Daily WHUFC News - 25th January 2013

Potts heads home
WHUFC.com
Dan Potts has been discharged from hospital after being hurt at Arsenal on
Wednesday evening
24.01.2013

West Ham United can confirm that Dan Potts has now left hospital and will
spending the next few days resting. Potts was taken to hospital by ambulance
after being hurt after falling heavily following an accidential aerial
collision with Arsenal right-back Bacary Sagna during Wednesday's 5-1
Barclays Premier League defeat at the Emirates Stadium.

The Hammers left-back was attended to immediately by the club's medical
staff and on-site pitch rescue team before being secured and stretchered to
a waiting ambulance. The 18-year-old spent Wednesday evening in hospital and
underwent further scans and tests which came back positively onThursday.
The young defender has personally thanked fans and everyone who has sent in
messages of support, saying: "A big thank you to everyone for their support
and messages. Hopefully I am looking to feeling better over the next few
days."

There will be a period of rest for Potts before he is allowed to start light
work back in the gym. Potts has enjoyed a fine 18 months with the club since
making his senior debut against Barnsley in December 2011 at the age of 17.
The former youth-team captain has totalled ten first-team appearances, been
on loan at Colchester United and made his debut for England at Under-19
level. The club would also like to thank the London Ambulance Service, the
on-site pitch rescue team and everyone at Arsenal who helped in making sure
Potts was taken to hospital as quickly as possible.

Further updates will be published on whufc.com and on twitter
@whufc_official as and when it is appropriate.

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Diame sets it straight
WHUFC.com
Momo Diame has stated his desire to stay at West Ham United
24.01.2013

Momo Diame has sought to clarify his position with West Ham United following
a recent report in the media. The Senegal international joined the club last
summer and has played a key part in the Hammers' solid start to life back in
the Barclays Premier League. The energetic midfielder, who returned from
nearly seven weeks out with a hamstring injury in last week's FA Cup game at
Manchester United, confirmed he would like to stay with the club.

"I know there are people out there saying things about me but I have spoken
with the manager and told him that I want to stay here," Diame said. "I know
the club want to keep me too so I will continue to give my best for them. I
knew when I signed that West Ham were going to make their mark on the
Premier League. Since I came here I am enjoying every game I play on the
pitch. I think I made a good choice because I'm very happy at this club."

Speaking after Wednesday night's game with Arsenal, West Ham United manager
Sam Allardyce also reaffirmed that Wednesday's press report was both
misleading and unsettling. "I don't think there's anything in the story,"
Allardyce said. "For me, it's just about agents being disruptive. Mo Diame
has not been to me and said he is unhappy in any way. "We've had no bids
from any of the clubs that have been rumoured in the report. He's our player
and hopefully come 1 February he will still be our player. "Players become
unhappy by rumours that are spread. In the build-up to the transfer window,
I spoke about the one thing that can upset your players is speculation that
people want them. They think it could be the club talking about them in the
press but it isn't. All I can say is that there have been no bids from clubs
that I've seen in the press like Arsenal or Tottenham for Mo Diame."

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'We have got to pick ourselves up'
WHUFC.com
West Ham United No10 Jack Collison says the players are determined to bounce
back from defeat at Arsenal
24.01.2013

Jack Collison admitted Wednesday's 5-1 Barclays Premier League defeat at
Arsenal had taken the shine off his first goal in eight months. The No10
fired West Ham United into a first-half lead at the Emirates Stadium,
scoring the Hammers' first away goal since 25 November and his first since
bagging a brace in the npower Championship Play-Off semi-final first-leg
victory at Cardiff City last May. Since then, Collison has endured a
difficult period managing a long-standing knee problem that ruled him out of
action from the Play-Off final until mid-December. Therefore, scoring at the
stadium where he made his West Ham debut on New Year's Day 2008 should have
been a cause for joy. Unfortunately, Lukas Podolski's equaliser and four
goals in ten minutes just after half-time put paid to Collison's hopes of
celebrating a welcome victory in north London. "It was very disappointing,
especially after we had applied ourselves so well in the first half," the
Wales international told West Ham TV. "It was ten minutes of madness that
has cost us and obviously, against a team like Arsenal, you are going to get
punished because they have got quality throughout. "It's disappointing but
we will pick ourselves up and go again at Fulham. "The gaffer drummed into
us all week that if we were organised, we would get our chances, which we
did. As I said, it was just a disappointing ten minutes and against a team
like Arsenal you are going to get punished, which we did. "At the end of the
day, that was not good enough from us. We know that. As a whole team,
collectively and as individuals, we know we have got to defend better.
Especially away from home, we have got to pick ourselves up."

While it was a night to for almost everyone of a claret and blue persuasion
- not least the 2,800 vociferous travelling fans who made the trip to the
Emirates - Collison was naturally pleased to have broken his duck for the
season. On scoring with a rasping left-foot half-volley, the 24-year-old ran
to the away bench, where he embraced the club's head of sports science and
sports medicine Andy Rolls. "It's been a long hard road and it was nice to
get the goal, but obviously it is disappointing that it meant nothing at the
end of the day. The loss and the manner in which we lost have taken the
shine off what could have been a great night. "Rollsy knows me inside out
now. He has been working with me for three years now and I've seen a bit
more of him than I would have liked! Not just him but the whole medical team
have been fantastic with me and got me back playing again, so I wanted to
share it with them because it meant a lot and it's nice to repay them."

With a free weekend ahead after being knocked out of the FA Cup, West Ham
will spend their time on the training pitch putting right what went horribly
wrong at Arsenal. The Hammers have a full week to prepare for next
Wednesday's trip to Fulham - the club they would have hosted if they had
reached the FA Cup fourth round - and Collison insisted he and his
team-mates would be looking for an improvement in both performance and
result at Craven Cottage. "You can look at it both ways. We'll go away now
and we've got a good chance to get some solid training in and work on the
areas we've got to improve on. We'll be raring to go at Fulham so we'll look
forward to that one."

One player who will not be involved at Fulham is left-back Dan Potts, who
was stretchered off after suffering concussion at Arsenal. The teenager
spent Wednesday night in hospital and is likely to be out of action for a
few weeks, at least. Fellow Academy graduate Collison said the players
naturally wish the No33 a quick return. "Our thoughts are with Pottsy. He
has been magnificent over the last few weeks and it's great to see him get
his chance at somewhere like Arsenal. For someone so young, it's
disappointing, so our thoughts are with him and we wish him a speedy
recovery."

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Mohamed Diame 'very happy' at West Ham despite Arsenal link
BBC.co.uk

West Ham midfielder Mohamed Diame says he wants to stay at the club despite
being linked with a move elsewhere. Arsenal are among the clubs reported to
be interested in signing the 24-year-old Senegal international. But he
said: "I know there are people out there saying things about me but I have
spoken with the manager and told him I want to stay here. "I know the club
want to keep me too so I will continue to give my best for them. I'm very
happy at this club."

Mohamed Diame's career
West Ham 2012-present (19 games, two goals)
Wigan 2009-2012 (103 games, seven goals)
Rayo Vallecano 2008-2009
Linares 2007-2009
Lens 2003-2007
Clairefontaine academy 2000-2003

Diame arrived in England when Wigan signed him from Rayo Vallecano on a
three-year deal in 2009. He scored seven goals in 103 games before joining
West Ham last summer on a three-year contract that reportedly includes a
£3.5m buyout clause. "I knew when I signed that West Ham were going to make
their mark on the Premier League," Diame said of the Hammers, who were
promoted from the Championship via the play-offs last season. "Since I came
here I am enjoying every game I play on the pitch."

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce added: "Mo Diame has not been to me and said he
is unhappy in any way. "We've had no bids from any of the clubs that have
been rumoured in the papers. He's our player and hopefully come 1 February
he will still be our player. "Players become unhappy by rumours that are
spread. In the build-up to the transfer window, I spoke about the one thing
that can upset your players is speculation that people want them. "They
think it could be the club talking about them in the press but it isn't. All
I can say is that there have been no bids from clubs that I've seen in the
press like Arsenal or Tottenham for Mo Diame."

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West Ham's Dan Potts out of hospital after "positive" tests
BBC.co.uk

West Ham defender Dan Potts has left hospital and returned home to rest
after suffering suspected concussion in Wednesday's 5-1 defeat by Arsenal.
Potts, 18, spent the night under observation after appearing to suffer a
clash of heads and falling to the ground before being carried off. A
statement on the West Ham website said tests carried out on the teenager had
"come back positive". "I am looking to be feeling better over the next few
days," said Potts. "A big thank you to everyone for their support and
messages." Potts replaced midfielder Jack Collison in the 62nd minute and 10
minutes later he appeared to clash heads with Arsenal's Bacary Sagna before
landing awkwardly.

He was treated on the pitch for around 10 minutes before being taken from
the field on a stretcher, in a neck brace, receiving gas and covered in an
emergency blanket. "There will be a period of rest for Potts before he is
allowed to start light work back in the gym," added the West Ham statement.
"The club would also like to thank the London Ambulance Service, the on-site
pitch rescue team and everyone at Arsenal who helped in making sure Potts
was taken to hospital as quickly as possible. "The 18-year-old spent
Wednesday evening in hospital and underwent further scans and tests which
came back positively on Thursday."

Manager Sam Allardyce had expressed his concern over Potts' injury after the
games. "The clash of heads initially knocked him out and he hit the floor as
a dead weight and I think that is what the problem was," added the fromer
Newcastle, Blackburn and Bolton boss. "He hadn't spoken when he came off the
field. He spoke about some things that they asked him on the pitch but they
were not the correct answers so that is how we knew he was concussed. He was
communicating but was obviously confused. "Hopefully it is just concussion.
Because he lost consciousness it is a minimum of two weeks, I think, before
he can play again."

Potts came through West Ham's youth system before making his senior debut in
December 2011 - a 1-0 victory against Barnsley. Earlier this season he had a
spell on loan at Colchester, playing five games for the League One club.
Potts is the son of former West Ham defender Steve, who made almost 400
appearances for the club between 1985 and 2002.

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Diame denies departure rumours
KUMb.com
Filed: Thursday, 24th January 2013
By: Staff Writer

Mo Diame had denied reports that he wants to leave West Ham United. The
Daily Mail claimed earlier this week that the 25-year-old midfielder wanted
to activate the £3.5million minimum fee release clause in his current
contract in order to leave east London. However Diame, speaking via the
club's website, refuted the newspaper's claims by insisting that he has no
intention of leaving West Ham during the current transfer window. "I know
there are people out there saying things about me but I have spoken with the
manager and told him that I want to stay here," he said. "I know the club
want to keep me too so I will continue to give my best for them. "I knew
when I signed that West Ham were going to make their mark on the Premier
League. Since I came here I am enjoying every game I play on the pitch. I
think I made a good choice because I'm very happy at this club."

Diame - who was a second half substitute in last night's 5-1 thrashing at
Arsenal, one of the clubs said to be interested in acquiring his services -
is currently considering a new contract offer from West Ham that would take
his weekly wage from £40k to £50k. And Sam Allardyce, who is determined to
keep possibly his best signing of pre-season, believes that agent
interference is the root cause of this week's 'disruptive' stories. "I don't
think there's anything in the story," he said. "Mo has not been to me and
said he is unhappy in any way. We've had no bids from any clubs, he's our
player and hopefully come February 1st he will still be our player."

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West Ham midfielder Mohamed Diame claims he is fully committed to club
Last Updated: January 24, 2013 1:15pm
SSN

Mohamed Diame has sought to bring an end to speculation surrounding his
future by committing himself to West Ham United. The combative midfielder
only moved to Upton Park last summer, with the Hammers snapping him up as a
free agent when his contract with Wigan came to an end. That deal looks like
being one of the bargains of the season, with Diame having starred for Sam
Allardyce's side after settling quickly in the capital. Once the transfer
window swung open, it was suggested that he could be targeted by Arsenal,
with there said to be a clause in his contract which could be triggered at
any time. Diame has, however, attempted to shrug off the constant rumours by
insisting that he has never expressed a desire to move on. He told West
Ham's official website: "I know there are people out there saying things
about me but I have spoken with the manager and told him that I want to stay
here. "I know the club want to keep me too so I will continue to give my
best for them. "I knew when I signed that West Ham were going to make their
mark on the Premier League. Since I came here I am enjoying every game I
play on the pitch. "I think I made a good choice because I'm very happy at
this club."

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Young West Ham defender Dan Potts has been cleared to return home from
hospital
Last Updated: January 24, 2013 7:45pm
SSN

West Ham have announced that defender Dan Potts has left hospital after
suffering a head injury during the defeat at Arsenal on Wednesday. The
18-year-old left-back was briefly knocked out when he collided with Bacary
Sagna and he was attended to on the field for 10 minutes before being
stretchered off. Potts spent the night in hospital before undergoing a
series of scans and tests, which thankfully did not reveal any serious
problems. A statement on the West Ham statement read: "We can confirm that
Dan Potts has now left hospital and will be spending the next few days
resting. "The young defender said: "A big thank you to everyone for their
support and messages. Hopefully I am looking forward to feeling better over
the next few days."

"There will be a period of rest for Potts before he is allowed to start
light work back in the gym. "West Ham would like to thank the London
Ambulance Service, the on-site pitch rescue team and everyone at Arsenal who
helped in making sure Potts was taken to hospital as quickly as possible."

The promising youngster has been making rapid progress through the ranks at
West Ham and the former youth team captain has now made 10 first team
appearances, having been given a debut against Barnsley in December 2011. He
has also spent time on loan at Colchester and been capped by England at U19
level.

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Diame is going nowhere
The Sun
Picture: RICHARD PELHAM
Published: 6 hrs ago

MOHAMED DIAME insists he has no desire to walk away from West Ham. Diame,
25, was rumoured to be unhappy with life in East London despite only joining
the Hammers from Wigan last summer. But the midfielder, who has a
£3.5million release clause in his contract, has moved to put an end to the
speculation. He said: "I know there are people out there saying things about
me, but I have spoken with the manager and told him that I want to stay
here. "I know the club want to keep me too, so I will continue to give my
best for them. "I knew when I signed that West Ham were going to make their
mark on the Premier League.
"Since I came here I am enjoying every game I play on the pitch. I think I
made a good choice because I am very happy at this club."

Speaking after last night's 5-1 drubbing at Arsenal, West Ham boss Sam
Allardyce reiterated his desire to keep Diame. He said: "For me, it's just
about agents being disruptive. Diame has not been to me and said he is
unhappy in any way. "We have had no bids from any of the clubs that have
been rumoured in the papers. "He is our player and hopefully come February 1
he will still be our player. "Players become unhappy by rumours that are
spread. In the build-up to the transfer window, I spoke about the one thing
that can upset your players is speculation that people want them. "They
think it could be the club talking about them in the Press, but it isn't.
"All I can say is that there have been no bids from clubs."

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Iron will: Arsenal target Mohamed Diame insists he is 'very happy' to stay
at West Ham
The Mirror
24 Jan 2013 14:35
Scott Heavey

West Ham midfielder Mohamed Diame has played down speculation linking him
with a January move by claiming he is 'very happy' at Upton Park. The
25-year-old is believed to have a £3.5million get out clause in his
contract, which has alerted several Premier League clubs. Arsenal have been
repeatedly linked with the tough tackling midfielder, who returned from
injury to come on during last night's 5-1 defeat to the Gunners. However,
the Senegal player insists he is focused on West Ham. Speaking to the club's
official website, www.whufc.com, Diame said: "I know there are people out
there saying things about me, but I have spoken with the manager and told
him that I want to stay here. "I know the club want to keep me too, so I
will continue to give my best for them. "I knew when I signed that West Ham
were going to make their mark on the Premier League. "Since I came here I am
enjoying every game I play on the pitch. I think I made a good choice
because I am very happy at this club."

West Ham insist no formal bid has been lodged for Diame, and they would not
welcome one. Speaking after last night's match, Irons boss Sam Allardyce
said: "For me, it's just about agents being disruptive. Mo Diame has not
been to me and said he is unhappy in any way. "We have had no bids from any
of the clubs that have been rumoured in the papers. "He is our player and
hopefully come 1 February he will still be our player. "Players become
unhappy by rumours that are spread. In the build-up to the transfer window,
I spoke about the one thing that can upset your players is speculation that
people want them. They think it could be the club talking about them in the
press but it isn't. "All I can say is that there have been no bids from
clubs that I've seen in the press like Arsenal or Tottenham for Mo Diame."

* WEST HAM defender Daniel Potts has been released from hospital following
the head injury he suffered at Arsenal. The teenager suffered concussion
following a heavy fall after an aerial collision with Bacary Sagna. Potts
underwent further scans and tests on Thursday, which came back positively.
He will now have a period of rest before being allowed to resume light
training in the gym. The 18-year-old has expressed his gratitude for the
messages of support he has received, including one from FIFA president Sepp
Blatter, who tweeted: "Best wishes & quick recovery to @DanPotts03.
Concussion in football is a big issue that FIFA is taking very seriously."

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Diame Staying, as West Ham Face a Dual Challenge!
By S J Chandos
West Ham Till I Die

The club website has posted an article in which Mo Diame denies recent
rumours and confirms that he is happy at West Ham and wishes to stay. Yet,
this is still not enough to discourage continued speculation in the press.
The latest is that Spurs are looking to lodge a £3.5m bid to activate the
release clause and begin negotiations with the Senegalese international.
This folows on from the numerous reports this week that Arsenal are in hot
pursuit of Diame.

All we can do is take Mo Diame's statement at face value and hope that he is
still a West Ham player come 1 February 2013. Of course, what would settle
the matter is if Diame signed the new, improved contract on offer. However,
maybe Diame's intention is to continue at the cub for the remainder of the
season and review his options in the summer. If so, it is unlikey he would
sign the new contract and would continue on his existing deal, £3.5m release
clause and all. Of course, we would all like to see Diame sign the new
contract, and settle his medium-long-term future, but the immediate priority
is that he stays until the summer. Hopefully, a new deal can be negotiated
at that conjecture, but the fact is that it is far preferable to secure a
replacement in the summer, rather now in the January window and in the midst
of a mid-season dip in results.

I could not attend the match at the Emirates due to other commitments.
However, I certainly satisfied with the state affairs at half-time. The
exclusion of Joe Cole, Mo Diame and Matt Jarvis from the starting line up
certainly caused me some pre-match concern, but the fact that we had been
competitive seemed to justify the decision. However, we were then just blown
away by 10 minutes of devastating football that ripped our defence apart and
saw us conceed 4 goals in quick fire succession. And a solid inital
performance degenerated in to a 5-1 trashing!

It was hugely disappointing, although defeat at the Emirates was not exactly
unexpected. It was that encouraging first 45 minutes that unoubtedly raised
our hopes and ambitions, only to then have them cruelly dashed in such a
manner. Still, the game is in the record books now and the squad need to
pick themselves up and put in a good 90 minute performance at Fulham. There
is widespread talk of a gradual slide in to a difficult second half of the
season. I can well understand such fears, but it is up to the manager and
squad to re-group and elevate the threat.

To do that, we need to take a minimum of 4 points from the Fulham and
Swansea matches. I know that many fans will not fancy us to do that in the
aftermath of the heavy Emirates defeat. But he point is that the squad need
to bounce back like they have hitherto done after most prior defeats this
season. We have a decent record at Craven Cottage and it looks like a match
where we could get a result. The match might see Andy Carroll figure from
bench and, hopefully, the trio of Joe Cole, Mo Diame and Matt Jarvis will
start. Swansea is going to be a tough home fixture, but if we can play with
the intensity and commitment shown against QPR, then we can make home
advantage tell.

One of the most worrying aspects of the Arsenal defeat was the injuries to
Potts and Reid. It could mean that we are now seriously depleted in defence
and the necessity for defensive reinforcements has grown acute.
Unfortunately, there appears to be a lack of transfer funds for permanent
signings. consequently, we are looking for loans deals and other clubs,
certainly in England, currently appear unwilling to to strike deals on that
basis. The latest report is that Chelsea have rejected two alleged
approaches to take promising left-back, Ryan Bertrand on loan for the
remainder of the season.

It has also been reported, once again, that Blackburn Rovers have told Paul
Robinson that he is surplus to requirements and can leave. So, that is one
potential deal that could materialise in this window. The move for Martin
Olsson appears to be stalled on Rovers' valuation of the player. Recent
reports have suggested that Harry Redknapp is now interested and could
submit a c.£4m bid for Olsson's services. Whether Olsson fancies a move to
QPR and another probable relegation is questionable?

West Ham face a dual challenge at this key juncture in the season. They must
regroup and ensure that they break the 30 point mark as soon as possible. At
th same time,they also need to pull some 'transfer rabbits' out of the hat
before the forthcoming 31st January 2013 deadline. No doubt the club are
busy on both the training ground and the telephone/fax machine striving to
achieve both!

SJ. Chandos.

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Dan says ta to fans
The Sun
Last Updated: 25th January 2013

DAN POTTS thanked well-wishers last night on his release from hospital after
a head-injury scare. West Ham defender Potts, 18, was knocked out cold
following an accidental clash with Arsenal's Bacary Sagna in the 5-1 defeat
at the Emirates on Wednesday. He spent the night in hospital being treated
for concussion and underwent further tests yesterday. The England Under-19
full-back, son of former Hammers star Steve, will now rest before resuming
light training in the gym. Potts said: "A big thank you to everyone for
their support and messages. "Hopefully I am looking to feeling better over
the next few days."

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