Wednesday, February 8

Daily WHUFC News - 8th February 2012

Demand high for Saints showdown
WHUFC.com
Tickets are selling fast for the big Valentine's Day npower Championship
visit of Southampton
06.02.2012

Time is running out to make sure of your seat at West Ham United's biggest
match of the season so far. The top-of-the-table Hammers entertain
second-place Southampton in the npower Championship on Tuesday 14 February,
with kick-off at 7.45pm. With Sam Allardyce's side four points clear at the
top and fresh from a dramatic victory over Millwall on Saturday, demand for
tickets is already high.

West Ham will be eager to stretch their advantage, while Big Sam and his
players will also want to gain revenge for the 1-0 defeat they suffered in
the reverse fixture at St Mary's back in October. The Valentine's Day
showdown will mark Southampton's first visit to the Boleyn Ground since
December 2002, when the Saints scored a 1-0 Premier League victory.

Tickets for this Category B fixture are on General Sale, with Academy member
tickets starting from just £32 for Adults and £16 for Over-65s and Young
Adults. Youth Academy member tickets start from just £11. Disabled Academy
member tickets start from £16 for Adults and £8 for Over-65s and Young
Adults including a complimentary carer. Disabled Youth Academy member
tickets start from just £5.50 including a complimentary carer. For
non-Academy members, tickets start from just £32 for Adults and £19 for
Over-65s and Under-16s. Disabled non-Academy member tickets start from £16
for Adults and £9.50 for Over-65s and Young Adults including a complimentary
carer.

To make sure of your seat, there are a host of options available to
supporters who wish to purchase tickets. Simply drop in at the Alpari Stand
Ticket Office, book online here or call 0871 222 2700. Online bookings are
subject to a £1 per ticket booking fee for Academy members and £2 per
non-Academy members. Alternatively, send your postal application complete
with a cheque, postal order or credit card payment to The Ticket Office, PO
Box 6731, London, E13 9RA. Cheques or postal orders should be made payable
to 'West Ham United FC plc'. All telephone or postal bookings are subject to
a £1.80 per ticket booking fee for Academy members and £2 for non-Academy
members.

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Blackpool match rearranged
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's match with Blackpool will now take place on Tuesday 21
February
07.02.2012

West Ham United's npower Championship away game with Blackpool has been
moved to 8pm on Tuesday 21 February. The Seasiders' 3-0 victory against
Sheffield Wedneday in the FA Cup means they will now face Everton away on 18
February, the original date for the West Ham United fixture. The Hammers
will be looking to continue a fine run of form against Ian Holloway's side
that has seen them remain unbeaten in four meetings. That run includes the
two most recent games which ended in impressive wins for the Hammers - a
4-0 victory at the Boleyn Ground in October and 3-1 Premier League win at
Bloomfield Road last February.

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Dicks delighted with new signings
WHUFC.com
Julian Dicks thinks West Ham United added some real quality during the
January transfer window
07.02.2012

Julian Dicks has told West Ham TV he thinks the Hammers' latest attacking
signings will prove to be vital as the club look to secure promotion back to
the Premier League at the first attempt. The four-time Hammer of the Year is
currently working as a radio commentator and as such has seen plenty of
Nicky Maynard and Ricardo Vaz Te in action in the Championship this year.
Dicks predicts that the duo, alongside midfielder Ravel Morrison, will add
experience and firepower to the West Ham United attack. "I've seen Maynard
play a couple of times," Dicks said. "He's impressed me and knows where the
goal is. Sam knows what he's buying in Vaz Te as he's worked with him
before. Hopefully they can now come in and make an impact. "Ravel comes with
a wonderkid label and I know Sam will know how to help him, along with all
the other players. Hopefully he'll come in and do well for West Ham.
"Everybody knows we need to score more goals and with Maynard and Vaz Te
hopefully they can do that. In my opinion if you're going to be attacking
you need at least two up front."

The Hammers' 2-1 victory against neighbours Millwall on Saturday was the
perfect tonic to the 5-1 defeat suffered at Ipswich Town last Tuesday.
Another tough away day at Peterborough now faces Sam Allardyce's side this
Saturday, with Dicks predicting a ticky afternoon at London Road following
the Ipswich defeat. "We are still top but Peterborough concede a lot of
goals but they do score a few as well. That will be tough but the toughest
will be Southampton. "This league is not going to be a walkover. You know
you're going to lose games in this division but you don't expect to get
beaten in 5-1 by Ipswich who are towards the bottom. There are no easy games
in this league."

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Julien thinking forward
WHUFC.com
Julien Faubert thrived in a more advanced role during Saturday's win against
Millwall
07.02.2012

Julien Faubert is hoping to go on the offensive once more when West Ham
United visit Peterborough United on Saturday. The France international had
one of his best games in claret and blue on Saturday when the ten men of
West Ham saw off the challenge of local rivals Millwall. After Kevin Nolan
was dismissed in the ninth minute, Faubert assisted Carlton Cole in
valiantly leading the line by chasing down opponents, breaking up attacks
and nearly scoring with a brilliant second-half header that crashed off the
bar. Faubert said: "It was a good result as we only had ten men as I thought
it was going to be harder game but we reacted like men on the pitch. We
challenged every ball, we worked hard, we ran in behind and defended good
and we will take a lot from that. The main thing is that we stayed top of
the league," Faubert told West Ham TV. Faubert switched back to a right-wing
berth against the Lions, having filled in at right-back in the midweek
defeat at Ipswich Town. The 28-year-old is happy to play, wherever manager
Sam Allardyce selects him. "I think I'm better further forward but we had
some injuries at right-back so I'm happy to play there. Joey was out and Guy
Demel as well so the manager said to me to play there so I played there. I'm
quite happy to play right midfield to go more forward to attack and to work
hard for the team. I'm just happy to play as it was a bad season last season
so I'm just pleased to be on the pitch."

Faubert was involved in the build-up to West Ham's winning goal when he
challenged Millwall goalkeeper David Forde for the ball before it broke for
Winston Reid to smash home. The player admits on another day his challenge
may have been deemed illegal, but in this instance was just happy it was not
and the Hammers went on to win. "Maybe it was just small nudge! The manager
told me that when the ball is in the air I should put pressure on the
'keeper, which is what I did. I tried to do that and I tried to run as much
as possible. It was maybe a foul but we'll take it as it was the winning
goal. "After the game the manager said he was proud of us. It was not an
easy game after seeing Kevin Nolan sent off and so he said he was proud of
us. He didn't need to say much more as we knew we'd done a good job and we
worked hard so we are also proud of ourselves."

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Rovers in Piquionne talks
Frenchman closes in on loan move
By Pete O'Rourke - Follow me: @skysportspeteo. Last Updated:
February 7, 2012 1:05pm
SSN

Sky Sports understands Doncaster are in talks to sign West Ham striker
Frederic Piquionne on loan. Piquionne has found himself out of the picture
at Upton Park and the recent arrivals of Ricardo Vaz Te and Nicky Maynard
have pushed the Frenchman further down the pecking order. West Ham are
willing to loan out Piquionne as the former Portsmouth man does not figure
in Sam Allardyce's immediate plans. Doncaster boss Dean Saunders is keen to
bolster his attacking options having seen Billy Sharp depart for Southampton
and he is hoping to strike a deal for Piquionne. Rovers agent, Willie McKay,
has confirmed talks are ongoing about a deal to bring Piquionne to the
Keepmoat Stadium. "We are talking to West Ham about taking Piquionne on
loan," McKay told skysports.com. "He is a player I know a lot about having
followed him when he was in France with St Etienne, Monaco and Lyon before
coming to Portsmouth and then West Ham. "Dean is keen to get a new striker
in and hopefully we can do a deal for Piquionne."

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Duo eye Royals starlet
Norwich & West Ham target Hector
By Soriebah Kajue. Last Updated: February 7, 2012 3:07pm
SSN

Sky Sports understands Norwich and West Ham are trailing Reading's teenage
sensation Michael Hector, who has been dubbed the "new Chris Smalling". The
stylish 19-year-old defender is currently on-loan at Barnet where his
composed displays are earning him rave reviews from scouts. Reading snapped
up the central defender from non-league Thurrock and he has since progressed
through their Scholarship programme to earn a professional contract.
However, the Royals have been keen to refine his callow ability and have
farmed him out to several non-league clubs to gain first-team experience to
accelerate his progress. Barnet are currently reaping the benefits of his
calm assured performances at the heart of their defence and he has become a
firm favourite at Underhill. Hector's contract with the Royals is set to run
out this summer and should he fail to agree an extension, interested parties
would have to pay a minimal compensation fee as he is under 24.

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Nolan must serve ban
Published: 07 Feb 2012
The Sun

KEVIN NOLAN must sit out West Ham's next three matches. The club yesterday
opted not to appeal against their skipper's red card for a two-footed lunge
at Millwall midfielder Jack Smith during Saturday's 2-1 win at Upton Park.

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Ravel gay slur storm
Published: Today
The Sun

RAVEL MORRISON is at the centre of a homophobia row after using a gay slur
to insult a fan. The midfielder, 19, who quit Manchester United last week
for West Ham in a 3½-year deal that could be worth £1million, lost his
temper on Twitter after a fan had a go at him. Morrison remarked: "Go suck
out u little f****t. Your a guy that talks if u see me you try slap me I'm
in manchester every week."

He removed the offending remark hours later. Neither the player nor his
agent were available for comment last night. Alan Quick of The Justin
Campaign, which fights homophobia in the game, said: "It's disappointing to
hear yet another professional footballer has used homophobic language."

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Was Morrison Shoved Out The Window?
Thefootballblog.net

So this January transfer window seen the usual ins and outs as clubs chopped
and changed their squads looking to get the right players in to help them
for the remainder of the season. The interesting deal that went through saw
highly rated starlet Ravel Morrison leave Manchester United for Championship
side West Ham United for an initial £650k which could rise to £2m.

Why would Sir Alex Ferguson dump an English youth player that has the
ability to become an international star?

Simple Ravel never handled the spotlight well and continually reacted badly
to discipline. I said on Twitter a month or two back that by 25, Morrison
will either by an England regular or a jailbird. I stand by this assessment
and currently think him being in jail is the more likely option. A
Manchester magistrate has said he is only one more court appearance away
from being sent down. He has been sent up in front of a judge twice for
witness intimidation.

He is about to turn 19, yet he feels he is ready for first team football.
But at Old Trafford, Ravel was a frequent truant from training and openly
used Twitter to criticise Man Utd. Had he stayed long enough to watch people
like Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs train he would have realised that they are
still playing into their mid/late 30s for a reason. They appreciate Sir Alex
and listen to his advice, they look after their bodies and train well/hard.
All things young Morrison never stopped to notice. He wants it all and he
wants it now. Had he trained everyday and stayed out of trouble I have no
doubt Ravel would have been in the United first team squad a lot more often
this term especially due to the injuries at Old Trafford but instead Fergie
was happier welcoming Scholes back after a six month retirement.

He believes ability is enough in this game and at 18/19 it might well get
you noticed and get you through youth and reserve games but will it see you
through tough games in the EPL and Champions League? No!

To survive in the best squads in world football you have to wait for your
chance, respect your coaches, work hard and seize your opportunity when it
finally comes.

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce is known for taking in troubled footballing
souls and making them play for him. Morrison is different though he is
younger and came from a top European side that just gave up on him.

Morrison might believe that at West Ham Utd he will play more. Without doubt
to begin with that will be true. But it has already been said that by
changing the scenery and playing regularly then he can stay out of trouble.
Eh? He has moved to London, that place will have more temptation than
Manchester! He will be away from bad influences. Will he? Or will those
influences follow him down to south or can he avoid meeting new dangerous
friends that can lead him astray?

Just ask Paul Gascoigne, Ashley Cole and Jack Wilshere if they find it hard
to search out trouble in the capital.

At the end of the day Man City, Roma, Barcelona and PSG were all rumoured to
be interested in signing this problem child but only West Ham and Newcastle
Utd made any concrete bids. West Ham will feel the potential transfer fee
they could recoup in a few years will be worth any trouble but can Ravel
Morrison keep his head down and be the world class footballer he claims to
be?

I hope so, people can learn from their mistakes and I always want to see a
good young footballer do well.

But I really fear he wont fulfil the potential, Sir Alex doesn't usually
give up on future world class talent. I think that Ravel's next transfer
might be to Wormwood Scrubs and not to a footballing giant.

Posted on February 1st, 2012 by scott

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Hammers in Olympic setback
Wednesday 8th February 2012, 12:28am
Cityam.com

THE CHANCES of West Ham moving into the Olympic Stadium appear to have
receded after legacy chiefs the OPLC launched a search for a stadium
sponsor. The OPLC's move means the Hammers will not be able to sell naming
rights to the venue as part of any deal to relocate from Upton Park after
the Games. It also poses a second potential disincentive to an agreement
with West Ham, in that the eventual sponsor could be a competitor of a
Hammers-affiliated brand. The Championship high-fliers are among 16 parties
to have expressed interest in leasing the Olympic Park's £486m centrepiece
from 2014. A decision on which bid or bids have been successful is scheduled
to be made in May, when the identity of the stadium sponsor is also set to
be announced. The Hammers' original agreement to move into the stadium was
scrapped in October amid fears of a lengthy legal delay, after a complaint
to the European Commission. West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady (right) this
week reiterated their determination to strike a new deal, following
suggestions their interest had cooled. "I wouldn't be dragging my body to
all the meetings, or reading through a 900-page document every night if we
weren't still committed," said Brady. The club have previously made clear
their desire to sell naming rights if they move to the Olympic Stadium. The
stadium is set to house a range of sports, with athletics prominent and the
running track retained, while rugby union and cricket have also been mooted.
Tottenham, who lost out in the original bidding process, have ruled out
another attempt and are committed to building a new stadium in north London.

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West Ham new boy Morrison in tweet storm after homophobic comment
By LAURA WILLIAMSON
Last updated at 11:49 PM on 7th February 2012
Daily Mail

Ravel Morrison has started his West Ham career by writing a homophobic
message on Twitter. The midfielder, 19, who moved from Manchester United on
deadline day in a £650,000 initial deal, responded angrily after been
antagonised on the social networking site. He has since deleted the tweet.

West Ham did not wish to comment, but a spokesman for The Justin Campaign,
which aims to tackle homophobia in football, told goal.com: 'It's
disappointing to hear that yet another professional footballer in England
has used homophobic language.'

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DONCASTER WANT PIQUIONNE DEAL
Sporting Life

Agent Willie McKay has confirmed Doncaster are in talks with West Ham over a
loan move for striker Frederic Piquionne. McKay has overseen a number of
high-profile signings at the Keepmoat Stadium in recent months, including
El-Hadji Diouf, Pascal Chimbonda and Habib Beye, and is now addressing boss
Dean Saunders' calls for a new forward after top scorer Billy Sharp
completed his move to Southampton during the January transfer window.
Piquionne has fallen down the pecking order at Upton Park following the
arrivals of Nicky Maynard and Ricardo Vaz Te last month and a possible move
to Doncaster could become reality when the emergency loan window opens on
Wednesday. "We are talking to West Ham about taking Piquionne on loan,"
McKay told Skysports.com. "He is a player I know a lot about having followed
him when he was in France with St Etienne, Monaco and Lyon before coming to
Portsmouth and then West Ham. "Dean is keen to get a new striker in and
hopefully we can do a deal for Piquionne."

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West Ham United chase Reading and Barnet defender
5:15pm Tuesday 7th February 2012 in
Guardian Series

West Ham United are reportedly interested in Reading defender Michael
Hector. The 19-year-old has impressed during a loan spell with Barnet and
has attracted the interest of the Hammers and Norwich City. Hector joined
Reading from Thurrock but his contract runs out this summer and he could
move on for a minimal compensation fee.

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West Ham and Sunderland youngsters set to extend Dons stay
Feb 7 2012 By Jacob Murtagh
HounslowChronicle.co.uk

AFC Wimbledon boss Terry Brown is hopeful of extending the loans of George
Moncur and Billy Knott. West Ham midfielder Moncur (pictured) and Sunderland
youngster Knott have been in fine form for the Dons since their move to
Kingsmeadow in January. However, the pair are due to return to their parent
clubs later this month. But Brown is confident he can keep hold of the duo.
He said: "We've had positive vibes from West Ham and Sunderland, so we're
hopeful we'll be able to keep them for another month. There's no panic as
their loans aren't up yet, but we're in the process of trying to extend
them. "They've both done really well for us."

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