Macca on Cheltenham victory
WHUFC.com
Assistant manager Neil McDonald on Tuesday's Capital One Cup second round
win over Cheltenham Town
27.08.2013
Assistant manager Neil McDonald said West Ham United had got the job done in
defeating Cheltenham Town 2-1 in the Capital One Cup second round. The
Hammers overcame a spirited Cheltenham side at the Boleyn Ground through
goals from Ricardo Vaz Te and Man of the Match Ravel Morrison either side of
half-time, but created enough chances to have won by a hatful. As it was,
the League Two Robins set up a nervy finale when Matt Richards converted a
penalty just before the hour-mark. Speaking to West Ham TV, McDonald said
Vaz Te's 42nd-minute opener - an unstoppable 30-yard free-kick- had settled
the Hammers down. Morrison added a classy second just 38 seconds after the
break, firing low into the corner after losing two defenders with a neat
piece of skill.
"Whenever you play against a lower league team they are going to come out
and run about for the first half an hour and try to give their best and play
above their ability which, to be fair, they did," McDonald said. "But I
think Ricardo's goal settled us down. "It was a fantastic free-kick into the
top corner and I think we dominated after that up until half-time. In the
second half, we totally dominated the game and really should have scored
more goals than we did. "We put ourselves under that little bit of pressure
because we didn't get the third and fourth goal, which would have been a
fair result, and when we conceded we were just on the back foot a touch.
Saying that, we created lots of chances after their goal to kill the game
off, we're through to the next round and we're pleased."
McDonald agreed that the talented Vaz Te and Morrison both illustrated their
ability with outstanding goals.
"With Vaz, it's good that people practice and he has been practising well on
his free-kicks. He has been taking a little bit of stick off the rest of the
lads but he has shown fantastic technique and a fantastic will to take a
free-kick from outside the box and he has got his rewards. The more you
practise, the better you get. "Ravel is very good on the ball and we have to
get him on the ball as much as we possibly can. He shows lots of composure
and he sees the final pass, which is great. "I think he has shone tonight
and has tried to knock on the manager's door with a good performance and
another goal. He's continued what he did in pre-season, scoring goals from
midfield, which is great. He's shown what he can do and now has to wait for
his chance when the manager picks him in the Barclays Premier League."
At the other end of the pitch, Leo Chambers made his senior debut for the
Hammers just three weeks past his 18th birthday. The south London-born
England Under-19 defender showed his class with a composed display. "He
played really well in the first two Development Squad games against Aston
Villa and Everton and we were pleased with his performance and we had a
great chance to throw him in. "I thought he showed composure, defended well
enough against a tricky winger [Jermaine McGlashan] and he has got through
the 90 minutes and finished on the winning side on his debut."
Debutants Adrian and Razvan Rat, captain James Tomkins, Jack Collison, Matt
Taylor and the returning George McCartney - back from a knee injury suffered
in March - also did their bit in front of a vociferous Boleyn Ground crowd.
"We have some seniors fighting for their places and after the first
half-an-hour which is always a rush and 100 per cent commitment from the
opposition, it started to settle down a little bit and they picked their
passes. Unfortunately, we didn't finish Cheltenham off because we totally
dominated them in the second and created eight really good chances. "You
certainly need to score more goals when you create 12 really good chances -
four in the first half and eight in the second. We're disappointed that we
didn't kill it off and score more goals because the lads are more relaxed
and not worried about making the one mistake that would let Cheltenham back
into it."
One negative on an otherwise positive evening saw Alou Diarra taken off on a
stretcher ten minutes before half-time, having had the physio on three times
during the opening period. "He is a committed player and I think he has
twisted his knee but we're not 100 per cent sure. We'll assess that over the
next couple of days and see how he is. He is a committed player and
unfortunately he has got injured early on. We hope he will be back as quick
as he can."
Looking forward to Saturday and the Hammers host Stoke City in the Barclays
Premier League knowing victory will ensure they go into the international
break in the top six. "We're going into the game full of confidence. We have
got four points on the board, which is a point more than we had last season
at this stage and our home form is really good, so there is nothing to be
scared of. "We'll prepare as we have done, professionally, and make sure the
finer details are all there and will do our best to get the three points to
go into the international break feeling happy about ourselves."
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Hammers through to Round Three
WHUFC.com
West Ham United held off a Cheltenham Town fightback to secure progress in
the Capital One Cup
27.08.2013
West Ham United 2-1 Cheltenham Town
Capital One Cup Second Round
West Ham United booked their place in the Capital One Cup Third Round with a
2-1 victory over League Two side Cheltenham Town on Tuesday evening.
The Hammers were made to work for their win by the Robins, who were looking
to progress beyond Round Two for the first time in their history. Ricardo
Vaz Te and Ravel Morrison notched for West Ham either side of the break
before Matt Richards halved the deficit from the spot. It gave Cheltenham a
lifeline just as the Hammers looked to be moving away from them, and despite
the setback Sam Allardyce's men still had enough to ease through. Big Sam
rang the changes as the likes of James Tomkins, Jack Collison, Adrian,
Razvan Rat and Matt Taylor got their first run outs of the season. The teams
exchanged early chances from free-kicks, Taylor firing his through the wall
but into goalkeeper Scott Brown's arms for the Hammers, and Cheltenham's
Richards curling his left-footed effort over the top.
However, the opening exchanges failed to produce many chances of note as the
tempo slowed and Cheltenham did a good job of containing their hosts.
Alou Diarra had aleady been down for treatment twice by the time he was
stretchered off to curtail his first start in Hammers colours since Janaury,
and the mood almost darkened on 39 when a good spell of Cheltenham
possession ended with Russell Penn sending a scorching drive inches over the
top. But three minutes later the Hammers broke the Robins' resistance - and
in some style too - as Vaz Te arced a perfect free kick into the top left
hand corner of the net after a foul on Morrison 25 yards out.
It was just the fillip the hosts wanted, and they began the second period in
devastating fashion too, as Morrison found the bottom corner with precision,
drilling home right footed from the edge of the box after Stewart Downing
slid in to maintain possession and knock to the full debutant. Downing, a
half time sub, had only been on the pitch 37 seconds by the time he set up
Morrison's goal, and Cheltenham's heads could easily have dropped as West
Ham quickly looked for more.
Mohamed Diame made a strong surge from midfield and shot just over, while
Vaz Te and Downing went close with headers in quick succession. Just just as
the Hammers began to think about a simple passage through to the third
round, Cheltenham got themselves back into the contest just before the hour
when Adrian took out Sam Deering inside the area as the Robins man bore down
on goal. Razvan Rat cleared the loose ball off the line, but referee Graham
Scott pointed to the spot on seeing Cheltenham had gained no advantage, and
Richards converted from 12 yards.
West Ham looked to make the game safe again and Jack Collison was only
denied by a fingertip save when he shot fiercely towards goal from a tight
angle with 15 minutes to play. Then, as the Hammers knocked the resulting
corner to the back post, George McCartney headed against the crossbar after
latching on to James Tomkins' knockback. Tomkins flashed one wide from a
long way out as time ticked by, and Cheltenham almost punished the hosts at
the death when sub Ashley Vincent knocked wide from a long throw/ Taylor had
one cleared off the line even later on by Ryan Inniss, but the Hammers had
already done enough to secure their place in the next round.
West Ham United: Adrian; Chambers, Tomkins, McCartney, Rat; Morrison, Diarra
(Diame 35), Collison; Cole (Downing 46), Vaz Te, Taylor
Subs: Henderson (GK), Nolan, Lee, Ruddock, Lletget
Goals: Vaz Te 42, Morrison 46
Booked: Morrison
Cheltenham Town: S.Brown; Lowe, Inniss, Elliott, Braham-Barrett; Taylor,
Richards; McGlashan, Penn (Vincent 83), Deering (Harrison 63); Gornell
(Kotwica 77)
Subs: Roberts (GK), Jones, Jombati, Gillespie
Goal: Richards pen 57
Booked: Elliott
Referee: Graham Scott
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Moncur: 'It wasn't meant to be'
WHUFC.com
George Moncur refused to be too downhearted after the Dev Squad's 3-2 defeat
at home to Tottenham
27.08.2013
West Ham United youngster George Moncur insists the Development Squad should
have been home and dry at half time against Tottenham Hotpsur, having passed
up opportunities to put the game beyond the visitors' reach at the Boleyn
Ground on Friday night. As it was, the Hammers went into the interval two
goals to the good, courtesy of Dan Potts and Sebastian Lletget, before Spurs
mounted an improbable second-half revival, netting three times in 30 minutes
to snaffle all three Barclays Under-21 Premier League points.
Reflecting on a first defeat of the new campaign, the 20-year-old reckoned
it would have been very different had he and Paul McCallum taken their
chances in front of goal. He told West Ham TV: "I obviously thought that
first half we played really well and did all the right things in the right
areas. We got our reward by going 2-0 up, but we had more chances to maybe
get a few more and then the game's dead and buried. Paul McCallum had a few
chances, I had a couple down the line that I could have maybe done a bit
better with. So had we put them away I think the game would have been over
early doors."
That said, Moncur had not foreseen the second half that was to unfold,
expecting the Hammers to continue where they had left off prior to the
interval. He continued: "I thought as we came out [for the second half] we
could have even pressed on and got a couple more, because of the way we
played in the first half. It just wasn't meant to be.
"They came out a bit brighter than us. I think our first pass was poor from
a lot of us and that obviously sets a bad tone right away. They took
advantage of that and scored the early goal, which was lucky off the
deflection. But it gave them a boost and then, of course, they went on to
get a second and third.
"To be fair, whenever we play Spurs, they always pass the ball well and move
it well, they're a great footballing team. They show it every time they play
us, so credit to Spurs for that."
In truth, the visitors owed much to the impressive Lewis Holtby, as the
German international made his first start of the new campaign. The
22-year-old, who suffered a knee injury in this summer's European Under-21
Championship, was excellent on the night and Moncur certainly appreciated
seeing him in such close quarters.
"It's great to play against players like that, especially when you see what
he did here, bending that one in the top corner," he confirmed. "He's very
comfortable on the ball, finds little gaps between the back four and the
midfield. "Everything was going through him. He scored one and he created
chances. All credit to him."
Friday's defeat aside, six points out of nine still represents an excellent
start for Moncur and his colleagues, with the young midfielder already
looking ahead to next Monday's trip to take on Newcastle United. Before
then, however, Cheltenham Town await in the Capital One Cup and Moncur is
hopeful that he, or some of his teammates might play some part in
proceedings. We got off to a great start by winning two games out of two.
This is a bit of a disappointment, losing 3-2, but hopefully we can get our
chins up and win the next game. "It's nice to look forward to a game like
that, maybe some of us will be involved [against Cheltenham] - hopefully we
will, but if not, then we've just got to be keep going and keep playing."
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West Ham 2 Cheltenham 1
27 August 2013
Last updated at 21:59
Ravel Morrison scored his first goal for West Ham on his full debut to help
the club defeat Cheltenham to reach the Capital One Cup third round. The
League Two side made life difficult for the Hammers in the first half before
Ricardo Vaz Te scored with a free-kick just before the interval. Former
Manchester United midfielder Morrison then scored from the edge of the area
41 seconds after the break. Matt Richards made it 2-1 from the spot after
Adrian had fouled Sam Deering.
Ravel Morrison spent last season on loan at Birmingham and scored three
goals in 23 Championship starts. Morrison, 20, spent last season on loan at
Championship side Birmingham after joining the Hammers from United in
January last year. But after coming off the bench for just his second
Premier League appearance in the goalless draw at Newcastle at the weekend,
the midfielder will hope his goal can cement his place in manager Sam
Allardyce's plans.
West Ham's Matthew Taylor and Cheltenham's Richards both went close with
early free-kicks before Morrison, making his full debut along with
goalkeeper Adrian and defenders Razvan Rat and Leo Chambers, was cautioned
for diving in the area. However, moments later Morrison was judged to have
been fouled outside the box and Vaz Te put the Premier League side ahead
with a bending free-kick. Morrison doubled the advantage in the first minute
after half-time when he made the space to score with a shot from just
outside the area. Richards pulled one back with a penalty on the hour mark
after Adrian fouled Deering. Byron Harrison and Robins captain Russell Penn
came close to scoring for the League Two outfit, but the Hammers, who had
Alou Diarra stretchered off in the first half, held on to progress to round
three.
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Hammers snubbed
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 27th August 2013
By: Staff Writer
Not a single West Ham United player has been included in either the Under 21
or full England squads, which were announced earlier today. The likes of
Stewart Downing, Joe Cole, Matt Jarvis and Kevin Nolan were once again
overlooked as Roy Hodgson and Gareth Southgate named their squads for the
forthcoming fixtures against Moldova (Under 21s and Seniors) and Ukraine
(Seniors only). Instead, the likes of Everton's Ross Barkley - with just six
Premier League starts to his name - and Raheem Sterling of Liverpool - with
just 18 minutes of league football under his belt this season - have been
selected as part of a vast 27-man Senior squad. Although Andy Carroll is a
shoo-in for a striker's spot upon his impending return from injury, the lack
of West Ham players in either squad is slightly surprising given the number
of home-grown players in Sam Allardyce's first team squad. And with Roy
Hodgson preferring alternative destinations on the opening two weekends of
the 2013/14 campaign, it could well be the case that those Hammers may have
to wait a little bit longer before getting the opportunity to show what they
can do at the Boleyn Ground.
Full England Squad
Goalkeepers: Fraser Forster (Celtic), Joe Hart (Manchester City), John Ruddy
(Norwich City).
Defenders: Leighton Baines (Everton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Ashley Cole
(Chelsea), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Phil Jones
(Manchester United), Chris Smalling (Manchester United), Kyle Walker
(Tottenham Hotspur).
Midfielders: Ross Barkley (Everton), Michael Carrick (Manchester United),
Tom Cleverley (Manchester United), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Frank Lampard
(Chelsea), James Milner (Manchester City), Raheem Sterling (Liverpool),
Andros Townsend (Tottenham Hotspur), Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Jack Wilshere
(Arsenal).
Forwards: Jermain Defoe (Tottenham Hotspur), Rickie Lambert (Southampton),
Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool), Danny
Welbeck (Manchester United), Ashley Young (Manchester United).
Full England Under 21 Squad
Goalkeepers: Jonathan Bond (Watford), Jack Butland (Stoke City), George Long
(Sheffield United).
Defenders: Eric Dier (Sporting Lisbon), Ezekiel Fryers (Tottenham Hotspur),
Todd Kane (Blackburn Rovers, loan from Chelsea), Michael Keane (Manchester
United), Jack Robinson (Blackpool, loan from Liverpool), Luke Shaw
(Southampton), John Stones (Everton), Tom Thorpe (Manchester United), Andre
Wisdom (Liverpool).
Midfielders: Tom Carroll (Tottenham Hotspur), Nathaniel Chalobah (Chelsea),
Will Hughes (Derby County), Nick Powell (Manchester United), Jonjo Shelvey
(Swansea City), James Ward-Prowse (Southampton).
Wide: Sammy Ameobi (Newcastle United), Jesse Lingaard (Manchester United),
Nathan Redmond (Norwich City), Wilfried Zaha (Manchester United).
Forwards: Saido Berahino (West Bromwich Albion), Harry Kane (Tottenham
Hotspur), Connor Wickham (Sunderland).
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Sullivan: we should have owned West Ham years ago
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 27th August 2013
By: Staff Writer
David Sullivan believes that he and partner David Gold should have owned
West Ham United long before they purchased a controlling stake three years
ago.
Sullivan, speaking to KUMB.com in the second and final part of our exclusive
interview (which we'll be bringing you tomorrow) revealed that between them
the two Daves owned more than a quarter of the Club in the mid-1990s, but
sold their stake having believed - incorrectly, as it transpired - that the
former majority shareholders would never part company with theirs. "Before
we ever bought Birmingham we owned 27 per cent of West Ham," Sullivan told
KUMB. "Terry Brown [who subsequently became Chairman] eventually bought the
shares we bought from Jack Petchey. "The reason we sold them was because
the Hills and the Cearns owned about 70 per cent between them are they were
very close, they weren't going to let anybody new in. They weren't going to
give us a seat on the Board, they weren't going to give us anything for our
27 per cent. "Jack Petchey was a very shrewd man and he couldn't get any
more shares, so we took the view - wrongly - that we didn't think we were
going to get any more shares. The reality is, if you hang on for a couple of
years, people die and people need money. We saw the Hills and the Cearns as
one unit - and they weren't."
The Club was eventually sold in its entirety to Eggert Magnusson and
Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson in 2006. When Gudmundsson, who bankrolled the Club at
the time saw his entire fortune wiped out by the banking crash two years
later, ownership of West Ham United passed on to CB Holdings. It was from CB
Holdings that Sullivan and Gold purchased their initiall controlling stake
of the Club in 2010 - and to whom the pair returned again on subsequent
occasions, resulting in just ten per cent of the Club remaining in Icelandic
hands at present. Yet despite finally taking control of the Club he has
supported since childhood, Sullivan maintains that he and Gold should have
moved earlier. "In the Hills there were five members of the family and
gradually we would have picked them off," he insists. "It was a mistake not
to stay 25 years ago. We would have had control within ten years - or at
least been given some sort of say in how things were run. But we took a view
and moved on."
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West Ham beat Cheltenham 2-1 at Upton Park
Last Updated: August 27, 2013 10:04pm
SSN
West Ham United held on to avoid an upset in the Capital One Cup after a 2-1
win at home over League Two side Cheltenham Town. Goals either side of
half-time from Ricardo Vaz Te and Ravel Morrison appeared to have West Ham
cruising into the third round of the competition. Matt Richards' penalty
just before the hour mark gave Cheltenham a sniff of a shock, but the
visitors were unable to find an equaliser. Both manager Sam Allardyce and
co-chairman David Gold made it clear before the game that, with the Hammers
now looking a solid top-flight outfit following last year's promotion, they
fancy a decent stab at the cups this season. Such is the strength of
Allardyce's squad compared to last term he was able to make 11 changes from
the side which drew at Newcastle on Saturday while still bringing in the
likes of Joe Cole, James Tomkins, Jack Collison, Matt Taylor and Vaz Te.
Their first competitive meeting with Cheltenham was certainly a full-blooded
encounter with Cole and Town's Ryan Iniss requiring treatment early on,
while Alou Diarra's rare appearance ended after half an hour when he
departed on a stretcher. New signing Razvan Rat, predictably dubbed 'Roland'
by his team-mates, may have thought he was in for a gentle introduction to
English football but the Romanian full-back was given the runaround by
speedy Town winger Jermaine McGlashan in the opening stages. But Cheltenham
were largely restricted to long-range efforts in the first half with
Richards curling a free-kick over and captain Russell Penn unlucky to see
his 20-yard effort bounce on the roof of the net.
West Ham were hardly posing much more of an attacking threat, although they
felt they could have had a penalty when Morrison tumbled in the area, only
for referee Graham Scott to book him for diving But moments later, in the
42nd minute, Morrison was fouled and this time the official awarded a
free-kick which Vaz Te expertly curled home from 25 yards. Allardyce sent on
Stewart Downing for Cole at the interval and the £6million signing from
Liverpool's tenacity immediately set up Morrison's sparkling strike. Moments
later Downing went agonisingly close to his first Hammers goal but his
header flew inches wide while Vaz Te was denied by a fine save from Brown.
Town pulled one back in bizarre circumstances in the 59th minute when
Spanish goalkeeper Adrian, making his debut, got in a horrible mix-up with
Tomkins and was penalised for a foul on McGlashan, with Richards tucking in
the spot-kick.
But the visitors rarely threatened an equaliser - an Iniss header which flew
wide was as close as they came - while West Ham should have enjoyed a far
more comfortable night but Collison's drive was tipped over, George
McCartney's header hit the crossbar and Taylor's late shot was cleared off
the line.
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West Ham line up Honduras international Rojas for transfer that could see
Vaz Te sold
27 Aug 2013 22:30
The Mirror
West Ham are signing Honduras international striker Roger Rojas on loan. The
forward, 23, was at the Hammers' HQ on Tuesday for a medical ahead of his
switch from Honduras outfit Club Deportivo Olimpia. Rojas scored 19 league
goals last season, and already has three this term. His arrival is likely to
see West Ham boss Sam Allardyce sell Ricardo Vaz Te. Premier League new boys
Cardiff are in the frame for the former Bolton forward.
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McDonald on.....Cheltenham Town
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 28th August 2013
By: Staff Writer No.2
Assistant boss Neil McDonald was on duty in the press conference following
the 2-1 win over Cheltenham Town....
Happy with that?
Yeah very much so. I think we'd have been more happy if we'd scored more
goals. From the final 15 minutes of the first half I thought we dominated
the match. Cheltenham ran about and did their best in the first half but
once the game had settled down we dominated the game and really should've
won by a bigger margin.The chances that we had is the only disappointing
thing about tonight, I'm pleased that everyone had a tough test because
Cheltenham weren't easy to break down or to score against but we've got
through and we're pleased to be in the next round.
Ravel Morrison is quite a player…
(laughs) he's not bad is he?! He scored soe good goals in pre-season and
he's continued that today. He's had to be patiemt – he didn't start the
first two games but he's come on today and showed everybody what he's all
about. He's got lot sof composure and he can see and make the final pass as
well as score goals.
That's a knock on the door which is something that the manager wants. He
wants people knocking on the door saying "listen I'm ready for the Premier
League" and he's adding to the competition that we've got for places all
over the pitch.
.
In terms of maturity – as a person not just as a player- how far has he come
since he first arrived?
Well I think as a young kid he came down from Manchester thinking he could
walk straight into the team. It was a big shock to hm that he didn't. With
all due respect to those players we've got some good players at this club
and he had to earn their respect. He didn't do that early on and we sent him
out to Birmingham. I think the penny's dropped at Birmingham – he's played
some games and scored some goals. He's come back a much hungrier and
healthier and wiser young man. So we look forward to him keeping on knocking
on the manager's door with performances like that.
What does he have to do to make himself a Premier League regular?
There's lot sof things. He has to keep the ball, he has to keep on scoring
like he did in pre-season His all-round performance has to be good and it
has to be better than the players we have in the team at the moment. Once he
does that he has to be consistent – he's a young kid. He has to be
consistent in attack and defence. That's what he needs – to get better I
suppose, to get into the team on a regular basis.
Alou Diarra had an "interesting" half-hour or so?
He's a competitive player who likes to stick his foot in and tries to spoil.
Unfortunately he's had a couple of knocks tonight and he's had to come off.
We'll see how it is – he'll havs a scan over the next couple of days. It was
more of a twist than a contact injury though I haven't seen the incident
myself.
When Diame came on it made a bit of a difference
I think offensively we were on top. Diame offensively is very good. He goes
forward and creates chances. He's exciting isn't he? We could do with him
scoring another couple of goals I suppose.
We're pleased with all the performances tonight. It was a good test. The
majority of the team got 90 minutes, which they needed – because they
haven't been involved in the first two games.
It's just nice to get through to the next round. It should have been easier
game with more goals that we should have scored with the chances we created
so there's a bit of work that we have to work on in that aspect of the game.
There's been talk of a player coming in this week, perhaps on loan with
someone going out. Is that the case?
The manager has stated that he's as happy with the squad as he has been.
There's competition for places so if somebody comes in or goes out we'll let
you know. There's competition for places in every position now which we
haven't had in the past and I think that's real healthy for West Ham.
Thanks guys
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Yates on.....West Ham United
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 28th August 2013
By: Staff Writer No.2
Cheltenham boss Mark Yates shares his thoughts on his side's exit from the
Capital One Cup at the Boleyn….
You nearly nicked one at the end there…
(Laughs) Yeah we had a couple of chances when the young lad's volleyed just
wide and the long throw where Byron's just pulled it wide of the post. But
listen, West Ham are a good side. We know that they've got some quality
players and we rode our luck at times in the second half to even be in it.
We showed we've got a bit about us and if we can put in that effort in our
league games we have a chance.
It didn't look that big a gulf at times – you didn't seem overawed…
More than anything else I wanted them to have a go and to not be overawed.
We had a set up, a shape we wanted to be when we hadn't got the ball at
times when we didn't want them opening us with the quality they've got. But
I wanted us to try and play. We did better than we did against Tottenham,
better than we did against Everton so we've learnt something from it so
we've been better. But we still could've been even better for me. The second
goal was a bit of a killer right from the kick-off. We had various chances
to deal with different balls in and around our box. But the lads have shown
a bit of character on the back of that. We could easily have capitulated and
it could have been three or four or five. We had a bit of luck at times –
there were a couple of chances that Scottie [Brown] our 'keeper's made some
great saves.
Sometimes you need that in cup games and we gave ourselves a chance in the
last 10-15 minutes to really have a go. Byron came on and caused them a few
problems and we had a few chances.
.
What did you make of Morrison?
I know he's a good player full stop. I saw him at Birmingham last season.
His agent was on the phone to me telling me what a good player he was – I've
got couple of his players as well. He told me he likes to shoot. I knew that
– I saw it for myself tonight unfortunately! West Ham have a lot of good
players – we didn't have a clue what they would do. I noticed when they beat
Crewe last year they made seven changes – I was hoping for a few more! They
still have plenty in reserve. Diame came on and made a difference – we
probably didn't need that to happen. But I was pleased with my players'
performance tonight.
Cheers, Thank you.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Wednesday, August 28
Tuesday, August 27
Daily WHUFC News - 27th August 2013
West Ham United statement
WHUFC.com
Joint-Chairman David Sullivan has sought to update fans on the Club's
activity in the transfer window
26.08.2013
With one week to go until the summer transfer window comes to a close, the
West Ham United Board and manager Sam Allardyce are continuing to work hard
on identifying talent to strengthen the first-team squad. However, as has
been made clear by the Joint-Chairmen and manager, the Club cannot exceed
the wage limit set by the new Premier League financial regulations, which
came in to force this season.
The new rules state that whatever a Club spent on wages last season, they
are allowed to do so again, with an allowance for an extra £4m on top. If
they did not spend £48m on wages last year, as was the case with West Ham
United, they are allowed to go up to a new £52m limit. With five key
signings already made this summer - including two England internationals -
the Hammers are now close to that limit, as Joint-Chairman David Sullivan
explains.
Mr Sullivan said: "Sam and I are working tirelessly on identifying new
targets to add to what has been a very good window for West Ham United thus
far. However, the new rules state that if a team exceeds the new wage limit
they could be hit with a points deduction. As we are now close to that
limit, players can only be brought in if there is money left in the wage
budget, meaning any new signings at West Ham are dependent on other players
leaving the Club.
"I have seen the suggestion that we should just give away or sell a few
fringe players to free up the wages but I must stress this is easier said
than done and despite our hard work over the summer, it just hasn't been
possible yet. "I'm hopeful that things will change over the last seven days
of the window and I can assure fans that we will be working hard - right
until the last minute if needs be - to make sure we give West Ham United the
best chance possible of topping last season's tenth-placed finish."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Manager on Monday
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's defensive solidity thus far has impressed manager Sam
Allardyce
26.08.2013
Sam Allardyce is delighted that West Ham United's hard work on and off the
pitch during pre-season is paying off. The West Ham United manager dedicated
hours of the off-season to sourcing and securing talent to bolster his West
Ham United squad, while also putting in the time on the training pitch to
perfect his side's defensive shape. The result from West Ham's first two
games of the Barclays Premier League season are a pair of clean sheets and
just one shot on target conceded, following the 0-0 draw at Newcastle United
on Saturday. "On Saturday, you look at playing away from home in front of
50,000 fans cheering Newcastle on and then you see that they had no shots on
target. That tells you everything about the quality of our defending. From
that point of view I'm delighted with the team. "We're disappointed we
didn't convert our clear-cut chances as when you play away from home and
create three clear-cut chances like we did you've got to take at least one
of them. "All three of them were headers and all three of them were unmarked
and six yards out and not one of them hit the target. On top of that Winston
Reid had a couple of really good chances and Joe Cole missed one right at
the end. "Overall though it was a great performance and a good result and we
move on undefeated with one win and one draw."
Stewart Downing made his full Hammers debut and was unlucky not to score
when he headed Matt Jarvis' cross back across goal at the end of the first
half. His arrival last week added yet further attacking options to
Allardyce's squad, which was evident on Saturday with the likes of Ricardo
Vaz Te, Matt Taylor and Jack Collison not even getting on the pitch. "We've
got more talent. Stewart Downing is a little short of match practice and
we've got Ravel Morrison, Mo Diame, Matt Jarvis, Joe Cole, Kevin Nolan,
Downing and Modibo Maiga, who are all creative talents. We've got the
defensive side right and we've got the attacking flair right, we just need
to get the finishing right."
The next team to have a shot at breaking the Hammers' defensive resolve is
Cheltenham Town on Tuesday night in a Capital One Cup tie at the Boleyn
Ground. Ravel Morrison is likely to get his first start in claret and blue
after making his Premier League debut at St James' Park, and his manager is
looking forward to seeing what he can produce in front of a large home
crowd. "He's an emerging talent and we're very pleased with what he did in
pre-season for us. He came on at Newcastle and is an exceptional talent who
we hope we can nurture into the fray. Some people might say sticking a
player on at that late stage might be risky but we've got to do it at some
stage. "We can see the talent and the only way to do it is to get him in the
first team and get some minutes on the board. He'll play against Cheltenham
on Tuesday and we'll see how he does and keep an eye on him. "He's had a
good season at Birmingham and he's brought that back with him in pre-season
and it's great to see that talent is emerging. "Then next week we have Stoke
City. All the teams we lost to at home last season were in the top seven so
we've got to emulate that if we can and we started well by beating Cardiff
in our first game. "Stoke under Mark Hughes, like they were under Tony
Pulis, will be well organised but we've got to make sure we continue our
home form and home victories and then we can start talking about a good
start."
The summer transfer window will close at midnight next Monday and although
West Ham continue to operate at the maximum of their wage limit, Big Sam was
open-minded about the possibility of new arrivals before then. "I don't
think any more will come in but you never know until that window shuts.
Something might turn up that the Chairman and I might fancy so we'll have to
wait and see. "I think the last week of the window will be quieter than it's
ever been but you never know!"
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham v Cheltenham
KO 19:45
26 August 2013
Last updated at 13:13
CAPITAL ONE CUP SECOND ROUND
Venue: Upton Park Date: Tuesday, 27 August
Coverage: Watch highlights on The League Cup Show on Wednesday at 2335 BST,
BBC One.
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce says that Ravel Morrison will make his first
start of the season against Cheltenham. New signing Razvan Rat could also be
set for his competitive Hammers' debut.
Cheltenham will be without experienced striker Jamie Cureton, who has a
dislocated shoulder. But fellow forward Terry Gornell has declared himself
fully fit for the Robins, who picked up their first league win on Saturday.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
The teams are playing each other for the first time in a competitive
fixture.
West Ham
The Hammers have won seven of their last nine League Cup matches played at
Upton Park.
West Ham are unbeaten this season, with a win and a draw so far in the
Premier League.
Cheltenham
Cheltenham have scored in each of their last 10 League Cup matches, although
they've kept only one clean sheet in that period.
The Robins have lost all four of their previous second-round ties, all of
which came against teams from a higher division.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham apply for Rojas work permit
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 26th August 2013
By: Staff Writer
Honduran striker Roger Rojas has arrived in England where he is expected to
complete a season-long loan deal. KUMB revealed on Saturday that the 5'8"
striker was on his way to England initially on loan but with an option to
buy. The move was confirmed late this evening [Monday] via the Twitter feed
of Jack Sullivan, who posted: "Roger Rojas' work permit application is on
Friday, loan with an option to buy. Fingers crossed! 21 goals in last 18
games. #decent"
Tegucigalpa-born Rojas has spent his entire career at Olimpia, for whom he
has made in excess of 100 appearances and scored over 50 goals including
three in his first three matches of this season. He made his debut for
Honduras in 2010 and has since gone on to represent his country 18 times -
meaning that the issue of insufficient international appearances, which
ended Colombian Duvan Zapata's hopes of joining West Ham, should not be an
issue this time.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Capital One Cup: West Ham v Cheltenham preview
Last Updated: August 26, 2013 1:37pm
SSN
Ravel Morrison is set to make his full debut start of the season for West
Ham in the Capital One Cup clash with League Two Cheltenham at Upton Park.
Morrison played the last 15 minutes of Saturday's goalless Barclays Premier
League draw at Newcastle and boss Sam Allardyce indicated Morrison is one of
a number of fringe players who could be given their chance. New signing
Razvan Rat is set for his competitive Hammers debut while Stewart Downing
could retain his place in the side after expressing his wish for more match
practice. Cheltenham manager Mark Yates will be keen to see a repeat of
Saturday's performance at Accrington when his side travel to the capital.
Yates could choose to stick with the players who helped the Robins bounce
back from the horror show against Plymouth with a solid 1-0 win at the Crown
Ground. Jermaine McGlashan and Byron Harrison will be desperate for a chance
to prove their worth after they were dropped to the bench at the weekend.
Veteran striker Jamie Cureton is still sidelined with a shoulder injury he
sustained in Cheltenham's 2-2 draw with Burton on the opening day.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Morrison set for West Ham debut
Last Updated: August 26, 2013 3:23pm
SSN
Sam Allardyce has told Ravel Morrison to make the most of his full West Ham
debut in the Capital One Cup clash with League Two Cheltenham. The
20-year-old played the last 15 minutes of Saturday's 0-0 draw at Newcastle
United and has also earned rave reviews for his pre-season performances.
"Ravel is an emerging talent and we've very pleased with what he did in
pre-season for us," Allardyce said. "He is an exceptional talent who we hope
we can nurture into the fray. Some people might say sticking a player on at
that late stage might be risky but we've got to do it at some stage. "We can
see the talent and the only way to do it is to get him in the first team and
get some minutes on the board. "He'll play against Cheltenham and we'll see
how he does and keep an eye on him. "He's had a good season at Birmingham
and he's brought that back with him in pre-season and it's great to see that
talent is emerging."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Transfer news: Chris Samba not expecting to leave Anzhi Makhachkala
Last Updated: August 26, 2013 4:31pm
SSN
Chris Samba does not expect to be among those moved on by Anzhi Makhachkala
as part of a summer 'makeover'. The commanding centre-half has already been
involved in one transfer during the current window - taking him from Queens
Park Rangers to Russia and a second spell at Anzhi. Since that switch, Anzhi
have revealed their intention to cut costs and offload high earners - with
the likes of Willian and Samuel Eto'o generating plenty of interest. Reports
have suggested that Samba could also be sold, with West Ham United among
those said to be keen on bringing the former Blackburn Rovers and QPR
defender back to England. The 29-year-old has, however, attempted to curb
the rumours by expressing his commitment to the Anzhi cause. Samba told
BobSoccer: "I'm not going anywhere. "The fact is that the club has decided
to rejuvenate things and is undergoing a bit of a makeover. But I'm here and
I'm doing my job. "There is no question of my departure. I want to say this
again, I'm at home here and I'm not going anywhere."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham say there must be departures in order to bring in new players
Last Updated: August 26, 2013 11:15am
SSN
West Ham joint-chairman David Sullivan says there will be no additional
signings in the current transfer window unless players leave Upton Park.
Sullivan stressed that the Hammers and manager Sam Allardyce are working
hard to strengthen the current squad but explained their hands are tied by
the new Premier League financial regulations. "Sam and I are working
tirelessly on identifying new targets to add to what has been a very good
window for West Ham United thus far," said Sullivan on the club's website.
"However, the new rules state that if a team exceeds the new wage limit they
could be hit with a points deduction. As we are now close to that limit,
players can only be brought in if there is money left in the wage budget,
meaning any new signings at West Ham are dependent on other players leaving
the club. "I have seen the suggestion that we should just give away or sell
a few fringe players to free up the wages but I must stress this is easier
said than done and despite our hard work over the summer, it just hasn't
been possible yet. "I'm hopeful that things will change over the last seven
days of the window and I can assure fans that we will be working hard -
right until the last minute if needs be - to make sure we give West Ham
United the best chance possible of topping last season's tenth-placed
finish."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
Joint-Chairman David Sullivan has sought to update fans on the Club's
activity in the transfer window
26.08.2013
With one week to go until the summer transfer window comes to a close, the
West Ham United Board and manager Sam Allardyce are continuing to work hard
on identifying talent to strengthen the first-team squad. However, as has
been made clear by the Joint-Chairmen and manager, the Club cannot exceed
the wage limit set by the new Premier League financial regulations, which
came in to force this season.
The new rules state that whatever a Club spent on wages last season, they
are allowed to do so again, with an allowance for an extra £4m on top. If
they did not spend £48m on wages last year, as was the case with West Ham
United, they are allowed to go up to a new £52m limit. With five key
signings already made this summer - including two England internationals -
the Hammers are now close to that limit, as Joint-Chairman David Sullivan
explains.
Mr Sullivan said: "Sam and I are working tirelessly on identifying new
targets to add to what has been a very good window for West Ham United thus
far. However, the new rules state that if a team exceeds the new wage limit
they could be hit with a points deduction. As we are now close to that
limit, players can only be brought in if there is money left in the wage
budget, meaning any new signings at West Ham are dependent on other players
leaving the Club.
"I have seen the suggestion that we should just give away or sell a few
fringe players to free up the wages but I must stress this is easier said
than done and despite our hard work over the summer, it just hasn't been
possible yet. "I'm hopeful that things will change over the last seven days
of the window and I can assure fans that we will be working hard - right
until the last minute if needs be - to make sure we give West Ham United the
best chance possible of topping last season's tenth-placed finish."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Manager on Monday
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's defensive solidity thus far has impressed manager Sam
Allardyce
26.08.2013
Sam Allardyce is delighted that West Ham United's hard work on and off the
pitch during pre-season is paying off. The West Ham United manager dedicated
hours of the off-season to sourcing and securing talent to bolster his West
Ham United squad, while also putting in the time on the training pitch to
perfect his side's defensive shape. The result from West Ham's first two
games of the Barclays Premier League season are a pair of clean sheets and
just one shot on target conceded, following the 0-0 draw at Newcastle United
on Saturday. "On Saturday, you look at playing away from home in front of
50,000 fans cheering Newcastle on and then you see that they had no shots on
target. That tells you everything about the quality of our defending. From
that point of view I'm delighted with the team. "We're disappointed we
didn't convert our clear-cut chances as when you play away from home and
create three clear-cut chances like we did you've got to take at least one
of them. "All three of them were headers and all three of them were unmarked
and six yards out and not one of them hit the target. On top of that Winston
Reid had a couple of really good chances and Joe Cole missed one right at
the end. "Overall though it was a great performance and a good result and we
move on undefeated with one win and one draw."
Stewart Downing made his full Hammers debut and was unlucky not to score
when he headed Matt Jarvis' cross back across goal at the end of the first
half. His arrival last week added yet further attacking options to
Allardyce's squad, which was evident on Saturday with the likes of Ricardo
Vaz Te, Matt Taylor and Jack Collison not even getting on the pitch. "We've
got more talent. Stewart Downing is a little short of match practice and
we've got Ravel Morrison, Mo Diame, Matt Jarvis, Joe Cole, Kevin Nolan,
Downing and Modibo Maiga, who are all creative talents. We've got the
defensive side right and we've got the attacking flair right, we just need
to get the finishing right."
The next team to have a shot at breaking the Hammers' defensive resolve is
Cheltenham Town on Tuesday night in a Capital One Cup tie at the Boleyn
Ground. Ravel Morrison is likely to get his first start in claret and blue
after making his Premier League debut at St James' Park, and his manager is
looking forward to seeing what he can produce in front of a large home
crowd. "He's an emerging talent and we're very pleased with what he did in
pre-season for us. He came on at Newcastle and is an exceptional talent who
we hope we can nurture into the fray. Some people might say sticking a
player on at that late stage might be risky but we've got to do it at some
stage. "We can see the talent and the only way to do it is to get him in the
first team and get some minutes on the board. He'll play against Cheltenham
on Tuesday and we'll see how he does and keep an eye on him. "He's had a
good season at Birmingham and he's brought that back with him in pre-season
and it's great to see that talent is emerging. "Then next week we have Stoke
City. All the teams we lost to at home last season were in the top seven so
we've got to emulate that if we can and we started well by beating Cardiff
in our first game. "Stoke under Mark Hughes, like they were under Tony
Pulis, will be well organised but we've got to make sure we continue our
home form and home victories and then we can start talking about a good
start."
The summer transfer window will close at midnight next Monday and although
West Ham continue to operate at the maximum of their wage limit, Big Sam was
open-minded about the possibility of new arrivals before then. "I don't
think any more will come in but you never know until that window shuts.
Something might turn up that the Chairman and I might fancy so we'll have to
wait and see. "I think the last week of the window will be quieter than it's
ever been but you never know!"
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham v Cheltenham
KO 19:45
26 August 2013
Last updated at 13:13
CAPITAL ONE CUP SECOND ROUND
Venue: Upton Park Date: Tuesday, 27 August
Coverage: Watch highlights on The League Cup Show on Wednesday at 2335 BST,
BBC One.
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce says that Ravel Morrison will make his first
start of the season against Cheltenham. New signing Razvan Rat could also be
set for his competitive Hammers' debut.
Cheltenham will be without experienced striker Jamie Cureton, who has a
dislocated shoulder. But fellow forward Terry Gornell has declared himself
fully fit for the Robins, who picked up their first league win on Saturday.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
The teams are playing each other for the first time in a competitive
fixture.
West Ham
The Hammers have won seven of their last nine League Cup matches played at
Upton Park.
West Ham are unbeaten this season, with a win and a draw so far in the
Premier League.
Cheltenham
Cheltenham have scored in each of their last 10 League Cup matches, although
they've kept only one clean sheet in that period.
The Robins have lost all four of their previous second-round ties, all of
which came against teams from a higher division.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham apply for Rojas work permit
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 26th August 2013
By: Staff Writer
Honduran striker Roger Rojas has arrived in England where he is expected to
complete a season-long loan deal. KUMB revealed on Saturday that the 5'8"
striker was on his way to England initially on loan but with an option to
buy. The move was confirmed late this evening [Monday] via the Twitter feed
of Jack Sullivan, who posted: "Roger Rojas' work permit application is on
Friday, loan with an option to buy. Fingers crossed! 21 goals in last 18
games. #decent"
Tegucigalpa-born Rojas has spent his entire career at Olimpia, for whom he
has made in excess of 100 appearances and scored over 50 goals including
three in his first three matches of this season. He made his debut for
Honduras in 2010 and has since gone on to represent his country 18 times -
meaning that the issue of insufficient international appearances, which
ended Colombian Duvan Zapata's hopes of joining West Ham, should not be an
issue this time.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Capital One Cup: West Ham v Cheltenham preview
Last Updated: August 26, 2013 1:37pm
SSN
Ravel Morrison is set to make his full debut start of the season for West
Ham in the Capital One Cup clash with League Two Cheltenham at Upton Park.
Morrison played the last 15 minutes of Saturday's goalless Barclays Premier
League draw at Newcastle and boss Sam Allardyce indicated Morrison is one of
a number of fringe players who could be given their chance. New signing
Razvan Rat is set for his competitive Hammers debut while Stewart Downing
could retain his place in the side after expressing his wish for more match
practice. Cheltenham manager Mark Yates will be keen to see a repeat of
Saturday's performance at Accrington when his side travel to the capital.
Yates could choose to stick with the players who helped the Robins bounce
back from the horror show against Plymouth with a solid 1-0 win at the Crown
Ground. Jermaine McGlashan and Byron Harrison will be desperate for a chance
to prove their worth after they were dropped to the bench at the weekend.
Veteran striker Jamie Cureton is still sidelined with a shoulder injury he
sustained in Cheltenham's 2-2 draw with Burton on the opening day.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Morrison set for West Ham debut
Last Updated: August 26, 2013 3:23pm
SSN
Sam Allardyce has told Ravel Morrison to make the most of his full West Ham
debut in the Capital One Cup clash with League Two Cheltenham. The
20-year-old played the last 15 minutes of Saturday's 0-0 draw at Newcastle
United and has also earned rave reviews for his pre-season performances.
"Ravel is an emerging talent and we've very pleased with what he did in
pre-season for us," Allardyce said. "He is an exceptional talent who we hope
we can nurture into the fray. Some people might say sticking a player on at
that late stage might be risky but we've got to do it at some stage. "We can
see the talent and the only way to do it is to get him in the first team and
get some minutes on the board. "He'll play against Cheltenham and we'll see
how he does and keep an eye on him. "He's had a good season at Birmingham
and he's brought that back with him in pre-season and it's great to see that
talent is emerging."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Transfer news: Chris Samba not expecting to leave Anzhi Makhachkala
Last Updated: August 26, 2013 4:31pm
SSN
Chris Samba does not expect to be among those moved on by Anzhi Makhachkala
as part of a summer 'makeover'. The commanding centre-half has already been
involved in one transfer during the current window - taking him from Queens
Park Rangers to Russia and a second spell at Anzhi. Since that switch, Anzhi
have revealed their intention to cut costs and offload high earners - with
the likes of Willian and Samuel Eto'o generating plenty of interest. Reports
have suggested that Samba could also be sold, with West Ham United among
those said to be keen on bringing the former Blackburn Rovers and QPR
defender back to England. The 29-year-old has, however, attempted to curb
the rumours by expressing his commitment to the Anzhi cause. Samba told
BobSoccer: "I'm not going anywhere. "The fact is that the club has decided
to rejuvenate things and is undergoing a bit of a makeover. But I'm here and
I'm doing my job. "There is no question of my departure. I want to say this
again, I'm at home here and I'm not going anywhere."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham say there must be departures in order to bring in new players
Last Updated: August 26, 2013 11:15am
SSN
West Ham joint-chairman David Sullivan says there will be no additional
signings in the current transfer window unless players leave Upton Park.
Sullivan stressed that the Hammers and manager Sam Allardyce are working
hard to strengthen the current squad but explained their hands are tied by
the new Premier League financial regulations. "Sam and I are working
tirelessly on identifying new targets to add to what has been a very good
window for West Ham United thus far," said Sullivan on the club's website.
"However, the new rules state that if a team exceeds the new wage limit they
could be hit with a points deduction. As we are now close to that limit,
players can only be brought in if there is money left in the wage budget,
meaning any new signings at West Ham are dependent on other players leaving
the club. "I have seen the suggestion that we should just give away or sell
a few fringe players to free up the wages but I must stress this is easier
said than done and despite our hard work over the summer, it just hasn't
been possible yet. "I'm hopeful that things will change over the last seven
days of the window and I can assure fans that we will be working hard -
right until the last minute if needs be - to make sure we give West Ham
United the best chance possible of topping last season's tenth-placed
finish."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Monday, August 26
Daily WHUFC News - 26th August 2013
O'Brien in provisional Ireland squad
WHUFC.com
Hammers defender receives call-up to Giovanni Trapattoni's squad for World
Cup qualifiers
25.08.2013
West Ham United defender Joey O'Brien has been named in a provisional 29-man
squad for the Republic of Ireland's FIFA World Cup Qualifiers against Sweden
and Austria next month. Giovanni Trapattoni's side are set to play Sweden in
Dublin on Friday 6 September and Austria in Vienna on Tuesday 10 September.
O'Brien, 27, has been capped five times by his country at senior level, with
his last international appearance coming in a 2012 friendly against Oman.
Ireland currently sit fourth in their qualification group, five points off
leaders Germany, but level with second placed Austria and Sweden in third.
Next month's fixtures will prove crucial, therefore, to their chances ot
keeping their hopes of landing a place in Brazil alive.
Republic of Ireland squad: Forde, Westwood, Randolph, O'Shea, O'Brien, St
Ledger, Wilson, Coleman, Kelly, O'Dea, Clark, Dunne, McShane, Whelan,
McCarthy, Green, Hendrick, McGeady, Pilkington, McClean, Brady, Meyler,
Hoolahan, Long, Keane, Sammon, Walters, Madden, Cox.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Morrison tipped for big season at West Ham
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 25th August 2013
By: Celia Roche
With many believing Ravel Morrison will inevitably end up heading the way of
so many talented English footballers who throw away their massive potential,
the young West Ham midfielder will be going into this season knowing how
important it is to his career.
The youngster arrived at Upton Park after a chequered time at Manchester
United. Even under the guidance of Sir Alex Ferguson, after signing a
professional contract at 17, Morrison's supreme ability was often
overshadowed during his time at Old Trafford by a series of incidents that
saw him in trouble with both the police and the Football Association.
For whatever reason – be it a better contract or the chance of more regular
first team football - Morrison made the decision to leave Manchester and Sir
Alex and sign for a club with a history of turning talented youngsters into
top-class seniors. While the move may have raised a few eyebrows among
football betting pundits, Big Sam always made it clear that he felt he could
get the best out of one of the most talented young English players for a
while.
After an impressive loan spell in the Championship with Birmingham last
season, the 20-year-old returned to London this summer and set about
establishing himself in Allardyce's plans this season. And after catching
the eye during preseason, the Hammers' manager has tipped the mercurial
midfielder to be a big player for the club this year.
"Ravel does seem to have matured. He's obviously taken a good look at
himself and decided that, if he is going to make it as a professional
footballer, he needed to be more disciplined in his day-to-day life,"
revealed Allardyce. "His contribution in pre-season has been exciting for
us. His big challenge will be when he gets his chance to play in the first
team at competitive level."
It has not just been the management who have been impressed by the returning
Morrison, with fellow midfielder, Mark Noble, another to publicly praise the
youngster for the way he has worked during the club's preseason campaign.
"He's done brilliantly this pre-season. He's not been late, he's turned up
to every session, he's trained hard and obviously he's getting the benefits
now,"
The former England Under-18 international, who has only made one competitive
appearance for the Hammers to date, is clearly part of the manager's plans
this season after making the bench for the club's opening day victory
against Cardiff and featuring briefly against Newcastle yesterday. The
question will now be whether the versatile midfielder can break through and
establish himself as a regular starter in Allardyce's first team.
It will be interesting to see how Morrison will handle the situation if he
fails to feature as heavily as he would want during the opening part of the
new season. Big Sam has shown in the past that he is more than capable of
dealing with those players who like to wear the big boy pants, and Hammers
fans will be confident that the manager can handle Morrison should the
youngster look like he's beginning to start edging off the rails again.
One issue could be just how Morrison would fit into the current midfield
three that Allardyce is playing. With Noble, Nolan, and Diame all similar
types of player in the centre of the park, Morrison could instead be used in
the front-three that have started the season.
An attacking midfield player, the former Manchester United man has the
ability to play as a forward, especially considering how dangerous Morrison
can be in and around the area. While his time at Birmingham only yielded
three goals, Morrison showed repeatedly that he really comes into his own
when he has the ball in that final third of the pitch.
With all the off-field problems that went on at Birmingham last season, it
will have been a real boost to West Ham to have seen just how well Morrison
seemed to handle himself during his time in the Midlands. A slightly wobbly
start to his time at St Andrews was soon forgotten about by manager, Lee
Clark, and the Birmingham supporters when the midfielder begun producing
consistently stand-out performances for the Blues.
While the Premier League is clearly a different beast than the Championship,
there will be plenty that Morrison will be able to take from his season in
the second-tier and use when he is given the chance in the majors.
Long tipped to be one of this country's most naturally gifted players of a
generation, this season is the time for Morrison to show he is worth all the
fuss and capable of living up to all the hype.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham line up loan deal for prolific Honduras striker Rojas
PUBLISHED: 00:41, 26 August 2013 | UPDATED: 00:41, 26 August 2013
Daily Mail
Roger Rojas is set to complete a loan switch to West Ham United. The
Honduras forward has been prolific for current club Olimpia and is likely to
join up with Sam Allardyce's squad early this week. Rojas, 23, scored 19
league goals last season and already has three in three this season.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Stewart Downing claims Newcastle blocked his Toon transfer as he's too old
25 Aug 2013 22:30
The Mirror
David Rogers
Stewart Downing has revealed how Newcastle's transfer policy cost Alan
Pardew his chance of signing him. The England winger says he was interested
in joining Newcastle before he made his £6million switch from Liverpool to
join Sam Allardyce at West Ham a fortnight ago. But the former
Middlesbrough man claims the Toon hierarchy were unwilling to fork out the
cash in transfer fee and wages to lure him to back to his native North East
because he is 29. "There were things going on in the background and
Newcastle enquired about me," said Downing. "But it sounds like their owners
are similar to Liverpool on transfer fees and wages and the player's age.
"That all comes into the equation, and I think that was obviously a problem
for Alan Pardew. "It was a move I was interested in and I looked at it, but
when I spoke to Sam Allardyce he wanted me straight away. "He pushed the
boat out to get me, and there's nothing more you want as a player."
Downing's revelation will explain much for the Toon Army, who are agitated
over the club's inactivity in the transfer market this summer. Loan signing
Loic Remy remains their only senior addition. Director of football Joe
Kinnear is the focus for much of their anger, and some supporters unfurled a
banner branding him "a clown" before being told by stewards to put it away.
Remy has yet to kick a ball in anger because he arrived from QPR with a calf
injury. And Newcastle's failure to score for a third successive match
underlined in highlighter pen their desperate need for another striker.
Papiss Cisse was anonymous before being replaced by Yoan Gouffran, who
produced an early contender for miss of the season when he shot over from
three yards out in stoppage time.
Gouffran's miss meant all of Newcastle's 16 attempts on goal have been off
target and they last scored a Premier League goal at St James' Park on April
7. While Newcastle face up to another challenging campaign, Downing believes
the future is bright for him and West Ham.
Allardyce's side have taken four points from their first two games and
Downing reckons their point on Tyneside shows they can build on last
season's 10th-placed finish. The Hammers created the better chances and
Winston Reid, Modibo Maiga and Kevin Nolan all spurned good openings.
Downing was pleased to make his first start for the Hammers and feels
playing regularly for West Ham in his favourite position out wide left can
give him the platform to win back his England place. "That's still a big
ambition," said Downing, who won the last of his 24 caps last year. "I've
not played for a while, I realise that, but you've got to give yourself
every chance. A good season things can turn it around. It did for me when I
went to the World Cup in 2006. "I was injured, but then played for the back
end of the season and got in. "I just thought I've got a chance of playing.
I've got to get back in the squad and at Liverpool that might have been
difficult."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham blog: Three reasons why Stewart Downing will shine at Upton Park
London24.com
By Kieran Milward
Sunday, August 25, 2013
1:27 PM
Stewart Downing made his first start for West Ham in yesterday's stalemate
against Newcastle, following his £6million move from Liverpool. The winger
had a nightmare of a time at Anfield with only seven goals and 11 assists in
91 games for the club, but our blogger explains that there are three reasons
for West Ham fans to be optimistic over his switch to West Ham.
1. Less expectation on him
Some players cope well under intense pressure and others, like Downing, do
not. Despite recent seasons, Liverpool are still a huge club, with a
worldwide fan base and that puts a lot of pressure on the players to fulfil
their potential, the inflated £20million transfer fee did not help his cause
either.
He had nowhere near the same amount of pressure and scrutiny on him at his
former clubs and, as a result, his performances were deemed good enough for
multiple England call-ups.
I believe that at West Ham he can replicate this kind of form because the
pressure on him will be of a lower intensity and he will be able to put in
the kind of impressive performances that got Liverpool interested in the
first place.
However, it is his inability to play well under pressure that will stop him
from playing for his country and a bigger club again.
2. He will actually improve West Ham's squad
If you look at the wide midfield players that West Ham currently have in
their team, it is clear to see that Downing is well ahead of them all when
it comes to technical ability and the potential to influence matches when it
matters.
West Ham are short on wingers. Matty Taylor has been linked with a move away
from the club and, should that happen before the Septemerb 2 transfer
deadline, then that only leaves Joe Cole and Matt Jarvis, both of whom lack
the ability that Downing has when he is on top of his game.
There is no doubt that Downing will slot straight into the first team at
Upton Park, partly due to the lack of real quality that the Hammers have in
midfield, but also because he has the ability to turn a relegation
threatened season into a comfortable mid-table finish.
3. He will link well with Andy Carroll
Carroll and Downing were not given enough chances to play together at
Liverpool and if they were, there is every chance that they would both still
be at the Anfield outfit.
Downing is the perfect player to have on the wing, providing for the big
number nine for a few reasons.
Firstly, they have trained together before and they know each other's
strengths, so it would not take long for a partnership to blossom.
Secondly, Downing has excellent vision when it comes to passing and crossing
and if Sam Allardyce can improve his passing accuracy, then more often than
not he will create chances for Carroll.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, Carroll is not just a typical
lumbering centre forward, he can also play with finesse, which means he will
be able to read Downing's more intelligent passes and be able to link with
him in that respect.
There is always a risk when a club takes on a player that has failed at
another team, but I think West Ham fans should be quietly optimistic with
the potential signing of Downing because, if he can get back up to anywhere
near his best, then he will be a success at Upton Park.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Bit chilly, Ravel? West Ham midfielder Morrison wears gloves during sub
appearance in August
By JOE STRANGE
PUBLISHED: 10:47, 25 August 2013 | UPDATED: 14:40, 25 August 2013
Daily Mail
Despite torrential rain hitting much of the North East on Saturday,
temperatures remained steady with a high of 18 degrees in Newcastle. But
that didn't stop West Ham midfielder Ravel Morrison sporting a pair of
gloves during his brief substitute appearance against Alan Pardew's side
yesterday afternoon. The former Manchester United player replaced Mohamed
Diame for the last 15 minutes at St James' Park, his first appearance of the
new season. After being shipped out on loan to Birmingham City for the
2012/13 campaign, Morrison scored five goals in pre-season and looks set to
play a role under Sam Allardyce this season. But even with his new gloves,
the former England youth international could not help his side steal all
three points as they settled for a hard-fought 0-0 draw. Newcastle's Cheick
Tiote, who missed Saturday's game though injury, is another player guilty of
wearing gloves outside of winter, having sported a pair in May of last
season. The hard-man midfielder opted for gloves and a short-sleeved shirt
against West Ham at Upton Park, despite the temperature hitting 20 degrees
during another 0-0 draw. Premier League players sporting gloves is not a new
phenomenon, with foreign stars such as Arsenal's Patrick Vieira first
pioneering the trend. Some players even took things a step further by
donning snoods in the winter months, until a ban on the neck-wear was
brought in by the International FA board in March 2011.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
Hammers defender receives call-up to Giovanni Trapattoni's squad for World
Cup qualifiers
25.08.2013
West Ham United defender Joey O'Brien has been named in a provisional 29-man
squad for the Republic of Ireland's FIFA World Cup Qualifiers against Sweden
and Austria next month. Giovanni Trapattoni's side are set to play Sweden in
Dublin on Friday 6 September and Austria in Vienna on Tuesday 10 September.
O'Brien, 27, has been capped five times by his country at senior level, with
his last international appearance coming in a 2012 friendly against Oman.
Ireland currently sit fourth in their qualification group, five points off
leaders Germany, but level with second placed Austria and Sweden in third.
Next month's fixtures will prove crucial, therefore, to their chances ot
keeping their hopes of landing a place in Brazil alive.
Republic of Ireland squad: Forde, Westwood, Randolph, O'Shea, O'Brien, St
Ledger, Wilson, Coleman, Kelly, O'Dea, Clark, Dunne, McShane, Whelan,
McCarthy, Green, Hendrick, McGeady, Pilkington, McClean, Brady, Meyler,
Hoolahan, Long, Keane, Sammon, Walters, Madden, Cox.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Morrison tipped for big season at West Ham
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 25th August 2013
By: Celia Roche
With many believing Ravel Morrison will inevitably end up heading the way of
so many talented English footballers who throw away their massive potential,
the young West Ham midfielder will be going into this season knowing how
important it is to his career.
The youngster arrived at Upton Park after a chequered time at Manchester
United. Even under the guidance of Sir Alex Ferguson, after signing a
professional contract at 17, Morrison's supreme ability was often
overshadowed during his time at Old Trafford by a series of incidents that
saw him in trouble with both the police and the Football Association.
For whatever reason – be it a better contract or the chance of more regular
first team football - Morrison made the decision to leave Manchester and Sir
Alex and sign for a club with a history of turning talented youngsters into
top-class seniors. While the move may have raised a few eyebrows among
football betting pundits, Big Sam always made it clear that he felt he could
get the best out of one of the most talented young English players for a
while.
After an impressive loan spell in the Championship with Birmingham last
season, the 20-year-old returned to London this summer and set about
establishing himself in Allardyce's plans this season. And after catching
the eye during preseason, the Hammers' manager has tipped the mercurial
midfielder to be a big player for the club this year.
"Ravel does seem to have matured. He's obviously taken a good look at
himself and decided that, if he is going to make it as a professional
footballer, he needed to be more disciplined in his day-to-day life,"
revealed Allardyce. "His contribution in pre-season has been exciting for
us. His big challenge will be when he gets his chance to play in the first
team at competitive level."
It has not just been the management who have been impressed by the returning
Morrison, with fellow midfielder, Mark Noble, another to publicly praise the
youngster for the way he has worked during the club's preseason campaign.
"He's done brilliantly this pre-season. He's not been late, he's turned up
to every session, he's trained hard and obviously he's getting the benefits
now,"
The former England Under-18 international, who has only made one competitive
appearance for the Hammers to date, is clearly part of the manager's plans
this season after making the bench for the club's opening day victory
against Cardiff and featuring briefly against Newcastle yesterday. The
question will now be whether the versatile midfielder can break through and
establish himself as a regular starter in Allardyce's first team.
It will be interesting to see how Morrison will handle the situation if he
fails to feature as heavily as he would want during the opening part of the
new season. Big Sam has shown in the past that he is more than capable of
dealing with those players who like to wear the big boy pants, and Hammers
fans will be confident that the manager can handle Morrison should the
youngster look like he's beginning to start edging off the rails again.
One issue could be just how Morrison would fit into the current midfield
three that Allardyce is playing. With Noble, Nolan, and Diame all similar
types of player in the centre of the park, Morrison could instead be used in
the front-three that have started the season.
An attacking midfield player, the former Manchester United man has the
ability to play as a forward, especially considering how dangerous Morrison
can be in and around the area. While his time at Birmingham only yielded
three goals, Morrison showed repeatedly that he really comes into his own
when he has the ball in that final third of the pitch.
With all the off-field problems that went on at Birmingham last season, it
will have been a real boost to West Ham to have seen just how well Morrison
seemed to handle himself during his time in the Midlands. A slightly wobbly
start to his time at St Andrews was soon forgotten about by manager, Lee
Clark, and the Birmingham supporters when the midfielder begun producing
consistently stand-out performances for the Blues.
While the Premier League is clearly a different beast than the Championship,
there will be plenty that Morrison will be able to take from his season in
the second-tier and use when he is given the chance in the majors.
Long tipped to be one of this country's most naturally gifted players of a
generation, this season is the time for Morrison to show he is worth all the
fuss and capable of living up to all the hype.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham line up loan deal for prolific Honduras striker Rojas
PUBLISHED: 00:41, 26 August 2013 | UPDATED: 00:41, 26 August 2013
Daily Mail
Roger Rojas is set to complete a loan switch to West Ham United. The
Honduras forward has been prolific for current club Olimpia and is likely to
join up with Sam Allardyce's squad early this week. Rojas, 23, scored 19
league goals last season and already has three in three this season.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Stewart Downing claims Newcastle blocked his Toon transfer as he's too old
25 Aug 2013 22:30
The Mirror
David Rogers
Stewart Downing has revealed how Newcastle's transfer policy cost Alan
Pardew his chance of signing him. The England winger says he was interested
in joining Newcastle before he made his £6million switch from Liverpool to
join Sam Allardyce at West Ham a fortnight ago. But the former
Middlesbrough man claims the Toon hierarchy were unwilling to fork out the
cash in transfer fee and wages to lure him to back to his native North East
because he is 29. "There were things going on in the background and
Newcastle enquired about me," said Downing. "But it sounds like their owners
are similar to Liverpool on transfer fees and wages and the player's age.
"That all comes into the equation, and I think that was obviously a problem
for Alan Pardew. "It was a move I was interested in and I looked at it, but
when I spoke to Sam Allardyce he wanted me straight away. "He pushed the
boat out to get me, and there's nothing more you want as a player."
Downing's revelation will explain much for the Toon Army, who are agitated
over the club's inactivity in the transfer market this summer. Loan signing
Loic Remy remains their only senior addition. Director of football Joe
Kinnear is the focus for much of their anger, and some supporters unfurled a
banner branding him "a clown" before being told by stewards to put it away.
Remy has yet to kick a ball in anger because he arrived from QPR with a calf
injury. And Newcastle's failure to score for a third successive match
underlined in highlighter pen their desperate need for another striker.
Papiss Cisse was anonymous before being replaced by Yoan Gouffran, who
produced an early contender for miss of the season when he shot over from
three yards out in stoppage time.
Gouffran's miss meant all of Newcastle's 16 attempts on goal have been off
target and they last scored a Premier League goal at St James' Park on April
7. While Newcastle face up to another challenging campaign, Downing believes
the future is bright for him and West Ham.
Allardyce's side have taken four points from their first two games and
Downing reckons their point on Tyneside shows they can build on last
season's 10th-placed finish. The Hammers created the better chances and
Winston Reid, Modibo Maiga and Kevin Nolan all spurned good openings.
Downing was pleased to make his first start for the Hammers and feels
playing regularly for West Ham in his favourite position out wide left can
give him the platform to win back his England place. "That's still a big
ambition," said Downing, who won the last of his 24 caps last year. "I've
not played for a while, I realise that, but you've got to give yourself
every chance. A good season things can turn it around. It did for me when I
went to the World Cup in 2006. "I was injured, but then played for the back
end of the season and got in. "I just thought I've got a chance of playing.
I've got to get back in the squad and at Liverpool that might have been
difficult."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham blog: Three reasons why Stewart Downing will shine at Upton Park
London24.com
By Kieran Milward
Sunday, August 25, 2013
1:27 PM
Stewart Downing made his first start for West Ham in yesterday's stalemate
against Newcastle, following his £6million move from Liverpool. The winger
had a nightmare of a time at Anfield with only seven goals and 11 assists in
91 games for the club, but our blogger explains that there are three reasons
for West Ham fans to be optimistic over his switch to West Ham.
1. Less expectation on him
Some players cope well under intense pressure and others, like Downing, do
not. Despite recent seasons, Liverpool are still a huge club, with a
worldwide fan base and that puts a lot of pressure on the players to fulfil
their potential, the inflated £20million transfer fee did not help his cause
either.
He had nowhere near the same amount of pressure and scrutiny on him at his
former clubs and, as a result, his performances were deemed good enough for
multiple England call-ups.
I believe that at West Ham he can replicate this kind of form because the
pressure on him will be of a lower intensity and he will be able to put in
the kind of impressive performances that got Liverpool interested in the
first place.
However, it is his inability to play well under pressure that will stop him
from playing for his country and a bigger club again.
2. He will actually improve West Ham's squad
If you look at the wide midfield players that West Ham currently have in
their team, it is clear to see that Downing is well ahead of them all when
it comes to technical ability and the potential to influence matches when it
matters.
West Ham are short on wingers. Matty Taylor has been linked with a move away
from the club and, should that happen before the Septemerb 2 transfer
deadline, then that only leaves Joe Cole and Matt Jarvis, both of whom lack
the ability that Downing has when he is on top of his game.
There is no doubt that Downing will slot straight into the first team at
Upton Park, partly due to the lack of real quality that the Hammers have in
midfield, but also because he has the ability to turn a relegation
threatened season into a comfortable mid-table finish.
3. He will link well with Andy Carroll
Carroll and Downing were not given enough chances to play together at
Liverpool and if they were, there is every chance that they would both still
be at the Anfield outfit.
Downing is the perfect player to have on the wing, providing for the big
number nine for a few reasons.
Firstly, they have trained together before and they know each other's
strengths, so it would not take long for a partnership to blossom.
Secondly, Downing has excellent vision when it comes to passing and crossing
and if Sam Allardyce can improve his passing accuracy, then more often than
not he will create chances for Carroll.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, Carroll is not just a typical
lumbering centre forward, he can also play with finesse, which means he will
be able to read Downing's more intelligent passes and be able to link with
him in that respect.
There is always a risk when a club takes on a player that has failed at
another team, but I think West Ham fans should be quietly optimistic with
the potential signing of Downing because, if he can get back up to anywhere
near his best, then he will be a success at Upton Park.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Bit chilly, Ravel? West Ham midfielder Morrison wears gloves during sub
appearance in August
By JOE STRANGE
PUBLISHED: 10:47, 25 August 2013 | UPDATED: 14:40, 25 August 2013
Daily Mail
Despite torrential rain hitting much of the North East on Saturday,
temperatures remained steady with a high of 18 degrees in Newcastle. But
that didn't stop West Ham midfielder Ravel Morrison sporting a pair of
gloves during his brief substitute appearance against Alan Pardew's side
yesterday afternoon. The former Manchester United player replaced Mohamed
Diame for the last 15 minutes at St James' Park, his first appearance of the
new season. After being shipped out on loan to Birmingham City for the
2012/13 campaign, Morrison scored five goals in pre-season and looks set to
play a role under Sam Allardyce this season. But even with his new gloves,
the former England youth international could not help his side steal all
three points as they settled for a hard-fought 0-0 draw. Newcastle's Cheick
Tiote, who missed Saturday's game though injury, is another player guilty of
wearing gloves outside of winter, having sported a pair in May of last
season. The hard-man midfielder opted for gloves and a short-sleeved shirt
against West Ham at Upton Park, despite the temperature hitting 20 degrees
during another 0-0 draw. Premier League players sporting gloves is not a new
phenomenon, with foreign stars such as Arsenal's Patrick Vieira first
pioneering the trend. Some players even took things a step further by
donning snoods in the winter months, until a ban on the neck-wear was
brought in by the International FA board in March 2011.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Sunday, August 25
Daily WHUFC News - 25th August 2013
Stalemate at St James'
WHUFC.com
West Ham United drew 0-0 at Newcastle United on Saturday
24.08.2013
Newcastle United 0-0 West Ham United
Barclays Premier League
West Ham United kept their second clean sheet in succession as they
collected a useful point at Newcastle United on Saturday. Genuine chances
were few and far between on a wet afternoon on Tyneside as the Hammers kept
their hosts at arm's length. Their best effort came right at the death as
Sammy Ameobi's attempted cross came back off a post and Yoan Gouffran
knocked over the top, but had that gone in it would have been very harsh on
Sam Allardyce's men.
Newcastle, fresh from their 4-0 hammering at Manchester City on Monday, were
clearly happy to keep it tight in the opening stages and the first half was
a cagey affair. With seven minutes on the clock Newcastle won a free kick 25
yards from goal and Hatem Ben Arfa opted to take the shot on, but he could
not keep his effort down. Off-target Magpies shooting was a feature of the
afternoon's play - Newcastle had eleven efforts before the break, but all
were from range and all failed to trouble Jussi Jaaskelainen. The closest
Newcastle came before half time actually came from a Hammers foot as Winston
Reid intercepted a Ben Arfa pass intended for Papiss Cisse and only just
missed Jaaskelainen's far post. Reid was also involved at the other end on
27 minutes, beating Tim Krul to Modibo Maiga's knockdown following a
Jaaskelainen free kick, but he knocked over the top under pressure from the
home goalkeeper. Matt Jarvis also got in behind Mathieu Debuchy dangerously
and stood up a cross for Stewart Downing, but Mapou Yanga-M'Biwa marshalled
the ball behind for a goal kick with Maiga lurking.
The second period began with the home side trying to lift their side, but it
also began with the Magpies failing to hit the target, as Davide Santon
advanced from left back on 55 minutes, but sent his cross-shot comfortably
over the top. Four minutes later, Kevin Nolan had a great chance to notch
against his old club - just as he did at St James' Park last year, but did
not get his header right from a wickedly inswinging Stewart Downing cross
and the ball flew wide. As the game wore on, it became increasingly likely
that just one moment of magic would settle it, and it nearly came from Joe
Cole six minutes from time as he wrapped his foot around the ball to fire
goalwards following a lay-off from sub Ravel Morrison, but could not get
quite enough curl on his effort. At the other end, Sammy Ameobi's cross
sailed over Jaaskelainen and struck the far post in stoppage time, but there
was no way through as the Hammers made their point.
Newcastle United: Krul; Debuchy, Yanga-M'Biwa, Coloccini, Santon; Marveaux
(Sa.Ameobi 66), Anita, Sissoko, Ben Arfa; Sh.Ameobi, Cisse (Gouffran 72)
Subs: Elliot (GK), Gosling, Bigrimana, Vuckic, Dummett
West Ham United: Jaaskelainen; Demel, Collins, Reid, O'Brien; Nolan, Noble,
Diame (Morrison 75); Downing (Cole 63), Maiga, Jarvis
Subs: Adrian (GK), Tomkins, Rat, Vaz Te, Diarra
Booked: O'Brien
Referee: Phil Dowd
Attendance: 49,622
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Downing reflects on Newcastle draw
WHUFC.com
Stewart Downing was pleased to play a positive role in Saturday's 0-0 draw
at Newcastle United
24.08.2013
Stewart Downing believes West Ham United were unfortunate not to collect all
three Barclays Premier League points on his full Hammers debut at Newcastle
United. The England winger was in lively form as Sam Allardyce's side put in
a committed and resolute performance at St James' Park that, on another day,
would have been rewarded with a victory. Downing himself could have chalked
up his first goal and assist in claret and blue, seeing a goal-bound shot
saved by Tim Krul, a header bounce wide and a superb cross headed
uncharacteristically wide by captain Kevin Nolan. "I enjoyed and I certainly
thought we could have won the game with the chances we had," the new No23
told West Ham TV. "I think we played good counter-attacking football and
certainly had chances to win it. "It was always going to be difficult going
to Newcastle for their first home game but we got a result and I think we
did really well."
In the first half, Downing repeatedly benefitted from West Ham pressing high
up the pitch and winning back possession in the middle third of the pitch.
From one such attack, the winger rose high at the far post to head Matt
Jarvis' cross, knocking the ball back across goal when he could have aimed
for the target himself. "It wouldn't quite happen and wouldn't quite drop
for us in the first half. I think we did everything right until the final
bit, but in the second half when it started to get more open we had a few
chances we started to get the ball into the box "We had some chances in the
first half too, especially with my header which I didn't know whether to go
for goal or to pull it back. I should have gone for goal instead of pulling
it back. "I heard a shout 'Pull it back' and I was running that fast to get
on the end of it so that's what I did. The manager wants me to get on that
back stick. Maybe I should have gone for goal, but that's the way it is. "It
was unlucky, but I think if anyone was going to win the game it would have
been us."
In the second half, Downing saw one well-struck effort saved by Krul before
turning provider for Nolan, only for the skipper to head his cross wide when
well-placed. "I think he didn't realise how much time he had and it's quite
hard to head balls that come across your body. "The positive thing is that
we had people in the box and if we keep putting balls in like that, we've
got a chance of scoring goals."
Downing also showed his defensive qualities, using his pace and fitness to
track Newcastle's adventurous Italy international left-back Davide Santon.
The 29-year-old said he was happy to work up and down the flanks for his
team. "Away from home, especially, you have to work hard for the team. At
some places where they keep possession of the ball, you have to do more
running off the ball then you do with it. "The manager wants me to get up
and down and it was a tough 60 minutes. I've not played a lot of football so
this was a game I certainly enjoyed."
Having missed a section of pre-season before moving to West Ham from
Liverpool, Downing is now hoping to work himself closer to full fitness by
featuring in Tuesday's Capital One Cup second-round clash with Cheltenham
Town at the Boleyn Ground. Having reached the League Cup final with all
three of his former clubs - Middlesbrough, Aston Villa and Liverpool - and
been named Man of the Match in the Reds' 2012 final victory over Cardiff
City, he has a lot of time for the competition. "I'm not sure if I'll be
involved at the moment, but I know the manager will want to do well in that
competition. "The squad is obviously not massive so I expect everyone will
be involved and the Gaffer might change around a few. For me personally, I
just want to keep playing and get as fit as I can and get a good run at it.
"A lot of teams disregard the League Cup a little bit but I always think
that if you go strong in it, you've got every chance. "Certainly at
Middlesbrough and Liverpool we had that and I also got to the final with
Aston Villa. I think we should just go for it because a few teams do
disregard it."
Looking further forward to next Saturday's home Barclays Premier League
fixture with Stoke City, Downing believes a victory would be the perfect way
to finish the first month of the 2013/14 season. "We're a little
disappointed we didn't get all three points at Newcastle but getting a point
is still good. "If we can win at home next week, that point looks even
better. We'll be up for it and Stoke will come and have a go at us, so I'm
looking forward to it."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hendon happy with Toon point
WHUFC.com
First-team coach Ian Hendon said West Ham United deserved a positive result
at Newcastle United
24.08.2013
Ian Hendon said West Ham United could be proud of their start to the 2013/14
Barclays Premier League season after earning a deserved point at Newcastle
United. The Hammers kept their second clean sheet in succession to secure a
goalless draw at St James' Park, and could even had won all three had Modibo
Maiga, Winston Reid or Kevin Nolan put presentable chances away. As it was,
Newcastle came within inches of stealing victory themselves when Sammy
Ameobi's 93rd-minute cross hit the inside of the post and Yoan Gouffran
fired the rebound over the crossbar with the goal gaping. First-team coach
Hendon reflected on a cagey game that could have gone either way in an
exclusive interview with West Ham TV. "I think, if you look at the chances
over the 90 minutes, we had better opportunities than Newcastle and should
possibly have got all three points," he said. "Having said that, we could
have lost it right at the end when they have hit one against the post and it
has fallen to their lad, who has put it over. "If you'd said before we got
to Newcastle that we'd have got a point, at the end of the day we'd have
probably taken it."
As a former centre-back himself, Hendon was rightly proud of the Hammers'
defensive efforts. In the first half, West Ham pressed their hosts high up
the pitch and repeatedly won possession in advanced areas. In the second
period, with Newcastle on the offensive, the whole team worked immensely
hard to restrict the Magpies to a grand total of zero shots on target. "I
think we've got to be proud of two clean sheets out of two so far. I can't
remember Jussi Jaaskelainen having to make a save in the two games we've
played so far, so that's credit to the back four and the rest of the team
for the way they are defending."
While the team make-up may change, Hendon wants to see a similarly resolute
display when West Ham host League Two outfit Cheltenham Town in the Capital
One Cup second round on Tuesday evening. "It will be a different sort of
challenge. It's going to be their cup final and, as we saw a couple of years
ago against Aldershot, these games are never easy. "We need to be up and at
them from the start. We want to progress in this competition. "I'm not sure
what the team will be yet, but I'm sure one or two lads will get their
opportunity and it's up to them to stake their claim for a place in the team
on Saturday."
Looking further forward, Hendon is relishing next Saturday's Barclays
Premier League visit of Stoke City to the Boleyn Ground. The Potters picked
up their first win of the season at home to Crystal Palace on Saturday and
the former Notts County captain knows Mark Hughes' side will be a tough and
physical unit to break down. That said, Hendon believes the Hammers have the
necessary qualities to continue their unbeaten start to the Barclays Premier
League campaign.
"Of course, we want to build on our good start against Stoke. We've got an
international break after that and, if we can go into that with seven points
out of nine, that would be nice. "It's not a foregone conclusion, but it
would be good to get through the first three games without a defeat with
seven points on the board. "We'll have a little break and a few lads will be
away and then we'll pick up and be ready to go again."
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Under-18s edged out by Chelsea
WHUFC.com
Hammers' youngsters lose in Barclays Under-18 Premier League clash with
Chelsea
24.08.2013
West Ham United's Under-18s were defeated 2-1 by Chelsea in their latest
Barclays Under-18 Premier League game at the Blues' Cobham training complex
on Saturday. Kieran Bywater gave the visitors an early lead, but Chelsea
turned the game on its head by the break to take the spoils. Bywater's goal
was one to remember, however, as he showed great technique to hammer a
volley home off the underside of the crossbar. West Ham enjoyed their fair
share of possession, but Chelsea showed a greater clinical edge on their way
to victory. Under-18s boss Steve Potts still took heart from his youngsters'
display. He said: It was a good test for us, even if the result did not go
our way. We've played Manchester United and Chelsea now and that's the
benchmark at this level.
"We beat Manchester United last week and were a little unlucky not to get a
result against Chelsea. We've come out with a lot of credit from both of
them.
"That said, there are elements to our game which we know we can improve on
and Chelsea showed the clinical side that you need to win games."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Newcastle 0 West Ham 0
24 August 2013
Last updated at 17:41
By Tim Oscroft
BBC Sport
Newcastle picked up their first Premier League point this season with a
goalless draw against West Ham. West Ham's Winston Reid went close to
scoring an own goal in the first half before twice just failing to get a
touch to set-pieces at the other end. Hatem Ben Arfa was the home side's
main threat with several efforts from long range, while Joe Cole shot just
inches over the bar for the visitors. Yoan Gouffran wasted a fine chance for
Newcastle late on from close range. While West Ham created the better
chances throughout, Gouffran's missed opportunity deep into time added on
was the closest the game came to a goal. It means that West Ham boss Sam
Allardyce left Tyneside unbeaten for the third time since being sacked by
Newcastle in 2008. The Hammers have picked up four points from their opening
two games, following a 2-0 opening-day win over Cardiff. Alan Pardew, in his
100th Premier League game as Newcastle manager, was without Yohan Cabaye for
the second match in a row. The France midfielder was also left out of the
4-0 defeat by Manchester City in the wake of what Newcastle deemed a
"derisory" offer of £10m from Arsenal.
Hammers defender Reid featured in the first half's three best chances, the
first of which saw him touch the ball wide of his own goal posts under
pressure from Papiss Cisse. The New Zealander twice nearly latched on to
set-pieces inside the Newcastle area, while the home side's main openings
before half-time were Ben Arfa's three off-target shots from distance.
Stewart Downing, making his first start for West Ham since his transfer from
Liverpool, set up Kevin Nolan with a cross on the hour but, having found
space, the Londoners' skipper headed wide against his former club. With
heavy rain falling after the break, neither side could threaten despite a
number of substitutions from both managers, including Cole replacing Downing
shortly after Nolan's chance. Cole went close to his second goal of the
season when he lashed a Matt Jarvis cross just a few inches over the corner
of Krul's post and bar. But with time beginning to run out, both sides went
close to grabbing a goal with West Ham's Modibo Maiga flagged for offside as
he netted from a deflected Ravel Morrison shot. However the hosts nearly
grabbed a 93rd-minute winner when Sammy Ameobi hit the inside of the post
with a looping effort and Gouffran could not hit the target with Jussi
Jaaskelainen stranded.
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce: "It's really disappointing to have had three
golden chances, and then we got a goal that would have killed off Newcastle
but that was ruled offside, although that was probably correct. "On the
other side, defensively we were absolutely superb. Playing away from home,
and the home team having zero shots on target in 90 minutes, shows our
defensively resilient qualities today. "Sadly our creative qualities were
there, but there was nobody on the end to finish it off and make us go home
very, very happy with three points instead of one."
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Roger Rojas to join West Ham on loan?
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 25th August 2013
By: Staff Writer
West Ham are set to sign Honduran forward Roger Rojas on loan for the rest
of the season, say reports in his native country tonight. Rojas, 23,
currently plies his trade for reigning HPNFL champions Club Deportivo
Olimpia whose president, Rafael Villeda, claimed via social network Twitter
on Saturday night that the striker - whose nickname is 'Rorro' - will fly to
the UK tomorrow [Sunday] to complete a season-long loan. Tegucigalpa-born
Rojas - who stands just 5'8" tall and on whom Villeda says West Ham will
have the option to make the deal permanent - has spent his entire career at
Olimpia, for whom he has made in excess of 100 appearances and scored over
50 goals including three in his first three matches of this season. He made
his debut for Honduras in 2010 and has since gone on to represent his
country 18 times - meaning that the issue of insufficient international
appearances, which ended Colombian Duvan Zapata's hopes of joining West Ham,
should not be an issue this time. Rojas is understood to have told the media
following last night's 1-0 win over Grills One, in which he played for 67
minutes before being substituted, that reports he was heading to England
were indeed correct.
Since David Sullivan and David Gold took control of the Club three years
ago, West Ham have signed a series of South Americans as varied as Ilan,
Wellington Paulista, Brian Montenegro and Pablo Barrera. Talking in his
recent exclusive interview with KUMB - the second and final part of which
we'll bring you this week - Sullivan revealed that the club maintain an
active presence in that corner of the globe. "We've got an agent who
supplies [players] and Martin [Margetson, West Ham's Head of Recruitment]
has been down there two or three times on scouting missions," he explained.
"We nearly signed Duvan Zapata, but we didn't think we could get a work
permit."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Newcastle Utd 0-0 West Ham Utd
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 24th August 2013
By: Staff Writer
West Ham are still to concede a goal in the Premier League this season after
they nullified an admittedly toothless Newcastle attack at St James' Park
this afternoon.
Alan Pardew's side, heavily beaten in their opening fixture at Manchester
City failed to fashion a single shot on target out of their 16 efforts on
goal as Jussi Jaaskelainen enjoyed one of the easiest afternoons he will
ever have in the Premier League.
However his opposite number Tim Krul wasn't exactly pushed either, with only
Stewart Downing's 49th minute effort being on target from a West Ham
perspective.
Sam Allardyce opted to start with the same team that comfortably disposed of
Cardiff last weekend but for one exception, with new signing Stewart Downing
replacing the unlucky Joe Cole - who had been superb against the Premier
League newcomers - to make his first start.
Newcastle, still smarting from Monday's 4-0 defeat proved just as toothless
again in a dire opening half in which their best attacks emanated from the
foraging runs of Hatem Ben Arfa - even if the Frenchman's three efforts on
goal ended up either wide of the target or somewhere close to Row Z.
The closest Newcastle came to scoring ahead of the break came (predictably
perhaps) from the boot of a West Ham player, when Winston Reid's hurried
back pass just 13 minutes in wrong footed Jussi Jaaskelainen before rolling
inches wide of the far post, much to the relief of the big Finn.
Ironically it was Reid who came closest to opening West Ham's account when a
long punt from James Collins on the half hour mark found its way to the Kiwi
who had stolen behind the home defence. Unfortunately for the Hammers, Reid
was unable to find the slightest touch which was all that was needed to
divert the ball beyond Tim Krul.
Modibo Maiga, standing in once again for Andy Carroll was also heavily
involved in West Ham's other two chances of the first half. The Mali
international should have done better when Guy Demel wriggled his way to the
byeline before delivering a great cross that he could only head wide.
Maiga was heavily involved again seven minutes before the break when Matt
Jarvis lost his man before delivering a deep cross towards Stewart Downing.
Downing's decision to nod the back into the centre instead of going for goal
was a poor one, even before Maiga stumbled as he tried - but failed - to
make contact.
After Coloccini had nodded an early corner wide of its intended target,
Downing was involved once more when set through on goal - however the
England winger drifted wide before firing a weak shot straight at Krul. It
was to be the game's only shot on target.
Kevin Nolan, who loves scoring goals against his old club was presented with
a golden opportunity to do it again with an hour played when the cross of
the day from Downing found West Ham's captain free at the near post.
Unusually, Nolan made a complete hash of his header which floated harmlessly
over the bar.
As the home side continued to huff and puff, it was West Ham who were
looking the more dangerous and likely to score the goal which would almost
certainly win the contest. As the game entered its closing stages Cole, on
for (a very disappointed) Downing went close with a dipping effort that
curled inches wide of the post.
Modibo Maiga, who had been anonymous for much of the game did eventually
have the ball in the back of the net in the final minute but was
disappointed to discover that his effort - a tap-in from substitute and
Premier League debutant Ravel Morrison's deflected shot - was ruled out for
offside.
That was before the home side almost stole what would have been a hugely
undeserved three points when Sammy Ameobi's misdirected cross looped over
Jaaskelainen and cannoned back into the path of fellow sub Gouffran, who
somehow poked the ball over the bar from just three yards out.
It was Newcastle's 16th effort on goal in the game - and the 16th time
they'd missed the target.
So in the end the draw was probably a fair result, as neither team managed
to supply any invention or creativity in the final third of the pitch. Look
forward to West Ham - currently second in the Premier League with four
points from two games - being last on Match of the Day tonight.
Match Facts: Newcastle Utd 0-0 West Ham Utd
West Ham Utd: Jaaskelainen, Demel, O'Brien, Collins, Reid, Noble, Diame
(Morrison 75), Nolan (c), Downing (Cole 63), Jarvis, Maiga.
Subs not used: Adrian, Rat, Tomkins, Diarra, Vaz Te.
Booked: O'Brien (44).
Possession: 45%.
Shots (on/off target): 6 (1/5).
Newcastle Utd: Krul, Debuchy, Santon, Coloccini (c), Yanga-Mbiwa, Anita,
Sissoko, Marveaux (Sa.Ameobi 65), Ben Arfa, Sh.Ameobi, Cisse (Gouffran 72).
Subs not used: Elliott, Bigirmana, Gosling, Vuckic, Dummett.
Possession: 55%.
Shots (on/off target): 16 (0/16).
Referee: Phil Dowd.
Assistants: S Bennett, D Bryan.
Fourth Official: K Friend.
Attendance: 49,622 (2,200 away).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Newcastle draw 0-0 with West Ham at St James' Park
Last Updated: August 24, 2013 7:05pm
SSN
Newcastle are still looking for their first win of the season after being
held to a goalless draw by West Ham at St James' Park.
Best of the match
Man of the match: No one really stood out over the course of 90 minutes, and
a little bit more, of goalless action, but Matthew Jarvis showed great
enterprise and pace out wide for West Ham, and delivered several searching
balls into the 18-yard area.
Moment of the match: Substitute Yoan Gouffran fluffed Newcastle's best
chance of the game deep into added time after he failed to tap in Sammy
Ameobi's rebounded cross-come-shot off the right upright.
Attempt of the match: Clear-cut chances on goal were few and far between,
but the Hammers came close through Modido Maiga's header on from Jussi
Jaaskelainen's ball forward in the 27th minute to Winston Reid, but the
defender just could not keep his attempt on goal down and over Tim Krul.
Save of the match: Neither 'keeper had much to do in terms of heroics, but
Jaaskelainen did have to make a hasty clearance under pressure in the 51st
minute from Shola Ameobi and Papiss Cisse.
Talking point: Maiga tapped in from close range a minute from full-time off
Ravel Morrison's parried shot from Tim Krul, but the linesman's flag was up
for offside and it looked to be a good call.
Chances were few and far between in a disappointing affair, and the closest
either side came to scoring was in stoppage-time when substitute Sammy
Ameobi's cross came back off the post and Yoan Gouffran somehow missed the
rebound from four yards out. After a quiet start West Ham almost gifted
Newcastle the lead on 12 minutes when Winston Reid, under pressure from
Papiss Cisse, rolled the ball just wide of his own far post with goalkeeper
Jussi Jaaskelainen stranded. West Ham created the first chance of the game
five minutes later when Guy Demel dug out a cross from right to the unmarked
Modibo Maiga, but he could only head his effort wide of the target.
Newcastle were struggling to deal with long balls into their box and on 26
minutes West Ham went close to scoring when Reid got on the end of Maiga's
flick-on, but under pressure from Tim Krul the defender could only lift his
shot over the crossbar. Newcastle's defence was all at sea again on 32
minutes when they failed to deal with James Collins' deep free-kick into the
box and Reid was just inches away from diverting the ball into the net.
All the home side could offer in response were a couple of efforts from
Hatem Ben Arfa and Moussa Sissoko which both flew well wide of the target.
Stewart Downing, on his full debut for West Ham, should have done better
eight minutes before the break when Matt Jarvis burst down the left and
picked out the former Liverpool man inside the six-yard box, but the winger
failed to direct his header on target and the chance went begging.
Alan Pardew believes his Newcastle side should have beaten West Ham in their
first home match of the season. The visitors continued to look the side most
likely to score at the start of the second half and West Ham really should
have broken the deadlock on the hour mark when Downing sent over an inviting
cross to an unmarked Kevin Nolan inside the box, but the former Newcastle
midfielder got his attempted header all wrong as it ended up coming off his
shoulder and drifted wide.
Newcastle continued to huff and puff in search of a goal, but they could not
get past a resolute West Ham defence with Jaaskelainen rarely troubled. West
Ham boss Sam Allardyce says he is disappointed to leave St James' Park with
only a point after their game against Newcastle. West Ham substitute Joe
Cole was inches away from scoring on 84 minutes when he turned on the edge
of the box and fizzed his curling shot just wide of the target. West Ham
thought they had won it in the closing stages when Maiga slotted home from
close range, but his celebrations were cut short by an offside flag.
Newcastle then almost stole the three points deep into stoppage-time when
Sammy Ameobi's cross came back off the far post and Gouffran then somehow
missed the rebound with the goal at
his mercy.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce felt his side should have won at Newcastle
Last Updated: August 24, 2013 6:22pm
SSN
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce was left to rue missed chances after seeing his
side draw 0-0 with Newcastle at St James' Park. In a disappointing
encounter, West Ham had the better chances in a tight contest, but could not
find a way to goal, with Kevin Nolan missing the best opportunity to net the
winner against his former club. Allardyce was happy with his side's
performance, but felt they should have been rewarded with all three points
after restricting Newcastle to no real goalscoring opportunities. "We are
not disappointed, but we know we should have won this game and can only
blame ourselves for our lack of finishing quality," Allardyce told Sky
Sports. West Ham boss Sam Allardyce says he is disappointed to leave St
James' Park with only a point after their game against Newcastle. It is not
that often when you play away from home and create three or four clear-cut
goalscoring chances - one for Stewart Downing, one for Modibo Maiga and one
for Kevin Nolan, but unfortunately our heading ability was not up to
scratch. "The point is well received, but we all know we should have had all
three today. "It is very satisfying to come away from home and get a point,
so four points from two games is a good start."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
NEWCASTLE: A GOOD POINT BUT WE SHOULD HAVE GOT THREE
By Iain Dale 24 Aug 2013 at 16:55
West Ham Till I Die
I only heard the radio commentary so I can't do a full match report, but
from what I heard, we were phenomenally unlucky not to come away with three
points. It just goes to show what happens when you don't have a proven
goalscorer in your team. There seemed to be at least two cast iron chances
which a predatory striker would have undoubtedly tucked away. But the fact
is we put in a great performance and the two central defenders can be very
proud of the shift they put in.
It was also good to see Ravel Morrison get on at the end, and he very nearly
tucked home a winner. Indeed, he would have done had Maiga not touched it on
from an offside position. Morrison will undoubtedly start against Cheltenham
on Tuesday.
Anyway, for a few hours at least, we are second in the league!
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Newcastle United 0-0 West Ham United: Magpies fans protest against Joe
Kinnear during dour stalemate
24 Aug 2013 22:30
The Mirror
Kevin Nolan could have dumped Alan Pardew in a ton of trouble in the
manager's 100th Premier League game in charge of Newcastle, writes John
Wardle at St James' Park. The former Toon midfielder failed to take a
glorious 60th-minute chance to extend his impressive scoring record against
his former club. A goal at that stage would certainly have put the Toon Army
in a sour mood, with Pardew one of the chief targets for their anger.
Instead, Newcastle survived to earn their first point of the season – and
would have emerged with all three, if Yoan Gouffran had not been guilty of
an incredible miss from point-blank range after Sammy Ameobi's cross came
back off a post in the final seconds. That was among 16 Newcastle efforts
that failed to trouble keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen and Pardew said: "Our
shooting was off today. We had so many off-target, which was unfortunate.
If we could have hit the target, we have a good poacher in Papiss Cisse.
"You want world-class quality and it was missing a little bit, but Loic Remy
will give us that when he is fit."
It was the first time in four visits, since he was fired by Newcastle, that
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce had failed to win at St James' Park. But
Allardyce, who lasted just 24 games on Tyneside, was still content as his
side built on their opening-day victory against Cardiff.He said: "There were
zero shots on our goal in 90 minutes and, when you are playing away from
home against Newcastle, that's a pretty good achievement. "We are satisfied
with a point and another clean sheet, but very disappointed we didn't take
any of the very good chances we created. "I watched Chelsea v Aston Villa in
midweek and Chelsea won 2-1, but didn't create as many chances as we did
here. I'd have been sick, though, if that fluke cross had gone in the back
of the net at the end, so I've got to be satisfied with a point."
Owner Mike Ashley was not at St James's Park to witness Newcastle failing
to score for the fourth successive home game – nor were a few other
regulars.
The attendance dropped below 50,000, suggesting a few thousand fans have had
enough of Ashley's failure to invest in new signings. At least the players,
who conceded 10 goals in their final three home games of last season, looked
far more equipped for the Premier League than they did at Manchester City
on Monday. But, for all the probing of Hatem Ben Arfa and the midfield
energy of Vurnon Anita, they struggled to create goal threats, particularly
before the break.
One came courtesy of West Ham defender Winston Reid, who almost nudged the
ball past his own keeper in the 11th minute, the other from Mapou
Yanga-Mbwia's 35th minute header. West Ham were little better before the
break. Modibo Maiga failed to hit the target with a header, while Reid
exposed uncertainty in Newcastle's defence when he twice came close to a
decisive final touch in the six-yard area. The second-half was only
marginally more enterprising.
It saw Stewart Downing stretch Newcastle keeper Tim Krul with a long-range
effort in the 48th minute. And Downing's cross should have brought a goal on
the hour when Nolan failed to connect cleanly with a close-range header.
West Ham sub Joe Cole also drilled a shot narrowly wide and Maiga was
offside when he diverted the ball past Krul in the 89th minute. But the best
chance of breaking the deadlock came deep into stoppage time when Sammy
Ameobi's cross came back off the post and Gouffran poked the ball over from
three yards. "He'll be sweating on the Christmas gaffes of the season
feature," said Pardew.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce's Silvestre Varela plan
Express.co.uk
WEST HAM will switch their attention to Porto striker Silvestre Varela if
they fail to agree a deal for Juventus forward Fabio Quagliarella.
Varela-has-scored-25-goals-in-90-games-for-Juventus Varela has scored 25
goals in 90 games for Juventus Club record signing Andy Carroll is out with
a heel injury and with Modibo Maiga the only other recognised forward at
Upton Park, boss Sam Allardyce is keen to bring in another front man before
the transfer window closes. Varela has scored 25 goals in 90 games for the
Portuguese champions.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
West Ham United drew 0-0 at Newcastle United on Saturday
24.08.2013
Newcastle United 0-0 West Ham United
Barclays Premier League
West Ham United kept their second clean sheet in succession as they
collected a useful point at Newcastle United on Saturday. Genuine chances
were few and far between on a wet afternoon on Tyneside as the Hammers kept
their hosts at arm's length. Their best effort came right at the death as
Sammy Ameobi's attempted cross came back off a post and Yoan Gouffran
knocked over the top, but had that gone in it would have been very harsh on
Sam Allardyce's men.
Newcastle, fresh from their 4-0 hammering at Manchester City on Monday, were
clearly happy to keep it tight in the opening stages and the first half was
a cagey affair. With seven minutes on the clock Newcastle won a free kick 25
yards from goal and Hatem Ben Arfa opted to take the shot on, but he could
not keep his effort down. Off-target Magpies shooting was a feature of the
afternoon's play - Newcastle had eleven efforts before the break, but all
were from range and all failed to trouble Jussi Jaaskelainen. The closest
Newcastle came before half time actually came from a Hammers foot as Winston
Reid intercepted a Ben Arfa pass intended for Papiss Cisse and only just
missed Jaaskelainen's far post. Reid was also involved at the other end on
27 minutes, beating Tim Krul to Modibo Maiga's knockdown following a
Jaaskelainen free kick, but he knocked over the top under pressure from the
home goalkeeper. Matt Jarvis also got in behind Mathieu Debuchy dangerously
and stood up a cross for Stewart Downing, but Mapou Yanga-M'Biwa marshalled
the ball behind for a goal kick with Maiga lurking.
The second period began with the home side trying to lift their side, but it
also began with the Magpies failing to hit the target, as Davide Santon
advanced from left back on 55 minutes, but sent his cross-shot comfortably
over the top. Four minutes later, Kevin Nolan had a great chance to notch
against his old club - just as he did at St James' Park last year, but did
not get his header right from a wickedly inswinging Stewart Downing cross
and the ball flew wide. As the game wore on, it became increasingly likely
that just one moment of magic would settle it, and it nearly came from Joe
Cole six minutes from time as he wrapped his foot around the ball to fire
goalwards following a lay-off from sub Ravel Morrison, but could not get
quite enough curl on his effort. At the other end, Sammy Ameobi's cross
sailed over Jaaskelainen and struck the far post in stoppage time, but there
was no way through as the Hammers made their point.
Newcastle United: Krul; Debuchy, Yanga-M'Biwa, Coloccini, Santon; Marveaux
(Sa.Ameobi 66), Anita, Sissoko, Ben Arfa; Sh.Ameobi, Cisse (Gouffran 72)
Subs: Elliot (GK), Gosling, Bigrimana, Vuckic, Dummett
West Ham United: Jaaskelainen; Demel, Collins, Reid, O'Brien; Nolan, Noble,
Diame (Morrison 75); Downing (Cole 63), Maiga, Jarvis
Subs: Adrian (GK), Tomkins, Rat, Vaz Te, Diarra
Booked: O'Brien
Referee: Phil Dowd
Attendance: 49,622
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Downing reflects on Newcastle draw
WHUFC.com
Stewart Downing was pleased to play a positive role in Saturday's 0-0 draw
at Newcastle United
24.08.2013
Stewart Downing believes West Ham United were unfortunate not to collect all
three Barclays Premier League points on his full Hammers debut at Newcastle
United. The England winger was in lively form as Sam Allardyce's side put in
a committed and resolute performance at St James' Park that, on another day,
would have been rewarded with a victory. Downing himself could have chalked
up his first goal and assist in claret and blue, seeing a goal-bound shot
saved by Tim Krul, a header bounce wide and a superb cross headed
uncharacteristically wide by captain Kevin Nolan. "I enjoyed and I certainly
thought we could have won the game with the chances we had," the new No23
told West Ham TV. "I think we played good counter-attacking football and
certainly had chances to win it. "It was always going to be difficult going
to Newcastle for their first home game but we got a result and I think we
did really well."
In the first half, Downing repeatedly benefitted from West Ham pressing high
up the pitch and winning back possession in the middle third of the pitch.
From one such attack, the winger rose high at the far post to head Matt
Jarvis' cross, knocking the ball back across goal when he could have aimed
for the target himself. "It wouldn't quite happen and wouldn't quite drop
for us in the first half. I think we did everything right until the final
bit, but in the second half when it started to get more open we had a few
chances we started to get the ball into the box "We had some chances in the
first half too, especially with my header which I didn't know whether to go
for goal or to pull it back. I should have gone for goal instead of pulling
it back. "I heard a shout 'Pull it back' and I was running that fast to get
on the end of it so that's what I did. The manager wants me to get on that
back stick. Maybe I should have gone for goal, but that's the way it is. "It
was unlucky, but I think if anyone was going to win the game it would have
been us."
In the second half, Downing saw one well-struck effort saved by Krul before
turning provider for Nolan, only for the skipper to head his cross wide when
well-placed. "I think he didn't realise how much time he had and it's quite
hard to head balls that come across your body. "The positive thing is that
we had people in the box and if we keep putting balls in like that, we've
got a chance of scoring goals."
Downing also showed his defensive qualities, using his pace and fitness to
track Newcastle's adventurous Italy international left-back Davide Santon.
The 29-year-old said he was happy to work up and down the flanks for his
team. "Away from home, especially, you have to work hard for the team. At
some places where they keep possession of the ball, you have to do more
running off the ball then you do with it. "The manager wants me to get up
and down and it was a tough 60 minutes. I've not played a lot of football so
this was a game I certainly enjoyed."
Having missed a section of pre-season before moving to West Ham from
Liverpool, Downing is now hoping to work himself closer to full fitness by
featuring in Tuesday's Capital One Cup second-round clash with Cheltenham
Town at the Boleyn Ground. Having reached the League Cup final with all
three of his former clubs - Middlesbrough, Aston Villa and Liverpool - and
been named Man of the Match in the Reds' 2012 final victory over Cardiff
City, he has a lot of time for the competition. "I'm not sure if I'll be
involved at the moment, but I know the manager will want to do well in that
competition. "The squad is obviously not massive so I expect everyone will
be involved and the Gaffer might change around a few. For me personally, I
just want to keep playing and get as fit as I can and get a good run at it.
"A lot of teams disregard the League Cup a little bit but I always think
that if you go strong in it, you've got every chance. "Certainly at
Middlesbrough and Liverpool we had that and I also got to the final with
Aston Villa. I think we should just go for it because a few teams do
disregard it."
Looking further forward to next Saturday's home Barclays Premier League
fixture with Stoke City, Downing believes a victory would be the perfect way
to finish the first month of the 2013/14 season. "We're a little
disappointed we didn't get all three points at Newcastle but getting a point
is still good. "If we can win at home next week, that point looks even
better. We'll be up for it and Stoke will come and have a go at us, so I'm
looking forward to it."
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Hendon happy with Toon point
WHUFC.com
First-team coach Ian Hendon said West Ham United deserved a positive result
at Newcastle United
24.08.2013
Ian Hendon said West Ham United could be proud of their start to the 2013/14
Barclays Premier League season after earning a deserved point at Newcastle
United. The Hammers kept their second clean sheet in succession to secure a
goalless draw at St James' Park, and could even had won all three had Modibo
Maiga, Winston Reid or Kevin Nolan put presentable chances away. As it was,
Newcastle came within inches of stealing victory themselves when Sammy
Ameobi's 93rd-minute cross hit the inside of the post and Yoan Gouffran
fired the rebound over the crossbar with the goal gaping. First-team coach
Hendon reflected on a cagey game that could have gone either way in an
exclusive interview with West Ham TV. "I think, if you look at the chances
over the 90 minutes, we had better opportunities than Newcastle and should
possibly have got all three points," he said. "Having said that, we could
have lost it right at the end when they have hit one against the post and it
has fallen to their lad, who has put it over. "If you'd said before we got
to Newcastle that we'd have got a point, at the end of the day we'd have
probably taken it."
As a former centre-back himself, Hendon was rightly proud of the Hammers'
defensive efforts. In the first half, West Ham pressed their hosts high up
the pitch and repeatedly won possession in advanced areas. In the second
period, with Newcastle on the offensive, the whole team worked immensely
hard to restrict the Magpies to a grand total of zero shots on target. "I
think we've got to be proud of two clean sheets out of two so far. I can't
remember Jussi Jaaskelainen having to make a save in the two games we've
played so far, so that's credit to the back four and the rest of the team
for the way they are defending."
While the team make-up may change, Hendon wants to see a similarly resolute
display when West Ham host League Two outfit Cheltenham Town in the Capital
One Cup second round on Tuesday evening. "It will be a different sort of
challenge. It's going to be their cup final and, as we saw a couple of years
ago against Aldershot, these games are never easy. "We need to be up and at
them from the start. We want to progress in this competition. "I'm not sure
what the team will be yet, but I'm sure one or two lads will get their
opportunity and it's up to them to stake their claim for a place in the team
on Saturday."
Looking further forward, Hendon is relishing next Saturday's Barclays
Premier League visit of Stoke City to the Boleyn Ground. The Potters picked
up their first win of the season at home to Crystal Palace on Saturday and
the former Notts County captain knows Mark Hughes' side will be a tough and
physical unit to break down. That said, Hendon believes the Hammers have the
necessary qualities to continue their unbeaten start to the Barclays Premier
League campaign.
"Of course, we want to build on our good start against Stoke. We've got an
international break after that and, if we can go into that with seven points
out of nine, that would be nice. "It's not a foregone conclusion, but it
would be good to get through the first three games without a defeat with
seven points on the board. "We'll have a little break and a few lads will be
away and then we'll pick up and be ready to go again."
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Under-18s edged out by Chelsea
WHUFC.com
Hammers' youngsters lose in Barclays Under-18 Premier League clash with
Chelsea
24.08.2013
West Ham United's Under-18s were defeated 2-1 by Chelsea in their latest
Barclays Under-18 Premier League game at the Blues' Cobham training complex
on Saturday. Kieran Bywater gave the visitors an early lead, but Chelsea
turned the game on its head by the break to take the spoils. Bywater's goal
was one to remember, however, as he showed great technique to hammer a
volley home off the underside of the crossbar. West Ham enjoyed their fair
share of possession, but Chelsea showed a greater clinical edge on their way
to victory. Under-18s boss Steve Potts still took heart from his youngsters'
display. He said: It was a good test for us, even if the result did not go
our way. We've played Manchester United and Chelsea now and that's the
benchmark at this level.
"We beat Manchester United last week and were a little unlucky not to get a
result against Chelsea. We've come out with a lot of credit from both of
them.
"That said, there are elements to our game which we know we can improve on
and Chelsea showed the clinical side that you need to win games."
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Newcastle 0 West Ham 0
24 August 2013
Last updated at 17:41
By Tim Oscroft
BBC Sport
Newcastle picked up their first Premier League point this season with a
goalless draw against West Ham. West Ham's Winston Reid went close to
scoring an own goal in the first half before twice just failing to get a
touch to set-pieces at the other end. Hatem Ben Arfa was the home side's
main threat with several efforts from long range, while Joe Cole shot just
inches over the bar for the visitors. Yoan Gouffran wasted a fine chance for
Newcastle late on from close range. While West Ham created the better
chances throughout, Gouffran's missed opportunity deep into time added on
was the closest the game came to a goal. It means that West Ham boss Sam
Allardyce left Tyneside unbeaten for the third time since being sacked by
Newcastle in 2008. The Hammers have picked up four points from their opening
two games, following a 2-0 opening-day win over Cardiff. Alan Pardew, in his
100th Premier League game as Newcastle manager, was without Yohan Cabaye for
the second match in a row. The France midfielder was also left out of the
4-0 defeat by Manchester City in the wake of what Newcastle deemed a
"derisory" offer of £10m from Arsenal.
Hammers defender Reid featured in the first half's three best chances, the
first of which saw him touch the ball wide of his own goal posts under
pressure from Papiss Cisse. The New Zealander twice nearly latched on to
set-pieces inside the Newcastle area, while the home side's main openings
before half-time were Ben Arfa's three off-target shots from distance.
Stewart Downing, making his first start for West Ham since his transfer from
Liverpool, set up Kevin Nolan with a cross on the hour but, having found
space, the Londoners' skipper headed wide against his former club. With
heavy rain falling after the break, neither side could threaten despite a
number of substitutions from both managers, including Cole replacing Downing
shortly after Nolan's chance. Cole went close to his second goal of the
season when he lashed a Matt Jarvis cross just a few inches over the corner
of Krul's post and bar. But with time beginning to run out, both sides went
close to grabbing a goal with West Ham's Modibo Maiga flagged for offside as
he netted from a deflected Ravel Morrison shot. However the hosts nearly
grabbed a 93rd-minute winner when Sammy Ameobi hit the inside of the post
with a looping effort and Gouffran could not hit the target with Jussi
Jaaskelainen stranded.
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce: "It's really disappointing to have had three
golden chances, and then we got a goal that would have killed off Newcastle
but that was ruled offside, although that was probably correct. "On the
other side, defensively we were absolutely superb. Playing away from home,
and the home team having zero shots on target in 90 minutes, shows our
defensively resilient qualities today. "Sadly our creative qualities were
there, but there was nobody on the end to finish it off and make us go home
very, very happy with three points instead of one."
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Roger Rojas to join West Ham on loan?
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 25th August 2013
By: Staff Writer
West Ham are set to sign Honduran forward Roger Rojas on loan for the rest
of the season, say reports in his native country tonight. Rojas, 23,
currently plies his trade for reigning HPNFL champions Club Deportivo
Olimpia whose president, Rafael Villeda, claimed via social network Twitter
on Saturday night that the striker - whose nickname is 'Rorro' - will fly to
the UK tomorrow [Sunday] to complete a season-long loan. Tegucigalpa-born
Rojas - who stands just 5'8" tall and on whom Villeda says West Ham will
have the option to make the deal permanent - has spent his entire career at
Olimpia, for whom he has made in excess of 100 appearances and scored over
50 goals including three in his first three matches of this season. He made
his debut for Honduras in 2010 and has since gone on to represent his
country 18 times - meaning that the issue of insufficient international
appearances, which ended Colombian Duvan Zapata's hopes of joining West Ham,
should not be an issue this time. Rojas is understood to have told the media
following last night's 1-0 win over Grills One, in which he played for 67
minutes before being substituted, that reports he was heading to England
were indeed correct.
Since David Sullivan and David Gold took control of the Club three years
ago, West Ham have signed a series of South Americans as varied as Ilan,
Wellington Paulista, Brian Montenegro and Pablo Barrera. Talking in his
recent exclusive interview with KUMB - the second and final part of which
we'll bring you this week - Sullivan revealed that the club maintain an
active presence in that corner of the globe. "We've got an agent who
supplies [players] and Martin [Margetson, West Ham's Head of Recruitment]
has been down there two or three times on scouting missions," he explained.
"We nearly signed Duvan Zapata, but we didn't think we could get a work
permit."
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Newcastle Utd 0-0 West Ham Utd
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 24th August 2013
By: Staff Writer
West Ham are still to concede a goal in the Premier League this season after
they nullified an admittedly toothless Newcastle attack at St James' Park
this afternoon.
Alan Pardew's side, heavily beaten in their opening fixture at Manchester
City failed to fashion a single shot on target out of their 16 efforts on
goal as Jussi Jaaskelainen enjoyed one of the easiest afternoons he will
ever have in the Premier League.
However his opposite number Tim Krul wasn't exactly pushed either, with only
Stewart Downing's 49th minute effort being on target from a West Ham
perspective.
Sam Allardyce opted to start with the same team that comfortably disposed of
Cardiff last weekend but for one exception, with new signing Stewart Downing
replacing the unlucky Joe Cole - who had been superb against the Premier
League newcomers - to make his first start.
Newcastle, still smarting from Monday's 4-0 defeat proved just as toothless
again in a dire opening half in which their best attacks emanated from the
foraging runs of Hatem Ben Arfa - even if the Frenchman's three efforts on
goal ended up either wide of the target or somewhere close to Row Z.
The closest Newcastle came to scoring ahead of the break came (predictably
perhaps) from the boot of a West Ham player, when Winston Reid's hurried
back pass just 13 minutes in wrong footed Jussi Jaaskelainen before rolling
inches wide of the far post, much to the relief of the big Finn.
Ironically it was Reid who came closest to opening West Ham's account when a
long punt from James Collins on the half hour mark found its way to the Kiwi
who had stolen behind the home defence. Unfortunately for the Hammers, Reid
was unable to find the slightest touch which was all that was needed to
divert the ball beyond Tim Krul.
Modibo Maiga, standing in once again for Andy Carroll was also heavily
involved in West Ham's other two chances of the first half. The Mali
international should have done better when Guy Demel wriggled his way to the
byeline before delivering a great cross that he could only head wide.
Maiga was heavily involved again seven minutes before the break when Matt
Jarvis lost his man before delivering a deep cross towards Stewart Downing.
Downing's decision to nod the back into the centre instead of going for goal
was a poor one, even before Maiga stumbled as he tried - but failed - to
make contact.
After Coloccini had nodded an early corner wide of its intended target,
Downing was involved once more when set through on goal - however the
England winger drifted wide before firing a weak shot straight at Krul. It
was to be the game's only shot on target.
Kevin Nolan, who loves scoring goals against his old club was presented with
a golden opportunity to do it again with an hour played when the cross of
the day from Downing found West Ham's captain free at the near post.
Unusually, Nolan made a complete hash of his header which floated harmlessly
over the bar.
As the home side continued to huff and puff, it was West Ham who were
looking the more dangerous and likely to score the goal which would almost
certainly win the contest. As the game entered its closing stages Cole, on
for (a very disappointed) Downing went close with a dipping effort that
curled inches wide of the post.
Modibo Maiga, who had been anonymous for much of the game did eventually
have the ball in the back of the net in the final minute but was
disappointed to discover that his effort - a tap-in from substitute and
Premier League debutant Ravel Morrison's deflected shot - was ruled out for
offside.
That was before the home side almost stole what would have been a hugely
undeserved three points when Sammy Ameobi's misdirected cross looped over
Jaaskelainen and cannoned back into the path of fellow sub Gouffran, who
somehow poked the ball over the bar from just three yards out.
It was Newcastle's 16th effort on goal in the game - and the 16th time
they'd missed the target.
So in the end the draw was probably a fair result, as neither team managed
to supply any invention or creativity in the final third of the pitch. Look
forward to West Ham - currently second in the Premier League with four
points from two games - being last on Match of the Day tonight.
Match Facts: Newcastle Utd 0-0 West Ham Utd
West Ham Utd: Jaaskelainen, Demel, O'Brien, Collins, Reid, Noble, Diame
(Morrison 75), Nolan (c), Downing (Cole 63), Jarvis, Maiga.
Subs not used: Adrian, Rat, Tomkins, Diarra, Vaz Te.
Booked: O'Brien (44).
Possession: 45%.
Shots (on/off target): 6 (1/5).
Newcastle Utd: Krul, Debuchy, Santon, Coloccini (c), Yanga-Mbiwa, Anita,
Sissoko, Marveaux (Sa.Ameobi 65), Ben Arfa, Sh.Ameobi, Cisse (Gouffran 72).
Subs not used: Elliott, Bigirmana, Gosling, Vuckic, Dummett.
Possession: 55%.
Shots (on/off target): 16 (0/16).
Referee: Phil Dowd.
Assistants: S Bennett, D Bryan.
Fourth Official: K Friend.
Attendance: 49,622 (2,200 away).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Newcastle draw 0-0 with West Ham at St James' Park
Last Updated: August 24, 2013 7:05pm
SSN
Newcastle are still looking for their first win of the season after being
held to a goalless draw by West Ham at St James' Park.
Best of the match
Man of the match: No one really stood out over the course of 90 minutes, and
a little bit more, of goalless action, but Matthew Jarvis showed great
enterprise and pace out wide for West Ham, and delivered several searching
balls into the 18-yard area.
Moment of the match: Substitute Yoan Gouffran fluffed Newcastle's best
chance of the game deep into added time after he failed to tap in Sammy
Ameobi's rebounded cross-come-shot off the right upright.
Attempt of the match: Clear-cut chances on goal were few and far between,
but the Hammers came close through Modido Maiga's header on from Jussi
Jaaskelainen's ball forward in the 27th minute to Winston Reid, but the
defender just could not keep his attempt on goal down and over Tim Krul.
Save of the match: Neither 'keeper had much to do in terms of heroics, but
Jaaskelainen did have to make a hasty clearance under pressure in the 51st
minute from Shola Ameobi and Papiss Cisse.
Talking point: Maiga tapped in from close range a minute from full-time off
Ravel Morrison's parried shot from Tim Krul, but the linesman's flag was up
for offside and it looked to be a good call.
Chances were few and far between in a disappointing affair, and the closest
either side came to scoring was in stoppage-time when substitute Sammy
Ameobi's cross came back off the post and Yoan Gouffran somehow missed the
rebound from four yards out. After a quiet start West Ham almost gifted
Newcastle the lead on 12 minutes when Winston Reid, under pressure from
Papiss Cisse, rolled the ball just wide of his own far post with goalkeeper
Jussi Jaaskelainen stranded. West Ham created the first chance of the game
five minutes later when Guy Demel dug out a cross from right to the unmarked
Modibo Maiga, but he could only head his effort wide of the target.
Newcastle were struggling to deal with long balls into their box and on 26
minutes West Ham went close to scoring when Reid got on the end of Maiga's
flick-on, but under pressure from Tim Krul the defender could only lift his
shot over the crossbar. Newcastle's defence was all at sea again on 32
minutes when they failed to deal with James Collins' deep free-kick into the
box and Reid was just inches away from diverting the ball into the net.
All the home side could offer in response were a couple of efforts from
Hatem Ben Arfa and Moussa Sissoko which both flew well wide of the target.
Stewart Downing, on his full debut for West Ham, should have done better
eight minutes before the break when Matt Jarvis burst down the left and
picked out the former Liverpool man inside the six-yard box, but the winger
failed to direct his header on target and the chance went begging.
Alan Pardew believes his Newcastle side should have beaten West Ham in their
first home match of the season. The visitors continued to look the side most
likely to score at the start of the second half and West Ham really should
have broken the deadlock on the hour mark when Downing sent over an inviting
cross to an unmarked Kevin Nolan inside the box, but the former Newcastle
midfielder got his attempted header all wrong as it ended up coming off his
shoulder and drifted wide.
Newcastle continued to huff and puff in search of a goal, but they could not
get past a resolute West Ham defence with Jaaskelainen rarely troubled. West
Ham boss Sam Allardyce says he is disappointed to leave St James' Park with
only a point after their game against Newcastle. West Ham substitute Joe
Cole was inches away from scoring on 84 minutes when he turned on the edge
of the box and fizzed his curling shot just wide of the target. West Ham
thought they had won it in the closing stages when Maiga slotted home from
close range, but his celebrations were cut short by an offside flag.
Newcastle then almost stole the three points deep into stoppage-time when
Sammy Ameobi's cross came back off the far post and Gouffran then somehow
missed the rebound with the goal at
his mercy.
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West Ham boss Sam Allardyce felt his side should have won at Newcastle
Last Updated: August 24, 2013 6:22pm
SSN
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce was left to rue missed chances after seeing his
side draw 0-0 with Newcastle at St James' Park. In a disappointing
encounter, West Ham had the better chances in a tight contest, but could not
find a way to goal, with Kevin Nolan missing the best opportunity to net the
winner against his former club. Allardyce was happy with his side's
performance, but felt they should have been rewarded with all three points
after restricting Newcastle to no real goalscoring opportunities. "We are
not disappointed, but we know we should have won this game and can only
blame ourselves for our lack of finishing quality," Allardyce told Sky
Sports. West Ham boss Sam Allardyce says he is disappointed to leave St
James' Park with only a point after their game against Newcastle. It is not
that often when you play away from home and create three or four clear-cut
goalscoring chances - one for Stewart Downing, one for Modibo Maiga and one
for Kevin Nolan, but unfortunately our heading ability was not up to
scratch. "The point is well received, but we all know we should have had all
three today. "It is very satisfying to come away from home and get a point,
so four points from two games is a good start."
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NEWCASTLE: A GOOD POINT BUT WE SHOULD HAVE GOT THREE
By Iain Dale 24 Aug 2013 at 16:55
West Ham Till I Die
I only heard the radio commentary so I can't do a full match report, but
from what I heard, we were phenomenally unlucky not to come away with three
points. It just goes to show what happens when you don't have a proven
goalscorer in your team. There seemed to be at least two cast iron chances
which a predatory striker would have undoubtedly tucked away. But the fact
is we put in a great performance and the two central defenders can be very
proud of the shift they put in.
It was also good to see Ravel Morrison get on at the end, and he very nearly
tucked home a winner. Indeed, he would have done had Maiga not touched it on
from an offside position. Morrison will undoubtedly start against Cheltenham
on Tuesday.
Anyway, for a few hours at least, we are second in the league!
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Newcastle United 0-0 West Ham United: Magpies fans protest against Joe
Kinnear during dour stalemate
24 Aug 2013 22:30
The Mirror
Kevin Nolan could have dumped Alan Pardew in a ton of trouble in the
manager's 100th Premier League game in charge of Newcastle, writes John
Wardle at St James' Park. The former Toon midfielder failed to take a
glorious 60th-minute chance to extend his impressive scoring record against
his former club. A goal at that stage would certainly have put the Toon Army
in a sour mood, with Pardew one of the chief targets for their anger.
Instead, Newcastle survived to earn their first point of the season – and
would have emerged with all three, if Yoan Gouffran had not been guilty of
an incredible miss from point-blank range after Sammy Ameobi's cross came
back off a post in the final seconds. That was among 16 Newcastle efforts
that failed to trouble keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen and Pardew said: "Our
shooting was off today. We had so many off-target, which was unfortunate.
If we could have hit the target, we have a good poacher in Papiss Cisse.
"You want world-class quality and it was missing a little bit, but Loic Remy
will give us that when he is fit."
It was the first time in four visits, since he was fired by Newcastle, that
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce had failed to win at St James' Park. But
Allardyce, who lasted just 24 games on Tyneside, was still content as his
side built on their opening-day victory against Cardiff.He said: "There were
zero shots on our goal in 90 minutes and, when you are playing away from
home against Newcastle, that's a pretty good achievement. "We are satisfied
with a point and another clean sheet, but very disappointed we didn't take
any of the very good chances we created. "I watched Chelsea v Aston Villa in
midweek and Chelsea won 2-1, but didn't create as many chances as we did
here. I'd have been sick, though, if that fluke cross had gone in the back
of the net at the end, so I've got to be satisfied with a point."
Owner Mike Ashley was not at St James's Park to witness Newcastle failing
to score for the fourth successive home game – nor were a few other
regulars.
The attendance dropped below 50,000, suggesting a few thousand fans have had
enough of Ashley's failure to invest in new signings. At least the players,
who conceded 10 goals in their final three home games of last season, looked
far more equipped for the Premier League than they did at Manchester City
on Monday. But, for all the probing of Hatem Ben Arfa and the midfield
energy of Vurnon Anita, they struggled to create goal threats, particularly
before the break.
One came courtesy of West Ham defender Winston Reid, who almost nudged the
ball past his own keeper in the 11th minute, the other from Mapou
Yanga-Mbwia's 35th minute header. West Ham were little better before the
break. Modibo Maiga failed to hit the target with a header, while Reid
exposed uncertainty in Newcastle's defence when he twice came close to a
decisive final touch in the six-yard area. The second-half was only
marginally more enterprising.
It saw Stewart Downing stretch Newcastle keeper Tim Krul with a long-range
effort in the 48th minute. And Downing's cross should have brought a goal on
the hour when Nolan failed to connect cleanly with a close-range header.
West Ham sub Joe Cole also drilled a shot narrowly wide and Maiga was
offside when he diverted the ball past Krul in the 89th minute. But the best
chance of breaking the deadlock came deep into stoppage time when Sammy
Ameobi's cross came back off the post and Gouffran poked the ball over from
three yards. "He'll be sweating on the Christmas gaffes of the season
feature," said Pardew.
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West Ham boss Sam Allardyce's Silvestre Varela plan
Express.co.uk
WEST HAM will switch their attention to Porto striker Silvestre Varela if
they fail to agree a deal for Juventus forward Fabio Quagliarella.
Varela-has-scored-25-goals-in-90-games-for-Juventus Varela has scored 25
goals in 90 games for Juventus Club record signing Andy Carroll is out with
a heel injury and with Modibo Maiga the only other recognised forward at
Upton Park, boss Sam Allardyce is keen to bring in another front man before
the transfer window closes. Varela has scored 25 goals in 90 games for the
Portuguese champions.
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