Daily WHUFC News - 6th March 2013

Blair bids to build on Bantams success
WHUFC.com
Blair Turgott is back at West Ham United and ready to knuckle down in the
Development Squad
05.03.2013

Blair Turgott expects his adventures at Bradford City to steer him towards
success, as he settles back into life at West Ham United. The 18-year-old
winger turned out eleven times for the Bantams in a three-month stint that
culminated in Bradford's historic Capital One Cup final appearance. Though
Turgott would remain an unused substitute in a 5-0 defeat by Swansea City,
the Academy graduate is not likely to forget his Wembley day out in a hurry.
Now back in east London and bolstered by his Football League exploits,
Turgott was straight back into the action on Friday night, as he helped the
Development Squad to a goalless draw with Manchester United. "It's good to
see all the boys again and all of the staff, so I'm definitely happy to be
back now," he told West Ham TV. "Bradford City was a great experience for
me. When the opportunity came, it was something I was happy to do. I've
learned a lot as a player, which can steer me in good stead for the future.
It has definitely been a good experience. "For anyone, to go to Wembley like
that, the national stadium and to take in the atmosphere of a full sell-out
stadium is great. It's a great memory but I've just got to put in my pocket
and move on to bigger and better things now hopefully."

The England U19 international, who had not played a full 90 minutes since 15
January, confessed to being slightly ring rusty, though he expects Friday's
run-out to do him the power of good. "It was different, that was my first 90
minutes in like a month," he added. "So it was good personally for me to get
through the game and I thought I did alright. At first it was more about
getting 90 minutes under my belt and seeing how I fared. "Now it's about
getting games under my belt. I've got to keep performing every week and
getting a good performance level. Whatever happens going forward, I think
first and foremost it's about playing with the Development Squad and getting
minutes under my belt."

As for Friday's Barclays Under-21 Premier League stalemate, Turgott had no
complaints whatever, insisting that the point gives West Ham an excellent
platform from which to tackle Wednesday's reverse fixture in Altrincham. "I
think in games like that, you have to respect the point. At half-time we had
a chat and we felt we could win the game but obviously as the game went on,
we stuck together as a team. I think our shape was good and we limited them
to as few chances as possible. In the end it was good to get something out
of the game and get a point. "We've got them again on Wednesday. It will be
another good game, another tough game. That's what you want ultimately, big
games and to play against the better teams. This is why we're in this
league. That's what it's all about and should be a good test on Wednesday.
We know what we've got to do and if we do that I think we'll get the win."

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Matt on the mend
WHUFC.com
Hammers midfielder Matt Taylor is feeling better after suffering a
concussion at Stoke City
05.03.2013

Matt Taylor is on the mend after suffering concussion in Saturday's Barclays
Premier League victory at Stoke City. The No14 was caught on the jaw by
Peter Crouch's right boot when he bravely headed the ball clear as the
Potters striker attempted an acrobatic overhead kick. Taylor was knocked out
by the impact and there were initial concerns all-round when the midfielder
lay prone on the Britannia Stadium turf. However, thanks to the rapid
actions of the players, referee and medical staff, the 31-year-old was
tended to quickly. After being driven home by club doctor Dr Richard Weiler,
Taylor spent the remainder of the weekend resting at home before returning
to Chadwell Heath for further assessment The official website checked up on
his wellbeing on Tuesday and was delighted to hear that he is feeling a lot
better.

Matt, first things first, how are you?

MT: "I'm OK. I'm not too bad. My head is fine and I'm feeling a lot better.
It's the first time I have been knocked out in my career, or in my life for
that matter, that I can recall. If it was going to happen anywhere, then on
a football pitch is not a bad place because of all the medical staff being
there. It was a good place for it to happen, if it was going to happen."

We have all seen the footage and the photographs of what looked like a
horrible impact with Peter Crouch's right boot, but what is your
recollection of what happened?

MT: "I don't have any recollection of heading the ball. My only memory I
have is the ball going over my head [from the corner] and following my
runner. I then remember waking up in their treatment room on the treatment
table. I don't have any other memory. I don't remember walking off or
anything, which was a bit scary."

It just shows that you will literally put your head on the line for the
cause...

MT: "I don't remember going for the ball, but I have seen the video and it's
something that I had to go for. It's not something I couldn't do in terms of
going for the header. I don't think there is anyone else in the league who
would have tried an overhead kick from there, but Crouchy is obviously very
good at them and it might have hit the target. "It was just one of those
things and he clearly didn't mean to do it. There was no malice on his
behalf. It was just one of those occupational hazards. I know Crouchy and
played for England Under-21s with him and he came to see me afterwards, but
I'd already left for home with the doctor. There was no malice and you could
see that, as soon as it happened, he held his hands up and was very
apologetic so I don't hold any grudges. It's just one of those things."

What was the medical process after the incident?

MT: "Their doctor and one of our physios sat with me for about 40 minutes
until just after half-time and I felt a lot better. I just laid on the bed
there. It was ironic because Jack [Collison] scored and, where we were, we
heard a roar and thought Stoke had scored. One of the guys then came in and
said we were 1-0 up and I thought 'Oh good!'. "I let the manager do his team
talk and lads go back out for the second half and then I had a shower and
went out to watch the game from the dugout. I had a headache, but not a big
one. I slept for an hour and a half in the car on the way home, so I wasn't
great company for the doctor! I put the seat back and went straight to sleep
which, by all accounts, is quite normal after such an incident. "We got home
and ordered a Chinese because I really fancied one, but I couldn't eat any
of it because my jaw was so sore, which was a bit of a pain! My wife was
eating her dinner and I could only eat the noodles! It was the same on
Sunday and Monday and I managed to eat a little bit more on Tuesday. "Seeing
the incident again, I was very fortunate that I don't have any lasting head
damage. I feel fine and it is just a protocol to follow now to get back
training. Obviously with no game this weekend, I can take my time and get
fit to return to training next week, all things being well."

It was a worrying scene for all of us at the Britannia Stadium, so
presumably it would have been the same for your family and friends?

MT: "I don't have any recollection of this, but as soon as it happened I am
told I asked Frazer Young the physio to get my phone and call my wife. My
Dad and my sister were at the game and the fact that I wobbled off the
pitch, they probably thought I was OK. The fact I wasn't stretchered off and
I was laughing and joking made it seem less serious. "I couldn't answer any
of the questions that the medical team asked me because the concussion had
knocked me about a bit. I didn't have the correct answers so that was the
end of the game for me, but I can only commend everybody and hopefully there
won't be any lasting damage."

Lastly, although you were only on the pitch for eleven minutes, you must be
delighted with the result you achieved at Stoke?

MT: "It's a fantastic result. I text Jack on Saturday night as I was over
the moon for him for scoring and playing well. Jack is a really nice guy and
a good footballer, but he's had a difficult few months so I'm genuinely
really happy that he came on and scored the winning goal. It showed a lot
about the sort of character he has got and what he brings to the team. "It's
a fantastic result for everybody and now we have a nice trip to Chelsea to
look forward to. Let's hope we can be the first team this season to do the
'double' over Chelsea as that would be nice."

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Captain Reid relishing role
WHUFC.com
Stand-in skipper Winston Reid was delighted to lead West Ham United to
victory at Stoke City on Saturday
05.03.2013

The role of West Ham United captain has been filled by some legendary names
in the history of the club - Bobby Moore, Billy Bonds, Malcolm Allison,
George Kay and Alvin Martin among them. On Saturday, Winston Reid pulled on
the armband for the first time at the start of a Barclays Premier League
fixture, standing in after regular captain Kevin Nolan and vice-captain Mark
Noble were ruled out by injury. The No2 did the coveted role proud,
inspiring his team to a vital 1-0 Barclays Premier League victory at Stoke
City. Afterwards, the New Zealand centre-back told of his pride at being
handed the captaincy by manager Sam Allardyce. "It's a great privilege,"
said Reid, who has started all 28 league games this season. "We have Kevin
as a great captain and Mark right after him, so if I can do a job when they
are not available then it is fine by me. Otherwise, I just go about my
business as usual and don't try to really change myself.
"As a captain, I just try to give 100 per cent and try to help out my
team-mates. I try to be a good role model and try to do my best and
encourage everyone to try their hardest and be a winner."

Reid was nursing a bloodied lip following Saturday's visit to the Britannia
Stadium - an illustration of just what a stern physical test he and his
team-mates had withstood. Stoke bombarded the West Ham penalty area with
crosses, free-kicks, long balls and long throws, but the Hammers' back-four
and goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen stood firm - even after Potters manager
Tony Pulis had sent on substitute Kenwyne Jones to join fellow strikers
Peter Crouch and Cameron Jerome in the closing stages. "We needed the three
points. Stoke is a hard place to come so the boys did really well and got
the win, so it was good. At the end, they had about four big boys up there.
We had enough to deal with, but at the end we got a clean sheet and the win,
which were important. "I think it's a challenge to go to a place like Stoke.
It's not easy, but you just have to be up for it and try your best. I
thought everyone did that and we got the win."

The battle did claim two victims, however, with Matt Taylor and Joe Cole
leaving the pitch with concussion and a tight hamstring within the opening
eleven minutes. While some teams would have crumbled, with circumstances
conspiring against them, West Ham grew into the game and chalked up a
thoroughly deserved success. "We have been a bit down on numbers recently,
so it was good that the boys got together well and I thought we showed great
spirit as a team."

Having got to grips with Stoke's direct approach, West Ham struck the
all-important winner just before half-time. Ricardo Vaz Te and Jack Collison
- on for the injured Cole and Taylor - combined for the Wales midfielder to
shoot low past Asmir Begovic. The move impressed the skipper. "The goal was
a good one and a great finish from Jack. He came in and obviously wanted to
prove himself as well and he did that, so I'm pleased for him. Vaz did well
as well and we had a couple of other chances that maybe we could have
scored. "I thought we did well defensively, too, to keep them away from
creating big chances. They are very good on set pieces, so we had to be
careful but I think we limited them very well."

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Joe Cole Admits that his Liverpool Move was a Mistake!
By S J Chandos
West Ham Till I Die

In an interview with ESPN, Joe Cole has admitted that his 2010 move to
Liverpool was a mistake. But states that he agreed to the move, as the only
viable alternative to the offer of a 5 year deal from Spurs! That statement
might raise a few eye brows, but Cole makes the admission that after playing
for West Ham and Chelsea it did not feel right to pull on a Spurs shirt.
However, the Liverpool move never worked out and he admited to feeling
uncomfortable at Liverpool, both the club and the city.

He also provides an interesting insight in to his experience on joining
Chelsea. After cole signed, the West London club then went out and bought
Argentinian international midfielder, Sebastian Veron, basically to play in
the same position. Former Chairman, Ken Bates, allegedly welcomed Joe to
Chelsea by declaring, well done, 'you have signed to sit on our bench.' What
a motivational and inspiring welcome to Chelsea that must have been.
Regardless, Joe Cole rose to the challenge and established himself as a
first team regular, although I do clearly recall him not always being in
favour with the 'special one' during the latter's tenure as manager.

Joe Cole maintains that he needs to feel passionate about playing for a
club. And he has that passion for West Ham, as demonstrated by his
comiitment since returning and the demonstrative goal celebraton against
Spurs. It would have been nice for him to have returned in 2010, but it is
better later than never, as they say. At 31 years of age, Cole still has gas
in the tank and can really make up for lost time. He, unfortunately, picked
up an hamstring strain in the match against Stoke City, but hopefully he
will be fit and back in contention sooner rather than later. We need his
vision, guile and commitment to the cause in our midfield.

Well done Jack Collison for coming on and scoring the match winning goal on
Saturay. As I said, Jack has all the assets to become a top, goal scoring,
midfielder. His knee condition obviously requires managing, but if they can
keep him fit, then there is no reason why collison cannot score 10 plus
goals a season. It was interesting to see Tom's statstical analysis of the
Stoke City match. One statistic that caught the eye was he 80% plus pass
completion rate of Gary O'Neill. O'Neill never sems to get the credit that
he deserves for his workrate and covering ability, and that is even more the
case with his neat passing game. I have read previously that O'Neill
consistently has this high pass completion rate, which should really make
him stand out as a good and technically accomplished player. Unfortunately,
those stats are not widely acknowledged and that is a shame for a genuine
professional.

From missed player attributes to missing players, the African Cup of Nations
ended some time ago and yet Maiga appears to have disappeared without trace.
Hopefully he did nor return to the PL carying an injury secured on
international duty. At least Maiga has had his first team opporunities.
Unlike Welington Paulista, who must wonder why he travelled thousands of
miles, from his native Brasil, to play with the club's youngsters in the
Development Squad. Surely Paulista will get his opportunity before too much
longer?

Chelsea away might be the opportunity to 'blood' our Brazilian marvel in te
making? Probably from the bench? One thing is certain, both Collison and Vaz
Te must start. I was certainly very pleased to see both players do so well
in the Stoke City match. Surely, its got to be a case of 'play it (them)
again sam?'

SJ. Chandos.

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Liverfool
Cole regrets Kop move
By MARK IRWIN
Published: 6 hrs ago
The Sun

JOE COLE has admitted he was wrong to move to Liverpool — but could not bear
the thought of signing for Spurs. The midfielder spent over two years in the
Anfield wilderness before returning to first club West Ham in January. And
the ex-England player admits he never adapted to life at the Kop and regrets
calling Liverpool 'the biggest club in the country'. Cole, 31, revealed: "I
can only play for teams that I'm passionate about and I think that's what
went wrong for me at Liverpool. "I didn't feel a connection with the club or
the place that I had at Chelsea and West Ham. "I had seven great years at
Chelsea but the club wanted to go in a certain direction and I wasn't
involved. So I was left with two real options — Liverpool or Spurs. "Spurs
was probably the best option because they were offering me a five-year deal
and it meant I could stay in familiar surroundings. "But I just couldn't do
it, I just couldn't see myself pulling that Spurs shirt over my head. "With
the rivalry between Spurs and West Ham and Chelsea, it felt a bit
mercenary."

Yet Cole soon realised he was not going to fit in at Liverpool after signing
in 2010. He said: "When I joined, the guy interviewing me said 'you've
joined the biggest club in the country' and reeled off the trophies they'd
won. "I just said 'yeah, if you put it like that, I suppose you're right'
and Liverpool used that as the headline to the interview. "I didn't want to
upset anyone so I just went along with it. But obviously they're not the
biggest club in the country any more.
"How do you judge how big a club are? Nottingham Forest won the European Cup
twice but they're not a bigger club than Chelsea."

Cole, in an interview with the Chelsea fanzine cfuk, also recalls how former
Stamford Bridge chairman Ken Bates mocked him for joining the club at the
start of the Roman Abramovich era in 2003. He said: "I rolled in at Chelsea
on my first day thinking 'I'm going to be a big part of this club'. "Then
Sebastian Veron walks through the door with about five agents. Same position
as me, costing three or four times as much. "As soon as I signed, Bates said
to me: 'Congratulations, son, you've joined to sit on our bench'. "I just
thought 'I'll show you' and a year later I was playing regularly and Veron
was off." Now Cole admits West Ham will be his last club. He said: "I was
missing London and my family and I had a personal tragedy in December when
my brother-in-law died.
"I got an opportunity to go back to West Ham and I don't want to move any
more."

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Andy scrap
Exclusive
By CARL LONG
Published: 6 hrs ago
The Sun

WEST HAM are set to send Andy Carroll back to Liverpool at the end of the
season. The Hammers have decided the England striker has not done enough to
clinch a permanent £17million switch and justify wages of £84,000 a week.
Instead, boss Sam Allardyce will turn his attention to Southampton striker
Rickie Lambert, who would cost around £6m. Carroll's hopes of clinching a
permanent move to Upton Park have been hit by a series of injuries and a
tally of just three goals in 15 appearances. However, the on-loan Geordie,
24, would face an uncertain future back at Anfield. Kop boss Brendan Rodgers
signed Daniel Sturridge in January and has made it clear there is no room
for the £35m striker. A Hammers source insisted: "The move for Carroll is
just too expensive.
"In the current economic climate, £17m plus £84k-a-week over four years
would add up to around £33m and we need to cut our cloth."

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