Monday, August 29

Daily WHUFC News - II 29th August 2011 - New Signing

Montenegro signs
WHUFC.com
West Ham United have signed Paraguay U20 striker Brian Montenegro on a
season-long loan
29.08.2011

West Ham United are pleased to announce the signing of exciting Paraguay
Under-20 international forward Brian Montenegro. Montenegro, who turned 18
in June, has joined the Hammers on a season-long loan from Uruguay-based
Club Deportivo Maldonado. He had a medical last week and then put pen to
paper at the Boleyn Ground on Monday morning. Speaking to whufc.com, the
talented teenager said he could not wait to prove himself in English
football. He said: "I am very excited to come here and play in England,
especially for a club like West Ham United. I am hoping to get a chance to
show the fans what I can do. "It is a fantastic stadium. I have seen a game
and it is amazing how many people come to the matches. The fans are very
passionate and I would love to get the chance to play for them."

While Montenegro admitted he would have to work hard in training to prove
his worth to the coaches, he said he was determined to take the opportunity
he has been given with both hands. "I have to prove myself but if I get the
chance I would love to help the club to get promoted this season. This is a
fantastic opportunity and it would be a dream to help the team get to the
Premier League. I am going to work very hard to impress."

When asked to describe his playing style, he added: "I am a fast player, I
like to run at defenders and scare them. I am still developing physically
but I like to attack."
The teenager, who previously came through the ranks at Paraguayan Primera
Division club Tacuary, starred for his country at the South American Youth
Championship in Peru earlier this year. Montenegro capped his tournament by
scoring in his country's 3-2 group-stage defeat by Brazil. Despite his
youth, the teenager made 51 appearances for Tacuary over the previous two
seasons - 26 of them starts - and scored seven goals. Montenegro finished
the 2010/11 season by scoring three times in his final two appearances,
including two goals in the last six minutes in a 2-1 victory over Guarani
and the opener in a 2-0 win over Cerro Porteno. While the first Paraguayan
to play for the club, Montenegro follows notable list of South Americans to
wear the claret and blue, including Nolberto Solano (Peru), Javier Margas
and Luis Jimenez (Chile) and Javier Mascherano, Lionel Scaloni and Carlos
Tevez (Argentina). The forward becomes the eighth new recruit at the Boleyn
this summer, following Abdoulaye Faye, Kevin Nolan, Joey O'Brien, Matt
Taylor, John Carew, George McCartney and Sam Baldock.

More signings are expected in the next 72 hours ahead of the 11pm deadline
on Wednesday. whufc.com will be the place to hear all the official news
fastest, as well as the first photos and interviews. Follow us on Facebook
and Twitter as well.

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Signing eight confirmed
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 29th August 2011
By: Staff Writer

West Ham have confirmed the signing of South American youngster Brian
Montenegro. As exclusively revealed here on KUMB.com last Friday, the
18-year-old striker has joined United on a season-long loan from Uraguyan
club Deportivo Maldonado. Having undergone a medical last week, he finally
signed for the club at the Boleyn Ground this morning. Speaking to
whufc.com he said: "I am very excited to come here and play in England,
especially for a club like West Ham United. I am hoping to get a chance to
show the fans what I can do. "I have to prove myself but if I get the chance
I would love to help the club to get promoted this season. This is a
fantastic opportunity and it would be a dream to help the team get to the
Premier League. I am going to work very hard to impress."

Montenegro is Sam Allardyce eighth signing of what has peoved to be a busy
summer thus far, with further arrivals expected in the next 48-72 hours.

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Daily WHUFC News - 29th August 2011

N.Forest v West Ham United
WHUFC.com
28.08.2011

NOTTINGHAM FOREST v WEST HAM UNITED
npower CHAMPIONSHIP
SUNDAY 28 AUGUST 2011
KICK-OFF: 1.15PM
FULL AUDIO COVERAGE - WEST HAM TV

Final score - Nottingham Forest 1-4 West Ham United

Thanks for being with us this afternoon. I hope you enjoyed the game as much
as I did, even if you didn't see it live! We'll be back after the
international break for the visit of Portsmouth on 10 September. Before
then, exclusive post-match reaction and highlights will appear on West Ham
TV and whufc.com

96 mins - After five and a half minutes of added time, the final whistle is
blown. The away fans greet the PA announcement of the scoreline with a loud
cheer.
95 mins - The home fans are filing out. 'Is there a fire drill?' sing the
away fans! Meanwhile, O'Brien does superbly to keep out Findley's shot on
the line after he had got goal-side of Reid and beaten Green with a
right-foot shot.
94 mins - The away fans try to suck in No5 as Taylor pulls the ball back for
Nolan. He shoots from 25 yards and the ball hits Morgan and spins inches
wide. West Ham take the corner short and try to keep the ball in the corner.
Goal kick.
93 mins - Taylor has the ball in the net, but O'Brien is offside before he
crosses from the right.
93 mins - Faye brings the ball clear in buccaneering style before finding
Piquionne. He runs Lynch down the touchline before winning a throw.
91 mins - We're going to have FIVE added minutes...
89 mins - Reid takes a corner and Chambers wins it. McCartney sticks to his
post and heads the ball around it for a corner. Forest keep up the pressure
and eventually Faye is fouled as he dives to head clear.
89 mins - Faubert and Reid have a little argument on halfway and both men
are booked for their troubles.
88 mins - Derbyshire shoots from about 25 yards. Green juggles it a bit and
then collects.
85 mins - Forest build through Reid. He plays the ball wide left and the
cross comes over, but Derbyshire's volley is wayward.
83 mins - If you can tell me the last time West Ham scored four goals in
consecutive away league games, please tweet us @whufc_official
81 mins - Taylor picks out Faubert 25 yards out. He crosses and the ball is
flicked behind for another corner. Taylor's delivery is deep and both Reid
and Tomkins go for it. The No5 comes off worse and needs the physio on after
getting a knock on the head.
81 mins - Nolan sends Piquionne away down the right and he wins another
corner. They can't get a fifth, can they?
80 mins - The away fans are loving this, as well they might. West Ham have
scored four goals in consecutive away games for the first time since... I
honestly don't know!
77 mins - GOAL! Reid! Piquionne wins a corner and Taylor's initial corner is
poor but he wins the ball back and crosses with his right foot. The ball
bounces through to the unmarked Reid at the far post and he finishes with
aplomb under Camp's body.
77 mins - I think West Ham have gone five at the back, but I am not sure.
76 mins - Reid takes the corner. Faubert's header flies straight up into the
air and Green tries to punch but can't reach the ball. He and his team-mates
want a free-kick, but play goes on and Cohen drags his shot wide.
74 mins - Cohen is now playing wide left. He cuts inside and shoots
powerfully, but it hits McCartney. Forest come again and O'Brien is forced
to head behind for a corner. Before it is taken, Collison is replaced by
Faye.
73 mins - Forest have a free-kick on halfway. Reid lifts it over and the
ball flicks off Green's arm and behind. The corner comes to nothing after
Miller makes a hash of an acrobatic effort. The home fans have come alive.
72 mins - West Ham respond well and win a corner. Taylor takes it
left-footed, but referee Mr Salisbury has spotted an infringement. Moments
later, Nolan is booked for what I believe is dissent.
70 mins - GOAL! West Ham concede their first away goal of the season.
Substitute Lynch is the provider, ending a slick move by crossing low for
Findley to net from 12 yards. Game on?
69 mins - Piquionne wins a free-kick straight away from a throw. Free-kick
is just outside the box wide on the left. Taylor curls the ball over and
Camp punches clear of his box.
68 mins - Piquionne is on for Cole, who gets a good cheer and a song as he
heads off.
67 mins - I think Frederic Piquionne might both be on soon. Before then,
Taylor leaves Morgan clutching his below parts with a rasping shot from 30
yards.
64 mins - A double change from McClaren. McGugan is replaced by Andy Reid,
while Derbyshire comes on for Majewski.
63 mins - Forest have a free-kick on halfway. They work it short and
eventually McGugan forces O'Brien to poke behind. McGugan himself takes, but
it's a high floater and Green collects.
62 mins - McClaren waves Matt Derbyshire back to the home dugout. He'll be
on soon.
61 mins - Tomkins is looking so strong this season. Miller is a big bloke,
but the No5 is more than holding his own in both the aerial and ground
battles. He has also played his part at the attacking end too, of course.
58 mins - Forest make a change, with Boateng being replaced by Joel Lynch.
56 mins - Fantastic football from Noble and Nolan in the centre of the park
and West Ham have the ball in Forest territory. Faubert receives and crosses
dangerously towards Taylor. Morgan twists and dives to head clear.
53 mins - Reid jockeys Findley but the American gets his cross in. Green
catches, but referee Mr Salisbury believes the Kiwi fouled the American...
Forest work the free-kick from the byline to the edge of the box, but Nolan
makes a brave block. Cohen launches the ball back in, but it's harmless and
bounces behind for a goal kick.
51 mins - Forest come forward again through McGugan, whose low cross flicks
off Tomkins and behind for a corner. Taylor heads clear before the ball is
fed back in again. O'Brien heads out. Forest keep the pressure on and
McGugan is again the threat, but his cross is just too high for Findley and
floats behind.
49 mins - Gunter has time and space to cross, but Reid is there again with
an important header before O'Brien smashes the ball out of the penalty area.
48 mins - It looks like the chances are going to keep flowing! Miller this
time, shooting left-footed from 20 yards. Green is there, though, to dive to
his left and clutch the ball low down.
47 mins - Nolan and Collison combine before the ball drops to Faubert. He
shoots hard and low, the ball flicks off defender Chambers and inches over
the top for a corner. Taylor crosses and Forest clear their lines.
46 mins - Forest kick-off and immediately attack through Cohen. He crosses
deep and Taylor controls before clearing his lines.

The two sets of players are back on the pitch and Mull of Kintyre is playing
again...

Half-time score - Nottingham Forest 0-3 West Ham United

48 mins - That's half-time. The home fans are not too impressed with their
side's display so far. The away fans, I would suggest, quite enjoyed that 45
minutes. Join us again in around 15 minutes for the second half.
47 mins - Taylor wins a throw and that should be enough to get the Hammers
through to half-time...
46 mins - The crowd is 21,379, with 2,690 of them enjoying a 3-0 lead.
46 mins - We're going to have at least two added minutes.
44 mins - Faubert is having a decent game. He wins a free-kick 35 yards out
with a neat turn. West Ham keep the pressure on and Collison picks out
O'Brien. His cross is headed back by Cole, but Morgan clears in front of
Nolan. Forest break and Miller shoots from the edge of the box. The crowd
rise, but so does the ball - it flies a yard over the top...
42 mins - I cannot believe Nolan has missed that. Cole gets in behind AGAIN.
He crosses low, Faubert dummies and Nolan has all the time he wants to pick
his spot. He side-foots the ball wide!
41 mins - Gunter crosses from the right with his left foot. The ball skips
off the heel of Miller and behind for a goal kick.
39 mins - Noble launches a diagonal ball for Cole, who beats the offside
trap. He tries to lob Camp, but the goalkeeper makes a good stop. Morgan
gets to the loose ball first and hacks away.
38 mins - Reid heads clear and Boateng handles. He doesn't like the decision
and remonstrates with Mr Salisbury. The referee books the Dutchman.
37 mins - Green kicks the ball out for Findley to receive treatment. When
play restarts, his long clearance is flicked on by Cole, but Camp can allow
it to bounce wide.
35 mins - That's three in three league games for Cole. He looks hungry, and
West Ham look such a threat from set pieces. They are winning everything,
and when they don't the second balls are all falling to men in claret and
blue.
32 mins - GOAL! Cole! Unbelievable stuff! Taylor delivers the ball from the
left and it flicks off a head to O'Brien, stationed just outside the box. He
controls, crosses and Reid heads back across goal for Cole to glance home
from about five yards.
31 mins - So close to another goal for the Hammers. Nolan forces a mistake
and the ball drops to Faubert. He shoots and the ball flicks off a defender
and JUST wide. Taylor's corner is cleared, but Nolan and McCartney work the
ball back to the winger, who wins another flag-kick.
31 mins - Morgan volleys back to Camp, who is closed down by Cole and
smashes the ball straight into the crowd.
30 mins - A third of the way through and it's been a frantic 30 minutes.
West Ham have the lead, but they've ridden their luck a bit.
27 mins - O'Brien concedes a corner. Gunter takes and Nolan heads powerfully
clear at the near post.
26 mins - What a save! Gunter sends over a superb cross to the far post and
McGugan meets it flush on the volley. Green dives to his right and somehow
keeps the ball out.
25 mins - This is an entertaining game! Miller gets goal-side of Reid and
has Green to beat. He slides his shot past the goalkeeper's left hand but a
yard wide of the near post.
24 mins - GOAL! Nolan! Cole does superby to pick the ball up wide on the
left and run at Morgan. He gets between two defenders and wins a corner.
Superb work. Taylor sends the corner to the back post for Tomkins. He nods
back into the six-yard box and Nolan does the rest from close-range.
24 mins - Forest break from the back and McGugan has space in the centre of
the park. He also has three team-mates to find, but instead shoots over from
35 yards.
23 mins - That's two league games in succession that West Ham have
benefitted from an own-goal. Last week it was Patrick Kisnorbo of Leeds who
did his bit for the Hammers.
21 mins - GOAL! Own-goal! The Hammers lead! West Ham break and Nolan and
Cole are both involved before Taylor takes a touch and slams a low cross
into the danger zone. Chambers swings his right leg and the ball spins into
the bottom right-hand corner!
20 mins - This is getting a bit tasty. A couple of big challenges go in and
then Miller goes down inside the box after running into Nolan. Referee Mr
Salisbury waves away the protests.
19 mins - McGugan curls in a free-kick from the right wing after Reid is
penalised for a foul on Miller. It looks as if the ball is bouncing into the
far corner, but Green gets across to make a spectacular diving save. Corner.
Cole wins it but can only head behind for another corner.
18 mins - A spell of possession ends when Taylor gifts the ball to Forest.
Findley has it and it's three-on-three. The No24 tries to pick out Miller,
but his pass hits a team-mate and O'Brien mops up.
16 mins - Cole closes down Morgan's clearance and the ball goes out for a
throw. The work is applauded by Big Sam.
15 mins - Forest are on top here. McGugan cuts in from the left and plays a
one-two, wrong-footing Tomkins. He reaches the edge of the box, but can only
curl his shot over the top. That was a good chance.
14 mins - Miller is a right handful. Reid brings him down about 40 yards
out. McGugan will take it. He shanks it a bit and the ball pings off two
heels before Cole smashes it away.
13 mins - Nolan and Taylor combine down the left before Noble spreads play
to O'Brien on the opposite flank. His cross finds Cole's head 16 yards out,
but he can only glance the ball a couple of yards wide.
11 mins - Tomkins' free-kick is a bit short and Forest clear their lines and
break down the right. Miller runs at McCartney and wins a corner. McGugan's
corner finds Findley at the near post, but the striker can only head
powerfully wide. Green isn't impressed with the marking.
10 mins - Green is forced to concede a throw as he controls a backpass
before clearing into the stand. Forest work the ball around in the corner
and win two more throw-ins. Eventually, Miller is dispossessed and Noble
finds Cole on halfway. The striker is fouled by Morgan. Good hold-up play by
Cole.
8 mins - Nolan loses possession on halfway and Findley collects. Collison
hassles the American, who goes to ground. Free-kick. Forest take it short
and the chance goes as Taylor volleys upfield.
5 mins - Findley turns away well in midfield and runs at the West Ham back
four. Reid slides in and the ball bounces back to Green. He controls on his
chest and clears.
4 mins - That's a great chance. Cole wins the ball inside the Forest penalty
area. He holds it up and waits for support before back-heeling into the path
of Faubert. It's on the Frenchman's left foot and he can only stab his shot
into the side-netting from 12 yards.
3 mins - Positive start from West Ham. Collison pokes the ball to Faubert
wide right. He crosses dangerously and Camp comes, but Gunter steps in to
clear from the edge of his own six-yard box. Good cross, that.
2 mins - The ball drops to Noble from Chambers' header. He lofts it over in
an attempt to play in Nolan, but Morgan holds off the No4 and Camp collects.
1 min - West Ham have the ball in the early going and Nolan and O'Brien
combine before Noble is brought down on halfway. A chance to deliver a ball
into the box already...

1.17pm - West Ham will kick-off shooting towards the Trent End...

1.16pm - For some reason, they are playing Mull of Kintyre over the PA
system. Pardon my ignorance, but I don't know why...

1.13pm - Kevin Nolan and Luke Chambers lead the two sides out of the tunnel.
Forest are in their red and white home kit, while West Ham are in their
change colours of sky blue and claret shirts, sky blue shorts and sky blue
and claret socks.

1.12pm - The away fans are making a right din in the stand to my right. They
have filled the whole of the bottom tier, from what I can see. Anyway, here
come the two teams...

1.08pm - Keep an eye out on West Ham TV for an exclusive interview with
former Hammer Martin Allen. The Notts County manager is here today and gives
his views on West Ham, Notts County loanee Cristian Montano and Sam Baldock,
who he gave a senior debut during his time in charge at MK Dons.

1.05pm - The Hammers have headed back to their dressing room, while Forest's
players are not far behind them. Not long until kick-off now...

12.55pm - It's a lovely day here in Nottingham. The sun is out and it's
quite warm. Both sets of players are out on what looks like a superb playing
surface warming-up in the sunshine. Just to fill you in, Herita Ilunga has a
slight groin injury, while Scott Parker has been left out as negotiations
continue over his future.

12.25pm - That starting XI means Big Sam has made two changes to the
starting XI that drew 2-2 with Leeds United last Sunday. Faubert and
McCartney come in for Scott Parker and Herita Ilunga. Forest make three
changes to the side that drew 2-2 with Leicester City last weekend, with
Brendan Moloney, Matt Derbyshire and David McGoldrick making way for
Radoslaw Majewski, Robbie Findley and Ishmael Miller. All three new boys
scored in the 4-1 midweek Carling Cup second-round win at Wycombe Wanderers.

12.20pm - The teams are in -

Nottingham Forest: Camp, Gunter, Morgan, Chambers, Cohen, Majewski, Boateng,
Greening, McGugan, Findley, Miller
Subs: Smith, Lynch, Reid, Derbyshire, Garner

West Ham United: Green, O'Brien, McCartney, Tomkins, Reid, Noble, Collison,
Nolan, Taylor, Faubert, Cole
Subs: Boffin, Faye, Stanislas, Piquionne, Carew

12.05pm - Don't forget, you can get your team news first here on whufc.com
or by following West Ham United on twitter here. The teams should be
announced in about ten minutes or so. I'll have to jog up from the tunnel
area, but I promise I'll have the lineups for you as quickly as possible!

12noon - The West Ham United squad arrived at The City Ground about 15
minutes ago. Should they win today, the Hammers will rise to fifth in the
table and maintain their position in the heart of the promotion race.

Good morning/afternoon and welcome to the City Ground for this afternoon's
npower Championship fixture between Nottingham Forest and West Ham United.
The Hammers are seeking a third straight away league win to start the
2011/12 campaign, while Forest are looking for their first home league win
of the season, so the scene is set for a Sunday lunchtime feast of football.
Sam Allardyce's side will also be keen to bounce back after a week that saw
them pegged back by a last-minute Leeds United equaliser last Sunday before
being knocked out of the Carling Cup by Aldershot Town at the first-round
stage.
West Ham have been perfect on their travels so far this term, winning at
Doncaster Rovers (1-0) on 13 August and Watford (4-0) three days later.
Forest, meanwhile, have drawn with Barnsley (0-0) and Leicester City (2-2)
in their two home league games so far. Forest have also drawn with
neighbours Notts County (3-3) in the Carling Cup first round, winning
through on penalties.
Team news-wise, Big Sam welcomes back Abdoulaye Faye to his matchday squad,
but new signing Sam Baldock - captured from MK Dons on Friday - will not be
involved. John Carew and George McCartney could be set for their first
league starts since joining - or re-joining - the club. The starting XIs and
substitutes will be announced at shortly after 12.15pm.

Nottingham Forest: Camp, Gunter, Morgan, Chambers, Cohen, Majewski
(Derbyshire 64), Boateng (Lynch 58), Greening, McGugan (Reid 64), Findley,
Miller
Subs not used: Smith, Garner

West Ham United: Green, O'Brien, McCartney, Tomkins, Reid, Noble, Collison
(Faye 75), Nolan, Taylor, Faubert, Cole (Piquionne 68)
Subs: Boffin, Stanislas, Carew

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Duo in England squad
WHUFC.com
Robert Green and Scott Parker have been called-up to England's squad for two
EURO 2012 qualifiers
28.08.2011

Robert Green and Scott Parker have been called-up to England's squad for
their upcoming 2012 UEFA European Championship qualifiers against Bulgaria
and Wales.
The Hammers pair are in Fabio Capello's 25-man squad for the two potentially
vital Group G matches, with England needing two victories to give themselves
the best possible chance of edging ahead of joint-leaders Montenegro.
England travel to Sofia to take on Bulgaria on Friday 2 September before
welcoming Jack Collison's Wales to Wembley on Tuesday 6 September. Green has
eleven senior caps, while Parker has six. Capello's side sit top of Group G,
ahead of Montenegro on goal difference after both nations gathered eleven
points from their opening five matches. Wales have no points, while
Switzerland and Bulgaria have five apiece.
The Three Lions pair are two of a host of Hammers who could feature at
international level next week, with Collison, John Carew, Marek Stech and
on-loan Pablo Barrera also called-up by Wales, Norway, Czech Republic
Under-21 and Mexico respectively. As always, whufc.com will keep supporters
updated with news about the club's international players.

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Awayday joy for Sam
WHUFC.com
The manager was full of praise for another strong showing away at Nottingham
Forest on Sunday
28.08.2011

Sam Allardyce could not hide his satisfaction at Nottingham Forest after
West Ham United recorded a third straight away league win - as many as they
won in the whole of the previous two seasons. The rampant Hammers raced into
a three-goal lead after 32 minutes, courtesy of a Luke Chambers own goal,
Kevin Nolan and Carlton Cole's third in as many starts. Forest pulled one
back early in the second half through Robbie Findley before Winston Reid
wrapped up a fine 4-1 win as the match entered ithe closing stages. The
victory, in front of 2,696 travelling fans at the City Ground, moves
Allardyce's men up to fifth in the npower Championship - just three points
from top spot. The players will have a well-earned break with the
forthcoming internationals, although Allardyce knows the importance of a
home win next time out against Portsmouth on 10 September. Allardyce, who
took the decision to leave Scott Parker in London amid uncertainty over his
future, said: "It is an outstanding victory. It is one I didn't really
expect today so I am absolutely delighted with the players for calming the
nerves you feel on a matchday as a manager and certainly they calmed them in
the first half with the three outstanding goals they scored. "We really got
our homework done right today. The players responded to our tactics and how
we set out to play against Nottingham Forest on the basis of our scouting
giving us the opportunity to play from the back, get the ball and then go
and press them and put them under pressure. It was from there that we
started creating the chances and the opportunities to score the goals. "The
game plan worked magnificently well in the first half. Three quality goals
with great delivery. The balls into the box and the final finishing were
outstanding and would have caused any teams problems. We took advantage and
put them in the back of the net."

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Nott'm Forest 1 - 4 West Ham
Page last updated at 17:58 GMT, Sunday, 28 August 2011 18:58 UK
BBC.co.uk

First-half headers from Kevin Nolan and Carlton Cole, an earlier own goal
from Luke Chambers, and Winston Reid's late tap-in gave West Ham victory at
Forest.
West Ham opened the scoring when Chambers sliced Matt Taylor's cross into
his own net before Nolan nodded home James Tomkins' headed cutback. Cole
made it 3-0 when nodding in from close range following Reid's pass.
Nottingham Forest reduced the deficit with Robbie Findley turning in Chris
Cohen's cross before Reid made it safe. It was an impressive display from
the Hammers who are showing why they are heavily tipped for an instant
return to the Premier League while Forest manager Steve McClaren will be
keen to bolster his squad before Wednesday's transfer deadline. It was also
a third successive away win for West Ham, who had only taken 12 away points
from their previous 29 away league outings. West Ham, without
Tottenham-bound midfielder Scott Parker, showed their intent early on when
Julien Faubert snatched at a close-range opportunity after Cole had robbed
Chambers of possession.

The Hammers went ahead in the 21st minute when Matt Taylor whipped the ball
into the six-yard box, only for Chambers to fumble it into his own net.
Nolan used his head to double the advantage, James Tomkins nodding the ball
into a throng of visiting players for the former Newcastle midfielder to net
his second this term. Forest twice went close with Ishmael Miller shooting
into the net netting from the right before Rob Green denied Lewis McGugan
following Chris Gunter's weighted cross.
Sam Allardyce's side went 3-0 up in the 32nd minute when Cole nodded home
Reid's pacey cross before Nolan wasted a fabulous chance to add a fourth
when he blasted wide. Forest introduced summer signings Andy Reid and Matt
Derbyshire after the hour and the change soon paid dividends when Reid and
Joel Lynch combined to put a ball across the box to Findley who slotted
home. West Ham still had time to add a fourth in the 77th minute when Reid
latched on to Taylor's pinpoint cross to slip the ball beyond Lee Camp.

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Tottenham poised to sign Scott Parker from West Ham
Page last updated at 16:44 GMT, Sunday, 28 August 2011 17:44 UK
BBC.co.uk

Tottenham Hotspur are poised to complete the signing of England midfielder
Scott Parker from West Ham. The 30-year-old was not included in the Hammers
squad for their 4-1 win over Nottingham Forest on Sunday afternoon. Hammers
boss Sam Allardyce said before the game that the former Newcastle man was
not "mentally right to play". But following the win, he confirmed: "We will
miss a player of Parker's quality, and we want him with us if the
negotiation doesn't go through."

SCOTT PARKER CAREER STATS
1997-2004 - Charlton - appearances 128, goals 9
2000 - Norwich (loan) - appearances 6, goals 1
2004-2005 - Chelsea - appearances 15, goals 1
2005-2007 - Newcastle - appearances 55, goals 4
2007-Present - West Ham - appearances 113, goals 10

He added: "Whether the deal is achievable yet, I'm not sure, I've had lots
of conversations with the chairman." "If he does actually leave, I need to
replace him immediately. I don't expect any other player to leave before
Wednesday," Allardyce added. "I'm more interested in strengthening the
squad, we need numbers. We need to add a few more players. The 17 I've got
are very good but we need a few more." Tottenham are expected to include a
loan deal for one of their youngsters in the package. Parker, who joined
West Ham from Newcastle for £7m in 2007, was named Football Writers'
Association Footballer of the Year last season despite the club finishing
bottom of the Premier League.

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Congratulations, Greeno
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 28th August 2011
By: Staff Writer

West Ham United goalkeeper Rob Green has been named in Fabio Capello's
latest England squad for the forthcoming European qualifiers. The
31-year-old, who is currently considering a new contract offer from West Ham
has retained his place in the 25-man roster for next week's fixtures against
Bulgaria in Sofia on Friday, 2nd September and Wales at Wembley four days
later. Although unlikely to start - that honour will almost certainly belong
to Manchester City's Joe Hart - Green is likely to be number two with the
squad's third goalkeeper, Ipswich's David Stockdale providing a second
back-up option. Additionally, Capello's squad features three ex-Hammers
including John Terry, Frank Lampard and Jermain Defoe. Scott Parker has also
been included, casting further doubt over claims that playing in the
Championship would affect his international career.

England: full squad

Robert Green (West Ham United), Joe Hart (Manchester City), David Stockdale
(Ipswich Town - On Loan From Fulham) ; Leighton Baines (Everton), Gary
Cahill (Bolton Wanderers), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Phil Jagielka (Everton),
Phil Jones (Manchester United), Joleon Lescott (Manchester City), Micah
Richards (Manchester City), Chris Smalling (Manchester United), John Terry
(Chelsea) ; Gareth Barry (Manchester City), Tom Cleverley (Manchester
United), Stewart Downing (Liverpool), Adam Johnson (Manchester City), Frank
Lampard (Chelsea), James Milner (Manchester City), Scott Parker (West Ham
United), Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Ashley Young (Manchester United); Darren
Bent (Aston Villa), Andy Carroll (Liverpool), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham
Hotspur), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United).

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Nolan: good luck, Scotty
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 28th August 2011
By: Staff Writer

Kevin Nolan has wished Scott Parker well should he leave the club - but says
he'd be happy for him to stay. Parker's future continues to be the subject
of discussion between West Ham and Tottenham Hotspur who are hoping to
clinch a deal for the 30-year-old, despite failing to agree to United's
financial demands thus far. As a result he was left out of the squad that
travelled to Nottingham yesterday. However Nolan - who scored one and missed
an even easier chance to notch a second in today's 4-1 win - insists that
he'd be delighted to continue to play alongside the current Football
Writers' Player of the Year. Talking to Sky Sports following West Ham's win,
Nolan said: "Obviously Scotty's a top player. If he goes to Tottenham it's
because of his international ambitions, we know that. "He loves playing
here [at West Ham], he loves the club. But if he does get that move we wish
him well; if not we'll be glad to have him back. "[We've not said our
goodbyes] because he hasn't gone - or not that I'm aware of. I'm sure we
will hear if he does, but if not and it comes to Wednesday and he's still
our player, we'll be delighted to have him."
And on his 41st minute miss that saw him fire wide from just three yards out
with the goal at his mercy - a gaff that Nolan himself called 'dreadful' -
he added: "The big man's done fantastic and Julien has given me a great
cross. I just got sloppy to be honest, I thought I'd already put it in the
back of the net!"

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
McClaren on... West Ham United
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 28th August 2011
By: Staff Writer

A down-in-the-dumps Steve McClaren blamed a lack of quality in his squad for
today's one-sided affair at the City Ground...

Steve: As Nottingham Forest manager, does that give you plenty to think
about?

Think about? Yeah. I said after five games we'll know a lot about our team
and today was a real test, I thought. We said it doesn't matter what you do
in the middle, it doesn't matter about possession, it's how you defend one
box and attack the other box. In both boxes today we failed.

We played football, we created chances, we were on the front foot. But every
time the ball went in our box we gave them goals. At half time I said 'I
couldn't believe it was 3-0'. So keep playing, keep playing. But if you
can't defend your own box then in this game you've got nothing, it's all
about clean sheets. So we've a lot of work to do to even start.

Three goals from corners and an own goal; where does defending like that
come from?

I don't know, it's a good question. We'll look at it and analyse that; we've
got a lot to learn. We said that we'd know a lot more, there's three days
left in the transfer window and loans we can do after that. But we're
nothing without keeping clean sheets and defending well. Today in our own
box from set plays, from crosses, from balls over the top, we defended very
poorly.

As a new manager with new ideas is it inevitable that the team might take a
few steps backwards before you start to move forwards?

Yeah, I think it was a huge one today. Though our football has developed -
and if you'd seen our earlier games we're a lot better now. But as I said -
fundamental mistakes; we gave them three goals and if you defend like that
you don't deserve to win football matches. That's where it starts, a
platform; we didn't have a platform. West Ham were stronger than us and
better than us in both boxes.

In the transfer market, what do you need to turn this around?

[laughs] Good question! We can't overreact after today. We knew, pretty
much, before - we now know even more. We've got a lot of evidence in our
first five games and yes, we've lost two out of seven. We haven't scored
enough goals - you saw that today - and we haven't kept clean sheets enough.
That is a recipe for middle-of-the-table. So we need to address quite a few
things internally and externally before we move on from this.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Allardyce explains Parker absence
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 28th August 2011
By: Staff Writer

Sam Allardyce says Scott Parker was left out of today's visit to Nottingham
Forest as he isn't 'mentally right'. The Hammers boss, speaking ahead of
United's Championship clash at the City Ground toldSky Sports that his most
saleable asset had been left behind as a result of the continuing
speculation regarding his future.
"There's some negotiating going on obviously and in the cold light of day we
didn't think that Scott would be mentally right to play in today's game so
we left him behind," he said. "It's another product of this ridiculous
[transfer] window that we have. We have to deal with that, see how things go
but I think we'll all be glad when the window shuts on Wednesday. "Scott,
in the situation we're in, it's probably right for everybody that he doesn't
play today. It'll come to fruition in the next 24 hours or so anyway so
we'll just wait and see what happens." Allardyce's comments are reminiscent
of quotes made in 2003 by then Chairman Terry Brown, who said of young
striker Jermain Defoe shortly before his sale to Tottenham "everyone knows
that boy's not right in the head".

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Four-star Irons flatten Forest
Last updated: 28th August 2011
SSN

Kevin Nolan and Carlton Cole were among the goals as West Ham strolled to a
4-1 victory at Nottingham Forest for their third straight away win. The
experienced duo, accomplished Premier League players over recent seasons,
headed home in the first half after Forest captain Luke Chambers had put
through his own goal. The hosts hit back when substitute Joel Lynch fed
Robbie Findley to reduce the deficit midway through second half, but Winston
Reid's goal left manager Steve McClaren in no doubt about the huge task
facing him at the City Ground when he tapped in a fourth for the Irons with
13 minutes remaining. With both sides heavily backed for promotion in
pre-season, West Ham are already demonstrating their intent to secure a
return to the top flight, while Forest continue to flounder in front of a
frustrated home faithful. Despite a run of only two losses in their opening
seven competitive matches, McClaren's men remain winless by the River Trent
so far. A third win in a row on the road represents a real achievement for
United and their manager Sam Allardyce, especially in light of the fact they
had taken just 12 points from their last 39 road trips. Influential
midfielder George Boateng returned to the home line-up, with Allardyce
recalling his big names, Mark Noble and Cole, after a shock exit from the
Carling Cup at the hands of Aldershot. Yet there was no place for England
midfielder Scott Parker, expected to leave the club imminently, or for new
attacking option Sam Baldock who completed his transfer from MK Dons on
Friday. West Ham bared their teeth after only three minutes, Julien Faubert
snatching at a close-range opportunity after Cole had robbed Chambers of
possession.

Findley got his head to Lewis McGugan's outswinging corner in the 12th
minute but nodded wide of the upright, while the Hammers surged forward from
the restart, Cole responding with a glancing header that went wide following
Joey O'Brien's early cross. Yet the Hammers were ahead in the 21st minute,
Matt Taylor whipping the ball into the six-yard box, only for Chambers to
fumble it into his own net. Nolan used his head to double the advantage
three minutes later, James Tomkinsnodding the ball into a throng of visiting
players for the former Newcastle midfielder to bag his second goal this
term. Forest had two opportunities to reduce the deficit almost immediately.
Ishmael Millersprang clear on the right wing but stubbed his shot into the
side netting, before Rob Green denied McGugan following Chris Gunter's
weighted cross. But Allardyce's men heaped more misery on McClaren's team in
the 32nd minute, Cole nodding home Reid's pacey cross. Nolan spurned a
golden opportunity to make it 4-0 in the 42nd minute, inexplicably slamming
the ball wide of goal after Taylor cleverly dummied Cole's low cross. West
Ham seemed content to sit deep and keep the frustrated Reds at arm's length
as the second half began, prompting McClaren to beef up his creative options
by introducing summer signings Andy Reid and Matt Derbyshire in the 63rd
minute. The change paid dividends seven minutes later, Reid and Lynch
combining to slot a ball across the box to Findley who eagerly slotted home.
But the comeback was dead and buried in the 77th minute when Reid latched
onto Taylor's pinpoint cross to slip the ball beyond Lee Camp.
The home fans might have expected more when Reid stung Green's palms from
close range on 87 minutes, but despite five minutes of added time, the Reds'
fate was sealed.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Livermore part of Parker deal
Midfielder used as a bait in negotiations for Parker
Last Updated: August 29, 2011 7:49am
SSN

Skysports.com understands Tottenham have offered Jake Livermore to West Ham
on a season-long loan as part of ongoing negotiations to sign Scott Parker.
England international Parker was not included in Sunday's victory at
Nottingham Forest as talks with Premier League Spurs continued. But West Ham
manager Sam Allardyce has said he wants to keep the former Charlton, Chelsea
and Newcastle player. Discussions are ongoing and Livermore is understood to
be part of Tottenham's attempt to get their man. The 21-year-old has
previously taken in six loan spells away from White Hart Lane, but he said
earlier in August he was eager for a run in the Spurs first team. Livermore
scored in Tottenham's first leg win at Hearts in the Europa League play-offs
and also played in the return meeting. He started in Spurs' 3-0 loss at
Manchester United last week and was a second-half substitute in Sunday's 5-1
thrashing at the hands of Manchester City.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Allardyce wants Parker stay
Big Sam wants Parker to stay if negotiations don't go through
Last Updated: August 28, 2011 5:48pm
SSN

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce revealed that he is hopeful of keeping
midfielder Scott Parker at the club. The England International did not
feature for the Hammers in their 4-1 win at Nottingham Forest but Allardyce
has not given up hope of keeping him at the Championship club. Parker has
been linked with a top-flight return ever since the Irons were relegated in
May, and Allardyce has admitted a club, believed to be Tottenham, are in
talks over acquiring his services. But the United boss is insistent that no
deal has yet been done, and if one cannot be struck, he will keep the player
at Upton Park. "We will certainly miss a player of Parker's quality, and we
want him with us if the negotiation doesn't go through," he said after his
side's third straight away win. "Whether the deal is achievable yet, I'm not
sure, I've had lots of conversations with the chairman. "But the most
important thing was this game. "If he does actually leave, I need to replace
him immediately. I don't expect any other player to leave before Wednesday.
"I'm more interested in strengthening the squad, we need numbers. We need to
add a few more players. The 17 I've got are very good but we need a few
more."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Big Sam hails super Hammers
Allardyce hails 'outstanding' victory; McClaren bemoans defending
Last Updated: August 28, 2011 5:39pm
SSN

Sam Allardyce was full of praise for his West Ham side as they crushed
Nottingham Forest 4-1 at the City Ground. The Hammers boss admitted he was a
little surprised with his team's display and did not expect such a one-sided
performance against their fellow Championship challangers. After Forest
captain Luke Chambers had put through his own goal, further efforts from
Kevin Nolan, Carlton Cole and Winston Reid secured the points as West Ham
strolled to a third consecutive away win. With both sides heavily backed for
promotion in pre-season, the Hammers are already demonstrating their intent
to secure a return to the top flight. Allardyce told Sky Sports News: "It's
an outstanding victory and it's one I really didn't expect today, so I'm
absolutely delighted with the players for calming the nerves that you feel
on a match day as a manager and certainly they calmed them in the first half
with three outstanding goals that they scored. "We really got our homework
done today."

A third win in a row on the road represents a real achievement for United
and their manager Sam Allardyce, especially in light of the fact they had
taken just 12 points from their last 39 away games.

Test

Meanwhile, Forest boss Steve McClaren claimed his side failed to defend
their box and deserved the thrashing. Despite a run of only two losses in
their opening seven competitive matches, McClaren's men remain winless by
the River Trent so far as they continue to flounder in front of a frustrated
home faithful. He said: "I said after five games coming into the
international break that I'll learn a lot about our team and today was a
real test. "I said it doesn't matter what you do in the middle and it
doesn't matter about possession. It's how you defend one box and attack the
other box and in both boxes today we failed. "Today our weaknesses got
exposed. It's up to us to address that on and off the field. "You go nowhere
with defending like today. We can defend better than this. But not many
teams can exploit you like West Ham. They are my favourites for this
league, they are a Premier League team with Premier League players so it was
a good test for us today."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Who Will 'Give Ground' to Strike a Deal for Scott Parker?
August 29th, 2011 - 2:19 am by S J Chandos
West Ham Till I Die

Scott Parker was not included in the squad for yesterday's match at Notts
Forest, due to the distraction of his proposed move to Spurs. Any team
would miss a player of Scotty Parker's ability, but the emphatic 1-4 win
over Forest at least demonstrates that we can cope without him. Jack
Collison came inside today and will only improve by playing regularly in
central midfield. No one would choose to sell a player of Parker's class
and ability, but if it happens, it happens. At the end of the day, West Ham
Utd FC are bigger than any individual player, West Ham moved on after the
sale/retirement of such greats as Moore, Peters, Hurst and Brooking, and it
will do so, once again, after Parker's departure!

Of course, we could be getting ahead of ourselves. Reports have indicated
that West Ham and Spurs are still some way from reaching agreement on a deal
for Scott Parker. The Hammers are allegedly sticking to their c.£8m
valuation of the player. While, Spurs are rumoured to be only offering a
fee around the c.£4-5m mark, with attached bonus payments and an
part-exchange or loan deal for one of their fringe players. There was
always a very real danger that Spurs would bid for Parker, in the final days
of the transfer window, to try to pressurise West Ham into a cut price deal.
However, considering the bad blood between the clubs, over the Olympic
Stadium and other related issues, is it likely that West Ham will allow
themselves to be strong armed in to a deal that does not meet their
valuation of the player?

I suppose much depends on which club's need is greater; West Ham's need to
cash in on their biggest saleable asset or Spurs' need to reinforce their
midfield? The other pertinent question is whether West Ham are prepared to
accept a player exchange or loan as part of any deal or if they will hold
out for a straight cash fee? The Spurs hierarchy seem overly concerned that
Parker is over 30 years of age and unlikely to have much 'resale value,' 2
or 3 years down the line. This under-estimates Parker's quality, the
scarcity of such players and the fact that he can deliver the goods for
Spurs in the 'here and now'! Perhaps they might like to recall their own
club history and the fact that Danny Blanchflower was well in to his 30s, in
1961, when he led them to the league and cup double. I am sure that
Blanchflower did not have much 'resale value' thereafter, but it is apt to
recall the positive impact that the right player can make, regardless of age
and economics!

The rumours are that Scott Parker wants to leave the club and that Spurs are
his preferred destination. Harry Redknapp wants the player, but the Spurs
hierarchy obviously aspire to strike a deal on the cheap. Personally, I
would drive the hardest deal that I could and test their resolve to the
fullest extent. I feel that Spurs are likely to give ground, particularly
if a player-exchange or loan is involved. However, as I have argued
previously, any part-exchange or loan deal must involve the 'right players'
who can improve us and help achieve better strength-in-depth, cover and
balance within our squad.

The problem is that we do not know what deals West Ham are pursuing,
elsewhere, and the importance of Parker's transfer revenue to making them
happen? While, Sam Allardyce has expressed concern at having to replace a
player of Scott Parker's quality at such short notice. It may be difficult
for West Ham to bring in the player(s) that Allardyce feels that he needs,
to replace Parker, in the final 2 or three days of the window and that has
to be a concern. Personally, I would put faith in Jack Collison to succeed
Parker and bring in in a player, like Diop, and/or a loanee as extra
midfield cover. It will certainly be interesting to see whether the two
parties can reach agreement on a deal for Parker and who, if anyone, 'gives
ground' to make it happen? Equally interesting will be West Ham's subsequent
activity in the transfer and loan market.

I am sure the successive 3-0 and 1-5 defeats to Man Utd and Man City will
have concentrated the minds of Mr Redknapp and Mr Levy's on the necessity of
reinforcing their squad. But of course, even if Spurs agree a fee with the
Hammers there is still the matter of Scott Parker's personal terms. Rumour
has it that Spurs are only willing to pay up to £45,000 a week, in
comparison with the alleged c.65-70,000 that he earns at West Ham. Is
Parker really going to turn his back on the remaining four years of his
Hammers contract and lose c. 20-25,000 per week! Not only could Spurs be
offering inferior personal terms, but it has to be asked whether they will
agree to offer a 4 year contract to a player who is 31 in October? It is
guess work, but more likely, they will offer a 3 year contract, maximum. I
know that Parker wants PL football and a place in the England Squad for the
Euro-Championships, but that is a very heavy financial hit to take to secure
it.

In addition, things do not seem too positive at Spurs at present. They have
made a very poor start to the season and one gets the impression that
issues, like the proposed Modric move to Chelski, are causing player unrest.
It is certainly not a good sign when a current Spurs player is quoted in the
Sunday papers publicly supporting Modric's right to move to Chelski! Scotty
Parker might want to seriously consider whether, in all honesty, this really
is the right move for him? After some consideration, he might just conclude
that he should stay to help get West Ham promoted this campaign and look
forward to the prospect of being an integral part of Allardyce's West Ham
revolution when we take it in to the PL next season? It would involve
gambling on his continued selection for England, but he should be reassured
that he remains Capello's best option, by far, in the holding midfield role.

Alternatively, it is possible that Arsenal might gazump Spurs at the 11th
hour, with an offer that better meets West Ham's valuation. Maybe being on
the end of that humiliating defeat at Old Trafford will shock Wenger in to
the conclusion that the gooners need an experienced midfield General like
Scott Parker? If Parker is to leave, it might be the best option for the
Hammers, to get the c.£8m fee from the gooners and have the distinct
pleasure of telling Spurs where to go!

ps. Talking of humiliating defeats, Real Zaragosa received a 0-6 home
mauling from Real Madrid yesterday evening. Perhaps things were not so bad
at Upton Park, after all, Mr Barrera! Still, as the song goes,'things can
only get better.' (At least I am sure that he hopes that it will!).

SJ.Chandos.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Nottm Forest 1 West Ham 4
By DAVID MOORE
Published: Today
The Sun

SAM ALLARDYCE got a glimpse of life without Scott Parker — and it was enough
to put a beaming smile on his face. It was Sunday fun in the sun for
promotion favourites West Ham as they tore Forest apart. The Hammers have
won all three away games this season and scored nine goals to add a layer of
lustre to that statistic. And with Scott Parker omitted by Allardyce from
the squad with Spurs currently in talks with West Ham to take the midfielder
to White Hart Lane, the 3,000 travelling fans were perhaps asking: "Scott
Who?" The East Londoners had a field day at the City Ground. It was perhaps
summed up best by a tweet on the joke Twitter page, dedicated to Allardyce -
TheBig_Sam. It said: "Robin Hood took from the rich of Nottingham and gave
to the poor. Big Sam just looted the entire town!"
The real Big Sam admitted: "We should play every game away. "Four goals at
Watford, now four here, correctly suggests another outstanding display. "The
trick we must muster is how to win at Upton Park. We know why we haven't so
far and it's to do with extra nerves and anxiety." There was plenty of that
among the Forest ranks. And boss Steve McClaren confessed: "We were the
creators of our downfall. "Against the team I fancy most to gain promotion,
we committed basic errors.
"Football is simple. You must do your job properly at both ends. We didn't,
they did. What I'm seeing after five games, resembles a recipe for
mid-table. "But I still couldn't believe we were 3-0 behind after half an
hour. We'd done well to that point. Every time the ball was in our box, we
gave them a goal." Luke Chambers sliced the ball into his own net from Matt
Taylor's 20th-minute cross to put Hammers ahead. Kevin Nolan stooped to nod
No 2 four minutes later. West Ham keeper Rob Green pushed a Lewis McGugan
volley on to a post but Carlton Cole soon made it 3-0, nodding in his third
goal in three games. Robbie Findley reduced the gap from sub Joe Lynch's low
cross. But farcical defending left Winston Reid free to slide in the fourth.


SUN STAR MAN
WINSTON REID (West Ham). Strong at back.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
N Forest 1-4 West Ham: Daily Mirror match report
Published 22:29 28/08/11 By John Percy
The Mirror

Scott Parker may be heading out but Sam Allardyce appears to have found the
cure for West Ham's appalling travel sickness. Parker is poised to complete
a £6million move to Spurs but was hardly missed as the Hammers won their
third successive away game. Cardiff and Aldershot have raided Upton Park
this season but the shackles are off when the Hammers travel and this
thumping victory equals the number of away victories from their last TWO
seasons in the Premier League. This was an emphatic ­statement from
Allardyce and sweet revenge against the man who beat him to the England job
in 2006. While Steve McClaren is facing a pivotal three days in the transfer
market, Allardyce could not be more relaxed. He said: "We will certainly
miss a player of Scott Parker's calibre. But I don't expect to lose any more
players unless we receive an offer we can't turn down. "If Scott does leave
we need to replace him with one, or maybe two players." Luke Chambers had
committed an horrendous error but his second boob proved fatal when he
messily diverted Matt Taylor's cross into the far corner. The slice of
fortune kick-started the Hammers and they inched further ahead when Kevin
Nolan (right) headed home a James Tomkins knock-back. A defensive nightmare
for Forest was complete just after the half-hour as Carlton Cole found the
net from close range. Super-middleweight champion Carl Froch appeared at
half-time and his presence eventually saw Forest land a blow when Robbie
Findley converted Joel Lynch's cross. But Winston Reid killed off any
lingering resistance as Forest's defence again went AWOL.
McClaren said: "We've got a lot of work to do; this was a recipe for
mid-table."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Nottingham Forest 1 West Ham United 4: match report
By David McVay, at City Ground5:57PM BST 28 Aug 2011
Telegraph.co.uk

The last time these two teams opposed one another at this venue, Nottingham
Forest was a club in mourning following the death of its legendary manager
Brian Clough. Seven years on, not quite a funereal atmosphere at the City
Ground but scant cause for home celebration either as West Ham United
cantered to a victory with a 4-1 scoreline that flattered Forest rather than
the visitors. That poignant occasion in September 2004 was punctuated with
renditions of Clough's favourite Frank Sinatra song My Way, Forest
retrieving a goal deficit as a late Marlon King effort floored West Ham.
There was never a hint of Forest repeating that here as three first-half
goals punished woeful defending and confirmed West Ham's status as short
odds for a swift return to the Premier League. "You don't deserve to win
matches when you defend like that," said Steve McClaren, the latest in a
long line of Forest managers saddled with the task of restoring the sort of
fortunes Clough magically bestowed upon this parochial club three decades
ago.

Luke Chambers sliced Matt Taylor's left-wing centre into his own net to gift
West Ham a deserved lead before Kevin Nolan nudged in a second from Taylor's
corner kick, the same set play proving the catalyst for a third when Carlton
Cole was presented with the easiest of headers. In between Ishmael Miller
had spurned a sitter and Lewis McGugan's far-post volley was pushed on to
his post by West Ham goalkeeper Robert Green, yet Nolan failed miserably to
hit the target with a goal beckoning. Scott Parker, who is a Tottenham
Hotspur transfer target, was absent but even without the influential
midfield player the Londoners possessed too much nous for Forest. American
Robbie Findley's first goal for the team briefly proffered hope for Forest
but further blunders from a corner were punished, centre-half Winston Reid
finishing at the far post in the 77th minute. A third successive win and a
second yielding four goals are in stark contrast to West Ham's stuttering
home form. "Our critical moment will be at home to Portsmouth [Sept 10] when
we should be get back on track," said Sam Allardyce, the West Ham manager.
Sam Baldock, signed for a reported fee of £2million from MK Dons, could make
his debut then and is certain to add width and substance to West Ham's
credentials. McClaren's transfer horizons are more constricted, a familiar
concept to his predecessors. "It is a recipe for middle of the table," he
said in reference to the team's performance. That might be more of an
aspiration than a reality. "Following Forest's win over West Ham in 2004,
the Hammers sneaked promotion in the play-off final. Forest tumbled into the
third tier. Ominous.

Match details
Nottingham Forest (4-4-2): Camp; Gunter, Morgan, Chambers, Cohen; Majewski
(Derbyshire 64), Boateng (Lynch 58), Greening; McGugan (A Reid 64); Findley,
Miller. Subs: Garner, Smith (g). Booked: Boateng, A Reid.
West Ham United (4-5-1): Green; O'Brien, Tomkins, W Reid, McCartney;
Faubert, Noble, Nolan, Collison (Faye 75), Taylor; Cole (Piquionne 68).
Subs: Boffin (g), Stanislas, Carew. Booked: Nolan, Faubert.
Referee: G Salisbury (Lancashire)

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
McClaren searching for answers after West Ham run riot
Nottingham Forest 1 West Ham United 4
By Jon Culley at the City Ground
Monday, 29 August 2011

The Independent

West Ham went to the City Ground without Tottenham-bound midfielder Scott
Parker yesterday but still managed to demolish Forest.

Manager Sam Allardyce confirmed that talks are continuing with Spurs about
the England midfielder but said an agreement hinged not just on the size of
the fee but also on whether the payment terms would allow him to move
immediately for a replacement.

Allardyce has added to his squad by signing striker Sam Baldock from MK Dons
for a fee believed to be around £2m and poured cold water on speculation
that Carlton Cole would follow Parker out of the club before Wednesday's
transfer deadline. "I don't anticipate anyone else leaving unless we get a
miraculously high bid," he said.

Forest manager Steve McClaren, meanwhile, is anxious to strengthen his back
four after sloppy defending saw his side three goals down inside the first
32 minutes yesterday. After Luke Chambers had sliced a Matt Taylor cross
into his own net, further mistakes allowed Kevin Nolan and Cole to give West
Ham an unassailable lead, the visitors winning two headers inside the Forest
box on each occasion.

While Forest looked bright going forward, with former West Bromwich striker
Ishmael Miller going close twice and Rob Green making a superb save to keep
out a Lewis McGugan volley, Nolan should have added a fourth before Robbie
Findlay hit back with 20 minutes left. But Winston Reid restored West Ham's
margin as Allardyce's team scored four away from home for the second time
this season.

McClaren, who replaced Billy Davies in the summer after Forest reached the
Championship play-offs for the second year running under the outspoken Scot,
was identified by the City Ground board as the man to take Forest to the
next level but has so far seen them win only one match in five despite five
new signings, conceding 12 goals in seven games in all competitions.

"Where do you start looking for explanations? That's a good question,"
McClaren said. "Good defenders don't become bad ones overnight but you have
to get the basics right in both penalty areas and if you're letting in goals
like that you finish mid-table at best.

"We do need to get the balance in the squad right because at the moment we
have seven strikers but only five defenders."

Nottingham Forest (4-4-2) Camp; Gunter, Morgan, Chambers, Cohen; Majewski
(Derbyshire, 64), Boating (Lynch, 58), Greening, McGugan (A Reid, 64);
Findley, Miller. Substitutes not used Smith (gk), Garner.

West Ham United (4-1-4-1) Green; O'Brien, Tomkins, Reid, McCartney; Noble;
Faubert, Collison (Faye, 75), Nolan, Taylor; Cole (Piquionne, 68).
Substitutes not used Boffin (gk), Stanislas, Carew.

Referee: G Salisbury (Lancashire).

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West Ham boss eyes new signings as Parker exit nears
London 24
Dave Evans, West Ham Correspondent
Monday, August 29, 2011
7:55 AM

Hammers manager Sam Allardyce says the club are still in negotiations over
the sale of Scott Parker, but he is more keen to find a replacement for him
as well as bring in some more players to his squad. West Ham boss Sam
Allardyce insists he will bring more players into the club this week as the
exit of Hammer of the Year Scott Parker looms ever closer. The midfielder
was left out of West Ham's squad for the 4-1 win at Nottingham Forest as
negotiations continued with Tottenham Hotspur over a move, but Allardyce is
more concerned about the squad he will be left with when the transfer window
closes. "I think the negotiation is about where the fee lies and where the
replacement lies because it is very difficult to replace Scott Parker if
I've got two weeks, it's even more difficult if I've only got two days,"
said Allardyce. "It is the closest negotiation we have had this summer.
Whether it is achievable I'm not sure yet. I've had a lot of conversations
with the chairman, but have had to break away from that because the most
important thing was the Forest game." It is believed that Spurs have offered
West Ham £5million for Parker, with the choice of either Jermaine Jenas or
Jake Livermore, and though the Hammers would prefer a straight cash deal,
Allardyce himself feels they need a replacement.
"We have a very talented player who has a certain value in our eyes," said
the manager. "If he does actually leave in the end, then I need to replace
him as quickly as I possibly can, with not just one player, possibly two."

With just a couple of days until the end of the window, Allardyce feels that
he still needs to add players to his squad. "I don't anticipate any others
leaving before Wednesday unless we get a miraculously high bid for some of
our quality players," he said. "I'm more interested in strengthening the
squad because we are short on numbers. We are down to what I consider 17
outfield players and that won't be enough to compete for as long as we have
to in this league. "I've done my homework and looked at the last three
seasons and the teams automatically promoted have played between 29 and 33
players in that one season. "We really need to add a few more players to the
squad and obviously ones with the right quality."

Allardyce stresses that he has enough cover in goal and up front, but he is
looking to strengthen in all other areas of the field. "There is a need for
defensive players because we've got Herita Ilunga injured at the moment and
we've only got Abdoulaye Faye who is a natural defender. We haven't got
another left back, only George McCartney, so our defensive cover is pretty
weak at the moment," said the manager. "If Scott Parker goes our midfield is
light on numbers, not on quality and in wide positions we could also do with
another player."

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West Ham's Allardyce: Baldock gives us the chance to play 4-4-2
London 24
Dave Evans, West Ham Correspondent
Monday, August 29, 2011
8:08 AM

Hammers new signing Sam Baldock adds a new attacking element to the West Ham
line-up according the manager. The arrival of West Ham new boy Sam Baldock
will give the Hammers a chance to switch to a 4-4-2 formation according to
manager Sam Allardyce. The 22-year-old signed in a deal believed to be worth
around £2million on Friday and though he was not included against Nottingham
Forest on Sunday, the West Ham boss is excited about his new striking
option. "I thought he would have probably loved playing against Nottingham
Forest," insisted Allardyce following the 4-1 win. "He would have got in
down the side of Forest on many occasions, working off Carlton Cole or
Freddie Piquionne and sniffed himself a chance out." Allardyce watched
Baldock score four goals in two games for the Dons last week and beat off
competition from Southampton to land the striker and he thinks that the
player will give West Ham a different dimension. "It gives us another
alternative to play a different system," he explained. "4-3-3 has been
magnificent for us up to now, but with the players we have got we have no
alternative to that.
"But with a player like Sam we have an alternative to go to a 4-4-2, or
start with it and I think that is very important if you can change your
system when we feel it right."

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