On this day - 20 August
WHUFC.com
Frank McAvennie nets twice on his Boleyn Ground debut on this day 28 years
ago
20.08.2013
Classic match
West Ham United 3-1 Queens Park Rangers
Division One
20 August 1985
With just one win in 13 outings on this day in history, 20 August is hardly
the most treasured of dates in the West Ham United archives, but prolific
frontman Frank McAvennie is not likely to forget it. Having enjoyed his
Hammers bow three days earlier in a 1-0 reverse at St Andrews, the
Glaswegian made quite the impression upon his first runout at the Boleyn
Ground. A £340,000 signing from St Mirren, McAvennie struck twice, in
addition to an Alan Dickens goal, as John Lyall's men emerged comfortable
3-1 victors against Queens Park Rangers. It proved to be the first of some
26 league goals for the Scot that season, with the Hammers famously
embarking on their finest ever league campaign, eventually finishing third,
just four points adrift of champions Liverpool.
Complete record - 20 August
2005 Newcastle United 0-0 West Ham United (Premier League)
1994 West Ham United 0-0 Leeds United (Premier League)
1991 Sheffield United 1-1 West Ham United (Division One)
1985 West Ham United 3-1 Queens Park Rangers (Division One)
1979 West Ham United 0-1 Chelsea (Division Two)
1977 West Ham United 1-3 Norwich City (Division One)
1969 Chelsea 0-0 West Ham United (Division One)
1962 West Ham United 1-4 Wolverhampton Wanderers (Division One)
1960 Wolverhampton Wanderers 4-2 West Ham United (Division One)
1956 West Ham United 1-3 Blackburn Rovers (Division Two)
1955 West Ham United 1-1 Rotherham United (Division Two)
1949 Luton Town 2-2 West Ham United (Division Two)
Played 13, Won 1, Drawn 6, Lost 6, Scored 13, Conceded 22
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Joey's joy at winning start
WHUFC.com
Joey O'Brien was happy with a victory and a clean sheet in Saturday's
opening-day win over Cardiff City
20.08.2013
For any defender, a clean sheet and a victory are the twin aims whenever
they step onto the pitch. To that end, Joey O'Brien enjoyed a perfect
afternoon in West Ham United's 2-0 Barclays Premier League opening day win
over Cardiff City at the Boleyn Ground on Saturday. The Republic of Ireland
international was at his solid best against the Bluebirds, nullifying the
threat of the Championship title winners alongside his tried and trusted
colleagues Guy Demel, James Collins and Winston Reid. Speaking to West Ham
TV, O'Brien revealed that the Hammers have been set the target of eclipsing
last season's record of eleven Barclays Premier League clean sheets this
term. "The object of the season is to get more clean sheets than last season
and we started with a clean sheet on Saturday, so we got that and
attacking-wise we created plenty of chances and probably should have won by
a couple more," he said. "Just towards the end the big man [Rudy Gestede]
came on and they chucked it up a bit more. He's a big lad and he's good in
the air so that caused us a few little problems, but that's all it was
really. I don't think Jussi Jaaskelainen really had a save to make. "I was
delighted to get a clean sheet and a good performance to start the season at
home. It was a good day for us."
O'Brien was also pleased to rekindle his productive partnership with winger
Matt Jarvis down the left flank, with the No7 chalking up his first assist
of the season within 13 minutes by setting up Joe Cole's opener. "He is a
smashing player, as I've said before, and full-backs must dread playing
against him just when they see his name on the teamsheet," the No17
confirmed. "With the way he plays, he is so direct and there are probably
not many wingers like Matt in the Premier League. "He's a really, really
good asset for us. Last season, he created a lot of chances and it's good to
see one go into the back off the net from one of his crosses. "I was
delighted because I think he's a smashing player, like I said, so hopefully
his confidence will grow and he can play better and better."
Kevin Nolan added a second goal late on to cement Saturday's victory in a
game that saw manager Sam Allardyce select eleven players who were at the
Club last season. However, with the likes of Stewart Downing, Razvan Rat and
Adrian on the bench and Andy Carroll soon to return from injury, O'Brien
believes West Ham have more strength in depth than they had last term. "It
was like that last year and it's the same again this year," he observed.
"There are a few who have come in, so it's hard [to keep your place], but
once you're out there you want to play well and as a back four you want to
keep clean sheets and do well going forward. "Modibo Maiga played on
Saturday and I was delighted with the way he played. He didn't get much
football last season, so it was great to see him play well and be the main
man out there."
With the summer signing of Romania captain Rat, O'Brien might have been
forgiven for thinking his days as West Ham's left-back were numbered, but he
was selected on Saturday and is determined to keep his place in the starting
XI. "[Saturday's team selection] probably had something to do with how it
went last season and the manager not wanting to change anything on the first
day and seeing how it was," he said. "I was delighted to get the nod.
"Roland is a smashing player and George McCartney is on his way back as
well, so hopefully I can stay there or whoever comes in can play well."
O'Brien will be confident of retaining his place at Newcastle United on
Saturday, when West Ham return to a ground where they chalked up a superb
1-0 victory last season. The 27-year-old played an instrumental role in the
success, setting up the winner for Nolan with a wayward shot that was turned
in by the captain. "It is a very hard place to go, but we'd take what
happened last season and if Kev could score again that would be great," he
enthused. "We're going up there setting off to keep a clean sheet and we'll
see how we go from there. "That will be aim and hopefully we can defend the
way we did against Cardiff and get a result."
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Haycock happy with tenacity
WHUFC.com
Development Squad boss Nick Haycock was thrilled with the performance in
victory at Everton
20.08.2013
The Development Squad may have left it late to defeat Everton and maintain
their 100 per cent start to the season on Monday night, but U21s boss Nick
Haycock felt the final 2-1 scoreline was fully justified. Sebastian
Lletget's well-taken 89th minute strike eventually settled the contest after
Everton threatened to frustrate the visitors through Luke Garbutt's stunning
equaliser. West Ham hit the crossbar three times and failed to take
advantage of a first half penalty, but would not be denied and Haycock had
praise for their tenacity in seeing the job through to the end. The three
point haul was the second from two Barclays U21 Premier League fixtures at
the start of the campaign, ensuring Haycock would travel back to London as a
happy man. "We thoroughly deserved the victory," he told West Ham TV. "I'm
delighted because we've played two fantastic football clubs in Aston Villa
and Everton in the first week of the season [and won both games]. "Credit to
Alan Stubbs' Everton team tonight. They're a young side and they tried to
play the game in the right way. It was a good contest.
"I think that as the game went on we started to assert our authority. I said
to the lads at half time that I felt we could play higher up the pitch and
we did in the second half. Consequently we got on the ball and played the
type of football I know we can. "A mixture of fantastic defending, blocks,
clearances and the woodwork [was denying us] and you just think it might get
away from you. "Elliot Lee hit the bar at 1-0, and if it goes 2-0 you think
it might kill their energy, but then the kid Luke Garbutt scores a fantastic
strike. "Sebby's tucked a great goal away at the end to win it and we showed
great energy levels. He had a good pre-season and got that first team
experience - he's got two goals in two games now and it's pleasing."
Having taken the lead their play merited thanks to Callum Driver's
cross-shot midway through the second period, the young Hammers' heads may
have dropped when Garbutt levelled just six minutes later. That they
remained strong and came again was testament to the togetherness amongst the
Development Squad group, according to Haycock. He explained: "They're a good
group of lads, I keep saying it but the football club's a great place to be
at the moment. There are some fantastic people in there, Sam's driving the
Club towards the Olympic Stadium and you saw the first team performance at
the weekend. "The character in there, the professionalism we're showing on
and off the pitch, that's the staff I've got with me, the group of us that
drive hard every day and hopefully the rewards are that the teamship comes
out on the pitch. I think it did tonight, I was delighted to see every one
of the players celebrate together. I think that shows the camaraderie
there."
The U21s have only conceded one goal in their two games to date - Garbutt's
thunderbolt at Everton - and Haycock wants to see that good defensive work
continue. He added: "I've been pleased with us defensively in the two games
because the precedent the football club sets is to keep clean sheets to give
yourself a chance of winning the game. "We're working hard on the defending,
and Martyn Margetson, the goalkeeping coach with the first team, did a
presentation on the importance of set plays because we conceded one or two
in pre-season, "The block on the free kick was something we've worked on.
we'd seen Everton score a goal against Wolves with it so we were pleased
with that. It's the transition through the Club, all playing the game in the
same manner. That's what's going to help them try and assert their position
within Sam's squad. We're a unit working together."
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Kids for a Quid against Stoke
WHUFC.com
Under-16s tickets for the Stoke City game on 31 August are priced at just £1
20.08.2013
West Ham United will look to continue their winning start to the 2013/14
season at the Boleyn Ground on 31 August when Stoke City are the visitors.
The match is a Kids for a Quid game, as the Club continues to back its
commitment to affordable football for all. Under-16s tickets are priced at
just £1 when purchased with a full paying adult, so bring your child along
to experience the unforgettable atmosphere of Barclays Premier League
football at the Boleyn Ground. Adult tickets start at £37 for Academy
Members or £42 non-members, and are available from our online box office at
www.whufcboxoffice.com, over the telephone on 0871 529 1966 via Option 1*,
or to personal callers to the Alpari Stand Ticket Office. Sam Allardyce's
men got off to the perfect start when defeating Cardiff City 2-0 in their
first game, so make sure you are there when the Hammers look to make it two
home wins from two!
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Mackay on.... West Ham United
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 20th August 2013
By: Staff Writer No.2
Cardiff City manager Malky Mackay reacts to his side's 2-0 defeat on its
Premier League debut in the post-match press conference…
Malky, it seemed to take you 45 minutes to adjust. You looked far more
dangerous in the second half,…
I thought we started the first 15-20 minutes slowly. After that I thought we
had an awful lot of possession so yes, I agree with the first part of your
statement for the first 15 minutes or so. We knew we were coming to a good
team, with a good atmosphere and a good stadium. We knew we were up against
a decent team and we knew we had to start better than we did. In that first
15 minutes they were obviously clinical with the finish and got the goal.
After that and for the last half an hour of the first half I thought we had
plenty of possession, although we had no penetration. We had a couple of
shots blocked on the edge of the box.
Second half I thought we grew into the game and again had good last parts of
the game. The second goal again was clinical. We had one good chance in the
second half of the game and they did. They scored theirs and we didn't. It's
a matter of learning as far as that's concerned, but I can't be too harsh on
my players. We've come to Upton Park and gave a good account of ourselves.
You used the word "possession" a lot there but you also used the word
"penetration." In the final third there was not much happening – I think the
'keeper only had one save to make and there was that good chance that went
over at the end. Is that an area of concern?
It just needs to be better. We're playing away from home against a good
team. They had three shots on target – and they're the home team. They were
clinical with their two finishes and we weren't. It's something we've got to
work on in the final third but we've come here and we weren't overawed.
.
Would you like to see this as a lesson in what's required in the Premier
League? To be clinical?
No I don't think so. We already knew we had to be clinical. It's about
choices. It's about the final ball or the final pass or whatever it is you
finally decide to do. Rudy [Gestede] had one there late on when he should
have played in Nicky [Maynard]. We had one in the first half when we had
three on two and Kim Bo-Kyung decided to have a shot instead of playing
Bellamy in. Then we had the one we hit over the bar from five yards. So in
terms of actual chances it's all about decision making.
We knew what we were coming into and we new what our game plan should be and
for vast parts of the game we controlled the ball.
Any new signings in the pipeline?
We're certainly trying but so is everyone else in the Premier League. We're
trying to get good players in but sometimes it's not always within your
control. You have to be patient and there's often competition for players as
well. If everything comes together with the clubs agreeing and the player
agreeing then I'll try to act but it's all about getting players in who are
better than what you've got.
How far is Andreas Cornelius away from playing?
He joined in yesterday but really wasn't quite match fit. He took a knock to
his ankle in training two weeks ago and he was nearly ready. For the sale of
another week – if he got another knock on it it could be another four weeks.
Hopefully he'll be back training next week.
Hopefully good to go next week?
Everything being equal he should be involved in the squad if training goes
ok
Were you encouraged by what you saw today? The Premier League is a different
world from the Championship where it's a dogfight every week.
I think it's what we spoke about just then in terms of being clinical with
your finishing. You're punished for small errors in the Premier League. Both
finishes were clinical in our box. In terms of the overall ebb and flow of
the game I thought we were a match for West Ham.
Sam's just made the point that it's not easy to pick up points away from
home in the Premier League…
Sam's certainly one who would know about that. It was always going to be
toughto come here this afternoon. We always knew that – I played here. We've
obviously got to make our stadium a fortress but at the same time you have
to pick up as many points as you can on the road. I thought we did well – we
just have to be slightly better than we were.
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Dubai Hammers
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 19th August 2013
By: Tony Sutton
As the sand slowly runs out of the timer counting down the days to West
Ham's first game of 2013/14 it is not just the East End that is filling with
excitement.
Mark Noble said in an interview recently that everywhere you go in the world
you see a West Ham fan, and Dubai is certainly no different. Despite the
time difference and overwhelming urge to head down to the beach each weekend
there is a small corner of the United Arab Emirates that turns into a claret
and blue mini Boleyn Ground for a couple of hours.
The Dubai Hammers are an official supporters club, with a rapidly increasing
member base and a Facebook page that has attracted over 200 followers in
just one season through word of mouth.
The club was born back in May 2012 after word spread that several different
bars were packed full of Hammers fans to watch the demolition of Cardiff in
the play-off semi-finals. A plan was quickly put into action to bring all
the different groups together under one roof for the final.
Despite a lack of time and backing the results were very impressive and a
bar full of East London expats went berserk just after Carlton Cole nudged
that ball into the path of Ricardo Vaz Te for him to slam into the roof of
the net.
There was an added joy to that day for the fans packed into the bar as it
meant not only a return to the Premier League but also a return to weekly
live coverage of West Ham meaning that they would not have to miss a single
kick of the entire season.
The wheels were in motion and rigorous pre-season regime was in place. There
are a lot of bars and pubs in Dubai and the club organisers wanted to make
sure they picked the right one naturally tried them all out.
It didn't take long for a front runner to emerge. Nelson's is an old
fashioned English style pub with classic wooden décor and a mock log fire
flickering away. It has two giant projector screens as well as a plasma TV
on pretty much area of available wall space.
The bar food menu is made up of dishes such as pie and mash, pork bangers
and roast dinners. There are regular drinks promotions and happy hours, and
to top it all off, the pub is situated within the Media Rotana Hotel. A
hotel group as it turns out which has a regional CEO with a son who are both
West Ham fans.
At last, the club had the backing it needed to really push on.
A deal was made to set aside a separate area at the top end of the pub which
would show every single West Ham game of the 2012/13 season. Timeout City
cards are available to members giving them 20 per cent off all food and
drink, the staff hand out complementary chip butties to all Hammers fans at
half time and there are regular competitions such as guess the time of the
first goal in each half.
The highlight of last season for the Dubai Hammers was without a doubt the
win over Chelsea. The game drew easily the largest crowd of the season to
Nelson's and the reaction to the goals scored by Mo Diame and Modibo Maiga
took everyone by surprise. Security and bar staff stood amazed and
bewildered as they looked on not really knowing what to do.
The Dubai Hammers were lucky enough to have a VIP area set aside for the
open mic night with Sam Allardyce during the warm weather training trip that
that the team took last season. There were also a few nights out in local
clubs that went down well with the playing staff but… What happens in the
desert stays in the desert.
This week Nelson's and Dubai Hammers announced that the partnership is set
to continue for the 2013/14 season so those of you lucky enough to be in the
ground on Saturday can sing "Bubbles" with pride and gusto knowing that as
you look out of the South East corner of the ground, 3396 miles away there
is a small corner of the Boleyn Ground backing you up.
If any Hammers fans are thinking of a trip to the UAE this year be sure to
connect with the Dubai Hammers via their Facebook page and pop along to
Nelson's to help support the club and of course more importantly West Ham
United.
* By way of a footnote, the first game of the season was really well
received. We had over 40 fans in for the game which is very impressive for a
supporters club in the UAE.
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The missing link
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 19th August 2013
By: Gary Portugal
Many of us will tell you that the reason we have not been able to get
another striker is that nobody wants to warm the bench for Andy Carroll.
They 'll say that
this was the case with Bony and Lukaku. And to a certain extent,this is
true. But the real issue is something else. It is the limitations on the way
we play with Kevin Nolan in the side that is the real issue. Yes , Nolan
makes a solid contribution and scores goals , as against Cardiff in the
season opener. But it comes at a price. Because of his lack of pace, we
cannot play 4-4-2 with Nolan in the side. Hence the difficulty in attracting
another striker. With Nolan unable to drop back into a traditional midfield
role ,it really limits the opportunities that any new striker could have at
West Ham. But somehow , before this window shuts, we MUST find another
striker, as any long term injury to Carroll could see us dragged into a
relegation scrap. Yes, Maiga played well against Cardiff, and already looks
much improved over last season. But that was against weak opposition.
How will Maiga fair against sides in the top half of the table? With Carroll
set to miss the first three matches , I would be very surprised if he plays
in even 30 matches this season given his susceptibility to injury. Is there
a solution? There are no easy answers, but we must find a solution in the
next two weeks.
The obvious answer is to sell one or two players in order to free up space
in the wage cap to bring in another striker. But that is easier said than
done. Who could we sell that anyone would really want?
There may be clubs in the Championship or bottom six of the Premier League
who would take an ageing Matt Taylor. But I can't see there being a long
list of suitors. Jack Collison could attract interest, but is questionable
whether he would pass a medical. Not to mention that it would be a shame to
lose a good product of our Academy.
What about Ricardo Vaz Te? I think that we could live without him,
especially now that we have Downing although again, I'm not sure how many
Premier League sides would have an interest in him. Which brings us back to
Maiga himself. Perhaps a promising prospect,if given time. But we are at a
crucial stage of the season. The opening fixtures are winnable, but after
Southampton they become much harder. So we need to pick up points early,
with or without Carroll.
Could Maiga be either loaned out, or sold, perhaps back to France? He may be
the best choice in terms of selling a player to make room under the wage cap
for a better striker. It's a tough call, as he looked very good on the ball
against Cardiff –but will he be able to hold the ball up against tougher
opponents?
Andy Carroll and Stewart Downing are undoubtedly excellent signings. But
we'd better hope that under the new fair play wage rules that we have not
left ourselves dangerously short of cover up front. We had a real problem
with this in 2003 when Freddie Kanoute and Paolo Di Canio were injured for
long periods of time and we had only a young Defoe as a recognized striker.
We cannot afford to leave ourselves exposed like that again,no matter how
good the rest of the squad is.
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Five ways the Hammers can free up cash for a new striker
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 19th August 2013
By: David Meagher
As the transfer window closure looms ever closer the pressure upon West Ham
to find a striking back-up for Andy 'injury-prone' Carroll has intensified
to breaking point.
The Hammers board have emphasised that their failure to identify a suitable
understudy for Wild-horses Carroll is not due to any skin-flint behaviour on
their part, but rather relates to UEFA 'fair' play rules regarding the total
wage bill that is allowed for any single club. As such, unless the Hammers
can reduce the bill (by offloading some high earners) then they simply
cannot offer the colossal salaries that any talented forward in today's game
would undoubtedly expect.
With no clear contenders seeking the services of Ricky VazTe and other
possible exports, The Hammers management have been forced to consider a
range of more extreme measures
Option One: Kill off some first team squad members. Unfortunately, the
current squad lacks an obvious unpopular member. Both Alou Diarra and Ravel
Morrison have previously been in the sin bin but this was for mere 'needs a
bit of a spanking'-type offences, and as such the death penalty would be
perceived as too harsh a punishment for the crimes of sulking or pretending
to be a gangsta etc. The likes of Gary Breen, Julien Faux-Pas and the
legendary Allen McNightmare can count themselves lucky that their tenure at
Fortress Upton Park predated the new regime, as a firing squad would have
been an inevitable (sell out) intervention in all three cases!
Option Two: Offer a pay cut for existing squad members but with payment in
kind. The Hammers close association with high-brow lingerie retailers, Ann
Summers would seem to offer an ideal means of 'rewarding' our lads for their
on-field efforts. In particular, the man-boob support braces and knickerbox
underbody armour range could prove pretty useful for the squad both on and
off the field and thus allow for a massive cut in wages. However, any such
plans have been scuppered by Captain Kevin Nolan who has warned any first
teamers who wear provocative underwear beneath their training and match kit
that they will be forced to room with him on the upcoming away trip to
'crazy and anything goes' toontown. Hmmmm.
Option Three: Encourage high earning players to fake their own deaths. The
Hammers bosses, having trapped themselves in a situation with a lack of
anything approaching adequate striking resources have resorted to leaving
subtle hints to their first team squad that might encourage them to exit the
Hammers payroll. Drawing from the amazing success of Timothy Dexter – the
19th century American entrepreneur who announced that his wife was dead and
that the woman (of similar appeareance) who was occupying his house was
merely her ghost – the Hammers might pretend that Kevin Nolan has passed on
and that the guy who keeps popping up out of nowhere to score for the
Hammers is in fact a poltergeist!
An alternative ruse might be to take a similar option to Ken Kesey, author
of "One flew over the cuckoo's nest" who faked his own death to escape a
marijuana possession rap in the mid-1960s only to return alive and well a
few months later from Mexico where he had been hiding out. A similar 'loan
period' arrangement might apply between the Hammers and their less
sophisticated and quite economically challenged neighbours south of the
Thames at Millwall. However, the ultra-violent Mexican street gang culture
of South London might prove too terrifying for any of the current Hammers
squad.
Option Four: Cook the books. No. Tevezgate sent a warning to all clubs that
all paperwork must be precise and in order. In particular, Sheffield United
fans would resist any moves that might result in their receiving another
massive 20 million cash injection as the last one has almost resulted in
their club getting relegated from the football league as they languish in
the third tier having squandered colossal amounts of Hammers-donated cash on
what has become a veritable donkey sanctuary at Bramall Lane.
Option Five: Try to reason with UEFA! As always with any serious news item,
we like to finish with a light-hearted piece – the cat rescued from a
tree-type of thing – and as such we have included the ridiculous notion of
trying to reason with the geriatric fascists at UEFA. With the amount of
dosh that is sloshing around in soccer these days, it is abundantly clear to
anybody with the slightest grasp of economics that such rules around
expenditure merely serve to divert the money elsewhere e.g. under 21 players
are now massively increased in value which will only serve to populate
soccer with spoilt and overpaid wannabes who haven't yet even kicked a ball
at the highest level (think Chadwell Heath pre-Allardyce!).
Some observers have suggested that if the Hammers invested a bit more in the
youth system (which includes giving developing stars some occasional game
time) this wouldn't be such a problem for the club as we would have the
usual burgeoning flow of young talent. Either way this option is, of course,
laughably naïve as the unreasonable and out of touch UEFA ubërlords would
simply use any such representations to further amuse and titillate
themselves while they feast upon the continued corruption and demise of the
beautiful game.
I guess it's time to summon the firing squad.
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U18 PREMIER LEAGUE FORMAT EXPLAINED
By Tommy Wathen 20 Aug 2013 at 16:26
West Ham Till I Die
This season, West Ham United under 18s will be competing in the Barclays U18
Premier League.
The Barclays U18 Premier League replaced the Premier Academy League at the
start of last season because of the league aiming to enhance youth
development and help transition players between academy and the first team.
Little Heath
Overall, there will be 22 clubs competing in the Barclays U18 Premier League
this season, after all the clubs applied for 'Category One' status in the
Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP). 16 of the clubs competing this season
are from the Barclays Premier League, five from the SkyBet Championship and
one from the SkyBet League One.
The clubs have been split into two 11 team groups based on regional
location; north and south. This is a new format that has been introduced
this season.
Each club will play opposing clubs in their own regional group twice, both
home and away. Also, clubs will face each opposing club in the other
regional group once, either home or away. The season will last for 31 games.
At the end of the season, the top two teams in each regional division will
progress onto the semi finals, with the winner of the north group facing the
runner up in the south group and vice versa.
Every players taking part in league matches must be from within the U18 age
category. Any player over that age category is not permitted to be fielded,
with one exception being the goalkeeper who can be from the U19 age
category.
West Ham United U18 will take part in the south group alongside Arsenal,
Aston Villa, Chelsea, Fulham, Leicester City, Norwich City, Reading,
Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur and West Bromwich Albion.
The 11 clubs competing in the north group are Blackburn Rovers, Bolton
Wanderers, Everton, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United,
Middlesbrough, Newcastle United, Sunderland, Stoke City and Wolverhampton
Wanderers.
PLEASE NOTE: West Ham U18 home matches will kick-off at 11am at the West Ham
United Academy, Little Heath, Hainault Road, Romford, Essex, RM6 5RX unless
otherwise stated on the official West Ham website.
Keep an eye on my website, Tommy Wathen – Sports Journalist, for latest news
about the West Ham United U18.
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IS QUAGLIARELLA ON HIS WAY TO UPTON PARK?
By Iain Dale 20 Aug 2013 at 09:52
West Ham Till I Die
Various reports, including THIS ONE ( see below ) suggest West Ham have
reached an agreement on personal terms with 30 year old Juventus striker
Fabio Quaglierella. Crucially, though, terms haven't been agreed with
Juventus. I know videos only ever show the best bits, but this video of
Quagliarella's 20 greatest goals certainly gets your mouth watering.
He's certainly much travelled, having played for 8 Italian clubs, but his
goalscoring record at all of them has been very consistent – 1 goal every 3
games. For Juventus he struck 22 goals in 67 appearances. He's also scored 6
in 25 international games for Italy. While I'd prefer Demba Ba, I think
Quagliarella would be a very good second best option.
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West Ham United Reach Agreement With Juventus Striker
Forzaitalianfootball.com
Juventus striker Fabio Quagliarella could be on his way to West Ham United
after reportedly agreeing a deal with the club. The 30-year-old looks set to
be on the fringes of the Bianconeri set up following the arrival of Carlos
Tevez and Fernando Llorente and is thought to have been made available for
transfer.
According to Sky Sport Italia, the Italian has agreed personal terms with
the Premier League side with regards a transfer but an accord between the
two clubs has yet to be found. It is thought West Ham want a loan deal with
option to buy, whereas Juve would prefer an outright sale. Quagliarella made
27 appearances last season in Serie A, scoring nine goals.
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West Ham offered Juventus forward Fabio Quagliarella - but must sell first
20 Aug 2013 12:19
The Mirror
West Ham will have to sell before striking any deal for Italy forward Fabio
Quagliarella. Juventus want to offload the 29-year-old after buying Carlos
Tevez and Fernando Llorente this summer - and have offered him to the
Hammers. Norwich, Sunderland and Qatar side Al-Gharafa have also been
contacted for the £7m-rated international. Sam Allardyce wants another front
man but has spent over £20m on Andy Carroll and Stewart Downing. West Ham
are interested in a loan deal for Quagliarella with an option to buy but the
Italian champions want a cash deal. And co-owner David Gold said: "I think
it's clear that we are still short of a striker. David Sullivan agrees with
that, Sam agrees with that, but until we release those wages by players
leaving, there is little we can do. "We have reached our target laid down by
the new rules in terms of wages. "The only possibility now is if players are
sold. That's up to Sam, that's in his hands. If he releases wages, that will
give us the opportunity to bring in replacements for those players."
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West Ham Prepared to Sell Four In Upton Park Clear-Out
by Aidan McCartney August 20th, 2013
caughtoffside.com
Upton Park side look to free up funds by offloading unneeded squad players.
West Ham United could offload at least four players to free up funds as Sam
Allardyce looks to recruit another new striker before the transfer deadline
passes reports the Evening Standard. Sam Allardyce has reportedly sanctioned
the departures of squad players including midfielder Matt Taylor, French
international Alou Diarra, forward Ricardo Vaz Te and reserve goalkeeper
Stephen Henderson who could now all leave before the end of the month.
Hammers co-owner David Sullivan has confirmed that he will be working
roundthe clock to reduce the club's wage bill as he tries to release extra
money to spend on another centre-forward for Allardyce's side. Club record
signing Andy Carroll will be out of action until mid-September as he
recovers from a heel injury leaving just Modibo Maiga to lead the line in
attack and the Malian international started during Saturday's comfortable
2-0 victory over Cardiff City. Sullivan has now admitted that under the new
financial fair play regulations they must sell before they can buy after
closing in on their strict £52million salary cap. 'In our case, we start
with a £52 million limit,' explained Sullivan in his programme notes for
Saturday's game against the Premier League newcomers. 'If you exceed the
figure you could be hit with a points deduction, so I hope you can see that
players can only be brought in if there is money left in the wage budget. We
are close to that limit now but that is not to say that our dealings in the
transfer market are complete for the summer. 'Players could well leave
before the transfer window closes on 2 September, which would give us the
money to add a couple more to the squad, so we will continue to work hard
over the next couple of weeks'.
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Newcastle new-boy Remy ruled out of West Ham clash
By Mark Bowering
Goal.Com
20 Aug 2013 18:34:00
Loic Remy looks set to miss Newcastle's clash with West Ham on Saturday, but
could make his debut against Fulham next weekend. A calf injury prevented
the on-loan QPR striker from featuring in Monday's 4-0 defeat at Manchester
City, with manager Alan Pardew expecting to be without him when West Ham
head north this weekend. Newcastle looked toothless in attack at the Etihad
Stadium and Pardew endured an evening to forget as defender Steven Taylor
was sent off and Jonas Gutierrez hobbled off with the recurrence of a leg
problem. The availability of Remy, who scored six times in 14 Premier League
appearances for QPR last term, would be a welcome boost for Pardew, but he
will have to wait to see the 26-year-old in competitive action. "We have
Loic Remy coming back and he is two weeks away," said Pardew. "Maybe he
might make the Fulham game. The West Ham game is a bridge too far." The
heavy defeat at City leaves Newcastle propping up the rest of the Premier
League after the opening weekend of the season.
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West Ham United linked with Benfica's Oscar Cardozo and Roma's Marco
Boriello
Guardian Series
4:22pm Tuesday 20th August 2013 in News
West Ham United face a race against time to clear some deadwood before the
end of the transfer window as they eye moves for two of Europe's top
strikers.
Benfica star Oscar Cardozo and Roma frontman Marco Boriello are reportedly
interesting Hammers boss Sam Allardyce as he looks to add weight to his
frontline. Paraguayan Cardozo has also been linked with a move to a number
of European clubs including Spartak Moscow and Fenerbache, while Boriello
ended last season as Genoa's top scorer with 12 goals during his loan from
Juventus and he could be available at a cut price after falling out of
favour in Turin.
Club record signing Andy Carroll is set to be out until mid-September and
with only Modibo Maiga and Ricardo Vaz Te for cover, the Irons are eager to
sign another striker. However, any potential moves are on the premise that
they can offload several unwanted assets before the close of the window on
September 2. Allardyce said over the weekend that he believes West Ham's
current squad is the best he has ever worked with but is still keen to
create funds to keep improving the squad. Vaz Te, Alou Diarra and Matt
Taylor have all been linked to moves away from East London within the next
two weeks.
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West Ham trying to free up space for Cardozo swoop
By talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) | Tuesday, August 20, 2013
West Ham are keen to finalise a move for Benfica forward Oscar Cardozo - but
only if they manage to sell players before the transfer window closes on
September 2. Sam Allardyce wants to bring in another striker as club record
signing Andy Carroll is not expected back in action until mid-September.
Cardozo, 30, has been one of the most prolific forwards in the Portuguese
League over the last few seasons and would relish the chance to showcase his
talents in England. The Paraguay international has a wealth of experience
and Allardyce knows he would add vital competition for both Carroll and
Modibo Maiga. Reports in Portugal suggest a deal could be completed in the
next two weeks, but West Ham have to sell before they can bring anyone else
in as they have reached their salary cap limit. Ricardo Vaz Te, Matt Taylor
and Alou Diarra have all been linked with moves away from Upton Park and
their possible departures would free up funds for the West Ham boss to bring
in his sixth summer signing.
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Jarvis interview
By Adam Bate - Follow @GhostGoal | Last Updated: August 20, 2013 2:38pm
SSN
Adam Bate caught up with West Ham winger Matt Jarvis to discuss his World
Cup ambitions, the signing of Stewart Downing, Sam Allardyce's love of
statistics and how it felt to finally get that first Hammers assist...
Occasionally there are statistics that just resonate. Some are flattering,
such as the one that saw the passing of Swansea midfielder Leon Britton
favourably compared to Barcelona's Xavi. Others are curiosities such as the
fact that it took Gareth Bale until his 25th Premier League game for
Tottenham before he was on the winning side... And that after more than 40
hours of action, Matt Jarvis was still waiting for his first West Ham
assist.
The likeable Hammers winger put in more crosses than any other Premier
League player in 2012/13 and set up his fair share of opportunities. In
fact, the 27-year-old created more than any other player not to have an
assist to his name. But after a season spent plugging away on the left
flank, Jarvis delivered on the opening day of the new season - providing the
cut-back for Joe Cole to slam the ball home for the breakthrough goal
against Cardiff on Saturday.
When the dreaded stat is mentioned his relief is palpable. "Yeah, exactly!
It's was nice to get it," he admits. "Especially after being top of the
chances created without getting one. That wasn't great reading but it's nice
to be up and running this season already."
Benefit
Jarvis didn't have a pre-season with West Ham last year, joining from Wolves
for a then record £10million just before the window shut with the campaign
already underway. This time he appears to be feeling the benefit of a summer
with the squad, having produced a man of the match performance in a win over
Hamburg last month and then impressing against the Bluebirds when the league
season began.
"It's helped that we've had quite a few games as we wanted to get as
match-fit as we possibly could ahead of the new season," he explains. "It's
always nice during pre-season to get a few assists and feel like you're back
in the swing of things. To hit the ground running on Saturday and get an
assist was a nice little confidence-booster.
"I think the start that we had last year was the key. We got 14 points from
our first eight games. It was the massive boost of confidence that we needed
and I think we were around sixth to eighth in the table at that stage and
that really motivates you. That really helped us last season."
Some would suggest Jarvis needed a good start himself. Having dealt with the
pressures that came with his transfer fee last season, the signing of fellow
England international winger Stewart Downing on the eve of the opening game
might well threaten his spot in the team. It was Jarvis who made way for
Downing at the weekend.
He bats away the issue of his place being under threat in predictable
fashion. "It's another fantastic signing and it means competition for
places, which is always healthy in a squad," says Jarvis. "It makes everyone
play a bit better and that always helps the team. Hopefully we can play in
the same team."
There is certainly some reason for optimism in that regard given the fact
that both men can play on either flank. Sam Allardyce may appear a manager
at home with the knockabout banter on the Goals on Sunday sofa but his love
of the science of the sport is also well-documented. So it seems unlikely he
is unaware of the fact that Downing is one of only two men to fire in more
than 200 crosses since the 2010/11 season. Jarvis is that other man, having
achieved the feat in each of the last three campaigns.
As such, it is easy to imagine Allardyce licking his not inconsiderable
chops at the prospect of his wingers loading the box for the hulking figure
of Andy Carroll with the canny Kevin Nolan latching onto the knockdowns. Big
Sam will be seeing that chicken dance in his sleep.
"He's very much into his statistics," notes Jarvis. "We use all the analysts
and all the statistics we have in order to work out how we are going to
approach a game. For me personally, we look at whether I am going to cross
the ball or whether I'm going to run at the defender and things like that.
"With players like Andy and Kev running into the box, if we can get as many
crosses into the box as we can from good areas that are going to unsettle
the defenders then it is always going to create chances."
Jarvis scored seven goals in his last 14 games for Wolves but followed up
with just two in his debut season for the Hammers. That's an area he is keen
to improve in the hope of forcing his way back into the England set-up - an
ambition he is happy to bring up without prompting.
"My hope for the season is to play well and keep creating the chances for
the team," he says. "I want to keep getting the assists and hopefully get a
few goals myself. I'd like to get more than I got last season and maybe get
nearer to the eight that I got in my last year with Wolves.
"If I can add more goals and keep the assists and crosses coming in then
I'll be pleased. And hopefully if I can do that then I can put myself in the
window for the England team." His voice tails off - almost tentative about
the mere suggestion - but when the World Cup is mentioned he is animated
once more.
"That would be nice! It's one of those things that you dream about when
you're little. That is the ultimate aim and goal in your career. It was an
absolute dream come true to get the call-up and to then actually play at
Wembley in front of 85,000 fans was absolutely incredible.
"Just training with all these top-class players and being involved in and
around the qualifiers was a great experience and when you get a taste of it
you just want more. That is what I'll be working hard to do."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
ARE WE IN FOR A TENSE FINALE TO THE TRANSFER WINDOW?
By S J Chandos 21 Aug 2013 at 01:18
West Ham Till I Die
The answer to the question posed is, in all probability, yes, we are! With
the club right up against its proscribed player salary cap, and an
additional player or two still needed, we will have to sell before we can
buy. In that respect, Henderson, McCartney, Taylor and Vaz Te are obvious
candidates for outgoing transfer business. The issue, however, is whether we
can actually sell them and if the accrued savings on their salaries are
sufficient to facilitate us bring in players of the class of Quagliarella or
Ba? If not then we may be forced to sell one or two other members of the
squad. If we find ourselves in that territory, then names such as Diarra and
Maiga could come in to the equation.
Personally, I find it difficult to understand how we have got ourselves in
to this uncomfortable position. I can understand the emphasis being upon
incoming signings, but the club must have known some time ago that we were
approaching the salary cap and could have made plans to move out one or two
fringe players. We know that Sam Allardyce began warning against the
possible adverse impact of the new Fair Play rules, on our transfer
dealings, back in May. We also know that Stephen Henderson was marginal for
virtually the whole all of last season. So, why did we not move to quickly
sell him when the signing of Adrian was confirmed weeks ago? Similarly, it
was a strong proposition that we needed to trade up on players such as
Taylor and Vaz Te as a pre-requisite for progressing as a club this summer.
So, why not seek to sell them earlier in the transfer window? I hope that I
am not being unduly unfair to the club, but surely our current transfer
hiatus is at least partially a result of some poor planning.
Do not get me wrong, I think that we have made some very good acquisitions
this summer. Securing Andy Carroll's services on a permanent deal was a
landmark piece of business; while Razvan Rat, Adrian and Stuart Downing are
all excellent signings that improve the quality of the squad. And all due
credit to the club for transacting that business. However, we knew that
signing a quality, second striker was always the top priority, once Carroll
was on board. Yet, we find ourselves entering the final two weeks of the
window and that key signing has still not been secured. And, to compound the
situation, our room for manoeuvre is severely restricted by this salary cap
obstacle. Arguably, the club should have anticipated this potential problem
arising and taken prompt action to circumvent it. I always strive to be fair
and view an issue from all possible angles, but that is an inescapable
conclusion in my book.
So, time is beginning to run down rapidly and the club have to do some
pretty slick business to achieve their objectives before the deadline at
11pm, on 2 September 2013. As stated, it is a possibility that players like
Diarra and Maiga may have to be sacrificed to facilitate a deal(s) for a
class striker(s). That is a shame because both Diarra and Maiga have shown
quality in pre-season. Diarra is exactly the type of defensive midfield
anchor that we will need in some of the tougher away matches this season. He
is also a very useful as a player to put on to help 'close up shop' and
protect a lead. While I would have liked to have seen Maiga get another
chance to prove himself in the PL. His ability to play both as a central
striker and out wide is also useful to retain in the squad. But if one or
both players need to be sacrificed for the greater good of our season then
so be it.
One proposed move that I am, however, totally opposed to is the sale of
James Tomkins, especially for a fee in the region of £6m! I believe that
with Reid, Collins and Tomkins we have good cover in central defence. Add
the highly promising Leo Chambers in to that mix and the situation looks
even better. But what is the value of weakening our central defence to
strengthen our attack? That is arguably a classic case of 'robbing Peter to
pay Paul.' I also do not rate our chances of signing a centre-back as good
as Tomkins, nor do I believe the rumour that we will sign the likes of
Christopher Samba. As such, if Reid or Collins are injured or suspended we
could find ourselves with defensive problems. I continue to believe in
Tomkins' ability and the likelihood that he and Reid will recommence their
promising defensive partnership sooner rather than later. Lets hope that
David Gold remains consistent in his prior view that Tomkins will not be
sold because he represents the future of the club.
So it is my expectation that we could be in for a nerve racking finale to
the transfer window. However, there is always the hope that this
interpretation is unduly pessimistic and the club manages to complete any
remaining transfer business quickly and well before the window closes. We
are one PL match in to the new season and the really encouraging thing is
that we are solid in defence and scoring goals from midfield. Allied to
that, we now have pace and skill on the flanks. These are all very positive
developments and if we can just secure a greater cutting edge up front, then
the indicative signs are pointing towards another very good PL campaign and
a possible cup run.
SJ. Chandos.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Wednesday, August 21
Tuesday, August 20
Daily WHUFC News - 20TH August 2013
Collins has no room for sentiment
WHUFC.com
James Collins was delighted to start the season with three points against
former club Cardiff
19.08.2013
James Collins left no room for sentiment as he helped West Ham United to a
clean sheet and 2-0 victory over his old side Cardiff City on Saturday. The
29-year-old defender started his career with the Bluebirds and played 66
league games for the club before moving on to the Hammers for his first
spell in E13 in 2005. Cardiff were beginning their first top flight campaign
in 41 years, but Collins was only concerned with registering three points
for Sam Allardyce's team.
"It was great to keep a clean sheet and score two goals," he said. "We went
in at half time thinking we could have gone in more than one up, but we were
delighted to come out 2-0 winners on the first day of the season. "We
started the game looking to keep a clean sheet because if you do that the
worst you can do is draw the game. "With the boys we've got up front, we
know that if we keep the clean sheet we're more than likely going to win the
game. Overall we're really happy. "It felt like carrying on from what we did
last season. The gaffer reminded us that we only lost four at home last
year, and that was against the top eight teams. "We're looking to do that
again, the gaffer drilled it into us again that we've got to make this place
a fortress and we started that on Saturday."
The Hammers' goals came in each half, the first a smart turn and finish from
Joe Cole, the second a fine swept shot into the top corner from Kevin Nolan.
Collins continued: "They were two really good goals, you know what you're
going to get from Kev when the ball drops for him anywhere near the box,
it's normally a goal. "Joe's been on fire in pre-season, so it's great for
both of them [to score] and it's given us a great start."
After a three month break, the sense of anticipation was clear amongst the
Hammers fans prior to kick-off and Collins revealed that the atmosphere gave
the team a real boost. He explained: "I looked at Mark Noble before the game
when the fans were singing Bubbles and I've never heard anything like it.
"Me and Mark caught eyes and didn't know what to say. It was great, another
game sold out and that's going to be massive for our home form. "When they
start singing before the game it's hairs on the back of your neck stuff. If
they're like that all year it'll be great."
Next for West Ham is a trip to Newcastle United and Collins is eyeing that
as an early chance to improve the away form of last year. He added: "We're
looking to improve our away form. I thought we played well away last year
but didn't get the results - we only won three. "We want to improve that, as
we are everywhere - our home form, goals conceded and goals scored. We're
got a good chance to start that on Saturday . "It was a good game up there
last year. They won't be happy with what they did last season, they'll think
they should have finished higher. "Winning on the first day of the season is
massive, so we'll go there with confidence, look to keep a clean sheet and
hopefully grab a couple of goals."
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Joint-Chairman thanks fans
WHUFC.com
Joint-Chairman David Sullivan has thanked the West Ham United fans for your
support
19.08.2013
Joint-Chairman David Sullivan has praised West Ham United fans for your
outstanding support during Saturday's 2-0 Barclays Premier League win over
Cardiff City. The Hammers were roared on by a capacity Boleyn Ground crowd -
the 18th straight home sellout - as goals from Joe Cole and Kevin Nolan
scored a fantastic opening-day victory over the newly-promoted Bluebirds.
With West Ham legend Billy Bonds MBE receiving the Club's inaugural Lifetime
Achievement Award and being presented to the Claret and Blue Army before
kick-off, the Joint-Chairman lauded the atmosphere at the Academy of
Football. "The players got a truly magnificent reception," said Mr Sullivan.
"The appreciation you showed for a true West Ham legend Billy Bonds was
second to none and illustrates just what a special Club this is. "From the
singing of 'Bubbles' before the game and throughout the 90 minutes, you
never stopped singing and encouraging the players and we were all rewarded
with a deserved win. "Cardiff's supporters are recognised as one of the most
vociferous groups fans in the league and you completely drowned 3,000 of
them out!"
The Joint-Chairman also expressed his thanks to supporters for helping the
Club to achieve record matchday takings at the Stadium Store, and apologised
to fans who could not be served due to the unprecedented level of business.
"We had a record day's takings at the Stadium Store on Saturday, which is
yet another illustration of your unrivalled commitment to West Ham United
and is hugely appreciated by myself, the Board and everyone at the Club," Mr
Sullivan added. "Sadly, due to the capacity of the Stadium Store, it was not
possible to process all potential purchases before the Cardiff game. We can
only apologise for this inconvenience and urge fans who want to buy their
new adidas kits and other merchandise to arrive early for the Cheltenham
Town and Stoke City games next week. "Of course this issue will be solved
when we move to the Olympic Stadium, when we will not be restricted by the
size of the Store and number of tills in operation."
Looking forward to Saturday's Barclays Premier League trip to Newcastle
United, the Joint-Chairman thanked the thousands of Hammers making the
longest away journey of the season for their loyalty to the cause. "I know
you will be there at St James' Park again in your thousands and I can only
express my respect for your dedication and devotion to West Ham United," he
added. "You invest time and money in supporting our great Club and myself,
the Board, the staff and the players are all hugely appreciative, so thank
you."
Finally, West Ham host League Two side Cheltenham Town in the Capital One
Cup second round on Tuesday 27 August, with the Board again showing their
commitment to making football affordable for all. All Adult, Young Adult and
Over-65s tickets are priced at just £10 when purchased in advance, while
Under-16s can secure a seat for just £5. "We want to fill the Boleyn again,
so ticket prices have been set at a level that everyone can afford," Mr
Sullivan explained.
"Every West Ham fan loves a cup tie under the lights at the Boleyn Ground
and I'm no different, so I hope to see as many as possible of you there as
we start our way down the road to Wembley. "Thanks again for your amazing
support!"
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Bonds lauds 'amazing day'
Whufc.COM
West Ham United legend Billy Bonds MBE was 'truly moved' on his return to
the Boleyn Ground
19.08.2013
West Ham United legend Billy Bonds MBE admitted to being 'truly moved' by
the reception he received from supporters on his return to the Boleyn
Ground.
Bonds told of his huge pride after receiving a deafening welcome as he was
presented with the Club's inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award ahead of
Saturday's 2-0 Barclays Premier League win over Cardiff City. Joined by his
family, the Hammers' all-time leading appearance-maker accepted his award
and the amazing reception with the humility that made him a true great in
E13. Speaking to SportsDirect News, Bonds said he had enjoyed an 'amazing
day' among the fans who adore him. "Saturday as one of the most wonderful
experiences of my life," said the four-times Hammer of the Year. "I was
truly moved. Those incredible fans are something else. They have always been
the same to me. When I see them out and about they always come over and
thanked me for what I've done for the club. "To receive the award in front
of a full Upton Park was so emotional. It was so good to experience the
warmth of the crowd. "I'm also grateful to the new owners who have done
everything they can to welcome me back into the club. I want to thank them.
It was an amazing day for myself and my family. I wanted to take my
grandchildren out there. Honestly, I could have stayed out there all
afternoon. "I'll remember those moments for the rest of my life."
Joint-Chairman David Gold joined Bonds, his family, manager Sam Allardyce
and Tony Wright from Award sponsors Locke Lord on the pitch for the ceremony
to present the 66-year-old with his LIfetime Achievement Award. As a
lifelong West Ham fan, the Joint-Chairman was thrilled to be in the presence
of a man who made 793 appearances in claret and blue over a 21-year period,
lifting the FA Cup in 1975 and 1980. He said: "He was a legend to me and
every West Ham supporter but he left this club under a cloud. I and David
Sullivan were determined to put things right because he was an incredible
servant, hero and probably most of all - a great man. "It was wonderful to
see him in the Boardroom afterwards talking about the old days with Trevor
Brooking. He also spent around an hour with my schoolboy pal who goes to
every match with me. "We didn't know him when they first met but he was so
generous with his time. He's a man of whom we should all be very proud.
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Manager on Monday
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce is backing West Ham United to attack the Barclays Premier
League this season
19.08.2013
Sam Allardyce believes West Ham United's new-found attacking strength can
help fire them to their first back-to-back Barclays Premier League wins
since March 2011. His Hammers side got off to the perfect start by beating
Cardiff City 2-0 at the Boleyn Ground on Saturday, but will face a tough
challenge to make it two from two with a trip to Newcastle United this
weekend. Four of the Hammers' main offensive threats from midfield did the
damage against the Bluebirds, as Matt Jarvis crossed for Joe Cole to open
the scoring before a forceful run from Mark Noble paved the way for Kevin
Nolan to double the advantage with 14 minutes left on the clock. "We've
added Stewart Downing, but we've also got the best crosser in the league
from last season on the other side in Matt Jarvis," Allardyce said. "His
quality and quantity of crosses was better than anyone else in the Premier
League last season according to Prozone. "We have Joe Cole on the other side
and that's competition for places in those key areas. They're going to fight
for those two places. Then they'll have to produce what we know they can in
order to keep their spot. They offer opportunities for other players to get
into the box and score goals so let's hope we can enjoy what they can give
us."
Those widemen will need to be firing on all cylinders if Big Sam's side are
indeed to make it two wins from two at St James' Park on Saturday. Nolan
struck the only goal of the game in the same fixture last season, but
Allardyce is leaving nothing to chance and had his squad in for training on
Sunday morning to begin planning for the match. "We went to Swansea last
year in the second game and a Ginge [James Collins] backpass cost us and we
lost 3-0. In the end we deserved it and the lads have got to be determined
not to do it again. "There could be a tendency to think 'we're West Ham,
let's take it easy this week.' No, we've got to grit out teeth. I had the
lads in on Sunday doing a warm down and making sure they were ready for
Newcastle. "Newcastle are going to be very difficult as they don't have the
injuries that they had when we beat them there last season. I know having
worked there when they get it right it is very hard to get a result."
The victory against Cardiff kicked-off amongst a spine-tingling Boleyn
Ground atmosphere, which was boosted by the appearance of Hammers legend
Billy Bonds on the pitch 15 minutes before the start. The former West Ham
captain and record appearance holder collected the Club's first-ever
Lifetime Achievement Award in front of a worshiping claret and blue army.
"Billy's reception was outstanding and that led to a great reception for the
players when they came out, which they haven't felt since we played Reading
at home in the last game of last season and won 4-2. "We only lost four
games at home last year and that was why we looked so good and entertained
the public. It was some achievement that we've got to try and at least match
this year but with the atmosphere of the crowd and the quality of the
players I think we'll shine through."
The world-class options now available to Big Sam have led him to believe
this group of players is as strong as any he has had at this stage of his
different managerial reigns. With high-profile arrivals secured and the
possibility of more before the close of the window, a target of at least
four more points than last season is achievable according to the West Ham
United manager. "Here we're improving the side by spending money on better
players than we've already got. In my second year in the top flight it's as
good as I've had. We've started to show that we've improved the squad and
hopefully we'll continue to grow. We're aiming for 50 points - four more
than last year - and that would be brilliant for us. "Saturday was only one
game but it was a great start. When the window has closed I will calculate
how much money has been spent by everyone as well as ourselves and that will
give us an indication on what we might be able to achieve. We've spent our
money and want to keep our squad fit. We've had no new injuries on Saturday
and that is great news for us."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham must sell before bringing anyone else in, says David Gold
Last Updated: August 19, 2013 9:42am
SSN
West Ham United co-owner David Gold admits the club are short of a striker,
but says they must sell before recruiting. The Hammers have landed Andy
Carroll on a permanent deal this summer, but the England international is
currently sidelined with a heel problem. Modibo Maiga is the only recognised
senior forward on the books at Upton Park who is fully fit at present, and
he started Saturday's 2-0 victory over Premier League new boys Cardiff City.
Sam Allardyce would welcome the opportunity to bolster his ranks before the
transfer window slams shut, but he has reached his limit in terms of player
salaries. That means he must free up his own funds, with Gold revealing that
players must be moved on before any more can be brought in. He told Sky
Sports News: "We have reached our target laid down by the new rules in terms
of wages. "The only possibility now is if players are sold. That's up to
Sam, that's in his hands. If he releases wages, that will give us the
opportunity to bring in replacements for those players. "I think it's clear
that we are still short of a striker. David Sullivan agrees with that, Sam
agrees with that, but until we release those wages by players leaving, there
is little we can do. "The next couple of weeks, we will see what happens."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
COME BACK CARLTON COLE
By Iain Dale 19 Aug 2013 at 18:21 129 comments
West Ham Till I Die
It is now clear that we are going to struggle to sign a marquee striker
before deadline, unless we can shift out the likes of Taylor, Vaz Te or
McCartney, or even all three. There is, of course another option, albeit an
unlikely one. Bring back Carlton Cole. Ok, Ok, I know, but bear with me.
As I understand it, Carlton was offered a new contract but didn't accept it.
He felt he'd be better of pursuing other options. Well, so far that hasn't
quite worked for him. There have been suggestions that he might go to
France, Turkey or the USA, or even to Crystal Palace. Now he might be
playing a very skilful game of poker, who knows? But if we get to 31 August
and Carlton hasn't found a new home, I wonder whether Sam Allardyce might
offer him a way back. Yes, he'd have to eat a bit of humble pie, and the
deal may not be the one that was of offer in May, but what do you think he'd
rather do, languish in the Championship or come back to a club that he has a
real affinity with.
Carlton Cole may not be a prolific goalscorer, and last season didn't have
the best of times, but we all know he would give his all, and be a great
understudy to a player who is notoriously injury prone. We could do far
worse,
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham hooligan jailed for 12 months for organising clash with Millwall
supporters
20 Aug 2013 00:00
The Mirror
A football hooligan who organised a clash between Millwall and West Ham fans
at an FA Cup match has been jailed for 12 months. Shaun Sheridan, a member
of West Ham's notorious Inter City Firm, plotted mass violence in a series
of text messages to his rivals. Sheridan, 43, targeted the third round tie
between Dagenham and Redbridge and Millwall last year in the belief that
there would be fewer police on patrol. But his plan was thwarted after
officers turned out with camcorders to film the thugs gathering at a pub.
Sheridan, of Bermondsey, South East London, earlier admitted conspiracy to
commit violent disorder. Jailing him, Old Bailey Judge Anthony Morris QC
said: "The planning of such violence brings shame upon the game of
football." Sheridan was also banned for seven years from going within a mile
of any West Ham or Millwall match.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
James Collins was delighted to start the season with three points against
former club Cardiff
19.08.2013
James Collins left no room for sentiment as he helped West Ham United to a
clean sheet and 2-0 victory over his old side Cardiff City on Saturday. The
29-year-old defender started his career with the Bluebirds and played 66
league games for the club before moving on to the Hammers for his first
spell in E13 in 2005. Cardiff were beginning their first top flight campaign
in 41 years, but Collins was only concerned with registering three points
for Sam Allardyce's team.
"It was great to keep a clean sheet and score two goals," he said. "We went
in at half time thinking we could have gone in more than one up, but we were
delighted to come out 2-0 winners on the first day of the season. "We
started the game looking to keep a clean sheet because if you do that the
worst you can do is draw the game. "With the boys we've got up front, we
know that if we keep the clean sheet we're more than likely going to win the
game. Overall we're really happy. "It felt like carrying on from what we did
last season. The gaffer reminded us that we only lost four at home last
year, and that was against the top eight teams. "We're looking to do that
again, the gaffer drilled it into us again that we've got to make this place
a fortress and we started that on Saturday."
The Hammers' goals came in each half, the first a smart turn and finish from
Joe Cole, the second a fine swept shot into the top corner from Kevin Nolan.
Collins continued: "They were two really good goals, you know what you're
going to get from Kev when the ball drops for him anywhere near the box,
it's normally a goal. "Joe's been on fire in pre-season, so it's great for
both of them [to score] and it's given us a great start."
After a three month break, the sense of anticipation was clear amongst the
Hammers fans prior to kick-off and Collins revealed that the atmosphere gave
the team a real boost. He explained: "I looked at Mark Noble before the game
when the fans were singing Bubbles and I've never heard anything like it.
"Me and Mark caught eyes and didn't know what to say. It was great, another
game sold out and that's going to be massive for our home form. "When they
start singing before the game it's hairs on the back of your neck stuff. If
they're like that all year it'll be great."
Next for West Ham is a trip to Newcastle United and Collins is eyeing that
as an early chance to improve the away form of last year. He added: "We're
looking to improve our away form. I thought we played well away last year
but didn't get the results - we only won three. "We want to improve that, as
we are everywhere - our home form, goals conceded and goals scored. We're
got a good chance to start that on Saturday . "It was a good game up there
last year. They won't be happy with what they did last season, they'll think
they should have finished higher. "Winning on the first day of the season is
massive, so we'll go there with confidence, look to keep a clean sheet and
hopefully grab a couple of goals."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Joint-Chairman thanks fans
WHUFC.com
Joint-Chairman David Sullivan has thanked the West Ham United fans for your
support
19.08.2013
Joint-Chairman David Sullivan has praised West Ham United fans for your
outstanding support during Saturday's 2-0 Barclays Premier League win over
Cardiff City. The Hammers were roared on by a capacity Boleyn Ground crowd -
the 18th straight home sellout - as goals from Joe Cole and Kevin Nolan
scored a fantastic opening-day victory over the newly-promoted Bluebirds.
With West Ham legend Billy Bonds MBE receiving the Club's inaugural Lifetime
Achievement Award and being presented to the Claret and Blue Army before
kick-off, the Joint-Chairman lauded the atmosphere at the Academy of
Football. "The players got a truly magnificent reception," said Mr Sullivan.
"The appreciation you showed for a true West Ham legend Billy Bonds was
second to none and illustrates just what a special Club this is. "From the
singing of 'Bubbles' before the game and throughout the 90 minutes, you
never stopped singing and encouraging the players and we were all rewarded
with a deserved win. "Cardiff's supporters are recognised as one of the most
vociferous groups fans in the league and you completely drowned 3,000 of
them out!"
The Joint-Chairman also expressed his thanks to supporters for helping the
Club to achieve record matchday takings at the Stadium Store, and apologised
to fans who could not be served due to the unprecedented level of business.
"We had a record day's takings at the Stadium Store on Saturday, which is
yet another illustration of your unrivalled commitment to West Ham United
and is hugely appreciated by myself, the Board and everyone at the Club," Mr
Sullivan added. "Sadly, due to the capacity of the Stadium Store, it was not
possible to process all potential purchases before the Cardiff game. We can
only apologise for this inconvenience and urge fans who want to buy their
new adidas kits and other merchandise to arrive early for the Cheltenham
Town and Stoke City games next week. "Of course this issue will be solved
when we move to the Olympic Stadium, when we will not be restricted by the
size of the Store and number of tills in operation."
Looking forward to Saturday's Barclays Premier League trip to Newcastle
United, the Joint-Chairman thanked the thousands of Hammers making the
longest away journey of the season for their loyalty to the cause. "I know
you will be there at St James' Park again in your thousands and I can only
express my respect for your dedication and devotion to West Ham United," he
added. "You invest time and money in supporting our great Club and myself,
the Board, the staff and the players are all hugely appreciative, so thank
you."
Finally, West Ham host League Two side Cheltenham Town in the Capital One
Cup second round on Tuesday 27 August, with the Board again showing their
commitment to making football affordable for all. All Adult, Young Adult and
Over-65s tickets are priced at just £10 when purchased in advance, while
Under-16s can secure a seat for just £5. "We want to fill the Boleyn again,
so ticket prices have been set at a level that everyone can afford," Mr
Sullivan explained.
"Every West Ham fan loves a cup tie under the lights at the Boleyn Ground
and I'm no different, so I hope to see as many as possible of you there as
we start our way down the road to Wembley. "Thanks again for your amazing
support!"
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Bonds lauds 'amazing day'
Whufc.COM
West Ham United legend Billy Bonds MBE was 'truly moved' on his return to
the Boleyn Ground
19.08.2013
West Ham United legend Billy Bonds MBE admitted to being 'truly moved' by
the reception he received from supporters on his return to the Boleyn
Ground.
Bonds told of his huge pride after receiving a deafening welcome as he was
presented with the Club's inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award ahead of
Saturday's 2-0 Barclays Premier League win over Cardiff City. Joined by his
family, the Hammers' all-time leading appearance-maker accepted his award
and the amazing reception with the humility that made him a true great in
E13. Speaking to SportsDirect News, Bonds said he had enjoyed an 'amazing
day' among the fans who adore him. "Saturday as one of the most wonderful
experiences of my life," said the four-times Hammer of the Year. "I was
truly moved. Those incredible fans are something else. They have always been
the same to me. When I see them out and about they always come over and
thanked me for what I've done for the club. "To receive the award in front
of a full Upton Park was so emotional. It was so good to experience the
warmth of the crowd. "I'm also grateful to the new owners who have done
everything they can to welcome me back into the club. I want to thank them.
It was an amazing day for myself and my family. I wanted to take my
grandchildren out there. Honestly, I could have stayed out there all
afternoon. "I'll remember those moments for the rest of my life."
Joint-Chairman David Gold joined Bonds, his family, manager Sam Allardyce
and Tony Wright from Award sponsors Locke Lord on the pitch for the ceremony
to present the 66-year-old with his LIfetime Achievement Award. As a
lifelong West Ham fan, the Joint-Chairman was thrilled to be in the presence
of a man who made 793 appearances in claret and blue over a 21-year period,
lifting the FA Cup in 1975 and 1980. He said: "He was a legend to me and
every West Ham supporter but he left this club under a cloud. I and David
Sullivan were determined to put things right because he was an incredible
servant, hero and probably most of all - a great man. "It was wonderful to
see him in the Boardroom afterwards talking about the old days with Trevor
Brooking. He also spent around an hour with my schoolboy pal who goes to
every match with me. "We didn't know him when they first met but he was so
generous with his time. He's a man of whom we should all be very proud.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Manager on Monday
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce is backing West Ham United to attack the Barclays Premier
League this season
19.08.2013
Sam Allardyce believes West Ham United's new-found attacking strength can
help fire them to their first back-to-back Barclays Premier League wins
since March 2011. His Hammers side got off to the perfect start by beating
Cardiff City 2-0 at the Boleyn Ground on Saturday, but will face a tough
challenge to make it two from two with a trip to Newcastle United this
weekend. Four of the Hammers' main offensive threats from midfield did the
damage against the Bluebirds, as Matt Jarvis crossed for Joe Cole to open
the scoring before a forceful run from Mark Noble paved the way for Kevin
Nolan to double the advantage with 14 minutes left on the clock. "We've
added Stewart Downing, but we've also got the best crosser in the league
from last season on the other side in Matt Jarvis," Allardyce said. "His
quality and quantity of crosses was better than anyone else in the Premier
League last season according to Prozone. "We have Joe Cole on the other side
and that's competition for places in those key areas. They're going to fight
for those two places. Then they'll have to produce what we know they can in
order to keep their spot. They offer opportunities for other players to get
into the box and score goals so let's hope we can enjoy what they can give
us."
Those widemen will need to be firing on all cylinders if Big Sam's side are
indeed to make it two wins from two at St James' Park on Saturday. Nolan
struck the only goal of the game in the same fixture last season, but
Allardyce is leaving nothing to chance and had his squad in for training on
Sunday morning to begin planning for the match. "We went to Swansea last
year in the second game and a Ginge [James Collins] backpass cost us and we
lost 3-0. In the end we deserved it and the lads have got to be determined
not to do it again. "There could be a tendency to think 'we're West Ham,
let's take it easy this week.' No, we've got to grit out teeth. I had the
lads in on Sunday doing a warm down and making sure they were ready for
Newcastle. "Newcastle are going to be very difficult as they don't have the
injuries that they had when we beat them there last season. I know having
worked there when they get it right it is very hard to get a result."
The victory against Cardiff kicked-off amongst a spine-tingling Boleyn
Ground atmosphere, which was boosted by the appearance of Hammers legend
Billy Bonds on the pitch 15 minutes before the start. The former West Ham
captain and record appearance holder collected the Club's first-ever
Lifetime Achievement Award in front of a worshiping claret and blue army.
"Billy's reception was outstanding and that led to a great reception for the
players when they came out, which they haven't felt since we played Reading
at home in the last game of last season and won 4-2. "We only lost four
games at home last year and that was why we looked so good and entertained
the public. It was some achievement that we've got to try and at least match
this year but with the atmosphere of the crowd and the quality of the
players I think we'll shine through."
The world-class options now available to Big Sam have led him to believe
this group of players is as strong as any he has had at this stage of his
different managerial reigns. With high-profile arrivals secured and the
possibility of more before the close of the window, a target of at least
four more points than last season is achievable according to the West Ham
United manager. "Here we're improving the side by spending money on better
players than we've already got. In my second year in the top flight it's as
good as I've had. We've started to show that we've improved the squad and
hopefully we'll continue to grow. We're aiming for 50 points - four more
than last year - and that would be brilliant for us. "Saturday was only one
game but it was a great start. When the window has closed I will calculate
how much money has been spent by everyone as well as ourselves and that will
give us an indication on what we might be able to achieve. We've spent our
money and want to keep our squad fit. We've had no new injuries on Saturday
and that is great news for us."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham must sell before bringing anyone else in, says David Gold
Last Updated: August 19, 2013 9:42am
SSN
West Ham United co-owner David Gold admits the club are short of a striker,
but says they must sell before recruiting. The Hammers have landed Andy
Carroll on a permanent deal this summer, but the England international is
currently sidelined with a heel problem. Modibo Maiga is the only recognised
senior forward on the books at Upton Park who is fully fit at present, and
he started Saturday's 2-0 victory over Premier League new boys Cardiff City.
Sam Allardyce would welcome the opportunity to bolster his ranks before the
transfer window slams shut, but he has reached his limit in terms of player
salaries. That means he must free up his own funds, with Gold revealing that
players must be moved on before any more can be brought in. He told Sky
Sports News: "We have reached our target laid down by the new rules in terms
of wages. "The only possibility now is if players are sold. That's up to
Sam, that's in his hands. If he releases wages, that will give us the
opportunity to bring in replacements for those players. "I think it's clear
that we are still short of a striker. David Sullivan agrees with that, Sam
agrees with that, but until we release those wages by players leaving, there
is little we can do. "The next couple of weeks, we will see what happens."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
COME BACK CARLTON COLE
By Iain Dale 19 Aug 2013 at 18:21 129 comments
West Ham Till I Die
It is now clear that we are going to struggle to sign a marquee striker
before deadline, unless we can shift out the likes of Taylor, Vaz Te or
McCartney, or even all three. There is, of course another option, albeit an
unlikely one. Bring back Carlton Cole. Ok, Ok, I know, but bear with me.
As I understand it, Carlton was offered a new contract but didn't accept it.
He felt he'd be better of pursuing other options. Well, so far that hasn't
quite worked for him. There have been suggestions that he might go to
France, Turkey or the USA, or even to Crystal Palace. Now he might be
playing a very skilful game of poker, who knows? But if we get to 31 August
and Carlton hasn't found a new home, I wonder whether Sam Allardyce might
offer him a way back. Yes, he'd have to eat a bit of humble pie, and the
deal may not be the one that was of offer in May, but what do you think he'd
rather do, languish in the Championship or come back to a club that he has a
real affinity with.
Carlton Cole may not be a prolific goalscorer, and last season didn't have
the best of times, but we all know he would give his all, and be a great
understudy to a player who is notoriously injury prone. We could do far
worse,
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham hooligan jailed for 12 months for organising clash with Millwall
supporters
20 Aug 2013 00:00
The Mirror
A football hooligan who organised a clash between Millwall and West Ham fans
at an FA Cup match has been jailed for 12 months. Shaun Sheridan, a member
of West Ham's notorious Inter City Firm, plotted mass violence in a series
of text messages to his rivals. Sheridan, 43, targeted the third round tie
between Dagenham and Redbridge and Millwall last year in the belief that
there would be fewer police on patrol. But his plan was thwarted after
officers turned out with camcorders to film the thugs gathering at a pub.
Sheridan, of Bermondsey, South East London, earlier admitted conspiracy to
commit violent disorder. Jailing him, Old Bailey Judge Anthony Morris QC
said: "The planning of such violence brings shame upon the game of
football." Sheridan was also banned for seven years from going within a mile
of any West Ham or Millwall match.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Monday, August 19
Daily WHUFC News - 19th August 2013
Bonds honoured at the Boleyn
WHUFC.com
Hammers legend Billy Bonds MBE received his Lifetime Achievement Award ahead
of the win over Cardiff City
18.08.2013
West Ham United legend Billy Bonds MBE was honoured ahead of Saturday's 2-0
Barclays Premier League victory over Cardiff City. The Hammers' all-time
record appearance maker was presented with the Club's inaugural Lifetime
Achievement Award by Joint-Chairman David Gold and manager Sam Allardyce.
The Boleyn Ground faithful marked the occasion with a deafening wall of
noise for the man who lifted the FA Cup twice for West Ham in 1975 and 1980,
was voted Hammer of the Year four times and made an amazing 793 appearances
between 1967 and 1988. Prior to the great man's arrival, a video featuring
highlights of Bonds' unique career in claret and blue was met with applause
and cheers usually associated with a last-minute winner being scored! Now
66, Bonds was visibly moved by the reception he received from the supporters
who idolised him during his playing career and later as youth coach and
manager between 1990 and 1994. The former defender and midfielder was joined
in E13 by members of his family, who enjoyed watching him being given an
amazing reception, while also taking the opportunity to have their
photographs taken pitchside and in Big Sam's dugout seat. The manager, who
came up against Bonds himself during his playing days, said Bonds' presence
had given the whole stadium a lift and inspired West Ham to victory over
Cardiff. "For me, seeing Billy Bonds here was a bit special," said Big Sam.
"The reception that he got for the loyalty he showed to the Club and the
fans' appreciation for that was magnificent. "Of course the reception the
lads got when they went out on the field lifted the players. We hadn't heard
that noise since we beat Reading on the final day of last season and that
got the players' hairs on the back of their necks standing on end and the
best out of them, particularly in the first half. It was a great victory for
us."
Bonds initially received his Lifetime Achievement Award at the Player Awards
in May.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers get off to winning start
WHUFC.com
Goals from Joe Cole and Kevin Nolan fired West Ham United to victory over
Cardiff City on Saturday
17.08.2013
West Ham United 2-0 Cardiff City
Barclays Premier League
West Ham United got the 2013/14 Barclays Premier League campaign off to a
winning start as goals in each half from Joe Cole and Kevin Nolan saw off
the challenge of newly-promoted Cardiff City at the Boleyn Ground. Any
momentum the Championship winners may have carried into the opening game of
the new season was quashed by Cole's 13th minute opener, as he produced an
accurate finish following a Matt Jarvis burst down the left. Nolan's strike
14 minutes from the end confirmed victory, as he matched his first day goal
from last year with a right-footed shot from 15 yards. Cardiff were rarely
able to build a head of steam to seriously threaten their hosts and the
sell-out 34,977 crowd were able to celebrate the perfect beginning to the
new season. The anticipation inside the Boleyn Ground was palpable as
Bubbles rung round the stadium for the first time since May, although it was
Cardiff who had the first real opportunity of the afternoon when they broke
quickly on the Hammers defence with ten minutes on the clock.
Kim Bo-Kyung had acres of space to advance into, and with James Collins and
Winston Reid backing off, forced in part by Fraizer Campbell's menacing run,
the Korean was able to take the shot on from outside the box. He could not
hit the target, however, and West Ham breathed a sigh of relief. That sigh
turned to cheers three minutes later as the home side swept into the lead.
Matt Jarvis was the goal's architect, getting the better of Matt Connolly
down the left before cutting a low cross back for Cole to stop dead with his
first touch, swivel and knock into the bottom right hand corner with his
second. It was the perfect start to the game for the Hammers and it could
have got better on 20 minutes when Cole found himself in the clear on the
edge of the box. With goalkeeper David Marshall off his line, a chipped
effort appeared on, but the West Ham man could only guide the ball into the
stopper's hands.
Eight minutes before the interval it was West Ham's turn to threaten again
as Mohamed Diame cut in from the left and unleashed a right-footed shot
which flew off Connolly's chest and looked destined to beat a helpless
Marshall inside his left hand post, but just deviated in its flight to pass
wide. Cardiff had barely managed to breach the Hammers backline to enter the
danger area, although Nolan did show good awareness to charge out from the
edge of the box and block a Fraizer Campbell effort.
As the second half started West Ham would have believed a cushion of a
second would prove sufficient to go on to claim the points. Jarvis looked to
provide it when Mark Noble's fine diagonal ball picked out Jarvis. He looked
to run at his man and enter the box, and with no support forthcoming, went
for the shot himself, which flew wide.
Cardiff were beginning to enjoy a little more territory but they could not
make anything of it, and manager Malky Mackay summed up their frustrations
with his reaction to Peter Whittingham's wasteful 25-yard shot, which was
dragged well wide of the mark. Just after the hour, they were reliant on a
fine save from Marshall for keeping them in it, as he got down brilliantly
to his left to tip Modibo Maiga's angled drive around the post. Fourteen
minutes from the end, however, he was powerless to prevent Nolan from
sealing victory, as last year's top goalscorer opened his account for
2013/14 with a swept finish into the top left hand corner after Noble used
Maiga's decoy run to cleverly advance into the box and lay off to the
skipper. Nicky Maynard fired over from close range as Cardiff looked to set
up a grandstand finish, but West Ham had done more than enough to ensure a
fruitful start to the campaign,
West Ham United: Jaaskelainen; Demel, Collins, Reid, O'Brien; Diame (Diarra
82), Noble, Nolan; Cole (Vaz Te 90), Maiga, Jarvis (Downing 71)
Subs: Adrian (GK), Tomkins, Rat, Morrison
Goals: Cole 13, Nolan 76
Cardiff City: Marshall; Connolly, Caulker, Turner, John; Gunnarsson, Medel;
Bellamy (Gestede 74), Bo-Kyung (Maynard 74), Whittingham; Campbell (Mutch
90)
Subs: Lewis (GK), Hudson, Smith, Cowie
Booked: Connolly
Attendance: 34,977
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Big Sam delighted with Cardiff victory
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce lauded West Ham United's 2-0 opening day Barclays Premier
League win over Cardiff City
17.08.2013
Sam Allardyce was brimming with pride after West Ham United started the
2013/14 Barclays Premier League campaign with a 2-0 home win over Cardiff
City.
The Hammers defeated the Championship title winners for the fourth match in
succession thanks to a goal in either half from Joe Cole and Kevin Nolan.
After bossing a first half highlighted by Cole's smartly taken turn and
finish on 13 minutes, Big Sam's side weathered a spell of Cardiff pressure
before making the game safe through Nolan's first-time shot 14 minutes from
full-time. Speaking to West Ham TV, the manager was rightly happy with his
team's strong start to the new campaign. "It is a fantastic start, was great
entertainment from the fans and a really positive display by ourselves,"
said Big Sam. "In a game of football over 90 minutes we do many things but
the one thing we did do was dominate the game, dominate possession and
create chances. "I was delighted with Joe's goal but then Joe told me at the
end of the game that he should have had a hat-trick before half-time! I
wasn't really going to bring that up because we had done enough and we won
the game. We may talk about it later in the week, but it shows you his
disappointment. He said two of his easier chances were a header on the far
post from a cross from Jarvis and when he went one-on-one with the 'keeper
and he made the wrong decision by trying to chip him.
"We were probably a little disappointed it was only 1-0 at half-time, then
we had to work it out because Cardiff changed the way they played. Then we
lost a little bit of control in the second half, but defended the way we
know we can without the opposition creating any chances in that spell.
"Then, of course, we started playing out on the break a bit more and we came
up with a quality second goal. The ball into Maiga from Mark Noble and he
controls it, back into Stewart Downing, to Noble to Nolan and he puts it
into the back of the net as we all know he can do. That's him one in one
again and he got five in ten at the start of last season. "It was excellent
and just what we were looking for and at the defensive end we were so good,
Cardiff only had one shot on goal in the entire 90 minutes."
The manager said Saturday's display was the result of a pre-season that saw
his side not only play some great football, but also escape without
suffering any major injuries whatsoever. "I'm often pessimistic that a
decent pre-season can have an adverse effect on you, because that's what you
do as a manager, worry about everything," he explained, with half a smile on
his face. "Last season was horrendous. We got turned over in Germany and at
Ipswich and looked a million miles away from the Premier League. The lads
were scared that they were going to start the season and not be able to
cope, but we started with 14 points from the first eight games. "This
pre-season has been excellent. We have had no injuries and the players are
100 per cent fit physically and mentally, which meant that with the
abilities they have got, the capability to beat Cardiff. "If our fitness had
been worse than Cardiff's, it would have been a struggle because we'd have
faded away and they might have got back in the game, but that didn't happen
and our technical ability was far better than theirs', and hence we won the
game 2-0 comfortably."
Big Sam ended by praising the contribution of Modibo Maiga, who made his
first Barclays Premier League start since Tottenham Hotspur away on 25
November 2012. Maiga worked hard, led the line well, held the ball up and
put the Cardiff back four under pressure in the absence of the injured Andy
Carroll. "I've got to give a special mention to Modibo because I don't want
the West Ham fans going away thinking he hasn't made a massive contribution.
"While it wasn't flair in the same way Jarvis, Cole and Downing produced, he
held the ball up, led the line and put the centre-backs under pressure and
played a part in the second goal. "He's shown a bit of what he can do and
why we bought him from Sochaux last year. It was a very difficult season for
him last year and a difficult transition but he's had a full pre-season with
us and has started every game up front and that fitness level he has got to
has started to show us the ability he has got."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
U18s down Manchester United
WHUFC.com
Goals from Lewis Page and Jerry Amoo secured an opening day Barclays U18
Premier League success
18.08.2013
West Ham United started the Barclays U18 Premier League in outstanding
fashion with a 2-1 victory over Manchester United at Little Heath. Goals in
either half from Lewis Page and Jerry Amoo saw the Hammers clinch a superb
success on Saturday, with the Red Devils only finding the net through a
James Wilson penalty late on. Academy Director Tony Carr MBE, starting his
40th year of working with the Club's youngsters, spoke glowingly of the
player's' efforts. "I think Manchester United is a mouth-watering fixture
for every player and as a season opener we didn't need to motivate them in
any way, shape or form," he confirmed. "In the first half, we dominated the
game and pressed really hard and took control of the midfield. "We missed
two or three good chances but then, three minutes before half-time, Lewis
Page broke forward from the back, played a neat wall pass with Kieran
Bywater on the edge of the box and slotted the ball past the goalkeeper with
his right foot. "Our opening goal was a fitting reward and it was deserved
that we went in 1-0 up at half-time."
Carr and U18s manager Steve Potts warned their charges that Manchester
United would not lie down and to expect a sterner test after half-time. That
is exactly what transpired. "We told the boys to keep doing what they were
doing but to be aware that Manchester United might change their system and
come out all guns blazing," Carr continued. "For 20 minutes, they dominated
the game after the break, and it was like a keep-ball session at times, but
we didn't let them get in behind us or create any goalscoring opportunities.
"We worked our way back into the game and from one of several
counter-attacks we doubled our lead with about ten minutes to go. Our
right-back Kyle Knoyle put over a great cross and Jerry Amoo converted with
a fine volley."
Just when West Ham thought they had the game won, however, the visitors
struck from the spot to set up a nervous final few minutes. "We all thought
that was it after Jerry's goal, but they got a penalty when a shot hit Amos
Nasha on the arm as he turned and tried to block it. The penalty was
converted, which set up a nervy finish, but we held out for a well-deserved
win."
The U18s play their second Barclays U18 Premier League fixture of the season
on Saturday 24 August, when they head to Chelsea for an 11am kick-off at
Cobham.
West Ham United U18s: Nemrava, Knoyle, Page, Nasha, Burke, Onariase, Amoo,
Cullen (Makasi 72), Brown (Martins 90), Bywater, Mavila
Subs not used: Baxter, Harney, Parfitt-Williams
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Cole: 'It's a fantastic start'
WHUFC.com
Goalscorer and man of the match Joe Cole was thrilled with a perfect start
to the new season
18.08.2013
Joe Cole expects the Boleyn Ground to remain a fortress for West Ham United
this term, after the Hammers No26 helped the hosts to a comfortable 2-0
opening day Barclays Premier League success against Cardiff City. The
Academy graduate took just 13 minutes to open his account for the campaign,
collecting Matt Jarvis' cut-back, before firing home on the turn to give Sam
Allardyce's men the perfect start. The ever-reliable Kevin Nolan wrapped up
the points with quarter-of-an-hour to play, enough to convince the
31-year-old that Premier League sides are not likely to relish the prospect
of a trip to east London in the coming months. "Cardiff were going to be on
it, it's the biggest game of their lives, the club's first time in the top
flight for 50 years," he told West Ham TV. "So it was a fantastic
performance. I don't think anyone's going to enjoy coming here this year.
"It's perfect, the main thing is we got the three points. Stewart [Downing]
came on and looked great, I thought Modibo was excellent up front. It's a
fantastic start."
Speaking of his first-half strike, a first for the Club since February, Cole
is thrilled to be up and running in the goals department, while owing much
to the industry of fellow wideman Jarvis. He continued: "It was a good
finish. Jarvo has done fantastic for me. He gets his crosses in, he picked
me out, a little bit of movement and it was a good goal. And it's always
nice to get the first goal out of the way. "Jarvo's so sharp, strong, quick
and direct. We've got Stewart as well and I obviously give the lads a little
bit of something different. We've got a lot of options now for the manager.
Cole expects that strength in depth to serve the Hammers well this season,
with one eye already on the prospect of a cup run. "It's a long season. With
the squad we've got we can have a real go in the cups as well, which is
going to be important, because these fans deserve a good run in the cup and
maybe a trip to Wembley. I think we've got a strong squad now."
As for his own form, the skilful midfielder says there is still plenty more
to come, as he looks to get yet more minutes under his belt. "I was a bit
tired after 60 or 70 minutes, but that's understandable with all the nerves
going into the game. I'm looking now to get another game on Saturday, and
then Tuesday. The games are coming thick and fast and I'm looking forward to
it."
Next up for Cole and his colleagues is a trip to Newcastle United next
weekend, with the Hammers bidding to replicate last season's outstanding 1-0
success at St James' Park. "We want to improve on our away form and we need
to go to Newcastle and get something, that's for sure. We're going to work
on [our away form] this week. We need to do many of the same things, but
take our chances away from home, which is key. "
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham 2 Cardiff 0
17 August 2013
Last updated at 19:01
Joe Cole and Kevin Nolan scored in each half as West Ham United enjoyed a
comfortable win over Premier League new boys Cardiff City at Upton Park.
The Bluebirds did not manage a shot on target in their first appearance in
the top flight since 1962. Cole and Nolan showed the Welsh side what
finishing is all about at this level with two masterful strikes. Nicky
Maynard missed Cardiff's best chance late on, when he skewed his shot over
from six yards out. The absence of new £7.5m Danish striker Andreas
Cornelius through injury might explain Cardiff's lack of cutting edge but,
despite a summer of heavy investment - £9.5m Chile midfielder Gary Medel and
£8m England defender Steven Caulker both made their debuts - they still
found the step up from the Championship a tough one. The Hammers were
without their own star striker Andy Carroll, who was missing with a heel
problem, but it was another Liverpool old boy, Cole, who stole the limelight
with his superb early strike.
Matt Jarvis sent over a low cross from the left and Cole took a touch before
swivelling to expertly fire the ball past Cardiff keeper Andy Marshall and
into the opposite corner of the net. Cole had a chance to get his second
moments later when he left the visitors defence flat-footed but he wasted
the opportunity and tamely chipped his shot straight into the arms of
Marshall. Mohamed Diame saw his shot deflected inches wide as West Ham went
looking for more goals before the break, with Cardiff only managing two
long-distance efforts from Craig Bellamy and Kim Bo-Kyung in response. Both
were well off target. The pattern continued after the break. The Bluebirds
were competing well in midfield but, with Fraizer Campbell isolated up
front, they rarely looked capable of breaking down the Hammers defence. It
took until the 55th minute for Hammers keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen to be
called into meaningful action, when he tipped away a corner, and his only
save of note came from a Matthew Connolly header that was already looping
over when he helped it to safety.
West Ham's own threat had become more sporadic after the break but they
continued to create chances, with Diame and Jarvis both firing over before
Modibo Maiga forced Marshall into a fingertip save. While the score remained
at 1-0, the Bluebirds still had hope but that was ended 14 minutes from time
by West Ham captain Nolan. He emulated Cole with an equally astute finish,
sweeping home a first-time shot from 20 yards after good work from Mark
Noble. Only then did Cardiff begin to seriously threaten but, even then,
their efforts went astray. Former Hammers striker Maynard should have done
better from close range after coming off the bench, and Peter Whittingham,
whose set-pieces had been disappointing for most of the game, curled a
25-yard free-kick just wide in injury time.
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce: "We've done a great job today. Our time
spent in pre-season has stood us in good stead. We showed today that
physically and mentally we were 100 per cent ready for the Premier League.
"We won the came comfortably, perhaps not taking as many chances as we'd
have liked, but that doesn't matter now because it's a 2-0 victory and a
clean sheet. "They were two very good goals from Joe Cole and Kevin Nolan
and the team performed very, very well."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Allardyce on... Cardiff City
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 18th August 2013
By: staff writer
A happy Sam Allardyce reflects on the opening day win against Cardiff City
in his post-match press conference...
Sam: A nice comfortable win on the opening day of the season?
Yes, I think that we've done a great job today. Out time spent in pre-season
stood us in good stead. I asked players to return and start pre-season
[early so] by the time we got to August 17th they would be 100 per cent
physically and mentally ready for the start of the Premier League. We
certainly showed that today.
We won the game comfortably, we've perhaps not taken as many chances as we'd
liked to but that doesn't matter now. It's a 2-0 victory and a clean sheet.
They were two very good goals and the team performed very well - and when we
didn't have the edge over the opposition, we defended superbly well.
Looking at our board when we came off, Cardiff only had one shot on target
in the entire game, so we've done the job in and out of possession very well
today and scored two very good goals.
You must have been pleased with the cameo by new signing Stewart Downing
when he came on today? He made an immediate impact.
Well yes, for Stewart. There's no need to ask, "will he fit in or will he
prove himself?" - he doesn't have to do that, he's already proven. He's a
top quality Premier League player and has been for a number of years.
We didn't start him today because he is short of match time. Most of our
players had got 600 minutes on the pitch before we started; Stew is about
250, 260 - that's all. So we brought him on when Cardiff were tiring and the
spaces were getting a bit wider. Get him the ball and off he goes. It was
pretty exciting what he contributed. It's nice to see and he's glad to be
here; that's the most important thing.
His confidence must have gone through the roof - being wanted, being here
and being brought on like that?
Well he showed the crowd a little bit of what we hope we'll see throughout
the season, that's always going to excite everybody. But there's big
competition in those areas with Joe [Cole], Matt Jarvis and [Ricardo] Vaz
Te. There was competition all over the pitch today and there's some very
disappointed players on the bench.
There are two players who are even more disappointed. If those on the bench
are disappointed they should think of Matt Taylor and Jack Collison. The
contribution they've made over the last two years has been enormous but they
couldn't get a place on the bench today.
That gives me a very good squad, I think and a very healthy squad. That's
without George McCartney and Andy Carroll, so I think we've got a really
good squad. I'll have to manage the squad the best way I can, but
everybody's got to fight for their place now.
A diamond of a move from Joe Cole. They were defending very deep, But that's
what you get with Joe isn't it, that ability?
Absolutely, but he's been an England player, hasn't he. Timing his runs is
what Joe's all about. To have the opportunity to get a hat-trick in the
first 45 minutes... His hardest chance was the one he scored from, there's
no doubt about that. If he continues playing that way...
It's all that old adage about us playing one up front, which is a load of
old bull. Sometimes we play one up front when we're playing at Man United -
I must admit! [laughs] But most teams do, you know what I mean? But when
we're playing here we play with a front three and I think that was
abundantly clear today. Let's hope we continue at Newcastle next week and
pick more points up.
Is Andy Carroll likely to be fit for that one?
Nope. No he's not going to be fit for that.
Are you still expecting him to be out for a while?
Well he hasn't started training with us yet which is a major concern , but
we must praise Modibo Maiga for his contribution today leading the line and
we hope he continues to grow in that position for us - especially whilst
Andy is not with us because he's proven that, unlike last year where he
found it a bit of a struggle as he's had the whole of pre-season with us
he's made a big contribution today.
You'll be relying more on people like Joe and Kevin [Nolan] to score goals?
Yeah, we will - but I think the lad's got some goals in him and the more he
plays, the more opportunities he'll get and the more he'll score. Sharing it
about is what it's all about with us. We shared the goals out superbly last
year; Kevin got ten and I think Andy got eight and the rest of the lads got
ones and twos, which was a great help in getting us to tenth.
Is Kevin Nolan the best player you've ever signed?
I wouldn't say that with the world-classers I've had in my time. We've had
Jay Jay Okocha, Youri Djourkaeff, Fernando Hierro, Ivan Campo... They're a
little bit better than Kevin because they've won World Cups and European
Championships. But, Kevin is a Premier League goalscorer.
From 2001/02 he has been an outstanding, goalscoring midfield player - if
used in the right way. There was a spell or two where he wasn't, but
certainly with Bolton, Newcastle and with us he's always used the right way
and has always scored a huge amount of goals which is very difficult today
now some of the midfield goalscorers have passed by and there's probably
only Frank Lampard who scores more than him.
Just how tough is it for sides like Cardiff, looking to the rest of the
season?
You would want your first game in the Premier League at home, not away. When
we came up from the Championship we won more games away from home than at
home but last year in the Premier League it was a huge task for us to pick
up points. In the end I think we only won three games the entire season away
from home and only drew two or three as well. So it's a big task picking up
points away from home.
Your home form is what you need to get right if you want to stay in the
Premier League and I think that the Cardiff fans - with what he's bought and
the squad he's got will hopefully get the results they're looking for, but
certainly the test for them will be to not get too worried if they don't
start well. An example of that is Southampton last year. Nigel [Adkins]
eventually brought them through and pulled them out of the bottom three just
after Christmas - and his reward for that was the sack...
Do you still hope to bring in a striker?
No, I've no budget left. I've no money left.
What if you get a couple of players out?
I can't see that happening but we've no budget at the moment. Thank you.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Watching Ravel come of age
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 17th August 2013
By: David Hautzig
I think it was the reactions on the various Manchester United fan sites that
got my attention.
I had never heard of Ravel Morrison, so from my perspective way the hell
over here it was a nothing story in January during a relegated season. About
as noteworthy as a 1-0 win at Doncaster. But as I perused the various levels
of fury directed at Man U for selling us this kid, I started to realise this
was not a simple transfer.
We all know about his many transgressions. For all of his talent, I wasn't
at all surprised that Man U and Fergie threw up their hands and said "Done".
When you are as rich and powerful as Manchester United you do not need to
wait for any player to overcome the kind of personal problems Ravel Morrison
had.
Why should they? They have bushels of young talent that have not terrorised
a witness in a criminal proceeding. Do multi-millionaires fix their broken
high definition plasma televisions? Hell no. They send one of their minions
to the store to buy a new one. And if you listened to Sir Alex and others at
the club you would have thought they were parents that had gone through a
lot of grief raising a bad kid and decided they had enough.
Yet in an article written by Daniel Taylor for The Guardian in January, 2012
about his court appearance, the club was not painted in a very flattering
light. "What Man United would rather not come out is that, in court, the
district judge questioned whether the club were giving him the right care.
Her view was that they may not be".
He went on, pointing out that nobody from the club accompanied him to court
that day. "Nobody from Manchester United was with him and it struck me as
strange given the way the club usually operate. Sir Alex Ferguson might
ordinarily have been expected to make an appearance, or at least send in a
character reference. But Morrison was alone, bar his solicitor".
I'm a white guy, born and raised in a pretty good Manhattan neighborhood. I
will never pretend to know what it's like to be black. I've heard stories
from black friends, and it doesn't take a genius to figure out it isn't that
easy at times. This anecdote comes to mind.
A friend of mine was shopping at a swanky department store at a shopping
mall in New Jersey. He made crazy money then, so buying a sweater for $750
was like me buying one for $50. Apparently the saleswoman at the store
didn't think so, and as soon as my friend left the store she called the bank
that issued his credit card and reported it as stolen.
He found out the next night while trying to pay for dinner with an important
client that his card had been cancelled. He rightfully went ballistic when
he found out what happened. No, he didn't threaten anyone or grab the
saleswoman's cell phone and throw it out a window. He had the self control
to handle it in a civilised manner. He got a pretty sizable gift certificate
and an apology. He used to certificate, and never shopped there again.
As I've followed pre-season, I'm sure I'm like many of you in that the
newfound maturity of Ravel Morrison is THE story. And here is where I was
hoping to be able to pretend to be a journalist for a few seconds. I sent an
email to Andy Walker of Birmingham City Football Club, who handles their
media relations. I told him who I was, and said if Ravel does make it the
credit will need to go to Lee Clark and the rest of the crew at BCFC.
I have two kids, and every now and then I see something from them in every
day life that opens my eyes. Like they suddenly took a step forward. I
wondered if the manager, or even one of the backroom staff, could recall
such a moment with Ravel? Where they saw the angry kid change into what he
seems to be heading towards.
Andy was kind enough to reply, saying he would ask and hope for something to
send back. I guess trying to gain promotion to the richest league in the
world is more important to them than helping me with this article. I got
nothing.
One guy that does have experience helping talented but troubled young
footballers is Kevin Nolan. I had a gut feeling that Sam would have a chat
with Nolan, and he in turn would work with Morrison both on and off the
pitch. "He has grown up and I think he has come back with a renewed
approach. I am going to help him as much as I can by talking to him on and
off the pitch. Last year it was all the off-field stuff and his mental
attitude to the game. He let himself down with not turning up and things
like that," Nolan told The Daily Star.
None of us have a crystal ball. But I have a hunch that we have a gem on our
hands. I am more excited about watching this kid play and blossom than
anything else this year.
Ravel, I'm really pleased for you. Good luck.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce delighted with West Ham's victory over Cardiff on opening day
Last Updated: August 17, 2013 6:53pm
SSN
Sam Allardyce admits he could not have asked for anything more from his West
Ham United side as they opened the 2013/14 season with victory over Cardiff
City. The Hammers dominated proceedings from the off against newly-promoted
opposition and were full value for a 2-0 success. Joe Cole and Kevin Nolan
did the damage in the final third, while a resolute back line was rarely
troubled by the toothless Bluebirds. Allardyce is delighted to be up and
running in such comfortable fashion, but admits he is unlikely to be able to
build on a bright start by dipping back into the transfer market before the
summer window closes.
He told Sky Sports: "From our point of view, we started the game very well
indeed and the one thing we were looking for was: are we going to score, are
we going to take advantage of this very good start? The quality and ability
of first Matt Jarvis' cross and then the ability of Joe Cole in the box -
not an easy chance to take the ball behind him, touch, swivel and put it in
the bottom corner.
"In fact, Joe is disappointed he didn't get a hat-trick today because he got
a fantastic free header at the far post off another Jarvis cross and then he
got the one-on-one, where instead of slotting it into the back of the net he
tried to chip the goalkeeper. "All of those chances came in the first half,
so 1-0 was fine but really it should have been more than that. "Cardiff had
a bit of a spell just after half-time, we sat in and defended very well
because for the entire game they have only had one shot on target. Breaking
out from there, Kevin Nolan pops up to ease all of the nerves for us. "It
was a good day, a really good day, and everybody has come off feeling great.
I don't think there are any injuries either, which is a big part for us and
very important for us. We can look forward to Newcastle away next week with
confidence now."
Pressed on whether the performance against Cardiff suggests West Ham should
be confident of building on last season's 10th place finish in the Premier
League, Allardyce added: "Not at the moment because we have to calculate how
everybody else is going to spend between now and the end of the window.
"You look at Cardiff, they have spent something like £26-28m, is that going
to continue before the window shuts? Who else is going to go out and buy
more players? "We certainly aren't in a position at the moment, we've spent
our budget, so we are where we are and we are the squad we are at the
moment. That was more than good enough today."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce insists Cardiff must not panic
Last Updated: August 18, 2013 3:21pm
SSN
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce believes Cardiff must stay calm if they endure a
troubled start to their Premier League campaign. Cardiff have spent almost
£30m in the transfer market this summer but failed to trouble goalkeeper
Jussi Jaaskelainen at any point as West Ham coasted to a 2-0 victory at
Upton Park on Saturday. Allardyce reckons Southampton have set the benchmark
with their recovery last season, and that Cardiff boss Malky Mackay should
take heart from that. "With the squad Cardiff have they'll hopefully get the
results they're looking for. The challenge for them will be not getting too
worried if they don't start well," said Allardyce. "The example of that is
Southampton last season. Nigel Adkins eventually pulled them out of the
bottom three superbly well. And his reward for that was the sack. "If it's
to be your first game in the Premier League, you'd want it at home, not
away. "When we came up from the Championship we'd won more games away from
home, but last season in the Premier League it was a huge task to pick up
points away. "Your home form is what you need to get right to stay in the
Premier League."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Premier League: Cardiff fluff their lines in 2-0 defeat to West Ham
Last Updated: August 17, 2013 7:52pm
SSN
Cardiff City's first top-flight outing in 51 years ended in defeat, with
West Ham United collecting a comfortable 2-0 victory at Upton Park. The
Bluebirds rather fluffed their lines on their Premier League bow, with Jole
Cole and Kevin Nolan offering an opening day reminder to former Hammer Malky
Mackay of how difficult life among the elite can be.
Best of the match
Man of the match: Mohamed Diame. A typically all action display from the
West Ham midfielder who was at the centre of just about everything.
Goal of the match: Joe Cole's opener saw him show a neat first touch and
killer instincts as he twisted inside the box to drill home a low finish.
Moment of the match: Stewart Downing looked lively following his
introduction off the bench and could be some signing for West Ham.
Talking point: Can West Ham better their 10th place finish from last season
in 2013/14? What does the future hold for Cardiff?
It took just 13 minutes for Cardiff's backline to be breached, as they
struggled to get out of the blocks and offered little in terms of attacking
threat. Matt Jarvis fired over a low cross from the left which Cole was able
to gather 12 yards from goal, spin and arrow a drive into the bottom corner.
The Hammers barely got out of first gear during the second half, but doubled
their lead on 76 minutes when Mark Noble teed up Nolan to whip a first-time
effort past David Marshall.
Coasting
West Ham were coasting until the interval after creating several good
chances that were wasted by Cole, Jarvis and Mohamed Diame. Two of them were
heavily involved early on, Jarvis floating a clever cross to the far post
only for Cole to produce a poor header as the hosts failed to make the most
of a promising start that saw the trickery of Modibo Maiga cause problems.
Maiga helped set up a chance for Jarvis that was spoilt by the winger's poor
first touch and Cardiff staged a counter attack that ended with Kim Bo-kyung
driving high and wide over the crossbar. West Ham v Cardiff - AllardyceSam
Allardyce shares his thoughts on West Ham's game against Cardiff. Kim had
Craig Bellamy in support and the South Korean was scalded by his captain for
declining to pass. Play quickly swept to the other end as West Ham plundered
their first goal by capitalising on some indecisive defending. Jarvis, who
was proving a handful down the left, sent a pass across the face of goal to
Cole who controlled the ball, turned and stabbed it into the bottom-right
corner. With just goalkeeper Marshall to beat, Cole would have had a second
after being played in by a beautiful pass but his control deserted him.
Diame was becoming increasingly influential and Cardiff were relieved when
his shot, which deflected off struggling full-back Matt Connolly, crept
around the right post.
Frantic
Cardiff made a bright start to the second half, with Fraizer Campbell
prominent and a frantic goalmouth scramble ensued with West Ham prevailing
through sheer weight of numbers. Mackay - we weren't clinicalSpeaking after
Cardiff's 2-0 loss to West Ham, Malky Mackay says that his Cardiff side were
not clinical enough in front of goal. The match was evenly balanced now as
it swept from end to end, Cole again undermined by his control as he took
sight of goal.
Once more Cardiff were skating on thin ice as Marshall almost pushed a pass
to Maiga into the path of Nolan. Stewart Downing arrived for his West Ham
debut with 20 minutes left and he soon injected life into an increasingly
lethargic home side by dashing forward with the ball. He then teed up Nolan
at the far post only for Ben Turner to intervene at the critical moment. The
Hammers finally produced their second with 15 minutes remaining when Noble
launched a crafty run along the edge of the area before finding Nolan who
expertly swept the ball into the net. Cardiff substitute Nicky Maynard
almost pulled a late goal back for the visitors, but he scooped his shot
over the bar from close range after coming under pressure from James
Collins.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham's Downing "absolute bargain" beams James Collins after £6m winger's
debut
18 Aug 2013 22:30
The Mirror
James Collins reckons West Ham have got "an absolute bargain" in Stewart
Downing – and the new competition in their squad will drive them up the
table.
Sam Allardyce saw his Hammers coast to a 2-0 victory over stage-struck
Cardiff without starting any of his five summer signings. Andy Carroll will
return in a fortnight, while England winger Downing gave a sprightly cameo
performance from the bench four days after joining from Liverpool. And
Collins believed his former Villa team-mate is seriously under-priced at
only £6million. "He looked very sharp," said the Hammers' Wales defender.
"He's got loads of England caps so we've got a great signing there. I think
we have got an absolute bargain. A couple of years ago at Villa he was
tearing defences to pieces. "Obviously it didn't go well at Liverpool but
hopefully we can get him firing. "He and Andy Carroll played together at
Liverpool and they get on well off the pitch. I think they are both from the
North East so they have that certain understanding."
This strength and depth means goal-scorer Joe Cole and the outstanding Matt
Jarvis are now no longer certain of their places. Modibo Maiga worked
tirelessly up front, while Romanian Razvan Rat is ready to come into the
defence. "The competition is a good thing – that is where we have moved on
from last year," Collins insisted. "You have always got someone right up
behind you wanting to take your place. If you don't play well, you are going
to be out of the team. It keeps you on the ball knowing there is competition
behind you."
West Ham finished 10th on 46 points on their Premier League return last
season – and Allardyce has set a target of "about 50 points" this time.
"That would be brilliant for us," he said. "We're improving the side by
spending money so, for the second year in, it's as good a side as I've had."
Cardiff will need to defend better to emulate West Ham's achievement of
staying up as a newly-promoted side last season. Joe Cole was given room in
the box to turn and shoot for the 13th-minute opener while the Hammers
retained the ball too easily before unmarked Kevin Nolan swept home after 76
minutes. Collins, who played in the Third Division during his seven years at
Cardiff, reckoned his former club were overawed by the atmosphere at Upton
Park. "I haven't heard our fans like that before a game for years and I am
sure they put the frighteners up a few of them," he added.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
Hammers legend Billy Bonds MBE received his Lifetime Achievement Award ahead
of the win over Cardiff City
18.08.2013
West Ham United legend Billy Bonds MBE was honoured ahead of Saturday's 2-0
Barclays Premier League victory over Cardiff City. The Hammers' all-time
record appearance maker was presented with the Club's inaugural Lifetime
Achievement Award by Joint-Chairman David Gold and manager Sam Allardyce.
The Boleyn Ground faithful marked the occasion with a deafening wall of
noise for the man who lifted the FA Cup twice for West Ham in 1975 and 1980,
was voted Hammer of the Year four times and made an amazing 793 appearances
between 1967 and 1988. Prior to the great man's arrival, a video featuring
highlights of Bonds' unique career in claret and blue was met with applause
and cheers usually associated with a last-minute winner being scored! Now
66, Bonds was visibly moved by the reception he received from the supporters
who idolised him during his playing career and later as youth coach and
manager between 1990 and 1994. The former defender and midfielder was joined
in E13 by members of his family, who enjoyed watching him being given an
amazing reception, while also taking the opportunity to have their
photographs taken pitchside and in Big Sam's dugout seat. The manager, who
came up against Bonds himself during his playing days, said Bonds' presence
had given the whole stadium a lift and inspired West Ham to victory over
Cardiff. "For me, seeing Billy Bonds here was a bit special," said Big Sam.
"The reception that he got for the loyalty he showed to the Club and the
fans' appreciation for that was magnificent. "Of course the reception the
lads got when they went out on the field lifted the players. We hadn't heard
that noise since we beat Reading on the final day of last season and that
got the players' hairs on the back of their necks standing on end and the
best out of them, particularly in the first half. It was a great victory for
us."
Bonds initially received his Lifetime Achievement Award at the Player Awards
in May.
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Hammers get off to winning start
WHUFC.com
Goals from Joe Cole and Kevin Nolan fired West Ham United to victory over
Cardiff City on Saturday
17.08.2013
West Ham United 2-0 Cardiff City
Barclays Premier League
West Ham United got the 2013/14 Barclays Premier League campaign off to a
winning start as goals in each half from Joe Cole and Kevin Nolan saw off
the challenge of newly-promoted Cardiff City at the Boleyn Ground. Any
momentum the Championship winners may have carried into the opening game of
the new season was quashed by Cole's 13th minute opener, as he produced an
accurate finish following a Matt Jarvis burst down the left. Nolan's strike
14 minutes from the end confirmed victory, as he matched his first day goal
from last year with a right-footed shot from 15 yards. Cardiff were rarely
able to build a head of steam to seriously threaten their hosts and the
sell-out 34,977 crowd were able to celebrate the perfect beginning to the
new season. The anticipation inside the Boleyn Ground was palpable as
Bubbles rung round the stadium for the first time since May, although it was
Cardiff who had the first real opportunity of the afternoon when they broke
quickly on the Hammers defence with ten minutes on the clock.
Kim Bo-Kyung had acres of space to advance into, and with James Collins and
Winston Reid backing off, forced in part by Fraizer Campbell's menacing run,
the Korean was able to take the shot on from outside the box. He could not
hit the target, however, and West Ham breathed a sigh of relief. That sigh
turned to cheers three minutes later as the home side swept into the lead.
Matt Jarvis was the goal's architect, getting the better of Matt Connolly
down the left before cutting a low cross back for Cole to stop dead with his
first touch, swivel and knock into the bottom right hand corner with his
second. It was the perfect start to the game for the Hammers and it could
have got better on 20 minutes when Cole found himself in the clear on the
edge of the box. With goalkeeper David Marshall off his line, a chipped
effort appeared on, but the West Ham man could only guide the ball into the
stopper's hands.
Eight minutes before the interval it was West Ham's turn to threaten again
as Mohamed Diame cut in from the left and unleashed a right-footed shot
which flew off Connolly's chest and looked destined to beat a helpless
Marshall inside his left hand post, but just deviated in its flight to pass
wide. Cardiff had barely managed to breach the Hammers backline to enter the
danger area, although Nolan did show good awareness to charge out from the
edge of the box and block a Fraizer Campbell effort.
As the second half started West Ham would have believed a cushion of a
second would prove sufficient to go on to claim the points. Jarvis looked to
provide it when Mark Noble's fine diagonal ball picked out Jarvis. He looked
to run at his man and enter the box, and with no support forthcoming, went
for the shot himself, which flew wide.
Cardiff were beginning to enjoy a little more territory but they could not
make anything of it, and manager Malky Mackay summed up their frustrations
with his reaction to Peter Whittingham's wasteful 25-yard shot, which was
dragged well wide of the mark. Just after the hour, they were reliant on a
fine save from Marshall for keeping them in it, as he got down brilliantly
to his left to tip Modibo Maiga's angled drive around the post. Fourteen
minutes from the end, however, he was powerless to prevent Nolan from
sealing victory, as last year's top goalscorer opened his account for
2013/14 with a swept finish into the top left hand corner after Noble used
Maiga's decoy run to cleverly advance into the box and lay off to the
skipper. Nicky Maynard fired over from close range as Cardiff looked to set
up a grandstand finish, but West Ham had done more than enough to ensure a
fruitful start to the campaign,
West Ham United: Jaaskelainen; Demel, Collins, Reid, O'Brien; Diame (Diarra
82), Noble, Nolan; Cole (Vaz Te 90), Maiga, Jarvis (Downing 71)
Subs: Adrian (GK), Tomkins, Rat, Morrison
Goals: Cole 13, Nolan 76
Cardiff City: Marshall; Connolly, Caulker, Turner, John; Gunnarsson, Medel;
Bellamy (Gestede 74), Bo-Kyung (Maynard 74), Whittingham; Campbell (Mutch
90)
Subs: Lewis (GK), Hudson, Smith, Cowie
Booked: Connolly
Attendance: 34,977
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Big Sam delighted with Cardiff victory
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce lauded West Ham United's 2-0 opening day Barclays Premier
League win over Cardiff City
17.08.2013
Sam Allardyce was brimming with pride after West Ham United started the
2013/14 Barclays Premier League campaign with a 2-0 home win over Cardiff
City.
The Hammers defeated the Championship title winners for the fourth match in
succession thanks to a goal in either half from Joe Cole and Kevin Nolan.
After bossing a first half highlighted by Cole's smartly taken turn and
finish on 13 minutes, Big Sam's side weathered a spell of Cardiff pressure
before making the game safe through Nolan's first-time shot 14 minutes from
full-time. Speaking to West Ham TV, the manager was rightly happy with his
team's strong start to the new campaign. "It is a fantastic start, was great
entertainment from the fans and a really positive display by ourselves,"
said Big Sam. "In a game of football over 90 minutes we do many things but
the one thing we did do was dominate the game, dominate possession and
create chances. "I was delighted with Joe's goal but then Joe told me at the
end of the game that he should have had a hat-trick before half-time! I
wasn't really going to bring that up because we had done enough and we won
the game. We may talk about it later in the week, but it shows you his
disappointment. He said two of his easier chances were a header on the far
post from a cross from Jarvis and when he went one-on-one with the 'keeper
and he made the wrong decision by trying to chip him.
"We were probably a little disappointed it was only 1-0 at half-time, then
we had to work it out because Cardiff changed the way they played. Then we
lost a little bit of control in the second half, but defended the way we
know we can without the opposition creating any chances in that spell.
"Then, of course, we started playing out on the break a bit more and we came
up with a quality second goal. The ball into Maiga from Mark Noble and he
controls it, back into Stewart Downing, to Noble to Nolan and he puts it
into the back of the net as we all know he can do. That's him one in one
again and he got five in ten at the start of last season. "It was excellent
and just what we were looking for and at the defensive end we were so good,
Cardiff only had one shot on goal in the entire 90 minutes."
The manager said Saturday's display was the result of a pre-season that saw
his side not only play some great football, but also escape without
suffering any major injuries whatsoever. "I'm often pessimistic that a
decent pre-season can have an adverse effect on you, because that's what you
do as a manager, worry about everything," he explained, with half a smile on
his face. "Last season was horrendous. We got turned over in Germany and at
Ipswich and looked a million miles away from the Premier League. The lads
were scared that they were going to start the season and not be able to
cope, but we started with 14 points from the first eight games. "This
pre-season has been excellent. We have had no injuries and the players are
100 per cent fit physically and mentally, which meant that with the
abilities they have got, the capability to beat Cardiff. "If our fitness had
been worse than Cardiff's, it would have been a struggle because we'd have
faded away and they might have got back in the game, but that didn't happen
and our technical ability was far better than theirs', and hence we won the
game 2-0 comfortably."
Big Sam ended by praising the contribution of Modibo Maiga, who made his
first Barclays Premier League start since Tottenham Hotspur away on 25
November 2012. Maiga worked hard, led the line well, held the ball up and
put the Cardiff back four under pressure in the absence of the injured Andy
Carroll. "I've got to give a special mention to Modibo because I don't want
the West Ham fans going away thinking he hasn't made a massive contribution.
"While it wasn't flair in the same way Jarvis, Cole and Downing produced, he
held the ball up, led the line and put the centre-backs under pressure and
played a part in the second goal. "He's shown a bit of what he can do and
why we bought him from Sochaux last year. It was a very difficult season for
him last year and a difficult transition but he's had a full pre-season with
us and has started every game up front and that fitness level he has got to
has started to show us the ability he has got."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
U18s down Manchester United
WHUFC.com
Goals from Lewis Page and Jerry Amoo secured an opening day Barclays U18
Premier League success
18.08.2013
West Ham United started the Barclays U18 Premier League in outstanding
fashion with a 2-1 victory over Manchester United at Little Heath. Goals in
either half from Lewis Page and Jerry Amoo saw the Hammers clinch a superb
success on Saturday, with the Red Devils only finding the net through a
James Wilson penalty late on. Academy Director Tony Carr MBE, starting his
40th year of working with the Club's youngsters, spoke glowingly of the
player's' efforts. "I think Manchester United is a mouth-watering fixture
for every player and as a season opener we didn't need to motivate them in
any way, shape or form," he confirmed. "In the first half, we dominated the
game and pressed really hard and took control of the midfield. "We missed
two or three good chances but then, three minutes before half-time, Lewis
Page broke forward from the back, played a neat wall pass with Kieran
Bywater on the edge of the box and slotted the ball past the goalkeeper with
his right foot. "Our opening goal was a fitting reward and it was deserved
that we went in 1-0 up at half-time."
Carr and U18s manager Steve Potts warned their charges that Manchester
United would not lie down and to expect a sterner test after half-time. That
is exactly what transpired. "We told the boys to keep doing what they were
doing but to be aware that Manchester United might change their system and
come out all guns blazing," Carr continued. "For 20 minutes, they dominated
the game after the break, and it was like a keep-ball session at times, but
we didn't let them get in behind us or create any goalscoring opportunities.
"We worked our way back into the game and from one of several
counter-attacks we doubled our lead with about ten minutes to go. Our
right-back Kyle Knoyle put over a great cross and Jerry Amoo converted with
a fine volley."
Just when West Ham thought they had the game won, however, the visitors
struck from the spot to set up a nervous final few minutes. "We all thought
that was it after Jerry's goal, but they got a penalty when a shot hit Amos
Nasha on the arm as he turned and tried to block it. The penalty was
converted, which set up a nervy finish, but we held out for a well-deserved
win."
The U18s play their second Barclays U18 Premier League fixture of the season
on Saturday 24 August, when they head to Chelsea for an 11am kick-off at
Cobham.
West Ham United U18s: Nemrava, Knoyle, Page, Nasha, Burke, Onariase, Amoo,
Cullen (Makasi 72), Brown (Martins 90), Bywater, Mavila
Subs not used: Baxter, Harney, Parfitt-Williams
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Cole: 'It's a fantastic start'
WHUFC.com
Goalscorer and man of the match Joe Cole was thrilled with a perfect start
to the new season
18.08.2013
Joe Cole expects the Boleyn Ground to remain a fortress for West Ham United
this term, after the Hammers No26 helped the hosts to a comfortable 2-0
opening day Barclays Premier League success against Cardiff City. The
Academy graduate took just 13 minutes to open his account for the campaign,
collecting Matt Jarvis' cut-back, before firing home on the turn to give Sam
Allardyce's men the perfect start. The ever-reliable Kevin Nolan wrapped up
the points with quarter-of-an-hour to play, enough to convince the
31-year-old that Premier League sides are not likely to relish the prospect
of a trip to east London in the coming months. "Cardiff were going to be on
it, it's the biggest game of their lives, the club's first time in the top
flight for 50 years," he told West Ham TV. "So it was a fantastic
performance. I don't think anyone's going to enjoy coming here this year.
"It's perfect, the main thing is we got the three points. Stewart [Downing]
came on and looked great, I thought Modibo was excellent up front. It's a
fantastic start."
Speaking of his first-half strike, a first for the Club since February, Cole
is thrilled to be up and running in the goals department, while owing much
to the industry of fellow wideman Jarvis. He continued: "It was a good
finish. Jarvo has done fantastic for me. He gets his crosses in, he picked
me out, a little bit of movement and it was a good goal. And it's always
nice to get the first goal out of the way. "Jarvo's so sharp, strong, quick
and direct. We've got Stewart as well and I obviously give the lads a little
bit of something different. We've got a lot of options now for the manager.
Cole expects that strength in depth to serve the Hammers well this season,
with one eye already on the prospect of a cup run. "It's a long season. With
the squad we've got we can have a real go in the cups as well, which is
going to be important, because these fans deserve a good run in the cup and
maybe a trip to Wembley. I think we've got a strong squad now."
As for his own form, the skilful midfielder says there is still plenty more
to come, as he looks to get yet more minutes under his belt. "I was a bit
tired after 60 or 70 minutes, but that's understandable with all the nerves
going into the game. I'm looking now to get another game on Saturday, and
then Tuesday. The games are coming thick and fast and I'm looking forward to
it."
Next up for Cole and his colleagues is a trip to Newcastle United next
weekend, with the Hammers bidding to replicate last season's outstanding 1-0
success at St James' Park. "We want to improve on our away form and we need
to go to Newcastle and get something, that's for sure. We're going to work
on [our away form] this week. We need to do many of the same things, but
take our chances away from home, which is key. "
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham 2 Cardiff 0
17 August 2013
Last updated at 19:01
Joe Cole and Kevin Nolan scored in each half as West Ham United enjoyed a
comfortable win over Premier League new boys Cardiff City at Upton Park.
The Bluebirds did not manage a shot on target in their first appearance in
the top flight since 1962. Cole and Nolan showed the Welsh side what
finishing is all about at this level with two masterful strikes. Nicky
Maynard missed Cardiff's best chance late on, when he skewed his shot over
from six yards out. The absence of new £7.5m Danish striker Andreas
Cornelius through injury might explain Cardiff's lack of cutting edge but,
despite a summer of heavy investment - £9.5m Chile midfielder Gary Medel and
£8m England defender Steven Caulker both made their debuts - they still
found the step up from the Championship a tough one. The Hammers were
without their own star striker Andy Carroll, who was missing with a heel
problem, but it was another Liverpool old boy, Cole, who stole the limelight
with his superb early strike.
Matt Jarvis sent over a low cross from the left and Cole took a touch before
swivelling to expertly fire the ball past Cardiff keeper Andy Marshall and
into the opposite corner of the net. Cole had a chance to get his second
moments later when he left the visitors defence flat-footed but he wasted
the opportunity and tamely chipped his shot straight into the arms of
Marshall. Mohamed Diame saw his shot deflected inches wide as West Ham went
looking for more goals before the break, with Cardiff only managing two
long-distance efforts from Craig Bellamy and Kim Bo-Kyung in response. Both
were well off target. The pattern continued after the break. The Bluebirds
were competing well in midfield but, with Fraizer Campbell isolated up
front, they rarely looked capable of breaking down the Hammers defence. It
took until the 55th minute for Hammers keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen to be
called into meaningful action, when he tipped away a corner, and his only
save of note came from a Matthew Connolly header that was already looping
over when he helped it to safety.
West Ham's own threat had become more sporadic after the break but they
continued to create chances, with Diame and Jarvis both firing over before
Modibo Maiga forced Marshall into a fingertip save. While the score remained
at 1-0, the Bluebirds still had hope but that was ended 14 minutes from time
by West Ham captain Nolan. He emulated Cole with an equally astute finish,
sweeping home a first-time shot from 20 yards after good work from Mark
Noble. Only then did Cardiff begin to seriously threaten but, even then,
their efforts went astray. Former Hammers striker Maynard should have done
better from close range after coming off the bench, and Peter Whittingham,
whose set-pieces had been disappointing for most of the game, curled a
25-yard free-kick just wide in injury time.
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce: "We've done a great job today. Our time
spent in pre-season has stood us in good stead. We showed today that
physically and mentally we were 100 per cent ready for the Premier League.
"We won the came comfortably, perhaps not taking as many chances as we'd
have liked, but that doesn't matter now because it's a 2-0 victory and a
clean sheet. "They were two very good goals from Joe Cole and Kevin Nolan
and the team performed very, very well."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Allardyce on... Cardiff City
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 18th August 2013
By: staff writer
A happy Sam Allardyce reflects on the opening day win against Cardiff City
in his post-match press conference...
Sam: A nice comfortable win on the opening day of the season?
Yes, I think that we've done a great job today. Out time spent in pre-season
stood us in good stead. I asked players to return and start pre-season
[early so] by the time we got to August 17th they would be 100 per cent
physically and mentally ready for the start of the Premier League. We
certainly showed that today.
We won the game comfortably, we've perhaps not taken as many chances as we'd
liked to but that doesn't matter now. It's a 2-0 victory and a clean sheet.
They were two very good goals and the team performed very well - and when we
didn't have the edge over the opposition, we defended superbly well.
Looking at our board when we came off, Cardiff only had one shot on target
in the entire game, so we've done the job in and out of possession very well
today and scored two very good goals.
You must have been pleased with the cameo by new signing Stewart Downing
when he came on today? He made an immediate impact.
Well yes, for Stewart. There's no need to ask, "will he fit in or will he
prove himself?" - he doesn't have to do that, he's already proven. He's a
top quality Premier League player and has been for a number of years.
We didn't start him today because he is short of match time. Most of our
players had got 600 minutes on the pitch before we started; Stew is about
250, 260 - that's all. So we brought him on when Cardiff were tiring and the
spaces were getting a bit wider. Get him the ball and off he goes. It was
pretty exciting what he contributed. It's nice to see and he's glad to be
here; that's the most important thing.
His confidence must have gone through the roof - being wanted, being here
and being brought on like that?
Well he showed the crowd a little bit of what we hope we'll see throughout
the season, that's always going to excite everybody. But there's big
competition in those areas with Joe [Cole], Matt Jarvis and [Ricardo] Vaz
Te. There was competition all over the pitch today and there's some very
disappointed players on the bench.
There are two players who are even more disappointed. If those on the bench
are disappointed they should think of Matt Taylor and Jack Collison. The
contribution they've made over the last two years has been enormous but they
couldn't get a place on the bench today.
That gives me a very good squad, I think and a very healthy squad. That's
without George McCartney and Andy Carroll, so I think we've got a really
good squad. I'll have to manage the squad the best way I can, but
everybody's got to fight for their place now.
A diamond of a move from Joe Cole. They were defending very deep, But that's
what you get with Joe isn't it, that ability?
Absolutely, but he's been an England player, hasn't he. Timing his runs is
what Joe's all about. To have the opportunity to get a hat-trick in the
first 45 minutes... His hardest chance was the one he scored from, there's
no doubt about that. If he continues playing that way...
It's all that old adage about us playing one up front, which is a load of
old bull. Sometimes we play one up front when we're playing at Man United -
I must admit! [laughs] But most teams do, you know what I mean? But when
we're playing here we play with a front three and I think that was
abundantly clear today. Let's hope we continue at Newcastle next week and
pick more points up.
Is Andy Carroll likely to be fit for that one?
Nope. No he's not going to be fit for that.
Are you still expecting him to be out for a while?
Well he hasn't started training with us yet which is a major concern , but
we must praise Modibo Maiga for his contribution today leading the line and
we hope he continues to grow in that position for us - especially whilst
Andy is not with us because he's proven that, unlike last year where he
found it a bit of a struggle as he's had the whole of pre-season with us
he's made a big contribution today.
You'll be relying more on people like Joe and Kevin [Nolan] to score goals?
Yeah, we will - but I think the lad's got some goals in him and the more he
plays, the more opportunities he'll get and the more he'll score. Sharing it
about is what it's all about with us. We shared the goals out superbly last
year; Kevin got ten and I think Andy got eight and the rest of the lads got
ones and twos, which was a great help in getting us to tenth.
Is Kevin Nolan the best player you've ever signed?
I wouldn't say that with the world-classers I've had in my time. We've had
Jay Jay Okocha, Youri Djourkaeff, Fernando Hierro, Ivan Campo... They're a
little bit better than Kevin because they've won World Cups and European
Championships. But, Kevin is a Premier League goalscorer.
From 2001/02 he has been an outstanding, goalscoring midfield player - if
used in the right way. There was a spell or two where he wasn't, but
certainly with Bolton, Newcastle and with us he's always used the right way
and has always scored a huge amount of goals which is very difficult today
now some of the midfield goalscorers have passed by and there's probably
only Frank Lampard who scores more than him.
Just how tough is it for sides like Cardiff, looking to the rest of the
season?
You would want your first game in the Premier League at home, not away. When
we came up from the Championship we won more games away from home than at
home but last year in the Premier League it was a huge task for us to pick
up points. In the end I think we only won three games the entire season away
from home and only drew two or three as well. So it's a big task picking up
points away from home.
Your home form is what you need to get right if you want to stay in the
Premier League and I think that the Cardiff fans - with what he's bought and
the squad he's got will hopefully get the results they're looking for, but
certainly the test for them will be to not get too worried if they don't
start well. An example of that is Southampton last year. Nigel [Adkins]
eventually brought them through and pulled them out of the bottom three just
after Christmas - and his reward for that was the sack...
Do you still hope to bring in a striker?
No, I've no budget left. I've no money left.
What if you get a couple of players out?
I can't see that happening but we've no budget at the moment. Thank you.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Watching Ravel come of age
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 17th August 2013
By: David Hautzig
I think it was the reactions on the various Manchester United fan sites that
got my attention.
I had never heard of Ravel Morrison, so from my perspective way the hell
over here it was a nothing story in January during a relegated season. About
as noteworthy as a 1-0 win at Doncaster. But as I perused the various levels
of fury directed at Man U for selling us this kid, I started to realise this
was not a simple transfer.
We all know about his many transgressions. For all of his talent, I wasn't
at all surprised that Man U and Fergie threw up their hands and said "Done".
When you are as rich and powerful as Manchester United you do not need to
wait for any player to overcome the kind of personal problems Ravel Morrison
had.
Why should they? They have bushels of young talent that have not terrorised
a witness in a criminal proceeding. Do multi-millionaires fix their broken
high definition plasma televisions? Hell no. They send one of their minions
to the store to buy a new one. And if you listened to Sir Alex and others at
the club you would have thought they were parents that had gone through a
lot of grief raising a bad kid and decided they had enough.
Yet in an article written by Daniel Taylor for The Guardian in January, 2012
about his court appearance, the club was not painted in a very flattering
light. "What Man United would rather not come out is that, in court, the
district judge questioned whether the club were giving him the right care.
Her view was that they may not be".
He went on, pointing out that nobody from the club accompanied him to court
that day. "Nobody from Manchester United was with him and it struck me as
strange given the way the club usually operate. Sir Alex Ferguson might
ordinarily have been expected to make an appearance, or at least send in a
character reference. But Morrison was alone, bar his solicitor".
I'm a white guy, born and raised in a pretty good Manhattan neighborhood. I
will never pretend to know what it's like to be black. I've heard stories
from black friends, and it doesn't take a genius to figure out it isn't that
easy at times. This anecdote comes to mind.
A friend of mine was shopping at a swanky department store at a shopping
mall in New Jersey. He made crazy money then, so buying a sweater for $750
was like me buying one for $50. Apparently the saleswoman at the store
didn't think so, and as soon as my friend left the store she called the bank
that issued his credit card and reported it as stolen.
He found out the next night while trying to pay for dinner with an important
client that his card had been cancelled. He rightfully went ballistic when
he found out what happened. No, he didn't threaten anyone or grab the
saleswoman's cell phone and throw it out a window. He had the self control
to handle it in a civilised manner. He got a pretty sizable gift certificate
and an apology. He used to certificate, and never shopped there again.
As I've followed pre-season, I'm sure I'm like many of you in that the
newfound maturity of Ravel Morrison is THE story. And here is where I was
hoping to be able to pretend to be a journalist for a few seconds. I sent an
email to Andy Walker of Birmingham City Football Club, who handles their
media relations. I told him who I was, and said if Ravel does make it the
credit will need to go to Lee Clark and the rest of the crew at BCFC.
I have two kids, and every now and then I see something from them in every
day life that opens my eyes. Like they suddenly took a step forward. I
wondered if the manager, or even one of the backroom staff, could recall
such a moment with Ravel? Where they saw the angry kid change into what he
seems to be heading towards.
Andy was kind enough to reply, saying he would ask and hope for something to
send back. I guess trying to gain promotion to the richest league in the
world is more important to them than helping me with this article. I got
nothing.
One guy that does have experience helping talented but troubled young
footballers is Kevin Nolan. I had a gut feeling that Sam would have a chat
with Nolan, and he in turn would work with Morrison both on and off the
pitch. "He has grown up and I think he has come back with a renewed
approach. I am going to help him as much as I can by talking to him on and
off the pitch. Last year it was all the off-field stuff and his mental
attitude to the game. He let himself down with not turning up and things
like that," Nolan told The Daily Star.
None of us have a crystal ball. But I have a hunch that we have a gem on our
hands. I am more excited about watching this kid play and blossom than
anything else this year.
Ravel, I'm really pleased for you. Good luck.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce delighted with West Ham's victory over Cardiff on opening day
Last Updated: August 17, 2013 6:53pm
SSN
Sam Allardyce admits he could not have asked for anything more from his West
Ham United side as they opened the 2013/14 season with victory over Cardiff
City. The Hammers dominated proceedings from the off against newly-promoted
opposition and were full value for a 2-0 success. Joe Cole and Kevin Nolan
did the damage in the final third, while a resolute back line was rarely
troubled by the toothless Bluebirds. Allardyce is delighted to be up and
running in such comfortable fashion, but admits he is unlikely to be able to
build on a bright start by dipping back into the transfer market before the
summer window closes.
He told Sky Sports: "From our point of view, we started the game very well
indeed and the one thing we were looking for was: are we going to score, are
we going to take advantage of this very good start? The quality and ability
of first Matt Jarvis' cross and then the ability of Joe Cole in the box -
not an easy chance to take the ball behind him, touch, swivel and put it in
the bottom corner.
"In fact, Joe is disappointed he didn't get a hat-trick today because he got
a fantastic free header at the far post off another Jarvis cross and then he
got the one-on-one, where instead of slotting it into the back of the net he
tried to chip the goalkeeper. "All of those chances came in the first half,
so 1-0 was fine but really it should have been more than that. "Cardiff had
a bit of a spell just after half-time, we sat in and defended very well
because for the entire game they have only had one shot on target. Breaking
out from there, Kevin Nolan pops up to ease all of the nerves for us. "It
was a good day, a really good day, and everybody has come off feeling great.
I don't think there are any injuries either, which is a big part for us and
very important for us. We can look forward to Newcastle away next week with
confidence now."
Pressed on whether the performance against Cardiff suggests West Ham should
be confident of building on last season's 10th place finish in the Premier
League, Allardyce added: "Not at the moment because we have to calculate how
everybody else is going to spend between now and the end of the window.
"You look at Cardiff, they have spent something like £26-28m, is that going
to continue before the window shuts? Who else is going to go out and buy
more players? "We certainly aren't in a position at the moment, we've spent
our budget, so we are where we are and we are the squad we are at the
moment. That was more than good enough today."
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West Ham boss Sam Allardyce insists Cardiff must not panic
Last Updated: August 18, 2013 3:21pm
SSN
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce believes Cardiff must stay calm if they endure a
troubled start to their Premier League campaign. Cardiff have spent almost
£30m in the transfer market this summer but failed to trouble goalkeeper
Jussi Jaaskelainen at any point as West Ham coasted to a 2-0 victory at
Upton Park on Saturday. Allardyce reckons Southampton have set the benchmark
with their recovery last season, and that Cardiff boss Malky Mackay should
take heart from that. "With the squad Cardiff have they'll hopefully get the
results they're looking for. The challenge for them will be not getting too
worried if they don't start well," said Allardyce. "The example of that is
Southampton last season. Nigel Adkins eventually pulled them out of the
bottom three superbly well. And his reward for that was the sack. "If it's
to be your first game in the Premier League, you'd want it at home, not
away. "When we came up from the Championship we'd won more games away from
home, but last season in the Premier League it was a huge task to pick up
points away. "Your home form is what you need to get right to stay in the
Premier League."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Premier League: Cardiff fluff their lines in 2-0 defeat to West Ham
Last Updated: August 17, 2013 7:52pm
SSN
Cardiff City's first top-flight outing in 51 years ended in defeat, with
West Ham United collecting a comfortable 2-0 victory at Upton Park. The
Bluebirds rather fluffed their lines on their Premier League bow, with Jole
Cole and Kevin Nolan offering an opening day reminder to former Hammer Malky
Mackay of how difficult life among the elite can be.
Best of the match
Man of the match: Mohamed Diame. A typically all action display from the
West Ham midfielder who was at the centre of just about everything.
Goal of the match: Joe Cole's opener saw him show a neat first touch and
killer instincts as he twisted inside the box to drill home a low finish.
Moment of the match: Stewart Downing looked lively following his
introduction off the bench and could be some signing for West Ham.
Talking point: Can West Ham better their 10th place finish from last season
in 2013/14? What does the future hold for Cardiff?
It took just 13 minutes for Cardiff's backline to be breached, as they
struggled to get out of the blocks and offered little in terms of attacking
threat. Matt Jarvis fired over a low cross from the left which Cole was able
to gather 12 yards from goal, spin and arrow a drive into the bottom corner.
The Hammers barely got out of first gear during the second half, but doubled
their lead on 76 minutes when Mark Noble teed up Nolan to whip a first-time
effort past David Marshall.
Coasting
West Ham were coasting until the interval after creating several good
chances that were wasted by Cole, Jarvis and Mohamed Diame. Two of them were
heavily involved early on, Jarvis floating a clever cross to the far post
only for Cole to produce a poor header as the hosts failed to make the most
of a promising start that saw the trickery of Modibo Maiga cause problems.
Maiga helped set up a chance for Jarvis that was spoilt by the winger's poor
first touch and Cardiff staged a counter attack that ended with Kim Bo-kyung
driving high and wide over the crossbar. West Ham v Cardiff - AllardyceSam
Allardyce shares his thoughts on West Ham's game against Cardiff. Kim had
Craig Bellamy in support and the South Korean was scalded by his captain for
declining to pass. Play quickly swept to the other end as West Ham plundered
their first goal by capitalising on some indecisive defending. Jarvis, who
was proving a handful down the left, sent a pass across the face of goal to
Cole who controlled the ball, turned and stabbed it into the bottom-right
corner. With just goalkeeper Marshall to beat, Cole would have had a second
after being played in by a beautiful pass but his control deserted him.
Diame was becoming increasingly influential and Cardiff were relieved when
his shot, which deflected off struggling full-back Matt Connolly, crept
around the right post.
Frantic
Cardiff made a bright start to the second half, with Fraizer Campbell
prominent and a frantic goalmouth scramble ensued with West Ham prevailing
through sheer weight of numbers. Mackay - we weren't clinicalSpeaking after
Cardiff's 2-0 loss to West Ham, Malky Mackay says that his Cardiff side were
not clinical enough in front of goal. The match was evenly balanced now as
it swept from end to end, Cole again undermined by his control as he took
sight of goal.
Once more Cardiff were skating on thin ice as Marshall almost pushed a pass
to Maiga into the path of Nolan. Stewart Downing arrived for his West Ham
debut with 20 minutes left and he soon injected life into an increasingly
lethargic home side by dashing forward with the ball. He then teed up Nolan
at the far post only for Ben Turner to intervene at the critical moment. The
Hammers finally produced their second with 15 minutes remaining when Noble
launched a crafty run along the edge of the area before finding Nolan who
expertly swept the ball into the net. Cardiff substitute Nicky Maynard
almost pulled a late goal back for the visitors, but he scooped his shot
over the bar from close range after coming under pressure from James
Collins.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham's Downing "absolute bargain" beams James Collins after £6m winger's
debut
18 Aug 2013 22:30
The Mirror
James Collins reckons West Ham have got "an absolute bargain" in Stewart
Downing – and the new competition in their squad will drive them up the
table.
Sam Allardyce saw his Hammers coast to a 2-0 victory over stage-struck
Cardiff without starting any of his five summer signings. Andy Carroll will
return in a fortnight, while England winger Downing gave a sprightly cameo
performance from the bench four days after joining from Liverpool. And
Collins believed his former Villa team-mate is seriously under-priced at
only £6million. "He looked very sharp," said the Hammers' Wales defender.
"He's got loads of England caps so we've got a great signing there. I think
we have got an absolute bargain. A couple of years ago at Villa he was
tearing defences to pieces. "Obviously it didn't go well at Liverpool but
hopefully we can get him firing. "He and Andy Carroll played together at
Liverpool and they get on well off the pitch. I think they are both from the
North East so they have that certain understanding."
This strength and depth means goal-scorer Joe Cole and the outstanding Matt
Jarvis are now no longer certain of their places. Modibo Maiga worked
tirelessly up front, while Romanian Razvan Rat is ready to come into the
defence. "The competition is a good thing – that is where we have moved on
from last year," Collins insisted. "You have always got someone right up
behind you wanting to take your place. If you don't play well, you are going
to be out of the team. It keeps you on the ball knowing there is competition
behind you."
West Ham finished 10th on 46 points on their Premier League return last
season – and Allardyce has set a target of "about 50 points" this time.
"That would be brilliant for us," he said. "We're improving the side by
spending money so, for the second year in, it's as good a side as I've had."
Cardiff will need to defend better to emulate West Ham's achievement of
staying up as a newly-promoted side last season. Joe Cole was given room in
the box to turn and shoot for the 13th-minute opener while the Hammers
retained the ball too easily before unmarked Kevin Nolan swept home after 76
minutes. Collins, who played in the Third Division during his seven years at
Cardiff, reckoned his former club were overawed by the atmosphere at Upton
Park. "I haven't heard our fans like that before a game for years and I am
sure they put the frighteners up a few of them," he added.
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