Manager on Monday
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce is looking to his forwards to lead the way against Arsenal on
Wednesday night
20.01.2013
Sam Allardyce plans to make full use of his squad as he starts preparations
for West Ham United's second London derby in four days on Wednesday. The
Hammers were outstanding in terms of chances created in the 1-1 draw with
Queens Park Rangers last Saturday, but slightly less impressive when it came
to converting the chances into goals. The West Ham United manager plans to
try some new personnel and perhaps a new shape as he seeks to improve his
side's chance conversion rate when they travel to Arsenal on Wednesday
night. "I'll change the team and might change the formation and use the
squad to its full potential," Allardyce said. "The reason we dominated the
game against QPR so much is that only three of the players that played in
the previous game at Manchester United started. "I'm frustrated that we
didn't clinch a win but in terms of our efforts to try and win I can't ask
for any more. Technically and tactically we did exceptionally well because
we had the energy to do so. Unfortunately our final ability to score a
chance is the one thing that's lacking.
"Our home form has been outstanding, bearing in mind it's our first season
back in the Premier League. I think we've all been frustrated by some of the
recent results that have happened to us. "Losing to Everton and Liverpool
was a disappointment and I think that drawing against QPR was an even bigger
disappointment than losing to them. We opened QPR up time after time after
time, so to not convert those chances into goals leaves us all very
frustrated."
Marouane Chamakh and then Carlton Cole both led the line superbly against
the Hoops, but with the former ineligible for Wednesday night's game against
his parent club, Allardyce may well turn to the latter to take the game to
the hosts. The duo could also be supported by Andy Carroll soon, who is
inching ever-closer to a comeback from his hamstring injury. "We've got good
headers of the ball in Carlton and Andy. Carlton's header for our goal
against Queens Park Rangers was critical to get us back in the game. Chamakh
had a couple of good headers saved by the keeper. When Andy gets back, if we
keep providing the service I'm sure the goals will come. "The one thing
we're lacking is goals from the front line. If we had someone who was on
eight or nine goals, I think we'll finish in the top half."
Defensively, the Hammers were solid throughout against Harry Redknapp's
side, save for one counter-attack that led to Loic Remy marking his debut
with a goal. Big Sam feels his two central defenders, Winston Reid and James
Tomkins, could have done better to prevent the goal, but puts it down to
learning about the pace and quality of the Premier League. "It was our
fault that Remy scored as we made it very easy for him. The centre backs
have to remember, as young as they are and as inexperienced as they are,
that we have to defend correctly. "That is a difficult job as if you switch
off you can get punished at any time. They tried to play an offside when
they shouldn't have and all they had to do was stay with the runner and
there wouldn't have been a problem. "You can lose your concentration with
the amount of continual attacks we were trying and that's why the world's
best players who play in the world's best teams are there when they are
needed even if they are not called upon often. "It's a kick up the backside
for the both of them. It's just a case of learning from the experience and
not doing it again."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Jarvis takes the positives
WHUFC.com
Matt Jarvis is feeling upbeat after West Ham United's dominant display in
Saturday's 1-1 draw with QPR
20.01.2013
Matt Jarvis is determined to take the positives from an ultimately
frustrating afternoon against Queens Park Rangers in the Barclays Premier
League. Despite falling behind to Hoops debutant Loic Remy's 14th minute
goal, West Ham United peppered the visitors' goal in search of parity, and
though reward eventually came in the form of Joe Cole's second-half
leveller, it was to end honours even. Club-record signing Jarvis admitted
there was plenty of disappointment in the dressing room at full-time, but
hopes his team-mates will take heart from another fine performance at the
Boleyn Ground. "It was one of those games where you're just hoping that the
goal would come and obviously it came near the end and we were just hoping
to get another one," he said. "We had to keep concentrating and make sure
we kept on doing the right things and put the balls in, and hopefully one
would break for us. Once we got the goal, we were hoping to push on and get
the second one. "We know we want to win our home games and get the three
points, but we put in a good performance and created numerous chances and I
just wish we could have put them away. "Our home form has been really,
really good and we wanted to keep that going. Especially against QPR, we
needed to get a positive result. We are disappointed that we didn't get the
three points but the performance was good. "I don't think anyone can
question everyone's desire to win the game. We're all disappointed that we
didn't get the three points but we've got to think positively and take a
very good performance and a point away from the game."
Jarvis also pointed to the fact that he and his colleagues will have to
produce the goods if they want to keep their names on Sam Allardyce's team
sheet.
"With the squad that we've got if you're not playing well, then you won't
get in the team and that's always a good thing for a squad, and it makes
sure everyone's really working hard and getting the right result for the
team."
Next up for the Hammers is a daunting trip to Arsenal's Emirates Stadium on
Wednesday, but the former Wolverhampton Wanderers winger insists West Ham
will head to north London in confident mood, in the hope of gaining yet
another positive result. "We've got to go there and put in a good
performance away from home, which we haven't really done recently," Jarvis
added. "We take confidence from Saturday that we were grinding away and
hopefully we can do that on Wednesday. "We've been working hard [away from
home] to get our shape and get the same momentum and formation, crosses and
shots on goal. It's just not happened for us recently. "If you let in an
early goal away from home, it's always hard to come back from. But we've got
to show character and desire as we've done on Saturday to make sure we get a
result. It's a game in hand for us and we go there with confidence from QPR
and will try and get a positive result."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Allardyce on... QPR
KUMb.com
Filed: Sunday, 20th January 2013
By: Staff Writer
Delighted with the number of goalscoring opportunities created, Sam
Allardyce spoke rather less effusively about the quality of West Ham's
finishing against Queens Park Rangers. Here's his post-match press
conference exclusively in full...
Sam: I think you had enough chances to win three games today?
It's our Achilles heel, unfortunately. We've suffered that in recent weeks,
but more away from home. We've suffered here today because we couldn't have
created more opportunities to score than we did in the 90 minutes, but we
failed to get more than one.
However dominant we were in the statistics department or however many more
shots or crosses we had the one thing that matters at the end of the day is
the score - and the score was 1-1. At the end we have to be massively
frustrated and disappointed that we haven't turned that performance into a
well-deserved three points.
Is that it? Thank you!
Do you think you should have had a penalty in the first half?
Possibly. Looking at the replay on the laptop it looks like Howard Webb's
not in a great position to see it. I think he got a touch on Chamakh but I
don't think the referee's in a position to have a clear view of the incident
so what you can't see, you can't give as they say.
Whatever happened to day we just couldn't seem to get the ball in front of
the net as often as we should have done. Whenever we beat the goalkeeper
there seemed to be someone on the line who blocked it or whatever it was, so
it's been a very frustrating day for us. But by the same token you say to
the players, "if you continue to perform like that you're going to win more
than you draw, believe me."
How do you feel [Marouane] Chamakh did on his full debut?
Not too bad; I think he grew into the game and got better like we all did.
He got a couple of very good headers in the second half that we'd have loved
him to score from to get off the mark straight away. We've seen his power in
the air and in the end, it's his first game for a long time and he's lacking
that competitive edge. I think the last game he had was against Reading in
the Cup, quite a long time ago.
So, we brought him off and Carlton came on and did a job, because he got the
header in [that led to the goal]. When you've got strong headers of the ball
and put 46 crosses in like we did [today] you're giving them the right
service to score with one of their strengths. Hopefully that'll turn into
him scoring a few more goals for us. That's been our problem, our front men
don't score enough goals to win games of football we should win.
And Joe Cole chipping in with his first goal since coming back?
Yeah, great instinct to follow in and a great header from Carlton. They've
Cole Cole-d them!
What was he like in the dressing room afterwards?
He's pleased but he's disappointed that we haven't won it like everybody is.
In fact we're looking very dejected, almost like we've lost because they
knew that performance should have got them three points. As I said, I told
the lads "carry on like that and you'll win more games than you draw".
At the other end, all we got done by was the sucker punch. We talked before
the game about how they'll play on the break and look for one chance and
play the ball in behind you, because you're bound to leave spaces at the
back when you're dominating the opposition. Foolishly, we tried to play a
stupid offside instead of just tracking Remy and he put it away well.
Have you made a decision as to how you'll react to the misconduct charge?
Not yet. Today's game was far more important than a misconduct charge. I'll
sit down and review it with the people I need to review it with and make a
decision from there.
Has Jaaskelainen got hypothermia?
He didn't do much, yeah! No I don't think he did; it's encouraging to do
what we did today but the frustration and disappointment is that it didn't
lead to what could have been a comfortable victory.
QPR are a much different team to the one you played at Loftus Road, aren't
they? They seem a lot more resilient now?
Yeah, they are; they're not playing open, attacking football like Mark
Hughes tried to play earlier in the season. They took the game to us and
tried to open us up but they opened themselves up, we took full advantage of
that and got a well-deserved 2-1 win in the end. Now they make life
extremely difficult for you, it's hard to break them down and in the end we
did break them down but couldn't find a way to put the ball in the back of
the net more.
But yes, they have a certain way - particularly away from home that's
brought them another point. Whether Harry [Redknapp] thinks that's good
enough or not they've gone a long time without losing too many games, which
is what you want to do as a manager. Ultimately he probably knows in the end
that he's got to start winning instead of drawing but their system and the
frustration they're causing everybody has worked quite well for them.
It's frustrated us today because we know we should have won and we haven't.
It frustrated Tottenham and it certainly frustrated Chelsea, because they
won that one.
QPR were in for Joe Cole as well and they've shown they've got a lot of
spending power this week; how crucial was that to get him over the line?
Particularly when you play teams with the tactics of QPR today there's not a
lot of space to find in which to break them down because they fill the
18-yard line with four players and put four or five players in front of
that. You need clever, skilful little players to wriggle through those small
spaces and start creating for you which obviously he did.
On the other side is Matt Jarvis, a different type of player pounding the
full back and pounding the back four with cross after cross. That's where
the equaliser and chances came from. The service and providing of
opportunities was great today, unfortunately the finishing let us down.
Any news on Martin Olsson at all?
No, there's no news on Martin Olsson coming to a conclusion at the moment.
We haven't had a bid accepted by Blackburn.
You're still a few points ahead of the relegation zone. Is it important to
keep ahead of that pack?
We haven't lost or gained that much today so it's another game gone by.
We're in our worst run for picking up points at the minute, but that's not
to suggest that our performances have warranted so few points. The bottom
line, as always, is that if you don't finish your chances you pay a penalty
- and we paid the penalty today and in previous games before that.
Thank you.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Redknapp on... West Ham United
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 20th January 2013
By: Staff Writer
QPR's Harry Redknapp mixes his metaphors and tries to convince everyone that
he wasn't bothered by the negative chanting that came his way during
Saturday's game. Here's his post match presser, exclusively in full, here on
KUMB...
Harry: A good start for Loic Remy?
Yeah, it was good to see him score in his first game. I felt at that stage
of the game that him and Taarabt were going to do a bit of damage today but
then we came under the cosh and it was difficult.
Do you think that's a point gained or two dropped?
I think that's a point gained, I couldn't say we deserved to come away with
a win - that would be nonsense, wouldn't it? We didn't get beat so that's
five games unbeaten and at least we're in there, trying hard, having a go.
We came under severe pressure from corners, they penned us in and it was
difficult.
Carlton Cole came on and they knocked balls up to him; he's always a threat,
flicking them on, holding it up and getting bodies in the box. But we have
to try to play with a little more quality. We got in front and really that's
when you should be keeping hold of the ball - and we couldn't keep the ball.
As you say you did get in front but the second half was a barrage?
Yeah, it was. You've got to play, you've got to be bold enough to keep the
ball and want the ball, you can't keep kicking the ball back to them and
inviting another attack. That's what we tended to do second half; we just
sat in there, got deeper and couldn't get out really.
What you're going to need over the next couple of months is spirit, isn't
it? And you showed lots of that today, didn't you?
Yeah; you need spirit but you need quality as well as spirit and effort will
only take you so far. You need a bit of quality, you need to be able to
play, you need people who can play and pass the ball under pressure. I like
teams who can play and we need to be bolder and play, try to pass and keep
hold of the ball better.
Does that make it even more disappointing that you didn't get Joe Cole?
Well no; I wanted Joe, I think we could have got Joe and I would have had
Joe about two weeks before West Ham got him. It just took a long time to get
sorted, to be honest with you. We were talking to Joe's people for three
weeks before West Ham came on the scene. So I could have got Joe - and I
wanted to get Joe - but it just dragged on too long and I was disappointed
not to get him.
Presumably he wanted to come back here?
Yeah, once West Ham came in he was only ever going to come to West Ham. This
is Joe's club and I don't blame him. I said to him just now, he's made the
right decision, this is his home where he started as a 12-year-old when I
signed him. He's a fantastic boy and a good player and I'm sure the fans are
delighted to have him back here.
Why did it take so long?
I don't know really, I just think sometimes with them deals you have to get
them done quickly and once other people get alerted to players being
available you can lose them. I don't know. I think Joe had some bits and
pieces to tie up with Liverpool as well so it just dragged on a bit.
The finish from Remy must have pleased you, he took it extremely well?
Yeah, he did. But he will do that. He's got great movement off the ball and
if you can get people to slide him in when he makes runs he'll get in,
because he's got pace and he'll score some goals. He'll do okay.
And that gives you alternatives now?
Well we haven't had any pace up front, that's been the problem. I think with
Zamora coming back as well, if I can get Bobby fit - he could be around next
week hopefully - he and Remy could be a really good partnership.
Are you still convinced? From the outset you've been very positive.
I've got to be, yeah. It's going to be tight, it's going to be tough but
we've gone five games unbeaten. We're improving, we've done okay. It isn't
easy when you've only got four points after 13 games, is it? We're picking
up points at the moment, we're averaging more than a point per game. We just
need to get two wins on the spin. We've had a hard run; going to Chelsea and
winning there was difficult, then playing against a Tottenham team last week
with fantastic players. They're an outstanding team and to get a draw with
them was a great result. Then to come here is not easy for any team, I don't
care who comes here, it's a tough place to come.
A draw at West Ham is a decent result, isn't it? The problem is there aren't
that many games to go...
No, there's still enough games. If you win back to back games the whole
picture will change. Whether it's now or whether it's in eight games' time,
there's a long way to go. I was talking to Ian Holloway yesterday, I think
they [Blackpool] had something like 28 points from 23 games and they went
down. It can turn; you see teams suddenly getting dragged into it now from
above. It can happen.
What's the latest with Yann M'Vila?
We're still working on it, you know. We're still working on him.
We hear Tottenham are getting involved?
Are they?
And an unnamed Russian club?
A Russian club? I don't know, you know. You need to get deals done quickly,
the longer it goes on the more people get involved. They see his name in the
paper, he's good value... you know. So...
You got a great record coming back here, does it still mean something to
you?
Yeah, the place means something to me, of course. I grew up here, I came
here at 15 so... Different people now though.
What did you think of the reaction from the [home] fans?
I don't... I haven't got a clue. I don't give a monkey's, you know what I
mean? What am I, going home tonight worrying about what anyone thinks of me
here? I couldn't give two monkeys, it's the least of my worries.
Ryan Nelsen again was pretty special for you at the back?
Yes; great competitor.
Has he played three games for you this week?
No, he didn't play in the Cup game.
But he's still putting everything on the line for you, isn't he?
He's a top man, a great pro and a good centre half. We're going to lose him
unfortunately so...
Is that in March?
Yeah; the start of March, end of February I think.
Thank you fellas.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Monday, January 21
Sunday, January 20
Daily WHUFC News - 20th January 2013
Big Sam frustrated by QPR draw
WHUFC.com
The manager was left scratching his head after watching West Ham United held
to a 1-1 draw by the Hoops
19.01.2013
Sam Allardyce admitted to feeling immense frustration after watching his
West Ham United do everything but beat Queens Park Rangers on Saturday. The
Hammers completely dominated the game at a freezing cold Boleyn Ground, but
were unable to break through the ice that was the massed ranks of the QPR
defence. The Hoops were outplayed in all departments, but were able to
snatch a 1-1 draw by virtue of taking a shock 14th-minute lead through new
signing Loic Remy, who beat the offside trap before sliding his low shot
past Jussi Jaaskelainen. From then on, a few counter-attacks aside, it was
all West Ham. Big Sam's side launched 46 crosses into the QPR penalty area
and unleashed 22 shots, many of which were saved by inspired goalkeeper
Julio Cesar or blocked by his defenders.
West Ham finally found a way through the Rangers rearguard on 68 minutes,
when yet another Matt Jarvis cross was headed on goal by substitute Carlton
Cole. Cesar parried and Joe Cole tapped in the rebound - to the immense
relief of the vast majority of the shivering capacity crowd. Afterwards, Big
Sam told West Ham TV he could not believe his side had not collected all
three points. "It's not just the stats, but if you had watched the game with
the naked eye, whether you are a West Ham fan, a manager or a coach, you
would have watched the game and said 'Wow! What a performance and what a
complete domination of the opposition'. But unfortunately, however brilliant
your stats are against the opposition's stats, the bottom line stat reads
'West Ham 1 QPR 1' and that's the most important one. "In the end, I am as
frustrated as anybody else that we didn't record a very comfortable victory.
Because it hasn't brough that comfortable victory, it's a big disappointment
for us all and we're all massively frustrated and, may I say, none more so
than the players. You hear all this stuff about players getting this or that
much money and it not meaning that much to them, but it's the biggest load
of rubbish. "Over the last five or six years, I have seen players give their
all week in and week out. If they are not quite up to the level you are
playing at, then that's fine. It's not about the fact they don't try because
they do. They are dejected like everybody else. "We just have to take the
massive positives out of this game, which is over-running a team and the
only thing we didn't over-run them by was a victory that should have, in my
assessment, about 4-1. We had ten shots on target, ten or more off-target
and 46 crosses - it just never stopped - but only one goal, which I have to
say isn't good enough. We must be as dominant as that but we must come off
with a victory at the end of it and not come off disappointed like we have
against QPR."
Big Sam was also disappointed by the nature of Remy's goal, with the France
international being allowed to spring the offside trap to race in on goal
and finish with relative ease. "I am disappointed because I coached it in
the week and I spoke to the players about it on Friday. I warned them on
Saturday when we knew Remy would play his first game up front. I said there
would long times when we're attacking the opposition so you can't get caught
watching the ball instead of where your man is, because when they break with
someone like Taarabt who can play a good ball, we just blew it. "Winston
Reid and James Tomkins just did exactly what I told them not to do -
switched off, got caught watching the ball and got too tight to Remy and
tried to play an offside that was never going to work. In the end, the lad
tucked it away well and left us one behind."
The manager was, however, happier with his players' reaction in continuing
to take the game to the visitors, despite that early setback. "We knew we
didn't deserve it but it happens and we knew we had to fight back from that.
Particularly in the second half, from a footbal point of view, there
couldn't have been any more action in the box. Sadly, ultimately we should
have put the ball in the net more often than we did."
When West Ham did score, it was no surprise that it was the impressive Joe
Cole who was the man to get his name on the sheet, but it was just a shame
neither he nor his colleagues could fashion a late winner. "In the end, we
got the goal and I thought we had plenty of time to go on and win it, but
unfortunately we didn't get the winner. I have to say there was a huge
element of bad luck in what happened to us in that the ball didn't bounce
for us or it has beaten the defender and hit the defender when he didn't
know much about it. "There was one stage when we had four or five shots at
once and they didn't go in. We could have still been doing that at 7pm and
not scored again. "At the end, we got a point. Alright, it's not what we
deserved but we've just got to move on and keep positive and try to keep
recreating those performances, especially at Upton Park."
One player who also impressed was full debutant Marouane Chamakh, who linked
the play well and might have won a penalty and scored with two powerful
downward headers on another day. When Chamakh tired, Carlton Cole replaced
him and played a massive part in his namesake's equaliser. "He has played
well and linked the play and he grew into the game. He has got a huge lack
of match practice so he fatigued. So we brought on Coley and he has helped
us come from behind to get on level terms with a really dangerous header
that Cesar has pushed to Joe, who's tapped it in. "I thought that was going
to trigger us to go on and get the victory but it didn't. Apart from poor
finishing, everyone played an excellent game."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
A message from the Vice-Chairman
WHUFC.com
Vice-Chairman Karren Brady reflects on the Joint-Chairmen's first three
years wtih West Ham United
19.01.2013
If most West Ham United fans cast their minds back to how they were feeling
about their team at the start of 2010, one of the most likely emotions that
would spring to mind would be concern. The club were on the precipice of
financial meltdown and were being forced to sell some of their prized assets
just to stay in business. The likes of Craig Bellamy, James Collins and
George McCartney had been sold and more were set to join the Boleyn Ground
exodus. I remember speaking to some of my West Ham-supporting friends at the
time and there was a genuine sense of unease that if their team's flirtation
with relegation became something more serious, then they could follow some
of the other 'fallen giants' into the lower divisions of English football
and never return. But on the 19 January 2010, David Sullivan and David Gold
clinched a deal to become majority shareholders and Joint-Chairmen of the
club they have supported all of their lives. I believe it will turn out to
be a significant and monumental day in the history of West Ham United and
one I'm sure Hammers fans will look back on in the future as a turning point
for their club.
David Sullivan said at the time: "It will be an immense privilege to lead
this great football club and more importantly its supporters. The club is
now back in the hands of East Enders, people who understand the community
and its passion for the Hammers. I believe that depth of feeling will also
bring us through what has been a difficult period."
David Gold also has a great affinity with the club; he was born across the
road from Upton Park at number 442 Green Street and also represented the
club as a youth team player. And on the day they were confirmed as the new
owners, he added: "Finally I have come home to the club I love with all my
heart. This is an incredibly sweet moment but we have to put the romance
aside now and get on with a difficult job."
Having worked with them for 25 years I know how much those words were from
the heart. Even when we were at Birmingham City, a club we all care
passionately about, they would often spend time talking about how things
were going at the Boleyn Ground. When it was confirmed that their offer to
buy West Ham United had been accepted, they could hardly contain their
excitement. But I remember when we walked into the stadium together for the
very first time that day, they were deeply emotional.
Despite their obvious happiness at buying the club and saving it from the
looming threat of administration, we knew we had a huge job on our hands so
we quickly set about putting things right. Fast-forward exactly three years
to today and the picture is a lot rosier. The playing squad is arguably one
of the strongest West Ham have ever had in the Premier League, with seasoned
internationals complementing a host of exciting Academy graduates.
Interestingly, I can pinpoint the exact time when the philosophy behind the
assembly of this squad began, just a week after the only real disappointment
of the last three years - relegation to the Championship at the end of the
2010/11 season. At a long and intense Board meeting, David Sullivan and
David Gold decided on an ambitious transfer policy that would aim to get the
club back to the top table of English football within two years and keep us
there. Of course this wasn't going to be easy given the financial
repercussions of relegation, but both of them agreed that they would
continue to support the club financially with millions of pounds of their
own life savings to try and get us back up as quickly as possible. The first
decisive action was to appoint a highly-rated manager with Premier League
pedigree and we got that in abundance with Sam Allardyce's arrival on 1 June
2011. Sam should be credited for being willing to take on the daunting task
of rebuilding a broken squad following the knockback of relegation.
The signing of Newcastle United captain Kevin Nolan a few weeks later was a
sign of things to come, as he was joined over the course of the season by
experienced pros Matt Taylor, Ricardo Vaz Te, Guy Demel, Papa Bouba Diop and
Abdoulaye Faye. The rest, as they say, is history, as their forward-thinking
mentality paid off and we were promoted back to the Premier League at the
first attempt. And in doing so, the players provided one of the greatest
days for the claret and blue army in recent times as West Ham overcame
Blackpool to lift the Play-Off trophy at Wembley last May.
But the Joint-Chairmen did not rest on their laurels and oversaw a summer of
transfer activity that had the Hammers' fans buzzing with excitement. But to
ensure the club continued to move forward, they once again had to dip into
their own pockets to fund the moves. In my opinion they went above and
beyond what could be reasonably expected of them as owners and I know that
they wouldn't have done it for any other club than West Ham. It just means
too much.
After re-signing former Boleyn Ground favourites McCartney and Collins on
permanent deals, Matt Jarvis was soon added for a club record-fee, along
with powerful midfielder Mo Diame. But our business was not done there as
soon after, through their sheer persistence and doggedness, Andy Carroll,
Britain's most expensive footballer to date, agreed a season-long loan deal
from Liverpool.
Our reward for their ambitious transfer policy has been a hugely impressive
start to life back in the Premier League, which was boosted further by the
recent signing of former Hammer of the Year and England international Joe
Cole. The situation off the pitch is also looking a lot healthier. Although
the club debts are some way from being cleared, the latest set of accounts
we published showed the club had turned its first operating profit for a
number of years last year.
We have a clear strategy to continue that turnaround and possess the ability
to process and plan it. But let me be clear that it is not just down to the
Board, we have ensured we have the very best people in the right jobs to
help manage a thriving business. Our retail sales have doubled, commercial
income is at a record high and we are expecting to return to profitability
this season with our home games selling out and our total revenues at an
all-time high. The culture we inherited of West Ham selling their biggest
names and brightest Academy products also immediately come to an end; with
the wantaway Scott Parker being the only first-team player sold since we
came to the club, despite numerous offers for our star players. We
understand what a jewel we have in our Academy, which was why we were so
determined to ensure it continued to attract the best young players from
across the globe by securing Category One Academy status in the new Elite
Player Performance system. Again, the Joint-Chairmen dug into their reserves
to ensure Tony Carr's team had everything they needed to achieve that
prestigious accolade.
We have developed the 'Moore than a Football Club' campaign, which seeks to
highlight just why West Ham United is held in such high esteem in East
London. And as you'll read elsewhere in today's programme, the club will be
marking Holocaust Memorial Day ahead of kick-off today. The activity is part
of an ongoing campaign we are running to highlight anti-discrimination
causes. Both Joint- Chairmen care passionately about the initiative and we
should all join them in supporting and embracing it. I have also benefitted
from their vision and perseverance during the long, drawn-out battle to
secure the tenancy of the Olympic Stadium. We hope to reach an agreement
soon, with negotiations with the Local London Development Committee
continuing. Should a deal be reached that the Board and the supporters are
happy with, we could see our home shifted across Newham into one of the most
iconic sporting venues on the planet. I have listed some of the progress we
have made already, but should we make that move, that is when things would
really take off for us and we would be in a position to attract the best
talent in the world, both on the pitch and off it.
It has been a tremendous three years at West Ham United and I have been
proud to work with two Chairmen who I respect and admire, a manager who has
been an inspiration, colleagues who never cease to amaze me with their
ideas, their energy and their commitment to the club and everything it
stands for.
I believe fortune might not be hiding for too much longer.
Karren Brady
Vice-Chairman
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers' Holocaust memorial
West Ham United paid tribute to the vicitims of the Holocuast ahead of the
Queens Park Rangers match
WHUFC.com
19.01.2013
West Ham United continued their commitment to promotion of tolerance and
inclusion in 2013 by marking Holocaust Memorial Day before Saturday's
Barclays Premier League meeting with Queens Park Rangers. Holocaust Memorial
Day has traditionally been observed with candle lighting to represent the
six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust. Each remembrance candle is lit
to represent one million victims. Therefore, 15 minutes before kick-off, six
candles were lit at the Boleyn Ground by West Ham United Non-Executive
Director Daniel Harris, Football Association Director of Football
Development Sir Trevor Brooking, Mayor of Newham Sir Robin Wales, Holocaust
Survivor Zigi Shipper, Royal British Legion East Ham branch secretary Ken
Hill and Marc Bandel, the grandson of a Holocaust Survivor.
As part of its Moore Than A Football Club mantra, the club remains committed
to tackling discrimination in whatever form it takes and will be promoting
events and campaigns that highlight and combat prejudice towards disability,
race, sex, sexual orientation and religion throughout the year. As well as
marking Holocaust Memorial Day - which will be held this year on 27 January
- at the game, the club will also be sending representatives to the local
events in remembrance of the estimated eleven million people who were killed
by the Nazis during World War Two. Jews, homosexuals, Jehovah's Witnesses,
Soviet prisoners of war, people of Roma and Sinti origin and the disabled
were among those who needlessly died. The aim for this year's Holocaust
Memorial Day events is to 'build a bridge' between communities, which ties
in perfectly with West Ham United's commitment to equality, social inclusion
and community cohesion.
To learn more about the Holocaust, visit the Holocaust Educational Trust
website at www.HET.org.uk
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Bid for Vaz Te's boots!
WHUFC.com
Ricardo Vaz Te's Championship Play-Off final boots are being put up for
auction for the Bobby Moore Fund
19.01.2013
West Ham United supporters have the opportunity to bid for a unique piece of
Hammers history - raising money for the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research
UK. Ricardo Vaz Te has kindly donated the purple and orange size 9 1/2
Adidas Adizero TRX boots he was wearing when he fired West Ham back into the
Barclays Premier League at Wembley in May 2012. The Hammers No12 scored a
dramatic late winner to clinch a thrilling 2-1 npower Championship Play-Off
final victory over Blackpool - and now one lucky fan has the chance to own
the boots that scored that historic goal!
"I wore these boots all last season, so they scored more than 20 goals and
are very special to me," said Vaz Te. "Believe it or not, a friend of mine
bought me the boots from a sports shop because I did not have an endorsement
deal at the start of last season, so they really are my lucky boots!
"However, I know the Bobby Moore Fund is a very important cause and does a
lot of fantastic work, so I felt it was right that I put the boots up for
auction to raise as much money as possible for the charity. "So many
people's lives are touched by cancer, so any work that is done to try to
find ways to prevent and cure it is extremely valuable, so whatever money we
can raise by selling the boots will be put to good use in this area. "At the
same time, one West Ham fan will own a pair of very special boots!"
The auction will end next Saturday at 12noon. All proceeds from the auction
will go to the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research, with the club targeting
to raise £50,000 for the charity founded in memory of the late, great West
Ham and England captain this season. So far, thanks to a personal donation
of £10,000 from Joint-Chairman David Sullivan and significant contributions
from the club's Principal Partner SBOBET and manager Sam Allardyce, the club
has raised more than £20,000 towards this total. Two home fixtures have also
been designated as Bobby Moore Fund Awareness Matches - the Barclays Premier
League visits of Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United on 25 February and
9 March 2013 respectively. The Spurs fixture will mark 20 years since
Moore's tragic and untimely passing and the club is planning a fitting
tribute to the great defender, including a special 100-page commemorative
Official Programme.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham 1 QPR 1
19 January 2013
By Ben Smith
BBC Sport
Loic Remy scored on his Queens Park Rangers debut but Joe Cole's second-half
strike denied Harry Redknapp a victory at former club West Ham. The £8m
striker had put the Premier League's bottom club ahead 13 minutes into his
first appearance, firing home after Adel Taarabt's pin-point pass. But West
Ham dominated a breathless second half, levelling through Cole's close-range
strike and going close on countless other occasions. Flying start for £8m
man
Loic Remy scored with what was his first shot in Premier League football.
QPR held on for a draw but stay bottom. Nevertheless, a point at one his old
clubs was another encouraging result for Redknapp's side, who remain
unbeaten in 2013. Having kept back-to-back Premier League clean sheets
against Chelsea and Tottenham there was more evidence here of a defensive
solidity absent in the early months of the season. West Ham went close
through Mohamed Diame and Kevin Nolan in the early moments and were denied a
penalty by referee Howard Webb when Marouane Chamakh stumbled under the
challenge of Clint Hill and went down after a tangle of legs with Shaun
Wright-Phillips. But it was clear the arrival of Remy from Marseilles had
added to the renewed optimism at QPR. When the Frenchman raced onto
Taarabt's beautifully judged through-ball to give the visitors the lead,
their burgeoning self-belief was plain to see and Redknapp's side looked an
altogether more potent threat as half-time approached.
The second half was a very different story, however. West Ham tackled,
denied space and dominated territory and their uncomplicated, direct
approach forced QPR onto the back foot. Les Ferdinand was among the scorers
the last time QPR won at Upton Park in August 1993, the first month of the
Premier League season, as the snow began to fall, the hosts battled to
preserve their impressive record against Rangers. First, Chamakh's
close-range header was turned away by visiting keeper Julio Cesar, and
Diame's follow-up shot was blocked by Hill before Kevin Nolan headed
narrowly over. Matt Jarvis created another opportunity for Chamakh soon
after but the Moroccan's towering header was well saved by Cesar. Hammers
substitute Carlton Cole then forced the keeper into another tremendous save,
but the Brazilian was unable to hold the striker's header and Joe Cole
turned the loose ball into the net from two yards for the first goal of his
second spell at West Ham. As West Ham sensed a winner, Winston Reid's fierce
goal-bound shot was blocked bravely by Stephane Mbia after a goalmouth
scramble, before Joe Cole rounded Cesar only to see his shot turned away by
Hill as Rangers held on. West Ham manager Sam Allardyce: "We couldn't have
created more opportunities to score more goals. We're looking very dejected
almost like we've lost in the dressing room, because we knew that
performance should've got three points. I said to the lads, 'look, carry on
like that and you'll win more games than you'll draw'. "At the other end all
we've got done by is the sucker punch, which we talked about before the
game. It's an encouraging performance to do what we did today, but the
frustration and disappointment was it didn't lead to what should've been a
comfortable victory."
QPR boss Harry Redknapp: "I couldn't fault the effort but we have to keep
the ball and play a bit. If we could have got the ball after scoring I felt
the fans would have turned on them. But they were teeing off and dropping
balls up to front men. "The players have been excellent we have been on a
good little run. We just want to keep that going and keep improving. We are
still there [bottom of the table] but we are in much better shape that we
were six or seven weeks ago. There will be teams looking over their
shoulder."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce bemoans 1-1 draw with QPR
Last Updated: January 19, 2013 8:40pm
SSN
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce believes his side were worth all three points
from the 1-1 draw with QPR at Upton Park. The Hammers fell behind to the
rock-bottom visitors through Loic Remy's debut strike - and it was left to
Joe Cole to secure a point with a close-range effort in the second half. "We
couldn't have created more opportunities to score more goals," Allardyce
said. "We're looking very dejected almost like we've lost in the dressing
room, because we knew that performance should've got three points. "I said
to the lads, 'look, carry on like that and you'll win more games than you'll
draw'. "At the other end all we've got done by is the sucker punch, which we
talked about before the game. "It's an encouraging performance to do what we
did today, but the frustration and disappointment was it didn't lead to what
should've been a comfortable victory."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Joe Cole rescued a 1-1 draw for West Ham after Loic Remy struck for QPR
By Hayley Paterson. Last Updated: January 19, 2013 8:37pm
SSN
Joe Cole rescued a 1-1 draw for West Ham after record-signing Loic Remy
scored for Queens Park Rangers on his debut at Upton Park.
Match facts
Man of the match : Stephane MBia. The QPR man put his body on the line to
keep the Rs in the game.
Goal of the game: Loic Remy's debut goal was a taste of what this Frenchman
will bring to QPR and the Premier League.
Moment of the match: Joe Cole's leveller. It seemed to just make the Boleyn
Ground erupt and was more than deserved.
Talking point: Will QPR have enough firepower to stay up? They look shaky at
set-pieces but if they can defend like they did against West Ham, then they
could avoid the drop.
The visitors struck against the run of play when new boy Remy latched on to
an inch-perfect Adel Taarabt through ball and slotted past Jussi
Jaaskelainen on 14 minutes. The Hammers' equaliser came in the second half
when substitute Carlton Cole saw his header parried into the returning Joe
Cole's path who tapped in the much-deserved leveller - his first for the
Hammers since 2003. The hosts started the better side and looked towards
Marouane Chamakh through almost hopeful long-range passes at times. But, as
these tactics continued, QPR kept exploiting the pace of Remy with Taarabt
picking the striker out every time with a pass and only the offside trap
stopping the 26-year-old in his tracks. The passes soon paid off when
Taarabt threaded a defence-splitting ball towards Remy who had timed his run
and steadied himself before coolly finishing for the opener and a dream
start to his Premier League debut in the 14th minute. A shell-shocked West
Ham could have got back into the tie when Chamakh shook off a Clint Hill
hold before going down under a Shaun Wright-Phillips challenge in the area
but Webb was not convinced by the Morocco international's pleas.
It was not until the second half that the hosts really took hold of the game
with Mohamed Diame seeing a shot on the turn blocked and Matt Jarvis'
teasing crosses from the left failing to have an end product. QPR had little
to shout about after the break as they were made to defend which they did
resiliently until the equaliser in the 68th minute. It came from a delicate
delivery from Jarvis, who had been locked in a tasty battle with Nedum
Onuoha all afternoon, and the rising Carlton Cole headed down, forcing Cesar
to save to his left. However, the Brazilian's block fell kindly into Joe
Cole's path and he had the easiest of finishes to see Boleyn Ground erupt.
Winston Reid then had a piledriver blocked expertly by Stephane M'Bia who
was in fine form throughout, putting his body on the line at every
opportunity and gratefully seeing a goalmouth scramble cleared. Joe Cole was
then forced out wide by Cesar in the area with the midfielder managing to
get his shot away after rounding the keeper, however Fabio was in the right
place to clear from the line. QPR held on for what could be a vital point
for their fight for survival, with West Ham unable to make their chances
count.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce admits West Ham yet to agree fresh terms with Mohamed Diame
Last Updated: January 19, 2013 12:48pm
SSN
Sam Allardyce has revealed that West Ham United's efforts to tie Mohamed
Diame down on fresh terms have so far proved unsuccessful. Diame only
arrived at Upton Park last summer, with the midfielder linking up with the
Hammers as a free agent. The former Wigan man has been a revelation in the
capital, with a number of commanding displays drawing admiring glances from
the likes of Arsenal. West Ham are reluctant to part with the 25-year-old
enforcer, who is understood to have a buyout clause in his contract, and are
doing all they can to tweak Diame's deal. Allardyce, though, admits talks
have been difficult, saying: "The owners have tried to renegotiate the
contract, but they haven't been successful at the moment."
While eager to prevent Diame from slipping through the exits during the
winter transfer window, Allardyce is also looking to add. Former Arsenal,
Manchester City and Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka, who is currently on the
books of Shanghai Shenhua, has been linked with a return to Eng land, but
Allardyce insists the Frenchman does not figure in his thoughts at present.
He said: "At the moment I am not in a position for Nicolas Anelka because my
main priority is defenders.
"We have got Andy (Carroll) close to coming back and we have got Carlton
Cole, (Marouane) Chamakh and we have also brought in Wellington."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Match Report: West Ham 1 QPR 1
By Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die
What an incredibly frustrating game. Six hours after it finished I still
can't quite believe we didn't win this by at least three clear goals.
Indeed, we could have been three up after thirteen minutes. The trouble was
we then went one down after a quick break in which debutant Loic Remy scored
a great goal. And to think, he could have been hours. Mind you, he did
bugger all for the rest of the game. The fact was we dominated much of the
second half and I imagine the stats show we had about 60% of the possession.
But it was one of those days when the ball just wouldn't go into the net.
There were several 'pinball' periods in which we had shot after shot on goal
and still it wouldn't cross the damned line.
It has to be said that our cause was not helped by two things - a simply
dreadful refereeing performance by Howard Webb, and possibly the worst
performance I have yet seen from Kevin Nolan. In Nolan's case he would be
wise not to watch the video of this game. Virtually every time he had the
ball he passed it to a QPR player. Simply dreadful. Luckily for us, Diame
and Noble had excellent games. Diame was the main reason we dominated the
opening exchanges and although he faded in and out of the game, virtually
every creative thing we did had him at the centre of it. No doubt the
Arsenal scouts will have reported back very favourably to Arsene Wenger.
'Viera-esque' is the best way to describe his performance.
On the wings Jarvis and Joe Cole were very busy. Jarvis can be very
frustrating at times, but he poses a real danger when he has the confidence
to beat his opponent. He can deliver very dangerous crosses, but when he has
a sight of goal he seems to panic. He skyed a great chance mid way through
the second half, and it was then that I genuinely thought we would never
score. It was great to see Joe Cole score the equaliser, almost ten years to
the day that he scored his last goal for the Hammers. His corners are also
so much more dangerous than Mark Noble's. In three games he has already
become a first choice. Ricardo Va Te will do well to regain his place.
Defensively, apart from the goal, we looked very solid. Reid and Tomkins
rarely looked under threat and the two full backs got forward more than they
usually do. And Jussi Jaaskelainen barely had a save to make. The QPR
goalkeeper (you know, the one who is keeping Rob Green on benchwarming
duties) is a very odd keeper. He looks both brilliant and error prone. The
goal kick he sliced into the West Stand had to be seen to be believed. But
he also saved several certain goals.
Up front Marouane Chamakh displayed some nice layoffs and should have scored
with a goalbound header. He should also have had a penalty. Do I see him as
the main striker in a 4-5-1 formation? To be honest, no. I thought he was
perfectly competent, but would suit a 4-4-2 formation much better. When
Carlton Cole came on we looked a different team and it was Cole's knockdown
that led to the other Cole scoring. Always believing....
Jussi 7
Demel 7
O'Brien 7
Reid 8
Tomkins 7
Noble 7
Diame 8
Nolan 3
Jarvis 7
Cole J 7
Cole C 7
Chamakh 6
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham 1 QPR 1
The Sun
By ANDREW DILLON
Published: 19th January 2013
JOE COLE wrecked it for the man who made him a star. QPR boss Harry Redknapp
also tried to sign him recently — but lost out to West Ham. Cole, 31, is now
back at Upton Park where former Hammers boss Redknapp unleashed him as a shy
but skilful teenager 14 years ago. And his tap-in rescued a point for West
Ham while putting the boot in on what would have been a valuable and rare
away win for QPR in their battle to stay up. Cole spoke of his gratitude at
being given a second chance after coming home. And his current boss Sam
Allardyce was grateful for Cole's effort and positioning that made sure the
day did not end in complete frustration for the Irons. Big Sam said: "QPR
don't leave you much space with the way they play. They fill the 18-yard
line with their back four and you need creative, clever players to wriggle
into what gaps there are. "Joe is glad to have scored but everyone really
feels like we have been beaten as with our chances we should have had a
comfortable win." Redknapp admits he had no hope of taking Cole to Loftus
Road once his old club made their move.
And his first goal for West Ham since January 2003 is up there with the most
important. Defeat would have left Allardyce looking over his shoulder
nervously at the bottom three. There are clear problems in his team. And it
does not require a massive tactician to see what they are. The strikers have
not delivered enough goals for one reason or another — just like last
season. West Ham had more than enough chances to go on and win this London
derby while Rangers had just one opening and debut boy Loic Remy seized on
it. His finish was impressive even if his timing was suspect to start with
as he fell foul of the offside trap twice before thumping QPR into a
14th-minute lead. But when he did get it right and galloped clear of
defender Winston Reid with the ball at his feet, the Frenchman made no
mistake. He repaid the first of his £70,000-a-week wage packets by driving
the ball low to the right of Jussi Jaaskeklainen from 18 yards — no mean
feat. That was about all we heard or saw from the £8m new boy but it is
enough to suggest he can score enough goals to lift the Prem's bottom club
clear of trouble.
But more importantly, he can offer an alternative to Adel Taarabt, who has
so far been a one-man attack force this season. In comparison, Allardyce
opted to bring Marouane Chamakh out of deep freeze at Arsenal with a loan
deal and gave the Moroccan misfit his first league start since October 2011.
He offered enthusiasm and energy and, once he comes out of suspended
animation, could prove a useful weapon in Big Sam's lightweight attacking
armoury. Chamakh was involved all game until he was taken off with 28
minutes left — unlike Remy who waited and waited and waited in vain for his
next opportunity. On the plus side, Chamakh had a point-blank header saved
superbly by Man of the Match Julio Cesar in the R's goal. He also busied
himself in the box and should have won a penalty when Shaun Derry handled
while under pressure from Chamakh in the box.
Sadly, he also took to a bit of theatricals, going down under minimal
contact from Shaun Wright-Phillips moments later in a cynical ploy to try to
hoodwink ref Howard Webb, who did not have his best day at work. While the
Rangers fans will be toasting their new arrival, Redknapp will have noted
yet another sterling performance from one of his old soldiers — Ryan Nelsen.
The Kiwi centre-half is 35 — but has played more than four hours of football
this week without complaint. West Ham made the breakthrough with 22 minutes
left with a mass assault on Cesar's goal. Following much hesitancy, the ball
fell to Matt Jarvis who fired in a cross and, after Cesar pushed it clear,
Cole pounced.
West Ham: Jaaskelainen, Demel, Tomkins, Reid, O'Brien, Noble, Diame, Joe
Cole, Nolan (Vaz Te 88), Jarvis, Chamakh (Carlton Cole 62). Subs Not Used:
Spiegel, Collison, Taylor, Diarra, Potts. Booked: Tomkins. Goals: Joe Cole
68.
QPR: Julio Cesar, Onuoha, Nelsen, Hill, Da Silva, Derry, Mbia, Mackie
(Bothroyd 67), Taarabt (Park 82), Wright-Phillips (Traore 58), Remy. Subs
Not Used: Green, Ferdinand, Hoilett, Faurlin. Goals: Remy 14.
Att: 34,962
Ref: Howard Webb (S Yorkshire).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
The manager was left scratching his head after watching West Ham United held
to a 1-1 draw by the Hoops
19.01.2013
Sam Allardyce admitted to feeling immense frustration after watching his
West Ham United do everything but beat Queens Park Rangers on Saturday. The
Hammers completely dominated the game at a freezing cold Boleyn Ground, but
were unable to break through the ice that was the massed ranks of the QPR
defence. The Hoops were outplayed in all departments, but were able to
snatch a 1-1 draw by virtue of taking a shock 14th-minute lead through new
signing Loic Remy, who beat the offside trap before sliding his low shot
past Jussi Jaaskelainen. From then on, a few counter-attacks aside, it was
all West Ham. Big Sam's side launched 46 crosses into the QPR penalty area
and unleashed 22 shots, many of which were saved by inspired goalkeeper
Julio Cesar or blocked by his defenders.
West Ham finally found a way through the Rangers rearguard on 68 minutes,
when yet another Matt Jarvis cross was headed on goal by substitute Carlton
Cole. Cesar parried and Joe Cole tapped in the rebound - to the immense
relief of the vast majority of the shivering capacity crowd. Afterwards, Big
Sam told West Ham TV he could not believe his side had not collected all
three points. "It's not just the stats, but if you had watched the game with
the naked eye, whether you are a West Ham fan, a manager or a coach, you
would have watched the game and said 'Wow! What a performance and what a
complete domination of the opposition'. But unfortunately, however brilliant
your stats are against the opposition's stats, the bottom line stat reads
'West Ham 1 QPR 1' and that's the most important one. "In the end, I am as
frustrated as anybody else that we didn't record a very comfortable victory.
Because it hasn't brough that comfortable victory, it's a big disappointment
for us all and we're all massively frustrated and, may I say, none more so
than the players. You hear all this stuff about players getting this or that
much money and it not meaning that much to them, but it's the biggest load
of rubbish. "Over the last five or six years, I have seen players give their
all week in and week out. If they are not quite up to the level you are
playing at, then that's fine. It's not about the fact they don't try because
they do. They are dejected like everybody else. "We just have to take the
massive positives out of this game, which is over-running a team and the
only thing we didn't over-run them by was a victory that should have, in my
assessment, about 4-1. We had ten shots on target, ten or more off-target
and 46 crosses - it just never stopped - but only one goal, which I have to
say isn't good enough. We must be as dominant as that but we must come off
with a victory at the end of it and not come off disappointed like we have
against QPR."
Big Sam was also disappointed by the nature of Remy's goal, with the France
international being allowed to spring the offside trap to race in on goal
and finish with relative ease. "I am disappointed because I coached it in
the week and I spoke to the players about it on Friday. I warned them on
Saturday when we knew Remy would play his first game up front. I said there
would long times when we're attacking the opposition so you can't get caught
watching the ball instead of where your man is, because when they break with
someone like Taarabt who can play a good ball, we just blew it. "Winston
Reid and James Tomkins just did exactly what I told them not to do -
switched off, got caught watching the ball and got too tight to Remy and
tried to play an offside that was never going to work. In the end, the lad
tucked it away well and left us one behind."
The manager was, however, happier with his players' reaction in continuing
to take the game to the visitors, despite that early setback. "We knew we
didn't deserve it but it happens and we knew we had to fight back from that.
Particularly in the second half, from a footbal point of view, there
couldn't have been any more action in the box. Sadly, ultimately we should
have put the ball in the net more often than we did."
When West Ham did score, it was no surprise that it was the impressive Joe
Cole who was the man to get his name on the sheet, but it was just a shame
neither he nor his colleagues could fashion a late winner. "In the end, we
got the goal and I thought we had plenty of time to go on and win it, but
unfortunately we didn't get the winner. I have to say there was a huge
element of bad luck in what happened to us in that the ball didn't bounce
for us or it has beaten the defender and hit the defender when he didn't
know much about it. "There was one stage when we had four or five shots at
once and they didn't go in. We could have still been doing that at 7pm and
not scored again. "At the end, we got a point. Alright, it's not what we
deserved but we've just got to move on and keep positive and try to keep
recreating those performances, especially at Upton Park."
One player who also impressed was full debutant Marouane Chamakh, who linked
the play well and might have won a penalty and scored with two powerful
downward headers on another day. When Chamakh tired, Carlton Cole replaced
him and played a massive part in his namesake's equaliser. "He has played
well and linked the play and he grew into the game. He has got a huge lack
of match practice so he fatigued. So we brought on Coley and he has helped
us come from behind to get on level terms with a really dangerous header
that Cesar has pushed to Joe, who's tapped it in. "I thought that was going
to trigger us to go on and get the victory but it didn't. Apart from poor
finishing, everyone played an excellent game."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
A message from the Vice-Chairman
WHUFC.com
Vice-Chairman Karren Brady reflects on the Joint-Chairmen's first three
years wtih West Ham United
19.01.2013
If most West Ham United fans cast their minds back to how they were feeling
about their team at the start of 2010, one of the most likely emotions that
would spring to mind would be concern. The club were on the precipice of
financial meltdown and were being forced to sell some of their prized assets
just to stay in business. The likes of Craig Bellamy, James Collins and
George McCartney had been sold and more were set to join the Boleyn Ground
exodus. I remember speaking to some of my West Ham-supporting friends at the
time and there was a genuine sense of unease that if their team's flirtation
with relegation became something more serious, then they could follow some
of the other 'fallen giants' into the lower divisions of English football
and never return. But on the 19 January 2010, David Sullivan and David Gold
clinched a deal to become majority shareholders and Joint-Chairmen of the
club they have supported all of their lives. I believe it will turn out to
be a significant and monumental day in the history of West Ham United and
one I'm sure Hammers fans will look back on in the future as a turning point
for their club.
David Sullivan said at the time: "It will be an immense privilege to lead
this great football club and more importantly its supporters. The club is
now back in the hands of East Enders, people who understand the community
and its passion for the Hammers. I believe that depth of feeling will also
bring us through what has been a difficult period."
David Gold also has a great affinity with the club; he was born across the
road from Upton Park at number 442 Green Street and also represented the
club as a youth team player. And on the day they were confirmed as the new
owners, he added: "Finally I have come home to the club I love with all my
heart. This is an incredibly sweet moment but we have to put the romance
aside now and get on with a difficult job."
Having worked with them for 25 years I know how much those words were from
the heart. Even when we were at Birmingham City, a club we all care
passionately about, they would often spend time talking about how things
were going at the Boleyn Ground. When it was confirmed that their offer to
buy West Ham United had been accepted, they could hardly contain their
excitement. But I remember when we walked into the stadium together for the
very first time that day, they were deeply emotional.
Despite their obvious happiness at buying the club and saving it from the
looming threat of administration, we knew we had a huge job on our hands so
we quickly set about putting things right. Fast-forward exactly three years
to today and the picture is a lot rosier. The playing squad is arguably one
of the strongest West Ham have ever had in the Premier League, with seasoned
internationals complementing a host of exciting Academy graduates.
Interestingly, I can pinpoint the exact time when the philosophy behind the
assembly of this squad began, just a week after the only real disappointment
of the last three years - relegation to the Championship at the end of the
2010/11 season. At a long and intense Board meeting, David Sullivan and
David Gold decided on an ambitious transfer policy that would aim to get the
club back to the top table of English football within two years and keep us
there. Of course this wasn't going to be easy given the financial
repercussions of relegation, but both of them agreed that they would
continue to support the club financially with millions of pounds of their
own life savings to try and get us back up as quickly as possible. The first
decisive action was to appoint a highly-rated manager with Premier League
pedigree and we got that in abundance with Sam Allardyce's arrival on 1 June
2011. Sam should be credited for being willing to take on the daunting task
of rebuilding a broken squad following the knockback of relegation.
The signing of Newcastle United captain Kevin Nolan a few weeks later was a
sign of things to come, as he was joined over the course of the season by
experienced pros Matt Taylor, Ricardo Vaz Te, Guy Demel, Papa Bouba Diop and
Abdoulaye Faye. The rest, as they say, is history, as their forward-thinking
mentality paid off and we were promoted back to the Premier League at the
first attempt. And in doing so, the players provided one of the greatest
days for the claret and blue army in recent times as West Ham overcame
Blackpool to lift the Play-Off trophy at Wembley last May.
But the Joint-Chairmen did not rest on their laurels and oversaw a summer of
transfer activity that had the Hammers' fans buzzing with excitement. But to
ensure the club continued to move forward, they once again had to dip into
their own pockets to fund the moves. In my opinion they went above and
beyond what could be reasonably expected of them as owners and I know that
they wouldn't have done it for any other club than West Ham. It just means
too much.
After re-signing former Boleyn Ground favourites McCartney and Collins on
permanent deals, Matt Jarvis was soon added for a club record-fee, along
with powerful midfielder Mo Diame. But our business was not done there as
soon after, through their sheer persistence and doggedness, Andy Carroll,
Britain's most expensive footballer to date, agreed a season-long loan deal
from Liverpool.
Our reward for their ambitious transfer policy has been a hugely impressive
start to life back in the Premier League, which was boosted further by the
recent signing of former Hammer of the Year and England international Joe
Cole. The situation off the pitch is also looking a lot healthier. Although
the club debts are some way from being cleared, the latest set of accounts
we published showed the club had turned its first operating profit for a
number of years last year.
We have a clear strategy to continue that turnaround and possess the ability
to process and plan it. But let me be clear that it is not just down to the
Board, we have ensured we have the very best people in the right jobs to
help manage a thriving business. Our retail sales have doubled, commercial
income is at a record high and we are expecting to return to profitability
this season with our home games selling out and our total revenues at an
all-time high. The culture we inherited of West Ham selling their biggest
names and brightest Academy products also immediately come to an end; with
the wantaway Scott Parker being the only first-team player sold since we
came to the club, despite numerous offers for our star players. We
understand what a jewel we have in our Academy, which was why we were so
determined to ensure it continued to attract the best young players from
across the globe by securing Category One Academy status in the new Elite
Player Performance system. Again, the Joint-Chairmen dug into their reserves
to ensure Tony Carr's team had everything they needed to achieve that
prestigious accolade.
We have developed the 'Moore than a Football Club' campaign, which seeks to
highlight just why West Ham United is held in such high esteem in East
London. And as you'll read elsewhere in today's programme, the club will be
marking Holocaust Memorial Day ahead of kick-off today. The activity is part
of an ongoing campaign we are running to highlight anti-discrimination
causes. Both Joint- Chairmen care passionately about the initiative and we
should all join them in supporting and embracing it. I have also benefitted
from their vision and perseverance during the long, drawn-out battle to
secure the tenancy of the Olympic Stadium. We hope to reach an agreement
soon, with negotiations with the Local London Development Committee
continuing. Should a deal be reached that the Board and the supporters are
happy with, we could see our home shifted across Newham into one of the most
iconic sporting venues on the planet. I have listed some of the progress we
have made already, but should we make that move, that is when things would
really take off for us and we would be in a position to attract the best
talent in the world, both on the pitch and off it.
It has been a tremendous three years at West Ham United and I have been
proud to work with two Chairmen who I respect and admire, a manager who has
been an inspiration, colleagues who never cease to amaze me with their
ideas, their energy and their commitment to the club and everything it
stands for.
I believe fortune might not be hiding for too much longer.
Karren Brady
Vice-Chairman
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers' Holocaust memorial
West Ham United paid tribute to the vicitims of the Holocuast ahead of the
Queens Park Rangers match
WHUFC.com
19.01.2013
West Ham United continued their commitment to promotion of tolerance and
inclusion in 2013 by marking Holocaust Memorial Day before Saturday's
Barclays Premier League meeting with Queens Park Rangers. Holocaust Memorial
Day has traditionally been observed with candle lighting to represent the
six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust. Each remembrance candle is lit
to represent one million victims. Therefore, 15 minutes before kick-off, six
candles were lit at the Boleyn Ground by West Ham United Non-Executive
Director Daniel Harris, Football Association Director of Football
Development Sir Trevor Brooking, Mayor of Newham Sir Robin Wales, Holocaust
Survivor Zigi Shipper, Royal British Legion East Ham branch secretary Ken
Hill and Marc Bandel, the grandson of a Holocaust Survivor.
As part of its Moore Than A Football Club mantra, the club remains committed
to tackling discrimination in whatever form it takes and will be promoting
events and campaigns that highlight and combat prejudice towards disability,
race, sex, sexual orientation and religion throughout the year. As well as
marking Holocaust Memorial Day - which will be held this year on 27 January
- at the game, the club will also be sending representatives to the local
events in remembrance of the estimated eleven million people who were killed
by the Nazis during World War Two. Jews, homosexuals, Jehovah's Witnesses,
Soviet prisoners of war, people of Roma and Sinti origin and the disabled
were among those who needlessly died. The aim for this year's Holocaust
Memorial Day events is to 'build a bridge' between communities, which ties
in perfectly with West Ham United's commitment to equality, social inclusion
and community cohesion.
To learn more about the Holocaust, visit the Holocaust Educational Trust
website at www.HET.org.uk
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Bid for Vaz Te's boots!
WHUFC.com
Ricardo Vaz Te's Championship Play-Off final boots are being put up for
auction for the Bobby Moore Fund
19.01.2013
West Ham United supporters have the opportunity to bid for a unique piece of
Hammers history - raising money for the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research
UK. Ricardo Vaz Te has kindly donated the purple and orange size 9 1/2
Adidas Adizero TRX boots he was wearing when he fired West Ham back into the
Barclays Premier League at Wembley in May 2012. The Hammers No12 scored a
dramatic late winner to clinch a thrilling 2-1 npower Championship Play-Off
final victory over Blackpool - and now one lucky fan has the chance to own
the boots that scored that historic goal!
"I wore these boots all last season, so they scored more than 20 goals and
are very special to me," said Vaz Te. "Believe it or not, a friend of mine
bought me the boots from a sports shop because I did not have an endorsement
deal at the start of last season, so they really are my lucky boots!
"However, I know the Bobby Moore Fund is a very important cause and does a
lot of fantastic work, so I felt it was right that I put the boots up for
auction to raise as much money as possible for the charity. "So many
people's lives are touched by cancer, so any work that is done to try to
find ways to prevent and cure it is extremely valuable, so whatever money we
can raise by selling the boots will be put to good use in this area. "At the
same time, one West Ham fan will own a pair of very special boots!"
The auction will end next Saturday at 12noon. All proceeds from the auction
will go to the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research, with the club targeting
to raise £50,000 for the charity founded in memory of the late, great West
Ham and England captain this season. So far, thanks to a personal donation
of £10,000 from Joint-Chairman David Sullivan and significant contributions
from the club's Principal Partner SBOBET and manager Sam Allardyce, the club
has raised more than £20,000 towards this total. Two home fixtures have also
been designated as Bobby Moore Fund Awareness Matches - the Barclays Premier
League visits of Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United on 25 February and
9 March 2013 respectively. The Spurs fixture will mark 20 years since
Moore's tragic and untimely passing and the club is planning a fitting
tribute to the great defender, including a special 100-page commemorative
Official Programme.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham 1 QPR 1
19 January 2013
By Ben Smith
BBC Sport
Loic Remy scored on his Queens Park Rangers debut but Joe Cole's second-half
strike denied Harry Redknapp a victory at former club West Ham. The £8m
striker had put the Premier League's bottom club ahead 13 minutes into his
first appearance, firing home after Adel Taarabt's pin-point pass. But West
Ham dominated a breathless second half, levelling through Cole's close-range
strike and going close on countless other occasions. Flying start for £8m
man
Loic Remy scored with what was his first shot in Premier League football.
QPR held on for a draw but stay bottom. Nevertheless, a point at one his old
clubs was another encouraging result for Redknapp's side, who remain
unbeaten in 2013. Having kept back-to-back Premier League clean sheets
against Chelsea and Tottenham there was more evidence here of a defensive
solidity absent in the early months of the season. West Ham went close
through Mohamed Diame and Kevin Nolan in the early moments and were denied a
penalty by referee Howard Webb when Marouane Chamakh stumbled under the
challenge of Clint Hill and went down after a tangle of legs with Shaun
Wright-Phillips. But it was clear the arrival of Remy from Marseilles had
added to the renewed optimism at QPR. When the Frenchman raced onto
Taarabt's beautifully judged through-ball to give the visitors the lead,
their burgeoning self-belief was plain to see and Redknapp's side looked an
altogether more potent threat as half-time approached.
The second half was a very different story, however. West Ham tackled,
denied space and dominated territory and their uncomplicated, direct
approach forced QPR onto the back foot. Les Ferdinand was among the scorers
the last time QPR won at Upton Park in August 1993, the first month of the
Premier League season, as the snow began to fall, the hosts battled to
preserve their impressive record against Rangers. First, Chamakh's
close-range header was turned away by visiting keeper Julio Cesar, and
Diame's follow-up shot was blocked by Hill before Kevin Nolan headed
narrowly over. Matt Jarvis created another opportunity for Chamakh soon
after but the Moroccan's towering header was well saved by Cesar. Hammers
substitute Carlton Cole then forced the keeper into another tremendous save,
but the Brazilian was unable to hold the striker's header and Joe Cole
turned the loose ball into the net from two yards for the first goal of his
second spell at West Ham. As West Ham sensed a winner, Winston Reid's fierce
goal-bound shot was blocked bravely by Stephane Mbia after a goalmouth
scramble, before Joe Cole rounded Cesar only to see his shot turned away by
Hill as Rangers held on. West Ham manager Sam Allardyce: "We couldn't have
created more opportunities to score more goals. We're looking very dejected
almost like we've lost in the dressing room, because we knew that
performance should've got three points. I said to the lads, 'look, carry on
like that and you'll win more games than you'll draw'. "At the other end all
we've got done by is the sucker punch, which we talked about before the
game. It's an encouraging performance to do what we did today, but the
frustration and disappointment was it didn't lead to what should've been a
comfortable victory."
QPR boss Harry Redknapp: "I couldn't fault the effort but we have to keep
the ball and play a bit. If we could have got the ball after scoring I felt
the fans would have turned on them. But they were teeing off and dropping
balls up to front men. "The players have been excellent we have been on a
good little run. We just want to keep that going and keep improving. We are
still there [bottom of the table] but we are in much better shape that we
were six or seven weeks ago. There will be teams looking over their
shoulder."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce bemoans 1-1 draw with QPR
Last Updated: January 19, 2013 8:40pm
SSN
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce believes his side were worth all three points
from the 1-1 draw with QPR at Upton Park. The Hammers fell behind to the
rock-bottom visitors through Loic Remy's debut strike - and it was left to
Joe Cole to secure a point with a close-range effort in the second half. "We
couldn't have created more opportunities to score more goals," Allardyce
said. "We're looking very dejected almost like we've lost in the dressing
room, because we knew that performance should've got three points. "I said
to the lads, 'look, carry on like that and you'll win more games than you'll
draw'. "At the other end all we've got done by is the sucker punch, which we
talked about before the game. "It's an encouraging performance to do what we
did today, but the frustration and disappointment was it didn't lead to what
should've been a comfortable victory."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Joe Cole rescued a 1-1 draw for West Ham after Loic Remy struck for QPR
By Hayley Paterson. Last Updated: January 19, 2013 8:37pm
SSN
Joe Cole rescued a 1-1 draw for West Ham after record-signing Loic Remy
scored for Queens Park Rangers on his debut at Upton Park.
Match facts
Man of the match : Stephane MBia. The QPR man put his body on the line to
keep the Rs in the game.
Goal of the game: Loic Remy's debut goal was a taste of what this Frenchman
will bring to QPR and the Premier League.
Moment of the match: Joe Cole's leveller. It seemed to just make the Boleyn
Ground erupt and was more than deserved.
Talking point: Will QPR have enough firepower to stay up? They look shaky at
set-pieces but if they can defend like they did against West Ham, then they
could avoid the drop.
The visitors struck against the run of play when new boy Remy latched on to
an inch-perfect Adel Taarabt through ball and slotted past Jussi
Jaaskelainen on 14 minutes. The Hammers' equaliser came in the second half
when substitute Carlton Cole saw his header parried into the returning Joe
Cole's path who tapped in the much-deserved leveller - his first for the
Hammers since 2003. The hosts started the better side and looked towards
Marouane Chamakh through almost hopeful long-range passes at times. But, as
these tactics continued, QPR kept exploiting the pace of Remy with Taarabt
picking the striker out every time with a pass and only the offside trap
stopping the 26-year-old in his tracks. The passes soon paid off when
Taarabt threaded a defence-splitting ball towards Remy who had timed his run
and steadied himself before coolly finishing for the opener and a dream
start to his Premier League debut in the 14th minute. A shell-shocked West
Ham could have got back into the tie when Chamakh shook off a Clint Hill
hold before going down under a Shaun Wright-Phillips challenge in the area
but Webb was not convinced by the Morocco international's pleas.
It was not until the second half that the hosts really took hold of the game
with Mohamed Diame seeing a shot on the turn blocked and Matt Jarvis'
teasing crosses from the left failing to have an end product. QPR had little
to shout about after the break as they were made to defend which they did
resiliently until the equaliser in the 68th minute. It came from a delicate
delivery from Jarvis, who had been locked in a tasty battle with Nedum
Onuoha all afternoon, and the rising Carlton Cole headed down, forcing Cesar
to save to his left. However, the Brazilian's block fell kindly into Joe
Cole's path and he had the easiest of finishes to see Boleyn Ground erupt.
Winston Reid then had a piledriver blocked expertly by Stephane M'Bia who
was in fine form throughout, putting his body on the line at every
opportunity and gratefully seeing a goalmouth scramble cleared. Joe Cole was
then forced out wide by Cesar in the area with the midfielder managing to
get his shot away after rounding the keeper, however Fabio was in the right
place to clear from the line. QPR held on for what could be a vital point
for their fight for survival, with West Ham unable to make their chances
count.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce admits West Ham yet to agree fresh terms with Mohamed Diame
Last Updated: January 19, 2013 12:48pm
SSN
Sam Allardyce has revealed that West Ham United's efforts to tie Mohamed
Diame down on fresh terms have so far proved unsuccessful. Diame only
arrived at Upton Park last summer, with the midfielder linking up with the
Hammers as a free agent. The former Wigan man has been a revelation in the
capital, with a number of commanding displays drawing admiring glances from
the likes of Arsenal. West Ham are reluctant to part with the 25-year-old
enforcer, who is understood to have a buyout clause in his contract, and are
doing all they can to tweak Diame's deal. Allardyce, though, admits talks
have been difficult, saying: "The owners have tried to renegotiate the
contract, but they haven't been successful at the moment."
While eager to prevent Diame from slipping through the exits during the
winter transfer window, Allardyce is also looking to add. Former Arsenal,
Manchester City and Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka, who is currently on the
books of Shanghai Shenhua, has been linked with a return to Eng land, but
Allardyce insists the Frenchman does not figure in his thoughts at present.
He said: "At the moment I am not in a position for Nicolas Anelka because my
main priority is defenders.
"We have got Andy (Carroll) close to coming back and we have got Carlton
Cole, (Marouane) Chamakh and we have also brought in Wellington."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Match Report: West Ham 1 QPR 1
By Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die
What an incredibly frustrating game. Six hours after it finished I still
can't quite believe we didn't win this by at least three clear goals.
Indeed, we could have been three up after thirteen minutes. The trouble was
we then went one down after a quick break in which debutant Loic Remy scored
a great goal. And to think, he could have been hours. Mind you, he did
bugger all for the rest of the game. The fact was we dominated much of the
second half and I imagine the stats show we had about 60% of the possession.
But it was one of those days when the ball just wouldn't go into the net.
There were several 'pinball' periods in which we had shot after shot on goal
and still it wouldn't cross the damned line.
It has to be said that our cause was not helped by two things - a simply
dreadful refereeing performance by Howard Webb, and possibly the worst
performance I have yet seen from Kevin Nolan. In Nolan's case he would be
wise not to watch the video of this game. Virtually every time he had the
ball he passed it to a QPR player. Simply dreadful. Luckily for us, Diame
and Noble had excellent games. Diame was the main reason we dominated the
opening exchanges and although he faded in and out of the game, virtually
every creative thing we did had him at the centre of it. No doubt the
Arsenal scouts will have reported back very favourably to Arsene Wenger.
'Viera-esque' is the best way to describe his performance.
On the wings Jarvis and Joe Cole were very busy. Jarvis can be very
frustrating at times, but he poses a real danger when he has the confidence
to beat his opponent. He can deliver very dangerous crosses, but when he has
a sight of goal he seems to panic. He skyed a great chance mid way through
the second half, and it was then that I genuinely thought we would never
score. It was great to see Joe Cole score the equaliser, almost ten years to
the day that he scored his last goal for the Hammers. His corners are also
so much more dangerous than Mark Noble's. In three games he has already
become a first choice. Ricardo Va Te will do well to regain his place.
Defensively, apart from the goal, we looked very solid. Reid and Tomkins
rarely looked under threat and the two full backs got forward more than they
usually do. And Jussi Jaaskelainen barely had a save to make. The QPR
goalkeeper (you know, the one who is keeping Rob Green on benchwarming
duties) is a very odd keeper. He looks both brilliant and error prone. The
goal kick he sliced into the West Stand had to be seen to be believed. But
he also saved several certain goals.
Up front Marouane Chamakh displayed some nice layoffs and should have scored
with a goalbound header. He should also have had a penalty. Do I see him as
the main striker in a 4-5-1 formation? To be honest, no. I thought he was
perfectly competent, but would suit a 4-4-2 formation much better. When
Carlton Cole came on we looked a different team and it was Cole's knockdown
that led to the other Cole scoring. Always believing....
Jussi 7
Demel 7
O'Brien 7
Reid 8
Tomkins 7
Noble 7
Diame 8
Nolan 3
Jarvis 7
Cole J 7
Cole C 7
Chamakh 6
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham 1 QPR 1
The Sun
By ANDREW DILLON
Published: 19th January 2013
JOE COLE wrecked it for the man who made him a star. QPR boss Harry Redknapp
also tried to sign him recently — but lost out to West Ham. Cole, 31, is now
back at Upton Park where former Hammers boss Redknapp unleashed him as a shy
but skilful teenager 14 years ago. And his tap-in rescued a point for West
Ham while putting the boot in on what would have been a valuable and rare
away win for QPR in their battle to stay up. Cole spoke of his gratitude at
being given a second chance after coming home. And his current boss Sam
Allardyce was grateful for Cole's effort and positioning that made sure the
day did not end in complete frustration for the Irons. Big Sam said: "QPR
don't leave you much space with the way they play. They fill the 18-yard
line with their back four and you need creative, clever players to wriggle
into what gaps there are. "Joe is glad to have scored but everyone really
feels like we have been beaten as with our chances we should have had a
comfortable win." Redknapp admits he had no hope of taking Cole to Loftus
Road once his old club made their move.
And his first goal for West Ham since January 2003 is up there with the most
important. Defeat would have left Allardyce looking over his shoulder
nervously at the bottom three. There are clear problems in his team. And it
does not require a massive tactician to see what they are. The strikers have
not delivered enough goals for one reason or another — just like last
season. West Ham had more than enough chances to go on and win this London
derby while Rangers had just one opening and debut boy Loic Remy seized on
it. His finish was impressive even if his timing was suspect to start with
as he fell foul of the offside trap twice before thumping QPR into a
14th-minute lead. But when he did get it right and galloped clear of
defender Winston Reid with the ball at his feet, the Frenchman made no
mistake. He repaid the first of his £70,000-a-week wage packets by driving
the ball low to the right of Jussi Jaaskeklainen from 18 yards — no mean
feat. That was about all we heard or saw from the £8m new boy but it is
enough to suggest he can score enough goals to lift the Prem's bottom club
clear of trouble.
But more importantly, he can offer an alternative to Adel Taarabt, who has
so far been a one-man attack force this season. In comparison, Allardyce
opted to bring Marouane Chamakh out of deep freeze at Arsenal with a loan
deal and gave the Moroccan misfit his first league start since October 2011.
He offered enthusiasm and energy and, once he comes out of suspended
animation, could prove a useful weapon in Big Sam's lightweight attacking
armoury. Chamakh was involved all game until he was taken off with 28
minutes left — unlike Remy who waited and waited and waited in vain for his
next opportunity. On the plus side, Chamakh had a point-blank header saved
superbly by Man of the Match Julio Cesar in the R's goal. He also busied
himself in the box and should have won a penalty when Shaun Derry handled
while under pressure from Chamakh in the box.
Sadly, he also took to a bit of theatricals, going down under minimal
contact from Shaun Wright-Phillips moments later in a cynical ploy to try to
hoodwink ref Howard Webb, who did not have his best day at work. While the
Rangers fans will be toasting their new arrival, Redknapp will have noted
yet another sterling performance from one of his old soldiers — Ryan Nelsen.
The Kiwi centre-half is 35 — but has played more than four hours of football
this week without complaint. West Ham made the breakthrough with 22 minutes
left with a mass assault on Cesar's goal. Following much hesitancy, the ball
fell to Matt Jarvis who fired in a cross and, after Cesar pushed it clear,
Cole pounced.
West Ham: Jaaskelainen, Demel, Tomkins, Reid, O'Brien, Noble, Diame, Joe
Cole, Nolan (Vaz Te 88), Jarvis, Chamakh (Carlton Cole 62). Subs Not Used:
Spiegel, Collison, Taylor, Diarra, Potts. Booked: Tomkins. Goals: Joe Cole
68.
QPR: Julio Cesar, Onuoha, Nelsen, Hill, Da Silva, Derry, Mbia, Mackie
(Bothroyd 67), Taarabt (Park 82), Wright-Phillips (Traore 58), Remy. Subs
Not Used: Green, Ferdinand, Hoilett, Faurlin. Goals: Remy 14.
Att: 34,962
Ref: Howard Webb (S Yorkshire).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Saturday, January 19
Daily WHUFC News - 19th January 2013
QPR match preview
WHUFC.com
Your guide to Saturday's Barclays Premier League meeting with QPR
17.01.2013
WEST HAM UNITED v QUEENS PARK RANGERS
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
SATURDAY 19 JANUARY 2013
KICK-OFF: 3.00PM
REFEREE: HOWARD WEBB
FULL AUDIO AND TEXT COMMENTARY - WEST HAM TV
iPHONE APP I TWITTER I FACEBOOK I PODCAST
Introduction
• West Ham United return to Barclays Premier League action as they entertain
Queens Park Rangers at the Boleyn Ground. The Hammers are bidding to bounce
back from successive defeats on the road, succumbing to a 3-0 loss at
Sunderland, before exiting the FA Cup in a 1-0 reverse against Manchester
United.
• The Hammers, however, will be glad of a return to the Boleyn Ground, where
they have gleaned 18 of their 26 points this season. Aston Villa, Fulham,
Southampton, Chelsea and Norwich have all left east London empty handed this
term.
• The last meeting of the sides at the Boleyn Ground was on Saturday 6
November 2004, when West Ham United earned a 2-1 win thanks to goals either
side of half-time from Marlon Harewood. West Ham are bidding to complete
their first league double of the season, having run out 2-1 winners at
Loftus Road back in October.
• The two clubs have met just seven times in the Premier League, with West
Ham winning twice and QPR on three occasions. However, the Hammers have won
two of the most recent three top-flight meetings.
• It has been more than 17 years since the two sides shared the points, when
on 3 May 1995 the fixture ended in a goalless draw.
• QPR head to the Boleyn Ground in fine form, with a creditable two wins and
two draws from their last four clashes in all competitions. After stunning
west London neighbours Chelsea with a 1-0 win away win, they held Tottenham
Hotspur to a goalless draw at Loftus Road, before needing a replay at the
Hawthorns to dump West Bromwich Albion out of the FA Cup.
• That said, the Hoops remain bottom of the Barclays Premier League, having
racked up just 14 points to date. Harry Redknapp's men remain five points
adrift of safety, with just two league wins this season.
Last time out
Wednesday 16 January 2013
FA Cup with Budweiser third-round replay
Manchester United 1-0 West Ham United
West Ham United: Jaaskelainen, Spence, Tomkins, Reid, Diarra, Potts, O'Neil,
Diame (Collison 65), Taylor, Vaz Te (Lee 78), Cole (Nolan 65).
Subs not used: Spiegel, Demel, Jarvis, Lletget
Tuesday 15 January 2013
FA Cup with Budweiser third-round replay
West Bromwich Albion 0-1 Queens Park Rangers
Queens Park Rangers: Green, Ferdinand, Hill, Onuoha, Ben-Haim, Derry, Park
Ji-Sung, Faurlin, Cisse (Wright-Phillips 46), Mackie (Taarabt 90), Bothroyd
(M'bia 80)
Subs not used:
Goals: Bothroyd 75
Previous meeting
• West Ham United's last encounter with Queens Park Rangers saw the Hammers
depart Loftus Road with all three points, their first away win of their
Barclays Premier League campaign.
• Sam Allardyce's men stormed into a third-minute lead courtesy of Matt
Jarvis' header, before Ricardo Vaz Te doubled the visitors' advantage with
ten minutes of the first half still to play. The Hoops rallied after the
interval and halved the deficit when Adel Taarabt rifled home from 25 yards,
but their challenge was effectively ended with the dismissal of substitute
Samba Diakite for two bookable offences.
The teams that day were:
Queens Park Rangers: Julio Cesar; Hill, Onuoha (Hoilett 84), Nelsen, Park
Ji-sung (Diakite 55), Wright-Phillips (Taarabt 56), Granero, Faurlin, M'Bia,
Cisse, Zamora
West Ham United: Jaaskelainen; Reid (Tomkins 23), O'Brien (McCartney 35),
Collins, Demel, Nolan, Jarvis, Noble, Diame, Cole (Carroll 72), Vaz Te
Background
• West Ham United have faced Queens Park Rangers in 58 official matches and
they enjoy a slender lead in terms of victories having won 21 to the Hoops'
19. 18 have ended in a draw.
• West Ham United's biggest win over QPR came on 7 October 1950, Eric
Parsons scored a brace and Bill Robinson and Terry Woodgate also got on the
scoresheet in a 4-1 League Division Two win. The Hammers have, however, won
by a bigger margin in the First Southern Division, winning 4-0 in 1902.
• Queens Park Rangers' biggest win in the fixture came on 31 January 1978 in
an FA Cup meeting when they beat the Hammers 6-1 in a fourth round replay.
Bryan "Pop" Robson scored the Hammers' only goal of the game.
Last six meetings
(Premier League unless stated)
1st October 2012 - QPR 1-2 West Ham United
6 November 2004 - West Ham United 2-1 QPR (Championship)
16 October 2004 - QPR 1-0 West Ham United (Championship)
27 April 1996 - QPR 3-0 West Ham United
25 November 1995 - West Ham United 1-0 QPR
3 May 1995 - West Ham United 0-0 QPR
Overall record v Queens Park Rangers (all competitions) W 21 D 18 L 19
Ten-year record
West Ham United
2011/12 Championship 3rd (86 points - promoted to Premier League via
Play-Offs)
2010/11 Premier League 20th (33 points - relegated to Championship)
2009/10 Premier League 17th (35 points)
2008/09 Premier League 9th (51 points)
2007/08 Premier League 10th (49 points)
2006/07 Premier League 15th (41 points)
2005/06 Premier League 9th (55 points)
2004/05 Championship 6th (73 points - promoted to Premier League via
Play-Offs)
2003/04 Division One 4th (74 points)
2002/03 Premier League 18th (42 points - relegated to Division One)
Queens Park Rangers
2011/12 Premier League 17th (37 points)
2010/11 Championship 1st (88 - promoted to Premier League)
2009/10 Championship 13th (57 points)
2008/09 Championship 11th ( 61 points)
2007/08 Championship 14th (58 points)
2006/07 Championship 18th (53 points)
2005/06 Championship 21st (50 points)
2004/05 Championship 11th (62 points)
2003/04 Division Two 2nd (83 points)
2002/03 Division Two 4th (83 points)
Referee
• Saturday's referee is Howard Webb.
• Webb was the man in the middle for West Ham's goalless draw at home to
Manchester City, while he also officiated the 2012 npower Championship
Play-Off final at Wembley, where the Hammers beat Blackpool 2-1 at Wembley
to secure promotion.
• He took charge of the 2010 FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Holland
in South Africa.
• Webb began officiating in Yorkshire in 1989. He took charge of his first
Barclays Premier League match as a referee in October 2003 and has since
been the man-in-the-middle for a host of high-profile fixtures.
• Webb also refereed the 2005 FA Community Shield, 2006 FA Trophy final and
2006 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, as well as taking charge of his
first UEFA Champions League match in 2006. The former police officer was
referee for the 2007 Carling Cup final and was selected as England's
representative at Euro 2008, taking charge of the first match of the
tournament between Austria and Poland and the Group D fixture between Greece
and eventual champions Spain.
Team news
West Ham United
• Big Sam is expected to make a number of changes from the side that lined
up in an adventurous 3-5-2 formation at Old Trafford. Matt Jarvis, Guy
Demel, Joe Cole, Kevin Nolan, and Jack Collison are each vying for places,
having been left out of the starting XI for Wednesday's FA Cup defeat.
• Joey O'Brien returns to the squad having recovered from a hamstring
injury, while Mark Noble is also available for selection following a
successful fitness test.
• January recruits Marouane Chamakh and Wellington Paulista are both
eligible to make their home debuts, with the Moroccan having featured as a
second-half substitute at Sunderland a week ago. Paulista, however, is
unlikely to be invovled, despite receiving international clearance.
• Goalkeeper Stephen Henderson has returned from a loan spell Ipswich Town,
but picked up an ankle injury in training with the Tractor Boys and will not
be available on Saturday.
• Modibo Maiga will definitely be missing after he travelled away to Mali
for the Africa Cup of Nations finals in South Africa.
• Andy Carroll is edging ever closer to a return, while defensive duo George
McCartney and James Collins are now the club's only long-term absentees.
Queens Park Rangers
• QPR will hope to welcome winger Junior Hoilett back from a hamstring
injury.
• Defensive midfielder Esteban Granero (hamstring), left-back Armand Traore
(knee), right-back Jose Bosingwa (back) and strikers Bobby Zamora (hip) and
Andrew Johnson (knee) are all definitely out injury.
• New signing Loic Remy is avaiable for selection after completing his
£8million move from Marseille.
Old boys
• Anton Ferdinand and Robert Green could both face their former club if
selected, while Bobby Zamora remains sidelined with a hip injury. Ferdinand
made 138 appearances in claret and blue before leaving to join Sunderland in
2008. Zamora also departed in 2008 to go to Fulham after spending four years
at the Boleyn Ground, scoring 30 goals. Green, meanwhile, played 241 games
for the Hammers, including the Play-Off final win against Blackpool in May,
before departing for QPR after his contract at the Boleyn Ground ran out.
General Information
• Tickets are sold out for Saturday's fixture. For all other ticket
information, the box office can be accessed here.
• It's set to be a bitterly cold afternoon, with sleet or snow highly likely
and the temperature struggling to creep above zero.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Diarra banking on home form
WHUFC.com
French midfielder Alou Diarra has called for another home win against QPR on
Saturday
17.01.2013
Alou Diarra is hoping home comforts will see West Ham United return to
winning ways in their Barclays Premier League showdown against Queens Park
Rangers. With points and goals on the road proving particularly hard to come
by, the France international believes there is now an even greater emphasis
on continuing to impress at the Boleyn Ground. The Hammers have already
racked up five home wins, and while Harry Redknapp's reinvigorated Rangers
stand in their way this weekend, Diarra is reluctant to contemplate anything
other than three points. "We've been collecting points at Upton Park, right
from the word go, and we've got to carry on doing so," he said. "The match
against QPR this weekend is going to be very important for us, particularly
after last weekend's defeat at Sunderland. We've got to try and get all
three points. "QPR are faring better since the appointment of Harry
Redknapp. They're on a good run but we can't afford to give them any points.
Our aim is to win. "We're not worried because we simply weren't on our game
at Sunderland. We know what's required to win football matches. We've shown
that plenty of times in the first half of the season. "As long we're
concentrated and competitive we can pose QPR problems. We've already beaten
them away from home. Granted, this time will be different because they'll be
full of confidence, but we can beat them at home."
Lining up against West Ham will likely be new Hoops signing Loic Remy,
following his £8 million move from Marseille. Diarra played alongside
26-year-old Remy as he netted 20 goals last season and knows only too well
how big a threat he could pose on Saturday. "I don't know if [Loic] can save
QPR because he's not responsible for the current situation. He's coming to
England with plenty to prove and possesses the attribute of speed," warned
Diarra. "I think he can be a great help to them with his pace and he's a
striker who can score plenty of goals. Last year he had a great season with
Marseille and particularly in the Champions League. I played with him as
well and that's how I know his qualities. Provided he's confident he'll be
very dangerous."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Big Sam on QPR
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce has spoken to the press ahead of West Ham United's meeting
with QPR
18.01.2013
Sam Allardyce reiterated the importance of preserving a healthy distance
between his side and the Barclays Premier League's bottom three, as West Ham
United prepare to welcome Queens Park Rangers to the Boleyn Ground. The
Hammers go into the weekend seven points above the drop zone and with key
personnel gradually returning to fitness, Big Sam is confident of steering
well clear of trouble. He insists, however, that a rejuvenated QPR will
provide a stern test on Saturday, having won two and drawn two of their last
four outings in all competitions.
Sam, firstly what's the team news ahead of Saturday?
SA: "Andy Carroll gets slightly nearer everyday but he's not available as of
yet. I think the best news for us is Joey O'Brien is fit from a defensive
point of view, and that's a more critical area with our defensive problems.
We'd love Andy back as quickly as possible, but we've got Carlton Cole and
Marouane Chamakh to look at the striking role, so we're not too bad. Mark
Noble has passed a fitness test as well and Joe Cole comes back into the
squad, so we've got some of those important players back in the squad for
Saturday's big encounter."
How important is Saturday's game?
SA: "These are the bigger games in terms of trying to get your best
performance out of your players, to try and get the win that you need. When
you play the big boys it's always great if you put a good performance in and
if you get a result, it's a magnificent achievement, as it was when we beat
Chelsea 3-1. But it's not as important as beating the teams that are below
you. At this stage of the season, as the games tick by, you don't want them
that bit closer, because it brings the pressure on you. "At the moment it's
going to be a hugely difficult game for us, because QPR are, in results
terms, in much better form than we are. They've won two and drawn two of the
last four."
How big of a concern is it that you could still be dragged into the
relegation battle?
SA: "We still have a reasonable distance between us and the bottom three and
I think that we must always remember that our level of performances this
year have suggested, that if we continue like that, we're going to be good
enough to stay clear of them. And the reason that the performances have been
good and the results haven't is obviously due to a number on injuries and
changes we've had to make over the Christmas period going into January. We
want to put that right as quickly as we can and it would be great to start
getting another winning streak going on Saturday."
How does the weather affect your preparations at this time of year?
SA: "With the amount of games we're playing there's not a lot of training we
can actually do with the players. We played on Wednesday night, we got back
at two in the morning. We came in yesterday for a recovery session, but we
can't load the players too much on the training ground today. We just have
to be relying more on analysis in the analysis room than we would be on the
training ground at the moment. From a physical point of view, you need to
save every ounce of strength you've got for this period. And that, in terms
of the weather is a distraction, but in terms of how often you're training
at this stage of the season it's not too often, and if we do train, it's not
too long on the training ground, so it's not too much of a problem."
Do we need a winter break?
SA: "We've always needed one, but I don't think we're going to get one. I
think that there's a lot of research out there to suggest a winter break
benefits football clubs in Europe from suffering less injuries. That shows
it's of great benefit. But obviously with the fixture congestion, the
Premier League and all the other leagues find it very difficult to fit in.
So, I think as managers we'd all like one. It would a hell of a lot of
difference if you could leave your players doing nothing for a week, in
terms of rest and recuperation physically and mentally. That would get them
re-energised and ready to move forward again.
"I always squeeze one in anyway, I do it as a course of my managerial
experience. After we went away to Dubai last year we only lost one game,
went all the way through to the Play-Offs, and won the last six games on the
trot. The physical output of the players increased when they came back, as
opposed to what they were achieving before they went away. It just shows a
few days can make a difference."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Captain's Blog
WHUFC.com
Skipper Kevin Nolan with his latest personal message to supporters ahead of
Saturday's visit of QPR
19.01.2013
Hello to all our supporters.
It was disappointing to go out of the FA Cup at Manchester United this week
but, I think you will agree, we were really unlucky to come away from Old
Trafford with nothing. I think our performance was there to see and with a
few young lads coming in - Jordan Spence, Dan Potts and young Elliot Lee
making his senior bow - we did terrific and we were disappointed to come
away with nothing to show for it. I was on the bench on Wednesday, so my
skipper duties fell to Reidy and I thought he did a terrific job. Well I say
that, but when I came on in the second half, normally whoever else has been
captain, like Nobes, he gives me the armband back, but not Reidy. I came on
and it was clear he was keeping the armband on for the whole match!
Seriously, he did a great job and I am so pleased for him. He wasn't fazed
by it all and it is well deserved as Reidy has had a fantastic season for us
and has been a main part of our success this campaign. I think if it was my
first time being captain, I wouldn't have given it back either! But Reidy, I
want my armband back for this weekend!
We move on and focus on our ultimate goal and that is consolidating our
Premier League status and pushing on now for that top-half finish. I firmly
believe with new players like Joe Cole and Marouane Chamakh joining us
recently and maybe more before the transfer window shuts, together with the
lads coming back from injury, we have the quality and spirit in this squad
to push on. Mo Diame, Ricardo Vaz Te and Jack Collison have all returned in
recent weeks and we have Andy Carroll and hopefully Ginge [James Collins] is
not going to be too bad, plus George McCartney still to get back, all which
will be good as we look to finish as high as we can. It is three years since
our owners, Joint-Chairmen David Sullivan and David Gold, took over with
Vice-Chairman Karren Brady. I think our supporters can see what they have
done since arriving at the club - putting everything in to strengthen the
club in all areas so that it didn't falter. Now, they are striving to get it
to where we know this great club belongs. Not only have they done that for
the here and now, but they are doing it in the right way and in a way that
stabilises the club for the future.
Since I arrived they have been great, they have supported the gaffer
massively in the transfer market and hopefully they are seeing some of the
rewards of that support, by our performances on the pitch. Firstly it is
about making sure we stay in the top league and then they are also looking
to the future to get our club back to playing in Europe again and making
sure we can attract the best players possible. So happy three year
anniversary to them!
I would also like to say on behalf of all the lads, we hope Chairman Mr Gold
is continuing to recover well from his recent illness. We were all very
concerned when we heard he was ill and in hospital, but our thoughts are
with him and we look forward to seeing him around the place soon.
At our match on Saturday against Queens Park Rangers, our club will be
marking Holocaust Memorial Day as part of the fantastic work it does in the
community. Candles will be lit and we will be remembering all of those who
have been affected in a terrible way simply for being part of a particular
race or religion. It goes without saying that we must continue to support
the initiatives to make sure we stamp out all forms of racism and I am sure
you will join us in that goal. We play QPR and will welcome a few old
faces, including our former goalkeeper Greeny. I think Rob has been unlucky
not to have got more of a chance since he moved. He's a top lad and I still
speak to him all the time. He's a good mate so it will be good to catch up
with him tomorrow. We will be looking to get three points, even though it
will be a tough London derby, so your support tomorrow will be as important
as ever as we look to get a victory on our home patch with yet another full
stadium behind us. I hope that you are all not too affected by the snow and
just make sure, if you are out and about, to be careful in these conditions.
I want to just finish by saying happy birthday to my little boy, Sonny, who
turned three-years-old last Sunday. He had a party arranged with all our
family but I couldn't make it as we were training that day ahead of the
mid-week match against Manchester United. I know he had a good time,
though, as I had every detail relayed back to me by my six-year-old daughter
Jasmine! It was a shame I missed out on seeing him celebrating. There were
nearly 30 kids at his party, so I think my missus Hayley will be hoping that
we don't have a mid-week game again for his next birthday, so I can share
some of the load! As ever, we appreciate your fantastic support and we will
be doing all we can to get the three points.
Come on you irons!
Kevin Nolan
Captain
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Reid impressed by young stars
WHUFC.com
Winston Reid said West Ham United's Academy graduates did the club proud at
Manchester United
18.01.2013
Send Print RSS
Winston Reid said West Ham United's youngsters did the club proud in
Wednesday's narrow 1-0 FA Cup with Budweiser third-round defeat at
Manchester United. Academy products Jordan Spence and Dan Potts excelled in
the wing-back positions in a new 3-5-2 formation, while 18-year-old Elliot
Lee was handed his first-team debut as a second-half substitute.
Captain-for-the-night Reid said the trio had all taken the chance given to
them by manager Sam Allardyce at Old Trafford. "We had some of the younger
guys come in and play and they did really well. We have had injuries but we
don't use that as an excuse as it is part of football. But sometimes these
things give the younger players a chance and I thought they took their
opportunities in a good way. "I thought we played really well and even
though they took the lead, we worked hard to get back into the game and
thought we were right in there. We had chances and know we should've put at
least one or two of them away, but it obviously wasn't meant to be our
night."
With the Hammers are now out of the FA Cup, the New Zealand defender said
all the club's attentions could now be focused on regaining some consistent
form in the Barclays Premier League. West Ham have won only two of their
previous ten league games and face relegation-threatened Queens Park Rangers
- including Reid's international team-mate Ryan Nelsen - at the Boleyn
Ground on Saturday. While sub-zero temperatures and snow forecast, it will
be cold in east London, but the No2 is expecting a red-hot London derby. "We
are taking it game by game and looking forward now to the weekend against
QPR, where we know it will be another tough match but one we will be looking
to win."
If West Ham are to pick up three welcome points, they will need to be more
clinical in front of goal than they have been in their previous two outings
- a 3-0 league defeat at Sunderland last weekend and Wednesday's FA Cup loss
at Old Trafford. Reid admitted the Hammers had not taken their chances in
either fixture. "We had some good play but in the final third we were not
good enough, not up to our standards anyway. We knew we had to make the
opportunities count and it just didn't happen for us in front of goal but we
go ahead now to focusing on Queens Park Rangers on Saturday."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham v QPR
KO 15:00
18 January 2013
By John Motson
BBC Match of the Day commentator
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: Upton Park Date: Saturday, 19 January
TEAM NEWS
West Ham should have Joey O'Brien available, while fellow defender James
Collins (hamstring) will be assessed. Midfielder Mark Noble has shrugged off
a calf problem but striker Andy Carroll and defender George McCartney (both
knee) continue their rehabilitation.
French forward Loic Remy, QPR's record £8m signing, should feature. Shaun
Derry and Stephane M'Bia may continue in midfield, with Samba Diakite at the
Africa Cup of Nations and Esteban Granero an injury doubt.
MATCH PREVIEW
For the second week running, it's Harry making the headlines. Last weekend
he went head-to-head with his previous club Tottenham, and now Redknapp
faces the club where he really made his managerial name. Despite their
position, QPR have reasons to be optimistic. Their FA Cup third-round replay
win at West Brom wasn't really expected, nor was pipping Newcastle to Loic
Remy's signature - or leading the chase for Yann M'Vila. It's no secret
they're trying to buy their way out of trouble.
Because he's a wheeler-dealer, people forget what a fine coach Redknapp is.
Not long after the 3-0 defeat by Liverpool, he went through a hefty routine
at the QPR training ground on how to defend and shut down the opposition. It
seems to have worked, with three successive clean sheets in league and cup.
As well as buying, Harry is also putting his faith in the old warhorses -
seasoned, hardened professionals like Shaun Derry and Clint Hill. He's also
trying to keep Ryan Nelsen for as long as he can.
Notwithstanding the excellent record Redknapp has against West Ham since he
left - eight wins, three draws and one defeat - Hammers fans hold him in
high regard. The club consistently did well under him and achieved their
highest-ever Premier League finish: fifth in 1999. Those years stir
affection, so I expect he'll get a good reception at Upton Park.
West Ham have been stretched with injuries a little bit. James Collins is
very important in both penalty areas, so he's a big miss. Sam Allardyce just
hasn't really been able to field his best team, and whether he can soon will
determine how well they do for the rest of the season. I'm sure it'll be a
real ding-dong London derby, but I doubt there'll be many goals. Allardyce
might use Marouane Chamakh at some point so there are likely to be some
fresh new strikers on the pitch, on both sides, which will add to the
excitement and unpredictability. Every game is a cup final for QPR now, and
though West Ham look safe, they won't take anything for granted.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
QPR's last victory at Upton Park was a 4-0 win in August 1993, the first
month of the inaugural Premier League season.
These two clubs have only met three times since the turn of the millennium,
twice in the Championship in 2004 and earlier this season. West Ham have won
two of these matches, QPR one.
West Ham
The Hammers have earned just seven Premier League points from the last
possible 27.
They have only kept one clean sheet in their last 10 league games.
Sam Allardyce's side have scored three goals in the past five Premier League
games.
They won their last Premier League home match, but only collected two points
from the previous four Upton Park games.
QPR
Rangers have kept back-to-back Premier League clean sheets for the first
time since September 2011.
They have 14 points from their first 22 Premier League games of the season.
Only one of the nine teams to have won 14 points or fewer from their first
22 games of a Premier League season have avoided relegation (West Brom in
2004-05).
The Hoops have scored with just 8.1% of their shots so far this season. The
last teams to have a worse shot conversion rate in a single Premier League
season were Middlesbrough (7.7%) and Wigan (7.6%) in 2008-09.
Against Tottenham last weekend, they failed to register a shot on target
(the seventh time a team has done so this season).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce charged over comments after West Ham loss
BBC.co.uk
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce has been charged with misconduct over his
comments to the media after Wednesday's FA Cup tie at Manchester United.
Allardyce said the decision to deny his side a penalty at Old Trafford, but
award one to Sir Alex Ferguson's side, was down to home advantage. Wayne
Rooney missed the second-half spot-kick as the Hammers lost 1-0 in the
third-round replay. Allardyce must respond to the Football Association
charge by 23 January.
West Ham were denied a penalty when the ball struck Rafael's arm, before the
hosts were awarded one when Jordan Spence handled late on. "You see it time
and time again at Old Trafford," Allardyce said at full-time. "There's no
doubt about the difference between Rafael's handball and Jordan Spence's.
Spence plays for West Ham and the away team, while Rafael plays for the home
side at Old Trafford." An FA statement said the charge is "in relation to an
alleged breach of FA Rule E3". It concerns "media comments which questioned
the integrity of the match referee and/or match officials in general and/or
implied that the match referee and/or match officials in general are
motivated by bias and/or brought the game into disrepute".
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Allardyce hit with FA Misconduct charge
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 18th January 2013
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce has been charged by the FA with misconduct after comments he
made regarding referee Phil Dowd. Allardyce heavily criticised the match
official after he failed to give a penalty to West Ham before awarding one
to Manchester United in almost identical circumstances during Wednesday
night's FA Cup third round replay. "There's no doubt whatsoever about the
difference between Rafael's hand ball and Jordan Spence's," Allardyce,
talking after the game said. "Jordan Spence plays for West Ham away at Man
United and Rafael plays at home at Old Trafford. It's got to be that simple
when you see it."
Now the FA, who are regularly accused of showing bias towards Manchester
United, have charged Allardyce for relaying what the rest of the country
witnessed on their TVs during the game, which was televised live and watched
by millions. "West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce has been charged with
misconduct in relation to media comments following this week's FA Cup with
Budweiser Third Round replay against Manchester United at Old Trafford,"
read an FA statement. "The charge is in relation to an alleged breach of FA
Rule E3 concerning media comments which questioned the integrity of the
match referee and/or match officials in general and/or implied that the
match referee and/or match officials in general are motivated by bias and/or
brought the game into disrepute."
Allardyce has been given five days to respond to the charge.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Manchester United clash to be broadcast live
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 18th January 2013
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United's home fixture with Man Utd has been brought forward for TV
coverage. The current Premier League leaders, who knocked United out of the
FA Cup at Old Trafford on Wednesday night courtesy of Wayne Rooney's first
half strike visit the Boleyn Ground on Saturday, 9th March. However the
kick-off time has been changed from 3pm to 12.45pm and the match will be
broadcast live on Sky Sports. That fixture is just one of 12 new live games
that have been scheduled for March/April; for those interested in such
things, here's the full list:
Sunday, 3rd March: Tottenham v Arsenal (4pm)
Monday, 4th March: Aston Villa v Man City (8pm)
Saturday, 9th March: West Ham v Man Utd (12.45pm)
Sunday, 10th March: Fulham v Chelsea (1.30pm)
Sunday, 10th March: Liverpool v Tottenham (4pm)
Saturday, 16th March: Everton v Man City (12.45pm)
Sunday, 17th March: Sunderland v Norwich (1.30pm)
Sunday, 17th March: Wigan v Newcastle (4pm)
Saturday, 30th March: Sunderland v Man Utd (12.45pm)
Sunday, 31st March: Aston Villa v Liverpool (1.30pm)
Sunday, 31st March: Southampton v Chelsea (4pm)
Monday, 1st April: Fulham v QPR (8pm)
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
FA charge West Ham boss Sam Allardyce over accusing Phil Dowd of bias
Last Updated: January 19, 2013 6:12am
SSN
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce has been hit with an FA misconduct charge
after his criticism of referee Phil Dowd in the media. The Hammers boss was
furious with Dowd's performance in the FA Cup defeat at Manchester United,
and he accused the official of bias towards the home team. Dowd pointed to
the spot after Jordan Spence was adjudged to have handled a Ryan Giggs
cross, but his refusal to award West Ham a penalty when Rafael deflected the
ball on to his own arm left Allardyce fuming. "There's no doubt about the
difference between Rafael's handball and Jordan Spence's," he said
afterwards. "Spence plays for West Ham and the away team, while Rafael plays
for the home side at Old Trafford. "With Rafael, the ball hits his hand, but
no penalty is given. With Jordan Spence, the ball hits his hand and it's a
penalty. You see it time and time again at Old Trafford."
Allardyce's outburst has incurred the wrath of the FA disciplinary
committee, who issued a statement confirming the Hammers manager had been
charged.
The statement read: "The charge is in relation to an alleged breach of FA
Rule E3 concerning media comments which questioned the integrity of the
match referee and/or match officials in general and/or implied that the
match referee and/or match officials in general are motivated by bias and/or
brought the game into disrepute."
Allardyce has until Wednesday 23 January to respond to the charge.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce calls for winter break in the Premier League
Last Updated: January 18, 2013 2:53pm
SSN
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce reckons the time has come for a winter break
in English football. Allardyce insists a short Premier League lay-off, like
that favoured by the top European clubs, would make a massive difference in
terms of keeping players sharp. The Hammers enjoyed a short break in Dubai
at the end of February last year, and on their return to action lost just
one of the remaining 14 Championship games as they secured promotion. "You
do not need a long one, and at the end of the day you would not flog a
racehorse like you would flog our players," said Allardyce, whose side host
QPR on Saturday. "There is a lot of research out there to suggest a winter
break benefits football clubs in Europe from suffering less injuries. "It
shows it is of great benefit, but the fixture congestion with the Premier
League and the other leagues find it very difficult to fit in. "They would
say 'What benefit would two weeks make?' Well a hell of a lot if you could
leave your players doing nothing for a week in terms of rest and
recuperation, physically and mentally. "That would get them re-energised
physically and mentally and ready to move forward again. "After we went away
to Dubai for four days last year, we only lost one game after that, went all
the way through to the play-offs and won the last six games on the trot.
"The physical output of the players increased to what they were achieving
before they went away. It shows you that just a few days in fact can make a
difference."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Premier League: West Ham host QPR in Saturday's London derby at Upton Park
Last Updated: January 18, 2013 2:38pm
SSN
West Ham will host QPR at a freezing Upton Park on Saturday in what will
surely prove a hotly-contested London derby. Sam Allardyce's Hammers go into
the game looking to get back on track in the league, having taken just four
points from their last six games, including a 3-0 reverse at Sunderland. But
the home side will take plenty of heart from their battling display in their
1-0 midweek FA Cup third round replay defeat at Manchester United. Visitors
QPR also go into the game on the back of a promising FA Cup display - a 1-0
win at West Brom on Tuesday. Harry Redknapp's bottom-placed side will also
be buoyed by improved performances in the league, taking four points from
their last two games against London rivals Chelsea and Tottenham, including
an impressive 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge. Redknapp will be particularly
pleased to have stemmed his leaking defence's goal tide, with QPR conceding
just once in the last four league and cup games.
West Ham
Last 6
1-0
3-0
2-2
2-1
1-0
1-2
West Ham should have defender Joey O'Brien back from a hamstring injury
against QPR for the first time since New Year's Day. Centre-back James
Collins (hamstring) will be assessed, but midfielder Mark Noble has shrugged
off a calf problem while Joe Cole and Guy Demel come into contention having
been rested at Old Trafford. New signing Wellington Paulista may need more
time before being included. Mali forward Modibo Maiga is away at the Africa
Cup of Nations and striker Andy Carroll and defender George McCartney (both
knee) continue their rehabilitation.
QPR
Last 6
0-1
0-0
1-1
0-1
0-3
1-2
QPR's new signing Loic Remy will feature in the clash at West Ham. Junior
Hoilett (hamstring) returns, but Esteban Granero (hamstring) and Armand
Traore (knock) are doubtful. Samba Diakite is at the African Nations Cup,
Jose Bosingwa (back) is out and Andrew Johnson (knee) and Bobby Zamora (hip)
are absent.
Opta stats
Since Harry Redknapp took charge, QPR have taken more points in four away
games (5) than they had in the previous 20 (3).
QPR and West Ham are two of the only three Premier League teams yet to
concede a penalty in the league this season (along with Manchester United).
Harry Redknapp has won four of the last five Premier League meetings with
Sam Allardyce as opposition coaches (W4 L1) after winning just one of the
first six (W1 D2 L3).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sending Out a Clear Message!
By S J Chandos
West Ham Till I Die
Today's match against QPR will see the club commemorate Holocaust Memorial
Day (the nearest January home match to the 27th of the month). You will
recall that the idea was floated on this website on the immediate aftermath
of the unacceptable behaviour of an anti-semitic and pro-Nazi minority
element (I will not call them West Ham supporters) at White Hart Lane, last
November. The club acted swiftly in identfying and moving to ban the
individuals responsible and then warmly embraced the idea of marking the
Holocaust Commemoration, with its 2013 theme of 'Building a Bridge between
communities.'
WHTID were pleased to advise the club on the Holocaust Memorial Day
Commemoration and contribute to the planning of the event. It will be the
first such commemoration by the club, which will thereafter become an annual
event. The QPR match will be dedicated to the memory of all who lost their
lives in the holocaust, including millions of jewish people, disabled
people, gypsies, gays and lesbians, people of faith/belief and political
dissidents/opponents of the Nazi regime. There will be themed articles in
the match day programme, including one from the Chief Rabbi of the UK. And a
camp suvivor, Zigi Shipper, will be the club's guest of honour at the match.
The event will involve the use of the screens to highlight key facts
concerning the horrors of the holocaust and a candle lighting ceremony will
remember the men, women and children who lost their lives.
History tells us that the Nazi bombing raids of WW2 destroyed large areas of
East London (includng part of the Old South Bank at the Boleyn ground!) and
many east enders lost their homes and lives. In the armed forces, thousands
of East Londoners fought the Nazis, and the other axis powers, and
contributed to their defeat. Again, many lost their lives, in the process,
and we commemorate their ultimate sacrifice every year, on Remembrance
Sunday. While local Jewish people stood shoulder to shoulder with their east
end neighbours in opposing Mosley's Fascist black shirts and defeating them
in the famous battle of Cable Street in 1936. Jewish people both shared the
misery of civilian bombing during the war and fought bravely in our armed
forces.
So why on earth would anyone with east end roots express support for
anti-semitism or Nazism? Perhaps it is a lack of awareness, maybe some
(amazingly) do not truly understand the significance of glorifying Hitler
and making light of gas chambers and the systematic extermination of
millions of people? More than likely, they are also unaware of East London's
long and very proud history of providing a new home for different, newly
arrived, ethnic and cultural communities; many like the nineteenth century
Jewish refugees, from Tsarist Russia, fleeing anti-semtic persecution.
While, no doubt, a tiny faction will hold far right extremist views and that
will be their motivation. Whatever, such views are unacceptable and they are
totally unrepresentative of our club and its fan base. By commemorating the
holocaust, West Ham Utd FC have created a unique opportunity to join with
the overwhelming majority of the club's supporters to show exactly where we
stand on these issues. That is to be warmly applauded.
Equally to be applauded is West Ham's wider commitment to social justice and
inclusion, as outlined in an article in the Man Utd match programme. The
club will be delivering a programme of dversity & inclusion community based
events. This demonstrates a firm commitment to ensuring that West Ham
champions fairness, inclusion and cohesion and is a club that reflects the
diversity characteristic of east London and Essex. As an inclusive, family
club, with a probable major responsibility for delivering the 2012 community
and sporting legacy, via the anchor tenancy of the Olympic stadium, it is
absolutely essential that this is the case.
Through such inclusive events, policies and programmes, the club can really
underline the UNITED in West Ham UNITED FC.
SJ . Chandos.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
Your guide to Saturday's Barclays Premier League meeting with QPR
17.01.2013
WEST HAM UNITED v QUEENS PARK RANGERS
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
SATURDAY 19 JANUARY 2013
KICK-OFF: 3.00PM
REFEREE: HOWARD WEBB
FULL AUDIO AND TEXT COMMENTARY - WEST HAM TV
iPHONE APP I TWITTER I FACEBOOK I PODCAST
Introduction
• West Ham United return to Barclays Premier League action as they entertain
Queens Park Rangers at the Boleyn Ground. The Hammers are bidding to bounce
back from successive defeats on the road, succumbing to a 3-0 loss at
Sunderland, before exiting the FA Cup in a 1-0 reverse against Manchester
United.
• The Hammers, however, will be glad of a return to the Boleyn Ground, where
they have gleaned 18 of their 26 points this season. Aston Villa, Fulham,
Southampton, Chelsea and Norwich have all left east London empty handed this
term.
• The last meeting of the sides at the Boleyn Ground was on Saturday 6
November 2004, when West Ham United earned a 2-1 win thanks to goals either
side of half-time from Marlon Harewood. West Ham are bidding to complete
their first league double of the season, having run out 2-1 winners at
Loftus Road back in October.
• The two clubs have met just seven times in the Premier League, with West
Ham winning twice and QPR on three occasions. However, the Hammers have won
two of the most recent three top-flight meetings.
• It has been more than 17 years since the two sides shared the points, when
on 3 May 1995 the fixture ended in a goalless draw.
• QPR head to the Boleyn Ground in fine form, with a creditable two wins and
two draws from their last four clashes in all competitions. After stunning
west London neighbours Chelsea with a 1-0 win away win, they held Tottenham
Hotspur to a goalless draw at Loftus Road, before needing a replay at the
Hawthorns to dump West Bromwich Albion out of the FA Cup.
• That said, the Hoops remain bottom of the Barclays Premier League, having
racked up just 14 points to date. Harry Redknapp's men remain five points
adrift of safety, with just two league wins this season.
Last time out
Wednesday 16 January 2013
FA Cup with Budweiser third-round replay
Manchester United 1-0 West Ham United
West Ham United: Jaaskelainen, Spence, Tomkins, Reid, Diarra, Potts, O'Neil,
Diame (Collison 65), Taylor, Vaz Te (Lee 78), Cole (Nolan 65).
Subs not used: Spiegel, Demel, Jarvis, Lletget
Tuesday 15 January 2013
FA Cup with Budweiser third-round replay
West Bromwich Albion 0-1 Queens Park Rangers
Queens Park Rangers: Green, Ferdinand, Hill, Onuoha, Ben-Haim, Derry, Park
Ji-Sung, Faurlin, Cisse (Wright-Phillips 46), Mackie (Taarabt 90), Bothroyd
(M'bia 80)
Subs not used:
Goals: Bothroyd 75
Previous meeting
• West Ham United's last encounter with Queens Park Rangers saw the Hammers
depart Loftus Road with all three points, their first away win of their
Barclays Premier League campaign.
• Sam Allardyce's men stormed into a third-minute lead courtesy of Matt
Jarvis' header, before Ricardo Vaz Te doubled the visitors' advantage with
ten minutes of the first half still to play. The Hoops rallied after the
interval and halved the deficit when Adel Taarabt rifled home from 25 yards,
but their challenge was effectively ended with the dismissal of substitute
Samba Diakite for two bookable offences.
The teams that day were:
Queens Park Rangers: Julio Cesar; Hill, Onuoha (Hoilett 84), Nelsen, Park
Ji-sung (Diakite 55), Wright-Phillips (Taarabt 56), Granero, Faurlin, M'Bia,
Cisse, Zamora
West Ham United: Jaaskelainen; Reid (Tomkins 23), O'Brien (McCartney 35),
Collins, Demel, Nolan, Jarvis, Noble, Diame, Cole (Carroll 72), Vaz Te
Background
• West Ham United have faced Queens Park Rangers in 58 official matches and
they enjoy a slender lead in terms of victories having won 21 to the Hoops'
19. 18 have ended in a draw.
• West Ham United's biggest win over QPR came on 7 October 1950, Eric
Parsons scored a brace and Bill Robinson and Terry Woodgate also got on the
scoresheet in a 4-1 League Division Two win. The Hammers have, however, won
by a bigger margin in the First Southern Division, winning 4-0 in 1902.
• Queens Park Rangers' biggest win in the fixture came on 31 January 1978 in
an FA Cup meeting when they beat the Hammers 6-1 in a fourth round replay.
Bryan "Pop" Robson scored the Hammers' only goal of the game.
Last six meetings
(Premier League unless stated)
1st October 2012 - QPR 1-2 West Ham United
6 November 2004 - West Ham United 2-1 QPR (Championship)
16 October 2004 - QPR 1-0 West Ham United (Championship)
27 April 1996 - QPR 3-0 West Ham United
25 November 1995 - West Ham United 1-0 QPR
3 May 1995 - West Ham United 0-0 QPR
Overall record v Queens Park Rangers (all competitions) W 21 D 18 L 19
Ten-year record
West Ham United
2011/12 Championship 3rd (86 points - promoted to Premier League via
Play-Offs)
2010/11 Premier League 20th (33 points - relegated to Championship)
2009/10 Premier League 17th (35 points)
2008/09 Premier League 9th (51 points)
2007/08 Premier League 10th (49 points)
2006/07 Premier League 15th (41 points)
2005/06 Premier League 9th (55 points)
2004/05 Championship 6th (73 points - promoted to Premier League via
Play-Offs)
2003/04 Division One 4th (74 points)
2002/03 Premier League 18th (42 points - relegated to Division One)
Queens Park Rangers
2011/12 Premier League 17th (37 points)
2010/11 Championship 1st (88 - promoted to Premier League)
2009/10 Championship 13th (57 points)
2008/09 Championship 11th ( 61 points)
2007/08 Championship 14th (58 points)
2006/07 Championship 18th (53 points)
2005/06 Championship 21st (50 points)
2004/05 Championship 11th (62 points)
2003/04 Division Two 2nd (83 points)
2002/03 Division Two 4th (83 points)
Referee
• Saturday's referee is Howard Webb.
• Webb was the man in the middle for West Ham's goalless draw at home to
Manchester City, while he also officiated the 2012 npower Championship
Play-Off final at Wembley, where the Hammers beat Blackpool 2-1 at Wembley
to secure promotion.
• He took charge of the 2010 FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Holland
in South Africa.
• Webb began officiating in Yorkshire in 1989. He took charge of his first
Barclays Premier League match as a referee in October 2003 and has since
been the man-in-the-middle for a host of high-profile fixtures.
• Webb also refereed the 2005 FA Community Shield, 2006 FA Trophy final and
2006 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, as well as taking charge of his
first UEFA Champions League match in 2006. The former police officer was
referee for the 2007 Carling Cup final and was selected as England's
representative at Euro 2008, taking charge of the first match of the
tournament between Austria and Poland and the Group D fixture between Greece
and eventual champions Spain.
Team news
West Ham United
• Big Sam is expected to make a number of changes from the side that lined
up in an adventurous 3-5-2 formation at Old Trafford. Matt Jarvis, Guy
Demel, Joe Cole, Kevin Nolan, and Jack Collison are each vying for places,
having been left out of the starting XI for Wednesday's FA Cup defeat.
• Joey O'Brien returns to the squad having recovered from a hamstring
injury, while Mark Noble is also available for selection following a
successful fitness test.
• January recruits Marouane Chamakh and Wellington Paulista are both
eligible to make their home debuts, with the Moroccan having featured as a
second-half substitute at Sunderland a week ago. Paulista, however, is
unlikely to be invovled, despite receiving international clearance.
• Goalkeeper Stephen Henderson has returned from a loan spell Ipswich Town,
but picked up an ankle injury in training with the Tractor Boys and will not
be available on Saturday.
• Modibo Maiga will definitely be missing after he travelled away to Mali
for the Africa Cup of Nations finals in South Africa.
• Andy Carroll is edging ever closer to a return, while defensive duo George
McCartney and James Collins are now the club's only long-term absentees.
Queens Park Rangers
• QPR will hope to welcome winger Junior Hoilett back from a hamstring
injury.
• Defensive midfielder Esteban Granero (hamstring), left-back Armand Traore
(knee), right-back Jose Bosingwa (back) and strikers Bobby Zamora (hip) and
Andrew Johnson (knee) are all definitely out injury.
• New signing Loic Remy is avaiable for selection after completing his
£8million move from Marseille.
Old boys
• Anton Ferdinand and Robert Green could both face their former club if
selected, while Bobby Zamora remains sidelined with a hip injury. Ferdinand
made 138 appearances in claret and blue before leaving to join Sunderland in
2008. Zamora also departed in 2008 to go to Fulham after spending four years
at the Boleyn Ground, scoring 30 goals. Green, meanwhile, played 241 games
for the Hammers, including the Play-Off final win against Blackpool in May,
before departing for QPR after his contract at the Boleyn Ground ran out.
General Information
• Tickets are sold out for Saturday's fixture. For all other ticket
information, the box office can be accessed here.
• It's set to be a bitterly cold afternoon, with sleet or snow highly likely
and the temperature struggling to creep above zero.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Diarra banking on home form
WHUFC.com
French midfielder Alou Diarra has called for another home win against QPR on
Saturday
17.01.2013
Alou Diarra is hoping home comforts will see West Ham United return to
winning ways in their Barclays Premier League showdown against Queens Park
Rangers. With points and goals on the road proving particularly hard to come
by, the France international believes there is now an even greater emphasis
on continuing to impress at the Boleyn Ground. The Hammers have already
racked up five home wins, and while Harry Redknapp's reinvigorated Rangers
stand in their way this weekend, Diarra is reluctant to contemplate anything
other than three points. "We've been collecting points at Upton Park, right
from the word go, and we've got to carry on doing so," he said. "The match
against QPR this weekend is going to be very important for us, particularly
after last weekend's defeat at Sunderland. We've got to try and get all
three points. "QPR are faring better since the appointment of Harry
Redknapp. They're on a good run but we can't afford to give them any points.
Our aim is to win. "We're not worried because we simply weren't on our game
at Sunderland. We know what's required to win football matches. We've shown
that plenty of times in the first half of the season. "As long we're
concentrated and competitive we can pose QPR problems. We've already beaten
them away from home. Granted, this time will be different because they'll be
full of confidence, but we can beat them at home."
Lining up against West Ham will likely be new Hoops signing Loic Remy,
following his £8 million move from Marseille. Diarra played alongside
26-year-old Remy as he netted 20 goals last season and knows only too well
how big a threat he could pose on Saturday. "I don't know if [Loic] can save
QPR because he's not responsible for the current situation. He's coming to
England with plenty to prove and possesses the attribute of speed," warned
Diarra. "I think he can be a great help to them with his pace and he's a
striker who can score plenty of goals. Last year he had a great season with
Marseille and particularly in the Champions League. I played with him as
well and that's how I know his qualities. Provided he's confident he'll be
very dangerous."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Big Sam on QPR
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce has spoken to the press ahead of West Ham United's meeting
with QPR
18.01.2013
Sam Allardyce reiterated the importance of preserving a healthy distance
between his side and the Barclays Premier League's bottom three, as West Ham
United prepare to welcome Queens Park Rangers to the Boleyn Ground. The
Hammers go into the weekend seven points above the drop zone and with key
personnel gradually returning to fitness, Big Sam is confident of steering
well clear of trouble. He insists, however, that a rejuvenated QPR will
provide a stern test on Saturday, having won two and drawn two of their last
four outings in all competitions.
Sam, firstly what's the team news ahead of Saturday?
SA: "Andy Carroll gets slightly nearer everyday but he's not available as of
yet. I think the best news for us is Joey O'Brien is fit from a defensive
point of view, and that's a more critical area with our defensive problems.
We'd love Andy back as quickly as possible, but we've got Carlton Cole and
Marouane Chamakh to look at the striking role, so we're not too bad. Mark
Noble has passed a fitness test as well and Joe Cole comes back into the
squad, so we've got some of those important players back in the squad for
Saturday's big encounter."
How important is Saturday's game?
SA: "These are the bigger games in terms of trying to get your best
performance out of your players, to try and get the win that you need. When
you play the big boys it's always great if you put a good performance in and
if you get a result, it's a magnificent achievement, as it was when we beat
Chelsea 3-1. But it's not as important as beating the teams that are below
you. At this stage of the season, as the games tick by, you don't want them
that bit closer, because it brings the pressure on you. "At the moment it's
going to be a hugely difficult game for us, because QPR are, in results
terms, in much better form than we are. They've won two and drawn two of the
last four."
How big of a concern is it that you could still be dragged into the
relegation battle?
SA: "We still have a reasonable distance between us and the bottom three and
I think that we must always remember that our level of performances this
year have suggested, that if we continue like that, we're going to be good
enough to stay clear of them. And the reason that the performances have been
good and the results haven't is obviously due to a number on injuries and
changes we've had to make over the Christmas period going into January. We
want to put that right as quickly as we can and it would be great to start
getting another winning streak going on Saturday."
How does the weather affect your preparations at this time of year?
SA: "With the amount of games we're playing there's not a lot of training we
can actually do with the players. We played on Wednesday night, we got back
at two in the morning. We came in yesterday for a recovery session, but we
can't load the players too much on the training ground today. We just have
to be relying more on analysis in the analysis room than we would be on the
training ground at the moment. From a physical point of view, you need to
save every ounce of strength you've got for this period. And that, in terms
of the weather is a distraction, but in terms of how often you're training
at this stage of the season it's not too often, and if we do train, it's not
too long on the training ground, so it's not too much of a problem."
Do we need a winter break?
SA: "We've always needed one, but I don't think we're going to get one. I
think that there's a lot of research out there to suggest a winter break
benefits football clubs in Europe from suffering less injuries. That shows
it's of great benefit. But obviously with the fixture congestion, the
Premier League and all the other leagues find it very difficult to fit in.
So, I think as managers we'd all like one. It would a hell of a lot of
difference if you could leave your players doing nothing for a week, in
terms of rest and recuperation physically and mentally. That would get them
re-energised and ready to move forward again.
"I always squeeze one in anyway, I do it as a course of my managerial
experience. After we went away to Dubai last year we only lost one game,
went all the way through to the Play-Offs, and won the last six games on the
trot. The physical output of the players increased when they came back, as
opposed to what they were achieving before they went away. It just shows a
few days can make a difference."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Captain's Blog
WHUFC.com
Skipper Kevin Nolan with his latest personal message to supporters ahead of
Saturday's visit of QPR
19.01.2013
Hello to all our supporters.
It was disappointing to go out of the FA Cup at Manchester United this week
but, I think you will agree, we were really unlucky to come away from Old
Trafford with nothing. I think our performance was there to see and with a
few young lads coming in - Jordan Spence, Dan Potts and young Elliot Lee
making his senior bow - we did terrific and we were disappointed to come
away with nothing to show for it. I was on the bench on Wednesday, so my
skipper duties fell to Reidy and I thought he did a terrific job. Well I say
that, but when I came on in the second half, normally whoever else has been
captain, like Nobes, he gives me the armband back, but not Reidy. I came on
and it was clear he was keeping the armband on for the whole match!
Seriously, he did a great job and I am so pleased for him. He wasn't fazed
by it all and it is well deserved as Reidy has had a fantastic season for us
and has been a main part of our success this campaign. I think if it was my
first time being captain, I wouldn't have given it back either! But Reidy, I
want my armband back for this weekend!
We move on and focus on our ultimate goal and that is consolidating our
Premier League status and pushing on now for that top-half finish. I firmly
believe with new players like Joe Cole and Marouane Chamakh joining us
recently and maybe more before the transfer window shuts, together with the
lads coming back from injury, we have the quality and spirit in this squad
to push on. Mo Diame, Ricardo Vaz Te and Jack Collison have all returned in
recent weeks and we have Andy Carroll and hopefully Ginge [James Collins] is
not going to be too bad, plus George McCartney still to get back, all which
will be good as we look to finish as high as we can. It is three years since
our owners, Joint-Chairmen David Sullivan and David Gold, took over with
Vice-Chairman Karren Brady. I think our supporters can see what they have
done since arriving at the club - putting everything in to strengthen the
club in all areas so that it didn't falter. Now, they are striving to get it
to where we know this great club belongs. Not only have they done that for
the here and now, but they are doing it in the right way and in a way that
stabilises the club for the future.
Since I arrived they have been great, they have supported the gaffer
massively in the transfer market and hopefully they are seeing some of the
rewards of that support, by our performances on the pitch. Firstly it is
about making sure we stay in the top league and then they are also looking
to the future to get our club back to playing in Europe again and making
sure we can attract the best players possible. So happy three year
anniversary to them!
I would also like to say on behalf of all the lads, we hope Chairman Mr Gold
is continuing to recover well from his recent illness. We were all very
concerned when we heard he was ill and in hospital, but our thoughts are
with him and we look forward to seeing him around the place soon.
At our match on Saturday against Queens Park Rangers, our club will be
marking Holocaust Memorial Day as part of the fantastic work it does in the
community. Candles will be lit and we will be remembering all of those who
have been affected in a terrible way simply for being part of a particular
race or religion. It goes without saying that we must continue to support
the initiatives to make sure we stamp out all forms of racism and I am sure
you will join us in that goal. We play QPR and will welcome a few old
faces, including our former goalkeeper Greeny. I think Rob has been unlucky
not to have got more of a chance since he moved. He's a top lad and I still
speak to him all the time. He's a good mate so it will be good to catch up
with him tomorrow. We will be looking to get three points, even though it
will be a tough London derby, so your support tomorrow will be as important
as ever as we look to get a victory on our home patch with yet another full
stadium behind us. I hope that you are all not too affected by the snow and
just make sure, if you are out and about, to be careful in these conditions.
I want to just finish by saying happy birthday to my little boy, Sonny, who
turned three-years-old last Sunday. He had a party arranged with all our
family but I couldn't make it as we were training that day ahead of the
mid-week match against Manchester United. I know he had a good time,
though, as I had every detail relayed back to me by my six-year-old daughter
Jasmine! It was a shame I missed out on seeing him celebrating. There were
nearly 30 kids at his party, so I think my missus Hayley will be hoping that
we don't have a mid-week game again for his next birthday, so I can share
some of the load! As ever, we appreciate your fantastic support and we will
be doing all we can to get the three points.
Come on you irons!
Kevin Nolan
Captain
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Reid impressed by young stars
WHUFC.com
Winston Reid said West Ham United's Academy graduates did the club proud at
Manchester United
18.01.2013
Send Print RSS
Winston Reid said West Ham United's youngsters did the club proud in
Wednesday's narrow 1-0 FA Cup with Budweiser third-round defeat at
Manchester United. Academy products Jordan Spence and Dan Potts excelled in
the wing-back positions in a new 3-5-2 formation, while 18-year-old Elliot
Lee was handed his first-team debut as a second-half substitute.
Captain-for-the-night Reid said the trio had all taken the chance given to
them by manager Sam Allardyce at Old Trafford. "We had some of the younger
guys come in and play and they did really well. We have had injuries but we
don't use that as an excuse as it is part of football. But sometimes these
things give the younger players a chance and I thought they took their
opportunities in a good way. "I thought we played really well and even
though they took the lead, we worked hard to get back into the game and
thought we were right in there. We had chances and know we should've put at
least one or two of them away, but it obviously wasn't meant to be our
night."
With the Hammers are now out of the FA Cup, the New Zealand defender said
all the club's attentions could now be focused on regaining some consistent
form in the Barclays Premier League. West Ham have won only two of their
previous ten league games and face relegation-threatened Queens Park Rangers
- including Reid's international team-mate Ryan Nelsen - at the Boleyn
Ground on Saturday. While sub-zero temperatures and snow forecast, it will
be cold in east London, but the No2 is expecting a red-hot London derby. "We
are taking it game by game and looking forward now to the weekend against
QPR, where we know it will be another tough match but one we will be looking
to win."
If West Ham are to pick up three welcome points, they will need to be more
clinical in front of goal than they have been in their previous two outings
- a 3-0 league defeat at Sunderland last weekend and Wednesday's FA Cup loss
at Old Trafford. Reid admitted the Hammers had not taken their chances in
either fixture. "We had some good play but in the final third we were not
good enough, not up to our standards anyway. We knew we had to make the
opportunities count and it just didn't happen for us in front of goal but we
go ahead now to focusing on Queens Park Rangers on Saturday."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham v QPR
KO 15:00
18 January 2013
By John Motson
BBC Match of the Day commentator
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: Upton Park Date: Saturday, 19 January
TEAM NEWS
West Ham should have Joey O'Brien available, while fellow defender James
Collins (hamstring) will be assessed. Midfielder Mark Noble has shrugged off
a calf problem but striker Andy Carroll and defender George McCartney (both
knee) continue their rehabilitation.
French forward Loic Remy, QPR's record £8m signing, should feature. Shaun
Derry and Stephane M'Bia may continue in midfield, with Samba Diakite at the
Africa Cup of Nations and Esteban Granero an injury doubt.
MATCH PREVIEW
For the second week running, it's Harry making the headlines. Last weekend
he went head-to-head with his previous club Tottenham, and now Redknapp
faces the club where he really made his managerial name. Despite their
position, QPR have reasons to be optimistic. Their FA Cup third-round replay
win at West Brom wasn't really expected, nor was pipping Newcastle to Loic
Remy's signature - or leading the chase for Yann M'Vila. It's no secret
they're trying to buy their way out of trouble.
Because he's a wheeler-dealer, people forget what a fine coach Redknapp is.
Not long after the 3-0 defeat by Liverpool, he went through a hefty routine
at the QPR training ground on how to defend and shut down the opposition. It
seems to have worked, with three successive clean sheets in league and cup.
As well as buying, Harry is also putting his faith in the old warhorses -
seasoned, hardened professionals like Shaun Derry and Clint Hill. He's also
trying to keep Ryan Nelsen for as long as he can.
Notwithstanding the excellent record Redknapp has against West Ham since he
left - eight wins, three draws and one defeat - Hammers fans hold him in
high regard. The club consistently did well under him and achieved their
highest-ever Premier League finish: fifth in 1999. Those years stir
affection, so I expect he'll get a good reception at Upton Park.
West Ham have been stretched with injuries a little bit. James Collins is
very important in both penalty areas, so he's a big miss. Sam Allardyce just
hasn't really been able to field his best team, and whether he can soon will
determine how well they do for the rest of the season. I'm sure it'll be a
real ding-dong London derby, but I doubt there'll be many goals. Allardyce
might use Marouane Chamakh at some point so there are likely to be some
fresh new strikers on the pitch, on both sides, which will add to the
excitement and unpredictability. Every game is a cup final for QPR now, and
though West Ham look safe, they won't take anything for granted.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
QPR's last victory at Upton Park was a 4-0 win in August 1993, the first
month of the inaugural Premier League season.
These two clubs have only met three times since the turn of the millennium,
twice in the Championship in 2004 and earlier this season. West Ham have won
two of these matches, QPR one.
West Ham
The Hammers have earned just seven Premier League points from the last
possible 27.
They have only kept one clean sheet in their last 10 league games.
Sam Allardyce's side have scored three goals in the past five Premier League
games.
They won their last Premier League home match, but only collected two points
from the previous four Upton Park games.
QPR
Rangers have kept back-to-back Premier League clean sheets for the first
time since September 2011.
They have 14 points from their first 22 Premier League games of the season.
Only one of the nine teams to have won 14 points or fewer from their first
22 games of a Premier League season have avoided relegation (West Brom in
2004-05).
The Hoops have scored with just 8.1% of their shots so far this season. The
last teams to have a worse shot conversion rate in a single Premier League
season were Middlesbrough (7.7%) and Wigan (7.6%) in 2008-09.
Against Tottenham last weekend, they failed to register a shot on target
(the seventh time a team has done so this season).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce charged over comments after West Ham loss
BBC.co.uk
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce has been charged with misconduct over his
comments to the media after Wednesday's FA Cup tie at Manchester United.
Allardyce said the decision to deny his side a penalty at Old Trafford, but
award one to Sir Alex Ferguson's side, was down to home advantage. Wayne
Rooney missed the second-half spot-kick as the Hammers lost 1-0 in the
third-round replay. Allardyce must respond to the Football Association
charge by 23 January.
West Ham were denied a penalty when the ball struck Rafael's arm, before the
hosts were awarded one when Jordan Spence handled late on. "You see it time
and time again at Old Trafford," Allardyce said at full-time. "There's no
doubt about the difference between Rafael's handball and Jordan Spence's.
Spence plays for West Ham and the away team, while Rafael plays for the home
side at Old Trafford." An FA statement said the charge is "in relation to an
alleged breach of FA Rule E3". It concerns "media comments which questioned
the integrity of the match referee and/or match officials in general and/or
implied that the match referee and/or match officials in general are
motivated by bias and/or brought the game into disrepute".
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Allardyce hit with FA Misconduct charge
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 18th January 2013
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce has been charged by the FA with misconduct after comments he
made regarding referee Phil Dowd. Allardyce heavily criticised the match
official after he failed to give a penalty to West Ham before awarding one
to Manchester United in almost identical circumstances during Wednesday
night's FA Cup third round replay. "There's no doubt whatsoever about the
difference between Rafael's hand ball and Jordan Spence's," Allardyce,
talking after the game said. "Jordan Spence plays for West Ham away at Man
United and Rafael plays at home at Old Trafford. It's got to be that simple
when you see it."
Now the FA, who are regularly accused of showing bias towards Manchester
United, have charged Allardyce for relaying what the rest of the country
witnessed on their TVs during the game, which was televised live and watched
by millions. "West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce has been charged with
misconduct in relation to media comments following this week's FA Cup with
Budweiser Third Round replay against Manchester United at Old Trafford,"
read an FA statement. "The charge is in relation to an alleged breach of FA
Rule E3 concerning media comments which questioned the integrity of the
match referee and/or match officials in general and/or implied that the
match referee and/or match officials in general are motivated by bias and/or
brought the game into disrepute."
Allardyce has been given five days to respond to the charge.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Manchester United clash to be broadcast live
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 18th January 2013
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United's home fixture with Man Utd has been brought forward for TV
coverage. The current Premier League leaders, who knocked United out of the
FA Cup at Old Trafford on Wednesday night courtesy of Wayne Rooney's first
half strike visit the Boleyn Ground on Saturday, 9th March. However the
kick-off time has been changed from 3pm to 12.45pm and the match will be
broadcast live on Sky Sports. That fixture is just one of 12 new live games
that have been scheduled for March/April; for those interested in such
things, here's the full list:
Sunday, 3rd March: Tottenham v Arsenal (4pm)
Monday, 4th March: Aston Villa v Man City (8pm)
Saturday, 9th March: West Ham v Man Utd (12.45pm)
Sunday, 10th March: Fulham v Chelsea (1.30pm)
Sunday, 10th March: Liverpool v Tottenham (4pm)
Saturday, 16th March: Everton v Man City (12.45pm)
Sunday, 17th March: Sunderland v Norwich (1.30pm)
Sunday, 17th March: Wigan v Newcastle (4pm)
Saturday, 30th March: Sunderland v Man Utd (12.45pm)
Sunday, 31st March: Aston Villa v Liverpool (1.30pm)
Sunday, 31st March: Southampton v Chelsea (4pm)
Monday, 1st April: Fulham v QPR (8pm)
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
FA charge West Ham boss Sam Allardyce over accusing Phil Dowd of bias
Last Updated: January 19, 2013 6:12am
SSN
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce has been hit with an FA misconduct charge
after his criticism of referee Phil Dowd in the media. The Hammers boss was
furious with Dowd's performance in the FA Cup defeat at Manchester United,
and he accused the official of bias towards the home team. Dowd pointed to
the spot after Jordan Spence was adjudged to have handled a Ryan Giggs
cross, but his refusal to award West Ham a penalty when Rafael deflected the
ball on to his own arm left Allardyce fuming. "There's no doubt about the
difference between Rafael's handball and Jordan Spence's," he said
afterwards. "Spence plays for West Ham and the away team, while Rafael plays
for the home side at Old Trafford. "With Rafael, the ball hits his hand, but
no penalty is given. With Jordan Spence, the ball hits his hand and it's a
penalty. You see it time and time again at Old Trafford."
Allardyce's outburst has incurred the wrath of the FA disciplinary
committee, who issued a statement confirming the Hammers manager had been
charged.
The statement read: "The charge is in relation to an alleged breach of FA
Rule E3 concerning media comments which questioned the integrity of the
match referee and/or match officials in general and/or implied that the
match referee and/or match officials in general are motivated by bias and/or
brought the game into disrepute."
Allardyce has until Wednesday 23 January to respond to the charge.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce calls for winter break in the Premier League
Last Updated: January 18, 2013 2:53pm
SSN
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce reckons the time has come for a winter break
in English football. Allardyce insists a short Premier League lay-off, like
that favoured by the top European clubs, would make a massive difference in
terms of keeping players sharp. The Hammers enjoyed a short break in Dubai
at the end of February last year, and on their return to action lost just
one of the remaining 14 Championship games as they secured promotion. "You
do not need a long one, and at the end of the day you would not flog a
racehorse like you would flog our players," said Allardyce, whose side host
QPR on Saturday. "There is a lot of research out there to suggest a winter
break benefits football clubs in Europe from suffering less injuries. "It
shows it is of great benefit, but the fixture congestion with the Premier
League and the other leagues find it very difficult to fit in. "They would
say 'What benefit would two weeks make?' Well a hell of a lot if you could
leave your players doing nothing for a week in terms of rest and
recuperation, physically and mentally. "That would get them re-energised
physically and mentally and ready to move forward again. "After we went away
to Dubai for four days last year, we only lost one game after that, went all
the way through to the play-offs and won the last six games on the trot.
"The physical output of the players increased to what they were achieving
before they went away. It shows you that just a few days in fact can make a
difference."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Premier League: West Ham host QPR in Saturday's London derby at Upton Park
Last Updated: January 18, 2013 2:38pm
SSN
West Ham will host QPR at a freezing Upton Park on Saturday in what will
surely prove a hotly-contested London derby. Sam Allardyce's Hammers go into
the game looking to get back on track in the league, having taken just four
points from their last six games, including a 3-0 reverse at Sunderland. But
the home side will take plenty of heart from their battling display in their
1-0 midweek FA Cup third round replay defeat at Manchester United. Visitors
QPR also go into the game on the back of a promising FA Cup display - a 1-0
win at West Brom on Tuesday. Harry Redknapp's bottom-placed side will also
be buoyed by improved performances in the league, taking four points from
their last two games against London rivals Chelsea and Tottenham, including
an impressive 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge. Redknapp will be particularly
pleased to have stemmed his leaking defence's goal tide, with QPR conceding
just once in the last four league and cup games.
West Ham
Last 6
1-0
3-0
2-2
2-1
1-0
1-2
West Ham should have defender Joey O'Brien back from a hamstring injury
against QPR for the first time since New Year's Day. Centre-back James
Collins (hamstring) will be assessed, but midfielder Mark Noble has shrugged
off a calf problem while Joe Cole and Guy Demel come into contention having
been rested at Old Trafford. New signing Wellington Paulista may need more
time before being included. Mali forward Modibo Maiga is away at the Africa
Cup of Nations and striker Andy Carroll and defender George McCartney (both
knee) continue their rehabilitation.
QPR
Last 6
0-1
0-0
1-1
0-1
0-3
1-2
QPR's new signing Loic Remy will feature in the clash at West Ham. Junior
Hoilett (hamstring) returns, but Esteban Granero (hamstring) and Armand
Traore (knock) are doubtful. Samba Diakite is at the African Nations Cup,
Jose Bosingwa (back) is out and Andrew Johnson (knee) and Bobby Zamora (hip)
are absent.
Opta stats
Since Harry Redknapp took charge, QPR have taken more points in four away
games (5) than they had in the previous 20 (3).
QPR and West Ham are two of the only three Premier League teams yet to
concede a penalty in the league this season (along with Manchester United).
Harry Redknapp has won four of the last five Premier League meetings with
Sam Allardyce as opposition coaches (W4 L1) after winning just one of the
first six (W1 D2 L3).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sending Out a Clear Message!
By S J Chandos
West Ham Till I Die
Today's match against QPR will see the club commemorate Holocaust Memorial
Day (the nearest January home match to the 27th of the month). You will
recall that the idea was floated on this website on the immediate aftermath
of the unacceptable behaviour of an anti-semitic and pro-Nazi minority
element (I will not call them West Ham supporters) at White Hart Lane, last
November. The club acted swiftly in identfying and moving to ban the
individuals responsible and then warmly embraced the idea of marking the
Holocaust Commemoration, with its 2013 theme of 'Building a Bridge between
communities.'
WHTID were pleased to advise the club on the Holocaust Memorial Day
Commemoration and contribute to the planning of the event. It will be the
first such commemoration by the club, which will thereafter become an annual
event. The QPR match will be dedicated to the memory of all who lost their
lives in the holocaust, including millions of jewish people, disabled
people, gypsies, gays and lesbians, people of faith/belief and political
dissidents/opponents of the Nazi regime. There will be themed articles in
the match day programme, including one from the Chief Rabbi of the UK. And a
camp suvivor, Zigi Shipper, will be the club's guest of honour at the match.
The event will involve the use of the screens to highlight key facts
concerning the horrors of the holocaust and a candle lighting ceremony will
remember the men, women and children who lost their lives.
History tells us that the Nazi bombing raids of WW2 destroyed large areas of
East London (includng part of the Old South Bank at the Boleyn ground!) and
many east enders lost their homes and lives. In the armed forces, thousands
of East Londoners fought the Nazis, and the other axis powers, and
contributed to their defeat. Again, many lost their lives, in the process,
and we commemorate their ultimate sacrifice every year, on Remembrance
Sunday. While local Jewish people stood shoulder to shoulder with their east
end neighbours in opposing Mosley's Fascist black shirts and defeating them
in the famous battle of Cable Street in 1936. Jewish people both shared the
misery of civilian bombing during the war and fought bravely in our armed
forces.
So why on earth would anyone with east end roots express support for
anti-semitism or Nazism? Perhaps it is a lack of awareness, maybe some
(amazingly) do not truly understand the significance of glorifying Hitler
and making light of gas chambers and the systematic extermination of
millions of people? More than likely, they are also unaware of East London's
long and very proud history of providing a new home for different, newly
arrived, ethnic and cultural communities; many like the nineteenth century
Jewish refugees, from Tsarist Russia, fleeing anti-semtic persecution.
While, no doubt, a tiny faction will hold far right extremist views and that
will be their motivation. Whatever, such views are unacceptable and they are
totally unrepresentative of our club and its fan base. By commemorating the
holocaust, West Ham Utd FC have created a unique opportunity to join with
the overwhelming majority of the club's supporters to show exactly where we
stand on these issues. That is to be warmly applauded.
Equally to be applauded is West Ham's wider commitment to social justice and
inclusion, as outlined in an article in the Man Utd match programme. The
club will be delivering a programme of dversity & inclusion community based
events. This demonstrates a firm commitment to ensuring that West Ham
champions fairness, inclusion and cohesion and is a club that reflects the
diversity characteristic of east London and Essex. As an inclusive, family
club, with a probable major responsibility for delivering the 2012 community
and sporting legacy, via the anchor tenancy of the Olympic stadium, it is
absolutely essential that this is the case.
Through such inclusive events, policies and programmes, the club can really
underline the UNITED in West Ham UNITED FC.
SJ . Chandos.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
