WHUFC.com
All of the early team news ahead of the visit of Doncaster Rovers on Saturday
09.03.2012
WEST HAM UNITED v DONCASTER ROVERS
npower CHAMPIONSHIP
SATURDAY 10 MARCH 2012
KICK-OFF: 3pm
FULL AUDIO COMMENTARY - WEST HAM TV
iPHONE APP I TWITTER I FACEBOOK I PODCAST
Introduction
· West Ham United continue their push for promotion with the visit of Doncaster Rovers on Saturday afternoon. This will be Doncaster's first visit to the Boleyn Ground since 19 October 1957 when Vic Keeble scored for the Hammers in a 1-1 draw.
· The 1957-58 season turned out to be a fantastic one for West Ham United as it marked the club's first ever promotion to the top flight of English football, with the Hammers going on to win the old Division Two and Doncaster finishing last.
· West Ham United go into the game having gained four points from the last two games; a win in Cardiff on Sunday preceded a tough draw against Watford on Wednesday evening.
· Doncaster are struggling at the foot of the npower Championship table but they earned what could be a vital three points against Nottingham Forest on Tuesday evening with a 3-2 win.
Us and Them
· Doncaster midfielder Giles Barnes, the nephew of former Hammers player Bobby Barnes, is on a six-month contract at the Keepmoat Stadium.
· Players to have represented both clubs include Rufus Brevett, Brian Deane, Fred Dell, Trevor Hartley, Jack Kirkaldie, Billy Linwood, Paul Marquis, George Ratcliffe, Fred Shreeve, Hal Tate, George Wagstaffe, Albert Walker.
Last Meeting
The last meeting between the two clubs was on the second weekend of the season back on the 16 August 2011. It was the Hammers' first game at Doncaster's Keepmoat stadium and an early Kevin Nolan goal gave West Ham all three points in a game they dominated from start to finish.
West Ham United: Green, O'Brien, Tomkins, Reid, Ilunga (Stanislas 86), Parker, Noble, Collison (Sears 72), Nolan, Taylor, Piquionne (Cole 62)
Subs not used: Boffin, Faye
Goals: Nolan (5)
Doncaster Rovers: Woods, Dumbuya, Naylor, Friend, Spurr, Coppinger, Gillett (Hird 82), Oster, Bennett (Keegan 76), Brown, Barnes (Baxendale 76)
Subs not used: Sullivan, Radford
Last Six Meetings~
(Championship unless stated)
13 August 2011 Doncaster Rovers 0-1 West Ham United
1 March 1958 Doncaster Rovers 1-2 West Ham United (old Division Two)
19 October 1957 West Ham United 1-1 Doncaster Rovers (old Division Two)
16 March 1957 West Ham United 1-1 Doncaster Rovers (old Division Two)
3 November 1956 Doncaster Rovers 3-0 West Ham United (old Division Two)
26 March 1956 Doncaster Rovers 2-1 West Ham United (old Division Two)
Overall record v Doncaster Rovers (all competitions) W 7 D 5 L 10
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)
Doncaster Rovers
2010/11 Championship 21st (48 points)
2009/10 Championship 12th (60 points)
2008/09 Championship 14th (58 points)
2007/08 League One 3rd (80 points - promoted to Championship)
2006/07 League One 11th (63 points)
2005/06 League One 8th (69 points)
2004/05 League One 10th (66 points)
2003/04 Third Division (now League Two) 1st (92 points - promoted to League One)
2002/03 Conference 4th (67 points)
2001/02 Conference 9th (58 points)
Team news
West Ham United
· Danny Collins will go straight into the squad after signing from Stoke City on loan for the rest of the season. With Winston Reid still struggling with the head injury picked up playing for New Zealand last week, Collins could be in line to play.
· Ricardo Vaz Te will be pushing for a starting berth after coming off the bench to score in the 1-1 draw with Palace. Fellow forwards John Carew and Rob Hall have both returned to training following back and knee injuries respectively.
· Midfielder Papa Bouba Diop and right back Guy Demel are still unavailable for selection.
· Pablo Barrera and Jordan Spence are on season-long loans at Real Zaragoza and Bristol City respectively. Freddie Piquionne (Doncaster Rovers), Marek Stech (Leyton Orient), Freddie Sears (Colchester United), Olly Lee (Gillingham), Cristian Montano (Notts County), Peter Kurucz (both Rochdale), Callum Driver (Burton Albion) and George Moncur (AFC Wimbledon) are all out on temporary loans.
Doncaster Rovers
· Former Hammer Herita Ilunga could make his debut for Rovers after signing for the club on Friday morning. On-loan striker Freddie Piquionne will not be involved though as per the terms of his loan deal from West Ham United.
· Tommy Spur is likely to miss out with a groin injury.
Last Time Out
Wednesday 7 March 2012
npower Championship
West Ham United 1-1 Watford
West Ham United: Green, O'Brien (Lansbury 74), Tomkins, Faye, McCartney, Noble, Nolan, Taylor (Vaz Te 74), Faubert, Maynard (Baldock 62), Cole
Subs not used: Boffin, O'Neil
Goals: Vaz Te (87)
Tuesday 6 March 2012
npower Championship
Nottingham Forest 1-2 Doncaster Rovers
Doncaster Rovers: Ikeme, Chimbonda, Martis, Beye, Spurr (Hird 49), Coppinger, Gillett, Barnes, Piquionne (Bagayoko 64), Bennett, Diouf (Oster 70)
Subs not used: Hayter, Robert
Goals: Piquionne (44), Bennett (47)
Referee
Saturday's referee will be 47-year-old Andy D'Urso.
·The experienced official will take charge of his eleventh npower Championship fixture.
·D'Urso was first promoted to the Football League list of referees in 1994, being named on the Select list of Premier League referees five years later.
·In 2001 he was nominated for FIFA status, taking charge of his first full international in May 2004 when the Republic of Ireland met Nigeria.
·D'Urso had refereed six West Ham United fixtures previously - the most recent being the 4-0 home npower Championship victory over Blackpool on 15 October 2011.
·Saturday's referee has taken charge of just one Doncaster match this season. D'Urso oversaw Rovers 3-2 defeatto Millwall on the 29 November 2011.
·This season, in all competitions, he has shown 31 yellow cards in ten npower Championship matches.
Next Up
West Ham United will face a tricky away trip to Leeds United on Saturday 17 March whilst Doncaster Rovers play host to high-flying Reading on the evening of Tuesday 13 March.
General
· The game has been allocated Kids for a Quid. Tickets will be available on the day from the ticket office.
· The forecast is for a warm, cloudy afternoon in east London with temperatures hitting 16c.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Faye focused for Rovers test
WHUFC.com
The ever-reliable Abdoulaye Faye is hoping for more from the Hammers on Saturday
09.03.2012
Abdoulaye Faye has told West Ham TV that he is hoping for an improved performance from West Ham United in Saturday's npower Championship meeting with Doncaster Rovers. The centre-back had another excellent game as the Hammers drew 1-1 with Watford on Wednesday evening. That result kept West Ham second in the table behind Southampton and means a win against Rovers is now even more important. "Every time we play at home there is such an expectation to win, maybe we as a team are a bit complacent - we think we are going to win easy, but this is not the case," Faye said. "We have to be strong mentally when we play at home and we must win on Saturday against Doncaster."
While the Hammers have been nigh-on unstoppable away from home, the last three home matches have resulted in draws with the Saints, Crystal Palace and Watford. Faye admitted that there is a psychological barrier that the side must get over in order to get back to winning ways on home soil. "A draw at home to Watford is not the worst result and like I said before that's football. Saturday we have to win the game, a draw is not good enough, we have to win. We have to overcome this mental barrier we have straight away. "It's very important because Reading and Southampton are consistently picking up points and we must stay with them right until the end of the season."
Crucial to West Ham getting back on track at the Boleyn will be the continued support of the Hammers faithful. With another bumper crowd expected on Saturday with the Kids for a Quid promotion in full swing, Faye knows there must be a united front from the players and fans alike in order for the Hammers to pick up maximum points. "West Ham fans are very passionate and I know that sometimes it can be tough and we are expected to win every game, but that isn't possible. "Every team that comes here puts ten men behind the ball and it's very difficult for us to break it down. That's why we need the supporters help to break them down."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers snap up Collins
WHUFC.com
West Ham United have taken Wales international defender Danny Collins on loan from Stoke City
09.03.2012
West Ham United have strengthened their defensive resources ahead of the npower Championship run-in by snapping up Stoke City defender Danny Collins on loan until the end of the season. Wales international Collins, who is capable of playing at centre-back or full-back, joins until 21 May and goes straight into Sam Allardyce's squad for Saturday's npower Championship visit of Doncaster Rovers. The 31-year-old will provide competition and cover for James Tomkins, Abdoulaye Faye and Winston Reid, with the latter currently sidelined with a head injury suffered on international duty with New Zealand. Speaking exclusively to West Ham TV, Collins said he is fit, ready and eager to play this weekend, if selected by Big Sam. "West Ham are going well in the league and looking for promotion," said the new No25. "They are having a good season so this was a chance for me to come out on loan and get some games in. "I went out on loan to Ipswich earlier this season and played 16 games there and I've played a few games for Stoke, but I want to be playing week-in, week-out if I can. Hopefully I can come down here, get myself into the team and be part of it. "I keep myself ready on and off the pitch and have been training hard to keep myself ticking over. I played a couple of games for Stoke over the last couple of weeks. I got the call on Thursday night so I've come down to try to play some games. "Games come thick and fast in the Championship - either Saturday/Tuesday or Saturday/Wednesday - so you need a big squad. I'm ready if needed. "I've won the Championship twice, the first in 2005 and then in 2007, so it would be nice to complete a hat-trick. It'll be a battle but with the position West Ham are in, the finishing line is there and hopefully we can achieve promotion over the next 12 games."
Having begun his career with non-league Chester City, Collins helped his hometown club win the Conference National title in 2003/04 before joining Sunderland for a bargain £140,000 in 2004. Collins won promotion from the Championship with Sunderland in 2004/05, when he was a regular team-mate of Hammers left-back George McCartney, and again playing under manager Roy Keane in 2006/07. After winning Player of the Year honours at Sunderland in 2008 and 2009, the experienced player joined Stoke City for a reported £2.75m in the summer of 2009. At the Britannia Stadium, Collins filled the left-back berth and played alongside West Ham centre-back Abdoulaye Faye on many occasions. Alongside Faye, he helped Stoke to reach last season's FA Cup final, where both watched from the substitutes' bench as the Potters were beaten 1-0 by Manchester City at Wembley. Faye is just one of a host of familiar faces Collins has been reunited with in east London. "I know Abby from Stoke and I've known George for a few years, John Carew came to Stoke last year for a while and I know Jack Collison from Wales, so knowing some of the boys always helps you to bed-in when you come to a new club."
Collins joined Ipswich Town on loan in September 2011, making 16 appearances and scoring three goals. He was part of the Tractor Boys side that beat West Ham 1-0 at the Boleyn Ground on 27 September. At international level, he has been capped 12 times since making his debut in a 2-0 win over Hungary in September 2005. Last year, he was part of the Wales side beaten 2-0 by England in a EURO 2012 qualifier in Cardiff.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
U18s head for Cardiff City
WHUFC.com
Nick Haycock will blood an inexperienced FA Premier Academy League side in Wales on Saturday
09.03.2012
Nick Haycock will blood an inexperienced West Ham United Under-18 side when the Hammers take on Cardiff City in Wales on Saturday. Schoolboys Kieran Sadlier, Amos Nasha and Nana Boakye-Yiadom will all start for West Ham in their inter-group FA Premier Academy League fixture, while U15 centre-back Manny Onnariasi will be on the substitutes' bench. U18s coach Haycock said while the Hammers are still aiming to win the Group A title this season - they sit four points behind leaders Arsenal with four games to play - the long-term plan is to prepare players for the next step in their development. "Travelling to Wales and staying overnight before the game will be good experience for them and show them how they would prepare for a game if and when they are first-team players," said Haycock. "I have been speaking to Ian Hendon regularly and we will be trying to get the players ready for the next stage. This would mean this season's second-year scholars training and playing with the Development Squad and the first-years and Under-16s playing for the youth team. "With that in mind, we will have three Under-16s starting the game on Saturday and one Under-15 on the bench in Manny Onnariasi. To give the squad some experience, second-years Matthias Fanimo, Blair Turgott and Jack Powell will also be involved. "We are trying to give younger players the opportunity to play for points, which they do not do at Under-16 level, while also preparing the second-years to hit the ground running in the Development Squad next season."
Cardiff start the weekend sixth in the Group B table, while West Ham are fourth in Group A. Saturday's game will take place at Cardiff City Stadium, Leckwith Road, Cardiff, with kick-off at 11am.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Big Sam on: Doncaster Rovers
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce welcomes new signing Danny Collins and wants to get back to winning ways on Saturday
09.03.2012
Sam Allardyce spoke of his joy at bringing new loan signing Danny Collins to the Boleyn Ground and at his determination to beat Doncaster Rovers on Saturday afternoon. Allardyce was speaking ahead of Saturday's npower Championship game at home to Doncaster and is very happy to have Stoke City defender Collins on loan until the end of the season. Big Sam is hoping Collins' experience will help the team to gain automatic promotion..
What was the reason behind signing Danny Collins on loan from Stoke?
SA - We need somebody with the experience of Danny who has not only got Premier League experience with Stoke City but has promotion experience with Sunderland. Winston Reid's unfortunate injury has caused us great concern in terms of central defenders because we have only got James Tomkins and Abdoulaye Faye as our out and out central defenders. George McCartney has played there a few times, but I don't want to rely on that alone. Danny is an experienced player who is a fantastic capture for us. My thanks go to Tony Pulis and Stoke City for allowing us to do the deal. It makes our squad capable in terms of strength and depth of achieving what we want to.
The run in to the end of the season is about to begin. It is crunch time, isn't it?
SA - Yes and that's why Danny's experience is so crucial. Along with Danny, Kevin Nolan has had the same promotion experience with Newcastle United very recently so they are key to our success. Collins has played a few games recently, one against Valencia in the Europa League, so I expect that if needed he will be capable of jumping straight into the team. He is in the squad for the game against Doncaster Rovers tomorrow so he has an outside chance of making his debut.
How frustrating was Wednesday night's draw against Watford after two great away wins?
SA - We have been frustrated at Upton Park two home games in a row now. The two home games previous to that we put in a tremendous effort to beat Millwall and draw with Southampton both with ten men which makes it all the more disappointing that we drew against both Crystal Palace and Watford. I think we have to overcome any anxieties we have and deliver what we know we can do. There aren't any excuses apart from our own deficiency in front of goal at home - to dry up against Palace and Watford was very frustrating for us all. Our frustration is as big as the fans' is. We all want to do better at home, starting with Doncaster on Saturday.
Is there a problem with expectation among the fans with promotion being so close?
SA - Every club feels that but us more than most because we are expected to gain promotion. Fans at West Ham have a greater expectancy because of the size of the club. We are the biggest club in the Championship, no disrespect to any other club, but with the history of West Ham we should be in the Premier League. As professionals we should accept and thrive under pressure we should deliver the right results. Pressure should be a good experience for us and not a bad one.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sponsors pick Tomkins
WHUFC.com
Match Sponsor Boostfine Ltd met James Tomkins after Wednesday's visit of Watford
09.03.2012
Boostfine Limited were proud Match Sponsors of Wednesday's npower Championship visit of Watford. After enjoying a fine evening at the Boleyn Ground - only slightly marred by the 1-1 result - the Boostfine Limited party chose centre-back James Tomkins as their Man of the Match. Tomkins visited the Boostfine Limited Executive Box after the game to receive his prize and thank the group for their support. A family-owned business, Boostfine Limited opened its doors for business in 1977 to provide mechanical and public health services to main contractors. The company's original aim was to provide the highest level of management, installation, quality and customer satisfaction on each of our contracts and these remain today. Boostfine Limited is committed to establishing long-term relationships with our supply chain of both our client and suppliers - repeat business is key to the success of the company. The company's knowledge of projects is extensive with schemes completed on schools, prisons, offices, hotels, hospitals, retail, health centres and luxury dwellings.
Boostfine Limited are able to offer a complete range services on contracts ranging from £250,000 to £2m, including:
*Heating
*Gas
*Hot and cold water services
*Above ground drainage
*Renewable resources
*Pipework fit out
*Ventilation
*Air Conditioning
*Testing and commissioning
*Coordination and design development
*Design and build
*Scheme development
*AutoCAD working and record drawings
For more details, click here.
A range of tailor-made Sponsorship Opportunites are available for those wishing to couple brand exposure to 35,000 matchday supporters and often a far wider broadcast audience with the ultimate matchday experience for clients, friends or family.
Match, Man of the Match, Match Ball and Dressing Room Sponsorship packages are all on offer. For details, call 0871 221 2700 or visit www.hospitality.whufc.com
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham v Doncaster
KO 15:00
9 March 2012
Last updated at 16:17
BBC.co.uk
NPOWER CHAMPIONSHIP
Venue: Upton Park Date: Saturday 10 March Kick-off: 1500 GMT
TEAM NEWS
West Ham will test defender Winston Reid, who has missed two matches after being knocked unconscious while with New Zealand. Papa Bouba Diop is still missing with a hamstring injury and defender Guy Demel is out with a thigh problem.
Doncaster's main injury concern is Tommy Spurr's recurrent hip problem. Striker Habib Bamogo has returned to training after a hamstring injury and is available but skipper Brian Stock is out with a torn groin muscle.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
• Doncaster have won 10, drawn five and lost eight of 23 matches against West Ham, which have all been second level league fixtures.
• West Ham are unbeaten in four against Rovers, and are pursuing a third successive victory over them, and only their second double. The first was in 1936/37.
• The reverse fixture was the first time in 15 meetings that Doncaster had failed to score. They have netted one goal in each of their last five visits to Upton Park.
West Ham United
• West Ham failed to grasp the opportunity to return to the top of the table when held to a 1-1 draw home to Watford on Wednesday, to remain one point behind Southampton. They had to rely on an 87th minute equaliser from Ricardo Vaz Te, but have avoided defeat in nine of their 10 league games in 2012.
• The Hammers are unbeaten in six Championship matches (W3, D3), and have not lost in seven at Upton Park (W4, D3), since the visit of Burnley on 3 December. They have drawn the last three on their own ground.
• Sam Allardyce has not seen his side lose to any of the bottom nine clubs, and will be expecting to complete a full house of eight victories against the bottom four.
Doncaster Rovers
• Bottom-but-one Doncaster go into their 3,500th league match, three points above Portsmouth and three points below safety. They are boosted by Tuesday's 2-1 away win over Nottingham Forest which ended an eight-match winless stint in league and cup.
• While no club has won more Championship matches than West Ham's 19, no club has won fewer than Doncaster's seven.
• Only Coventry have a weaker away Championship record than Dean Saunders' side. Rovers have picked up just three wins and 10 points on their travels.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham seal loan deal for Stoke City's Danny Collins
BBC.co.uk
West Ham United have signed versatile Stoke City defender Danny Collins on loan for the rest of the season. Collins, 31, has only started twice for the Potters this season and played 16 games in a loan spell at Ipswich earlier in the campaign. "West Ham are going well in the league and looking for promotion," the Wales international told the club website. "They are having a good season so this was a chance for me to come out on loan and get some games in." He continued: "I went out on loan to Ipswich earlier this season and played 16 games there and I've played a few games for Stoke, but I want to be playing week in, week out if I can.
"Hopefully I can come down here, get myself into the team and be part of it."
Collins, who can play at centre-half or left-back, joined Stoke City from Sunderland for £2.75m in August 2009 and has made a total of 60 appearances for the Premier League side. He will provide competition for James Tomkins, Winston Reid and former Stoke captain Abdoulaye Faye in defence at Upton Park and could make his debut at home to struggling Doncaster on Saturday.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers sign Collins
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 9th March 2012
By: Staff Writer
West Ham have signed Stoke City's Danny Collins on loan for the remainder of the season. The 31-year-old Welsh international centre half, who will wear the number 25 shirt has been drafted in as cover until the end of the current campaign due to the recent injury sustained by Winston Reid and the departure of former loanee George John. "This was a chance for me to come out on loan and get some games in," Collins told whufc.com. "Hopefully I can come down here, get myself into the team and be part of it. " I got the call on Thursday night so I've come down to try to play some games. I've won the Championship twice, the first in 2005 and then in 2007, so it would be nice to complete a hat-trick. "I know Abby [Faye] from Stoke and I've known George [McCartney] for a few years, John Carew came to Stoke last year for a while and I know Jack Collison from Wales. "Knowing some of the boys always helps you to bed in when you come to a new club." Collins, who moved to Stoke from Sunderland for £2.75million in September 2009 spent the first half of the current season on loan with Ipswich Town, for whom he made 16 appearances.
He has featured for his parent club just twice this term, with both appearances coming last month in the Europa Cup.
Danny Collins: career stats
2001-2004: Chester (Youth) Pld 71 (5), Gls 4
2004-2009: Sunderland (£140,000) Pld 146 (17), Gls 0
2009-2012: Stoke City (£2.75m) Pld 52 (7), Gls 0
Previous Loan Spells
2002-2003: Vauxhall Motors
2011: Ipswich Town Pld 16, Gls 3
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam slams Kiwis
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 9th March 2012
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce has hit out at New Zealand Football for insisting that Hammers centre-half Winston Reid be recalled for a meaningless friendly - a game from which he returned injured. Reid flew back to his home country following the goalless draw with Crystal Palace on 25th February in order to take part in the All Whites' friendly with Jamaica three days later - a game that the hosts lost 3-2. The 23-year-old defender was substituted as the first half drew to a close following a nasty collision that left him both concussed and nursing a damaged shoulder - an injury that has kept him out of action ever since. With George John's loan spell having ended, that has left Allardyce with just James Tomkins and Abdoulaye Faye to select from - and no back-up, should either sustain an injury. And according to the Hammers boss, whose team have failed to win any of their last three home games, that situation is unacceptable. "Why drag my player 23 hours on a plane to face Jamaica in a tin-pot friendly and put his career at risk?" Allardyce, speaking via his Friday column in the Evening Standard blasted. "If it was a qualifying game then no argument, but a meaningless friendly?
"In the event, Winston sustained some concussion and we've missed him for a couple of games. Now I'm desperate for cover and the loan system is the only process available to me. "I would say they were very selfish. The bottom line is that we pay the player, not NZF and it's unfair that an asset of that size is put on the line in a friendly like this when we are the ones who pay the consequences."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham United v Doncaster Rovers
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 9th March 2012
By: Preview Percy
In 1997 Britpoppers Pulp released the single "Help the Aged". If they'd ever met Preview Percy they probably wouldn't have bothered. Pulp are from Sheffield which is quite near Doncaster who are this weekend's opponents. Which is handy. John Northcutt is the man with the stats...
Barely have we got home from one match then another arrives, this time in the form of a visit from Doncaster Rovers. Kick-off's at 3pm. Tube lines in the general vicinity of the Boleyn will be running a normal Saturday service though bits of the DLR will be shut. The weather forecasts suggests dry with sunny spells, so bring a brolly.
Our visitors arrive right in the mix with regard to relegation. They have 29 points from 33 games, a tally that, but for Pompey's points deduction, would have seen them bottom on goal difference from Coventry and five points from safety. As it is Pompey's problems means that they are only second from bottom and Forest, who are in the last of the safety places, are a tantalising three points away. Last week's victory over Forest, 2-1 at the City Ground, has been their only win in their last six, a run that includes three draws (1-1 at home to both Brighton and Peterborough and 0-0 at Hull) and two defeats (1-3 at home to Blackpool and 3-2 away at Leeds).
Since we last met early on in the season there have been all sorts of changes at the Keepmoat. Only a few days after chairman John Ryan claimed that he wasn't the sort to respond to "hotheads who want to sack somebody", he sacked somebody, namely manager Sean O'Driscoll. The message was ultimately conveyed to the manager by text message. O'Driscoll's replacement was Dean Saunders who came in from Wrexham.
If sacking somebody by text message might be considered to be unconventional behaviour, that was nothing on the stuff that was to follow. Over the following weeks it transpired that notorious agent Willy McKay had signed a deal with the club giving him exclusive control over transfers for the next couple of years. The plan was to bring in unsettled players on loan from other clubs using Doncaster as a "shop window". McKay's take from the deal is reported to be £100 a week. However his cut of any subsequent transfers would presumably be significantly more rewarding to him.
It's fair to say that McKay's history in the game is rather chequered. A number of deals in which he has been involved have been the subject of investigations in the past and he received a suspended ban from the game a few years back over irregularities surrounding his acting in consecutive transfers for Benjani. Still the football authorities have ok'd the Doncaster deal and, as Portsmouth & Rangers have shown, they have a pretty good idea of what constitutes "fit & proper" when it comes to football.
There have been a few notable arrivals since the advent of what I shall refer to as the McTransfer era. You will recall that El Haj Diouf spent some time training with us earlier on this season. I believe that Mr Allardyce may have been taken aback by the strength of feeling amongst the Boleyn faithful against the prospect of the player appearing in the claret & blue. Indeed, if matron hadn't hidden my walking stick I'd have driven over to Chadwell Heath (at 10mph of course) in my electric buggy to wave it angrily at the manager in protest.
Thankfully, and possibly conveniently, Mr Allardyce decided that Diouf was not up to the required fitness to turn out for us, whereupon he pitched up at the Keepmoat. He originally signed on a three month deal but this was subsequently extended until the end of the season, with an option to extend for a further 12 months. "The football club believes in me and has ambition" Diouf says which, deciphered, probably means "I grabbed the only barge pole I could see and Doncaster were on the other end of it". It's fair to say that he'll probably get some sort of reception this weekend.
Another McTransfer involved Pascal Chimbonda who has suffered the unfortunate affliction of having been on Spurs' books twice. To paraphrase Oscar Wilde, once was unfortunate enough but twice was simply careless. Like Diouf, Chimbonda's original deal was a short-termer after he left QPR as a free agent. The deal has now been extended until the end of the season. Yet another "short becoming long term" move (I discern something of a pattern here) was the arrival of Habib Beye, who was out of favour at Villa. So much so that his contract was cancelled in January allowing Rovers to make his deal permanent with an 18 month contract.
The Beye deal has yet another parallel in the form of ex-Hammer Herita "Cheri" Ilunga. Ilunga had a dire opening to the season at the Boleyn and soon found himself out of the side. His McTransfer was typical of the sort of deal favoured by McKay in that Doncaster were responsible only for a small fraction of Ilunga's salary, with us picking up the tab for the rest. At the conclusion of the loan, Ilunga returned to the Boleyn but with first team football about as likely a prospect as the discovery of a seaworthy Italian cruise liner, his contract was terminated.
He's been training with Leyton Orient of late but injuries within the Rovers squad have lead Saunders to call Ilunga back. At time of writing there's been no confirmation of any deal (or, more accurately, there wasn't any confirmation a while back and I can't be bothered to check again) but the fact that he has severed all ties with us means that he will be eligible to play if the paperwork is completed on time.
Unlike Frederic Piquionne. Piquionne signed on loan earlier this week and made his debut against Forest, scoring the first in the 2-1 victory. It was quite a goal as well by all accounts – though the chap reporting on the match for Sky Sports was less than overawed, pointing out that, until the 30 yard wonder-strike that came out of the blue, Freddie had spent most of the match running down blind alleys.
Piquionne is yet another player to whom Rovers are paying a nominal salary – we're still shelling out the lion's share. So it's probably just as well he won't be available for selection. You can imagine him bearing down on goal only to hear the words "remember who is paying your wages" coming from the dug-out just at the critical moment. Which does rather beg the question "what was his excuse for being so poor this season when we were paying ALL of his wages?".
And so to us. Wasn't Wednesday frustrating?! It just goes to show that, if your strikers are misfiring you need your midfield to contribute on the goalscoring front. Like at Cardiff. (Yes I know Linda isn't a midfielder but you get the general idea). The annoying thing was that, had we taken one of the earlier chances I'm pretty sure we'd have gone home with a hatful. It's doubly annoying that this represented a chance to take over at the top without dipping into the game in hand.
Team news, and in the sick room this week we still have Demel (inflamed Nanker Phelge), Diop (Hamstring) and Carew (knee) out. Reid is listed as doubtful suggesting that that must have been some blow to the head he got in last week's international. New loan signing Danny Collins will go straight into the squad - welcome to football Danny. As mentioned Piquionne is out on loan, as is Frank Nouble for whom Barnsley will be the 5th different club he's played for since he signed for us in 2009. Or 6th if you actually count us as well.
Although Watford didn't come with all out defence in mind in midweek (well not until the end anyway), they did get eight players behind the ball well throughout. This made it difficult to pass our way through. It was noticeable that once Vaz Te came on we at last had a player both willing and able to actually take on opponents, and this resulted in our becoming more likely to score. Doncaster are making all the right noises about not coming for a draw, and they will be buoyed by their first win in eight last week. However, once the match starts the reality may be different.
The recording I heard of Mr Allardyce's post-match press conference sounded like the manager had the right hump, which suggests that training for messrs Maynard, Cole & Baldock may have been pretty tough going over the last few days. We'll be looking for a backlash then and, if at least one of our forwards actually has his shooting boots on, we really should be taking three points from this one. I'll go for 2-1 – albeit with reduced confidence after the hard work we made of everything in midweek.
Enjoy the game!
When last we met: Won 1-0 An early Kevin Nolan effort was enough to seal our first away win since heaven knows when back at the start of the season, despite a late rally from the home side.
Referee: Andy D'Urso – oh gawd.
Danger Man: El Hadji Diouf – quite apart from the fact that the disgraceful one probably wants to prove he was fit enough (if not fit and proper) to play for us, patrons in the first few rows at the Boleyn are advised to wear waterproof and washable clothing lest he get up to his old tricks.
WITHIN SPITTING DISTANCE: The return of the human camel (with thanks to Sutts07)
Daft Fact Of The Week: The Keepmoat is home to one of the most successful clubs of all time. Doncaster Rovers Belles ruled the roost for many a year in the female version of the game. They reached ten out of eleven finals in the FA Women's Cup in the mid '80s and early '90s, taking the trophy six times in that period. Although other clubs have been more successful in recent years they are still members of the Women's Super League.
Unfortunately whenever a fine example to the game in women's football emerges, such as the Belles, there's always someone about to ruin the tone. Step forward Russian side WFC Rossiyanka who last year announced a plan to play in bikinis in order to boost attendances. Despite what I presume must have been the approval of FIFA's resident dirty old man Sepp Blatter, this was an idea that had obviously not been thought through – after all where would the sponsor's name go? (Please stop making up your own punchlines out there).
Stat man John: Northcutt's corner
Head to Head
Pld 23; West Ham Utd 8, Doncaster 10, Draws 5.
Biggest Win
22nd October 1955: West Ham Utd 6-1 Doncaster Rovers (Boleyn Ground, Division Two)
Heaviest Defeat
17th November 1951: Doncaster Rovers 4-1 West Ham Utd (Belle Vue, Division Two)
First Meeting
21st September 1935: West Ham Utd 1-2 Doncaster Rovers (Boleyn Ground, Division Two)
Last Five Meetings
13th August 2011: 1-0 (Keepmoat Stadium, Championship)
1st March 1958: 2-1 (Belle Vue, Division Two)
19th October 1957: 1-1 (Boleyn Ground, Division Two)
16th March 1957: 1-1 (Boleyn Ground, Division Two)
3rd November 1956: 0-3 (Belle Vue, Division Two)
They Played For Both
Herita Ilunga; Freddie Piquionne; Arthur Banner; Fred Dell; Jack Kirkcaldie; Paul Marquis; Hal Tate; Albert Walker.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Faye: we're too complacent
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 9th March 2012
By: Staff Writer
West Ham centre half Abdoulaye Faye has admitted that he and his team mates could be suffering from a touch of complacency. The 34-year-old former Bolton and Stoke defender, speaking ahead of tomorrow's visit of lowly Doncaster told whufc.com that the Hammers were perhaps guilty of allowing a degree of outrecuidance to creep into their game. "Every time we play at home there is such an expectation to win; maybe we as a team are a bit complacent," he conceded. "We think we are going to win easy, but this is not the case. "[So] we have to be strong mentally when we play at home - and we must win on Saturday against Doncaster."
The former Senegalese international was involved in the last two homes games against Crystal Palace and Watford - both of which ended in stalemate and resulted in a tiny minority of fans expressing their dissatisfaction from the stands. However his claims in today's Evening Standard that the entire crowd failed to back the team from the beginning of the 1-1 draw with Watford game on Wednesday will come as something of a surprise to the 31,674 supporters who attended the match. "Everybody should help the team. After two minutes against Watford the stadium was quiet," he moaned. "Then, when a player loses the ball, you hear the shouts. That is no good for the team. "Every player here understands that expectations are high and the fans believe we should win every game."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Saunders: 'we want all three points'
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 9th March 2012
By: Staff Writer
Relegation candidates Doncaster Rovers will be going for all three points when they visit the Boleyn tomorrow, according to manager Dean Saunders. The former Welsh international striker has been in charge at the Keepmoat Stadium since being named as the successor to Sean O'Driscoll back in September, but has failed to get his team out of the relegation zone. He led his team to their first away win since November 5th at Nottingham Forest on Tuesday evening - a game in which debutant Freddie Piquionne, on loan from West Ham, scored a 30-yard scorcher. But despite their lowly league position, Saunders insists that his side can maintain their form by winning a second game on their travels this weekend when they face Sam Allardyce's West Ham at the Boleyn Ground. "We are unbeaten in our last three games and we'll be going there looking to pick up three points," he said. "I'm not really interested in looking for a draw. "If we are to win we need to do the fundamentals right and not shoot ourselves in the foot. We've also got to be organised, as we have been, and the players have got to work hard. And, obviously, we need a bit of luck. "The players we had out on the pitch on Tuesday night are more than good enough to go there and win and that will be the message I'll be giving them. They've got Premier League players throughout their side - but so have we if you look at the team which played against Forest."
Should Doncaster manage to beat West Ham tomorrow - in front of what is expected to be a near-capacity crowd at the BG - it will be their first win in east London since 1955, when they won 1-0 in front of a crowd of just 4,500.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ilunga set for Boleyn return
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 9th March 2012
By: Staff Writer
Congolese defender Herita Ilunga could make his comeback at the Boleyn Ground tomorrow - for visitors Doncaster Rovers. The out-of-contract former Hammer, who left the club my mutual consent back in January has been training with Leyton Orient in an attempt to keep fit. However he is poised to sign a short-term deal with Doncaster that would enable him to feature for Rovers when they visit the Boleyn Ground tomorrow. Donny boss Dean Saunders has revealed that he is close to re-signing the player who spent three months on loan at the Keepmoat Stadium earlier in the season. "He's been training with Leyton Orient but he's not as fit as he was because he hasn't played for a month," he said. "But we've got a lot of important games coming up and with George Friend still injured, apart from young James Husband we've got no cover. I don't want to play a right-back there, like I had to do on Tuesday when Tommy came off. Hopefully Tommy will be fit. But if he isn't then hopefully we've got someone who can come in for him. We've got a lot of games coming up and I don't want to be under-strength. I'll be sitting down with Ilunga and see if we can strike up a deal."
Ilunga initially joined West Ham on loan from Toulouse in September 2008 as a replacement for George McCartney, who was sold to Sunderland but has since returned to the club. After impressing during his first few months in east London, the 30-year-old defender was offered a permanent contract in January 2009.
However Ilunga's form dipped dramatically after signing a four-year deal in the summer of 2009 and he was used sporadically thereafter before finally being dumped last January. * Development squad striker Frank Nouble has completed a month-long loan move to Championship club Barnsley.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham v Doncaster preview
Last updated: 9th March 2012
SSN
Team news ahead of Saturday's Championship clash between West Ham and Doncaster at Upton Park. West Ham will check on defender Winston Reid ahead of the visit of Doncaster. Reid has missed the Hammers' last two matches after he was knocked unconscious playing for New Zealand last week. Midfielder Papa Bouba Diop is still missing with a hamstring injury, defender Guy Demel remains sidelined with a thigh problem and striker John Carew is short of fitness after knee trouble. But the Hammers have no new injury worries after they were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Watford on Wednesday. Boss Sam Allardyce made the rare move of starting with a 4-4-2 formation against the Hornets but reverted to 4-3-3 when his side were chasing an equaliser. Winger Ricardo Vaz Te climbed off the bench to grab the leveller and could return to the starting line-up.
Tommy Spurr is an injury doubt for Doncaster. The former Sheffield Wednesday full-back was withdrawn with a hip injury during Tuesday's 2-1 win at Nottingham Forest and boss Dean Saunders will act cautiously as Spurr only recently returned from a lengthy spell on the sidelines due to a problem with the joint. "He's going to train on Friday but he's had a problem with his hip in the past and we'll see how he is," said Saunders. "It didn't look good at the time when he had to come off."
Herita Ilunga spent time on loan at the Keepmoat Stadium earlier this season and is back training with Rovers following his release by the Hammers. Saunders has stated he will pursue a short-term deal for the left-back if Spurr is ruled out. Habib Bamogo returned to training on Thursday and could contest a place in attack following a hamstring injury, although the game is expected to come too soon for Martin Woods after the midfielder had a pain-killing injection in his knee. Captain Brian Stock is out with a torn groin muscle, while George Friend (knee) remains out.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
McCallum back with Hammers
Last Updated: March 9, 2012 2:04pm
SSN
West Ham youngster Paul McCallum has returned to Upton Park following the end of his loan spell at Rochdale. Spotland boss John Coleman recruited McCallum on January transfer deadline day, but the 18-year-old forward failed to make a single appearance for the League One strugglers. McCallum joined the Hammers last year from non-league outfit Dulwich Hamlet. A statement on Rochdale's official website read: "We would like to thank Paul for his services during his time at the club, and wish him every success in the future."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Match Preview: West Ham v Doncaster Rovers
March 10th, 2012 - 12:01 am by Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die
Whisper it, but I am supposed to be moving house today. But I couldn't pass up a visit to Upton Park, could I? Especially after not being able to attend the Watord game, although from what I have heard I didn't miss much. No, the flat in Pimlico will have to wait until 6pm. Important business to trasnact at the Boleyn. And Ken's. Natch.
Well, it#s unthinkable that we do anything apart from get maximum points from this game, but this being West Ham you never know. I'm not sure Sam's admonishment of his strike force was the best way to motivate them, but this afternoon we will find out. It's actually quite difficult to predict who he will play both up front and midfield so let's start from the back. Joey O'Brien had a difficult game against Watford by all accounts but I expect him to figure in an unchanged back four, alongside the ever reliable James Tomkins and the increasingly impressive Abdoulaye Faye and one of our best performers in the last two games, a resurgent George McCartney. Amazing what a goal can do, eh? Sam has rightly had a go at the New Zealand FA in the Evening Standard, saying they had no right to drag Winston Reid all the way to New Zealand for a meaningless friendly against Jamaica. Just a thought, but the player himself could have said no.
In midfield, we can assume that Noble and Nolan will play in the middle, and Taylor will start on the left, but the main question is whether Vaz Te will come in to replace Julien Faubert, who, by all acoounts had a shocker against Watford. With two goals so far Vaz Te has certainly earned his chance.
Up front it really is two out of three. I'd love to see Maynard alongside Baldock. But I doubt it will happen. So here's my predicted 11…
Green, O'Brien, Faye, Tommkins, McCartney, Noble, Nolan, Taylor, Vaz Te, Cole, Maynard.
And Ilunga will score for Doncaster. It's written in the stars.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers on Academy alert
The Sun
By DAN KING
Published: 05th March 2012
WEST HAM'S proud boast of being 'The Academy of Football' is under threat.
The Hammers are racing against time to put together a convincing case to be given the top ranking in the new youth development system. And without Category One status, the club which has nurtured England stars from the 1966 World Cup-winning team to the present day, would be more likely to see the best young talent join rivals such as Arsenal, Spurs and Manchester United. The 'Elite Player Performance Plan' lays down very strict criteria about coaching time, education provision and other aspects of youth player training. The Hammers, whose Chadwell Heath training ground is difficult to upgrade, had based plans for a state-of-the-art youth programme on moving into the Olympic Stadium. But with the future of the new Stratford venue subject to a new bidding process which also ends later this month, West Ham are having severe problems meeting the expensive and complicated requirements.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce: At his age, Andre Villas-Boas never stood a chance of overseeing Chelsea's transition
Evening Standard
Sam Allardyce
09 March 2012
The departure of Andre Villas-Boas from Chelsea has understandably provoked much discussion and, as a fellow manager, it's never nice to see that happen. Before I talk about Chelsea, though, I want to mention two managers, both English, who have also been sacked recently but who deserved it far less than Andre — Gary Megson and Lee Clark. Lee lost just eight games at home in three years at Huddersfield while Gary resurrected Sheffield Wednesday from a club making little progress to one knocking on the door of promotion and having just beaten their local rivals, Sheffield United. From my information, it seemed he knew he was on borrowed time and a successor was already earmarked.
If that is true, it's hard to take. It does go on in football but there was no logical reason for either of those managers to be sacked. Then, because it doesn't stack up, people start suggesting the reason could have been something more sinister but in reality, it won't have been. Owners can do what they want when they've put their money into a club but in terms of stability and sustained success, it rarely works. We're changing our managers more than ever. I suppose if Simon Grayson — who was also unlucky to get the sack from Leeds — guides Huddersfield to promotion, the owners will feel vindicated but realistically it's the previous man who has done the main job, been in charge for the majority of games and got more points than his successor.
In the case of Villas-Boas, the criteria was set at Chelsea by what happened to the previous managers, who lost their jobs despite having done much more than him.
One question I would ask is what were his staff doing to help him? If you're picked to work alongside the manager, then you should aid him all you can. If you can say you tried but he didn't listen then that's different but if you haven't attempted to help him, then you are just as responsible as he is. The pressure of being a manager anywhere, let alone at Stamford Bridge, can become so great it can cloud the judgement and that's why you pick the staff, to help you and more so in the bad times.
The Chelsea job, though, remains a great number. The owner may have proved himself to be volatile but he's still made £800million available so that his managers can work in the best market for world-class footballers.
However, I wonder if Chelsea are quite as much an attraction as they were even a couple of years ago? Manchester City have superseded them as the big spenders, while Manchester United have all the history and tradition of continued success. At the moment, Chelsea look in transition and, from a manager who has let 26 players go with 16 coming in at West Ham, I have some knowledge of what is required.
A young coach like Villas-Boas who has never overseen transition — in Portugal the buying and selling was done for him — will invariably find it very difficult. I couldn't have done it when I started out at the age of 38. The added problem for me, unlike Chelsea, is that having made all those changes, I still have to manage the expectation of going straight back up which is not that common for clubs in their first season after relegation. If I don't achieve that this season or next, I'm finished, although I knew what I was getting into, before I started. Chelsea's recruitment seems to have faltered because they haven't replaced players with new ones as good, or even better.
That's where Sir Alex Ferguson can teach everyone a lesson. He recognises when he has to change and goes to the owners and tells them what they must do to keep their club successful. Chelsea have a fantastic worldwide scouting system. I know that because one of my old scouts, Dave Worthington, worked in it for a year. They cover so many games worldwide but they still don't seem to be picking them off do they? Speculation has inevitably moved to who will come in, with Pep Guardiola being mentioned. There are many who would ask why on earth would he want to leave Barcelona but it's possible.
There's an adage in football which says that, if you don't change the players, they will eventually change you. Sir Alex and Arsene Wenger make changes but they remain constant. Pep may have to do something similar otherwise it could be him that goes. Jose Mourinho is different. He moves on before he has to change the players.
I want to 'Reid' riot act to Kiwis
I have a great deal of respect and admiration for New Zealand after their achievement of reaching the last World Cup. I know a lot about them because my player liaison officer from Blackburn, Matt Hockin, went with them to South Africa to help and their captain was Ryan Nelsen, who was my skipper for a time at Ewood Park.
They must have made enough money out of that adventure to last them a lifetime so I would ask them: why drag my player Winston Reid 23 hours on a plane to face Jamaica in a tin‑pot friendly and put his career at risk? Most of these friendless are arranged to keep the revenue streams flowing but they had just made enough money to keep them going for 10 years. If it was a qualifying game then no argument but a meaningless friendly?
In the event, Winston sustained some concussion, we've missed him for a couple of games and now I'm desperate for cover and the loan system is the only process available to me. I would say they were very selfish. The bottom line is that we pay the player, not the New Zealand Football Association, and it's unfair that an asset of that size is put on the line in a friendly like this, when we are the ones who pay the consequences.
Disappointed and frustrated by draw but we're still okay
We were obviously disappointed not to have earned three points against Watford on Wednesday so we have to make up for that by beating Doncaster tomorrow.
If we had drawn at Cardiff and beaten Watford it would have been fine but the other way around and it's not so fine. It's disappointing, it's frustrating — but it's still okay. We're six games unbeaten and although we're behind our target of two points a game, a win tomorrow and we will be catching up again. We're not scoring enough compared to the chances created. Strikers can practise all they like but it's different out there in the intensity of a match. I've always thought it's the same with penalties. At Bolton, the players practised spot-kicks but when it came to a shoot-out against Aston Villa in the FA Cup semi-final, some didn't want to take one.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Posts
