Macca on: Queens Park Rangers
WHUFC.com
Neil McDonald looks ahead to Monday night's Barclays Premier League fixture at Queens Park Rangers
29.09.2012
West Ham United assistant manager Neil McDonald was in high spirits as he looked ahead to Monday night's trip to Queens Park Rangers. The Hammers are looking to secure their first away win of the season at Loftus Road before welcoming Arsenal to the Boleyn Ground next weekend. McDonald confirmed that West Ham United will be wearing black armbands on Monday in memory of the late John Bond, who sadly passed away this week, ahead of a further tribute to the Hammers legend at the Boleyn Ground next Saturday.
Macca could you give us any team news ahead of the trip to Loftus Road?
NM: "We have got everybody fit who we thought would be fit for the game against QPR. We still have a couple of players out but they are getting closer and closer to a return. We have everybody available who we had last week.
Andy Carroll has been touted for a possible return against Arsenal, is there any more news on his return?
NM: "He has been progressing really well but unfortunately the game on Monday night has come a little too early for him. He needs to get a full week's training behind him to make sure he is fit and well so at the moment the target is Arsenal."
John Bond sadly passed away last week, will the players be wearing black armbands against QPR?
NM: "Yes they will. John Bond was a massive part of this football club representing it over 400 times. It is a tragic loss that he has passed away and it is right the club will be wearing black armbands on Monday. I am also sure we will also be doing something special at the Boleyn Ground against Arsenal."
Is that something you feel the supporters will really appreciate?
NM: "Of course, the supporters really like people who show loyalty and give their all for the football club and John certainly did that."
Do you feel that there was a slight over-reaction after the 4-1 loss to Wigan Athletic in the Capital One Cup?
NM: "I think it is always disappointing when you lose 4-1 at home. We made a lot of changes to the team and expected the players who came in to step up to the plate. Unfortunately some of them let themselves down because of the way it ended. We are in very good spirits in the league and we are really looking forward to the next game. The atmosphere within the club is still very buoyant."
You expressed your disappointment but ultimately the club will be judged on its showing in the Barclays Premier League?
NM: "Yes you are right, it is vitally important that we stay in the league and we need to try and pick up as many points as we can to reach that magic 40-point mark as soon as possible."
You must be pleased that Mark Noble has put pen to paper on a new long-term deal?
NM: "It is very important, he is a big part of this football club and he has been playing really well, just like he did last season helping us to get promoted from the Championship. He has got his just rewards with a new contract so well done Mark."
What are you expecting from QPR, they played very well against Tottenham but still lost and then, like West Ham, suffered defeat in the Capital One Cup?
NM: "They have got some very good players, I attended the game against Spurs where they played really well and probably deserved something from the game and I also watched them against Reading on Wednesday. They are conceding goals at the moment and that is a weakness we need to expose as much as we can. It will be a difficult game, however, they will be very well organised playing in a system that suits the players they have available."
QPR invested heavily in the summer, bringing in some top quality players. Why do you feel it can take so much time for players to gel and come together?
NM: "There are a lot of reasons, new ideas from a new manager, playing in a new system and ultimately just getting to know everybody around them in new surroundings."
It has been a very good start to your league campaign, have your aims changed at all since the start of the season?
NM: "We set a target for the entire season but we try and break that down into small goals such as the first eight games. We have eight points so far and we are very happy with that but hopefully we can get a few more ahead of a difficult run of games."
Yossi Benayoun missed the Capital One Cup game, how is he and will he feature against QPR on Monday?
NM: "Yossi is fine; as we explained during the week he couldn't play against Wigan due to the Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur. He has been training very well trying to put pressure of the players who have been starting; he will definitely be in the squad for Monday."
QPR are yet to win a game in the Barclays Premier League, does that make them a more dangerous opponent?
NM: "I think it does, losing their last game at home to Reading will have hurt and they will come out against us all guns blazing. We need to be ready for the first 15-20 minutes. As I mentioned I went to watch their two previous games and they started both very well. We need to ensure we are solid and organised then push our game onto them as the game develops."
QPR struggled with the physicality of the Reading frontline and they also have a lot of injuries, is that something you will be looking to exploit?
NM: "They have got a few injuries especially in the defensive areas but we know what sort of team they are and how they play. We need to exploit the weaknesses we have found and if that means playing hard against the back four then that is exactly what we will do."
A few former West Ham United players now play for QPR but are you surprised to not be coming up against Rob Green?
NM: "Yes of course, Julio Cesar is a very good goalkeeper and even though he has let in a few goals against Reading and Spurs he has also made some very good saves. It is disappointing for Rob of course but he will continue to work hard and fight for his place in the team."
As someone who has worked with Rob Green day in day out, just how good a goalkeeper is he?
NM: "He is very good, he played a big part in getting us promoted last year before his contract expired and he moved on to pastures new. It hasn't worked out for him so far but as all players who aren't in the team, he needs to keep working hard and wait for his chance. I wish him all the best."
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Is a New Deal for Sam Allardyce on Hold Until the End of the Season?
By S J Chandos
West Ham Till I Die
Sam Allardyce signed a two year contract when he joined the club and it expires in the summer of 2013. There are reports that negotiations on a new deal are currently on hold this season, until it is confirmed that the club have retained their PL status. Allardyce is believed to earn around £2 million-a-year and also received a significant bonus for clinching promotion last summer. He is allegedly due another six-figure bonus payment should West Ham avoid relegation. It is rumoured that should he be offered a new contract next summer it will be on roughly similiar terms, with an heavily incentivized element, based on finishing PL position, cup runs, etc. The West Ham board will allegedy seek to justify this by pointing to the need for financial restraint as the club continues to tackle the legacy of debt inherited from the previous ownership regime.
There have been 'chinese whispers' that the board could dispense with the current manager's services this summer and turn to a manager who favours a more expansive, passing style of play. Those whispers have even pointed to Harry Redknapp's current availability and suggested that if the club struggles in the PL there might be a move to bring him in as a replacement. Personally, I think that this is all clearly conjecture and a case of some people making 2 + 2 = 5! More specifically, for the anti-Allardyce brigade amongst our support, it is probably more a case of wishful thinking!
The probability is that Allardyce will keep the club in the PL this season. The club are merely keeping their options open until our fate is confirmed, especially after being stung financially by the financial settlements following the sackings of Zola and Grant. At Birmingham City, Sullivan and Gold were not particularly known for sacking their managers and if Sam Allardyce does well this season, he is likely to earn a new contract. Especially when one considers the good relationship that Allardyce appears to have with the co-owners.
Elsewhere, Paulo Di Canio's managerial career at Swindon Town continues to progress well. Following on from last season's promotion, his Swindon side is doing well in League 1 and have had notable success in the League Cup, with a forthcoming high profile home cup-tie with Aston Villa. His team is disciplined, defensively solid and, as you would expect, plays some good football. Paulo seems to have the potential to develop in to a top manager. But is he a future Hammers manager in the making?
SJ. Chandos.
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Mark Noble of West Ham & England?
By S J Chandos
West Ham Till I Die
Mark Noble has been in impressive form in West Ham's midfield this season. Having now signed a new five year contract (three years with an option for a further two), Noble has now set his sights firmly on an England call-up. The former England U-21 captain has been reported as stating:
'The form that I've been in lately, I'm still hoping to get into the squad. If I carry on playing the way I am, hopefully it'll happen sooner rather than later. That's my aim. I'm still only 25. There's a lot of late additions to the England squad. The football I'm playing at the minute, I'm hoping that I can carry on improving, because mentally and physically I'm two or three times better a player than I was two, three years ago. Hopefully, that can get me that call-up.'
Arguably, Mark Noble is maturing in to one of the best holding midfielders in the PL, with impressive tackling and work rate, allied to the crucial ability to distribute the ball accurately. Rumour has it that his quality performances, and associated Prozone statistics, have caught the attention of the England Manager, Roy Hodgson. Some of us have been predicting for a number of years that Mark Noble has the ability to play for England. Now he looks to be firmly in the frame for an England call up for the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers.
Mark Noble of West Ham & England? Lets hope so, he fully deserves his chance on the international stage!
SJ. Chandos.
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Have Spurs and Reading Shown the Way?
By S J Chandos
West Ham Till I Die
We face QPR in a SKY televised encounter at Loftus Road on Monday evening. Apparently, the two clubs have not faced each other in a league match since 2004! It does not seem that long, but as I stated recently, to my recollection we have enjoyed precious few victories at their place over recent decades. Still, the odds dictate that ithis has to change some time and why not on Monday? Viewing the two possible line ups, West Ham are virtually at full strength, except for Collison and maybe Carroll, even O'Neill is likely to be fit for the clash. However, it is a different story for the Rs, where they appear to be severely depleted in defence.
In attacking terms, they are virtually at full strength and can call upon mobile and pacy forwards such as Hollett, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Mackie, Zamora, Cisse and Taarabt, who will potentially test our defence, particularly the full-backs. It will certainly be a test of Demel's good form so far this season, while it poses the question whether Allardyce continue with Joey O'Brien as an auxillary left-back? Personally, I would prefer to go with Taylor and play Jarvis ahead of him on the left flank. Similarly, in central defence I would like to see Tomkins renewing his partnership with Reid, with Collins on the bench. Mainly because those two will probably deal much better with the mobility of QPR's central strikers Zamora and Cisse.
If Allardyce is true to form, he will likely set up to play a counter-attacking game. But should we do that on this occasion? Both Spurs and Reading have shown us recently the way to beat QPR at home, grasp the initiative, force them on the back foot and punish their defensive weaknesses. Weaknesses that have arguably worsened with their current injury crisis. We will no doubt play a high, pressing game and try to force their patched up defence in to errors, an approach we executed so successfully against wigan for approximately 7 minutes, until we scored and then the 'wheels fell off' so spectacularly. In Noble and Diame we have the players to win the midfield battle and get the ball wide for testing balls to be delivered in to the penalty box. The QPR No. 2, Mark Bowen, has admited that QPR have suffered serious defensive lapses, in recent matches, particularly in defending crosses/set peices and responding to the second phase ball. So, it would seem that West Ham are very well equipped to exploit these QPR failings.
A lot will depend on whether Andy Carroll is fit to play or Charlton Cole continues up front? Alternatively, we could even see Cole on the bench, with Maiga continuing at the apex of our attack and Nolan playing in an advanced midfield role, almost as a 2nd striker? If we go with either Cole or Maiga up top, it surely requires more balls played in to feet? Because, of course, as we know neither striker has the outstanding ability in the air that Carroll possesses. Nolan could be crucial, snaping up chances in the final third and it will be interesting to see how QPR set up to try and neutralise his threat? Perhaps they will designate one of their midfielders to track his runs/movement in the penalty box? The risk, of course, inherent in that is that it opens up space for the other Hammers players to exploit.
Another interesting question is whether Allardyce will continue with Vaz Te on the right side of the front three or brings in the creative skill, vision and passing ability of Yossi Benayoun? Personally, I think that Benayoun would scare the life out of the Rs defenders.The 'down side' is that he is less likely to track back and provide cover for Demel, if needed. That is the 'opportunity cost' of the selection. But I tend to think that this is an away game where we should take a calculated risk and adopt a more offensive approach. Whoever is selected to play on the left and right of the front three, it is crucial that Cole or Maiga get the necessary support and do not become detached/isolated up top. This all, of course, presupposes that Allardyce will stick with his favoured 4-3-3 formation, rather than go for a 4-4-2 or a 4-5-1. For instance, if QPR seek to play 5 in the middle to protect their patched up defence then we might be forced to do likewise or face being overun in midfield.
Finally, rumour has it Keiron Dyer is fit to play. So, we could face our former player on Monday evening, maybe in an auxillary right-back role. Dyer has recently admitted to the frustration of his time at West Ham, with his endless injury absences. Although one has to say that his record at QPR last season was hardly any better! Indeed, many people wondered why QPR agreed to extend his contract this summer. The answer is probably the same reason why we were so patient with Dyer over a number of seasons. He is undoubtedly a exceptionally talented player and there is always the temptation to focus on the contribution he could make if he gets and stays fit. Unfortunately, it never worked out that way for us. Will QPR have any better luck in that respect?
SJ. Chandos.
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MATT TAYLOR HAILS HONEST SAM ALLARDYCE
Daily Star
30th September 2012 By Harry Pratt
MATT TAYLOR has hailed honest Sam Allardyce as the perfect manager. Whether it is a kick up the backside, a pat on the back or just an arm around the shoulder, the no-nonsense West Ham chief always gives it to his players straight. And Taylor, a £2.5million buy from Bolton in July 2011, would not have it any other way as he insists Allardyce's genuine, fair approach is one of the key factors behind his successful stint at Upton Park. The Hammers midfielder, 30, said: "Sam is very easy to work with because you always know where you stand with him. "For me, personally, the one thing you are after is truth and transparency – and that's what you get with this manager. "If he's not happy, he tells you he's not. If he's happy, he tells you he is. For me, you can't ask for any better or any more than that."
Despite reservations from the hard-to-please Hammers faithful when he was appointed 16 months ago, Allardyce has slowly but surely won over the snipers and doubters. Promotion back into the big-time in May, via the play-offs, followed by a decent return of eight points from their first five Premier League games, means there is a growing optimism about the place ahead of their home clash against struggling Queens Park Rangers tomorrow. The only snag, according to Taylor, is that West Ham have yet to play any of the elite this season – though the visit of Arsenal this coming Saturday will rectify that situation The ex-Portsmouth and Luton winger added: "We've done relatively well considering we are a newly-promoted team. If you'd offered us this sort of start, we'd have taken it. "But we've had a so-called easy run of fixtures. We haven't played any of the big six. So while we've done all right, we're a long way from the end of the season still and nobody is getting carried away. At the beginning of the season, you are looking to make sure you retain your Premier League status. "Judging by the last two or three seasons, you don't need that magic forty points to stay up any more. "But if that's the main objective, there is also a feeling in-house that we could do better than that."
That belief they can survive and thrive was further fuelled by the arrival of Liverpool striker Andy Carroll on loan. For while the England striker has missed the last four games with a groin strain, Taylor said: "Hopefully, we will get to play a lot more with him because he's going to be an exceptional player for us."
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'Pretty football' is history at Sam Allardyce's West Ham academy
Never mind Moore or Brooking, it's best not to get 'too bogged down' with tradition, says West Ham's manager
Anna Kessel
The Observer, Sunday 30 September 2012
"Smile or grim?" asks Sam Allardyce as he poses for a photograph next to the West Ham dugout. The words are fitting for a manager who has been around for 20 years and seen it all, a man who has survived heart scares, sackings and allegations of bungs, a football figure portrayed as both forward thinking and regressive – hailed for introducing everything from Tai Chi to equine ice therapy at Bolton, while simultaneously pilloried for playing the most route one football around. And winning.
Now here he is at West Ham, the Academy of Football. The irony is not lost on him. At his first press conference for the club, he says, it took around 24 seconds before someone asked how the "long ball" game would go down with the Boleyn Ground faithful. Big Sam, the caricature, may grin but Allardyce, the man, is more sensitive. As he talks about his life he raises many sore points – how it feels to be made redundant, the vulnerability of a football manager, the depression of sitting around at home being unemployed, the transient world of football where the media love you one day and cane you the next, where you never know who you can trust.
Although he would not describe it that way, Allardyce's reign at West Ham has been portrayed as unpopular with some fans. Despite having won promotion back to the Premier League in his first season in charge, there have been persistent boos from sections of the crowd. Just last week in the League Cup his team were jeered after a 4-1 defeat to Wigan. What does he make of it?
"Well I don't think the fans did give me a hard time [over the year], apart from certain pockets of fans on certain occasions," he says, shifting in his seat. "Occasionally there were fans who were upset and disgruntled but a lot less than Avram [Grant]. Avram got far more stick than I did. And Alan Curbishley got a lot of stick when he was here, and he was one of their own. I get no more stick than Gianfranco Zola, and Avram Grant, Harry Redknapp. I know because I spoke to all them. I didn't speak to Avram actually, because I couldn't get hold of him, but, yeah, if you don't do it right here you get stick, I accept that. But you get stick everywhere. That's the nature of the industry now … Contrary to what any media say, fans at West Ham are interested in the passion of the player and the commitment of the player, rather than all that pretty football stuff."
Historically, of course, Upton Park has prized "pretty" football. Allardyce, though, says history is overrated. Walking through the tunnel he points to a spot of redecorating. "Do you like the new wallpaper?" he asks. "I chose it myself." Where once the walls were covered in old photographs of West Ham greats, intended to inspire the players as they wait to file out on to the pitch, now there are pictures of West Ham's Championship play-off final victory in May. Some clubs, he says, get too "bogged down" in history. He makes a disapproving face. How many of today's West Ham fans actually watched Trevor Brooking or Bobby Moore play, he wonders. "It's the modern day history that's important, I like to think." As he emerges from the tunnel, flanked by the stands dedicated to Brooking and Moore, his words jar with his surroundings.
Whatever the supporters think, as a personality the 57-year-old Allardyce is a popular figure. Those around the club say he is well liked, and it is impossible not to warm to him as he describes life with Mrs Allardyce in the jet-set surroundings of their rented Canary Wharf apartment. "We've never lived in a city before," he says, making it sound like some charming middle-aged adventure. Certainly half an hour in his company is entertaining as he reminisces about his playing days, eating fillet steak and toast for a pre-match meal – "running around with a lump of meat in your stomach during the match" – in the bad old days when it was believed that drinking water during a training session would bring on cramp. Back then all drinks, other than tea, were strictly banned. "It's a wonder some of us didn't die," says Allardyce.
As he talks about the science of rehydration or the role of sports psychology in the game, you cannot help but try to imagine the young Allardyce as he embarked on his first managerial appointment at Limerick more than two decades ago. He leans back in his chair and smiles, pityingly, at his old self. "You have all these ideas in your head, all these super plans of what you're going to do and how you're going to take the managing world by storm." He gazes out over the pitch. "You take as much advice as you can, particularly off the older, more experienced managers and they all tell you. You sit in that job and you have all these ideas and you speak to Jim Smith or Harry Bassett or Howard Wilkinson or Alex Ferguson and they say: 'Well, son, your job is to survive.' You say: 'What do you mean?' They say: 'Well, you've got to survive in that job. If you don't you might never get another one.'
"It shocks you, obviously. You want to do all this and that but the reality is start winning football matches and you start getting credibility as a manager. The LMA [League Managers Association] brought some stats out, they said if you lose your first job, 80% of the time you never get another one."
Being sacked by Newcastle and then Blackburn hit Allardyce hard, he says. The dismissals knocked his confidence as he sat around at home for a torrid 11 months waiting – hoping – for another job offer. "We all sit and wait and hope," he says. "Cynically we have to wait until someone else loses a job before you can get back in the game."
When the call came from West Ham, did he think: thank God? "Yeah, I did," he says. "If I didn't get another job in the game after what happened at Blackburn I wouldn't have been satisfied. You know people would have said, 'What's happened to Sam Allardyce? Oh well, since he got sacked at Blackburn he hasn't done anything.' I thought I can't let it finish there, I've got to wait for the right opportunity again. You always have to continue to prove yourself as a manager. Wherever you go, no matter how good it was wherever it was you were at before, it's always the next job. You get into this famous, fabulous football club and you have to reinvent it by using your skills and ability."
Two weeks into the role, however, and Allardyce wondered what he had gotten into. "I thought, have I done the right thing? It was not very nice, you know. Trudging through all this negativity. Not just from outside but from within the club. All this doom and gloom. Job losses … Every day there were problems."
Allardyce describes the process of mopping up a relegation mess: being faced with an exodus of players all desperate to leave – the club lost 40 players in 12 months – battling the endemic "feeling sorry for yourself" culture, losing club staff who had been there for donkey's years, and the do-or-die importance of bringing in "people you can trust". The latter is interesting particularly in light of what happened at Blackburn with Allardyce's former assistant, Steve Kean. "You have to have someone you can trust when you join a new football club," he says, "because football is the enigma of gossip. It goes around everywhere. You've got to find out about people and you don't know whether you can trust them or not."
Key to building that circle of trust has been bringing an influential player into the dressing room in the former Bolton and Newcastle midfielder, Kevin Nolan, as captain. "Kevin. He changed the dressing room. He can galvanise a group of players, which is a massive responsibility taken away from me because you don't know what's going on in the dressing room, you've got no idea. Not that he comes telling tales to me, but you know he's going to promote the fact that he's not come down here to mess about: 'I ain't left Newcastle United to come down here and mess about at West Ham. I've come down here to get back up'."
The attitude suits Allardyce. The Dudley-born former defender also wants to be businesslike, shake off the interminable "long ball" jibes, and just get on with the job of managing West Ham. This season that job involves staying up, and the immediate aim of securing points against Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road on Monday night, but beyond that he is hoping for an extension to his two-year contract, a reason to make the London life his own. "I'd love to see the fans into the Olympic Stadium," he says of the proposed 2014 move, "and I'd like to walk them out there."
Sam Allardyce was speaking on behalf of Barclays Ticket Office. Every 90 minutes throughout the season Barclays is offering fans the chance to win tickets to Barclays Premier League matches at a Barclays ATM and requesting a receipt, or by visiting barclaysticketoffice.com
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Nelsen eyeing West Ham win to kick-start QPR's season
The former Tottenham and Blackburn defender has given his backing to manager Mark Hughes, and is confident the Rs will get back to winning ways in the Premier League
Goal.com
29 Sep 2012 23:23:00
By Sion Cleaver
QPR defender Ryan Nelsen believes a victory in Monday evening's clash with West Ham could kick-start the west London outfit's season. Mark Hughes' men have failed to pick up a Premier League win so far this campaign despite a complete overhaul at the club this summer which saw 11 new players arrive at Loftus Road. Yet Nelsen is confident an improvement in form is just around a corner, starting with the visit of Sam Allardyce's men. "With the characters we have in the dressing room," he told the Daily Mail. "It is only a matter of time [before a victory] and when one happens it will be like a monsoon after that.
"We are giving everything, the management are giving everything and the players are giving everything. We just need that win to get the monkey off the back."
Nelsen moved across London from nearby Tottenham in the summer on a free transfer to QPR, and the 34-year-old has given his backing to manager Hughes' style of play, despite the Hoops' difficult start to the season. "The manager has a way he wants to play and it's been proven for many years that it's a very successful one." he continued. "It just takes time for players to come in to it and kind of get into the mould of how he wants us to play. That's life. "Nothing comes easy. You just have to keep going and do the right things as we have been doing. You are going to have your ups and downs in a season. "Obviously the Reading game was a big disappointment but that happens. It's pretty ruthless in the cup competitions and the league."
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Noble raises his sights for England role after settling West Ham future
By MALCOLM BROWN
PUBLISHED: 22:30, 29 September 2012 | UPDATED: 22:30, 29 September 2012
Daily Mail
West Ham midfielder Mark Noble is determined to make it a dream week and force his way into the England squad being announced for the World Cup matches against San Marino and Poland after signing a new long-term club deal. Noble, 25, has been outstanding for West Ham so far and has emerged as one of the best holding midfielders in the top flight. He has been locked in contract talks with the club throughout the summer but has now put pen to paper on a new three-year deal. Prozone statistics recently showed Noble had made the most tackles in the Premier League and he is catching the eye of the England backroom staff.
Noble represented England at Under-21 level but he is now ready to make a breakthrough into the senior squad for the World Cup qualifiers next month.
Noble said: 'The form that I've been in lately, I'm still hoping to get into that squad. If I carry on playing the way I am, hopefully it'll happen sooner rather than later. 'That's my aim. I'm still only 25. There's a lot of late additions to the England squad. The football I'm playing at the minute, I'm hoping that I can carry on improving, because mentally and physically I'm two or three times better a player than I was two, three years ago. Hopefully, that can get me that call-up.'
West Ham are hoping to maintain their impressive start to life back in the top flight when they face QPR on Monday night and Noble can see big things happening for the east London club over the next few years. A decision is due to be made next month over whether West Ham are still in the running to make a move to the Olympic Stadium - something Noble would love to see happen. 'I know everyone loves Upton Park but for the club to push on and grow I think it's important that we do make that step and make it our home,' he said.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Sunday, September 30
Saturday, September 29
Daily WHUFC News - 29th September 2012
Dev Squad march on
WHUFC.com
The Development Squad continue to top the Barclays Under-21 Premier League
after beating Norwich City 2-0
28.09.2012
The Development Squad continued their hot streak with a 2-0 win against
Norwich City in Friday night courtesy of a looping header from Rob Hall and
a low drive from Pelly Ruddock. Prior to kick-off at Rush Green the Canaries
were level on points at the top of the league with both the Hammers and
Arsenal, who themselves had succumbed to defeat at Rush Green just one week
ago. The away side settled the quicker of the two but it didn't take long
for Ian Hendon's side to find their rhythm and with eight minutes played
they should have taken the lead. Hall charged down the left on the counter,
before leaving three Norwich players in his wake and crossing to the
arriving Paul McCallum, who failed to hit the target from five yards. Just
two minutes later Hall showed McCallum how it is done. Matthias Fanimo broke
down the left and found Dan Potts on the overlap who floated a cross to the
near post where Hall sent a looping header over Declan Rudd. Jack Powell,
who was a late change to the line-up, almost created a second West Ham goal
just a minute after their first but captain Callum Driver was denied by the
crossbar from 30 yards. With 20 minutes gone it was still all action as
Norwich almost drew level when Driver once again took centre stage by
somehow clearing Aaron Tumwa's header off the line with Raphael Spiegel
beaten. 64 minutes into the game the Hammers felt they should have been 2-0
up. Potts showed terrific vision, turning his man on the byline before
pulling the back to Moncur, who fizzed his shot towards goal. The keeper was
beaten and a goal looked certain but, just like Driver in the first half,
Norwich had a hero of their own in Ewan McNeil, who stopped the ball dead on
the line. Despite the Hammers' claims that the ball was over the line, their
protests were waved away.
Norwich continued to struggle and were unable to break down the resolute
West Ham United back line and Ruddock secured the points on 90 minutes,
turning in the box before firing into the corner past Rudd. Meanwhile, Blair
Turgott was also in action on Friday some 1500 miles away, scoring twice as
the England Under-19s ran out 6-0 winners against the Faroe Islands in
Tallinn, Estonia. The Irons youngster was thwarted on two occasions early on
by keeper Eli Leifsson, but eventually beat him in the eleventh minute from
20-yards before adding a second and England's fifth with eight minutes
remaining. Arsenal's Chuba Akpom also scored twice with substitutes Hallam
Hope and Calum Chambers also on the scoresheet. Next up for Turgott and
England is a tie with Ukraine on Monday.
West Ham United: Spiegel, Driver, Potts, Moncur, Chambers, Spence, Powell
(Ruddock 55), Lletget, McCallum, Fanimo, Hall.
Subs not used: Lee, Baxter, Tombides, Wearen.
Norwich City: Rudd, McNeil, Tumwa, Durojaiye, Gafaiti, Sheriff, Jacob
Murphy, Hamilton (Barker 82), Loza, King (Clunan 65), Josh Murphy
(Hall-Johnson 82).
Subs not used: Steer, Morris, Barker.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Taylor hoping for a happy Monday
WHUFC.com
Matt Taylor is targeting three points when West Ham United travel to QPR on
Monday night
28.09.2012
Matt Taylor is hoping to help fire West Ham United to their first away win
of the season when they visit Queens Park Rangers on Monday night. After a
disappointing first away-day of the 2012/13 Barclays Premier League season
at Swansea City last month, the Hammers put in an improved performance in a
0-0 draw at Norwich City on 15 September. Taylor now hopes they can go one
better at Loftus Road, but knows QPR will also be hoping for three points
having failed to win any of their opening five league fixtures. "I think the
key for us is to be solid at the back and look to convert the chances we
create," Taylor said. "If we do this then hopefully we can come away with a
positive result. "It will be a hard game - we haven't won away in the league
this season, so we would like to get that monkey off our backs. I think it
is going to be a good game."
Taylor believes that the fixture will benefit from the added spice that
London derbies always tend to provide. The match will also be West Ham
United's first league game under floodlights this season, so a lively
atmosphere is expected. "We are looking to continue what has been a solid
start for us in the Barclays Premier League, there are no easy games and it
is also a London derby. "We are a promoted side so perhaps that works in our
favour, there might not be the huge expectation on us as a club or a team in
that respect. We have had a good start to the season and we want to build on
it starting Monday. "QPR are the home side and they will want to impose
themselves early on so we can expect a frantic start. They will come out
fast but we also want to stake a claim on the game. Myself and the lads are
very much looking forward to it."
Taylor scored his first goal of the season in the 3-0 win against Fulham and
although he enjoyed getting on the scoresheet that day, a win for the team
is of far greater importance. "I don't mind who scores or who gets on the
end of chances. As long as we score and we win nothing else matters.
"Of course it would be nice to chip in if I can, but any goal is a good
goal. It doesn't matter how it goes in as long as it is the goal that gets
us the result we want."
Captain Kevin Nolan snatched a late equaliser in the Hammers' last outing
against Sunderland last weekend, but Taylor is hoping that a solitary point
is the least they return with from west London. "Sunderland showed when they
came to our place that every game is a difficult one. It was to our credit
that we kept going and got a reward for those efforts. "In my mind any point
in the Premier League is a good point, especially away from home. Hopefully
that is the least we will finish with on Monday night."
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Mavila making progress
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's young summer signing from Wycombe Wanderers has settled in
quickly
28.09.2012
Nathan Mavila has plenty of ambition - ambition to make it as a top-class
professional footballer and ambition to set the record straight about his
native Brixton.
Born and raised to Congolese parents, the summer capture from Wycombe
Wanderers captained both south and inner London as a schoolboy. A versatile
full-back or winger, the first-year scholar has a maturity that belies his
16 years. Mavila has settled quickly at West Ham United and, looking ahead
to the Under-18s' game away at Norwich City on Saturday morning, he knows
what he wants to achieve in the game. "I'm from Brixton and I started out
playing for a club called Afewee Urban when I was seven or eight, where I
was team-mates with [West Ham team-mate] Leo Chambers. I've lived in Brixton
all my life. "I got scouted by Wycombe when I was in Year Seven in 2007 and
I was there for five years. Other clubs came in for me and I went on trial
to Chelsea but didn't get in. I have come to West Ham because of the
reputation the club has. "I want to thank the Wycombe scout Michael
Carnegie, assistant manager Richard Dobson and the first-team manager Gary
Waddock for what they did for me and my development. "I'd also like to thank
my teacher from Sacred Heart School Richard Lasiquot and my dad Mr Muanda
Mavila. "I was attracted to West Ham because of the opportunities available
at the club and also because I knew a few of the people here. I didn't just
want to go somewhere and not feel at home. London is closer to home but, at
the same time, it's easy to feel not at home. "I think I am just finding my
feet at the moment and trying to do my thing. I want to push on and, if I do
really well this season, then I want to push on into the Development Squad
next season."
Mavila's comfort at his new club has been evidenced by his fine start to
life in a claret and blue shirt. The left-sided player has started twice and
appeared in the opening four Barclays Under-18 Premier League fixtures,
scoring his maiden goal in a 4-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion. He has
been deployed as a winger ahead of left-back Frazer Shaw, but revealed he
can play anywhere down the flank or even wide on the right. "At Wycombe I
was a left winger until Under-15s, but they told me the Under-18s needed a
left-back and asked me if I wanted to play there and I said I would give it
a try. I played there for two seasons and the club see me as a winger again
and I'm enjoying it. "I get on well with Frazer and he talks to me a lot on
and off the pitch. We've got a good relationship, as I have with Josh Siafa
when I play on the right."
Like many left-sided players, Mavila is a massive fan of Chelsea and
England's Ashley Cole: "All my life I have watched him. He is top-drawer in
terms of his attacking and defending. He is consistent and I think he's a
good role model and a leader. "I think I've got more things to work on
myself. I can improve my movement and strength and my defending because,
having moved on to the wing, I have lost those habits a little bit and I
need to get them back. I also need to offer a bit more in the final third."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
The kids are still United
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 28th September 2012
By: Staff Writer
Jordan Spence has expressed his disappointment after West Ham were sent
crashing out of the Capital One Cup on Tuesday evening. The Hammers were
beaten 4-1 on the night with Sam Allardyce receiving criticism from some
quarters for dropping so many established first team players. Nine of the
team that had drawn with Sunderland 72 hours earlier were absent from the
starting line-up against the Latics. However that afforded the under-fire
manager the opportunity to test a number of youngsters on the fringe of the
first team squad. Along with Spence, Robert Hall, Danny Potts, Matthias
Fanimo and Dylan Tombides all featured at some stage of the game in which
West Ham took an early lead through Modibo Maiga before shipping four goals
and thus denying them the chance to face Bradford in the next round. To
Spence's credit, he admitted that the whole performance - including his own
- had been under par. "It was a good opportunity for us younger lads to come
in and gain experience and show that we are still pushing for a place in the
first team," he told whufc.com. "Unfortunately, we didn't do that. "I will
go away now and analyse the game from a personal point of view to see what I
did well and what I can do better because I am all about improving. "To
concede four goals and to lose the game the way we did is extremely
disappointing. But we didn't do enough defensively to warrant anything from
the game."
The most positive note of a desperately disappointing night was the first
team debut of Dylan Tombides, who was only given the all-clear to resume his
career in April following his recovery from testicular cancer. And Hammers
legend Julian Dicks, speaking in his latest column for KUMB.com was full of
praise for the young Australian striker. "Fighting cancer is going to be the
biggest battle of his career," he said. "Everything else should be easy by
comparison. "For him to get over that is incredible and it's great to see
him back and getting a few minutes on the pitch."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
The grass isn't always Greener
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 28th September 2012
By: Tom Kilbey
What a difference a couple of months make. Rob Green, idolised by the West
Ham fans and all but guaranteed a starting position between the sticks, now
finds himself second choice at QPR. His short career at the Hoops can hardly
be described as a successful one thus far. After turning his back on West
Ham and signing a lucrative deal at the West London club, the England
International would have expected to be a staple in the QPR starting XI.
Instead, after a contender for the worst performance of the season, a 5-0
defeat against Swansea was all the persuading Mark Hughes needed to re-enter
the transfer market once again.
The following weeks saw QPR sign what seemed like every footballer over the
age of 30; among them was Brazilian keeper Julio Cesar. Green was
immediately relegated to the bench, and barring a run of poor performances
from Cesar, his career at his new club could be already be over. Hughes was
quick to point out that he would talk with Rob and discuss his options,
hinting at the possibility he would be able to leave on a free. In all
honesty, no one can blame Mark Hughes. Cesar is a tremendous coup for his
club, and would have been foolish to reject the chance to sign him simply
because he had already signed a keeper during the transfer window.
In other words, Robbo has options. A potential move back to West Ham has
been hinted at, but nothing has come from either club. The hypothetical
question as to whether we would have him back, however, is certainly an
interesting one. The first thing to note is that Sam Allardyce is an
extremely stubborn man. Despite being within his rights, a move from West
Ham to QPR would do little to advance Green's career, regardless of whether
he was playing first team football or otherwise. The obvious conjecture to
make is that Green's head was turned by a big pay cheque.
Resultantly, Allardyce would see this as a lack of loyalty towards him and
the club, and a lack of trust in his ability to take the club forward.
Because of this, I think Allardyce would be reluctant to rescue Green from
his QPR nightmare. On top of this, if BFS truly felt that his side were
lacking in the goalkeeper department, he could easily sign Craig Gordon, who
is still without a club. We have been active in bringing in free agents on
trial, and the fact that the ex-Sunderland stopper's name hasn't even been
mentioned tells me all I need to know about Sam's faith in Jussi and Stephen
Henderson.
I think the fans would have a much more mixed opinion on the topic. Many
fans would feel betrayed that Greeno let money take precedence over
loyalties. But at the same time, the mantra that you should act in the best
intentions of the club also comes to mind. Such a likeable character, and
almost universally liked among West Ham fans, time would almost certainly
heal the wounds of his departure from the club, and in time, he would be
accepted back in a West Ham shirt.
But the far more relevant question here is, do we need him back?
Clearly, for reasons I have already discussed, Allardyce would appear to
believe the answer to that question is a resounding no. Although our
goalkeepers are weaker this year, I think its time to move on. I like Rob
just as much as the next West Ham fan, but even I allowed myself a wry smile
when I saw his debut performance.
"Regrets, I've had a few..."
As a team who is looking to move forward, we should look forward, not back.
Re-signing a 32-year-old ex-player with diminished loyalties for the club,
on what would be a lucrative contract, does not make financial sense.
I am hopeful our Finnish keeper, who's surname I still refuse to learn how
to spell, is returning to form after a shaky start. Let's not forget Stephen
Henderson either, who is expected to blossom into a solid goalkeeper. We
certainly don't have the best keepers in the League, but there are more
viable and more sustainable options than signing Green back.
Only Green himself knows if he regrets the decision to leave West Ham.
Perhaps the extra £10,000 a week is a fair trade for first team football.
But maybe the money does not soften the blow. One thing is clear, the grass
isn't always Greener on the other side.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Boris to Pull the Plug on West Ham's Olympic bid?
By Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die
I'm not sure why but over the last few days I have started to feel very
nervous about West Ham's bid to take over the Olympic Stadium. As you know,
I am a supporter of the move. And then today Boris Johnson says he is not
"wedded" to football interests taking over the stadium. Boris chairs the
committee which has to choose between the four competing bids. As three of
them are related to football, this is a very strange comment for him to
make. I seriously wonder if he is preparing the ground for yet another
rethink. If so, it would be a scandal and West Ham should sue him for the
waste of time and several million pounds it has cost to put the various bids
together.
I hope I am wrong.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Karren Brady's football diary
By KARREN BRADY
Published: 7 hrs ago
The Sun
Saturday, September 22
FOR uncomplicated souls like you and me, the fact that West Ham have 11
shots on target and Sunderland two probably means that West Ham have had
much the better of the game, even though the result is a draw. For
Sunderland's Martin O'Neill and many other managers in similar circumstances
it doesn't work like that at all. At least not for public consumption. So
O'Neill's claim that "I thought we should have won" is either looking on the
bright side of life or a view like that held in Britain after Dunkirk.
Sunday, September 23
IT'S a terrible irony a referee's incorrect decisions can never be put right
while those of three inquiries into the Hillsborough disaster were, finally,
after 23 years. Today, a great wrong on the 96 Liverpool supporters who died
in an avoidable hell is acknowledged in respectful ways at Anfield where
Liverpool and their keenest rivals, Manchester United, are meeting. Maybe
the usually excellent referee Mark Halsey would like to rescind the two
decisions that cost the home team their first win of the season. He can't.
But Liverpool at last win something far more important. The truth.
Monday, September 24
I'M not sure what Wales manager Chris Coleman and Sky Sports presenter
Charlotte Jackson were broadcasting from the Liberty Stadium. After seeing
pictures published today, I can only guess that from the position of his
hand on her knee he was demonstrating where he once damaged his ligaments in
a car crash.
A few years ago his lovely wife, Belinda, was so distracted by the thought
he was having affairs that she employed a company to bug his car for
evidence.
I know of a dozen other wives who have done the same thing, some with
remarkable results.
Tuesday, September 25
THE PUSSIES are rioting over the fat cats, £64million pair Hulk and Axel
Witsel, at Zenit St Petersburg. Two of the Russian players have complained
so strongly about the contracts of Hulk, said to be on £5million-a-year and
the Belgian about three-quarters of that, they've been told to shut up and
dropped to the youth squad. Lucky for them, in contrast the girls of Pussy
Riot were jailed for two years. In the end, most of the arguments amount to
status in the dressing room and a player named Hulk is bound to have a lot
of muscle there, anyway.
Wednesday, September 26
I SEE Roberto Mancini is having an anger attack after Man City's home
beating by Villa, and Paul Lambert is on the end of it. Roberto has a bit of
a reputation, but how impressive it is if it's based on the fact that he
once had a fist fight with Trevor Francis, I'm not so sure. Anyway, last
night at Upton Park, Sam is equally grumpy and tells the understudies
they've lost their case to take over in forthcoming Premier League games.
Sam, first and foremost likes to win. Secondly, despite the rubbish that's
peddled in some parts of the media he knows that playing good football is
the best way consistently to do that. He has already proved a brilliant
appointment for us.
Thursday, September 27
THE FA have always insisted that the referee's decision is final. Well,
always until they get involved. They didn't like the verdict of the referee
— in this case Westminster Magistrates Court — in the John Terry affair, so
they decided he'd have to answer to them on a similar charge. This afternoon
their kangaroo court found the Chelsea captain (below) guilty, fined him and
banned him for four matches. How righteous they must feel. But it wasn't
racism they were kicking out of football, it was justice. The language
reported as being used against Anton Ferdinand was offensive in several
ways, but Terry was found innocent of racism under the law of the land and,
like it or not, that should have been the end of the matter.
Friday, September 28
A BUNCH of flowers and a pot of anti-ageing cream for 'mature skin' turns up
at my office. A fellow Premier League director has gone and bought a
cosmetic company and he would like me to test his cream as I am the 'right
target audience'. Bloody cheek! I call him and he explains he didn't know
who else to ask as his girlfriend is much younger than him. He's a
fabulously wealthy 50ish-year-old man... and she is in her 20s. "Do you
think she would marry me if I tell her I'm 47?" he asks me. "Your chances
are better," I reply "if you tell her you're 90." Revenge.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
QPR vs West Ham team news: Rangers without four defenders, Carroll still out
for Hammers
The Mirror
Anton Ferdinand, Jose Bosingwa and Fabio are all out with hamstring injuries
and Armand Traore has an injured leg. QPR will have to face West Ham in
Monday's London derby without four first-team defenders. Anton Ferdinand,
Jose Bosingwa and Fabio are all out with hamstring injuries and Armand
Traore (leg) is also unavailable. Striker Andy Johnson is out with a
long-term knee injury but midfielder Adel Taarabt could return after missing
the last two games with a hamstring problem.
Provisional squad: Green, Cesar, Onuoha, Hill, Nelsen, Mbia, Diakite, Derry,
Park, Granero, Dyer, Taarabt, Hoilett, Faurlin, Wright-Phillips, Ephraim,
Mackie, Zamora, Cisse.
Carroll still out with hamstring injury
Midfielder Gary O'Neil says has recovered from the knee injury he sustained
during Tuesday's defeat to Wigan and will be fit for West Ham's London derby
against QPR on Monday. Sam Allardyce is likely to make wholesale changes
from the XI that were beaten 4-1 by the Latics, although Modibo Maiga could
keep his place after scoring on his second consecutive start. On-loan
Liverpool striker Andy Carroll (hamstring) is unlikely to play and Jack
Collison (knee) is unavailable but Yossi Benayoun could make his first start
since moving back to the Hammers on loan.
Provisional squad: Jaaskelainen, Demel, O'Brien, Reid, Collins, Noble,
Diame, Taylor, Maiga, Nolan, Cole, Jarvis, Vaz Te, Benayoun, McCartney,
Diarra, Tomkins, Henderson, O'Neil, Carroll.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Dyer lifts the lid on West Ham nightmare
Sep 28 2012 By Jacob Murtagh
Ealing Gazette
KIERON Dyer admits his four-year spell at West Ham was the most frustrating
of his career – now he's determined to make up for lost time at QPR. The
33-year-old made just 15 league starts during his injury-ravaged spell at
the Hammers before being released when his contract expired in 2011. Neil
Warnock offered Dyer the chance to kick-start his career at Loftus Road,
only to suffer a freak foot problem three minutes into his debut which ruled
him out for the season. However, the utility man is back to fitness and
played 90 minutes at right-back in Rangers' defeat at Spurs on Sunday. Dyer
is gearing up to face the Irons for the first time since making the switch
across the capital in the London derby on Monday night. And he insists he's
hell-bent on putting his miserable stint at the Boleyn behind him. He said:
"It was the most frustrating time of my career. We got relegated and I only
played a handful of games. "I believe that if I got a run of games under my
belt and stayed injury-free then I could've helped our cause more. "It
wasn't for a lack of effort. I tried everything physically possible to get
on the pitch but it wasn't to be. "I'm absolutely gutted because it was four
years where I never played three games on the trot. If you considered what I
went through on a personal level I look back at that with a lot of regrets
because it was a case of what if? "It's a fantastic club with fantastic
fans, but I was never on the pitch enough to justify the wages and the fee
they paid for me which is very unfortunate."
West Ham's co-chairman David Sullivan suggested Dyer should retire back in
2010 due to his woeful injury record. But Dyer refuses to get into a war of
words with his former boss, and insists he's not surprised at the flack that
came his way. "That's the way the game is," he added. "If you're not playing
then you are not affecting what can happen for West Ham so you get called
every name under the sun. "Even though the owners came out and said some
harsh things about me at the time, I think they've done an incredible job.
"I got on really well with Karen Brady and never will have a bad word to say
about anyone at that football club. "Hopefully I'll play on Monday and if we
scored I wouldn't celebrate because I wouldn't want to disrespect the fans
at all."
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
The Development Squad continue to top the Barclays Under-21 Premier League
after beating Norwich City 2-0
28.09.2012
The Development Squad continued their hot streak with a 2-0 win against
Norwich City in Friday night courtesy of a looping header from Rob Hall and
a low drive from Pelly Ruddock. Prior to kick-off at Rush Green the Canaries
were level on points at the top of the league with both the Hammers and
Arsenal, who themselves had succumbed to defeat at Rush Green just one week
ago. The away side settled the quicker of the two but it didn't take long
for Ian Hendon's side to find their rhythm and with eight minutes played
they should have taken the lead. Hall charged down the left on the counter,
before leaving three Norwich players in his wake and crossing to the
arriving Paul McCallum, who failed to hit the target from five yards. Just
two minutes later Hall showed McCallum how it is done. Matthias Fanimo broke
down the left and found Dan Potts on the overlap who floated a cross to the
near post where Hall sent a looping header over Declan Rudd. Jack Powell,
who was a late change to the line-up, almost created a second West Ham goal
just a minute after their first but captain Callum Driver was denied by the
crossbar from 30 yards. With 20 minutes gone it was still all action as
Norwich almost drew level when Driver once again took centre stage by
somehow clearing Aaron Tumwa's header off the line with Raphael Spiegel
beaten. 64 minutes into the game the Hammers felt they should have been 2-0
up. Potts showed terrific vision, turning his man on the byline before
pulling the back to Moncur, who fizzed his shot towards goal. The keeper was
beaten and a goal looked certain but, just like Driver in the first half,
Norwich had a hero of their own in Ewan McNeil, who stopped the ball dead on
the line. Despite the Hammers' claims that the ball was over the line, their
protests were waved away.
Norwich continued to struggle and were unable to break down the resolute
West Ham United back line and Ruddock secured the points on 90 minutes,
turning in the box before firing into the corner past Rudd. Meanwhile, Blair
Turgott was also in action on Friday some 1500 miles away, scoring twice as
the England Under-19s ran out 6-0 winners against the Faroe Islands in
Tallinn, Estonia. The Irons youngster was thwarted on two occasions early on
by keeper Eli Leifsson, but eventually beat him in the eleventh minute from
20-yards before adding a second and England's fifth with eight minutes
remaining. Arsenal's Chuba Akpom also scored twice with substitutes Hallam
Hope and Calum Chambers also on the scoresheet. Next up for Turgott and
England is a tie with Ukraine on Monday.
West Ham United: Spiegel, Driver, Potts, Moncur, Chambers, Spence, Powell
(Ruddock 55), Lletget, McCallum, Fanimo, Hall.
Subs not used: Lee, Baxter, Tombides, Wearen.
Norwich City: Rudd, McNeil, Tumwa, Durojaiye, Gafaiti, Sheriff, Jacob
Murphy, Hamilton (Barker 82), Loza, King (Clunan 65), Josh Murphy
(Hall-Johnson 82).
Subs not used: Steer, Morris, Barker.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Taylor hoping for a happy Monday
WHUFC.com
Matt Taylor is targeting three points when West Ham United travel to QPR on
Monday night
28.09.2012
Matt Taylor is hoping to help fire West Ham United to their first away win
of the season when they visit Queens Park Rangers on Monday night. After a
disappointing first away-day of the 2012/13 Barclays Premier League season
at Swansea City last month, the Hammers put in an improved performance in a
0-0 draw at Norwich City on 15 September. Taylor now hopes they can go one
better at Loftus Road, but knows QPR will also be hoping for three points
having failed to win any of their opening five league fixtures. "I think the
key for us is to be solid at the back and look to convert the chances we
create," Taylor said. "If we do this then hopefully we can come away with a
positive result. "It will be a hard game - we haven't won away in the league
this season, so we would like to get that monkey off our backs. I think it
is going to be a good game."
Taylor believes that the fixture will benefit from the added spice that
London derbies always tend to provide. The match will also be West Ham
United's first league game under floodlights this season, so a lively
atmosphere is expected. "We are looking to continue what has been a solid
start for us in the Barclays Premier League, there are no easy games and it
is also a London derby. "We are a promoted side so perhaps that works in our
favour, there might not be the huge expectation on us as a club or a team in
that respect. We have had a good start to the season and we want to build on
it starting Monday. "QPR are the home side and they will want to impose
themselves early on so we can expect a frantic start. They will come out
fast but we also want to stake a claim on the game. Myself and the lads are
very much looking forward to it."
Taylor scored his first goal of the season in the 3-0 win against Fulham and
although he enjoyed getting on the scoresheet that day, a win for the team
is of far greater importance. "I don't mind who scores or who gets on the
end of chances. As long as we score and we win nothing else matters.
"Of course it would be nice to chip in if I can, but any goal is a good
goal. It doesn't matter how it goes in as long as it is the goal that gets
us the result we want."
Captain Kevin Nolan snatched a late equaliser in the Hammers' last outing
against Sunderland last weekend, but Taylor is hoping that a solitary point
is the least they return with from west London. "Sunderland showed when they
came to our place that every game is a difficult one. It was to our credit
that we kept going and got a reward for those efforts. "In my mind any point
in the Premier League is a good point, especially away from home. Hopefully
that is the least we will finish with on Monday night."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Mavila making progress
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's young summer signing from Wycombe Wanderers has settled in
quickly
28.09.2012
Nathan Mavila has plenty of ambition - ambition to make it as a top-class
professional footballer and ambition to set the record straight about his
native Brixton.
Born and raised to Congolese parents, the summer capture from Wycombe
Wanderers captained both south and inner London as a schoolboy. A versatile
full-back or winger, the first-year scholar has a maturity that belies his
16 years. Mavila has settled quickly at West Ham United and, looking ahead
to the Under-18s' game away at Norwich City on Saturday morning, he knows
what he wants to achieve in the game. "I'm from Brixton and I started out
playing for a club called Afewee Urban when I was seven or eight, where I
was team-mates with [West Ham team-mate] Leo Chambers. I've lived in Brixton
all my life. "I got scouted by Wycombe when I was in Year Seven in 2007 and
I was there for five years. Other clubs came in for me and I went on trial
to Chelsea but didn't get in. I have come to West Ham because of the
reputation the club has. "I want to thank the Wycombe scout Michael
Carnegie, assistant manager Richard Dobson and the first-team manager Gary
Waddock for what they did for me and my development. "I'd also like to thank
my teacher from Sacred Heart School Richard Lasiquot and my dad Mr Muanda
Mavila. "I was attracted to West Ham because of the opportunities available
at the club and also because I knew a few of the people here. I didn't just
want to go somewhere and not feel at home. London is closer to home but, at
the same time, it's easy to feel not at home. "I think I am just finding my
feet at the moment and trying to do my thing. I want to push on and, if I do
really well this season, then I want to push on into the Development Squad
next season."
Mavila's comfort at his new club has been evidenced by his fine start to
life in a claret and blue shirt. The left-sided player has started twice and
appeared in the opening four Barclays Under-18 Premier League fixtures,
scoring his maiden goal in a 4-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion. He has
been deployed as a winger ahead of left-back Frazer Shaw, but revealed he
can play anywhere down the flank or even wide on the right. "At Wycombe I
was a left winger until Under-15s, but they told me the Under-18s needed a
left-back and asked me if I wanted to play there and I said I would give it
a try. I played there for two seasons and the club see me as a winger again
and I'm enjoying it. "I get on well with Frazer and he talks to me a lot on
and off the pitch. We've got a good relationship, as I have with Josh Siafa
when I play on the right."
Like many left-sided players, Mavila is a massive fan of Chelsea and
England's Ashley Cole: "All my life I have watched him. He is top-drawer in
terms of his attacking and defending. He is consistent and I think he's a
good role model and a leader. "I think I've got more things to work on
myself. I can improve my movement and strength and my defending because,
having moved on to the wing, I have lost those habits a little bit and I
need to get them back. I also need to offer a bit more in the final third."
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The kids are still United
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 28th September 2012
By: Staff Writer
Jordan Spence has expressed his disappointment after West Ham were sent
crashing out of the Capital One Cup on Tuesday evening. The Hammers were
beaten 4-1 on the night with Sam Allardyce receiving criticism from some
quarters for dropping so many established first team players. Nine of the
team that had drawn with Sunderland 72 hours earlier were absent from the
starting line-up against the Latics. However that afforded the under-fire
manager the opportunity to test a number of youngsters on the fringe of the
first team squad. Along with Spence, Robert Hall, Danny Potts, Matthias
Fanimo and Dylan Tombides all featured at some stage of the game in which
West Ham took an early lead through Modibo Maiga before shipping four goals
and thus denying them the chance to face Bradford in the next round. To
Spence's credit, he admitted that the whole performance - including his own
- had been under par. "It was a good opportunity for us younger lads to come
in and gain experience and show that we are still pushing for a place in the
first team," he told whufc.com. "Unfortunately, we didn't do that. "I will
go away now and analyse the game from a personal point of view to see what I
did well and what I can do better because I am all about improving. "To
concede four goals and to lose the game the way we did is extremely
disappointing. But we didn't do enough defensively to warrant anything from
the game."
The most positive note of a desperately disappointing night was the first
team debut of Dylan Tombides, who was only given the all-clear to resume his
career in April following his recovery from testicular cancer. And Hammers
legend Julian Dicks, speaking in his latest column for KUMB.com was full of
praise for the young Australian striker. "Fighting cancer is going to be the
biggest battle of his career," he said. "Everything else should be easy by
comparison. "For him to get over that is incredible and it's great to see
him back and getting a few minutes on the pitch."
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The grass isn't always Greener
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 28th September 2012
By: Tom Kilbey
What a difference a couple of months make. Rob Green, idolised by the West
Ham fans and all but guaranteed a starting position between the sticks, now
finds himself second choice at QPR. His short career at the Hoops can hardly
be described as a successful one thus far. After turning his back on West
Ham and signing a lucrative deal at the West London club, the England
International would have expected to be a staple in the QPR starting XI.
Instead, after a contender for the worst performance of the season, a 5-0
defeat against Swansea was all the persuading Mark Hughes needed to re-enter
the transfer market once again.
The following weeks saw QPR sign what seemed like every footballer over the
age of 30; among them was Brazilian keeper Julio Cesar. Green was
immediately relegated to the bench, and barring a run of poor performances
from Cesar, his career at his new club could be already be over. Hughes was
quick to point out that he would talk with Rob and discuss his options,
hinting at the possibility he would be able to leave on a free. In all
honesty, no one can blame Mark Hughes. Cesar is a tremendous coup for his
club, and would have been foolish to reject the chance to sign him simply
because he had already signed a keeper during the transfer window.
In other words, Robbo has options. A potential move back to West Ham has
been hinted at, but nothing has come from either club. The hypothetical
question as to whether we would have him back, however, is certainly an
interesting one. The first thing to note is that Sam Allardyce is an
extremely stubborn man. Despite being within his rights, a move from West
Ham to QPR would do little to advance Green's career, regardless of whether
he was playing first team football or otherwise. The obvious conjecture to
make is that Green's head was turned by a big pay cheque.
Resultantly, Allardyce would see this as a lack of loyalty towards him and
the club, and a lack of trust in his ability to take the club forward.
Because of this, I think Allardyce would be reluctant to rescue Green from
his QPR nightmare. On top of this, if BFS truly felt that his side were
lacking in the goalkeeper department, he could easily sign Craig Gordon, who
is still without a club. We have been active in bringing in free agents on
trial, and the fact that the ex-Sunderland stopper's name hasn't even been
mentioned tells me all I need to know about Sam's faith in Jussi and Stephen
Henderson.
I think the fans would have a much more mixed opinion on the topic. Many
fans would feel betrayed that Greeno let money take precedence over
loyalties. But at the same time, the mantra that you should act in the best
intentions of the club also comes to mind. Such a likeable character, and
almost universally liked among West Ham fans, time would almost certainly
heal the wounds of his departure from the club, and in time, he would be
accepted back in a West Ham shirt.
But the far more relevant question here is, do we need him back?
Clearly, for reasons I have already discussed, Allardyce would appear to
believe the answer to that question is a resounding no. Although our
goalkeepers are weaker this year, I think its time to move on. I like Rob
just as much as the next West Ham fan, but even I allowed myself a wry smile
when I saw his debut performance.
"Regrets, I've had a few..."
As a team who is looking to move forward, we should look forward, not back.
Re-signing a 32-year-old ex-player with diminished loyalties for the club,
on what would be a lucrative contract, does not make financial sense.
I am hopeful our Finnish keeper, who's surname I still refuse to learn how
to spell, is returning to form after a shaky start. Let's not forget Stephen
Henderson either, who is expected to blossom into a solid goalkeeper. We
certainly don't have the best keepers in the League, but there are more
viable and more sustainable options than signing Green back.
Only Green himself knows if he regrets the decision to leave West Ham.
Perhaps the extra £10,000 a week is a fair trade for first team football.
But maybe the money does not soften the blow. One thing is clear, the grass
isn't always Greener on the other side.
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Boris to Pull the Plug on West Ham's Olympic bid?
By Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die
I'm not sure why but over the last few days I have started to feel very
nervous about West Ham's bid to take over the Olympic Stadium. As you know,
I am a supporter of the move. And then today Boris Johnson says he is not
"wedded" to football interests taking over the stadium. Boris chairs the
committee which has to choose between the four competing bids. As three of
them are related to football, this is a very strange comment for him to
make. I seriously wonder if he is preparing the ground for yet another
rethink. If so, it would be a scandal and West Ham should sue him for the
waste of time and several million pounds it has cost to put the various bids
together.
I hope I am wrong.
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Karren Brady's football diary
By KARREN BRADY
Published: 7 hrs ago
The Sun
Saturday, September 22
FOR uncomplicated souls like you and me, the fact that West Ham have 11
shots on target and Sunderland two probably means that West Ham have had
much the better of the game, even though the result is a draw. For
Sunderland's Martin O'Neill and many other managers in similar circumstances
it doesn't work like that at all. At least not for public consumption. So
O'Neill's claim that "I thought we should have won" is either looking on the
bright side of life or a view like that held in Britain after Dunkirk.
Sunday, September 23
IT'S a terrible irony a referee's incorrect decisions can never be put right
while those of three inquiries into the Hillsborough disaster were, finally,
after 23 years. Today, a great wrong on the 96 Liverpool supporters who died
in an avoidable hell is acknowledged in respectful ways at Anfield where
Liverpool and their keenest rivals, Manchester United, are meeting. Maybe
the usually excellent referee Mark Halsey would like to rescind the two
decisions that cost the home team their first win of the season. He can't.
But Liverpool at last win something far more important. The truth.
Monday, September 24
I'M not sure what Wales manager Chris Coleman and Sky Sports presenter
Charlotte Jackson were broadcasting from the Liberty Stadium. After seeing
pictures published today, I can only guess that from the position of his
hand on her knee he was demonstrating where he once damaged his ligaments in
a car crash.
A few years ago his lovely wife, Belinda, was so distracted by the thought
he was having affairs that she employed a company to bug his car for
evidence.
I know of a dozen other wives who have done the same thing, some with
remarkable results.
Tuesday, September 25
THE PUSSIES are rioting over the fat cats, £64million pair Hulk and Axel
Witsel, at Zenit St Petersburg. Two of the Russian players have complained
so strongly about the contracts of Hulk, said to be on £5million-a-year and
the Belgian about three-quarters of that, they've been told to shut up and
dropped to the youth squad. Lucky for them, in contrast the girls of Pussy
Riot were jailed for two years. In the end, most of the arguments amount to
status in the dressing room and a player named Hulk is bound to have a lot
of muscle there, anyway.
Wednesday, September 26
I SEE Roberto Mancini is having an anger attack after Man City's home
beating by Villa, and Paul Lambert is on the end of it. Roberto has a bit of
a reputation, but how impressive it is if it's based on the fact that he
once had a fist fight with Trevor Francis, I'm not so sure. Anyway, last
night at Upton Park, Sam is equally grumpy and tells the understudies
they've lost their case to take over in forthcoming Premier League games.
Sam, first and foremost likes to win. Secondly, despite the rubbish that's
peddled in some parts of the media he knows that playing good football is
the best way consistently to do that. He has already proved a brilliant
appointment for us.
Thursday, September 27
THE FA have always insisted that the referee's decision is final. Well,
always until they get involved. They didn't like the verdict of the referee
— in this case Westminster Magistrates Court — in the John Terry affair, so
they decided he'd have to answer to them on a similar charge. This afternoon
their kangaroo court found the Chelsea captain (below) guilty, fined him and
banned him for four matches. How righteous they must feel. But it wasn't
racism they were kicking out of football, it was justice. The language
reported as being used against Anton Ferdinand was offensive in several
ways, but Terry was found innocent of racism under the law of the land and,
like it or not, that should have been the end of the matter.
Friday, September 28
A BUNCH of flowers and a pot of anti-ageing cream for 'mature skin' turns up
at my office. A fellow Premier League director has gone and bought a
cosmetic company and he would like me to test his cream as I am the 'right
target audience'. Bloody cheek! I call him and he explains he didn't know
who else to ask as his girlfriend is much younger than him. He's a
fabulously wealthy 50ish-year-old man... and she is in her 20s. "Do you
think she would marry me if I tell her I'm 47?" he asks me. "Your chances
are better," I reply "if you tell her you're 90." Revenge.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
QPR vs West Ham team news: Rangers without four defenders, Carroll still out
for Hammers
The Mirror
Anton Ferdinand, Jose Bosingwa and Fabio are all out with hamstring injuries
and Armand Traore has an injured leg. QPR will have to face West Ham in
Monday's London derby without four first-team defenders. Anton Ferdinand,
Jose Bosingwa and Fabio are all out with hamstring injuries and Armand
Traore (leg) is also unavailable. Striker Andy Johnson is out with a
long-term knee injury but midfielder Adel Taarabt could return after missing
the last two games with a hamstring problem.
Provisional squad: Green, Cesar, Onuoha, Hill, Nelsen, Mbia, Diakite, Derry,
Park, Granero, Dyer, Taarabt, Hoilett, Faurlin, Wright-Phillips, Ephraim,
Mackie, Zamora, Cisse.
Carroll still out with hamstring injury
Midfielder Gary O'Neil says has recovered from the knee injury he sustained
during Tuesday's defeat to Wigan and will be fit for West Ham's London derby
against QPR on Monday. Sam Allardyce is likely to make wholesale changes
from the XI that were beaten 4-1 by the Latics, although Modibo Maiga could
keep his place after scoring on his second consecutive start. On-loan
Liverpool striker Andy Carroll (hamstring) is unlikely to play and Jack
Collison (knee) is unavailable but Yossi Benayoun could make his first start
since moving back to the Hammers on loan.
Provisional squad: Jaaskelainen, Demel, O'Brien, Reid, Collins, Noble,
Diame, Taylor, Maiga, Nolan, Cole, Jarvis, Vaz Te, Benayoun, McCartney,
Diarra, Tomkins, Henderson, O'Neil, Carroll.
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Dyer lifts the lid on West Ham nightmare
Sep 28 2012 By Jacob Murtagh
Ealing Gazette
KIERON Dyer admits his four-year spell at West Ham was the most frustrating
of his career – now he's determined to make up for lost time at QPR. The
33-year-old made just 15 league starts during his injury-ravaged spell at
the Hammers before being released when his contract expired in 2011. Neil
Warnock offered Dyer the chance to kick-start his career at Loftus Road,
only to suffer a freak foot problem three minutes into his debut which ruled
him out for the season. However, the utility man is back to fitness and
played 90 minutes at right-back in Rangers' defeat at Spurs on Sunday. Dyer
is gearing up to face the Irons for the first time since making the switch
across the capital in the London derby on Monday night. And he insists he's
hell-bent on putting his miserable stint at the Boleyn behind him. He said:
"It was the most frustrating time of my career. We got relegated and I only
played a handful of games. "I believe that if I got a run of games under my
belt and stayed injury-free then I could've helped our cause more. "It
wasn't for a lack of effort. I tried everything physically possible to get
on the pitch but it wasn't to be. "I'm absolutely gutted because it was four
years where I never played three games on the trot. If you considered what I
went through on a personal level I look back at that with a lot of regrets
because it was a case of what if? "It's a fantastic club with fantastic
fans, but I was never on the pitch enough to justify the wages and the fee
they paid for me which is very unfortunate."
West Ham's co-chairman David Sullivan suggested Dyer should retire back in
2010 due to his woeful injury record. But Dyer refuses to get into a war of
words with his former boss, and insists he's not surprised at the flack that
came his way. "That's the way the game is," he added. "If you're not playing
then you are not affecting what can happen for West Ham so you get called
every name under the sun. "Even though the owners came out and said some
harsh things about me at the time, I think they've done an incredible job.
"I got on really well with Karen Brady and never will have a bad word to say
about anyone at that football club. "Hopefully I'll play on Monday and if we
scored I wouldn't celebrate because I wouldn't want to disrespect the fans
at all."
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Friday, September 28
Daily WHUFC News - 28th September 2012
Spence's learning curve
WHUFC.com
Jordan Spence admits West Ham United's youngsters will have learnt a lot
from the defeat to Wigan Athletic
26.09.2012
West Ham United Man of the Match Jordan Spence believe that despite the
short-term pain, West Ham United's youngsters will become better players
following Tuesday's 4-1 Capital One Cup defeat against Wigan Athletic.
Spence was voted the home side's best player by sponsors Mash Media, but
after being part of a defence that conceded four times as many goals as the
Hammers had at home all season, the 22-year-old admitted it was a
bittersweet conclusion. Drawing on the positives, though, the Academy
graduate admits that the loss has given him plenty of pointers for
development. "To be honest I am just happy to play," Spence said. "I am
extremely grateful for the opportunity and everybody knows that whenever I
pull on that claret and blue shirt I will give my all. "When I get a chance
in the first team I just want to show everybody what I can do, it was nice
to do that in a winning side against Crewe but to lose this game leaves an
extremely bitter taste in my mouth. "It was a good opportunity for us
younger lads to come in and gain experience and show that we are still
pushing for a place in the first team, unfortunately we didn't do that. "I
will go away now and analyse the game from a personal point of view to see
what I did well and what I can do better because I am all about improving."
The Hammers failed to kick on after taking a seventh-minute lead through
Modibo Maiga's fine strike and Spence, who was deployed at right-back for
the night, conceded that the back five did not do enough defensively to earn
a place in the fourth round. "We are extremely disappointed with the result.
We spoke before the game about continuing our unbeaten run at home and we
started really well by getting the opening goal but to concede four goals
and to lose the game the way we did is extremely disappointing. "It is an
old cliché but everybody knows that goals win games, Wigan played very well,
kept their shape and moved the ball well, but we knew we could capitalise if
we pushed up onto them. "We did that with the first goal but after that we
have to admit our disappointment, we will look at the goals again and try
and decipher them, but we didn't do enough defensively to warrant anything
from the game."
Spence has been a regular starter in Ian Hendon's Development Squad who have
been in exceptional form so far this season, not least against Arsenal last
Friday when they came away with a 4-1 win. He will now be hoping to maintain
their lofty position in the table when Norwich visit Rush Green on Friday
evening for a 7pm kick-off. "We have a lot of confidence and a winning
feeling in the Development Squad, it is a culture we want to build within
the football club. "We are top of the league and you saw confident
performances against Wigan from the likes of Rob Hall and Matty Fanimo. The
boys are doing really well and we want to show we are ready and capable at
any point we are called upon."
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Ohuruogu shares Hammers' vision
WHUFC.com
Olympian Christine Ohuruogu has outlined her vision for a lasting Olympic
legacy in east London
26.09.2012
Christine Ohuruogu was a special guest at the Boleyn Ground on Saturday to
see West Ham United snatch a dramatic last-minute equaliser against
Sunderland.
Ohuruogu won the silver medal in the 400m at London's 2012 Olympic Games and
she now hopes Team GB's achievements can inspire the next generation of
potential stars. The 28-year-old was brought up in Newham so she can
appreciate how important it is to once again having a Barclays Premier
League football team working in the local community. "I have really enjoyed
my summer, it is great for me to compete in Stratford and then be able to
come and watch Premier League football here at the Boleyn Ground," she said.
"It is really great to have a Premier League football team doing well in the
area, it really does boost the community and everybody's emotions. It is
great that sport can do that. It is a real testament to how east London is
developing through sport and how it is really at the forefront in the world
of sport at the moment. "The last few months have been intense and although
it was great to win it doesn't really stop once the games are finished."
West Ham United, through the work of their award-winning Community Sports
Trust, have already been working hard at offering coaching and job
opportunities to youngsters in the area and now the 2008 Beijing Olympic
gold medallist is keen to mirror that kind of commitment as she looks to
give back to the community that helped shape her. "It is great that we are
really helping to bring the next generation through and give them something
positive to aspire to. We have an unwritten obligation as athletes to drive
the next generation. "It is so often a problem with young people,
particularly in London, that they haven't really had anyone to aspire to, so
hopefully we have done that or we are on our way."
Ohuruogu also expressed her desire to consider using her passion for sport
to coach youngsters once she decides to hang up her running spikes. "I am on
my break now so I do not really want to see a running track," joked
Ohuruogu. "But I am really hoping that once the season starts I can go in
and show the youngsters what I have learnt. "The Olympics really have
brought a huge momentum, not just to sport but to achieving positive change
and positive thinking, that we really need to jump on that momentum and keep
it going. "It is useful, it is not something that only happens once every
four years or for just two weeks in London, we really can use this to change
everybody's lives."
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The Julian Dicks Column: 28th September
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 27th September 2012
By: Julian Dicks
It's with great pleasure that we welcome West Ham United FC legend Julian
Dicks to KUMB.com. Julian shares his thoughts with the readers of Knees up
Mother Brown on a regular basis via his weekly column, the latest of which
begins with the sad passing of a West Ham legend...
John Bond
It's probably a year or so since I last saw John Bond. I'd never said it to
him before but that day I told him that he was one of the best managers I'd
played under - and he was, he was incredible. He just said: "Thank you very
much!" When Ron Saunders - who signed me for Birmingham - resigned, John
took over. He was a big, big bloke and I was only 16 or 17. I went training
for the first time and I remember it like it was yesterday. John stuck me up
front with Wayne Clarke and said: "I want you to do this and this," - and I
couldn't do it, I couldn't understand what he wanted me to do. So he shouted
at me and said: "Oi you, f*ck off over there!" - and that was it! In the
beginning, when he first came in I thought, "f*cking Hell, what's happening
here?" - because he just b*llocked me left, right and centre! But once I
started playing, it was very different.
When John took over from Ron at Birmingham, it was a total change of
direction. It was get the ball on the floor, play, pass; he didn't even want
you to boot it in your own box and I'd never heard that before! So, he
shaped the early days of my career and when I went to West Ham, that was
just the normal way to play football. I signed my first professional
contract under John. We'd just played against Luton and I'd had a blinding
game. The next day, he came in and said: "I want you to sign a professional
contract". I was only 17.
Along with Ron Saunders, John Bond probably shaped my footballing career.
Because he'd played for West Ham he didn't want me to get the ball and just
smack it up front, he wanted me to play. He didn't want me to play for
England because that was the way the football was being played. As a manager
you take bits from every manager you've worked under, even if you don't
think you do. Ron Saunders liked to play direct football at Birmingham, then
there was John Bond. When I went to West Ham, we had John Lyall.
John [Bond] was both an incredible man and manager; his record speaks for
itself. We didn't keep in touch after we'd left Birmingham but when I went
to West Ham we used to see each other frequently. He was an absolutely
fantastic person. He was funny - and loved a cigar! - but was incredible.
He's a massive loss to football.
Lucky - and unlucky
I thought West Ham did well against Sunderland and I thought they deserved
more than a point - even though in the end they were lucky to get one! They
dominated the game and I thought when they got going, West Ham were going to
win quite easily.
Kevin Nolan's goal was a fantastic volley - but Simon Mignolet's save in the
first half was just as good. But overall, whilst you think we should have
got three points you've got to be happy with one in the end.
It was good to see them work for the whole 95 minutes; sometimes when a game
enters injury time you resign yourself to not getting a result but they
carried on fighting, which was pleasing.
Head and shoulders above everyone else for me was Momo Diame. I thought he
was fantastic; he reminded me of a poor-man's Yaya Toure! I think if we can
keep him, your Jarvises and your Nolans fit then we have a great chance of a
good season.
I also thought Matt Jarvis did particularly well when he came on. Carlton
Cole played but he was substituted - and rightly so - but you want someone
like that or Andy Carroll up front when Jarvis is playing. He put some great
crosses in the box and I think had Andy been in there we may well have got
another couple of goals.
That was the first time I've seen Jarvis play a full game this season and he
impressed me. At the end of the day he's a winger and it's about crossing
balls - and he put in more than anybody. He also played on against Wigan
without the same success but obviously he has just come back from injury.
Sam put a load of kids out on Tuesday night but any way you look at it, it
was a disappointing result. Personally, I would have kept the same side.
We know West Ham aren't going to win the Premier League so that's one chance
of silverware out of the window. We could win the FA Cup, or have a great
run, but the Capital One Cup is a trophy that we could win - which means a
trip to Wembley and a great day out for everybody.
If I was going to change the side I would have changed one or two players,
maximum. I know some managers like to rotate but we have almost a week
before the next game. They worry about injuries but you can get injured in
training just as easily so I would have kept a similar side.
The likes of Manchester United might not think twice about the Cup because
they're going to be challenging for the Premier League and the Champions
League but I would have liked to have seen West Ham progress and perhaps win
some silverware this season.
I'm not convinced by the theory that says a good Cup run can hinder progress
in the league. As a player, you want to play games more than you train - at
least that's how I used to come into the season. As a player it's great to
have a chance of playing in a Cup Final. I wonder whether Sam will also rest
players in the FA Cup, or whether he thinks the Capital One Cup is the
lesser competition?
On the bright side, it was good to see Dylan Tombides play against Wigan.
Fighting cancer is going to be the biggest battle of his career - everything
else should be easy by comparison. For him to get over that is incredible
and it's great to see him back and getting a few minutes on the pitch.
Looking back: League Cup woes
The League Cup is a competition that West Ham have never won. Julian was
part of the West Ham team that reached successive semi finals in 1989 and
1990 only to be humbled on both occasions - firstly by Luton Town and then
by Oldham Athletic on their Boundary Road plastic pitch. Julian takes up the
story...
Against Luton we put our best team out - and came up short. In the first leg
I gave a penalty away after grabbing someone round the neck. I remember John
Lyall coming in and asking: "did you touch him?" - and me replying: "No, I
didn't!" But I definitely grabbed him round the neck!
At the end of the day we lost 3-0 at home in the first leg and the second
leg 2-0 - but Luton were a very good side then, they had some good players
like Mick Harford and Roy Wegerle.
The following year against Oldham was embarrassing - even though we nearly
made an unexpected comeback! We lost 6-0 in the first leg on their plastic
pitch which was a huge advantage to them. It wasn't like the synthetic 3G
pitches we have today, the ball used to bounce all over the place.
In the second leg we gave it our best shot. We absolutely battered them like
they battered us up there but once we got 3-0 ahead the ball just wouldn't
go in the back of the net again. We hit the crossbar, the post, the 'keeper
pulled off a couple of great saves as well. But if you're getting beat 6-0
you know you're not going to win the tie - it would have had to be some
comeback to win 7-6!
But we had opportunities; it wasn't the case that we gave up. We went out to
win that game which we did - and we should have won it by more. Oldham were
a decent side but when you're playing on a pitch that they played on day in,
day out, it helps them. I think that's why the pitches got ripped up because
they were unfair for every other team.
But the League Cup tie many remember was the game at Stockport in 1996 [West
Ham lost 2-1].
I scored with a header from a corner to put us in front before Iain Dowie
scored a better one at the other end a minute later. It was just one of
those things; I think he forgot which end he was scoring in! He was about 12
yards out - and it was a great [own] goal - but these things happen. After
the game I remember him sitting there with his head in his hands. I was half
expecting him to run away!
The thing is, losing to lower league opposition happens at every club. When
I was at Birmingham we got beat by Altrincham who were non-league whilst
Manchester United got beat by Bournemouth. These games happen, especially in
the FA Cup where the lower league teams have nothing to lose and all the
pressure is on the big clubs. It shouldn't happen, but it does.
Julian Dicks was talking to Graeme Howlett.
* Julian is currently available to coach both junior and senior football
teams. For more details, follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/JULIAN3DICKS.
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Was the Wigan Defeat that Much of a Surprise?
By S J Chandos
West Ham Till I Die
Perhaps the 1-4 scale of the defeat was a surprise, but not the reverse
overall. As Sam Allardye has stated, it was largely due to a series of
defensive mistakes and lapses. It has also been pointed out that the team
was relatively inexperienced, with the inclusion of Potts, Spence, Hall,
Famino and Tombides (the latter two players from the banch). Allardyce was
surprisingly radical in his team selection, obviously gambling on his squad
and younger players delivering on the night. Yet, was it wise to completely
replace the whole defensive unit in that way? Yes, play Henderson and Spence
& Potts at full-back, but surely it would have been a better play to retain
an experienced central defensive pairing of Tomkins and Reid/Collins. That
would have have allowed the two youngsters to have started, but provided the
extra assurance of a tried and tested central defensive pairing. Instead, he
went for a totally untested and unfamiliar defensive unit of Henderson,
Spence, Potts, McCartney & Tomkins. In addition, McCartney has been missing
due to injury, showed clear signs of being affected by the lay off and it
was also not exactly a surprise that he was off the pace in his first match
back.
I did not actually see the match, due to illness, and had to suffer
listening to the London BBC commentary on my sick bed and later saw the BBC
highlights on Tuesday evening (which almost gave me a relapse! Goodness
knows how it affected those who suffered it live?). However, it seems to me
that the youngsters actually performed fairly well. Yes, they showed
inexperience, but the catch 22 is that actually playing first team football
is the only solution to that! Spence seemed to do well at right-back and
only had one lapse, which was cruelly punished, in allowing the Wigan player
to get the cross in for the equaliser. Potts seemed to have had a steady
game. Both Hall and Famino (when the latter got on) impressed and it was
really pleasing to see Dylan Tombides make his full-team debut (this is
youngster that rivals Hall in his potential). So, I do not totally subscribe
to the 'the youngsters did not perform' thesis being put forward. They did
not set the match alight, granted, but individually, they were not a
disaster. No, the fault, as I see it, lies with the overall team selection.
Not, the forward line, which I thought looked well balanced and a good
combination, but the rearguard. They had not previously played together
regularly as a unit, two of the players were relatively inexperienced
(Spence and Potts) and the other two had varying degrees of fitness and
injury issues going in to the match.
And this is not a case of hindsight, because I really had my reservations
about that selection when I heard it on the radio. It was a clear risk and
Allardyce came unstuck on the night! So while the players must accept the
majority of the blame for our cup exit, Allardyce also has to bear some
degree of responsibility for the result. Nor do I completely buy this, the
youngsters are not currently 'up to scratch' and need to go out on loan
argument. One or two, like Turgott, Famino and Tombides, might well benefit,
but not Spence, Potts and Hall. They have done the loan thing and are at a
stage where they need to be at the club, training with, and learning from,
the senior professionals, and being used from the bench. Arguably, just
throwing four or five youngsters in to a match with a PL club, like Wigan,
is not the way to do it. They should be slowly introduced in to a settled
team unit, with experienced players around them to guide and support them.
Starting with appearances from the bench and working up to a full 45 and 90
minutes.
The manner of Tuesday's defeat was certanly a huge learning curve fior the
youngsters and lets hope that, long-term, it has positive rather than
negative effects. But my thesis is that it should never been allowed to
happen in that potentially counter-productive way. Now, others may take a
different, they are in the squad and they need to be tested line, but
looking back on West Ham's history, were the likes of Bobby Moore, Trevor
Brooking or Tony Cottee thrown in that way, without fully fit and
experienced players around them? No, of course not. Moore had the likes of
Cantwell, Bond around him when he debuted against anMan Utdin 1958-59;
Brooking had the support and guidance of Moore, Hurst, Boyce in the late
sixties and Peters; and Cottee, in turn, was introduced in the 1983 home
match, vs Spurs, with experienced players around him.
It just seems to me that at present we are either too conservative in
utilising our youngsters or we allow the situation that occurred against
Wigan to arise, with not unsurprising consequences. Yet, arguably, there is
an alternative and more sensible middle-ground in all this. Others will not
doubt disagree, but hey, that's football, a game of diverse and alternative
opinions. And long may it be so!
Like many of you, I was disappointed tha Yossi did not figure on Tuesday,
due to the religious observance of a Jewish religous festival. I was hugely
encouraged by the positive impact of his 2nd half introduction against
Sunderland. Yossi can supply the vision, touch and killer ball in the final
third that we have been missing. Similarly, Jarvis did very well when he was
introduced and his 'never say die' attitude in retrieving and keeping the
ball in play, for Nolan's equaliser, was an important moment in saving the
match. I totally agree with those that have argued that our opening line up
was too conservative and that either Jarvis or Benayoun should have started.
However, the positive thing is that we now have the playing resources to
change things mid-match and switch our tactics, that was far less the case
last season. Yet, regardless, we more than had enough chances against
Sunderland to have won. Yes, they could also have caught us on the
counter-attack and scored a second. But when you are chasing a game, and
pushing hard for an equaliser, that is always a possibility. But ultimately,
our all out attacking approach in extra-time ultimately paid off with the
salvaging of a valuable and well deserved point.
Other recent positives, have been the effective introduction of Maiga, with
a crucial assist and a well struck goal in the last two matches.There is far
more to come from this player in the matches ahead. The crossing of Jarvis,
which in its accuracy is first class, allied to his wonderful ability to run
at and take on the full-back. Players like him scare full-backs and unsettle
defences. He was strangely quiet against Wigan, but he is obviously feeling
his way back after his short injury lay off. The combination of Diame and
Noble has been outstanding in midfield and Kevin Nolan is red hot in the
final third at present. Finally, both Guy Demel and Winston Reid deserve
huge praise for their performances so far this season, both have been
outstanding at the back. The fact that we still have James Tomkins,
(hopefully) Jack Collison and Andy Carroll to return to the side is also a
comforting and encouraging thought.
There are also negative factors in play at the moment. I am not totally sure
of Jussi and Henderson's form in goal; McCartney's injury absence has
exposed our weakness at left-back (although Potts and Famino could well
prove to be the medium-longer term solution?); Collins has impressed on
occasions, but also shown some costly lapses of concentration; Diarra is a
great player to have available in the squad, but it is as yet unsure how he
will be best deployed (perhaps injury or Diame's potential African League of
Nations absence in January will see him come in to his own?); Vaz Te is
having a very difficult time at present; but it is nothing that a couple of
goals will not put right (to me this is more a test of his temperment than
his ability); and the fustrating failure of Carlton Cole to grasp the
nettle, and make his mark so far, in Carroll's absence.
As I stated previously, we are set up to have a good season, but there are
bound to be one or two poor results along the way. Tuesday was one of those
poor results, but the unfortunate thing is that it was avoidable. Still, it
was far preferable that it happened in the League Cup than the PL. QPR on
Monday night is another match and, hopefully, they will respond to
Allardyce's call for a positive response in the aftermath of Tuesday's
disappointment. McCartney is probably not ready yet for am immediate return,
so I hope that he plays Taylor at left-back to accommodate the inclusion of
Jarvis on the left-flank. That Taylor-Jarvis combination along the left
should be a very potent attacking force, whilst Demel-Vaz Te have also shown
the 'green shoots' of a good understanding. I also hope that he plays
Tomkins with Reid to counter QPR's more mobile attack. No doubt, Jussi will
return and the vital midfield triumvirate of Noble, Diame and Nolan will be
restored. The interesting thing will whether Allardyce picks a hitherto out
of sorts Carlton Cole or an increasingly promising Maiga to play at the apex
of our attack? Yossi should feature from the bench, at some point, and I
would definitely select Robert Hall as one of the seven substitutes and play
his introduction 'by ear, depending on how the match goes? Arguably, Hall's
performance against Wigan warrants his inclusion on the bench.
QPR 's Lofthouse Road has not been an 'happy hunting ground' for us in
recent decades, that I can recall? I have not had time to checkout the match
statistics, but my subjective recollection is of a series of disappointing
results there and unhappy post-match journeys back from West to East London!
Still, if that is supported by the statistics, it will no doubt change at
some point. Apparently, they currently have a bit of a defensive crisis,
with Anton Ferdinand, Fabio, Armand Traore and Jose Bosingwa all out
injured. So, hopefully it might be a good time to play them and adventure
rather than conservativism, in our play, might be a productive policy? Will
Mr Allardyce agree? We shall have to wait and see?
I hate missing matches, but health fully recovered and away match tickets
safely received, I am looking forward to the game on Monday evening. I am
hopeful that we can get a result if we approach the match in the right way?
But that, as they say, is the big question?
SJ. Chandos.
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Spence: West Ham youngsters failed to deliver against Wigan
Goal.com
27 Sep 2012 22:49:00
By Glenn Noble
West Ham defender Jordan Spence has admitted that the Hammers' youngsters
did not deliver in the heavy 4-1 defeat in the League Cup against Wigan
Athletic. Sam Allardyce elected to field a youthful team against the
Latics, including the 22-year-old, but Roberto Martinez's side cruised to
victory. Spence, however, was awarded the home side's man of the match award
despite the loss and says that the defeat was hard to take. "To be honest I
am just happy to play," Spence told the club's official website. "I am
extremely grateful for the opportunity and everybody knows that whenever I
pull on that claret and blue shirt I will give my all. "When I get a chance
in the first team I just want to show everybody what I can do, it was nice
to do that in a winning side against Crewe [in the second round] but to lose
this game leaves an extremely bitter taste in my mouth. "It was a good
opportunity for us younger lads to come in and gain experience and show that
we are still pushing for a place in the first team, unfortunately we didn't
do that."
West Ham have only lost once in the Premier League this season and the loss
on Wednesday evening ended their unbeaten start to the campaign at Upton
Park. "We are extremely disappointed with the result," Spence continued. "We
spoke before the game about continuing our unbeaten run at home and we
started really well by getting the opening goal but to concede four goals
and to lose the game the way we did is extremely disappointing. "It is an
old cliché but everybody knows that goals win games, Wigan played very well,
kept their shape and moved the ball well, but we knew we could capitalise if
we pushed up onto them."
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Cottee: Mark Noble's new contract is a fantastic boost for the Hammers
London 24
Tony Cottee
Thursday, September 27, 2012
6:00 PM
It's fantastic to hear Mark Noble has signed a new five-year deal with West
Ham. He was an integral part of the side that got promoted last season. In
fact, he's been outstanding since he broke through eight seasons ago. Noble
has been a great servant to the club and I hope he plays at West Ham for his
whole career, he's the type of player we will always want to have in our
team. He's a homegrown player, a West Ham fan and he plays with passion, but
there is so much more to him than that. It's selling him short to say
otherwise. Mark is a very skilful player and a great passer of the ball. His
delivery from set-pieces is superb too. My only criticism of him over the
years would be with regard to the number of goals he scores. But his role in
the team at the moment is to sit in front of the defence and with Kevin
Nolan alongside him you don't need Mark to go tearing forward at every
opportunity.
It's fantastic to have a midfielder in your squad who can score more than 10
goals in a season and that was one of the reasons why Big Sam brought in
Nolan.
In the dressing room he is a great leader and captain and can sort out any
issues. Plus he's a goalscorer and they're so difficult to come by. It's
hard enough to find a striker who can do that. Some people questioned Kevin
after he dropped down to the Championship, but he's showing he has the
talent to still cut it in the Premier League. His goals help relieve some of
the pressure on Carlton Cole who has had a difficult start to the season –
with no goals in his five Premier League appearances.
Speaking from experience, there is nothing worse as a forward than going
through a period of not scoring. There were two spells in my career when I
went 10 games without scoring – once at West Ham and once at Everton. To
break those runs I scored two of the worst goals you're likely to see, but
the relief is such a great feeling. My advice to Carlton would be to keep
getting in the right positions, because he's got to try and stay confident
and give himself every chance to score. It annoys me when people say 'he's
paid a fortune, he should score goals' – the money is irrelevant. Sometimes
there are reasons why you can't find your form, you go out on the field and
you can't engage your brain. Footballers are human beings and sometimes you
can't solve your problems until the ball hits the net. You become so
frustrated with yourself and I hope he gets the chance to play against
Queens Park Rangers on Monday and get back into form.
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QPR defensive crisis to continue for West Ham clash
London 24
Thursday, September 27, 2012
5:17 PM
QPR manager Mark Hughes does not expect his injured defenders to return to
the side for their home game with West Ham. Anton Ferdinand, Fabio, Armand
Traore and Jose Bosingwa are all currently injured and set to be sidelined
yet again when the Hammers come to W12 on Monday. "I don't anticipate there
to be any guys coming back," Hughes said. "Armand Traore possibly might
start training next week but he won't be ready for selection. Apart from
that, no (there won't be anyone back)." New signing Stephane Mbia made his
full debut in QPR's depleted defence on Wednesday night. The Cameroon
international has struggled with a groin complaint since joining from
Marseille but made a good impression on his first start for the Hoops,
despite giving away a penalty late on.
"I thought he did fine," Hughes said of Mbia. "Obviously it was a different
type of game to what he is probably used to, but for the most part I thought
he looked strong and showed what a good player he will be for us. "He hasn't
played for a couple of weeks and hasn't had that many training sessions in
fairness. "I wasn't really anticipating having to play him for the whole
match, but he came through it thankfully and he'll get better. "It was a
good test for him and he understands that this is the type of game that on
occasions we'll have to play in both cup competitions and the Premier
League."
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
Jordan Spence admits West Ham United's youngsters will have learnt a lot
from the defeat to Wigan Athletic
26.09.2012
West Ham United Man of the Match Jordan Spence believe that despite the
short-term pain, West Ham United's youngsters will become better players
following Tuesday's 4-1 Capital One Cup defeat against Wigan Athletic.
Spence was voted the home side's best player by sponsors Mash Media, but
after being part of a defence that conceded four times as many goals as the
Hammers had at home all season, the 22-year-old admitted it was a
bittersweet conclusion. Drawing on the positives, though, the Academy
graduate admits that the loss has given him plenty of pointers for
development. "To be honest I am just happy to play," Spence said. "I am
extremely grateful for the opportunity and everybody knows that whenever I
pull on that claret and blue shirt I will give my all. "When I get a chance
in the first team I just want to show everybody what I can do, it was nice
to do that in a winning side against Crewe but to lose this game leaves an
extremely bitter taste in my mouth. "It was a good opportunity for us
younger lads to come in and gain experience and show that we are still
pushing for a place in the first team, unfortunately we didn't do that. "I
will go away now and analyse the game from a personal point of view to see
what I did well and what I can do better because I am all about improving."
The Hammers failed to kick on after taking a seventh-minute lead through
Modibo Maiga's fine strike and Spence, who was deployed at right-back for
the night, conceded that the back five did not do enough defensively to earn
a place in the fourth round. "We are extremely disappointed with the result.
We spoke before the game about continuing our unbeaten run at home and we
started really well by getting the opening goal but to concede four goals
and to lose the game the way we did is extremely disappointing. "It is an
old cliché but everybody knows that goals win games, Wigan played very well,
kept their shape and moved the ball well, but we knew we could capitalise if
we pushed up onto them. "We did that with the first goal but after that we
have to admit our disappointment, we will look at the goals again and try
and decipher them, but we didn't do enough defensively to warrant anything
from the game."
Spence has been a regular starter in Ian Hendon's Development Squad who have
been in exceptional form so far this season, not least against Arsenal last
Friday when they came away with a 4-1 win. He will now be hoping to maintain
their lofty position in the table when Norwich visit Rush Green on Friday
evening for a 7pm kick-off. "We have a lot of confidence and a winning
feeling in the Development Squad, it is a culture we want to build within
the football club. "We are top of the league and you saw confident
performances against Wigan from the likes of Rob Hall and Matty Fanimo. The
boys are doing really well and we want to show we are ready and capable at
any point we are called upon."
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Ohuruogu shares Hammers' vision
WHUFC.com
Olympian Christine Ohuruogu has outlined her vision for a lasting Olympic
legacy in east London
26.09.2012
Christine Ohuruogu was a special guest at the Boleyn Ground on Saturday to
see West Ham United snatch a dramatic last-minute equaliser against
Sunderland.
Ohuruogu won the silver medal in the 400m at London's 2012 Olympic Games and
she now hopes Team GB's achievements can inspire the next generation of
potential stars. The 28-year-old was brought up in Newham so she can
appreciate how important it is to once again having a Barclays Premier
League football team working in the local community. "I have really enjoyed
my summer, it is great for me to compete in Stratford and then be able to
come and watch Premier League football here at the Boleyn Ground," she said.
"It is really great to have a Premier League football team doing well in the
area, it really does boost the community and everybody's emotions. It is
great that sport can do that. It is a real testament to how east London is
developing through sport and how it is really at the forefront in the world
of sport at the moment. "The last few months have been intense and although
it was great to win it doesn't really stop once the games are finished."
West Ham United, through the work of their award-winning Community Sports
Trust, have already been working hard at offering coaching and job
opportunities to youngsters in the area and now the 2008 Beijing Olympic
gold medallist is keen to mirror that kind of commitment as she looks to
give back to the community that helped shape her. "It is great that we are
really helping to bring the next generation through and give them something
positive to aspire to. We have an unwritten obligation as athletes to drive
the next generation. "It is so often a problem with young people,
particularly in London, that they haven't really had anyone to aspire to, so
hopefully we have done that or we are on our way."
Ohuruogu also expressed her desire to consider using her passion for sport
to coach youngsters once she decides to hang up her running spikes. "I am on
my break now so I do not really want to see a running track," joked
Ohuruogu. "But I am really hoping that once the season starts I can go in
and show the youngsters what I have learnt. "The Olympics really have
brought a huge momentum, not just to sport but to achieving positive change
and positive thinking, that we really need to jump on that momentum and keep
it going. "It is useful, it is not something that only happens once every
four years or for just two weeks in London, we really can use this to change
everybody's lives."
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The Julian Dicks Column: 28th September
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 27th September 2012
By: Julian Dicks
It's with great pleasure that we welcome West Ham United FC legend Julian
Dicks to KUMB.com. Julian shares his thoughts with the readers of Knees up
Mother Brown on a regular basis via his weekly column, the latest of which
begins with the sad passing of a West Ham legend...
John Bond
It's probably a year or so since I last saw John Bond. I'd never said it to
him before but that day I told him that he was one of the best managers I'd
played under - and he was, he was incredible. He just said: "Thank you very
much!" When Ron Saunders - who signed me for Birmingham - resigned, John
took over. He was a big, big bloke and I was only 16 or 17. I went training
for the first time and I remember it like it was yesterday. John stuck me up
front with Wayne Clarke and said: "I want you to do this and this," - and I
couldn't do it, I couldn't understand what he wanted me to do. So he shouted
at me and said: "Oi you, f*ck off over there!" - and that was it! In the
beginning, when he first came in I thought, "f*cking Hell, what's happening
here?" - because he just b*llocked me left, right and centre! But once I
started playing, it was very different.
When John took over from Ron at Birmingham, it was a total change of
direction. It was get the ball on the floor, play, pass; he didn't even want
you to boot it in your own box and I'd never heard that before! So, he
shaped the early days of my career and when I went to West Ham, that was
just the normal way to play football. I signed my first professional
contract under John. We'd just played against Luton and I'd had a blinding
game. The next day, he came in and said: "I want you to sign a professional
contract". I was only 17.
Along with Ron Saunders, John Bond probably shaped my footballing career.
Because he'd played for West Ham he didn't want me to get the ball and just
smack it up front, he wanted me to play. He didn't want me to play for
England because that was the way the football was being played. As a manager
you take bits from every manager you've worked under, even if you don't
think you do. Ron Saunders liked to play direct football at Birmingham, then
there was John Bond. When I went to West Ham, we had John Lyall.
John [Bond] was both an incredible man and manager; his record speaks for
itself. We didn't keep in touch after we'd left Birmingham but when I went
to West Ham we used to see each other frequently. He was an absolutely
fantastic person. He was funny - and loved a cigar! - but was incredible.
He's a massive loss to football.
Lucky - and unlucky
I thought West Ham did well against Sunderland and I thought they deserved
more than a point - even though in the end they were lucky to get one! They
dominated the game and I thought when they got going, West Ham were going to
win quite easily.
Kevin Nolan's goal was a fantastic volley - but Simon Mignolet's save in the
first half was just as good. But overall, whilst you think we should have
got three points you've got to be happy with one in the end.
It was good to see them work for the whole 95 minutes; sometimes when a game
enters injury time you resign yourself to not getting a result but they
carried on fighting, which was pleasing.
Head and shoulders above everyone else for me was Momo Diame. I thought he
was fantastic; he reminded me of a poor-man's Yaya Toure! I think if we can
keep him, your Jarvises and your Nolans fit then we have a great chance of a
good season.
I also thought Matt Jarvis did particularly well when he came on. Carlton
Cole played but he was substituted - and rightly so - but you want someone
like that or Andy Carroll up front when Jarvis is playing. He put some great
crosses in the box and I think had Andy been in there we may well have got
another couple of goals.
That was the first time I've seen Jarvis play a full game this season and he
impressed me. At the end of the day he's a winger and it's about crossing
balls - and he put in more than anybody. He also played on against Wigan
without the same success but obviously he has just come back from injury.
Sam put a load of kids out on Tuesday night but any way you look at it, it
was a disappointing result. Personally, I would have kept the same side.
We know West Ham aren't going to win the Premier League so that's one chance
of silverware out of the window. We could win the FA Cup, or have a great
run, but the Capital One Cup is a trophy that we could win - which means a
trip to Wembley and a great day out for everybody.
If I was going to change the side I would have changed one or two players,
maximum. I know some managers like to rotate but we have almost a week
before the next game. They worry about injuries but you can get injured in
training just as easily so I would have kept a similar side.
The likes of Manchester United might not think twice about the Cup because
they're going to be challenging for the Premier League and the Champions
League but I would have liked to have seen West Ham progress and perhaps win
some silverware this season.
I'm not convinced by the theory that says a good Cup run can hinder progress
in the league. As a player, you want to play games more than you train - at
least that's how I used to come into the season. As a player it's great to
have a chance of playing in a Cup Final. I wonder whether Sam will also rest
players in the FA Cup, or whether he thinks the Capital One Cup is the
lesser competition?
On the bright side, it was good to see Dylan Tombides play against Wigan.
Fighting cancer is going to be the biggest battle of his career - everything
else should be easy by comparison. For him to get over that is incredible
and it's great to see him back and getting a few minutes on the pitch.
Looking back: League Cup woes
The League Cup is a competition that West Ham have never won. Julian was
part of the West Ham team that reached successive semi finals in 1989 and
1990 only to be humbled on both occasions - firstly by Luton Town and then
by Oldham Athletic on their Boundary Road plastic pitch. Julian takes up the
story...
Against Luton we put our best team out - and came up short. In the first leg
I gave a penalty away after grabbing someone round the neck. I remember John
Lyall coming in and asking: "did you touch him?" - and me replying: "No, I
didn't!" But I definitely grabbed him round the neck!
At the end of the day we lost 3-0 at home in the first leg and the second
leg 2-0 - but Luton were a very good side then, they had some good players
like Mick Harford and Roy Wegerle.
The following year against Oldham was embarrassing - even though we nearly
made an unexpected comeback! We lost 6-0 in the first leg on their plastic
pitch which was a huge advantage to them. It wasn't like the synthetic 3G
pitches we have today, the ball used to bounce all over the place.
In the second leg we gave it our best shot. We absolutely battered them like
they battered us up there but once we got 3-0 ahead the ball just wouldn't
go in the back of the net again. We hit the crossbar, the post, the 'keeper
pulled off a couple of great saves as well. But if you're getting beat 6-0
you know you're not going to win the tie - it would have had to be some
comeback to win 7-6!
But we had opportunities; it wasn't the case that we gave up. We went out to
win that game which we did - and we should have won it by more. Oldham were
a decent side but when you're playing on a pitch that they played on day in,
day out, it helps them. I think that's why the pitches got ripped up because
they were unfair for every other team.
But the League Cup tie many remember was the game at Stockport in 1996 [West
Ham lost 2-1].
I scored with a header from a corner to put us in front before Iain Dowie
scored a better one at the other end a minute later. It was just one of
those things; I think he forgot which end he was scoring in! He was about 12
yards out - and it was a great [own] goal - but these things happen. After
the game I remember him sitting there with his head in his hands. I was half
expecting him to run away!
The thing is, losing to lower league opposition happens at every club. When
I was at Birmingham we got beat by Altrincham who were non-league whilst
Manchester United got beat by Bournemouth. These games happen, especially in
the FA Cup where the lower league teams have nothing to lose and all the
pressure is on the big clubs. It shouldn't happen, but it does.
Julian Dicks was talking to Graeme Howlett.
* Julian is currently available to coach both junior and senior football
teams. For more details, follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/JULIAN3DICKS.
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Was the Wigan Defeat that Much of a Surprise?
By S J Chandos
West Ham Till I Die
Perhaps the 1-4 scale of the defeat was a surprise, but not the reverse
overall. As Sam Allardye has stated, it was largely due to a series of
defensive mistakes and lapses. It has also been pointed out that the team
was relatively inexperienced, with the inclusion of Potts, Spence, Hall,
Famino and Tombides (the latter two players from the banch). Allardyce was
surprisingly radical in his team selection, obviously gambling on his squad
and younger players delivering on the night. Yet, was it wise to completely
replace the whole defensive unit in that way? Yes, play Henderson and Spence
& Potts at full-back, but surely it would have been a better play to retain
an experienced central defensive pairing of Tomkins and Reid/Collins. That
would have have allowed the two youngsters to have started, but provided the
extra assurance of a tried and tested central defensive pairing. Instead, he
went for a totally untested and unfamiliar defensive unit of Henderson,
Spence, Potts, McCartney & Tomkins. In addition, McCartney has been missing
due to injury, showed clear signs of being affected by the lay off and it
was also not exactly a surprise that he was off the pace in his first match
back.
I did not actually see the match, due to illness, and had to suffer
listening to the London BBC commentary on my sick bed and later saw the BBC
highlights on Tuesday evening (which almost gave me a relapse! Goodness
knows how it affected those who suffered it live?). However, it seems to me
that the youngsters actually performed fairly well. Yes, they showed
inexperience, but the catch 22 is that actually playing first team football
is the only solution to that! Spence seemed to do well at right-back and
only had one lapse, which was cruelly punished, in allowing the Wigan player
to get the cross in for the equaliser. Potts seemed to have had a steady
game. Both Hall and Famino (when the latter got on) impressed and it was
really pleasing to see Dylan Tombides make his full-team debut (this is
youngster that rivals Hall in his potential). So, I do not totally subscribe
to the 'the youngsters did not perform' thesis being put forward. They did
not set the match alight, granted, but individually, they were not a
disaster. No, the fault, as I see it, lies with the overall team selection.
Not, the forward line, which I thought looked well balanced and a good
combination, but the rearguard. They had not previously played together
regularly as a unit, two of the players were relatively inexperienced
(Spence and Potts) and the other two had varying degrees of fitness and
injury issues going in to the match.
And this is not a case of hindsight, because I really had my reservations
about that selection when I heard it on the radio. It was a clear risk and
Allardyce came unstuck on the night! So while the players must accept the
majority of the blame for our cup exit, Allardyce also has to bear some
degree of responsibility for the result. Nor do I completely buy this, the
youngsters are not currently 'up to scratch' and need to go out on loan
argument. One or two, like Turgott, Famino and Tombides, might well benefit,
but not Spence, Potts and Hall. They have done the loan thing and are at a
stage where they need to be at the club, training with, and learning from,
the senior professionals, and being used from the bench. Arguably, just
throwing four or five youngsters in to a match with a PL club, like Wigan,
is not the way to do it. They should be slowly introduced in to a settled
team unit, with experienced players around them to guide and support them.
Starting with appearances from the bench and working up to a full 45 and 90
minutes.
The manner of Tuesday's defeat was certanly a huge learning curve fior the
youngsters and lets hope that, long-term, it has positive rather than
negative effects. But my thesis is that it should never been allowed to
happen in that potentially counter-productive way. Now, others may take a
different, they are in the squad and they need to be tested line, but
looking back on West Ham's history, were the likes of Bobby Moore, Trevor
Brooking or Tony Cottee thrown in that way, without fully fit and
experienced players around them? No, of course not. Moore had the likes of
Cantwell, Bond around him when he debuted against anMan Utdin 1958-59;
Brooking had the support and guidance of Moore, Hurst, Boyce in the late
sixties and Peters; and Cottee, in turn, was introduced in the 1983 home
match, vs Spurs, with experienced players around him.
It just seems to me that at present we are either too conservative in
utilising our youngsters or we allow the situation that occurred against
Wigan to arise, with not unsurprising consequences. Yet, arguably, there is
an alternative and more sensible middle-ground in all this. Others will not
doubt disagree, but hey, that's football, a game of diverse and alternative
opinions. And long may it be so!
Like many of you, I was disappointed tha Yossi did not figure on Tuesday,
due to the religious observance of a Jewish religous festival. I was hugely
encouraged by the positive impact of his 2nd half introduction against
Sunderland. Yossi can supply the vision, touch and killer ball in the final
third that we have been missing. Similarly, Jarvis did very well when he was
introduced and his 'never say die' attitude in retrieving and keeping the
ball in play, for Nolan's equaliser, was an important moment in saving the
match. I totally agree with those that have argued that our opening line up
was too conservative and that either Jarvis or Benayoun should have started.
However, the positive thing is that we now have the playing resources to
change things mid-match and switch our tactics, that was far less the case
last season. Yet, regardless, we more than had enough chances against
Sunderland to have won. Yes, they could also have caught us on the
counter-attack and scored a second. But when you are chasing a game, and
pushing hard for an equaliser, that is always a possibility. But ultimately,
our all out attacking approach in extra-time ultimately paid off with the
salvaging of a valuable and well deserved point.
Other recent positives, have been the effective introduction of Maiga, with
a crucial assist and a well struck goal in the last two matches.There is far
more to come from this player in the matches ahead. The crossing of Jarvis,
which in its accuracy is first class, allied to his wonderful ability to run
at and take on the full-back. Players like him scare full-backs and unsettle
defences. He was strangely quiet against Wigan, but he is obviously feeling
his way back after his short injury lay off. The combination of Diame and
Noble has been outstanding in midfield and Kevin Nolan is red hot in the
final third at present. Finally, both Guy Demel and Winston Reid deserve
huge praise for their performances so far this season, both have been
outstanding at the back. The fact that we still have James Tomkins,
(hopefully) Jack Collison and Andy Carroll to return to the side is also a
comforting and encouraging thought.
There are also negative factors in play at the moment. I am not totally sure
of Jussi and Henderson's form in goal; McCartney's injury absence has
exposed our weakness at left-back (although Potts and Famino could well
prove to be the medium-longer term solution?); Collins has impressed on
occasions, but also shown some costly lapses of concentration; Diarra is a
great player to have available in the squad, but it is as yet unsure how he
will be best deployed (perhaps injury or Diame's potential African League of
Nations absence in January will see him come in to his own?); Vaz Te is
having a very difficult time at present; but it is nothing that a couple of
goals will not put right (to me this is more a test of his temperment than
his ability); and the fustrating failure of Carlton Cole to grasp the
nettle, and make his mark so far, in Carroll's absence.
As I stated previously, we are set up to have a good season, but there are
bound to be one or two poor results along the way. Tuesday was one of those
poor results, but the unfortunate thing is that it was avoidable. Still, it
was far preferable that it happened in the League Cup than the PL. QPR on
Monday night is another match and, hopefully, they will respond to
Allardyce's call for a positive response in the aftermath of Tuesday's
disappointment. McCartney is probably not ready yet for am immediate return,
so I hope that he plays Taylor at left-back to accommodate the inclusion of
Jarvis on the left-flank. That Taylor-Jarvis combination along the left
should be a very potent attacking force, whilst Demel-Vaz Te have also shown
the 'green shoots' of a good understanding. I also hope that he plays
Tomkins with Reid to counter QPR's more mobile attack. No doubt, Jussi will
return and the vital midfield triumvirate of Noble, Diame and Nolan will be
restored. The interesting thing will whether Allardyce picks a hitherto out
of sorts Carlton Cole or an increasingly promising Maiga to play at the apex
of our attack? Yossi should feature from the bench, at some point, and I
would definitely select Robert Hall as one of the seven substitutes and play
his introduction 'by ear, depending on how the match goes? Arguably, Hall's
performance against Wigan warrants his inclusion on the bench.
QPR 's Lofthouse Road has not been an 'happy hunting ground' for us in
recent decades, that I can recall? I have not had time to checkout the match
statistics, but my subjective recollection is of a series of disappointing
results there and unhappy post-match journeys back from West to East London!
Still, if that is supported by the statistics, it will no doubt change at
some point. Apparently, they currently have a bit of a defensive crisis,
with Anton Ferdinand, Fabio, Armand Traore and Jose Bosingwa all out
injured. So, hopefully it might be a good time to play them and adventure
rather than conservativism, in our play, might be a productive policy? Will
Mr Allardyce agree? We shall have to wait and see?
I hate missing matches, but health fully recovered and away match tickets
safely received, I am looking forward to the game on Monday evening. I am
hopeful that we can get a result if we approach the match in the right way?
But that, as they say, is the big question?
SJ. Chandos.
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Spence: West Ham youngsters failed to deliver against Wigan
Goal.com
27 Sep 2012 22:49:00
By Glenn Noble
West Ham defender Jordan Spence has admitted that the Hammers' youngsters
did not deliver in the heavy 4-1 defeat in the League Cup against Wigan
Athletic. Sam Allardyce elected to field a youthful team against the
Latics, including the 22-year-old, but Roberto Martinez's side cruised to
victory. Spence, however, was awarded the home side's man of the match award
despite the loss and says that the defeat was hard to take. "To be honest I
am just happy to play," Spence told the club's official website. "I am
extremely grateful for the opportunity and everybody knows that whenever I
pull on that claret and blue shirt I will give my all. "When I get a chance
in the first team I just want to show everybody what I can do, it was nice
to do that in a winning side against Crewe [in the second round] but to lose
this game leaves an extremely bitter taste in my mouth. "It was a good
opportunity for us younger lads to come in and gain experience and show that
we are still pushing for a place in the first team, unfortunately we didn't
do that."
West Ham have only lost once in the Premier League this season and the loss
on Wednesday evening ended their unbeaten start to the campaign at Upton
Park. "We are extremely disappointed with the result," Spence continued. "We
spoke before the game about continuing our unbeaten run at home and we
started really well by getting the opening goal but to concede four goals
and to lose the game the way we did is extremely disappointing. "It is an
old cliché but everybody knows that goals win games, Wigan played very well,
kept their shape and moved the ball well, but we knew we could capitalise if
we pushed up onto them."
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Cottee: Mark Noble's new contract is a fantastic boost for the Hammers
London 24
Tony Cottee
Thursday, September 27, 2012
6:00 PM
It's fantastic to hear Mark Noble has signed a new five-year deal with West
Ham. He was an integral part of the side that got promoted last season. In
fact, he's been outstanding since he broke through eight seasons ago. Noble
has been a great servant to the club and I hope he plays at West Ham for his
whole career, he's the type of player we will always want to have in our
team. He's a homegrown player, a West Ham fan and he plays with passion, but
there is so much more to him than that. It's selling him short to say
otherwise. Mark is a very skilful player and a great passer of the ball. His
delivery from set-pieces is superb too. My only criticism of him over the
years would be with regard to the number of goals he scores. But his role in
the team at the moment is to sit in front of the defence and with Kevin
Nolan alongside him you don't need Mark to go tearing forward at every
opportunity.
It's fantastic to have a midfielder in your squad who can score more than 10
goals in a season and that was one of the reasons why Big Sam brought in
Nolan.
In the dressing room he is a great leader and captain and can sort out any
issues. Plus he's a goalscorer and they're so difficult to come by. It's
hard enough to find a striker who can do that. Some people questioned Kevin
after he dropped down to the Championship, but he's showing he has the
talent to still cut it in the Premier League. His goals help relieve some of
the pressure on Carlton Cole who has had a difficult start to the season –
with no goals in his five Premier League appearances.
Speaking from experience, there is nothing worse as a forward than going
through a period of not scoring. There were two spells in my career when I
went 10 games without scoring – once at West Ham and once at Everton. To
break those runs I scored two of the worst goals you're likely to see, but
the relief is such a great feeling. My advice to Carlton would be to keep
getting in the right positions, because he's got to try and stay confident
and give himself every chance to score. It annoys me when people say 'he's
paid a fortune, he should score goals' – the money is irrelevant. Sometimes
there are reasons why you can't find your form, you go out on the field and
you can't engage your brain. Footballers are human beings and sometimes you
can't solve your problems until the ball hits the net. You become so
frustrated with yourself and I hope he gets the chance to play against
Queens Park Rangers on Monday and get back into form.
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QPR defensive crisis to continue for West Ham clash
London 24
Thursday, September 27, 2012
5:17 PM
QPR manager Mark Hughes does not expect his injured defenders to return to
the side for their home game with West Ham. Anton Ferdinand, Fabio, Armand
Traore and Jose Bosingwa are all currently injured and set to be sidelined
yet again when the Hammers come to W12 on Monday. "I don't anticipate there
to be any guys coming back," Hughes said. "Armand Traore possibly might
start training next week but he won't be ready for selection. Apart from
that, no (there won't be anyone back)." New signing Stephane Mbia made his
full debut in QPR's depleted defence on Wednesday night. The Cameroon
international has struggled with a groin complaint since joining from
Marseille but made a good impression on his first start for the Hoops,
despite giving away a penalty late on.
"I thought he did fine," Hughes said of Mbia. "Obviously it was a different
type of game to what he is probably used to, but for the most part I thought
he looked strong and showed what a good player he will be for us. "He hasn't
played for a couple of weeks and hasn't had that many training sessions in
fairness. "I wasn't really anticipating having to play him for the whole
match, but he came through it thankfully and he'll get better. "It was a
good test for him and he understands that this is the type of game that on
occasions we'll have to play in both cup competitions and the Premier
League."
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Thursday, September 27
Daily WHUFC News - 27th September 2012
John Bond 1932-2012
WHUFC.com
West Ham United legend John Bond has sadly passed away at the age of 79
26.09.2012
Everyone at West Ham United is deeply saddened by the passing of Hammers
legend John Bond at the age of 79. Bond made 444 first-team appearances for
the Hammers between 1952 and 1965, scoring 37 goals, and was one of the
architects of the Academy of Football. A right-back, Bond was part of the
West Ham sides that won the Division Two title in 1957/58 and lifted the
club's first-ever FA Cup in 1964. Born in the north Essex town of Colchester
on 17 December 1932, Bond was spotted by West Ham while playing for local
club Colchester Casuals, joining the Hammers as an amateur in 1950. After
impressing for the club's 'A' side, a first-team debut arrived in a 2-1
Division Two victory at Coventry City on 9 February 1952.
Bond established himself as a first-team regular during the 1954/55 season,
during which he scored his maiden goal - the winner in a 1-0 Division Two
victory at Hull City on 13 September 1954. It was during the promotion
campaign, however, that the goal-scoring full-back really found his shooting
boots, netting an amazing eight in 41 appearances as West Ham won the
Division Two title in thrilling style. Bond settled into life as a Division
One player with ease, starting all 42 Division One matches in 1958/59 and
scoring seven more goals. Another seven goals followed in 1959/60.
In 1964, he was an ever-present in West Ham's unforgettable run to the FA
Cup final, starting all seven ties as the Hammers went all the way to
Wembley before beating Preston North End 3-2 in the final. The following
season - Bond's 14th and last at the Boleyn Ground - he featured four times
in the club's successful European Cup Winners' Cup campaign.
After leaving the Boleyn Ground in 1966, the defender made more than 130
appearances for Torquay United before hanging up his boots in 1969. Off the
pitch, Bond was a deep thinker about the game and was a member of the group
of players who would visit Cassettari's Cafe in Barking Road after training
to discuss tactics and innovative ideas about the game. There, he would join
the likes of Malcolm Allison, Noel Cantwell, Dave Sexton, Malcolm Musgrove,
Frank O'Farrell and Jimmy Andrews, who passed away earlier this month at the
age of 85. Like many of his Hammers team-mates, Bond went into coaching and
enjoyed great success at AFC Bournemouth, Norwich City and Manchester City,
among others. In recent years, he has been a regular visitor to the Boleyn
Ground, where he met and swapped stories with his former colleagues and
supporters alike. In November 2009, he appeared on the Sky Sports programme
'Time Of Our Lives', where he joined Ken Brown and Ronnie Boyce in looking
back on their era at West Ham. The thoughts of everyone at West Ham United
are with John's family and friends at this sad time.
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Tributes pour in for Bond
WHUFC.com
John Bond's former team-mates have shared their memories of the West Ham
United great
26.09.2012
John Bond was simply one of the finest right-backs ever to pull on a West
Ham United shirt. Bond, who passed away this week at the age of 79, made 444
first-team appearances during a 14-year career with the Hammers, winning the
Division Two title in 1958 and FA Cup in 1964. A defender blessed with
outstanding technique, Bond scored 37 goals for the club before embarking on
a successful career in management.
Joint-Chairman David Sullivan paid his own personal tribute to Bond, saying:
"It's terribly sad news to hear of John Bond's passing. John was a fabulous
player for West Ham United and one of the most loyal servants the club has
ever had. He is in the elite group of players to have played over 400 times
for West Ham and for that he will always hold a special place in supporters'
hearts. I have fond memories of going to watch the 1964 FA Cup final with my
Dad, which of course he played a big part in helping us win. All of us at
West Ham United are thinking of John's family at this difficult time."
His former team-mates and friends have shared their memories of the man
affectionately nicknamed 'Muffin' for his ability to kick the ball 'like a
mule'.
Peter Brabrook played on the right wing in front of Bond for eight seasons
and was a close friend of both the right-back and his family: "It is very
sad news. We were the best of friends. We were more friendly than anybody in
the 1964 FA Cup-winning side to be honest. John's wife Jan and my wife
Doreen were very close and we used to go around to their house and still
kept in touch with each other. They are a lovely family and John was a
really nice guy.
"John liked to have a laugh but when the football came along he was very,
very serious. He was also a good coach and manager. John always spoke his
mind and said what he felt and sometimes that didn't go down too well with
[manager] Ron Greenwood, but that was the way he was. He had to earn his
place in the side and he did that because he was the best right-back the
club has ever had, without a shadow of a doubt.
"I played in front of John as a right winger and we played together for
eight years and I also played against him when I was at Chelsea and had some
fantastic times together. He was a character and when he was out he was
really funny to be around. "He got a few goals and was a good footballing
right-back. He liked to play and had a fantastic shot on him. His striking
of the ball was first-class, as was his technique. He was a really, really
good player. He was 6'2 tall but really good on the ball, which is hard for
someone so tall. "He also had a great understanding of the game and was
forward-thinking. We would spend hours and hours all morning and afternoon
talking about football and he loved it, as you could see from the success he
had coaching and managing, which he did very well. John will be sorely
missed."
Ronnie Boyce lined up alongside Bond in the 1964 FA Cup final at Wembley,
scoring the winning goal as West Ham beat Preston North End to lift the
trophy for the first time in the club's history: "John was a top man and a
top player and a good manager too. When I first started at West Ham John
would help me no end with a little word of advice here and there. His
experience was second to none and I enjoyed sitting and listening to him and
I learned so much. "John was a delightful guy and a good family man with a
lovely wife. His finest moments at West Ham would have been being part of
the side that won promotion to Division One and winning the FA Cup. It was
fitting that he should win one of the major trophies. "I remember that his
striking of the ball was unbelievable. One day early in my time at West Ham
I went to watch an 'A' team match at Clacton and John struck a volley that
hit the crossbar so hard that I expect it is still rattling today! Ernie
Gregory used to say that his backpasses were so hard that John used to put
him under pressure! He did have an outstanding range of passing. "His
greatest attributes were that he never looked under pressure and always
looked comfortable on the ball. He also had a great shot and scored many
memorable goals. It is so sad that he has passed away."
Ken Brown played alongside Bond at centre-half throughout his 14 seasons at
the club, winning promotion in 1958 and the FA Cup in 1964. He later served
as Bond's assistant manager during successful spells in charge at AFC
Bournemouth and Norwich City during the 1970s: "I will miss the old guy a
hell of a lot as he was a great friend. It is funny because we played
together for West Ham - he as a right-back and me as a centre-half - for a
number of years, but weren't close pals during that time. He tended to be
with one group of players and I was with another. "But after I followed him
to Torquay United and we became great mates. We were both still living in
London and travelling to and from playing for Torquay, so we spent a lot of
time together and that is where our friendship - which lasted until John's
passing - was formed. Then of course we went into partnership together on
the managerial and coaching side. When John went to Bournemouth, he asked me
to be his assistant manager in 1970. "John then went to Norwich three years
later and I followed him there to be his assistant. I was his side-kick if
you like! But it was a partnership of friendship as well as the football
side. In our managerial roles, we then travelled even more, going to games
of teams we were playing next, so again, a lot of time spent together and
doing what we loved. "When John went to Manchester City to be their manager
in 1980, he said maybe it was time our partnership ended. not as friends,
but as manager and assistant manager. It was just time really. He went off
to Manchester City and I then persuaded the then chairman of Norwich City to
let me take the manager's role at the club, which he did. "John was a great
character. He said what he thought and, at times, he riled people. But he
was honest and felt he had to say what he felt had to be said, you always
knew where you were with him. We grew up at West Ham under Ted Fenton who
was a straight up manager. But then we had Ron Greenwood and he was not only
a manager but also a coach. I know John learnt a lot from Ron, as we all
did, and I think we definitely took that into our manager and coaching
roles. "John wasn't afraid to speak up to Ron when he was left out of the
team though, to ask him why. But he had respect and knew, as we all did,
that we had to earn our place in the team every week. "As a player, he was
strong and I loved playing alongside him - but my memories are not just of a
great team-mate but as a special friend. We all knew he had been ill for a
while - I checked in on him to see how he was doing, so it is very sad that
he has now gone, I will miss him."
Tim Crane is the editor of EX, the magazine that focuses on former West Ham
players and staff, and has been in regular contact with Bond and his family
in recent years: "Everybody loved John Bond. Last season, the club invited
John, Ron Boyce, Ken Brown, Eddie Bovington and Brian Dear for a tribute to
Ron Greenwood and John got on the stage and he was gushing about Ron. He was
a huge fan of Ron, who had a huge influence on John as a player, as a coach
and as a manager. "John was a big personality and he always used to tell me
some wonderful colourful stories. He had time for everyone. We had a dinner
for the players from the 1960s FA Cup and European Cup Winners' Cup-winning
sides at the Britannia Hotel in Docklands. The players were the last people
standing and they spent all night signing memorabilia, posing for
photographs and telling stories until the sun came up. John was about
giving, giving, giving. He was warm and friendly and generous. "John made a
fantastic contribution at West Ham and was one of the best right-backs the
club has ever produced. He was called 'Muffin' because of his huge kick like
Muffin the Mule. Anybody you speak to about John would only have glowing
things to say about him. "I have kept in touch with John and I spoke to him
a few months ago on the phone when Harry Redknapp was being linked with the
England job. John's son Kevin has been Harry's long-time assistant and I
suggested it would be wonderful for his son to be involved with England. He
replied 'Wouldn't that be exciting!'. I then mentioned his old club
Manchester City, who he managed and Kevin played for, and talked about how
Kevin would have difficulty getting into the side nowadays. John said: 'Not
if I was manager. He'd be the first name on the sheet'. That was John. Loyal
and warm. A huge, proper West Ham legend has passed away."
Ken Dyer has covered West Ham United for the Evening Standard for more than
30 years and is a lifelong Hammers supporter: "A friend of mine has just
called to tell me of the passing of John Bond. 'Muffin', as he was
universally known by Hammers fans of that time, was his first boyhood
football hero and, as my mate said: 'He had the low-cut boots, the shortest
shorts, in fact, as they say these days, he was 'too cool for school.'' I
remember John as a tall, elegant full-back with a shot like a mule, hence
his nickname. He had a particular adversity to speedy little wingers and
when he tackled them - they stayed tackled. I can still see him dancing
around Wembley after the 1964 FA Cup final, grinning from ear to ear. My
thoughts are with his family at this time."
Kris Slaven worked for West Ham United as the club's former player liaison
officer and arranged for John Bond to return to the Boleyn Ground as a guest
on many occasions: "In my role at the club I had the great pleasure of
meeting John and speaking to him on the phone many times and he was always a
real gentleman. He had never lost the rapport he had with fans and even at
the Ron Greenwood tribute evening I arranged at the Bristol City match last
season, after all the years since he had played, people absolutely loved
seeing him and listening to his stories. He was always very chirpy and had
such a presence that you knew you were in the company of a legend."
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Sam Allardyce condemns West Ham defending as 'rubbish'
BBC.co.uk
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce is angry at his team's "rubbish" and
"comical" defensive performance in their 4-1 Capital One Cup thrashing by
Wigan.
Striker Mauro Boselli scored twice for the Latics against a West Ham team
showing nine changes from the side that drew 1-1 with Sunderland on
Saturday.
"We couldn't defend a fish supper," Allardyce said.
Team that angered Allardyce : Henderson; McCartney, Tomkins, Spence, Potts;
Jarvis, Noble, O'Neil, Hall; Maiga, Vaz Te.
"There were howling errors in all four goals, it was comical. I never
expected us to defend so poorly." Allardyce added: "All the good work we
might have done with the ball meant nothing because out of possession we
were just rubbish." Allardyce has warned his stand-in players they have
blown their chances of pushing for a place in his Premier League line-up.
"It was an embarrassing defeat. They can't come knocking on my door about
not playing now," he added.
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John 'Muffin' Bond
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 26th September 2012
By: Paul Walker
Paul Walker reflects on the passing of former West Ham United defender John
Bond, who died today at the age of 79.... He will always be 'Muffin' to me,
a child of the '60s who idolised the famous FA Cup winning side in 1964, of
which John Bond was a major player. When you are not really expecting
something, to turn on the lap top and discover one of your boyhood heroes
has passed away, comes as a shock. I can still recite the '64 cup heroes by
heart; Standen, Bond, Burkett, Bovington, Brown, Moore, Brabrook, Boyce,
Byrne, Hurst, Sissons. Now three are gone, Bond joining Bobby Moore and
Johnny Byrne on high.
John Bond, who passed away today aged 79, acquired the Muffin nickname for
his cannonball shot as much as his slightly awkward style. A big man, tough
full back, he was never elegant. But by God he could hit a shot. I recall
standing against the wall of the Chicken Run, my old man just behind, the
day Bond raced down the line and smashed a 30 yard angled shot from the
touch line, high into the Sparta Prague net. I was so close to him I could
almost touch him. It was the second round of the European Cup Winners' Cup
tie with the Czech side, and we were not doing that well. We had struggled
through in the first round against La Gantoise, 2-1 on aggregate, and we
needed a shot in the arm against Prague. Bond's goal set us on the way to a
2-0 win, Alan Sealey - also now sadly departed - scored the other goal that
night and although we lost the second leg 2-1 John Sissons, an old school
mate of mine, scored our goal in a bruising match… We were through to the
quarter finals. But it was Muffin's goal that was crucial. It kick-started
our European campaign at a crucial moment, and although he did not play in
the Final, he had done his bit for West Ham's history.
Bond was transferred to Torquay the following season, having played over 400
games for the Irons. He was one of the 'left-overs' from the early '50s when
things really started to happen at our club, and was to be replaced by Joe
Kirkup as Ron Greenwood's squad started to evolve. Bond joined the club in
1951, having signed as an amateur from home town club Colchester Casuals,
and he left a huge mark on West Ham. Most of our younger fans will know Bond
as a flamboyant manager at Norwich, Manchester City,, Bournemouth, Burnley,
Swansea and Birmingham. But to me he will be the giant full back who could
liven up a drab day at the Boleyn with his commitment, strength and
shooting.
RIP Muffin.
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Allardyce on... Wigan Athletic
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 26th September 2012
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce held his hands up in last night's press conference - which we
bring you exclusively in full - and admitted he got it wrong on a night when
West Ham suffered only their second home defeat of 2012...
Sam: the first 25, 30 minutes looked good but then what happened?
Well you don't have to be in my position to see what happened; we couldn't
defend a fish supper could we? There were so many howling errors from our
defenders in all four goal situations; it was comical in terms of what they
did. That made life extremely easy for Wigan after we made life very
difficult for them at the start by doing the right things. It was a super
goal to get us off the mark.
You take a massive risk when you're in my position when you make so many
changes. You've got to have a look at what your squad looks like and you've
got to look at some of the young'uns who have been playing well.
Unfortunately tonight, from 15 minutes on, we weren't good enough. Our
defending just wasn't good enough and then, in the end, we've got beat 4-1.
It's very disappointing for me to have to sit there and watch that because I
didn't expect us to defend so poorly. I don't really want to say any more
than that because that's exactly what happened tonight - just really, really
poor defending and all the good work we might have done with the ball meant
nothing in the end.
Do you regret making so many changes?
I don't regret it but I'm bitterly disappointed and upset by an embarrassing
defeat. That's what it was; am embarrassing defeat playing at home. But it
tells me about the players I've got, doesn't it? That means they can't come
knocking on my door saying "I should be playing" after a performance like
that, can they? They've got to take responsibility for their own
performances and when they get the opportunity, like they did today, they
need to perform to their level and make life easier for me to put them in
the team when we need to.
There was disappointment before we started the game that I couldn't play
Alou Diarra, who picked up an injury, nor Yossi Benayoun as that would have
made it a lot better today. They needed the game but unfortunately through
Yossi's religious beliefs and Alou picking up an injury...
[Allardyce interrupted by tannoy announcement that Mr Moon is in the ground]
He'll leave in a minute! So... I can't even remember where I was? [laughs]
The fact that you moved McCartney to the middle suggested that you were
unhappy with the way things were going?
Yeah, because Danny - a young man who's still gaining experience - has
learnt a lesson tonight. We moved him back to left back and put a bit more
experience in the middle which was alright in the second half, because it
never really looked like they were going to score again until we gave a
stupid penalty away. We were hoping that we could make the game interesting
going into the last 20, 25 minutes by scoring a goal - but when the
opposition are 3-1 up they can sit back and defend in numbers and that's
difficult to break down. It's a disappointing night all round.
You haven't left many fish suppers unguarded; that was only your second home
defeat in 2012?
It is, yeah. I have to bear the brunt as manager for making a lot of changes
but I needed to. I would like to have been sat here in a much better mood
praising my team for its efforts but unfortunately I can't defend them today
in any way, shape or form. I can take a bit of joy out of blooding a few
youngsters and having the opportunity to test them at this level as they
have got good ability and hopefully that will develop over the future.
Was this the most disappointing result for you since coming to West Ham?
No, no. The Reading result last season was more disappointing for me than
this, when we had the chance to beat them which would probably have seen us
finish in the top two. But it's a disappointing performance and a
disappointing result. It's very upsetting for me but I have to take it on
the chin because I picked the team, so it's my fault.
Do you intend to send out some of your youngsters on loan?
Well the difficulty about going out on loan is that we've started this new
under 21s development league so I have to keep enough players for Ian Hendon
to play in that league. So letting them out on loan? It might be one of the
restrictions that we might have to look at in the future. I have to leave
Ian with enough players to actually play in that team and we are doing very,
very well at that level which is always very good to see. But that can only
develop them so far so ultimately; if not the first team then a loan is the
next step for them. We'll eventually let some of them out on loan.
Nearly 26,000 people turned up tonight and the Capital One Cup is often the
game where you get poor crowd figures - but a fantastic crowd tonight...
It was a great crowd because the owners made it cheap enough to make people
want to come out and watch it, but they'll go home disappointed like I am
disappointed. At the end of the day I can't defend me and I can't defend the
team today; they've let the supporters down, there's no doubt about that and
we should have given a better account of ourselves.
So I've got no excuses and neither have any of the lads who played tonight.
They should have given a lot more value for money than they did but they
haven't. We have to move on and make sure that we send them all home happy
on Monday night when we get a result against QPR.
One positive point was Mark Noble signing a new deal?
Yes, I'm very happy to have that sorted. He's a big signing for us and a lad
who's born and bred West Ham. As we continue in the Barclay's Premier League
there's not too many home grown players developed today. We've got Mark
Noble tied up now who's home grown, we've got James Tomkins and hopefully
we'll find one or two more as time goes on. But we're really glad he's
signed his contract.
How bad was the injury to Gary O'Neil?
A bad knee; he'll have a scan to assess the extent of the damage.
Did he go over or did he get a kick?
No, he got a kick. You don't know whether the kick has opened up the joint;
rather than just a bruise there might be more damage but we won't know until
we get the results.
Thank you.
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West Ham boss Sam Allardyce wants youngsters reaction
Last Updated: September 26, 2012 7:12pm
SSN
Sam Allardyce hopes Tuesday night's thrashing at the hands of Wigan will act
as a wake up call to some of his young players. Teenagers Dylan Tombides,
Daniel Potts, Robert Hall and Matt Fanimo were all given a chance to impress
Allardyce on Tuesday in the Capital One Cup clash against Wigan, but they
all left Upton Park in disappointment after a 4-1 defeat. All four have
helped West Ham climb to the top of National Group One of the newly-formed
Under-21 Premier League, but Allardyce left it clear that they did not play
up to the required standard for first-team football. The West Ham boss fumed
at his side's "comical" defending in what was an "embarrassing" result, but
the 57-year-old thinks the experience of a heavy defeat, which was followed
by loud booing from the home fans, might prove beneficial to the youngsters
in the long term. "With a result like that it can help them find out that
they have to make massive leaps and strides to play consistently at this
level," Allardyce said. "They do have ability and that will develop over the
future hopefully. "We have Mark Noble and James Tomkins in the squad who are
home-grown and hopefully we will find one or two more who can make the step
up as time goes on."
Loan moves
The under-21 league, which began this season as a means of trying to help
bridge the gap between academy and first-team level, has helped the young
players develop, Allardyce says. But the former Bolton boss is still a firm
believer in the loan system as a way of developing players and he is
therefore likely to allow some of his current crop to leave on a temporary
basis. He said: "We are doing very well at under-21 level, which is always
nice to see, but it can only develop them so far, so a loan is the next step
for some of them so we will let some of them go out."
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The missing trio: So far so good for West Ham, but is it time for Allardyce
to find room for Jarvis, Tomkins and Benayoun?
The Mirro
In his latest column, Steve Stammers says it might just be the moment for
the Hammers to be a little more expansive - and argues it's hard to see how
the inclusion of that trio will make ANY side weaker
You have to say that it is so far, so good. The opening fixtures have not
been the most exacting for West Ham but the points still need to be gathered
and Sam Allardyce has ensured that slip-ups have been at a premium. Ninth
place at the start of autumn is more than acceptable. But it may be time for
some adjustment. Not a major overhaul but a little re-vamp would not go
amiss. There must be a place, sooner rather than later, for James Tomkins.
He is one of the most gifted young defenders in the country and his constant
omission is something of a mystery. He may lack the physical presence of the
likes of James Collins and Winston Reid but he is only 23 and he will only
get stronger. He can pick a pass and he has rarely been exposed in the
tackle or in any aerial challenge.
Then there is Yossi Benayoun. He gives West Ham that unknown factor- great
touch, great vision and a nightmare to mark. He has imagination and the
experience to pose problems for any defence no matter how well they are
organised. Sunderland made an immediate team change when the skillful Israel
international came on for the last half-hour at Upton Park on Saturday.
Then there is Matt Jarvis. Presumably, he is fit now. If he is okay for the
bench then he should be ready to start. He is another who made an impact on
Saturday. He gave West Ham the kind of dimension that an authentic winger
can bring.
Three interesting options for Allardyce who, it must be said, has done more
right than he has made mistakes in his time at the club. He brought
discipline and organisation where it was badly needed. He brought in Mohamed
Diame who has been a revelation with his industry and power in central
midfield. He has managed to coax Mark Noble into accepting the deep-lying
role that is somewhat alien to his nature and Noble is emerging as one of
the most consistent and effective West Ham players of the season. But it
might just be the moment to be a little more expansive. Tomkins, Benayoun
and Jarvis .... it is hard to see how the inclusion of that trio will make
any side weaker.
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Opinion Football Opinion John Bond
26 Sep 2012 13:29
The Mirror
By
Steve Stammers
JOHN BOND 'A football man to the end': Steve Stammers remembers former West
Ham, Norwich and Manchester City man John Bond
Football was his life. But more than just providing a living it was almost a
reason for living for Bond It was just over six years ago, at the funeral of
former West Ham manager John Lyall, that I last saw John Bond. There were a
number of former Upton Park heroes in the ensemble as you can imagine. Age
had not been too kind to one or two. But not John Bond. His shock of hair
was grey but in plentiful supply and his unmistakable Mid-Essex accent made
him instantly recognisable. He had hardly put on an ounce from when he used
to maraud up the touchline as a West Ham full-back. He called me over. "Come
on then " he said. "Tell me what's happening." After he had been duly
updated he spoke glowingly about Lyall. "He loved his football and I loved
him for that." The next 30 minutes were taken up talking about England, West
Ham, World Cups, Euros - you name it, he wanted to talk about it, analyse
it, debate it. That was John Bond. Football was his life. But more than just
providing a living it was almost a reason for living for Bond. He was part
of the original academy at the club. Under Charlie Paynter, Ted Fenton and
then Ron Greenwood, Bond and his contemporaries were encouraged to think
about the game and discuss it among themselves. He would sit with the likes
of Malcolm Allison, Ken Brown, Noel Cantwell and Ronnie Boyce at the famous
Cassettari's Café just round the corner from the ground, just past the
Boleyn pub. There, salt cellars and sauce bottles became players as they
talked tactics and formations. That Bond enjoyed a long managerial career
was no surprise. And there was one hallmark of a John Bond team – they could
play and he relished an open, attractive style. "You have to entertain
people," he would say. And his most successful stints were at Norwich and
then Manchester City after he had served his apprenticeship at Bournemouth.
He worked under severe financial restraints at Carrow Road but produced a
team that was always positive and easy on the eye. He created a great
rivalry with Bobby Robson at Ipswich and Lawrie McMenemy at Southampton. The
games between them were enthralling.
At Maine Road, Bond ironically succeeded Allison. But under his guidance,
City improved and reached the 1981 FA Cup Final. They played Tottenham and
after a turgid 1-1 draw in the first encounter, the replay featured a
classic five days later. Tottenham won it 3-2 and the game is always
remembered for Ricardo Villa's stunning winning goal. But the match also
featured a stunning volley from Steve Mackenzie,a teenager at Crystal Palace
when Bond played a remarkable £1million for a youngster untested at first
team level. He did not let him down that Thursday night at Wembley. But that
was John Bond. He was always ready to take a gamble on youth but, more
importantly to him, on young players with vision and ability. "You have to
entertain." That was his credo. And he did that with the teams he managed
and later as a radio and television pundit.
A football man to the end.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
West Ham United legend John Bond has sadly passed away at the age of 79
26.09.2012
Everyone at West Ham United is deeply saddened by the passing of Hammers
legend John Bond at the age of 79. Bond made 444 first-team appearances for
the Hammers between 1952 and 1965, scoring 37 goals, and was one of the
architects of the Academy of Football. A right-back, Bond was part of the
West Ham sides that won the Division Two title in 1957/58 and lifted the
club's first-ever FA Cup in 1964. Born in the north Essex town of Colchester
on 17 December 1932, Bond was spotted by West Ham while playing for local
club Colchester Casuals, joining the Hammers as an amateur in 1950. After
impressing for the club's 'A' side, a first-team debut arrived in a 2-1
Division Two victory at Coventry City on 9 February 1952.
Bond established himself as a first-team regular during the 1954/55 season,
during which he scored his maiden goal - the winner in a 1-0 Division Two
victory at Hull City on 13 September 1954. It was during the promotion
campaign, however, that the goal-scoring full-back really found his shooting
boots, netting an amazing eight in 41 appearances as West Ham won the
Division Two title in thrilling style. Bond settled into life as a Division
One player with ease, starting all 42 Division One matches in 1958/59 and
scoring seven more goals. Another seven goals followed in 1959/60.
In 1964, he was an ever-present in West Ham's unforgettable run to the FA
Cup final, starting all seven ties as the Hammers went all the way to
Wembley before beating Preston North End 3-2 in the final. The following
season - Bond's 14th and last at the Boleyn Ground - he featured four times
in the club's successful European Cup Winners' Cup campaign.
After leaving the Boleyn Ground in 1966, the defender made more than 130
appearances for Torquay United before hanging up his boots in 1969. Off the
pitch, Bond was a deep thinker about the game and was a member of the group
of players who would visit Cassettari's Cafe in Barking Road after training
to discuss tactics and innovative ideas about the game. There, he would join
the likes of Malcolm Allison, Noel Cantwell, Dave Sexton, Malcolm Musgrove,
Frank O'Farrell and Jimmy Andrews, who passed away earlier this month at the
age of 85. Like many of his Hammers team-mates, Bond went into coaching and
enjoyed great success at AFC Bournemouth, Norwich City and Manchester City,
among others. In recent years, he has been a regular visitor to the Boleyn
Ground, where he met and swapped stories with his former colleagues and
supporters alike. In November 2009, he appeared on the Sky Sports programme
'Time Of Our Lives', where he joined Ken Brown and Ronnie Boyce in looking
back on their era at West Ham. The thoughts of everyone at West Ham United
are with John's family and friends at this sad time.
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Tributes pour in for Bond
WHUFC.com
John Bond's former team-mates have shared their memories of the West Ham
United great
26.09.2012
John Bond was simply one of the finest right-backs ever to pull on a West
Ham United shirt. Bond, who passed away this week at the age of 79, made 444
first-team appearances during a 14-year career with the Hammers, winning the
Division Two title in 1958 and FA Cup in 1964. A defender blessed with
outstanding technique, Bond scored 37 goals for the club before embarking on
a successful career in management.
Joint-Chairman David Sullivan paid his own personal tribute to Bond, saying:
"It's terribly sad news to hear of John Bond's passing. John was a fabulous
player for West Ham United and one of the most loyal servants the club has
ever had. He is in the elite group of players to have played over 400 times
for West Ham and for that he will always hold a special place in supporters'
hearts. I have fond memories of going to watch the 1964 FA Cup final with my
Dad, which of course he played a big part in helping us win. All of us at
West Ham United are thinking of John's family at this difficult time."
His former team-mates and friends have shared their memories of the man
affectionately nicknamed 'Muffin' for his ability to kick the ball 'like a
mule'.
Peter Brabrook played on the right wing in front of Bond for eight seasons
and was a close friend of both the right-back and his family: "It is very
sad news. We were the best of friends. We were more friendly than anybody in
the 1964 FA Cup-winning side to be honest. John's wife Jan and my wife
Doreen were very close and we used to go around to their house and still
kept in touch with each other. They are a lovely family and John was a
really nice guy.
"John liked to have a laugh but when the football came along he was very,
very serious. He was also a good coach and manager. John always spoke his
mind and said what he felt and sometimes that didn't go down too well with
[manager] Ron Greenwood, but that was the way he was. He had to earn his
place in the side and he did that because he was the best right-back the
club has ever had, without a shadow of a doubt.
"I played in front of John as a right winger and we played together for
eight years and I also played against him when I was at Chelsea and had some
fantastic times together. He was a character and when he was out he was
really funny to be around. "He got a few goals and was a good footballing
right-back. He liked to play and had a fantastic shot on him. His striking
of the ball was first-class, as was his technique. He was a really, really
good player. He was 6'2 tall but really good on the ball, which is hard for
someone so tall. "He also had a great understanding of the game and was
forward-thinking. We would spend hours and hours all morning and afternoon
talking about football and he loved it, as you could see from the success he
had coaching and managing, which he did very well. John will be sorely
missed."
Ronnie Boyce lined up alongside Bond in the 1964 FA Cup final at Wembley,
scoring the winning goal as West Ham beat Preston North End to lift the
trophy for the first time in the club's history: "John was a top man and a
top player and a good manager too. When I first started at West Ham John
would help me no end with a little word of advice here and there. His
experience was second to none and I enjoyed sitting and listening to him and
I learned so much. "John was a delightful guy and a good family man with a
lovely wife. His finest moments at West Ham would have been being part of
the side that won promotion to Division One and winning the FA Cup. It was
fitting that he should win one of the major trophies. "I remember that his
striking of the ball was unbelievable. One day early in my time at West Ham
I went to watch an 'A' team match at Clacton and John struck a volley that
hit the crossbar so hard that I expect it is still rattling today! Ernie
Gregory used to say that his backpasses were so hard that John used to put
him under pressure! He did have an outstanding range of passing. "His
greatest attributes were that he never looked under pressure and always
looked comfortable on the ball. He also had a great shot and scored many
memorable goals. It is so sad that he has passed away."
Ken Brown played alongside Bond at centre-half throughout his 14 seasons at
the club, winning promotion in 1958 and the FA Cup in 1964. He later served
as Bond's assistant manager during successful spells in charge at AFC
Bournemouth and Norwich City during the 1970s: "I will miss the old guy a
hell of a lot as he was a great friend. It is funny because we played
together for West Ham - he as a right-back and me as a centre-half - for a
number of years, but weren't close pals during that time. He tended to be
with one group of players and I was with another. "But after I followed him
to Torquay United and we became great mates. We were both still living in
London and travelling to and from playing for Torquay, so we spent a lot of
time together and that is where our friendship - which lasted until John's
passing - was formed. Then of course we went into partnership together on
the managerial and coaching side. When John went to Bournemouth, he asked me
to be his assistant manager in 1970. "John then went to Norwich three years
later and I followed him there to be his assistant. I was his side-kick if
you like! But it was a partnership of friendship as well as the football
side. In our managerial roles, we then travelled even more, going to games
of teams we were playing next, so again, a lot of time spent together and
doing what we loved. "When John went to Manchester City to be their manager
in 1980, he said maybe it was time our partnership ended. not as friends,
but as manager and assistant manager. It was just time really. He went off
to Manchester City and I then persuaded the then chairman of Norwich City to
let me take the manager's role at the club, which he did. "John was a great
character. He said what he thought and, at times, he riled people. But he
was honest and felt he had to say what he felt had to be said, you always
knew where you were with him. We grew up at West Ham under Ted Fenton who
was a straight up manager. But then we had Ron Greenwood and he was not only
a manager but also a coach. I know John learnt a lot from Ron, as we all
did, and I think we definitely took that into our manager and coaching
roles. "John wasn't afraid to speak up to Ron when he was left out of the
team though, to ask him why. But he had respect and knew, as we all did,
that we had to earn our place in the team every week. "As a player, he was
strong and I loved playing alongside him - but my memories are not just of a
great team-mate but as a special friend. We all knew he had been ill for a
while - I checked in on him to see how he was doing, so it is very sad that
he has now gone, I will miss him."
Tim Crane is the editor of EX, the magazine that focuses on former West Ham
players and staff, and has been in regular contact with Bond and his family
in recent years: "Everybody loved John Bond. Last season, the club invited
John, Ron Boyce, Ken Brown, Eddie Bovington and Brian Dear for a tribute to
Ron Greenwood and John got on the stage and he was gushing about Ron. He was
a huge fan of Ron, who had a huge influence on John as a player, as a coach
and as a manager. "John was a big personality and he always used to tell me
some wonderful colourful stories. He had time for everyone. We had a dinner
for the players from the 1960s FA Cup and European Cup Winners' Cup-winning
sides at the Britannia Hotel in Docklands. The players were the last people
standing and they spent all night signing memorabilia, posing for
photographs and telling stories until the sun came up. John was about
giving, giving, giving. He was warm and friendly and generous. "John made a
fantastic contribution at West Ham and was one of the best right-backs the
club has ever produced. He was called 'Muffin' because of his huge kick like
Muffin the Mule. Anybody you speak to about John would only have glowing
things to say about him. "I have kept in touch with John and I spoke to him
a few months ago on the phone when Harry Redknapp was being linked with the
England job. John's son Kevin has been Harry's long-time assistant and I
suggested it would be wonderful for his son to be involved with England. He
replied 'Wouldn't that be exciting!'. I then mentioned his old club
Manchester City, who he managed and Kevin played for, and talked about how
Kevin would have difficulty getting into the side nowadays. John said: 'Not
if I was manager. He'd be the first name on the sheet'. That was John. Loyal
and warm. A huge, proper West Ham legend has passed away."
Ken Dyer has covered West Ham United for the Evening Standard for more than
30 years and is a lifelong Hammers supporter: "A friend of mine has just
called to tell me of the passing of John Bond. 'Muffin', as he was
universally known by Hammers fans of that time, was his first boyhood
football hero and, as my mate said: 'He had the low-cut boots, the shortest
shorts, in fact, as they say these days, he was 'too cool for school.'' I
remember John as a tall, elegant full-back with a shot like a mule, hence
his nickname. He had a particular adversity to speedy little wingers and
when he tackled them - they stayed tackled. I can still see him dancing
around Wembley after the 1964 FA Cup final, grinning from ear to ear. My
thoughts are with his family at this time."
Kris Slaven worked for West Ham United as the club's former player liaison
officer and arranged for John Bond to return to the Boleyn Ground as a guest
on many occasions: "In my role at the club I had the great pleasure of
meeting John and speaking to him on the phone many times and he was always a
real gentleman. He had never lost the rapport he had with fans and even at
the Ron Greenwood tribute evening I arranged at the Bristol City match last
season, after all the years since he had played, people absolutely loved
seeing him and listening to his stories. He was always very chirpy and had
such a presence that you knew you were in the company of a legend."
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Sam Allardyce condemns West Ham defending as 'rubbish'
BBC.co.uk
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce is angry at his team's "rubbish" and
"comical" defensive performance in their 4-1 Capital One Cup thrashing by
Wigan.
Striker Mauro Boselli scored twice for the Latics against a West Ham team
showing nine changes from the side that drew 1-1 with Sunderland on
Saturday.
"We couldn't defend a fish supper," Allardyce said.
Team that angered Allardyce : Henderson; McCartney, Tomkins, Spence, Potts;
Jarvis, Noble, O'Neil, Hall; Maiga, Vaz Te.
"There were howling errors in all four goals, it was comical. I never
expected us to defend so poorly." Allardyce added: "All the good work we
might have done with the ball meant nothing because out of possession we
were just rubbish." Allardyce has warned his stand-in players they have
blown their chances of pushing for a place in his Premier League line-up.
"It was an embarrassing defeat. They can't come knocking on my door about
not playing now," he added.
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John 'Muffin' Bond
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 26th September 2012
By: Paul Walker
Paul Walker reflects on the passing of former West Ham United defender John
Bond, who died today at the age of 79.... He will always be 'Muffin' to me,
a child of the '60s who idolised the famous FA Cup winning side in 1964, of
which John Bond was a major player. When you are not really expecting
something, to turn on the lap top and discover one of your boyhood heroes
has passed away, comes as a shock. I can still recite the '64 cup heroes by
heart; Standen, Bond, Burkett, Bovington, Brown, Moore, Brabrook, Boyce,
Byrne, Hurst, Sissons. Now three are gone, Bond joining Bobby Moore and
Johnny Byrne on high.
John Bond, who passed away today aged 79, acquired the Muffin nickname for
his cannonball shot as much as his slightly awkward style. A big man, tough
full back, he was never elegant. But by God he could hit a shot. I recall
standing against the wall of the Chicken Run, my old man just behind, the
day Bond raced down the line and smashed a 30 yard angled shot from the
touch line, high into the Sparta Prague net. I was so close to him I could
almost touch him. It was the second round of the European Cup Winners' Cup
tie with the Czech side, and we were not doing that well. We had struggled
through in the first round against La Gantoise, 2-1 on aggregate, and we
needed a shot in the arm against Prague. Bond's goal set us on the way to a
2-0 win, Alan Sealey - also now sadly departed - scored the other goal that
night and although we lost the second leg 2-1 John Sissons, an old school
mate of mine, scored our goal in a bruising match… We were through to the
quarter finals. But it was Muffin's goal that was crucial. It kick-started
our European campaign at a crucial moment, and although he did not play in
the Final, he had done his bit for West Ham's history.
Bond was transferred to Torquay the following season, having played over 400
games for the Irons. He was one of the 'left-overs' from the early '50s when
things really started to happen at our club, and was to be replaced by Joe
Kirkup as Ron Greenwood's squad started to evolve. Bond joined the club in
1951, having signed as an amateur from home town club Colchester Casuals,
and he left a huge mark on West Ham. Most of our younger fans will know Bond
as a flamboyant manager at Norwich, Manchester City,, Bournemouth, Burnley,
Swansea and Birmingham. But to me he will be the giant full back who could
liven up a drab day at the Boleyn with his commitment, strength and
shooting.
RIP Muffin.
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Allardyce on... Wigan Athletic
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 26th September 2012
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce held his hands up in last night's press conference - which we
bring you exclusively in full - and admitted he got it wrong on a night when
West Ham suffered only their second home defeat of 2012...
Sam: the first 25, 30 minutes looked good but then what happened?
Well you don't have to be in my position to see what happened; we couldn't
defend a fish supper could we? There were so many howling errors from our
defenders in all four goal situations; it was comical in terms of what they
did. That made life extremely easy for Wigan after we made life very
difficult for them at the start by doing the right things. It was a super
goal to get us off the mark.
You take a massive risk when you're in my position when you make so many
changes. You've got to have a look at what your squad looks like and you've
got to look at some of the young'uns who have been playing well.
Unfortunately tonight, from 15 minutes on, we weren't good enough. Our
defending just wasn't good enough and then, in the end, we've got beat 4-1.
It's very disappointing for me to have to sit there and watch that because I
didn't expect us to defend so poorly. I don't really want to say any more
than that because that's exactly what happened tonight - just really, really
poor defending and all the good work we might have done with the ball meant
nothing in the end.
Do you regret making so many changes?
I don't regret it but I'm bitterly disappointed and upset by an embarrassing
defeat. That's what it was; am embarrassing defeat playing at home. But it
tells me about the players I've got, doesn't it? That means they can't come
knocking on my door saying "I should be playing" after a performance like
that, can they? They've got to take responsibility for their own
performances and when they get the opportunity, like they did today, they
need to perform to their level and make life easier for me to put them in
the team when we need to.
There was disappointment before we started the game that I couldn't play
Alou Diarra, who picked up an injury, nor Yossi Benayoun as that would have
made it a lot better today. They needed the game but unfortunately through
Yossi's religious beliefs and Alou picking up an injury...
[Allardyce interrupted by tannoy announcement that Mr Moon is in the ground]
He'll leave in a minute! So... I can't even remember where I was? [laughs]
The fact that you moved McCartney to the middle suggested that you were
unhappy with the way things were going?
Yeah, because Danny - a young man who's still gaining experience - has
learnt a lesson tonight. We moved him back to left back and put a bit more
experience in the middle which was alright in the second half, because it
never really looked like they were going to score again until we gave a
stupid penalty away. We were hoping that we could make the game interesting
going into the last 20, 25 minutes by scoring a goal - but when the
opposition are 3-1 up they can sit back and defend in numbers and that's
difficult to break down. It's a disappointing night all round.
You haven't left many fish suppers unguarded; that was only your second home
defeat in 2012?
It is, yeah. I have to bear the brunt as manager for making a lot of changes
but I needed to. I would like to have been sat here in a much better mood
praising my team for its efforts but unfortunately I can't defend them today
in any way, shape or form. I can take a bit of joy out of blooding a few
youngsters and having the opportunity to test them at this level as they
have got good ability and hopefully that will develop over the future.
Was this the most disappointing result for you since coming to West Ham?
No, no. The Reading result last season was more disappointing for me than
this, when we had the chance to beat them which would probably have seen us
finish in the top two. But it's a disappointing performance and a
disappointing result. It's very upsetting for me but I have to take it on
the chin because I picked the team, so it's my fault.
Do you intend to send out some of your youngsters on loan?
Well the difficulty about going out on loan is that we've started this new
under 21s development league so I have to keep enough players for Ian Hendon
to play in that league. So letting them out on loan? It might be one of the
restrictions that we might have to look at in the future. I have to leave
Ian with enough players to actually play in that team and we are doing very,
very well at that level which is always very good to see. But that can only
develop them so far so ultimately; if not the first team then a loan is the
next step for them. We'll eventually let some of them out on loan.
Nearly 26,000 people turned up tonight and the Capital One Cup is often the
game where you get poor crowd figures - but a fantastic crowd tonight...
It was a great crowd because the owners made it cheap enough to make people
want to come out and watch it, but they'll go home disappointed like I am
disappointed. At the end of the day I can't defend me and I can't defend the
team today; they've let the supporters down, there's no doubt about that and
we should have given a better account of ourselves.
So I've got no excuses and neither have any of the lads who played tonight.
They should have given a lot more value for money than they did but they
haven't. We have to move on and make sure that we send them all home happy
on Monday night when we get a result against QPR.
One positive point was Mark Noble signing a new deal?
Yes, I'm very happy to have that sorted. He's a big signing for us and a lad
who's born and bred West Ham. As we continue in the Barclay's Premier League
there's not too many home grown players developed today. We've got Mark
Noble tied up now who's home grown, we've got James Tomkins and hopefully
we'll find one or two more as time goes on. But we're really glad he's
signed his contract.
How bad was the injury to Gary O'Neil?
A bad knee; he'll have a scan to assess the extent of the damage.
Did he go over or did he get a kick?
No, he got a kick. You don't know whether the kick has opened up the joint;
rather than just a bruise there might be more damage but we won't know until
we get the results.
Thank you.
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West Ham boss Sam Allardyce wants youngsters reaction
Last Updated: September 26, 2012 7:12pm
SSN
Sam Allardyce hopes Tuesday night's thrashing at the hands of Wigan will act
as a wake up call to some of his young players. Teenagers Dylan Tombides,
Daniel Potts, Robert Hall and Matt Fanimo were all given a chance to impress
Allardyce on Tuesday in the Capital One Cup clash against Wigan, but they
all left Upton Park in disappointment after a 4-1 defeat. All four have
helped West Ham climb to the top of National Group One of the newly-formed
Under-21 Premier League, but Allardyce left it clear that they did not play
up to the required standard for first-team football. The West Ham boss fumed
at his side's "comical" defending in what was an "embarrassing" result, but
the 57-year-old thinks the experience of a heavy defeat, which was followed
by loud booing from the home fans, might prove beneficial to the youngsters
in the long term. "With a result like that it can help them find out that
they have to make massive leaps and strides to play consistently at this
level," Allardyce said. "They do have ability and that will develop over the
future hopefully. "We have Mark Noble and James Tomkins in the squad who are
home-grown and hopefully we will find one or two more who can make the step
up as time goes on."
Loan moves
The under-21 league, which began this season as a means of trying to help
bridge the gap between academy and first-team level, has helped the young
players develop, Allardyce says. But the former Bolton boss is still a firm
believer in the loan system as a way of developing players and he is
therefore likely to allow some of his current crop to leave on a temporary
basis. He said: "We are doing very well at under-21 level, which is always
nice to see, but it can only develop them so far, so a loan is the next step
for some of them so we will let some of them go out."
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The missing trio: So far so good for West Ham, but is it time for Allardyce
to find room for Jarvis, Tomkins and Benayoun?
The Mirro
In his latest column, Steve Stammers says it might just be the moment for
the Hammers to be a little more expansive - and argues it's hard to see how
the inclusion of that trio will make ANY side weaker
You have to say that it is so far, so good. The opening fixtures have not
been the most exacting for West Ham but the points still need to be gathered
and Sam Allardyce has ensured that slip-ups have been at a premium. Ninth
place at the start of autumn is more than acceptable. But it may be time for
some adjustment. Not a major overhaul but a little re-vamp would not go
amiss. There must be a place, sooner rather than later, for James Tomkins.
He is one of the most gifted young defenders in the country and his constant
omission is something of a mystery. He may lack the physical presence of the
likes of James Collins and Winston Reid but he is only 23 and he will only
get stronger. He can pick a pass and he has rarely been exposed in the
tackle or in any aerial challenge.
Then there is Yossi Benayoun. He gives West Ham that unknown factor- great
touch, great vision and a nightmare to mark. He has imagination and the
experience to pose problems for any defence no matter how well they are
organised. Sunderland made an immediate team change when the skillful Israel
international came on for the last half-hour at Upton Park on Saturday.
Then there is Matt Jarvis. Presumably, he is fit now. If he is okay for the
bench then he should be ready to start. He is another who made an impact on
Saturday. He gave West Ham the kind of dimension that an authentic winger
can bring.
Three interesting options for Allardyce who, it must be said, has done more
right than he has made mistakes in his time at the club. He brought
discipline and organisation where it was badly needed. He brought in Mohamed
Diame who has been a revelation with his industry and power in central
midfield. He has managed to coax Mark Noble into accepting the deep-lying
role that is somewhat alien to his nature and Noble is emerging as one of
the most consistent and effective West Ham players of the season. But it
might just be the moment to be a little more expansive. Tomkins, Benayoun
and Jarvis .... it is hard to see how the inclusion of that trio will make
any side weaker.
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Opinion Football Opinion John Bond
26 Sep 2012 13:29
The Mirror
By
Steve Stammers
JOHN BOND 'A football man to the end': Steve Stammers remembers former West
Ham, Norwich and Manchester City man John Bond
Football was his life. But more than just providing a living it was almost a
reason for living for Bond It was just over six years ago, at the funeral of
former West Ham manager John Lyall, that I last saw John Bond. There were a
number of former Upton Park heroes in the ensemble as you can imagine. Age
had not been too kind to one or two. But not John Bond. His shock of hair
was grey but in plentiful supply and his unmistakable Mid-Essex accent made
him instantly recognisable. He had hardly put on an ounce from when he used
to maraud up the touchline as a West Ham full-back. He called me over. "Come
on then " he said. "Tell me what's happening." After he had been duly
updated he spoke glowingly about Lyall. "He loved his football and I loved
him for that." The next 30 minutes were taken up talking about England, West
Ham, World Cups, Euros - you name it, he wanted to talk about it, analyse
it, debate it. That was John Bond. Football was his life. But more than just
providing a living it was almost a reason for living for Bond. He was part
of the original academy at the club. Under Charlie Paynter, Ted Fenton and
then Ron Greenwood, Bond and his contemporaries were encouraged to think
about the game and discuss it among themselves. He would sit with the likes
of Malcolm Allison, Ken Brown, Noel Cantwell and Ronnie Boyce at the famous
Cassettari's Café just round the corner from the ground, just past the
Boleyn pub. There, salt cellars and sauce bottles became players as they
talked tactics and formations. That Bond enjoyed a long managerial career
was no surprise. And there was one hallmark of a John Bond team – they could
play and he relished an open, attractive style. "You have to entertain
people," he would say. And his most successful stints were at Norwich and
then Manchester City after he had served his apprenticeship at Bournemouth.
He worked under severe financial restraints at Carrow Road but produced a
team that was always positive and easy on the eye. He created a great
rivalry with Bobby Robson at Ipswich and Lawrie McMenemy at Southampton. The
games between them were enthralling.
At Maine Road, Bond ironically succeeded Allison. But under his guidance,
City improved and reached the 1981 FA Cup Final. They played Tottenham and
after a turgid 1-1 draw in the first encounter, the replay featured a
classic five days later. Tottenham won it 3-2 and the game is always
remembered for Ricardo Villa's stunning winning goal. But the match also
featured a stunning volley from Steve Mackenzie,a teenager at Crystal Palace
when Bond played a remarkable £1million for a youngster untested at first
team level. He did not let him down that Thursday night at Wembley. But that
was John Bond. He was always ready to take a gamble on youth but, more
importantly to him, on young players with vision and ability. "You have to
entertain." That was his credo. And he did that with the teams he managed
and later as a radio and television pundit.
A football man to the end.
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