Daily WHUFC News - 12th March 2013

Jussi takes SBOBET Player of the Month prize
WHUFC.com
Goalkeeper wins February's award while Joe Cole's strike v Spurs wins Goal
of the Month
11.03.2013

Jussi Jaaskelainen has been named as the SBOBET Player of the Month for
February after polling 40% of the fan vote on whufc.com Goalkeeper
Jaaskelainen held off competition from Winston Reid (25%) to land the prize,
while Joe Cole's 17% share of the poll saw him round off the top three.
Jaaskelainen's most telling contribution of the month was the clean sheet he
kept against Swansea City which helped the Hammers to a valuable Boleyn
Ground victory. He was also in top form in the 3-2 Barclays Premier League
defeat to Tottenham, making a string of fine saves to frustrate the visitors
before Gareth Bale's last minute stunner broke home hearts.

Meanwhile, Joe Cole's goal in that narrow loss to Spurs saw him take
February's Goal of the Month prize. Cole controlled Joey O'Brien's clipped
pass with a deft touch before swivelling and shooting past Hugo Lloris to
put West Ham 2-1 up at the time.

In a poll conducted on the club's Official Facebook Page, Cole's strike
earned 68% of the vote to beat Andy Carroll's header against Swansea into
second.
Wellington Paulista's and Elliot Lee's goals against West Bromwich Albion
U21, as well as Kieran Sadlier's strike against Wolverhampton Wanderers U18
were also nominated.

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Diame looking for Chelsea repeat
WHUFC.com
West Ham United midfielder looks to Boleyn Ground win over Chelsea ahead of
Stamford Bridge trip
11.03.2013

Mohamed Diame believes West Ham United are capable of building on last
weekend's away win at Stoke City when they tackle their final five road
Barclays Premier League fixtures of the campaign. The Hammers are on their
travels again this coming Sunday when they make the journey across London to
take on Chelsea and Diame has fond memories of the last meeting with the
Champions League holders. He came off the bench at the interval to notch
West Ham's second goal in a fine 3-1 Boleyn Ground victory and the Senegal
international sees no reason why Sam Allardyce's side cannot cause Chelsea
more problems.
"It's about confidence, it's eleven v eleven on the pitch whether we're at
home or away," he said. "I don't know why we haven't got better results when
we've played away this season, so the Stoke result was very important for us
and now we can look forward to the Chelsea game. "We have to go there, give
our best on the pitch and try to put them in trouble. Winning at Stoke gives
us belief and that's important. "We beat Chelsea at home earlier in the
season and it was a very good win. You always want to play when you're up
against the big four, so I was happy to get on and play my part. I had a lot
of confidence going into that game, and that helped me to do my job on the
pitch that day. "Emotionally, that was the best feeling I've had at West
Ham. The fans were very happy and pushed the team on when Coley scored the
equaliser. It was a great atmosphere and it got even better when we scored
the second and third to win the game. "Now Chelsea know what we can do, so
it's not going to be easy, but we just need to give our best and we'll see
what happens."

Diame is especially looking forward to locking horns with Chelsea winger
Victor Moses, who was a teammate of his at Wigan Athletic last term. He
added: "I still speak to Victor, he's a very good guy and he's my friend.
He's a very good player and I'm looking forward to coming up against him.
"They have good players there, but we will have our chance too. We know how
we want to play and we're going to prepare well over the week, watch videos
of Chelsea to see how they've played in recent games and then try to stop
them on the day."

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Reid in New Zealand squad
WHUFC.com
Hammers defender Winston Reid is in the New Zealand squad for World Cup
Qualifiers in March
11.03.2013

West Ham United defender Winston Reid has been named in the New Zealand
squad for their FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifiers against New Caledonia and the
Solomon Islands later this month. The All Whites will face New Caledonia at
home on Friday 22 March before travelling to the Solomon Islands for their
final fixture in the third stage of the Oceania qualifying process on
Tuesday 26 March. New Zealand have won four games out of four in this phase
and a victory against New Caledonia would guarantee their place in the
intercontinental play-off in November. Reid joins fellow Hammers defender
Joey O'Brien in receiving an international call-up this month, with the
27-year-old featuring in the Republic of Ireland's provisional squad for
their World Cup qualifiers against Sweden and Austria on 22 March and 26
March. Ireland currently sit third in their group, four points off leaders
Germany having played a game less. - Meanwhile, Dan Potts is part of the
Engalnd Under-19 party for their international friendly against Turkey on
Thursday 21 March. The game, which is due to place at AFC Telford United,
will provide Noel Blake's side with their final warm-up before the Elite
Round of qualification for this summer's UEFA U19 Championship in Lithuania.

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Potts hopeful of Liverpool scalp
WHUFc.com
Dan Potts is confident of an upturn in fortunes as the Development Squad
head for Liverpool
11.03.2013

Dan Potts insists Monday's Barclays Under-21 Premier League Elite Group
clash at Liverpool is now 'vital' in their pursuit of a top-three finish, as
West Ham United bid for a first win in five. The Hammers succumbed to a 2-0
defeat at Altrincham against Manchester United last time out, their third
successive fruitless away day in the competition's second phase.
Eighteen-year-old Potts, however, expects his teammates to come back
fighting as they hope to breathe fresh life into their campaign with three
points at Liverpool's Kirkby Academy.

"Monday's vital now," Potts told West Ham TV. "We've been on a bit of a bad
run, but we'll definitely be going there to bring back all three points,
that's for sure. "We all know the top three is where we want to be and with
it being so tight at the moment, it's just a matter of getting the points on
the board."
Victory in Monday's 2pm kick-off would lift the Hammers above Liverpool and,
for the time being at least, into third. Boss Nick Haycock, meanwhile, is
under no illusions of the size of the task at hand, up against one of the
country's elite clubs. "They're a good passing side," Haycock explained. I
respect coach Alex Inglethorpe highly, with what he achieved previously at
Tottenham Hotspur and now at Liverpool as well. "We're playing against the
big boys in our eyes. We're up against the top six teams, who are looking
for Champions League football and their youth setups are no different.
That's what we've got to compete with. "We're delighted [to be in the Elite
Group] and we'd always prefer to be in these games. The results might not be
going our way at the minute, but what the boys get out of these experiences
is paramount for their development."

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Liverpool 3-3 Development Squad FT
WHUFC.com
A last-gasp Elliot Lee goal earns the Dev Squad a point in a thrilling 3-3
draw at Liverpool
11.03.2013

LIVERPOOL v WEST HAM UNITED
BARCLAYS U21 PREMIER LEAGUE ELITE GROUP STAGE
MONDAY 11 MARCH 2013
KICK-OFF: 2PM
REFEREE: STEVEN COPELAND

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Final score - Liverpool 3-3 West Ham United

94 mins - GOAL! Elliot Lee pops up with a vital last-gasp leveller and it's
nothing more than the visitors deserve. Moncur's corner is met by Potts,
before Lee volleys home to spark wild celebrations. It's pretty much the
last kick of the game and West Ham have themselves a stunning point against
a hugely experienced Liverpool side.

90 mins - Chance. Moncur tip toes into the box and appears to be tripped,
though to his credit he stays on his feet. Mr Copeland is not interested and
awards the goal-kick. Not long left now.

88 mins - As the clock ticks down West Ham are struggling to get their foot
on the ball. Jordan Spence concedes the corner and the Reds are now happy to
play out these dying seconds in the corner.

85 mins - The hosts are inches away from settling the contest as Driver well
and truly puts his body on the line to prevent a low cross from squirming
over the line, Liverpool are claiming hand ball but Mr Copeland is having
none of it.

83 mins - The Hammers are throwing men forward here in search of the
leveller and with that in mind, Sean Maguire joins the action at the expense
of Bywater.

80 mins - Goal! Heartbreak for the Hammers as Suso puts the Reds in front
once more. He cuts inside off the right flank, before angling a drive across
Spiegel. It doesn't have a great deal on it, but it still manages to trickle
into the corner.

79 mins - Turgott has goal and glory in his sights as he takes aim from the
edge of the box. He's denied, however, by a stupendous block and the chance
has gone.

76 mins - This time Spiegel is forced to make the stop, as he beats away
Suso's effort. It prompts a first change for the Hammers, as young
midfielder Ben Marlow replaces Amos Nasha in the heart of midfield.

73 mins - Sterling wins a free-kick on the nearside and it's Shelvey who's
charged with the dead ball responsibility. A clever routine sees the ball
worked out to Suso, whose shot, for once, is not the cleanest and is cleared
relatively easily.

70 mins - The Hammers are defending deep but defending well. Dare I say it,
but the hosts appear to be running out of ideas.

66 mins - In truth it's all gone rather quiet here, with West Ham having a
great deal more joy in shackling the hosts. Sterling sets off on another of
his dangerous runs but overruns it, allowing Frazer Shaw to clear his lines.


64 mins - Paulista does brilliantly to worm his way to the byline before
digging out a very inviting centre. Sadly, there's no one on hand to apply a
touch of any description and it drifts harmlessly across the face of goal.

61 mins - The Reds make a double switch with Adam Morgan replacing Daniel
Carr and McLaughlin making way for Conor Randall.

58 mins - At the other end, Spiegel is at full-stretch to tip Suso's strike
round the post. The first-half sunshine is now but a distant memory as the
snow starts to fall!

56 mins - GOAL! It's almost a carbon copy of the opener as Bywater's corner
hangs in the air, but this time it's Paulista who's the beneficiary, as he
nods in his fourth goal in claret and blue.

53 mins - It's all hands on deck for West Ham here, as Liverpool remain
camped in the opposition half. An offside flag, meanwhile, grants the
visitors an opportunity to draw breath.

50 mins - Liverpool are bossing possession at the start of the second half,
with Shelvey pulling the strings in midfield. That said, the Hammers win a
corner, but much like their hosts in the first half, the wind sees it sail
harmlessly behind.

48 mins - Stering gets the better of Driver but his low centre is cut out by
Potts. It's only cleared as far as Suso, however, whose drive forces Spiegel
into action, as he tips it over the bar.

46 mins - Mr Copeland gets us back underway here. The Hammers have a stern
test on their hands here and on the evidence of the first half, set-pieces
are perhaps their most likely route back into this one.

45 mins - Callum Driver falls to earth thanks to an ill-timed lunge from
Sterling. Fortunately, Driver is back on his feet promptly enough and there
doesn't appear to be any lasting damage. That's more or less the last action
of the opening 45, one that started so very well for Nick Haycock's men.

43 mins - A West Ham corner from the right this time flicks off a head or
two, before travelling goalward. Ward is back pedalling in a hurry and
relieved to see the ball bobble off the top of the bar and behind to
relative safety.

41 mins - The Hammers are finishing the half the stronger, as Moncur
attempts to square for Lee. It's poked behind for a corner, which is too
close to Ward who gathers under no pressure whatever.

39 mins - West Ham should be level. Kieran Bywater's set piece drops on the
head of an unmarked Paulista, whose header is only parried by Ward into the
path of Lee. The No.11 is only too glad to slot home but his celebrations
are cut short by the sight of the linesman's flag.

37 mins - A rare West Ham attack ends prematurely as Turgott is
dispossessed. Suso takes over before playing it into the feet of Sterling.
Fortunately, there's a breakdown in communications and the Hammers are able
to hack it clear.

35 mins - The young reds have a free-kick on the edge of the box, a few
yards left of centre. Shelvey takes charge but whips his strike comfortably
wide of Spiegel's left-hand upright.

33 mins - It's wave after wave of Liverpool attack at present and the
Hammers have got to hold on here. Ryan McLaughlin strides forward but this
time Spiegel is on hand to prevent any further damage.

30 mins - Goal! Another exceptional individual effort, Suso picks it up
inside the West Ham half, before surging towards the box and unleashing a
rasping drive. It's past Spiegel in a flash and you have to say, it's
another mightily impressive goal.

27 mins - No need for Nick Haycock's young men to be dispirited here. They
have been excellent up until now against a Liverpool side with a great deal
more experience. Shelvey whips in a free-kick from the left, but it's
expertly dealt with by full-back Frazer Shaw.

24 mins - Goal! Sterling works his magic with an absolute thunderbolt from
25 yards. It crashes off the underside of the bar and past an utterly
helpless Spiegel. Not much you can do about goals like that.

21 mins - Liverpool have a second corner in a matter of seconds, as the
first causes unrest in the West Ham six-yard box. Somehow, it's shovelled
behind. The second set-piece comes to nothing but the hosts are just
starting to get on top here.

19 mins - Blair Turgott wins it some 30 yards from goal and despite the
pleas of Moncur opts to let fly. He screws it well wide and it's fair to say
Moncur is not best pleased.

16 mins - Sterling is beginning to show his worth here and stings the palms
of Spiegel. The Hammers stopper cannot hold on at the first time of asking
but reacts smartly to gather second time round.

15 mins - Jose Ignacio has the goal in his sights from 20 yards but his shot
cannons off a West Ham body and behind Spiegel's goal. The corner is a poor
one and intercepted by Lee at the near post.

12 mins - Liverpool win a corner on the left-hand side but the wind takes
hold and yanks it behind for a goal kick. Meanwhile, Raheem Sterling sets
off from halfway and darts into the Hammers box, before seeing his drive
deflected behind, The resulting corner is overhit once more.

10 mins - Apologies for the delay, rest assured I am still with you and West
Ham are still winning. The trusty laptop failed me momentarily. Anywho,
you've missed nothing. For all of Liverpool's attacking talent on show, West
Ham are holding firm and Raphael Spiegel is yet to face a test of any note.
So far so good.

4 mins - GOAL! Perfect start! Turgott does well to win a corner and it's
Kieran Bywater who floats it towards the far post. Dan Potts climbs highest
and nods home at the far post. That's the young Hammers' first goal in
upwards of three hours of football.

3 mins - Wellington Paulista does well to pick out Elliot Lee, who juggles
with the ball on the edge of the box. It's nicked away from him but Mr
Copeland awards a goal-kick. Much to the disgust of Lee.

1 mins - It's West Ham who get us underway, but surrender possession all too
quickly. Daniel Carr sets off down the right and though his cross is an
inviting one, it's too high for those waiting in the centre.

13:59pm - Having prepared for a blizzard, I'm now faced with the unlikely
scenario of having the sun in my eyes! It's an idyllic day here.. Here come
the players, we're seconds from the off.

13:40pm - Here's a brief opposition view, from none other than former Hammer
Neil Mellor. He told us: "In the Elite Group Liverpool have had a lot of
injuries, quite a few players have gone out on loan and they have been quite
short on numbers really, particularly against Manchester United and
Tottenham Hotspur - both of which they lost 1-0.

"But in truth, it's not about winning the Elite League, it's about getting
players through to the first team. While of course, it's good to win, the
aim is always progression.

"Joao Teixeria signed from Sporting Lisbon for £1million last season and
though he's not played in the first team yet, he's a really good technical
footballer. He can play some fantastic passes and he has a real elegance
about him on the football pitch. He's a talented footballer!"

13:15pm - The teams are in and, as expected, Nick Haycock makes just one
change to the side that lost 2-0 against Manchester United, with Kieran
Bywater coming in for Paul McCallum. Meanwhile, it is a strong-looking
Liverpool line-up, with first-teamers Andre Wisdom, Conor Coady, Jonjo
Shelvey, Suso and Raheem Sterling all in the hosts' starting XI.

Liverpool U21s: Ward, McLaughlin, Roddan, Wisdom, Coady, Shelvey, Ignacio,
Teixeria, Carr, Suso, Sterling. Subs: Morgan, Belford, Randall, Petersson,
Bijev.

West Ham United U21s: Spiegel, Driver, Shaw, Nasha, Potts, Spence, Turgott,
Moncur, Paulista, Bywater, Lee. Subs: Maguire, Larkins, Marlow, Miles, Page.


Good afternoon and welcome to Kirkby Academy for today's Barclays Under-21
Premier League Elite Group fixture featuring Liverpool and West Ham United.
Nick Haycock's men take to the road for the third time in less than a
fortnight, hoping to fare rather better than defeats at the hands of both
Wolverhampton Wanderers and Manchester United.

Despite taking six points from their first three fixtures, the Development
Squad are now winless in four, a sequence that today sees the Hammers
bidding for a first success since a 2-0 home win over West Bromwich Albion
on 8 February.
West Ham will, at the very least, be forced into one change, with Paul
McCallum having joined npower League Two side Aldershot Town on a month's
loan. Meanwhile, it remains to be seen whether either Pelly Ruddock or
Sebastian Lletget will feature, having missed Wednesday's 2-0 reverse at
Altrincham through injury.

Today's hosts sit third in the Elite Group with ten points from their six
clashes in the competition's second phase. Liverpool are three points and
two places better off than the Hammers, but a victory of any sort for West
Ham would lift them above the Reds.
Last time out, Liverpool were held to a 1-1 away draw with Southampton,
their first and only stalemate to date. We will have team news shortly,
while you can follow live text updates as of this afternoon's 2pm kick-off.

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West Ham midfielder Mohamed Diame unfazed by Chelsea test
Last Updated: March 11, 2013 2:18pm
SSN

West Ham midfielder Mohamed Diame insists they have nothing to fear when
they face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League on Sunday.
Diame came off the bench to score the second goal in the Hammers' 3-1 win in
the reverse fixture on 1 December. Sam Allardyce's side were not in action
this weekend due to the FA Cup but they won their last league match at Stoke
1-0 to give them a further boost. "It's about confidence, it's eleven v
eleven on the pitch whether we're at home or away," Diame told the club's
official website. "I don't know why we haven't got better results when we've
played away this season, so the Stoke result was very important for us and
now we can look forward to the Chelsea game. "We have to go there, give our
best on the pitch and try to put them in trouble. Winning at Stoke gives us
belief and that's important. "We beat Chelsea at home earlier in the season
and it was a very good win. You always want to play when you're up against
the big four, so I was happy to get on and play my part. I had a lot of
confidence going into that game, and that helped me to do my job on the
pitch that day. "Emotionally, that was the best feeling I've had at West
Ham. The fans were very happy and pushed the team on when Coley scored the
equaliser. It was a great atmosphere and it got even better when we scored
the second and third to win the game. "Now Chelsea know what we can do, so
it's not going to be easy, but we just need to give our best and we'll see
what happens. "They have good players there, but we will have our chance
too. We know how we want to play and we're going to prepare well over the
week, watch videos of Chelsea to see how they've played in recent games and
then try to stop them on the day."

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