Reid's the man for derby goals
WHUFC.com
Tottenham Hotspur became the latest London side to concede to Winston Reid
on Sunday
06.10.2013
Winston Reid is man who saves his goals for the big occassion. Having
notched in the wins over Millwall and Fulham over the last two seasons, he
opened the scoring in Sunday's remarkable 3-0 derby day victory at Tottenham
Hotspur on Sunday. It ended a wait of 13 months since Reid's last goal, and
he was delighted to end that run in such an important game. Reid's strike
came after his header from a Stewart Downing corner was blocked by Kevin
Nolan before he fired the rebound home - with the skipper claiming it would
go down as a neat one-two for his assist. "It was a nice one-two with
Nobby!" smiled the New Zealand international captain. "Fortunately enough
the ball came back to me after the first header and I was able to get it in.
"It was important for us to get the three points on Sunday as it means we go
into the international break on the back of a great win. "People may not
have expected us to keep a clean sheet and gain this kind of result here,
but we believed we could and we've gone and proved it. "The manager set us
up with a gameplan, it worked and we've come away with a great result."
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'It doesn't get much better than that'
WHUFC.com
James Tomkins reckons the spirit in the camp could hardly be higher after
Sunday's win at Spurs
12.10.2013
James Tomkins insists the atmosphere around the Club has completely changed
following Sunday's momentous 3-0 win over local rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
Having dropped into the relegation zone ahead of the trip to White Hart
Lane, West Ham United sought to halt a run of five Barclays Premier League
games without a win. As it turned out, 13 amazing second-half minutes saw
Winston Reid, Ricardo Vaz Te and Ravel Morrison each find the net, spelling
an emphatic end to that winless run and, according to the Hammers No5,
completely transforming the mood about the place.
He told West Ham TV: "It's amazing what a win can do! Ever since, everyone's
come in buzzing from what happened at the weekend and it's certainly an
atmosphere that I won't ever forget in my career. A 3-0 win at White Hart
Lane, it doesn't get much better than that and long may it continue." All
three West Ham goals were met with wild celebrations from typically vocal
away support, who, having waited 14 years since the last White Hart Lane
win, made certain of enjoying this one. Just short of 3,000 Hammers fans
could be heard loud and proud right throughout Sunday's epic and Tomkins
admitted their unwavering support was vital at a tough time. "They were
brilliant all game and it was a massive result for everyone," he continued.
"It came at a time when we were struggling. Well, I say struggling, but we
were in the bottom three and people were looking at us thinking we're in a
bit of bother, but that's not the case."We always stay positive at the Club
and we knew it was a massive game for the fans and everyone involved. It was
a massive victory." Having twice captained the Hammers in the Capital One
Cup this term, Tomkins is now enjoying an extended run at the heart of Sam
Allardyce's defence in the Premier League too.
The stylish defender was once again on top of his game against Spurs and
believes the team's fortunes have finally changed for the better. "I think
Hull was an unlucky result for us in the end, with an undeserved penalty
going against us," he explained. "On another day they're never given. "The
luck went the other way on Sunday with Vaz's goal coming off his thigh and I
think we needed that bit of luck against a team like Spurs. "We got a great
result at the end of the day and I'm still pinching myself that we've beaten
Tottenham 3-0 at White Hart Lane, so we're still buzzing over that and we
can take that confidence into our next match."
That next match sees title-challenging Manchester City visit the Boleyn
Ground on Saturday 19 October, with Tomkins hopeful that he and his
team-mates can spring another surprise. "Manchester City's another big
game for us and we're all confident we can get something out of it now."
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U18s net dramatic Spurs win
WHUFC.com
A late Jordan Brown goal sees Steve Potts' men secure a third successive
league win
12.10.2013
West Ham United Under-18s earned a precious 3-2 Barclays U18 Premier League
victory against a strong Tottenham Hotspur outfit at Spurs' Enfield Training
Centre on Saturday. Skipper and prolific midfielder Kieran Bywater twice put
the visitors ahead, with Joe Pritchard and Nathan Oduwa levelling for the
hosts.
Though Spurs had many an opportunity to take the lead, they were made to pay
for their profligate finishing, as former Arsenal youngster Jordan Brown
bagged the winner with just three minutes left to play. Steve Potts was
forced into a defensive reshuffle for the contest, with defenders Reece
Burke and Kyle Knoyle both on international duty with England U18s. Emmanuel
Onariase and birthday boy Rob Girdlestone were the men to deputise.
It took the Hammers just three minutes to break the deadlock, with Bywater
bagging his eighth of the campaign already. The opportunity arose with Brown
charging down opposition 'keeper Luke McGee's clearance, enabling Bywater to
tap into an empty net. Tottenham, however, came back strongly and the
pressure told ten minutes later, when Pritchard reacted quickest to West Ham
goalkeeper Sam Baxter's initial stop from a Daniel Akindayini effort to head
home. The leveller prompted further chances for the hosts, with Pritchard
spurning the best of them, firing over the bar having been set up by Cy
Goddard.
And West Ham made the most of their good fortune to snatch a half-time lead,
as the irrepressible Bywater, fed by Josh Cullen, found the bottom corner
from 18 yards, After the break, the Hammers looked to extend their
advantage, with Djair Parfitt-Williams and Moses Makasi both seeing efforts
repelled by McGee.
At the other end, the influential Akindayini had Baxter scrambling across
his goal, firing narrowly wide after 53 minutes. Back came the Hammers, this
time through Cullen, who stole possession before seeing his drive smartly
saved by the Spurs custodian.
The chances, however, continued to come, as Oduwa won a penalty, having been
felled en route to goal. It was he who stepped up himself to cooly convert
the spot-kick. But it was to be West Ham's day and as they pushed forward
one final time, it was striker Brown who held off his marker to fire low
into the corner beyond McGee's reach. Victory hands Potts' men their third
consecutive league success, having previously won 5-0 against Liverpool at
Little Heath a fortnight ago, followed by last weekend's 2-1 win at West
Bromwich Albion. West Ham United Under-18s return to Little Heath next
weekend for the visit of Norwich City, with parking and admission both free
of charge.
West Ham United: Baxter, Amoo, Page, Marlow, Onariase, Girdlestone, Makasi,
Cullen, Brown, Bywater, Parfitt-Williams
Substitutes: Mavila, Nemrava, Martins, Bailey
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Ginge heads up international Hammers
WHUFC.com
James Collins helped Wales to a 1-0 victory over Macedonia in 2014 FIFA
World Cup qualifying
11.10.2013
West Ham United centre-half James Collins enjoyed a triumphant evening with
Wales, as he helped Chris Coleman's men to a 1-0 win over Macedonia at the
Cardiff City Stadium on Friday evening. The game's only goal arrived in the
67th minute, when Charlton Athletic frontman Simon Church collected from
Craig Bellamy, before thumping home the winner to propel Wales to fourth in
Group A. Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey spurned a late penalty for the
hosts, but it mattered not, with Collins and Wales holding on to preserve
their clean sheet. While Collins played the full 90 minutes, his Hammers
colleague Jack Collison did not feature on the night.
Elsewhere, it was a largely quiet evening for the Hammers' band of
internationals. Both Joey O'Brien and Stephen Henderson watched on from the
substitutes' bench, as the Republic of Ireland slipped to a 3-0 defeat to
Germany in Cologne.
There was better news for Razvan Rat's Romania team-mates, as they made
light work of Andorra. Though the experienced campaigner was omitted from
the match-day squad, Romania nevertheless strolled to a 4-0 win. They sit
behind group winners Netherlands and Turkey in Group D, ahead of Tuesday's
crucial visit of Estonia.
As for Saturday, Mohamed Diame was the Hammers' sole representative on the
international stage, as he skippered Senegal in their World Cup
qualification play-off first leg in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. The familiar
names of Didier Drogba, Gervinho and Salomon Kalou put the Ivorians three
goals to the good, before a late Papiss Cisse strike gave the Senegalese
hope ahead of November's return leg.
Ravel Morrison, however, made a successful start to life with England's U21s
on Thursday evening, as he started in England's comfortable 4-0 win in San
Marino. A Harry Kane hat-trick and Michael Keane's goal helped the Three
Lions up to second in their European Championship qualifying group.
Morrison, who was denied a debut goal by 'keeper Andrea Manzaroli, was
withdrawn by Gareth Southgate after 55 minutes. FA TV captured a fantastic
bit of skill from the attacking midfielder in this stunning video.
Also on Thursday, Academy centre-half Jamie Harney turned out for Northern
Ireland Under-19s, as they began their UEFA U19 Championship qualifying
campaign with a 2-0 defeat away to Belgium.
Hammers players featuring in international action this week are:
- Razvan Rat - Estonia (h) 15/10/13
- Jack Collison and James Collins - Belgium (a) 15/10/13
- Joey O'Brien and Stephen Henderson - Kazakhstan (h) 15/10/13
- Mohamed Diame - Senegal v Cote d'Ivoire (h) 12/11/13
- Winston Reid - New Zealand v Trinidad & Tobago (a) 15/10/13
- Modibo Maiga - Mali v South Korea (a) 15/10/13
- Ravel Morrison - Lithuania (h) 14/10/13
- Raphael Spiegel - Switzerland U21 v Croatia (h) 14/10/13
- Jamie Harney - France 12/10/13 and Iceland 15/10/13
- Kyle Knoyle and Reece Burke - England U18 v Hungary (h) 14/10/13
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Dyer enjoys Boleyn return
WHUFC.com
Former Hammers coach Alex Dyer enjoyed his return to the Boleyn Ground with
Charlton on Thursday
12.10.2013
Alex Dyer enjoyed success on his return to the Boleyn Ground as Charlton
Athletic overcame the Hammers in a behind-closed-doors friendly on Thursday.
Dyer returned to the club he served in a number of roles between 2004 and
2011 as Chris Powell's assistant as the Addicks left east London with a 4-2
win.
Best known for his time spent as reserve team coach for the club, Dyer has
worked with several of the players who are now in and around the first team
and this is a great source of pride for the 47-year-old. He told West Ham
TV: "It's great to see them, I was starting my career as a coach here and
it's nice that you can see a bit of talent and see that they're still here
at the club and performing well at all levels. "Tomkins is still around and
playing well, George Moncur came through the reserves with me, Callum Driver
and Pottsy have all done well and they're all good boys who worked hard when
I was here and I'm glad to see them still doing that. "History tells us that
West Ham have always produced good players. Joe Cole's still out there now
having come through Tony Carr's academy and it's been brilliant."
Both Dyer and Powell have ties with the club and were happy to return to
familiar surroundings. Whilst Powell has fond memories of serving West Ham
as a player, for Dyer the club has been engrained as part of his life since
he was a child. "I was back here a few weeks ago to watch West Ham in the
cup against Cardiff and although I don't get back here too often it's still
the team I supported as a kid and nice to come back."
He also admits that it was tough to leave his boyhood team but felt the
opportunity to work alongside Powell was too good to turn down. "He's a good
man and a good manager. When he asked me to come and join him when he took
over at Charlton it was a dream come true for me. "It was hard for me to
leave here but it was an opportunity for me to be at the results end of the
business and obviously we both played for Charlton so it was nice to go
back."
Whilst he may now be representing the club he played 86 times for during a
17-year playing career Dyer still celebrated the Hammers first win over
Tottenham for 14 years as keenly as any fan. "I was buzzing because Chris is
Spurs through and through and me being West Ham I was well chuffed that we
beat them in the first time for a long while."
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Petric finding his feet
WHUFC.com
Mladen Petric says he is nearing full fitness after getting 90 minutes under
his belt against Charlton
11.10.2013
Mladen Petric feels he is nearing full fitness after coming through 90
minutes in Thursday's behind-closed-doors friendly at the Boleyn Ground. The
Croatian was on the score sheet as an experimental Hammers side went down
4-2 to Chris Powell's Charlton Athletic. A towering header from a Matt
Jarvis cross brought the Croat his goal in a hard-working display and Petric
insists he is improving with every passing day. He told West Ham TV: "It was
a good day, I played 90 minutes after a long time which was very good for me
and of course I'm glad to score a goal but it's only a friendly, so it
doesn't count for too much.
"It was good, not just for my fitness, but some other players as well and it
was very important to get 90 minutes. I feel better and better each day and
I don't think it's long before I will feel 100 per cent fit."
It has been just over a month since Petric put pen to paper on a deal which
will see him at the club until the end of the 2013/14 season. And while the
frontman is yet to start a competitive clash for the Club, he reckons he is
fast reaching the same levels of fitness as his teammates. "My fitness is
much better than when I started three weeks ago. I saw how big the
difference was between me and the other players and now I feel like every
day that difference is getting smaller and smaller."
While Petric has, to date, been limited to three substitute appearances for
the Hammers, he feels he has settled in well among Sam Allardyce's squad.
He said of the team: "It's been nice, they're all very kind, very good lads
and every day I've been enjoying it. I get on well with everybody, of course
I get on well with Guy [Demel], because I know him from Hamburg and Raphael
Spiegel, because he's from Switzerland and we speak the same language. "
The striker was a delighted onlooker in the team's last Barclays Premier
League fixture, as the Hammers employed a formation without a recognised
striker against Tottenham Hotspur. Big Sam's tactics proved a big hit as the
visitors ran out 3-0 winners and the striker was happy to see the team win,
although admitting he is itching to play. "It was a very important win for
us and it was a much, much better atmosphere around the place. You could see
that everyone's been laughing and having fun in training, which has been
nice. "The last couple of weeks hadn't been very good for us, because of the
results, and I'm sure they'll make some more jokes when we win some more
games! "I hope to be involved but it's the manager who decides and we will
see. I didn't play against Tottenham but we won the game and that's the most
important thing. "I think it was a big surprise for Tottenham, which is why
we played so well and, of course, it is a good option to have for some
games. On the other side of that I'm a striker, I want to play and I'm sure
I'll get my time on the pitch."
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Hendo happy with 'good workout'
WHUFC.com
First-team coach Ian Hendon was keen to take the positives from Thursday's
friendly with Charlton
10.10.2013
West Ham United first-team coach Ian Hendon was satisfied with a worthwhile
exercise, even if the result against Charlton Athletic on Thursday afternoon
left much to be desired. Despite a 4-2 friendly defeat at the Boleyn Ground,
there was plenty to be pleased about for Hendon, not least a whole host of
senior players getting much-needed minutes. Elsewhere, Croatian forward
Mladen Petric bagged his first goal in West Ham colours, while Academy
graduate George Moncur also impressed with a second-half cameo and goal.
"The lads that needed minutes got minutes," Hendon told West Ham TV. "It's
not always about the result but obviously we want to win games, no matter
what they are. "That's the competitive spirit in us as coaches, the manager
and also the players. It's a disappointing result, but all in all, a good
workout and some minutes on the board for some of the lads that needed them.
"The last international break, we had a little trip out to Spain and played
Espanyol, that was a very good game. This time we played Charlton, who are a
Championship club and have come here and given us a good workout."
Though the Addicks would eventually prevail, it was the Hammers who opened
the scoring, as Petric rose highest to power a deep Matt Jarvis centre past
Ben Alnwick. The Croat was one of several seniors to see out the entire 90
minutes and Hendon insists the minutes will do those individuals the power
of good.
"Petric has played 90 minutes against Charlton, we want to get him match fit
and he's edging towards that now," he continued. "Like you say, it was a
good finish, a good header at the far post and nice for him to get on the
scoresheet. "George Moncur has come on and scored, he looked bright when he
came on. But it was mainly about the seniors getting minutes under their
belts, the likes of Joe Cole, Stewart Downing got another hour each. They'll
have a bit of a recovery day tomorrow and then the weekend off."
While Hendon is certainly not accustomed to, nor prepared to accept defeat,
there is no danger of Thursday's friendly dampening the spirit in the camp
following Sunday's spectacular result. "The result is a little bit of a
disappointment, but obviously Sunday was what it was all about this week and
to go there and get a fantastic result like we did has kept the place
bubbling this week. We'll come in Monday, bright and breezy, ready to go
again for Manchester City next Saturday."
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Mo's monumental week
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's Mohamed Diame has two massive fixtures to look forward to
over the next few days
10.10.2013
He has enjoyed a successful career, but Mohamed Diame will have few weeks
more important than the one he is about to embark on with Club and country.
The West Ham United midfielder will captain Senegal in their 2014 FIFA World
Cup African round three first-leg qualifier with Ivory Coast on Tuesday and
then return to east London to tackle Manchester City in the Barclays
Premier League on Sunday. Victory in both matches would give Diame huge
satisfaction, improving the Hammers' prospects and putting him within
touching distance of leading out the Lions of Teranga in Brazil next summer.
Starting with the World Cup qualifier, the No21 and his team-mates are
desperate to erase the memory of being disqualified for the 2013 Africa Cup
of Nations when a riot forced the abandonment of their play-off with the
Ivorians. "Of course, the qualifier is a big game for us," Diame told
whufc.com. "We have a bad memory of a short time again of the qualifier for
the African Cup but now is different. We have a support of the country to be
in Brazil and it is very important for everyone. We're going to try to fight
hard to win this game. "For me, to be captain at the World Cup in Brazil
would be unbelievable. I always dreamed to play in the World Cup, but to be
captain of my family and of my people and have them support me would be
unbelievable. I will try to do my best to be there."
Despite having a host of top-class players, Senegal have qualified for just
one FIFA World Cup previously, when they shocked holders France on their way
to the quarter-finals. A little more than a decade later, Diame says the
current crop of stars from the West African country are determined to reach
a second finals. "Everybody knows there is a lot of talent in Senegalese
players so we need to show this talent as a team," he explained. "I think a
lot of players come as individuals and show their ability and talent, but we
need to take all this and make it as one, as a team."
Ivory Coast represent familiar opposition for the Lions of Teranga, with
Senegal having faced their rivals twice a year ago and many Ivorians and
Senegalese playing their football in top European leagues. For the Ivory
Coast, brothers Kolo (Liverpool) and Yaya Toure (Manchester City), striker
Wilfried Bony (Swansea City) and midfielder Cheick Tiote (Newcastle United)
all play in the Barclays Premier League, while defender Sol Bamba,
midfielders Didier Zokora and Max Gradel and forwards Didier Drogba,
Gervinho and Salomon Kalou have also featured in English football. For
Senegal, Diame is joined in the Barclays Premier League by Newcastle forward
Papiss Cisse and Chelsea's former West Ham striker Demba Ba. "We already
know the quality they have and the players they have," said Diame, with a
smile. "Of course, we know them but we would have preferred to play against
a less-strong team than them! "I think it's going to be a hard game but
we're going to be prepared for that. We will have one week together and
we'll train hard to be ready."
On his return to London, Diame will come face to face with Yaya Toure for
the second time in five days when West Ham take on Manchester City at the
Boleyn Ground on Saturday. Yet again, the two midfielders will be central to
their respective team's chances of success. "Yaya is a big player and an
important for his country and for Man City as well," he said. "We know the
quality he has and we just have to try to stop him and make him have a bad
game. "Of course, these big games are what professionals look forward to. We
live to play these games, so I will try to enjoy winning them!"
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Hammers edged out by Addicks
WHUFC.com
Mladen Petric opens his Hammers account in a 4-2 friendly defeat at the
Boleyn Ground
10.10.2013
A West Ham United XI slipped to a 4-2 friendly defeat at the Boleyn Ground
on Thursday afternoon, as Charlton Athletic came from behind to register
victory in this behind-closed-doors contest. Summer recruit Mladen Petric
netted his first goal in claret and blue to hand the Hammers a first-half
lead, only for a Basile Camerling equaliser and Joe Pigott's double to put
the visitors firmly in the ascendency. Second-half substitute George Moncur
halved the Hammers' arrears with 64 minutes gone, but Mark Gower's late
volley all but settled matters. The Hammers had earlier created the game's
first chance of note, as Matt Jarvis' deep centre picked out the run of
Petric, but the latter could get no purchase on his header, as it looped
into the arms of Addicks 'keeper Ben Alnwick. At the other end, trialist
Camerling tried his luck from range, seeing his effort flash narrowly wide
of Adrian's right-hand upright. But it was the Hammers who hit the front in
the 24th minute, with Jarvis again providing the ammunition for Petric. This
time, the Croat timed his leap perfectly, nodding home Jarvis' left-wing
centre emphatically. The lead, however, would last little more than two
minutes, as Jordan Cook broke free down the right, before crossing for
Camerling to neatly volley into the far corner. And the Addicks completed
the turnaround five minutes before the interval, when Guy Demel was adjudged
to have impeded Pigott in the area. Pigott picked himself up to dispatch the
resulting spot-kick, albeit one that just evaded the dive of Adrian.
Meanwhile, Petric might well have doubled his tally within 90 seconds of the
restart, but his firmly struck free-kick curled the wrong side of the post.
Moments later and Pelly Ruddock should really have headed the Hammers level,
but powered Stewart Downing's corner over the bar from six yards out.
It was to prove a costly miss as the Addicks soon doubled their advantage.
Camerling seized upon Cook's fine through ball and though Adrian repelled
his initial effort, he was powerless to prevent Pigott from slotting home
the rebound. It was all change for the hosts on the hour, with George
Moncur, Kieran Sadlier and Callum Driver joining the fray, in place of James
Tomkins, Downing and Joe Cole. And it had the desired effect too, as
Chambers lofted a delightful ball into the path of Moncur, who took a touch
before curling into the far corner. But Moncur's goal couldn't quite prompt
a Hammers comeback as Charlton added a fourth late on. With the ball
cannoning around the Hammers box, it eventually fell to Gower, whose
measured volley beat Adrian via the inside of the post.
West Ham United: Adrian, Demel (Chambers 46), Tomkins (Driver 60), Ruddock,
Potts, J Cole (Moncur 60), Downing (Sadlier 60), Taylor, Jarvis, C Cole,
Petric.
Substitutes not used: Nemrava, Lee, Whitehead.
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U16s head for Florida
WHUFC.com
West Ham United U16s will travel to Florida for the GIS Cup tournament at
the weekend
10.10.2013
West Ham United U16s will travel to Florida for the GIS Cup tournament at
the weekend. The squad will fly to Jacksonville on Wednesday ahead of the
four-team competition, which will be held in the city of Palm Coast between
Friday 11 and Sunday 13 October. The young Hammers, who will include recent
England U16 caps Reece Oxford and Ben Sheaf (pictured) in their travelling
party, will take on local side PDA Florida on Friday, North Carolina-based
Premier UK Soccer on Saturday and Georgia-based Darlington School Soccer
Academy on Sunday. The squad will be led by assistant Academy director Paul
Heffer and U16s manager Trevor Bumstead, with the former talking up the
benefits of gaining invaluable international experience. The trip to Florida
comes two months into the U16s' second season working in partnership with
The Robert Clack School, with players being taught and trained on a daily
basis at the recently-renovated Rush Green. "The Under-16s are working hard
every day, now we have them out of school and working at Rush Green, where
they can do extra work in the gym and on the pitch," Heffer explained.
"Everything is better down at Rush Green now and it gives us an advantage
having them with us every day. "It is also an advantage in that we can play
more games and welcome other teams down to Rush Green throughout the year.
it will benefit us all the year round. "There is no league until the U18s,
but so far performances this season have been good. We always judge this on
how many players move up to the next level or are named in England squads,
so we've done well with our younger squads getting Reece and Ben in, while a
couple more have been on trial with Scotland and Ireland. That's a good
measure of how we're going. "We're going to Jacksonville to play three games
in the GIS Cup and hopefully we'll do well out there. We do a lot of
international stuff now as part of the EPPP (Elite Player Performance Plan),
where we travel or bring teams in to play us at Rush Green. "It's about the
experience. The boys will have to get used to travelling away and being in
the hotel away from their families for a few days. We can tell who might
come through by the way they are professionally and how they put a
performance together. We'll see how we fare."
Two players who recently went away with England U16s were Oxford and Sheaf,
both of whom featured as England opened their Victory Shield campaign with a
1-0 win over Wales in Kidderminster. "I thought Reece and Ben both did well
in the game. There were no problems, Reece did very well at the back and Ben
did very well in midfield. "It is something they have got to get used to,
playing under pressure in a stadium and in a televised game. Playing in the
Victory Shield gives them an idea of that pressure."
As a former Academy graduate himself, Heffer takes pride every time a player
takes the next step in their development. With the Club gaining EPPP
Category One status, the experienced coach believes West Ham now have the
best possible opportunity to continue producing outstanding young players.
"It's one of the things that gives you a lift, when you get the boys who you
have worked with since they were seven or eight and they get into the first
team. That is what we're here for. Results don't matter - it's about putting
boys in the first team. "The test was whether or not we would go down the
road of trying to get Category One status and the Club backed us all the
way. The amount of staff and facilities we have got now and the fact we can
work with players on a daily basis and take them away on trips proves we're
looking to bring boys through, which has always been the West Ham way. "Rush
Green has been different because we've now come away from being based at
Chadwell Heath and we have our own centre, where we train, teach and feed
the boys and have our own meetings. "It's worked well because the first team
need their room at Chadwell Heath. It's nice for us to have our own base and
we can get on with doing what we want to do, which is producing players."
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No happy return for McCallum
WHUFC.com
Paul McCallum suffered defeat on his return to Development Squad action
10.10.2013
Paul McCallum was left disappointed after his return to Development Squad
action ended in a 1-0 friendly defeat to Luton Town. The young Hammers were
second best for most of the match and went down to a goal scored after 14
minutes. McCallum looked a threat and had a goal ruled out for offside as
the home side searched in vain for an equaliser and the striker conceded
that the better team won on the day. He told West Ham TV: "It was a
disappointing result.
"It was one of those games where Luton were always going to be up for it
playing against West Ham. "I don't think we took it lightly but I think on
the day they probably played better than us but it was certainly
disappointing."
Nick Haycock's team made ten changes from their last Barclays Under-21
Premier League match as he looked to hand vital minutes to some members of
his squad. Fresh from a loan spell at Sheffield Wednesday, Jordan Spence
also returned to the fold with McCallum even playing part of the game
alongside him at centre-back. The striker was just pleased to get some
playing time against good opposition. He said: "It was a tough match,
they're in the top four in the Conference so it was always going to be a
tough game. "For some of us out there it was just about getting minutes
under the belt but the result was disappointing. "I haven't played for
roughly two months now so it was good to get 90 minutes wherever I play on
the pitch. I don't mind where I play I just enjoy it out there, centre-back
or up front I just enjoy it."
With the Development Squad currently leading the way in the league McCallum
knows he faces an uphill struggle to force his way into the team. And with
Elliot Lee in a rich vein of form, competition for the lone frontman
position is fierce and the forward knows he will have to work hard to get
his chance. "I've been watching the last four or five games frustrated not
to be involved so hopefully now that my injury has cleared and I'm back
training I can get myself back into the team. "I've got to force my way back
into the team now. Elliot's scoring a lot of goals at the moment but I've
just got to show Nick in training that I can be a good asset to the team."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
'The save was just one of those things'
WHUFC.com
Jussi Jaaskelainen was key to Sunday's 3-0 Barclays Premier League win at
Totteham Hotspur
08.10.2013
While manager Sam Allardyce and Ravel Morrison took the headlines,
goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen was key to West Ham United's 3-0 Barclays
Premier League win at Totteham Hotspur. The Hammers' outstanding tactical
and defensive performance saw the two teams go in goalless at half-time at
White Hart Lane. However, less than two minutes after the break,
Jaaskelainen faced a one-on-one with Spurs striker Jermain Defoe. The Finn
did what he does best, rushing out from his goal and blocking the England
forward's low shot with his legs, laying the foundation for West Ham's
fantastic three-goal second-half show. "It was a very crucial time for us
because we haven't started the season like we wanted to points-wise,"
Jaaskelainen told West Ham TV. "It was a massive boost to get the three
points and the way we did it was brilliant. "The save was just one of those
things. It was a good time to make the save because I didn't have much to
do, so it was good that I could help the team when they really needed me. I
was very happy with that."
Jaaskelainen's third away clean sheet continued West Ham's formidable
defensive record on the road. The Hammers have conceded just one goal in
four matches on their travels this term, and even then it was a disputed
penalty at Hull City. The No22 is enjoying playing behind a team that has
restricted their opponents to just 13 shots on target in four away matches
at Newcastle United, Southampton, Hull and Tottenham. "It's definitely
credit to the whole team because, if you look at the way we've been working
for that, the team is giving us a base to win football matches," said
Jaaskelainen. "They changed their style and adopted a little bit slower
build-up and I think that suited us to defend much better. It suited how we
set ourselves up and it really went to plan.
"We have three clean sheets from four away matches and have only conceded
one goal, so that's why we're getting points. Hopefully we can turn our home
form and collect more points as well now."
West Ham's victory at White Hart Lane lifted them out of the bottom three,
giving a huge boost of confidence to everybody associated with the Club,
including the experienced goalkeeper. "It's always great to get that win
before the international break because if we'd lost at Tottenham, it would
have been a long two weeks without an opportunity to get more points. "It
was important to get that three points so we can have a few days rest before
the hard work starts again.
That hard work ahead of the visit of Manchester City on 19 October began at
Chadwell Heath on Tuesday morning, where Jaaskelainen joined the Hammers'
other non-internationals in preparation for another mouth-watering Barclays
Premier League test. "We're hoping we can do the same thing as we did in the
Spurs game. Maybe we can get a goal ahead and get the three points because
that's what we really want to do, particularly in our home matches."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Big Sam happy with 'genius' Morrison
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce paid tribute to Ravel Morrison after he capped a superb
display with a stunning goal at Spurs
08.10.2013
Sam Allardyce hailed the influence of Ravel Morrison after the midfielder
inspired the Hammers to a famous triumph over Tottenham Hotspur. The
20-year-old scored a fine solo goal to finish off Spurs after Winston Reid
and Ricardo Vaz Te had laid the foundations for victory at White Hart Lane.
Running from inside his own half, Morrison drove at the Tottenham defence
before leaving both centre-backs in his wake as he glided past and coolly
chipped the ball over Hugo Lloris to cap an excellent performance. After the
game Big Sam was full of praise for the midfielder's strike. He said: "It
was a genius goal and you'll struggle to see a better one all season. "He
picked the ball up in his own, headed straight for Vertonghen and Dawson and
slipped them like they weren't there, waited for the keeper to go down - a
keeper who's shown how good he is at one-on-ones and how quick he is off the
line- then uses his outstanding ability to dink it over the keeper. "There's
a lot of praise going to come his way, and deservedly so, particularly after
that goal."
Morrison is the team's top-scorer with four goals so far this season and
follows his fine pre-season form which saw him net six times. With praise
seemingly coming from all quarters for the young starlet Allardyce believes
his teammates will keep his feet on the ground. "The Kevin Nolans and Mark
Nobles probably do it better than me. "He's in the dressing room day to day
with them and they're guiding him along and talking to him, and saying -
you've only just started."
Whilst he may have started producing his best form for the Hammers it was a
year away from the club which Allardyce feels has helped the player unlock
his potential and help him force his way into the team. He said: ""That's
why it wasn't a great difficulty for me to take someone out with experience
and put him in, because everyone was saying: 'He's looking like he's ready,
gaffer'. "He is that. Certainly, today. As we say in the football
fraternity, the penny's dropped.
"It's dropped in his lifestyle and his attitude to everybody, his
timekeeping and so on. All of a sudden there's the belief that he doesn't
want to do anything but break into our first team. "I think a 12-month loan
spell at Birmingham gives time to reflect on what exactly it takes to be a
player on a week in, week out basis."
A year in the Championship where he made 27 league appearances for the Blues
seems to have done the No15 the world of good. Morrison has now started the
team's last five games in all competitions having previously only made three
substitute appearances and Big Sam believes the decision to bring him into
the team has already paid dividends. He said: "Basically we're talking about
players getting the ball to him in space as much as we possibly can. "We saw
his finishing ability in pre-season against some good opposition like
Sporting Lisbon and Braga and we saw it today. "There was talk at the start
[of the season]: shall we take him out of the pressure pot position and
start him in the wide position, because there's less pressure out there? "We
ended up putting Mo Diame out there and Rav in the middle. That's how much
we felt he could bring to the team and he has done that."
Such was his display in an often advanced midfield role, that the
20-year-old was awarded a rating of 8.4, with only teammate and
WhoScored.com man of the match Winston Reid (9.4) surpassing the former
Manchester United youngster. In the absence of an out-and-out forward,
Morrison was regularly the furthest man forward, using his pace and ball
retention to threaten the opposition backline. The merit in that thinking
particularly came to the fore in his fine goal, with Morrison's slaloming
run resulting from a clinical counter-attack. His goal, a fourth of the
season in all competitions, points to his ability to drive at the
opposition, one that has seen him average 1.5 successful dribbles this term.
By comparison, Mohamed Diame (2.6) and Mark Noble (1.6) are the only players
to have exceeded the youngster. He showcased this talent once again on
Sunday, completing two successful dribbles in the victory, one of which
culminated in his outstanding match-clinching third goal. Morrison was also
fouled twice - more than any other West Ham player - including one free-kick
which led to Kevin Nolan volleying Mark Noble's set piece narrowly wide.
Elsewhere, three tackles and two interceptions highlighted Morrison's
defensive contribution to a fourth clean sheet in seven Barclays Premier
League matches, with the Hammers yet to concede a goal from open play on
their travels. *WhoScored.com is a website and one of the fastest growing in
the sports industry, specialising in the in-depth analysis of detailed
football data. Follow @WhoScored on Twitter.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Rav takes Player of the Month prize
WHUFC.com
The winners of September's Player and Goal of the Month prizes have been
announced
08.10.2013
Ravel Morrison has been named West Ham United's Player of the Month for
September. The 20-year-old midfielder polled a huge 62 per cent of the fan
vote on whufc.com, beating Jussi Jaaskelainen (30 per cent) in to second.
Morrison's title comes as reward for an outstanding month, in which the
former Manchester United man notched his first Barclays Premier League goal
in the 3-2 defeat to Everton. He was also on the scoresheet as the Hammers
defeated Cardiff City in the Capital One Cup, with his form catching the eye
of England U21 manager Gareth Southgate, who called him into the squad for
this week's internationals against San Marino and Lithuania.
Meanwhile, Dylan Tombides' superb goal in a Development Squad friendly at
Colchester United has taken the month's Goal of the Month prize. Tombides
notched the third goal in West Ham's 3-0 win, showing great skill and
composure to chip the goalkeeper after being played in down the right
channel. The Australian's goal scooped 48 per cent of the whufc.com poll,
with Ravel Morrison's Cardiff strike taking the runners-up spot with 35 per
cent.
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'We got what we deserved!'
WHUFC.com
Mark Noble delights in Sunday's long-awaited Barclays Premier League win at
Tottenham Hotspur
08.10.2013
Mark Noble was the happiest of Hammers after finally breaking his duck at
White Hart Lane in spectacular fashion on Sunday. The long-serving West Ham
United midfielder had never previously tasted victory at Tottenham Hotspur,
either as a player, or a supporter. In April 2002, Noble watched on from the
away end as Ian Pearce rifled in a half volley to rescue a point for the
Hammers. Three years later and a then 18-year-old Noble made his full
Premier League debut at White Hart Lane in a similarly dramatic stalemate,
with Anton Ferdinand nodding home a last-gasp leveller.
Memorable though they were, the Canning Town born midfielder is overjoyed to
now have, at long last, a victory at Spurs to celebrate, and an emphatic one
at that. He told whufc.com: "To come here and win convincingly 3-0 - it
should have been four, really - is brilliant for us. We've been getting a
lot of stick lately for not scoring goals, we know that ourselves. "We've
kept working hard, we should have got a result against Hull, but it's just
not been going for us. On Sunday we got what we deserved! "Some of the
football we played was brilliant. The lads are buzzing, the manager's happy
and now we can have a good ten days, two weeks with the international break
and look forward to Manchester City at home."
While the Hammers were, in the end, to profit from a second-half goal salvo,
the visitors might well have led at the interval, had Kevin Nolan succeeded
in dispatching a cleverly disguised and well-worked set piece. "To be
honest, Kev and I have done it a few times," he explained. "Not putting any
pressure on him, but he has scored every one we took! It's obviously quite a
hard skill to scoop it over and keep it on his right foot and it was perfect
for him, so as he hit it, I just thought goal. "He hit it so well, probably
a bit too well. It was just another option and we should have scored. He has
scored enough goals in the past to make up for it!"
He and skipper Nolan figured prominently in a six-strong midfield, one that
provided a robust platform for yet another clean sheet, in addition to the
three-well taken goals. Noble continued: "To be honest, we didn't really
play with a striker on Sunday, so you can't be direct without a striker.
It's impossible, because players like Jan Vertonghen and Michael Dawson,
they'll bring it down on their chest and play the ball out. "We played when
we could. Obviously we know that Tottenham are going to play a high line, so
we tried to play it in behind and we did that a few times in the first half.
Kev and I sat, and we let those two (Ravel Morrison and Mo Diame] run wild
in there. Rav got his goal but worked brilliantly for the team and that's
what you need."
As a jubilant Noble departed the pitch on Sunday, he directed his attention
toward the Directors' Box, where fellow Hammers fan and actor James Corden
stood applauding. "He's always in contact with the lads. He text me the
other day saying he's back from filming and he's coming to the game. I think
he was sat next to Michael McIntyre, who's a big Spurs fan, so I bet he was
buzzing with that!"
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Downing's derby delight
WHUFC.com
Stewart Downing believes West Ham United could have won even more
convincingly at Tottenham Hotspur
08.10.2013
Stewart Downing hailed West Ham United's tactical approach and teamwork
following Sunday's storming 3-0 Barclays Premier League victory at Tottenham
Hotspur. The England winger was part of a stunning team performance that saw
the Hammers record their first victory at White Hart Lane this century.
Speaking to West Ham TV, Downing said West Ham's victory - courtesy of goals
from Winston Reid, Ricardo Vaz Te and Ravel Morrison - was a deserved reward
for planning, hard work and no little talent. "I think we came with a bit of
a plan and it worked really well," said the No23, who played as one of two
wide attackers in a team that lined-up without a central striker. "With the
goals, we could probably have had a few more, while we limited Tottenham to
maybe one or two chances. "It's a good day for us but before we definitely
really, really fancied it. With the players we had, we didn't have a target
man but the system was flexible. With Vaz and Ravel, they got in higher up
and got their goals. I think it worked with the personnel that we had. "I
think we played very well and defended well. We counter-attacked and could
have had four or five goals."
A clean sheet paved the way for West Ham's first away victory since March
and Downing noted the importance of not conceding an early goal as key to
the Hammers' success. Having played for Liverpool many times at Anfield, he
knows first-hand how confident a top side can become on home turf when they
take the lead. "I think you have to start well against these teams," said
Downing, who completed 24 of the 25 passes he attempted. "They are sharp and
they have players who can spot a pass like Moussa Dembele and Christian
Eriksen. "I've watched these players and we know we had to limit them. We
did that and defended really well. As a team we worked hard and we deserved
the win."
That deserved win was highlighted by an outstanding individual goal from
Morrison - his fourth in eight appearances this season. The strike, which
saw the midfielder race half the length of the pitch before clipping the
ball past Hugo Lloris, had Downing purring. "It was a great goal. He had a
great burst and when you're clean through like that it can go either way. I
thought he was going to whack it, but it was a great finish. "That's the way
he is - he's a confident lad and has got great ability and if he keeps going
the way he is, he's got a great future."
Now, the challenge Downing has laid down for his team-mates is for them to
hit the same heights in each and every fixture. "We just beat a team 3-0 who
have spent a lot of money and are arguably aiming for the top four and we
deserved the win against a very good team. "We've just got to play like that
every week." Sunday's victory took West Ham out of the bottom three and up
to 13th ahead of the international break - a vital confidence-booster ahead
of a two-week hiatus in Barclays Premier League fixtures. "We've got a lot
of experienced players here who have been in those situations before.
"Obviously you've just got to focus and get results and the only way you can
get the good press is by winning games and that's what we did on Sunday."
Next up come the visit of Manchester City on Saturday 19 October. Downing,
for one, is planning for a repeat performance. "It will be tough because,
like Tottenham, they have got players who can hurt you, but if we keep
playing like we did at Tottenham, defend well and score when we get our
chances, we can win games."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
A message from the Joint-Chairman
WHUFC.com
Joint-Chairman David Sullivan has thanked fans for the part they played in
Sunday's win at Tottenham Hotspur
07.10.2013
Good afternoon,
It was a truly memorable afternoon for West Ham United at White Hart Lane on
Sunday and I want to personally thank our fans for the important role they
played in it. While Sam Allardyce's tactics and the players will rightly be
praised for an absolutely outstanding 3-0 win at our local rivals, our fans
made sure that today's headlines were all about football rather than events
in the stands. On Sunday morning, I wrote an open letter to supporters
attending the game to remind them they would be acting as ambassadors for
our Club. As expected, they did not let us down. From the first minute to
the last, the 3,000-strong Claret and Blue Army out sang their hosts and
made the match feel like a home game. The way they got behind the team was
up there with the best I have seen in my 20 years in football. Crucially,
though, they also showed respect for the occasion and understanding of the
magnifying glass that was on them in the build-up to the game. By the time
the final whistle blew, a full-blown cockney knees-up was underway in the
away end and boy did they deserve it.
I would also like to save a few words of praise for my Joint-Chairman David
Gold for the emotive and highly personal interview he did ahead of the game.
Discrimination is an issue that is close to our hearts, which is why we were
clear beforehand that it has no place at West Ham United. The result means
we can now look forward with increased optimism as we prepare to welcome
Manchester City to the Boleyn Ground following the international break. They
will have seen how we opened up Tottenham's defence time and time again and
I'm sure they will not be looking forward to their trip to East London. We
have all felt that some of our performances this season have not been
reflected in our results so I am delighted that we secured such an
eye-catching away win at one of the best sides in the division. We must now
use the performance as a benchmark for the rest of the season.
Come on you Irons!
David Sullivan
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
'He scores when he wants!'
WHUFC.com
Ricardo Vaz Te was happy to contribute a goal in Sunday's fine 3-0 victory
at Tottenham Hotspur
07.10.2013
Ricardo Vaz Te proved his value to West Ham United with the second goal in
Sunday's 3-0 Barclays Premier League victory at Tottenham Hotspur. The
Hammers pulled off a stunning victory at White Hart Lane through second-half
goals from Winston Reid, Vaz Te and Ravel Morrison, climbing out of the
relegation zone in the process. Vaz Te spoke exclusively to West Ham TV
after the game, stating his pleasure at scoring his third goal of the season
when his shot hit Spurs goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and bounced into the net off
his knee. "We started before the game in the bottom three, which was not
very good," he said. "It was a very important game for us. We needed the win
- one point wasn't even enough. If we got a draw at Tottenham that would
have been amazing, so to win 3-0 with a clean sheet was just fantastic. For
the fans, it was a great day out. "For me, the goal was a bit fortunate but
they all count, I guess!"
Vaz Te was cast in a new role as a wide forward in a 4-6-0 formation
designed to stifle the hosts and allow West Ham to play on the
counter-attack. The tactical plan worked to perfection. "The Gaffer got his
tactics spot-on, to be fair," Vaz Te agreed. "We worked on their weaknesses.
We knew Tottenham were a great team going forward but any team who plays
like that always have weaknesses defensively. We worked on it all week and
it paid off."
Vaz Te has previously spoken glowingly of Morrison, whose match-clinching
goal was a thing of beauty. The 20-year-old ran past Jan Vertonghen and
Michael Dawson with breathtaking ease before clipping the ball past Lloris
with admirable calm. "I've said before that I think Ravel is the best talent
I've seen. He's a good lad as well. He still has a lot to learn and I think
it's up to him. When you have the heart of a champion, you need it no matter
how much ability you have. "If he has an attitude anywhere close to someone
like Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi, I think he can be up there because
talent-wise, he is up there."
For Vaz Te himself, his goal and all-round performance were another reminder
to manager Sam Allardyce of his considerable talents five weeks after he
submitted a transfer request citing a lack of playing time. The No12's
performance was recognised the supporters, who chanted 'He scores when he
wants!' after the goal and again when Vaz Te was replaced with four minutes
remaining. "It's always fantastic and I've never fallen out with the fans,"
he explained. "When I put in the transfer request it was always in the back
of my mind how the fans would take it and I hope they didn't take it in the
wrong way. "I'm a professional football player and it's not only me who
depends on my job but also my family and the people around me, so sitting
around at the age of 27, I have to play. I think I deserve to play and the
stats show I deserve to play and I reinforced those stats on Sunday. "Like I
said, I love the football club and I hope people understand that if I don't
feel appreciated then I have to move on. I'm fully committed to this cause
and I'm here and I always show that I'm fully committed to the club."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
James' joy at derby success
WHUFC.com
James Tomkins was delighted after West Ham United left White Hart Lane with
a 3-0 win
07.10.2013
James Tomkins could not hide his delight after West Ham United left White
Hart Lane victorious for the first time in 14 years. Not since 1999 had the
Hammers returned to east London with all three points from their short trip
across the capital but that all changed after a perfect away performance.
Winston Reid gave the visitors the lead when he prodded home from a couple
of yards after 66 minutes before Ricardo Vaz Te doubled the lead and Ravel
Morrison put the finishing touches on a great win with a marvellous
individual goal. The victory moves the Hammers out of the relegation zone to
13th position in the Barclays Premier League and Tomkins was delighted with
the result. He told West Ham TV: "Coming to White Hart Lane and getting the
three points in the style we did was massive for us and it's not often
you'll come here and win 3-0. "The lads put a big shift in and we can all
take credit for victory because you won't see many teams come here and win
like we have. This win is great for all the staff, players and the fans who
were excellent today."
Sam Allardyce had raised a few eyebrows before kick-off as he selected a
team without any recognised strikers. Modibo Maiga and Mladen Petric were
among the substitutes but they were not to be needed as Big Sam's tactics
worked flawlessly. Midfield duo Morrison and Mohamed Diame took it in turns
to rove into forward positions as the Hammers pressured the home side and
stifled their attacking threat. Once in front, Big Sam's team never looked
like losing and can be bursting with pride at the manner of their victory.
The result was a huge boost after defeat to Hull City last weekend and
Tomkins believes the tactics played their part in the team's change of
fortune. He said: "All round we looked much better. We changed things around
and obviously playing without a striker I think Spurs were a bit confused at
times as to what was going on but the tactics paid off. "Everyone was
brilliant and we always felt as though we could go up the other end and nick
a goal and we got three in the end."
Tomkins and his team-mates can now look forward to the visit of Manchester
City when they resume Premier League action on 19 October at the Boleyn
Ground.
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Tottenham 0 West Ham 3
By Alistair Magowan
BBC Sport
Ravel Morrison scored a superb solo goal as West Ham earned a vital win
against Tottenham to climb out of the Premier League's bottom three. Winston
Reid's close-range effort just after the hour gave the Hammers a first away
goal of the season. A ricochet off Ricardo Vaz Te doubled the lead before
Morrison ran the length of the Spurs half to chip in.
Tottenham's best chances fell to Jermain Defoe but he was denied by West Ham
goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen. West Ham's first away win in nine Premier
League games was their first at White Hart Lane since 1999 and lifts them to
13th in the table. Meanwhile, Spurs' second defeat of the season ended a
six-game unbeaten run and sees them drop to sixth. It was more of a surprise
given that Andre Villas-Boas's side had the joint-tightest defence in the
league, having conceded only twice before this encounter. But the day
arguably belonged to Morrison, 20, who capped a confident and hard-working
display with a goal that underlined a talent that many observers have spoken
of in glowing terms. The former Manchester United player was called into the
England Under-21 squad last week and this performance showed that the
youngster could perhaps now turn the corner after having questions asked of
his temperament.
Morrison on form
Morrison's strike against Spurs was his fourth goal of the season, having
scored just three last season while on loan at Birmingham Before Morrison's
move to East London in January 2012, then United boss Sir Alex Ferguson
said: "He's got a great talent but it's how to deal with it that is
important." West Ham boss Sam Allardyce took the unusual step of naming no
recognised strikers in his side, as Morrison rotated with Mohamed Diame as
the furthest player forward, but it proved a masterstroke. Morrison was the
visitors' most potent player in the first half and they almost took the lead
when he was tripped near the edge of the box. Rather than take a shot, Mark
Noble enterprisingly scooped the ball over the wall and Kevin Nolan volleyed
just wide from an angle. At the other end, Andros Townsend gave watching
England manager Roy Hodgson something to think about ahead of the World Cup
qualifiers with another performance of direct running and confident
dribbling. But, despite several decent crosses from the right, Defoe could
not make contact on his first Premier League start of the season.
Despite their tight defence, Villas-Boas's side have only scored six goals
in six games prior to this match and their frustrations in front of goal
continued after the break when Jaaskelainen twice thwarted Defoe. James
Tomkins had a header well saved by Hugo Lloris from a corner, yet it was
Tottenham who began to show the greater purpose and Reid's opener on 66
minutes came against the run of play. Reid expertly headed Stewart Downing's
corner towards goal only for it to be blocked by Nolan on the line. The ball
bounced back to the Kiwi and he made no mistake with the rebound. Vaz Te
added a fortunate second soon after. The Portuguese was found by Noble and
his tame shot hit Loris before bouncing back to him and in off his knee.
There was nothing lucky about Morrison's goal, though. He collected Diame's
clever flick and ran with the ball before ta king on Michael Dawson and
signalling his talent with a wonderfully composed finish.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ravel Morrison: Man Utd 'correct' to let midfielder join West Ham
BBC.co.uk
Ravel Morrison's exit from Manchester United in 2012 was the "correct thing"
for both player and club, says former assistant boss Mike Phelan. The
20-year-old midfielder, who was in trouble with the law several times at
United, scored a fine goal for West Ham in Sunday's 3-0 win over Tottenham.
"He needed to get out of Manchester," Phelan told BBC Radio 5 live. "He has
gone away from the club now which I think in hindsight is the correct thing
to have done."
Morrison, who has been called up for England's Under-21s, pleaded guilty to
witness intimidation in February 2011 and was fined £600 three months later
for throwing his girlfriend's phone through an open window during an
argument. He was also cautioned for common assault in 2008. "It is easy to
say we let our most promising player leave but is it worth the hassle to
wait and maybe not see fruition to it?" asked Phelan, who is currently out
of work.
Ravel Morrison's career
Born: 2 February 1993, Wythenshawe, Manchester
Man Utd: Comes through academy to make his debut on 26 October 2010 but only
makes three first-team appearances
West Ham: Joins Hammers in January 2012 on a three-and-a-half-year deal
after Sir Alex Ferguson says wage demands are "unrealistic"
Goes on loan to Birmingham City in 2012-13 season, scoring three goals in 30
games
Scores four goals in eight appearances on return to West Ham side in 2013-14
Morrison left Old Trafford to join West Ham in January 2012 for a reported
fee of £1m after Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United manager at the time,
described his wage demands as "unrealistic". But Hammers boss Sam Allardyce
said on Sunday, in the wake of Morrison's solo goal against Spurs, that "the
penny has dropped" and that the highly rated youngster had "sorted himself
out". Birmingham City manager Lee Clark took Morrison on loan last season
and said that he was "nothing short of brilliant in terms of his application
and his attitude" for most of his spell at St Andrew's. Phelan, who left his
own role at Manchester United in the wake of Ferguson stepping down at the
end of the 2012-13 campaign, hopes Morrison's focus remains on his football.
"It is still a risk with Ravel, but he seems to have got his head in the
right situation, his performances are decent and getting better. Hopefully
he can maintain that," he said.
"At Manchester United there were other things going on which were a
distraction for him and that played a part in his downfall."
Phelan revealed that despite the promise that was evident in scoring two
goals in an emphatic FA Youth Cup win over Sheffield United in 2011,
Morrison regularly missed training at Manchester United. "He had a tendency
to disappear for the odd day or two and then we would manage to find him and
bring him back in," he said. "It really was a day-to-day project with him.
One day he was there and then another he wasn't. "He is a nice guy when he
is with you, when he is around football, but obviously there were
distractions. "At the end of the day is it too much work to put into one
person and keep the harmony and the balance? That was a decision that the
club had to make."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ravel Morrison: Sam Allardyce praises West Ham midfielder
BBC.co.uk
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce said Ravel Morrison has "sorted himself out",
describing his goal in a 3-0 win at Tottenham as "a bit of genius".
Morrison, 20, joined West Ham last year after off-field problems hindered
his progress at Manchester United. Allardyce said: "Sir Alex Ferguson told
me 'I hope you sort him out because you will have a top-class player'. "I'm
not sure I've sorted him out, he's sorted himself out. He's begun to enjoy
his football which he loves so much." The manager added: "He enjoys being
with the lads and listens to what the experienced players say, and can do
something that nobody else can do in our side and you saw that today."
Attacking midfielder Morrison was called into the England Under-21 squad for
the first time earlier this week and he crowned his international selection
with a fine solo goal, running from his own half to take on the Spurs
defence and chip goalkeeper Hugo Lloris. It was his fourth goal in eight
appearances this term, which Allardyce also thought was "goal of the season"
so far, and it lifted his side out of the bottom three. The victory came
after Allardyce decided not to name any recognised strikers in his side,
with Morrison the furthest forward. Morrison joined Manchester United as a
schoolboy but only made three first-team appearances before moving to the
Hammers in January 2012, spending last season on loan at Birmingham. In
2011, he was fined £600 by a court for throwing his girlfriend's mobile
phone through a window during an argument and in 2008 was cautioned for
common assault.
Ferguson said at the time of his move to the capital: "In the case of Ravel,
it's been quite well documented. I think he's better out of Manchester.
"He's got a great talent, but it's how to deal with it that is important."
West Ham skipper Kevin Nolan revealed that even after Morrison arrived at
West Ham, there were still problems with his conduct away from the pitch.
And after praising Allardyce's tactics, Nolan told BBC Sport that the loan
spell at Birmingham had made Morrison mature. Nolan, 31, said: "Ravel has
been fantastic since he came back. "Last year, we had a lot of problems with
his lifestyle off the pitch as well as on it, but he went to Birmingham,
worked really hard and got back in the team at the end of last season. It
was like he was a new man. He is one now. He needs to stand up. Noble added:
"Me and Mark Noble speak to him and have had big long chats with him all
last season. "We try to protect him and take him under our wing. We will
continue to do that. Obviously we are going to be excited by his talent -
it's frightening - and if you ask anyone at Manchester United they will tell
you the same. "But it's about nurturing him and making sure he does the
right things on and off the field." Allardyce added: "He's learnt so much in
a short period of time. That's the beauty. The penny has dropped."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Just like watching Barca and Bayern (well almost)…now play it again, Sam!
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 8th October 2013
By: Paul Walker
Well Big Sam always said he was good enough to manage Barcelona, and now we
have all got a first-hand look at just what the tough old grouch was on
about!
We just loved it, in our homes, pubs or even at White Hart Lane, as our
beloved, goal-shy heroes, cut Spurs down to size. Our first win at their
place for 14 years, and coming after our less that exciting start to the
season that saw us in the bottom three ahead of kick-off on Sunday
afternoon.
Big Sam set us up to cope without a proper front man, Maiga having been less
than brilliant since Andy Carroll was ruled out again, this time probably
until December, at the earliest.
So Sam used six across the middle and allowed rotation of position, quick
passing and excellent movement into space and on the break, to tear the
heart out of Spurs. How we all laughed.
Not exactly as pretty as Barcelona, but we all got the message. They also
play without a striker, as did Bayern Munich - who I had the privilege of
watching outclass Manchester City, our next opponents, last week at the
Etihad with my City-mad son.
It was a great night's entertainment, a wonderful match of such high quality
between the Champions of Europe and a club with genuine aspirations to claim
that title for themselves sooner rather than later. I did wear my West Ham
t-shirt under my jacket, though, feeling that it was about as near to the
Champions League as any of my West Ham supporting gear is likely to get!
Call it what you like. Playing with a false nine, or whatever pretentious
tag such tactics are christened with by the supposed football intelligencia.
Sam's view is clearly that if wannabe young coaches play with such subtlety,
they are heroes of footballing adventure. If Sam does it, someone tries to
tell us that Mo Diame was playing at centre-forward. Oh, and we defended all
afternoon, had less possession and couldn't keep the ball. Nothing but faint
praise where Sam is concerned.
In the end it was one of the finest days we have had as Hammers fans for a
decade or more, in particular because of where the performance took place.
Diame's turn and pass for Rav Morrison's goal, would have pleased Xavi. Mark
Noble's perfect ball through the gap for Ricky Vaz Te's finish would have
delighted Iniesta.
But don't forget, we are not supposed to be able to pass the ball, are we?
Sam's tactical decisions would have had everyone drooling if they had come
from Guardiola, I must admit my hero these days for what he did to create
the best club side in the world at the Camp Nou.
Now he has taken over Bayern Munich, shifted Philipp Lahm from full-back to
holding midfield and produced a side with Barca's silk now added to German
steel and physical strength. They were awesome in Manchester.
And then there was the old enemy from north London. Now we all know just
what £100m spent in the summer actually buys for Spurs. And didn't they look
sick, those that had the bottle that is to still be in their ground with ten
minutes to go, and there weren't many. Sorry, couldn't resist any of that.
There they were, all cocky as usual, counting how many they would win by,
and along comes Sam's re-constructed West Ham, with a fluid, free-flowing
system, cleverly attacking from deep, and a set of tactics that surely is
usually the domain of the likes of Brendan Rodgers, Michael Laudrup, Pep
and, eh, oh yes, AVP.
He of the image that suggests he thinks he has taken all the refined bits of
his one-time mate Jose Mourinho, and turned himself into a younger version
of the Portuguese master.
Sam once said, to much ridicule, that he was good enough to manage Real
Madrid and Barcelona. Even England. How they all laughed. This was the high
priest of long ball talking while he was at Bolton. The manager who couldn't
be bothered with the pretty, pretty stuff like passing through midfield
while hoofball was the other option.
It has always got right up his nose, that and the fact that so much praise
is heaped on flavour of the month young managers who would not touch his
systems with a sticky barge-poll.
Smug, snearing can be heard from all quarters. It has always annoyed Sam to
be lumbered with such criticism. He claimed he was much more than that,
capable of adapting whenever needed. He insists that we play a different
style every match depending on our opponents.
Now not even I was conned by that one. No we don't. We stuck with Maiga for
so long because Sam didn't want to change the system. But after the defeat
at Hull, when we should have drawn, and the defeat by Everton - when we
could have won - something had to change.
Yes, our results have not given us the points we have deserved this season.
But that is what they all say when things start going wrong. But certainly
we deserved more against Everton.
Leighton Baines is a fine full-back with an excellent free-kick in him. But
he has never, and will never, ever again in his career score two free-kicks
like he managed against us in the same match again. That was how bad our
luck had dropped.
Both left-footed into different top corners. We were beaten by a top side we
had matched throughout.
But when confronted by a Spurs squad that had sold Gareth Bale - their one
man team - and spent £100m in the summer, where better to show what
organisation, planning, tactical variety and sheer dogged refusal to give
in, can get you.
Morrison was electric, and the national mass media finally re-discovered
him. You knew it would happen one day, and sadly we have heard everything
about his past and the length and size of his contract ever since.
Predictable, but a shame, because he has only really just started showing
the skill that Manchester United knew he had. He does not need to be
distracted now by talk of money, buy-outs and agents. West Ham need to keep
a firm grip on this blossoming situation, he does not need distractions now
he has got this far and is - as I predicted a few weeks back - in the
England Under-21 squad.
But it was more than just Morrison. Noble was outstanding, winning
possession and producing excellent passing. The lad gets plenty of stick
from our own fans, and is always talked down. Lack of pace and vision is the
regular criticism. I won't have any of that.
However, I don't really want to know that he is Ms Brady's favourite player,
or see him doing double air-kisses with the chief exec when they are out
together on Olympic promotional stuff. Arms length, please, Mark., you'll
have everyone talking!
Diame ran himself into the ground, James Tomkins was brilliant and well
worth his place back in the side while Stewart Downing - finally back in the
side - showed fine form, along with Roland Rat, who seems to have settled in
just fine and seemingly can take a good joke, even if the English he is
hearing is nothing like he thought it should be spoken!
Ok, it was just one win, and we need plenty more. But it has given everyone
such a lift, even my son was smiling going to work on a Monday morning! I
have downed some champers and am still floating on air. Winning at Spurs
means that much, I am sure you all agree and have felt the same way ever
since.
Now we must build on this result. Beating Manchester City will be very, very
tough. They are so much better all round than Spurs. But we got a point
against them last season and need to do that again. So keep up the good
work, Sam, it has not been the start we expected.
But we witnessed something special on Sunday that will live in the memory
for years to come. It is worthy of comparison with some of our magical
results of the past.
If you discount Cup Finals, semi-finals and the like plus our great European
nights - they all fit into a totally different category - the win at Spurs
will stand alongside such games as the 4-0 win at Chelsea in '86, even the
7-0 thrashing of Leeds in '66, plus the 5-1 win at Manchester City in 1970,
with Jimmy Greaves' debut and Ticker Boyce's 40 yard chip.
Certainly it equates with David Cross' four goals at Spurs in '81. Maybe
even Paolo Di Canio's cup winner at Manchester United more recently. It is a
pub debate, and everyone will have an opinion.
But certainly everyone can remember exactly where they were, I am sure. Me,
I was locked in the bedroom having not managed to make dodgy streaming to
work on the lap-top but listening to the website radio. Frightened to move
from the spot in case it broke the spell. Now play it again, Sam!
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Dicks denies Redknapp claims
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 11th October 2013
By: Staff Writer
Former Hammer Julian Dicks has denied claims by Harry Redknapp that he once
returned for pre-season training two days late. The former Hammers boss made
the claim in his new book, which is being serialised by the Daily Mail this
week. "Julian Dicks, our captain, was a terrific talent, but he didn't
return from his summer holiday until two days after pre-season training had
started," said Redknapp "His attitude was frighteningly poor at times."
However 45-year-old Dicks - who became a grandad for the first time this
week - told followers of his Twitter account that Redknapp's recollection of
the incident was wide of the mark. "No it's not true," he said. "I turned up
the same day. A bit late but same day. When we left at the end of season,
the date wasn't set to return."
Redknapp's questionable memory also came under attack when referring to a
pre-season friendly at Oxford, during which supporter Steve Davies replaced
the ineffective Lee Chapman. "He [Davies] scored", Redknapp declared. "We
couldn't believe it. He ran round the field like he'd won the World Cup — we
were killing ourselves on the touchline. The lads all signed his shirt and
he was in the paper the next day with the biggest grin you've seen."
However for a fan who was present that night, the truth was somewhat
different. "There was no goal; the goal was dissallowed for offside," said
KUMB member mushy. "Becuase Harry has talked about it so many times in his
stories, fiction becomes fact and history is re-written!"
Redknapp also came under fire this week for claiming that he'd do anything
to renew his friendship with Billy Bonds, which broke down when Redknapp was
accused of stabbing his former best friend in the back to win the managerial
post at West Ham in 1994.
"What pains me is that I no longer have Bill as a friend, because I loved
him and there is no way on earth I would have hurt him," said Redknapp. " I
would swap still having Bill as a mate for all my seven years as West Ham
manager."
Bonds - who has not spoken to Redknapp since they fell out 19 years ago -
has refused to talk publicly about the incident, although speaking four
yeras after the falling out in 1999 he made it clear that he had no
intention of renewing their friendship.
"I don't want to meet Harry or work with him again. He keeps calling me a
friend but I don't see him as one," said Bonds. "
"The last time I spoke to him was soon after I had left West Ham when he
invited me back to have a photo taken with him. I had just left the place I
loved after 27 years and he wanted me to make it look good for him. How
selfish can you get? Of course I turned him down."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Carlton Cole makes Hammers return
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 10th October 2013
By: Staff Writer
Carlton Cole made his long awaited comeback for West Ham in a
behind-closed-doors friendly against Chalrton Athletic this afternoon. A
West Ham XI featuring the out of contract striker were beaten 4-2 as Cole -
who played alongside Mladen Petric in attack - made his first appearance at
the Boleyn Ground since the end of last season. Petric opened the scoring
for West Ham on 24 minutes with a header from a Matt Jarvis cross. However
the Addicks were back on level terms just three minutes later through Basile
Camerling. The Champiosnhip side took the lead shortly before the break as
Joe Pigott struck from the penalty spot. The 19-year-old forward doubled his
team's advantage when he made it 3-1 just five minutes after the restart.
West Ham pulled one back midway through the half when substitute George
Moncur converted from close range to give United a fighting chance of
getting back on level terms. However Charlton had other ideas and the win
was finally sealed three minute from time when veteran midfielder Mark
Gower, who joined Athletic on a free transfer in the summer pounced to
secure a good win for his side.
West Ham Utd: Adrian, Demel, Potts, Taylor, Tomkins, Ruddock, J Cole,
Downing, Jarvis, C Cole, Petric..
Subs: Moncur.
Goals: Petric (24), Moncur (64).
Charlton Ahtletic: Alnwick, Hughes, Evina, Morrison, Dervite, Pritchard,
Cook, Camerling, Wilson, Stewart, Pigott.
Subs: Hamer, Green, Sordell, Harriott, Wood, Osborne, Gower, Cousins, Feely,
Munns.
Goals: Camerling (27), Pigott (40 pen, 50), Gower (87).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Buzzing!
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 9th October 2013
By: Staff Writer
Neil McDonald has revealed that the West Ham dressing room was 'buzzing'
following Sunday's 3-0 win at Tottenham. Sam Allardyce's right hand man,
speaking exclusively to KUMB.com in our latest podcast (which you may
download here) explained how the whole camp was cock-a-hoop following the
unexpected - yet most welcome - thrashing of our Champions League-chasing
neighbours. "When we got back in the changing room everyone was buzzing
because we had a game plan, a different formation and we were playing
against a very good team who had only conceded two goals in 11 games," said
McDonald. "To score three and outplay them gives everyone so much confidence
and so much belief. "After Ravel scored the third goal I've never seen a
stadium empty so quickly in all my life! But to see our supporters jumping
about in the corner celebrating was fantastic. Obviously we hadn't beaten
Spurs at their place since 1999, which is a long time ago. "We've got to try
and take that into the next game, whatever formation we play. We've got to
show the same application and be as clinical in front of goal."
Macca on 'The False Nine'
"We played almost like a 4-4-2, but not with two up top as we played them
wide. We looked to pack the midfield, but we wanted to have the option up
front so that if we did pass it through midfield there was always one
[available]. Not right through the middle, but playing between the
centre-half and the full back who we'd hit and work off.
"We had three really good days of preparation and working on it. The boys
never complained that we didn't have someone playing up front. We felt we
could have so much rotation with the midfield players; if one midfield
player ran forward we'd have someone behind him, if one went wide the other
could come inside and cover their position.
"I think it worked really well. It really frustrated them [Tottenham] and
their style of play and I think the shock of [us] playing that system took
them a good half-an-hour to get used to it."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Bitter Redknapp's "hypocrisy" charge
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 8th October 2013
By: Staff Writer
Former Hammers boss Harry Redknapp has accused West Ham United of
"hypocrisy". The current manager of Championship club Queens Park Rangers
has released a second autobiography entitled 'Always Managing'. In it, he
takes a swipe at West Ham for firstly ignoring Moore and secondly, profiting
from his name. "Now he's dead you can't move for pictures of him around the
place. It disgusts me," blasted Redknapp. "The hypocrisy that followed his
tragically premature death in 1993 sickens me. "Bob's got it all now. The
old South Bank named after him at Upton Park, statues outside the ground and
at Wembley Stadium. They even use his name to sell West Ham United
merchandise these days. 'Moore than a football club' is the slogan. "But
when he was alive they didn't want to know him. I saw him get slung out of
there for not having a ticket. "They should have been phoning him to attend
their matches. 'Come and be our guest, Bob. Front row in the directors' box
every week, Bob.' They should have treated him like he owned the place.
Nothing should have been too good for Bobby."
Redknapp, whose book is being serialised by the Daily Mail this week, also
questioned the validity of granting former team mate Sir Trevor Brooking a
knighthood. "No disrespect to Trevor, he was a great footballer and remains
a fine ambassador for the game but it doesn't seem right," said Redknapp.
"How was Trevor knighted and Bobby ignored? "Sir Trevor Brooking is the
Football Association's cup of tea. He's their type of person. But Bobby was
a player's player."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
The rise of Ravel: can we benefit?
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 7th October 2013
By: Josh Puttock
West Ham enjoyed an incredible first victory at White Hart Lane since 1999
this weekend, but their start to this season's Premier League campaign has
been frustrating to say the least.
With only two wins, two draws and three defeats we are positioned in 13th, a
start that even the keenest of bubble blowers have questioned. However, the
sudden rise of 20-year-old Ravel Morrison has certainly been a breath of
fresh air at the Boleyn Ground and has finally given us fans a reason for
optimism.
Morrison, a former Manchester United academy product has shown a new found
maturity this term as his performances on and off the field have rewarded
him with a starting place and firm backing from boss Sam Allardyce. Not only
has he impressed West Hams coaching staff, but his recent call up to the
England Under 21 squad shows just how rewarding his hard work has been.
The talented midfielder has shone with his close control, mature decision
making and attacking decisiveness as his ball playing and scoring ability
have given the team a new dimension. His most notable performance came in
yesterday's 3-0 win at London rivals Tottenham, as his classy individual
goal - West Ham's third on the day - contributed to what was the team's best
result of the season.
His start to football was no easy one however. During his time at Manchester
United he made plenty of paper appearances for his off-field antics; a
troubling reputation soon followed him as his career seemed to take a turn
for the worse.
Despite Alex Ferguson's compliments in calling Morrison the next Paul
Scholes, the pair's relationship had broken down. Interest from some of
Europe's elite had cooled and so Allardyce picked up the 'bad boy' for an
initial steal of circa £1.5million, a sum that could still rise to
£2.5million depending on performances.
The Wythenshawe-born player was quickly loaned out to Championship outfit
Birmingham City where he played an impressive 27 games under manager Lee
Clarke. Clarke seemed to realise Morrison's potential and gave the teen
great backing as his performances and enthusiasm for football began to show.
Returning to West Ham for pre-season this summer, his new found maturity and
positive attitude was recognized immediately within the club and players and
staff had nothing but praise for the player. Scoring his first goal for the
club in our 6-2 pre-season victory over Cork City, Morrison has now notched
up a tally of six goals in all competitions - proving all previous doubters
wrong.
So, how do we use such a promising talent at the heart of our midfield? One
thing's for sure; the likes of skipper Kevin Nolan, Mark Noble and Joe Cole
won't let the former Red slip away again.
Morrison seems to thrive on confidence, and though his chance may have come
through injuries to the likes of Cole and Downing the faith shown in him is
a major confidence boost. We always hear about how a 'happy camp' is the be
all and end all, but maybe this is the case? A happy group are willing to
work for each other, ok to rotate when need be - and a team without
overwhelming individual desires are less likely to crash and burn.
In that case, why are West Ham not improving on last year's finish? Well,
for all our doubt and criticism so far, things are far from all gloom and
doom. Firstly, just six games in and Manchester United currently sit ninth.
Do you think that's where they'll be come May? Some would argue we are
reliant on the return of Andy Carroll, and whilst the club record £15million
signing would help improve the team massively, I refuse to believe our squad
is reliant upon the big man.
Sam Allardyce spoke to the media before the trip to Tottenham: "I don't
think our season hinges on Andy getting back in the team. It'll obviously be
a big help because he's a big, big player in many ways. Our failing has been
that we have not lacked creating and making chances, but we have lacked the
ability to score them."
It's hard to to disagree with that assessment; a mixture of poor finishing,
a failing to make most of a dominant spell in possession and a number of
questionable refereeing decisions has left us in a situation we all hoped we
wouldn't be in. Additionally, the absence of other first team players such
as both Downing and Cole has left the squad lacking in a bit of creativity
and attacking ruthlessness.
So with a few weaknesses and areas of concern identified, I return to the
question that is can West Ham benefit from Ravel Morrison's emergence as a
big first team player?
When looking at it, why not? The confidence in his performances is there for
all to see, and his attractive playing style clearly complements the
grafters in the midfield three. Allardyce finds areas of weakness in the
oppositions style of play. So, he is more than likely going to use the
strength in our midfield and the form of Morrison to affect and open up the
frailties put in front of them - as we saw worked brilliantly at Spurs.
By no means am I suggesting a young player now has to carry a team, but with
no unnecessary pressure placed on his shoulders, the efficiency of our team
should give him confidence to express himself. It worked at White Hart Lane
didn't it? With a number of first team players soon to return to the team,
and with us perched only three places below last year's 10th position - I
wouldn't panic when looking at the table just yet!
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham's Ravel Morrison praised by team-mates and boss Sam Allardyce
Last Updated: October 7, 2013 2:38pm
SSN
Mark Noble led the chorus of praise for midfield ace Ravel Morrison after
his starring role in their 3-0 win at Tottenham. Morrison has become a
first-team regular this term under Sam Allardyce, and he has taken his
opportunity with both hands. Morrison sealed West Ham's shock 3-0 win at
Tottenham with a brilliant individual effort. "He deserves all the credit he
is getting at the minute," Noble told Sky Sports. "There has been a lot of
hype about him in the last few years and is he going to fulfil that
potential? At the minute he is because he is working hard and his discipline
is right. "There are a lot of senior players at this club and I know I am on
him to do things right, and the skipper [Kevin Nolan] is and the gaffer has
sort of taken him under his wing, and he is becoming a man now and deserves
his place in the team."
Noble feels the fact Morrison has settled so well in the capital is a big
part of his current form. "He is enjoying London, his family is in
Manchester and is close to him, but he is enjoying where he is living and
enjoying coming in and we are looking after him and if he continues like
that I am sure he will go far in the game," he said. Stewart Downing added:
"He has been at it from the first game, since I came in pre-season. "You can
see he has got ability, two feet, can score goals and can see a pass, and
you can see from his finish to do that here."
Genius
Mark Noble and Stewart Downing say they are impressed with teammate Ravel
Morrison after he scored in West Ham's 3-0 win at Tottenham. Manager Sam
Allardyce labelled Morrison's goal as a piece of 'genius'. "That is a genius
goal for me and you will struggle to see a better one this season. "There is
a lot of praise that will come his way and deservedly so after that goal."
Allardyce admits that Sir Alex Ferguson pushed him to keep persevere with
Morrison - who spent last season on loan at Birmingham. "Sir Alex said: 'I
hope you can sort him out because if you can he will be a genius. He needs
to get away from Manchester and start a new life'," Allardyce revealed.
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West Ham's Mladen Petric calls for boss Sam Allardyce to re-introduce
strikers to his lineup
11 Oct 2013 13:06
The Mirror
West Ham United striker Mladen Petric does not want Sam Allardyce to play no
forwards every week. The West Ham boss masterminded a 3-0 win at Tottenham
Hotspur without playing a recognised centre-forward his starting lineup. But
Petric, who has made three sub appearances since signing for the Upton Park
club last month, told whufc,com: "I think it was a big surprise for
Tottenham which is why we played so well and, of course, it is a good option
to have for some games. "On the other hand, I'm a striker. I want to play
and I'm sure I'll get my time on the pitch. "My fitness is much better than
when I started three weeks ago. I saw a big difference between me and the
other players and now I feel like every day that difference is getting
smaller and smaller."
Following the international break, the Hammers host Manchester City on
October 19. Petric arrived on a free transfer towards the end of the summer
window after £15m record-signing Andy Carroll was ruled out for several
months with a heel injury.
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Carlton Cole will sign three month deal to return to West Ham
12 Oct 2013 04:47
The Mirror
Carlton Cole is to sign a short term deal to help ease West Ham's striker
crisis. The England forward, 29, is returning to Upton Park on a three month
deal, just four and a half months after he was released at the end of last
season. He was signed, according to The Sun, after proving his fitness over
90 minutes in a behind closed doors game against Charlton on Thursday.
Hammers boss Sam Allardyce had previously said he would offer Cole a deal if
he came through that match. The club are without £19 million record signing
Andy Carroll until at least Christmas with a foot injury.
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Sam Allardyce worries Ravel Morrison could return to Manchester United
12 Oct 2013 23:00
The Mirror
Sam Allardyce has revealed his major fear over Ravel Morrison – that
Manchester United will take him back to Old Trafford, writes Steve Bates in
the People.
As far as Hammers boss Big Sam knows there's no buy-back clause giving
United first option on the youngster they sold to West Ham for £1million a
year ago.
But after a stunning goal in the 3-0 win against Tottenham last week,
Allardyce knows United, Chelsea and Arsenal will be watching his progress.
Allardyce said: "I don't know if there is a buy-back clause and what that
figure might be if it even exists. But my real big worry is that Manchester
United will come back to buy him. "Look at what happened when Chris Smalling
played a handful of games for Fulham – United jumped in with £10million.
Then there was Phil Jones when I was at Blackburn – that's what you are up
against."
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