with a draw with the problems we have had, when you know you should have won.

You must be very impressed with how Dan Potts is doing at just 17?

SA: He has done very well. The idea of a young lad training with the first team on a regular basis gives you the opportunity as a manager to see the lads that the staff are promoting. They are writing out the reports and see players who are building up the higher-end performances. For me it is about bringing those players up to the first-team squad - playing against the first team in tactical sessions. Danny has jumped the queue, there is many a young professional in the squad that is older that hasn't made the first team. If they are looking on they need to get to his level and beyond, then they will get in the first team. It is a great achievement for Danny and he is very capable. We have to be very careful with him that it is not too much too soon. We don't have to prolong it for too long because he will feel the pace at some stage.

Kevin Nolan will miss his first minutes of the season. Who will captain the team?

SA: I don't know who will be the captain yet. It is the farthest thing from my mind. It is about getting the best eleven out on the field that is available and the best system for that eleven. That is my concern and when we have done all that, we will look at who the captain will be and give them the armband. Hopefully we can continue a very good record away from home. The transfer window is upon us and clubs will no doubt be looking at James Tomkins. Are you expecting a bid?

SA: Probably but it wouldn't be big enough to tempt us. I was speaking to David Sullivan yesterday and while there might be some interest in James it would have to be mega bucks for us to even consider that. Not that we want to, but you never know what's round the corner and it would be the same with anybody else really.
We just have to wait and see.

What about players coming in? We have seen Jordan Rhodes and Ricardo Costa linked?

SA: We have identified names and made some inquiries into some players which is encouraging indeed. It has to be the right price but more importantly it has to be the right quality. [Huddersfield's] Jordan Rhodes has only been an inquiry but we have had a straightforward 'No, not for sale'. That is out of the equation. It was just an inquiry, nothing more than that. No [interest in Ricardo Costa]. We have got the experienced players in our squad. It is the younger end with potential we are looking for to add a bit more vibrancy to the squad. That gives you a good balance. We are looking for potential to get better, the same we got with Sam Baldock.

What are the plans for New Year's Eve after the Derby match?

SA: There will be no time for the players to be celebrating. They will be in the day after recovering as quickly as they possibly can. Anyone who wants to try and sneak out is not only harming the chance of a result but also their own career basically. Those days are long gone when you want to be seeing players sneaking out because it is New Year's Eve. It is a great temptation but you have to resist that if you are a true professional.

Have you got a stand-out memory of the year?

SA: A stand-out memory has been joining a club of this magnitude. The home attendances and the away support is a stand out thing for me. We are filling the ground
at home. Perhaps they could be a bit more intimidating on the opposition but tthey are there in their thousands and away from home, 6,500 here, 4,500 there.
It has been the standout memory for me. That makes you want to reward them for their support and try and give them what they want. That is a team that finishes in the top two of the league at the first time of asking.

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Cardiff City reject West Ham's Peter Whittingham approach
Page last updated at 09:58 GMT, Friday, 30 December 2011
BBC.co.uk

Malky Mackay has revealed Cardiff City have received an approach from Championship rivals West Ham United for playmaker Peter Whittingham. But Bluebirds boss Mackay has rejected an offer, thought to be in the region of £3m, by The Hammers for the former England under-21 international. And Mackay insists that Whittingham, who signed a new three-year Cardiff deal in August, "is not for sale". "I'm here to improve this football club," said Cardiff boss Mackay. "And bring players into the club, not sell them. "We had an approach in terms of a call. Peter Whittingham is not for sale."

Whittingham's impressive displays have helped propel Cardiff into the top six. The 27-year-old said earlier this month that he would have no complaints if the Welsh club rejected offers for him when the January transfer window opened. Whittingham has scored seven league goals and made seven assists this season, emphasising his importance to Cardiff's Championship play-off push. The 2002 FA Youth Cup winner with Aston Villa joined Cardiff in a £350,000 deal in January 2007 and quickly established himself as one of their key players. But having spent a number of seasons on the left-wing, Whittingham has impressed in a central midfield role this season under new manager Mackay.

Former Cardiff boss Dave Jones admitted in November that the club had a few "sniffs" for Whittingham from Premier League clubs during his reign last season and said he thought Cardiff's resolve to keep their man would be severely tested in January. West Ham are second in the Championship table, just three points behind leaders Southampton, and looking to get back into the Premier League at the first attempt following their relegation last season. "If you're not getting calls and not getting interest in your players then that tells its own story," added Mackay. "I'm here to grow Cardiff City, not wreck it. And our chairman and directors feel the same way."

Cardiff have rejected previous offers from Nottingham Forest and Burnley for Whittingham, regarded as one of the best midfielders outside of the Premier League.
Whittingham was the Championship's 25-goal top-scorer in the 2009-10 season and was named in the division's team of the season, in the year Cardiff lost a play-off final to Blackpool.

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Cole to Newcastle?
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 30th December 2011
By: Staff Writer

Fulham are set to make a move for Carlton Cole during the forthcoming transfer window, according to reports. Jason Burt, writing in today's Telegraph claims that Martin Jol is a long-term admirer of the West Ham striker and has identified him as a potential replacement for Bobby Zamora, who is likely to depart Craven Cottage this January. Fulham are said to value Cole at around the £4million mark; West Ham are likely to ask for double that should they decide to part with a player who, whilst blowing hot and cold during his five years at the club is considered a vital first team member at present.

* One player unlikely to be leaving the Boleyn Ground this winter is central defender James Tomkins, who has been a target of Newcastle's former West Ham manager Alan Pardew. Sam Allardyce, speaking about Newcastle's interest said: "While there might be some interest in James it would have to be mega bucks for us to even consider that. "Not that we want to, but you never know what's round the corner - and it would be the same with anybody else."

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Big Sam on Rhodes bid
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 30th December 2011
By: Staff Writer

Sam Allardyce has revealed that he is unlikely to make a second bid for Huddersfield striker Jordan Rhodes. Allardyce boss confirmed that West Ham had indeed made an approach for the highly-rated 21-year-old - but insisted that a fee was never discussed. "Jordan Rhodes has only been an enquiry, not an offer or bid," he told the Sun. "We've had a straightforward, absolute 'no, not for sale' from Hudddersfield so that is out of the equation. "That was just an exquiry to assess what the situation was and nothing more than that. He's a goalscorer, young, got good potential and can get better, the same as Sam Baldock. "I suppose if the bid was big enough they'd have to think about it - but I'm not so sure we've got that sort of money available."

The interest in Rhodes , added to the summer purchase of Sam Baldock points to the club looking to invest in potential rather than experience, as was the case during the pre-season transfer window. And Allardyce - who has signed SIX players aged thirty and over since succeeding Avram Grant at West Ham last June - agrees that the squad requires an injection of youth. "We've got the experienced players here in our squad," he said. "It's the younger end with potential that's more vibrant for the squad to come in. That gives you a good balance."

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For Pete's sake
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 30th December 2011
By: Staff Writer

West Ham are understood to have had another approach for a Football League player rejected. Cardiff City boss Malky Mackay claimed this morning that he had rejected an enquiry by the Hammers for tireless midfielder Peter Whittingham. "Peter Whiitingham is not for sale," he said. "I'm here to improve this football club and bring players in not sell them. We've had an approach in terms of a call but that's all it was. "It was from West Ham, but Peter is not for sale."

The Nuneaton-born former England under-21 international has been in sterling form for the Bluebirds this season. Under new boss Mackay, Whittingham - who has played the majority of his career as a wide man - has excelled in a more central role, from where he has already hit eight goals (from 27 appearances). Having started his career at Aston Villa - for whom he managed just 39 starts in four years - Whittingham moved to Cardiff in the January 2007 transfer window for £350,000, following loan spells at Burnley and Derby. Since then he has been virtually ever-present for City, fo whom he has made in excess of 200 starts in five years. West Ham's approach for Whittingham - whom the club are said to value at £3million - comes hot on the heels of United's approach for Huddersfield's Jordan Rhodes, the young striker for whom the Hammers are said to have offered a similar figure.

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Derby v West Ham preview
Last updated: 30th December 2011
SSN

Team news for Saturday's Championship clash between Derby and West Ham at Pride Park (kick-off 1pm). Mark O'Brien has joined Jeff Hendrick and Steve Davies on the casualty list for Derby ahead of the visit of West Ham. O'Brien has undergone knee surgery after damaging his anterior cruciate ligament in training on Tuesday and the defender is set to miss the remainder of the season. Midfielder Hendrick was ruled out of the Christmas and New Year programme after damaging ankle ligaments during the defeat at Ipswich on December 17. Davies has been sidelined since suffering a fractured skull against Southampton in mid-October. The striker could soon return depending on the results of his latest scan. Fit-again Theo Robinson and fellow forward Tamas Priskin, along with midfielder Ben Davies, are options for manager Nigel Clough, who could recall centre-half Jake Buxton to the squad following the injury to O'Brien. Robinson, Ben Davies and midfielder Craig Bryson go into the final game of 2001 on four yellow cards. They will escape a suspension if they can avoid collecting another because the cut-off point for five bookings is the end of the year.

West Ham have four players suspended for the trip to Pride Park. Skipper Kevin Nolan, winger Julien Faubert and defender George McCartney all travelled to Birmingham on Boxing Day knowing a yellow card would earn them a one-match ban and all three duly got themselves booked. Midfielder Jack Collison is still suspended following his red card against Reading a fortnight ago. The Hammers also have a big injury list with Abdoulaye Faye (thigh), Winston Reid(shoulder), Guy Demel (thigh), Matt Taylor (calf), David Bentley (knee) and Sam Baldock(hamstring) all receiving treatment. Boss Sam Allardyce hopes Faye will be available, otherwise James Tomkins is his only fit centre-half, while striker Baldock is also pushing to return after a month on the sidelines.

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Whittingham 'not for sale'
Cardiff boss confirms West Ham enquiry for midfielder
Last Updated: December 30, 2011 11:37am
SSN

Cardiff City boss Malky Mackay insists Peter Whittingham is 'not for sale' after confirming West Ham United had made an enquiry for the midfielder. Whittingham, who has 18 months remaining on his contract, has been linked with a £3million January move to Cardiff's promotion rivals. However, Mackay is determined to hang on to the 27-year-old and wants to focus on bringing new players in, rather than cashing in on current members of his squad. "Peter Whittingham is not for sale," said Mackay.

Approach

"I'm here to improve this football club and bring other players in to it, not sell the players I have. "We've had an approach in terms of a phone call but people call and ask questions regularly about players in football. The answer to West Ham regarding Peter was: 'Not for sale'. "We're trying to build something here and Peter is a big part of that. If you don't get calls for your players then that tells its own story. "Our chairman and directors feel the same way. We want to go forward at full strength and want to add to our squad."

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Fulham set to make move for West Ham striker Carlton Cole in January transfer window
By Jason Burt7:30AM GMT 30 Dec 2011
Telegraph.co.uk

West Ham do not want to sell Cole as they push for promotion from the Championship and are attempting to strengthen their own strike-force. On Thursday they had an offer of £3.25 million rejected by Cardiff City for Peter Whittingham, having already failed with a bid of £3 million for Huddersfield Town striker Jordan Rhodes.
Cardiff have warned clubs they will not sell Whittingham, 27, while Huddersfield have issued a similar rebuff for Rhodes, 21, who has scored 20 goals in 20 League One matches this season and become a full Scotland international. It is understood that West Ham will now turn to other transfer targets and are considering two other strikers, but are not going to let Cole go having already rejected a £4 million bid last August from Galatasaray for the 28-year-old England international. Fulham manager Martin Jol is, nevertheless, a long-time admirer of Cole and attempted to sign him when the Dutchman was in charge of Tottenham Hotspur. That interest was rekindled in the summer when it was also mooted that West Ham might be interested in Fulham striker Andrew Johnson, but no offer was made. West Ham remain interested in Johnson but accept that with his wage demands, of around £2 million a year, they would not be able to afford the 30 year-old in January.
Instead they might wait to see if they get promoted back into the Premier League. However, with Johnson in the final year of his contract at Craven Cottage and with no agreement on a new deal, Fulham would rather he left next month so they can recoup some money. It had been thought that Johnson would go to Queens Park Rangers but that deal has gone cold as they chase other targets. Blackburn Rovers are now showing the strongest interest in Johnson, who is believed to be available for £2 million, and have also been interested in Zamora although he is believed to be more likely to join Sunderland, or possibly Aston Villa, should be leave. It is understood that Zamora, having been told he is no longer regarded as an automatic first choice at Fulham, is keen to leave. Sunderland's new manager, Martin O'Neill, is in the market for an experienced striker and might meet the asking price, which could be as high as £8  million. Jol has played down suggestions of a rift between him and Zamora but there is believed to be tension and it is understood that the 30 year-old accepts that it may be best for him to seek a new club in the new year having joined Fulham from West Ham in 2008. Fulham have also been linked with a move for Billy Sharp, who has a £3  million release clause in his contract at Doncaster Rovers, but promotion-chasing Southampton, who are also desperate to sign a new striker, are believed to be in pole position to secure him should he leave.

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Daily WHUFC News - 30th December 2011

Derby County match preview
WHUFC.com
All the background information and team news ahead of the New Year's Eve
fixture
29.12.2011

DERBY COUNTY v WEST HAM UNITED
npower CHAMPIONSHIP
SATURDAY 31 DECEMBER 2011
KICK-OFF: 1PM
FULL AUDIO AND TEXT COMMENTARY - WEST HAM TV
iPHONE APP I TWITTER I FACEBOOK I PODCAST

Introduction
• West Ham United travel to Derby County for their final league fixture of
2011. The Hammers go to Pride Park having amassed more points (24) on the
road than any other npower Championship club this term. West Ham have won
seven times (Doncaster Rovers, Watford, Nottingham Forest, Brighton & Hove
Albion, Hull City, Coventry City and Middlesbrough) and drawn three
(Millwall, Crystal Palace and Birmingham City) of their 12 away matches this
season.
• The Hammers are seeking a first away victory in three attempts. Sam
Allardyce's side have lost at Reading (3-0) and drawn at Birmingham City
(1-1) since winning 2-0 at Middlesbrough on 29 November.
• West Ham United are unbeaten in their previous seven visits to Derby
County - a run dating back to a 2-0 Rams success in the Premier League on 6
December 1997. The Hammers' most-recent trip to Pride Park ended in a 5-0
victory on 10 November 2007 - a game that saw Robert Green, George McCartney
and Carlton Cole start for West Ham.
• West Ham United's 38 league goals have been shared between 15 different
players. Carlton Cole leads the way with eight goals to his name.
• Derby County go into Saturday's fixture having won two their previous
three straight npower Championship matches. The Rams secured home successes
against Bristol City (2-1) and Leeds United (1-0) either side of a 1-0
defeat at Ipswich Town.
• The Rams, who won their opening four npower Championship fixtures, sit
14th in the table, having collected 31 points from 23 matches played.
• Derby County's 27 league goals have been shared between 12 players. Theo
Robinson and Steve Davies lead the way with five goals each.
• West Ham United scored a 3-1 win over Derby County in the reverse npower
Championship fixture on Saturday 26 November. Derby went a goal up through
on-loan Ipswich Town striker Tamas Priskin before Carlton Cole levelled
things up a minute before half-time. Kevin Nolan put the Hammers in front
before Mark Noble's penalty made the game safe.
• West Ham United and Derby County met on 31 December 1927. A 2-2 Division
One draw was watched by 22,000 fans at the Boleyn Ground, with the hosts'
goals being scored by Vic Watson and Jimmy Ruffell.
• The first-ever meeting between West Ham United and Derby County took place
on 17 December 1921. The Hammers ran out 3-1 Division Two winners in front
of 20,000 supporters at the Boleyn Ground, with Syd Puddefoot scoring twice
and Bill James once.
• West Ham United have lost just one of their previous 16 matches against
Derby County in all competitions - a run dating back to December 1997. The
Rams' sole win during that span was a 2-1 Championship win at the Boleyn
Ground on 23 January 2005.
• West Ham United will contest their first New Year's Eve fixture since
travelling to Charlton Athletic on 31 December 2005. The Addicks triumphed
2-0 through goals from Shaun Bartlett and Darren Bent.
• Sam Allardyce recorded his first victory in five meetings with Derby
County as a manager when West Ham United scored a 3-1 home success in the
reverse npower Championship fixture on 26 November 2011. Big Sam lost twice
in the Premier League while with Bolton Wanderers during the 2001/02 season.
In 2007/08, his Newcastle United side were the only side beaten by the Rams
during the whole Premier League season, going down to a 1-0 defeat at Pride
Park on 17 September 2007. Abdoulaye Faye also appeared as a substitute in
the same game.

Team news
West Ham United
• Winston Reid (dislocated shoulder), Gary O'Neil (knee), Henri Lansbury
(knee), and Sam Baldock (hamstring) are all back in contention to start the
New Year's Eve fixture after recovering from their respective injuries.
• Marek Stech (shoulder), Matt Taylor (calf), Abdoulaye Faye (calf) and Guy
Demel (thigh) are the only injury absentees from Sam Allardyce's squad that
will travel to the Midlands early on Friday.
• The Hammers will also be without suspended quartet Jack Collison, George
McCartney, Julien Faubert and Kevin Nolan. All four will be available again
for the 2 January visit of Coventry City.
• Pablo Barrera and Jordan Spence are on season-long loans at Real Zaragoza
and Bristol City respectively. Cristian Montano (Dagenham & Redbridge),
Herita Ilunga (Doncaster Rovers) and Callum McNaughton (AFC Wimbledon) are
all out on temporary loans.
Derby County
• Derby County will definitely be without defender Mark O'Brien, who has
been ruled out for the remainder of the season with a knee injury.
• Promising midfielder Jeff Hendrick is sidelined with an ankle injury that
will keep him out until mid-January.
• Scotland international Stephen Pearson (Bristol City) is out on loan, but
former West Ham United goalkeeper Stephen Bywater is back from a temporary
spell with League One side Sheffield Wednesday.
• Former England Under-20 striker Nathan Tyson has recently returned from
injury and is likely to start up front.

Last time out
Monday 26 December 2011
npower Championship
Birmingham City 1-1 West Ham United
West Ham United: Green, O'Brien, McCartney, Tomkins, Potts, Nolan, Noble,
Faubert (Sears 84), Diop, Cole (Carew 74), Piquionne (Lansbury 58)
Subs not used: Boffin, O'Neil
Goal: Cole 4
Monday 26 December 2011
npower Championship
Derby County 1-0 Leeds United
Derby County: Fielding, Brayford, Roberts, Barker, Shackell, Bryson, Bailey,
Green, Tyson (Robinson 65), Ward, Ball (O'Brien 90)
Subs not used: Legzdins, B.Davies, Priskin
Goal: Ward 67

Last six meetings
26 November 2011 West Ham United 3-1 Derby County (Championship)
19 April 2008 West Ham United 2-1 Derby County (Premier League)
10 November 2007 Derby County 0-5 West Ham United (Premier League)
23 January 2005 West Ham United 1-2 Derby County (Championship)
29 September 2004 Derby County 1-1 West Ham United (Championship)
10 April 2004 West Ham United 0-0 Derby County (Division One)
Overall record v Derby County (all competitions) W 27 D 23 L 25

Ten-year records
West Ham United
2010/11 Premier League 20th (relegated to Championship)
2009/10 Premier League 17th
2008/09 Premier League 9th
2007/08 Premier League 10th
2006/07 Premier League 15th
2005/06 Premier League 9th
2004/05 Championship 6th (promoted to Premier League via Play-Offs)
2003/04 Division One 4th
2002/03 Premier League 18th (relegated to Championship)
2001/02 Premier League 7th
Derby County
2010/11 Championship 19th
2009/10 Championship 14th
2008/09 Championship 19th
2007/08 Premier League 20th (relegated to Championship)
2006/07 Championship 3rd (promoted to Premier League via Play-Offs)
2005/06 Championship 20th
2004/05 Championship 4th
2003/04 Division One 20th
2002/03 Division One 18th
2001/02 Division One 19th

Referee
• Saturday's referee will be Jon Moss.
• Headteacher Moss was promoted to the Select Group of referees in June 2011
and has been officiating in the Premier League this season.
• After progressing through the Northern Counties East League and Northern
Premier League, Moss was promoted to the National Group of assistant
referees in 2003.
• Moss took charge of the 2005 Conference Play-off final between Carlisle
United and Stevenage. He was then promoted to the National Group of referees
in 2005.
• Moss will be assisted by Bobby Pollock and Adrian Holmes, while the fourth
official will be Tony Bates.

Us and them
• The following players have worn the colours of both West Ham United and
Derby County during their careers - Vic Blore, Stephen Bywater, Paul
Goddard, Derek Hales, John Harkes, Robert Lee, Chris Powell, William Robson,
Igor Stimac, Dave Swindlehurst, Paulo Wanchope.
• James Tomkins spent five weeks on loan at Derby County between November
2008 and January 2010, making seven Championship and one League Cup
appearances.
• West Ham United beat Derby County 5-2 in an FA Cup semi-final played on 23
March 1923. The fixture between two Division Two sides was played at
Stamford Bridge in front of a 50,795-strong crowd - the second-largest to
witness a match between the Hammers and the Rams.
• West Ham United and Derby County met in the FA Charity Shield at Wembley
on 9 August 1975. The League champions ran out 2-0 winners, with Kevin
Hector and Kevin McFarland scoring the Rams' goals in front of an attendance
of 59,000.
• The largest crowd to watch West Ham United take on Derby County at the
Boleyn Ground is the 35,000 who watched Jim Barrett and Jimmy Ruffell score
in a 2-0 Division One victory for the Hammers on 21 September 1929.
• The smallest attendance for a West Ham United versus Derby County fixture
at the Boleyn Ground is the 11,493 who saw the sides draw 1-1 in Division
One on 20 September 1992.
• West Ham United's largest win at Derby County was the 5-0 Premier League
victory secured on the Hammers' most-recent visit on 10 November 2007. Lee
Bowyer (two), Matty Etherington, Nobby Solano and an Eddie Lewis own-goal
completed the scoring in front of a 32,440-strong crowd.
• Derby County's biggest home win over West Ham United came on 8 December
1927, when the Rams ran out 6-0 Division One winners at the Baseball Ground
in front of an estimated 20,000 crowd.
• Ten players have made their West Ham United debuts against Derby County -
John Coshall (December 1928), Jim Wood (September 1929), Arthur Fryatt
(March 1931), Leslie Bennett (25 December 1954), Alan Blackburn (27 December
1954), Stuart Slater (October 1987), Ralph Milne (January 1990), John
Hartson and Paul Kitson (February 1997) and Ian Feuer (April 2000).
• Don Hutchison made his second 'debut' for West Ham United against Derby
County in September 2001.

Up next
• West Ham United host Coventry City on Monday 2 January 2012 at 3pm, while
Derby County travel to Hull City at the same time.

General information
• Saturday's weather forecast is for light rain with a maximum daytime
temperature of 12C (54F).
• Tickets will be on sale from the Alpari Stand Ticket Office at the Boleyn
Ground until 3pm on Friday 30 December. Tickets will also be available to
purchase on the day of the game from the Away Ticket Office in the South
Stand at Pride Park from 11.30am on Saturday.

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Tonks relishes Derby date
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce will again ask James Tomkins to dominate in the Hammers
rearguard on Saturday
29.12.2011

James Tomkins has consistently risen to the challenge this season and is
aiming to do so again at the familiar setting of Pride Park on Saturday. One
of the Hammers star performers at Birmingham City in the 1-1 draw on Boxing
Day, the 22-year-old will once again be the constant in the back four. Other
players may have come and gone through suspension and injury, but Tomkins
has become one of the reliable regulars on the team-sheet. He has partnered
Winston Reid, Abdoulaye Faye and George McCartney at the back already this
campaign and it still remains to be seen who will be alongside him for
Saturday's trip to Derby, with the first two struggling with fitness and the
latter suspended. No matter to Tomkins. He will simply be focused on trying
to get a vital three points as the Hammers managed when they won 3-1 in the
first meeting of the teams this season back on 26 November. He also has
extra incentive to want to do well after eight loan matches with the Rams at
the end of 2008. "We have played Derby and we know what their strengths
are," he told West Ham TV. "We know what we need to do to win the game. We
have a few suspensions and injuries so we have to get the lads back this
week and push on from Birmingham. We are just looking to the next game now."


With Julien Faubert, Jack Collison and Kevin Nolan also banned for the
weekend, Tomkins said whoever comes into the side has to follow the lead of
Dan Potts, the 17-year-old who has slotted in at left-back with aplomb in
the last two matches. "It is all about taking yoru chance when you get the
chance with injuries. Young Pottsy is doing that at the minute. Hopefully we
can take three points at Derby and stay high up in the league. It is the
last game of the year and we want to start off next year in the way we have
finished this year."

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The barest bones
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 29th December 2011
By: Staff Writer

Sam Allardyce is preparing for the News Year's Day clash with Derby at Pride
Park with as few as ELEVEN first team regulars available for selection. With
four first team players due to miss the game through suspension and a
further nine either injured or out on loan, Allardyce will be forced to look
to his youth team in order to provide a seventeen-man squad for the game.
However it is in defence that his biggest problems lie, with just Joey
O'Brien and James Tomkins available for selection from the regular first
team squad. That means young Danny Potts, who made his first team debut
against Barnsley just a fortnight ago will almost certainly extend his
recent run in the first team, with Henri Lansbury likely to drop in at right
back and O'Brien moved to the centre.

Possible starting XI: Green; Lansbury, O'Brien, Tomkins, Potts; Diop, Noble,
Sears; Cole, Carew, Piquionne.

Missing in action: who's out and why

Suspended: Kevin Nolan, Jack Collison, George McCartney, Julien Faubert.

Injured: Sam Baldock, Matt Taylor, Guy Demel, Winston Reid, Abdoulaye Faye.

On Loan: Pablo Barrera, Herita Ilunga, Frank Nouble, Jordan Spence, Cristian
Montano, Callum McNaughton, Jordan Brown, Olly Lee, Ahmed Abdullah.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers launch striker bid
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 29th December 2011
By: Staff Writer

West Ham are reported to have submitted a £3million bid for Huddersfield
striker Jordan Rhodes. The highly-rated 21-year-old is reported to have been
the subject of a firm bid by West Ham and Sam Allardyce, who is said to have
handed Chairman David Gold a list of 25 potential transfer window targets.
The Scottish forward has already scored 20 goals this season for
promotion-chasing Town including four braces, two hat-tricks and one
four-goal haul - that coming the week before Christmas in the 4-4 draw at
Sheffield Wednesday. However the Hammers are up against a number of clubs as
they vie for Rhodes' services; scouts from Bolton, Wolves, West Brom and
Celtic are reported to have watched the youngster on Boxing Day. Meanwhile
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp - never one to talk about other clubs' players
- recently stated that the striker was "a natural finisher", adding that he
was "quick, strong and good in the air".

West Ham's initial bid is said to have been rejected, although the Hammers
are hopeful that an improved offer in the region of £4million will be enough
to land Rhodes.

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Hammers warned off Rhodes
Terriers have no plans to part with highly-rated frontman
Last Updated: December 29, 2011 4:00pm
SSN

Sam Allardyce admits West Ham have enquired about Jordan Rhodes, but has
been left in no doubt that the Huddersfield striker is not for sale. The
Terriers frontman is hot property heading into the January transfer window,
with his exploits in League One this season earning widespread acclaim. The
21-year-old has already netted 20 goals in all competitions this term and
has been awarded his senior debut for Scotland. His potential for further
improvement has caught the eye of those further up the Football League
ladder, with West Ham among those who would welcome the addition of Rhodes
to their ranks. They have, however, been given short shrift by Huddersfield
after tentatively addressing the subject with the Terriers. "Jordan Rhodes
has only been an enquiry, not an offer or a bid by any stretch of the
imagination," Hammers boss Allardyce told Sky Sports News HD.

Main man

"And we have had a straightforward 'absolute no', 'not for sale' from
Huddersfield Town so that's out of equation. "That was just an enquiry to
see what the situation was and nothing more than that." Asked if he felt
there was any room for manoeuvre in the negotiations, he added: "I don't
think so. He is the main man for them to get them out of that division. This
young lad is their main goalscorer. "I suppose if the bid was big enough
they would have to think about it, but I don't think we have that sort of
money."

Rhodes does, however, fit the mould when it comes to the type of player
Allardyce is looking to take to Upton Park. He said: "He is a goalscorer
with the potential to get better, the same as Sam Baldock. "We have got the
experienced players here in our squad, Freddy Piquionne, John Carew,
Abdoulaye Faye, Papa Bouba Diop - it's the younger end of the squad that
gives you the good balance."

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Clarets keen on Stech
Hammers shot-stopper keen to move on
By Vasek Kadlec. Last Updated: December 29, 2011 5:33pm
SSN

West Ham goalkeeper Marek Stech has revealed Championship rivals Burnley are
keen on acquiring his services. The 21-year-old Czech has been frozen out at
Upton Park, primarily due to the impressive form of No.1 Rob Green. Stech
had been on loan at Yeovil Town earlier this season, but was recalled by
manager Sam Allardyce as injury cover. When asked which clubs want him on
trial, he replied to isport.blesk.cz: "Ipswich Town, but more clubs have
called me.

Interest

"Anyway, Burnley are keen to sign me. I've already played a game in their
reserves. "Two weeks ago they played at West Ham and I discussed it with
their goalkeeper coach. He said there was interest. "In January it would
most likely be for a six-month loan. Then I would have one year left on my
West Ham deal and at such situation you usually open talks over a new
contract or move on." The shot-stopper's future seems away from Upton Park
with the club due to pay Sparta Prague a bonus if he makes five appearances.


Clause

Stech is unlikely to play for the Hammers again anytime soon and he is keen
to move on and secure regular first-team football. "I still can't play
because of that money. It is unpleasant and has been going for a year. I'm
trapped," he continued. "(West Ham) don't have a reason to keep me because
of the clause. Perhaps they might even be happier if I moved elsewhere. "I
don't want to mention the figure, but my feeling is it is not a big sum for
West Ham. "I think the fee is not too big and it makes me feel sorry because
I like West Ham. This is my fifth season here and I have always been happy
here."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Tomkins ready for Derby day
West Ham looking to complete league double over Rams
Last Updated: December 29, 2011 9:39pm
SSN

West Ham defender James Tomkins is expecting a tough match against Derby at
Pride Park on Saturday. Tomkins, who helped the Hammers to a 1-1 draw at
Birmingham City on Boxing Day, will be returning to face the club he spent
eight games on loan with in 2008. West Ham have selection issues as George
McCartney, Julien Faubert, Jack Collison and Kevin Nolan all miss the Derby
trip due to suspension, while Winston Reid and Abdoulaye Faye are struggling
with injury. "We have played Derby and we know what their strengths are,"
Tomkins told West Ham TV. "We know what we need to do to win the game. We
have a few suspensions and injuries so we have to get the lads back this
week and push on from Birmingham. We are just looking to the next game now."

Dan Potts, 17, has played the last two matches at left-back and Tomkins
wants others to follow the teenager's example. "It is all about taking your
chance when you get the chance with injuries," added Tomkins. "Young Pottsy
is doing that at the minute. Hopefully we can take three points at Derby and
stay high up in the league. It is the last game of the year and we want to
start off next year in the way we have finished this year."

West Ham beat Derby 3-1 at Upton Park earlier in the season.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
The Transfer Fun Starts With Jordan Rhodes
December 29th, 2011 - 11:27 am by Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die

According to the Daily Mail and others West Ham have had a £3 million bid
for Huddersfield striker Jordan Rhodes rejected, and are set to up to £4
million to land a player who has so far scored 26 goals in 26 starts this
season, including three hat-tricks, two of them back to back, and the other
occasion was when he scored all four goals in the 4-4 draw at Sheffield
Wednesday. I have to admit, I had never heard of him before yesterday, but
at the age of twenty, he looks some prospect. He's the son of former Oldham
Ahletic player Andy Rhodes, and has so far scored 53 goals in 100 games for
Huddersfield. Not a bad scoring rate, at all.

Allardyce has turned to Rhodes after reportedly being quoted £4.5 million
for Nicky Maynard from Bristol City. I'm pretty sure he is out of contract
in the summer, so he may be one to pick up for nothing then.

It seems to me that there will be three or four signings in the window – one
striker, two central defenders and a wide player. And if reports are to be
believed they will all be signed early on in the window to avoid the
problems we have had in previous years. Let's hope so.

In addition, there is much speculation about who Sam Allardyce might let go
from the existing squad. Quite frankly, I doubt there will be many leaving
Upton Park, but they could, I suppose, include Freddie Sears and Freddie
Piquionne (please God). Alan Pardew has been sniffing around James Tomkins
and Martin Jol is said to be interested in Mark Noble. Hands off both of
them!

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam heads for the high Rhodes
By ANDREW DILLON
Published: 29 Dec 2011
The Sun

SAM ALLARDYCE has made a £3million bid for Huddersfield wonderkid Jordan
Rhodes. Rhodes, 21, is the most talked about striker outside the Premier
League. He has already scored 20 goals in 20 League One appearances this
season. His huge tally includes all four in the 4-4 draw with Yorkshire
rivals Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough on December 17 and a classy
winner against Chesterfield on Boxing Day. West Ham's offer was rejected but
boss Big Sam is set for another go to lure the Scottish hot-shot to Upton
Park to boost his side's promotion push. Rhodes is a full Scotland
international and Allardyce reckons he would be the perfect addition to his
squad as injuries and suspensions take their toll in a tough season. The
Hammers are still second in the Championship but have seen the gap cut to
just goal difference between them and third-placed Middlesbrough. Allardyce
has set his sights on automatic promotion at the very least if the title
proves beyond his team and has targeted a two-points- per-game average to
achieve it. But impressive new striker Sam Baldock, snapped up from League
One MK Dons, has been struggling with a hamstring injury. And wideman Matt
Taylor has also had injury problems, along with several other key players.
Allardyce hopes that the prospect of Premier League football next season,
higher wages and a bigger stage with the Hammers could help close a deal for
Rhodes. West Ham, determined to bolster their squad during next month's
transfer window, are also interested in Crystal Palace wideman Wilfried Zaha
and Southend's highly-rated and versatile midfielder Kane Ferdinand. Hammers
striker Carlton Cole wants their senior players to get the club through
their current injury crisis. He said: "Everyone involved, right through the
squad, has a part to play. "The experienced lads have to help the young
lads."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers eye double swoop
By ANDREW DILLON
Published: Today
The Sun

WEST HAM want Cardiff midfield ace Peter Whittingham for around £3million.
Whittingham, 27, has scored seven goals to help fire the Bluebirds into the
Championship play-off places. West Ham's bid comes just 24 hours after
SunSport revealed they had made an official £3m offer for Huddersfield
striker Jordan Rhodes. Allardyce is keen to add both players to bolster the
final charge in the second half of the season — as the club look to nail one
of the two automatic promotion spots. Although both bids have been initially
rebuffed, West Ham are not giving up the chase. Rhodes, 21, in particular,
is a top target for Big Sam and he is set to raise the stakes with a higher
offer for the 20-goal hitman. Hammers have been hit by a series of injuries
and bans, prompting Allardyce to get started on his transfer plans early,
although the window does not open until Sunday.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam: Tomkins will cost mega bucks
By JIM MUNRO
Published: 29 Dec 2011
The Sun

WEST HAM boss Sam Allardyce has said it will take a "mega bucks" offer from
Newcastle to prise England Under-21 star James Tomkins away from Upton Park.
The 22-year-old central defender has had his best season in a claret and
blue shirt as West Ham attempt to bounce back into the Premier League at the
first time of asking. While Tomkins is regarded as a big part of the club's
future, Allardyce confirmed that there will come a point where the club will
have to listen to offers.
Allardyce said: "I was speaking to [co-owner] David Sullivan yesterday and
while there might be some interest in James it would have to be mega bucks
for us to even consider that. "Not that we want to, but you never know
what's round the corner and it would be the same with anybody else really.
"We just have to wait and see."

Regarding his own targets in the January transfer window, Allardyce said an
approach for Huddersfield striker Jordan Rhodes, who has bagged 20 goals in
20 games this season, had been immediately kicked into touch by the League
One club. "Jordan Rhodes has only been an enquiry, not an offer or a bid by
any stretch of the imagination," said Allardyce. "We've had a
straightforward, absolute no, not for sale from Huddersfield Town so that's
out of the equation. "I suppose if the bid was big enough they'd have to
think about it, but I'm not so sure we've got that sort of money available.
"He's a goalscorer, young, good potential, could get better - the same as
Sam Baldock. "We've got the experienced players here in our squad. We've got
your Freddy Piquionnes, we've got the John Carews, the Abdoulaye Fayes and
Papa Bouba Diops. "It's the younger end with more potential that's more
vibrant for the squad that we want to come in. That gives you a good
balance."

Asked about his list of 25 transfer targets for January, Allardyce at first
asked: "Who told you I'd got a list of 25?" When the answer came "the
owners", he laughed and said: "They shouldn't be letting those secrets out
of the bag. Mr Sullivan, Mr Gold, what are you doing?" But clarifying just
who and what type of player is on that list, Allardyce said: "It's only each
position area and what might be available. That's not actually what we are
going to go for. "I suppose if you lookd at that list at the start of the
season, it was more like 75 than 25. "So yes, we've identified and they've
made some enquiries into some of the players we are looking at which is very
encouraging indeed. "But it's got to be at the right price but more
importantly for me it's got to be the right quality."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers struggling to nail down Cole on new contract
Published 22:29 29/12/11 By John Cross
The Mirror

West Ham could face a battle to keep Carlton Cole in January. The England
striker is due for new deal talks at the Boleyn, with several Premier League
clubs monitoring ­developments should he become ­available. Hammers boss Sam
Allardyce is keen to keep the 28 year old to help push their promotion
campaign but knows there is growing interest from Newcastle, ­Sunderland and
Aston Villa.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham refuse to budge on Tomkins deal as Newcastle are told to up offer
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 10:30 PM on 29th December 2011
Daily Mail

West Ham have told Newcastle they will have to increase their £3million
offer for James Tomkins considerably to tempt them into a sale. Newcastle
are also interested in Middlesbrough's Rhys Williams and Manchester City's
Nedum Onuoha but are looking for the best value. West Ham manager Sam
Allardyce said: 'There might be some interest in James but it would have to
be mega bucks for us to even consider that.' Allardyce has been rebuffed in
an enquiry for Huddersfield's Jordan Rhodes while goalkeeper Marek Stech is
wanted by Burnley.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hands off! Huddersfield reject Hammers bid for £3m-rated hitman Rhodes
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 5:17 PM on 29th December 2011
Daily Mail

West Ham must up the ante in their pursuit to land exciting Huddersfield
striker Jordan Rhodes after the League One club rejected a bid from the
Premier League promotion hopefuls. The 21-year-old Scotland international
has struck 20 goals in 20 League One games to his name so far this season
attracting interest from a host of suitors including Norwich, QPR and
Celtic. But the Championship side have made him their No 1 target for when
the January transfer window reopens for business with Hammers boss Sam
Allardyce desperate to stengthen his injury-hit squad. In addition to this
latest snub, it is understood the Hammers had an initial offer rejected by
Huddersfield. 'Jordan Rhodes has only been an enquiry, not an offer or a bid
by any stretch of the imagination,' Allardyce told Sky Sports News. 'And we
have had a straightforward "absolute no", "not for sale" from Huddersfield
Town so that's out of equation. 'That was just an enquiry to see what the
situation was and nothing more than that. 'He is the main man for them to
get them out of that division. This young lad is their main goalscorer. 'I
suppose if the bid was big enough they would have to think about it, but I
don't think we have that sort of money.' Despite Allardyce's admission that
the player is 'not for sale', the Hammers are certain to continue to monitor
the player who recently scored all four in the Yorkshire derby against
Sheffield United. Among his list of 25 potential targets, Allardyce has also
identified Southend teenager Kane Ferdinand and Crystal Palace winger
Wilfired Zaha while USA striker Eddson Buddle has been on trial at the
club's Chadwell Heath training ground.

West Ham are second in the Championship, three points behind leaders
Southampton who can stretch their lead to six when they face Bristol City on
Friday night, a day before the Hammers' difficult New Year's Eve visit to
Derby. Allardyce is without several first team players for the trip to Pride
Park. Captain Kevin Nolan, Jack Collison, George McCartney and Julien
Faubert are suspended while Sam Baldock, Matty Taylor, David Bentleym, Guy
Demel, Winston Reid and Abdoulaye Faye are all sidelined through injury.

Striker Carlton Cole, who scored at Birmingham on Boxing Day, has called on
his fellow experienced senior players to help the club's youngsters get
through a tough and busy period of fixtures, with Coventry at home next on
January 2. 'The experienced lads have to help the young lads,' he said.
'Everyone involved, right through the squad, has a part to play.'

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Thursday, December 29

Daily WHUFC News - 29th December 2012

O'Neil glad to be back
WHUFC.com
Hammers fans will have been delighted to see the name of Gary O'Neil back in
the first-team picture
28.12.2011

Eight months ago, Gary O'Neil may have been contemplating the prospect of
spending the whole of Christmas and New Year at home with the family. On 16
April at home to Aston Villa, he suffered a serious ankle injury following a
challenge by Nigel Reo-Coker. It prompted fears over his long-term future
and many thought he would be out for at least a year. The midfielder was
having none of it though, and his determination to return saw him put
himself through months of painstaking rehabilitation with the club's medical
staff. After hours upon hours of solitary strength work led to three
development squad matches in as many weeks, Sam Allardyce felt he had seen
enough to give O'Neil the moment he had been waiting for. He was named in
the manager's selection to travel for the Boxing Day game at Birmingham
City. Still only 28, O'Neil has been in full flow on the practice pitches at
Chadwell Heath but was still surprised to get the call when it came. He
knows he has to keep working hard to continue his progress and still has a
lot to prove. "It was quite late notice," he told whufc.com. "It wasn't
something i was expecting. I had a decent 80 minutes in a reserve game and a
couple of decent training sessions with the first team this week. I looked
up on Christmas Eve and my name was on the board to travel. It was nice to
be back involved."

O'Neil may have remained on the bench as an unused substitute at St Andrews
but he was just grateful to feel the matchday buzz once again and be a full
part of the dressing room banter. " I spent a lot of time working hard on my
own to get to this position, no one gets to see that. It was nice to finally
get a reward and get to feel part of the squad again. It is just a shame
that the result didn't go our way but it was really good to be involved."

Of course, with one taste comes the hunger for more and O'Neil will want to
remain a full part of it now until the end of the season. With just eight
games in the claret and blue under his belt, and plenty of experience of the
division having won promotion with Portsmouth, he wants to be a major asset
for Big Sam. He is certainl hoping to help the team build on the Birmingham
draw with the New Year's Eve trip to Derby County and then Monday's visit of
Coventry City to the Boleyn. "We are looking forward to the next couple of
games, starting with Derby on Saturday. The position the lads were in at
Birmingham we expected to go on and win but a point away from home is good
and we have another two big games this week. It is important we get the
results."

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Carlton cheered by half-century
WHUFC.com
The main man in attack this season, Carlton Cole is firmly putting the team
before personal accolades
28.12.2011

Carlton Cole has plenty of targets of 2012 but none as significant as
getting West Ham United back to the Barclays Premier League. The club's
second-longest serving player notched his eighth goal of the season in the
1-1 draw at Birmingham City on Boxing Day. It moved him on to 50 in the
claret and blue, a stat that surprised but delighted him when he learned
about it in the tunnel at St Andrews. "I'm honoured to have done that," was
his simple reaction. Cole knows though that he has to keep on scoring if the
promotion aim is to be realised. Goals win matches and he is the attacking
talisman this season - as demonstrated by the volume with which the fans are
singing the adapted Spandau Ballet song 'Gold' in his honour. On a personal
level, eight more goals would move him ahead of Marlon Harewood, the last
Hammer to get to the half-century mark who ultimately managed 57. Even
better, were Cole to get ten goals in the second half of the season, he
would move into the top 20 list for all-time West Ham United scorers. In
truth, Cole did not feel much like celebrating after the Birmingham point,
feeling he should have had a second but for Boaz Myhill's tremendous save
just before half-time. He had opened the scoring with an opportunist strike
in the fourth minute after robbing Pablo Ibanez and firing in an unstoppable
drive in front of the away support. "From a personal point of view, it was a
nice goal but the performance wasn't great and we got what we deserved, we
got punished," he said. "We should have scored more, we had more chances
than them and should have put more away and secured the game but we didn't
so and all the players were disappointed with the all-round performance."

Cole has been speaking of late of 'respecting the point', the manager's
mantra when the three points are proving hard to come by. As such, he
acknowledged it was not too disheartening to finish honours even. "You have
to look at it again and we have gone away from home and grinded a point out.
That's the main thing, we didn't lose. It reminded me of the cup game we
came up here last year in the Carling Cup. We should have secured that game
and we didn't. "It was the same again and we should have got the win and we
didn't. We were very disappointed but that's the way the game has gone. At
least we didn't lose that's the main thing."

So to Derby, and Cole looks likely to lead the line again at Pride Park. "We
have to look at the positives. Although it wasn't a good performance,
Birmingham have only conceded four goals all season at home so to get the
fifth was good. We just need to do more at the right times to kill off
games. "If we can get a result at Derby we will be right in the thick of
things. We are up there and we just need to keep plugging away and getting
the results away from home. "I feel good. We will get on the training field
this week and be prepared for Derby. We have got the players and we know we
can score goals at any time. We need to do more. That's the main thing. We
know how to defend but we need to do the basics better. "Everyone that is
involved right through the squad has a part to play. The manager has to chop
and change now because his hands are forced. We need to all come together as
a team and the experienced lads have to help the young lads coming through.
"That's the way forward. Everyone needs to pull in the same direction and
help the team through troubled times with suspensions and injuries. We need
to grind out the results."

Cole may be looking for goal No51 but the main thing is the end result that
usually follows one of his strikes - as it did when he scored the first in
the 3-1 Hammers' home win against the Rams back on 26 November. "It will be
nice to start the new year rolling with a win. We'd like to do the double
over Derby and hopefully it will mean more goals for me. That would be
brilliant."

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O'Neil glad to be back in frame
Hammers star back from serious ankle injury
Last Updated: December 28, 2011 2:23pm
SSN

West Ham's Gary O'Neil has revealed that he is delighted to be back in the
mix after suffering a serious ankle injury back in April. The midfielder's
career was reportedly thought to be hanging in the balance following a
challenge by Nigel Reo-Coker during the Hammers' home game against Aston
Villa. However, the former Portsmouth and Middlesbrough star showed plenty
of determination during his rehabilitation over the past eight months to
fight his way back into first-team contention.
O'Neil was named in Sam Allardyce's squad which travelled for the Boxing Day
game against Birmingham in the Championship and the 28-year-old admitted
being surprised at the call-up, despite remaining on the bench in the 1-1
draw. "It was quite late notice," he told the club's official website. "It
wasn't something I was expecting. I had a decent 80 minutes in a reserve
game and a couple of decent training sessions with the first team this week.
I looked up on Christmas Eve and my name was on the board to travel. It was
nice to be back involved. "I spent a lot of time working hard on my own to
get to this position, no one gets to see that.
"It was nice to finally get a reward and get to feel part of the squad
again. It is just a shame that the result didn't go our way but it was
really good to be involved."

The East London outfit face a New Year's Eve trip to Derby before the visit
of lowly Coventry to Upton Park on Monday and O'Neil is hopeful of gaining
maximum points. He added: "We are looking forward to the next couple of
games, starting with Derby on Saturday. "The position the lads were in at
Birmingham we expected to go on and win, but a point away from home is good
and we have another two big games this week. It is important we get the
results."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam heads for the high Rhodes
By ANDREW DILLON
Published: Today
The Sun

SAM ALLARDYCE has made a £3million bid for Huddersfield wonderkid Jordan
Rhodes. Rhodes, 21, is the most talked about striker outside the Premier
League. He has already scored 20 goals in 20 League One appearances this
season. His huge tally includes all four in the 4-4 draw with Yorkshire
rivals Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough on December 17 and a classy
winner against Chesterfield on Boxing Day. West Ham's offer was rejected but
boss Big Sam is set for another go to lure the Scottish hot-shot to Upton
Park to boost his side's promotion push. Rhodes is a full Scotland
international and Allardyce reckons he would be the perfect addition to his
squad as injuries and suspensions take their toll in a tough season. The
Hammers are still second in the Championship but have seen the gap cut to
just goal difference between them and third-placed Middlesbrough. Allardyce
has set his sights on automatic promotion at the very least if the title
proves beyond his team and has targeted a two-points- per-game average to
achieve it. But impressive new striker Sam Baldock, snapped up from League
One MK Dons, has been struggling with a hamstring injury. And wideman Matt
Taylor has also had injury problems, along with several other key players.
Allardyce hopes that the prospect of Premier League football next season,
higher wages and a bigger stage with the Hammers could help close a deal for
Rhodes. West Ham, determined to bolster their squad during next month's
transfer window, are also interested in Crystal Palace wideman Wilfried Zaha
and Southend's highly-rated and versatile midfielder Kane Ferdinand. Hammers
striker Carlton Cole wants their senior players to get the club through
their current injury crisis. He said: "Everyone involved, right through the
squad, has a part to play. "The experienced lads have to help the young
lads."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
BBC set to wield axe on Football League Show
Published 23:59 28/12/11 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror

The BBC will axe the popular Football League Show at the end of the season,
fuelling fans' speculation that Match of the Day could follow. The news
comes after supporters complained when the Show was not shown on Boxing Day.
An insider said: "This will be the last season the BBC broadcasts the
Football League Show.
"It is coming to the end of a three year contract and it will not be
renewed."

Amid fears that Match of the Day, which is up for tender next year, could
follow there are also concerns over future broadcasts of England
internationals and club games - with the BBC's Head of Sport, Barbara
Slater, admitting live football is "out of reach" of the licence-payer
budget. Insiders claim the Football League Show is being axed because it was
too expensive. The BBC has seen 15% cut from its sporting budget - with
football coverage under serious threat. After the Show was not shown on
Boxing Day angry supporters vented their frustration on Twitter, prompting
the programme's presenter Manish Bhashin to respond, saying: "I understand
your frustration" after the show was not beamed on Boxing Day. He said it
was a "budget decision" and when asked about the show's future he Tweeted:
"It's on til May and who knows maybe even longer....but..." The BBC
confirmed the Football League Show, which shows every goal from England's
league clubs on Saturday nights, will not return to screens until mid
January.

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Cole issues rallying cry to West Ham teammates
By talkSPORT
Wednesday, December 28

West Ham striker Carlton Cole has called on the senior players to help the
club through their current injury crisis and ensure they keep their
promotion hopes on track. Sam Allardyce is currently missing seven
first-team players through injury, while influential skipper Kevin Nolan,
George McCartney and Julien Faubert will all miss the game against Derby on
Saturday through suspension. West Ham dropped more points on Boxing Day when
they had to settle for a 1-1 draw at Birmingham and remain three points
behind leaders Southampton. Allardyce is now struggling to find a fit
central defender to play alongside James Tomkins on Saturday, but Cole
believes the established players need to help the youngsters through this
troubled period and ensure they get back on the winning trail. Cole said:
"Everyone that is involved right through the squad has a part to play. The
manager has to chop and change now because his hands are forced. "We need to
all come together as a team and the experienced lads have to help the young
lads coming through. "Everyone needs to pull in the same direction and help
the team through troubled times with suspensions and injuries."

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Wednesday, December 28

Daily WHUFC News - 28th December 2011

Who Will Play at Derby & Should Montano Be Recalled?
December 27th, 2011 - 4:17 pm by Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die

With Kevin Nolan, Julien Faubert, Jack Collison and George McCartney all
suspended for the trip to Derby on Friday and countless other players
(Taylor, Faye, Baldock, Reid, Demel still out through injury, I doubt
whether anyone will be able to guess Sam Allardyce's team selection. But
it's Christmas, and seeing as we have all got bugger all else to do apart
from eat cold turkey and polish off that second tin of Quality Street, we
might as well have a go.

So of the current first eleven, let's pencil in Rob Green, Joey O'Brien,
James Tomkins, Mark Noble and Carlton Cole. Papa Bouba Diop and Daniel Potts
are also fairly certain to start. So, four to go. Well, Henri Lansbury is
back and fit, so he'll be in. Let's assume Piquionne will also start
(although he certainly doesn't deserve to), so that leaves two positions to
fill - centre back and a wide player. Now in theory Papa Bouba Diop could go
back into central defence, but I think we will ned his tough tackling in
midfield, so Joey O'Brien is the one likely to move over and partner
Tomkins. This leaves the right back slot and one midfield place up for
grabs. My preference would be for Cristiano Montano to be recalled from
Dagenham, where he has been scoring a lot of goals, including two yesterday.
If he isn't ready now, then when will he be? Others will no doubt make a
case for Bryan Montengro. But most managers play safe in these circumstances
and believe that experience is the best way forward. Which means that Gary
O'Neill is likely to make his first appearance following his dreadful
injury. So who plays right back? It's got to be a youngster, I would submit
- Callum Driver, your time may well have arrived.

So, here's my eleven for Derby.

Green
O'Brien
Tomkins
Driver
Bouba Diop
Potts
Noble
O'Neill
Lansbury
Cole
Piquionne

But then again, what do I know?

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West Ham face competition for Portuguese defender
By talkSPORT
Tuesday, December 27

West Ham's interest in Valencia defender Ricardo Costa has forced Real Betis
to up their pursuit of the 30-year-old. Hammers' manager Sam Allardyce has
admitted to having a list of 25 players that he has handed to the club's
owners with a view to rejuvenating his injury-hit squad, with the
experienced Portuguese thought to be one of the targets. The former Porto
man has started just two La Liga games this season but his ability to play
anywhere along the back-line is enough to attract a number of clubs across
Europe, including Turkish club Trabzonspor who could offer him Europa Cup
football. West Ham have been hit with a number of injuries this season and
will miss three first-team regulars against Derby on New Year's Eve after
Kevin Nolan, George McCartney and Julien Foubert picked up their fifth
bookings of the season on Monday against Birmingham. According to Spanish
newspaper Marca, Betis are ready top step up their efforts to stop West Ham
from getting one of their targets signed and sealed early in the window.

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Tuesday, December 27

Daily WHUFC News - 27th December 2011

Big Sam rues Blues lapse
WHUFC.com
A lack of organisation on the Birmingham equaliser proved too costly for Sam Allardyce on Boxing Day
27.12.2011

Sam Allardyce believed his West Ham United side threw away two precious points in their Boxing Day encounter away at Birmingham City. Having seen Carlton Cole fire in a fourth-minute opener, the Hammers manager then watched as the visitors created a succession of first-half chances only to spurn them all. That profligacy came back to haunt them in the second half when David Murphy was able to score from a poorly-defended corner and in the end, Birmingham will feel hard done-by that they did not scramble a late winner. The 1-1 draw ensured Big Sam's team stayed in second spot, although they slip to three points behind leaders Southampton and are now level on points with third-placed Middlesbrough. Although he would not name names, the manager was especially dismayed with the way the Birmingham equaliser was defended in the 81st minute. "It is a night of frustration for me because our performance in the first half should have had the game sewn up by half-time," said the manager. "We didn't do that and at some stage when you are playing away from home the opposition are going to put you under some pressure. "We were coping with that and our man who should have dropped on the line from the corner decides not to do his job properly and the ball goes in. We end up in a one-one and hanging on towards the end rather than being comfortable in possession and seeing the game out. It was a great shame after all the great
play and chances we produced."

It was all so different in the first 45 when Julien Faubert twice had good chances, while Freddie Piquionne was also denied a decent goalscoring opportunity. The terrific Cole felt he had added a second just before the interval when he twisted and shot for goal, only for Boaz Myhill to save superbly. In fairness, Robert Green then had to be alert on several occasions after the break. For all of Green's brilliance, the manager felt he was let down by poor marking. It was something he vowed to put right on the practice pitches this week in the lead-up to Saturday's trip to Derby County. "What counts in this game is what happens in both boxes and all we had to do was defend a corner properly and we didn't. They scored and technically we have allowed the opposition back in the game just by not having our man where he should have been because he went and forget. I don't accept that. "They get told what their positions are and what they have to do. Lads are going to have to man up and stop doing these types of things. They are very costly in the end and today it cost us two points. "Not just that but the other side of thing is creating chances and not taking them. If we had gone two-nil up they would have had the spirit knocked out of them and we would have been more likely to end up three-nil rather than 2-1 because they get more desperate and take more chances."

Of huge disappointment to the manager was the suspensions accrued by George McCartney, Kevin Nolan and Faubert for the Pride Park encounter this week after their fifth bookings of the campaign. Jack Collison will also be serving the last fixture of a three-game ban for that match. "At the end of the day we get three booked who were on four bookings and they are all banned for Saturday at Derby so I feel like we have lost at the minute," added Big Sam. The manager may have Abdoulaye Faye and Sam Baldock back for Derby, while Winston Reid and Matt Taylor are also thought to not be too far behind but, whoever plays, he knows that they will have to start producing victories again on a regular basis. "I am happy overall but not the last four games. We have only taken four points which is a nonsense compared to what we have done and it tells you we have to go and win three or four on the trot now. "We have got to put a run of wins together to get back in touch with Southampton and not let the gap get too big. Our gap to the chasing teams has been whittled down because of our poor results."

In fairness, he conceded that his team had done well given the circumstances around his selection options which meant Gary O'Neil was back on the bench after eight months out with an ankle injury. Dan Potts did well on only his second game, while James Tomkins and Papa Bouba Diop were heroic at times in blocking the Blues' charge. "I have been pretty critical to a patched-up team which has been patched up for a long time now. We have got a 17-year-old at left-back away from home for the first time while George is playing centre-half. "They did a good job overall but there is just the element of concentration at key times that makes us ruthless. That makes you win the game instead of drawing and we have lost that ability to do our job correctly. We have to put that right."

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Montano at the double
WHUFC.com
Young forward Cristian Montano scored two more league goals out on loan on Boxing Day
26.12.2011

Cristian Montano made it a Boxing Day to remember with two goals as Dagenham & Redbridge won 3-0 at home to fellow strugglers Barnet. The young attacker has just extended his loan stay at the Hammers' near neighbours until 14 January and put them in front with a terrific long-range effort. He added a second just before the interval, and then promptly made the third for Brian Woodhall to wrap up a deserved win. The 20-year-old has now scored eight goals in 19 league matches this season during his loan spells for Notts County, Swindon Town and the Daggers. Montano, who can be recalled at any time, was the only young Hammer on loan duty on Monday, with Callum McNaughton missing out for AFC Wimbledon through injury as they lost 2-0 at home to Oxford United. Robert Hall was not in the Oxford lineup as he travelled with the first team to Birmingham City. In the Championship, Herita Ilunga played the full 90 minutes as Doncaster Rovers lost 3-0 at Burnley while Jordan Spence continues to wait for a chance under Derek McInnes at Bristol City, who went down 1-0 at Coventry City.

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Birmingham 1 - 1 West Ham
BBC.co.uk
Page last updated at 21:16 GMT, Monday, 26 December 2011

West Ham climbed back into second place in the Championship despite David Murphy's late header earning Birmingham a point. Sam Allardyce's side took the lead when Carlton Cole latched on to a flick-on from Frederic Piquionne to sprint clear and drive into the corner. But Birmingham dominated after the break and went close through Nikola Zigic and Marlon King. The equaliser came when Pablo Ibanez headed across for Murphy to convert. Both teams fashioned early chances as Chris Burke sent a header off target before Hammers skipper Kevin Nolan narrowly failed to connect with Julien Faubert's low cross. West Ham went in front after four minutes when Cole took advantage of hesitation from Ibanez before racing clear and firing past Boaz Myhill. Faubert somehow missed a golden headed opportunity to put the visitors 2-0 ahead midway through the half before Ibanez cleared Piquionne's nodded effort off the line from the resulting corner. At the other end, Murphy and Keith Fahey forced Robert Green into saves. There was a frantic start to the second half as Burke curled an effort inches wide before Steven Caldwell and Joey O'Brien made last-ditch tackles at either end. Birmingham substitute Zigic looped a header on to the roof of the net from Murphy's cross and missed a great chance from close range after James Tomkins's sliced clearance. The leveller finally arrived nine minutes from time as Murphy converted Burke's corner to delight the home crowd, with Marlon King missing a late chance to snatch all three points.

Birmingham manager Chris Hughton: "Over the 90 minutes it was a fair result. I was pleased we finished so strongly. "It is very tough when you concede so early in a game particularly against a team as good as West Ham. "We were indebted to Myhill's save just before half-time which kept us in the game. "I still felt, even in the first half, when we were not at our best that we could still create opportunities and put them under the pressure."

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce: "It was all about us missing too many chances in the first half. That was our problem. "Unfortunately we didn't capitalise upon what was a great first half performance. "(Boaz) Myhill's marvellous save just before the half was a vital turning point and it came back to haunt us. "Birmingham is a difficult place to come to at any time but I am disappointed we didn't win the game."

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Birmingham City 1 West Ham Utd 1
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 26th December 2011
By: Staff Writer

West Ham are back in the Championship's automatic promotion zone tonight - but on goal difference only, after a late goal at St Andrews cost them two vital points in the fight for promotion. Middlesbrough's 1-0 win at home to Hull earlier in the day saw Sam Allardyce's side temporarily deposed from the second place in which they had previously sat since November. And although a 1-1 draw was good enough for West Ham to reclaim second position in the table, Allardyce will no doubt be furious at his team's inability to hold on to the lead obtained through Carlton Cole's fourth minute effort. The big striker pounced on a defensive error to score the opening goal of the game after only three minutes on a chilly evening in Birmingham. With a long punt from Rob Green having been nodded on, City defender Pablo Ibanez midjudged the bounce allowing Cole to slip in behind the defence. The England striker, who has an excellent recent record against Birmingham took one touch before expertly finding the corner of Boaz Myhill's net. It was a lead that the Hammers were to hold on to for some 77 minutes before the home side finally salvaged a point through David Murphy. West Ham's defence, handicapped from four quick bookings by card-happy referee Darren Deadman had been under pressure since the introduction of man-mountain Nicola Zigic ten minutes into the second half. With just nine minutes left to play, the Serbian rose highest to meet a corner which he sent back across goal; the ball finding David Murphy, who nodded into an empty net.
Allardyce - who had to be restrained by the fourth official during injury time after Papa Boupa Diop sustained a head injury for which referee Deadman failed to stop play for - will no doubt also be fuming at the match official's refusal to award a penalty for what seemed two fairly decent shouts during the first half. The two incidents occurred within two minutes of each other; firstly, Kevin Nolan went down on the perimeter of the box after his legs became entangled with City's Steven Caldwell. However the far more obvious infringement came when Julien Faubert's goalbound header was clearly palmed away by eventual goalscorer Murphy - who therefore shouldn't have been on the pitch by the time he grabbed Birmingham's equaliser.

To add insult to injury, Sam Allardyce - whose paper-thin squad is already being stretched beyond its limits - lost a further THREE players today. Bookings for George McCartney, Kevin Nolan and Julien Faubert rule all three out of the New Year's Eve clash with Derby. Danny Potts, who made a second successive start today since being promoted from the youth team could well be joined by one or two of his fellow youngsters on Saturday at Pride Park.

Birmingham City 1 West Ham Utd 1: match facts

West Ham United: Green, O'Brien, Tomkins, McCartney, Potts, Noble, Diop, Nolan, Faubert (Sears 84), Cole (Carew 74), Piquionne (Lansbury 58).
Subs not used: Boffin, O'Neil.
Goals: Cole (4).
Shots on target/off target: 5/3.
Booked: Nolan (61), Faubert (70), McCartney (78), Noble (78).

Birmingham City: Myhill, Murphy, Caldwell, Ibanez, Burke, N'Daw, King, Beausejour (Redmond 70), Fahey, Spector, Wood (Zigic 56).
Subs not used: Doyle, Ridgewell, Mutch.
Goals: Murphy (81).
Shots on target/off target: 10/6.
Booked: None.

Referee: Darren Deadman (4).
Attendance: 20,214.

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Allardyce bemoans missed chances
Hammers boss unhappy with wasteful showing at Blues
Last Updated: December 26, 2011 9:45pm
SSN

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce believes missed chances were behind their draw at Birmingham, while Chris Hughton says it was a fair result. Carlton Cole gave the Hammers an early lead and the goal looked like being the winner for most of the match before David Murphyequalised. The visitors created the better of the chances at St Andrews and Allardyce was not happy his team failed to convert more of their opportunities. Allardyce believes Boaz Myhill's fine first-half save to deny Cole was the game's turning point.

Wasteful

"It was all about us missing too many chances in the first half. That was our problem," said Allardyce. "There is always going to be some pressure at some stage and generally we would have expected it at the beginning with Birmingham coming out of the traps. "But it wasn't as we controlled the first half and created a lot of chances that went begging. "You know that it is going to change at some stage and they did so by going direct when they sent on big (Nikola) Zigic. "We only had to cope with a corner but unfortunately from a technical point of view my player has failed to drop on to the line and as a result we lost a goal and had to be content with a draw. "There were also other disappointing features from the second half. Unfortunately we didn't capitalise upon what was a great first half performance. "(Boaz) Myhill's marvellous save just before the half was a vital turning point and it came back to haunt us. "Birmingham is a difficult place to come to at any time but I am disappointed we didn't win the game."

Spirit

Birmingham's spirit was acknowledged by manager Chris Hughton, who commented: "Over the 90 minutes it was a fair result. I was pleased with finished so strongly.
"It is very tough when you concede so early in a game particularly against a team as good as West Ham. "We were indebted to Myhill's save just before half-time which kept us in the game. "I still felt, even in the first half, when we were not at our best that we could still create opportunities and put them under the pressure.
"You can see why West Ham where they are. They certainly have quality, power and pace. They are a strong physical side which will win them points. "If there was going to be a winner it would probably have been us but over the 90 minutes a draw was a fair result. "Murphy also did well for us. He is in very good form and it was needed and he scored at just the right time."

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Murphy helps Blues hold Hammers
Last updated: 26th December 2011
SSN

David Murphy headed home a late equaliser for Birmingham, who earned a 1-1 Championship draw with West Ham at St Andrew's on Boxing Day. West Ham owners David Sullivan and David Gold were denied the perfect post-Christmas present on their return to their former club. The Hammers joint-chairmen were back at St Andrew's together for the first time since selling to Carson Yeung in November 2009 and subsequently taking charge at Upton Park the following January. And they were celebrating after just four minutes as Carlton Cole capitalised on hesitancy from Pablo Ibanez to put the Hammers ahead, just as he had done in the Carling Cup semi-final second leg between the two sides at the start of 2011. Birmingham launched a remarkable fightback to turn that tie around and, after an impressive albeit not quite repeat comeback, defender Murphy headed home an 81st-minute leveller to grab a deserved share of the spoils from what was a thoroughly entertaining encounter. Victory could easily have gone to either side but a point apiece was a fair reflection and extended City's unbeaten run on home soil while West Ham, boasting the best away record in the second tier, moved back into second place behind leaders Southampton.

Amid a blistering start to proceedings, both teams created early openings as Chris Burke sent a header off target before Hammers skipper Kevin Nolan narrowly failed to connect with Julien Faubert's low, teasing cross. And the deadlock was soon broken out of nowhere as Cole nicked the ball of a hesitant Ibanez before racing clear and dispatching the perfect finish past Boaz Myhill. It was proving to be a free-flowing, open encounter in front of the 20,214 present, both defences snuffing out half-chances at either end, although West Ham were enjoying the better of proceedings with Cole causing City all sorts of problems. Faubert somehow missed a great headed chance to put the visitors 2-0 ahead midway through the half before Ibanez cleared Frederic Piquionne's nodded effort off the line from the resulting corner.
Murphy's goalbound free-kick forced Robert Green into action for the first time before Keith Fahey's volley tested the Hammers stopper during a sustained spell of pressure from the home side. The visitors had gone quiet over the second quarter but Myhill was called into a great stop in first-half injury time to deny Cole's quickfire effort. The second half started in the same fashion as the first as Burke curled an effort inches wide before Steven Caldwell and Joey O'Brien made last-ditch tackles at either end.

Blues boss Chris Hughton turned to Nikola Zigic in an attempt to change things around. Caldwell saw a header cleared to safety from Burke's corner before Myhill was again called upon to to parry substitute Henri Lansbury's strike to safety. Zigic looped a header on to the roof of the net from Murphy's cross and, after Fahey tested Green, the Serbian somehow missed a gilt-edged chance from close range after James Tomkins' sliced clearance. But a leveller finally arrived nine minutes from time as Murphy converted Burke's corner to send the home crowd into raptures, with Marlon King missing a late chance to snatch all three points.

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Birmingham City 1 West Ham United 1: match report
By Telegraph staff
9:33PM GMT 26 Dec 2011

Sam Allardyce was far from happy after watching West Ham denied victory by a late equaliser from Birmingham's Brian Murphy. Murphy's late goal enabled Birmingham to maintain their unbeaten home record while West Ham returned to second place behind Championship leaders Southampton with the point. However, the West Ham manager has further reason for concern after George McCartney, Kevin Nolan and Julien Faubert collected bookings which will rule all three out of the next game, against Derby. Carlton Cole's eighth goal of the season after just four minutes put the visitors in control but West Ham failed to capitalise upon their early advantage. Birmingham deservedly stole an 81st minute equaliser when Murphy headed home following a Chris Burke corner which was pushed back into the goalmouth melee by Birmingham's Steve Caldwell. Allardyce said: "It was all about us missing too many chances in the first half. That was our problem. There is always going to be some pressure at some stage and generally we would have expected it at the beginning with Birmingham coming out of the traps.

"But it wasn't as we controlled the first half and created a lot of chances that went begging. You know that it is going to change at some stage and they did so by going direct when they sent on big [Nikola] Zigic. "We only had to cope with a corner but unfortunately from a technical point of view my player has failed to drop on to the line and as a result we lost a goal and had to be content with a draw. There were also other disappointing features from the second half. Unfortunately we didn't capitalise upon what was a great first half performance. "[Boaz] Myhill's marvellous save just before the half was a vital turning point and it came back to haunt us. "But our big problem now is the three suspensions for the next game means I do not know where I am going to get the players from to fill these positions."

Everything had looked so bright for West Ham when they stormed into the lead with a route one goal. Robert Green's long clearance was headed on and Cole beat the hesitant Pablo Ibanez to shoot past Myhill. Julian Faubert should have increased West Ham's lead but his weak, close range, header was deflected for a corner by Murphy. Only a breathtaking save in the last minute of the first half by Myhill from Cole kept Birmingham in the game. But Birmingham's second half fight-back was rewarded by Murphy's late equaliser after West Ham had lost their poise and domination. "Murphy also did well for us. He is in very good form and it was needed and he scored at just the right time."

Match details:
Birmingham (4-4-2): Myhill; Spector, Caldwell, Ibanez, Murphy; Burke, Fahey, N'daw, Beausejour (Redmond 70); King, Wood (Zigic 56). Subs: Doyle (g), Ridgewell, Mutch.
West Ham (4-4-2): Green; O'Brien, Tomkins, McCartney, Potts; Noble, Diop, Noble, Faubert (Sears 84); Cole (Carew 74), Piquionne (Lansbury 58). Subs: Boffin (g), O'Neil. Booked: Nolan, Faubert, McCartney, Noble.
Referee: D Deadman (Hertfordshire).

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West Ham's draw at Birmingham City proves costly for Sam Allardyce
• Yellow cards rule three players out of Derby County match
• David Murphy heads 81st-minute equaliser for Birmingham
guardian.co.uk, Monday 26 December 2011 20.20 GMT

Sam Allardyce was far from happy after watching West Ham United hold on to take a point from a 1-1 draw at Birmingham City to maintain second spot behind Southampton. The West Ham manager was also concerned that George McCartney, Kevin Nolan and Julien Faubert picked up bookings which will rule all three out of the next game, against Derby County. Carlton Cole scored his eighth goal of the season after four minutes but Birmingham maintained their unbeaten home league record through David Murphy's 81st‑minute headed equaliser.

Allardyce said: "Unfortunately we didn't capitalise upon what was a great first‑half performance. Birmingham is a difficult place to come to at any time but I am disappointed we didn't win the game. But our big problem now is the three suspensions for the next game means I do not know where I am going to get the players from to fill these positions."

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Monday, December 26

Daily WHUFC News - 26th December 2011

A Christmas message
WHUFC.com
West Ham United Chaplain Rev Alan Bolding with a thought for the festive
season
25.12.2011

"I'd like to tell you a story about a Bishop who moved to new area and who
thought it would be a good idea to visit all the local factories to see what
was going on.
"One day, he visited a chicken pie factory, where he was taken on a tour of
the facility by the staff. He was really impressed by the process of
manufacturing a chicken pie. "What impressed him was that every person knew
exactly what they were doing and why they were doing it, but they didn't
know the stages before or after their step in the process. "There was one
man, the managing director, who knew every process in minute detail, except
one thing - he didn't know what it was like to be a chicken. "God created
everything - the world, human beings and other animals - but he didn't know
what it felt like to be a human being. "So, He came into the world on that
first Christmas as baby Jesus to experience what it was like to suffer, to
feel happiness, pain, joy and disappointments. "I would like you to remember
that a lot of people are suffering at the moment, both physically or due to
the recession. We're told it's going to get worse, so it's nice to know that
God has experienced these feelings and that when we suffer, He knows what
we're going through. "I always find that reassuring because life is not
always happy for any of us. In our moments of pain and suffering, I know we
are not alone. He is with us, sharing those feelings, and I hope this brings
some relief to you if you are suffering. "I would like to close by wishing
you all a happy Christmas and a really good New Year.

"God bless you all and Come on you Irons!"
Rev Alan Bolding
West Ham United Chaplain

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The Rev's Christmas message
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 24th December 2011
By: Staff Writer

Former Club Chaplain of West Ham United FC and now Archdeacon of West Ham,
Elwin Cockett returns to share his annual Christmas message with the readers
of Knees up Mother Brown...

...or the 'ex-Rev', to be more precise. Because, dear KUMB readers, I've
hung up my boots after nearly two decades as Club Chaplain at West Ham
United – not, I hasten to add, for any bad reasons, but simply because I'm
too busy in my 'day job' in the C-of-E as Archdeacon of West Ham to give the
role the attention it deserves, and because my friend and colleague Alan
Bolding is doing a great job in my place.

I remember the day I first walked through the gates of the training ground
at Chadwell Heath back in 1992, to be greeted by the wonderful Eddie Gillam,
one of the unsung heroes at this club. It was transfer deadline day and
Billy Bonds was busy signing Clive Allen, so Shirley-the-cook plied me with
tea and Eddie introduced me to all and sundry.

There were some great people among them - Tony Gale, Alvin Martin and Ludo,
along with the likes of Ronnie Boyce and Jimmy Neighbour in the offices, all
members of what felt like a real family club. Then there was Tom Finn, once
the youngest club secretary in the league, and one of the finest people in
football. He was a real loss to West Ham United, it has always seemed to me.

A lot of water has passed under the bridge since those days. I had the
privilege of being there for some great moments at West Ham as well as
sharing in some deeply sad and personal times for individuals and for the
club. Inevitably, at Christmas, it is 'absent friends' who come to mind,
like Ian Jackson, the groundsman whose death shook everyone at Chadwell
Heath, Frank Lampard Senior's wife, Pat, and numerous others who were part
of the club in one way or another, not forgetting the great Bobby Moore.

At this time last year, we were already staring relegation in the face,
fearing the worst. And yet, it wasn't the end of the world, was it? Given
all the other bad news that 2011 brought us, a season spent vying for
promotion and – dare I say it – winning a few games in the process doesn't
seem such a hardship. We've even learned to love Sam Allardyce, who would
hardly have been on the average Irons fan's Christmas card list a year ago,
but who seems to be doing things the West Ham way and giving us plenty to
cheer.

And so, it's Christmas. And apart from too much turkey and a trip to
Birmingham for some, what does it mean? I guess that, whether you're a
believer or not, it's a time for showing some love and compassion to the
people around us. For forgiving each other's failures and looking forward
with hope and optimism to a new year. And for recognising that people matter
more than things, even things like football.

So, friends, whether you're remembering absent friends or enjoying being
with new ones, whether you're heading up to Birmingham on Boxing Day or just
chilling out with your kids, remember that you're part of a world-wide West
Ham family this Christmas. And, as that great Irons fan*, Jerry Springer,
puts it, 'take care of yourselves and each other.'

Elwin 'the Rev'

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Brady: no to ground share
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 24th December 2011
By: Staff Writer

West Ham United vice chair Karren Brady has insists that West Ham United
will not consider ground sharing with a rugby team. Last week, Olympic Park
Legacy Company Chief Executive Andrew Altman admitted that his organisation
were looking into the possibility of combining several sports - including
football and rugby - when naming a tenant/tenants for the Olympic Stadium
post next summer's games. However that suggestion has been unequivocally
dismissed by Brady, who insists that it is unworkable due to
freshly-introduced Premier League rules. "Any prospective tenants who wish
to express an interest in using the Olympic stadium have been told they must
do so by March next year," Brady said via her column for the Sun. "London's
rugby teams can also bid for its use. While all of us at West Ham would be
happy to share with athletics at the Olympic stadium, there is no way we
would go into a ground-sharing agreement with a rugby club. It is a complete
non-starter for us. "Impossible, actually, as soon it will be a breach of
Premier League rules to share your ground with rugby."

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Big Sam targets 25
Hammers boss draws up extensive shopping list
Last Updated: December 24, 2011 9:43am
SSN

West Ham co-owner David Gold says manager Sam Allardyce has identified 25
players he would like to sign in January. The Hammers are currently battling
for promotion back to the Premier League and Allardyce is keen to reinforce
his squad. The club are a point behind Championship leaders Southamptonand
two points clear of third-placed Middlesbrough. Allardyce does not want to
rest on his laurels and has already submitted his New Year shopping list to
the club's co-owners.
"I understand that Sam has identified 25 targets," Gold told Sky Sports
News. "Just the 25," he smiled. "What Sam is saying is 'these are the kinds
of players that I monitor all the time'. "He watches them all the time. When
I say watches, these are the players he likes. "If the opportunity arises
then he'll come to us and say look 'I'd like to add this player to our
squad'. "Or he might come to us and say look 'We're having problems in this
area, we need to strengthen'. "Then he'd come to us and say 'This is the
player I'd like to bring in to solve to that problem'. "To help to achieve
what we all want, whether it be David Sullivan, myself, the players, the
fans, Sam himself, we all want promotion."

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Doncaster aim to keep trio
Saunders looking to secure defenders for the rest of the season
Last Updated: December 24, 2011 3:22pm
SSN

Doncaster Rovers manager Dean Saunders is hoping to agree deals to keep
defensive trio Habib Beye, Pascal Chimbonda and Herita Ilunga at the club
until the end of the season. Beye joined Rovers on a three-month loan from
Aston Villa in November, while Ilunga is on a similar arrangement from West
Ham United having arrived at the Keepmoat Stadium in October. Experienced
full-back Chimbonda, meanwhile, is on a short-term contract, but has
recently been sidelined by a hip injury. Saunders completed deals for Damien
Plessis, Habib Bamogo and Mamadou Bagayoko on Friday, in addition to
persuading El Hadji Diouf to agree an extension. The Rovers boss is now
turning his attention to his squad's defence and is optimistic he can hang
on to the experience of Beye, Chimbonda and Ilunga.
"I'm hoping to tie up deals with those defenders," said Saunders. "If we are
capable of that then we know where we are at until the end of the season."

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A Happy Hammers Christmas
December 25th, 2011 - 10:13 am by Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die

A very happy Christmas to all WHTID readers. May you get all the presents
you want, especially a win tomorrow at St Andrews! And if you have nothing
better to do this afternoon, do listen to me on LBC 97.3 (you can get the
programme on DAB and the internet at LBC.co.ukas well as on FM in London) –
I'm doing the 3pm-7pm programme. No politics today, but I am sure I will
sneak a West Ham mention in somewhere along the way. I wonder how many of
you were given my book for Christmas. Quite a few, I imagine. Well it will
give you something to read while your family gorge themselves on the
Christmas Downton Abbey.

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Would We Really Want Zamora Back?
December 24th, 2011 - 7:13 pm by Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die

The Daily Mail has a story today that we are looking to buy back Bobby
Zamora from Fulham. Apparently he has fallen out with Martin Jol. I'd be all
in favour of this providing we would only have to pay £2-3 million. But it
seems Fulham want £8 million, which is a joke. Bear in mind we only got £5
million for Scott Parker. IIf we pay anywhere near £8 million we'd be mad. I
like Zamora, and in the Championship he'd be a really good signing. But I
remain to be convinced that he would be an asset to us if we get promoted.
Wouldn't we be better to concentrate on younger talent? Surely we have our
ration of older strikers with Piquionne and Carew?

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Spector raring for tilt at West Ham
Published 20:49 25/12/11 By James Nursey
The Mirror

Jonathan Spector has West Ham in his sights today and admits he just loves
gunning down his old clubs. The versatile American star, 25, left the
Hammers on a free transfer in the summer after new boss Sam Allardyce did
not renew his contract. The former Manchester United trainee lines up
against his past employers today for new side Birmingham. Spector has a
reputation for downing old clubs after netting twice in the Hammers' famous
4-0 Carling Cup win over Manchester United last term. And he is keen to show
Big Sam what the Irons are missing in the battle of the two clubs relegated
to the Championship. He said: "Scoring twice against United was a highlight
for me. "It was against a former club. It meant a lot and it was great to
get those goals. "We were hoping that win would kick-start our season, which
unfortunately didn't happen for us. "I enjoyed my time at West Ham. They are
a good club and supporters, but I am proud to be a Birmingham City player.
"I wish West Ham well, but not at our expense."

Spector joined the Hammers in June 2006 from Charlton and made over 100
appearances for the east London club. He was often used as a defender, but
insists his favourite position is in the centre of the park, where Blues
boss Chris Hughton has played him in the League. And the USA ace insists
leaving Upton Park for St Andrew's has worked out well under the
ex-Newcastle chief, who is eyeing a play-off spot. Spector added: "There was
negotiating­ back and forth in the summer when West Ham didn't have a
manager. "Eventually the decision was made for me to move on after Sam
Allardyce took over. "But I am proud to say that we parted amicably to start
afresh. And Birmingham City gave me that opportunity. "I prefer playing in
midfield and it is one of the reasons I decided to come to Birmingham City.
"That is where I have played the majority of the games, except in the Europa
League where I have played right-back. "Playing in midfield was a big
attraction for me to join the club. "And so was the experience the manager
has had of getting teams promoted, as we want to be back in the Premier
League."

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Big Sam will thrive on promotion pressure, says Chris Hughton
Published 12:50 24/12/11 By James Nursey
The Mirror

Chris Hughton reckons Sam Allardyce thrives on pressure after he publicly
admitted he must take West Ham straight back up. Hughton is preparing his
Birmingham side for Boxing Day's home game with the high-flying Hammers in a
clash of two relegated clubs. Second-placed West Ham are already looking
likely to bounce back to the top-flight immediately. And Hughton is not
surprised after Allardyce insisted when he arrived in June that only taking
West Ham back up this term would be a success. Brum boss Hughton said: "I
know Sam quite well. "There is no doubt he is a top class manager. "He has
been involved in the game and has a lot of experience. "I think that
experience shows. "He is quite happy at this moment to take on the
responsibility of being with a team that expects to go up. "He is quite
happy accepting that. "Most of us managers try and keep things quite level
and play things down. "But Sam is quite accepting that anything short of
getting promotion is not a good season for them."

Cash-strapped Birmingham face losing more players in January as Newcastle
want Liam Ridgewell, Wigan like Jean Beausejour and Man City fancy teenage
winger Nathan Redmond. But Hughton has vowed not to quit and is eying a
play-off spot. He said: "We need to push on in this second half of the
season. "We need to start picking up points. We have been disappointing on
the road of late." *Hughton was speaking at Birmingham Children's Hospital
as part of 'Blues Give A Gift' campaign.

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