Daily WHUFC News - 13th December 2012

SAB success
WHUFC.com
West Ham United hosted a positive Supporter Advisory Board emergency meeting
on Tuesday night
12.12.2012

The West Ham United Supporter Advisory Board held a hugely constructive
emergency meeting on Tuesday night at the Boleyn Ground. The meeting was
called following the decision to name West Ham United as the Highest-Ranked
Bidder in the Olympic Stadium process last week and was led by a detailed
presentation from Vice-Chairman Karren Brady. The 120 members in attendance
were shown plans of what the stadium could look like if West Ham and the
LLDC can reach an agreement to name the club as anchor concessionaire for
the arena.

The Vice-Chairman then fielded questions from fans on a host of subjects,
from supporters' matchday experience, disabled access, the stadium being
West Ham's home and the possible timescales for when the first game may be
played.

The details of the supporter consultation, including the polling of fans,
was also discussed in much detail, with the SAB members tasked with
providing extensive feedback on what format and style the poll should take.
They will also offer advice on the best methods for ongoing consultation to
the wider fanbase.

Joint-Chairman David Gold then gave an impassioned speech to the room about
his journey from a youngster growing up on Green Street to the possilbility
of becoming the Joint-Chairman of the club playing in the Olympic Stadium.
The evening was then concluded with a brief speech from former Hammer Tony
Cottee, who outlined the reasons why he believes a move to Stratford would
be incredible for his boyhood club. West Ham United would like to thank
those supporters that attended the meeting for their helpful contributions
on the night. Their commitment has proved beneficial to the club as it
prepares for wider consultation with the supporterbase, the next stage of
which will be announced soon.

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Blair boosts Bantams
WHUFC.com
Hammers loanee Blair Turgott helped Bradford City to a Capital One Cup
quarter-final win over Arsenal
12.12.2012

Blair Turgott has thanked his West Ham United club-mates and fans for their
support after helping Bradford City to score a sensational Capital One Cup
quarter-final victory over Arsenal. The Hammers loanee appeared as an
extra-time substitute for the npower League Two club, who prevailed 3-2 on
penalties after a thrilling tie at the Coral Windows Stadium on Tuesday
evening. The 18-year-old winger kept a Gunners back-four containing Bacary
Sagna, Per Mertesacker, Thomas Vermaelen and Kieran Gibbs occupied while his
team-mates held on heroically to earn a 1-1 draw at the end of extra-time.
Earlier, Garry Thompson had given Bradford a 16th-minute lead before
Vermaelan equalised with just two minutes of the 90 remaining. The England
Under-19 international revealed that he would have taken Bradford's sixth
penalty in the shootout had Vermaelen's spot-kick not hit the post, sparking
wild celebrations among the Bantams' players, coaching staff and supporters
among the 23,971-strong crowd. "That was the best game I have ever played in
in my life," confirmed Turgott, who helped the Development Squad to secure
two Barclays U21 Premier League wins over the Gunners earlier this season.
"The stadium was full and most of the fans were on our side. We came into
the game as underdogs and had nothing to lose, but I think we deserved our
victory in the end. "We were three minutes away from winning the tie in
normal time and the boys did brilliantly in the way they played and the way
we set up to stop Arsenal. We knew that we weren't going to be able to pass
Arsenal off the pitch, so I think the way we went about the game was great."

Bradford's success was their ninth consecutive victory in a penalty shootout
and added to the spot-kick win they recorded over Premier League Wigan
Athletic in the previous round - a tie that took place before Turgott joined
the club. "I was going to take our sixth penalty," he confirmed. "The club
has won a couple of penalty shootouts recently and the same boys who took
them against Wigan wanted to take them again, which was fair enough. "I told
the gaffer I wanted to take one and he said I could go sixth. When Ritchie
Jones missed our fifth one I thought 'Here we go, I can be the hero' but
then Vermaelen missed and we'd won and everything went wild! "To beat
Arsenal at any level is an achievement but to beat them with such a strong
team was amazing. They respected the competition by putting out so many of
their best players, but that maybe put added pressure on them and we were
able to come out on top."

Turgott, who received 'Good luck' messages from Development Squad coach Ian
Hendon and many of his team-mates before the game, admitted he thought his
chance to impress might have gone when Bradford went 1-0 up so early in the
tie. "I was thinking that I might not get on as we scored so early. As the
game was going on, we were getting put under pressure a bit and I expected
the manager not to want to change things because the boys were defending so
well. "The midfield was looking solid, so it was understandable that the
manager didn't want to change anything, but of course I wanted to get on and
show what I can do! "When Arsenal equalised and the game went to extra-time,
he told me to get ready and go on and liven things up and win the game for
us. It was a great experience when I got on the pitch and I was absolutely
buzzing. "Hendo rang me before the game to wish me luck and it's great that
the club is watching me and for me to know that they are keeping close tabs
on how I'm doing. All the boys texted or tweeted me too, which was
brilliant."

Turgott's loan is set to expire on 5 January 2013, meaning that, as things
stand, he will not be a Bradford player when the Capital One Cup semi-finals
come around. Regardless, he is determined to make the most of his time at
the Yorkshire club and has no fewer than six npower League Two fixtures to
look forward to between now and his scheduled return to West Ham. "I have
not spoken to the club about extending my loan yet, but we will cross that
bridge when we come to it. I am enjoying the experience and learning every
day. I have still got three weeks of my loan left and we've got lots of
games between now and then. "I am looking forward to Christmas as I've never
played over that period before. We've got something like four games in
eleven days, so it will be interesting to see how I deal with it."

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O'Brien aims to bounce back
WHUFC.com
Joey O'Brien is hoping to return to winning ways at West Bromwich Albion on
Sunday afternoon
12.12.2012

Joey O'Brien is aiming to get back to winning ways when West Ham United
travel to West Bromwich Albion in the Barclays Premier League on Sunday.
The Irishman admitted it last weekend's 3-2 defeat by Liverpool had been
difficult to accept after the Hammers went into the final 20 minutes holding
a 2-1 lead. The loss of Mohamed Diame to injury and a strike from Joe Cole
and own-goal by Hammers defender James Collins meant West Ham ended the
afternoon on a low. The No17 knows things will not get any easier at The
Hawthorns, but believes West Ham can pick up a positive result in the West
Midlands.
"Our aim now is to get back on track against West Bromwich Albion," said the
full-back. "We want to take the points but it is a hard place to go and they
have a good home record. Hopefully we can get a result but, as you saw
against Liverpool, the top teams can produce little bits of magic and you
are suddenly behind."

Brendan Rogers' side are only the second away side to win at the Boleyn
Ground, the other being Arsenal, but O'Brien said the points should have
been shared.
"They have got two goals in quick succession, which is very disappointing
but that is what can happen at this level and that is what this league is
all about. That said, after we conceded to make it 2-2, we should respected
the point on offer and made sure we got a point from the game."

While Liverpool's winner came from an own-goal, the 26-year-old said West
Ham could not complain too strongly after their own second goal was
inadvertantly scored by Reds captain Steven Gerrard. "At the time I did not
quite see who finished it but James Collins said he got the final touch. It
is hard to take but we had a bit of luck with our second goal. Steven
Gerrard has headed it into his own net so you could say it balanced itself
out."

West Ham have only lost back-to-back league matches once this season and
O'Brien believes they can maintain that record by bouncing back against
Steve Clarke's side. To do so, O'Brien believes winger Matt Jarvis could
play an important role this weekend. "I thought we played some decent stuff
and created some good chances particularly in the first half down the right
with Matt Jarvis. We looked good and that is what is disappointing because
Liverpool did not play us off the park."

One issue that may trouble West Ham at The Hawthorns could be a lack of
available bodies. With six first-team players out injured at present, the
Hammers will have to stick together if they are to pick up a point or three
on Sunday. "It is important for the lads who are fit to stay fit now, but we
do of course have players who can step in and do a job and hopefully take
their chance. "Carlton Cole has come in with Andy Carroll missing and he has
been unbelievable. We will miss Mo Diame but we have players like Gary
O'Neil who are waiting to come in."

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Martin mulls Mohsni mistake
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 12th December 2012
By: Staff Writer

Southend United Chairman Ron Martin has told a local newspaper that he erred
by not accepting West Ham's bid for defender Bilel Mohsni back in August.
The 6'4" central defender, who can also operate as a striker spent several
weeks on trial with West Ham during the summer after which United made an
offer of £100,000 for his services. That bid was flatly rejected by Martin,
who now admits that he made an error by not accepting West Ham's offer -
which was dismissed as "paltry" at the time by Southend. "I hold my hands up
and admit I got that one wrong," he told the Echo. "I turned down the offer
of £100,000 and went back asking for £250,000. I thought Bilel was worth
that and thought a Premier League club would be able to pay a little bit
more. "But they didn't come back in and I think Bilel blames me for that
now. It wasn't intentional though and I was just trying to get the best deal
I could for the football club."

Mohsni marked his West Ham debut - a 4-1 defeat in a pre-season friendly at
Grays on July 20th - with a goal for each side. After appearing in the 2-1
win at Colchester 24 hours later, he joined the first team squad on their
pre-season tour of Germany for friendlies against Rot-Weiß Erfurt, Dynamo
Dresden and Energie Cottbus. Having departed West Ham at the beginning of
August, Mohsni made it clear that he had no intention of returning to the
Shrimpers and was subsequently allowed to join Championship side Ipswich
Town on loan.

However he had made just five substitute appearances for the Tractor Boys -
and none since 10th November, when he was an 89th replacement for DJ
Campbell. Despite failing to secure a first team spot at Portman Road,
Southend boss Paul Sturrock says that Mohsni will definitely not be
returning to the Essex club when his loan spell expires in Janaury. "He's a
great lad and has real talent but he's a disruptive influence behind the
scenes," he told the Echo. "He's also said he doesn't want to play for the
football club any more. "If Bilel goes back to France then he's in breach of
contract and every two weeks we fine him two weeks wages. I don't know what
will happen, but he's told us he only wants to go to a club playing in the
Championship or Premier League."

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West Ham United fans to be consulted over planned Olympic Stadium move
Last Updated: December 11, 2012 4:44pm
SSN

West Ham United are to consult their fans about the planned move to the
Olympic Stadium by holding an emergency meeting of their Supporter Advisory
Board (SAB) on Tuesday. The club were recently named as the No.1 choice to
move into the £429m venue and they will now give their fans the chance to
air their views. The London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) made the
announcement last week, although there are a number of loose ends to sort
out before the deal is finally completed. The SAB will discuss the LLDC's
decision at Tuesday's emergency meeting which will be attended by
vice-chairman Karren Brady, joint-chairman David Gold and ex-West Ham
striker Tony Cottee. A statement on the club's official website reads: "The
LLDC decision represents a huge step forward but, as the club has stated
throughout, highest-ranked bidder status does not mean that West Ham have at
this stage agreed to the move and it remains the case that we will only do
so if the final proposal is right for the club and its supporters. "The time
for supporters to have their voices heard is now and a more intensive
consultation process will commence on Tuesday evening. "The club will
consult with SAB members to agree how the club takes that consultation
process forward. "The club stands by its commitment to conduct full
supporter consultation regarding the proposed move, including the polling of
supporters. "West Ham fans can be confident that wherever there is an
opportunity for West Ham to input in the decisions going forward, supporters
will be at the forefront."

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Frederic Piquionne admits he has endured a 'difficult' year at West Ham
By Patrick Haond. Last Updated: December 12, 2012 11:50am
SSN

Frederic Piquionne admits to having experienced a 'difficult' year at West
Ham United and is actively looking for a move elsewhere. The out of favour
striker has been cast aside by Sam Allardyce this season, preventing him
from taking in competitive action. He has been allowed to link up with
Martinique for the Caribbean Cup of Nations, but he is eager to kick-start
his club career in the New Year. A January switch would appear to be on the
cards, but the former Portsmouth and Doncaster Rovers forward says he will
not be holding out for another club in England. "Everyone knows that this
year has been difficult for me at West Ham because I don't play at all,"
Piquionne told L'Equipe. "My objective now is not necessarily to stay in
England. I just want to play football and be competitive. "I believe I still
have plenty of years left in me. I started professional football quite late
and I haven't suffered any serious injuries. I am keen to compete both
physically and mentally. "I want to find a challenge and show what I can
do."

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West Ham's Joey O'Brien says defeat to Liverpool was hard to accept
Last Updated: December 12, 2012 3:31pm
SSN

Joey O'Brien is aiming to put West Ham's defeat to Liverpool behind him when
they visit West Brom this Sunday. The defender was part of a Hammers side
that saw a half-time lead overturned when old boy Joe Cole equalised, before
James Collins put through his own net. The east London outfit now visit the
Hawthorns to take on a West Brom side seeking their first win after a run of
three straight defeats. "Our aim now is to get back on track against West
Bromwich Albion," declared O'Brien. "We want to take the points but it is a
hard place to go and they have a good home record. "Hopefully we can get a
result but, as you saw against Liverpool, the top teams can produce little
bits of magic and you are suddenly behind. "I thought we played some decent
stuff and created some good chances particularly in the first half down the
right with Matt Jarvis. We looked good and that is what is disappointing
because Liverpool did not play us off the park."

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Wally Downes leaves post at West Ham after two years
Last Updated: December 12, 2012 11:19am
SSN

Wally Downes has left his position as first-team coach at West Ham after two
years in the job. The 51-year-old joined the east London club in November
2010 as a defensive coach under then-manager Avram Grant and was promoted by
the Israeli's successor, Sam Allardyce, in the summer of 2011. He helped
Allardyce achieve promotion to the Premier League at the first time of
asking but is understood to have left on Tuesday evening. Downes had a stint
managing Brentford and also played for Wimbledon, Sheffield United and
Newport County during his career. He has already been linked with a return
to Reading, where he worked under Steve Coppell during the side's
record-breaking promotion season of 2005/6, but present manager Brian
McDermott, speaking after his side's defeat to Sunderland on Tuesday,
dismissed the rumours.

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Would Signing Joe Cole be a Good Move?
West Ham Till I Die

Well, how depressingly familiar, a former player struggles to get in his
current side and cannot buy a PL goal. Then he comes on as a substitute
against us, puts in a good performance and scores a crucial goal! Add to
that a fanastic strike by Glen Johnson, another ex-Hammer, who usually only
scores once in a blue moon, and our 'fall guy' tendency asserts itself once
again. These type of incidents happen to us too frequently to be a
coincidence. At least that is the way that it seems! Fate obviously has a
deeply ironic sense of humour where West Ham are concerned.

Regardless, this is a game that we should really have won. The fact is that
until Mo Diame went off with an hamstring injury, we were beating Liverpool
2-1, comfortably in control and looking likely to add to the score line. The
nature of the defeat does, however, raise two issues, (1) the importance of
Diame to the effectiveness of our midfield unit and (2) the failure of the
team to adequately adapt after his exit. The absence of Diame's strong
midfield presense resulted in us being pushed back and we subsequently began
defendng far too deep. This, in turn, gave Liverpool an open invitation to
attack us.The dramatic reversal in our fortunes was a product of that
crucial, pivotal change in the pattern of the match, although one has to say
that Liverpool had a huge amount of luck in securing the three points.

We now have a significant injury list, which has significantly depleted our
available playing resources. Hopefully, Yossi Benayoun will be available
soon, along with Alou Diarra and Jack Collison. While Ricardo Vaz Te is
apparently on schedule to return some time in January. Benayoun's return
will be most welcome, although it is doubtful that either Diarra or Collison
will be able to make an immediate impact, due to a lack of match fitness.
But it is a positive to get them back in to training and building towards a
first team return to a realistic time scale.

It is inevitable, after last Sunday's match, that the possibility of Joe
Cole returning to the club would be mooted once again. Especially in light
of the fact that the Liverpool manager, based on his recent press conference
comments, seems pretty non-committal whether Cole has a future at the club.
Joe Cole has had a bad time at Liverpool and it has been suggested that, at
30 years of age, it is in his best interests to look to move to another PL
club. So, putting 2 + 2 together, is it possible that a return to West Ham
would be an ideal final career destination? Sam Allardyce has certainly
spoken positively about a move for the player, providing that it is
financially viable. The major obstacle being the reputed £90,000 a week deal
that he is on at Liverpool. It is likely that he would need to compromise on
his wage demands to make the move, but against that must be weighed the
possibility of re-energising his PL career at a club where his ability is
valued.

We are all familiar with Joe Cole's ability and we saw a glimpse of it again
last Sunday.The question is whether he can stay fit and consistently deliver
the quality of performance we expect of him? So, would a potential move for
Joe Cole be an inspired move or one best avoided? Would West Ham and Joe
Cole be a good fit and one that would help him to get back to his best form?
Or is a bad idea to look back to former stars, rather than forward to
acquiring new, exciting players?

Putting aside the likely financial obstacles, there are legitimate pro and
contra arguments for the move. So, should West Ham consider making a move
for Joe Cole in the January transfer window?

SJ. Chandos.

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