Daily WHUFC News - 16th January 2015

Mediawatch - 15 January
WHUFC.com
Our daily look at West Ham United in the news
15.01.2015

In the Daily Mirror, David Gold talks about the FA Cup and his hopes for
West Ham in the competition this season.

According to The Sun (£), Tottenham Hotspur have joined the race for Hammers
centre back Winston Reid.

Adrian tells The Sun (£) that the penalty he took in Tuesday's FA Cup replay
against Everton was the first of his career.

An article in the Telegraph suggests that a first call-up to the Spanish
national team is not far away for Adrian.

talkSPORT suggest that Liverpool are ready to battle the Hammers for the
signature of Alex Song at the end of the season.
The Mail says that Lazio are ready to sign Ravel Morrison on a pre-contract
ahead of a move this summer.

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Andy delighted for strike partner Enner
WHUFC.com
Andy Carroll was thrilled to see Enner Valencia net his first Boleyn Ground
goal on Tuesday
14.01.2015

Andy Carroll showed he can play provider as well as goalscorer by laying on
Enner Valencia's strike against Everton in Tuesday's FA Cup replay success.
After scoring in spectacular fashion at Swansea City at the weekend, he
showed his creator's touch when playing a pass through to his strike-partner
to touch beyond Toffees defender John Stones and finish across Joel Robles.
It was a piece of fine interplay between the strikers and a sign, for
Carroll, that their new partnership is beginning to flourish. "It's good for
Enner's confidence to score," he explained. "He hadn't scored for a while so
it's nice to get him on the scoresheet again. "I thought he played
absolutely brilliantly on Tuesday, as did all of the lads. We fought to the
end and to carry on going to fight back shows our fitness is very high.
"There's been a few changes in the way the way the system has been working
and I feel we can only get only get stronger the more me and Enner play up
top."

Tuesday's game was drama-drenched, as first the Hammers led, then trailed,
before eventually prevailing 9-8 on penalties. Carroll loved every minute.
It was a good game and I really enjoyed it," he said. "It was end-to-end and
obviously we got the win which I think we deserved. "It was great to see the
pens go all the way because it means there were quality pens being taken.
Then it was great to see Adrian finish it for us. "It was a good battle up
against Jagielka and Stones at the back for them. They are two tough
defenders and it's great to play against players like that. "They've given
us enough knocks in the past and I've given them a few on Tuesday. "It would
be great to build a Cup run now. We've got Bristol City away now and it will
be a tough game. We won't go there [just] thinking we're going to win,
hopefully we can get through it and have a good run. "The lads have all been
talking about a Cup run and as you can see with the fight and desire we had
on Tuesday, that's what we're going for."

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Pair go out on loan
WHUFC.com
Paul McCallum and Ben Marlow have joined Portsmouth and Bishop's Stortford
respectively
15.01.2015

Paul McCallum has joined Sky Bet League Two club Portsmouth on loan until
the end of the 2014/15 season. The 21-year-old has linked up with Andy
Awford's squad as Pompey attempt to make a late-season push towards the
Play-Offs. McCallum has scored goals regularly at League Two level
previously, netting 12 times in 23 appearances during previous loan spells
with AFC Wimbledon, Aldershot and Torquay United. The former Dulwich Hamlet
youngster was also loaned to then-Scottish Premiership club Heart of
Midlothian last season, making seven appearances for the Jam Tarts.
McCallum's Portsmouth career could begin in a home match with Jimmy Floyd
Hasselbaink's title-chasing Burton Albion on Saturday 17 January.

Meanwhile, 19-year-old midfielder Ben Marlow has joined Vanarama South club
Bishop's Stortford on a youth loan until 15 February 2015.
Marlow will join fellow Academy of Football graduates Ashley Miller and
Declan Hunt at Woodside Park, where former Development Squad coach Nick
Haycock is now assistant manager.

Elsewhere, Sean Maguire is on loan at Accrington Stanley, Modibo Maiga is
with FC Metz, while youngsters Tim Brown and Taylor Tombides are on work
experience at Concord Rangers and Canvey Island respectively.

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Paul McCallum: Portsmouth sign West Ham striker on loan
BBC.co.uk

Portsmouth have signed West Ham's Paul McCallum on loan for the rest of the
season with fellow striker David Connolly leaving by mutual consent.
McCallum, 21, has had several previous loan spells in League Two with AFC
Wimbledon, Aldershot and Torquay. The 37-year-old Connolly made 38
appearances for the club after signing on a free transfer from Southampton
in January 2013, scoring 12 goals. The former Republic of Ireland striker
has not played for Pompey this season. Connolly spent the second half of
last season on loan at Oxford United. Pompey boss Andy Awford said the
willingness of McCallum, who is yet to appear in the West Ham first team, to
make a series of loan moves was a positive sign. "He's prepared to go out
and play football," Awford told BBC Radio Solent. "A lot of young lads are
happy to sit around in a Premier League reserve side, talk to their agents
and wait for a big move which very rarely happens. "He's gone out and played
football and he's scored goals wherever he's played and I'm looking forward
to working with him." McCallum has also played in the Scottish Premier
League, in a loan spell with Hearts.

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West Ham United footballer Ravel Morrison cleared of assault
BBC.co.uk

West Ham United footballer Ravel Morrison has been cleared of all charges of
assaulting his former girlfriend and her mother. The Crown Prosecution
Service dropped the allegations after CCTV footage showed he had not hit
Reah Mansoor, 19, outside a Manchester nightclub in July. She also withdrew
a claim that he attacked her outside her Salford home. Her mother Parveen
Mansoor was said to be "reluctant" to pursue the claim she was also
assaulted by the 21-year-old. In November, Mr Morrison, who is from
Manchester, was cleared of threatening to throw acid in the face of his
ex-girlfriend, have her killed and blow up her house. At the time, the Crown
Prosecution Service (CPS) also withdrew the allegation he harassed Miss
Mansoor over four years.

Fell not assaulted
The player, who is back with West Ham after a loan spell with Cardiff City,
was due to go on trial at Manchester Crown Court later this month on the
remaining three charges of assault, which he denied. Guy Mathieson,
prosecuting, told the court the charges had been withdrawn after Morrison's
defence team recovered footage of the first alleged assault outside the One
Central nightclub. It showed the footballer had not hit his ex-girlfriend
despite her claim. "She's seen falling, or slumping to the ground, remaining
there for a minute or two before, quite clearly, the defendant and her
friend come to her assistance, trying to get her to stand up." She was then
"put, bundled or half-carried into (Morrison's) car and she's then taken
home", he added. "It's quite clear from that CCTV footage there's no assault
at that stage," he said.

Lazio rumour
The prosecutor told the court that, in light of the CCTV footage, the CPS
were offering no evidence and no longer proceeding with the remaining
allegations. "Clearly Reah Mansoor's credibility, accuracy perhaps more
appropriately, is somewhat called into question by the contents of the
CCTV," he said. Mr Morrison, who has four England Under-21 caps, played for
Manchester United before former manager Sir Alex Ferguson sold him to West
Ham for £650,000 in January 2012. He was later loaned to Birmingham, Queens
Park Rangers and Cardiff City and is reported to be on the verge of a move
to Italian club Lazio.

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McCallum heads to Portsmouth
Last Updated: 15/01/15 1:55pm
SSN

Portsmouth have signed rookie striker Paul McCallum on loan from West Ham
for the remainder of the season. The 21-year-old joined the Hammers from
non-league Dulwich Hamlet in 2011 and has previously had loan spells with
Rochdale, AFC Wimbledon, Aldershot, Torquay and Hearts. Pompey boss Andy
Awford told the club's official website: "Paul has scored goals at this
level before and gives us more striking options. "I'm looking forward to
working with him here and would like to thank West Ham for their
assistance." McCallum could make his Pompey debut against Burton on
Saturday.

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West Ham midfielder Ravel Morrison has assault charges dropped
Last Updated: 15/01/15 12:45pm
SSN

West Ham midfielder Ravel Morrison has been cleared of all charges of
assaulting his ex-girlfriend and her mother. The 21-year-old was accused of
hitting Reah Mansoor, 19, and her mother, Parveen Mansoor, 39, after a night
out at a nightclub in his home city of Manchester last July 24. He was due
to go on trial at Manchester Crown Court later this month but the charges
were dropped by the prosecution on Thursday and Morrison, who was not in
court, was found not guilty. Guy Mathieson, prosecuting, told the court the
charges had been withdrawn after Morrison's defence team recovered CCTV
footage of the first alleged assault outside the One Central nightclub, in
Manchester city centre. It showed that Morrison had not hit his ex, as was
alleged, and she had "slumped" to the floor on her own. The ex-girlfriend
also withdrew her statement alleging Morrison later assaulted her outside
her home when he dropped her off and there was "reluctance" from her mother
to proceed with the alleged assault on her. All three charges of assault
were withdrawn.

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PURPLE REIGN
By Bianca Westwood 15 Jan 2015 at 10:00
West Ham Till I Die

Hello again!

I know it's been a while since my last blog. Huge apologies. Was I missed at
all?? Shameless fishing expedition for compliments there haha! I do have a
good excuse for my absence though. It's been a relentless run of filming
interviews, shooting and editing features, match-reporting & a dollop of FA
cup magic along the way. I've been from Sky HQ to West Brom, from
Southampton (twice) to Wrexham, from Cardiff to Bournemouth, from Ipswich
back to Bournemouth and, last but not least, to my old wind-swept and wet
stomping ground Dagenham. Quite a few miles clocked up there. No complaints
from me though…I love it! The festive period is my favourite time of year
for work. Really! It's non-stop but it's exciting and it saves me from
sitting in front of the TV all day filling my face. I do that enough anyway!

Unfortunately for us our Christmas and New Year league games are probably
best forgotten. Until Tuesday night it had been a relatively indifferent and
dour affair. What began with so much promise at home with victory against
Leicester and a top four slot then dissolved into virtual apathy against
Chelsea, a spirited but ultimately fruitless fightback against Arsenal and
then a hugely disappointing point at home against the Albion.

Tuesday night when Lukaku put the Toffees ahead I was mentally preparing to
write my first negative blog of the season and I wasn't happy about it! It's
probably too late now to go over all my salient arguments but things that
stick in the memory include…not starting with Song and Sakho at Stamford
Bridge (I don't care who we're playing at home in the next game we should
ALWAYS go into matches starting our best eleven). The travelling fans
deserved a lot better that day and the manner of that defeat really annoyed
me. It was such a contrast to the fight and desire that have characterised
our performances this season that it left a bitter taste in the mouth when
you know we're capable of so much more now. Sam is right when he says that
Chelsea are such a potent force that they can stop you from playing and
drive you out of the game but from what I could tell Mourinho's men weren't
even in full attack mode. We rolled over a bit there.

There was a welcome shift against the Gunners in terms of adopting a more
positive and urgent approach and, but for a questionable decision that
denied Alex Song a goal against his former employers, we could easily have
got more out of that game. We had enough chances but made it too simple for
them in the end and Welbeck's tap in was a bad goal to concede. I think we
really missed Jenks and it proved further just how vital he has been and
will continue to be for us this season.

I was expecting so much more against the Baggies but a team eager to impress
a new manager is always a going to be a difficult prospect. We got caught
out. Again, too easily. Cress did his best to get our noses in front again
but the beans on toast kept it at level terms. As New Years days go it was a
bit of a damp squib (or squid if you're Chris Kamara!)

So, all in all not great. Yes, since the turn of the year we've had moments
of brilliance (AC proving once more he can score with his feet, and in
spectacular fashion!) but we've also gone into four consecutive games and
taken the lead and failed to win (I'm including Tuesday night in this as it
was a draw at full time). If Adrian hadn't been in such superior form over
the last few weeks it could have looked a lot worse. Admittedly it was
always going to be difficult to retain the intensity of those earlier
performances and sustain that high energy play over a prolonged period, all
teams endure a tough spell, but I felt a lot of the time ours seemed
unnecessary and largely avoidable.

The chances have been there, the ideas and the creativity have been there
but we've found it more difficult to break teams down of late; we've been
playing with less pace, for some reason there's been less quality in the
final third, productivity and chance conversion has decreased and that
killer pass from central areas that splits defences has sometimes gone
missing where we've perhaps been relying too heavily on the full backs
getting in crosses from the flanks. I felt we were becoming a little
predictable again just in a different way. I know I am being extremely
critical here but when you're a good team, a team that is strong and a team
that can win things…then you've got to kill games off when you're in front,
not sit back and defend your position. No-one enjoys being on the ropes.
You've got to have that ruthless streak, you've got to roll with the punches
and come out swinging. I believe we can and we should. I believe we're good
enough.

On the flip side, we have played against a decent calibre of opposition so a
dip is permitted. We've come up against some impressive defensive displays
and some superior acrobatics in goal (see Joel Robles). Plus our execution
hasn't been as precise and, although I vehemently refute the claim we've
completely reverted back to type since the re-introduction of Carroll, there
has been a slight tendency to go more direct when there is perhaps an
alternative option. But hey, you've got to play to the guy's strengths and
Everton fans are complaining that their manager's steadfast refusal to adapt
to different opposition and adopt a different style (ie lump it to the big
lump up front) is ruining their season. You can't please all of the fans all
of the time I suppose!

Despite the absence of a win I wasn't overly concerned. Although I was
dazzled by our lofty league position I had no delusions of grandeur or
demands to stay there. I just didn't want a slippery slope to become a
slide. Plus, don't shoot me, but I'm actually not desperate to finish in the
European spots (ask Stoke, Swansea, Hull, Everton and Spurs how league life
is during their Europa seasons). I'd love a little continental jaunt, don't
get me wrong, I just don't want to try and run before we can walk.
Especially during our final swansong at the Boleyn. Let's face it, finishing
sixth would be great, awesome, brilliant, but does it give you an historic
day at Wembley (or, ahem, the millennium stadium?) where the spine-tingling
memories never leave you? Win or lose?

I want a cup run. At least. Hell, I'm just going to say it, I want us to win
the FA cup!

So there I was Tuesday night, in the press box, a little deflated, trying to
remain dispassionate and unruffled, attempting in vain keep my involuntary
squeaks and shouts to a bare minimum. 2-1 down against 10 men, hearing the
faint sound of metaphorical knives being sharpened ready for Sam at full
time of extra time.


And then there he was…saving the day, as he has done so often in the past. I
wasn't overly enthused when Carlton entered the fray because I truly thought
our bogey team had outdone us yet again…but I should have "always believed"
in Cole. First touch…two all!

My nerves were already shredded way before the spot kicks. My friend
Claire-Louise, an Everton fan, was in the away end with her dad and a few
texts flew back and forth. She was enjoying being entertained by the local
"comedy" next to her over in the Chicken Run but even she wasn't overly
confident in her team at this stage. I certainly wasn't feeling massively
upbeat. I still have nightmares about the last time we departed this beloved
competition in a shootout. I was up, I was down, I can't look, but I must!

I felt dead proud of all those who stepped up (including Downing who up
until then had had a good night), all efforts taken with real confidence and
gusto. But the final penalty was despatched by the man who has now really
cemented himself into Hammers folklore. Aaaaaaaadriaaaaaaaaaan!!!


The gloves came off, the gauntlet was thrown, it ends here! And it did. Cue
the mass celebrations. It was a night our players, who work so hard for each
other, fully deserved. I might have been on the verge of giving up but
thankfully they didn't. They battled to the very end.
It was an exhilarating, thrilling, enthralling cup-tie. Not a game for the
football purists but it was frenzied and unpredictable and hard-fought. It
showed just how much both teams valued the tournament. We go again.

The purple strip gets another outing and so do we! To Ashton Gate!

Come on you Irons!

B x

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Irons deny Nigerian link
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 15, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

West Ham have responded to claims they have had a bid rejected for Nigerian
club Warri Wolves' defender Azubuike Egwuekwe by saying: We know nothing
about this." Claims the centre back has been a target of the Hammers, and
Championship side Watford is news to the club despite national reports they
have bid £1 million for the player. Warri Wolves say they had turned down a
bid and claiming a disagreement with the agent handling the issue. Egwueke
said: "Offers are coming from overseas, I have an offer from an EPL club,
the Championship and from Russia. But a well placed Hammers source said:
"Sorry, but we know absolutely nothing about how this originated. we are not
involved."

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DG opens up on Ravel disappointment
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 15, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

David Gold has admitted his near despair at not being able to make a
breakthrough into Ravel Morrison's life and show him the "wonderful Hammers
opportunity" he's allowed to pass him by. The co chairman has regularly
attempted to help Morrison over the past 18 months as his Hammers career has
tottered from crisis to loan spells and back again. And he told
ClaretandHugh in an exclusive interview: "I can't tell you how disappointed
I am that the young man has allowed it all to slip by him at Upton Park."

With Lazio reportedly close to agreeing a deal with the 21 year old Gold
said: "Wherever he goes I wish him well and genuinely hope he finds himself
and shows the world what a talent he is. "I have constantly encouraged him,
gone out of my way to tell him how well he's done after a good game, have
had regular chats with him and put an arm around his shoulder when he hasn't
been picked. "He takes being dropped harder than anyone I've known – he
appears to take it personally. But dealing with all that is part of the
game. After all he's not Ronaldo but I really do wish him well wherever he
goes."

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Love him or hate him let's wish Ravel well
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 15, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

We should all – from a humanitarian point of view – be very pleased that
Ravel Morrison has been cleared of all criminal charges and that he will no
longer have to appear in court. Sadly the 21st century Twitter phenomenon
allows is a very clear insight into the mindsets of a few who it seems
would love to have seen him done for the most minor offences – of which it
seems there are none.

Even had he "pushed" anybody, this is a minor offence of assault and would
be very unlikely to have carried a custodial sentence so a few out there in
the often offensive world of Twitter would have been disappointed. In
reality it makes not a a ha'porth of difference to his West Ham situation
where the lad has totally burned his bridges. Indeed it seems that's the
situation across the Premier League where there has apparently been no
interest in handing him a chance to resurrect his career in England.

If – as has been said many times – our three most experienced coaches,
Ferguson, Allardyce and Redknapp, can't get to grips with him – you wonder
if any will. Lazio's Stefano Pioli apparently believes he can as I was told
just a few minutes ago that move is now looking likely. The thought of Ravel
settling down to life in Rome takes a little imagination but if that is to
be the case I wish him well. Some will believe we should bad mouth him and
will no doubt use the worst language they can find to do so. Others will
want to thank him for some moments of great magic whilst others will simply
wanted to wish a troubled soul well, I'm in the latter group. I hope it
works for him. Italian football is almost certain to suit him better but
whether he can settle into such an entirely different lifestyle should he
make the move is a question we wait to see answered.

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DG: 'On the box at Bristol City but no shocks'
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 15, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

West Ham will again be performing in front of the TV cameras when they visit
on Bristol City on Sunday January 25 for the fourth round FA Cup tie. The
game is scheduled to be shown on BBC 1 on the basis of course that there
may be a shock on the cards – such is the way these things work! But co
chairman David Gold doesn't see any chance of a surprise from the League One
team – despite them sitting proudly on top of their division. He said: "They
have all the attributes of a Championship side and although these are very
tough games we have a squad of absolute professionals and they won't do
anything other than afford them great respect. "It's good that it's on TV
because once again we can show everybody what we are about and it gives our
more distant supporters the opportunity of getting regular looks at us. "But
we are not intending to get involved in any shock results. I genuinely do
believe we are more professional than that."

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Reid for Spurs link "highly unlikely"
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 15, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

Winston Reid is today being linked with a move to Spurs – the third club in
as many months! Nothing has ever been very clear in this saga but
ClaretandHugh has learned that it may be an unlikely story as the North
Londoners aren't noted for paying the highest wages and have 14 defenders on
their books already. A leading agent told us today: "The top whack at white
Hart Lane is about £62k a week unless you are Gareth Bale! They'd have to
rate him very highly to go there. It looks highly unlikely" "I think there
was some interest when Tim Sherwood was in charge but it seems unlikely now.
They do after all have 14 defenders! The Mirror is reporting that Spurs
"have made a stunning offer" for the 26 year old and are hopeful of tying up
a summer deal when he is on a free transfer. However, we were immediately
told by a top Hammers source " There has been no bid for him from anywhere.
It's news to us!" Slowly, it seems, the odds may be shortening on him
signing a new deal with the Irons!

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