Friday, February 10

Daily WHUFC News - II 10th February 2012

Posh plan pitch inspection
WHUFC.com
A pitch inspection will take place at London Road at 10am on Saturday
10.02.2012

Peterborough United have confirmed that a pitch inspection will be held at
London Road at 10am on Saturday 11 February ahead of the npower Championship
visit of West Ham United. Heavy snowfall overnight between Thursday and
Friday resulted in the pitch and stadium areas being covered in snow. With
sub-zero temperatures expected on Friday night the decision has been made to
leave the snow on the pitch until early Saturday morning as it will act as
an insulation blanket until it is removed.

The Cambridgeshire club has appealed for at least 300 volunteers to assist
with clearing the snow from the pitch early on Saturday morning. Ideally,
Peterborough would like volunteers to arrive, preferably with snow shovels,
from 7am and report to reception. All volunteers need to be over the age of
18. The procedure will be to clear the snow from the covers on the pitch,
transport it outside of the stadium to a designated tipping area and allow
the covers to be removed for a 10am pitch inspection by the match referee
Chris Sarginson.

A Peterborough spokesman has confirmed that the pitch-clearing operation is
open to supporters of both clubs. Gritting lorries will be deployed at the
stadium and surrounding areas on Friday and on Saturday morning to ensure
spectator safety outside of the ground. With a capacity crowd expected at
London Road, Posh chief executive Bob Symns said the club was eager for the
game to go ahead. "At the moment, the pitch beneath the covers is playable,"
he confirmed. "Obviously we are all now waiting for the results of the
overnight temperatures. We are doing everything we can to ensure this game
will take place, but we really need your assistance to remove the snow first
thing on Saturday morning."

The official website and club's twitter feed will have all the latest
developments from London Road on Saturday morning.

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Peterborough match preview
WHUFC.com
Background information and team news ahead of Saturday's trip to London Road
to face the Posh
10.02.2012

PETERBOROUGH UNITED v WEST HAM UNITED
npower CHAMPIONSHIP
SATURDAY 11 FEBRUARY 2012
KICK-OFF: 3PM
FULL AUDIO AND TEXT COMMENTARY - WEST HAM TV
iPHONE APP I TWITTER I FACEBOOK I PODCAST


Introduction
• npower Championship leaders West Ham United will be looking to extend
their four-point advantage at the top of the table when they travel to
18th-placed Peterborough United on Saturday. The Hammers will also be
looking to record their fourth 'double' of the season, having already beaten
Coventry City, Portsmouth and Nottingham Forest home and away this term.
• The Hammers have collected more points away from home (27) than any other
club in the npower Championship. Sam Allardyce's side have collected 56
points from 29 games played. West Ham United have won eight of their 15 away
league matches this season, collecting all three points at Doncaster Rovers,
Nottingham Forest, Watford, Brighton and Hove Albion, Hull City, Coventry
City, Middlesbrough and Portsmouth.
• The Posh go into the game 18th in the table, having collected 34 points
from 29 matches. Darren Ferguson's men have lost three and failed to win any
of their previous six league matches. Peterborough United's most-recent
league win came at Nottingham Forest (1-0) on Boxing Day.
• Youth-team players and staff have been clearing the London Road pitch of
snow following last weekend's wintry weather. The pitch has been covered and
Peterborough United are hopeful of the game going ahead.
• West Ham United and Peterborough United have met just three times in
competitive fixtures - facing each other in Division One during the 1992/93
season. The Hammers were victorious in both fixtures, winning 3-1 at London
Road on 12 September 1992 and 2-1 at the Boleyn Ground on 9 February 1993.
The most-recent meeting was the 1-0 win recorded by the Hammers in the
reverse npower Championship fixture at the Boleyn Ground on 24 September
2011.

Us and Them
• The Posh were a League Two club as recently as the 2007/08 season when
they finished second in the same season that the Hammers finished tenth in
the Premier League.
• Former world heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson was a spectator when
West Ham United travelled to London Road for a pre-season friendly on 14
July 2010. Carlton Cole and Anthony Edgar were on target for the Hammers in
a 2-1 victory, with striker Dave Hibbert scoring The Posh's consolation.
• Sam Baldock scored MK Dons' second goal in their 3-2 League One Play-Off
semi-final first leg victory over Peterborough United on 15 May 2011, only
for The Posh to win the second leg 2-0 at London Road and go on to secure
promotion to the Championship.
• Sam Allardyce has squared up against Darren Ferguson, the son of Big Sam's
good friend Sir Alex, once before as manager. As Blackburn Rovers supremo,
he earned a League Cup quarter-final tie with a 5-2 home defeat of
Peterborough United on 28 October 2009. Joe Lewis was sent off for the Posh.
• Peterborough director of football Barry Fry was manager of Birmingham City
under David Sullivan and David Gold between 1993 and 1996.
• The following players have worn the colours of both West Ham United and
Peterborough United during their careers - Bobby Barnes, Matthew
Etherington, Bill Green, Steven Laurie, Dave Llewellyn, Grant McCann, Adam
Newton, John Woodburn and Terry Woodgate.

• No West Ham United player has made his debut against Peterborough United.

Team news
West Ham United
• West Ham United have named a strong squad for the 85-mile trip to
Cambridgeshire. with new signings Nicky Maynard, Ricardo Vaz Te, George John
and Ravel Morrison all part of the 20-man travelling party.
• Maynard, Morrison and John will all be eager to pull on a claret and blue
shirt for the first time, while Vaz Te will be keen to build on his late
cameo appearance in the 2-1 home win over Millwall a week ago.
• Captain Kevin Nolan is definitely out as he begins a three-match ban after
being sent-off against the Lions. Gary O'Neil, Henri Lansbury and Matt
Taylor will be among those looking to take the skipper's place in the
starting XI.
• Papa Bouba Diop continues to be sidelined with a hamstring problem, while
John Carew and George McCartney are minor injury doubts after picking up
knocks in training.
• Pablo Barrera and Jordan Spence are on season-long loans at Real Zaragoza
and Bristol City respectively. Peter Kurucz, Paul McCallum (both Rochdale),
Cristian Montano (Notts County) and George Moncur (AFC Wimbledon) are all
out on temporary loans.
Peterborough United
• Darren Ferguson has a fully-fit squad to choose from.
• The Posh are without loanees Joe Day (Alfreton), Kelvin Langmead
(Northampton Town), Danny Mills (Kettering Town), Nathan Ralph (Kettering
Town) and Nicky Ajose (Chesterfield).

Last time out
Saturday 4 February 2012
npower Championship
West Ham United 2-1 Millwall
West Ham United: Green, O'Brien, McCartney, Faye, Reid, Tomkins, Noble,
Nolan, Faubert ,(O'Neil 80), Collison (Taylor 46), Cole (Vaz Te 87)
Subs not used: Baldock, Maynard
Goals: Cole 45, Reid 69
Red card: Nolan 9
Saturday 4 February 2012
npower Championship
Burnley 1-1 Peterborough United
Peterborough United: Lewis, Little, Bennett, Zakauni, Alcock, Boyd, McCann,
Rowe, Frecklington (Tunnicliffe 70), Ball (Tomlin 75), Taylor
Subs not used: Jones, Kearns, Sinclair
Goal: Taylor 12

Previous meetings
• West Ham United and Peterborough United have met just twice in competitive
fixtures prior to this season - facing each other in Division One during the
1992/93 season. The Hammers were victorious in both fixtures, winning 3-1 at
London Road on 12 September 1992 and 2-1 at the Boleyn Ground on 9 February
1993.
• The two sides met at the Boleyn Ground on 24 September 2011, with West Ham
United running out 1-0 winners through Mark Noble's 11th-minute penalty. The
two teams that day were:
West Ham United: Green, Reid, McCartney, Faye, O'Brien, Faubert (Bentley
67), Nolan, Taylor (Tomkins 90), Noble, Lansbury, Cole (Carew 56)
Subs not used: Boffin, Baldock
Peterborough United: Jones, Little, Bennett, Zakuani, Alcock, McCann, Rowe,
Tunnicliffe (Tomlin 46), Frecklington (Kearns 90), Boyd, Sinclair
Subs not used: Lewis, Wootton, Taylor

Ten-year records
West Ham United
2010/11 Premier League 20th (33 points)
2009/10 Premier League 17th (35 points)
2008/09 Premier League 9th (51 points)
2007/08 Premier League 10th (49 points)
2006/07 Premier League 15th (41 points)
2005/06 Premier League 9th (55 points)
2004/05 Championship 6th (73 points - promoted to Premier League via
play-offs)
2003/04 Championship 4th (74 points)
2002/03 Premier League 18th (42 points - relegated to Championship)
2001/02 Premier League 7th (53 points)
Peterborough United
2010/11 League One 4th (79 points - promoted to Championship via Play-Offs)
2009/10 Championship 24th (34 points - relegated to League One)
2008/09 League One 2nd (89 points - promoted to Championship)
2007/08 League Two 2nd (92 points - promoted to League One)
2006/07 League Two 10th (65 points)
2005/06 League Two 9th (62 points)
2004/05 League One 23rd (39 points - relegated to League Two)
2003/04 Second Division 18th (52 points)
2002/03 Second Division 11th (58 points)
2001/02 Second Division 17th (55 points)

Referee
• Saturday's referee will be Chris Sarginson. He will be assisted by Simon
Barrow and Danny Gratton, while the fourth official will be John Farries.
• Sarginson has never taken charge of a West Ham United competitive fixture.
However, he has refereed four Peterborough United matches - the most-recent
being a 4-1 npower League One defeat at Southampton on 20 November 2010.

Old boys
• West Ham United midfielder Jack Collison spent two years with Peterborough
United as a schoolboy, playing for the club between the ages of ten and 12.
The Wales international was also close to re-joining the club for a
pre-agreed fee of £300,000 in January 2009, only to make his Hammers debut
at Arsenal on New Year's Day and remain at the Boleyn Ground.
• Peterborough United midfielder Grant McCann came through the Academy ranks
at West Ham United, turning professional in 1998 and going on to make four
substitute appearances for the club before joining Cheltenham Town for
£50,000 in January 2003.
• The Posh's Belfast-born Republic of Ireland U23 international winger
Daniel Kearns spent three years with West Ham United between 2007 and 2010
before being released and joining League of Ireland Premier Division club
Dundalk.
• The following players are among those to have worn the colours of both
West Ham United and Peterborough United during their careers - Bobby Barnes,
Matthew Etherington, Bill Green, Steven Laurie, Dave Llewellyn, Grant
McCann, Adam Newton, John Woodburn and Terry Woodgate.
• The late great Noel Cantwell played for West Ham United before going on to
manage Peterborough United on two occasions. The Cork-born Republic of
Ireland full-back spent eight seasons with the Hammers, making 274
appearances, scoring eleven goals and winning the Division Two title in
1957/58. Cantwell later took charge at London Road in 1972, winning the
Division Four title in his first season with The Posh. After leaving for a
spell in the United States with the Jacksonville Tea Men, the Irishman
returned to Peterborough between 1986 and 1988.

Up next
• West Ham United play host to Southampton on Tuesday night for a 7.45pm
npower Championship kick-off, with Peterborough travelling to Cardiff City
at the same time.

General information
• The weather forecast is for sunny intervals with temperatures peaking
around the 2C (36F) mark.

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Peterborough game in jeopardy
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 10th February 2012
By: Staff Writer

A team of volunteers have been helping Peterborough United clear their
London Road ground of snow - although it still may not be enough to save
tomorrow's fixture.
Hundreds of supporters - including Posh chairman Darragh MacAnthony and the
club's youth team - have pitched in to help clear several inches of snow
that has fallen in the town during the past few days. However tomorrow's
match against West Ham - from which a win could see Sam Allardyce's side go
SEVEN points clear at the top - is still in the balance due to fresh
overnight snowfalls in Cambridgeshire and the freezing conditions. With no
undersoil heating in place at the stadium, groundsmen have covered the
playing surface in an attempt to ensure it remains playable. However it
remains touch and go to see whether the game can go ahead due to the
extrmely low temperatures that could make the pitch dangerous to play on.

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Piquionne not off
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 10th February 2012
By: Staff Writer

Sam Allardyce has dismissed reports that Freddie Piquionne is set for a loan
move to Championship strugglers Doncaster. Earlier in the week agent Willie
McKay had insisted that the two clubs were liaising with regards to a
potential loan move for the unwanted forward for the remainder of the
season. However Hammers boss Allardyce, speaking ahead of West Ham's planned
trip to Peterborough this weekend insisted that no seuch deal had been
struck - nor was on the cards. "At the moment we've had one or two enquiries
about one or two of our players on loan," said Allardyce, "but nothing has
been okayed up until now."

Piquionne was made surplus to requirements following a dreadfully
disappointing first half of the season in which he managed to score just TWO
goals in 21 appearances. Now 33, the French striker has been told that he
has no future at the club - despite being contracted to the Hammers until
the summer of 2013, having signed a three-year contract when moving from
Portsmouth in 2010.

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Who's that Guy?
KUMb.com
Filed: Friday, 10th February 2012
By: Staff Writer

Guy Demel has targeted the Valentines Day encounter with Southampton for a
first team return. The Ivorian right-back has become something of a laughing
stock amongst supporters having failed to complete a single game for West
Ham since joining United from German club SV Hamburg in the summer, due to a
succession of injuries.

However the 30-year-old is set to make his latest comeback next week -
assuming all goes to plan. Speaking via his Twitter account this morning,
the 30-year-old said: "Up and ready for core session, getting ready for my
comeback against Southampton."

Demel made his debut for the club at the end of November in the 2-0 win at
Middlesbrough, during which he managed to play a whole 79 minutes before
being replaced by Joey O'Brien. Having missed the following week's 2-1
defeat at home to Burnley, Demel returned for the away trip to Reading.
However he lasted less than five minutes when he was substituted following
his second touch of the ball.

Top five sicknotes this century

5. James Collins
Signed: July 2005 (£1.5million)
Left: September 2009 (Aston Villa, £5million)
Appearances: 61 (4)
Average games per season: 16

4. Danny Gabbidon
Signed: July 2005 (£1.5million)
Left: July 2011 (free transfer)
Appearances: 105 (8)
Average games per season: 18.83

3. Don Hutchison
Signed: August 2001 (£5million)
Left: August 2005(free transfer)
Appearances: 41 (30)
Average games per season: 17.75

2. Nigel Quashie
Signed: January 2007 (£1.5million)
Left: January 2010 (free transfer)
Appearances: 8 (0)
Average games per season: 3

1. Kieron Dyer
Signed: August 2007 (£6million)
Left: July 2011 (free transfer)
Appearances: 17 (16)
Average games per season: 8

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West Ham striker Frederic Piquionne set to snub Doncaster Rovers
Doncasterfreepress.co.uk
By Paul Goodwin
Published on Friday 10 February 2012 08:49

DONCASTER Rovers' hopes of landing West Ham United striker Frederic
Piquionne are fading fast, the Free Press understands. A deal was agreed
between the two clubs which would have seen the Frenchman join Rovers on
loan until the end of the season. Dean Saunders and Willie McKay spoke with
Piquionne on Wednesday in an attempt to convince him to join Rovers' battle
against relegation while Free Press sources believed at that time that a
deal was likely. But it is now understood Piquionne may have received a
better offer from elsewhere and will now snub the dogfight with Rovers. The
33-year-old was told by Hammers boss Sam Allardyce there would be nothing in
his way should he want to leave on loan. Piquionne has slipped down the West
Ham pecking order following the arrivals of Ricardo Vaz Te and Nicky Maynard
during the transfer window. Saunders is keen to add firepower to his ranks
following Billy Sharp's move to Southampton and turned to Piquionne, who
Rovers were linked with during the early days of the Welshman's tenure.

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Irons insight: I like Nolan, but he has to provide more than just leadership
for West Ham
Matt Porter, London24 West Ham blogger
Friday, February 10, 2012
9:11 AM

If it wasn't so cold, I'd cross my fingers and toes that tomorrow's match at
Peterborough goes ahead, not least because we've already forked out on train
tickets and I'm going to struggle to find an alternative socially acceptable
reason to be in the pub by midday on Saturday! The game will be notable for
the absence of skipper Kevin Nolan who, after his straight red card last
Saturday, will be sitting out the first of three matches. First and
foremost, it needs to be said that I like Nolan. He's an excellent leader of
men something somewhat lacking from his predecessor as captain and he has an
uncanny knack of being in the right place at the right time in the
opponent's box.

The nature of his sending off against Millwall last week probably says it
all about him. I think his heart was in the right place and he wanted to get
a crunching tackle in to get the fans onside in a big derby game. He seemed
close to tears as he trudged off, but he paid the price for his split-second
stupidity.

The problem all season has been that, leadership aside, telling
contributions from the skipper have been few and far between. Nolan has the
tendency to let the game whizz around him without really getting involved.
In a perverse sense, Nolans inactivity has been the making of Mark Noble,
who in recent months is probably playing as well as he's ever played.

It will be intriguing, therefore, to see how the shape and tempo of the team
changes in Nolans absence. It has been clear from the very outset that
Allardyce will always pick him if available, but now his hands are tied and
we will see three games without the former Bolton and Newcastle man.

With a game under the lights at the Boleyn against promotion rivals
Southampton coming up on Tuesday, Big Sam will have to use the squad at his
disposal.

Whatever the make-up of his matchday sixteen, it would seem that a reserve
goalkeeper wont be among them.

Its a risky ploy that always makes me uneasy, especially against Millwall
when our so-called 'back-up' keeper Henri Lansbury wasn't even involved.
Considering how Allardyces overwhelming philosophy all season long has been
safety first, I am left scratching my head at this policy which seems to
risk so much for so little benefit.

Still, it'd make for an exciting spectacle if Rob Green tweaks a hamstring
in the nippy weather tomorrow, wouldn't it?

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Posh preview: spotlight on West Ham
Peterboroughtoday.co.uk
Published on Friday 10 February 2012 09:45

IT'S possible for West Ham to field a team at London Road tomorrow of 11
full internationals. Not all are currently in first-team favour though.

Robert Green: England goalkeeper at the 2010 World Cup.
Winston Reid: Played in all three of New Zealand's matches at the 2010 World
Cup.
George McCartney: A Northern Ireland international left-back.
Abdoulaye Faye: Over 30 caps for Senegal.
Papa Bouba Diop: Over 60 caps for Senegal.
Lauren Faubert: Full French international.
Jack Collison: Former Posh kid with senior Welsh caps.
David Bentley: Winger with seven England caps.
Joey O'Brien: Irish international.
John Carew: Norwegian legend.
Carlton Cole: Seven England caps as a substitute.

AS well as that star-studded line-up West Ham can also call-up England Under
21 caps, James Tomkins, Mark Noble and Matt Taylor. Club captain Kevin Nolan
has also represented England at Under 21 level, but he is suspended tomorrow
after picking up a red card in the early stages of last Saturday's win over
Millwall at Upton Park.
Hammers boss Sam Allardyce was busy in the January transfer window signing
striker Nicky Maynard from Bristol City and winger Ricardo Vaz Te from
Barnsley. Vaz Te scored for Barnsley at London Road earlier this season. The
Londoners also have striker Sam Baldock in their squad. Posh agreed a
million pound fee with MK Dons for Baldock, but a meeting between player and
Posh boss Darren Ferguson didn't go well. Baldock has scored five goals this
season, but is likely to be on the fringes.

Current form:

WEST Ham bounced back from a shock 5-1 mauling at Ipswich to beat Millwall
last Saturday despite playing with 10 men for 80 minutes.

Last five games

v Millwall (h) W2-1 (Ch)

v Ipswich (a) L1-5 (Ch)

v N Forest (h) W2-1 (Ch)

v Portsmouth (a) W1-0 (Ch)

v Sheff W (a) L0-1 (FAC)

Key: Ch=Championship, FAC=FA Cup.

Pst Posh v West Ham:

September 12, 1992

Posh 1, West Ham 3

10,657

Division One

THE Hammers cruised to victory in their one and only competitive visit to
London Road almost 20 years ago. West Ham, managed by Billy Bonds, had been
relegated from the top flight the previous season and were intent on a
speedy return. Posh had reached the First Division for the first time in
their history on the back of successive promotions and the gulf in class was
soon apparent. Tony Adcock (above) actually prodded Posh in front in the
16th minute from Lee Howarth's knockdown, but that just woke the visitors up
and they had killed the game by half-time thanks to goals from Trevor
Morley, Martin Allen and Kevin Keen.

Current Posh coach Mark Robson was in the Hammers team.

Posh: Bennett, Luke, Robinson, Howarth, Welsh, Ebdon, Halsall, Sterling,
Barnes, Adcock, Charlery. Sub used Costello.

West Ham: Miklosko, Breacker, Thomas, Potts, Martin, M. Allen, Robson,
Butler, Keen, Morley, C. Allen.

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Posh preview: Hammers high on entertainment value
Peterboroughtoday.co.uk
By Alan Swann
Published on Friday 10 February 2012 09:45

SAM Allardyce insists his West Ham team do play entertaining football. The
Hammers boss gets quite prickly when he hears moans, mostly from opponents,
about his team's direct style of play. As part of his defence he just points
to the Championship table which shows West Ham four points clear of the rest
of the division. West Ham have won 17 of their 29 fixtures and Allardyce is
adamant his players have performed with style. Allardyce said: "Any
criticism of the way we play doesn't make any sense to me. All this team did
before was lose. "I've been a manager for 18 years and not for the life of
me would I expect a football fan to accept playing well and losing, rather
than playing well and winning. If you're unable to play well then just win.
"We have entertained really well at home this year, but when we have lost
people have said we were poor. In fact I don't remember many games when we
haven't put on a good show. "We've struggled in certain games, but every
team has those. In most games we have created more chances than the
opposition, but it's a fact that some teams sit so far back they let you
entertain. "We could probably do with being a bit more clinical, but we have
scored four against Forest, Blackpool and Watford so we have shown we can do
it."

It looks odds on that West Ham will return to the Premier League at the
first attempt, especially if they negotiate tomorrow's match and Tuesday's
home clash with second-placed Southampton. But how well will they fare back
among the big boys? One Hammers legend reckons they will need to recruit and
invest heavily in the squad. Former goalkeeper Phil Parkes said: "West Ham
only have three or four players in their squad capable of doing the business
in the Premier League. "Robert Green and James Tomkins have been excellent,
while I have been impressed by Matt Taylor because he gives the team
something different. "But apart from those only Mark Noble for me is good
enough. They will be promoted, but I haven't seen them play particularly
well all season. "The team is set up well away from home where they sit back
and hit teams on the counter-attack, but at home they need someone with a
bit of imagination and flair who can unlock defences and, apart from Taylor,
they haven't got it."

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Posh ready for massive upset against West Ham
Peterboroughtoday.co.uk
By Alan Swann
Published on Friday 10 February 2012 09:40

Peterborough United believe they can deliver a Championship giant-killing by
beating leaders West Ham in front of a sell-out London Road crowd on
Saturday (3pm).
Manager Darren Ferguson senses that his players are in the mood to cause a
massive upset and register their first win of 2012. It appears to be a tall
order as the Hammers are four points clear at the top and look odds-on
favourites to make an immediate return to the top flight. Posh are 18th and
haven't won a match since Boxing Day. But Ferguson said: "We lacked a bit of
belief when we played them at their place and that won't be the case
tomorrow. "We still only lost that day to a soft penalty and they were
hanging on a bit at the end so we know we can trouble them. "Obviously they
are a big, strong side who have have made some good signings in January.
They are excellent at set-pieces and we will need a strong referee because
they have won more penalties than any other side in the Championship. "But
we will try and impose our game on them. If we pass the ball well and keep
the ball well we can cause them problems. "It's a game every one of my
players is looking forward to and it's definitely a game we can win. Ipswich
beat them 5-1 recently which shows what can happen in this league,"

Ferguson is set to hand a debut to new loan signing Matthew Briggs. Briggs
is on loan from Premier League side Fulham and will start at left-back with
Craig Alcock favourite to play right-back ahead of Mark Little and Tommy
Rowe expected to move back into midfield. Ferguson added: "I haven't picked
my team yet, but I am excited by having Matthew in the squad. I rate him
very highly and I've been trying to sign him for a year. "He's a Premier
League player really so I expect he will go well for us. He's a natural
left-footer so he will give us balance when we are attacking."

Posh are expected to stick with David Ball and Paul Taylor as a strike
pairing. Ferguson revealed that he needed to get a rest into fleet-footed
forward Emile Sinclair as he had been involved in 23 games in a row.

Groundstaff confident game will go ahead

POSH remain confident that the match will go ahead, even club chairman
Darragh MacAnthony mucked in during a ground clearance operation yesterday.
He and members of the Posh youth team removed several inches of snow from
the pitch. Posh boss Darren Ferguson said: "I've had a meeting with the head
groundsman and other people who know more than me and they are confident the
game will take place. "The snow has helped the pitch cover protect the
surface and as long as the temperature doesn't drop below minus two I reckon
we will be okay to play, "We certainly want the game on." There are no
safety issues with the area surrounding the stadium.

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Daily WHUFC News - 10th February 2012

Reid gets Kiwis call
WHUFC.com
Winston Reid has been called up by New Zealand for a friendly meeting with
Jamaica
09.02.2012

Winston Reid has been called up by New Zealand for a friendly meeting with
Jamaica in Auckland on 29 February. Reid, who has earned nine caps for the
All Whites, was one of the stars of the Kiwis' impressive showing at the
2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. There, he scored a last-gasp equaliser
against Slovakia as New Zealand drew all three group-stage fixtures. The
in-form West Ham United defender is one of four English-based players in
Ricki Herbert's squad alongside captain Ryan Nelsen of Tottenham Hotspur,
Ipswich Town's Tommy Smith and Bristol City forward Chris Wood. The fixture,
which will take place at Mt Smart Stadium, is the All Whites' last match
before the long road to the 2014 FIFA World Cup begins in June with the OFC
Nations Cup. If New Zealand progresses through the eleven qualifiers in
Stage 2 and 3 of the Oceania region, a home and away play-off in November
2013 against the fourth-best CONCACAF nation awaits, with the winner
qualifying for Brazil 2014. Reid will not be the only Hammer in action later
this month, as Rob Hall has been included in England's Under-19 squad for a
friendly meeting with Czech Republic at Leyton Orient's Matchroom Stadium on
28 February.

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Big Sam prepared for Peterborough
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce wants West Ham United to push forward from last weekend's win
against Millwall
09.02.2012

Sam Allardyce was in a cheery mood following as he faced the assembled media
before Saturday's npower Championship trip to Peterborough. The West Ham
United manager has a near fully-fit squad to choose from with just George
McCartney and John Carew the only minor injury doubts ahead of the London
Road fixture. The Hammers will be hoping to make it four wins from five
while completing their fourth 'double' of the season following the 1-0 win
against the Posh at the Boleyn Ground back in September. Big Sam was clearly
still proud of the achievements of his side from last Saturday, when they
beat neighbours Millwall 2-1 despite playing for over 80 minutes with ten
men. "We're going to have enough pressure trying to win the Southampton game
without putting extra pressure on ourselves to bounce back from
Peterborough," Allardyce said. "We exceeded all expectations from me last
Saturday. "Firstly, because we'd just been beaten by Ipswich and secondly
because we went down to ten men after nine minutes. "To produce a
performance of such quality and high endeavour and high belief was a
fantastic effort by all the players who took part. In some cases it didn't
get the praise it deserved as anyone who wins with ten men should be
delighted. "Just look at what Millwall did to Southampton on Tuesday when
they won 3-2. We managed to beat them with just ten men for 80 minutes so
that just shows the size of the job we completed."

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U18s earn Southampton draw
WHUFC.com
West Ham United U18s were held to a goalless FA Premier Academy League draw
on Thursday
09.02.2012

West Ham United Under-18s were held to a 0-0 FA Premier Academy League draw
at Southampton on Thursday. The Saints agreed to bring the match forward 48
hours to help West Ham to prepare for next week's FA Youth Cup fifth-round
trip to Chelsea. The visitors were also grateful to the Southampton
groundstaff who worked hard to make the pitch playable at St Mary's Training
Centre. The Hammers were unfortunate to not come away with a victory from
their trip to the south coast, with a host of goalscoring opportunities
being spurned during a dominant second-half performance. Academy Director
Tony Carr said: "It was an open game and a good game featuring two
attack-minded teams, but we were a little bit disappointed that we didn't
win it. Elliot Lee (pictured) has missed two opportunities he would take on
another day, while Pelly Ruddock and Kieran Sadlier have also missed chances
late on. "We had two good chances early on and then three more in the
closing stages, but we couldn't put the ball into the net. We were the
better team, particularly in the second half, but we were not clinical
enough inside their penalty box. Their goalkeeper made a couple of good
saves and we have missed the target with a couple of shots. We had the
chances to win the game, so we can have no excuses.

"With the weather conditions the way they have been this week, we were lucky
to get a game on. It had been a bit frosty down there overnight, but the
pitch had softened out sufficiently for us to play the game. We are grateful
to Southampton for agreeing to switch the game and then for working to make
sure it could be played."

Carr said the Academy's focus would now switch to Wednesday's visit to
Staines Town FC, where the Hammers will take on the Blues for a place in the
last-eight of the FA Youth Cup. "We came through largely unscathed at
Southampton, bar a few minor knocks and bruises - nothing that will keep the
boys out of Wednesday's game. "We'd obviously be grateful if as many
supporters as possible could make it to the match because the atmosphere
could give our lads that extra five or ten per cent they need to get
through. That said, we should have enough incentive to progress as it is."

West Ham will take on Chelsea at Staines Town FC in the FA Youth Cup fifth
round on Wednesday 15 February, with kick-off at 7pm. Admission is £3 for
Adults and £1 for Under-16s.

West Ham United U18s: Wootton, Young, Shaw, K.Lee, Chambers, Turgott
(Sadlier 70), Fanimo (Vose 46), Miles (Hurley 80), Powell, Ruddock, E.Lee

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Gary geared up for big week
WHUFC.com
Gary O'Neil is eager to be involved as the Hammers face two big matches in
the space of four days
08.02.2012

Gary O'Neil is looking forward to renewing old rivalries when West Ham
United entertain Southampton next Tuesday evening - but not before the
Hammers have first dealt with a trip to Peterborough United. The 29-year-old
has made an impressive return from a long-term ankle injury in December,
making three appearances as Sam Allardyce's side have taken over top spot in
the npower Championship table. With captain Kevin Nolan now suspended for
three matches, O'Neil is targeting a starting place against both the Posh
and the Saints after being named on the bench for three of the previous four
matches. That said, he knows the Hammers are a stronger side when their
skipper is available. "I'm not sure what the gaffer will do - whether he
will change the formation or whatever - but it is a shame to lose Nobby as
he has been an integral part of what we have done this year," said O'Neil.
"He has played every game, so it is disappointing to lose him. Hopefully we
will get him back as soon as possible and we can carry on and not miss him
too much while he is away."

For O'Neil, his early return from injury - he was initially expected to be
out of action until April - has been a double-edged sword. On the one hand,
he is delighted to be playing again, but on the other it has been slightly
frustrating knowing he is not quite yet at 100 per cent fitness. "It's tough
because you feel like you're in no-man's land a little bit when you've
worked as hard as I've had to to get back into the game and get thrown in at
Sheffield Wednesday and Derby when I wasn't 100 per cent really. "It was
good to get the games, but then you have to come back again as everyone gets
back fit and it is difficult to get into a team that is doing as well as
ours is. With the strength we have got in there and me having a long time
out through injury, it is hard to force your way back in, but I am happy to
just be in and around it."

With two important fixtures in the space of four days, the former Portsmouth
midfielder is itching to be involved when the Saints visit the Boleyn Ground
on Valentine's Day "Every time I have played Southampton in the past was
with Portsmouth and it was a bit like the Millwall game in terms of
atmosphere. It would be nice to get one over on them and it is a big game, a
top of the table clash. "As we have seen, if you can win against Millwall
and Peterborough and teams like, that then it takes a little bit of pressure
off you when you are playing the teams around you."

O'Neil's most-recent appearance was an effective cameo off the bench in
Saturday's 2-1 win over Millwall - a game he thoroughly enjoyed being
involved in. The No32 also hailed the discipline and organisation Big Sam
has instilled in a side that shipped goal after goal in being relegated from
the Premier League last term. "It was a really good win. When you go down to
ten men so early you start to think it will be a difficult day, but all the
lads were fantastic and they worked really hard. "When you go down to ten
men there is always a chance that the gaffer will have to change a couple of
people as the legs begin to tire, but the subs were ready and they managed
to come on and do a job, so it is a big win."

"The thing that has kept us going all season is the organisation and how
solid we have been defensively. Barring the game in the week [at Ipswich
Town], we haven't conceded many goals at all. If we go 1-0 up, I fancy us to
go and win the game and keep a clean sheet and it didn't used to be like
that, especially last season.
"We are really well-drilled and everybody knows what they are doing and we
know that we don't have to score too many goals to win games which is a nice
feeling."

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Ex-Hammer lands England role
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 9th February 2012
By: Staff Writer

Former Hammer Stuart Pearce has been named as temporary manager of the
English national team. The tough-tackling full-back, who represented West
Ham between 1999 and 2001 was appointed as caretaker boss following last
night's surprise resignation of Fabio Capello. Now, 49, Pearce was signed by
Harry Redknapp - the firm favourite to succeed Capello on a permanent basis
- from Newcastle on a free transfer in August 1999 at the age of 37.
Hammersmith-born Pearce, who is also the full-time manager of the England
under-21 squad made 52 appearances for the Hammers during his two seasons at
the Boleyn Ground during which he scored three goals. He becomes the second
former Hammer to manage the national side following Ron Greenwood, who was
employed in the role between 1977 and 1982.

Stuart Pearce: West Ham stats

1999/2000 Pld 10, Gls 0, Bkd 4.

2000/2001 Pld 42, Gls 3, Bkd 10, Sent Off 1.

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Allardyce - It has to be Harry
Hammers chief joins support for Redknapp
By Pete O'Rourke - Follow me: @skysportspeteo. Last Updated:
February 9, 2012 5:58pm
SSN

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce has ruled himself out of the running for the
England job and backed Harry Redknapp for the role. Allardyce believes
Redknapp is the "number one choice" to take over from Fabio Capello as
England manager. Tottenham boss Redknapp is the overwhelming favourite to
succeed Capello following the Italian's surprise departure on Wednesday.

Obvious choice

"It's obvious," said Allardyce. "He hasn't just been talked about now, he's
been talked about since he started to be successful at Tottenham. "It's not
unusual that Harry is the number one choice in the country at the moment.
"It's not unusual that Harry is the number one choice in the country at the
moment. He's taken Tottenham from the depths of the Premier League and
moulded a team to challenge the top four. " "He's taken Tottenham from the
depths of the Premier League and moulded a team to challenge the top
four."He broke the top-four hoodoo and looks like doing it again this
season, it makes him the obvious choice."

Allardyce has never hidden his ambition to be England manager and was a
candidate for the top job while in charge at Bolton in 2006 before the
Football Association made their decision to appoint Steve McClaren. The
57-year-old is further down the pecking order this time around despite
guiding West Ham to the top of the Championship. And while Bolton said at
the time they would allow Allardyce to speak to the FA, he has had no such
conversation with the Upton Park hierarchy.

Focus

"My focus is West Ham, we are top of the league and want to clinch promotion
so my thoughts are not on the England job," added Allardyce. "Last time a
decision was taken by the football club as a whole as well as me, in terms
of me being allowed to make myself a candidate to be England manager. "That
is not the case at the moment."

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Piquionne not heading to Rovers
West Ham striker Frederic Piquionne will not be joining Doncaster, despite
being one of nine forwards in the first-team squad at Upton Park.
Football365
Last Updated: 09/02/12 at 20:51 Post Comment Peterborough v West Ham.
Click here to bet.

Agent Willie McKay, who has overseen a number of high-profile signings at
the Keepmoat Stadium, said this week Rovers were in talks with West Ham over
a loan deal. The 33-year-old Frenchman is currently one of nine forwards in
the first-team squad at Upton Park and did not make the bench against
Millwall on Saturday.
He has two goals to his name from 21 appearances this season but has not
started a match since the 2-1 defeat at Derby on New Year's Eve. However,
when asked if Piquionne was moving to Rovers, boss Sam Allardyce replied :
"No! At the moment we've had one or two enquiries about one or two of our
players on loan but nothing has been okayed up until now."

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Ravel Morrison: Drinking In The Last Chance Saloon?
Date: 9th February 2012 at 4:11 pm
Written by Will Taylor
FootballFancast.com

Talented, yet troubled. The stark and resounding opinion of Ravel Morrison,
a player labelled "too good to fail" by MUTV co-commentator Paddy Crerand.

The new man at West Ham has begun this new chapter in an all too familiar
and controversial fashion. A recent homophobic outburst on Twitter means he
joins an ever-expanding list of professional sportsmen who have fallen foul
of the social networking site.

The advent of Twitter has created a platform for direct communication with
leading sports stars across the globe. The growing popularity and social
significance of the site has enabled users to gain an unprecedented insight
into the daily routine of the Premier League's elite. Whilst this appears
beneficial, there is an undeniable truth that these players will inevitably
fail to meet our high expectations.

The problem with Twitter, for footballers at least, is that there's no
filter guarding the content they choose to reveal. There's no PR guru
standing beside them handing out carefully crafted scripts of 140
characters, which is evident from the woeful level of spelling and grammar
on display. Twitter essentially creates a face-to-face confrontation, which
is what makes it so dangerous.

Sarcastic comments, tongue in cheek remarks or full-blown rants on mediums
like Twitter are often instantly regretted. The words are permanently etched
into the fabric of the Internet, serving as a constant reminder of past
indiscretions, like an ex-girlfriend with a photographic memory.

Although Morrison quickly deleted his derogatory tweet, issued in response
to an insult he'd received, the damage was already done and the FA have
given him until Monday to explain his behaviour. What seems all to clear is
that drastic action is needed, both by the player and the respective
authorities.

On the surface, Morrison appeared to be revelling in a modern day rags to
riches tale. Having grown up on a council estate in Wythenshawe, Manchester
he was spotted by former United coach Phil Brogan and signed a professional
deal on his 17th birthday. He was quickly earmarked as a gifted individual
and was said to be one of the best players to come through the ranks since
Ferguson's 'golden generation'.

Despite only featuring for United during three individual League Cup
appearances, Morrison showcased his limitless potential during their
impressive FA Youth Cup triumph in 2011. A quick glance on YouTube will
reveal the lightning feet and deft touches that have seen him hailed as the
next Paul Scholes but perhaps Paul Gascoigne is a more fitting comparison,
given their similar unsettled social life.


Morrison's career has been blighted by a series of off-the-field problems,
an upon Morrison's exit from Old Trafford, Ferguson revealed:

"…he's better out of Manchester. He's got a great talent but how to deal
with that is important." (Telegraph)

Perhaps the relocation to the bright lights of London will provide a
humbling experience for the youngster and allow him to leave his troubled
past behind him.

At West Ham he has a boss famed for his no-nonsense attitude to management,
which will make it difficult for him to step out of line. Sam Allardyce is
often credited with the revival of Joey Barton's career after signing the
fellow prominent Twitter user whilst at Newcastle. If Morrison has left
United seeking guidance then it does raise the question why didn't he look
for it closer to home? Ferguson's substantial influence on the careers of
Roy Keane and Wayne Rooney are well documented.

Allardyce might see Morrison as the key to convincing Hammers fans that
beautiful, attacking football is once again returning to Upton Park. Despite
enjoying a successful start to his Championship campaign, there is an
underlining concern that his direct style of play isn't suited to a club of
West Ham's traditions. Nevertheless, should Morrison get the chance to
showcase his creative flair then those murmurs of discontent will soon
disappear.

Morrison can learn a lot from the likes of Mario Balotelli and Adel Taarabt,
proof that there is room in football for eccentric and often controversial
characters. There is also evidence here of what lies in store for him should
he refuse to change his ways, with both players repeatedly falling out of
favour at their respective clubs. It remains vital that he continues to grow
as a person as well as a footballer.

At just nineteen years of age, journalists should be touting his potential
on the back pages rather than condemning him into the football abyss. It's
time for Ravel Morrison to put his head down, keep his mouth shut and let
his feet do the talking.

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com