Daily WHUFC News - 26th September 2012

Manager makes no case for defence
WHUFC.com
Big Sam admitted his side had given Wigan Athletic an easy path through to
the Capital One Cup fourth round
25.09.2012

Sam Allardyce was making no excuses after his West Ham United side were
knocked out of the Capital One Cup courtesy of a 4-1 third-round defeat by
Wigan Athletic at the Boleyn Ground on Tuesday. A disappointing evening had
started well when Modibo Maiga rattled in his second Hammers goal after just
seven minutes, but a series of defensive lapses allowed the Latics to take a
commanding 3-1 lead in at half-time. Wigan's Argentina international striker
Mauro Boselli scored either side of Ivan Ramis' individual effort to leave a
large home crowd stunned. The second period saw West Ham attempt to mount a
comeback, but any hopes of forcing extra time were dashed by substitute
Jordi Gomez's late penalty. Afterwards, Big Sam conceded that his team had
not reached the standard required to keep Roberto Martinez's side at bay.
"It was more than disappointing because I didn't expect to be as shocked as
I am after the game," he told West Ham TV. "It was a horrific night of
defending and gifted the opposition an easy run through to the next round of
the Capital One Cup. "We started so brightly by doing the right things and
got a great goal by Maiga and then we stopped doing the right things. We did
what we had to do initially by stopping them doing what they wanted to do,
which is what you need to do in any game. "We made nine changes because I
want to see what I've got and because a lot of players want to show my what
they've got but in the end only the younger ones came out with any credit.
So did Maiga of course with his goal because I thought it was an excellent
strike. The rest of the lads were way below. "You have to give Wigan credit
because they have been in the Barclays Premier League a long time now and
their squad was stronger than ours. We paid the price for some really
horrific defending because they took advantage of it."

The manager believed all three first-half goals could have been prevented -
the first when Boselli nipped between the centre-backs to score, the second
when Ramis was allowed to run unchallenged from halfway before firing in
from 22 yards and the third when Boselli beat the offside trap before
chipping Stephen Henderson. "It was not doing your job properly and when
you don't do your job properly then you get punished heavily at this level.
It didn't look like it was going to happen because it wasn't right from the
start. We looked very comfortable and got one-nil up with a lovely goal.
"It's all well and good talking about how good these lads are in possession
but the bottom line is that when you turn the ball over you have to be good
defenders at this level and our defending was abysmal."

Big Sam handed starts to Jordan Spence, Rob Hall and Dan Potts, while
Matthias Fanimo and debutant Dylan Tombides appeared from the bench. "For
the young players it is about having the mental strength and the desire to
produce your ability on a regular basis and punish the opposition. The
experience was good for them because it showed them the level they need to
get to. "In saying that, when I make a lot of changes it is my
responsibility as well because it was my decision to make those changes so
it is as much my responsibility as it is theirs. I needed to know what I
have got. "The other disappointing thing is that Alou Diarra was injured and
Yossi Benayoun couldn't play because Yom Kippur landed on the day and he
couldn't play because of his religious commitments. They would have made us
better because they would have been playing and I think it would have been a
lot different."

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Noble signs new contract
WHUFC.com
Mark Noble has pledged his future to West Ham United with a new long-term
contract
25.09.2012

West Ham United are delighted to announce that midfielder Mark Noble has
pledged his future to the club by signing a new long-term contract. The
25-year-old reigning Hammer of the Year, who made his 200th start for the
club in Tuesday's Capital One Cup third-round tie with Wigan Athletic, has
put pen to paper on a three-year deal with an option for a further two
years. A firm fans' favourite, Noble has totalled 224 appearances for West
Ham, scoring 26 goals. Now in his eighth season in the first-team after
progressing through the Academy, the No16 is West Ham's longest-serving
player and would be eligible for a testimonial in 2014 - the first Hammers
player to reach that milestone since Julian Dicks in 1999. "I'm over the
moon now it's all agreed and done," said Noble. "It was just a matter of
getting things right for me and my family. Everyone knows I love playing at
West Ham and I enjoy my football here so it was just a case of coming to an
agreement. I'm delighted now it's all signed and sealed. "I feel like I've
grown a lot as a player since my debut and I'm still only 25. Playing for
West Ham has been a rollercoaster and I've been through two promotions, a
relegation and a 'Great Escape', but it's been thoroughly enjoyable and I
look forward to the next few years of my career here."

After becoming the youngest player to appear for West Ham's reserve team at
the age of 15 in February 2003, Noble went on to become a full-time trainee
later the same year. Named as a substitute for the first time in the
Championship visit to Crewe Alexandra in August 2004, Noble made his
first-team debut under Alan Pardew in the 2-0 League Cup win over Southend
United a few days later. He remained in the squad as Hammers won promotion
back to the Premier League in 2005, coming on as a second-half substitute in
the final against Preston North End at the Millennium stadium. Apart from
loan spells at Ipswich Town and Hull City in 2006 in order to give the then
19-year-old more competitive action, he has not looked back since, becoming
an important part of the team and reaching his 100th appearance for the club
in 2009. He has also become the main penalty taker in recent seasons and
scored eight from the spot last season, two of which came against Nottingham
Forest in a 2-1 victory, an achievement that earned him Individual
Performance of the Season at the Player Awards 2011/12.

After being named runner-up in 2005, Noble was crowned Hammer of the Year
last season. He played a key part in helping West Ham progress to the npower
Championship Play-Off final, where they beat Blackpool at Wembley to win
promotion to the Premier League. This season, Noble has again been at the
heart of the midfield as the Hammers have recorded two wins, two draws and
only one loss in their first five Barclays Premier League games. Canning
Town-born Noble's ability has also earned recognition at international level
with England. He captained the Under-21s at the 2009 UEFA European
Championship finals and appeared at the same competition again in 2011. Off
the pitch, Noble is just as committed to the cause with the club's various
community and charity initiatives and is currently patron of Richard House
Children's Hospice, an official club charity.

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The Big Interview - Joey O'Brien
WHUFC.com
The versatile Irishman is enjoying a productive season for club and country
25.09.2012

Joey O'Brien is quietly having an impressive and fulfilling start to the
2012/13 season. The No17 has started four of West Ham United's six matches
in all competitions and has also made a successful return to international
duty with Republic of Ireland, featuring in friendly matches against Serbia
and Oman.
The versatile 25-year-old has filled in at a host of positions for club and
country and, after recovering from a long-term knee injury, is clearly
relishing his growing role with both the Hammers and the Boys in Green.

Joey, it looked like that goal was never going to come in Saturday's 1-1
Barclays Premier League draw at home to Sunderland, didn't it?

JO'B - "Yep. We were knocking on the door all afternoon really and if we
hadn't got the draw I think we would have been very hard done by. To be
fair, I think we dominated the game from start to finish. All they really
had was the one shot that went in. I don't think Jussi [Jaaskelainen] had
too much to do for the whole game. Saying that, it was good to come back.
Last season I don't think there were many games we came back in after we
went behind so to get that
one in the last minute gave the boys a bit of a lift as well."

Do you think we were guilty defensively for the goal?

JO'B - "Yes, of course. I think Ginge will say that he has made a mistake,
but saying that he does have that [crossfield pass] in his game and 99 times
out of 100 it would have worked, but he didn't quite connect with it and
obviously it has got punished. But that is what happens at this level - last
year in the Championship, we might have got away with that, but at this
level we are going to get punished."

Can you take heart from the fact that you collectively didn't give up and
got your reward in the end?

JO'B - "I think it showed from the very start that we went out to win the
game. We had chances in the first half and we kept on creating chances
throughout the second half. I just thought it was going to be one of those
days just before we got the equaliser, but thank God we got it in the end."

Have we made a good start, or could we have done better?

JO'B - "It is a good start, but if we had have won on Saturday, it would
have been a great start. So, in that way I guess it is disappointing. But
like I said we got a draw out of the game and we have had a decent start for
me. I think in all the games we have played this season we haven't looked
like a team that has just come up through the Play-Offs, so I think it is a
good start to take forward. We have a massive game next up at QPR and if we
can do the business against
them away from home then it will be a great start."

Why do you think West Ham United have made a better start than the other two
promoted sides, Reading and Southampton?

JO'B - "I think we have a lot of players with experience of playing at this
level throughout their careers. The manager has also bought some smashing
players. When you look at Matt Jarvis coming on for 25 minutes and how many
crosses he managed to get into the box and how many chances he created [you
have to be impressed]. Mohamed Diame has been super since the start of the
season.

How are you finding it at left-back?

JO'B - "Well of course it is something different, but I am just really
enjoying playing. Already this season I have played at left-back, right-back
and centre-half.
But it is good to play in so many different positions, because you find
something new about your game and try to improve it. I have been working
very hard on my left foot in training every day, because I know I will be
playing more with my left, but it is nice that something like that can
improve my game."

Do you have a preferred position?

JO'B - "Obviously it is up to the manager, but we had a clean sheet against
Fulham, we had a clean sheet at Norwich, so I suppose in that way the back
four have done well and it is hard to change it around. If we continue like
that I will be happy just to be involved in the back four."

Finally, how is your knee holding up to the rigours of regular Barclays
Premier League and international football with Republic of Ireland?

JO'B - "It is sorted. It has been a long time since the last operation on my
knee and I think the main thing with long-term injuries is just about
playing as many times as you can and keeping on the pitch and in the end the
pain just goes. It is obviously something I still manage every day in
training with the staff here, but it just great to be back and playing
football again is amazing, it is great to be at the top again."

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West Ham 1 Wigan 4
25 September 2012
BBC.co.uk

Mauro Boselli scored twice to help Wigan fight back and defeat fellow
Premier League side West Ham in the Capital One Cup third round. James
McArthur's error let Modibo Maiga power in a shot for the Hammers. Wigan
responded with Boselli converting a Callum McManaman cross and Ivan Ramis
scoring with a 20-yard strike. Boselli lifted the ball over keeper Stephen
Henderson for his second and Jordi Gomez scored from the spot to seal the
win. The defeat is West Ham's first at home this season and came after both
sides made plenty of changes from last weekend's Premier League matches.
Hammers boss Sam Allardyce made nine changes to his side, while counterpart
Roberto Martinez made seven. Maiga was one of those to come in for the home
side and he quickly made his presence felt.McArthur was caught in possession
by the Mali international, who fired into the bottom corner past keeper Ali
Al-Habsi.

Mauro Boselli has yet to score in the Premier League since arriving at Wigan
in 2010. The Argentinian striker, who has spent half a season on loan at
Genoa and a year back at former club Estudiantes, has scored all four of his
Wigan goals in the League Cup. Wigan gradually improved, with David Jones
having a shot saved by Stephen Henderson and Boselli heading wide. Boselli
has struggled since a £6m move to Wigan from Estudiantes in June 2010 but
played a pivotal role in helping his side through to the last 16. The
Argentine, 27, lost his marker to get on the end of a Maynor Figueroa cross
and poke the ball past Henderson for an equaliser.West Ham allowed their
visitors too much time and space and that was epitomised when Ramis scored
his first Wigan goal. The Latics centre-back ran on goal from the halfway
line before finishing it off with a long range shot. Boselli extended his
side's lead with a lovely chip over Henderson as West Ham struggled to match
their rivals. The home side rarely looked like mounting a comeback and were
put out of their misery when Gomez scored from the spot after Henderson had
hauled down McArthur.

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce: "We couldn't defend a fish supper tonight.
There were howling errors from our defenders in all four goals, it was
comical.
"I never expected us to defend so poorly. It was really poor defending and
all the good work we might have done with the ball meant nothing in the end
because out of possession we were just rubbish. "It was an embarrassing
defeat. They can't come knocking on my door about not playing now. They've
got to take responsibility for their performance. They should have given me
a lot more value for my money than they did."

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez: "We're happy with how it went given there
were changes. It was a real test of character, especially from the young
lads.
"To score four goals away is a real achievement, especially at West Ham with
the way they have started the season.
"He [Mauro Boselli] showed mental strength and how focused he is to be a
success this season and to enjoy his football. If he is at his best he will
be a real asset for us."

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West Ham Utd 1 Wigan Athletic 4
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 25th September 2012
By: Staff Writer

West Ham are out of the Capital One Cup after being humiliated by Wigan at
the Boleyn Ground tonight. Having been beaten just once at home in 2012
hopes were high of further progression for Sam Allardyce's side in the
newly-named competition. But in the end there was very little to cheer as
the Hammers were humbled by an ordinary-looking Latics team. Modibo Maiga
had given West Ham the perfect start when he took advantage of a dreadful
back pass to fire the Hammers ahead with just six minutes on the clock. But
United's lead was to last for just nine minutes as Argentinian striker
Boselli levelled the scores when he nipped in to convert Maynor Figueroa's
centre. Ricardo Vaz Te and Jordan Spence both went close shortly after
whilst Academy graduate Robert Hall once again looked lively throughout the
first half. However Spanish defender Ivan Ramis, who looked like he was on
his way to West Ham before his move was hijacked by Wigan boss Roberto
Martínez - silenced the home crowd six minutes ahead of the half time
whistle with a goal out of nothing. The former Mallorca defender was allowed
to run from deep before unleashing an absolute piledriver of a shot from the
35 yard mark which flew into the top corner of Stephen Henderson's net.

And as if that wasn't bad enough, Boselli extended the visitor's lead even
further when he made it 3-1 just three minutes later. Having beaten West
Ham's offside trap, the £6million man lifted the ball over the oncoming
Henderson to give his side a comfortable lead to take into the half time
break. West Ham - who were misssing a string of first team regulars - never
really looked like getting back into the tie after the break although Rob
Hall rattled the woodwork when his deflected effort wrongfooted goalkeeper
Ali Al-Habsi. But the only goal of the half came from the penalty spot when
reserve goalkeeper Stephen Henderson felled James McArthur six minutes from
the end of normal time.

Substitute Jordi Gomez converted the resulting spot kick to make it 4-1 on
the night and confirm West Ham's extremely disappointing exit from the
competition.
The only positive note on a desperately disappointing night came when Dylan
Tombides replaced the injured Gary O'Neil just before Gomez's spot kick.
The 18-year-old, who was recently given the all-clear to resume his
professional career having fought cancer came on to make his first team
debut.

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Noble 'delighted' with new contract
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 25th September 2012
By: Staff Writer

Mark Noble admitted that he was "over the moon" after finally putting pen to
paper on a new three year contract. The 25-year-old midfielder, who has
already made more than 200 first team appearances for West Ham will now
remain at the Boleyn Ground until 2015 with an option to sign a further two
years thereafter. Speaking via whufc.com this evening, Noble - who started
this evening's Capital One Cup tie with Wigan - said that he was "delighted"
to finally put an end to the speculation regadring his future. "I'm over the
moon now it's all agreed and done," he said. "It was just a matter of
getting things right for me and my family. "Everyone knows I love playing
at West Ham. I enjoy my football here so it was just a case of coming to an
agreement. I'm delighted now it's all signed and sealed. "I feel like I've
grown a lot as a player since my debut and I'm still only 25. "Playing for
West Ham has been a rollercoaster and I've been through two promotions, a
relegation and a 'Great Escape', but it's been thoroughly enjoyable and I
look forward to the next few years of my career here."

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Sam Allardyce embarrassed by West Ham's defending in defeat to Wigan
Last Updated: September 25, 2012 11:45pm
SSN

Sam Allardyce fumed at his defence for putting on a "rubbish" and "comical"
performance as West Ham crashed out of the Capital One Cup with a 4-1
thrashing at the hands of Wigan. The Hammers went in to the match having
lost just one of their previous six games, but they were easily torn apart
by Wigan in the third round clash at Upton Park. The London club took the
lead through Modibo Maiga, but a series of calamitous errors allowed Roberto
Martinez's team to progress. Slack marking from Jordan Spence allowed Mauro
Boselli to equalise and the Hammers defence backed off Ivan Ramis to allow
the Spaniard to put the away side 2-1 ahead. Yet more loose marking allowed
Boselli to chip home a wonderful third and Stephen Henderson's foul on James
McArthur in the dying minutes allowed Jordi Gomez to seal the rout to leave
Allardyce red-faced with embarrassment at the final whistle. "We couldn't
defend a fish supper tonight," the West Ham boss said. "There were howling
errors from our defenders in all four goals, it was comical. "I never
expected us to defend so poorly. It was really poor defending and all the
good work we might have done with the ball meant nothing in the end because
out of possession we were just rubbish."
Allardyce made nine changes from the XI that drew 1-1 with Sunderland on
Saturday, giving the likes of James Tomkins, Gary O'Neil and George
McCartney a chance to prove to him that they should start Monday's league
game against QPR, but they all failed miserably.

Embarassing defeat

The Hammers looked shaky at the back and devoid of ideas going forward, with
18-year-old debutant Robert Hall the only home player worthy of any praise.
Allardyce added: "I made lots of changes to see what the squad looks like
and what some of the young ones are doing. They are doing well in the
Under-21s league but unfortunately from 15 minutes on tonight they weren't
good enough and in the end we have got beat 4-1 and it was very
disappointing for me to sit there and watch that. "It was an embarrassing
defeat. They can't come knocking on my door about not playing now. They've
got to take responsibility for their performance. "They should have given me
a lot more value for my money than they did." Martinez was understandably
much happier following the final whistle, which was greeted with a loud
chorus of boos from the home fans.

Boselli praise

The Spaniard's main source of pride came from the performance of Boselli.
Derided for scoring two goals in two years at the Lancashire club, the
Argentinian did little to appease his critics when he missed a sitter in the
club's 2-1 defeat to Fulham on Saturday. The 27-year-old, who has been
shipped out on loan to former club Estudiantes and Italian side Genoaduring
his time with Wigan, showed great predatory instinct to steal ahead of
Spence for his first and the chip over Henderson from 12 yards was a sublime
finish. Martinez said: "He looked strong, he looked very sharp with his
build-up play and then that clinical finishing in front of goal. "I was
very, very pleased with his work, it is now a matter of allowing him to
settle into the Barclays Premier League. "He had real good opportunity on
Saturday and today, he wasn't afraid to get in good positions to score
goals. "He showed mental strength and how focused he is to be a success this
season and to enjoy his football. If he is at his best he will be a real
asset for us." Wigan have won only one of their five league games, but
controlled the game well from midfield tonight, with Ryo Miyaichi, David
Jones and James McArthur all impressing in an experimental XI that contained
seven changes. "We're happy with how it went given there were changes," the
Spaniard said. "It was a real test of character, especially from the young
lads. "To score four goals away is a real achievement, especially at West
Ham with the way they have started the season." Martinez was understandably
much happier following the final whistle, which was greeted with a loud
chorus of boos from the home fans.

The Spaniard's main source of pride came from the performance of Boselli.
Derided for scoring two goals in two years at the Lancashire club, the
Argentinian did little to appease his critics when he missed a sitter in the
club's 2-1 defeat to Fulham on Saturday. The 27-year-old, who has been
shipped out on loan to former club Estudiantes and Italian side Genoa during
his time with Wigan, showed great predatory instinct to steal ahead of
Spence for his first and the chip over Henderson from 12 yards was a sublime
finish. Martinez said: "He looked strong, he looked very sharp with his
build-up play and then that clinical finishing in front of goal. "I was
very, very pleased with his work, it is now a matter of allowing him to
settle into the Barclays Premier League. "He had real good opportunity on
Saturday and today, he wasn't afraid to get in good positions to score
goals. "He showed mental strength and how focused he is to be a success this
season and to enjoy his football. If he is at his best he will be a real
asset for us."

Wigan have won only one of their five league games, but controlled the game
well from midfield tonight, with Ryo Miyaichi, David Jones and James
McArthur all impressing in an experimental XI that contained seven changes.
"We're happy with how it went given there were changes," the Spaniard said.
"It was a real test of character, especially from the young lads. "To score
four goals away is a real achievement, especially at West Ham with the way
they have started the season."

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Kevin sent
Big Sam happy for rivals to underestimate Nolan
The Sun
Published: 25th September 2012

SAM ALLARDYCE is happy for West Ham's rivals to underestimate Kevin Nolan.
The Hammers skipper, 30, has started the season in top form, hitting three
goals in five Premier League matches, including the late equaliser in
Satuday's 1-1 draw with Sunderland. Allardyce has also paid tribute to Irons
chiefs David Sullivan and David Gold for shelling out the cash on Nolan last
year during their stint in the Championship. The West Ham boss said: "No one
should underestimate Nolan. "Look at his CV. Premier League, Premier League,
Premier League — 10 goals, nine goals, 11 goals, nine goals etc. "I hope
they (other clubs) underestimate him for the rest of the season and he will
end up the joint-top scorer like at Newcastle. "He was great value for money
in the Premier League but very expensive in the Championship — so give
credit to David Sullivan and David Gold for spending that money on that sort
of player."

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