WHUFC.com
All the team news and background for Saturday's return to npower
Championship action at the Boleyn
14.10.2011
WEST HAM UNITED v BLACKPOOL
npower CHAMPIONSHIP
SATURDAY 15 OCTOBER 2011
KICK-OFF: 3PM
FULL AUDIO AND TEXT COMMENTARY - WEST HAM TV
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Introduction
• West Ham United return to action for a match that will mark Kick It Out's
annual anti-racism initiative One Game, One Community. Club ambassador Kevin
Nolan and manager Sam Allardyce have led the way in promoting the awareness
campaign.
• The match is Kids for a Quid, with the Hammers continuing their affordable
football for all strategy.
• Both teams are seeking an automatic return to the Barclays Premier League
after relegation last season. Birmingham City were the other side to drop
down from the top flight.
• This is the Hammers' eleventh npower Championship fixture of 2011/12 and
they are seeking their third home league victory of the season. The Hammers
have previously beaten Portsmouth (4-3) and Peterborough United (1-0), drawn
with Leeds United (2-2) and lost to Cardiff City and Ipswich Town (both
0-1). The Ipswich defeat came in the Hammers previous home fixture on
Tuesday 27 September.
• The Hammers know a victory over the Tangerines could lift them into the
automatic promotion places behind leaders Southampton, who they travel to
visit on Tuesday evening. Today, second-placed Middlesbrough host Millwall,
while third-placed Derby County host the Saints.
• Both of West Ham United's home defeats have come by way of goals in the
89th minute or later. Kenny Miller netted for Cardiff City on the opening
weekend of the season, while Lee Bowyer scored for Ipswich Town last time
out. Ross McCormack also secured a point for Leeds United with a last-minute
strike on 21 August.
• Seventh-placed Blackpool could leapfrog the Hammers and rise as high as
third in the table with a victory this afternoon.
• Last November's goalless draw at the Boleyn was the first meeting between
West Ham and Blackpool since 27 February 1971, when the teams drew 1-1 at
Bloomfield Road. The Hammers had won 2-1 at the Boleyn Ground on 31 October
1970 - almost exactly 40 years ago - but lost out 4-0 away to the Seasiders
in a FA Cup third-round game the following January.
• Saturday's match will mark the 52nd competitive meeting between West Ham
and Blackpool. The Hammers have won 18, the Tangerines 20 and there have
been 13 draws. In league football, West Ham's record is better in the 40
matches the pair have contested - 17 wins to 14, with eleven draws.
• Blackpool have not won in their last 17 visits to the Boleyn Ground in all
competitions. In those matches, West Ham have recorded eleven wins and there
have been six draws. The Tangerines' last victory in east London came in the
shape of a 2-1 success on 14 April 1934.
• West Ham's biggest home win against Blackpool was a 5-1 FA Cup third-round
success on 4 January 1958. Blackpool have won just twice in 25 visits to the
Boleyn Ground, with a 2-0 Division Two victory on 24 April 1922 representing
their biggest win at the home of the Hammers.
Team news
West Ham United
• Manager Sam Allardyce could hand striker John Carew his first league start
for the club after the Norway international scored for his country in
midweek to go with the goal he struck at Crystal Palace a fortnight ago.
• Senegal midfielder Papa Bouba Diop could also make his home bow after his
impressive 90 minutes at Palace.
• Manuel Almunia could make his home bow after his debut at Palace. Robert
Green is two weeks into a six-week recovery after his knee cartiliage
surgery.
• Matt Taylor (calf), Winston Reid (hamstring) and Mark Noble (toe) should
all be in contention although Joey O'Brien is still struggling with his
hamstring injury.
• On-loan David Bentley is unlikely to play again this season after major
knee surgery on Tuesday.
• Guy Demel is making good progress from a hamstring injury that has delayed
his debut but may not yet be ready.
• Gary O'Neil (ankle) is out with long-term ankle injury.
• Pablo Barrera and Jordan Spence are on season-long loans at Real Zaragoza
and Bristol City respectively. Ahmed Abdulla and Cristian Montano (Swindon
Town), Jordan Brown (Aldershot Town), Robert Hall (Oxford United), Herita
Ilunga (Doncaster Rovers), Olly Lee (Dagenham & Redbridge), Callum
McNaughton (AFC Wimbledon), Frank Nouble (Gillingham), Marek Stech (Yeovil
Town) and Dominic Vose (Braintree) are all out on temporary loans.
Blackpool
• New signing Lomana LuaLua could make his debut after signing on Thursday.
• Scotland left-back Stephen Crainey is struggling to be fit after suffering
an ankle injury that kept him out of his country's 2012 UEFA European
Championship qualifier in Spain in midweek.
• Centre-back Craig Cathcart is listed as a 'major doubt' with a knee injury
that ruled him out of Northern Ireland's 2012 UEFA European Championship
qualifier in Italy on Tuesday.
• Malta striker Daniel Bogdanovic is also struggling to be fit after pulling
out of Malta's 2012 UEFA European Championship qualifier against Israel on
Tuesday with a hamstring problem.
Last time out
Saturday 1 October 2011
npower Championship
Crystal Palace 2-2 West Ham United
West Ham: Almunia, Faubert, Tomkins, Faye, McCartney, Bentley (Sears 89),
Diop, Nolan, Lansbury, Collison (Baldock 68), Cole (Carew 68)
Subs not used: Boffin, Demel
Goals: Nolan 16, Carew 80
Saturday 1 October 2011
npower Championship
Blackpool 5-0 Bristol City
Blackpool: Gilks, Baptiste, Cathcart, Crainey, Evatt, Southern, Ferguson,
Shelvey, Sutherland (Ince 73), Taylor-Fletcher (Bogdanovic 71), Phillips
(Ormerod 72)
Subs not used: Howard, Hill
Goals: Taylor-Fletcher 37, Shelvey 66, Bogdanovic 83, 90, Ormerod 90)
Previous meetings
• The most recent meeting between the sides was the 3-1 away win for the
Hammers on 2 February this year. Victor Obinna scored twice after Robbie
Keane's first goal for the Hammers on his debut.
Head to head
Last six meetings
2 February 2011 Blackpool 1-3 West Ham United (Premier League)
13 November 2010 West Ham United 0-0 Blackpool (Premier League
27 February 1971 Blackpool 1-1 West Ham United (Division One)
2 January 1971 Blackpool 4-0 West Ham United (FA Cup third round)
31 October 1970 West Ham United 2-1 Blackpool (Division One)
27 December 1966 West Ham United 4-0 Blackpool (Division One)
Overall record v Blackpool (all competitions) W 18 D 13 L 20
Ten-year records
West Ham United
2010/11 Premier League 20th (relegated to Championship)
2009/10 Premier League 17th
2008/09 Premier League 9th
2007/08 Premier League 10th
2006/07 Premier League 15th
2005/06 Premier League 9th
2004/05 Championship 6th (promoted to Premier League via play-offs)
2003/04 Championship 4th
2002/03 Premier League 18th (relegated to Championship)
2001/02 Premier League 7th
Blackpool
2010/11 Premier League 19th (relegated to the Championship)
2009/10 Championship 6th (promoted to Premier League via play-offs)
2008/09 Championship 16th
2007/08 Championship 19th
2006/07 League One 3rd (promoted to Championship via play-offs)
2005/06 League One 19th
2004/05 League One 16th
2003/04 League One 14th
2002/03 League One 13th
2001/02 League One 16th
Referee
• Saturday's referee will be 47-year-old Andy D'Urso.
• The experienced official will take charge of his fifth npower Championship
fixture of 2011/12 and 13th domestic league and cup match in total.
• D'Urso was first promoted to the Football League list of referees in 1994,
being named on the Select list of Premier League referees five years later.
• In 2001 he was nominated for FIFA status, taking charge of his first full
international in May 2004 when the Republic of Ireland met Nigeria.
• D'Urso had refereed five West Ham United fixtures previously - the most
recent being the 1-0 home Premier League victory over Chelsea on 3 May 2003.
• One of the biggest matches the official has ever taken charge of was the
2006/07 League One Play-Off final, which saw Blackpool overcome Yeovil Town
2-0 to gain promotion to the Championship.
• Of the six Blackpool fixtures D'Urso has refereed, the most recent was a
1-1 Championship draw at Queens Park Rangers on 8 August 2009.
• This season, in all competitions, he has shown 42 yellow cards and sent
one player off in 12 matches.
.
Us and them
• Sam Allardyce took up his first full-time managerial post when he was
appointed as Blackpool boss in July 1994. Big Sam spent two seasons in
charge at Bloomfield Road, leading the Tangerines to their highest league
finish in 18 years in 1995/96. Blackpool finished third in Division Two (now
League One) before being defeated in the Play-Offs. Of the 102 matches he
took charge of at Blackpool, Big Sam won 44, lost 23 and drew 35.
• Mark Noble played alongside Blackpool striker Billy Clarke during his loan
spell at Ipswich Town between August and November 2006. The pair have
remained close friends.
• Blackpool's on-loan Liverpool midfielder Jonjo Shelvey is a lifelong West
Ham United supporter who has recently revealed that he used to come to watch
the Hammers after finishing training at his first club Charlton Athletic.
Shelvey also spent time with the Hammers as a schoolboy.
• Blackpool winger Tom Ince is the son of former West Ham United and England
midfielder Paul Ince.
• Six players have made their West Ham United debuts against Blackpool -
Tommy Hodgson, William Williams (both May 1922), Jim Holmes (September
1936), Colin Mackleworth (December 1966), John McDowell (October 1970) and
Robbie Keane (February 2011).
• Among the other players who have represented both clubs are L.Armeson
(guest player), Louis Cardwell (guest player), George Dick, Marlon Harewood,
Walter Miller, Adam Nowland, Les Sealey, Don Travis and Bob Wyllie.
Up next
• West Ham United will travel to Southampton on Tuesday night. Blackpool
welcome Doncaster Rovers on the same evening
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Stech off to Yeovil
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce has allowed Marek Stech to gain first-team experience at
Yeovil Town
14.10.2011
Marek Stech is the latest Hammers youngster to go out on loan with a
temporary switch to League One side Yeovil Town. The Czech Under-21
international, who kept a clean sheet for his country in a 1-0 win against
Wales this week, has moved to Huish Park until 19 November. Stech has been
allowed to leave with Manuel Almunia and Ruud Boffin occupying the
first-team spots in the absence of Robert Green. Peter Kurucz has also
returned to action after 14 months out with a knee injury. Stech has
previously been on loan to Wycombe Wanderers and AFC Bournemouth. He could
make his Yeovil debut at home to Carlisle United on Saturday.
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West Ham v Blackpool
Page last updated at 14:09 GMT, Friday, 14 October 2011 15:09 UK
BBC.co.uk
Npower Championship
Venue: Upton Park Date: Saturday, 15 October Kick-off: 1500 BST Coverage:
Watch highlights on The Football League Show; listen on BBC Radio 5 live and
BBC local radio; text commentary on the BBC Sport website
TEAM NEWS
West Ham have lost David Bentley to a knee injury but Winston Reid
(hamstring), Mark Noble (toe) and Matt Taylor (calf) could be passed fit.
Right-back Guy Demel is pushing for a Hammers debut after recovering from a
hamstring problem.
Blackpool could hand a debut to Lomana LuaLua after signing the forward
until the end of the season. Craig Cathcart is a doubt after he withdrew
from the Northern Ireland squad because of a knee problem.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
• West Ham have won 21 of their 51 competitive matches against
Blackpool, with the Seasiders winning 17, and 13 drawn.
• The Hammers are unbeaten in six league clashes with Blackpool,
winning four and drawing two since a 2-1 defeat at Bloomfield Road in March
1966.
• It's 77 years since Blackpool last took away maximum points from
Upton Park.
West Ham United
• West Ham's return of 18 points after the first 10 games is their
best for eight years.
• The Hammers are the only club not to trail in at least one
Championship game at half-time.
• Sam Allardyce, who will be 57 on Wednesday, began his league
managerial career with Blackpool for two seasons from July 1994.
Blackpool
• Blackpool are coming off a 5-0 home win over struggling Bristol
City, and are looking for successive league victories for the first time
since the opening two fixtures of the season.
• They kicked off the campaign with a 1-0 victory at Hull, but since
then have mustered three draws and a defeat in four away league matches.
• Ian Holloway's side have one of the meanest defences in the
Championship, with just nine goals shipped in 10 games. Only Middlesbrough
have been tighter at the back with five goals conceded.
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Yeovil Town sign West Ham goalkeeper Marek Stech on loan
Page last updated at 11:11 GMT, Friday, 14 October 2011 12:11 UK
BBC.co.uk
Yeovil Town have signed goalkeeper Marek Stech on loan from West Ham until
19 November. The Hammers brought in the Czech Republic youth international,
21, from Sparta Prague at the age of 16. He has since made three appearances
for the Championship side and has also had loan spells at Wycombe and
Bournemouth.
Stetch will make his debut against Carlisle on Saturday after Jed Steer was
forced to return to his parent club Norwich early because of injury.
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Czech out
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 14th October 2011
By: Staff Writer
Rob Green's understudy, Marek Stech, has joined Yeovil Town on a month's
loan. The Czech goalkeeper, who has been unable to partake in Sam
Allardyce's first team squad due to contractual problems (read more about
that here) will stay with the League One strugglers until November 19th.
Stech's spell at Huish Park could see him feature in six games with Yeovil
set to face Carlisle, Orient, Huddersfield and Exeter at home with visits to
Stevenage and Chesterfield during that period. The Glovers are currently
21st in League One having lost seven of their opening twelve league
fixtures, winning just twice. They were also beaten at the first stage in
both the Carling Cup and Johnstone's Paint Trophy, by Exeter and Bournemouth
respectively. The 21-year-old goalkeeper, who has been at West Ham since
2006 recently trialled at Championship clubs Ipswich Town and, last month,
Burnley - where he endured a baptism of fire, conceding three goals in the
first 18 minutes of his debut for the Clarets in a Central League fixture
against Oldham's reserves. Once referred to by Ludek Miklosko as the natural
successor to Chelsea's Petr Cech, Stech has made just three first team
appearances for the Hammers - all in the Carling Cup last season. The 6"3'
custodian made his debut in August 2010 against Oxford United in the second
round of the competition, with the Hammers running out 1-0 winners on the
night. He retained his place for the third round tie at Sunderland, which
resulted in a 2-1 win. His third and final appearance for the first team
came against Stoke City in the fourth round of the Carling Cup with the
Hammers running out 3-1 winners after extra time - a result that maintained
Stech's 100 per cent win record in the first team.
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Allardyce in the dark over Tevez
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 14th October 2011
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce has admitted that he is unaware of the situation regarding
Carlos Tevez's purported loan switch to West Ham. Big Sam takes his side
into this weekend's Championship encounter with Blackpool having suffered a
major blow this week having lost the services of David Bentley, who returned
to Tottenham after been diagnosed with a knee problem that will keep him out
of action for most of the season. However when questioned as to the
possibility of bringing Tevez in to fill the loan spot vacated by Bentley,
Allardyce revealed that the matter was entirely in the hands of the club's
board who have been negotiating with Manchester City.
"I suppose the situation from my point of view is just if and when the
decision is finaly made regarding what's happening with Carlos at Manchester
City," said the Hammers boss, when questioned about the possibility of
signing Tevez at today's pre-match press conference, "Then perhaps my
co-chairman David Sullivan might want to pursue it. "That would be with my
blessing, obviously. He [Sullivan] was the man who talked about it with me
first and if we could get him back here, based on what he did here last time
- and if he did love the club as much as he did, and if there was a
possibility - then I think it's an outside chance. "We will wait and see.''
Allardyce, who will be looking to his team to bounce back after a string of
disappointing results is set to welcome back Matt Taylor and Mark Noble to
his squad for Saturday's game.
Definitely out however are Joey O'Brien and Robert Green, meaning Manuel
Almunia is set to make his home debut after arriving from Arsenal last month
on a short-term loan.
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West Ham United v Blackpool
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 14th October 2011
By: Preview Percy
The only good thing about an international break is the fact that it gives
us a week off from Preview Percy. Trouble is when club football returns, so
does he. The shenanigans of the England football, rugby and cricket teams
means that he's even grumpier than usual – and trust us that takes some
doing. Here's his take on this weekend's visit of Blackpool...
And so after the international break we return to League action for a 3pm
kick off at the Boleyn against Blackpool. I say 3pm, there are still a
couple of days left before kick-off and, until you hear the whistle go to
signify the start I'd keep all options open in case Sky decide to broadcast
things at the last minute. In fact it wouldn't surprise me if they wandered
on at half time and asked everyone to come back on Monday so they can show
the second 45.
Talking of tv, did anyone notice that Friday's Montenegro v England match
clashed with "An Idiot Abroad 2"? One programme featured a balding
northerner behaving like a complete tool on foreign shores. I haven't
watched the other yet but it has Karl Pilkington is in it apparently.
All of which has little to do with Blackpool of course. Our opponents this
week currently lie in 7th place with 16 points, which is three places and
two points below ourselves. They've won four, drawn four and lost two (which
in Sam-speak is a 4-3-3 record). Their last outing before the break – which
seems like a lifetime ago – was a 5-0 win over Bristol City. Comfortable
though that sounds, reports suggest that 'keeper Gilks was required to be on
top form in the early part of the match to keep the Tangerines in contention
and that the final score was a little harsh on the visitors, a point
underlined by the fact that the last 3 goals came in the 83rd, 92nd and 94th
minutes. We, of course, are no strangers to the unconvincing 5 goal win –
see just about every match we've played against Burnley in recent years.
They are managed, of course, by Ian Holloway. Holloway is much beloved of
tabloid journalists for his ability to conjour up amusing metaphors and
similes for football, often involving leaving nightclubs with the least
attractive women available. I expect Mrs Holloway had a few words to say on
that one. Holloway is never short of a word or ten to say on any subject and
a spot of preliminary research for this piece (don't sound so surprised – I
don't make ALL of it up) brought forward the information that the Holloway
exchequer has already been raided this season to the tune of £2,000 as a
result of comments made on refereeing. It was notable that Holloway was also
penalised £9,500 last term for criticising that denizen of refereeing and in
no way a self-important buffoon Mike Dean. The authorities seem to make a
hell of a lot of money from capitalising on the dreadful standards of
refereeing in this country (£20k alone from Avram Grant following a
performance from Mike Jones that ought to have been investigated by the
fraud squad last season) and it has suddenly dawned on me that it is
actually more profitable for the authorities to employ rubbish referees than
it is to improve standards. As conspiracy theories go it beats anything
you've read by David Icke – though I suppose it is entirely possible that
Dean is some sort of alien lizard. I would write to Mr Holloway for his
comments but I wouldn't want him to get into any more trouble.
Holloway won friends with his approach to life in their premiership season
last year, though I expect that they'd have exchanged a few of those friends
for points in their ultimately unsuccessful bit to remain in the top flight.
That bid ended with a last day visit to Old Trafford where they went down
4-2. The club finished in 19th place having spent £25,000 of this season's
parachute money on a fine for fielding an understrength team in a match v
West Brom. Apparently that's illegal unless you are in the top four, at
which point it becomes "squad rotation".
In goal they've been employing the services of the aforementioned Gilks.
Gilks missed much of last season having damaged his knee in the
corresponding fixture last November, an injury that saw him lose his place
to Ghanaian international Richard Kingson. Gilks regained his position as
first-choice custodian when Kingson was released at the end of last season.
He has featured in a few Scottish international squads by virtue of his
having a Scottish gran, though he has yet to make his full debut for the
sweaties.
A defender who can play virtually anywhere across the back is Alex Baptiste
who, despite the exotic- sounding surname, is a Nottinghamshire lad.
Holloway refers to the player in interviews as "Baps" which is a damned good
wheeze and one which I wish I'd thought of a few years ago when the former
Mrs Percy overheard a phone call I was making.
Another full back is the squad is Bob Harris, who arrived from Queen Of The
South in the summer having done a stint as presenter of classic tv rock show
"The Old Grey Whistle Test". He has yet to make a league appearance for the
Tangerines since his arrival, presumably because his famous whispering voice
isn't loud enough for his fellow defenders to hear.
In midfield another recent arrival is one Tom Ince. Ince is the son of he
whose name shall not be mentioned in polite circles. For Blackpool's sake it
is to be hoped that if he ever lines himself up a transfer elsewhere he has
the decency to wait until he actually signs for a new club before taking
instructions from his new manager. One thing is sure, we're unlikely to see
him standing in the middle of the pitch, hands on hips watching the match go
by like his old man once did.
On loan in the middle is Jonjo Shelvey. Shelvey joined Liverpool from
Charlton towards the end of 2009/10 but, although he has featured on the
bench on numerous occasions, a regular place in the starting line-up has
proved elusive, leading to his arrival at Bloomfield Road on loan.
The skipper is Barry Ferguson (or, if you will, Barry Ferguson MBE). The
bulk of his career has been spent at Rangers where he made 400 odd
appearances spread over two separate spells. South of the border he's had
spells at Blackburn, and Birmingham from whom he joined the Tangerines
during the close season. His career has not been without controversy. He
seems to have had the captaincy of both club and country stripped from him
on an almost regular basis, usually for unspecified "breaches of
country/club discipline" – amongst his misdemeanours are late night drinking
sessions and the making of "inappropriate gestures" to the Icelandic
national team's subs bench. Given that country's record in world economics
and their role in our own problems, I think we can forgive him that one.
There are some interesting faces in the forward line. Maltese international
Dan Bogdanovic is, in fact, a Libyan-born Serb, which probably qualifies him
to play for the Republic Of Ireland as well. He spent a number of years
playing in the Maltese leagues, including a season at Naxxar Lions, the
local side of forum member Maltese Hammer, to whom I'm indebted for the
following piece of deep background detail, the likes of which you don't find
on other sites: he's a nice guy. After about 7 years in the George Cross
island he hopped across the Med to Cisco Roma where he played alongside a
certain Mr Di Canio who was seeing out the end of his career in the lower
echelons of the Italian League. A spell in Bulgaria with Lokomotiv primed
him for life in Yorkshire where he met with mixed success with Barnsley and
Sheffield United before finally arriving in Blackpool this summer. When the
player finally retires he intends to travel the world using only the air
miles he clocked up over his career. Bogdanovic is now a doubt for this one
having missed Malta's midweek defeat to Israel with a hamstring problem.
Another much-travelled striker is Kevin Phillips. Another summer arrival,
having cadged a lift with Ferguson from St Andrews, he is always quoted as
having "looked after himself" and the fact that he is still playing at a
decent level at the age of 38 is testament to this. Of course tradition
dictates that I should point out that he polled no votes at all, not a
sausage, bugger all, when contesting the Luton by-election for the Slightly
Silly party in the Monty Python Election Special sketch of the 1970's,
before going on to lead the cast in a spirited rendition of "Climb Every
Mountain". Comedy was much funnier back then.
A late addition to the squad is Lomano Tresor Lua Lua. Lua Lua is best
remembered for a spell with Newcastle and his gymnastic goal celebrations
involving seven back flips and a back somersault. These reminded me of my
own goal celebrations back in my playing days though mine consisted of a few
fewer backflips. About seven fewer to be precise. And one fewer somersault
as well. Lua Lua signed only the other day having been released by Cypriot
outfit Omnia, and arrives fresh from a spell training with Hartlepool,
opting to step up a division in the process.
And what of us? Well I suppose we shouldn't turn our noses up at an away
point such as the one we picked up at Palace, though one hopes that it
didn't go unnoticed that both goals came as a result of working the ball out
wide and getting crosses in, rather than simply lumping it long to an
isolated forward, something we saw a wee bit too much of for my liking at
Selhurst Park.
Team news will see Almunia continue between the sticks as Rob Green recovers
from his knee op. We may already have seen the last of David Bentley in
claret & blue as another knee injury will keep him out for six months,
though there is a conspiracy theory that his operation was just a cover to
facilitate the removal of the listening device that his parent club has been
using during the Olympic Stadium debacle. Admittedly it's a theory I've just
made up but there's no conspiracy theory so daft that some idiot won't fall
for it – look out for it presented as fact somewhere on the web any day now.
Mark Noble and Matt Taylor are likely to be available for selection – though
with three matches in a little more than a week coming up it remains to be
seen whether or not either or both will be given starts. Joey O'Brien is
more of a doubt and Demel is rated as "still a bit iffy" by those who know
their hamstrings so we may have to wait a wee bit longer for his debut.
Up front Cole was very out of sorts at Palace, though his cause wasn't
helped by having to plough a lone furrow for much of the match. Having said
that, Carew and Baldock looked a much better bet when they came on and that
would be my preferred frontline, if not necessarily that of the manager.
Prediction? They'll attack. We ought to. Let's go for a five goal thriller
with us getting the better of a 3-2 scoreline (which means a dull 0-0 if my
record is anything to go by!)
Enjoy the game!
Last season: Drew 0-0 An eventful match that could have ended up 5-5. We won
the return up there 3-1.
Danger Man: Kevin Phillips (bongggg) – Still capable of scoring at this
level.
Referee: Andy D'Urso – has done us few favours in the past in the past,
something that may or may not have had something to do with his rejection by
the club as a young player. We haven't seen much of him in recent years as
he managed the incredibly difficult feat of being removed from the select
group back in 2006. Although he was reinstated on appeal, he's barely
featured at the top level since. On past form, the authorities' coffers
might well be enriched once more after the final whistle.
Daft fact of the week: Blackpool escaped major bomb damage during WWII and,
apparently, there is documentary evidence to suggest that Adolf Hitler had
ordered that the resort be spared for use as a pleasure resort after his
proposed invasion. Strangely, when this story arose a few years ago, the
local tourist authority missed a chance for a new slogan – to my knowledge
"Hitler's Favourite Resort" never appeared on any official literature and
they've continued to try to attract people on the strength of the fact that
they have some lights or something.
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West Ham's forgotten man O'Neil running last laps of road to recovery
London 24
Nathaniel John, West Ham correspondent
Friday, October 14, 2011
9:00 AM
There is one player in the recent West Ham team photo that is yet to even
kick a ball in training this season, let alone on the pitch. That player is
the Hammers' forgotten man Gary O'Neil. The midfielder was signed from
Middlesbrough on a two-and-a-half year contract less-than 10 months ago, but
in April, O'Neil's world and footballing career was rocked when he found
himself on the end of a sliding challenge from then-Aston Villa player Nigel
Reo-Coker. Having taken the full brunt of the tackle on his ankle, O'Neil
crumbled to the floor in agony. "It was quite strange because I didn't
really see him coming," said O'Neil, who is currently undergoing his
rehabilitation at West Ham's Chadwell Heath training ground. "He (Reo-Coker)
sort of came from behind me. I wasn't aware he was there at all so when I
got hit I wasn't ready for it."
Having fallen to the ground in pain, O'Neil attempted to get back to his
feet, and that is when the former England under-21 captain knew that his
injury was serious.
"I didn't know instantly that it was that bad," he said. "I spoke to Rollsy
(Andy Rolls, West Ham's head of sports medicine) when he came on and then
tried to stand up and it was only then that I realised I was in trouble. "It
was only when I had the scans and saw the specialist that I found out how
serious it was."
It was very serious. Following a scan, O'Neil was advised that he would need
an operation immediately and received a shocking answer when he asked what
the chances of making a full recovery were. "I asked the surgeon what are
the chances that I will be okay, expecting him to say 99 or 90 per cent and
he said 50/50 – and really it was then that it started to sink in how
serious it was," said O'Neil. "It was a matter of trying to deal with that
as quickly as possible, get the operation done and then crack on."
Thankfully for O'Neil, the two-hour operation on his right ankle was a
success. "They (the surgeons) are pleased with it," he said. It has been a
long time since the dark days of April for the 28-year-old midfielder, and
O'Neil revealed that there had been times when he thought that he would
never recover. "There was a spell when I first came off crutches and started
to walk and try and do some work in the gym and it just seemed impossible
that this ankle was ever going to get near to where it was before," he said.
"I just couldn't see how it was going to get where I needed it to, and it
has got a lot, lot better, but that was probably the worst time, the middle
four months, where I was trying to do stuff and the ankle wouldn't let me,
it was so frustrating."
So what has the path of rehabilitation looked like for O'Neil since his
operation? "Early on it was completely non-weight bearing and I had my foot
up for 55 minutes of every hour," he said. "After that, I got in the gym
once I could walk and started doing some work with the medical team just
trying to strengthen the calf because obviously there is a lot of muscle
wastage. "There was a lot of swimming, quite a lot of bike and unbelievable
amounts of strength work for the ankle, basically just to try and get it as
strong as possible. "It was tough for the medical staff as well as I don't
think they have had any injuries like this one, so it was tough for them too
to try and find the right balance and they were relying on a lot of feedback
from me. "It is just a little bit nerve-wracking every time you come to do
something new, getting your brain to trust the ankle to do it. "We are
starting to do new stuff now outside, we are doing some running and trying
to get that started. "At the moment, everything is really good and we are
just upping it a little bit to try and get me closer."
With O'Neil on the right road to recovery, how much longer does the
midfielder think he will be watching from the sidelines, before he is fit
enough to join in with West Ham's promotion challenge? "We haven't really
set a date," he said. "When I first did it, it was about a year, so I am a
long way ahead of that providing everything goes well. "That is the only
thing because you can't tell from day to day if you need to ease off it for
a week or a couple of weeks. "I guess we are talking about January or
February time. "Getting back to running and training is one thing, but
having been out so long, getting ready to play is going to take a while as
well, so I would say some time in the new year."
When O'Neil is ready to make his comeback in a claret and blue shirt he
knows it will be hard work to get into a Hammers midfield that contains
names such as Kevin Nolan, Henri Lansbury and Matt Taylor "Yeah it looks
(like it will be difficult) won't it?," he said. "At the minute I'm not too
worried about that, I just want to be in a position to have half a chance to
be available. "I'm looking forward to getting my boots on again and getting
involved in some training and kicking the ball about will be good for me I
think."
O'Neil is one of a few faces to have survived from West Ham's ill-fated
2010-11 campaign and the midfielder believes that the atmosphere has changed
at the club as a result of Sam Allardyce's appointment. "I think it is a
little bit more focused which Sam demands," said the midfielder. "You have
goals and he wants you focused on them and that the only important thing is
three points and winning promotion. "That is all we are worried about and
come May, if we have done that it's a good season and if we haven't it's a
failure. "I think it is a good place to work in when you know what it
expected of you."
So what does O'Neil make of his new boss? "He's good, I've got on with him
really well," he said. "It is a bit different for me because I'm not
involved, but he has been fantastic with me. "He told me to get myself fit
as soon as possible, but he knows the nature of the injury. "The lads really
like the gaffer as well so I've got a good feeling about this season."
Having watched the Hammers from the sidelines this season, O'Neil has been
pleased with the start that West Ham have made to their Championship
campaign.
"I've seen all the home games and I don't think we are firing on all
cylinders yet, but there has been a big change around," he added. "I expect
us to get better as we go along. When the hard months come, then you will
see the strength of our squad kick in."
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Allardyce urges Cole to target an England place for European Championships
London 24
Nathaniel John, West Ham correspondent
Friday, October 14, 2011
3:00 PM
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce has told Carlton Cole not to forget about making
the England squad for the European Championships next year. For the past two
seasons, Cole has regularly been called into the England squad by national
boss Fabio Capello, but since the Hammers' relegation to the Championship,
the 27-year-old has not been included. "No I don't think that anyone should
forget about England," said Allardyce. "Any player that is in top form
running into the back end of the season, as a centre forward scoring goals
and playing well each week, should put themselves in the frame to get the
call-up into the squad. "Before, Fabio selected Jay Bothroyd on his form at
Cardiff last season, so there is no reason that Carlton can't be on top of
his game and get in the squad. "The England team for Euro 2012 should be
picked on who is in the best form and who is looking strong and healthy."
So far this season, Carlton Cole has looked both, scoring four goals in 10
games for the Hammers. "I've been pleasantly surprised with Carlton," added
Allardyce.
"There has been a lot of talk of a slight problem with his knee which has be
managed and is being done so very well by Carlton himself and the medical
team, which has allowed him to get on the field almost every game of the
season. "He is turning out, his goals have dried up a little bit though,
which is a shame."
Allardyce also revealed that the rich competition for places up front, was
providing a welcome headache for the Hammers chief. "We have a big challenge
to everyone up front now, with Freddie (Piquionne) back from suspension and
John Carew starting to score goals now and Sam Baldock itching and eager to
get his place and get off the mark," he said. "All that competition for
places means that those players on the pitch have to give their very best on
a game in and game out. Otherwise there are lots of players that will be
banging on my door, saying 'how can you not play me when he is not playing
so well?' "So self-motivation by competition for places is very healthy
within the squad."
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Allardyce explains reasons behind Montano loan switch
London 24
Nathaniel John, West Ham correspondent
Friday, October 14, 2011
12:48 PM
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce has explained the reasoning behind Cristian
Montano's loan swap from Notts County to Swindon Town. The 19-year-old was
on loan at Martin Allen's side, where he made a total of 11 appearances and
scored four goals. However, he only made four starts during his time at
Meadow Lane and Allardyce revealed that this is why the club chose to send
the Columbia-born forward back out on loan to Paolo Di Canio's Swindon Town.
"I think he (Montano) enjoyed his time at Notts County, but Swindon were
saying that they are ready to throw him in and play from the start," said
the Hammers boss, "At Notts County the game time was become less rather than
more. Cristian loved his time with Martin though. "We just felt that he
should come back and then go out to Swindon and get more games and of course
that lies in his hands now. "If he starts there then he has to play well.
"The manager will be saying 'here is your chance, now take it.'
Allardyce also explained that he is keeping tabs on how the club's
youngsters, such as Ahmed Abdulla at Swindon Town, Robert Hall at Oxford
United, Frank Nouble at Gillingham and Callum McNaughton at AFC Wimbledon
are doing at their loan clubs. "Our scouts and staff go round and keep an
eye on the nine players that we have out on loan," he said. "It's a big
mission with so many being out on loan, but on most of the players we are
getting very good and very positive feedback, not from just our staff, but
also from the managers and coaches from the clubs they are at. "The only one
who is having a difficult time is young Jordan Spence at Bristol City. "He
had a really good spell last year, but this season the club is struggling
and therefore so is he as a young lad."
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