Saturday, March 7

Daily WHUFC News - 7th March 2015

Sam thrilled with Reid contract
WHUFC.com

Sam Allardyce is delighted that Winston Reid has put pen-to-paper on a new six-and-a-half year deal. Speculation had been rife that the 26-year-old could leave the Club this summer, but the New Zealand captain has now committed his future to the Hammers - and Big Sam says it will be a bright future both for the Club and the player. He said: "If you look at where the Club's going, to the new Stadium, and even though we've slipped a bit we've had a great season until now, securing his signing is good. "It will also save the Club an awful lot of money in the transfer market in the summer to replace him if he left. "It's very good business for us and very good from Winston's point of view, because I don't think he's been anything but happy here in the last few years and he's shown that by signing."

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Jenko - 'It's time to regroup'
WHUFC.com

Carl Jenkinson is expecting an upturn in fortunes when West Ham United return to Barclays Premier League action. The 23-year-old could scarcely believe that the Hammers departed the Boleyn Ground empty handed on Wednesday evening and hopes that Lady Luck will soon be smiling on West Ham again. Though the Hammers' European bid may have stalled of late, Jenkinson is hardly about to give up on it altogether and foresees a strong end to the campaign.It's unbelievable that we've not come away with anything," he admitted. "What can I say, it's the way football goes sometimes and it's very frustrating. "It's time to regroup and we've still got a very important run-in until the end of the season. We want to be as high up that table as we possibly can. "A European place is what we've targeted up all season and that's still the case. I think that's realistic. "We started the season fantastically well, we've had a little dip, but performance wise, I think anyone who has watched our games, Manchester United, Tottenham, Chelsea, will know these are all games we should have got more points out of. "That happens in football sometimes, but our luck will change and things will start going for us, hopefully. And when they do, we'll get some points on the board."

While Jenkinson and co had nothing to show for their efforts on Wednesday evening, the England U21 international was rightly buoyed by an excellent display against Jose Mourinho's title favourites. All that was missing, of course, was that all-important equaliser, but with Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia in tow, Jenkinson reckons the goals will be back in abundance before long. He continued: "I think our performance speaks for itself. As a team we put in a fantastic performance. It's just the way things are going for us at the moment, we're just not getting the rub of the green to be honest. "We had a few chances on Wednesday, it just didn't want to go in the back of the net and that's been the story of the last few games for us. But things will change soon. We were incredibly unlucky with the result on Wednesday but the performance was really encouraging and I think the manager was pleased with us."

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Hammers head for warm weather training camp
WHUFC.com

West Ham United have landed in Dubai for a short warm-weather training camp ahead of the return of Barclays Premier League action at Arsenal next weekend. The first team squad flew out to the Emirate state following Wednesday's gallant effort in defeat to Chelsea as they bid to recharge their batteries for the finishing stretch of the campaign. Manager Sam Allardyce has taken his teams away for mid-season training camps in the sun wherever he has worked, with Dubai the destination for the Hammers over each of his four years with the Club. His squad will undergo gym work as well as football sessions during their time in Dubai, and assistant manager Neil McDonald is sure they will reap the benefits. He explained: "Since the start of December it's been full on and we're only just coming up for air at the start of March. It's been a tough couple of months but what we normally do is go away so the lads can get a bit of sun on their backs.
We do a bit of training in the gym and along the beach, as well as having a couple of football sessions. It's more important that they have a bit of relxation time and get the sun on their backs. "In last two or three months everyone's had their tracksuit tops, gloves and hats on and it'll be great to go across there and we'll still be working, but special for the boys that it's in the heat. "The results have always been good when we've come back. We went at Bolton, Blackburn and West Ham and it's always shown in the results towards the end of the season. "We've had a difficult one before we went and there's a difficult one when we get back, but we'll try to take points as best as we can and hopefully kick on with everyone coming back refreshed and feeling much better about themselves."

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Chadwell Chatter
WHUFC.com

Hello,

As I'm sure you will agree it's been a frustrating few weeks in terms of results, however with the exception of Crystal Palace, our performances have been good, especially against Chelsea, where I thought we were superb.

It was one of those nights where we threw everything at them, yet somehow we didn't manage to score. It could've fallen for us four or five times, Diafra had a couple of great chances but it just didn't drop for us, that's the way it's going for us at the moment.

For me, Kevin Nolan was outstanding. As our captain he led by example, from the first minute he set the tone. He worked his socks off, like he always does and was superb throughout. I think he got a kick later on but he battled on, he was fantastic.

I thought Thibaut Courtois was also excellent, he's a big goalie, I think he even caught a corner with one hand. But that's why Chelsea are where they are, because they've got the best players.

You also have to give credit to Chelsea because they scored when they were on top and they showed, with the quality of the players they have, why they are top of the league. I'll be amazed if they're not crowned champions in May, if not sooner.

To come up against the best players around is why I love playing at this level. I want to play against the best as much as possible, and when you come away having held your own against them it's a great feeling.

There were a lot of mixed feelings after the game. Obviously, everyone was gutted not to win. We didn't get what we deserved, and that is always frustrating.

However, to come away having narrowly lost to one of the best teams in Europe, and knowing on a different day we would have got at least one if not three points is very encouraging, especially after Saturday, we can take a lot of positives from Wednesday night.

We've got nine before our next game, another tough fixture away at Arsenal, which gives us the opportunity for a short break in the sun. With no international breaks and our FA Cup run we haven't had a break in quite a while so I think it will all do us some good.

While we're only away for a few days, it really can make a big difference as it allows us a chance to clear our heads and help us focus for the last ten games of the season. In previous seasons, it's worked well for us before so hopefully it will again.

Hopefully we take a similar performance from Wednesday night into our next game against Arsenal. We know it'll be a tough game, but you have to look forward to testing yourself against the best teams, otherwise you're in the wrong job.

After Arsenal, we've got a good run of games. We need to put a similar performance in against them, if we do that, I'm sure we'll pick up some points.

See you soon,

Nobes

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Carlton Cole: West Ham striker accepts charge for Twitter abuse
BBC,co,uk

West Ham striker Carlton Cole has accepted a Football Association charge for directing abusive comments towards a Tottenham supporter on Twitter. Cole's expletive-laden response to the fan followed a 2-2 draw between the Hammers and Spurs on 22 February, a game he had played in. An FA independent commission will now meet to decide his punishment. In April 2011, Cole, 31, was fined £20,000 for comments he made on Twitter during England's friendly with Ghana. On that occasion, he wrote: "Immigration has surrounded the Wembley premises! I knew it was a trap! "The only way to get out safely is to wear an England jersey and paint your face w/ the St George's flag!" He later deleted the comments and apologised, describing them as a "light-hearted joke". Cole has made 17 appearances for the Hammers this season and scored three goals.

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Cole admits charge, FA coffers expand
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 6th March 2015
By: Staff Writer

Carlton Cole has admitted an FA charge after which he was accused of sending an abusive message via Twitter. The West Ham striker told a social media troll to "f off" following West Ham's recent 2-2 draw with Tottenham at White Hart Lane and was subsequently charged with "bringing the game into disrepute". This morning it was confirmed that the once-capped England international was offering no defence to the charge and a panel will meet in due course to determine Cole's punishment. Despite having proved a vital tool in providing a link between players and supporters, social media has proved problematic for a number of players since it emerged as the primary tool for communicating with the masses. The FA's latest indictment is the second occasion in which Cole has fallen foul of the game's governing body as a result of a message posted on social media. Back in 2011, the 31-year-old was charged with "improper conduct" by the Football Association after making light-hearted comments about immigration following England's friendly with Ghana at Wembley. And just one week after Cole was fined £20,000 for that offence, then-Hammer Danny Gabbidon closed his Twitter account after he was charged and eventually fined £6,000 by the FA for a four-letter outburst. Writing in reaction to criticism by supporters following a 2-1 defeat at home to Aston Villa, the ex-Welsh international wrote: "f*ck the lot of you will never get another tweet from me again". He has remained true to his word, with his account being locked since. The following year, Ravel Morrison landed himself in hot water after referring to a Twitter follower as a "faggot" - an infringement that made the FA another £7,000. And last summer, Diego Poyet was forced to apologise for a two-year old tweet he wrote when his father Gus was manager of Brighton & Hove Albion. Only 16 at the time of writing in April 2012, Poyet used the hashtag '#scum#' to describe West Ham - hours before his father's team were dismantled 6-0. Despite having profited hugely as a result of the advent of social media, the FA have never been shy to bring disrepute charges against players for comments made in the media in general. Although his fine was considerably smaller than any of the aforementioned, John Hartson was hit with a bill for £1,000 in 1997 when he referred to referee Mike Reed as a "shit house" and a "homer" following a Premiership fixture with Leicester.

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West Ham striker Carlton Cole accepts charge from the FA
Last Updated: 06/03/15 10:52am
SSN

West Ham striker Carlton Cole has accepted a charge of misconduct from the Football Association. Cole has been taken to task over 'an abusive or offensive' message he sent on social media following the 2-2 draw between Tottenham and West Ham on February 22. The FA commission will now decide on an appropriate punishment for the 31-year-old. Following his charge by the FA earlier this week, Cole has decided against appealing ahead of Friday's 6pm deadline. Cole, who was also fined £20,000 by the FA in 2011 for an identical offence, has made 17 appearances for the Hammers in all competitions this season, scoring three goals.

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Reid deal may hail even better news
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 6, 2015 in Whispers
Claret 7 Hugh

We've had the real good news with the signing of Winston Reid! But believe it or not I reckon this will lead to even better news – the clinching of Carl Jenkinson as a Hammers permanent signing this summer. That David Sullivan worked long and hard on the Reid deal is hardly a big surprise given what was at stake but his determination to and completion of the deal is none the less enormously praiseworthy. JenkFor had he failed it would probably have cost the club around £10 million to find a replacement of the same calibre.

Instead, there seems absolutely no reason why the club can't now move in with a bid which will ensure that Jenks – my leading contender for Player of the Year with Aaron Creswell – comes on board. As we reported earlier in the week on this site he's likely to cost between £5m – £7m and at the price I reckon that's business thanks to Reid being nailed down. It's ironic that at a time too when we have re-signed James Tomkins and a deal is likely to be put in front of James Collins, young Doneil Henry seems set to show that he is one hell of a buy at £1.5 million. He's loan debut for Blackburn Rovers against Sheffield Wednesday was reportedly sensational and man of the match stuff.

As reported elsewhere on the site we get the chance to take a look at him in action against Liverpool on Sunday afternoon. So ironically the problem position as many saw of it of this season looks solved given that we also have young Reece Oxford sitting in the background growing up. For me Jenks is the key signing and I believe it's on. The Reid deal was key in so many ways. Give thanks for the persuasive powers on high!

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Hammers linked with Parma winger
Posted by Sean Whetstone on March 6, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

Reports suggest West Ham are interested in signing Parma winger Jonathan Biaiany if he's released this month to become a free agent.
Last Week Bianiany revealed his distress with the Crociati's financial crisis on social media. The 26-year-old has only made one Serie A appearance this season at the Ennio Tardini, having himself had several months out of action due to an irregular heartbeat. The Frenchman is now back in training, made his issues public via Twitter, asking how the Gialloblu's debt currently hovering just below €100m has gotten so high, and who could come in to clear it. Many words, so many explanations. Who let the debts grow and who will pay to at least save Parma," after they had to postpone their Serie A clash with Udinese prompting Biabiany to demand answers. After two loan spells in Emilia-Romagna, the winger joined Parma permanently in 2012 and has appeared 70 times in Serie A since, scoring seven goals.

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Sam voted a 'dream boss'
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 6, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
By Harry Sherlock

Sam Allardyce has emerged as the dream manager of various footballers across the country in a new poll. FourFourTwo polled 100 footballers across all four divisions, asking them questions such as whether they would ever play for a rival club and whether the transfer window is a good thing. And, when it came to their ideal manager, Allardyce polled 6% – the same number as Borussia Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp, putting him in joint-fourth position with the wacky German, who has contested a Champions League final and twice won the Bundesliga. Jose Mourinho came out on top – with 48% – while Pep Guardiola and Arsene Wenger came second and third respectively. It means that Allardyce beat the likes of Louis van Gaal, Brendan Rodgers and Diego Simeone, although he gained one vote – from an unnamed Championship player – because he gives players a day off if they play well! A League One player, though, sounded a somewhat familiar note of caution about Allardyce, having worked with him in the past. The pro – who chose Klopp – said: "I've worked with Sam. He was good, but tough on young kids."

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Bilic man linked with Hammers
Posted by Sean Whetstone on March 6, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & hugh

The Hammers are showing interest in the Slaven Bilic-managed Besiktas left winger Olcay Sahan, according to an official of his current Turkish club. Besiktas football administrator Erdal Torunogullari claims that West Ham are one of three clubs in the hunt for the 27-year-old wide player who started against Liverpool in the Europa League last week. Sahan has been a star player for former Hammer Slaven Bilic and that has lead to further speculation that the Croatian coach is favourite spot to take over from Sam Allardyce when his contract runs out in June. The Turkish international has scored six goals in 18 league appearances for Besiktas this season and been a regular in their European campaign, starting all 12 matches for Slaven Bilic's team. But West Ham will face competition from Sevilla and Fiorentina for the ex-Bayer Leverkusen winger who joined Besiktas for £6.5million in 2012.

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Wellington Phoenix Football Academy And Winston Reid To Partner
http://www.wellingtonphoenix.com/
Saturday, 7 March 2015 -

The Wellington Phoenix Football Academy today announced that All Whites Captain Winston Reid will sponsor two scholarships a year to the Phoenix' Academy beginning in 2015. The Wellington Phoenix Football Academy today announced that All Whites Captain Winston Reid will sponsor two scholarships a year to the Phoenix' Academy beginning in 2015. One scholarship is for a full football and residential scholarship at Scots College and the other is for school and football tuition at any of the three schools in the Academy programme.
Wellington Phoenix General Manager David Dome said the partnership had its genesis in the Football United Tour. "When Winston was here with West Ham in July last year he expressed an interest in giving something back and helping promising New Zealand football talent.
"At that time, we made contact with Aotearoa Football Charitable Trust that he and Leo Bertos have an association with. We started a relationship then and have an on-going association with them and will continue to support them and the excellent work they do in Maori football. "These scholarships will draw on that programme and will look at any other promising players from around the country who may need some financial assistance to be part of our Academy. "If we find the next Winston Reid out of all this then we'd all be very happy!"
Winston Reid said that it was very satisfying to be able to give something back to football in New Zealand. "I am very proud of my heritage and country of birth. "I've worked hard to get where I am, but I've also been blessed in my career and this is in a small way is my chance to give something back. "I want to encourage and give a bit of a hand to those football players who don't have too much and need a little bit of assistance along the way. "We talked about this with the Phoenix when I was in New Zealand last July and I'm really pleased to be able to announce this now."

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