Daily WHUFC News - 3rd September 2012

Taylor on target
WHUFC.com
Goalscorer Matt Taylor believes every squad member will have a part to play for the Hammers this season
02.09.2012

Matt Taylor was happy to hit the target in West Ham United's exceptional 3-0 win over Fulham at the Boleyn Ground. Taylor, who scored his first Barclays Premier League goal for the Hammers, revealed his pleasure at a solid attacking and defensive performance. The No14 stated his belief that hard work and desire fuelled the Hammers on their way to victory. "It was a very good day," he said. "It was great to get a goal [from Kevin Nolan] in the first few minutes because it seemed to settle everybody down and we played very well in and out of possession today. "Out of possession I thought we did very well too keep our shape. we put them under pressure when we needed to and we won the ball back in good areas. That allowed us to create good opportunities and ultimately score three good goals."

The Hammers made the perfect start with captain Nolan opening the scoring after 53 seconds. "We were very confident after the start we made. There was a big time between when we scored the first goal and the second goal - it was probably too long. We got the second and third close together and you can tell that deflated them as they went in 3-0 down. "There wasn't a way back for them in the second half. We kept things very tight and could and probably should have got a another goal. Jussi also did well at the end making two fantastic saves to ensure we kept a clean sheet which is always great to do, especially at home."

After scoring his first goal of the season Taylor insisted that he has no personal targets. Instead, he paid tribute to a wonderful team performance. "I have no targets this season personally. It was nice to see my shot go in,as it seemed to take an age to fall for me and I didn't catch it as well as would have liked, but luckily it flew in and killed the game off. "We started the second half with a clean sheet and that is something we wanted to keep. We limited them to few opportunities even when they brought on Dimitar Berbatov, who is a wonderful player. The second half was all about consolidation, we did that and it was a good all-round team performance."

Taylor also feels the side and staff will settle even more now the transfer window has closed, stating that everyone now knows where they stand. "You will probably see the manager a lot more relaxed now the window is closed. He worked very hard towards the end to get the players in we needed, and he has done exactly that.
"It is now three or four months until it re-opens, and that allows the lads to settle. We know where we are and who we have got to work with, it is a very good squad and hopefully one that can work its way up the league."

Competition for places is key and Taylor believes that the calibre of player Big Sam has brought in will bring huge positives. "We have brought in Andy Carroll and Yossi Benayoun who are two very good players. But that will only spur the rest of the squad on to work harder as competition for places will be very tough. "I think that showed on Tuesday night [in the Capital One Cup victory over Crewe Alexandra], as some of the lads came in and did very well. In this league you need a squad, it is not about eleven players, There are always changes through form, injuries and tactics, so you just need to ensure you are ready when called upon."

The Hammers next game is now two weeks away as domestic football takes an international break and Taylor is delighted to be entering it on a positive note.
"It is vitally important to end on a high, especially at home when are next game is away at Norwich. It is going to be a massive test for us. "Everybody can relax a little now, I myself won't be on international duty but will continue to work hard in training, but it will be nice to have a few days off and spend some time with my family. "I am sure we have a few lads away with their national sides and I just hope that the lads who are away come back fit and ready for the challenges ahead."

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Big Sam beaming at fine few days
WHUFC.com
West Ham United completed a memorable week with a 3-0 win against Fulham on Saturday
01.09.2012

Sam Allardyce could hardly contain his joy as West Ham United rounded off a week to remember with a superb 3-0 against Fulham at the Boleyn Ground on Saturday.
New signing Andy Carroll made his debut for the home side and had a hand in two of the goals as Kevin Nolan, Winston Reid and Matt Taylor did the damage with a goal each. The win caps off a fine seven days for the Hammers, who clinched the signings of Carroll and Yossi Benayoun on the back of a comfortable 2-0 win against Crewe Alexandra in the Capital One third round on Tuesday. "It is a tremendous start to the game for us of course and the overall performance that continued from there was very much pleasing to us all," Allardyce said. "None more so than the squad of players we have got and the staff and the owners who have worked so tirelessly, particularly in terms of the signings we have got. "I think what is important is the delight of everybody when Andy walked through the door. "He is a quality centre-forward and he is our number one. We can hopefully play to his strengths and he can hopefully help us do what we want to do and that is be winning as many football matches as we can. Hopefully we can provide him with the service to score lots and lots of goals."

Carroll's impressive performance is likely to grab all of the headlines but he was ably assisted by those around him. His strong header set up Ricardo Vaz Te to tee up Nolan to open the scoring with just 53 seconds on the clock and the strike was a tantalising taster of what was to come. "Andy's arrival brought excitement to Kevin Nolan's performance because Kevin can feed off Andy instinctively very, very well. "Kevin could have probably had a hat-trick because if he knows the ball is going to Andy he knows he can go beyond and get into areas where Andy can find him. "The quality of his finish was very important and from there on in it was just a case of us playing better than Fulham."

Soon after Nolan's opener, another Carroll knockdown found Mohamed Diame, but his cleanly-struck volley was superbly tipped onto the crossbar by Mark Schwarzer in the Fulham goal. The onslaught continued and Vaz Te and Nolan both went close before the inevitable second arrived when Reid nodded in Taylor's corner.
The claret and blue assault continued and it was three before half-time when Taylor smashed in from the edge of the area after Brede Hangeland - under pressure from Carroll - had headed back James Collins' free-kick into his path. The manner of the performance was also pleasing for the 33,458 packed into the Boleyn Ground, with Kids for a Quid offer seemingly proving popular with the Hammers' faithful. What made it all the sweeter was that it arrived on the back of a 3-0 defeat in West Ham's last Barclays Premier League outing at Swansea City. "Bouncebackability! I remember that was a good one from Iain Dowie and it was that we needed," Allardyce added with a smile. "We did it with great effect and style and thrust and skill. I think that for a team that is newly promoted to have a game like that, it is never over until it's over, but against Fulham we were 3-0 up at half-time and deservedly so "For everybody concerned it is a great bounce-back from last weekend and six points out of three games at the start of the season means we can move on and try and get more points and move the pressure away that can easily come on you when you slip towards the bottom of this league. "We all know that after ten games if you have not quite done what you planned, you are under pressure. We, at the moment, are relieving that pressure to try and bring more out of the players."

The only downside was that Carroll was forced from the field with a hamstring injury midway through the second half. Although the injury will keep him out of England's 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers this week, Big Sam will wait for a full report on Monday before judging how long he could be out for. "Andy's injury looks like a hamstring which is obviously the most disappointing thing from today. "We had Carlton Cole to come on anyway - another two minutes or so and Andy would have been off. He would have been fatigued because he hasn't played as many games as he wanted after he came back from holiday and the European Championships. "We were ready to bring him off and unfortunately on that last jump he got hit by Hangeland and that twisted his body and pulled his hamstring by the looks of it. "I think almost definitely that he is out of the England squad but we will just have to pray that it is not too severe."

Allardyce and his medical staff are now likely to make full use of the two-week international break to ensure Carroll is fighting fit in time for the away game with Norwich City on 15 September.

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'I'm delighted to be here again'
WHUFC.com
Yossi Benayoun cannot wait to pull on a West Ham United shirt again after re-joining the club
01.09.2012

Yossi Benayoun cannot wait to pull on a claret and blue shirt again after re-joining West Ham United. The Israel captain, who enjoyed two fantastic seasons at the Boleyn Ground between 2005 and 2007, has moved back to east London on loan from Chelsea. Now 32, the mercurial midfielder is looking forward to showing the Hammers faithful that he has lost none of his old poise, ability and skill. "Thank you very much to everyone who has welcomed me back," said the No15. "I'm delighted to be here because I've been here before and this is a great club and I just cannot wait to start playing here again. "I think the deal went through about one minute before the deadline! We had a long day because I had conversations with a lot of teams during the transfer window and a few of them made offers to me.
"West Ham actually came in during the last few hours of the transfer window and, when they did, we tried to seal the deal and I was delighted when we did it."

Benayoun netted eight goals and set up many more in the 72 appearances he made for West Ham before leaving for Liverpool in 2007. Having enjoyed spells with Chelsea and Arsenal, where he spent last season on loan, the Dimona-born player is looking forward to pulling on a Hammers shirt and showing the same form he displayed during his first spell in the East End. Benayoun will go away with Israel this week for 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in Azerbaijan and home to Russia before he gets ready to line up alongside the likes of Andy Carroll and Matt Jarvis. "I think any time is a good time to be at West Ham. When I was here the first time, I really enjoyed it because it's a great club with great people. Hopefully the future will also be bright and we can get some success as well. "I think it's a bit too soon to say what role I will play. I will go away with Israel and then come back after the international break and start work with my new team-mates. "We have got a lot of quality in the team and a great manager, so it should be easy for me to fit in."

Benayoun revealed that he could actually have joined forces with Sam Allardyce at Bolton Wanderers seven years ago, but instead chose to join Alan Pardew's Hammers. "I actually could have signed with Sam at Bolton but in the last minute I went with West Ham, so I know Sam. West Ham is a great team and a great club and I just cannot wait to start."

A popular figure during his first spell with the club, Benayoun is looking forward to showcasing his talents in front of the adoring Boleyn Ground faithful again soon.
As if to illustrate the point, when he and fellow new boy Jarvis were introduced to the crowd before kick-off ahead of Saturday's 3-0 Barclays Premier League over Fulham, the pair received a loud and sustained ovation. "I hope so. I always had a good relationship with the supporters, even when I came with other teams to play here. They gave me a warm welcome back so I'm sure we'll have a good relationship and hopefully I can give them something back on the pitch and excite them if I can."

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Rodgers: I may recall Carroll
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 2nd September 2012
By: Staff Writer

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers insists that he has the option to recall Andy Carroll from his loan spell at West Ham halfway through the season, should he so desire. Liverpool, who were beaten 2-0 at home by Arsenal this afternoon - a defeat that leaves the Merseysiders one place off the bottom of the Premier League and five points adrift of the Hammers - allowed the England striker to move to Upton Park on loan last week.

It was thought at the time that Carroll would spend the entire campaign at the Boleyn Ground after West Ham claimed that a season-long loan spell had been agreed.
"The 23-year-old has moved from Liverpool for the remainder of the 2012/13 Barclays Premier League campaign, with the Hammers having the option to complete a permanent deal for an undisclosed fee next summer," read an item on whufc.com last Thursday. However that is NOT the case according to the Liverpool manager, who told the BBC's Conor McNamara after today's defeat by the Gunners that the terms of the loan agreement mean he can take the striker back to Anfield in January. "Rodgers tells me he has option of recalling Andy Carroll in January," said McNamara via Twitter this afternoon. "He only let him go, because he thought another forward was coming in."

Carroll was involved in two of West Ham's three goals yesterday as they beat Fulham 3-0 at the Boleyn Ground. However he was forced to retire injured on the hour mark after sustaining a hamstring injury.

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Allardyce on... Fulham
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 2nd September 2012
By: Staff Writer

There was a buzz in the stands, on the pitch and in the press room after the game as Sam Allardyce reflected on a job well done in the post-match conference, which we once again bring to you exclusively in full...


Sam: There was a buzz around the ground before the start of the game because of the signings you've made this week - and there was a buzz on the pitch when you got the [first] goal?

Yes. It was a tremendous start to the game for us, of course, and the overall performance from there on was absolutely pleasing to us all. We've all worked tirelessly, particularly in terms of the signings and with the players that we've had from July the 1st when we started back.

I think that was 'bouncebackability' [today]; I remember that one from Iain Dowie! It was that we needed today and we did it with great effect, style, thrust and skill. For a team that's newly promoted to have that sort of game? I mean, it's never over 'til it's over but it was this time when it was 3-0 at half time - and deservedly so.

For everybody concerned it's a great way to bounce back from last week. To have six points from three games at the start of the season means that we can keep the pressure away. That can easily come on you when you slip near the bottom this early in the season. At the moment we are relieving that pressure and that will hopefully bring more and more out of the players.

How's Andy Carroll?

Not good I'm afraid. It looks like a hamstring which is obviously the most disappointing thing from today - especially as Carlton Cole was ready to come on. Another two minutes or so and Andy would have been off anyway, because he would have been fatiguing as he hasn't played as many games as he would have wanted since coming back from holiday - and of course, playing in the European Championships.

So we were ready to bring him off but unfortunately, on that last jump, he got hit by Hangeland, twisted his body and it's pulled his hamstring by the looks of it.

So he's out of the England squad?

I think almost definitely he's out of the England squad. We just have to pray that it's not too severe.

What did you make of his debut apart from that?

Very good. I think that what's important was the delight everybody felt when Andy walked through the door today. It made us all feel that little bit better, having a £35million centre forward walk through the door - whether you've got him on loan or not. He's a quality centre forward and he's our number one.

Hopefully we can play to his strengths and he can help us do what we want to do - and that's to win as many football matches as we can. Hopefully we can provide him with the service to score lots of goals.

Kevin said he's brought an excitement to the players; could you sense that?

We he brought excitement to Kevin Nolan's performance because Kevin can feed off Andy instinctively. Kevin could have had a hat-trick today. He knows if the ball is going to Andy he can go; he knows he can go beyond and get in areas where Andy can find him, or if Andy doesn't the defender will end up knocking the ball down to him. And of course the quality of his finish was very important. For us, from thereon in, it was just us playing better than Fulham, creating more than them.

It's well documented that Andy was perhaps a bit reluctant to come to West Ham; you had to work very hard to get him here. You've had to settle in to London, how will you help him adjust to that?

There are three factors. He knows me, but one of the biggest factors is that he knows Tim D'Eath who is our player liaison officer, as well. Tim's the England chef and Andy knows him really well; Tim looks after all our players in terms of settling into a new area. And of course his relationship with Kevin [Nolan]. So I think that helps him settle into London and West Ham quicker than if he'd gone anywhere else where he doesn't quite know some of the personnel. But he knows a lot of the players, myself and some of the staff here so that will hopefully help him settle in.

The disappointing thing is obviously the injury; it's a cruel blow for him and a cruel blow for us if it keeps him out for any length of time other than the two weeks we're off on international break now. It's all about getting him match fit and back up to speed - and the way to do that is obviously to play in matches. That might not be able to happen now for a week or two.

What did you say to him when he came off, did you have a chance to have a chat [about the injury]? What did he have to say?

Well he's not interested in that, he's just so gutted because he's got injured and he can't join England. That's why he's most disappointed because he wanted to get off there. Hopefully he's going to play every week for us and if he score goals then Roy's going to pick him, isn't he?

If [Danny] Wellback doesn't play as often as he used to at Manchester United because [Robin] Van Persie's there with [Wayne] Rooney then Andy could be the number one England striker - that's if he's playing for us regularly, playing well and scoring. He wants to do both; he wants to do well for us and he wants to do well for England.

Do you have him for another day and then he goes to England? Or does he go immediately?

I don't know to be honest with you, that's down to the medical department. They'll contact whoever they need to contact and England will decide rightly or wrongly. They can ask him to go but I think they know us well enough - and Roy knows us well enough - to know that if he's not going to be any good to them, we can send them the scan results.

Is it a pull or a strain?

A slight, slight strain but we won't know the extent of the damage until his MRI.

Would it be fair to say this has been a dream transfer window for you?

I think so, yeah. The long, arduous task of finding players is a gruelling one in the window. You get through the [post-season] break and try, but everybody wants too much. You start the pre-season and they're still too much for what you can afford. Then you get to panic stations, they start getting cheaper and you have to move, pounce!

Karren Brady, David Sullivan, Martin (my recruitment officer), myself and David Gold have really gone to town and pressed the button on many things as early as we can and that's why we've got the squad we've got together. Hopefully we can build on what we've done over the last three games. We disappointed at Swansea but the two home performances have been really encouraging, particularly this one.

Martin Jol has been in talking about his team's performance. He wasn't particularly positive about Fulham but he described your goals as set-pieces and long balls. Is that a fair assessment?

The three goals we scored were a ball up to Andy Carroll, which he flicked on, and two set pieces which are 38-40 per cent of goals scored in the game today. How did Liverpool draw against Manchester City?

I didn't actually see that game...

Did you not? [laughs]

No...

One was a corner and one was a set piece. In between our three long-ball goals we outplayed Fulham, it's that simple. Totally and utterly. So if Martin's team can't defend properly then he really shouldn't criticise the way we scored our goals, should he?


A quick word on Yossi Benayoun. What will he bring to West Ham?

Quality. It's all about quality in this division. I have to say Yossi was absolutely brilliant yesterday, to help get himself here at this football club. It wasn't just about us negotiating with Chelsea, it was about him stepping in and saying "I want to go to West Ham". I was absolutely delighted to hear that from the very start because he's looking forward to playing here and giving us extra quality in the final third which we know he's got and we know he delivered that last time he was here.

Can I just check - will Andy Carroll now go to England's camp to be checked?

I don't know. It depends on the communication between our medical staff and England's medical staff. Then they'll revert to Roy [Hodgson] and they'll make a decision. We know there's damage there and we know that at this moment in time we wouldn't think he'd be available.

Has he gone off for a scan now, tonight?

I don't think so, I think that'll be tomorrow at the earliest. Thank you.

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Sam reflects on 'dream window'
Hammers boss delighted with summer business
Last Updated: September 2, 2012 12:16pm
SSN

Sam Allardyce admits things could not have gone much better for him in the summer transfer window, with West Ham making a number of shrewd additions. The Hammers saw deadline day pass with 11 new players having been drafted into the Upton Park ranks. Among the more notable arrivals were Andy Carroll on a season-long loan from Liverpool, Yossi Benayoun returning to the club on loan from Chelsea, Matt Jarvis making a big-money move from Wolves and Mohamed Diame opting to link up with the Hammers on a free transfer. Allardyce is delighted with the calibre of player he has been able to acquire, with West Ham having strengthened in all areas of the field. A 3-0 victory over Fulham on Saturday, in which Carroll and Diame starred, suggests the Hammers have every right to believe that their fresh faces can help them push for a top-half finish in the Premier League this season.

Panic stations

"I think you could say this was a dream transfer window for me," said Allardyce. "It's a gruelling task finding the right players. "You get to the summer break when everyone wants far too much for the players you want. You get to pre-season and they are still asking far more than what you can afford. Then you get to the last-minute, panic stations sets in and it gets a bit cheaper. "But Karren Brady, David Sullivan, David Gold and myself have really gone to town and pressed the button on a lot of things we wanted to do."

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Carroll springer
West Ham 3 Fulham 0
The Sun
By ANDREW DILLON
Last Updated: 03rd September 2012

MARTIN JOL has vowed to build his team around Dimitar Berbatov and backed the Bulgarian hitman to shine for the Cottagers. The Fulham boss missed a trick when he did not start the former Manchester United marksman – and when he was introduced at the break the damage had already been done. Jol revealed: "You build teams around good players – and Berbatov is excellent. He showed that when I was at Spurs." Jol was frustrated to lose playmaker Mousa Dembele and admitted: "Berbatov was looking forward to playing with him." Jol added: "I told him that Dembele was off to Spurs when Dimitar had his medical. We managed to keep him in the building so he couldn't get away!"

MATT TAYLOR is feeding off the feel-good factor that is swirling around Upton Park. Newly-promoted, playing alongside a big-name signing in Andy Carroll and bagging a quality goal in a comfortable win had winger Taylor declaring everything was coming up roses for West Ham. He said: "It always gives you a lift when new players come in to a club, and the guys that we have signed this week have been no different. "It's difficult with all the speculation about who is coming in and who is going, and the Andy Carroll thing was particularly protracted. "So it was nice to get them in and to get them playing, and great to see Andy play so well. "Andy had only been here a day but he's professional and he knows a couple of the guys here so he has done very well. "First of all, he brings competition for places, secondly — obviously I have only seen him as an opposing player other than yesterday and today — he is very good on the ball. When he flicks the ball on he doesn't do it aimlessly — he tries to pick people out. He's very good on the floor, strong and quick — he was exceptional. "Unplayable is what the manager said and it was really, really good to see him play well. "It was nice to get three goals at home and keep a clean sheet, especially being our first home London derby and given the performance last week. "It was a very good all round performance, we were very good with the ball but equally as good without it. After all the videos and information we had on Fulham we knew how they were going to play so we set up to counteract that. "I've been in the game long enough not to make any predictions about what might happen this season because sometimes you can get a little ahead of yourself and it can come back to bite you. "Hopefully the future is bright here.Everything is pointing in the right direction for this football club and long may that continue."

Taylor's classy strike from the edge of the box was the final blow for Fulham — wrapping up victory before half-time. Carroll played a part in it, using his 6ft 4in frame to cause havoc in the visitors' defence and force Brede Hangeland into a mistake. That freed up Taylor for a pop at goal with yards of space around him. The new man also teed up pal Nolan for the first goal after less than a minute. He again used his head to provide the excellent Ricardo Vaz Te with the chance to slip a neat ball to the Hammers skipper. Nolan did the rest bv unleashing a crisp shot past keeper Mark Schwarzer. In between, Taylor delivered a corner on to Winston Reid's head to power home a header on 29 minutes. It was pretty much one-way traffic from start to finish and on this evidence, once Carroll is recovered from an unfortunate hamstring injury, he will soon be scoring goals again. Allardyce said: "It is really important to punish the other team when you are on top and we did that thoroughly. "In the end we did it off two set-plays and got a very well deserved 3-0 lead."

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Lion barred? Carroll now set to miss first FOUR World Cup qualifiers
The Mirror

Andy Carroll is in danger of missing England's World Cup qualifiers next month after suffering a hamstring injury on his West Ham debut. The on-loan Liverpool striker is definitely out of the matches in Moldova on Friday and Ukraine at Wembley next week. But the Upton Park club fear Carroll could be out for a month, leaving him only one match against Arsenal on October 6 to prove his fitness before the double-header against San Marino and Poland. West Ham were last night awaiting the results of MRI scans on the injury suffered in the 68th minute of the 3-0 win against Fulham. "He is just so gutted because he has got injured and he can't go to join up with England – that is why he is most disappointed because he wanted to get off there," said manager Sam Allardyce. "He'll ­probably be on the treatment bench for a while."We will just have to pray that it is not too severe."

Carroll scored his second international goal against Sweden at Euro 2012 and had been called up by boss Roy Hodgson before completing his loan deal to West Ham.
Allardyce said Carroll's desire to maintain his England place had been a key motivation behind the move to Upton Park. "Andy had to accept he had to move to make sure he gets first-team football because he's got his England place to protect," said the Hammers' boss. "It's all right saying he's going to sit on the bench at Liverpool but he'd lose his England place. "I said, 'Come and play first-team football in the Premier League and be the big fish in a small pond for a while'."

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Hammer blow for Carroll as Allardyce fears hamstring injury is worse than first thought
By PHIL GRADWELL
PUBLISHED: 22:30, 2 September 2012 | UPDATED: 00:03, 3 September 2012
Daily Mail

West Ham fear Andy Carroll's hamstring injury is worse than expected. The problem showed no sign of improvement on Sunday which suggests it is 'significant'. The Hammers were hoping Carroll would be out for just three weeks and fit to return for the home game against Sunderland on September 22. That now seems unlikely and he will have a complete scan on Monday. Sam Allardyce, though, insists that once fit again, Carroll will relish being the 'big fish in a small pond' at Upton Park.
That seems an odd statement to make about the most expensive British footballer - you would expect a player who cost £35million to be a dominant figure in any team. But Carroll often seemed overwhelmed at Liverpool and had been on the margins of the first team, especially since the new manager came in. Despite being seemingly unwanted at Liverpool, Allardyce revealed that Carroll was not keen to swap Anfield for Upton Park, saying: 'He didn't want to leave, but he had to accept that Brendan Rodgers wanted to go down a different route, which every manager's entitled to. 'We're not as big a club as Liverpool but Andy can come and play first-team football in the Premier League.' He certainly relished being the big fish on Saturday. He made a dream start to his Claret-and-blue debut, flicking the ball on for Ricardo Vaz Te to set up Kevin Nolan to score after 53 seconds of the 3-0 win over Fulham.

Carroll also unsettled the visiting defence in the build-up to Matt Taylor's third goal, which came after Winston Reid's header. Carroll benefits from an arm round the shoulder and he was shown a lot of love before, during and after the match. The crowd were singing his name prior to kick-off, his team-mates appreciated his efforts and encouraged him, and Allardyce sang his praises in interviews. According to Gary Lineker on Match of the Day, Carroll was a 'square peg in a square hole' at Liverpool. West Ham will play to his strengths, showcased in his bullying of Brede Hangeland. The downside was the injury in the 68th minute, which meant he had to pull out of the England squad. Allardyce knows how important Carroll's international career is to him, saying: 'Andy had to accept he had to move to make sure of first-team football. It's all right saying he's going to sit on the bench at Liverpool but he'd lose his England place.' If he is going to stay in the England frame he will have to play consistently and score. Should this happen, West Ham will be in a healthy position. Allardyce acknowledged this, adding: 'If Andy scores between 10 and 15 goals, it is going to give us a great chance to be out of the relegation zone. If he gets 15-20, we can get in the top 10.' To do this, he will need supply. The likes of Taylor will be important, therefore, and the midfielder is looking forward to providing the ammunition for Carroll. Taylor said: 'He is good on the ball. When he flicks it on he doesn't do it aimlessly - he tries to pick people out. He's very good on the floor, strong, quick. Unplayable, the manager said.' From unwanted to unplayable in the space of a few days. If Carroll carries on like this, he could prove quite a catch.

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Andy Carroll's new start at West Ham comes to painful end with hamstring injury
Once upon a time, Andy Carroll read bedtime stories to Kevin Nolan's children and for an hour on Saturday he penned a fairytale of his own, dovetailing well with his former landlord on his West Ham United debut.
Telegraph.co.uk
By Henry Winter8:00PM BST 01 Sep 201210

West Ham beat Fulham 3-0 but, unfortunately for Carroll, there was a twist to the plot with a tweak to his hamstring, and he has been written out of England's adventure in Moldova this week. Carroll took two strides forward on Saturday before a hobbling step back. Incapacitation during international week will at least allow him to work at Chadwell Heath, familiarising himself with his new surroundings and focusing on West Ham's trip to Norwich City on Sept 15. The damaged tissue is more an issue for country than club. Already, Carroll has lifted the claret-and-blue mood. In turn, West Ham have embraced him quickly. Before kick-off, Carroll received a few words of encouragement from Nolan. "You have nothing to prove to anyone,'' Nolan told Carroll. Leaving aside the captain's understandable desire to ease expectations on the loan signing, the reality remains that Carroll has plenty to prove. The England striker must prove to the myriad doubters that he is good enough to lead the line of an ambitious team. He has to prove to Brendan Rodgers, the Liverpool manager who considered him ill-suited to his preferred system, that he could have fitted in to a more measured style.

Carroll's prominence for 67 minutes will inevitably intensify the debate over whether Rodgers was right to exclude him from his Liverpool thoughts. Anfield would be marginally more relaxed if Rodgers had brought in more forward cover in case any mishap befalls Luis Suárez or Fabio Borini. Yet it is hardly the greatest surprise to learn that Sam Allardyce's more direct approach suits Carroll better than the possession game. The 6ft 4in centre-forward loves battling for an aerial ball, getting on to crosses while demonstrating occasional left-footed dexterity on the ground. West Ham were set up for Carroll, who had taken Nicky Maynard's old No 8 shirt, exploiting his old Newcastle understanding with Nolan, who was playing in the hole. Nolan will benefit from Carroll's knock-downs and the space he creates. West Ham's wide players, Matt Taylor and Ricardo Vaz Te, hoisted in crosses towards Carroll, who will also relish the service from Matt Jarvis, injured yesterday. Even if he needed some persuading to leave Anfield, effectively accepting that he had failed there, Carroll quickly felt at home at the Boleyn. He knows Allardyce and particularly Nolan from their Newcastle United days. He is friends with Tim De'ath, West Ham's popular player-liaison officer and England chef. West Ham have paid a £1 million loan fee (and all his wages) for the 23 year-old with an option to buy him for £17 million next summer if they stay up. As depreciating assets go, Carroll's fall from his £35 million valuation in January 2011 is huge.

If that £17 million clause was triggered next summer, and he stayed south, Carroll's 11 goals at Liverpool would have worked out at £1.6 million each. These are early days, and Carroll must deliver far more consistently than he did at Anfield, but West Ham will surely consider making the deal permanent on this evidence. Upton Park really took to Carroll.

Even before kicking a ball or winning a header, he was being lauded. As Carroll warmed up, fans leaned over the hoardings to get close-up snaps with their camera-phones. As he waited on the halfway line for the first whistle, Carroll looked back at fans in the Bobby Moore Stand, all standing, all singing, arms aloft. The strains of "I'm forever blowing bubbles" were still floating away up Green Street when Carroll first began bullying Fulham's defence, his aerial prowess seen within 53 seconds as he headed down to Vaz Te and then Nolan applied the finishing touch. No wonder Allardyce smiled. West Ham's manager often resembles a guest an hour into a particularly agreeable wedding reception and his upbeat mood was understandable here. With Carroll's recruitment, West Ham have a focus, an outlet, a battering-ram and willing team-worker. He also kept the tactical shape, dropping to left midfield at one point when Taylor had gone through the middle. He spread confidence through the team, who played with increasing guile.

For all the perception of Allardyce as a long-ball advocate, West Ham occasionally mixed up their play, keeping possession for periods, a pleasing nod to the Academy ethos. There was a darting run from Vaz Te here, a dribble from the excellent Mohamed Diamé there. Mainly, though, West Ham threatened through the drilled long-ball and set-pieces, bringing goals for Winston Reid and Taylor. Carroll played only minor roles in those goals but his work-rate earned constant applause. Another famous debut-maker, Dimitar Berbatov, has never been deemed the most assiduous of workers but the Bulgarian contributed an elegant 45 minutes for Fulham after the break. His movement was typically intelligent, and never rushed. His touch was assured, his composure deep in enemy territory admirable. Berbatov needed better support though.

At times he resembled a celebrated conductor who had found himself with the wrong orchestra. Fulham players will soon read his runs and the feeling remains that Martin Jol has made another smart decision. Ditto Allardyce with Carroll. A new chapter opens.

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