Daily WHUFC News - 31st October 2013

Tottenham away in Capital One Cup
WHUFC.com
Quarter-Final draw pits London rivals together at White Hart Lane
30.10.2013

West Ham United will travel to Tottenham Hotspur for a Capital One Cup
quarter-final tie in the week commencing 16 December. The London rivals were
drawn together on Wednesday after both sides made progress in the
competition this week. The Hammers saw off Burnley 2-0 thanks to penalties
from Matt Taylor and Jack Collison, while Tottenham were spot on themselves
in defeating Hull City 8-7 on penalties after a 2-2 draw. West Ham travelled
to White Hart Lane for a league fixture earlier this month and recorded an
unforgettable 3-0 victory with goals from Winston Reid, Ricardo Vaz Te and
Ravel Morrison. Full fixture and ticketing details will be arranged in due
course and announced on whufc.com

Capital One Cup quarter-final draw
Leicester City v Manchester City
Stoke City v Manchester United
Sunderland or Southampton v Chelsea
Tottenham Hotspur v West Ham United

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Jack's feeling good
WHUFC.com
Jack Collison's penalty in the 2-0 win at Burnley capped a fine month for
the Wales international
30.10.2013

Jack Collison feels he has been given a new lease of life after his
successful loan spell at Bournemouth led into a goalscoring return for West
Ham United in Tuesday night's 2-0 Capital One Cup win at Burnley The Wales
international scored a crucial late penalty to seal the Hammers' place in
the quarter-finals of the competition and finally see off a determined
Burnley side, who had already gone behind to a Matt Tayor spot kick. The
visitors had not been at their best in the first half, but Collison's
introduction as a half-time substitute for Mo Diame helped change the course
of the game in Big Sam's side's favour. "It was nice to get a bit of game
time and to be in the hat for the next round." Collison said. "If you've
been through what I've been through injury-wise then you appreciate any time
on the pitch. It's a bonus to get the result and a bonus to pop up with a
goal. "I enjoy trying to get on the ball, drive us forward and to try and
make things happen. Thankfully I managed to do that on Tuesday. I won the
penalty and probably should have done better with a couple of other chances.
"The loan move was a great experience and it was invaluable getting game
time. I played four 90 minutes back-to-back in a month, which I haven't done
in a long time. I'm back now and I feel fitter and sharper. "You could say
I've got a new lease of life and I feel ready to go again and to fight for
my place. Nights like Tuesday will obviously go in my favour and hopefully
I've given the gaffer a few headaches and see where we are in a few weeks."

With usual penalty taker Mark Noble rested for the game, spot-kick duties
were first passed to Taylor following a foul on Kevin Nolan and then
Collison after he was fouled by Keith Tracey in added time. Both spot kicks
were expertly converted, with Tracey sent off for bringing Collison down as
the the last man, and the West Ham No10 admitted he felt a few nerves before
taking his kick. "I nearly made a hash of my chance and I can imagine what
the gaffer was saying on the bench," Collison joked. "I was confident I was
going to stick it away and Tracey caught me. If he hadn't caught me I think
I was going to roll it in. Obviously I was a bit nervous but it was great to
stick in the back of the net. "Nobes is a fantastic penalty taker and he
must have scored nearly 20 penalties in big games but when he's not playing
I'm going to try to get on them. It was great to be out there in a West Ham
shirt again."

As has happened in every Capital One Cup game this season, James Tomkins
captained the side and he and Collison assumed the rare mantle of being
experienced heads among a team boasting several promising Acadmeny
graduates. Pelly Ruddock, Leo Chambers and Dan Potts all stood out as part
of a resolute defence and Collison confessed it was pleasing to see the next
wave of talented youngsters show how quickly they are progressing. "Me and
Tonks were having a bit of a laugh and joke on the way down saying we're
like veterans now getting the young boys to make tea for us at the back of
the bus! But seriously, it gives you an extra buzz looking round the pitch
seeing all the youngsters that have come through the Academy on the pitch.
"It's great experience for them to come to a place like Burnley. It's a
tough place, Ings and Vokes are on fire in the Championship and the boys at
the back were magnificent. Fair play to them and the gaffer said that he
might well stick to the team in the next round so it's a great opportunity."

Collison will be hoping he has done enough to retain his starting place for
Saturday's Barclays Premier League meeting with Aston Villa at the Boleyn
Ground. The Hammers have registered some impressive away results thus far,
conceding just one goal in five away games, but have found the going tougher
at home with three defeats in a row. "The boys have been magnificent away.
It was a fantastic result at Swansea at the weekend [a 0-0 draw] and a great
result at Spurs [a 3-0 win] so it's down to us to return to the home form of
last season as that's what got us in the top half. "It's a great opportunity
against Aston Villa in front of our own fans. The boys are going to get a
massive boost from Tuesday and the gaffer is going to get us ready and the
crowd are going to be fantastic so it's going to be a great game on
Saturday."

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Hammers stars meet fans
WHUFC.com
Joey O'Brien and Mo Diame met Hammers supporters at a special event at the
Romford store on Wednesday
30.10.2013

After arriving back in the early hours following the Capital One Cup victory
at Burnley, West Ham United players Joey O'Brien and Mohamed Diame were
straight out after a warm-down to meet jubilant supporters at a special
half-term event. The Hammers pair were at the club's Liberty Romford store
on Wednesday afternoon to meet and chat with fans, sign autographs and pose
for photographs as youngsters across Essex enjoy their week off from school.
Both O'Brien and Diame played in Tuesday's 2-0 win over Sky Bet Championship
leaders Burnley - which saw two spot-kicks from Matt Taylor and Jack
Collison win the tie for the Hammers - and were greeted with lots of praise
following the cup win. Fans young and old queued patiently to see the
players, clutching shirts, footballs, calendars, autograph books and many
other items bought in the shop.

Meeting the fans is certainly a pleasure for O'Brien, who said it was an
enjoyable event. "It was great. Everyone was talking about the cup win the
night before and just wishing us luck again for the weekend match against
Aston Villa. "It is a chance for us to meet fans personally like this and
all the lads are very appreciative of their support, they were there again
for us in high numbers on Tuesday night at Burnley. So for us to come along
to chat with them and sign for them, spend that bit of time, it's great."

Both players were in good spirits themselves and were more than amused at
the amount of West Ham 2014 calendars they had to sign - both are featured
in it for next year, O'Brien for the month of October and Diame for January.
O'Brien said: "I am not sure if it will be sold out because Mo and I are in
it! But it certainly seemed a popular thing for the fans to purchase!" Diame
also praised the supporters and said that their backing would be key in
trying to get three points this Saturday against Villa at the Boleyn Ground.
"I know how much our fans get behind us and we are very grateful for that
support always. I come out after games and even if it is late, fans are
still there waiting to just say hello. So it was good to meet the supporters
here and I am sure they will be cheering us on again this weekend, hopefully
we can match that with a good result."

Following O'Brien and Diame at the Liberty Romford store, team-mates Winston
Reid and Guy Demel will visited the Lakeside Thurrock on Thursday to meet
with fans as they look to start their Christmas shopping for the upcoming
festive season.

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Taylor glad to book quarter-final spot
WHUFC.com
Matt Taylor's penalty helped West Ham United see off Burnley in the Capital
One Cup on Tuesday
30.10.2013

Matt Taylor's emphatic 76th minute penalty sent West Ham on their way to a
2-0 victory over Burnley in the fourth round of the Capital One Cup on
Tuesday night. The Hammers were made to work hard for their victory by the
top-of-the-table Championship side but eventually made their class tell in
the second period. Jack Collison made the game safe with a second penalty at
the death and Taylor, an ever present in the Hammers' cup run, was delighted
to book a quarter-final slot. He told whufc.com: "We didn't have a
particularly great first half, but the manager came in and changed the
formation and personnel at half time, and we went out in the second half and
put them on the back foot. "I know we've won it with two penalties but I
still thought that we were the better team and that it was a fully deserved
win. "It was a very difficult game tonight, they're doing exceptionally well
in the league and it was one in which we had to grind it out and work hard.
They're a good team and judging by what we've seen tonight they have a good
chance of getting promoted to the Premier League."
Burnley started strongly as the Hammers took their time adapting to a
new-look 3-5-2 system, but Sam Allardyce's side, which included a number of
homegrown youngsters, improved after the break to see off the hosts. Taylor
added: "We did our homework and had a lot of information about Burnley and
we knew they would pressure us high up the pitch. Their gameplan worked in
the first half and ours did in the second half. It was really pleasing to
get the result and get in the hat for the next round. "Jack [Collison] came
on and did exceptionally well in the second half. It was nice for the lads
who haven't played a lot of football, especially the young boys, to
experience a good, competitive game in a good, competitive arena. "They
realise that if they want to make a career in the game, then these are the
nights they need to learn from. I think they did do that, the young lads
played exceptionally well and they'll grow in stature and hopefully get more
chances in the future."

Taylor's penalty conversion was his first goal since September last year, so
he was delighted to play his part - although disappointed that he had to sit
out the final few minutes after picking up a knock to his calf. He added:
"It's been a while since I've taken a penalty, but I'm confident in my own
ability that I can put it in a decent area. The goalkeeper went the right
way, but it had enough power on it to go in. "It was a very good penalty
from Jack too and I'm really happy for him. Had I been on the pitch I might
have tried to take it off him, but I wasn't and I'm really happy for him.
"It's nice to score and hopefully look towards a positive rest of the
season."

The Hammers were backed by a 2,000-strong travelling army and the
31-year-old finished with special praise for them. He said: "It's a great
reault for the Club and we have to thank the 2,000 fans who have made the
long journey up on a Tuesday night for making that journey. It was very good
to see them here and nice to send them home happy."

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Making the big decisions
KUMb.com
Filed: Wednesday, 30th October 2013
By: Tim Keen

West Ham United are through to the quarter finals of the Capital One Cup. We
qualified with the help of three Academy graduates in the infancy of their
careers all playing in defence.

The remainder of the starting eleven was a blend of fringe players and two
first team starters.

When the side was announced pre kick-off, I along with many others was
sceptical. This is a big game for the club, a chance to get one step closer
to Wembley, a quarter final awaits, thousands have travelled to Burnley on a
Tuesday night and Allardyce decides to play a severely weakened team against
a form side from the Championship.

How are these kids going to cope? This is not the time to blood the
youngsters, another chance at winning a Cup has been lost, the manager has
got this wrong. These are all thoughts that flashed through my head. I
wondered what Sam Allardyce was thinking both in the immediate sense about
the tie and his all-round approach to management.

However, 90 minutes later, we were through. A decidedly dodgy first half
survived and then the introduction of several first team players and we made
it in to the hat for the next round. We can now celebrate victory and be
proud of the achievement.

We have won a tough away tie, we're in the quarter finals, just two rounds
from Wembley, the thousands that travelled have been rewarded with victory.
Allardyce's bold selections have paid off. The young players have handled
the situation well and are now that much more ready for further first-team
games. We are going to win the Cup, Allardyce has got it right!

In 90 minutes everything can change, opinions can switch from one end of the
scale to the other. As supporters we have that luxury, we can bemoan the
selections pre-game and then laugh it off afterwards if we are proved wrong.
Allardyce went for youth and squad rotation, some agreed - some disagreed.
Many wanted experience and a full first team.

These are the quandaries faced by a manager. How did he balance his
selection against Burnley (off the back of a tough away game on Sunday)
whilst also considering the crucial game against Aston Villa on Saturday?

Defeat against Burnley would have led to severe criticism, even in victory
he may face some harsh words. Defeat against Villa off the back of a loss v
Burnley would have seen pressure on his employment. Even defeat after the
win will increase the nerves around Upton Park.

Just a few weeks ago West Ham beat Tottenham 3-0 at White Hart Lane playing
a 4-6-0 formation. Allardyce is a tactical genius, he out-thought AVB and
master-minded victory. In truth it was part tactical innovation, part forced
due to a lack of striking options. Allardyce made the call to play without a
striker and it worked.

The manager made the big decision and reaped the rewards. But had Jermain
Defoe tucked away one of several chances created and the Hammers lost 1-0,
then Allardyce is a cretin, an imbecile. How can you expect to get results
in football playing without a striker? The manager is clueless.

On such decisions are manager's jobs held or lost.

The remit of managers, including Sam Allardyce, is to make decisions, the
crucial decisions. They are faced with difficult, almost impossible choices,
but they are paid handsomely to make those calls. We as fans make the
decisions hypothetically, we have the get out clause of not actually being
responsible.

We can discount our wrong decisions, underplay them. Sam Allardyce is not
afforded such forgiveness from the fans or the board. If he gets it wrong,
then it hurts the team and it hurts the fans and he gets the sack. Allardyce
is rewarded if he consistently gets it right.

David Sullivan and David Gold have similar responsibilities, they have
similar decisions to make on the future and the smooth running of the
football club. The significant difference being they do not have anyone
judging them that have the power to remove them from their positions.

Debate continues to rage between fans about the stadium move to Stratford.
Is it good for the club? Some say we must leave to improve our future
chances, that we will be able to compete at the big table if we take this
opportunity and get it right. Others say it will rip the soul out of the
club and success can be achieved in other ways. It does not have to come
from moving grounds, trying to compete with the big boys is not what
supporting West Ham is about.

Arguments are polarised and Sullivan and Gold have to find the balance, or
make the call on what they think is best for the club. Not all fans'
opinions can be accommodated (though it would help to be consulted more).
However, the difficulties arise in that if no consensus can be found amongst
the supporters, then what is the option for Gold and Sullivan? No action?
They paid the big money, they have the responsibility and the final say.

When the club made the questionable decision to sell highly discounted
tickets to various community groups for the game vs Manchester City, they
enraged a number of supporters. Why should anyone get a cheap ticket to a
game that has been increased in price to the top category and as a result
seen hundreds, more likely thousands unable to afford to go to the match?

They almost certainly shouldn't have offered the discounted tickets, but
there is still a flip-side to the debate. As a club, we are trying to
expand, engage with local community groups and charities around London. We
are trying to increase the fan-base and improve the atmosphere and the
diversity within the ground. That should be applauded and seen as a sign of
progress, but there is little doubt that the board chose the wrong way and
the wrong time to do this against Manchester City.

The board are faced with the quandary of trying to build a new fan base
whilst also maintaining the old one. Prices are rising despite the huge
influx of TV money this season. Ticket rises are justified by the argument
that we are in debt and need to keep money coming in whilst also trying to
compete in the Premier League. The board, like the manager, are expected to
make decisions, big choices, and are judged by how many of those they get
right on a consistent basis.

Sam Allardyce has been given several major tasks in his time as manager at
West Ham. Get the club in the Premier League, keep the club in the Premier
League and do both whilst also completely overhauling the squad and
eradicating the negativity that surrounded the club.

He has achieved all that and has had some mini-victories in his second
season in the Premier League, including the blooding of youngsters in a
winning League cup tie at Burnley. Success at Turf Moor, with a team of
youngsters was the reward for our manager getting a big decision right, just
as it was when we celebrated the success against Tottenham.

Signing Andy Carroll and getting the Olympic Stadium were seen as
achievements by the board by many, but they got it wrong against Manchester
City and have hurt a core of supporters with the continued increases in
ticket prices.

As a supporter you can look at the tough decisions made by both the board
and the manager, you can judge those decisions in the heat of the moment and
then in a more sober light. Forums are a place to vent those feelings and
see the debate played out.

Whether they are getting it right or wrong, or somewhere in the middle, it
is key for us as fans to understand that the choices being made are tough
ones and that the self-righteous judgement from us as supporters -
particularly the fickle ones who don't admit when they call it wrong - does
not always make it easier.

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A Noble statement
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 30th October 2013
By: Jason Eves

With Ravel Morrison's performances earning rave reviews from footballing
alumni across the UK, people have been tipping him to make the jump from
Under 21s to the full England fold even though he only made his Under 21s
debut a few weeks ago.

But, another West Ham player who believes he is ready for the international
stage is Mark Noble. When speaking to the Evening Standard recently, he
declared he is good enough to make the England squad. I know neutral (and
even rival) fans seeing this interview on Sky would be scoffed at it, but I
believe Mark has a point.

I'll be the first to say Ravel has been brilliant since coming back from the
loan at Birmingham, but I want to allow his talent to blossom and for us not
to heap too much pressure on him. But to avoid what Liverpool had with
Raheem Sterling we need to rest and rotate him every now and again; his
performances could suffer from the backlog of Premier League and Cup
fixtures if we aren't too careful.

While Ravel may have the nation's curiosity, Mark wants Hodgson's attention
and has happily gone about his work, with his all-round play and gutsy
performances reminiscent of former West Ham hero Scott Parker. (Good luck
with the Fulham move by the way… I think you'll need it.)

It's easy to forget that Mark has international experience at youth level,
having captained the England Under 18s and Under 21s side respectively at
various European championships. Whether he can make the transition to the
full squad begs the question, but Roy has so far been reluctant to welcome
him into the fold.

When you look at the England squad in its present state, especially in the
midfield department - we're looking at a veteran centre of Gerrard and
Lampard. Lest we forget even Michael Carrick is on the wrong side of thirty!


Coupling that with the inexperienced Ross Barkley, the electric Andros
Townsend, the struggling Jack Wilshere and Manchester City forgotten man
James Milner. You can't help but feel Noble has a good point.

Noble is approaching his prime now he is hitting his mid-twenties. He is
playing every week in the Premier League, which is the perfect platform to
hone your talent and also to gain national attention.

On paper, the England line-up features just six out of 23 players who
feature for non-Champions League teams. But these players are mainly squad
players for these teams, or have just been a part of the England set-up for
so long they have become part of the furniture.

Jermain Defoe does not feature for Tottenham on a regular basis after they
splurged 26 million on top-scorer Roberto Soldado. Chris Smalling is not
considered a Man Utd regular with Rio Ferdinand and company in the way.

I think Noble's best shot at dislodging someone in the England fold is James
Milner, who I regard more as an England player than a Manchester City
player. He's been phased out of the first team by the abundance of quality
in the midfield department that Manuel Pellegrini and his predecessors have
brought to Manchester in recent times.

Not to mention that his form for England has been poor. I don't think I've
seen him have a good game in an England shirt, with his lack of appearances
surely having an effect on him.

In City's opening ten games, Milner has only started three - whereas Noble
has been ever present, missing all but two games this season, one through
suspension and the other in the Carling Cup (for which he was rested).

West Ham's English core have all impressed this season. James Tomkins forced
his way back into the first team after losing his place to James Collins
last season. He has taken the bull by the horns and put in some assured
performances that might make him an outside shot.

Sadly defence may be England's strongest department, with Roy using the
familiar faces of Ashley Cole, Phil Jagielka, Gary Cahill and the
underwhelming Kyle Walker along the back four. All Tomkins can really do is
keep his head down and keep up the good work, and with a bit of luck and
avoiding injury he might be clutching a ticket to Rio.

Stewart Downing also has every chance of making the England line-up. Getting
away from the pressure-cooker environment of Anfield and a hefty price tag
hanging above his head, he has grown in confidence and looks a bargain at
£6million. With a lack of left-sided wingers in England, Downing may be in
with a shout too… Unlikely but you never know!

Oh and don't forget to mention Andy Carroll, who I wish makes a speedy
recovery from his plantar fascia injury. If he can make his comeback before
the turn of the year, he will have plenty enough time to find match fitness
to force his way back into the England fold (hopefully reinvigorating our
ailing front line in the process).

Although a part of me always worries whenever a West Ham striker gets called
up to the international fold, it might just be me being superstitious and
sore over what happened to Dean Ashton...

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WEST HAM OLYMPIC STADIUM PRICING MODELS
By Sean Whetstone 30 Oct 2013 at 10:35
West Ham Till I Die

In this new series of financial related articles I will cover aspects of our
planned move to the Olympic Stadium.

Today's article is about the future West ham Olympic Stadium ticketing
revenue and what it could mean for us.

One of the primary goals of us moving to Olympic Stadium was to increase our
capacity from 35,000 to 54,000 and ultimately using that extra ticket
revenue to complete with the top six clubs.

Although West Ham have not formally published their ticketing strategy for
the Olympic Stadium yet they have made various statements on the Olympic
Stadium micro site

They say "As a Board we have always been committed to offering affordable
family football and the increased capacity opens up many new opportunities
to support this initiative. There will be more affordable seats and more
entry-level pricing but we will also be able to offer the more premium
products that our current stadium cannot offer at present.The move will
ensure the Club is more accessible to our existing supporters, plus it will
be more attractive to key groups – families and female supporters in
particular – to name a few. We are offering up to 100,000 free tickets per
season that will ensure some of the most deprived children in the country
will gain access to elite sport and drive an increase in sports
participation"

In the past two financial years 2010/2011 & 2011/2012 West Ham have revealed
that match day ticket income has totaled £18,808,000 in 2010/2011 (Premier
League) and £13,596,000 in 2011/2012 (Championship). Figures for 2012/2013
have yet to be published in February next year.

As a crude calculation if you divide the £18.8m of tickets we sold in the
2010/2011 season by the 35,016 seats at the Boleyn ground you get average
revenue of £537.12 per seat. If you then multiple this by the 54,000 seats
at the Olympic Stadium you get just an estimated £29m per season in ticket
sales.

Although I am sure the extra £10m would be welcome I struggle to see how it
will help us compete with the top six clubs on its own.

As a comparison:

Arsenal earns £95m per season from match day receipts valuing each one of
their 60,362 seats at the Emirates at £1,573. If we could achieve the same
pricing model as Arsenal we would bring in nearly £85m in ticket sales.
Spurs got £43.3m last season in match day tickets valuing their 36,240 seats
at White Hart Lane at just under £1195 per seat on average. They plan to
move in to their 56,000 seat new Stadium around the same time as our move so
could earn around £67m at that valuation per seat.
Both of these clubs earn ticketing revenue from home European games

Looking at the other end both Newcastle and Sunderland have big Stadia. St
James Park with it's 52,405 seats brings in Newcastle £24m per season while
the Stadium of Light with 48,707 seats brings in just £14m for Sunderland.

This means the average value per seat for Newcastle is £458 and Sunderland
is just £287 per seat. With the Sunderland pricing model we would earn less
then we earn already at the Boleyn Ground bringing in £15.5m compared to
£19m in 2011.

When it is finally published the West Ham ticketing strategy for the Olympic
Stadium will be a fine balancing act between affordable family football, our
commitment to the local community and big ambition for European football
even Champions league one day.

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West Ham starlets Danny Potts, Pelly Ruddock and Leo Chambers have boss Sam
Allardyce purring
30 Oct 2013 22:30
The Mirror

Sam Allardyce claims West Ham's fabled Academy of Football has produced
three more gems. Allardyce was delighted by the displays of rookie defenders
Danny Potts, Pelly Ruddock and Leo Chambers in the Capital One Cup win over
Burnley. Ruddock, 20, made his debut for the Hammers' first-team, while it
was only 18-year-old Chambers' third appearance and 19-year-old Potts' first
of the season. Now, Allardyce intends to keep faith with them for the
quarter-finals: "The Capital One Cup is a good competition for us [in terms
of] playing players who are desperate to get in the first team. "They are
top of the Under-21 league, winning every week, so I have to do something
about it. "I have to give them a chance and this was their big chance. Three
players, all defenders - Pelly Ruddock, Leo Chambers and Danny Potts - can
feel very proud of what they have done. "They were three of our back four in
the last 20 minutes or so, when we had to take James Tomkins off with a
slight hamstring - so all credit to them."

Matt Taylor, who scored West Ham's first goal to put them on their way to
victory, was also impressed. "They realise that if they want to make a
career in the game, then these are the nights they need to learn from," he
said. "I think they did that. "The young lads played exceptionally well and
they'll grow in stature and hopefully get more chances in the future."

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