Daily WHUFC News - 14th October 2013

Hendo hails hard-working Hammers
WHUFC.com
First-team coach Ian Hendon on pre-match preparation, Tottenham Hotspur and
Manchester City
13.10.2013

Ian Hendon believes West Ham United got what they deserved when they won 3-0
at Tottenham Hotspur last weekend. First-team coach Hendon hailed the hard
work done by manager Sam Allardyce, his coaching staff, performance analysts
and the players in preparing for and pulling off the sensational success at
White Hart Lane. The win was all the more outstanding for the fact that the
Hammers lined up in an unconventional 4-6-0 formation without a central
striker.
Hendo said the victory, which lifted West Ham out of the Barclays Premier
League bottom-three, had also provided a huge boost to everyone associated
with the Club.

"It was most definitely a very proud day for the Club," said the
41-year-old. "We had gone through a few away games and not scored, so to go
to Tottenham and get three was obviously very pleasing. "A lot of work went
into how we played last week and it came to fruition on Sunday. "The manager
came in after the Hull game and we sat down as a staff and planned from the
Monday morning. We have our meetings every morning and the thought went into
that way back then. "The lads were receptive to what we put on on the
training ground during the week leading up to the game and I must say that
the analysts' pre-match stuff that the lads saw was spot-on and they carried
out the instructions to a tee. "It culminated in a 3-0 away win at Spurs, so
it was a good week's work."

Prior to going on a three-goal spree at Tottenham, West Ham's encouraging
away form had not been rewarded with points. The Hammers drew 0-0 at
Newcastle United and Southampton before a disputed penalty saw them go down
to a single-goal defeat at Hull City. At White Hart Lane, however,
everything fell into place. "Our defensive record away from home this season
has been good and we were aware of that. When we slipped into the bottom
three, we couldn't believe it, because everyone who had been to our away
games would not say we would have been there because our performances have
been good.
"Our defensive work has been sound and it had literally just been that
finishing touch. "Funnily enough, we played without a striker last Sunday
and we went and scored three goals. It gave us a lot more freedom in
midfield areas to go and join attacks, knowing that we were quite solid
behind them."

Having overcome one of the Barclays Premier League's big guns on the road,
Hendon said the challenge was now to end a run of two straight home defeats
by beating another of them at the Boleyn Ground. Manchester City visit on
Saturday 19 October, when the Hammers will be looking to take their points
tally to eleven from their opening eight league matches. "It's important to
get the wins on the board. Last season, we had a fantastic start with 14
points from our first eight games. We set ourselves targets in blocks of
games and we're still on course to hit that target with a game to go.
"Obviously a win gives everyone a boost and a lift but the manager is very
calm and calculated whether we are winning games or getting beaten. He
doesn't show any signs of stress and continues day-in, day-out and it's a
calming influence on everybody around him. "The win before the international
break gave everyone a boost and they came bouncing into training afterwards,
and that's the way football is."

While 4-6-0 may have paid dividends at Spurs, Hendon said there is no
guarantee Big Sam will employ the same system against Manuel Pellegrini's
side.
"We have done more talking because, with the international break, we will
not have the full squad back at Chadwell Heath until the Thursday before the
game on the Saturday. "Our preparation for the game will be a bit different
because we won't have a whole week to go at it, but we'll have our ideas and
thoughts and hit them when they are back together on the training field on
the Thursday and the Friday and play it out there."

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Powell brimming with optimism
WHUFC.com
Once West Ham United left-back Chris Powell is thrilled to see his old Club
in such good shape
13.10.2013

For Chris Powell, the start of the new Championship campaign has been a
testing one, with his Charlton Athletic side recording just one win in ten
league outings. Not that you would know it from his positively bubbly
demeanour, as he grins from ear to ear at the first mention of his time at
West Ham United.
The now 44-year-old made 41 starts in the Hammers' promotion-winning season
of 2004/05, in which, incredibly, he was only ever substituted once. Now
back at the Boleyn Ground as a manager, the Addicks boss oversaw a 4-2
friendly victory on Thursday. And while he hopes it will inspire his men to
greater feats in competitive football, he could hardly help but admire all
that is going on at his old stamping ground.

"Absolutely, I always look out for any club that I played for," he told
whufc.com. "But West Ham, I went to the Play-Off final against Blackpool and
short of wearing a claret and blue shirt, I was willing them on. "I had a
tremendous year here, many moons ago now! There's superb support at this
football club, no matter what division they're in. I was in the Championship
with them, won the Play-Off final and they could have filled the Millennium
Stadium on their own.
Chris Powell "I'm really pleased that they not only came up, but stayed up,
because that's always important. Sam's a terrific manager and has always had
time for people like myself and Alex [Dyer]. We still keep in contact with
one or two people here, but I keep a close eye on them."

No more so than last Sunday at White Hart Lane, when boyhood allegiances
were not about to stop him appreciating the performance of Ravel Morrison,
in particular. It reminded him just what this West Ham side are capable of
and Powell is backing them to have another good Premier League season. "Even
though I was a Spurs fan growing up, I met Ravel on Sunday night at St
George's Park and I said to him, what a great goal. They've got little
diamonds like that alongside the experienced players, Kevin Nolan, you've
got Joe Cole in there, James Tomkins and Winston Reid. "They can have a good
season, a real solid season. I don't think you want people asking for too
much. Of course, you want to do better than you did last year, but the big
thing is to stay in this league. The Premier League is what West Ham
deserve. "Like Sam, I'm pragmatic in respect of, first and foremost, stay in
this league and see where it takes you. They've got Burnley in the cup as
well, so could have a little eye on Wembley!"

An aspirational manager himself, Powell has huge admiration for the job
Allardyce has done at the Boleyn Ground and foresees plenty more of the same
in the coming months. He continued: "Terrific. Sam knows how to handle
people, knows how to handle the good times as well as the down moments and I
think he will, as he's started to do, gather a squad together that will not
only compete, but get points and perform well. "What he's putting together
is lads that know this league, who can perform at the Boleyn Ground, because
it's a great place. I'm happy that he's in charge, because I think he'll
bring good stability and will keep driving this Club forward."

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James Collins: West Ham defender happy with Wales return
BBC.co.uk

WORLD CUP 2014 QUALIFYING, GROUP A: BELGIUM V WALES
Venue: King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels Date: Tuesday, 15 October Kick-off:
20:00 BST
Coverage: Live commentary on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and online

Defender James Collins has targeted further Wales caps after returning in
the 1-0 victory over Macedonia. The West Ham player was restored to the
squad after settling his differences with manager Chris Coleman. And Collins
gave an impressive performance in central defence as Wales won their
penultimate World Cup qualifying match, in Cardiff. "I want to play for
Wales. I'm still only 30 and feel I've got a load more caps in me," Collins
said. Coleman accused the former Cardiff City and Aston Villa defender of
rejecting the chance to join the Wales squad before their game against
Serbia in September. Collins denied that and, after contacting Coleman in
midweek, met with the national coach for talks and was subsequently added to
an injury-hit squad. He was pleased to start against Macedonia after the
frustration of being left out of the squad in September. "I was disappointed
not to be in the squad and things didn't go too well after that," Collins
added. "But that's behind me now. We've had our chat and sorted it out and
[I was] here to play. "It was great to get 90 minutes for Wales and probably
my best [performance]."

Simon Church's goal secured victory over Macedonia, the side's third win of
their Group A campaign, which lifted them into fourth spot. The game was
Cardiff City striker Craig Bellamy's final home game for Wales after he
announced his retirement from international football. Bellamy will make his
last appearance for Wales against Belgium on Tuesday, and Collins paid
tribute to the 34-year-old's contribution to the national side. "He leads by
example in everything he does and I'm sure everyone at Cardiff will say the
same," Collins said. "He's great in training, he's great with the young lads
off the pitch and you can tell by his performance every time he puts that
red shirt on that he gives 100%. "He'll be a great loss on and off the
pitch."

Belgium secured their place at next summer's World Cup in Brazil with a 2-1
win in Croatia on Friday. Collins acknowledges it will be a tough test in
Brussels.
"I'm pretty sure everybody's expecting us to get beat," he said. "We'll go
there and play as we can and hopefully we can nick something."

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£200,000 TO BE SPENT ON AWAY FANS.
By Sean Whetstone 12 Oct 2013 at 10:34
West Ham Till I Die

The Premier League has agreed that each of the 20 clubs will spend £200,000
each on subsidising costs for away fans as part of a new £12m fund to halt
the 10% decline in away fans. West Ham announced they are looking at a host
of offers, incentives and actions aimed at travelling supporters, including
affordable tickets, reduced-price coach travel and enhanced match day
experiences. They also announced a commitment to six Kids for a Quid
fixtures available to visiting supporters during the 2013/14 season. West
Ham are also investigating reciprocal ticketing arrangements with other
Premier League clubs, as well as the significant benefits of reduced booking
fees, ticket prices and coach travel for Season Ticket holders and members.
Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United, Swansea, Fulham, Crystal Palace and
Sunderland have all offered either discounts or deals on tickets. Free
transport has been made available by clubs including Hull, Aston Villa and
Stoke, with the latter offering complimentary coach travel for all of their
away matches this season The Football Supporters' Federation says ticket
prices are the priority for away fans. FSF chief executive Kevin Miles says
"We launched a campaign last season, 'Twenty's Plenty'. We believe £20 is a
reasonable price to pay as an away fan. Once you add in travel costs, away
fans shouldn't be expected to pay £50 and more to go to watch their team,"

It is understood that Newcastle United preparing to announce a reciprocal
deal by which they will charge any club's away fans £20 for a ticket, if
their own away fans are given the same deal. Let's see how many clubs
including West Ham take Newcastle up on that deal? Earlier this season West
Ham got an Initial allocation at Newcastle of 2,000 tickets rising to 3,200
depending on demand Tickets were sold at £27 Adults, £22 Over-65s/Students
with valid ID & £13 Under-18s

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"Who's Gazza?" Ravel Morrison had never heard of Paul Gascoigne before he
was compared to the England legend
13 Oct 2013 11:46
The Mirror

When Geordie Lee Clark told Ravel Morrison he could be the next Gazza, he
replied: "Who's Gazza?" Morrison – the wonderkid-gone-wild – had been let go
by Manchester United. Sold to West Ham for £1million, he'd barely touched
down in London before being shipped out on loan to Birmingham last season.
It was Blues boss Clark and his assistant Terry McDermott who put the
troubled youngster back on track – and Morrison is now a Premier League
sensation at the age of 20. Clark said: "When I told him he was a modern-day
Gazza, Ravel was not being disrespectful with that reply. "It's just that as
a teenager at the time he was a bit young to know all about Gazza's
achievements. "He came at the start of the season and he came with some
issues, but Terry Mac sat him down every day for two months and talked to
him. "It was hard at times but we turned him round and I have to say that
from November onwards he was no bother at all."

Everyone knows Morrison now after his stunning goal for the Hammers against
Gazza's old club Spurs last Sunday. Clark added: "He has an ­unbelievable
talent. He really has. He goes past four of five ­players with a simple
change of pace, just like Gazza did. "That goal he scored at White Hart Lane
was so similar to the ones Gazza scored when he carried Spurs to the FA Cup
final in 1991. And that performance wasn't a one-off. "I was talking to
Steve Bruce and he said when West Ham played at Hull the previous week
Morrison was the best player on the field."

Morrison took a 50 per cent pay cut to join Birmingham. And Clark's No.2
McDermott said: "All the staff here talked to Ravel, but I perhaps talked to
him a little bit more because I ­identified with myself at his age. You
know, a bit daft, doing daft things. "Obviously, we all knew about his
troubles at Manchester United but it did not take me long to realise what a
genuine guy he is. "In my eyes he is a loveable little rogue, a genuine guy
with absolutely no malice at all in him and I soon got to really like him.
"I told him he could do things on the football field that I had hardly seen
throughout my entire career, even in my days at Liverpool. And I explained
to him what he was in ­danger of missing out on. "The only problem I had was
when he won three man-of-the-match awards – he is such a shy lad he would
not go and get the award unless I went with him. "Now he is getting all this
adulation and fantastic media coverage and, ­unlike some players in the
past, he will not let it go to his head."

McDermott believes Morrison is in good hands at Upton Park. And West Ham
boss Sam Allardyce is intent on ensuring the problems that dogged the young
midfielder during his United days do not surface again. He said: "Rav's life
in Manchester and the trouble he got into has been well documented. So, as
well as making sure his football education progresses, we have to be
vigilant that all the hype around him doesn't have a detrimental affect on
his lifestyle. "When any young player starts doing well there is always talk
of new ­contracts, more money, superstar status. We are seeing that with
Adnan Januzaj right now at United. "Getting on the first rung of the ­ladder
is the easy bit, climbing up that ladder and making sure young players get
where they need to be without their world crashing in is the hard part. "So
we will do everything we can to make sure Rav doesn't get carried away and
keeps his eye only on football."

The Hammers chief has never seen such a dramatic turnaround – from a player
heading towards the scrapheap, to one with the world at his feet who made
his England Under-21 debut last week in the 4-0 win in San Marino. Allardyce
reckons the season at Birmingham was the making of the youngster who ran
wild at United, ­turning up late, going missing for days and being in
trouble with police. He said: "I've seen a ­staggering ­transformation in
him. "His time at Birmingham showed him what he had to do to be a
­professional. It also gave him first-team football, something he'd never
had at United and something we couldn't give him at that time. "When he came
back pre-season, I could see the penny had dropped. He's a completely
changed young man. "When he first came here he was a loner. Now – thanks to
the work of our skipper Kevin Nolan and senior players like Mark Noble and
James Collins – he's comfortable in the dressing room and one of the group.
"Alex Ferguson and Mike Phelan knew the boy had to get out of Manchester.
"That was a key element so he could live his life better and give his talent
a chance to emerge and develop. "It wasn't a case of Alex and United giving
up on him. Staying in Manchester was doing him no good. "The problem was one
of lifestyle more than football. And although I don't think his problems
away from the game have gone completely, they have gone sufficiently to show
that he can be a top footballer. "He's got a long way to go, but he's on the
right track."

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