WHUFC.com
Sam Baldock has the potential to do well at West Ham United, according to
Martin Allen
21.09.2011
Martin Allen is looking forward to seeing Sam Baldock make a name for
himself at West Ham United. The former Hammers midfielder had the young
striker at MK Dons and believed then that he had the ability to go far in
the game. Allen, now managing at Notts County, told West Ham TV that
Baldock, 22, was reminiscent of a former West Ham United favourite. "He is
cool, calm and a finisher. He is Cottee-like. He is not always involved at
the other end of the field but he is razor sharp. He comes alive around the
box and he can finish."
Baldock made his Hammers bow off the bench at Millwall last Saturday, and
like David Bentley and Papa Bouba Diop is pushing hard for his first home
start at the Boleyn Ground in the claret and blue - perhaps with Saturday's
Kids for a Fiver visit of Peterborough United. Allen said the No7 was
someone who was devoted to becoming the best he can be. "I put him in the
team when he was young. He has tremendous pace and is a down to earth,
steady character. He has worked hard on his game off the field."
Meanwhile, Allen continues to work closely with another of West Ham's young
guns, Cristian Montano. The 19-year-old Colombian-born attacker has been a
revelation in his extended loan at the County Ground, which now runs until 9
October. "Cristian is quick, has a good left foot and is very positive,"
added Allen. "He has played up front a little bit and out wide on the left.
He is a great lad, trains hard and wants to do well. He is down to earth and
a steady decent bloke."
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Should West Ham honour Billy Bonds?
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 21st September 2011
By: Staff Writer
West Ham fans are calling for former FA Cup winning captain Billy Bonds to
be officially honoured by the club. Whilst Trevor Brooking and Bobby Moore
have stands named after them and John Lyall the gates to the Boleyn Ground,
Bonds - who made 793 first team appearances for the club, more than any
other player in the history of West Ham United - is not recognised or
honoured by the club in any way at present.
Last weekend the legendary Hammer, who received the MBE for his services to
football from the Queen in 1988, celebrated his 65th birthday. In a forum
thread on KUMB.com to pay tribute to Bonds, whose playing career at the
Boleyn Ground spanned an incredible 21 years, a number of readers expressed
their surprise that the club had failed to extend their recent policy of
honouring club legends to the Woolwich-born defender. "The word 'legend'
doesn't come close to doing Bill justice. Come on West Ham, honour him like
you should have done years ago."
- Libero (KUMB.com forum)
This has led to calls for the situation to be rectified, with suggestions
ranging from renaming a stand after Bonds (presumably the east Stand as that
was the only part of the current stadium present during his playing days) to
erecting a statue in his honour. So what do you think? Should the club
grant Bonds the same status as fellow legends Lyall, Moore and Brooking by
honouring him in such a fashion? Or do you think it's a bad idea? KUMB.com
forum members can post their ideas on the forum thread, whilst non-members
can offer suggestions in the comments box below this story.
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Together, not a loan
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 20th September 2011
By: Daniel Nussbaum
The hot topic up for debate seems to be the loan system, for all of its
advantages and disadvantages. Some love it, others hate it but the truth
lays, as usual, somewhere in the middle. You need not look any further than
our beloved West Ham United, when searching for a proper example of the
conflict.
On August 31st, Sam Allardyce confirmed the accquisition of Henri Lansbury
and David Bentley, both of whom are currently on loan at the Boleyn. The two
are very different players at different stages of their careers, but share
something meaningful - they are currently keeping Academy graduate Jack
Collison out of the match day squad.
Lansbury, who is a dynamic box-to-box central midfielder, is currently on
loan from Arsenal. Having spent last season helping Norwich achieve
promotion to the Premier League, it is quite clear that Allardyce believes
him to be a very useful addition. His two starts in two games since joining
the Hammers are proof of that.
However, hopes of luring young Henri on a permenant deal at the end of the
season took a massive blow last week as the player agreed a new long term
deal with his parent club, Arsenal. Questions were naturally raised as to
the purpose of the rest of his loan spell with us?
Another loanee, David Bentley, left rivals Tottenham behind for the season
to try and get his career back on track. The £15million tricky winger has
gone stale at White Hart Lane, playing second fiddle to Aaron Lennon.
Bentley brings experience, a great delivery from both open play and set
pieces as well as very good technique on the ball. He also offers geniune
width, something we have been lacking for a long time. However, his price
tag currently stands at £8million pounds, according to David Gold. Unless
Bentley recaptures his old form, while guiding West Ham to promotion, it's
pretty safe to say he won't be joining the club next season.
The main casualty, as mentioned earlier, has been Jack Collison. The young
Welshman, who first broke to the scene under Gianfranco Zola, suffered a
nasty knee injury in the 2008/09 season. A year later he was operated on,
only to be out for around nine months. Since then, Jack's progression seems
to have declined.
Once an extremely fit and technically gifted player, he now looks out of
shape and low on confidence. It's quite clear that in order to regain his
fitness and sharpness, Collison needs to play regular football. However, he
isn't deemed good enough at the moment to hold down a place in Allardyce's
team, mostly due to the aforementioned players.
A small counter point must surely be raised with regards to Collison's
situation, which is player responsibility. Is it not the player's job to get
himself match fit and impress his gaffer in training?
The modern day footballer earns a very decent wage, partly funded by his
team's supporters. They deserve to see effort, commitment and a competetive
team. For that to happen, competition for places is essential, and plenty of
lower league clubs have to rely on the loan system to fill in the blanks and
improve their quality, sometimes at the price of preventing home grown
talent from developing.
All of the above begs the obvious question: Are we, as a club, being short
sighted when focusing on promotion at all costs? Aren't we just harming the
development of young, home grown talent when using loanees, especially those
who will not be here next season, regardless of what division we are in?
Well, not for my money. Relegation proved a massive financial hit, one which
our owners have taken on the chin. Gold and Sullivan have had to pump money
into the club this season, knowing full well that another Championship
season could prove to be a financial disaster.
The money from TV rights, season tickets and merchandising is vital for this
club to compete at a high level, and that will only come when we regain our
Premier League status. I myself am as excited as the next fan when one of
Tony Carr's graduates makes the grade and gets the call up to the first
team.
In conclusion, the loan system does have a place in modern football. The
thought process is simple: if a player is good enough to break into the
first team, they will. Doing so while facing the competition of David
Bentley and Henry Lansbury will do wonders for their confidence.
Too much credit based on home grown status rather than effort and ability
could prove deadly for a player's career, allowing them to get complacent. A
mixture of decent loan players with commited home grown talent is what we
should be looking for as a Championship club looking to gain promotion.
It's early days, but we seem to have done just that. Let's hope we're alone
in doing so.
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Decision denies Hammers
WHUFC.com
A disallowed goal saw the development squad edged out at Charlton Athletic
on Tuesday
21.09.2011
Ian Hendon was left to lament his luck following West Ham United's 1-0
development squad defeat at Charlton Athletic. With the game still goalless
after 28 minutes, Freddie Sears' rasping shot flicked off the head of
defender Gary Doherty and hit the underside of the crossbar. The ball
appeared to bounce over the line before being claimed by goalkeeper John
Sullivan, but nothing was given by the officials. The decision meant
Charlton were able to snatch victory on Tuesday through substitute Morgan
Fox with ten minutes remaining. Hendon was disappointed that his players had
been denied a deserved point, but praised their performance against a home
side that also included ex-Hull City centre-back Leon Cort, former Reading
midfielder Andy Hughes and former Bolton Wanderers midfielder Mikel Alonso.
"We were most definitely hard done-by because, from what we're told,
Freddie's strike hit the crossbar and went over the line and came back out,"
he told whufc.com "If we'd gone in 1-0 up at half-time I think we'd have
been deservedly in the lead, but it wasn't to be. "We have come away and
lost 1-0 but we have acquitted ourselves very well against what was a very
experienced Charlton team. "I watched Charlton play earlier in the season in
the Carling Cup and the majority of the lads we faced played in that game
and beat a strong Reading team, so when you put the two sides into
perspective, I was really pleased with the lads and their performance.
"On another day we might have had two or three goals ourselves."
Hendon was impressed with the performance of Republic of Ireland U19
international Eoin Wearen, who has recently switched position from central
midfield to centre-back, as well as that of the ever-willing Sears up front.
"I thought Eoin put in a sterling performance and is really enjoying his
role at the moment. He is really attacking the ball well and organised
things well. "Freddie has put in a shift and he did score one but it was
disallowed and he came close on a couple of other occasions as well."
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Faye adds muscle and experience to West Ham cause
London24
Dave Evans, West Ham Correspondent
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
8:05 AM
When you go to places like The Den, you have to expect a daunting physical
scrap and a frantic London derby showdown. You need players that are up to
that sort of pressure and so it was no surprise when West Ham boss Sam
Allardyce opted to bring in centre half Abdoulaye Faye for his first start
in claret and blue on Saturday.
He is no shrinking violet that's for sure. He is not the tallest player in
the league, but the 33-year-old Senegal international defender is built like
a brick wall and is never likely to shirk a challenge. "I enjoyed the game
because I like the physical side of the game," said Faye after coming
through the full 90 minutes and helping the Hammers to a clean sheet. "I
like this and I have the experience from when I was at Newcastle, it was
similar there. "I enjoyed the game and I think we played very well in the
second half."
It was Faye's first competitive start since playing for Stoke City at
Liverpool way back in February and understandably he took a little time to
get into the swing of things. It was his error that allowed Liam Trotter a
free run on goal which forced a fine save from Robert Green, but as the game
wore on Faye got stronger and stronger playing alongside first James Tomkins
and then Winston Reid. "I really enjoyed the experience today because I had
the groin injury in pre-season," he explained. "Afterwards the team was
playing very well and I had to wait for my chance. "Now that I have got it,
I need to play well and help the club go up this season and I am confident
that we will."
The dropping of Reid for Faye was harsh in some people's eyes as the New
Zealander and Tomkins have formed a reliable partnership at the heart of the
West Ham defence, but sometimes you need someone with Faye's experience when
you come to places like The Den. "I think everybody played well because it's
a tough game when you play here," said Faye. "It's the first time that I've
come here and people told me that it's a difficult place to come to with the
crowd and the atmosphere."
Faye and his team-mates had to cope with some Millwall pressure, especially
in the first half, but he still felt that the Hammers should have taken the
points. "We really should have won this game because we had so many chances,
but that's football. We created a lot of chances so we should be winning
this game, but in football you have to look forward to the next game."
That next game is Saturday's home game with Peterborough and with Tomkins
set to miss it through injury, Faye is likely to start once again. "I will
be looking to start next week and our home form is very important," insisted
Faye. "We've had a little difficulty there, but you have to concentrate for
the whole game because you cannot win every match two or 3-0. "Sometimes you
have to win 1-0 and keep everything tight, but I have confidence we will
win. You need to concentrate for 95 minutes, but we should be okay for next
week."
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Ferguson: Not just a day out for Posh at Upton Park
Bournelocal.co.uk
West Ham United's Upton Park ground. Picture supplied
By Mark Plummer
Published on Wednesday 21 September 2011 09:52
Peterborough United manager Darren Ferguson insists his players are not just
going to West Ham for a day out on Saturday. Ferguson is after a performance
to match a mouth-watering occasion at Upton Park - where an attendance in
the region of 30,000 is expected - as Posh go in search of their first away
win since returning to the Championship. And Ferguson feels he has the
players to ask some serious questions of a Hammers team tipped as hot
promotion favourites in the first of two tough upcoming away tests. Posh
then go to Portsmouth on Tuesday. Ferguson said: "It's the match everyone
looked out for when the fixtures were released - and it is one we are all
looking forward to now. "Upton Park is a terrific stadium and a great stage
to play football on, but we are not just going there for a day out. "I feel
sure we are capable of causing West Ham problems provided we can keep the
ball well, but we know we are going to have to be at the top of our game
defensively - especially from wide areas because they will put plenty of
balls into the box. "That's something we did superbly against Burnley on
Saturday when our two centre-backs in particular were outstanding. "West Ham
are certain to be up there at the end of the season. They have a good,
experienced manager in Sam Allardyce, a fair bit of money by Championship
standards and they have brought quite a few players in. "It's the sort of
match where the pressure is on the home team because West Ham's fans will
expect them to beat us. "We have two tough away games in quick succession
against West Ham and then Portsmouth and it is important to get something
from the two games. "I am conscious of the fact we do need to pick up points
on the road to complement our home form. I don't want us to put ourselves
under too much pressure at home."
Striker Lee Tomlin was laid low by illness yesterday but it is not expected
to affect his participation on Saturday. Ferguson is unsure whether defender
Gaby Zakuani will be able to manage both away games due to his broken toe.
Zakuani has played through the pain barrier in the club's last three
matches.
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Former Newcastle United and Bolton defender looking for extended run with
West Ham
10:15am Wednesday 21st September 2011
Guardian Series
By Simon Mail »
West Ham defender Abdoulaye Faye is targeting an extended run in the side
after making his full debut in the draw at Millwall. Allardyce handed a
first start to centre-back Faye and the Senegal international did not
disappoint with a commanding performance in defence. The 33-year-old has
been patient waiting for his opportunity and is now looking forward to
keeping his place in the side, especially after the injury to James Tomkins,
for their home game against Peterborough United on Saturday. Faye said: "I
really enjoyed it because I had the groin injury in the pre-season.
Afterwards the team was playing very well and I had to wait for my chance.
Now that I have got it I need to play well and help the club go up this
season and I am confident that we well. "I will be looking to start next
week and our home form is important. We've had a little difficulty there but
you have to concentrate for the whole game because you cannot win every
match 2 or 3-0. "Sometimes you have to win 1-0 and keep everything tight but
I have confidence we will win. You need to concentrate for 95 minutes but we
should be ok for next week."
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Barrera not planning to make West Ham return
By talkSPORT
Wednesday, September 21
West Ham winger Pablo Barrera does not want to return to the Championship
club once his season-long loan spell at Real Zaragoza ends. The Mexican
midfielder joined the La Liga side in August after the Hammers were
relegated into the Championship. The forward helped Mexico to victory in the
Gold Cup in the summer, with a brace in the 2-0 final victory over USA, but
did not want to continue his new-found form back in England. "I am calmer
and happier now and I have finally have a home where I feel comfortable,"
Barrera told Marca. "As soon as I knew that Zaragoza were interested in me,
I wanted to come here. I'm very happy and want to show that on the pitch.
The 24-year-old suffered a 6-0 drubbing against Real Madrid on his debut but
his most recent run-out, his third for the club, ended in a 2-1 win over
Espanyol on Sunday. And now Barerra wants to prolong his stay in Spain,
beyond the end of the season, despite having a contract at Upton Park until
2014. "I pressed for this move," he said. "From the first moment I heard
that Zaragoza were asking about me I wanted to go. "I know people have high
hopes for me and support me, so I am responding on the field starting with
that win against Espanyol on Sunday. Now I'd like to do the right thing and
stay here in Zaragoza."
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