Big Sam on: Manchester United
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce met the media ahead of Saturday's game against Manchester
United
20.03.2014
Sam Allardyce spoke to the assembled media at Chadwell Heath on Thursday
morning ahead of Saturday's game against Manchester United in the Barclays
Premier League. Big Sam answered questions regarding the latest team news,
Manchester United's inconsistent season and Jack Collison's loan move to
Wigan Athletic.
Morning Sam, what's your team news ahead of the weekend?
SA: "We're in exactly the same place with the squad as we were last week.
There's only Joey O'Brien and Marco Borriello who aren't available for
selection so I've got a big strong squad to choose from for Saturday's game.
Our efforts at home are what I've been focusing on with the players, the
fact that we've won the last three home games on the trot and we have to try
and maintain that if we can to overcome this little blip. "We've had two
away games in which we haven't picked anything up in, so the focus is to
maintain our home results and try our best to pull off a big result. Try and
win, but if we don't then make sure we come away with at least a point.
Everybody's talking about Manchester United, but in their last away game
they disposed of West Brom, winning 3-0. David Moyes has got so many players
to choose from that fatigue won't come into it that much, because he can
change the side that played against Olympiacos with top international
players if he wants to. I think it's going to be a really tough game and
we'll have to be on top of our form to get anything out of it."
What did you make of United's performance against Olympiacos last night? Did
they rediscover some spirit?
SA: "I thought that they kept their nerve very, very well. In the end, the
opposition coach made a mistake by attacking them. He was 2-0 up and had he
sat back with a defensive blanket of two banks of four then I think
Manchester United would have found that much more difficult to break down.
In the end, opening himself up let Manchester United exploit those spaces
and there's nobody better to do that than Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie.
"They took full advantage of the fact that Olympiacos thought they could
come and attack United, instead of looking to protect their two-goal lead.
They didn't have to score a goal to get through to the quarter-finals, all
they had to do was not concede one but he never set his tactics out like
that. David and his players took full advantage of that fact."
They're coming here 18 points off the top of the table, why do you think
they've fallen so far behind this season?
SA: "Transition I would say. I think that transition is a big thing when one
of the greatest men ever to manage a football club in the world leaves after
27 years. He has to be given time to establish himself and make the changes
that need to be made. It's a massive, massive job for David and this season
has been a massive learning curve for him. In the end, they haven't had as
good a season as they would have liked. I don't think it surprises many of
us that when someone like Sir Alex Ferguson leaves, it becomes a struggle
for whoever takes over."
You go into this game 12th in the table with games against four of the top
five to come. Does the table give West Ham a false sense of security?
SA: "Not really. I think that table-wise we don't really put any great value
in it. Our aim is always to obtain more points than games played, that has
been the case since the start of the season. Forget where you are in the
league, just make sure you get more points than games played to first secure
your position in the Premier League and then see how far you can go. We know
full well that we've got a little bit more to do.
"We've exerted a huge effort in the recent results, apart from the last two,
to get ahead on points per games. We have to make sure that when we come off
the field on Saturday that we've got a point, if not more and try to keep
that advantage in terms of how many points we've got and how many games
we've played."
How many points do you think will keep you up?
SA: "I think probably about 38. Then again, with nine games to go, some have
ten, it's swings and roundabouts more than ever before. Normally at this
stage of the season it's usually down to five or six teams rather than ten.
There's still ten teams, maybe nine now because I think Stoke will be safe,
so it's gone to nine now, any of those nine need to pick up as many points
as they can."
Does Jack Collison still have a future at the Club?
SA: "His consistent level hasn't been quite as good as last season. You
build a bigger squad, greater demands come on the players that are already
here and he needs to play some football. What better place to send him than
to Uwe Rosler and on Wigan's crusade to get into the play-offs. Jack isn't
cup-tied, he's not played in the FA Cup, and they've got a semi-final he
could play in. There's a call back option on him for us if we need him.
"If we have any problems here then we'll get him back. Jack got himself in
the side when he came back from being at Bournemouth on loan and stayed in
the side for a few games before his form dipped a little bit. It worked well
at that specific time and like I said, he hasn't played any games for a
while. Games are what he wants to play and he can enjoy his football at
Wigan for the time being."
2007 is the last time West Ham beat United in the league, is this the best
chance you've had of taken all three points against them recently?
SA: "Well like I said before, you've got to look at the last away game they
played which was West Brom and they disposed of them quite comfortably.
There's a lot of people saying Manchester United are playing better football
away from home than they are at home, because there's not quite so much
pressure on them. The last away game they played against a Premier League
side they won 3-0 at West Brom so I think it's going to be a difficult game
with the talent they've got. They can always come out and deliver at any
specific time."
United will be on a bit of a high after last night, do you think that's a
good or a bad thing?
SA: "If Manchester United deal with these things year in, year out, and
Manchester United players know exactly what's expected of them. They've got
their own standards. I think they're always very dangerous when they're not
doing as well as they should. This is not the manager that I'm talking
about, this is the players saying 'I'm letting myself down, my team down, my
manager and the fans down. We're Manchester United let's go and do something
about it.'"
How much of a boost has it been to have Andy Carroll back after his
suspension?
SA: "He managed to score last week, which was very good, but unfortunately
it meant nothing at the end of the game. Scoring early away from home should
be a very good thing to do, but unfortunately our defensive qualities let us
down badly last week. Andy's goal meant nothing in the end, but it meant a
lot to Andy, it got him on the way. He made two goals for Kevin against
Swansea before he got sent-off. He managed to get on the scoresheet and may
have scored two. We hope he can continue that as well as all the other
players on the frontline. Players on the frontline are the key element when
we're in possession to try and score goals when they get the chances.
"We do want to rely on somebody that gets past ten every year, but we do
also have to rely on other people contributing more and that's been one of
the problems in our team that other players haven't contributed what they
did last season. That's made life that little bit more difficult for us.
Defensively, we've been brilliant, 13 clean sheets in 29 games is fantastic.
Our goal rates and conversion rates hasn't been what it should have, and if
it had then we would be comfortably in the top-half."
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Cole eyes Man United repeat
WHUFC.com
Carlton Cole would love to repeat his 2010 two-goal show against Manchester
United on Saturday
19.03.2014
The snowy evening of 30 November 2010 was arguably Carlton Cole's finest
hour in a West Ham United shirt. Along with his goal and assist in the 2012
Championship Play-Off final win over Blackpool at Wembley, Cole's two-goal
League Cup quarter-final show in the 4-0 victory over Manchester United will
always bring a smile to the striker's face. As the No24 prepares to face the
Red Devils at the Boleyn Ground again on Saturday - the 15th time he will
take them on in a West Ham shirt - Cole's memory was cast back to that
famous cup success. "It's a massive fixture and I think all the lads are up
for it," said Cole, who also scored at Old Trafford in the reverse Barclays
Premier League fixture this season. "We always play well under the lights as
well, so we'll give them a good game. "Of course we can beat them. We had a
great win against them in the League Cup one time, which I think ended 4-0
and I notched two goals! "The big games are what you live for and all the
players live for that and the manager wants to get one over them and get an
upset."
With two home games in five days - Manchester United followed by the visit
of Hull City on Wednesday 26 March - the Hammers have the opportunity to
collect the points they need to secure Barclays Premier League safety as
soon as possible. "Obviously we need to get the points under out belts now
at home and, with the games we have coming up away from home, any sort of
results there would be good for us. "We can start steering our way to safety
and secure a top-ten finish." Should Cole and company do just that, they
will certainly be able to enjoy the 2013/14 Player Awards, which will be
held at the Grosvenor House Hotel on London's Park Lane on Tuesday 6 May.
There, the England international will hope to secure his fifth Top
Goalscorer award, but he knows he faces strong competition from last year's
winner Kevin Nolan. "Hopefully I'll add to my tally a few more before the
end of the season. I'd love to win it again but I've got a tough competitor
in Nobby, who pushed me right to wire the year before last. "I ended up
nicking it that year at the end and hopefully I can nick it again this
season. I'm looking to notch so he better be aware!"
Tables of ten for the Player Awards, which include a drinks reception and
three-course luxury meal with petit fours, are available priced from £2,750
+VAT.
Individual packages at a shared table, complete with a drinks reception and
three-course luxury meal with petit fours, are available priced at £300
+VAT.
To book your table or seat now, please call 0871 091 1811 (Calls cost 10p
per min plus network extras).
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Sam Allardyce sets West Ham 38-point target ahead of Manchester United game
Last Updated: 20/03/14 6:21pm
SSN
Sam Allardyce reckons seven more points should be enough to secure West
Ham's Premier League status for another year. West Ham go into this
weekend's Saturday Night Football clash against Manchester United on 31
points - six clear of third-bottom Sunderland, who have played two fewer
games. Allardyce believes almost half the division - including his own side
- are still under threat from relegation with an average of nine matches to
play. And ahead of the champions' visit on Saturday the West Ham manager has
set a 38-point target for survival. "I think probably about 38 points (will
be enough)," he said. "Then again, with nine games to go, some have 10, it's
swings and roundabouts more than ever before. "Normally at this stage of the
season it's usually down to five or six teams rather than 10. There's still
10 teams - maybe nine now because I think Stoke will be safe - any of those
nine need to pick up as many points as they can. "Our aim is always to
obtain more points than games played, that has been the case since the start
of the season. "Forget where you are in the league, just make sure you get
more points than games played to first secure your position in the Premier
League and then see how far you can go. We know full well that we've got a
little bit more to do."
West Ham have won three home games in succession, but Allardyce is wary of
opponents who have taken seven points from nine in their past three away
fixtures and who travel to London on a high following their UEFA Champions
League victory over Olympiakos. He said: "The focus is to maintain our home
results and try our best to pull off a big result. Try and win, but if we
don't then make sure we come away with at least a point. "Our aim is always
to obtain more points than games played, that has been the case since the
start of the season." "Everybody's talking about Manchester United, but in
their last away game they disposed of West Brom, winning 3-0. "David Moyes
has got so many players to choose from that fatigue won't come into it that
much, because he can change the side that played against Olympiakos with top
international players if he wants to."
Despite their decent away form United could be 21 points off the top of the
table by the time kick-off comes on Saturday, and Allardyce says United's
struggle to adapt to Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement is no surprise. "David
Moyes has to be given time to establish himself and make the changes that
need to be made," he said. "It's a massive, massive job for David and this
season has been a massive learning curve for him. "In the end, they haven't
had as good a season as they would have liked. I don't think it surprises
many of us that when someone like Sir Alex Ferguson leaves, it becomes a
struggle for whoever takes over."
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Uwe Rosler tips Jack Collison to impress at Wigan
Last Updated: 20/03/14 11:36am
SSN
Wigan manager Uwe Rosler has backed Jack Collison to cope with the high
stakes which await Wigan in the season's final stages. The Wales midfielder,
25, was confirmed as a Latics player on Tuesday night after he had witnessed
the dramatic 3-3 draw with Yeovil at the DW Stadium, in which five goals
inside the last 12 minutes denied the hosts a ninth straight victory. Rosler
claimed that the fact the Glovers scored a treble in those closing throes
showed just how fatigued some of his squad are. Their fixture list, which
has included European trips to Russia, Slovenia and Belgium, will comprise
of at least 60 games while they have an FA Cup semi-final date with Arsenal
at Wembley next month as they look to defend the trophy they won last May.
That could be just one of a number of titanic games to come for Rosler's
side given that they remain in the play-off spots and will almost certainly
have to go down that avenue if they are to be promoted back to the top
flight. And Collison, who is not cup-tied for the semi-final, knows all
about achieving promotion through the play-offs, having scored twice in the
semi-final first leg against Cardiff in 2012 and then starting in the final
when parent club West Ham beat Blackpool. "The injuries we've had in
midfield have been well documented," said Rosler, who has lost Ben Watson,
Chris McCann and Roger Espinoza to long-term problems recently. "We need
bodies in there, we need players with energy. Until the end of the season
now there will be prizes and high tension and we have to have players who
can cope with it. "Getting Jack - he's coming from a Premier League club, he
has experience. This season he's played 19 games and to get him for the
run-in is great for our squad. It gives us another option and I'm very happy
with this."
Wigan's recent run of form has been even more remarkable considering the
plethora of injuries they have suffered and James Perch became the latest to
go down against Yeovil. He collided with team-mate Callum McManaman early on
and despite soldiering on, made way before half-time. "We are injuring
ourselves now," Rosler joked. "James said he was right but obviously he
wasn't. He was limping. "It was unfortunate for us that we had to make that
early substitution because it restricted us in the end from bringing more
fresh bodies on. I'm not sure he'll be ready for Saturday, I hope so, but
I'm not sure."
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NOSTALGIA SERIES; RAY STEWART
By Tony Hanna 20 Mar 2014 at 09:14
West Ham Till I Die
Ray Stewart's career at West Ham will be fondly remembered by fans of that
era not just for his resolute defending, but also his fantastic penalty
taking record. Ray joined the Hammers from Dundee United in 1979 for 430,000
pounds for what was then a record fee for a British teenager. The Scot was
to go on to make 432 appearances for West Ham and scored 84 goals from right
back. All but eight of his goals were from the penalty spot and at least
three of those eight were from the goalkeepers initial saves from the
penalties. There are differing views on how many penalties Ray actually
missed during his West Ham career and Ray himself, when asked, does not
include the ones where he followed up with these rebounds. Initial misses
are most likely to be around ten as most stats say he scored 76 from 86
attempts. From my personal view the two most important penalties he ever
took were in the quarter final of the FA Cup in 1980 against Aston Villa and
in the League Cup final the following year at Wembley against Liverpool.
Both were highly pressurised and important and Ray belted both of them home!
And belt them he did. His style was no nonsense and hit with such power that
both his feet ended up off the ground after striking the ball. The one
against Villa was in the dying moments of the game and was to earn the
Hammers a place in the FA Cup semi-final. It sent Upton Park into a literal
frenzy. The one against Liverpool was to earn a League Cup final replay and
was with the last kick of the match. Pressure indeed, but Ray just walked
back and crashed them home.
However, Ray Stewart was not just a very good penalty taker. He added steel
and tenacity at right back and was to play throughout the halcyon days of
the eighties. He actually top scored in our FA Cup winning run in 1980 and
played 39 games in the 1985/86 season where we achieved our highest ever top
flight placing in third place. When Ray Stewart signed for West Ham in 1979
there was no internet, Sky Sports or Talksport. It was the Evening Standard
back in those days who would normally break any transfer news if they could
get their hands on the story before the Fleet Street elite. It was all over
the Standard back page that West Ham had broken the British teenage player
transfer record, and one who had only played 44 games in the Scottish
League! What were West Ham doing? Time would tell that it would prove money
very well spent.
But Ray, nicknamed Tonka, never did let the Hammers down. In his first
season he was second top scorer with fourteen goals. His penalty taking
style made him a fan favourite and his tackling style was often fearsome.
Julian Dicks who was breaking into the West Ham side just as Ray's career
was finishing, went on to model his penalty style after Ray's and he himself
became a penalty legend in his own right. Ray Stewart actually scored in
double figures four times in his first seven seasons at West Ham. His career
highlights include the FA Cup win of 1980, the League Cup finals the
following year and the quarter finals of the ECWC. Then there was the record
breaking second division title performance in 1981 and a few seasons later
the "Boys of '86". He went on to play ten times for Scotland but says the
"only time I ever had tears in my eyes was when Dalglish scored on that
final day of the season in 1986 and Liverpool won the title instead of us".
Sadly, Ray was badly injured in a game at Derby County in January 1989 and
he was sidelined for fifteen months. He made a return in April 1991 and
played six games in 24 days in an attempt to get fit. However, hamstring
injuries had started to plague the fullback and he was released back to his
native Scotland to end his career playing at St Johnstone and he played
twice for Stirling Albion before bringing down the curtain on his playing
career. He went on to manage Scottish teams Livingston and Stirling Albion
before ending his football days at Forfar Athletic in 2004.
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NOSTALGIA SERIES; RAY STEWART
By Tony Hanna 20 Mar 2014 at 09:14 52 comments
Ray Stewart's career at West Ham will be fondly remembered by fans of that
era not just for his resolute defending, but also his fantastic penalty
taking record. Ray joined the Hammers from Dundee United in 1979 for 430,000
pounds for what was then a record fee for a British teenager. The Scot was
to go on to make 432 appearances for West Ham and scored 84 goals from right
back. All but eight of his goals were from the penalty spot and at least
three of those eight were from the goalkeepers initial saves from the
penalties. There are differing views on how many penalties Ray actually
missed during his West Ham career and Ray himself, when asked, does not
include the ones where he followed up with these rebounds. Initial misses
are most likely to be around ten as most stats say he scored 76 from 86
attempts. From my personal view the two most important penalties he ever
took were in the quarter final of the FA Cup in 1980 against Aston Villa and
in the League Cup final the following year at Wembley against Liverpool.
Both were highly pressurised and important and Ray belted both of them home!
And belt them he did. His style was no nonsense and hit with such power that
both his feet ended up off the ground after striking the ball. The one
against Villa was in the dying moments of the game and was to earn the
Hammers a place in the FA Cup semi-final. It sent Upton Park into a literal
frenzy. The one against Liverpool was to earn a League Cup final replay and
was with the last kick of the match. Pressure indeed, but Ray just walked
back and crashed them home.
However, Ray Stewart was not just a very good penalty taker. He added steel
and tenacity at right back and was to play throughout the halcyon days of
the eighties. He actually top scored in our FA Cup winning run in 1980 and
played 39 games in the 1985/86 season where we achieved our highest ever top
flight placing in third place. When Ray Stewart signed for West Ham in 1979
there was no internet, Sky Sports or Talksport. It was the Evening Standard
back in those days who would normally break any transfer news if they could
get their hands on the story before the Fleet Street elite. It was all over
the Standard back page that West Ham had broken the British teenage player
transfer record, and one who had only played 44 games in the Scottish
League! What were West Ham doing? Time would tell that it would prove money
very well spent.
But Ray, nicknamed Tonka, never did let the Hammers down. In his first
season he was second top scorer with fourteen goals. His penalty taking
style made him a fan favourite and his tackling style was often fearsome.
Julian Dicks who was breaking into the West Ham side just as Ray's career
was finishing, went on to model his penalty style after Ray's and he himself
became a penalty legend in his own right. Ray Stewart actually scored in
double figures four times in his first seven seasons at West Ham. His career
highlights include the FA Cup win of 1980, the League Cup finals the
following year and the quarter finals of the ECWC. Then there was the record
breaking second division title performance in 1981 and a few seasons later
the "Boys of '86". He went on to play ten times for Scotland but says the
"only time I ever had tears in my eyes was when Dalglish scored on that
final day of the season in 1986 and Liverpool won the title instead of us".
Sadly, Ray was badly injured in a game at Derby County in January 1989 and
he was sidelined for fifteen months. He made a return in April 1991 and
played six games in 24 days in an attempt to get fit. However, hamstring
injuries had started to plague the fullback and he was released back to his
native Scotland to end his career playing at St Johnstone and he played
twice for Stirling Albion before bringing down the curtain on his playing
career. He went on to manage Scottish teams Livingston and Stirling Albion
before ending his football days at Forfar Athletic in 2004.
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Thursday, March 20
Daily WHUFC News - 20th March 2014
'West Ham fans are great'
WHUFC.com
Adrian has heaped praise on West Ham fans ahead of a sell-out fixture
against Manchester United
19.03.2014
Adrian has paid tribute to the West Ham United fans ahead of Saturday's
sell-out against Manchester United at the Boleyn Ground. 'Adrian, Adrian,
Adrian' has become a familiar chant amongst the Boleyn Ground faithful since
the Spaniard made the goalkeeper's position his own, with his superb
displays between the sticks earning him the past two Player of the Month
awards. The No13 kept three clean sheets over the course of February to
scoop the latest prize and the stopper admits he has enjoyed the growing
relationship between himself and Hammers' fans. Speaking in his first
recorded interview in English, the Seville-born keeper told West Ham TV: "I
feel really happy to play for the West Ham fans. "I enjoy the communication
between them and me because I think the fans are the most important part of
the Club. "Every away game they go to the other city and at home I think
that the West Ham fans are great."
Adrian beat off competition from captain Kevin Nolan to win his second
consecutive award, with some crucial saves in wins against Swansea City,
Aston Villa, Norwich City and Southampton enough for him to pip the skipper.
While he was delighted to receive the accolade, the 27-year-old says the
award is recognition for the hard work of the whole team. "I feel really
good, really happy, because this award is difficult for a player to win and
I've got my second in a row which is very difficult. "I think it's my award
but also for all of my teammates because without them I wouldn't have this
award. "Clean sheets are really important for us, for me more because I am
the goalkeeper. If you have clean sheets in a few games then you have more
confidence and more opportunity to win three points."
Adrian may have to be at his best on Saturday afternoon as he attempts to
deny a United frontline which is likely to contain the talents of Wayne
Rooney, Robin van Persie and Juan Mata. The Spaniard was beaten three times
by the Red Devils when he made his Premier League debut in a 3-1 defeat at
Old Trafford back in December 2013, but he is confident of a better result
this time round. "It's an important game and a difficult game. I made my
league debut against Manchester United at Old Trafford and since then we
have gained more confidence, that's important. "I think that with us playing
at home it will make it a good game and we will try to win the three points.
"It was difficult to make my debut there, but here every match is difficult
and you need the right mentality and concentration in every game because
nobody gives you the three points for nothing."
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Sadlier on comeback trail
WHUFC.com
Kieran Sadlier celebrated two goals against Leyton Orient on Tuesday as he
continues his return to fitness
19.03.2014
Kieran Sadlier was delighted to make a scoring return to the starting XI at
Rush Green on Tuesday afternoon as the Development Squad recorded a
comfortable 3-0 friendly victory against Leyton Orient. The winger scored
twice against the O's, netting the opener from close-range and doubling his
tally with a glancing header shortly after half-time. The wide man has been
out since before Christmas with medial tibia stress syndrome and is now keen
to rack up the minutes as he continues his return to full fitness. He told
West Ham TV: "I'm feeling good," he said. "It was nice to get 75 minutes
under my belt today. "I played 80 minutes last week and 20 or 30 in other
games, so it was nice to get a start in a proper game as the other one was a
training game. I feel alright at the moment."
Sadlier also admitted that it has been a frustrating time for himself during
his spell on the side-lines. "It's been frustrating seeing the other boys
out training every day and playing on Friday nights here and away from home.
"It's been frustrating but I knew I'd eventually come back. I thought it
wasn't as serious as it was and in the end it just needed a lot of rest
which it has now had."
Before his injury, the Republic of Ireland youth international had been a
regular feature for Nick Haycock's side in the Barclays Under-21 Premier
League, making ten appearances. Sadlier had also found the net twice in
those matches and he was pleased to be back among the goals against Orient
on Tuesday.
"It was good. I haven't scored as many as I would have wanted this season
anyway so it gives me confidence going into the Arsenal game and we'll see
what team Nick picks. If I'm on the bench, that's fine, but I'm just looking
to get some more minutes. "The league this year has been frustrating because
of the breaks between games, but it's good to have these friendlies in
between. "It's better to have matches because they're more competitive and
everyone's more up for it. Training is good, but games are always going to
be better for you."
The Development Squad will now turn their attention to a return to league
action against Arsenal on Monday evening. A 2-0 loss to Liverpool in their
last league outing has dropped the Hammers to eighth place in the table and
Sadlier is keen to bounce back against the Gunners. "Everyone was
disappointed to lose to Liverpool, a lot of the boys thought we deserved
more out of the game but we're all determined to bounce back with a win
against Arsenal. "We have qiuite a good record at this level against Arsenal
as well, so everyone's confident that we can beat them. "Everyone wants to
beat Arsenal because they're a big club and everyone will be up for it."
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Repka - I gave away a penalty on purpose
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 19th March 2014
By: Staff Writer
Ex-West Ham defender Tomas Repka has admitted to deliberately conceding a
penalty in order to get back at his former employers. The retired former
Czech international admitted his act of sabotage in a radio interview in
which he was plugging his new autobiography. Now 40, Repka - who played for
West Ham between 2001 and 2006 - revealed that he gave away the spot kick
against his former club Sparta Prague's main challengers for the
Championship title, Liberec, whilst playing for minnows Ceske Budejovice in
2012 as an act of revenge against Sparta president Daniel Kretinsky. "At
that precise moment I was not thinking straight," he said. "I hurt the team
as a whole. But I was fuelled by human vanity, and I wanted to settle a
score with Mr. Kretinsky. "He didn't behave fairly to me when I was leaving
Sparta, so I promised him I'd get him back. Hopefully I succeeded. Nobody
knew about it so I'm voluntarily admitting to it now."
The game, which took place in April 2012 ended up in a 4-0 home defeat for
Budejovice. Liberec went on to take the title at the expense of Prague by
just two points - the first time they'd won the Czech Liga since 2005/06.
Repka - a £5million Glenn Roeder signing from Italian side Fiorentina - was
famously dismissed on his debut for West Ham, before being sent off again in
his first match back from suspension - a 7-1 defeat at Blackburn Rovers. He
was equally volatile off the field during his spell in England and was
arrested in 2004 for harassment following a complaint by a neighbour.
Despite his many foibles, Repka went on to become a hugely-popular figure at
the Boleyn Ground and his farewell match - a 2-1 win against Fulham in
January 2006 - saw him leave the field in tears.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Jack's a Latic
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 19th March 2014
By: Staff Writer
Jack Collison could have played his final game for West Ham after completing
a loan move to Championship club Wigan Athletic. West Ham United's
25-year-old Welsh international will remain at the DW Stadium for the
remainder of the current campaign having completed a move to the Latics late
last night. Wiagn manager Uwe Rosler told the club's website: "We have now
brought in two great signings in Ryan Tunnicliffe and Jack Collison. "Jack
is exactly what we needed, he can play in a few different positions, has
terrific experience of both the Premier League and the Championship and will
heighten competition for places as we move into the crucial last few weeks
of the season." Collison is one of a string of first team players out of
contract this summer, along with the likes of fellow first team squad
members Guy Demel, Jussi Jaaskelainen, Joe Cole and George McCartney. Having
made his debut at Arsenal on New Years Day 2008, Jack went on to make 121
first team appearances for West Ham - the most recent of which came in the
Capital One Cup semi final second leg defeat at home to Manchester City back
in January.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
SO FAREWELL THEN JACK COLLISON
By Iain Dale 19 Mar 2014 at 11:51
Following Jack Collison's loan move to Wigan Athletic I suspect we won't be
seeing him wearing the Claret & Blue again. He's out of contract in the
summer and it looks likely he won't be offered a new one, as Sean Whetstone
revealed yesterday. I feel really sad about this. When he broke into the
first team back in 2008-9 I think we all thought he would prove to be the
real deal. He had flair and could score goals, some of them quite
spectacular. But it's not being unkind to say that he's never been quite the
same player since his long term knee injury. He'd have the odd impressive
game but there was little consistency of performance. In recent times Mo
Diame and Matt Taylor have kept him out of the side and this season he has
never been more than a bit-part player. I'd love to think he can still play
in the top flight but it maybe best for him to have a prolonged run of games
in the Championship. I am sure we all wish him good luck.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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WHUFC.com
Adrian has heaped praise on West Ham fans ahead of a sell-out fixture
against Manchester United
19.03.2014
Adrian has paid tribute to the West Ham United fans ahead of Saturday's
sell-out against Manchester United at the Boleyn Ground. 'Adrian, Adrian,
Adrian' has become a familiar chant amongst the Boleyn Ground faithful since
the Spaniard made the goalkeeper's position his own, with his superb
displays between the sticks earning him the past two Player of the Month
awards. The No13 kept three clean sheets over the course of February to
scoop the latest prize and the stopper admits he has enjoyed the growing
relationship between himself and Hammers' fans. Speaking in his first
recorded interview in English, the Seville-born keeper told West Ham TV: "I
feel really happy to play for the West Ham fans. "I enjoy the communication
between them and me because I think the fans are the most important part of
the Club. "Every away game they go to the other city and at home I think
that the West Ham fans are great."
Adrian beat off competition from captain Kevin Nolan to win his second
consecutive award, with some crucial saves in wins against Swansea City,
Aston Villa, Norwich City and Southampton enough for him to pip the skipper.
While he was delighted to receive the accolade, the 27-year-old says the
award is recognition for the hard work of the whole team. "I feel really
good, really happy, because this award is difficult for a player to win and
I've got my second in a row which is very difficult. "I think it's my award
but also for all of my teammates because without them I wouldn't have this
award. "Clean sheets are really important for us, for me more because I am
the goalkeeper. If you have clean sheets in a few games then you have more
confidence and more opportunity to win three points."
Adrian may have to be at his best on Saturday afternoon as he attempts to
deny a United frontline which is likely to contain the talents of Wayne
Rooney, Robin van Persie and Juan Mata. The Spaniard was beaten three times
by the Red Devils when he made his Premier League debut in a 3-1 defeat at
Old Trafford back in December 2013, but he is confident of a better result
this time round. "It's an important game and a difficult game. I made my
league debut against Manchester United at Old Trafford and since then we
have gained more confidence, that's important. "I think that with us playing
at home it will make it a good game and we will try to win the three points.
"It was difficult to make my debut there, but here every match is difficult
and you need the right mentality and concentration in every game because
nobody gives you the three points for nothing."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sadlier on comeback trail
WHUFC.com
Kieran Sadlier celebrated two goals against Leyton Orient on Tuesday as he
continues his return to fitness
19.03.2014
Kieran Sadlier was delighted to make a scoring return to the starting XI at
Rush Green on Tuesday afternoon as the Development Squad recorded a
comfortable 3-0 friendly victory against Leyton Orient. The winger scored
twice against the O's, netting the opener from close-range and doubling his
tally with a glancing header shortly after half-time. The wide man has been
out since before Christmas with medial tibia stress syndrome and is now keen
to rack up the minutes as he continues his return to full fitness. He told
West Ham TV: "I'm feeling good," he said. "It was nice to get 75 minutes
under my belt today. "I played 80 minutes last week and 20 or 30 in other
games, so it was nice to get a start in a proper game as the other one was a
training game. I feel alright at the moment."
Sadlier also admitted that it has been a frustrating time for himself during
his spell on the side-lines. "It's been frustrating seeing the other boys
out training every day and playing on Friday nights here and away from home.
"It's been frustrating but I knew I'd eventually come back. I thought it
wasn't as serious as it was and in the end it just needed a lot of rest
which it has now had."
Before his injury, the Republic of Ireland youth international had been a
regular feature for Nick Haycock's side in the Barclays Under-21 Premier
League, making ten appearances. Sadlier had also found the net twice in
those matches and he was pleased to be back among the goals against Orient
on Tuesday.
"It was good. I haven't scored as many as I would have wanted this season
anyway so it gives me confidence going into the Arsenal game and we'll see
what team Nick picks. If I'm on the bench, that's fine, but I'm just looking
to get some more minutes. "The league this year has been frustrating because
of the breaks between games, but it's good to have these friendlies in
between. "It's better to have matches because they're more competitive and
everyone's more up for it. Training is good, but games are always going to
be better for you."
The Development Squad will now turn their attention to a return to league
action against Arsenal on Monday evening. A 2-0 loss to Liverpool in their
last league outing has dropped the Hammers to eighth place in the table and
Sadlier is keen to bounce back against the Gunners. "Everyone was
disappointed to lose to Liverpool, a lot of the boys thought we deserved
more out of the game but we're all determined to bounce back with a win
against Arsenal. "We have qiuite a good record at this level against Arsenal
as well, so everyone's confident that we can beat them. "Everyone wants to
beat Arsenal because they're a big club and everyone will be up for it."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Repka - I gave away a penalty on purpose
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 19th March 2014
By: Staff Writer
Ex-West Ham defender Tomas Repka has admitted to deliberately conceding a
penalty in order to get back at his former employers. The retired former
Czech international admitted his act of sabotage in a radio interview in
which he was plugging his new autobiography. Now 40, Repka - who played for
West Ham between 2001 and 2006 - revealed that he gave away the spot kick
against his former club Sparta Prague's main challengers for the
Championship title, Liberec, whilst playing for minnows Ceske Budejovice in
2012 as an act of revenge against Sparta president Daniel Kretinsky. "At
that precise moment I was not thinking straight," he said. "I hurt the team
as a whole. But I was fuelled by human vanity, and I wanted to settle a
score with Mr. Kretinsky. "He didn't behave fairly to me when I was leaving
Sparta, so I promised him I'd get him back. Hopefully I succeeded. Nobody
knew about it so I'm voluntarily admitting to it now."
The game, which took place in April 2012 ended up in a 4-0 home defeat for
Budejovice. Liberec went on to take the title at the expense of Prague by
just two points - the first time they'd won the Czech Liga since 2005/06.
Repka - a £5million Glenn Roeder signing from Italian side Fiorentina - was
famously dismissed on his debut for West Ham, before being sent off again in
his first match back from suspension - a 7-1 defeat at Blackburn Rovers. He
was equally volatile off the field during his spell in England and was
arrested in 2004 for harassment following a complaint by a neighbour.
Despite his many foibles, Repka went on to become a hugely-popular figure at
the Boleyn Ground and his farewell match - a 2-1 win against Fulham in
January 2006 - saw him leave the field in tears.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Jack's a Latic
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 19th March 2014
By: Staff Writer
Jack Collison could have played his final game for West Ham after completing
a loan move to Championship club Wigan Athletic. West Ham United's
25-year-old Welsh international will remain at the DW Stadium for the
remainder of the current campaign having completed a move to the Latics late
last night. Wiagn manager Uwe Rosler told the club's website: "We have now
brought in two great signings in Ryan Tunnicliffe and Jack Collison. "Jack
is exactly what we needed, he can play in a few different positions, has
terrific experience of both the Premier League and the Championship and will
heighten competition for places as we move into the crucial last few weeks
of the season." Collison is one of a string of first team players out of
contract this summer, along with the likes of fellow first team squad
members Guy Demel, Jussi Jaaskelainen, Joe Cole and George McCartney. Having
made his debut at Arsenal on New Years Day 2008, Jack went on to make 121
first team appearances for West Ham - the most recent of which came in the
Capital One Cup semi final second leg defeat at home to Manchester City back
in January.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
SO FAREWELL THEN JACK COLLISON
By Iain Dale 19 Mar 2014 at 11:51
Following Jack Collison's loan move to Wigan Athletic I suspect we won't be
seeing him wearing the Claret & Blue again. He's out of contract in the
summer and it looks likely he won't be offered a new one, as Sean Whetstone
revealed yesterday. I feel really sad about this. When he broke into the
first team back in 2008-9 I think we all thought he would prove to be the
real deal. He had flair and could score goals, some of them quite
spectacular. But it's not being unkind to say that he's never been quite the
same player since his long term knee injury. He'd have the odd impressive
game but there was little consistency of performance. In recent times Mo
Diame and Matt Taylor have kept him out of the side and this season he has
never been more than a bit-part player. I'd love to think he can still play
in the top flight but it maybe best for him to have a prolonged run of games
in the Championship. I am sure we all wish him good luck.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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Wednesday, March 19
Daily WHUFC News - 19th March 2014
Downing looks for quick response
WHUFC.com
Stewart Downing says the Hammers need to bounce back quickly from Saturday's
defeat
18.03.2014
Stewart Downing is determined to help the Hammers bounce back from the
disappointment of defeat at Stoke City when they return to action at home to
Manchester United this Saturday. Following four straight wins in February,
Sam Allardyce's men have suffered the blip of successive defeats in March,
although a result looked there for the taking at the Britannia Stadium when
Andy Carroll headed the visitors into a fifth minute lead. West Ham could
not build on that good start however, and Downing was bitterly disappointed
with the final result. He explained: "We started off really well, so we were
disappointed to concede from a set piece [for the equaliser]. At 1-1 I
thought if anyone was going to win it, it would be us. We had the chances -
Nobby had one offside - and then they've counter-attacked us for two goals.
I didn't see it coming to be honest. "At half-time we said if we came out
quickly we could get a goal, because we were pressing them quite well in the
first half and they were giving us the ball back. "It's disappointing
because you want to take at least a draw out of the game if you're not going
to win it, and the way we conceded the goals was frustrating. "We're
confident we can get out of it,. The four wins in a row during February
proves we can get results, but we've lost our last two and we have to
correct that. We've got Manchester United next which will be a big test for
us and we need to get points on the board."
On the positive side, Carroll notched his first goal of the season and
Downing expects the Big Geordie to deliver more goals before the end of the
campaign.
He added: "Andy did really well. His hold-up play was really good because he
was getting kicked about a bit from the centre halves, but he got his goal.
"That will be good for the confidence with nine games to go, so for him he
just needs to carry on and play like he did on Saturday. He's a real asset
for us."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
The Big Interview - Sir Geoff Hurst
WHUFC.com
The West Ham United and England legend on the Hammers and his role in
grassroots football
18.03.2014
No footballer has ever achieved what Sir Geoff Hurst did on 30 July 1966.
That afternoon, the West Ham United forward netted a hat-trick to fire
England to a 4-2 FIFA World Cup final victory over West Germany at Wembley
Stadium - the only player to do so. Forty-eight years on Sir Geoff,
alongside club-mates Bobby Moore OBE and Martin Peters MBE, remain in a
select band of players to have won football's greatest prize for the Three
Lions. Last week, Sir Geoff was at the FA National Football Centre at St
George's Park in his role as Director of Football for McDonald's. While
there, he dropped in to meet the present-day West Ham squad, including
fellow England forward Andy Carroll, Mark Noble, Kevin Nolan and Stewart
Downing. Now 72, Sir Geoff spoke to West Ham TV about his role in promoting
grassroots football with McDonald's, Sam Allardyce, Carroll and much more.
Sir Geoff, as always it is an honour to speak to you for
West Ham TV. I understand you are at St George's Park to launch the 2014 FA
McDonald's Community Awards - what can you tell us about them?
GH: "Yes, it is the nomination time for these awards and they recognise all
the grassroots people who give their time to the game, as hundreds of
thousands of
people do. If you took them away, there would be very little grassroots
football. We're asking for nominations for your grassroots hero, so if you
would like to do so please visit the website here. As Director of Football
for McDonald's, that is something I'm associated with."
Presumably, grassroots football played a part in your development as a
player, too?
GH: "Everybody had a grassroots guy and the person who was instrumental in
my time was actually a teacher from my primary school called Mr Shepherd. I
still have the pictures from when I was seven or eight years of age up to
eleven and he was always on the pitch in the early years, standing
alongside.
"He was a history teacher and not necessarily technically good at coaching,
but what he did was organise us. He made sure we were together and looked
smart in the photographs. In fact, for one of our photographs I had
forgotten my boots, so he sent me home to get them so the team looked smart.
He was instrumental and he also stressed the sportsmanship - not getting too
uptight about losing and winning not being everything at that age-group
level. I still practice and preach that today. "He was my grassroots hero -
Mr Shepherd."
I understand you are also here at St George's Park to support the McDonald's
Cup five-a-side tournament for restaurant staff?
GH: "This is my fourth visit to St George's Park and it is a fantastic place
and it is great to see the senior clubs like West Ham using it.
"The McDonald's Cup is in its sixth year and all the McDonald's restaurants
in the UK play a five-a-side competition and have qualified to get here.
There are 24 teams - 16 men's and eight women's teams - and the winners from
here will have the opportunity to go to Germany for a European competition.
Those who are successful in Europe will go to Brazil and play over there!
It's great for the staff and I've always strongly believed that it's nice to
get all the people together in the corporate life. "What better opportunity
to get together at this marvellous facility for some five-a-side football in
beautiful weather!"
Talking of the weather, presumably the sunshine reminds you of 30 July 1966?
GH: "It does, but strangely enough it rained in the morning of the World Cup
final a little bit, but latterly we always remember it as a very sunny day!"
West Ham are doing well after a difficult period over the Christmas and New
Year, which must please you?
GH: "Yes, it's fantastic. I went away at Christmas and we were in the bottom
three. During the two months I was away, my wife has an iPad and she checked
and we drew at Chelsea. Then we won and won and won again, so I asked her
'Where are we in the league now?' and she said 'Tenth' and I thought 'That
will do me!'. "It's an endorsement of Sam. He has worked at Premier League
level and has great experience. At every club, if you take the top six out,
they will have a difficult period. If they didn't, they'd be in the top six
competing with the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool. It's the ability
of the terrific managers to turn it around. It's difficult to turn it round
when you go a few games without a win, especially like the Nottingham Forest
game and the two Manchester City games, which were shocking. "Sam has great
experience and I would say to the fans who do not always think Sam is the
right man that to get our squad of players into the realms he has got them
last year and this year is a fantastic achievement for a manager. "I fully
endorse Sam's efforts, not that he needs my endorsement particularly,
because he is so good at what he does. "I don't get to Upton Park much
because I now live in Cheltenham but I live an hour from Aston Villa and an
hour from Stoke and West Brom, so I get to games when I can. "The important
thing for me is that we're in the Premier League in a couple of years' time
when we get into that fantastic Olympic Stadium, which I think is a
fantastic move for the Club. I have to say publicly, it is a fantastic
forward movement for West Ham United."
Fifty years ago this month, you scored as West Ham beat Saturday's opponents
Manchester United in the FA Cup semi-final on the way to winning the trophy
for the first time. The history books show it was a horrible wet day and the
match was played on a swamp of a pitch! What are your memories of that game?
GH: "It wouldn't have been played today and it shouldn't have been played
then, because the pitch was absolutely shocking at Sheffield Wednesday that
day! It was a magnificent day for the Club. "The history books show that we
played Manchester United the week before at West Ham and five or six of
their top players weren't playing and they beat us 2-0. Everyone thought it
would be a foregone conclusion in the semi-final a week later, so to win 3-1
and score was wonderful. "Bobby Moore made a goal for me and it just showed
the horrendous conditions we played in, which made the game interesting. "To
put it into context of the time, we had not long before come out of the
Second Division, where we had been forever. Within six years we'd won the FA
Cup and then we won the European Cup Winners' Cup the following year - only
the second time an English club had won a European competition. "Then, as
West Ham fans would say, West Ham won the World Cup in 1966. We're standing
in the Ron Greenwood Room here at St George's Park and the great man
developed players to play at the top level and produced the captain and two
goalscorers for that great game. He is probably the greatest coach we have
seen and it's fitting that one of the rooms at this great facility is named
in honour of Ron."
Finally, the 2014 FIFA World Cup is three months away now. Among the players
hoping to make the England squad is Andy Carroll. Has he got a chance of
emulating Martin Peters in 1966 and making a late run for inclusion?
GH: "The answer is quite clearly 'Yes'. Martin Peters is a great example
because he didn't play until May 1966 against Yugoslavia only two months
before the final. He made a great goal in the quarter-final against
Argentina and of course scored our second in the final which would have been
the winner if West Germany hadn't equalised in the last minute. "There is
every chance for Andy. I mentioned him recently while doing some media work
not because he is a West Ham player, but because we talked about people who
have the opportunity. "There are ten Premier League games to go and if he
scores in every game and West Ham continue to rise up the table and he keeps
himself fit, he has the chance. Rickie Lambert is a good player and is
playing well but if he gets injured, we may be looking for another front
player who gives us the option of the high ball and Andy is a difficult
player to mark. "If Andy keeps plugging away, keeps himself fit and he keeps
scoring the goals then, no question, he has a real chance of being there."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Vice-Chairman receives CBE
WHUFC.com
West Ham United Vice-Chairman Karren Brady received her CBE at Buckingham
Palace on Tuesday
18.03.2014
West Ham United Vice-Chairman Karren Brady received her CBE from Prince
William at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday. The Vice-Chairman was awarded the
CBE in HM The Queen's New Year's Honours List for her outstanding
contribution for services to entrepreneurship and women in business, a cause
for which she has tirelessly campaigned throughout her career. Ms Brady, who
has previously won a host of high-profile awards for her work and
championing the cause of women in business, spoke of her pride at being made
Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. "I am truly
honoured to have received this award," the Vice-Chairman said. "I have been
extremely touched by all of the kind messages of congratulations from West
Ham United fans since the announcement was made at the turn of the year. I
would like to thank my Board at West Ham United and everyone who has worked
with and for me over the years. "I am particularly proud that my work for
women in the workplace has been recognised as it is something I feel so
passionately about. We have seen real progress in that field since I began
my career but that work is far from over as I know there is still so much
more that can be done."
Since arriving at West Ham United in 2010, the Vice-Chairman has brought the
Club back to its core values celebrating West Ham's role at the heart of the
East London community through the Moore than a Football Club brand and has
grown the Hammers' fanbase at grassroots and an international level. Her
ability to grow commercial revenue at every operational level of the
business saw the Club record its first operating profit in recent history.
While working tirelessly to attract investment, increase revenue and reduce
the Club's historic debt burden, one of the Vice-Chairman's greatest
triumphs to date came in March 2013, when Her Majesty's Government selected
West Ham United as the anchor concessionaire for the Olympic Stadium
following its transformation into a UEFA Category 4 Football Stadium in
2016. Ms Brady is also an indefatigable supporter of charitable causes as an
Ambassador for The Stroke Association, WellChild and Teenage Cancer Trust.
She adds this accolade to fcbusiness Magazine CEO of the Year, which she
collected for her work at West Ham United in 2012. Everyone at West Ham
United would like to congratulate the Vice-Chairman on her award.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Collison joins Wigan on loan
WHUFC.com
Midfielder Jack Collison has joined Championship side Wigan Athletic on loan
until the end of the season
18.03.2014
Midfielder Jack Collison has joined Sky Bet Championship side Wigan Athletic
on loan until the end of the season. West Ham United's Wales international
could make his Latics debut in Saturday's home league fixture with his
hometown club Watford at the DW Stadium. Collison could also feature in
Wigan's FA Cup with Budweiser semi-final with Arsenal - the club he made his
West Ham debut against on New Year's Day 2008 - at Wembley on 12 April. The
25-year-old is not cup-tied and is therefore eligible for the tie, which
will see Wigan attempt to reach their second consecutive FA Cup final after
winning last year's competition.
Uwe Rosler's Wigan have been in outstanding form, climbing into the Sky Bet
Championship Play-Off places and giving themselves an opportunity to return
to the Barclays Premier League after a one-year absence. The No10 has
already spent one loan spell in the Championship this term, making four
appearances for AFC Bournemouth in October 2013. Collison has played 15
times for West Ham this season, including ten times in the Barclays Premier
League five of the Club's six Capital One Cup ties. He has also played twice
for Wales in international friendlies.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
THE DOZEN WEST HAM PLAYERS OUT OF CONTRACT THIS SUMMER
By Sean Whetstone 18 Mar 2014 at 13:41
West Ham Till I Die
The following West Ham players will be out of contract or end of loan by
30th June this year. George McCartney, Matt Taylor, Jack Collison, Joe Cole,
Elliot Lee, Marco Borriello, Jussi Jaaskelainen, Roger Johnson, Pablo
Armero, Abdul Razak, Danny Potts, Jordan Spence and Antonio Nocerino
I understand just two of this list will be offered short term contracts with
one further player offered a longer term contract, the other nine players
will be released at the end of their contract or loan. The move is thought
to see around £177,000 per week reduction in wages meaning just over £9
million of wages per year available to spend in the summer.
It is also thought West Ham will look at ways to cut their losses with
Modibo Maiga, Alou Diarra and Stephen Henderson in the summer maybe buying
them out of their contracts early like they did with Razan Rat or releasing
them for free if other clubs can be found. Incredibly this could release
another £85,000 per week (£4,420,000 per year) off the wage bill before any
compensation is taken into account.
Which players would you keep and offer new contracts?
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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WHUFC.com
Stewart Downing says the Hammers need to bounce back quickly from Saturday's
defeat
18.03.2014
Stewart Downing is determined to help the Hammers bounce back from the
disappointment of defeat at Stoke City when they return to action at home to
Manchester United this Saturday. Following four straight wins in February,
Sam Allardyce's men have suffered the blip of successive defeats in March,
although a result looked there for the taking at the Britannia Stadium when
Andy Carroll headed the visitors into a fifth minute lead. West Ham could
not build on that good start however, and Downing was bitterly disappointed
with the final result. He explained: "We started off really well, so we were
disappointed to concede from a set piece [for the equaliser]. At 1-1 I
thought if anyone was going to win it, it would be us. We had the chances -
Nobby had one offside - and then they've counter-attacked us for two goals.
I didn't see it coming to be honest. "At half-time we said if we came out
quickly we could get a goal, because we were pressing them quite well in the
first half and they were giving us the ball back. "It's disappointing
because you want to take at least a draw out of the game if you're not going
to win it, and the way we conceded the goals was frustrating. "We're
confident we can get out of it,. The four wins in a row during February
proves we can get results, but we've lost our last two and we have to
correct that. We've got Manchester United next which will be a big test for
us and we need to get points on the board."
On the positive side, Carroll notched his first goal of the season and
Downing expects the Big Geordie to deliver more goals before the end of the
campaign.
He added: "Andy did really well. His hold-up play was really good because he
was getting kicked about a bit from the centre halves, but he got his goal.
"That will be good for the confidence with nine games to go, so for him he
just needs to carry on and play like he did on Saturday. He's a real asset
for us."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
The Big Interview - Sir Geoff Hurst
WHUFC.com
The West Ham United and England legend on the Hammers and his role in
grassroots football
18.03.2014
No footballer has ever achieved what Sir Geoff Hurst did on 30 July 1966.
That afternoon, the West Ham United forward netted a hat-trick to fire
England to a 4-2 FIFA World Cup final victory over West Germany at Wembley
Stadium - the only player to do so. Forty-eight years on Sir Geoff,
alongside club-mates Bobby Moore OBE and Martin Peters MBE, remain in a
select band of players to have won football's greatest prize for the Three
Lions. Last week, Sir Geoff was at the FA National Football Centre at St
George's Park in his role as Director of Football for McDonald's. While
there, he dropped in to meet the present-day West Ham squad, including
fellow England forward Andy Carroll, Mark Noble, Kevin Nolan and Stewart
Downing. Now 72, Sir Geoff spoke to West Ham TV about his role in promoting
grassroots football with McDonald's, Sam Allardyce, Carroll and much more.
Sir Geoff, as always it is an honour to speak to you for
West Ham TV. I understand you are at St George's Park to launch the 2014 FA
McDonald's Community Awards - what can you tell us about them?
GH: "Yes, it is the nomination time for these awards and they recognise all
the grassroots people who give their time to the game, as hundreds of
thousands of
people do. If you took them away, there would be very little grassroots
football. We're asking for nominations for your grassroots hero, so if you
would like to do so please visit the website here. As Director of Football
for McDonald's, that is something I'm associated with."
Presumably, grassroots football played a part in your development as a
player, too?
GH: "Everybody had a grassroots guy and the person who was instrumental in
my time was actually a teacher from my primary school called Mr Shepherd. I
still have the pictures from when I was seven or eight years of age up to
eleven and he was always on the pitch in the early years, standing
alongside.
"He was a history teacher and not necessarily technically good at coaching,
but what he did was organise us. He made sure we were together and looked
smart in the photographs. In fact, for one of our photographs I had
forgotten my boots, so he sent me home to get them so the team looked smart.
He was instrumental and he also stressed the sportsmanship - not getting too
uptight about losing and winning not being everything at that age-group
level. I still practice and preach that today. "He was my grassroots hero -
Mr Shepherd."
I understand you are also here at St George's Park to support the McDonald's
Cup five-a-side tournament for restaurant staff?
GH: "This is my fourth visit to St George's Park and it is a fantastic place
and it is great to see the senior clubs like West Ham using it.
"The McDonald's Cup is in its sixth year and all the McDonald's restaurants
in the UK play a five-a-side competition and have qualified to get here.
There are 24 teams - 16 men's and eight women's teams - and the winners from
here will have the opportunity to go to Germany for a European competition.
Those who are successful in Europe will go to Brazil and play over there!
It's great for the staff and I've always strongly believed that it's nice to
get all the people together in the corporate life. "What better opportunity
to get together at this marvellous facility for some five-a-side football in
beautiful weather!"
Talking of the weather, presumably the sunshine reminds you of 30 July 1966?
GH: "It does, but strangely enough it rained in the morning of the World Cup
final a little bit, but latterly we always remember it as a very sunny day!"
West Ham are doing well after a difficult period over the Christmas and New
Year, which must please you?
GH: "Yes, it's fantastic. I went away at Christmas and we were in the bottom
three. During the two months I was away, my wife has an iPad and she checked
and we drew at Chelsea. Then we won and won and won again, so I asked her
'Where are we in the league now?' and she said 'Tenth' and I thought 'That
will do me!'. "It's an endorsement of Sam. He has worked at Premier League
level and has great experience. At every club, if you take the top six out,
they will have a difficult period. If they didn't, they'd be in the top six
competing with the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool. It's the ability
of the terrific managers to turn it around. It's difficult to turn it round
when you go a few games without a win, especially like the Nottingham Forest
game and the two Manchester City games, which were shocking. "Sam has great
experience and I would say to the fans who do not always think Sam is the
right man that to get our squad of players into the realms he has got them
last year and this year is a fantastic achievement for a manager. "I fully
endorse Sam's efforts, not that he needs my endorsement particularly,
because he is so good at what he does. "I don't get to Upton Park much
because I now live in Cheltenham but I live an hour from Aston Villa and an
hour from Stoke and West Brom, so I get to games when I can. "The important
thing for me is that we're in the Premier League in a couple of years' time
when we get into that fantastic Olympic Stadium, which I think is a
fantastic move for the Club. I have to say publicly, it is a fantastic
forward movement for West Ham United."
Fifty years ago this month, you scored as West Ham beat Saturday's opponents
Manchester United in the FA Cup semi-final on the way to winning the trophy
for the first time. The history books show it was a horrible wet day and the
match was played on a swamp of a pitch! What are your memories of that game?
GH: "It wouldn't have been played today and it shouldn't have been played
then, because the pitch was absolutely shocking at Sheffield Wednesday that
day! It was a magnificent day for the Club. "The history books show that we
played Manchester United the week before at West Ham and five or six of
their top players weren't playing and they beat us 2-0. Everyone thought it
would be a foregone conclusion in the semi-final a week later, so to win 3-1
and score was wonderful. "Bobby Moore made a goal for me and it just showed
the horrendous conditions we played in, which made the game interesting. "To
put it into context of the time, we had not long before come out of the
Second Division, where we had been forever. Within six years we'd won the FA
Cup and then we won the European Cup Winners' Cup the following year - only
the second time an English club had won a European competition. "Then, as
West Ham fans would say, West Ham won the World Cup in 1966. We're standing
in the Ron Greenwood Room here at St George's Park and the great man
developed players to play at the top level and produced the captain and two
goalscorers for that great game. He is probably the greatest coach we have
seen and it's fitting that one of the rooms at this great facility is named
in honour of Ron."
Finally, the 2014 FIFA World Cup is three months away now. Among the players
hoping to make the England squad is Andy Carroll. Has he got a chance of
emulating Martin Peters in 1966 and making a late run for inclusion?
GH: "The answer is quite clearly 'Yes'. Martin Peters is a great example
because he didn't play until May 1966 against Yugoslavia only two months
before the final. He made a great goal in the quarter-final against
Argentina and of course scored our second in the final which would have been
the winner if West Germany hadn't equalised in the last minute. "There is
every chance for Andy. I mentioned him recently while doing some media work
not because he is a West Ham player, but because we talked about people who
have the opportunity. "There are ten Premier League games to go and if he
scores in every game and West Ham continue to rise up the table and he keeps
himself fit, he has the chance. Rickie Lambert is a good player and is
playing well but if he gets injured, we may be looking for another front
player who gives us the option of the high ball and Andy is a difficult
player to mark. "If Andy keeps plugging away, keeps himself fit and he keeps
scoring the goals then, no question, he has a real chance of being there."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Vice-Chairman receives CBE
WHUFC.com
West Ham United Vice-Chairman Karren Brady received her CBE at Buckingham
Palace on Tuesday
18.03.2014
West Ham United Vice-Chairman Karren Brady received her CBE from Prince
William at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday. The Vice-Chairman was awarded the
CBE in HM The Queen's New Year's Honours List for her outstanding
contribution for services to entrepreneurship and women in business, a cause
for which she has tirelessly campaigned throughout her career. Ms Brady, who
has previously won a host of high-profile awards for her work and
championing the cause of women in business, spoke of her pride at being made
Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. "I am truly
honoured to have received this award," the Vice-Chairman said. "I have been
extremely touched by all of the kind messages of congratulations from West
Ham United fans since the announcement was made at the turn of the year. I
would like to thank my Board at West Ham United and everyone who has worked
with and for me over the years. "I am particularly proud that my work for
women in the workplace has been recognised as it is something I feel so
passionately about. We have seen real progress in that field since I began
my career but that work is far from over as I know there is still so much
more that can be done."
Since arriving at West Ham United in 2010, the Vice-Chairman has brought the
Club back to its core values celebrating West Ham's role at the heart of the
East London community through the Moore than a Football Club brand and has
grown the Hammers' fanbase at grassroots and an international level. Her
ability to grow commercial revenue at every operational level of the
business saw the Club record its first operating profit in recent history.
While working tirelessly to attract investment, increase revenue and reduce
the Club's historic debt burden, one of the Vice-Chairman's greatest
triumphs to date came in March 2013, when Her Majesty's Government selected
West Ham United as the anchor concessionaire for the Olympic Stadium
following its transformation into a UEFA Category 4 Football Stadium in
2016. Ms Brady is also an indefatigable supporter of charitable causes as an
Ambassador for The Stroke Association, WellChild and Teenage Cancer Trust.
She adds this accolade to fcbusiness Magazine CEO of the Year, which she
collected for her work at West Ham United in 2012. Everyone at West Ham
United would like to congratulate the Vice-Chairman on her award.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Collison joins Wigan on loan
WHUFC.com
Midfielder Jack Collison has joined Championship side Wigan Athletic on loan
until the end of the season
18.03.2014
Midfielder Jack Collison has joined Sky Bet Championship side Wigan Athletic
on loan until the end of the season. West Ham United's Wales international
could make his Latics debut in Saturday's home league fixture with his
hometown club Watford at the DW Stadium. Collison could also feature in
Wigan's FA Cup with Budweiser semi-final with Arsenal - the club he made his
West Ham debut against on New Year's Day 2008 - at Wembley on 12 April. The
25-year-old is not cup-tied and is therefore eligible for the tie, which
will see Wigan attempt to reach their second consecutive FA Cup final after
winning last year's competition.
Uwe Rosler's Wigan have been in outstanding form, climbing into the Sky Bet
Championship Play-Off places and giving themselves an opportunity to return
to the Barclays Premier League after a one-year absence. The No10 has
already spent one loan spell in the Championship this term, making four
appearances for AFC Bournemouth in October 2013. Collison has played 15
times for West Ham this season, including ten times in the Barclays Premier
League five of the Club's six Capital One Cup ties. He has also played twice
for Wales in international friendlies.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
THE DOZEN WEST HAM PLAYERS OUT OF CONTRACT THIS SUMMER
By Sean Whetstone 18 Mar 2014 at 13:41
West Ham Till I Die
The following West Ham players will be out of contract or end of loan by
30th June this year. George McCartney, Matt Taylor, Jack Collison, Joe Cole,
Elliot Lee, Marco Borriello, Jussi Jaaskelainen, Roger Johnson, Pablo
Armero, Abdul Razak, Danny Potts, Jordan Spence and Antonio Nocerino
I understand just two of this list will be offered short term contracts with
one further player offered a longer term contract, the other nine players
will be released at the end of their contract or loan. The move is thought
to see around £177,000 per week reduction in wages meaning just over £9
million of wages per year available to spend in the summer.
It is also thought West Ham will look at ways to cut their losses with
Modibo Maiga, Alou Diarra and Stephen Henderson in the summer maybe buying
them out of their contracts early like they did with Razan Rat or releasing
them for free if other clubs can be found. Incredibly this could release
another £85,000 per week (£4,420,000 per year) off the wage bill before any
compensation is taken into account.
Which players would you keep and offer new contracts?
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Tuesday, March 18
Daily WHUFC News - 18th March 2014
Planning for an elite future
WHUFC.com
FA director of elite development Dan Ashworth has many links with West Ham
United
17.03.2014
West Ham United have long held close links with the Football Association and
the England national team. Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters
inspired England to FIFA World Cup glory in 1966, Ron Greenwood managed the
Three Lions from 1977 to 1982, Sir Trevor Brooking has served as the FA's
director of football development since 2003 and the Hammers have provided no
fewer than 38 senior England internationals. Working alongside Sir Trevor is
FA director of elite development Dan Ashworth, the former Norwich City
player and West Bromwich Albion sporting and technical director who was
appointed to his role in September 2012. Ashworth welcomed West Ham to the
FA National Football Centre at St George's Park last week, where his own
links with the Hammers were revealed - including the fact he was Jack
Collison's Academy coach at both Peterborough United and Cambridge United.
"Yes, that was a good few years ago now!" Ashworth told West Ham TV. "Jack
initially came through the youth system at Peterborough when I was there and
then came to Cambridge before he got a move to West Ham at the age of 16.
"Jack was always an exceptional player and he was always very professional
in his approach to everything he did and I'm delighted he's become an
established Premier League player. "He is another one who graduated at West
Ham, who have a fantastic track record of producing young players for their
own team, for other teams and of course for the national team. He is another
one to come off the conveyor belt of talented West Ham players."
In his role, Ashworth is charged with overseeing a wide range of areas
focused on producing the best possible players and coaches for English
football, from the grassroots to the elite level. "My role varies immensely
and that's the beauty of it. It involves working closely with Sir Trevor and
[England U21s manager] Gareth Southgate on developing the teams from U21s
down and the Women's teams from U20s down. "I also oversee talent
identification and performance services, which involves sports science,
psychology, physiotherapy and also coach education. It's really varied,
really interesting and based at a fantastic facility at St George's Park.
It's a really good job."
At present, West Ham have players in every age-group England squad. West Ham
TV asked Ashworth how the best teenagers are identified to represent the
national side between the U16 and U21 levels. "We have recently appointed a
new head of talent identification for the younger teams, which is the first
time we have done that. He is starting to set up some structures to give us
more comprehensive coverage across the country. "We have a series of
part-time scouts and also have good relationships with the clubs, so with
West Ham that means we would pick up the phone and talk to Tony Carr on a
regular basis. He has such vast experience that he knows the level and knows
which players would be suitable for England. "There is a little bit of both
us getting out and about and also the clubs working with us as well."
While there has been criticism of the number of English players representing
clubs in the Barclays Premier League, West Ham's U18s are going great guns
this season with an almost exclusively English team. So, does Ashworth
believe there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic about the future of the
national side?
"There are! I am really optimistic about the future, as I've said on many
occasions. Some of the changes we and the Premier League are making with the
Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP) can only help in terms of contact time
with the players and higher standards for the coaches. "I'm really convinced
we are going to be a force going forward in a few years when all these
changes start to take effect."
Finally, Ashworth said the FA were delighted to welcome West Ham to St
George's Park for a second time as Sam Allardyce's side trained ahead of
their trip to Stoke City. "That was one of the reasons it was built - not
just for England but for English teams. We welcome professional teams here,
just as much as we welcome grassroots teams and the national team. "The
facilities are here for everyone to use, not just the FA but for the whole
of English football."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Djair at the double for U18s
WHUFC.com
Djair Parfitt-Williams bagged a brace to help the U18s see off Leicester
City on Saturday
17.03.2014
West Ham United U18s returned to the summit of the Barclays U18 Premier
League South courtesy of a 2-1 win at Leicester City on Saturday. Djair
Parfitt-Williams struck in either half to fire Steve Potts' men to an
impressive seventh successive league success. Victory sees the Hammers
leapfrog Fulham at the top, who suffered a 3-1 home defeat by Southampton at
Motspur Park. The Hammers hit the front with 36 minutes gone, when
Bermuda-born Parfitt-Williams dispossessed City centre-back Sam Jones,
before slotting home his eighth league goal of the campaign. The lead,
however, would only last until six minutes after the interval, as Simonas
Stankevicius got the better of Manny Onariase and slotted past 'keeper Sam
Howes to make it one apiece. But it was Parfitt Williams who had the final
word, collecting from Jamie Harney, skipping beyond the full-back and then
driving home the winner with 82 minutes on the clock.
Academy director Tony Carr MBE was impressed with the Hammers' match-winner
on the day, while insisting there is still plenty to come from the Bermudan
youngster. "He's a very talented boy," Carr told whufc.com. "He's still
coming to terms with the European and British game, as his background is
American.
"He's only in his first year with us as a scholar and hopefully he can
progress. But he's very talented, good on the ball and has got an eye for a
goal." As for the game itself, Carr admitted that conditions had meant that
it was hardly the prettiest on the eye, but he was nonetheless thrilled to
see the Hammers extend their winning run. He continued: "It wasn't the best
of games in terms of football. It was very windy and a bit of a bobbly
pitch. But it was certainly very competitive. "In the end it was a worthy
win, a good win for us and one that keeps the run going. Steve Potts and
Mark Phillips, as ever, marshalled the team very well, with a couple of
changes from the week before. It obviously paid dividends and the team
marches on. "I think we're playing to our full potential. We've got a very
talented team and they're playing very well. But it's only at this moment in
time. It's a question of whether they can continue that progression and
improvement and take it to the next level, which for them is the U21s and,
hopefully, beyond."
With just seven league fixtures remaining, the Hammers have their sights
firmly set on a top-two finish, one that would secure their spot in the
end-of-season national Play-Offs. "We're sitting in the top two in the
league and the national Play-Offs are a nice target to aim toward for the
end of the season. "We're in good form, that's for sure. All runs have to
come to an end sometime but we're enjoying at the moment. We go onto
Tottenham Hotspur next week and see if we can maintain the same level of
performance and hopefully that will turn into a positive result."
West Ham United U18s: Howes, Pike (Mavila, 72), Burke, Nasha, Harney,
Onariase (Bailey, 58), Makasi, Amoo, Brown (Martins, 78), Bywater,
Parfitt-Williams
Subs not used: Nemrava, Bailey, Knoyle
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Nobby ready for 'big week'
WHUFC.com
Kevin Nolan says West Ham United cannot dwell on defeat at Stoke City
17.03.2014
Captain Kevin Nolan says West Ham United cannot dwell on defeat at Stoke
City. The skipper was left hugely frustrated as the Hammers relinquished an
early lead to go down 3-1 at the Britannia Stadium. Nolan saw a goal
disallowed for offside, headed narrowly wide and a strong penalty appeal for
handball turned down by referee Craig Pawson. While the temptation may be to
feel sorry for himself, the No4 says West Ham need to prepare for Saturday's
visit of Manchester United to the Boleyn Ground. "It was very disappointing,
because I felt we deserved something at Stoke," said Nolan. "If we got the
penalty, it goes to 2-2 and your back up and then who knows? "If we had come
off the pitch with a 2-2, then I think people would have probably said
'That's a fair enough result' and think the 3-1 flattered them a bit. I am
very disappointed to be going back home with nothing. "Two late sucker
punches in the last two games have done us, but we have a big week leading
up to what should be a fantastic game against Manchester United at home. "We
did quite well against them at our place last year [to lead twice and draw
2-2] and I'm hoping we can capitalise on that, start another run going
again. That is the aim and there is no reason why we can't do that."
At Stoke, Nolan felt West Ham missed an opportunity to collect another point
or more in their bid to secure Barclays Premier League survival. Andy
Carroll's early goal was cancelled out by Peter Odemwingie before two second
half strikes from Marko Arnautovic and Odemwingie put the game beyond the
Hammers.
"To be honest, even when they went 2-1 up I thought we were still in control
and that we were going to score again - you have that feeling and that was
certainly still the case at that time. "I had a header at the back post that
was a bit too high and the one that was off-side. I didn't think I was at
the time, but having seen it again, it was a bit offside. "They hit us with
a bit of a sucker punch, which was a great finish from Arnautovic, to be
fair, and you are going to get that in the Premier League sometimes. Against
the run of play, they got a goal. "Then there was the incident where their
left-back [Marc Muniesa] blatantly handled. It was blatant handball and you
just expected the decision to follow and it hasn't, so we are very
disappointed. "They got a third and it put us to bed then, so overall, we
were very disappointed."
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Loanee round-up
WHUFC.com
A number of West Ham United loanees were in action at the weekend
17.03.2014
Ravel Morrison led the band of West Ham United loanees in action at the
weekend as his two goals inspired Queens Park Rangers to victory. The
midfielder scored either side of former Hammer Bobby Zamora's goal to earn
the R's a convincing home win against Yeovil Town in the Sky Bet
Championship, in which Modibo Maiga was an unused substitute. Morrison's
brace took his tally for Harry Redknapp's side to four goals in five matches
since his arrival at Loftus Road in February.
Jordan Spence didn't enjoy the same winning feeling as his MK Dons side
crashed to a 2-0 home defeat against Peterborough United in Sky Bet League
One on Saturday The centre-back picked up a yellow card as Posh took all
three points thanks to Britt Assombalonga's second half double.
North of the border, George Moncur didn't get on as Partick Thistle saw off
Hibernian 3-1 at Firhill in the Scottish Premiership. With Heart of
Midlothian not in action this weekend there was no game for striker Paul
McCallum who has made five appearances during his loan spell with the Jambos
so far. In the Skrill
South, Taylor Miles was introduced after 52 minutes as Concord Rangers went
down 1-0 away to Hayes & Yeading, while Rob Girdlestone did not feature.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Wigan are lining up a move to sign West Ham's Jack Collison on loan
By Pete O'Rourke - Follow me: @skysportspeteo | Last Updated: 17/03/14
1:25pm
SSN
Sky Sports understands Wigan are lining up a loan move for West Ham
midfielder Jack Collison. Wigan boss Uwe Rosler is in the market for
midfield reinforcements after losing Ben Watson and Chris McCann to serious
injuries recently. A host of midfielders have been linked with moves to the
DW Stadium, but it appears Rosler is ready to push through a swoop for Wales
international Collison. Collison has struggled to hold down a regular place
in the West Ham side this season, making just six Premier League starts and
Sam Allardyce is happy to loan him out. The 25-year-old enjoyed a spell at
Bournemouth earlier this season and he is keen to go out and play regular
first-team football at Wigan and boost their bid for promotion to the
Premier League.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Nedum Onuoha believes Ravel Morrison can shine for England in future
Last Updated: 17/03/14 11:35am
SSN
QPR defender Nedum Onuoha has backed Ravel Morrison to become a big star for
England in the future. Morrison, who is on loan at Loftus Road from West
Ham, scored another two fine goals in Saturday's 3-0 win over Yeovil. The
England Under-21 international has now found the net four times in his last
three appearances to boost Rangers' promotion bid. Onuoha said: "He's got an
awful lot of potential. "He's a good player now, but if he continues to be
nurtured and does things in the right way then he is going to be something
special for the country." While Morrison was shooting down Yeovil, his
parent club West Ham were being comprehensively beaten at Stoke. The Hammers
could, in theory, call Morrison back this week, once the initial 28 days of
his loan spell is up. The 21-year-old was arguably West Ham's best player
during the first half of the season and many of their fans are baffled as to
why QPR are reaping the benefits of his talent rather than them. Assistant
manager Kevin Bond hopes it will not come to that, though. "What will be
will be," said Bond. "He's here, he's enjoying his football and he's
figuring. He's done great for us."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Wigan to make loan move for West Ham's Jack Collison and he could play in FA
Cup semi-final
Mar 17, 2014 18:17 By Simon Austin
The Mirror
West Ham midfielder Jack Collison is set to join Wigan Athletic on loan
until the end of the season and could play in their FA Cup semi-final
against Arsenal.
Collison has failed to secure a regular first-team place at Upton Park and
has already been on loan at Bournemouth this season. The Wales international
is out of contract at the end of the campaign and it's unlikely he will stay
at Upton Park. Wigan manager Uwe Rosler has also been linked with a move for
Manchester City midfielder Jack Rodwell. Collison will also be eligible to
face Arsenal at Wembley because he did not feature in the FA Cup this
season.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham's summer transfer plans revealed
Date: 17th March 2014 at 8:12 pm
Written by: Irons Maiden |
Forever West Ham
The ever reliable and brilliant @ExWHUEmployee has produced a piece for
Claret and Hugh detailing our summer transfer plans (should we remain a
Premier League club).
Here's a summary of the major points
1 – £20million budget
2 – Shift in transfer policy to focus on younger players
3 – Pablo Armero has impressed in training and club hope to make deal
permanent
4 – Winston Reid to be offered new deal with wages similar to Carroll
5 – Ravel Morrison likely to be sold but performances at QPR may result in a
change of heart
6 – Jack Collison and Joe Cole to be released
7 – Club will try to sign either Wilfried Zaha or Ashley Young from
Manchester United
8 – Strong interest in Jelle Vossen who plays for Genk
9 – Jussi Jaaskelainen will be released
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WHUFC.com
FA director of elite development Dan Ashworth has many links with West Ham
United
17.03.2014
West Ham United have long held close links with the Football Association and
the England national team. Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters
inspired England to FIFA World Cup glory in 1966, Ron Greenwood managed the
Three Lions from 1977 to 1982, Sir Trevor Brooking has served as the FA's
director of football development since 2003 and the Hammers have provided no
fewer than 38 senior England internationals. Working alongside Sir Trevor is
FA director of elite development Dan Ashworth, the former Norwich City
player and West Bromwich Albion sporting and technical director who was
appointed to his role in September 2012. Ashworth welcomed West Ham to the
FA National Football Centre at St George's Park last week, where his own
links with the Hammers were revealed - including the fact he was Jack
Collison's Academy coach at both Peterborough United and Cambridge United.
"Yes, that was a good few years ago now!" Ashworth told West Ham TV. "Jack
initially came through the youth system at Peterborough when I was there and
then came to Cambridge before he got a move to West Ham at the age of 16.
"Jack was always an exceptional player and he was always very professional
in his approach to everything he did and I'm delighted he's become an
established Premier League player. "He is another one who graduated at West
Ham, who have a fantastic track record of producing young players for their
own team, for other teams and of course for the national team. He is another
one to come off the conveyor belt of talented West Ham players."
In his role, Ashworth is charged with overseeing a wide range of areas
focused on producing the best possible players and coaches for English
football, from the grassroots to the elite level. "My role varies immensely
and that's the beauty of it. It involves working closely with Sir Trevor and
[England U21s manager] Gareth Southgate on developing the teams from U21s
down and the Women's teams from U20s down. "I also oversee talent
identification and performance services, which involves sports science,
psychology, physiotherapy and also coach education. It's really varied,
really interesting and based at a fantastic facility at St George's Park.
It's a really good job."
At present, West Ham have players in every age-group England squad. West Ham
TV asked Ashworth how the best teenagers are identified to represent the
national side between the U16 and U21 levels. "We have recently appointed a
new head of talent identification for the younger teams, which is the first
time we have done that. He is starting to set up some structures to give us
more comprehensive coverage across the country. "We have a series of
part-time scouts and also have good relationships with the clubs, so with
West Ham that means we would pick up the phone and talk to Tony Carr on a
regular basis. He has such vast experience that he knows the level and knows
which players would be suitable for England. "There is a little bit of both
us getting out and about and also the clubs working with us as well."
While there has been criticism of the number of English players representing
clubs in the Barclays Premier League, West Ham's U18s are going great guns
this season with an almost exclusively English team. So, does Ashworth
believe there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic about the future of the
national side?
"There are! I am really optimistic about the future, as I've said on many
occasions. Some of the changes we and the Premier League are making with the
Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP) can only help in terms of contact time
with the players and higher standards for the coaches. "I'm really convinced
we are going to be a force going forward in a few years when all these
changes start to take effect."
Finally, Ashworth said the FA were delighted to welcome West Ham to St
George's Park for a second time as Sam Allardyce's side trained ahead of
their trip to Stoke City. "That was one of the reasons it was built - not
just for England but for English teams. We welcome professional teams here,
just as much as we welcome grassroots teams and the national team. "The
facilities are here for everyone to use, not just the FA but for the whole
of English football."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Djair at the double for U18s
WHUFC.com
Djair Parfitt-Williams bagged a brace to help the U18s see off Leicester
City on Saturday
17.03.2014
West Ham United U18s returned to the summit of the Barclays U18 Premier
League South courtesy of a 2-1 win at Leicester City on Saturday. Djair
Parfitt-Williams struck in either half to fire Steve Potts' men to an
impressive seventh successive league success. Victory sees the Hammers
leapfrog Fulham at the top, who suffered a 3-1 home defeat by Southampton at
Motspur Park. The Hammers hit the front with 36 minutes gone, when
Bermuda-born Parfitt-Williams dispossessed City centre-back Sam Jones,
before slotting home his eighth league goal of the campaign. The lead,
however, would only last until six minutes after the interval, as Simonas
Stankevicius got the better of Manny Onariase and slotted past 'keeper Sam
Howes to make it one apiece. But it was Parfitt Williams who had the final
word, collecting from Jamie Harney, skipping beyond the full-back and then
driving home the winner with 82 minutes on the clock.
Academy director Tony Carr MBE was impressed with the Hammers' match-winner
on the day, while insisting there is still plenty to come from the Bermudan
youngster. "He's a very talented boy," Carr told whufc.com. "He's still
coming to terms with the European and British game, as his background is
American.
"He's only in his first year with us as a scholar and hopefully he can
progress. But he's very talented, good on the ball and has got an eye for a
goal." As for the game itself, Carr admitted that conditions had meant that
it was hardly the prettiest on the eye, but he was nonetheless thrilled to
see the Hammers extend their winning run. He continued: "It wasn't the best
of games in terms of football. It was very windy and a bit of a bobbly
pitch. But it was certainly very competitive. "In the end it was a worthy
win, a good win for us and one that keeps the run going. Steve Potts and
Mark Phillips, as ever, marshalled the team very well, with a couple of
changes from the week before. It obviously paid dividends and the team
marches on. "I think we're playing to our full potential. We've got a very
talented team and they're playing very well. But it's only at this moment in
time. It's a question of whether they can continue that progression and
improvement and take it to the next level, which for them is the U21s and,
hopefully, beyond."
With just seven league fixtures remaining, the Hammers have their sights
firmly set on a top-two finish, one that would secure their spot in the
end-of-season national Play-Offs. "We're sitting in the top two in the
league and the national Play-Offs are a nice target to aim toward for the
end of the season. "We're in good form, that's for sure. All runs have to
come to an end sometime but we're enjoying at the moment. We go onto
Tottenham Hotspur next week and see if we can maintain the same level of
performance and hopefully that will turn into a positive result."
West Ham United U18s: Howes, Pike (Mavila, 72), Burke, Nasha, Harney,
Onariase (Bailey, 58), Makasi, Amoo, Brown (Martins, 78), Bywater,
Parfitt-Williams
Subs not used: Nemrava, Bailey, Knoyle
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Nobby ready for 'big week'
WHUFC.com
Kevin Nolan says West Ham United cannot dwell on defeat at Stoke City
17.03.2014
Captain Kevin Nolan says West Ham United cannot dwell on defeat at Stoke
City. The skipper was left hugely frustrated as the Hammers relinquished an
early lead to go down 3-1 at the Britannia Stadium. Nolan saw a goal
disallowed for offside, headed narrowly wide and a strong penalty appeal for
handball turned down by referee Craig Pawson. While the temptation may be to
feel sorry for himself, the No4 says West Ham need to prepare for Saturday's
visit of Manchester United to the Boleyn Ground. "It was very disappointing,
because I felt we deserved something at Stoke," said Nolan. "If we got the
penalty, it goes to 2-2 and your back up and then who knows? "If we had come
off the pitch with a 2-2, then I think people would have probably said
'That's a fair enough result' and think the 3-1 flattered them a bit. I am
very disappointed to be going back home with nothing. "Two late sucker
punches in the last two games have done us, but we have a big week leading
up to what should be a fantastic game against Manchester United at home. "We
did quite well against them at our place last year [to lead twice and draw
2-2] and I'm hoping we can capitalise on that, start another run going
again. That is the aim and there is no reason why we can't do that."
At Stoke, Nolan felt West Ham missed an opportunity to collect another point
or more in their bid to secure Barclays Premier League survival. Andy
Carroll's early goal was cancelled out by Peter Odemwingie before two second
half strikes from Marko Arnautovic and Odemwingie put the game beyond the
Hammers.
"To be honest, even when they went 2-1 up I thought we were still in control
and that we were going to score again - you have that feeling and that was
certainly still the case at that time. "I had a header at the back post that
was a bit too high and the one that was off-side. I didn't think I was at
the time, but having seen it again, it was a bit offside. "They hit us with
a bit of a sucker punch, which was a great finish from Arnautovic, to be
fair, and you are going to get that in the Premier League sometimes. Against
the run of play, they got a goal. "Then there was the incident where their
left-back [Marc Muniesa] blatantly handled. It was blatant handball and you
just expected the decision to follow and it hasn't, so we are very
disappointed. "They got a third and it put us to bed then, so overall, we
were very disappointed."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Loanee round-up
WHUFC.com
A number of West Ham United loanees were in action at the weekend
17.03.2014
Ravel Morrison led the band of West Ham United loanees in action at the
weekend as his two goals inspired Queens Park Rangers to victory. The
midfielder scored either side of former Hammer Bobby Zamora's goal to earn
the R's a convincing home win against Yeovil Town in the Sky Bet
Championship, in which Modibo Maiga was an unused substitute. Morrison's
brace took his tally for Harry Redknapp's side to four goals in five matches
since his arrival at Loftus Road in February.
Jordan Spence didn't enjoy the same winning feeling as his MK Dons side
crashed to a 2-0 home defeat against Peterborough United in Sky Bet League
One on Saturday The centre-back picked up a yellow card as Posh took all
three points thanks to Britt Assombalonga's second half double.
North of the border, George Moncur didn't get on as Partick Thistle saw off
Hibernian 3-1 at Firhill in the Scottish Premiership. With Heart of
Midlothian not in action this weekend there was no game for striker Paul
McCallum who has made five appearances during his loan spell with the Jambos
so far. In the Skrill
South, Taylor Miles was introduced after 52 minutes as Concord Rangers went
down 1-0 away to Hayes & Yeading, while Rob Girdlestone did not feature.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Wigan are lining up a move to sign West Ham's Jack Collison on loan
By Pete O'Rourke - Follow me: @skysportspeteo | Last Updated: 17/03/14
1:25pm
SSN
Sky Sports understands Wigan are lining up a loan move for West Ham
midfielder Jack Collison. Wigan boss Uwe Rosler is in the market for
midfield reinforcements after losing Ben Watson and Chris McCann to serious
injuries recently. A host of midfielders have been linked with moves to the
DW Stadium, but it appears Rosler is ready to push through a swoop for Wales
international Collison. Collison has struggled to hold down a regular place
in the West Ham side this season, making just six Premier League starts and
Sam Allardyce is happy to loan him out. The 25-year-old enjoyed a spell at
Bournemouth earlier this season and he is keen to go out and play regular
first-team football at Wigan and boost their bid for promotion to the
Premier League.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Nedum Onuoha believes Ravel Morrison can shine for England in future
Last Updated: 17/03/14 11:35am
SSN
QPR defender Nedum Onuoha has backed Ravel Morrison to become a big star for
England in the future. Morrison, who is on loan at Loftus Road from West
Ham, scored another two fine goals in Saturday's 3-0 win over Yeovil. The
England Under-21 international has now found the net four times in his last
three appearances to boost Rangers' promotion bid. Onuoha said: "He's got an
awful lot of potential. "He's a good player now, but if he continues to be
nurtured and does things in the right way then he is going to be something
special for the country." While Morrison was shooting down Yeovil, his
parent club West Ham were being comprehensively beaten at Stoke. The Hammers
could, in theory, call Morrison back this week, once the initial 28 days of
his loan spell is up. The 21-year-old was arguably West Ham's best player
during the first half of the season and many of their fans are baffled as to
why QPR are reaping the benefits of his talent rather than them. Assistant
manager Kevin Bond hopes it will not come to that, though. "What will be
will be," said Bond. "He's here, he's enjoying his football and he's
figuring. He's done great for us."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Wigan to make loan move for West Ham's Jack Collison and he could play in FA
Cup semi-final
Mar 17, 2014 18:17 By Simon Austin
The Mirror
West Ham midfielder Jack Collison is set to join Wigan Athletic on loan
until the end of the season and could play in their FA Cup semi-final
against Arsenal.
Collison has failed to secure a regular first-team place at Upton Park and
has already been on loan at Bournemouth this season. The Wales international
is out of contract at the end of the campaign and it's unlikely he will stay
at Upton Park. Wigan manager Uwe Rosler has also been linked with a move for
Manchester City midfielder Jack Rodwell. Collison will also be eligible to
face Arsenal at Wembley because he did not feature in the FA Cup this
season.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham's summer transfer plans revealed
Date: 17th March 2014 at 8:12 pm
Written by: Irons Maiden |
Forever West Ham
The ever reliable and brilliant @ExWHUEmployee has produced a piece for
Claret and Hugh detailing our summer transfer plans (should we remain a
Premier League club).
Here's a summary of the major points
1 – £20million budget
2 – Shift in transfer policy to focus on younger players
3 – Pablo Armero has impressed in training and club hope to make deal
permanent
4 – Winston Reid to be offered new deal with wages similar to Carroll
5 – Ravel Morrison likely to be sold but performances at QPR may result in a
change of heart
6 – Jack Collison and Joe Cole to be released
7 – Club will try to sign either Wilfried Zaha or Ashley Young from
Manchester United
8 – Strong interest in Jelle Vossen who plays for Genk
9 – Jussi Jaaskelainen will be released
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Monday, March 17
Daily WHUFC News - 17th March 2014
Agony for AC
WHUFC.com
Andy Carroll admitted defeat at Stoke City negated the pleasure of scoring
his first Hammers goal since May 2013
16.03.2014
Andy Carroll should have been able to celebrate his first West Ham United
goal since May 2013, but a second half comeback from Stoke City meant the
striker could not enjoy his big moment. The striker nodded the Hammers in
front on five minutes, only for a Peter Odemwingie double and Marko
Arnautovic strike to ruin Carroll's day as the Potters ran out 3-1 victors
at the Britannia Stadium. Carroll admitted West Ham had not done enough at
Stoke but retain the belief they can do better when Manchester United visit
the Boleyn Ground next weekend. "We didn't concentrate on their first goal,"
the No9 admitted. "We could have probably cleared that, then their second
goal was a good counter-attack from them and it was disappointing that we
didn't hold the lead from early on. "We were obviously disappointed with the
result at the end. We know we need points because we're not safe so we need
to keep working hard and focus on the next game. I don't think anyone is not
confident about staying up and getting the points we need. "We've been
talking about it in the dressing room after the game. We know it's a tough
game against Manchester United but I don't see why we can't get three points
against them with the form we've been in. "I don't see why we can't get the
three points. We were disappointed at Stoke, but come Monday morning
everyone will come into training raring to go to get three points against
Man U."
It had all started so brightly for West Ham when Carroll rose to bury Mark
Noble's free-kick, ending a frustrating ten-month period that saw the
forward sidelined for an extended period with a serious foot injury. "It was
a great set piece from Mark Noble. He put it in exactly the same place as we
have been practising in training and I got ahead of everyone and put it in."
Having fallen 2-1 down to Arnautovic's goal midway through the second half,
Carroll felt the Hammers should have been awarded a penalty when Marc
Muniesa handled moments later. "I feel like one of the balls was coming into
my chest and I would have brought it down and been in the box but I thought
it clearly hit his arm, but clearly the ref didn't."
Carroll made his first start since his sending-off against Swansea City on 1
February and he is now aiming to finish the seasong strongly. If he does,
the England international is hoping to force his way into Roy Hodgson's 2014
FIFA World Cup squad. "I feel good. I've been working hard in training
through my suspension and I'm feeling good and feeling fit. "We've been
doing well when I haven't been playing, keeping clean sheets and getting the
points on the board to get us out of the relegation zone and up into tenth.
It's been all positive." "The World Cup is on my mind, of course it is, but
I've got to start scoring goals here and start winning games before that
comes."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Manager on Monday
WHUFC.com
Big Sam wants seven more points from his side as quickly as possible
16.03.2014
Sam Allardyce has set his West Ham United side the target of getting seven
more points as quickly as possible to ensure their Barclays Premier League
safety.
The West Ham manager believes 38 points this campaign should enough to
secure top-flight football for the 2014/15 season and with the Hammers
currently on 31 points from 29 games, two wins and a draw should see them
safe. Saturday's game at Stoke City sadly yielded no return, so Big Sam is
now hoping to secure the first of that septet of points when Manchester
United visit a sold-out Boleyn Ground for this Saturday's teatime kick-off.
"At this stage you can't tell whether it's going to be as little as 36
points to stay up but I certainly think 38 points should be fine," Allardyce
said. "It's about getting to 38 as quick as we can otherwise the pressure
mounts again if you keep losing football matches. We've lost two on the trot
away from home now. "Our next game against Manchester United will be very
tough and we must get some points out of that and settle ourselves down
again."
After a fantastic February that provided four wins from four, March started
with a single goal loss at Everton two weeks ago, a result that prompted Big
Sam to make some minor tweaks to his starting XI for the trip to the
Britannia Stadium. With practically a fully-fit squad to choose from and
competition for places fierce, Winston Reid, Antonio Nocerino, Momo Diame
and Andy Carroll were all given the chance to show the manager what they
could do. "I've got some talented players in the squad and from reviewing
the Everton game from a possession point of view it was rare we did
anything. I think we had one shot on target and only three attempts on goal
in 90 minutes and you've got to try to do better than that when you're away
from home," Allardyce explained. "We made some changes with Mo Diame and
Nocerino in midfield and obviously Andy Carroll as our most expensive player
was called back in up front. The hardest decision of them all, though, was
bringing in Winston Reid for James Collins, who had done magnificently.
"Sadly against Stoke, our defending let us down, if our defending hadn't let
us down as badly as it did we would have got a point. "We made it easy for
the two goals we've let them score. The third goal was an excellent finish
but the second one should have been stopped at source. Not only by the
defenders but by the goalkeeper as he [Marko Arnautovic] mis-hit it and it
bobbled in the corner. "Based on the second-half play, I thought if anyone
was going to score, it would be us but then we switched off defensively and
paid a high price."
The Hammers were indeed unfortunate to go behind after being much the better
side in the second half, with Carroll proving a constant source of
irritation for the Stoke defence. His fine header from a Mark Noble
free-kick had given West Ham a fourth-minute lead and he fought tirelessly
to create and lead West Ham's attack during an 83-minute run-out - his
longest since returning from a long-term foot injury on 11 January "We were
debating whether to leave Andy on and he causes the opposition all sorts of
problems. Ryan Shawcross has fouled him six times and that shows how much
trouble he causes. "Andy is one of the best headers of the ball you'll find,
which he showed on Saturday. Not only did he head the ball in the net, but
some of the biggest defenders in the game in the Stoke side just couldn't
cope." Tickets for the Manchester United visit are now sold out and less
than 1,000 remain for the visit of Liverpool. To secure one of the last
remaining seats left, click here.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce says Andy Carroll is 'one of the best headers in the game'
Last Updated: 17/03/14 12:00am
SSN
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce believes England manager Roy Hodgson should
consider taking Andy Carroll to this summer's World Cup finals in Brazil.
Allardyce says his 25-year-old striker offers an aerial threat that could
give the national squad greater options. Injury has significantly limited
Carroll's appearances this season but the Hammers manager said: "Headed
goals can never go out of the game. "Anybody that tries to take headed goals
out of the game destroys the game as an entertainment, diminishes the
entertainment value. "Andy is one of the best headers of the ball you will
find, which he showed in the Stoke match on Saturday. "And not only did he
head the ball in the net, he had some of the biggest defenders in the game
against him and they couldn't cope." And Carroll, holder of nine senior
England caps, admits Brazil is on his mind: "Of course it is, yes.
"Obviously I am thinking about that but I have to keep scoring goals for
West Ham and we have to start winning games again before that comes."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
STOKE: A LOST OPPORTUNITY!
By S J Chandos 16 Mar 2014 at 15:00
West Ham Till I DIe
I came away from yesterday's match genuinely wondering how we managed to
lose the game. West Ham started well, taking the lead in the first 5
minutes, only to lose through a combination of defensive lapses and a
failure to convert our periods of dominance in to goals. The way in which we
conceded the third goal was particularly galling, arising from a period of
sustained West Ham pressure and getting 'suckered' on a break away. There
were also the decisions that went against us, particularly a 22 carat
penalty for hand ball. We do seem to be consistently on the rough end of
referee decisions this season. I know that it is supposed to even itself out
over the course of the season, but it does not seem that way at the moment.
No, we can talk about bad luck, mistakes by officials and 'the wind being a
factor' as much as we like, the fact is there were three points there for
the taking and we were just not up to it on the day. Like many, I was
surprised by the team selection. I would normally welcome the introduction
of Reid and Nocerino, but it did seem to me that Collins and Taylor were the
better options for a physical encounter with Stoke City. Still, perhaps Sam
Allardyce realised that the attacking aspect of our game was wholly
inadequate, in the previously match, against Everton and was seeking to
address the issue? Whatever the rationale, the changes looked like they were
working in the initial stages and, to be honest, it must be said that,
overall, we did look a better attacking proposition in this match. But,
apart from Carroll's excellent early headed goal, there was no product at
the end of the improved forward play. And, of course, our defending was a
comedy of errors. We defended far too deep and left Adrian terribly exposed.
Yes, you can blame him for at least two of the goals, but you must also ask
questions about the position in which our poor defending placed him.
Guy Demel has been excellent lately, but he had one of his non-descript
games. Winston Reid is a class defender, no doubt about that. However, he
looked badly short of fitness and match practice here. He will come good
again, he just needs to get back in to the first team groove. You just felt
that Collins, with his greater physical presence, was the better option in
this match. Perhaps he was injured, that would be an explanation why he was
left out of the starting line up. Similarly, one felt that Taylor's greater
industry and covering play in midfield would have given us a firmer grip on
midfield. But it was not to be, and we fell to a frustrating defeat to a
weakened Stoke City side. Still, at least we got a promising glimpse of what
Armero has to offer on the left flank and Nocerino now has more PL game time
under his belt. Lets hope that both players make a significant contribution
in the final stage of the season.
What was particularly annoying was that a victory at the Brittania would
have put us 9 points clear of the 18th position, which would have
constituted a significant step towards underwriting our safety this season.
As such, it was most definitely a lost opportunity. Post-match, the dreadful
thought occurred to me, what if the month of March proves to be as bad,
results wise, as February was excellent! But I quickly dismissed that
deviant notion, in the knowledge even if we fail to secure a result against
Man Utd, at least the Hull City match should be worth three points to us!
But there is no reason why we cannot get at least a point next Saturday,
providing that we sort out the defensive issues exhibited at the Brittania
Stadium. Man United are not having the best of seasons, by their standards,
but we have to get it tactically right and give 110% commitment to get a
result. As for the Hull City game, it should be worth three points to us,
but again, the application has to be right, because they are no push overs
and have a dangerous strike force in Long and Jelavic.
We should be safe this season, but we cannot afford to become lax, in the
aftermath of February's achievements, or we are asking for trouble. No, we
need to buckle down and get over the 40 point threshold as soon as possible.
That final away fixture at Man City looms large, we must be safe by then and
ensure that we do not need to get a result there to guarantee our safety. We
have enough winnable games between now and the final day to ensure that
scenario does not arise. But we need to cut out the errors, sharpen up our
finishing and deliver the points.
Then once safe, there is a lot of work to be done revamping the squad and
building quality in depth. And if we need to bring in a natural goal scorer,
which we most certainly do, why not cut a deal with Blackburn Rovers to buy
Jordan Rhodes. This consistently prolific striker registered his 20th goal
of the season yesterday in scoring a clinical hat trick. There is no reason
why Rhodes cannot make a successful transition to the PL. Some enterprising
PL club surely must invest in Rhodes' talent soon and the probability is
that those brave enough to do so will be richly rewarded in goals. Why
cannot that club be West Ham?
SJ. Chandos.
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WHUFC.com
Andy Carroll admitted defeat at Stoke City negated the pleasure of scoring
his first Hammers goal since May 2013
16.03.2014
Andy Carroll should have been able to celebrate his first West Ham United
goal since May 2013, but a second half comeback from Stoke City meant the
striker could not enjoy his big moment. The striker nodded the Hammers in
front on five minutes, only for a Peter Odemwingie double and Marko
Arnautovic strike to ruin Carroll's day as the Potters ran out 3-1 victors
at the Britannia Stadium. Carroll admitted West Ham had not done enough at
Stoke but retain the belief they can do better when Manchester United visit
the Boleyn Ground next weekend. "We didn't concentrate on their first goal,"
the No9 admitted. "We could have probably cleared that, then their second
goal was a good counter-attack from them and it was disappointing that we
didn't hold the lead from early on. "We were obviously disappointed with the
result at the end. We know we need points because we're not safe so we need
to keep working hard and focus on the next game. I don't think anyone is not
confident about staying up and getting the points we need. "We've been
talking about it in the dressing room after the game. We know it's a tough
game against Manchester United but I don't see why we can't get three points
against them with the form we've been in. "I don't see why we can't get the
three points. We were disappointed at Stoke, but come Monday morning
everyone will come into training raring to go to get three points against
Man U."
It had all started so brightly for West Ham when Carroll rose to bury Mark
Noble's free-kick, ending a frustrating ten-month period that saw the
forward sidelined for an extended period with a serious foot injury. "It was
a great set piece from Mark Noble. He put it in exactly the same place as we
have been practising in training and I got ahead of everyone and put it in."
Having fallen 2-1 down to Arnautovic's goal midway through the second half,
Carroll felt the Hammers should have been awarded a penalty when Marc
Muniesa handled moments later. "I feel like one of the balls was coming into
my chest and I would have brought it down and been in the box but I thought
it clearly hit his arm, but clearly the ref didn't."
Carroll made his first start since his sending-off against Swansea City on 1
February and he is now aiming to finish the seasong strongly. If he does,
the England international is hoping to force his way into Roy Hodgson's 2014
FIFA World Cup squad. "I feel good. I've been working hard in training
through my suspension and I'm feeling good and feeling fit. "We've been
doing well when I haven't been playing, keeping clean sheets and getting the
points on the board to get us out of the relegation zone and up into tenth.
It's been all positive." "The World Cup is on my mind, of course it is, but
I've got to start scoring goals here and start winning games before that
comes."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Manager on Monday
WHUFC.com
Big Sam wants seven more points from his side as quickly as possible
16.03.2014
Sam Allardyce has set his West Ham United side the target of getting seven
more points as quickly as possible to ensure their Barclays Premier League
safety.
The West Ham manager believes 38 points this campaign should enough to
secure top-flight football for the 2014/15 season and with the Hammers
currently on 31 points from 29 games, two wins and a draw should see them
safe. Saturday's game at Stoke City sadly yielded no return, so Big Sam is
now hoping to secure the first of that septet of points when Manchester
United visit a sold-out Boleyn Ground for this Saturday's teatime kick-off.
"At this stage you can't tell whether it's going to be as little as 36
points to stay up but I certainly think 38 points should be fine," Allardyce
said. "It's about getting to 38 as quick as we can otherwise the pressure
mounts again if you keep losing football matches. We've lost two on the trot
away from home now. "Our next game against Manchester United will be very
tough and we must get some points out of that and settle ourselves down
again."
After a fantastic February that provided four wins from four, March started
with a single goal loss at Everton two weeks ago, a result that prompted Big
Sam to make some minor tweaks to his starting XI for the trip to the
Britannia Stadium. With practically a fully-fit squad to choose from and
competition for places fierce, Winston Reid, Antonio Nocerino, Momo Diame
and Andy Carroll were all given the chance to show the manager what they
could do. "I've got some talented players in the squad and from reviewing
the Everton game from a possession point of view it was rare we did
anything. I think we had one shot on target and only three attempts on goal
in 90 minutes and you've got to try to do better than that when you're away
from home," Allardyce explained. "We made some changes with Mo Diame and
Nocerino in midfield and obviously Andy Carroll as our most expensive player
was called back in up front. The hardest decision of them all, though, was
bringing in Winston Reid for James Collins, who had done magnificently.
"Sadly against Stoke, our defending let us down, if our defending hadn't let
us down as badly as it did we would have got a point. "We made it easy for
the two goals we've let them score. The third goal was an excellent finish
but the second one should have been stopped at source. Not only by the
defenders but by the goalkeeper as he [Marko Arnautovic] mis-hit it and it
bobbled in the corner. "Based on the second-half play, I thought if anyone
was going to score, it would be us but then we switched off defensively and
paid a high price."
The Hammers were indeed unfortunate to go behind after being much the better
side in the second half, with Carroll proving a constant source of
irritation for the Stoke defence. His fine header from a Mark Noble
free-kick had given West Ham a fourth-minute lead and he fought tirelessly
to create and lead West Ham's attack during an 83-minute run-out - his
longest since returning from a long-term foot injury on 11 January "We were
debating whether to leave Andy on and he causes the opposition all sorts of
problems. Ryan Shawcross has fouled him six times and that shows how much
trouble he causes. "Andy is one of the best headers of the ball you'll find,
which he showed on Saturday. Not only did he head the ball in the net, but
some of the biggest defenders in the game in the Stoke side just couldn't
cope." Tickets for the Manchester United visit are now sold out and less
than 1,000 remain for the visit of Liverpool. To secure one of the last
remaining seats left, click here.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce says Andy Carroll is 'one of the best headers in the game'
Last Updated: 17/03/14 12:00am
SSN
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce believes England manager Roy Hodgson should
consider taking Andy Carroll to this summer's World Cup finals in Brazil.
Allardyce says his 25-year-old striker offers an aerial threat that could
give the national squad greater options. Injury has significantly limited
Carroll's appearances this season but the Hammers manager said: "Headed
goals can never go out of the game. "Anybody that tries to take headed goals
out of the game destroys the game as an entertainment, diminishes the
entertainment value. "Andy is one of the best headers of the ball you will
find, which he showed in the Stoke match on Saturday. "And not only did he
head the ball in the net, he had some of the biggest defenders in the game
against him and they couldn't cope." And Carroll, holder of nine senior
England caps, admits Brazil is on his mind: "Of course it is, yes.
"Obviously I am thinking about that but I have to keep scoring goals for
West Ham and we have to start winning games again before that comes."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
STOKE: A LOST OPPORTUNITY!
By S J Chandos 16 Mar 2014 at 15:00
West Ham Till I DIe
I came away from yesterday's match genuinely wondering how we managed to
lose the game. West Ham started well, taking the lead in the first 5
minutes, only to lose through a combination of defensive lapses and a
failure to convert our periods of dominance in to goals. The way in which we
conceded the third goal was particularly galling, arising from a period of
sustained West Ham pressure and getting 'suckered' on a break away. There
were also the decisions that went against us, particularly a 22 carat
penalty for hand ball. We do seem to be consistently on the rough end of
referee decisions this season. I know that it is supposed to even itself out
over the course of the season, but it does not seem that way at the moment.
No, we can talk about bad luck, mistakes by officials and 'the wind being a
factor' as much as we like, the fact is there were three points there for
the taking and we were just not up to it on the day. Like many, I was
surprised by the team selection. I would normally welcome the introduction
of Reid and Nocerino, but it did seem to me that Collins and Taylor were the
better options for a physical encounter with Stoke City. Still, perhaps Sam
Allardyce realised that the attacking aspect of our game was wholly
inadequate, in the previously match, against Everton and was seeking to
address the issue? Whatever the rationale, the changes looked like they were
working in the initial stages and, to be honest, it must be said that,
overall, we did look a better attacking proposition in this match. But,
apart from Carroll's excellent early headed goal, there was no product at
the end of the improved forward play. And, of course, our defending was a
comedy of errors. We defended far too deep and left Adrian terribly exposed.
Yes, you can blame him for at least two of the goals, but you must also ask
questions about the position in which our poor defending placed him.
Guy Demel has been excellent lately, but he had one of his non-descript
games. Winston Reid is a class defender, no doubt about that. However, he
looked badly short of fitness and match practice here. He will come good
again, he just needs to get back in to the first team groove. You just felt
that Collins, with his greater physical presence, was the better option in
this match. Perhaps he was injured, that would be an explanation why he was
left out of the starting line up. Similarly, one felt that Taylor's greater
industry and covering play in midfield would have given us a firmer grip on
midfield. But it was not to be, and we fell to a frustrating defeat to a
weakened Stoke City side. Still, at least we got a promising glimpse of what
Armero has to offer on the left flank and Nocerino now has more PL game time
under his belt. Lets hope that both players make a significant contribution
in the final stage of the season.
What was particularly annoying was that a victory at the Brittania would
have put us 9 points clear of the 18th position, which would have
constituted a significant step towards underwriting our safety this season.
As such, it was most definitely a lost opportunity. Post-match, the dreadful
thought occurred to me, what if the month of March proves to be as bad,
results wise, as February was excellent! But I quickly dismissed that
deviant notion, in the knowledge even if we fail to secure a result against
Man Utd, at least the Hull City match should be worth three points to us!
But there is no reason why we cannot get at least a point next Saturday,
providing that we sort out the defensive issues exhibited at the Brittania
Stadium. Man United are not having the best of seasons, by their standards,
but we have to get it tactically right and give 110% commitment to get a
result. As for the Hull City game, it should be worth three points to us,
but again, the application has to be right, because they are no push overs
and have a dangerous strike force in Long and Jelavic.
We should be safe this season, but we cannot afford to become lax, in the
aftermath of February's achievements, or we are asking for trouble. No, we
need to buckle down and get over the 40 point threshold as soon as possible.
That final away fixture at Man City looms large, we must be safe by then and
ensure that we do not need to get a result there to guarantee our safety. We
have enough winnable games between now and the final day to ensure that
scenario does not arise. But we need to cut out the errors, sharpen up our
finishing and deliver the points.
Then once safe, there is a lot of work to be done revamping the squad and
building quality in depth. And if we need to bring in a natural goal scorer,
which we most certainly do, why not cut a deal with Blackburn Rovers to buy
Jordan Rhodes. This consistently prolific striker registered his 20th goal
of the season yesterday in scoring a clinical hat trick. There is no reason
why Rhodes cannot make a successful transition to the PL. Some enterprising
PL club surely must invest in Rhodes' talent soon and the probability is
that those brave enough to do so will be richly rewarded in goals. Why
cannot that club be West Ham?
SJ. Chandos.
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Sunday, March 16
Daily WHUFC News - 16th March 2014
Lead goes to waste in Stoke defeat
WHUFC.com
Stoke City came from behind to defeat West Ham United 3-1 at the Britannia
Stadium on Saturday
15.03.2014
Stoke City 3-1 West Ham United
Barclays Premier League
West Ham United scored their 800th Barclays Premier League goal at Stoke
City on Saturday, but it was to no avail as the Potters came roaring back
from Andy Carroll's early header to send their visitors to defeat. It looked
to be going swimmingly when Carroll rose above goalkeeper Asmir Begovic to
nod West Ham in front, but Stoke regrouped to show why they possess such a
strong home record. Peter Odemwingie scored the first of a brace to level on
32 minutes, before two more goals in the final quarter of the contest took
the game away from Sam Allardyce's men. Marko Arnautovic scored the crucial
second, weaving his way into a clear shooting position 15 yards and giving
Adrian little chance, before Odemwingie wrapped it up himself eleven minutes
from the end. Carroll was one of four new additions to the Hammers' team,
with Antonio Nocerino, Winston Reid and Mo Diame also returning to the
starting line-up, and the big No9 had an instant impact, heading the
visitors into a fifth minute lead. West Ham won a free kick ten yards inside
the Stoke half, and Mark Noble delivered from deep for Carroll to beat
Begovic to the ball and head into the unguarded net. The Potters went close
to an instant leveller when Peter Crouch crossed low from the left and
Stephen Ireland drew an excellent save from Adrian, whose weight looked to
be moving the other way at first. At the other end, Carroll was causing all
sorts of problems with his aerial power as the Hammers looked to make the
most of their quick start, but the game soon settled down with both defences
restricting the other team's chances. That was until the 32nd minute when
Stoke won the corner down the left which gave them the route to goal.
Ireland delivered the ball for Crouch to climb above James Tomkins and send
a bouncing header towards goal. West Ham may have thought they had escaped
when the ball struck the bar, but Crouch reacted first to hook back
goalwards, where Odemwingie flicked home. RIght on half time Stoke had the
chance to move in front when a slick passing move dragged the Hammers out of
shape and allowed Ireland in down the right channel, but Adrian stood up to
block by his near post.
The Hammers had the first chance of the second half but Kevin Nolan could
not direct his header on goal after Diame got round the back to hang a cross
up to the back post with 59 minutes played. 60 seconds later the visitors
had the ball in the net, but a raised flag from the linesman cut short their
celebrations after Nolan strayed beyond the offside line to knock home
following a fumble by Begovic. With 69 minutes on the clock it was 2-1 to
the hosts as Arnautovic combined with Ireland to make the most of a lucky
break at the edge of the box, ride the last challenge and slot home. West
Ham pressed as they looked to come again, but they were undone on the break
as Stoke sealed the points eleven minutes from time. The man who began their
fightback was the man to conclude it too, as Odemwingie lashed home high at
the near post after Ireland slipped the ball invitingly into his path.
Stoke City: Begovic; Cameron, Shawcross, Wilson, Pieters (Muniesa 14);
Whelan, N'Zonzi; Odemwingie, Ireland, Arnautovic; Crouch
Subs: Sorensen, Etherington, Wilkinson, Palacios, Shotton, Guidetti
Goals: Odemwingie 32, Arnautovic 69, Odemwingie 79
Booked: Whelan
West Ham United: Adrian; Demel, Reid, Tomkins, McCartney; Nolan, Noble,
Nocerino (C.Cole 76); Diame, Carroll (Armero 83), Downing (J.Cole 62)
Subs: Jaaskelainen, Jarvis, Taylor, Collins
Goal: Carroll 5
Booked: Noble
Referee: Craig Pawson
Attendance: 27,015
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Big Sam rues defensive errors
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce was disappointed by his side's defending in Saturday's 3-1
defeat to Stoke City
15.03.2014
Sam Allardyce was left to rue a rare sloppy defensive display from his West
Ham United side as they slipped to a 3-1 defeat at Stoke City on Saturday.
Defensive solidity has been a key feature of the Hammers' play as they have
lifted themselves up the Barclays Premier League table since Christmas, but
it deserted them on a frustrating afternoon at the Britannia Stadium. Having
led through Andy Carroll's early header, the Hammers harboured high hopes of
making it a fifth victory in six starts, but Stoke fought back to level
through Peter Odemwingie before the break. Marko Arnautovic then gave the
Potters a 69th minute lead before Odemwingie's second of the contest killed
the visitors' challenge off late on, Big Sam saw the loss as an opportunity
missed with the Londoners unable to turn their early second half pressure in
to anything meaningful. He told West Ham TV: "Sitting there after 60, 65
minutes we were thinking we've had the opportunity to get another goal and
we haven't quite taken it. "Kevin Nolan's one was offside obviously and Andy
Carroll had a great chance as well. We had them on the back foot in the
second half, and the wind was helping us, which was very powerful today.
"All it needed was the back players to continue to concentrate on defending
correctly and we'd have eventually got another chance to score, maybe taken
it or if not come off the field on a 1-1, but unfortunately our defending
let us down in the second half. "We didn't need to defend very often either,
so it's very upsetting that I didn't see the defensive side of our game come
together today, when the attacking side was a lot better than it was against
Everton. "There was a lot more chances, a lot more creativity, a lot more
pressure on the opposition, but two shocking defensive moments have cost us
the game, as well as the referee not giving us a penalty."
The Hammers' sudden generosity came as a shock to Allardyce, who has become
used to seeing his side stifle the opposition's threat. He continued: "It
was a massive surprise to me. I changed the team around today, one to try
and freshen the team up, two to bring some of the players in to show they
can deliver, like the lads have delivered before. They'll be looking at me
and saying we've lost the game 3-1, so why did I make those changes. "I'll
have to say that I'd tend to agree with them after that, because had we kept
that solidity in the the defensive unit that we normally do I believe we
would have got a point at least . "I know the referee has probably taken a
goal away from us [by not awarding a penalty for Marc Muniesa's second half
handball] but it's still no excuse for the defending for two goals we
conceded in the second half."
Having got in level at the break, Allardyce thought the Hammers would make
use of the conditions in the second half - and that was how it was panning
out until Arnautovic's killer blow. Allardyce explained: "We were saying at
half-time let's use the conditions to our advantage, which we did because
Stoke found it hugely difficult to get out of their own half. When that's
the case you can keep probing and putting pressure on the opposition. "When
you put pressure on the opposition constantly they end up making a mistake.
That mistake happened and fortunately for them Begovic got away with it.
"When he came so far out and mis-punched the ball, he just went a yard or so
ahead of Kevin Nolan. Had he not done that. Kevin would have been onside for
that goal, so he was fortunate to get away with that one."
West Ham still need to look over their shoulder with six points between them
and the bottom three and the manager warned the job is not yet done. He
added: "There are nine games to go, and our points per game are diminishing
again. We've played 29 games and only got 31 points. "That cannot continue,
we have to keep more points ahead of our games total and do that to try and
secure our Premier League position as quickly as possible."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Stoke 3 West Ham 1
15 March 2014
Last updated at 18:16
By Simon Stone
BBC Sport
Peter Odemwingie scored twice as Stoke came from behind to claim victory
against West Ham in the Premier League. Andy Carroll headed in his first
goal since April to give the visitors a perfect start. But Stoke levelled
when Peter Crouch's acrobatic effort deflected in off Odemwingie on the
line. Marko Arnautovic finished off a flowing four-man move to put Stoke
ahead before Odemwingie slammed in his second from an acute angle. The
result extends Stoke's excellent recent run. Mark Hughes's men have now lost
just once in seven games and have moved into the top half of the table. West
Ham will reflect on a penalty claim for handball against defender Marc
Muniesa, waved away by referee Craig Pawson, that replays showed merited a
spot-kick that would have brought the visitors level. The Hammers had gone
ahead after just five minutes when Carroll, who has been touted for an
England World Cup call, rose impressively to nod in Mark Noble's free-kick
ahead of Stoke goalkeeper Asmir Begovic. The Potters levelled before the
break when Crouch reacted quickest after Adrian had pushed his initial
header onto the bar. However, though Crouch wheeled away to celebrate, the
effort belonged to Odemwingie, who was stood on the line when it struck him
and diverted into the net. Carroll had an effort beaten away by Begovic and
Kevin Nolan saw a goal ruled out for offside before Arnautovic gave Stoke
the lead. The Austrian profited from a flowing move, then enjoyed a slice of
luck on the edge of the area as the Hammers defence failed to deal with his
forward burst, before prodding a fine shot into the corner for his first
goal since October. Had the Muniesa penalty decision gone their way, the
Hammers could easily have set up a thrilling finish. As it was, they were
left distinctly unhappy at the ruling, even though the referee seemed to
have a clear view of the incident. And their mood was not improved shortly
afterwards when Ireland set up Odemwingie. The Nigerian has impressed since
his January arrival from Cardiff. And while there may have been a large
element of fortune in his first goal, there was no room for debate over the
second, as he drove home from an acute angle. It was enough to secure a
victory that edges Stoke closer to safety, while at the same time leaving
West Ham slightly too near the drop zone for comfort, despite manager Sam
Allardyce picking up February's manager of the month award.
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce: "Our defending for the second goal was
pathetic. That has been our strength this season. Unfortunately today it has
let us down badly." On the penalty claim for handball against Marc Muniesa,
he added: "It was an extremely poor decision. It was right in front of him
(the referee), he had a perfect view. The ball hits the lad on the left arm.
"I am completely and utterly baffled. Sometimes they do not have the courage
- 999 times out of 1000 that would be given."
Stoke manager Mark Hughes: "In those situations you are going to raise your
arm because he was trying to get above Andy Carroll. It probably did catch
his elbow but he wasn't even looking in that direction. "If it had gone
against us we would have still won. We were the better team." On Stoke's
first goal he added: "It was a bit of a scramble. "Peter Crouch did really
well to get it towards goal. But Peter Odemwingie is a striker and he will
claim it. I would if I was in his position."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Stoke City beat West Ham 3-1 at the Britannia Stadium
Last Updated: 15/03/14 6:55pm
SSN
Stoke bounced back from conceding early on to see off West Ham 3-1 at the
Britannia Stadium. Hammers striker Andy Carroll opened the scoring in the
fifth minute of the Premier League contest with his first goal of the
season, rising above Peter Crouch and crashing a header past Asmir Begovic,
who had rushed off his line to try to punch the ball away. The hosts
equalised in the 32nd minute when Crouch, following up his own header that
had hit the bar, saw his acrobatic effort go in off the shoulder of Peter
Odemwingie. Kevin Nolan thought he had made it 2-1 to the visitors when he
put the ball in the net in the 61st minute, but the effort was correctly
ruled out for offside.
Best of the match
Goal of the match: Peter Odemwingie made Stoke City's third look easy when
it wasn't. The former West Brom man hammered home from a tight angle.
Moment of the match: With the score at 1-1, Marc Muniesa appeared to handle
inside the Stoke penalty area. West Ham and in particular Andy Carroll were
convinced it should have been a penalty but the referee thought otherwise.
Man of the match: Stephen Ireland. The midfielder worked tirelessly and
should have grabbed the goal his performance deserved.
Talking point: Can Stoke City finish higher than tenth?
And Stoke subsequently went on to wrap up victory, with Marko Arnautovic
getting through a crowd of players and slotting in on 69 minutes before
Odemwingie finished a Potters counter-attack by lashing home with 11 minutes
to go. Early on, it appeared as if the day might belong to Carroll. Since
becoming West Ham's record signing last summer, Carroll has endured a
frustrating campaign, missing much of it due to a foot injury and then,
after finally regaining his fitness, being hit with a three-match suspension
for a red card in February. He is still hoping to make England's squad for
this summer's World Cup, though, and on what was his first start since his
sending-off and only his seventh appearance of the season, he looked like a
man on the mission as this game got under way. The 25-year-old, who was on
loan with West Ham from Liverpool last term and last scored in April, had
already had a shot blocked when he headed the Hammers into the lead. Stoke
boss Mark Hughes says his side fully deserved the win and could have won by
more. Carroll connected with Mark Noble's floated free-kick as his marker
Crouch and Begovic got in each other's way. Stoke were almost level
immediately as Adrian tipped a Stephen Ireland effort around the post, but
Carroll was soon threatening again, bringing a save out of Begovic. The
action switched to the other end again as Steven Nzonzi's shot was blocked
and from the resulting corner, Marc Wilson sent an effort goalwards that
went behind off Odemwingie. Stoke were forced into a substitution just
before the quarter-hour mark as Erik Pieters went off for Marc Muniesa, and
the game then reduced in tempo somewhat after its frantic opening.
Arnautovic earned a corner with an ambitious effort, and Crouch then did the
same, leading to the Potters' leveller. From Ireland's corner, Crouch nodded
the ball into the ground and onto the bar, and then reacted quickly to
volley it back goalwards. It struck Odemwingie, who was on the line, before
going in, but Crouch might feel the goal should be his. West Ham's Kevin
Nolan says his side were denied a blatant penalty and feels they should have
come away with more from the game. Carroll was still on the hunt and cracked
a shot over the bar as half-time approached, before Ireland failed to make
the most of being put through on goal, shooting straight at Adrian. Shortly
after the restart Nolan headed Mohamed Diame's cross wide from a good
position and Crouch then just failed to make connection with a clever
through-ball as he tried to nick it past Adrian. Carroll was next to find
himself in space in front of goal, but saw his shot divert over via
Begovic's foot. Then came the offside decision, as Begovic punched the ball
out, it came back into the box to Nolan and he guided it into the net. Much
to his dismay, the flag was up. Stoke soon capitalised after surviving that
scare, as Arnautovic collected the ball, squeezed into the box past several
West Ham men and beat Adrian. And, after West ham had had a couple of
handball claims waved away, Odemwingie made the three points safe with a
goal that was certainly his, smashing in emphatically from Ireland's pass as
Stoke surged forward on the break.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce unhappy after West Ham lose 3-1 at Stoke
Last Updated: 15/03/14 6:29pm
SSN
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce blamed a combination of poor refereeing and
defending for his side's 3-1 defeat at Stoke City. The visitors took the
lead early on through Andy Carroll but struggled to increase their advantage
and were punished through two goals from Peter Odemwingie and one from Marko
Arnautovic. West Ham thought they might have had a penalty in the second
half when Marc Muniesa appeared to handle in the box but referee Craig
Pawson waved away Carroll's protests. Speaking to Sky Sports after the game,
Allardyce was convinced Pawson had got it wrong. He said: "I can't control
what the referee does but I can with our defending and that was poor at
times today. "We had a back four intact and none of them did anything to
stop Stoke's players getting through and scoring. "The critical decision
didn't go for us and straight away it's a pen, we can all see it. Sam
Allarydce said windy conditions did not help his West Ham side as they lost
3-1 to Stoke. "Andy Carroll was going mad. You do hope referees don't make
those decisions but that was certainly a penalty."
The West Ham boss's next target is to secure survival and then decide which
players will be in his plans for next season. He added: "Now, and as
quickly as possible, we need to get enough points on the board. "Things
needs to be sorted by securing our safety and then we can look at the
players that are out of contract. "It's a big disappointment today but you
always expect Stoke to come back. "One of the telling factors was the wind.
We penned them back in the second half until they scored on the break. It
was a blatant handball though by the substitute and his arm knocks the ball
away from Carroll and the referee chooses not to blow his whistle.
"Defending wise, we have no excuse though." West Ham face Manchester United
next weekend in the Premier League.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Stoke boss Mark Hughes praises Stephen Ireland for 'incredible' performance
in 3-1 win over West Ham
Mar 15, 2014 20:03 By Liam Prenderville
The Mirror
Mark Hughes was full of admiration for recalled midfielder Stephen Ireland
after his Stoke side beat West Ham 3-1. A brace from Peter Odemwingie -
either side of Marko Arnautovic's strike - was enough to secure all three
points for the Potters but it was Ireland's performance that caught the eye.
And Hughes was keen to praise the 27-year-old, who shone in the absence of
Charlie Adam and Jonathan Walters. The Stoke boss said: "I had no worries
about bringing Steven into the team because I know what qualities he can
bring to the side. "He fulfilled the role we wanted him to play today
incredibly well, and on another day would have scored a couple himself. "I
see the qualities that he has within his locker every single day in
training, and I think he showed everybody what a player he can be out on the
pitch today. "It was really pleasing performance all round to be perfectly
honest, and the manner in which we finished the game was really pleasing."
Meanwhile, West Ham boss Sam Allardyce was left ruing referee Craig Pawson's
decision not to give his side a penalty for Marc Muniesa's handball. He
said: "I can't control what the referee does but I can with our defending
and that was poor at times today. "The critical decision didn't go for us
and straight away it's a pen, we can all see it. "Andy Carroll was going
mad. You do hope referees don't make those decisions but that was certainly
a penalty."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham's Joe Cole set for Brighton transfer when his contract expires in
the summer
Mar 15, 2014 22:30 By Dave Kidd
The Mirror
Joe Cole is ready to make a summer move to Brighton. The ex-England star has
struggled to nail down a first-team place since returning to West Ham last
year and is out of contract at Upton Park at the end of this season. It is
believed that Cole, 32, has accepted that he is unlikely to find a Premier
League club who would offer him regular first-team football but is intrigued
by the prospect of working under Brighton boss and former Barcelona coach
Oscar Garcia. Cole has not played for the Hammers since the Capital One Cup
semi-final defeat by Manchester City in January and has endured a rocky
relationship with boss Sam Allardyce. Cole currently earns around £90,000
per week – partly funded by a pay-off from Liverpool – and will have to take
a massive drop in wages to join the Seagulls. The former Chelsea
title-winner has also had offers to move to Major League Soccer but does not
want to relocate his young family to the US , despite the offer of a far
more lucrative deal.
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Joe Cole could join the MLS in summer and emulate Jermain Defoe's big money
move
Feb 01, 2014 22:30 By Dave Kidd
The Mirror
Joe Cole is in line for a money-spinning move to Major League Soccer. The
West Ham midfielder is out of contract in May and it is believed he will not
be offered a new deal if Sam Allardyce remains in charge at Upton Park.
Cole, 32, is one of several Premier League players who is of interest to MLS
Commissioner Don Garber – and he is already free to negotiate with foreign
clubs. The MLS is run on a different model to European leagues with the
League itself signing players and agreeing contracts, rather than individual
clubs. Former Chelsea and England star Cole, the father of two young
children, would be keen to stay in the Premier League if he can match his
current £50,000-a-week wages. But he knows he would earn more by moving to
the States as one of the three 'designated players' allowed at each club,
exceeding the League's salary cap. Cole rejoined his boyhood club West Ham
from Liverpool last January but has struggled to nail down a regular
first-team place under Allardyce, with whom he has a frosty relationship.
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WHUFC.com
Stoke City came from behind to defeat West Ham United 3-1 at the Britannia
Stadium on Saturday
15.03.2014
Stoke City 3-1 West Ham United
Barclays Premier League
West Ham United scored their 800th Barclays Premier League goal at Stoke
City on Saturday, but it was to no avail as the Potters came roaring back
from Andy Carroll's early header to send their visitors to defeat. It looked
to be going swimmingly when Carroll rose above goalkeeper Asmir Begovic to
nod West Ham in front, but Stoke regrouped to show why they possess such a
strong home record. Peter Odemwingie scored the first of a brace to level on
32 minutes, before two more goals in the final quarter of the contest took
the game away from Sam Allardyce's men. Marko Arnautovic scored the crucial
second, weaving his way into a clear shooting position 15 yards and giving
Adrian little chance, before Odemwingie wrapped it up himself eleven minutes
from the end. Carroll was one of four new additions to the Hammers' team,
with Antonio Nocerino, Winston Reid and Mo Diame also returning to the
starting line-up, and the big No9 had an instant impact, heading the
visitors into a fifth minute lead. West Ham won a free kick ten yards inside
the Stoke half, and Mark Noble delivered from deep for Carroll to beat
Begovic to the ball and head into the unguarded net. The Potters went close
to an instant leveller when Peter Crouch crossed low from the left and
Stephen Ireland drew an excellent save from Adrian, whose weight looked to
be moving the other way at first. At the other end, Carroll was causing all
sorts of problems with his aerial power as the Hammers looked to make the
most of their quick start, but the game soon settled down with both defences
restricting the other team's chances. That was until the 32nd minute when
Stoke won the corner down the left which gave them the route to goal.
Ireland delivered the ball for Crouch to climb above James Tomkins and send
a bouncing header towards goal. West Ham may have thought they had escaped
when the ball struck the bar, but Crouch reacted first to hook back
goalwards, where Odemwingie flicked home. RIght on half time Stoke had the
chance to move in front when a slick passing move dragged the Hammers out of
shape and allowed Ireland in down the right channel, but Adrian stood up to
block by his near post.
The Hammers had the first chance of the second half but Kevin Nolan could
not direct his header on goal after Diame got round the back to hang a cross
up to the back post with 59 minutes played. 60 seconds later the visitors
had the ball in the net, but a raised flag from the linesman cut short their
celebrations after Nolan strayed beyond the offside line to knock home
following a fumble by Begovic. With 69 minutes on the clock it was 2-1 to
the hosts as Arnautovic combined with Ireland to make the most of a lucky
break at the edge of the box, ride the last challenge and slot home. West
Ham pressed as they looked to come again, but they were undone on the break
as Stoke sealed the points eleven minutes from time. The man who began their
fightback was the man to conclude it too, as Odemwingie lashed home high at
the near post after Ireland slipped the ball invitingly into his path.
Stoke City: Begovic; Cameron, Shawcross, Wilson, Pieters (Muniesa 14);
Whelan, N'Zonzi; Odemwingie, Ireland, Arnautovic; Crouch
Subs: Sorensen, Etherington, Wilkinson, Palacios, Shotton, Guidetti
Goals: Odemwingie 32, Arnautovic 69, Odemwingie 79
Booked: Whelan
West Ham United: Adrian; Demel, Reid, Tomkins, McCartney; Nolan, Noble,
Nocerino (C.Cole 76); Diame, Carroll (Armero 83), Downing (J.Cole 62)
Subs: Jaaskelainen, Jarvis, Taylor, Collins
Goal: Carroll 5
Booked: Noble
Referee: Craig Pawson
Attendance: 27,015
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Big Sam rues defensive errors
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce was disappointed by his side's defending in Saturday's 3-1
defeat to Stoke City
15.03.2014
Sam Allardyce was left to rue a rare sloppy defensive display from his West
Ham United side as they slipped to a 3-1 defeat at Stoke City on Saturday.
Defensive solidity has been a key feature of the Hammers' play as they have
lifted themselves up the Barclays Premier League table since Christmas, but
it deserted them on a frustrating afternoon at the Britannia Stadium. Having
led through Andy Carroll's early header, the Hammers harboured high hopes of
making it a fifth victory in six starts, but Stoke fought back to level
through Peter Odemwingie before the break. Marko Arnautovic then gave the
Potters a 69th minute lead before Odemwingie's second of the contest killed
the visitors' challenge off late on, Big Sam saw the loss as an opportunity
missed with the Londoners unable to turn their early second half pressure in
to anything meaningful. He told West Ham TV: "Sitting there after 60, 65
minutes we were thinking we've had the opportunity to get another goal and
we haven't quite taken it. "Kevin Nolan's one was offside obviously and Andy
Carroll had a great chance as well. We had them on the back foot in the
second half, and the wind was helping us, which was very powerful today.
"All it needed was the back players to continue to concentrate on defending
correctly and we'd have eventually got another chance to score, maybe taken
it or if not come off the field on a 1-1, but unfortunately our defending
let us down in the second half. "We didn't need to defend very often either,
so it's very upsetting that I didn't see the defensive side of our game come
together today, when the attacking side was a lot better than it was against
Everton. "There was a lot more chances, a lot more creativity, a lot more
pressure on the opposition, but two shocking defensive moments have cost us
the game, as well as the referee not giving us a penalty."
The Hammers' sudden generosity came as a shock to Allardyce, who has become
used to seeing his side stifle the opposition's threat. He continued: "It
was a massive surprise to me. I changed the team around today, one to try
and freshen the team up, two to bring some of the players in to show they
can deliver, like the lads have delivered before. They'll be looking at me
and saying we've lost the game 3-1, so why did I make those changes. "I'll
have to say that I'd tend to agree with them after that, because had we kept
that solidity in the the defensive unit that we normally do I believe we
would have got a point at least . "I know the referee has probably taken a
goal away from us [by not awarding a penalty for Marc Muniesa's second half
handball] but it's still no excuse for the defending for two goals we
conceded in the second half."
Having got in level at the break, Allardyce thought the Hammers would make
use of the conditions in the second half - and that was how it was panning
out until Arnautovic's killer blow. Allardyce explained: "We were saying at
half-time let's use the conditions to our advantage, which we did because
Stoke found it hugely difficult to get out of their own half. When that's
the case you can keep probing and putting pressure on the opposition. "When
you put pressure on the opposition constantly they end up making a mistake.
That mistake happened and fortunately for them Begovic got away with it.
"When he came so far out and mis-punched the ball, he just went a yard or so
ahead of Kevin Nolan. Had he not done that. Kevin would have been onside for
that goal, so he was fortunate to get away with that one."
West Ham still need to look over their shoulder with six points between them
and the bottom three and the manager warned the job is not yet done. He
added: "There are nine games to go, and our points per game are diminishing
again. We've played 29 games and only got 31 points. "That cannot continue,
we have to keep more points ahead of our games total and do that to try and
secure our Premier League position as quickly as possible."
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Stoke 3 West Ham 1
15 March 2014
Last updated at 18:16
By Simon Stone
BBC Sport
Peter Odemwingie scored twice as Stoke came from behind to claim victory
against West Ham in the Premier League. Andy Carroll headed in his first
goal since April to give the visitors a perfect start. But Stoke levelled
when Peter Crouch's acrobatic effort deflected in off Odemwingie on the
line. Marko Arnautovic finished off a flowing four-man move to put Stoke
ahead before Odemwingie slammed in his second from an acute angle. The
result extends Stoke's excellent recent run. Mark Hughes's men have now lost
just once in seven games and have moved into the top half of the table. West
Ham will reflect on a penalty claim for handball against defender Marc
Muniesa, waved away by referee Craig Pawson, that replays showed merited a
spot-kick that would have brought the visitors level. The Hammers had gone
ahead after just five minutes when Carroll, who has been touted for an
England World Cup call, rose impressively to nod in Mark Noble's free-kick
ahead of Stoke goalkeeper Asmir Begovic. The Potters levelled before the
break when Crouch reacted quickest after Adrian had pushed his initial
header onto the bar. However, though Crouch wheeled away to celebrate, the
effort belonged to Odemwingie, who was stood on the line when it struck him
and diverted into the net. Carroll had an effort beaten away by Begovic and
Kevin Nolan saw a goal ruled out for offside before Arnautovic gave Stoke
the lead. The Austrian profited from a flowing move, then enjoyed a slice of
luck on the edge of the area as the Hammers defence failed to deal with his
forward burst, before prodding a fine shot into the corner for his first
goal since October. Had the Muniesa penalty decision gone their way, the
Hammers could easily have set up a thrilling finish. As it was, they were
left distinctly unhappy at the ruling, even though the referee seemed to
have a clear view of the incident. And their mood was not improved shortly
afterwards when Ireland set up Odemwingie. The Nigerian has impressed since
his January arrival from Cardiff. And while there may have been a large
element of fortune in his first goal, there was no room for debate over the
second, as he drove home from an acute angle. It was enough to secure a
victory that edges Stoke closer to safety, while at the same time leaving
West Ham slightly too near the drop zone for comfort, despite manager Sam
Allardyce picking up February's manager of the month award.
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce: "Our defending for the second goal was
pathetic. That has been our strength this season. Unfortunately today it has
let us down badly." On the penalty claim for handball against Marc Muniesa,
he added: "It was an extremely poor decision. It was right in front of him
(the referee), he had a perfect view. The ball hits the lad on the left arm.
"I am completely and utterly baffled. Sometimes they do not have the courage
- 999 times out of 1000 that would be given."
Stoke manager Mark Hughes: "In those situations you are going to raise your
arm because he was trying to get above Andy Carroll. It probably did catch
his elbow but he wasn't even looking in that direction. "If it had gone
against us we would have still won. We were the better team." On Stoke's
first goal he added: "It was a bit of a scramble. "Peter Crouch did really
well to get it towards goal. But Peter Odemwingie is a striker and he will
claim it. I would if I was in his position."
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Stoke City beat West Ham 3-1 at the Britannia Stadium
Last Updated: 15/03/14 6:55pm
SSN
Stoke bounced back from conceding early on to see off West Ham 3-1 at the
Britannia Stadium. Hammers striker Andy Carroll opened the scoring in the
fifth minute of the Premier League contest with his first goal of the
season, rising above Peter Crouch and crashing a header past Asmir Begovic,
who had rushed off his line to try to punch the ball away. The hosts
equalised in the 32nd minute when Crouch, following up his own header that
had hit the bar, saw his acrobatic effort go in off the shoulder of Peter
Odemwingie. Kevin Nolan thought he had made it 2-1 to the visitors when he
put the ball in the net in the 61st minute, but the effort was correctly
ruled out for offside.
Best of the match
Goal of the match: Peter Odemwingie made Stoke City's third look easy when
it wasn't. The former West Brom man hammered home from a tight angle.
Moment of the match: With the score at 1-1, Marc Muniesa appeared to handle
inside the Stoke penalty area. West Ham and in particular Andy Carroll were
convinced it should have been a penalty but the referee thought otherwise.
Man of the match: Stephen Ireland. The midfielder worked tirelessly and
should have grabbed the goal his performance deserved.
Talking point: Can Stoke City finish higher than tenth?
And Stoke subsequently went on to wrap up victory, with Marko Arnautovic
getting through a crowd of players and slotting in on 69 minutes before
Odemwingie finished a Potters counter-attack by lashing home with 11 minutes
to go. Early on, it appeared as if the day might belong to Carroll. Since
becoming West Ham's record signing last summer, Carroll has endured a
frustrating campaign, missing much of it due to a foot injury and then,
after finally regaining his fitness, being hit with a three-match suspension
for a red card in February. He is still hoping to make England's squad for
this summer's World Cup, though, and on what was his first start since his
sending-off and only his seventh appearance of the season, he looked like a
man on the mission as this game got under way. The 25-year-old, who was on
loan with West Ham from Liverpool last term and last scored in April, had
already had a shot blocked when he headed the Hammers into the lead. Stoke
boss Mark Hughes says his side fully deserved the win and could have won by
more. Carroll connected with Mark Noble's floated free-kick as his marker
Crouch and Begovic got in each other's way. Stoke were almost level
immediately as Adrian tipped a Stephen Ireland effort around the post, but
Carroll was soon threatening again, bringing a save out of Begovic. The
action switched to the other end again as Steven Nzonzi's shot was blocked
and from the resulting corner, Marc Wilson sent an effort goalwards that
went behind off Odemwingie. Stoke were forced into a substitution just
before the quarter-hour mark as Erik Pieters went off for Marc Muniesa, and
the game then reduced in tempo somewhat after its frantic opening.
Arnautovic earned a corner with an ambitious effort, and Crouch then did the
same, leading to the Potters' leveller. From Ireland's corner, Crouch nodded
the ball into the ground and onto the bar, and then reacted quickly to
volley it back goalwards. It struck Odemwingie, who was on the line, before
going in, but Crouch might feel the goal should be his. West Ham's Kevin
Nolan says his side were denied a blatant penalty and feels they should have
come away with more from the game. Carroll was still on the hunt and cracked
a shot over the bar as half-time approached, before Ireland failed to make
the most of being put through on goal, shooting straight at Adrian. Shortly
after the restart Nolan headed Mohamed Diame's cross wide from a good
position and Crouch then just failed to make connection with a clever
through-ball as he tried to nick it past Adrian. Carroll was next to find
himself in space in front of goal, but saw his shot divert over via
Begovic's foot. Then came the offside decision, as Begovic punched the ball
out, it came back into the box to Nolan and he guided it into the net. Much
to his dismay, the flag was up. Stoke soon capitalised after surviving that
scare, as Arnautovic collected the ball, squeezed into the box past several
West Ham men and beat Adrian. And, after West ham had had a couple of
handball claims waved away, Odemwingie made the three points safe with a
goal that was certainly his, smashing in emphatically from Ireland's pass as
Stoke surged forward on the break.
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Sam Allardyce unhappy after West Ham lose 3-1 at Stoke
Last Updated: 15/03/14 6:29pm
SSN
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce blamed a combination of poor refereeing and
defending for his side's 3-1 defeat at Stoke City. The visitors took the
lead early on through Andy Carroll but struggled to increase their advantage
and were punished through two goals from Peter Odemwingie and one from Marko
Arnautovic. West Ham thought they might have had a penalty in the second
half when Marc Muniesa appeared to handle in the box but referee Craig
Pawson waved away Carroll's protests. Speaking to Sky Sports after the game,
Allardyce was convinced Pawson had got it wrong. He said: "I can't control
what the referee does but I can with our defending and that was poor at
times today. "We had a back four intact and none of them did anything to
stop Stoke's players getting through and scoring. "The critical decision
didn't go for us and straight away it's a pen, we can all see it. Sam
Allarydce said windy conditions did not help his West Ham side as they lost
3-1 to Stoke. "Andy Carroll was going mad. You do hope referees don't make
those decisions but that was certainly a penalty."
The West Ham boss's next target is to secure survival and then decide which
players will be in his plans for next season. He added: "Now, and as
quickly as possible, we need to get enough points on the board. "Things
needs to be sorted by securing our safety and then we can look at the
players that are out of contract. "It's a big disappointment today but you
always expect Stoke to come back. "One of the telling factors was the wind.
We penned them back in the second half until they scored on the break. It
was a blatant handball though by the substitute and his arm knocks the ball
away from Carroll and the referee chooses not to blow his whistle.
"Defending wise, we have no excuse though." West Ham face Manchester United
next weekend in the Premier League.
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Stoke boss Mark Hughes praises Stephen Ireland for 'incredible' performance
in 3-1 win over West Ham
Mar 15, 2014 20:03 By Liam Prenderville
The Mirror
Mark Hughes was full of admiration for recalled midfielder Stephen Ireland
after his Stoke side beat West Ham 3-1. A brace from Peter Odemwingie -
either side of Marko Arnautovic's strike - was enough to secure all three
points for the Potters but it was Ireland's performance that caught the eye.
And Hughes was keen to praise the 27-year-old, who shone in the absence of
Charlie Adam and Jonathan Walters. The Stoke boss said: "I had no worries
about bringing Steven into the team because I know what qualities he can
bring to the side. "He fulfilled the role we wanted him to play today
incredibly well, and on another day would have scored a couple himself. "I
see the qualities that he has within his locker every single day in
training, and I think he showed everybody what a player he can be out on the
pitch today. "It was really pleasing performance all round to be perfectly
honest, and the manner in which we finished the game was really pleasing."
Meanwhile, West Ham boss Sam Allardyce was left ruing referee Craig Pawson's
decision not to give his side a penalty for Marc Muniesa's handball. He
said: "I can't control what the referee does but I can with our defending
and that was poor at times today. "The critical decision didn't go for us
and straight away it's a pen, we can all see it. "Andy Carroll was going
mad. You do hope referees don't make those decisions but that was certainly
a penalty."
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West Ham's Joe Cole set for Brighton transfer when his contract expires in
the summer
Mar 15, 2014 22:30 By Dave Kidd
The Mirror
Joe Cole is ready to make a summer move to Brighton. The ex-England star has
struggled to nail down a first-team place since returning to West Ham last
year and is out of contract at Upton Park at the end of this season. It is
believed that Cole, 32, has accepted that he is unlikely to find a Premier
League club who would offer him regular first-team football but is intrigued
by the prospect of working under Brighton boss and former Barcelona coach
Oscar Garcia. Cole has not played for the Hammers since the Capital One Cup
semi-final defeat by Manchester City in January and has endured a rocky
relationship with boss Sam Allardyce. Cole currently earns around £90,000
per week – partly funded by a pay-off from Liverpool – and will have to take
a massive drop in wages to join the Seagulls. The former Chelsea
title-winner has also had offers to move to Major League Soccer but does not
want to relocate his young family to the US , despite the offer of a far
more lucrative deal.
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Joe Cole could join the MLS in summer and emulate Jermain Defoe's big money
move
Feb 01, 2014 22:30 By Dave Kidd
The Mirror
Joe Cole is in line for a money-spinning move to Major League Soccer. The
West Ham midfielder is out of contract in May and it is believed he will not
be offered a new deal if Sam Allardyce remains in charge at Upton Park.
Cole, 32, is one of several Premier League players who is of interest to MLS
Commissioner Don Garber – and he is already free to negotiate with foreign
clubs. The MLS is run on a different model to European leagues with the
League itself signing players and agreeing contracts, rather than individual
clubs. Former Chelsea and England star Cole, the father of two young
children, would be keen to stay in the Premier League if he can match his
current £50,000-a-week wages. But he knows he would earn more by moving to
the States as one of the three 'designated players' allowed at each club,
exceeding the League's salary cap. Cole rejoined his boyhood club West Ham
from Liverpool last January but has struggled to nail down a regular
first-team place under Allardyce, with whom he has a frosty relationship.
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