Daily WHUFC News - 31st March 2013

Carroll brace downs Baggies
WHUFC.com
West Ham United defeated West Bromwich Albion 3-1 at the Boleyn Ground on
Saturday
30.03.2013

Andy Carroll notched a brace as West Ham United moved back towards the top
half of the Barclays Premier League with a 3-1 victory over West Bromwich
Albion at the Boleyn Ground on Saturday. Carroll's double showcased the
range of his abilities - the first a towering header, the second a stunning
volley - as West Ham found the ruthless touch manager Sam Allardyce called
for pre-match. The big Geordie's goals sandwiched a fine strike from Gary
O'Neil, meaning Graham Dorrans' late penalty for West Brom counted for
little. Youssouf Mulumbu was dismissed late on after taking the bizarre
decision to pick up the ball and smash it at Gary O'Neil, as the Baggies
left east London well beaten. The Hammers had an early scare when Gareth
McAuley forced Chris Brunt's seventh minute corner over the line, but the
visitors' centre back had clearly pushed Jussi Jaaskelainen in his efforts
to reach the ball and referee Andre Marriner chalked his effort off.
Jaaskelainen then had to make a fine save, readjusting his balance in the
blink of an eye to react to a deflection of Romelu Lukaku's free kick from
its original path and touch the ball onto the post. West Ham were also
looking lively in an open start and it was Allardyce's men who were
celebrating the opening goal with 16 minutes on the clock. Carroll was the
goalscorer, leaping imperiously above Jonas Olsson to meet Gary O'Neil's
inswinging left-wing corner with a thumping header beyond Ben Foster. The
Hammers went close to doubling their advantage twice within the next five
minutes, Mohamed Diame sending in a 20-yard drive that whistled inches over
the top, then Matt Jarvis volleyed too high from close in after Carroll
flicked James Collins' deep free kick on. The home crowd did not have to
wait long for a second West Ham goal though, with O'Neil notching his first
in more than a year 17 minutes before the interval. It was worth the wait
too, as the midfielder swept a 20-yard shot above Ben Foster and into the
left hand corner of the net after his team broke swiftly from a Baggies free
kick for Ricardo Vaz Te to lay across for O'Neil.

Jaaskelainen had to deal with a low drive from Dorrans before the break, but
the Hammers were looking in the mood and were well worthy of their half time
advantage. West Brom were an improved force in the second half, with West
Ham finding it harder to attack their visitors with such fluency. Three
minutes after the restart Lukaku ran across the face of the Hammers'
backline before unleashing a strong shot from the edge of the box which only
just cleared the crossbar. Right back Billy Jones had to be denied by
Jaaskelainen after making a piercing run towards goal, then James Collins
flew out to meet Peter Odemwingie and make a super block after the Albion
sub made his way past Joey O'Brien. But West Ham took stock and killed the
game off ten minutes from time and again it was a goal of real quality.
Carroll showed impeccable technique to watch Collins' lofted free kick drop
over his shoulder and then guide a wonderfully controlled volley past
Foster's dive. West Brom pulled one back two minutes from the end when they
were awarded a spot kick for a nudge on Lukaku by Matt Taylor and Dorrans
blasted the penalty home, The Baggies' spirits were not to be lifted though,
and their miserable afternoon was compounded in the dying seconds when
Mulumbu saw red in extraordinary circumstances, picking the ball up as it
was in play and blasting it at O'Neil from close range. Referee Marriner had
no hesitation in brandishing a red card and the Hammers saw out the
remaining time to register their tenth league win of the campaign.

West Ham United: Jaaskelainen; Demel (McCartney 79), Collins, Reid, O'Brien;
Nolan (Taylor 69), O'Neil, Diame (Collison 82); Vaz Te, Carroll, Jarvis
Subs: Henderson (GK), Tomkins, C.Cole, Chamakh
Goals: Carroll 16, O'Neil 28, Carroll 80
Booked: Reid

West Bromwich Albion: Foster; Jones, McAuley, Olsson, Ridgewell; Mulumbu,
Yacob (Odemwingie 71), Brunt; Dorrans (Fortune 88), Lukaku, Long (Rosenberg
71)
Subs: Myhill (GK), Popov, Thomas, Tamas
Goal: Dorrans pen 88
Booked: Long
Sent off: Mulumbu

Referee: Andre Marriner
Attendance: 34,966

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Jussi savours Baggies win
WHUFC.com
February's SBOBET Player of the Month revels in the Hammers' 3-1 win over
West Bromwich Albion
31.03.2013

West Ham United may have been in a position of relative comfort as they
completed a 3-1 victory over West Bromwich Albion on Saturday, but if it had
not been for an early intervention from goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen, the
outcome could have been very different. The Finnish goalkeeper made an
outstanding stop on 14 minutes with the scoresheet still blank, shifting his
weight back in the opposite direction to which he had started moving after
Romelu Lukaku's free kick took a deflection off Gary O'Neil. Jaaskelainen
managed to get down to his right and push the ball onto the post, with West
Ham making full use of his save by opening the scoring through Andy Carroll
just two minutes later. After picking up the SBOBET Player of the Month
award for February pre-match, Jaaskelainen was delighted to round off a fine
day by claiming maximum points. Speaking about his early save, he told West
Ham TV: "At the end of the day that's my job as goalkeeper, to help the team
when they need it. "It was a free kick, although I think it may have been
offside if it had gone in the net. "It's a case of trying to see the ball
and then reacting [after it takes the deflection]. You need a little bit of
luck too, but I believe that if you work hard you'll get the luck you need."

The Hammers' success came courtesy of three excellent goals, with a Carroll
brace sandwiching Gary O'Neil's first strike since March last year.
Jaaskelainen was thrilled to see the Hammers making the most of their
opportunities. He added: "They were three great finishes. You can see West
Brom are a good team, but we gave a very good performance. "The manager said
in the week that we need to be more ruthless in front of goal and we did
that on Saturday. "It's good when you go 2-0 up because it becomes easier to
control the game. Maybe we dropped a little too deep at the start of the
second half, but we created chances when we counter attacked and got the
third goal. "It was a great three points on Saturday and we can go on from
here now. We've got eight games to go and we want to finish as high as
possible."

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A message from the Vice-Chairman
WHUFc.com
Vice-Chairman Karren Brady updates supporters on West Ham United's move to
the Olympic Stadium
30.03.2013

A message from the Vice-Chairman

I have been overwhelmed by your positive response to last week's
announcement by Mayor Boris Johnson which awarded the Club the opportunity
to move to the Olympic Stadium. I would like to thank each and every one of
you who has taken the time to send the many thousands of messages of support
to the Club. I am pleased so many of you feel that your faith has been
rewarded. Knowing you are with us makes us a real force. There is a long
journey ahead, but together we stand a real chance of realising our
collective footballing ambitions for West Ham United. This move to a
world-class UEFA category 4 Stadium gives us the chance to compete with the
top teams in the world, attract and keep the highest quality players and
invest in the squad and training facilities.
We know that there are many of you who are frustrated and need to find out
more before you feel able to lend your support, but now we have reached an
agreement with the LLDC we can at last consult with you.

First of all we will be carrying out a poll which will help us to ascertain
your feelings towards the move. We hope through making more information and
educational resources available to you we will be able to address the
majority of your concerns.

In response to your feedback, we have followed a robust process and I am
pleased to confirm we have appointed an independent recognised organisation,
YouGov, to take this forward on our behalf. Cited as the most consistently
accurate pollster, YouGov will now provide their expertise to ensure we
conduct a fair and transparent consultation process. They have significant
experience in this area, having conducted more than 25 major sports-venue
projects in 15 countries across six continents, covering consultation over
national stadia, UEFA Champions League clubs and Premier League teams
including Wembley, the Maracana, Galatasaray, Inter Milan and QPR.

Their first job is to ensure that every single one of you who wishes to have
your say gets the opportunity to do so. They will now begin to undertake a
comprehensive assessment of the spectrum of opinion related to the stadium
relocation across our fan base, covering every core group that will drive
the club's attendances at the stadium.

I will be providing you with regular updates on our official club website
and via email so you are aware of the progress we are making, every step of
the way.
Each week I will aim to cover your questions and concerns as well as sharing
any additional imagery, designs and information we receive.

We have included a number of designs and drawings which have already been
seen by some fan groups and that demonstrate the more technical aspects of
the multi-million pound conversion in the matchday programme and here on
whufc.com. I am confident you will be as excited as we are when you see
them.
Again, I thank you wholeheartedly for your patience and support and I am
looking forward to continuing this historic journey with you.

Karren Brady
Vice-Chairman

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Andy at the double
WHUFC.com
Andy Carroll was all smiles after scoring twice in a 3-1 Barclays Premier
League victory over West Brom
30.03.2013

Andy Carroll could not contain his delight after scoring two outstanding
goals in West Ham United's 3-1 Barclays Premier League victory over West
Bromwich Albion on Saturday. The England centre forward was at his powerful
best against the Baggies, heading West Ham in front before the break before
netting the Hammers' third with an unstoppable first-time volley. Speaking
exclusively to West Ham TV, Carroll beamed as he celebrated scoring for the
third home game in succession. "It was a great win," he confirmed. "The lads
worked hard and I got my two goals and we got the three points, so it was a
great day. "I was putting myself about and got two goals, so that's what I
like to think I'm about. Obviously I like to score goals, so getting two
shows that I've got it. "I'm doing all right at home! I'm feeling good with
the lads and everyone is coming together and we're playing well at home, as
you can see. It's a great three points and massive for us. We've just got to
keep going now and hopefully get three points from the next game."

Asked about his two goals, Carroll was quick to praise the delivery provided
by Gary O'Neil and James Collins - the first headed in from a left-wing
corner and the second from a free-kick from halfway that the No8 expertly
diverted in with an exquisite right-foot volley. "The first one was just a
great ball in by Gaz O'Neil, who put it right where we have been practising.
I got a nice run on my marker and just put it into the back of the net. "The
second one was another one we practised putting into that position. It came
over my shoulder and I caught it well and put it into the bottom corner."

Carroll continued his fine run of form against West Brom's Sweden
international defender Jonas Olsson - the same man who was marking him when
he headed in England's opener in their 3-2 UEFA European Championship win
over the Swedes last year. "He was marking me then, too, but he's a tough
defender and it was another tough day out there. Like I said, the lads
played well and I thought we deserved the three points."

Carroll's goal capped a fine first-half display from Sam Allardyce's side,
who stroked the ball around quickly and accurately to repeatedly carve their
way through the Albion back four. However, the striker was also acutely
aware of the importance of Jussi Jaaskelainen's outstanding save to keep out
Romelu Lukaku's deflected free-kick just moments his own opening goal. "We
bopped it about and it showed with the two goals we got in the first half
that the lads were on it. Gaz's finish was a great finish and Jussi kept us
in it with the save he made from the free-kick that he pushed onto the post,
then got up and got the rebound. "All the lads played great and we deserved
it."

West Ham had to play out the final few minutes with ten men after George
McCartney was forced off with a knee injury. The shortage of manpower saw
Carroll deployed as an emergency centre-back in the closing stages - a role
he last fulfilled during his time under Big Sam at Newcastle United. "Back
at Newcastle when Big Sam was manager, he put us back as a centre-half once,
so it was nothing new to me."

Unfortunately, Carroll will be forced to watch when West Ham travel to
Liverpool next Sunday as he cannot play under the terms of his loan
agreement.
"It's a big game. Obviously I'm disappointed I can't play as it's another
two weeks off for me, but hopefully the lads will go up there and do what we
need to do."

While he has clearly impressed his club manager, Carroll is hoping his
impressive performances in claret and blue will help him to add to his nine
senior England caps in the near future. For sure, Roy Hodgson cannot help
but have been impressed by the No8's displays in recent weeks.
"I hope to play in every game for England but I've haven't been picked, so
I've just got to work hard here at West Ham and hopefully I'll be involved
next time."

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On this day - 31 March
WHUFC.com
A look back at a London derby victory over Tottenham Hotspur on this day 26
years ago
31.03.2013

Classic match
West Ham United 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur
Division One
31 March 1986
West Ham's Boys of '86 continued their chargs up to their eventual finishing
position of third in the top flight table with a memorable London derby
victory over Tottenham Hotspur on this day in 1986. John Lyall's side were
in the middle of their most successful league campaign and this victory over
Spurs avenged a 1-0 defeat suffered at White Hart Lane on Boxing Day. Much
of the Hammers' success was based on the goalscoring form of Frank McAvennie
and Tony Cottee and they were both on the scoresheet for this match.
McAvennie ended the season with 28 goals and Cottee was only two behind with
26 as the Hammers claimed third on 84 points, just five off champions
Liverpool.

Complete record - 31 March

2012 West Ham United 2-4 Reading (Championship)
2007 West Ham United 2-0 Middlesbrough (Premier League)
2001 West Ham United 0-1 Everton (Premier League)
1990 West Ham United 2-2 Port Vale (Division Two)
1986 West Ham United 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur (Division One)
1984 West Ham United 2-2 Queens Park Rangers (Division One)
1979 West Ham United 1-1 Leicester City (Division Two)
1973 West Ham United 2-0 Everton (Division One)
1972 West Ham United 2-2 Leeds United (Division One)
1970 West Ham United 3-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers (Division One)
1965 Aston Villa 2-3 West Ham United (Division One)
1964 Stoke City 3-0 West Ham United (Division One)
1962 West Bromwich Albion 0-1 West Ham United (Division One)
1961 West Ham United 1-0 Leicester City (Division One)
1956 Plymouth Argyle 0-1 West Ham United (Division Two)
1951 West Ham United 2-4 Manchester City (Division Two)
1934 West Ham United 5-1 Fulham (Division Two)
1928 West Ham United 4-3 Blackburn Rovers (Division One)
1923 Crystal Palace 5-1 West Ham United (Division Two)

Played 19, Won 11, Drawn 4, Lost 4, Scored 40, Conceded 28

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'It was a great day for us'
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce was delighted with Andy Carroll's contribution in the 3-1 win
over West Brom
30.03.2013

Hammers manager Sam Allardyce was delighted to see his side take all three
points against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday with striker Andy Carroll
twice making the scoresheet and Gary O'Neil notching his first at the Boleyn
Ground. West Brom clawed one goal back in reply through a late penalty from
Graham Dorrans, while Youssuf Mulumbu headed down the tunnel for an early
bath after being sent off deep into stoppage time. After sealing a
convincing 3-1 win for the Hammers, Allardyce hailed Carroll's performance
as his best in claret and blue. "When you look at the overall performance
and the quality of the goals, it was a great day for us," said Allardyce.
"We were glad to get out there after two weeks so they could show what they
can really do again. Last time we played here it was a fantastic game but we
ended up losing in the last minute. "This time we played a fantastic game
and scored three fantastic goals and got a thoroughly deserved win. "There
were three very different quality goals. The first showing Andy Carroll's
heading ability, Gary O'Neil with a delicate chip and of course the
outstanding volley from Andy shows it's not just about his aerial dominance,
it's about the overall ability that Andy has. "I don't think you'll see a
better volley technique than that one this season. Over the shoulder, right
foot volley - which is his weaker foot - right into the bottom corner. "Andy
put two goals on the end of a good performance. I think his good
performances have been with us before and the fans always appreciate his
ability here but he today he's shown them what he is all about. "He's shown
them his ability outside of the box and the ability he's got in the box,
along with his goalscoring ability. I hope this is kicking him on to being a
regular goal scorer for us in the next eight games or so and upping his
total as much as he can until the end of the season. "Andy is in a good
frame of mind now and finally after a long wait he has improved his match
fitness and that's why I think you're seeing the performances and goals that
you're seeing. "Finally he's there and he is enjoying himself and that is
more important than anything else. "It's a great result for us and a great
performance which of course takes us ever closer to that safety margin. Now
we're looking forward to playing Liverpool away next week."

But there was more heartache for defender George McCartney, who was
returning from a long-term absence only to suffer a recurrence of his knee
injury.
Allardyce added: "I think the only downside today was George McCartney's
injury, which was a big blow to George and to us. He's only just come back
and he's come off with the same thing he did last time which is his medial
ligaments in his knee, it's sad. "I would think that George will be out for
the rest of the season. It's a recurrence of the same injury which is a very
big disappointment for us all. "It was important that we were 3-0 up when he
had to come off because we had used all of our substitutions. What a blow it
would have been if it had been any different to that. "George has waited so
long to get back and he was so eager to get on. We thought, 'let's give him
a little run out now,' and save the legs of the lads who had done so well,
but sadly George went down with the same injury."

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West Ham 3 West Brom 1
30 March 2013
Last updated at 17:29
By Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport

Andy Carroll scored twice to ease West Ham's fears of dropping into the
Championship with a win over West Brom. The striker's thumping header gave
the home side the lead, before Hammers goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen was
forced into action with smart saves. Gary O'Neil's sweet strike doubled the
advantage with Carroll's superb volley giving the hosts a third goal.
Baggies' Graham Dorrans scored a late penalty and Youssouf Mulumbu was sent
off for kicking the ball at O'Neil. West Ham's comfortable victory means
they are now on 36 points, six clear of the bottom three, with eight games
of the season remaining. Having suffered five defeats in their previous
seven league matches, Sam Allardyce's men were in danger of being dragged
into a relegation battle.
Allardyce stated a total of 38 points would be enough to stay in the Premier
League and said that he would only sign a new contract with the club - which
runs out at the end of the season - once they are certain of survival.
Meanwhile, his counterpart Steve Clarke is enduring a slight blip as they
missed the chance to move ahead of Liverpool into seventh spot, having
enjoyed a fine season so far. The Baggies found it difficult to deal with
Carroll's aerial presence throughout, and were afforded no time on the ball
by West Ham's pressing game with Mohamed Diame particularly imposing.

"A victory for West Ham in a match where Sam Allardyce's men scored three
excellent goals. Andy Carroll's second was absolutely superb and West Brom
offered little throughout this game. Frustration told at the end with the
dismissal of Youssouf Mulumbu." The visitors started well, having a goal
rightly disallowed before Romelu Lukaku's deflected free-kick forced
Jaaskelainen into a magnificent save low to his right-hand side. Despite
West Brom's early pressure, the home side took control and went ahead
through on-loan frontman Carroll. The Englishman rose highest to power in
his fourth goal of the season when he produced a towering header from
O'Neil's corner after 16 minutes. Minutes later, both Diame and Matt Jarvis
had opportunities to double the Hammers' advantage, but neither player could
hit the target. However, the second did arrive soon after. A quick break
from the home side allowed Ricardo Vaz Te to find O'Neil on the edge of the
area, and the midfielder curled a strike over the helpless Ben Foster.

West Brom were looking for some inspiration to get back into the match in
the second half and nearly found it through Belgian striker Lukaku, who
fired a blistering drive narrowly over the bar, before full-back Billy Jones
was thwarted by the excellent Jaaskelainen. The home side wrapped the game
up through Carroll, who allowed James Collins' free-kick to drop over his
shoulder before despatching a volley into the bottom corner. Dorrans grabbed
a consolation for West Brom from the penalty spot with three minutes
remaining, after Lukaku was fouled in the box by Matt Taylor. And there was
still time for Mulumbu's bizarre dismissal, when the Congolese midfielder
picked the ball up after being fouled and kicked it against O'Neil in
frustration.

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce: "The points are more important than anything
else but the performance along with the result and the fact that we won
comfortably shows how good we have been at home all season. "Andy Carroll
scored the goal of the season for us, it was a fantastic goal, a world class
finish. He scored two today and it was his best performance. "It was an
important win for us, putting us back in 11th spot and it is about where we
have been all season. It shows the consistency for the season."

West Brom manager Steve Clarke: "We knew it would be a difficult game, and
in the first half they were a little bit better than us. The goals ewe
conceded are not like us. "We started the game quite well, but there are
small margins in this game. After being 1-0 down, we had a difficult
afternoon. "There are not been too many times this season that we have felt
like this. We have seven game and we want to finish on a high."

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Frank McAvennie - the Team Talk XI
BBC.co.uk

Former Celtic and West Ham striker Frank McAvennie picks his Sportsound Team
Talk XI, based on his playing experiences at club and international level.

Goalkeeper - Andy Goram
I played with Andy Goram at Scotland and I rated him right up there with
Peter Schmeichel and I thought he was different class. His reflexes were
brilliant and, to be fair, he had a nightmare when he first went to Rangers.
He was superb as a keeper and, rating him up there with Schmeichel, that's
good enough to be my number one. Pat Bonner and Phil Parks - down at West
Ham - were magnificent keepers but Goram gets the nod.

Right back - Ray Stewart
Ray was different class; he was a magnificent defender and he took the
penalties. He worked really well across the back four at West Ham and was
hard in the tackle. He could hit a ball 40 or 50 yards; he could spray
passes. I couldn't really understand him! He was from up Perth way and I was
the translator for him.

Central defence - Alan Hansen & Alvin Martin
I've gone for two completely different types. One, I thought was the best
player in Europe at one point and was gutted he didn't make the Mexico 86
World Cup. I don't know why Alan wasn't included as he was so good at
Liverpool. He was probably one of the hardest players I ever played against.
Not hard as in tackling but difficult. He was so good at reading the game
and was comfortable with the ball at his feet. Alvin was my captain down at
West Ham and he was a magnificent player. He'll go that extra mile for you.
He didn't like wearing shin guards but he had to; his socks were always down
and he never pulled out of a tackle.

Left back - Julian Dicks
A hard man but also what a player. He could spray passes with his left foot
and he didn't suffer fools gladly! He would play to the fans. Me and him
were always at the back at training because we didn't like it and once
jumped on the back of a milk float when the squad were all out on a six-mile
run.

Midfield - Left Davie Cooper
Coop was magnificent: an old-fashioned winger who would get the ball down
and go past people. He was very talented but very low-key with it. He was up
there with some of the greats.

Central midfield - Graeme Souness (captain)
He could really look after himself. Every one of the players I'm picking can
play, but they can also put a tackle in. They can all roll up their sleeves
when needed. Off the park he was a lovely guy. He asked me to sign for
Rangers, which was a bit off the cuff, but I'm a Glasgow boy and my family
would've been hurt. But apart from that, I'm a Celtic supporter, why would I
want to play for Rangers?

Central midfield - Paul McStay
The Maestro was a magnificent player. If he hadn't remained at Celtic then
he would've been one of the greats and the world would've known more of Paul
McStay. He led by example on the pitch and wasn't a shouter or a screamer.
But he could put his foot in and he was silky. McStay and Souness would
complement each other.

Right midfield - Alan Devonshire
Alan at West Ham was up there with the best. He could play on the left or
right and was different class. He was out for two years and when I played
with him I honestly thought he was probably the best player I'd played with.


Forward - Kenny Dalglish
There's no way I could have two strikers without having Kenny and he was
just magnificent, world class. He was THE man up front to lead the line.

Forward - Tony Cottee
As an out and out finisher, Kenny would've supplied him with so many chances
and Tony didn't miss. He was the best out and out finisher and scored 56
goals in one season.

Manager - John Lyall
It would be a toss up between John Lyall and Billy McNeill. Billy was my
idol but I would have to go for John because he was so far ahead of his
time: diamond formation and playing in the hole; playing three at the back.
He just went against the norm.

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West Ham hopeful of retaining Andy Carroll next season
BBC.co.uk

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce is hopeful of keeping on-loan striker Andy
Carroll at Upton Park next season. The 24-year-old striker scored twice in
West Ham's win over West Brom but is due to return to Liverpool in the
summer after his season-long loan. Asked about the chances of the former
Newcastle targetman staying, Allardyce said: "There is always a possibility.
"We will look at the end of the season and we will see what negotiations can
be done." Carroll joined Liverpool for a club record £35m fee in January
2011. He was signed to replace the departing Fernando Torres following the
Spaniard's £50m move to Chelsea but failed to establish himself at Anfield
and has since lost his place in the England squad. The 6ft 3in forward
featured in only two matches under new boss Brendan Rodgers this term before
joining the Hammers in August. His brace against the Baggies took his goal
tally to five for the London club and Allardyce said: "That was the best we
have seen of him here, because he has put two goals in, on top of a good
performance. "I hope this kicks him on to being a regular scorer for us in
the next eight games. "He is in a good frame of mind now and, finally after
a long wait, his fitness is good and that's why you are seeing these
performances and the goals are coming."

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Sam Allardyce wants Andy Carroll on permanant basis
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 30th March 2013
By: Staff Writer

Sam Allardyce revealed tonight that he is keen to tie Andy Carroll to a
long-term contract - on a day that the on-loan striker hit a brace in West
Ham's 3-1 win over West Bromwich Albion. The on-loan striker scored a goal
in each half to help United move one step closer to Premier League safety as
West Brom were put to the sword at the Boleyn Ground this afternoon. Asked
in this evening's post-match press conference if there was a chance of
Carroll's loan deal being made permanant, Allardyce replied: "There's always
a possibility. "When we get down to budgeting and see what negotiations can
or can't be done, then you have a look at anything and everything that comes
your way."

And when pressed as to whether he would personally like Carroll to remain at
the Boleyn Ground beyond the end of his season-long loan, Allardyce replied:
"I think the answer to that would be yes - but there are a lot of things
that need to happen between now and then to make sure we can try and pursue
this transfer. "We will look at it at the end of the season when we're safe
and see what we need to do. "

As part of the deal that saw Carroll join West Ham from Liverpool last
August, the Hammers retain an option to make the 24-year-old England
international's deal permanent for a figure reported to be in the region of
£17million.

* We'll have Sam Allardyce's post-match press conference for you in full
shortly - plus that of West Brom manager Steve Clarke.

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West Ham United 3-1 West Bromwich Albion
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 30th March 2013
By: Staff Writer

A brace from Andy Carroll has virtually assured West Ham of Premier League
safety. The big striker, who has been the recipient of much criticism in
recent weeks for failing to score sufficient goals stepped up to the plate
today to score a goal in either half that sent United on their way to a
seventh home league win of the season. The Irons were rewarded for a
promising opening when Carroll opened the scoring on the quarter-hour mark
with a fierce header from man-of-the-match Gary O'Neil's left-sided corner.
And the lead was doubled on 28 minutes when provider turned scorer as O'Neil
grabbed his first goal of the season. Ricardo Vaz Te's fifty-yard run
culminated in a short pass to O'Neil, who sent a looping volley over Foster
into the far corner of the net. Despite a promising start to the second
period, the Baggies continued to come up short in front of goal - and paid
the price for their profligacy when Carroll added a third for West Ham with
just ten minutes left on the clock.

James Collins, fouled in the centre circle picked himself up before
flighting a deep free kick towards the Albion penalty area. Carroll,
positioned between both central defenders watched the ball drop over his
shoulder before firing a volley - with his 'wrong' foot, his right - across
Foster into the far corner of the net.
There was however to be a late consolation for West Brom, who won a late
penalty when Matt Taylor was adjudged to have backed into Roman Lukaku.
Former Hammers transfer target Graham Dorrans stepped up to fire home his
first goal of the season. However they were to finish the game with only ten
men following an incredible show of petulance by Youssouf Mulumbu, who
responded to a tug on his shirt by Gary O'Neil by picking up the ball and
kicking it at O'Neil - a reaction that saw him instantly dismissed by Andre
Marriner.

West Ham had also been forced to play the remaining ten minutes a man short
after George McCartney, on as a late replacement for Guy Demel in his first
appearance of 2013 pulled up just three minutes after coming on. The win
lifts West Ham up to 11th place in the table, 13 points clear of bottom two
Reading and Queens Park Rangers and six points clear of 18th -placed Aston
Villa. We'll have the reaction of both managers for you shortly.

West Ham Utd 3-1 West Bromwich Albion: match facts
West Ham Utd: Jaaskelainen, Demel (McCartney 79), O'Brien, Reid, Collins,
O'Neil, Diame (Collison 82), Nolan (Taylor 69), Vaz Te, Jarvis, Carroll.
Subs not used: Henderson, Tomkins, Chamakh, C.Cole.
Goals: Carroll (16, 80), O'Neil (28).
Shots on/off target: 8/8.
Booked: Reid (78).

West Bromwich Albion: Foster, Jones, McAuley, Olsson, Ridgewell, Yacob
(Odemwingie 71), Brunt, Dorrans, Mulumbu, Long (Rosenberg 71), Lukaku.
Subs not used: Myhill, Popov, Tamas, Thomas, Fortune.
Goals: Dorrans (pen 88).
Shots on/off target: 12/8.
Booked: Long (67).

Referee: Andre Marriner.
Attendance: 34,966.

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George McCartney's season over
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 30th March 2013
By: Staff Writer

West Ham left back George McCartney is almost certainly out for the rest of
the season after it was confirmed he had suffered medial ligament damage.
The Irish defender, who was making his first appearance since December 2012
lasted just three minutes on his comeback before sustaining exactly the same
injury as that which led to his recent enforced break. The bad news was
confirmed tonight by West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce. "It's a
re-occurrence of the same injury, which is a big disappointment for both him
and us," he told a press conference following this afternoon's 3-1 win over
West Bromwich Albion. "We're disappointed for George because he's waited so
long to come back. He was so eager to get on; we thought "let's give him a
little run-out now and save the lads' legs". But sadly, he goes down with
the same injury."

McCartney, who is in the second year of his second spell at the club was a
firm fixture in Allardyce's starting XI before sustaining the orginal injury
last December. The defender, who is 32 next month, has another year of his
current two-year contract, which ends in the summer of 2014, to run.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham defender George McCartney may miss rest of season with knee injury
Last Updated: March 30, 2013 7:09pm
SSN

West Ham may be without George McCartney for the season's run-in with the
defender suffering a knee injury in Saturday's 3-1 win over West Brom. It is
a massive blow for McCartney who came off the bench in the 78th minute to
make his first appearance since suffering medial ligament damage in his knee
four months ago. The full-back hobbled off in injury time after suffering
the same problem. "I would have thought he will miss the rest of the
season," Hammers boss Sam Allardyce said."It's a recurrence of the same
injury, his medial ligaments, which is a very big disappointment for him and
for us. We are disappointed for him because he has waited so long to get
back, and get on the pitch. "We thought we would give him a run out and give
the lads who had done so well a rest, but sadly he went down with the same
injury." At least the three points were some consolation as an Andy Carroll
double and Gary O'Neil's strike steered the London side up to 11th and six
points from the drop zone.

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Andy Carroll scores twice as West Ham beat West Brom 3-1
By Tim Oscroft. Last Updated: March 30, 2013 7:35pm
SSN

Two goals from Andy Carroll helped West Ham take a step towards Premier
League safety with a 3-1 win over West Brom. The on-loan striker opened the
scoring with a powerful header from a corner, with Gary O'Neil doubling the
lead inside 30 minutes. Carroll's deft finish put the Hammers clear and,
although Graeme Dorrans pulled one back, West Brom finished with 10 men when
Youssouf Mulumbu was sent off in stoppage-time.

Best of the match

Goal of the match: West Ham's first two goals caught the eye in different
ways, but the third will linger long in the memory. Andy Carroll capped an
excellent display by latching onto to a James Collins free kick with a
sublime first-time volley that gave Ben Foster no chance in the West Brom
goal.

Save of the match: Jussi Jaaskelainen, surely one of the most under-rated
keepers of recent times, flung out his right hand when wrong-footed by a
deflection on a Lukaku free kick to touch the ball onto the post. It
rebounded to safety, and within minutes West Ham were ahead and away,
putting the Finn's efforts into more context.

Man of the match: Gary O'Neil was excellent and thoroughly deserved his
goal, but Andy Carroll takes the plaudits for an all-round performance that
showed off all sides to his game - power in the air, an eye for goal at a
set-piece, good work on the ground and going for placement over power at a
crucial moment.

Talking point: Youssuf Mulumbu's dismissal did not affect the outcome, so
the talking point is Andy Carroll's performance. It feels like his season is
only just getting going after his injuries, and on this evidence he deserves
a chance with England in the summer, but it remains to be seen if he can
keep his run of form going until the end of the league campaign.

West Ham were playing on home turf for the first time since the confirmation
of their move away from the Boleyn Ground to the Olympic Stadium.
Maintaining their Premier League status between now and August 2016 is of
the utmost importance, and three of the five points Sam Allardyce had
targeted from their remaining nine games would go a long way to allaying any
nagging fears of a swift return to the Championship.

A lively start saw both sides exchange chances before Carroll did open the
scoring. Ricardo Vaz Te wasted an opening when he lashed a volley to the
right of the post, and West Brom saw a goal rightfully disallowed when
Gareth McAuley bundled the ball in at a corner, having collided with Jussi
Jaaskelainen in the process.

The home keeper then made a brilliant save that doubled in value shortly
afterwards. Romelu Lukaku's free-kick took a deflection that wrong-footed
the former Bolton veteran, but he flung out his right hand to touch the ball
onto the post and back into his hands.

When Carroll rose above the West Brom defence to head the ball past a
helpless Ben Foster, Jaaskelainen's save was put into context, and Mohamed
Diame went close to doubling the lead seconds later with a rasping shot that
tore past a static Foster to go just over the bar.

Matt Jarvis shot over from close range, but West Ham did add to their lead
on 28 minutes through a rapid counter-attack from a West Brom corner. Vaz Te
teased the West Brom defence before finding O'Neil, who looped the ball
across and beyond Foster with a sublime finish.

The hosts stayed in control until the break, but West Brom were a different
proposition afterwards. Lukaku looked more like his old forceful self, but
it was defender Billy Jones who went closest to scoring, driving into the
box and forcing Jaaskelainen to smother his poked shot just a few yards out.

The arrival of Peter Odemwingie, booed by some West Brom fans for his recent
Twitter outburst, upped the Baggies' tempo and the home fans were becoming
anxious when Carroll settled the match with a moment of outstanding skill.

James Collins' free-kick dropped over the striker's right shoulder, and as
he moved away from Jonas Olsson, Carroll volleyed the ball across and past
Foster for his fourth goal in four games.

West Brom pulled one back with two minutes to go from the penalty spot after
Lukaku had been caught by Matt Taylor and Winston Reid. Graham Dorrans fired
the ball past Jaaskelainen, but the game ended badly for West Brom when
Mulumbu lashed the ball in frustration at a West Ham player after conceding
a free-kick deep into stoppage-time.

Referee Andre Marriner showed the midfielder a straight red card, meaning he
will miss the next three games as West Brom's hopes of European football
next season receded further.

Speaking after the game, Allardyce was full of praise for Carroll and was
pleased the striker was able to demonstrate the full range of his ability.

Clarke upset with three goal defeat

Allardyce said: "He's not just strong in the air, as people perceive is his
only strength, it's the quality on the floor, the hold-up play and then the
technique on the volley, as we saw, was outstanding. It was a world-class
finish, nobody can take that away from him, it was outstanding." But
Allardyce's counterpart Steve Clarke was left to lament a performance which
he felt was unlike his West Brom team. Clarke said: "In the first half, West
Ham were better than us at the ugly side, winning the second balls and
keeping the pressure on us. "They did that well, and we didn't do it well
enough. The goals we conceded are not like us, they were three disappointing
goals to lose."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce praises Andy Carroll after 3-1 win over West
Brom
By Tim Oscroft. Last Updated: March 30, 2013 6:49pm
SSN

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce hailed striker Andy Carroll's "world class"
contribution to Saturday's 3-1 win over West Brom. The England
international, on loan from Liverpool, scored twice in a win that helped
allay lingering fears of a relegation battle for the Hammers. Having headed
the home side in front from a first-half corner, Carroll's second was a
sublime first-time volley having allowed the ball to drop over his shoulder
from a free-kick with 10 minutes remaining.
In Allardyce's opinion, the goals were just reward for an all-round
performance of the highest quality from the 24-year-old. "His performances
have equalled that, but he has not put the ball in the back of the net as
regularly as we would have liked," Allardyce asserted. "Getting a brace
today is fantastic for him, and today showed what he is all about. "He's not
just strong in the air, as people perceive is his only strength, it's the
quality on the floor, the hold-up play and then the technique on the volley,
as we saw, was outstanding. "It was a world-class finish, nobody can take
that away from him, it was outstanding."

Allardyce had talked before the match of a need for five points from the
remaining nine games to secure a place in the Premier League, a matter that
is of even more importance with a move to the Olympic Stadium pencilled in
for 2016. "With Wigan winning and closing the gap it was a very important
win for us today, it puts us back in 11th spot so we're moving back up the
table. We've been hovering around there all season, so it shows the
consistency," he added.
"There's a new future ahead for West Ham, and it's a focus to build for that
future. I only focus on the next game, get the club in a position to re-plan
and organise for next season. We're not quite there yet, but we're looking
very comfortable." Allardyce also confirmed that substitute George McCartney
had hobbled off late on with a recurrence of a knee injury that had kept him
out of action for four months.

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West Ham 3 West Brom 1
The Sun
By ANDREW DILLON
Last Updated: 31st March 2013

WEST HAM celebrated getting the keys to the Olympic Stadium by staging their
own version of Super Saturday. And boss Sam Allardyce wants Andy Carroll to
come with them when they move up the road to Stratford in three years' time.
Two goals from the on-loan Liverpool striker finally showed fans what he is
capable of. Big Sam's work establishing Hammers as a top-flight team
following promotion last season is almost done. But the tough task of
persuading Carroll that his future belongs in the East End and shoehorning
£17million out of the Upton Park board will go right to the summer.

WEST HAM boss praises his star striker after he scored twice in a 3-1
victory over West Brom at Upton Park It was perhaps fitting that the team
put on a show in the week after a huge 'For Sale' sign was hung on Upton
Park in preparation for uprooting. Carroll was the star attraction. Not
exactly Usain Bolt but a gold medal performance with two goals — the second
an exquisite volley to sandwich a beauty from Gary O'Neil.

WEST BROM boss believes home team were the better side and his team's
defence let them down "The last time we played at Upton Park we lost in the
last minute and we have had some good performances which have not been
rewarded with goals. "This time we saw three different types of goal, with
Andy showing his heading ability. "I hope this will kick Andy on and he can
become a regular goalscorer for the next eight games or so. His match
fitness is finally here and he is enjoying himself, that is the main thing.
"We will look at things at the end of the season. I have to say I would like
him to stay but it is also about budgeting." Hammers joint-chairman David
Sullivan admits his team needs major reconstruction to reflect its planned
move to a 54,000-seater des res in 2016.

Yesterday, their much-loved if outdated home in E13 was rocking as Carroll
not only doubled his tally for the season but also took a typical battering
in working for the team. After a few early wobbles when Jussi Jaaskelainen
fumbled Graeme Dorrans' sixth-minute shot then redeemed himself with a
superb save from Romelu Lukaku's free-kick, it was Carroll time. On 16
minutes, Carroll climbed above Baggies defender Jonas Olsson and powered
home a bullet header from an O'Neil corner. West Brom were wobbling and
caught again when Ricardo Vaz Te dashed straight down their defence's
throat, held up play, drew two defenders then squared the ball for O'Neil to
cleverly chip keeper Ben Foster.

Despite a few flurries from West Brom, it was West Ham all the way. And they
sealed victory 11 minutes from time when Carroll latched on to James
Collins' free-kick and fired a stunning right-foot volley into the net.
Dorrans netted a consolation penalty three minutes from time when Lukaku was
sandwiched in the box between Winston Reid and Matt Taylor. And both teams
ended with 10 men — West Ham when sub George McCartney had to go off with a
recurrence of his knee injury and West Brom thanks to Yousouf Mulumbu's daft
last-minute red card. Unlucky McCartney is out for the season while Mulumbu
will be banned for three games after he reacted angrily to a tug by O'Neil,
picked the ball and booted it at the Hammers man. Frustrated boss Steve
Clarke said: "We have no complaints about the result. But you have got to
learn to control your emotions. "That sending off doesn't affect today's
game but it affects the next three."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham 3-1 West Brom: Carroll brace lifts Irons away from drop zone
The Mirror
30 Mar 2013 17:40

Andy Carroll made a convincing case for his future to be part of the
long-term strategy unveiled by West Ham last week – and that is fine by Sam
Allardyce.
The club have sealed their projected move to the Olympic Stadium and a new
contract for manager Allardyce has reached the stage when only the finer
points need to be agreed. And how Allardyce would love to be able to call on
Carroll as he attempts to build on the Premier League status that is now all
but secured after a comprehensive win over a West Brom side drifting towards
a mid-table finish with pride rather than points as their only incentive.
West Ham established a first-half superiority that was never truly
challenged and at the hub of all that was Carroll. He now looks fit, sharp
and mobile – and almost unplayable in the air. The Baggies' central defence
of Jonas Olsson and Gareth McAuley never looked at ease.

Carroll is on loan from Liverpool for the season and West Ham have a
decision to make come May. An offer of about £15million is thought to be
acceptable at Anfield as the club look to cut their losses on the man who
cost more than £30m from Newcastle. That will mean the West Ham hierarchy
have to dig deep into their resources but on yesterday's evidence, it would
be a risk worth taking. Allardyce said: "Would I like him here next season?
The answer is yes. But there are a lot of things that need to do be done. We
will have to look at the end of the season when we get down to budgets. "But
Andy showed today what a threat he is."

The one disappointment for Allardyce was that defender George McCartney is
set to miss the rest of the season with a recurrence of a medial knee
ligament injury. Albion were out of it by the time Andre Marriner blew for
half-time and they could have no complaints about the outcome. Yet they
could have scored first when a free-kick from the subdued Romelu Lukakau
took a deflection off Gary O'Neil and Jussi Jaaskelainen need to change
direction to knock the ball on to a post before smothering the rebound. It
was a false dawn. After that, it became the Carroll show. In the 16th minute
he headed home a corner from O'Neil, who went on to double the advantage
with an exquisite finish 12 minutes later. Albion revived a little in the
second half but were unable to penetrate a rearguard superbly marshalled by
James Collins and Winston Reid. And in the 80th minute, the game was made
safe when Carroll volleyed in a free-kick from Collins on the turn and the
points were assured.

Albion did pull a goal back in the 88th minute from a Graham Dorrans penalty
after Lukaku was fouled by Matt Taylor but the game was gone. Indeed, there
was time for humour as the West Ham fans greeted the arrival of Albion
substitute Peter Odemwingie with the chorus: " He went to QPR and was left
there in his car", to remind the striker of his abortive attempt to move
during the transfer window. There was a flash of indiscipline from Youssouf
Mulumbu who was sent off for volleying the ball at O'Neil after a niggling
rather than violent foul. "It was frustration," said Albion manager Steve
Clarke. "But we only have a small squad and now we will be losing a player
for three matches. "Andy Carroll had a really good day and took his goals
well. But we have not had many days like this and we will dust ourselves off
and be ready for Arsenal next week."

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Summer of Sam: Tottenham and West Ham set to battle for £10m Lyon defender
Umtiti
The Mirror
30 Mar 2013 22:28
Jamie McDonald

Tottenham and West Ham are ready to move for France Under-20 ­international
Samuel ­Umtiti. The Cameroon-born ­defender is currently at ­Olympique Lyon
and is ­valued at around £10m. He came to Spurs' notice when he scored a
stunning goal for his club in the Europa League at White Hart Lane.
Lyon were eventually eliminated – but the 19-year-old impressed Spurs
manager Andre ­Villas-Boas. West Ham are also keen and the two London clubs
are set to do battle for his signature this summer. AC Milan are interested
but Umtiti may feel that he has more chance of regular first-team football
here.

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Daily WHUFC News - 30th March 2013

West Brom match preview
WHUFC.com
Your guide to Saturday's Barclays Premier League match against West Bromwich Albion
29.03.2013

WEST HAM UNITED V WEST BROMWICH ALBION
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
SATURDAY 30 MARCH
KICK-OFF: 3PM
REFEREE: ANDRE MARRINER
FULL AUDIO AND TEXT COMMENTARY - WEST HAM TV
iPHONE APP I TWITTER I FACEBOOK I PODCAST

Introduction
• West Ham United return to the Boleyn Ground for the first time in five weeks for Saturday's Barclays Premier League meeting with West Bromwich Albion.
• The Hammers were last at home back on February 25 when Gareth Bale's last-minute stunner ended their four-game unbeaten home run in heartbreaking fashion.
• Sam Allardyce's men did bounce back to defeat Stoke City 1-0 in their next fixture, although Chelsea got the better of them at Stamford Bridge last time out.
• Saturday's 3pm kick-off is West Ham's third and final game of the month, with the FA Cup with Budweiser and an international break accounting for two weekends.
• West Bromwich Albion, meanwhile, have overcome a sticky period at the turn of the year to take ten points from their last five Barclays Premier League games.
• The Baggies' 0-0 draw at Stoke City two weeks ago came on the back of.recent victories over Liverpool, Sunderland and Swansea City, and leaves Steve Clarke's men eighth in the table.
• The Hammers are currently eleven points behind the Baggies in the Premier League, although West Ham have played a game less than Saturday's opponents. They remain, however, just three points off the top ten.
• West Brom's visit to the Boleyn Ground is one of eight Barclays Premier League matches taking place on Saturday. Manchester United travel to Sunderland for the 12.45pm kick-off, while the other 3pm games are: Arsenal v Reading, Manchester City v Newcastle United, Southampton v Chelsea, Swansea City v Tottenham Hotspur and Wigan Athletic v Norwich City. The late 5.30pm kick-off is Everton v Stoke City.

Team news
West Ham United
• Mark Noble is out for the Hammers after undergoing surgery on a trapped nerve in his arm.
• Joe Cole is back in the squad after shaking off the hamstring injury which kept him out of the trip to his former club Chelsea two weeks ago.
• Kevin Nolan could also be back in contention with his broken toe recovering sufficiently for him to return to training.
• George McCartney continued his comeback from a knee injury with a run out in the Development Squad's friendly against Queens Park Rangers on Tuesday 19 March.
• Young goalkeeper Raphael Spiegel fractured a finger whilst on international duty with the Swizerland U21 side, so the Hammers have recalled Stephen Henderson from his loan at Ipswich Town.

West Bromwich Albion
• To follow...

Background
• Today's fixture marks the 93rd competitive meeting between West Ham United and West Bromwich Albion. The Hammers have won 35, the Baggies have tasted victory on 37 occasions and there have been 20 draws. It will also be the tenth time the two clubs have met in the Premier League.
• The last four meetings between the sides have ended in draws, two of which ended goalless, while the other stalemates saw a total of ten goals.
• Neither club has won a Premier League fixture between the two clubs by more than one goal.
• The Hammers recorded their biggest-ever win over the Baggies on 16 April 1965. Striker Brian Dear had a day to remember as he netted five goals within the space of 20 minutes either side of half-time in a 6-1 home Division One victory. Martin Peters had earlier opened the scoring.
• West Brom recorded their biggest win over West Ham back on 24 October 1925, romping to a 7-1 Division One victory at The Hawthorns. Jimmy Ruffell netted West Ham's consolation goal.
• West Ham and West Brom met in the 1966 Football League Cup final. The sixth and last League Cup final to be played over two legs, the Hammers won the first game 2-1 at the Boleyn Ground, with Geoff Hurst and Johnny Byrne cancelling out Jeff Astle's opener. The second leg was a different story, however, as the Baggies clinched a 4-1 win to secure a 5-3 aggregate success.
Last time out
On the back of an impressive 1-0 win at Stoke City, West Ham came unstuck at Stamford Bridge, as Frank Lampard netted his 200th Chelsea goal in a comfortable 2-0 win. The West Ham United Academy graduate opened the scoring in the 19th minute, powering a header from Eden Hazard's dink past Jussi Jaaskelainen. Meanwhile, another former Hammers Demba Ba had a hatful of chances to extend the hosts' lead, before the sparkling Hazard made it 2-0 five minutes after the break, slamming an angled left-footed drive into the corner.

Sunday 17 March
Barclays Premier League
Chelsea 2-0 West Ham United
West Ham United: Jaaskelainen, Reid, O'Brien, Collins (Tomkins 61), Demel, Jarvis, Collison, Diame (Taylor 46), O'Neil, Carroll, Vaz Te (C.Cole 80)
Subs not used: Spiegel, McCartney, Pogatetz, Chamakh

Saturday 16 March
Barclays Premier League
Stoke City 0-0 West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion: Foster, Olsson, Ridgewell, McAuley, Jones, Yacob, Morrison, (Fortune 84), Brunt, Thomas (Odemwingie 67), Mulumbu, Lukaku (Long 76)
Subs not used: Myhill, Popov, Tamas, Rosenberg

Previous meeting
West Bromwich Albion 0-0 West Ham United
The sides last went head to head on Sunday 16 December, in a game that would end goalless, with West Ham no doubt the happier with a well-earned point on their travels. In a game of few chances, Winston Reid volleyed over the bar from close range, while Gary O'Neil saw his curler shave the outside of the post. At the other end, James Morrison flicked the top of the crossbar, but it was to end honours even as the Baggies ended a run of three successive defeats.
West Bromwich Albion: Myhill, Olsson, Popov, McAuley, Jones, Morrison, Brunt, Mulumbu, Gera (Lukaku 75), Long (Rosenberg 83), Odemwingie.
West Ham United: Jaaskelainen, Reid, O'Brien, Collins, Demel (Tomkins 81), Nolan, Jarvis (Maiga 76), Taylor, Noble, O'Neil, Cole.

Last six meetings (Premier League unless stated)
16 December 2012 West Bromwich Albion 0-0 West Ham United
12 February 2011 West Bromwich Albion 3-3 West Ham United
10 November 2010 West Ham 2-2 West Bromwich Albion
16 March 2009 West Ham United 0-0 West Bromwich Albion

13 September 2008 West Bromwich Albion 3-2 West Ham United

1 May 2006 West Bromwich Albion 0-1 West Ham United

Overall record v West Bromwich Albion
P92 W 35 D 20 L 37

Ten-year records
West Ham United
2011/12 Championship 3rd (86 points - promoted via Play-Offs)
2010/11 Premier League 20th (33 points - relegated to Championship)
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 via play-offs)
2003/04 Championship 4th (74 points)
2002/03 Premier League 18th (42 points - relegated to Championship)

West Bromwich Albion
2011/12 Premier League 10th (47 points)
2010/11 Premier League 11th (47 points)
2009/10 Championship 2nd (91 points, promoted to Premier League)

2008/09 Premier League 20th (32 points, relegated to Championship)

2007/08 Championship 1st (81 points, promoted to Premier League)

2006/07 Championship 4th (76 points)

2005/06 Premier League 19th (30 points, relegated to Championship)

2004/05 Premier League17th (34 points)

2003/04 Championship 2nd (86 points, promoted to Premier League)

2002/03 Premier League 19th (26 points, relegated to Championship)


Referee
• The man in the middle for Saturday's fixture is Andre Marriner.
• Marriner last took charge of a West Ham United game on January 23, as the Hammers fell to a 5-1 defeat at the Emirates Stadium. He also officiated West Ham's trip to White Hart Lane, which saw Tottenham Hotspur run out 3-1 winners.
• Birmingham-born Marriner began refereeing in 1992, progressing through the Birmingham Amateur Football League and Southern League to become a Football League assistant referee in 2000.
• He was appointed to the Football League List of Referees in 2003 before joining the Select Group in 2005. Since then he has also been added to FIFA's International List in 2009.
• Marriner will be assisted by Steve Child and Jake Collin, while Michael Oliver will be the fourth official.
Old boys
• West Bromwich Albion manager Steve Clarke spent just under two-years at the Boleyn Ground as assistant manager to Gianfranco Zola. During his first season at the club the Hammers had a relatively successful year, finishing ninth in the Barclays Premier League. Clarke left the club by mutual consent in June 2010 before joining Liverpool as first-team coach in January 2011.
• Baggies assistant manager Kevin Keen enjoyed a long and illustrious career with West Ham United, serving the Hammers as a player, coach and caretaker manager. Keen played 279 times for West Ham between 1986 and 1993, scoring 32 goals and twice winning promotion to the top-flight. Keen re-joined West Ham in July 2002 as Under-17 coach, later being appointed reserve-team coach and then first-team coach in October 2006.
• Among the other players who have represented both clubs are David Cross, Gary Strodder, Tommy Green, Vincent Hayes, Geoff Hurst, Thomas Kinsell, Tudor Martin, Nigel Quashie and Chippy Simmons.

General information
• Tickets for Saturday's clash are now SOLD OUT. For all other tickets, access the Box Office here.
• The weather for Saturday is much in keeping with the recent cold snap, as temperatures struggle to creep much above 5ºC (41ºF). Thankfully, however, it is set to be predominantly dry
• Supporters travelling by road should note that the A12 Blackwall Tunnel Approach in Bow lane closed on entry slip road northbound at Bow Interchange, because of roadworks.

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On this day - 30 March
WHUFC.com
Significant moments from this day in West Ham United history
30.03.2013


Classic match
West Ham United 3-0 Leeds United
Premier League
30 March 1998
The Hammers eased past Leeds United on this day 15 years ago, maintaining a fine home record cultivated throughout the 1997/98 season. Harry Redknapp's side would only lose twice on home turf all campaign, and took maximum points from 13 of their 19 Boleyn Ground league fixtures. This result was never in doubt once John Hartson had given the hosts an eighth minute lead. West Ham soon doubled their advantage, with Samassi Abou netting one of his six goals for the season with 23 minutes on the clock, A dominant Monday night performance was sealed after the break when Ian Pearce notched to round off a pleasing 3-0 success. West Ham would go on to end the campaign eighth in the table with 56 points, just three behind fifth placed Leeds.

Complete record - 30 March
2002 West Ham United 3-1 Ipswich Town (Premier League)
1998 West Ham United 3-0 Leeds United (Premier League)
1985 Nottingham Forest 1-2 West Ham United (Division One)
1982 Swansea City 0-1 West Ham United (Division One)
1974 West Ham United 3-1 Leeds United (Division One)
1971 Everton 0-1 West Ham United (Division One)
1960 Manchester City 3-1 West Ham United (Division One)
1959 Newcastle United 3-1 West Ham United (Division One)
1957 West Ham United 1-1 Middlesbrough (Division Two)
1956 West Ham United 2-0 Stoke City (Division Two)
1935 Sheffield United 1-2 West Ham United (Division Two)
1934 Manchester United 0-1 West Ham United (Division Two)
1929 Portsmouth 3-0 West Ham United (Division One)
1923 West Ham United 0-0 Bury (Division Two)

Played 14, Won 9, Drawn 2, Lost 3, Scored 21, Conceded 14

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U18s keen to tame Wolves
WHUFC.com
Steve Potts wants his young Hammers to return to Barclays U18 Premier League winning ways on Saturday
29.03.2013

Supporters eager for a double-dose of West Ham United action and armed with a traffic-beating sat nav can catch the club's youngsters in Barclays U18 Premier League action against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday. Steve Potts' youth team kick-off against Wolves at Little Heath at 12noon - three hours before Sam Allardyce's first team host West Bromwich Albion at the Boleyn Ground in the Barclays Premier League. Potts' youngsters are on a five-game winless run in their Tier One group and the West Ham legend is keen for his players to rediscover their winning touch this weekend. "It would be nice if they get back to winning ways," the U18s manager told West Ham TV. "It will be a tough game for us. We went up to Wolves and found them to be a very physical and tough side so it will be a good test from that point of view. "Hopefully our boys can match that side of things and our football can come out. It will be a test for them."

While he would obviously like his team to win and play outstanding football every weekend, Potts believes his young charges will learn from their recent difficult experiences. "I think it's character-building for them. If you look at the overall picture, we've had a very young side and I think it was only our away game at Tottenham in the league when they have been off their game. In every other game, they have been compeititve. "There has been quite a lot of good stuff that has come out of the other games."

West Ham have netted just two goals in their previous four matches, with regular centre forward Elliot Lee unavailable due to Development Squad commitments. Republic of Ireland U19 attacker Kieran Sadlier leads the way with eight goals to his name, but Potts wants his other players to get their names on the scoresheet over the closing weeks of the season. "You cannot just look at the forwards there - you attack as a team and defend as a team. Ideally you'd like to see a few more goals going in to take the pressure off everyone else at the back."

When asked if he has been impressed by his team overall, Potts was quick to throw his support behind his young squad. "I definitely have. A lot of good football has been played and there have been some good individual performances. Now they have to take them into the Development Squad and push on from there. "Last week we went up to Liverpool and had three schoolboys playing. They came out of it really well and it was a great experience for them to go up to a club like that. They performed well and it's down to them to carry that forward. "The youth team is young and the Development Squad is very young. I like to see players like [defensive midfielder] Amos Nasha and [attacking midfielder] Kieran Bywater in there doing well because it can only beneficial for them. Next year, they will be that much stronger."

Kick-off at Little Heath on Saturday is at 12noon, with admission and parking both free of charge.

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Big Sam calls for ruthlessness
WHUFC.com
West Ham United boss Sam Allardyce wants opportunities to be taken against West Brom
30.03.2013

Sam Allardyce has called for a clinical display from his side when they take on West Bromwich Albion at the Boleyn Ground on Saturday. The Hammers welcome the Baggies to east London as they look to notch a tenth Barclays Premier League win of the season. But having drawn a blank in their last fixture - a 2-0 defeat at Chelsea - the boss wants his side to display a more ruthless streak on this occasion. He said: "It's always worrying if you don't take your chances because you saw what happened to England in the week - they dominated the opposition [in the first half], created chance after chance after chance and only scored one goal. "They then had to be satisfied with a draw from a game in which they should have been out of sight by half time, because they haven't got that cutting edge at the moment. You can end up getting kicked where it hurts. "We've had many a game like what happened to England this season, particularly away from home, where we've been the dominant force for long periods and haven't taken advantage of it. "Putting the ball in the back of the net to show the dominant time you've had is critical in the Premier League. That we haven't done that is why we're not safe already."

Allardyce will be wary of the threat posed by West Brom's 13-goal leading scorer Romelu Lukaku, although he believes his team possess an equally big threat in the shape of Andy Carroll. He continued: "Lukaku has had a tremendous season for West Brom and I think it's a major bonus for Clarky that he's picked up a player who initially comes off the subs bench and scores, and then gets into the starting eleven and continues to score. "He's been a tremendous asset for them and their success this season - particularly in the early part of the season, that's where they established themselves. "It was a little bit like ourselves, but they did better than us. I think we got 14 points out of the first eight games, they got 18 or something like that. "They've had their ups and downs since then, like we have, but the fact that he's continued to score goals all season is why they've had such a good season. "Andy Carroll has proven [his goalscoring ability] at Newcastle. When he left there for Liverpool he'd already notched eleven goals that season. "This whole season has been a bit disrupted for him and hasn't allowed him to express his full potential. Hopefully that will grow and continue to grow if he stays fit for the rest of the season. "I thought he played well at Chelsea but didn't put one in the back of the net from the two or three chances he had. Hopefully he'll keep getting the chances and the goals will come."

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Olympic Stadium plans revealed
WHUFC.com
Architectural drawings of West Ham United's new home at the Olympic Stadium post-conversion
29.03.2013

West Ham United have released a further set of architectural drawings to show some of the new features of the Olympic Stadium post-conversion. The first set of drawings (images A and B) show how the state-of-the-art seating solution will ensure the stadium offers a world-class viewing experience for watching football. An automated system using drive motors will move all four sides of the lower bowl forward to bring the seats closer to the pitch, thus ensuring that the running track will not be visible when the stadium is in football mode. The designs are such that the seating distances will now compare favourably with the best in UK stadia such as the Emirates and Wembley and the top stadia around the world. By way of example they will be 10m closer to the goal line than the Stade De France in Paris, which boasts a similar system. The text behind the two goals offers a suggestion of which two stands will be named after club legends Bobby Moore OBE and Sir Trevor Brooking. The third image, image C, is a more detailed graphic showing the innovative gravity stressed design of the roof that enables it, at 84m, to become the largest spanning tensile roof in the world. It will also cover all the seats in the stadium and lock that world-renowned atmosphere in. The final image, image D, is a more technical drawing that demonstrates how the seating in the lower bowl will operate to bring fans closer to the pitch. The images were shown to Supporter Advisory Board members at December's emergency meeting at the Boleyn Ground. All available images will be released ahead of the independently-run supporter consultation. As part of the planning application process, LLDC have now put in the opening designs to obtain permission for the roof conversion. The club will also be releasing further artistic designs to show how they practically work ahead of consultation.


*Please note, the plans released by West Ham United today are designed to show the technical aspects of the stadium conversion and therefore do not include the vital additions that will ensure the stadium feel like West Ham's home on a matchday. The drawings have all been created by the independent architectural design company appointed by the LLDC and accurately reflect how the structure of the stadium will look post-conversion.

Image A - The post-conversion Olympic Stadium in athletics mode

Image B - The post-conversion Olympic Stadium in football mode

Image C - The post-conversion Olympic Stadium will boast the largest spanning tensile roof in the world

Image D - Technical drawings showing how the seating in the lower bowl will bring fans closer to the pitch

http://www.whufc.com/articles/20130329/olympic-stadium-plans-revealed_2236884_3125605

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West Ham v West Brom
KO 15:00
29 March 2013
Last updated at 12:17
By John Roder
Match of the Day commentator

BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: Upton Park Date: Saturday, 30 March, Kick-off: 15:00 GMT

West Ham captain Kevin Nolan has recovered from a toe injury and is available to face West Brom. Joe Cole and George McCartney have overcome respective hamstring and knee problems but Mark Noble (shoulder) is unavailable.

West Brom right-back Steven Reid has recovered from the groin problem that kept him out of the last two matches. But James Morrison is doubtful due to the hamstring problem that forced him out of Scotland's World Cup qualifiers.


MATCH PREVIEW

So the countdown has begun to West Ham's departure from Upton Park to the Olympic Stadium. This will be the first match The Hammers have played since last week's announcement that they are to move into their new home from August 2016 as tenants on a 99-year lease. The debate over the merits of the switch is sure to continue but it does mean the club will be leaving a ground that has provided so many memories over the years. "I think West Ham need two more wins to be absolutely sure of staying up and Big Sam will stress to his squad that this should be one of them."

From when I was a young radio reporter back in the 1980s, I've always looked forward to working at Upton Park, particularly for night matches when the atmosphere crackles. The aim is that West Ham will move to the Olympic Stadium as a Premier League club. They come into this weekend's match not yet assured of their place in the top division for next season after a poor run that leaves them just six points above the bottom three. There are no worries on that score for West Bromwich Albion, who are on course to eclipse their best-ever Premier League finish of 10th last May. West Brom have ended the last two seasons on 47 points; victory in east London on Saturday would take them to that total already for this campaign with another seven matches remaining.
One thing that I won't miss at Upton Park is the position that I'll be commentating from for Match of the Day this Saturday. If you're going, take a look high up into the roof of the main stand, where I'll be. It's a long, long way above the pitch - mustn't forget my glasses...

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head
The last four matches between the sides have been draws.
West Brom's only win in their four Premier League visits to Upton Park was by 1-0 in September 2002. However, they also enjoyed a 4-3 win there in the Championship in November 2003.

West Ham
West Ham have lost three of their last four league matches.
They have taken only seven points from the last 27 available.
Among Premier League clubs, only Reading have a worse second-half record than West Ham.
Kevin Nolan is set to feature in his 450th league game, while James Tomkins could play for West Ham for the 150th time.
Hammers' manager Sam Allardyce was West Brom assistant manager under Brian Talbot from 1989 to 1991. He made one appearance for the club.

West Brom
West Brom have conceded just one goal in their last three away Premier League matches.
They have 44 points from 30 matches this season, eight more points than they have had at this stage in any other Premier League season.
The Baggies have been in the top half of the table all season.
West Brom are the only Premier League team yet to have an English goalscorer this season. The last Englishman to score for the club in the league was Liam Ridgewell, in the 3-0 home win over Blackburn in April 2012.
Baggies' manager Steve Clarke spent two seasons as West Ham assistant manager under Gianfranco Zola from 2008 to 2010.

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West Ham United v West Bromwich Albion
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 29th March 2013
By: Preview Percy

After what seems to have been an interminable length of time, at last we have another match. This weekend we will entertain the good people of West Bromwich Albion at the Boleyn in a match that will kick-off at 3.00pm on Saturday. Hurrah.

Transport for London are so surprised by the fact that we're still here they've completely forgotten to schedule any engineering works at our end of the District Line, though bits of the Docklands Light Railway will be shut. Check before you leave.

Our visitors will arrive in 8th place with 44 points from their 30 matches thus far. This puts them six places and 11 points above them, though we do have a game in hand for what it's worth. Current form has seen them won three (2-0 up at Liverpool and a pair of 2-1s at home to Sunderland and Swansea), drawn once (0-0 at Stoke before the break) and lose twice (1-0 at home to Gareth Bale and 1-0 at Chelsea).

They had one of the more amusing transfer windows of recent years. Not that they were particularly active – the departure of a few fringe players being the sum total of their action. However the antics of Peter Odimwinge raised eyebrows-a-plenty. It's a bit complicated but basically QPR, whose manager is in no way dodgy (it says here on this bit of paper handed to me by our lawyers), put in a bid to sign the Nigerian international. The bid was rejected.

Somehow, and who can tell how, Odemwinge became/was made aware of QPR's interest though of course it couldn't have been as a result of QPR contacting him of course, because that would have been wrong what with their not at all dodgy manager not having permission to talk to the player. Under the completely false impression that a deal was on the cards, Odemwinge drove to Loftus Road to speak (for what would obviously have been the first time) with QPR and, whilst his comments to the tv people at the time stopped short of actually saying he'd already been in discussions with Rangers, they certainly could have been construed that way.

The Baggies were a bit gobsmacked to see the player on the box giving the traditional "interview through the car window" and pointed out that no permission had been given to anyone to speak to the player. QPR's manager, possibly remembering his earlier denial of having spoken to Joe Cole which had been blatantly contradicted by his later admission that he had been in talks with Joe Cole, appears to have had second thoughts about the whole deal and, on trying to gain admission to the ground, Odemwinge was given the same sort of reception as I would reserve for people knocking on my door at 9am after a heavy night in the Swan and Superinjunction and asking me if I would like to talk to them about Jesus. (Tip – they don't seem to bother you again if you tell them you're ritually sacrificing a goat).

So back to the Midlands traipsed the player with his tail between his legs. The club sent him away from the training ground and he was eventually fined a couple of weeks' wages. He was slowly reintroduced to the first team squad and since his little trip has made four sub appearances. You'd think that, having made a bit of a fool of himself, he'd have kept his head down for a bit. However, as one continually points out in these pages, the average professional footballer is not exactly noted for his common sense. True to stereotype, Odemwinge recently went into the sort of twitter meltdown rant that one associates with someone who has had a heavy night in the Swan and Superinjunction. The result: another fine (that's over £150,000 this year so far) and, no doubt, a less than fraternal reception from his (soon to be ex?) team-mates.

First choice 'keeper is Ben Foster. Foster declared himself unavailable for England selection a couple of years ago. This, as regular readers will be aware, is not something that goes down too well here at the Avram Grant Rest Home for the Bewildered, where the day room is full of full of hopefuls such as myself who are still hopeful of a call from Mr Hodgson (though to be honest I think Ada may be on a hiding to nothing what with her hip and all). Foster has since changed his mind though and at least he has made himself generally available, unlike Jamie Carragher who generously brought himself out of retirement once all that tedious mucking about with qualifying was done with. Foster was on the bench for the trouncing of San Marino – Joe Hart might as well have been next to him.

Another international retiree is defender Stephen Reid who overcame the handicap of starting out amongst the medical experiment victims at Millwall to gain 20 caps for the Republic of Ireland. Although he is regarded as a defender these days he has played most of his career in midfield and had 7 years at basket case club Blackburn before arriving at the Hawthorns in 2010. Reid is a doubt for the weekend with a "groin/pelvis injury" which may or may not have been sustained during an alleged recent training ground altercation with the aforementioned Odemwinge.

Odemwinge isn't he only Baggie with a few disciplinary issues. Macedonian left-back Gregor Popov hasn't featured since getting sent off for spitting at Kyle Walker in the home match against Spurs. Ex-Hammer youth player Liam Ridgewell has been preferred even though Popov's now served his suspension. At the time of the incident former Hammers Assistant Boss Steve Clarke expressed his "disgust" at Popov's actions and it seems that Clarke's disgust has been enough to keep Popov out of the limelight, though he has been on the bench. Popov's problems have also extended to the international arena where he is currently coming to the end of a six-month ban for unspecified disciplinary reasons from representing Macedonia. On loan from Dinamo Kiev (and that's how I'm spelling it whatever they say) Albion have an option to buy at the end of the season but his "throat clearance" antics may have put paid to that.

A better loan deal this year was the pinching of Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea on a season-long deal. Still only 19, the Belgian looks to be a skilful prospect. He's their top scorer so far this season, something that contrasts strikingly with the form of Fernando Torres, whose presence would be keeping him out of the Chelsea team had he stayed in London. Of course Chelsea's "Manager Of The Month" policy hasn't helped in that regard but it would be a major surprise if Lukaku didn't return to the club as planned at the end of the season. I suppose the odd thing is that Clarke & Keen might have had a better chance of keeping hold of Lukaku had he not had such a good season.

And what of us? Well the last match we encountered was the trip to Chelsea – remember that? Although the home side ended up good value for their win in the end, we were left once more ruminating at the deficiencies of the officials, whose decisions at a crucial stage of the match potentially altered the whole course of the game. This wasn't the only decision that stank during the last round of matches in the Premier League and the authorities' laughable failure to deal with Callum McManaman should put paid to any thoughts that anyone in power has any interest in improving refereeing standards.

The other news since I was last here is, of course the news that we've been awarded the right to occupy the Olympic Stadium. Much has been made of the "fact" that we're supposedly being "given" a stadium for £15m. Which rather ignores the approximately £250m we'll be paying in rent for the place, a figure which will also increase with inflation. The plans are now available for inspection, though, like all architectural plans they don't make an awful lot of sense to those of us not dull enough to be architects. Meanwhile I look forward to the consultation we've been promised for all these years so we can finally make an informed decision.

Back on the football side of things. injury news is largely good. Since we last spoke Stephen Henderson has returned from his Ipswich loan spell to cover the sub 'keeper spot in the light of Raphael Spiegel's broken finger. Joe Cole's hamstring is all better now so he'll be in the squad and the relative lack of action for the team over the last few weeks has meant that Nolan's toe (a medical condition rather than an American Civil War battle) has also have healed up enough to see him return. Similarly Linda's back as well. The one major absentee will be Mark Noble, whose trapped nerve in the arm/elbow has apparently required surgery so he'll be out for a while.

Thankfully the international break was kind enough and we don't seem to have picked up any of the injuries that our players usually return with from foreign climes. The penalty given away by Pogatetz merely being embarrassing.

A prediction? Oh all right then if you insist. It's difficult to get any sense of form when you only get to play with the same regularity as Barry Hearn opening his gob and saying something sensible, so any prediction will have to be pure guesswork. So no change there then. I'll therefore be placing all the money that the Avran Grant Rest Home has been able to rescue from its offshore account in Cyprus (£2.50) on us to win. Let's go for a 3-2 goalfest for a change then shall we?!

Enjoy the game!

When Last We Met at the BoleynDrew 2-2 (November 2011) The 50th deliberately wrong decision against us by the disgraceful Mike Dean handed the visitors the lead through a penalty converted by Odemwinge. Scott Parker's 25 yard effort levelled the scores. Dean awarded another penalty, getting it right for once as Kieron Dyer was shoved to the floor. Piquionne put the spot kick away and we should have increased the lead before conceding a late equaliser to Ibanez to leave us rooted to the bottom. Dean, as ever, went unpunished.

Referee: Andre Marriner. Third time he'll have been in charge of us this term though this will be his first visit of the season to the Boleyn.

Danger Man:Romelu Lukaku. The on-loan striker has recovered from having his surname rejected as a catchphrase on "Shooting Stars" (they used "Uvavu" instead) and is their top scorer this season. They must be hoping that whoever Abrahamovic appoints as Chelsea's next "Interim" manager doesn't notice that the player is still there.

Daft Fact Of The Week: (NB I may have used this story before (damned if I can be bothered to check). However, if this is the case consider it a tribute to a recently departed Hammer). It is said that during one of their forays into Europe during the 1970's, the Throstles found themselves playing Dinamo Bucharest at home. Unable to locate a copy of the Romanian national anthem, the announcer went for "close enough" and thus it was that the Romanians trotted out to the sound of Kenny Ball and His Jazzmen's rendition of "Midnight In Moscow". RIP Kenny.

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West Ham's Sam Allardyce targeting three points against high flying West Brom
By Oliver Todd. Last Updated: March 29, 2013 10:54am
SSN

Sam Allardyce is looking to move West Ham closer to Premier League survival against West Brom. West Ham have been in the headlines this week after former Blackburn manager Allardyce confirmed that he will begin talks on a new contract once their top-flight status is secured. This game also comes on the back of the announcement that the Hammers will be leaving their East London home to move into the Olympic Stadium ahead of the 2016/17 season.

They come into this game in mixed form, having lost at Chelsea in their last game, and picking up two wins amongst the four defeats in their last six, but Allardyce believes that five points from their remaining nine games will guarantee top flight safety. They currently sit in 14th place in the league, six points clear of the relegation zone.

West Ham have a better home record than any of the sides below them and have also scored in 13 of their last 14 at home. They will be looking to put further breathing space between themselves and the bottom three as well as moving closer to their self-imposed 38-point target.

However, they come up against a West Brom side pushing for a Europa League spot with a respectable recent away record, having picked up a point at Stoke and a 2-0 win over Liverpool at Anfield either side of a narrow 1-0 defeat at Chelsea. Their record against London clubs is much less pleasing though, having won only four of their 38 Premier League trips to the capital.

The Baggies currently sit eighth in the table and could gain ground on Liverpool and Everton who this weekend face Aston Villa and Stoke City respectively.

Manager Steve Clarke has spoken out this week regarding Peter Odemwingie's recent Twitter outburst, and the controversial forward will probably find himself again on the bench at the Boleyn Ground.

Meanwhile, top scorer Romelu Lukaku, with four goals in his last five games, will most likely lead the line for the Baggies after spending the international break on the bench for Belgium.

These two sides played out an uninspiring 0-0 draw in the reverse fixture at The Hawthorns earlier this season, and the last four games between West Ham and West Brom have ended as a draw.

West Ham
Last 6
2-0
0-1
2-3
2-1
1-0
3-1

West Ham captain Kevin Nolan has recovered from a toe injury and is available for tomorrow's home game against West Brom. Midfielder Joe Cole returns following a month-long hamstring injury lay-off, but Mark Noble (shoulder) is unavailable. Defender George McCartney is also fit after nearly four months out with a knee problem, but back-up goalkeeper Raphael Spiegel (finger) is out so Stephen Henderson has been recalled from his loan at Ipswich.

West Brom
Last 6
0-0
2-1
1-0
2-1
0-2
0-1

Midfielder James Morrison is West Brom's major fresh injury concern ahead of tomorrow's Barclays Premier League clash with West Ham at Upton Park. Morrison suffered a hamstring injury during the goalless draw against Stoke a fortnight ago and was forced to withdraw from international duty with Scotland.
Head coach Steve Clarke confirmed striker Peter Odemwingie was part of the squad, despite his latest Twitter attacks against the Baggies which are being investigated internally.

OPTA FACTS

Should West Brom win this match, they'll equal their best-ever points tally in the Premier League (47 points; set in 2010-11 and 2011-12)
Andy Carroll has scored just nine goals in 60 Premier League appearances since leaving Newcastle United in January 2011
West Brom goalkeeper Ben Foster has a save percentage of 74.8% in the Premier League this season; higher than any other English goalkeeper

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Joey O'Brien: West Ham will attract top talent in Olympic Stadium
Last Updated: March 29, 2013 1:57pm
SSN

Joey O'Brien reckons West Ham will be able to attract some of the best players in the world now they have the keys to the Olympic Stadium. After several years of legal wrangling, the London Legacy Development Corporation finally confirmed last week that it had chosen West Ham to become the main tenants of the London 2012 stadium in Stratford. The Hammers are expected to move in to the 60,000-seater venue at the start of the 2016-17 season but, while the move has divided opinion among supporters, O'Brien is sure it will herald an exciting new era for the club. "I think it can only mean good things for the club when you move into a stadium like that," O'Brien said. "You can attract players and supporters from all over the world to play and watch there. "If the club want to push on and to finish higher in the league, then we need a bigger stadium and to fill it to get the revenue into the football club. It's a great step forward. "Looking at the stadium when the Olympics were on and seeing what the club want to do with it by turning it into a football stadium, it looks unbelievable."

Premier League survival is a more pressing focus and, though Sam Allardyce's side are six points above the drop zone, forthcoming fixtures against Manchester City, Liverpool and Manchester United mean Saturday's home match with West Brom is viewed as a chance to climb to further comfort. "If we get the three points it would set us up for a nice end to the season," O'Brien added. "We're in a decent position but if we can get a couple of wins in our next couple of games we'd be in a really good position."

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Tony Cottee Interview Part 2: 'I would give up everything to go and work full time at West Ham'
By Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die

Do you like doing your after dinner speaking, or do you do it because it is quite a good earner?

It's a bit of both really. Would I do it if I was working in a permanent role for West Ham, in a role of responsibility? Probably not. You tell your stories, you do your questions and answers, which can be a little bit to the point sometimes, so I would have to be very careful, but in my current situation with the job I do at Sky, yes I enjoy doing them and yes it gives me a little bit of pocket money, which is the reason why I do it. If I was a director of West Ham United Football Club I wouldn't be in a position to do it.

Is that what you'd really like to do? It struck me from reading your book that would really like to be involved full time with West Ham in some capacity.

Absolutely, yes. I would give up everything to go and work full time at West Ham, provided it wasn't a pay cut compared to what I am getting now[ [laughs]. West Ham is a real passion for me. Probably to the detriment of my family life at times, it has been an obsession in my life. It's always been very prominent. Yes, I'd like to work for West Ham Football Club. I believe I have a lot to offer the club and I don't understand why football clubs don't employ football people. I just don't get it. The people that buy football clubs are very successful in their businesses. David Gold and David Sullivan both made their money in publishing. If I had gone up to them and said 'I'm a footballer, I want to get involved in publishing', they' say 'well what do you know about publishing?' But these guys, and I don't mean Gold and Sullivan really, but what do they know about football. The one criticism I do have of the current board is why did they appoint Avram Grant? Who in their right minds would have appointed Avram Grant? It was a ridiculous appointment and I think if there had been football people involved at the club, I don't think that would have happened. You only have to talk to anyone in football and the answer would have been there before you appointed him. I am not specifically criticising the board or my club, right across the Premier League, the Championship you've got people running football clubs who don't understand football. They don't want to take advice or help from football people. There are a lot of ex footballers out there – Terry Venables, for example. Why not employ Terry Venables? He has an incredible knowledge about football. People don't want to have him at a football club. It really does baffle me.

A question from one of my readers. How much crowd banter do you hear when you are on the pitch or do you just zone out?

It might be slightly different nowadays. When I played the Chicken Run was right on top of you. The crowd were very close to you – not just at West Ham. I think you had a bit more of a rapport with the fans. You could hear certain things. I used to enjoy the banter. As long as it's not too personal. You get people swearing an shouting about your mother's this or your girlfriend's that. That's not banter, it's being stupid. But it's fantastic when you hear something funny. I actually enjoyed John Terry's warm-up at Chelsea the other day. I thought it was funny. The fans were giving him a bit of stick. In return John bent over and did his stretches. That was brilliant! What I don't condone is people throwing coins, or if John Terry had turned round and stuck his fingers up at the crowd –which he didn't. Banter is part of football. You don't pick on players who are bad players so I always took it as a compliment if opposing fans were singing about me. They wouldn't bother if you were a bad player. I never shouted anything back but I remember when I left West Ham back in the late 80s, and my first game against West Ham at Goodison and we beat West Ham four nil, the fans were giving me a bit of stick. They were disappointed with me and I understood that. When I scored the goal I gave them a wave as if to say 'that's what I do', but you have got to be man enough to take it. It's the same for the fans. I don't believe that fans should be able to give a player tick and then when that player turns round and gives them a wave, you can't the moan at the player. You've got to expect it back. Take Frank Lampard, when he scores a goal against us. You can't take that banter out of football. It is part of why we go – to have a smile. I remember back in the 70s standing on the North Bank and the whole crowd was chanting "We all agree, Stanley Bowles is a wanker". He then turned round, looked at us and started conducting. It was fantastic! You've got to laugh along with it. In the end, as a player, you hear as much or as little as you want to.

Apart from the goal on your debut, what was the most important, or enjoyable, goal you scored at West Ham?

I think the overhead kick against Forest back in '87. Technically it was the best goal I ever scored. I only got two overhead goals in my career, so it's quite easy to remember all two of them. I used to practice it in training and in that game it all came together. The England manager, Bobby Robson, was there. The cub has just started to video all the games so it's on film. I also enjoyed to two goals at Chelsea when we beat them four nil in the 86 season.

Which players gave you the best service from midfield? Was there a player you have a telepathic understanding with – you just knew when the ball was going to come and where they would play it?

There are three players I'll mention. When I first got into the first team, there was a guy called Trevor Brooking, who was quite a decent player! But my first full season was also Trevor's last season. He was sensational that season. You made your run and the ball arrived where you wanted it. A lot of midfield players pass the ball to you but not every player can put it where you want it. With Trevor he would play the ball in front of you so you could hit the ball first time or take a touch, whatever you wanted to do. Other midfield players, you'd make the run and they'd play the ball and it would hit you up the arse, or you'd have to take a touch before you could do anything with it. The other guy I really enjoyed playing with was Alan Devonshire. He was fantastic. Dev played on the left side of midfield. I played slightly left as a forward. Our rapport was fantastic. I'm lunching with him and Galey this afternoon – he's doing brilliantly at Braintree, I might add. Unfortunately he got injured against Wigan and we lost him for 18 months, and when he came back he was still probably our best player. The third one, who I grew up with as a kid, and you talk about telepathy. Alan Dickens was the one I really had the understanding with. We played together right through schoolboys, youth team, reserves and ultimately the first team. He was such an underrated player. Dicko had everything. He was good in the air, a good finisher, creative, he could beat players. He wasn't blessed with an abundance of pace but he wasn't slow. He had everything, but the one thing he lacked was that belief in his own ability. I wouldn't say he was shy, but he was an unassuming lad. He never realised how good he was. He needed just that little bit more confidence, arrogance, and he would have been a fantastic player, not just for West Ham, but also for England.

That could be said for a lot of players. I think back to Matthew Rush. I always thought he was hugely talented, but just lacked that belief in himself.
Yes, Matt Rush. Footballers are very complex, Iain. You can be skilful, fast, a great finisher, but to become the overall package you have to have a bit of everything. You can't just be good at nine out ten, you have to be good at ten out of ten. One of the most important things is mental ability.

Did you ever have any self doubt? When you started or later in your career?

If I am told I can't do something I like to prove people wrong. It was very much the case with the takeover, which I know we'll come to later. It's the same with playing football. From a very early age – six or seven – I knew I could score goals. The easiest part of the game for me was scoring goals. The hard part was running around, controlling the ball, doing everything you have to do to become a footballer. I could score goals. The other kids couldn't do it, but I could. But the problem I had was that I was small. Whatever level I got to people would say 'yes, he's a really good player but he's too small'.

That's still the case isn't it?

Yes, I am too small! [laughs] Don't go down to Galey's level, Iain! I'm still small, I know I'm too small!
What I mean is, in this country I think it is now very difficult for strikers of a smaller stature to make the breathrough. If you're your size nowadays, it is very difficult. You don't get the same chances. Look at Sam Baldock. He didn't get a fair crack of the whip here, did he? But overall, there aren't that many small strikers around nowadays.
We're a dying breed. We've just heard that one of the greatest strikers of the last 20 years say he's going to hang his boots up – Michal Owen. There's Jermaine Defoe. There was Robbie Fowler, Gary Lineker, your out and out goalscorers, but we really are a dying breed.

Is that because there is now a tendency to play one up front?

Yes, it doesn't help. Your one up front is going to be a Drogba, Eile Heskey, or whoever you can think of – the big, string entre forward. I had to prove people wrong and the more people who said 'you're too small, you'll never make it', I had to prove them wrong. Going forward to the modern era, it shouldn't matter how tall you are, it should be about your ability and your skill. Once you get the opportunity you've got to have the mental strength to go and prove people wrong. People would have said to Messi that he's too small – Maradona would have been the same. I always point to the fact that most of the world's best players have been 5'10 or under including Pele, my hero Gerd Muller. Even Rooney is only 5'8 or 5'9. Ronaldo is one of the exceptions. Cruyff and Van Basten too. It's a lot easier to name the smaller players that the taller players – but then I would say that as a small man!

Looking back are you disappointed you only got seven England caps?

Yes. What's even more frustrating is that I have actually only got six caps because I played in the Rous Cap and the FA only gave one cap for playing against Scotland Chile. I wish I was joking. I played seven times for England and I got six caps. Only the FA could do that. The one regret in my career is that I didn't score for England. I did at youth and Under 21 level but not for the full side but my England career never got going. I had a couple of problems in front of me and they were called Gary Lineker and Peter Beardsley. I didn't help myself because I got sent off for the Under 21s and got banned for three games. That could have cost me three caps. I never got in the starting eleven to be given the five or six games to prove I could do it at international level. The one game I started was against Scotland and I didn't play particularly well. After that I never played another game for my country. I never scored, but being the statto I am I only played 171 minutes for England – less than two games. It's not like I played seven full games and didn't score. It is the one one real regret of my career, apart from playing for Millwall towards the end of my career.

Tony Cottee's new book WEST HAM: THE INSIDE STORY is available now in paperback at £14.99.

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Sam hot on model
By PAT SHEEHAN
Published: 9 hrs ago
The Sun

SAM ALLARDYCE will use a stunning model to land a couple of strikers in the summer. The West Ham manager wants to be the first boss to take charge at the Olympic Stadium when the club move there from Upton Park in 2016. And Allardyce admits he will show any transfer targets detailed models of what the stadium will look like in a bid to sign them. He revealed: "I think we could use the model. We have artistic impressions we can put up and say to any prospective player this is where we'll be in 2016." Top of Allardyce's wish list is Vitesse Arnhem striker Wilfried Bony. He added: "There is always a worry lack of goals could cost you. "West Ham have had many a game where we have dominated and have not taken our chances. "We are the lowest goal scorers away from home and that is why life has been a struggle away. "Putting the ball in the net is critical. We haven't done that which is why we are not safe already.
"Our top scorer is Kevin Nolan and he is on six from midfield. You want more from your strikers."

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Hammers will keep Olympic spirit alive
Exclusive
By VIKKI ORVICE
Published: 9 hrs ago
The Sun

DALEY THOMPSON has backed West Ham to keep the spirit of the Olympic Stadium alive. The Hammers yesterday revealed more plans about how the iconic venue will look after being finally being named as anchor tenants earlier this month. They will move from Upton Park to the Olympic Stadium from August 2016 and pay around £2m-a-year rent in addition to £15m for a 99-year lease on the £429m venue on which conversion costs could reach £190m. Under conversion plans, the roof will be extended and the seating capacity reduced from 80,000 to between 54,000 and 60,000, with a retractable system allowing the venue to be converted from a football stadium to an athletics arena within days.

Critics have questioned the deal, with the taxpayer picking up the tab for the conversion costs, and the presence of a football club at the Stadium. Leyton Orient owner Barry Hearn is also still fighting the Hammers move. But Olympic legend Thompson, who won decathlon gold at the 1980 and 1984 Games and was involved in the lighting of the flame at London 2012, said: "West Ham have got an unbelievable deal out of it but the Olympic Stadium needs an anchor tenant. No disrespect to Barry Hearn but I don't think Leyton Orient are it. "I don't have as strong a view as some people about whether there should be a track in there. I just think we have this awesome stadium and it should be used more than once or twice a year. I don't care who uses the stadium as long as it is used. "I've been back to the Olympic Stadium in Sydney since their Games. It was quiet, very quiet. Thompson, who is helping to launch the St. Lucia Triathlon on the Caribbean island in November, said: "We all remember the days when it was absolutely packed in Sydney and although the park gets used with the swimming pool there it's a place that could easily have a lot more events. That's why our Olympic stadium should be used as much as it can be."

His comments come with the news that USAIN BOLT is to return to the scene of his Olympic triple gold medal glory last summer after agreeing a deal to compete in two events when the stadium re-opens for the London Anniversary Games in July. The Jamaican sprinter is understood to have signed a £500,000 deal to compete on both days of the Diamond League grand prix on July 26 and 27 — the first anniversary of London 2012. It will be the first time Bolt has raced in Britain outside the Olympics since 2009. As SunSport first revealed in 2010 he stopped running at meetings here because UK tax rules hit him hard in the pocket. But the Government announced in last week's budget that a one-off tax exemption for overseas athletes would be granted for the London meeting to ensure an all-star cast could be assembled. A similar exemption was put in place when Wembley last hosted the Champions League final, allowing stars such as Lionel Messi not to lose out.

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Karren Brady's football diary – Boris more than a naughty boy
The Sun
By KARREN BRADY
SunSport columnist
Published: 9 hrs ago

Saturday, March 23
THE reception to the news the Olympic Stadium is to be our home is greeted today with a mixture of smiles and scepticism I can live with — particularly as I always believed there was no realistic alternative. The announcement came 50 years to the day after The Beatles released their first album, Please, Please Me and that is exactly what we intend to do for our supporters — please them. Let the consultation begin.

Sunday, March 24
THERE was never a doubt about offering Sam Allardyce a new West Ham contract. But it appears that our policy to wait until we are safe from relegation seemed to bother some supporters and so we decide today to talk to the manager about terms. The fact is we want Sam and he wants to stay. He won't be picking up his musket and we won't be wielding a hammer and I'm very confident he'll be at Upton Park next season.

Monday, March 25
THE Boris Johnson I see in a TV documentary this evening is Boris playing the naughty schoolboy. But that's a far different Boris to the one I dealt with for months during stadium negotiations. He was rather more a man in business mode, anxious to secure as good a deal with West Ham as he could for Londoners and the tax payers. The mayor of London is a ladies' man, no question about that. And the manager he reminds me of most is Jose Mourinho — although not the hair. Of me, he said: "With Karren, it's not so much that she moves the goalposts... it's also the seats and the roof that she moves as well." Not the earth then.

Tuesday, March 26
OH dear, here we go again. While Spain are showing in France that they are resilient as well as brilliant, England are messing up. The manager keeps a sense of proportion. "It's going to be quite interesting at the top now," says Roy. Quite interesting. It's going to be ruddy murder. Four more episodes of nail-chewing fear, wondering whether his team can keep their nerve as they clearly didn't against the giants of Montenegro.

Wednesday, March 27
A VERY worried friend tells me QPR have lost £93million this season and he has put in £31m. After losing at Villa Park, they could no longer hide from bitter truth that Harry Redknapp, with bundles of money, might not save them from relegation. Only players and managers get rich from football, he sighs. Not true. We did sell Birmingham for £82m and could have got out while the going was good. Instead, we're spending it at West Ham.

Thursday, March 28
HERE'S a single clue that spring must be in the air: Mario Balotelli has fallen in love again. Silly old Mario says his new girlfriend is the reason he cannot stop scoring goals. Two for Italy on Tuesday and seven in six games for AC Milan since he left Manchester City and all because of Fanny Neguesha. He said: "Thanks to Fanny I have rediscovered the balance that I need in my work." Hmmm. When I fell in love with a footballer, he scored a lot, too.

Friday, March 29
IT'S a fraught business being a woman in football. Alexandra Wrage does it with something rather like the pronunciation of her name — rage. In questioning corruption and vote-rigging within FIFA, the Canadian, a member of FIFA's governance committee, has a heck of a target to get furious at. Sepp Blatter's men tend to stick together. But she is chipping away and when the wall comes down it will be with an almighty crash.

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Car-lton Cole
By ANDREW DILLON
Published: 8 hrs ago
The Sun

CARLTON COLE has hailed his uncle Duncan as the driving force behind his quest for a new West Ham contract. The striker's poor time-keeping cost him so much in fines he has recruited one of his nearest and dearest as his personal chauffeur. Uncle Dunc is also his fiercest critic — and agent — and will be leading talks with co-owner David Sullivan when negotiations kick off over a deal for next season. Cole, 29, said: "I don't drive any more. "Duncan, my uncle, drives me about now. "I just find it easier. He drives me to training every day. That's his allocated job — to look after me. "He is still late picking me up, so I get fined — and I am taking it out of his wages! "My uncle has been there for me since I was young. Every match he will tell me what I'm doing wrong. "He is my worst critic — I don't care what my mum, Sam Allardyce or any papers say about me. "He is the most supportive because he is the one I am scared of. "My uncle should be the one to go in and see the chairman at the end of the season. "He was like a dad to me growing up and helped me through everything. He took me to training and when I was on loan to Wolves and Villa he lived up there with me. "He has been through thick and thin with me. He has been the backbone to my career so far and without him I'd be lost. "I'd love to stay at West Ham. I have been here seven years. Once we're safe, hopefully something will be sorted out — I don't want to go anywhere else. "It can't be West Ham or nothing, though, because I am still only 29."

Hammers can take a big step towards Premier League safety with a home win over West Brom today. Just two goals this season is not a huge selling point — but Cole reckons boss Allardyce has built the team around defence first. He added: "Sometimes the formation doesn't help the strikers get a load of goals. But I've accepted it from the start of the season. "The next game is massive against West Brom — but if we get the points we are on our way to securing our Premier League status."

Cole also believes the move to the Olympic Stadium in 2016 will be a huge boost to the club. He said: "Things have to change. You cannot stay the same. I know the history of the club — Bobby Moore, everybody who has been involved at the club. "But life changes. Man City left Maine Road and went to their new stadium, Arsenal left Highbury and Chelsea are trying to now. Every club has to develop."

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Happy Hammer Joe finds home
By GRAHAM HILL
Published: 9 hrs ago
The SUn

WEST BROM boss Steve Clarke reckons Joe Cole has bounced back from his Liverpool nightmare after 'coming home'. Clarke coached Cole at both Chelsea and Liverpool. And he admits the player did not have his 'best moment' at Anfield. Now the Baggies chief comes up against the midfielder again when he returns to West Ham, three years after leaving when Gianfranco Zola was sacked. Cole came back to Upton Park in January when he finally ended an unhappy stay on Merseyside. Clarke said: "We had a brief spell together at Liverpool when Joe wasn't in his best moment. "He's not the first player who's made a move that hasn't worked out. But he's bounced back. "From what I've seen he's playing well. "He'll be a difficult opponent, but he is just one of many that they can put out against us."

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