Friday, September 30

Daily WHUFC News - 30th September 2011

'We will regroup'
WHUFC.com
Captain Kevin Nolan says Tuesday's setback will simply spur the Hammers on
to put things right
29.09.2011

Captain Kevin Nolan has pledged he and his team-mates will put things right
when they go to Crystal Palace this Saturday. The skipper was in candid mood
following Tuesday's 1-0 npower Championship defeat by Ipswich Town at the
Boleyn Ground. He admitted the performance against the Tractor Boys was
simply not good enough for the players, the management or the supporters and
has vowed that the squad will work hard to put things right. Despite the
midweek setback, the No4 stated his faith that the Hammers squad posseses
the experience, ability and attitude to get their automatic promotion bid
back on track at the weekend, with the club still only two points off top
spot.

Do you echo the manager's disappointment about the overall performance and
the manner of the goal conceded in the 89th minute?

"We can't hide away from the facts. It was a very disappointing goal to give
away. We have a lot of experience in our team and we can't give sloppy goals
away, no matter what division we are in. "We haven't performed, to be
honest. We haven't performed as players, as lads or as a team. We would have
been quite lucky to come off with a point, but we haven't. "We go back to
the drawing board, we go back to the training ground and we regroup. We're
still coming together as a team, so we'll do that. We'll dust ourselves off
and we've got a game this weekend where we can get it out of our systems."

As a player, can you put your finger on why things didn't click on Tuesday?

"We've had a good win on Saturday [over Peterborough United] where we should
have scored more than one goal but we had one of those nights. "When you
have one of those nights, you've just got to grind out the result and we
didn't grind out a result - that's the most disappointing part of it. It's
not the fact that we didn't play well because we won't play well in every
game. "It's tough because teams are going to come here and enjoy it because
it's a fantastic stadium and a fantastic pitch and the pressure is on us to
go and attack. "They get the chance to play their football and do their
things, but fair play to Ipswich because they came here and did really well.
"You can't put your finger on it at this moment in time, but as a team we'll
all sit down and have our moans and groans and get on. "We've all got to
big, brave and ugly enough to admit that, as a team, we weren't good enough
and that's the be all and end all."

Is it important to go to Crystal Palace and get a result to ensure the team
goes into the international break on a positive note?

"That's good thing about this league - you play so many games. The
turnaround is so quick that you have another game where you can put it right
and that's what we've got to do now. "We can't sit there and pity ourselves
and feel sorry for ourselves because if we do we're not going to achieve
what we want, which at the end of the day is automatic promotion. "If we
can't get that, then it's the Play-Offs, but we've got to go up this year.
We know that. That's our ultimate goal and none of us is shying away from
saying that. "We are putting pressure on ourselves to do that and we're
going to make sure that we work hard on the training pitch so that,
collectively, we start getting the performances that we want. "I know for a
fact that it's coming and I want to thank the fans for turning out again.
They had the right to have their opinions at the end of the game and boo us
off because it simply wasn't good enough."

Why does the team keep conceding last-minute goals?

"I wish I could put my finger on it because then we wouldn't do it. It's
just one of those things but it's something we've got to address. "On
Tuesday, the worst thing about it was that it came from a set piece. I think
there are a lot of experienced players and internationals in our team and
we've got it wrong and that's something that can't be accepted and it won't
be. "In that dressing room, we can dig people out and wave fingers and
people have got to take it on the chin. "As a group, we win together, we
lose together and we draw together and that's what we're going to do. We're
going to stick together in this time and make sure when we go to Crystal
Palace on Saturday."

Do you remember something similar happening when you were with Newcastle
United in the Championship two seasons ago?

"Yes. When we got relegated at Newcastle, the state of that club at the time
was probably a lot worse than it was at West Ham. "The owners were brilliant
and kept us together and we came together as a team. We know we've got to
come together as a team and we're still learning. "I've only known these
lads for ten or 12 weeks and it's tough. We've only had eight or nine proper
games and we're going to get better as the season goes on. "It's about how
we react to it. If we react in a good positive manner on Saturday and go
away and get something, whether it is a point or all three, we can't afford
to give sloppy goals away."

Are you happy with your own form?

"Not really, to be honest, I'm not really happy with it. "I know that I've
got to start playing and lift my game up. It's easier to do well when teams
are playing well and when we're not winning games and playing the
free-flowing football, I'm the worst critic of myself. "I'm not happy [with
my form] but I think I can still add something to the team. I'm happy with
my move has gone, but I think if you asked the players in our team if they
are happy with their form at the moment, I think every one of them would say
'No'. "We haven't really found the form we want, but we feel that we will
and it's coming."

Do you feel any added pressure as captain to lead the younger players?

"I've had that all my life at Bolton and Newcastle where I've taken it on
and I'm quite happy to take that mantle on. "At the end of the day, we have
got a good group in there who stick together and when we're not playing
well, we'll make sure we help those young boys out of it. "We haven't been
happy with some of the performances this season, but when we're not happy we
have to grind out the result - that's a fact."

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Determined Dominic
WHUFC.com
Dominic Vose is setting his sights high after starting the new season in
impressive form
29.09.2011

Having played for the reserves at the age of 16, it is easy to forget that
Dominic Vose does not turn 18 until November. The attacking midfielder, who
signed his first professional contract with West Ham United in November
2010, has continued his development and improvement this season. A strong
and elusive runner with an eye for goal, Vose has played his part in the
Under-18s' unbeaten start to the FA Premier Academy League season and also
made his mark for the development squad.
Vose, who netted twice in Tuesday's 4-4 draw at Dagenham & Redbridge, has
big ambitions after his goalscoring display in front of the watching
assistant manager Neil McDonald and first-team coach Wally Downes. "I think
I did all right," he told whufc.com "I wanted to do my bit for the team, so
I got my two goals and I'll crack on again for Saturday. "I started wide on
the right and tried to cut in off the touchline, then I went in the middle
of a flat 4-4-2 with George Moncur and I think I did all right in there. I
went wide on the left and got my second goal from there, so it went well for
me. "I got a last-minute call to play and I came in and I think I took my
chance so hopefully I'll be involved in the next game. "Hopefully I've shown
the senior management what I'm about and I'll get a look-in sooner rather
than later. I want to get more reserve-team games under my belt and push on
from there."

Vose is one of a host of youth team players who have shone this season, with
the likes of Robert Hall, Blair Turgott, Elliot Lee, Kieran Sadlier and Leo
Chambers all earning rave reviews for their performances. Hall has recently
been loaned to League Two club Oxford United - a move that has further
stoked the fires in Vose's belly. "Of course it motivates me. It's better
for Rob to be out there playing in League Two than playing in the
development squad. It's better for him, so hopefully I can do the same. "I
feel I can come on and do a bit at senior level. It's all about getting the
opportunity to show what I can do."

While a loan move may be in Vose's long-term future, he is likely to be
involved in the Hammers' youth-team fixture at Portsmouth this Saturday.
After winning their opening five matches, the Under-18s had to battle back
to draw 2-2 with Southampton last weekend. "We've been doing well and we're
six unbeaten. We drew on Saturday which was a bit disappointing, but we go
away to Portsmouth and hopefully we can get a win under our belts. "We've
been strong at the back. We've got Leo Chambers at the back who is an
England player, then Dan Potts, Jake Young and Kenzer Lee - defensively
we're very good. "Attacking-wise, we're great, and the coaches have done
well for us. The training sessions are good, so it's a team effort. "Us
second years found it a bit hard last year, but as senior players we are now
trying to show the first years the way forward and there's a great work
ethic in the team at the moment."

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Big Sam on Palace
WHUFC.com
The manager is looking for an instant reaction when the Hammers go to south
London on Saturday
29.09.2011

Sam Allardyce is backing his players to show the perfect response to their
midweek setback when they go to Crystal Palace. The Hammers manager spoke to
the press on Thursday afternoon at the Boleyn Ground, and revealed his team
had stepped up their efforts in training in a bid to wipe away the memory of
the 1-0 defeat by Ipswich Town on Tuesday. Despite that defeat, the Hammers
are still just two points off top spot and are looking to continue their
four-match unbeaten run on the road this season in the npower Championship.
West Ham have won at Doncaster Rovers, Watford and Nottingham Forest, as
well as drawing last time out at Millwall.
What's the team news?

SA: We are still going to have to wait until tomorrow to decide on Matt
[Taylor] and Winston [Reid]. We have another couple of players who are
doubtful including Joey O'Brien who at this moment in time is feeling a
hamstring. He did it in the last minute of the game on Tuesday trying to
stop the goal that Ipswich scored. He is a little bit of a concern. Other
than that it is about recovering mentally and getting a positive attitude
going to Crystal Palace after the disappointment against Ipswich.
Have you discussed conceding late goals in training?
SA: We are all aware of the disappointment of conceding in such a late
period of the game and what the costs might be in the long term for
automatic promotion. As I have said before, teams that want to win promotion
really do the reverse of what we have done recently and that is win points
in the last minutes and not throw points away. On the basis of what we have
done in the first five home games, it is a little bit disappointing. We want
to eradicate that from now on.
Is Upton Park a factor?
SA: Teams do want to come and prove in front of a big crowd that they are
capable of taking on a team that throughout the world of football is fancied
to get automatic promotion. The fans want to see good performances and good
results at Upton Park. We all have to live with that pressure and accept it
for what it is. Pressure is a pleasure, not a hindrance, in our game. We
have to focus better.
Is Kevin Nolan still to get into his stride?

SA: A lot of players are still only going to grow and get better. I think
based on our new the team and staff are, we are sitting in a comfortable
position overall in the nine games we have competed in. I personally think
that we can wonder what might have been with just a couple of the home
games. We need to get the points when they are available, and not chase
points to make them up. That is what we have to do now at Palace.
Three points would keep you on track?

SA: We have to make sure we try and win but the main thing is not to lose as
everyone will see it as a disaster if we lose two games on the trot. That is
what we have to avoid. We have to take our away form and our away results
into the Palace game, look at that and say to ourselves 'We are a major
force away from home and let's go and prove it at Palace'.
It will be a difficult game because I watched them beat Wigan in the Carling
Cup a couple of weeks ago. I was very impressed with how they played on the
night. They were worthy winners. That wasn't a win they pinched, it was
thoroughly deserved and they outplayed a Premier League side that still had
most of its players in.
It is a very tight table. Will it stay like that all season?

SA: It looks like it. It looks like someone will always slip up when not
expected. I certainly didn't expect to lose against Ipswich, even if I
expected it to be a tough game. Their side matched us in nearly all
departments in terms of quality and experience. The players didn't respond
to the fact the challenge was so good, so we underachieved while Ipswich
played to their maximum. We must realise that in every game we must be at
the top of our game to get a result and move further on.
Palace have had troubled years but are on the way back?

SA: I was very pleased to meet the new owners and directors when I went to
the Palace-Wigan game. I was pleased to see how much stability they have
brought and are taking it forward and of course a good young manager who
knows the club inside and out because he has played there for so long. They
have a good old head in Lennie Lawrence and they are building and growing
gradually, which is always the best way to be successful. The result they
achieved at Brighton on Tuesday means we know we are in for a difficult game
on the form they are in. It is also a local derby. It might not be as
intense as Millwall but it will still be intense going down there.
A lot of West Ham fans would like to see Carlos Tevez back on loan? Is that
feasible?

SA: At this stage, I don't really know!

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Man United chance for Jordan
WHUFC.com
Hammers youngster Jordan Brown may line up against the likes of Wayne Rooney
and Co on 25 October
29.09.2011

Jordan Brown could face Manchester United in the Carling Cup fourth round
after his loan spell at Aldershot Town was extended. The left-back has spent
the past month with the League Two club and played in their 2-1 third-round
defeat of Rochdale on 20 September. That earned a fourth-round visit from
United on Tuesday 25 October, with Brown due to stay at the Recreation
Ground until the following day.

Brown is one of several Hammers youngsters out on loan. The others are
Jordan Spence (Bristol City), Cristian Montano (Notts County), Callum
McNaughton (AFC Wimbledon), Robert Hall (Oxford United), Olly Lee (Dagenham
& Redbridge), Ahmed Abdulla (Swindon Town) and Frank Nouble (Gillingham).

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Nolan targets Palace boost
West Ham captain eager for return to winning ways this weekend
Last Updated: September 29, 2011 11:27am
SSN

West Ham captain Kevin Nolan is confident the Hammers will get back to
winning ways against London rivals Crystal Palace on Saturday. The Upton
Park club slipped to a poor 1-0 defeat at home to Ipswich in midweek, their
second reverse on home turf this season. However, Sam Allardyce's side are
unbeaten on their travels and Nolan is determined to keep that run going at
Selhurst Park. The skipper told the club's official website: "The good thing
about this league is you play so many games. The turnaround is so quick that
you have another game where you can put it right; that's what we've got to
do now. "We can't sit there and feel sorry for ourselves; if we do we're not
going to achieve what we want, which at the end of the day is automatic
promotion."

Got it wrong

West Ham have developed a nasty habit of conceding late goals this season,
which happened again against Ipswich, and it's something Nolan admits they
need to quickly eradicate. "I wish I could put my finger on it because then
we wouldn't do it," he said. "It's something we've got to address. "On
Tuesday, the worst thing about it was that it came from a set piece. There
are a lot of experienced players and internationals in our team and we've
got it wrong. That's something that can't be accepted, and won't be. "In the
dressing room we can dig people out and wave fingers, and people have got to
take it one the chin. "If we react in a positive manner on Saturday and go
away and get something, whether it is a point or all three, we can't afford
to give sloppy goals away."

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By NEIL CUSTIS and RICHARD MORIARTY
Published: Today
The Sun

WEST HAM have made an audacious bid to sign Carlos Tevez on loan. A senior
Hammers figure contacted Manchester City in the wake of the striker's
refusal to come on as a substitute in Munich. But City have knocked the move
back as the controversy still rages over Tevez's behaviour in the Champions
League encounter against German giants Bayern on Tuesday night. City are not
prepared to do any deals while they take legal advice over the extent to
which they can punish Tevez, who is on a two-week suspension. They are also
leading a full investigation into the Argentine's actions at the Allianz
Arena. The Hammers are understood to have been ready to pay a percentage of
the player's £250,000-a-week wages for a three-month spell. That would have
taken them up to the January window, when City will look to sell him. Tevez
spent the 2006-07 season at West Ham but controversy surrounded his move
there from Corinthians over third-party ownership. Tevez famously scored on
the last day of that season at Old Trafford to keep West Ham in the top
flight, before going on to join Manchester United. West Ham, under boss Sam
Allardyce, must have believed City wanted Tevez out. He can only move on
loan to a club in this country outside the Premier League while the transfer
window is closed.

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Spurs demand West Ham must never be able to rip up Olympic Stadium running
track
By MATT LAWTON and CHARLES SALE
Last updated at 11:22 PM on 29th September 2011
Daily Mail

Tottenham are demanding a government guarantee that stops West Ham from ever
being able to rip up the Olympic running track in Stratford and ending up
with a stadium superior to their own. While West Ham have already given
assurances that they will honour any agreement to keep the 2012 track,
Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy wants to make sure they cannot rival the
stadium Spurs are to build. On Wednesday, Spurs refused to abandon their
legal challenge to West Ham's occupancy of the stadium, despite being made a
'final offer' of £17million by London mayor Boris Johnson.

The row could yet impact on London's bid for the 2017 World Athletics
Championships. Inspectors from the IAAF are in London next week and Johnson
was desperate to conclude a deal before then. But if there is no agreement,
Spurs will press ahead with a full judicial review on October 18 - Levy
arguing that without a firm commitment to keep the track West Ham would be
handed a huge competitive advantage. They would effectively receive a £600m
stadium for £30m. West Ham's promise to retain the track was the central
reason they were awarded the stadium ahead of Spurs, who wanted to remove
it.

Leyton Orient chairman Barry Hearn described Johnson's offer to Spurs as 'a
bung' to keep them out of court. Speaking to talkSPORT, Hearn said: 'Boris
has made his move to try and placate Tottenham and, if I'm being cynical, it
looks like a bung just to get him out of a court case. I can recognise a
bung when I see it. 'We're in the High Court in mid-October against Newham
Borough Council and against the OPLC, to claim state subsidy that is
affecting a resident business. (West Ham co-owner) David Gold said, and I
quote: "We know the stadium's not perfect but this is a £600m stadium and
we're getting it for £30m, so it's too good a deal to turn down".
'If that's not state aid then I don't know what is. 'If West Ham do take
off they'll put us out of business. The one outfit being completely
overlooked is little Leyton Orient Football Club. We seem to be the
forgotten tribe of the East End.'

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Hearn claims Mayor has offered Spurs 'bung' in stadium dispute
By Robin Scott-Elliot, Sports News Correspondent
Friday, 30 September 2011
The Independent

Leyton Orient chairman Barry Hearn: 'Boris has made his move to try and
placate Tottenham and if I'm being cynical, it looks like a bung just to get
him out of a court case. I come from the real world and I can recognise a
bung when I see it'

Tottenham Hotspur and the Mayor of London remain confident of settling their
differences over the club's future whereabouts, an outcome which would lead
to the club abandoning next month's High Court appeal against the decision
to award the Olympic Stadium to West Ham United. But the judicial review
still looks likely to go ahead as Leyton Orient, Tottenham's partners in a
legal objection to West Ham winning the tenancy of what will become a
60,000-seat arena in Stratford, have no plans to drop their appeal.

The High Court is due to begin the judicial review – which revolves around
whether a loan from Newham Council to West Ham to help fund their takeover
of the stadium constitutes state aid – on 18 October and Barry Hearn,
Orient's colourful chairman, yesterday maintained that his club were
continuing with their action, while claiming that Boris Johnson's offer to
Tottenham was "a bung."

Representatives from Johnson's office and Haringey Council have met over the
last two days with Spurs, who are under greater pressure to remain in the
area in the wake of last month's riots, having been offered £17m towards
their Northumberland Park project, which would see the redevelopment of an
area around White Hart Lane.

"Boris has made his move to try and placate Tottenham and if I'm being
cynical, it looks like a bung just to get him out of a court case. I come
from the real world and I can recognise a bung when I see it," Hearn told
Talksport yesterday. "We're in the High Court in mid-October against Newham
Borough Council and against the OPLC [Olympic Park Legacy Committee] as
well, to claim state subsidy that's affecting a resident business."

Hearn believes that Orient would be forced out of business if West Ham move
into the Olympic stadium, which is visible from the club's Brisbane Road
ground. Hearn has expressed an interest in moving Orient to the nearby
Olympic hockey stadium post-Games.

Tottenham are also faced with the likelihood that even were they to win the
review and the bidding process started again, a requirement to keep the
track in the stadium – something Tottenham are opposed to – would be one of
the criteria.

Johnson and Hugh Robertson, the sports minister, are keen to resolve the
problem as soon as possible so it does not impact on London's bid to hold
the 2017 athletics World Championships.

Yesterday David Lammy, the MP for Tottenham, said: "It's decision time. The
community in which the club belongs hangs in the balance."
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Thursday, September 29

Daily WHUFC News - 29th September 2011

Crystal clear vision for Carew
WHUFC.com
John Carew is focused on putting things right when the Hammers travel to
Crystal Palace on Saturday
28.09.2011

John Carew insists he and his West Ham United team-mates will be working
hard to eradicate the mistakes that caused Tuesday's 1-0 npower Championship
defeat by Ipswich Town. The Hammers were not at their fluent best against
the Tractor Boys, but looked like gaining a goalless draw before a series of
defensive errors allowed Lee Bowyer to fire in an 89th-minute winner. The
goal represented the fourth time this season that West Ham have conceded in
the final stages of a match - a record that has cost them four league points
and their place in the Carling Cup. On the attacking front, the Hammers did
not create the clear-cut chances they would have hoped at the Boleyn Ground,
being largely reduced to long-range efforts and hopeful crosses into the
Ipswich penalty area. Experienced striker Carew said the squad, who returned
to training on Wednesday morning, were determined to put things right. "We
conceded a goal in the last minute again, as we've done too many times
already this season, so we're very disappointed. "We were hoping to create
more at home. We're always aiming to create more chances and stuff, but we
obviously couldn't so I'm sure we'll sit down and talk about it to work out
what went wrong. "We also need to work on not conceding goals in the last
minute. The manager is not happy about that - nobody is."

Carew will hope to make his first league start for the club at Crystal
Palace on Saturday - a fixture that could see him face Norway team-mates
Steffen Iversen and Jonathan Parr. Striker Iversen, 34, has partnered Carew
regularly at international level, with both being part of Norway's squad at
the 2000 UEFA European Championship finals, while 22-year-old winger Parr
has been a revelation since joining the Eagles from Aalesund in July 2011.
While he will enjoy meeting his compatriots, West Ham's No11 said he will be
focusing all of his efforts on ensuring his side leave Selhurst Park with a
victory. "We just have to get over this disappointment and we will start to
think about the next game from Wednesday morning. "It will be nice to see
Steffen and Jonathan again, but I am not thinking of them right now."

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Lansbury gets England call
WHUFC.com
The 20-year-old midfielder Henri Lansbury has been named in the England U21
squad
28.09.2011

Henri Lansbury has been called up by England for the forthcoming 2013 UEFA
European Under-21 Championship qualifiers against Iceland and Norway. The
Hammers midfielder was the star man earlier this month, with three goals in
two wins for the U21s against Azerbaijan and final tournament hosts Israel.
England coach Stuart Pearce watched Lansbury in action last Saturday against
Peterborough United and the 20-year-old is set to be at the heart of his
starting lineup. England will travel to Reykjavik to face Iceland on
Thursday 6 October before taking on Norway in Drammen on Monday 10 October.
Lansbury has been capped eleven times at U21 level, having previously
represented his country at every youth age-group.

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Allardyce on... Ipswich Town
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 28th September 2011
By: Staff Writer

Sam Allardyce was left to bemoan yet another late goal conceded at the
Boleyn - and ponder how to pick his team up for this weekend's trip to South
London...

Another late goal, Sam?

Terrible, isn't it?

We thought we'd learnt our lesson and clearly we've not done that tonight.
You know, I try to keep telling the players about respecting the points and
how important it is, because coming out of that at 0-0 would have been a
good point for us to me because I din't think we were at our best,
particularly in the first half.

But that glitch in our play has cropped up again and now everybody casts
their minds back. Everybody, all the fans will go, "oh, here we go again;
Cardiff, Leeds United and now Ipswich". We can ill-afford to throw points
away as early [in the season] as this but more importantly, at Upton Park.
That's four points that have been thrown away in the final minutes of a game
of football on three occasions here.

So, we really have to eradicate that because we have to make those point up
when we play away from home - and whilst we've been magnificent in terms of
our results away from home, we won't always keep going away and winning.

Not winning this game today, losing two, winning two and drawing one; if we
want to go where we want to go, it isn't good enough. If we'd lost one,
drawn two and won two that's good enough. Those two losses and that one draw
against Leeds have all been down to our lack of understanding and lack of
determination in the last minute of a game of football.

Do you think it was a wasted opportunity given results elsewhere?

My concern obviously is the results here, after tonight. That's my concern.
I know it's early doors and the team are a new team put together but it
doesn't stop you being organised and professional in the final minutes of
the game because everybody in our dressing room, apart from one or two of
the younger element - and there's not too many of them - are vastly
experienced players who've seen it all before - and at a higher level than
this.

That's what disappoints me, that taking responsibility in the dying embers
of the game to do the right thing. Let's face it, it isn't a great goal from
Ipswich. It isn't something that I can say, "look, there's little or nothing
we could have done to prevent that goal". It's a big punt down our right
hand side by the goalie; the header wasn't good enough, it comes off the top
of our defender's head for a corner instead of just heading it back out for
a throw-in. The corner was not defended properly and it falls to Lee Bowyer
and he scores.

So it's those small errors that, when you put them all together, you end up
with Ipswich winning a game today that we shouldn't have allowed them to. I
didn't think we deserved to win it, but I certainly don't think we should be
losing games at that stage of the game any more from now on.

What was missing for you today?

I would say you've got to give the opposition great credit. For one, I think
they're a very good side and I think that we might have just let a little
bit of complacency creep in - which we sorted out at half time and really
got better in the second half. But then, in terms of goalscoring
opportunities, that was a little bit worrying today.

We had plenty of goalscoring opportunities against Peterborough not
converted - that's why I put Sam Baldock in today, that's why I changed the
system today. One through injuries and two by the fact that the last two
games have not produced any goals apart from a penalty by Mark Noble.
Unfortunately, with the way we played today we got worse instead of better
and we had to really change it in the first 20 minutes to stop Ipswich going
on in the ascendancy, which we did.

Then, in the second half, we came out and got a lot, lot better. But [give]
Ipswich a lot of credit - and perhaps [there was] a touch of complacency
from our players. We've really got to work at our game and continue to put
this one behind us and look for three points at Crystal Palace now and
finish the week off with some points.

Do the players feel intimidated playing here?

I don't think so; I mean, why would they feel intimidated? Why would Kevin
Nolan, Abdoulaye Faye, Mark Noble...

Weight of expectancy?

Well there's bigger weight of expectancy in the Premier League, far bigger.
If you want to know about pressure, be in the Premier League and you'll know
what real pressure is. I mean even you lot get more pressure in the Premier
League than you do in this league. So I think that there's nobody in that
dressing room who can really say [that].

There's Mark Noble; there's Robert Green; there's Jack Collison who may feel
a little pressure based on they're West Ham players from the past and last
season wasn't a great season. But everybody else is new. And James Tomkins.
But everybody else is new. Joey O'Brien's new - played in the Premier
League; Abdoulaye Faye; George McCartney; Kevin Nolan; David Bentley; John
Carew - you know what I mean? Pressure for them's a pleasure. Pressure's a
pleasure. Not a hindrance.

Why were they so poor in the first half then?

Because the opposition were better than us.

How tough will the Crystal Palace game be after their win [at Brighton] this
evening?

Well we bounced back from Cardiff with a win at Doncaster but I think the
Crystal Palace game will be much harder than Doncaster was, because
Doncaster at that point hadn't got off to a very good start and were lacking
a bit of confidence - which unfortunately cost Sean O'Driscoll his job in
the end. So it'll be a tougher game than that, but based on our away form
and results then I expect us to be better than were today and that will give
us an opportunity to get a result at Palace.

Can I ask you about Ipswich? Having drawn at Middlesbrough on Saturday and
won tonight do you feel they are a side that could compete at the top in
this division?

Yeah, because for two years now they've spent a lot of money. I think Roy
[Keane] spent what, £18-20million in his first year, something like that?
Paul [Jewell] hasn't spent that much, he's picked up - like myself - some
good, experienced players that have got a lot of experience n the Premier
League. They've come together very nicely in the Coventry game and certainly
at Middlesbrough last week.

Today they've punished us so I think they're as good as we've met, I have to
say. We were poor and I was disappointed with the way we played - but some
of that you have to put down to how well Ipswich played.

Will you look to make changes in terms of the way you play?

We made changes today.

More?

No.

Has Matt Taylor got a chance of playing?

It depends how his injury is and how Winston Reid's injury is. So in terms
of selection today with the players we put in, we just felt playing with the
two up top, because of the players we've got, was the right thing to do.
Unfortunately it didn't work very well.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Is Kevin Nolan part of the problem?
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 28th September 2011
By: Gary Portugal

Kevin Nolan is failing on all counts at the moment. Apart from the
occasional good pass, I cannot identify anything that he is contributing to
the team.

Nine games into the season he does not look fit, perhaps owing to time out
in the close season from an operation. But if that is the case, why play him
every match, especially for the full 90 minutes?

We cannot carry passengers and, in his current state of fitness, Nolan is
exactly that: a passenger. That he is captain should not mean that he is not
held accountable. It seems that he is not held to the same standard of
scrutiny as other players and we are paying a steep price for that.

For a start, including last night's game against Ipswich, he is too often
out of position, remaining forward and failing to track back. It is as if he
expects the rest of the midfield to do the hard graft. This in total
contrast to someone like Julien Faubert who is all over the pitch every
second that he is on it.

We are starting to get overrun in midfield, regardless of what formation we
play. This will allow any good passing team, especially one with the likes
of Bullard and Edwards, to pass us off the park. And when he has tracked
back, at times he just seems simply too slow. Is this down to fitness or did
Alan Pardew and Newcastle see something that we did not?

When we have possession, where are Nolan's runs into the box? Where is his
movement? All too often he looks frozen like a statue, content to perhaps
use his brawn and physical strength to give him an edge. Does he ever look a
threat in the opposition's box? Rarely. Then how can he justify remaining in
such an advanced position so often,exposing the rest of our midfield?

The next thing is the man's finishing. He has missed a number of very
presentable chances this season, notably against Forest, which fortunately
did not cost us. We spent a lot of money on this player and are paying him
very high wages. His immobility would be less of a liability if found the
back of the net.

Nolan also has a nasty habit of arguing the toss with referees and linesmen
to absolutely no effect. This was most evident against Peterbrough. Alll
that this does is galvanize opposition supporters and players. It makes him
and us look weak, as if we are babies throwing our toys out of the pram.

A captain should maintain his discipline and keep his head, and on a number
of occasions he has already failed to do so. Is it any wonder that fools
like Piquionne get themselves sent off when our own captain's discipline in
in doubt at times? Being passionate and determined is not about yelling at
referees.

Our Achilles heel remains our defence of set pieces, which is woeful. It's
no coincidence that Bowyer's winner resulted from a corner. Time and again
when we concede corners we look very vulnerable; there is no excuse for this
given the experience and physical presence we have.

Yet part of this is down to the captain, not just the manager. Surely the
captain, first and foremost, must ensure that we are well organized in such
situations. And if the opposition has one player who is clearly pulling the
strings, especially a midfielder like Bullard, then surely the captain has
to galvanize the troops to close that player down and deny him time and
space.

Finally, the dying minutes of a game is when you expect senior players to
stand up and be counted. To be professional and see it out. In particular
the captain. You expect all eleven players to be fully switched on and not
lacking an ounce of concentration. And who should be marshalling the troops
in those key final minutes? Nolan, of course.

Then why do we continue to concede not only late goals at the Boleyn Ground
that have cost us a total of four points against Cardiff, Leeds and Ipswich?
Clearly the captain of the side bears some responsibility for this,
especially given the scrappy, sloppy nature of some of these goals. It's not
like we are conceding to great strikes or great build-up. The nature of the
goals we are conceding late in games is incredibly poor.

Nolan clearly isn't the quickest of players. Nor is he a spring chicken. He
can't squeeze blood out of a stone. But surely he can put in more committed
and determined performances than he has thus far,and surely he can make
better use of his vast experience than he has thus far in a West Ham shirt?

It's sad to say, but this is the worst I have seen Nolan play in his career.
Is that what happens when you give a player a juicy long-term deal and make
him captain? Our current league position masks how poor Nolan has been this
season. But our points tally of just four points from the last nine
available exposes exactly how limited his contribution has been.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Allardyce worried by West Ham's late struggles at Upton Park
By Kieran Daley
Thursday, 29 September 2011

The Independent

Sam Allardyce is becoming frustrated by West Ham's apparent failure to close
out home games

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce has urged his players to turn Upton Park into
a fortress after ex-Hammer Lee Bowyer returned to haunt his former club with
a last-gasp winner for Ipswich. The game looked destined to end in a
stalemate until midfielder Bowyer pounced with a minute left to grab his
first Ipswich goal. This was the Hammers' first defeat in eight games, since
a 1-0 reverse against Cardiff on the opening day, but after seeing his side
concede a fourth late goal at home already this season, Allardyce knows
things must change. "We thought we had learned our lesson about conceding
late goals but clearly we haven't," he said. "I keep telling players to
respect the points and how important they are and I think a 0-0 would have
been a good point for us as we weren't at our best, particularly in the
first half.
"We can't afford to throw points away, and more importantly at Upton Park,
and that is four points we have thrown away late at home. This means we have
to make these points up when we go away and we won't keep winning away so we
need to sort it out. If we want to get to where we want to get to, then this
isn't good enough."

In a first half that lacked any real quality it was the visitors who could
count themselves unlucky not to find a goal: Michael Chopra was denied at
close range by Robert Green while Bowyer hit the post. Things failed to
improve after the restart but Ipswich stole all three points in the dying
minutes, Bowyer reacting quickest to a Keith Andrews header that hit the
post from a Jimmy Bullard corner to drill home. The Tractor Boys are now
unbeaten in three games, conceding none in the process, and Paul Jewell was
full of praise for his players despite some tired legs. "This was our third
game in eight days with pretty much the same squad and same team but I
thought we deserved the win, particularly the way we played in the first
half," the Ipswich boss said. "Football is a funny old game though and we
have a confidence in the team now where a month ago we looked bereft of
ideas and couldn't pick our feet up. "But since then we have had a change of
fortune, the players realise they are good players and they are full of
confidence."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Wednesday, September 28

Daily WHUFC News - 28th September 2011

Ipswich loss frustrates Sam
WHUFC.com
The manager challenged his players to get another unbeaten run going after
Tuesday night's defeat
28.09.2011

Sam Allardyce was making no excuses after what he described as the most
disappointing performance of the season to date for West Ham United.
Although the Hammers went into the Ipswich Town fixture on the back of their
best start in 28 years, they were undone by former Hammers midfielder Lee
Bowyer's driven last-gasp winner when the manager believed his team switched
off - first to a long goalkeeping clearance and then from the resulting
corner. In truth, the visitors were always the better team even with the
Hammers' improved second half.

Bowyer might also have scored in the first half when home man of the match
Robert Green tipped a curled effort on to the post, while Michael Chopra
could have registered for Ipswich in the opening minutes. The Hammers never
got as close as that to a goal themselves, and a seven-match unbeaten run
was always in peril in front of nearly 28,000 fans on a balmy September
evening at the Boleyn.

Still, with the scores level into the closing stages, Allardyce was
frustrated his team did not at least secure the draw. "We thought we had
learned our lesson and clearly we haven't done that. I keep telling the
players about respecting the point. Coming off nil-nil would have been a
good point for us because I didn't think we were at our best - particularly
in the first half.

"We can ill afford to throw points away but more importantly we can't do
that at Upton Park. We really have to eradicate that because we have to make
up those points away from home and while we have been magnificent in terms
of our results away from home we won't always keep going away from home and
winning."
The manager made two enforced changes with Matt Taylor (calf) and Winston
Reid (hamstring) missing out, while Julien Faubert dropped to the bench to
accommodate Sam Baldock's first home game as the manager went for a 4-4-2
formation. James Tomkins partnered Abdoulaye Faye at the back and David
Bentley got his maiden start on his fourth appearance in claret and blue.
There is plenty to ponder for Saturday's trip to Crystal Palace as
Allardyce's men aim to return to the form that has taken them to fourth
place in the npower Championship. Having seen his team bounce back before
after their defeat by Cardiff City on the opening day, the manager wants a
similar statement this weekend. "If we want to go where we want to go, this
isn't good enough. I know it is early doors and the team is a new team put
together but it doesn't stop you being organised and being professional in
the final minutes of a game. "Everyone in our dressing room, apart from one
or two of the younger element, are vastly experienced players and have seen
it all before at a higher level than this and that is what disappoints me.
They need to take the responsibility in the dying embers of a game to do the
right thing."

"Those small elements when you put them together ends up with Ipswich
winning a game that we shouldn't have allowed them to win although you have
to give the opposition great credit. The manager had plenty more praise for
Paul Jewell's team, who went into the match on the back of a good win
against Coventry City and draw at pace-setters Middlesbrough. He was forced
to reshuffle his plans to match them up, but even the introduction of Jack
Collison and John Carew for Henri Lansbury and Carlton Cole could not spark
a decisive reaction. "Ipswich are a very good side and we might have let a
little bit of complacency creep in which we sorted out at half-time and got
better in the second half. But then in terms of goalscoring opportunities,
that was lacking. "I changed the system because of injury and the fact the
last two games haven't produced any goals apart from a penalty.
Unfortunately the way we have played, we have gone from better to worse. "We
have really got to work at our game and put this behind us at Crystal Palace
by finishing the week off with some points."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Marvellous Montenegro
WHUFC.com
Brian Montenegro impressed development squad coach Ian Hendon in Tuesday's
draw at Dagenham
27.09.2011

Ian Hendon was full of praise for young forward Brian Montenegro following
Tuesday's thrilling 4-4 development squad draw at Dagenham & Redbridge.
Hendon was understandably frustrated with his side's inability to hold on to
a lead at Victoria Road, where the Daggers came from a goal behind on three
occasions to snatch a share of the spoils. However, the development squad
coach was more than happy with the contribution of Paraguay Under-20
international forward Montenegro. The 18-year-old caught the eye with his
intelligent running, relentless work-rate and the smartly-taken goal he
netted to level the score at 1-1 in the first half. "I thought Brian was the
shining light with his movement. It's very difficult to communicate without
having a translator here, so we do everything visually by explaining things
using a graphic of a football pitch. "He showed that he is a good player
and, if he keeps showing that sort of form, people will take notice of him."

Tuesday's game also marked the return from injury of goalkeeper Peter Kurucz
after 14 months out with two knee injuries. The Hungary Under-21 stopper
came through 77 minutes unscathed before being replaced with the Hammers
leading 3-2. "That's the first I've seen of Peter and he said himself that
he felt a bit rusty. That's to be expected when you've been out for 14
months. It's a long road back when you're injured - I know that from being a
player - and it's a good feeling to get back on that pitch and be playing.
"This was a start for him and I'm sure he's looking forward to the next
one."

Taking the game as a whole, Hendon was unhappy that his side could not close
the game out, despite twice leading by a goal in the final ten minutes.
"Frustrated is probably an understatement. We played against a team that had
a bit of League experience but, having said that, I don't think it was down
to experience. The last two goals we conceded were schoolboy errors, I have
to say. "Their third goal was a free-kick into the near post and their
player has flicked it, pretty much unmarked. The fourth goal was just a
cross into the box and the keeper has got to do better - it's as simple as
that. He has got beaten in the air by one of their players who probably
wanted it a little bit more. "It's not the result we were looking for but on
the other hand it was a good workout."

The coach admitted the younger players in his squad would have to learn that
their defensive responsibilities were as important as their attacking
abilities - especially when trying to close a game out. "At four-each at the
end, we've still got midfield players making runs beyond the centre
forwards. Alright, I know they want to win the game but we had the
opportunity to do that when we were in front with a few minutes left on the
clock. Our naïve defending cost us. "It's all about learning, as we know.
People will say about developing the players, but they've got to learn and
develop. "I've had a little honeymoon period, but there were a few mistakes
which slipped into our performance at Dagenham which I wasn't pleased with.
That is something we will have to deal with. "I think the game was summed up
by the fact we looked good going forward. There is another aspect to forward
play and that the defensive one. "As much as we created going forward, they
created a bit too much going the other way. We know the ability these
players have got going forward and we won't be taking that out of their
game, that's for sure. "We've got to be switched on going the other way,
too."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham 0 - 1 Ipswich
BBC.co.uk
Page last updated at 21:26 GMT, Tuesday, 27 September 2011 22:26 UK

Lee Bowyer scored his first Ipswich goal a minute from time to inflict a
first defeat in seven matches on his former club West Ham. The midfielder
tapped in after Keith Andrews' header from Jimmy Bullard's corner had hit
the post. Bowyer had come close to opening the scoring when his 12-yard
effort hit a post in the first half. The closest West Ham came was when
Kevin Nolan's close-range header was cleared by Aaron Cresswell. The goal
from Bowyer, who had two spells at Upton Park, earned Ipswich a second win
in three games to hand manager Paul Jewell, who turns 47 on Wednesday, an
early birthday present. It ended the Hammers' seven-game unbeaten run in the
Championship as the hosts, who have made their best start to a league season
in 28 years, squandered the chance to move top of the table.
Ipswich made a bright start and Michael Chopra's close-range effort was
saved by Robert Green. Bowyer's shot then hit an upright before West Ham had
a chance as Henri Lansbury fired a 30-yard shot off-target. That seemed to
spark Sam Allardyce's side into life but Abdoulaye Faye could not keep his
header down from David Bentley's corner - and at the other end Green was
forced into another save when Grant Leadbitter shot from 18 yards. West Ham
made a better start to the second half and, within five minutes, Carlton
Cole tested Ipswich goalkeeper David Stockdale with an 18-yard strike.
Another long-range Leadbitter strike was easily dealt with by Green before
Cresswell's excellent block kept out Nolan's header. With eight minutes
left, Green was at full stretch to tip Cresswell's 30-yard free-kick over
the crossbar. Just as the game was seemingly heading for a goalless draw,
Bowyer popped up to stun the Hammers. Stockdale was called upon to save from
Jack Collison in injury time but Town secured a third successive clean
sheet, the first time they have achieved that feat since March 2005.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham Utd 0 Ipswich Town 1
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 27th September 2011
By: Staff Writer

It's back to the drawing board for Sam Allardyce tomorrow morning after his
side turned in another desperately disappointing display against Ipswich at
the Boleyn tonight. Having defended the use of his 433 system in recent days
following criticism of his game plan against Peterborough - who recently
thrashed tonight's opponents 7-1 - Allardyce surprised everyone by reverting
to a 442 formation, allowing recent signing Sam Baldock to make his full
debut alongside Carlton Cole.

However this proved to be as ineffective as the manager's previous set-up,
due in main to his team's insistence on pumping long balls at Cole who often
found himself with little support - even more so after Allardyce reverted to
a five-man midfield midway through the first half after his side found
themselves overrun in the middle of the park.

The only goal of the game came as the match approached injury time - the
THIRD time that has happened in the five home league games this season,
following Cardiff and Leeds. Canning Town-born Lee Bowyer - who hails from a
family of Hammers fans and spent two spells at the club in the noughties -
pounced from close range to earn the visitors all three points that, on
reflection, they probably deserved.

Deserved, as the Tractor Boys had already hit the post on two seperate
occasion prior to the goal whilst West Ham yet again failed to make an
impact in the final third of the pitch. It's now 284 minutes since the
Hammers managed to score a goal from open play, having scored fourteen goals
in their previous four outings.

Once again the opposition goalkeeper was all too rarely tested; bar a couple
of half chances for Cole and Abdoulaye Faye there was very little for the
home fans to cheer. David Bentley, playing on the left in the absence of
Matt Taylor tried his best, supplying a number of decent corners and
crosses, but all too often there was nobody to get on the end of them.

Allardyce will no doubt point to the fact that the team is still gelling
following a number of new arrivals in the summer - and he has a point.
However what is considerably harder to defend is his team's insistence on
hurling long ball after long ball towards Carlton Cole, much to the chagrin
of the home fans who are beginning to make their feelings known.

Next up for the Hammers is this weekend's short trip across London to
Crystal Palace; having dropped five points in their last three fixtures, the
pressure is back on West Ham to produce a result against a side who beat
current league leaders Brighton 3-1 on their own ground tonight.

West Ham Utd 0 Ipswich Town 1: match facts

West Ham Utd: Green, O'Brien, Tomkins, Faye, McCartney, Lansbury (Collison
64), Noble (Faubert 90), Nolan, Bentley, Baldock, Cole (Carew 64).
Subs not used: Boffin, Bouba Diop.
Booked: Lansbury (11).

Ipswich Town: Stockdale, Cresswell, Collins, Sonko, Leadbitter, Edwards,
Bowyer, Andrews, Bullard, Scotland (Ellington 85), Chopra (Delaney 90).
Subs not used: Lee-Barrett, , Ainsley, Emmanuel-Thomas.
Goals: Bowyer (89).
Booked: Bowyer (45).

Attendance: 27,709
Referee: Keith Stroud (7).

KUMB.com Man of the Match: David Bentley.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Jewell on... West Ham United
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 28th September 2011
By: Staff Writer

Ipswich Town manager Paul Jewell was understandably delighted at his team's
smash-and-grab raid in east London tonight...

Paul: Few would argue that you deserved that win?

Yeah, but no doubt some will! First half I thought we were terrific, passed
the ball really well. Chops [Michael Chopra] had a good opportunity when he
hit the inside of the post. Obviously they were always going to be a threat
from set pieces and stuff, but I thought we passed the ball really well
first half and should have gone in [to half time] with the lead. Second half
we weren't quite as fluent but we had to dig in and be resilient.

It must be the perfect birthday present for you?

It's a great birthday present yeah. It'll make my fortieth tomorrow very
happy! [laughs]

You've had some good results here previously?

Yeah, it's quite strange; when I was manager of Wigan we used to beat West
Ham most times here and they always beat us at home so it's a bit strange.
But it's a great place to come and play football. It's a lovely stadium,
it's a passionate ground. We knew we had to do a job on the crowd first -
try and keep the ball and make them impatient. Credit to our players, first
half we were terrific.

Most of your players have played three games in eight days but they kept
going right to the end?

Yeah, three games in eight days now but it's the same squad and the same
team. Football's a funny old game as they say. The confidence is there. A
month ago we looked bereft of ideas, we looked as if we couldn't pick our
feet up. We've had a bit of a change of fortune and we've got good players,.
At the minute the players who are playing look full of confidence.

Lee Bowyer could have scored in the first half when he hit the post, but he
wasn't messing about with that finish at the end?

I think I read in the program before the game, I think it was Mark Noble
saying he has a habit of scoring against West Ham. So it was obviously a
great moment for him to get his first goal for us. The one in the first half
I was just expecting him to hit the net - even when he hit the post I
thought it might have gone in. You start to wonder if it's going to be your
night but we kept going. We created some good situations that we didn't make
the most of but fair play to the players, I thought we deserved the win
tonight.

What has he brought to you, apart from his goal tonight?

That's the first thing he's done! [laughs] I was going to ask him that
actually! Listen, he's got experience, he's been around the block and the
system we're playing at the moment seems to suit him.

That's three clean sheets in a row now, the two centre backs have really
transformed you?

Yeah. They've been terrific, [Ibrahima} Sonko and Danny Collins. You know
what you're going to get out of them - honesty. It's a tough place to come,
you know; Carlton Cole is substituted and they bring on John Carew. It's a
handful and we did really well. We're not the biggest team in the world and
we knew we had to be strong at set plays. I was pleased with that part of
our game as well.

And the full-backs were getting forward as well; fantastic, I thought?

Well they have to; if we're going to play that way they've got to be able to
get forward. First half, we put 13 crosses in? Some of them weren't of a
great quality but some great balls were going in the box. We looked full of
confidence, we looked like we had plenty of movement and plenty of options
on the ball. We played with vigour and we played with energy and the biggest
thing - as anyone will tell you - is we're playing with confidence. But we
won't get too carried away.

It's been a difficult couple of days for Carlos Edwards* as well but it
didn't seem to affect him one bit, did it?

No... [long pause, then laughs] Look, I have to be careful, whatever's gone
on is a legal case and I can't comment on it. If I knew what was going on I
couldn't tell you, but I don't know, so... But he's played his game and he
was terrific, yeah.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Allardyce - We must learn
Hammers concede late again in home defeat to Ipswich
Last Updated: September 27, 2011 11:27pm
SSN

Sam Allardyce has urged his players to turn Upton Park into a fortress after
ex-Hammer Lee Bowyer returned to haunt his former club with a last-gasp
winner for Ipswich. The points looked certain to be shared until midfielder
Bowyer pounced with a minute left to grab his first Ipswich goal. This was
the Hammers' first defeat in eight games, since a 1-0 reverse against
Cardiff on opening day, but after seeing his side concede a fourth late goal
at home already this season, Allardyce told Sky Sports: "We thought we had
learned our lesson about conceding late goals but clearly we haven't. "I
keep telling players to respect the points and how important they are and I
think a 0-0 would have been a good point for us as we weren't at our best,
particularly in the first half. "I don't need to say it as all the fans will
be moaning 'not again', like the home games with Cardiff, Leeds and
Portsmouth and now Ipswich. "We can't afford to throw points away and more
importantly at Upton Park and that is four points we have thrown away late
at home. "This means we have to make these points up when we go away and we
won't keep winning away so we need to sort it out. If we want to get to
where we want to get to then this isn't good enough," he said.

Smash and grab

In a scrappy first half it was Ipswich who could count themselves unlucky
not to find a goal, Michael Chopra was denied at close range by Robert Green
while Bowyer hit the post. Things failed to improve after the restart but
Ipswich stole all three points in the dying minutes, Bowyer reacting
quickest to a Keith Andrews header that hit the post from a Jimmy Bullard
corner to drill home. The Tractor Boys are now unbeaten in three games,
conceding none in the process, and Paul Jewellwas full of praise for his
players despite some tired legs. "This was our third game in eight days with
pretty much the same squad and same team but I thought we deserved the win,
particularly the way we played in the first half," the Ipswich boss told Sky
Sports.

"Football is a funny old game though and we have a confidence in the team
now where a month ago we looked bereft of ideas and couldn't pick our feet
up. "But since then we have had a change of fortune, the players realise
they are good players and at the moment they are full of confidence. "It was
a great moment for Lee to get his first goal for us and he is someone who
offers us great experience the system we play clearly suits him. "But that
is now three clean sheets too and Ibrahima Sonko and Danny Collins have been
brilliant at centre back during this run and they were again against West
Ham."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Bowyer back to haunt Hammers
Last updated: 27th September 2011
SSN

Lee Bowyer came back to haunt former club West Ham with a last-gasp winner
in a 1-0 victory for Ipswich at Upton Park. The 34-year-old midfielder, who
had two spells at Upton Park, earned Ipswich a second win in three games to
hand manager Paul Jewell,who turns 47 on Wednesday, an early birthday
present. Bowyer registered his first goal for the club, tapping into the net
after Keith Andrews had seen his header from Jimmy Bullard's corner hit the
post. It ended the Hammers' seven-game unbeaten run in the Championship as
the hosts, who have made their best start to a league season in 28 years,
also squandered the chance to move top of the table. Town made a bright
start and had an early opportunity to take the lead but Michael Chopra's
close-range effort was saved with his feet by Hammers goalkeeper Robert
Green. The home side were being pegged back by the imposing visitors and
Bowyer was inches away from celebrating a goal against his old club when his
12-yard effort hit the post. Henri Lansbury, who spent last season on loan
at Town's East Anglia rivals Norwich, was fired up for the game and, after
being booked for a foul on Carlos Edwards, he fired a 30-yard shot off
target. It seemed to spark the Hammers into life and they came close again
shortly afterwards but Abdoulaye Faye could not keep his header down from
David Bentley's corner. Ipswich responded and a Grant Leadbitter strike from
18 yards forced Green into another save. West Ham made a better start to the
second half and within five minutes Carlton Coletested Town goalkeeper David
Stockdale with an 18-yard strike before Joey O'Briencleared the crossbar
with an effort just outside the penalty area. Another long-range Leadbitter
strike was easily dealt with by Green before an excellent block by Town
defenfer Aaron Cresswell kept out a Kevin Nolan header from close range.

Play was switching from end to end and the next opening arrived for Town
striker Jason Scotland but he could not find the target with his 25-yard
strike and was again wayward moments later from similar range. With eight
minutes left, Green was at full stretch to tip Cresswell's 30-yard free-kick
over the crossbar. Just as the game was seemingly heading for a goalless
draw, Bowyer popped up to stun the Hammers. Stockdale was called upon to
save from Jack Collison in injury time but Town secured a third successive
clean sheet, the first time they have achieved that feat since March 2005.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham 0-1 Ipswich: Bowyer silences boo-boys
Published 22:01 27/09/11 By Neil McLeman
The Mirror

Lee Bowyer smashed home a late winner on his return to Upton Park to leave
Sam Allardyce accusing his side of complacency. The Canning Town-born
midfielder, who had two spells with West Ham, was booed all night by the
home fans. But the former England star responded by scoring his third goal
in as many seasons against the Hammers to give Ipswich boss Paul Jewell an
early birthday present. The Tractor Boys boss, who turns 47 on Wednesday,
saw his side dominate the first half at Upton Park but fail to score after
Bowyer hit the post and Michael Chopra and Grant Leadbitter forced saves
from Robert Green. But even though West Ham were better after the break,
they conceded another late goal to blow their chance of going top of the
table. The Irons defence failed to clear an 88th-minute corner and Bowyer
crashed the loose ball home through Green's legs. He also scored against his
old team in January for Birmingham in the Carling Cup semi-final. "I read in
the programme before the game he has a habit of scoring against West Ham,"
said Jewell. "It was a great moment for him to get his first goal for the
club. And it's a great birthday present, that makes the 40th very happy!"
Bowyer, 34, moved to Portman Road from Birmingham in the summer on a Bosman.
"It's the first thing he's done!" joked Jewell. "He's got experience, has
been around the block, and the system we have seems to suit him."

While Ipswich kept a third consecutive clean sheet, West Ham's seven-match
unbeaten run came to a shuddering halt after a terrible start and finish to
the game.
Allardyce has claimed promoted teams can only afford eight defeats during a
campaign. That is two now for the Hammers - both at home, to late goals.
"Another late goal - terrible, isn't it?" he said. "I thought we had learned
our lesson and clearly we have not done so. I try to tell our players about
respecting the point and how important it is. "Nil-nil would have been a
good result for us because I don't think we were at our best. That glitch in
our play has cropped up again after Cardiff and Leeds and we have dropped
four points. "We can ill-afford to throw points away, especially at Upton
Park. Losing two, winning two and drawing one at home is not good enough to
go where we want to go. "Give Ipswich a lot of credit but we might have let
a little bit of complacency creep in. "I didn't think we deserved to win it
but we shouldn't be losing games at that stage anymore from now on."

West Ham (4-4-2) : Green 7; O'Brien 7, Tomkins 7, Faye, McCartney 7; Bentley
5, Nolan 6, Noble 6 (Faubert, 89), Lansbury 6 (Collison, 65); Cole 5 (Carew,
64), Baldock 6.

Ipswich (4-4-2): Stockdale 7; Edwards 8, Sonko 7, Collins 6, Cresswell 6;
Andrews 7, Bullard 8, Leadbitter 8, Bowyer 7; Scotland 6 (Ellington, 86),
Chopra 7 (Delaney, 90).

Man of the match: Bowyer .

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Burnley Czech out West Ham reserve keeper
Published 20:06 27/09/11 By Jeremy Butler
The Mirror

West Ham keeper Marek Stech has been handed a trial at Burnley after being
told he can leave Upton Park. The 21-year-old played three Carling Cup games
for the Hammers this term, but is looking for more regular football. Stech,
a Czech Republic U21 international, headed to Burnley after failing to win a
deal at Ipswich recently.

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Tuesday, September 27

Daily WHUFC News - II 27th September 2011

Big Sam on Ipswich
WHUFC.com
West Ham United can make it eight games unbeaten if they record a third
straight home victory tonight
27.09.2011

Sam Allardyce knows his team can strike out for the top two places in the
npower Championship with victory against Ipswich Town this evening. The
manager has admitted he may well rotate his squad, with Papa Bouba Diop in
contention for the matchday 16, while Jack Collison could return to the
selection as well. David Bentley, Sam Baldock and John Carew are ahead in
the queue to break into the eleven. Big Sam admitted that Ipswich would pose
a tough test and is relishing the prospect of a first home league game under
the lights as the club aim to continue their best start to a league season
in 28 years.

Have you seen Ipswich at all recently?

SA: I watched the TV game against Coventry. Paul Jewell is getting his team
together there and like ourselves has got a lot of experienced players that
have played in the Premier League that are now finding their feet and
beginning to put some good results together. It will be a tough game like
every game is in this league.

What sort of game are you expecting?

SA: I think pretty much like Saturday. Paul Jewell has a lot of Premier
League experience in the team like I have. He has got Keith Andrews, who I
had at Blackburn, and is an excellent player and has scored some real good
goals for them. He has got Jimmy Bullard, Michael Chopra - quite a few
players with Premier League experience in there. They play a similar way to
Peterborough so again it will be about nullifying their strengths and
exposing their weaknesses. We have to make sure we take more of our chances
though. Matty Taylor came off near the end on Saturday. With two games in
four days there is a physical element to consider. Is there a temptation to
mix things up a bit?

SA: I think so. It is nice to have a winning side and that doesn't cause you
too many problems from a selection of point of view. We have only changed it
slightly Abdoulaye Faye and Winston Reid played on Saturday even though
James Tomkins is fit. Abdoulaye had played that well at Millwall we kept him
in against Peterborough. We have only been tinkering with that. The subs
have had chances. Papa [Bouba Diop] is ready now and Sam Baldock keeps
staring at me saying 'when are you going to put me on?'. I have got to get
round to looking at the squad and looking at Ipswich. Even though we have
won on Saturday and are undefeated in seven matches, Is it the right thing
to change one or two of the personnel. It is a difficult thing to change
when you are winning games of football but it is one I have got to have a
serious look at and see if I can make the team that bit better by making a
change. I will be sticking my neck on the line because i am sure if I get it
wrong the fans will let me know!

Home form will be key to promotion bid. An evening game in the league can be
a special occasion. How important is it to have a full house and plenty of
noise?

SA: If they make it better than Saturday that will be great because that was
fantastic. Sometimes they show their disappointment and rightly so if they
are not being entertained like they want to see. For me the atmosphere is
going to get better and better. I can't wait to feel the atmosphere on
Tuesday and I hope we can deliver them a performance.

You now have four clean sheets out of eight. That will be important for your
promotion aims, won't it?

SA: We have already scored four goals in three games this season and only
played eight so we know the goals are there. Clean sheets are extremely
important to any side that anyone wants to win anything. The teams that win
things always have the most clean sheets.

It is a cliché but there is no easy game in the Championship is there?

SA: In this league everyone competes and gives everything they have got. You
have to earn the right to play and earn the right to win. We are are well
aware of that and I hope we will give a better performance than we did on
Saturday. That will hopefully lead to another victory as it is a big week
for us. If we can nick six points from six, we will go to Palace on Saturday
in full confidence and try to keep our magnificent away results going.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Big night for new boys
WHUFC.com
The manager has plenty of selection dilemmas to ponder for this evening's
big home game
27.09.2011

West Ham United's new boys are all itching to get going and play their part
against Ipswich Town this evening. Cash turnstiles are open as the Hammers
look to continue their best start to a league season in 28 years, and
manager Sam Allardyce is pondering the inclusion of summer signings David
Bentley, Sam Baldock and John Carew. Bentley has come off the bench in the
last three matches, and is pushing hard to get his first start at the Boleyn
in the claret and blue. Already a popular presence in the dressing room,
Bentley said his approach is always to "work hard with a smile on my face".
He added: "Hopefully West Ham will see the best of me. I want to get back on
track here and do well. Everyone's goal is to tplay in the Premier League
and at the highest level. I have come here and my goal is to get West Ham
back there and that is what I am looking to do."

Baldock is eager to take his place in an attack-minded side boasting quality
throughout the lineup. "It's exciting times ahead. I think they complement
my game and I complement their game. We've all got stuff to offer each
other. "I'm looking to get in the team a little more regularly. I feel
ready. "I'm always looking to start. I've come from playing games regularly
so I'm hoping to continue that trend. "The team's doing well in the
formation it is playing and as long as they get the win I'll be happy. But
I've not really come here to warm the bench. "I've backed my own confidence
and my own ability to get into what I consider a Premier League club."

Carew is also looking to make a contribution, with the manager considering
whether to alternate him with the in-form Carlton Cole after a striking
contribution off the bench at the weekend. "I am enjoying my time and hoping
to be involved," he said. "We all want to play but we have lots of games,
everybody will get their time on the pitch. I am getting to full fitness and
hopefully I am going to play more and more. Everyone is looking forward to
the match."

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Be the 12th man
WHUFC.com
Sports pyschologist Lee Richardson believes the fans have a huge part to
play this evening
27.09.2011

You can be West Ham United's 12th man.When the Hammers last gained automatic
promotion to the Premier League in 1992/93, they won 16 - 69 per cent - of
their 23 home matches. Since that memorable campaign, West Ham have won just
45 per cent of their home league matches - 160 victories in 356 attempts. If
Sam Allardyce's players are to improve their win percentage this season and
emulate the outstanding achievements of 1992/93, they are going to need your
help.
Club psychologist Lee Richardson - a former professional player and manager
himself - outlines just how each and every one of you can play an
influential role in West Ham's push for promotion.

Why is turning the Boleyn Ground into a noisy and intimidating fortress so
important? If we are going to achieve the percentage of home wins we are
going to need this season to be promoted - 69 per cent - then the players
are going to need your help. Home support is crucial in helping the players
by boosting their energy levels and internal psychological state. When you
are vociferous in your support, it affects our players positively and the
away players and supporters negatively. There are events in every game, both
positive and negative, that initiate a reaction from the crowd and that
reaction is passed on to the players straight away. Therefore, as many
positive reactions as possible to these events are the ideal situation.

How can the home fans achieve this at the Boleyn Ground?
West Ham United wants to be as good a club as it can be and to maximise its
potential. The aim this season has to be promotion back to the Premier
League.
You can aid this by being as loud and supportive as possible, singing as
many songs as possible and forgiving any genuine mistakes that are made.
You have a massive role to play and we can prevail in the end if you play an
active part. If the players are to achieve their task - promotion - then
your support is really vital.
The fans can make the task easier.
We are all in this together.
We all want the same thing.

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Dag & Red 4-4 Development Squad FT
WHUFC.com
Dominic Vose scores twice as Ian Hendon's side are held in an eight-goal
thriller at Victoria Road
27.09.2011

DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE XI v WEST HAM UNITED XI
DEVELOPMENT SQUAD MATCH
TUESDAY 27 SEPTEMBER 2011
KICK-OFF: 12PM

Final score - Dagenham & Redbridge XI 4-4 West Ham United XI
94 mins - Moncur tries to lift a pass over the top for Potts to chase, but
it's too late as the referee blows for full-time.
92 mins - Dagenham restart with a throw and the referee tells the players we
have two minutes left. Lee is back on.
91 mins - Into added time and Lee needs the physio on. This has been as
breathless and entertaining a game as I've seen in ages. Both sets of
players are taking on water, but I'm not sure how much longer they'll be out
there. Surely not long?
88 mins - This game deserves a winner. I have no idea who that will be,
though... This game has been so stretched for about 15 minutes now. It would
be fair to say that the defences have not been on top.
85 mins - What a game! Turgott makes space for himself with a superb turn
inside the Dagenham D before curling a shot that cannons back off the
underside of the bar and bounces into the arms of Hogan.
84 mins - That should be 5-4 to Dagenham! Wearen fouls Osborn. The free-kick
is taken before the Irishman can get back into position and Maher gets in
behind. His volley flies wide.
83 mins - That could and maybe should be 5-4 to West Ham. Ilunga lifts a
perfect ball over the top for Piquionne. He is in on goal but elects to take
the ball first time, only to slice his volley high and wide of the left-hand
post.
81 mins - GOAL! Ridiculous. It's 4-4! A cross from the left and Reed
challenges Cowler for the high ball. It drops to Osborn, who has the
simplest of tasks of finishing from eight yards. Cowler appeals for a
free-kick, but there is nothing doing.
80 mins - GOAL! My laptop might explode if this carries on... Potts launches
a superb diagonal ball for Vose to chase. He wins a throw. Vose takes it
quickly and exchanges passes with Moncur before cutting infield. Vose shoots
and the ball takes a deflection off Walsh before flying past Hogan.
79 mins - GOAL! Maher sends over a low free-kick and Thurgood is there to
divert the ball past Cowler. There is nothing the replacement goalkeeper
could do about that.
78 mins - Lee holds his head in confusion after being penalised for a foul
wide on the Dagenham right. A chance for the hosts to deliver another
free-kick...
77 mins - Prietos is replaced by Danny Potts, while Cowler comes on for
Kurucz.
75 mins - If tonight's match at the Boleyn Ground is half as good as this
one, we're in for a decent night. Meanwhile, it looks like West Ham will
make a late change in goal, with Sam Cowler preparing to get a short run
out. There is nothing wrong with Peter Kurucz - I think it's just a case of
giving Cowler some time on the pitch.
73 mins - Ilunga's header drops to a Dagenham player and it is worked to
Reed. He is about 20 yards out as he spins away from Lee and shoots
left-footed, but the ball flies into the scoreboard behind the goal instead
of the net.
71 mins - Thurgood loses his marker inside the box and looks to have time
and space to pick his spot. The ex-Grays Athletic man looks up and curls his
shot about ten yards wide. Groans from the small crowd.
70 mins - Moses has left the building. He is replaced by the equally
marvellously-named Duran Reynalds.
69 mins - GOAL! Piquionne sends Montenegro clear with a clever reverse pass.
The Paraguayan shows good strength to hold off Rose before shooting
left-footed. Hogan parries and Vose follows up to stoop and head the ball
into the net from close-range.
66 mins - Also, if you are interested in coming to tonight's game and seeing
West Ham United potentially go top of the npower Championship table, tickets
will be available from the Alpari Stand and Priory Road ticket offices until
kick-off. Cash turnstiles will also be open from 6.15pm. Prices start from
£32 for Adults and £19 for Under-16s.
64 mins - Bingham is replaced by former Southend United captain Kevin Maher.
63 mins - Dagenham win a left-wing corner. It flies over, but Moses can't
part the West Ham defence to get his head to it. The ball is cleared.
61 mins - If you are coming along to the Boleyn Ground this evening, don't
forget to grab a matchday programme. Tonight's edition contains exclusive
interviews with Mark Noble, Abdoulaye Faye, Sam Allardyce, former world
darts champion Keith Deller and much, much more. Joint-Chairman David
Sullivan also speaks in his latest exclusive column. If you can't make it to
the big game, but would still like a copy of the programme, order yours
online here.
60 mins - Blair Turgott replaces Powell. The England Under-18 player goes to
the right wing, with Vose tucking inside alongside Moncur.
59 mins - Piquionne nutmegs Tomlin. The Daggers player didn't like that! He
swears - loudly.
58 mins - It's proper end to end stuff at the moment. Either side could
score at any moment.
56 mins - GOAL! Dagenham level things up through Tomlin. McCrory gets to the
byline and cuts a cross behind Kurucz and Tomlin has the simple task of
converting from about six yards.
55 mins - Piquionne is sent clear again, this time by Prietos. He is in on
goal, but slightly to the left. Piquionne tries to open his body up and
side-foot into the far corner, but it's too close to Hogan.
53 mins - The Victoria Road stadium is now bathed in sunshine. The murmur of
chatter among the scouts and other spectators around me makes the atmosphere
feel a bit like a cricket match.
51 mins - Dagenham win another corner. Bingham crosses and Kurucz catches at
the near post.
50 mins - Powell and Vose exchange a succession of one-twos in midfield. The
pair both possess really decent technique. Vose, for your information, is a
winger who likes to take people on and has very good close control. Powell
is a ball-playing midfielder with fantastic technique and a very good
passing range.
47 mins - Dagenham have the first chance of the second half, but Thurgood
can't find the target with his low shot. It goes behind for a corner. The
first ball is cleared behind, but when Bingham crosses for a second time,
the header from Walsh flies wide.

46 mins - After a ten or eleven minute break for half-time, we're back
underway here. Thankfully, the sun is coming out!
Half-time score - Dagenham & Redbridge XI 1-2 West Ham United XI
46 mins - Right on 45 minutes and the half-time whistle is blown.
44 mins - Green's low cross is cut out by Ilunga and West Ham build
patiently. After a decent passage of pass and move, the ball is worked to
Prietos by Vose. The trialist tries a curler, but it's off-target.
39 mins - Green misses an absolute sitter. A cross from the right-back Rose
finds him completely unmarked six yards out. He has the goal gaping, save
for Kurucz in the middle of it, but blazes his volley a yard over the top.
36 mins - GOAL! Quality goal from the Hammers. Vose wins a free-kick for
handball and takes it instantly to Montenegro. He collects in-stride before
releasing Piquionne. The Frenchman holds off his marker before expertly
finishing past Hogan with his right foot.
35 mins - Wearen is penalised for a foul about 35 yards out. Tomlin delivers
another superb free-kick into the West Ham box. Ilunga and Moses go for the
ball, but neither makes sufficient contact and the ball dribbles behind.
32 mins - Now Dagenham need to make a change as Crawford hobbles off and
Osborn is on in his place.
31 mins - Moncur is penalised for a foul just outside the West Ham box. Rose
steps up and thunders a rising shot past the wall and, thankfully, past the
far post.
30 mins - Prietos, a trialist, comes on for Fanimo and will play wide on the
left.
28 mins - Fanimo needs the physio on before walking to the touchline. I
think he might be replaced.
25 mins - Green's pace is causing problems. He comes forward again and
shoots. The ball takes a slight deflection and goes out for a corner. The
Hammers clear their lines through Montenegro and go on the counter. Again,
Piquionne is the man who is sent clear. He cuts in from the right and tries
to pick out Moncur with a low cross, but it's cut out. Corner. The ball is
cleared as far as Montenegro, but his volley flies well wide.
24 mins - It's all happening. Green gets down the left and sends over a
delicious cross fro Reed to attack, but he cannot get the necessary
connection on his header and the ball goes out for a goal kick.
23 mins - Great stuff from Kurucz, who is out in a flash after Lee and
Wearen had allowed Tomlin to burst through the middle. The Hungarian spreads
himself and makes a fine save. The ball rebounds out to a Dagenham player,
but Wearen nicks it and finds Vose. He feeds Piquionne and the striker is
through. He does a quick step-over before firing a powerful left-foot shot
just over.
21 mins - Montenegro works back well to defend a Dagenham throw and is a bit
unfortunate when his block goes behind for a corner. Moses wins the battle
but his header flies wide of the far post. He's a big bloke is Moses and
will have to be watched at future set pieces.
19 mins - Much better possession football from the Hammers leads to a foul
on Vose about 30 yards out on the right. Fanimo trots across and takes it
left-footed, but his low free-kick is cut out before it can reach Piquionne.
15 mins - Driver does well twice in ten seconds, heading clear a right-wing
cross before making a fine block to deny Crawford. Dagenham aren't done,
though, and Bingham rises high to flash a header just past the far post.
13 mins - Dagenham respond immediately. Right-back Rose gets forward and
shoots from an angle. The ball flashes low past the near post. The home side
are threatening though, as left-back McCrory's low cross is well handled by
Kurucz.
11 mins - GOAL! As if by magic...! Piquionne collects a square pass from
Moncur, makes five yards and shoots from 25. The ball takes a nick off a
defender and Hogan cannot hold on. Montenegro has followed up as all good
forwards do and clips the ball over the keeper before smashing it into the
roof of the net.
11 mins - Vose is involved again there, collecting a lay-off from
Montenegro. The Paraguayan has looked lively so far, making some really
intelligent runs.
8 mins - Piquionne breaks down the right touchline and wins a corner. Fanimo
takes it left-footed, but it's too high for everyone and flies out on the
far side.
7 mins - West Ham have their first proper attack, with Fanimo heavily
involved. Vose collects possession and runs at the back four, but he loses
the ball. Dagenham come forward and the ball breaks to Crawford, who shoots
from 25 yards. It is easy for Kurucz.
5 mins - Formation-wise, Driver and Ilunga are the full-backs, with Wearen
and Lee inside them. Powell and Moncur are in central midfield, with Vose
wide right, Fanimo wide left. Piquionne and Montenegro are up front.
4 mins - Ilunga throws in to Moncur. He comes infield from the left before
finding Piquionne. The Frenchman tries to flick the ball through for
Montenegro, but goalkeeper Hogan is out smartly to collect.
2 mins - GOAL! The hosts lead. A Crawford cross from the right is high and
draws both Wearen and Driver to challenge Reed in the air. The ball drops,
bounces and Green shapes well before volleying past Kurucz from about 12
yards.
1 min - Ilunga curls a long pass over the top for Piquionne to chase. He is
goalside of the defence, but it's because he is offside.

12.05pm - We are now happily ready to kick-off. Dagenham do so, shooting
towards the Marcus James Stand to my left.

12.03pm - We look all set to go aside from one major issue... There is no
sign of the match officials!

11.58am - West Ham, of course, visited Victoria Road for a pre-season
friendly on 26 July, running out 1-0 winners over the League Two side.
Carlton Cole scored the only goal of the game that evening. Two of
Dagenham's starters that night, Tomlin and Bingham, start this afternoon,
while Alex Osborn was on the bench.

11.55am - Assistant manager Neil McDonald, first-team coach Wally Downes and
goalkeeper coach Martyn Margetson are all here to keep an eye on the club's
young charges. Frederic Piquionne will be eager to impress, as he will be
available for Saturday's trip to Crystal Palace following his three-match
ban.

Good morning and welcome to Victoria Road for the first of today's two live
text updates - the second of course being this evening's npower Championship
visit of Ipswich Town to the Boleyn Ground.

For now, though, our focus is on Ian Hendon's development squad and the
headline news is the return from injury of Hungarian goalkeeper Peter Kurucz
.
The pair join experienced duo Herita Ilunga and Frederic Piquionne - who is
ruled out of tonight's first-team fixture through suspension - new boy Brian
Montenegro and young professionals Callum Driver, Eoin Wearen, George Moncur
in a squad that mixes youth with older players.
Scholars Matthias Fanimo and Kenzer Lee are also involved following the
youth team's fine start to the FA Premier Academy League season.

Dagenham & Redbridge XI: Hogan, Rose, McCrory, Moses (Reynalds 70), Walsh,
Bingham (Maher 64), Tomlin, Thurgood, Reed, Crawford (Osborn 32), Green
(Dabo 80)
West Ham United XI: Kurucz (Cowler 77), Driver, Ilunga, Wearen, K.Lee,
Moncur, Vose, Powell (Turgott 60), Fanimo (Prietos 30, Potts 77),
Montenegro, Piquionne

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Allardyce: a work in progress
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 27th September 2011
By: Staff Writer

Sam Allardyce says that he is pleased with the way his squad have gelled in
the opening weeks of the season - but insists that there is more to come.
Allardyce, speaking ahead of tonight's Championship clash with Ipswich Town
- United's second home game within three days - admitted that his side were
not quite there in terms of being a fully cohesive unit, but revealed that
he was more than satisfied with the way the opening eight games of the
league campaign had gone. "After the disappointment of the first game here
[against Cardiff] we've picked up and got better and better, as we get to
know each other better," he told Talksport. "All the new players are
settling in - in fact eight of the players who played on Saturday weren't
here last season. "I'm really pleased with what they've delivered up to now.
I still don't think we're fully integrated as a team yet because we're all
so new together and of course that takes time. Winning football matches
breeds confidence and that makes it easier and helps the players to move
forward quickly. "But we seem to be pulling together very well. Results are
of course all-important to build confidence and that's exactly how we're
looking at the moment - very, very confident."

Looking ahead to tonight's game against 13th-placed Ipswich, Allardyce -
who, for the first time, is having to deal with injury concerns in his squad
- insisted that despite Town's erratic form they will prove to be yet
another stern test. "Paul [Jewell] has been there for a long time and put
together a good side," he asserted. "There's lots of experience in the team;
there's quite a few players he's got there who've played Premier League
football, so they'll know what it's all about. I saw them beat Coventry
comfortably; it'll be an interesting contest. "We've got a couple of
injuries for tonight so one or two of the squad players will come in and
play. That'll be interesting to see whether they'll keep it at the levels
we've seen up to now."

* In other news, Ian Hendon's development squad drew 4-4 with Dagenham &
Redbridge this lunchtime. On target for the Hammers were Brian Montenegro,
Freddie Piquionne and Dominic Vose (2).

West Ham Utd: Kurucz (Cowler 77), Driver, Ilunga, Wearen, K.Lee, Moncur,
Vose, Powell (Turgott 60), Fanimo (Prietos 30, Potts 77), Montenegro,
Piquionne.

Dagenham & Redbridge XI: Hogan, Rose, McCrory, Moses (Reynalds 70), Walsh,
Bingham (Maher 64), Tomlin, Thurgood, Reed, Crawford (Osborn 32), Green
(Dabo 80).

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Shaka: Redknapp killed Joey Cole
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 27th September 2011
By: Staff Writer

Shaka Hislop has claimed that his former manager at West Ham, Harry
Redknapp, is responsible for the failure of Joe Cole to live up to early
hopes. Speaking in the tabloids today, Hislop - who worked under Redknapp at
the Boleyn from 1998 to 2001 - suggested that his former boss' failure to
give Cole a proper role in his West Ham team contributed to the lack of
discipline that has bugged the former England international all his career.
"Harry kind of liked Joe just to express himself, and we'd play around him,
or around Joe's unpredictability," he said. "But encouraging him to be
himself didn't help him. "Talented though he is, when you don't have the
ball he's got to give you something else. Everything about his game on that
side, when your team don't have possession, he simply wasn't good enough.
Harry did not help him in that respect; I don't think he was coached in that
way."

Cole, who moved to French club Lille on a season-long loan during the summer
transfer window scored his first goal for his new club last weekend. Yet
Hislop insisted he could have enjoyed a far more glittering career had
Redknapp utilised him better. "Harry wants players to come and just play
naturally and he would fill the gaps around that," he continued. "It was the
same with Paolo Di Canio. He would be allowed to do exactly what he wants
and we would fill the gaps around him. "It worked – you can't take that away
from Harry. But in Joe's case, in terms of stepping up that extra level, it
held him back. I know Joe well, I like him a lot and I hope he rediscovers
his form. But you have to bring more than just that type of natural,
unbridled ability."

Cole made his first team debut for West Ham at the age of just 17 against
Manchester United in January 1999 and soon became a firm favourite with the
Boleyn faithful. He was made captain of the team in December 2002 by Glenn
Roeder, but failed to prevent his side dropping through the trap door the
following May. He was eventually sold to Chelsea for £6.6million in August
2003 after West Ham had been relegated to the Championship the previous May.

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Stech on trial
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 27th September 2011
By: Staff Writer

Young goalkeeper Marek Stech has joined Burnley on trial. The 21-year-old
Czech goalkeeper was hailed by former goalkeeping coach Ludo Miklosko as his
country's potential successor to Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech upon joining
West Ham back in 2006 at the age of just 16. However five years on, West Ham
are preparing to part company with the 6'3 stopper who has refused to sign a
new contract due to his desire for first team football. Stech - who is
currently fourth in the pecking order at the Boleyn behind Rob Green, Peter
Kurucz and Ruud Boffin - has been unable to play for the club in rcent
months as any future appearances will trigger an additional payment to the
player's former club Sparta Prague. With West Ham being unwilling to pay a
further instalment due to the player's refusal to agree a new contract,
Stech has been left in limbo; his most recent appearance for the club came
way back in October of last year, in the 3-1 Carling Cup win over Stoke.
Having already spent a week with Ipswich, Stech is now trying his luck at
Burnley who recently signed his former Academy team mates Junior Stanislas
and Zavon Hines. He will feature for the Clarets in their Central League
fixture against Oldham later this afternoon.

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Mark Noble well aware of the extra factor
Ken Dyer
27 Sep 2011
Evening Standard

Mark Noble says West Ham must get used to visiting teams raising their game
as they prepare to host Ipswich tonight. With West Ham having been a
­Premier League club only four months ago, Noble believes opponents see his
side as a notable scalp. As a result, teams are trying to frustrate West Ham
such as on Saturday when Peterborough limited the hosts to a 1-0 win with
Noble scoring the only goal from the penalty spot. "We are fully aware that
every team who come here will put that little bit extra in because we are
probably one of the teams to beat in the Championship this season," he said.
"We need to counter that and it's not always going to be flowing football.
If we can come away with another 15 one-nil wins this season, I'll take
that."

Regardless of how their opponents play, Noble knows there are areas where
West Ham can improve and says they need to capitalise on the fact they have
some big men in their squad. "There were spells against Peterborough when we
played really well and other times when we could have done a lot better -
kept the ball which would have made it easier for us," said the midfielder.
"We also have to improve on converting those chances, getting on the end of
cross after cross. We have one of the biggest teams in the League this year
so we need to do better at being on the end of those crosses."

Tonight's match sees Lee Bowyer return to Upton Park and Noble believes West
Ham must keep their former midfielder quiet if they are to push even nearer
to top spot in the Championship. The 34-year-old moved to Portman Road on a
free transfer from Birmingham during the summer and is still a potential
match winner, according to Noble. "We're going to have to look out for Lee,"
he said. "He's still making those forward runs into the opposition penalty
area, arriving late and he always seems to score against us. "They have lots
of experience in their side - Lee, Grant Leadbitter, Keith Andrews, Jimmy
Bullard, Michael Chopra - I still think they will be up there at the end of
the season. "They've had one or two disappointing defeats but they've been
better recently, beating Coventry and then drawing at Middlesbrough which
was a good point. "It's a big game for us tonight, under the lights and,
hopefully, a good ­atmosphere."

Noble has fond memories of Ipswich, having spent three months on loan at the
club in 2006 and during his stay there he scored his first goal in
professional football.
"I loved my time at Ipswich. Jim Magilton was the manager at the time and I
loved the way he wanted me to play," said the 24-year-old. "He was brilliant
with me. I enjoyed it so much I didn't want it to end really but I came back
to West Ham and got in the first team so it was a great year for me."

Ipswich manager Paul Jewell believes West Ham have the quality and quantity
to finish in the top two at the end of the season. "West Ham and Leicester
probably have the two best squads in the Championship," he said. "West Ham
had strength and power right through their team. Although they've sold one
or two players they've also kept players like the England goalkeeper Robert
Green and striker Carlton Cole, who is also in the international squad."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
EXCLUSIVE - West Ham's McCartney: I should never have left Hammers
London24
Dave Evans, West Ham Correspondent
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
12:00 PM

West Ham defender George McCartney admits that he should have stayed at
Upton Park in 2008 rather than return to Sunderland. Hammers defender George
McCartney has admitted for the first time that he should never have left
West Ham after suffering a nightmare three years with Sunderland. The
30-year-old is back at Upton Park on a season-long loan and has so far
impressed both manager Sam Allardyce and the Hammers fans with some
consistently solid displays at left back.
McCartney's departure from West Ham in a £4.5million deal back in the summer
of 2008 prompted then manager Alan Curbishley to quit the club and both
their careers have gone downhill since that point. And the Northern Ireland
international defender has confessed that he should have stayed at Upton
Park. "I don't know what went wrong at Sunderland," he admitted. "It's hard
to say, but looking back I probably shouldn't have left West Ham. "I had
great times here and it is a great club and it is something I will always
regret."

McCartney played 71 games in two seasons at West Ham and secured second spot
behind Robert Green in the Hammer of the Year award in his final season at
the club. However, in three years at the Stadium of Light, he has made just
46 appearances and never got close to reaching the heights he managed at
Upton Park.
"I'm not really making excuses, but over the first two years at Sunderland I
had some bad injuries and needed a couple of operations," he explained. "So
I had a loss of form, my confidence was low and I could never really get it
going."

McCartney was shipped out on loan to Leeds United last term, but it proved
to be an inauspicious time in Yorkshire as the Elland Road club missed out
on the play-offs.
"After being at Leeds last season, coming back down here has given me a new
lease of life really," said the full back. "It has given me the confidence
to kick on again and play football somewhere I am happy and happy to be out
on the pitch every week. "Thankfully the chairman and the manager have given
me a second chance, otherwise I would never have come. Now it is up to me to
repay the faith they have shown in me by performing every week."

He has certainly impressed since replacing the hapless Herita Ilunga in the
side. He is only on loan at the moment, but he is hoping that West Ham and
Sunderland can sort out a more permanent deal. "Of course I want a permanent
deal," insisted McCartney. "It's only a season-long loan at the moment, but
fingers crossed we get promoted and I can have a good, consistent season and
then it if it permanent, it will be a great opportunity for me."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham boss: Don't mention the 4-5-1
London24
Dave Evans, West Ham Correspondent
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
8:29 AM

When Saturday's game with Peterborough is confined to the archives of
history and largely forgotten – which will not take long – then three points
and a clean sheet may well look impressive. But in truth this was uninspired
and unadventurous stuff and though it was a victory, just how long the West
Ham fans remain satisfied with simply that is uncertain. "We're obviously
delighted," said manager Sam Allardyce after the 1-0 win. "We've got three
valuable points, but the only disappointment is the fact that our approach
play and opportunities to get more goals failed us today."

It is perhaps not hard to see why. When a lot of your approach play is to
hoist the ball up to a lone striker and then fail to properly support him,
it is always going to be difficult to put visiting teams under pressure. Any
mentions of 4-5-1 however are met with annoyance from the boss. "We're
scoring lots of goals with 4-3-3. And if you mention 4-5-1 again! It's
4-3-3!" exclaimed the manager. "You only have to look at the match stats.
You can look at it and say it's 4-5-1, but how many times did we get into
their box? The disappointing thing for me wasn't just that we didn't score
more, but that we didn't hit the target more often. We haven't made their
keeper work enough. "I think eventually we'll get to a 4-4-2 here and there,
but when you're fourth in the league and haven't lost for seven matches,
it's difficult to change a system that is working extremely well for where
we are at the moment."

That's us told then. It is certainly true that the system works well away
from Upton Park, where three wins and a draw along with nine goals speak for
themselves.
But at home? Against Peterborough? Is that really a system that needs to be
adopted? Is that really the West Ham way?

Many would argue that the West Ham way has not been seen at Upton Park for
years anyway. That the West Ham way of the last two or three seasons was to
lose too many home games and to a large extent that is true.

But that was in the Premier League. This is surely different. West Ham are a
team in the Championship with a squad that is good enough for the top flight
and yet there is no swagger, no real class being shown by the team when they
play at home.

Perhaps we are making too much of it. After all the be all and end all of
this season is promotion and it really doesn't matter the way in which the
Hammers go about it, as long as they achieve it.

"You only have to look at what gets you promoted automatically and two
points or better does that," said Allardyce. "There can be a freak season
where you need more, but generally if you're hitting those targets – and
we're one point ahead of that ratio – that's a massive boost. "That will
make life so much easier when, somewhere down the line, we don't get the
result we're looking for. If we've got that cushion, then you can pick up
from there without a disappointing result costing you too much."

The bookies and most fans are confident that West Ham will be back in the
Premier League next season. And in this day and age, it seems that is the
only thing that matters.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Redknapp should have restrained Cole, claims former West Ham keeper Hislop
By LAURA WILLIAMSON
Last updated at 10:53 AM on 27th September 2011
Daily Mail

Shaka Hislop believes Joe Cole's career faltered at Chelsea and Liverpool
because Spurs boss Harry Redknapp let him enjoy too much freedom at West
Ham. The former Hammers goalkeeper reckons indulging Cole's creativity held
the player back because he struggled when his team were not in possession.
Hislop, 42, said: 'Harry kind of liked Joe just to express himself, and we'd
play around him, or around Joe's unpredictability. 'Encouraging him to be
himself didn't help him. When you sign him you identify that, talented
though he is, when we don't have the ball he's got to give us something
else. 'Everything about his game on that side, when your team don't have
possession, he simply wasn't good enough. Harry did not help him in that
respect. 'But that is exactly like Harry. He wants players to come and just
play naturally and he would fill the gaps around that. 'He allowed (Gareth)
Bale to express himself last season and it was the same when we were at West
Ham with (Paolo) Di Canio. He would be allowed to do exactly what he wants
and we would fill the gaps around him. 'And it worked – you can't take that
away from Harry. But in Joe's case, in terms of stepping up that extra
level, it held him back a bit.'

Cole, who has joined Lille on a season-long loan from Liverpool, scored his
first goal for five months in a 1-1 draw with Lorient last weekend and will
face Trabzonspor in the Champions League on Tuesday night. Hislop, now a
pundit on ESPNsoccernet's Press Pass, believes the French club is the ideal
place for Cole, 29, to learn how to contribute when his team do not have the
ball. He said: 'He's in the mode of player of (Glenn) Hoddle and (Chris)
Waddle, who both went out to France and did well. Cole's the same type of
player. 'I know Joe well, I like him a lot. We were at West Ham together and
I hope he rediscovers his form. '(But) you have to bring more than just that
type of natural, unbridled ability. You have to be tactically aware and
contribute so much more than when you're on the ball. This is an opportunity
for Joe to learn that, but still does what comes naturally to him. 'In
England, results are so important. It's a steep learning curve and you're
not given much time, either. So maybe he'll get that at Lille. 'I don't
think he got that at West Ham. Certainly not under Harry. I don't think he
was coached in that way.'

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam: Trio pushing for starts
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce admits his summer signings are beginning to
give him a selection dilemma at Upton Park.
Football365
Last Updated: 27/09/11 at 10:49 Post Comment

Allardyce has stuck with largely the same team since he took over at Upton
Park with only the odd injury, suspension or sale forcing his hand. But
David Bentley, Papa Bouba Diop and Sam Baldock are pushing to be involved
and, with the games coming thick and fast, Allardyce is ready to rotate his
squad. "It's nice to have a winning side and that doesn't cause you too many
problems from a selection point of view," he said. "The subs have had
chances. Papa is ready now and Sam Baldock keeps starting at me saying 'when
are you going to put me on'. "It is a difficult thing to change when you are
winning games but it is one I have got to have a serious look at and see if
I can make the team that bit better by making a change. I'll be sticking my
neck on the line because I am sure if I get it wrong the fans will let me
know."

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Keeper Stech In Reserve Team
Posted on: Tue 27 Sep 2011
Burnleyfootballclub.com

Czech trialist Marek Stech, 21, will feature in goal for the Clarets in
today's Central League Reserve team game away to Oldham. The Czech Republic
U21 international is currently on the books at West Ham, where he played
three Carling Cup games last season. Goalkeeper Stech plays behind a young
Clarets side at the Chapel Road training complex (2pm KO).

Burnley line up as follows: Stech, Williams, Lynch, Harvey, Coleman, Love,
Wilson, Hewitt, McCartan, Knowles, Lazaar.
Subs: Errington, Cook, Evans, Mullin, Conlan

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Town's ex-Hammers plan to silence Upton Park crowd
Greenun24.co.uk
By Dave Gooderham
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
9:04 AM

EAST End boys Lee Bowyer and Jimmy Bullard have urged their Town team mates
to use the "hostile" Upton Park crowd to their advantage. Improving Ipswich
Town tonight go to Championship favourites West Ham looking to build on a
run of just one defeat in four matches. And they will be able to call on
some ex-Hammers in their camp with both Bowyer and Bullard boyhood West Ham
fans – the former spending two-and-half seasons at the club. Having seen the
atmosphere generated by home fans, both positive and negative, Bowyer said:
"The crowd definitely let you know when they are not happy so if we can keep
them quiet in the first half, and maybe nick a goal, we can see how things
go."

And Bullard, who was signed by Harry Redknapp but never made an appearance
during his three years at West Ham, added: "West Ham is a hostile place.
"When it is going well, it is going well. But in that sort of stadium, the
start means a lot and if you can get a good one, you can dictate the game.
It is a great place to go and play football and there will be a great
atmosphere under the lights."

The message was backed up by Blues boss Paul Jewell who said: "It's going to
be tough because they've got a top class manager and arguably the best team
in the ivision, but our job is to go there and make the atmosphere as quiet
and as edgy as possible. "But it's a game I want my players to embrace. We
are going there looking to get a result, not simply enjoy the occasion."
Born in East Ham, there will be something of split loyalties for the Bullard
family with the midfielder admitting tonight's match divides his camp. But
the 32-year-old, who believes he is now reaching full match fitness,
insisted: "West Ham is a great club but I won't be supporting them tomorrow.
I play for Ipswich and hopefully we are going to get three points."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Exclusive - Allardyce warns rivals: Best still to come from West Ham
By talkSPORT
Tuesday, September 27

Sam Allardyce has warned West Ham's rivals there is much more to come from
his side as they push for an instant return to the Premier League. After
losing at home to Cardiff in their opening game of the season, the Hammers
have gone on a seven match unbeaten run and a win tonight at home to Ipswich
could see them go top of the Championship. But Allardyce insists his side
have not even hit top gear yet, telling the Sports Breakfast: "I'm pleased
with what the players have delivered so far, but we still can get better. I
still don't think we are fully integrated as a team.

"Eight of the players who played on Saturday were not here last season in
the Premier League. But winning matches breeds confidence and that makes it
easier, which helps the players move forward." The Hammers boss, however,
accepts it will not be an easy task leading the club to promotion this term.
"I think it will be tight this season, there's an awful lot of teams
striving to get into the Premier League," he added. "They've set their stall
out this season to put squads together to achieve the ultimate, which is
promotion to the best league in the world. "It's interesting to see sides
that came up from League One, Southampton and Brighton, doing so well this
season. It shows the gap between League One and the Championship is not as
great as the gap between the Championship and Premier League."

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