Positive Guy
WHUFC.com
Guy Demel is determined to finish his season on a high by winning promotion
via the Play-Offs
29.04.2012
Guy Demel is determined to finish his first season at West Ham United on a
high by winning promotion via the Play-Offs. The right-back is also eager to
make up for the error that saw the Hammers concede a goal in Saturday's 2-1
npower Championship victory over Hull City. West Ham's win at the Boleyn
Ground saw them finish the season on a six-match unbeaten run and third in
the table - just two points behind second-place Southampton and three adrift
of champions Reading. Having lost just once in their previous 18 league
matches, the Ivorian believes West Ham can bounce back immediately from the
disappointment of missing out on automatic promotion by going up at Wembley
on 19 May. "I think the team did well against Hull. We played a good game
and won the game but the fact that Southampton won means we are going to the
Play-Offs," the right-back told West Ham TV. "I think we are going with a
victory to the Play-Offs and that was the most important thing.
"For me, I made a mistake that led to their goal which I'm not really happy
about now, but I am happy with the fact that I played 90 minutes. It was
really important for me and really important for the Play-Offs. I hope I
will get to my best form quickly and this was the next step."
Aside from his wayward header that led to Corry Evans' 81st-minute
consolation goal, Demel looked solid and strong, defending well and getting
forward down the right wing with encouraging regularity. "My form is coming
and my fitness is coming," said the former Hamburger SV man. "That is why
I'm really upset because if I had played the ball better their goal would
not have happened, but that happens sometimes in football. "We work hard all
the week so it was nice to be on the field with the players. It's important
that we keep winning and we're going to the Play-Offs with a good feeling."
An experienced international, Demel believes West Ham go into Thursday's
semi-final first leg at Cardiff City with every chance of recording a second
victory of the season in the Welsh capital. "There is a good mentality in
the dressing room. We tried our best on Saturday and did our job, so that
wasn't too disappointing. We can get promoted by the Play-Offs so now we
just have to give our best in the first two games, starting with the game on
Thursday."
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2011/12 in numbers
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 29th April 2012
By: Staff Writer
West Ham's 13 away wins in the Championship this season was a new club
record. But how did the season compare to the rest in other areas?
Away wins
West Ham's 13 away wins this season is a new club record, beating the
previous record set 55 years previously...
1. 2011/12: 13 wins (Championship, 46 game season)
2. 1957/58: 11 wins (Division Two, 42 game season)
3. 1922/23: 11 wins (Division Two, 42 game season)
4. 1926/27: 10 wins (Division One, 42 game season)
Points
Sam Allardyce's team were just one win shy of achieving the highest points
total in a season by any West Ham side...
1. 1992/93: 88 points (Division One old, 46 game season)
2. 1990/91: 87 points (Division Two, 46 game season)
3. 2011/12: 86 points (Championship, 46 game season)
4. 1985/86: 84 points (Division One, 42 game season)
Away goals scored
Only twice before have West Ham scored more than 40 goals away from home in
a single league season...
1. 1957/58: 45 goals (Division Two, 42 game season)
2. 1922/23: 42 goals (Division Two, 42 game season)
3. 1966/67: 40 goals (Division One, 42 game season)
4. 2011/12: 40 goals (Championship, 46 game season)
Away goals conceded
The 22 goals conceded by West Ham on their travels this season has only been
bettered once previously in a 46 match league campaign...
1. 1990/91: 16 goals (Division Two, 46 game season)
2. 1980/81: 17 goals (Division Two, 42 game season)
3. 1920/21: 19 goals (Division Two, 42 game season)
4. 2011/12: 22 goals (Championship, 46 game season)
Away Defeats
West Ham's four defeats on their travels this season - at Southampton,
Reading, Derby and Ipswich - has only been bettered once previously...
1. 1980/81: 3 defeats (Division Two, 42 game season)
2. 2011/12: 4 defeats (Championship, 46 game season)
3. 1990/91: 5 defeats (Division Two, 46 game season)
4. 2003/04: 6 defeats (Championship, 46 game season)
Total Defeats
Only twice before have West Ham lost less than eight league games in any one
season...
1. 1980/81: 4 defeats (Division Two, 42 game season)
2. 1990/91: 7 defeats (Division Two, 46 game season)
3. 1957/58: 8 defeats (Division Two, 42 game season)
4. 2011/12: 8 defeats (Championship, 46 game season)
Goal Difference
West Ham's final goal difference of +33 was their best in 20 years - and
their fifth highest of all time...
1. 1980/81: +50 (Division Two, 42 game season)
2. 1957/58: +47 (Division Two, 42 game season)
3. 1992/93: +40 (Division One old, 46 game season)
4. 1985/86: +34 (Division One, 42 game season)
5. 2011/12: +33 (Championship, 46 game season)
Finishing third
A West Ham team has only finished third in the league on two previous
occasions. Additionally, West Ham have won a division twice and finished
runners-up on three occasions...
1. 1934/35: Division Two
2. 1985/86: Division One
3. 2011/12: Championship
Championship Points
West Ham's points total for a third place finish in the Championship has
been bettered by just four clubs in the last 20 years...
1. 1997/98: 90 points (Sunderland)
2. 1992/93: 88 points (Portsmouth)
3. 2000/01: 87 points (Bolton Wanderers); 1999/00: 87 points (Ipswich Town)
5. 2011/12: 86 points (West Ham Utd); 2001/02: 86 points (Wolves); 1998/99:
86 points (Ipswich)
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Keep cool
The Sun
By ANDREW DILLON
Last Updated: 30th April 2012
MARK NOBLE has warned his Hammers team-mates to stay cool in the run-up to
the play-offs. SAM ALLARDYCE admits the ball is in the air again as West Ham
enter the play-off The midfielder is the sole survivor of the squad from the
2005 final victory over Preston. And he has since matured to become an Upton
Park icon. West Ham travel to Cardiff on Thursday before next Monday's
second leg in a week which will shape the destiny of the club. Carlton
Cole's two goals were not enough to keep the dream of automatic promotion
alive. Noble, 24, said: "We had ice baths and put that firmly in the back of
our heads and concentrated on Thursday. "I know they say that the playoffs
are massive games but it is the same-sized ball and same colour grass and
same white lines. "We have played Cardiff twice and we know what to expect.
"We were disappointed as we wanted to go up straight away. But we need to
get that disappointment out quickly. "I told the lads after the game we must
get our heads around it, as I have been in the situation of just getting
into the play-offs and everyone is buzzing as you have a chance of getting
to Wembley and the Premier League."
Noble played alongside Cardiff boss Malky Mackay briefly at Upton Park and
reckons he was always destined for management. He added: "Even in training,
Malky was giving me rollickings and stuff so I knew he had it in him."
Striker Cole was on target after 36 and 48 minutes - the first time he has
scored twice in a game all season - before Corry Evans netted a late
consolation for Hull. Hammers boss Sam Allardyce reckons his squad is fitter
now than at the start of the season - despite 46 Championship games and nine
months on the road. Big Sam said: "Our fitness levels are greater now than
they were in the first half of the season. We've grown in our capabilities
in using our physical and technical abilities to beat the opposition. "I
won't enjoy the play-offs. The only thing you enjoy is getting through, then
planning for the final. "The hardest thing and most tense thing for a
manager is to not let the pressure of the play-offs cloud your preparation.
"You're the guy who has to guide the players into that critical situation
and they're the ones who have to go out and enjoy it, not me. "I'm here to
worry about it for them. I won't smile much from now on."
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West Ham boss Sam Allardyce tells players to focus on Cardiff City tie
by Terry Phillips, South Wales Echo
Apr 30 2012
SAM Allardyce is adamant his West Ham team will ease past Cardiff City and
earn promotion at Wembley Stadium. But he has also warned his players:
"Don't you dare think about the final - we have to focus on beating Cardiff
City and nothing else." Allardyce, who took over from Avram Grant at West
Ham, said: "I stuck my neck out and we wanted promotion in my first season
here. "I have a two-year contract, but getting up in the first season is
important. We still have three games to win and we will do it. "Our ultimate
goal of automatic promotion was not achieved, we left ourselves too much to
do, but we have to lick our wounds, get over our disappointment and get
ready for the vital games ahead of us. The hardest thing, and believe me I
speak from experience, is to banish thoughts of the final at Wembley. If you
start thinking about that game before the semi-finals, you won't get there.
"The most difficult challenge is to come out on top after the two games
coming up against Cardiff. The pressure a two-leg tie brings to players who
have never experienced it should not be minimised in any way. "Fortunately,
some of our players have sampled that since they've played in Europe, but
for others it will be a new challenge. "The play-offs are a one-off event,
unique in atmosphere, tension and pressure. You have got to deal with it
properly. "There's no margin for error. You have to do it right on the day
and then hope the other forces you can't control don't go against you. "We
lost in the last minute against Cardiff in our first game of the season and
beat them at their ground in March. "One win each and we go into the game on
Thursday making sure that when we come back to the Boleyn Ground we are
still in the tie, hopefully with a lead which we can build on and progress
to Wembley."
West Ham's home form has proved costly this season, starting with a 1-0
defeat against City on the opening day of this season when Kenny Miller
struck a winner.
The Hammers won a club record 13 away games, but let 28 points slip away at
Upton Park. Carlton Cole scored West Ham's goals in their 2-1 win against
Hull City in their final game of the season, a result which means they have
won back-to-back home matches. They have not lost in their last eight away
matches and Allardyce says: "We finished the season on a high. "We have
earned outstanding away results this season and have done well at home, too,
apart from the string of four draws. "That was the only difference between
automatic promotion and the play-offs. That run of four home draws has
ultimately cost us."
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Peter Whittingham-inspired Cardiff City can upset the bookies against West
Ham
By Steve Tucker
Apr 30 2012
CARDIFF CITY ace Peter Whittingham tweeted yesterday that he was staying in
bed all day and you could hardly blame him. The weather was bad enough, but
the 27-year-old midfielder had certainly earned a lie-in after one moment of
magic at Selhurst Park brought the heart-rates of Bluebirds' supporters down
to almost tolerable levels. It was on 53 minutes when the maestro teed up a
free-kick just yards in from the by-line and then curled it sublimely into
the net past Palace goalkeeper Lewis Price. The Wales international
shot-stopper was doing Cardiff no favours up until then with a series of
saves to frustrate the Bluebirds. In typical fashion Cardiff had determined
to make things as nerve-wracking as possible for their 2,500 travelling
supporters by going behind after a dominant start. The excellent Wilfried
Zaha latched onto a Darren Ambrose pass that spilt the seemingly reliable
Cardiff back-line and stroked home with David Marshall exposed on 13
minutes.
Cue all attention shifting to Vicarage Road where a goal for Middlesbrough
against Watford would have made things paranoiac for the Bluebirds with
reports suggesting only Hornets 'keeper Scott Loach was standing in the way
of disaster happening. But the Bluebirds, while never thrilling here, are
made of sterner stuff it seems, than teams who have indulged in previous
capitulations and they came out in the second-half and got the job done.
Whittingham calmed the nerves before a superb right-foot volley from Don
Cowie convinced even the most pessimistic Bluebirds' watcher that for once,
Cardiff were not going to 'do a Cardiff'. The securing of a play-off place
crowns in many ways what has been a fantastic first season in charge for
manager Malky Mackay, who again looked the coolest man in the ground here.
The massive rebuilding job he was forced into upon his arrival had suggested
to many that his first term in charge would be one of consolidation, of
planning for the future, but the no-nonsense Scot has surpassed all that.
A penalty kick away from lifting the Carling Cup and now a top six finish
suggests the Cardiff board got things spot on when they brought in Mackay
last summer.
To be honest it has not been a pretty ride for long periods, the Bluebirds
determinedly having to hold on in there as their form suffered in the
second-half of the campaign, but the achievement is great none the less. It
surpasses totally that of former boss Dave Jones whose star-studded squad
last season should really have gone up automatically, but instead stumbled
at the semi-final stage.
For the Bluebirds last year read West Ham this time around, who the
Bluebirds now face over two-legs. Sam Allardyce has come out fighting,
insisting his side will see off the Bluebirds and then dispatch either
Birmingham or Blackpool at Wembley. But Allardyce's bravado right now sounds
false, the braggadocio of a man under extreme pressure half hoping to
convince himself that his side's return to the top flight is inevitable.
The Hammers have blown it in many ways, secure in the automatic places for
so long. The idea they are content with a play-off place is absurd
especially when you consider the money thrown about and expectation levels
in the East End. Allardyce knows right now, even if he is three games from
the Premier League, he is also two matches away from getting the sack.
The pressure is immense on the Londoners and Cardiff, well, according to
your Anglo-centric pundits they are there now simply to make up the numbers,
to provide a mere inconvenience as the Hammers return to where they rightly
belong. That could well not be the case though. Mackay and his men are the
outsiders and that will suit them just fine. When we look back at last
season they were expected to finally achieve promotion and they blew it, but
one does get the nagging suspicion things could be different this time
around. Sure plenty of the current Cardiff side have been through the
heartbreak of the previous two campaigns, but this time they have Mackay
guiding them and that could make all the difference.
His side have already proven this season in their Carling Cup semi-final
over Palace that they are quite happy in a two-legged war of attrition and
ready to fight to their very last breath. And, whatever else which could be
said about them this season, they remain incredibly hard to beat. Cardiff
have lost just once in their last 13 games, a reverse at home to Hull way
back on March 13. And, to use one of Mackay's favourite words, they really
do have 'momentum' as they go into the extended season.
Of their last six games they have won four and drawn two and, with the
first-leg against West Ham at home, followed by the second clash at Upton
Park next Monday, Mackay's men also seem to like things on the road, with
three of those wins coming away from the Welsh capital. The Bluebirds will
have nothing to fear travelling up to the East End as long as they have kept
things tight at home, which they are more than capable of doing. Of course
the Hammers will be favourites with the likes of Kevin Nolan, Carlton Cole
and Ricardo Vaz Te at Allardyce's disposal, but anyone writing off Cardiff
at this point is being very foolish indeed.
They are going to need to call upon the services of their own big name
players once more. Even more magic from Whittingham required and Joe Mason
needing once more to prove he is the young man for the big occasion. In
particular Kenny Miller desperately needs to find his goal-scoring touch,
with only one goal in 21 games he again endured a frustrating afternoon at
Selhurst Park. It is going to take something special for Cardiff to see off
West Ham and make it to Wembley, but under Mackay you feel they are always
capable of upsetting the odds. Just by reaching the play-offs Mackay has
excelled already this campaign, but now he, his players and the club's often
let down supporters will be wanting more. So much more.
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Mark Noble: 'West Ham must get over disappointment and focus on Cardiff'
'We wanted to go up straight away,' says Noble
Squad have spirit and experience to get to Wembley
Jonny Weeks at Upton Park
guardian.co.uk, Sunday 29 April 2012 23.01 BST
His 18th birthday was barely behind him when Mark Noble, still in his first
season as a professional footballer, savoured one of his finest moments in
the game. As a late substitute for Shaun Newton, Noble entered the
Millennium Stadium pitch and helped West Ham United to secure promotion to
the Premier League via the play-off final. It was, he says, "an unbelievable
occasion for a young kid".
Seven years on, West Ham will return to south Wales in pursuit of similar
exaltation, this time for a semi-final first leg against the city's resident
club. Noble's memories could fuel their efforts.
"I remember sitting on the bench and Pards [Alan Pardew] said: 'Get ready
you are going to come on.' It was unbelievable to get out there, especially
to see the game out and the feeling afterwards. I've only ever had that
feeling a couple of times in my career but hopefully I'll get it again."
West Ham had finished sixth that season after a late run of form, they then
swatted the third-placed Ipswich Town in the semi-finals before edging past
Preston North End. Such fortunes made Noble acutely conscious of the
momentum and confidence engendered by clasping a play-off spot on the final
day of the season, as Cardiff City have done this term.
"I've been in the situation of just getting into the play-offs and everyone
is buzzing as you have a chance of getting to the Premier League. Obviously
we were disappointed this year because we wanted to go up straight away. But
we need to get that disappointment out quickly and concentrate on Cardiff as
they are a top team. I told the lads after the game against Hull: 'We'd
better get our heads around it quick.'"
Sam Allardyce has overseen resurgence in recent weeks - the perfunctory 2-1
win over Hull City on Saturday was achieved through a brace from the often
wayward striker Carlton Cole. His headed goal in the first half was sound,
but technically eclipsed after the interval by a marvellous second goal when
he cushioned a drifting pass and arced the ball away from Vito Mannone with
the outside of his right boot. Hull scored when a calamitous clearing header
from Guy Demel dropped to Corry Evans and the visitors even thought they had
equalised until Richard Garcia's late diving header was ruled marginally
offside.
West Ham's season has been blighted by matches drawn, especially eight at
Upton Park; had two of them been victories the Hammers would have won the
league. Since Christmas, Southampton, Crystal Palace, Watford, Doncaster,
Middlesbrough and Birmingham City have all left East London with a point.
More pertinently, the Bluebirds departed with three points courtesy of a 1-0
victory on the opening day of the season, though West Ham responded by
winning 2-0 at Cardiff City Stadium in March.
"The play-offs are massive games but it is the same sized ball and the same
colour grass and the same white lines," said Noble. "With the spirit and
experience that we've got in our squad we have enough to go to Wembley. We
need to take our away form into the game and hopefully come back from
Cardiff with a lead. It will probably start off as a bit of a chess match
and then hopefully it will open up."
Cardiff ended the season with four wins from six matches after a similarly
fruitless spell to United's through early spring. Following successive
play-off failures they will hunger for victory this year. Last year Cardiff
endured a 3-0 aggregate defeat in the semi-final against Reading and 2010
ended in demise at the final versus Blackpool.
The Carling Cup final defeat to Liverpool on penalties this year was a
further cuff to a team of undisputed promise. Allardyce must now exploit
Cardiff's perceived psychological insecurity.
"I'll tell my players to relax and enjoy the couple of days that we have
between now and Thursday with our families. They need to get rid of as much
fatigue physically and mentally as they can," the West Ham manager said.
"I'll do the worrying."
Man of the match Carlton Cole (West Ham United)
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Worrying times ahead for Big Sam as West Ham prepare for play-offs
By PHIL GRADWELL
PUBLISHED: 22:30, 29 April 2012 | UPDATED: 22:30, 29 April 2012
Daily Mail
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce has told his players to go out and enjoy the
play-offs - he will do all their worrying for them. The Hammers were the
pre-season favourites to go up but missed out on second place despite
beating Hull 2-1 on Saturday. They will be under increased pressure now to
beat Cardiff in the play-off semi-finals, with the first leg in South Wales
on Thursday. Allardyce knows all about play-off emotion, having been
knocked out in the semi-finals twice but also having taken Bolton up to the
Premier League in 2001.
So, when asked whether he would enjoy the next fortnight Allardyce said:
'No, no, no. 'The only thing you enjoy is getting through first, then
planning for the final. The hardest thing for a manager is not to let the
pressure of the play-offs cloud your preparation or judgment. You're the guy
who has to guide the players into that critical situation and they're the
ones who have to go out and enjoy it. I'm here to worry for them.'
The West Ham manager says he has failed by not taking the club up
automatically but added his players are ready for the play-offs. He said:
'Our physical stats have been magnificent. In fact, our fitness levels are
greater now than in the first half of the season.' Mark Noble came on in
the final the last time West Ham went up via the play-offs, against Preston
in 2005. The midfielder admits he would love to experience that again at
Wembley on May 19. He said: 'It was unbelievable for me as I was still
young. It was an unbelievable occasion to get out there and especially to
see a game out and win it and the feeling afterwards. 'I have only ever had
that feeling a couple of times. Hopefully I will get it again.'
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West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce hits out at timing of play-offs
following defeat of Hull City
Telegraph.co.uk
Sam Allardyce has questioned the Football League's scheduling of the
Championship play-offs after West Ham and Cardiff were given just four clear
days to prepare for Thursday's semi-final first-leg in south Wales.
By Declan Taylor, Upton Park10:00PM BST 29 Apr 2012
Carlton Cole struck twice to earn a 2-1 victory over Hull City on Saturday
but West Ham still missed out on the second automatic promotion spot when
Southampton put Coventry to the sword on the season's final day. And
Allardyce is unhappy at the time he has been given to prepare for their
second shot at promotion, via the play-offs. After Thursday's first leg, the
two sides meet at Upton Park in the second on Bank Holiday Monday, 12 days
before the final at Wembley. Allardyce said: "After 46 arduous, long,
enduring games we could have perhaps done with longer, perhaps a full week,
to overcome the knocks, bruises and injuries. But other schedules overrule
and tight schedules have to be met." But Allardyce warned Cardiff that his
players are fitter now than they were in August, when the West Ham manager
outlined automatic promotion as their target. "Our fitness levels are far
greater now than they were in the first part of the season," he said. "Our
physical stats have been magnificent, they've been increasing since we came
back from Dubai [in March]. "They're stronger and fitter than they were at
the start of the season. It's an important thing at this stage to increase
the fitness levels of the players by preparing, recovering and using them in
the right way." Captain Kevin Nolan is likely to recover from the dead leg
he sustained against Hull in time for Thursday's first leg. Gary O'Neill,
however, is a major doubt after injuring the same ankle that required
surgery last April. "The injury to Gary O'Neil was very unfortunate for us
and particularly for Gary, considering how well he's played," Allardyce
said.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Monday, April 30
Sunday, April 29
Daily WHUFC News - 29th April 2012
Hammers sign off on a high
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce was pleased with the win against Hull City as attention turns
to Play-offs
28.04.2012
Carlton Cole scored twice as West Ham United beat Hull City 2-1 in their
final game of the season but the Hammers will have to settle for a play-off
spot after results elsewhere did not go their way. Sam Allardyce's side have
now won their last two home games and have not lost in their last eight away
matches, meaning they will go into Thursday's Play-Off semi-final first leg
with Cardiff on a high. Big Sam was happy with the way his side went about
their business against Hull City on Saturday lunchtime. "We finish the
season on a high; we won our last two home games playing very well indeed,"
Allardyce said. "We have had outstanding away results all season and at home
too apart from the string of four draws. That was the only difference
between automatic promotion and the Play-Offs - our run of four home draws
has ultimately cost us."
West Ham started the game brightly with Ricardo Vaz Te placing a header
inches wide after just four minutes. Henri Lansbury's cross from the left-
hand side was met by Vaz Te who rose unmarked at the far post but the ball
slipped off his forehead and drifted past the post. The first 15 minutes
were a tight affair with the Tigers trying to contain West Ham with ten men
behind the ball. However, the Hammers continued to create opportunities.
Just before the half-hour mark skipper Kevin Nolan looped the ball on to
Lansbury but the on-loan midfielder couldn't get his foot over the ball and
he blasted his shot high over the goal. West Ham got the goal their
attacking play deserved ten minutes before halftime when Matthew Taylor's
corner was met by Carlton Cole six yards out. The striker powered his header
towards the bottom corner and Hull City defender Paul McKenna was unable to
prevent it from crossing the line. Three minutes later West Ham had a chance
to further their lead when Vaz Te found himself free on the left-hand side
but he flashed his shot just past the far post. Manager Allardyce was
stunned it was only 1-0 at the break. "We completely annihilated Hull City
in the first half. I was amazed at half time it was only 1-0 to us it should
have been like the Brighton score. But we didn't convert our chances even
though we had the opportunity to do so."
The Hammers doubled their lead immediately after the restart, though, with
Lansbury's excellent cross-field pass finding Cole who expertly chested the
ball down before poking it with the outside of his boot past Vito Mannone.
Cole, who is now West Ham's top scorer with 14, clearly impressed Big Sam.
"We deservedly doubled our lead just after half time with an outstanding
goal from Carlton Cole. He got two goals, which is very important going into
the Play-Offs as our front men will need to contribute in a very big way
during the Play-Offs. "Nicky Maynard and Sam Baldock came off the bench and
played very well too. These are the players we need to be on form for the
Play-Offs."
Hull City got a goal back ten minutes from time when confusion in the West
Ham defence between Guy Demel and goalkeeper Robert Green allowed Corry
Evans to outjump Green and head into the net. The Hammers had a late scare
five minutes from time when Richard Garcia headed in Liam Rosenior's cross
only to see his effort chalked off by an offside flag. But they held on to
what was a well-deserved win. After the full-time whistle the West Ham squad
went on a lap of the pitch to thank the fans for their fantastic support
this season. Now attention will turn to the Play-Offs and the two games
against Cardiff City. "The Play-Offs are a one-off event. It's completely
unique in its atmosphere, its tension and the pressure you are under. You
have got to deal with it properly and good form or bad form it counts for
nothing. You have got no margin for error; you have to do it right on the
day and then hope the other forces you can't control don't go against you.
"We lost in the last minute against them in the first game of the season and
then we beat them at their ground in March. So it's one win each and we go
into the game on Thursday making sure that when we come back to the Boleyn
we are still in the tie hopefully with a lead which we can build on and
progress to Wembley."
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West Ham 2 Hull 1
HT 1-0
BBC.co.uk
28 April 2012
Last updated at 15:00
By Marc Higginson
BBC Sport
Carlton Cole's brace helped West Ham defeat Hull City at Upton Park, but it
was not enough for the Hammers to secure automatic promotion. Sam
Allardyce's side were beaten to second spot by Southampton, who hammered
Coventry 4-0, and will now face Cardiff City in the play-offs. The first leg
will be played in Wales on Thursday, with the second leg at Upton Park on
Monday, 7 May.
Play-off dates
Semi-finals first leg
3 May: Cardiff v West Ham (1945 BST)
4 May: Blackpool v Birmingham (1945)
Semi-finals second leg
7 May: West Ham v Cardiff (1630)
9 May: Birmingham v Blackpool (1945)
Corry Evans scored a late consolation for Hull after a defensive mix-up.
Southampton's victory meant the match turned into an anti-climax, with the
only positive for the Hammers being the momentum they will take into the
play-offs from their display against the Tigers. There was only ever going
to be one winner once Cole headed home a corner in the 36th minute, and Hull
only came back into the game once the Hammers started to conserve energy.
Cole doubled the lead when he peeled away from his marker and fired home
from Henri Lansbury's pass four minutes after half-time - and the England
striker was substituted moments later as Allardyce began to prepare for
Thursday's semi-final first leg. The Hammers dominated possession, looking
to have banished memories of their seven-game winless stretch at home, but a
mistake at the back allowed Hull back into the game. A poor header from
defender Guy Demel let in midfielder Evans, who nodded the ball home for his
third goal of the season. Richard Garcia thought he had won a point for Nick
Barmby's men, but his late diving header was disallowed for offside.
However, anything but three points would have been harsh on the Hammers, who
could have won by a greater margin if Lansbury and Kevin Nolan had showed
better finishing earlier in the game when their shots failed to trouble Hull
goalkeeper Vito Mannone.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce says West Ham will win promotion in the play-offs
BBC.co.uk
Sam Allardyce is confident West Ham can seal their return to the Premier
League via the play-offs. The Hammers were pipped to automatic promotion by
Southampton, despite beating Hull City 2-1 on the final day of the season.
"We have to lick our wounds and get ready for the vital games ahead of us,"
said Allardyce, whose side face Cardiff City in the play-off semi-final. "We
still have three games to win, and we will do it."
Carlton Cole scored twice to set up victory over the Tigers, but it mattered
little as Southampton eased to a 4-0 win against already-relegated Coventry.
Just two points separated the Saints and West Ham, and the Londoners will
regret a number of dropped points at Upton Park during the course of the
season. They won a club record 13 games on the road, but dropped 28 points
on their own turf to slip out of the top two. "We've had a very good season
considering where we've come from," Allardyce said. "In the last few years
86 points has been enough. "Our ultimate goal was not achieved, we left
ourselves too much to do, but we'll wake up on Sunday morning and look
forward to preparing for the play-offs. "I stuck my neck out when I arrived
and said we wanted promotion in the first season. "I've got a two-year
contract but doing it in the first season is important."
Allardyce's opposite number on Saturday, Nick Barmby, was disappointed to be
beaten but admitted the Hammers face a tough task in the play-offs. "Will
West Ham go up? It's hard to say, there are some good teams in the play-offs
so it will be interesting," he said.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Tough for Blackpool, Birmingham, West Ham & Cardiff - Ian Holloway
BBC.co.uk
Blackpool manager Ian Holloway believes the Championship play-offs are too
close to call. The Seasiders face Birmingham in the semi-finals, while West
Ham will take on Cardiff. "It's a fantastic achievement to get in the
play-offs, but it's going to be tough," Holloway said. "To have Birmingham
and West Ham in there, and Cardiff who certainly consider themselves a big
club, who's going to win? I don't know."
Blackpool earned promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs two
seasons ago and Holloway, who saw his side end their regular season with a
2-2 draw at Millwall, is hoping for a similar end result this time around.
"There are a lot of big teams who aren't in the play-offs but we will give
it our best shot, we will try to win every single half of football we can,"
he said. "Now let's go and take on a really good side in Birmingham. It will
be interesting to see which way it goes."
Birmingham's victory over champions Reading saw them leapfrog Blackpool in
the final Championship table, and manager Chris Hughton insists his focus
remains on the Blackpool matches despite some off-field problems. The
manager faces the prospect of being unable to strengthen his squad until the
end of July because of Birmingham's inability to publish their 2010-11
accounts on time. "At the moment the thought of playing in the two play-offs
is taking up 100% of my thoughts," he said. "We know there is an issue but
it is not on my mind at the moment. "There is an emphasis from everyone at
the club to try to get through to the final and get back into the Premier
League. That will take up all of our efforts."
Cardiff City left it until the final day to seal their play-off spot, for a
third season in a row, and Bluebirds manager Malky Mackay hopes the club's
Carling Cup exploits, when they reached the final, will stand them in good
stead. "We are 10 games unbeaten going into the play-offs so there is real
momentum there," he said. "I have been in the semi-final situation as a
player with West Ham, Norwich and Watford. It is about staying calm and
having a game plan. "This group of players have already been through this
sort of thing this season, with the Carling Cup semi-final and final, where
there was preparation and planning needed. That will benefit us."
West Ham, who finished third, are favourites to win promotion from the
play-offs, and manager Sam Allardyce is confident they can live up to their
billing despite being pipped to automatic promotion by Southampton on the
final day. "We have to lick our wounds and get ready for the vital games
ahead of us," Allardyce said.
"We still have three games to win, and we will do it."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Allardyce on... Hull City
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 28th April 2012
By: Staff Writer
A slightly despondent Sam Allardyce bemoans the fact that 86 points wasn't
quite enough to secure automatic promotion in his post-match press
conference...
Sam: when you came in last summer you suggested at the time that nothing but
quick promotion would suffice. Is that still the case?
Yes, I've stuck my head on the line and said that's what we want to do, get
automatic promotion in the first season of asking even though I've got a
two-year contract to do it. But doing it in the first year would be very
important, we've still got three games to win - and we'll do it.
The first two are the most difficult, not the third one in my experience.
The two-legged affair is the hardest thing to get through in play-off terms.
Four years out of [the last] five 86 points has been good enough and it's
not this time, so we're a little unlucky there. But we've had a very, very
good season indeed considering where we came from and how many changes we
made from day one.
So our ultimate goal wasn't achieved. We took it into the last game of the
season to try and achieve it but we didn't manage it because we just left
ourselves too much to do by having to rely on Coventry to get a result. We
wake up tomorrow and look forward to preparing for the play-offs.
Sir Alex [Ferguson] would say that it's squeaky bum time?
Well it's been that for a while, I think. We've been so close and been there
in the top two so long and it's only an outstanding, miraculous run of
results from Reading that's taken it away from us.
As I said, four years out of five 86 points has been enough but because what
Reading have done in the last 25, 26 games has been outstanding its
congratulations to them and Nigel [Adkins]. But now we've got to lick our
wounds, overcome our disappointment and get ready for the vital games ahead
of us.
You were saying on the telly that whatever's gone on before...
...Doesn't matter, nothing at all. Not in my experience. You go into the
play-offs as equals, everybody goes in there as equals. Everybody says
there's more disappointment for the team that finishes third and sometimes
that may well have been the case, but there are times where the third team
have gone through and achieved it. I did it at Bolton when I was there.
One season we finished with 87 points, never mind 86 and didn't go up. But
we managed to get through the two legs. Why I'm saying the most difficult
thing is the two legs and to not think about the Final whatsoever is that
after 35 minutes of the first leg I was 2-0 down at West Brom and staring
into the abyss. We had to find a real fighting spirit and a change of attack
to get back to 2-2.
That was a critical 30 minutes - then we won the second leg quite
comfortably in the end and went on to win the Final. So the Final means
nothing to us now at the moment, it's about the two legs - and only the two
legs.
Do you think the way this season's been you'd prefer the away leg second?
Not the way we're playing now because we've just battered [Hull]. We've
battered a lot of teams here; Brighton in the first half, let's face it. We
did what we had to do in terms of battering Hull City but what was
disappointing was our lack of conversation for chances created, because it
should have been two or three by half time like Brighton was.
But Coley did the business in the second half and then we took everybody off
that we felt we needed to take off. The game obviously drifted away because
there was nothing in it for either team in the end. The win was very good
for us because it's two very good performances [in succession] and a
terrific comeback against Birmingham in the second half here, so our form is
as good here as it is away.
How are you going to lift spirits over the next few days - and how difficult
do you think the challenge is going to Cardiff, which is quite a hostile
place?
Well we go with the confidence that we beat Cardiff 2-0 at their place
already and we go with the confidence that we're the third best team in the
league. So if we hit our form and we hit the level of performance that we
know we can do, that confidence should spill over into that game.
But like I said, the pressure of the play-offs is unique in itself - as is
being able to handle the experience because there's no other experience like
it. There's no Cup game or league game that has the same atmosphere as the
play-offs have. So we've got to handle the atmosphere and deliver on the
day.
Given your away record this season is it important you approach Cardiff away
on Thursday in the same way you'd have done a normal league game? Or is
there a tendency to change strategy?
No; I think that our performances and our strategy away from home has been
the backbone to a really, really good season for us. The only thing that we
slipped up on was drawing matches, not losing them. So there's a fine line,
that's very small indeed in terms of draws to wins. I think that our
performances away from home - and our results away from home - have been
outstanding.
So we'll approach it in the same manner. But what we have to do is handle
the pressure that the play-offs bring, to deliver a certain type of
performance. That's what we've got to do.
Irrespective of what happens in Cardiff, there's the next 90 minutes. I won
2-0 at Bradford away when I was at Blackpool and lost 3-0 at home in the
second leg, so anything can happen. Any twist or any turn at any given time;
that's why they're unique in terms of pressure and atmosphere. We've got to
be able to handle it.
Today's substitutions; there's no injuries or anything like that?
Yes, there's a bad injury to Gary O'Neil resulting from a very, very poor
tackle on him that the referee chose to ignore - which was very
disappointing from my point of view. One, the referee never took the
decision to punish the player - and two, more importantly, Gary was left
hobbling badly and looks a big, big doubt for Thursday.
Over the last ten games or so he's been one of our most consistent and
outstanding players following his long term injury. Unfortunately for us it
is on the injured ankle that he's got the bad tackle.
Who's the player who caught him?
I can't remember. I'm not bothered about the player who caught him but the
referee doing his job.
Kevin Nolan's alright?
Kevin's is a dead leg which is generally not going to cause him any
problems, but he was restricted in his movement on the field so we took him
off. Carlton had scored two and done his job, Vaz Te as well so we rested
them as quickly as we could. We rest our leading goalscorers to get them
ready for the big two.
Okay? Thanks lads.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Cardiff here we come!
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 28th April 2012
By: Staff Writer
West Ham are on their way to Cardiff in the play-offs once again after
Southampton beat Coventry to seal second place in the Championship. The
Saints' 4-0 victory over Coventry City was enough to secure the runners-up
spot behind Champions Reading - leaving West Ham, who beat Hull 2-1 at the
Boleyn Ground this afternoon in third place with 86 points. All fo which
means that Sam Allardyce's side face a trip to Wales where Cardiff - who
came from behind to win 2-1 at Crystal Palace today - await in the play-off
semi finals. With Wembley temporarily out of action, both of West Ham's
previous appearances in play-off Finals - in 2004 against Crystal Palace and
versus Preston North End 2005 - came in Cardiff. And it is to South Wales
where United will return again for the semi-final first leg after the
Bluebirds secured sixth spot in the Championship. Cardiff, who have lost
just one of their 13 games since being beaten 2-0 at home by West Ham at the
beginning of March have already tasted success in east London already this
season, having won 1-0 at the Boleyn Ground on the opening day of the
season. Meeting either West Ham or Cardiff in the play-off final at Wembley
on 19 May will be the winners of the second semi-final. Blackpool, who
finished in fifth place host fourth-placed Birmingham in the first leg.
Full details of all dates and times as follows:
Play off semi final, first leg
Thursday, 3rd May 2012: Cardiff v West Ham Utd (7.45pm)
Friday, 4th May 2012: Blackpool v Birmingham City (7.45pm)
Play off semi final, second leg
Monday, 7th May 20122: West Ham Utd v Cardiff (4.30pm)
Wednesday, 9th May 20122: Birmingham City v Blackpool (7.45pm)
Play off Final
Saturday, 19th May 2012 (3:00pm)
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham Utd 2 Hull City 1
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 28th April 2012
By: Staff Writer
West Ham signed off their 2011/12 league campaign with a win against Hull
City at the Boleyn - but it wasn't quite enough to secure automatic
promotion. Despite accruing 86 points over the course of the season - a
figure that would have seen the Irons finish in the top two in four of the
last five seasons - Southampton's 4-0 win over Coventry ensured it was they
who would join Reading in the Premier League next season.
Always up against it, West Ham had to rely on relegated Coventry doing them
a favour at St Mary's and sadly, that required upset never threatened to
materialise.
To their credit, Sam Allardyce's side threw the kitchen sink at Hull in
order to score the goals that could have seen them overtake the Saints in
the event of a shock result on the South Coast.
Despite only leading 1-0 at half time - Carton Cole's 36th minute header
being the difference between the teams - West Ham quite easily have been
five or six ahead, such was their dominance against a team with one eye
already on their summer holidays.
And had Ricardo Vaz Te not spurned a golden opportunity to put United ahead
after just three minutes when he headed wide with the goal gaping at his
mercy, one wonders if things may have turned out differently down in
Southampton.
Coventry, already relegated from the Championship had a nervous Southampton
on the rack during the opening stages of their game but crucially, failed to
make the breakthrough.
And once Billy Sharp (whose play-acting at the Boleyn Ground in the 1-1 draw
on Valentine's Day led to the dismissal of Matt Taylor) opened the scoring
on the quarter-hour mark, West Ham's slim chances of usurping the Saints all
but disappeared.
By the time Cole put West Ham ahead at the BG nine minutes ahead of half
time - nodding home a Matt Taylor corner that arose from the latter's cross
that dipped wickedly before cannoning off the crossbar - Southampton had
doubled their lead through Jose Fonte.
Chants of "whatever will be will be, we're going to Wembley" had already
rang out around Upton Park leaving the players no doubt as to what was
happening at Southampton.
As a result the second half saw a much less determined performance from Sam
Allardyce's side - understandably in the circumstances - even though Cole
doubled West Ham's lead with a superbly taken effort just four minutes after
the restart.
With Southampton adding further goals through Hooiveld and Lallana (59 and
63 minutes respectively) Sam Allardyce, knowing the game was up decided to
rest the likes of Cole, Vaz Te and captain Nolan, who took a nasty knock
after colliding with Rob Green, ahead of the ensuing play-offs.
Sam Baldock and Nicky Maynard, both of whom were given the opportunity to
stake their claims for a place in the play-offs flattered to deceive and it
was no surprise when the visitors grabbed a consolation goal with nine
minutes of normal time remaining.
Guy Demel made an absolute hash of a headed clearance, sending the ball
looping up in the air on the edge of the six yard box and Rob Green was
clearly prevented from jumping to grab the loose ball, which was headed into
an empty net by Corry Evans.
However the fact that the foul was missed by referee Nigel Miller was of
little surprise to Hammers fans who had seen the official miss a number of
quite blatant infringements by Hull players during the game.
None of which were more obviously - nor nasty - than the elbow James Tomkins
received from former Hammer Richard Garcia that left him writhing in agony
and smashing the turf with his fist in fury after the challenge was deemed
to be a legal one.
Another nasty tackle on Gary O'Neil after the ball had been played was
similarly missed and could cost the former 'Boro player a place in the
play-off semi finals, where Cardiff City - who secured sixth place in the
Championship with a win at Crystal Palace - now await.
The two-legged affair promises to be something of a classic with both teams
in rude heath having lost just one game between them since West Ham won 2-0
at the Stadiwm Dinas Caerdydd back on March 4th.
And it also throws up the very real prospect of West Ham making their first
appearance at Wembley since 1981, when John Lyall's side drew 1-1 in the
League Cup Final with Liverpool - who just happened to be the team who beat
Cardiff in this season's League Cup Final.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Allardyce eyes play-off success
Big Sam says Hammers must be ready; Barmby frustrated
Last Updated: April 28, 2012 4:42pm
SSN
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce has vowed to take the club up to the Premier
League after missing out on automatic promotion. Two goals from Carlton Cole
at home to Hull City in a 2-1 win were not enough to overhaul Southampton,
whose thumping victory against Coventry ensured they held onto second spot
in the Championship. Instead, the play-offs beckon for Allardyce and his
side, who will face Cardiff in the first leg on Thursday before being back
at home for the second leg a week on Monday. And it is their home form which
has proved costly - West Ham have won a club record 13 games on the road but
dropped 28 points on their own turf to slip out of the top two. Allardyce
said: "I stuck my neck out when I arrived and said we wanted promotion in
the first season. "I've got a two-year contract but doing it in the first
season is important. We still have three games to win, and we will do it.
"We've had a very good season considering where we've come from. In the last
few years 86 points has been enough. "Our ultimate goal was not achieved, we
left ourselves too much to do, but we'll wake up tomorrow morning and look
forward to preparing for the play-offs. We have to lick our wounds, get over
our disappointment and get ready for the vital games ahead of us."
Short
Hull pulled one back through Corry Evans, who took advantage of Guy Demel's
poor header to nod the ball past Rob Green. And the visitors thought they
had equalised when Richard Garcia powered in a late header only to be
flagged offside. The Tigers' own play-off hopes ended a few weeks ago but
manager Nicky Barmby feels they can go one better next season. "There's a
bit of frustration," he admitted. "I genuinely believed we could make the
play-offs but we fell short.
"But the players are growing and getting better. I'm pleased with the lads
overall and we'll be better for it next season. "Will West Ham go up? It's
hard to say, there are some good teams in the play-offs so it will be
interesting."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Vinny's Hull Report
Vinny 2:44 Sun Apr 29
West Ham Online
West Ham United 2 Hull City 1
West Ham's participation in this year's Play Offs were confirmed despite a
2-1 victory over Hull City with Carlton Cole scoring two goals.
Because of Southampton's thumping 4-0 victory over Coventry City at St
Mary's this meant no matter what result we could achieve it would not be
enough to get above the Saints who are promoted automatically to the
Premiership.
Whilst many of us knew this was the likely outcome of the day's proceedings
we still had that faint hope that Coventry could pull something out of the
bag despite their already confirmed relegation.
But it was not to be and we now look to the Play Offs as our way back to the
top division and it will be Cardiff City over two legs who stand in our way
for our first trip to Wembley since 1981.
There was a little deflation leaving the ground although we were expecting
this scenario but any disappointment needs to be put on the back burner as
we look to our most important games of the season and we cannot choke as we
have done in other big games this season.
I'm confident and I don't see why I shouldn't be. None of the teams in the
Play Off positions I fear although I am concerned about our recent dismal
record against Birmingham City who if we are successful in the Semi Final we
may well be playing in the Final.
You can drive yourself mad thinking about the points we have lost these
season in seemingly easy game. We can harp back to tactics from Allardyce,
player's being sent off and our horrible run of home draws but that now
doesn't matter as it is all done with and we move on to some enormous games
and we are three games away from meeting the goal set out by manager Sam
Allardyce, the club owner and the supporters.
If we do fail in this aim then this season would have been a failure. The
reason for this is that the club were very vocal about an instant return and
I don't think they were wrong to expect this.
Allardyce can point out that we had a lot of players leaving the club but
many of those we were happy to be rid of anyhow. Can you honestly say that
we miss Jonathan Spector, Lars Jacobsen, Matthew Upson, Manuel Da Costa, or
Zavon Hines.
Sure we lost Scott Parker and Demba Ba but Allardyce was backed financially
by the club and we managed to bring in many players who I suspect would be
able to walk into a number of Premiership sides such as Kevin Nolan, Matthew
Taylor, and George McCartney and solid Premiership experienced players like
Abdoulaye Faye and Papa Bouba Diop.
In this game we started well, tailed off a little and found it hard to break
Hull down but we kept working and scored the first goal which was fully
deserved. With the Southampton result filtering through and the players
obviously aware of the score in the second half the game died out and it was
a bit of a non-event.
We have now won our last two home games which is very positive and hopefully
this home hoodoo we have faced is now over and we can look at the home tie
against Cardiff as a game we all believe we can win.
The Team
Allardyce made one change to the side that defeated Leicester City last
Monday. The change came in midfield with Jack Collison dropped to the bench
and Henri Lansbury replacing him.
George McCartney was back from injury and included among the substitutes.
Starting for Hull City was former Hammer and Youth team product Richard
Garcia.
First Half
With the rain spilling down 'Bubbles' rang out as the players kicked off in
what the fans hoped would be our last game of the season.
We started well and look to get Hull on the back foot early. The visitors
had clearly done their homework after our 6-0 thumping of Brighton in the
last game at the Boleyn and looked to get tight to us early and break up our
passing game.
Ricardo Vaz Te started up front alongside Carlton Cole and not on the wing
as he has done in previous games.
With four minutes on the clock we should have taken the lead with a glorious
chance when Henri Lansbury crossed for Vaz Te who was totally unmarked but
he planted his header wide of the post. I haven't seen the chance again but
at the time I thought it was a sitter.
Cole was beginning to get the better of the Hull defenders and was winning
the majority of headers although most of the flicks were easily mopped up by
the Hull defenders.
With a quarter of the game gone it was filtering around that Southampton had
taken the lead at home to Coventry. This needn't effect our performance as
our aim was to simply win by as many goals as possible and if Coventry did
get something then we would be ready.
We were starting to rack up the corners and overall in this game we won an
astonishing 14 corner kicks with Hull winning 3.
Two minutes after scoring their first it became known that Southampton had
gone 2-0 up.
A long punt forward saw Cole challenge the defender, out muscle him and get
into the area but his cross was not accurate and missed Vaz Te.
The early atmosphere had become a little muted with the news of Southampton
leading and on the pitch we had dropped off a little although still the only
side looking as if they would score.
On 27 minutes we created another good chance as the ball was put through to
Lansbury who fired his shot over the bar despite only being around 12 yards
out.
Hull should have done a lot better on the half hour mark when Cole lost the
ball in his own half (much like against Birmingham) and like against
Birmingham it was a player with the surname of King, this time Joshua who
raced forward and he should have taken a shot himself but tried to knock the
ball square for a team mate but Reid got back to clear.
We hit the cross bar soon after as Matthew Taylor put a dipping cross into
the area which alluded the keeper and smacked off the woodwork. The ball hit
the Hull defender Dawson and went out for a corner.
Taylor took the corner which was excellent and it was met by Carlton Cole
who planted his header inside the far post with the defender on the line
unable to stop it and it was 1-0.
Hull were on the back foot soon after the goal with Vaz Te screwing his
cross across goal with no one on hand to apply the finish.
Half time came and although automatic promotion was looking unlikely we were
keeping up with our end of the bargain.
Second Half
We again started the half well with Noble seeing his shot from quite far out
go well wide but we would only have to wait four minutes for our lead to be
doubled.
It was a very well worked and well taken goal as Lansbury broke forward and
crossed for Carlton Cole who controlled well and volleyed past the Hull
keeper Mannone to make it 2-0.
As Cole has been given the goal against Brighton and not Henri Lansbury this
was Cole's 14th goal of the season.
Kevin Nolan found himself booked for a challenge on Liam Rosenior on 51
minutes and at the same time Sam Allardyce made his first change of the day
with Carlton Cole being replaced by Sam Baldock clearly with an eye on the
Thursday night game.
I thought we should have had a clear penalty a minute later when Vaz Te
latched onto a ball in the area and went down under a challenge from Dawson.
Without a benefit of a replay I can't be sure but it looked a good shout.
Southampton went 3-0 up with us still having to play an hour. Allardyce
responded to this by making his second change with Vaz Te coming off and
Nicky Maynard coming on to replace him.
With Southampton soon scoring a fourth the chants of 'We're going to
Wembley' were being sung by sections of the West Ham support.
The game really died at this point and it was Hull who saw more of the ball
and were the ones doing the attacking. We still continued to play long high
balls forward to Baldock and Maynard as if we thought Cole was still on the
pitch.
Hull's Corry Evans had a superb chance as he was put through but Robert
Green made a superb stop to deny him.
With around a quarter of the game to play Kevin Nolan came off and was
replaced by George McCartney with Taylor pushing up into midfield.
Out of nothing Hull pulled a goal back on 81 minutes in a real horror show
from Guy Demel.
The cross was put into the area deep and Demel although unchallenged decided
to loop his header into the area and as Green came out and went for it they
got in each other's way with Corry Evans getting up to head into the goal
and make it 2-1.
Hull were now looking stronger and thought they had equalised when a deep
cross found Garcia who superbly met the ball with a diving header which flew
past Green but the Australian was flagged offside.
With a few minutes remaining Gary O'Neil got a shot off and on target but in
doing so was caught by a late and horrible tackle from Evans which saw
O'Neil stay down. The referee didn't want to know despite it being right in
front of him and the ball was eventually kicked out. It was a horrible
challenge which should have brought a free kick and a booking.
There was to be no late drama and the final whistle went with the players
coming out to do a 'lap of honour?' after the game. I didn't stay for this,
instead I went out with my priority point form thinking I would simply hand
it in to the ticket office but this became a bit of an ordeal.
The normal queue was quite large and went around the corner. I thought 'fair
enough' but then it started going quite quickly and when we got to the front
it became apparent that another queue had formed along the wall where the
ticket office and club shop is. It was total chaos and a quite shocking
piece of crown management from the club.
The form was eventually put in and hopefully I will be travelling to Cardiff
on Thursday night with the rest of our support. It is just a shame we
couldn't have had a few more thousand.
Player Ratings
Robert Green
Made a superb stop from Evans in the second half although could have perhaps
commanded the situation better from Demel's mistake but perhaps that is
being harsh. We need him on form for the play offs. Just think, it could be
penalties!
Guy Demel
Has been in decent form recently and has looked quite solid but his mistake
that led to the goal was pretty awful and hopefully we will see no more of
that sort of thing.
Winston Reid
Another solid display from Reid who has on the whole been in excellent form
this season. This weak young footballer we saw last season has gone and if
anyone has benefitted from Championship football it is him.
James Tomkins
Good display from James Tomkins who may well be crowned the official Hammer
of the Year this week. Won most things in the air and is our main threat
from set pieces.
Matthew Taylor
Poor at times defensively and makes some odd choice of passes but then he
brings out his crossing ability which at times is really top quality and he
continues to make chances. Do we want him out of the team with that ability?
Henri Lansbury
Energetic and certainly covers a lot of ground. Will have an assist for the
cross for Cole and he should have scored himself in the first half. Involved
throughout and a decent display.
Mark Noble
Sat deep and played the game at his own pace. Made space for himself and
looked to try and spread the ball wide whenever possible.
Kevin Nolan
Got stuck in and made a few good challenges with some being wrongly given as
free kicks. Took a bit of a knock in the second half and was taken off as a
precaution.
Gary O'Neil
In the first half he gave the ball away a lot and drifted in and out of the
game. Was tidy in flashes but looked a bit knackered in the second half.
Ricardo Vaz Te
Not really at the races throughout the game and found it very difficult to
actually go past a player.
Carlton Cole
Two goals, and a good display from a man who is likely to finish our top
scorer again.
Subs Used
Sam Baldock (on for Cole 52 mins)
Had quite a lengthy period on the pitch but he couldn't get the ball at his
feet enough which was not all his fault and he didn't really get involved
enough.
Nicky Maynard (on for Vaz Te 60 mins)
Much like Baldock he found it very difficult to actually get into the game
and offered very little.
George McCartney (on for Nolan 74 mins)
Not much to say about his display as I didn't really notice him.
Subs Not Used: Collison, Faubert
Bookings: Nolan
Man Of The Match: Carlton Cole
Hull City: Mannone, Rosenior, Cooper, Dawson, McKenna, Chester, Evans,
Cairney, King, Garcia, Fryatt
Subs: Oxley, Stewart, Brady, Bradley, Cullen
Attendance: 35,000
Overall
The last game of the normal league season ended in victory and we can now
take that confidence from another positive result into the Play Offs where
our destiny lies.
This was a difficult performance to judge given the other issues surrounding
it although I do believe we were worth our win despite the lethargic second
half.
The season is far from over and there are a few more hurdles to jump yet.
Next Game - Cardiff City (a) Thursday 3rd May, 7.45pm Kick Off
It doesn't seem that long ago since we were beating Cardiff 2-0 on their own
patch with Kevin Nolan and George McCartney getting the goals.
Any sort of victory would be a superb result and give us a fantastic chance
of securing our place in the final. But this won't be easy and Cardiff know
that they too are only a few games away from making it to the Premiership -
a place where they probably should have achieved over the last few season.
This match means no less to them than it does to us.
We can certainly do this and we have the players to win all three games. I'm
not concerned by any of the teams in the Play Offs - I'm concerned about us
choking in the big games again.
Fortunes Always Hiding - we need to find them now.
Sam's View
We finish the season on a high; we won our last two home games playing very
well indeed, We have had outstanding away results all season and at home too
apart from the string of four draws. That was the only difference between
automatic promotion and the Play-Offs - our run of four home draws has
ultimately cost us."
"We completely annihilated Hull City in the first half. I was amazed at half
time it was only 1-0 to us it should have been like the Brighton score. But
we didn't convert our chances even though we had the opportunity to do so."
"We deservedly doubled our lead just after half time with an outstanding
goal from Carlton Cole. He got two goals, which is very important going into
the Play-Offs as our front men will need to contribute in a very big way
during the Play-Offs.
"Nicky Maynard and Sam Baldock came off the bench and played very well too.
These are the players we need to be on form for the Play-Offs."
"The Play-Offs are a one-off event. It's completely unique in its
atmosphere, its tension and the pressure you are under. You have got to deal
with it properly and good form or bad form it counts for nothing. You have
got no margin for error; you have to do it right on the day and then hope
the other forces you can't control don't go against you.
"We lost in the last minute against them in the first game of the season and
then we beat them at their ground in March. So it's one win each and we go
into the game on Thursday making sure that when we come back to the Boleyn
we are still in the tie hopefully with a lead which we can build on and
progress to Wembley."
Season 2011/12 Scorers and Red Cards
Carlton Cole - 14 (14 League)
Kevin Nolan - 12 (12 League)
Ricardo Vaz Te - 10(10 League)
Mark Noble - 8 (8 League)
Sam Baldock - 5 (5 League)
Jack Collison - 4 (4 League)
Own Goal - 4 (4 League)
Winston Reid - 3 (3 League)
James Tomkins - 3 (3 League)
Gary O'Neil - 2 (2 League)
Nicky Maynard - 2 (2 League)
John Carew - 2 (2 League)
Frederique Piquionne - 2 (2 League)
Henri Lansbury - 1 (1 League)
Papa Bouba Diop - 1 (1 League)
Joey O'Brien - 1 (1 League)
Matthew Taylor - 1 (1 League)
Julien Faubert - 1 (1 League)
Frank Nouble - 1 (1 League)
George McCartney - 1 (1 League)
Danny Collins - 1 (1 League)
Scott Parker - 1 (1 League)
Junior Stanislas - 1 (1 Cup)
Red Cards
Callum McNaughton - 1 (vs Aldershot home)
Frederique Piquionne - 1 (vs Portsmouth home)
Joey O'Brien - 1 (vs Reading away)
Jack Collison - 1 (vs Reading away)
Kevin Nolan - 1 (vs Millwall home)
Matthew Taylor - 1 (vs Southampton home)
Robert Green - 1 (vs Blackpool away)*
*rescinded by FA on appeal
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Match Report: West Ham 2 Hull City 1
By Iain Dale About 11 hours ago
West Ham Till I Die
What a peculiar day. That smidgeon of hope at the beginning of day was soon
extinguished with the news that Southampton were two up at St Mary's. And
from then on, frankly nothing seemed to matter very much. All thoughts were
directed towards Cardiff. But let's not take away from the performance
today. Apart from the last twenty minutes, this was one of the better
displays of the season. But as soon as the front two were taken off, and
Nolan had to be replaced by McCartney, everything seemed to crumble. Cole
and Vaz Te and done very well, with Carlton sniffing his first hattrick, but
Allardyce was having none of it, and took him off after he had scored his
terrific second goal. He was right to do so, and save him for Thursday. I
was looking forward to seeing Maynard combine with Baldock, but it was
difficult to notice that either of them were on the pitch to be honest. Both
looked extremely poor and totally out of nick.
Let me also heap some praise on Winston Reid. When he joined at the
beginning of last season he certainly didn't live up to his reputation as a
New Zealand international. In fact he was dreadful. But over time, he has
developed into an assured, fine player, who also knows where the goal is.
Today, he put in another great performance, and had Carlton Cole not scored
a brace, would have undoubtedly been my man of the match.
I'll also say a kind word for Gary O'Neil, who, it has to be said, I have
been very critical of. Today he had a good game. There. I've said it. He
tackled well, nearly scored a screamer and played some killer passes through
to Cole and Vaz Te. I still don't think he is consistent enough to perform
well at this level, but I think I am on a losing wicket on that one.
It was a shame we didn't keep up the momentum at the end. Demel and Green
committed a joint howler to let Hull score, and to be honest they always
looked like getting a second. We were lucky it didn't matter if had done.
Demel has actually developed quite well in the few games he has played and I
think if we are to remain in this league he could be a good player for us
next season,
So to the scores - Green 6, Demel 6, Tomkins 7, Reid 8, Nolan, 6, Noble 7,
Lansbury 5, Taylor 5, O'Neil 7, Cole 8, Vaz Te 7, Maynard 4, Baldock 4,
McCartney 4
And so we look forward to Thursday when we play Cardiff away. I'd love to
travel to Wales for that one but work prevents me. Cardiff are a good side,
and I'd rather have played Blackpool to be honest. But beggars can't be
choosers. We should be optimistic, though. We all know that we have the
players to beat any team at this level on their day.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Allardyce talks up Hammers' chances
West Ham United 2 Hull City 1
PATRICK BARCLAY UPTON PARK SUNDAY 29 APRIL 2012
Independent.co.uk
It has been more of a maze thana road, but Sam Allardyce still believes it
will end in the Premier League. "We have three more games to win," the West
Ham manager said after confirmation that his team would contest the
play-offs, initially at Cardiff on Thursday, "and we'll do it".
Victory over Hull, though narrow, can have done his confidence no harm.
Since trailing Birmingham 3-1 three weeks ago, they have scored 10 goals in
two-and-a-bit home matches, conceding just one, which suggests that a
tendency to be held at Upton Park may have been overcome in time to salvage
the promotion campaign. Away performances, as Allardyce stressed, have been
"the backbone of a very good season" so far. But Hull, whose manager, Nicky
Barmby, was disappointed not to be in the play-offs, were forced back for
the best part of an hour, sorely tested by the power of Carlton Cole, guile
of Kevin Nolan and touches of Henri Lansbury.
West Ham had hoped for anearly goal to pressure Southampton and should have
had one when Lansbury crossed only for Ricardo Vaz Te, his view obscured by
Cole, to head wide from three yards. Lansbury was off target before Cole put
West Ham ahead with a header from Matt Taylor's corner.
A slanting cross from Lansbury that bisected the visiting central defenders
let Cole chest and volley his second before being taken off to rest, along
with Vaz Te, for the City of Cardiff Stadium. Corry Evans put the result
briefly in doubt, but Allardyce's men survived.
West Ham (4-3-1-2): Green; Demel, Tomkins, Reid, Taylor; Lansbury, Noble,
O'Neil; Nolan (McCartney, 73); Cole (Baldock, 51), Vaz Te (Maynard, 60).
Hull (4-5-1): Mannone; Rosenior, Chester, Cooper, Dawson; King (Stewart,
h-t), McKenna, Cairney (Brady, 73), Evans, Garcia; Fryatt.
Referee Nigel Miller.
Man of the match Lansbury (West Ham).
Match rating 5/10.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce was pleased with the win against Hull City as attention turns
to Play-offs
28.04.2012
Carlton Cole scored twice as West Ham United beat Hull City 2-1 in their
final game of the season but the Hammers will have to settle for a play-off
spot after results elsewhere did not go their way. Sam Allardyce's side have
now won their last two home games and have not lost in their last eight away
matches, meaning they will go into Thursday's Play-Off semi-final first leg
with Cardiff on a high. Big Sam was happy with the way his side went about
their business against Hull City on Saturday lunchtime. "We finish the
season on a high; we won our last two home games playing very well indeed,"
Allardyce said. "We have had outstanding away results all season and at home
too apart from the string of four draws. That was the only difference
between automatic promotion and the Play-Offs - our run of four home draws
has ultimately cost us."
West Ham started the game brightly with Ricardo Vaz Te placing a header
inches wide after just four minutes. Henri Lansbury's cross from the left-
hand side was met by Vaz Te who rose unmarked at the far post but the ball
slipped off his forehead and drifted past the post. The first 15 minutes
were a tight affair with the Tigers trying to contain West Ham with ten men
behind the ball. However, the Hammers continued to create opportunities.
Just before the half-hour mark skipper Kevin Nolan looped the ball on to
Lansbury but the on-loan midfielder couldn't get his foot over the ball and
he blasted his shot high over the goal. West Ham got the goal their
attacking play deserved ten minutes before halftime when Matthew Taylor's
corner was met by Carlton Cole six yards out. The striker powered his header
towards the bottom corner and Hull City defender Paul McKenna was unable to
prevent it from crossing the line. Three minutes later West Ham had a chance
to further their lead when Vaz Te found himself free on the left-hand side
but he flashed his shot just past the far post. Manager Allardyce was
stunned it was only 1-0 at the break. "We completely annihilated Hull City
in the first half. I was amazed at half time it was only 1-0 to us it should
have been like the Brighton score. But we didn't convert our chances even
though we had the opportunity to do so."
The Hammers doubled their lead immediately after the restart, though, with
Lansbury's excellent cross-field pass finding Cole who expertly chested the
ball down before poking it with the outside of his boot past Vito Mannone.
Cole, who is now West Ham's top scorer with 14, clearly impressed Big Sam.
"We deservedly doubled our lead just after half time with an outstanding
goal from Carlton Cole. He got two goals, which is very important going into
the Play-Offs as our front men will need to contribute in a very big way
during the Play-Offs. "Nicky Maynard and Sam Baldock came off the bench and
played very well too. These are the players we need to be on form for the
Play-Offs."
Hull City got a goal back ten minutes from time when confusion in the West
Ham defence between Guy Demel and goalkeeper Robert Green allowed Corry
Evans to outjump Green and head into the net. The Hammers had a late scare
five minutes from time when Richard Garcia headed in Liam Rosenior's cross
only to see his effort chalked off by an offside flag. But they held on to
what was a well-deserved win. After the full-time whistle the West Ham squad
went on a lap of the pitch to thank the fans for their fantastic support
this season. Now attention will turn to the Play-Offs and the two games
against Cardiff City. "The Play-Offs are a one-off event. It's completely
unique in its atmosphere, its tension and the pressure you are under. You
have got to deal with it properly and good form or bad form it counts for
nothing. You have got no margin for error; you have to do it right on the
day and then hope the other forces you can't control don't go against you.
"We lost in the last minute against them in the first game of the season and
then we beat them at their ground in March. So it's one win each and we go
into the game on Thursday making sure that when we come back to the Boleyn
we are still in the tie hopefully with a lead which we can build on and
progress to Wembley."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham 2 Hull 1
HT 1-0
BBC.co.uk
28 April 2012
Last updated at 15:00
By Marc Higginson
BBC Sport
Carlton Cole's brace helped West Ham defeat Hull City at Upton Park, but it
was not enough for the Hammers to secure automatic promotion. Sam
Allardyce's side were beaten to second spot by Southampton, who hammered
Coventry 4-0, and will now face Cardiff City in the play-offs. The first leg
will be played in Wales on Thursday, with the second leg at Upton Park on
Monday, 7 May.
Play-off dates
Semi-finals first leg
3 May: Cardiff v West Ham (1945 BST)
4 May: Blackpool v Birmingham (1945)
Semi-finals second leg
7 May: West Ham v Cardiff (1630)
9 May: Birmingham v Blackpool (1945)
Corry Evans scored a late consolation for Hull after a defensive mix-up.
Southampton's victory meant the match turned into an anti-climax, with the
only positive for the Hammers being the momentum they will take into the
play-offs from their display against the Tigers. There was only ever going
to be one winner once Cole headed home a corner in the 36th minute, and Hull
only came back into the game once the Hammers started to conserve energy.
Cole doubled the lead when he peeled away from his marker and fired home
from Henri Lansbury's pass four minutes after half-time - and the England
striker was substituted moments later as Allardyce began to prepare for
Thursday's semi-final first leg. The Hammers dominated possession, looking
to have banished memories of their seven-game winless stretch at home, but a
mistake at the back allowed Hull back into the game. A poor header from
defender Guy Demel let in midfielder Evans, who nodded the ball home for his
third goal of the season. Richard Garcia thought he had won a point for Nick
Barmby's men, but his late diving header was disallowed for offside.
However, anything but three points would have been harsh on the Hammers, who
could have won by a greater margin if Lansbury and Kevin Nolan had showed
better finishing earlier in the game when their shots failed to trouble Hull
goalkeeper Vito Mannone.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce says West Ham will win promotion in the play-offs
BBC.co.uk
Sam Allardyce is confident West Ham can seal their return to the Premier
League via the play-offs. The Hammers were pipped to automatic promotion by
Southampton, despite beating Hull City 2-1 on the final day of the season.
"We have to lick our wounds and get ready for the vital games ahead of us,"
said Allardyce, whose side face Cardiff City in the play-off semi-final. "We
still have three games to win, and we will do it."
Carlton Cole scored twice to set up victory over the Tigers, but it mattered
little as Southampton eased to a 4-0 win against already-relegated Coventry.
Just two points separated the Saints and West Ham, and the Londoners will
regret a number of dropped points at Upton Park during the course of the
season. They won a club record 13 games on the road, but dropped 28 points
on their own turf to slip out of the top two. "We've had a very good season
considering where we've come from," Allardyce said. "In the last few years
86 points has been enough. "Our ultimate goal was not achieved, we left
ourselves too much to do, but we'll wake up on Sunday morning and look
forward to preparing for the play-offs. "I stuck my neck out when I arrived
and said we wanted promotion in the first season. "I've got a two-year
contract but doing it in the first season is important."
Allardyce's opposite number on Saturday, Nick Barmby, was disappointed to be
beaten but admitted the Hammers face a tough task in the play-offs. "Will
West Ham go up? It's hard to say, there are some good teams in the play-offs
so it will be interesting," he said.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Tough for Blackpool, Birmingham, West Ham & Cardiff - Ian Holloway
BBC.co.uk
Blackpool manager Ian Holloway believes the Championship play-offs are too
close to call. The Seasiders face Birmingham in the semi-finals, while West
Ham will take on Cardiff. "It's a fantastic achievement to get in the
play-offs, but it's going to be tough," Holloway said. "To have Birmingham
and West Ham in there, and Cardiff who certainly consider themselves a big
club, who's going to win? I don't know."
Blackpool earned promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs two
seasons ago and Holloway, who saw his side end their regular season with a
2-2 draw at Millwall, is hoping for a similar end result this time around.
"There are a lot of big teams who aren't in the play-offs but we will give
it our best shot, we will try to win every single half of football we can,"
he said. "Now let's go and take on a really good side in Birmingham. It will
be interesting to see which way it goes."
Birmingham's victory over champions Reading saw them leapfrog Blackpool in
the final Championship table, and manager Chris Hughton insists his focus
remains on the Blackpool matches despite some off-field problems. The
manager faces the prospect of being unable to strengthen his squad until the
end of July because of Birmingham's inability to publish their 2010-11
accounts on time. "At the moment the thought of playing in the two play-offs
is taking up 100% of my thoughts," he said. "We know there is an issue but
it is not on my mind at the moment. "There is an emphasis from everyone at
the club to try to get through to the final and get back into the Premier
League. That will take up all of our efforts."
Cardiff City left it until the final day to seal their play-off spot, for a
third season in a row, and Bluebirds manager Malky Mackay hopes the club's
Carling Cup exploits, when they reached the final, will stand them in good
stead. "We are 10 games unbeaten going into the play-offs so there is real
momentum there," he said. "I have been in the semi-final situation as a
player with West Ham, Norwich and Watford. It is about staying calm and
having a game plan. "This group of players have already been through this
sort of thing this season, with the Carling Cup semi-final and final, where
there was preparation and planning needed. That will benefit us."
West Ham, who finished third, are favourites to win promotion from the
play-offs, and manager Sam Allardyce is confident they can live up to their
billing despite being pipped to automatic promotion by Southampton on the
final day. "We have to lick our wounds and get ready for the vital games
ahead of us," Allardyce said.
"We still have three games to win, and we will do it."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Allardyce on... Hull City
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 28th April 2012
By: Staff Writer
A slightly despondent Sam Allardyce bemoans the fact that 86 points wasn't
quite enough to secure automatic promotion in his post-match press
conference...
Sam: when you came in last summer you suggested at the time that nothing but
quick promotion would suffice. Is that still the case?
Yes, I've stuck my head on the line and said that's what we want to do, get
automatic promotion in the first season of asking even though I've got a
two-year contract to do it. But doing it in the first year would be very
important, we've still got three games to win - and we'll do it.
The first two are the most difficult, not the third one in my experience.
The two-legged affair is the hardest thing to get through in play-off terms.
Four years out of [the last] five 86 points has been good enough and it's
not this time, so we're a little unlucky there. But we've had a very, very
good season indeed considering where we came from and how many changes we
made from day one.
So our ultimate goal wasn't achieved. We took it into the last game of the
season to try and achieve it but we didn't manage it because we just left
ourselves too much to do by having to rely on Coventry to get a result. We
wake up tomorrow and look forward to preparing for the play-offs.
Sir Alex [Ferguson] would say that it's squeaky bum time?
Well it's been that for a while, I think. We've been so close and been there
in the top two so long and it's only an outstanding, miraculous run of
results from Reading that's taken it away from us.
As I said, four years out of five 86 points has been enough but because what
Reading have done in the last 25, 26 games has been outstanding its
congratulations to them and Nigel [Adkins]. But now we've got to lick our
wounds, overcome our disappointment and get ready for the vital games ahead
of us.
You were saying on the telly that whatever's gone on before...
...Doesn't matter, nothing at all. Not in my experience. You go into the
play-offs as equals, everybody goes in there as equals. Everybody says
there's more disappointment for the team that finishes third and sometimes
that may well have been the case, but there are times where the third team
have gone through and achieved it. I did it at Bolton when I was there.
One season we finished with 87 points, never mind 86 and didn't go up. But
we managed to get through the two legs. Why I'm saying the most difficult
thing is the two legs and to not think about the Final whatsoever is that
after 35 minutes of the first leg I was 2-0 down at West Brom and staring
into the abyss. We had to find a real fighting spirit and a change of attack
to get back to 2-2.
That was a critical 30 minutes - then we won the second leg quite
comfortably in the end and went on to win the Final. So the Final means
nothing to us now at the moment, it's about the two legs - and only the two
legs.
Do you think the way this season's been you'd prefer the away leg second?
Not the way we're playing now because we've just battered [Hull]. We've
battered a lot of teams here; Brighton in the first half, let's face it. We
did what we had to do in terms of battering Hull City but what was
disappointing was our lack of conversation for chances created, because it
should have been two or three by half time like Brighton was.
But Coley did the business in the second half and then we took everybody off
that we felt we needed to take off. The game obviously drifted away because
there was nothing in it for either team in the end. The win was very good
for us because it's two very good performances [in succession] and a
terrific comeback against Birmingham in the second half here, so our form is
as good here as it is away.
How are you going to lift spirits over the next few days - and how difficult
do you think the challenge is going to Cardiff, which is quite a hostile
place?
Well we go with the confidence that we beat Cardiff 2-0 at their place
already and we go with the confidence that we're the third best team in the
league. So if we hit our form and we hit the level of performance that we
know we can do, that confidence should spill over into that game.
But like I said, the pressure of the play-offs is unique in itself - as is
being able to handle the experience because there's no other experience like
it. There's no Cup game or league game that has the same atmosphere as the
play-offs have. So we've got to handle the atmosphere and deliver on the
day.
Given your away record this season is it important you approach Cardiff away
on Thursday in the same way you'd have done a normal league game? Or is
there a tendency to change strategy?
No; I think that our performances and our strategy away from home has been
the backbone to a really, really good season for us. The only thing that we
slipped up on was drawing matches, not losing them. So there's a fine line,
that's very small indeed in terms of draws to wins. I think that our
performances away from home - and our results away from home - have been
outstanding.
So we'll approach it in the same manner. But what we have to do is handle
the pressure that the play-offs bring, to deliver a certain type of
performance. That's what we've got to do.
Irrespective of what happens in Cardiff, there's the next 90 minutes. I won
2-0 at Bradford away when I was at Blackpool and lost 3-0 at home in the
second leg, so anything can happen. Any twist or any turn at any given time;
that's why they're unique in terms of pressure and atmosphere. We've got to
be able to handle it.
Today's substitutions; there's no injuries or anything like that?
Yes, there's a bad injury to Gary O'Neil resulting from a very, very poor
tackle on him that the referee chose to ignore - which was very
disappointing from my point of view. One, the referee never took the
decision to punish the player - and two, more importantly, Gary was left
hobbling badly and looks a big, big doubt for Thursday.
Over the last ten games or so he's been one of our most consistent and
outstanding players following his long term injury. Unfortunately for us it
is on the injured ankle that he's got the bad tackle.
Who's the player who caught him?
I can't remember. I'm not bothered about the player who caught him but the
referee doing his job.
Kevin Nolan's alright?
Kevin's is a dead leg which is generally not going to cause him any
problems, but he was restricted in his movement on the field so we took him
off. Carlton had scored two and done his job, Vaz Te as well so we rested
them as quickly as we could. We rest our leading goalscorers to get them
ready for the big two.
Okay? Thanks lads.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Cardiff here we come!
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 28th April 2012
By: Staff Writer
West Ham are on their way to Cardiff in the play-offs once again after
Southampton beat Coventry to seal second place in the Championship. The
Saints' 4-0 victory over Coventry City was enough to secure the runners-up
spot behind Champions Reading - leaving West Ham, who beat Hull 2-1 at the
Boleyn Ground this afternoon in third place with 86 points. All fo which
means that Sam Allardyce's side face a trip to Wales where Cardiff - who
came from behind to win 2-1 at Crystal Palace today - await in the play-off
semi finals. With Wembley temporarily out of action, both of West Ham's
previous appearances in play-off Finals - in 2004 against Crystal Palace and
versus Preston North End 2005 - came in Cardiff. And it is to South Wales
where United will return again for the semi-final first leg after the
Bluebirds secured sixth spot in the Championship. Cardiff, who have lost
just one of their 13 games since being beaten 2-0 at home by West Ham at the
beginning of March have already tasted success in east London already this
season, having won 1-0 at the Boleyn Ground on the opening day of the
season. Meeting either West Ham or Cardiff in the play-off final at Wembley
on 19 May will be the winners of the second semi-final. Blackpool, who
finished in fifth place host fourth-placed Birmingham in the first leg.
Full details of all dates and times as follows:
Play off semi final, first leg
Thursday, 3rd May 2012: Cardiff v West Ham Utd (7.45pm)
Friday, 4th May 2012: Blackpool v Birmingham City (7.45pm)
Play off semi final, second leg
Monday, 7th May 20122: West Ham Utd v Cardiff (4.30pm)
Wednesday, 9th May 20122: Birmingham City v Blackpool (7.45pm)
Play off Final
Saturday, 19th May 2012 (3:00pm)
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham Utd 2 Hull City 1
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 28th April 2012
By: Staff Writer
West Ham signed off their 2011/12 league campaign with a win against Hull
City at the Boleyn - but it wasn't quite enough to secure automatic
promotion. Despite accruing 86 points over the course of the season - a
figure that would have seen the Irons finish in the top two in four of the
last five seasons - Southampton's 4-0 win over Coventry ensured it was they
who would join Reading in the Premier League next season.
Always up against it, West Ham had to rely on relegated Coventry doing them
a favour at St Mary's and sadly, that required upset never threatened to
materialise.
To their credit, Sam Allardyce's side threw the kitchen sink at Hull in
order to score the goals that could have seen them overtake the Saints in
the event of a shock result on the South Coast.
Despite only leading 1-0 at half time - Carton Cole's 36th minute header
being the difference between the teams - West Ham quite easily have been
five or six ahead, such was their dominance against a team with one eye
already on their summer holidays.
And had Ricardo Vaz Te not spurned a golden opportunity to put United ahead
after just three minutes when he headed wide with the goal gaping at his
mercy, one wonders if things may have turned out differently down in
Southampton.
Coventry, already relegated from the Championship had a nervous Southampton
on the rack during the opening stages of their game but crucially, failed to
make the breakthrough.
And once Billy Sharp (whose play-acting at the Boleyn Ground in the 1-1 draw
on Valentine's Day led to the dismissal of Matt Taylor) opened the scoring
on the quarter-hour mark, West Ham's slim chances of usurping the Saints all
but disappeared.
By the time Cole put West Ham ahead at the BG nine minutes ahead of half
time - nodding home a Matt Taylor corner that arose from the latter's cross
that dipped wickedly before cannoning off the crossbar - Southampton had
doubled their lead through Jose Fonte.
Chants of "whatever will be will be, we're going to Wembley" had already
rang out around Upton Park leaving the players no doubt as to what was
happening at Southampton.
As a result the second half saw a much less determined performance from Sam
Allardyce's side - understandably in the circumstances - even though Cole
doubled West Ham's lead with a superbly taken effort just four minutes after
the restart.
With Southampton adding further goals through Hooiveld and Lallana (59 and
63 minutes respectively) Sam Allardyce, knowing the game was up decided to
rest the likes of Cole, Vaz Te and captain Nolan, who took a nasty knock
after colliding with Rob Green, ahead of the ensuing play-offs.
Sam Baldock and Nicky Maynard, both of whom were given the opportunity to
stake their claims for a place in the play-offs flattered to deceive and it
was no surprise when the visitors grabbed a consolation goal with nine
minutes of normal time remaining.
Guy Demel made an absolute hash of a headed clearance, sending the ball
looping up in the air on the edge of the six yard box and Rob Green was
clearly prevented from jumping to grab the loose ball, which was headed into
an empty net by Corry Evans.
However the fact that the foul was missed by referee Nigel Miller was of
little surprise to Hammers fans who had seen the official miss a number of
quite blatant infringements by Hull players during the game.
None of which were more obviously - nor nasty - than the elbow James Tomkins
received from former Hammer Richard Garcia that left him writhing in agony
and smashing the turf with his fist in fury after the challenge was deemed
to be a legal one.
Another nasty tackle on Gary O'Neil after the ball had been played was
similarly missed and could cost the former 'Boro player a place in the
play-off semi finals, where Cardiff City - who secured sixth place in the
Championship with a win at Crystal Palace - now await.
The two-legged affair promises to be something of a classic with both teams
in rude heath having lost just one game between them since West Ham won 2-0
at the Stadiwm Dinas Caerdydd back on March 4th.
And it also throws up the very real prospect of West Ham making their first
appearance at Wembley since 1981, when John Lyall's side drew 1-1 in the
League Cup Final with Liverpool - who just happened to be the team who beat
Cardiff in this season's League Cup Final.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Allardyce eyes play-off success
Big Sam says Hammers must be ready; Barmby frustrated
Last Updated: April 28, 2012 4:42pm
SSN
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce has vowed to take the club up to the Premier
League after missing out on automatic promotion. Two goals from Carlton Cole
at home to Hull City in a 2-1 win were not enough to overhaul Southampton,
whose thumping victory against Coventry ensured they held onto second spot
in the Championship. Instead, the play-offs beckon for Allardyce and his
side, who will face Cardiff in the first leg on Thursday before being back
at home for the second leg a week on Monday. And it is their home form which
has proved costly - West Ham have won a club record 13 games on the road but
dropped 28 points on their own turf to slip out of the top two. Allardyce
said: "I stuck my neck out when I arrived and said we wanted promotion in
the first season. "I've got a two-year contract but doing it in the first
season is important. We still have three games to win, and we will do it.
"We've had a very good season considering where we've come from. In the last
few years 86 points has been enough. "Our ultimate goal was not achieved, we
left ourselves too much to do, but we'll wake up tomorrow morning and look
forward to preparing for the play-offs. We have to lick our wounds, get over
our disappointment and get ready for the vital games ahead of us."
Short
Hull pulled one back through Corry Evans, who took advantage of Guy Demel's
poor header to nod the ball past Rob Green. And the visitors thought they
had equalised when Richard Garcia powered in a late header only to be
flagged offside. The Tigers' own play-off hopes ended a few weeks ago but
manager Nicky Barmby feels they can go one better next season. "There's a
bit of frustration," he admitted. "I genuinely believed we could make the
play-offs but we fell short.
"But the players are growing and getting better. I'm pleased with the lads
overall and we'll be better for it next season. "Will West Ham go up? It's
hard to say, there are some good teams in the play-offs so it will be
interesting."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Vinny's Hull Report
Vinny 2:44 Sun Apr 29
West Ham Online
West Ham United 2 Hull City 1
West Ham's participation in this year's Play Offs were confirmed despite a
2-1 victory over Hull City with Carlton Cole scoring two goals.
Because of Southampton's thumping 4-0 victory over Coventry City at St
Mary's this meant no matter what result we could achieve it would not be
enough to get above the Saints who are promoted automatically to the
Premiership.
Whilst many of us knew this was the likely outcome of the day's proceedings
we still had that faint hope that Coventry could pull something out of the
bag despite their already confirmed relegation.
But it was not to be and we now look to the Play Offs as our way back to the
top division and it will be Cardiff City over two legs who stand in our way
for our first trip to Wembley since 1981.
There was a little deflation leaving the ground although we were expecting
this scenario but any disappointment needs to be put on the back burner as
we look to our most important games of the season and we cannot choke as we
have done in other big games this season.
I'm confident and I don't see why I shouldn't be. None of the teams in the
Play Off positions I fear although I am concerned about our recent dismal
record against Birmingham City who if we are successful in the Semi Final we
may well be playing in the Final.
You can drive yourself mad thinking about the points we have lost these
season in seemingly easy game. We can harp back to tactics from Allardyce,
player's being sent off and our horrible run of home draws but that now
doesn't matter as it is all done with and we move on to some enormous games
and we are three games away from meeting the goal set out by manager Sam
Allardyce, the club owner and the supporters.
If we do fail in this aim then this season would have been a failure. The
reason for this is that the club were very vocal about an instant return and
I don't think they were wrong to expect this.
Allardyce can point out that we had a lot of players leaving the club but
many of those we were happy to be rid of anyhow. Can you honestly say that
we miss Jonathan Spector, Lars Jacobsen, Matthew Upson, Manuel Da Costa, or
Zavon Hines.
Sure we lost Scott Parker and Demba Ba but Allardyce was backed financially
by the club and we managed to bring in many players who I suspect would be
able to walk into a number of Premiership sides such as Kevin Nolan, Matthew
Taylor, and George McCartney and solid Premiership experienced players like
Abdoulaye Faye and Papa Bouba Diop.
In this game we started well, tailed off a little and found it hard to break
Hull down but we kept working and scored the first goal which was fully
deserved. With the Southampton result filtering through and the players
obviously aware of the score in the second half the game died out and it was
a bit of a non-event.
We have now won our last two home games which is very positive and hopefully
this home hoodoo we have faced is now over and we can look at the home tie
against Cardiff as a game we all believe we can win.
The Team
Allardyce made one change to the side that defeated Leicester City last
Monday. The change came in midfield with Jack Collison dropped to the bench
and Henri Lansbury replacing him.
George McCartney was back from injury and included among the substitutes.
Starting for Hull City was former Hammer and Youth team product Richard
Garcia.
First Half
With the rain spilling down 'Bubbles' rang out as the players kicked off in
what the fans hoped would be our last game of the season.
We started well and look to get Hull on the back foot early. The visitors
had clearly done their homework after our 6-0 thumping of Brighton in the
last game at the Boleyn and looked to get tight to us early and break up our
passing game.
Ricardo Vaz Te started up front alongside Carlton Cole and not on the wing
as he has done in previous games.
With four minutes on the clock we should have taken the lead with a glorious
chance when Henri Lansbury crossed for Vaz Te who was totally unmarked but
he planted his header wide of the post. I haven't seen the chance again but
at the time I thought it was a sitter.
Cole was beginning to get the better of the Hull defenders and was winning
the majority of headers although most of the flicks were easily mopped up by
the Hull defenders.
With a quarter of the game gone it was filtering around that Southampton had
taken the lead at home to Coventry. This needn't effect our performance as
our aim was to simply win by as many goals as possible and if Coventry did
get something then we would be ready.
We were starting to rack up the corners and overall in this game we won an
astonishing 14 corner kicks with Hull winning 3.
Two minutes after scoring their first it became known that Southampton had
gone 2-0 up.
A long punt forward saw Cole challenge the defender, out muscle him and get
into the area but his cross was not accurate and missed Vaz Te.
The early atmosphere had become a little muted with the news of Southampton
leading and on the pitch we had dropped off a little although still the only
side looking as if they would score.
On 27 minutes we created another good chance as the ball was put through to
Lansbury who fired his shot over the bar despite only being around 12 yards
out.
Hull should have done a lot better on the half hour mark when Cole lost the
ball in his own half (much like against Birmingham) and like against
Birmingham it was a player with the surname of King, this time Joshua who
raced forward and he should have taken a shot himself but tried to knock the
ball square for a team mate but Reid got back to clear.
We hit the cross bar soon after as Matthew Taylor put a dipping cross into
the area which alluded the keeper and smacked off the woodwork. The ball hit
the Hull defender Dawson and went out for a corner.
Taylor took the corner which was excellent and it was met by Carlton Cole
who planted his header inside the far post with the defender on the line
unable to stop it and it was 1-0.
Hull were on the back foot soon after the goal with Vaz Te screwing his
cross across goal with no one on hand to apply the finish.
Half time came and although automatic promotion was looking unlikely we were
keeping up with our end of the bargain.
Second Half
We again started the half well with Noble seeing his shot from quite far out
go well wide but we would only have to wait four minutes for our lead to be
doubled.
It was a very well worked and well taken goal as Lansbury broke forward and
crossed for Carlton Cole who controlled well and volleyed past the Hull
keeper Mannone to make it 2-0.
As Cole has been given the goal against Brighton and not Henri Lansbury this
was Cole's 14th goal of the season.
Kevin Nolan found himself booked for a challenge on Liam Rosenior on 51
minutes and at the same time Sam Allardyce made his first change of the day
with Carlton Cole being replaced by Sam Baldock clearly with an eye on the
Thursday night game.
I thought we should have had a clear penalty a minute later when Vaz Te
latched onto a ball in the area and went down under a challenge from Dawson.
Without a benefit of a replay I can't be sure but it looked a good shout.
Southampton went 3-0 up with us still having to play an hour. Allardyce
responded to this by making his second change with Vaz Te coming off and
Nicky Maynard coming on to replace him.
With Southampton soon scoring a fourth the chants of 'We're going to
Wembley' were being sung by sections of the West Ham support.
The game really died at this point and it was Hull who saw more of the ball
and were the ones doing the attacking. We still continued to play long high
balls forward to Baldock and Maynard as if we thought Cole was still on the
pitch.
Hull's Corry Evans had a superb chance as he was put through but Robert
Green made a superb stop to deny him.
With around a quarter of the game to play Kevin Nolan came off and was
replaced by George McCartney with Taylor pushing up into midfield.
Out of nothing Hull pulled a goal back on 81 minutes in a real horror show
from Guy Demel.
The cross was put into the area deep and Demel although unchallenged decided
to loop his header into the area and as Green came out and went for it they
got in each other's way with Corry Evans getting up to head into the goal
and make it 2-1.
Hull were now looking stronger and thought they had equalised when a deep
cross found Garcia who superbly met the ball with a diving header which flew
past Green but the Australian was flagged offside.
With a few minutes remaining Gary O'Neil got a shot off and on target but in
doing so was caught by a late and horrible tackle from Evans which saw
O'Neil stay down. The referee didn't want to know despite it being right in
front of him and the ball was eventually kicked out. It was a horrible
challenge which should have brought a free kick and a booking.
There was to be no late drama and the final whistle went with the players
coming out to do a 'lap of honour?' after the game. I didn't stay for this,
instead I went out with my priority point form thinking I would simply hand
it in to the ticket office but this became a bit of an ordeal.
The normal queue was quite large and went around the corner. I thought 'fair
enough' but then it started going quite quickly and when we got to the front
it became apparent that another queue had formed along the wall where the
ticket office and club shop is. It was total chaos and a quite shocking
piece of crown management from the club.
The form was eventually put in and hopefully I will be travelling to Cardiff
on Thursday night with the rest of our support. It is just a shame we
couldn't have had a few more thousand.
Player Ratings
Robert Green
Made a superb stop from Evans in the second half although could have perhaps
commanded the situation better from Demel's mistake but perhaps that is
being harsh. We need him on form for the play offs. Just think, it could be
penalties!
Guy Demel
Has been in decent form recently and has looked quite solid but his mistake
that led to the goal was pretty awful and hopefully we will see no more of
that sort of thing.
Winston Reid
Another solid display from Reid who has on the whole been in excellent form
this season. This weak young footballer we saw last season has gone and if
anyone has benefitted from Championship football it is him.
James Tomkins
Good display from James Tomkins who may well be crowned the official Hammer
of the Year this week. Won most things in the air and is our main threat
from set pieces.
Matthew Taylor
Poor at times defensively and makes some odd choice of passes but then he
brings out his crossing ability which at times is really top quality and he
continues to make chances. Do we want him out of the team with that ability?
Henri Lansbury
Energetic and certainly covers a lot of ground. Will have an assist for the
cross for Cole and he should have scored himself in the first half. Involved
throughout and a decent display.
Mark Noble
Sat deep and played the game at his own pace. Made space for himself and
looked to try and spread the ball wide whenever possible.
Kevin Nolan
Got stuck in and made a few good challenges with some being wrongly given as
free kicks. Took a bit of a knock in the second half and was taken off as a
precaution.
Gary O'Neil
In the first half he gave the ball away a lot and drifted in and out of the
game. Was tidy in flashes but looked a bit knackered in the second half.
Ricardo Vaz Te
Not really at the races throughout the game and found it very difficult to
actually go past a player.
Carlton Cole
Two goals, and a good display from a man who is likely to finish our top
scorer again.
Subs Used
Sam Baldock (on for Cole 52 mins)
Had quite a lengthy period on the pitch but he couldn't get the ball at his
feet enough which was not all his fault and he didn't really get involved
enough.
Nicky Maynard (on for Vaz Te 60 mins)
Much like Baldock he found it very difficult to actually get into the game
and offered very little.
George McCartney (on for Nolan 74 mins)
Not much to say about his display as I didn't really notice him.
Subs Not Used: Collison, Faubert
Bookings: Nolan
Man Of The Match: Carlton Cole
Hull City: Mannone, Rosenior, Cooper, Dawson, McKenna, Chester, Evans,
Cairney, King, Garcia, Fryatt
Subs: Oxley, Stewart, Brady, Bradley, Cullen
Attendance: 35,000
Overall
The last game of the normal league season ended in victory and we can now
take that confidence from another positive result into the Play Offs where
our destiny lies.
This was a difficult performance to judge given the other issues surrounding
it although I do believe we were worth our win despite the lethargic second
half.
The season is far from over and there are a few more hurdles to jump yet.
Next Game - Cardiff City (a) Thursday 3rd May, 7.45pm Kick Off
It doesn't seem that long ago since we were beating Cardiff 2-0 on their own
patch with Kevin Nolan and George McCartney getting the goals.
Any sort of victory would be a superb result and give us a fantastic chance
of securing our place in the final. But this won't be easy and Cardiff know
that they too are only a few games away from making it to the Premiership -
a place where they probably should have achieved over the last few season.
This match means no less to them than it does to us.
We can certainly do this and we have the players to win all three games. I'm
not concerned by any of the teams in the Play Offs - I'm concerned about us
choking in the big games again.
Fortunes Always Hiding - we need to find them now.
Sam's View
We finish the season on a high; we won our last two home games playing very
well indeed, We have had outstanding away results all season and at home too
apart from the string of four draws. That was the only difference between
automatic promotion and the Play-Offs - our run of four home draws has
ultimately cost us."
"We completely annihilated Hull City in the first half. I was amazed at half
time it was only 1-0 to us it should have been like the Brighton score. But
we didn't convert our chances even though we had the opportunity to do so."
"We deservedly doubled our lead just after half time with an outstanding
goal from Carlton Cole. He got two goals, which is very important going into
the Play-Offs as our front men will need to contribute in a very big way
during the Play-Offs.
"Nicky Maynard and Sam Baldock came off the bench and played very well too.
These are the players we need to be on form for the Play-Offs."
"The Play-Offs are a one-off event. It's completely unique in its
atmosphere, its tension and the pressure you are under. You have got to deal
with it properly and good form or bad form it counts for nothing. You have
got no margin for error; you have to do it right on the day and then hope
the other forces you can't control don't go against you.
"We lost in the last minute against them in the first game of the season and
then we beat them at their ground in March. So it's one win each and we go
into the game on Thursday making sure that when we come back to the Boleyn
we are still in the tie hopefully with a lead which we can build on and
progress to Wembley."
Season 2011/12 Scorers and Red Cards
Carlton Cole - 14 (14 League)
Kevin Nolan - 12 (12 League)
Ricardo Vaz Te - 10(10 League)
Mark Noble - 8 (8 League)
Sam Baldock - 5 (5 League)
Jack Collison - 4 (4 League)
Own Goal - 4 (4 League)
Winston Reid - 3 (3 League)
James Tomkins - 3 (3 League)
Gary O'Neil - 2 (2 League)
Nicky Maynard - 2 (2 League)
John Carew - 2 (2 League)
Frederique Piquionne - 2 (2 League)
Henri Lansbury - 1 (1 League)
Papa Bouba Diop - 1 (1 League)
Joey O'Brien - 1 (1 League)
Matthew Taylor - 1 (1 League)
Julien Faubert - 1 (1 League)
Frank Nouble - 1 (1 League)
George McCartney - 1 (1 League)
Danny Collins - 1 (1 League)
Scott Parker - 1 (1 League)
Junior Stanislas - 1 (1 Cup)
Red Cards
Callum McNaughton - 1 (vs Aldershot home)
Frederique Piquionne - 1 (vs Portsmouth home)
Joey O'Brien - 1 (vs Reading away)
Jack Collison - 1 (vs Reading away)
Kevin Nolan - 1 (vs Millwall home)
Matthew Taylor - 1 (vs Southampton home)
Robert Green - 1 (vs Blackpool away)*
*rescinded by FA on appeal
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Match Report: West Ham 2 Hull City 1
By Iain Dale About 11 hours ago
West Ham Till I Die
What a peculiar day. That smidgeon of hope at the beginning of day was soon
extinguished with the news that Southampton were two up at St Mary's. And
from then on, frankly nothing seemed to matter very much. All thoughts were
directed towards Cardiff. But let's not take away from the performance
today. Apart from the last twenty minutes, this was one of the better
displays of the season. But as soon as the front two were taken off, and
Nolan had to be replaced by McCartney, everything seemed to crumble. Cole
and Vaz Te and done very well, with Carlton sniffing his first hattrick, but
Allardyce was having none of it, and took him off after he had scored his
terrific second goal. He was right to do so, and save him for Thursday. I
was looking forward to seeing Maynard combine with Baldock, but it was
difficult to notice that either of them were on the pitch to be honest. Both
looked extremely poor and totally out of nick.
Let me also heap some praise on Winston Reid. When he joined at the
beginning of last season he certainly didn't live up to his reputation as a
New Zealand international. In fact he was dreadful. But over time, he has
developed into an assured, fine player, who also knows where the goal is.
Today, he put in another great performance, and had Carlton Cole not scored
a brace, would have undoubtedly been my man of the match.
I'll also say a kind word for Gary O'Neil, who, it has to be said, I have
been very critical of. Today he had a good game. There. I've said it. He
tackled well, nearly scored a screamer and played some killer passes through
to Cole and Vaz Te. I still don't think he is consistent enough to perform
well at this level, but I think I am on a losing wicket on that one.
It was a shame we didn't keep up the momentum at the end. Demel and Green
committed a joint howler to let Hull score, and to be honest they always
looked like getting a second. We were lucky it didn't matter if had done.
Demel has actually developed quite well in the few games he has played and I
think if we are to remain in this league he could be a good player for us
next season,
So to the scores - Green 6, Demel 6, Tomkins 7, Reid 8, Nolan, 6, Noble 7,
Lansbury 5, Taylor 5, O'Neil 7, Cole 8, Vaz Te 7, Maynard 4, Baldock 4,
McCartney 4
And so we look forward to Thursday when we play Cardiff away. I'd love to
travel to Wales for that one but work prevents me. Cardiff are a good side,
and I'd rather have played Blackpool to be honest. But beggars can't be
choosers. We should be optimistic, though. We all know that we have the
players to beat any team at this level on their day.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Allardyce talks up Hammers' chances
West Ham United 2 Hull City 1
PATRICK BARCLAY UPTON PARK SUNDAY 29 APRIL 2012
Independent.co.uk
It has been more of a maze thana road, but Sam Allardyce still believes it
will end in the Premier League. "We have three more games to win," the West
Ham manager said after confirmation that his team would contest the
play-offs, initially at Cardiff on Thursday, "and we'll do it".
Victory over Hull, though narrow, can have done his confidence no harm.
Since trailing Birmingham 3-1 three weeks ago, they have scored 10 goals in
two-and-a-bit home matches, conceding just one, which suggests that a
tendency to be held at Upton Park may have been overcome in time to salvage
the promotion campaign. Away performances, as Allardyce stressed, have been
"the backbone of a very good season" so far. But Hull, whose manager, Nicky
Barmby, was disappointed not to be in the play-offs, were forced back for
the best part of an hour, sorely tested by the power of Carlton Cole, guile
of Kevin Nolan and touches of Henri Lansbury.
West Ham had hoped for anearly goal to pressure Southampton and should have
had one when Lansbury crossed only for Ricardo Vaz Te, his view obscured by
Cole, to head wide from three yards. Lansbury was off target before Cole put
West Ham ahead with a header from Matt Taylor's corner.
A slanting cross from Lansbury that bisected the visiting central defenders
let Cole chest and volley his second before being taken off to rest, along
with Vaz Te, for the City of Cardiff Stadium. Corry Evans put the result
briefly in doubt, but Allardyce's men survived.
West Ham (4-3-1-2): Green; Demel, Tomkins, Reid, Taylor; Lansbury, Noble,
O'Neil; Nolan (McCartney, 73); Cole (Baldock, 51), Vaz Te (Maynard, 60).
Hull (4-5-1): Mannone; Rosenior, Chester, Cooper, Dawson; King (Stewart,
h-t), McKenna, Cairney (Brady, 73), Evans, Garcia; Fryatt.
Referee Nigel Miller.
Man of the match Lansbury (West Ham).
Match rating 5/10.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Saturday, April 28
Daily WHUFC News - 28th April 2012
Hull City match preview
WHUFC.com
Essential background information and team news ahead of the Tigers' visit
26.04.2012
WEST HAM UNITED v HULL CITY
npower CHAMPIONSHIP
SATURDAY 28 APRIL 2012
KICK-OFF: 12:30 PM
FULL AUDIO AND TEXT COMMENTARY - WEST HAM TV
Introduction
• West Ham United host Hull City in their final npower Championship match of
the 2011/12 season.
• Sam Allardyce's side start the day third in the npower Championship table.
The Hammers sit two points behind second-placed Southampton, who have a goal
difference three superior. So, West Ham will gain automatic promotion should
they win and the Saints be beaten at home by already-relegated Coventry
City.
• Should Southampton draw, West Ham United need to win by four clear goals
to overhaul the Saints. This is because Southampton have a better
head-to-head record against the Hammers this season.
• Hull City begin the afternoon in eighth position with 68 points from 45
matches. The Tigers are four points behind sixth-place Cardiff City and
therefore cannot qualify for the Play-Offs.
• The Tigers are on a good run of form, despite missing out on the
Play-Offs, having ended a run of five consecutive defeats to win three and
draw one of their previous four matches.
• West Ham United kept their promotion hopes alive with a 2-1 win at
Leicester City on Monday night. Hull City beat Nottingham Forest 2-1 in
their last home game of the season last Saturday to secure a top-ten finish.
• The reverse fixture between the two sides at the KC Stadium in November
saw the Hammers run out 2-0 winners. Sam Baldock and Jack Collison scored
the goals in the first 15 minutes of the second half.
Team News
West Ham United
• Nicky Maynard, Joey O'Brien and John Carew all look set to miss out
through injury.
• George McCartney is back in training having recovered from the concussion
he suffered during the Hammers home game with Birmingham.
• Jordan Spence (Bristol City), Pablo Barrera (Real Zaragoza), George Moncur
(AFC Wimbledon), Freddie Sears (Colchester United), Frederic Piquionne
(Doncaster Rovers), Frank Nouble (Barnsley), Cristian Montano (Oxford
United) and Rob Hall (MK Dons) are all out on loan.
Hull City
• Manager Nick Barmby is hopeful that influential midfielder Robert Koren
will be fit after the Slovenian limped out of last weekend's home win over
Nottingham Forest.
• Young left-sided midfielder Tom Cairney is also hoping to be available
after missing the victory over Forest with heavy bruising.
• Centre-back Jack Hobbs is out with a knee injury.
• Full-back Joe Dudgeon is out with a hamstring problem.
• Paul McShane (Crystal Palace), James Harper (Wycombe Wanderers), Jamie
Devitt (Accrington), Will Atkinson (Bradford City) and Dele Adebola (Notts
County) are out on loan
Last Time Out
Monday 23 April 2012
npower Championship
Leicester City 1-2 West Ham United
West Ham United: Green, Demel (Faubert 76), Reid, Tomkins, Taylor, Collison
(Lansbury 88), Noble, Nolan, O'Neil, Cole, Vaz Te
Subs not used: Diop, Baldock
Goals: Reid (39), Collison (58)
Saturday 21 April 2012
npower Championship
Hull City 2-1 Nottingham Forest
Hull City: Mannone, Rosenior, Dawson, Chester, Cooper, McKenna, Stewart
(Brady 56), Evans, Koren (King 34), Fryatt, Garcia
Subs not used: Oxley, Bradley, Olofinjana
Goals: Gunter (58 own-goal), Fryatt (81 pen)
Last Six Meetings
(Championship Unless Stated)
5 November 2011 Hull City 0-2 West Ham United
20 February 2010 West Ham United 3-0 Hull City (Premier League)
21 November 2009 Hull City 3-3 West Ham United (Premier League)
28 January 2009 West Ham United 2-0 Hull City (Premier League)
19 October 2008 Hull City 1-0 West Ham United (Premier League)
23 March 1991 Hull City 0-0 West Ham United (Division Two)
Overall record v Hull City (all competitions) W 16 D 14 L 10
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
Hull City
2010/11 Championship 11th
2009/10 Premier League 19th (relegated to Championship)
2008/09 Premier League 17th
2007/08 Championship 3rd (promoted to Premier League via Play-Offs)
2006/07 Championship 21st
2005/06 Championship 18th
2004/05 League One 2nd (promoted to Championship)
2003/04 Division Three 2nd (promoted to League One)
2002/03 Division Three 13th
2001/02 Division Three 11th
Referee
• Saturday's referee will be Nigel Miller.
• The 51-year-old has taken charge of 14 npower Championship games this
season showing 33 yellow cards, one red card and awarding six penalties.
• Miller took charge of the fixture between the two sides at the KC Stadium
where the Hammers ran out 2-0 winners. It was his first ever game in charge
of West Ham having been the man in black for Hull on six previous occasions.
• A former striker himself, Miller retired from playing football at the age
of 31 and immediately took up officiating. After eleven seasons in the
Wearside and UniBond leagues, he was appointed to the Football League List
of assistant referees in 1999. Miller was promoted to the Football League
List of referees in 2003.
• Miller ran the line for the 2003 FA Cup final and FA Community Shield and
also at the 2005 Championship Play-Off final between West Ham United and
Preston North End - a match which saw the Hammers promoted to the Premier
League.
• In his spare time, retired police officer and firearms and physical
training instructor Miller breeds birds including goldfinches, bullfinches,
blackbirds and thrushes.
• Miller will be assisted by Ross Joyce and Adrian Sannerude and the fourth
official will be James Adcock
.
Us and Them
• The following players have worn the colours of both West Ham United and
Hull City during their careers - Tommy Brandon, Jimmy Bullard, Roy Carroll,
Alf Fenwick, Richard Garcia, Cliff Hubbard, Mark Noble, Stuart Pearson, and
Tony Weldon.
• Mark Noble spent three months on loan at Hull City between February and
May 2006, making five Championship appearances.
• Hull City full-back Liam Rosenior is the son of former West Ham United
striker Leroy Rosenior.
• The first-ever meeting between West Ham United and Hull City took place at
Anlaby Road on 17 April 1920. Dan Bailey scored the Hammers' goal in a 1-1
Division Two draw played out in front of 8,000 spectators.
• West Ham United's biggest home win over Hull City came on 6 October 1990
in a Division Two match. The Hammers ran out 7-1 winners with the goals
coming courtesy of Steve Potts, George Parris, Trevor Morley and two each
for Jimmy Quinn and Julian Dicks.
• The Biggest crowd to ever witness a game between West Ham and the Tigers
at the Boleyn ground was for a Premier League match on 28 January 2009.
34,340 packed into the Boleyn Ground and saw Carlton Cole and David Di
Michele score a goal each as the Hammers ran out 2-0 winners.
• Hull City have only ever won twice at the Boleyn Ground in 19 visits.
Their victories came 56 years apart with the first in December 1934 and the
second in January 1990. Both of the Tigers victories were by the same score
line, 2-1.
• Eleven players have made their West Ham United debuts against Hull City -
Jim Simmons (August 1920), Albert Foan and Eric Betts (both August 1950),
George Wright, Doug Bing and Bert Hawkins (all September 1951), George
Petchey (September 1952), Paul Kelly (January 1990), Matthew Rush (October
1990), Iain Dowie (March 1991) and Savio Nsereko (January 2009). Danny Shea
also made his second Hammers 'debut' alongside Simmons in August 1920.
General Information
• The weather for the Hammers final Championship game of the season is set
for a mixture of sunshine and showers with a maximum temperature of 15C.
There are just 250 tickets left for the Hammers final game to book your seat
click on the link below.
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Play-Off semi-final ticket update
WHUFC.com
Important ticket information about the possible Play-Off semi-finals
26.04.2012
Should West Ham United have to make do with a place in the npower
Championship Play-Offs, supporters should take note of the following
important ticket information. If the Hammers finish third, tickets for a
possible Play-Off home semi-final second leg will go on sale to Season
Ticket Holders and Bondholders immediately after Saturday's visit of Hull
City.
The Club is now accepting Priority Point Applications from Season Ticket
Holders and Bondholders for the second leg, priced at just £15 Adult tickets
and £5 Under-16s - part of the Board's commitment to make football
affordable for all.
Remaining tickets will initially go on sale to Academy members on Tuesday 1
May, priced £25 Adults and £15 Youth Academy members.
Depending on Saturday's results, West Ham could face one of four teams in
the semi-finals - Blackpool/Birmingham City/Cardiff City/Middlesbrough.
Possible Play-Off semi-final second leg - Boleyn Ground, Monday 7 May 2012,
4.30pm
Prices and selling dates will be as follows:
Prices -
Season Ticket Holders/Bondholders - £15 Adults - Over-65s/Young Adults - £5
Under-16s
Academy Members - £25 Adults/Over-65s/Young Adults - £15 Youth Academy
Non-Academy Members - £25 Adults/Over-65s - £15 Under-16s
Disabled ticket prices - £5 Adults/Over-65s/Young Adults/Under-16s including
complimentary carer
Selling dates -
Season Ticket Holders/Bondholders - from the final whistle on Saturday 28
April
Academy Members - 9am Tuesday 1 May
General Sale Priority Period (for those supporters who purchased a match
ticket for the Hull City fixture) - 9am Wednesday 2 May
General Sale - 9am Thursday 3 May
For full details of the methods available for the purchase of tickets for
this fixture, click here.
Possible Play-Off semi-final first leg - Away ground, Thursday 3 May 2012,
7.45pm
For allocation and price details, methods available for the purchase of
tickets for this fixture and Coach Travel prices and departure timesclick
here.
Selling dates -
Bondholder Priority Point Post Applications - 5pm Friday 27 April*
Season Ticket Holder Priority Point Post Applications - 4pm Saturday 28
April*
Academy Members - 9am Monday 30 April (should any tickets remain)
General Sale - 9am Tuesday 1 May (should any tickets remain)
Downloadable Forms**
For details of how to download Season Ticket Holders and Disabled Season
Ticket Holders Priority Point Application Forms, click here.
*Should West Ham United clinch automatic promotion, all received forms will
be destroyed. If required, all Priority Point Forms will be processed on
Sunday 29 April.
Forms can be downloaded from whufc.com
**Please state clearly on the application form which potential
opponents/fixture you wish to attend.
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Saturday's match sold out
WHUFC.com
Tickets for the Hull City match on Saturday have completely sold out
25.04.2012
Tickets for West Ham United's Season Finale with Hull City have sold out.
There were just a few hundred left at the start of Friday and these were
quickly snapped up by Hammers fans hungry to see if the club can snatch a
dramatic last-day promotion to the Premier League. The Hammers' last game at
the Boleyn Ground saw them record their biggest win since January 1998 with
a 6-0 demolition of Brighton and Hove Albion. Ricardo Vaz Te was unstoppable
that day, scoring West Ham's first hat-trick for seven years.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham v Hull
KO 12:30
27 April 2012
By Dan O'Hagan
BBC football commentator
NPOWER CHAMPIONSHIP
Venue: Upton Park Date: Saturday 28 April
BBC.co.uk
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce welcomes back on-loan defender George
McCartney (concussion) for the visit of Hull. But the Hammers will be
without Nicky Maynard (knee), John Carew (knee) and Joey O'Brien for the
must-win clash.
Hull manager Nick Barmby is hoping to include midfielders Robert Koren and
Tom Cairney (leg) to his squad. Wingers Josh King and Robbie Brady are both
hoping for recalls but captain Jack Hobbs (knee) and fellow defender Joe
Dudgeon remain sidelined.
For the promotion and relegation news as it happens in the Championship this
Saturday - follow our new text commentary service Football League Live. It
has fixtures, results, as-it-happens tables and regular reports from across
the Football League. Saturday, 1100 BST, bbc.co.uk/sport
MATCH PREVIEW
"Fortune's always hiding" as the familiar Hammers refrain goes, but if luck
remains elusive on Saturday then it will be the play-offs for West Ham after
a season that has been testing and testy in equal measure. The visit of
out-of-contention Hull City is a game West Ham must win, and then hope
relegated Coventry can deny Southampton victory at St Mary's. The
permutations are complex, but in essence, Sam Allardyce's side almost
certainly need to win big to stand any realistic chance of automatic
promotion.
HOW WEST HAM CAN GO UP
West Ham are promoted if they win and Southampton lose to Coventry.
The Hammers go up if they win by at least four clear goals and Southampton
draw.
If West Ham win by three clear goals and Southampton draw, it goes to goals
scored (currently Southampton 81, West Ham 79).
I commentated for Match of the Day on Hull's last visit to West Ham, in the
Premier League two years ago - what the Hammers wouldn't give for a repeat
of that 3-0 victory, or better still the 7-1 win at this level back in
October 1990. Hull's youthful team travel with nothing tangible to play for.
Theirs has been a season of yo-yo inconsistency. Nick Barmby knows his first
summer's reshaping must be done on a tight budget, and Tigers fans will be
bidding some favourites farewell, among them former Hammer Richard Garcia.
It'll be one of those fantastic radios-pressed-to-ears days, the kind of
match we commentators love to be involved with. I for one, can't wait.
And yes, I've packed my abacus.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
• West Ham lead Hull by 16 wins to 10 in their 40 competitive matches.
• The Hammers are unbeaten in four games against Hull and are chasing
a third successive win to complete their first double over the Tigers in 76
years.
• Hull's only victory in 12 league visits to Upton Park was 2-1 in
January 1990.
West Ham
• They are unbeaten in five (W3, D2), scoring a total of 16 goals in
the process.
• Sam Allardyce's side, who boast the biggest average attendance in
the division, have lost eight games - fewer than any other club in the
Championship.
Hull City
Use accessible player and disable flyout menus
• Hull are unbeaten in four games, but without an away win in five.
• They last won the final game of a regular league season in 2004.
• Championship games involving Hull have generated 88 goals - fewer
than any other club.
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West Ham United v Hull City
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 27th April 2012
By: Preview Percy
And so the regular season comes to a close. Let's pray for automatic
promotion or we'll have to put up with at least another two – hopefully
three – more previews from the quill of Preview Percy. Surely, nobody wants
that. John Northcutt and his stats are always more welcome hereabouts
though…..
And so the 46-game season comes to a close with our final match coming
against Hull City. Kick-off is 12.30pm so those of you planning a pre-match
gargle will probably find the taste of your favoured tipple altered by the
recent proximity of toothpaste to your tastebuds. (This will obviously be
something of an improvement for those of you who drink lager).
Like our last opponents, Hull were, until fairly recently, in with a shout
of a playoff spot. They're currently in 8th spot on 68 points which is a
tantalising four points shy of Cardiff in 6th. They've won three of their
last six 2-1 (2-1 at home to both Forest & Boro' and 3-1 at home to
Barnsley), lost two (2-0 away at Millwall and at home to Coventry) and drawn
just the once (1-1 at Watford).
When we last met the Tigers up at the Sunshine Band Arena (I think that's
what it's called) their then manager Nigel Pearson was in the process of
winding up his tenure on Humberside, with former club Leicester giving his
office an airing in advance of his return. In need of a boss they turned to
Nick Barmby who, at that point, was still on the playing staff, though
Pearson did have the player doubling up on his workload as a coach.
Barmby took over from Pearson in a caretaker capacity in mid-November
(something that I always imagine involves the wearing of one of those long
brown coats). Results were favourable and Barmby hung up his boots on 6
January, with the long brown coat joining the boots in the bin four days
later on the announcement that his managerial role had been made
"permanent".
The club's board's delight at Barmby's appointment didn't extend to
providing him with much in the way of cash to spend at the January sales and
it was to the loan market to which Barmby turned to freshen up the squad.
In goal came Arsenal back-up stopper Vito Mannone, who sounds as if he ought
to be one of the minor characters in "The Godfather". It's Mannone's second
spell on loan with the club with him having spent a spell at the Sunshine
Arena last season. Mannone has So-Called Champions League experience this
season, having been in the Arsenal XI that went down 3-1 to Olympiakos.
At the same time Hull brought in another keeper on loan, Sunderland's Trevor
Carson. He hung around for a month before returning to parent club
Sunderland and is mentioned only because his name sounds like one of those
oh so hilarious local radio DJ's who "lidderally" talk in that mid-Atlantic
accent that is peculiar to those who make their living from talking twaddle
on the wireless.
The third loan arrival in the window was Man Utd striker Joshua King who,
despite the "Louisiana Bluesman" type name actually hails from Oslo, a venue
not exactly noted for being the source of 12 bar-based music with lyrics
that always start with the compulsory phrase "Well I woke up this morning".
King was discovered by former Man Utd paper-boy cum striker Ole Gunnar
Solskjaer, or at least by the coaching school that bears his name.
He started the season on loan to Borussia Monchengladbach. Monchengladbach
was once memorably described in an episode of "Whatever Happened To The
Likely Lads" as being "The West Hartlepool of West Germany". Whether this
had any bearing on matters is not known but the player returned to Blighty
only a few months into a season-long loan and ended up joining the Tigers
until the end of term.
The well-regarded skipper Jack Hobbs will be hors de combat for this one
having picked up an injury during the 2-0 home defeat that holed their
playoff bid beneath the waterline. Ruptured knee ligaments that have an
expected recovery time of between 6-8 months will also put a mocker on his
cricket season though he's never been the same since he stopped partnering
Herbert Sutcliffe.
Hobbs' injury has left them a bit short on experience at the back where the
likes of 20 year old Liam Cooper have been pressed into service. Cooper is
another who didn't quite see out a season-long loan, this one with
Huddersfield (which is probably referred to as "The Monchengladbach of
England" in a German sitcom. If such a thing actually exists). A lack of
opportunity with the Terriers saw Cooper ask to be released by Huddersfield
in December in order to try his luck under the new management.
The skipper's armband was taken from Hobbs by Andy Dawson who, as brother of
Michael, must be having as big a chuckle over the way the wheels have come
off Spurs' campaign as we are.
Top scorer is Matthew "Matty" Fryatt. Fryatt has appeared in every league
match this season, starting in 38 of the 45 matches which have brought him
16 goals. He's in a little run of form at the moment having bagged a
hat-trick a couple of weeks ago against Barnsley and added a spot-kick to
his total in last weekend's 2-1 defeat of Forest. Early promise hinted at by
international recognition at England U19 level failed to materialise, his
progress in his early 20's being hampered by injury.
The ex-Hammer connection in the squad comes in the form of Aussie Richard
Garcia. Garcia – best mates with Michael Carrick apparently, was offered a
one year extension to his contract but this offer was withdrawn when it
became apparent that he would miss much of this season with knee ligament
problems, an issue which has blighted his recent career. He returned to
action last November and was in the side that faced Forest last weekend.
Slovenian skipper Robert Koren is second in the goalscoring charts and
picked up the player of the year award for this season. He's picked up ten
goals this season, all of which have come in the league. There is a slight
doubt over his involvement this weekend with him coming off after half an
hour of the Forest match with a damaged hip.
Our turn now. It's rather out of our hands really, though if a side as poor
as Chelsea can beat Barcelona I suppose anything is possible at Southampton,
though expect a Lambert dive to get them out of trouble again in the
unlikely event that they're struggling. It's what they've done all season
after all.
Monday's win was well-deserved, though the failure to convert one or two of
the further chances that came our way will be nagging at the back of my head
until the final whistle goes on Saturday.
Having persuaded Matron that Leicester was a suitable place for a day trip
(what with Thomas Cook having started out there) I was slightly put out by
some of the comments put about by the less-informed youngsters amongst the
travelling support concerning Carlton Cole. Carlton can be accused of many
things but on Monday night laziness was definitely not amongst the
accusations that could sensibly be levelled at the player who definitely
"put in a shift" as I believe pundits refer to it.
Team news is that the squad from Monday may be boosted by the return to
availability of George McCartney, though Messrs Maynard, O'Brien and Carew
are all bigger doubts. We'll need a decent win here irrespective of what
goes on elsewhere. The word "momentum" has been bandied about lately. Though
that sounds like the name of the sort of lager that would have its taste
improved by the addition of toothpaste (i.e. lager), a decent win in this
match would go some way to easing the psychological downside of not getting
automatic promotion – not to mention the defiant message that such a result
would send out to those currently scrabbling about beneath us.
My prediction for this one (on which I will be putting all £2.50 that
remains of the Rest Home's beer kitty from Monday night) will be a 3-0 win.
As George Michael said "you gotta have faith" (though something tells me
that he probably wasn't referring to the rather pneumatic nurse of that name
that used to work in these parts). Sky Blues, it's over to you.
Enjoy the game!
When last we met: Won 2-0. Not quite as comfortable as the score suggests -
in the first half Rob Green was responsible for several decent saves to keep
the scores level. Baldock's volley early in the second half and Collison's
composed finish from a decent flowing move were enough to bring home the
points.
Referee: Nigel Miller. Only the second time we've had him - the other match,
unusually, being the reverse fixture at the Sunshine Stadium.
Danger man: Matty Fryatt. Four goals in his last two tells its own story.
Daft fact of the week: Hull is not a place overly-represented in the world
of song (unless you start counting amusing plays on the word "Hell").
However, we do have, of course, the legendary Barry Wom's track and album
"When You Find The Girl Of Your Dreams In The Arms Of Some Scotsmen From
Hull". The song is a haunting ballad inspired by the events that took place
at Wom's wedding at which, amongst some confusion, he ended up married to
the wrong person. The album was the first solo album by a Rutle to get to
number 1.
Stat man John: Northcutt's corner
Head to Head
Pld 36; West Ham Utd 16, Hull City 10, Draws 10.
Biggest Win
6th October 1990: West Ham Utd 7-1 Hull City (Boleyn Ground, Division Two)
Heaviest Defeat
17th September 1934: Hull City 4-0 West Ham Utd (Anlaby Road, Division Two)
First Meeting
17th April 1920: Hull City 1-1 West Ham Utd (Anlaby Road, Division Two)
Last Five Meetings
5th November 2011: Hull City 0-2 West Ham Utd (KC Stadium, Championship)
20th February 2010: West Ham Utd 3-0 Hull City (Boleyn Ground, Premier
League)
21st November 2009: Hull City 3-3 West Ham Utd (KC Stadium, Premier League)
28th January 2009: West Ham Utd 2-0 Hull City (Boleyn Ground, Premier
League)
19th October 2008: Hull City 1-0 West Ham Utd (KC Stadium, Premier League)
Memorable Match
9th September 1970: West Ham Utd 1-0 Hull City (Boleyn Ground, League Cup
2nd Round)
There was a right royal tear-up towards the end of this League Cup tie back
in 1970 which ended with West Ham's Billy Bonds receiving the first of two
red cards in a wonderful career. Many people remember the dust-up with
Birmingham's Colin Todd prior to the FA Cup Final in 1980 - but few recall
the rather less salubrious circumstances that led to King Billy's first ever
dismissal. With West Ham having taken an 85th minute lead against their
Division Two opponents though Peter Eustace, Bonds, just 23 at the time
became embroiled in an row with City's Chris Simpkin before spitting at his
opponent - a regrettable action that led to referee Norman Burtenshaw
producing an instant red card. Arsenal fan Burtenshaw - whose controversial
career saw him knocked unconscious by angry Millwall fans and chased off the
pitch by Benfica players - needed a Police escort after the game; Chris
Simpkin was jailed in 2009 for running a brothel and money laundering.
They Played For Both
Jimmy Bullard; Stuart Pearson; Dennis Burnett; John Dowen; Robbie Stockdale;
Steve Bywater; Richard Garcia; Cliff Hubbard; Matt Smailes; Nobby Solano;
Alf Fenwick; Tony Weldon; Mark Noble; Alan Taylor; Roy Carroll; Tommy
Brandon.
You're off! Red cards received
1970/71: Billy Bonds (h); 1989-90: David Kelly (a).
Previous Friendlies
March 1967 : Hull City 1-1 West Ham Utd (Hurst 3, Sissons).
May 1973: Hull City 5-3 West Ham Utd (MacDougall 3).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Allardyce: you never know
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 27th April 2012
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce has told his players to concentrate on their own game as the
Hammers seek to steal the second Championship promotion place from
Southampton.
West Ham face Hull City at the Boleyn tomorrow lunchtime knowing that even a
win is unlikely to be enough to secure an automatic promotion spot, with
Southampton considered overwhelming favourites to do so due to what is
widely considered to be a home banker against relegated Coventry City. But
despite the odds being massively against West Ham, Allardyce has told his
team to go out and do all they can to affect the situation - namely beat a
decent Hull side - and by as many goals as possible. "I don't think we are
too nervous because we only have a slim chance," he told the pre-match press
conference. "Most of the pressure lies with Southampton on the day because
they have more to lose than we do. We have to rely on Coventry doing a big
favour for us at St Marys which is going to be difficult. "But you never
know do you? Anything can happen under the pressures of a final game of the
season when so much is at stake. There can be a twist and a turn along the
way and if there is and it's in our favour we must make sure we are in a
position to take advantage. "We need to focus on getting a result against
Hull by 3-0 or more. So from the very start it's a difficult task for us but
it's a task we must try and meet. Only after we have done that can we look
to see how Southampton have faired against Coventry."
Even if West Ham fail to upset th odds tomorrow Allardyce insisted that a
win was vital in terms of the ensuing play-offs. "Our momentum is fantastic
at the moment," he added. "We have only lost one game in 17 so hopefully we
can take that forward into the play-offs if needs be. What we don't want to
happen on Saturday is to come off the field having not taken advantage of a
slip up by Southampton. That would be my biggest concern; we need to win the
game and then we can look towards the Southampton result."
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West Ham v Hull preview
Last updated: 27th April 2012
SSN
Team news ahead of Saturday's final Championship clash of the season between
West Ham and Hull at Upton Park (kick-off 12.30pm). West Ham welcome back
George McCartneyfor the game but will be without Nicky Maynard, John Carew
and Joey O'Brien. McCartney is set to come straight back in at left-back
having missed the last three matches after suffering concussion against
Birmingham earlier this month. Strikers Maynard and Carew are struggling
with knee injuries while right-back O'Brien is still missing with a thigh
problem. Carlton Cole should keep his place in attack in Maynard's absence,
although Sam Baldockcould also come into the reckoning. Sam Allardyce's side
need a victory to stand any chance of overtaking Southampton and snatching
the second automatic promotion spot.
Hull manager Nick Barmby is hoping to add midfield pair Robert Koren and Tom
Cairney to his squad. Koren, voted player of the year by Hull fans this
week, was forced out of last weekend's win over Nottingham Forest after
taking a knock, but is expected to return to full training in time. Cairney
missed out against Forest with heavy bruising to his leg, but will also be
back in contention.
Skipper Jack Hobbs (knee), fellow defender Joe Dudgeon and striker Aaron
McLean (both hamstring) remain sidelined, but Barmby has no other new injury
or suspension worries. Wingers Josh King and Robbie Brady are both hoping
for recalls after stepping off the bench last week, while midfielder Seyi
Olofinjana, who last appeared as a late substitute in the win over
Middlesbrough earlier this month, will be hoping for a rare run out in the
Tigers' last match of the season.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Match Preview: West Ham v Hull City - Attack From the Start?
By Iain Dale About 19 hours ago
West Ham Till I Die
Sam Allardyce's tactics tomorrow will be interesting. Will he order his
starting eleven to bombard Hull from the start on the basis there's nothing
to lose, or play the patient game. The key thing is to win and get three
points, but if we were a couple of goals up after twenty minutes, wouldn't
that put a huge amount of pressure on Southampton? Strange things happen to
teams on the final day of the season. I think it's imperative to put out a
very attacking side tomorrow. I reckon Matt Taylor and Carlton Cole are the
pivotal players. Taylor needs to rain in the crosses like he has never done
before and whoever plays on the right needs to do the same. With Vaz Te
playing a free role, I think we could batter Hull if we play it right.
However, Hull are no mugs and and they are unlikely to lay down and
capitulate. They have won three of their last six and have only just missed
out on the pllayoffs.They have a prolific striker in Matt Fryatt and it will
be good to see Ricchard Garcia back at Upton Park.
George McCartney is likely to return at left back, or at least make the subs
bench, but Joey O'Brien and Nicky Maynard are injured.
So, here's the team I'd like to see - Green, Demel, Reid, Tomkins,
McCartney, Taylor, Noble, Nolan, Vaz Te, Collison, Cole. My fear is that
O'Neil will play instead of Taylor.
And a final thought. This could be the last time we see Robert Green play at
Upton Park in a league game. Terrible thought, eh? Another reason for us to
shout ourselves horse tomorrow and ensure that the team gets every
encouragement.
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West Ham v Hull: Hammers win may not be enough for promotion
Southampton sit two points clear of Allardyce's men who must win to stand a
chance
West Ham are priced at 2/5 to beat Hull as they head into a game they have
to win to stand any chance of gaining automatic promotion. The Hammers are
two points behind second-placed Southampton going into this final game, with
a goal difference Inferior by three and will be hoping their rivals slip up.
The Irons have only lost one of their last 17 games and had a 2-0 victory
earlier in the season over the Yorkshire club. Hull, who are 13/2 to come
out on top, had been on a poor run that saw them pick up on one win in 11
but their last four games has seen a complete turnaround as they have gone
on to win three and draw one. The draw is available at 10/3 and may see some
action as the hosts main problem this season has been their inability to
convert one point into three as they have gone on to share the spoils in
eight matches at home. Ricardo Vaz Te has eight in his last seven outings
and has flourished since he was reunited with Sam Allardyce, the Portuguese
is 7/2 to get the scoring started at Upton Park. Matt Fryatt is the
visitor's biggest threat, the ex-Leicester striker is in form and has four
in his last two games and looks good value to be the man to break the
deadlock at 8/1. The Tigers have been level at the break in 22 fixtures this
term whilst the hosts have been all-square 18 times, so getting behind it to
be a draw at half-time with a home win at 7/2 may be the way to go here. The
London club have notched two fours and a six in their last six matches and
they are 7/2 to score four or more again in this fixture.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
Essential background information and team news ahead of the Tigers' visit
26.04.2012
WEST HAM UNITED v HULL CITY
npower CHAMPIONSHIP
SATURDAY 28 APRIL 2012
KICK-OFF: 12:30 PM
FULL AUDIO AND TEXT COMMENTARY - WEST HAM TV
Introduction
• West Ham United host Hull City in their final npower Championship match of
the 2011/12 season.
• Sam Allardyce's side start the day third in the npower Championship table.
The Hammers sit two points behind second-placed Southampton, who have a goal
difference three superior. So, West Ham will gain automatic promotion should
they win and the Saints be beaten at home by already-relegated Coventry
City.
• Should Southampton draw, West Ham United need to win by four clear goals
to overhaul the Saints. This is because Southampton have a better
head-to-head record against the Hammers this season.
• Hull City begin the afternoon in eighth position with 68 points from 45
matches. The Tigers are four points behind sixth-place Cardiff City and
therefore cannot qualify for the Play-Offs.
• The Tigers are on a good run of form, despite missing out on the
Play-Offs, having ended a run of five consecutive defeats to win three and
draw one of their previous four matches.
• West Ham United kept their promotion hopes alive with a 2-1 win at
Leicester City on Monday night. Hull City beat Nottingham Forest 2-1 in
their last home game of the season last Saturday to secure a top-ten finish.
• The reverse fixture between the two sides at the KC Stadium in November
saw the Hammers run out 2-0 winners. Sam Baldock and Jack Collison scored
the goals in the first 15 minutes of the second half.
Team News
West Ham United
• Nicky Maynard, Joey O'Brien and John Carew all look set to miss out
through injury.
• George McCartney is back in training having recovered from the concussion
he suffered during the Hammers home game with Birmingham.
• Jordan Spence (Bristol City), Pablo Barrera (Real Zaragoza), George Moncur
(AFC Wimbledon), Freddie Sears (Colchester United), Frederic Piquionne
(Doncaster Rovers), Frank Nouble (Barnsley), Cristian Montano (Oxford
United) and Rob Hall (MK Dons) are all out on loan.
Hull City
• Manager Nick Barmby is hopeful that influential midfielder Robert Koren
will be fit after the Slovenian limped out of last weekend's home win over
Nottingham Forest.
• Young left-sided midfielder Tom Cairney is also hoping to be available
after missing the victory over Forest with heavy bruising.
• Centre-back Jack Hobbs is out with a knee injury.
• Full-back Joe Dudgeon is out with a hamstring problem.
• Paul McShane (Crystal Palace), James Harper (Wycombe Wanderers), Jamie
Devitt (Accrington), Will Atkinson (Bradford City) and Dele Adebola (Notts
County) are out on loan
Last Time Out
Monday 23 April 2012
npower Championship
Leicester City 1-2 West Ham United
West Ham United: Green, Demel (Faubert 76), Reid, Tomkins, Taylor, Collison
(Lansbury 88), Noble, Nolan, O'Neil, Cole, Vaz Te
Subs not used: Diop, Baldock
Goals: Reid (39), Collison (58)
Saturday 21 April 2012
npower Championship
Hull City 2-1 Nottingham Forest
Hull City: Mannone, Rosenior, Dawson, Chester, Cooper, McKenna, Stewart
(Brady 56), Evans, Koren (King 34), Fryatt, Garcia
Subs not used: Oxley, Bradley, Olofinjana
Goals: Gunter (58 own-goal), Fryatt (81 pen)
Last Six Meetings
(Championship Unless Stated)
5 November 2011 Hull City 0-2 West Ham United
20 February 2010 West Ham United 3-0 Hull City (Premier League)
21 November 2009 Hull City 3-3 West Ham United (Premier League)
28 January 2009 West Ham United 2-0 Hull City (Premier League)
19 October 2008 Hull City 1-0 West Ham United (Premier League)
23 March 1991 Hull City 0-0 West Ham United (Division Two)
Overall record v Hull City (all competitions) W 16 D 14 L 10
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
Hull City
2010/11 Championship 11th
2009/10 Premier League 19th (relegated to Championship)
2008/09 Premier League 17th
2007/08 Championship 3rd (promoted to Premier League via Play-Offs)
2006/07 Championship 21st
2005/06 Championship 18th
2004/05 League One 2nd (promoted to Championship)
2003/04 Division Three 2nd (promoted to League One)
2002/03 Division Three 13th
2001/02 Division Three 11th
Referee
• Saturday's referee will be Nigel Miller.
• The 51-year-old has taken charge of 14 npower Championship games this
season showing 33 yellow cards, one red card and awarding six penalties.
• Miller took charge of the fixture between the two sides at the KC Stadium
where the Hammers ran out 2-0 winners. It was his first ever game in charge
of West Ham having been the man in black for Hull on six previous occasions.
• A former striker himself, Miller retired from playing football at the age
of 31 and immediately took up officiating. After eleven seasons in the
Wearside and UniBond leagues, he was appointed to the Football League List
of assistant referees in 1999. Miller was promoted to the Football League
List of referees in 2003.
• Miller ran the line for the 2003 FA Cup final and FA Community Shield and
also at the 2005 Championship Play-Off final between West Ham United and
Preston North End - a match which saw the Hammers promoted to the Premier
League.
• In his spare time, retired police officer and firearms and physical
training instructor Miller breeds birds including goldfinches, bullfinches,
blackbirds and thrushes.
• Miller will be assisted by Ross Joyce and Adrian Sannerude and the fourth
official will be James Adcock
.
Us and Them
• The following players have worn the colours of both West Ham United and
Hull City during their careers - Tommy Brandon, Jimmy Bullard, Roy Carroll,
Alf Fenwick, Richard Garcia, Cliff Hubbard, Mark Noble, Stuart Pearson, and
Tony Weldon.
• Mark Noble spent three months on loan at Hull City between February and
May 2006, making five Championship appearances.
• Hull City full-back Liam Rosenior is the son of former West Ham United
striker Leroy Rosenior.
• The first-ever meeting between West Ham United and Hull City took place at
Anlaby Road on 17 April 1920. Dan Bailey scored the Hammers' goal in a 1-1
Division Two draw played out in front of 8,000 spectators.
• West Ham United's biggest home win over Hull City came on 6 October 1990
in a Division Two match. The Hammers ran out 7-1 winners with the goals
coming courtesy of Steve Potts, George Parris, Trevor Morley and two each
for Jimmy Quinn and Julian Dicks.
• The Biggest crowd to ever witness a game between West Ham and the Tigers
at the Boleyn ground was for a Premier League match on 28 January 2009.
34,340 packed into the Boleyn Ground and saw Carlton Cole and David Di
Michele score a goal each as the Hammers ran out 2-0 winners.
• Hull City have only ever won twice at the Boleyn Ground in 19 visits.
Their victories came 56 years apart with the first in December 1934 and the
second in January 1990. Both of the Tigers victories were by the same score
line, 2-1.
• Eleven players have made their West Ham United debuts against Hull City -
Jim Simmons (August 1920), Albert Foan and Eric Betts (both August 1950),
George Wright, Doug Bing and Bert Hawkins (all September 1951), George
Petchey (September 1952), Paul Kelly (January 1990), Matthew Rush (October
1990), Iain Dowie (March 1991) and Savio Nsereko (January 2009). Danny Shea
also made his second Hammers 'debut' alongside Simmons in August 1920.
General Information
• The weather for the Hammers final Championship game of the season is set
for a mixture of sunshine and showers with a maximum temperature of 15C.
There are just 250 tickets left for the Hammers final game to book your seat
click on the link below.
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Play-Off semi-final ticket update
WHUFC.com
Important ticket information about the possible Play-Off semi-finals
26.04.2012
Should West Ham United have to make do with a place in the npower
Championship Play-Offs, supporters should take note of the following
important ticket information. If the Hammers finish third, tickets for a
possible Play-Off home semi-final second leg will go on sale to Season
Ticket Holders and Bondholders immediately after Saturday's visit of Hull
City.
The Club is now accepting Priority Point Applications from Season Ticket
Holders and Bondholders for the second leg, priced at just £15 Adult tickets
and £5 Under-16s - part of the Board's commitment to make football
affordable for all.
Remaining tickets will initially go on sale to Academy members on Tuesday 1
May, priced £25 Adults and £15 Youth Academy members.
Depending on Saturday's results, West Ham could face one of four teams in
the semi-finals - Blackpool/Birmingham City/Cardiff City/Middlesbrough.
Possible Play-Off semi-final second leg - Boleyn Ground, Monday 7 May 2012,
4.30pm
Prices and selling dates will be as follows:
Prices -
Season Ticket Holders/Bondholders - £15 Adults - Over-65s/Young Adults - £5
Under-16s
Academy Members - £25 Adults/Over-65s/Young Adults - £15 Youth Academy
Non-Academy Members - £25 Adults/Over-65s - £15 Under-16s
Disabled ticket prices - £5 Adults/Over-65s/Young Adults/Under-16s including
complimentary carer
Selling dates -
Season Ticket Holders/Bondholders - from the final whistle on Saturday 28
April
Academy Members - 9am Tuesday 1 May
General Sale Priority Period (for those supporters who purchased a match
ticket for the Hull City fixture) - 9am Wednesday 2 May
General Sale - 9am Thursday 3 May
For full details of the methods available for the purchase of tickets for
this fixture, click here.
Possible Play-Off semi-final first leg - Away ground, Thursday 3 May 2012,
7.45pm
For allocation and price details, methods available for the purchase of
tickets for this fixture and Coach Travel prices and departure timesclick
here.
Selling dates -
Bondholder Priority Point Post Applications - 5pm Friday 27 April*
Season Ticket Holder Priority Point Post Applications - 4pm Saturday 28
April*
Academy Members - 9am Monday 30 April (should any tickets remain)
General Sale - 9am Tuesday 1 May (should any tickets remain)
Downloadable Forms**
For details of how to download Season Ticket Holders and Disabled Season
Ticket Holders Priority Point Application Forms, click here.
*Should West Ham United clinch automatic promotion, all received forms will
be destroyed. If required, all Priority Point Forms will be processed on
Sunday 29 April.
Forms can be downloaded from whufc.com
**Please state clearly on the application form which potential
opponents/fixture you wish to attend.
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Saturday's match sold out
WHUFC.com
Tickets for the Hull City match on Saturday have completely sold out
25.04.2012
Tickets for West Ham United's Season Finale with Hull City have sold out.
There were just a few hundred left at the start of Friday and these were
quickly snapped up by Hammers fans hungry to see if the club can snatch a
dramatic last-day promotion to the Premier League. The Hammers' last game at
the Boleyn Ground saw them record their biggest win since January 1998 with
a 6-0 demolition of Brighton and Hove Albion. Ricardo Vaz Te was unstoppable
that day, scoring West Ham's first hat-trick for seven years.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham v Hull
KO 12:30
27 April 2012
By Dan O'Hagan
BBC football commentator
NPOWER CHAMPIONSHIP
Venue: Upton Park Date: Saturday 28 April
BBC.co.uk
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce welcomes back on-loan defender George
McCartney (concussion) for the visit of Hull. But the Hammers will be
without Nicky Maynard (knee), John Carew (knee) and Joey O'Brien for the
must-win clash.
Hull manager Nick Barmby is hoping to include midfielders Robert Koren and
Tom Cairney (leg) to his squad. Wingers Josh King and Robbie Brady are both
hoping for recalls but captain Jack Hobbs (knee) and fellow defender Joe
Dudgeon remain sidelined.
For the promotion and relegation news as it happens in the Championship this
Saturday - follow our new text commentary service Football League Live. It
has fixtures, results, as-it-happens tables and regular reports from across
the Football League. Saturday, 1100 BST, bbc.co.uk/sport
MATCH PREVIEW
"Fortune's always hiding" as the familiar Hammers refrain goes, but if luck
remains elusive on Saturday then it will be the play-offs for West Ham after
a season that has been testing and testy in equal measure. The visit of
out-of-contention Hull City is a game West Ham must win, and then hope
relegated Coventry can deny Southampton victory at St Mary's. The
permutations are complex, but in essence, Sam Allardyce's side almost
certainly need to win big to stand any realistic chance of automatic
promotion.
HOW WEST HAM CAN GO UP
West Ham are promoted if they win and Southampton lose to Coventry.
The Hammers go up if they win by at least four clear goals and Southampton
draw.
If West Ham win by three clear goals and Southampton draw, it goes to goals
scored (currently Southampton 81, West Ham 79).
I commentated for Match of the Day on Hull's last visit to West Ham, in the
Premier League two years ago - what the Hammers wouldn't give for a repeat
of that 3-0 victory, or better still the 7-1 win at this level back in
October 1990. Hull's youthful team travel with nothing tangible to play for.
Theirs has been a season of yo-yo inconsistency. Nick Barmby knows his first
summer's reshaping must be done on a tight budget, and Tigers fans will be
bidding some favourites farewell, among them former Hammer Richard Garcia.
It'll be one of those fantastic radios-pressed-to-ears days, the kind of
match we commentators love to be involved with. I for one, can't wait.
And yes, I've packed my abacus.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
• West Ham lead Hull by 16 wins to 10 in their 40 competitive matches.
• The Hammers are unbeaten in four games against Hull and are chasing
a third successive win to complete their first double over the Tigers in 76
years.
• Hull's only victory in 12 league visits to Upton Park was 2-1 in
January 1990.
West Ham
• They are unbeaten in five (W3, D2), scoring a total of 16 goals in
the process.
• Sam Allardyce's side, who boast the biggest average attendance in
the division, have lost eight games - fewer than any other club in the
Championship.
Hull City
Use accessible player and disable flyout menus
• Hull are unbeaten in four games, but without an away win in five.
• They last won the final game of a regular league season in 2004.
• Championship games involving Hull have generated 88 goals - fewer
than any other club.
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West Ham United v Hull City
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 27th April 2012
By: Preview Percy
And so the regular season comes to a close. Let's pray for automatic
promotion or we'll have to put up with at least another two – hopefully
three – more previews from the quill of Preview Percy. Surely, nobody wants
that. John Northcutt and his stats are always more welcome hereabouts
though…..
And so the 46-game season comes to a close with our final match coming
against Hull City. Kick-off is 12.30pm so those of you planning a pre-match
gargle will probably find the taste of your favoured tipple altered by the
recent proximity of toothpaste to your tastebuds. (This will obviously be
something of an improvement for those of you who drink lager).
Like our last opponents, Hull were, until fairly recently, in with a shout
of a playoff spot. They're currently in 8th spot on 68 points which is a
tantalising four points shy of Cardiff in 6th. They've won three of their
last six 2-1 (2-1 at home to both Forest & Boro' and 3-1 at home to
Barnsley), lost two (2-0 away at Millwall and at home to Coventry) and drawn
just the once (1-1 at Watford).
When we last met the Tigers up at the Sunshine Band Arena (I think that's
what it's called) their then manager Nigel Pearson was in the process of
winding up his tenure on Humberside, with former club Leicester giving his
office an airing in advance of his return. In need of a boss they turned to
Nick Barmby who, at that point, was still on the playing staff, though
Pearson did have the player doubling up on his workload as a coach.
Barmby took over from Pearson in a caretaker capacity in mid-November
(something that I always imagine involves the wearing of one of those long
brown coats). Results were favourable and Barmby hung up his boots on 6
January, with the long brown coat joining the boots in the bin four days
later on the announcement that his managerial role had been made
"permanent".
The club's board's delight at Barmby's appointment didn't extend to
providing him with much in the way of cash to spend at the January sales and
it was to the loan market to which Barmby turned to freshen up the squad.
In goal came Arsenal back-up stopper Vito Mannone, who sounds as if he ought
to be one of the minor characters in "The Godfather". It's Mannone's second
spell on loan with the club with him having spent a spell at the Sunshine
Arena last season. Mannone has So-Called Champions League experience this
season, having been in the Arsenal XI that went down 3-1 to Olympiakos.
At the same time Hull brought in another keeper on loan, Sunderland's Trevor
Carson. He hung around for a month before returning to parent club
Sunderland and is mentioned only because his name sounds like one of those
oh so hilarious local radio DJ's who "lidderally" talk in that mid-Atlantic
accent that is peculiar to those who make their living from talking twaddle
on the wireless.
The third loan arrival in the window was Man Utd striker Joshua King who,
despite the "Louisiana Bluesman" type name actually hails from Oslo, a venue
not exactly noted for being the source of 12 bar-based music with lyrics
that always start with the compulsory phrase "Well I woke up this morning".
King was discovered by former Man Utd paper-boy cum striker Ole Gunnar
Solskjaer, or at least by the coaching school that bears his name.
He started the season on loan to Borussia Monchengladbach. Monchengladbach
was once memorably described in an episode of "Whatever Happened To The
Likely Lads" as being "The West Hartlepool of West Germany". Whether this
had any bearing on matters is not known but the player returned to Blighty
only a few months into a season-long loan and ended up joining the Tigers
until the end of term.
The well-regarded skipper Jack Hobbs will be hors de combat for this one
having picked up an injury during the 2-0 home defeat that holed their
playoff bid beneath the waterline. Ruptured knee ligaments that have an
expected recovery time of between 6-8 months will also put a mocker on his
cricket season though he's never been the same since he stopped partnering
Herbert Sutcliffe.
Hobbs' injury has left them a bit short on experience at the back where the
likes of 20 year old Liam Cooper have been pressed into service. Cooper is
another who didn't quite see out a season-long loan, this one with
Huddersfield (which is probably referred to as "The Monchengladbach of
England" in a German sitcom. If such a thing actually exists). A lack of
opportunity with the Terriers saw Cooper ask to be released by Huddersfield
in December in order to try his luck under the new management.
The skipper's armband was taken from Hobbs by Andy Dawson who, as brother of
Michael, must be having as big a chuckle over the way the wheels have come
off Spurs' campaign as we are.
Top scorer is Matthew "Matty" Fryatt. Fryatt has appeared in every league
match this season, starting in 38 of the 45 matches which have brought him
16 goals. He's in a little run of form at the moment having bagged a
hat-trick a couple of weeks ago against Barnsley and added a spot-kick to
his total in last weekend's 2-1 defeat of Forest. Early promise hinted at by
international recognition at England U19 level failed to materialise, his
progress in his early 20's being hampered by injury.
The ex-Hammer connection in the squad comes in the form of Aussie Richard
Garcia. Garcia – best mates with Michael Carrick apparently, was offered a
one year extension to his contract but this offer was withdrawn when it
became apparent that he would miss much of this season with knee ligament
problems, an issue which has blighted his recent career. He returned to
action last November and was in the side that faced Forest last weekend.
Slovenian skipper Robert Koren is second in the goalscoring charts and
picked up the player of the year award for this season. He's picked up ten
goals this season, all of which have come in the league. There is a slight
doubt over his involvement this weekend with him coming off after half an
hour of the Forest match with a damaged hip.
Our turn now. It's rather out of our hands really, though if a side as poor
as Chelsea can beat Barcelona I suppose anything is possible at Southampton,
though expect a Lambert dive to get them out of trouble again in the
unlikely event that they're struggling. It's what they've done all season
after all.
Monday's win was well-deserved, though the failure to convert one or two of
the further chances that came our way will be nagging at the back of my head
until the final whistle goes on Saturday.
Having persuaded Matron that Leicester was a suitable place for a day trip
(what with Thomas Cook having started out there) I was slightly put out by
some of the comments put about by the less-informed youngsters amongst the
travelling support concerning Carlton Cole. Carlton can be accused of many
things but on Monday night laziness was definitely not amongst the
accusations that could sensibly be levelled at the player who definitely
"put in a shift" as I believe pundits refer to it.
Team news is that the squad from Monday may be boosted by the return to
availability of George McCartney, though Messrs Maynard, O'Brien and Carew
are all bigger doubts. We'll need a decent win here irrespective of what
goes on elsewhere. The word "momentum" has been bandied about lately. Though
that sounds like the name of the sort of lager that would have its taste
improved by the addition of toothpaste (i.e. lager), a decent win in this
match would go some way to easing the psychological downside of not getting
automatic promotion – not to mention the defiant message that such a result
would send out to those currently scrabbling about beneath us.
My prediction for this one (on which I will be putting all £2.50 that
remains of the Rest Home's beer kitty from Monday night) will be a 3-0 win.
As George Michael said "you gotta have faith" (though something tells me
that he probably wasn't referring to the rather pneumatic nurse of that name
that used to work in these parts). Sky Blues, it's over to you.
Enjoy the game!
When last we met: Won 2-0. Not quite as comfortable as the score suggests -
in the first half Rob Green was responsible for several decent saves to keep
the scores level. Baldock's volley early in the second half and Collison's
composed finish from a decent flowing move were enough to bring home the
points.
Referee: Nigel Miller. Only the second time we've had him - the other match,
unusually, being the reverse fixture at the Sunshine Stadium.
Danger man: Matty Fryatt. Four goals in his last two tells its own story.
Daft fact of the week: Hull is not a place overly-represented in the world
of song (unless you start counting amusing plays on the word "Hell").
However, we do have, of course, the legendary Barry Wom's track and album
"When You Find The Girl Of Your Dreams In The Arms Of Some Scotsmen From
Hull". The song is a haunting ballad inspired by the events that took place
at Wom's wedding at which, amongst some confusion, he ended up married to
the wrong person. The album was the first solo album by a Rutle to get to
number 1.
Stat man John: Northcutt's corner
Head to Head
Pld 36; West Ham Utd 16, Hull City 10, Draws 10.
Biggest Win
6th October 1990: West Ham Utd 7-1 Hull City (Boleyn Ground, Division Two)
Heaviest Defeat
17th September 1934: Hull City 4-0 West Ham Utd (Anlaby Road, Division Two)
First Meeting
17th April 1920: Hull City 1-1 West Ham Utd (Anlaby Road, Division Two)
Last Five Meetings
5th November 2011: Hull City 0-2 West Ham Utd (KC Stadium, Championship)
20th February 2010: West Ham Utd 3-0 Hull City (Boleyn Ground, Premier
League)
21st November 2009: Hull City 3-3 West Ham Utd (KC Stadium, Premier League)
28th January 2009: West Ham Utd 2-0 Hull City (Boleyn Ground, Premier
League)
19th October 2008: Hull City 1-0 West Ham Utd (KC Stadium, Premier League)
Memorable Match
9th September 1970: West Ham Utd 1-0 Hull City (Boleyn Ground, League Cup
2nd Round)
There was a right royal tear-up towards the end of this League Cup tie back
in 1970 which ended with West Ham's Billy Bonds receiving the first of two
red cards in a wonderful career. Many people remember the dust-up with
Birmingham's Colin Todd prior to the FA Cup Final in 1980 - but few recall
the rather less salubrious circumstances that led to King Billy's first ever
dismissal. With West Ham having taken an 85th minute lead against their
Division Two opponents though Peter Eustace, Bonds, just 23 at the time
became embroiled in an row with City's Chris Simpkin before spitting at his
opponent - a regrettable action that led to referee Norman Burtenshaw
producing an instant red card. Arsenal fan Burtenshaw - whose controversial
career saw him knocked unconscious by angry Millwall fans and chased off the
pitch by Benfica players - needed a Police escort after the game; Chris
Simpkin was jailed in 2009 for running a brothel and money laundering.
They Played For Both
Jimmy Bullard; Stuart Pearson; Dennis Burnett; John Dowen; Robbie Stockdale;
Steve Bywater; Richard Garcia; Cliff Hubbard; Matt Smailes; Nobby Solano;
Alf Fenwick; Tony Weldon; Mark Noble; Alan Taylor; Roy Carroll; Tommy
Brandon.
You're off! Red cards received
1970/71: Billy Bonds (h); 1989-90: David Kelly (a).
Previous Friendlies
March 1967 : Hull City 1-1 West Ham Utd (Hurst 3, Sissons).
May 1973: Hull City 5-3 West Ham Utd (MacDougall 3).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Allardyce: you never know
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 27th April 2012
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce has told his players to concentrate on their own game as the
Hammers seek to steal the second Championship promotion place from
Southampton.
West Ham face Hull City at the Boleyn tomorrow lunchtime knowing that even a
win is unlikely to be enough to secure an automatic promotion spot, with
Southampton considered overwhelming favourites to do so due to what is
widely considered to be a home banker against relegated Coventry City. But
despite the odds being massively against West Ham, Allardyce has told his
team to go out and do all they can to affect the situation - namely beat a
decent Hull side - and by as many goals as possible. "I don't think we are
too nervous because we only have a slim chance," he told the pre-match press
conference. "Most of the pressure lies with Southampton on the day because
they have more to lose than we do. We have to rely on Coventry doing a big
favour for us at St Marys which is going to be difficult. "But you never
know do you? Anything can happen under the pressures of a final game of the
season when so much is at stake. There can be a twist and a turn along the
way and if there is and it's in our favour we must make sure we are in a
position to take advantage. "We need to focus on getting a result against
Hull by 3-0 or more. So from the very start it's a difficult task for us but
it's a task we must try and meet. Only after we have done that can we look
to see how Southampton have faired against Coventry."
Even if West Ham fail to upset th odds tomorrow Allardyce insisted that a
win was vital in terms of the ensuing play-offs. "Our momentum is fantastic
at the moment," he added. "We have only lost one game in 17 so hopefully we
can take that forward into the play-offs if needs be. What we don't want to
happen on Saturday is to come off the field having not taken advantage of a
slip up by Southampton. That would be my biggest concern; we need to win the
game and then we can look towards the Southampton result."
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West Ham v Hull preview
Last updated: 27th April 2012
SSN
Team news ahead of Saturday's final Championship clash of the season between
West Ham and Hull at Upton Park (kick-off 12.30pm). West Ham welcome back
George McCartneyfor the game but will be without Nicky Maynard, John Carew
and Joey O'Brien. McCartney is set to come straight back in at left-back
having missed the last three matches after suffering concussion against
Birmingham earlier this month. Strikers Maynard and Carew are struggling
with knee injuries while right-back O'Brien is still missing with a thigh
problem. Carlton Cole should keep his place in attack in Maynard's absence,
although Sam Baldockcould also come into the reckoning. Sam Allardyce's side
need a victory to stand any chance of overtaking Southampton and snatching
the second automatic promotion spot.
Hull manager Nick Barmby is hoping to add midfield pair Robert Koren and Tom
Cairney to his squad. Koren, voted player of the year by Hull fans this
week, was forced out of last weekend's win over Nottingham Forest after
taking a knock, but is expected to return to full training in time. Cairney
missed out against Forest with heavy bruising to his leg, but will also be
back in contention.
Skipper Jack Hobbs (knee), fellow defender Joe Dudgeon and striker Aaron
McLean (both hamstring) remain sidelined, but Barmby has no other new injury
or suspension worries. Wingers Josh King and Robbie Brady are both hoping
for recalls after stepping off the bench last week, while midfielder Seyi
Olofinjana, who last appeared as a late substitute in the win over
Middlesbrough earlier this month, will be hoping for a rare run out in the
Tigers' last match of the season.
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Match Preview: West Ham v Hull City - Attack From the Start?
By Iain Dale About 19 hours ago
West Ham Till I Die
Sam Allardyce's tactics tomorrow will be interesting. Will he order his
starting eleven to bombard Hull from the start on the basis there's nothing
to lose, or play the patient game. The key thing is to win and get three
points, but if we were a couple of goals up after twenty minutes, wouldn't
that put a huge amount of pressure on Southampton? Strange things happen to
teams on the final day of the season. I think it's imperative to put out a
very attacking side tomorrow. I reckon Matt Taylor and Carlton Cole are the
pivotal players. Taylor needs to rain in the crosses like he has never done
before and whoever plays on the right needs to do the same. With Vaz Te
playing a free role, I think we could batter Hull if we play it right.
However, Hull are no mugs and and they are unlikely to lay down and
capitulate. They have won three of their last six and have only just missed
out on the pllayoffs.They have a prolific striker in Matt Fryatt and it will
be good to see Ricchard Garcia back at Upton Park.
George McCartney is likely to return at left back, or at least make the subs
bench, but Joey O'Brien and Nicky Maynard are injured.
So, here's the team I'd like to see - Green, Demel, Reid, Tomkins,
McCartney, Taylor, Noble, Nolan, Vaz Te, Collison, Cole. My fear is that
O'Neil will play instead of Taylor.
And a final thought. This could be the last time we see Robert Green play at
Upton Park in a league game. Terrible thought, eh? Another reason for us to
shout ourselves horse tomorrow and ensure that the team gets every
encouragement.
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West Ham v Hull: Hammers win may not be enough for promotion
Southampton sit two points clear of Allardyce's men who must win to stand a
chance
West Ham are priced at 2/5 to beat Hull as they head into a game they have
to win to stand any chance of gaining automatic promotion. The Hammers are
two points behind second-placed Southampton going into this final game, with
a goal difference Inferior by three and will be hoping their rivals slip up.
The Irons have only lost one of their last 17 games and had a 2-0 victory
earlier in the season over the Yorkshire club. Hull, who are 13/2 to come
out on top, had been on a poor run that saw them pick up on one win in 11
but their last four games has seen a complete turnaround as they have gone
on to win three and draw one. The draw is available at 10/3 and may see some
action as the hosts main problem this season has been their inability to
convert one point into three as they have gone on to share the spoils in
eight matches at home. Ricardo Vaz Te has eight in his last seven outings
and has flourished since he was reunited with Sam Allardyce, the Portuguese
is 7/2 to get the scoring started at Upton Park. Matt Fryatt is the
visitor's biggest threat, the ex-Leicester striker is in form and has four
in his last two games and looks good value to be the man to break the
deadlock at 8/1. The Tigers have been level at the break in 22 fixtures this
term whilst the hosts have been all-square 18 times, so getting behind it to
be a draw at half-time with a home win at 7/2 may be the way to go here. The
London club have notched two fours and a six in their last six matches and
they are 7/2 to score four or more again in this fixture.
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