Daily WHUFC News - 4th April 2013

Academy stars target Olympic dream
WHUFC.com
West Ham United youngsters Elliot Lee and Blair Turgott would love to step
out at the Olympic Stadium
03.04.2013

West Ham United youngsters Blair Turgott and Elliot Lee were given a glimpse
of the future when they were present for the announcement that the club had
been given the right to make the Olympic Stadium their home. The pair, who
are regulars for the Development Squad, aim to continue in the fine
tradition of young footballers coming through the ranks for the Hammers.
Turgott recently signed a new two-year deal with the club, while Lee has
notched eleven goals for the Under-18 and Under-21 sides this season, and
they would both love to be involved when the Hammers make the move in three
years time. With Lee having debuted for the first team at Old Trafford, and
Turgott experiencing Wembley during his loan spell at Bradford City for the
Capital One Cup final, they have already tasted the big stage. 18-year-old
striker Lee said: "For me and Blair being young players coming through,
hopefully one day we can look forward to playing there. It can only benefit
the club and everyone involved with it. "I was honoured to make my debut at
Old Trafford and to play somewhere like this in 2016 would be brilliant as
well."

Turgott added: "It was nice to see the press conference and hear the
announcement that we're going to get the Olympic Stadium. It's obviously
great for the club and great for its future. "It's going to be in the top
five biggest football stadiums in the UK, the stature of the club fits it.
Playing there week in, week out, being the home team, would give you a lift.
"It was rocking during the Olympics and it'll be rocking when we go there."

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Vice-Chairman on Life Stories
WHUFC.com
West Ham United Vice-Chairman Karren Brady will be appearing on Piers Morgan
Life Stories on Friday evening
03.04.2013

West Ham United Vice-Chairman Karren Brady will be making a special
appearance on hit TV show Piers Morgan Life Stories this Friday evening. Ms
Brady takes to the hot seat as she talks openly to Mr Morgan about the
experiences that have helped shape her life and career so far and how she
became Vice-Chairman of east London's most famous club back in 2010. She
goes on to speak about some of the toughest battles she has faced, both in
the Boardroom and at home trying to juggle motherhood and a highly
successful career. The Vice-Chairman also discusses how she is leading the
campaign to tackle sexism in the workplace and how pure grit and
determination helped guide her during the tough negotiations for the Olympic
Stadium, win CEO of the Year in 2012 and become the youngest Managing
Director in the Football League aged just 23. Piers Morgan Life Stories:
Karren Brady is on ITV1 at 9pm on Friday night or on the ITV Player after
the show here
https://www.itv.com/itvplayer/piers-morgan-s-life-stories/series-5/episode-1
2-karren-brady

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Jarvis glad to be winging it
WHUFC.com
Matt Jarvis revels in his role as he reflects on three more well-earned
points at the Boleyn Ground
03.04.2013

West Ham United wideman Matt Jarvis insists life on the wing is a joy with
the likes of Andy Carroll busting a gut to get on the end of his crosses.
The 26-year-old winger was at his menacing best for much of Saturday
afternoon, as the Hammers strode to a seventh league win at the Boleyn
Ground. While Carroll and co are no doubt grateful of the service, a
typically modest Jarvis is just glad to see his unstinting work go to good
use. "You know you can always put a ball in, just stand it up, or whip it
across and there's always going to be someone there that's dying to get on
the end of it," he told West Ham TV. "That's what I enjoy doing. Getting the
ball, running at players, putting in crosses and hopefully getting a few
shots in myself. I got a lot of the ball in the first half and maybe didn't
get quite enough of it in the second, but overall I'm pleased with my
performance."

Though Carroll stole the show with his memorable double, Jarvis was quick to
pay tribute to fellow midfielder Gary O'Neil, whose eye-catching goal capped
another classy display in the heart of midfield. That said, Jarvis was as
impressed as anyone with Carroll's twin strike. "Gary O'Neil has been
fantastic the last few weeks," he added. "He puts in such a shift and
doesn't get the praise he deserves. "The first goal's typical Andy, that's
him, getting in the box, getting his head on it. The second one was a great
strike. Technically, it's probably up there with the hardest things in
football and he nailed it."

Jarvis was in no doubt of the significance of Saturday's convincing win, one
that he expects to give everyone a huge lift. Though Sunday's trip to
Liverpool is, of course, a difficult one, for Jarvis, the squad's renewed
confidence could prove all important. "We've always played well at home this
season. We came flying out of the blocks, got our lead and managed to hold
onto it. It's a massive boost to get a win, especially in front of the crowd
and hopefully that can move us on. "You don't get any easy games and away to
Liverpool will be extremely hard but we're full of confidence after
Saturday. Let's not talk about [the club's record at Anfield], but if we can
go there and get a result, it would be a fantastic achievement."

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Hammers honoured at Kickz Awards
WHUFC.com
West Ham United scoop two prizes for community work with the Kickz project
03.04.2013

The West Ham United Kickz project scooped two prizes at the prestigious 2013
Kickz Awards ceremony at Chelsea's Stamford Bridge home on Tuesday.
The glittering event celebrates the work of the Premier League's flagship
community project over the last 12 months and honours all of the
participants, staff and volunteers who are helping to turn people's lives
around in some of the most disadvantaged parts of the community. The club's
Kickz co-ordinator George Chukwuma was delighted to see two youngsters from
his project rewarded for their input and progress in the scheme. "I'm really
proud to see our two participants receive awards today. They've both worked
hard over the last year and I hope they continue to make progress with us in
the future," said George.
"I joined West Ham United as a youngster and moved up the ladder from a
volunteer to a full time member of the team and I hope they are inspired by
my journey too."

Volunteer Award

This award is to recognise one volunteer (aged 16-25) from each community
scheme, highlighting their contribution and commitment. Philip Brown, 17,
has developed both his football ability and commitment considerably since
his involvement in the programme and he undertakes tasks to assist coaches
or lend a hand at events. The teenager first began attending West Ham's
Kickz programme at the age of 12 and has since represented the Kickz
football team at various tournaments. Philip, who also completed a work
experience placement within the club's community department during last
year's Easter break, has earned several qualifications through the Kickz
scheme including an FA Level 1 coaching badge and Community Leaders Awards.

Inspiring Young Person Award

This award allowed each club's community scheme to give recognition to a
nominated young person (aged 12-18) from their Kickz project based on
achievement, attitude, commitment and actions to help make the project a
success. West Ham's winner Jeremiah Kamanzi is a shining example of how the
Kickz project can be a positive influence in the life of a young person.
Having attended the project since the age of 13, the keen footballer has
progressed to a young volunteer role, helping coaches with the planning of
sessions and also taking warm-ups and cool downs after training. Although
young Jeremiah was unable to attend the event, the award was collected by
Kai Parkinson on his behalf.

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Crofty revved up for Olympic Stadium
WHUFC.com
Sky Sports Formula 1 commentator David Croft believes a move to Stratford
will boost West Ham United
03.04.2013

David Croft has watched West Ham United in action all over the world - now
he cannot wait to cheer on his Hammers at the Olympic Stadium. The Sky
Sports F1 HD commentator and lifelong West Ham supporter took advantage of a
break in the Grand Prix calendar to attend Saturday's 3-1 Barclays Premier
League victory over West Bromwich Albion with his five-year-old son Daniel.
Croft, who travels the world in between trips to the Boleyn Ground, says he
and Daniel cannot wait for West Ham to move to Straford, especially if it
means their beloved club will have a greater chance of challenging for
honours. "I'm quite excited about the move," said Croft, who reported at the
2004 Athens Olympic Games for BBC Radio 5 Live. "'Retractable seats' are the
best two words I have heard about the bid other than the three words 'West
Ham win'. "I don't want to go anywhere and sit miles from the pitch, so if
we have retractable seats the sight-lines will be fantastic. I've been to
the Olympic Stadium before and during the Olympics and I don't think it will
be a problem. "My five-year-old son is hugely excited about it. That's the
future of the club. I've been coming to Upton Park since I was 15 or 16 and
I love the place and have so many happy memories, but I want my team to be a
force to be reckoned with. I'm a father now and I want this club to mean as
much to my son as it does to me, and some silverware has got to come with
that. "I started supporting West Ham just before we won the FA Cup in 1980
and sadly thought more might come along on a regular basis, but it hasn't!
Once you pick your team, you never lose them. "To compete with the top
clubs, we needed to find a bigger stadium and the best thing for us to do is
to move into the Olympic Stadium for the club and for the area. West Ham
will continue to grow and grow and everyone who wants to see our matches
will be able to do so and afford to do so, especially with 100,000 tickets
being given away to those who really can't afford it. "I love this club and
I want it to grow and to start winning things. I want a bit of success and
to take my son to a cup final or a European match or even a Champions League
match - who knows? I just want a bit of glory and we need the big stadium to
achieve it."

Croft said he and Daniel had a great time watching Andy Carroll and company
firing West Ham to a vital victory over West Brom in person - a far cry from
the broadcaster's often tireless attempts to watch the Hammers in action
while working overseas. "We loved our day out. I always bring my son so he's
been coming since he was three. I thought it was a cracking performance and
the best I've seen Andy Carroll play for West Ham, winning everything in the
air, showing great control and scoring a fantastic volley to win us the
match. I thought we were absolutely superb from start to finish."

"I get more opportunities to watch West Ham play on the other side of the
world than I would by being in the UK and I will go to the nth degree to
make sure I don't miss a match! "At our first Grand Prix of the season in
Australia, I was wondering how on Earth I was going to find a bar to watch
the game in at three o'clock in the morning in Melbourne. Luckily, I didn't
need to as I had it on Fox Sports in my hotel bedroom, so I sat and watched
us play Chelsea until about a quarter to five in the morning - you have to
be there in spirit! "If I can get to see a West Ham game on TV while I'm
away, I'll do anything I can to do so. At the United States Grand Prix in
November, I was in Austin and we were the Monday night game against Stoke
City. "Someone told us to go to a bar called Bikinis because they have the
game on. It didn't come on, so they told us to try the Irish bar down the
road. We pegged it down there and just about got there in time for kick-off,
but they had a staff training day on and were closed! "We were just about to
give up when they told us to go to The Jackalope, which calls itself the
'Greatest bar in Austin', because the owner is West Ham fan! We got there
ten minutes in and were already a goal down so it wasn't a very happy sight.
We sat and watched it over the internet and it was worth it because we got a
point in the end!"

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Are We At Last Starting to See the Real Andy Carroll?
By S J Chandos
West Ham Till I Die

Just when many Hammers fans were writing off Andy Carroll, as a possible
summer signing, he goes and puts in the type of centre forward performance
that was originally expected of him. Yes, Carroll was physically a right
handful, for our opponents, in a number of games this season. But last
Saturday there was something extra in his display. As Alan Shearer stated on
MoTD, this was the type of 'nasty' centre forward display that Carroll put
in so often, while at Newcastle Utd, and prompted Liverpool to pay a club
record £35m fee. Indeed, Carroll appeared more mobile, far fitter and hungry
for the ball and to score goals. That was the big difference.

Carroll's game suffered at Liverpool, where he never seemed to realise his
potential. Whether that was because he was in awe of being at a bigger club,
suffered from the expectations that go with a £35m transfer fee or the
Liverpool playing style did not suit him. Whatever, a lot of commentators
predicted that Sam Allardyce's tactics would suit him better. And that
looked to be the case, as he put in a towering physical display, on his
debut, against Fulham. Then disaster struck in the form of injury, which
resulted in the disruption of a long lay off. He then returned and was
getting back fitness and form when an untimely injury struck yet again.
Obviously, having his season on loan at West Ham interrupted by long period
in the treatment room was far from ideal. But now he has regained full
fitness, his form has returned and that hunger to score, hitherto seemingly
absent, now seems to have also resurfaced after a long absence.

Did we finally see the real Andy Carroll last Saturday? It certainly appears
that way, although his critics will no doubt want to see a few more displays
of that calibre before conceding the issue. Its just a pity that Carroll is
to be forced to sit out this Sunday's fixture at Anfield. But at least he
will be fresh, and ready to go, for the following game against the Saints
and there will the added challenge of an head-to-head with Ricky Lambert.
Just recently many sources have been suggesting that West Ham may seek to
bring in Lambert as a replacement for Carroll this summer. So, Carroll might
feel that there is a point to be made in that particular match. And that's
hope that he builds upon the WBA performance and makes his point very
forcefully!

The press seem split over Carroll's destination in the summer, with The
Telegraph maintaining he has no future at Anfield, while the Daily Mirror
and Daily Mail go with the alternative line that Brendan Rogers will offer
him a Liverpool lifeline, as a 'impact substitute,' if West Ham do not take
up the £17m option to buy him this summer. The other story circulating is
that Rogers may attempt a swap deal with Newcastle Utd (if they avoid
relegation) with Carroll and Ben Arfa swopping clubs. This is a divergence
of opinion probably reflects the fact that no one actually knows what will
transpire this summer, so speculation replaces fact, until being proved or
disproved with the fullness of time. What we do know is that Sam Allardyce
has stated publicly that he wants conclude a permanent deal for Carroll. We
also know that Carroll appears happy at the club and that the owners have
committed to improving the squad in the run up to the 2016 move to the
Olympic Stadium. And a deal for Carroll could form a part of that revised
transfer policy this summer.

Another player recently talked of as a high profile signing in the summer is
Wilfred Bony. This story has had more ups and downs than West Ham's results
this season, with some sections of the press trumpeting Bony's capture,
ahead of the summer, and others pouring very cold water on his prospects of
joining us. Again, who knows the truth, but the probability is that, if
tempted to join West Ham, he is likely to see us as a 'stepping stone' in
his career path to the clubs competing in the Champions League. Even if this
is true, then surely few fans would complain if he scored 20-25 goals a
season for us, over a couple of campaigns, and helped us challenge for
honours and move forward as a club. Especially, if he attracted a large fee
and the means by which to capture a quality replacement. Perhaps that is how
we supporters should view the majority of modern players, ditch the
unrealistic expectation that they will show the club long-term loyalty and
rather view it as a case of us getting the very best out of them, before we
cash-in and buy a replacement who goes on to do a similar, if not better
job.

The likes of Wigan have been doing this for ages, identifying good quality
over-seas talent, harnessing their abilities to facilitate survival in the
PL and then replacing them, with players of similar quality, when they
inevitably move on to bigger clubs. Its just a matter of degree, really, as
currently middle ranking clubs, such as West Ham, raid the Wigans for their
best players and we are, in turn, vulnerable to the transfer approaches of
the PL top six sides. That is our current situation and it is likely to
continue to be so until secure the increased venues from the OS and look to
gate crash the top six regularly. Then we will have far better prospects of
signing and retaining the best talent on a longer term basis. Surely this
more pragmatic view of players is better than the inevitable outraged and
hurt reaction of fans when a player, like Ba or Diame, is successful at the
club and is then linked with the top PL clubs. After all, this club is
bigger than any one player and the bottom line for us must be that the
player has contributed to our success, while with us, and we have a quality
replacement ready to come in and continue the overall advancement of the
clubs cause. The major exception to that general approach being that we must
hold on to and develop our quality home grown youngsters at all costs.

Anyway, its a moot point. Another frequently mooted point, just recently,
has been about Paolo Di Canio and his alleged political sympathies.
Personally, I doubt very much that Paolo is an ideological Fascist. Any
association is likely to be more indirect and emotional, based upon Lazio's
historical reputation as Mussolini's favourite club and his youthful
affiliation to the club's extremist faction of supporters. Within the
context of Rome's fierce footballing rivalry, this will probably have been
reinforced by Roma's perception as the City's 'leftist' club (hence that
infamous 'salute' in front of the Roma fans). Yes, Paolo's statements about
Mussolini have been quoted selectively and designed to put him in the worst
possible light, but the fact is that he has been equivocal in the past in
his references to Italian Fascism! And Fascism is one of those things that
requires an unequivocal and consistent response. It must be rejected and
fought wherever it appears, until it is completely eliminated. There can be
no compromises with it on any level.

There is no reason to believe that Paolo di Canio is an actual Fascist,
especially considering that he has shown no interest in supporting the
current far-right parties in his native Italy. I also believe him when he
says he is not a racist, because the fact is there is no evidence to the
contrary. But I think that David Sullivan is correct in his article, in
today's edition of The Independent, when he wrote that West Ham could not
consider appointing a manager where there was any question about that person
sympathizing with Fascism. That would damage the club's reputation in the
community; undermining recent progress in promoting equality and
non-discrimination and marginalising any tiny pro-Nazi/anti-Semitic element
in our support. As Sullivan argues, for Di Canio to be considered as a
future West Ham Manager, he must first clearly and unequivocally reject
Fascism once and for all. That is sound advice!

I sincerely hope that he heeds David Sullivan's advice, because I think that
Paolo has the potential to be a top manager. So, if he does aspire to manage
the club, in the future, he should make a clear statement and take the issue
out of the equation once and for all.

S J Chandos.

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Carlton banks less cash
Exclusive
By CARL LONG
Published: 03rd April 2013
The Sun

CARLTON COLE'S West Ham future is 50-50 as the striker heads into new
contract talks. The Hammers are ready to discuss terms but the former
England player — who is a free agent this summer — will need to lower his
demands. Cole, 29, is thought to want £40,000 a week but the club's board
are more likely to offer half that. Crystal Palace boss Ian Holloway is a
big admirer of the striker and could be tempted to sign him on a free
transfer if the Championship club clinch promotion.

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Carroll's Kop hope
The Sun
By PHIL THOMAS
Published: 03rd April 2013

ANDY CARROLL will get a second chance at Liverpool — if he accepts he will
not be a regular starter. The £35million striker was not part of boss
Brendan Rodgers' plans this term and joined West Ham on a season-long loan.
Carroll cannot play at Anfield on Sunday under the terms of his deal. But
the Reds are willing to let him battle for a place next season — albeit
starting behind Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge in the pecking order. The
move gives the 24-year-old England striker hope he can still be a hit on
Merseyside. And it is also a statement from Liverpool to any potential
buyers that they are not about to sell the Geordie star on the cheap. But
the likeliest outcome is a return to Newcastle in a part-exchange for
midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa

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Going for a song: Why West Ham should make signing Andy Carroll their
priority this summer
The Mirror
3 Apr 2013 11:11
Steve Bardens

Two major decisions from the West Ham hierarchy last week. For better or
worse, the move to the Olympic Stadium has been sealed. Just a few more dots
and crosses and manager Sam Allardyce will commit his future to the club on
a long-term basis. But there is another issue to be resolved and it concerns
Andy Carroll. Against West Bromwich Albion last Saturday, the 24-year-old
striker was immense. Jonas Olsson and Gareth McAuley were left reeling by
his proven aerial power and a surprisingly decent touch on the deck. He has
shown what he can do when he is fit - and what an asset he would be to West
Ham if he was at the club on a permanently. Currently, he is loan from
Liverpool. But it is apparent that his future is away from Anfield. He cost
£35million when signed from Newcastle but he was not brought in by the
present manager Brendan Rodgers who has made it clear Carroll is not in his
plans. An open invitation if ever there was one and it should be accepted by
West Ham. Carroll won't be cheap but it is evident that Liverpool are
willing to cut their losses and accept an offer just north of £15m. That
would make him a huge investment in West Ham terms but hardly a gamble.
Allardyce is a fitness fanatic. If ever a player questions the manager's
opinion that his work rate has dropped, Sam will have the statistics ready
to back up his assertion. He has worked hard to get Carroll match-fit and
the rewards were evident against Albion. To keep him at Upton Park is a must
- a close-season priority for Allardyce. Naturally, there will be financial
hurdles to be overcome. His fee may be small change to the likes of Chelsea
and the two Manchester clubs but it represents a significant outlay by West
Ham. His wages would also test the budget. But a fit and sharp Andy Carroll
is worth every penny. He wins the vast majority of aerial challenge and his
superb volley last Saturday for his second goal is proof that he is no
one-trick pony. Definite food for thought for Messrs Gold and Sullivan and
Ms Brady once Premier League security is assured and that is not too far way
now.

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Inter Beat West Ham To Romanian Starlet
http://forzaitalianfootball.com/

Premier League side West Ham look set to lose out to Inter in the bid to
secure one of Romanian football's brightest prospects, Razvan Popa. Popa
currently plies his trade in the second tier of Romanian football for
Sportul Studentesc, thrusting himself into the limelight last year when he
made his top flight debut at the age of 15. Romanian paper Porsport, Inter
have beaten them to the punch, paying £250,000 for Popa, who will join the
Nerazzurri on a five-year contract.
West Ham were monitoring the 16-year-old midfielder and were intent on
signing him in for next season but look to have been trumped in their bid to
sign the Râmnicu Vâlcea native.

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