Daily WHUFC News - 7th September 2013

Big Sam hails Espanyol win
WHUFC.com
West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce was delighted with the win over Espanyol
06.09.2013

West Ham United boss Sam Allardyce was delighted to see his side triumph 1-0 at RCD Espanyol on Thursday night, The Hammers, who fielded a mix of experienced and young players in the international break, won 1-0 thanks to Mark Noble's first half penalty. Allardyce then introduced several members of his Development Squad, and he was pleased to see them cope well with the threat of Espanyol. "It was an excellent game," Big Sam said. "It's a different way to play when you're away in Europe. It's not like the Premier League where it gets frantic and high tempo all the time. "This game slows down a little bit and the lads adapted really well to that, and of course having got a goal in front, and then putting most of the young lads on, we held on to the defensive side of it really well. "We played the game out really well, and with no injuries too, which is the most important thing. It's a very good workout and it's given the young boys a real experience. "For the senior players too, James Tomkins, Adrian in goal, Matt Taylor it was important for their match fitness. For the whole squad from the aspect of tactical, technical and fitness it was very, very good. "It was a worthwhile workout for our players in the international break and now we hope our international players come back without any problems"

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Rat ready for action
WHUFC.com
Razvan Rat is hoping to make his Barclays Premier League debut at Southampton on 15 September
06.09.2013

Razvan Rat is hopeful of making his eagerly-awaited Barclays Premier League debut at Southampton on Sunday 15 September. The Romania captain, who is currently away on international duty with his country, has remained patient following his summer switch from Ukrainian champions Shakhtar Donetsk, where he was an automatic starter for nearly a decade. In an insightful interview with Shakhtar's official website, the No8 explained that he knew he would have to wait for his chance in the Barclays Premier League, but now feels ready to contribute against the Saints. "Perhaps my debut will take place after my return from international duty," said the left-back. "I am ready to take the field in matchday four, the away game against Southampton. At least I hope so. "Recently, the Irishman Joey O'Brien played in my position. Generally, he is a right-back, but due to the fact that last season, the main left-back [George McCartney] had his cruciate ligaments damaged, O'Brien was moved to the opposite flank. In principle, West Ham finished the last season well and the manager decided to leave Joey on the left flank in the opening rounds of this league edition. "Even before the start of the season, Sam Allardyce told me that in the opening rounds he will not field me in the starting lineup. This is normal. He wanted me to feel the atmosphere of the English Premier League. Still, it's a new league for me and a totally different level. The coach explained to me that I should first get a feel for the English Premier League, and then he will field me."

While he has had to wait for his chance in the Barclays Premier League, Rat did make his first-team bow in the Capital One Cup second-round victory over Cheltenham Town. Off the pitch, he is also enjoying life in England, having quickly integrated himself into the tight-knit West Ham squad. "Basically , everything is just as I expected it to be. I'm fine here in England. Adaptation is painless. In everyday terms, there are absolutely no problems. We live on the outskirts of London. A very nice place. You could even say that we live in the woods! Nature, fresh air and no fuss. Not far from the stadium. It takes me about 15 to 20 minutes by car to reach Upton Park. Currently, I am getting used to the left-hand drive. "West Ham is a very friendly team. All the guys were very open and they helped me in every way to integrate. Of course, my knowledge of the English language helped me to quickly blend in with the team. A foreigner always finds getting used to life in a new country easier if he or she speaks the language of the local people. I already speak five languages​​: Russian, English, Spanish, Portuguese and, of course, the Romanian language. "Basically, I have a good relationship with all the guys, but I communicate more with the team captain Kevin Nolan. Also, I have developed a friendly relationship with Joe Cole. He and I shared a room during the pre-season training camp."

While club success is on his mind, Rat also has international commitments to fulfil. Romania sit third in a hotly-contested Group D ahead of home matches with Hungary and Estonia on 6 and 10 September respectively. With the Netherlands seven points clear at the top, the national-team captain believes Romania are battling Hungary and Turkey for a Play-Off place. "At this stage, the group's top spot issue has already been resolved. Now, the three teams are fighting for the second spot. A lot will depend on the matches with Hungary and Turkey. Now all our thoughts are about the first encounter. Our nearest rivals currently sit in second spot, being one point ahead of us. Only a win will be fine for us. We need to win, to get past the major rival in the standings and then, in the fight for the knockout stage berth, everything will depend on us alone."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Chadwell Chatter
WHUFC.com
Elliot Lee reflects on a great week, which has seen a top flight debut and a U21 hat-trick
06.09.2013

Elliot Lee becomes the latest Hammers player to blog for whufc.com having enjoyed a fantastic week, which has involved a Premier League debut, a hat-trick for the U21s and an appearance in Spain against Espanyol. It was a great week for me, even going back to ten days ago I was on the bench in the Capital One Cup and to then go on and make my Barclays Premier League debut, before scoring a hat-trick for the Under-21s and now go on the first team's trip to Spain has been fantastic. Last Saturday I wasn't even meant to be in the squad, we were training at the Boleyn Ground on Friday and Joe Cole picked up an injury. I got put in the squad, then I found out I was on the bench and that's how it happens in football. You've got to take your opportunities when they come and I was very happy to get on last weekend. I'd have preferred it if we were 3-0 up when I came on obviously, but sometimes you have to come on like that, and it would have taken either being 3-0 to us or 1-0 down for me to come on. Hopefully I can now make more appearances in the future, and hopefully by throwing me on in that situation, the gaffer thinks he can trust me in that situation. I've shown in the Under-21s that I'm scoring goals, so it's nice to think that he might think of me in that way. Then I went up to Newcastle to play for the Under-21s and it was a crazy game, unlike any other I've been involved in. We were 3-0 down after 15 minutes and I hadn't touched the ball, but the lads came back and won 5-4, so it shows the great team spirit we have. We set ourselves a target, with the Under-21s, to have ten points from the first five games. We're on nine with one to go, but really we should be on ten, if not twelve now, because we just had one bad half against Tottenham, which killed us in that one. It's a break for us this weekend, but we're back on it when we play Manchester City next Friday and hopefully we can get another three points. The Under-21s are a close-knit group of players and we push each other on, so to see the likes of Leo Chambers, Pelly Ruddock, Sebastian Lletget and myself get a chance with the first team recently encourages everyone else and encourages us even more to keep on going. Whilst we've been in Barcelona we had a little downtime on Thursday morning, so I went along with some of the players and staff to visit the Nou Camp. It was great to visit Barcelona's stadium - the size of it just surprised me, I didn't think it would be that big and the fans are right on top of you. It must be an amazing atmosphere to play in those circumstances, just standing there and looking down on the pitch was amazing, and makes you think that hopefully one day you might be able to play on that pitch.

Come on you Irons!
Elliot

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Razvan Rat knows he has to be patient before getting his chance at West Ham
Last Updated: September 6, 2013 1:23pm
SSN

Razvan Rat has accepted that he will have to be patient before getting his chance to prove his worth in the Premier League. The Romania defender moved to Upton Park on a free transfer this summer after his contract at Shakhtar Donetsk expired but Sam Allardyce has told him he will not be rushed into the first team. "In principle, West Ham finished the last season well," said Rat. "The manager decided to leave Joey O'Brien on the left flank in the opening games of this league season. "Even before the start of the season Sam Allardyce told me that he would not field me in the starting line-up straightaway. "This is normal. He wanted me to feel the atmosphere of the English Premier League - it's a new league for me and a totally different level. "The coach explained to me that I should first get a feel for the English Premier League, and then he will play me."

Meanwhile, Sam Allardyce was delighted with a 1-0 friendly victory over Espanyol on Thursday night, with Mark Noble scoring the decisive penalty.
"It was an excellent game," he told the club's website. "It's a different way to play when you're away in Europe. It's not like the Premier League where it gets frantic and high tempo all the time. "We played the game out really well, and with no injuries too, which is the most important thing. It's a very good workout and it's given the young boys a real experience. "For the senior players too - James Tomkins, Adrian in goal, Matt Taylor - it was important for their match fitness. For the whole squad from the aspect of tactical, technical and fitness it was very, very good. "It was a worthwhile workout for our players in the international break and now we hope our international players come back without any problems."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham unlikely to sign Carlton Cole
Last Updated: September 6, 2013 8:43am
SSN

Carlton Cole looks unlikely to sign a new deal with West Ham United. Cole had started training with his former club earlier this week and had seemed set to re-join the Premier League side. However, Jack Sullivan, the son of co-chairman David Sullivan, has revealed that Cole's fitness is an issue. "Cole is not fit enough to offer a contract to," revealed Sullivan. "But he's thinking over getting fit with us and improving his fitness." Sullivan confirmed Sam Allardyce's side are in the market for other free agents and said: "We are also looking at other non-contract players."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham United consider Ciprian Marica offer
By Liam Power, Reporter
Filed: Saturday, September 7, 2013 at 01:08 UK
SPortsMole

West Ham United are reportedly considering an offer for Romanian international Ciprian Marica as their search for a new striker continues. Marcia is available on a free transfer after leaving Schalke 04 last season when his contract expired, with reported interest from Lazio and Arsenal failing to materialise during the close season. The 27-year-old was watched by West Ham as he scored the opener in Romania's 3-0 win over Hungary last night and could provide cover in attack at Upton Park, according to The Express. Hammers boss Sam Allardyce is desperate for new faces in the final third, with Andy Carroll still sidelined through injury. Carlton Cole was offered the chance to rejoin West Ham for training earlier this week, but want the forward to prove his fitness before considering a full contract.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

http://vyperz.blogspot.com