Daily WHUFC News - 17th September 2012

Dev Squad earn West Brom draw
WHUFC.com
Rob Hall's equaliser saw the Development Squad draw 1-1 at West Bromwich
Albion
16.09.2012

West Bromwich Albion 1-1 Development Squad

The Development Squad earned an impressive 1-1 Barclays Under-21 Premier
League draw against an experienced West Bromwich Albion side at The
Hawthorns on Sunday afternoon. Despite the fact the Baggies had first-team
players Markus Rosenberg, Gabriel Tamas and Yassine El Ghanassy on show, the
Hammers matched their opponents and the game ended honours even, with both
goals coming in the opening ten minutes. The home side started brightly and
it was El Ghanassy who opened the scoring after just five minutes. Their
lead didn't last long, however, and Ian Hendon's side conjured the perfect
reaction, equalising just three minutes later through the ever-impressive
Rob Hall. Both sides made changes in the second half as they sought to find
a winning goal, but none was to be found as both sides had to settle for a
point. The Hammers have now picked up seven points from their opening four
fixtures, mirroring the records achieved by the first team and Under-18s.
Next up for the Development Squad is a home tie against Arsenal, who have a
100 per cent record in the Barclays Under-21 Premier League, at Rush Green
on Friday night - kick-off 7pm.

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U18s produce four-star display
WHUFC.com
West Ham United cruised to a 4-0 Barclays U18 Premier League victory over
West Bromwich Albion
16.09.2012

West Ham United continued their encouraging start to the Barclays U18
Premier League season with a convincing 4-0 victory over West Bromwich
Albion on Saturday.
Republic of Ireland age-group international Kieran Sadlier was on target
twice for the Hammers at Little Heath, while Nathan Mavila and Taylor Miles
completed the rout.
U18s coach Nick Haycock was naturally delighted with a victory that could
have easily been even more emphatic, despite the fact the team was missing
regular centre-forward Elliot Lee and England Under-18 defender Leo Chambers
due to their involvement in Sunday's Development Squad fixture.
"It was a deserved win," Haycock confirmed. "We had a young team out because
Elliot and Leo were unavailable, so we had four schoolboys involved on the
day. We always have faith in our youngsters and this result shows we are
doing things the right way.
"Manny Onnariase and Amos Nasha were superb at centre-back, Frazer Shaw was
outstanding at left-back, while Josh Cullen and Kieran Bywater controlled
the game in the middle of the park. Up front, Nathan, Kieran Sadlier and
Taylor Tombides supported Nana Boakye-Yiadom really well in what was a very
positive performance."
The opening goal was netted by Mavila following good interplay between
Tombides and Sadlier before Australia age-group international Tombides
combined with Cullen to cross for Sadlier to double the hosts' advantage
with a tap-in.
Shaw and Tombides linked-up well before Sadlier scored the third and the
icing on the cake was provided by substitute Miles, who created space for
himself before lashing in the fourth into the top corner.
"It could have been more than four-nil," said Haycock. "It was a good
all-round display from the boys. We have been doing a lot of work on variety
in our attacking play - playing in behind, playing up to the striker,
playing down the sides of the centre-backs - and that good attacking variety
paid off on Saturday.
"At the back we were very well organised and worked hard and our goalkeeper
Jake Larkins - an U19 who is allowed to play at this level - had very little
to do.
"We have raised the bar with this performance and set our standards for the
season ahead."
Like the first team, the U18s have now picked up seven points from their
opening four league matches. They travel to Arsenal for their next fixture
on Saturday 22 September.
West Ham United U18s: Larkins, Siafa (Girdlestone 65), Shaw, Onnariase,
Nasha, Cullen, Bywater, T.Tombides (Homans 70), Mavila, Sadlier (Miles 75),
Boakye-Yiadom

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Reid relishing lead role
WHUFC.com
Man of the match Winston Reid is loving life as an integral part of West Ham
United's starting XI
16.09.2012

Globetrotter Winston Reid is in arguably the finest form he has ever been in
a West Ham United shirt. Despite spending more than 24 hours in the air
travelling back from international duty with New Zealand last week, the
centre-back produced a man-of-the-match display in Saturday's goalless
Barclays Premier League draw at Norwich City. The 24-year-old was
everywhere, winning headers, making vital interceptions and looking
comfortable in possession - traits that have been typical of the defender
signed from Danish side FC Midtjylland in the summer of 2010. After a tough
first campaign in English football that ended with West Ham being relegated,
Reid made himself indispensable last season as the Hammers won promotion and
has arguably reached even greater highs in helping his side to keep three
clean sheets in their opening four league matches. "I thought it was good to
come away with a clean sheet as Norwich is a tough place to come," the No2
told West Ham TV. "We had some chances to score but so did they so I thought
we deserved a point. "I think the whole defensive unit and the guys in front
of them have been working hard this season. I think we've done well. "I put
my own form down to hard work and to the rest of the guys as well. I think
if you work hard you get your rewards at the end. "My first season at the
club was a difficult season for me and for the whole club. Fortunately
enough, things have turned around."

When asked if he now felt like an integral member of Sam Allardyce's
starting XI, Reid was typically understated but did concede that he had the
confidence and belief that his name should be on the teamsheet every week.
"I think you have to feel like you're an important member of the team
otherwise you wouldn't have any confidence as a player. It's not about being
cocky or anything, but you have to believe in yourself like the rest of the
players do and think you should play week-in, week-out. When you get the
chance, it's just up to you to take it."

Reid's all-action performance was all the more impressive when you consider
that he had boarded six flights in the previous week-and-a-half, jetting to
Australia and then on to New Zealand and New Caledonia for two important
FIFA World Cup qualifiers. "I got back on Thursday night after three
stopovers, so it was about a 26 or 27-hour journey. I actually slept a lot
on the plane so it wasn't too bad, but I'm pretty knackered right now! "I
trained on Friday for a little bit so it was OK. I've got a couple of days
off so I'll enjoy that. "Saturday was a pretty tough game and the last 15
minutes were very tough so I was just trying to get through it, keep it
simple and help us to keep a clean sheet at the back."

Reid was assisted by an unbeatable display from goalkeeper Jussi
Jaaskelainen, who showed all of his ability and experience in keeping the
Canaries at bay at Carrow Road. "Jussi has been good for us. He communicates
very well and has obviously played in the Premier League for a number of
seasons so it's good for us to have someone like him behind us." Having
picked up their first away point of the season, the Auckland-born player is
now aiming to maintain the Hammers' 100 per cent home record when Sunderland
visit the Boleyn Ground next weekend. Aston Villa and Fulham have both left
east London empty-handed and Reid is confident that West Ham have more than
enough to defeat the Black Cats, despite the possible absence of England
international striker Andy Carroll. "Home form is always important in the
Premier League. Last year we didn't do too well but this season we've
started strongly at home and we want to keep that going. "We've got a lot of
firepower up there and were scoring goals before Andy came so I'm sure we'll
be fine."

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Allardyce confirms Carroll 'recall' option
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 16th September 2012
By: Staff Writer

Sam Allardyce has confirmed that Liverpool can recall Andy Carroll from his
loan spell at West Ham in January. Allardyce, speaking on satellite TV this
morning admitted that Carroll's loan contract does contain a clause allowing
the Merseysiders to take him back to Anfield in January should they so wish.
Speaking about the deal this morning, Big Sam said: "We couldn't agree on a
deal for Andy with Liverpool in the early stages, so it looked as if it
wasn't going to happen. Then, right at the very end, there was an
opportunity where he could leave and we struck that deal very quickly.
"There's an opportunity for Liverpool [to recall him] if they want to, but
whether they do or they don't will be in a matter of time. "If Andy's
playing for us on a regular basis by then and that's the case, he'll have
played a major part in keeping us in the league this year. In the end, the
deal was structured to get the player however you could get him, from my
point of view. "This player is that big, in my opinion, for us this season,
so you do whatever you can do to get the deal done."

Carroll - who missed yesterday's goalless draw at Norwich after sustaining a
hamstring injury on his debut against Fulham a fortnight ago was thought to
be looking at up to six weeks out. However there is thought to be a slim
chance that he could make his comeback as early as next weekend when West
Ham host Sunderland - who drew 1-1 with Carroll's parent club at the Stadium
of Light yesterday - even if Allardyce remained tight-lipped about his
chances of an early recovery. "The next international break comes on 6th
October 6," he said. "If he's fit before then we'll have done a magnificent
job. But I think it will be after that. "If the lads do the job they've
started to do then it won't be too desperate to rush him straight back.
We've got to be very careful that we don't rush it too much as the hamstring
might re-occur; that would be a disaster for us and for him."

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Carroll in slow lane
By MIKE McGRATH
Published: 16th September 2012
The SUn

SAM ALLARDYCE is refusing to rush Andy Carroll back from injury — fearing
the striker will break down again. The on-loan Liverpool star is expected to
be sidelined for another month after suffering a hamstring problem on his
West Ham debut. Hammers boss Allardyce said: "The next window of
internationals is October 6 and if we get him fit before that we'll do a
magnificent job — but I don't think he will make that. "He didn't get a lot
of football at Liverpool and obviously has only had 68 minutes with us and
is recovering from his hamstring injury. "So we have to be very careful we
don't rush it too much and the injury reoccurs — that would be a disaster
for him and us." Liverpool can recall Carroll, 23, in January but Allardyce
added: "He wants to play football and as often as possible."

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Sport Football News West Ham United FC
By Mirror Football Comments 16 Sep 2012 22:30
Plenty of Juss left: Big Sam backs Jaaskelainen to keep on keeping on
The Mirror

Jussi Jaaskelainen was heading for the soccer scrapheap – now he is playing
a starring role in the Premier League. And it is all down to the belief of
his old boss Sam Allardyce and the hard work of West Ham and Wales
­goalkeeping coach Martyn Margetson. Allardyce , who managed Jaaskelainen at
Bolton, rescued him from reserve-team football this summer and handed him
over to Margetson. Together they have rebuilt Jaaskelainen's career and now
the 37-year-old Finland international is back to his best and repaying their
faith in him. Allardyce said: "I wasn't worried about signing him because I
knew that Martyn Margetson would sort him out.
"I knew Marge would quickly get him back into a great frame of mind and
rekindle all his old enthusiasm. "Perhaps Jussi had just lost faith in
himself a bit because he wasn't playing regularly. "But Marge has now
rekindled all his old confidence and got him back into the right frame of
mind. "When you have the sort of experience Jussi has, even though your are
in your late thirties, you can still be a very good keeper if you want to
be. "Just look at Brad Friedel of Spurs, who is 41 now. So Jussi being in
his late thirties isn't a problem for me. "It's all about using that
experience and having the dedication to look after your body and that's what
Jussi does."

The big man was a human brick wall at the back for the Hammers, beating away
­everything Norwich could throw at him. Jaaskelainen could easily have been
playing for the Canaries but for a twist of fate 15 years ago. Norwich were
all set to sign him after an impressive trial before Bolton nipped in and
offered him more money!
Jaaskelainen saved superbly from defenders Russell Martin and Sebastien
Bassong and striker Simeon Jackson. But his most important block came from
substitute Harry Kane in stoppage time, to ensure West Ham kept their clean
sheet and a vital point. Hammers defender James Collins said: "The basis of
our whole game is keeping a clean sheet. Do that and you have always got a
chance of winning. "So we are delighted to have done that, although we are a
bit disappointed we didn't nick a goal. "Jussi made some great saves but he
has been doing that for years now – he was probably doing that before Harry
Kane was even born! "All the experience he has really helps the boys at the
back, he's a good talker and he's great in the dressing room as well."
Norwich boss Chris Hughton consoled Kane, 19, who was making his debut after
being signed on loan from Spurs. Hughton said: "Harry is just a young player
and he had a wonderful opportunity to score so he will probably be going
over it in his mind again and again. "But he has to do what ­goalkeepers do
when they make a mistake, just put it right behind him straight away. He
will certainly learn from it. "We are looking more solid defensively now but
definitely need more of a cutting edge in front of goal. "The options are
there for me to change things and experiment. But we need something that is
going to get us wins."

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Sam Allardyce won't rush West Ham striker Andy Carroll back from injury
Last Updated: September 17, 2012 9:19am
SSN

Sam Allardyce is determined not to rush Andy Carroll back from his hamstring
injury and believes it will be after the next international break when the
West Ham United striker is ready to return. Carroll joined the Hammers on a
season-long loan from Liverpool before the transfer window closed and
enjoyed an impressive debut in the 3-0 win over Fulham. However, the England
international was forced off in the second half after hurting his hamstring
and Hammers boss Allardyce is taking a cautious approach with Carroll's
recovery. "The next window of international break comes on October 6, so if
he's fit before then we'll have done a magnificent job, but I probably don't
think so," Allardyce told Goals on Sunday. "I think it will be after that.
"If the lads do the job they've started to do then it won't be too desperate
to rush him straight back. "He's not had a lot of pre-season because of the
European Championships and he didn't have a lot of football at Liverpool.
"We've got to be very careful that we don't rush it too much and the
hamstring might reoccur because that would be a disaster for us and for
him."

Meanwhile, Allardyce hopes the arrival of Carroll can help inspire Carlton
Cole, who had an early shot cleared off the line during West Ham's 0-0 draw
at Norwich on Saturday. "Carlton has got stiff competition because all of a
sudden he has seen a centre-forward that has come from Liverpool, who Kenny
[Dalglish] paid £35million for," said Allardyce. "It is one where you have
to look at it and say 'what am I going to do? Am I going to shrivel up and
die or am I going to roll up my sleeves and flight?' "In this league when
you have got competition it has got to bring the best out of you, it is a
simple as that."

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Big Sam says...
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce was on the Goals on Sunday sofa this week and
chatted to Ben Shephard and Chris Kamara about West Ham's season, summer
signings and several of the big talking points in the game right now. Here's
a few highlights from an entertaining show...
Last Updated: September 16, 2012 2:39pm
SSN



We couldn't agree in the early stages with Liverpool on a deal for Andy, so
it looked as if it wasn't going to happen - and then right at the very end
there was an opportunity where he could leave and we struck that deal very
quickly. There's an opportunity for Liverpool [to get him back in January]
if they want to, but whether they do or they don't will be in a matter of
time. If Andy's playing for us on a regular basis by then and that's the
case, he'll have played a major part in keeping us in the league this year.
In the end, the deal was structured to get the player however you could get
him, from my point of view. This player is that big, in my opinion, for us
this season, so you do whatever you can do to get the deal done.

Big Sam on... Andy Carroll's return to fitness


The next window of international break comes on October 6, so if he's fit
before then we'll have done a magnificent job, but I probably don't think
so. I think it will be after that. If the lads do the job they've started to
do then it won't be too desperate to rush him straight back. He's not had a
lot of pre-season because of the European Championships and he didn't have a
lot of football at Liverpool. We've got to be very careful that we don't
rush it too much and the hamstring might reoccur because that would be a
disaster for us and for him.

Big Sam on... failing to sign Dimitar Berbatov for West Ham


We couldn't afford him. The problem was the transfer fee and the size of the
salary was out of our domain this season in terms of our budget. Fulham
created their own transfer funds. They knew Clint Dempsey was moving on, and
one or two others, and that gave them the opportunity to go big. They were
interested in Andy Carroll as well, I believe, and we were glad to get Andy
on a loan basis but they obviously clinched Dimitar Berbatov. I think he was
on his way to Italy, but it shows you how popular the Barclays Premier
League is that he turned down a move to Fiorentina because he wanted to move
down to London and play for Fulham.

Big Sam on... the Anton Ferdinand / John Terry handshake row


We shouldn't have had it. Don't do it. We can rid of the handshake
altogether; that's not a problem for every player in this division that I
speak to - or every manager. It was introduced on the back of a World Cup
and it was introduced in the Premier League. Now no player would bother
whether we do it or whether we don't do it. In this particular instance, if
you knew there was going to be a problem then don't do it in the first
place. Just go out, do the warm-up and play the game.

Big Sam on... Fernando Torres' reaction to being substituted against QPR


It's petty and childish. For me, it shows a lack of character by the player.
Chelsea's a big football club and it's got a big squad that needs to be used
all the way through. He's not scoring as many goals as he used to, but he's
getting better. If the manager makes a decision you don't show your dissent
by walking down the tunnel; you sit on the bench and go and see your manager
on a Monday or Tuesday and discuss the reasons why you've been brought off.
For me, that's unprofessional.

Big Sam on... West Ham's 0-0 draw with Norwich


We started very well and created a few chances in the first few minutes.
When you're playing away from home you want to capitalise on that and we
didn't. Then Norwich came back into the game and both sides missed a few
chances. In the end we got a 0-0 and we were very satisfied with that. The
disappointing thing was probably our final-third play and in the second half
when we got in good positions we didn't find the right sort of quality to
create a really good chance.

Big Sam on... sticking to his style

Big Sam won't sacrifice style
The players know what my beliefs are and how to play football in the right
way to win games. That incorporates a variation of football to win a game
which is put in front of you week in and week out. Our adaptability and my
desire for the players to be adaptable to different ways to play - and not
just one way - is the reason why, I think, I've moved into the 20th year of
managing and most of it at the top level. My beliefs are strong and nobody
will damage those beliefs because they've been successful for me for a long
time.

Big Sam on... his ambitions for this season


The least is fourth from bottom and the best is 10th, depending on keeping
the players fit and players reproducing the ability we know they've got in
the Premier League. We've got a lot of experienced players who've played in
the Premier League and they've got to re-establish that quality they've
shown before in a West Ham shirt. If they reproduce that quality it will
hopefully give us a good season and we'll not just think about survival.

Big Sam on... failing to sign Samuel Eto'o for Bolton


He was at Mallorca and I had to try and convince the chairman at the time
that the eight million euros would have been the best eight million euros
he'd ever spent and this player would be worth 20 to 25 million in the
future. The thing was, we could have got him to come to England and at that
particular time he would have been a bit of a capture.

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